©
'■n
-J->
crt
1 — •
M
W
►^
5.
-a
.'-
cd
-t-iJ
r,r
S~<
o
"A
^\
-M
<D
ni
CO ;
i^
r\
I— I '
1
CO tH o
O O =3
m
H
k^
cS
+3
1 ^
r/!
^ o
1— 1
CD '-^
C3
1— 1
Pilloor
Kalliat
Liddels
t~ CO o;
CO
M-l
H
^
fl")
oi
m
^
B
o
^^
-*-)
nl
C)
o
O
OW
•^1
>d to
ce
-I
THE
JOURNAL ^
OF THE
Bombay Natueal Histoet Society.
EDITED BY
W. S. MILLARD. N. B. KINNEAR, R. A. SPENCE.
VOL. XXVI.
Consisting of Five Parts and containing Seven Coloured
Plates, Forty-six Lithographed Plates, Seven Diagrams,
Ttvo Maps a7id Forty -nine Text-Figures^
Part J {Pages 1 to 318)
„ II iPages 319 #0 704)
„ III iPages 705 to 884)
„ IV (,Pages 885 to 1055)
„ V {Index, cfo.)
Dates of Publication.
•49 ••• •■•
••• ••• •••
••• ••• «••
•t* ••• .t*
. 20«A Z><;cr., 1918.
. 20<A May, 1919.
. lOth Oct,, 1919.
ilst Jan., 1920.
15#A Jan., 1921.
J fl lu b It ^ :
PRINTED AT THE TIMES PRESS
.1 !:
C"\
VL
o
o
CO
a ■
in '
i!
c;
a I
X .
t
CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXVI.
No. 1.
• Page
The Game Birds of India, Burma and Ceylon. Part XXV:
{With a Plate of Catreus wallichi, the Cheer Pheasant).
By E. C. Stuart Baker, f.l.s., f.z.s., m.b.o.u 1
Summary of the Results from the Indian Mammal
Survey of the Bombay Natural History Society.
Part II. By R. C. Wroughton, F.z.s. 19
Scientific Results from the Mammal Survey, No.
XVIII. Report on the House Rats of India,
Burma and Ceylon. By Martin A. C. Hinton 59
A Popular Treatise on the Common Indian Snakes.
Part XXVI. {With Plate XXVI and Diagram of
Cerberus rhynchops and Enhydris curtus.) By Lt.-
Col. F. Wall, C.M.G., C.M.Z.S., f.l.s., i.m.s 89
The Common Butterflies of the Plains of India. Part
XXI. By T. R. Bell, I.F.S., CLE 98
Indian Dragonflies. Part III. (With 12 Text-f<jures.)
By Major F. C. Fraser, i.m.s 141
Notes on the Birds of Ambala District, Punjab. Part
II. By H. Whistler, M.B.O.U., F.z.s 172
The CTPERA.CE.E OF THE BOxMBAY PRESIDENCY. Part II.
By L. J. Sedgwick, f.l.s., i.c.s 192
A Revision of the Indian Species of Botala and Amman-
NiA. Part II. By E. Blatter, S.J., and Prof. F. Hallberg 210
The Flora of the Indian Desert. ( Jodhpur and Jaisal-
mer). Part I. (With 12 Plates.) By E. Blatter, s.j.,
and Prof. F. Hallberg -- 218
The Birds of Prey of the Punjab. Part I. (With 2
^yjrimis.) By C. H. Donald, f.z.s 247
Panthers. By Brig.-General R. G. Burton 266
The Mesopotamian Bulbul. By Capt. Claude B. Tice-
hurst, r.a.m.c 279
' '■^•':^» 52099
ir CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXVI.
Page
Miscellaneous Notes:— »,•'; ". vl ■^ :'['.■-
I. Notes on a Young Hog-Badger {Arctonyx,
s^?.) in the Garo Hills. By V. A. Jackson. 281
Further Notes on the Hog-Badger. By V.
A. Jackson 281
II. Porcupine's Mode of Attack. By Reginald
H. Heath 282
III. Method of Porcupine's Attack. By Lt.-Col.
E. O'Brien ..., ,.... 28S
IV. Method of Porcupine's Attack. By F. J.
Mitchell 28S
V. The Beatrix or Arabian Oryx (^Ori/x leucoryx
■ in Central Arabia. (With a Plate.) By
Lt.-Col. R. E. A. Hamilton 28a
VI. Notes on a Takin Head from Assam. By J.
P. Mills, i.c.s •.... 284
VII. Panic in Elephants during an Earthquake.
By V. A. Jackson, F.R.G.s ".. 285
VIII. On White Elephants H. Macnaghten ... 285
IX. The White-cheeked Bulbul (Molpastes leuco-
(jenys.) By Brig. -General R. M. Betham. 286
X. The Plumage of the Purple Honeysucker
(^Arachnedhtra, asiatica.) By Capt. Claude
B, Ticehurst, E.A.M.c 286'
XI. Note on the Indian Long-billed. Vulture
(Gt/iys indicus.) By W. H. Mathews, i.p. 287
XII. The Common Hawk-Cuckoo (ffierococcyx
varius) in the Punjab. By H, Whistler,
r.z.s., Indian Police 287
XIII The Breeding Habits of Mrs. Hume's Pheas-
'"'"- aut. By Capt. R. Blafidy... •... 289
XIV. Notes on Kali] Pheasants in the tJhiu Hills.
'■■• By Capt. R. Blandy ..' 289
CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXVI.
Page
XV. OcciiiTence of the Lesser Florican or Likh
(8. aurita), in the Mahableshwar Hills. By
Kyrle Fellowes 289
XVI. Abnormal Varieties of the Indian Redstart
(i?. rufivenrits) and the Common House
Crow (C. splendens.) By H. Whistler,
F.z.s,, Indian Police 289
XVII. The Coloin- of the Eye of the Female White-
eyed Pochard (Nyroca africana). By Capt.
Claude B. Ticehurst, R.A.M.c 290
XVIII. Notes on the Habits of the Mallard (Anas
hoscas). By Lt.-Col. E. J. D. Colvin ... 291
XIX. An addition to the Game Birds of Burma.
The Long-billed Hill Partridge (Rhizothera
longirostris, Temn.) in Tenasserim. By
Chas. M. Inglis, m.b.o.u 291
XX. Natural History Notes from Fao. By W.
D, Cumming 292
XXI. How Trout were introduced into Kashmir.
By F.J.Mitchell 295
XXII. Notes on the Larva of Ohce'rocamjM alecto.
By Capt. F. B. Scott, i.A 299
XXIII. Life History of Anthercea roylei, the Oak
Emperor Moth. By C. W. Allan 300
XXIV. A Flight of Locusts (With a Plate). By E.
C. B. Acworth 301
XXV. Nesting Habits of Vespa dorylloides, Sauss.
By C. F. C. Beeson, m.a., i.f.s 301
XXVL Mimicry in Spiders. By F. Clayton 302
XXVII. On the Breeding Habits of some Myriaiioda.
ByC. McCann 303
XXVIII. Note on a new undescribed Species of
Cynodon (With a Plate.') By K. Ranga-
chari and C. Tadulingam 304
' wi " Contents of vol ume xx vi.
■'■■'■' Page
XXIX. A Variety of Batea frondosa. By Lt.-Col.
C. E. Luard 305
XXX. The Edible Date-Palm in Bombay. By
Rev. E. Blatter, s.,T..... 306
XXXI. Oleander poisoning Camels. By Capt. J. E.
B. Hotson, i.A.R.o. .". 306
XXXII. Notes from the Oriental Sporting Magazine.
New Series, 1869 to 1879, By Lt.-Col.
.. R. W. Burton, i.A. 309'
• ' XXXIII. Nilgiri Trap for catching Wild Animals.
By Capt. Philip Gosse, K. A. M.c 311
' '"' XXXIV. Eleocharis congesta, Don., in the Bombay
Presidency. By L. J. Sedgwick, i.c.s. ... 312
Proceedings 313 — 318
No. 2.
The Game Birds of India, Burma and Ceylon. Part
XXVI. (^With a Plate of LopJioplwnts imjyejanus, the
Impeyan Pheasant or Monal.) By E. C. Stuart
Baker, f.l.s., f.z.s., m.b.o.u 319
Summary of the Results from the Indian Mammal
Survey of the Bombay Natural History Society.
Part III. By R. C. Wroughton, F.Z.S 338
On Asiatic vStarlings. By Capt. C. B. Ticehurst, r.a.m.c. 380
Scientific Results from the Mammal Survey No. XVIII
(contd.) Report on the House Rats of India, Burma
and Ceylon. By Martin A. C. Hinton 384
Scientific Results from the Mammal Survey, No. XIX.
A Synopsis of the Groups of True Mice found within
the Indian Empire. By Oldfield Thomas, F.r.s 417
A New Species of Nesokia from Mesopotamia. By Old-
field Thomas, f.r.s 422:
Supplementary Notes on Some Indian Birds. By B. B.
Osmaston, c.i.e., i.f.s 424
CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXVI. ^ii-
Pagk
A Popular Treatise on the Common Indian Snakes. Part
XXVII. (With Plate XXVII and Diagram of
Hyd/i'ophis spiralis and Hyd/rophis cyanocinctus. By
Lt.-Col. F. Wall, C.M.G., C.M.Z.S,, F.L.S., I.M.S 430
The Common Butterflies of the Plains of India. Part
XXII. (With Plate H.) By T. R. Bell, c.i.e., i.f.s.. 438
Indian Dragonflies. Part IV. (With 14 Text-figures).
By Major F. C. Fraser, i.M.s : 488
Sub-Species and the Field Naturalist. By B. C. Stuart
Baker, f.l.S., f.z.s., m.b.o.u 518
The Flora of the Indian Desert. (Jodhpur and Jaisal-
mer). Part II. (With 13 Plates.) By E. Blatter,
S.J., and Prof. F. Hallberg 525
Notes on a Collection of Snakes made in the Nilgiri
Hills and the adjacent Wynaad. (With Diagram
and maps.) By Lt.-Col. F. Wall, c.m.g., c.m.z.s.,
f.l.S. , i.M.s 552
Some Birds of Ludhiana District, Punjab. By H,
Whistler, f.z.s., m.b.o.u 585
Reduction of Euphorbia rothiana. By L. J. Sedgwick,
F.L.S., i.c.s 599-
A List of Birds found in the Simla Hills, 1908-1918.
By A. E. Jones 601
Some South Indian Coccids of Economic Importance.
(With 4 Plates.) By T. V. Ramakrishna Ayyar, b.a.,
F.E.S., F.z.s 621
The Birds of Prey of the Punjab. Part II. '(With
Plates I and II.) By C. H. Donald, f.z.s 629
Progress of the Mammal Survey 656
Miscellaneous Notes : —
I. The Tiger and the Train. By A. A. Dunbar
Brander, i.f.s 658
II. Arrow head imbedded in a Tiger's back. By
. J. G. Ridland 658
«ni
CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXVI.
•Mr ^1
Page
III. Size of Tigers. By Lt.-Col. R. Light 659
IV. Tigress {Felis iigris) attacking a Sloth Bear
(Melursus tirsinus). By J. A. Duke 659
V. Mongoose (Mungos mungo) killing a Hedge-
hog. By Lt.-Col. E. O'Brien 660
VI. Natural Death of a Fox {Vulpes hengalensis).
By G. O. Allen, i.c.s 660
VII. Spotted Deer {Axis axis) and Wild Dogs
{Cuon duldmnensis). By J. A. Duke 661
IX. Porcupine's method of shedding quills when
attacked. By Lt.-Col. R. Light 666
X. Record Female Nilgiri Tahr. (Hemitragus
hylocrius). By Lt. A. P. Kinloch 666
XI. Indian Grey Shrike {Lanius lahtora) attack-
ing wounded Sandgrouse. By Lt.-Col.
E. O'Brien 667
XII. Occurrence of Indian Red-breasted Flycat-
cher (Sipliia hyperythra) in the Deccan.
ByA. J. Currie 667
X\ll. Nesting habits of the Brown Rockchat
{Gercomela fusca). By L. S. White 667
XIV. A note on the large Brown Thrush (Zoothera
monticola). By S. J.Martin 668
XV. Nidification of the Smaller Streaked Spider-
hunter {Arachnothera aurata). J. M. D.
Mackenzie, i.f.s., m.b.o.u., f.z.s 669
XVI. The Malabar Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros
cwonatus) in Mirzapur, U. P. By G. O.
Allen, I.C.S 671
XVII. The Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) in Mirzapur,
U. P. ByG. O.Allen 671
XVIII. Extension of Range of the Bronze-winged
Dove. By H. Dawson 672
XIX. Habits of the Painted Sandgrouse (Pterocles
fasciatus). By G. O. Allen, i.c.s 672
CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXVI.
IX
Page
XX, Sandgroiise in Mesopotamia. By Lt.-Col.
H. A. F. Magrath 672
XXI. The Burmese Peafowl (Pavo mxdicus) in the
Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bengal. By C.
M. Inglis 673
XXII. Nidification of Stone's Pheasant (Fhasianus
elecjmis). A correction. By C. M. Inglis. 673
XXlli. The Great Indian Bustard (JEupoHMis edwardsi)
in Mirzapur District, U. P. By G. 0.
Allen, i.c.s 673
XXIV. Note on the occurrence of the Lesser Florican
or Likh (Sypheotis aurita) in Bombay.
By N. Marry at 674
XXV. The Cotton Teal in Malabar. By A. M.
Kinloch 674
XXVI. Occurrence of the Common Sheldrake (Ta-
doyna cornuta) and the Marbled Duck
(^Marmaronetta angudirostris) in Kathiawar.
By Lt.-Col. H. W. Berthon 674
XXVII. Spot-billed Duck in Kashmir. By Maj. D. J.
Oliver 675
XXVIII. The Sheldrake {Tadorna cornuta) in Manipur
State. By J. C. Higgin?, i.c.s 675
XXIX. Further note on the Birds of Ambala District,
Punjab. By A. E. Jones 675
XXX. List of Birds observed in the Euphrates Valley.
By Major General H. T. Brooking 677
XXXI. Large Carp from Mesopotamia. By Major
R. Bagnall 679
XXXII. Large Carp from Mesopotamia. By Brig.-
General H. Mackay, k.a 680
XXXIII. The Habits of the Tree Frog {Rhacophorus
maculahcs). By G. O. Allen, i c.s 681
XXXIV. The Habits of BryopMs mycterizans. By
A. M. Kinloch 681
CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXVI.
Page
XXXV. The Bite of the Large Spotted Viper (Lacliesis
monticola). By A. Wright 681
XXXVI. Remarks on Col. Wall's identification of
Hijdroyhis cyanocindus. By Malcolm
A. Smith, F.z.s 682
XXX VII. Notes on Some Interesting Snakes recently
presented to this Society. By S. H.
Prater 683
XXXVIII. The undescribed Female of an Indian Dra-
gonfly (Hemicordulia asiatica). By Major
F. C. Fraser, i.m.s 685
XXXIX. Libellulines at St. Thomas' Mount, Madras.
By H. R. Rishworth 685
XL. A note on the function of the " Forceps " in
Forfculidce. By Lt.-Col. F. Powell
Connor, I.M.S 688
XLI. Some Butterflies taken in Benares and
Adjoining Districts. By G. 0. Allen, i.c.s. 689
XLI I. Notes on the Emergence from the Cocoon in
Lcmocamjndre . By Lt.-Col. F. P. Connor,
I.M.S 691
XLIIL Tenacity of life of Parapolyhia orientalis.
By G. O. Allen, i.c.s 693
XLIV. Protective habits of the Larva of Trypano-
pjliora semihyalioia. By G. 0. Allen, i.C.S. 693
XLV. Note on the supposed effects of the bite of a
Pentatomid Bug (fialys dentatus). By E.
H. Hunt 694
XLVI. A few Additions to the List of Mussoorie
Plants, by James Marten, in Vol. XIX,
p. 475. By G. O. Allen, I.c.s 695
XLVII. On the Indentity of Blastospora huileri Syd.
(With a Plate.) By S. L. Ajrekar, b.a.... 697
Proceedings • 698 — 703
CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXVI. , ;xi
Page
No. 3. ;
The Game Birds of Iis'dia, Bukma ajsd Ceylon. Part
XXVli. (With a coloured [Plate of Tragopan). By
E. C« Stuart Baker, F.z.s., F.K.S., m.b.o.u 705
Scientific Results FfiOM THE Mammal Survey, >Jo. XVIII
(contd.). Report on the House Rats of India, Burma
and Ceylon. By Martin A. C. Hinton 716
Scientific Results from the Mammal Survey, No. XX.
By Oldfield Thomas, F.R.s 726
A. — Notes on the Genus Cheliones.
B. — Change of Coat in the Common Palm Squirrel — An
Appeal. B}- R. C. Wroughton, f.z.s.
C. — Two new forms oi the Funamlndus tristriatus (Gvoivgi).
By R. C. Wroughton and Winifred M. Davison.
D. — On the Genus Tadarida (Wrinkle-Lip Bats). By
R. C. Wroughton, F.z.s.
Indian Dragonflies. Part V. {With Text-ficjiLres). By
Major F. C. Fraser, i.m.s 734
Some new Mammals from Mesopotamia. By Oldfield
Thomas, f.r.s., f.z.s 745
Common Butterflies of the Plains of India. Part XXIII.
By T. R. Bell, c.i.e., i.f.s. 750
Some Birds observed at Fagoo, near Simla. By H.
Whistler, f.z.s., m.b.o.u 77(»'
Summary of the Results from the Indian Mammal
Survey of the Bombay Natural History Society.
Part IV. By R. C. Wroughton, F.z.s 776
A Popular Treatise on the Common Indian Snakes.
Part XXVIII {With a coloured Plate XXVIII and
Diagram). By Lt.-Col. F. Wall, c.m.g., c.m.z.s., f.z.s.,
I.M.S 803.
The Flora of the Indian Desert, (Jodhpur and Jaisal-
mer). Part III. {With G Plates.). By E. Blatter,
S.J., and Prof. F. Hallberg 811
xii CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXVI.
Page
A Tentative List of the Vertebkates of the Jalpaiguri
District, Bengal. {With Plates). By Chas. M. Inglis,
M.B.O.U., W. L. Travers, H. V. O'Donel and E. O.
Shebbeare, i.F.s ., 819
The Birds of Prev of the Punjab. Part III. (With
Flaiel). By C. H. Donald, f.z.s 826
Miscellaneous Notes : —
1. Note on the Malabar Slender Loris, (Loris
hideklcerianiis). By N. B. Kinnear, C.M.z.s. 836
, II. Tiger {Felis tigris) climbing Tree. By G.
Monteath, b.a., i.c.s 837
III. Wild Dogs (Ciion dul-liunensis) and Sambhur.
By F. Ware 837
IV. Distribution of the different races and species
of Takin (Budorcas). By F. Kingdon-Ward. 838
V. Notes on the Big Game and Dnck of Dhar
State. By H. H. Udaji Pao Puar, K.c.s.i.,
K.B.E., Maharaja of Dhar 841
VI. Variety of the Common House Crow (Corvus
splendeyis) at Jhang, Punjab. By Hugh
Whistler, F.z.s 843
VII. Maternal instinct in the Pied Bush-Chat,
(Pratincola caprafa). By S. M. Robinson. 843
VIII. Nesting habits of the Brown Rockchat (Ger-
comela fusca). By W. H. Mathews 843
IX. An Albino Swallow. By W. H. Mathews... 844
X. Abnormal variety of the Green Bee-Eater.
(Merops viridis). By Hugh Whistler, F.z.s. 844
XI. Some Birds of Prey of Mesopotamia. By C.
H. Donald, f.z.s 845
XII. Extension of Range of the Green Imperial
Pigeon (Carpophaga wna mna) in Western
India. By N. B. Kinnear, C.M.z.s 846
COIS TENTS OF VOLUME XXVI.
xiw
Page
XIII, Extracts from " A Monograph of the Phea-
• • sants by William Beebe." By Chas. M.
Inglis, M.B.o.u ■..:.: 847
XIV. The Black-Breasted Kalij Pheasant (Gen-
nceus horsjieldi horsfieldi) east of the Irra-
waddy. By Chas. M. Inglis, m.b.o.u. ... 848
XV. A note on the breeding of the Hill Patridge
Arhoricola iorqueola near Simla. By Hugh
Whistler, f.z.s • 849-
XVI. Late stay of Common Snipe {Gallinago cceles-
tis) in Central India. By Percy Hide ... 849
XVII. Late stay of Pin-tail Snipe (Gallinago
stenura) in Burma. By A. F. M. Slater. 850
XVIII. Migration of Snipe in Burma. By E. T.
Kenny 850'
XIX. Feeding habits of the Little Egret (Herodias
garzetta). By H. R. Meredith 852:
XX. Further occui'rence of the Rose-coloured
Starling (Pastor roseus) and the Flamingo
(Phcenico2}terus roseus) in the Darbhanga
District, Behar. By Chas. M. Inglis,
M.B.o.u... 853
XXI. Different Birds nesting in Compan}-. By
W.Mathews 853
XXII. Notes on some nests recently found in South
Tenasserim. By Cyril Hopwood, m.b.o.u. 853'
XXIII. Mesopotamian Bird Notes. By F. C. R.
Jourdain 860
XXIV. The Giant Tortoise living in Ceylon. (With
a Plate). By N. B. Kinnear, c.m.z.s. ... 861
XXV. The Rudimentary hind limb in an Embryo of
Pi/thon moluriis. By Lt.-Col. F. Wall,
i.M.s 862.
XXVI. The Habits of the Green Whip-Snake (Bryo-
■ iMs myderizans) . By J.. F. Cains, s.j. ... 862.
XIV
CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXVI.
Page
XXYII. Note on tlie snake Trirhinopholis nuchalis
(Boulenger). By Lt.-Col. F. Wall, i.M.S. 863
XXVIII. A Gravid Specimen of the Snake Cylind/ro-
phis mamdatus (Linn.). By Lt.-Col.
F. Wall, I.M.S 863
XXIX. Reply to Dr. Malcolm Smith's remarks in
the last Journal. By Lt.-Col. F. Wall,
I.M.S 864
XXX. Notes on some recent additions to our
Society's Snake collection. By Lt.-Col.
F. Wall, I.M.S 865
XXXI. Occurrence of Stichopthalma godfreyi (Roths).
By O. C. Ollenbach 867
XXXII. Occurrence of Colotis vestalis and amata at
Unao. By G. 0. Allen, i.c.s 868
XXXIII. Early appearance of Pieris hrassicce (Linn.)
in the Darbhanga District, Behar. By
Chas. M. Inglis 869
XXXIV. Notes on the habits of Butterflies (Zeuxidia
onasoni and Xanthotcenuia husiris). By 0.
C. Ollenbach 869
XXXV. Naini Tal Butterfly Notes. By G. 0. Allen,
I.c.s 870
XXXVI. Life History Notes on Coorg Butterflies.
By F. Hamilton, i.c.s 871
XXXVII. The Hawk Moth {Deilephiia Uvornica). A
correction. By Capt. F. B. Scott, i.a. ... 872
XXXVIII. Harpador costalis, Stal, preying on Ceratina
viridissima, D. T. By Chas. M. Inglis,
M.B.o.u 872
XXXIX. Notes on the Flying White Ants and Scor-
pions that feed on them. By C. H.
Dracott 873
XL. Notes on some new and other Indian Dra-
gonflies. By Major F. C. Fraser, i.m.s 874
CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXTI. xv
Page
XLI. Ants attacking Bees. By A. G. H. Brei-
thaupt 878
XLII. Habits of Earth Worms. By G. O. Allen,
i.c.s 879
Review. A practical handbook of British Birds 880
Proceedings 882
No. 4.
The Game Birds of India, Burma and Ceylon. Part
XXVIII. With a Coloured Plate, Trmjopan hlythi
hlythi. By E. C. Stuart Baker, f.l.s., f.z.s., m.b.o.u.... 885
Scientific Results from the Mammal Survey, No. XVIII
(concld.). Reports on the House Rats of India, Burma
and Ceylon. By Martin A. C. Hinton 906
Indian Dragonflies. Part VI. (With Text-Jig ares.) By
Major F. C. Eraser, i.m.s 919
Scientific Results from the Mammal Survey, No. XXI.
A. — Some New Mammals from Baluchistan and North
West India. By Oldfieid Thomas, f.r.s 933
B. — Two new species of Galomi/fcus. By Oldfieid
Thomas, f.r.s 938
The Common Butterflies of the Plains of India. Part
XXIV. By T. R. Bell, CLE., i.F.s 941
Summary of the Results from the Indian Mammal
Survey of the Bombay Natural History Society.
Part V. By R, C. Wroughton, F.z.s 955
The Flora of the Indian Desert (Jodhpur and Jaisalmer;.
Part IV. By E. Blatter, s.j., and Prof. F. Hallberg. 968
A Tentative List of Vertebrates of the Jalpaiguri
District, Bengal. Part II. (With a Plate, Map and
Test BlocJc). By Chas. M. Inglis, m.b.o.u., W. L.
Travers, H. V. O'Donel and E. O. Shebbeare, i.F.s. ... 988
The Birds of Prey of the Punjab. (With Text figures)
Part IV. By C. H. Donald, F.z.s 1000
xVi CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXV I.
Page
Notes on Indian Butterflies. By Lt.-Col. W. H. Evans,
F.Z.S., F.E.S 1021
Description of a New Snake of the Genus Contia, B. and
G., FROM Persia. By G. A. Boulenger 1024
Bombay Natural History Society's Mammal Survey of
India, Burma and Ceylon. Report Nos. 30, Deccan
(Poona District), and 31, Nilgiris 1025
Progress of the Mammal Survey....' , 1036
Obituary Notices : F. Hannyngton, i.c.s., E. W. Ellis,
i.F.s 1037
Miscellaneous Notes :— .
I. Large Kashmir Stag Head (Cervus cashmi-
rianus) {icith text-hlock'). By C. Gilbert
Rogers ....1038
II. Porcupine's method of attack. By C. R. S.
Pitman 1039
III. Porcupine's method of attack. By Ran-
dolph C. Morris 1040
IV. Caracal (Felis caracal) and Hunting Leopard
(CynceUiriis juhatiis) in Mirzapur, U. P.
By G. 0. Allen, i.c.s 1041
V. "Field Rats in the Deccan in 1879. By J.
Davidson 1042
VI. Note on the eggs of Prinia inornata. The
Indian Wren- Warbler. By F. Field 1043
VII. Note on the Nightjar (^Capi'wfulgus cegypU-
cus). By Major W. M. Logan Home 1043
VIII. Strange behaviour of a wild bird. By
Major J. E. M. Boyd 1043
IX. The Blue-breasted Quail (Excalfactoria
' cliinensis) at Mirzapur. By H. Whistler,
■ F.Z.S., M.B.G.U. 1044
X; Birds of different species nesting in Com-
pany. By G. 0. Allen, I.C.S. .1044
COXITXTS OF VOLUME XXVI. xvii
Page
XI. The Red 'I'urtle Dove {(Enopepelia t. tranque-
harlca) in Unao, U. P. By G. O. Allen,
1 .c.s 1 0-1:4
Xll. Accidents to Vnltures. By G. O, Allen, i.C.S. 1045
XIII. Howei'ing habit of the Spotted Owlet (Athene
hrahma). By G. 0. Allen, i.cs 1045
XIV. A 17 Scale Krait [Bun(/arus ca^rtdeus) from
Banu-alore. By Lt.-Col. F. Wall, i.M.s.... 1046
XV. Early occurrence of the Painted Lady
{\\nie^t<a earihii, L.) in the Darl)hanga
District, Behar. By Chas. M. Inglis 1046
XVi. A cnrious method of feedino- noted in Danais
Umaiace, ('ram. By T. V. Subrahmanian. 1047
XV'IL . Not^s from the Oriental Sporting Magazine,
June 1828 to June 1833. By Lt.-Col. R.
W. Burton, I. A 1047
XVIll, An Anomaly in Floral Biology. By S. P.
Jivanna Rao, M.A 1049
Accounts fok 1018 , , 1051
Proceedings 1053
xviii
ALPHABETICAL LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS,
Accounts for 1918.
Page
.. 1051
AcwORTH, E, C. B. ; A Flight of
Locusts ( With a Plate)
Ajrekar, B. a. : On the Iden-
tity of Blastospora butleri
Syd. ( With a Plate) . .
Allan, C. W. ; Life History of
the Anthercea roylei (Oak
Emperor Moth)
Allen, G. O., I.C.S, ; Natural
Death of a Fox {Vulpes
bengalensis) . ,
; Occur-
rence of Colotis ce^talis and
amata at Unao.
: Naini
Tal Butterfly Notes
: The
Malabar Pied Hornbill
(Anthracoceros coronatus) in
Mirzapur, U. P.
: The
301
697
30(»
660
868
870
Page
Allen, G. O., LC.S : The
Habits of the Tree Frog
{Itacoj)horus maculatus) . . 681
: Some
Cuckoo (Cuculu-i canorus) in
Mirzapur, U. P. ,.
; Habits
of the Painted Sandgrouse
iPterocles fasciatus)
; The
671
671
672
Great Indian Bustard {Eu-
podotis edwai'dsi) in Mirzapur
District, U. P.
; Habits
of Ethar Worms
673
879
Butterflies taken in Benares
and adjoining Districts . . 689'
Tena-
city of Life of ParapelyUa
orientalis . . . . , . 693
; Protec-
tive Habits of the Larva of
Trypanophora semihyalina . . 693
; A few
additions to the list of Mus-
soorie Plants, By James
Maktin in Vol. ilX, p. 475. 695-
— — — ; Caracal
{Felis caracal) and Hunting
Leopard ( Cyncelurus jubatus)
in Mirzapur, U. P. . . . . 1041
: Birds
of Diflferent Species Nesting
in Company . . . . . . 1044
; The Red
Turtle-Dove {(Enopepelia t.
tranquebarica) in Unao, U. P. 1044
: Acci-
dents to Vultures . . , , 1045
; Hover-
ing Habit of the Spotted
Owlet {Athene brahma) , . 1045
LIST OF CONTRIBITTORS.
XIX
Page
Ayyak, T. v. Ramakrishna,
B.A., F.E.S., F.Z.S. ; Some
South Indian Coccids of
Economic Importance. ( With
4 Flaies)
Large
Bagnall, Major R.
Carp from Mesopotamia
Baker, E. C. Stuabt, F.L.S.,
F.Z.S., M.B.O.U ; The Game
Birds of India, Burma and
Ceylon. Part XXV. ( With a
Coloured Plate). The Cheer
Pheasant, The Fire-Back,
The Siam Fire-Back
SuB-Species and the Field
Naturalist
Part XXVII. The Crimson-
Horned Pheasant . .
Part XXVIII. {With a
Coloured Plate). The Grey-
Bellied Horned Pheasant,
the Western Tragopan,
the Tibetan Tragopan,
Temminck's Tragopan, Ca-
bot's Tragopan
Beeson, C. F. C, M.A., I.F.S.;
Nesting Habits of Vespa
dorylloides, Saus.
Bell, T. R., I.F.S. ; The Com-
mon Butterflies of the Plains
of India. Part XXI
621
679
Part XXVI ( With a Coloured
Plate.) The Monal Pheasant,
The Impeyan Pheasant or
Monal, Sclater's Monal,
Lophophorus Vhuysii . . 319
518
705
Page.
885
301
98
Bell, T. R., CLE., I.F.S. :
The Commom Butterflies of
the Plains of India. Part
XXII. ( With Plate H.) . .
: Part
XXIII
Part
XXIV
Berthon, Lt.-Col. H. W. ;
Occurrence of the Common
Sheldrake (Tadoi-na cornuta)
and the Marbled Duck
( Mar ma ronetta angus trios tris)
in Kathiawar
Betham, Brig.-General R. M. ;
The White-Cheeked Bulbul
{Molpastes leucogenys)
Blandy, Capt. R. ; The Breed-
ing habits of Mrs. Hume's
Pheasant
; Notes on
Kalij Pheasants in the Chin
Hills
Blatter, Rev. E., S.J. ; The
Edible Date Palm in Bombay
Blatter, E., S.J. and Hall-
berg, Prof F. ; A Revision
of the Indian Species of
Rotala and Amviannia.
Part II
438
75a
941
674
286
289
289
306
210
The Flora of the Indian
Desert (Jodhpur and Jaisal-
mer). Part I. {With 12
Plates.) 218
Part II. ( With 13 Plates.). 525
5
Part III. ( With 6 Plates).. 811
Part IV
.. 968
sx
LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS.
Page
Paue
Bombay Natural Histoky
Society's Mammal Survey
OF India ; Summary of the
Results. By K. C. Wrough-
Tox. Part II
19
Summary of the Results.
By R. C. Wroughtox,
F.Z.S. Part 111 ..
588
Summary of the Results. By
R. C. Wroughtox. Part IV. 776
Summary of the Results.
By R. C. Wroughtox.
PartV .. .. .. '• »•■>•")
Bombay Natural History
Society's Mammal Survey
of India ; Scientific Results,
No. XXI. By Oldfield
Thomas, F.R.S
boulexger, g. a., f.r.s.,
D.Sc. ; Description of a New
Snake of the Genus Contia,
B. & G., from Persia
Boyd, Maj. J. E. M. ; Strange
behaviour of a Wild Bird . .
933
Scientific Results, No.
XVIII. By Maktix A. C.
HlXTON
Scientific Results, No. XIX.
By Oldfield Thomas,
1^ , It , o . • . • • • •
.•■>9
Scientific Results, No.
XVIII. By Martin A. C.
HiXTOX. Part 11 . . . . 384
Braxder,
I.F.S. ;
Train . .
A. A. Dunbar,
The Tiger and the
10i>4
1(»43
6o8
Scientific Results, No.
XVIII. By Martin A. C
HixTON. Part III .. .. 716
Scientific Results, No.
XVIII. By Martin A. C.
HixTON 906
417
Scientific Results No. XX.
By Oldfield Thomas,
f'r.S. .. 7-^6
Breithaupt, a. G. H. ; Ants
attacking Bees
Brooking, Major-General H.
T. ; List of Birds observed
in the Euphrates Valley
Burton, Brig. -General H. G.;
Panthers
Burton, Lt.-Col. R. W., 1,A ;
Notes from the Oriental
Sporting Magazine. New
Series, 1 869 to 1879
June 1828 to Jinie 1833 . .
Caixs, J. F., S.J. ; The Habits
of the Green Whip Snake
{Dn/aphix mijcterizmis)
Glaytox, F. ; Mimicry in
Spiders
CoLviif, Lt.-Col. E. J. D. ;
Notes on the habits of the
Mallard {Ana>^ boscas)
Connor, Lt.-Col. .F. Powell.,
I.M.S. ; A Note on the
function of the "Forceps"
in Forficulidcc
S78
• u I
■jm
309
104;
862
30:
291
688
LIST OF CONTRIBUrOBS.
XXX
Pa UK
CoNXOK, Lt.-Col. F. Powell,
I.M.S. ; Notes on the Emer-
gence from the Coccoon in
Lasiocampidfe . . . . ti91
Gumming, W. D. ; Natural
History Notes from Fao . , l'9i^
CuRRiE, A, J, ; Occurreuoti of
Indian lied-breastecl Fly
catcher (Stpkia hyperythra) in
the Deccan . . . , . . (i67
Davison, J. ; Field Eats in the
Deccan in 1879 .. .. 1042
Dawson, H. ; Extension of
Range of the Bronze-winged
Dove
671^
Donald, C. H., F.Z.S. ; The
Birds of Prey of the Punjab.
Part I. {With 2 Diayraim). i'47
Part II. ( With Plates I ami
li) 629
Part III. ( With Plate I.) . . 826
( With rext-Ji(,ures) Part IV. IdOO
' j'
Some Birds of Prej^ of Meso-
potamia . . . . . . 84'")
Davison, Winifred M. ; See
Bombay Natural History
Society's Mammal Survey
of India,
Dracott, C. H. ; Notes on the
Flying White Ant and Scor-
pions that feed on them . . 873
Duke, J. A. ; Tigress {Felis
tiyris) attacking a Sloth
Bear (^Melursus ursinw) . . (ioR
Duke, J. A. ; Spotted Deer
{A-ris axis) and the Wild
Dogs ( C'uou dukhunensis) . . 661
Pack
Ellis, E. V., I.F.S., Hannyng-
TON,- F., I.C.S. ; Obituary
Notices 1037
Evans, Lt.-Col. W. H., F.Z.S.,
F.E.S. : Notes on Indian
Butterflies 1021"
Field, F. (Keed) ; Note on
the Eggs of Piinia inornate/.
The Indian Wren-Warbler .. 1043
Fraser, Maj. F. C, I.M.S. :
Indian Dragonflies. Part
III. (With 2:J Text- Fiffures). 141
Part IV. (With IJ, Text-
Figures) 488-
PartV. {With Text-Jiyures). 734
The Undescribed Female of
an Indian Dragonfly {Hemi-
cordnlia asiatica) . . . . 68o'
Part A"I. ( With Text-fiyures) 919
Notes on some new and
other Indian Dragonflies . . 874
Gosse, Capt. Philiv, E.A.M.C;
Nilgiri Trap for catching
Wild Animals . . . . 311
Hamilton, Lt.-Col. It. E. A. ;
The Beatrix or Arabian
Oryx {Oryx leueory.r) in
Central Arabia. {With a
Plate) 283
Hannyngton, F., I.C.S. : Life
History Notes on Coorg
Butterflies , . . . . . 871
Hannyngton, F., I.C.S., Ellis,
E. W., I.F.S. ; Obituary
Notice . . . . . . 1037'
-xxu
LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS.
Page
Heath, Regijtald H. ; Porcu-
pine's mode of attack
Hide, Peecjy ; Late stay of
Common Snipe {Gallinago
calestis) in Central India . .
28:i
84P
HiGGiNs, J. C, I.C.S.; The
Sheldrake {Tadorna cornuta)
in Manipur State . . . . 67o
HiNXOU, Martin A. C. ; See
Bombay Natural History
Society's Mammal Survey
OF India.
Home, Maj. W. M. Logan ;
Note on the Nightjar (Capri-
mulgus feyyptieus) . . , . 1043
HoPwooD, Cyril, M.B.O.U. ;
Notes on some Nests recent-
ly found in South Tenas-
serim , .
HoTsoN, Capt. J. E. B.,
I.A.R.O. ; Oleander poison-
ing Camels . .
Hunt, E. A. : Note on the
supposed effects of the bite
of a Pentamomid Bug (Hali/s
dentatus)
Jackson, Mrs. V. A, ; Notes
on a Young Hog Badger {^Arc-
tony x sp.) in the Garo Hills.
Further Notes on the Hog
Badger
803
30H
694
i>81
i>81
Panic among Elephants
during an Earthquake . . '2H')
Inglis, Chas. M., M.B.O.U.;
The Burmese Peafowl {Pam
muticus) in the Chittagong
Hill Tracts, Bengal . . 673
Page
Inglis, Chas. M., M.B.O.U. ;
Nidification of Stone's Phea-
sant {Phasianu< eleffan-f). A
Correction . . . . 673
Extracts from ''A Mono-
graph of the Phesants by
William Beebe" .. .. ><47
•
The Black-Breasted Kalij
Pheasant {Genncens horsfieldi
horsjieldi) east of the Irra-
vaddy . . . . . . 848
5
Further occurrence of the
Rose-coloured Starling {Pas-
tor i-oseuft) and the Flamingo
(Phocnicopterus rosetis) in the
Darbhanga District, Behar . . 8.>3
;
Early appearance of Pieris
brassiere (Linn.) in the Dar-
bhanga District, Behar . . 860
Harpactor coittalis, Stal.,
preying on Ceratina viridis-
sima,'D.1 872
Early occurrence of the
Painted Lady ( Vanessa
cardni L.) in the Darbhanga
District, Behar . . . . 1046
Travers, W. L., O'Donel,
H. V. O. and Shebbeare,
E. O., I.F.S. ; A Tentative
List of the Vertebrates of
the .Jalpaiguri District,
Bengal.
{With Plates)
819
Part 11. ( With a Plate, Map
and Text-Block) . . . . 988
LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS.
xxiu
Page
-Jones, A. E. ; A List of Birds
found in the Simla Hills,
1908-1918 601
; Further Notes
on the Birds of Amballa
District, Punjab ., .. 67o
JouRDAiN, F. C. R. ; Mesopo-
tamian Bird Notes . . . . 860
Kenny, E. T. ; Migration of
Snipe in Burma . . . . 8o0
KiNLOCH, Lt. A. P. : Record
Female, Nilgiri Tahr (Hemi-
tragus hylocriu^) . . . . 666
KiNLOCH, A. M. ; The Cotton
Teal in Malabar . . . . 674
; The Habits
of the Green Whip Snake
{Dryojphis myctevizans) . . 681
IKiNNEAK, N. B., C.M.Z.S.;
Note on the Malabar Slender
Loris {Loris lydekTcerianuii) . . 836
Extension of Range of
the Green Imperial Pigeon
{Carpophaya cena renn) in
Western India . . . . 846
The Giant Tortoise living
in Ceylon. (^With a Plate.). 861
Kykle, Fellowes ; Occurrence
of the Lesser Florican or
Likh S. aurita in the Maha-
bleahwar Hills . . . . 289
Light, Lt.-Col. R. ; Size of
Tigers 659
■ ; Porcu-
pine's method of shedding
quills when attacked . . 666
LuAKD, Lt.-Col. C. E. ; A \&-
riety oi Buteafrond'jsa .. 305
Page
Mc^Cann, C. ; On the breeding
habits of some Myriapoda . . 303
Maokay, Brig.-General H., R.
A. ; Large Carp from Meso-
potamia . . . . . . 680
Mackenzie, J. M. D., I.F.S.,
M.B.O.U.. F.Z.S. ; Nidifica-
tion of the Smaller Streaked
Spider-hunter {^Arachnothera
aiirata) , . . . . . 669
Macnaghten, H. ; On White
Elephants . . . . . . 285
Magrath, Lt.-Col. H. A. F. ;
Sandgrouse in Mesopotamia. 672
Marryat, N. ; Note on the
occurrence of the Lesser
Florican or Likh {Sypheotis
aurita) in Bombay . . . . 674
Martin, S. J. ; A Note on the
large Brown Thrush (^Zoo-
ihera monticola) . . . . 668
Mathews, W. H., I. P. ; Note
on the Indian Long-Billed
Vulture {Gyps indicus) . . 287
• Nest-
ing habits of the Brown
Rock-Chat (Cercomela fusca), 843
; Albino
Swallow
; Diffe-
rent Birds nesting in
company
844
853
Meredith, H. R. ; Feeding
habits of the Little Egret
[Herodias garzetta) . . . . 852
Mills, J. P., I.C.S. ; Notes on
a Takin Head from Assam. . 284
XXIV
LIST OF CONTSIBrTOHS.
Page
Mitchell, F, J. ; Method of
Porcupine's attack . . . . 28.;j
; How Trouts
were introduced into Kasli-
mir . . • • . . • • . . . . 29-1
MoNTEATH, G., B.A,, l.C.S. ;
Tiger (Felts tiyris) climbing
tree . . . . . . . . 837
MoKKis, Randolph C. ; Porcu-
pine's method of attack . . 1040
O'Brien, Lt.-Col. E, : Method
of Porcupine's attack . . 283
; Mon-
goose {Munyos muvf/o) kill-
ing a Hedgehog . . . . OtiO
Pkoceedix*;
Paue
. . 31'3-318
.. 698-703
882"
1003:
; Indian
Grey Shrike (Lanitnf /aJitora)
attacking wounded Sand-
Grouse
6G7
Ollenbach, O. C. : Occurrence
of tStichopthcdma f/odfrciji,
lioths . . . . . . 867
: Notes on
the habits of Butterflies
[LeiLiidia onasoni) and {Xa/n-
tliotcemiia busiris) . . . . 801)
Olivek, Major D. G. ; Sjit it-
Bill Duck in Kashmir . . 675
Osmasxon, B. B., C.I.E., I.F.S. ;
Supplementary. „ Notes on
Some Indian Birds . . . . 424
Pitman, C. R. S. ; Porcupine's
method of attack . . . . 1039
Prater, S. H. ; Notes on Some
Interesting Snakes recently
presented to this Society . . (is3
Progress of the Mam3Ial
Survey . . . . . . 6o0
. 1036
PrAR, H.H. UnA.Ti Rao., K.G.S.I.,.
K.B.E., Maharaja of Dhar ;
Notes on the Big Game and
Duck of Dhar State . . 841
Rao, S. p. Jivana, M.A. ; An
Anomaly in Floral Biology . . 1049'
Reports: Bombay Natural
History Society's Mammal
Survey of India, Burma
AND Ceylon, No. 30, Deccan
(Poona District), and 31 .
Nilgiris 1025 •
Review : A practical handbook
of British Birds . . . . 880
RiDLAND, J. G. ; Arrow head
imbedded in a Tiger's back. 658-
RisHwoRTii. H. IJ. : Libellu-
lines at St. Thomas' Mount,
Madras ' 685
Robinson, S. M. ; Maternal
instinct in the Pied Bush-
Chat (Praf«'?2e6/a cff/jr«?ff) .. 843
RoDGERS, C. Gilbert; Large
Kashmir Stag Head {Cervu»
cashmiriamis) {Witli tcrt-
blocl-) 1038
Scott, Capt. F. B., I.A, ; Notes
on the Larva of C'ha'r(jcampa
alecto 299-
The Hawk Moth (Deilfphilia
liwrnica). A correotion ,. 872:'
LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS.
XXV-
Page
Sedgwick, L. J., I.C.S. ;
Eleochai'u cunrje^ta, Don., in
the Bombay Presidency , , oil'
Reduction
rothiana
of JHuphorbitt
The Cyperacea3 of the Bom-
bay Presidency. Part II , ,
Slater, A. F. M. ; Late stay
of Pill-tail Snipe {(jallinago
.•iteiiura) in Burma . .
Smith, Malcolm A., F.Z.S. ;
Remarks on Col. Wall's
identificatibn of Hi/drop/iis
cijeaiocinctux . . . .
SUBRAHMAXIAM. T. V. ; A
curious method of feeding
noted in Danaix limniace,
Cram . .
Tadi^lixgam, C, and Raxga-
CHAEi, K. ; Note on a new
undescribed species of C'y-
nodon. (ll'itha J'late)
Thomas, Oldfielj>, F.R.S..
F.Z.S. ; Scientitic Results
from the Mammal Survey,
No. XIX. A Synopsis of
the Groups of True Mice
found within the Indian
Empire
A New Species of yesokia
from Mesopotamia . .
Some iicnV Mammals from
Mesopotamia . . . .
See Bombay Natural His-
tory Society's Mammal
Survey of India.
i
591)
li)i>
SoO
Page.
682
104;
;504
417
422
74r,
TicEHURST, Capt. Claude B.,
R.A.M.C. ; The Mesopo-
tamian Bulbul
Notes on a Collecti<m of
Snakes made in the Nilgiri
Hills and the Adjacent
Wynaad. ( With Diagrams
and Maps.) Typhlops thurs-
toni, Typhlops fletcheri, Mela-
nophidium ici/nadense, Rhino-'
phis sanguineus, Sihjbura breris
and Rhabdops olivaceus)
279«
The Plumage of the Purple
Hoiiej'^sucker (Arachnecthra
asiatica) . . . . . . 286'
The colour of the eye of the
female White-Eyed Poehard
{Ni/roca africana) . . . . 290
On Asiatic Starlings . . 380
Wall. Lt.-Col. F.. C.M.G.,
C.M.Z.S., F.L.S., I.M.S. ;
A Popular Treatise on the
Common Indian Snakes.
Part XXVI. {With Plate
XXVI and Diagram of
Cerbei'us rhyncups and Enhy-
dris curtiis . . . . . . 89'
Part XXVII. {IVith Plate
XXVII and Diagram of
Hydrophis spiralis and Hydro-
phis cyanocinctus.) . . . . 430'
Part XXVIII. {IVith a
coloured Plate XXVIII and
Diagram ofEnhydrina valaka-
dien and Hydrus platurus var.
bicolor . . . . . . 803
55i
XXVl
LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS.
Pa-GE
Wall, Lt.-Col. F., C.M.G.,
C.M.Z.S., F.L.S., I.M.S. ;
The rudimentary hind limb
in an Embryo of Python
molurus
862
Note on the Snake Trirhino-
j)holts nuchalis (Boulenger) . . 863
A Gravid Specimen of the
Snake Oylindvojihis maculatus
(Linn.) 863
Reply to Dr, Malcolm
Smith's remarks in the last
Journal . . . . . . 864
Notes on some recent addi-
tions to our Society's Snake
collection . . . , , . 865
A 17 Scale Krait {Bunf/arus
ccei'uleus) from Bangalore . , 1046
Ward, F. Kingdon ; Distribu-
tion of the difl'erent races
and species of Takin {Budor-
cas) 838
Ware, F. ; Wild Dogs {Cuon
dukhimensis) and Sambhur . . 837
White, L. S. ; Nesting habits
of the Brown Rockchat
(Cercomela fusca) .. .. 667
Whistler, H., M.B.O.U.,
F.Z.S. ; Notes on the Birds
of Ambala District, Punjab.
I'artll 172
Page
Whistler, H., M.B.O.U.,
F.Z.S. ; The Common Hawk-
Cuckoo (Hierococci/.v varius)
in the Punjab . . . . 287
_ ^— •
Abnonnal varieties of the
Indian Redstart (R. rufiven-
tria) and the Common House
- Crow (C. splendem) . . , . 289
Some Birds of Ludhiana
District, Punjab . . . . o8o
Some Birds observed at
Fagoo near Simla .. ., 770
■ •
Variety of the Common
House Crow {Corvus sj)len-
deiis) at Jhang, Punjab . . 843
Abnormal variety of the
Green Bee-eater {Merops
viridis) . . . . . . 844
A Note on the breeding of
the Hill Partridge {Arbori-
cola torqueola) near Simla . . 849
The Blue-breasted Quail
{Excalfactoria chinensis) at
Mirzapur 1044
Wright, A. ; The Bite of the
Large Spotted Viper {La-
chechis monticola) . . . . 681
Wroughton, R. C, F.Z.S. ;
See Bombay Natural His-
tory Society's Mammal
Survey of India.
LIST OF PLATES.
VCK
No. 1.
Page
The Game Birds of India, Burma and Ceylon. The Cheer
Pheasant {Cat reics wall ichii). . .. .. .. .. .. 1
A Popular Treatise on the Common Indian Snakes, Plate. XXVI.—
Figs. 1 — 4. The Dog-faced Water Snake {Cerberus rhynchops). 90
o — 8. Shaw's Sea-snake {Enfn/dris curtus).
The Flora of Indian Desert (Jodhpur and Jaisalraer). Part I. "With
12 Plates-
Plate I (A) — Wind erosion in sand-dune near Loharki, Jaisalmer
State 218
(B) — Wind erosion in lime-stone, 3 miles S. W. of Phalodi,
Jodhpur State . . .. .. .. .. .. 218
Plate II (A) — Sand-dune with scanty vegetation at Loharki, Jai-
salmer State .. .. .. .. 219
(B) — Part of sand-dune devoid of vegetation, showing
ripples. In the background the plain near Loharki. 21 9
Plate III (A) — Jodhpur City and neighbouring hills as seen from
the Fort 222
(B) — View of Jaisalmer Town and surrounding plain,
taken at the Guest House . . . . . . . , 222
Plata IV (A) — A typical gravel-plant : Seetxenia orientali^, Dene, in
flower and fruit . . . . . . . . 223
(B) — Another member of the gravel-vegetation : Corchorus
antichorus, Ilaeuseh, forming dense mats lying flat
on the ground . . . . . . . . . . . . 22.5
Plate V (A) — Kailana Lake near Jodhptir. IJocky shore with
Euphorbia vegetation . . . . . . . . . . 224
(B) — Kailana Lake Dam exhibiting a varied vegetation
owing to the percolation of water : CalotropU
procera, Mrua tomentosa and numerous high grasses. 224
xxviii LIST OF PLATES.
Page
Platfc \'I (A) — General view of country near Mandor (Jodhpur
State), In the foreground a rocky plateau with
Euphorbia nenifolia, L. In the sandy plain between
the plateau and the lake : CroUdaria burhia,
Leptadenia spaytiuni, Miiia xp. . . . . . . 225
(B) — Plain near Jodhpur, showing small trees and scrub
vegetation : Leptadenia apartium, Prositpix spicif/era,
Acacia arabica, Mrua tomentom, etc, . . . . 22.'>
Plate \'II (A) — Sandy plain 3 miles E, N. E, of Jaisalmer Town.
In the foreground fruiting specimens of Citrulliix
colocynt/tis, with shoots up to 50 ft. long . . . . 228
(B) — A consocies of Indif/ofcra aryentea, Burm. On a
sand-dune, o miles S. AV. of Phalodi (Jodhpur
State) 228
Plate VIII (A) — A depression in rocky country, 6 miles N, E, of
Jaisalmer Town, with Prosopis spicif/era, Saluadora
oleoides, Gymno^poria montana. In the foreground :
Commiphora viulrid, Sarcostenuiia brevistiyma . . 229
(B) — Shoot-habit of Commiphora mulnd on rocky slope of
the above locality . . . . . . . . 229
Plate IX (A) — A giant specimen of Cappari^ decidua at Bhikamkor
(Jodhpur State) 230
(B) — A characteristic community of plants at Bhikamkor :
Gymnosporia montana, Pro>iopi-t ><piciyera, and ramb-
ling on these : Calliyonum poliyonoides and Coccidus. 230
Plate X (A) — Consocies of Eclipta erecta bordering a drying-up
pool at Barmer (Jodhpur State) . . . . . . 231
(B) — Families in the consocies of Eclipta erecta at Bar-
mer, showing distinct zonation . . . . . . 231
Plate XI (A)— The Bada Bag in the neighbourhood of Jaisalmer
Town 234
(B) — The tank belonging to the above Garden shaded by
Acacia arabica . , . . . . . ■ • . 234
Plate XII (A)— Gharsisar Lake outside Jaisalmer Town, The water
level is abnormally high on account of the heavy
rains of 1917. In the foreground : Capparis decidua,
Prosopis spieiyera, Salmdora oleoides, Zizyjdms . . 235
(B) — Amarsagar Lake near Jaisalmer Town, irrigating
the garden of the same name. Chief trees : Aza-
dirachta indica, Zizyphus jvjuha. Acacia arabica,
Prosopis spieiyera, Albizzia . . . . ■ . , . 235
LIST OF PL A TES. xxix
Page
The Beatrix or Arabian Oryx {On/.r heatri.t) in Central Arabia . . 283
A Flight cf Locusts at Poona— 1903 301
Note on a New Undescribed Species of Cynodon (Ci/nodon intfrniPiUus) 30o
No. 2.
The Game Birds of India, Burma and Coylon. The Monal Phea-
sant {Lo})hophnru< refulf/en!<) ,. .. .. .. .. 319
Monal Pheasants —
Lnpkophorus. imppjamis, LophopfioruK scluteri, Lophophorus Vhuysii — 335
Fig. 1 . Heads showing variation in crest.
'2. Single feathers of crest.
3. Tails and upper tail-coverts.
A Popular Treatise on the Common Indian Snakes. Part XXVII.
With coloured Plate XXVII and Diagram . . . . 430
i — 4. The Narrow-ringed Sea-snake {Hi/drophiA
spiralis, var. brugnumsii).
•> — 8. The Chittul (Ili/dropliis ci/anocinctus) .
The Common Butterflies of the Plains of India. Part XXII. With
Plate H . . . . , . . . . . . _ ^ 43g
Figs. o3, 53a — Tayuria cippus c? , $
54,54a — J'irachola isi/crafes <S , §
55 — Lo.cara ((t)/mnii.< (j'
^)Q,i>Qa — Curetis tht'tis (J , $
57, 57ff — ArJiopala centcturus, J , 2 • . . . . . 438
The Flora of the Indian Desert, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. With
Plates from XIII— XXV—
Plate XIII (A)— Crest of a dune East of Loharki (Jaisalmer
State). On top: Calliyomim polyyonoides. On
the slope : lihipiehima armaria, JSrua psendo-
tomentosd, Indit/ofera aryentea . . . . . . ~,-2,iq
(B) — The same dune as above, seen from the plain.
Part of the advancing wind-eroded crest is
shown on Plate I. -A. . . . . . .50^
Plate XIV (A)— View of gravel plain from the top of dune iu
Plate XIII showing bare patches. In the fore-
ground, at foot of dune: ^^rua fomentosa,
Crotalaria burkia . . . . . . . . .503
(B) — Bare area in the above locality, colonized by
Cleome papillvsa, Fayonia cretica, Bocrhaacin
diffusa, ■ a.n([ Leptadenia sparti urn .. .. ry2S
XXX LIST OF PLATES.
Page
Plate XV (A.) — Edge of sand-dune at Loharki, Jaiaalmer State,
(the same as on Plate II) with a clump of
Calotroms procera, Mrua tomentom, Leptadenia
spartium and Panicum turyidum . . . . 530
(B) — Elevated dune area at Loharki, with Crotalaria
burhia, Leptadenia spartium, Mrua pseudo-tomen-
tosa and Panicum turjiidum . . . . . . 530
Plate XVI (A)^In the neighbourhood of Kailana (Jodhpur State).
A clump of Leptadenia spartium and Mrua
tomentosa . . . . . . ■ • • - • • 53l
(B) — Near Kailana ; Leptadenia spartium supporting
Launma chondrilloides . . . . . . . . 532
Plate XVII (A) — Along the road from Jodhpur to Balsamand :
Crotolaria burhia and Mrua tomentosa with
isolated individuals of Calotropis procera ; in
the back-ground Prosopis spicigera . . . . 534
(B) — On the road between Jodhpur and Kailana :
Crotalaria burhia, Mrua tomentosa and Lepta-
denia spartium . . . . . . . . . . 534
Plate XVIII (A) — Clump of Lijcium barbarum and Capjmris decidua
in a sandy plain near Devikot (Jaisalmer State). 536
(B) — Shoot-habit of Kaloxylon salicornicum. The plant
protects the small mound on which it grows
against erosion. Taken East of Sodakoer
(Jaisalmer State) . . . . . . . . 536
Plate XIX (A) — A rocky plain with little soil at Amarshgar near
Jaisalmer. In the background Euphorbia
neriifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . 538
(B) — A family of Aristlda hirtiyluma on volcanic
ground, West of Loharki (Jaisalmer State) . . 538
Plate XX (A)— Dune vegetation at Osian (Jodhpur State) . . 540
(B) — Another view from the above dune area . . 540
Plate XXI (A) — Near Kailana Lake. A specimen of Euphorbia
neriifolia, supporting Sarcostemma brevistigma. 542
(B) — On the rocky plateau above Mandor near Jodh-
pur. A clump of Euphorbia neriifolia, Cappa-
ris decidua, and Convolvulus glomeratus, var.
volulilis. The low vegetation consisting
chiefly of Aristida . . . . . . • • 542
LIST OF PLATES. xxxi-
Page
Plate XXII (A) — A sandy plain at Sodakoer village (Jaisalmer
State). An association of ^rua tomentoga and
Mrua pseudo-tojnentosa, with families of Cctp-
paris decidua . . . . . < . . . . 544
(B) — Cistanche tubulosa, parasitic on the roots of
Capparis decidua in the above locality . . 544
Plate XXIII (A) — An open forest of Zizyphus rotundifolia between
Loharki and Sodakoer (Jaisalmer State). In
. the foreground a bare gravel area and an
isolated specimen of Prosopis spicigera . . 546
(B) — Rocky river bank, two miles East of Sodakoer.
with Schiveinfurthia hcerocarpa and Anticharis
linearis . . . . . , . . . . . . 546
Plate XXIV (A) — Sand dune north of Jaisalmer. On tho right a
family of Cypenis arenarius, to the left ^rwx
sp,, on the hill in the background Fagoma
cretica . . . . . . . . . . , . 548
(B) — Pond and marshy ground between Phalodi and
Bap with various Cyperacecs . . . . . , 548
Plate XXV (A) — Western slope of a sand-dune three miles south-
west of Phalodi (Jodhpur State), with pure
Calotropis procera association . . . . . , 550
(B) Family of Cyperus arenarius covering the eastern
slope of the above dune . . . . ,, 550
Some South Indian Coccids of Economic Importance —
Plate I. — Pulvinaria maxima. .. .. .. .. .. ., 624
(A) — Scale infested branch of Nim.
(B) — 1 2 adult. 2t. c? Puparium. 3. $ with ovisac.
Plate II. — Phenacoecus insolitus. .. .. .. .. ,, 626
(A) — Brinjal plant covered with ovisacs.
(B) — A (S mealy bug with ovisac magnified.
(C)— The larva.
Plate III — Anovialococcus indicus (nov. sp.) . . . . . . . . 627"
(A) — Babul branch infested with scales and visited
by the black ant.
(B) — Female and male puparia magnified, two views
of the former are shown.
^xxii LIST OF PLATES.
Page
Plate IV — Walkerinna cineari .. .. .. ,, ._ g28
(A) — Adult scales on Portia stem XI.
(B)— Adult ?.
(C)— Adult 2 .
(D) — Larva.
(E) — Very young larva.
The Birds ol Prey of the Punjab. (With 2 Plates)—
Plate I. — Figs. 1 and 2 represent a bird flying directly overhead . . (3.32
Plate II — Figs. 1, 2 and •>. All represent a bird flying directly over-
head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BoO
On the identity of Blaxtoapora butleri . . . . . . . . , . (;!>H
No. 3.
A Popular Treatise on the Common Indian Snakes —
Plate XXVIII — 1 — ■'). The Jew's-nosed snake {Enhydrina ralakadien). S03
G— 8. Linne's Seasnake (^Hydrus platurv'i).
The Flora of the Indian Desert (Jodhpnr and Jaisalmer). With H
Plates. XXVI- XXXI—
Plate XXVI (A) — View of Phalodi (Jodhpur State), taken from
the Rest House .. .. .. .. iSIl
(B)— View of Banner (Jodhpur State) and neigh-
' " bouring hills . . . . . . . . . . 811
Plate XXVII (A) — A rocTcy valley above Mandor (Jodhpur State).
On the terraced slope : Euphorbia neriifolia.
In the foreground : a belt of JErtm iomontosa,
below it Lepidar/atliis trinervu and Tar/onia
cretica . . . . . . . . . . . . sli*
(B) A field at Balarwa (Jodhpur State), invaded by
Leucas aspcra . . . . . . , . . . 812
Plate XXVIII (A) — Gravel vegetation near Balarwar (Jodhpur
State). Satid-binding plants in the fore-
ground ; in the background Cajiparix dccidua,
Prosopis spicif/ent- .. .. .. .. 814
(B) — Scrub at Bhikamkor (Jodhpur State). Cnppans
decidna, fri/»mospona montana, Tjyeium harba-
non, Zi~i/pfiu.s rotundifo/ia, Pruifopix spiclget'a,
Calligonum puhifjonoidcif, Crufularia burhia,
Tepkrosia purpurea, jEnm s^. .. .. .. 814
I'late XXIX (A) — Chalris near Mandor (Jodhpur State). On the
rocky ground : Euphorbia neriifolia , . .. .^16
(B) — The Bada Bag dam near Jaisalmer. To the
riirht : Acacia arabica .. .. .. 816
'o'
LIST OF PLATES. xxxiii
Page i
Plate XXX (A) — Dry gravelly river-bed 2 miles East of Sodakoer
(Jaisalmer State). Shrubs in the foreground :
Haloxylon salicornicum. Trees in the back-
ground Rordia rothii surrounded by a belt of
Calotropis procera . . . . . . . . 817
(B) — Locality as above Haloxylon salicornicum, Cordia
rothii and grasses . . . . . , . . 817
Plate XXXI (A) — Hill near Marwar-Lohawat (Jodhpur State). To
the left a low sand-dune with Calliyonum poly-
yonoides, in the foreground Crotalaria burhia,
Convolvulus sp., and various grasses . . . . 818
(B) Typical Fort at Devikot (Jaisalmer State).
Scanty ruderal vegetation . . . . . . 818
A Tentative List of the Vertebrates of the Jalpaiguri District, Ben-
gal. ( With a Plate).
Plate I. — («) Tea with shade trees haunts of Franklinia yracilis and
other Warblers 820
(b) Torsa river, the haunt of Ardea insiynis, Meryanser
castor, etc. ; the stones in the foreground affording
shelter to the Wall Bat {Myotis muricola) . . , , 820
The Birds of Prey of the Punjab , . . 825
Plate I. — Fig. 1. — Represents a Buzzard flying directly overhead.
2. — Represents a Kite flying directly overhead.
3. — Represents a Black-winged Kite flying directly
overhead.
The Giant Tortoise {Testudo yiyantea) living in Hirumbard, Galle,
Ceylon 861
No. 4.
The Game Birds of India, Burma and Ceylon —
The Grey-bellied Horned Pheasant {Trayopan blythi) . . . . 88o
A Tentative List of the Vertebrates of the Jalpaiguri District, Ben-
gal. (With a Plate and Map of the Jalpaiguri District) . . . . 988
Plate II — 1. — A stream rising in the hills, the jungle on the banks
being the resort of Pavo cristatus, the Common Pea-
fowl, Gallus ferruyineus, the Red Jungle-fowl, etc.,
and the sand and stones that of (Edicnemus scolopa.r
the Stone-Curlew, and other waders . . . . . . 992
2. — Near view of forest along the banks of a river. Haunts
of Ketupa zeylonensis, the Brown Fish-Owl, Polioaetus
huvfijli^, Hodgson's Fishing Eagle, etc. . . . . 992
Page
Acacia arabica, PI. 225, 234, 235, 816
Acisoma panorpoides panorpoi-
des, Wing neuration of, Fig. 492
JSma pseudo-tomentosa, PI. . . 526,
530, 544
tomentosa, PI. . .224, 225, 528,
.530, 532, 534, 554, 812
sp. PI. .. 225,538,548,814
Albizzia . . . . • ■ . . -.o-j
Alcedo is2nda, Haunts of, Pig. 997
Anomalococcus indicus, Gr. PI, 627
Anticharis linearis, PI. . . 546
Arabian Oryx, (Oryx leucoryx)
PI 283
Arhopala centaurus, 57, 57«, PI. 438
Arrow head imbeded in the
Tiger's Back, Fig.
658
Ardea in»i(jnis, Toorsa Ptiver,
the haunts of, PI 820
Aristida, PI 542
Azadirachta indica . . . . 235
BadaBag in the neighbourhood
of Jaisalmer Town, PL . . 234
Barmer, view of (Jodhpur
State) 811
Birds of Prey of the Punjab.
Part II. ( With Flates I and
II) .. .. . ..629
Birds of Prey of the Punjab.
Part III. {With Plate I) . . 826
Black-winged Kite flying direct-
ly overhead. Fig. 3 . . . . 826
Blastospora hutleri, Syd. PL . . 696
Bcerhaavia diffusa, PI. . . 528
Brachythemis contaoninata,
Wings showing neuration.
Fig. 787
Page
Brachythemis farinosa, Male
Sexual
Organs
of, Fig.
{a) . . 490
Female
Sexual
Organs
of, Fig.
(b) . . 490
sobrina, Male Sex-
ual Organs
of. Fig. (a) 490
— Female
Sexual
Organs of.
Fig. (b) . . 490
Wing neu-
ration of,
Fig. . . 491
Bradinopyr/a yeminata. Wings
showing neuration. Fig.
514
Butterflies, Common — of the
plains of India. Part XXII,
PI. H. 438
Buzzard flying directly over-
head. Fig. 1 826
Calliyonum polyyonoides, PL
814, 818, 230, 526
Capparis decidua, PL . . 230, 236,
536, 542, 544, 814
Carp, Large from Mesopotamia,
Fig 679-680
Catreus tcallichii, PL . . . . 1
Cerberus rhynchops, PL Fig. 1-4 90
Cervus cashmirianus, Fig, . . 1038
Cheer Pheasant, PL , . . . 1
Chithul, The {Hydrophis cyano-
cinctus) PI 436
INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS.
XXXV
Page
Cistanche tubulosa, PI. . . . . 544
Citrullus colocynthus, PI, . . 228
Cleome papillosa, Fl. .. .. 528
Coccids. Some South Indian of
Economic Importance (a) . . 621
Cocculus, PI. . - . . . . 230
Colotropis procera, PI. . . 224, 530
534, 550, 817
Cominiphora muhul, PI. . , 229
Convolvulus glomeratus, var.
volubilis, PI. . . 542
sp. PI 818
Corchorus antichorus, PI. . 223
Cordia rothii, PI. . . . . 817
Cratilla metallica, Wing neura-
tion of, Fig 152
Crocothemis semilia, Wings of,
Fig . . 515
Crotalaria burhia, PI. . . 225, 528,
530, 534, 814, 818
Curetis thetis, 56, 56a, PL . . 438
Cynodon intevmedius, PI. . . 305
Cyperacece, PI 538, 548
Cyperus arenarius, PI. 538, 548, 550
Diplacodes nebulosa, Forewing
of. Fig. (A) . . 500
trivialis.
Forewing
contrasting its
neuration with that
of "A" Fig. (B).. 500
Hindwing of.
Fig. (B) . . 500
Male Sexual
Organs of,
Fig. 1. In
profile 2.
From the
front . . 502
Dog-faced Water Snake {Cerbe-
rus rynchops) . . . . . . 90
Page
Dragonflies, Indian, Part III
( With 12
T e X t-
Jigures) . . 141
Part IV
(14 Text-
fiywei) . . 488
Part V
( With Text-
figures) . . 734
Part VI
( With Text-
figures) . . 919
Dune Vegetation at Osian, PI. 540
Eclipta erecta, PI. . . . . 231
Embryo, Rudimentary hind-
limb in an, of P. molurus . . 862
Enhydtis curtus, PI. Fig. 5-8. 90
valakadien, PI. 1 — 5. 803
valalcadyn, Fig.
(A— D.) . . . . 808
Euphorbia neriifolia, PI. . . 225,
542, 812, 816
vegetation, PI. . . 224
lagonia cretica, PI. . . . . 528,
538, 548, 812
Falcon, tooth and festoon. Fig. 1006
Flora of the Indian Desert
(Jodhpur and Jaisalmer),
(PI. I— XII) 218
Flora of the Indian Desert
(Jodhpur and Jaisalmer),
Part II {With 13 Plates,
XIII— XXV) .. .. 525
Flora of the Indian Desert
(Jodhpur and Jaisalmer)
Part III {With 6 Plates,
XXVI— XXXI) .. ..811
Forceps : A note on the func-
tion in Forficulidce, Fig. . , 688
Forficulidce : A note on the func-
tion of "Forceps" .. .. 688
XXXVI
INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS.
Page
Port, Typical at Davikot (Jai-
salmer State) . . . . 818
Franklinia gracilis, Tea with
shade trees haunts of, PI. . . 820
Gallus ferrur/ineus, the jungle
on the banks being the re-
sort of, PI 992
Oame Birds of India, Burma
and Ceylon. Part XXV,
Plate 1
Game Birds of India, Burma
and Ceylon. Part XXVI,
Plate 320
Game Birds of India, Burma
and Ceylon. Part XXVIII,
Plate 885
Giant Tortoise at Hirumbard,
Galle, PI 861
Gymnosporia montana, PI. 229, 230
814
Saloxilon salicornicum, PI. . .536, 817
Hydrophis spiralis. 1 — 4, PI. . . 430
Pig. A, B,
C and D . . . 436
r)/anocinctus, Fig. A —
E and F. . . 436
5— 8, PI. 430
Kydrus platurus, Fig. (A — C) . . 808
var. hicolor,
PI. 6—8 . . 803
Impeyan Pheasant, PI. . . 335
Indigopera aryentea, PL 228, 526
Indothemis limbata, Wings
showing neuration. Fig. . . 734
Jaisalmer town and surround-
ing plain B 222
Jew's-nosed Snake, PI. 1—5. . 803
Jodhpur City and neighbour-
ing hills, A. .
222
Ketupa zeylonensis, Haunts of,
PI. 992
Kite, flying directly overhead
Fig. 2 826
Page
LasiocampidcB, Note on emer-
gence from the Cocoon, Fig. 692
Lathrecista asiatica, Wings of,
Fig. .. 146
Male Sex-
ual Organs
of, Fig. 21. 148
Female
Sexual Or-
gans o f,
Fig. 22 . . 148
Launcea chondrilloides, PI. . . 532
Lepidayothis trinervis, PI. . , 812
Leptadenia spartium, PI. . . 226,
628, 530, 532, 634
Leucas aspera, PL . . . . 812
Libellula quadrimaculata, Wings
of. Fig 149
Linne's Snake, PL 6—8 . . 803
Locusts, A flight at Poona,
1903, PI 301
Lophophorus impejanus, PI. . . 336
sclateri, PI. . . 335
rimysii, PI. . . 535
refulyens, PL . . 320
Loxura atymorus, 65, PL . . 438
Lycium barbarum, PL . . 536, 814
Lyriothemis acigastra, Male Sex-
ual Organs of, Fig.
(14) .. ..141
cleis, Female Sexual
Organs of,
Fig. (15) . . 141
Male Sexual
Organs of.
Fig. (16) . . 141
. acigastra, Wings of ,
Fig. (17) . . 142
cleis, Wings of.
Fig. (18) . . 143
Map, migration of Snipe in
Burma
851
INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS.
XXXVII
Page
Map of the Jalpaiguri District 988
Map II, General scheme of
mountain ranges . . . . 654
Melanophidium ivynadense^ ■P'ig*
(A., B.) 556
Merganser castor, Toorsa River,
the haunts of, PI 820
Mesopotania, Large Carp, from.
Fig 679-680
Monal Pheasant, PI. . . 320
Neurothemis intermedia, Wings
contrasting the
open and close
reticulation of
the neuration .
Fig. (38) (a) . . 506
fulvia, Wings con-
trasting the
open and close
reticulation of
the neuration.
Fig. (6) . . 506
, Sexual
Organsof,
Fig. (39).. .508
{ii) of the
male from
the front,
{h) of the
male in
profile, (c)
of the
female . . .508
intermedia inter-
media. Sexual
Organs of («) of
the male seen
from the front,
{b) of the male
from the side,
Fig. (40) . . 511
(Edicnemus scolopax, the sand
and stones being the resort
of, PI. . . . . . . 992
Page
Onychothemis tonkinensis ceyla-
nica, Male Sexual
Organs of. Fig. (a) 742
{b) claws of same
contrasted with
"C" which shows
the claws of
Lyyonyx ins, fur-
nished with claw
hooks. Fig. (46). 742
■ — tonkinensis ceyla-
nica, Wings show-
ing neuration.
Fig. (47)
Orogomphus xanthoptera, sp. nov.
Wings of, Fig. . .
chrysostigma, Male
Genital Organs
of, Fig. (25) (a)..
ransonnetti, Male
Genital Organs
of. Fig. {b)
japonicum, Male
Genital Organs
of. Fig. (c)
sabina, Male Geni-
tal Organs of,
Fig.{d)..
auceps, Male Geni-
tal Organs of,
Fig. {e) ..
t(sniolatum, Male
Genital Organs
of, Fig. (/) . .
brunneum brunneum.
Wings and Male
Genital Organs
of. Fig. (26) . . 159
glaucum, Female
Genital Organs
of. Fig. (27) (a). 165
triangulare. Female
Genital Organs "'
of. Fig. {b) . . 166
743
875
154
154
154
154
154
154
- XXVIU
INDEX TO ILLVSTRATJONIS.
Page
Oroffomphus pruinosum, Male
Genital Organs
of, Fig. (c) . . 165
triangulare, Male
Genital Organs
of, Fig. {d) .. 165
Orthetrum sabina, Wings of.
Fig. (28) 167
Oryx, Arabian or Beatrix, PI. 283
Oryx beatrix, PI. . . • • 283
Palpopleura, Wingneuration of.
Fig 488
Panicum turgidum, PI. . . 530
Pavo cristatus, the jungle on
the banks being the resort
of, PI. 992
Pelargopsis gurial, Haunts of,
Fig... 997
Phalodi (Jodhpur State\ view
of, PI 811
Pheasant, Grey-bellied Horn-
ed, PI 885
Pheasant, Monal, PI 320
Phenacoccus insolitus, Gr. PI. . . 626
Plotus melanog aster. Haunts of,
Fig 997
Polioaetus humilis, Haunts of,
PI 992
Potomarcha, Wings of, Fig. . . 144
Prosopis spicigei-a, PI. . . 225, 229,
230, 235, 534, 546, 814
Pulvinaria maxima, Gr. PI. . . 624
Rhabdops olivaceus, Fig. (A — C.) 564
Rhinophis sanguineus, Fig. 556
, Fig.
(A— C). 564
Rhodotliemis rufa, Wings show-
ing neuration. Fig. . . . . 504
Rhynchosia arenana, PI. . . 526
River Toorsa, the haunts of A.
insignis and M, castor, PI. 820
Page
Ryothemis variegata, Wings of
6. Fig. 928
varieaata.
Wings of
2- Fig. 931
phyllis 2)hyllis, Sex-
ual Organs of. Fig. 932
Salmdora oleoides, PI. . . 229, 235
Sand-dune with scanty vege-
tation at Loharki, A. . . 219
Sand-dune devoid of vegeta-
tion, showing ripples, B. . . 219
Sarcostemma brevistigma, PI. 229, 542
Schtveinfurthia hcerocarpa, PI. 546
Sclater's Monal Pheasant, PI. . 335
Sea-snake, The Narrow-ringed,
PI 430
Seetzenia orientalis, PI. . . 2i:3
Shaw's Sea-snake . . . . 90
Silybura brevis. Fig. (A— E.) . . 558
Stag, Large Kashmir, Fig. . . 1038
Stichopthalma godfreyi, Roths,
Fig 868
Snakes, Common Indian
{Plates XXVI, XXVII,
XXVIII) . . . . 90, 430, 803
Snakes, Common Indian, Dia-
grams . . . . 96, 436, 808
Snakes, Notes on a collection
made in the Nilgiri Hills and
the adjacent Wynaad (With
Diagrams and Maps) . . 552
Sympetrum, Wing neuration of,
Fig 494
decoloratum, Male
Genital Organs
of. Fig. (a) . . 496
fonscolombei, Male
Genital Organs,
Fig. {b) .. 496
INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS.
XXXIX
Page
Sympetrum hypomelas, Male Ge-
nital Organs, Fig.
(c) .. ..
decoloratum, Female
Genital Organs,
Fig. {d) ..
commatum, Male
Genital Organs,
Fig. (e) ..
oriontale, Male Ge-
nital Organs, Fig.
(/)
orientale, Female
Genital Organs,
Fig. {9)
hypomelas, Female
Genital Organs,
Fig. (^) . .
Tajuria cippus, 53, 53a, PI.
Tephrosia purpurea, PI,
Testudo gigantea, at Hirumbard,
Galle, PI
Tortoise, Giant at Hirumbard,
GaUe, PI
Tragopan blythi blyihi, PI.
Trap Nilgiri for catching wild
animals, Fig,
496
496
496
496
496
496
438
814
861
861
885
311
Page
Trithemis f estiva, Male Sexual
Organs, Fig. {a) ..: 919
palidinervis, Male Sex-
ual Organs. Fig.
ib) .. .. 919
aurora, Male Sexual
Organs, Fig, (c) .. 919
aurora. Wings
showing neu-
ration, Fig . 921
kirbyi, Male Sexual
Organs, Fig. {d) . . 919
Typhlops thurstoni, Fig, . . 556
^etcheri, Fig. .. 556
Vertebrates, A Tentative list of
the Jalpaiguri District, Ben-
gal, Part 11 {With a Plate,
Map and Text-block) . . 988
Virachola isocrates, 54, 54a. PI. 438
Wind erosion in sand dune
near Loharki (A) . . . . 218
Wind erosion in lime-stone (B) 218
Walkeriana cineria, Gr. . . 620
Ziziphus rotundifolia, PL 814, 546
jujuba . , . . 235
, PI 235
Zygonyx iris. Wings showing
neuration, Fig. . . . . 740
xl
ERRATA.
No. 1, Volume XXVI.
Rage 80, plate XXVI, figures 5-6, jor '■E^ihydrina' read Enhydris.
„ 294, line 21 from the bottom, for "the inacqueeni"
read " than macqiteeni."
No. 2, Volume XXVI.
Page
55
55
55
55
55
55
55
55
55
55
55
380, line 13" from the top, for "Linnans" read
"Linnaeus".
,, footnote, 3 lines from bottom, for "geren" read
"green."
570, lines 8 and 9 from top of text, for " 94 " read " 91.'
571, line 10 from top, /or " 242 " read " 252."
583, under subcaudals of Dipsadomorj'hus cet/loiiensis, for
" 94 to 111 " read " 91 to 110."
583, under ventrals of Bipsadomorphus nuchalis, for
" 248 to 266" read " 233 to 252."
583, under subcau.dals of Dip>sadomorphus nuchalis, for
"113 to 129" read "90 to 111."
594, No. 1310, for '^risovies" read " risorins."
609, No. 704, for ''Zoothere" read "Zoothera."
659, Title of Note No. IV, for "Tigres" read ''Tigris."
666, Title ot Miscellaneous Note No. X, for "Hylocirius"
read "Hylocriits."
667, Footnote to Note No. XII, for "SejyJiia" read
''Siphia."
668, Title of Note No. XIV, for "Zoothea" read "Zoo-
thera."
672, line 2 from the bottom, for "are not probably"
read "are rare but probably."
673, ,, 15, read Baghownie instead of Baghowinie.
16, ,, Laheria ,, Lakeria.
18,
19,
22,
26,
27,
674, Title of Note No. XXIV, for " Syphootis " read
" Sypheotis."
675, line 1 from top, for "poeciloroiicha'^ read
' 'poeciloryncha . ' '
,, No. 328, for ''longicandatus" read ^'longicaiulatas.'"
677, lines 9, and 10 from the top, /or Wheater read
Wheatear.
684, line 5 from the top, for " Faviriientala" read
^^ pavimentatay
PJiasiayiux ,
, J-JOiXVOli-Oi.
, Phasianus.
two ,
, ten.
7
5.
Baghownie
, Baghowinie
Laheria ,
, Lakeria.
xli
Page 684, line 7 from the top, for " Gaw Hills " vecul
" Garo Hills."
,, 11, /or "lops" read "lips."
,, ,, ,,18 from the bottom, after the word "into"
insert " two."
„ ,, ,, 15 from the bottom, /or " breaking up into 3
scale 3 " read " breaking up into 3
scales."
„ 688, Title of Note XL, for '' Forficdlidoi " read
" Forficididce."
. ,, 698, line 6 from the bottom, under locality, for
" Nilambur, S. I." read " Nelliampatty
Hills."
No. 3, Volume XXVI.
Page 731, line 13 from the bottom, instead of " 3 other
specimens belonging to " read. " 3
other specimens which belong."
,, 732, „ 3 from the top, instead of " size larger,
forearm 48 " read "size smaller, fore-
arm 48 mm."
17 from the bottom, at the end of the
sentence add^ (The figures in brackets
are those of JEgyptiaca).
15, for Type: — Adult 0 read T7//?e :— Adult
Female.
733, ,, 6, for %)e :— Adult 0 read %je :— Adult
Female.
,, ,, ,, 4 from bottom, for Type : — Adult 0 read
Tijpe : — Adult Female.
,, 848, ,, 10 from the bottom, for " Ormaston " read,
" Osmaston."
,, ,, ,, 35, /or "belbi" read '^heehei."
Plate 1, at page 820, at bottom of page, /or " Mrotis" read
^' Myotis'' and " murecola" should be
*' muricola."
Page 820, Plate I, Jor ''Mrotis rmiricela" read "Myotis
muricoUi."
„ 822, line 15, " Hanatapara " should rearZ "Hantapara."
,, 823, „ 18, "XXV" should reafZ "XXIV."
Page 823, line 30"
„ 34
A-i V " Bharnabari " should be omitted as
,, ,5 ,J ■*■•■ f
,, ,,
5, ,5
„ 824, „ 2
,5
6
Hasimara includes Bharnabari.
55
)} JJ
55
55
xlii
Page 823, line 32, after " Jalpaiguri," insert district.
,, ,, ,, 49, "said to be" should be omitted and
instead of "at the first two localities "
' everywhere ' should be read.
„ „ ,, 52, the note on the Club-footed Bat should
be in brackets.
,, 824, ,, 11, " Harpicorplialus'^ should read ^^ Harpi-
ocephalus.'^
5, „ ■ ,, 39, there should be a space between Mus
and homourus.
825, ,, 3, ^' maximas " should reat^ '^ maximus."
„ 17, after " rhinoceros " "of this species"
should be inserted.
841, line 6 from the bottom, for "Beselaphus'' read
" Boselaphus.''^
842, ,, 9 from top,/or "Q,uadricorus^' read ^'■quadricornis"
„ ,, 20, from tojD, for "Dendiocpia" read-
"Dendrocyna."
844, „ 5, from top, for "Fits" read ''Bits."
,, Note No. IX, line 3, from top, for "Ga^js" read
''Gape."
845, No. 3 for "Boated Eagle" read "Booted 'Eagle"
858, ,, 1055, /or 'Bhi/tidocros' read "Fhytidocoros".
861, line 16, for " 46'-5" read " 46-5 inches.
862, Note No. XXVI, line 5, for " pitcator" read
"piscator."
,, 870, line 7 from the top, for "Mgcalesis'Wead "Mycalesis."
In the Plate illustrating " Birds of Prej^ of the Punjab "
published at page 326, Vol. XXVI, the bottom figure (Fig. 3),
which depicts the underside of the Black-winged Kite (Elanus
cmruleus) is incorrect — as the margins of the open wing are not
all black. The underside of the primaries for less than half the
length of the wings are the only black portions.
No. 4, Volume XXVI.
Page 997, in description of Plate for '' Stork-bellied Kingiislier"
read StorJi-billed King fisher" .
„ 1043, signature at the bottom of Miscellaneous Note
No. VI, for " F. Reed " read " F. Field."
,, 1045, line 9, the second "flocks" should read "cocks."
„ 1051 line 2, for "from 5-10 A.M." read "in the
morning" and omit foot-note reference to C.
E. C. Fischer.
5'
55
.<^^}P2
JOURNAL
OF THE
Bombay Natural History Society.
December 1918. Vol. XXVI. No. 1
THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON.
BY
E. 0. Stuiet Bakek, F.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.
Pakt XXV.
With a Golowred Plate.
(^Continued from page 546 of Volume XXV.)
Genns—GATREUS.
The Genus Catreus contains a single species very closely allied to
the true Pheasants, but differing from them in having, a long full
crest.
The female differs from the male in plumage, but not to an}--
thing like the extent the true female Phasiaims contrasts with the
male.
The tail is vei'y long, and is carried like that of Phasianus, not
compressed like that of iyop/mv'x and Gemueus. It is composed of
18 feathers, the central pair very long and about five times as long-
as the outermost.
The wing is rounded, the fifth primary longest and first shorter
than the tenth. The feet are strong and the tarsi armed with spurs,
occasionallj^ represented by knobs in the female.
The only species, G. wallichi, is confined to Indian limits.
Catreus wallichi.
The Cheer Pheasant.
Phasianus wallichi, Hardw., Trans. L. S., xv., p. 166(1827) (Almorah) ;
Button, J. A. S. F., xvii., pt. 2, p. 695 (1848); Blytb, Cat. Mus. A. S.,
p. 245 (1849) (N. W. Himalayas) ; Irby, Ibis, 1861, p. 235 (Kumaon) ;
Jerdon, B. of I., iii., p. 527 (1863) ; Tytler, Ibis, 1861, p. 235, ' (Simla)
•2 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Boavan, ibid, 1868, p. 380 (Simla) ; Stoliczka, J.A.S.F., xxxvii., pt. 2,
p. 68 (1868) (Satlej Valley); Hume, Nests and Eggs, p. 524 (1873);
Marsh., B. Nest in I., p. 59 (1879); Hume and Marsh., Game-B., i., p. 169
(1878) : Scully, Str. Feath., viii., pp. 345, 366 ^1879) (Nepal) ; Marsh.,
Ibis, 1884, p. 423, (Chamba) ; Gates' ed., Hume's Nests and Eggs, iii.,
p. 412 (1890).
Lophoshoros loallichi, Less., Man. d'Grni, ii., p. 179 (1825) ; Vigne.
P.Z.S., 1841, p. 6. (Chamba).
Phasianus stacei, Gould. Cent. Birds., p. 68 (1832) (Himalaya).
Cati-pus wallichi, Adams, F.Z.S., 1858, p. -^99; Mitchell, ibid, 1858,
p. 545; Gould. B. of Asia, vii., p. 18 (1865) ; Ogilvie-Grant, Cat. B. M.,
xxii., p. 317 (1893) ; Id., Man. Game-B., ii., p. 1 (1897) ; Blanf., Fauna B.
I. Birds, iv., p. 82 (1898) ; Sharpe. Hand-L., i., p. 37 (1899) ; Gates, Cat.
Eggs B. M., i., p. 56 (1901) ; Venour, Jour. B N. H. S., xvii., p. 812 (1907)
(Dunga Gali, N. W. F. Province) . Ward, ibid, p. 944 (1907) (Jhelum
Valley) ; Magrath, ibid, xix., p. 159 (1909) (Murree) ; Finn, Avi. Mag., i,,
p. 129 (1910).
Vernaculxr Names. — Kahh', Chihir (NepaV) ; Cheer (Kumaon,
Qarhwal and further West); Bunchil, Boinchil, Herril (Hills, N. of
Mussoori') ; Chummun, Chaman (^Ghamha, Kulii, etc.); Reear
(Karnar, Drawa, Fir Pavjal, and Kaji Naqh, Rehar {Barcj, N.
W. F.)
Descripiion. — Adidt Male. — Top of the head and feathers of the
crest blackish brov\-n, edged paler and with rather conspicuous grey
tips ; back of the head and upper nape the same but with the grey
edges almost concealing the dark centres ; line of feathers below
the bare orbital space and ear-coverts hair-brown, almost black
next the bill ; chin, throat and sides of the neck greyish white,
very faintly centred with brown streaks, obsolete in some speci-
mens ; lower nape and hind neck the same barred with black,
scapulars and lesser wing-coverts barred o&hy grey and black, each
feather with a narrow g^ey fringe and with the siibterminal black-
bar glossed with green ; upper tail-coverts and tail pale buffy grey
to almost pure grey at the tip, barred with wide mottled bars of
black and dark cinereous grey ; outer tail feathers with the dark
grey on the inner webs replaced to a great extent with deep
chestnut.
Primaries brown, the outermost edged and barred with pale buff
on the outer webs and both mottled and barred with the same
colour on the inner webs; secondaries the same, becoming more
and more mottled in characters towards the innermost, which have
one broad subterminal bar of black, a second bar less definite in
shape and the rest of the feather irregularly mottled with black and
buff; greater and median wing-coverts like the lesser, but with
more of a buffy-ochre tinge, in some cases becoming here and
there almost rufous.
Below greyish-white, more or less tinged with rufous-buff pos-
teriorly and on the flanks each feather barred with black, but with
these bars concealed on the fore neck and upper breast, and very
THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA. 3
conspicuous on the lower breast and fianks ; the feathers of the
breast also have faint brown shaft stripes ; centre of abdomen
blackish, more or less mottled with rufous buff; vent and under
tail-coverts rufous ; thigh-coverts dirty rufous buff.
Colours of Soft Parts. — Orbital skin crimson-scarlet or crimson,
sometimes dotted with little pink, or pinkish-white pimples ; iris
golden hazel or reddish hazel, sometimes, according to Hume, an
orange-brown ; bill pale yellowish horny, more rarely pale brownish
or bliiish horny ; legs plumbeous or greyish brown, occasionally
with a fleshy ti]5t, especially on the hinder parts ; toes paler and
more fleshy and soles paler still.
Measurements. — The series of males of which J have been able to
take measurements, some 40 in number do not show a very great
range of variation. Including the 22 specimens in the British
Museum, they measure : —
Wing from 9-3" (235 mm.) to 10-6" (269-2 mm.), and averag-
ing 9-9" (250-5 mm.); tail 15-3" (388-6 mm.) to 23-0" (584-2
mm.), with an average of 19-0" (481-8 mm.) ; tarsus about 3" (76-2
mm.); spur generally about -5" (12-5 mm.), rarely as such as
75" (19-0 mm.); bill at front about 1-1" (27-9 mm.), and from
gape about 1-3" (36 mm.)
" Weight, 2 lbs. 10 ozs. to 3 lbs. 7 ozs." (Hume.)
In a letter to me, Col. R, H. Rattray recorded the weight of one
shot at Mussoorie as jnst on 4-lbs.
Wilson (Mountaineer) mentions having obtained birds with tails
of 28" (716 mm.), and this observer is invariably so correct that
we must accept his statement, but such birds are no duubt quite
exceptional. The crest runs up to 3-6" (91-4 mm.), and is
usually about 3" (76-2 mm.)
Adult Female. — Head similar to that of the male, but with buff or
ochre-buff instead of grey edging and tips to the feathers ; hind
neck and nape greyish- white with bold black centres ; mantle pale
chestnut — varying a good deal in depth in different individuals —
each feather with cream shaft streaks, greyish edges and bold black
bars; lower back and rump ashy-brown, mottled with black and, to
a much less extent with buff; tail and upper tail-coverts with
alternate bands of mottled rufous and black and bolder black and
buff; the longer tail-coverts with more black and less buff.
Primaries brown, regularly barred with buff on the outer webs
and with chestnut on the inner ; secondaries mottled blackish-
brown, and chestnut-buff with four broad bars of creamy-buff' edged
above and below with black ; greater and median coverts mottled
black and chestnut-buff with broad tips of creamy-bufi.
Below chin, throat and fore neck creamy-white ; breast black, the
feath-rs with broad white edges and white central streaks ; re-
mainder of lower surface pale chestnut each feather edged with
4 JOUHNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXJ'l.
creamy-buff; flanks anteriorly like the breast, gradually changing
posteriorly until they are almost the same as the belly ; centre of
abdomen buff; under tail-coverts pale rufous, mottled slightly
with brown.
Colours of Soft Parts. — Similar to the same parts in the male,
but the facial skin is a duller, dingier crimson, more a brick-red.
Measurements.— ^ing, 8-6" (223-4 mm.) to 9-7" (245-6 mm.),
average (28 birds) 9-15" (231-6 mm.); tail, 12-5" (317-5 mm.)
to 18-6" (467-4 mm.), with an average of 15-0" (381-0 mm.) ;
tarsus, 2-8" (71-6 mm.) to 3-1" (78-7 mm.), generally a little
under 3" (about 75 mm.) ; bill at front about 1" (25*4 mm.) and
from gape 1-2" (30-4 mm.). The spur is only a mere knot
when present, as a rule there is none. The crest runs up to 2*7"
(68-5 mm.), but is more often about 2" (50-8 mm.)
" Weight, 2 lbs. to 2 lbs. 12 ozs.*' (Hume.)
Distribution. — The West of Nepal, Kumaon, Garhwal, Tehri
Garhwal, Simla States, Bussahir, Chamba and at least as far West
as Dunga Galli in the Hazara District of the N.-W. Frontier
Province.
Ward says that it is not found in Kashmir proper, though it is
found in Kishtwar and the Jhelum Valley. Major H. L. Haugh-
ton, then of the 36th Sikhs, obtained specimens at Bvarnar and
Drawa (Kashmir), and also at Pir Panjal and Kaji Nag. Nor can
they be very rare there, for on one day he informs me he managed
to shoot eight birds.
It is possible that these pheasants inhabit Nepal a good deal
further to the East than Hume thought to be the case. Before
the traffic in bird skins was j)ractically stopped in Darjiling
the Nepalese occasionally brought these skins into Darjiling for
sale and less often birds alive, which they said had been trapped
in the Valley of Nepal on the higher hills to the North. 1 have
myself seen such skins, and one of my eggs was obtained with the
skins of the parent bird from Nepalese in Darjiling.
Scully, it must be remembered, found these birds very common
in captivity in Khatmandu, and believed that the bird was by no
means uncommon to the North of the Valley. No one yet has
collected in Nepal off the beaten tracks, and even Hodgson was
never, evidently, in a position to collect in the real interior of the
country, whilst Residents since his time appear to have made no
attempt to do so.
Nidification. — This beautiful Pheasant breeds throughout the
above area at elevations between 5,000 and 9.000 feet, occasionally
lower than the former, and, equally occasionally, above the latter.
The breeding season commences early in April and lasts through-
out May and June. In the lower ranges most eggs will be taken
in the end of April and early May, whilst in the higher altitudes
THE GAME BIRD^ OF INDIA. 5
none are likely to be taken before the end of May, and more in
the early half of June. The latest date I have recorded is the
3rd of July for incubated eggs.
Owing to the fact that Europeans do all they can to prevent the
eggs of this bird being taken, and, vs^herever they are sufficiently
numerous to make it worth while, do their best to preserve these
pheasants, there is very little on record about their nidification.
In addition to this, the fact that they nearly always breed in
the wildest and most precipitous hills makes their nests and eggs
very hard to find, and consequently full clutches of Cheers' eggs
are very rare in collections. The nests are very rough affairs,
merely a collection of leaves and rubbish in some hollow, either
natural, or scratched out by the birds themselves. It is placed in
amongst bushes,bracken or grass at the foot of, or on the side of,
some steep hill or cliff, and almost invariably in very broken
gi-ound. Hume found his three nests at the foot of almost vertical
cliffs, " broken into ledges and steps and studded with down-trail-
ing bushes, tufts of grass and, growing here and there out of some
larger cleft or wider ledge, a few stunted trees." This description
appears to be very typical of the normal breeding and nesting
haunts of the Cheer, and the few details I have been able to secure
from sporting friends simply confirm what Hume has written. It
is interesting to note that Hume took this bird's nest at Nagthiba
as long ago as 1861, and that only three years ago, 1915, I
received from a friend a pair of eggs taken from the same place.
The cock birds are monogamous, a fact which has been long
known, for Wilson recorded that " both male and female keep
with the young brood, and seem very solicitous for their welfare."
In 1916, Mr. A. Wimbush of the Forest Service, came on a very
interesting instance of the cock Cheer's care for his family. He
writes in epistola : —
" This morning when out after Gural in the Jaunsar
" division of the Dehra Dun District at an elevation of about
" 8,000 feet, I came suddenly upon a pair of Cheer Pheasants
" with a brood of chicks about one or two days old.
" The parent birds which appeared to have been sitting
"touching one another, as though each covering half the
" chicks, waited until I was some ten or twelve yards away,
" and then started a most lively demonstration.
" The chicks ran in all direction, one coming straight
" towards me, and the two old birds wdth tails spread, wings
" arched and neck feathers ruffled ran backwards and forwards
" in front of me, clucking just like an old hen does if a dog
" interferes with her chicks.
" The most interesting point was that the chief demonstrator
"was the cock bird. Without the least sign of fear he
6 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
" approached to within about eight yards of me, assuming the
"most threatening attitude.
•' This continued for a moment or two, until all the chicks
" had hidden in the grass, whereupon both old birds began to
" walk away, calling all the time to the chicks."
If the eggs are at all incubated, the hen birds sits very close,
and may be nearly trodden or before she will rise. In such cases,
she gets oft" her nest with a good deal of fluster and noise, but
usually the birds sneak off" very stealthily.
The number of eggs in a ifull clutch seems to be anything from
eight to fourteen, most often ten or eleven. Hume found thirteen
in one nest. Adams says thej lay from nine to twelve, and
Wilson says nine to fourteen, and Whymper took clutches with
from eight to eleven eggs in Garhwal.
In appearance the eggs are just like small hens' eggs varying in
colour from a pale creamy white to a pale stone or brown, sometimes
with a faint chocolate or creamy tint in it. They are never of the
rich, warm cafe-au-lait tint so often found in the f^ggs of the
Jungle-Fowl and the Kalij Phesants, and, on the other hand, most
eggs have the faintest tinge of olive-green in them, hardly dis-
cernible unless placed against other eggs,
Frequentlj" the eggs are spotted and speckled with brown, and,
curiously, these spots seem to be nearly always at the small end.
This is the case in four out of the only six eggs I have in my
collection, in the majority of those in the British Museum and at
Tring and again in Mr. S. L. "Whymper's collections. As a rule
these spots and specks are scanty and poorly coloured, but 1 have
one egg which is quite richly blotched with rich brown at the
small end.
In shape they are the same as hens' eggs, occasionally rather
drawn out, but never a peg-top shape like those of the true
Phasianus group. The texture is hard, close and strong with a
fair gloss.
Thirty eggs vary in length from 49-9 mm. to 57-1 mm., and in
breadth from 36-5 mm. to 4.0-6 mm. The average is 53-3 mm.
by 38-7 mm.
General Hahits. — The Cheer may be found at any altitude
between 4,000 feet in the cold weather, and 10,000 feet or more
in the summer, but as a rule keep between about 6,000 feet and
9,000 feet. They haunt the wildest of country, and though not
found above the forest level they are not birds of heavy forest, but
rather of the scanty forest and thick grass and undergrowth which
grow on the more precipitous hills and cliff" sides. According to
various authors and writers, they seem to go about in flocks of any
thing from half a dozen to a dozen or more, probably only the
family party of the last hatching. They do not keep very close
THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA. 7
together, but scatter over a considerable area, a habit of consider-
able importance to the sportsman in pnrsnit of them, as he can
pick them up one or two at a time instead of flushing the whole
covey together.
No account of this Pheasant can be considered complete with-
out " Mountaineer's " most interesting notes, for no one since has
written any account to compare with his. I therefore make no
apology for quoting them in full, although so many have used them
before me.
" Though far from being rare, fewer perhaps are met with
" than of any other kind unless it is particularly sought for,
" always excepting the Jewar. The reason of this may be
" that the general character of the ground where they resort
" is not so inviting in appearance to the sportsman as other
'' places ; besides, they are everywhere confined to particular
•'localities, and are not, like the rest, scattered indiscrimiua-
•'tely over almost every part of the regions thej'- inhabit.
" Their haunts are on grassy hills with a scattered forest of
" oak and small patches of underwood hills covered with the
"common pine near the sites of deserted villages, old cow-
" sheds, and the long grass amongst precipices and broken
" ground.
" They are seldom found on hills entirely destitute of trees
•' or jungles, or in the opposite extreme of deep shady forest ;
■' in the lower ranges they keep near the top of the hills or
•' about the middle, and are seldom found in the valleys or
" deep ravines. Further in the interior they are generally low
•'down, often in the immediate vicinity of the villages, except
•'in the breeding season, when each pair seeks a spot to per-
•' form the business of incubation : they congregate in flocks
" of from 5 or 6 to 10 or 15, and seldom more than two or
' three lots inhabit the same hill.
" They wander a good deal about the particular hill they are
" located on, but not beyond certain boundaries, remaining
'• about one spot for several days or w-eeks, and then shifting
" to another, but never entirely abandoning the place, and
" year after year they may, to a certainty, be found in some
" quarter of it.
" During the day, unless dark and cloudy, they keep con-
" cealed in the grass and bushes, coming out morning and
"evening to feed. When come upon suddenly while out, they
" run off quickly in different directions, and conceal them-
" selves in the nearest cover, and seldom, more than one or two
" get on the wing. They run very fast, and if the ground is
" open and no cover near, many will run two or three hundred
" yards in prefei-ence to getting up.
8 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXV L
"After concealing themselves they lie very close, and are
" flushed within a few yards. There is, perhaps, no bird of
' its size M'hich is- so difficult to find after the flock have
• been disturbed and thej- have concealed themselves ; where
' the grass is very long, even if marked down, without a good
' dog it is often impossible to flush them, and even with the
' assistance of the best dogs not one-half will be found a
' second time. A person may walk within a yard of one, and
' it will not move. I have knocked them over with a stick,
' and even taken them with the hand. In autumn the long
' grass, so prevalent about many of the places they resort to,
' enables them to hide almost anywhere ; but this is burnt by
' the villagers at the end of winter, and they then seek refuge
• in low jungle and brushwood, and with a dog are not so
' difficult to find.
" Both males and females often crow at daybreak and dusk,
' and in cloudy weather sometimes during the day. The
' crow is loud and singular, and, when there is nothing to
' interrupt, the sound may be heard for at least a mile. It is
• something like the words chir-a-jiir, chir-a-^nr, chir cliir, cJiirwa,
' cJiirwa, but a good deal varied ; it is often begun before com-
' plete daylight, and in spring, when the birds are numerous,
' it invariably ushers in the day : in this respect it may rival
' the domestic cock. When pairing and scattered about,
• the crow is often kept up for nearl}^ half an hour, first
' from one quarter, than another ; and now and then all
' seem to join in a chorus. At other times it seldom lasts
' more than five or ten minutes.
" The Cheer Pheasant feeds chiefly on roots, for which it
' digs holes in the ground, grubs, insects, seeds and berries,
' and, if near cultivated fields, several kinds of grain form a
' portion of its diet ; it does not eat grass or leaves like the
' rest of our Pheasants.
"It is easy to rear in confinement, and might, without
■' difficulty, be naturalized in England, if it would stand the
" long frosts and snows of severe winters, which I imagine is
"rather doubtful.
" This bird flies rather heavily, and seldom very far. Like
" most others, it generally utters a few loud screeches on
" getting up, and spreads out the beautifully barred feathers
" of its long tail, both when flying and running. It does not
" perch much on trees, but will occasionally fly up into one
" close by, when put up by dogs. It roosts on the ground
"generally, and when congregated together, the whole flock
" huddle up in one spot. At times, however, they will roost
"in trees and bushes,"
TRE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA. 9
Two points in this excellent account require comment. First
as regards their flight ; few sportsmen will agree with Wilson's
description of it, and all my correspondents give the Cheer credit
for being a most difficult bii'd to shoot, not only on account of its
great speed in flight, but also because of its habit of hurling itself
headlong down cliff" sides with almost closed wings, giving the
snappiest of snap-shots, unless one is close to the level at which
it intends to alight. Close to this point it gradually moderates its
pace, somewhat opening its wings, spreading its tail and in the
words of Hume — " sweeps off in graceful curves riglit or left,
shortly dropping suddenly, almost as if shot, into some patch of
low cover."
The second point which atti*acts notice is the statement that
these birds roost on the ground ; doubtless they do so some-
times, but over most of their habitat I am told they roost
either on stunted trees, high bushes or on the summit of high
rocks.
The description given by Mr. Wimbush of the demonstration
made by a pair of pheasants in defence of their young shows that
attitudes supposed to be awe-inspiring are indulged in hj Cheer.
Finn corroborates this, and remarks : —
"This species is not supposed to show off", but a vicious
"male in the Calcutta Zoo used to show off* in the Common
" Pheasant's attitude aslant with spread tail when trying to
" attack, and as the show position so commonly seems to be
" the fighting one too, I expect the species does thus display
" when courting. This bird made a murmuring note when
"approached, like the Kalij Pheasant."
It is said to be an excellent bird for the table and one of my
correspondents adds "It is the only game bird I have shot in
India which in any way reminds me of the English Pheasant and
the flesh, especially, if kept for a short time in the cold weather is
much more like that of true Phasianiis than that of the Jungle
fowl or Kali]'.''
Genus— LOPHURA.
The Genus Lophura contains three species of Pheasants, which
are rather closely allied to those of the genus Gennceus, but the tail
is differently shaped, though compressed as in that group, and the
naked portion of the face is prodxiced above the forehead and again
below the cheeks into the fleshy pendant wattles.
The wing is similar to that of the Kalij Pheasants, the first
primary equal to the ninth or tenth, the fifth and sixth sub-equal
and longest. In both Gennceus and Loi^lmra, the tail is composed
of sixteen feathers, but in the former the central tail feathers are
10 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL RI8T, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
longest, whereas in the latter the third pair are a little longer than
the two central pairs.
The crest is composed of feathers with shafts bare at their bases
and heavily plumed at the tips. In G. rufa four-jBfths of the shafts
are bare, but in Q. diardi merely the bases.
The feet and tarsi are stout and armed, in the male, with a well-
developed spur.
There are three species in the Genus as now restricted, two of
which are found in the limits of the present work, the third
Lophura ignita being obtained in the forest of Borneo.
Key to Species.
A. Mantle deep purplish blue.
a. Upper breast black, glossed blue ;
central tail feathers white L. rufa cf
b. Upper breast dark grey, vermiculat-
ed with white central tail
feathers black L. diardi j
B. Mantle chestnut.
c. Wing-coverts chestnut, vermiculated
with black ; outer tail feathers
black L. rufa $
d. Wing-coverts black, with buff bro-
ken bars ; outer tail feathers
dark chestnut L. diardi $
LOPHURA RLiFA.
The Fire-Bacli,
Phasianus iynitus, Raffles (nee Shaw and Nodder) Trans. Linn. Soc,
xiii., p. 320 (1822) (Sumatra) ; Daniell, F. Z. S., 1882, p. 24 ; Elliott, Ibis,
1878, p. 412.
Phadanus rufus, Raffles, Trans. Linn. Soc., xiii, p. 321 (1822) (Suma-
tra) ; Gray in Griffiths ed. Cuv., iii, p. 28 (1829).
Pliasianus castaneus, Gray in Griffiths ed. Cuv., iii., p. 28 (1829) (Penang).
GaUus macartneys, Schinz (nee. Temm.) Nat. abild. Vog., p. 28, pi. 93
(1833) (Sumatra).
Euploeamus iynitus, Gray, 111. Ind. Zool., ii., pi. 39 (1834) ; Blyth, Cat.
Mus. As. Soc, p. 243(1849) (Sumatra) ; Blyth and Wald.,Cat. Mamm. and
Birds, Burma, p. 149 (1875) (Tennasserim River) ; Elliott, Ibis (1878)
p. 124.
Euploeamus vieillotti, Gray, List Gen. E. 2nd ed., p. 77 (1841) ; Gould, B.
of Asia, vii., pi. 15 (1852) (Malacca) ; Hume, Str. Feath., ii., p. 481 (1874)
(Tennasserim) ; id, ibid, iii., p. 324 (1875) (Tennasserim) ; Sclater, P.Z.S.,
(1875) p. 380; Hume, Str. Feath., v., p. 119. (1877) (Tennasserim) ; Hume
and Marsh , Game-B. In., i.. p. 213 (1878); Hume and Dav., Str. Feath.,
p. 438 (Pakjan); Elliott, Ibis, 1878, p. 413; Kelham, Ibis, 1881, p. 532
(Perak) ; Gates, B. of Burma, ii., p. 320 (1883) (L. Tennasserim).
Euploeamus rufus, Hume, Str. Feath., v., p. 121 (1877).
THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA. 11
Euplocavms sumatranus, Dubois, Bull. Acad. Belg., (2), xlvii., p. 825
(1879) (Sumatra).
Lophum rufa, Ogilvie-Grant, Cat. B.M., xxii., p. 268 (1893) ; id, Man.
Game-B., i., p. 244 (1895) ; Blanf., Fauna. B. T., iv., p. 87; Gates, Man.
Game-B , i., p. 379 (1898) ; Sharpe Hand-L., B., i., p. 34 (1899); Gates,
Cat. JEgg8,B.M., i., p. 52 (1901).
Lophura vieillotti, Buttikofer Notes Ley. Mus., xvii., p. 181 (1895).
Lophwa sumatrana, Buttikofer, Notes Ley. Mus., xvii., p. 177 (1895).
Vernacular Names. — Kuock-wah (Siamese) ; Mooah-Mooah,
(Malay). •
Description. — Adult Male. — Plumage above including thick bushy
crest, lesser wing-coverts and upper tail-coverts a deep rich metallic
purple-violet ; lower back a fiery golden red, passing into a rich
copper chestnut on the rump, the concealed bases of these feathers
coloured like the upper back ; two pairs of central feathers white,
inner webs of third pair white, outer webs of these and whole of
remaining tail feathers black, more or less glossed with violet. Wing
quills brown, darkest and almost black on the innermost second.'^ries;
greater coverts black, glossed, more especially at the edges and tips,
with a more decided green tint than that on the back, median
coverts where visible the same glossy green.
Below like the mantle, the sides of the lower breast and flanks
with conspicuous white shaft-stripes faintly tinged with chestnut
in 8ome specimens ; centre of abdomen black ; vent and thigh-
coverts dingy blackish-brown ; imder tail-coverts black glossed with
the same colour as that on the wing-coverts.
Many birds, apparently fully adult, have a curious sprinkling of
the finest specks of white arranged as a naiTOw irregular line on
each feather of the metallic plumage of the back and with similar
terminal lines, but of reddish instead of white, on the wing-
quills.
Birds from Sumatra, it should be noted, have the lines on the
flanks chestnut instead of white, but with the material available it
is impossible to say whether this is constant and would sufiice to
give this form sub-specific rank.
Colours of Soft Parts. — Irides bright pale red ; facial skin pale
smalt blue or bright smalt blue ; bill white or pale fleshy horn ;
tarsus in front and toes bright vermilion red, back of tarsus pal.r
with soles and claws reddish white ; spur fleshy pink or pale
vermilion ; skin of throat showing through the scanty feathering-
fleshy pink. (Davison).
Measurements.— Wing, lO'O" (254-0 mm.)toll-7" (297'1 mm.),
average of thirty birds li-3" (286-1 mm.); tail, 9-0" (228-6 mm.)
to 12-8" (325-1 mm.), average, 11-3" (286-1 mm.); tarsus, 4-25"
(107-9 mm.) to 4-8" (121-9 mm.), average 4-55" (115-5 mm.);
spur, 1-25" (31-7 mm.) to 1-7" (43-2 mm.); crests, 1-5"
(38-1 mm.) to 1-7" (43-2 mm.).
12 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXJ'I
" Weight, 4-25 lbs. to 5 lbs." (Hume.)
Hume gives the length of the bill from gape as 1*6" to 1'8"
(40-6 to 45-7 mm.).
.4 Young Male apparently moulting into adult plumage, has the
upper tail-coverts blackish-brown, mottled with chestnut at the
tips ; the white centi*al tail feathers have their basis and broad
shaft-stripe brown ; the whole of the under surface is black with
hai'dly a vestige of gloss and the. gloss on the upper parts is scanty
and dull. •
^1 Young Male in fii'st phimage is dull earthy brown above, much
freckled with rufous, the head is darker and the incipient crest is
tipped with chestnut; below the chin and throat are dull albescent;
neck dark brown ; breast and flanks dark brown, each feather
broadly edged with white ; centre of abdomen and vent dull white ;
under tail-coverts brown ; thigh-coverts like the flanks.
Adult Female. — Head, neck and upper back bright chestnut
rufous ; lower back and remainder of upper plumage a more bufi*
rufous, profusely covered with narrow irregular bars of black : the
colours of the upper and lower back grade into one another, and
the feathers of the former show more or less black stippling on
their terminal halves ; tail and upper tail-coverts a still richer,
deeper chestnut than the head, the outer tail feathers immaculate,
the inner and upper tail covers narrowly barred with black.
Wings like the back, but rather more chestnut in general tone.
Below, chin and throat rufescent white, changing into pale chest-
nut on the fore neck ; breast and lower neck bright chestnut, the
feathers with broad white edges to the basal halves ; remainder of
lower plumage black with broad white edges to each feather, and
with the black more or less mixed with chestnut on the flanks ;
centre of abdomen and vent mottled white ; under tail-coverts black
and chestnut; thigh-coverts black and chestnut with white fringes.
Individuals vary a great deal in the extent to which the chest-
nut of the upper breast encroaches on the lower breast and flanks.
In some the whole of the lower plumage has the black more or
less mixed with chestnut, whilst in one or two specimens, on the
other hand, the chestnut is almost entirely confined to the neck
and extreme upper breast.
Colours of the Soft Parts. — Iris bright pale red ; facial skin smalt
blue ; bill, cere, gape and base of both upper and lower mandibles
dark horny brown ; rest of bill horny white, greenish white, pale
yellowish ; legs bright red or vermilion in front and on the toes, paler
behind and on soles which are a pinkish white, claws hornywhite.
(Davison.)
Measurements.— Wing, 8-8" (223-5mm.) to 10-4" (264-lram.),
average of thirty-four birds, 9-9" (251-2mm.) ; tail, 6-5" (165-1
mm.) to 9-3" (236-2 mm.), average, 8-3" (210-8 mm.) ; tarsus,
THE GAME BIRDS OF IM)IA. 13
3-4" (86-3mm.) to4-r' (104-lmm.); crest about 1-5" (38- 1 mm.);
bill at front about 1-3" (33-0 mm.) and from gape about 1-6" (40-6
mm.).
Hume gives the wing of the female as running up to 10-75"
(275 mm.)
« Weight, 3 to 3-5 lbs." (Hume.)
The Young Female is duller above and the chestnut of the
head is little, if any, brighter than the rest of the plumage. The
mottlings are generally stronger and more plentiful and the
scapulars have a few broad bars of black. Below the chestnut is
but slight in extent, and is confined to the fore neck.
Distribution. — South Western Siam, the Malay Peninsula and
Sumatra. The female in the British Museum Collection marked
" Borneo " is of course not from that island.
This fine Pheasant only enters our limits in the South of
Tennasserim about as far North as the latitude of Tennasserim
Town, but is apparently very common further South.
Nidification. — There is, as far as I can find, absolutely nothing
on record about the nidification of this Pheasant in a wild state, and
very little in caged state, although it is a common enough bird in
captivity. Haime's collection contains a single egg laid by a bird
under the latter conditions in Julj'', and the only eggs laid by wild
birds that I know of are two in my own collection purchased from
the Waterstradt Collection and taken in JNIalacca on 4th April.
The egg obtained by Hume measures 2-25" by 1-68" (57-1 by
39*6 mm.), the two in my own collection measure 51'0 by 39*3 mm.
and 52*7 by 39-5 mm. In shape and texture they are similar
to rather thin shelled domestic-fowls' eggs, and in colour they are
a pale stone or buff". Hume calls his egg a delicate cafe-au-lait,
but I should prefer to call this also a very pale dull buff. The
surface in all these eggs is smooth, but with little gloss, and my
two eggs are stained here and there from the rubbish upon which
they were laid.
The only notes obtainable about the wild-laid eggs were as
follows :— -
" Brought in by native collectors with the skin of the
" adult bird ; said to have been placed in a nest composed of
" dead leaves, grass and bamboo spates under some thick
*' bushes in dense evergreen forest." — Malacca, 4/4/1899., low
Beyond the fact that of the eggs known one was laid in July
and two in .April ; it is impossible to say when the breeding season
commences or ends.
General Habits. — The Fire-Back appears to be a bird of the
dense low country evergreen forest, not being found in the higher
hills anywhere within its habitat. Over most of its range it is a
comparatively common bird, and many are trapped and kept in
U JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
confinement by the natives. Easy to tame and easy to feed, it
thrives even when kept in a comparatively small enclosure, but it
has not yet been induced to breed.
Like the Kalij Pheasants, this bird is a haunter of thick jungle,
generall}'^ evergreen, with dense undergrowth, less often bamboo or
secondary growth in abandoned cultivation.
It is nearly half a century since the much-quoted account of this
bird's habits was written by Davison yet since then pi-actically not
one scrap of information has been added to our knowledge or, at
all events, recorded anywhere. Siam and the Malay Peninsula
are now exceptionally well off for good scientific and field natura-
lists, and il is to be hoped that before long they will supply the
deficiency.
Davison writes : —
" These birds frequent the thick evergreen forests in small
" parties of five or six ; usually there is only one male in the
♦' party, the rest being females, but on one or two occasions
" I have seen two males together ; sometimes the males are
" found quite alone. I have never heard the males crow, nor
" do 1 think that they ever do so ; when alarmed, both males
" and females have a peculiar sharp note, exceedingly like
" that of the large Black-Backed Squirrel (Sciiirus hicolor).
" Tlie males also continually make a whirring sound with
" their winffs, which can be very well imitated by twirling
" rapidly between the hands a small stick, in a cleft of which
" a piece of stiff cloth has been transversely placed, I have
" often discovered the whereabouts of a flock by hearing this
" noise. They never come into the open, but confine them-
" selves to the forests, feeding on berries, tender leaves, and
" insects and grubs of all kinds, and they are very fond of
" scratching about after the manner of domestic poultry, and
" dusting themselves. When disturbed, they run rapidly
"away, not ui different directions, but all keeping much
" together ; they rise at once before a dog, getting up vv^ith a
" great flutter, but when once well on the wing, fly with a
" strong and rapid flight ; they seldom alight again under a
" couple of hundred yards, and usually on the ground, when
*' they immediately start running.
" I noticed on one occasion a very curious thing. I had
"stalked an Argus, and while waiting to obtain a good
"shot, I heard the pt^culiar note, a sort of chulun, chukun,
" followed by the whirring noise made by the male Fire- Back,
" and immediately after saw^ a fine male Fire-Back run into
" the open space, and begin to chase the Argus round and
" round its clearing. The Argus seemed loath to quit its own
" domain, and yet not willing to fight, but at last, being
THE GAME BIRI)^ OF INDIA. 16
" hardpressed, it ran into the jungle. The Fire-Back did not
" attempt to follow, but took up a position in the middle of
" the clearing, and recommenced the whirring noise with his
'• wings, evidently as a challenge, whereupon the Argus slowly
" returned, but the moment it got within the cleared space,
"the Fire-Back chai-ged it, and drove it back into the jungle,
" and then, as before, took up his position in the middle of
" the space and repeated the challenge, 'J'he Argus imme-
" diately returned, but only to be again driven back, and this
" continued at least a dozen times, and how much longer it
" would have continued I cannot say, but a movement on my
"part attracting the birds' attention, they caught sight of me,
"and instantly before I could fire, disappeared into the jungle.
" The Argus never made the slightest attempt to attack the
" Fire-Back, but retreated at once on the slightest movement
" of the latter towards it, nor did I see the Fire-Back strike
'the Argus with either bill, wings, or spars."
LOPHURA DIARDI.
The Siam Fire-Bach.
Euplocamus diardi, Bonap. Comp., Rend., xi., iii.. p. 415 (1856), ox.
Temm., M. S.
Dlanlv/alUia praelatus, Bonap., Comp. Rend., xi., iii., p. 415 (1856) ;
Schl., Hand-L.d., Dierk, i., p. 379, Atlas Aves, pi. v., fig. 55 (1857) ; Gould,
B. of A., vii., p. 21 (1860).
Jjiardir/aUua fa%ciolatu>' , Blyth , J.A.S.B., xxvii., p. 280 (1858).
Euplocamus pi aeldt us, Sclater, List. Bhas., p. 6, pi. 6 (1863) (Siam, Shan
States) ; Schomb. Ibis, 1864, p. 259 (E. Lao Country) ; Sclater and Wolf,
Zool. Sketches, (2) pi. 35, (1867); Elliott, Man. Bhas., ii., p. 24 (1872).
lophura diardi, Ogilvis-Grant, Cat. B. M., xxii., p. 290 (1898); id,
Hand-L., Game-B., i., p. 247 (1895) ; Gyldanstolpe, Kungl. Svensk,
Hand-L. 50, No. 8, p. 67 (i913) ; id. Journ. N. H. Soc, Siam, i., Mo. 4
p. 235 (North Siam).
Vernacular Names. — Kai-pha (^Siamese)', Kai-fan — (Laos).
Description. — Adult .1/aZp.— Crown from forehead to nape, fides of
the head behind and over the ears, chin, throat and crest black ; the
crest glossed with purple-blue ; the feathers of the chin, throat and
foreneck, especially the latter, are very scanty, the fleshy red skin
showing through ; back and upper breast very finel}'- vermiculated
grey and black, the general effect being a rather dark grey; lower
back like the back, but each feather with a broad terminal bar of
gold, thi? bar of colour concealing the grey bases ; rump and iipper
tail-coverts, with the exception of a few of the longest, rich metallic
blue-black, each feather fringed with d^ep copper-crimson ; longest
tail- coverts black with a copper sheen and edges of metallic green.
Tail black completely glossed with greenish blue, more distinctly
blue on the outer than the inner webs.
16 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL RISr. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Below black, glossed with deep blue, but with the brownish bases
of the feathers showing through. Wings like the back, but the
scapulars with a broad subtei*minal band of black followed by a
narrow line of pure white ; lesser and median coverts with similar
markings, but much less pronounced.
Colours of the Soft Farts. — Iris red, brown, red-brown or hazel ;
bill pale greenish horny ; facial skin bright scarlet-red ; legs and
feet rich deep scarlet or crimson-red, toes and spurs dark horny-
brown, the latter tipped paler, and sometimes wholly of a pale
horny white colour.
" Iris burnt sienna, light red to vermilion • bill pepper-
" brown ; legs vermilion ". (E.G.Herbert).
Measurements. — Wing, 230 to 256 mm., average eight birds,
250 mm. ; tail, 345 to 386 mm.; tarsus about 100 mm. ; crest 70
to 90 mm. ; bill from gape about 32 mm. and from front to tip
about the same.
Adult Female. — Crown, nape and sides of the head a dingy pale
earth-brown, shading into pale rufous, white on chin, throat and
fore neck ; back and sides of neck, back and scapulars chestnut red,
with faint dusky margins to each feather, and a certain amount of
black stippling in tiny irregular bars. Lower back, rump and
upper tail-coverts vermiculated or mottled with pale rufous buff and
black ; the bars broader and better-defined on the hack than
elsewhere. Tail, two central pairs of feathers, the same wdth
broad bars of black, boldly mottled with buff on their terminal
halves, outer feathers a rich chestnut red.
Below chestnut, the breast and fore neck like the mantle ; the
lower breast, abdomen and flanks with bold edgings of white to
each feather ; centre of the abdomen dull brown and white ; under
tail-coverts unmarked chestnut, the bases mottled with brown.
Visible portions of the wing like the tail, but with the buff bars
and mottlings even more boldly defined ; primaries a lighter brown
with narrow mottled bars of pale buff.
Colmirs of Soft Parts. — Iris red or brown ; bare skin of face dull
scarlet brick-colour, pale dull scarlet or dull scarlet ; bill horny
brown, tip and gouys paler ; legs and feet a very rich deep red,
scarlet red or crimson red ; soles paler and claws pale horny or
horny-white.
" Iris raw umber, burnt sienna, Venetian red or Naples yello\\- ;
" bill above black, the lower mandible yellowish horny ; some-
" times the upper mandible is more brown than black ; feet and
" legs vermilion, but paler and duller than in the male."
(E. G. Herbert.)
Measurements. — Wing, 220 to 238 mm. average of eight birds
228 mm. ; tail 220 to 260 mm. ; tarsus 75 to 85 mm. crest very
short and of ordinary feathers, not distinguishable from the rest
THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA. 17
unless erected; bill from gape about 30 mm., the same as from the
feathers of the forehead to the tip.
The Voting Male is like the adult female, but is duller and
more mottled with blackish above; the breast is more brown, and
less chestnut, and has not got the well-defined white edgings to the
feathers of the lower breast and flanks. The tail feathers are more
barred with black and not quite so rich a chestnut.
Colours of the Soft Paris. — Iris brown or dull blue-brown ;
facial skin dull fleshy red ; bill pale yellowish horny ; feet and legs
dull fleshy pink.
In the Autumn in the first moult the young male appears to
put on the complete plumage of the njale, i-etaining a few feathers
here and there of the female, which aie, presumably, dropped duiing
the ensuing winter, and replaced with adult feathers.
Tliere is a young male in the British Museum collection in
this stage with awing of 210 mm. and no crest.
Distrihution. — Siam, Annam and Camljodia, and it lias also
been reported from the Southern Shan Hills and the Eastern Lao
Country. It possibly occurs a'so in the Eastern parts of Karennee
from whence 1 have had it doubtfully repoited.
Nidijication. — Nothing recorded. Eggs laid in captivity are
said to be indistinguishable from those ot Lcphura rvfa. This
bird has bred in the Zoological Society's gardens in London with
Silver Pheasants during a period when hybiids were attracting
much attention, to satisfy which very useless curiosity, a good deal
of experimental work was done by people who forgot that environ
ment alone could create stable sub-species such as now exist.
General Habits. — There is absolutely nothing on record as to
this bird's habits. It appears to haunt hcav}^ forest at low eleva-
tions, where thei-e is a great deal of undergrowth and where the
climate is so damp that most of this is evergreen.
Sir H. Schomburgh's interesting notes on some captive birds
which appeared in the Ibis (1(SG4) gives us some insight into its
habits.
He writes : —
" The Kai-pha I speak about was quite tame, and ran about
" in the verandah of my residence Although
"the Kai-pha, in splendour of plumage cannot be compared
"either with the Gold or the Silver Pheasant, still there is
" something giaceful in its figure and stately in its walk
" . . 1 allowed him to leave his coop and to walk about
" in the house, where he picked up insects, apparently more
" congenial to him than the everyday food of paddy (rice in
" the husk). When he saw a spider or ant crawl up the walls
" in the room, he would fl}'^ up Fcveral feet to catch it. He
" was very partial to plantains and bananas, indeed to almost
I
18 'JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL BIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
; "any kind of fruit ; this predilection lie may have acquired in
"his state of domestication. Both in his coop and when
; " walking about in the verandah, he emitted frequently a
" faint sound ; ^ut when disturbed or alarmed, the sound was
" harsh ; and when flying up, it was with a whirring noise
. " similar to that of our Partridges, but stronger. The female
"thouoh so difi'erent in plumage, has the same manners as
; "the male."
Q?he\ are very commonly trapped by the Siamese and kept as,
cao-ed "birds, being frequently brought into Bangkok and sold there
for this purpose. Mr. E. G. Herbert kept some of these birds,
and his interesting notes to me show that the j^oung males in the
first autumn moult acquire practically the complete plumage of the
adult male. He was successful in hatching out some eggs under
hens, some of the young birds reaching maturity. Mr. Herbert's
observations confirm those of Sir H. Schomburgh's.
The traps used to catch the wild birds appear to be of two kinds.
In one nooses are set round about a decoy in jungle haunted by
these I'heasants, and in the other nooses are set in openings in low
brush-wood fences in similar places ; the birds wander down the
fences, and then in walking through them get caught. In fact,
the trap is the same as already described as being in use amongst
BO many of the Eastern wilder tribes.
As might be expected, they are said to be good eating, though
one of my correspondents refers to them as " very dry."
(To he continued.')
)■■
o.;.)-U-r
19
SUMMARY OF THE RESULTS FROM THE INDIAN
MAMMAL SURVEY
OF THE
BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.
(By R. C. WilOUGHTON.)
Part II.
{Continued from iiacje 598 of Volume XXV.)
Order II. — Chiropteka — (continued.')
Subfamily II. — MuKiNhNiE.
Blanford's genua Harpiocephalus, together with the genus
MuRiNA, and a third genus. Hakpiola, founded by Thomas (A.
M. N. H. (8), xvi., p. 309, 1915) make up this Subfamily, and may
be arranged in a ke}'^ as follows : —
Key to the genera of the MuriniNjE.
A. — Last upper molar normal.
a. Canine normal ... ... ... I. MURINA.
b. Canine not higher than the anterior
premolar ... II. Harpiola.
/?. — Last upper molar reduced to a remnant,
often deciduous III. Harpiocephalus.
Gen. I. — MuRiNA.
Except that we accept the name
,^„ . ,, , o 11 h:dimi, Peters, for the Indian i-e-
No. 198. tuhinaris, bcully. , ,. ,.7 „, ^ ,, ^^^
I i^^ , ,. T^ 1 presentative ot levcxjaster, these
No. 201. ciichtis \yoh^on ^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ unchanged, but we
No. 202. Zet^co^a^kr, M.-Ldw. ^^^^^.^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^^ the list two new
species, viz., ruhex, Thomas, and
aurata, Milne- Edwards, These five species may be arranged in a
key as follows : —
Kei/ to the species o/MuRiNA.
^. — Size small, forearm, 27-35 mm.
a. Size smaller, forearm 27-28 mm. ... 1. aurata, M.-Edw.
b. Size larger, forearm 33-35 mm. .
a\ Uppei- half ot outer margin of
ear-con(;li c uicave... ... 2. tulnnaris, ScnWj.
W. Upper half ot outer margin of
ear-conch convex or straight.
waras.
2. M. tuhincLris, Scully.
yO JOURNAL. BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. ISOCIETF, Vol, XXVI
a*. Colour above ferniginous... 3. cychtis, Dohson.
6". Colour above browu ... 4. hnttoni, Peters.
B. — Size large, forearm 41-42 mm. ... 5. rub&is, Thomas.
Distribution : —
1. M. aurata, Milne-Ed- Tt/pe localiti/ : — Thibet.
Other loajblitiefi : — Sikkim (B. M.) ;
Sikkim (M. S. I.).
Type: — Pan's Museum.
Tqpe hcalitij : — Gil git.
Other localities : — "India" (Jerdon) ;
Kashmir (B. M.) ; Daijiliug; Chin
Hills (M. S. I.).
Tiii)G :— Ind. Mus. Calc.
Tijpe lociliti/: — Unknown.
Other localities : — Sikkim ; Darjil-
ing: Chin Hills (M. S. I.).
Ti/pe:— Ind. MuB. Calc. No. 166.a.
Ti/pe locality: — Masuri, (Hutton).
Othei' lo'^alities : — Darjiliug(B. M.);
Kumaon (M. S. I.)
Type: — Unknown.
Ti/pe hcalitij: — Pashok, Darjiling.
(B.'N. H. S.— Baptista).
Other localitiP'S ; — None.
Type:—B. M. No. 16. 2. 25. 111.
3. if. cyclotis, Dobson.
4. M. huttoni, Peters.
5. M. rw&sa;, Thomas.
Gen. II. — Haupiola.
No. 199. griseus, Pet.
Distribution : —
H. grisea, Peters.
There is only one species know^n.
The t3'pe is still the only specimen
known.
Type locality : — Jeripaui, Masuri.
CHutton).
Other localities : — None.
Type :— B. M. No. 79. 11. 21. 117.
Gen. III. — Harpiocephalus.
Blanford inserts a " y " in the name without authority.
No. 200. harpyia, Temm. The Indian representative ofharpia.
a Javan bat, is lasyurus, Hodgson. It
is the only species.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY. 21
Distribution : —
H. lasyurns, Hodgson. Type locality : — Darjiling. (Hodg-
son).
Other localities : — Darjiling (B. M.) ;
Bhutan Duars (M. S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 79. 11. 21. 119.
Subfamily III. — KEUivouLiNiE.
There is only one genus.
Gen. — Kerivoula.
Blanford adopted the initial " 0 " without authority.
Temniinck's species, papulosa, is
No. 21S. picta, Pall. fi'om Java and Sumati*a. Blanford
No. 214. hardivickii, Horsf. mentions a specimen (Mamm.
No. 215. papulosa, Term. p. 3 -LI) which was taken in Calcutta
and which he refers to this species,
but it has now been examined by Thomas, who separates it as a
new species under the name lenis (J. B. N. H. S., xxiv., p. 417,
1916) and that name must therefore take the place of pnpillosa for
the Indian animal. Early in the Survey I described a new
form from Mysore, under the name crypta (J. B. N. H. S., xxii.,
p. 14, 1913). These four lorms may be arranged in a key as
follows : —
Key to the species of Kerivoula.
A. — Wing-membranes parti-colored orange
and black ... ... ... ... 1. picta, Pall.
B. — Wing-membranes of the same colour
throughout.
a. Size larger, forearm 41 mm. ... 2. lonis, Thos.
b. Size smaller, forearm 35mm. or less.
o'. Colour paler ; size greater, fore-
arm 33-35 mm ; ear larger, more
markedly emarginate ... ... 3. har dwicTcei, ^orsf.
fc'. Colour darker ; size smaller,
forearm 31* 5 mm; ear smaller,
less emarginate ... ... ... 4. erypta, Wr.
Distribution : —
1. K. pieta, Pallas. Type locality : — Peninsula of India.
OUiPT localities : — Ceylon (B. M.) ;
Western Ghats, Dharwar (M.S.I.)
Co-tiipes:—B.'M..Noa. 67. 4 12.
342-343.
Lectotype :—57 . 4. 12. 342.
21' JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
2. K. lenis, Thomas, TyiJ? locality : — Calcutta.
Ollipr localities : — None.
'iVi^e:— B. M. No. 79. 11. 21. 126.
3. K. hardmclcei, Horsfield. Type localities: — Java.
Ot/ittr localities'. — Java (B. M.) ;
Daviiling (M. S. I.).
2'//pe:— B. M. No. 79. 11. 21. 181.
4. K. eryjpta, Wroughton. Ti/ps hcality : — Shiraoga, Mysore.
(B. N. H. S.— Shortridge).
0' her localities: — None.
Type :— B. M. No. 12. 8. 25.2,
Subfamily IV. — Minioptekin^.
There is only one genus represented.
Gen. — MiNioPTERUS.
The Indian representative of the
No. 216. scJireihersi, Natt. 'Envope:\n ."chreihersi is fuliginosits,
Hodgs., and Dobson has named
a species, pusiUus, from the Nicobars. These two species may be
distinguished as follows : —
Key to the species of Miniopterus.
A. — Size larger, forearm more than 45 mm. ;
hair not extending on to interfemo-
ral membrane ... ... ... 1, fuliginoms,
Hodgs.
B. — Size smaller, forearm 40 mm.; hair ex-
tending on to interfemoral membrane
as far as the third caudal vertebra ... 2. pusillus, Dobs.
Distribution : —
1 . M. Juligiitosus, Hodgson. Ti/p-i locality : — Nepal (Hodgson)
Other hcalities : — Western Ghats;
Ceylon ; Kumaou ; Mt. Popa
(iM. S. I.)
Type : — Not traced. '■
2. M. pusillus, Dobson. Type locality: — Nicobars. (Sto-
liczka).
Other localities : — None.
Type: — Ind. Mus. Oalc. No. 185.
dd.
SUMMARY OF TRE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY. 28
Fam% VI. — EMBALLONURID.E.
This Family contains three genera which occur within our
limits; they may be distinguished as follows : —
Key to the genera of the Emballokurid^.
A. — Upper incisors 2-2 ... ... ... I. Emballonura.
B. — Upper incisors 1-1.
a. Radio- metacarpal pouch present ... 11. Taphozous.
6. No radio-metacarpal pouch present. III. Saccolaimus.
Gen. I. — Emballonura.
There is only one species within
No. 217. semicaudatajVeale. our limits. This name belongs to
a Polynesian species and cannot be
used for the Indian animal. Miller established a species, penin-
sularis, from Trong, but Thomas later showed (J. B. N. H. S., xxiii,
p. 706, 1915) that it could not be separated from moniicola,
Temm., and that name must therefore be used here.
Distribution : —
E. vnonticola, Temmiack. I^VPQ localiti/ : — Java.
0Uie7- localities . — Java (B. M.) ;
Tenasserim (M. S. I.)
Ti/i^e : — Ley den Museum. (Type
o{ Ijeninsidaris, Miller, U. S. Nat.
Mus. No. 83575. (in al.))
Gen. II. — Taphozous.
Thomas has made sub-species.
No. 218. melanopogon , secatus and nudaster, for the Indian
Temm. representatives of theohaldi and the
No. 219. theohaldi, Dobs. Burmese form of kac/ihensis respec-
No. 220. longimamts, tively (J. B. N. H. S. xxiv., p. 59,
Hardw. 60, 1915) and has recognised the
No. 221. Jcachhensis, Dohs. northern form as distinct from
melanopogon, and identical with
perforatus, Geoff., from Egypt. These seven forms may be arrang-
ed in a key as follows : —
Key to the species of Taphozous.
C A. — No gular. sac in either sex.
a. Abdomen hairy throughout.
24 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVl
B.-
a}. Size smaller, forearm 60-62*5 mm.
a^. Colour darker ; a black beard in
males ; forearm 62-5 mm. ...
l)^. Colour paler ; no black beard in
males; forearm 60"5 mm.
W. Size larger, forearm 71-75 mm.
a'. Fur extending on to inter-
femoral memb'-ane ...
If. Fur not extending on to inter-
femoral membrane ...
Lower abdomen naked.
ft\ Fur normal and close
&\ Fur exceedingly short and
fine
-A gular sac present in males, rudi-
mentaiy in females ; interfemoral
membrane hairy to the exsertion of
tail ; forearm 60 mm.
1. melavopogon,
Temm.
2. perforatus, Geoff-
3. t. theohaldi, Dobs.
4. t. secatus, Thos.
5. Jc. kachhensis, Dob-
son.
6. Jc. nudaster, Thos.
7. lovgimanus, Hardw.
Distribution : —
1. T. melanopogon, Tem-
minck.
2. T. p&rforatus, Geoffroj.
3. T. theohaldi theohaldi,
Dobs.
4. T. theohaldi secatus,
Thomas.
Typs locality : — Java.
CHher localitiss : — Khandesh ; Se-
cunderabad, Dekhan ; Kennery
Caves, Salsette ; South Konkan ;
Western Ghats ; Malay Peninsula
(B. M.) ; Khandesh; Berars ; Ni-
raar ; Central JProvinces; Kanara ;
Bellary ; Mt. Popa ; Tenasserim
(M. S. I).
7V/2W : — Leyden Museum.
y'/fpe locality : — Egypt.
Other localities : — Fgypt (B. M.),
Cutch ; Kathiawar (M. S. I.)
7V//>e : — Unknown. Perhaps in
Paris Museum.
'J't/^Je locality : — Tenasserim.
(Theobald.)
Other localilies : — None.
Co-ti,pes : — Ind. Mas. Calc. Nos.
187 a. & b.
Tt/pe locality : — Asirgarh, Nimar
(B. iS[. H. S.— Crump.)
Other localities :-^Nimar (M.S.I.)
Type:—\i. M. No. 12. 6. 28-5.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SUBVEY,
25
T. Icachhensis Jcachhen-
sis, Dobson.
6. T. kachhensis nudas-
ier, Thomas.
T. loncjimanus, Hard-
wicke,
TfilJe l.cality : — Kachh. (Stoli-
czka).
Other localities: — Sind ; Kutch;
Palanpur; Kathiawar; Khandesh;
Bellai V ; Mysore ; Beugal ; Sikkim
(M. S' 1.)
Tjjpe :—lnd. Miis.Calc. No. 189. i.
Tqp'' loca'itt/ : Pagan, Burma.
(B. N. H. !S.— Shortvidge).
Other localities : — Pagan, Burma
(M. S. I.)
'lyi)e'.~-B. M. No. 14. 7. 19.46.
7'//^>e Iccaliiy : — Calcutta.
i}ther localities : — Mandvi, Surat
Dist. ; Bombay ; Dharwar ; Calcutta j,
Eaiigoon (B, M.) Palanpur; Cen-
tral Provinces ; Western Ghats ;
Kanara ; Bellary ; Mysore ; Bengal ;
Cliiudwin ; Mt. Popa ; Tenasserim
(M. S. I.)
I'a'pe: — Unknown, (Type of
hrevicaiidus, Blyth, Ind. Mua. Calc.
No. 188.,;?. 147).
Gen. III. — Saccolaimus.
No. 222. saccolcemus, Temm. The only representative of the
genus in India.
Distribution : —
S. mecolaimus, Temminck.
Ti/}^^^ locality : — Java.
Other hcdities : — Java; Kanara;
(B. M.) Kanara; Ceylon; Bengal
(AI. S. I.)
Tij]je : — Ley den Museum.
Family VII. — Rhinopomatid^.
There is only one genus in the Family.
Gen, — Rhinopoma.
No. 223. miero]phyllum,
Geofi.
The Indian representative of this
species is hardicicl-e^, Gray (J. B.
N. H. S. xxi., p. 767, 1912.) In
the collection from Cutch I named a species, Mnneari (1. c), and
26 JO UENAL, BOMB A Y NA TUBAL HIST. SO CIETY, Vol, XXVI.
rhomas has named a subspecies, seianum, of tlie Arabian rnuscatel-
/wn from Seistan (A. M. N. H. (8), xii., p. 88, 1913). These
three forms may be arranged in a key as follows : —
Ke^ to the spscies of Khinopoma.
^.— Tail shorter than forearm ; skull with a
transverse ridge, on each side, im-
mediately above the nostrils ; forearm
70mm. ... ... ... ... 1. JcinnearifWr.
B, — Tail longer than forearm ; skull with a
globular swelling, on each side, above
the nostrils.
a. Size larger, forearm 57-Gl mm. ... 2. hardwickei,
Gray.
6. Size smaller, forearm 52*omm. ... 3. to. seianum,
Thos.
Distribution :
,1. E. Jcinneari, Wroughton.
2. B. hafdwicTcei, Gray.
S. B. muscatellum seianum,
Thomas.
Tifpe locality : — Bhuj, Cutch. (B.
N. H. S.— Crump.)
OtJier localities : — Kathiawar ;
Nimar ; Bengal (M. S. I.)
Tope:—B. M. No. 11. 12.11.1.
Ti/p3 hcalitii : — " India."
ether localities : — Nasirabad, Baj-
putana ; Allahabad ; Khandesh;
Dharwar (B. M.) Sind; Cutch;
Palanpur; Kathiawar; Gwalior ;
Central Provinces ; Dharwar ; Bel-
lary; Bengal (M. S. I.) ' ., ;.
7//^je:--B. M. No. I.e.
Tyj)e hcalify : — Seistan. (Col.
MacMahon, Seistan Boundary Com-
mission).
Other he dities : — None.
2)ip3:—B. M. No. 6. 1. 2. 2.
Family VIII. — MoLOSsm^.
The name Tadarida has been substituted by Lyon (Proc.
Biol. Soc. Wash., xxvii, p. 215, 1914), as being an older
name, for Nyctinomus. Besides this Thomas recognises two
other genera as occurring in our region, and arranges the three
, SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY, 27
genera in a key (J. B. N. H. R., xxii, p, 91, 1913) as
follows : —
Key to the genera of the Molossid^e.
A. — PremaxillaB separated ... ... ... I. Tadarida.
B. — Premaxillse united.
a. Basi-occipital pits well defined ; a
prominent vertical projection on
zygoma ... ... ... ... II. Otomops.
h. Basi-occipital pits scarcely defined ;
no projection on zj-goma ... III. Ch^REPHON.
Gen. I. — Tadarida.
No. 224. tragaius, Dobs. The only species.
Distribution : —
T. tragata, Dobson. Tiji^e hcalify : — Calcutta.
Other localities: — Nasii'abad, Raj-
putana (B. M.); Sind ; Cutch ; Pal-
anpur ; Kathiawar; Dharwar ; My-
sore (M. S. 1.).
2'//pe : — Iiid. Mus. Calc. No. 196. a.
Gen. II. — Otomops.
The genus was established by Thomas for the species found by
Mr. Prater at Castle Rock, Kanara.
Distribution : —
0. wroughtoni, Thomas. Ti/pe locality : — Talewadi, Kanara
(B. N. H. S.— Prater).
Other localities : — Kanara (B.M.).
Type:—B. M. No. 12. 11. 24. 1.
Gen. III. — Ch^rephon.
No. 225. plioatus, B. Ham. The only species.
Distribution ; —
0. flicatus, Buchanan Tij-pe locality: — Peninsula of India.
Hamilton. Other localities: — Java; Malay
Peninsula; R^jputana (B. M.);
Teuasserim (M. S. I.).
!ir//2>e ; — Unknown.
S JO VRNA L, B 0MB A Y NA TUBAL HIST. SO CIETY, Vol. XX VI.
Order III. — Tnsectivoka.
The following is a key to the four families of this Order, viz. : —
A. — Postorbital processes present ; orbital
ring encircled by bone ... ... 1. TuPAiiD^.
B. — Postorbital processes absent.
a. Crowns of first and second upper molara
with a central fifth cusp ; bullse imper-
fect ... ... ... ... ... II. Erenaoeidjs.
b. No central fifth cusp on first and second
upper molars.
a\ Zygomatic arches present; bulla9
ossified ... ... ... ... III. TALPiDiB.
&\ Noz3'gomatic arches ; bullaa
imperfect... ... ... ... IV. SORICID^.
Family I. — Tupaiid^.
Lyon has recently dealt with this Family in an exhaustive
monograph (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. xiv., p. 1., 1913). He estab-
lislies a separate genus for the Peninsular forms occurring
wesb of the Hiver Ganges, and distinguishes the two genera as
follows : —
Ket) to the genera of the TupaiiDjE.
A. — Lower lobe of ear presenting a surface
greater than upper half of ear ; inner
side of ear fairly well haired ; reticula-
tions on naked area of nose coarser. ... I. Anathana.
B. — Lower lobe of ear presenting a smaller
surface than upper portion of ear;
inner side of ear scantily haired ; reti-
culations on naked area of nose fiuer. II. Tupaia.
Gen. I.— Anathana.
Lyon recognises three species
No. 101. ellioti, Waterh. which he distinguishes aa fol-
lows : —
Key to the species of Anathana.
A. — Tail coloured like back; general colour
above reddish brown ; feet and hind
legs buff or ochraceous ... ... 1. ellioti, Waterh.
/?. — Tail coloured differently from the back.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY. 29
a. Colour of body above reddish brown ;
I'eet and hind legs grizzled buffy ... 2. 'pallida, Lyon,
h. Colour of body above dull grizzled brown-
ish ; feet and hind legs grizzled gre}--
ish ... ... ... ... ...3. wrmightonijljjon.
Distribution : —
1 . A. eUioti, Waterhouse. ^//?'^ locality : — Eastern Ghats,
Madras (Elliot.)
Other hcaUties :— "Madras"(Elliot).
(B. M.)
Type:—B. M. No. 50. 1. 21.5.
2. A. pallida, Lyon. Type locality : — Manbhuni, Ben-
gal (Beavau).
Oilier localities : — Raipur, Central
Provinces. (B. M.)
Type:-B. M. No. 66.12.28.2.
3. A. vrroughtoni, Lyon. Type locality : — Mandvi, Suiat.
(Wi'oughton).
Other localities : — Matheian,
Bombay. (B. M.)
2'//2Je:—B.M. No. 96.11.7.1.
Gen. II. — TuPAiA.
There appears to be no record of
No. 102. ferrvginea, TiafT. true ferrvginea with the mammary
No. 103. nioobarica, Zeleb. foimula of 2-2^8, within our limits.
The Burmese form with three pair
of mammas is undoubtedly /)t?Zai/(7ea, Wagner. Thomas later (A.
M. N. H. (8), xiii, p. 2 1 3, 1914), siiggested that chinensis. And.,
could not be allowed specific rank, but should be treated as a sub-
epecies of hel<ivgeri ; lor the Upper Burma Ibim of hdavgeri he
provided the subspecific name of siccata. Still later, on receipt of
the Pegu specimens collected by Mr. Mackenzie, Thomas further
established a subspecific name tenaster for a southern form of
belangeri, and a new species, clanssa, from Teuasserim. All these
forms may be arrauged in a key as follows : —
Key to the forms of Tltaia.
A. — Colour above speckled throughout ; a
more or less distinct shoulder stripe.
a. Muzzle not elongated.
a\ Colour of lower bncknot essentially
different from thai of upper.
30 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI
a'. Underside buffy ; shoulder stripes
indistinct.
a?. General colour more tinged
with brigiit 3'ellow; no dark
area at base of tail... ... 1. &. SeZangrm, Wagn.
h^. General colour a greenish
grey ; a dark area at base
of tail ... ... ... 2. &. c/iinensis, And.
h^. Underside white ; shoulder stri-
pes white ... ... ... 3. &. siccata, Thos.
b^. Lower back bright ferruginous as
compared with upper ... ... 4. &, tenaster, Thos.
b. Muzzle elongated ; colour as in b.
tenader ... ... ... . 5. clarissa, Thos.
B. — Colour of lower back uniformly black-
ish ; no shoulder stripes ... ... 6. nicobarica, Zel.
Distribution : —
1. T. belanqeri belangeri,
\V agner.
2, T. belangeri cMnensis,
Anderson.
3. T. belangeri siccata, Tho-
mas.
4). T. belangeri tenaster,
Thomas.
5. T. Clarissa, Thomas.
Tyj)e localitg : — Rangoon, Burma.
Other localities: — Rangoon;
Tenasserim (B. M.) ; Pegu (M.
S. 1)
If ,/pe :_Pari8 Mus. No. 1023.
Type locality : — Ponsee, Kakh-
yen Hills.
OUier licaliiies: — Nepal; Sik-
kim ; Kachar ; Manipur (B, M.);
Sikkim ; Bhutan Duars (M. S. I.).
Go-tijpps : — lud. Mus. Calc. Nos.
204. a. & 6.
Tgpe locality : — Z i b u g a u n g
Lower Chiiidwin. (Capt Mears.)
Olher hcalities :-r— Mt. Popa
(B.M.); Chin Hills; Mt. Popa;
Shan States (M. S. 1).
T.//;P«:—B. M. No. 6.7.5.1.
Ti/jie localitg : — Tagout, Great
"^IVnasserim River. (B. N. H. S.; —
Shortridge).
Olhfr localities: — Banlaw; Tenas-
serim Town ; Tenasserim (M. S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 17.3.25.3.
'J'l/po I cality : — Bankachou, S.
Tenasserim. (B.N. H.S.—Sliortridge).
Other localities : — Bankasun (B.
M.)
.' ^ SVMMABY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY. 31
Banknchon ; Tenasserim Town; Tenas-
serim (M. S. I.).
y,/^,e :—B. M. No. 14.12.8.29.
6. .Ti, nicobarica, Zelebor. Ti/j^e locaiily : — Great Nicobar.
Other hcaWies : — None.
, T 1/2)6 : — Unknown. Perhaps in
Vienna MuseiTm.
Family II. — ERiNACEiDiE.
Blanford distinguishes the two Subfamilies as follows : —
Keif to the Subfamilies oj the Erinaceid^.
A. — Back and sides covered with spines ;
tail very short ... ... ... Erinacetn^.
B, — Fur without spines ; tail well developed . GYMNURiNiE.
Subfamily I. — ERiNACEiNiE.
Thomas has quite recently published (A. M. N. H. (9) I., 1918,
p. 193), a study of the EuiNACKiNiG in which he has restricted
Erinaceus to the Palasarctic Region from Spain to China, reviv-
ing the genera Hemiechinus, Fitzinger, and Par^echinus, Troues-
sart^ for our Indian specie 3. These two genera may be distin-
guished as follows, viz:. —
Key to the genera of the EuiNACEiNiE.
A. — Spines of the crown coming down
evenly on to the forehead ... ... I. Hemiechinus.
B^ — -A parting, bare of spines, running up
from the centre of the forehead to
the crown ... ... ... ...II. PARiEcniNUS.
Gen. I. — Hemiechinus.
A third species of this Genus,
No. 104. collaris, G. & H. viz. : — grai/i, Bennett, is not re-
No. 105. megaloiis, Bly. cognisable ; it is possibly a young
Specimen of collaris.
Key to the species of HemiechiiNUS.
il.— Head and body about 175 mm. long;
longest spines about 20 mm. long ... 1. collaris, Q. & H.
.B,— :Head and body neatly 300 mm. long;
longest spines more than 25 mm. long. 2. meyaloiis, lB\y.
33 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVL
Distribution : —
1. H. coUaris, Gray aud Tijpe locality : — Unknown.
Hardwicke.
H. megaloiis, Blyth.
Other localities: — Siiid ; Mnltan;
Eajpiitana (B. M.). Sind; Cutch ;
Paiaupur (M.S. I.).
Tt/ps: — Unknown. (Typa o^ spa-
tanqus, Bennett — B. M. No. 55.12.
24..'84.).
Ti/pi locality: — Kandahar. (Hntton).
Ol/ier localities : — Cabul ; Afgha-
nistan ; Kandahar (B. M.).
Co-type.-.— B. M. No. 79.11.21.
515 and 516, andlnd. Mus. Calc. No.
216. a.
Lectotype :—B. M. No. 79.11.21.
515.
Gen. II. — PARiECHINUF.
No. 106. jerdoni. And.
No. 107. pictus, Stol.
No. 108. micropus, Bl.
I published a paper on this gn)np
in 1910 (J. B. N. H. S. xx., p. 80).
I'or the reasons there given I
arrived at the conclusion that
jerdoni, And., must give way to
blanfordi. And. As to micropus, Bl., whose allocation is rendered
difficult by the extreme confusion in the wording of the paragraph
in which it is founded, I took it to be based on llutton's Bhawalpur
specimen, and I propose to continue this determination. The name
would therefore take the place o? pidas, Stol., for the northern
hedgehog, while nuiiventris, Horsf., replace 5 it for the southern
one. This list, as now amended, may be arranged in a key as
follows : —
Key to the species oj Par^echinus.
A. — Colour dark ; second premolar three
rooted.
a. Spines shorter, 20mm.
h. Spines longer, 30mm.
B. — Colour pale ; second premolar single
rooted.
a. Zygomatic arch complete ...
h. Zygomatic arch incomplete, malar
absent ...
1. blanfordi, And.
2. macracanthus,
Blanf.
3. micropus, Bl.
4. nud'ventris,
Horsf.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY. 33
Distribution: —
1. P.Uanfordi, Kn^ev&or\. Type locality. — Rohri, Sind.
Other localities : — Sind (M. S. I.)
Type :— B. M. No. 87.4.2.2.
(Type of jerdoni, Anderson, B. M.
No. 87.4.2.1.).
2. P. macraca7ithus, Blan- Type locality •.— ■Mahuu, Karman,
ford. S. E. Persia.
Other localities : — Kandahar (B, M.).
Co-types:— B. M. No. 74.11.21.25.
andlnd. Mtis. Calc. No. 217. a.
3. P. micropus, Blyth, Typ)e locality : — Bhawalpnr. (Htit-
Other localities : — Rajpntana (B.
M.). Sind ; Cntch ; Kathiawar ; Palan-
pur (M. S. I.).
; T7jpe:—B. M. No. 79.11.21.517.
(skull only).
4. P. nudiventris, Hors- Type locality : — " Madras " (Elliot).
■ field. Other localities : — None.
'i Type:—B. M. No. 79.11.21.467.
Subfamily II. — Gymnurin^.
The two included genera may be distinguished as follows : —
i \ Key to the genera of the GYMNURiNiE.
, A. — Larger, head and body more than 200
[ ', mm., tail 225 mm. ... ... I. Gymnura.
B. — Smaller, head and bod}^ 125 mm, tail
. 40 mm. ... ... ... ... II. Hylomys.
Gen. I. — Gymnura.
The older name gymnvra, Half,
No. 109. raffiesi, Horsf. must be revived for this animal.
Lyon has separated the smaller north-
ern form under the subspecific name minor, and it alone is found
within our limits.
" Distribution : —
G. gymnura minor, Lyon. Tyjje locality : — Trong, 2000', S.
W. Siam. (Dr. Abbott).
Other localities : — Tenasserini (^M.
S. I.)
Tyjie :— U. S. Nat. Mus. No.
80783.
84 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Geu. II. — Hylomys.
No. 110. suilla, Miill. & The generic name Hylomys has
Schleg. been revived and generally adopted
for the lesser Gymnura.
Distribution : —
H. suillus, Miiller & Schle- Tyi^e locality : — Burma.
gel. Other localities: — Burma (B. M.).
Type : — Leyden Museum.
Family III. — Talpid^e.
The two genera of this family may be distinguished as follows: —
Key to the genera of the Talpid^e.
A. — Upper premolars 4-4; tail cylindrical ... I. Talpa.
B, — Upper premolars 3-3; tail club-shaped... II. Parascaptor.
Gen. I. — Talpa.
As Blanford points out, there is very grave doubt whether
Talpa europtba, or as Hodgson
No. 111. europ(ea, named it nincrura, ever really oc-
No. 112. macrura, Hodgs. curred within our limits. For the
present however I retain it.
The two species of this genus may be distinguished as follows : —
Key to the fp?cies of Talpa.
A. — Tail cylindrical, long, 30 mm. or more. . 1. macrura, Hodgs.
B. — Tail completely concealed by fur, shorfc,
5 mm. or less ... ... ...2. mhrura, Hodgs.
Distribution : —
1 . T. macrura, Hodgson. Type locality : — Darjiling. (Hodg-
son).
Other localities : — None.
Type:—h. M. No. 90.1.1.19.
2. T. micrura, Hodgson. Type locality- — Darjiling.
Other localities : — Lakhimpur,
Assam; Myitkvina, Upper Burma (B.
M.) ; Hikklni ; Darjiling (M. S. 1.).
Typo:~n.M. No. 79.11.21.467.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY.
36
Gen. II. — Parascaptor.
No. 113. levcura, Bl3^th.
Distribution : —
P. leucurus, Blyth.
The genus Parascaptor has been
revived for this species.
Ti/jJS locality : — Cherrapunji, Assam.
Other localities: — Khasia Hills; Noa
Dihuug (Godwin- Ansten) (B. M.).
Type :— Ind. Mus. Calc. No. 227.d.
Family IV. — Soricid^.
The genera of this Family may be arranged in a key as follows
Key to the family of the SoRiCiDiE.
A. — Teeth tipped brown.
a. Upper teeth 18
6. Upper teeth 20
B. — Teeth entirely white.
a. Tail without fringe of white hairs,
terrestrial.
a'. Ear-conch and tail well developed.
a'. 18 teeth in tipper jaw.
d\ Tail nake-'l at the tip ; claws
compressed, and much elong-
ated ...
6^ Tail haired to the tip ; claws
normal
b^. 16 teeth, in npper jaw ...
6'. Ear-conch small ; tail very short;
14 teeth in upper jaw
b. . Tail with a fringe of white hairs.
a' . Ear-couch well developed ...
b' Ear-conch absent ...
Gen. I. — SoRicuLUS.
I. SORICULUS.
II. Blarinella.
III. Ferocdlus.
IV. Pachyura.
V. Crocidura.
VI. Anouroso-
REX.
VII. Chimarro-
gale.
VIII. Nectogale.
Hodgson gave a number of names in this genus, without any des-
criptions. Some of these were later
published by Horsfield, with short
descriptions ; the responsibility for
the names therefore rests with
Horsfield. In this way he des-
Blanford assumed leucops to be a
No. 114. nigrescens. Gray.
No. 115. cavdatu^, Hodgs.
No. 116. macrurus, Hodgs.
cribed cmidatus and leucops.
36 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
synonym of caudatus a,nd revived and described Hodgson's name
macmrus, bnt ^ewcojw being the older must stand for the species.
Thomas recently (J. B. N. H. S. xxii., p. 683, 1914,) described
haileyi. These four species may be arranged in a key as follows : —
Keij to the species of SoRiCULUS.
A. — Second upper incisor smaller than
third; tail short, about 40-45 mm. 1. nigrescens, Gray.
B. — Second upper incisor longer than third.
a. Tail short, about 60-05 mm. ... 2. cavdatus, Hodgs.
h. Tail longer.
a'. Tail about 85-90 mm. ... ... 3. leucoj^s, Horsf.
//. Tail about 76 mm. ... ... 4. haileyi, Thos.
Distribution : —
1. 8. oiigrescens, GrEkj. '^'ilp'^ locality: — "Himalaya."
Other localities : — Bhutan (B. M.).
Kumaon ; Sikkim ; Darjiling (M.S.I.)
Type:~B. M. No. 42.4.29.65.
(Tvpe of sikimensis, Horsf., B. M.
No\ 79.11.21.482.)
2. (S. caudatus, Horsfield. Tiipe locality : — Nepal. (Hodgson).
Other localities : — Kumaon ; Sik-
kim ; Darjiling (M. S. I.)
Oo-f(/2>es :— B. M. Nos. 79.11.21.
479 and 480. (Type of riracilicaiula,
Anderson, Ind. Mus. Calc.No. 250. h.).
Lectotype -.—B M. No. 79. 11. 21.
479.
3. 8. leucops, Horsfield. Type locality: — Nepal. (Hodgson).
Other localities: — Nepal (B. M.).
Sikkim (M. S. I.)
Type:— B.M. No. 79.11.21.483.
(Tj^pe of macrMnts, Blanf B. M. No.
90.1.1.19.)
4. 8. haileyi, Thomas. Type locality : — Tsu Eiver, 7,500',
Mishmi Hills, Assam. (Bailey).
Other localities : — None.
Type:—B. M. No. 14.1.1.1.
Gen. II. — Blarinella.
Thomas established the genus to
B, irardi) Thomas. receive a Chinese form, and later
(A. M. N. H. (8), XV., p. 335., 1915),
referred the present species to it.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY.
37
Distribution : —
B, tvardi, Thomas.
Type locality : — Hpimau, 8000',
Upper Burma. (0. Thomas — F. K.
Ward).
Othet- localities : — None.
Type-.—^. M. No. 15.2.1.3.
Gen. III. — Feroculus
The genus was established b}'- Kelaart for the very aberrant form
he had already'' nam^d /erocitZits (Soreuc).
Blanford adopts Blyth's name, but as it was not given until a
3"ear after the animal had been
No. 119. macropus, Bl. called ferocuhis, by Kelaart, it must
give place to that name.
Distribution : —
F. feroculus, KelaskTt. Tifpe locality: — Newera Eliya,
Ceylon. (Kelaart).
Other localities : — None.
Type-.—B. M. No. 52.5.9.36.
(Type of macropus. Blyth, the same
specimen.).
Gen. IV. — Pachyura.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
117.
118.
120.
121.
122.
123.
124.
No. 125.
murina, L.
caerulea, Kerr.
hidiana, And.
rubicunda, And.
leucogenys, Dobs.
davi, Dobs.
hodijsoni, Jord.
perrotteti, Duv.
Gen. V. — Crocidura.
No. 126. fuliginosa, Bl.
No. 127. horsfieldi, Tomes.
No. 128. famigata, De Fil.
No. 129. aranea, L.
These two genera form a most difficult group, and one that, though
it has not been comprehensively worked, has had so many names
sporadically assigned to it, that the difficult task of thoroughly
38 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
working it out has been rendered still more arduous. Mr. Hinton
had undertaken to work out our Survej^ material, but circumstances
have been too strong for us and the work has not yet even been
begun. For the present. I think, and Mr. Thomas agrees with me,
that the group had better be left alone in this Summary. Blanford
lists 22 species of which 4 are Crocidura, but double that number
of names already exist for the Pachyura alone.
Gen. VI. — Anourosorex.
-vT 1 on • A J Thomas pointed out (J. B. N. H. S.,
No. 16V. assamensis. And. . r, ./^ -irviX .i . .i
XXIV., p. 700, 19 lb), that there
appears to be no difference between assamensis, And., and squamipes,
M.-Edw.
DiSTRIBDTlON : —
A. squamipes, Milne- Ed- Ti/pelocality : — Moupin, Sze-chuen.
wards. Other localities : — Sze-chuen (B.
M.); Chin Hills (M. S. I.).
Ti/pe : — Paris Museum. (Co-types
of assamensis, Andei'son, Ind. Mus.
Calc. Nos. 278. a to e.).
Gen. VII. — Chimarrogale.
No. 131. himalayica. Gray.
Distribution : —
G. himalayica. Gray. Type locality: — " Himalaya".
Other localities: — Kashmir,- Sik-
kim (B. M.) ; Sikkim ; Darjiling (M.
S. I.)
Type ;— B. M. No. 42.2.18.1.
Gen. VIII. — Nectogale.
- ^ -p, , This name was given to a Chinese
• y • " • animal. Later de Winton suggested
(P. Z. S. p. 573, 1899) the name sikhimensis for the Indian
form.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY. 89
Distribution : —
N, sikhiniensis, de Wiuton. Type locality: — Lathong, 10,000',
Sikkim. (Waddell). .
Qther localities: — Thibet ; Sikkim,
Thibet (B. M.); Sikkim (M. S. 1.)
^Vi>e;—B. M. No. 96.1.1.9.
Order IV. — Dermoptkra.
Blanford uses the generic name GALtiOPiTHECUS, but Thomas,
who dealt with the group names in this Order in 1908 (A. M.
N. H. (8) I., p. 252), recognized two geneiic names, relegating
Galeopithecus to the Philippine group, not represented in India,
The other genus, Galeopterus, was taken by the Survey in
Tenasserim.
Gen. — Galeopterus.
No. 133. volans^ L. This name was given by Linnasus to a
Philippine ibrm and Thomas' \\WD,\e, 'peninsuloc
must be used for our animal.
Distribution :• —
G. peninsula', Thomas. 2'//pe locality : — Samangko Pass, Malay
Peninsula. (H, C. Robinson).
Oilier localities : — Malay Peninsula
(B. M.). Tenasserim (M. S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 8.7.20.10.
Order V.— Carnivora.
The families cf the Carnivora may be arranged in a key as
follows : —
Key to the families of the Carnivora.
A. — Bullge much dilated, rounded, and
(except in Hv^NiDiE) divided into
two chambers by a septum.
a. Head short ; 3 or 4 teeth in upper
molar series ; claws curved, sharp
and retractile ; toes 5-4 ... ... I. Felid^
b. Head elongate.
a'. Claws variable ; 5 or 6 teeth in
molar series of each jaw; usually
toes 5-5 ... ... ... II. ViVERRID-fi
40 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
//. Claws blunt, not retractile; 5
teeth in upper molar series, 4 in
lower ; toes 4-4
B. — Bullae much dilated, rounded but not
divided
C. — Bullae not rounded nor divided.
a. True molars 1-1 in upper jaw, 2-2
in lower ; no alisphenoid canal . . .
I). True molars 2-2-in upper jaw; an
alisphenoid canal present.
a'. True molars 2-2 in lower iaw ...
/''. True molars 3-3 in lower jaw ...
Family I. — Felid^e.
111. HYiENID^.
IV. Canid^e.
Y. MuSTELIDiE.
VI. Procyonid/e.
VII. IlRSIDiE.
The two genera included in this Family may be distinguished
as follows : —
Key to the genera of the Felid^.
A. — Claws perfectly retractile ; inner cusp
of upper sectorial well developed... I. Felis.
B. — Claws imperfectly retractile ; inner
cusp of upper sectorial rudimentary II. Acinonyx.
Gen. I. — Felis.
No. 28. leo; L.
No. 29. tigris, L.
No. 30. pardus, L.
No. 31. uncia, Schreber.
No. 32. nehulosa, Griffith.
No. 33. marmorata, Martin.
No. 34. temmincki, Vigors and
Horsfield .
No. 35. viverrina, Bennett.
No. 36. bengalensis, Kerr.
No. 37. ruhiginosa, I. Geof-
frey.
No. 38. manul, Pallas.
No. 39. ornata, Gi'ay.
No. 40. torquata, F. Cuvier.
No. 41. chaus, Giildenstadt.
No. 42. caracal, Giildenstadt.
No. 43. lynx, L..
Numerous divisions have been
proposed in • the first three
species as established by Lin-
naeus, but none have received
general recognition. Blyth has
established the name isahellina
for the Indian form of the Lynx,
and de Winton, who studied the
group, has accepted Gray's name
of afjinis for the Indian repre-
sentative of choAis, on the ground
of " its longer tail, bright fox-
red ears, and lighter build", its
narrower skull and slighter
teeth, (A. M. N. H. (7). ii.
p. 292, 1898). Blanford's key,
modified to this extent, is as
follows : —
Key to the species of Felis.
A. — Ears of moderate length, not tufted.
a. Very large, total length over eight feet.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY. 41
a'. Tawny throughout ; tail tufted at tip. 1. leo. L.
In. Tvansversely stripedjtail not tufted.. 2. tigris, L.
h. Smaller, total length less than 7*5 feet.
a^ Spotted throughout.
a\ Markings on body less than 2 in-
ches in diameter.
a\ Exceeding 5 feet from nose to
tail-tip ... ... ... "d. pardus, L.
h\ Less than 5 feet from nose to
tail-tip.
a\ Tail about one fourth the
length of head and body
too-ether ... ... ... 4. uiuernna, Benn.
//. Tail about one third the
length of head and body
together.
a\ No distinct longitudinal
bands on crown ; ears
pointed... ... ... 5. or?iaia, Gray.
h\ Distinct longitudinal bands
on crown ; ears rounded.
a". Upper molar series 3 on
each side ; tail
unspotted... ... Q.ruhiginosa,(jieoS.
If. Upper molar series 4 on
each side ; tail spotted
above ... . . . 7 . bengalensis, Kerr.
If. Markings on body exceeding 2 inch-
es in diameter, or becoming irregu-
lar blotches.
a\ Large ; pale grey or whitish with
dai'k rings on body ... ... S.uncia, Schreb.
h\ Brownish grey or tawny, with
large irregular blotches or irre-
gular black bands,
ft*. Total length from nose to tail-
tip over 5 feet in adults ... 9 . nehulosa, iiriff.
b*. Total length under 5 feet ... 10. warmora /a,Mart.
h^. Uniformly coloured, or with more or
less indistinct transverse bands ; size
moderate or small.
a^. Size larger, total length 45 — 50
inches ; colour chestnut above ;
tail whitish below ... ...11. t&mminc/d, Vig.
&H.
42 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETl, Vol. XXVI.
6'. Size smaller, total length 30 — 35
inches. •
a*. Paler, silvery grey or buff; fur
long, thick and soft ... . ..12. manul, VaX\.
/>'. Darker, gvej or tawny.
a*. Backs of ears coloured ochra-
ceous... ... ... ...13. affinis, Gray.
h*. Backs of ears colon red like the
body .» ... ... ...14!. tor quata F.
Cuv.
B. — Ears long, pointed, with a tuft at the tip.
a. Tail about one-fourth of total lenoth ...Ib.carafal, Giild.
h. Tail less than one-fifth of total length . 1 6. isabeUina, Blyth.
Distribution :-
1. F. leo, L.
2. F. tigris, L.
8. F. pardus, L.
4. F. viverrina, Bennett.
5. Jf''. omata, Gray.
6. F. rubiginosa, Geoffrey.
Type locality : — Africa.
Other localities : — Junagadh ; Ka-
thiawar (B. M.).
Type: — Unknown. (Type oi guzs-
rateoisis, Smee, B. M. No. 55. 12.
24. 432.)
Type locality : — Asia.
Other localities:-{Geneva\\y through-
out Indian region).
T//p)e : — Unknown.
Type locality : — Eg3'pt.
Other localities :-{Geneva\\j through-
out Indian region).
Type : — Unknown.
Ti/jje locality : — Madras Presidency
(Heath),
Other localities: — Mii-pur, Sind ;
Kandy, Ceylon ; Nepal (B. M.); Eas-
tern Province, Ceylon (M. S. I.).
Ty)je:—B. M. No. 55. 12. 22. 252.
2^!/pff locality: — Rajputana (Boys).
Other localities : — Thar and Parkar,
Sind ; Sehore, Central India (B, M.) ;
Sind; Cutch ; Eathiawar (M. S. I.).
Ti/pe :— B. M. No. 48. 8. 14. 3.
Tt/pe locality : — Pondiclieri, Madras.
Other localities : — Nellore, Madras,
(B. M.) ; Central Province, Ceylon
(M. S. I.).
Type : — Perhaps in Paris Museum.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY.
43
7. F. bengaleiisis, Kerr.
8. F. uncia, Sclireber.
9. F. nebulosa, Griffith.
10. F. marmorata, Martin.
11. F. tewminchi, Vigors
and Horsfield.
12. F. manul, Pallas.
13. F. affinis, Gray.
Type locality : — " Bengal."
Other localities • — S. Beluchistan
Coorg ; Simla ; Piinjab ; Kumaon
Nepal ; Lakhimpur, Assam ; Bengal
Teuasserim ; Malay Peninsula (B. M.)
Kumaon; Lsclinng, 8,800'; Chung-
tang, 5,850' ; Darjiling 3,500' ; Sik-
kim ; Chin Hills; E. Manipur; Upper
Chindwin; Thayetmyo, Uuby Mines,
(Maymyo, Upper Burma; Mergui;
Tenasserim M. S. I.).
Type : — Unknown. (Type of ellioti,
Gray, B. M No. 1^8. a. ; Type of
wagati, Gray, B. M, No. 192. a. ;
Type of tenass(rimensis, Gray, B. M.
No. 44. 3. 25. 285).
Ti/pe localiti/ : — Unknown.
Other localities : — Ladak ; Thibet
(B. M.).
Ti/jye : — Unknown.
Tjtpe locoUty : — Sumatra.
Other localities : — Nepal ; Sikkim ;
Bhamo, Upper Burma (B. M.)
Type : — Unknown. (Type of mac-
roceloides, Hodgson, B. M. No. 45. 1.
8. 211.)
TyjJe locality : — " Java or Sumatra."
Other localities: — Nepal (B.M.)
Type :— B. M. No. 55. 12. 29. 254
(Type of charltoni, Gray, B. M. No.
46. 3. 4. 6.)
Tt/jK locality : — Sumatra.
Other localities : — Nepal ; Sikkim ;
Upper Chindwin ; Malav Peninsula
(B. M.); N. Shan States (M. S. I).
Type :— B. M. No. 55. 12. 24
240."
Typelocalitij : — Central Asia.
Other localities: — Kandahar (Blan-
ford) ; Ladak (Strachey) ; Thibet ;
" Kirgit-en," India (B.M).
Type : — Unknown.
Type locality : — Gangutri, Kumaon.
Other localities : — Seistan ; Eajpu-
tana ; Sehore, Central India; United
Provinces ; Poona, Bombay ; She-
44 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
y&YOY Hills, Madras ; Colombo, Oey-
lon ; Nepal ; Assam (B. M.); Upper
Sind Frontier; Mt. Abu, Rajputana;
Palanpur, Kathiawar ; Cutch ; Khan-
desh ; Nimar ; Central Provinces ;
Dharwar ; Kanara ; Coorg ; N. Pro-
vince, Ceylon ; Kumaon ; Behar ;
Orissa ; Midnapur, Bengal (T opo-
type of kutas, Pearson) ; Bhutan
Duars ; Chin Hills ; Lower Chind-
win ; Mt. Popa, Upper Burma
(M. S. I.).
Type :— B. M. No. 57. 6. 10. 40.
(Lectotype of erythvotvs, Hodgs, B.
M. No. 43. 1. 12'. 6.).
1 4. F. torquata, F. Cuvier. Ti/pe locality : — Nepal.
Other localities : — Rajputana ; Ku-
maon (B. M.); Junagadh and Rajkot;
Kathiawar (M. S. I.)
Ty2Je :-^ Perhaps in Paris Museum.
15. F. caracal, Giildenstadt. Tijpe locality : — Caspian Sea.
Other localities : — Baluchistan; Sind
(B. M.); Cutch (M. S. I.)
Type : — Unknown.
16. F. isabellina, Blyth. Type locality : — Thibet.
Other localities '. — (jilgit ; Kashmir ;
Thibet (B. M.)
Go-types : — Ind. Mus. Calc. Nos.
e. & /. of Sclater's Catalogue.
Gen. II. — AciisoNYX.
Hollister pointed out in 1911 (Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash, xxiv.
p. 225). that Cynailurus, the name adopted for this genus by
Blanford, was established by Wagler in 1830, whereas Brookes
used (Anat. Zool. Mus., p. 16.), Acinonyx in 1828.
Hollister further noted (1. c.^ that
No. 44, juhatus, Schreber. this name belonged to the African
form, and that the earliest name for
the Indian " cheetah " is venaticus, Gray, (Griffith's Cuv. v.,
p. 166, 1827).
Distribution : —
A. venaticus, Gray. Type locaMti/ : — "India". The spe-
cies was founded on a picture by
SUMMABY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY. 45
Hamilton Smith, which was probably
based on an animal from Mysore.
Other localities; — Except one mount-
ed for exhibition, presented by the
Zoological Society, the National Col-
lection has no specimen of this
animal, and none has been obtained
by the Mammal Survey.
Type ; — Unknown.
Family II,— Viverrid^e.
The two Subfamilies of Viverridj3 may be distinguished as
follows : —
Key to the Subfamilies of Viverrid.e.
^4. — Claws strongly curved, more or less
retractile ; prescrotal glands usually
present ... ... ... ... I. ViVERRiiViE.
B. — Claws lengthened, exserted, not re-
tractile; no prescrotal glands ... II. MuNGOTiNiE.
Subfamily I. — Viverrin^.
Gray's division of the genus Paradoxurus into two has now been
generally accepted ; the name Arctogalidia has been substituted
for Arctogale, this latter being preoccupied ; the genus Hemigalus,
taken for the fii'st time within our limits, has to be added. Blan-
ford's key of the Subfamily may be modified as follows : —
Key to the genera of the Viverrin^e.
A. — Ears not tufted ; tail not prehensile.
a. Tarsus and metatarsus hairy behind ;
tail with dark and light rings.
a'. Two upper true molars ; a black
gorget.
a^. An erectile black dorsal crest ... I. Viverra.
h'. No crest ... ... ... II. Yiverricula.
h\ One upper true molar ; no gorget... III. Prionodon.
/'. Tarsus partly naked.
UK Sole naked nearly to the heel; tail
not rino-ed.
a'. Teeth large ; a preanal or pre-
scrotal glandular tract.
a'. Bony palate not extending a
quarter of an inch behind the
last upper molars .. . ... IV. Paradoxurus.
46 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETJ, Vol. XXVI.
h\ Bony palate extending more
than half an inch behind
the last \ip])er molai'S
fc^ Teeth small ; no naked preanal or
prescrotal tract
6'. Sole at most half naked, tail ringed .
B. — Ears tufted ; tail prehensile ; tarsus
naked behind
Gen. I. — ViVEKRA.
V. Pagdma.
VI. Arctogalidia.
VII. Hemigalus.
VIII. Arctigtis.
No. 45. zibetha, L.
No. 46. civettina, Blyth.
No. 47. megaapila, Blyth.
Two names were recently given
by myself (J. B. N. H. S.
xxxiv, p. 64, 1915) to local forms
of zibelha. Further material seems
to show that one of these, 'pida,
cannot be maintained; the other, prvttiiosa, has to be added to the
marginal list. The four forms may be arranged in a key as follows: —
Key to the forms of ViVERRA.
_4. — No black stripe down the upper side of
the tail.
a. A general fulvous tinge, due to
the buff tips of all the hairs ... 1. z. zibetha, L.
h. General colour a clear grey, due to
the white tips of all the hairs ... 2. pruinosa, Wrought.
B. — A black line down upper side of tail.
a. Large transverse dark marks on sides 3. civettina, Blyth.
b. All spots, no transverse marks ... 4<. megaspila, Bljth.
Distribution : —
1. V. zibelha zibetha,
Linnaeus.
V. zibetha pruinosa,
W rough ton.
Ti/pe loGolity : — Bengal (Thomas,
P'. Z. S., p. 187, 1911).
Other localities: — Nepal (B. M.) ;
Sikkim ; Darjiling ; Bhutan Duars ;
Chin Hills; Lower Chindwin (M.S.I.).
Type : — Unknown. (Lectotype of
melaimra, Hodgs. B. N. No. 43. 1. 12.
25 ; type of civettoides, Hodgs. B. M.
No. 43. 1. 12. 23).
Type locality : — Tenasserim (B. N.
H. S.— Sho'rtridge).
Other localities : — Siam ; Malay Pe-
ninsula (B. M.); Tenasserim; Shan
States (li. S. I.).
Type :— B. M. No. 14.12.8.106.
SUMMARY OF TEE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY.
47
3. V. civettina, Blyth.
4. V. megasjjila, Blyth.
Tyj)e locality : — South Malabar.
Other localities : — None.
Tijye-. — lndi. Mus. Calc. (6. of
Sclater's Catalogue).
Type locality : — Prome, Lower Bui--
ma.
Other localities: — Chindwin ; Mt.
Popa ; Tenasserim (M. S. I.)
Type : — Lost.
Gen. II. — ViVEKKICULA.
No. 48. malaccensis, Gmel. Almost all authors have remarked
on the vaiiability of this animal, but
though several different races have
been described I have entirely failed
so far in finding one that seems valid.
Distribution :- -
F. malaccensis, Gmelin.
Type locality : — " in ludiis ".
Other localities : — Dagshai, Pun-
jab ; Rajputana; Nepal; Assam;
Central Provinces; Dharwar; N. Mal-
abar; Madras; Ceylon; Upper Burma,
Pegu ; Malay Peninsula (B.M.) ;
Siud; Cutch ; Palanpur; Kathiawar;
Satara ; Dharwar ; Coorg ; Kumaon ;
Bengal ; (topotypes of bengalensis;
Gray) ; Sikkim ; Bhutan Duars ;
Chin Hills ; Chindwin ; Mt. Popa ;
Tenasserim (M.S.L).
Ty2)e :— Unknown. (B.M. No. 85.
8.1.27. tyj)e of subspecies deserti,
Bonh.).
Gen. III. — PmoNODON.
No. 49. pardicolor, Hodgs.
No. 50. moculosus, Blanf.
There seems no necessity for any
change in these names. Blanford
distinguishes the two species as
follows : —
Key to the species of Prionodon.
A. — Smaller, head and body about 15 inches;
back with longitudinal rows of large
dark spots
1 . pardicolor, Hodge.
48 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
7?. — Larger, head and body ] 8 or 20 inches ;
back with broad transverse bands ... 2. niacidosus, Blanf.
Distribution : —
1. P. 'pardicolor, Hodgson.
2. P. maculosus, Blanford.
Type locality : — Nepal (Hodg-
son).
Other localities : Sikkim (B.M.
and M.S.I.).
Co-types:— B. M. Nos. 43.1.
12.10 and 11.
Lectotyi^e :—B.M. No. 43.1.12.11.
2^yp)& locality : — Bankachon, Te-
nasserim. (Hvime — Davison).
Other localities : — Malay Penin-
sula (B.M.)
Co-tupes.—B.M. Nos. 85. 8. 1. 28
and 83.10.24.1.
hectotype:—B. M. No. 85.8.1.
28.
Gen. IV. — Paradoxurus.
No. 51. niger, Desm.
No. 52. hermaphroditus.
Blanford in his key of the genus
places <irayi in a section, "B", by
itself on account of the shape of
the palate. Mainly for the same
reason it is now generally recog-
nised as belonging to a distinct
genus, Paguma.
Blanford, with the exception of
aureus, Ceylon, and Jerr/ont, Malabar,
both of which are well marked
special forms, ranges all the Indian
toddy-cats in these two species.
I have recently reviewed the no-
menclature of this genus (J.B.N.
H.S. Vol. XXV, p. 48, 1917), and
for reasons there recorded I decided
that the Indian Toddy-cats formed
three species represented by the
names crossi, Gray, rdr/er, Desmar-
est, and strictus, Horsfield ; while,
the Burmese form not
name, I
lirmanicus. In
the name of ravus to the form from
having
a
suggested for it that of
1914 Miller gave
SUMMARY OF THE IXBIAN MAMMAL SURVEY. 49
Trong, which apparent!}- is found
at any rate in S. Tenasserim.
No. 53. aureus, F. Cuv. There seems no reason for any
No. 54. jerdoni, Blanf. change in these two well marked
species. The following may be
substituted for Blanford"s key to
the genus, viz. : —
Key to the species of Paradoxurus.
,1. — Pattern of dark markings on a pale
ground.
a. Back and sides not, or only obscurely,
striped and spotted ... ... 1. crossi, (^ray.
/'. Back and sides distinctly striped and
spotted.
11^. Smaller, hindfoot 75-80 mm., great-
est length of skull 105-110 mm.;
ground colour grey ... ... 2. 94i'/e/', Desmarest.
/''. Larger, hindfoot 80-90 mm., great-
est length of skull 115-120 ram.
iC". Ground colour fulvous ... 3. .sfn'cf its, Horsfield.
/''. Ground colour dull or buffy
white,
a^ Crown of head black ... 4. hirmanicus,
Wrought.
/>\ No black crown ... ... 5. rat;?ts, Miller.
B. — Pattern a uniform colour.
a. General colour dull rusty red ... G. aureus, F. Cuvier.
h. General colom' dark brown ... ... 7. jerdoni, Blanf.
Distribution : —
1. P. crossi. Gray. Type locality : — Unknown, (me-
nagerie specimen).
Other localities : — Nepal; Dekhan
(Sykes) ; Central India ; Rajpu-
tana (B. M.) ; Rohilkund (M. S. I.)
Type :— B. M. No. 78 a. (Type
of hirsutus. Hodo-son B. M. No. 43.
1,12.119. ; Type of niqrifrons,
Gray, B. M. No. 42. 10. 5.' 2.)
2. P. aiger, F. Cuv. Type locality : — Pondicheri.
Other localities : — Madras (Jer-
don) ; Ceylon (B. M.) Satara ;
Dharwar ; Kanara ; Mysore ; Coovg
(M. S. I.).
60 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
3. P. strictus, Horsfield.
4. P. birmanicus, Wrougli-
ton.
5. P. ravus, Miller.
6. P. aureus, F. Cuvier.
7. P. jerdoni, Blanford.
Type : — Perhaps in Paris Mus.
(Type of pallasi, Gray B, M. No.
55. 12. 2 t. 230. ; Type of nictita-
tans, Taylor, B. M. No. 92. 7.
28. 1.).
Type locality : — Nepal (Hodg-
son).
Other localities : — Assam (B. M.) ;
Darjiling; Bhutan Duais (M. S. I.).
Type: -B. M. No. 79. 11. 21.
546. (TjTpe of (juadriscrijjtus, Hors-
field, B. M. No. 79.11.21.542;
Type of vicinus, Schwartz, B. M,
No. 79.11. 21. 2b3).
Tyj)e locality : — Mingun, Upper
Burma (B. n! H. S.— Shortridge).
Other localities : — Tonghoo ; S.
W. Siam (B. M.). ; Lower Chindwin
Shan States ; Mt. Popa (M. S. I.).
Type :- B. M. No. 14. 7. 19. 89.
Type locality : — Trong, Lower
Siam. (Abbott).
Other localities : — Lower Pegu
(B. M). ; Tenasserim (M. S. I.)
Type:— v. S. Nat. Mus. No
84429.
Type locality : — Ceylon.
Other localities : — Newera
Ceylon (Kelaart) (B. M.)
Gya, Ceylon (M. S. 1.).
Ti/2-)e : — Perhaps in
Museum.
Tyjje locality : — Hills of Malabar.
Other localities : — Travancore ;
Anamalai Hills ; Nilgiri Hills
(B. M.) ; Coorg (M. S. I.).
Type :— B. M. No. 88. 9. 26. 2.
Eliya,
Kala
Paris
Gen. V. — Paguma.
As pointed out above, under Paradox urus, this genus contains
the section " B" of Blanford's key
No. 65. grayi, Benn. to that genus, i.e., the species
grayi, Benn., of which nipalensis
and lanigera are synonyms, and of which Schwartz has separated
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY.
61
(A. M. N. H. (8) xii., p. 289, 1913), a western subspecies under
the name wroughtoni. Besides this, however, a species leucomystax,
Gray, inhabiting the Malay Peninsula and south waids, is now
found to extend its range northwards, in a slightly modified form
to which Miller has given (Proc, Biol. Soc. Wash., xix., p. 26,
1906) the Bubspecific name robusta. A Chinese ibrm, from Yun-
nan, viz. : — larvata, Temm., similarly extends within the border of
northern Burma and to this form T have given (J. B. N. H. S. xix.,
p. 793, 1910), the subspecific name of intrudens. Finally Tytler
has described a form from the Andamans (J. A. S. B. xxxiii.,
p. 188, 1864), under the name tytleri. These forms maybe arrang-
ed in a key as follows : —
Key to the forms of PaGUMA.
1. tyileri, Tytl.
2. leuc. robuata, Mill.
A. — Hair, short (20-25 mm.) and harsh ...
B. — Hair, long (35-40 mm.) and silky.
a. Median pale face stripe not produced
beyond the forehead backwards ...
6, Median pale face stripe produced
backwards on to crown.
a\ Median, pale face stripe not
produced backwards on to the
nape.
Paler ; head and neck not mark-
edly darker than rest of body. 3. grayi grayi, Benn
Darker ; head and neck marked
iy darker than rest of body . .
a
Median pale face stripe produced
backwards on to the nape ...
4. grayi wroughtoni,
Scliw.
5. larv. intrudens, Wr.
Distribution : —
1 . P. tytleri, Tytler.
2. P. leucomystax rohusta,
Miller.
Type locality : — Andamans. (Tyt-
ler.)
Other localities : — Rutland Island,
Andamans (B. M.).
Co-types: — Ind. Mus. Calc. Nos.
I. tn. n. p. q.
Type locality : — Trong, Lower
Siam. (Abbot!,)'.
Other localities : — Bankachon,
Tenasserim (M. S. I.).
Type:—\J. S. Nat. Mua. No.
86796.
0-2 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HLST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
3. P. (jroAji grayi, Bennett.
4.
5.
P. (jrayi ivroughtoni,
Schwartz.
P. larvata intradens,
Wroughton.
Type localiti/ : — " India."
Other localities : — Nepal (B. M.) ;
Kuniaon, 9,000' ; Dai>jiling 2,000' ;
Chin Hills (M. S. I.)
Tyfe-.—B. M. No. 55.12.24.232.
(Type of lanigera, Hodgson, B. M.
No. 43. 1. 12. 103; Type of mpa-
lensis, Hodgson, B. M. No. 45. 1. 8.
297).
Type localiti/ : — ^Grharial, Punjab.
(Dium).
Other localities : — Simla, Punjab ;
Kashmir (B. M.).
Type:—B. M. No. 7. 11. 21. 11.
l^/'pG locality : — Myitkyina, Up-
per Burma. (Capt. A. W. Kem-
mis.)
Other localities : — Yunnan, China
(B. M.) Northern Shan States
(M. S. I.).
Ti/pe :— B. M. No. 9.7.20.6.
Gen. VI. — Arctogalidia.
The name Arctogale was first used by Kaup in 1829 (Entw)
Gesch. Nat. Syst. Ear. Thierwelt. ii, p. 30.) for a genus of
MuSTELiD^, and Merriam substituted (Science, v., p. 302, 1897)
for it the name of Arctogalidia in its present connexion.
No. 56. Leucotis, Horsf.
Distribution : —
The only species.
A. leucotis, Horsfield.
Type locality : — Tenasserim.
Other localities : — Lower Siam ;
Malay Peninsula (B. M.); Tenas-
serim Village (M. S. I.).
Type:—B.U. No. 79.11.21.545.
Gen. VII. — Hemigalus.
Thomas has pointed out (J. B. N. H. S. xxiii., p. 612, 1915), that
the animal usually known as Hemigale hardwickei, must in future
be called Hemigalus derbianus, Graj^. Blanford does not mention
the genus at all, for it had not, in his day, been found withni cur
limits. The Survey having now obtained specimens from Tenasserim,
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY. 53
only slightly differing from typical derbianus, Thomas has supplied
the subspecific name (1. c. p. 613) incursor.
Distribution : —
//. derbianus incursor, ^'i/i^« locality : — Bankachon, S.
Thomas. Tenasserim. (B. N. H. S.- -Short-
ridge.)
Other localities : — None.
""nve-.—B. M. No. 14.12.8.115.
Gen. VIII. — Arctictis.
Thomas has named a new species
No 57 binturona Eaff ^"'^^ ^- ^- ^^^^ ^^' ^' ^- ^- (^>>'
xvii, p. 270, 1916), under the name
(jairdyieri, which will very probably
be found to extend into our limits. These two forms may be dis-
tinguished as follows :- —
Key to the sjjecies of Arctictis.
A. — Size large, greatest length of skull, 153
mm. ... ... ... ... ... 1, gairdneri^ Thos.
B. — Size small, greatest length of skull, 136
mm. ... ... ... ... ... 2. hiniurong. Raff.
Distribution : —
1. A. gairdneri, Thomas. ^V/'e locality: — Sai Yoke, S. W.
Siam. (Gairdner.)
Other localities : — S. W. Siam
(B. M.)
Type :— B. M. No. 15.12.1.26.
2. A. binturong, Raffles. Type locality : — Sumatra.
(Raffles.)
Other localities : — Upper Burma
(B. M.) Tenasserim (M. S. I.)
Type : — Unknown.
Subfamily II. — MuNGOTiNiG.
Gen. — MuNGOS.
The name used by Blanford, Herpestes, for thiis genus
dates only from 1811, whereas Geoffroy and Cuvier used the
name MuNGOS fifteen years earlier (Mag. Encycl. ii., p. 184,
1795).
54 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
The form persicus, Gray, in-
cluded in the synonymy of auro-
No. 58. auropundatus, punctatus by Blanford^does not, bo
Hodgs. far as I have been able" to discover,
No. 59. birmanicus, Thos. occur within our limits, but pal-
lipes is a well marked form of the
Kandahar border. Miss Ryley des-
cribed (J. B. N. H. S. xxii., p. 661,1914) another local race, under
the name helvns, from Deesa, Gujerath. Quite recently I recorded
that the type of nipalensis, Gray, had been found (J. B, N. H. S.
XXV., p. 68, 1917).
I gave a very full synonymy
of this species, when it was first
No. 60. mungo, Gmel. obtained by the Survey (J. B.N.H.
S.xxi.,p. 401, 1912). One name
only out of all those recorded, i.e.,
ferrugineiis, requires to be revived to represent the race of mungo
from the extreme north of India. Miss Ryley added the name
pallens (J. B. N. H. S. xxii., p. 660 1914) for the Gujerath
form. Since then I have had occasion to provide two more Sub-
specific names, mcerens and ellioti (for the Nimar and Dharwar forms
respectively), and to make a new species, lanha, for the Ceylon form
(J. B. N. H. S. xxiv., p. 50, 1915).
These five species make up the
remainder of Blanford's key.
No. 61. smithi. Gray. The only change required in
No. 62.fuscus, Waterh. any of them is pointed out by
No. 6S. fulvescens, Kel. Miss Ryley in her Report on South
No. 64. vitticollis, Benn, Ceylon (J. B. N, H. S. xxii., p. 706,
No. 65. urva, Hodgs. 1914), where she substitutes jiavi-
dens i'ov fulvescens, Kelaart having
used the former name in 1850
(J. R. A. S. Ceyl. ii., p. 323), though the reference was overlooked
by Blanford. These maj'- be arranged in a key as follows : —
Key to the species of Mungos.
A. — No neck-stripe.
a. No black tail-tip.
a\ Fur close and short, longer hairs
of back with 4 or 5 rings of
colour ; size, small.
o'. Hindfoot, without claws, less
than two inches long.
a^ Pattern very coarse.
a*. Dai'ker, dark brown ... 1 . auropunctatus
Hodgs.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY.
66
h\ Paler, buff.
a'. Ground colour cream
biiff ...
}f. Ground colour white . . .
6^ Pattern very fine ...
Hindfoot, without claws, more
than two inches long ...
hairs of back
than 5 rings; size.
long
a
Fur longer
with more
larger.
N aked sole extending to heel .
a'. Pattern of grizzle, coarser.
a
h\
a
Face, feet, and tail-tip
coloured strongly ferru-
ginous ...
Face, feet, and tail-tip
not or only slightly co-
loured ferruginous.
Face, feet, and tail
noticeably but not
strongly ferruginous.
a^. Under fur buff...
h\
Ferruginous
ing
Under fur white,
colour-
of face, feet and
tail-tip almost or
entirely absent.
a\ Under fur grey-
ish-white
2. aur. helvus, Ryl.
3. aiir. pallipes, Bl.
4. nipcdensis, Gray.
5. birmanicus, Thos.
6. mungo ferrugi-
neus, Bl.
7. mungo mungo,
Gmel.
8. pallens, Ryl.
9. mungo moerens,
Wr.
1 0 . mungo elliotiyWr .
11. lanha, Wr.
a
h\ Under fur buff.
6^ Pattern of grizzle very fine
. Naked sole not extending to
heel.
Size large, tarsus and hind-
foot about three inches ;
colour dark brown grizzle... 12. fuscus, Waterh.
Size smaller,tarsus and hind-
foot less than 2-7 inches;
colour dark brown or rufous.
b. A black tail-tip
B. — A neck-stripe.
a. Neck-stripe black ; a black tail-tip. . .
h. Neck-stripe white ; no black tail-tip..
b\
13. flavidens,^e\.
14. smithi, Gray.
15. vitticollis, Benn.
16. wrva, Hodgs.
56 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Distribution : —
1. M. auTOjjmidafus.
Hodgson.
2. M, auropunctatus
helims, Ryley.
3. M. auropunctatus iml-
lipes, Blyth.
4. M. nipalensis, Gray.
M. birmmiicas,
Thomas.
2[. inungo fermgine us
Blanford.
7. M. mungomimgo,
Gmelin.
Type localitij : — Nepal (Hodgson).
Other localities -.—-Kashmir ; Orissa;
Ktich Behar (B.M.) ; Bhutan Duars
(M. S. 1.)
CWi/pes:— B.M.No. 43.1.12.20. &
22.
Ledotype :— B. M. No. 43.1.12.20.
Type locality : — Deesa, Guzerath
(B. N. H. S.— Crump).
Other localities : — Palanptir, Gvvalior
State; Bengal CM. S. I.)
Type :— B. M. No. 13.8.23.1.
Type locality : — Kandahar.
Other localities : — Seistan ; Sukknr
and Larkana, Sind (B. M.) ; Khair-
pur, Sind Frontier (M, S. I.)
T'yp'e : — Unknown.
Type locality : — " North India"'.
Other localities : — Midnapnr, Ben-
gal, (M. S. I.)
Type:—B. M. No. 43.5.31.18.
Ty])e locality : — Pegu (Gates).
Other localities : — Manipur ; Cachar
(B. M.) ; Peau (M. S. I.)
%^e:— bTm. No. No. 81.12. 2.4.
, Ty2Je locality : — Larkhana, Sind.
Other localities : — Rohri, Sind ;
Kohat, N. E. Provinces (B. M.) ;
Khairpur State and Sukkur, Sind
(M. S. I.).
Type: — Indian Museum, Calcutta,
No."?
Type locality : — " Hab. in Ben-
gala, Persia, aliisque Asias calli-
dioribus plagis."
Other localities : — Nepal (B. M.) ;
Gwalior State ; Central Provinces ;
Ramnagar, Kuniaon ; Jalpaiguri,
Bengal; Bhutan Duars; Daltongunj,
Behar (M. S. I.).
Type : — Unknown. (Co-types of
nyula, Hodgs. B. M. Nos. 43.1.12.17.
1*8.19. Lectotype B. M. No. 43.1.12.
18.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY.
57
8. M . mungo pollens ,
Ryley.
9. M. muncjo mixrens,
Wroughton.
10. M. mungo eMioti,
Wroughton.
Type locality : — Palanpur, Guzerath
(B. N. H. S.— Crump).
Other localities : — Hazara ; Sambhar
Rajputana; Jodhpur State (B. M.)
Mt. Abu, Rajputana; Danta State
Guzerath ; Cutch State ; Philibhit
Rohilkund (M. S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 13.8.23.2.
Type locality : — Ganoor, Nimar.
(B.'n. H. S.— Crump).
Other localities : — Cutch ; Juna-
gadh State : Khandesh ; Berar ; Ho-
shangabad ; Central Provinces (M .
S. I.)
Tt/pe-.—B. M. No. 12.6.28,14.
Type locality : — Dharwar (B.N.H.S.
— Shortridge).
Other localities : — North Kanara ;
"Madras" ( Jerdon) ; Trevandrum,
Travancore (B. M.), Seringapatam
South Mysore; South Coorg (M. S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 12 6.29.44.
Ti/pe locality : — Cheddikulam, N.
P., Ceylon (B. N. H. S.— Mayor).
Other localities : — Ceylon (Colombo
Museum) (B. M.) ; Tammanewa;
Ceylon (M. S. I.)
Type :— B. M. No. 15.3.1.54.
Type locality : — " India."
Other localities : — " Madras" (Jer-
don) ; Trevandrum, Travancore (B.
M.); South Coorg (M. S. I.).
Type :— B. M. No. 55.12.24.
227."
lo. M.Jiavidens, Kelaart. Type locality: — Central Ceylon.
(Kelaart).
Other localities : — Kandy (B. M.) ;
Central Province, & Uva, Ceylon
(M. S. L).
Type : — Ind. Mus. Calc. No. a ?
Type locality : — Unknown.
Other localities : — Sambhar, Rajpu-
tana ; Shevaroy Hills, Madras ;
"Madras" (Jerdon); Kandy, Ceylon
(B. M.) ; Mt. Abu, Rajputana ;
Hoshangabad, Central Provinces ;
11. M. lanha, Wrough
ton.
12. M. fusctis, Water-
house.
14. M. smithi, Gray
68 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX VL
Satara ; Mankeni and Ranna, Ceylon
(M. S. I.)
Type-.—B. M. No. 38.12.13.1.
(Co-types of jerdoni, Gray, B. M. Nos.
46.11.6.21 and 46.11.9.5. Lectotype ,
B. M. No. 46.11.9.5.).
15. M. vitticollis, Bennett. Tiii?e locality : — Travancore.
Other localities : — Dharwar (Elliot) ;
Nilgiri Hills, Ceylon (B. M.), Coorg
(M. S. I.)
Type:—B. M. No. 55.12.24.224.
16. M. urva, Hodgson. T iijje locality : — Central and North
Nepal.
Other localities : — Sadya, Assam ;
Upper Chindwin ; Tharawaddy and
Rangoon, Burma (B. M.) ; Kanara ;
Darjiling (M. S. 1.).
Go-types:— B. M. Nos. 43..1. 12.31,
32 and 33.
Lectotype :— B. M. No. 43.1.12.33.
Family III. — Hv^NiDiE.
Gen. — Hy^na.
Thomas pointed out in 1911 (P.
No. QQ. striata, Zimm. Z. S. p. 134), that %oewa, L., must
be substituted for striata. There is
not only not enough material from India, but still more there is
none to join up the Indian region with the type locality.
Distribution : — •
H. hyuf.na, Linnasus. ^^VP^ locality : — The Benna Mount-
ains, Bunder Abbas, Persian Gulf.
Other lo<-alities : — Khairpur, Sind ;
Cutch ; Khandesh ; Niraar ; Central
Provinces ; Kumaon ; Orissa (M.S.I.).
Type : — Unknown.
(To be continued.)
69
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY
No. XVIII.
Beport on the House Rats of India, Burma, and Ceylon.
BY
Martin A. C. Hinton.
At the request of the Bombay Natural History Society, I under-
took the comparison of the House Rats collected by the Mammal
Survey with the Indian material in the British Museum. The
work proved to be a complex and dithcvilt task, but I have now
reached three chief conclusions, namely : — (1) That the common
Indian House Rat, which in the various Survey Reports has been
listed either as " Epimys rufescens'^ or else as " i\ rvfesc-ns, var.
with white underparts," is indistinguishable specifically from
Rattus * rattus, Linnaeus ; (2) that this species shows in India,
Burma and Ceylon, a definite geographical variation, so that many
races or subspecies have now to be recognized ; and (3) that the
forms described as B. nitidus and R. vicerex, about the status of
which there has been much controversy, are entitled to full
specific rank, although they, too, are members of the B. rattus
group.
In this paper R. rattus, as represented in the Mammal Survey
collections, is dealt with exhaustivelv ; and R. nitidus receives sufli-
cient treatment to enable me to define a very interesting sub-
species from the Chin Hills. With regard to R. vicerex, I must
for the present content myself with publishing some skull measure-
ments.
In presenting my results to the Society I am fully conscious of
the fact that there is still plenty of room for further woik upon
these very difficult and somewhat unattractive animals. To obtain
definite results one needs long series of careiul measurements,
external and cranial, accompanied by careiul notes on the colour
and mammae, from as many districts as possible. As a basis for
further research I have given my original tables of skull measure-
ments, with a description of the method of making them, at the
end of this paper. If observers, dwelling in comparatively remote
1 As pointed out by Hollister (P. Biol. Soc. Washington, XXIX, p. 126, 1916),
Rattus (misprinted Ruttus), Fischer {Das National Mtisemn der Naturgeschichte zu
Paris. Frankfurt au Main. 1803, Bd. II, p. 128), is a valid generic name and mu.st
replace Epimys, Trouessart (1880). This is unfortunate but quite uoavoidablo.
I would take this opportunity of expressing- my agreement v.ith Thomas's state-
ment that Fischer took R. rattus as the type of his genus, and not " decumarms "
(norvegicus) as asserted by Hollister.
60 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
districts, could be induced to furnish us with corresponding data,
each dealing with say 100 fully adult rats from his own district
and carefully studied by himself, our knowledge of the geogra-
phical variation and its systematic value would very quickly be
placed upon a secure foundation.
Key to Indian, Cinghalese, & Burmese members of the group
based principally upon external characters) : —
I. Tail bi-coloured ... ... ... Rattus vicerex,'Bou\\ote.
II. Tail unicoloured.
A. Fur very fine ; lacking all trace of
bristles. Nasal length exceeding
40 per cent, of the condylo-basal
length of skull.
a. Tail longer, about 108 per
cent, of length of head and
body. Fur long and thick ;
underparts silvery or hoary. Rattus nitidiis nitidus,
Hodgson.
I>. Tail scarcely longer than head
and body. Fur short and
thin ; underparts not silvery,
frequently with rusty tinge ... Rattus nitidus ohsoletus,
Hinton.
B. Fur coarser, usually with many
bristles (though these vary in
strength). Nasals usually less
than 40 per cent, of the condylo-
basal length of the skull.
a. Ventral fvir white to bases ;
lateral line of demarcation
usually well defined.
a' Mammae normally 3-3=12.
a' Pectoral mammae not under-
going reduction.
a^ Tail relatively short,
averaging less than ] 20
per cent, of the head and
body length.
«* Dorsal colour dull
greyish brown ; audital
bullae very large ... R. rattus tatkonensis,
Hinton.
7/ Dorsal colour with an
ochreous tinge; audital
bullfB medium sized... R. rattus l-Jiyensis,
Hinton.
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 61
/'' Tail relatively long, ave-
raging more than 120
per cent, of the head and
body length.
a* Fur of tinderparts long
and soft. Dorsal co-
lour cold o-rev or vel-
low ... ... ... R. rattus ijav gut nanus,
Hinton.
// Ventral fur shorter
and harsher.
ft" Dorsal colour black,
grizzled with tawny. Battus ■laacinillani,
Hinton.
h Dorsal colour rich
dark olive brown ... 7?. rattus siJihimensis,
Hinton.
Ir Pectoral mamnige undergoino-
reduction. Tail short, ave-
raging about 108 per cent,
of head and body length.
Dorsal colour umber ... i?. rattus fikos, Hinton.
// Mammae normally 2-3^10
a'^ Fur full ; dorsal colour warm
and bright. Tail length
variable.
a^ Dorsal colour olive brown.
a* Size larger (H. & B.
averaging 145; HF.
32) ; tail shorter, about
123 per cent, of head
and body length ... Ii. rattus tistre,}iinton .
h' Si^e smaller (H. & B.
averaging 137 ; HF.
31); tail longer, about
131 per cent, of head
and bodv lenoth ... 7?. rattus Jihotia,
Hinton.
/>^ Dorsal colour not olive
brown.
a* Backs bright clay or
golden broAvn ; tail
very long, more than
150 per cent, of head
and body length ... It. rattus sa.tarct',
Hinton.
63 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
V Backs inclining to
rufous ; whitish bristles
usually present.
a^ Tail shorter, about
122 per cent, of head
and body length ... R. r. turoughtoni,
Hinton.
&' Tail longer, about
132 per cent, of
head and body
length ... ... B. r. kandianus,
Kelaart.
V' Fur rather short, thin and
harsh, but usually not spiny;
dorsal colour cold and dull ;
tall long, about 1 35 per
cent, of head and body
length.
a^ J)orsal colour warmer,
near cinnamon brown or
tawu}'^ ... ... ... B. rattus arhoreus,
Buch. — Ham.
y Dorsal colour colder and
greyish.
a* Dorsal colour drab ;
long black hairs tend-
iusf to ':orin a mid-
dorsal stripe... ... B. rattus na/rhadce,
Hinton.
6* Dorsal colour drab
grey ; mid-dorsal line
dt^cidedly darkened by
black hairs ; white of
belly duller B. rattus girensis,
Hinton.
b. Ventral fur slaty based; no
sharp line of demarcation
along flanks.
a^ Fur long, dense, and soft;
ventral fur white tipped ;
tail short, le^s than 120 per
cent, of head and body
len^'th ... ... ... Rattus lelaarti,
Wroughton.
6' Fur thinner and harsher ;
ventral fur not white tipped ;
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 63
tail long, more than 120
per cent, of head and body
length.
a^ Dorsal colour rufous ;
hair of belly rough with
rusty tinge ... ... R. rattus nifescens,
Gray.
R. raitus nemoralis,
Blyth.
h'. Dorsal colour rarely ru-
fous ; bellies without
rusty tinge.
a\ Backs grey or brown ;
belly light grey to
dusky, rough or
smooth R. rattus alexandrinus ,
Geoff.
b\ Back black; belly
bluish gi'cy, sleek
haired R. rattus rattus,
Linnaeus.
1. Rattus rattus, Linnasus.
A brief reference to the history of this species in Europe will
greatly facilitate both the presentation and the understanding of
the Indian facts. Mus rattus, Linneeus [Syst. JSat., 10th ed.,
1758, p. Q\), was described from Upsala, Sweden and based upon
the well known Black Rat. At or a little before the date when
Linnaeus wrote, this animal was the common house rat of Europe,
but later it was almost completely replaced by the Brown Rat
(^R. norvegicus, Berkenhout). T^-pical /?. rattus is characterized
externally by its dusky coloration, its back being usually black
and its underparts of a dark brownish grey or slate. In 1803,
Geoffrey (Cat. Mamyn. Mas. Nat. cV Hist. Nat. Paris, p. 192) named
his Mus alexandrinus from Alexandria, Egypt ; and in 1812, he
gave a full description and figure (Descr. de lEgypte, Hist. Nat.
II., p. 735 ; Atlas PI. V, fig. 1). From the latter account it is
evident that Mus alexandrinus is a rat in which the back is buffy
brown, this colour brightening gradually on the flanks to pass
insensibly into the whitish or yellowish grey of the underparts. In
1814, Rafinesque (Prec. des Decouv. et Trav. Somiologiques, p. 13)
described his " MwscwZms frugivorus", from Sicily ; 'and in 1825,
Savi (Nuovo Giorn. dei Letterati, Pisa, X, p. 74) re-described the
same form from Pisa, Italy, under the name of Mus tedorum. This
Sicilian and Italian rat is brown above as in ahxandrinus, but it
possesses a softer coat, and the fur of its underparts is of a pure
64 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
white or lemon yellow colour, separated on each side from the rich
tint of the flanks by a sharp line of demarcation.
In 1866, de I'lsle {Ann. 8c. Nat. (Zool.) IV, p. 173) described a
series of breeding experiments which he had made with " Mus
rattus" and " Mus alexandrinus" ; by the latter name Rafinesque's
frugivorus and not Geoifroy's alexandrinus seems to have been im-
plied. Among the progeny of the various crosses effected, were
some peculiar rats which de I'lsle called " semi alexandrines^' ; judg-
ing from the description these must have corresponded rather
closely with Geoffrey's alexandrinus in outward appearance. De I'lsle
demonstrated that rattus, fntgivoms, and alexandrinus are nothing
but colour phases of one and the same species, viz., R. rattus, Lin-
naeus. His experiments suggested that the wild-coloured frugivo-
rus represents the primitive stock, properly belonging to warm
temperate or sub-tropical regions ; and that the dusky coloration of
typical rattus is simplj'- a change of hue brought about by the indoor
life' forced upon the species by its successful endeavours to colonize
colder lands. The species appears to have made its way to north-
western Europe at about the time of the Crusaders ; and by the 16th
century, at the latest, it had fullj'' assumed there its familiar dusky
garb. Geoffroy's alexandrinus may be regarded as an intermediate
stage, the belly having acquired within doors a darker colour, and
having lost its sharp contrast with the flank tint, although dorsal
darkening has not taken place to any considerable extent. In
examining a large, cosmopolitan collection of rats, it is quite
easy to find and arrange a series of individuals connecting
frugivorus with alexand/rinus, and especially the latter form with
typical rattus.
Mendelians, as Bonhote (P.Z.8., 1910, p. 653 and 1912, p. 6),
argue that these three forms of rattus have arisen as mutations.
There is nothing inconsistent between this view and the history of
typical rattus as outlined above. In any case the colour differentia-
tion in the three races is susceptible of a physiological explanation.
Recently the three European races have been treated as
subspecies, the characters of which may be tabulated as follows : —
A^ — Dorsal parts black.
Ventral parts dusky ; the hairs on belly
short and usually adpressed ... ... R. rattus rattus, Linn.
B. — Dorsal parts brown.
a. Ventral parts not usually conspicuous-
ly lighter than flanks ; ventral hairs
with slaty bases ; coat harsh and usiial-
ly thin ... ... ... . . ii, rattus alexand/rinus,
Geoff.
h. Ventral parts light coloured, sharply
contrasted with flanks ; ventral hairs
^SCIENTJnC JiESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 65
mostly pure white or lemon coloured
to their bases ; coat soft and usually-
thick.. . ... ... ... ... R. rattus frugivorus,
Raf.
Specimens intergrading in appearance between these subspecies
usually come from colonies of mixed origin, e.g., those of ships or
of large towns. Where opportunities ibr pure breeding occur, as
on small islands, each of these subspecies breeds perfectly true to
type. It is, of course, unfortunate that the typical form of the spe-
cies, in a technical sense, is B. r. o'cUtus (which is little better than
a domestic animal), and not the really wild form, M. r. frugivorus.
Turning now to India, the rats listed in the Survey Reports as
" rufesceyis " , or " r«yescews var.", afford us with problems of con-
siderable complexity. In the first plav^e, although I am unable to
find any character in the dentition, skull, or external parts, to
distinguish any of them satisfactorily from R. rattus, the range of
variation is enormous. Indian skulls with well worn teeth have
the condylo-basal length ranging between 34 and 44 mm. The fur
may be long, soft, dense and without spines; or it may be short,
thin, and harsh, with numerous spiny bristles. 'YA\b dorsal colour
varies between bright rufous, or warm olivaceous tints on the one
hand, to dull tawny, or cold mixtures of black and grey on the
other. The underparts may be pure white or pale lemon ; or they
may be slat}', with or without a rusty tinge or bloom. The hands
and feet may be white or yellowish above, with or without dusky
markings ; or they may be wholly blackish brown in colour. The
mammary formula may be 2-3 = 10 or 3-3=12. Every intermediate
stage between the extremes indicated may be found in the collec-
tions before me. Nevertheless, much of this variation has a
definite geographical value ; and where long series are available
from one locality or district, the rats are usually lound to conform
closely to one or more definite local types. It is therefore possible
to define a considerable number of local races or subspecies.
The members of the rattus group seem to afford an exception to
the rule, so general for wild mammals, that not more than one
subspecies of a given species, or not more than one of two or more
very closely allied species can inhabit a given locality. But these
rats are capable of playing many parts in warin countries 5 thus we
find them following a free life in fields and hedgerows, far from
houses, or high up among the branches of trees in forests ; or they
may lead a purely parasitic existence in human habitations or
shelters. It is a poor sort of locality which refuses at least two
" niches in nature " for rattus ; and the semi-domesticated stocks, at
all events, of this species have frequent opportunities for prospect-
ing and touring conferred upon them by railways, wheeled
carriages, and shipping.
9
66 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Like other murines, this species shows, within certain limits, an
almost startling plasticity. Its structure responds readily to the
demands of purely local requirements. If necessary colour or the
quality of the coat are modified ; a change in diet induces modifi-
cations in the development or the " set " of the muscles of
mastication ; and these in turn mould the skull, or lead to the
lengthening or shortening of the tooth-rows.
Considerations such as those mentioned in the preceding
paragraphs lead us to realize the hopelessness of attempting to
disentangle the history of the rats in large towns or ports like
Calcutta or Bomba3^ In such places the rat population is a
motley horde, representing the progeny of truly native rats crossed
with the descendants of old wanderers and with newcomers not
only from the neighbouring hinterland but from all parts of the
world. It is therefore only in the more remote parts of the
country that we can reasonably expect some measure of success to
crown such efforts.
The material collected by the Mammal Survey is most extensive,
and although gaps exist it is now possible to gain a broad idea
of the chief facts relating to the distribution and variation of the
present species in India. Save for the conclusion that 11. nitidus
in entitled to full specific rank, the conclusions of this paper
are little more than natural extensions of those reached by
Thomas in 1S81, upon the basis of comparatively insignificant
material.
In North-Western India, Sind and the Punjab, the prevalent
race seems to be identical with R. r. alexandrinus. Further east,
from the Himalayan districts of Kumaon and Sikkim southwards
to Travancore and Ceylon, and through Assam and Burma to
bouth Tenasserim, the common rat is that called " var. rvfescens"
by Thomas aiid Blanford. This is, however, split into a number
of local races. The most striking and widespread variations are
those to which attention has so frequently been drawn in the
Reports, viz., a dark bellied variety and a variety with pure white
underparts. Mr. Wroughton has already commented upon the re-
markable distribution of these two types (Report No. 15, /. B.
N.H. 8., Vol. XXIII, p. 295).
At the higher collecting stations in Kumaon only white bellied
specimens were found ; at some lower stations white and dark bellied
rats w^'re present together in apparently equal numbers ; while at
still lower elevations dark bellied rats alone occurred. Again in
Sikkim and at Hasimara, Bhutan iJuai's, all are of the white bellied
type, although a certain proportion have slaty bases to their ventral
hairs. In Bengal and Orissa, and in the southern part of the penin-
sula as at Travancore, as well as through Assam, Burma, and Tenas-
serim, the ratss are uniformly of the white-bellied type. From South
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURrEY. 67
Coorg northwards along the Western Ghats in Mysore ; in the
Central Provinces and in Kathiawar, the white-bellied type is
present but accompanied by rats of the dark bellied type. In
Cutch, Palanpui', Gwalior, Nimar, Western Khandesh, Berars
and Bellary, only dark bellied I'ats were collected. Similar facts
were noted by Major Lloyd, and he tells us that of many thousands
examined from the Punjab only some few from three villages
in the Amritsar and Lahore districts were of the light bellied
type (Rec. Ind. Mus. Ill, p. 20).
Such distributional facts viewed in gross appear at first sight to
afford the strongest possible evidence in support of the idea that
white bellied and dark bellied types belong to distinct subspecies if
not species. The initial object of my work, indeed, was to test such
a belief.
Mr. Wroughton has already brought before the Society
(/. B. N. H. 8., Vol. XXIII, p. 474) the view that the white bellied
forms of R. rattus in India and Burma represent the primitive wild
form of the species ; and that the dark bellied types are parasites, the
darkening of the underparts, no less than the darkening of the back,
being the outward indication of domesticity or parasitism. In
support of this view, one ma}^ point to the general similarity of the
Indian white bellied forms to the wild race, E. r. frvgivorvs, of the
Mediterranean region ; to their wide distribution, both in the mount-
ains and in the plains, in India and Burma: and to the wild life
which many of them lead in the jungles. Further en investigating
these white bellied rats in detail, we find that they behave very
much as do normal wild mammals as regards geographical variation
and that it is therefore possible and comparatively eas}'^ to arrange
them in geogTaphical races or subspecies.
With regard to the dark bellied rats the case is different. They
are largely resti'icted to districts possessing substantial houses ; they
are more frequently caught within doors and far le-s frequently in the
open. Close investigation of their structure leads to nothing but
confusion ; the variation is largely individual or colonial, and scarcely
at all geographical. In some districts, as in Kumaon, such rats
seem to have little or no connection with the white bellied forms;
in other places, they differ from their white bellied companions
merely in colour and to a trifling extent in skull — the ornnial differen-
ces being readily susceptible of a physiological explanation, as is
shown below in discussing the rats of the Central Provinces and
Kathiawar; finally, in still other districts, the difference is purely
one of colour and even that sometimes breaks down. One concludes
from this that the dark bellied rats are of diverse origin ; some seem
to have been produced, in the localities where they are now found,
from the local whit^ bellied race ; others have found their way to
their present habitations from other more or less remote districts of
CS JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
m
the country, or even from abroad ; and lastly', many are doubtless to
be regarded as the mixed descendants of both native and imported
stocks.
1, Rattus rattus tistce, subsp. n,
1916. Ejnmys nt/escews, variety with white underparte, Wrough-
ton, Report No. 23, Sikkim and Bengal Terai, /. Bombay Nat.
Hist. Soc, Vol. xxiv, p. 489 (in part).
Type.— A female (B. M. No. 17-7-2-13 ; Original No. 398)
collected at Pashok, Sikkim, by N. A. Baptista on 16th July 1915;
pi'esentedto the National Collection by the Bombay Nat. His. Soc.
Distribution. — Sikkim.
Material examintd. —122 (60 d" j 62 $ ), from Pashok (3,500') ;
14 r7 c? , 7 $ ), from Narbong (2,000') ; 7 (3 cJ , 4 $ ), from Rongli
(2,700') ; 1 J from Gopaldhara (4,720') ; 3 (1 j , 2 $ ) from
Batasia, Tonglu (6,000') ; 3 (1 c? , 2 5 ) from Gangtok (6,000') ;
and 4 (Z ^,2 § ) from Sedonchen (6,500'). Total 154 (75 6
79 $)._
Description. — The/ttr is soft and thick, without spines on the
back ; and not particularly long on the underparts. In the typical
series from l*ashok the backs are dark olive-brow ai and very uniform
in colour. The ventral colouration is of two types ; in about a
third of the specimens from the type locality the ventral hairs have
slaty bases and light tips and in these specimens a suffusion of
bnfi', recalling what is seen in many forms of Apodemus, is some-
times presf^nt. forming a median thoracic stripe and occasionally
even a pectoral collar, in many other specimens, however, the
ventral hairs are white from their tips to their bases ; while in
others pui-e white and slaty -based hairs occur together in variable
proportions. The mammary formula of females appears to be con-
stantly 2-3=^10.
The following are the collector's measurements * of those speci-
mens from Pashok whose skulls wei'e specially investigated ventral
hairs : —
145—168—31—21 slaty bases.
161_194_32_22 slaty bases.
160—183—33—23 slaty bases.
] 58—180—32—23 intermediate.
1 5 ()_1 80—3 1 —2 2 intermediate.
153_180— 30— 22 pure white.
155_19G_32— 21 do. type.
135_169— 32— 21 slaty bases.
14,()_ —32— 22 pure white.
] 38— —31—2 1 slaty bases.
No. 288
0 , 3rd Jixly
1915
„ 325
0 , Bth
9?
„ 625
0" , 1 8th Aug.
'J
., 234
2 , 27th June
;■ J
,, 243
^ , 28th „
? )
., 335
5 , 9th Julv
)5
., 393
$,16th ..
53
., 414
$,19th .,
J9
„ 482
2, 27th „
5 )
„ 689
2 , 3rd Sept.
?5
* Tnese dimensions are:— (0 Head and body. (2) Tail, without terminal
hair. (3) Hiudfoot, without claws, {ij Ear from base.
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 0!)
Tlie followinc: are
averages
(absolute and percentages of the
of both sexes
?lage.
head and body length) of specimens in adult pe
and all from Pashok : —
(1) Average of 31 (Head and body ranging between 122 and
161) with slaty bases to the ventral hairs =
143— 174— 32-1— 21 = 100— 122— 22-5— 14-7.
(2) Averaee of 81 (Head and body ranging between 120 and
171) comprising intermediate specimens as well as those wdth pure
irhite ventral hairs =
147_181_32-1— 21-3 = 100— 124— 21-8- 14-5.
(3) Average of 50 lO-maramsed females (ventral coloration of
both types) = 144— 177— 31-5- 20-9 = 100— 123— 21-9- 14-5.
(4) Average of 40 white-bellied females (a few not included in
the total of average 3, because their mammse could not be counted
on the skins) = 145— 179— 31-4— 21 = 100— 123— 21-6- 14-5.
In no female did the length of the head and body exceed
161 mm. Larger individuals were not only always males, but were
all of the pure white-bellied type ; I suspect that some of these
really belong to B. r. sikJdmensis (described below), for without
examining the skulls * it is sometimes difficult to discriminate
between the males of that sub-species and those of the white-bellied
phase of the present form.
The following table shows the decreasing values of the average
relative lengths of the tail, hind-feet and ears in B. r. tistce at suc-
cessive stages of growth ; for systematic purposes it is instructive
to compare it with the similar table given latter for the asso-
ciated jB. r. siJcJcimensis : —
Pashok.
R . ?: tista;.
Head and body
mm.
Sex.
No. of
specimens
Average length in percentages
of Head and Body,
H. & B., Tail, Hind-foot, Ear.
100 to 120
c? & 2
121 to 139
6
Do.
2
140 to 149
6
Do.
2
150 to 159
6
Uo.
2
160
2
161
6
160 to 171
6
14
12
21
16
18
15
15
X
2
10
100—127-
100—129-
100—120-
100—125-
100—125-
100—129-
100—119-
100—111-
100—118-
100—121-
-26-7 -
-24-2 -
-23-4 -
-22-4 -
-22-8 -
21-3 -
-20-9 -
-20 -
-20-25-
-20-25-
-17-1
-15-5
-15-1
-14-9
-14-4
-14-1
-14
-13-1
-14
-14-8t
* It was not possible to clean all the many skulls collected and often the
search for the skull of some particularly fine skin revealed the annoyingf fact that
that particclar skull had been smashed by the trap.
T As noticed above these larpre rats are probably in part referable to
U. r. sikkime7isis.
70 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
The skull is small (average condylo-basal length between 37'7
and 38-4 mm., i.e., about 2 mm, less than in European races of
R. rattus or in R. r. sikkimensis), and therefore the cranial width
appears relatively great, showing an increase equal to from 1
to 1*7 per cent, of the condylo-basal length (see Table 11).
Judging from dimensions 6 and 7, as well as from the relation of
the latter to the cranial width, (dimension 3), the temporal muscles
are no weaker than in R. r. aUxandrinus. Posteriorly, ep^en in old
skulls, the temporal lines are at a level considerably below the ends
of the iiiterparietal ; and thus the upper surface of each parietal
articulates with the supraoccipital by a conspicuous tongue. The
temporal wing of each parietal is small, its length being equal to
less than half the distance between the lambdoidal crest and
the antero-superior extremity of the squamosal.
In relation to the condylo-basal length, the palatal length, mas-
seteric plate and tooth-rows are distinctly longer, although the
nasals, diastema and palatal foramina are about as in European
rattas. The pterygoid region is short, for while the distance con-
dyle to bulla is about as in R. r. frvgivorus, condyle to m. 3, in
relation to the oondylo-basal length, is about 3 y shorter. The
cheek-teeth are as in European ratlus.
Local variation : —
Narbong (2,000').
14 (7 c? , 7 2 ) collected by Mr. Crump; of these 2 are in the
British Museum (Nos. 15, 9, 1, 152-153). The dimensions of the
more important are : —
6439 c? , 10 March 1915, 176—206—35—23, Weight 6 czs
•152 6473c?, 14 „ „ l(jl_195— 34— 23
6474 J, „ „ „ 165—180—32—22
6479$, 15 „ ,. 154— 176— 33— 21, Weight 4 czs
•153 6480$, „ ,, „ 156—179—31—24 „ 4 ,.
6487$, „ „ „ 144—171—31—20 „ 3 „
Average of 14:— 156— 182— 32-2-21-7
Do. per cent.of H&B:— 100— 117— 20-7-13-9
10 mammae are apparent in each of 4 of the female skins.
These rats have rather bright backs and are much like those
from Rongli noticed below. In 5 (3 c? , 2 $ } the bellies are pure
white, although in 4 of these some of the hairs on the chest have
slaty bases. In the remainder the majority of the ventral hairs have
slaty bases and in some a median stripe of buff* is developed on the
thorax. The whole series is, however, very uniform really, for
even the bellies, despife the differences just noted, appear remark-
ably similar when viewed from a little distance. Skull as in
typical series.
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM TUB MAMMAL SURVEY. 71
. Batasia, Tonglu (6,000').
3 (1 c^" , 2 $ ) collected by Mr. Crump (2 in British Museum
Nos. 15, 9, 1, 150-151). Dimensions: —
•150 6394 cJ, 25 Feb. 1915, ] 63— 188— 35— 22, Weight 5 ozs.
6395$, „ „ ., 155—183—35—21 „ 5 „
•151 6411 $,27 „ „ 151—206—31—21 „ 4 „
Each female has 10 mammss. No. 6411 is quite like those from
Pashok, but the other two have much brighter yellowis-h-brown
backs, lined with black. In the two registered specimens, the ven-
tral fur is long and soft; certain of the hairs are buft-tipped and form
an indistinct median thoracic stripe and pectoral collar; most of
these buff-tipped hairs have deep slaty bases, but the dark tint is
almost completely hidden by the long light tips. Elsewhere all
the ventral hairs, save the usual bright buff ones around the geni-
talia, are white throughout. In No. 6395, the majority of the
ventral hairs have a veiy pale greyish basal tinge. The feet are
ashy grey, with a slight tinge of j^ellow in the male. The
skulls are imperfect but agree apparently with those from
Pashok.
RONGLI (2,700').
7 (3 J 4 $ ) collected by Mr. Crump ; of these 4 are now in
the British Museum and their dimensions are : —
B. M. 15, 9, 1.
■137 5847 c?, 24 Nov. 1914. 158— 183— 34— 21, Weight 4^ ozs.
•139 5825 $,22 „ ,. 156—185—33—21 ,, 4^ „
•1415849 $,25 „ „ 153—170—31—21 „ 4| „
•142 5850$,,, „ „ '148—167—32—21 „ 4 „
Nos. '139 and "141 have each 10 mamma3.
This series is interesting as showing that sometimes the differ-
ences in ventral coloration, ah'eady alluded to, are apparently co-
related with slight differences in the dorsal colour. Ihus Nos.
5847 and 5825 have bellies of a pronounced Apodemus type, i.e.,
the ventral hairs have deep slaty bases and a heavy and rather
generally distributed sufi'usion of buff; in these two the backs also
are darker than in the following, Nos. 5849 and 585^^ have
silvery bellies with the ventral hair bases of a distinctly lighter
grey than in the first mentioned specimens ; their backs have more
of the yellowish-brown tints seen in some of the specimens from
Gangtok and Batasia. The feet, moreover, are inclined to be
lighter in the lighter bellied type. Similar difierences are shown
by the three unregistered specimens from this locality. Ilie skulls
of -137 and "141 were measured (Table 1) and apparently agree
with those from Pashok.
72 JOtJRNAL, BdMBAY NATUnAL UlST. SOCIUTV, Vol. XXVI.
SedoNchen (6,500').
4 (2 (J , 2 2 ), 3 being adult, collected by Mr. Crump. Dimen-
sions : —
5769 s , 14 Nov. 1914, 154—178—31—21, Weight 44 ozs.
5748 2,10 „ „ 132—145—30—20 ,. 2|" „
5779 2,15 „ „ 140—152—29—19
The first two have the backs yellowish-brown, lined with black ;
their bellies are whitish, the ventral hairs having deep slaty bases
and white tips ; their feet have dusky markings above and the tails
are dark. No. 5779 has a darker belly and shows a trace of a buff
stripe and collar.
Gangtok (6,000').
3 (1 (^ , 2 2 ,) collected by Mr. Crump ; 2 in British Museum
(Nos. 15. 9. 1. 143/144). Dimensions:—
•143 5875 J , 3 Dec. 1914, 167—191—33—21, Weight Si ozs.
•144 5871 2, 2 „ ., 150—179—31—20
5876 2,3,, „ 140—165—32—22 Weight 3 ozs.
No. "144 is dark above, while -143 is yellowish-brown as in
the <s from Batasia. In the former (-144) a few hairs along the
mid-throacic line have buff tips ; in the latter (-143) many on the
thro at and chest are buff-tipped and form a complete collar and
median stripe. All the ventral hairs have deep slaty bases and the
feet are perhaps a shade darker than in the specimens from Batasia.
The skull of -143 was measured (Table 1) and does not appear to
differ from those from Pashok.
GOPALDAHRA (4,720').
1 s (No. 24) collected by Mr. N. A. Baptista, on 2nd May 1915.
differs from the other specimens from this locality, referred below
to R. sikkiymnsis in having the bases of the ventral hairs deep slaty.
It may perhaps be i-eferred to U. r. tistm. The dimensions of this
specimen are: — 146 — 198 — 32 — 23.
2. Rattus rattus hliotia, subsp. \\.
Type:— A male (B. M. No. 17- 7- 2- 20; Original No. 1185),
collected at Hazimara, Bhutan Douars, on 26th November 1915,
by Mr. N. A. Baptista ; presented to the British Museum by the
Bombay Natural History Society.
Distribution : — Known onl}^ from the type locality.
Material examiyiecl : — 124 {QQ s -, ^8 2) collected by Mr. N. A.
Baptista between 22nd October 1915 and 13th January 1916.
Description : — This is a soft-furred rat closely resembling H. r.
tistce in general appearance. It differs, from the latter subspecies in
its smaller size, the hindfoot and ear averaging in 111 adults, 31
and 20-4 instead of 32 and 21-3, respectively; the tail also is
SVIEI^'TIFIC RESULTS FROM TJilJ MAMMAL SURVEY
relative!}' longer, averaging in tlie adnlts 131 per cent, of the head
and body measurement instead of about 123 per cent. Mammarj-
formula constantly 2-3=10.
Taken as a whole the series shows brighter backs than those of
typical B. r. fistce from Pashok, the general dorsal colour being a
rufous tint near " Brussells brown"; many of the specimens are.
however, as dark in hue as any from Pashok. As in 11. r. tistce the
ventral coloration is of two types ; 62 (32 J , 30 5 ) have pure white
bellies, the ventral hairs being white to their bases; in 18 (15 j ,
35) the bellies are white also, but slaty bases are developed by
many of the hairs on the chest and throat, forming chest spots or
stripes of large size ; in 6 (2 ^ , 4 $ ) pure white and slaty-based
hairs are equal in number and distribution; lastly in 38 (17,5'.
21 2 ) practically all the hairs have slaty bases and light tips, and
in these specimens a median stripe-like suffusion of buif is some-
times developed. The preponderance of pure-white bellied indivi-
duals is therefore as well marked in this subspecies as in the typical
series of i?. r. tistce from Pashok ; and it may be suggested that the
two types of ventral coloration in both forms are "mutations'"
obeying Mendel's law in inheritance.
The following are the dimensions of the specimens whose skulls
were specially investigated : —
Ventral hairs : —
1048 J. 3 Nov. 19 J 5
, 131-
190 33 22,
Intermediate.
1125 c?, 14 ..
145-
194 33 -21,
Pure white.
1140^. 17 ..
147-
184 34 21,
Slaty bases.
1185 d. 26 ..
149-
211 33 20
Do.
1208 d. 30 .,
142-
200—32 21,
Piire white.
1221c?. 3 Dec. .,
143-
184-30 21
Do.
1241$, 7 .,
141-
187 32- 21
Do.
980 2 . 22 Oct. ,.
131-
186 34 20,
Intermediate.
Average of 1 1 1 adults :
137
179 31 20.4
,, per cent, of H.
and B.
100 131 22
•6-14.9
The followino- table shows the chano-es in the
0 0
average prop
tions correlated with growth or larger size and it may be compared
with that given at p. 69 above : —
Head and Body,
mm.
Average 96 of head & body form-
ed by H. & B. Tail, Hind-foot, Ear.
100 to 120
19
100-
-133 -25.7-
-17.1
121 to 139
60
100-
-132.5-23.4-
-15.2
140 to 149
36
100-
-127.5-21.7-
-14.3
150 to 155
7
100-
-123 -20.6-
-14.2
10
74 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Voi, 2CKF1.
The skull and teeth do not differ from those of R. r. Ustoe in
Miy important respect.
3. Battus rattus arboreus, Buchanan-Hamilton.
1851. Mtts arboreus, Buchanan Hamilton in Horsfield, Gat.
Mainm. Mus. E. India Co., London, 1851, p. 161 ; described from
" Bengal," the type being unknown.
1865. Mus Tufescens, Blyth, Cat. Mamm. Mus. As. 8oc., Calcutta,
p. 115 (in part); Jerdon (in part).
1881. Mus alexandrinus, a. typical var., Thomas, P. Z. 8. 1881,
p. 532 (in part).
In a portion of his MS. (first published hj Horsfield. loc. eit.
supra). Dr. Buchanan Hamilton described a rat said to live in the
cocoanut trees and bambocs of Bengal. The upper parts are said
to be " dark iron-grey, consisti.ig of black and tawny hairs, of
which the former are the longest and most numerous. The lower
parts and legs are white ; the naked parts of the nose and toes are
pale flesh colour." The head and body lengths of a full-grown
male and female are given as 7" and 8^", their tails as 7^"
and 9" respectively. If we suppose these measurements to have
been taken on stretched skins, then this description, eo far as it
goes, will apply to many of the specimens obtained by the Mammal
Survey in Bihar and Orissa. The Survey material indicates that
the race inhabiting this part of Bengal is deserving of subspecific
recognition, and I therefore propose to revive the name arborew
and to use it for the subspecies in question. Mr. Thomas (P. Z. S.,
1881, p. bVZ) has pointed out long ago that aiboreus is based
upon the description (and a drawiug) cited above and not upon
the specimen mentioned by Horsfield which is a Brown Rat
(B. norvegicus). Mr. Wroughton (/. Bombay Nat. Hist. Sac, Vol.
XXI, p. 1190) has already stated that should a name be required
for the " white bellied variety of rufescens' then " arboreus,
Buchaman Hamilton, is available and most apposite,"
Distribution: — Probably throughout the greater part of Bengal to
the south aT?d west of the Ganaes.
Material examined : — In addition to some old material in the
British Museum I have had at my disposal the following 72 speci-
mens collected for the Mammal Survey by Mr. C. A. Crump: —
17 (4 J 13$) from Daltonganj ; L (^) from Palamau ; 3
( J ) from Barkagaon ; 1 ( 5 ) from Jagodih ; 4(2 j , 2 5 ) from
Lohra ; 19 (7 c?,l2 $) from Gajhundi; 5 (3 c? , 2 $ ) from
Singar ; 2 ( (j and $) from Nimiaghat ; 15(8 c? . 7 5 ) from
Pareshnath Hill ; 1 ( $ ) from Sangajata, Chaibassa; and 4 (2 j , 2
2 ) from Luia, Chaibassa. Specimens from this collection are regis-
tered in the British Museum under the serial number 15- 4* 3.—
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY
i->
Bescni'ption: — This is a relatively long-tailed race, with usually a
short, thin, rather harsh, though not spiny coat. The general
colour of the back is near " cinnamon brown " or tawny, greyer
in young or quite unbleached specimens, yellower when older, much
worn or bleached. The tmderparts are pure white or cream-colour-
ed, the ventral hairs being light to their bases. The hairs around
the genitalia are, however, often ochraceous. The feet are light,
sometimes quite white, sometimes tawny above. The tail is a
uniform light brown.
The mammas were counted in 37 females; in 36 the formula was
2-3=10, 1 had 11 mammte.
In the 72 specimens in adult pelage from Bihar and Orissa,
enumerated above the head and body length varies between 134
and 174 mm. The Collector's measurements give the following
averages and percentages : —
Average of 72 adults from Bihar
and Orissa:— 159— 215— 31-6— 23-2
Average of Head & Body length : 100— 135— 19-9- 14-6
The specimens from all localities mentioned conform closely to
these averages. The following table shows the variation of propor-
tions with growth and may be compared with those given above : —
Head & Body.
mm.
No, of specimens.
Average 7o of Hfsad & Body formed by
H. & B., Tail, Hind-foot, Ear.
112
134 to 138
142 to 149
150 to 159
160 to 169
170 to 174
100— 154— 25-9- 17-9
100—135—22 —15-4
100— 141— 21-2- 15-6
100— 137-5-20'3— 14-9
100— 136— 19-6— 14-5
100— 127— 19-2- 14-5
The skull is slightly smaller than in European races of rattus;
(average condylo-basal length 39-5, instead of 40*5) ; the cranial
and zygomatic widths are, therefore, relatively a little greater. Its
chief peculiarities appear to be the outcome of more powerful
temporal muscles and slightly larger cheek-teeth. Ti^.us the least
posterior inter- temporal distance (dimension 7) is less, both in
relation to the condylo-basal length and to the cranial width ; the
temporal lines are in contact with the ends of the interparietal in
adults, so that the parietals have no inter-temporal connection
with the supraoccipital ; the temporal wing of each parietal is
large, its length being fully equal to half the length of the squa-
mosal. The palatal length, diastema, palatal foramina, masseteric
76 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATUBAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
plates and tooth-rows are all longer relatively ; the pter3-goid region
appears to be shortened, for while the distance condyle to bidla
remains as in European races that between condyle and ni. o is a
little shorter. In several of these respects the skull of li. r. arho-
reus approaches that of I?, r. silildmensis ; the bullsB are, however,
obviously larger than in that species or its associate B. r. HHoe ; in
the present form moreover the orifices of the canalis transversus of
the basisphenoid are distinctly visible, instead of being concealed
in a direct ventral view.
Local vari%tiov'. —
Daltonganj, Palamau (600').
The dimensions of the most important are : —
•98 4661 s , 20 March 1914, 164—230—34—25
•99 4715$, 24 „ „ 166— 256— 32— 24, Weight 5iozs.
4759 2 . 29 ., ,. 168—243—34—25 „ 4f ozs.
Average of 17 (H. & B.) 1 34-168— 155— 221— 31-3-23-4
% „ ., 100— 142— 20-2-15-1
All have rather short, thin and harsh coats, pure white bellies,
yellowish-white feet and cold tinted tails and backs. No. 98 in full
pelage has the back tawny and lined with black hairs ; 4733, a $
from the same locality and 4643, a j from Palamau itself (16th
March; 158 — 212 — 32 — 25; weight 4| ozs.) are quite similar.
The other specimens are darker, blacker or greyer above ; probably
the pelage is fresher in them than in the three tawny individuals
and the full dorsal coloration is not yet developed.
Gajhundi, Hazaribagh (1,000').
The following are the dimensions of the most important speci-
mens : —
•94 4877 <s , 10 Mav 1914, 168—208—30—24, Weight 4^ ozs.
•95 4886 c?, 11 „ „ 168-211—34 5^ ..
•96 4888 5,11 ,, „ 166—233—32—24 Si „
•97 4898 5,13 „ „ 164—208—31—24 si „
Average of 19 (H. & B. 148-168) 159-211-3M-22^8
% ,. „ 100— 133— 19-6-14-3
Backs varying from tawny to dark greyish-brown and in this
series the females appear to be generally darker than the males ;
dorsal tints always cold ; bellies with hairs white throughout, often
with a faint yellow tinge ; feet white. No. 94 has a bright ochra-
ceous patch on the right side of the throat and a much smaller spot
on the left side.
Pareshnath Hill, Hazaribagh (4,300').
The dimensions of the most important are : —
.88 5130 e? , 13 Jime 1914 166—235—33—24, Weight 5iozs.
•89 5132 c?, 14 .. „ 173—215—32—25 6| „
SCIENTIFIC liESVLl'S FKOM Till-: MAMMAL SURFEY. 77
■DO 510; c , 10 June lUi4. 109—228—31 — 25 5^ ozs.
Average of 15 (H. & B. 138-173) 15G-211-31-4-22-8
% .,, ., 100— 135— 20-1-14-6
These agree very closel}^ Avitli those from the other localities ; the
bellies in all are pure white, the feet light. No. 88 has a small
yellow patch on the right side of the chest.
SiNUAH, Gaya (UiUU'j.
The dimensions of the three registered specimens are : —
•91 4955 J, 23 May 1914, 174—240—34—25, Weight 6^ ozs.
•92 4931 2,20 .,' .. 158—217—33—25 5^ .,
•93 4939 2,21 „ ,, 170—203—33—25 5f ..
Average of 5 (H. & B. 151-174) 161-215-33—23-8
„ ' „ „ 100— 134— 20-5-14-8
These and all the other specimens obtained by the Survey in
Bihar and Orissa are really very much alike and call for no special
comment. An old specimen (B. M. 66-12-28-6) collected by
Mr. R. C. Beavan at Manbhum. Bengal, in January 1865, has
longer and softer fur; its belJy is of a pure but creamy white
colour ; its back is of a considerably brighter and warmer tint than
are those of the specimens described above.
IiemarJis : — li. r. arhoreus is a subspecies quite sharply difieren-
tiated from its allies, living on the other side of the Ganges, in
Sikkim, Northern Bengal and Bhutan Douars, by its colder and
more pallid coloration, its pure white belly (the phase or ' muta-
tion' showing slaty bases to the ventral hairs being, apparently,
quite absent), its shorter and especially thinner pelage, and its
relatively long tail. The skull, in the hands of a ]iatient observer,
is also quite distinctive.
4. liattas rattua lutrbadtv, subsp. n.
1913. Epimys mjescens, var. with white underparts. Wrough-
ton. Report No. 7, Central Provinces, ./. Bomhay Naf.
Hist. Soc, Vol. XXII, p. 54.
Type:— A female (B. M. 12-11^29-132 ; Original No. 774) col-
lected at Sakot, Hoshangabad, on 11th January iyi2, by Mr. C. A .
Crump ; pi'esented to the British Museum by the Bombay Natural
History Society.
Distnhution : — Central Provinces.
Material examined: — Hoshangabad District — 1 ( $ ) from Sakot
(1,200') ; 8 (6 J , 2 2 ) from Dhain (1,400'); 3 (2 d" , 1 ? ) from
Bori (1,600'); 5 (3 c? , 2 $ ) from Rarighat (2,500'); 2 ( j rnd $ )
from vSonawanee, Balaghat (2,'jOO'). Chanda District. — 3 (1 c' ,
78 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVL
2 2 ) from Chanda (500'); 5 (3 c? , 3 $ ) from Chickpalli (1,300'),
Total 27 (16c?, H $)• ^11 these specimens were collected for the
Mammal Survey by Mr. C. A. Crump ; those since presented to the
British Museum are registered under the serial number 12-1 1*29. —
Description : — In external appearance, size and proportions the
present race is very similar to R. r. arhoreiis. The general dorsal
colour is still colder, or greyer, on the average, than in the latter
subspecies; and the long black hairs of the back show a more
evident tendency, in narbadce, to form a mid-dorsal stripe of black.
The belly is white or pale yellow, sharply contrasted with the
flanks; usually the ventral hairs are light throughout, but in some
specimens they have slaty bases — a feature not seen in any of those
from Bihar and Orissa. The feet are light above and show in
some individuals a yellowish tinge or obscure dusky markings.
The mammar}'^ formula of females is normally 2-3=10; but in the
type and two or three others it is 3-3=12; narbadce is apparently
more variable in this respect than is arhoreus.
The average dimensions of 26 adults (head and body ranging
between 132 and 173) are: —
154_209— 31-6— 23 = 100— 136— 20-5— 14-9
The following table shows the variation in the proportions which
accompanies the increasing length of the head and body : —
Head and body.
Number of
mm.
specimens.
112
1
130-139
2
140 to 149
6
150 to 159
11
160 to 169
6
173
1
Averaofe 7o of Head & body formed
by H. & B. Tail, Hind-foot, Ear.
100—159 —26-8— 19-7
100— 138-5— 23-3— 17-7
100—139 _2l-5— 15-1
100—135 — 20-25-14-9
100—134-5-20 —14-4
100—134 _l9-7— 14-5
The skull is slightly smaller than in arhoreus (condylo-basa
length averaging 38-4 instead of 39-5). The temporal muscles
appear to be weaker (about as in li. r. frugivorus) ; for while the
cranial width is relatively as great as in arhoreus, the intertemporal
distances (dimensions 6 and 7) are relatively greater and the zygo-
matic breadth is relatively less (see Table fl) ; the parietals usually
articulate by tongues with the supraoccipital above the temporal
lines. The palatal length is shorter relatively — a difference appa-
rently due to a shortening of the rostral portion of the palate.
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 79
From the sknll of R. r. frugivoms it differs principally by its
smaller size and shorter post-molar length — the latter chai-acter
being due chiefly to a shortening of the pterygoid fossse.
Local variation. — The following are the dimensions and notes on
the coloration of the more important specimens from each of the
dijBerent localities : —
Sakot (1.200').
•132 774 $, 11 Jan. 1912, 164—221—31—26, Weight 4|
OZ8., (Type) V^entral hairs white throughout but with a trace of a
yellow tinge ; as regards the upper parts only the flanks and feet
are lighter in colour than are the dark-bellied rats from this locality.
The present specimen has 1 2 mammae.
Dhain (1,400').
.128 879 c? , 5 Feb. 1912 153— 211— 31— 22, Weight 4^ ozs.
.129 880 c?, 5 „ „ 161—220—32—23 „ 4^ „
.130 901 d, 11 „ „ 153_200— 33— 22 „ 4 „
•133 873 2,3 „ „ 147—197—32—21 „ 3^ „
Of these specimens No. 128 has less black on the back and
lighter feet than has No. 127, a dark-bellied rat from the same
locality ; the ventral hairs have deep slaty bases and a strong
superficial wash of pale yellow. Nos. 129 and 130 are similar
dorsally ; but the ventral hairs (except for a few with grey bases on
the chest of 129) are white throughout and their feet are white.
No. 133 is like No. 130 but greyer on the back. Among the
unregistered specimens Nos. 800 and 871 have white bellies and the
ventral hairs light throughout ; No. 881 has some hairs on chest
with slaty bases and a well marked yellow wash. In some of the
specimens the contrast between the dirty white or yellowish tinge
of the belly and the grey flank colour is not very sharp.
BoRi (1,000').
914 tj, 17 Feb. 1912, 134—180—30—22, Weight 2^- ozs.
0 d, 27 „ ,. 182-188-32-25 „ 2| „
9 $, 21 „ „ 173—232-34—25 „ 5^ „ ^
The two young males have thick soft fur ; in No. 914 the belly is
Apodemus-\ike, the \entral haii-s having deep slaty bases and white
tips with a well marked pectoral stripe and collar of huff; in No.
938, noted as having the testes fully developed, the ventral hairs
are pure lemon colour to their bases. In the old female the fur is
thick, but short and much harsher than in the young ; the back is
yellowish-brown, brighter than in the young, and with much black
^0 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIS'f. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
along the middle line ; the belly is a pure deep lemon to hair-bases ;
the feet have a dusky stripe above ; and the mammary formula is
2-3=10.
Rarighat (2,500').
•131, 957 s , 4 March 1912, 163—210—33—23, Weight 4f ozs.
•134, 959$, 4 „ „ 158—225—34—27 „ 4
Specimens from this locality have longer, softer and thicker fnr
than have those from Dhain. The bellies are white with an occa-
sional superficial tinge of yellow along the middle line ; ventral
hairs light to their bases ; tails slightly paler below than above.
No. 134 has 10 mammge.
SONAWANEE, BaLAOHAT (2,500').
•139, 1348 c? , 28 May 1912, 152—208—31—21, Weight 3| ozs.
•140,1350 2,28 „ „ 158—217—31—24 „ 3^ „
These dorsall)^ are very similar to No. 115, a dark-bellied rat
from the same locality, both have white bellies, bat in the male
many of the hairs have slaty bases while in the female all are white
to their bases. The female has 10 mammas.
Chanda (500').
•137, 1471 2 , 19 June 1912, 161—212—33—23, Weight 5^ ozs.
•138,1552 5,27 „ „ 155—220—31—23 „ 5 „
Both these specimens show 10 mammae and No. 137 contained I-
embryos. These are dull-coloured grey rats, with pure white or
pale yellow bellies (ventral hairs unicoloured) and light feet. A
male in full pelage (H. & B. 155) has short thin and rather spiny
fur, the back being yellowish-brown lined with black ; this is much
like many of the specimens of arboreus.
Chickpalli, Chanda (1,300').
•135,1403 6, 8 June 1912. 159— 200— 32— 23, Weight 4i ozs.
•118, 1415 J, 10 ., ,. 14(^—220—33-22 „ 3| „
•136,1393$, 6 „ ,. 158—212—31—22 „ 4 „
The bellies are white or pale yellow ; in No. 118 many of tlie
ventral hairs have dilute slaty bases but in the others they are
light throughout. Both females from this locality have 10 mammas.
Before offering some remarks upon the status of R. r. narhadce it
is necessary to describe briefly the dark-bellied rats associated with
it in the Central Provinces. The following is the list of the
material, collected by Mr. C. A. Crump, before me : — 9 (4 (^ , 5 $ )
from Sakot ; 1 ( ? ) from Dhain ; 2 ( j ) from Bori ; 2 ( J ) from
SohaL^ur, (1,000'); 1 ( c? ) from Rarighat; 9 (5 c^ , 4 $ ) from
Honawanee, Balaghat; 4 (1 c? , 3 $ ) from Chanda ; and 5 (4 cJ ,
1 $ ) from Chickpalli. Total 33 (19 c? , 14 $ ).
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 81
,The following are the dimensions of the principal specimens : —
Sakot.
•120 c?, 24 Jan. 1912, 133—175—30—22, Weights ozs.
•121 c?,29 „ „ 139—181—31—21 „' 3 „
•125 2,22 „ „ 139—180—30—22 „ 3^ „
•126 2,24 „ „ i75_214_31-25 „ 5^ ,,
Dhain.
•127 9, 4 Feb. 1912, 147—203—31—21, Weight 3| ozs.
BOKI.
•122 J, 20 Fel). 1912, 163—224—35—24, Weight 4^ ozs.
•123 J, 20 „ „ 166— 233— 35— 25 „ 4f .,
SOHAGPUR.
•124 J, 1 April 1912, 179— 223— 33— 24 , Weight 5^ ozs.
Balaghat.
•113 c? , 27 May 1912. 159-190—33—24, Weight 4| ozs.
•114 J, 29 „ „
•115 $, 27 „ „
•116 $,29 „ „
Chanda.
•119 ? , 21 June 1912, 150—210—32, Weight 4^: ozs.
Chickpalli.
•117 cj, 8 June 1912, 158—225—32—24, Weight 5 ozs.
1, o-
155 213 32 23
'J
4
»5
158 215 32 22
) )
4
; ?
146 215 30
)5
4
?)
'4
•118 J, 8 „ „ 14.6—220—33—22
The averages of 33 (H. &B. 130 to 1 79) from all localities are :—
148_202— 31— 22^6=100— 136^5— 21— 15-3.
The averages of 15 (H. & B. 130 to 179) from Hoshangabad
and Barighat : —
147— 191— 31-2— 231=100— 130— 2b2— 15-7.
The averages of 5 (H. & B. 136 to 158) from Chickpalli are : —
145— 221— 31-2- 22-2=100— 152— 2r6— 15^3.
The variation of proportions with increasing body length is
shown below. The relative tail length exhibits much irregularity
.when the 33 specimens are treated as a whole ; but this irregularity
is> to some extent, diminished by keeping the rats from Hoshan-
.gabad apart from those from Chanda. Although short-tailed rats
appear to l)e more freqiient in the former district and long-tailed
11
82 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL MIST. SOCIETY, Vol XXVI.
rats more frequent in the latter, both types occur together in each
locality : —
Head &
Body in
mm.
No. of
speci-
mens.
7oOf
H. & B.
formed
by tail.
Hoshangabad.
Chanda.
130 to 139
11
134-5
8
140 to 149
9
142-5
2
150 to 159
8
135
1
160 to 169
3
140
2
170 to 179
2
123
2
100-1 29-22-2-1 6-6
100-130-20 -15 2
100- -20-3-15-7
100-139-21 -3-11-9
100-123-18-1-13-8
3
7
7
1
100-149-22-1-15-7
100-146-21-2-15-2
100-1 35- 20-4-14-7
100-141-19-1-14'2
On comparing this table with that given at p. 75 it will be seen
that the white bellied R. r. narhadce, as regards tail length, appro-
ximately represents the mean between the long-tailed and short-
tailed, dark- bellied types just discussed.
In the quality of the pelage and in the dorsal colour these dark-
bellied rats are very similar to the typical white bellied B. r.
narhadoi ; possibly the general tone of the backs is a little
darker and greyer. The grey flank colour merges insensibly into
the dusky tint of the belly. The ventral hairs are slaty through-
out the greater part of their length, but their extreme tips are
frequently yellowish and impart a very characteristic rusty tinge
or bloom to the undersurface ; this rustiness and the roughness of
the ventral siu'face is very different in appearance from the bluish,
sleek belly of R. r. ratlus. Pale yellow or dirty white chest spots are
not infrequently pi^esent. The feet are usually dusky brown above.
As will be seen from Tables I and II the skull agrees veiy
closely in size and proportions with that of typical narhadce ; and
I am quite unable to distinguish them.
Remarks : — I have had a good deal of difficulty in making up
my mind as to the status ot the rats of the Central Provinces, but
after considering the facts in connection with what is found else-
where, e.g., in Kathiawar, it seems difficult to avoid the conclusion
that in this district the dark bellied form is merely a parasitic
development from the local white bellied race. With the acquisi-
tion of parasitic habits the stock seems to have become richer in
pigment, and the tail length has alternatively been either greatly
increased or greatl}^ diminished. No change in the head muscles o^;
skull has as yet been brought about. But the wild and the parasitic
stocks are still mingled together in each locality; and doubtless
each reacts on the other. Tn this probably lies the explanation
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY, 83
of the fact that the degree of individual variation observable in
narbadcB is far higher than that which we observed in arboreus.
As regards the relation oi' narbadw with arhoreus, a companson
of the typical white bellied series with those from Bihar and Orisaa
shows clearly that, while in both races old animals have a bright
yellow-brown dorsal coloration and younger rats a greyer or less
yellow one, the race from the Central Pi-ovinces is, on the average,
one with colder dorsal tints. These colder tints are coupled with
a greater tendency of the long black hairs to arrange themselves
in a mid-dorsal stripe. These differences seem to have a geogra-
phical value. The smaller size and less modilied condition of the
skull in na^boAicB, correlated as they appear to be with weaker
temporal muscle-?, are still more striking characters — although, in
part, they may be reti'ogressions. There seems thus to be ample
justification for establishing R. r. na.rbadce as a subspecies distinct
from arbor eus.
±v'
alius rattus girensis, subsp. n.
1913. Epimys rufescens, var, with white uaderparts. Ryley,
Report No. 10. Kathiawar, J. Bom. Nat. TFLH. Soc, XXI, p,
481, 1913, Epimys rufescens. Ryley, he. cit. (in part).
Type :— A female (B. M. No. 13-S-8-12.3 ; Origin.-d No. 1866),
collected atSasan, Junagadh, on 6th November 1912, by l\Ir. C.
A. Crump for the Mammal Survey ; presented to the National
Collection by the Bombay Natural History Society.
Distribution : — Southern Kathiawar ; abu7idant at the edge of
the Gir Forest near Sasan, where it leads a natural outdoor life.
Material Examined : — 26 (14 cJ , 12 $ ) from Sa^an (400') ; 1
( c^ ) from Keshod (300') ; and 2 ( j and 5 ) from Talala (200').
Total 29 (16 (^ , 13 $ ) ; all collected for the Mammal Surrey by
Mr. C. A. Crump. Those since presented to the British Museum
are registered under the serial number lo-S'8. —
Lescription : — In this form the fur is rather short and han^h, but
usually not spiny. The g'^neral colour of the back is a cold drab,
much like that of the duller coloured specimens of war/^ac/ce, darken-
ed along the mid-dorsal line by a greater or less number of long
black hairs : individuals, however, present the usual range of
variation in dorsal colou" from mixtures of yellowish-brown and
black to others in which the yellouish-brown is more or less com-
pletely replaced by grey. The belly is of a pure but dull white
and it is sharply contrasted alonir a perfectly resnlar line -with the
dark grey flanks ; the ventral hnirs are usually white from the tips
to the basis. The feet are usua'ly lio-ht above, their colour varying
between a dirty white and a light yellowish-brown, with occasion-
ally faint dusky mai'kings.
84 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
The following
specimens : —
are the dimensions of the more important
Sas.an (400').
1862 s , 31 Oct. 1912, 159-209-
■122
•123. 1863 J.
1934 d.
•124. .1865 P,
■125. 1866 P,
32—21, Weight 4^
OZS.
1 Nov. „ 154—177—32—23—
8 „ „ 163—188—31—22—
6 „ ., 142— 191— 30— 21 —
6 ., „ 160—215—30—23 —
5
5
The average of 29 in adnlt pelage (Head and body 119 to 165) :-
145— 194— 31-1—20^9=100— 134— 21-4— 14-4
The change in the proportions vi^ith growth is as follows :
type
Head and body,
ram.
No. of
specimens.
Average of head & body formed bv
H. i& B. Tail, Hind-foot, Ear. '
119 to 120
130 to 139
140 to 149
150 to 159
160 to 165
2
5
12
6
4
100 140 23-8 15-5
100 140 22-7 14-75
100 136 22- 14-6
100- 129 20-3 14-3
100 129 19-4 13-7
The tail is thus distinctly shorter in adults than it is in narhado'
or arboreus (cf., tables at pp. 78 and 75 ).
The mammae could be counted in 8 of the females ; in 6
(including the type) the formula is 2-3-10; 2 have 11 mamma>
each, an extra one being present on one side in the pectoral
regfion.
The skull is sinall (condylo-basal length averaging 37*1 instead
of 38-4 as in narhadce), about 3 mm. shorter than in alexandriniis
and the cranial width is relative!}'' a little greater than in the
latter. Judging from the intertemporal distances (dimensions 6
and 7, Table II) the temporal muscles are scarcely weaker rela-
tively than in arboreus ; bu-t the parietals articulate, above the
temporal lines, rather broadly with the supraoccipital and the
zygomatic breadth is scarcely greater relatively than in narbadtv.
As in the latter form the palate and diastema are relatively slightly
shorter than in arboreus, but the palatal foramina are a little longer.
In several respects the cranial proportions are intermediate between
those of arboreus and the European races of rathis.
Local Variation : — Little need be said on this score. The two
from Talala (H. & B. 120 and 142) are very dark animals with
dirty white bellies and dusky feet ; these were taken in a hut.
l^'our others from Sasan were also caught in a hut and these simi-
larly possess such a dingy appearance that Miss Ryley listed them
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 85
as '-Epimys rufesce^is" ; they, however, clearly belong- to the white
bellied race. The other specimens were trapped out of doors. In
one only few of the chest hairs have slaty bases ; in a few there is
a slight trace of a ventral suffusion of yellow.
R. r. girensis appears to be confined to that part of Kathiawar
which lies to the south of the Gir Hills. Although apparently not
often found actually together, it is accompanied in this district by
a dark bellied form. The latter is represented by 17 specimens
among- the material before me. Of these 17, only 1 ($) was
taken at Sasan ; and this was caught in the hut mentioned above
in the company of white bellied specimens ; 7 (3 c? , 4 $ ) are
from Keshod, where 4 of them were caught in a fig tree and
whence only 1 white bellied rat was obtained. The remaining 9
(3 s ,Q $ ) are from Junagadh (350' to 480') ; of these only 1
was taken out of doors and no white bellied rats were found
at this locality. All with the exception of the 5 mentioned
appear to have been trapped by Mr. Crump in huts of other
dwellings.
Dark bellied specimens were obtained also from three localities
in northern Kathiawar. Of these the following 20 are before
me:— 16(8 c? , 8 $) from Raj kot (100'); (?) from Saturpur
(20') ; and 3 (1 c? , 2 $ )' from Vankaneer (500'). None
of these is marked by Mr. Crump as having been captured
out of doors.
As regards colour these northern and southern specimens are
similar ; dorsally they are much like true girensis as above des-
cribed, although the general tint of the back perhaps averages
slightly darker. The flanks pass insensibty into the dark, rusty
tinged belly. Several show white pectoral spots. The feet are
usually dark brown above, but they are light coloured in a few of
the specimens. The mammae were counted in 12 females ; 9
have 1 0 as usual ; 1 has 1 1 and 2 have 1 2 ; the additions in each
case are pectoral.
The following- are the dimensions of the more important speci-
mens : —
Junagadh (350').
•121
d,
26 Sept.
1912, 157 206 32
Keshod (300').
-23
Weig
ht 4 ozs
•116
d,
7 Oct.
1912, 166 33
-23
J)
4i
^2 "
•117
$.
7 „
„ 160 211 33
-24
?)
5i „
•118
$,
7 „
„ 150 224 33
Rajkot (100').
-23
55
4 „
•119
6 ,
21 Dec.
1912. 150 195 30
-21
J J
H „
•120
2,
25 „ ■
„ 150 192 30
-21
«?
3| „
86 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL RIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
The changes in proportions transpiring with growth may be
tabulated as follows : —
Southern Kathiawar.
Jlorthern Kathiawar.
122
130 to 139
140 to 149
150 to 159
160 to 166
2
2
9
4
100-1 39-22-5-14-4
100-144-21-5--14-1
100-136-20-7-14-5
100-123-19-4-13-6
1
3
8
7
1
100-116-22-1-15-6
100-135-22-1-15-1
100-130-5-21-6-15-25
100-125-5-19-9-13-9
100- 19-4-15-6
This table brings out two interesting facts. If firstly the figures
given for the southern specimens be compared with those of the
table at p. 82 it will be seen that the three largest stages are
represented by rats with tails either much longer or much shorter
relatively than those of equally grown individuals of the wild
girensis from the same district. That is to say, we meet with an
exactly similar departure from type in the dark bellied form of
this district as we do in the Central Provinces. Secondly the
northern dark bellied rats are distinguished irom both girensis and
the southern dark bellied specimens in every stage of growth by
their shorter tails.
The skull is similar in both northern and southern dark bellied
rats and as regards size it aerrees with that of girensis. But it
presents characters which suggest that the dark bellied rat is the
indoor animal, living on a setter diet and therefore developing a
weaker set of jaw muscles than those of the outdoor, harder Jiving,
white bellied girensis. Thus the intertemporal distances are
increased (see Table II), both in relation to the condylo-basal
length and to the cranial width ; this increase indicates a diminish-
ed area of origin for the temporal muscles. The masseteric
plate is correspondingly a little narrower. The anterior palatal
foramina are as large as in girensis; while the palatal length is less
and the post-molar length greater — each of these two last dimen-
sions being relatively nearly as in Euiupean races.
liemarks : — R. r. girensis is widely separated geographically
from all the other white bellied races of India. Although in
colour it closely lesembles narbadce it is quite satisfactorily distin-
guished from the latter b}- its cranial peculiarities and shorter
tail, and it undoubtedly deserves subspecific recognition.
The dark bellied rats of Kathiawar are, in my opinion, plainly
indoor developments from girensis. The southern stock is already
quite clearly differentiated by its cranial characters and colour from
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM TEE MAMMAL SURVEY. 87
its neighbour and parent ; the northern race more completely cut
off from the wild parent, has moreover shortened its tail. This
sharp differentiation between the wild parent and its parasitic
offspring is in striking contrast with the relations between the
corresponding forms of the Central Provinces ; but this contrast
finds a ready explanation when one considers tbe restricted distri-
bution of the parent and the well marked differences of station in
Kathiawar on the one hand, and the universal distribution and
complete confusion of stocks in the Central I'rovinces on the other.
6. Raitus rattus satarcB, subsp. n.
1913. E2nmys rufescens, variety with white underparts.
Wroughton, Report No. 22, Koyna Valley. /. Bombay Nat. Hist.
8oc., Vol. XXIV, p. 315.
2^/pe:— A female (B. M. No. 15'7'S-56; Original No. 138)
collected at Ghatmatha, Satara District, on 18th December 1914,
by Mr. S. H. Prater for the Mammal Survey; presented to the
British Museum by the Bombay Natural Historj- Society.
Distribution : — Known at present only from the edge of the
Western Ghats at the type locality altitude about 2,000'.
Material examined: — 7 (1 d , 6 $ ) all collected for the Mammal
Survey by Mr. S. H. Prater at the type locality ; the specimens
presented to the British Museum are registered under the serial
number 15-7-3.
BescriiMon : — This is a soft and fully furred subspecies, its coat
being distinctly longer and thicker than in arhorens, narbadce and
girensis. In fresh pelage the general colovir of the back is a bright
"clay" or golden brown, much darkened by long black hairs
(Nos. 137, 138 and 141) ; in what is possibly a less developed
phase, of the coloration the golden tint is duller and the black less
intense (No. 140), and in an old specimen (No. 139) very few
black hairs are present and the back is bleached to an almost uni-
form light golden brown. The underparts are clothed throughout
with thick, long and soft creamy white fur, the hairs being every-
where light to their bases. The feet are yellowish brown. The
tails, unicoloured and dusky, are remarkable for their very gieat
length. The following are the dimensions : —
•55,137 c?J8 Dec. 1914,141-243-32-24=100-172-22-7-17
149-230-33-25=100-154-22-2-1 6-8
146-233-32--25==100-160-21-9-17-l
165-245-32-27=100-148-19-4-16-4
151-230-31-25=100-152-20-5-16-5
156-250-35-23=100-160-22-5-14-7
121-182-30-23=100-150-24-8-19
Average of 6 adults :— 151-238-32-5-24-8=100-158-21-6-16-4
136 $, 18
,
•56, 138 $, 18
•57, 139 2,19
-58, 140 5,19
141 ?, 19
Juv. 142 2,19
88 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
The young specimen is, of course, much duller than are the
adults ; it shows a moult patch on the head between the ears.
The mammse were ascertained in 4 oi the females to be 2-3=10.
The skull is about as large as in arhoreus (condylo-basal length
averaging 39-7), but the zygomatic breadth is relatively small, about
as in narhadce. The cranial and greatest intertemporal widths are
very gi-eat, but the temporal lines ciirve inwards so much posterior-
ly that the least intertemporal width behind is, relatively to the
condylo-basal length, not much greater than in frugivorus and in
relation to the cranial width is 2 % less than in the latter. The
temporal lines are quite faintly marked and the supraorbital beads
are very weakly developed. Tlie parietals articulate broadly with
the supraoccipital above the temporal lines. The palatal length is
2i% longer than in European races ; the diastema, anterior palatal
foramina and tooth-roAvs all showing increased lengths. On the
other hand both post-molar lengths (condyle to m. 3, condyle to
bulla) are reduced, the pterygoid fossae in particular being short.
The masseteric plate is also rather narrow. From these features it
would appear that all the jaw muscles are weak.
liemarJcs : — This is apparently a very sharply defined local race
distinguished from all other Indian subspecies by its peculiar skull
and relatively long tail. By its bright dorsal coloration it
resembles the form occurring in the southern half of the peninsula
and differs from the duller subspecies of Bengal and the Central
Provinces. The dark bellied rats collected at Ghatmatha and^ in
the Koyna Valley immediately below seem to have no connection
with satonp and to have been derived from some other stock.
(To be continued.')
89
A POPULAIl TREATISE ON THE COMMON INDIAN
SNAKES.
Illustrated by Coloured Plates and Diagrams
BY
F. Wall, C.M.G., C.M.Z.S., F.L.S., Lieut.-Colonel. I.M.S.
Part XXVI {(vith Plate XXVI and Diai/ram).
(Continued from pac/e G35 of Volume XXV.)
As now classified the large famih- Gokdrridce is divided into three
" series " depending upon peculiarities in the dentition of the
Maxillte.
/Series A. Aglypha (Greek "a" without, and '-glupho" I carve)
comprises those snakes that have no grooved (carved) nor canali-
culate fangs.
Series B. Oinsthoglypha (Greek " opisthe " behind, and
"glupho") the representatives of which have grooved fang-like teeth
at the back of the maxilla.
Series C. Proteroglypha (Greek " proteros" in front, and
'• glupho ") including those snakes with a pair of canaliculate or
true fangs in the front of the maxilla. The first subject of this
paper comes into " Series " B, and the second into " Series" C.
" Series " B. OPISTHOGLYPHA. '
This "Series'' comprises three siib-families (1) Homalopsime,
(2) Dipsadomorphiinae, and (3) Elachistodontinge. The first ot
these contains our first subject.
Sub-family IIOMALOPSINyE.
This is again divided so as to represent ten genera, seven of
which occur ^^■ithin Indian limits.
Genus GEBBERU8.
Three species are known, one Australian, one peculiar to the
Philippines, and a third rhyncJiops which has a wide range of
distribution in India and beyond.
CERBERUS RHYNCHOPS (Schneider).
The Dog-faced Water snake.
History. — This was first brought to the notice of the scientific
world by Russell who figured it twice, once in his First Volume
12
90 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
(Plate XVII) which appeared in 1796, and again in the Second
Volume ( Plate XL ) issued in 1801. It was first christened by
Schneider in 1799. Its synonymy differed with almost every
writer until 1864 when Gunther fixed the proper designation under
which it now rests.
Nomenclature, (a) Scientific. — The generic title is Irom Greek
"kerberos," the famous three-headed dog that guarded the entrance
to Hades in Grecian mythology. The name appears to have been
suggested by the forbidding aspect of the snake. The specific name
is also from Greek (" rhunchos " snout, and " ops " face)
probably in allusion to the peculiar under-hung condition of
the lower jaw.
(ft) English. — The dog- faced water snake seems to me appropriate,
and is not only distinctive but accords with the scientific generic
name.
(c) Fernacular. — None known to me.
General Characters. — The head is pear-shaped as seen from above
expanding considerably towards the occiput. The snout is narrow,
and in profile shows an unusually prominent lower jaw little if at
all shoi'ter than the upper. This feature to a large extent gives
the snake its forbidding expression. The nostrils are directed
almost As much irpwards as laterally and are narrow slits convex
forwards. They approach the condition seen in the sea-snakes.
The eye is rather small, directed as much upwards as laterally, and
the eyebrow is remarkably prominent. The iris is minutely
speckled with gold and reveals a verticall}'- elliptical pupil. The
neck is fairly evident. The body is stout, and rough from the
strong keels on the costal scales. It is dull dorsallj^, glossy on the
belly, including the last three costal rows. The tail is short, rather
compressed at the base, and rapidly tapers to an obtuse point. It
is about one-fifth the total leuoth of the snake.
Dimensions. — Most specimens range between two and three
feet, and anything over this is unusual. The longest of which
I am aware is that reported by Stoliczka from Burma which was
four feet, two inches. .
Colouration. — The back is bluish grey when the snake is sub-
merged, lightish grey when dry. It is crossed by numerous ill-
defined but conspicuous darker bars involving one to two scales
in the length of the snake, the intervals involving five to, seven
scales. These bars grow less distinct posteriorly, and the fore-
most are broken up into spots in some specimens. The dorsal
colouration ceases abruptly about midcosta, and is replaced by buflf
subcostally, and venerally. The belly is buff coarsely spotted or
dappled with deep greenish black. The head is coloured above
like the back, and the grey is sharply defined just above the
snpralabials. ' The upper lip and chin are bufi. A conspicuous
Journ.BoiTibay Nat.Hist . S oc .
Plate XXVI
p. Gerhardt del .
J . Green , ChroxaD .
THE COMMON 1 N D I AN SNAKES, (Wall.)
1-4 . Cerb erus rhyncKops , iuirmLzss. 5 -8 . Enhydnna curtus .poiscnous .
oLL nat.siax..
THE COMMON INDIAN SNAKES. 91
dark postocular streak is prolonged backwards to the side of the
forebody.
Identification. — The frontal which is partially, and the parietale
which are wholly broken up, furnish an easy means of knowing
the ijnake, but perhaps a more certain method is as follows : — A
snake which when laid on its back, reveals well developed ventrals
at least three times the breadth of the last costal row, and at the
same time shows three or more rows of costals on each side of the
ventrals will prove to bo a Homalopsid. Cerberus will be easily
distinguished from its near Indian relations by possessing (1) two
internasals, (2) 9 to 10 supralabials, and (3) 23 to 27 costal
rows in midbod3^
Haunts and habits. — It is eminently an aquatic species usually in-
habiting the brackish waters of tidal-rivers, crt eks, and ebtuaries.
Ferguson and Cantor say that it frequents fresh water alto, and
Cantor, Haly and Flower, all report it from the sea in clote prox-
imity to our coasts. 1 became acquainted with it in Baima, and
frequently observed it in the waters of the narrowest channels con-
nected with the tidal-i'iver sybtem, as well as in the river itself. I
frequently saw it svvimming in the ebb and Hood tides. It swims
powerfully usually allowing itself to be carried with the stream,
but it sometimes anchors itself to a convenient biimboo stake,
anchor rope, or submerged branch by its tail, and from this pur-
chase swings about in the current on the look-out for fish passing
by. As the tide ran out many were observed lying along the
branches of the trees, and bushes just above the water, and when
hustled dropped off into the stream below. Numbers were left
stranded on the mud flats left by the receding tide nud in the teak
yards nearly every bole harboured beneath it, some of these snakes.
I have seen it exhibit some intelligence in the following manner.
Lying extended in the length of a nearly empt}' ditch, after a
period of quietude, it flicks its tail round first on one side and then
the other in such a way as to make an unwary fish recede from the
rnovement towards its head, when coming within sight the fish
falls an easy victim to the manoeuvre. Taken at a disadvantage
on land it will occasionally exhibit great activity, and irj to escape.
When prevented from so doing it protrudes the tongue, and hisses,
and flattens itself on the ground. When held down by a stick it
will sometimes strike, and bite viciously, and under such excitement
emits a disagreeable odour not necessarily accompanied by a dis-
charge* of the cloacal contents. When picked up it wreaths itself
with some force around the hand.
Its mode of progression is curious. The bodj'' is thrown for-
ward in a carve in advance of th^ head, and the head subsequently
advanced, the body being agaiti thrown forward before the snake
quite extends itself. It gives the impression of moving sideways.
92 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXII.
Disposition. — In spite of its forbidding appearance this is a pecu-
liarly inoffensive reptile. Blanford and other have remarked upon
its quiet nature and I can support their observations. It does not
usually take alarm when encountered, but will permit one to
approach close enough to place a stick over it, and allow itself to
be captured. In captivity it is a singularly uninteresting, lethar-
gic creature allowing itself to be handled, and rarely betraying a
malicious spirit. Drumming on the glass of the vivarium even
when its nose is against the glass, usually evokes' little if any
response. In a tank it is hardly more interesting.
Food. — It feeds exclusively and voraciously on fishes. About
Rangoon on the mud flats it frequently pursued a little fish com-
monly called the walking perch from its mode of active progres-
sion on the mud by means of fins that are used as legs. I once
found a large fish eight inches in length inside a specimen measur-
ing three feet, three inches. I have also known an eel taken. I
frequently saw Cerberus wriggling at the end of a fisherman's hook
bated with a fish, to the disgust of the angler.
Breeding. — This like all the other Hom.ilopsids I know is vivi-
parous in habit. The young are born in May, June and July, but
it is quite likely further observations may extend the season already
known. The period of gestation is now known, but from analogy
is likely to exceed six months. I found eggs with no trace of an
embryo iu a gravid female from Rangoon on the 21st February
1900.
It is fairly prolific, its brood amounting to nt least 26. Gunther
records a brood of 8. M.j specimen above alluded to contained
7 eggs, and three gravid females received from Moulmein captured
between the 2Gth March and 4th April 1900, contained 14, 23
and 26 eggs. These were all in about the same stage of develop-
ment, the embryos within measuring about 2^ inches.
Growth. — In spite of the meagre figures at my disposal these
furnish a good deal of information. Gunther 's brood already
referred to measured from 7 to 7i inches. I have had small
specimens in Burma brought to me measuring 7f and 7^ inches
in May and July respectively. I find the young double their
length in the first year of life, and have about trebled it by the
end of the second year. It would probably take another two
years before specimens attained to three feet, and I have examples
of such 3 feet 1 inch, and 3 feet 3 inches in June from Burma.
Unfortunately, I have lost my detailed notes regarding the length
of ray gravid females, so am unable to say when the species is
sexually mature.
Distribution. — It occurs all along out Indian Coasts from Sind
and Mekran in the North-west to Tenasserim, and thi^ough the
Malayan Region to the Philippines and Pelew Islands.
THE COMMON INDIAN SNAKES. 9.}
It is quite common around India, Imt not nearly so common as
in Burma where there must be literally thousands in every tidal-
river. Haly reports it common in Ceylon, and Blyth says
the same with reference to the Andamans. It occurs in the
Nicobars,
Lepidosis, Rostral. — In contact with 4 shields, the rostro-nasal,
and rostro-labial sutures subequal ; sometimes a partial median
suture is seen in the upper part of the shield. Internosals. — Two,
sub-triangular ; their bases apposed in the median line ; the suture
between them equal to rather greater than that between the
praefrontal fellows, subequal to the intern aso-praefrontal suture.
Proe.frontals. — Two, the suture between them subequal to the
prsefronto-frontal ; in contact with nasal, loreal and pi'Kocular.
Frontal. — In contact with 7 shields, frequently more or less dis-
integrated posteriorly. Parietals — Disintegrated into many parts.
Nasals. — In contact behind the rostral ; touching the first labial
only. Loreal. — Present. Prceocular. — One. Postoculars. — One
or two. Temporals. — Replaced by small scales.
Suhoculars. — One to three. Sii/pralabials . — 9 or 10, none touch-
ing the eye ; the last three or four divided into an upper and lower
pai't. hifralabiaU. — Many small.
Sublinguals. — One pair only present ; in contact with 3 or 4
infralabials. Costals. — Tw^o headslengths behind the head 25
(rarely 23) ; midbody 23 to 25 (rarely 27) ; two headslengths befoiv
the anus 19 or 17. Where the rows are 25 they reduce to 23 and
again to 21 by a fusion of the 4th and 5th, or 5th and Gth rows ;
from 21 to 19 the 3rd and 4th rows fuse. Strongly keeled in all
rows except the last for a variable extent posteriorly.
FenZrafe.— Well- developed, 132 to 160. ^wa?.— Divided.
Subcaudals. — Divided. 49 to 72.
Dentition. — Maxillary. 15 to 10 teeth are followed by a short
edentulous space, after which there is a pair of grooved pseudo
langs little if at all larger than the preceding teeth. Palatine.— [K
Pterygoid.— 22 to 25. Uandihular. — 20 to 23 ; the 3rd to about
the 7th longest and subequal.
Our plate. — Mr. Green and Mr. Gerhardt have xevy faithfully
portraj'^ed a typical specimen.
" Series" C. PPiOTEROGL YPHA .
The " Series " is again divided into sub-families (1) Ilydroj^hiivn-
including the marine forms with valvular nostrils, strongly com-
pressed bodies (except Platurus) and compressed fin-like tails, and
(2) ElapiwM which includes the terrestrial poisonous snakes with
open nostrils, round or feebly compressed bodies, and a cylindrical
;md tapering tail.
94 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXI I.
Sub-family HYDROPHIIN^^. ■ -
This contains at least eleven genera, one of which Enhyd/ris
includes the first sea-snake to be discussed in these papers.
Genus UNHYDRFS.
(Greek "En" in, and " hudor " water). !;
Stejneger has thrown doubts on the validity of this name for the
genus for which he substitutes Lapemis (Herpetology of Japan,
1907, p. 435). I adhere to the generic title used by Boulonger as
late as 1912 (Fauna of Malay Peninsula, Rept and Batrach.,
p. 192) which is the one with which all of us have grown familiar
It contains onl}^ two species, viz., curtus, a very common snake,
around our coasts, and liardwicki rare in Indian seas, but common
further east in the Malayan Archipelago,
ENHYDRIS CURTUS (Shaw).
Shaw's Sea-snake.
History. — Described by Shaw in 1802 from a young specimen
labelled " India" (the type) now in the British Museum.
Nmnendalure. (a) Scientific. — The generic name simply implies
" water snake," and the specific is from the Latin " curtus " mean-
ing short.
(I)) Enrjlish. — I think it a fitting tribute to the work of Shaw,
once the herpetologist, and custodian of the reptile collectiona in
the British Museum, to associate his name with the species.
(c) VervafAiVir. — None known to me.
General Characters. — The species is remarkably stout, and short
for a sea-snake. The head is massi\e, and the jaws strong, the body
heavy, short, and strongly compressed, and the tail markedly com-
pressed, and fin-like.
Colmr. — The dorsum is olivaceous-green merging about mid costa
to pale yellow. The back is beset with a series of dark greenish-
brown or greenish-black rather ill-defined crossbars, about 45 to 55
in number, and rather broader than the interspaces. The first of
these passes across the back of the head. In the young these bars
extend further ventrally, and often form complete b mds.
Identification. — Very easil}^ recognised among all Indian sea-
snakes on account of the disintegrate conditijn of the parietal
shields. An alternative method concerns the breadth and number
of the ventrals. These shields are so little enlarged in midbody
and posteriorly that they hardly deserve the name of shields, but
would be better considered as scales. Their number 130 to 219,
with their feeble development will establish the genus. Curtus ia
easily distinguished from hardwicki by the parietal shields being
THE COMMOy INDIAN SNAKES. 95
broken up into three parts (rarely more). Again in curtus with
very few exceptions the suture from the nostril passes to the: second
supralabial, whereas in hardvncki it passes to the first. :
Habits. — It frequents our Indian Coasts in large numbers. In
rough weather in common with other sea-snakes it appear^ to keep
well out to sea, judging from the dearth of numbers brought in
fix)m the fishing nets at this time. 1 have known a specimen taken
on land close to a backwater one and-a-half miles from the sea.
Out of 84 specimens collected in June and July this year which I
sexed 21 were s ^"d 28 5 . The tubercles on the scales in females
are feeble, but in males are stronger, and on the lowest costal
rows in old adults actually spinose. The male when a4ult has
also a distinct swelling at the base of the tail not seen in the
female.
Breeding. — The season for the birth of the young is probably
from May to August. I had 12 gravid females from Madras
between the 20th June and the l2th of July this year. The foetuses
22 in number ranged between 8^ and 14 inches. Other specimens
already born this year numbering y, measured from 13f to 17^
inches. From this one may infer that the 17^ inch specimen had
been born probably in May if not before, and that the 8f , and 8^
inch specimens would not have been born till August, or possibly
later. Seven of the nine young of the year measured from 13 to 15
inches, and this taken with the fact that one foetus measured 14
inches, makes it appear that the youug are about 13 to 14 inches
long at biith. Tliey are contained in the usual transparent sacs
seen in viviparous snakes, but these are relatively much larger than
1 have observed in other species. Most of the sacs were 3 inches,
some 4 and one even 4^ inches in lenglh.
It is the least prolific of all the snakes I know except Hyd/rophis
gracilis. — Four mothers contained but a single foetus, seven con-
tained 2 only (one of these an infertile egg also), and one held 4
embryos. These mothers varied in length from 27 to 32^ inches
and it appears to me that the smallest length would have been
attained at the end of the second year of life. If my inference
is justified frcm the figures at my command, this species attains
to sexual maturity a year earlier than other snakes whose habits
I have studied. I find that at the end of the first year seven speci-
mens had attained to a length of from 19 to 21 1 inches, and if a
similar rate of growth is allowed for the second year, i.e., 6 to 8
inches, the length of the smallest mother would easily be acquired
by that time.
Focd. — I^emains of fish in the stomachs of many show it depends
upon this form of diet in common with other hydrophids. I was
not able to procure any fish in a suitable state to make the identi-
fication probable.
96 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIIST. SOCILTl, Vol. XXFI.
Poison. — I know of no records in the human subject of a bite,
but the venom has been experimented with in the laboratory hj
Fraser and Elliot.
Quality. — The poison from Madras specimens svibmitted to these
experts was described as consisting of thin scales of a very pale
yellow colour.
Quantity. — Dr. Pinto who collected the poison found the average
yield from eight fresh specimens represented -00275 grammes
when dried.
Toxins. — Fraser and Elliot found the effects of the poison on
lower animals almost exactly that produced by cobra venom, except
that the respiratory embarrassment in curtus poisoning was much
more pronounced. The action is practically identical with that ot
Enhydrina venom. As this is dealt with fully in the 28th and
last paper of this series the reader is referred to that article for par-
ticulars of the composition and action, of this poison, symptoms
and treatment. Death is caused by a paralysis of the respirator}^
centre in the brain as in the toxaemias of other colubrine snakes.
Lethal dose. — ^The minimal lethal dose for rats is '0006 grammes
per kilogramme weight of the rodent. As the lethal dose of
Enhyd/rina venom for rats was found to be -00009 grammes, the
toxicity of this is about seven times greater than that of curtus.
BistriJiution. — From the Persian Gulf to the Malayan Archipe-
lago. I found it very common on the Malabar Coast about Canna-
nore, where it is only second to Enhydrina valaJiodyn in its numerical
strength. On the Coromandel Coast at Madras a collection of 192
sea-snakes furnished me with 84 specimens as compared with GO
Enhydrinas.
Lepidosis, f Rostral. — Touches 4 shields, the portion visible above
one-third or less than one-third the length of the suture between
the nasals. Xasals. — Touch the 1st and 2nd supralabials ; the
suture from the nostril passes to the 2nd (rarely 1st) supralabial.
Pro'fontals. — Touch the 2nd supralabial. h'lontal. — Entire.
Parietals. — Disintegrate, usually into three parts. Prceocular. — -
One. Postocular. — One or two. Tomjwrals. — Scale-like, two or three
superposed scales anteriorly. SupralaJnals. — 7 usually (sometimes
8) ; the 3rd and 4th normally touch the eye (rarely the 4th only or
the 3rd, 4th and 5th). Lifralahials. — 4; the 4th largest, and in
contact Avith three or four scales behind. Marginals. — A complete
row after the 2nd infralabial. Sublinguals. — Poorly developed.
Often so small as hardlj^ to deserve the name ; lioth fellows separa-
ted by scales. Gostals.- — Two headslengths behind the head 29 to
30 ; midbody 30 to 45 ; two headslengths before the anus 31 to 32 ;
tuberculate, juxtaposed everywhere; the lowest 3 or 4 rows enlarged
and in old males often with spinose tubercles. Ventrals. — 1 5 1 to 21 9 ;
entire anteriorly, divided posteriorly. Each part in old males with
Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
Diagram.
Pa
CERBERUS RHYNCHOPS
(X li)
ENHYDRIS CURT US
(nat. size.)
COMMON INDIAN SNAKES.
THE COMMON INDIAN SNAKE'S. 97
spinose tubercles. Bentiiion. Maocilla. — Behind the paired fangs
there are usually 4 (rarely 3) gi'ooved teeth. Palatine 5 to 6 ; a7i
edentulous space behind that would accommodate about two more
teeth. Pterygoid. — 18 to 22. Mandibular — 12 to 16.
Oiir -plate is in every way excellent.
{Explanation of figures for all.)
F.
Frontal.
I.
Internasals.
L.
Loreal.
M.
Mental.
Ma.
Marginal.
N.
Nasals.
Pa.
Parietals.
Po.
Postocular.s.
Pr.
PraBocular.
Prf
Praefrontals.
B.
Rostral.
S.
Supraocular.
8u.
Sublingual.
T.
Temporals.
Arabic
numerals Supralabials
Roman
Infralabials.
(2'o be continued.')
18
98
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS
OF INDIA.
(INCLUDING THOSE MET WITH IN THE HILL STATIONS
OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY).
BY
T. R. Bell, i.i-.s.
{Continued from -page 664 q/ Vol. XXV.)
Part XXI.
12. Genus — Jamides.
Two very diflerent butterflies have been included in this genus of late.
Formerly it consisted of a single species, bochus. The genus Lampides con-
tained 9 species, one of which used to be called celianus ; this was changed
into celeiio and transferred to the genus Jamides. So, at present, there is
Jamiden bochus and Jannides celeno. The former is a medium-sized insect
with, in the male, the most brilliant, deep, metallic blue upperside ; the
latter somewhat larger, milky white above; the one rather quick in its
motions, the other rather weak and flimsy ; bochus occurring throughout
the whole of India, Ceylon, the Nicobars and Andamans ; away to, and
including Australia, Burma ; celeno having much the same distribution
except that it has not been met with in Australia or in the Nicobars,
Neither species inhabits Siud and desert regions and the latter is
found up to a height ot 5,00U', while the former afl'ects lower levels. They
are both fairly plentiful, wherever they occur, in the way of specimens
though, perhaps, celeno is the commoner of the two. The transformations
of both are known and will be found fully described below ; the larvte and
pupse are not very dissimdar and both are intermittently attended by ants
of ditt'erent species. The habits of the two butterflies are somewhat diflerent
as has already l>een mentioned ; both are occasionally to be ^een sucking
up moisture in damp ])laces, neither is particularly fond of flowers. Finally,
the larva of both species feed on the insides of pods of leguminous plants
as a matter of preference ; they will also eat leaves.
150. Jamides bochus — Male (PI. G., Pg. 41) — Upperside^ fore wing:
'velvety jet-black ; base deep blue, beautifully metallic and shining, measured
on the dorsum this colour occupies three-fourths of its length from base,
its outer margin then curves upwards just past the apex of the cell, enters
into the bases of interspaces 10, 11 and 12 and fills the whole of the cell.
Hind wing: costal margin above subcostal vein and vein 7, and dorsal
margin narrowly fuscous black, a medial, longitudinal, pale streak on the
former; terminal margin narrowly edged with velvety black, inside
which in interspaces 1 and 2 is a slender, transverse, whitish line, with an
elongate, irregular, transverse, black spot above it in interspace 1 and a-
more obscure, similar spot in interspace 2; traces of such spots also are
present in some specimens in the anterior interspaces. Cilia of both fore
and hind wings black ; filamentous tail at apex of vein 2 black, tipped
with white. Underside: dark chocolate-l rown. Fore and hind wings:
transversly crossed by the following very slender, white lines all more or
less broken into short pieces. Fore ■ving : a short pair, one on each side
of and parallel to the discocellulars, a pale streak sometimes along the diss
cocellnlars themselves ; a single line in continuation of the outer of the
discocellular lines, extends down to vein 1. ; an upper discal pair of line-
THE COMMON BV TTERFLIEi^ OF THE VLAINS OF INDIA. im
that forms a more or less cateuulated, short band extend from the costa
to vein 3, the inner lines of the two continued to vein 1 ; two more obscure,
subterminal, composed of inwardly-convex lunules and a single, straight,
terminal line, the area enclosed between the subterminal lines and between
the terminal line darker in the interspaces, giving the appearance of
two obscure, subterminal lines of spots edged inwardly and outwardly by
white lilies. Hind wing : crossed in the middle by nine very broken and
irregular lines, by fewer above and below : tracing them from the costa
downwards their middle short pieces are found to be shifted outwards and a
few are short and not complete, the inner two are posteriorly bent abruptly
upwards, the subterminal two are lunular and the terminal line nearly
continuous ; posteriorly, between the subterminal pair of lines, in interspace?
1, there is a small black spot inwardly edged with orange and in inter-
space 2 a ni\ich larger, round, black spot : both black spots are touched with
metallic blue scales. Antennae (the tip of stub and orange inside opalescent
at base), head, thorax and abdomen bhxck ; beneath, the shaft of the antenn,-'
banded with white : palpi, thorax and abdomen narrowly white Female.
(Pi. G, fig. 41a) — Similar to the male generally but with the following difier-
ences : — llpperside, fure wing: ground-colour fuscous opaque black, tlv\
velvety black, blue basal area more restricted and not so deep a blue nor
at all metallic. Hind wing : the black costal and terminal margins very
much broader, the blue on the basal area consequently much restricted and of
the same shade as tlie blue on the fore wing ; terminal margin v\ith a suL-
terminal, anteriorly obsolescent series of spots of a shade darker than
that of the terminal black area on which they are superposed ; these spots
posteriorly more or less distinctly encircled inwardly with slender lines < f
blue and outwardly of white ; anteriorly these lines are almost obsolete.
Cilia of both fore and hind wings and the filamen.ous short tail, as in tl.c
male. Underside: similar to that of the male, but the ground-colour
generally paler and d idler ; the transverse, white lines broader and more
clearly defined. Antennse, head, thorax and abdomen as in the male. Ko
fringe of hairs to the inner margin of fore wing in either sex. Expanse :
Male and female, 34-38 mm.
Larva. — Normal. Head hidden under segment 2, small, round, shininL'
yellow; mandibles dark ; segment 2 broadly semi-circular in outline rather
Battened, the front margin with a small, shallow sinus in dorsal line, the
dorsal depression 4-sided as usual and covered closely with n.innte. black
tubercles ; segment 3 slightly higher than 2 and a good deal broader, 1
again higher and a little broader than 3 ; segments 4-10 about equal 1i>
each other in breadth and h^ight : 11-14 dorsally flattered. sJopiug gentlv
to the rounded end. Surface of body dull ; a slight, central, ilor.sal depres
sion on segments 3, 4 ; a lateral, somewhat accentuated, lengthened de-
pression parallel to and behind front margin and another, similnr, centra',
spiracular one in which, at the upper end. the spiracle is situated : one oF
each to each segment 4-1 1 ; gland of segment 1 1 transverse, linear : organs
of segment 1'2 circular-mouthed, protruding cylindrical, white tubes at will;
some few simple, moderately long, erect, white hairs from marpin of anal
segment: the surface densely clothed all over with minute conical, fine
erect, black hair^s from tiny, star shaped bases mixei' with a few golde?!
similar ones. Spiracles of ordinary shape and size. Colour: dirty, soiled
rose, with a moderately broad, lateral, neutral-tint coJoun d line and
a similar, dorsal, longitudinal line L : 11 mm. : B : 5 mm. ; H. -4 mm.
Pupa. — Normal. Head with the frons perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis of pupa, high, the vertex just visible from above beyond tl e froiit
margin of segment 2 ; this seement with the free, front margin rounded,
of ordinary length, the dorsal line very gently sloped towards thorax :
100 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL MIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
thorax with its dorsal line steeper on the anterior portion than that of
segment 2, humped in middle; a good deal broader than segment 2, rather
pointed behind ; constriction behind it dorsally slight, laterally nothing ;
pupa highest at apex of thorax though, perhaps, thicker at segment 7 owing
to the ventral line not being quite straight ; abdomen circular in transverse
section running to a blunt, rounded point at anal end which is slightly
turned under. Surface shining, especially on thorax and wings, covered
with minute hairs under the lens, these hairs slightly longer at fore and
hinder extremities of the body. Spiracles of segment 2 longly oval, slight-
ly raised, short, white ; the other spiracles broadly oval, small and inconspi-
cuous, coloured like the body. Colour of pupa a rose-brown yeJlow on the
abdomen, dirty translucent-looking yellow on wings, thorax and head ;
spotted and blotched with black spots forming a dorsal and lateral, inter-
rupted line along back and sides of the abdomen ; ventrum light. L : 9
mm. ; B. 4 mm. ; H. 3*5 mm.
Habits. — The egg is laid single amongst the flowers when they
a,re in bud ; the little larva on emerging from the egg, — it eats
its way out through the side as do nearly all these lycasnine cater-
jjillars — burrows into a bud and lives inside the flower, changing
from one to another as it finds it necessary, eating the carpels and
pistils. It eventually also pupates inside the flower or a flower-bud
<ind, as often as not, falls to the ground with it, even before
the change takes place. Sometimes it leaves the fallen flower and
pupates on the ground under leaves, &c., or in a small crevice
or hole. The attachment is by the tail and a body-band.
Vhe larva is sometimes attended by ants. The food plant upon
which the first specimens of the butterfly were bred was
Butea frondosa, the Flame of the Forest or, in the vernacular,
Pallas. The tree or shrub is well known from its masses of rose-
vermillion blossoms, each over two inches in length, and its deep
.;reen-black, velvety calyx. The flowers come out when the tree
is leafless and it is one of the most striking objects that attracts
1 he eye in the smaller, opener jungles of India — a sudden burst of
flame in the dun landscape of the dry, hot, leafless months of
I'ebruary and April. There are other plants also in the flowers of
which the larvae may be found and they are all, as far as is known,
of the same family as Bzitea : Leguminuseoe. Some of these are :
Pongamia glabra or the Indian Beech, Grotalaria of diff'erent species,
io which belong the Indian Hemp and so on. Thei'e is nothing
particularly characteristic about the habits of the larva to difier-
'■ntiate it from the most of the others belonging to the same sub-
family except, perhaps, that it gent>rally feeds inside the flowers which
it rarely leaves and pupates on the surface of the ground as often as
not. The butterfly is a fairly strong flier and the male attracts
notice by the glint of its deep metallic-blue upperside in the
chequered sunlight under the trees that grow along the sides of
tanks and water nallas wh ch constitute its favourite haunts in the
<lryer parts of the country. As a matter of fact it does not occur
in the very dry or desert tracts but, otherwise, is found all over
THJE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 101
India, Burma and Ceylon, The trees that form its foodplants — b^-
the way Xylia dolahriformis, also leguminous, is also one — are of
fairly high stature and, therefore, the butterfly is found flying at all
heights ; but, none the less is it often to be caught close to the
ground — but it is the males that are oftenest thus captured. The
females seem to be somewhat scarcer, though by no means uncom-
mon. The resting position is normal, with the wings closed over
the back. The distribution of the speecies is : Peninsular India,
except very dry or deserfc tracts; Ceylon; Assam; Burma;
Tenasserim; the Andamans; extending in the Malayan Subregion
to Australia.
Figures 41 and 4'la of Plate G represent the male and female
butterflies respectively. The colour is too dark and, on the under-
sides, too pink ; the white lines on the undersides of the wings in
the male are two indistinct, the costal margin of the hind wing on
the upperside is too white. The blue colour on the upperside of
the female wings is altogether wrong; it should be lighter and is
not at all metallic.
151. Jamides celeno, Cramer. — Wet-season brood. — Male (PI. G, fig. 42).
Upperside : pale bluish-white, the discs of both wings bare of hairs, the inner
margins fringed with long, white hair. The white markings of the underside
show through by transparency. Fore wing: terminal margin narrowly edge
with black that broadens slightly towards the apex of the wing ; the veins
along the costa slightly black, the base of costa brown ; cilin dark-brown, the
top halt slightly lighter, the extreme base often narrowly lighter still. Hind
wing: uniform in colour except for an anteciliary, thin, jet-black line edged
on the inner side somewhat obscurely by a white line within which and
touching it is a row of black spots, the spot in interspace 2 often being the
only well-defined one but, generally, two, much smaller, often geminate
marks in interspace I (sometimes represented by a simple brown line) and a
blacker, small mark in interspact^ la followed above by a short, brown line;
cilia rather light-brown white at the bases in the interspaces. Sometimes
the black edging to the termen (outer margin) of the fore wing is much
reduced and the subterminal series of spots on the hind wing may be
nearly absent. Underside: greyish-brown with the following markings
across the fore wing, beginning from the outside on the terminal margin :
the cilia light-brown, the basal half pure- white, with a darker line running
through the middle : a narrow, dark-brown, anteciliary band or broad
line ; inside this are the following white lines : two subterminal, parallel,
from vein 7 to inner margin, quite parallel with the outer margin, inter-
rupted narrowly at the veins, a little broader than the anteciliary, brown
line and separated from each other by a distance d nible that breadth, the
ends in interspaces 1 and 2 always widened, especially of the inner lines ;
a similar line, at right angles to vein .5, from vein 9 to vein 3, often at
the lower end, touching the inner of the subterminal pair, sometimes well
separated from it ; generally very well-defined along its inner edge by
darker shading than the groun(l-coloiir ; a postmedial (postdiscal) line,
parallel to the preceding, from vein 10 to vein 1, well-defined outwardly
by brown to vein 3 and inwardly beyond ; a pair of short lines, one on each
side of tho discocelidiir nervules between the top and bottom limits of the
cell, sometimes parallel to each other, sometimes not qxiite, sometimes
parallel to the postmedial line, sometimes converging towards it, both
102 JOURNAL, BOMB Ay NATURAL HLST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
these short lines with dislocated, short coutinuations on the costa from
which they are separated by an unmarked interspace ; the inner of the
(lissocellular pair of lines sometimes continued to vein 1 as a straight
line, sometimes converging towards the postdiscal line at the end or, very
occasionally, actually meeting it on vein 1 ; often, also, not in continuation
with the inner discocellular line but dislocated to half way between the
two discocellulars. Below vein 1 the ground-colour is pure white. Hind
iving : a large, generally well-defined, subterminal, jet-black spot in
interspace 2, broadly crowned and laterally surrounded by orange and
touched with metallic blue-green scales inside the edges ; a black dot
similarly placed on each side of vein 1, the one in interspace 1 crowned by
orange aud speckled with blue-green scales ; the following markings,
beginning from the outer margin : — cilia light greyish-brown, the bases
pure-white, the middles dusky ; the anteciliary, brown band or line and
two subterminal white lines as on the fore wing but the inner of these lines
very much more irregular, more lunulate and the space between it and
the outer dark-brown in interspaces 3-5, the line itself ending at vein 6,
the last section in interspace o dislocated inwards and the anal portions
interrupted by the spots in interspaces 1 a, 1 and 2 ; an inner, subtermi-
nal line starting from the margin at the extremity of vein 7, broken and
moved outwards at vein 6, running thence, parallel to the outer sub-
marginal line, interrupted by orange crowning of the anal spots and
coalescing with the next interior line before the anal margin ; this
interior line (call it the outer postmedial) is more or less straight from
vein 7 on the costa to vein 4, then often more irregular, running as a white
border along the tops of the orange crowns of the anal spots and turning
up in interspace 1 (from the middle of it in a curve) to strike the hinder
margin in interspace I b at an acute angle ; an inner, postmedial line from
vein 7 straight to vein 4, slightly converging towards the outer postmedial,
then dislocated inwards (sometimes as much as to form a prolongation of
the outer discocellular line) and continued down to mix up with the lines
beyond and turning up also to the inner margin ; a medial, short line out-
side the discocellular (the outer one of the discocellular pair) ; an ante-
medial line from vein 7 continued by the inner, discocellular line more or
less regularly and straight, then often dislocated outwards at vein 3 (or at
the median vein which forms the bottom of the cell) and continued in the
shape of a ' 3 ' turned the wrong way into interspace 1 where it describes a
bend out and back again to run up, parallel to the lines already
described, to the inner margin ; in interspace 1 b there is a line parallel to
it quite separate from anything else ; there are two subbasel lines, more or
less regular, straight and parallel from vein 7 to vein 1 and at their ends
separated from them by interspace 1 b, there are two short lines in inter-
space 1 a which may converge on to the anal margin or be nearly parallel
to each other, &c.; and, finally, a basal, white line which is often difficult to
see. The net result of these lines is a pattern of short bands or pairs of
lines, the outer 3 converging towards the anal angle and turning up toward
the anal margin. A thread like tail of slightly over 3 mm. at the extremity
of vein 2 black, tipped white. Antennse brownish black, banded thinly
white, these bands interrupted narrowly above and below ; the club plain
brownish-black ; palpi black above : white below with the extreme base
black and the tip of the second joint black and white. Head with the
frons black with a central, white line ; the eyes rimmed with white, hairy ;
vertex with a dusky-black tuft. Thorax blackish covered with blue-white
scales and hairs ; abdomen ditto, blue-scaled at base, yellowish at extre-
mity ; below : head, thorax and abdomen pure white. Female. — (PI. G.,
iig. 42a). Upperside: ground-colour paler than in the male, often quite
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA 103
white ; terminal, black edging to wing very much broader, broadest at
apex, the inner edge diffuse. Hind wing differs from the male as follows : —
costal margin above vein 6 dusky-black, a postdiscal, transverse series of
dusky-black, connected lunules often more or less obsolescent ; followed
by a series of black spots set in a background of the white ground-colours ;
anteciliary line and cilia as in the male. Underside : similar to the male,
often yellower or with a fulvous shade ; the markings precisely similar.
Antennje, head, thorax and abdomen as in the male : the last joint of the
palpi, however, twice as long : as long as the second joint — in the male it
is only half as long. Expanse : 28 — 40 mm.
Dry-season brood. — Male. Upperside: bluish-white, slightly more metallic
and shining than in the wet-season specimens. Fore and hind wings :
the markings of the underside show through by transparency ; both wings
with slender, anteciliary, black threads, edged on the inner side,
on the fore wing, by a series of small, black dots (often all coalesced
into a narrow band) that posteriorly are more or less obsolete and,
in the hind wing, by an ill-defined, white line. Underside: ground-
colour variable, greyish-brown to ferruginous-brown. Fore wing : a broad,
dark-brown band along the discocellulars ; a postmedial, similar band
from costa to vein 3 ; below vein 3 a third band, similar in colour,
to vein 1 or beyond, its borders starting, the inner in continua-
tion with the inner border of the discocellular band or dislocated to-
wards the outer border, the outer edge in continuation of the inner edge of
the postmedial band or variously dislocated from it; this band below vein
3 having the edges nearly parallel or variously converging, sometimes
actually meeting in interspace la ; all three bands edged with white and
forming together a rough Y-shaped figure ; these markings superposed on
a slightly suilied-white area from the inner margin upwards, replacing the
brown ground-colour in varying degree ; above the edges of the two bands,
the arms of the Y, are continued to the costa as short, white lines placed
often obliquely : terminal markings consist of a pair of transver&e, sub-
lunular, subterminal, v^hite lines and a terminal, ill-defined white line, the
spaces between these and a generally more or less obsolete anteciliary line
darker than the ground-colour. Hind wing: crossed by the following
transverse bands of a shade darker than the ground-colour and all edge
more or less clearly with white lines, all irregular, broken and dislocated ;
a basal and a medial band, the latter band posteriorly carved sharply up-
wards and inwards toward the inner margin ; a discal, irregular band of
black that bulges outwards in the middle ; terminal markings as on the fore
wing but the terminal, white line more or less obsolete ; in interspaces la,
1 and 2 are black spots inwardly crowned with orange, the spots in la and
1 minute, that in 2 largest. Antennje black, shafts with white rings inter-
rupted above and below ; head, thorax and abdomen pale-brown ; thorax
and base of abdomen bluish-white. Female — Upperside : ground-colour paler
and whiter than in the male, the marking on the vindersides of nome speci-
mens more clearly apparent on the upperside by transparency than in the
male. Fore wing : a very broad black, terminal margin, broadest at the
apex and apical portion of costa of which it occupies about a third,
posteriorly it narrows to the tornus. sometimes disappears just before the
tornus. Hind wing : As in male but with a postdiscal, transverse, lunular
line and a subterminal row of spots dusky-brown. Underside : much as in
the male but the transverse, dark-brown bands somewhat straighter.
Expanse : 33-40 mm.
The above description of the dry-season brood is more or less the
absolute transcription of Colonel Bingham's Lampides pura, Moore and
accurately describes the cold-weather form (generally called the dry-
104 JOURNAL, BCIMBAI NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVL
season) of Jamides celeno as it is found in the Kanara District of the Bombay
I'residency where thousands of the insects have been bred. Colonel
Bingham's wet and dry-season forms of celeno are all wet-season butterflies;
that is, butterflies, the larvaj of which have had young-succulent flowers
uud leaves to feed upon.
^99- — Shaped-like a turban, the flat top slightly concave in the
centre of which is a rather large cell about one-sixth of the whole breadth
of the egg in diameter ; the whole of the top covered with minute, fine-
walled cells which are more in the nature of reticulations than anything else
because the walls are so low and thin ; the central large one covered with
similar, but far more minute, reticulation-like cellules ; the sides with two and
a half or three rows of much higher and coarser- walled, proper cells with a
prominence, rather large, thick, flattened above and below, rectangular
and round-topped, at the intersection of each wall, these prominences
specially developed just before the top of the sides ; about 22 24 cells round
the whole circumference. Surface shining, especially the bottoms of the
cells. Colour very light greenish with the cell-walls and prominences pure
white. B : 075 mm. ; H : 0 33 mm.
Larva. — The shape is quite normal, of more or less equal height from
segment 4 to 10, sometimes ever so slightly higihest at middle, also of
more or less equal breadth from 5-10 but often seemingly very slightly
broadest about segment 11 — the larva can vary shape somewhat ; segments
13, 14 forming a broadly rounded extremity to body, sloping slightly from
front to back and considerably flattened dorsally ; segment 13 not at all
apparent except indeed it is represented by the part anterior to a short,
dorsal curved, transverse dent ; segment 2 forming the front of body, for
the head is always hidden under it, semi-circular in shape, constricted on
the dorsoventral margin from just before the hinder margin somewhat,
the absolute front inclined to be square, the whole segment transversely
convex, ascending more or less in a straight line to hinde- margin, the
actual front being shortly steep like the rest of the free margin, the dorsal
depression situated towards the hinder margin from v hich it is separated
by one-third the distance that separates it from tne front margin ; this
depression occupying about half the length of tho segment, triangular in
shape, equilateral, with the base along hinder margin and slightly convexly
curved towards it, the surface bluish and somewhat convex and set with
star-based, minute hairs hke the rest of the body but having no larger
bristle at lateral angles ; segment 3 shorter than 2, suddenly higher than
it all along the margin, dorsally flat for its whole length and breadth,
sloping slightly down towards 4 ; segments 4, 5 about as long as 3 sloping
up in the dorsal line towards 5, 6 respectively ; segment 6-10 all a trifle
longer than 5 and coequal among themselves. Head completely retractile
under 2, the neck, however, long enough though the head is never protruded
further than the top of the clypeus at the most ; round in shape though
somewhat broadest just below the vertex ;, surface shining smooth, bare;
clypeus triangular, about two-thirds as long as head is high, the
apex acute, not rounded ; colour of head very light watery yellow ; clypeus
finely brown-bordered ; labrum red-brown with white base, transverse ;
ligula large, transverse, broadly oval, the front margin shallowly emargi-
nate, widely so too, also rerf-brown in colour; antennal joints and mandibles
light like the head, the last dark-tipped and toothed; eyes disposed:
five in a curve of which the 6th is the centre : the two uppermost larger,
glassy-colourless, the rest black. Surface extremely finely shagreened-
granulate under the lens, shining ; covered all over very densely in some
specimens with minute, star-shaperl tubercles, some milky-white, others
green, others brown, all more or less sessile but a few with very short
THE COMMON BUTTERlLlEs OF THi: PLAINS OF INDIA. 105
cylindrical stalks, each one bearing, issuing from its centre, a longly
conical, curved, transparent glass-like shining, hair (or hollow structure ?) ;
each star is separated by a distance of about 2-.'> X its own diameter from
the next ; the conical hairs as long as 2-3 x the length of the star-base ;
sometimes the stars are well developed, sometimes badly developed ; in
some cases the hairs are shorter, also a few brown and straight ; the
brown of the larval colour is always caused by the star-bases being brown ;
there are some longer hairs rising also from starbases surmounted by short
cylindrical tubercles, the hairs on the front margin of segment 2 the
longest, 6 X as long as the transparent, glistening, curved hairs, more or
less simple but sometimes with a minute bristle or two on their surfaces ;
these longer hairs some longer, some shorter, extending to near the
hinder margin of segment : there are 2 such long hairs on the
dorsoventral margin of segment 3, and some round the margin of segment
14: most of these long hairs are red-brown, a few I'ght; the gland of
segment 11 large, transverse, mouth-shaped and curved slightly when
opirned a bit — the inside is bluish-white when opened — and the organs
of segment 12, situated diagonally below the spiraclf^s anc. behind them,
have circular openings of 2 x the diameter of the spiracle and are general-
ly green like the surface so that, when quiescent th^y are difficult to see ;
when the cylindrical, protrusible body starts coming out it is pure, dull
white and, when full out, has the rounded, somewhat dilated extremity
clothed sparsely with minute, radiating bristles which bunch together when
withdrawn ; the length of this cylinder is 4 x its own diameter and 2 x the
diameter of tlie opening ; just behind the gland and for the length of the
gland are some small, jjlassy-shining, circular, slightly convex tubercles;
each segment 3-10 has a dorsal, central, small, shallowly funnel-shaped
indent; there is also a long, lateral one on the same segments reaching
from the dorsolateral region to the spiracle, the spiracle, in fact, being
situated in the bottom of it; segment 12 nearly flat, altogether lower than
segment 11 owing to the tumidity of the gland on that segment; segment
13-14 occasionally with some 4-6 little pits on the dorsal suriace ; ventral
surface: there is a distinct, impressed and continuous line all round the
body separating the dorsal, visible, upper half of larva from the under
parts ; the immediate lateral border below that line ventrally is like the
dorsal surface : covered with the same star- tubercles and slso the same
colour, also it is segmented like the rest (it forms a sort of pedestal or foot
for the body so to speak) : where there are prologs this pedestal forms the
real base of the prolog, there beirg a second piece in prolongation ; then
comes the real leg (or what is called that) with the foot attached. Spiracles
are quite circular, extremely slightly raised, with a very fine, thin, chitine-
margin. the inside shallowly funnel-shaped ; dull milky-white with a bluish
tint and pitted ; small ; on the segments 2-10 situated in the bottoms of
depressions. Colour bright grass-green with a show of a dorsal, darker
line with brown touches on it on segments 10, 11 and anteriorly, occasion-
ally, on segment 5 ; there may be a light, subspiracular line which is,
however, generally not present : the ventrum is naked, with a stray hair ;
the legs are colourless ; the prologs with the feet also colourless and the
row of booklets along the edge or lobes red, the lobes are separated by a
little white, fan-shaped body, prominent and shining : the pseudonychium
or empodium ? L : 12 mm. ; B : 4 mm. ; H : 3. 5 mm.
When just out of the egg, the little larva is whitish and the head dark,
and not retracted under segment 2 ; also there are subdorsal and dcyso-
ventral rows of long hair. In the next stage appears a rose-coloured
dorsal line as well as a lateral and submarginal one and a short diagonal
dorsolateral line on each segment. These reddish lines or bands may
U
106 JOUUNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
subsist right through but, with tho growth, become dimmer with each
change ; in the end they are as often as not quite obsolescent, or even
wanting in the pure-green larvoe ; some larvte are much darker than others
because of the clothing of tubercles being denser and more pigmented.
Pupa. — The shape is quite normal ; rather stout, stoutest at the abdomi-
nal segments 7/8; highest at thoracic apex; segment 6 ever so slightly convex
longitudinally. Head hidden, all except the smallest portion of the vertex,
under segment 2, the frons large and high in a plane at right angles to
the longitudinal axis of the pupa, the mouth-parts and clypeus ventral,
the autennse reaching the ends of wings and gradually broadened towards
the tips, the legs reaching only half way to the ends ; segment 2 large, about
one-third the length of thorax in the dorsal line, convex transversely
straight in the dorsal line ascending to thorax at an angle of oS" to
longitudinal axis, the front margin a more or less semi-circular curve from
shoulder to shoulder with the central part : the dorsal region say, between
the dorso.ateral lines more or less straight, perhaps a very little concave-
emarginate, the actual dorsal line with a very small, triangular emargination;
segment •"> or thorax humped-convex, somewhat ge.itly compressed
just above the shoulder with the shoulder only slightly prominent
and rounded, front slope rising in the same plane as that of
segment 2 : 35° to a point (it is all rounded) about half way towards the
hinder margin — perhaps a little less, the hinder slope gentle to the end of
segment 4, the hinder margin triangularly rounded and apex produced
into segment 4, meeting the wings in a broadly-rounded, rather deep
angle of about 70° ; segment 4, rather largely visible laterally, about half
segment 6 in length dorsally : segment 5 about half segment 6 in length —
or half segment 2 — -rising gently to middle of segment 6 but not reaching
the height of thoracic apex : segment 6-11 about coequal in length, the first
someA'hat convex longitudinally as well as transversely; abdomen stout,
stoutest at segment 7/8 which is the broadest part of the pupa ; the dorsal
line of abdomen thence to end is a quarter-of-a-circle-curve ; end herais-
pherically rounded, not as broad as segment 2 at extremity, the portion
composed of sej;ment3 12-14 dorsally perpendicular to longitudinal axis of
pupa ; segment 14 turned under somewhat, the suspensory hairs few and
quite ventral. Surface very minutely rugosely reticulate all over, even in-
cluding the wing-surfaces, the gland-scar on segment 11 evident; covered
all over with very minute, erect, light hairs, very short even under the lens ;
rather sparsely disposed, most numerous on the head, segment 2 and
dorsum of thorax ami there also slightly branched. Spiracles of segment
2 more or less Imear, slightly curved, situated along the curved hinder
margin of segment 2, raised, shining, extremely light-yellow in colour
and pitted coarsely — they are just like sausages cut in half longitudin-
ally ; the rest of the spiracles are slightly raised, broad, whitish ovals and
are rather small. The colour of the pupa is a light, soiled yellow with a
rosey tint except on the wings and head ; speckled brown all over ; a
cateniilated more or less dark-brown, dorsal band from end to end, some-
what broadened out on segment 2 ; a more broken, supraspiracular, similarly
coloured band widening out into black, triangular patches on the wing lino
at segment." 4 and 5 and on shoulders. L: 10 mm.; B: 4.5 mm.; H:
3*5 mm.
HaJnts. — The egg is laid single on flowers, flower-stalks or in the
axils of the very young leaves ; the little egg-larva, eating its wa}'
out through the side, settles down in the axil of a rib or nerve of the
young leaf with the midrib and is not easy to see it is so small ;
PHE COMMON B UTTEHFLI ES OF THE PLAIN iS OF INDIA . 107
also it wanders a good deal just at first ; in the case where the eggs
are laid on flowers it generally feeds inside the flower. Later on,
when larger, it lives on the undersides of the leaves, always feeding
and living on the young ones except driven to eat tough foliage.
Many larvae are often found on one tree. Pupation takes pla(3e for
preference on or near the ground on the underside of a withered
leaf, in a crevice of the soil, under a stone-ledge, &c. ; the chrysalis
is attached rather weakly by the tail and fixed by a body-band and,
when touched, gives vent to a quick succession of thin creaking
noises which are quite audible if listened for. The ordinary food-
plants are Pongamia (jlabra, the Iiidian Beech, a tree of wide ha-
bitat; Abrus prpcatorius, t\\QVYdiY\x\g Eean or Gunji, a common
climber of weak habit, occurring throughout the Bombay Presidency
and producing pods that contain, when ripe, bright scarlet, round
beans with one end black which are commonly used by the local
o-oldsraiths for weighing gold— not that these seeds are in the least
of equal size or weight. Other foodplants are Saraca indica, the
Ashok ; Butta frovdosa, the Flame of the Forest; Beyvea toijuga ;
and doubtless there are others. All the above are leguminous plants
with the exception of the last which belongs to the Sufindaceo'.
The butterfly is one of the commonest in India, existing everywhere
except in the absolute deserts, from sea-level up to 5,000' : jungles,
plains, hills, open country, heavy rainfall or light, it matters not.
Outside India it is found in Ceylon, in the Andaman Islands,
Assam, Burma, Siam, Malaj^ Peninsula, Java, Borneo and the Phi-
lippines. It has a weak flight, always keeps near the ground, generallj^
near vegetation in the shape of hedges or bushes, does not bask or
go to flowers much, flutters about the foodplants for quite long-
periods at a stretch without resting and sits with its wings closed
over its back; it is not particularly fond of sunlight and sunny
places. The female is just as plentiful as the male and is just as
often seen. They are both easy to catch with a net, and are cons-
picuous objects when on the wing.
The insect is depicted on coloured Plate G, figure 42 being the
male and figure 42a the female. The figures are good representa-
tions of the so-called wet-season brood except that the white lines
showing through from the underside on the upper surface are too
distinct although, in natxire, the\^ are always more or less \dsible.
The undersides are. as usual, just a shade too pink.
Genus — Catachrysops.
There are three species of Catachrysops, all common insects where they
occur; two of them, straho and enejus, very like each other on the unuersicle,
the third pandava, quite different. All three are some shade of purple or
blue on the upper surface, more or less uniform in the males but iu the
females with a broad, black border and a lighter base and disc ; the tw<>
first having the underside grey while the last has it brown. The two first
have a very wide distribution and are trie butterflies of the Plains thougli
108 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
they may both be found more sparingly, also, in any open ground in the
jungles and hills, even when the open space is circumscribed and sur-
rounded by high forest; they range from Australia through the Malay
Archipelago to Burma and China, and are found in the Nicobars, the
Andamans, Ceylon and throughout India ; cnejus, indeed, goes still
further afield to the South Sea Islands. Pandaia is more restricted
in its habitat, not being found further east than Java practically ; and
is much more confined to the damp parts of its range. This last species
has distinct dry-and wet-season forms, whereas the others have not.
They are all three quick flies but pandava cannot compete with the other
two in this respect — it does not affect flowers ma h either, whereas
the others do ; all three suck moisture from damp places on the ground
but, otherwise, panduoa is more addicted to sitting on bushes and trees.
They bask with their wings slightly separated and rest with them
closed over their back. The life-histories of the tree species are known
and are described below. The larvae and pupae are all similar and the former
are attended by ants ; those oi panda oa, perhaps, more assiduously than the
others. The larvaj all feed upon leguminous plants and both they and the
pupae are absolutely normal in shape.
152. Catochpysops atrabo, Fabr. — Male (PI. G., fig, 44). — Upperdde-.^dXs
violet with, in certain lights, a blue, slightly silvery sheen caused by a close
clothing of long, approssed, white hairs all over the wings. Fore wing :
a slender, anteciliary, dark line and a fringe of pale blue hairs along inner mar
gin. Hind wing : interspace 1 with a short, transverse, subterminal brown bar
or blackish spot edged inwardly faintly with white ; interspace 2 with a pro-
minent, round, black spot edged very faintly on the inner side by a diffuse
bluisli liumle and crowned often faintly with orange ; the dark, subterminal
spots of the underside apparent through transparency; an anticiliary, slender,
jet-black line more conspicuous than in the fore wing, in some specimens
edged invvardly in the posterior intsrspaces with white ; this line is present in
interspaces I and 2 in all specimens. Cilia of both fore and hind wings
whita transversely traversed near the base by a brown line ; tail black,
thread-like, tipped with white. Underside: pale dull' grey. Fore wing:
a short, narrow, transverse band on the discocellulars ; a small, round,
subcostal pot ia interspace 10, a transverse, discal band that extenlsfrom
veins 1 to 7, the portion below vein 3 dislocated and shifted inwards; a
transverse, subterminal, ill-defined band and a terniinal series of inwardly
rounded spots, each of which snbapically fills an interspace, greyish-brown ;
the discocellnlar and discal bands edged inwardly and outwardly by
white lines, the subcostal spot encircled with white and tho subterminal
band and termmal spots edged on their inner sides with the same colour ;
lastly, a dark greyish-brown anteciliary line. Hind wing : a subbasal spot
and a spot beyond it in interspace 7, a large, round, subterminal spot crowned
with ochraceous in interspace 2, two geminate specks subterminally in in-
terspace 1 and a terminal similar speck in interspace 1 a black ; the spots in
interspace 7 encircled with white ; a lunular spot in middle of cell ; two
elongate spots in transverse order below it ; a short transverse band on the
discocellnlars and a very irregidar, transverse, broken, sinuous, discal band
dark greyish-brown, edged inwardly and outwardly with white; beyond
these is an inner subterminal series of greyish-brown lunules followed by an
outer subterminal series of similarly coloured spots, the latter encircled
with white, and a black anteciliary slender line. Antennfs. palpi, head,
frons white and black, thorax and abdomen dark brown, a little purplish on
the thorax ; the shafts of the antennsb ringed with white, the club tipped
with orange ; beneath the palpi, thorax and abdomen white: (PI. <i., fig.
44a.) ¥emdi\Q.— Upper side: fore wing: costa, apex and termen broadly
THE COMMON JJi TTERFLIEIS OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 1U1>
brownish-black, the latter edging aft are enclosing a postdiscal, subterminul
blue lunule, and lines in interspaces 1, 2 and 3 ; rest of the wing whitish, with
no hairs on the disc, flushed and overlaid especially at base with metallic
blue. Hind wing: costa and termen broadly fuscous or brownish black, the
rest of the wing whitish flushed with metallic blue as on the fore wing which,
however, does not spread to the dorsal margin ; a discal. curved, medial series
of fuscous spots ; a transverse, incomplete, postdiscal series of white, sagit-
tate lunulas followed by a subterminal series of spots as follows, superposed
on the brownish-black terminal border : two dark-brown geminate dots
margined inwardly and outwardly with white ; a large, black spot crown-
ed broadly with ochraceous inwardly and edged slenderly with white on the
outer siile in interspace •', and anterior to that a transversely-linear, dark -
brown spot encircled with white in each interspace. Cilia of fore wing
brown, of hind wing white traversed by a transverse medial brown line.
Underside : ground colour and markings as in the male. Antennae, head
(frons white and brown), thorax and abdomen similar to those of the male
Eyes in both sexes hairy. Expanse : Male and female. 27'38nim.
Lavca. — Normal. Head hidden under segment 2, small, round, labrun\
white, dark fuscous-brown in colour ; segment 2 tumid round margin with a
large, central, dorsal depression ; the whole body depressed-looking, the
whole margin of body somewhat tumid-looking ; front of larva — front of
segmont 2 that is — rather square ; segment 2 is, on the whole, trapeze-
shaped, the longest side being the hinder margin ; the anal segments slopes
gently to the somewhat broadly rounded extremity ; body thickest in middle.
Surface dull, covered all over with little, brown, spine-like hairs which have
got several, still smaller branch-spines at their bases, the apex above these
branches being simple — these hairs and their branches very distinct on
segments 2, 3 where they are somewhat more densely crowded than else-
where ; a row of simple hairb round the margin of body. Spiracles oval,
nearly round, flush, white. Colour of the larva green with a dorsal, brown
line dilated on segments 4, 6 and on segments 10-14; a short, diagonal,
whitish, subdorsal line on all segments and an indistinct, spiracular line or
pair of lines besides ; the larvae may be plain apple-green, the anal end
tipped black. li : ll'Smm. ; B : 4 mm. or a little more.
Pupa. — Normal in shape ; like that of Nacaduba or Lampides besticus.
Broadest about segment 5, highest at segment 8 ; narrowing gradually down
to the front end which is truncated and somewhat narrow and to the
posterior end which is rounded ; /lead hidden under segment 2 from above
all but a small strip of the vertex which is not hidden because of a triangular
sinus in the middle of the front margin ; the thorax is slightly humped and
the hinder margin is somewhat sharply rounded in dorsal region ;
shoulders evenly rounded. Surface minutely wrinkled and covered with
minute, erect hairs or bristles hardlj^ visible except under a lens and then
only when looked at sideways. Spiracles of segment 2 linear-oval, raised,
whitish-yellow in colour ; the rest are nearly circular, raised, whitish.
Colour creamy, marked sparsely with blackish specks, a dorsal and supra-
spiracular row of black spots, one to each segment ; a black dorsal streak
on segment 2 and a crooked black line on the dorsal margin of each wing
about segment 4, o. L : 9mm. ; B : 8*5 mm. ; B at segments 2-2 mm.
Habits. — The egg is laid on the flowers, leaves or stalks and
even on bits of rubbish close by the plant ; the larva generally lives
on the flowers, pods or young parts which it eats. The pupation
takes place on the surface of the ground or, practically, anywhere
and the fixing is, as usual, by the tail and a body-string. Many
110 JOURNAL, BOMBAV NATURAL HL'ST. ^^OCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
eggs are often laid on a single plant but few come to matui-ity as
they ai'e mach pai-asitized by micro-ichneumons. There are probably
many foodplants but one of the commonest is a thin twining,
leguminous creeper called Gijlista scariosa which occurs everywhere
in plenty, both in the open and in the jungles. Any leguminous
plant would probably do as well for the butterfl}^ is very common
throughout Peninsular India and it is very variable in the shade of
lilue in the males. It is very strong on the wing and has the same
liabits as G. cnejvs. Colonel Bingham gives the distribution of the
species as " Peninsular India south of the outer ranges of the
Himalayas ; Ceylon ; Assam ; Burma ; Tennasserim ; the Andamans ;
Nicobars; extending through the Malayan subregion to Australia."
It can always be distinguished from G. cnejus by its hairy eyes and
the invariable presence of a little subcostal dot in interspace 10
just inside discal band on the underside of the fore wing.
The male and female are depicted on Plate G, figures 44
and 44a. The upperside in the male is too blue ; the colour
of the underside not light enough ; the spot on the costa between
the discocellular short band and the discal band is not shown ; in
the female the shades are better and the costal spot is correctly
shown.
153. Catochrysops cnejus, Fabr. — Male (PL G., fig 60) — Upperside : pale
brownish-purple sutt'iised with a bluish shade, apparent only in certain
lights and no appressed hairs on the disc ; a fringe of blue hairs along inner
margni. Fore wing : a slender, black, anteciliary lino edged on the inner side
narrowly with fuscous dark-brown, broader afc apex than at the tornal
angle. Hind wing : a subterminal, black spot in interspace 1 and another
similar spot in interspace 2, the two spots subequal in size, edged on the
outer side by a white thread and on the inner side with ochraceous, more
prominent in the spot in interspace 2 ; a slender, anteciliary black line
with an inner, narrow margin of diffuse fuscous brown. Cilia of both fore
and hind wings pale brown at base ; tail at apex of vein 2 of the hind
wing black tipped with white Unden^ide : silver-grey, in some with a
pale yelloAish, in others with a faint brown tint. Fore and hind wings :
each with the following brown spots edged slenderly on either side with
white : a transverse elongate spot on the discocellulars ; a transverse dis-
cal series of six spots straight on the fore, bisinuate on the hind wing ; on
the latter wing capped near the costa by a prominent, white-encircled,
round, black seventh spot ; an inner and an outer subtermuial. transverse
series of spots, of which the inner subterminal series on the hind wing is
lunular, the outer rounded ; the white edging to both series being also lunu-
Isr ; both wings have very slender, anteciliary, black lines, and the hind
wing, ill addition, a transverse, curved, subbasal series of generally three,
often four, white-encircled spots of which the spot nearest the costa is
prominent and black, the others brown. Antennas, head (frons white),
thorax and abdomen dark brown, paler on the last, the shafts of the
antenn-e ringed with white, the thorax with a little purplish | ubescence ;
beneath: the palpi, thorax, and abdomen white. — Female (PI. G., fig. .50a.). —
Upp^rsidf : dark brown. Fore wing : a postero-medial somewhat trian-
gular area from the base outwards for about two-thirds the length of the
wing blue and a slender jet-black or brown, indistinct anteciliarv line.
THE COMMOy BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. HI
Hind wing : posteriorly from about the level of the middle of the cell
slightly suffused with blue from base outwards for about two-thirds the
length of the wing : a transverse, postdiscal, incomplete series of sagittate,
white spots pointing inwards ; followed by subterminal, transverse series
of round spots, the anterior three dark brown encircled with bluish white,
the tornal two jet-black, subequal, larger than the others, edged inwardly
with bright ochraceous, outwardly by very slender white lines ; finally,
a jet-black, slender anteciliary line. Cilia of both fore and hind wings
conspicuously white. Underside : ground-colour and markings as in the
male, tornal two black spot touched outwardly with metallic bluish-green
scaling. Antennse, head, thorax and abdomen similar to those of the male,
the shafts of the antennro conspicuously ringed with white. Expanee :
Male and female, 26-33 mm.
E(/f/. — TuThnu-sfiaped, depressed in the middle of the top ; surface
covered with a network of fine, raised lines, dividing it up into many four
and tive-sided cells, very minute on top in centre, decreasing outwards and
downwards ; the lines more or less diagonal with a prominent, coarse-
topped excrescene or rising at each intersection, these risings hardly
existing in the middle of the upper surface. Colour, light green, nearly
white, the lines and risings pure white. B : 0*5 mm.
Larva (PI. II., fig. '21) — Noratial. Segment 2 rather large, semi-circular,
hiding the small, shining black, round head with the labrum white ;
dorsal outline rising to segment 4, thence descending gently to the anal
extremity ; increasing in width to segment 5, thence to segment 12
ren.aining the same ; the anal segments flattened dorsally, the 14th
ending somewhat broadly round-truncate. I'^itrface covered with minute,
white star -topped, shortly-stemmed, thickened hairs (stars 5 and 6
pointed) ; a few scattered, erect, white hairs ; a subdorsal, central,
longer hair on each segment ; the dorsoventral margin fringed with
sparse, line, erect, long hairs, segments well marked by constrictions :
gland on segment 11 and organs on segment 12 small. Spiracles ovsl\,
black. Colour apple-green, the anal end tipped with black ; or dark rose,
with a subdorsal line on each segment yellow, running slightly diagonally
back and up, the two more widely separated at front margin than at
hinder margin, that is, the dorsum between them darker coloured than
the rest ; a subspiracular, yellow band which is narrow on segments o-9,
broad on segments 10-,14, sometimes also continued forwards to segment 2.
The colour may be grey or nearly black but the yellow lines are always
present. L : 12 ; B : 4 mm.
Pupa (PI. II., fig. 21a). — Normal. Segment 2 more or less trapeze-
shaped, rounded in front, thorax slightly humped, rather short, anal end
rounded. Surface sparsely covered with minute, erect hairs, head with a
few longer, porrect ones. Spiracles black, oval. Colour green ; dorsal,
longitudinal line on segments 1, 2 and some faint lines on sid« s of head,
black ; a dorsal, longitudinal, dark green line on thorax to anal end ;
some black dots on the abdominal, dorsal line, a black spot near shoulder
and another just below it on wing. Or colour light rose with a patch on
segment 2 and thorax, a dark irregular, broad, dorsal, longitudinal line
the hole length of pupa, widening out into a smudge on segment 10
which is continued well down the sides ; a black spot on each shoulder
and the junction of the wing with the body on segment o. L : 8 mm.;
B : 4 mm.
Habits. — The eggs are laid singly on the flowers and stalk of
flowers, generally in the axils. The yoiing larva feeds upon the
112 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL Rlf^T. SOOLETY, Vol. XXVI.
young pai'ts ; sometimes on leaves too when the eggs happens to be
laid on a young leaf — it is always a young one, nevei" old. There is
nothing at all unusual in the behaviour of the larva and it is but
sparingly attended by ants. The foodplant is Ouc/enia dalbergioides ;
but also other species of Leciuminosece. Ougenia is a large tree locally
in Kanara but, elsewhere, it is a medium sized one, called Tivas
in Mahratti. It flowers profusely when leafless in the month ot
March or April and is then a delicate rose-white mass of small,
crowded, sweetly smelling bloesom. The butterfly is a strong flier,
often rising high into the air and, possibl}^, going long distances at
a time. It is fond of sunlight and greed}^ of the nectar of flowers
for it seems to do little else but visit them in quest of food ; it may
also, often, be seen sitting on damp places on the ground sucking
up the moisture. It is found all over India, Burma and Ceylon,
in the Andamans, Nicobars and all through the Malayan Subregion
extending to Australia and the South Sea Islands. Ic varies a
good deal in size, chiefly because of the variety of plants the larva
feeds on because, in many cases, it has been noticed, there is not
enough food in the way of young parts to satisfy its hunger and
it has to starve more or less in the last stage of growth. Especially
must this be the case where the plant chosen happens to be a small
vetch, the young parts of which are sometimes very scanty at
certain times of the year. On the whole, however, there is little
variation in the general patterns of the underside of the wing
although there may be some in the tone : the subcostal spot in
interspace 10 on the underside of the fore wing is never present
and this serves to distinguish the species from G. straba with
which it could otherwise easily be confused. The insect has been
bred upon Phaseohts trilohus hj Mr. de Niceville in Calcutta and
on Cylista scariosa in Kanara in Bombay.
The figures of the male and female 50 and 50a. on Plate G are
not good as regard the colouring. The upperside of the male should
be pale purple or violet. The blue on the uppersides of the
female wings at the bases should be light and not dark ; the under-
side should be light, a silvery-grey or, sometimes, with a slight
pinkish or brownish shade.
154. Catochrysops pandava, Horsfield. — Wet-season brood. — Male. Upper-
side: laveuder-blue. Fore wing: costa narrowly, terminal margin more
broadly fuscous brown, the latter with in addition an anteciliary, black line :
cilia light brown transversely traversed close to, but not at, their bases by a
dark brown line. Hind wing : costa narrowly fuscous brown : a subterminal
series of black spots outwardly edged or not by a white line : the spot in
interspace 2 the largest and inwardly crowned or not more or less broadly
with ochraceous yellow ; an anteciliary, black line and the cilia as on the
fore wing. Underside: greyish-brown. Fore and hind wings: the follow-
ing transverse darker brown markings on each wing, the markings edged on
the inner and outer sides with white lines — a short bar across the discocel-
lulars, a discal catenulated band of six spots, the posterior two elongated
.-^JTK CQMMOJy BUTTEBFUES OF THE PLAINS Ot INDIA. US
spots of which on the fore wing are en echelon, while the band on the hiod
wing is bisinuate and is capped anteriorly near the costa by a seventh
round, black spot eccircled with white ; the above are followed by macu-
lated inner and outer subterminal bands, which on the hind wing are curved
and more or less interrupted on the tornal area by a comparatively
large round black spot in interspace 2 and a smaller similar spot in inter-
space 1, both spots inwardly crowned with ochraceous ; the Avhite edgings
on the inner side to both subterminal bands on the hind wing are more or
less lunular ; an anteciiiary, blackish line bordered intermittently with
white ; cilia light brown. In addition on the same wing there is a sub-basal
curved row of four white-encircled spots, of which the anterior two and
the spot on the dorsum are black, the other dark brown. Antennas black,
shafts ringed with white ; club tipped orange ; head f rons white and black,
thorax and abdomen brown, the head and thorax clothed with bluish hairs ;
beneath: palpi, thorax and abdomen whitish. Female. XJ 'pferdde : brown.
Fore wing : shot with blue from base outwards for a little over half its length
down its middle, this blue irroration not nearly extended to the costal
margin ; a slender anteciiiary black line. Hind wing : blue like the fore wing
but dark with a touch of blue iridescence near base ; terminal markings much
as in the male but the subterminal spots larger and often those in in-
terspaces 1 and 2 more prominently crowned with orange and not extended
beyond interspace 6 ; in addition postdiscally there is a lightening of the
shade of the ground-colour, between which paler area and the subterminal
spots the ground-colour assumes the form of a postdiscal, short, transverse
lunular band. Underside as in the male, the marking slightly larger and more
clearly defined. Antennae, head, thorax and abdomen as in the male but
slightly paler.
Dry-season brood. — Male and female. Very similar to the same sexes of
the wet-season brood, but can be recognized by the following differences :
^ — Upperside : Male. Ground-colour slightly duller; subterminal spots on
the hind wing less clearly defined. Female. The blue shot area extended
outwards on the fore wing for three-fourths of its length from base, but, as
in wet-season specimens not reaching the costal margin ; on the hind
wing the blue suffusion covers the entire medial portion of the wing from
the base to the subterminal row of spots, of which latter the spot in inter-
ispace 2 is entirely without the inner ochraceous edging. Male and female.
Underside: ground-colour darker than in specimens of the wet-season
brood, the discocellular and discal transverse bands on both fore and hind
wings broader, the terminal markings very ill-defined, the inner white
edging to the inner of the two subterminal transverse bands broadened
and very diffuse. On the hind wing the discocellular and discal bands
coalesce and form an ill-defined, diffuse, medial cloud on the wing. Ex-
panse : male and female, 24-32 mm.
Larva. — Normal ; segment 2 on the whole more or less semi-circular
in outline but with a small indentation on front margin in the dorsal line,
giving the impression of a truncation ; the usual dorsal depression :
segment 2 somewhat broader and higher than the preceding ; the breadth
of body after that the same up to segment 12 after which it decreases
again to the rounded anal extremity ; segments 13, 14 with the dorsal
line sloping down at an angle of 30° to the longitudinal axis of body.
The head small, round, shining, with a small, triangular clypeus ; black
in colour with the antennas white, hidden under segment 2 : the colour
may be yellow. Surface of the larva is dull and rough looking ; thert-
is a central, dorsal depression to each segment which is mote or less in
the nature of a wide pit ; the segment-mareins are well marked ; the
whole dorsa of segments. 13, 14 are distantly pitted with pin-point pittings ;
16
1 14 JOURNAL, BOMB A Y NA TUBAL mST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
the whole visible part of the body (dorsal half somites) are cover'ed
thickly with minute, erect, black, pointed hairs which are only visible
under the lens ; there is a fringe of comparativelv long, fine, white hairs
along the dorsoventral margin on segments 2, 13, 14 and some similar
ones along the sides of ventrum just below this line on the rest of the
body : all • erect ; the gland on segment 11 is transverse, mouth-shaped,
rather large, surrounded with black tubercles ; the organs on segment 12
are rather small protruding at intervals a white, cylindrical column with a
globular end covered with minute, short hairs. Spiracles circular, small
white with thin raised edges. Colour of larva is either green or rose.
One was green with a dorsal, lateral and subspiracular, broad line and in-
distinct, diagonal, similar markings between the dorsal and lateral lines ;
there is always a subspiracular, yellow line along the dorsoventral margin
as well a dark, pulsating, dorsal line — even when there are no reddish
markings ; ventrum and legs always green. L : 12 mm. ; B : 4*5 mm.
Papa. — Normal. The head is bowed, the whole frons being nearly ventral ;
segment 2 with the dorsal line rising at 45° to longitudinal axis of body ;
a broad strip with waved hinder margin; the thorax with the anterior two-
thirds of its dorsal line in the same plane as that of segment 2, then
curving to become parallel to that axis at the hinder margin ; a slight dorsal
constriction behind thorax ; the hinder margin of thorax comes to a rounded
point in dorsal line running into segment 4, and the ends meet the wings in
a rounded, deep angle of 45° ; the thorax convex in the dorsal line, the
abdomen also ; the ventral line is straight ; the greatest breadth is at segment
7 ; the anal segment is rounded at extremity and turned under. Spira-
cles of segment 2 are small, flat, longly oval, light in colour; the others are
round and rather convex, small, light yellow in colour. Surface of the
pupa is quite smooth, except for some distant, extremely minute, erect
hairs, somewhat shining, the gland scar rather large, the segments plainly
marked. Colour is generally an olive-green with fuscous, irregular dorsal
and lateral lines ; the veins on the lighter-coloured wings dark-brown.
L : 8 mm. ; B : 4 mm. at segment 7 and 3 mm. at shoulders — from which it will
be evident that the pupa thins somewhat rapidly forwards from the middle ;
it is about the same height at the apex of the thorax that it is at the middle.
Hahits. — The eggs are laid, always singly, on the young shoots
and on the young leaves which are often red. The youiig larva
eats its way out of the egg through the side and immediatelj^ pro-
ceeds to eat : ab first the leaf-cuticle on the underside — where the
egg is generally laid — and later on in more drastic fashion, as it
grows bigger, from the edge in irregular little triangles and
curves, the whole substance being consumed. Ants are always
found with these caterpillars and, as far as noticed, ave generally of
the genus Gremastogaster ; though others also attend. Mr. deNice-
ville noted Monomorium speculare and Prenolepes lovgicornis, the
former "a nastj vicious little insect, the latter a long legged, very
active^ quick-moving species which is very greedy of sugar and ia
common in bungalows. They are all species of small dimensions,
especially Monomorium. Colonel Bingham says that the butterfly
exists throughout Peninsular India south of the outer ranges of the
Himalayas, but not in desert tracts and that it is some^vhat local.
It probably will be found bo affect the better wooded parts of India
only and especially the regions of fairly heavy rainfall, avoiding the
THE CQMMQN. B UTTMRFLIES QF \TRE PLAINS OF INDIA. ; 1 1 5
localities destitute of vegetation of Malayan character and very
scanty water stipply. All along the Western Ghats in Bombay it is
plentiful and is to be fbund all the year round in undiminiished
numbers, wherdas the other two species, G. sir abb and G. C7iejus, ate
a great deal more in evidence during the fair weather months tl^an
in ; the monsoon season. G. 'pandava is not quite such a strong
flier as these two and is slightly the smaller in size ; it is
not particularly fond of undiluted sunshine and open spaces and is
not met with at flowers as commonlj'^ as they are. Otherwise the
habits are very much the same in all stages. The species is
found also in Ceylon ; Assam ; Burma and the Malayan Subregion
adjoining. The foodplants vary but are generally belonging to
the Leguminosea\ Xylia dolahriformis, or Jamba as it is called
locally in the Southern Mahratta Country, is the commonest in
Bombay ; and curiously enough, it has been bred upon Cycas, a
garden plant of quite a different family by Mr. de Miceville in
Calculta and by the writer in Karwai% on the sea coast of Kanara,
in Bombay. ,
14. Genus — Tarucus.
This generic group has a wide distribution in the Old World, to which it
is confined. There are three species occurring in British India, one being
found from North Africa to Upper Burma ; another from Africa to China
and the Malayan Subregion ; tlie third being confntd to India, from
Sikhiin to the Nilgiris and Southern India generally. Tarucus venosus,
Moore, is mentioned by Colonel Bingham as a fourth species confined to
Northern India. He says : "I agree with the late Mr. de Niceville that
breeding experiments will probably prove that this form belongs merely
to the dark, wet season brood of ordinary theophrqstus."
155. Tarucus theophrastus, Fabricus.— Male. (PI. G, fig. 51). Upperside:
pale or deeper purple to violet with, in certain lights, a blue suffusion ; the
markings of the underside slightly apparent through transpHrency, the
wing-surface .bare of hairs on the discs ; a fringe of lougish, white
ha'rs along inner margin. Fore wing: costal margin above vein 12
blackish; iliscocellulars with a transverse elongate, often broad blackish
spot ; a slender, anteciliary, black line. Hind wing : immaculate except
for, an ant3ciliary black lim^ as on the fore wing. Vilia of both fore
and hirtfl wings dull sullied to pure white with a bro«-r,ish -black band
al'ng their bases. , JJnderdde -. white or yellowish with the following
black markinojs : — Fore wing: an anteciliary line continued aloiig the
costa but not Up to tha base: a streak b3low vein 12 from base passing
obliquely to the costa ; a less obliquely-placed irregular streak across
the cell with a spot below it in interspace 1 (or that streak continued into
1 and even la) ; a curved interrupted band beyond, that consists of a spot
in interspace 9 joined to a transverse bar across the discocellulars, and
detached from it (or not) a spot in interspace 2 thut coa'esces with an-
other in interspace 1 : following this are four upper discal spots two and
two placed obliquely, the lower two often coalescent ; a transverse,, post-
discal, more or less macular, curved band ; and a subtermiMal, transverse
series of six round equal-si/t-d spots. Hind wing : an obliquely placed,
basal streak and a spot below it on the inner margin ; a row of three
spots across the cell and one at the inner margin at the end, the upper
lltJ JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, VoL XXVI.
o
two spots much elongated ; a short bar on the discocellulara and an elonr
ate, transverse, subcostal spot beyond and above it (sometimes divided
into two) ; four discal spots, the upper two placed obliquely two and two
(sometimes joined), the lower two transverse, closer in, coalescent : post-
discal band, subterminal transverse series of spots and anteciliary line as
on the fore wing ; the postdiscal band lunular, all or some of the spots of
the subterminal series with shining bluish metallic scales. Cilia as on
the upperside ; tail thread-like, black, tipped with white. Eyes smooth.
Antennae, head (frons white and black), thorax black, abdomen black with
white bands ; the palpi black ; the shafts of the antennee ringed with
white, the club orange inside ; the thorax with bluish pubescence ;
beneath : the palpi (with the third joint black), thorax and abdomen
white. Female — (PI. G., fig. 51a) — Upperside : dark brown ; bases of the
wings suffused with bluish scales, inner margin sparsely fringed white.
Fore wing : the transverse, discocellular spot as in the male, but continued
posteriorly by a black spot in interspace 2 coalescent with a similar spot in
interspace 1 (in some specimens the latter two spots are only seen by
transparency from the underside) : a medial area beyond apex of cell
white, crossed by an upper discal, macular, short, black band that extends
from vein 3 to vein 6 ; the ground-colour over the rest uniform ; on the
costal margin there are some pale lines between veins 10, 11 and 12, and
on the broad terminal margin of ground-colour an obscure, transverse,
macular, white line. Hind wing : basal, cellular and discal markings of
the underside more or less apparent through transparency ; a postdiscal
and a subterminal, transverse series of white, somewhat quadrate spots,
the two series converge and meet anteriorly in interspace 6, the outer of
the two is margined by the series of black subterminal spots of the under
side which show through more or less plainly. Cilia of both fore and
hind wings and tail at apex of vein 2 of the hind wing aa in the male.
Underside : similar to that of the male, the ground-colour slightly more
yellowish, the markings more clearly defined. Antennoe, head, thorax
and abdomen as in the male. Expanse : Male and female, 22-31 mm.
L^gg. — In shape like a turban, circular, the breadth greater than the
height, the top flat and even a little concave. The surface is finely sha-
greened. covered with little coarse lumps very irregularly, these lumps
longer somewhat than broad at the top, the top rounded ; each one con-
nected with each surrounding one by a fine, raised ridge ; most of the
cells (so to speak) left between the ridges are triangular, some, however,
irregularly four or even five-sided ; there are about two rows of these
prominences from base to the periphery, of the — top and about 25
of them round that periphery — it is difficult to estimate ; on the top
the lumps become rapidly lower and finally disappear towards the centre,
the lines also joining them becoming finer ; in the absolute centre there
is a moderately large more or less circular space showing merely the
ground- surface of the egg : shining, shagreened. The cclour of the egg
is a light sea-green ; all the prominences and ridges are enamel-white ;
all the ridges run up the sides of the prominences to the white, rounded
top. B : O. 6 mm. ; H : O. 25 mm.
Larva. — The larva is like that of Cyaniris puspa : in that it is of the same
shape and is covered with little flattened, short, white, stmi- transparent
hairs, some of which, where particularly short, are star-topped ; there are
two hairs on the centre of dorsum of each segment, one on each side of
dorsal line, longer than the rest, cylindrical, curving towards each other
and nearly meeting at the points, with a few similar shorter ones in front
of them ; as also a fringe of equally long, similar hairs round margin of
body. All these hairs are set with minute, appressed bairlets. The
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF TRE PLAINS OF INDIA. 117
f/iape is onisciform, rounded at both ends (the head being hidden under
segment 2), broader in front than behind, broadest at segment 4/5, flanged
on margin, the Bpiracles being well above the flange ; each segment is
slightly constricted at margin ; the anal segment is perfectly convex ;
uot flattened in any way ; and the body is highest about segment 3/4 and
descends in the dorsal line evenly thence to both ends. Segment 2 is
semi-circular in shape and is higher at hinder margin than at front
margin where, like the rest of the body margin, it lies closely applied to
leaf surface ; segment 3 is somewhat suddenly higher than segment 2
dorsally at the common margin of the two segments. The head, rarely
visible, is roundish, smooth, shiny light green in colour ; with a large)
triangular clypeus ; labrum and jaws red-brown, eyes nearly black ;
antennal basal joint light green, second joint brownish. Surface of body
dull with the usual transverse folds : one in centre of each segment and the
segment margins ; the mouth-hke organ on segment 11 is transverse and
large; the circular organs on segment 12 are present. The co/owr of the larva
is green, rendered glaucous by the presence of all the little whitish
flattened hairs; with a dorsal yellowish-white (sometimes centred with
deep red and touched externally reddish) band as well as another sub-
spiracularonmarginof body and some short, diagonal, hardly visible, whitish
bands on each segment laterally ; the dorsal band spreading out on
segment 2 into an obsolescent patch. Larvae have sometimes a rosy tinge
along the dorsal line and margin of body. L : 11 mm. ; B : 4 mm.
Pupa. — The pupa is of the ordinary shape of the genera Cyaniris, Poly-
ommatus, Catochrysops : ovoid, flattened ventrally, very gently and widely
constricted at segment 4/5, convex dorsally and humped at tlorax. It is
rounded at the anal end where the last segments are turned under, the
oremastral surface being ventral, rather large, oval with a ring of minute
liooklets all round ; the head is bowed towards ventrum and is hidden
under the hood-shaped second segment which is somewhat trapeze-shaped
in outline, though the corners are rounded ; the thorax is large, evenly
convex, highest about middle, produced forward in a gentle curve and
backwards in a stronger curve more or less triangularly ; the angle formed
by it, wings and segment 4 being deep, open and curved. The spiracles
of segment 2 are indicated by a slight raising of the hinder margin of
segment 2, forming a long, narrow, pinkish-yellow surface facing back-
wards ; the other spiracles are small, nearly round, prominent, white.
Surface of pupa is nearly smooth except for a patch of minute, erect, light
hairs laterally on segment and somewhat shiny. Colour is green, very
light on wings ; with a dark dorsal line marked with black, and a black
supraspiracular spot to each segment 3 to 12 with another similar spot
above it on segments 4 to 12 : at times may be nearly completely suft'used
with black. L : 7 mm. ; B : 8 mm.
Habits. — The larva lives generally on the underside of yonng
leaves, eating the substance of the leaf, all but the upper cuticle,
in lines ; is generally attended by ants (Cremastogasier) and goeB
down to the ground to pupate though it sometimes changes in a
curled up, dry leaf on the bush or tree, the ants still guarding it in
this state. The pupa is, as usual, fixed by the tail and a bodyband.
Several larvss are often found on one bush or tree and their
presence is easily seen by the characteristic method of eating and,'
generally, by the attendant ants. The thin upper cuticle left
after the under substance of the leaf has been eaten, withers,
shrivels and turns brown in a short time, when it shows very dis-
iiy J6 URNAL, bomb a Y NA TZ/BALMST. society, tol. XXVI.
tinctly against the green of the rest of the upperside. Ants are
very greedy of the exudation from the gland of the caterpillars
and, veiy generally, may be found clustering on their "backs in
numbers. The species that have been particularly noticed in atten-
dance are Camponoius compressiis, Fabr,, a large, black species,
inore than half an inch in length ; and Cremastogaster of unde-
termined species. It is more than probable there are also others.
The butfcerfly is a low-flying insect of fairly rapid movements but
it never flies far before settling again. It sits on the uppersides
of leaves with its wings closed over, the back and is Constantly
fubbing the two hind wings together; it walks about a good deal,
also, amongst the flowers and on the leaves and does not seem to
visit flowers much for food. It is found everywhere, in the hills
and plains, in the jungles and open desert tracts in Northern and
Western Africa, Arabia, Persia, Baluchistan, N. W. Himalayas,
the Punjab, Western, Central and Southern India, Ceylon.
Assam, Upper Burma. It occurs thus in Sind where the annual
rainfall is only 2 inches in some parts, and in North Kanara in
Bombay where it reaches 300 inches locally. ' • .
The pictures of the male and female, figures 51 and 51a pri Plate
(j, are both too dark in the colour of the blue on the uppersides ;
the male should be pale purple to violet, the female should have
the blue at the base lighter blue. Both undersides are generally
whitish though yellow is not uncommon.
, 156. Tarucus plinius — This form closely resembles in both sexes on the
Tipperside 7'. theojihrastw^, but the character and disposition of the mark-
ings on the underside are completely different, but is less blue and browner
on the upperside, the disc bare of hairs and the fringe of the inner margin is
blye in both sexes.
Male. (PI. 6., fig. 45). — Upperside : dark brownish-violet with, in certain
lights, a rich blue suffusion, and the markings of the undersides (in both
wings) showing through by transparency. Fore wing : no discocellular black
spot, so conspicuous in T. theophvastun ; terminal margin with a narrow
edging of fuscous black, widest at the apex, gradually decreasing to the
toruus, followed by an inconspicuous, anteciliary, jet-black line Hind wing :
costal margin slightly but broadly shaded with fuscous, which is continued
as a slender, anteciliary, black line to the tornus. Underdde ; white. Fore
wing: with the following brownish-black markings: — an irregular edging
. along the costa to near the apex from which extends down\vards a subbasal
band, broadened across the cell and below it ; an irregulai* band that ex-
tends along the discocellulars and below them to interspace 1 wheife it ends
ia a point ; an upper, discal, curved band of more even width, but dislocated
b^low vein 4, the lower portion of it shifted inwards fofms a large, quadrate
spot in interspace 3, below vein 3 the band is continued downwards by two
small, inconspicuous spots, beyond this is a very shprt, acuttly-pointed, com-
ma-shaped mark ; a very regular, evenly curved, complete, transverse lunular
line, a transverse series of subterminal spots and ati; anteciliary, slender
Ii|i'e.i Close to the base of the wing extended obliquely; upwards and out-
wards from the dorsum is a triangplar marlj, the edging of white colour left
n'eiar the base forms above the apex of this mark an a^ciite apgle ; between
the' band that crosses the middle of the cell and the transversa, discocellular
AM
TME COMMON JBUTTJEJiFZJJBSOF THE PIAINS OF INDIA. 119
band is a more or less slender, irregular, similarly-coloured line; and
between the discocellular and upper discal bands another much shorter
line that extends from the costa downwards but does not reach vtin 4,
this is slightly clavate anteriorly and posteriorly. Hind wing : mottled
with brownish-black that leaves only basal, snbbasal, medial and discal
transverse lines or bands of the ground-colour; the medial and discal
bands, which are highly irregular, enclose here and there small brownish
markings, the bands themselves coalescing above a very irregularly shaped,
brown mark that is placed on the posterior half of the middle of the wing ;
terminal markings as on the fore wing but the subterminal spots larger,
the apical one especially so, the tornal two spots jet-black and each
j^ncircled by a glittering, slender ring of metallic, green scales. Cilia of
b)th fore and hind wing, the antennsB, head (frons black) thorax
and abdomen much as in T. theoph vastus, except that the abdominal white
bands do not reach the dorsum. Eyes haired. Female. — (PI. G., fig. 45a).
Upperside ; very closely resembles that of female T. theophrasivs, but the
extent of white on the fore wing is greater so that there is a greater area of
white to be seen between the brown markings superposed on it, these
markings have the appearance of an irregularly termed V on a white
background. Hind wing much as in T. thenphrastus. Uvderside : similar
to that of its own male, but the brown bands less broken, more regular.
Cilia, antennae, head, thorax and abdomen as in the male. Expanse :
IVJale and female, 22-31 mm.
^ Fgff. — Turban-shaped, slightly depressed on top in the middle, has
aTjout 24 low, rounded ridges running from the centre on top in slightly
curved lines diagonally to the base in both directions — that is to the right
and to the left — so as to divide the surface up into many little diamonds ;
at the intersections of these lines are small, raised knobs, one to each
intersection, which are many times higher than the ridges ; the bottoms
of the little diamond-cell — the surface of the egg — is extremely finely
reticulated ; the cells on the top of the egg are very small, confused and
undefined. The colour of the egg is nearly white throughout and only
slightly shining. B : O. 5 mm. ;H ; O. 3 mm.
Larva. — The larva is of the usual limaciform shape of the genera Nacaduba,
Cyanins,&c. ; it is broadest about segment 5, each segment is constricted at
margin, most so on dorsum where each segment is somewhat humped in
consequence, the highest part of hump being near the anterior margin ; the
greatest height is also about segment 6 ; the anal segment is somewhat
broad (in larval transverse sense), the humping very slight from segment
11 hind margin to anal margin, the anal portion somewhat suddenly narrow-
er than segment 12 and broadly rounded at end, the dorsal portion being
flattish, but the margins thick (no depression on dorsum however) ; seg-
ment 2 is semi-circular in shape, with the dorsum raised including nearly
the whole length of hinder margin but coming to a bluntly rounded portion
at front margin ; the centre of this raised triangular part being slightly
depressed ; the sides of larva are of course sloping from dorsum to larval
margin; each segment has a depression from near dorsal line down centre
to near each spiracle: rather slighc. The liead is small, the neck when
"pi-dtlruded very long ; the colour of head is black, very shiny, labrum whitish,
antennae brownish : clypeus large and triangular; shape round. The sur-
jfaceoi the larva is dull, with the segmental margins constricted as stated
above, a depression down centre of segments 3 to 11 ; the usual round
(>periing8 with white cylindrical tubes protrusible on segment 12 ; the
-fhonth-like, traupverse gland-slit on segment 11 ; the whole surface besides
ooivered with minute, sessile etar-.topped hairs, white on the white portions,
.black pn the brown. The f5;?iV«c/es are small, white, roundish, flush, The
130 JO UU'NAL, BOMBAY NATUHAL M^f. SOOIET Y, YoL XXVl.
ndknii-oi \a,xv& is gteen With a. red-brown dorsal batid from end tO' •end
interrupted at front of segment 3 by a yellowish-white margin to that
segment which ends aind curves back broadly along the dorsal band in • the
dorao-lateral region ; segment 4 is also yellow in the dorso-lateral region ;
segment 6 is red-brown in that region with a thin line of yellow sub-dorsal -
ly aloing dorsal band ; each succeeding segment is whitish in that region
(owing to the white tubercles), there being a diagonal, indistinct, whito
stripe also in the lateral region ; there is a marginal, yellowish line niOrO or
less boi?dered with red-brown above somewhat broadly but often interrup-
tedly. The belly is flat and green. L: 10 mm. ; B: 3 mm.
' Pupa. — The pupa is of the ordinary type of that of Castalius, &C. ; has
the thorax; very little humped, so that the dorsal constriction behind it is
little ; there is no lateral constriction ; the pupa is broadest aboiit
segment 8 and also highest there; segment 5^ is broadish, quite straight
as to front margin, curved back on sides towards thorax, with its dorsal
line in the same plane as that of front of thorax ; the head or face is
perpendicular to longitudinal axis of pupa ; the thoracic dorsal line ascends
gently to centre and then gently descends to hinder margin of the
segment, that margin being curved strongly towards segmsnt 4 with an
inclination to being pointed on dorsal line ; the angle between it and wings
is open and fairly deep, widely rounded ; the anal end is rounded, the
segments 13 and 14 being turned under ; the dorsal line of abdomen
rather convex. Surface of pupa shiny and coveted, with exception of
wings, with minute, erect, yellowish hairs, fairly densely. Spiracles of
segment 2 long, narrow ovals, yellowish ; others, small roundish, whitish.
Colour light brown-pink speckled and blotched all over rather strongly
as a rule, the markings having a tendency to run into a dorsal and lateral
band. L: n9arly 8 mm. ; B. 3'5 mm.
Habits. — The eggs are laid singly and, as a rule, on the floWer-
heads when in bud ; more rarely in the fully expanded heads ;
sometimes, even, on the flower-stalks. The larva, on emerging,
eats into a bud ; later on, when more grown, it lives on the outside
of a bud, eating the inside, for which purpose, presumably, it has
been supplied with its long neck ; it never seems to eat leaves. The
pupation takes place in a crevice in the bark of the tree ; rarely
among the buds ; the attachment is by the tail and a bodj'- band
as usual. Some of the larvae are plain green in colour, others are as
the one above described ; others again have the red-brown greatly
extended, covering nearly all the green colour, but never the yellow
of the dorsa of segments 3, 4 and G-10, nor the subspiracular, yellow,
band which is always present though it is, in the very red-brown
specimens, often narrow and interrupted. The pupae are nearly
quite plain when they belong to the plain green caterpillars. The
larva is, seemingly, but rarely attended by ants.
Numbers of the butterflies were bred in Karachi in August 1904
when the Albizzia lebhelc was in full bloom. Males were flying
about in numbers in the shade of these trees everywhere as also round
the tops— looking for females of course — in the hottest of suns.
They fly strongly and for a long time in much the same manner as
Oatochrysops 'pandava or some of the Nacaduha species. They some-
times light on the ground where there is little doubt many ^lipfef are
TRE CaMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. .121
to be found as the flowers fall in great numbers and, with them,
hirvEe must come down too. When at rest on a leaf in the sun, thie
wings are often kept partly separated though, in absolute repose,
they ai-e joined over the back in the usual way. De Niceville
says the insect '' is extremely pugnacious, fighting with others of its
own species whenever it meets them, and ascending high into the
air during the contest. It settles chieHy on bushes and trees, sel-
dom on the ground." He further quotes Aitken as having bred it
on Seshaniaaculeala\v\\\ch also belongs to Leguminosece ; and Green
\\x i^&yXon on Plwvhago ca-pensis oi the. Flumhaginacem . Mr. Green
remarks that he has never seen ants attending the larvae. They do
occasionally attend them as, indeed, the presence of the gland and
extensible organs on segments 11 and 12 would seem to indicate.
Like many other lycsenid caterpillars, this one may require ants, and
that may account for two such very dissimilar foodplants as Seshania
(or Albizzia) and Plumbago. The insect has a wide range : West
Africa, Aden, throughout India, Ceylon and Burma and into the
Malayan Sub-region. In Bombay Presidency it does not occur in
regions of very heavy rainfall and has never been met with in
Kanara, on the Ghats or at sea-level. Mr. Aitken, however, above
mentioned, bred it in the island of Bombay.
The figures of the male and female, Plate G. 45 and 45a, are
rather good ; the upperside of the male is perhaps somewhat dull.
157. Tarucus ananda, de Niceville. — This has generally, so far, been
placed in the genus Castalius, It is an undoubted Tai-ucus.
Imago. — Male. Upper side; dark purple with a gloss in certain lights, with
narrow, uniform, black, marginal borders to both wings ; the spots of the
underside gf nerally showing through the wings which are bare of hairs on
the disc and the fore wing has hardly any fringe on the inner margin.
Underside : dull white, markings black. Fore wing ; with a band under
vein 12 from the base to the costa before the middle ; a bar from the
middle of the costa to the middle of the wing ; on its inner side there is
another broad bar extending hindwards to vein 1, and it sometimes
touches the second bar above, sometimes does not ; a postdiscal, macular
band, with the spots sometimes joined together, sometimes more or less
well separated. Hind wing : with the basal and subbasal, transverse
bands, sometimes broken ; a short discocellular band ; a postmedial
usually of three pieces ; both wings with subterminal and anteciliary,
uniform rows of small spots, the one in interspace 2 often larger and
touched with metallic blue-green scales outwardly. Antennae black,
ringed with white ; eyes smooth ; head and body black above, white
beneath ; club of antennae black ; frons black ; the palpi black above,
white beneath where the fringe of the second joint is white mixed with
black.
Female like the male. Upperside with the ground colour dull, browner,
and with a blue gloss at the bases of the wings and along the dorsal
margin very much paler, often white on the disc ; the markings of the
underside showing conspicuously through the wings. Underside : as in
the male.
Expanse of wings: cf • ? 25mm. .J
16
1122 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HI^T. I$0,CI^-FJ^, Vof, XXVI.
Larva. — The shape is, on the whole, normal though the body is depressed,
reminding the observer somewhat of the larva of Arhopalq. Segment
2 somewhat thickened on the margins, rounded in outline, slightly fconvex ;
each segment is quite distinct except segments 12-14 ; the anal end is
rounded; each segment has a transverse, depressed > line in the middle
parallel to front and hinder margins from spiracle to, spiracle so that it has
the appearance of being a double segment. Head greenish-yellow and
shining, with dark brown jaws and a jet-black eye-patch. The aut^face is
covered with comparatively long ha.irs which are either thick -topped or
pointed ; the margin of the body under the spiracular region is set with a
dense fringe of long, white, slender hairs above whicli are some long
tubercular, lilac-coloured hairs, one to each of the segments 4-10 ; on
segment 3 there are two such, one above the other; on segment two there
are 12 in a double row round the free margin ; each segment has 4 long,
white, curved hairs more or less in the middle of the dorsum, 2 on each
■side of the dorsal line and these are knobbed at th& extremity ; segment o
has, besides, a few drooping hairs, long and white ; the whole surface of
the body is covered, in addition, with thick-topped, white and dark
tubercles ; segment 1 1 alone is naked owing to the presence of the large,
red gland: on segment 12 are found the usual circular openings through
which can be protruded a cylindrical, white body; the top of which is set
with minute tubercles. The spiracles are small, roui;id and flush with the
surface. The colour is grass-green with a golden glimmer, even when
looked at with a considerable magnifying power. The following pattern
dorsally : on segment 2, an hexagonal, black depression ; sepnent 3
yellow-green bordered laterally by black; segments 4-6 black dorsally,
segment 4 having a short, black hue running dowiji from the black ;
segments 7, 8 yellow bordered by black laterally and with a short,
diagonal, black line below on each side; segments 9, lO are similar to 7, 8
but are red-brown instead of yellow ; the rest of the body dorsally black,
suddenly narrowing on the anal segments — this marking is what makes
the larva so like that of Arhopala centaurus. Thei-e markings make a
broad, dorsal, parallel-sided band which reaches down toithe lateral region
or line. L : 11 mm. B : 3 mm.
Pupa. — Normal in shape. Segment 2 is straight in front with a slight
notch in the dorsal line of front margin ; anal end rounded, highest at
thorax, broadest at segments 7 and 8. Spiracles white,, small, round ; the
openings on segment 2 indicated by linear, white, slightly raised ovals.
Surface more or less shining, with a few hairs laterally on front margin of
segment 2 and a few on sestment 4. Colour shining brpw;n-black, some-
times with a greenish tinge; slightly reddish on the sides of the
abdomen ; wing-cases mottled with green and yellowish* L : 6 mm. B : 2%'>
ram.
Habits. — The eggs are laid on plants infested by ants, generally
of the genus Cremastogoster which' attend the larvse assidnously
throughout their liees and the pupa afterwards. These ants build
little byres or houses made of comminuted matter- — l^he same as
they use to build their large, globular or ovoid iiest masses in the
trees — in which they often tend these cows of theirs, for that is
practically what these larvae are. The latter no doirbt take refuge
in these places when they desire to chaftge their skins. ' Originally
these cells are made indubitably to cover stationary "mealy-bugs,"
which are so dear to most species of ants, an 5. not for the lycaeijid ;
the butterfly certainly seeks out the places where these ante are; and
TME COMMON B UTTEEFLIES OF THE PLAINS. OF INDIA. 123
lays her eggs there, knowing they will be well looked after. The
full-grown caterpillars are led down to the earth or into a crevice
in the bai-k of the ti*ee or into a hole by their protectors at the end
when they are ready to pupate — at least it looks as if they were for
they are always accompanied by mapy ants which climb all ovei-
them, ride on them and show every sign of attachment to them.
Even in the pupal stage they are still attended and befriended.
The larva is sluggish and not easily alarmed. It eats the leaves
both below and above, but more generally above, in broad
lines and patches ; never, however, eating right throvigh so
as to make a hole. Wherever there is one, there are generally
dozens. The plants it has been found on are Loranihus (Mistletoe)
of various species, (Loranfhacea') ■ Zkyphus of several species
{Wiamnaceie) ;, and a few others. The pupation is normal, the
attachment being hy the tail and a body-band.
The butterHy is rather a weak flier and often rests on the up-
persides of leaves with its wings widely separated, basking in the
sun; when in absolute repose it closes them over the back as usual.
It does not like excessive sunlight and is found only in the regions
of heavy rainfall of Sikkim, Orissa and Southern India. It is
plentiful in the jungles of the Western Ghats of Kanara in Bombay
where it occurs, but it cannot exactly be called common even there.
The larv£e and pupag are always much easier to find than the butter-
fly which, probably, keeps to the thick jungle and higher parts of
the trees, although it has never been seen flying with the strong-
winged, basking species of butterflies on the tops of hills where, in
parts of Kanaia, the piled masses of rock enable one to get on a
level with the tree-tops.
The habitat of the species is Sikkim, Orissa, Southern India in
Peint in Nasik, Kanara and the Nilgiri and Anamalai Hills,
Assam, Khasia Hills.
15. Genus — Castalius.
"This genua cat) not be separated from Tarucus by the venation or by
structure and is, in fact, linked to it by coloration through Castaliu)-
aiianda, de Niceville, a slightly aberrant form," says Colonel Bingham.
It is better in the genus 'I'urucus and has now been placed there. The
antennie are not quite the length of the fore wing, the club being long,
gradual and slightly bhint at the apex ; palpi pointing nearly straight
forward or shghtly up, densely clothed anteriorly with scales but not
fringed ; third joint of the antennae long, needle-like and naked ; body
comparatively weak ; eyes haired. The eyes are smooth in Taructis theo-
phrastus and anatiiiashnt haired in T. jilinius. Thelarvse of all of these, both
genera; are very similar and so are the pupre. The former are all covered
with a dense clothing of thick-topped hairs which give the surface a shining,
frosted' a^pearanfce — except anavda where the hairs are, some of them,
terminated by a drop-shaped thickening, instead of with a star or flat-
tened lend.' Castalius, as a genus, is sprea,d over Africa, India and the
Malayan Sub-region. The transformations of the three spticie& described
124 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
here are known and are given below. There are 6 or 7 species known
from the Indian region. The foodplant of the larvae is always Zizyphus
of the family Rhamnacece ; various species such as cBnoplia, ruyosa, jujuba ;
each species' of butterfly seeming to art'ect one particular species.
158. Castalius decidea, Hewitson. — Male. Upperside : dark brownish-
black with a broad, median, oblique, white band across fore and hind
wings, sometimes extended on the fore wing beyond vein 5 and produced
outwards between veins 4 and 5 into a hook-like form, the top of this band
looking rather like the head of a walrus. Fore wing : no appressed hairs
on the disc and very little hair-fringe to the inner margin ; cilia chequered
black and white. Hind wing : sometimes with a series of white, marginal
lunules included in the black colour in interspaces lb, 1 and 2 where there
is, then, also a black anteciliary line ; cj'/j'a as in fore wing. Underside:
white or yellowish with the following black markings: — extreme base black
produced outwards along vein 12 in a small club-shaped mark into base
of cell and connected in interspace la by a broad, brown bar with a broad,
curved band running through the top of the cell to the costa before the
middle, generally narrowest below ; a broad, short band from costa after
the middle, obliquely outwards down to and below vein 6 ; another
short band, generally limited by vein 1 below up to vein 8 (sometimes
beyond), postmedial ; a more or less quadrate patch, submarginal, between
veins Sand 4 ; a marginal series of small, white spots or dots superposed on
a terminal, black band expanding in a slight inward curve across apex.
Hind wing : the extreme base of wing black continued by a conjoined, or
not, spot in interspace 1 at extreme base, produced outwards and then up
through base of cell to vein 8 ; a subbasal, black spot on hinder margin in
interspace la ; a broad, black band from hinder margin, medial, in inter-
spaces la, 1 and 2, widening out distally ; a large, postmedial spot in inter-
space 3, a smaller one beyond in interspace 4 and series of three c(mjoined
spots in interspaces 5, 6, 7, that in 7 much the larger and produced broadly
and shortly inwards ; a subterminal series, one in each interspace, of
black lunules joined at the ends to an anteciliarv fine, black line ;
cilia of both fore and hind wings are really brown in their basal
halves, whitish-grey above, chequered broadly black at the ends of the
veins. Antennae black, finely banded white, the club tipped orange; palpi
black above ; head black, the frons white, fringed on each side with black
hairs ; the eyes rimmed with white and haired on their surfaces ; thorax
and abdomen black above, the former with white hairs, the latter thinly
banded with white. Below : palpi, head, thorax and abdomen white. The
end joint of the palpi is slightly longer in the female than in the male.
Expanse : 28-35 mm.
The above is more or less the description of a wet-season butterfly.
They, however, vary a good deal even in the wet season in the width of
the oblique-white band on the upperside and the size of the black patches
on the underside. Some specimens have the veins crossing the white band
on the upperside of the fore wing black.
In the height of the dry season the white of the upperside is much
broader and occupies quite one-third of the fore wing and more than half
of the hind wing, leaving, on the latter, only a very small, black base and a
far narrower outer border with a sinus in the inner, medial part and a
series of three, white, subterminal spots in interspaces lb, 1 and 2.
Underside : Fore wing : a black lunule just inside apex, leaving the apex
itself white ; an anteciliary black line with a submarginal series of lunules,
their ends touching the anteciliary line— none of these terminal markings
are present m the wet-season form ; the black patch on the middle of the
outer margin, the upper, postdiscal patch from the costa and the lower.
TBE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 126
postdiBcal mark from the inner margin quite distinct and separated ; the
last and the outer marginal one are often joined in the wet-eeason
forms. Hind wing : the basal and discal spots are quite small and alto-
gether separated, the middle spots sometimes even altogether v> anting.
E</(/. — Shaped like a finger-bowl, the top concave, but only gently so ; the
surface shining, covered with extremely fine, comparatively large
reticulations or flat-bottomed ceJls with a little lump at each junction of
the lines ; tl'.ese cells are most probably more or less irregularly hexagonal
as usual ; they are largest about the widest part, i.e., the rim of the bowl
or cup and become smaller towards the centre of the top where is situated
the minute micropyle which is circular and smooth ; there aie only about
2-3 rows of cells from rim to base ; the colour is a delicate light
the net-work and lumps white. B : 0.6 mm. ; H : a good deal less.
Larta. — Is of the normal shape but very depressed, highest in the
middle though the dorsal longitudinal outline is only very gently convex :
there ia a distinct flange f-eparating the dorsal aspect firm the ventral,
this ventnim being nearly flat ; the flange can be slightly turned up ; the
segments are well marked, being constricted laterally along the flange
except in segments 12-14 which are, as is commonly the case, more or less
one piece ; here this end piece is broadly rounded at extremity and flat
dorsally ; the outline of the body seen from above is a lengthened ellipse as
segment 2 is also rounded in front like the anal segment ; this segment 2 is
not retractable under 3 and has the dorsal trapeze-shaped space hardly de-
pressed at all. The head is hidden under segment 2, is round in shape, light,
shining, very pale yellowish with black eyes, red-brown tips to the man-
dibles ; a large, triangular clypeus. SjAracles small, nearly white, nearly
round, all the same size ; that of serment 2 hidden between margins of 2
and 3. Surface didl, covered rather closely with shining silver-white,
broad, more or less triangular, pointed, minute hairs more or less all over ;
amongst them some simple, feathered, longer, golden ones ; some one or
two subdorsal, much longer, erect hairs and a subspiracular fringe all round
the body of still longer, erect, golden-brown ones ; these last numerous,
feathered also and about one-third as long as breadth of body, most dense
at both ends of the larva: the gland near hinder margin of segment 11
transverse, mouth-shaped, rather difficult to see because of the hairs ; the
organs on segment 12 circular, about the size of the spiracles, whitish.
Colour is light green — whitish looking ; with a broad, light-jellow- green
dorsal hand flanked by a dorsolateral or nearly lateral transluce nt green,
dark and narrower band, a spiracular light yellow-green band and the
margin or flange below broadly translucent green ; ventn.m light green ;
prologs whitish ; true legs shining whitish with dark tips. L : 16 mm. ;
B : 6 mm. ; H : 3 mm.
Fupa. — Shaped like that of the Catochn/fops group but rather stout and
flattened somewhat ventrally. The htad is hidden, ventral : segment 2
semi-circular in front contour, very slightly and broadly indented in
dorsal line <m the front margin, convex transversely, the dorsal line at an
angle of about 45® to the longitudinal axis ; the vertex of head is at
right angles to that axis and only the frons is ventral as a matter of fact ;
the thorax is somewhat narrow transversely, the front part of dorsal line
starting at an angle of about 50° to longitudinal axis, this nngle gra-
dually deoreasinor to the rounded apex about the middle of thorax
whence it descends again to seoment 4 in a short slope of about £0° in
the opposite direction ; the hinder margin of thorax is a parabolic curve
meeting the wings in a large, rather deep, rounded angle of somewhere
about 45° ; segment 4 is long laterally, short in dorpal line where it is
about equal to the 6th segment in length ; from the 6th inclusive, the dor-
126 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, VolXXVI.
sal line of pupa again rises to segment 7 which is about the highest point;
the lateral outline also increases from shoulders to middle of: pupa though
there is no lateral constriction at all ; the dorsal constriction is broad and
gradual. The spiracles of segment '2 are considerably raised, oval and
light pinkish-yellow ; the others flush, lighter, small, oval, iiuiface of pupa
more or less dull, covered all over with erect, nearly white (some tinged
brownish especially at bases), long, slightly curved hairs ; these hairs
seeTiingly with many joints each, about as long as one-third the breadth
of pupa at middle (or a little less) and not very dense, most numerous at
both ends of the body ; the ventrum naked ; the anal end is nearly
hemisperically rounded and there are no conspicuous glands — or 12th
segment organ-scars. Colour : translucent light yell6w ; abdomen
suffused narrowly along the segment-margins with pinkish brown ; segments
1-4 and wings spotted with brown-reddish, dorsal line on posterior half of
thorax black as well as the lateral corners of segment 5 ; a dorsal, longi-
tudinal pinkish-brown line from end to end. Sometimes the pupa is
pinkish, the wings, thorax, head and segment 2 soiled whitish-yellow.
L : 9 5 mm, ; B : 4"5 mm. ; H : 35 mm.
Hahits. — The eggs are laid singly in the axils of the leaf-venation
on the "underside. The little larva eats out of the egg irregularly
uear the top, but does not eat the shell as a rule. It lies at first in
the axils ot the veins of the young leaf where it is born and eats
the epidermis ; later on eats through the substance but always feeds
on 3'^oung leaves, never upon the old ones. It is never at any
stage much attended by ants. When very small it lies amongst
the fluff of the young leaf-surface which is very densely i softly
woolly-hairy. When about to pupate the larva turns pinkish brown
and the simple hairs — also some of the flattened ones.^turn dark
golden brown ; it settles down very flattened, in some convenient
curve of a young or old leaf, often along a midrib acd turns into the
pupa, fixed in the usual manner by tlie tail and a bodj^-band tightly
against the surface. The butterflies are most niTmerous at the
times of young leaf from the month of July to the cold weather in
south of the Bombay Presidency. The imago appears within
aboiat a week after the pupation has taken place and, generally,
eclosion takes place about 10 o'clock in the morning, later on very
dull days. The newly emerged insect walks about, slowly for a bit
before flying and, at first, only takes very short exercises in the
air a few yards or so, settling again to repeat its walking
bouts. As a rule it never makes long excursions and never flies
high but always keeps to the lower regions of the air not far from
the surface of the ground: although its foodplant is a high-climbing
species often extending over fairly high trees. The butterfly is fond
of settling on bare, more or less dead or dry twigs and is then a
fairly conspicuous object, with its wings joined over its back,
wliite with lai*ge black blotches. It is not, on the whole, fond of
the sunlight arid might be called a species of heavj- jungle and
shade, like its congener, Castalius elhion. It has a wet-season and
dry-sea3on brood ; really it has broods one after anothu' through
THB COMMON BTfTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 127
most of tile yeai''. The \vet-season insects have the black border
very broad and the white markings narrow • the dry-season specimens
are characterise^ by a large extension of the white area. Some
specimens have the underside with a decided yellowish tinge as in
Taruciistheophrasius. The foodplant is Zizyphus rugosa, " Churn"
or " Torn " iti the Vernabulai", an extensive scandent shrub, climb-
ing over large trees at times in the dimp forest regions of the Western
Ghats in Bombay, with clustei's of small greenish-white flowers and
three-veined, roundish leaves, very thorny and a general nuisance to
the wayfarer in the jungles ; the young leaves are brown in colour
as a rule,, saw-e^ge and with the veins prominent underneath. The
fruits are white when ripe and edible, having a somewhat insipid
taste and a mealy consistency ; they are about the size of a marrow-
fat pea biit are ovoid instead of round.
■ . , '■■■'.'
The distribution of the insect is given as Sikhim, Malda, Eohil-
kuud ; Orissa; Western and Southern India: Bombay, Poona,
Kanara, the Nilgids, Travancore ; Ge^'lon ; Assam ; Burma.
The male and female are figured on Plate G, figures 47 and 47a.
Both > are good except that the undersides are, not pure enough
although specimens with a yellow shade are not uncommon.
159. Castalius ethion, Doubleday and Hewitson. — Male. Upperstde: iore
and hiud wipgs : no hairs on the discs and no fringe of hair on the inner
margin of, fore wing, medially and obliquely crossed by a very broad, pure
white band that is broadly edged on its inner and outer margins by dark
tjhihing b ne and does not extend on the fore wing above vein (j, just above
vein 3 it projects outwards for a short distance whence the inner margin
of its dark blue edging is carried obliquely to vein 6; whence it runs
dowa parallel to outec margin to inner margin ; the extreme bases of the
wings black ; the costal margin of the fore and the terminal margins of
both fore and, hind vvings broadly black : on both wings a light iridescent
blue sufiusion from base outwards. (Jnderside: snow-white. Fore and hind
wings: the following jet-black markings: — Fore wing: two broad more
or leps parallel streaks from base e.s tended obliquely to the costa,
the outer of the two tl^e broader and apically curved inwards and, on
the costa, coalesqent with the inner streak ; costal margin very narrowly
.edged with black ; postdiscal, outwardly oblique, short bar, el'ghtly
claiyate pQSte|riorly. extends from the costa and vein 5; opposing this
there is between the dorsum and vein 8 a similar but erect quadrate
patch ; beyond these there is an inner and outer transverse, complete,
subterrtiinal se'ries of spots followed' by an anteciliary slender black line;
the spdtS of the, inner, subtierminal series quadrate large, of the outer
linear, the" posterior two of the former very large ; lastly, asingla detached
postdiscal spot in interspace 3 very close to the inner subterminal line of
spots. "Hiud wing: a curved short basal band not extended to the costa,
a spot touching it in the middle on the outer side (or a parallel bar) and
ji discal, tran'sverse band twice widely interrupted (or continuous), the
middle, portion shifted, outwards, the h^wer portion with a spot on its
outer margin joined to it ; subterminal and terminal murkings as on the
fore' wing. AntenftjB (ringed with white, club tipped orange), head
(frons WhitiB, friliged black), palpi, thorax and abdomen black; beneath:
the palpi^ thorax ^nd "abdomen with a mledian, longitudinal, white line.
^28 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATUliAL HIST. SOOJMTy, Voi. XXVI.
Female, Upperside: similar to that of the male, but the median white trans-
verse band across both wings broader, extended on the foro wing up to
vein 7 (or not) and with no inner edging of blue or iridescent light blue
irroration ; the black at the bases of the wings and on the margins not so
intense in shade, more of a brownish-black. Underside t groun'J-colour
and markings very similar, the basal two oblique bands on the fore wing
generally farther from one another than in the male. A thread-like tail
at end of vein 2 of hind wing, black tipped with white. Expanse : Male and
female, 28-i}l mm.
£!(/ff. — Turban-shaped. The surface is only slightly shining ; divided up
into irregular, hexagonal cells by coarse walls which are lowest on top of the
egg and nearly triangular, also smallest round the central micropyle ; the
intersections of the walls each with a rounded, raised knob ; the bottoms of
the cells flat and minutely pitted ; sides of the hexagonal cella often of
different lengths, sometimes nearly O so that two knobs nearly coalecesce,
or even 3 at times ; the rows of cells are diagonal and slightly curved,
about 4 of them from the triangular cells of the top of the egg to the base
— 7 or 8 small ones surround the micropyle. Colour : green nearly obscured
by the whita knobs and ridges. B. O. 70m-m.
Larva. — The shape is more or less normal though considerably depressed, the
dorsal region quite even except that the segment-margins are quite distinct
and except for the depression on dorsum of segment 2 ; this depression is
somewhat indistinct and quite smooth at the boitom ; segment 2 is semicir-
cular in shape ; the anal end is broadly rounded and not in the least flat-
tened, its extreme margin perhaps slightly tumid. The head is hidden in
repose under segment 2, green in colour, shining, rather small, the eye
region jet-black, mandibles light red-brown tipped ; antetinsB, labrum
whitish, ligula with a red-brown tinge. Spiracles hardly visible, being sunk
in slight depressions, small, round and whitish in colour. /Surface of body
is shagreened silvery-white all over because of a dense covering of
short, thick, silvery-translucent hairs, generally appressed, sometimea
erect, sometimes thickened in the middle, sometimes double, always
extremely short ; these thickened hairs disposed all over the dorsal half-
somites, most densely on segments 2 and 3 ; rather shorter and sparser
on the green, dorsal line ; down each side of the green, dorsal line is a
row of 4-6 long and slightly up-curved bristles or hairs mixed with
an equal number of shorter ones on each segment ; all these bristles
being light red-brown in colour ; also a submarginal (dorsoventral) row
of light red-brown slightly longer, down-curved hairs, about 12 to each
segment. Colour : light grass-green with a broad, dorsal, dark-green line
from front margin of segment 3 to hinder margin of segment 12, flanked on
each side by a still broader, light yellow band, below which the body m
light grass-green. There is no sign of gland on segment 11 or organs on
segment 12. L: 13 mm. B: 3 mm.
Pupa. — Is normal in shape, like those of the other members of the genus
Castalius. The head is high, that is the frons is vertical with part of the
vertex of which a very small portion is visible above before the front
margin of segment 2, this margin being more or less straight; the thorax
is rounded and humped, nearly hemispherical as regards the dorsal
portion of the somite ; the abdomen is also convex about segments 8, 9 where
the body is fattest both in height and diameter ; there is a wide, though
rather accentuated constriction at segments 4, 6 ; the anal end is somewhat
^arrowed and rounded. Spiralcs of segment 2 are longly oval and white
in colour ; the rest are small, inclined to be semicircular and are also
white. The surface is clothed all over with short, erect, white hairs,
longest at anal extremity and on segment 2. The colour is green touched
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 129
with brown all along the borders of the wing ; there is a dorsal brown line
and a spiracular one ; the segment-margins also brown. L : 10 mm. ;
B : 3 mm.
Hahits. — There is nothing much to say about the habits iu all
stages for they are similar to those of other members of the genus.
The eggs are laid singly on the leaves and nearly always on the
undersides ; the young larva eats in a similar manner to that of
G. rosimon, so does the full-grown one ; the pupation takes place
on the underside of a leaf and the attachment is by the tail and a
body -band ; sometimes, rarely, it is formed on the upper surface.
The larva is not ever, as far as observed, attended by ants. The
butterfly is always to be found close to the ground, flying about
the places where the foodplant is growing on the borders of partial
clearings in the big jungles. It is never found in absolutely open
ground, neither does it like dense shade. It behaves much like
G. decidea and is easy to catch if it were not for the thorny
character of the foodplant which interferes with the manipulation
of a net. The foodplant is exclusively Z. oenoiilia " a straggling-
shrub or large climber with single, hooked or rarel}^ germinate
spines, obliquely ovate or oblong-ovate leaves 1-2*5 in length,
with copious, brown, silky hairs beneath ; few-flowered, axillary
cymes of light greenish-yellow flowers and small, black, edible
fruits." {Haines in The Forest Flora of Chota Nagpur.) The
young plants are erect like a young tree and the leaves are quite
glabrous and thin in texture and it is chiefly on these young plants
that the eggs and larvae are easily to be found. Ziziji^hus oenoplia
is a very large climber at times, is nearly evergreen and very
common in regions of heavy and moderate rainfall. The eggs,
larvse and pupje are much parasitized. The butterfly is con-
fined to damp jungles where the rainfall is heavy, and will
be found all along the ghats in Bombay. The male is a beautiful
little insect easily recognised by the irridescent blue interior
bordering to the black ends of the wings on the upperside.
Its distribution is : the Western Ghats of Bombay as far south
as Travancore ; Ceylon ; Andamans ; Assam ; Burma to JNIalay and
Java.
160. Castalius rosimon, Fabr. — Male. (PI. G., fig. 46) — Upperside: (bare of
hairs on the disc) white. Fore wing : with hardly any fringe of hair on inner
margin : costa, apex and termen edged with black, the edging much broader
on apex and termen ; base outwards for a short distance more or less densely
overlaid with metallic blue scales which cover and make indistinct a large
basal, outwardly-clavate, black spot ; a transverse, black, oval spot on the
discocellulars touching the black edging on the costa ; an oblique, irregular
line of four quadrate black spots beyond, the upper spot coalescent with
the black on the costal border, the next spot below shifted outwards out
of line, touching, as does also the lowest spot, the terminal black edging ;
posterior to this is a quadrate black spot in the apical half of interspace 2,
and placed obliquely outwards from it coalescent with the terminal black
border, another similar spot in interspace 1 . Hind wing : three basal,
17
130 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HLST. SOCLETY, Vol. XXVI.
black, somewhat coalescent spots overlaid with metallic blue scaling ; the
costal margin above the subcostal vein and vein 7 black ; this colour
filling also the base of interspace 6, where in some specimens it is divided
into a basal portion with a spot beyond ; a postdiscal, curved, transverse,
black band followed by a subterminal, transverse series of black spots,
each spot edged inwardly and outwardly by very slender huiules of the
white ground-colour ; on the inner side of the postdiscal band posteriorly
is a broken line of four black, generally coalescent spots two and two, the
two upper often touching the postdiscal band. Underside : white. Fore
wing : a long obliqvie, black band under vein 12 from base outwards to
the costa ; below and parallel to it an irregular, broad, black, somewhat
conical mark ; following these are two outwardly oblique, medially-inter-
rupted, black, macular bands ; the inner of the two extended from costa
along the discocellulars, is then widely interrupted below its posterior
portion that is formed of two elongate, coalescent spots and touches (or
not) the inner, subterminal transverse line of elongate spots just above the
tornus ; the outer, obliquely-placed line is subapical and medially broken,
the middle portion consisting of a quadrate spot is shifted outwards ;
finally, two parallel, subterminal, transverse series of black, elongate spots ;
the inner spots broad, more or less rectangular, the outer series linear, the
latter coalescent anteriorly with a slender anteciliary black line. Hind wing :
a transverse, basal, black band, with an elongate black spot below it on
the dorsum ; a transverse, subbasal line of four well separated black
spots ; a transverse, oval, discocellular, black spot and, obliquely above it,
three subcostal similar spots, the inner two coalescent ; postdiscal and
terminal markings consist, the former of four black posterior spots two and
two, each pair coalescent and placed en Echelon, the latter of a transverse
double series of subterminal, black spots and an anteciliary, black line ;
the upper portion of the postdiscal markings touches the inner subterminal
line. Cilia of both fore and hind wings white alternated with black at the
apices of the veins ; filamentous short tail to the hind wing black tipped
with white. Antennae, head, thorax and abdomen black, the shafts of
the antennte ringed with white and club tijjped with orange, the head
between the eyes (frons) and behind them white ; beneath : the palpi,
thorax and abdomen white, the last barred broadly with white on the
sides. Female : similar to the male but with the black markings on the
upper and under sides broader. Expanse : Male and female, 28-34
mm.
Ufff/. — Hemispherical, white in colour, the surface finely reticulated with
raised, thin lines forming cells, the intersections rising into high, round-
topped cones with a minute depression on the top of each: 9 of these cones
from top to bottom and 18 round the greatest circumference. B : O.
75 mm.
Larva. — Is of the usual shape, somewhat flattened, broadest about
segment 4 with the dorsal line hardly convex from segment 4 to anal end :
segment 2 more or less semicircular in outline and slightly constricted at
hinder margin, the dorsal depression hexagonal and long with its greatest
length on dorsal line, its bottom slightly convex, greyish-blue and sparsely
covered with minute, dark, star-topped hairs ; second segment not at all
hidden by segment 3, nor suddenly lower than it , the dorsal outline from
front to hinder end is quite continuous and even except for the slight
constrictions between the segments 2-12 ; segment 3 slightly broader than
2 and segment 4 than 3 ; breadth of body gradually diminishing thence ti
anal end which is broadly rounded ; segment 13 short, hardly distinguish-
able from 12 or 14, the last with the 13th having the shape in outline of a
quarter of a circle ; organs of segment 12 large, circular, the protrusi-
THE COMMON BUTTERFLJES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 131
ble cylinder or tube being white, with a thickened, subspherical extremity
set with fine rather long hairs; the gland on segment 11 mouth-shaped,
large, transverse, at hinder margin and, being the colour of the body, is not
always very conspicuous ; segments 13, 14 sloping at 30" to the longitudinal
axis, dorsally flattened. Head small and nearly white, round ; surface
shining, the jaws brown with a black spot inside the eye-curve ; the clypeus
is large and triangular. Spiracles small, round, white, flush ; those of
segments 2, 12 larger, oval. Surface of body extremely minutely hairy and
shagreened and has a frosted appearance besides because of the covering of
larger though still minute, sparsely disposed, silvery-white, short, star-
topped hairs which, on the anal segments, are mixed with some brown
minute, simple ones ; there is a dorsoventral, single row of conspicuous, longer,
light-coloured, slightly curved hairs all round the body, about 5 to each
segment on each side, which rise from slightly more elongated star-topped
hairs or tubercles — these hairs may be brown on segments 2 and 3 and all
of them are about one-third or one-fourth as long as the body is broad ;
on segments 2-9 there are 2-4 erect, curved, dark similar, though, perhaps,
stouter hairs to each segment one behind the other, all subdorsal ; on the
anal segments there are some few somewhat flattened, pointed, translucent
hairs ; and on all segments there may be groups of star-topped, brown
tubercles more minute than the sparsely disposed, larger ones. Colour
grass-green with a lighter, yellowish, subdorsal line or thin band (the dorsal
space betwen often filled in with yellow and suftused with deep rose-brown
in places) on which are the subdorsal hairs — which hairs, by the way, rise
from conical tubercles ; the broad dorsal band formed by the filling in
with yellow is sometimes also bordered neatly Avith rose-brown in which
case it contrasts strongly with the pure green of the whole of the rest
of the larva. The tubercles of the subdorsal hairs are light yellowish in
colour; ventrum darker green on sides. L: 11 mm.; B; 4 mm.; H: 2
mm.
Pupa. — Free marginal outline of segment 2 semi-circular, somewhat
flattened in the middle ; head completely hidden from above, high ; the
general shape of whole pupa normal, dorsal constriction behind thorax
normal, the lateral constriction very slight : anal end rounded, segment 14
turned under ; apex of thorax and segment 7 about the same height ;
the hinder margin of the former a semi-circular curve meeting the wing-
line in a deep, broadly rounded angle of about 4o . Spiracles of segment 2
white, linear, slightly raised, the rest of the spiracles small, round, flush,
white. Surface slightly shining, nearly smooth except for some slight,
transverse, acicular lines and a covering, not in any way dense, of very
minute, erect, pointed, simple hairs and star-topped ones mixed. Colour
green, the wings lighter ; yellowish on abdomen with a darkish green,
dorsal line and an indistinct, yellow, spiracular line ; a row of black,
laterodorsal spots, one to each segment ; a large dorsal one on hinder
margin of segment 2 ; a dorsal, central one on segment 4 : black, as well as
the tips of shoulders and sprinkling of others more or less promiscuously.
L : 7" 5 mm. ; B : 3" 5 mm . ; H : 3 mm.
Habits : — The egg is laid, always one at a time, among the red
hairs in the axils of leaf-stalks, thorns or on a stalk, also on the
leaves ; the young egg-larva is very depressed in shape and white
and feeds only upon the underside and substance beneath the upper
cuticle of the young leaves ; when full-grown, but not before,
they eat the whole thickness through from the edge. It rests in
the ends of the eaten passages or ways or in the axils of the veins
132 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HLST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
on the undersides of the leaves and is attended in a desultory way
by ants of the genus Prenolepis. It is sluggish, moving but slowly
and does not easily fall, except when full-grown, when disturbed ;
then, of course, it is much more conspicuous and cannot hide in
axils and similar places. The pupa is formed often on the under-
side of a leaf and is firmly attached by the tail and a body-band.
These larvae are very much parasitized b}^ small chalcid wasps which
pass over into the pupa whence they emerge in due course. The eggs
are also similarly treated by micro-ichneumons. Some larva3 also are
attacked by fungus and rot in the end. The butterflj' has similar
habits to Gastalius ethion, though it is far commoner than that
species and inhabits drier localities. It is a good flier though not
very strong ; quick enough on the wings though it does not as a
rule go in for extensive flights ; it rests on the upper surfaces of
leaves and basks in the sun with its wings half open : it is fond of
the sun and prefers light to shade. When at rest for the night it
keeps the wings closed over the back like most of its relations and
may be caught on grass-culms, &c., on cold mornings with the
fingers in that position in open places. The insect has a wide
range, being found throughoiit India except in desert tracts ;
Ceylon ; the Andamans and Nicobars ; Assam ; Burma ; and into
the Malayan subregion as far east as the island of Timor.
Figures 46 and 46a of Plate G are fairly good representa-
tions but have the undersides too yellow ; they should be pure
white. The blue on the upperside of the male is, perhaps, too
dark.
Note : — On examining- the covering- of the body of the larva under the mi-
croscope, the star-topped hairs are seen to be tubercular, thick-stemmed, cylindri-
cal, branched into triangular teeth at the top (the star), the stem sometimes short,
sometimes non-existent ; from the centre of the star is extruded a transparent
body shaped like a triangular paper bag -with one side open, sometimes like a
spear-head ; these bodies can seemingly be -withdrawn inside the tubercle at will ;
the stars are very numerous on the bioad, dorsal colour-band, nearly non-existent
laterally on the body where they are reduced to low tubercles with small extruded
bodies like the others ; the stars very thickly crowded occasionally on the dorsal
band, the tubercles scattered on the sides ; the star-tubercles on the dorso-ventral
margin longer-stemmed ; the long, simple hairs of the dorso-ventral fringe
jointed-looking, occasionally minutely and siaarsely feathered, all from cylindrical
tubercles which are often minutely and sparsely spined.
16, Genus — Lampides.
There is only one insect belonging to this genus, namely Lampides boeticus,
the most widely spread of all the Lyccenidce except Everes argiades. It exists
throughout the whole of the old world : Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia
and the Hawaiian Islands. The eyes are hairy. Body slender, short.
Palpi directed straight out in front in the female, directed upwards in the
male, second joint overreaching the head by half its length, clothed with
long, appressed scales ; third joint long, slender and naked; legs slender ;
antennsB with a lengthened, grooved pointed club. The butterfly represent-
ing the genus is known in England as the Long-tailed Blue but it is rare
and difhcult to get there. The transformations are known and will be
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 133
found below ; the larva and pupa are altogether normal ; the former feed-
ing upon leguminous plants of various kinds. The butterfly is one of the
commonest in India in the opener parts.
\6\. Lampides boetlcus, Linn. — Male and female. The outer margins of
wingswiththepartsbetween the veins outwardly convex. The basHS of wings
on the undersides blackish and powdered with white scales. Male. (PI.
G., fig. 48) — Upperside : violet-blue, the wings covered with white scale-like
hairs over the ordinary scaling, which gives them a frosted appearance,
only a very slight fringe of hairs to the inner margin of fore wing.
Fore wing : costa very narrowly, termen evenly and more broadly brown.
Hind wing : costa and apex broadly, termen very narrowly brown ; inter-
spaces 1 and '2 with, each, a more or less rounded, subterminal, black spot,
the latter, the larger and blacker, each surrounded by an obscure ring of
whitish or bluish of a shade lighter than the ground-colour. Cilia of both
fore and hind wings silvery-white, with a brown line along their bases that
becomes medial before the tornal angle of the hind wing ; thread like tail
black, tipped with white. Underside: pale greyish or brownish ochraceous.
Fore wing : transversely crossed by the following more or less parallel, pale-
brown fascine : — one pair across the middle of cell, another pair at the end
of the cell, not extended above or below it, five beyond ; the first two of the
latter group broken at veins 2 and 3, the lower portions shifted inwards
out of line with the upper portions ; the next short, not extended below
interspace 3 and narrowed to a point posteriorly ; the subterminal two
complete, curved, the outer one the narrower and macular. None of the
fascise extend quite up to the costa. Hind wing : transversely crossed
before the terminal markings by eight or nine pale-brown fascije similar
to those on the fore wing but more or less fused and broken and the inner
ones posteriorly curved upwards ; these are followed by a comparatively
broad band of the ground-colour ; and broad, inner, subterminal, pale-brown
fascia and an outer series of similarly-coloured spots ; these markings
posteriorly interrupted by a black spot in interspace 1 and another,
larger, in interspace 2, the latter inwardly margined with ochraceous ;
both spots with superposed metallic bluish-green scales. Antenna?, head
(frons white fringed with black), thorax and abdomen brown ; the shafts of
the antenme ringed with white, the long flattened clubs orange inside,
the thorax with some bluish-white pubescence ; beneath : the second joint
of palpi fringed black in front ; its thorax and abdomen white. Female.
(PI. G., fig. 48a,)— Upperside : brown; in some specimens with; in
others without, some iridescent bluish scaling at the bases of the wings
which sometimes extends outwards towards the disc. Fore wing : ante-
ciliary black lines, and in a few specimens traces of an inner subterminal
series of bluish spots in the interspaces more obvious posteriorly than
anteriorly. Hind wing: a postdiscal, transverse, pale macular, fascia,
often absent and always more obvious anteriorly than posteriorly, followed
by a subterminal series of white ringed spots, the posterior two of which
are jet-black and always present, the anterior one crowned with orange ;
the anterior spots brown, of a shade slightly darker than the ground-colour
and not always present, though in most specimens fairly well indicated ;
lastly, a prominent anteciliary black line. Cilia of both fore and hind
wings white with a line of brown along their bases. Under side : as
in the male. Antennae, head, thorax and abdomen similar to those of
the male but paler on the upperside. Expanse : Male and female, 34-38
mm.
Effff. — TuTh&n-sfiaped, flat on top and at bottom, depressed in the
central third of the top ; surface shining, very minutely granulated
covered with irregular 4-5- and 6-8ided cells with fine, thin, low
134 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVL
walls, at the corners of each cell is a raised thick-topped excrescence or
knob of varying height ; the diameter of these cells decreases on the flat-
tened top from the circumference to the micropyle in the centre until,
immediately around it, there is no sign of them. The colour is light green
with the ridges and knobs white.
Larva. — Woodlouse shaped and normal. The segments are well-marked ;
the lateral outline is oblong from segment 3 to segment 10, the dorsal line
is fairly convex, segment 2 low and flat with a large, central, 4-sided
depression at each lateral corner of which is a minute, black tubercle ; the
shape of segment 2 is semicircular ; the shape of the anal segments is
sloping dorsally, where it is also flattened, the extremity narrowing and
eventually curved or rounded ; segment 3 is suddenly somewhat higher
than segment 4 ; segments 3 — 10, both included, have 5 indentations
on the surface, one small, round and dorsal, the others — lateral,
longitudinal and one above the other — somewhat changeable with the
motions of the body ; there is no sign of gland or organs on segments
11, 12. The spiracles are situated in the bottom of the lowest longitudinal
depression, being very light brown in colour, small and round. The surface
is covered with very minute, appressed hairs, sometimes shining, some-
times a few brownish ones ; the dorsoventral margin with similar, erect
hairs, longest round the anal margin. The liead is hidden under segment
2 but has a long neck, the colour being shining yellow with a black-margin-
ed clypeus and black eye-patch — sometimes it is said to be altogether
black or ochraceous pale brown. The colour of the larva is either dull or
bright green or rose with a double, dorsal, yellowish line and a subspira-
cular, similar one ; it may be plain green with a darker dorsal and subspira-
cular line or it may be tinted with rose and even have diagonal, lateral
lines. L : 11 mm.; B : 4 mm.
Pupa. — In shape exactly the same as that of Jamides hochus except that
the anal end is more broadly rounded ; the abdomen is broader than
the breadth at shoulders ; there is no constriction at segment 4 ; the
thorax is rounded and slightly compressed ; segment 2 is square in shape
seen from above, its front margin is gently curved, the head beneath it
high. The sjnracles of segment 2 are small, oval, yellow. The surface is
smooth, shining. The colour is dull or bright green, with a darker dorsal
line, a double row of subdorsal, black specks and, some-times, a lateral
double row also ; the colour may be greyish with more plentiful black
dusting and marking. L : 8 mm. ; B : 3'2 mm.
Hahits. — The egg is laid on the buds (and stalks) of flowers into
which the little larva, ou emerging, immediately eats. It feeds upon
the carpels and generally avoids coming out into the open ; when
full-grown, however, it has to come out and then feeds upon the
young pods, resting on their outer surfaces. When flowers are
still on the tree, it prefers the enclosed, tender carpels and often
falls to the earth with the blossoms; the pupation then taking-
place in a crevice of the soil or on a clod of earth, &c. The pupa
is attached rather loosely bj^ the tail and a body-band as usual.
The butterfly is exceptionally strong on the wing and flies long-
distances at a stretch, is fond of the sunlight and may be found in
any open land (or, indeed elsewhere) seeking refreshment amongst
the low herbage in grasslands and scrub jungles in the dry season
in India. It often lights on the ground and is fond ot flowers ^nd
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OI INDIA. 135
surface moisture. It has been bred on the flowers of Butea
frondosa known as the Flame of the Forest ; on Crotalaria capensis,
on the Common Pea, Meliloius and on other leguminous plants,
devouring the seeds. This is the Long-tailed Blue of England
where it is, however, rare. It is found throughout Southern
Europe, Africa, almost throughout Asia except in the very North,
right away to, and also in, Australia.
The figures 48 of the male and 48a of the female on Plate G are
both two dull and dark and too pink ; the male upperside in nature
does not show the light streaks along the veins and subterminally
on the fore wing ; the female has the blue lighter on the upperside
and the white of both upper and undersides should be much less
pure.
With this genus ends, for the purpose of these papers, the sub-
family of the Lycceninc^ characterized by normal legs, veins 5 and
6 of fore wiug being distant at bases, vein 7 terminating at or
before apex on costal margin (difterentiating it from Curetince. and
Liphyrince, subfamilies which each contain only one genus, the
former with two species, the latter with only one) and by having
the outline of the wings quite entire with, at the outside, only
a single, thi*ead-like tail at the extremity of vein 2 of the hind
wing; this last character separating it off from the subfamily
Theclince which all have a rounded lobe at anal angle as well as
a tail, often also extra tails at veins 1 and 3. The subfamily
Arhopalmce can at once be separated by having veins 5, 6 of the
fore wing close together at their bases ; an easy matter to settle
with an ordinary lens and a little benzine.
17. Genus — Curetis.
This is a single genus in the subfamily CuretitKS and consists of two species
thetis and bulis recognised by Hewitson, deNiceville and Bingham though
de Niceville enumerates no less than 7 varieties of the former species
described by different authors and Bingham, 4 ; and 6 and 7 respectively
of bulls. The butterflies are powerful fliers, quick and strong on the wing,
are of large size varying from 1"6 to 2 inches in expanse, the males a rich
coppery red on the upperside with a broad or tine black border, the
females white or ochreous with black borders that, in certain cases,
completely obliterate the discal, light patches ; the undersides of both are
white, more or less pure and glossy in thetis, silvery- white or silvery-
greyish in bulls with transverse markings and dots or specks of blackish ;
the outline of the wings of thetis is even and constant, whereas, in the
other species, the outline is extremely inconstant running to a falcate
apex in the fore wing and production of the anal angle and outer margin
in the hind wing. The distribution of the various forms gives no clue to
their claim to be treated as distinct species. De Niceville says he knows
no character by which the variable females of thetis can be paired with the
more constant males. The larva is most abnormal both in shape and in
the possession of permanently exerted tubes of considerable length to the
organs on segment 12. The pupa is also exceptional being nearly semi-
136 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
spherical in shape. The geographical range of the genus is confined to the
Indo-Malayan Region.
162. Curetis thetis, Drury. — Male (PI. H., fig. 56) — Upperside: no hairs
on the disc ; dark cupreous red, glossy and shining. Fore wing : no fringe
of hairs on the inner margin after base ; base irrorated with dusky scales ;
costa edged with a narrow, inwardly jagged, jet-black band that broadens
to the apex, thence continued along the termen, decreasing in width to
the tornus ; opposite the apex the inner edge of the black is more or less
acutely angulate. Hind wing : base and dorsum broadly but slightly
irrorated with dusky scales ; costa narrowly, dorsal margin more broadly
pale ; termen very narrowly and evenly margined with black. Underside :
shining silvery-white. Fore and hind wings crossed transversely by discal
and inner subterminal, somewhat lunular dark lines and a more or less
obsolescent outer subterminal line of minute dark dots. These markings
generally very indistinct but traceable ; in some specimens more clearly
defined but never prominent. Antennse (club not flattened, it and shaft
orange red inside), head, thorax and abdomen dusky black; in some
specimens the head, the thorax laterally and the base of the abdomen
brownish mouse-colour ; beneath : the palpi, thorax and the basal half of
the abdomen medially silvery-white, (the palpi and legs often touched with
copper-red,) the sides and apex of the abdomen dusky black. Female. —
(PI. H., fig 56a). Upperside : fore wing ; dark brownish-black ; a large
medial patch that extends from vein 1 to vein 4, enters the lower half
of the cell and extends from base outwards for about two-thirds the
length of the wing, white ; at the base of the wing this patch is shaded and
obscured for a short distance by dusky grey or black. Hind wing : pale
dusky black ; a darker, short, broad, brownish-black streak from base
along the subcostal vein, that outwardly broadens into an irregularly
round patch beyond which is a broad, short, upper discal, white band with
ill-defined and somewhat diffuse margins. Cilia, fore and hind wings :
light-brown or white. Underside : as in the male but the markings still
more indistinct. Palpi much longer in the female than in tlie male, legs of
both sexes thick, tarsi broadened at extremities. Expanse : Male and
female, 41-45 mm.
E(/ff. — The egg is more or less hemisperical in shape. The surface is
moderately shining and covered with large, coarse-walled, deep cells
though the walls are not actually very thick ; there are very slight thicken-
ings at each wall-intersection though these are not always prominent. The
largest cells are hexagonal, more or less regular and are situated about the
middle of the perpendicular sides, the size decreasing very little upwards,
until they get close to the deep, rather conspicuous, concave-bottomed,
perpendicular-sided, central micropyle-cell which is about O'l mm. in
diameter ; this micropyle is surrounded by seven irregular, badly-formed,
small cells and this row again by 9 much larger ones (0'15 mm.), the next
row being larger still ; there are 7 rows from top to bottom, not counting
the very small ones round the micropyle and the lowest row of all are also
rather small ; there are 16 cells round the broadest part ; each of these are
about four wall-diameters in width ; the bottoms of all are finely
chagreened. Colour is light green with the walls enamel-white. B : 1'15
mm. ; H : 0"72 mm. B of smallest cell : 0*05 mm.
Larva (PI. II., fig. 28). — Is quite abnormal in shape being longly
oval seen from above, the anal end somewhat narrower than the
fore-end generally except that, occasionally, the larva shrinks the
portion about segment 9 into more or less of a waist ; the head is hidden
.under segment 2 which is more or less a short parabola in outline (a
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA . 137
quarter-sphere in shape) seen from above, with a largely tumid flange
all round which is triangularly emarginate in the dorsal line, the slope
of the dorsal line being at first nearly perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis or plane of the ventrum, this ventrum being quite flat and applied to
the surface upon which the larva rests ; this slope diverges little from the
perpendicular throughout its length ; segment 3 is rather flat dorsally but
very steep on the sides and passes evenly all round into segment 4 which
is broader and higher all round with a transverse tumidity (or ridge)
along the hinder margin^ this tumidity being largely notched or indented
in the dorsal line ; segment o is similar to segment 4 but the tumidity
along hinder margin, more widely notched and more pronounced, if lower
than that of that segment — segment 4 is the highest part of the pupa and
the tumidity (or ridge) does not extend so far down the sides of the
larva on segment 4 as on segment 5 ; the anterior margin of segment 6
is perpendicularly below the top of the tumidity of segment 5 ; the
succeeding segments 7-11 are more or less normal, all telescoped into
each other, the transverse section of the larva along that portion beicg
semicircular ; segment 12 is slightly broader than segment 11 (very little,
however, often not visibly) but is dorsally much higher owing to there
being a pair of long, fleshy, stiS", cylindrical tubes or towers, standing out
more or less perpendicularly from the surface, rising from shortly conicals
broad bases, these towers as long as the larva is high at that place emit-
ting, when the larva is teased, each from its top, a long brush of fine, pur-
ple, white-tipped hairs or threads which is whirled round rapidly for a short
time and then suddenly withdrawn; segments 13 and 14 behind are a more
or less quarter-spherical piece though dorsally slightly flattened perhaps; the
gland on segment 11 is not present but there is a transverse depression ;
there is no dorsal depression on segment 2. On the whole the larva is
broadest and highest at segment o from where the dorsal line descends in a
gentle curve to rise again to segment 12 a little ; the lateral line is straight.
The head is hidden under segment 2 and rarely protruded ; it is shining
light yellow in colour with the eye curve and points of the mandibles black,
the labrum light, the ligula brown, shallowly emarginate. The spiracles
are of ordinary size, oval in shape and nearly white or brownish-white in
colour. The surface of the larva is covered with a shagreening of minute,
water-bubble-like ribbed blisters from each of which rises a minute,
appressed, often flattened, hair ; a few, dispersed, longer, appressed, yellow
hairs here and there on each segment and there are some much longer,
simple, appressed hairs disposed along margin of segment 2 and hinder
margin of segment 14 (though these hairs are still very short) ; in the place
where the depression on segment 2 is situated in the majority of lycsenid
larvae the surface is here also covered with minute, ribbed, hemispherical
tubercles like the rest. The colozir of the body is dark-green or rose-green;
the top of segment 3 is pale rose, bordered with white posteriorly along the
hinder margin, the lateral border being more or less diagonally down from
the dorsolateral region on each side, running backwards ; segment 4 similar,
the white hinder margin continued down to the dorsoventral margin ;
segment 5 is also rose-coloured on the back slope of the tumidity but is
otherwise dark-green, paling backwards ; the rest of the segments similar ;
all the segments are lighter on dorsum separated from the darker, lateral
colouring by a short, still lighter — nearly white in some specimens — line or
band which only reaches the lateral region except on segment 9 where it is
very much broader and produced down to the spiracle and above it on to
the next segment on each side ; there is a dorsal, interrupted line of dark-
green sometimes : segment 2 is rose-coloured and there is a light subspira-
cular band or line ; the towers are rose and dark-tipped and their surfaces
18
138 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
are slightly rough. L. : 17mm.; B: 5'omm.; H: o mm. ; L of towers:
3iQm.
Pupa. (PI. n., fig. 28a) — The shape of the pupa is also abnormal (PI. II.,
fig. 28a). It is semi-ellipsoid cut through the longitudinal axis, somewhat
abnormally broadened behind and narrowed in front ; the head is altogether
ventral ; the body is highest at the thorax and of the same height as far as
the common margin of segments 6, 7 ; broadest at the common margin of
segments 7, 8 ; the ventrum being absolutely one plane, quite flat and
closely applied to the resting-surface ; there is no constriction behind
thorax either laterally or dorsally ; the front margin of pupa is semi-circu-
larly rounded ; the anal extremity is hoof-shaped and narrowed and there
is slight lateral constriction just before it, the dorsal slope of the front of
the pupa is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body as well as
the edges of the pupa all round as far down as segment 10 ; the dorsal line
of the anal segments are inclined to the resting surface at a considerable
angle. The spiracles of segment 2 are linear and white ; the rest are
narrowly oval and of ordinary size. The surface is minutely punctured,
shining, covered with a sparse clothing of short, erect, white hairs on the
front of the eyes ; a rugose, yellow, spade-shaped surface with its apex
directed forwards on dorsum of the posterior slope of thorax. Colour green
or rose with a subdorsal and lateral, obsolescent, darker band and the
spade-shaped, large and conspicuous, yellow mark on dorsum of the hinder
slope of thorax. L. 10mm. ; B : 7mm. ; H : omm.
Habits. — The egg is laid on flowers or young leaves upon which
the larva always feeds ; it rests, in its earlier stages, always on the
undersides of leaves but, when full-grown, it is often found on the
uppersides. It is never attended by ants. The eggs take three
days to hatch. The little larva eats its way out through the top
and sometimes eats the shell as a first meal ; it then eats the young
leaf in holes and is, in its first stage, without any sign of the
towers on segment 12 ; these appear in the second stage. It
starts eating from the edge of the leaf from the third stage. It
grows rapidly, taking only ten days from the time it comes out of
the Qgg until it changes to a pupa ; the butterfly appears in about
four days after pupation. The pupa is formed on the upperside
of a leaf as a rule and is attached strongly by the tail and a tight
body-band. It makes a quick, knocking noise when touched by
moving up and down in a very small angle from the tail. The
butterfly is a strong and powerful flier, the male being found
basking on tree-tops and elsewhere on the uppersides of leaves in
the sun, the wings slightly separated from each other ; it darts at
any passing object and, pursuing it a short way, returns often to
the same perch, or flies about backwards and forwards seemingly
just for a little exercise before doing so. When at absolute rest
it sits on the undersides of leaves with the wings closed and only
the white undersides showing. The female is more often met with
amongst the undergrowth near the ground but also flies high at
times. She also basks for short periods like the male but lower
down as a rule and is not often seen on hill-tops and high trees.
They both like the sun but do not seem to come much to flowers ;
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 139
they may be seen, however, sucking up moisture from damp places
in the hot weather. The foodplants of the larva are Pongamia
glabra, the Indian Beech ; Derris scandeois ; Xylia dolahriformis ;
Abrus frecatorius ; and various other leguminous plants; also,
according to de Niceville, Heynea trijuga of the Meliacece. The
range of Curetis thetis is : the whole of India ; Ceylon ; the
Andamans and Nicobars ; Assam ; Burma to Sumatra and
Java.
Plate H, figures 56 and 56a are good pictures of male and female
Curetis tJietis.
163. Curetis bulls, Doubleday and Hewitson. — Male. — Upperside: fore
wing : velvety-black, an elongate, broad, medial, patch dark orange-red,
that extends from base outwards for about three-fourths the length of the
wing and tills the area from v6in 1 to the middle of the cell ; in some speci-
mens diffusely spread below vein 1 near base, but there shaded with dusky
black ; the outer margin of this red patch unevenly rounded. Hind wing :
brownish-black, a large orange-red spot above vein 3 to near apex, in-
wardly extended into the cell to near the base of the wing and posteriorly
diffuse below vein 3, but in the cell thickly overlaid with dusky-black
scaling and posteriorly shaded with long brown hairs that in certain lights
take a golden tint; above the cell extended from the base of the wing to
the inner margin of the orange spot is a prominent broad streak of a shade
darker than the ground-colour ; abdominal fold pale pinkish-brown. Under-
side: silvery -white with sparsely scattered minute black dots. Fore wing : a
discal and inner subterminal series of sometimes very indistinct, somewhat
lunular, black markings that form broken, anteriorly convergent bands,
which are continued over the hind wing to the tornus ; beyond these, on
both fore and hind wings, succeeds an outer, subterminal series of minute
black dots, in most specimens very indistinct. Antennte, head, thorax and
abdomen dark brown ; sides of the abdomen golden brown ; beneath : palpi
(third joint only, the tip of second joint black), thorax and abdomen white.
Female. Upperside : more or less as in the male, but the dark orange-
red medial patches replaced by white and much larger. On the fore wing
this white patch extends above the cell, the discocellulars closing which are
prominently marked by a black tooth, and posteriorly it reaches the dorsal
margin. On the hind wing the white patch is very large and in some speci-
mens very diffuse. Both fore and hind wings are shaded at the base by
dusky scales and in many specimens the markings of the underside are
plainly visible by transparency ; the broad, black streak above the cell on
the hind wing is present in some, absent in other specimens. Underside :
ground-colour and markings as in the male, but much more prominent.
Expanse : Male and female, 46-50 mm.
Larva and pupa. — The species has been bred in Kanara in the year 1894
on the flowers of Ouyeinia dalbergioides, Benth., known to commerce as
Chittagong Wood, a moderate sized or large tree which bursts out into
profuse pinkish-white blossom, before the appearance of the leaves, in the
hot weather. The caterpillars and pupse did not difl'er much from those
of Curstis thetis as far as memory serves, but it was before the days when
the writer was much interested in the subject. The specimens of the
butterflies are, however, still quite perfect and are the only ones that have
ever been seen in Kanara.
Habitat. — Himalayas from Kumaon to Bhutan ; Central India ; Pachmari;
Southern India : the Wynaad, Kanara ; Assam ; Sylhet ; Upper Burma ;
Maymyo, 3000'.
140 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
This accounts for the subfamily Curetince, distinguished at once from
Liphyrinoi (which does not concern us here) by the smaller size of the in-
sects and the coloration ; from Arhopalince and Pontiince (which also does
not concern us) by having veins 5, 6 of fore wing rather far apart at their
bases besides by their general coloration and facies ; from LyccBnince and
Theclin(B by vein 7 of fore wing terminating after the apex on the terminal
or outer margin (in those two subfamilies it terminates at or before the apex
on the costal margin). However, even without reference to veins, the two
forms of Curetis once seen can never be confused with anything else as they
have characteristic colouring both above and below. The larval stage is
also thoroughly characteristic for there is no other lyccenid insect with a
similar caterpillar recognizable at the first glance by the greatly prolonged
cylinders to the organs of segment 12. The hemispherical pupa is also not
to be mistaken.
(To he contmued.)
\>o»c>i^
141
INDIAN DRAGONFLIES.
BY
Major F. C. Fraser, I.M.S.
(With 12 Text-figures).
( Continued from pacje Q27 of Volume XXV).
Part III.
Gemis — Lyriothemis.
J'^
JS
Fig. 14. — Male sexual organs of X. acigastra (x 12).
„ 15. — Female sexual organs of i. c/m (x 12).
„ 16. — Male sexual organs of i. cleis (x 12).
Lyriothemis, Brauer (1868).
Calothemis, Selys.
Head large ; eyes moderately contiguous ; forehead narrow, somewhat
rounded, prominent and in the male of one species, with a sharp anterior
foreborder ; sutures moderately deep ; vesicle notched.
Prothorax : posterior lobe small, arched, not projecting.
Thorax robust.
Legs robust, armature in the two sexes almost identical, that of the hind
femorse, a row of gradually lengthening and moderately small spines ;
tibial spines numerous, fine and moderately long. Claw-hooks ordinary.
Abdomen short and depressed ; in the male somewhat dilated at the base
and then gradually tapering to a point at the anal end ; in the female
cylindrical and with the lateral borders nearly parallel.
Sexual organs of the male : tentaculae large and markedly differentiated,
the internal segment indented. Superior anal appendages small.
Sexual organs of the female : border of 8th abdominal segment much or
only slightly dilated according to species ; vulvar scale very small and
made up of two opposing valves.
Wings long and narrow or moderately narrow, hyaline or with but a
poorly marked spot at the base ; reticulation close ; trigone of forewing in
142 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
line with that of the hind ; sectors of arc fused for a short distance in the
forewing, for a somewhat longer distance in the hind ; arc usually lying
between the 2nd and 3rd antenodal nervures or occasionally between the
2nd and 3rd (this point very variable) ; 8th nervure in the hindwing
springing from the anal angle of trigone ; antenodal nervures 9-18, the final
complete ; base of trigone in the hindwing generally at the arc or it may
be a little distal or proximal ; 1-5 cubital nervures in the forewing,
2 or more in the hind ; supernumerary nervures to the Bridge very
often present ( this point very variable } ; trigone in the forewing very
broad, traversed ; sub-trigone in the forewing with 2-5 cells ( usually
3) ; trigone in the hindwing traversed, seldom entire ; the distal side
straight or bent ; 4th nervure slightly convex or with a distinct costal
bay ; the end bent strongly or slightly basalwards at the termen : generally
1 row of cells between 5 and 5 a\ discoidal field in forewing beginning with
2 to 3 rows of cells and then gradually or markedly dilating towards the
termen ; 8th nervure moderately or strongly curved : generally 2 rows of
cells in the anal field of forewing, moderately developed in the hind ; loop
markedly variable and presenting all grades of development from a small
obtuse angle to a completely developed apical segment.
Stigma medium. Membrane small.
Key to Species.
Wings relatively short and rounded.
Antenodal nervures numbering 9-10.
Distal side of trigone in hindwing moderately bent.
Only 1 cubital nervure in the forewing.
Arc usually between the 2nd and 3rd antenodal
nervures and never distal to the 2nd.
4th and 5th nervures bent very slightly at the termen.
Apex of loop relatively short . . . . . . . . L. acigastra.
Wings relatively long.
Antenodal nervures 13-19.
Distal side of trigone in forewing strongly bent.
2 to 3 cubital nervures in forewing.
Arc generally between the 2nd and 3rd antenodal
nervures and never distal to the 2nd.
4th and 5th nervures bent very strongly at the termen.
Apical segment of the loop well-developed and a large
outer angle present . . . . . . . . . . L. cleis.
7. Lyriothemis acigastra, Brauer.
Calothemis acir/astra, SeJys.
Fig. 17. — Wings of L. aciffastra (x2).
INDIAN DRAGONFLIES.
143
Expanse 52 mm. Length 30 mm. Stigma 2 mm.
Head : labium bright yellow ; the middle lobe dark brown ; labrum and
face bright yellow ; vesicle and forehead a glossy metallic blue.
Prothorax black.
Thorax black with bright yellow markings as follows : — A broad humeral
stripe ending about half-way as traced upward, a tiny, inconspicuous spot
in line with and above the latter, laterally a broad, somewhat sinuous
stripe crossing the thoracic spiracle, separated from the humeral stripe
by somewhat less than its own breadth, a second stripe posterior to the
spiracle on the lower two-thirds of the side, a spot above it and the
greater part of the metepimeren yellow. Underside of the thorax deep
black, crossed by two small transverse, yellow stripes. Abdomen generally
deep black ; segments 2 to 5 frosted thickly with white and so appearing
blue. Deep black below, powdered with yellow ; a yellow spot on both
sides of segment 1, the distal border of segment 2 striped narrowly with
yellow ; the distal borders of segment 3 to 7 similar but the stripe rather
broader.
Legs black, with the inner sides of the anterior femorse yellow.
Base of wings yellow, this colour becoming paler and more diffuse as
traced towards the trigone.
Secondary sexual organs of the male : tentaculse shaped like an oval leaf,
outwardly black, yellow in front, behind and on the inner side ; the inner
angle prolonged backward as small hooks ; lobe narrow and about two-
thirds the height of tentacuhe.
Neuration of the wings very variable.
2-3, 2-3 1
; Cubital nervures
-3
Type : — Arc
2-3, 2-
.).v)
No supernumerary nervures
1-0
to Bridge
Hypertrigones traversed
0-0
Female: unknown.
Hab. Burma and Bengal.
8. Lyriothemis cleis, Brauer.
-Wings of L. cleis ( X 2).
Fig. 18.
■ Expanse 78 mm. Length 42 mm. Stigma 2 mm.
Thorax dark brown or black marked with yellow.
Abdomen partly or wholly red.
144 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI
Wings : base always hyaline, the apex smoky or greyish brown, and in
some species the whole wing smoky. The neuration more constant than
in acigastra ; the discoid al field of forewing strongly dilated at the termen;
arc situated at the 2nd antenodal nervure or beyond it, and occasionally
as far distal as the third ; 8th nervure strongly convex ; 4th and 5th
nervure strongly bent towards the termen. In the males, generally
only 1 row of cells between 5 and 5a ; in the females a row of double cells.
Size very variable and the wings often showing asymmetry.
Genital organs of the male : the lamina lying very low, the tentaculse very
large and prominent, shaped as an arched cone, with a somewhat sinuous
surface, generally meeting at, or actually crossing each other in the middle
line ; the lobe long and narrow, right-angled, a little dilated at the end and
cut straight away below, coated with long, stiff hairs, and rather more than
half the height of the tentaculfe.
Female genital organs : lateral borders of the 8th abdominal segment
not dilated ; the 8th ventral plate separated from the vulvar scale by a
narrow margin ; the vulvar scale very small and bisected by a triangular
notch nearly up to its base ; 9th ventral plate prominently keeled and not
prolonged posteriorly.
Hab. Burma.
Ris mentions a male specimen in the British Museum from Col. Bing-
ham, Burma, which he places provisionally as " cleis.'- Its body is frosted
white ; there is only 1 cubital nervure to the forewing ; 3 cubital nervures
in the hind ; the wings relatively narrower than in other specimens of
cleis, but the discoidal field shaped as in this species ; bright yellow, basal
rays to both wings ; a flattened hook on the inner border of the tentaculae.
Abdomen 32 mm.
Hab. Bhamo.
Hindwing 38 mm.
Stigma 2 mm.
Genus — Potomarcha.
Fig. 19.— Wings of Potomarcha (x2).
Potomarcha, Karsch.
Libellula, Rambur.
Orthetrum, Kirby and Brauer.
Head moderately large ; eyes broadly contiguous, for about as long an
extent as the breadth of the occipital triangle : forehead flatly arched and
without a distinct foreborder , suture moderately deep ; vesicle high, nar-
row and notched.
INDIAN DRAGON FLIES. 145
Protborax lobe very small, spherical, slightly convex, not projecting.
Thorax robust.
Lews moderately short ; hind femorte with a few widely distant, gradu-
ally lengthening spines ; tibial spines moderately numerous, short and
slim ; claw-hooks ordinary .
Genital organs, : (see species).
Wino-s long and moderately narrow ; reticulation close ; trigone in the
forewino- a little distal to the trigone in the hind ; sectors of the arc in
forewino- short, in the hind moderately long ; site of arc a little variable,
generally between the 2nd and 3rd antenodal nervures, often at the 2nd,
rarely between the 1st and 2nd ; 8th nervure in the hindwing at the tri-
gonal angle ; antenodal nervures llAtol6^ (in seven consecutive specimens
examined, these numbered 11^, 12i, 13^, 11|, 15|, 1-1 and 14i.) ; base of
trigone in the hindwing at the arc ; the outer side of the latter trigone
concave ; 1 cubital nervure to all wings; no supernumerarj'- nervures to the
Bridge ; trio-one in the forewing moderately narrow, at a little more than
a right angle in relation to the hypertrigone ; all trigones traversed ; all
hypertrigones entire ; 4th nervure with a strong double curve at its middle;
the discoidal field with nearly parallel borders, but slightly dilated at the
termen with 3 rows of cells ; 2 rows of cells between 5 and .5« ; anal field in
forewino- with 2 to 3 rows of cells, in the hind, wide and with a well-deve-
loped loop, the outer angle of which is nearly right-angled and extends
about 2 cells breadth distal to the apex of the trigone.
Stigma large and narrow. Membrane large white or greyish.
9. Potamarcha obscura, Karsch.
Liheltula ohscuva, Ifambur.
Orthetrum obscura, Kirby.
Libellula conf/ener, Rambur.
Orthetrum cmifjener, Brauer.
Potamarcha conrjener, Selys.
Expanse 68 mm. Length 45 mm.
Head : eyes brown above, laterally and beneath a slatey, opalescent blue ;
occiput small, dark brown; vesicle dark brown; front, epistome and
labrum a dirty, creamy white ; labium yellow.
Protorax : black ; in the male heavily frosted with white and so appearing
blue; in the female a dark brown, with a mid-dorsal, bright yellow stripe,
bisected with a line black line.
Thorax ; male black heavily frosted over with white and so appearing
blue. The colouring varying greatly according to the age of specimens
and also according to the season in which they are taken. Juvenile spe-
cimens and wet season forms bear, to a greater or lesser extent, the yellow
markings of the female described below. A complete series may be
taken showing from an intense white frosting with no markings, up to
others which have little or no white powdering and approach the females
in the richness of their colouring. Female : a deep chestnut brown or
black with no white frosting and marked with yellow or greenish-yellow as
follows :^the mid-dorsal line on the prothorax continued on to the thorax
as far as the tergum, the fine black line bisecting it as on the prothorax,
laterally the whole of the side bright yellow, with three, oblique, narrow,
black streaks traversing it, the anterior and posterior of which are bisected
above to form two large, Y-shaped marks.
Wings hyaline, the apices slightly tinted with brown, in the male ;
the area between the node and the stigma is occasionally faintly smoky ;
in the female, the area from base to stigma, anterior to the 3rd nervure is,
especially in the wet season forms, more or less suflused with amber tinting.
Abdomen: ventro-dorsally dilated at the base ; the sides parallel as far as
the 8th segment from where it tapers to a point at the anal end, a little
19
146 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX VL
depressed at the 2nd to 7th segment, but the last four segments slightly
dorso-ventrally dilated. The abdomen of the female is considerably
bul.iier than that of the male which is comparatively slim. The border
of the 8th segment in the female is very broadly dilated, the ex-
panded margins hanging down and serving as claspers for the exuded eggs
when ovipositing. Colour in the male exceedingly variable according to
the same factors which affect the colouring of tlie thorax. A complete
series may ba taken ranging from an uniform bluish frosting over blacK and
with no markings, to specimens which closely approach the females in the
richness of their colouring. Generally, however, the first three segments
are frosted over, the colours beginning to show through the Irosting on the
third segment. In the female the intersegmental nodes are broadly and
ditfusely black ; a fine raid-dorsal black line runs from the 1st to the 8th
segment, bordered outwardly by a pale greenish-yellow line. This latter
is again bordered outwardly by black. The borders of the abdomen as
far as the 8th segment broadly and richly coloured with golden yellow or
ochreous. Beneath dark ochreous. Anal appendages long, as long as the
9fch abdominal segment, cylindrical, narrow, sinuous, sloping ventralvvards
at the ends, which are pointed. The interior tiearly as long as the superior
and sloping up to meet the latter, dark brown or bltick ; those of the female
widely remote, much shorter than those of the male and shorter than the
'.•th abdominal segment, cylindrical, pointed, black.
Sexual organs of the male: tentacula small, regular in shape; the
lamina br^ad, flattened, the lower border projecting ssomewhat, furnished
with numerous black spines. Outer tentacula extending widely posterior-
wards, long and oval; the inner a small, stout, curving hook. The lobe
small and a little arched.
Sexual organs of the female ; border of the 8th abdominal segment
strongly dilated ; a small, inconspicuous vulvar scale at the end of the
8th ventral plate ; 9th ventral plate flattened and not distnictly carinated,
ciliated.
Hab. India generally, Burma, Ceylon, Straits, and Sylhet.
This dragonfly has a common habit of perching on prominent pieces of
twig or on the twigs of bare trees. Numbers may often be seen occupy-
ing the branches of one tree, especially just before sun-down. The males
may often be seen resting on the concrete sides of viali''s tanks in com-
pounds.
G enus — L ath k ecista .
Fig. 20. — Wings of Lathrecista asiatica (x 2).
INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. 147
Lathrecista, Kirby.
Libellula, Fabric! us.
Ortheti'um, Kirby.
Libellula, Brauer.
Agrionoptera, Selys.
Head relatively large, globular; eyes broadly contiguous: forehead
projecting ; auterior border in the male poorly marked, rounded in
the female ; sutures flush; vesicle notched or bearing two small tubercles
at its summit; a ruff formed of small tufts of short hairs lining the upper
margin of the occipital cavity and overhanging and partially concealing the
prothorax.
Prothorax small; the lobe rounded, not projecting, naked.
Thorax robust, coated with hair in front on the dorsum, naked at tht;
sides.
Legs ; hind femorjs of the male bearing about 16 short, broad, uniform
spines; tibial spines long ; claw-hooks ordinary. Hind femoriB of the female
with somewhat I'Miger spines and less numerous than in the male. Wing long
and narrow ; reticulation close ; node in the forewing relatively near the
base, a little proximal to the middle of the wing ; tiigone in the fore-
wing in line with that of the hind ; sectors of arc in forewing rather shortly
fused, in the hind a much longer fusion ; arc between the 2nd and 3rd
antenodal nervures ; 8th nervure in the hindwing a(. the anal angle of the
trigone; 18^ to 17-| antenodal nervun-s; trigone in tlie hindwing at the-
arc or occasionally a little distal to it ; trigone in the forewing at more than
a right angle in relation to the hypertrigone, traversed, that of the hind
entire ; all hypertrigones entire ; sub-trigono of the forewing formed of 3 cells
or more rarely of 4 ; only 1 cubital nervurf^ to all wings and no supplementary
nervures to the Bridge ; 4th nervure distinctly double-curved ; 1 row of cells
between 5 and ha, occasionally a few doubled cells ; 3 rows of cells in the
discoidal field ; the latter only a Utile dilated at the termen ; 8th nervure
^itly convex ; anal field in forewing with '2 rows of cells, in the hind modera-
tely broad ; loop long, the apex very stunted, split cells at the outer
angle oidy : the outer angle nearly equal to a right angle, extending 2 to 3
cells beyond the apex of trigone.
Stigma large. Membrane small.
Abdomen : slim, keeled, triangular in cross section, parallel-sided or in the
male, segments 3 to 5 a little constricted.
Anal appendages cylindrical, a little bulbous near the extremities which
are pointed and curving, black. The inferior appendage curving up to
meet the superior The superior are rather longer than the 9tf abdominal
segment. Those of the female very small, widely remote, cylindrical, black.
Sexual organs : (6'ee under species).
10. Lathrecista asiatica asiatica, R'>«.
L'tthrecista pectoralis, Kirby,
Li'ieliula asiatica, Fabricius.
Orthetruiii asiatica, Kirby,
Libellula pectoralis, Brauer.
Ayi'lonojitera simulni'is, Selys.
Lathrecista simularis, SelyF,
Lathrecista terminalis, Ki.by,
Lathrecista pectoralis, var. iuterposita, Fcirster,
148 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HLST. SOCIETY, Tol. XXVI.
Fig. 21
Fio-
^)-)
Fig. 21. — Male sexual organs of Lathrecista amttica (x 12).
Fig. 22. — Female sexual organs of same (x 12).
Expanse 72 mm. Length 45 mm.
Head : eyes brown at the summit, a milky or opalescent blue laterally
and beneath ; occiput black ; vesicle blackish brown ; labium, labrum,
clypeus and lower part of epistome opaque white, the epistome above and
narrowly at the sides glossy black brown.
Prothorax : a violet brown.
Thorax : a violet or purple brown frosted over with white.
Legs black : the inner sides of the anterior femorte paler.
Wings hyaline ; the extreme outer edge of the apices touched with brown.
Stigma dark brown. Membrane brownish or brownish white.
Abdomen polychroic ; the first 3 segments reddish brown and often
frosted over with white which gives a bluish tinge to them, the remaining
segments a bright carmine red with very narrow, black annuli at the
intersegmental nodes. Some specimens have a greenish-yellow, narrow,
mid-dorsal stripe on the first 3 segments. Other specimens instead of
carmine rod, are a rich, dark olivaceous brown.
Female: eyes violet brown or purple coloured above and greenish yellow
at the sides, paliug considerably beneath ; mid-lobe of labium black,
lateral lobes bright yellow ; vesicle metallic blue with a small white spot on
either side of the mid-ocellus ; upper part of front a dark olivaceous tint
with a metallic green sheen, the lower part pale greenish yellow narrowly
bordered with black.
Thorax : a mid-dorsal greenish-yellow stripe bisected by a narrow black
line ; broad, purple-brown, humeral stripes with a metallic sheen ; laterally
greenish-yellow with 3 very irregular, oblique, dark, metallic green stripes,
the anterior of which is bifid in its upper part, the middle one crossing
the spiracle ; the posterior also bifid in its upper part. All these markings
liable to a certain amount of variation. Beneath, the posterior stripe is
continuous with a black square, the centre of which is greenish-yellmv.
INDIAN DRAG ON FLIES.
149
A row of greenish-yellow spots on the tergum, an anterior pair followed
by 3 in line from, before back.
Abdomen : a rich warm brown with a fine mid-dorsal, black line edged
narrowly on either side by bright greenish-yellow, broadest on the Ist and
'ind segments. This yellow again outwardly edged by a diffuse, black line.
The lateral borders edged very narrowly with black, with, in the 1st
and 2nd segments a greenish-yellow stripe. The final 3 segments almost
entirely black.
lu juvenile specimens of the male and in a brood appearing towards the
end of the S.W. monsoon in Malabar and the Western Ghats, the mark-
ings are almost the same in the two sexes. The thorax markings in the
male are in old and dry season forms almost or entirely obsolete and all
grades are met with from the latter up to specimens as richly marked
and coloured as the females.
Genital organs of the male ; lamina projecting and rather broadly,
arched, furnished with stout vibrissse on its inner surface ; tentaculee
large, the external segment projecting outwards over the lobe, the inner
segment bearing a long chitinous hook ; lobe smaller than usual, not as tall
as the tentacuhe, lined internally with stifl' vibrissse.
(xenital organs of the female : specific in character ; vulvar scale small,
lateral borders of the 8th abdominal segment not dilated, 9th ventral
plate prolonged back beyond the anal end of the abdomen and ending in two
curling laminee which are thickly beset with short, stiff bristles. This
projecting organ is easily visible to the naked eye and sufficiently specific
in character as to determine the species from any other.
Hab. The moister areas of India generally, Bombay and Poona.
A rather shy and retiring insect, usually keeping to the shelter of thick
jungle and with habits somewhat similar to Potomarcha, often collecting in
large numbers on the bare branches of trees. 1 have never seen it visiting
water.
Genus — Libeiltjla.
Fig,
23. — Wings of Libellula quadrimaculata (x2).
Libellula, Rambur.
Head moderately large ; eyes broadly contiguous ; forehead broad and
projecting, but a little variable in the species, anterior border indistinct
or moderately sharp ; suture deep ; vesicle a little notched or rounded.
Prothorax lobe small, slightly arched, entire or with a small notch.
Thorax very robust.
160 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, VoL XXVI.
Legs robust ; hind f eraorse with numerous moderately close-set, very
short, and near the end, gradually lengthening spiuts with one or two
longer spines at the extreme end ; f emorje 2 similar but the spines
somewhat less numerous and larger ; tibial spines numerous, moderately
slim and loug ; claw-hooks large ; in the female the armature almost
identical.
Abdomen variable in shape, generally robust and depressed.
Sexual organs of the male : tentaculse small with a regular and reduced
outer segment.
Sexual organs of the female ; border of 8th abdominal segment variable,
vulvar scale small and not projecting.
Wings loug and narrow, in many species partly coloured. Reticulation
close ; trigone in the fore.ving generally somewhat distal to the trigone in
the hind, its relation to the hypertrigone a right angle or rather more ;
sectors of arc in tho forewiug separated or if fused, the fusion very short,
in the hiud a shorter fusion generally present ; between the 1st and 2nd
antenodal nervures, occasionally at the 2nd or between the 2nd and 3rd ;
8th nervure in the hindwiug from the anal angle of the trigone ; antenodal
nervures 12-17, the last usually complete; trigone in the hindwiug long
and narrow with a concave outer side, at the arc or a little distal or proxi-
mal to it; 1 cubital nervure in the forewing, 1 to 2 in the hind; super-
numerary nervures to the bridge as a rule present ; all trigones traversed,
in the forewing generally several times; hypertrigones traversed or entire
(this point very variable) ; sub-trigone m the forewing with b or more cells
up to as many as 10 ; 4th nervure with a strong double curve, first a
costalwards convexity and then a concavity, the end being slightly bent
towards the termen ; at least 2 to 3 rows of cells between 4 and 6, fre-
quently 2 rows of cells for a short distance ; 3 rows of cells between 5 and
5a ; 8th nervure in the forewing short and strongly bent. The discoidal
field at the termen very strongly dilated, beginning with 3 to 6 rows cells;
7a well developed : 1 to 2 rows of cells between 7 and la ; loop large, ite
outer angle a right angle or it may be obtuse and extending 2 to 3 cells
beyond the outer angle of the trigone.
Membrane large. Stigma variable, moderately small or very large.
Key to Species.
i. The whole body including the abdomen hairy.
Abdomen in the male red or ochreous, not
frosted with bine.
A black spot in the middle of costa and often
another difi'uso spot ' ear the stigma.
A black marking at the base of the hindwing
reticulated with yellow.
Membrane white. . .. .. . . L, quadrimaovlata
ii. The abdomen naked.
Abdomen in the male dark brown, frosted
over with blue.
No black spots on the costa or near stigma.
A rusty spot at the base of the hindwing.
Membrane black . . . . . , . . . . L. fulva,
11, Libellula quadrimaculata, Linn^.
Leptetrum tftiadrimaculata, Kirby.
Libellula quadripunctata, Fabricius.
Libellula maculata,S.&mB .
INDIAN DRAGON FLIES. 151
Libellula ferruginata, Cirillo.
Libellula ternaria, Say.
Expanse, male 72 mm. Length, male 40 mm.
female 66 mm. female 36 mm.
Head : eyes dark bro>vn above, greenish laterally and beneath ; epistome
elypens and labrum luteous with a black bordering to the latter and a brown
streak along the ocular margin of the epistome.
Prothorax : brownish red.
Thorax: a dull red, covered with a fine yellow pile and bearing laterally
two dark brown or black, converging stripes.
Legs black.
Wings hyaline. Antenodal nervures 1 6. A rich red, amber tinting at
the base of wings, which colour in some specimens extends along the
entire costal margin. In the middle of the costa, in the neighbourhood of
the node a black spot varying greatly in size and intensity and often
lying in a smoky area. In other specimens this spot may be absent. A
large, triangular, blackish spot at the base of the hindwing, reticulated
with yellow, extending from the cubitus in front, back to rather beyond
the membrane, and outwards for a variable distance towards the trigone.
The cubital, median and sub-costal spaces usually bright yellow. In a
variety — " praenuhlia, Newman" — a brown fascia is present near the stigma,
extending for a variable distance towards the termen. This species is
usually larger than (jundrimacidafa and the abdomen is less pilose. In
specimens from Kashmir, the nodal spot is small and the basal marking
does not extend into the trigone.
Stigma black or fuscous. 3'5 — 4 mm.
Abdomen broad and tapering, hairy, dull red or ochreous, the segments
from the distal end of the -^th, to the anal end of the abdomen, black.
All segments from the 2nd to the 7th bear a yellow lunule at the sides.
The abdomen of the female much broader than that of the male.
Anal appenda-ges black.
Hab. Kashmir 7000"— 8000".
12. Libellula fulva, Miiller.
Libellula conspurcata, Schneider.
Libellula, var. pentica, Selys.
Expanse 72 mm. Length 40 mm.
Head : eyes brown above, paler beneath ; vesicle, front, epistome and
labrum somewhat bluish, glossy, dark brown.
Prothorax: dark brown.
Thorax: dull olivaceous or red or nearly black and somewhat paler at
the sides streated obscurely with brown.
Legs black; the bases of the femorse fidvous; those of the female reddish
at the base.
Wings hyaline : antenodal nervures 12 ; the forewing with a rust
coloured ray at the base ; the posterior with a similar coloured, triangular
spot at the base. In some species the apices of the wings are smoky and
others have the wings broadly suffused with yellow. In the forewing there
is usually a black ray in the cubital space and in the hindwing, one in the
eub-costal space. In some species there may be yellowish rays in the
superior and inferior costal spaces extending nearly as far out as the
stigma.
Stigma black or dark brown. 2*5 — 3 ram. Membrane black or dusky.
Abdomen: dark brown, with a darker brown or black, irregular, mid-dorsal
stripe. The proximal and distal ends of the abdomen fuscous and the
whole, especially in the males frosted with blue. In the female, yellowish
152 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVL
brown with a well-defined, black line running from the 4th to the 10th
segment, expanding at the distal border of each segment.
Anal appendages black.
Hab. Mesopotamia, Kashmir (?) and throughout Europe.
Genus — Ckatilla.
24
Fig. 24. — Wing neuration of
C. metallica ( X2).
Cratilla, Kirby (1900), Id. Ann. May. Nat. Hist. 7, 5, p. 542 (1900).
Forster, A^m. Mus. Hunfj.
Head large ; eyes broadly contiguous ; forehead sloping strongly in front
in the male ; more rounded in the female ; suture moderately deep ; vesicle
rounded.
Prothorax : lobe, rounded very small, not projecting.
Thorax very robust. Legs robust : hind femorse with a few, thick, and
gradually lengthening spines ; tibial spines fine, numerous ; claw-hooks
ordinary. Armature of the legs of female scarcely different but somewhat
finer and longer.
Wings long and moderately narrow ; reticulation close ; node closer to
the apex than to base in forewing ; trigone in the forewing a little external
to the line of trigone in the hind ; sectors of the arc in forewing moderately
fused, a longer fusion in the hind ; arc between the 1st and 2nd antenodal
nervures ; 8th nervure at the anal angle of the trigone in the hindwing ; 17
to 22 antenodal nervures, the last complete ; base of trigone in the hind-
wing at the arc or a little proximal to it ; the distal side of the trigone
concave ; 1 cubital nervure to all wings ; supplementary nervures to the
bridge generally present ; trigone in the forewing rather broad, its relation
to the hypertrigone rather more than a right angle ; all trigones traversed ;
all hypertrigones free ; sub-trigone in the forewing with 3 to 5 cells ; 4th
nervure with a strong costal convexity in its middle, its end and that
of the 6th bent strongly towards the termen ; 1 to 2 rows of cells between 5
and 5a ; 3 rows of cells in the discoidal field which has nearly parallel sides
but is slightly dilated at the termen ; a broad anal field in the hindwing
with regular rows of cells ; loop narrow and long, extending 2 cells beyond
the outer end of trigone.
Stigma large ; membrane of medium size.
The following specific characters, viz., the complete, final antenodal ner-
vure, the barely dilated discoidal field, the supplementary nervures to the
bridge and the position of the node will serve to identify this genus.
INDIAN BRAGONFLIES. 153
I
I
Key to Species. |
i. Thorax : a deep, bronze black, its middle seg-
ment, its underside and 3 lateral bands,
yellow. '
Abdomen : black marked with yellow.
Labrum : yellow.
Wing apices hyaline. (Occasionally those of
the female tipped with brown.)
Antenodal nervures 18. 2 rows of cells be-
tween 5 and 5a . . . . . . . . C. lineata.
ii. Thorax metallic green.
Abdomen : dark metallic green without yellow
markings except on segments 1 to 4 in the '*<.
female. Adult males with blue frosting on
the first 4 segments.
Labrum black.
Wing apices in both sexes tipped with black.
Antenodal nervures 20. 1 row of cells
between 5 and 5ff . . . . . . . . C. metallica.
13. Cratilla metallica, Kirby, Ann. May. Nat. Hist. (7) 6 p. 542 (1900).
Ortliemis metallica, Brauer (1878). '
Pi-otorthemis metallica, Kirby. Trans. Zool. Soc. Lon., 12, p. 290 (1889). "•
Id. Cat., p. 30 (1890).
Protovthemis metallica, Selys,
yiesoxenia metallica, Kirby, Cat. p. 180 (1890).
Cratilla metallica, Ris. Cat. Coll. Selys. /«sc. 10, pp. 152-153 (1909). j
Expanse 74 mm. Length 36 mm.
Head large and globular ; eyes broadly contiguous, dark brown above, I
paler below ; face and labrum black ; vesicle black. \
Prothorax black. '
Thorax : dark metallic green as far as the middle segment which is yellow. i
Legs black.
Wings hyaline ; the apices in both sexes, dark brown as far inwards as |
the middle of the stigma ; supplementary nervures to the bridge always I
present ; only 1 row of cells between 5 and 5a ; 18 to 22 antenodal ner-
vures ; stigma large, 4 '5 mm.
Abdomen: a dark metallic green, without marking, in the male, and the '
first 4 segments in adult forms, frosted with blue. In the female, border- j
ing lines of yellow on segments 1 to 4. 1
Anal appendages black. '
(irenital organs of the male : Lamina procumbent, broadly arched ; ten-
taculse short, robust, procumbent, strongly curved hooks ; lobe relatively very
large, broad and rounded.
Genital organs of the female ; border of the 8th abdominal segment very
broadly and foliately dilated ; vulvar scale inconspicuous, only a slight
notch on the posterior border of the 8th ventral plate ; 9th ventral plate
keeled, yellow, projecting slightly over the 10th segment.
Hab. Burma and Tenasserim.
14. Cratilla lineata, Ris. Cat. Coll. Selys. /«sc. 10, ^j. 153 (1909).
Cratilla lineata, Forster, Ann. Mus. Hung. 1903, p. 537.
Cratilla calverti, Id. {Malabar ?).
Orthemis lineata, Brauer, Albarda and Selys. \
Agrionoptera lineata, Kirby, Cat. p. 31 (1890).
20 !
154 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, VoL XXVL
Nesoxenia lineata, Id. Cat. p. 180 (1890).
Protorthe7nu lineata, Selys, Kruger and Martin.
Expanse 78 mm. Length 42 mm
Head large and globular ; eyes broadly contiguous, brown above, paler
beneath ; vesicle and occiput brown ; labrum yeUow; frons uietallic green.
Prothorax : bl^ck marked with yellow.
Thorax : a dark, bronze black ; the middle segment broadly yellow, 3
lateral bands and the underside, yellow. Legs black.
Wings hyaline, the apices occasionally and in female only, a dark brown
as far inwards as the middle of the stigma; 18 antenodai nervures; 2
rows of cells between 5 and fla ; usually supplementary nervures to the
bridge ; stigma moderately large, 3'5 to 4 mm.
Abdomen black with a long yellow, median band which is bisected by a
fine, black, mid-dorsal ridge. Lateral lunulets of the same colour to each
segment.
Anal appendages black.
Genital orgaus of the male ; lamina small, procumbent, the end tumid
outwardly; tentaculiie procumbent, of nearly even length ; the inner, a
black, curved hook ; lobe broad and rounded.
Genital organs of the female : very similar in shape to those of C. metal-
lica. TliH carination of the 9th ventral plate somewhat sharper, bright
yellow and ciliated.
Hab. Forster gives Malabar as a district in which it occurs, but it is
doubtful if the insect occurs there Java, New Guinea, Sumatra and
Phillipines. "Toungoo, Burma, Beeson, 1918."
Genus — Okthetkum.
Fig. 26. — Male genital organs of — a. O. chrysoHigma, b. O. ransonnetti,
c. O. japonicum, d. O. sabina ( x 10), e. O. anceps, f . O. tcsmo-
latum.
INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. 155
Orthetrum, Newman (1833).
Libelia, Brauer.
Hydronyitiplia, Buchecker.
Head moderately large ; eyes shortly or rather broadly contiguous; fore-
head prominent, with a distinct foreborder, flattened, above and in front,
the flattened zone very glossy, the borders rounded and the shape in both
sexes nearly similar; sutures moderately flush; vesicle variable, either
nearly rounded or somewhat notched above.
Prothorax . lobe large, projecting, fringed with a rufi:' of long hairs,
generally notched in tbe middle.
Thorax robust.
Legs moderately long, very robust. Hind femorse with a row of closely-
set, numerous, moderately even, short spines and at the distal end, 2 or 3
somewhat lunger ones ; mid-femorse with fewer, gradually lengthening
spines ; armature of the feniorse of the female similar to that of the mid-
femorjje of the male; tibial spines not numtrous, 8 to 12 in number, stout,
distant, upright or somewhat sloping; claw-hooks close to base of claws,
robust.
Wings long, the hind moderately broader than the fore ; the trigone of
the forewing in line with that of the hiud ; arc usually at the 2ud antenodal
uervure or between the 2nd and 3rd or in one group, between the 1st and
2nd ; sectors of the arc generally with a longer fusion in the hind than in
the forewing ; 8th uervure generally from the anal anj^le of trigone
(separated in chrysostiyma and more or less in sahina) ; 12 to 21 antenodal
nervures (rarely more than 16 in Indian species); trigone in the hindwing
at the arc ; 1 cubital nervure to all wings ; no supplementary nervures to
the bridge ; trigone in the forewing high and narrow, its relation to the
hypertrigone generally more than a right angle, its anal angle basally
directed, traversed, in some species more than once ; trigone in the
hindwing long and narrow; its outer side moderately to strongly
concave, entire or traversed ; 4th nervure strongly undulating and
the end bent strongly to the termen ; 1 to 3 rows of cells between 5
and ^a ; 8th nervure in the forewing short and strongly convex ; the dis-
coidal field wide, a little constricted near its middle but strongly dilated
at the termen ; 3 to 4 rows of cells in the discoidal field ; loop well-deve-
loped ; its outer angle equal to a right angle and 4 or more cells distal to
the outer angle of the trigone, the apical segment longer than wide ; 3 to
tj rows of cells in the anal field ot hindwing.
Stigma medium-sized ; membrane large.
Abdomen variably shaped, moderately to very strongly dilated at the
base, then constricted or parallel-sided or fusiform or moderately broad
and depressed and gradually tapering to the end.
Sexual organs of 1 he male : the lamina depressed or projecting, coated
with Btifl hairs or naked ; the tentaculte well-developed as a rule, the
internal segment furnished with a variably sized hook ; the lobe project-
ing or sloping, arched more or less and generally coated with stifl bristles.
Sexual organs of the female : border of 8th abdominal segment dilated
as a rule but in several species not so or only slightly so ; no distinct
shape to the vulvar scale, generally notched and with a more or less
swollen border to the 8th segment ; ventral plate without any specific or
constant shape ; its styles distinct.
The members of this genus present such remarkab e polymorphism and
polychroism, not only in the species but also amongst the individuals of
the species, that the task of forming any satisfactOj.y key is one of ex-
treme difficulty. The key given below is not entirely satisfactory but if,
where difficulty is met with, it be used in conjunction with the descriptions
156 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
of the species, a fairly useful index for the determination of the species
will be found.
Key to Species.
A. Arc between the 1st and 2nd antenodal ner-
vures or opposite the 2nd.
a. Abdomen of adult male not frosted with
blue. 8th nervure from anal angle of
trigone,
i. Abdomen broad, depressed and tapering.
Base of wings hyaline . .
ii. Abdomen relatively shorter and broader.
Base of wings golden yellow . .
b. Abdomen of adult male but thinly frosted
with blue, long, narrow and cylindrical.
8th nervure separated from the anal angle
of trigone . .
e. Abdomen of adult male densely frosted with
blue.
i. Usually 2 rows of cells between 5 and 5fl.
a'. Abdomen broad and depressed. 12 to
16 antenodal nervures . .
b'. Abdomen narrow and tapering. 10 to 12
antenodal nervvires. Smallest species
O. cancellatum.
O. japonicum.
O. trinacria.
O. brunneum.
angle
of the genus
ii Only 1 row of cells between 5 and 5a.
d' Abdomen broad and depressed. Lamina
prominent, inclination to body-axis 45"
to 60" . .
b'. Abdomen narrow and parallel-sided.
Lamina depressed, inclination to body-
axis 30"
B. Arc between the 1st and 2nd antenodal ner-
vures or occasionally opposite the 2nd.
a. Abdomen densely frosted with blue.
i 8th nervure widely separated from the
anal angle of trigone in the hindwing.
(Often only the first 3 segments of the
abdomen frosted with blue)
ii. 8th nervure arising from the anal
of trigone in the hindwing.
i'. Trigone in the hindwing traversed
ii'. Trigone in the hindwing entire . .
b. Abdomen not frosted with blue,
i. Abdomen, dorso-ventrally, strongly
at the anal end (segments 6-9).
8th nervure separated from the anal angle
of trigone in the hindwing
ii. Abdomen not dorso-ventrally dilated at
the anal end, broad and depressed.
8th nervure arising from the anal angle
of trigone in the hindwing.
i'. Adult male with a yellow or red forehead
a'. Male brilliant scarlet red.
Wings relatively long and with a large
basal spot in the hindwing.
No tuft of bristles on the lamina . .
O. Ucniolatum.
O. anceps.
O. ransonnetti.
O. chrijsostigma.
O. trimKjularc.
O. fjlaucum.
dilated
0. sahina.
O. testaeeum.
INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. 157
W. Male dull red or orange coloured.
Wings relatively short. Basal spot in
the hind smaller.
A tuft of stout bristles on the lamina . . O. chnjsis.
ii\ Adult male with a bluish-black or violet
metallic forehead.
Abdomen crimson, thinly overlaid with
blue frosting which gives it a violet
appearance O. pruinosum.
15. Orthetrum cancellatum cancellatum, Dur.
Lihellula cancellata, Linne.
Libella cancellata. Brauer.
Lihellula frumenti, Muller.
Hydianympha helvetica, Buchecker.
Expanse 68 mm. Length 40 mm.
Head ; eyes bottle green above, paler at the sides and beneath ; vesicle
olivaceous brown ; face and labrum cinereous ; labium pale yellow.
Prothorax : brown.
Thorax : olivaceous on the dorsum, paler or greenish yellow at the sides ;
2 short, black, humeral stripes and a dark greenish, oblique stripe on the
side, which, latter stripe is bordered anteriorly and posteriorly with black.
Beueath frosted with blue.
Legs black in the male but the femorse in the female reddish with a
black line on the outer sides.
Wings hyaline ; site of arc variable, usually between the 1st and l^nd
autenodals, but sometimes at the 2nd or even slightly distal to it, this
being more often the case in the hindwing ; 8th nervure arising from the
anal angle of the trigone ; '2 rows of cells between 5 and ba.
Stigma black 2 to 3 mm.; membrane greyish, occasionally nearly white
or nearly black.
Abdomen broad ; the dilatation of the 2nd segment and the constriction
of the 3rd but poorly marked, somewhat depressed. The male ashy blue
or yellowish, especially the basal segments, the borders of the latter, the
distal end of the Hth and the whole of the remainder being black. The
sutures on the basal segments, including the transverse ridge on the 3rd,
finely outlined in black. The 3rd to the 6th segments each with a pair of
black spots beneath. In the female, the borders black and an irregular,
diffuse, dark, sub-dorsal line.
Anal appendages black, the tips whitish.
Genital organs of the male : lamina high and bold, the basal part, viewed
from the side, inclined to the body-axis at 45" furnished with a moderately
long, largish tuft of black bristles. The apex is deeply cleft into a slightly
diverging fork, nearly pointed and turning out at an angle of 90". Tenta-
culse not as high as the lamina ; the sides shallowly cupped, the internal
segment blunt and the hook directed laterally and horizontally. The ex-
ternal segment lower but prominent, flat and tumid. The lobe arched, and
thickly coated with black bristles.
Genital organs of the female: border of the 8th segment dilated, foliate,
at the end of the 8th ventral plate, a narrow but deep fissure with no dis-
tinct separation from the vulvar scale ; 9th ventral plate swollen.
Hab. Kashmir ; throughout Europe and the south of England.
16. Orthetrum japonicum internum, MacLachlan.
Orthetrum intermcm, MacLachlan.
Expanse 70 mm. Length 38 mm.
Head olivaceous ; eyes brown above, paler, olivaceous laterally and
beneath.
168 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI
Prothorax : olivaceous brown.
Thorax : olivaceous brown with a broad, humeral, blackish stripe and a
broad lateral stripe covering most of the space between the ppiracle and
the metepimerou.
Abdomen olivaceous brown with very broad, dark bordering stripes. The
abdomea relatively shorter and broader than in cancellatmn.
Wings hyaline ; a golden yellow spot at the base extending nearly as
far as the Ist antenodal nervure and the cubital nervure in the forewing,
and over and beyond these two points in the hind. Arc usually between
the 1st and 2nd antenodal nervures or sometimes at the 2nd. 8th nervure
arising from the anal angle of the trigone in the hindwing ; 2 to 3 rows of
cells between ^ and ha.
Membrane black. Stigma bright yellow (3 mm.).
Genital organs of the male : lamina high, mchned about f50° to the body-
axis; basal segment furnished with a tuft of k>ng stiff bristles, end segment
moderately narrow, blunt and divided into two small Inbes by an incision
at its apex. TentaculfB of uniform height, inner segment foliate, outer
only a small, blunt prominence. Lobe moderately hij.'h and a little arched.
Genital organs of the female : border of 8th abdominal segment moder-
ately large, foliateiy dilated, black. End of 8th ventral plate nearly
quadrilateral; its borders tumid. Vulvar scale not distinct ; 9th ventral
plate bluntly carinated.
Hab. Khasia Hills, Kashmir, Kerseong and Thibet.
17. Orthetrum trinacria, Kirby, Cat. ji. ?,7 (1890),
MacLachlan, Ent. Month. Mag. (2) 8, p. 1.53 (1897).
LibeUiila trinacria, Seiys. R°cne. Zool. (1841), p. 244.
Lepthemis trinacria, Brauer, Zool. bot. Wien. 18, p. 72 (1868).
Lihella trinacria, Selys.
Lihf'llida clnthrata, Rambur. Neur. p. 48 (1842).
Lihellula Bremti, Id.
E.xpanse 65-71 mm. Length 47-52 mm.
Head comparatively small ; eyes just touching ; a deep indigo blue in the
male; a pale opalnscent green in the female; much paler beneath ; occiput
large, black, with, in the female, a narrow, bisecting, median, yellow line;
occipital cavity yellow spotted with black, especially along the borders ;
vesicle conical, deeply notched, black, tipped with yellow in the female :
front highly glazed, translucent in the male with the sutures outlined in
yellow ; pale yellowish green in the female with the base narrowly black ;
epistome, labrum and labium translucent m the male ; pale opaque yellow
in the female.
Prothorax : lobe high, tumid along its free border which is furnished
with a fringe of hairs, deeply notched. In the msde black, frosted with
white or blue, in the female black with the front and sides of the lobe
yeUow.
Thorax robust, Male black, frosted with blue and usually with no
markings unless juvenile when a broad mid-dorsal and a simdar humeral
band may be seen showing through the frosting. Female pale yellowish
green, the sides more or less thickly frosted with blue or white. In some
specimens the sides and beneath are quite white. All biar black markings
more or less obscure as follows: — a broad mid-dorsal fascia, a narrow hume-
ral streak, incomplete above and below, laterally 3 oblique, narrow fascia?
which are not always present. The sutures usually outlined in black.
Legs black in the male; yellow in the female, thefemorae being streaked
with black. The femorse bear a row of clo.-ply-set, small spines and a
very long stout spine at the extreme distal ends.
INDIAN DRAGONFLIES.
159
Abdomen : Ist, 2nd cand 3rd segirents markedly dorso-ventrally dilated,
the 2nd bearing a strong, angidated euiinence on the doreum, a slight con-
striction at the 4th and then alniost parallel-sided to tie tud. Lorsiim
finely keeled, it and lateral borders minutely serrated. Male black ; the
first 3 segments frosted with white and the underneath coni^iletely white.
Female smiilar in shape to the male but somewhat stouter, bhick marked
with yeUow as follows : — the fir&t '6 segmei ts broadly at the sides, the 4th
to the 7th with a sub-dorsal stripe and a proxin al sub-dort-al sj ot which
are less marked and grow progressively smaller as traced towards the anal
end ; 8th and 9th segments all black; the lUth witli a lateral, quadrate siot.
Anal appendages long, narr<»w and cyliudiical, bJacl, ralhtr It uger than
the 9th segment in the male, and as long as the ^th and lOth in the female.
Genital organs of the male , lamina procumbent, stroi.gly arched and
over-hanging ihe tentacula- ; teiitaculie a pair of stoi.t, curling hooks
which first approximate in the middle line and then diverge outwards and
backwards, black and highly glazed. Lobe of large size, higher than the
tentaculaj.
Genitals of female: borders of 8th segment not very prominent, foliate,
broadly notched ; vulvar scale somewhat trumpet-shaped, keeled slightly
and notched in the middle line.
Wings long and narrow, reticulation close, hyaline in both sexes. The
costa and the second series of antenodal nervures biight yellow. Arc
usually between the 1st and :;i d antti.odal ntrxures ; 1ii}.oi,e in the fore-
wing traversed, in the hind entire and at the arc ; hypertrigones entire ;
antenodal nervures 10 ; 1 cubital nervure to all wings; subtrigone formed of
8 cells ; 2 rows of discoidal cells ; occasionally the teld Le}.ins with one
row of 3; I row of cells between 5 and ba, occasionally some doubled cells ;
8th nervure in the hindwing separated from the trigonal anal angle;
stigma pale yellow heavily bordered with black, o to 3*o mm.; membrane
moderately large, grey with a w'hite basal border ; loop well-formed ; split
cells at the outer angle only; apex short; basal part long and narrow,
Hab. Mesopotamia.
18. Orthetrum brunneum brunneumi Selys.
LiMlula hrunnea, Fouscolombei.
lAhella hrunnea, Brauer.
Libella cceiulescens, Fonscolomboi.
Fig, 26.— Wings and male genital organs of O. brvntuum brunneum.
Expanse 68 mm. Length 48 mm.
160 JOVRNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Head ; eyes brown above, olivaceous at the sides and pale green below -.
vesicle brown ; occiput olivaceous ; epistome and clypeus pale brown or
greenish brown.
Prothorax : frosted with blue in adult specimens.
Thorax : frosted entirely with bright blue in adult specimens. Juvenile
males and females with short, brownish, humeral bands and 2 lateral,
ditfuse, whitish-yellow stripes. The humeral stripe bordered with dark
brown ; the lateral bands extending from humeral region to spiracle and the
posterior one covering the greater part of the metepimeron. The general
ground colour a dirty brown or pale yellow.
Legs brown.
Wines : arc between the Ist and 2nd antenodal nervures : 2 rows of cells
between 5 and 5a : 8th nervure in the hindwing at the anal angle of the
trigone ; trigone in the hindwing often traversed ; antenodal nervures
12-16 ; base of wing entirely hyaline, or short, safl'ronated rays in the
hind.
Stigma small, reddish-brown ; membrane white.
Abdomen of the male, the base laterally slightly, dorso-ventrally
but little more dilated. Broad and depressed and gradually tapering to
the end. Frosted entirely with bright blue. In the female nearly cylin-
drical, yellowish or greyish brown, with narrow dark borders. Brighter
coloured beneath.
Genital organs of male : lamina low, broad and flat, inclined to body-
axis at about 30°, the end rounded and slightly notched. Tentacular
uniformly high, the internal a blunt hook, directed somewhat to one side
and backward. The external separated from it by a somewhat deep notch,
a little depressed, cupped and oval in shape. Lobe moderately high and
rather shallowly arched. The whole very small.
Genital organs of the female : lateral border of the 8th abdominal
segment fairly strongly dilated, its border spined and bordered with black.
End of 8th ventral plate with a small shallow incision, small yellowish lobes
projecting a little posteriorly ; 9th ventral plate tumid, flattened and
furnished with strong, broad, lateral hooks.
Hab. Quetta ; Kashmir, Assam.
19- 0. tceniolatum, Kirby.
LUndlida tceniolata, Schneider.
Lihellula toeniolata, Brauer.
Libellula anceps, Selys.
Orthetfum brenisUjlum, Kirby.
Ovthrtrum hyalinum, Kirby.
Expanse 50-60 mm. Length 35-40 mm.
Head ; eyes brown above, pale opalescent green at the sides and
beneath ; occiput, and vesicle olivaceous ; epistome and clypeus pale
olivaceous or pale yellow ; labrum yellow.
Prothorax : frosted with blue, no markings.
Thorax; in adult males, frosted with blue and the markings barely or
not discernible ; in juvenile males, a broad, light brown fascia on the mid-
dorsum bordered oubwardly by pale olivaceous, a broad, humeral, warm
brown fascia bordered anteriorly and posteriori}' with black, laterally 2
broad, brown fascia, bordered in front by a pale whitish green stripe,
the hind fascia covering the whole of the metepimeron.
Legs black, the femorte yellow at the bases. Frosted densely with blue
which conceals most of the colouring.
Wings : arc between the 1st and 2nd antenodal nervures or occasionally
opposite the 2nd ; 2 rows of cells between the 5th and oa, even in the
smallest specimens ; 8th nervure at the anal angle of the trigone or
INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. 161
occasionally a shade separated from it ; 10-12 antenodal nervures ;
hypertrigones entire ; trigone in forewing traversed, in the hind,
entire.
Stigma small, narrow, bright yellowish brown, bordered heavily with
dark brown along the costal border, 2 5mm; costa and the second
aeries of the antenedal nervures and the cubital nervure, yellow. Mem-
brane white, grey at the free border ; bases of wings completely hyaline or
there may be in the females, rays in the inferior costal and cubital
spaces.
Abdomen: very slightly dilated laterally at the base, moderately to
strongly dorso-ventrally. Narrow and tapering near the anal end.
Entirely frosted with bright blue but in juvenile males, with markings
showing through ; a narrow black, mid-dorsal line and dark, lateral
broader lines.
Anal appendages black, frosted with blue.
Genital organs of the male ; lamina broad, procumbent, inclined to
body-axis '6(f, rounded, at the apex, slightly notched, the surface covered
fairly densely with long line, grey hairs. Tentaculse small, nearly trian-
gular, laterally cupped. The internal tentacula with a somewhat blunt
hook, bent backwaids and outvards ; the external not noticeable,
apparent only as a broad, transverse swelling at the side. Lobe broadly
rounded.
Female: markings as in the juvenile males but much better defined.
The narrow whitish green stripes on the sides are very conspicuous and
the brown fascie are well defined.
The legs ochreous or paler yellow.
Abdomen: very slightly dilated at the base, then cylindrical and more
robust than iu the male. Yellowish brown in colour; the mid-dorsal ridge
black with a tendency to beading; the borders especially of the hinder
segments broadly dark brown. This latter often not present in the basal
segments.
Genital orgms of the female : border of Sth segment not dilated ; end of
eth ventral plate nearly straight, not tumid.
This species which is the smallest of the genus, shows like many of the
others, great polychroism, although markedly onstant in its morphology
Hab. Generally throughout Continental India ; Kashmir below 6,000';
Ndgiris below the same altitude ; Ceylon and Burma.
20. Orthetrum anceps, Kirby.
Liheliula anceps, Schneider and Brauer.
LibcUa anceps, Schneider and Brauer.
Libellula rambiuii, Selys and l^rauer.
Orthetnim ranihurii^ Mac Lachlan.
Expanse o8 mm. Length 40 mm.
Head ; eyes olivaceous brown above, paler beneath ; vesicle brown ; face
and labrum brownish or olivaceous.
Prothorax : br:»vvn frosted with blue.
Thorax : frosted completely with blue with some dark markings and
ii. yellowish brown tint showing through ; this more evident in juvenile
males.
Abtlomen: frosted with blue. Much dilated dorso-ventrally but not at
all laterally, depressed and near the end, tapering gradually.
Female similar but no blue frosting ; the sides of the thorax yellowish
brown with bhick rairkings. The abdomen yellowi-h brown, nearly cylin-
drical. Iu old speciuiaiia occasionally a little blue frosting.
21
162 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HhST. ISOCIETI, Vol. XXVI.
Wings; antenodal uervures 10-12; arc usually at the 2nd antenodal
nervuro but not uncommonly between the 1st and 2nd ; generally only
1 row of cells between 5 and 5a but occasionally a few doubled cells, espe-
cially in the female ; ^^th nervure arising from the anal angle of tlie
trigone.
Membrane white. Htigma large, 3-4'5 mm. relatively broad, yellow to
bright yellowish brown. Bases completely hyaline, in juvenile malts ;
at times, a light yellow.
Genital organs, male : lamina bold, the basal part inclined to the body-
axis at 60°, the apex blunt, moderately narrowly but deeply notched aiul
its extreme end almost perpendicular to the body-axis. The tentacuke
uniformly high, the internal short and furnished laterally with a small
hook, separated from external by a narrow fissure. The external deeply
concave, its border curling somewhat, Lobe not as high as tentaculu;",
arched. .
, Genital organs of female : border of 8th segment a little dilated, only
the outer border black ; end of 8th ventral plate very shallowly notched
and somewhat prominent ; 9th ventral plate somewhat carinated, tumid
and depressed.
Hab. Europe, North Africa and Quetta.
I have not seen specimens from Quetta but L have a number which 1 took
at Suez. In these, there is but little blue frosting on the thorax, the
abdomen however being a bright blue. Laterally the thorax has two broad.
brown fascite separated by a bright, whitish yellow stripe. There is also a
brown, humeral stripe bordered by dark brown anteriorly. The females
(all juvenile specimens) have no blue frosting whatever. The humeral
.stripe and the lateral fascires are well defined. The abdomen is ochreous,
bordered with dark brown.
The antenodal nervures number 11-13; there is only 1 row of cells
between 5 and 5a but occasionally 2 or '■) double cells. The arc is always
at the 2nd antenodal.
21. Orthetrum ransonnetti, Kirby.
Libellula ransonnetti, Brauer.
lAhella ransonnetti, Brauer.
Libellula gracilis, Selys.
Orthetrum gracilis, Kirby.
Expanse: Male 70 mm. Length, 50 mm.
Female 72 mm. ,, 5Q mm.
Head ; face and forehead light yellowish green ; the forehead flattened ;
Ihe border somewhat rounded. Eyes bottle green above, paler beneath.
Vesicle and occiput olivaceous or brownish.
Prothorax : olivaceous.
Thorax : frosted with blue.
Legs dark, the bases and curved sides of femorte, a streak on the fiat
sides of femorfB and a streak on the tibios, black.
Wings ; arc between antenodal nervures 1 and 2 ; only 1 row of cells
between 5 and 5n ; hypertrigones entire ; 8th nervure at the anal angle
of the trigone or it may be a little separated ; membrane white ; bases en-
tirely hyaline ; stigma very small, a reddish brown ; the costa and the
nervures in the basal area of the wings, the antenodal nervures and those
posterior to them, a bright yellow, especially in juvenile males and females.
In the adult males the nervures usually dark. Antenodal nervures i>
to 11.
Abdomen : slightly from side to side and strongly, dorso-ventrally dilated
and with a very prominent, angnlated keel on the proximal part of tlio
JNDIdN nRAaONFLlKS. I(i3
dorsum of the :3nd segmont. llemaiader of abdomen narrow, with the
sides nearly parallel. Frosted with blue or often black with little or no
frosting.
Genital organs of the male : lamina not particularly large, the apical
half nearly at a right angle to the basal part, broad, triangular and obtuse;
tentaculie very small and nearly semi-circular as seen from the side,
strongly cupped and without a distinct external segment ; the internal
segment laterally deflected at a right angle. The lobe large, overlapped
slightly by the tentaculse.
Female rather brighter coloured .
Head ; face, forehead and labruin very pale, almost white and diapha-
nous, the labrum often yellowish.
Thorax : front and laterally a bright yellowish brown, somewhat oliva-
ceous. Darker at the sides, black beneath.
Abdomen : the base somewhat dilated but less so than in the male ;
more robust than in the male ; yellowish brown in colour ; 2 dark
spots near the apical border of each segment, this border being edged
narrowly with blackish brown ; beneath black with narrow, reddish, lateral
spots.
Genital organs of female : border of 8th segment not dilated ; border
of 8th ventral plate shallowly arched at the end ; 9th ventral plate not
prolonged at the end.
There is a strong tendency to irregularities in the neuration of the
wings of this species.
Hab. Mesopotamia, Muscat, and Persia.
22. Orthetrum chrysostigma luzonicum, Eis.
Orthetrum chnjsostigina, Selys.
Orthetrmn luzonica, Kirby.
Orthetrum tricolor, Kirby.
Libella luzonica, Brauer.
Expanse 60 mm. Length 40 mm.
Head ; eyes brown above, olivaceous at the sides, fading to greenish
yellow beneath ; forehead usually with a well-defined, black basal line ;
epistome, clypeus and labrum yellow or greenish yellow; labium yellow
margined with black or else completely black ; vesicle blackish biown :
occiput dark olivaceous.
Prothorax : greenish yellow with a tine, median, black collar just in front
of the lobe
Thorax dark olivaceous green with a darker humeral or post-humeral
fascia, bordered anteriorly with a dark chestnut brown, humeral stripe,
and behind by a similar stripe which is however more irregular. Laterallj
a light greenish yellow with 2 very obscure darker stripes. Beneath and
occasionally the whole of thorax, in very advdt specimens, frosted with
blue. The tergum a pale greenish yellow. In some specimens, the sides
are much darker and the greenish yellow tint is almost hidden by black,
which also spreads over the ventral surface.
Legs ; anterior femorse yellow ; the ti bite yellow on the outer and black
on the inner side ; the middle and hind legs black, striped with yellow on
the outer sides of the femor;».
"Wings hyaline ; 1 to 2 rows of cells between o and 5« ; 12 to 13 antenodal
nervures ; 8th nervure well separated from the anal angle of the trigone in
the hindwing ; arc at the 2nd antenodal in the forewing, between the Isb
and 2nd in the hind.
Membrane black ; stigma ochreous, heavily bordered with black, 3 to
;')'5 mm. ; costa and antenodal nervures yellow.
164 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol XXVI.
Abdomen : moderately dilated at the base, then cylindrical and parallel-
sided to the anal end ; very variable in colouring, either all black and more
or less frosted with blue or else the anterior segments a greenish yellow
(usually the 1st to 3rd) ; the autures fir.ely mapped out in black, a diffuse,
sub-dorsal, brown stripe. The rest of the abdomen obscurely greenish
yellow and bordered on either side, broadly with black. 'Jhe whole of the
segments, 4 to 10 usually frosted with blue through which the markings
show morrt or less faintly.
Genital organs of the male : lamina wide and procumbent, covered to a
variable extent with long, coarse hairs, its sides laterally curling or
thickened and the apex notched. Internal tentacula foliate and membran-
ous, ending in a small, outwardly directed hook; external tentacula
broadly triangular and capped on the outer surface ; the lobe not project-
ing, sloping weU back, broad, shaUowly arched and coated with stiff, coarse
hairs.
Female : very similar to the male but rather brighter coloured.
Haad : eyes are paler, the labrum and the face a brighter green.
Thorax : always a light yellowish green laterally and with practically no
markings.
Abdomen : similar to the male but the black bordering narrower and con-
sequently the greenish yellow more extensive. No blue frosting as in the
male. Much stouter than in the male and cylindrical.
Anal appendages small and black.
Wings hyaline, often with a marked smokiness. With or without a basal
marking, which, if present, extends in the forewing as far as the l&t
antenodal nervure and the cubital nervure ; in the hindwing it extends as
far as the 2nd antenodal, nearly as far as the trigone and into the border of
the loop.
Genital organs of female: S\h. abdominal segment markedly dilated;
vulvar scale small, deeply notched and semi-bipartite ; 9th ventral plate
tumid.
Remarkable polymorphism and polychroism is found in this species and
gives rise to much confusion in classification. The blue frosting of the
male is extremely variable, some specimens being densely frosted whilst
others have the merest trace. The thoracic markings vary widely, Kis
describing specimens from the Nilgiris, gives the markings as very exten-
sive, whilst in the specimens that I possess from the same locality,
save for the humeral stripe, the markings are almost or entirely
obsolete.
The dark, basal line on the forehead seems to be constant, being present
m specimens from Ceylon, Nilgiris, Burma and Malabar. Specimens from
Deesa agree with my Nilgiri ones. The labium varies in its colouration
considerably ; thus His f''e scribes a pair from Burma, where the labium of
the male is completely black, and in the fen^ale, only the middle lobe
similarly coloured. In Nilgiri specimens the labium is usually completely
yellow. Burma specimens possess 1 row of cells between 5 and 5a, as do
also those from Gilgit, whilst, others from the Nilgiris, Deesa, and Ceylon
may have either 1 or 2 rows of cells.
Hab. Throughout India except the desert tracts, Nilgiris, Ceylon
and Burma.
23. Orthetrum triangulare triangulare, Kirby.
Lihella trinm/ularis, Selys.
Lihella delesfrli, Kirby.
Orthetrum dele-ferfi, Kirby.
Orthetrum cai-naticum, Kirby.
INDIAN DRAGONFLIES.
166
27
Fig, 27. — a. Female genital organs of O, (jlaucum. b. Female genital
organs of O. tiicmcjulare. c. Male genital organs of O.
piuinosum. d. Male genital organs of O, trianyulare,
Male :
Head ; eyes just meeting, brown above, olivaceous and paler at the
sides and beneath ; vesicle prominent deeply notched, black ; face brown,
labriim and labium greenish yellow ; suture deep.
Frothorax ; dark brown, the lobe furnished with a very long ruff of hairs.
Thorax : a deep chestnut brown, almost black, laterally a bright greenish
yellow traversed by a broad brown stripe. The dark brown parts are den-
sely pubescent ; the yellow parts naked.
Legs robust, black ; hind femorse with a row of stout ; gradually length-
ening spines; tlie mid-femor!B similar but the spines much less numerous.
Claw-hooks robust, nearer base than apex. Tibial spines fairly numerous,
long and robust.
Wines broad and lone ; arc between the 2nd and 3rd antenodal nervures
or at the 2nd ; sectors of arc short in the forewmg, longer in the hind;
trigone in the lorewing traversed once or twice, its proximal side somewhat
sinuous ; trigone in the hindwing traversed; its distal side concave ; hyper-
trigone in the forewing traversed, in the hind entire ; 15 to 17 antenodal
nervures ; the loop broad and long ; its mid-rib bent to nearly a right angle
and with split cells both at the trigone and at the outer angle; discoidal
field broadly dilated, with 3 rows of cells ; 8th nervnre at the anal angle of
the trigone in the hindwing ; 2 rows of cells between 5 and 5«.
Stigma dark brown, large. Membrane dark grey. At the base of the hind-
wing a dark, opaque, blackjsh brown, triangular mark reaching in the superior
costal space to the 1st antenodal nervnre, in the inferior costal space to the
2nd, rather more than half-way over the sub-costal and cubital spaces and
from thence sloping gradually to about the middle of the membrane. Just
a suspicion of a brownish black mark in the forewing.
Apices of wings faintly smoky.
Abdomen, ventro-dorsally, dilated at the base, then markedly depressed
as far as the 7th segment, from which point to the anal end it is strongly
carinated. Markedly fusiform, the broadest part at the 4lh and nth seg-
ments ; 1st and 2nd segments^ deep mahogany brown, the 1st segment being
densely coated with h^ng hair, especially at the sides ; 3rd to 7th bright
cobalt blue; the remaining segments black.
]66 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCLETY. Vol. XXVl.
Anal appendages black, long, cylindrical and a little sinuous.
Genital organs : lamina somewhat depressed, its end somewhat tapering,
m front coated thinly with long, coarse, black bristles ; tentacul;© small,
the internal, a hook, curving on itself and separated from the external by
a shallow notch ; the external slightlj'^ overlapping the lobe, depressed and
somewhat rounded. Lobe large, rounded.
Female : rather more robust than the male.
Head ; eyes olivaceous above, opalescent slaty blue laterally and below ;
labrum and labium yellow ; face greenish yellow.
Prothorax and thorax : a golden brown with a greenish tinge. A broad,
brown, diffuse, humeral stripe. Laterally, similar to the male, the con-
trast in the colour not being nearly so marked on account of the paler
LiTOund colour.
Abdomen: golden brown or yellowish, the first 8 segments with a marked
•ireenish tinge. The mid-dorsal ridge darker and a bordering of diffuse,
greenish lunules. Beneath yellowish, lateral spots on each segment.
Female genital organs as shown ; the border of the 8th segment mark-
edly dilated ; stout lateral spines on the border of 9th ventral plate.
Wings : a bright, golden yellow spot on the basal area of the hindwing
extending outwardly as far as the basal spot in the male, but not as far
back as the middle of the membrane.
Legs paler than in the male, femone a golden yellow at the base and
on their inner surfaces.
In females from the Nilgiris the mid-dorsal ridge and the sutures and
intersegmental nodes are all finely mapped out in black. There ia a broad
sub-dorsal brownish fasciaj extending tbe whole length of the abdomen
and covering most of the area of the hinder segments. A greenish yellow
stripe on the tergum is continued on to the first .*! segments of the
abdomen.
Hab. Burma, Sikkim, Khasia Hills. Murree, Kashmir •').<>()()', Nilgiris
and Ceylon 6,500'.
24. Orthetrum glaucum, Kirby. Cat. p. 39 (1890).
Ld. Jour. JAnn. Soc. ZooL '2X, p. o5o (J 893).
Karsch, Kruger and Martin.
Orthetrum Nicevillei, Kirby, An. May. Nat. Hist. 14, 112 (1894).
Laidlaw, Proc. ZooL Soc Lond. (1902) 1, p. 68.
Libellula fflauca, Brduer (I860), Zool hot. Wien. 15, p. (1012).
Libella glaur.a, Braner (1868), ZooL hot. Wien. IS, p. 732.
Head ; adult male ; face black, the epistome somewhat paler or a bright
brown ; forehead a deep black, it and the vesicle a dull, metallic blue by
reflected light. In the juvenile male and the female, the face and fore-
head a bright yellow.
Prothorax, thorax and abdomen of the adult male : entirely frosted with
a dark blue. Juvenile males and females olivaceous with broad, diffuse,
humeral bands and laterally 2 bright, greenish yellow bands, one anterior
and the other covering the front half of the metepimerou.
Legs black in adult males, brown or yellowish in juvenile males and in
females.
Wings : trigone in the hindwing entire ; arc between the 2nd and 3rd
antenodal nervures ; 2 rows of cells between 5 and ^m : 8th nervnre in the
hindwing arising from the anal angle of the trigone.
Membrane black.
In the male, a golden brown, basal spot in the hindwing extending as
far as the 1st antenodal ne'-vure, somewhat beyond the cubital nervure
and about 2 cells beyond the end of the membrane. The reticulation is
in this spot in adult forms frosted with blue. The costa narrowly yellow.
INDIA y DRA a OS FLIES.
167'
Genital organs y£ the male : lamina very depressed in its basal half, 30".
then turning abruptly outwards and at its extreme apex, curling forwards,
Apex fairly acute. Internal tentacular furnished with a bold spur which
i^ bent somewhat to one side at its apex, separated from the external ten-
taculse by a moderately, deep, arched fissure. Lobe high and strongly
iirched.
Genital organs of the female : border of fctth segment, narrowly and
foliately dilated, the dilatation black and strongly toothed ; end of 8th
ventral plate notched slightly ; 9th ventral plate flatly arched.
Anal appendages in both sexes black.
Hab. Ceylon, Bengal, Burma, Tennasserim, Khasia Hills, and Nilgiris.
Specimens from the Nilgiris vary widelj"- in the females. The measure-
ments of the two sexes are as follows : — Male, expanse 80 mm. Length
;">u mm. Female, expanse 72 to 78 mm. length 45 to 48 mm. The abdomen of
the males is long, moderately narrow for its length, depressed and a bright,
cobalt blue, the hinder half of the 8th and the whole of the 9th and 10th
segments being black. The thorax in the female is a rich chocolate brown,
variably overlaid with a blue frosting which more or less obscures the
luarkings according to the age of the specimen. The dorsum is inclined
t> be bronzed and is distinctly paler. There is a pale, whitish yellow stripe
<m the tergum and 2 more or less bright, moderately narrow, whitish
yellow Btripes on the sides which become obsolete as traced upwards. The
nbdomen is stouter and shorter than that of the male, a dark olivaceous
tint, the borders and sub-dorsum diffusely black. Beneath, on each seg-
ment, are a pair of bright yellow lunules. The first 3 segments of the
abdomen are often thinly frosted with blue.
The wings are not uncommonly, faintly smoky, especially at the apices.
Stigma brown, bordered with black. .3'5 mm.
Hab. Nilgirie 5,000' to 6,000'.
25. OrthetrunD sabina, Kirby.
Libellula sabina Drury.
Lepthemis sabina, Brauer.
Libella sabina, Selys.
Orthetrum sabinum, Ris.
Liebellula gibba, Fabricius.
Orthetrwm diviaum. Kifbv,
Lihelltda leptura, Burmeister.
Orthetrum leptura, Kirby.
Orthetrum lepturum, Needham.
Libellula ampullacea, Schneider
Lntthemix divistn, Selys.
Fij
■2H.
-Wings of Orthetrum sabirut (x2).
168 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
;" V- Expanse 70 mm. Length 50 mm.
Head: occipnt olivaceous ; eyes a bottle green, paler beneath ; epistomo.
clypeUjS and labrum, a greenish yellow, the upper part of former, blackish ;
vesicle brown. ,
Probhorax; the anterior and middle lobes black with a fine bprderin^
of yellow anteriorly, the posterior lobe yellow.
■ Thorax : greenish yellow with the following black markings :— a fane,
mid-dorsal line, a narrow humeral line, 4 narrow lateral lines and an in-
complete lino on the metepiraeron. The forepart of tergum and the
attachments of the wings on either side of tergum powdered with' cobalt
blue, this latter more evident in old specimens. Beneath greenish yellow,
the sutures outlined in black.
Legs ; outer surfaces yellow, inner black. ,
Wings hyaline, the costa and many nerVures at the base, principally the
antenodal and cubital, yellow. At the base of the hindwjng a small b3,saJ
marking extending along the membrane for about 2 cells width and in the-
cubital space for not quite half-way to the cubital pervure. 12-13
antenodal nervures ; arc between the 2nd and brd antenodal nervures
soinetimes at the 2nd and rarely between the 1st and 2nd; 8th nervure
widely separated from the anal angle of trigone in the hindwiug ; trigone
and hypertrigone in the forewing traversed, in the hind, both entire.
Stigma a bright yellowish brown, '&5 mm. ; membrane blac^, occasionally
spotted with yellow.
Abdomen : segments 1 to 3 laterally, slightly, ventro-dorsally^ greatly
dila,ted ; the 3rd narrowing rapidly, the 4th, 5th and 6th slim and cylin-
drical, the 7th, 8th and 9th strongly, veutro-dorsally dilated. , Segments 1
to 3 yellowish-green with the sutures, including the transverse ridge on
the 3rd, mapped out finely in black, the remaining segments black with
long, oval spots of yellow on the borders of the 4th to 6th. In very adult
specimens, there is often a thin, white frosting to the underside of the
thorax and abdomen and entirely frosted specimens are not unknown, the
variation in the colour and markings being extremely wide.
Anal appendages : a pale green, almost white. >.
Colouration of female : very similar to that of male.
Genital organs of male : lamina prominent, inclination to the body axis
45° ; the apical part more so, about a right angle, and somewhat tapered,
furnished with 2 tufts of stout, yellowish bristles which diverge strongly
from oae another. The internal tentacula with only a small hook, the
external depressed, black, strongly concave and shell-like; the lobe longi-
tudinally broad, shailowly arched and coated thickly with stout, coarse
bristles.
Genital organs of female : border of 8th segment, mo^terately foliately
dilated, strongly spined. End of 8th ventral plate; flatly arched, notched,
the borders of the notch turning outwards ; 9th ventral plate iu its basal
half steeply carinated, in the apical half, swollen.
Hab. All India, Ceylon and Straits ; Mesopotamia and Basra.
26. Orthetrum testaceum testaceum, Ris.
Ortliefrum teataceum, Kirby,
Libdlula -testacen, Burmeister. ' : ' , ■:
Eri/themis tentacea, Brauer. )%'■/-
Libella tesiacea, Brauer. ' ,'.\-\ ■
Expanse 36 to ■^O mm. Length 66 to 74 itihii.' '
Head; forehead orange or reddish; face yellow; eyes opalescent
slaty blue, paler beneath ; vesicle and occiput brownish,
Prothorax : golden brown.
Thorax : reddish brown ; no markings ; often a thin bluish frosting present
,,j,^.^ ^ ...:.lNpiA]^yPBAGONFLlF.S. ; 169
Abdomen elighly dorso-ventrally dilated at the base, moderately con-
stricted at the 3rd segment, then moderately broad and depressed and
tapering gradually to the end. Bright scariet red.
Wings relatively long ; trigone ia the hiudwing traversed; arc between
the 2nd and iJrd antenodalniervures ; 2 rows of cells betweien 5 and 5a;
Sthliieryure arising from the anal angle of the trigone in the hindwing ;
brown basal marking in the hiudwing extending as far as the 2nd antene-
dal and the arc.
Membrane black. Stigma reddish brown, 3 mm.
Female : a golden brown, the sides of thorax and the abdomen with an
olivaceous, or greenish tinge. '1 he sutures and mid-dorsal ridge finely out-
lined in black. The borders of the abdomen and the end segments, as well
as the dilatation of the 8th segment, didusely black.
Genital organs of the male : lamina moderately depressed (SO*^), the
terminal part turning out somewhat, the outer surface not markedly
furnished with hairs and no special tufb of bristles. Tentaculse of uniform
height, short and blunt ; the two segments separated by a fairly broad
notch. Lobe much broadened in the length of the insect, scarcely arched.
Genital organ of the female : border of the 8th segment foliately
broadened ; em I of 8th ventral plate projecting in the middle line as^ a
small/; obtu.^e angled vulvar scale with a snail, rcunded lole on either fcide
of it. Border of 9th segment rounded and the 9th ventral plate tumid,
not prolonged i
Hab. India, N.-E. Burma and Sikkim.
271 ' Orthetrum chrysis, Ris : Kruger.
' '' ' hibelLa testaceu vAce clivysis, S'elys.
Expanse 68 mm. Length 40 mm.
Head ; eiyes brown above, paler at the sides and beneath ; vesicle and
occipiit olivaceus or pale brown; forehead dark red or ochreous ; face
and labrum pale ochreous or yellow.
Pro thorax ; ochreous.
Thorax : dark red or occasionally a dark, rich ochreous without any
niartings. Abdomen dark red or rich orange yellow.
Legs' yellow or pale brown.
Wings relatively short ; the basal spot in hindwing smaller than in
O. testqcea, extending oidy as far as the antenodal nervure, to the cubital
nervqi-ie, and for about 2 to 3 cells beyond the end of membrane; trigone
ia the hindwing traversed as a rule ; arc between the 2nd and 3rd
antenodal nervures ; 2 rows of cells between 5 and 5a ; 8th nervure
arisitig from the anal angle of the trigone in hindwing ; membrane black ;
antenodal nervures 15.
Stigma blackish brown (3 mm.). The basal spot in the hindwing a
golden brown colour,
Femalb : similar but a darker, ochreous nr olivaceous brown colour.
Genital organs of the male ; lamina difl'ering very slightly from that of
O. testacea, but the outer surface furnished with a tuft of marketlly sloping,
stiff, black hairs ; the fissure separating the tentaculse rather deeper than
in testacea ; lobe moderate, arched.
Genital organs of the female : very similar to testacea.
Hab" India generally and Ceylon.
The distinctions between this insect and testacea are not very striking
and' they may be but local varieties. The small size of the basal
marking in the hindwing and the tuft of hairs on the lamina are
the m6st' Striking points. Specimens taken in Poona are all a brillia,nt
ochreous yellow and are usually taken away from water in company with
parii'dla'. '
22
170 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
28. Orthetrum pruinosum neglectum, Ris.
Libellula neglecta, Rambur.
Libella neglecta, Selys.
Orthetrum neglecta, Kirby. Cat. p. 182 (189U).
Morton, Trans, Ent. Soc, L(md. (1907), p. 305. ;
Libellula petalura, Brauer.
Libella petalur a, Brauer.
Orthetrum petalura, Kirby, Cat. p. 39 (1890).
Libellula pruinona, Brauer.
Orthetrum p7-uinosum,Kichy , Proc. Zool. S<>c. Land. (1886), p. 327.
Libella pruinosa clelia, Selys.
Orthetrum pruinosum ceylanicum, Forster. 1903, p. 541. Ann. Mun.
Hung.
Male : Expanse 72 mm. Length 45 mm.
Head ; eyes a deep, blackish blue above, slaty blue beneath ; occiput
vesicle and face a dark brown ; upper part of epistome and forehead a dull
metallic blue black.
Prothorax : dark crimson overlaid with a thin blue frosting.
Thorax a rich, dark crimson overlaid with blue frosting which gives it
a rich violet tint, reminding one of the bloom on a damson. No markings.
Legs black.
Wings long and broad, hyaline, often a little smoky at the apices ;
a dark amber-coloured patch in the basal area of the hindwing extending
as far as the 1st antenodal nervure and slightly beyond the cubital
uervure, over 1 or 2 cells of the loop and 2 to 3 cells beyond the end of tho
membrane.
Stigma dark brown, almost black, 3 mm. ; membrane grey or black.
Trigone in the hindwing traversed ; 2 rows of cells between 5 and 5a ;
antenodal nervures 14 to 15 ; loop well formed, split cells at the trigone
and at the external angle ; 3 rows of cells in discoidal field.
Abdomen markedly, dorso-ventrally dilated at the base, then moderately
broad, parallel-sized and markedly depressed. A rich crimson without any
markings and overlaid, especially the first 3 segments, with a thin bine
frosting which gives it a violet appearance.
Anal appendages: crimson, short, cylindrical.
Genital organs ; lamina procumbent, only the apex turning out a little ;
inclination to the body axis about 30°; the outer surface furnished with long,
stiff black bristles. The inner segment of the tentaculse furnished with a
backwardly and somewhat outwardly directed hook and separated from
the external segment by a moderately deep, arched fissure. Lobe mode-
rately procumbent, rounded and arched.
Female : Expanse 65 mm. Length 43 mm.
Head ; eyes warm brown above or occasionally a bottle green, slaty
blue beneath ; occiput olivaceous brown : vesicle, clypeus and labrum
olivaceous and glassy or diaphanous.
Prothorax brown.
Thorax varies considerably in its colouring. The ground colour may
be a dull olivaceous brown with obsolete markings or it may be a golden,
brown with a greenish tinge. A broad, humeral, brown fascia bordered in
front and behind with black and the black border in front again bordered
with pale whitish green ; laterally ohvaceous brown or pale greenish
yellow with a median black streak.
Legs olivaceous at the bases of f emoris, black beneath and at the distal
ends of femorse and the tibiso.
Wings hyaline ; the apices faintly smoky. No basal markings to hmd-.
wings. Antenodal nervures 12.
INDIAN DRAOONJ'I.II'JS. 171
Abdojneu : usually au olivaceous brown with obscure yellow spots aloug the '
borders. Often there is a broad, mid-dorsal, black streak which expands
itt the distal end of each segment and the marginal spots may be obscured
by a black bordering or a diffuse brown.
Anal appendages : short, cylindrical, brown.
Genital organs : 8th abdominal segment with a narrow, foliate dilatation
of its borders.
Hab. India throughout, Oeylon and Burma.
(To hf. (•nniinvc.d.)
. X72'
NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF AMBALA DISTT., PUNJAB
BY ■ ' ' "
H. Whistler, M.B.O.U., F.Z.S.
Part II.
(^Continued from page 681 0/ Volume XX V.)
813. The Swallow — Hirundo rustica, L.
This swallow was definitely identified on the folio-wing
occasions : — 1 at Ambala on November 1st, 1 near Jagadri on
November 3Uth, a party at Ambala on 10th December, 3 at
Rupar on 21st March, and a party in Cantonments on 10th
April.
818*. The Wire-tailed Swallow — Hirundo smithii, Leach.
" I have frequently heard from my late friend Dr. Scott that
this swallow occurs in some abundance about Ambala in certain
seasons, and breeds there" (Eeavan). 1 met with three only, at
Chandishar on 10th November, and at Ambala on 21st and
23rd November. It is doubtless a summer resident.
823. Syke's Striated Swallow — Hirundo erythrojyyia, Sykes.
Striated swallows were common and generally distributed
during my stay in the district, and were probably for the most
part if not entirely of this species. Ihe only specimen pre-
served proved to bo Sykes Striated Swallow. A few must
breed in the district as 1 saw one of their old nests under a
culvert.
826. The White Wagtail — Motacilla alba, L,
This common winter visitor had already arrived when J
reached the district on the 23rd of October and it continued
abundant until my departure on 20th April. It was generally
distributed except in the low hills about Kalka and Kasauli
where I did not meet with it.
Beavan has a long note on this species under the name of
Motacilla luzionensis in which he gives the dates of its arrival
as follows : —
1863. Ambala. September 8. (Dr. Scott.)
1864. Sunawar near Kasauli. September 8. (Dr. Scott.)
1865. Ambala. September 30. "Abundant, have been in
some days" (Dr. Scott.)
1866. Ambala. "Sept. 11. Dr. Scott.
He states also on the authority of Dr. Scott that it leaves
Ambala about the end of April.
829. The Masked Wagtail — Motacilla jiersonata, Gld.
A common winter visitor but less numerous than the last
species with which it freely consorts. It was observed in the
same localities and for the same period.
831. The Large Pied Wagtail — Motacilla maderaspatensis, Gm.
One was seen at a masonry tank at Jagadri on 30th Novem-
ber, and two more at a shrine near the river at Rupar on 18th
December.
NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF AMBALA DISTRICT, PUNJAB. 173
832. The Grey Wagtail — Motacilla melanope. Pall.
Generally dispersed throughout the district and almost always
solitary ; this Wagtail was observed on 20 dates between 23rd
October and April 12th.
Beavan says that Dr. Scott' observed the species. "In 186S
in Ambala on September 3rd ; and in 1866, on 21st Sep-
tember, upwards of 60 in a flock." Ihis last record if correct
is most remarkable, but 1 fear that it more probably referred to
some other form of Wagtail.
833. The Grey-headed Wagtail — Motacilla borealis, Sundev.
835. The Indian Blue-headed Wagtail — Motacilla heema, Sykes.
' Both these races of Wagtail occur in the district, but in the
absence of a safhcient number of specimens obtained, I was
unable to work out their status. Yellow Wagtails of sorts were
noted in December, February and March, and became most
abundant on passage in April.*
837.* The Yellow-headed Wagtail— iIfcr/«cj7/« citrcola, Pall.
838, Hodgson's Yellow-headed Wagtail — Motacilla citreo'oides (Hodga.)
YeUojW-headed Wagtails were observed commonly about the
marshes of Chamkaur on 13th and I4th December, and a
few were seen on other dates in the winter, with an increase
on migration in April. Both forms were probably represented
but I failed to secure a series to settle the point.
840. The Tree Pipit— ^ra/A/Js triiialis (L.).
Met with in small numbers from the beginning of November
until the end of February: during March it seemed to become
more numerous, and at the end of that month and during the
first half of April there were certainly a number passing through
on the spring migration.
844*. The Brown Rock Pipit — Antlms similis (Jerd.).
A large Pipit which was probably of this species was seen
on the edge of the Ghaggar Nala at Chandighar on loth
February.
848*. The Tawny Pipit — Anthus campestris (L.).
Observed in small numbers about the neighbourhood of Civil
Lines from November to the middle of January.
861. ft. The Central Asian Pipit — Anihus blakistor.i (Harlut.).
This Pipit was found in great numbers about Mubariqpur
from 5th to 7th November ; it was frequenting the coarse
rushy grass on the banks of the Ghaggfir, and also the rice
' ' fields and swampy ground of the marshes there. When I
visited this same ground on ]9-20th February the nvmbers were
gone, but there were a few Pipits about, which may have been of
the same species.
A number of Pipits met in similar situations at Chamkaur on
13th and 14th December, and by the Sutlej at Eupar on 22nd
March were attributed to this species, but no specimens were
obtained.
* Reavan has a short note on Motacilla viridis but not of sufficient value to
merit any speculation as to its identity. The same name occurs la Dr. Scott'*
catalogue.
lyi JOUHNAL, BOMBAY NAT VliAL ULSl\ .SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
853, The Upland Pipit — Oi-eocorys sylvanus (Hodgs.).
This curious Pipit was common on tho open hillside of the
northerly face of Kasauli when I was there early in March.
It was not shy and would allow a close approach before rising.
The call or song is a curious sawing creaking sound of several
notes, rather ventriloqual and difficult to locate, and is uttered
both from the ground or a tree top. Although the specie^
appeared to be already paired the organs of two birds shot
were not yet developed.
859, The Eastern Calandra Lark — Melanocorypha bimactdata (Men.).
An Editorial note to Captain Beavan's account of this species,
which he had never met in the wild state, says :■ — " Lord
Walden informs us that he has received many specimens of
this species shot in the neighbourhood of Ambala." in Dr.
Scott's list there is the note, " in thousands this year."
I met with two flocks of Larks which I attributed to this
species, namely between Bilaspur and Jagadri, on 30th Novem-
ber, and near Ambala on 15th February, but no specimens wen-
obtained.
862. The Short-toed Lark — Calandrella brachydactyla (Loisl.).
A winter visitor occurring in flocks and noted at Ambala,
Morinda and Mubariqpur. As no specimens were collected it
is impossible to be certain of the race represented.
867. The Indus Sand-lark — Alaudula adamsi (Hume).
Found in small numbers frequenting the bed of the (Uiagga.r
river at Mubariqpur in November and February.
869. The Singing BxxBh.- lark— Mira/ra caniillans, Jerd.
One or two were observed between Bilaspur and Jagadri
on 30th November.
871. The Ked-wingedBnsh-lark — Mirafra eryihroptera, Jerd.
"At Ambala, November 13th, 1866, I thot a specimen in a
small enclosed garden. It alighted on the ground after buijij:
lirst disturbed, and squatted under a low bush, trying, when
wounded, to get refuge in a rat-hole" (Beavan).
I shot a solitary male in a field of growing wheat at Ambala
on 16th February and believe that 1 saw one or two of this
species on 25th November near Bilaspur,
874*. The Crested Ijsuk—Galerita cristata (L.).
"Ambala, January 18(i6" (Beavan),
Common and probably resident ; observed at Ambala, Mo-
rinda, Chandighar, Mubariqpur, and Mani Majra,
875*. Sykes' Crested hark— G a lerit a deva (Sykes).
"Abundant at Ambala. I put up 3 or 4 of these birds out
of low cultivation ; their flight is somewhat hovering, like that
oi a. Mimfra". (Beavan.)
879*. The Ashy-crowned Finch-laik — Pyrrhvlauda yrisea (Scop.).
Observed, sometime in flocks of a dozen individuals, on
various dates between 3rcl November and 25th March, at
Ambala, Mubariqpur, Chandighar and Mani Majra. The bed
of the Ghaggar river at the bases of the hills by Chandighar
was a favourite locality.
895*. The Purple Sunbird — Arnr.hnecthra asiatica (Lath.)
The distribution of this ei.tcies in the Ambala District is
interesting as illustrating how the district is divided in its
J^OTI^S ON THE BIRDS OF AMBALA DJSTUICT, PUNJAB. \ir,
affinities between tlift Punjab and the United Provinces. About
Ambala itself the Purple Honeysucker is a most abundant
summer resident, as in the case of the districts of the Punjab
proper. It had already left when I arrived and returned about
the Ist of March; its arrival was most marked as it became
general and abundant in the space of a few days. On the other
hand in the submontane area, such as Mubariqpur and Chan-
dighar it was not uncommon throughout the winter, and
far smaller numbers seemed to winter also about Morinda.
Rupar and Bilaspur.
Beavan in recording this bird from Ambala District describes
the winter plumage — the Cinvyiis currvcaria of Sykes which is
erroneously stated in the Fauna of British India, Vol. ii, p. 359.
to be a mark of age.
It breeds freely in the foothills between Kalka and Kasauli.
its upper limit being roughly about the r>th milestone, lut
I did not meet it there in December.
921. The Thick-billed Flowerpecker — Piprisoma squalidum (Burt.).
A male of this curious and often overlooked little bird w as
shot by me at Mubariqpur on 20th February ; it appeared to be
not uncommon in the mango groves of Morinda from the 18th to
20th March, and I observed a single bird in the District Board
garden at Ambala on 1st April. This last had settled to roost for
the night on a twig of a Cirrhus-tree under a sort of pent-house
roof formed by two of the large flat seed cases of the tree, which
were hanging from another twig.
969. The Brown-fronted Pied Woodpecker — Dcndrocopvs auriceps (Vig.)
A pair were haunting the neighbourhood of the Dak bui-
galow at Kasauli when I was there from 6th to 9th
March.
972. The Yellow-fronted Pied Woodpecker — Liopicvs mahrattensix
(Lath.).
This Woodpecker was met with in small numbers and I found
two nests with eggs. The first one was obtained on 28th Marcli
at Ambala and contained 3 slightly incubated eggs, the second
was in a Kikur tree by the road past Eassi City and contained
3 slightly incubated eggs on 31st March.
986, The Golden-backed Wrodptcker. — BraclyjHfiniis avraniius (L.>.
Abundant and generally distributed.
1003. The Common Wryneck — 1 yv.r loKjviUa, Linn.
Oidy two individuals v ere observed, one on the outf-kirts ct
Cantonments on 1st January and the other at Chandighar on
J.'^th February. The latter was skulking in the bushes en one
of the low hills in such a curious manner that I thought it was
going to allow itself to be caught by hand.
1019. The Crimson-breasted Barbet — Xantholocma hcematocephala
(P. L s. Muller).
Abundant and resident ; although an odd bird might be heard
calling a little during the winter, their " tonk-tonk " did not
become a familiar sound until after the middle of February.
Eggs were found as follows: — 19th March, c/3 fresh and c/2
fresh ; 28th March, c/3 moderately incubated. On one occasion
1 saw a Barbet excavating its nest-hole in a decayed bough ; it
was holding on and ham.mering like a Woodpecker.
176 JOURNAL. BOMBAY NATURAL RIST. SOCIBTT, tdl.^Xl^l.
1022, The Indian Roller — Coracias indica, L. ,,,/,
Common and generally distributed. . ,
102G.* The Common Indian Bee-eater — Merops viridis, Linn.
This common and generally distributed summer visitor was
also noted in small numbers during the wmter, a few birds
wintering here and there in favoured spots. The advance guard
started to arrive in J^ebruary and by the middle of March the
species seemed to have reached its full numbers. When at
Kasauli in the second week of March I watched several
flights working up from the valley up the hill past the Dak
bungalow on ditlerent days and 1 presume that these were on
migration.
1033*. The Indian Pied Kingfisher — Ceryle laria, Striokl. '
Common and probably resident. ■
1035. .The Common Kingfisher — Alcedo ispida, Linn.
Not uncommon in the submontane and well watered area
about Chandighar and Mubariqpur during the winter : one was
al-io seen at (Jhamkaur.
Beavan writes : " I procured a single specimen in November
1865 at Ambala, where, however, it is far from common."
1044*. The White-breasted Kingfisher — Halcyon smi/nunais (L.)
Common and probably resident.
1053. The Indo-Burmese Pied Hornbill — Jnthracoceros albirostris
(Shaw and Nodd).
In my Father's game-book there is a note about * black and
white Hornbiils ' found at Morni on ^8th November 1886.
This can only refer to this species. which occurs in Dr.
Scott's list under the locality' Siwaliks.
1062. The Common Grey Hornbill — Lophoceros bimstris (Scop.)
"At Amballa on 16th November 1866 1 procured a specimen."
(Beavan.)
Although not very common in Ambala itself this Hornbill
was particularly abundant about Morinda, Kharali, Kharar,
aiul in smaller numbers at Chandighar and Mubariqpur. It is
doubtless a resident species.
Specimens obtained at Ambala are mentioned by the Mar-
shall (Stray Feathers, Vol. III., p 331;.
1066. The European Hoopo3 — Upupa ppops, Linn.
Detailed notes by Dr. David Scott, on the habits of Hoopoes
at Ambala, wdl be found in the " Ibis ' for 18ti6, p. 2:^2, and
1867, p. 135. These notes are referred to and amplified by
Dr. Jerdon in the " Ibis " for 1872, p. 21. 1 found the Hoopoe
common and generally distribntad throughout my stay in the
district and took a nest with 3 eggs on April 4th. Owing to the
war I have failed to have the skins collected critically exa-
mined, so provisionally accept Dr. Scott's identification, al-
though 1 believe that the species represented is more likely to
be Upupa indica.
1073. The Common Indian Swift — Ci/pselus nffini'f. Gray and Hardw.
A few were seen in November, and after that with Ihe ex-
ception of a single bird on December 2, none were seen unt'l
Febiuiry : they were common from the middle of that mouth
until my departure. Numerous at Kasauli in March,
NOTHS ON THE ^IRDS OI AM BAZA DISTRICT, PUNJAB. 177
1082. The Himalayan Swiftlet— CoZZocatZta fusciphaga, Thumb.
On 13th February I found a number of these Swifts flying low
over the Ghaggar Nala at Chandighar just at the entrance to
the hills.
1091.* The Common Indian Nightjar — Capnmulgus asiaticus, Lath.
On the nights of 25th and 26th March when in camp at
Chandighar I heard the call of this Nightjar after dark, and I
also heard it on the early morning of 26th March. The call
imitates very exactly the sound made by a stone as it bimips
rapidly over ice, when thrown along the surface.
1109. The Common Hawk Cuckoo — Hierococcyx varius (Vahl.)
I first heard this fine Cuckoo calling on 19th February, but
did not hear it again until Ist March, after which date it
seemed to become common and uttered freely both the " brain
fever " note and the whirring ascending trill ; on some occasions
it was heard after dark. It occurred at Morinda, Rupar,
Kharar, and Chandighar, in addition to Ambala.
1120. The Indian Koel — EudgnamiH honorata (Linn.)
The first Koel of the summer was heard calling at Ambala on
11th April; and after that I heard a few more before my de-
parture on 20th April, but up to that date the majority had
clearly not arrived.
1129. The Sirkeer Cuckoo — Taccocua leschenaidti, Less.
I shot a female of this curious Cuckoo in the garden of the
rest-house at Kharar on 20th December.
Beavan observes : " This species was apparently procured by
the late Dr. Scott at Ambala, as it is included in the list of the
birds sent thence by him to the Montrose Museum." *
One was shot by my Father at Kalka on 25th January 1887.
1130. The Common Coucal — Centropus sinensis (Steph.)
Generally distributed in small numbers and doubtless'resident.
1135. The Large Indian Paroquet — Palceornis nepalensis, Hodgs.
With the exception of two individuals seen at Kharar on 24th
March, I only observed this species at Chandighar ; there I
saw one or two flocks on 13th February and some odd birds on
26th and 27th March. Beavan states : " Noticed by the late
Dr. Scott as abundant at Ambala in August 1867, but a merely
temporary visitor at that Station, and apparently arriving
there just after the young birds of the year are flown. Most
specimens are then in bad plumage."
1138. The Rose-ringed Paroquet — Palceornis torquatus (Bodd.)
Beavan found this Paroquet to be " excessively abundant
about gardens at Ambala in the cold weather, and in March I
saw one or two pairs breeding there " — a .description with which
no later observer will quarrel. It is of course resident, and I
doubt whether it ever reaches as high as Kasauli.
1139. The Western Blossom-headed Paroquet — Palceornis cyanocepha-
lus (L.)
Not uncommon and generally distributed. Attention is
usually drawn to this Paroquet by its call which is uttered in
flight and is easily distinguishable from that of the last two
111 the printed catalog-ue the only Ibcality jziven in " Siwaliks.
23
nS JOURNAL, BOMBAY :^'ATUliAL H18T. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
species ; its smaller size and relatively longer tail tipped vpith
yellow, and in the male the plum-coloured head, are also easily
noticed in flight. It flies very rapidly and usually at a great
height Odd birds may be found in flocks of P. torquatus, but
where it is common separate flocks occur.
1152. The Barn Owl — Stri.r /lammea, L,
One or two pairs were observed to be living in the old and
hollow trees of the ancient mango groves about the rest-house
at Morinda when I was there on the 18th March.
1157*. The Short-eared Owl. — Asio accipitrinus (^Pall.)
1 did not meet with the Short-eared Owl, but Beavan states
that he obtained a specimen at Ambala on 6th November 1866.
1158. The Himalayan Wood-owl — Syrnium niricola (Hodgs.)
"Captain G. F. L. Marshall shot one at Kasauli, at a height
of only 5,000 feet above the sea, and this is the lowest level at
which 1 have known it to occur. " (Hume's " My Scrapbook "
p. 361.)
1161*. The Mottled Wood-owl — ^yrnium ocellatuvi, Less.
Occurs in the Scott catalogue with the 1< cality Ambala.
1164. The Brown Fish-owl — Eetupa zrylonensis (Gm.).
Beavan says : — " At Ambala, on 16th November 1866, I got
a fine specimen in the late Dr. Sct)tt'8 compound or garden.
It was seated in a tatnarisk tree Dr. Scott told me that
some 7 or 8 of this species had frequented his garden at Ambala
the previous year (1865.)"
On 19th March I found two young Fish-owls, partly feathered
but differing markedly in size, in a hollow a few inches deep in
the trunk of an old mango tree at Morinda. in the garden where
the Barn OaIs were found. The old birds were to be heard
calling at nights. Two other large Owls believed to be of this
species were seen at Bilaspur on 28th November and Lalru
on I4th February.
1168* The Rock-horned Owl — Bubo benc/rflensix (Frankl.).
Mentioned in Dr. Scott's catalogue with the locality Ambala.
1169* The Dusky-horned Owl — Buho coro^nandus (Lath.).
Probably common and resident.
1173. The Scops Owl- 'Sco/js^fw (Scop.)
A small Owl heard calling "brewer-brewer" at Morinda on
19th March was probably a Scops Owl. Hume mentions this
species from Kasauli (' Scrap book, ' p. 390).
1180. The Spotted Ovilet— Athene biama (Temm.)
Btsavan's remark that it is a very abundant species at Ambala
leaves for me only to add that it is resident.
1189. The Osprey — Pandion halinetus (Linn.)
On 2l8t March while collecting on the sandbanks of the Sutlej
river just above the Canal heal works at Rupar I fired at
a passing Tern ; whereupon an Osprey which had been fitting on
the sand further along got up and flew back over my head. I
shot it and found that 1 had secured a fine female. The
stomach was empty.
1190. The Cinereous Vulture — Vultur monachvi^, L.
'* Appears regularly every cold weather at Ambala
Colonel Tytler was lucky enough to secure a pair .... at Ambala
NOTES ON THE DIUDS OF AMBALA DISTRICT, PUNJAB. 179
in the cold weather of 1865-1866 {See Jour. A. S. B. 1866, p. 74)"
(Beavan.) f
1 observed it on the following occasions : — On 10th November
at Chandighar, 9th December near Sirhind, 16th December at
Rupar, and ^Ist December neir Ambala.
1191* The Black Vulture — Otoijypn calims (Scop.)
Not uncommon; generally distributed and occurririg as high as
Kasauli, and probably resident. The greatest number that I
saw at one time was iive.
1192* The Griffon Vulture— r?///jR fulvus (Gm.)
"In the plain country about Ambala it is particularly abund-
ant at certain seasons. One I shot in the cold weather ol 1866-66
at Sirhind." (Beavan.)
1 oberved a few Griffon Vultures (though without being
certain as to the exact species) during the winter, including one
at Kasauli on March 8th. J
1195. The Himalayan Long-billed Vulture — Gypn tenuirostns, Hodgs,
In the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, Vol.
XXIV, p. 358, Mr. A. E. Jones gives a full description of
a nest of this species taken by him at Ambala in January
1915.
1196* The Indian White-backed Vulture — Pseudogypa bengalensis (Gm.)
This is the common and resident Vulture of the district,
through which it occurs upto and including Kasauli. Numbers
breed about Karali and Rupur in loose colonies in Decem-
ber some nests still contained young in the second half of
March.
t Note. — Captain Beavan's reference to Colonel I'ytler's record is wrong ;
the record is contained not in tlie '•Journal of the Asiatic Society of
Bengal " but in the " Procee lings " of that Society. The year and page
are correct. Tlie record is in the form of a letter, dated Ambala, 8rd
March 1866; the following are the most important parts : —
" My dear Grote,
1 have this moment or rather an hour ago shot a splendid specimen of
that rare and noble bird the Vultur monac/nis I have always
found the bird a very rare species ; the first I ever saw wild were two m
the Punjab in November 1842 I again fell in with a pair at Oorai
near Cawnpore in December 1855 1 saw nothing more of them or
anymore till in December 1865 at Umballah when I was driving to the
City from Cantonmetit and my son Frank, who was sitting beside me,
drew my attention to two large Vultures surrounded by smaller Vultures
on the carcase of a horse. We immediately drove up to the place, and
again I saw this rare bird. 1 here were three of them a few days
afterwards I saw three more flying in compan}' with other Vultures
This morning, the 8rd March 1866, 1 had just returned from shooting when
I found a note waiting for me from Dr. Scott, Medical Storekeeper, saving
he had just seen two of these birds feeding with other vultures on the
carcase of a horse, and described the place so well that although 1 was
very tired I started at once for the snot, and then 1 had the satisfaction
of again seeing the three of these noble Vultures" [one of which he shot].
t The list of the Scott Collection at Montrose includes Oyps miicms from
Ambala, Withoat examination of the specimens, I cannot tay what species is
meant.
180 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
1198*. The Egyptian Vulture — Neophi'on pei'cnopterus (L.).
" Especially abundant at Ambala where it breeds in March."
(Beavan.)
I did not actually obtain any specimens of this common
Vulture but am of opinion that it is this western form that
occurs there and not the N. gingianus of Beavan's notes and the
Scott Catalogue.
1199, The Bearded Vulture — Gt/paetus barbatus (L.).
Twice observed during my visit to Kasauli during the second
week of March.
Beavan says : "I have seen it after dead cattle, in company
with other Vultures, a few miles from Kalka, close to the foot
of the hills ; elevation perhaps 500 ft."
1201*. The Imperial Eagle — Aquila heliaca, Sav.
I saw an Eagle in lineated plumage at Chandighar on 13th
February which was probably the young of this species. Beavan
has a short note on Aquila imperialis : " I procured a fine specimen
of this fine bird at Ambala on 30th November 1866 .... I believe
that this species subsists about Ambala chiefly on Carrion," but it
must be remembered that in his day the true Imperial Eagle
and the Steppe Eagle had not been difl'erentiated.
1203*. The Indian Tawny Eagle — Aquila vindhiana, Frankl.
Referring to this species under the name of Aquila fulvescens
Beavan writes : " Common in the neighbourhood of Ambala" and
gives details of 4 specimens obtained in the month of November.
I met with a fair number of these Eagles during the winter,
but they appeared to be less common than in the northern
Punjab and the sandy plains about Hissar.
1207. Bonelli's Eagle — Hieraetus fa><ciatus (Vieill.)
Beavan states that he believes specimens were sent from
Ambala by the late Dr. Scott to Lord "W alden.
1 shot at and wounded but unfortunately did not secure
what I believe to have been a specimen of this Eagle on 25th
March on the road between Kharar and Mani Majra ; as it
went away wounded, it was violently attacked by a pair of
Aquila vindhiana. A pair at Morni on 28th November 1886
are mentioned in my Father's "Game book."
1208. The Booted Eagle — Hieraetus pennatus (Gmel.)
" I believe that this Eagle occurs at Ambala and that I myself
have seen it on more than one occasion in flight." (Beavan.)
1216. The Short-toed Eagle — Circa'etus gallicus (Gmel.).
One Avas observed on 6th Ncvember in the bed of the
Ghaggar river near Mubariqpur, and a second at Bilaspur on
25th November.
1217. The Crested Serpent Eagle — Spilornis cheela (Lath.).
I saw one of these handsome Serpent Eagles on lOtli
November, in the Ghaggar Naja, where it debouches from
the low bills above Chandighar.
1220*. The White-eyed Buzzard ^SiglQ—Butastur teesa (Frankl.).
" Tolerably abundant about Ambala, in the station of which
1 got my first specimen on 23rd October 1866, and afterwards
procured several others" thus Beavan, who also mentions
obtaining a male and female at Lallroo on 14th November.
Met with in small numbers throughout the winter.
NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF AM BALA DISTRICT, PUNJAB. 18i
1223 Pallas' Fishing Eagle — Haliaetns leucori/phus (Pall.).
Observed on the Ghaggar at Mubariqpur on 19th February,
and at Rupar on 20th March. I also found a pair nesting in
a large Peepul tree at Rupar on the 18th December, and
ascertained that the nest contained two eggs, one addled, and
one hard-set.
1228 The Brahminy Kite — Haliastur Indus (Bodd.).
I saw what was perhaps an immature specimen of this kite
about the Canal headworks at Rupar on 20th March.
1229* The Common Pariah Kite — Milvus govinda, Sykes.
Abundant and resident occurring as high as Kasauli. Pair-
ing started in January and February and there were eggs in the
majority of nests by the end of the latter month. Beavan
merely states that the Kite is less common at Ambala than in
Bengal.
1232*. The Black-winged Kite — Elanus cceruleus (Desf.).
Although Beavan says " They were particularly abundant in
the jungles to the south of Ambala in November 1866, and
might frequently be seen hovering like a Kestrel a freshly
kiUed specimen at Babyn, near Ambala," I only observed a
single example. This was near Jagadri on 30th November.
1233*. The Pale Harrier — Circus macrurus (S. G. Gmel.),
A few Harriers seen on different dates between 2nd Novem-
ber and 25th March were attributed to this species, but no
specimens were collected.
1237. The Marsh Harrier — Circus ceruginosus (L.).
A winter visitor in fair numbers ; it w as common in the
Chamkaur marsh when I was there on 13th and 14th December,
but was also generally distributed in the district.
1239*. The Long-legged Buzzard— Buteo fero.v (S. G. Gmel.).
" I killed a fine specimen of the female of this species at
Ambala on November 5th, 1866". (Beavan.)
A winter visitor ; a few were met with on various dates
between 13th November and 4th March, almost all of the dark
form. A live specimen was brought to me which I kept for
about a week and then released ; it seemed fairly gentle an^l
tame in disposition.
1244. The Shikra— ^s^wr badius (Gmel.).
Common, generally dispersed and resident. I saw what wa-
either this or the next species up in Kasauli in the seconi
week of March.
1247. The Sparrow-hawk — Accipiter 7iisus (Linn.).
A winter visitor in small numbers ; observed on a few occji-
sions in November and December. I observed one soaring over
a valley on the road ppto Kasauli on 5th March.
1248. The Besra Sparrow-hawk — Accipiter virgatus (Reinw.).
An old female obtained at Ambala is mentioned by Hume in
his " Scrap book," p. 185.
1249*. The Crested Honey Buzzard — Pernis cristatus (Cuv.).
Observed on the following occasions : — 27th October, 16th
November and 1 9th November, at Ambala ; 20th March near
Karali ; and 25th March between Kharar and Mani Majra.
The bird observed on 16th November, came up with one or two
182 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
kites and so interfered with my trained Falcons that were
being exercised to the lure that I had to shoot it ; when I
picked the corpse up, honey was dripping from the month. The
bird of I5:>th November was also attracted by my Falcons.
1254. The Peregrine Falcon — Falco pereyHnus, Tunst.
An immature Peregrine was observed in the neighbourhood
of my house on 12th November and seen about frequently until
3rd December when 1 shot it for my collection, as my Falconer
was unable to net it. Unfortunately the (.rgans were most
indistinct and 1 was unable to decide whether it was a very
big male or a very small female. Until it was shot my Falconer
had believed it to be a Shahin.
Hume in his " Scrap book" at part I, p. 60, mentions an adult
tiercel killed at Ambala.
1257.* The Lugger Falcon — Falco jugger, Gray.
Common and resident, and generalJy distributed. On 26th
March near Mani Majra I found a female sitting in an old
nest of Fseudogyps on a large gaunt Peepul tree. She was per-
suaded to leave the nest with dift.culty, and on examiijation I
found that it contained two yoiing in down and an addled egg.
The young birds diflered in size and age.
1258. The Saker Falcon — Falco cherrug. Gray.
Hume in his " Scrap book " (p. 02) says: "It has been re-
peatedly shot, as low down as A^mbala and even Delhi."
1259. The Shanghar Falcon — Falco milvipes, Hodgs.
In the "Ibis" for 1871, p. 240, there is the following note
under the heading of Falco sacer : — " 1 cannot keep suspecting
that another species of Falcon is often confounded with the
true F. sacer. I tirst heard of this bird from Col. Delm^-Rad-
cliffe, who wrote me that he had once seen a large Falcon like
tl e Cherrug, but with the upptr plumage somewhat banded and
Kestrel-like. The late Dr. Scott obtained a specimen (which
was shot at Ambala) of a female Falcon which closely tallies
with this notice ; and Lord Walden now possesses this speci-
men, which I saw and took note of at Dr. Scott's." Its descrip-
tion follows, and this note is referred to in the synonomy
of Falco milcipes in the Fauna of B. I. Birds, Vol. iii, p. 421.
1264.* The Red-headed Merlin — ALsalon chicquera (Daud.).
"Ambala, November 5th, 1866 ; Shot the male out of a pair
which were alternately stooping on the race course at a small
lark Pipit." (Beavan.)
Resident and not uncommon. One evening while shooting
Snipe in a reed-bed at Cbamkaur I disturbed a Lusciniola mela-
nopagon which was all but taken by a Jack Merlin which stoop-
ed close past my head trom behind me. On another occasion
near Rupar (on 18th December) I saw a clever but unsuccessful
piece of teamwork by a pair of the.se Merlins. A number of
Doves had taken refuge in a Kikur tree, and while one bird
waited on above the tree ready to stoop the other tried hard
to drive the Doves out to it ; but the Doves refused to leave
their thorny refuge.
1265.* The Kestrel — Tinvunculus alaudarius (Gmel.).
A not uncommon winter visitor to the plains. I saw one at
Kasauli on 9th March and three together there on lOth March
NOTJSS ON THE BIRDS OF AMBALA DISTRICT, PUNJAB. 183
one was 83en in the low hills above Kalka at the end of
December.
Beavan mention obtaining a specimen at Atnbala in Novem-
bej, 18t56,
1266. The Lesser Kestrel — Tinnunculus cenchris (Nanm.).
Hume in his " Scrap book " part I, p 106, states " I have seen
a specimen killed near Ambala " and this record is referred to
in "Stray Feathers," Vol. iii, p. 384,
1271. The Bengali Green Pigeon — Cvocopus phcenicopterus (Lath).
" This species also occurs sometimes about Ambala, according
to the late Dr. Scott." (Beavan.)
1272. The Southern Green Pigeon — Crocopus chlovogaster (Blyth.)
I observed flocks of this handsome Pigeon about an avenue of
Peepul and Bhur trees at Morinda about the 10th December
and the j5th March ; on the second occasion their numbers had
perhaps diminished. A few were noted at Karali on 20tb
March, and several about the District Board garden at Ambala
towards the end of March and the beginning of April.
1292. The Indian Blue Rock Pigeon — Columba intermedia, Strickl.
Abundant and generally distributed.
1295. The Eastern Stock Dove— Columlia eversmanni, Bonap.
Beavan's note on this is as follows: — " I believe it was first
discriminated at Ambala by my late valued friend Dr. Scott,
who had previously resided for some time at Hansi, and told
me that he had seen them at the latter station in the first
instance, and then informed either Dr. Jerdon or Mr. Blyth
of their nearly annual occurrence also at Ambala. Indeed,
although dunug my stay there in 1866 none were to be seen
some, 1 believe, had been killed there the year before, and Dr.
Scott promised to look out again anxiously for their arrival and
let me know. But unfortunately he succumbed to the climate."
I saw a fiock at Ambala on loth November, and perhaps another
party at Chandighar on ^6th March.
1306. The Indian Turtle Dove — Turtur ferrayo (Eversm.)
Only met with at Bilaspur, from iiSth to 29th November.
There in the evenings 1 found some frequenting a line of tall
Shisham trees planted along the sides of a Mango tope ; they
were very shy and perched high up, and I had some difliculty
in securing a couple of specimens.
1307.* The Spotted Dove — Turtur suratensis (Gm.)
" It is found throughout the country upto Ambala." (Beavan.)
The status of this Dove in Ambala district is not quite clear
but I found it common at Chandighar in November, February
and at the end of March. It was common about Ambala in
February and April and common at Bilaspur at the end of
November. I shot one there on November 30th.
1309. The Little Brown Dove — Turtur cambaiensis (Gm.)
Beavan says: " lobserved it rarely at Ambala in 1866. I
found it abundant throughout the winter." In December it was
the only species of dove observed at Kalka.
1310. The Indian Ring Dove — Turtur risonus (Linn.)
Common but seemed to decrease in numbers during January,
February and March,
184 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL MIST. iSOCIETY, Vol. XliVI.
, 1311.* The Red Turtle Dove — (Enopopelia tranquebarica (Herm.)
''I have observed it.... at Ambala, where it is decidedly
rare" (Beavan.) Although in the Northern and Central
Punjab this dove appears to be a summer resident only I have
found it in small numbers throughout the winter with the
exception of January when I faiJed to note it. The numbers
increased about the end of March and I first heard the court-
ing note on the 29th of that month.
1316* The Imperial Sandgrouse — Pterocles arenarius (Pall.)
" Found in some numbers about Ambala about certain seasons.
But when I was there (November 1886), they had not arrived".
(Beavan.)
Found to be common about Chamkaur from the 12th to the
14th of December, where great numbers were observed coming
to a drinking place in the marsh in the early morning and
flocks were found about the fi,eds in the evening.
1317. The Painted Sandgrouse — Pterocles fasciatus (Scop.)
After dusk on 10th November, when I was passing down the
Ghaggar Nala towards Chandighar, two birds settled at the edge
of the water amongst the stones to drink. Not being able to see
what they were, I shot one and found that 1 had secured a
female Painted Sandgrouse.
Beavan states : " The late Dr. Scott received a pair killed
within 20 miles of Ambala from a native shikari, and writing
under date August 2, 1867, says : — This is the first time I have
heard of this species occurring in the neighbourhood of
Ambala."
In my Father's ''Gamebook" under 26th January 1887
appear a couple of Painted Sandgrouse shot from a flock below
Kalka.
1321.* The Common Sandgrouse — Fteronlwus ccustus (Temm.)
" Abundant about Ambala. ... In the cold weather
. . . a male killed at Ambala on 16th November 1866."
(Beavan.)
Met with not uncommonly during the winter at Mubariqpur,
Rupar, Chamkaur and Chandighar. Obtained by my Father
near Kalka.
1324.* The Common Peafowl — Favo cristatus, Linn.
Common and resident throughout the district. They are very
abundant in the low hill jungles about Chandighar and Kalka
where they fly well and without hesitation, affording some shots
worth taking. The local villages have no objection to their
being killed and are said even to eat them themselves.
1328. The Red Jungle Fowl — Gallusfen-v.gineus (L.)
" Far from uncommon .... under the hills near Ambala
in 1866, whence 1 procured a pair in the November of that year".
(Beavan.)
The Jungle Fowl was very numerous in the low hiUs to the
N.-E. of Chandighar when I was there on 10th November and a
few were met with close to Kalka on 28th December.
I also heard of it as being very common about Morni, and
indeed I believe it occurs all along the hills to their eastern limit
in the district, but I had no opportunity of verifying the fact
for myself.
NOTi:S ON THE BIRDS OF AMBALA DISTRICT, PUNJAB. 185
1336. The White-crested Kalij Pheasant — Genrueus albicristatus (Vig.)
It appears from a note, dated 5th December 1886, in my
Father's " Gamebook '' that he then met with a few of these phea-
sants at Morni. I am not aware whether it still occurs there
or not.
1355.* The Common or Grey Quail — Coturni.v comimmis, Bonnaterre.
" Near Ambala they afford very good sport with a dog."
(Beavan.)
1 observed 10 individuals in all on various dates during the
winter ; it must however be abundant on passage as in other
districts.
1357. The Jungle Bash-quail — Perdicula asiatica (Lath.)
On November 10th and February 13th when after Jungle Fowl
in the low hiUs to the N.-E. of Chandighar I met with a few
coveys of this cuiious little Quail and obtained some specimens.
The coveys consisted of some 8 or 10 birds apiece and were
found in thick cover towards the base of the hills along the
edge of cultivation.
Beavan notes that " it occurs in the jungles about Ambala''.
1372. The Black Partridge — Francolinus vulgaris, Steph.
Met with but not very abundantly at Mubariqpur, Bilaspnr
and Chamkaur. Beavan merely mentions obtaining it at
Ambala in 1865.
1375.* The Grey Partridge — Francolmus pondicerianus (Gm.)
Common and generaUj' distributed, occurring in some num-
bers in the low hill jungles about Kalka and Chandighar on the
same ground as Jungle Fowl.
1383.* The Little Button-quail — Turnix dussumieri (Temm.)
" The late Dr. !>cott, who sent specimens to the Montrose
Natural History Society, records this species from Ambala ".
(Beavan.)
1388. The Water-Kail — Rallus aquaticus, Linn.
On 14th December I secured a male at Chamkaur, one of a
couple that were feeding at dusk on the edge of a flooded patch
of sugarcane. The stomach contained small fresh watersnails
complete in their shells.
1401. The White-breasted Waterhen — Amaurornis phcenicny-us (Penn.)
A blackish Ralline bird with a whitish face or neck seen at
Mubariqpur on 20th February was probably of this species,
with which I am otherwise unacquainted.
1402. The Moorhen — Gallinula chloropus (L.)
Only met with in the marshes near Mubariqpur were one was
seen on 6th November and two more on 20th Febmary.
1405. The Coot — Fulica atra, L,
Beavan records a specimen at Ambala on November 3rd
1866 . ..." I have seen this species in the tanks at
Ambala iu the ' Phulbagh ' ". I met with a few near
Mubariqpur on 6th November, and at Kharar on 24th March.
1409. The Sarus Crane — Grus anUgone (L.)
In spite of Bea van's statement that the Sarus Crane is " very
common in some parts of India, more especially in the neigh-
bourhood of Ambala " I only met with two pairs, one between
Ambala and .Jagadri in November, the other at Chamkaur in
December.
24
186 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HLST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
1418.* The Stone Curlew — CEdicnemm scolopax (S. G. Gmel.)
On 19th March 1 found a solitary egg laid under a mango tre«
in one «>f the topes at Morinda ; this find has been described at
length elsewhere (c/. " Bird Notes " May 1916), My Falconer
had reported seeing 4 birds in the same locality on December
8th ; also early in April a call that I attributed to this
species was heard about my bungalow in Ambala.
1419. The Great Stone Plover — Esacus recur lirostris (Chv.)
Several were observed on the sandbanks of the river SutJej
above the Canal headworks at Rnpar on 20 — 21st March, and on
the latter date 1 found a nest with 2 fresh eggs.
1422.* The Indian Courser — Curi<orius coromandelicus (Gm.)
" Of this species I procured a pair at Lallroo, near Ambala, on
the 14th November 1866 the species is not uncommon
in the cold weather at Ambala, frequenting chiefly ploughed
land in small flocks." (Beavan.)
4 Coursers seen on the short sandy turf of the Ghaggar Nala
at Mubariqpur on 20th February were perhaps of this species.
This species occurs in the list of the Scott Collection with the
addition of the words " Ambala. Not very common."
1423. The Cream-coloured Courser — Cursorius gallicus (Gm.).
A party of \^ Coursers seen in a ploughed field near Bilaspur
on 30th November appeared to be of this species.
1427. The Small Indian Pratincole — Glareola lactea, Temm.
A single specimen was observed hawking about the Ghaggar
Nalla at Mubariqpur on 19th February ; on 24th March at
Kharar I observed a small party flighting towards the river
Sutlej at dusk.
1429.* The Pheasant-tailed Jacana — Hydrophasianus chh-urgus (Scop.)
Occurs in Dr. Scott's list.
I48I.* The Red-wattled Lapwing — Sarcogrammus indicus (Bodd.)
Common and generally distributed, but probably partly
migratory as I met with a flock of about a dozen on the river
at Rupar on 2l8t March, which were probably migrating birds.
1433.® The Yellow-wattled Lapwing — Sarciophorus malabaricus (Bodd.)
" Procured at Ambala, November 14, 1866." (Beavan.)
143.5. The Indian Spurwing Plover — Hoplopterus ventralis (Wagl.)
I had not previously met with this Plover in the Punjab until,
when staying at Rupar on 20— 22nd March, I found it common on
the sandbanks of the Sutlej above the Canal headworks. Those
met with were not particularly shy and appeared to be breetiing
although I could find no nests. However, one shot, had a large
egg in the ovary. They were found in pairs skulking about at
the water's edge on the sandbanks ; in appearance, save for the
absence of wattles, they would be very like the last species, but
their manner is very difl'erent. They skulk and run in a most
oharacteristic and shame-faced manner, with the body rigid
and parallel with the ground, and the head sunk into the
shoulders as if there were no neck.
1436. The Lapwing — Vanellics vidgaris, Bechst.
This common winter visitor was met with at Mubariqpur,
Chandighar, Chamkaur and Ambala, on various dates between
6th November and 20th February.
NOT£S ON THE £IRDi> OF AMBALA JJlHTlilCT, PUNJAB. 187
1487* The Sociable Lapwing — Chetiusia gregaria (Pall.)
" A specimen was killed by me at Lallroo near Ambala on
the 14th November 1866 ; and this species is mentioned by
the late Dr. Scott who sent specimeus from Ambala to the
Montrose Museum." (Beavan.)
I saw three at Mubariqpur on 6th November and a flock
near Morinda oii 11th December.
1438. The "White-tailed Lapwing — Chetiusia leucura (Licht.)
" A specimen now in Col. Tytler's collection was procured by
the late Dr. Scott at Babyn near Ambala in 1866." (Beavan.)
Common in small parties about the marshes at Cbamkaur
on 18th and 14th December. A flock of about a dozen wae
seen in the Mubariqpur marshes on :^Oth February.
1439, The Eastern Golden Plover — Charadrius fulivs, Gm.
" It is occasionally, 1 hear, found near Ambala." (Beavan.)
1446. The Kentish Plover — uEgiulitis aleaandrina (L.)
Two were observed on 3rd November at Mubariqpur in th«
Ghaggar Nala and a party of 4 were seen on a sandbank of
the Sutlej river at Rupar on 20th March.
1447"* The Little Ringed Plover — ALyialitis dnbia (Scop.)
*' I shot a pair out of a small flock which were feeding along
the edge of a small tank near the Native Infantry lines at
Ambala in January 1866." (Beavan.)
A few were observed mostly in pairs about the sandy and etone-
strewn flats of the Ghaggar at Mubariqpur when I was there
from 3rd to 7th November, and on Uith and l:'Oth February.
Single individuals were seen at Rupar on the Sutlej on 16th
December and Slst March.
1451* The Black-winged Stilt — Himantupus candidus, Bonn.
" Noted by the late Dr. Scott as having been procured by
him at Ambala and specimens sent to the Natural History
Society of Montrose." (Beavan.)
One was seen by me at Karali on 20th March.
1464. The Curlew — Numenius arquata (L.)
I did not meet with this species myself but Mr. R. B. "White-
head, I.C.S., Settlement Officer, informed me that he saw one
below Chamkaur on 19lh January, and 4 more in the same
locality on 21st January.
1460*. The Common Sandpiper — Totanus hypoteucus (L.)
A few only were observed, on various dates between 23rd
October and 20th March. Beavan mentions a specimen
killed at Ambala on 30th October 1866.
1461®. The Wood Sandpiper — Totanus glareola (Gm.)
A few were seen on migration at the Kharar tank on 24th
March.
1462. The Green Sandpiper — Totanus ochropus (L.)
" I have shot it several times. . . .at Umballa, whence I have
noted a specimen which was killed on 30th October 1866."
(Beavan.)
Found commonly throughout the winter and last seen on 9ti»
April.
1463. The Marsh Sandpiper. — Totanus stagnatilis, Bechst.
I saw what I believe to have been one of these Sandpipers at
the Kharar tank on 24th March.
1S8 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL MIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
1464. The Redshank — -Totanus calidris (L.)
; A few were observed at Chamkaur on 13th December, from
the train between Ambala and Ilajpura on 27th January and
at Rupar on 20th March.
I4t)6*. The Greenshank — Totanus glottis (L.)
" Noted by the late Dr. Scott as having been procured by
him at Ambala, and the specimens sent to the Natural History
Society of Montrose.'' (Beavan.)
A common winter visitor and probably the most abundant
species of Sandpiper after the Green Sandpiper. It is usually
met singly but on migration parties occur ; for instance I saw
a flock of 9 on the river Ghaggar at Mubariqpur on November
6th and a flock of 15 to 20 individuals on the Sutlej at Rupar
on 21st March.
1471 and 1474. Stints. — Tviaya minuta, Leisler and T. temmincki,
Leisler.
A few odd Stints were seen during the winter from December
to 24th March ; but as I obtained no specimens I was unable to
identify the species represented.
1484*. The Common Snipe — Gallinago ccslestis (Fronzel.)
The Common Snipe is of course a winter visitor and a passage
migrant only to Ambala district and there are one or two
jheels — notably at Mubariqpur and Chamkaur — where sport may
be obtained. I did not see any later than 24th March when I
flushed about a dozen from the weedy margins of the tank at
Kharar.
1487. The Jack Snipe — Gallinago gallinula (L.)
Mauy were found in the Chamkaur jheel on 14th December ;
and a few in the Mubariqpur marshes on 20th February. One
was flushed at the Kharar tank on 24th March.
1490. The Laughing Gull — Larus ridibundus, L.
Six or seven Gulls were seen on the Sutlej river at Rupar on
16th December and 'z more on 20th March ; two others were seen
on the Ghaggar at Mubariqpur on 20th February. AU were
probably of this species.
1499. The Gull-billed Tern — Sterna anglica, Mont.
On 20th February on the Ghaggar at Mubariqpur I saw a
curious-looking Tern with a black bill ; it was perhaps a Gull-
billed Tern in transition plumage.
1603." The Indian River Tern — Sterna seena, Sykes.
Common and resident ; it breeds in colonies in April on the
sandbanks of the river Sutlej above the Canal headworks at
Rupar. Recorded by Beavan without remark.
1504. The Black-billed Tern — Sterna melanogaster, Temm.
Common and probably resident, but less abundant on the
whole than the last species. While I was at Mubariqpur early
in November large flights used to pass down the Ghaggar at
dusk, but this habit seem to have practically stopped when
I was there again in February.
1517. The Indian Skimmer — Rhynchops alhicoUis, Swains.
Observed to be fairly common about the sandbanks of the
river Sutlej above the Canal headworks at Rupar in the second
NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF AMBALA DISTRICT, PUNJAB. 189
half of March. It was doubtless intending to breed there with
the colonies of Sterna seena.
15:26. The Common Cormorant — Phalacrocomx carbo. (L.)
With the exception of a single individual seen at the Kharar
tank on 24th March, I only met with Cormorants at Rupar, when
I visited that place in December and March. There they were
numerous and were frequently observed fishing in the pools
connected with the Canal Dam across the Sutlej.
1528*. The Little Cormorant — Phalacrocora.r javanicus (Horsf.)
Included in Dr. Scott's list.
1542. The Black Ibis — Inocotis papilloms (Temm.)
A flock of about a dozen Ibis was observed in the Ghaggar
Nala at Chandighar on 13th February, and a similar flock in the
marshes at Mubariqpur on 20th February. Single birds were
seen at Morinda on 11th December, and near Ambala on 15th
February.
1545. The Spoonbill — Platalea leucorodia, Linn.
A flock of large white birds seen in the distance on the sands
of the Ghaggar at Mubariqpur on 20th February appeared to
be composed of Spoonbills.
1546. The White Stork — Ciconia alba, Bechst.
Only observed at Morinda where I saw one on 9th December,
and a party of six on 12th December.
1548. The White-necked Stork — Dissura episcopus (Bodd.)
Observed not uncommonly throughout the winter on various
dates between 7th November and 26th March ; it seemed to be
fairly generally distributed, but was most frequently observed
about the stony bed of the Ghaggar river where it emerges
from the low hills at Chandighar : here it was frequently
gathered in flocks.
1549. The Black-necked Stork — Xenorhynchus asiaticus (Lath.)
On the evening of 3rd November at Mubariqpur I saw a flock
of 50 to 60 Storks (which I attributed to this species) arrive
flying high from an easterly direction, and after much circling
proceed to settle in the bed of the Ghaggar ; only some half
dozen individuals had touched the ground when without
apparent reason the flock rose again to a great pitch and
returned whence it had come ; on the evening of 6th November
but about two miles from that place I saw a party of the same
Storks flying in a westerly direction, as if going to roost.
Some were seen from the train between Ambala and Jagadri
on 24th November. Storks attributed to this species were seen
on the hills at Rupar on 16th December and 20th March, at
Kharar on 24th March and at Chandighar on 25th March.
1554. The Eastern Purple Heron — Ardea vianillensis (Sharpe).
This Heron was observed to be fairly numerous about the
marshes and water-channels of Mubariqpur where I was there on
6th November and 20th February ; a few were flushed from the
reed-beds but the majority were found sitting on the tops of
trees where the long necks gave them a very curious appearance.
Elsewhere only two were seen, at Chamkauron 14th December.
1555. The Common Heron — Ardea cinerea, Linn.
" Occurs about Ambala, as I learned from the late Dr. Scott."
(Beavan.)
190 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI
Observed here and there throughout the winter, whether on
the river or at the side of the smallest village pond.
1559. The Large Egret — Herodias alba (L.)
Two were seen at Chamkaur on I4th December.
1562*. The Cattle Egret — Bubulcus coroniandus (Bodd )
A. number were observed about Chamkaur from 12 to 14th
December.
1565*. The Pond Heron — Ardeola grayi (Sykes).
I do nob understand the distribution of this common bird in
Ambala district. While noue were met about the marshes of
Chamkaur on 14th December many were observed from the
train near Lalru on 27th December and between Rajpura and
Ambala on 26th January. After this the only ones observed
wore as follows: — 24th March, 2 at Kharar ; 27th March, 1 at
Chandighar ; 12th April, 1 at Ambala.
1568'. The Night Heron — Nycticnrax gviseus (L.)
Included in Dr. Scott's list.
1574. The Bittern — Botaurus stellaris (L.).
One was observed about some thick reed beds at Chamkaur
on the 13th and 14th December, and two were flushed from
reeds in the Mubariqpur marshes on 20th February.
1679. The Grey-lag Goose — Anser ferus, Schaeff.
" Tolerably common about Ambala in the cold weather,
especially so in January 1866, when I tried to stalk some but
sigually failed. 1 find that the late Dr Scott remarks of this
species that on the 8rd and 4th March 1866, vast flocks were
seeu passiug over Ambala, leaving for the colder lakes of Tibet.
Ill the preceding year (1865), the rain which fell at the end of
February and the beginning of Mar -h caused them to leave
later in the annual migrations ; and he mentions that on the
7th March he saw 2 flights of Geese, and on the 8th and 9th
of the same month ' more ditto' ; while on the 14th March 1865,
only a small flight were to be seen high in the air over the race-
course. In 1864, he notices having seen wild Geese passing
north on the 28th and 29th of February, and in 186-3 the dates
were respectively February 27th and 28th of Geese leaving
the plains." (Beavan.)
1583. The Bar-headed Goose — Anser indicus (Lath.)
" They occur in large numbers around Ambala and are cap-
tured by the natives". (Beavan.)
I saw a big gaggle of Geese, apparently of this species, about
the Sutlej at Rupar on 20th and 22nd March.
On 18th November and 21st February, I heard what appeared
to be gaggles of Geese passing over my bungalow in Ambala
after dark, and on the 5th March about 9 a.m. I saw what
appeared to be some Geese flying southwards in the same place.
It was of course impossible to say what species was represented.
1586. The Pink-hoaded Duck — Rfiodonessa carifophijUaoea (Lath.)
I have already recorded (Journal, B. N. H. S., xxiv., 699) a
pair of these rare Ducks which I sa.v at Rupar on 2l8t March.
158S. The Ruddy Sheldrake— Crt-'arca m^iVa (Pall.)
Common in the marches of Chamkaur on I3th and 14th De-
cember, and on the Sutlej above Rupar on 16th December and
yOTi:^ OA THE BIRD^ OF AMBALA DISTRICT, PUNJAB. 191
from the 20th to the 22nd of March. A single individual was
observed flying over Civil Lines on Ist December.
1692. The Mallard — Anas boschas, Linn.
"Common about Ambala in the cold weather." ' (Beavan.)
There appeared to be a few about the marshes of Chamkaur,
and many on the river about l.'upar about the middle of Decem-
ber. Some numbers were reported to be visiting the marshes of
Mubariqpur early in February, but 1 only found three when I
went after them on 20th February.
Two appear in my Father's " Gamebook " as shot at Momi on
5th December 1886.
1695. The Gad wall — Chaulelasmus streperus (L )
One was shot by my Father at Morni on 2nd December 1886.
1697.* The Common Teal — Nettimn crecca (L.)
" Common about Ambala." (Beavan.)
Met with in small numbers during the winter and last seen
on 24th March.
1599. The Wigeon — Mareca peneLpe (L.)
" Common about Ambala." (Beavan.)
1600. The Pintail— />o:^/a acuta (L.)
"Abundant about Ambala." (Beavan.)
I saw some on the river at Enpar on 21st March, and perhaps
a party at Chamkaur on 13th December.
1601. The Garganey — Querquedula ciicia (L:)
A number were found in a weedy tank at Kharar en 24th
March.
1602.* The Shoveller— 'Sjl>rtf^/^« clypeata (L.)
" Shot near Ambala in . January 1866, where it is also record-
ed by the late Dr. Scott as having been sent by him to the
Montrose Museum." (Beavan.)
Some were observed on the river at Rupar on 2 1st March, and
about a dozen in the tank at Kharar on 24th March.
1605. The Vocha.x^—Nyroea ferina (L.)
Some half dozen were found in the tank at Kharar on 24th
March.
1609. The Tufted Duck— Ni/roca fulir/itla (L.)
Several were met with by my Father at Morni in November
1886.
1617. The Indian Little Grebe — Podicipea ollApennis (Sharpe.)
Some were seen in the tank at Kharar on '24tli March.
192
THE CYPERACE^ OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY.
BY
L. J. Sedgwick, f.l.s., i.c.y.
Part II.
{JJontinued from page 700 of Volume XXV.)
4. Courtoisia, ^e&s.
See Clavis (Species 2, India, Africa, Madagascar.)
!• C. Cyperoides, Nees. A medium-sized yellowish herb, with
long leaves. Umbel usually compound. Bracts long, far over-
topping the inflorescence. Bracteoles short. Spikelets in dense
globose heads, | in. wide, ovoid, usually l-flowei"ed. Nut ^ in.
long or longer, very narrowly fusiform ; acutely trigonous or almost
winged, brown.
In water holes in thy southern parts of the Presidency ; not uncommon
in the Mallad tract of the Carnatic. (India N. E. and S. W. Trop. Africa,
Madagascar).
5. Fimbristylis, ' «/i^-
Annuals or perennials. Root system various, but seldom if ever
stoloniferous. Stems usually tufted. Leaves basal, v. rarely
reduced. Inflorescence either a single spikelet, or a head of spike-
lets, or of umbellately disposed solitary or clustered spikelets.
Spikelets terete or polygonal, many-flowered, usually glabrous.
Rhachilla persistent. Glumes deciduous 2-sexual except some-
times the few ( empty) at the base or apex of the spikelet. Hypo-
gynous bristles or scales 0. Stamens 1 — 3. Style either bifid in
which case usually flattened, or trifid in which case usually filiform,
often pubescent or villous, deciduous with the usually dilated base.
Niit usually stipitate on a gynophore, biconvex in the forms with
bifid, trigonous in the forms with the trifid styles. (Species about
125 — all warm regions, but especially S. E. Asia andN. Australia.)
Very closely allied to Scirpus and Eleocharis, but without hypogynous
bristles. The various species do not show any great uniformity of in-
florescence. I have followed Clarke's division of the genus, rather than
including with vionostachya the specie complanata and jimcifoiinis, since
the distichous lower glumes of those species are not very apparent, and
their habit is with sub-genus tnchelostylts. I have placed the sub-genus
ABILDGAARDIA at the head of the genus, since the distichous lowest
glumes, so far as this feature is not due merely to insuflicient development
of the rhachilla in its basal portion, would connect with the Cyperece.
Section I. (ABILDGAARDIA) Loiver f/htmes of the spikelet distichous or
sub-distichous. Style 'S-Jid.
1- F. monOStachya, Hassl: 6-12 inches high. Leaves
crowded at the base of the stem and shorter than it, filiform, wiry.
THE CYPERACE^E OE THE BOMBAY PRESIDE^CY. 193
Spikelets usually solitary, sometimes with a second above the first,
4 — 2^^ — i in., compressed, ovate, acute, shining, white or v.
pale straw-coloured, the two lowest glumes usually longer than the
others, cvispidate, the lowest sometimes increased to a bract.
Glumes loosely imbricate, distichous below, 2 — 3-stichous above,
acute, cuspidate. Nut large pja-iform with a stalk-like base but
not a true stipe, very obtuseh- trigonous, smoothly warted, pale.
A sedge of rather dry grassy places ; throughout the Presidency. (Most
warm countries).
Section II. (ELEOCHAROIDES) Stem with one spikelet. Glumes not
distichous. (Occasional examples with 2-o spikelets occur. See also
F. schoenoides) .
Key to the section : —
1. Nut narrowly elongate, cylindric, curved . . 2. F. tetragona.
2. Nut obovoid, biconvex, with 6-8 very deep
transverse corrugations . . . . . . 3. F. acuminata.
3. Nut elegantly obovoid with almost obcor-
date apex, biconvex, minutely sub-tuber-
culately dotted . . . . . . . . -i. F. 2>oli/trichoides.
2. F. tetragona, R. Br. 6-24 inches. Leafless or nearly so.
Spikelets not subtended by bracts, or rarely with the lowest glume
slightly enlarged, obconic, densely many-flowered, ^ — ^ in., usually
rather dark. Glumes elongate, obtuse, incurved round the nut.
Nut as clavis, obscurely 9-ribbed and trabeculate.
A gregarious sedge of marshes and pools. Common throughout the
Presidency, except North Gujarat. (Indo-Malayan.)
3. F. acuminata, Vahl. Tufted, 4-8 in. Leaves reduced to
sheaths, the uppermost of which has sometimes a slight process.
Stems slender with one lanceolate acute few-flowered spikelet.
Glumes ovate subacute with a very strong midnerve. Nut as
clavis, pale, margined. The nut is v. distinctive.
Very rare. Yellapur, N. Kanara (Herb Talb.) (Indo-Malayan).
4. F. polytrichoides, Vahl. Tufted 2-9 inches with slender
stems and filiform leaves. Spikelets solitary, very rarely more,
usually ebracteate, sometimes with a filiform erect bract ' like a
continuation of the stem, ellipsoid, acute (in the Bombay example).
Glumes many, secund, appressed, obtuse or sub-obtnse. Nut a?
clavis.
Rare. Sion, Bombay ; Karwar. (Indo-Malayan. A maritime species).
Section III. (DICHELOSTYLIS)— S^aWef.v morr than one. Style bifid.
Orary and fruit compressed, biconvex.
Key to the Section : —
A. Spikelets 1-3, rarely up to 5, large, ovate, pale,
glistening
B. Spikelets more than o in fully
viduals.
1. Spikelets in a capitate head
'2. Spikelets umbelled .
• *
o. F.
schrenoides
grown indi-
■ • t • •
Ck F.
aryentea.
194 .JOL'liXAL, BOMBAY NATUItAI^ HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
id) Small tufted annuals.
(i) Nut smooth . . . . . . . . 1 . F. ccstivalis.
(ii) Nut ribbed and trabeculate .. S. /-'. cfichotoma.
{/>) Taller.
(i) Glumes obtuse with hyaline margins
and tips ; nut dark, not ribbed
or trabeculate . . . . . . 9. /'. spathacea.
(ii) Glumes mucronulate, glabrous ; nut
pale, ribbed and trabeculate . . 10. /•'. diphylla.
(iii) Spikelets large, dark red-browia ;
glumes usually pubescent in
upper half, nut pale, smooth . . 11. /'. fervuginea.
o. F. SChoenoideS, Yalil. Glabrous, 5-20 inches, tufted.
With very slender stems and filiform wiry leaves. Inflorescence
either a solitary spikelet, or 2-5, distantly arranged. Lowest
glumes subbractiform or definitely developed into bracts. Spike-
lets \y.\ ill., broadly ovoid, gloss}-, pale. Glumes loosely im-
bricate almost hemispheric, obtuse, subapiculate. Nut smooth
with a prominent white margin all round and a central boss on
each side which appears somewhat darker, stipitate.
A gregarious sedge of marshes and pools. Throughout the Presidency
fairly common (Indo-Malayan).
*>. F. argentea, Valil. 3-ti inches, densely tufted, leafy at the
base. Spikelets \ in. in a dense capitate cluster, greyish. Glumes
obtuse with a green keel. Nut very minute, smooth.
A gregarious herb of the sloping margins of small tanks about high flood
level. Not common North Gujarat, South Carnatic. Probably elsewhere
also, but could never be more than local owing to its exclusive choice of
habitat. (Indian).
7. F. aestivalis, VaM. 2-8 inches, densely tufted, more or
less puberulous. Umbel sub-compound, bracteate. Spikelets small,
often elongate, grey-brown. Glumes acute. Nut quite smooth
except under very strong magnification, pale.
A gregarious herb of dried sand or mud. Throughout the Presidency,
except perhaps North Gujarat, where it will probably be found sooner or
later. (Indo-Malayan). Exactly resembles F. dichotoma, from which it can
be distinguished only by the nut.
8. F. dichotoma, Vahl. As the last species, but nut promi-
nently ribbed and trabeculate.
A gregarious herb of dried mud or sand. Throughout the Presidency,
abundant. (Warm regions of the Old World).
*'. F. Spathacea, ^o^^^>. Glaiicous with a woody rhizome and
numerous hard spi'eading leaves. Stems 8-16 in. Umbel open oi-
contracted. Spikelets middle-sized. Glumes very obtuse with
scai'ious margins. Nut turbinate in outline, dark, smooth or slight-
ly rough.
A. solitary herb of salt flats either coastal or inland. (Warm regions of
the Old World).
Tin: cri'iniACE.K of THEIBOMBAY rUESlDENCy. 19r,
10. F. diphylla, Vakl. Perennial, 6-24 inches. Leaves many,
basal, shorter than the stem. Umbel variovis. Spikelets i-§ in.,
usually acute. Glumes glabrous, acute or subacute, usually apiculate,
back obtusely keeled. Nut pale, many-ribbed and trabeculate.
Throughout the Presidency, except North Gujarat, where it will probably
be found, common in the South. (Most warm regions).
A very variable plant and difficult to describe. The nut distinguishes it
from all Bombay species of Section IJI C HEL08TYLIS except dichotoma
from which it may be distinguished by the larger and more solitary habit
and less keeled glumes.
(6) Var annua (^p.), Uoemand Sch. Annual, very slender, w^ith
few and smaller spikelets.
Khandala and BombaJ^
(c) Var pleristriata, Cke..
A specimen from Khandala in Herb, Agr. College, much larger in all its
parts and with about 20 ribs on the nuts seems referable here.
11. F. ferruginea, VaM. Upto 2^ ft. Leaves few or 0. Umbel
large, usually simple. Spikelets large, acute, red-brown. Glumes
very broad with a prominent acute or sub-acute tip, and usually
pubescent on the back in the upper half. Nut stipitate, subdisci-
form, margined, smooth, usiially umbonate.
A gregarious sedge of marshes and river-beds. Very abundant through-
out the Presidency. (All warm regions).
Section IV. TRICHELOSTYLTS. Spikelets more than one. Style tri-fid.
Ovary and fruit tricjonous.
Key to the section : —
A. Spikelets in u capitate head, white . . . . 12. i-. diyitata.
B. Spikelets not capitately arranged.
(1) Small annuals.
(a) Nut white, trabeculate . . . . . . 13. F. Woodrowii.
(b) Nut white, yellow or grey, tuberculato . . 14. F. tenera, Var.
o.vylepis.
(2) Medium or tall.
(a) Base of stem thick, rhizomatous, leaves
short, pungent crowded, a denizen of
grass-land 16. F.junciformis.
(h) Not as (a).
(i) Stem triquetrous above, glumes obtuse. 16. F. miliacea.
(ii) Stem 4-5 angled above, glumes acute. . 17. F.quinquangularis.
(iii) Stem flattened above, lowest bract
broad, quite erect 18. F. complanata.
12. F. digitata, Boeck. 4-6 inches. Spikelets in a capitate
head, whitish, often upcurved.
A slender short-lived sedge of grassy banks in the heavy rainfall tracts.
Flowers June-August. On and below the ghats, common. Also according
to Cooke found at Badami by Woodrow. But this is out of its natural
habitats. (Endemic).
196 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL RI^T. ^SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
13. F. WoodrOWii, C'A-g. 2-5 inches, often tufted. Umbels sub-
compound, but contracted. Spikelets small, acute, mucronate ;
nut pale, faintly ribbed and trabeculate.
On the ghats at Khandala and Igatpuri. (Pandemic).
14. F. tenera F(fr. oxylepiS, OA^e. 4-8 inches. Spikelets as last
species, but rather larger. Nut very round, trigonous, white to
yellowish or very often grey, glistening as though varnished, pro-
minently irregularly tuberculate.
Throughout the Presidency, not uncommon (Indian). This must be the
species described by Cooke under F. monticola, Steud. Apparently he
knew it only from one specimen of Woodrow's. Since then much has been
collected. 1 have examined a mass of material from places as far removed
from one another as Ahmedabad, Khandesh, Kolaba, Igatpuri, Khandala
and Badarai, especially a large number of gatherings by Fr. Blatter and
Mr. Hallberg and have examined the nuts of all and find them as described.
The Bombay specimens have all glabrous (glabrate, Clarke) glumes. On
the other hand most of the specimens coUectf^d by Fr. Blatter and Mr.
Hallberg in the Kajputana desert have softly puberulous glumes. This is
F. tenem type, and would probably be found in the Thar and Parkar District
of Sind. F. monticola is apparently a South Indian and especially South
Indian mountain form of the same species.
15. F. junciformis, Ktmth. Glabrous. Rhizome woody, creeping.
Stems 4-12 inches long, stiff, arising from amidst or in front of
the short, densely crowded, flat, spreading or recurved leaves,
which have an obtusely triangular while apex. Umbel open or
contracted, usually compound. Spikelets clustered, smallish, usually
obtuse, dark or reddish brown. Styles and anthers v. conspicuous
in time of flowering. Nut obovoid, apiculate, from white to light
brown, smooth or sub-verrucose, apparently velate (i.e., outermost
cells withering and peeling off").
A stift', wiry sedge of dry grasslands, forming one of the principal con-
stituents of the surface vegetation on the most barren gravelly uplands in
the South Carnatic, and thence spreading into forest clearings. Through-
out the Presidency but apparently not very common except in the south.
This may, however, be due to its short flowering season, i.e., the very early
part of the rains. (India, Madagascar, Philippines).
IC. F. miliaCGa, Vald. 6-30 inches high, stem triquetrous,
often with very compressed base and subdistichous leaves. In-
florescence a decompound umbel. Spikelets small, obtuse, usually
sub-globose. Glumes obtuse or subacute. Nut white or yellow,
tuberculate and microscopically transversely striolate.
A gregarious sedge of damp places and rice-fields. Throughout the
Presidency, v. common (all warm regions).
17. F. quinquangularis, Vakl. Resembling the last species,
but usually rather taller. Stem 4-5 angled. Spikelets longer
and more acute. Glumes acute or sub-obtuse. Nut as the last.
The very same habitats and distribution as the last species and very
closely allied to it.
THE CYPERACE^E OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY. 197
18. F. COmplanata, Link. Resembling the last two species,
but stem quite flattened below the inflorescence, and lowest brac;t
broad, flat and erect, like a continuation of the stem. Spikelet^^
rather longer. Glumes very acute, keel long excurrent. Nut
pale, minutely tubercled, sometimes on\y on the shoulders.
In water holes in various parts of the Presidency. Apparently uncom-
mon. (Warm regions of the Old World).
(b) Var microcarya, Gke. " Stems slender, hardly flattened
under the umbel. Spikelets more slender. Nut very small,
velate."
"Deccan, water holes at Hewra, Dalzell. Poona, Woodrow." Cooke.
I have not seen these specimens. There are no existing sheets in the
Presidency, but the available material of this species is very scanty.
0. Stenophyllus, Eafin.
(= BULBOSTYLIS, Kicnth.)
Annuals. Stems very slender, tufted. Leaves flnely linear or
quite capillary. All parts of the plant liable to be hairy or pube-
rulous. Inflorescence capitate, or a simple or compound umbel,
but then always with one sessile spikelet in the fork of each
branch system. Bracts and bracteoles not prominent. Spikelets
few — 15-flowered always small and narrow. Glumes always with
a prominent green keel and yellow or brown side. Style 3-fid.
Nut small, always triquetrous or trigonous, white or nearly white,
ti-ansversely undulate (sometimes obscurely so) with a short stipe
and a (usually dark) umbo left by the style. (Species about 70.
All warm regions).
This genus is very closely allied to Fimbristylis especially F. teneia and
its varieties. According to C. B. Clarke it is also closely allied to Eleo-
chai-is, but it would not appear so from the Bombay species of the two
genera. They are all plants of sand or light soil, especially the first two.
The three Bombay species are very closely allied to one another.
Key to the genus :—
1. Spikelets in a capitate head . . . . . 1. S. barbata.
2. Spikelets in a contracted umbel or com-
pound umbel, stem pubescent below the
inflorescence ,. .. .. ..2. S. puberula.
3. Spikelets in a lax umbel or compound
umbel, stem glabrous below the inflores-
cence . . . . . . . . 8. *S. capillaris
Var. trifida.
1. S. barbata, Uotth. (under Sdrpus). Bulbostylis barbata,
Kunth. A small tufted herb, 2-8 inches high.
The Bombay specimens show many conditions of glume, from simply
acute to acuminate with a recurved, scaberulous mucro, equalling and
even exceeding the glume. The Badami specimens especially with their
few-flowered spikelets and squarrose mucros look like a separate species
and this applies also to specimens collected by Fr. Blatter on Mt. Abu
19S JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL IIHST. iSOCILTV, loL XXVI.
and in South India. I suspect that there are two species mixed here,
but for reason given in the introduction have left all the material here.
On sand or light soil throughout the Presidency, especially abundant in
sandy helds in North Gujarat and thence onwards into the desert. (India.
Africa, Madagascar).
2. Si piiberula, Foir. (under Scirjms). Bulhostylis puherula,
Kunth. 10-12 inches high. Umbels sub-compound, ^-1 inch
broad, corymbiform, containing 20 or more spikelets.
V. rare, Karwar on the sandy shore, Mr. T. 11. D. Bell, 1917, (Africa,
Malaya).
3. S. capiliariS, WalUch (under Scripus in Eoxh. Fl. Ind .
ed. Carey and WallicJi). Bulhostylis capillaris, Kunth. Vat-
trifida (sp. Kunth). 6-20 inches high. Umbels lax with few
capillary rays j-1 inch, themselves often branched, and often
with a secondary umbel almost as big as the primary ximbel ; ulti-
mate pedicels usually deflexed in fruit.
Very occasional in the South of the Presidency. (All warm regions of
the Old World).
7. Eleocharis, /•'. Br.
Glabrous, small or medium sized herbs. Leaves reduced to
sheaths, but barren stems often present. Inflorescence a single
erect terminal spikelet, ebracteate, but the lowest glume often
sub-bractiform. Glumes spirally imbricate, never truly acute.
Hypogynous bristles present, occasionally absent. Style branches
2 or 3. Style always dilated at the base, the base usually con-
stricted above the nut, but persistent. Nut obovoid, plano-convex
in the species with bifid, trigonous in the species with trifid styles.
Key to the Bombay species : —
A. — Robust. <41umes concolorous. Spikelets § in. —
\\ in.
1. Stem terete, septate when dry .. .. I. L.plantaf/inea.
i. Stem trigonous or triquetrous, not septate
when dry, —
(a) Spikelets acute, glumes sub-acute . . . . 2. E.Jii^tulosa.
{b) Spikelets obtuse, glumes obtuse . . . . 'd. E. spiralis.
B. — Small. Glumes with a green central band and
scarious sides: —
]. Spikelets I — 1 inch, with a creeping rhizome. 4. L. pahistris.
2 Spikelets less than ^ inch —
(a) Style bifid, nut biconvex —
(i) Very slender, bristles white . . . . o. E. atropurjmrea.
(ii) licss slender, stems stiff, bristles brown 6. E. capitata.
(b) Style trifid, nut trigonous . . ..I.E. chaetaria.
1. E. plantaginea, R. Br. Stoloniferous, creeping in the mud.
Stems 1-3 ft. high (as clavis). Spikelets f-l:^ in., straw-coloured.
A gregarious sedge filling and almost monopolizing the beds of small
tanks in the extreme north of the Presidency. Also in the Mallad tract of
the Carnatic. (Trojiics of the Old World).
THE CYPERACEyl': OF THE HO M HAY /'RESIDENCY. 199
^- E. fistulosa^ hinlc. Stoloniferous, I -oft. Jiigli (as clavis).
Spikelets about 1 in., straw-coloured, acute, with far fewer glunirs
than the next species. Glumes striate, subacute. Nut with nar-
row horizontal outer cells in vertical series givinj^ the effect of faint
strias and trabeculsB*.
South of the Presidency. (Scattered through X. E. aii<l S. W. India and
Burmah. Tropics generally).
3. E. spiralis, /•'. Br. Stoloniferous, 1-2 ll . (as clavis). Spike-
lets about I in., straw-coloured, elega)it cylindric, obtuse, Avitli
innumerable quadrate obtuse olumes, their tips making spiral
lines around the spikelet. Nut more or less as last species.
A Konkan species. Bassein and Sion (Herb. St. X. Coll.) Salsette and
Goa (ex Cooke). (Scattered throughout heavy rainfall tracts in low-lying
parts of India).
4. E. palUStriS, li. Br. llhizomatous, rooting from the nodes.
Stems variable, medium to stoutish. Spikelets |-1 in., straw-col-
oured or chestnut. Nut yellow or pale brown. Bristles brown.
Sind. AVoodrow (ex Cooke). No specimens available in the Presidency
now. (In India confined to tlie northern b(;lt. f)thcr\vi8e cosmopolitan
except Australasia).
5. E. atropurpurea, Kuntk. Tufted, 2-J in.. V. slender, stems
almost filiform and flaccid. Spikelets v. small, Clarke says l_j^
but the ]3ombay specimens are all ^ in or less. Nut minute, very
glossy, black. Bristles pure white or occasionally with a yellowish
tinge especially at the base.
A northern species, from Sind through Gujarat to Sion and Kalyan. No
specimens from further south. (North India, Ceylon, tropics generally).
6. E. capltata, R. Br. Tufted (specimens from Dhulia show
a short slender rliizome), 2-8 in., stems less slender than the last
species, stiff. Spikelets v. small, (Clarke says ^-^ in. but liie
Bombay specimens are all about ^ in.) Nut slightly larger, than
the last species, dark, glossy. Bristles red brown.
Scattered throughout the Presidency, but mainly in the Deccan tract
from Khandesh to Bagalkot. Apparently not uncommon in the Central
Deccan. (Most warm countries).
7. E. Chaetaria, Roem. & Sch. Stems in the Bombay example
thread-like, copiously interlaced. Spikelets | in. Glumes expend-
ing, leaving the top of the spikelet gaping. Nut trigonous, grey,
with pointed shoulders and perforate outer cells, giving a dotted
appearance.
Extreme south of the Presidency only, Castle Kock and Londa. (Scat-
tered throughout the tropics).
• Note. — This species is supposed to have spikelets broader than the stem.
Specimens from Bommig-atti, Dfiarwar Dist, (Herb. Sedgwick) have stems much
broader than the spikelets. In other respects however these specimens seem to
be indubitably referable to this sp.
•200 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HLST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXJI.
1. <S'. articulatus.
2. S. mucronatus.
8. Scirpus, Linn,
Glabrous, leafy at base "or leaves reduced to sheaths. Stems
terete or trigonous. Inflorescence either of one terminal spikelet
or a lateral dense head, or of lateral or terminal open or contracted
umbellate corj^mbs. Spikelets clustered or solitary, many-flowered.
Hypogynous bristles normally present, sometimes flattened and
plumose, often reduced, (sometimes absent or present at random
in one individual). Stigmas and nut as in Fimbristylis . (Species 136.
Cosmopolitan).
Key to the genus : —
A. Inflorescence normally a single lateral sessile head of sessile spikelets.
Glumes not squarrose.
1. Stems stout, septate when dry, head usually
near the base of the stem, bristles 0.
Nut triquetrous
'2. Stems stout, septate when dry, head usually
near the apex of the stem, bristles
present, nut trigonous
3. Stems medium, head usually near the apex
of the stem, spikelets few terete, turgid,
ovate, acute, glumes broad incurved,
shortly aristate, bristles present. Nut
plano-convex or biconvex .. .. 3. S. erectus.
4. Stems rather slender, head usually above
the middle of the stem, spikelets yellow-
ish, flaccid, glumes 5-ranked, concave,
inflated in the upper part. Bristles 0.
Nut triquetrous
5. Stems slender, head usually above the
middle of the stem, often not compact,
spikelets often pedicillate, whitish, firm,
glumes not as 4, bristles 0. Nut trique-
trous
B. Inflorescence normally a lateral or terminal com-
pound corymb.
1 . Spikelets clustered, 2 or 3 together on the
tips of the pedicels, golden yellow, flaccid.
2. Spikelets solitary on the tips of the pedicels.
(a) Spikelets elongate, acute, glumes bifid at
the apex with an interposed arista, bris-
tles retrorse-scabrid
(6) Spikelets elongate, acute, glumes notched
at the obtuse top with an interposed
arista bristles plumose with multicellular
hairs . .
(c) Spikelets shortly almost globosely ovoid
obtuse, very numerous in a supra-de-
compound corymb ; bristles scabrid . . 9.
{d) As (c) but with bristles plumose . . . . 10.
C Inflorescence a compact terminal bracteate head of
minute spikelets . . . . . . . . 11. "S. michelianus.
D. Very slender, almost filiform. Inflorescence a
sublateral head of few small spikelets with
squarrosely aristate glumes . . ,, ..12. S. sr/uatrosus.
4. S. (juinquefarius.
5, S. supinus.
6. <S'. corymbosus.
7 . S. maritimus.
8. S. litoralis.
S, grossus.
S. kysoor.
THE CYPERACEA': OF THE BOMBAl PRESIDENCY. 201
I
1 . S. artiCUlatUS, Linn. Stems tufted, thicker than a lead
pencil. Heads (see h) f in. Spikelets (see h)\ x 5. Nut finally
black triquetrous transversely rugose (see h).
Very common throughout the Presidency, in the margins of tanks.
{ Africa, Philippines, Australia).
(6) Thicker and taller. Heads up to H iu. Spikelets up to
nearly 1 inch and thicker than type. Nut smooth, a little larger
than type.
Same distribution as the type in the Presidency. I doubt whether
this is to be regarded as a variety or not. With the extra development
of all parts of the plant, the outer cells of the nut presumably have to
expand with the result that the corrugations are lost.
2. S> mUCronatUS, Linn. Same size and habit as the last.
Differences as clavis.
Rare. Prantij, Ahd. Dist. (Herb. Sedgwick). Yellapur (Herb. Talbot).
(Warm parts of the world except America). The plant is fairly common
on the Nilgiris.
3. S. erectUS, Voir. 18 in. high. Stems about ^ in. thiuk
at most. Tufted; rest as clavis.
Marshes and ricefields apparently only in N. Kanara. (Most warm
regions).
4. S. quinquefariUS, Ham. As clavis. Nut transversely
wrinkled. Much smaller than !S. articulatns and can be distingui-
shed from the next bj^ the flaccid spikelets with loose glumes. The
colour of this species is golden yellow, of the next green and white.
In ricefields. All parts of the Presidency, but pre-eminently a nor-
thern plant, and therefore rare in the south, but common in Gujarat and
northward into the desert. (Central Asia, Transvaal, North India).
5. S. SUpinUS, Linn. As clavis. See also last sp.
Throughout the Pre8ideIlCJ^ Not so common as the variety. (Almost
cosmopolitan) .
Var. uninodiS, Clarice. Inflorescence broken up into single
or clustered spikelets on rays {\ — \ in.) of a quasi-umbel.
Commoner than the last.
Note. — This variety is of very doubtful validity. All intermediate
stages occur.
6. S. COrymbOSUS, ^/^C7/v^r'. Tall, 3 ft. Inflorescence compound,
as clavis. Nut trigonous (rather obtusely so), black, nearly smooth,
with a pyramidal apex.
Clarke and Cooke both describe the species as devoid of bristles, but
the available specimens all show that most nuts have three bristles of
unequal size and various shape?. They approach the bristles of litoralis. In
one or two cases the bristle has a lateral hyaline wing.
Apparently scattered through the Presidency, but rather rare. (Scatter-
ed throughout India, Madagascar). Available at Mt. Abu.
26
202 JOURNAL, liOMBAV NATUltAL ILI.ST. .S0CIJET1\ \'nl. XXVI.
7. S. maritimus, Linn. Tall, o feet. Khizomt- creeping-
bearing tubers. Spikelets dull pale brown or whitish, tt x 5^ in.
Nut trigonous, pale, smooth.
Throughout tho Presidency, common, especially do sand in riverbeds.
(Cosmopolitan).
Var. affinis, Clarke. Inllorescence a compact head of sessile
spikelets larger and whiter than type. Nut smaller, style l)ifid.
Throughout the Presidency, with the type.
8. S. litoraliS, Schrad. Tall, 3 ft. Spikelet.-^ brown ^ x J-
in.' Glumes more elegant than the last, very concave, so that in
drying they- develop transverse plaits in the upper part. Nut
piano convex.
Scattered throughout the Presidency, but apparently not couunou.
(Scattered throughout the Old World).
9. S. groSSUS, Linn. A'ery tall up to iO ft Leaves very
broad, up to 1^ in. thick and spongy, transversel}^ septate between
the veins when dry. Spikelets innumerable, l inch. Nut trigo-
nous. Bristles simply scabrous, (Clarke; " retrorsely scabrid,"
Cooke).
Scattered throughout the Presidency. Apparently rare. (Indo-Malayan)
10. S. kysoor, Roxb. As 9, but bristles plumose with multi-
cellular hairs. Tubers of stolos edible.
Scattered throughout the Presidency, mainly N. Konkan and Gujarat.
Note. — Cooke has restored Roxburgh's species. I am unable to separate
satisfactorily the available material, which quite possibly does not contain
any sheets of the true S. r/rossus at all. <*>'. ki/soor is evidently far more
common.
11. S. michelianUS, Linn.. Exactly resemble.s the very com-
mon Cyperus 'pycjinaeus, lloxb., in every particular except that the
glumes are spirally imbricate. The two plants presumably repre-
sent parallel lines of development in the two genera — low rosette
plants of dried mud.
Distribution in the Presidency uncertain. It is presumably often passed
over. (Old World).
12. S. SquarroSUS, Linn. 3-6 inches high, stems and leaves
filiform. Spikelets ^ in. Glumes with hunched shoulders and a
squarresely spreading aristate tip. Nut extremely minute.
App. very rare. There are only one or two available specimens, two
without locality and one from Kanara. (African, Indo-Malayan and E.
Asian).
I exclude S. Kyllingoides Boech given by Cooke on the authority of the
words "Kanara. Young" in F.B.I. No available specimens either in
Cooke's time or now. But there is no reason why the plant should not
be found.
THE CYrEliACl'LE OE THE BOMBAY rilElilDENCY. -HYA
9. Eriophorum, Linn.
Glabrous. Sten)8 leafy at the base, intiovescence various.
Spikelets many-flowered. Glumes imbricate all round the rhn-
chilla. Ilypogynous bristles G, divided to the base into innumer-
able fine segments, which increase and lengthen, — heads thus
ultimately comose.. Style slender, normally trilid. Nut sessile.
trigonous, smooth, dark, with nan-ow apex. (Species 10, mainly
Arctic or N. Temperate).
1. E. COmOSUm, Wall. Robust. Umbel compound or supra-
decompound, 2-8 in. long and wide. Bracts v. long up to 12 in.
Spikelets -^- in., reddish brown. Glumes strongly keeled; mucro-
nate. Anthers with a red crest. Nuts nearly \ in. long very
narrowly linear-fusiform. Scales so much divided as to appear
more like a pappus, the segments ultimately far exserted.
In the Presidency apparently almost confined to Junnar. Also recorded
once from Champaner ( perhaps Fort Pavagadh) in Oujarat, and from
Sind. (North India and Burma to China).
10, Fuirena, Rotth.
Glabrous or pubescent. Leafy. Spikelets many-flowered in
dense clusters, wdiich are sessile or pedunculate, terminal or axil-
lary. Glumes imbricate all round the rhachilla, always strongly
aristate and hairy in the upper half. Hypogynous processes 6.
in two series ; 3 outer (sepals) bristle-like, small or 0 ; 3 inner
(petals) enclosing the nut, broad, often clawed, three-keeled, rarely
0, Stigmas 3. Nut trigono^is, narrow or sub-stipitate below,
apiculate or beaked above.
Key to the Bombay species :—
A. Petals 0, leaves glabrous . . . . . . \. E. irallicJiiana.
B. Petals present,
1 . Petals quadrate, clawed,
(«) Glumes r. hairy, nerves concealed
by the hairs . . . . . , '2. E. (flomerata.
(/;) Glumes slightly hairy, nerves white,
raised, conspicuous . . . . 3. JP. uncinata.
2. Petals obovate sessile or nearly so . . . . A, F. umbellata.
1. F. Wailichiana, Kunth. 1-2 ft. Leaves stiff, erect, narrow,
with a strong midrib, glabrous. Nut dark when mature, keeled
on the angles, cancellately striate.
Deccan, from Khandesh to E. Belgaum. Should be found sooner or
later in the drier parts of Gujarat. (India, the drier northern and central
parts).
2. F. glomerata, Lam. 4-18 in. Leaves not stiff", 3-5-nerved,
hairy. Petals quadrate on a long or short claw, tricuspidate at the
apex and semi-hastate at the base, brown. Nut usually pale, pro-
minently triquetrous.
Throughout the Presidency, especially in ricefields, locally common
(African and Indo-Malayan.)
204 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
3. F. uncinata, Kunth. 4-8 inches with spreading stifi hairs.
Leaves haiiy, narrow. Spikelets densely chistered on v. short
peduncles, ^-l inch, few-flowered. Glumes much less hairy than
in the last sp., pubescent, with v. prominent hard white nerves, the
midnerve usually squarrosely recurved. Rhachilla obsolete (i.e..
each gliime carrying away part of the rhachilla when spikelet dis-
sected). Petals round-quadrate, veiy shortly clawed, nerves not
prominent as in the last ; margins especially in the upper part softy
and densely fringed with sulphur-coloured ciliolse.
V. rare. Only in Kanara. (Herb. Kew and Herb. Talbot.) (India in
one or two places).
The specimen in the Talbot Herbarium is very different from F. glomerata .
The prominent white raised nerves of the glumes are a noticeable feature.
4. F. Umbellata, lioUh. 1-4 ft. vStem quadrangular. Leaves
usually broad, stiti', strongly o — S^nerved. Clusters of spikelets
bracteate, often subpaniculately compound. J^etals obovate-qua-
drate, apiculate at the apex, narrowed at the base. Nut usually
pale, prominently beaked, angles keeled.
In marshes ; app. rare, except at Castlo Rock. (Most warm, not too
dry, regions).
11. Lipocarpha, Br.
Glabrous. Leafy only at base. Spikelets many-flowered in a
single head subtended by stiff always deflexed bracts. Scales 2,
arranged anterior and posterior to the nut, clinging to the nut even
when mature, and appear like a membranous outer covering. Nut
small, plano-convex, smooth.
1 . L. argentea, Br. vSpikelets whitish. Resembles a robust
form of Kyllinga trice]ps.
Marshes on the crest of the Southern Ghats. (Throughout India.
Warm regions of Old World).
2. L, Sphacelata, Kunth. Spikelets dark chocolate brown,
smaller than the last.
Occasional in marshes and rice-tields in the Karnatic Mallad tract.
(Throughout India. Tropical Africa and America).
12. Remirea, AnUet.
One species only.
1. R. maritima, Aubl. A glabrous maritime sedge with a
long creeping rhizome. Branches erect, 2-6 inches, stiff, entirely
cilotted with the sheaths of the leaves, the blades of which ai'e
ascending, rigid, pungent, concave. Spikelets one-flowered, densely
crowded on short spikes, which are sessile and aggregated into
dense heads, supported hj bracts like the leaves. Nut narrow,
obscurely trigonous, pointed, dark.
Coast near Karwar (Herb. Talbot). (Tropical sea-coasts).
THE CYPEEACi:^: OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY. 205
13. Rhyncospora, Vakl.
Habit various but often with stem leafy. Intioresceuce various.
Spikelets with 3 or 4 shorter lower empty glumes, 1 or 2 middle
longer, fertile, and 1 upper male (in the Bombay species), golden
brown. Stigmas 2. Nut biconvex, crowned by the much enlarged
conical style base. (Species 150, in the wariner or temperate re-
gions of the world, especially America. English " Beakniit").
1. R. Wightiana, Steud. 6-1(5 inches. Leaves all basal.
Spikelets numerous in a single crowded bracteate head. Bracts
rigid, dilated and ciliate at the base. Bristles 6, golden, scabrid
with erect teeth, twice or more than twice as long as the nut. Nut
laterally flattened ^ in. or slightly less, black but rendered greyish
by the numei'ous scabrid white papilla?, which point upwards.
Exclusively confined to the heavy rainfall region both above and below
ghats from Igatpuri and Bassein to Kanara, and very connnon on open
grassy land in that region in the monsoon. (India, W. Peninsula, Cochin
China).
Note. — I exclude R. Wallichiana, Kuuth., which Cooke gives on the
authority of Woodrow as occurring at Kalyan. I have examined a con-
siderable material in the four Herbaria and iind all the specimens abso-
lutely constant as above described. R. Wallichiana has a much shorter,
turgidly biconvex, smooth nut, dorsally compressed (as Juncellus) and short
or obsolete bristles. Owing to pressure in drying, the nuts in R. Wiyhtianu
often become displaced and give a mistaken impression of being dorsally
compressed. R. Wallichiana is an eastern species, of which apparently
R. Wightiana is the western form.
2. R. aurea, VcM. 2-3 ft. Leafy throughout with long leaves
Spikelets numerous, clustered or spikately arranged on the branches
of large, multiple, bracteate cor3'-mbs. Bristles 6 or fewer, shorter
than the nut. Nut large up to ^ in., more than half of which is
occupied by the stout channelled beak.
Apparently only in streams and marshes on the crest of the Southern
Ghats, but possibly more widely distributed. (India E. and S. "NVana
regious of the world).
14. Hypolytrum, Uich.
Leafy upwards. Leaves flat 3-nerved. Inflorescence paniculate
with rigid divaricate branches. Spikes many-flowered, resem-
bling the spikelet of other GYPEBAGEOUS genera. Spikelets
reduced to one obtuse glume within which is a reduced rhachilla
bearing two basal stamens supported by scales and one terminal
pistil.
Stigmas two. Nut turgid. (Species about 30-40. Tropical
regions).
Note. — The limitation of the species appears to be difhcult and our
species, as all the Indian species, is regarded by Clarke merely as a form
of H. lalifolium, Rich.
:^06 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST SOCIETY, \'„t. XXVI.
1. H. Wightianum, -fc'oec/,'. 2-o feet, stout. Spikes (as above)
up to \ inch. Glumes speckled. Nut ^ inch, ovoid, turgid,
yellow to almost black, usually veined longitudinally, minutely
speckled, beak usually paler.
Exclusively confined to the Southern (ihtits by rivulets in dense forest.
(Malabar region of India. Nicobars).
15. Scieria, Ber,j.
Leafy, leaves usually narrow, often cutting the hand with their
scabrous margins. Inflorescence of axillary or panicled spikes.
Spikes compact or lax. Spikelets usually unisexual, rarely
bisexual. Flowers unisexual, supported by several glumes. Style
trifid. Nut osseous, usually prominently exserted, globose or nearly
so, usually either white and shining or covered with minute ferru-
ginous pubescence, smooth or variously sculptured, usually supported
on a gynophore, the apex of which is usuall}^ dilated into a 3-lobed
saucer. (Species 150. Tropical and subtropical — not too dry— -
countries).
The available material for the Bombay species of this attractive but
difficult genus is so scanty, that I cannot attempt more than a prodromufi
at present. The plants of this genus are all hygrophytic and rather
autumnal. They are extremely local and scattered, never gregarious, and
often not very noticeable. Consequently they have apparently been much
neglected. There seems little doubt that there are several Bombay species
at present undescribed. I would bring to the attention of Collectors the
desirability of preserving the nuts in separate packets on the sheets. The
ripe nuts are easily deciduous. They fall away during the process of dry-
ing and mounting and evei\ afterwards, and being globose and often very
smooth they roll away and are lost. As the discrimination of species
depends mainly on the mature nuts their absence renders it often impos-
sible to allocate a sheet satisfactorily.
A. — Spikes reduced to small axillary scarcely exserted clusters, nut minute,
not exserted, longitudinally fluted.
1. S. Caricina, Benth. A delicate little plant, 1-8 in.
Leaves about 1 in., linear, acute, in the Bombay example. Nut-
bearing glumes with a central acumen and lateral blunt teeth.
Niit smaller than a pin's head, white, the longitudinal ridges
brown, (in the Bombay example).
App. v. rare. Yellapur (Herb. Talbot). Indo-Malayan region and China.
B. — Spikes elongate. Nut far exserted.
(1) Disc obsolete. Nut smooth.
2. S. lithosperma, Siv. Rhizomatous. Stems 1^-3 ft.
Very slender. Leaves long, v. narrow. Spikes v. lax with remote
flowers. Nut smooth, white, glabrous. Tisc represented by a
mere discoloration of the base of the nut.
App. rare, and only in the heavy rainfall tracts. Talbot's specimen is
No. 526 (not 562 as Cooke ex Clarke) (Indo-MaJayan in the wetter regions).
(2) Disc annular. Nut smx)oth.
riiE cvi'EiiACE.i-: 01' rni: liOMiLW rREsiDENcr. i>07
3. S. annularis, Kmitli.
Several feet high. Stem comprebsed, rather slender. Leaves
very long, about J inch hroad, margins veiy scabrons. Spikes
rather closely panicidately arranged on long axillary peduncles.
Nut smooth, white, glabrous : Disc a small unlobed saucer.
Apparently only in the Konkan. (Inrlia. irregularly scattered).
(3) Disc •.Uohpil . Nutsmoot/i.
A: S. hebecarpa, Nees. -l-o feet high. Stem rather slender
weak. Leaves very long, flaccid, narrow, about ^ in., sheaths
prominently winged. Panicle lax. Spikelets rather remote. Nut
^ in., in young states often microscopically puberulous, mature
smooth, white. Disc lobes thin, sometimes almost glumaceous,
ovate-lanceolate, acute, reaching to J- way up the nut and
appressed to it.
A forest plant, apparently not uncommon in the forests of Kanara ; also
from Thana Dist. (Herb. Agr. Coll.) (Indo-Malayan).
Note. — Here may also possibly be placed Talbot's Nos 1888 and 1907,
which are more robust with leaves 1 in. broad and sheaths Avinged up to
nearly ^r in. Unfortunately the specimens are both immature without nuts.
Or this may be a separate species, Kanara forests.
At this point may be placed a specimen No. 1025 (A) of Herb. Talbot
from Yellapur. Slender, 4-9 in. Leaves i in. broad, exactly linear, flat, tip
obtuse, hairy ; margins smooth. Spikes very short, few-flowered on
axillary peduncles. Nut about ^^ in., white, smooth, or very obscurely sub-
corrugose, glabrous, with pyramidal top, not apiculate. Disc 3-lobed,
supporting the nut. Lobes thick, wrinkled. This is probably a new species.
Ft is mixed with »S'. te^salata, Willd., and, if not new, would be a very
mature condition of that plant, but the nut is smaller and diflerent in
general outline.
(4) I)hc 3-6 lobed. Sut cancellately sculptured .
'5. S. tesseliata, Willd. Very slender, (up tt) 2i feet, Cooke.
Availaiile specimens are mvich smaller). Leaves rather short,
narrow, linear, acute or obtuse, hairy or glabrate, smooth or
subscabrid on the margins. Sheaths winged or not. Spikes erect,
axillary or terminal simple or sub-paniculate. Nuts 1-12 in., can-
c^.ellately tessellate with square depression and puberulous with reddish
hairs, at any rate when young, apiculate. Disc 3-lobed, lobes ovate,
acute or subacute, pale, reaching only a little way up the basal part
of the nut.
Heavy rainfall regions, occasional (Indo-Malayan and E. Asia).
<j S. biflora, fioa;?^
As the last ; but lobes of the disc narrowly triangular, acuminate
or quite subulate, brown, reaching well up the side of the nut.
Heavy rainfall regions, occasional. ^Scattered throughout the wet
parts of India).
208 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, V<,1. XXJ'L
7. S. StOCksiana, Boeck. Stouter and more angular than the
last two, 1-2 feet. Sheaths strongly winged. Spikes stouter, up
to 1 inch or more. Nut ^ in., not deeply cancellate (seo
however (h) ), but shallowly corrugose, always shining, white and
o-labrous, not apiculate, but with a sub-umbonate apex. Disc lobes
3, ovate, subacute, supporting the nut at the base, thick, with
reflexed edges, and with an annular ridge below (the outer
lobes of Cooke) which in very mature states is dark with a white
edge.
South of the Presidency fairly common. (Endemic).
(b) Here may be placed a form from the red laterite plateau near Talod
(Ahmedabad District) (Herb. Sedgwick) which differs from the southern
type in the nut which is the same size, shape, colour and texture, but is
differently sculptured, the cells between the corrugations being deeply
perforated. The laterite upland at Talod is separated by long distances
from any other laterite, and this may be an isolated local development, or
may perhaps be regarded as a new species.
8. S. elata, Thtv. A very tall plant up to 8 or 10 feet high
with very scabrid stems, and long, very scabrid leaves, dangerous to
handle. Panicle large, 1 ft. by 6 inches or even more. Nut ^ in.,
quite globose, shallowly tessellated, and puberulous on the ridges
with red hairs (cancellas irregularly distributed, not in regular
vertical lines as 5 and 6). Disc 3-lobed, supporting the nut.
Crest of the ghats in the south of the Presidency, not uncommon.
(Throughout moister India, Java, China).
16. Carex, Lirm.
Perennials, leafy at the base, or leafy upwards. Inflorescence
either of a single spike or of paniculately arranged spikes, which
may be unisexual or bisexual, in which case the males may be
above and the females below or vice versa. Flowers unisexual,
supported by a glume. Ovarv and nut enclosed in a bottle-shaped
utricle, with a short or long (usually bihd) beak. (Species 500
and more. Cosmopolitan, but mainly of cold or temperate climates.
The Indian species are mainly mountain plants).
1. C. Wlercarensis, Hoehst.
A tall leafy sedge. Panicle large, compound. Spikes |-| in.
with about G-10 laxly-arranged female flowers at the base and
males at the top. Female glumes ferruginous brown, more or less
aristate. Utricles slightly curved or quite straight, greenish,
scaberulous, about 15-ribbed, Avith a beak about as long as the
utricle.
iVo^e.— Cooke regards the Bombay plants as belonging to the Var Major,
Steud.
Quite commop in forest on the ghats in the South of the Pesidency, and
occasional as far North as Thana (S. W. India).
THE CYPERACE.4£ OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY. 209
-. C. SpeciOSa, Kunth. Leafy at the base only. Spikes soli-
tary ^-1 in. long, whitish, on long slender peduncles. Glumes con-
colorous, multi-striate. Utricle concave on the ventral, convex on
the dorsal side, margins winged, ciliolate, multi-striate.
Very rare. North Kanara (Herb. Talbot).
Note. — I exclude C. condensata, Nees. Said to have been found at Maha-
bleshwar by Dalzell and Gibson and in Sind (Baluchistan P) by Pin will.
This is a North Indian mountain species.
210
A REVISION OP THE INDIAN SPECIES OF ROTALA
AND AMMANNIA.
BY
E. Blatter, S.J., and Prof. F. Hallberg.
Part II.
(Gontinued from page 722 of Vol. XXV.) .
Ammania, L. (sens, restr.)
Annual glabrous herbs, growing in damp places. Stem and
branches more or less 4-gonous. Leaves decussate, sometimes
alternate, sessile, often dilate-cordate at the base, 1 -nerved.
Dichasia Cl-)o-multiflovvered, sessile or pedunculate, axillary;
l)racteoles small, membranous. Flowers typically 4-merous (ex-
ceptionally 5-6-inerous, never heterostylous. Calyx campanulate
or urceolate, aftei- flowering semiglobose or globose, herbaceous, 8-
nerved ; appendages 0 or shoit. Petals 0-4, fugaceous, obovate or
rotund. Stamens 2-8, episepalous. Ovary sessile, incompletely 2-4
(-5)-localar or 1-locular. Style 0 or longer than the ovary.
Capsule globose or ellipsoid, included or half-exsevted, very
thinly membranous, breaking up irregularly in a transverse direc-
tion. Seeds very nujierous, minute.
There are about 20 species, distributed all over the world, chiefly
ill the tropical regions. Some of them are well-defined, but most
extremely variable and, therefore difficult to distinguish. The
genus gives one the impression as if its representatives were in the
actual process of evolution.
Key to the Indian Species.
A. Calyx 4-vvinged. Flowers and capsules very
large . . . , . . . , - . . . 1, A. oetandra
B. Calyx nob winged.
I. Style distinct. Petals distinct :
1. Cymes distinctly peduncled :
a. Peduncles and pedicels stout, flowers
and capsules large. A coarse plant. 2. A. auriculata
h. Peduncles and pedicels filiform, flowers
and capsules small. A slender and
more delicate plant . . . . . . 3. A. viultijlora
2. Cymes sessile or subsessile. Flowers and
capsules large. A coarse plant . . 4. A. desertorum
II. St^ le absent or nearly so. Petals absent
or small.
1. Cymes distinctly peduncled . . 5. A. senec/alensis
'2. Cymes sessile or subsessile . . . . 6. A. baccifera
A REVISION OF THE INDIAN SPECIES OF ROT ALA. 211
Ammannia octandra, L. f. Suppl. (1781) 127 ; Roxb. Cor. PI. II (1798)
18, t. 133; DC. Prodr. 111(1828)80; Wight and Am. Prodr. 304;
Blume Mus. Bot. II 132; Dalz. and Gibs., Bombay Fl. (1861) 97 ;
Kurz in Journ. As. Soc. Beng. (1877), pt. II, 86; Clarke in Hook. f.
Fl. Brit. Ind. II (1879) 571 ; Koehue in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. 1 (lh80) 250,
inEngl.Pflanzenr.lv, 216(1903)50; Trim. Fl. Ceyl. II (1894) 225;
Cooke Fl. Bomb. Pres. 1. (1903) 508 —A. coccinea Pres. Ench. I (1805)
147, non Rottb.^ — Ammannella linearu Miq. Fl. Ind. Bat. I (1855) 619
cum descript erron. — Biplostemon octandrum Miq. 1. c. 616.
Stem 15-100 cm. long, erect, stifl', (the upper part 4-gonou8, the lower
part subterete and often woody), very narrowly 4-winged,the wings
minutely serrulate ; branches numerous, sharply quadrangular.
Leaves 20-80 mm. long, 2*5-10 mm. broad, sessile, sometimes sub-
acaminate, broadly linear or narrowly lanceolate.
Dichasium 1-3-flowered ; peduncle scabrous, central pedicel 1*5-5 mm.
long, lateral ones scarcely 1 mm. Calyx 3 5-6 mm. long, quadran-
gular, the angles winged and minutely serrulate, the faces between
the wings furnished with a distinct rib in the middle of each
face ; mouth nearly truncate or with 4 very short teeth ; cornua
short, horn-like, spreading. Petals 4, broadly obovate, upto 4 mm.
long, irregularly crenulate, rose coloured, veined. Stamens 8,
exserted, hlaments dark-red. Style nearly 3-times as long as the
ovary.
Capsule included in the calyx, globose-ellipsoid.
Habitat : Madras Pres. : Ragapaliem, Godavari Dist., Feb. 1902
(Barber No. 4259 !), Kambam, Madura Dist., in fields. May (Blatt.
and Hall. No. 475 ! 3336 !).
Distribution : India, Ceylon, Java. (Judging from material in the various
Indian and European herbaria this seems to be a very rare species).
>. Ammania auricvlatu, Willd. Hort. Berol. I (1806) t. 7 ; DC. Prodr.
Ill (1828) 80 ; Koehne in Engl. Bot. Jalirb. 1 (1^80) 244 et IV (1883)
389, in Engl. Pflanzenr. IV, -;16 (1903) 45.— A. raceinom Roth Catal.
bot. 11(1806) 25.—^. arenaria H. B. and K. Nov. Gen. VI (1^S0)
190 — A. sene(/alensisT)0. Prodr. Ill (1828) 77 sec. Guill. et Perr. {non
Lam.) ; Clarke in Hook. Fl. Brit. Ind. II (1879) 570 ; Collet Fl. Siml.
(1902) 192 ; Duthie Fl. Upp. Gang. Plain 1 (1903) 350 ; Bamber in
Journ. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc. XX (1911) 811 ; Hiern in Oliv. Fl. Trop
Afr. II (1871) 477 (partivi).—A. avriculata Ledeb Fl. Ross. II (1844-46)
125; A. Rich. Fl. Abyss. I {l^Al) 21S.—A. pmilla Sond, in Linn;ea
XXIII (1848) 40.— .4. iVru/htii A. Gray in Smith. Cont. V (1853)
55. — A. lom/ipes C.'Yfr\g\\t in Souvalle Fl. Cubana (1868) 53.—^.
undulata C.A. Mey. in Ind. Hort. Petropol. IX (1842) 56.
Stem up to 57 cm. long ; stem and tranches winged in the upper part.
Leaves l'5-7 7 cm. long, 3-14 mm. broad, or the upper ones smaller,
the two lowest sometimes cuneate, the rest auriculate, linear or
sublanceolate, slightly acute.
Dichasia 1-3-15 — flowered, slightly lax ; pedicel of the central flower
3-17 mm. long. Calyx 15-2 mm. long, in fruit subglobose or almost
semi-globose ; lobes 1/3 or J the length of the tube : cornua minute,
at last evanescent, rarely almost as long as tho lobes. Petals
violaceous, purple or white. Stamens 4-8, inserted 3/4 — almost ^
way down the tube, 1/3 or -| exserted beyond the lobes. Stylo up
to twice as long as the ovary.
Capsule 2-3*5 mm. in diameter, as long as the calyx-lobes or slightly
longer.
^12 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVL
The plant varies slightly, especially with regard to the number of
flowers in a cyme, the length of the cyme-branches and of the style..
The different forms pass insensibly one into the other.
It is an interesting fact that almost identical specimens have been
gathered in localities widely apart : China, India, Nubia, Transvaal,
Texas. Mexico. The African specimens have a slightly smaller
capsule and a comparatively longer style than the Indian ones.
In India the species is confined to the driest and coldest regions, as
will be seen from the localities given below.
Habitat: Rajputana : Dilvara on Mt. Abu, October 1916 ( Blatt. and
Hall. No. 3;:^37!), Uria on Mt. Abu. (Blatt. and Hall. No. 3338!),
Usrot on Mt. Abu ( Blatt. and Hall. No. 3339 !), Mt. Abu, (Blatt.
and Hall. No. 3340!). British Baluchistan: Khozdar, about 4100
ft., September 1917 (Hotson No. 3348 !). Afghanistan : Kurum
Valley (Aitchison !). Chitral : Near Drosh, 4-5000 ft. (Hamilton No.
17881 !).—N. W. Frontier, September 1907 (Dean !).— British Tibet
(Stoliczka!). — Kashmir: Baramula. 5000 ft., June 19U5 (Meebold
No. 390 !). — Gangetic Plain : Banks of Gumpti near Indalpur
(Duthie No. 4022!) — Punjab (Thomson !).^ — Bengal: Between Dingra
Ghat and Purneah, in ricefields, October 1868 (Kurz !) — Central
China: Prov. Hupeh (Henry No. 2754!), Hainan (Henry No. 83701).
—Persia (Aucher-p:ioy No. 4508!).
Africa: Ivordofan : Arash-Cool, Oct, 1839 (Kotschy No. 178!), Trans-
vaal, May 1894 (Schlechter No. 4771 !).
Distribution: Africa; Cape and Sudan-region, Nile delta: Asia:
Trans-Caucasus, Persia, Afghanistan, Baluchistan, India, China.
Australia: Queensland. America: Louisiana, Texas, New-Mexico,
Cuba, Venezuela, Ecuador, Extratrop. Brazil.
:3. Ammania multijtora, Roxb. Fl. Ind. I (1820) 447 ; DC. Prodr. Ill
(1828) 79 ; W. & A. Prodr. 305 ; Wall. Cat. 2101 ; Boiss. Fl. Orient.
II, 743; Dalz. and Gibs. Bomb. Fl. (1861) 97 ; Kurz. in Journ. Asiat.
Soc. Beng. pt. II (1877) 85; Koehne in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. I (1880)
247 et IV (1883) 390, in Engl. Pflanzenr. IV, 216 (1903) 48; Duthie.
Fl. Upp. Ganget. Plain. I (1903) 351 ; Cooke Fl. Bomb. Pres. 1 (1903)
,509. — A. parvijlora DC. 1. c. 78. — A. forilmnda Gnill. et Perr. Fl.
Seneg. l{\S?>Q-o3).— Sujfrenia<UchotomaM\r\. Fl. Ind. Bat. 1 (1855)
(516 — A. australasica F. Muell. in Trans. Phil. Soc. Victoria I (1855)
41. — A. viadagascariensis Tul. in Ann. Sc. nat. ser. 4, VI (1856 ) 129. —
A.japonica Miq. Prolus. (1866-67) 149.
Stem up to 65 cm. high, erect, slightly 4-winged, branches numerous,
sharply quadrangular. Leaves opposite, 4-25 mm. long, 0-75-3 mm.
broad, the lower ones (or rarely all) attenuate at the base, the rest
subauriculate, often persisting for a long time.
Dichasia 1-3-7, or rarely 15-20-flowered, peduncled ; central pedicel
2-6 mm. long ; bracteoles on the cyme-branches most minute, linear.
Calyx campanulate, 1-1"5 mm. long, semiglobose in fruit, teeth 4,
short, triangular. Petals small and caducous. Stamens 4, as long
as the calyx-lobes, or slightly longer. Style about as long as the
capsule.
Capsule 15 mm. in diameter, half-surrounded by the calyx-tube, pro-
truding from between the lobes.
Habitat: S.India: Mysore, 1-3000 feet, October 1908 (Meebold No.
10279 ! ) ; Coimbatore, KoUegal, 2,000 ft. (Fischer No. 659! ) ; Am-
battur in Chingulpet Dist., February 1915 (Fyson!); Madras,
March 1899 (Fyson!) ; Bombay Presidency : Sion on Bombay Island,
A REVISION OF THE INDIAJ^ SPECIES OF ROT ALA. 21'^
November 1916 (Blatt. and Hall. No. 3358 ! ) ; Bhandup in Salsette,
near tank (Blatt. and Hall No. 3354 ! ) ; Andheri in Salsette, Decem-
ber 1916 (Blatt. and Hall. No. 3355 1 ) ; Bandra (Poona Herb.!);
Bassein (Poona Herb!) ; Khandala, March 1917 ( Blatt. and Hall.
No. 3356 !) ; Igdtpuri, January 1917 (Blatt. and Hall. No. 3357-
3372 ! ) ; Poona, common. Khandesh : Bor, along Tapti river
(Blatt. and Hall No. 3373 !) ; Bhusawal, Tapti river, December 1916
(Blatt. and Hall. No. 3374! 3375 1); Dharvvar Dist., dry ricefields,
December 1916 (Sedgwick No. 22721). Mt. Abu: Dilwara, October
1916 (Blatt. and Hall. No. 3381 !) ; slopes of Mt. Abu, November
1916 (Blatt. and Hall. No. 3382 !), Abu Road, November 1916 (Blatt.
and Hall. No. 3383!); Rajputana Desert: Kailana near Jodhpur,
October 1917 (Blatt. and Hall. No. 3384 !, 3385!) ; Balarwa ( Blatt.
and Hall. No 3386 !) ; Devikot (Blatt. and Hall. No. 3387 ! 3388!) ;
Vinjorai, November 1917 (Blatt. and Hall. No. 3389 !) ; near Kotda
(Blatt. and Hall. No. 3390!). N.-W. India: Banks of Gumpti near
Indalpur, October 1885 (Duthie No. 4024 !) ; Punjab ( Thomson !),
Afghanistan (Griffith No. 2316! 2315!). Central India: Indore
(Calc. Herb.!), Saugor(Vicary!), Goona (King No, 216!), Gwalior
(Maries No. 201!). Bengal: Lower Bengal (Wallich No. 2101!),
between Piirnea and Caraghola Ghat, in fields, October 18H8(Kurz!),
Howrah Dist (Kurz!), Singbhum, December 1900 (Haines No. 337!).
We found a few specimens in Khandesh which we put under : Forma
uniflora forma nov. Dwarf, stem simple, 25-30 mm. high, erect.
Leaves shorter than the peduncles, sometimes ovate. Peduncles
1-flowered, 5-6 mm. long, pedicels 0'5-l'5 mm. long.
Habitat : Tapti river near Bhusaval December 1916 and January
1917 (Blatt. and Hall. No. 3379 !, 3380 !).
Distribution: Tropical Africa, Madagascar. Asia: Persia, Kurdistan
Afghanistan. India, Aadamans to the Philippines and Japan. Aus-
tralia: N. W. and S. Australia, Victoria, New S. Wales, Queensland.
Am?nannia desertorum, spec. nov. — A course, rigid, more or less
scabrous papillose plant. Stem up to 50 cm. high, much-branched,
stout, subterete below, sharply quadrangular and narrowly winged
above, as are also the branches. Leaves lanceolate, acute or subobtuse,
up to 70 mm. long and 8 mm. broad, auricled at the base, feather-
veined, midrib prominent below, margins reflexed.
All the axils flower-bearing. Peduncles absent or very short, not
reaching 1 mm. in length, stout, (1—) 3-(6)-flowered. Pedicels very
uniform in length, 1-2 mm., stout. Bracteoles minute, stiff, subu-
late. Calyx leathery, 8-nerved, in flower 2 mm. long, elongate-
campanulate, in fruit up to 2'5 mm. long, campanulate-semiglobose.
Teeth 4, small, broadly triangular, apiculate ; accessory teeth or
folds very small or absent. Petals 4, small, reaching 1 mm., obovate-
cuneate, purple, caducous. Stamens 8, inserted at about g of the
tube from below, sub-included. Style about as long as the ovary,
|-i as long as the capsule, rather stout.
Capsules 3 mm. long, crowded together, the upper \ ox }; not covered
by the calyx, reddish-brown transparent, shining. Seeds very
namerous, irregularly semiglobose, yellowish brown, shining.
This species has the habit of A. auriculata, but can easily be distingui-
shed by its inflorescence. Generally the whole plant is covered
with capsules.
The plant is common in the Rajputana Desert S. of Jaisalmer.
Vem. Name : Jalbhangra (Marwari).
214 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Habitat: Jaisalmer : Devikot, November 1917 ( Blatt. and Hall.
3341 I), near Devikot, November 1917 (Blatt. and Hall. 3342!,
3313!), Viiijorai (lilatt. and Hall. 3344! ) ; Jodhpur: Kotda near
Sen (Blatt. and Hall. 3345 ! ), near Badka on wet ground (Blatt. and
Hall. 3346 ! 3347 ! ).
5. Ammannia senegalensis, Lara. 111. I (1791) 312, n. 1553, t. 77, f. 2 ;
Koehne in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. I (1880) 255, in Engl. Pflanzenr. IV.
21b (1903) 52.
Stem 8-35 cm. long, erect or ascending, rarely prostrate and rooting,
8ub-4-gonous, Leaves 7-50 mm. long and i'5-13 mm. broad, oblong
or oblauceolate or aublinear, mostly obtuse, the lower ones cuneate
at the base, the upper ones rotund or subcordate, rarely all
auriculate cordate.
Dichasia 1-3-many-liowered, distinctly peduncled, the central pedicel
reaching up to 10 mm. Calyx in flower 1-1-5 mm. long, in fruit
semigl )bo3e, cornua minute or obsolete. Petals 4, small or absent.
Stamens 4. Capsule l'5-2'5 mm. in diameter.
Distribution : From Senegambia to S. Africa, East Africa, to Aby-
ssinia and Lower Egypt, India.
Key to the forms :
. A. Dichasia lax, central pedicel 3-10 mm. long.
1. Stem usually diffusely branched at the base. Forma a.
2. Stem shortly branched above the middle. . Forma b.
B. Dichasia dense ; central pedicel not more than
4 mm long . . . . . . . . Forma c.
Forma a. difus a, Koehne in Engl. Pttanzenr. IV, 216 (1903)52. —
A. diffusa Willd.Enum.l (1809) 169; DC. Prodr. 111(1828)79.-^1
filifornis DO. in Mem. Soc. Gen. Ill (1826) 95, Prodr. Ill, 77.
Occurs in Senegambia and Lower Egypt, not in India.
We have seen a specimen. It has very long straggling branches
from the base, large thin leaves and few-flowered cymes ; peduncles
of medium length, pedicels long.
Forma b. salsuffinosa, Koehne 1. c. — A. sahwjinosa Guill. et Perr. Fl.
Seaeg; I (1830-33) 302; Hiern ia Oliv. Fl. Trop. Africa II (1871) 477.
Occurs in Senegambia from where we have examined a specimen. It
is a weak suberect plant with very slender branches, meeting the
stem at right angles. Cymes few-flowered, its branches filiform.
Forma c. indica, forma noe. Erect or suberect, up to 20 cm., simple or
sparingly branched near the base. Leaves up to 30 mm. long and 4
mm. broad, subacute. Calyx 8-ribbed. Petals present, 1 ram. long,
rotund-ovate. (In formalin the raucilage of the ovaries comes out in
large masses and the formalin is stained bluish- purple).
Habitat: Bombay Presidency : Khandala, November 1916 (Blatt. and
Hall. No. 3349!, 3350!). Igatpuri (Blatt and Hall. No. 3351!),
Poona (Blatt. and Hall. No. 3352 ! ).
In the Poona specimen the stem is ascending, slender, simple. The
calyx has a pinkish hue and 8 conspicuous green nerves. Capsule
purple. The Igatpuri specimen is 8 cm. high, the stem is simple, the
le^ives acute, hardly auricled.
There is another specimen from Poona (Aug. 1895) in the Herbarium of
the Bom. Nat. Hist. Soc. on a sheet of Ammannia raultifiora. It is
much more luxurious, 17 cm. high, slightly branched, branches
slender, patent. Leaves up to 42 ram. long and 5 mm. broad, thin,
acute, attenuate or auriculate at the base.
A REVISION OF THE INDIAN SPECIES OF ROTALA. 2ir,
A senegaleiisis Lam. has not been noted from India before. The A. aene-
galensis mentioned by Clarke in the Flora of Brit. India is A. auriculata
WiUd.
0. Ammannia haccifera L. Sp. PI. ed. 2 (1762) 175 ; Burm. Fl. Ind.
(1768) 38, t. 15, f. 3,4 ; DC. Frodr. Ill ( 1828) 78; Hiern m Oliv. Fi.
Trop. Afr. II (1871) 478 (pro parte) ; Clarke in Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind.
II (1897) 569 ; Koehne in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. 1 (1880) 258, IV (1883)
391, in. Engl. Pflanzenr. iV, 216 (1903) 53; Dalz. and Gibs. Bomb. Fl.
(1861) 97; Kurz. in Journ. Asiat. Soc. Beng. pt. 11 (187/) 85; Cooke
Fl. Bomb. Pres. I (19U3j 509 .—A . indica Lam. 111. 1 (1791) 311 ; Poir.
Supp. 1 (1810) 328 ; DO. 1, c. 77 (fortassis partim tantwn) ; Benth. Fl.
Austral. Ill (1866) 297.—^. vesicatoria Roxb. Fl. Ind. I (1820) 427 ;
DO. L c. 78. Cryptotheca apetala Bl. Bijdr. (1826) 1129; DO. 1. c.
67. — A. dehilis Blanco Fl. Filip. ed. 2 (1845) 46 {non kit.).— A. atte-
nuata A. Rich Fl. Abyss. 1 (1847) 278. — Hapalocarpuni indicum Miq. et
vedcatorium Miq. Fl. Ind. Bat. 1 (1855) 618. — A. cegyptiaca, Willd.
Enum. Hort. Berol. I (1809) 167, t. 6 ; Delile Fl. D'Eg. (1813) 37,
t. 15, f . 3 ; DC. I. c. 78.—^. salicifolia Hiern in Oliv. Fl . trop. Afr. 11
(1871) 478, erd. syno. (wora Monti) ; Clarke in Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. II
(1879) 569; Dalz. and Gibs. Bomb. Fl. (1861) 97; Cooke Fl. Bomb.
Pres. 1(1903)509. A. ylaucaVfaM. Cat. (1828) 2100; W. and A.
Prodr. 305. A. densiflora Miq. in Herb. Hohenack. No. 770 (ex
Clarke).
We have united A. salicifolia as understood by Hiern and Clarke ( not
of Monti) with A. baicifera L., not even retaining them as subspecies
as was done before by Koehne. Clarke says: The only character by
which ^. 6acci/e/-a can be distinguished from A. salicifolia are the
attenuated leaves. We have examined hundreds of specimens and
found that this distinction does not hold good.
Glabrous, erect or subscandent, 8-65 cm. high, often branching,
branches usually opposite. Leaves 7-70 mm. long, 1-16 mm. broad,
lower leaves usually opposite, cauline ones opf osite or alternate,
oblong or narrow-elliptic, narrowed at the base, or rounded, or
subcordate, or siibauriculate, usually obtuse or subacute.
Dichasia (1-) 3-multi-flowered (dense axillary clusters or loose, but very
short cymes), sessile or subsessile. Flowers distinctly pedicelled,
sessile or subsessile. Calyx 1-2 mm. long ; tube hemispheric, teeth 4,
broad, triangular, acute, cornua minute or absent. Petals 0 or
minute ; stamens as long as the lobes or slightly shorter.
Capsule depressed, globose, 1-2 mm., in diam., covered up to ^ or :| by
the calyx tube, slightly or much longer than the teeth.
Habitat : All over India, the most common species.
Distribution. : Africa, S. and E. Asia, Australia, Europe (where it is
probably introduced).
Species excludendce.
Ammannia lanoeolata Heyne and Ammannia cordata W. and A. belong to
the genus Nesaea which may be distinguished from Ammanrda by the
following points : —
{a) The dissepiments of the ovary are quite complete and conse-
quently, the placenta is continuous with the style.
(6) The capsule opens by a .smn 11 operculum, the lower part reraaint-
and opens subseptifragally or irregularly.
(c) There are often 2-4 large bracteoles.
In order to facilitate the correct naming of the three species here con-
cerned we append their descriptions.
L'16 JOURI^AL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISr. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
NesacslanceolataYLoehne \n Engl. Bot,. Jahrb. 111(1882) 325, in Engl.
Pflanzenr. IV, 216 (1903) 226. — Avimannia lanceolata Heyne in Wall.
Cat. 2106, 2106E; Clarke in Hook. Fl. Brit. Ind. 11 (1879) 57U.
Trimen Fl. Ceyl. II (1894) 225. Amviannia salicifolia Thwait. Enum.
PI. Zeyl. (1864.) 241 quoad var. a tantum (non Monti). Ammannia
triflora Benth. Fl. Austral. Ill (1866) 297 {non Wall. Cat.)
Annual ; stem 6-25 cm. high, quadrangular at the apex. Leaves
oblong or narrowly lanceolate, glabrous or minutely puberuloue,
sub-l-nerved paler beneath.
Flowers sessile or subsessile ; bracteoles green or membranous with a
green, nerve, lanceolate or almost oblong, as long the calyx or g
shorter, some times minutely serrulate. Calyx 2.5-3 mm. long, cam-
panuiate, lobes ^ the length of the tube or shorter ; the appendages
slightly shorter or longer than the lobes. Subulate or triangular,
glabrous, hispid, or with a few teeth. Petals 0 or 4 (5) and about
i the length of the calyx, rose. Ovary bilocular, style scarcely
longer than the stigma.
Capsule subglobose or globose. Seeds small.
Clarke says the petals are larger than in any other species <>f ' Eu —
Ammannia, which is certainly not correct.
Habitat : North Kanara : Carwa, in the Casiiarina plantations, October
1887 (Talbot No. 1575! ). Malwan seashore, November 1892 (Poona
Herb. ! ). Nellore Distr. Tada, Feb. 1901 (Bourne 2523 !). Without
locality. (Wall. No. 2106, 2106 E). Mysore and Carnatic (Thomson).
Ceylon, rather common in the country (Trimen.) Distribution :
India, Australia.
Nosaea brevipes Koehne in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. HI (1882) 326,in Engl.
Pflanzenr. IV, 216 (1903) 2-21:).— Ammannia cordata Wight in Wall.
Cat. (1828) No. 6322 ; Wight et Arnott Prodr. I (1834) 304 ; Clarke
in Hook. Fl, Brit. ind. II (1879) 570; Trim. Fl. Ceyl. II (1894)
225. — Amviannia salicifolia var. /3. Twait. Enum. PI. Zeyl. (1864) 121
{lion Monti).
An annual herb, glabrous ; stem 9-37 cm. high, erect, or procumbent at
the base and rooting, 4-gonous at the apex, simple or sparingly
branched. Leaves 10-35 mm. long, 2.5-10 mm. broad, oblong or
obovate, or very rarely lanceolate, acute or obtuse, whitish on the
margin.
Dichasia 1-3-flowered ; bracteoles about as long as the calyx ;
calyx broadly campanulate, lobate in fruit, glabrous or minute-
hirtellous ; lobes half as long as the tube. Petals 0-4, scarcely 1
mm. long ; style not quite half the length of the ovary.
Capsule subglobose, or globose, becoming red (contrary to Clarke's
statement).
Habitat: Chand District (Duthie No. 9484!); Ganjam (Gamble No.
13838 !), Kurchiat swamp (Blatter 3393 li. India without precise
locality (Wight No. QSV partim, \m\, Wallich No. 6322), Ceylon,
dry country (Trimen). East Bengal : Noakhali (Clarke).
Distribution : India, Ceylon.
Nemea triflora Kunth in H., B. et K. Nov. Gen. et Spec. VI (1823) 191
inadn. ; DO, Prodr. Ill (1828) 90 ; Wight Ic. I (1840) t. 259; Koehne
in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. Ill (1882) 330, in Engl. Pflanzenr. IV, 216 (1903)
230. — Lythrum triflorum L. f. Suppl. (1781) 249, e.vcl. loc. — Trotula
trianthis Comra. in Herb. — Ammavnia triflora Wall. Cat. No. 6323 sec.
Wight and Arn, {non R. Br. et Benth.) — Nesam capitellata Presl. in
Tsis XXI (1828) 3.
A REVISION OF THE INDIAN SPECIES OF ItOTALA. 217
(^uite glabrous. Stem 15-70 cm. high, often rooting at the base,
•4-angular. Leaves 10-35 mm. long, 5-13 mm broad, lanceolate or
oblong or rarely ovate-oblong, acuminate or obtuse, obtuse at the
base or rarely cordate, sub-l-nerved, with a cartilaginous margin.
Diohasia 3-5-flowered, bracteoles of the central flower 2-5 mm. long,
about as long as the calyx, lanceolate or linear-siibulate, subcym-
biform, green, often membranous on the margin. Flower 4-5-,
rarely 6-merous. Calyx 3 mm. long, at last semiglobose ; lobes ;l
the length of the tube ; petals rose or lilac, slightly longer than the
calyx ; stamens 8, 10, (12), the episepalous ones as long as the lobes,
or longer by ^, the epipetalous ones shorter than the lobes ; ovary
ellipsoid-globose, 3-4-locular, style at last twice as long as the
ovary.
Capsule globose.
Habitat : Ceylon (Walker). Perhaps introduced.
Distribution : Comoro Islands, Madagascar; Mauritius, Ceylon.
28
218
THE FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT,
(JODHPUR AND JAISALMER).
BY
E. Blatter, S.J. and Prof. F. Hallberg.
The Indian Desert is perhaps the least known part of the plains
of India. We have seen only two papers dealing with the vegeta-
tion of W. Rajputana. One is by G. King, entitled : " Sketch
of the Flora of Rajputana." It appeared in the Indian Forester
IV (1879) 226-236. The other is an "Introductory Note to
Jodhpur and Jaisalmer trees and plants." The author and pub-
lisher are not mentioned and no date is given. We have been
told that Miss Macadam is the author. If we compare the general
arrangement of the pamphlet and the treatment of the subject with
another paper written by Miss Macadam in 1890, viz., "A list of
trees and plants of Mt. Abu," and published at Jodhpur, we think
we are right in concluding that to Miss Macadam belongs also the
authorship of the former booklet. It contains the vernacular
and botanical names, together with short descriptive notes
" of trees and plants found during the months of November,
December, Jaauary and February in the neighbourhood of Jodhpur,
also during a mai-ch from Ealotra to Jaisalmer and a halt there of
ten days in December." About 140 species are enumerated.
These are the only records of the vegetation of the Rajputana
Desert. The vast deserts of N. Africa, Arabia, Central Asia, and
even of the New World have attracted the attention of many
Botanists, but the Indian Desert has been sadly neglected.
In October and November 1917 we visited a considerable part
of W. Rajputana, accompanied by Messrs. T. S. Sabnis, B.Sc, and
D. B. Bulsara. We started from Jodhpur, went by train to
Phalodi, from there on camel back to Bap, from Bap to Jaisal-
mer, from Jaisalmer to Barmer, and from Barmer to Luni
Junction.
The results of our tour, botanical, geological and meteorological,
are laid down in the following pages. Part i will contain a list of
the plants with the description of new species, whilst Part II will
deal with the ecological side of the flora. Most of the plates
appearing in Part I will find their full explanation in Part II.
We wish to use this opportunity to thank the Agent to the
Governor-General and Lt.-Col. Kilkelly, I. M.S. (at that time Acting
Resident of the W. Rajputana States), who took a keen interest in
our work, and also the Durbars of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer for the
generous help they gave us throughout our journey.
Journ., Bombay Na.t. Hist. Soc.
Plate I.
A. — Wind erosion in sand-dune near Lotarki, Jaisalmer State.
5' '^^\^y^
B.~Wind erosion in lime-stone, 3 miles ^.W. of Phalodi, Jodhpur State.
The Flora of the Indian Desert.
Jotirn., Bomloay Nat. Hist< SoCt
Plate II.
A.— Sand-dune with scanty vegetation at Loharki, Jaisalmer State.
B. — Part of sand-dune devoid of vegetation, showing ripples. In the
background the plain near Loharki.
The Flora of the Indian Desert.
!
A
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT. . 319
PART I.
Menispermace^.
Cocculus DC.
Cocmlus cebatha, DC. Syst. I (1818) 527. (-=C. Leceba, DC.)
Vern. N. : Pilwan (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana (No. 5615 !), Mandor (No. 5823 !), Balsamand
(No. 5fc)14 !), common in rocky places, often growing in Euphorbia
nenifolia bushes (Macadam). Jaisalmer : Bada Bag (No. 5616!).
Distrib. : Central and S. Africa, Abyssinia, Kordofan, Eritrea, Nubia,
Egypt, Senegambia, Cape Verd Islands, Afghanistan, India.
Fl. : All the year round (Macadam).
Cocculus villoms, DC. Syst. I (1818) 525.
Vern. N.; Bajar bel (Macadam).
Loc. : Jaisalmer State (Macadam).
Distrib: Trop. Africa, India.
Nymph^ace^.
Nyviphaea L.
NympJma lotus L. Sp. t*l. (1753) 511.
Vern. N. : Be.
Loc. : Between Seu and Badka in Jodhpur State (Nos. 5774 !, 5825 !
5826!).
Distrib. : Africa, Hungary, India, Java, Philippines,
Fl. in Nov.
Note: In the same tank we found Limnanthemum parvifolium, Griseb.,
and Chain sp.
Uses: Stem and root eaten as a vegetable.
Papaveracea;.
Argemone L.
Argemone mexicana, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 508.
Vern. N. : Sattyanasi (Macadam).
Loc. : Very common about villages in Jodhpur State (Macadam).
We have not seen the plant which otherwise is spread all over India.
Distrib. : America.
Uses : The yellow Juice is used in eye affection and the leaves are
given to camels. The juice rubbed on the body releaves rheumatic
pain. (Macadam).
Papaver Tourn.
Papaver somniferum, L. The Opium Poppy.
"The poppy is cultivated to a small extent, chiefly in Sojat (Jodhpur
State), but opium is not extracted. The seeds are used medicinally
and the capsules are soaked in water which, after being strained,
is taken as an intoxicant." (Erskine.)
Crucifer^.
Farsetia Desv.
Farsetia jacquemontii, Hook. f. and Th. in Jonrn. Linn. Soc. V. (1861)
148.
Vern. N. : Kagpilang.
Loc: Jodhpur: Jodhpur (No. 7307!), Mandor (Nos. 7309!, 5787!),
Bhikamkor (No. 5776!), Osian (Nos. 7308 !, 5780 !), Balarwa (Nos.
7310!, 5779!, 5784!), Phalodi (No. 5783!), Kotda near Seu, sand
220 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL MBST. ^SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
(No. 5789!), near JBadka (No. 5782!), Banner sand (No. 5778!).
Jaisalnier : Vinjorai (No. 5788 !), Devikot (No. 5777 !), Loharki
(No. 5786!) near Loharki, chietly o:i sand (No. 73111), Shihad
(No. 5781 !), Phalodi to Bap, cultivated fields (No. 6835!).
Distrib. : Rajputana, Sind, N. India, Afghanistan, Baluchistan.
Fi. and fr. in October and November.
Farsetia onaeraiithaj.spec. nov.
Sufirutex erectus, rigidus virgatus 75 cm. altus, totus (excepta coroUa)
coopertus pilis adpressis medio-fixis. J\)lia integerrima, alterna,
conferta in i!/3 inferioribus, late lanceolata, acuta, subconacea, usque
ad 60 mm. longa et 15 mm. lata, basi attenuata, costa inferne
prominente, subsessilia vel 5 mm. attingentia.
Flores in racemis copiosis, laxis ; pedicelli fortissimi, ascendentes, 5
mm. longi, gemmis cylindriacis. Calyx cylindriacus ; sepala 10-12
mm. longa, 1-] ^ mm. lata, linearia, apice subobtusa, posterius necnon
anterius minus lata, valde obscure marginata, basi persistentia in
fructu, lateralia vero distincte scariose marginata, basi neque indu-
rata nee persistentia. Petala purpurea vel alba, glabra, 14-19 mm.
longa, spathulata, in parte latissima 4 mm. attingentia, apice
rotunda. Stamina longiora 10 mm. longa, minora 6 mm. ; antherte
3 mm. longce, fere eequales, lineares, basi subsagittatee. Pistillum 5
mm. longum ; ovarium dense adpressse pilosum, stylo brevi forti.
Siliqua 45 mm. longa, 5 mm. lata, compressissima, obscure stipitata,
stylo forti 1 mm. longo munita ; stigma album, bilobum, incrassatum
in fructu. Valvse plau;e indistincte l-costataj, dehiscentes a basi,
septo scarioso margine viridi incrassato, conspicue et irregulariter
venoso, costa media conspicua sinuata. Semina biseriata, com-
pressa, late alata, madefacta mucilaginea ; nucleus brunneo-flavus,
2 mm. diametro ; radiculus accumbens.
Differs from the foregoing species by the much larger flowers, larger
and differently shaped leaves. From F. hmniltonii it may be distin-
guished by the biseriate seeds. The leaves, the size and shape of
the petals and the size of the pod separate the new species from F.
ceyyptiaca, Turr.
A specimen was obtained with much shorter pods, but otherwise
identical with the type. Sometimes the pod measures not more
than 10 vara., and contains only two seeds. In this case the pod is
ovate-acuminate in outline.
Loc. : Barmer, on rocks. (Nos. 73051, 7306!, 5785 !)
Fl. and fr. in November.
The following plants are cultivated : — ■
Brassica cnmpestru, L. suhsp. napus. The rape or coleseed.
Vern. N. : Sarson.
Note : *' Sarson is a cold weather crop, grown on land either attached
to wells or irrigated from canals, and in the former event it is sown
with wheat. The ordinary outturn is about six cwt. per acre, and
the seed yields an oil which is used for cooking purposes." (Erskine.)
Brassica olevacea, L. var. botrytis. The cauliflower.
Raphanus satiims, L. The radish.
Capparidaoe^.
Cleome L.
Cleome papulosa, Steud. Nomen. ed. 2, I (1840) 382.
Loc: Jodhpur: Kailana (Nos. 5702!, 57011), Mandor (No. 6707!)
Bhikamkor (No. 5750!), near Badka (No. 67061), Banner (Njo.
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT 221
5699!). Jaisalmer: Loharki (No. 5709 !), Bap (Noa. 5703 !, 5705!),
Sodakoer, dried-up river bed {No. 5704 I), Amarsagar (No. 5700 !),
Jaisalmer, on rocks (No. 6708 I), Vinjorai, on rocks (No. 5751 !).
Distrib. : Rajputana, Sind, Arabia, Abyssinia, Nubia, Kordofan.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Cleome brachycarpa, Vahl. ex DC. Prodr. I (1824) 240.
Vern. N. : Nodi (Macadam), Navli.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Kailana (Nos. 5713!, 5722!, 5719!), Mandor (No.
5714!), Bhikamkor, common on sand dunes (No. 5718!, 5721 !),
near Badka (No. 5717 !), Phalodi (No. 5712 !), Balarwa (No. 5710 !).
Jaisalmer: Jaisalmer (No. 5720!), Bada Bag (No. 5711!), Vinjorai,
sandy plain (No. 5716 I), near Bap (No. 5715 !).
Distrib. : Punjab Plains, Sind, westward to Arabia, Abyssinia and N.
Africa.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Uses : Used to cure worms in camels' noses (Macadam).
Cleome brachycarpa var. ylauca var. noo. Folia 3-foliolata, infra et supra
pallida glauca, glabra excepto margine glanduloso-pubescente, petiolus
longior typo usque ad 13 mm. attingens. IJami glaucescentes foliis
paiilisper pallidiores. Semina minuto-reticulata.
Loc: N. of Jaisalmer, rocky plateau (No. 5753 !).
Fl. and fr. in November.
Cleume viscosa L. Sp. PI. (1753) 672.
Loc. : .Jodhpur : Balsamand (No. 5726 !), Kailana (No. 5731 !), Bhi-
kamkor (Nos. 5725 !, 5723 !), Balarwa (No. 5724 \J, Barmer, rocks
(No. 5729!). Jaisalmer: Between Phalodi and Bap (No. 5727!),
Amarsagar (No. 5728 !), Bada Bag (No. 5730 !).
Distrib : Throughout the tropical regions of the world.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Gynandropsis DC.
Gt/nandropsis pentaphylla, DC. Prodr. 1 (1824) 238.
Vern. N. :Bagra (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (No. 5698 !), very common at .Jodhpur where
it comes up in great quantities along the roadsides and fields during
the rains ^ Macadam), Balarwa, cultivated ground and gravel (No.
5734!), Osian (No. 5735 ! ), Bhikamkor (No. 5737 ! , Seu (No. 5738 !),
Barmer, on gravel (No. 5740 ! ). Jaisalmer : Bada Bag (No. 5732 ! ),
Jaisalmer, wet ground (No. 5736 ! ), Bap (No. 5733 ! ), Vinjorai (No.
5739!).
Distrib. : A common weed in all tropical countries.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Uses : The seeds infused in boiling water are used as a cure for
coughs, bruised they are applied as a poultice to sores that have
maggots in them. The green leaves applied to the skin and tied
down form a good blister (Macadam). The seeds are given to
horses against stomach ache, the leaves are used against rheuma-
tism in man,
Gynandropsis pentaphylla var. nana var. nov. — Alta 11 cm. Folia glaberrima
exceptis aliquibus glandulis stipitatis in margine. Petala 5 mm. lon^n^yVs
Loc: Jaisalmer: Vinjorai (No. 5741 ! ).
Fl. and fr. in November.
222 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVL
Cadaba Forsk.
Cadaba indica. Lam. Encycl. I (1783) 544.
Vern. N. : Dabi (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur : Mandor, growing in Euphorbia bush (No. 5744!),
in hedges and waste places about Jodhpur, not common (Macadam),
Barmer (No. 574:3 ! , 5742 ! ).
Distrib. : Ooncan, Deccan, Gujarat, Rajputana.
Fl. in October and November.
Note: — Seems to be a rare plant in Rajputana.
Capparis L.
Capparis decidua, Pax., in Engl. Prantl Nat. Pflanzenf. Ill, 2,231,—
Sodada decidua Forsk. Fl. Aeg. Arab. (1775) 81.^ Capparis aphylla,
Roth. Nov. PI. Sp. (1821) 238. Capparis sodada, B. Br., in Denh.
Trav., 255.
Vern. N. : Kair (in Jodhpur), Ban (in Jaisalmer), (Irlacactan:,.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana (No. 5748 ! ), Balsamand (No. 5745|!.),
Barmer (No. 5747 ! ).
Jaisalmer : Vinjorai (No. 5746 ! ).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, Arabia, India.
Fl. in October.
Note: — Very common in sandy places, associated with the small Zizy-
phus rotundifolia, Lam., Lcpiadtnia spariivm, and Aerua tomentona.
Uses : Wood very strong and durable, used to make the pivots of the
stone hand mills with which flour is ground, in sandy places it is
used to make the foundation of well-walls, the first layer being
formed with Kair, and the masonry built on the top of it. Branches
used for fences. Fruit eaten, dried and pickled (Macadam). The
wood is valuable because it is not attacked by white ants.
Capparis spinosa, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 503.
Loc. : Western Rajputana (King).
Distrib. : Mediterranean region, N. Africa, Asia, Australia.
Capparis sp.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : Amarsagar gardens, probably introduced.
Cappatis yrandis, L. f . Suppl. (1761) 263.
Vern. N. : Antera.
Loc. : W. Rajputana (Duthie).
Distrib. : India.
Uses : An infusion of the bark and leaves is used internally for swell-
ings and eruptions (Macadam).
VlOLACE^.
Viola L.
Viola stocksii, Boi&s. Fl. Or. 1 (1867) 453.
Loc: Jodhpur: Kotda near Sen, rocks (No. 6716!), Barmer, rocks
(No. 6717 ! ). Jaisalmer on rocks (No. 6718 ! ).
Distrib. : Gujarat, Rajputana, Sind, Baluchistan, Afghanistan.
Fl. and fr. iu November. t ■'•■;-;]
Note : —All the flowers are apetalous. The whole plant is generally
puberulous, the leaf-margios often papillose. The stipules partly
scaricns.
Joiirn,, Bombay Nati Hist. Soc.
Plate III.
■ S^^ '^ ' *
A. — Jodhpur City and neighbouring- hills as seen from the Fort.
B. — View of Jaisalmer Town and surrounding plain, taken at the Guest House.
The Flora of thk Indian Desert,
Journ^, Bombay Nati Hist. Soci
Plate IV.
A. — A typical gravel-plant: Seetzenia orientalis, Dene, in flower and fruit.
B. — Another member of the gTavel-vegetation : Corchorus nnticJiorus,
Raeusch, forminor dense mats lying flat on the ground.
Thk Flora of the Indian Deseet.
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DEISERT. -j-js
POLYGALACE^,
Polyf/ala L.
lolygala erioptera, DC. Prodr. 1 (182-il) 326.
Vern. N. : Chota bhekaria.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Jodhpur (Nos. 6883!, 6886!), Kailaua (Nos. 6897 '
6888 !), Mandor (No. 6892 !), Balsamand (Nos. 6893 !, 6894!) Osiau
(Nos. 6885!, 6891 !), Phalodi (No. 6905!), Bhikamkor (No.'6906')
Barmer rocks (Nos. 6884 !, n887 !, 6907 !, 6910!), near Badka (No!
6911 !), Kotda, rocks (No. 6898!). Jaisalmer : Between Phalodi and
Bap (No. 6902 !), 10 miles W. of Bap (No. 6890 !). Sodakoer (No.
6899!), iSodakoer, river bed (Nos. 6900!, 6901!), Loharki (No!
6903 !), Bada Bag ( No. 6904 ! ), Jaisalmer, rocky plateau ( No
6889 !), Viujorai. rocks (Nos. 6896 !, 6895 !).
Distrib. : Trop. Asia, Arabia, Africa.
Fl. and fr. in Oct. and Nov.
Note :— Cooke (Fl. Bomb. Pres. I , 60) says the flowers of this species
are yellow. Our specimens have pale rose-coloured flowers, with the
tip of the keel- petal and the crest darker. There i.s little doubt
that our specimens belong to the same species as Cooke's, and we
have consequently placed them under F. enoptera, though provi-
sionally. We add the following characters to Cooke's description.
Wings often obovate, generally rounded at the tip, sometimes with a
minute mucro, rarely subacate or distinctly acute ; colour pale
green or pale greenish rose, midrib always strong, green.
Seeds greyish or brownish, covered with long, white, greyish or
brownish hairs, except at both ends. Strophiole galeate, with a
dorsal ridge and two lateral flaps, the former mainly white, (^lis-
tening, the latter generally yellow. In the angles on both sides of
the ridge there is a brown line. At the top of the helmet on each
of these lines there is generally a tuft of hairs, the whole structure
otherwise being smooth and shining. At the opposite end of the
seed there is a small tuft of very minute pure white hairs, visible
only when the seed is held vertically, suice the long hairs coverino-
the greater part of the seed project beyond the seed. ^
Foli/(/ala irrer/ularis, Boiss. Diagn. (1842) fasc. 1, p. 8.
plateau (No. 6917 !), .Faisalmer, gravel (No. 6912!), Viniorai dunes
(Nos. 6913!, 6915 !). Very common.
Distrib. • India, Baluchistan, Arabia, Kordofan.
Fl. and fr. in Oct. and Nov.
Note: — We add a few corrections and additions to Cooke's description
(Fl. Bomb. Pres. I, 61).
The outer sepals broadly oblong, rounded at the tip, minutely cili-
olate. Sepals otherwise glabrous, scarious, pale greenish or rose,
with conspicuous green or purplish veins. Wings oblique.
Margin of capsule transversely nerved (not striate). Seeds, when
ripe, nearly black, shining, very minutely punctate, hairy all over.
Nearthehilum a tuft of rather long stiff hairs A ring of similar
hairs round the truncate end. The intermediary region covered
with very short stiff hairs. The apex is clothed with a dense
c r.rpet of minute clavato transparent hairs. Hairs nearly white to
brownish grey. It is the part of the seed near the hilum that is
224 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
very acute. There are two small, spreading yellowish appendages
near the hilum, united at the base, reaching 1/3 the length of
the seed.
Miss Macadam aud King mention P. abi/ssinica as occurring in W. Raj-
putaha. As we have not found it anywhere we are afraid that
there must have been some mistake in the identification of the
plant.
Oaryofhyilace^.
Polijcarpcea Lam.
I'olycarpcea corymbosa, Lam. Tab. Encycl. Meth. II (1800) 129.
Vern. N. : Zutaniakhad.
Loc. : Jodhpur; Jodhpur (No. 6868!), Mandor (No. 6872!), Bhikarn-
kor (No. 6880 1), Osian (No. 6881 !), Balarwa, fields (No. 6882 !),
Barmer, sand (Nos. 6879 !, 6878 !), Kotda, sand (No. 6874!), near
Badka (No. 6870!). Jaisalmer : Jaisalmer, rocky plateau (No. 6869!),
Shihad, gravel (No. 6871!), Vinjorai, dunes (Nos. 6873 !, 6875!),
Devikot (Nos. 6876!, 6877 !).
Distrib. : In the tropics generally.
Fl. and fr. in Oct. and Nov.
Saponaria L.
Saponai-ia vaccaria, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 409.
Loc. : W. Rajputana, a weed of cultivation (King).
Distrib. : Temperate and subtropical countries.
PORTULACACE^.
Portulaca L.
Pnrtulaca oleracea, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 445.
Loc: Jodhpur: Mandor (No. 6730 !), Jodhpur (No. 6740 !). Jaisal-
mer: Between Phalodi and Bap (No. 67311), Bap (No. 6741!),
near Loharki (No. 6742 !), Amarsagar (No. 6743!), Bada Bag (No.
6723!), Jaisalmer, wet ground (No. 6728!), Vinjorai (No. 6729 !),
near Devikot (No. 6727 !).
Fl. and fr. in Oct. and Nov.
Portulaca quadrifida, L. Mantiss. (1767) 73.
Vern. N. : Lunki.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Mandor (No. 6733 !), Balsamand (No. 6722 !\ Bhi-
kamkor (No. 6734!), Osian (No. 6725!), Barmer, sand (No. 6735!).
Barmer rocks (No. 6719 !), Kotda near Seu (No. 67201). Jaisalmer:
N. of Jaisalmer (No. 6710 !), Amarsagar (No. 6726 !), Bada Bag
(Nos. 6721!, 6724!).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa and Asia.
Tamaricace.5;.
Tatnarix L.
Tamarix dioica, Roxb. Hort. Beng. (1814) 22.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Balsamand (No. 5887 !), in the salt-impregnated bed,
of the Luni (King).
Distrib. : India.
Tamarix- orientalis, Forsk. Fl. Aeg. Arab. (1775) 206. Tamaiix arUeulata,
Vahl. Symb. II (1791) 48, t. 32.
Vern. N. : Faras.
Journ.; Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
Plate V.
A. — Kailana Lake near Jodhpur. Eocky shore -with Eupliorbia vegetation.
- -• -«*^ »— j£Mf. 0^ 'jl'r^ ^- V .
Jj. -K lilana Lake Dam exhibiting' a varied vegretation owing to the perco-
lati jn of water : Calotrcins ]^rocera, Aeriia iomeniosa and numerous high grasses.
The FjjOEa of the Indian Desert.
Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
*
Plate VI.
A. — General view of country near Mandor (Jodhpur Stated. Tn the fore-
ground a rocky plateau with. Euphorbia neriifolia, L. In the sandy plain
between the plateau and the lake : Crotalaria buihia, Lcptadcnia spartium,
Aerua sp.
B. — Plain near Jcdhpur, showing- small trees and scrub vf gelation : Lepta-
de/iia spartium, Prosopis spicigera, Acacia arabica, Aertia tcmeniosa, etc.
The Flora ok the Indian Desert.
I
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT. 225
Loc. : Jodhpur: Phalodi (Nos. 5885!, 5886!). Jaisalmer : Bap (No.
5884 !).
Distrib : Punjab, Sind, Afghanistan, Arabia, North, Central and
South Africa.
Tamtrii: gallicd, L. Spec. PI. (1753) 270.
Vern. N. : Imli (Macadam).
Loc. : Jaisalmer State (Macadam). Jodhpur: In the salt-impregnated
bed of the Luni (King).
Distrib. ; Mediterranean region, N. and trop, Africa, India, S. Asia.
Uses : The seeds are roasted and eaten by the poor instead of the
betel nut and are much liked by women. Boys gamble with them.
Sherbet made from the fruit is very beneficial in cases of " Looh "
(fever brought on from exposure to the hot wind). The shade of the
tree is supposed to be injurious to health. A heated traveller
restins beneath its shadow is said to suffer afterwards from fever
or rheumatism, and popular superstition avers that the tree is
always haunted by some ghost, whose purpose is to scare away the
unwary (Macadam).
ELATINACEiE.
Bercjia L.
Be.rgia ammannioides, Roxb. Hort. Beng. (1814) 34.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Kailana (Nos 57(14 !, 5762 !), 25 miles S. E. of Luni
(No. 6773 !), Mandor (Nos. 5771 1, 5772 !). Jaisalmer : Vinjorai (No.
5769!), Jaisalmer, wet ground (No. 5768!), N. of Jaisalmer (No.
5763!), Amarsauar (No. 5766!), between Phalodi and Bap (No.
5767 !), near lake between Phalodi and Bap (No. 5770 !), Devikot
(No. 5765!).
Distrib. : Konkan, Deccan, Sind, Abyssinia, Nubia, Senegambia,
Australia.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Bergia odorata, Edgew. in Jouru. Asiat. Soc. Beng. VII (1838) 765.
Vern. N. : Kakria, Karbuja, Rohwan (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur : Balarvva (No= 5754 !), Kailana (No. 5755 I), Phalodi
near lake (No. 5761!). Jaisalmer: Jaisalmer, rocky plateau (No.
5760 !), Vinjorai, near lake (No. 5756 !), Devikot (No. 5757 !),
between Phalodi and Bap, gravel (Nos. 5758!, 5697!), Loharki
(Nos. 5696!, 5759!), common near cultivated places (Macadam).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, Egypt, Persia, Sind, Gujarat.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Note : The petals are white, the style purple.
Uses : Used for cleaning teeth and, in Jodhpur, applied to broken
bones. The leaves rubbed down in water are used as a poultice for
sores (Macadam).
lievf/ia eesfivosa, W. & A. Prodr. 41.
Loc. : Western Rajputana (King).
Distrib. : Punjab, Rajputana.
Malvace.*:.
Sid a L.
Sida spinosa, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 683.
Loc: Jodhpur: Jodhpur (No. 5638 !), Mandor (No. 5619 !), 26 miles
N. E. of Luni (No. 5639 !), Kotda near Seu (No. 5622 !). Jaisalmer:
Bada Bag (No. 5640 !), Loharki (No. 5623 !).
29
226 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL SLIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Distrib. : Trop. and sub-trop regions of both hemispheres.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Note : White, pale yellow and yellow flowers have been observed.
Sida ffreivioides, iimW. Ferr. et A. Hich, Fl. Seneg. I (1830) 71.
Vern. M. : Ball, Dabi {e.r Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur: Kailana (No. 5029 !), Balarwa (No. 5687!), Phalodi
(No. 5627 !), Bhikamkor (Nos. .'■;617 !, 56;^0 !, 5631 !), Kotda near Sen,
on rocks (No. 2953!). Jaisalnier: Jaisalmer (No. 6635!), on rocky
plateau (No. 6626!), Eada Bag (No. 6634 1), Amarsagar (Nob. 5620!,
66:8!), L<.harki (Nos. 5625!, ■.6lH !), Vinjorai (No. 6632 I), Vinjorai,
sandy ^.lain (No. 5624!), Vinjorai on rocks (No. 56361), from Jaisal-
mer to Devdvot (No. 5633 !), Devikot (No. 6621 !). Common about
gardens and cultivated places (Macadam).
Distrib.: Punjab, Sind, Laluchistan, extending to Arabia and trop.
Africa.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Note : According to Hooker the flowers are yellow, whilst Cooke says
they are white. Wehave seen both, but yellow seems to be more
common.
Uses : The seeds ground and mi.ved with goor are used as a cure for
lumbago (Macadam).
Sida cordi/<din, L Sp. Fl. (1753) 684.
Loc : Jodhpur: O.sian (No. 5(i4l !), Balarwa (No. 6G42 !^.
Distrib. : Troi> and sub-trop. regions of both hemispheres,
Fl and fr. in October and November.
Uses: This plant, yielding an excellent fibre, might be grown with
advantage in some parts of IJajiutaua.
Almtilon Tournef.
Jliiifiloni'iidicvm, Qw. Hort Brit. I (1827) 54.
Vern. N. . Dabi, jhili, tara kauchi (Macadam).
i,oc. : Jodhpur: Jodhpur Fort (No. 5649!), Mandor (No. 5647!),
common about gardens in Jodhpur State. Jaisalmer: Amarsagar
(No-. 5648!, -650!).
Distrib. : Hotter parts of India and throughout the tropics generally.
Fl. and Ir. in October and Noveu'ber.
Uses : From the stems a strong fibre is obtained. The seeds infused
in hot water form a cooling drink.
AIndilon iwHcum var. maior var. nov. — Folia multo largiora, 20 cm. longa,
)7 cm. lata, petiolo 17 cm. h)ngo.
Loc. : J lisalnier: Amarsagar, in luderatis (No. 5644 !).
Fl. and f •. in November.
Abutilvn astaticiAm, G. Don., Gen. Syst. I (1831) 503.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : Amarsagar (No. 5657 !).
Fl. and fr in November.
Distrib.: T'ropics of both hemispheres.
Uses : The stems yield a good tibre.
Abutilon muficum., Svv. Hort. lirit. ed. 2 (1830) 65.
Vern. N : fintari (Macadam).
Loc : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (No. 5661 !), Balsamand, not very common
(Macadam). Kotda near Sen No 5(161 !) Jaisalmer: Near Bap
(No. 5645!), (Jharsisar Tank near Jaisalmer (No. 5646 1), Amarsagar
(No. 669l!)'.
Distrib. : India, Afghanistan, Egypt, Trop. Africa.
Fl and fr. in October and November.
Abntiloii b dcvt/tlniii, A. Kich. Fl. Abyss. 1 (18-17) 68.
Vern. N. : Rota vel.
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT. 227
Loc. : Jodhpur: Balarwa (No. 5663 !), between Seu and Bhadka (Nos.
5664 !, 5665 !). Jaisalmer : Bada Bag (.No. 5663).
Distrib. : India, Arabia, trop. Africa.
Uses : Flo .vers eaten by children.
Ahutilon fruticosum, Guill. Perr. et- A. Rich. Fl. Seneg. 1 (1830) 70.
Loc: Jodhpur: Kotda near Sen (No 5653 !), Barmer (No. 5666!).
Jaisalmer : Bada P.ag (No. 5659 !), W. of Bap (No. 5643 !), Soda-
koer in riverbed (No. 5658 !).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, Arabia, India, Java.
Abutilon fruticosum var. chrysocarpa var. nov. — Fructus cooperfcus pubes-
centia stellari aiirea.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : V^injorai, on rocks (No. 5660 !).
Fl. and fr. in November.
Abutilon cornutum, T. Cocke. Fl. Bomb. Pres. I (1903) 98.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Kailana (No. 5654!), Mandor (No. 5662!), Bhikarnkor
(No. 5655!). Jaisalmer: Amarsagar (No. 5656 I).
Distrib. : Sind, Rajputana.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Favonia Cav.
Pavonia amhica, Stcud. Nona. ed. 2, II (1841) 279.
Loc: Jodhpur: Barmer (No. 5670 !), Osian (No. 6671 !), Kotda near
fceu on rocks (No, 5684!).
Distrib: Rajpntana, Sind, Abyssinia.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Pavonia arabica var. ylutinosa var. nov. — Planta tota cooperta densa
pubescentia viscosa.
Loc: Jodhpur: Barmer, on rocks (No. 5685 ! ) Kailana (Nos. 5JG0 !
5668!). Jaisalmer: Bada Bag (No. 5667 !).
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Pavonia zei/la'nca.Cav. Diss. HI (1787) 134, t. 48, fig. 2.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Bhikamkor (No. 56S3 !), Barmer (No. 5672!).
Distrib.: India, Ceylon, Manritius, Trop. Africa.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Pavonia odorat a, Willd. Sp. Pi. Ill (1800) 837.
Vern. N.: Chinke nahl (Macadam ^
Loc. : Jodhpur: Kailana (Nos. 5687!, 5673 !).
Distrib. : India. Ceylon, trop. Africa.
Fl. and fr. in October.
Hibiscus L.
Hibiscus niicranfhuK, L. f. Suppl. (1781) 308.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana (No. 5(195!), Kotda near Seu (No. 5682!).
Jaisalmer : Jaisulmer on rocks (No. 5674 !), on rocky plateau (No.
5680 !). Vinjorai on rocks (567 5 !).
Distrib. : India, Oeylon, trop. Africa.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Htbiscux abeluuisc/nis. L. Sp. PI. (1755) 696.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Barmer, on rocks (No. 5681 !). Ja'salmer : Bada Bag
(Nos. 5677!, 567(i !).
Distrib. : Tropics of the Old World.
Fl. and fr in November.
Hibiscus escufevtus, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 696.
Loc: Jodhpur: Balarwa (No. 5678!). Jaisalmer: Amarsagar (No,
5679 !).
Distrib. : Probably African, and naturalized in India.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
228 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Hibiscus cannabinus, L. Syst. Nat. (1759) [1149].
Vem. N. : Ambari,
Loc. : Jodhpur : On the edges of cotton fields (Erskine).
Distrib. : Cultivated in most trop. countries.
Uses: "The crop is cut in November or December, the yield being
about six cwfc. of clean fibre to the acre. The plants are tied up in
bundles, and in May or June, when ropes are required, are soaked
in water ; when sufliciently moistened, the bark is stripped ofi' and
the stems are used as fuel." (Erskine.)
Gossypium L.
Gossypium herbaceum, L. Spec. PI. (1753), 693, var.
Vem. N. : Kapas.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Near Badka (No. 5693 !), Balarwa (No. 5688 !).
Jaisalmer: Amarsagar (No. 5692 !), Jaisalmer (No. 5691 !)
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Gossypium arboreum, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 693.
Loc. : Jaisalmer: Bap (No. 5d89 !).
Fl. in October.
Note : We have not been able to ascertain what species are under
cultivation. Cotton is grown chiefly in Bali, Desuri, Bilara, Mallani,
and Merta (aU in Jodhpur State).
Sterculiace^.
Melhania Forsk.
Melhania denhami, R. Br. in Denh. and Clapp. Trav. (1826) App. 232.
Loc: Kotda near Seu (No. 2952!), Barmer, rocks (Nos. 7293!,
7291 ! ), Jaisalmer : Vinjorai, dunes (No. 7289 ! ), Loharki(Nos. 7288 !,
7287!, 7290!, 7292!, 7294!).
Distrib : Rajpntana, Sind, Baluchistan, Arabia, Trop. Africa.
Fl. and fr. in November.
Melhania tomentosa. Stocks, var. maior var. nov. Folia 10 cm. atting-
entia, petiolus 22 mm. longus.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Barmer, rocks (Nos. 7286 ! , 7295 ! , 7296 ! ).
Distrib. : Gujarat, Rajputana, Punjab, Sind.
FL and fr. in November.
Melhania magni/olia, spec. nov.
FrutbX humilis. Caulis ramique tomentoso-canescentes. Folia ovato-
oblonga vel ovato-lanceolata, apice obtusa vel subacuta, vel acuta,
dense et molliter tomentosa, facie ventrali virescentia, dorsali albida,
margine irregulariter crenato vel dentato-crenato, vel dentato, basi
cordata 7-nervata, usque ad 11 cm. longa, 5 cm. lata. Petiolus
tomentosus, colore faciei inferioris foliorum, 30 mm. attingens.
Stipulae subulatte, tomentosse, 12 mm. longiB, cadnc09.
Pedunculi axillares vel terminales, cinereo-tomentosi, 5 cm. attin-
gentes, recti, 5-1-flori Pedicelli fortes, 13 mm. attingentes. Brac-
teolae 3, persistentes, cordatse. late ovatse, acuminatse, dense
cinereo-tomentosse facie dorsali et ventrali, sepalis subbreviores vel
iis sequilongse, 20 mm. longae, 10 mm. latse. Calyx 5-partitus ;
sepala lanceolata, cuspidata, dense tomentoso-villosa. Corolla
anrantiaco-flava, sepalis tertio (^) longior, circa 24 mm. longa.
Capsula subglobosa, 15 mm. diametro, dense tomentosa, calyce sub-
brevior.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Kailana (Nos. 7285 !, 7279 ! ), Osian (No. 7280 I ).
Journ. , Bombay Nat. Hist. 8oc.
Plate VII.
^.v'..:JIK
A. — Sandy plain, H miles B.X.E. of Jaisalmer Town. In the foret;rounil
fruiting specimens of Citrnlhts coloci/nthis, with shoots iip to .">0 ft. loni;-.
^i(*lr:-
m
B. — A consocies of Indujofera argentea, Burm. on a >and-dune, 3 miles S.W.
of Phalodi (Jodhpur, State).
The Floka of thi-; Indian Desert.
Journ., Bomba.y Na,t. Hist Soc.
Plate VIII.
r. ,. p^'
■i^-i^im.-'
A.~ A. depression in rocky country, 6 miles N.E. of Jaisalmer Town, with
Prosopis spicigera, Salvadora olcoides. (hjmnosporia montana. In the fore-
<j'round : Commiphora mukul. SrnTof^friiniia hrcinMiqmn.
^.^;ffgrr-
•-?• ^
t i
'^^^:- . .
B. — Shoot-habit of Commipliova iintkid on rocky slope of the above locality.
Thio Flora of the Indian Deseet.
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT. 229
Melhania hamiltoniana, Wall. PI. As. Rar. I, t. 77.
Loc. : W. Rajputana (Kiog).
Distrib. : India.
TlLIACB^,
Greicia L,
Greiviapopulifolia, YaM. Symb. I (1790) 33.
Vern. N. : Gangi (Macadam gives the names Gangeran and Kankeran).
Loc: Jodhpur : Balsamand (No. 5899!)), Kailana (No. 5907!),
Barmer, rocks (No. 6904 ! ). Jaisalmer : "Vinjorai, dunes (No. 5906 !),
Devikot (No. 5904!), Jaisalmer (No. 5903!), Amarsagar (No.
5902 ! ), Jaisalmer, rocky plateau (No. 5900 ! ).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, Arabia, S. Persia, Afghanistan, Baluchistan,
Sind, S. M. Country, Ceylon, Mauritius.
Fr. in October and November. A few flowers have been noted during
the same time.
Uses : Fruit eaten. Walking sticks are made from the wood, and
pencils for writing on the boards covered with sand, which are used
in schools instead of slates (Macadam).
Greioia salcifolia, Heyne ex Roth. Nov. PI. (1821) 239.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana (No. 5908 !).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, India,
Greioia villosa, Willd. in Ges. Naturf. Fr. IV (1803) 205.
Vern. N. : Lonkas.
Loc: Jodhpur: Balsamand ( Nos. 5912!, 5895!), Kailana (No.
5914 !), Barmer, rocks (Nos. 5891!, ;j9]3!), Kotda near Seu, on
rocky ground ^No. 6911). Jaisalmer : Bada Bag (No. 5896 ! ).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, India.
Uses : The fruit is eaten.
Greioia abutilifolia, Vent, ex Juss. in Ann. Mus. Par. IV (1804) 92.
Vern. N.: Gangeti.
Loc : Jodhpur : Near Badka (No, 5898 ! ), Barmer, rocks ( Nos. 5910 !
5897 ! ). Jaisalmer: Vinjorai, sand dunes (No. 5909 !).
Distrib. : India, Java.
Corchorus L.
Corchorus olitorius, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 529.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : Bada Bag (No. 5888 !), Amarsagar (No. 5916 !).
Distrib. : All tropical regions.
Fr. in November.
Corchorus trilocularis, L. Mant. (1767) 529.
Vern. N. : Hardikeket, Karak, Kaglekitamaku (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur : Barmer (No. 5925!), Jaisalmer : Jaisalmer ( No.
5949!), Amarsagar (No. 5924!), Devikot (No. 5945 !), Bap (6946!),
Vinjorai, on rocks (5947! ), Vinjorai, on gravel (No. 59481).
Distrib. : Trop Africa, Afghanistan, India.
Fr. in November.
Corchorus fasciculnris, Lam, Encycl. II (1786) 104.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Balarwa (Nos. 6890 ! , 5593 ! ). Jaisalmer : Bada Bag
(No. 5889 ! ).
Distrib. : Trop, Africa, India, Ceylon, Australia.
Fr. in October and November,
280 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVL
Corchorus antichorus, Raeusch, Nom. ed. 3 (1797) 158.
Vern. N. : Hadeka khet.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : Loharki (No. 5939 ! ), Sodakoer, in dried-up riverbed
(No. 6941 ! ), Vinjorai, sandy plain (No. 5942 ! ), Jaisalmer, rocky
plateau (No. 5943 ! ), near Bap (No. 5944!). Jodhpur . Jodhpur
(No. 5937!), Balarwa (Nos. 5938!, 5994!), Barmer, gravel (No.
5926!), Phalodi, on gravelly soil near town and lake, common
(No. 5940 ! ), one .of the commonest plants of the sandy desert
tracts.
Distrib. : Cape Verd Islands, Trop. Africa, Arabia, Afghanistan, India.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Uses: The leaves are applied to wounds and a decoction of them is
said to be efficacious in cases of skin eruption. (Macadam).
Corchorus tridens, L. Mant. App. (1771) 566.
Loc: Jodhpur: Barmer, sand (No. 5989!), Jodhpur (Nos. 6917 1,
6919!), near Badka (No. 5893!), Osian (No. 5892 ! ), Bhikamkor,
dunes ( iNo. 5930 !), Phalodi (No. 5933!), Kotda, near Seu (No.
5934!), Manctor (No. 6936!). Jaisalmer : Near Loharki ( No.
6920 ! ), Loharki (No. 5927 ! ), Shihad (No. 59-28 ! ), Amarsagar (No.
5929 ! ), between Phalodi and Bap (No. 5931 ! ), Vinjorai (No.
6935!).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, India, Australia.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Corchorus acutangulus, Lam. Encycl. II (1786), 104.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (No. 5894 ! ). Jaisalmer : Bada Bag (No.
6915!).
Distrib.: Trop Africa, India, Ceylon, Australia, West Indies.
Fr. in October and November.
Linages.
Linum L.
Linum usitatissimum, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 277. — The Flax plant.
Vern. N. : Alsi.
Cultivated in a few places. (Erskine.)
Zygophyllace^.
Tribulus Tourn.
Tnbulus terrestris, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 387.
Vern. N. : Gokru, Kanti, Konti (Macadam).
Loc: Jodhpur: Kailana (No. 7417!), Mandor (No. 7150!), Bhikam-
kor (No. 7157 !), Phalodi (No. 7151 !), Barmer, on rocks and sand
(Nos. 7146!, 7154 !). Jaisalmer: Bada Bag (No 7148!), Amarsagar
(Nos. 7153!, 7152!), Devikot (No. 7156 I), Vinjorai, (No. 7149!),
Shihad (No. 7145 ! ), very common about gardens, road sides, etc
(Macadam).
Distrib. : All warm regions.
Fl. and fr. in October and November ;fl. during and after the raina
(Macadam).
Uses : Used as a tonic (Macadam).
Tribulus alatus, Del. Fl. Aegypt. Arab. 111. (1812) 62.
Vern. N. : Bakda (Macadam),
Loc: Jaisalmer (No. 7132!), Loharki (No. 7122!), Devikot (No.
7J31 !) Jodhpur : In cultivated places, not very common (Macadam).
Distrib. : Rajpntana, Sind to Arabia and N. Africa.
Fl. and fr. in November.
Journ., Bombay Nat Hist. Soc.
Plate IX.
A. — A g-iant specimen of Capparis decidna at Bhikamkor (Jodhpur State).
B.— A characteristic community of plants at Bhikamkor : Gi/iiinosjm-ia
viontana, Prosopis spicigera, and rambling on these : CalUrjonnm poligonoidcs
and Cocculus.
The Flora of the Indian Desebt.
Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
Plate X.
A. — Coiisocies ut' Ecliptd crvvia liorderiiiL;' a ilryin^-up pool at Banner
(Jodhpur State).
B. — Families in the coiisocies of Ecliptu erecta at Banner, shouinu' distinct
zonation.
The Fr.oKA (if the Ixj)tan Desert.
J
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT. 231
Seetzenia Br.
Seetzenia orientalis, Dene, in Ann. Sc. Nat. ser. 2, III (1836) 281.
Loc. : Jaisalmer . N. of Jaisalmer. gravel (No. 7144!), Jaisalmer,
gravel (No. 7159!), Vinjorai, rocks (Nos. 714a!, 71bO !), near Devikot
(No. 7158!)
Distrib. : Kajputana, Sind, Arabia, N. and S. Africa.
Fl. and fr. in November.
Peganmn L.
Peganum hannala, L. Sp. PI. (i 753) 444.
Loc. : Near Palli, plentiful (King).
Distrib. : India to Arabia, N. Africa, Mediterranean.
Zygophyllum L.
Zygophyllum simplex, L. Mantiss. I (I7t57) 68.
Vern. N. : Lunvva (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur : Phalodi (Noa. 7124 !, 7130!), very common in the salt
district about Pach Padra. Jaisalmer: Amarsagar (Nos. 7129!,
7128!), Jaisalmer, rocks (No. 7126!), Bap, gravel (No. 7127!),
Vinjorai, rocks (No 7125 !).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, W. Asia, Sind, Rajputana.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Fagonia L.
Fagonia cretica, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 386.
Vern. N. : Damasha (Macadam).
Loc: Kailana (Nos. 7142!, 7137!, 71631, 7165!), Balsamand (No.
7135 !), very comon in sandy patches amongst the rocks of Jodhpur
(Macadam), Bhikamkor (No. 7168!), Phalodi, sand dunes and
gravel (No. 7164!), Barmer (No. 7136!). Jaisalmer: Amarsagar
(No. 7167 !), Jaisalmer, rocky plateau (.No. 7141!), Viniorai (Nos,
7167!, 7139!), Bap (No. 7138 !), near Bap (No. 7161 !). Sluhad (No.
7140!), Loharki (No. 7162!), near Loharki (No. 7166!), sandy
tracts between Baiotra and faisalmer (Macadam).
Distrib: Both shores of the Mediterranean, in S. extra-trop. Africa,
warmer dry parts of Asia, Western N. and S. America.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Note : Fagonia cretica as taken above includes F. arahica, L. and jF.
liruguieri, DO , which are kept separate by Edgeworth and Hooker
in Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. 1, 425. F. cretica is an extremely variable
plant. The form and size of the leaves and stipules are very
variable ; sometimes the leaves are nearly absent, and their place ia
supplied by the long and hard spiny stipules ; in other cases the
leaves are for the most part simple with inconspicuous stipules.
There is also great difference in the amount of general pubescence ;
it varies from nearly perfect smoothness to viscosity.
Uses : The stems form a favourite tooth brush (Macadam).
GekaniacejB.
Monxonia L.
Monsonta senegalensis, Guill. and Perr. Fl. Seneg. Tent. I (1830) 131.
Loc: Jodhpur: Kailana, rocky hills (Nos. 7115!, 7114!, 7113!),
Mandor (No. 7116!). Jaisalmer: Bada Bag, on hill (Nos. 7117!,
71181).
Distrib.: Rajputana, Sind, Baluchistan, Arabia, Senegambia.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
232 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL RIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVl.
Monsonia heliotropioides, Boiss. Fl. Or. I (1867), 897.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : North of Jaisalmer, gravel (Nos. 7119 !, 7120 !).
Distrib. : From Rajputana to Egypt.
Fl. and fr. in November.
Efodium L' Herit.
Erodium cicutarium, L' Herit. ex. Ait. Hort. Kew. ed. 1, II (1789) 414.
Loc. : Jaisalmer: North of Jaisalmer (No. 7121 !).
Distrib. : Throughout Europe and temperate N. Asia, Baluchistan,
Sind.
Oxalis L.
Oxalis corniculata, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 435,
Vern. N.: Tipatti.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Common about cultivated places (Macadam).
Distrib. : Cosmopolitan.
Fl. during and after the rains.
RuTACEiE.
Citrus L.
Citi-us aurantium, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 782.
The Orange. Vern. N.: Narangi.
Loc. : Grown in gardens near Jodhpur and Jaisalmer.
Citrus medica, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 782, var. limetta.
Vern. N. : Mitha nimbu.
The Sweet Lime.
Loc: Jaisalmer: Bada Bag, cultivated.
SlMARUBACE.S:.
Balanites Del.
Balanites roxburghii. Planch, in Ann. Sc. Nat. ser. 4, II (1854) 268.
Vern. N. : Hingote (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur : Balsamand (No. 7111 !), not uncommon in the plains
about Jodhpur, very common in some parts of God war, particularly
in the neighbourhood of Sadri (Macadam), Osian (No. 7110 !).
Distrib. ; Drier parts of India.
Fl. in October.
Uses : The outer rind of the fruit contains a brown greasy pulp with a
disagreeable smell. The pulp is used in cough mixtures and to
clean silk. The stone emptied and filled with gunpowder is used in
fireworks (Macadam).
BURSERICE^.
Comraiyhora Jacq.
Commiphora muknl, Engl, in DC. Monogr. Phari. IV (1883) 12.
Vern. N.: Gugal. Ihe gum is often called Mukul.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Barmer(No. 5818!), Balsamand (No. 58161). Jaisal-
mer: Bada Bag (No. 58"20 !), Jaisalmer (No. 6817!), Amarsagar
(No. 581<) !), Vinjorai, on dunes (No. 5814!), in rocky dry places
about Jaisalmer (Macadam).
Distrib. : Arabia, Baluchistan, Sind, Rajputana.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Uses: A gum exudes from the stem in the cold season. It is col-
lected by making incisions with a knife in the tree, and letting the
refin fall on the ground. It exudes in large tears, soft and opaque,
hardens, and turns brownish black very slowly. A single tree is
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT. 233
said to yield from half to a whole seer. (Stocks). The gum is
used medicinally. It also forms one of the ingredients of incense.
It is used as a tooth brush and is said to strengthen the gums and
to render loose teeth firmer (Macadam).
Commiphora agallocha, Engl, in DC. Monogr. Phan IV, II {^Balsamodcn-
dron roaburghii, Am.).
Loc. : Rajputana (Brandis).
Fl. in August and October.
Boszoellia Roxb.
Boswellia serrata, Roxb. ex Coleb. As. Res. IX (1807) 379, t. 6.
Vern. N.: Salaran (Macadam).
Loc. : W. Rajputana (Duthie).
Distrib. : Throughout India.
Uses : From wounds and cracks in the bark exudes an abundance of
transparent fragrant gum-resin, ditfusing, when burnt, an agreeable
smell. It is used medicinally and as an incense in India. In the
bazaars it is sold under the name of Labanu, Kunaur, or Kundura.
(Brandis.) The wood is used for making boxes. (Macadam.)
Meliace^.
Azadivachta A. Juss.
Azadirachta indica, A. Juss. in Mem. Mus. Par. XIX (1830) 221.
Vern. N. : Nim.
Loc. : Planted in villages of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer.
Uses ; A decoction of the leaves is used for fever ; they are put
amongst clothes to keep off moths, etc., and are largely used for
camel fodder. The wood is used for building, furniture, etc. The
fruit when ripe is sweet and eaten. lis shade is thought specially
safe. Its leaves are applied for guinea worm sores. (Macadam).
CeLASXKACEjE.
Gymnosporia W. & A.
th/mnosporia montnnn, Benth. Fl. Austral. I (1863) 400.
Vern. N. : Kangkera (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (No. 5792 !), Mandor (Nos. 5796 !, 6797 !),
Bhikamkor (No. 5794 M, Osian (No. 5790!), Barmer, sand (No.
6798 1), Barmer, on rocks (No. 5791 !). Jaisalmer: N. of Jaisalmer
(No. 6796 !), Amarsagar (No, 5793). In rocky places about Jaisalmer
(Macadam).
Distrib. : Central Africa, Afghanistan, Pers. Baluchistan, India,
Malaya, Australia.
Fl. in October.
Note : All the above specimens, with the exception of Nos. 5792 and
5797 from Jodhpur and Mandor have got narrow leaves. The broad-
leaved form seeins to have its western limit in Eastern Jodhpur.
Uses : Rosary beads are made from the wood, and the leaves burnt and
mixed with ghee, form an ointment used to heal sores, ( Macadam),
RhAMNACEyE.
Zizyphus Tourn.
Zizyphus jujuba, Lam. Encycl. Ill (1789) 318.
Vern. N.: Ber, Bor (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur : Bhikamkor (No. 6786 !), Generally near villages, culti-
vated and self-sown, also in Jaisalmer State. (Macadam.)
30
334 JOURNAL BOMBAY NATURAL RLST. SOCLETT, Vol. XXVI.
Distrib. : Africa, Afghanistan, Ceylon, India, China, Auctralia.
Fl. in October.
Fr. in the cold weather (Macadam).
Uses : The fruit is eaten. The wood is used for building purposes
railtvay sleepers, furniture, lacquered toys (Macadam).
Zdzyphus trinervia, Roxb. Hort. Beng. (1814) 17 {non Poir).
Loc. : Jaisalmer : Amarsagar (No. 5804 !).
Distrib. : India.
Fr. in November.
Zizyphus rotundi folia, Lam. Encycl. Ill (1789), 319.
Vern. N.: Ber, Bor, Bordi.
Loc: Jodhpur: Osian (Nos. 5805!, 5801!), Phalodi (No. 68061),
Mandor ( No. 5807 ! ), Jodhpur ( No. 6808 !), Balsamand ( No.
57991). Jaisalmer: IShihad (No. 57091), Vinjorai, sandy plain (No.
58 J 01), DevikotiNo. 58111), near Loharki (No. 5812!), Loharki (No.
580- 1), very coinmou in dry sandy places, associated with Aertta
toineato.'ia and Leptadenia spartium (Macadam).
Distrib. : Persia, India.
Fr. early in the cold weather (Macadam).
Uses : The fruit is eaten. The leaves are used as fodder, called pala
(Macadam).
ZizypJius truncata, spec. nov. — Frutex ramis divaricatia, oastaneis,
junioribus puberulis. Aculei geniiui, glabri, basi aliquantulurn tomentosi,
10 mm attiugeutes, unus paull » brevior altero recto et retrocurvatus.
Folia subdistiche alterna, petiolata, coriacea, orbiculata vel aliquantulurn
longiora juaiiilata, 85 mui. attingentia, serrulata, basi subcordata, apioe
truncata (parte truncata usque ad 10 mm. longa et irregnlariter dentata),
glabra, excepta pubescentia in petiolo, margine necnon nervis uervidisque
in facio int'eriore ; nervi basaies tres, prominentes, currentea ad apicem,
costa meuia cum duobus aut tribus paribus nervorum secundariorum,
cettri duo nervi nervis lateralibus muniti in parte exteriore. Petiolua
usque ad 5 mm. longus.
CyuioB breves, axiUaius, sessiles, tomentosse ; gemmae hemisphericse,
tomentosi ; pedicelli subnuUi vel usque ad 4 mm. longi. Calyx
5-lidus. lobis late triaiigularibus acutis patentibus, intus carinatis in
parte superiore. Petala spathulata, apice rotundata. Discus
10 lobitus, profande 10-sulcatus. Styli 2, counati, parte superiore
divergentes.
Fructum non vidimus.
Aflinis est hiBC species Zizypho rofundifolics, sed difFert foliis (quoad
forma n, magiiituduiem, nervaturam, glabreitatem), aculeis, diaoo.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Kailana (No. 5803!).
Fl. in October.
Zizyphus -ryl'pyra, Willd. Sp. PI. I (1797) 1104.
Veru. N.: Gatbor (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur : Mandor (No. 5813!).
Distrib. : India.
Fl. in October.
Uses : The wood is used for fnel.
Vitis L,
Vitia vmifera, L. The Vine.
Found cultivated in the Bada Bag Garden near Jaisalmer (No. 6737!).
Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
prate XI.
A. — The Bada Bag: in the neighbourhood of Jaisalmer Tow ii.
B.— The tank belonging to the above Garden shaded by Acacia arabica.
The Floea of the Indian Desert.
Journ.i Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
Plate XII.
A.- Gharsisar Lake outside Jaisalmtr Tow n. The water level is abnoimalh
high on account of the heavy rains of li)l7. In the foreg'round : Cappa-
ris decidua, Prosopis spicigera, Salvadcra olcoides, Zizyphus.
E.— Amarsauar Lake near Jaisalmer Town, irrioatin.t;- the gfarden cf the
same name. Chiei trees: Azadlrachta indica, ZizijpJius jujuba. Acacia ara-
bica, Prosopis spicigera, Albizzia.
The Flora op the Indian Deseet.
I
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT.
286
Sapindace^.
Cardiospennum L.
Cardiospermuvi halicacabum, L.Sp. PI. (1753) 366.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana (No. 6749 !), near Badka (No. 6745 !), Kotda
near Seu (No. 2454!), Barmer, rocks (No. 6746!).
Distrib : Most warm countries.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
ANACARDIACE.a;.
Mangifera L.
Mmgifera indica, L. Sp. PI. (17-" 3) 200.
Loc : Jodhpur : Osian. Jaisalmer : Amarsagar (No. 6779 !).
Rhus, L.
Rhus vrysnren sis, Heyne ex Wight and Am. Prodr. (1834) 172.
Loc. : W. Kajputana (Duthie).
Distrib. : India.
MORINGACE.^.
Moringa Lam.
Moringa pterygosperma, Gsertn. Fruct. II (1791) 314.
Loc: Jaisalmer: Amarsagar (No. 6117!).
Distrib. : Forests of the Western Himalaya and Oudh, cultivated else-
where in India and in various tropical countries.
Moringa concanensis, Nimmo in Grah. Cat. Bomb. PI. 43.
Vern. N. : Sirgura (Macadam). Horse-radish tree.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Banner, on rocks (Nos. 5883 !, 6«73!).
Distrib. : Concan, Rajputana, Sind.
Leguminos^.
/. Rapilionacece.
Heylandia DC.
Heylandia latehrosa, DC. Mem. Leg. 201.
Vern. N. : Gorakbulti. Sonda (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (No .7168 1 ), Balarwa (No. 7169), Jaisalmer :
Jaisalmer, rocky plateau (No. 7174 ), JaisaLner, gravel (No. 71731)
between Phalodi and Bap (No. 7170 ! ), Shihad (No. 7171 I ),Vinjorai
(No. 7176!), Devikot (No. 71751), frequent in sandy places.
Macadam).
Distrib. : India, Ceylon.
Fl and fr. in Oct. and Nov
Crotalaria L.
Crotalaria burhia, Hamilt. in Wall. Cat. (1828) 5386.
Vern. N. : Sannia (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur: Kailana (No. 6935 !, 6936!), Balsamand (No. 6926 !),
Osian (No. 693 i I ), Bhikamkor (No. 6934 ! ), Barmer (No. 6931 ! ).
.Taisaliiier: near Bap (No. 6929!), Sodakoer (No. 6927!), Sodakoor,
riverbed (No. 6928!), Devikot (No. 6930 ! ), Vinjorai (No. 6932 1),
common in sandy places in the plains (Macadam).
Distrib. : N. W. India, (rujarat, Sind, Baluchistan, Afghanistan.
Fl. and fr. in Oct. and Nov.
Crotalaria medicaginea Lam. Encycl. Meth. II (1786) 201.
236 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Loc. : Kailana (No. 6940 !), Balsaraand (No. 6939 1), Balarwa (No.
6941!). Jaisalmer : between Phalodi and Bap (No. 6938!), Bada
Bag (No. 7220!).
Distrib. : Afghanistan, Indo-Malaya, Australia.
Fl. and fr. in Oct. and Nov.
Crotalaria retusa L. Spec. ?1. (1753) 715.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Balsamand (No. 6937 !).
Distrib : Tropics of the Old World.
Fl. and fr. in Oct.
Cyamopsis DC.
Ct/amopsis psoralioides DC, Prodr, II (1825) 216.
Vern. N. : Guar.
Loc: Jodhpur: Jodhpur (No. 7018!), Balarwa (No. 67121), Osian (No.
7008!), Phalodi (No. 7017 !), near Badka (No. 7011 !). Jaisalmer:
Amarsagar (No. 7016 !), Jaisalmer, sand (No. 7009!, 7014 !), Shihad
(No. 7015 !), near Devikot (No. 7013 !), Vinjorai (No. 7010 !).
Distrib. : Afghanistan, cultivated in India.
Fl. and fr. in Oct. and Nov.
Uses: Grown as a vegetable. The whole plant is a good fodder for
cattle.
Medicaffo L.
Medicago laciniata All. Fl. Pedem. I (1785) 316.
Loc. : North of Jaisalmer ( No. 7221 ! ).
Distrib. : Punjab, Salt Range, Rajputana, Sind, Baluchistan, Egypt,
Abyssinia.
Indigofera L.
Indigofera Unifolia Retz. Obs. Bot. fasc. 4 (1786) 29 et fasc. 6 (1791) t. 2
Vern. N. : Bekar (Macadam).
Loc: Jodhpur: Jodhpur (No. 70411,7040!), Mandor (No. 7042 1),
Osian (No. 7039 1 ), Balarwa (No. 7C137 !, 70^5 ! ), Bhikamkor (No.
7038 ! ), near Badka, sand (No. 7044 1 ). Jaisalmer : Vinjorai (No.
7043 ! ), common about cultivated places (Macadam).
Distrib. : Abyssinia, Afghanistan, India, Ceylon, N. Australia.
Fl. and fr. in Oct. and Nov,
Uses: The seeds are ground and eaten by the very poor in times of
famine (Macadam).
Indigofera cordifolia Heyne ex Roth Nov. PI. Sp. (1821) 357.
Loc : Jodhpur: Jodhpur (No. 7201 ! ), Kailana (No. 7181 ! ), Mandor
(No. 7180!), Osian (No. 71951, 7193 1), Bhikamkor (No. 7190!), Phalodi
(No. 7183!), Barmer, rocks ,No. 7179 !), Barmer (No. 7178 !, 7189 1),
near Badka (No. 7185 1,7188!), Kotda near Seu, gravel (No.
7198 1). One of the commonest plants. Jaisalmer: .laisalmer (No.
71771, 7186 1), Jaisalmer. rocky plateau (No. 71«7!, 7196!;, Bada Bag
(No. 7192 1), Amarsagar (No. 7199 H, Devikot (No. 7191 1), Vinjorai,
dunes (No. 7184 !, 7200 !), Vinjorai, gravel (No. 71821), near Bap
(No. 7194 !), Shihad (No. 7197 !).
Distrib. : India, Afghanistan, Baluchistan, N. Australia.
Fl. and fr, in Oct. and Nov.
Indigofera trigonelloides Jaub. & Spach I II. V (1857) 92,482.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Jodhpur (No. 70791), Kailana (No. 70751), Bhikamkor
(No. 7074 1), Phalodi (No. 7076 !). Jaisalmer : Loharki (No. 7078 I),
Jaisalmer, gravel (No. 7077 1).
Distrib: Punjab, Rajputana, Sind, Afghanistan, Arabia, Abyssinia.
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT. 237
Fl. and fr. in Oct. and Nov.
Note : Seeds often more numerous than mentioned by Cooke and
Hooker f,, up to 6 in a pod.
Indigofera enueaphylla L. Mantiss. II (1771) 571.
Log. : Jodhpur : Mandor (No. 7080 !), Balarwa (No. 7081 !).
Distrib : Indo-Malaya, N. Australia.
Fl. and fr in Oct.
Indigofera pauci folia Del. Fl. d'Egypte (1812) 251.
Vern. N. : Goila, Jhil.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Jodhpur (No. 70701,7069!), Kailana (No. 7062!),
Mandor (No. 7064!), Balsamand (No. 7066!), very abundant in
Godwar (Macadam), in the plains about Jodhpur, but not very
common. Jaisalmer: Bada Bag (No. 7067 !), Jaisalmer, sand (No.
706,3 I).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, Arabia, Baluchistan, Indo-Malaya.
Fl. and fr. in Oct. and Nov.
Note : The leaves are very often 1 foliolate.
Uses: Eaten by animals, used for tooth brushes.
Indigofera argentea Burm. Fl. Ind. (1768) 171. {Non L.).
Vern. N. : Nil.
Loc: Jodhpur: Osian (No. 7028 !, 7030 !), Phalodi (No. 7026 !), near
Badka (No. 7025!) Barmer, sand (No. 7027 !, 7033 I). Jaisalmer :
Loharki (No. 7024 !), Loharki, sand dunes (No. 7034 I), near Loharki,
sand, especially dunes (No. 7029 !), Devikot, sand (No. 7222 1),
Vinjorai (No. 7032!).
Distrib. : Abyssinia, Egypt, Arabia, Sind, Rajputana.
Fl. and fr. in Oct. and Nov.
In specimen No. 7222 the pods generally contain 1-2 seeds and the pod
itself is tornlose ; but as there is a pod of the ordinary argentea type
on the same plant our specimen must be considered as a form of that
species. The racemes are unusually short, 1-4 flowered, the rhachis
is stout, about as long as the leaf, which is much smaller than usual
and 3-5 foliolate.
Uses : Used for dyeing (Macadam).
Indigofera hotter Forsk. Fl. Aeg.-Arab. (1775) 137.
Loc: Jodhpur (No. 7073!).
Distrib. : India, Arabia, Egypt, Abyssinia.
Fr. in Oct.
Indigofera tinctoria L. Sp. PI. (1753) 751.
Loc: Jodhpur: Jodhpur Fort (No. 7071!), 25 miles S. E. of Luni
(No. 7072!).
Fl. and fr. in Oct. and Nov.
Indigofera anabaptista Steud. Nom. ed. 2 (1840) 805.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (No. 7054!), Mandor (No. 7051 !), Bhikamkor
(No. 7046 !, 7056 !), Phalodi (No 7055 !), Kotda near Sen, gravel
(No. 7053!). near Badka (No. 7059!). Jaisalmer: between Phalodi
and Bap (No. 7050 !), Shihad (No. 7058 !, 7057 !), Bada Bag near
Jaisalmer (^No. 7060 !), Amarsagar (No. 7049 !), Vinjorai, rocks (No.
7052 !).
Distrib. : Rajputana, Punjab. Sind, Afghanistan, Arabia. — Cooke calls
it a very rare plant in India. It is certainly very common in
Jodhpur and Jaisalmer.
238 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX VI.
Psoralea L.
Vsoralea odorata spec. nov.
Herba pereunis ramosissima odoratissima quando sicca (sicut Antho-
xauthum odoratam), circa 60 cm. alta et amplias, ramis ascendontibus
formaiitibus angulum acutum cum caule. Caiilis ramique teretes,
striati, adpresse hirsuti, verucosi. Folia pinnatim 3-foliolata.
Petiokis 2 cm. attingens, argento-cancescens, parce verucosiis. Sti-
pulye triangulares acutae, basi lata, aliquantulum falcatte, circa 3
ram long*, argento-canescentes, fortiber ner^^abse, par stipularum
decurrens et formanstres lineas elevatas in interuodio, lineis latera-
libas repente curvatis. Folioli oblanceolati, apice rotundi vel
subacuti vel apiculati,nervissuperneprofnnde dopress|i3, prominentibus
inferne, valde adpresse hirsuti, speciatim inferne ; foliolus terminalis
maximus, 22 mm. longus, 6 mm. latus, laterales vero 12 mm. longi
et 5 mm. lati, omnes glandulo puncbatis inferne, interdum parce
superne, margine irregulariter siuuati, b isi acuti. Petioluli circa ^
mm. longi.
Flores fauciculati, rarius solitarii in spicas axillares 10 cm. longas con
ferti. Khacliis verucosa. Pjdicelli 1 mm. attmgenbes. valde hirsuti.
Bractse minutfe, ovato-acutae, parce hirsubae. Calyx 3 mm. longus,
dense argenbo-hirsutus externe, lobi triangulares, ovati, acubi, brevi-
oreii tubo, intimus maximus, sed superiores attingentes altius. Co-
rolla alijuanbulum exserba, vexillum labe obovatum, emargitiatum,
margine sinuabum. album, alse oblique oblongae, lobo magno rotundo
munibse circa medium marginis posberioris, albae, apice caerulescentes
cotiserenbes cum pebalis carinte. Pebala carinae coh«rentia, ali-
quantulum lobata in parte posteriore, alba, apice caerulescentia.
Sbaman vexillarj b:i5i connatum cum caeberis. Ovarium stipitatum,
glabratum. Stylus tiliformis, compressns, iucurvus : stigma parvum.
Legumen (imnaburum) dense hirsutum, stylo psrsisbenbe munitum.
Semina (iminatura) coiiipressa, reniformia, brunnea.
Loc. : .Jodhpur : Banner, sand (No. 7005 !), near Kotda (No. 7003 !),
Jaisalmer : Devikot (No. 7004 !), near Bap (No. 7002 !).
Fl. and fr. in Nov.
Note : Tiiis species differs from P. plicata Del. by the colour of the
corolla, by the longer petioles, hairiness of the stem and branches,
and the shape of the stipules.
Tephrosia Pers.
Tephrosia tenuis Wall. Cat. (1828) 5970.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jorlhpur (No. 6961 !), Osian (No. 6962 !), Balarwa (No.
6963 !), Kotda near Sen. rocks (No. 6964 !).
Distrib : India, Laccadives.
Fl, in Oct., fr. i i Oct. and Nov.
Tephrosia purpurea Pers. Syn. PI. II (1807) 329.
Loc: Jodhpur: Jodhpur (No. 6983!, 6978!), Bhikamkor (No. 69791),
Osian (No. 6980 !), Phalodi (No. 6981!). Jaisalmer : Vinjorai (^No.
6982 !).
Distrib. : Tropics generally.
Fl. and fr. in Oct. and Nov.
Tephrosia incana Grab, in Wall. Cat. 5644 ; Wight, and Arn. Prodt. 212 ;
Wight Ic. 371, Grab. Cat. ^1 .—Galena incam Roxb. Fl. . Ind. Ill,
SSi).— Tephrosia Ehrenbeiyiana Schvveinf. PI, Athiop. 18. — /'. villosa
Pers. var. incnna Bak. in Hook. f. Fl. Brit Ind. il, 113 ; Cooke, Fl.
Bomb. Pres. 1 (1903) 32S.
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT. 289
var. honzontalis vat: nov. Diftert a typo sequentibus : Folioli 7-9, obovati
cuneati, minus Jati, profunde emHrgiiiati, mucronulati. ' Stipulaj
Bubulataa, loiigiores. Flores generatim 4-tascicuhiti in rhachide
gracillima angnlcsa flexnosa terminali vel lateifili usque 10 cm. Jontra.
Fasciculus infimus generatim in axilla folii subtendentis P< dictlTus
floris usque ad 4 mm , fructus ad o mm attingens. Legumen hori-
zontale, 4 cm. attingens, delicatule albo pube^cens, st} lo inteor«
glabro munitum. "^
Log. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (No. 6977!). Jaisalmer : Viniorai sandv
plain (No. 6976). '' ' ^
Distrib. of type : Trop. Africa, Mauritius, India.
Fl. and fr. in Oct. and Nov.
NoTK : Tephrnsia incana Grab, has been made a variety of T. villosa
Pers. by Baker. Roxburgh's descri|ition of the plant and Wight's
ill 'stration make it difficult to understand how those two species
should ever have been united.
Tc'iihrosia multi flora spec. vov.
Herba perennis, ramosa a basi ; rami erecti vel ascenr'et.tes, 50 cm
attingentes, graciles, dense piloso-j>ubescentes. Folia imparipin-
nata, 8 cm. attingentia, generatim, 7-, rarius 5-foli<.lata Stipula.'
reflexaj, siibulat;e, a-nervatjB. 6 mm. attingentes. Petiolus 3 cm.
lougus ; rhachis sulcata, hirsuta ; petiolulus uscpie ad 1 mm.
attingens. dense hirsutus. Folioli elliptici oblonj.i. Urn^ii alis 3 mm
longns, 9 mm. latus. laterales minores, apice obtusi. rtti si ^^l minu-
tim apiculati. basi rotundati vel cuneati, facie ventrali glabri, doirsali
argento-canescentes.
Flores fasciulati, axillares, 1-6 fcrmantes fascmli m. Pedicelli
2 3 mm. longi. Calyx 2imm. longus, dense hirsuti s : lobi setacei
tubo plus minusve sequilongi. Corolla exstrta. rulra ; vexilluni
hirsutum in dorso, c ter^j rorollse partes glabra^. Cvnrii m hir-
sutum ; stylus compressus, giaber. Lei;umen lineare. aliqiiantulum
turgidum. 3 cm. longnm, valde curvatum, euspide brevi triangular
munitum, dense pilosum, intus continuum. Stmina 6-8. pallida.
Near Roxburgh's T. pevicqihyHa which Baker in Fcok. f. H. Brit
Ind. II. 112. puts under 7". senficcsa Pers. T. pevfoj /j/Z/a Roxb. Fl.
Ind. Ill, 384, should be retained as a distinct species. 7. s nticom
has a glabrous pod according to DC. Prodr. 11, 2/14. Baker says
it is persistently thinly canescent, while the rod of 1 ..xburgh's
plant is villous. Cooke's T. s<nlic<sa (in Fl. Bomb. Pres. 1, 326) as
far as is apparent from his descrij tion, sei ms to be 7' ] !nlJphvha
Roxb. '
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kotda near Sen (No. 6975 !), Jaisalmer : Shihad (No
6974 I ). ^ ■
Tephroda petrom spec. m-v. {^T. spinosa Baker in Fl. Brit. Ind. II.
112 purtitn, non ]^eTS,).
Suflrutex vel frutex humilis, profuse ramosus a basi et altius, rami
terminales gracillimi, argerifo-canescentt s, angulo^i. I olia 4^ cm.
longa Stipulse 5-6 mm. longjB. subulatae, cost a mtdia consp'icua
argento-canescentes, generatim reEexa^, rigida-, i-ed non nia^ns
quani in aliis geueris hujus specielus : rhachis hirsuta . pctioJuli vfx.
1 mm. attingentes, hirsuti. Folioli generatim 5. interc un 3 vel 7
nunqnam 9, terminalis g< neratim maxinuis, 27 n m 1« igus, 9 mm.'
latiis omnes obovati, apice mtuudnti, niucroi ati nitrcne'l mm
longo, facie superiore glaberrin)a, facie vero interi<.re, u argine et
mucrone dense argento-canescentibus.
240 JUVRNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL BIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Flores axillarea solitarii, raro gemini ; pedicelli florum circa 2^ mm.,
fructus vero 5 mm. loiigi. Calyx 3 mm. longus, non ampliatus in
fructu ; lobi siibiilati, tubo aequilongi ; pedicellus et caJyx hirsutis-
simi. Corolla larga, valde exserta, conspicua, rubra purpurascens.
Vexillum hirsutum in dorso. Stamina diadelpha. Ovarium dense
hirsutum. Stylus glaber. Stigma largum, penicillatum.
Legumen •■■>-5 cm. longum, lineare, attenuatum basim versus, valde
curvatum, cuspidatum, argento-canescens. Semma numerantia
usque ad 8, diiplo latiora quam longa, subcylindrica, aliquantulum
compresaa, colore olivse, variegatoe.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Balsamand (No. 6966 !), Jodhpur (No. 6965 I), Kotda
near Sen (No. 6972 !), Barmer, rocks No, 6973 !). Jaisalraer : Vin-
jorai (No. 6971 !), Jaisalmer, rocky plateau (No. 69701), N. of Jai-
salmer vNo. 6969 !), Bada Bag (No. 6968 !).
Fl. and fr. in Oct. and Nov.
Vern. N. : Bishoni.
Uses : The leaves boiled in water and eaten are considered to be good
against syphilis.
Note : Baker in Hook. f. Brit. Ind. II, 112 has evidently united speci-
mens identical with or at least very similar to o.irs with T. spinosa
Pers. We consider Roxburgh's description of T. sjnnosa (under
Galeya spinosa Willd. in Fl. Ind. Ill, 383) to be the correct one.
Iq the same way we include Wight's description and plate (Ic. 372)
under 7'. spinosa, as hs says himself that he has copied them from
Roxburgh's drawing. Baker's description differs in several points
from Roxburgh's and can therefore not be considered as that of T.
spinosa Pers. Baker's material comes from the Western Peninsula,
whilst Roxburgh's plant is a native " of dry barren land on the
coast of Coromandel." We may add that we have never foand T.
spinosa in the Western Peninsula.
Sesbania Scop.
Seshania aculeata Poir. Encycl, VII (1806) 128.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Jodhpur (No. 7023!), Balarwa (No. 7019 1). Jaisal-
mer: Amarsagar (No. 7024 !), Vinjorai (No. 7022!), Devikot (No.
7021 !), between Phalodi and Bap (No. 7020 !).
Distrib. : Tropics of the Old World.
Fl. in Oct., fr. in Oct. and Nov.
Alysicarpus Neck.
Alysicarpus monilifer DC. var. venom, var. nov. — Legumen conspione re-
ticulato-venosum, saape uno semine.
Loc. : Jaisalmer: Bada Bag (No. 7225 !, 7226 !).
Distrib. of type : India, Nubia, Abyssinia.
Fl. and fr. in Nov.
Alysicarpus hamosns Edgew. in Jour. As. Soc. Beng. XXI (1853) 171.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : Bap (No. 7227 !).
Distrib. : India.
Fl. and fr. in Oct. and Nov.
A/i/sicarpus myin'dis DC Prodr. II (1825) 353,
Loc: Jodhpur: Balsamand (No, 7228 !). Jaisalraer: Jaisalmer, sand
(No. 7229 !, 7230, 7231 !).
Distrib. : Tropics of the Old World.
Fl. in Oct., fr. in Oct. and Nov.
Ali/sicarpus rvyosus DC. Prodr. II (1825) 353.
Loc. : Jodhpur : 25 miles S E. of Luni (No, 7232 !). Jaisalmer : between
Phalodi and Bap in field (No, 7233 !).
ILOEA OF TEE INDIAN DESERT. 241
Distrib. : Tropics of the Old World, Cape, West Indies.
Fr. in Oct. and Nov.
Ahjsicarpus rugosus var. styracifolius Baker in Hook. f. Fl. Brit. India II
159.
Loc. : Jodhjmr: Balsamand (No. 7234!).
Distrib. : India.
Fr. in Oct.
Alysicavpus tetrac/onolobus Edgew. in Jour. As. Soc. Beng. XXI (1853)
169.
Loc: Jodhpur : Erinpura Road (No. 7235!)
Distrib. : India.
Fl. and fr. in Oct.
Butea Roxb.
Butea frondosa Konig ex Roxb. As. Res, III (1792) 469.
Loc. : Jodhpur State (Adams).
Distrib. : India, Ceylon.
Alhagi Tourn.
Alhagi camHorum Fisch. Ind. Hort. Gorenk. ed. 2 (1812) 72.
"Vern. N. : .lawasa (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur and Jaisalmer States (Macadam).
Distrib. : India. Bahichistan, Arabia, Egypt.
Uses : Valued as fodder, as the leaves come out in the hot weather
when there are few green things to be had. Much used for tatties
(Macadam^.
Canavalia Adams.
Canaralia ensiformis DC. Prodr. II (1825) 404.
Loc: Jaisalmer.- Amarsagar (No. 7001 !), probably cultivated.
Fl. in Oct. and Nov.
Note : Our specimen is a slender form with few-flowered racemes.
Phaseolus L.
PhaseoluH tvilobus Ait. Hort. Kew III, 30.
Vern. N. : Jungli math.
Loc : Jodhpur : Bhikamkor (No. 6984 !). near Badka (No. 6988 1), Kotda
(No. 6990 !), Barmer (No. 6992!). Jaisalmer: Bada Bag (No. 6986!),
Vinjorai (No. 6987 !), Vinjorai, sandy plain (No. 6989 !), Jaisalmer
(No. 6991 !).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, Indo-Malaya, Afghanistan.
Fl. and fr. in Oct. and Nov.
Uses : Eaten by cattle.
PJuiseolus acnnitifolius Jacq. in Obs. Bot. Ill (1768) 2, t. 52.
Vern. N. : Moth.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Jodhpur (No. 6997!), Mandor, (No. 6998!), Osiau
(No. 6996 !), cultivated throughout Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. This
species and Phaseolus viunc/o are grown on light soil, sometimes
alone but usually with bajra (Pennisetwn typhoideum) or jowar
(Soiyhum vulgare).
Distrib. : Native of India, generally cultivated.
Phaseolus radiatus L Sp. PI. (1753) 725.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Mandor (No. 6994 !), Osian (No. 6993 !). Jaisalmer :
between Phalodi and Bap (No, 6995!).
Fl. and fr. in Oct.
31
242 JOTTUNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, rol. XXVI.
Pkuseotus Tnungo L. var. Roxburghii Prain in Journ. As. Soc. Beng. LXVI
(1898) 423.
Vern, N. : Mung.
Log. : Cultivated in Jodhpur State (Erskine) and Jaisalmer.
Vigna Savi.
Vigna sp.
Loc. : Jodhpnr : Osian (No. 7000 !).
Dolichos L.
Dolichos bijiorus L. Spec. PI. (1753) 727. Horse ^ram.
Vern. N. : Khulat.
Loc. : Cultivated in Jodhpur State (Erskine).
Distrib. : Tropics of the Ohl World.
Cicer L.
Cicei' arietinum L. Gram, Chickpea.
Loc. : Jodhpur : termination of Luni river when dry ; in the following
parganas : Parbatsar, Bali, Sojat (Adams).
Native country uncertain, widely cultivated throughout India.
Note : Gram is a '' cold weather crop, ffrown usually alone, but sometimes
mixed with barley ; it is found mostly in Bilara, Merta, Sojat and Pali,
and requires a lig^ht loamy soil, but is neither irrij?ated nor weeded. The
land is ploughed four times before the seed is sown in October, and is then
harrowed once ; if rain falls in December and January, a fine crop is
almost a certainty, but there is always danger of damage by fe-ost, and
lightning- is supposed to be injurious if the pulse be in blossom. When
the seedlings begin to branch and before flowers are produced, the leading-
shoots are sometimes nipped ofE to make the plants bushier and more
productive, and the cuttings are usnd as a vegetable called pansi. Gram
ripens from February to April, is reaped with a blunt sickle, and is gene-
rally uprooted ; the out-turn averages only 8| cwt. of pulse per acre, the
grain being split and used as dal and the fine chafl" making an excellent
fodder" (Erskine!
Rhynchosia Lour.
Rhinchosia minima DC var. laxiflora Baker in Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind.
' II, 223.
Loc: Jodhpur: Mandor (No. 6953!), Kailana (No. 69591,6958!,
69571,6951), Barmer, rocks (No. 6950!), Kotda near Sen (No.
69511), 25 miles N.E. of Luni (No. 6954!). Jaisalmer: Amarsagar
(No. 6956!, 6955 !), Vinjorai rocks (No. 6952 !).
Distrib. of type : Tropics generally. Of variety : Deccan, S. M.
Country, Rajputana, Siud.
Fl. and fr. in Oct. and Nov.
Note : The plants do not agree with Cooke's statement that R. minima
has black seeds ; the ground colour is a pale olive green, mottled
with grey and black to a varied extent. The pod is very often
only 1 seeded, when it is about 8 mm. long and 5 mm. broad. The
2-seeded pods are 20 by 5 mm.
RItgnchosia rhnmhifolia spec. nov.
Herba gracilis volubilis, circa 75 cm. longa, minutim cinerascens-
pubescens. Caiilis subteres. Folia membranacea, pinnatim 3-folio-
lata, 7 cm. attingentia, petiolo angulari, 4 cm. longo, petiolnlis 1 mm.
excedentibus. Foliolus terminalis rhomboideus, latior quam longus,
.30 mm. longus, 37 mm. latus, angulo apicali circa 120 gradus mensur-
ante, angulo basali largiore, apice rotundus, basi rotundus vel inter-
^
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT. 243
dum aliquantulum subcordatus, angiilis lateralibus obtusis. Folioli
laterales multo minores, valde variabiles quoad magnitudinem, sub-
orbiculati, valde obliqui, margine superiore semicirculari, inferiore
magis rhomboideo, nervis inferne prominentibus, conspicuis, albis,
omnibus foliolis minutim apiculatis, pallida virescentibus, maturis in
utraque facie pubescentibus.
Floras in racemis axillaribus. Racemi circiter aadem longitudine ac
foliorum, paucos habentes floras, laxi, pedicellis 2 mm. longis. cur-
vatis. Calyx dense hirsutus ; lobi 5, duo superiores breviores, in-
fimus duplo longior et tube longior. Patala unguicuiata, dimidio
longior calyce, vexillum hirsutum in dorso, pallida flavum, akv
minus flavse ; stamina diadelpha ; stylus gracilis, curvatus, dense
hirsutus. Ovula 2.
Legumen falcatum, attenuatum basim versus, 18 mm. longum, G mm.
latum, seminibus 2, vel 10 mm. longum, 6 mm. latum, semicirculare,
semine unico, comprassum, cuspida munitum 1^ mm. longo, valviw
minutim tomantoso-pubescantibus. Semina flava, cicatrice nigra
1 mm. longa prope hilum. Hilum obtectum membrana quse est ex-
tensio funiculi seminis, minima varo strophiolus.
Note : The same tiny hardened drops have been observed on the
lower surface of the leaves and on the pod which we have noted
under it!, arenaria, with the difi'erenca however that they are colour-
lass instead of yellow.
Loc. : .Taisalmer : Amarsagar (No. 6849 ! , 6948 !), Jaisalmar, rocky
plateau (No. 6947 !). '
Fl. and fr. in Nov.
lihi/nchosia arenaria spec. nor. (Pertinet ad Eurhynchosias.)
Frutex humilis, prostratus vel suberactus, ramis dense foliosis usque
ad 60 cm. attingentibus, primariis procumbentibus, secundariis
arectis circa 30 cm. longis ; tota planta dense cinareo-tomentoso-
pubascens. Folia conf erta, pinnatim trifoliata, 3 cm. longa, foliol< ■
terminal! late obcordato, basi cunaato, lo mm. longo et lato, lateral!
vero minore, obliquo suborbiculato, omnibus denique mucronatis,
integerrimis, pallidioribvis inferne quam superne, margine reflaxo,
nervis tribus subbasalibiis. Petiolus 15 mm. attingens, interdum faro
absens, patiolulus 1 mm. attingens.
Flores pauci, flavi, in racemis axillaribus gemini, raro solitarii,
pedunculo 4 mm. longo, pedicellis 3 mm. longis. Calycis lobi tube
paullo longiores, subsequalibus, subulatis. Patala unguicuiata.
pauUo exserta, vexillum snborbicidatum, 6 mm. longum, aliquan-
tulum emarginatum, in dorso dense hispidum ; stamina diadelpha ;
ovarium dense pubescens, 2-ovulatum.
Legumen 25 mm. longum, 9 mm. latum, compressum, margina
incrassato, falcatum, attenuatum versus basim, dense persistentei
tomentosum, cuspide 1^ mm. longo. Semina 2, (vel 1 in legumi-
nibus brevioribus) orbiculata, paullo compressa, brunnea, flavescentia
circa hilum, glabra, seminum funiculo in membranam tenuem hiluir.
obtegentera expanso, sad non vare strophiolato.
Note : Embedded in the tomantum of the under surface of the leavet;
there are innumerable minute golden yellow, strongly refractive
hardened drops of some resinous substance which must have exuded
from the epidermis.
Loc: Jodhpur: Barmer (No. 6943 !), on rocks. Loharki (No. 6942!
6994 !, 6945 !), seems to be a rare plant.
Fl. and fr. in Nov.
244 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, V»L XXVI.
Dalhergia L. f.
Dalbergia sishoo Roxb. Hort. Beng. (1814) 53.
Loc. : Jodhpur (No. 7236 !).
Distrib. : Said to be wild in Gujarat.
Fr. in Oct.
Poncfamia Vent.
Fongamia glabra Vent. Jard. Malm. (1803) 28.
Loc: Jaisalmer: Bada Bag (No. 7237!).
Distrib. : Throughout Trop. Asia and the Seychelles.
//. Caesalpiniaceae.
Parkinsonia Plum.
Parkinsonia aculeata L, Sp. PI. (1753) 375.
Loc. : Jodhpur (No. 7238 !). Jaisalmer, near lake (No. 7239 I).
Distrib. : Trop. America. Naturalized in many parts of India.
Fl. in Nov.
Poinciana L.
Poinciana elata L. Cent. PI. TI (1756) 16.
Vern. N. : Sanesra (Macadam).
Loc. : Jaisalmer, near town (No. 7243 !, 7241 !). Frequent in the
plains of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer (Macadam). Planted.
Cassia L.
Cassia ohomta Collad. Hist. Cass. p. 92, t. XV, A (Cassia obtusa Koxb.)
Vern. N. : Goral.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Jodhpur (No. 7242!), Balarwa (No. 7243 !). Jaisalmer:
Sodakoe dunes No. 7244!), 15 miles E. of Jaisalmer (No. 7245!).
Jaisalmer (Macadam). Devikot (Macadam).
Distrib. : W, India, Sind, Arabia Palestine, Egypt, Nubia, Eritrea.
Abyssinia, Kordofan-Sennaar, Somaliland, Senegambia, Angola.
Hereroland.
Fr. in Oct. and Nov.
Cassia auiiculnta L. Sp. PI. (1753) 379.
Vern. N. : Anwal, Awal — Tanner's Cassia.
Loc. : W. Rajputana (King).
Distrib. : India Ceylon.
Cassia Kleirdi W. & A. Prodr. (1834) 293.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Balsamand (No. 7247 !).
Distrib. : India, Ceylon, Java.
Fr. in Oct.
Tamarindus L .
Tamarindus indica L. Sp. PI. (1753) 34.
Loc. : Jodhpur, Fort (No. 7243 !). Jaisalmer : Amarsagar (No.
7244!).
Distrib. : Tropics generally, probably indigenous in Africa.
Fl. in Oct., fr. in Nov.
Bauhinia L.
BauJiinia sp.
Loc. Jaisalmer : Bada Bag (No. 7246 I), Amarsagar (No. 7245 !)
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT. 245
III. Mimosecp.
Prosopis L.
I'rosopis sipicigera L. Mant. (1767) 68.
Vern. N : Kejra.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Balarwa (No. 7253!). Jaisalmer : Bap (No. 7249!),
Loharki (No. 72471), W. of Loharki (No. 7255 !), N. of Jaisalmer
(No. 7251 !), Amarsagar (No. 7248 !, 7250 !, 7252 !), Vinjorai, sandy
plain (No. 7254 !).
Distrib. : India, Baluchistan, Afghanistan, Persia.
Fl. in Nov.
NoiE : This is a very variable plant. In its young state the stipules
areofter larger than the leaflets (nearly 1 cm. long), ovate acuminate
or oblong acute, very oblique, slightly cordate, especially if the plant
grows in the neighbourhood of water. As it grows older the sti-
pules become smaller and caducous, and at last vanish altogether.
The cultivated tree has much larger leaves than the wild one. The
latter is always strongly armed, and more so in dry soil, whilst the
cultivated plant is finally almost or quite unarmed.
Uses: The pods are eaten as a vegetable aud valued as a fodder. In
severe famines its bark is eaten. The wood is used for building
purposes, wells, etc., but it is not very good. The tree is held
sacred by the Bishnois (Macadam).
Dischrostachys DC.
Dichrostachys dnerea W. & A. Prodr. (1834) 271.
Vem. N. : Kolai.
Loc. : W. Rajputana (King).
Distrib. : Indo-Malaya, N. Australia.
Mimosa L.
Mimos2L hamata Willd. Sp. PI. IV (1805) 10.'i3.
Loc; Jodhpur: Kailana (No. 7263 !), Balsamand (No. 7260 I), Osian
(No. 7257 ! ), near Badka (No. 7258 !). Jaisalmer : Amarsagar
(No. 7256 !, 4803 !), Vinjorai (No. 7262 !,7261 !), Devikot (No. 7259 !).
Distrib. : India.
FL and fr in Oct. and Nov.
Uses: Half a tola of the seeds pounded and boiled in buflPalo milk is
taken as a tonic against weakness, but must not be taken in excess.
Mimosa ruhicaulis Lam. Encycl. Meth. I (1783) 120.
Vern. N. : Hajeru, Janjani, Jijania.
Loc. : Rocky places about Jodhpur and Jaisalmer (Macadam). — We
have not seen this species, and it is possible that Miss Macadam
has mistaken M. hamata for M. rubicaulis.
Distrib. : India, Afghanistan.
Acacia Willd.
Acacia arabica Willd. Sp. PI. IV (1805) 1085.
Vern. N. : Babul, Bambul, Bawal.
Loc: Jodhpur: Kailana (No. 7264 1), Jaisalmer: Bada Bag (No.
72661,7265!).
Distrib. : Natal, Trop. Africa, Egypt, Arabia, India, Ceylon.
Fl. in Oct., fr. in Nov.
Uses : The wood is used for building purposes, for tooth brushes,
charms, etc. The pods are gathered and given as fodder to goats.
The bruised leaves are applied to sore eyes in children. A gum
exudes from the stem in the cold weather which is considered un-
wholesome as food, but is used medicinally (Macadam). Adams
LUC JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
mentions the following preparation against asthma : Gum of Afncia
araii'cffi and honey, one tola each, juice of Calotropis procera une
quarter of a tola, and fine " Pili earth" ; to be taken thrice a day as
pills.
Acacia Senegal Willd. Sp. PI. IV (1805) 1077.
Vern. N. : Kumat (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur: Kailana (No. 7272!), Osian (No. 7270!, 7268!),
Barmer, rocks (No. 7267 !). Jaisalmer : N. of Jaisahner (No. 7^71 \),
Vinjorai (No. 7269 !). Common everywhere, one of the chief jungle
forming trees.
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, Arabia, Baluchistan, India.
Fl. and fr. in Oct. and Nov.
Note : The leaves in our specimens are much longer than given by
Baker and Cooke, but agree with the illustration given by Brandis.
The lateral spines vary, and the pod is broader than usual. <
Uses : A gum which exudes from the stem in the cold weather is
eaten and sold. It is the commercial gum-arabic. The seeds are
valued for food (Macadam).
Acacia catechu Willd. Sp. PL IV (1805) 1079. var. sundra Prain. in
Journ. As. Soc. Beng. LXVI (1898) 508-510.
Vern. N. : Khair.
Loc. : Jodhpur (ex Adams).
Distrib. : India.
Acacia jaquemonti Benth. in Hook. Lon. Journ. Bot. 1 (1842) 499.
Vern. N. ; Bhu bavali, Bawal, Babul, Bambul.
Loc: Found at Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, less common than A. andirca
(Macadam).
Distrib.: Gujarat, Rajputana, Punjab, Sind.
Uses : The wood when burned gives out an intense heat and is there-
fore employed by gold and silver smiths.
Acacia leucophloea Willd. Sp. PI. IV (1805) 1083.
Loc. : Jaisalmer State (Erskine). W. Rajputana (King).
Distrib. : India.
Albizzia Durazz.
Albizzia lebbek Benth. in Hook. Lon. Journ. Bot. Ill (1844) 87.
Vern. N. : Siris.
Loc: Jodhpur: Jodhpur (No. 7273!). Jaisalmer: Amarsagar (No.
7274!).
Distrib. : Trop. and Sub-trop. Asia and Africa.
Uses : The wood is perishable and not much used. The bark is mixed
in hot water with Coimniphora viukul. and given to sick camels.
(Macadam). ,
Leuccena Benth.
Leuccena glauca Benth. in Hook. Journ. Bot. IV (1842) 416.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Balsamand (No. 7276 !).
Distrib. : Probably indigenous in Trop. America.
Fl. in Oct.
Pithecolobium Mart.
Fithecolobium dulce Benth. in Hook. Lon. Journ. Bot. Ill (1844) 199.
Loc : Jodhpur, cultivated in the sands, grows rapidly when watered
during the hot weather (Adams).
Distrib. : A native of Mexico.
{To be continued.)
247
THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB.
BY
C. H. Donald, f.z.s.
Part 1.
In the last Volume of the Journal (Vol. XXV, p. 231) appeared
a paper on the Raptores (Birds of Prey) of the Punjab, in which I
divided up the various species into 8 types, to simplify identifi-
cation. While adhering to the nomenclature and the numbering
in the Fauna of British India, Vol. Ill, I changed the sequence
to suit my types. The paper has been very kindly received by
many of our members and has evidently met with a certain measure
of success, as I have been asked by several, to go into further detail
and describe each individual species on the lines of my original
paper. In that paper I pointed out that there was nothing, or
very little original matter, so far as keys and descriptions were
concerned, and the same remark may here be reiterated. 1 have
taken most of the descriptions and keys from the Fauna of British
India and from Hume's " Scrap Book of Rough Notes," as also
measurements. In some cases I have inserted them word for word,
and in others just enough has been taken to suit my purpose.
It is not in any way implied that the keys and descriptions here
given are an absolutely sure guide, in every case. Individuals may
Occasionally be found which cannot be placed in their proper
species from these papers, but they will be abnormal specimens, and
in, perhaps, 9o per centum of cases the keys and descriptions
will suffice to place any Bird of Prey which occurs in the Punjab.
The various changes in plumage which the Raptores undergo,
from time to time, makes it practically impossible to describe each
and every phase, and specimens might easily be found which even
defeat the descriptions given in the two above mentioned works,
good as they are. So far as colouration is concerned the descriptions
here given will be found considerably wanting in detail, as my
endeavour has been to merely give a fair idea of what the bird looks
like in general, and depend for identification almost entirely on
other characteristics which do not undergo changes.
Out of 82 species of the Raptores to be found in India, Burma
and Ceylon, at least 56 are to be found in the Punjab, either as
residents or winter migrants, and it is more than possible that
others again, hitherto unrecorded, may occasionally find their way
into the Province. That some species have considerably increased
their range since Hume's " Rough Notes" made their appearance, is
very probable, for instance, the Large Spotted Eagle (Agmla
maculata), while the record of others is possibly due to error, and
248 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
controversies have not been uncommon, between ornithologists, as
regards the occurrence of certain species in particiilar localities.
Hume, for instance, is very sceptical regarding the occurrence of
the Golden Eagle (^A. chryscetus) near Kotgarh, in the Simla
District, and m fact considers the species sufficiently rare not
to deserve a place in the Fauna of India at all, whereas Stoliczka
considered the Golden Eagle hj no means rare in the vicinity of
Kotgarh, and my personal experience has been that it is to be
found practically throughout the Himalayas, in suitable localities,
from Kashmir to Garhwal and probably a good deal further east
still.
A good deal of valuable data has been lost to science through
sportsmen and ornithologists not being able to recognise the various
species they have met with, on the wing. It is not always
possible to shoot every specimen met with, for identification, and
nor is it desirable, but it is possible to recognise a very large
percentage of the Birds of Prey on the wing, with a little practice,
and the art once acquired enhances considerably the study of, and
the interest in, the various species met with.
An attempt has been made in these papers to describe the
appearance of each species on the wing, but the task is rather too
ambitious and the shortcomings only too obvious.
I trust, however, that the descriptions give some idea of the
writer's meaning, and will be found helpful to those who feel
disposed to identify birds by their flight and appearance, in the
air.
Types A, B & C.
This chapter deals with the Types A, B, C of the Birds of Prey of the
Punjab. These three types comprise between them the Osprey, the Lam-
mergeyer, the Vultures and the Scavenger Vultures, in all some seven genera
and eleven species and all birds of from medium to very large size. Of
these again, Types A and C. comprise but one species each, the remainder
all going to Type B.
Neither the Osprey nor the Lammergeyer can possibly be mistaken for
any other bird of prey. The curious reversible toe, in a foot in which all
the claws are all more or less the same size and no aftershaft to contour
feathers are two characteristics which, in themselves, place the Osprey apart
from all other diurnal birds of prey. I say diurnal, because the Osprey
shares both the above characteristics with the nocturnal birds of prey or
Owls, but as it cannot possibly be mistaken for an owl, we need not go
into the differences between them. The Osprey also has very long wings,
the tips in the closed wing being equal to or even exceeding the tip of
the tail.
The Lammergeyer, on the other hand, can at once be difl'erentiated by
his beard. An unmistakable beard of stiff black bristles depending from
the chin is the distinguishing mark of this species.
The Vultures th >ugh unmistakable as such are not so easy to differentiate
from each other, but, on the whole, the characteristics of each species are
sufficiently well defined to make their identification fairly simple, from a
careful study of the keys.
THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB. 249
Two of the Vultures here included are doubtful inhabitants of the
Punjab, but as it is quite possible that stragglers occasionally do occur,
within the boundaries of the Province I shall give them a passing notice.
All tne True Vultures are birds of large size with a head devoid of
feathers and covered only with down or entirely naked.
The Cinereous Vulture is the only one which has fur-like feathers on the
head and sides, which, at a short distance, give the bird an appearance of a
feathered head, but on closer investigation it will be found that they are
not true feathers and, moreover, grow in patches and the whole head and
neck are by no means covered. Since all other Raptores have their head
and neck fully covered, any bird with head or neck bare, or even partially
covered, can be straightway classed as a Vulture or Scavenger Vulture and
searched for in Type B.
From the keys given it will be found very simple to place any bird in its
proper Type and that done, in most cases, the species will not be found
to be any more difficult, with a very few exceptions. As I have already
said the Osprey and the Lammergeyer are absolutely unmistakable, so for
an example let us take some bird in Type B. We know it belongs to Type
B because it has a head and neck either covered with down, bare, or
covered with fur-like feathers in patches, thus always leaving some part of
the head or neck bereft of feathers. We look at the key to the species
under Type B and find there are 9 to choose from in 5 genera. Nostril
round and head and neck covered with blackish fur-like feathers, and
tarsi covered with dense silky down on their upper portion ; tail of 12
feathers, and the bird must be Vultur monachus. If it has wattles depending
from either side of the neck, it must be Otogyps calvus.
A tail of 14 feathers and it can be consigned to the genus Gy2)e, which
also has a narrow vertical slit for a nostril. Two species of this genus are
very large birds, and if the wing measures over 27" you know it must be
either Gyps fulvus or G. hhnalayensis. If so, the 3rd primary being the
longer and narrow shaft stripes on lower plumage will point to it being
"fulvus" and the 4th primary longest and the shaft stripes broad, will
determine your bird as G. himalayensis . If the wing is under 26" the
specimen will belong to one of the other two species, and to find out
which, see whether it has any hairs on the crown of the head or whether
it is absolutely naked. A vertical narrow slit for a nostril, but a tail of
12 feathers points to the Genus Pseudogyps and the species P. bengalensis.
The Scavenger Vultures are infinitely smaller being 9" or 10" less in
length than the smallest of true Vultures.
The difficulty in identifying one from the other of these two species, in
certain phases of plumage must always be considerable, as the colour of the
beak and the extra one inch or so in length is no criterion, when dealing
with immature birds. It is a doubtful point whether each deserves
specific rank, they are so closely allied to each other. N. percnopterus is
our Punjab bird, and though N. ginginianus might easily be found in the
southern portion of the Province, adjoining Delhi, above that it will usually
be the former that is met with.
Key to the Types.
Chapter 1.
Type. Size. Characteristics.
A. Medium.' a. Head and neck feathered ; b. tarsi naked ;
(The Osprey). c. outer toe fully reversible ; d. no aftershaft to
contour feathers; e. tip of primaries in closed
wing reaching to end of tail or exceeding it.
32
■250 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Type.
Size.
Characteristics.
B. Very large to
medium. (The
Vultures).
C. Very large (The
Lammergeyer) .
a. Head and neck naked or covered with
down or partially covered with fur-like feathers
and down ; b. tarsi naked or upper portion cover-
ed with silky down.
a. Head and neck fully covered with fea-
thers ; b. tarsi feathered to the toes ; f . beard
of black bristles depending from the chin.
Key to Species in Types A, B & C.
Type A. Pandion halicetus, The Osprey. The same as for Type above.
,, B. Vultur monachus. Head and neck partially covered with
The Cinereous black fur- like feathers ; tarsi covered with
Vulture. dense silky down in front and at sides on
upper portion , Nostril round : tail of 12'
feathers.
B. Otogyps calvus.
The Black Vul-
ture.
Head and neck bare, fleshy wattles
depending from either side of the neck.
Nostril oval ; tail of 12 feathers.
B. Gypsfulvus, '\ ^ ^
The Griflon | W) I
05 I
B.
Vulture.
Gyps hima-
layensis,
The Hima-
layan
Griffon.
B.
Gyps indi-
cus, The In-
dian Long-
billed vui- y^
ture .
GO .
o
4^
CO
B. Gyi)s tenui-
rbstris. The
Himalayan
Long-billed
Vulture.
B. Pseudogyps
hengalensis,
The Indian
• White-back-
ed Vulture.
o
>
o
u
a
DO
o
Larger, wing 27" and over ; .3rd. primary
longest ; lower plumage with narrow shaft
stripes. Tail of 14 feathers.
Wing over 27" ; 4th. primary longest ; lower
plumage with broad shaft stripes. Tail of 14
feathers.
Smaller, wing 25^" ; crown of head
scattered hairs. Tail of 14 feathers.
with
Wing 25|" ; crown of head naked. Tail of
14 feathers.
Tail of 1 2 feathers ; wing under 25".
B. Neophron gingini-
anus, The Smaller
White Scavenger
Vulture.
Bill yellow in adults ; length about 24
Nostril a narrow horizontal slit.
THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB.
251
26" ; Nostril a narrow horizontal slit.
Characteristics same as for Type above.
Type B. Neophron percnop-
terus. The Large
White Scavenger
Vulture.
„ C. Gypcetuif barbatus,
The Lammergeyer
or Bearded Vul-
ture.
Family PANDIONIDi*].
Type A.
Bill dark horny at all ages ; length about
No. 1189.
Genus Pandion (contains a single species).
Pandion halifstus, The Osprey.
Charactenstics. Size medium ; head feathered ; tarsi naked ; tip of
feathers in closed wing exceed end of tail, outer toe
reversible ; no after-shaft to contour feathers. The
two last named characteristics are in themselves
sufhcient to place the Osprey and dift'erentiate him
from every other diurnal Bird of Prey.
Colouration. Generally deep brown and white. Head, neck
and the under-parts (except the upper portion of
the breast), white. Conspicuous brown shaft stripes
appear in each feather in the middle of the crown
and on the nape, and sometimes on the sides. A
broad dark brown band extends from the eye down
the side of the neck. The whole of the back and
tops of the wings a glossy brown, as also the tail, the
latter with bars of paler brown above and white
below. These tail bars become fainter with age
and are said to disappear in very old birds. The
upper breast is brown, the feathers having dark
shaft-stripes and very pale or white edges. The
under-part of the wing is brown with an admixture
of white or fulvoas.
Legs and feet pale greenish or yellowish ; claws
black ; irides bright yellow ; Bill black : cere, gape,
and eyelids dull greenish blue (Blanford).
Length 20" to 22" ; wing 20" ; tail 9" ; tarsus
2"2"; bill from gape 16" ; expanse about 5 ft.
Distribution. Throughout India in suitable localities.
The Osprey though by no means common, is still pretty frequently met
with along the banks of any of the Punjab Rivers and larger streams.
On backwaters and jheels they might be found circling some 50 feet or so
above the surface of the water, or sitting on a stump or on an overhanging
branch of some convenient tree, with eyes intently fixed on the water below.
The usual mode of hunting, of the Osprey, is to fly up and down with slow
deliberate beats and every now and again stop and hover. If a fish hap-
pens to be fairly close to the surface he will diop with closed wings, head
foremost into the water, and like a King-fisher, go right under. If nothing
is to be seen, he will move on to repeat the process elsewhere. Almost
invariably when rising from the water, after his dive, he will be seen to
almost stop in mid air, for a fraction of a second and a spasmodic quiver
will be seen to pass over his body from head to tail, to shake off the
water, before he continues his flight.
252 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
The Osprey is seldom found soaring like the other Fish Eagles, except
for short periods, evidently for the purpose of rising high enough to look
over the surrounding couutry for a fresh pool or stream. He is a cold
weather visitor to India, though some appear to remain and build in the
Himalayas.
The nest of this bird is said to be a structure of twigs from the thick-
ness of a man's linger to that of his v/rist, and lined with the softer kinds
of sea-weed and some 15 feet in circumference.
Mr. Hume records a nest which he saw in Kumaon, but gives no descrip-
tion of it, and Mr. Thompson says he believes its nest is to be found on
the Ganges above Hurdwar. Also vide B. N. H. Soc, Volumes XIV, p.
556 and XXI, p. 268.
I have seen the bird in July on the Beas River, in the Kangra District,
but have never come across a nest.
Blanford describes the egg as white, much spotted and blotched with
dull red, and measuring about 2 4" by \1". They are said to be more
oval in form than any of the Falconidse and almost invariably three are
laid, though four have been found in a nest.
Family VULTURTD^.
Type B.
Genus Vultur,
No. 1190. Vultur monachus, The Cinereous Vulture.
Characteristics.
Colouration.
Distribution.
Habits.
Size very large. Top of head, lores and cheeks
covered with black fur-like feathers and down.
Nostril round ; tail of 12 feathers ; no wattles de-
pending from side of neck.
Rich chocolate brown throughout, sometimes with
a ruddy gloss. Under-parts frequently very much
darker than the back. This bird varies from a rich
brown to almost black, depending on age, the young
birds being the paler. Wing quills black.
Bill blackish brown, darker on upper mandible
and tip of lower, paler at sides of upper mandible
and base of lower, Cere, gape and the extreme
base of lower mandible a pale mauve, sometimes
tinged with pink, tlie bare portion of the tarsus and
the feet are creamy or dull white. Irides brown.
Naked skin of neck livid flesh colour. The upper
portion of the tarsus is covered with a dense silky
fur in front and on the sides, almost, but not quite
meeting behind.
Length 42" to 45"; wing 30"; tail 17"; tarsus
5"; expanse 96" to 118".
Throughout the Punjab.
This fine vulture, though met with all over the
Punjab, is nowhere very common. It is easily re-
cognised on the wing by its great size and uniform
deep brown colour. The flight is typically vulturine,
the wings being held on the same plane as the body
with no tendency to turn upwards, except at the
extreme tips.
If seen rising from the ground it will be found to
have a very slow deliberate beat. More often found
alone or in pairs than in the company of other
THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE RUyjAB. 253
vultures, though it frequently consorts with them
in the vicinity of a butchery or round a carcase.
Ml". Hume says it is one of the commonest vultures
in the Hissar District and he has seen as many as
•20 of them with a few of the plains representatives.
He considers this species, in the cold weather
in the northern portion of the Punjab, to be very
nearly as common as the Indian White-backed
Vulture. Very occasionally this species might pre-
ponderate over a carcase, but. as a general rule, I do
not think it can be considered a common bird.
Though this bird undoubtedly does breed in the
Punjab there is no authentic record of a nest
having been found. Hutton mentions having seen
an uncompleted nest in the Doon, with a bird sit-
ting on the branches alongside. A month later the
nest was again visited and found completed, but
there was nothing in it and no sign even of the
birds, and other similar nests in the immediate
vicinity were also deserted, due, he thinks, to the
fact that the grass below the trees had been recent-
ly fired. Major T. E. Marshall, R.E., records the
finding of nests and eggs near Quetta, as also Co..
Delme-Radcliffe, B. N. H. Society's Journal, Volu-
mes XV, p. 351, XXI, p. 264 and XXII, p. 394.
This species is said to build on very high trees or
on cliffs, in Europe, during February and March, a
huge nest of sticks, and lays a single egg. rarely
two, richly marked with dark-red and measuring
3-7 X 2-6.
Family VULTURID^E.
Type B.
Genus Otor/ijps.
No. 1191. Otogyps calvus, The Black or Pondicherry Vulture.
Charactenstics. Size very large. Head bare except for scattered
hairs on nape, sides and throat. Nostril oval ; tail
of 12 feathers; Jies/it/ unities depending from the
sides of neck.
(iV. />'. — The head in the young bird is covered
with down.)
CoUuration. Generally glossy black ; brownish on scapulars,
lower back and rump. Crop patch dark-brown
almost surrounded by white down. Thighs white
and downy.
The young bird is a deep brown, with whitish
under tail coverts and the feathers of the under-
parts with paler edges. The crown of the head is
eovered with white down.
Bill dark-brown ; cere, skin of head and neck
deep yellowish red, a conspicuous naked patch on
each side of the «rop and a large naked oval area in
front of each thigh, the same (Blanford). Mr. Hume
says that the bare portions of the neck, legs and
254 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
couspicuous thigh patches always become more
vivid towards the breeding season, and are brighter
in the male than in the female, at this season.
Legs dull red ; irides red-brown.
Length 30 to 33"; tail 10-6"; wing 23 ; tarsus 4-5";
expanse 80 to 88."
iJistrilmtioti. Throughout the Punjab, not common.
Habits. This bird, often called the King Vulture or the
" Turkey Buzzard," the latter erroneously, is un-
mistakable either on the ground or almost at any
height up in the air. The red wattles and fleshy
appearance of the whole head, combined with his
very dark colouring, are in themselves sufficient to
set him apart from any other vultures among whom
he may be found. In the air, the white thigh
patches are distinguishable at a great height. In
flight, too, he is very different, to all the other vul-
tures and when soaring carries his wings more like
a Golden Eagle than a vulture, i.e., held well above
the plane of his body. From below he looks uni-
formly black except for the crop and thigh patches,
and in some, there is a thin white line running along
the centre of the wings, from the body almost to the
base of the primaries.
The Black Vulture is only " King " of the carcase
when none of the previous species or Griffons hap-
pen to be about. He drives all other species from
the banquet but is himself driven off by the two
above mentioned.
They build on trees, a huge platform of sticks,
lined in the centre with leaves and often rags.
Mr. Hume describes a nest which he demolished,
which weighed over 8 maunds (6 hundredweight),
which had three distinct layers and had been used
many times. Unlike some of the other species,
they do not nest in companies but are more solitary
in their nesting arrangements, two pairs very
seldom nesting on the same tree.
It is not uncommon to see them mating in the air.
Of this Mr. Hume says : " I rather suspect that
these birds pair in the air. Just before the breed-
ing season, a pair may be seen to tower, a'ld, then,
one apparently getting on the back of the other,
both come with plunges and flappings of the wings,
nearly to the ground, when separating they sai)
away, very slowly, towards some large tree where
they both rest." The sight is by no means uncom-
mon, but I cannot say I have ever seen the one
getting on to the back of the other. It has always
appeared to me that as they tower, their claws
interlock and they descend, as Mr. Hume says,
" with plunges and flappings of the wings "' towards
the ground, with their claws still interlocked. This
proceeding is somewhat different to that adopted
by the Himalayan Griffon, in particular, though
THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB. 255
the present species may also be seen indulging
in it. This is for a pair to sail so very close to
each other that at the time it would almost seeni
as though one was sitting on the back of the
other.
Both have their pinions full spread and no move-
ment whatever is visible in either wing or tail
while they are one above the other.
A pair might often be seen proceeding for quite a
long distance, one directly above the other, occa-
sionally separating for a few seconds and then
coming together again, but I do not think they
actually touch each other.
The Black Vulture is said to lay sometimes two
eggs, but this is not Mr. Hume's experience, who
has never found more than one in a nest, out of
numbers that he has examined. The egg is pure
white, with a very faint greenish tinge sometimes,
but very rarely, streaked or spotted, and measures
3-34 by 2-6.
Family VULTURID^.
Type B.
Genus Gyjys (contains 4 species).
No. 1192. Gyp>! fulvus, The Griffon Vulture.
Tail of 14 feathers.
Characteristics. Size large ; 3rd, primary longest ; lower plumage
with narrow shaft stripes.
Colouration. The head is covered, top and sides, with yellowish
white hair- like feathers, very dense on the top of
the head, chin and throat, and thickly intermixed
with down, entirely covering the dark skin, and
passing into white down on the neck, and covering
it entirely, except about one-fifth or so of the basal
portion of the back and sides. The feathers of the
ruff are whitish, with reddish brown edges, and are
elongated and running to a point. The whole plu-
mage of this bird is an admixture of brown to fawn,
with a light pinkish tinge, or rufous brown, with
narrow shaft stripes of a paler colour than the rest
of the feather. The upper wing coverts and ter-
tiaries are a darker brown, as also the crop patch.
The underparts throughout are a pinkish brown
with narrow shaft stripes, white or whitish.
Younger birds, says Blanford, are deeper colour-
ed and " are distinguished by having the feathers
of the back, scapulars, and coverts pointed and the
ruff feathers dark and elongate. The bufl'-coloured
birds appear to be either young, or old in worn and
faded plumage." Hume, on the other hand, says,
"the younger birds are sandier and paler than
above described '' (the adult) " but the older they
grow, the more richly rufous they become."
266 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVL
Distribution.
Habits.
Measuremetits.
No. 1193.
" Bill horny brown or dusky yellowish, paler on the
culmen in adults, greenish horny in younger birds ;
cere black ; iris brownish yellow ; legs and feet dirty
yellow to greenish grey." (Blanford.)
Throughout the Punjab plains and lower hills.
Similar to other vultures. Builds in cliffs in the
hills, in colonit'S and on high trees in the plains,
between February and March. The nest is loosely
constructed of sticks, and there is one pure white
egg. Very occasionally it is spotted and measures
3-65 by •2-7.
This and the next species, though impossible to
separate from one another on the wing, are very
easy to differentiate from any of the other vultures,
by the amount of white in the plumage.
In the air, the whole bird appears to be a dirty
white with the exception of a black edge to the
wing quills and a black tail. The amount of black
and white on the wings is very nearly evenly divid-
ed, the white being somewhat in excess.
The flight is very similar to Y. monachus, but the
wings do not appear to be so broad in proportion
to size.
This species as already stated is very similar to
the next, and for a long time the two were con-
sidered one and the same bird. Mr. Hume, I think,
was the first to point out the differences and con-
sider them worthy of conferrins specific rank. The
chief points of difference are: — G. fnlvus has a
somewhat shorter and stouter bill ; is smaller in
size ; has more down on the head, face, and neck,
and is more rufescent generally, than the paler
Himalayan variety. In habits, too, there is a marked
difference between them, G. fidvus building in trees
whereas G. hi ma l^i yen sis invariably builds in cliffs.
Again, in G. fulvus the 3rd, primary is the longest,
whereas in G. himalayensis it is the 4th, which is the
longest.
Length 41 to 47" ; wing 26 to 29"; tail 13"; tarsus
4-.5", and expanse 94 to 106".
Family VULTURID^.
Type B.
Genus Gyps.
Gyps himalayensis, The Himalayan Griffon.
Charactenstics.
Colouration.
Size very large ; 4th, primary longest ; lower plu-
mao'e with broad shaft stripes.
The head, cheeks, throat and chin covered with
whitish hair-like feathers and white down on the
neck. The basal portion of the back and sides
of neck bare, and tufts of down in front of the
neck. The ruff at the back of the base of the neck
composed of lanceolate feathers about 3" long, pale
brown with whitish centres The whole of the back
plumage varies from light brown to white on the
,, .'.,, f ' I ' lower back. The scapulars and greater wing cov-
"" '. i' I ' erts dark browi) with pale tips. Quills and tail dark
brow;], alaioet black. Crop brown, the short feathers
, .,.,,. I . ; , being pale edged,. Under-parts, pale brown or buff
with broad whitish shaft stripes. Upper and under
tail coverts buff, somewhat lighter below than abo»'e.
I^ill pale ho;-ny green, dusky at tip; cere ) ale
' brown; irides brownish yellow ; legs and feet dingy
' ' ' greenish, grey pi: vvhite,
MeasuremenU . Length about 48"; tail 16"; wing 20"; tarsus 4*6" ;
expanse 10(1 to 110". , ■•,;;; -.'tvi" '
" Young birds are dark brown above and below,
with strongly marked whitish shaft stripes on all
body feathers and wing coverts, the shaft ttripes
being very broad on tjie ruff and the lower parts;
wing apd tail feathers nearly black." (Elanford.)
Bistrihtition . Throughout the Hinialayas.
Habits, etc. This fine bird is common everywhere m the hills
from the foot hills at about 2,000 ft. to the borders
of Thibet up to almost any altitude. . It breeds on
almost inaccessible clifl's, usually half a dozen or
more jiairs sharing the same cliff, tlioiigh' 1 have
seen solitary nests as well. Its nest is the usual
platform of sticks and it is not; above ma'kiiig'' use of
an old eagle's nest. The egg is sometimes plain
greyish white, but' more often blotched or streaked
with red-brown and measures 8-76 by 2"75.
The breeding season is from December to March,
■ but they commence soaring in pairs qiiite early in
'.; .i ' ■ the autumn, and might often be seen sailing one
immediately above the! other, almost touching, and
look as ' though one is sitting on the back of the
other, with wings stretched.
) When passing directly Overhead, only one bird
is visible, so evenly and close to each other do
they fly- 1 have never seen this species tower and
descend with clawp interlaced, like the; BJaek Vulture
or tbe Laramergeyer is wont to do.
, In flight it closely nesembles the last species, the
, adults being al>Aays easily identified by the amount
of white. The young bird, however, is a deep
brown throiigbout and looks very hke, V, monacZ/vs,
' ' except that the white round the crop patch and the
striped feath6ri*ig ori the under-parts, give it a less
•J ■• uniform Colouring than in the latter and' the wings
too appeat to.be less broad. ■ '
Family VULTURID^,
■) ' )
Type B.
' ft
Genus, G>/pif,
Ko.. 11,94. . O^yg indtcus, The Indian Long-billed Vulture, ,, •, ,. j,.. ,
GaUurqtivn . ^ Size large. Pcad and pape sprinkled. Tyjtl^.fi^prt
'"'' 1 ' ■ ' ' whity briSvyn hfii.r-Ii?';e fe.ntliers, which lower down
'''■'•' ''' ■ ' ^ l;hetic'6lf,giyes place W irregular tufts of light dovvD.
33
268 JOURNAL, BOMMAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Characteristics.
Measurements.
A distinct ruff of soft white feathers. Back and
upper parts varying from light to dark brown, all
feathers more or less edged lighter. The under-
parts pale brown, almost whitish, with broad pale
shaft stripes. In the young, head and neck are more
thickly clad, and the young resembles the Himalayan
Griftbn, but is, of course, considerably smaller.
Size large. Nostril a vertical narrow slit ; tail of
14 feathers ; wing under 25" ; crown of head with
scattered hairs.
Length about 38"; tail 11"; wing 23"; tarsus
3-75"; mid-toe without claw 3-9" ; bill from gape 2'8".
(Blanford.)
Bill and cere pale greenish, yellow horny on cul-
men ; irides brown; bare skin of head and face
dusky, ashy leaden ; legs and feet the same ; claws
creamy horny. (Blanford.)
Blanford gives the range of this bpeuies as " throughout the greater
part of the Peninsula of India, south of the Indo-Gangetic plain not in
Sind nor in Ceylon."
The Long-billed Vulture is said to breed from December to February in
colonies on precipitous clifls, laying a single egg, greenish white generally
unspotted, sometimes spotted or blotched with reddish brown, measuring
about 3-61 by 272. (Blanford.)
Family VULTURID^.
No. 1195.
Type B.
Genus Gyps.
Gyps tenuirostris, The Himalayan Long-billed Vulture.
Characteristics
Colouration.
Measurements.
Distribution.
Very similar to the last species except that in
this species the head is bare absolutely. The
general colouration of the plumage being darker,
the legs and feet somewhat longer, the bill more
slender, the nostril apparently less elongate and
broader, and the colours of the soft parts different.
(Blanford.)
Length 38^"; tail 10^"; wing 24"; tarsus 4";
middle toe without claw 4-3" ; bill from gape 2'85".
Bill brownish dusky horny, the culmen yellowish
horny ; cere horny black ; irides deep brown ; claws
dusky or horny black. (Hume.)
*' Throughout the lower Himalayas and near their
base as far west as Kashmir,"
Said to breed on trees in January and February and lays a single egg
nearly pure white and measuring 3'5 by 2*73.
Family VULTURIDiE.
Type B.
Genus Pseudoyyps.
No. 1196. Fseudogyps benyaknsis, The Indian "White-backed Vulture,
Characteristics, Nostril a narrow vertical slit ; tail of 12 feathers.
Colouration, The whole head and about two-thirds of theupper
portion of the neck dusky plumbeous with incon-
spicuous brownish hairs sparsely scattered about^
1 HE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB.
250
Measurements.
Distribution.
Habits, etc.
but thicker and longer on the occiput. The upper
half of the back of neck densely covered with soft
white feathers, followed by a conspicuous ruft' of
short pure white down.
The upper parts, including tail, varying from
black to brownish black, except the secondaries
which are a deep brownish grey, and the lower back
and rump which are pure white. Underneath, the
breast and abdomen are deep brownish black, the
feathers with pale narrow shaft stripes. The flanks,
lower wing coverts, except near the edge of the
wing, axillaries and thigh coverts white. Crop
patch black, bordered on each side by white
down.
In the young bird there is much more down about,
the head and neck, white above and brownish and
thinner below. *' Kuff of whitish lanceolate feathers
with brown edges ; plumage generally dark brown,
primaries and tail feathers blackish ; wing coverts
with narrow, breast and abdomen with broad, whit-
ish shaft stript'S ; no white on back, flanks or wing
lining ; a white down border to the brown crop
patch.-' (Blanford.)
" Bill dark plumbeous, except the upper part of
the upper mandible, which in adults is greyish white ;
cere horny black, polished ; irides browi ; naked skin
of head and neck dusky plumbeous ; legs and feet
nearly black."
Length about 35" ; tail 10" ; wing 23" ; tarsus
375 ; mid-toe without claw 3"5 ; bill from gape 2-75
(Blanford.)
Blanford records this species as the commonest
vulture throughout India and Burma, but not found
in Ceylon, nor above moderate elevations in the
Himalayas, and rarer in the Punjab and Sind and
in the desert parts of Eajputana. Hume, however,
considers it plentiful in the major portion of the
Punjab, but afi"ecting particular localities for breed-
ing.
Anybody who has been along most of the older
canal banks, lined with " seeshum " or other large
trees, must have been struck with the numbers of
enormous nests to be seen among the branches, and
during the winter months, with one of these vul-
tures sitting on a branch alongside, and perhaps a
hideous head, covered with down, looking out from
inside the nest.
During the breeding season this is an excessively
noisy bird and the " roarings " one hears would do
credit to a zoo.
Hume tells of a female returning to a nest, whence
he had taken the epg and shot the male, and tear-
ing it to pieces and making a "wonderful snorting
and hissing all the while."
61 JOURNAL, BOMBAY liATURAL mST. SOOmTT, Vol. XXVU
i )
Vultur monachus.
Otoffups calvus.
It is possible that the distribution of this species
in the Punjab has extended considerably since the
fannaof Brit ah India was written. Flourishing vil-
lages having come into existence, canal colouies,
where erstwhile was nothing but a sandy waste,
ensures a plentiful supply of food, and trees on
which they can build.
The flight of this bird is very similar to the other
vultures. When flying low and to or from a place
the wings are held slightly back, though not so much
as in "Otogyps. " When soaring, however, this
tendency is not .'*o noticeable. It can easily bo dis-
tinguished from the other four Punjab species, first
by its smaller size and in the adult, by the amount
of white on its rump.
As this is the last species of the true vultures to
be dealt with, it may be as well to gUe a rough
description of the 5 species to be found in the Pun-
jab, and what they look like on the wing, taking of
course normal adult birds.
"Very large ; wings held in a line with the body
and apparently very broad ; colouring more or less
uniform throughotit and varying from deep brown
in some specimens, to almost jet bla-jk in others.
Large; wings held well above the back ; colour
jet black with a narrow whitish line running down
the centre of each wing (not always very conspi-
cuous) ; white thigh and crop patches very conspi-
cuous ; if at close range, naked livid skin might also
be seen near the white patches.
Very large; wings held in a line with the body,
colour throughout very pale dirty white, except the
margins of the open wings and the tail which are
black. The front half or the bird thus appears pale
coloured and the back half black.
Very similar to the above, and the two are not
easily distinguishable from each other. This spe-
cies is a little lighter and cleaner looking on the
pale under parts. This species is hardly likely to
be found on the plains, whereas the former (fulvus)
does not ascend the hills to any great height.'
Smaller than all except O. co/ws: wings maybe
held slightly backward or level with the body: the
body (lark, wing lining and sides of lody white or
> ' li;iht coloured ahd margins of the extended wing
blackish. ' ' ,
It a view of the back is obtained, a prominent
white patch will be seen on the lower portion of the
: back, the rest of the upper parts appearing almost
black. ■ ' .
The White-backed Vidture breeds in treefe from about October till March.
They usually bmld in colonies, either PevePal' nests rn a tU)<Ae tree, or on
adjoining ti-eesall along a canal "bank. A iiiicle egg is laid, generally dull
■white but somefcHnes marked with reddish brown and measuring on an
average 3-2b by 2 42. (Blauford.)
Gyps fulvus
G. himalayensis.
Pseudoff;;ps '
benyalensia.
■n.y^
TH,E mtiJ>S OJP PREY OF THE PUNJAB^
26,1
No. 1197,,
No. 1198:
. .:.,-•. Family VULTURID^.
' ', Ty^e B.
' I ■■.;■'! ■■ Genxm Neopkion, ; '
Neophrpn ginginianvs, The Smaller White Scavenger Vulture.
]!\/eop/iron peiciiopierus, The Large White Scavenger Vultur^
or The Egyptian Vulture.
Charcfcterutica, Nostril a narrow horizontal slit ; bill slender, and
lengthened.
(^olowation^ , The fully adult plumage is almost white through-
' out, except for the primaries and the w inglet which
' are black ; the former ate grey outside and brown
inside towards the base ; secondaries whity brown
^ or grey on the outer web outside, blackish brown
' ' elsewhere; tertiaries pale brown thntughout. A
brownish or greyish tinge oh the scapulars and
wing coverts and sometimes elsewhere, is a sign of
maturity. The neck hackles are often stained
rusty. (Blanford.)
" Young birds are at first blackish brown, the
scattered down on the head and throat black, then
pale tips appear on some of the neck hackles and
breast-feathers and on the smaller wing-coverts,
1 giving a speckled appearance ; the backj^breaet, and
greater wing-coverts are mottled with whitish
blotches. The change to the adult plumage' is
gradual." (Blanford.)
No. 1197. Bill in adults horny yellow, in young birds dark;
cere and sides of head and throat yellow; Tegs
' dirty yellow; claws pale horny. In young birds
the naked parts of head and throat grey; legs and
feet cinereous.
No. 1198. Bill dusky, never yellow ; cere is reddish yellow,
. darker than the cheeks, and the claws blackish
horny.
No. 1197. Length about 24"; tail 9-5; wing 18-25; tarsus ij-l;
mid-toe without claw 2 5.
No. 1198; '' Length about 26" ; tail 10" ; wing 19" ; tarsus 3-3 ;
' mid-toe without claw 2 6. (Blanford.)
Habit9, «:(c.\ With regard to the two species here given I have
quoted from the Fauna of British India almost word
';"■■' r:" ( ' for word, and by placing the numbers in front of
^ the description of the beak, legs, etc., have shown
at a glance how very small the difference between
the two species is. The latter is generally the
I more robust bird of the two, and the very small
,J difference in actual measurement of the mid-toe
without claw, does not convey what this really
means in the foot of the two birds, that of A'.
:; V. • , perenopterus being comparatively a good . deal
"' ' larger than the difference in the decimals of an
- . r inch represents. . ,.,
A common feature, of every town and village }n India, the Scavenger
Vviltnre U, next %o. the Kite, the most familiar bird in the country.
^32 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. S00I:BTY, Vol. XXYL
In flight it resembles the Lammergeyer pretty closely, except in point
of size. Long narrow wings and a wedge-shaped tail proclaim the
Neophron from afar. In its adult plumage, it is still more unmistakable,
being practically wholly white with a jet black margin to the wings.
The young birds may vary from almost a dirty black throughout to
various degrees of black and white, frequently in patches^ depending
6n age.
On the wing, the colouring of the under surface is not unlike an adult
Grifl'on, but whereas the black wing margin is interrupted by a white tail
in Neophron, it is continuous in the Grifl'on, the under surface of the tail
being black in the latter.
With a light and graceful flight this is a very different bird in the air
to the same on the ground, where Mr, Dewar, I think, likens him unto a
recruit learning to march.
The Neophron breeds from February to May either in cliffs, trees or
old ruins and lays usually two eggs, much spotted and blotched with
brownish red and measuring 2'6 by 1"98.
Family FALCONID^^:.
Subfamily GYP^TIN^O.
Type C.
Genus Gypestus.
No. 1199. Gypcstus barbatus, The Bearded Vulture or Lammergeyer.
CTiaracteristicfi . Head feathered ; tarsi feathered to the toes ; &
beard of rough bristles depending from the chin ;
size very large.
Colouration i In adults, the whole head, neck, and the whole of
the under-parts white, washed with varying degrees
of yellow or gold.
The lores black, and the cere entirely covered by
the black rictal bristles, and the beard black.
The upper portion of the back and the smaller
wing coverts black with narrow white shaft stripes.
The rest of the upper plumage is a light grey, the
edges of the feathers much darker in some birds and
the dark edges disappearing with age, the shaft
stripe being whitish. The whole of the back and
vmder lining of the wing has a silvery grey appear-
ance, with darker stripes or lines.
The young birds of the year have the whole head
and neck black and the rest of the body a deep
brown, with some white on the back and often at
the base of the tail. More ; white appears aa they
advance with age and a 2-year old bird frequently
appears altogether parti-coloured, retaining many
' ■ of its young plumage feathers.
MeasufeweHis.
Mabits, etc..
Length 44 to 49'' ; tail 22" ; wing 32" ; tarsus 4"
expanse about 9 feet. '
The Lammergeyer builds in cliffs in the Hima-
layas, from November to March ancl lays* usually 2
'6ggs, soirtetitaes wittiout toatkirigs, brit' asiially
i.n-'i'C'dJi r
.i)lt *'!
THE BIIIBS OF PREY OF THE £UMJAii, . 2G:J
heavily blotched with reddish markings, and mca-
Buring about 3-24 by 2-66.
This is a magnificent looking bird and of ap-
parently great size, but its fine colouring and huge
tri-coloured eye account for its noble looks, and its
long pointed wings and wedge-shaped tail make it
look much bigger than it really is.
Its weight when compared with the Himalayan
Griifon, for instance, accounts for the smallness
of its egg, when compared with that bird's, and
in spite of its expanse, the Lammergeyer only
weighs about 12 pounds to the vulture's 18 to
20 lbs.
The stories that have been written and told of
this bird's depredations among flocks and herds,
would fill an average-sized book, and one can but
wonder how they originated. If they were all told
of the Imperial eagle one could understand it, as
he so closely resembles the Golden Eagle, that the
misdeeds of the latter might easily be put down to
the former, but in the case of the Bearded Vulture
there is no such resemblance to anything, unless it
be his still more ignoble cousin the Scavenger Vul-
ture. The fact remains that the Lammergeyer has
been blamed for carrying ofl" lambs and accredited
with killing ibex and ghooral. One glance at his
miserably weak talons precludes any such possi-
bility, and all such stories about him must be put
down as myths and traveller's tales without any
atom of truth.
Mr. Hume tells how the Lammergeyer has passed
over fowls and pigeons placed as a bait for eagles
without taking the least notice of them, and 1 can
recall more than one similar instance.
Bones are to a Lammergeyer what chocolate is
to a school boy and if it is intended to catch him.
the best bait is a collection of bones placed in a circle
of nooses.
Bones 2 to 3 inches long and as thick aa a man's
finger simply disappear down his capacious throat,
without causing the least bit of inconvenience. One
I kept in captivity, used to be regaled with the lege
of fowls and pheasants, tibia and tarsus complete,
together with the toes and claws. The whole leg
would promptly begin to disappear until just the toes
peeped out of the corners of his beak. The old Lam-
mergeyer would then take a breather, and then sud-
denly draw in his neck, giving it a twist at the same
time. There would be a slight " crick " as though
his neck ha^ .been broken, and the next instant
the toes would disappeai; from view and the bird
would be prepared for another leg. Whether
. this twist and contraction of the muscles of the
neclf ; broke the bones inside I cannot say, but it
,ertf^i nly, ^ppea^r^d ,tp dp BO, and the fact remain
264 JO UMNAL, BOMjRA T NA TURAL m^T) SOGIJETT, Vol. XXVI
■ ■ X that ttie bone invariably went down the more
easily.
'In his wild state the Lammergeyer is gifted with
the patience pf Job and is prepared to spend an en-
tire morning in the breaking of a refactory bone
that is too big to swallow* i 1 watched one on the
Braribal Pass into Kashmir, for well over an hour
trying to JDreak his bone. When I arrived on the
Pass he was there, and how, long he had been at it
previous to my coming, 1 don't kuow, but 1 had
breakfast not far from whe,re he was performing, and
when 1 left, which was a good hour from the time 1
arrived, he was still trying to break his bone. The
"modus operandi " is as follows : —
Having secured his bone the bird flies up to a con-
siderable height above a boulder strewn uallah or
plain, and then drops his bone. If he is fortunate
the bono strikes a boulder and breaks, and he fol-
lows leisurely down and swallows the pieces, but in
the above instance, he either had a particularly
tough bone or it never struck a hard enough stone
at the right angle.
In the autumn, and in fact from about the begin-
ning of September to the beginning of November, it
is a lovely sight to watch a pair of these fine birds
mating. One will be seen dropping from the hea-
vens with closed wings till within a few feet of
another, on a lower plane. No. 2 turns over on its
; ^ back to receive the onslaught and No. 1, with a
slight openiug of the wings and tail, appears to just
miss the other, and immediately rises almost verti-
cally up again. Again he attacks, and if he has
judged his angle correctly, No. 2 begins a succession
of zigzags, dropping fast, with semi-closed wings, but
not fast enough to get away from No. I. As the latter
again approaches to within a few feet. No. 2 changes
its tactics and opening its wings to their full,
begins rising with tremendous beats of wings, clo-
sely followed by No. 1. Up the two go for a short
distance, the pursuer within a few inches of the
pursued, when seemingly, having reached the limit
'^ of its endurance, stops flapping and again drops,
then Bails away. They will' then perhaps circle for
a short time, rising steadily higher and higher,
and once more repeat the process. Sometimes the
game ends in their claws interlocking and the pair
coming down in a succession of Catherine wheels,
' ' almost to the ground, when they suddenly part
■' cohipany and forthwith begin to mount up again, or
they mi^^ht simply go on and on, ever rising,
until they go clean out of sight over some distant
'-' ' range. ' ^
• ■■■ The flight of the LamtiieTgeyer is unmistakable.
T rs ; ' The long pointed wihgs, narrow in comparison to
'■''■■ ' ■ their length' and the lorig' wedge-shaped tail, are
--^ aufficibnt to procl&lrii his identity at any height.
?-»
c.
tr ^«
li
,''
.'>
.TO
'jr:l
THE BIRDS OF PREl OF THE PUNJAB. 266
Tlie wings, like a vulture's, are held in a line with
the body. When quartering a hillside he will be
frequently found to fly with his wings half closed,
and they will then appear very narrow and long, the
end of the long primary feathers reaching to almost,
or quite, to the end of the tail, the points frequently
lower than the level of the body.
T have never seen a Lammergeyer actually feed-
ing on a carcase with vultures, though he is never
far away from it while they feed
After the vultures leave, he attacks it bt
before they arrive in any numbers, he gets, a few
tit-bits.
)
(To he continued.)
> «v
34
' : Panthers.
^ BY
Brigadier-General R. G. Burton.
I. Species and Varieties.
It is carious that the idea that there is in India more than one species
of panther is still prevalent, even in quarters where more enlightenment
might be expected. An experienced sportsman only a few years ago pro-
d\iced an interesting book of reminiscences in which he maintained that
there were not merely two but three species of panther, and these
inhabiting the same districts. He even went so far as to give the name of
"pantheret" to the smallest of these supposed species. Certainly the
value of his opinions was discounted when it was found that the reasons he
gave for these distinctions had been mainly taken from an obsolete work on
natural history, but the fact is of importance as showing how even experi-
enced observers may be led astray. These animals range the length and
breadth of Africa and Asia, from the Atlantic to the China Seas. 1
have seen at Nijni Novgorod skins from the Caucasus and from the
farthest confines of Siberia. It is only to be expected that with such a vast
variety of climate and general environment there ehould be a considerable
variation in minor characteristics. Perhaps the tendency to sej;)arate the
panther into two species has been accentuated by confusion of BOmenclature,
Felis pardus being called panther in some parts of the country and leopard in
Others. The latter name is more properly applied to the hunting leopard.
The older naturalists founded their reasons for a separation of species on
differences in size, in texture of fur, and in the shape of the skull. They
were even supposed to differ in character, the smaller animal being considered
the fiercer. There was said to be a large species characterised by an
elongated skull, having a pronounced occipital ridge and a smooth coat.
The smaller so-called species was supposed to have a round skull, no
occipital ridge, and a rough and less brightly-coloured coat. To these
alleged differences Sterndale added that Temminck had noted a variation
in the number of caudal vertebrae, and the author above referred to adopt-
ed this as a "fact" the larger so-called species being said to have 2.2
vertebrae and the smaller 28. I have found a mature and medium-sized
panther to have 24 vertebrse in the tail, and other sportsmen have noted
a similar number, whilst I counted 26 in another. One with 2.S caudal
vertebra) is recorded from Canara. This difference is, therefore, appa-
rently non-existent, and was probably based on the examination of a very
limited number of specimens. Naturalists are prone to separate species on
insufficient evidence. Thus the late Dr. Lydekker gave sub-specific status to
the Baluchistan gazelle on the evidence of a female head having annulated
horns, and the dark portions of the face being dark brown instead of
rufous ; the male was said to differ from the ordinary Indian chikara in
having the horns more curved backwards and slightly more lyrate when
viewed from the front. Now it is quite possible that the Baluchistan
gazelle may be a local race, but the alleged differences are of no value in
determining this. The female chikara in the Deccan has frequently dis-
tinctly annulated horns, and the dark portions of the face vary in colour
with age. As for the form of the horns, these will be found to vary even in
specimens in a single herd in any part of India, some being more lyrate
and some more curved back than others.
To return to the panther. Size is no criterion. We might separate the
tiger into different species for the same reasons. The distinctions adduced
as regards form of skull and texture of fur are merely indications of age
.iV.>v7 PAh'THERS. 267
and sometimes, in the case of fur, of environment, and are not peculiar to
the panther. In older animals one naturally finds more pigmentation,
resulting in a brighter-coloured coat. In cold climates thicker and longer
fur and an under pelage may be expected. In open country colour is
naturally lighter than in dense forest where darker animals are found.
The tendency appears to be for coloration to approximate to the environ-
ment, as in the desert-born which assimilate to the colour of the soil.
While this is an outcome of evolution, its rapid effects may be seen in the
case of fish. You will find blue trout in the glacial streams of Norway,
and pull black ones from the gloomy depths of rocky pools. There is a
species of spider in the South of France which adapts itself to the colour
of the flower it frequents, and will change colour in a few days when trans-
ferred from one flower to another of diflerent hue.
2. Coloration.
Panthers from diS"erent localities vary considerably in coloration, which
in certainly remarkably protective, both by day and in the dusk or at
night. I had great difliculty in distinguishing one that I had shot which
was lying dead under some bushes where it blended with the chequered
sunshine and the shadow of the leaves ; and when looking for and expect-
ing to see a panther, I have been on the point of firing at such a chequered
patch of sunlight and shadow. At night a panther will flit from shade to
shade like some evanescent phantom, even in bright moonlight, and it
blends like a shadow with the dusk.
A remarkable skin from the Deccan was described in the Field of thi-
18th January 1908 in the following terms: — "Although the black mark-
ings present some approximation in pattern and mode of arrangement to
the jaguar type, the head and back are ornamented by an altogether
peculiar kind of meshed network of broad buft' lines, the first mesh which
occupies the head being much larger than all the others." This may be a
hybrid between a tiger and a panther, although the note on the subject
states that the markings present no approximation to the tiger type, and
that tigers are seldom found in the district. The latter reason rather
favours the hybrid theory, mating being more likely to occur where the
tiger has perhaps wandered far from the haunts of his own species. Such
a hybrid is recorded in a book by Mr. Hicks of the Forest Department,
but the skin was destroyed and is not described. It is not stated in
what district of the Deccan the skin described in the Fidd was
obtained. Among panthers which I killed in a district of the Deccan
a few years ago was one which slightly approximated to the jaguar type
in having a central spot in each rosette on the back. I shot some twenty
panthers in that district but this was the only one so marked. The
hybrid theory in the instance recorded in the Field seems most probable.
There have been authentic cases of lions and panthers inter-breeding in
captivity, and the tiger seems more proximate to the panther. The skin of
a hybrid between a lion and panther, born at Kolhapur, is figured in
Volume XXII of the Journal.
3. Melanism.
It is generally accepted that the black panther is not a separate speciets
but a lusus natures, a view supported by the fact that litters have frequent-
ly been observed containing both black and fulvous cubs. It is, however,
curious that melanism in the panther does not occur in Africa, although
the specieis appears to be the same as the Indian one. Black jaguars are
found in South America. Moreover, melanism has been proved to be
hereditary, but this is only to be expected of this as of many other trans-
mitted characteristics. In the Journal Vol. XVI, Colonel Ferris records
263 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XKVL
the case of a pair of black panthers from North China at Kolhaptir which
twicd bred in captivity and eacH time produced black cubs. A male bred
with a fulvous female; the resulting cub had larger, blacker, and moro
glossy spots than usual, and the peacock spots altogether larger and more
deJiaed. Colonel Ferris thought this pair belonged to a distinct species.
They were uniform black, but in the sunlight a faint trace of spots was
visible on the sides, and lower doA'n on the belly the spots were more
apparent and the hair was of a deep brown. The spots were not, hovsrever,
"live Hiiger tipped or circular broken rosettes but entirely black blotches
without annulation. The tongue was brilliant pink, and the palate of the
male pink, but of that on tht- female there were two small black spots. Un-
der the tongue both were blackish ; the gums above and below the front teeth
and in which they were set were black". He mentions the case of a black
panther shot in Canara having a black tongue ; this is an interesting point
calling for further evidence. One shot by Colonel Grantham had a pink
tongue. The so-called black panther appears to be generally more dark
brown than black, and in the sunlight the rosettes stand out plainly.
Black panthers, as one would expect, appear to be more frequently met
within the dense forests of the south, west and north than in other parts
of India. They are perhaps more common in the Malay States, where the
forests are dense and the climate is moist. I never heard of or saw one
in the Deccan, but one was seen in Sironcha, and 1 heard of one being shot
in the Central Provinces. In the Nilgiris and Mysore they appear to be
less rare. In a very entertaining book. Colonel Welsh's Militaiij Remineh-
cences, published in 1830, it is siated that both black panthers and black
tigers were found in the forests of Travancore. The black tigers may be
doubted, but Major Capper believes that he saw one in the Cardamom
Hills in that State in 1895 ; and Mr. Hauxwell saw and wounded one,
to the best of his belief, in the Bhamo District in Burma in 1913. Dr. Blan-
ford mentions one shot near Chittagong many years ago. This is the black
tiger of which a full account was given by Mr. C. T. Buckland in the Field.
The account was reproduced in Volume IV of this Journal. Mr. Buckland saw
the dead tiger, which was killed by a poisoned arrow two miles from Chitta-
gong in March 1846. The skin, which was unfortunately too decomposed
for preservation, was black or very dark brown, the stripes showing a dark-
er black in the sunlight. The dead tiger was also seen by Captains Swat-
man and Hore In the "Observer" of January 11th, 1811, it is recorded
that "a large black tiger, the only one ever seen alive in Europe, intend-
ed as a present from the King of Java to Bonaparte, taken in the Gude
Vrow on the passage to France, is now to be seen at Kendrick's collection
of Rare Foreign Beasts and Birds, No. 40, opposite St. James's Church,
Piccadilly." But this was more probably a panther, and the case for black
tigers, except the Chittagong specimen, is " not proven." In Java black
panthers are said to be not uncommon, and one writer has suggested that
their colour is due to natural selection for the purpose of facilitating their
pursuit of the black gibbons on which they prey. Surely this is the theory
of protective coloration run wild.
In a book entitled " The view of Hindustan," by Thomas Pennant, 1798,
it is recorded that a black panther, taJ'en in the Sunderbunds, was pre-
sented to the Menagerie in the Tower of London by Warren H stings;
Also that "a leopard of a dirty white colour, spotted with grey, takpn ne&j
Agra," was presented to Jehangir. , .
Bates, in his " Naturalist on the Amazons," makes frequent mentions of
black jaguars in, the forests of Brazil.
On the other hand albinism appears to be commoner in the larger feline;
f have never he^rd of a white panther. Dr. Lydekker mentions s^v era
I
v, ■' PANTRERS. 269
white tigers in his book on the Game Animals of India, and figures the
skin of one. A white tiger, killed in the Bilaspur District of the Central
Provinces, is described in Volume XXiV of this Journal, It was cream
coloured with stripes of chocolate brown.
4. Breeding Habits.
Not much appears to be definitely recorded regarding the breeding
seasons of the great felidse. A panther killed in March bad thr'^e unborn
cubs. 1 kept a cub some time that was probably born in December, and 1
saw a cub jn February that was five or six months old. There is apparent-
ly no regular breeding season. In the Field of 4th April 1908 the period
of gestation is said to be three months, meaning presumably twelve wteks j
that of the tiger and jaguar is put at three and a half months. Like other
cats, jianther cubs are born blind. They appear to be generally two or
three in number.
5. Dimensions.
It has been said that panthers vary greatly in size. I have not my
diaries h<re so cannot give the dimensions of many which were carefully
measured. In the Journal No. XXI, page 1(J63, i gave the measurements
of ten shot in the Buldana District of Berar in 191:.\ 'Jhese \aiied in
lengtli from a little over seven feet to five feet eight inches, but some were
immature. Three old males had a head and body length of 4 feet 6 in-
ches, 4 feet 3 inches, and 4 feet '2 inches respectively. Their tails were 2
feet 9 inches in the case of two, and 2 feet 6 inches in length in the case
of the other. Three old females were two of them '6 feet 8 inches, and one
an inch less in length of head and body. The variation in size is therefore
negligible in these cases, and, to the best of my recollection, in other ani-
mals of the species which 1 have shot. 1 think these were of average size
and it seems probable that mature animals do not vary as greatly in this
respect as has been frequently represented. Mostlength records of tigers
and panthers are so inaccurate as to be eutirt-lv untrustworlhy. 1ho.>-eI
have given were measured between uprights placed at the nose and at the
root of the tail. If all measurements were taken this way we should pro-
bably' hear little more of ten-foot tigers and eight-foot panthers. I have
never seen one or the other Measurements taken round the curves of
the body are quite valueless. In Volume XX of the Journal the measure-
ment of a panther shot by a villager in Tthri State is given as nine feet
three inches. That is the length of an average male tiger, and it may be
placed in the same category as the eleven and twelve-foot tigers which we
have heard of hut never seen. The great cats are very p\mmetiically
built, and if eleven foot tigers and nine-foot panthers aie chalked out on
a wall in their proper pr<portioii8 it will be seen that tht-y are more like
monsters of the prime of the sjibre-toothed species than the rt al anin als of
our p osaic age. A large series of skulls may be seen in the Society's
Museum, and these perhaps givo a fuir criterion of size. I have no record
of weights, but m Volume XXVI two males are recorded as wtighiug 114
and 115 pounds, which is probably a fair average. But no doubt much
heavier animals are found.
6, Habits.
The habits of these animals are certainly very interesting. Their con-
duct, is frequently characterised by estrettie boldness and otrtiue tin>idity.
Though so bold that they have been known to enter a tent and even a
house, they will seldom take their prey in the presence of n.aii when they
are aware ihatthey can be seen Thus a herd of goats watched: by a
small herd bo^ >vill probably be unniolested, but stiaj-gltrswill be fitized.
■J70 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATORAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
A.t hill stations dogs are not infrequently taken when out with their
owners, but I do not recollect hearing of the dog being seized actually in
its owner's presence. The thief is generally invisible on such occasions.
I see in the Journal many notes under the heading " Boldness of pan-
thers". These generally refer to instances of these animals returning to
a kill after being fired at once or even oftener. I recollect one returning
to the carcase of a nilgai three times, and being fired at each time.
I think the authors of these notes are too ready to ascribe almost human
powers of reasoning to the panther. It is not likely that the animal is
aware that a projectile has been propelled at it, and that it will connect
the report of the rifle with an attempt on its life. A friend of mine shot
in quick succession three panthers that came to feed on the carcase of a
donkey they had killed. Panthers commonly reside in the near vicinity
of villages, and become used to the presence of human beings, but even
where they are not molested they are seldom seen, although they may be
heard prowling in the neighbourhood in the darkness, I recollect one com-
ing to drink at a well in the compound of a forest bungalow where I was
staying. My bed was placed outside as it was hot weather and the panther
must have passed close to me although 1 did not see it. A bear came in
the same night, and I ran after it bare-footed, but did not get a shot.
1 cannot agree with that fiue sportsman and naturalist and brave
soldier, the late F. C Selous, who says in his African Nature Notes and
Reminiscences " nothing is more certain than that all carnivorous animals
hunt almost entirely by scent". African conditions may have led to the
greater development of the powers of scent in the carnivora. My experience
is that tigers and panthers hunt almost entirely by sight, and perhaps
partly depend on hearing. This has been proved time and again by
these beasts of prey passing close to bufr'aloes or goats, tied up as bait,
without seeing them, owing to the bait having made neither sound
nor movement. I have known many occasions when a tiger has
passed close to an animal thus tied up, and has killed another a few
hundred yards farther on. For this reason, that they hunt by sight
and not by scent, one ties up the bait on or near a path or watercourse or
near a pool of water, so that the prowling tiger may come upon it during
his nightly wanderings.
One may go further and say that the popular notion that these animals
have powerful olfactory nerves is a common fallacy. This has been fre-
quently proved by sportsmen sitting in concealed shelters on the ground
when a panther will prowl round in close proximity, perhaps only four or
five feet ofi", without detecting the prpsence of a human being. In the
case of panthers having the habit of prowling round human habitations this
may not appear conclusive, as it may be thought that they have acquired a
character of indifference to the smell of man. But the same thing has
been observed in forest-dwellers which prey, not on stray goats and dogs, but
on the feral denizens of the jungle.
But the powers of vision of these animals are apparently not very good.
They at once detect movement, but fail to distinguish a motionless
object. Whiskers appear to help. I saw a pauther, driven out below me in
noisy beat, using his whiskers very freely ; they were set and bristling and
moving backwards and forwards. These animals, like tigers, seldom look
up, but I have known one, driven out in a beat, attack a man in a tree.
The panther is not as impatient of thirst as the tiger and may be found
at a distance from water, but the tiger seldom strays far from stream or
pool. The tiger is fond of lying in water during hot weather, I recollect
one coming along in the beat dripping from the midday bath. My shikaris
averred that, this animal, which was undoubtedly unusually addicted to
'-\ - ■ ;■■'■• ■ ■ • •' FANTHERS. ' ' ' , . _ 271
this habit, always lay in water in the heat of the day with nothing but thie
tip of his tail showing above the surf5,ce ! I have never known a panther
take to water, and they seem to like wetting their fur as little as the
domestic cat. Is it that the tiger is an immigrant into the tropics from
northern climes, and is accordingly impatient of the heat ?
Panthers are comparatively seldom met with by chance, and have to be
sought for. I shot one one morning by the side of a forest road where it
was sitting up on its haunches like a dog about eighty yards off. A lucky
shot hit it in the side of the head. I put up another when out partridge
shooting and killed it with a charge of No. 1 shot at very close range.
Those are the only two 1 have met by chance although I have spent months
in country infested by them. They are timid and retiring, and no doubt
conceal themselves on the approach of a human being. An unwounded
panther is not generally a dangerous animal. I have known one kill &
woman who came suddenly upon it when she was cutting grass ; this
panther, which I shot, was not a man-eater; another one seized a man who
was lying asleep in the open, wrapped up in a black blanket. It perhaps
mistook him for a goat, and it dropped him as soon as he cried out. A re-
markable instance of a panther charging a sportsman is given in Volume
IX, page 96, of the Journal, where Mr. Millett relates that he was walking
in the jungle when the animal suddenly rushed at him from a distance, but
swerved aside, just brushing his leg, on being struck on the back with the
gun. Probably the panther mistook him at first for lawful game. I have
myself nearly trodden on a panther. I was going down a hill covered
with sparse jungle when I smelt the animal, and, looking down, saw it lying
under a bush at my feet. It rose and walked over the slope into denser
thicket where I had thought it to be at first and out of which I then drove
and killed it. My chief attendant considered that I had had a very narrow
tiscape, and after our arrival in camp performed a mysterious ceremony,
passing a live fowl several times over my head to exorcise the spirit of the
beast. When much harried an unwounded panther will, however, turn
and rend its pursuers. Some Brinjaras in my service marked down one
of these animals under a bush on a hillside. I had already driven this
animal out twice in a neighbouring ravine and had fired at and missed it.
I now walked up to the place expecting to get an easy shot, but the beast
ran down the hill, only giving me a glimpse of its tale over the top. I was
accompanied by a number of beaters and followers. We gave chase, the
panther flying down the road like a scalded cat, with the crowd in full cry
after it. It was now getting on for dusk, and the animal took refuge in a
thickly wooded nullah. I quickly organised a beat, but instead of coming
towards my post, the panther turned on the beaters some twenty yards
from me, and seized a fifteen-year old boy by the back of the head and
neck. A sepoy with the beaters fired a shot. I could not fire owing to the
•crowd, and the panther dropped his victim and dashed back into the
jungle. By the time 1 had picked up the boy and attended to him it was
too dark to find the panther, although its position was indicated by a flock
of crows cawing in a tree above. This boy was not very severely hurt, the
panther fortunately having seized him " lengthways," and its teeth slipped
on the skull, the lower canines penetrating the neck to some depth. His
head was screwed to one side, but 1 gradually got it straight in the course
of a few days, and he was soon well on the road to recovery. >
7. Pantheks and their peey.
The panther appears almost invariably to seize its prey by the throat,
-and follows the same rule in attacking human beings. But people mauled
in this manner are generally seized by the arm or shoulder, which are .bo
272 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
doubt presented to , the animal in the effort to protect one's self. A
wounded panther which seizod me got hold of my fore-arra, raised to cover
my throat. When its weight bore me to the ground, it seized and bit
deeply into the thigh placing one paw on the calf of the. leg ^hich the
claws penetrated. Nearly aU the men I have seen mauled have been
seized by the arm or shoulder. Those attacked by man-eatera are taken
unawares and come under a different category, and are usually seized by
the throat ; but I recollect the case of a woman being dragged by the
leg out ot the verandah of a house where she was sleeping.
How does the panther attack and kill its prey ? We read everywhere of
the great caniivora "springing" on their prey. From a position above the
quarry it is probable that a spring will complete the stalk. But in -my
experience these animals run rapidly on to and rush up and seize tho
victim. The panther above referred to that attacked me came rapidly
ventre-a-terre uttering low growls : there was no " spring,'' and I have
never seen such action ; but the attacks I ha-'O seen have generally been
by wounded and angry animals. A panther took a goat within ten yards
of a tree in wh cM I was watching for him. A wooded nullah was close by.
From this the panther rushed in broad daylight and seized the goat by
the throat at the same time clasping its forequarters with paws : I fired on
the instant hoping to save the goafs life and the panther dropped dead beside
its victim Tho ^oat was nob borne to the ground and the neck was not dis-
located, but the fatal fang holes were in the throat, from which the life-
blood was welling. As regards prey, few animals came amiss to the
panther. Of wild animals he kills many pig, nilgai, and deer; hares and
peafowl are caught ; in a district where 1 have found more panthers than
elsewhere, the Inclian antelope was a common prey, the does falling victims
more often than black bucks. Of domesticated animals, calves, donkeys,
ponies, dogs and goats are common victims. Having killed its prey tb»
panther drags it away a-id devours it at leisure under a tree or bnsh. or
fiomntimes conpeals it in the fork of a tree. Unlike the tiger, which begins
eating the haunches, tho panther begins at the pelvis as a rule and works
up to the chest. I have, however, known a panther begin eating at the
haunch of a buffalo calf, of which the tail was also bitten off. Tho kill may
not infreijuei:tly be found covered with dead leaves to conceal it from
vultures, whichhunt by sight, or placed in the fork of a tree for the same
purpose.' I have seen the remains of a barking deer thus deposited in
the fork of a tree some eight feet from the ground. In the Field of the
24th February 1906, it is recor.led that a full-grown chital stag was found
eight feet up in a tree where it had been placed by a panther ; and a noto
in the Journal No. XVIII, page 19o. relates how a half-grown boar was
found similarly placed at a height of twenty feet from the ground. The
body of a Brinjara boy killed by a panther was found five feet up. in the
for'K of a mohwa tree; the skull, stripped of flesh, lay in; an adjacent
nullah. In fact, panthers are good tree-climbers, but their habits ara
apparently nnt as arboreal as those of the jaguar. 1 shot one which was
said by the local inhabitants to prey oil the langnr monkeys which lived
about, a neighbouring temple and the surrounding trees. They said
that it used to chase the monkevs in the evenin-.'. I saw these same
Ian Mir.s playinsi leapfrog exactly like a pack of schoolbovs; perhaps in
celebration of the death of their enemy! In Vohi ne XY, page .JIG
of the Journal. Major Mosse gives an interesting account of a paother
taking to a tree when driven out of long' grass, but not for pi rposes
iOf . concealment. ?ts the tr^O; f^V ■ destitute of leaves, I found the
remains of a monkey in thtf Rtoma<ph>of a panther, and a , spojrKsTrian tells
,*)f a monkey so killed in Volume JiVJ^ iia,ge,7.54. ^ A.native,.t^ld him that
PANTHERS. 273
he sa\y the monkey caught ; the panther held on to the branches with one
forepaw and drew his prey up with the other. A Brinjara told me of a
much simpler way the panther has of catching monkeys. On moonlight
nights he walks under the trees where the monkeys are roosting on the
branches above. He selects his monkey among the shadows cast on the
ground beneath, and pounces upon it, whereupon the unhappy sleeper falls
into the jaws of the prowler below, who thus snatches at the shadow and
grasps the substance ! It has been said that monkeys will swear only at
tigers and panthers, I have known them use very bad language at a bear.
8. Panthers and Wild Dogs.
Panthers have been known to take men out of trees, and they take to
trees when hunted by wild dogs. In Volume V, page 191, Mr. Wright,
late of the Berar Police, relates how he found two panthers in a salai tree,
one above the other, with a large pack of ten or twelve jungle dogs moving
about below. The upper panther was resting upon a branch, and the lower
one holding on perpendicularly. "The difficulty was to approach. It was
arranged that C should go above and have a shot while I went below. After
a bit the lower panther made a jump, pursued by the pack in my direction
on the bank, but he broke up a ravine. Just then Cshot the other panther
dead, but he stuck in a lower fork when he fell. Some of the pack imme-
diately came back and could be seen standing on their hind legs and lick-
ing the blood as it steamed from the beast out of reach. The panther shot
was a fine male about seven feet in length." Some twenty years ago one
of my buffaloes, tied up for tigers, was killed by a panther. When visiting
the kill I found an old wild dog and a pup on it. My men afterwards said
they saw the panther going off over the hills with a pack of wild dogs in
full cry after it.
9. Panthers and Porcupines.
The great carnivora have few enemies besides man. Panthers have
been known to be killed by crocodiles ; a light between a panther and a
hyena is described on page 519, Volume XIX of the Journal ; in this, the
panther was the aggressor but not the victor, though neither of the com-
batants appears to have been damaged. In another fight between two of
the same animals the panther was killed by a hyena whose cave it had
entered when slightly wounded. In both these instances the combatants
were females. Panthers and tigers both frequently prey on porcupines,
and very often have quills sticking in their paws or other parts of the body.
I once shot a tiger which must have rolled over a porcupine for there were
quills in the back of his neck, which my shikaris would have it were dis-
charged by the porcupine like arrows from a bow ! The late Major llodon
found a freshly dead panther in a Mysore forest in 1895 with a number
of porcupine quills sticking in various parts. One paw was in its mouth,
and a number of quills sticking in the throat had apparently caused the
animal's death. At a short distance behind the panther he found a
large number of quills and a good deal of blood. An instance cf a por-
cupine attacking a dead panther is given in Volume XXIV, page 187 of
the Journal, Over five dozen quills were picked out of the panther. The
writer of the note remarks on the deliberate way in which the porcupine
had walked round the panther and filled him with quills both before and
behind. Porcupines are no doubt aggressive animals. A goat I tied out
for a panther in a deep nullah was killed by a porcupine, several quills
having pierced the heart.
I have read of panthers and tigers being attacked and even killed by
wild boars. But on page 237, Volume XXI of the Journal, Mr. Fitz-
Gibbon records that while a panther was eating a goat a big wild boar came
35
21 A^ JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
aud stood within a yard or two of it, but the panther did not even stop
eating and neither animal molested the other. Buffaloes are supposed to be
deadly enemies of the great felidte and ready to attack them at once, but
they have been known to graze close to a kill on which a panther was feed-
ing, without taking any notice of it. I tried to recover a wounded panther
with the aid of a herd of buffaloes on one occasion. The buffaloes passed
through the jungle without taking any notice of the panther which I found
dead close to where the herd had passed. Fanthers, like tigers, will fight
to the death on occasion and the victor will devour the vanquished. Seve-
ral such instances are on record in the Journal. I have never heard of
an encounter betAveen a tiger and a panther but have twice driven a tiger
and a panther out of the same cover, where they appeared to be resting in
amitj^
10. Man-eateks.
I have always found a strange fascination in the history of man-
eaters. It would make a good subject for a book. The account of the
infamous man-eater of Seoni given by Sterndale in his Natural History,
and Sanderson's graphic description of the man-eating tigress he disposed
of, cannot fail to arouse interest. The annual returns of the number of
people killed by wild animals prove that, although these monsters that
prey on human beings may not be as common as they were, they still
infest many districts in India. An account of the destruction of the man-
eating panther which killed the Brinjara boy whose bodj^ was found in the
fork of a tree, is given in an early number of the Journal. The child was
taken in the dead of night when sleeping beside his mother. The animal,
which had already killed two human beings, was beaten out and shot by
Mr. Davies, Deputy Commissioner of Basim, who mentions that the
panther was in milk and had cubs which were not found. He. also
remarks that the animal was in good condition and had a good coat.
Indeed, I have never seen it suggested that man-eating panthers are
mangy, a condition popularly ascribed to the tiger, but not borne out by
evidence. The only man-eating tiger I have seen, which I shot twenty-
one years ago, had a tine, brightly-coloured skin.
Panthers perhaps take more readily to man-eating than tigers. Their
habits bring them into closer and more frequent contact with human habit-
ations ; careless mothers leave their children where they may fall a prey to
the prowler of the night and in wandering round villages it is probable
that a panther, even though not a confirmed man-eater, will always be
ready to carry oft' a child if no one is watching. I had to do with a child-
stealing panther, soon after the destruction of the one above referred to.
This beast had taken up its abode in open country where the only cover
to be found was that aftbrded by the fastnesses of a winding river, with
deep and innumerable fissures in its banks, now in the month of May
nearly dried up by the heat of the summer sun and the scorching winds
that swept across the plain.
The panther used to prowl round the villages at night and pick up .some-
times, from the side of their sleeping parents, the children who slept for
the sake of the cool night air on the thresholds of the huts. Then it took
to attacking adult people in broad daylight. Curiously enough, these
people could give no clear account of the monster that assailed them.
Some averred that it was black and tailless, a common superstition of the
were-wolf kind, prevalent also in Eastern Eiu'ope, connecting the man-
killing wild animal with the form of a human monster. 1 thought it
probable from the accounts given that this animal was a wolf, but when
I encamped at one of the villages, and lay out at night in the shadow of
I
PAST HERS. - 275
a hut^ a small panther approached in the moonlight to stalk me or the
o-oats that were tied np as bait near the head of the bed. I fired and
wounded the beast, and it was killed by the inhabitants of a neighbouring
village a few days later.
It is a curious circumstance that when I was in Russia two years after
this a very similar series of events happened, of which I gave an account
in the Field at the time. There a mj^sterious animal appeared and
committed depredations, attacking people in broad daylight. The attacks
continued over a considerable period, and detachments of Cossacks were
sent after the animal but it was never brought to bag. Similar stories of
a were-woK were rife among the superstitious peasantry. The animal
may have been a panther escaped from captivity, or a wolf, or possibly a
lynx. I was unable to visit the district. There are no panthers in Russia
north of the Caucasus, but I have seen tracks of lynxes in the snow in
White Russia. These animals do not. however, molest human beings.
The only such case T have ever heard of is recorded on page 548, Volume
VII of the Journal, Avhere Captain Drake-Brockman relates that in the
Mirzapore District three coolies were going along together in single file
through the jungle on their way to camp at night. When passing through
some high grass, an animal sprang upon the last coolie from behind and
fastened itself upon his shoulders. He happened to be walking along at
the time with a blanket over his head, and had the presence of mind to turn
up the edges and envelop the animal in its folds. The animal fell to the
ground, and was smothered with blankets and brought into camp, where
it was fovind to be a Red Lynx. The European lynx is larger than the
caracal, and the Russian man-eater may have been one of these animals.
Unarmed natives frequently exhibit remarkable courage in dealing with
wild beasts. I read somewhere of a small herd-boy driving a tiger off his
cattle dealing the animal a resounding blow on the back with his staff. In
a village on the Pein Gunga I was shown the skin of a panther which the
inhabitants had assailed with fragments of rock and killed a short time
before. In 1894, as recorded by Captain P. Z. Cox in the Journal, a
panther was seen to take shelter in a small stack in the open near a village
in Kathiawar. A number of Wagher tribesmen turned out armed with
sticks and surrounded the stack. After a time the beast broke cover and.
seizing a Wagher, bore him to the ground. The others at once attacked
the panther with sticks and made it release its hold before serious damage
was done. It then turned on another Wagher who stood his ground
and closed with the panther, seizing it round the body. The two fell to
the ground together. The panther then made for the village, followed by
the crowd, when one of the men seized it by the tail, and held on until
one of his comrades came up with an axe. and killed it by a blow which
spilt open its skull.
In his " Highlands of Central India," Forsyth gives an account of a
man-eating panther which devastated the Seoni District and killed nearly
a hundred persons before he was shot by a shikari. He never ate the
bodies but merely lapped the blood from the throat. His plan was either
to steal into a house at night, and strangle some sleeper on his bed, or to
climb into the high platforms from which the watchers guard their fields
from deer, und drag oiit his victim. When driven off from an intended
victim at one end of a village, he would hurry round to the other side and
secure another iu the confusion, A few moments completed his deadly
work. Forsyth found a curious myth had afterwards grown round the
history of his panther, A man and his wife were travelling to their home
from a pilgrimage to Benares, when they met a panther on the road. The
woman was terrified, but the man said : " Fear not, I possess a charm by
276 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
which I can transform myself into any shape. I will now become a
panther, and remove this obstacle from the road, and on my return you
must place this powder in my mouth, when T will recover my proper shape."
He then swallowed his own portion of the powder and, assuming the
likeness of the panther, persuaded him to leave the path. Returning
to the woman, he opened his mouth to receive the transposing charm ;
but she, territied by his dreadful appearance and open jaws, dropped it in
the mire and it was lost. Then, in despair, he killed the author of his
misfortune, and ever afterwards revenged himself on the race whose form
he could never resume. This story approximates very closely to the stories
of were-wolves prevalent in Eastern Europe.
Of the same nature is the common superstition that the spirit of its
first victim accompanies the man-eater to warn it of impending danger, which
I have found firmly credited by jungle folk. There is the story of the
shikari who sat up over the remains of a man killed by one of these
monsters. When the man-eater approached to resume the feast, the arm
of the corpse was raised in warning to point to the tree in which the
watcher was sitting. The monster looked up and seeing the shikari, at 'nee
went away. The man got down from the tree, fastened down the warning
hand with a peg, and resumed his vigil in another tree. Again the man-
eater approached, but the other hand of the victim pointed out the danger,
and he fled once more. No sooner had he gone than the shikari again
descended, pegged down the other hand, and climbed another tree. When
the man-eater came back there was nothing to warn him of danger ; he
came up to the kill, and was at once shot by the watcher in the tree.
In 1901 another infamous man-eater appeared in the Seoni District of
the Central Provinces, and killed more than twenty people in rapid succes-
sion within fifteen miles of one village. This beast was in the habit of
entering houses and dragging out its victims. In one instance it took a
person from a house in which two children slept undisturbed. It was shot
on the corpse of one of its victims, as depicted in a photograph in Volume
XIV of the Journal.
On one occasion in a village near my camp when I was out tiger-shooting
a sad tragedy had occurred a few days before my arrival. A panther had
entered a hut at night and dragged a Gond woman out by the leg. The
beast, on being driven off, had rushed into another hut and, seizing an
eight-year old boy by the throat, carried him off and devoured him. I
sought in vain for any sign or track of this panther. The shikaris said that
it was no use looking for the animal as it had left owing to the incanta-
tions of the Gonds, to whom my superstitious followers ascribed wonderful
power over the great felidce. They said that when a tiger or panther had
been doing much damage to the flocks, or to the people in the case of
man-eaters, the Gonds sacrifice a bullock to the Tiger-god, and perform
various rites and ceremonies to invoke his aid. On the night of the per-
formance of these rites, the god of the Gonds, represented by a White
Tiger, stalks about in the vicinity of the village and drives oft' the beast
that has been offending. In this the shikaris, orthodox Hindus, not
animists like the Gonds, firmly believed, declaring that the tracks of the
White Tiger could be traced on the surrounding jungle paths on the
morning after the performance of these ceremonies.
In Volume IX of the Journal, Mr. Inverarity gives an account of a man-
eating panther which killed many people in the Nizam's Dominions in 1894.
Among the victims was a boy taken from a cot on which he was lying beside
a man in the open space in front of a hut. I recollect an instance of a
child being taken from between a woman and a dog, over which the
panther must have stepped.
PANTHERS. 'IT!
Why do animals take to man-eating P The mangy tiger theory refers to
old and decrepit animals, or those which have been wounded, and find man
an easy prey. This would no doubt account for some cases. Or a herdsman
may be killed by accident or in his endeavovir to drive a beast of prey from
his charge, and a taste for blood so acquired. I recollect a Brinjara being
so killed by a tiger which I afterwards shot, but the beast did not become a
man-eater, and did not eat any portion of his victim. A commoner theory
is perhaps that of the tigress finding man an easy prey for feeding her
young and so perhaps bringing up a race of man-eaters. This is plausible
and appears to account for some instances, and for the generally-accepted
idea that man-eaters are more commonly females ; but this idea, judging
from the instances recorded, appears to be unfounded. It has been stated
that man-eaters are more numerous during or after famines, when they
might acquire the taste through scarcity of normal prey, or from feeding
on the corpses of people who have perished of want.
11. Methods of Hunting.
Now as regards the method of hunting panthers. In many parts of the
country, the only way of bringing these animals to bag is to sit up over a
bait such as a live goat or a kill, or over a pool of water frequented by
them. There is not much sport in this, but it has to be adopted in default.
It certainly has the advantage of giving the keeper of the vigil excellent
opportunities of observing the habits of the beast, which, in fact, so far as
the approach to and the seizing of the prey are concerned cannot be so
well observed in any other way. I have myself little experience of this
method. You may sit either in a tree or in a kind of zariba, or in a hole
in the ground, covered by a charpoy concealed suitably to the surroundings.
On a dark night the latter is the best plan, so that the animal can be
seen against the sky-line. I have seldom tried this "sittnig-up," and only
twice with success. In some districts on dark nights also a lantern may
be placed so as to throw a light on the bait. This would be sufficient in all
probability to scare a tiger, but a panther is used to wandering about in
the vicinity of village lights. When nobler game is to be had one does
not trouble about panthers, but they afford very good sport at times, and
there is quite suflicient danger in hunting them to class tliem as very
dangerous game.
In many places they may be driven out with a line of beaters, and it is
not necessary, as it usually is in the case of tigers, to tie up bait and obtain
a kill before finding the game. In country where these animals are fairly
numerous and were the terrain is suitable, one can generally decide where
they are likely to be found, and carefully arranged beats through likely
covers will be successful. It is, however, curious how reluctant the natives
sometimes are to give any information. I met a man one morning carrying
a dead goat which, he said when questioned, had died, in the night, and had
not been killed by atiy animal. The tell-tale fang-holes in the throat told
a different story. The man was vvith some difficulty induced to show the
place where he had found the goat, and it then transpired that he had seen
a panther at the kill. Within an hour I had beaten out and shot the animal.
In the same district I heard of a panther having killed a pony in a village,
but the villagers would only say that the pony had died, and evidently had
a superstitious dread of even mentioning the name of panther. I observed
that there were no dogs in or about the village, an unusual circumstance.
A search in the vicinity revealed the lair of the panther close to the village,
but tracks showed that the beast had made off across country on my ap-
proach. I followed in the direction indicated by the tracks, and shot the
panther on the hillside about two miles off. Not far from the same place
a few days later I asked a ploughman at work in a field whether he knew
278 JOUBNAL, BOMBAY XATUBAL HIST. SOt'IETY,\ Vol. XXVI.
auythiug of a panther which 1 had reason to believe inhabited a neighbour-
ing ridge. He professed ignorance until I pointed out the fresh tracks of
the animal within ten feet of his plough.
However, when the people get to know one they are communicative
enough, and they are pleasant and helpful. Alter some weeks one becomes
known to the countryside, and information is gladly given and assistance
offered. For the kind of sport I have indicated tha months of February
and March and perhaps half April are the best. Towards the end of April
the jungle begins to grow more dense, trees put out their leaves, and the
beats are more difficult to arrange. In March and April the cover is
sparse, and I would recommend the sportsman to keep a special look-out
for the evergreen lokandi bushes ; he will not tind a panther in every bush,
but if there is one of these animals about it will probably be in the grateful
shade of the lohandi.
There are less common methods of killing panthers in some parts of the
country, as in Mysore where the animal is enclosed with nets and speared
when it tries to break out. In Colonel Welsh's Military Reminiscences is a
very interesting account of the spearing of panthers and tigers on the
Bangalore race-course, where they were released from cages, and speared
from horseback by Colonel Gillespie and others in the early part of the
last century. This was a form of sport at one time indulged in the
Hyderabad Contingent, the caged panthers being caught in a trap baited
with a goat. A famous sportsman, Colonel Nightingale, died from the
rupture of a blood-vessel when in the act of spearing a panther on the
Bolarum plain sixty years ago. I have only once taken part in one of these
hunts ; the panther showed no fight, but crouched in a depression of the
ground and was speared without difHculty. These animals have not
infrequently been put r.p and speared by pigstickers.
-279
THE MESOPOTAMIxVN BULBUL.
By
Clauu B, Ticehurst, Capt., r.a.m.c.
On November 20th, 1917, whilst ou a short visit to Basra, I found a
White-eared Bulbul very common, in fact, as in Sind, it is one of the com-
monest and most familiar birds. Thinking it was the same as the Indian
species I only secured one example. On returning to Karachi I was
surprised to find on comparison that the Basra bird was distinctly difl'erent.
On returning to Basra again this year in March I secured seven more
specimens all similar to my original one. So far as 1 can find out, this
Basra Bulbul has never been described or named and I therefore propose
to name it.
Pycnonotus leucotis mesopotamia. Subsp. nov.
Diagnosis. Resembles 'Pifcnonotim leucutis k-ucotis but is rather larger,
with a longer wing and tail, larger and stouter bill and has dark grey
instead of whitish grey underparts (breast, belly and flanks) and a yelloio
fleshy orbicular margin to the eyelid instead of black.
Measurements. — (S wing. 90-9o, av. 91-6, tail, 90-93, (once 96). av.
91-9 mm.
2 wing. 87-89, av. 87-7o, tail 8o-89, av. 87-2.
Total length from tip of bill to tip of tail : S 191-198, 5 185-195.
Type locality, Basra, Lower Mesopotamia.
Type specimen No. 149. Basra in coll. O.B. Ticehurst. Nov. 20, 1917.
The type locality of Pycnonotus'^ leucotis= Ixos leucotis of Gould
(P. Z. S. 18u6) is given as " In India orientali," Hitherto no races of this
species have been described, but as mesopotamia is obviously a racial
form and a very marked one it seems desirable to fix a restricted type
locality for typical leucotis. This at present I am unable to do, not having
access to Gould's paper.
Distn/mtioH. — Lower Mesopotamia, Persia (Shustar in the west and Maud
in the extreme east of Persian Baluchistan (26° 7'N 62°3'E).
How far west this race occurs I do not at present know, but the bound-
ary of Persian and British Baluchistan is probably somewhere near its
eastern limit. I have seen typical leucotis from Bhani, 132 miles S.S.W.
of Kelat in British Baluchistan which is not unexpected, as Bhani is not
more than 100 miles from the Sind boundary. One specimen from Char-
harbar in the Gulf of Oman is puzzling, sexed a female it has a wing of
88mm which corresponds well with mesopotamia but it is paler underneath
than any of the latter I have ever seen ; the colour of the eyelid could
not in the dried skin be ascertained.
Hume who, during his trip to Muscat in 1872, w^ent ashore collecting
at Korebut, Pasni and Gwader remarked that the White-eared Bubul
was common along the Mekran coast as far as Gwader. One cannot say
without exaiuining his specimens which race his Mekran birds belong to,
but it seems likely that they were leucotis or surely he would have
remarked upon the yellow eye lid and darker plumage. He gives measure-
ments of one bird " measured at random" as, total length 8" (=203 mm.),
This must have been
given it does not
tail from vent 3-5 "(=89 ram.), wing 3-7" (= 94 mm.)
a truly giant leucotis, but since no locality for it is
help (it may have even come from India) which only shows one cannot be
too careful in points of accuracy. Suffice it to say I have seen no Indian
leucotis as large as this. Oates in the "' Fauna" gives — total length 7*5"
(=190 mm.), tail 3-4" (=86-5 mm.), wing 8-5" (=89 mm.), which I should
280 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
say was fully large for the average, which I make to be about 185 for males
and 174 for females, with wings about 85 and 81 and tails 82 and 78
respectively. The largest male leucotis (wing 88 tail 85) just overlaps the
smallest female of Mesopotamia. The bill in the latter species sex for sex
is noticeably larger on comparison, slightly higher, stouter and longer, and
measures from the edge of the feathers 14-15-omm. as against 13-14-5 in
leucotis, the smaller measurements being those of females.
The habits and notes of the Mesopotamian bird did not .strike me as
being different from those of our Indian bird.
* Molpastes was a ^enus instituted by Hume in 1873 (S.F. i. 378) for the Red-
vented Bulbuls without jyivingr the distinctive g'eneric characters. Hume himself
put leucotis in the g-enus Otocovtpsa (Cabanis 1851). Gates in the "Fauna" places
leucotis in the grenus molpastes, but it seems to me that the disting-uishinp: charac-
ters of this genus are too trivial to separate it from the genus Pycnonotus of Boie
tex Kuhl M. S.) 1826 which is the oldest name.
(
281
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
No. I.— NOTES ON A YOUNG HOG-BADGER AltCrONYX SP.
IN THE GARO HILLS.
Wak-Sel-(Garo). Caught by the Garos near Tiira.
He was about 15 days old when brought to me ; his little tushes were just
beginning to come through. Had been fed on rice and rice water by the
Garos. He was in very good condition. He clutches the bowl like a
bear, but eats like the pig, with much noise and dirtily. Otherwise his
habits are quite clean ; he has no smell at all. The fur is a mixture of
hair and bristles grey tipped with white, pure white on his ears and
round his throat, black legs and stomach. A white tail about 2 inches long
now. 12" from tip of nose to tail. 4" high. His habits up-to-date are not
nocturnal, as he sleeps from 6 to 6 without moving. He sleeps curled up
like a hedge hog. In the day time he sleeps with his head between his
paws (more like a bear). Most affectionate and cannot bear to be left
alone. "When startled, he comes towards one growling with his nose in the
air (he might try and jump up to rip one). Does not see very well. In
a wire cage he tries to dig himself out, or failing that climbs up like
a bear. He roots about, but so far I have not discovered anything
that he has eaten. Bringing him up on sweet pudding which he loves, gave
him a small mutton bone (rawmeat) without any meat on it which he was
very keen on. His back teeth are coming through. He has numerous
calls, but so far no grunts. When pleased he makes a plaintive little
sound, but when he is angry, his calls are discordant. His sense of smell
is very good. Colour black and white (no rufous colouring at all).
V. A. JACKSON.
TuRA, Garo Hills, Assam, June 1918.
FURTHER NOTES ON THE HOG-BADGER.
I have had the Hog-badger about 3 months now. It has grown longer
and rather a silvery white, only black hair showing on its head and legs.
He stands about 6" at the shoulder, but is quite 18" long.
He is very tame, in fact I cannot induce him to leave the house though
he is always fed outside. He behaves very much like a puppy dog.
Worrying sHppers, rugs, hangings, etc., and also stands up by the chair at
meal times like a dog.
We had occasion to go to Tura Top, Similes, with an ascent of 3,100 feet.
We rode up and I took the boy who usually feeds the badger with me
carrying a small basket for ferns. The little fellow walked all the way up
except about half a mile when ho was so tired that I had to have him.,
carried. He also walked all the way down after the boy. He ate 2 large
tins of long earthworms daily and a little bread and milk and puddmg.
He found several earths and dug out these long earth works (18" long) and
their eggs, ate the contents of the eggs, but not the leathery shells, he also
ate some small centipedes and their young— but no roots, fruit or vegetables
His sense of smell is remarkable. He is very powerful for his size and
very playful— leaping into the air in extraordinary attitudes and pretending
to attack one. He can dig himself out of any wire cage with heavy
boulders round. He lies on his back and prises them up. He is frightened
of snakes, but of nothing else. When a dog comes near him his hair rises
36
282 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
up and he arches his back and makes a peculiar sneezing noise. In this
way he puts uie in mind of my crab eating Mongoose who did the same
thing.
V. A. JACKSON.
TuRA, Garo Hills, Assam, I2th August 1918.
[Since we received the above notes we have heard frem Mrs. Jaok.3on that the
hoff-bad<i"er is now at large in the jungle. — Eds.
No. II.— PORCUPINE'S MODE OF ATTACK.
With reference to the Miscellaneous Note on ]>age 491 of the Society's
.Journal, Volume XXV, No. 3, " A hght between a dog and a porcupine,"
the following may be of interest to your readers : —
In 1907, I was, stationed at Fatehgarh in the United Provinces and
driving home one evening from the Club with my wife we saw in the
waning light our dog " Peggy " a bull-terrier, then about two years old, rush
after a porcupine that crossed the road in front of us. The porcupine ran
for some distance with the dog in full chase over the maidan when the
former suddenly stopped and ran backwards into the dog who gave a yelp
and commenced rolling on the ground. I at once jumped out of the trap
and got hold of her pulling out a quantity of quills from the head and chest,
all of which I kept and took back to the bungalow. One quill we noticed
was the butt end and this circumstance together with the uneasiness of the
dog for the next few days convinced my wife that she still had a quill in
her somewhere. There being uo Veterinary Officer in Fatehgarh my wife
wrote to the young Surgeon attached to the 2/lOth Gurkhas then quartered
in the Cantonment, asking him to have a look at the dog. , After a long
examination he at last located the quill and the next day the dog went up
with the small dogboy to the Hospital, and our friend pulled out a half
quill of 4^" long which I have now before me as I write. The butt end
measures 3f' so that together they make a whole quill of 7^ inches long.
This gives a guide to the diameter which is -} inch. The dog, an extremely
intelligent beast, seemed to know that the probing was being done for her
good, and never moved a muscle the whole time, but licked the Doctor's
hand when it was all over. The quill wasremoved from the flesh over the
right shoulder blade, and had been broken oft' about f of an inch from the
surface of the skin. ■■\
I may add that I once shot a big male Panther <in the Sendra-Ghat some
thirty miles from Ajmere and found on skinning him that his two fore feet
were full of porcupine quills, pieces from 1 inch to 2^ inches long being em-
bedded in the pads, and some even up the fore arm. The poor beast must
have suftered agonies, but I think that it is often so difficult for a Panther
and for a Tiger to obtain a meal, that they go for the first animal they
come across which may be with dire results to themselves.
A peculiarity of the Porcupine is that his quills drop out a short time
after they have been damaged even in the slightest manner. I presume
that the time taken for dropping out depends on the damage done. The
quill is then replaced by a new one which probably forces the old one out.
I have on many occasions picked up these quills and on examining them
invariably found the flaw, mostly made I should imagine by projecting
rocks, for Hystri.c cristata is a " cave dweller" although he makes an earth
when not in a rocky country.
The natives have the. idea that he has the power of throwing quills like
darts at his enemies, and probably it is got from finding these old quills lying
about.
Chipstead, Surrey, June 1918. REGINALD H. HEATH.
I
Journ.) Bombay Nati Hist. Soc.
THE ARABIAN ORYX ( ORYX BEATRIX).
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 283
|No. Til.— METHOD OF POKCLFINES ATTACK.^
In tne [last Journal of the Society, p. [491, Vol. X~XV, Mr. IJ. D.
Macleod asks for information regarding a porcupine's oflensive. Lt.-
Colonel F. H. Jackson of the Bombay Political Department, who retired in
1898, told me that his dogs once rounded a porcupine in the jungle.
When he came near, the porcupine whipped round and ran backwards at
him forcing several quills into his leg. He said the porcupine's action was
extraordinanly quick and he thought that on account of the celerity of
its movemtnts in this form of attack, Indians had got the idea, which is
prevalent, that a porcupine can shoot its quills at an enemy. Colonel
Jackson had good cause to remember the occasion. He extracted all the
quills he could see in his leg and thought there was nothing left, but a
short time afterwards and at intervals for the next six months he would
suddenly go lame with intense pain for which he c<Aild not account until
one day he felt something hard under the skin. He called a doctor who
took out a piece of quill which had been in his leg for six months.
E. O. BRIEN, Lt.-Colonel.
PorbAndar, 21.'!^ A2)ril 1918.
|No. IV.— METHOD OF PORCUPINES ATTACK.
With reference to Miscellaneous Note No. 1 on page 491 of Vol. XXV.,
it may explain to Mr. Macleod what happened, if 1 tell him of an in-
cident which occurred when a party of us were out pigsticking down
the Diamond Harbour Road from Calcutta in 1875. A porcupine was driven
out of a patch of grass and made across the open. I rode after it and when
almost within spearing distance it suddenly stopped and ran backuard at
the horse with all its spines erect. Of course this was no defence against a
spear, but a dog rushing on would have suffered very badly. My first
spear did not kill the porcupine as I was rather taken by surprise and he
repeated the manoeuvre, though wounded, when I caught him up again.
The second epear killed him.
F. J. MITCHELL.
Srinagak, loth May 1918.
No. v.— THE BEATRIX OR ARABIAN ORYX {ORYX LEUCORYX)
IN CENTRAL ARABIA.
(With a Plate.)
These two female Oryx beatn.i were given to me at Riyadh in December
1917, by the Ameer of Central Arabia, Abdul Aziz Bin Sand, and are
intended to be presented to His Majesty the King, when an opportunity
occurs.
They had been kept as pets in the Palace Gardens at Riyadh for over 6
months and were fairly tame, but it was not an easy matter to bring them
to the Coast at Koweit which is some four or five hundred miles from Bin
Baud's capital. The hrst day out from Riyadh we tried leading them
separately among the Qock of sheep which the Ameer had presented to us.
I and a servant rode behind them, but the w-hole day thej'^ made attempts
to break away and the boys who held the ropes w ere thoroughly tired out.
Next day, hawever, we hit upon an expedient which proved absolutely
successful. They were tied together with a long rope knotted in the
centre which one boy held over his shoulder while another walked
close behind shooing them on when necessary. They grew daily more
amenable to this method until in about a week's time they stalked along at
284 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HLST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
the head of the sheep. At eight they were picketed together near my tent.
At dusk they used to begin to dig a pit in the earth or sand about a foot
deep and therein settled themselves for the night. This is probably their
natural and instinctive habit. They would be invisible at even a short
distance, their horns being indistinguishable from branches of dried desert
bushes. Both are females. The smaller is called Nural and the larger
Al Maghrura. They are particularly fond of lucerne and dates though
Bhoosa hay should be the staple fodder. They come, I understand from
the Great Nefudh south-west of Nejd and are now somewhat rare as it is
not difficult to stalk them among the sand dunes. They are said never to
drink in the wild state, but these two are accustomed to a drink every
day or two. One curious superstition the Arabs hold about them is that
eating their flesh will expel a bullet which has lodged in a man's body even
if it has been embedded for years. The Arabic name is Wothaihi or Wild
Ox. They are possibly the reem oi the scriptures. People have wondered
whether these Oryx were originally brought over from Africa by man but
any one who knows the E. African Oryx will perceive greater difl"erences
than are likely to have been evolved within the known historic periods. As
for their habitat I expect they roam the whole Nefudh or sand deserts of
Arabia. Sir Percy Cox informed me that he had come across their tracks
in the country behind Muscat.
R. E. A. HAMILTON, Lt.-Col.
Bombay, June 1918.
No. VI.— NOTE ON A TAKIN HEAD FROM ASSAM.
Last month, while engaged in some operations in the hills between this
district and Burma, 1 found the horns and frontal bones of a Takin in a
Kuki village. The inhabitants having evacuated the village before our
arrival, I was unable to obtain any first-hand information as to where the
animal was killed. The village was situated East of the Tuzu Ruei about
longitude 94° 60' and between latitude 1>5° 50' and 25° 30'.
For the following reasons I think it is virtually certain that the animal
was killed somewhere not far from where the head was found : (1) The
condition of the particles of flesh adhering to the bones indicated that the
animal had been killed this cold weather. (2) Political conditions make it
impossible that the horns could have been brought by traders either direct-
ly or indirectly from the Mishmi country or any country where Takin are
known to exist, and in any case a pair of Takin horns is not an article of
trade. (3) A Kuki who knew the country on seeing the horns said that
such an animal, though very rare, did exist on the high mountains between
there and Burma, meaning the system running roughly S. W. from Sara-
ma tti. (4) A Lhota Naga who was with me at the time said they were the
horns of an animal called ' michi, ' which no Lhota at present alive had
ever seen, but which tradition said lived on very high mountains. He
gave me the traditional description of the animal, which tallied exactly
with that of the Takin. The Lhotas can only have known of this animal
by having met with it on their migrations. In this respect the evidence
is strongly against them having come from anywhere N. or N -E. of Sara-
matti. On the whole the evidence appears to me strongly to indicate that
this head was not brought from any known haunt of the Takin, but indi-
cates a new habitat of the animal. Perhaps some readers from the Assam
frontier of Burma could produce further evidence on the matter ?
J. P. MILLS, I.C.S.
MOKOKCHUNG, NaGA HiLLS,
25M May 1918.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 285
No. VII,— PANIC IN ELEPHANTS DURING AN EARTHQUAKE.
A severe shock of earthquake took place at 4-15, and lasted 3 minutes
on the 9th July. The Government elephants were feeding in front of the
Court-house at Tura. A very large mukna, a large female and a butcha
tusker. As soon as the first and most severe shock took place, the elephants
ran up the hiU, towards the D. C.'s house, which is on a ridge overlooking
a very deep valley. The distance from the Court-house to the gate of the
D. C.'s house is about 500 yards. The large mukna was first, reached the
gate and tore it from its hinges and came straight up the road with the
small elephant holding on to his tail. The mahout had no control over him,
and the other two elephants had no one on their backs. (My husband and
I were standing outside watching the plaster coming down in the bungalow
and the stone walls in the garden giving way). As soon as the elephant
broke the gate, the Garos advised us to go in, as the "hatis " would pass us,
and might attack us in their friglit. Just as we got into the verandah,
the big mukna reached the front of the house. He never stopped but rushed
along breaking down the 2nd gate — still with the butcha holding his tail.
The female stopped in front of the porch, and proceeded to knock large lumps
of turf from my lawn^ making queer noises and striking her trunk, also
trembling violently. The mahout clung to the trunk and quieted her down
gradually. The other animals rushed up a very steep hill into the jungle
and were only turned back by men with spears and sticks. If the little bati
had not clung to the tail, the ' mate ' on the back would have been thrown
off, as the mukna is a most surly animal. Their instinct was to run up a
hill into the jungle, and not along the big flat cart road. As I mentioned,
the D.C.'s house is on a ridge with two roads leading to it. One, with
the gate is more or less a carriage road, the other skirts the garden
below and is used as a public road, the elephants always use this
lower road on their way to grass and water, it runs along the side
of the hill, and it received part of the stone wall from the garden, or
large boulders, shaken down by the shock. The "hatis" seemed to
realize that it might have given way and kept on the top of the hill,
breaking down the gates guarding the top road, in preference to going on
the open khud road.
The Garos say, butchas always catch the tails of larger elephants, when
in a panic. These hills are full of elephants, they do much damage and
Garos are more frightened of them than tigers or bears.
TuRA, IQth July 1918. V. A. JACKSON, f.k.g.s.
No. VIII.— ON WHITE ELEPHANTS.
ConBiderable interest was shown in Bombay at the statement in a
recent Burmese letter of the Times of India that a white calf had been
born to one of the Bombay-Bnrmah Elephants and it may be of interest to
your readers to lecord what actually happened.
A female calf born on 6th March 1918 aroused a good deal of
excitement by its unusually light colour and in view of the importance
attached by the Burmese to the birth of a genuine SINPYUDAW it was
thought advisable to submit the claims of the calf to a jury of prominent
Biirmans on the 7th April.
The points of a SINPYUDAW appear to be as follows : —
1. Twenty Toes.
2. Pearl eyes.
S. Tail"Tah Gah Paik."
4. Red mouth.
5. Light coloured and smooth skin.
286 JOUli.VAL, no\rB AY NATURAL HIS r. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
The calf though possessing a rather light skin at birth and pearl eyes
failed to fultil these conditions, having only eighteen toes and a tail that
was not up to the requirements. It was therefore at once pronounced to
be not a genuine SINPYUDAW.
The colour has since grown perceptibly darker and on reaching maturity
is not likely to differ in any way from the ordinary.
The fact that the " whiteness " of an elephant depends as much on the
possession of certain points as on its colour may be of interest to your
readers, a» most people appear to believe in the existence of a milk white
animal.
While on the subject of elephants it may be worth correcting a misprint
in our Journal, XXV., p. 475, where there is a reference to a " fine onmuath
(tuskless male)." The Burmese words are—
HINE=tuskless male.
TAI= single tusked male.
I have no doubt that the writer originally wrote HINE which was altered
to ' fine ' through a misapprehension. I have seen a similar mistake before.
Bombay, May 1918. H. MACNAGHTEN.
No. IX.— THE WHITE-CHEEKED BULBUL {MOLPASTES
LEUCOGENYS).
I found a pair of these birds nesting, and when I thought the nest was
complete, I visited it on several occasions, to get the eggs. I was not
however successful and came to the conclusion that the bird had deserted.
Quite ten days later or possibly more, I had another look and to my
surprise found two eggs. This was on a Tuesday, I left them till Friday,
when there were three. 1 tonk the clutch. On proceeding to blow them,
I found the first difficult and in the end it burst, just as bad eggs are apt to
do. On examining it the yolk was intact and right down at the small end,
more or less adhering to the shell. I put the other two eggs into water to
test them. To my surprise, instead of sinking as fresh eggs do they
floated ! ! I blew them all right and the yolks showed absolutely no signs
of incubation, but they gave me the impression that they were "muzzy,"
like eggs become which have been kept sometime. I have had many years
experience in birds' nesting, but I have never before come across fresh
eggs, as these must have been, floating. A fresh egg, even though
unimpregnated sinks.
As the nest in this instance remained untenanted for so long a period,
can it be possible that the Bulbul laid new eggs elsewhere, without sitting,
and then carried them to it ?
R. M. BETHAM, Brig .-General.
Flag Staff House, Lansdowne, U. P.
15th June 1918.
No. X.— THE PLUMAGE OF THE PURPLE HONEYSUCKER
(ARACHNECTHRA ASIATIC A).
In Vol. XVII, No. 2, p. 540, I have come across a query by Mr. D. Dewar
on the plumage of the male Purple Honeysucker [Arachnecthra asiaticn).
He apparently was surprised to find that Jerdon in his " Birds of India."
Vol. i, p. 370 (correctly) described the winter plumage and calls in Oates
in the " Fauna " to bear him witness that the purple plumage of the
breeding season is never lost when once assumed. He is however somewhat
MLSCELLANEOUS NOTES. L>87
unsettled in his mind on the subject by Mr. F. Finn (Birds of Calcutta.
p. 63) who sided with Jerdon's view and finally asks members of the
Society for further information. As no one has apparently done so, I may
as well give my experiences which will, I think, settle the question. Here
in Karachi this species is very abiuidant in winter and from October on-
wards I never saw a single bird in metallic dress until January 26th when
I saw one (out of dozens) apparently in full plumage, and on the 27th I
shot one (and later saw many others) in change moulting body, wings
and tail and thus assuming the metallic plumage. 1 have moreover seen
specimens of the moulting from the metallic dress to the yellow breasted
winter plumage. I have not yet seen a large enough series of winter
birds to say for certain, but it is not unlikely that the adult male in
winter can be difi'erentiated from the young male by the more glossy
wings and tail.
CLAUD B. TICEHURST, Capt., r.a.m.(\
Kabachi, Jul!/ 14^^', 1918.
No. XI.— NOTE ON THE INDIAN LONG-BILLED VULTURE
{GYPS IN Die US).
Since according to Blanford this bird breeds in colonies on precipitous
cliffs, the following note may be of interest : —
On February 4th while out in camp I came across an enormous pipal
tree which had five large nests in it, which I presumed to belong to
Pseudogyps benf/alensis. However, on closed examination, I noticed Gypn
indicus sitting on one of the nests, its thin lead-coloured neck being
easily distinguished. On my climbing the tree, the birds sat closelj'.
enabling me to discover that no less than three of the nests belonged to
G. indicus, the other two being occupied by P. benyalensis. One nest of
the former contained a fresh egg, pure white and measuring 3'55x2-75
inches. The other four nests had well-grown young ones. Gyps indicus
showed much more anxiety to return to their nests than P. benyalenais.
and several times came and settled only a few yards from me when I was
inspecting the nests, which appeared to differ in no way from those of
P. henyulensis . This is the first time I have seen G. indicus in the
Lucknow district. In Muttra and Agra districts the bird is quita
common and comprises about a quarter of the assembly at a carcase. I
did not find it breeding there, although it is certain it must do so.
U. S. Club, Lucknow, W. H. MATHEWS, i.p.
mh Mm/ I9I8.
No. XII.— THE COMMON HAWK-CUCKOO {HIEROCOCCYX
VARIUS) IN THE PUNJAB.
It is stated in the Fauna of British India, Birds, Vol. III., p. 214, that
the Coaimon Hawk-Cuckoo or true Brain-Fever Bird Hierococcyx varius
(Vahl.) is not found in the Punjab. I have already shewn elsewhere that
this statement must be modified as the species is (in some years at any
rate) a common summer visitor to the district of Ambala, and in smaller
numbers to the neighbouring district of Ludhiana. I have now to record
a further extension of its range to Lahore where I heard one calling in a
garden in Egerton Road on 21st April, and again in the Lawrence Gardens
on April 24th. On both occasions the " brain-fever " call was heard.
HUGH WHISTLER, f.z.s.,
•Jhang, -lOt/i May 1<»18. Indian Pohce.
288 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
No. XIII.— THE BREEDING HABITS OF MRS. HUME'S
PHEASANT,
I have been reading through Vol. XXV, No. 3, and I am sending you as
few particulars which you may find interesting.
While I was in the Chin Hills, I shot quite a number of Mrs. Hume's
Pheasant and I skinned two very fine cock birds which I intended sending
you, but as you know, I was very suddenly ordered on service, and the
skins are still at my bungalow at Dehra Dun.
1. The Durwan of the Dak Bungalow at Tiddim found a nest and a
clutch of 6 eggs of Mrs. Hume's and Mr. Wickham (of the P. W. D., Burma)
was then staying at Tiddim. He took half the clutch and gave me the other
three eggs. The eggs were found at the foot of a tree of a dwarf oak cover-
ed spur and the nest was hidden in a small bush (about 1' high) of under-
growth. The nest was a simple excavation of the ground lined with oak
leaves. We did not see the birds but the Durwan did. I think the clutch
was taken on the 25th March 1916, but I have not my diary with me,
though Mr. Wickham would know. The nest was situated on well drained
ground on the top of a spur.
I had a sitting hen and placed the three eggs under her. As far as I
remember, they took 26 days to hatch, but I only got one chick as the hen
crushed the others. The young bird was as wild as anything imaginable.
When I went into the hen house to see if any eggs had hatched, this chick
jumped out of the nest, on to the ground and ran at a great pace and hid
behind a stone as it could not escape. I then placed . a very thin meshed
basket over the hen and her chick on my lawn as the chick did all it could
to escape into the jungle and its foster mother could do nothing with
it. There was no doubt from its markings on the wings and body that
it was a Mrs. Hume chick. It would only drink dew on the grass
in the early mornings. Whenever it saw a human being it used to
run and hide under a tuft of grass or underneath its foster mother
and I had the greatest difiiculty with it when 1 let it out. On one
occasion, it bolted 100 yards towards the jungle at a terrific pace
and it took all my servants over an hour to find it. Its pace was pheno-
menal and it could hide very easily under the smallest tuft of grass. The
foster mother could not understand her fractious offspring and got very
fed up with it as it would not stay with her. On the 17th day after
hatching, I was putting the little beast back into its cage where the mother
was,, after it had escaped through the meshes and had been found 200
yards from my bungalow when I had given the little beast up as lost. The
mother pecked her offspring on the head and killed it. I was very sorry,
as I had high hopes of rearing it after keeping it so long. I used to feed it
on boiled rice and little pieces of cooked meat which the Chins said I must
give it. Mr. Wickham was able to blow his eggs successfully as they were
quite fresh. There was a fine flock of about 12 birds always living in the
open forest and stunted jungle about 500 yards east of the Gurkha Basti
1:^ miles from Tiddim and below the Tiddim-Fort White Road. 1 had
several good mornings here with my dogs, as each year there were 4 wood-
cock living close by and also a good many bamboo partridge. But the only
place, at which I found Mrs. Hume at all numerous was on the grassy
slopes of the hill 2 miles N; and opposite to the Dak Bungalow at Fort
White. I used to go hereafter Barking Deer and Gural and shot quite a
number of Mrs. Hume and flushed fairly large numbers at times. I used
to see them running away through the grass and they are at once recognis-
ed by the clucking sound they make as they run away, which is their
alarm crv.
MISCELLANEOUS _NOTES. 289
I always found them either in sturted jungle on or grassy slopes with a
few oakes, pines or rhododendrons scattered about.
Occasionally I have seen them in very heavy jungle where one gets
Tragopan (scarlet breasted) but open jungle or grassy slopes were more or
less near by. The height at which I met them was generally between 5,000
to 7,000 feet.
I have seen others below the road East of where No. 4 Stockade used to
be (4,000 ft.). This appears to be the place where Finn shot his specimen.
R. BLANDY, Captain.
Head-quarters 7th Infy. Brigade, M. E. F.
Mesopotamia, 25^ March 1918.
No. XIV.— NOTE ON KALIJ PHEASANTS IN THE CHIN HILLS.
Hound No. 3 Stockade Bungalow there is a lot of stunted jungle in which
there are quite a large number of Kalij pheasants, I shot and skinned a
large number of these pheasants but I hardly ever shot 2 alike here. They
were all hybrids between Williams and Horsfields pheasants. I shot
pure horsfieldi up in the hills and pure wiLliamsi pheasants on the Western
slopes in the Valley of the Manipur It. and also at Kalewa and Yazajee. I
never shot a pure William's pheasant on the Eastern Slopes of the Chin
Hills and they were all horsfieldi or hybrids ; so it appears that Williams
pheasants keeps to very definite localities and is probably, I believe, only
found in the valley of the Manipur R. at present, as far as the Chin Hills
is concerned.
Hkad-quarters, 7th Infy, Brigade, R, BLANDY, Capx,
M, E, F,
2oth March 1918,
No, XV,— OCCURRENCE OF THE LESSER FLORICAN OR LIKH
S. AURITA IN THE MAHABLESHWAR HILLS.
The Florican I wrote to you about was shot on the hills in the month of
April 1915. The actual locality was wooded plateau 6^ miles froin
Mahableshwar, about half a mile through small jungle to the south of the
Mahableshwar-Panchgani Road, There was a pool of water on the
plateau. We walked about for sometime looking for its mate but with
no success. Mr. J. W. Fellowes, Mrs. Fellowes and Mr. J. T. Tanner,
were all there and could verify this statement, if necessary.
KYRLE FELLOWES.
Mahableshwar, 10th May 1918.
No. XVI.— ABNORMAL VAIilETIES OF THE INDIAN RED-
START (It RUF1VENTRI8) AND THE COMMON HOUSE
CROW (C. SPLENDENS).
An account of these abnormal varieties of common birds may be of
interest to place on record —
(I). The Indian Redstart — Ruticilla rufn-entris.
Female, shot near Mochiwala^ District Jhang, Punjab, on 14th March
1918.
37
"290 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HLST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
This bird differs from a normal female only as regards the wings and
tail.
In the tail one of the central pair of feathers (the other is missing),
which is greatly abraded and worn, is brownish grey on the inner web
instead of blackish brown.
The wings differ in that the greater coverts are uniform greyish brown
with paler edges, while the primaries, secondaries and tertiaries are
dirty greyish white, slightly darker on the outer webs ; all these feathers
have the basal halves of their shafts dark brown.
(2). The Common House Crow — Corvus splendens.
During June and July 3917 at Ludhiana, Punjab, I noted a Crow about,
always frequenting the same locality, with a large white patch in the
centre of each wing ; both wings were alike, and the white patch waa
apparently formed by the basal halves of the later primaries and earlier
secondaries.
All other parts of the bird were apparently normal.
(3). The Common House Crow — Corvus splendens.
Female, shot at Jhang-Maghiana, Punjab, on 5th May 1918.
The description of this bird is as follows :
Nasal tufts, forehead and anterior half of the crown, cheeks, chin, and
throat, {i.e., the usual mask) dull chocolate brown.
Hind neck, mantle and breast rich creamy white, tinged with brown on
the earcoverts and sides of the head, and shading into the creamy brown of
the abdomen ; thighs and lower tail coverts slightly darker than the abdo-
men. Scapulars, lower back and rump dull chocolate brown with occasional
darker feathers, which are new feathers.
The wings with their coverts are clear creamy brown, edged with white
irregularly in a greater or less degree on all feathers, giving the extended
wing a somewhat patchy appearance. There is most white on the second-
aries and greater wing coverts and least on the innermost lesser coverts.
The wing when closed has in general a rich creamy whitish brown appear-
ance. Both wings agree in their markings.
The tail is a clear creamy brown with broad white edges, the outer webs
of the central pair being entirely white. The outermost feather on the
right side is a darker brown than the others with no white edge. Although
not freshly moulted it appears to be more recent in growth than the others.
Iris dark brown ; bill and legs dusky brown. Ovary minute. The traces
of moult on the upper parts as described above shew a tendency in the
plumage to moult out darker, unless the difference is due to excessive
fading of the old plumage.
This bird was observed for some months during which period it kept
very closely to the same locality ; in the same locality there was a second
specimen of similar appearance, and both probably were hatched in the
same nest. The other crows with which they were consorting showed no
objection to their abnormal colour.
HUGH WHISTLER, f.z.s.,
Indian Police.
Jhang, 20th May 1918.
No. XVII.— THE COLOUR OF THE EYE OF THE FEMALE WHITE-
EYED POCHARD NYROCA AFRICA NA.
I have lately had need to look up some of the old " Journals " and in
Vol. XVI, 2, frontispiece, I notice a plate of the White-eyed Pochard from
Mr. Stuart-Baker's series of " Indian Ducks and their Allies " and here the
female is represented as having the irides 7/Ai7f as in the male. Surely
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 291
this is not correct ? I have examined a fair number of females and have
invariably found the irides to be brown, as late as April at all events. The
" Fauna" is silent on the subject and I have no other works by me now.
Perhaps other members will record their experiences ?
CLAUD B. TICEHURST, Capt., r.a.m.c.
Karachi, Jultj Wth, 1918.
No. XVIII.— NOTE ON THE HABITS OF THE MALLARD
ANAS BOSCHAS.
During all February and the first week in March 1918, I observed last
flocks of Mallard, settling close in shore on the sea. The birds came every
day morning and evening going away in an easterly direction during the
middle of the day. During this time there had been very little rain and
this may have led to an insufficiency of feeding in the few jhils round here.
The sea here is very shallow for a long distance out, which may account
for the duck settling, but I have never observed this habit before, and I
should be interested to hear if it is a common occurrence.
Though work was going on, loading and unloading ships close to the
point where the birds settled, this did not seem to disturb them. They
were however very wary and it was not possible to get near them with a
gun, and I never succeeded in shooting them. Through a glass it was quite
possible to distinguish fully the plumage of the birds and they were fre-
quently to be seen disporting themselves on the sands much like the
ordinary farmyard duck.
Bandar Abpas, 17th March 1918. E. J. D. COLVIN, Lt.-Col.
No. XIX.— AN ADDITION TO THE GAME BIRDS OF BURMA.
THE LONG-BILLED HILL PARTRIDGE {RHIZOTHEEA
LONGIROSTRIS, Temm.) IN TENASSERIM.
The addition of this fine partridge to our avifauna is due to the energy
of Mr. J. C. Hopwood of the Imperial Forest Service. He most kindly
sent me the skin of a female which neither he nor Mr. Mackenzie of the
same service conkl identify. I was unable to do so either and forwarded the
skin to Dr. Annandale, Director of the Zoological Survey. He wrote that they
had not got it in the Indian Museum and advised me to send it to Mr. H. C.
Robinson, Director of Museums, Federated Malay States, as it probably
was a Malayan species. I did this and Mr. Robinson kindly identified it
and sent me the following interesting note : " The Partridge sent is a
specimen (female) of Rhizothera longirostris (Temm.), the Long-billed Hill
Partridge. It does not appear to have been recorded from the Indian
Empire, but 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 about 4,000 feet. It is very
terrestrial and partially crepuscular in its habitats. Its note is a loud
clear whistle often heard at night."
Mr. Hopwood sent me the following note along with the skin : —
"The bird was shot by my assistant about 16 miles inland from Bokpyin
in bamboo jungle, about half way between Mergui and Victoria Point.
From the rudimentary spur it is probably a female. The birds are reported
to be rare." On the label is the following information : —
"Locality: about 120 miles south of Mergui in bamboo forest.
292 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI
Date 7th March 1918, shot by Mr. W. R. French and skin given to
J. C. Hopwood.
Bill black, legs flesh colour, claws horny."
The catalogue of the Game Birds in the collection of the British Museum
gives the following :
Rhizotheka.
Rhizothera {Gva.y).—" List. Gen. B, 2nd ed., p. 79 (1841), Type.
id. Gen. B. iii, p. ijOS (1846) . . . . R. longirostris.
Tail with 12 feathers, rather more than half the length of the wing.
1st primary equal to the 10th, 0th slightly the longest. Tarsi longer than
middle toe and claw, and provided in both sexes with a pair of short
stout spurs. Claws, moderate and slightly curved.
Range. — Southern part of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo."
There are only two known species, the other Hose's Long-billed Francolin
{Rhizothera dulitensis, Ogilvie-Grant) having been got at Mount Dulit in
Borneo.
Ogilvie-Grant in his Hand-book to the Game Birds, Vol. I., gives the
following concise description of the bird : —
" Adult male. — Top of the head rich brown ; general colour above chest-
nut, blotched with black, shading into grey, mixed with buff on the lower
back and upper tail coverts ; sides of head and throat reddish chestnut;
neck, chest, and upper mantle grey ; rest of underparts rufous buff. Total
length 14-6 inches ; wing 7'7 ; tail 3-5 ; tarsus 2*2.
Adult female. — Differs from the males in having the neck and chest
rufous-chestmit, and the lower back and upper tail coverts viosthj buff.
Slightly smaller than the male."
Finn in his Game Birds of India and Asia says :
" This peculiar Partridge, which ranges from the south of the Malay
Peninsula to Borneo, is at once recognisable by its large bill, which is big
enough for a peacock, though the bird is of the ordinary partridge size
about fourteen inches long."
Great credit is due to Mr. Hopwood for adding this species, as
Davison with a good staff had collected in Tennasserim for over four years.
Bingham and others also collected there without discovering it and gan.e
birds however rare they may be, are not as a rule absolutely passed over.
I hope Mr. Hopwood will be able to get further specimens and give us
more information about this interesting bird.
CHAS. M. INGLIS, m.b.o.u
Baghownie Fty.,
Darbhang Dist., .Sl.sf August 1918.
No. XX.— NATURAL HISTORY NOTES FROM FAO
BY
W. D. GUMMING.
(Corrections to the List of Birds from Fao published in the "Ibis,"
188d and 1891.)
The Persian Hooded Crow — Corms caprllanns. In the winter, birds
are often seen with the white parts strongly tinged with grey, this
might be seasonal or a sign of birds of the year.
The Grey-backed Warbler — JEdonfamiliaris. Plentiful, breeding every-
where on both sides of river. This is a beautiful whistler during
the breeding season.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 293
Upclier's Warbler — Hi/polais languida. Plentiful, breeding everywhere
on both sides of river. The note against Scotocerca inquieta, the
Streaked Scrub- Warbler refers rightly to this bird.
The Streaked Scrub-Warbler — Scotocerca inquieta. This bird is not to be
found at Fao, as might be expected, the situation is unsuited to its
habits. This was an unfortunate error, which crept into my notes
by mistake.
Finsch's Grey Shrike — Lanius fallax. I believe this was wrongly
identified and was corrected later to L. assimilis ? by Dr. Bowdler
Sharpe.
The Common Starling — Sturnus vulgaris. Starlings are to be seen in
flights in the neighbourhood of Fao during the winter months November
to February, some years more plentiful than at others. All that I shot
were identified as S. vulgaris, but might turn out to be »S'. vulgaris
caucasicus.
Rose-coloured Starling — Pastor rosetis. Only noticed in brown plumage.
Oimiming's Red-rumped Wheatear — S. cummingi. I believe I identified
this as S. chrysopygia, but Dr. Bowdler Sharpe found it to be a new-
species and named it after me.
This is the only specmien obtained by me, whether the red-tailed chats
seen, occasionally in the neighbourhood of Fao belong to this or to
S. chrysopygia I cannot say.
Dr. Bowdler Sharpe asked me to collect chats for him and I sent
him several skins of different species and it was from among these
he identified the present bird. He unfortunately forgot to send me
a description of the bird or an illustration of it, and my note given
against this does not rightly apply to it.
Syrian Blackbird — Turdus merula syriacus. This was the only one seen
or secured by me.
Spanish Sparrow — Passer hispaniolensis. To be found at Fao— not very
plentifully — associating with the Common Sparrow P. domesticus in
winter and early spring.
Red-headed Bunting — Emberiza luteola. The only bird seen or secured
by me.
Lesser Short- toed Lark — Calandrella viinor. The two mentioned were
identified by Dr. Bowdler Sharpe. See notes in the Ibis, 189i.
The Short- toed Lark — Calandrella brachydactyla. Also identified by Dr.
Bowdler Sharpe. See Ibis, 1891.
The Pale-brown Swift — Cypselus murinus. Identified by Dr. Bowdler
Sharpe as Cyprellus pallidus (Ibis, January 1891). Only one nest
found containing eggs and taken by my collector.
Indian Roller — Coracias garrula. This is not infrequently seen above
Fao on both sides of river, and breeds in holes in the date palms, or
other trees. One yoving one was brought to me from Dora, about l-")
miles above Fao, which I reared" on young frogs and small fish, with a
little raw meat occasionally, it fully matured and became quite
tame flying about the station and coming regularly for its meals.
Common Indian Bee-eater — Merops viridis. Only once seen at Fao, after
a severe storm, no specimens secured.
Barn Owl — Stri.v flammea. These birds bred in the loft in the old tele-
graph wooden buildings. Fairly plentiful during spring and summer
in suitable localities.
Little Brown Dove — 5. cambayemis. This is the only specimen secured
during a severe storm ; shot by my collector. This seems a good deal
out of the way to come across this bird, and I have often wondered
whether it might not have been a caged bird got loose.
294 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST- SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
The Seesee — Ammoperdi.v bonhami. Not to be found in Fao or neighbour-
hood. The country is unsuited for it.
Wood Pigeon — Palumbus paiumbus. One year a large flight of these birds
visited Fao, and many built nests in the date groves, but I never heard
of any young being found. They left very suddenly.
Collared Pratincole — Glareola pratincola. Breeding in neighbourhood of
Fao.
Lapwing — Vanellus cristatus. To be obtained at Fao some years.
White-tailed Lapwing — Chettusia leucura. To be found at Fao occasionally.
1 have shot specimens.
Kentish Plover — yl£. alexandrina. Besides this species I have found others
breeding, but was not able to make sure of their identity.
Whiskered Tern — Hydrochelidon hybrida . Shot at Fao. See notes in Ibis,
January 1891.
Little Tern — Sterna minuta. I obtained a series of small Terns, inter-
mediate between minuta and saundersii which 1 personally handed to
Dr. Bowdler Sharpe.
Imperial or Black-bellied Sand-Grouse— Pterocles arenarius. Eggs of this
species have been obtained from the interior of Persia and Arabia and
brought to Fao.
Large Pin-tailed Sand-Grouse — Pteroclurut< alchata. These are brought
alive from Persia, I have had several brought from neighbourhood of
Bandermashoor, where they are reported to breed.
The Common Sand-Grouse — P. e.nistus. At times Grouse are seen and
heard flying over Fao, which with the aid of binoculars I thought might
be this bird but never obtained a specimen.
Macqueen's Bustard or Houbara — Houbara macqueeni. These are to be
had on both sides of the river during winter. The eggs I received
were sent to me by the Sheikh of Koweit the late Sheikh Jerrah.
Mr. McDonall, British Consul at Mahomerah, wrote to me on one
occasion as follows .• " An Arab friend of mine tells me that
Houbara breed iu the Ram Hurmuz district, he says when he lived
in Fellahieh he on several occasions had Obara chicks brought in.
He also says a much larger bird of that kind is rarely seen in that
neighbourhood. Could this be the Great Bustard."
I once shot a smaller Bustard, in Bushire, the macqueeni, it came into
the compound of the house I was living in. Again on a second
occasion I shot a similar bird ofl" the mouth of Shat-el-Arab, while the
steamer I was on was aground on the Fao bank. The bird kept
flying round the steamer, during a heavy rain storm, when the land
was obscured.
In the first instance I made a specimen of the bird and sent it to my
brother Mr. John Gumming in Karachi, and I believe he sent it to
England, but that it got lost in transit.
In the second instance the pot claimed the victim ! So that I have
never been able to confirm my identification, and I have never heard
of any others being secured about these localities.
This much is certain that both birds were a good deal smaller than
macqtieeni.
Stone-Curlew — QLdinnemus scolopax. Not uncommon on both sides of river
in the desert tracts at back of date-palms.
White Ibis — Ibis melanoacephala. Plentiful at Fao during winter.
White Stork — Ciconia alba. Does not breed at Fao, the eggs were obtain-
ed from Baghdad.
Little Bittern — Ardetta minuta. I obtained two young nestlings on one
occasion from the Persian side of the river.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 295
Mammalia,
I once obtained a long-eared bat covered as far as 1 can recollect now
with hoary white hairs, which I sent to the British Museum and which
was considered interesting, unfortunately 1 have misplaced the letter
from the British Museum giving the identification. It may be in the
Quetta Museum.
Reptilia and Batrachia.
Trionyx euphraticus and Clenimys caspica. Not uncommon in the river off
Fao.
Uromastrix microlepis. I think there is some mistake in stating this
Lizard is to be obtained at Fao. They usually inhabit sandy tracts
while the soil of Fao is loamy and subject to inundations.
Varanus griseus. Not uncommon about Fao.
Rana esculenta. The edible frog. Plentiful at Fao.
Hyla arhorea. Plentiful at Fao.
AV. D. GUMMING.
Karachi, March 1918.
No. XXI.— HOW TROUT WERE INTRODUCED INTO KASHMIR.
When I left Kashmir in May 1890, 1 was retiring from India where
fishing had not been of special interest to me, but in the years that fol-
lowed many of my happiest days were spent among keen fly fishers in
" Bonnie Scotland " whose lochs and streams are full of the " spotted
beauties," so that when fate sent me back nine years later (May 1899) my first
thought for holidays was of fishing. Work tied me to Srinagar and 1 was told
the nearest stream where sport could be had was the Arrah river which then
flowed through the reservoir at Harwan. The stream and surroundings 1
found to be ideal but the fish were spawning at the time when one expected
to find them most sporting and were very disappointing in appearance.
I felt that if they could be replaced by the beauties I had loved at home,
here was indeed a trvie angler's paradise.
To think in those days was to act and the merry month of May in which
1 arrived was not out before my brother William (now Lt.-Col. Mitchell,
V.D.) in conjunction with Col. Ward, Col. Unwin and Capt. Allan had
promised £50 towards the scheme which my experience in Scotland had
taught me was feasible. Early in June, Capt. Goodenough, a fellow passenger
on my journey out, introduced me to Major (now Colonel) Godfrey, First
Assistant Resident, who told me that the Duke of Bedford who had been
presented by the Durbar with some Kashmir stags was anxious to do some-
thing in return and had oft'ered to send out trout ova if some one could be
found to carry on the work necessary to establish the fish in Kashmir.
We soon fixed up preliminaries as I wanted nothing better than to do that
work and thence forward much of my spare time was taken up with inves-
tigations and a certain amount of fishing, chiefly with the Mulberry as a bait*
Khont Cheroo (Schizothorax esocinus), Chuah {S.intermedius), Khont (('renins
sintiatus), Anyur {Exostomastoliczikne) and even the little Tilgrun (loach-Mwa-
chilus marmorata) qM take this bait in Kashmir, but quite 9 out of every 10 fish
caught at Harwan were Oreinus in these days. They were very plentiful
and I can remember one day, sitting with Capt. Allan — he at the head and
I at the tail of one pool — taking out over 100 in \\ hours of an average
Av eight of about half a pound. It was here that I gave my faithful hench-
man Sodahma Pundit, his first lesson in stripping fish and fertilizing the
ova. He was openly incredulous of the result when I told him to put them
296 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HLST. SOCIETY, Tol. XX J I.
(the Oreinus fertilized ova) into a hatching box and it was evidently with
a new respect that he came some days later to tell me they had all hatched
out. Insect life had to be studied in the smaller streamlets and thouf^h
some doubtful assets were noted among the fauna such as numerous toads,
small leeches, great water beetles and their larvte, a most favourably
report was ready long before the first ova had to be shipped. With this
Major Godfrey wrote home suggesting that shipment should be made so that
the arrival of the consignment might synchronize with the disappearance of
snow from the llawalpindi-SrinagarRoad in the spring of 1900, but no special
directions were given as to packing and shipping the ova as it was supposed
that the Duke of Bedford, or his agent would be in touch with experts in
England who had already made similar shipments. This hypothesis
however proved wrong and shipment was made by a steamer with no cool
room, with the result that the ova perished. Later in the year 1900 Major
Godfrey went home on furlough and explained matters, arranging later
with His Grace's Agent for a very early shipment of ova from Howietown
(the well known trout found in Scotland) to be shipped by a P. & O. Mail
Steamer which would reach Bombay in December in time to be forwarded
to Srinagar before snow closed the road. This it did, ultimately arriving at
my house in Christmas week in charge of Mr. J. Sidgreaves Macdonell who
had gone to Bombay to meet the mail steamer. I would like here to record
my thanks to the late Capt. Kitchen of the 5th Gurkhas for a diary account
of an importation of trout ova made three years previous to this by him for
his Regimental Club at Abbottabad. This account contained a useful hint
regarding the packing case in which the ova was brought from Bombay.
Since then we have found we can work safely with cases considerably less
bulky but at that time 1 felt that no risks could be taken. Capt. Kitchen,
who hatched out his ova in the swimming bath at Abbottabad was, when
he sent me his diary, under the impression that his effort had failed en-
tirely, but he afterwards discovered, and wrote me that some of the fish
released in the Kalapani had survived and bred there. A subsequent
attempt was made by the late Col. Kemhall of the same regiment to
re-stock this stream and to stock another river in the same district vpith ova
from Kashmir. Possibly some of the trout from these importations still
survive. One of my men, sent down two years ago: at the instance of
the Deputy Commissioner to make enquiries, reported that he actually saw
one and were it not that every Gurkha Sipahi is a poacher at heart and
that it seems impossible to control this tendency, I have no doubt than good
trout fishing might be established in this district. But to return to our sub-
ject, Mr. Macdonell arrived late in the evening and we were busy till nearly
midnight washing and transferring the ova to the hatching boxes which
were ready in the verandah with pipe water laid on. About 6,000 appeared
to be in good condition, a very fair proportion considering that they had
travelled from England without any expert in charge, but we found many of
these failed to hatch out and the mortality in the alevin and early fry stage
was very distressing. The pipe water supply was a fertile source of trouble
and had there been more than a thin wooden partition between the head of
ray bed and the hatching box, the fate which overtook an ova hatching
exhibit (put up by me for the Punjab Exhibition at Lahore in 1911) during a
failure of the Municipal Water Supply, might have brought an untimely
end to my efforts. As it was the stoppage of the flow at night on several
occasions woke me up and men were soon at work carrying water till the
pipe supply again came in. In due course the fry stage was reached.
Some of the little fishes were then transferred to a fry pond excavated in
the compound, where they were hand fed and the remainder to a length of
the Gupkar irrigation canal above Harvvan, netted at both ends to prevent
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 297
their escape, where they had to rely on the resources of nature for their
sustenance. A wonderful little lot of yearlings finally came out of the fry
pond. Much reduced in numbers thanks to water troubles but incredibly
grown thanks to Sodhama's care in feeding them. One lish measured as
much as lOJ" long (a record for a yearling of its age) when transferred in
October to the Panchgaon ponds and sizes varied do i\n to something
under 4". The yearlings from the canal on the other hand varied very
little from a uniform length of 5". By arrangement with the Durbar
through Colonel (afterwards Sir Harold) Deane who was then Resident in
Kashmir, the new stock ponds were made inside the area soon to be in-
cluded in the Dachigam Rukh and some of the yearlings were released
four to five miles up the Arrah river near Dachigam.
When subscriptions were first raised to import ova we had been given to
understand that the Arrah river and possibly other suitable waters woxild
with the approval of the Durbar be leased on favourable terms to the fish-
ing Club of which the first subscribers formed the nucleus — Colonel Deane,
however, considered that H. H. The Maharaja would be wrong to alienate
State waters in this way and suggested instead that the State should find
money to carry on the project up to at least the equivalent of what had already
been subscribed privately: financial control to be exercised by the then
newly formed Game Preservation Department and I to carry on the trout
culture experiments as long as I cared to do so. Nothing however was
done till Mr. Dane (afterwards Sir Louis) succeeded Sir Harold Deane at
the Residency and the stream of Club subscriptions having dried up, funds
in hand were exhausted. Then on my representing the urgency of the
case, a visit to Panchgam was arranged and with a fly rod I lent him for
the purpose, Mr. Dane dropped the first artificial fly on the stock pond
there. A rush of the unsophisticated little beauties followed and one of
them was on the bank in a twinkling. A day or two later Rs. 2,000 were
placed to my credit with the Punjab Banking Company and " business as
usual " followed till the great flood of 1903 swept over the land on the 24tli
of July and the spot on which the trout had been landed was three feet
Tinder it's waters. The trout enjoyed the flood thoroughly and when it was
over the subsiding water found them settled in the holes and pools they
had found most to their taste. Not one remained in the ponds. Thu
spawning season was at hand, the redds (a common term for the gravelly
shallow in which trout and salmon spawn) had been thoroughly cleaned
by the flood and the trout had located themselves so as to have easy access
to them. I suggested that they should not be disturbed as the opportunity
was favourable for them to show what they could do in the way of reproduc-
ing their species under natural conditions and with this the new Resident Mr.
(afterwards Sir Elliot) Colvin agreed. At the suggestion of the Durbar the
new ponds were made at Harwan outside the Rukh and another consign-
ment of ova from England was arranged for to stock them.
The policy of leaving the trout undisturbed in the stream was amply jus-
tified when the snow water had run o9' in the summer of 1904. Little trout-
lots were found in the streams below the reservoir when the water was cut oft'
and subsequent investigation above the reservoir showed thfeir presence in
nearlyevery pool below Panchgam in more or less numbers. Earlier in the
year the new ponds at Harwan were begun and w'ere made of a much more
permanent character than those destroyed by the flood. Three were
considered sufficient for the first year — two being required for the fresh
importation and one for some 200 small trout which had remained in a
spring fed pond at Panchgam when all the bigger fish hatched from an
importation of ova in 1902, which had not been very successful, had been
transferred to the larger ponds only to be lost in the flood. When these
38
298 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol, XXVI,
were transferred to their new quarters in July 1904 the largest probably
did not exceed 6 oz. certainly not 8 oz. in weight, but with more room and
more food they at once began to grow amazingly. So much so that when
Lord Minto visited Kashmir in October 1906 a trout of 12^ lbs. in weight
was supplied from this lot as a special delicacy for his entertainment.
This fish had increased its size quite 25 times in 27 months,
Upto to 1905 very little public interest was taken in the work though an
occasional sportsman visitor who had heard of it drove out to see the new
ponds at Harwan. Few believed that any great success was likely to be
achieved. In the summer of that year the new Resident Col. Pears and
his wife came out on 27th June to see what was doing and lunched with
me in the Rukh. The stream was still fairly big with snow water, but
after lunch I caught 8 or 9 nice little trout with fly above the old ponds at
Panchgam and i also saw a very heavy ti^h jump in the old " Temple " pool
there. A few days later Mrs. Pears told me with great amusement how
when she had been relating their experiences on their return to Srinagar
one gentleman had remarked " Oh ! Mitchell just catches the same trout
over and over again to make you think there are a lot of them."
I told one of my brothers of the big fish I had seen and as he was most
anxious to have a try for it I asked him and three or four others to come
out and spend the day with me on the 9th of July. I was delayed showing
the others the ponds at Harwan and my brother went straight up to the
pool where I had told him I had seen the big trout. When I got there it
was gasping its last having fallen a victim to the lure of a fly spoon —
a perfect cock fish of 5f lbs. We had him cooked at once for lunch and his
fame went out into the land. Fishing began from that day and many big
fish up to 9 lbs. in weight were killed the following summer when I was in
England — nearly all on spinning tackle.
With the 1904 consignment of ova a small quantity of rainbow ova
was shipped, but, being much more delicate than thefatio ova, none hatched
out and no further attempt was made to introduce the rainbow trout into
Kashmir till 1912 when we succeeded in hatching out nearly 1,000 alevins
from a consignment of ova presented by the Bristol Water Works from
their head works at Blagdon and shipped by my old Calcutta chum Mr.
(now Col.) W. W. Petrie by the P, & O, mail steamer. These dwindled
down to a very small number before they reproduced their kind, but a fair
stock has now been established at Harwan and with a better understanding
of special complaints to which this species is liable, I hope to see them
giving fine sport before long in waters which are rather too w^arm for the
brown trout.
In February 1905 the first ova was collected from trout in Kashmir.
There were only a few ready to spawn and my men had had
no experience in handling them, so I arranged an artificial spawning
bed with a wire net trap for the ova and I left the trout to select their
own season. About 2,000 ova were collected in the net and of these only
some 900 proved fertile and hatched out. Unfortunately a Himalayan
Water Shrew got into the box one night and ate all but one of the little
alevins. Having done this he found he could not get out again and next
morning he was floating on the water drowned. The following season we
began stripping the trout and fertilizing the ova and in 1908 a proper
hatchery was built from which eyed ova up to a maximum of 1,000,000
have been issued yearly since that time. These have been distributed to
fry ponds and spring streams all over Kashmir including Gilgit and have
been hatched out chiefly in Pahari boxes well described in Mr. Howell's
article on " The making of a Himalayan Trout Stream." Ova have been
MLSCELLAXEOUS NOTES. 299
also sent to Abbottabad, Kangra, Kulu, Simla, Naini Tal and Shillong
(ABsam) as well as to a number of Native States all in charge of men
trained at Harwan, who have conveyed the consignments safely to their
destination, generally with a loss of less than 1 per cent, in transit.
Perhaps the most difhcult journey to negotiate successfully was to Gilgit
on which 200 miles of road crossing passes of 12,000' and 15,000' had to be
traversed in December. The first effort was a failure, the ova having been
frozen, but the second succeeded and I understand that officers of the
Agency now have fair trout fishing in at least one stream. For this Col.
A. B. Dew and Col. Macpherson have to be thanked. The former having
commenced and the latter carried out I believe chiefly on their own expense
most of the hatchery work in Gilgit with the help of a man from Harwan.
In the Valley of .Kashmir most of the more accessible streams suitable for
trout fishing are now fairly stocked and some of the more distant waters
have been taken in hand. The high lakes which by many were considered
unsuitable owing to their being frozen over, in some years as late as the
end of June, have given one conspicuous success. Unfortunately there is
a question of sanctity about the lakes so far stocked and permission to
issue fishing licences has not been granted by the Durbar. Other lakes
have, however, been taken in hand with good prospects of success.
Before closing this account I should mention that in 1908 an attempt was
made to introduce the great Danube Salmon (S. hucho) into Kashmir. Ova
was arranged for through a well known Continental pisciculturist and was
shipped via London to Calcutta at considerable trouble and expense. The
consignment arrived in Calcutta on 9th April (nearly the hottest season of
the year there) 1 met and took it up to Kashmir where the little fish hatched
out and appeared quite healthy, but none grew to over half a pound in the
first two or three years. An enquiry kindly made on our behalf by Mr. R.
B. Marston of the " Fishing Gazette"' resulted in some correspondence
being published in that paper in which the firm who sold us the ova admitted
that they had been unable to obtain guaranteed ova from the Government
hatchery and had sent us some from a private hatchery which might have
been a late lot of Salmon {S. salar) ova. The scales of the little fish indicat-
ed that this was the case. After three or four years respectively the cocks and
hens of this batch reached the reproducing stage and were experimentally
cross bred with »S'. fario, but the resulting fish did not grow well. Cross
breeding was carried on to the third generation with no signs of a "mule "
tendency, but the fish were not satisfactory and were finally ell released.
Some of the original fish ultimately reached a size of over a pound in weight
and had the spotty look of a bull trout, but after the early stages, none of
them seemed to feed well except on live water insects and flies.
F. J. MITCHELL.
Srinagab, Kashmir, 1918.
No. XXII.— NOTES ON THE LARVA OF CH.EROCAMPA
ALEC TO.
I found eggs and larvse of this moth at Rae Bareli, U. P., at the end of
October and in November 1917. The food plants were the cultivated vine,
and a small plant growing near marshy ground, with a flower shaped like a
clove.
The eggs were spherical and bright green in colour, about the same size as
the eggs of Daphnis neni. They were laid singly, usually on the upper side
of a leaf.
300 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HLST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
The larva when first hatched was Hght yellow, with a long thin black horn.
After the first change of skin ocelli began to appear on the sides.
At the second change of skin the larva assumed either a green or a brown
colour.
In the green from the head and body were green, with a darker dorsal
line. On each side there was a series of seven ocelli on the fourth to the
tenth body segments, either reddish or blue, ringed with black, and a yellow
sub-dorsal line commencing at the second segment and running through the
ocelli to the horn. Horn long and thin, reddish at the base with a black tip.
Legs pink, prolegs and claspers green.
After the third change of skin the co'lc;.r became yellowish-green, dotted
with darker green. The third and fourth body segments became swollen,
and the ocelli on the fourth segment larger than the others. Ocelli reddish,
ringed first with yellow and then dark green. Horn same as before.
After the fourth change of skin, which is the last before turning to a pupa,
the head and the first three segments were apple green, the other segments
yellow in the dorsal area, green underneath, dotted and striped with darker
green. Legs and spiracles red, horn purple, strong and pointed and curved
sharply downwards. Ocelli green ringed with yellow and black.
When full grown the larva was three and a half inches long. The brown
form was coloured as follows : — Head and body brown, body dotted with
brown from the fifth segment to the horn. First pair of ocelli black ringed
with yellow and black. Seven oblique stripes brown. Spiracles blue,
horn purple, legs red, prolegs and claspers brown.
The pupa was a dirty brown colour, with black spiracles and dark lines
and dots. In front of the head, and joined to it, was a circular flattened
sheath, containing the proboscis.
The pupse were formed at the beginning of November 1917, and the
moths hatched on the 1st of March 1918.
The green and brown forms both occurred together on the smaller food
plant, which had both green and brown leaves. All found on the vine
A large proportion of those reared from the egg assumed the brown
form, either at the second or a later change of skin.
F. B. SCOTT, Captain, I.A.
Hyderabad, Bind,
V2th May 1918.
No. XXIII.— LIFE HISTORY OF THE ANTHER.^ A ROYLEI
(OAK EMPEROR) MOTH.
On the morning of the 1st September 1917 1 found a male and a female of
the moth. The male had just separated from the female. I pinned the
male and put the female in a box and she commenced to lay her eggs
immediately. The first eggs hatched on the 11th September, and the first
caterpillars moulted as under : —
Ist moult commenced on the 18th September and completed I9th Sept.
2nd do.
25th do.
do.
26th do.
:3rd do.
Ist October
do.
3rd Oct
4th do.
9th do.
do.
nth do.
•Ith do.
I7th do.
do.
19th do.
()th do.
23rd do.
do.
24th do.
7th do.
28th do.
do.
30th do.
8th and last moult
2nd November
do.
3rd Nov.
/^
/
u
o
en
rl
z
>
E
0
a
■
c
3
e
■9
■%-»v.
J. g:^:^
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 301
The first caterpillars began to spin their cocoons on the 9th of November
1917. The first batch of moths from these cocoons hatched on the night of
the 9th March 1918, These were four males. On the 13th some females
hatched and were set out on the night of the 14th. Males were caught on
them, and the females started to lay on the 15th. The caterpillars from these
began to hatch on the 25th March 1918. The first caterpillars from this
batch spun their cocoons on the 20th June 1918. The second batch of
moths from these turned on the 29th July 1918, and some females were set
out the same night and males taken. The moths laid on the 30th July 1918,
and the eggs hatched on the 9th August 1918. According to the time the
first batch took to spin their cocoons, i.e., two months. This batch should
begin to spin on the 7th October 1918. From this it will be seen that
there are three batches of cocoons in the year. The caterpillars are easy
to breed in captivity and copulate freely if kept loose in a room. In the
first batch raised, I had 150 eggs, out of which I got 142 cocoons. The
caterpillars were fed on oak leaves [Quercus seiniserrata). Till the second
mould had been taken, the caterpillars were kept in a cardboard box with a
tight fitting lid. After this they were put on to branches of the oak which
were stood up in a bottle with water in it. And this again was stood up
in a zinc bath tub to prevent any caterpillars falling oft', getting away and
being lost.
The caterpillars are hardy and are easy to breed, and the silk appears
to be of good quality, and ought to be of commercial value if grown on a
large scale, but nobody in Burma seems to have the enterprise to do it.
lam sending you under separate cover males and females of the Antherrea
roylei, also some empty cocoons of the same. Also a skin of the Wood
snipe, G. nemoricula, which was shot up here last March.
C. W, ALLAN,
Deputy Conservator of Forests,
Mandalay Division.
Maymyo, Burma,
lUh August 1918.
No. XXIV.— A FLIGHT OF LOCUSTS.
( With a Plate.)
The accompanying photograph was taken by Lt.-Col. P. H. Rogers,
K.O.Y.L.I., in 1903, and represents the locusts crossing the compound of the
Club of Western India, Poona. If a magnifying glass is used the shape <»f
some of the locusts in the photograph can be plainly seen.
E. C. B. AC WORTH.
Bombay, IWi December 1917.
No. XXV.— NESTING HABITS OF VESPA DORYLLOIDES, Sauss.
Specimens of a Wasp Vespa doi-ylloides, Sauss., and a dynastinid beetle
Blabephoiua pinguis,¥?Livu\., were recently sent me by Mr. A. J. S. Butter-
wick, Extra Assistant Conservator of Forests, Instructor, Burma Forest
School, with the following account of the conditions under which they were
taken : —
" On the 22nd of last month (March 1918), 1 had occasion to burn out the
nest of a kind of yellow wasp (probably a species of Vesj)a), which had been
302 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX f I.
giving my men and myself a lot of trouble as they had frequently attacked
us in the dark, and as their stings were extremely painful and long lived.
The Burmans call them padus. The nest was located inside the hollow .of a
teak tree near our camp (Pyinmana Forest Division, Burma). To show me
that they did not attack at a distance by day, a Burman shoved his head (this
was at 11 a.m.) right into the hollow to look for the nest and he was not touch-
ed. After the nest was well burnt and smoked, it was taken out and shown to
me. There were altogether 6 circular tiers one over the other. Each tier
was about 1^" thick and was separated from the adjacent ones by spaces
about i" broad. The tiers were however joined at their centres to each
other by 2 or 3 thin pillars of the same papery material as the whole nest
was made of. When looking into these spaces to my great surprise I found
inside them a large number of (apparently) the common three-homed rhino-
ceros beetle. I could not make out exactly what these beetles were there
for, as most of them had died from the eftects of the fire. The Burmans
call them " Padu min'' (King of padus) and allege that they are always
found in these wasps' nests and that they devour the grubs and young pupae.
I am not sure whether what they say is correct, or whether the mother
wasps sting and paralyse these beetles and bring them to their nests for
food for their young ones.''
The above is of interest as the nest of Vaspa dorylloides does not
appear to have been described before. Du Buysson, who monographed
the genus in 1904, says (Ann. Soc. Ent. France., LXXIII, pp. 617-618)
on the authority of a correspondent in Sumatra, that " this wasp
exhibits crepuscular habits, flying by evening at nightfall. It comes
to light during meals, and makes off with what food stuff it can seize.
During the day it appears to be distressed by the direct light of the sun
and flies as if deprived of sight colliding with anything before it. The
natives have given it a name which means '' blind ". It is very irritable
and its sting is fairly painful. It lives in old and very thick forests in which
it makes its nest in the soil."
It seems most probable that the beetles were accidentally associated with
the wasps, that they were sheltering in the hollow tree and were driven by
the smoke into the interspaces of the wasps' nest, I should be very glad to
hear of any other explanation or similar occurrence.
C. F. C. BEESON, m.a., i.f.s.,
Forest Zoologist.
Dehra Dun, ISth June 1918.
XXVI.— MIMICRY IN SPIDERS.
In a chick-house at Muzaft'arpur a few days ago I saw a distinct attempt
of a spider at imitating a Hymenocallis Lily. The threads of the web were
to be seen with difficulty against the background and in the centre a cross
of two or three inch arms had been made to show up white by means of
many cross threads. Towards the centre the white changed to a misty grey
colour into which the head of the spider toned exactly. The spider itself
stood in the centre with its legs doubled together up the arms of the cross,
the colour of the legs being sepia and cinnamon in bars. The body of about
half an inch long was for the front two-fifths of a creamy yeUow crossed by
two very fine black stripes and the remainder was a very dark brown, almost
black, with fine yellow spots and was divided into two nearly equal parts by
a broad cross band of cream colour shading to gamboge.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 308
Altogether the imitation was most successful, so much so that I thought it
as well to see if the spider also emitted any scent like that of a lily, but he
(or she) appeared to have omitted that detail.
F. CLAYTON.
Kanchi, 1st July 1918.
No. XXVII.— ON THE BREEDING HABIIS OF SOME MYRIAFODA.
Very little seems to be known about the breeding habits of the Myriapoda.
The two more important orders of Myriapoda are : The Chilopoda and the
Chilognatha.
The former are well represented in India by the family Scolopendridae,
a group of common centipedes. With regard to the breeding habits of
these, opinions differ considerably. Sinclair, in the Cambridge Natural
History, Vol. V, p. 39, says : " The Scolopendrido' are said to bring forth
their young alive, but I think the evidence for this is unsatisfactory. What
have been taken for the young Scolopendridce are perhaps the large sperma-
tophores of the male, which are not unlike a larval Myriapod in size and
shape. 1 have never been able to observe the process of breeding in this
family. I have had the spermatophores sent me from Gibraltar as "eggs",
but a little examination soon showed me their real character." To what
genus those spermatophores belong. Sinclair does not tell us. The informa-
tion given by Sedgwick in Vol. Ill, p. 600 of his Student's Text-book of
Zoology goes a little further. He says : " It has been stated that some of
the Scolopendridce are viviparous. However this may be, the majority of
the Chilupods appear to be oviparous. Lithobius lays its eggs singly and
rolls them in the earth. The European species of Scolopendra lay (in June
and July) from 15 to 33 eggs (about 3 mm. in length) in the earth (3 to 8
cm. deep) and roll themselves round them, protecting them from contact
with the earth and keeping them moist by a fluid secretion until they are
hatched, which takes place after some weeks. GeopMlus also has been
observed to take care of its eggs in a similar manner. " Hayek (in Zoologie,
Vol. II, p. 172) is more general in his statement. According to this autho-
rity no union takes place between the two sexes. The male spreads a few
threads on the ground and attaches its spermatophores to the network. The
female walks over the threads and receives the spermatophores into the vagina.
Verhoeff is more definite. He distinguishes two classes of Chilopoda :
The females of one lay their eggs singly and cannot, therefore, take
care of the eggs and the young ones. To this class belong, v.g , the
Scutigeridce. The females of the other class lays a number of eggs into a
hole and surrounds or covers them with her body. Here belong the
Geo^philidee and Scolopendridce.
It is apparent from these statements that our knowledge of the breeding
habits of the Chilopoda is very meagre, and sometimes contradictory. It
seems that almost every species has to be observed before we can draw
general conclusions,
I have repeatedly had occasion of observing one of the common centi-
pedes, Scolopendra morsitana, L., at Khandala as well as in Bombay. The
full-grown Centipede is about 10 cm. long, with a metallic lustre on its
back, the undersurface being yellow. At Khandala I have seen eggs in
the months of May and June. The eggs numbered from 20 to 30. They
are elliptic, soft, surrounded by a thin tough skin, and of a cream colour.
They were loosely stuck together by some glutious substance and
could easily be separated from each other. The mother Centipede takes
care of her eggs by winding herself round them and keeping the eggs
304 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
together with her legs and keeping them away from the soil. After some
period the eggs are hatched and the young ones emerge quite soft and
white, about 1 cm. long. The mother nurses also the young ones in the
same manner for some time. When they are big enough they have to look
out for themselves. 1 have observed the young ones in July in the persis-
tent leaf-sheath of a Palm.
As to the other order of Myriopoda, viz., the Ckilot/natka or Millipedes, a
little more seems to be known with regard to the breeding habits, though
even here some writers have been generalizing too much. Sedgwick v. g.
says that "the eggs are laid shortly after copulation, in masses in damp
earth, under stones, etc. Sometimes a kind of nest is made, and in some spe-
cies the mother keeps watch over the eggs." Hayek makes the same state-
ment. Sinclair who succeeded in bringing some specimens of Polydesmun
alive from Madeira to England, and in getting them to breed, observes that
'•their way of laying eggs and making a nest resembles that of Julus, which
is known to lay 60 to 100 eggs at a time in a small nest in the ground. I
have been able to observe a species of Polf/des)nus in Bombay, in the month
<tf October. When removing a i^lant with the soil from a flower pot I
noticed on one of the pieces of a broken flower pot (which the malis use to
put inside in the bottom) a dome-like structure made of earth and about
1 cm. in diameter. On opening it I found a young Poli/defonus curled up in
the cavity of the dome. It was about 1 cm. long, quite soft and completely
white. On examining the other broken pieces of the flower pot I found
.") or 6 more of those domes, each one containing one young Polydesmus.
From this it is evident thai at least one Indian species of Polydesmus does
not lay its eggs in masses, but singly, enclosing each in a mud dome.
What the young Millipedes are feeding on during the first time of their de-
velopment I cannot say. But it seems that the young larva eats its own
moult, as, in some cases, I have seen only half a moult left in the cavity.
Of course this self-devouring process cannot increase the size of the larva,
and I wish to add that I have not seen them actually eating the moult.
C. McCANN.
St. Xavier's College BiOLoaiCAL Laboratory,
Bombay, April 1918.
No. XXVIII.— note ON A NEW UNDESCRIBED SPECIES OF
CYNODON BY K. RANGACHARI AND C. TADULINGAM.
{With a Plate).
Specimens of this grass collected in the Godavari District were left
unidentified for want of sufticient material. We obtained last year sufficient
material by growing plants from a specimen collected on the Nilgiris near
Kallar. This is named Cynodon intermedius, as it resembles in certain
respects Cynodon dactylon on the one hand and Cynodon harhen on the
other.
Cynodon intermedius, sp. no v.
This grass is a widely creeping perennial.
The stems are slender, glabrous, creeping superficially and rooting at the
nodes, but never rhizomiferous, leafy with slender erect or goniculately
ascending flowering branches, and varying in length from 12 to 18 inches ;
nodes are slightly swollen, glabrous, green or purplish.
The leaf-sheath is smooth, glabrous, slightly compressed, sparsely bearded
at the mouth, shorter than the internode, except the one enclosing the
peduncle which is usually long ; the ligule is a shortly ciliated rim.
\
^
Journ,, Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
CYNODON INTEBMEDIUS, sp. nov
MISCELLAISEOUS NOTES, 305
The leaf-blade is linear, flat, finely acuminate, scaberaloiis above the
margins, smooth below except in some portions of the mid rib, ^ to 7 inches
in length and ^q to \ inch in breadth.
The inflorescence consists of four to eight long, thin, slender, slightly
drooping, digitately arranged spikes, 2 to 4 inches long on a long smooth
peduncle ; the rachis is tumid and pubescent at its base, slender, somewhat
compressed and scaberulous. The spikelets are rather small, narrow,
greenish or purplish, ^^ inch long or less ; the rachilla is slender, produced
to about half the length of the spikelet behind the palea.
There are three glumes. The first and the second glumes are lanceolate,
acute or acuminate, one-nerved, keel obscurely scabrid, very unequal, the
first glume being always shorter than the second glume. 1 he third glume
ia obliquely ovate-oblong, chartaceous, longer than the second glume, obtuse
or subacute, and three-nerved ; the margins and keel with close set
clavellate hairs pointed at the apex ; palea is chartaceous, 2-keeled,
keels obscurely scaberulous and without hairs. There are three stamens
with somewhat small purple anthers. Ovary with purple stigmas and two
small lodicules. Grain is oblong reddish bro^vn, with a faint dorsal groove.
The species is closely allied to the cosmopolitan species Cynvdon dactylon,
Pers., and to another new species Cynodon barter?, Eang. & Tad., des-
cribed in the journal of the Bombay Nat. Hist. Society, Vol. 24, Part IV,
page 846, and it is therefore named Cynodon .ntermedius. This grass
diflers from Cynodon dactylon, 1*0X3. (1) in not having underground stems
and having only stems creeping and rooiing along the surface of the ground,
(2) in having less rigid leaves, (ii) by havinsr longer, slenderer, somewhat
drooping spikes and narrower spikelets, (4) by having the first two glumes
always unequal, the 2nd being longer, (5) by having clavellate pointed
hairs on the margins and keels of the third glume and 6 by having smaller
anthers. Compared with Cynodon hai-heri, this plant is more extensively
creeping with longer slender branches and the leaves are usually very
much longer and the third glume is longer than the second.
Distribution. — So far, this was collected at Gokavaram in Godavari
District (No. 8269), in Chingleput (No. 11488), Tinnevelly District (Nos.
13129 and 13259) and at Kallar on the Nilgiris (No. 13988).
Explanation of Plate.
Fig. I. Full plant.
„ 11. Spikelets and parts of a spikelet.
1. front view of a portion of spike ; 2. back view of a portion of a
spikelet; 3. spikelet; 4. first glume, 5. second glume ; 6. -third glume;
7. palea ; 8. lodicules, stamens and ovary ; 9. hairs on the third glume ;
10. grain.
K. RANGACHARl.
Govt. Lecturing Botanist.
CoiMBATORE, Ath April 1918.
No. XXIX.— A VARIETY OF BUTE A FRO N I) OS A.
In March 1918, while inspecting villages in the Manpur pargana (British
area) in the Central Fndia Agency, I came suddenly on most tilorious sight.
A single tree of golden yellow Buteafrondosa. The tree is about 30 feet
high and was at that time a mass of blossom. The flower differs in no way
from the ordinary variety except in colour. The Forest Rangfr. who was
with me. said that in the Central Provinces, to which service he belongs, he
had seen a yellowish white variety, but nothing like this. The colour in this
S9
306 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
case is similar to that of a Sua- flower. A variety which would appear to be
similar to that found in the Central Provinces is referred to in Vol. VI of
the Journal, page 107. Neither the Flora of British India, Brandis,
Gamble or Talbot refer to any such variety or this. I have secured its
seed, some of which I sent to Mr. Millard, and it will be interesting to see
if it flowers true.
C. E. LUARD, Lt.-Col.,
Manpur, C. I., Political Agent in the Southern States
June ISth, I9I8. of Central India.
No. XXX.— THE EDIBLE DATE-PALM IN BOMBAVT.
On the 11th July Mr. Millard sent me the fruits of the Date-Palm
{Phcenix dactylifera), growing in the Bombay University Gardens. The
malee informed him that the tree. fruited every year and that the fruits
fall off before they are mature.
The fruits are green or yellowish green and about 1 inch long. The
complete absence of a seed shows that they have apparently not been
fertilized. There is a small empty cavity in the flesh which imitates in its
shape (but not in its size) the stone or seed of the fruit.
The usual process after fertilization is this : Out of the three free simple
ovaries of the flower onL- one ripens into a berry, the pericarp becoming the
pulp which contains a " stone " or seed. The latter is a solid mass of horny
perisperm with the embryo embedded in a small cavity a little beneath the
surface, its place being indicated by a papilla on the surface.
In the fruit under examination the pericarp alone has developed, the rest
being abortive ; each fruit is supported at its base by the complete perianth
thus showing that onl^^ one of the 3 ovaries has developed into a (seedless)
fruit, whilst the others have disappeared.
Of these facts one is old, and one seems to be new. It is well known that,
in case there is no pollination, all three of the ovaries will develop, but will
be seedless and the fruit will be inferior. In our case, however, only one
ovary in each flower has developed, a behaviour quite different from what
lias been observed up to now (at least to my knowledge). Is it nob possible
that the stimulus for the formation of the fruit was given by pollen of the
Wild Date Palm {I'/ioenix sylvestris), but tliat the stimulus was not suflicient
to produce a seed ? It would be easy to ascertain this point during the
flowering season of the Palm.
E. BLATTER, s.j.
Botanical Labokatouy,
St. Xaviek's Coli-ege,
Bombay, IZth July 1918.
No. XXXI.— OLEANDER POISONING CAMELS.
Does anybody know why Oleander is such a deadly poison to camels r
The theory here is that the leaves choke the camel, and that dried leaves
are more fatal than green ones. Is it known what the poison is, and what
antidote, if any, there is ? A man in the Telegraph Department told me
to-day that he had saved the life of one of his riding camels by giving it
within \ hour of its eating the oleander leaves, 2 bottles of tea, 3 bottles of
strong solution of permanganate of potash, and two bottles pf gbee P
Apparently no symptoms of poisoning were seen.
« MmCELLANE0U8 NOTES. 307
Of course the purely local systems of treatment for all camels' diseases are
(1) branding, preferably as far away from the seat of the disease as possible,
e.g., heal for a toothache and (2) ghi, kerosine oil and sweet oil in varying
proportions internally or externally. But 1 have never met any one yet
who really knew anything about camels,
J. E. B. HOTSON, Capt , i.a.k.o.
Panjgue, via NusHKi,
March 1918.
[The Revd. E. Blatter, S. J., commenting on the above query writes :
Before speaking of the poisonous qualities of the plant mentioned by
Capt. Hotson, 1 wish to make a remark on a systematic point regarding
two species of Nerium.
Nerium odorum, Soland., has been found up to now in Afghanistan, Balu-
chistan (Persian as well as British) up to 6,000 feet, in the outer N. W.
Himalaya up to 5,500 feet, in Central India and China. It has a predelec-
tion for rocky stream beds or ravines and river beds which are dry in
winter. It is generally grown in Indian gardens with single and double
white or pink flowers. Neiium oleander, L., however, is a common shrub in
the Mediterranean region, Western Asia, Syria and Kurdistan. Kirtikar
wrote in Vol. XI, p. 254 of this Journal : " it must now be considered
that the Nerium odorum . . . is no other than the Nerium oleander of the
Mediterranean coast, barring developmental differences due to climatic
influences. Linnaeus is after aU right in considering that they were
identical plants. However much the corolla may vary in the two plants,
we have the high and unquestionable authority of Brandis that the fact
of a mere climatic variation of the corolla does not afford distinctive
characters of a reliable kind. Special parts luay vary, but yet their variation
need not go to multiply varieties which may reasonably be classed under one
and the same species."
It seems to me that, if we want to settle this point, we have to compare
wild-growing specimens of the two species. It is no use taking plants which
have been under cultivation for a long period. Capt. Hotson has sent us
specimens of what we consider to be Nerium odorum from various parts of
Persian and British Baluchistan as well as from Makran. In most cases we
are sure that they have not been introduced or cultivated in those localities.
They differ from Nerium oleander in the following points : — The plant is less
robust ; the leaves are commonly narrow and more distant ; the branches
are angled ; the calyx lobes are erect (in wild specimens of Nerium oleander
they are spreading); the appendages of the corona are cleft into numerous
fdiform segments, or are trifid, the lateral segments being linear, the
central one short-triangular (whilst in Neiium odorum the segments
of the appendages are short, irregular, and not linear or filiform ; the
appendages of the anthers are protruding ( not protruding in N. oleander) ;
the fruit is 6-9 inches long (in N. oleander 3-6 inches), the flowers are frag-
rant (in N. oleander inodorous). I am inclined to think that all these
differences taken together justify our retaining N. odorum as a distinct
species.
Now to the poisonous qualities of the shrub. Here we need not make
any distinction between the two species, as experience has shown that both
exhibit the same toxic properties. Pliny is the first to mention the Olean-
der. He writes : " The rhododendron (our Oleander) has not even found
a name in Latin. They call it rhododaphne or 7ierium. It is strange that its
leaves should be poisonous to aU quadrupeds, but to man an antidote
against snake-bite, if they are taken in wine together with rue. Also
cattle and goats are said to die if they drink of the water in which the
308 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
leaves have been soaked." (Plin. Nat. Hist., XXIII, 11, 90 (Edit. Teub.) ).
Dioscorides, a contemporary of Pliny gives even a description of the plant
and adds : " A well-known bush which has longer and thicker leaves than
the ahnond tree. It grows in gardens, on coast lands, and beside rivers ;
its blossoms and leaves have a bad eflect on dogs, asses, mules, and most
quadrupeds ; but taken with wine, they are wholesome for men against the
bite of animals, especially if mixed with rue ; but when the smaller
animals, like goats and sheep, drink of this, they die." Palladius says that
mice can be destroyed by stopping up their holes and passages with Oleander
leaves. Considering that the Uomans received the name of the bush from
Greece, it is difficult to understand that not one Greek w riter mentions the
plant.
To the Hindus the poisonous qualities of Oleander have been known for a
long time. " It is proverbial among females of the hills," says Dymock, •' to
bid each other go and eat the root of the Kaner. Ainslie also refers to its
tise by Hindu women, when tormented by jealousy, and Broughton says that
it is well-known and extensively used in the Eombay Presidency as a
poison, the juice from the red variety being considered the strongest and
most fatal." Ealfour mentions that the camels eat leaves and usually die
in consequence of it.
Chemical analysis has shown that the leaves of the Oleander contain two
substances which are chemically dift'erent and free of nitrogen, riz., Olean-
drin and neriin (*). Both are non-crystallisable gJucosides, almost
insoluble in water. Oleandrin forms amorphous masses which are soluble in
alcohol, ether, and chlorofo'm, but only slightly so in water. Neriin may
prove to be identical with digitalein, but in the meantime it goes under its
specific name. Schmiedeberg, who examined leaves of the African plant,
was able to separate a third product, which he called neriantin. Regarding
its chemical and physiological properties it is similar to digitalin.
Both, oleandrin as well as neriin, are heart poisons and their effects
fairly agree with those produced by digitalin (the poison obtained from the
foxglove, Dit/italis purpurea). Ihe pulse frequently diminishes in the first
stage, while the pressure of the blood rises ; then the blood pressure as well
as the pulse frequency become abnormally low, and finally the pressure
remains low, whilst the pulse beats above the normal frequency When the
pulse becomes very low, it is natural that a feeling of constriction and
uneasiness in the chest comes on (called choking in Capt. Hotson's letter).
But the aspect of oleander-poisoning is not always so uniform and the
symptoms may be altogether peculiar in certain cases. Interesting
instances have been described in the Transactions of Med. and Phys. Soc.
of Bombay. 1857, 1858 and 1859.
The antidotes, too, are the same as those applied against digitalin poi-
soning. Wynter Blyth recommends the following :
"Empty the stomach by the tube or pump, or administer a subcutaneous
dose (4 drops' of apomorphine, or give a tablespoonful of mustard in water,
or sulphate of zinc.
" Follow up with strong tea, or half a drachm of tannin, or gaUic acid in
aqueous solution.
"A very small dose of aconitine nitrate in solution (say 1/200 of
a grain may be injected subcutaneously and the eflect watched ; if
in a little time it seems to be good, repeat the dose. On no account
let the patient rise from the recumbent posture, or he may faint to death.
" Stimulants in small doses may be given frequently by the mouth, or, if
there is vomiting, by the bowel."
0) A. Wynter Blyth, Poisons- London, 1895.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 309"
It is not easy to see the use of permanganate of potash and ghi, which
were recommended to Captain Hotson. If a good efl'ect followed the
administration of the medicine mentioned, it must be ascribed to the tea
on account of the tannic acid it contains. — E. B.]
No, XXXII.— NOTES FROM THE ORIENTAL SPORTING MAGAZINE,
NEW SERIES, 1869 to 1879.
Bears : The late Colonel Nightingale sptared many bears in the Hydera-
bad country, mostly, if not entirely, off Arab horses.
At pages 82 to 85 of Vol. XI a contributor relates the spearing of a
number of bears, and some hyenas, in the Nirmal jungles (Hyderabad,
Deccan) and relates the amusing sequence to a visit of a man-eating tiger
to his camp. The local " Cutwal " or Jemadar of Police suggested the
artful dodge of dressing up a sheep in garb of a man ! The device was
tried and did not answer, and indeed appeared, as well it might, to keep
the tiger away from the camp.
At page 164: the exciting sport of spearing bears by moonlight is graphi-
cally told.
liliinoceros : A sportsman, " T. A. D.," relates in Vol. IX, 1876, p. 557,
et seq., his sport in shooting Rhinoceros, in the Bhutan Dovars, off an
elephant. No wonder that these unfortunate animals have woefully decreas-
ed in numbers ! Such sportsmen were not entirely to blame as witness the
following : *• W " writes at p. 638. " The shooting in the Dovars will not
last much longer. I was credibly informed that the '' Pahlvvaris or shikaris
had killed no less than 200 Rhinoceros."
Here is "T. A. D.'s" account of his own doings. "The sun had set for
some time, and I was obliged to give in : but I had bagged five rhinos in
in that one day, and had wounded at least five times five more, a good
many of which must have died. . . . My hands were blistered and bleed-
ing with loading and I had broken two ramrods. I must have fired at least
a hundred shots that day." The rifle used was a 12 bore and the locality
East of the River Torsak near Patla Khowah in the Bhutan Dovars,
Wolves : There are recorded several instances of the riding down and
spearing of wolves, and also of black brick. An instance of wolves hunting
by concerted plan is also related.
The Wild Ass : At p. 276 of Vol. VI, 1873, is an account of the hunting
of wild donkeys in the Runn of Cutch. Some 30 to 50 horsemen took part
in the drive which resulted in one young ass being run down and captured
in 3 hours and 5 minutes (6-25 to 9-30 a.m.) the distance covered being
estimated at 40 miles.
Various incidents x In Vol. IV (p. 328) a contributor writes that near
Dehra Dun, a panther was killed by a Ghoorka recruit who threw a stone at
it and fractured its skull. The man came on the beast as it was drinking
at a pool in a nala.
It is nob uncommon in the Lower Himalayas for panthers to be killed by
the hillmen with their axes, but the doing in of a panther by a hand thrown
stone must be a very unique performance.
At p. 83 of Vol. XII is a note of an elephant having been bitten by a
mad dog, and dying of hydrophobia.
The spearing of a nilghae off Arab horses in Kathiawar is related : not a
difficult feat in suitable ground.
The " Pheo " call : In the same volume a contributor writes that the
" Pheo " call is uttered by a jackal and that this cry indicates that some
wild beast of the feline tribe is afoot. This is also the writer's experiency,
though it is not infallible, as on one occasion the cry was clearly caused be
the presence of a hyjena.
310 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI,
Crocodiles : One wonders whether the eyes of the contributor of the
following note did not deceive him. He relates that he saw young
alligators {sic) entering their mothers' mouth and going into her stomach
and coming out again I (Vol. II, p. 1621).
Buffalo : At p. 1873, Vol. VI, is a record of a cow buffalo kiUed in Assam,
norns 1 3' 6" on the outer curve and 6' b" tip to tip.
Doe chinkara : A doe chinkara with 9" horns is recorded. This must be
nearly a " record." The writer has heard of an 11" head having been
lately obtained in Sind, but has not yet been able to procure
verification of this.
At nage 1 of Vol. IV of 1871 is an interesting sketch of head of a doe
antelope with horns. The animal was shot near Ahmednagar.
Red Ants : The following assertion deserves a paragraph all to itself :
" Castor oil smeared round the tree trunk and boughs above and below the
sitter in a tree will keep oS" the red ant." If this be so, it is worth knowing !
M^ny a sportsman has been speedily dislodged by the vicious red ant with
its vitriolic bite. On one occasion the writer lost a shot at a panther solely
owing to the attentions of red ants.
Snipe shooting : A Subaltern in the Arrakan Battalion won a wager that
he would bag 100 couple of snipe in six hours. He won his bet, shooting
126 couple between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. using two muzzle loaders. His
performance was verified by the chaplain, and a very fine performance too,
So7ne curiosities in Natural History : The greediness and voracity of
eels is weU-known, but the eel of 2'-4" choked by attempting to swallow
a brother eel of 2'-9" must have had a most unusual twist to his appetite.
Frank Buckland relates a fight between a scorpion and a mouse in which
the latter was victorious. Combats of a similar kind — Scorpion versus
" Jerrymundlam " — a species of spider with jaws in four segments used to
afford much after dinner amusement at a small military station a good many
years ago. The arena was the surface of table cloth covered by an inverted
finger bowl. Victory went either way according to the agility of the comba-
tants. The point of attack, as in case of the mouse, was the junction of
poison bag to the body, but, contrary to the experience of the mouse, the sting
of the scorpion used to be very speedily fatal to the spider.
Birds : At p. 81 of Vol. VI, 1873, is a vwry useful list by A. Manson of
the birds of Orissa. The English and Ooria names are given.
A list of the Orissa Mammals is at page 4-'58 of Vol. V, 1872.
Some carefully ascertained weights of Floriken are given :
Four Cocks .. 18i 18^ 16| 16^ ounces.
Four hens .. 23i 22i 21 IS" ounces.
Mahseer Fishing : Several contributors give short accounts of the excellent
Mahseer fishing to be had in Assam. No doubt similar sport can be had at
the present day.
nth to 15th February . . 42 fish av. 20^ lbs.
19th to 26th December . . 28 „ 3 to 40" lbs.
21st Oct. to 22nd Nov. (1875) 34 „ av. 31^ lbs.
Among these were several over 60 lbs. and one of estimated weight of 80 lbs.
Length of this fish is given as 5'-3" with a girth of 3'-6". Calculated by the
usaal formula the weight was 148 lbs.
Some Shikar I The bag made by a party of guns in the Terai in 1870. 7th
to 23rd April is worth recording.
18 tigers.
27 buffaloes.
135 deer.
42 pigs, &c., 240 head in all. '\
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
311
Old Magazines : Reference is made to some old sporting magazines, tiz. :
Stocqueler's Bengal Sporting Magazine,
Hume's India Sporting Review, 1847,
Bombay Sporting Magazine,
and it would be of interest to collate from these, and also from the Old Series
of the Oriental Sporting Magazine (circulated 182-1). The writer hopes to be
able to do this at some future time.
R. W. BURTON, Lt.-Col.,
Indian Army.
Bombay, 12th April 1918.
No. XXXIII.— NILGIRI TRAP FOR CATCHING WILD ANIMALS.
The man in the photograph with the trap is an Irula, one of the jungle
tribes found on the lower slopes of the Hills in S. India. This particular
one comes from below Kil Kotagiri in the Nilgiris. He made these trai)s
himself of bamboo : the size shown is for small game : such as hares and
jungle-fowl. They can be made large enough, I am told, for animals as
big as a tiger : at least the fall trap is used for them. Curiously enough
this tribe has no weapons for hunting : such as bows and arrows nor
slings.
PHILIP GOSSE, Capt., k.a.m.c.
PooNA, 27th July 1918.
312 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVL
No. XX.XIY.—ELEOCHARIS CONGESTA, DON., IN THE BOMBAY
PRESIDENCY.
On the 6th October 1918 while working the marshes below Devarayi
Station on the M. S. M. Railway, I came across the above sedge. This is
new to tha Presidency and was not included in my account of the Bombay
Cyperaoecfi, the second instalment of which (including the genus Eleooharis)
is included in this Numbar. This sedge is common on the Nilgiri HiUs.
Its occurrence, as well as the occurrence of Kyllimja melanospenna, Nees,
(vide p. 700 of the last Number), shows that the marshes in the forest re-
gions of Norrh Kanara and South Belgaum are suited to the sedges of the
higher Southern Mountains, and further species may be expected in the
future. In the clavis to Eleocharis this species follows E, chcetaria, and its
description is as foUows : —
" Tufted, 4-8 inches, stems striate. Uppermost sheath truncate with
a email subulate projection from just below the top. Spikelet one, inclined,
usually proliferous and viviparous, about \ inch, ovate, acute, dark. Bristles
dirty white or pale brown, as long as, or longer than the nut. Style 3-fid ;
base very large.
Rare. Marshes on the crest of the Southern Ghats."
Another of the rarer Bombay sedges which I found in the same marsh is
Fimbristylis acuminata, Vahl.
L. J. SEDGWICK.
DHA.BWAR, October 1918.
313
PROCEEDINGS
OF TBE MEETING HELD ON 16th APRIL 1918.
A meeting of members and their friends of the Bombay Natural History
Society took place on Tuesday, the 16th AprU 1918, Mr. John Wallace
presiding.
The election of the following 23 new members since the last meeting was
announced : — Mr. Amir A. Ali, Mahboobnagar, Nizam's Dominions ; Mr, E.
0. Thatcher, Sahuspur P. O,, Dehra Dun District; Mrs. G. A. Wathen,
Amritsar ; Mr. C. Norman, Rangoon ; Mr. Duncan Cameron, Khaur, Pindi-
gheb ; Capt. S. T Sheppard, Bombay; Mr, A. J. H. Tietkens, Darjeeling;
Mr. J. Fernandes, Pachmari ; Mr. C. H. Langmore, Lopchu, Bengal; Dr. M.
V. Mehta, M R C.P., L.M. & S., Bombay; Mr. L. G. Khare, B.A. (Cantab.),
Bombay; Capt. E. A. H. Mackenzie, Jask; Mr. A. E. Donaldson, Rangoon;
Mr. C. H. Q. McConnell, Ceylon ; Mr. James Erskine, Ceylon ; 2nd Lt. G. H.
E. Hopkins, Bangalore ; Mr. D. P. Frenchman, B.A., B.Sc, Bombay ; Lt. J.
Stuart Harrison, Secunderabad ; Lt. Donald Lowndes, Wellington ; Mr. B.
W. Drury, Chanda, C.P.; Mr. D. F.Sanders, Hyderabad, Deccan ; Mr. J.
W. K. FeUowes, Satara ; and Dr. A, J, Kohiyar, Bombay.
The following contributions to the Museum were received since the last
meeting : —
Contribution.
Locality.
Donor.
1 Persian Gazelle (alive) (6ro-"l
zel a sp.) 1
'
2 Persian Gazelle skulls. . )■
Shustar, Persia . .
Major F. M. BaUey,
1 Sind Ibex {Capara hircus) \
CLE.
41 Birds' skins . . . . )
2 Porcupines {Hi/stiix sp.) 1
1 Hare {Lepus sp.)
2 Gazelles (Gazella ep.) skulls ]■
Mesopotamia.
Capt. C. R. Pitman.
and masks. |
62 Birds' skins . . . . J
1 Large Indian Civet {V.'\
zibc'tha). \
1 Spotted Tiger Civet (P. '
purdicolor). j
2 Sikkim Water Shrews {N. \
Sikkim
Mr. C. H. Dracott.
sikkimensis). J
16 Bats
Assam
„ C Primrose.
3 Pigmy Shrews {Pachyura 1
peroteti). \
Basrah
Sir Percy Cox.
2 Snakes . . . . . . 1
1 Flying Squirrel {Petaurisfa sp.)
Garhwal
Mr. A. E. Osmaston.
1 Small Flying Squirrel {H. be-
Sandoway
„ F. C. Purkis.
lone).
1 Bengfd Porcupine {H. benga-
Chittagong
„ F. BoxweU.
tens/a) skeleton.
1 Indian Wild Dog (C. dukhu-
Chittore . .
„ C.E. C.Fischer.
nensis).
4«
314 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol, XXVI.
Contribution. Locality.
Donor,
1 Small Indian Civet ( V. malac-
Nilgiris
Mr. J. Harding Paa-
censis).
coe.
1 European Bustard (0. tarda). .
Qizil Robat, Meso-
Lt.-Genl. Sir R.
potamia.
Egerton.
31 Birds'] skins
Mesopotamia
Lt. R. E. Cheesman.
1 Close-barred Sandgrouse (P.
Muscat . .
Capt. C. W. Sand-
lichtensteini).
ers.
1 Barn Owl {S. Jtammea) . . ~]
1 Arabian Viper (J?, coloratus) ^-
Do
Do.
Scorpions, Insects, etc. . . J
1 Rook {Cor ms fruffilfif/us) .. \
1 Water-Rail (li. aquaticus) . . J
Mesopotamia
Capt. R. Hobkirk.
2 Great Indian Bustards (i'. ed-
Dwarka , .
Mr. W. D. Cumming.
wardsi).
10 Snakes and a few Scorpions . .
Muscat . .
Maj. C Gharpurey.
12 Snakes
Siam
Dr. Malcolm Smith.
1 Hardwicke's Tortoise {T. hard-
Wano
Capt. W. B. Cotton,
wickei) (alive).
Minor contributions : — Mr. H. A. Fyzee, Mrs. Deakin, Dr. Row, T. W.
Forster, J. A. Duke, and A. M. Kinloch. ,
OF THE MEETING HELD ON 30th JULY 1918.
An ' At Home ' of members of the Bombay Natural History Society took
place on Tuesday, the 30th July 1918.
The election of the following 36 members since the last meeting was
announced : — Mr. H. W, Joynson, Nakon Lampang ; Dr. S. R. Machave,
L.C.P. & S., Bombay ; Mr. R. W. Scaldwell, Hassan ; Kumari Shri Ba-
kuverba of Gondal ; Major J. E. Hughes, Bombay ; Mr. F. G, A, Macaulay,
Madras; Col. W. J, Beyts, R. A.M. C, Bombay ; Mr. Philip Watson, Ran-
goon ; Capt. D. MacLachlan, I.A.R.O., Panjgur ; Mr. H. Dawson, Chitoor ;
The Principal, Muir Central College, Allahabad ; Mr. CM. Wise, Bombay ;
Capt. D. H. Coats, R.A.M.C, Karachi ; Mr. L. S. White, Cawnpore ; The
Junagadh Durbar, Junagadh ; Mr. B. H. Hayes, Meiktila ; Lt. A. D.
McDonough, Cawnpore; Mr. H. Donaldson, Bombay; Capt. B- R- ^•
Dodds, l.A,, Bombay ; Capt. N. L. Angelo, Mesopotamia ; The Principal.
Dow Hill, Training CoUege, Kurseong ; Mr. T. A. Martin, Penang ; Capt.
Kumar Amar Singh, Delhi ; Mr, T. B. Hawkins, Bombay ; Mr. D, E.
Gomme, I.A.R.O., Calcutta; Lt. P. S. Humm, Dagshai ; Capt. R.
Hobkirk, Mesopotamia ; Major 0. C. Crosthwaite, l.A., Bannu ; Major A.
Marshall, d!S,0., Quetta ; Col. G. C. OgUvie, R.E., Quetta ; Mr. Lai Ram
Pratap Singh, B.A., LL.B., Dehra Dun ; Miss B. Wooldridge, Bombay ;
Mr. B. A. Femandes, Bandra ; Mr. G. Wrangham-Hardy, Darjeelipg ;
Capt. G. H. deC. Martin, Mesopotamia ; and Miss Mabel £L Dibell,
Madras.
PROCEEDINGS.
316
The following contributions to the Museum were received since the last
meeting : —
Contribution.
Locality.
Donor.
319 Mammals ^
62 Birds' skins . . . . (
Mekran . .
Capt. J. E. B. Hot-
Snakes and Botanical Speci-
son.
mens.
1 Serow skin and skull . ,
6 Indian and Burmese Wild
Dogs (C. dukhunensis and
Simia, Upper Bur-
Mr. P. M. R. Leo-
futdans).
ma.
nard.
5 Five-striped squirrels (C.
quinquestiiatus).
2 Golden Cats {!'. temmincki) J
1 Jungle Cat {F. ckaus) . . )
2 Hares (Lepus sp.) . . >
Mesopotamia
Mr. F. Ludlow.
3 Birds )
2 Leopard Cats {F.bengalen^is)
1 Cat Bear {A.}ulyens)..
1 Tibetan Fox ( V. ferulatus)
1 Flying Squirrel {Trogop- r
Tibet
Mr. Rose Mayor.
terus sp.).
1 Marmot {Arctomys hima-
layanua). J
1 Lynx {F. Lynx) skuU.. 1
6 Eggs of Coromant (P. carbo) )■
Sikkim
Mr. C. H. Dracott.
17 Butterflies .. .. J
1 Blackbuck {A. cerdcapra) $ "^
with horns. I
1 Chinkara {J. bencetti) pale j
Jaipur
Capt. Amar Singh.
var. J
1 HyjBna {H. striata) . . \
Nushki
Capt. J. G. Drum-
1 Fox (FziZ/ies sp.) .. J
mond.
Four horned Antelope {T.
Bhopal
Major J. W. Wat-
quadricovnis) mask.
son, I. M.S.
1 Sambhar {C. affinis) mal-
Bundi
Mr. E. H. Water-
formed skull.
field.
1 Himalayan Civet (P. yra?/«)-1
1 „ Flying Squirrel. \
Garhwal . .
Mr. A. E. Osmaston.
(Petaunsia sp.) J
1 Jungle Cat {F. chaus)
Mesopotamia
Genl. H. Mackay.
1 Tmpala {Aepyceros melampus)
Athi, B. E. Africa.
Lt.-Col. C. F. Dobbs.
skull.
■**jj
1 Syrian Hedgehog {E. calli-
Mesopotamia
Capt. W. M. Logan
ffoni).
Home.
1 Hedgehog (C. micropterus) . .
Deesa
Capt. J. Kane.
8 Mammals "i . ... -i
2 Birds 1 ^^ «P^"*- 1
1 Flamingo (P. rosetis). . y
Karachi . .
Capt. C. B. Tice-
2 Fishes |
hurst, R.A.M.C. ,
2 Lizards . . . . J
316 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Contribution.
Locality.
Donor.
2 Bats \
2 Snakes . . . . /
1 Skink '-
Mesopotamia
Lt.-Col. F. P. Con-
A few Scorpions, Centipedes, 1
nor, I. M.S.
Crabs and Insects,
101 Birds' skins
Various . .
Mr. C. M. Inglis.
M „ „
Mesopotamia
Sir P. Z. Cox.
22 „ „
»
Capt, E. Robinson.
22 „ „
»» ■ •
„ C. R. Pitman.
12 Birds ^
1 Flying Squirrel {Petaurista )■ Garhwal . . . .
Col. A. Hooton,
albi venter). J
l.M.S.
3 Birds' skins . .
Mesopotamia
Col. Grafton Young.
12 „ „ ..
Andheri & Khim..
Mr. S. H. Prater.
1 Mute Swan C. olor . .
Kurna
Capt. A T. Wilson.
1 Stiff-tailed Duck {E. Zewcoce Mesopotamia
„ R. Hobkirk.
phala).
1 Indian Hobby {F. severus) . .
Lebong . .
Mr. E. A. Wernicke.
31 Birds' eggs
21 .., „
Sikkim . . 1
Mesopotamia J
Capt. Aldworth.
4 Birds' eggs . . . . "i
2 Snakes . . . . J
i>
Major W. H. Lane.
14 Birds' eggs
Naga Hills
Mr. J. P. Mills.
1 Fish 1
4 Snakes . . . . )■
Mesopotamia
Capt. Mackenzie.
6 Lizards . . . . J
5 Snakes . . . . "i
3 Scorpions . . . . y
Shiraz
Lt.-Col. Condon.
5 Large Water Cockroaches J
1 Snake (^Psammophis condo-
Champaran
Mr. P. Broucke.
narus).
1 Sea Snake {H. ornata)
Jask"
Major K. G. Ghar-
purey, l.M.S.
220 Butterflies
Sikkim
Major L. F. Bodkin.
30 „
Mussoorie
Mr. G. 0. AUen,
I.C.S.
2 Boxes of Insects
Mesopotamia
Lt. Harrison.
9 Butterflies and Botanical Mt. Juplo and]
Lt. F. Kingdon
Specimens . .
Mesopotamia.
Ward.
Botanical Specimens
»> • •
Corpl. H.Whitehead.
Minor contributions from ; — Mr. Kyrle Fellowes, Major Watney, Mrs.
Deakin, Mr. D. F. Lobo, Mr. Hannyngton, Mr. Mitchell, Major Shaw, and
Mr. Bailey-de- Castro,
OF THE MEETING HELD ON 24TH SEPTEMBER 1918.
A meeting of members and their friends took place on Tuesday, the 24th
September 1918, Lt.-Col, H. J. Walton, I.M,S., C.M.Z.S., presiding.
The election of the following 27 members since the last meeting was
announced :— Capt. F. B. Blackie, Mesopotamia ; Major A. F. M. Slater,
PROCEEDINGS.
317
I.A., Fort Shabkadr ; Major J. P. Bowen, R.E., Bombay ; Major P. B.
Bramley, I.Ali., Mesopotamia ; Mr. H. B. Tilden, F.C.S. (London), Bom-
bay ; Capt. B. A. Kudkin, Mesopotamia; Mr. A. M. Feron, B.Sc,
A.M.I.C.E., F.C.S. , Tavoy ; Major-General A. Skeen, Simla ; Mr. J. F. R.
D'Almeida, B.A., B.Sc. (Honorary), Bandra ; Mr. G. H. Davey, AUeppey ;
Lt. H. J. Tebbutt, Bombay ; Mr, T. S. Sabnis, B.A., B.Sc, Bombay ;
Major S. Percy, R.A., Mesopotamia ; Lt. H. N. Irwin, M. C, Kurseong ;
Mr, U. F. Ruttledge, Ambala ; Mr, A. W. Woodcock, Bombay ; Lt, G. P.
Lidiard James, Calcutta ; Mr T, D. Wood, Calcutta ; Mr. G. H. L. Mac-
kenzie, Calcutta ; Mr. J. E. A. den Doop, Medan, Sumatra ; Lt. W. L.
Stampe, Egypt ; Mrs. F. E. Jackson, Tura ; Dr. Ahlquist, Tura ; Capt.
J. A. Robinson, Bombay ; Mr. F. G. Kennedy, Bombay ; Mr, G. P. Duck-
worth, Poona ; and Mr. A. M. Clarke, Bombay.
The following contribution to the Museum were received since the last
meeting : —
Contribution.
Locality,
Donor.
South Indian Palm Civet {P.j'er-
Nilgiris , .
Mr. A. K. Weld
don,').
Downing.
1 Southern Tree Mouse ( V. dume-
Ceylon
Mr. J. W. B. Good-
ticola).
fellow.
6 Small Mammals Skins and
„
Colombo Museum.
SkuUs.
1 Burmese Wild Dog (C. rutt-'
lanx) .
1 Chinese Ant Eater (M. crassi-
caudata). ^
Simia, U. Burma. .
Mr. P, M. R. Leo-
6 Five-striped Squirrels (C
nard.
quinquestiiatus), and a few
Hemiptera.
2 Black- shafted Ternlets {Sterna']
saundersi). \
2 Flamingoes (P. roseus) . . )■
Karachi , .
Capt. C. B. Tice-
2 CoUared Pratincoles {Gla- j
hurst, R.A,M,C.
reola j)ratincolu) J
1 Wood Snipe ((?. nemoricola) \
4 Silk Moths {A. royeli) . . j
Mandaiay
Mr. C. W. AUan.
1 Black Partridge {F.francolinus) \
1 Eastern Weaver Bird {Pl.\
Jalpaiguri
Mr. C. M. Inglis.
philUpensis). )
2 Birds
Mesopotamia
Capt. Hobkirk,
n „
Bhyander
Lt. H. J. Tebbutt.
5 „
jj
Lt. A. P. Kinloch.
Several Birds' eggs
Euphrates M a r -
Mr. C. R. Watkins,
shes.
LCS.
7 Snakes . .
Tura, Garo Hills..
Mrs. Jackson,
1 Desert Racer {Z, rhodoraehis) . .
Bushire . .
Major H. R, Wat-
7 Lizards . . . , . . "j
son.
4 Scorpions . . . . >
Muscat
Major K, G. Ghar-
A few Insects . . . . j
purey, I. M.S.
318 JOURNAL, BOMBAI NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Contribution.
Locality.
Donor.
1 Indian Monitor (F. benijalensis) ..
1 Cobra {N. trlpudians) alive
1 Brown Tree Snake {D. trigojiata)
1 Diamond-backed Racer {Z.
diadema).
1 Snake {Z. rhodorachis) . . \
1 Giant Cricket . . , . y
1 Spider {Gateodes sp.)
1 Large Eel (Murcena sp.) . .
Chanda . .
Bombay . .
Trevandrum
Attock
Mesopotamia
Suez
Bombay Harbour..
Civil Surgeon.
Lt. A. P. Kinloch.
Capt. E. W. Antram.
Attock Oil Coy.
Major E. Arthur.
Mr. H. R. Rish-
worth.
Mr. W. S. Hoseason.
Minor contributions : — Messrs. Lidiard James, P. M. R. Leonard, G. M.
Wise and W. S. Millard.
o
o
CO
H
c/)
<
<
S
o
QQ
Z
o
D
W
CO
D
DC
O
I
CL
o
X
a.
o
z
D
O
JOURNAL
OF THE
Bombay Natural History Society.
May 1919. Vol. XXVI. No. 2.
THE GAME BIKDS OF INDIA, BUKMA AND CEYLON.
BY
E. C. Stuart Baker, F.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.
Part XXVI.
With a Coloured Plate.
{Continued fro7n page 18 of Volume XXVI.)
Genus— LOPHOPHORUS.
The genus LopJiophorus contains but three species as it is now
generally accepted that the bird hitherto known as the Bronze-backed
Monal is merely a freak variety of the common form.
The three known species differ very widely from one another and
each might well be placed in a genus by itself.
LophopJiorus impejanus has a crest of long feathers spatulate at the
end and with the shafts w'ebless over five-sixths of their length. The
tail consists of 18 feathers, well graduated and with the ends termi-
nating in points as shewn in the wood-cut. The upper tail coverts
are short, very stifi and end in points as do the tail feathers,
LopJiophorus sclateri has the crest composed of short curly feathers
in a dense mass over the anterior crown ; the naked part of the face
is more extended, and the tail is composed of 20 tail feathers and is
much less graduated, whilst the tips are square, not pointed. The
upper tail coverts are soft, full and long and either square or gently
rounded at the tips. If placed in a separate genus this bird would
be knowTL as Clmlcophasis, Elliott.
Lophophorus Vhuysii has the crest composed of ordinary feathers,
long, narrow and slightly lanceolate. The tail appears to be composed
of 22 feathers and the upper tail coverts are very long, coming to
within an inch and a half of the tip of the tail feathers. In character
1
J520 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATVRAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
these feathers are intermediate between those of L. impejanus and
L. sclateri, metallic and not so full or soft as in the latter but rounded,
not brought to a point, and less stiff than in the former.
As at present constituted, including all three birds, the genus is
distinguished by the magnificent metallic plumage of the males. The
bill is long, greatly curved and with the rnaxilla much overlapping the
mandible. The tarsi and feet are very powerful and heavy, the former
feathered above and with a strong though short spur. The face is
more or less naked and highly coloured ; the wings much rounded,
the first quill the shortest and the fifth and sixth sub-equal and
longest. The tail is decidedly shorter than the wing and only slightly
romided.
The birds of this genus range over an area commencing in the West
in South -Eastern Afghanistan and extending to the extreme East of
Assam and the Mishmi and Abor Hills and North and East as far as
the Koko Nor.
Key to Species.
A. Most of the upper plumage metallic.
a. Crest composed of feathers with
naked shafts and spatulate ends.
Tail rufous tipped darker L. impejanus s
h. Crest composed of short curly
feathers. Tail black at the base,
then chestnut with a wide
terminal band white L. sclateri s
c. Crest of long, slightly anceolate
feathers. Tail metallic green
with some white spots L. Vliuysii s
B. Upper plumage a mixture of buff, brown
and rufous buff, never metallic.
d. Lower back buff barred with black. . L. impejanus $
e. Lower back and rump pale earthy
white with narrow bars of brown. L. sclateri 5
/. Lower back white L. llimjsii $
LOPHOPHORUS IMPEJANUS.
The Impeyan Pheasant or Monal.
Impeyan Pheasant, Lath, Gen. Syn. Suppl. i., p. 208, pi. 114 (1787) (Hindoos-
tan).
Phasianus impejanus. Lath, Ind, Orn. ii., p. G32 (1790) (India).
Phasianus curviroslris, Shaw, Mus. Lever, p. 101, pi. (1792) (India).
LopJiopJiorus refulgens, Temm,Pig. et Gall, ii., p. 355 (1813) (Hindoostan); id.
iii, p. 673 (1815) (India); Stephen in Shaw's Gen, Zool. xi., p. 249, pi. 15 (1819)
(Hindoostan); Ogilvie-Grant, Cat. Birds B. M. xxii., p. 278 (1893) ; id., Handb.
TRE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA. 321
Game Birds i, p. 231(1895) ; Blanford, Faun. Brit. Ind., Birds iv., p. 96 (1898) ;
Rothschild, Ibis (1899); p. 441; id., Bull. B. O. C. viii. p. 42 (1899) x. p. 79 (1900);
Fulton, J. Bomb. N, H. Soc. xvi, p. 61 (1904) (Lower Chitral) ; Walton, Ibia
(1906) p. 247 (Chumbi Valley, S. Tibet) ; Ward, J. Bom. N. H. Soc. xvii., p. 944
(1907) (Cashmere) ; Magrath, J. Bomb. N. H. Soc. xviii, p. 298 (1908) (Than-
diani,HazaraDist.); Whitehead, Ibis (1909) p. 268 (Safed Koh, 9,000 feet),
Finn, Avicult. Mag. (3) 1, p. 130 (1909) ; Magrath, J. Bomb. N. H. Soc. xix.,
p. 156 (1909) (Murree) ; Perreau, J. Bomb. N. H. Soc. xix., p. 920 (1910)
(Chitral); Whitehead, J. Bomb. N. H. Soc. xx., p. 968 (1911) (Safed Koh); Bailey,
J. Bomb. N. H. Soc. xxi, pp. 178, 182 (1911) (Chumbi Valley).
Impeyanus refulgens, Lesson Trate d'Orn. p. 488, pi. 85 (1831).
Loplwphorus impeyanus, Gould, Cent. B. Himal., pis. 60, 61 (1832); Vigne,
P. Z. S., (1841), p. 6 (Cashmere and Himalayah); Hutton, J. As. Soc. Beng. xvii.,
pt. 2, p. 695 (1848); Blyth, Cat. Mus. Asiat. Soc, p. 246 (1849) ; Gould, B. Asia
vii,p.53(1850);Adams,P.Z.S. (1859) p. 185 (Cashmere) ;Irby, Ibis (1861) p.
235(Kumaon) ; Jerdon, B. Ind. iii,p. 51 (1863) ; Tytler, Ibis (1868) pp. 191, 194,
203 (Simla to Mussooree);Pelxehi, Ibis (1868) p. 320 (Koteghur) ; Beavan, Ibis
(1868) p. 379 (Simla, add Sikkim) ; Elliot, Monog. Phasian. i, pi. 18 (1872);
Pelzehi, Ibis (1873) p. 120 ; Hume, Nest and Eggs, Ind. B., p. 520 (1873); Brook's
Str. Feath. iii., pp. 227, 256 (1875) (Mussooree and Gangootri Hills) ; Wilson,
Str. Feath. iv., p. 227 (1876) (Derallee) ; MarshaU, Birds Nests Ind. B., p. 59
(1877); Hume and Marshall, Game B. Ind. 1, p. 125, pi. (1878); Scully, Str.
Feath. viii., pp. 342, 368 (1879) (Nepal) ; Marshall, Str. Feath. ix., p. 203 (1880)
(Kurram, Afghanistan) ; Wardlaw-Ramsay, Ibis (1880), p. 70 (Safed Koh) ; Gates
ed. Hume's Nests and Eggs iii., p. 407 (1890) ; Ogilvie- Grant, Cat. Birds B. M.
xxii., p. 280 (1893): id. Hand. Game B. 1, p. 237 (1893) : Gates, Man. Game B.
Ind. i, p. 262 (1898) : Blanf. Faun. Brit. Ind. Birds iv., p. 97 (1898) ; Davidson,
Ibis (1898) p. 38 (Cashmere) ; Rothschild, Ibis (1899) p. 441 ; Rodon, J. Bomb.
N. H. Soc. xii, p. 573 (1899) ; Gates, Cat. Eggs Brit. Mus. i, p. 52 (1901) ; Seth-
Smith, Avicult. Mag. vii, p. 160 (1909) ; St. Quintin Avicult, .Mag. (3) iii, p. 150
(1911) ; Beebe, Pheasants, vol. i, p. 112 (1819).
LopJiophorus chambanus, Marshall, Ibis, 1884, p. 421, pi. x. (Birnota Forest,
Chamba); Gates, Man. Game. B. Ind. i, p. 267 (1898).
LopJiophorus impeyanus mantoni, Oustalet, Bull, Soc. Zool. France xvii, p. 19
(1893) ; Ggilvie-Grant, Handb. Game B. i, p. 236 (1893) ; Rothschild, Ibis,
(1899) p. 441; id.. Bull. B. G. C. viii. p. 42 (1899), x. p. 79 (ISOO).
LophopJiorus impeyanus obsciirus. Oustalet, Bull. Soc. Zool. France xviii, p.
19 (1893) ; Ggilvie-Grant, Handb. Game B. i, p. 236 (1893) ; Rothschild, Ibis,
(1899) ; p. 441 ; id., Bull. B. O. C. viii, p. 42 (1899).
LapJiophorus ipejanus, Rothschild, Bull. B. O. C. xxxvii, pp. 49, 51 (1917).
Vernacular Names. — ^Lorst c? , Ham $ ; Nil-mohr, Jiingli-molir
(Kashmere) ; Nilgur {Chamber) ; Munal, Nil, j , Karari, $ , (Kulu) ;
Munal, Gliar-munal, EateaKawan, Eatnal, Ratkap {N. W. Himala-
yas) ; Datiya {Ku7naon and Garhwal) ; Dafia {Nepal) ; Fo-dong
{Lepcha) ; (^iiam-dong {Bhotea, Sikkim) ; Chadang {Tibetan, Clmmbi
Valley).
Description — Adult Male. — Head and long crest of spatulate feathers
brilliant metallic green ; a patch of deep metallic purple behind the
ear coverts ; the lores and a streak behind the eye nearly bare ; sides
of neck and nape fiery copper-bronze changing gradually into bronze-
green on the upper back ; interscapulars, scapulars and wing coverts
next the back, innermost secondaries and rump pmple, not quite so
lustrous as the upper back and with the innermost secondaries tipped
322 JO URNAL, B 0MB A Y NAT URA L HIST. SO CIETY, Vol. XX VI.
metallic blue-green ; shoulder of wing and coverts furthest frora the
back much the same colour as the head. Primaries deep brown ;
outer secondaries brown slightly glossed with green on the edge of the
outer w^ebs. Lower back white, sometimes pure, sometimes with fine
black shaft stripes ; rump and shorter tail coverts purple more or
less glossed with blue-green ; longest tail coverts metallic green like
the wing.
Tail cinnamon, darker at tip.
Under parts brownish-black or dull black, varying considerably in
depth and glossed with metallic green on the breast and flanks ; imder
tail coverts metallic green with dark bases.
The extent of metallic colouring on the lower parts varies greatly
and in birds in plumage at all worn is practically non-existant whilst
in some freshly moulted birds it is well developed.
A few specimens have the feathers of the rump edged with copper ;
the extent of the white on the back varies considerably, and in the
specimens first described was absent altogether.
Variations in tone, tint and depth of colouring are common and
aberrant colouration by no means rare as was shewn by Lord Eoths-
child in his wonderful picture exhibited at the British Ornithologists'
Club on May 9th, 1917. In the series of skins then shewn with this
picture included the most extraordinary aberrations, one bird having
a black tail, another the breast and low^er parts wholly metallic, a third
with the interscapulum blue instead of pmple and so on. tSemi-albino
and melanistic varieties are not rare and specimens of these are to be
found in the British Museum collection as well as in the Tring
Museum.
Colours of the Soft Parts. ^ — ^Irides hazel-browTi or dark brown ;
orbital skin and cheeks bright, smalt blue to brilliant ultramarine
blue, or according to Hume, turquoise blue ; bill horny-brown, the
culmen, tip and commissure paler yellowish -horny, in some specimens
nearly the whole bill being of this colour ; lower mandible pale yellow-
ish-horny or horny-grey,; legs yellowish or pale brownish-green,
sometimes darker brownish and rarely yellowish-leaden colour ; toes
darker and claws dark-horny brown.
Measurements. — Omitting two very small birds wdth a wing of only
9' 7" (246 -3 nun.), these birds are remarkably level in size as is shewn
by the following measurements, w^hich are those of a very large series.
Wing from 11-4" (289-5 mm.) to 12-4" (319-9 mm.), average 50 birds
11-7" (297-1 mm.), tail from 8-4" (215 mm.) to 9-25" (235 mm.) ; tarsus
about 3" (76-2 mm.); crest about 3" (76-2 mm.), sometimes up to 3-5"
(88-9 mm.) ; bill at front about 2-05" (52 mm.) and from gape about
2-2" (55 mm.).
"Weight, about 5 lbs." (F. M. Bailey).
Adidt Female.— Yesbthei'S of head, with short crest of lanceolate
feathers black with broad central stiipes and narrow edges of rufous
THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA. 323
buff; feathers of nape the same but with broader more spatulate
striae ; back and mantle black, each feather with two buff streaks and
narrow buff' edges, a feather here and there shewing white instead of
buff markings, this giving a curiously mottled appearance ; feathers
of lower back buff with crescent ic bars of black ; tail coverts the same
but the black increasing in extent so as to finally occupy most of the
surface ; longest tail coverts whitish at the tips; tail Jioldly barred
black and rufous and tipped white.
Visible portion of the wing covert and inner secondaries like the
back but the feathers more mottled and less regularly marked with
black ; prunaries and outer secondaries dark brown, the former some-
tim,es mottled with rufous buff on the outer web, the latter more or less
barred with the same.
Below chin, throat and foreneck white ; remainder of lower parts
brown, the feathers of the breast and flanks regularly marked with buff
lines following the contour of the feathers ; abdomen and lower breast
the same but with the bars much more broken and irregular and some-
times obsolete, their place being taken by indefinite pale central
streaks ; shafts white ; lower tail coverts white barred with rufous
and black in varying degree.
The range of tints on the lower surface is considerable, some birds
appearing almost black on these parts, others, quite a rufescent buff.
Colours of the Soft Parts. — Similar to those in the male but duller ;
the bill is paler, the dark portion being confined to the base and
nostrils.
Measurements. — ^Ving 10-2" (259 mm.) to 11 "S" (287 mm.) ; average
10-7" (271-7 mm.) : tail from 7" (177-2 mm.) to 8-05" (205-0 mm.) ;
tarsus about 2-8" (68-5 mm.) ; crest 1-3" (33-0 mm.) ; bill at front
about 2" (50-8 mm.), and from gape about 2-1" (53-3 mm.).
"Weight, 4-lbs. 11-ozs." (F. M. Bailey.)
TJie young male is like the female but has the throat much mottled
with black ; the upper parts generally have more black and less rufous
and therefore appear darker as a whole, and the under parts are much
more boldly mottled and barred wdth black and rufous with broad
white central marks breaking up the latter.
The Chick in its first jjlumage is like the female but has the plumage
above marked with conspicuously broad central streaks of white ;
below the throat and fore neck are dull fulvous white and the abdomen
and flanks buff feebly barred and blotched with dark bro-^Mi.
Chicks in Down have the crown rufescent chestnut with a central
Ime of black ; nape brown, feebly mottled with paler ; back chestnut
brown -with broad lateral streaks of buff ; wing and tail quills pale
cinnamon buff with blackish pencillmgs and broad pale central streaks
to the inner secondaries ; below dirty fulvous buff.
In the series in the British Museum although many birds are in a
moulting stage there is nothing to support Mr. "Wilson's theory of a
324 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
colour change in tlie plumage taking place without a moult from the
pied brown and buff to a metallic green or purple, indeed every moult-
ing bird confirms the belief that this change is one entirely caused by
actual moult.
Distribution. — Afghanistan, Chitral, and the Western Himalayas
through Kashmir, Garhwal, Nepal, Sikkim, Native Sikkim, Bhutan
of the Chambi Valley and South Tibet.
How far West this bird penetrates into Afghanistan is not yet known,
but it does not seem to be found near Kabul, though it is very common
in the Safed Koh Eange and thence North-East through Kafirstan
and Chitral. Its extreme Eastern limits appear to be Central Bhutan
and, when living in Kamroop, a district of Assam South of Bhutan,
I could never hear of its being fomid anywhere to the East of Dewan-
giri, though the Bhuteas knew the birds and sometimes obtained the
skins from further West.
Nidijicatioii. — ^The Moonal breeds during May and June ; a few birds
may begin to lay in the last week of April in the lower hills and, on
the other hand, in the higher ranges eggs may be found as late as July.
The earliest date I have recorded is the 1st of May 1910, and the latest
is 26th June 1909, clutches of 5 and 4 eggs respectively taken by Mr.
S. L. Whymper in Tehri Garhwal. It should be noted, however, that
Whitehead found young birds fairly strong on the wing " on the 27th
June " so that the eggs must sometimes be laid early in April.
They breed as low down as 8,000 feet and rarely even lower than
this as there is a very old record of a nest having been found below
Simla at about 7,500 feet ; most birds, however, breed above rather
than under 10,000 feet and they may be found up to 14,000 and
15,000 feet during the breeding season.
They invariably lay their eggs in forest but it is not imperative
that this should be of the densest. Mr. Whymper, who has taken
many nests of this Pheasant in Garhwal, informs me that —
" The majority of nests, if one may use such a term, are to be
"found in forest consisting of big trees but not with very thick
" undergrowth, indeed I have more than once taken them in
"places where the growth was so light one could walk in
" comfort except for the fact that the ground was much broken.
" The nest is a mere scratching in the earth, generally hollowed
" out by the bird itself, under the shelter of a big bush, the
" bole of some large forest tree or, perhaps, a rock. As far as
" I have seen there is no attempt made to form a nest in this
"hollow. Where the trees are deciduous and many leaves
"have fallen these naturally collect in any hollow and thus
"form a bed for the eggs, but in evergreen forest, such as forms
"the usual habitat of the Moonal, the hollow is often quite
" unlined except for a few casual leaves and a few odd feathers
"fallen from the bird itself. I have never taken more than
THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA. 325
*' five eggs in a clutcli but have known birds to incubate on
"three or four only, and clutches of four or five eggs are about
"equally coramon.
" The hen bird sits very close and when disturbed from the
* ' nest generally sneaks quietly away on foot. I have not noticed
" males in the vicinity of the nest and cannot say whether
"betakes any interest in the young when hatched,"
" Mountaineer " — (Mr. F. Wilson) gives a description of the breeding
habits which agrees very closely with the above and expresses his
doubt as to the occurrence of clutches of eggs of eight or nine as
alleged by some sportsmen and others. Major Cock, not always very
accurate in oological details, mentions clutches of the Moonal as
varying from five to eight, w^hilst Hutton found clutches of three and
four only. Beebe found a hen sitting on two eggs considerably
advanced in incubation and says that sets of two eggs are by no means
unknown. He also speaks of eight eggs in a set as perfectly authenti-
cated, but does not quote his authority.
In captivity all game birds nearly will lay a very much greater
number of eggs than they do in a wild state. Thus I have known an
Impeyan lay sixteen eggs, a Crossoptilon lay thirty-two, and so on,
consequently the number of eggs laid by a bird in confinement is no
criterion of the number of eggs we might expect in a state of nature.
The only exception appears to be the Polyplectron which invariably
lays only two when caged, though she may rarely lay four or five in
her own forest home.
At the present day I know of no place where Moonal are so numerous
that, as described by Hume "several nests may be found within a
circle of a hundred yards as if the females were, even at this season (as
they are at all others), more or less gregarious." In certain parts of
Garhwal, Kashmir and Chitral they are still common, but one would
have to work hard and cover much ground to find more than two or
three nests in a day.
The eggs, as noted by Hume remind one much of Turkeys' eggs,
though normally they are more richly and much more profusely
marked.
In ground colour they vary from a very pale dirty buffy white to a
rather warm cafe-au-lait, never of at all a rich hue. The markings
consist of specks, spots and freckles of reddish-brown distributed thickly
all over the surface of the egg, but often in a denser ring round the centre
of it. Some eggs have a few blotches in addition to the spots and
freckles, though these are seldom of any size, and in a few the blotches
are more numerous and bigger and the freckles more sparse, so that
the eggs have a handsome boldly marked appearance. One clutch
of four in the collection of Mr. Whymper is a very handsome one, the
ground colour a pale bright buff, whilst the blotches are particularly
large and richly coloured, the speckles being practically absent.
326 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
The majority of eggs are rather long in shape and fairly compressed
at the smaller end, a few are very long and narrow and here and there
is one but little compressed. I have seen no egg which could be des-
cribed as a broad oval.
The surface is fine and close, but there is very little or no gloss, and
the shell, for the size of the egg, is not very strong.
The average size of 52 eggs is 64 ' 7 X 44 ' 3 mm., whilst of those which
have passed through my hands the longest and broadest measure
respectively 69" 8 x 44' 8 mm., and 62 • 6 x 48" 8 mm. The shortest and
most narrow are 59 '6 + 45 '3 mm., and 61 '0 x 41 '6 mm. Beebe records
the narrowest egg as 43 mm. only.
The period of incubation varies from 26 to 29 days, but is
generally 27.
Wilson ("Momitaineer") says that the cock bird takes no interest in
the hen, eggs or yomig once the pairing season is over and the eggs
laid, and this want of marital and paternal affection seems to be con-
firmed by modern observers. Before, however, the breeding season
is in full swing the male becomes most assiduous in his attentions to
his prospective bride, and his courting displays have frequently been
described. Major Rodon gives an excellent description of the nuptial
dance and his remarks thereon are worth careful attention.
" W^ien shooting in the Himalayas this April I noticed early
" one morning, while sitting behind a tree, a pair of Moonal
" Pheasants feedmg a short distance from me, on a flat terrace
" on the open hillside. They were so close that I was able to see
"their every movement distinctly. After bemg busily engaged
" some time in their usual digging operations, the hen bird
" stopped work and uttered her call note severaltimes, upon which
"the cock, wiio was at the time some little distance away, ran
" up to her with his wiiigs raised high above the back, tail spread
"and neck and body feathers distended. He then moved
" quickly to and fro for a few seconds in front of the hen, who
" stood quietly looking on at his performance ; he then abruptly
"closed his wings and tail, turned about and ran back to his
"feeding ground while the hen went on with her brealdast. As
" the early morning sun was shining on the birds, the sudden
" appearance of the cock in the above performance was most
"splendid to look upon, the beautiful metallic hues of the wings
" and throat, with the pure white of the back and the chestnut
" coloured tail, spread like a fan behind, shone out most gorge-
" ously. I believe in all courting displays among birds of fine-
" coloured plumage, the hen takes a most passive part, and does
" not in any way call the performance up ; but the male birds
"themselves of their own accord go through the ceremony of
"shewing off their fine feathers in front of their lady loves. But
"in this case the lady, by her calls, appear to have directly
THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA. 327
"invited or encouraged the dis2)Iay as the lover was digging out
"his breakfast until he heard the call sounded."
General habits. — The Moonal is essentially a bird of high elevations,
ascendmg and descending the moimtains practically with the snow
line though throughout the winter months many birds, more especially
the males, remain where the snow lies more or less thickly. They are
not found, however, above forest or thick bush jungle, such as rhodo-
dendron, though for feeding purposes they may be met with in the
mornmgs and evenings wandering about the grassy slopes considerably
higher up than these limits. They live, however, in the forests and
directly they are disturbed seek their cover.
Koughly speaking in summer they are generally to be obtained
between 10,000 and 14,000 feet, provided the country is suitable, but
they wander up considerably higher than this, and have also been
recorded from much lower. At one t ime they were really very common
allroimd Mussooiie and the adjoming hills at an elevation of about 9,000
feet, and as already noted, were found breeding below Simla, down
to a height of some 7,500 feet.
In wmter they descend to 6,000 and even 5,000 feet and Perreau
foimd them common at the latter height in Chitral. Hume also
remarks that diu'iug particularly bad weather they are sometimes
driven down as low as 4,500 feet at which elevation his people occasion-
ally killed them.
With constant persecution the birds have of late years moved
further and further away from civilization and although in some parts
from Kashmir and Garhwal to Sikkim they are still common ; they
have left many of their old haunts and "wiiere in " Mountaineer's "
day they were obtained in hundreds, the occurrence of odd speci-
mens and pairs is all that can now be hoped for.
In a letter to me Mr. H. Stevens tells me that they are still very
common in many parts of native Sikkim, but they are much more
rare now all round Darjiling itself though they are still to be found if
one knows where to look — ^at no great distance from that charmmg
Hill Station. Mr. S. L. AMiymper found them common in many of
the higher, well- wooded valleys of Garhwal, and they are equally so
in some of the less frecjuented parts of Kashmir. In this State also
under the fostering care of Col. Ward and the Maharajah they
undoubtedly have become more numerous of late years.
Mr. C. H. Donald in some notes kindly sent me from Simla writes
thus of Moonal at the present day : —
" The Moonal is still found in the Chor, throughout the Jubal
"and Taroche States in suitable localities. In the Bushahi
"State— on the right bank of the Sutlej River,— they are fairly
" numerous throughout the portion known as the Pundrabis Range,
" i.e., from the Kulu-Bushahr border almost up to the Rogi on the
" Hindustan-Tibet Road, but get scarce towards Rogi on the
328 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
left bank fromKilba to Baghi, they are most common in the
centre of the State and are not often met with on the upper
reaches of the Sutlej watershed. There are always a few in
'the environments of Narkandah and Baghi and get more
numerous as you get further East up to about 100 miles from
Simla and then get more scarce again and appear to die out
'entirely in the rainless portion of Kanaur.
" Between 8,000 feet and 12,000 feet altitude is where they are
usually f omid, throughout the Kulu and Kangra Hills, including
the Mandi and Suket States into Chamba and Kashmir.
"Practically from Garhwal to Kashmir in the Punjab, the
Moonal is still fairly common and in spite of the numbers that
' are annually trapped in the hawking-nets their numbers do not
appear to have fallen to any appreciable extent. They may
have left the environments of big stations but are numerous
enough further afield."
I am afraid that there is no doubt that in the case of this bird the
plumage trade has been to a very great extent the cause of its rapid
decrease. ^Vhere the trade is properly organized and the female,
young and eggs efficiently protected, the plumage of the males may be
exported in great numbers without any harm being done. Thus
Wilson year after year exported the skins of 1,000 to 1,500 males
without there being any decrease in the forests where he worked, but
it must be remembered in these he never allowed the killmg of hens
and throughout the breeding season all interference with the birds
was entirely tabooed. The modern dealer does not, however, work
on these lines. He knows nothing and cares less about the natural
history of the bird, the skins pass through many hands before they
reach the dealer on the London market, and the native, who in the
first place supplies them, only collects with a view to immediate profit
and without thought to the future ; consequently he collects largely
in the early part of the breeding season, kills as many females — often
sitting — ^for food as he does males for their plumage, and so harasses
the birds that they cannot hatch off their eggs when laid. It is true
that most birds which are trapped are trapped in the winter, but the
nooses catch hens, cocks and immature birds alike and none
are spared.
The traps used are similar to those which have already been des-
cribed as used by various hill people for other game birds, the
favourite being the setting of nooses in openings in small artificial
fences in ground the birds frequent for feeding.
During the winter they seem to be more or less gregarious, two or
three hens with their respective forces combining to make one flock.
Sometimes an adult cock may take up his quarters with them, but
as a rule three or four old males consort together durmg the non-
breeding season.
THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA. 329
Wilson describes this plieasant as being tame for a game-bird, and
notes that where it is most common it is most confiding and, vice-
versa, Where most rare there it is most wild and difficult of approach ;
nor is this because where most common it is least hunted and inter-
fered with for such is far from being the case.
As a sole object for sport the Moonal can in our day hardly suffice
to satisfy sportsmen unless they are of that kind who are content with
a long day's tramp over the most beautiful country with but a
moderate bag at the end of it, varied by days which are almost blank.
To such the never-ending interest of the grand and wild scenery and
magnificent mountains and forests loved by these noble birds in
itself suffices, and if in the course of one's climbs two or three of them
fall to the gun, well, so much the added joy to the day's outing.
Even now, however, if the would-be sportsman will wander far enough
away from civilization, cultivation and the beaten track, he may yet
get bags of a dozen or even more birds in a single day's shoot. Where
they are fairly common they do not ap^Jear to be hard to obtain and
they have not the same notorious reputation for running instead of
flying as is the case with so many of our Indian Game-Birds. They
rise fairly well when disturbed and generally fly some distance before
again alighting ; sometimes, however, when flushed they take to the
trees and in such cases allow the sportsman to get quite near enough
for a shot before they again take to wing. As might be expected of
so big a bird they rise with considerable fluster in addition to which
they utter at the same time loud shrill whistles repeated whilst on
the wing until they are in full flight.
Bailey found them very common in the Chambi Valley up to the
tree limit, there somewhere about 14,000 feet elevation. He
■writes : —
■' They have a habit of whistling in the early morning, and at
"this time it is easy to walk through the thick forest towards
"the sound and shoot them sitting. I found that the following
" was the best way to get sporting shots ; two guns would walk
" quietly along the road and two men would go quietly through
"the forest alone, these men whistled if they saw any Moonal
" and then put them up when they would sail down-hill over
"our heads."
As regards their diet, there has been but little added to Wilson's
notes as quoted by Hume to the following effect : —
" In autumn the Moonal feeds chiefly on a grub or maggot
"which it finds under the decayed leaves ; at other times on
"roots, leaves and young shoots of various shrubs and grasses,
"acorns, and other seeds and berries. In winter it often feeds
"in the wheat and barley fields ; but does not touch the grain ;
■ roots and maggots seems to be its sole inducement for digging
amongst it. At all times and in all seasons, it is very assiduous
"r(
330 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
" in the opgration of digging and continues at it for hours
"together. In the higher forests, large open plots occur quite
" free from trees and underwood, and early in the morning, or
"towards evening, these maybe seen dotted over with Moonals,
"all busily engaged at their favourite occupation."
Beebe thus describes a view he obtained of these gorgeous pheasants
feeding in one of these open glades : —
" In the high forests of Garhwal and Kashmir I have watched
"these pheasants at their communal feeding places and fomid
"every movement full of interest. At about 10,000 feet, in the
"still quiet of najd-day, I once came across a level shelf of long
" grass shut in by low spruces and deodars. The little glade was
some dozen yards across, and part of it appeared to have been
recently ploughed. Closer inspection shewed abimdant recent
"sign and some stray Impeyan feathers. The birds had evi-
" dently been working here for some time and I prepared a blind
" a little distance away in a tree, from which I could see almost
" all the glade. The following morning a heavy downpour held
"steadily until daylight, but the succeedmg night was clear,
" and before early dawn, lighted only by the faint greenish glow
"from Halley's comet, I made my way from camp along the
" summit of the ridge to my station. Here I shivered and shook
" with cold for an hour or more until the first few sprmldings of
"naorning songs had gro"WTi into a well-filled chorus, with an
"accompaniment of the two-phrased, reiterated song of a tiny
" green warbler. A Koklass called far down the valley, and ten
"minutes later my first Impeyan appeared, stepping quietly
" out from the low trees and going at once to the edge of the
" glade, where he appeared to be pickmg at the long blades of
"grass.
"For fifteen minutes nothing more happened, and then, for
"the space of an hour, Impeyans began to appear singly or in
"pairs and once three together. Three other times I had been
"grieviously disappointed while in hiding, and now it seemed as
" if I was to succeed in my concealment. Fourteen birds, every
"one a cock in full adult plumage, were now in sight. Most of
"the birds went at once to the diggmgs, and, steppmg down into
"the hollows, began industriously to pick the earth away with
" strong, sweepmg fiicks of their great shovel mandibles. Some
" of the birds were in holes a foot deep, and when working, only
"their brilliant backs were in view. They seldom, worked more
"than three or four seconds without raising their heads and
" giving a swift glance around and especially upward into the
"sky, and I imagine that the source of most of their troubles
" lies in soaring eagles. There was no fighting but now and
"then an undignified scramble for some tuber or other edible
it
TEH GAME BIRDS OF IlSDIA. 351
" morsel. One or two birds spent mucli of the time walking
"slowly about on the outskirts of the glade, but there was no
" systematic watch or sentinal duty, such as is well-kno^\ii
" among some species of birds. They were remarkably silent,
" only now and then a subdued gutteral chuckle or a protesting
"whistle as one was crowded. Instead of scattering promis-
" cuously over the whole of the glade, they were concentrated
" along the edges of the dug-over area, this bemg due probably
'to a zone of more abundant food. WTien a large tuft of
grass or bamboo was encountered the birds dug around it
" and under it until it was left supported by its bare roots,
" or in one case until it actually toppled over. The sight of
"more than a dozen Impeyans thus engaged was most
" remarkable, and when the sun rose upon them the colour effect
" was indescribable, fourteen heaving masses of blue, green,
" violet and purple, and now and then a flash of white, set among
"the green of the turf and the black of the newly disturbed loan.
" It was surprising how seldom one caught a glimpse of the white
"lower back. Only when some unusually violent effort made
"the bird extend a wing to keep its balance, did the white gleam
"forth."
The flesh of the Impeyan is fairly good eating though, naturally,
old birds are tough and stringy and if one is forced to turn so grand
a bird into a meal he should select a young one for the purpose.
LOPHOPHOEUS SCLATERI.
Sdater's Mooned.
Lophopliorus sdaleri, Jerdon, Ibis, (1870), p. 147 (Mishmi Hills) ; Sclater, P. Z.
S. (1870), p. 162, pi. xiv. ; Elliot, Mong. Phas. i., pi. 20 (1872) ; Hume, Str. Feath.
ii., p. 488 (1874) (E. Assam) ; Hume and Marshall, Game B. Ind. i., p. 13, pi.
(1878) (Sadyia) ; Godw. , Aust. P. Z. S. (1879), p. 681, pi. i. (Sadyia) ; Hume, Str.
Feath. ix., pp. 198, 203 (1880) (Mishmi); id. xi., p. 301 (1888) (Mishmi);
Ogilvie-Grant, Cat Birds B. M.xxii., p. 282 (1893) ; Hartert, Bull. B. O. C. iii.,
p. 12 (1893) (Mishmi); Ogilvie-Grant, Handb. Game B. i., p. 240(1895) ; Gates,
Man. Game Birds Lad. i, p. 269 (1898) ; F. M. Bailey, Jour. B. N. H. S. xxiv,
p. 76 (1915) ; Rothschild, Bull. B. 0. C. xxxvii, p. 50 (1917); Beebe, Pheas-
ants, vol. i, p. 153(1819).
Vernacular Names. — Dong [Tibetan, Po Ba dialect) Pui-di. {Bhute
tratta, mislmii).
Description — Adult Male. — ^Atuft of feathers below the nostril and
narrow lines of feathers from the upper corner to the cro^^^^ black ;
crest of short, curly feathers metallic blue-green ; ear coverts and
narrow line behind the crest black with blue-green reflections ; sides
and back of neck copper with bronze-green reflections ; whole
mantle and upper back deep purple blue-green, mostly purple on
the shoulders and blue-green elsewhere ; lower back, rumi) and
upper tail coverts white with a few black shaft stripes and, in one
332 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
specimen, metallic white spots at the tips. Tail mottled Hack,
rufous and white on the basal half, then rich chestnut rufous and
finally a terminal white band.
Lesser and median wing coverts bronze-green shot with copper ;
greater coverts and inner secondaries deep metallic blue-green ;
primaries and outer secondaries velvety blue-black.
Below from chin to under-tail coverts deep velvety black.
Colours of Soft Parts. — "Iris dark brown ; bill dirty white ; legs
pale greenish ; bare orbital space, blue ". (F. M. Bailey.)
" Bill yellowish -hoiny; forehead, lores and sides of the head bright
blue, nearly naked ; legs and feet yellowish-brown." (Ogilvie-
Grant.)
" There is a large bare space all round the eye, which in the fresh
bird, is bright blue, dotted with tiny tufts of black hair like feathers ;
the irides are brown ; the legs and feet brown or yellowish-brown ;
the bill yellowish-horny." (Jerdon, vide Hume.)
Measurements. — "Total length 26"; wing 11'8; tail 8" 2; tarsus
3-1". (Ogilvie-Grant).
"Weight, 61 lbs." (F. M. Bailey). The weight of a fine cock
weighed by Mr. J. Needham and myself in Sadiya was just over
6|- lbs. Three males in the British Museum collection measure as
follows: — ^wing 292 mm. (a poor specimen in heavy moult) to 325 mm;
tail (of two) 194 and 206 mm.; tarsus 78 to 82 mm. The longest of
the thick curly feathers of the crest if pulled out straight measure
an inch or over. Bill at front about 50* 4mm., and from gape
about 55 '8 mm. The short blunt spur measures from 12 to
18 mm.
Adult Female. — ^Upper part of head and whole neck rich vandyke-
brown with a buif v-shaped mark on each feather ; lores mottled
white, fulvous and brown, the first colour predominating ; sides of
the head like the crown but paler ; back, scapulars with some of the
wing coverts next them, and innermost secondaries rich chocolate-
brown with bufi central streaks widening into ill-defined rufescent-
bulf bars on each feather ; lower back, rump and upper tail coverts
pale earthy white, more rufous near the back, more white on the
longest tail coverts, irregularly barred with narrow wavy lines of
brown ; on the longest tail feathers the bars are bolder and almost
black ; tail black broadly tipped with white and with six or seven
narrow bars of white ; central tail feathers also mottled with rufous
in the terminal half and all with a more or less mottled edge of bufi
and brown. Primaries umber-brown, outer secondaries the same but
A^ith the outer webs mottled on the margins like the tail ; remainder
of visible wing black with numerous bars of rich chestnut rufous and
very fine buff shaft streaks.
Below, chin and throat white ; remainder of lower plumage dull
brown densely covered with tiny wavy bars of dull ochre.
THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA. 333
Colours of Soft Parts. — ^Irides bro'wai ; bill pale yellow-green, or
horny-green, legs (not seen until the bird had been dead over 24
hours) dull pale greenish-lead colour.
Measurements. —Wing 279' 4 mm., tail 192 ' 8 mm.; tarsus 71 * 1 mm.;
bill at front about 48 mm., and from gape about 50 '0 mm. There is
a short crest about 18 mm. in length.
Distribution. — ^As far as we know at present Sclater's Moonal is a
bird of very restricted habitat. It is found only m the Hills North
of the Assam Valley from the extreme Eastern Dafla Hills to the East
of the Abor and Mishmi Hills. How far North it extends we do not
know, but it is undoubtedly found in Tibet North of the Hills men-
tioned as it was known to the Tibetants met \^ith by some of the
survey parties which were working N.-E. of the Dafla Hills after the
Abor Expedition of 1 901 . On the other hand it is not likely to extend
very far North-East as at Batong to Ta-chien-lu, over which country
several persons have worked, it was never met with and at the latter
place the next bird L. Vhuysii was recorded as common. On the
other hand Oates' prophecy that it would be found sooner or later
in some of the Northern Burmese Hills has been fulfilled as Beebe met
with it in North- Western Yunnan close to the Burmese
Frontier.
General Habits. — ^There is at present nothing on record about these
fine pheasants beyond the fact that they are supposed to haunt the
higher wooded hills of Eastern Assam. Durmg the five years I lived
in Dibrugarh and Sadiya I made the closest inquiries after it as Col.
Chatterton and I hoped to combine the pleasure of shootmg the
Takia and Lophophorus sclateri in one trip. The natives assured
us that this was quite possible and pointed out to us certain peaks
and ranges about 9,000 feet high to which both bird and mammal
resorted in winter, the nearest of which ranges being within 24 hours
work of the Plains and our furthest military out-post. At this time,
however, the frontier was in a very disturbed state and our trip fell
through. Later on after I had left the district Col. Chatterton was
sent up with a military expedition and did actually come across both
Takin and Sclaters Moonal quite close to one another. The latter
were in very dense forest at an elevation of about 10,000 feet, the
undergrowth being very thick except where broken up by rocks.
Where the birds were the trees were princij)ally oak and rhododen-
dron, but there were also stretches of the most magnificent pine trees
and here and there open spaces on the steep mountaui-sides covered
with short, thick grass and bracken or moss and lichen covered
slabs of grey rock.
At the time Col. Chatteiton came across them several birds were
together, apparently young and two or three old hens but no cock
bird. They were very shy and though they allowed a comparatively
close approach they kept out of sight and shot so that except for a
334 JOURNAL, BOMB A Y NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
few brief glimpses they escaped observation ajnd none were brought
to bag.
Unfortunately the expedition, a very small one, were in rather a
tight corner and it was impossible to follow up the birds to any
distance from camp, but the sentries on duty in the one special spot
reported that the birds returned there with the greatest regularity
morning and evening, and could be heard scratching about and
feeding in the undergrowth like a flock of barn-door fowls.
The Abors say that they are birds of the highest elevations, being
foimd all the year through close to the snows or actually beyond the
snow-line. Certainly the few birds brought in whilst I was in Assam
all came from some distance within the hill ranges and it was only
in the severest winters they came down to 7 or 8,000 feet. Normally,
if what we were told was true, they very seldom come below 9,000
feet and in summer frequent the ranges at 12,000 to 15,000 feet.
The Mishmis say that they are " fool-birds " and very easy to
trap, and that they are very good to eat.
Beebe, one of the few white men who have seen this pheasant,
describes his meeting with it in the following words: — ■
" I had hardly crept five yards from the place of my ugly
adventure when two feathers caught my eye and straight way
I forgot my fears. They were from the plumage of no silver
pheasant, but brilliant, irridescent, changeable green and purple.
I was at a loss to know from what gallinaceous bird they had
come. A little way further I found another. Later while
worming my way through a barking deer's tunnel at the root
of a perfect tangle of bamboo, I heard the subdued chuckles
and the rustling of leaves ahead. A few feet brought me to a
deeply worn but steep sambhur trail, along which I made my
way on hands and knees, without making a sound.
" The rustling of leaves, md the spray of earthen pellets
falling down, came more dxstinctly to my ears, and at last I
rested for many minutes with my face buried in a clump of
blue, sweet-scented pea-flowers.
" Inch by inch I then edged myself upward, digging with
fingers and toes into every deepened hoof-rut. A shower of
earth fell upon me and with joy I saw that a clump of soft-
leaved mint-like plants lay before me. I did not have to
increase my numerous wounds by a slow penetration of either
nettles or briers.
" The revelation came sooner than I expected. Noiselessly
plucking away leaves and stems one by one to form a low
tunnel I pushed slowly and cautiously ahead.
Then the forms of one or two birds appeared, and with a
screen of leaves still intervening I watched what was probably
the first wild Sclater's Impeyan ever seen by a white man.
l«.'.
'r'
JouRN. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
fe
^
Cl)
>■
CO
o
^H
■J
S*H
^
!Ah
a
O^
P^
►-;
3
03
fl
CJ
CO
oi
H
CO
"r*
o
^
-Si
-fl
«
0)
«3
,c!
-<
c«
H
CO
OI
ffi
5^
<v
CM
o
'3)
^
a
l-l
cc
14
o*
.
O
1-^
(M
IrH
»^
en
03
<u
u
cS
>
,
&r
a
^
r£
<3
o
c?
-a
i;^
S:
ai
'X3
CO
a
0)
W
O
§^
T-H
1-^
THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA. 335
" An inch nearer, another leaf cleared away and I saw there
*' was but one bird.
■'It was a splendid male, digging vigorously and almost con -
"tinuously with its beak, working round in a circle so that I
" saw it turn its breast, sidss and back. I watched it for five
'• minutes, when it turned, without apparent cause, but not from
*" fright, and disappeared into the low marshy tangle behind.
■' As quietly as I could lift my arm and pull up my gun from
■' where it was dragging behind me, I fired at the still moving
"' ^tems, and listened for some hint of the efiect. Not a sound
" came forth.
" I clambered up to where the bird had stood, rushed into the
'■ underbrush and almost stepped upon the pheasant as it lay
"six feet from the opening. As I leaned down, trembling with
" excitement, two living bombs burst from the ground a few
" feet away, — a pair of hens or young males — and in a fraction
"of a second were out of sight."
Unfortunately Beebe, in spite of his long description of many
pages, does not say at what height he found these pheasants, but as
he mentions the fact that he continuously passed through wild
bananas during his hunt for them it must have been at a compara-
tively low level, and his whole account of the country would shew
it to be of a nature consistent only with tropical humid forests under
rather than over 5,000 feet.
Capt. F. M. Bailey met with this pheasant on the upper Dibang
Valley. He -^Tites : —
" Common in the upper Dibang Valley and on both sides of
the Yong Yap-La. Cocks weighed 5 lbs. in May. It is very
noisy in the evenings. These birds when chased by a dog refused
to fly until nearly caught when they would fly into a tree and
' remain there Avhile the dog barked below. Our dog actually
caught one. They were mostly found in small flocks of two or
three individuals. Po Me Monal Pheasants are found, though
no specimens were collected. It appears that both L. sdateri
and another similar bird with a crest of long feathers are found
together. This is probably L. lliuysii but possibly L.
refulgens and is called Tse by the Pobas. Monal Pheasants
were also seen on the Se La and other places near Tawang,
but no specimens collected."
LOPHOPHORUS L'HUYSII.
Lopliophorus Vhuysii, Verreaiix and St. Hiliare, Bull. Soc. Acclim. (2) iii,
p. 223, pi. ; (1866) (Moupin); id., iv., p. 706 (1867); Sclater, P. Z. S., (1868), p. i.,
pi. i. ; id. Ibis, (1870), p. 297 (Tatsienlu) ; Grey, Handl. Birdsii.,p. 261 (1870) ;
Swinhoe, P. Z. S.; (1871), p. 399; David, Xouv. Arch. Mus. de Paris, vii., (1871)
p. ii; Elliot, Mong. Phas. i, pi. 19 (1872); Gould, B. Asia vii, p. 54 (1873);
3
336 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX VI.
Sclater, Ibis; (1874), p. 169 ; David and Oustalet, Ois. Chine, p. 40, pi. 110 (1877)
(Moupin, and W. Szechuen); Sclater, P. Z. S., (1891), p. 212 (Szechuen) ;
Seebohm, Ibis, (1891), p. 379; Pratt, "To the Snows of Tibet " (1892), p.
202 ; Ogilvie Grant, Cat. Birds B. M. xxii., p. 281 (1893) ; id. Handb. Game B.
l,p. 238 (1895); Rothschild, Bull. B. O. C. xxxvii, pp. 49-51 (1917); Beebe,
Pheasants, vol. i, p. 148 (1819).
Vernacular Names. — -Pae-moii-ky, Ho-than-ki, Hwa-than-chi (^Chi-
nese) ; Koo alooiig (Tibetan).
Description — Adult Male. — ^Forehead and a narrow line riinnins;
down to each nostril and ending in a thick tuft at the angle of the lores
velvety black ; cro\\ai and sides of the head metallic green with.
crimson-bronze reflections in some lights ; crest fiery purpte-bronze
with blue reflections on the shortest feathers ; back and sides of the
neck, and extreme upper back rich glistenhig copper with bronze-
green reflections on some of the outer feathers ; remainder of upper
back and scapulars with the innermost visible secondaries purple
mixed with blue-green ; lower back and uppermost feathers of the
rump white, the latter with terminal central striae of metallic blue :
remainder of rump metallic green-blue with termmal white edges to
a portion of both webs, forming long shaped spots or semi-bars ; tail
coverts and visible portions of tail feathers the same but imspotted ;
concealed portions of tail feathers blackish with a few wiiite spots on
either web of all but the outermost pair.
Visible portion of the wing green-blue with purple reflections and
the shoulder and lesser wing coverts next it shot with golden-bronze;,
primaries and concealed portions of secondaries dark brown.
Below black, many feathers especially on the upper breast, sides
of the neck and upper flanks with irridescent green edges.
Colours of Soft Parts. — "Bill horn-colour; naked skin round the
eye blue ; legs and feet lead-colour ". (Ogilvie-Grant.)
Measurements. — The measurements of three specimens in the
British Museum collection are as follows ; —
Wiiig 328 to 334 mm.; tail 263 to 283 mm.; tarsus 82 to 91 mm.;
bill at front about 55 mm., and from gape about 58 mm.; crest
about 65 mm.
Adult Female.— Very similar to the female of impejanus from
which, however, it can be easily distinguished by its having the w^hole
of the low^er back and rump w^hite. The shorter upper tail coverts
are mottled brown and w^hite, the longer browii barred with buff and
a few faint white frecklings.
Colours of Soft Parts. — ^Similar to those in the male.
Measurements.— Wiwg IT 1" (282 mm.); tail 9' 7" (245 mm.); tarsus
3" (76- 2 mm.); bill at front 2-05" (52 mm); and from gape 2-2"
(55 mm.)
Distribution. — The North-Western ranges of Sze-chuen extending
East and North into Tibet through Ta-chien-lu uito the Koko-Nor.
Although pure David believed it to occur m Yunnan and Queichow,
THE GAME BIRDS 01 INDIA. 337
notliiiig has as yet been ascertained to corroborate this belief, reason-
able though it appears to be.
Nidification. —Nothing recorded .
General Habits.— 'Pere David's excellent account of this grand
pheasant's habits is still the only one in existence. He \ATites : — ■
"This nxagnificent Lophophorus inhabits the highest ranges
" of Moupin, the Eastern Kokonoor and the Western frontiers
" of Setchuan. It goes about in small parties in the open grass
" lands above the region of the forests, but returns to the trees
"to roost and sleep. Its constant food consists of vegetable
"substances and principally of succulent roots which he digs
" out very cleverly with his powerful and broad edged bill ;
"as he searches especially for those of a yellow Fritillaria
"called Prte-?7?ow, the people of the country have given him
" the name of Pae mou-hj. In this comitry they also call it
" Ho-tlian-ky (the fowl of burning charcoal) the male adult,
" splendid in his metallic plumage. It is a very foolish bird
" whose flight is very powerful. His cry to which he gives
" vent in the very early morning and when it is about to
"ram, consists of three or four piercing and well-divided
■"notes."
From some information which I have received, Lophojjhorus
'Vhuysii should also be found in Yunnan and Kowytcheon ; it is
certain, in any case, that one meets with it in a great portion of
Eastern Tibet, but it is rare everywhere, and it will not be long
before it disappears altogether. The Chmese constantly hunt this
superb fowl and use every means to collect it as the flesh is very
delicate. The specimens which I have sent to the Natural History
Museum, South Kensington, were killed at an elevation of 4,500
metres.
{To be continued.)
338
SUMMARY OF THE RESULTS FROM THE INDIAN
MAMMAL SURVEY
OF THE
BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.
(By R. C. Wkoughton.)
Part III.
(^Continued from page 58 of Volume XXVI.)
Family IV. — Canid^.
Blanford arranges the three genera of the Canid^ in a key as
follows ; —
Key to the genera of the Canid^e.
A. — A frontal sinns present ; postorbital pro-
cess smooth and convex above ; tail,
including hair at the end, less than
half the length of the head and body.
a. Seven teeth in lower molar series ... I. Canis.
h. Six teeth in lower molar series ... II. CuON.
B. — No frontal sinns ; postorbital process
concave above ; tail more than half
the length of the head and body ... III. Vulpes.
Gen. I. — Ca?^is.
No. 67. lupus, L, There seems no doubt that
No. 68. ixdlipe?, Sykes. Hodgson's name of laniger for the
Thibetan wolf is better than lupms.
I dealt with this name, and its
derivation, in 1912 (J. b! N. H. S.
xxi, p. 837). The absence of any
No. 69. aureus, L. representative of true aureus makes
it impossible to deal with this
question authoritatively. However, as all the probabilities are in
favour of such a course, and no inconvenience is likely to ensue, I
decided to treat the Indian jackal under Hodgson's name indiais.
More recently, when examiniiag our Indian material in detail, I
was confirmed in the adoption of this course, and led to establish a
subspecies hola, for the Dekhan jackal, and two species, 7iaria and
lanka, for the South Indian and Ceylon forms respectively. (J. B.
N. H. S. xxiv, p. 649, 1916).
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY. 339
Key to the species of Canis.
A. — Size large, head and body 3 ft. long or
more.
a. Larger, head and body about 3 ft. 6
inches long; much wooll}- underfur. . 1. laniyer, Hodgs.
h. Smaller, head and body about 3 ft.
long; little or no wooll}' underfur ... 2. pallij'es, Sykes.
B. — Head and body 2 ft. to 2 ft. 6 inches long.
a. General pattern variegated, i. e., a pale
ground colour irregularly splashed
with black.
a\ Darker, ground colour " ochraceous
buff," limbs " tawny " ... ... o. indie us indicus,
Hodgs.
h\ Paler, ground colour " buff " or
even "cream buff,*' limbs "och-
raceous buft' " ' ... ... . . . 4 . indicus kola, Wr .
b. General pattern grizzled, i. e., ground
colour black, ticked with white.
a\ Larger, head and body 765 mm,
hind foot, 161 mm; third upper
premolar with a supplementary
median-internal rooted lobe ... 5. lanha, Wr.
?*\ Smaller, head and body 670 mm.,
hindfoot, 140 mm. ; no supple-
mentary lobe on third upper pre-
molar ... 6. noA'ia, Wr.
Distribution : —
1. G. laniger, Hodgson. Ti/pe localitij : — Probably Thibet.
Other localities :— Thibet (B. M.).
Type : — Missing. (Type of C. niger,
Scl.,' Ind. Mus. Calc. No. ? ).
2. C. pallipes, Sykes. Type locality : — " Dukhun."
Other localities : — Karachi, Sind ;
Rajputana (B. M.) ; Cutch ; Kathia-
war ; Hazaribagh (M. S. I.)
T//j)e:— B. M.No. 42. 8. 6. 2.
3. C. indicus indicus, Hodg- Ty2)e locality : — Nepal. (Hodgson),
son. Other localities : — M u s s o o r i e
(B. M.) ; Kumaon ; Bengal ; Orissa ;
Sikkim ; Bhutan Duars ; Chin Hills ;
Chindwin ; Shan States ; Mt. Popa
(M. S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 43. 1.12. 29.
340 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXYL
4. G. indmis Icola, Wrongh- Type locality : — Palanpur, Guze-
ton. ratli (B. N. 11.' S.— Crump).
Otlier localities : — Rajputana ; Se-
hore, Central India ; Hoshangabad,
Central Provinces ; Deklian (Sykes)
(B. M.) ; Ciitch ; Kathiawar ; Khan-
desh ; Niniar ; Central Provinces ;
Gwalior ; Sind (M. S. I.)
Tyj,e:—B. M. No. 16. 4. 16. 12.
•5. C. lanlia, Wroughton. Type localitij : — IMankeni, Eastern
Province, Ceylon.
Other localities :— "Ceylon " (B. M.);
Asugam Bay, E. P., Cej^lon (M.
S. I.)
T,jpe:—B. M. No. 16. 4. 16. 21.
6. C. naria, Wroughton. 2)u>e locality : — Coorg. (B. N. H.
S.— Shortridge).
Other localities : — Konkan ; North
Kanara ; North Malabar (B. M.) ;
Koyna Valley ; Dharwar ; Mj^sore ;
(M. S. I.)
Type :— B. M. No. 16. 4. 16. 31. .
Gen. II. — CuoN.
There seems to be no change
No. 70. chiJvhunensis, Sykes. needed in the names in this genus.
No. 71. rutilans, Miill. Blanford distinguishes the two
species as follows : —
Key to the species of CuON.
^4. — Larger and stouter ; hair long, with
woolly underfur ; ferruginous red
to tawny ; hindfoot over 175 mm. 1. (luhhunensis, Sykes.
B. — Smaller and slighter ; hair short, no
underfur ; bright ferruginous ;
hindfoot, 150 mm. ... ... 2. rutilans, Miiller.
Distribution : —
1. C duliliunensis, Sykes. Tiji»e localitij : — " Dukhun.*'
Other localities: — Kashmir; Raj-
putana ; Kanara; Madras (Jerdon);
Nilgiri Hills ; Sikkim ; Darjiling
(B. M.) ; Berars ; Nimar; Central
Provinces; Kumaon; Coorg (M. S. I.).
Type :— B. M. No. 79. 11. 21. 634.
(Type of primcvvus, Hodgs. B. ]M.
No. 43. 1. 12.28).
No.
72.
bengalensis, Shaw.
No.
73.
cana, Blanf.
No.
74.
leucopus, Blj'th.
No.
75.
alopex, L.
No.
70.
ferrilatus, Hodgs.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY. 341
2. C. rutilans, Miiller. Ti/pe localiti/: — "Bengal."
Other localities : — S. W. Siam ;
Malay Peninsula (B. M.) ; Mt. Popa
(M. S. I.).
Type : — Unknown.
Gen. III. — VuLPES.
Except for the substitution of
the name uiontana, Pearson, for
alopex, L., a European species,
(J. B. N. H. S. xxiii, p. 2S1,
1914), there seems no reason
at present to make any change
in Blanford's nam^s. His
key is as follows ; —
Keij to tlie species of Vulpes.
A. — Tip of tail black ; ears grey outside.
a. Larger, skull length about 150 mm. ;
rufous grey ... .. ... 1. bengalensis, Shaw.
h. Smaller, skull length about 90 mm. ;
ashy grey ... ... ... ... 2. cana, Blanf.
B. — Tip of tail white.
a. Ears black or dull brown outside.
a\ Small, hind foot 100-120 mm. ... 3. leucopus, Blj^th.
/'". Large, hindfoot 150 mm. ... 4. montana, Pears.
6. Ears pale rufoiis outside ; size small . b. ferrilatus, Hodgs.
Distribution : —
1. V. bengalensis, Shaw. Type localitij \ — "Bengal."
Other localities : — Khairpur and
Thar and Parkar, Sind ; Sambhar,
Rajputana ; Delhi ; Sehore, Central
Lidia(B.M.); Sind Frontier; Cutch;
Kathiawar ; Palanpur State ; Khan-
desh ; Central Provinces ; Dharwar ;
Kumaon; Bengal ; Sikkim (M. S. I.).
Tijpe : — Unknown. (Type of chrij'
surtis, Gray, B. M. No. 87. 6. 10. 48
Type of Jcokree, Sykes, B. M. No. 42-
8. 6. 3 ; Type of indicus, Hodgs., B. M.»
No. 43.1. '12.110)
342 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
2. V. ccma, Blanford. Ti/^e localiti/ : — Gwadar, Balu-
chistan,
Other localities : — Kandahar; Bajaor,
N. W. Frontier (Whitehead) (B. M.).
Not obtained by Survey.
T7,j>e :— B. M. No. 78. 4.23.1.
3. V. le^icojivs, Blvth. Ti/jie localiti/: — "Desert of Western
India."
Other localities : — Sind ; Punjab ;
Jodhpur, Kajputana (B. M.) ; Sukkur.
Sind; Bhuj/Cutch (M. S. I.).
Tjjiie: — Ind. Mus, Calc. No. ni.
(Type of imsilhis, Blj^th. Ind. Mus.
Cak-. No. L ; T} pe of persicus, Blanford^
Ind. Mus. Calc. No. v.; Tvpe of griffithi,
Blyth, Ind. Mus. Calc. No. ir.).
4. V. montana, Pearson. T;/i>e localit;/ : — "Himalaya."
Other localities : — Gilgit ; Simla..
Punjab ; MiTSSOorie.
Ti/j>e :— Ind. Mus. Calc. No. d'.
(Type of himalaicus, Ogilby, B. INL
No. 55. 12. 24. 237).
5. V. jerrilaius, Hodgson. Ti/pe localiti/ : — Lhassa, Thibet.
Other localities : — Nepal ; Karo La.
Thibet, 16.600'; Eastern Central
Thibet (B. M.).
Type:—B. "SI. No. 45. 1. 8. 214.
Family Y. — Mustelid^.
There are three Subfamilies which may be arranged in a ke^" as
follows ; —
Key to the Suhfamilies of the JMustelid.*:.
A. — Claws short, compressed, acute, curved,
semiretractile ; toes partiallj' nebbed ;
upper posterior molar of moderate size,
transversely elongate...
B. — Claws blunt, not compressed, not retrac-
tile.
a. Foot elongate ; toes not webbed ; upper
posterior molar, variable
h. Foot short, rounded; toes webbed; up-
per posterior molar large and quadrate III. Lutkin^.
I. MuSTELIJs'^.
II. MELINiE.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY. 343
Subfamil}^ I. — Musteline.
The four genera in this Subfamily may be distinguished as
follows : —
Keif to the genera of tlie MusTELiNiE.
A. — Premolars on each side, 4 above and below. I. Martes.
B. — Premolars on each side, 3 above and below,
a. Limbs and abdomen darker than back '
«'. Colour above fulvous ... ... II. PuTORlUS.
/''. Colour above blotched white and
dark brown III. Vormela.
li. Lower siirf ace not darker than upper... IV. Mustela.
Gen. I. — Martes.
This genus, as now understood, corresponds to the JMustela of
Blanford. Bonhote has separated
No. 77. jiavigula, Bodd. the Burmese form under the sub-
No. 7S.foina, Erxl. specific name peninsidaris (A. M.
N. H. (7) p. 346, 1901), and at the
same time recognised the Madras form givatMnsi, Horsf. as a dis-
tinct species. Hodgson gave the name toiffwus to the Indian
representative of the European foina. These four forms may be
arranged in a key as follows : —
Key to the species of jNIartes.
A. — Tail, without hair, three-fourths the
length of head and bodj'.
a. Soles of feet hair}-.
a\ Shoulders light coloured. ... I. f.flavigula, Bodd.
h\ Shoulders dark brown ... ... 2.gwatkinsi,ii.0Ysi'.
Ii. Soles of feet naked ... ... ... S.f. peninsularis.
Bonh.
5. — Tail, without hair, half the length of the
head and body ... ... ... 4. toufceus, Hodg^^
Distribution : —
1 . M. flavigula flavigula, Type locality : — Nepal , Assam, &c.
Boddaert.
Other localities: — Hazara ; Kashmir ;
Kishtwar ; Kumaon ; Nepal ; Sadya,
Assam (B. M.); Kumaon ; Sikkim ;
Bhutan Duars ; Chin Hills ; Chindwin
(M. S. L).
Type : — Unknown.
,344 JOURNAL, BOMB A Y NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY Vol XXVI.
2. M. gwatJcinsi, Horsfield. Type locality :— "Madras"' (?Dhar-
war). (Elliot).
Other localities ;— Coorg (M. S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 79. 11. 21.G21.
3. M.flavigulajieninsularis, Type locality :—Ba,nkamn, Tenas-
Bonhote.
4. M. toufoeus, Hodgson.
serini. (Hume-Davison).
Other localities ;— Tenasserim ; Ma-
lay Peninsula (B. M.) ; Tenasserim ;
(M. S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 85. 8. 1. 66.
Type locality ;— Lhassa and Siling,
Thibet. (Hodgson).
Other localities :— Thibet, North of
Sikkim (jMandelli) ; Ladauk ( Stra-
chey); Hazara (Whitehead) (B. M.).
Co-types .— B. M. Nos. 45. 1 . 8. 2G0
261 &'2G2.
Lectotype ;— B. M. No. 45. 1. 8. 262.
Gen. II.— PuTORius.
No. 79. larvatMs, Hodgs.
]3lSTRIBUTI0N : —
P. larvatus, Hodgson.
It is somewhat doubtful whether
this species ever crosses into our area
from Thibet.
Type locality .-—Pliiin of Central
ThilW. (Hodgson).
Other localities : — None.
Type:—B. M. No. 58. 6. 24. 116.
Skull No. 79. 11. 21. 203. (This is
also the type of thihetanus, Horsf.).
Gen. III. — VoRMELA.
This name, though established many years ago, was definitely
accepted by Miller in 1912. (Cat. Mamm. W. Europe, p. 428).
No. 80. sarmaticus, Tall. Miller, in 1910, accepted peregusna
as an earlier name for this species (U.
S. Nat. jNIus. xxxviii, p. 385), the
only one in the genus.
Distribution : —
F. peregusna, Giildenstadt. Type locality .-—Banks of the River
Don, Southern Jlussia.
Other localities: — Seistan ; Kandahar
(Hutton) (B.j\I.).
Type : — ^Unknown.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY. 345
Gen. IV. — MuSTELA.
The representative of the European
No. 81. erminea, L. stoat, erminea, is the species named
No. 82. subhemachalana, whiteheadi by myself (J. B. N. H. S.
Hodgs. xviii, p. 882, 1908), and similarly
No. 83. canigula, Hodgs. that of alpinus is longstaffi, described
No. 84. alpinus, Gebl. also by myself (J. B. N. H. 8. xx, p.
No. 85. Jcathiah, Hodgs. 931, 1911). The other species noted
No. 80. strigidorsa, Hodgs. remain as used by Blanford. To meet
these changes Blanford's key may
be modified as follows : —
Key to the species of Mustela.
A. — Tail-tip dusky or black.
a. Lower parts, white ... ... ... 1. whiteheadi, Wr,
b. Lower parts, brown ... ... ... '2. subhemachalana,
Hodgs.
B. — Tail-tip not darker.
a. A pale median dorsal stripe... ... 3. strigidorsa, (Tray.
b. No dorsal stripe.
a\ Nose white ... ... ... 4. canigida, Hodgs.
6". Nose the same coIoxtv as forehead.
a^ Size larger.
a\ Colour above " clay colour "
below buff ... ... ... 5 . temon, Hodgs.
h\ Colour above " ecru drab ",
below white ... ... 6. longstalJi, Wr.
6^ Size smaller; colour dark brown. 7. kathiah, Hodgs.
Distribution : —
1. M. whiteheadi, Wrough- Type locality^- — Kagan, Hazara.
ton. (Whitehead).
Other localities : — None.
Typej—B. M. No. 8. 10. 3. 1.
2. M. subhemachalana, 'Rodg- Type locality .-—Nepal. (Hodgson).
son. Other localities : — Sikkim ; Mogok,
Upper Burma, 4,400' ; (B. M.)Sikkim
(M. S. I.).
Tyjje:—B. M. No. 43. 1. 12. 12.
(Type of humeralis, Blyth, Ind. Mus.
Calc. stuffed. No. c. (Darjiling); Type
of horsfieldi, Gray, B. M. No. 42. 4."^29.
57. (Bhotan) ).
3. M. s'rigidorsa, Gray. Type locality : — Sikkim.
Other localities : — Nepal (B. M.).
Chin Hills. (M. S. I.).
Typc—B. M. No. 53. 8. 16. 15.
346 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HLST. SOCIErY, Vol. XX VL
4. M. mm^fw/a, Hodgson. Type locality : — Lhassa, Thibet.
Other localities : — Dharamsala, Pun-
iab ; Kashmir (B. M.)
Type:~B. M. No. 45. 1. 8. 253.
(Tvpe of hodgsoni, Gray, B. M. No.
4f. 934.).
5. M. temon, Hodgson. Type locality .-—Nepal (Hodgson).
Other localities : — Kumaon ; Lachen,
Sikkim (B. M.)
Co-types :~B. M. Nos. 58.G.24.115
and 79.11.21.447.
Lectotype :—B. M. No. 58.6.24.115.
6. M. longstaffi, Wroughton. Type locality : — Teza, Upper Sutlej
VciWey 14,000' (LongstafF).
Other localities : — Ladak (White-
head) (B. M.).
Tijpe :—B.M. No. 10.12.2.1.
7. M. kathiah, Hodgson. Type locality .-—Nepal (Hodgson).
Other localities : — Mussoorie ; 8ik-
kini, Bhutan (B. M.), Kumaon; Dar-
jiling (M. S. I.).
Type .-- B. M. No. 43.1.12.14.
Subfamilj^ II. — Melin^e.
Blanford distinguishes the three genera as follows : —
Key to the genera of the Melin^e.
^.^Upper molar broader than long, not
larger than upper sectorial.
a. An external e*ar ; colour paler below
than above I. Helictis.
b. No external ear ; colour pale above,
black below II. Mellivoka.
B. — Upper molar longer than broad, and
larger than upper sectorial ... HI. Arctonyx.
Gen. I. — Helictis.
There is very little material avail-
No. 87. orientalis, Horsf. able for examination and it seems
No. 88. personata, Geoff. almost doubtful to me whether these
two forms are not one species. In
any case nipalensis, Hodgs. must take the place of orientalis, Horsf.
which is a Javan species. With this change, I think it will be
most convenient to retain for the present Blanford's arrangement,
which is as follows : —
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY. 347
Key to the species of Helictis.
A. — Colour brown or yellowish brown, not
grey ... ... ... ... 1. ni palensis, ^odgs.
B. — Colour brownish grey. ... ... 2. per sonata, G^o^.
Distribution ; —
1. H. nipalensis, Hodgson. Type locality: — Nepal. (Hodgson).
Other localities : — Dilkoosha, Cach-
ar (B. M.)
Type .•— B. M. No. 42. 1. 12. 27.
2. H. personata, CeofFroy. Type locality : — Pegu.
Other localities: — Manipur; Nan,
Siam (B. M.) ; Mt. Popa (M. S. I.).
Type : — Probably in Paris Museum.
Gen. II. — Mellivora.
No. 89, indica, Kerr. The only species in the genus.
Distribution : —
M. indica, Kerr. ^yp^ locality : — " India."
Other localities : — Rajputana ; Cen-
tral Provinces (B. M.). Cutch ; Ha-
/aribagh (M. S. I.).
Type : — Unknown. (Type of Ursi-
iaxus inauritus, Hodgson, B. M. No.
45. 1. 8. 251.)
Gen. III. — Arctonyx.
I have been able to find no
record of the rediscovery of taxoides
No. 90. collaris, F. Cuv. since it was named by Blyth.
No. 91. taxoides, Bl. Thomas has named a species <Z^ctotor,
(A. M. N. H., 8 v., p. 424, 1910)
from S. W. Siam, just over the
border from Tenasserim, which will almost certainly be found later
within our limits, like so many other forms from Trong. These
three forms may be distinguished as follows : —
Key to the species of Arctonyx.
A. — Size large, greatest length of skull
166 mm. ... ... ... ... 1. dictator, Thos.
B. — Size small, greatest length of skull
135 mm., or less.
a. Larger, greatest length of skull lo5
mm. ... ... ... ,,, 2. collaris, F. Cuv.
b. Smaller, greatest length of skull less
than 125 mm. ... ... ... 3. taxoides, Bl
348 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
DlSTKlBUTION : —
1. A. dictator, Thomas. Type locality, — Trong, S.W. Siam.
(H. C. Robinson).
Other localities : — None.
Tyi^e:—^. M. No. 10. 4. 17. 1.
2. A. collaris,^ . (jUYiev. Typelocality: — Bhutan D u a r s .
(Diard).
Other localities : — Nepal ; Locka\\',
Karennee (B. M.) Chin Hills (M. S. I.),
Type : — Perhaps in Paris Museum.
Tyjje locality : — Assam. (McClel-
land).
Other localities : — None.
Type: — Ind. Mus. Calc. No. a.
3. A. taxoides, Blj-th.
Subfamily III. — Luteins.
The two genera may be distinguished as follows
Key to the genera of the LuTRiNiE.
A. — Claws distinct, and well developed in
all toes
B. — Claws small and rudimentary
I. LUTRA.
II. AONYX.
Gen. I. — LuTRA.
No. 92. vulgaris, Erxl.
No. 93. ellioti, And.
No. 94. aurohrunnea, Hodgs.
Blanfordin an appendix(Mamm.
p. GOl) modified, in consequence
of a paper by Thomas (P. Z. S.,
p. 190, 1889), his earlier arrange-
ment of the Otters. He omitted
entirely aurohrunnea, as being
S3'nonymous with vulgaris, and
while retaining this latter name, he accepted macrodns, Clraj',
as being an older name, as a substitute for ellioti. But consider-
able changes, in even this revised arrangement, are necessar3^ The
name lutra, L. is older than vulgaris and must be used for it. After
careful examination of all the Museiim material, Mr. Thomas agrees
with me that the specimen which must be taken as the type of
tarayensis is the same species as macrodus, (other specimens show
that monticola, of which the actual type skin is lost, is also the same
species). As the older name therefore tarayensis must take the
place of macrodus, for the Smooth Indian Otter. These changes
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY.
349
necessitate an alteration in Blanford's key of the genus, which
may be made as follows : —
Key to the s'pecies of Lutra.
A. — Upper margin of naked nose angulate
in middle ; skull and teeth marked-
ly smaller ... ... ... ... 1. lutra, L.
B. — Upper margin of naked nose straight ;
skull and teeth markedly larger ... 2. torayoms, Hodg^
Distribution : —
1. Z. /it/m, Linnfeus. Type locality: — Upsala, Sweden.
Other localities : — Kashmir ; Nepal ;.
" Madras "" ( Elliot ) ; Travancore ;.
Ceylon (B. M.) Kumaon ; Sikkim ;
Coorg; Ceylon (M. S. I).
Type : — Unknown.
2. Z. torayewsis, Hodgson. Type locality: — Terai, Nepal
(Hodgson).
Other localities : — Sind ; Rajputana ;
Benares (B. M.) ; Sind ; Central Pro-
vinces ; Cliin Hills ; Chindwin ; Saga-
ing, Upper Burma (M. S, I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 43.1.12.101.
(Type of monticola, Hodgs. ( skull
only) B. M. No. 214. f. ; Co-types of
macrodus, Cray, B. M. Nos. 46. 6. 13.
3 1 . and 40.11,9.11.; Type of ellioti.
And. Ind. Mus. Calc. No. m.)
. Gen. II. — AoNYX.
The name cinerea, Hlig., is older
,-r ^.. , , T- r than lejdoniix (J.B.N.H.S. XXII. p.
No. 9d. lepionyx,-^ov^L ^^3 j^^^.^-^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^j^^^,^^.^^.^ ^^^
its place. It is the only species in the genus.
Distribution : —
A. cinerea, Illiger,
Type locality : — Batavia, Java.
Other localities : — Nepal ; Bhutan ;
Sadyia, Assam ; Madras (B.]\[.) ; Ku-
maon ; Chindwin; Coorg (INI.S.I.).
Type : — Unknown. (Type of indi-
gitata, Hodgson, B.M. No. 45.1.8.
3G9.).
350 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Family VI. — ^Procyonid^.
There is only one genus in our fauna.
Gen. — AiLURUS.
No. 96. fulgens, F, Cuv. The only species.
Distribution : —
A. fulgens, F, Cuvier. Type locality :—" Indes orientales."
Other localities .-—Nepal (B.]\[). Sik-
kim (M.S.I).
Type: — Perhaps in Paris Museum.
(Co-types of oc/imce?i5, Hodgson, B.M.
Nos. 43.1.12. 34 & 35. Lectotype
43.1.12.35.)
Family VII. — Ursid^,.
The three included genera may be distinguished as follows :-
Key to the genera of the IJRSiDiE.
A. Upper incisors six.
a. Larger, length over 5 feet ... I. Ursus.
b. Smaller, length under 4 feet 6
inches ... ... ... ... II. Helarctos.
B. Upper incisors four ... ... ... III. Melursus.
Gen. I. — Ursus.
Blanford includes malayanus in the genus Ursus, but that
species is now generally recognised
No. 97. arctus, L. as belonging to a distinct genus
^^0.98. torquatus,Wagn. Helarctos. The name arctus, L.
applies to the north European bear ;
for its Indian representative isabellinus, Horsf., should be used.
The two species included in the genus may be distinguished by
their colour as follows ; —
Key to the species of Ursus.
A. Colour brown ... ... ... ... 1 . isabellinus, Horsf.
B. Colour black .. . ... ... ... '2,. torquatus,y^Q>gn.
Distribution : —
1. TJ . isabellinus, Horsfield. Tijpe locality: — Nepal (Hodgson).
Other localities: — Gilgit; Kashmir
(B.M.).
Type : — Not traced.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY.
351
2. v. torquatus, Wagner.
Type locality : — Hills of Nepal.
Other localities : — Kashmir ; Nepal ;
Sikkim (B.M) ; Chin Hills (M.S.I).
Type: — ^ Unknown. (Type oi prui-
nosits, Blyth; Incl. Mus. Calc. No. r.)
Gen. II. — Helarctos.
This name was established by Hors-
field in 1825 (Zool. Journ. II. p.
221), as a svibgenus of Uksus, but
is now generally accepted as a full
No. 99. malayanus, RafF.
Distribution : —
H. malayanus, Raffles.
genus.
The only species.
Type locality '.—Sumatva. (Raffles).
Other localities : — Malay Peninsula
(B.M.). Chindwin; Shan States
(M. S.I.).
Type : — Unknown.
Gen. III. — Melursus.
No. 100. ur sinus, Shaw. The only species.
Distribution : —
M. ursinus, Shaw.
Type locality : — " Interior parts of
Bengal."
Other localities : — " Madras" (Sykes)
(B. M). Bengal ; Coorg ; Ceylon
(M.S.I).
TyjJe : — Unknown.
Order VI. — Rodentia.
The Rodentia are divided by Blanford into two Suborders
which he distinguishes as follows : —
Key to the suborders of Rodentia.
A. Two incisors in upper jaw ... ... I. Simplicidentata.
B. Four incisors in upper jaw (two of
them small and placed behind the
others) ... ... ... ... II. Duplicidentata.
5
352 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HLST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Suborder I. — Simplicidextata.
The Families of this Suborder may be arranged in a key as
follows ; —
Key to the families of Simplicidentata.
A. Angular portion of mandible arising
from lower edge of bony socket of
incisors.
a. Fibula distinct ; skull with distinct
postorbital processes ; premolars
two on each side in the upper jaw,
only one in the lower ... ... I. SciURiDiE.
b. Fibula united to tibia ; no postorbital
processes.
a\ Form slender ; tail long.
a^ Premolars one on each side
in upper jaw... ... ... II. DiPODiD^.
Jf. Premolars absent.
a. Tail clothed with long hair
which grows continually
longer towards the tip ... III. GliriDjE.
h\ Tail clothed at most with
short hair, occasionally
forming a tassel at the
extreme tip ... ... IV. MuRiD^.
6\ Form heavy, mole-like ; tail short
or rudimentary. ... ... V. SPALAClDiE.
B. Angular portion of mandible arising
from outer side of bony socket
of incisor ; body more or less
covered with spines ... ... VI. HySTRiciDyE.
Family I. — SciukiDjE.
The two Subfamilies may be distinguished as follows : —
Key to the Subfamilies of Sciurid^.
A. Form slender; tail long; incisors
compressed; arboreal ... ... I. SciURi>'^.
B. Form stout ; tail generally short ;
incisors not compressed ; terrestrial. II. Marmotin^.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY.
363
Subfamily I. — SciURiN^.
The following is a key to the genera, viz : —
Key to the genera of SciURiNiG.
A. Limbs connected by a membrane or
parachute.
a. Hypsodont ; inner borders of upper
molars proximately subangnlate,
their upper siirfaces flat ...
b. Brachyodont ; inner borders of upper
molars rounded, their upper surface
irregular.
a\ An interfemoral membrane attach-
ed to the tail ; this latter is
bnshy, not distichous ...
b\ No interfemoral membrane ; tail
distichous.
a
Strong tufts of hair at bases of
B.
a.
h.
ear-conch in front ; teeth exces-
sively wrinkled, posterior internal
cusps well developed ...
y^. ]^]ar-tufts absent or but little
developed; teeth not excessively
wrinkled ; posterior internal
cusps not developed ...
Limbs free, not connected by mem-
brane.
Size \QVY large
Size smaller.
a\ jMuzzle long and pointed ; a pale
spot behind each ear ...
//. Muzzle comparatively blnnt ; no
pale spots behind the ears.
a'. No stripes on back.
a. No seasonal hip-patch
h\ A seasonal hip-patch
h^. Back striped.
a\ A median dorsal pale line...
h\ No pale line on back.
a'. Size larger; no central
dorsal stripe ; head and
body 175 mm. ...
6'. Size smaller; a central
dorsal black stripe ; head
and body 125 mm.
I. EUPETAURUS.
II. Petaurista.
III. Belomys.
IV. Pteromys,
V. Ratufa.
VI. Dremomys.
VII. Callosciurus.
VIII. TOMEUTES.
IX. FUNAMBULUS.
X. Menetes.
XI. Tamiops.
354 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL BIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVL
Gen. I. — Elpetaurus.
No. 226. cinereus, Thos.
DiSTKIBUTION : —
E. cinereus, Thomas. ^yp^ locality : — Gilgit.
Other localities : — None.
Co-types:— B. M. No. 88.9.28.1.
and Ind. Miis. Calc. No. a.
Lectotype:—B. M. No. 88 9.28.1.
Gen. II. — Petaurista.
Established by Linkm 1795, takes the place of Pteromys (which
was only established by Ciivier in 1800) in any case; but the latter
has been shown to belong to the animals classed as Sciuropterus.
(See below).
I published a study of this genus in 1911 ( J. B. N. H. S. xx, p.
TVT oof? 7rri-i 1012), when I added some new
No. 227. oral, Tick. ^' , 1^.111
^ iycyn ■ (i o' names, and several others have been
-sj ctnr, -^ Tj J added snice then. On the other
No. 229. «««<7mrecM5, Hodgs. 1 i ,1 ,
AT oQA • A J liand the two names yunnanensis
JNo. JoO. yunnanensis. And. , ^ ^ 1. 1 j j r-
T^T 001 • ri ^iicl punctatus must be dropped irom
No. 2dl. camceps, Gray. f 1. ■ r r . r. •
■XT f,oo . . ri o^ii' ^ist ni lavoiir 01 then- represen-
JNo. ZoJ,. punctatus, b^ray. ... j-j 1 j 7 jj
^ ^ tatives candidulus and syoilla res-
pectively. The whole maj^ be arranged in a key as follows : —
Key to the species of Petaurista.
A. — General colouring blackish or greyish, never rufous or
fulvous.
a. Smaller, hindfoot 70-77 mm.
a\ Smaller, hindfoot 72 mm. ... 1. oral, Tick.
b\ Larger, hindfoot 77 mm. ... 2. Cinderella, Wr.
6. Larger, hindfoot 80-85 mm.
a\ Back of ears and forearm " bay ";
tail drab-gre}^ ... ... ... 3. cineraceus, Bly.
b\ No bay marking; tail black.
a\ Limbs and parachute dark maroon,
under surface salmon buff ... 4!.lyl€ivenningi, Thos.
h^. Limbs and parachute like the
back, at most with a rufous
tinge ; under surface white.
a^. Limbs and parachute with a
rufous tinge ... ... 5. philippensis, Ell.
6\ Limbs and parachute like the
back ... ... ... G. lanka, Wr.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY. 355
B. — General colouring rufons or fnlvous.
a. Size larger, hindfoot over 80 mm.
a. Colour darker ; black tufts behind
the ears 7. ia?/Zon, Thos.
6'. Colour paler ; dark ba}'- tufts behind
the ears 8 . candididus, Wr.
b. Size smaller, hindfoot 65-77 mm.
a. Larger, hindfoot 70-77 mm.
a^. A well marked dark saddle
patch extending forward to the
crown; hindfoot 73 mm. ... 9. nohilis, Gr.
6". No saddle patch.
a. Backs of eai's black.
a\ Colour darker, grizzled baj^
and buff. ... 10. hirrelli, Wr .
6\ Colour paler, grizzled
brown and white ...11. inornatus, Geoff.
b\ Backs of ears coloured like head.
a\ Face grey 12. caniceps, Gr.
6\ Face like head and back.
a\ Darker (bay); no pale
area on shoulders ;
hind feet black ...13. albiventer, Gr.
b'. Paler ( ferruginous ) ;
shoiilders slightly-
paler than back; feet
coloured like back... 14. fulvinus, Wr.
b' Smaller, hindfoot 60-65 mm. ...15. sijbilla, Thos.
& Wr.
Distribution : —
1 . P. oral, Tickell. Type locality : — Singhboom, Orissa.
(Tickell).
Other localities, Berar; Chaibassa,
Orissa (M. S. I.).
Type :■ — Unknown.
2. P. citid€rella,MV voughton. Type locality :—SuYat Dangs.
(Wroughton).
Other localities : — -Surat Dangs.
(B. M.)
Type:—B. M. No. 96. 11. 7. 5.
S. P. cineraceus, Bl. Type locality : — Arakan. (Phayre).
Other localities : — Tenasserim (B.
M.); Pegu (M. S. 1.)
Type:— Ind. Mus. Calc. Var. B.
No. a.
356 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
4. P. lylei venningi, Thomas. Type locality : — Kalaw, S. Shan
States. (Venning).
OtJier localities : — None.
Type:—B. M. No. 14. 4.3. 1.
5. P. philippeyisis, Elliot. Type locality : — Southern Maratha
Country. CKHiot).
Other localities : — Nilgiri and Palni
Hills, Madras ; I'ravancore (B. M.) ;
Kanara ; Coorg (M. S. I.).
Co-types .•— B. ^I. No. 115 6. & d
(Co-types oi' griseiventer. Gray, B. ]\1.
No. 198 a. & 6. Lectotvpe.-— B. M.
No. 198 a.)
Lectotype: — B. M. No. 115 d.
6. P. laiika, Wroughton. Typelocality : — Ceylon (E. B. Hors-
borough.)
Other localities :— Ceylon (B M.);
Ceylon (M. S. I.)
Type:—B. M. No. 96. 3. 27. 1.
7 . P. taylori, Thomas. Type locality -.-^Bsiiikasnn, Tenas-
serini (B. N. H. S. — Shortridge).
Other localities : — None.
Type:—B. M. No. 14. 12. 1. 5.
8. P. candidulus, Wroughton. Type locality : — Kindat. Chindwin
Biver (C. H. Hobart).
Other localities: — Dilkhusha, Cachar;
Naga Hills; Mogaung, N. Burma (B.
M.) ; Chin Hills; Chindwin (M.
S.I.)
Type'.—B. M. No. 10. 10. 19. 3.
9. P. nobilis, Gray. Typelocality: — Darjiling. (Pearson).
Other localities : — Nepal (B. M.);:
Sikkim (M. S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 79. 11. 21. 529.
(Type of chrysothrix, Hodgson, B. INl.
No. 43. 1.12. 45.).
10. P. birrelli, Wvon^hton. Type locality : — Murree, Punjab
(Major Birrell).
Other localities : — Murree, Punjab
(B. M.).
Type:—B. M. No. 5. 11. 19 3.
11. P. inornatits. Geoffroj. Ttjpe locality: — Kashmir.
Other localities : — Kashmir (B. M.).
Type : — Unknown. Perhaps in
Paris Museum.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY.
357
13. P. albiventer, Gvay
12. P. caniceps, Gray. Type locality: — Darjiling. (Hodg-
son).
Other localities: — Sikkim ; Nepal
(B.M.).
Type:—B. M. No. 79.11.21.531.
(lYpe of senex, Hodgson, B. M. No.
45.1.8.242).
Type locality: — Nepal (Hodgson).
Other localities : — Nepal ; Sikkim
(B. M.) ; Kximaon (M. S. I.).
Type:— B.M. No. 114c. (Type
of magnijicus, Hodgson, B. M. No. 43.
1.12.47).
14. P. fulvinus, Wrough- Type locality : — Simla. (Hume —
ton. Davison).
Other localities : — Simla (B.M.).
Tyjte:—B. M. No. 85. 8. 1. 121.
15. P. sybilla, Thomas and Type locality : — Chin Hills. (B.N.
Wroughton. H. S. — Mackenzie).
Other localities : — ^None.
Tij2)e:—B. M. No. 16.3.2G.14.
Gen. III. — Belomys.
In 1908 Thomas divided up th&
No. 238. pearsoni, Gray. genus Pteromys into 6. Besides-
restricted Pteromys, Belomys is
the only one found within our limits. (A.M.N.H. (8).l.p.l).
In the paper mentioned above he also added a new species trichotis
in this genus. These two species may be distinguished as
follows : —
Key to the species of Belomys.
A. — Backs of ears, and the ear-tufts, hazel... 1. jjearsoni, Gray
B. — Backs of ears, and the ear-tufts, black... 2. trichotis, Thos.
Distribution ; —
1. B. pearsoni, GrskV.
2. B. trichotis, Thomas.
Type locality : — Darjiling.(Pearson).
Other localities .-—Sikkim ; Naga
Hills. (B.M.)
Type:— B.M. 1^0. 79.11.21.381. '
Type locality : — INIachi, INTanipur,
(Hume).
Other localities : — Lower Chindvvin^
Burma. (B. M.)
Type:—B. M. No. 85.8.1.13G.
S58 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Gen. IV. — Pteromys.
Thomas lias divided this genus up into four subgenera, three
■onh^of which are found in Indian limits. One of these, Glaucomys,
has been restricted bj^ Hollister (P. Biol. Soc. Wash, xxviii, p. 109,
1915) to the American form. These three subgenera may be
arrans-ed in a kev as follows : —
Key to the subgenera of Pteromys.
^. — Bullae well inflated ; molar ridges high.
a. Mammae 8 I. Eoglaucomys.
b. Mammee 6 11. Hylopetes.
B. — Bullae low, flat, little inflated ; molar
ridges low HI. Petinomys.
Subgen. I. — Eoglaucomys.
No. 233. fimbriatus, Gray. The only species.
Distribution : —
Pt. {E.) fimbriatus, QfV&j. Ttjpelocalittj :—'' India." ^
Other localities : — Kashmir, Simla,
Thandeani, Garial, Murree, Punjab
(B. M.).
Type: — Not traced.
Subgen. II. — Hylopetes.
The sagitta of Linnaeus was based
No. 234. alboniger, Hodgs. on a Sumatran animal ; for its
No. 235. sagitta, L. Burmese representative Blyth esta-
No. 236. spadiceus, Blyth. blished the species phayrei from
Mergui. For the still more North-
em form from Mt. Popa Thomas has provided the subspecific name
probus. In 1908 Thomas established belone for the small flying
squirrel of the Malay Peninsula, which has now been taken in
Tenasserim. The species may be distinguished as follows : —
Key to the species of Hylopetes.
A. — Size larger, hindfoot about 40 mm. ... 1 alboniger, Hodgs.
B. — Size smaller, hindfoot 30 mm. or less.
a. Size medium, hindfoot aboiit 30 mm.
a^. Feet entirely brown ... ... 2. phayrei, Bl.
b\ Sides of feet and toes pure white... 3. p. probus, Thos.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY. 359
h. Size small, hindfoot less than 30 mm.
a\ Size larger, hindfoot 27 mm. ... 4. 6eZowe, Thos.
6\ Size very small, hindfoot 22 mm. 5. spadiceus, Bl.
Distribution : —
1. Pt. (H.) alboniger, Type locality: — Nepal (Hodgson).
Hogdson. Other localities : — Sjdliet; Darjiling;
Rikkim ; Manipur (B. M.) ; Sikkim ;
Darjiling ; Bhutan Duars; Chin Hills ;
Chindwin (M. S. I.).
Co-types :~B. M. Nos. 43.1.12.49
— 51.{Tyipe oji turnbulli, Gvaj, B. M.
No. 3?. 6. 10.57).
Lectofype :— B. M. No. 43.1.12.49.
2, P t. {H .) phayrei, B^yth. Type lomlity: — Rangoon, Mergui,
(Phayre and Berdmore).
Other localities: — Pegu Yomas ;
Siam (B. M.).
Co-types: — Ind. Mus. Calc. Stuffed
specimens, c. and d.
5. Pt. {H.) phayrei prohus, Type locality: — Mt. Popa, 3,000'
Thomas. Burma (B. N. H. S. — Shortridge).
Other localities : — Chin Hills ;
Chindwin ; Mt. Popa (M. S. I.)
Type ;— B. M. No. 14.4.3.2.
4. Pt. (H.) belone, Thomas. Type locality: — Terutao Island,
Straits of Malacca.
Other localities: — Tenasserim (M
S. I.).
T^joe:—B.M. No. 8.7.20.61.
5. Pt. (H.) spadiceus, Blyth. Type locality : — Arakan. (Phayre).
Other localities: — jMt. Popa (M.S.I.)
Co-types : — Ind. Mus. Calc. Nos.
a, b, and c.
Subgen. III. — Petinomys.
The Ceylon form is layardi, Ke-
No. 237. fuscicapillus, laart. Thomas has recently described a
Blyth. third species, phipsoni, from Tenas-
serim. They may be distinguished
as follows ; —
Key to the species of Petino.mys.
A. — Size large, hindfoot over 50 mm.
a. Under surface, white ... ... 1. fuscocapillus, Bl.
b. Under surface, grey... ... ... 2. layardi, Ke\.
B. — Size small, hindfoot about 25 mm. ... 3. phipsoni, Thos.
6
360 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL RISC. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Distribution : —
\. Pt. (P.) fuscocapillas, Type locality : — Malabar Coast.
Blj^th. (Rev. H. Baker, Junr.).
Other localities: — Travancore (Bour-
dillon) (B. M.).
Type : — Lost.
2. Pt. (P.) layardi, Kelaart. Type locality : — Dimboola, Ceylon.
(Palliser).
Other localities : — Ceylon (M. S. I.).
Tijpe :— B. M. No. 52.5.9.19.
3. Pt. (P.) jihipsoni, Thomas. Type locality : — Tenasserim. (B. N.
H. S.— Shortridge).
Other localities : — Malay Peninsula
(B. M.)
Type:~B. M. No. 14.12.8.243.
Gen. V. — Ratufa.
I dealt with this group in 1910
No. 239. indicus, Erxl. (J. B. N. H. S. xix, p. 880).
No. 240. bicolor, Sparr. Since then some forms from
No. 241. macrurus, Penn. Chindwin and Burma have received
names, and Thomas and myself have
revised my previous paper so far as it affects Ceylon (J. B. N. H. S.
xxiv, p. 34, 1915). The resulting list of 14 names may be
arranged in a key as follows : —
Key to the species of Ratufa.
A. — Fore-legs yellow.
a. Hind-legs coloured like back.
a\ General colour yellow buff ... 1. dealbata, Blanf.
b\ General colour rufous bay.
a'. Tail coloured like back.
a'. Size smaller, hind-foot 73-77
mm. ... ... ... 2. indica indicai^vxl.
b\ Size larger, hind-foot 87-92
mm. ... ... ... 3. *. superans, Ryley.
b'. Tail black.
a^ No black markings on bod3^ 4. i. 6e?^graZews^5,Blanf.
b\ Black markings on back and
shoulders.
a\ Black markings onty on
shoulder and forearm,
and at base of tail ... 5, ^. centralis, Ryl.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY.
861
h\ Black markings almost
hiding the general colour
except a narrow band on
centre of bod}^ ...
6. Hindlegs 3-ellow, in contrast with
back.
'^ General colour black.
6. i. maxima, Schreb.
a
or. Tail hairs tipped with white ... 7.
b'. Tail entirely black .. ... 8.
b^ General colour grizzled
9.
B. — Fore-legs black and brown.
a. Upper side of forearm unbroken black
or brown.
a. General colour black ... ... 10.
6\ General colour brown ... ... 11.
b. Yellow bar across forearm.
a\ Dorsal surface unicolorous.
a'. General colour brown...
6". General colour black ...
macroura, Penn.
m. melanoclira, T.
& W.
m. dandolena.
T. & W.
12.
13.
giganfea, McCl.
g. lutrina, T. & W
phoeopepla, Mill.
2). inarana, T. &
W.
b\ Head and shoulders black, withers
to rump brown li. fellii,T. &W.
Distribution : —
1. R. dealbata, Blanford. Type locality :— Surat Dangs
(Wroughton).
• Other localities : — Surat Dangs-
(B. M).
Typ)e :— B. M. No. 96. 11.7.6.
2. R. indica indica, Erxleben. Type locality : — Bomba3^
Other loadities : — Western Ghats
(S3^kes) ; Kanara ; Coorg (B. M.) ;
Satara ; Dharwar ; Kanara ; Mj--
sore (M. S. I.).
Type : — Unknown. (Co-t3'-pes of
elphinsfonei, Sykes B.M. No. 79.
11. 21. 578 and 579 and 16. 3.
9. 12. Lectotype B. M. No. 79.11.
21.579.)
Type locality: — Wotekalli, S.
Coorg. (B. N. H. S.— Shortridge).
Other localities : — Coorg (M.S.L).
Tyj)e:~B.M. No. 13. 6. 21. 3.
3. R. indica superans,^yley
362 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
4. R. indica bengalensis,
Blanford.
5, R. indica centralis, Ryley.
6. R. indica maxima, Sch-
reber.
7. R. tnacroura macroura.
Pennant.
8. R. macroura melanochra,
Thomas and Wro-
nghton.
'9. R. macroura dandolena,
Thomas and Wro-
nghton.
10. R. gigantea gigantea, ^ic-
Clelland.
11. R. gigantealutri}ia,T\io-
mas and Wroiigh-
ton.
Type locality : — Not known.
Other localities : — Mj^sore (B. M.)
Coorg (M. S. I.).
Type :— B. M. No. 44. 7. 4. 7.
Type locality: — Hoshangabad,
Central Provinces. (B. N. H. S.—
Crump).
Other localities : — Central Pro-
vinces ; Orissa (]M. S. I.).
T^jae :— B. M. No. 12. 11. 29. 85.
Type locality : — Malabar.
Other localities : — Travancore ;
Kodaikanal ; Madras (B. M.)
Type : — Unknown.
Type locality : — Ceylon.
Other localities : — Ceylon (B, M.).
Type : — Unknown.
Type locality : — Koltawa, South.
Ceylon (B. N. H. S.— Mayor.)
Other localities : — Ceylon (B. M.);
Ceylon (M. S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 15. 7. 1. 4.
Type locality : — Wellawaya, Uva
Provinces, Ceylon (B. N. H, S. —
Maj. ]\Iayor)
Other localities : — Ceylon (B. JM.).
North Central, East and South
Ceylon (M. S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 15. 7. 1. 5.
Type locality : — Assam. (Mc-
Clelland.)
Other localities : — Nepal ; Sikkim-
Chindwin ; Mjntkjdna and Manda-
la}', Burma (B. M.) ; Sikkim ;
Darjiling ; Shan States (M. S. I.);
Type:—B. M. No. 79. 11. 21
336. (Co-types oi' 7nacruroides, Hodg.
son, 43. 1. 12. 76 and 77. Lecto-
type B. M. No. 43. 1.12. 76).
Type locality : — Tatkon, Chind-
win River. (B. N. H. S.— Short-
ridge;.
Other localities: — Chin Hills;
Chindwin (M. S. 1).
Type :— B. M. No. 15. 5. 5. 52. '
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY. 365
12. R. phoeopepla j^^iceojjep- Type locality: — Sungei Balik, Te-
la, Miller. nasserim. (Abbott).
Other localities : — 'Mergui, Tenasse-
rim ; Siam (B. M.) ; Tenasserim
(M. S. I.).
Type:—\J. S. Nat. Miis. No.
124235.
13. R. 2)hwopepla ynarana, Type locality: — Mt. Popa, Burma.
Thomas and Wro- (B. N. H. S.— Shortridge).
ughton. Other localities : — Siam (B. M.); Mt.
Popa (M. S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 14. 7. 19. 107.
14. R. fellii. Thomas and Type locality: — Yin, Chindwiu
Wroughton. River. (B. N. H. S.— Shortridge.)
Other localities: — Lower Chindwin
(M. S. I).
Tyjje :— B. M. No. 15. 5. 5. 55.
Gen. \ I. — Dremomys.
Both these species have had.
No. 243. locria, Hodgs. subspecies attached to them from
No. 244. rufigenis, Blanf. various localities, and Thomas has
recently recorded the occurrence of
the Chinese pernyi group within our limits (J. B. N. H. S. xxiv,
p. 417, 1916). Finallj' Thomas and my seU described macmillani,
from the Chin Hills (J. B. N. H. S., p. 238, 1916). All these
Thomas arranged in a key (1. c.) somewhat as follows : —
Key to the species of Dremomys.
-*1. — Cheeks not ferruginous ; tail, below, dully coloured
grizzled.
a. Belly hairs strongly buff}^ or ochraceous terminally.
a\ Belly washed with rich ochraceous ; ear patches white ;
back entirely without a median black line.
a'. A fulvous tinge above, giving a
browner appearance ... ... 1 . lokria lohria,
Hodgs.
6". No fulvous tinge, especially on
lower back, general appearance
blackish olivaceous ... ... 2. lokria hhotiay
6\ Belly washed with buffy or yellow- Wr.
ish ; ear patches rufous ; a dark
median dorsal line usually present,
though indistinct in worn pelage ... 3. tnactnillani, T,
& W.
364 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
b. Belly hairs whitish or creamy termi-
nally ; ear patches rufous ... ... 4. pernyi, M. Eclw.
B. — Cheeks and midrib of tail beneath bright
ferruginous. ,
a. Colour darker.
a. Tail hairs not markedly whitened ... 5. r. rufigenis,
Blanf.
b\ Tail hairs markedly tipped white ... 6. r. opimus, Thos.
b. Colour paler ... ... ... ... 7. r. adamsoni,
Thos.
Distribution : —
1. D. lokria lokria, Hodgson. Type locality : — Nepal. (Hodgson).
Other localities : — Darjiling ; Mani-
pur (B. M.) Chin Hills (Mackenzie)
(M. S. I.).
Co-types:— B.^L^ 03. 4.3. 1. 12.
55 and oG. (Type of subflaviventris,
McClelland, B. M. No. 79. 11. 21.
351).
Lectotype:—B. M. No. 43.1.12.55.
2. D. lokria bhotiay^YOxigh- Type locality: — Sedonchen, Sik-
ton. kim. (B. N. H. S. — Crump).
Other localities : — Eastern Sikkim,
(M. S. I.)
Type'.—B. M. No. 15.9.1.125.
5. D. macmillani, Thomas Type locality : — Tatkon, Chindwin.
and Wronghton. (B. N. H. S. — Macmillan).
Other localities : — Kabaw Valley
(M. S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 15.5.5.198.
4. D. pernyi, Milne — Ed- Typje locality : — Sze Chwan, Ynn-
wards. nan (Perny).
Other localities : — Yunnan (B. M.);
Chin Hills (M. S. I.).
Type :— Paris Museum.
5. D, rufigenis rufigenis, Type locality : — Mt. Mooleyit, Bur-
Blanford. ma. (Hume — Davison.)
Other localities:— ^iooleyit^BM.).
Type :— B. M. No. 91. 10. 7. 81.
C. D. rufigenis opimus, Type locality : — Hkamti, Chind-
Thomasand Wroughton. win (B. N. H. S. — Shortridge).
Other localities : — Hkamti, Chind-
win. (M. S. I.).
Type :— B. M. No. 15. 5. 5. 195.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY. 36-5
7. D. rujigenis adamsoni, Type locality : — Maymyo, T3urma.
Thomas. (•!. P. Cook).
Other localities : — S. Shan States
(B. M.); Kindat, Chiudwin ; N,
Shan States (M. S. I.).
Type:—^. M. No. 14. 4. 3. 3.
Gen. VII. — Callosciurus.
Of these six species, griseimaniis,
Mihie-Edwards, must be dropped
No. 242. ferrugineus, F. from our list as occurring exclu-
Cuv. sively beyond our limits. On the
No. 245. erythrceus, Pall. other hand sladeni, And., entered
No. 246. quinquestriatus, by Blanford in the synonymy of
And. erythrceus, must be recognised not
No. 249. caniceps, Gray. only as a species, but as, like
No. 250. griseimayius, M.- erythrtBUs, i-epresenting a group of
Edw. geographically varying forms. The
No. 252. atrodorsalis, Gray, following kej^ may be used for the
forms here included in this genus,
viz :—
Key to the species of Callosciurus.
A. — Feet pale ; face and feet coloured like
the underside.
a. Tail- tip black; an ochraceous dorsal
cloak ... ... ... ... 1. caniceps, Gv&y.
b. Tail-tip coloured like the underside ;
no dorsal cloak ... ... ... 2. sladeni gvoap. (for
key see below.)
B.—Feet dark.
a. General colour bay or maroon ; feet
black ; tail tip white ... ... 3. ferrugineus, F.
Cuv.
b. General colour o-rizzled.
o
a^. Black splashes or stripes on back.
a'. Underside maroon ... ... 4. atrodorsalis. Gray.
b'. Underside like flanks, washed
with yellow... ... ... b. a. shanicus, Ryl.
6\ No black dorsal marks.
a". Underside grey or grizzled.
a\ Underside grey ... ... 0. stevensi, Thos.
b^. Underside grizzled.
a\ Face ochraceous ; no
slioulder mark... ... 7. cruinpi, Wr.
366 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
6\ Face like head ; a bufFy
mark on shoulder and at
base of neck ... ... 8. epotnophorus davi-
soni, Bonh.
6^ Underside ochraceoiis t o
maroon.
a. Strong black tail-tip ... 9. erythrceus group
(for key see below.)
6^ Black tail-tip obsolescent or
absent.
a\ Absent ... ... ...10. rubeculus, Mill.
b\ Obsolescent.
a. Underside ferruginous
with grizzled median
stripe ... ...11. gordoni, And.
b\ Underside white with
median and lateral
black stripes ...12. quinquestriatus,
And.
Distribution : —
1. C. caniceps, Gray. Type locality: — -Tenasserim.
Other localities : — Salween Ri-
ver ; Amherst District ; Tavoy ;
Tenasserim (B. M.).
Type:—B. M. No. 213 a. (Co-
types of chrysonotus, Blyth, Ind.
Mus. Calc. Nos. d~-d'.)
2. C. sladeni group. The forms included in this group
ma}^ be arranged in a key as follows:-
Keyto the forms of the C. sladeni group.
A. — Feet ochraceous or ferruginous.
a. Ochraceous mask extending back to
level of ears .. . ... ... ... (a) sladeni sladeni,
And.
b. Mask not extending back to ears.
a\ Back above grey, not rufous ... (6) s. midas, Thos.
6\ Back washed with ferruginous.
a^. Feet darker, ferruginous ... (c) s. ruhex, Thos.
6\ Feet paler, ochraceous ... (d) s. shortridgei, T.
and W.
B. — Feet whitish or buffy white.
a. Back grizzled.
a\ Darker, general colour oliva-
ceous ... ... ... ••• (^) s. millardi,T. SiXid
W.
SUMMAHY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY.
367
h^. Paler, general
ochraceous
h. Back not grizzled.
a. General colour
6". General colour
2. (a) G. sladeni sladeni,
Anderson.
2. (6) C. sladeni midas,
Thomas.
2. (c) C. sladeni rubex,
Thomas.
2. (d) G. sladeni shortrid-
gei, Thomas and
Wroughton.
2. (e) G. sladeni millardi,
Thomas and
Wroughton.
2. (/) C. sladeni fryaniis,
Thomas and
Wroughton.
2. (g) G. sladeni careyi,
Thomas and
Wroughton.
2. (A) G. sladeni haring-
toni, Thomas.
colour tawny
'••(f) s. fryanus, T. and
W.
ochraceous ... (g) s. careyi, T. & W.
cream buff ... (h) s. haringfoni,Thos.
Type locality : — Thigyain, Upper
Burma.
Other localities : — Katha, Upper •
Burma; Uyu River, Chindwin; (B.M.).
Kindat, Chindwin (M. S. I.).
Type: — Ind. Mns. Calc. No. a. (Type
of kemmisi, Wroughton, B. M. No.
8. 8. 17. 3.; Type of sladeni bartoni,
Thomas, B. M. No. 14.6.18.1.)
Type locality : — Myitkyina, Upper
Burma. (Kemmis).
OtJier localities : — None.
Type :~B.M. No. 11. 7. 31. 1.
Type locality : — Myitkyina, Upper
Burma (B. N. H. S.~ Venning).
Other localities: — Yin, Lower Chind-
win (M. S. I.).
Type :— B. M. No. 14. 4. 3. 7.
Type lomlity : — Hkamti, Upper
Chindwin. (B. N. H. S.— Shortridge).
Other localities : — Hkamti (M. S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 15. 5. 5. 104.
Type locality : — Pyaungbyin, Upper
Chindwin, (B. N. H. S.— Shortridge).
Other localities : — Pyaungbyin, Up-
per Chindwin (M. S. 1.).
Type:~B. M. No. 15. 5. 5. 136.
Type locality : — Minsin, Upper
Chindwin (B. N. H. S.— Shortridge).
Other localities : — Minsin, Kaung-
taung, Upper Chindwin. (M. S. I.).
Type :— B. M. No. 15. 5. 5. 117.
Type locality : — Tamanthe, Upper
Chindwin, (B. N. H. S.— Shortridge).
Other localities : — Tamanthe (M.S.I.)
Type:—^.^. No. 15.5.5.121.
Type locality : — Moungkan, Upper
Chindwin (Harington).
368 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
3. C. ferrugineus,^
Cuvier.
4. C. atrodorsalis, Gra,j
8.
Other localities : — Moungkan, Homa-
lin, Ohindwin (M. S. I.)
T^^e:—B.M. No. 5.8.11.1. (Type
of haringtoni solutus, Thomas, (Homa-
lin), B. M. No. 5.8.11.2).
Type locality : — Pegu (Belanger).
Other localities : — Eangoon (B.M.) ;
Pegu Yomas, Mt. Popa (M. S. I.)
Type : — Unknown, l^robablj" in
Paris Museum.
Type locality: — " Bhotan " (pal-
pably an error).
Other localities : — Amherst District ;
Moulmein ; Tenasserim ; S.W. Siam
(B.M.).
Type:— B.M. 'No. 41.1819. (Type
of hyperythrus, Blyth (Tenasserim),
Ind. Mus. Calc. No. o").
Type locality : — Gokteik, N. Shan
States. (B. N. H. S.— Shortridge).
Other localities : — Shan States ;
Mt. Popa (M. S. I.)
Type:—B. M. No. 13.11.18.1.
Typelocality : — Beni Chang, Abor-
Miri Hills, Assam. (Stevens).
OtJier localities : — Abor Oountr}-
(Bailey) ; Sadiya, Assam (B. M.).
Type :— B. M. No. 7. 11. 26. 2.
C. crumpi, Wroughton. Type locality : — Sedonchen, Sikkim.
(B. N. H. S.— Crump).
Other localities : — Sedonchen (M.
S I ^
' Type:—B. M. No. 15. 9. 1. 103.
C. epomophorus davisoni, Type locality : — Bankachon, Tenas-
Bonhote.
5. C. atrodorsalis shanicus,
Ryley.
6. C. stevensi, Thomas.
serim (Hume — Davison).
Other localities : — Moulmein ; S. W.
Siam (B. M.) ; Tenasserim (M. S. I.)
Type :—B. M. No. 85.8.1.187.
9. C. erythrcBus Group. The forms included in this group
may be arranged in a key as
follows ; —
Key to the forms oftlie C. erythrcBus group.
A. — Ears red or brown.
Face the same colour as the back ... (a) e. erythrceus, Pall.
a.
h. Face ochraceous
(6) e.
Bonh.
bhutanensis.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY, 369
/'. — Ears like the rest of the head.
it. Very dark, almost black.
a. Grizzling coarser... ... ... (c) e. erythrogaster,B\.
h\ Grizzling- very fine ... ... (d) e. punctatissimus,
Paler.
a\ Tail white with black tip ... (e) e. kinneari, Th. &
Gr.
)e..
Wr.
h\ Tail like back ; with black tip.
a'. Colour of inside of limbs ex-
tending to front of wrists and
back of ankle ; tail usually
with much white in black tip. (/) e. crotalius, Th. &
Wr.
6^ Front of wrists and back of an-
kles coloured like rest of outer
side of limb ; tail with black
tip ... ... ... •'■ (9} e. nagarum,Th. &
Wr.
9. {a) C. erythrceuserythrcBus, Type locality: — " ex India ori-
Pallas. entali."
Other localities : — Assam (Griffith)
(B.M.)
Type : — Unknown.
9. (b) C.erythrcBusbhutanen- Type locality : — Bhutan.
sis, Bonhote. Other localities : — Assam (McClel-
land) (B. M.).
Type :— B. M. No. 43. 8. 18. 6.
9. (c) G. erythrcBus erythro- Type locality : — Manipur (A. S. B.,
gaster, Blyth. Guthrie).
Other localities :^Aimole and
Noong-zai-ban, Manipur (B. M.).
Type : — Ind. Mus. Calc. No. a.
9. (d) C. erythrcBus putictatis- Type locality : — Cachar.
simus, Gray. Other localities : — Dilkoosha, Ca-
char (B. M.).
Type:—B. M. No. 55.12.24.108.
9. (e) C. erythrceus kinneari, Type locality : — Tatkon, Upper
Thomas & Wroughton. Chindwin, (B. N. H. S. — Shortridge).
Other localities : — Tatkon (M. S. I.)
Type :— B. M. No. 15.5.5.79.
9. (/) C. erythrceus crotalius, Type locality : — Hkamti, Upper
Thomas & Wroughton. Chindwin (B. N. H. S. — Shortridge).
Other localities :— Hkamti (M. S. I.).
Ttjpe ;— B. M. No. 15. 5. 5. 69.
370 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
9. (g) C . erythrceus nagarum. Type locality: — Sadiya, Assam
Thomas and Wrough- (Hume).
ton. Other localities : — Homaliu, Taman-
the, Upper Chindwin ; Chin Hills (M.
S. I.).
Type:— B.M. 1^0. 85.8.1.170.
10. C. rubeculus, Miller. Type locality : — Trong, S. W. Siam.
(Abbott).
Other localities ' — None.
Type:— v. S. Nat. Mus. No.
86777.
^l. C. gordoni, Anderson. Type locality: — Bhamo, Upper
Burma. (Anderson).
Other localities : — Bhamo (Doria,
Harington) (B. M.).
Co-types : — Ind. Mus. Calc. Nos.
12. C. quinquestriatus, An- Type locality: — Ponsee, Kakhyen
derson. Hills (Anderson).
OtJier localities : — Bhamo, Myitkyina
(Kemmis). Upper Burma (B. M.);
Type : — Ind. Mus. Calc. No. d.
Gen. VIII. — ToMEUTES.
The name blanfordi, Blyth, placed
by Blanford in the synonymy
No. 247. phayrei, Bl. of pygerythrus, Geoffroy, was on the
No. 248. pygerythrus, Geoft\ advice of Mr. Thomas transferred
No. 251. locroides, Hodgs. provisionally to phayrei, Blyth, (J.
B, N. H. S. xxiii, p. 473, 1915).
Thomas established a subspecies janetta (J. B. N. H. S. xxiii, p.
202, 1914) for the Northern form oi' pygerythrus. Bonhote in 1906
described mearsi as a subspecies of lohroides (A. M. N. H. (7),
xviii, p. 337) ; but the Survey Collections show, not only that it
must be treated as a species, but that two subspecies, virgo and
hellona, were necessary for local races of it found higher up the
Chindwin (J. B. N. H. S. xxiv, p. 419, 1916). These four species
and their siibspecies may be arranged in a key as follows : —
Key to the species and subspecies of Tomeutes.
A. — Tail-tip black.
a. Size larger, hindfoot about 50 mm. ;
black tail-tip strongly marked ...
a'. A broad black band on each flank ;
feet ochraceous buff'. ... ... 1. jo/ia?/m, Blyth.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY.
371
6'. No lateral stripes ; feet buff.
h. Size smaller, hiudfoot about 40 mm.;
tail-tip less distinctly black.
a^ Feet dark, coloured like back. ...
6'. Feet pale, "cream buff".
B. — No black tail-tip.
a. Feet dark ; thigh patches red.
a^ No grey median line on chest and
abdomen
6^ A grey median line on chest and
abdomen
b. Feet pale; thigh patches white or
buffy.
a^. Thigh patch buffy. ... ... 7.
h\ Thigh patch white.
a~. Thigh patch all white ... 8.
b'. Thigh patch white, edged by an
ochraceous flush. ... ... 9.
2. J), blanfordi, Blj^th.
o.
4.
6.
pygerythrus, Geoff.
p- janetta, Thos.
lokroides, Hodgs.
I. owensi, Th.&Wr.
mearsi, Bonh.
m. virgo, Th. & Wr.
m. bellona, Th. &
Wr.
Distribution : —
1. T. pMyreiphayrei,
Blyth.
2. T. pJiayrei blanfordi,
Blyth.
3. T. pygerythrus pygery-
thrus, Geoffi'oy.
4. T. pygerythrus janetta,
Thomas.
Type locality : — Martaban. (Berd-
more and Phayre).
Other localities ■■ — Martaban (Blyth);
N. Tenasserim (B. M.) ; N. Shan
States ; Ngapyinin, Irrawady, (East
Bank) (M. S. I.).
Co-types:— B. M. Nos. 62.7.16.7
& 8 ; Ind. Mus. Calc, Nos, a. b. and c.
Type locality : — Ava, Burma. (Blan-
ford).
Other localities: — Mandalay (B.M.).
Co-types :— B. M. No. 63. 5. 9. 9. ;
Ind. Mus. Calc. No. a.
Type locality: — Pegu (B danger).
Other localities : — Rangoon ; Pegu ;
Moulmein (B. M.) ; Pegu (M. S. I.).
Type: — Paris Museum.
Type locality : — Mandalay. (B. N.
H. S.— Shortridge).
Other localities : — Nj^oungbintha,
Upper Burma (Harington) ;
Pyawbwe, Upper Burma (B. M.) ; Mt.
Popa; Mingun and Mandalay, Up-
per Burma ; Lower Ohindwin (M.S.I.)
Ttjpe:—B. M. No. 4. 12. 1. 4.
372 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXTI.
5. T. loJcroides loJcroides, T ype locality : — Nepal (Hodgson).
Hodgson. Other localities: — Dacca, Bengal;
Nepal ; Sikkini ; Bhotan ; Manipur (B,
M.) Sikkim ; Darjiling ; Bhutan Duars
(M. S. I.).
Co-tyj)es :— B. M. Nos. 43.1.12.
58. and 59. (Co-types of similis, Gray,
B.M.Nos. 43.1.12.53. and 54; Lecto-
typeB. M.No. 43.1.12.54; Co-types
oiblytJiii, Tytler, B. M. No. 79.11.21.
361 and 362 ; Lectotype B. M. No. 79.
11,21.361 ; Type of assamensis, Mc-
Clelland, B. M. No. 79.11.21. 384).
Lectotype :~-B.M. No. 43.1.12.58.
6. T. loJcroides owensi, Tho- Type locality :• — Minsin, Chindwin
mas and Wroughton. (B. N. H. S. — Shortridge).
OtJier localities: — Chindwin (M.
S. L).
Type:—B. M. No. 15. 5. 5. 189.
7. T. mearsi mearsi, Bon- Type locality: — Chinbjdt, Lower
hote. Chindwin. (Mears).
Other localities : — Chinbyit (B. M.)
Chindwin (M. S. I.).
Type:—B. M.No. 6. 7. 5. 10.
8. T. onearsi virgo, Thomas Type locality : — Tatkon, Chindwin.
and Wroughton. (B. N. H. S. — Shortridge).
Other localities : — Chindwin (M.S.I.)
Type:—B. M. No. 15.5.5.169.
9. T. mearsi bellona,Th.oma.s Typelocality : — Kin, Lower Chind-
and Wroughton. win. (B. N. H. S. — Shortridge).
Other localities : — Chindwin (M.S.[.)
Type.—B. M. No. 15.5.5.177.
Gen. IX. ^ — FUNAMBULUS.
The crenus Funambulus was established by Lesson in 1832
for the Sciurus palmarum, L., but was not generally adopted.
As late as 1897 Thomas mentions it (P. Z. S. p. 933), but
in a much wdder sense than that now accepted. Thomas in
1908 (J. B. N. H. S., xviii, p. 246), finally restricted it
as now used. It is interesting to note that no member of the
genus is found outside the Indian Peninsula, south of the River
Ganges, and that at the same time no other form of squirrel,
excluding the flying and giant squirrels, is found within its
range.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY.
373
Many years ago I pointed out
No. 253. palmarum, L, that the najne palmarum was origin-
No. 254, tristriatus,Wsktevh.. ally given to the Madras squirrel, and
No. 255. layardi, Bl. had wrongly been confused with
No. 256. sublineatus, Wa- the northern form with five white
terh. stripes (J. B. N. H. S. xvi, p. 406,
1905), for which latter I proposed
the name jpennanti, with a subspecies argentescens, for the extreme
northern form, and more recently (J, B. N. H. S., xxiv, p. 430,
1916), the subspecific name lutescens, for the Kathiawar squirrel.
In my original paper (1. c.) I suggested comorinus as a subspecific
name for the Malabar form of palmarum, and more recently Thomas
and myself proposed the subspecific names favonicus, olympius,
brodiei and Jcelaarti for Ceylon forms oi' palmarum (J. B. N. H. S.,
xxiv, p. 39, et seq. 1915), and kathleence for the Ceylon form of
sublineatus, Waterhouse. Finally, quite recently I established two
new species bengalensis, and robertsoni, and two subspecies, viz.,
bellaricus of palmarum, and numarius of tristriatus for forms which
the Survey Collections showed recjuired names.* All these may be
arranged in key as follows : —
Key to the species of Funambulus.
A. — Underside white, only occasionally tin-
ged with fulvous or rufous.
a. Three pale dorsal stripes ; mid -rib of
tail below ferruginous,
a'. Greatest length of skull 40mm. or
less.
a". Pale dorsal stripes all three buff.
a\ Face ochraceous.
a^. General colour paler; feet
whitish ...
b^. General colour darker ; feet
like the body
¥ Face like head, not ochrace-
ous ...
b" Pale dorsal stripes not all three
buff.
a\ Central dorsal stripe white,
laterals buff.
a*. Face ochraceous.
a\ Median stripe pure
white ...
1. palmarum, L
2. p. cotnorinus, Wr.
3. p. brodiei, Bl.
4. p. helaarli. Lay.
•Quite recently Robinson has described a peninsular form of the Ceylon layardi
under the name dravidianus.
374 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
h\ Median stripe bufFy
white ... ... ... b. f. favonicus, Th.
and Wr.
b\ Face like head, not och-
raceoTis ... ... ... 6. p. olympius, Th.
and Wr.
b\ All three dorsal stripes white,
a*. Size larger, head and body
about 170 mm.... ... 7. pt-^^Vxiricns, Wr.
6*. Size smaller, head and
body about 140 mm.
a\ A pinkish tinge on
flanks ... ... 8. bengalensis, Wr.
b\ No pinkish tinge on
flanks ... ... 9. robertsoni, Wr.
6'. Greatest length of skull 42 mm,
or more.
a. Dorsal stripes white.
a'. Sizelarge, hindfoot 46 mm. 10. wroughtoni, ^j\.
6^ Size smaller, hind foot 41
mm. ... ... ... 11. tristriatus, Wat.
6". Dorsal stripes buff ... ... 12. t. nunmrius, Wr.
b. Five pale dorsal stripes; no rnfous
mid-rib to tail.
a^ General colour darker... ... 13. pennanti, Wr.
b^. General colour paler
a^. Saddle dark grey ... ... 14. ^9. argentescens,
b~. Saddle strongly suffused Wr.
with fulvous ... ... 15. ^. lutescens, Wr.
B. — Underside not white.
a. Underside chestnut or orange.
a^ Underside chestnut ; crown and
cheeks coloured like the flanks. 16. layardi, my.
b^. Underside " yellowish orange "
crown and cheeks " rich rufus
orange" ... ... ... 17. dravidianus,^oh. ,
b. Underside drab.
a^ Distance between pale dorsal
stripes wider, 7 — 8 mm. ... 18. katJdeence, Th.
and Wr.
6\ Distance between pale dorsal
stripes narrow, 4 — 5 mm. ... 19. sublineatus, Wa-
terh.
Note. — At the same time as F. dravidianus (Rec. Ind. Mus.
p. 42. 1917) mentioned above Robinson described a specimen
from Travancore as F. tristriatus annandalei. From that descrip-
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY.
375
F. palmarum comorinus,
Wroughton.
3. F. palmarum brodiei,
Blyth.
tion I am nnable to distinguish it from a series from that State sent
to the National Collection by .l\faj. H. Ferguson, which in their
turn appear to me indistinguishable from Waterhouse's type of
tristriatus.
Distribution' : —
1. F. palmarum palmurum, Type locality: — " America, Asia,
L. Africa,"' Madras (selected by me).
Other localities : — Madras (Thurston)
(B. M.).
Type : — Unknown.
Type locality : — Trevandrum, Tra-
vancore. (H. Fei-guson).
Other localities : — Travancore (Fer-
guson) (B. M.).
Type:—B. M. No. 95. 10. 9. 19.
Tyjje locality : — Northern Pro-
vince, Ceylon (Layard).
Other localities : — Ceylon (Kelaart)
(B. M.) ; Northern Province, Ceylon
(M. S. I.).
Type : — Ind. Mus. Calc. No. s.
Typ)e locality : — Southern Pro-
vince, Ceylon (Layard),
Other localities : — N. W. Ceylon
(B. M.) ; North Western, North
Central, Southern and Eastern Pro-
vinces of Ceylon. (M. S. I.).
Type :— Ind. Mus. Calc. No. k.
F. palmarum favonicus, Type locality : — Udugama, S. Cey-
Thomas & Wrough- Ion (B. N. H. S.— Mayor),
ton. Other localities : — Udugama, Ranna
and Kottawa, S. Ceylon.
Type:—B. M. No. 15. 7. 1. 2.
F. palmarum olymjnus, Tyjje locality : — Urugalla, 1,600', C.
Thomas & Wrough- Ceylon. (B. N. H. S.— Mayor).
OtJier localities : — Peradeniya
(Green), Kandy, C. Ceylon (B. M.) ;
Peradeniya, Urugalla and Ambawela,
C. Ceylon (M. S. I.).
Tyjje-.—B.M.l^o. 15. 7. 1. 3.
Tyjje locality : — Viziyanagar, My-
sore (B. N. H. S.— Shortridge).
Other localities : — Dharwar District ;
Vizij'anagar and Bangalore, Mysore
(M. S. I.).
Tij2)e:—B. M. No. 13. 4. 10. 39.
4. F. palmarum kelaarti
Layard.
ton.
F. palmarum bellaricus.
Wroughton.
376 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
8. F.bengalensis, Wrowgh- Type locality: — Hazaribagh, Behar.
ton. (B. N. H. S.— Crump).
Other localities : — Hazaribagh Dis-
trict (M. S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 15. 4. 3. 77.
9. F. robertsoni, Wroiigh- Type locality: — Pachmari, Central
ton. Provinces (B. N. H. S. — Crvimp).
OtJier localities : — Nimar ; Berars ;
Central Provinces (M. S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 12. 11. 29. 92.
10. F . wroughtoni, B,y\ej . Type locality: — Srimangala, 2,782',
S. Coorg. (B. N. H. S.— Shortridge).
Other localities : — South Coorg (M.
S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 13. 8. 22. 48.
11. i^. tristriatus tristriatus, Type locality : — " S. India." (? Mala-
Waterhouse. bar).
OtJier localities : — " Madras " (Elliot,
Jerdon); Wynaad ; Travancore (Fer-
guson) (B.M.).
Type:—B. M.No. 55. 12. 24. 112.
12. F. tristriatus numarius, Type locality: — Helwak, Satara
Wroughton. District (B. N. H. S.— Prater).
Other localities : — Western Ghats ;
Kanara ; West Mysore (M. S. I.).
Type:— B.M. 1^0. 15. 7. 3. 26.
13. F. pennanti pennanti, Type locality: — Mandvi, Surat Dis-
Wroughton. trict. (Wroughton).
Other localities : — Sehore, Central
India (Whitehead) (B. M.) ; Khan-
desh ; Nimar ; Berars ; Central Pro-
vinces ; Gwalior ; Dekhan ; Kumaon ;
Behar (M. S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 98.4.2.25.
14. F. pennanti argentescens, Type locality : — Rawalpindi, Punjab
Wroughton. (Major Birrell).
Other localities : — Sind ; North-
West Frontier (B. M.) ; Sind(M.S.I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 5.4.2.3.
15. F. pennanti lutescens, Type locality: — Deesa, Palaupur
Wroughton. State (B. N. H. S.— Crump).
OtJier localities : — Cutch ; Kathia-
war; Palanpur (M. S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 13.9.18.105.
SUMMARY OF TRE INDIAN MAMMAL SURFEY. 377
10. F.layardi, Blyth. Tijpe locality. — Ambegamoa Hills,
Ceylon. (Layard).
Other localities : — Ceylon (Cuming)
(B. M.); Ratnaptira, Ceylon (M.S.I.)
Type : — Ind. Mus. Calc. No. a.
17. F. dravidianus, Robin- Type locality: — Western Ghats,
son. Travancore. (Annandale)
Other localities : — None.
Type:— Ind. Mus. Calc. No. 9773.
18. ^. kathleencB, Thomas Type locality: — Kottawa, Ceylon
and Wroughton. (Mayor).
Other localities : — Kottawa and
Pattipola, Ceylon (M. S. I.).
T.2/^e:—B. M. No. 15.7.1.1.
19. F. suhlineatus, Water- Type locality: — Nilgiri Hills, Mad-
house, ras.
Other localities: — Coonoor (Day);
Kodi Kanal ; Travancore (B. M.) ; S.
Coorg (M. S. I.).
Type:—B.M. No. 55.12.24.321.
(Type of delesserti, Gervais, B. M.
No. 217. a.).
Gen. X. — Menetes.
This genus was separated from
SciURUS by Thomas in 1908 (J. B. N.
H. S., xviii, p. 244).
No. 258. berdmorei, Blyth. Thomas in 1914 (J. B N. H. S.,
xxiii, p. 23) examined this group,
and recognised five geographical
races, of which only two, viz., true berdmorei and decoratus, Thomas,
are found within our area. They may be distinguished as
follows : —
Key to the genus Menetes.
A. — Median dorsal black line and upper
lateral ones present but not con-
spiciTOUs ; underside strongly wash-
ed with buffy ... ... ... 1, berdmorei, }i\.
B. — Median dorsal, and upper lateral, dark
stripes very prominent ; an addi-
tional blackish stripe edging the
belly ; underside and tips of tail-
hairs pure white ... ... ... 2. b. decoratus, Th.
378 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Distribution : —
1. M, berdmorei, Bljth. Tyjje locality :—Tena&sevim. (A. S.
B.— Blyth).
Other localities :— Hangoon ; Marta-
ban ; Tenasserim (B. M.).
Type : — Not traced.
2. M. berdmorei decoratus, Type locality :—M.t. Popa 4,000',
Thomas. Burma (B.M.H.S.— Shortridge).
Other localities :— Mt. Popa (M.S.I.).
Type'.—B. M. No. 14.4.3.4.
Gen. XI. — Tamiops.
This genus was separated by Allen
in 1906 (Bull. Am. Mus. xxii, p.
' 475), and adopted by Thomas in
1908 (J. B. N. H. S. xviiii, p. 246).
Bonhote dealt with this group
No. 257. macclellandi, in 1900 (A. M. N. H. (7), v., p.
Horsf. 50), and recognised eight forms.
Three only of these, however, are
found within Indian limits, viz., tj-pical inacclellandi, and the sub-
species manipurensis and barbei. These may be distinguished as
follows : —
Key to the genus Tamiops.
A. — One dorsal black stripe.
* a. General colour suffused with yellowish . 1 . macclellandi,
Horsf.
6. Colour lighter, greyer, stripes distinct . 2. m. manipurensis,
Bonh.
B. — Three black dorsal stripes S. m. barbei, Bl.
Distribution : —
1. T. 7nacclellandi, Hors- Type locality:— Assam. (McClel-
field. land).
Other localities : — Sadiya, Assam ;
Nepal ; Sikkim ; Bhutan (B. M.) ;
Sikkim ; Darjiling ; Chindwin (M.
S. I.).
Co-tyjjes :—B. M. Nos. 79.11.21.
372 and 373.
Lectotype-.—B. M. No. 79.11.21.
372.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY. 379
2. T. inacclellaTidi manipur- Type locality : — Aimole, ]\Ianiptir.
ensis, Bonhote. (Hume).
Other localities : — Manipur (Hume).
(B. M.); Chin Hills (^lackenzie)
(M. S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 85.8.1.273.
3. T. macclellandi barbei. Type locality : — Te, Tenac^erim
Blyth. (Rev. J. Barbe).
Other localities : — Tavoy ; Tenasse-
rim (B. M.) ; Tenasserim (M. S. I.).
Co-types : — Ind. Mus. Calc. Nos.
c — d.
^To he continued.)
380
ON ASIATIC STARLINGS.
BY
Capt. C. B. Ticehurst, r.a.m.c.
Mr. Kinnear, our Museum Secretary, has asked me to write some notes
on the Starlings which are, or might be, found in India and Mesopotamia
and I must preface my paper on this subject with the remark that this
paper contains nothing very new or original and is simply written as a
guide to those out in the East, who may find some difficulty in identifying
the various races of Starlings they may come across*.
The Group of Starlings {Sturnus) are most interesting and at the
same time rather a difficult one to elucidate and in India a good deal of
misconception exists concerning them. This is no doubt due to the way
in which they are dealt with in the " Fauna of British India." Here Gates
raised all the Starlings to the rank of species, whereas their true status is,
in my opinion, only that of sub-species or geographical races of the European
Starling, (the first to be described, Linnans 1758). Moreover in the Fauna
the nomenclature is somewhat muddled, the descriptions under what is
called Finsch's Starling {SturmLS poltaratskyi) applies to the Sturnus nobilior
of Hume, while poltaratskyi of Finsch (1878) is the correct and oldest name
for the common Indian Starling, which is there called Sturnus menzbieri
of Sharpe (1888), the latter being a synonym.
In general appearance and in the field all the Starlings look alike and
it is impossible to differentiate them except in the hand.f The chief
differences lie in the distribution and character of the varied metallic
reflexions of the feathers. I have heard it stated that such differences are
of no value as the colour of the sheen varies according to the direction of
the light and the way in which the bird is held. Of some sheens this is
undoubtedly true — and in other birds than Starlings — but it is a primary
maxim in all scientific work always to compare two or more things which are
strictly comparable and it will be found that if these Starlings are placed
under similar conditions, their varied sheens are pretty constant in character
for each subspecies, and the correct way is to hold the bird with the bill
towards one and with the light coming from in front.
I will now try and give shortly the distinguishing character of each and
their approximate distribution, and as the question of birds from Mesopo-
tamia concerns many who are interested in Ornithology out in the east I
have included all the known races of Sturnus vulgaris likely to be found
in Asia.
1. Sturnus vulgaris poltaratskyi, Finsch. The Conunon Indian Starling.
This is, Sturnus menzbieri of the Fauna.
Head, throat and ear coverts purple ; mantle and rump green ; upper tail
coverts and scapulars green, the longest feathers often violet blue at the
tips ; wing coverts green, mixed with violet-blue on the larger feathers ;
* Several other forms have been described, of the validity of these I cannot
personally speak, as I have seen no specimens, but since this paper has been written
I have seen a resume of some of these and I have added notes about them and
others taken from Dr. Hartert's paper Novitates XXV, pp. 327-337. (1918)
T At the same time it must be noted that one can in sjood sun lig'ht with
glasses often pick out males with purple wings, backs or heads from those with
jferen reflections in these parts, and early in the winter one can with fair certainty
pick out adult males of nobilior from poltaratskyi by the blacker appearance, due
to the finer and less amount of spotting: of the underparts.
ON ASIATIC STARLINGS. 381
a green pectoral band separates the purple throat from the rest of the under-
parts which are " blue bottle " blue and more violet-blue on the flanks.
Under wing coverts brown with broad buff edges. Wing 124-135 mm. Bill
24-27 mm. from forehead feathers.
This is the breeding bird of Siberia — Krasnoyarsk to Mara-kul and
Saissan Nor and east to Lake Baikal (Hartert). Winter visitor to Hima-
layas as far east as Assam, and to the plains as far south as latitude of
Baroda ; stragglers are recorded from the Deccan and Madras. (Gates.)
2. Sturmis vulgaris nohilior, Hume.
This is the Sturnvs poltaratskyi of the ' Fauna.'
Resembles poltaratskyi, but the belly and flanks bright reddish purple, as
also are the wing coverts. The under tail coverts have a purple gloss. The
scapulars rump and upper tail coverts are mostly green, sometimes mixed
with purple blue, especially on the longer feathers. The underwing is darker
with narrower whitish edges. In winter the spots are smaller and whiter.
The bill is usually a little longer and slenderer, up to 30 mm.
Type locality. Kandahar, Afghanistan ; probably breeds in Afghanistan
and East Persia. Winter visitor to N. W. India, Sind and Punjab.
(Hartert). Gates in the Fauna only gives three occurrences in India, viz.,
Mardan, N. W. India and Munchar Lake in Sind, but it is certainly
commoner than these records would imply.
3. Sturnus vulgaris caucasicus, Lorenz. The Caucasian Starling.
Not mentioned in the " Fauna " and not yet found in India.
Head, throat, ear coverts, mantle, rump, and under-tail coverts green ;
wing coverts, belly, and flanks deep red purple. Under-wing blackish brown
with whitish edges.
Type locality, Kislowodsk. Breeds in Caucasus, mountains of Persia, south
to Shiraz ; in winter at Fao. (Hartert.)
4. Sturnus vulgaris purpurascens, Gould. Gould's Starling.
Head and neck green, back purple variable amount of violet or steel blue
on mantle, wing coverts bronze, breast purple, abdomen bronze at sides.
Undeirwing coverts blackish brown with pale rust coloured edges.
Type locality, Erzerum. Breeds in Asia Minor and Armenia exact boun-
daries unknown. Winters in Cyprus and Asia Minor, Has occurred as a
straggler in the Punjab (Hartert). Gates gives Rawal Pindi and Gurgaon
district as the only two occurrences but in view of the recognition of three
new races (hereafter mentioned) these identifications of purpurascens in
India may have to be altered (see note under dzungaricus) .
5. Sturnus vulgaris porphyronotus, Sharpe. The Central Asian Starling.
Resembles purpurascens ; the head is greenish but the ear coverts always
more or less purple ; the mantle is red purple, in some tinged with purple
blue ; the wing coverts are purple on the median and lesser series, bronze
green on the secondaries and their coverts, and the purple of the belly
shades off to bronze green on the flanks. Bill usually longer than in
poltaratskyi ; underwing blackish-brown with narrow whitish edges.
Hartert gives the wing measurement as 125-133, once 134, once 135, but
I have seen it up to 137 mm.
Type locality, Yarkand. Breeds in Yarkand in Turkestan across Tian-
Shan to Lake Issik Kul and Semiretshensk. In winter visits Afghanistan,
Kashmir, Punjab, Sind and parts of U. P. (Hartert).
6. Sturnus vulgaris humii. Brooks. The Himalayan Starling.
Head, deep purple-blue, redder purple on the throat, chin, and hindneok ;
ear coverts deep metallic green ; mantle coppery red to bronze ; scapulars
382 JOURNAL, BOMB AY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
deep green ; rump and upper tail coverts belly and flanks bronze-green ;
upper wing coverts bronze-green to bluish green ; pectoral band of copper
red is continuous with the throat and passes to the green underparts.
Underwing coverts blackish-brown with narrow whitish edges. Outer-edge
of primaries often whitish. Wings shorter than in the other races except
minor, 119 — 125 mm.
In the first winter plumage I think this race is more heavily spotted
with white than in any other race.
Type locality, Kashmir. Breeds in the Himalayas from Kashmir to Nepal
and in the N. W. Punjab. Spreads out to the plains of the Punjab in
winter and has been obtained at Dinapore, Etawah and in Sind. (Gates)
(see under dresseri).
7. Sturnus vulgaris minor, Hume. The Small Indian Starling.
This is a most interesting and very distinct little Starling ; the whole
head, throat and ear coverts green ; whole of the rest of the upper parts
including the wing coverts red purple ; no distinct pectoral band, the
green of the throat joining the purple breast which shades ofl' to green on
the belly and flanks. Under tail coverts purple.
The wing is shorter than in any other race and measures 110-118 mm.
Not only does this bird look smaller than the other Starlings but it
acquires the yellow hill of the breeding season long before the other winter
visitant Starlings do.
The bill too is slightly smaller than in most of the other races but is
about the same as in small females of poltaratskyi ; the tarsi and toes are
slightly smaller.
Type locality, Larkhana in Sind. It is said to be strictly resident and
breed in the eastern Narra district of Sind from about Rohri southwards
and to extent east as far as Etawah. This last locality is added on the
strength of three birds which Brooks shot at Loyah near Etawah on Janua-
ry 13th, 1872, but I think that this race is not a normal inhabitant of that
district. Excluding island races of Starlings, minor is the most local and
limited in distribution of all and very few Ornithologists have ever met
with it. Judging from the accounts of the earlier writers — Hume, Brooks
and Doig, &c. — this bird inhabits the canal system of Sind in or near culti-
vation where " kandi " (Prosopis spiciyera) jungle abouiids in which trees it
nests, and a few miles from such canals you may search for it in vain ; even
in suitable places it seems to be very local. Considering then its extremely
local distribution, it seems very unlikely that this bird should extend
normally as far east as Etawah from which it is cut off by the vast Sind-
Rajputana desert, and I think it probably that in very dry years in Sind
it may migrate in winter partly or wholly and so reach eastwards to such
localities,
8. Sturnus vulgaris vulgaris, Linnoeus. The Common European Starling.
Not mentioned in the " Fauna " and has not as yet occurred in India.
Head and throat purple, in very old birds, however, it is more or less
green ; ear coverts always green. Scapulars, rump and upper tail coverts
green ; mantle green but always with a purple bronze shimmer, wing coverts
green, violet-blue on the longer feather, breast and belly green, flanks
" blue-bottle " blue, under tail coverts green. Under wing coverts brown
with wide pale rusty brown edges.
Type locality, Sweden. Breeds in Europe, except in Faertie and Azores
(where it replaced by island forms) and in S. E. Europe, where it replaced
by other forms.
Sturnus vulgaris sophiae has been described by Bianchi. Apparently it
only differs from vulgaris vulgaris by having more purplish colour on the head
ON ASIATIC STARLING . 38
especially the crown and throat. It is said to inhabit Eastern Russia,
wintering on the Talysh, passes through the Caucasus to Palestine, Cyprus
and Egypt. I can only remark that a great many west European Starlings
have, as indicated above, the head andthroat purple and I cannot believe
that sophiae is a good race.
Sturnus vulgaris oppenJieimi was described by Neumann and is said to
breed in northern Mesopotamia. It is evidently very close to purpurascens
from which it is said to differ by having the head glossy green with a
purple base, nape steel blue, back blue green and outer webs of secondaries
and their coverts with a bronzy gloss ; upperwing coverts, lower back and
rump purple, underside more or less purple; the glossy green throat and the
colour of the head, nape and rump would seem to distinguish this race too
from 7iobilior.
Sturnus vulgaris dresseri was described by Buturlin. This race appears to
be somewhat intermediate between porphyronotus and nobilior. It is said
to differ from porphyronotus in having the head and throat more purple.
Back, rump and upper tail coverts are more uniform purple but the mantle
has " violet to steel blue and even dark green colours, in fact, the back is
very variable and occasionally quite deep metallic green " (Hartert). This
should distinguish it from nobilior. The wing too is said to be smaller, II
specimens measure 125-131 mm.
The distribution, so far as is known, is to the N. and N. W. of that of
porphyronotus. It ranges from Askabad and Merve to Ferghana, and
according to Buturlin, east as far as Kara-tau. In winter not rare at
Kandahar. In the British Museum there are specimens from Mardan and
Sind (Hartert). Possibly this last may be that recorded by Gates from
Sind as humii ; this specimen requires re-examination as I know of no
other record of humii irom Sind.
Sturnus vulgaris dzungaricus is described by Buturlin who believes this
race nests in Dzungaria. This race seems to be very near nobilior and
dresseri. Hartert says that the birds he has seen are too large (wings
129-135) for the latter and the underwing coverts too light. As this race
has occurred in India (according to Hartert who has examined birds from
Meerut, Mardan, Lvicknow, and llawal Pindi), I append the distinctions
he gives though I must confess that on paper they are very difficult to
visualize.
" The head is green with a strong purplish gloss, or, as Buturlin says,
* bronze purple,' the back is purple, interscapular region, however with
more or less steely -blue green, edges of the wings bronze with more or
less purple gloss."
One of the above birds (the Rawal Pindi one, Biddulph coll.) was labelled
by Sharpe as purpurascens (Fauna i, 524).
Stur7ius vulgaris zaidamensis was described by Buturlin from 2 specimens
from Zaidam and Ta-tschu, N. of Nar.san Mts. It appears to resemble
poltaratsl-yi but has a green head, neck and throat.
Two specimens are not sufficient to separate new races of Starlings on.
General Remarks. — From the above descriptions I think one should be able
to name the majority of specimens ; however in first winter dress when the
plumage is very spotted and the glossy reflections masked, especially in
females (which are always duller than males), considerable difficulty may
be experienced and a few will be impossible to name. Very rough skins
are difficult and sometimes impossible to differentiate as may be readily
imagined when one realizes that the colour sheen depends on the reflection
of lisht from the surface of the feathers.
8-a
384
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY.
No. XYIII — {continued).
Report on the House Rats of India, Burma, and Ceylon.
BY
Martin A. 0. Hinton.
Part II.
{Gonthmed frmn 2Mge 88 of this Volume.)
7. Rattus rattles wroughtoni, subsp. n.
1912. E]:mnys rufescens, variety with white underpai'ts,
Wroiighton, Report No. 6, Dhar\\'ar, /. Bomhay Nat.
Hist. Soc. xxi, p. 1189 ; Ryley, Report No. 9, Mysore,^
vol. xxii, p. 293 ; Report No. 11, Coorg, vol. xxii., p.
Ty2>e:—A male (B. M. No. 98.3.5. 26 ; Original No. §J) collect-
ed at Coonoor, Nilgiri Hills, on 25 December 1897, by Mr. R. C.
Wroughton and presented by him to the British ]Mnseum.
Distrilndion : — Sovithern India ; its range as at present known
extending from Travancore and eastern ]Madura northwards to
Dharwar and eastern Mysore.
Material examined: — 4 ( d) from Coonoor, Nilgiri Hills ; 8 (4 (j ,
45) from Travancore ; 1 ( J ) from eastern Madura ; 1 2 (4 j ,
8 $ ) from South Coorg ; 12 (5 j , 7 $ ) from North Coorg ; 13
(9 c? , 4 ? ) from southern and eastern Mysore ; 13 (8 c5' , 5 $ )
from northern Mysore and Kanara ; and 12(7 j , 5 § ) from Dhar-
war (South Mahr'atta). Total 75 (39 j , 36 $ ).
Descri'ption : — This race differs apparenth^ from arboreus,
narbadoi, gi'irensis and satarce in having the body larger, the head,
tail and ears relatively shorter.
The fur is usuall}'- thick but rather short ; intermixed with it,
particularly upon the back and flanks immediately behind the
shoulders, are short, weak, spiny bristles in greater or less profu-
sion. These bristles are M'hitish in colour ; in some specimens
they are not sufficiently abundant to affect the general quality of
the pelage, but more frequently they are verj- numerous and render
the fur quite harsh to the touch.
The general dorsal coloiir is much more nearly rufous than in
anj" of the other Indian subspecies. The ground colour of the
back is a light reddish brown and it is lined with a greater or less
number of long black hairs; as in other races {cf., p. 87)^
these black hairs seem to be gradually eliminated by bleaching, so
that older specimens have their backs of a purer or clearer
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 385
red-brown than younger examples. The bell}' is pure white or
cream-coloured; the ventral hairs are usually white to their bases
everywhere. The feet are light, whitish or yellowish, above. The
tail is unicoloured, its luie varying from a light brown to dusky.
The mammte were counted in 20 females ; in 19 the formula is
2-3=10, in one 3-3= 12.
The following are the dimensions of the more important speci-
mens : —
CooNOOii, Nilgiri Hills (6.000'); collected by Mr. R. C. Wrough-
ton ; B. M. serial No. 98-3.5—
• 22 y7— s , 11 December 1897 185—218—33—23.
• 24 97- cr,l3 „ „ 154—199—30—22.
•25 97— d , IG , „ 164—200—32—21.
•26 97— 61 d, 25 „ „ 187— 215— 34— 22 (Type).
Tkavancoke (received from the Trivandrum Museum ; B. M.
serial No. 95.10.9.—)—
Poumudi (2,0C0').—
.39 d, 4 Jan. 1895 171—219—33.
.30 c?, 12 Apr. „ 178— —30.
.33 ? , 7 Mar. „ 172—213—35.
Trivandrum —
.34 d , 12 Dec.
.oo $ , oO „
Seenakala —
•36 d , 5 Jan.
Eastern Madura (Marengan, near Saemenep ; B. M.
No. 10.4.7) :—
.19 2168 d , 5 Nov. 1909 185—200—37—20
South Coorg, Wotekolu (2,000') ; collected for the Mammal
Survey by Mr. G. C. Shortridge (B. M. serial No. 13.8.22.—) : -
.73 2316 2 , 1^ Jan. 1913 195—258—35—24.
North Ooorg, Halery Estate (3.555') —
.72 2177 d, 19 Dec. 1912 193— 220— 32.5-22-5.
Southern and Eastern Mysore ; collected for the Mammal
Survey by Mr. G. 0. Shortridge; B. M. serial No. 13.4.11 :—
Seringapatani (2,338') —
.97 1971 2 , 19 Oct. 1912 175—214—32—22
Bangalore (3,113') —
.84 1693 d, 3 Sept. 1912 174—197—33—21. Weight 4J oz.
.87 1715 $ , 7 „ „ 191—230-34-24.
Kolar Town (2,786'— 4,026')—
.89 1779 d, 19 Sept. 1912. 176—205—35—22.
164—212—33—21.5
201—232—35—22-5
„ 189—225—35—22.
169—200—32-5-21.
1894
180-
-190-
-32.
1895
155-
-200-
-32.
1895
180-
-190-
-32.
(Marengan,
near
Saemenep ;
.90 1781
d ,
19
.91 1846
6 ,
23
.92 1766
2
19
.93 1782
$
19
386 JOURNAL, BOMB AY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI
Northern Mysore & Kanara ; collected for the Mammal Survey-
by Mr. G. C. Shortridge ; B. M. serial No. 12.11.28.—
Sagar, Shimoga District (2,500')—
.117 2 , 8 June 1912 193— 32—23
.111 $ , 13 „ ' „ 160— 198— 32— 20.5- Weight 2f oz.
Kardibetta Forest, Shimoga District (2,500') —
.112 1318 s 21 June 1912 '" IGO— 210— 33.5-22-
182— 250— 36-25
170—237—33—22
.113 1333 s 25 „
.114 1320 $ 21 „
Gersappa (sea-level) —
.115 1194 $ 26 May 1912
.116 $ 31 „ „
Weight 3| oz.
5^
^8
177_246— 35— 22- Weight 5^
169—217—34—21
cz.
G,
South Mahratta; collected for the Mammal Survey by Mr.
'C. Shortridge : B. M. serial No. 12.6.29—
11 Dharwar (specimens collected by Mr. 0. Hudson, 1907 ; B. M.
7.11)-
159—160—31—21.
154—176—32—22.
168—190—33—21.
150—181—31—23.
146—178—33—21.
175—200—33—23.
Bubli (2,200')—^
.102 J, 31 Dec. 1911 165— 194— 32— 22-5
Average of 78 adults (head and body ranging between 140 and
204) :—
170— 207— 33-1— 12-8 = 100— 122— 19-5- 12-8.
The following table shows the changes in proportions at different
stages of growth : —
.22.33
S , 7 Sept. 1907
.30.3
6 5 17 Oct. „
.30-4
O 5 J- ' 55 55
.99
c?,30 „ 1911
.101
6 5 '^1 55 55
.22.35
2 , 7 Sept. 1907
Head and body,
mm.
No. of
specimens.
Average per cent, of head nnd body
length formed by H. A: B. Tail.
Hind-foot. Ear.
78
to 81
134
140
to 149
150
to 159
160
to 169
170
to 179
180
to 189
190
to 195
200
to 204
100— 121— 29-9— 19-5
100—136—25
100— 130— 23-2— 14-6
100— 121— 20-5— 13-6
100— 124— 20-3- 13-1
100—122—19 -12-7
100— 118— 18-7— 12-4
100— 121 — 17-3— 11-7
100— 106— l6-8~ll-3
In calculating the above averages use has been made of some of
the measurements recorded by Lloyd (Bee. Indian Mus. iii, p. 60).
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 387
The skull shows a considerable range of variation as regards size,
the condylo-basal length in specimens with the teeth in a half-worn
condition ranging between 36 and 43-2, the average of 20 being
38-6. As regards proportions and form it is quite indistinguish-
able from the skull of E. r. narhadce.
Local variation ; — The material available is quite insufficient for
any attempt at working out in detail the geographical variation of
the species in this region. The qualitjr of the pelage appears to
vary with the individual, although it may also depend largely upon
age, sex, and season. As regards dorsal colour the rats from
Travancore, the Nilgiris and Coorg are the brightest and reddest :
while those from more northerly stations, as Dharwar, tend to be
duller and browner. Specimens from South Coorg and from the
Kardibetta Forest have the tails relatively much longer than they
are in those from the other districts.
Bemarlxs : — Taken as a whole the white bellied rats of Southern
India distinguish themselves from the races of Bengal and the
Central Provinces by their redder backs and by their relatively
shorter tails and ears. I am not able to refer them to any of the
races described above and although conscious of the fact that the
material from the extensive region just covered shows a consider-
able range of variation, I propose to establish a new subspecies for
their reception. The Nilgiri specimens, collected long ago by Mr.
Wroughton, may be regarded as typical ; and the subspecies may
most fittingly be called ii'. r. nroughtoni.
8. Eattus rathis liandiamis, Kelaart.
1850. Mus l-andiamis, Kelaart, /. A. S. Ceylon, vol. ii., p. 32G.
1915. Ejjimijs Icandiamis, Wroughton, /. Bombay N. H. Soc,
vol. XXIV., p. 49. (Full synonymy in Wroughton's
paper just cited.)
Type : — A specimen from Newera Eliya, presented by Dr.
Kelaart to the British Museum (No. 52.5.9.26), exactly corres-
ponds with the original description and has been selected by
Wroughton as the lectotype. The lectotype is accompanied by
two other specimens presented by Dr. Kelaart (Nos. 52.5.9.24
and 25) and labelled as co-types of l-andiamis ; but these as pointed
out by W^roughton are referable to E. lielaarti, Wroughton.
BistrUmiion : — This is common throughout Ceylon, where it
ranges from the sea-coast up to the highest altitudes.
Material examined, : — In addition to Kelaart's specimens I have
studied 59 (of which about 50 are adult) from various parts of the
island and all obtained by the Mammal Survey.
Bescription : — In general outward appearance, and in its short and
frequently spiny h\Y, this subspecies is much like E. r. nroughtoni ;
it is distinguished from the latter by its relatively longer tail
9
388 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
(averaging 132 instead of 122 per cent, of the head and bod}''
length). The dorsal colour is a bright rufous brown, separated by
a sharp flank line of demarcation from the pure white or cream
belly. The latter sometimes has a distinct yellow tinge, which
occasionally deepens to orange ; in one specimen, a bright band of
orange extends across the throat on to the fore limbs. The ventral
hairs are usually light coloured to their bases, but sometimes
on the chest, or along the mid-ventral line, some have slaty
bases. The feet are usually white or light yellowish brown above.
The tail is unicoloured and light brown. The female^ have 10
mammse.
Some specimens from Udugama (S. P.) have dark backs, soiled
bellies, and darker feet (in one quite dusky) than usual. These at
first sight look like helaarti ; but their fur is short, harsh and
spiny, and I have no doubt they are correctly referred to the
present form.
The following are the dimensions of the specimens whose skulls
were specially examined : —
15.3.1.189 5 , 3 April 1913 174—195—30—21 Colombo.
.190
.191
.193
.202
.205 s
.215 s-
6
6
2
2
Udugama.
21 „ „ 174—190—32—20
30 „ „ 180— 246— 35— 23-5
30 „ „ 175—237—28-5^23
14 July „ 129—195—30—20 Kambukken.
6 Aug. „ 168—193—31.5—21.5 Maha Oya.
11 Feb. 1914 178—210—33.5-
21 Kandy.
153— 202— 31-4- 21-2
Do. % of H. & B. length ;— 100—132— 2C-5— 13-9
The 59 Survey specimens give the following growth table ; —
Average of 28 adults : —
Head and body
length mm.
No. of
specimens.
Average per cent, of H. & B. formed
by H. & B. Tail. Hind-foot. Ear.
96 117
120 129
130 139
140 149
150 159
160 169
170 180
6
5
11
13
13
5
6
100 141 25-7 16-8
100 141 23-7 15-6
100 133 22-8 14-7
100 132 21-4 14-2
100 128 20-3 13-6
100 118 19-4 12-6
100 121 18-2 12-2
96 180
59
100 130 21-2 14
The skull does not differ from that of B. r. tvroucjhtoni.
Remarlis : — R. r. hancliamis cannot be said to be sharply differ-
entiated from B. r. tvrmightoni ; it does not seem ever to attain the
large dimensions reached by some of the mainland specimens, and
SCIENTIIIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 389
its tail is relatively longer. As it has received a name and is an
island form, it is convenient to continue to regard handianus as
distinct, at all events until a similarly good series of specimens
comes to hand from the south of India.
9. Rattus rattus gangutrianus, subsp. n.
1914. JEfimys nifescens, variety with white underparts,
Wroughton, Keport No. 15, Kumaon. /. Bombay Nat.
Hist. Soc, xxiii., p. 295.
Type:—K male (B. M. 14.7.10.127; Original No. 4258) collect-
ed at Ranibagh, Naini Tal, on 25 December 1913, by Mr. 0. A.
Crump for the Mammal Survey ; pi'esented to the National Collec-
tion by the Bombay Natural History Society.
Distribution: — Kumaon; at altitudes ranging from 1,100' to
7,650'.
Material examined : — 14 (5 c? , 9 5 ) from Ramnagar (1,100') ; 4
(1 c? , 3 § ) from Dela, Ramnagar (1,500') ; 1 f § ) from Jerna,
Ramnagar (1,500'); 10 (6 j , 4 $ ) from Sitabani (2,000') ; 2 ( c? ;
from Ranibagh, Naini Tal (2,500') ; 7 (5 c? , 2 $ ) from Katighat
(3,800') ; 7 (5 d , 2 2 ) from Takula (5,350') ; 8 (3 c? , 5 $ ) from
Almora (5,500'); 33 (13 j, 20 $) from Lohaghat, Almora
(5,600') ; 2 ( c? ) from Bhowali, Naini Tal (5,700') ; 1 ( d ) from
Naini Tal (7,000'); 8 (2 c? , 6 $ ) from Khati, Pindar Valley
(7,650'); 5 (4 c^, 1 $) from Lwarket (6,000'); 4 (2 c? , 2 § )
from Bageswar (3,200'). Total 106 (51 c? , 55 $ ). All collected
by Mr. C, A. Crump for the Mammal Surve}^; those presented
to the British Museum have been registered under the serial number
14.7.10.
Description ; — This well marked subspecies attains a larger size
than do those dealt with above ; the head and body length ranges
between 130 and 187 mm. — specimens measuring from 150 to 170
being most numerous. The tail is relatively shorter than in the
lowland forms, the difference being most marked in younger stages
of growth.
'Typically the fur is dense, long and soft, rarely developing spines.
The dorsal coloration is far colder than in the hill races of Sikkim
and considerably lighter as a rule than in the lowland subspecies
narbadce and girensis. Usually the ground colour of the back and
flanks is a light but cold grey or jj-ellow and it is lined with a variable
number of long black hairs ; the latter are most abundant along the
mid-dorsal line, especially towards the rump, where they not in-
frequently form a noticeable black stripe which extends on to the
root of the tail. The bellies are very softly furred, pure white as a
i-ule, but sometimes tinged with pale yellow, and always sharply and
regular contrasted with the dark flanks. The majority of the ventral
l^airs are light coloured to their bases ; but on the chest and along the
390 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
mid-ventral line they have, in many specimens slaty bases and/or
ai'e tipped wich buff, so that a more or less obvious yellowish pector-
al stripe and collar may be developed. Bright ochraceous hairs are
frequently developed around the genitalia. The tail is usually more
pallid than in the other subspecies, its colour being a light brown
amounting sometimes to little more than dirty white ; sometimes,
but usually in young specimens, it is comparatively hairy and very
slightly paler below than above. The feet are light above, almost
white, but frequently showing dusky markings in old individuals.
The not inconsiderable variations of colour perceptible in this
subspecies are noticed below under Local Variation ; in part they
have a local value, but in part they appear to be connected with
diffei'ences of age or development.
The mammse were counted in 22 females; in 18 the formula is
3-3=12 while in 4 only is it 2-3=10.
The following are the dimensions of the more important speci-
mens : —
Ranibagh, Naini Tal (2,500')—
.126 4225 c?, 24 Dec. 1913 182—229—36—25. Weight 6^ oz.
.127 4258^,25 „ „ 183—228—35—25. „ 6^ „
Ramnagar (1,100')— (Type).
.116 4047 cJ, 5 Dec. 1913 177— 224— 34— 25 „ S^oz.
.117 4066 J, 7 „ „ 164—211—35—25 „ 4^ „
.118 4156 $ , 13 „ „ 163—218—34—22 „ 4^ „
.119 4159$, 13 „ „ 165— 34—24
Dela, Ramnagar (1,500') —
.128 4273 5 , 6 Jan. 1914 162—222—34—25
SiTABANI (2,000')—
.132 3959 s , 20 Nov. 1913 166—204—33—22 Weight. 5^ oz.
.133 3987 c5,24 „ „ 187—214—37—28 „ 6| „
.134 3971 $ , 20 „ „ 157—202—33—23 „ 4^ „
Ratighat (3,800')—
.129 3917 c?, 31 Oct. 1913 161—214—34—23
.130 3921 6 , 1 Nov. „ 157—212—33—22. Weight 4i oz.
.131 3923$, 2 „ „ 168—213—33—24 „ 5" „
Takula (5,350')—
.124 3855 c?, 12 Oct. 1913 179— 221— 34— 26. Weight 6^oz.
.125 3841 $ , 9 „ „ 170—208—33—24
LoHAGHAT (5,600')
.121 4363 c5 , 5 Feb. 1914 159—196—31—23. Weight 5^ oz.
.122 4366 $ , 5 „ „ 150—196—32—22
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 391
Khati (7,650')—
.112 3573 5, 22 Aug.
$ , 8 Sept.
2,
2,
.113 3691
.114 3692
.115 3701
8
9
H
4
5
.111 3700 s , 9 Sept. 1913 160—189—32—23. Weight 5 oz.
162—187—29—23
173_2li_32— 25
■158—188—30—22
170—200—33—25 „
LWAEKHET (6,000')—
•123 3782 c?/24 Sept. 1913 163—208—34—25. Weight 6 oz.
Average of 105 adults from Kumaon— 157— 195— 32-5- 23-4
„ % of head and body = 100— 124— 20-7- 14-9
The following table shows the variation in the proportions at
successive stages of growth : —
Head and body.
No. of
Average % of head and body length
mm.
specimens.
formed by H. & B., Tail, Hind-foot, Ear
130 to 139
8
100 125 23 16-4
140 to 149
19
100 124 22-2 15-8
150 to 159
34
100 123 20-8 14-9
160 to 169
32
100 126 20-1 14-4
170 to 179
12
100 121 19-1 14-3
180 to 187
3
100 126.5-19-6 14-1
It would appear frona this table, that, as in B. r. tistce, the tail
is relatively much shorter in younger or smaller individuals than it is
in the corresponding stages of growth of the lowland subspecies ;
and fui'ther that its relative length does not decrease so rapidly or
regularly with growth or increased size as in lowland forms.
The skull is large (average condylo-basal length 40*8), agreeing
in this respect and in cranial and intertemporal breadths with
-R. r. alexandrinus. The temporal wings of the parietals are large,
their lengths being equal to at least half the full length of the
squamosals ; the parietals articulate with the supraoccipital above
the temporal lines by means of broad tongues. The nasals are
distinctly larger ; the palatal length of the anterior palatal foramina,
the width of the masseteric plate and the length of the tooth-row
are distinctly greater relatively than in the European races. The
post-molar length is shorter relatively, and this seems to be due to
a shortening of the pterygoid fossse.
The skull is distinctly larger than in any of the subspecies des-
cribed above and the proportional measurements given in Table II
sufficiently bring out the many small points of difference between
them.
Local variation : — In his report upon the Kumaon collection
(op. cit., p. 296) Mr. Wroughton remarks that " the coloration at
several, especially of the higher, stations, is extraordinarily constant
392 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vtl. XX VL
for each locality, while noticeably differing from that of other
stations". This is perfectly true. But on studying these rats
closely it becomes apparent, moreover, that at each locality the
coloration of the adult pelage is affected by a series of changes,
which, whether produced by gradual replacement of hairs, by bleach-
ing, or by a combination of both processes, seems to be intimately
connected with growth or size. Observations lead me to think
that similar changes take place continuously in all the Indian sub-
species of R. rattus.
In the series from Kamnagar a transition from a younger cold
grey pelage, with numerous black hairs, to an older, brighter and
yellow pelage may be observed. In 6 small rats (H. & B. 139-
155) the tails are short, fine-scaled and slightly paler below than
above ; the feet in 1 show a faint dusky mark, but in the others
they are quite white above. In 6 large rats (H. & B. 164-177)
the black hairs are rather abundant along the spines, but less
numerous towards the flanks ; in these the ground colour varies
from grey, through brown, to light yellow, but it is always distinct-
ly warmer in tone than in the dark bellied " rnfescens " from this
locality. In 3 of the large specimens the hairs on the chest and
mid-ventral line have slaty bases and more or less evident buff tips.
The feet are whitish in all ; and purest in those specimens in which
all the ventral hairs are white throughout.
In all the specimens from Sitabani the fur is soft and long ; the
bellies pure white, save for a small spot on the chest where, in
several individuals, the hairs have slaty bases. In 6 (H. & B. 138-
152) the dorsal ground colour is greyish yellow and is rather exten-
sively darkened by black hairs ; in all the feet are white above
without dusky markings. No. 3971 (H. & B. 157), with mode-
rately worn teeth, has the back and feet as in the small or imma-
ture specimens. No. 3986 (H. & B. 164) has rather more yellow
and less black on the back and its feet show a faint dusky mark.
No. 3969 (H. & B. 166) is still brighter and the dusky
mark, particularly on the right foot, is more distinct. Lastly No.
3987 (H. & B. 187), a very old specimen, has the back of a cold
grey mottled with a good deal of gre^dsh black ; the feet show a
distinct dusky stripe above.
The long series from Lohaghat is really very uniform. The
ground colour of the back varies between greyish and yellowish
brown, more or less darkened along spine and over the rump by
black hairs ; the latter show some tendency to form a median
stripe towards the tail-root. The under-parts are usually pure
white to the hair bases, but a small chest spot of slaty based hairs
is frequently present. In several there are faint indications of a
mid-ventral stripe of buff; and in some of the specimens the whole
ventral surface is suffused with pale lemon or bright buff. The feet
SCIENTIFIC REtSULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 3f3
are greyish white in most, but sometimes they are lightly tinged
with yellow. The tails are dark and tinicoloured.
In 5 of the specioiens from Taknla (H. & B. 144-171) the backs
are much darkened by numerous black hairs. One of them, No.
384G (H. & B. 161), has a pale line, convex backwards, curving
across the shoulders and looking as though it had been produced by
a bleaching of the hair tips ; another No. 384 (H. & B. 170) is
noticeably paler over the head and shoulders than behind. No.
3855 (H. & B. 179), the largest specimen of this series, is paler
than any of the others and as regards colour falls well into line
with the Lohaghat series.
All the specimens from Kumaon, except those mentioned below,
are soft furred rats and although they vary locally to some extent
in colour and size they are all clearly referable to one subspecies.
In working through the collection I have received the impression
that the dorsal coloration of adults passes regularly through the
following seqiTence of changes : — the backs are at first dull greyish
black ; then the ground colour changes from cold grey to bright
yellow and the blackness of tht? long hairs appears to become more
intense ; next bleaching of the hair tips starts on the head on
shoulder, and the black hairs apparently become confined to the
rump ; lastl}^ the bleaching extends over the whole dorsal
surface which tends to become of a uniform yellow-brown.
Some such sequence of changes seems to apply to other subspecies
also, e.g., arhoreus and narhadw.
It is very difficult to decide whether these changes are connected
simply with growth and advancing age, or whether they follow
upon each renewal of the coat. I can only leave the matter to
future investigation with the following inconclusive statement : —
The occasional occurrence of small rats with yellow-brown backs
and of large, and in some cases undoubtedly very old, rats with
cold grey tints seems to imph' that these changes take place as
often as the coat is renewed and therefore that the cycle is repeat-
ed often in the life-time of the individual. On the other hand the
whole collection before me shows clearly enough that cold grey
and yellow-brown are the prevailing tints of small and large rats
respectively.
The specimens collected by Mr. Crump at Khati and Lwarkhet,
the two highest stations at which rats of this species were found,
are of great interest. They are distinguished from those of most
of the lower stations by having short, harsh and sometimes spiny
fur. The dorsal colour is a warm brown, about as in brighter
examples of " rvfescens". The bellies are white or yellowish ;
and in some specimens many of the rather long and rough ventral
hairs have slaty bases. The feet are light brown with occasional
dusky markings. The skulls are noticeably smaller than in typical
394 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL RIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
gangutriamis, the condylo-basal length in 5 from Khati ranging
between 36*4 (teeth moderately worn) to 39-4 (teeth much worn) ;
but they do not differ in form or proportions from those of the
lower stations. The females also are usually 1 2-mamma3d. I have
been much puzzled by these rats ; but I am not able to convince
myself that they are subspecifically distinct from gangutrianus.
The specimens taken at Bageswar closely resemble those from
Khati in external appearance ; but they have the skull as large as
in those from Almora and Naini Tal. On the other hand the
soft-furred, cold tinted rats of Lohaghat have skulls as small as
those from Khati. Further, while 12 of those from Ramnagar, the
lowest station of all yielding white bellied rats, resemble typical
gangutrianus in colour and pelage, 2 others from this locality are
almost indistinguishable from the Khati series. It would seem
therefore that all must be referred to one subspecies, which, like
all other forms of rattiis,ha,s a very plastic constitution and shows
a well marked tendency to produce peculiar local races wherever
segregation is possible.^
Remarlis : — Typical gangutrianus is readily distinguishable from
the soft-furred subspecies of Sikkim and Bhutan by its much
more pallid dorsal coloration ; and from the lowland races arhoreus,
narhada; and girensis by its much longer, denser and softer fur —
particularly noticeable on the ventral surface. The presence of
12 mammse instead of 10 in most of the females and the large size
of the skull are features suggesting affinity with B. r. sihhimensis ;
the temporal muscles however, are apparently weak as in most
subspecies of rattus and the posterior region of the skull is corres-
pondingly little modified.
10. Rattus rattus siMimensis, subsp. n.
1916. Fj2nmys rufescens, variety with white underparts.
Wroughton, Report No. 23, Sikkim and Bengal Terai.
/. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. vol. xxiv., p. 489 (in part).
Type:— A female (B. M. No. 17.7.2.46; Original No. 677)
collected for the Mammal Survey by N. A. Baptista, on 1 Sept-
ember 1914, at Pashok, Sikkim (3,500'); presented to the British
Museum by the Bombay Natural History Society.
Material examined: — 24 (15 s , ^ $ ) from Pashok; 2 ( $ ) from
Singhik; 2 ( c? and $) from Ringin ; 3 (1 J , 2 $) from
Rongli; 19 (9 c? , 10 $) from Gopaldhara, Sikkim. Further 2
( 5 ) from Hazimara, Bhutan Douars ; and possibly If?) from
^. It is just possible that the difference in pelage between those from Khati
and Lwarkhet on the one hand and those from most of the lower stations on the
other may be seasonal. The collections from Khati, Lwarkhet and Bag-eswar
were made between the end of August and the beginning of October ; those from
the other localities between October and February.
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 395
Jalpaiguri, Bengal. Total 53 (26 c? > 27 $); all collected for
the Mammal Survey by Messrs. C. A. Crump and N. A. Baptista.
Specimens presented to the British Museum have been mostly
registered under the serial number 15.9.1.
BescriiAion : — This is a distinctly larger form than B. r. tistce its
companion at Pashok ; the head and body averages 154 instead of
147 ; the ear 22.4 instead of 21.3 ; and the condylo-basal length
of the skull 41.4 instead of 37.8. The tail is relatively longer,
its average length being equal to 131 per cent, instead of 124 per
cent, of the head and body measurement.
The fur is soft and thick on the back and flanks and does not show
any tendency to become spinj^ ; on the underparts it is long but with
a peculiar, rather harsh appearance. The dorsal colour in the
typical series is a dark olive-brown, quite like that of R. r. tistce
from the same locality. The belly is pure white or cream coloured;
the ventral hairs being white or cream to their bases. The lateral
lines of demarcation are sharp and regular. The hands and feet
are greyish or yellowish white above, with or without more or less
obscure dusky markings. The tail is unicoloured and dusky.
The mammary formula of the females is apparently constantly
3—3=12.
The following are the dimensions of the more important speci-
mens from Pashok : —
236 c? , 27 June 1915 146—190—33—23
„ 160—208—31—22
^, 170— 34—25
„ 172—222—34—24
,, 174_ 34—24
„ 170—215—32—23
„ 165—209—31—23
, 174_217— 32— 24 (Type.)
Average of 24 adults with head and body ranging between 128
and 174 ;—
154—201—32.2—22.4 = 100—131—20.9—14.6.
The variation in the proportions with growth is as follows : —
286
6,
2 July
502
d ,
31 „
511
d ,
1 Aug.
645
6 ,
21 „
426
2,
21 July
473
2,
26 „
677
2,
1 Sept.
Head and body,
mm.
No. of
specimens.
Average % of head and body length
formed by H. & B., Tail, Hind-foot, Ear
128 to 139
140 to 149
150 to 159
160 to 169
170 to 174
100—142—24 —16.1
100—134—22.1—15
100—132—20.7—14.7
100—130—19.2—14
100—127—19.3—14
10
396 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
The skull is characterized by its large size (condylo-basal length
averaging about 41 mm.), robust build and by features indicating a
powerful development of the temporal muscles. While the cranial
and occipital breadths are, in relation to the condylo-basal length,
about as in European rattus, the least intertemporal distance is
greatly diminished — being usually equal to considerably less than 30
per cent, of the condylo-basal length, or 70 per cent, of the cranial
width. The temporal lines are in contact with the interparietal,
so that the parietals have no intertemporal articulation with the
supraoccipital. The temporal wing of each parietal is large, its
length being equal to at least half the full length of the squamosal.
Minor differences in the proportions of the palate, tooth-rows and
bullse, will be best appreciated from the comparisons made in
Table II.
Local variation : — This subspecies appears to be rather widely
distributed in Sikkim ; specimens were obtained by the Survey from
Singhik, Ringin, Rongli and Gopaldhara, as well as from Hazimara
(Bhutan), in addition to the type locality. The specimens
from each locality are usually very uniform among themselves,
but often they are more or less readily distinguishable from
those from the other localities by various peculiarities of colour and
pelage. The cranial characters, large size and the presence of 1 2
mammte in the females prove to be very constant features
everywhere.
Singhik (4,600')—
5885 2, 8 Feb. 1914 145^181—31—22
•145 5886 $,8 „ „ 168—188—32—24
These have rather brightly coloured backs and pure white bellies.
The larger specimen shows 12 mammse; its skull (condylo-basal
length 39-5 ; teeth half-worn) is quite typical.
EiNGIN (6,000') —
•146 6222 s, 16 Jan. 1915 159— 188— 34— 23- Weight 4 oz.
6223 2,16 „ „ 131—163—31—21 „ 2^,,
These are very soft furred rats, with dark backs and pure^ white
underparts; the feet are light with an obscure dusky stripe on
upper surface. The skull of the male, although small (condylo-
basal length 37-5 ; teeth nearly half- worn), is quite typical in form
and proportions.
Rongli (2,700')—
•138 5857 d , ^6 Nov. 1914 177— 230— 36— 25- Weight 6 ozs.
5824$, 21 „ „ 155—212—32—23 „ 4^ „
•140 5835$, 23 „ „ 162—203—34—23 „ 4 ,
Average of 8 :— 150— 192— 32-7-22-6
T)o <y 100— 128— 21-8-15-1
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 397
The dorsal colour is relatively dull in this series ; the females
The skulls are quite
5824
and 5835 each show 12 mamniEe.
typical in their large size and form.
GOPALDHARA (4,720')—
The following are the dimensions of the most important speci-
mens from this locality : —
15 175-
190-
166—
169—
143—
151—
155_200— 32-2-22-1
100— 129— 20-8-14-3
64 c?,
12 May
1915
175-
231 35
-22
108 6,
21 „
55
190-
237 34
61 ?,
11 „
55
166-
210 33
-25
65 $,
12 „
55
169-
208 32
-23
96 $,
19 „
55
143-
189 32
-23
138 2,
29 „
5)
151-
194 29
-22
Average of 19 adults : —
Do. %
Twenty collected at this locality give the following growth table :—
Head and Body,
mm.
No. of
specimens.
Average % of head and body length
formed by : H.B., Tail, Hind-foot, Ear.
110
134 to 139
140 to 149
150 to 158
162 to 169
175
190
100—139—27.3—18.2
100—127—22.3—15
100—128—22.4—15.2
100—131—20.3—14.5
100—128—20.2—13.9
100—132—20 —12.6
100—125—17.9
This series differs very noticeably from the typical H. r. sikM-
mensis from Pashok in having the backs distinctly rufous and the
feet rather lighter; in other respects, e.g., pure white bellies, the
presence of 1 2 mammae in the females, and the cranial characters,
there is the closest agreement. If siliMmensis could have been spe-
cifically distinguished from rattiis, then the Gopaldhara form might
well have been treated as a distinct subspecies of the former.
Hazimara, Bhutan (500') —
1064, V 5 Nov. 1915 163—220—33—24
1391, 2 13 Jan. 1916 170—225—32—25
Of 111 specimens of -R. ra^^?(s collected at this locality these 2
pure white bellied females alone represent jB. r. sikhimetisi's. They
are distinguished from R. r. hhotia by their large size and the pre-
sence in them of 12 mammse. The skull of 1064 was specially
examined and found to agree perfectly with that of typical siJcki-
mensis and to be very different from the other skulls from Hazi-
mara ; the circumstance that its teeth were heavily stained with
398 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
black, while those of the skulls of hhoiia were unstained, suggests
that possibly sikMmensis is addicted to a special diet at Hazimara.
Jalpaiguri, Bengal (200') ?
A skull (B.M. 15.9.1.155), labelled as belonging to the female
of a pair collected at this place, is clearly referable to siklimensis.
The two skins and the male skull (15,9.1.154) show the Jalpaiguri
animal to be a 10 mammeed form much like R. r. bhotia in char-
acter; and I do not think the skull .155 can belong to either skin.
Possibly some confusion in labelling has taken place.
11. Rattus rattus Jvhyensis, subsp. n.
1914. Mpimijs rufescens, var. with white underparts, Wroughton,
Eeport No. 14, /. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. vol. xxii.,
p. 722; Report No. 16, Journ. cit., vol. xxiii., p. 474 ;
Report No. 20, Journ cit., vol. xxiv., p. 307 ; [Rattus)
Report No. 25, ibid, p. 771 (in part).
Type:— A female (B.M. No. 16.3.26.57 ; Original No. 251)
collected on 29th March 1915 on the Chin Hills at a point 25
miles west of Kindat faltitude 600') bj^ Mr. J. M. D. Mackenzie ;
presented to the British Museum by the Bombay Natural History
Society.
Material examined: — Chin Hills 10 (6 c? » 4 5 ) ; Kin, Lower
Chindwin, 3 (1 c? , 2 $ ) ; North Shan States :— Gokteik 15 (S s ,
125) and Pyaungguang 13 (6 j , 7 $ ); Dry Zone : — Mount Popa
20 (11 cJ , 9 $ ) and Pagan 3 (1 ^ , 2 $ ) ; Pegu 5 (3 ^ , 2 $ ). Total
69 (31 cj, 38$). The whole of the material is due to the Mammal
Survey : —
Description : — This is a bright coloured, red-backed and short
tailed race, with the auditory bullas considerably smaller than in
E. r. tatho7iensis described below.
In the typical series from the Chin Hills, the fur is short, thin
and soft, being rarely mixed with soft spines or bristles. The dorsal
colour is rufous, more or less conspicuously lined with long black
hairs. The lines of demarcation along the flanks are sharply defined.
The belly is pure white or cream, the ventral hairs being light to
their bases ; in two or three specimens, a weak mid-ventral longitu-
dinal stripe formed b}^ slaty hairs is present. The feet are dirty
white. "The tail is unicoloured, dark brown, and its length averages
about 111 % of the head and body measurement. Even the youngest
specimens before me may be distinguished from R. macmillani, the
dusky species from the Upper Chindwin described below, by their
red backs and far lighter feet. The females have 12 mammjB.
Specimens from the North Shan States — Gokteik and Pyaung-
gauug — closely resemble the typical series in all essential respects and
they have similarly short tails. In many of them the dorsal fur is mixed
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 399
with soft bristles or spines. In 9 the belly is pure white through-
out ; but it frequently shows a narrow pectoral stripe of slaty hue,
and this is expanded in 5 to form a collar. In 5 others, many of
the ventral hairs have slaty bases ; and in 1, (No. 2965 S from
Pyaunggaung), all the ventral hairs have slaty bases, light tips and
those in the middle line show the beginning of a median stripe of
buff. Of 14 females examined 11 had 12 mammae, 1 had 11, and 2
had 10.
The specimens from Mount Popa and Pagan have short, thin
and relatively very spiny coats ; their tails are rather longer,
averaging about 120 per cent, of the head and body length. The
average dorsal colour strikes me as being rather paler or yellower
than in those from the Chin Hills and the North Shan States. The
bellies are pure white or cream ; and although 9 have a more or less
evident trace of a pectoral slaty stripe, which spreads out anteriorly
to form a collar in one specimen, they are much more uniform in
ventral appearance than are those from Gokteik and Pyaunggaung.
All the females examined show 12 mammae.
The specimens from Pegu are also long tailed, the tail averaging
121 % of the head and body length. These perhaps are a
little duller than in the typical series ; the bellies vary from pure
cream to dirty white. The females have 12 mammas.
The following are the dimensions of the more important speci-
mens ; —
Chin Hills (B. M. serial No. 16.3.26.)—
.54 234 s , 28 Feb. 1915 183— 194— 34— 22-5 weight 4 oz.
.55 244 J, b Mar. „ 160— 176— 33-5-22-5 „ 3^ „
.56 235 2,12 „ „ 181—175—33-5-23 „ 5" „
.57 251 5 , 29 „ „ 166—184— 32— 22-5
North Shan States (B.M. serial No. 14.7.8.)—
•38 2741 J , 20 Apr. 1913 178—197—34—23 Gokteik.
.39 3043 d , 13 May „ 195—222—35—24 6| oz. Pyaung-
gaung.
., 180—192—33—23 do.
,. 166—181—32—23 do.
,, 190—211—34.5-25 5^ „ do.
^^ 173_199_34_21 do.
„ 158—168—31—21 do.
Average of 24 :— 168—186—32.8-22.9
„ % of head and body .-— 100— 111— 19.6-13.6
Mount Popa (B. M. serial No. 14.7.19.)—
.40 3044 c?,
13
.41 3046 J
,13
.42 2975 2 ,
6
.43 2977 2 ,
6
.44 3045 2 ,
13
.159 3520 J .
2
Sept.
1913 181-
-217-
34
25
.160 3921 J.
29
,5
5)
173-
-213-
33
24
.161 3447 2 ,
29 Aug.
)5
160-
-200-
-33.5
-23
.162 3459 2 ,
30
5)
5J
170-
-222-
-33.5
-22
.163 3751 2 , 18 Sept. „ 160—195—32—22
4041 s , 13 Oct,
.1913
4162 5,24 „
))
4018 $,12 „
>)
Pegu
568 J,
9 Feb.
671 d,
1 June
673 J,
17 „
655 $,
13 May
734 2,
4 Aug,
400 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Average of 17 :— 164—198—32.2-22.1.
„ % ofhead and body :— 100—121—19.6-13.5
Pagan (B. M. serial No. 14.7.19.)—
125—158—30—20
153—189—30—20
168—196—31.5-22
1916 156— 180— 32— 20-5
171_214— 33— 22
164—205—31—20
159—188—32—22
162— —33—22
Average of 5:— 162— 197— 32-2-21-3
„ X of head and body :— 100— 121— 19-9-13-2
The skull and teeth are of normal form ; the cranial dimensions
are given in the tables I {e) and II {e) in part III. The auditory
bull^ are intermediate in size between those of R. macmillani and
JR. T. tatkonensis (see part III, tables II (e) and II (h) ).
Bemarks : — At first I was inclined to refer this form to Blyth's
Mi^s rohustulus. The type of the latter species has, however, been
carefully described by Kloss recently {Bee. Indian Mus., xiii., 1917,
p. 6) ; the measurements of the skull given by Kloss appear to me to
indicate that rohustulus really belongs to an entirely distinct group.
12. Battus rattus tikos, subsp. n.
1915. Mpimys rufescens, variety with white underparts, Wrough-
ton. Report No. 17, /. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc, vol. xxiii., p. 715.
Tyjje:— A male (B. M. No. 14.12.8.168; Original No. 4934)
collected on 13 March 1914 at Tenasserim Town by Mr. G. C.
Shortridge; presented to the British Museum by the Bombay
Natural History Society.
Material examined: — Tenasserim Town 6 (3 d" , 3 $ ) ; Tenasserim
Village 3 (1 d , 2 $ ) ; Banlaw 1 ( $ ) ; Tagoot 20 (13 d , 7 $ ) ;
Thaget 5 (3 c^ , 2 $); Maliwun 4 (1 s, 3 $); Bankachon 12
(6 c? , 6 $ ); Victoria Point 41 (22 j , 19 $ ) ; Victoria Island 4
(2 cf , 25). Total 96 (51 d > 45 $ ) ; of these 59 may be regarded
as fully adult.
Description : — This is geographically the most remote of the races
of B. rattus described in this paper. It is apparently most closely
allied to B. r. khyensis, from which it is distinguished principally
by its dingier coloration, shorter tail and more variable mammary
formula. As regards the shortness of the tail, it is most nearly
approached by the typical specimens of khyensis from the Chin
Hills ; but as regards the variability in the mammse, those from
the North Shan States seem to foreshadow the present form.
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 401
The fnr is short, moderately thick and frequently rather spiny.
The general dorsal colour is dull, near " Front's brown" or umber,
lined with black ; the belly is sharply contrasted with the flanks,
pure white or cream in colour, and frequently developes a median
pectoral longitudinal stripe of slate tint. The feet are light yellow-
ish brown, more or less darkened above by dusky markings. The
tail is unicoloured, dark brown, and averages about 108 ^1^ of
the head and body length. The mammas are visible in 26 of the
females ; of these 8 only show the full formula of 3-3-12, 9
show 11, and 9 show 2-3-10; the variation is confined to the
pectoral region, one of the post-axillary pairs being in course of
redviction.
The following are the dimensions of the more important speci-
mens : —
10 Mar. 1914 180—177—36 -23-5 6 oz. Teuasse-
rim Town.
„ 173—191—35.5-21-5 6 „
„ 169—183—33 —19
,, 168—179—32 —20
„ 158—168—32 —21
1913189— —35 —23
,^ 156— 177— 33-5-21-5
^, 172—177—34-5-21
„ 161—181—35 —22
•167 4916 s,
10 Mar.
•168 4934 J,
13 „
•169 4926 $,
12 „
•170 4996 s,
27 „
•171 5028 $,
3 Apr.
•164 4540 s ,
17 Dec.
•165 4417 $,
7 „
•166 4660 $ ,
31 „
•174 4246 S:
26 Nov.
•175 4247 s ,
26 „
•176 4260 c?,
27 „
•177 4351 d,
29 „
•178 4263 2 ,
27 „
•179 4364 $
,30 „
•180 4366 2
,30 „
•181 4392 2
, 1 Dec.
182 4375 J
, 30 Nov
•183 4376 c?
,30 „
•184 4343 2
,28 „
•185 4378 2
, 30 „
Tha
get.
',
Bankachon.
oz.
Victoria
Point.
172—161—33 —21 4f
162—188—34 —21
160—183—33-5-20 3
160—176—34 —21
176—192—34 —22 4;
168—188—34 —21
188—216—34 —23-5
17.1_200— 37-5— 23 Victoria Island.
184—200—38—21 5^ oz. „
167— —34— 20-5
172—181-34—21
157—169—33-1-20.8
% of head and body :_100— 108— 2M— 13-2
The skull resembles that of B. r. khyensis in most respects in-
cluding the size of the bullas ; it differs merely in being a little
longer and narrower (see part III, table II (e) ).
Remarks : — Mr. Shortridge (/. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc, xxiii.,
p. 715) states that he found this animal plentiful everywhere in
Tenasserim, particularly around houses or near cultivation. He
also called attention to the usually short tails and to the irregular
number of the pectoral mammas.
Average of 59 adults : —
402 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI,
13. Eaitus rattus tathonensis , subsp. n.
1914. Epimys rufescens, variety with white undei^parts,
Wroughton, Report No. 14, J. Bombay Nat. Hist.
Soc, vol. xxii,, p. 722 ; Report No. 16, ibid., vol.
xxiii., p. 474 ; Report No. 20, ibid., vol. xxiv., p.
307 (in part).
Type:— A male (B.M. No. 15.5.5.224; Original No. 5500)
collected at Tatkon near Kindat, on the west bank of the Chindwin,
by Mr. G. C. Shortridge and the late Captain S. A. Macniillan,
on 26 June 1914, presented to the British Museum by the Bombay
Natural History Society.
Material examined ; — Chindwin River : — Tatkon 2 ( d" ) ; Kin-
dat 1 ( c? ) : North Shan States :— Se'en 1 ( $ ) ; Hsipaw 1 ( d ) :
Dry Zone :— Kyouk Nyoung 2 ( j and $ ) ; Ngapyiuin 1 ( $ ) ;
Mingun 12 (6 s,Q $ )• Total 20 (11 6,9 $ ).
Description : — This is a rather short tailed, dull coloured rat,
chiefly remarkable for the great size of its audital bull» ; by the
latter character it is readily distinguishable from all its Burmese
relatives.
The fur is short and thin, intermixed usually with numerous
soft spines or bristles. The dorsal colour is always duller than in
B. r. khyensis, and ranges from a dull reddish brown at the type
locality to a dark greyish brown elsewhere. The bellies are pure
white or cream coloured, separated from the flanks by sharp lines
of demarcation, and with or without a slaty pectoral spot or
stripe. The feet are dirty white above. The tail is unicoloured,
dark brown, and averages about 120 °/^ or rather less of the head
and body length. The mammary formula is 3-3-1 2 and is apparently
constant.
The specimens from the banks of the Chindwin have the
reddest backs ; those from Kyouk Nyoung and Ngapyinin have the
backs dark brown, but without much black. Those from Mingun
and Hsipaw form a very grey looking series, there being much
black on their backs, lightened by numerous whitish spines, which
show through the fur, while the reddish and yellowish tints are
largely suppressed.
The dimensions of the principal specimens are —
Chindwin Valley (B. M. serial No. 15.5.5.) :—
Tatkon.
•224 5500 s, 26 June 171-209-34-22 = 100-122-19.9-12-9.
•225 5501^,26 „ 156-206-36-22=100-l32-23-l-14-l.
Kindat.
•229 5527 d,12 „ 153-184-32-24=100-120-20-9-15.
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 403
Irrawadi Valley (B. M. serial No. 14.7.9.) —
Kyoiik Nyoung.
•164 3400 2 , 29 July 184-232-38.5-25 = 100-126-18.2-13.6.
Ngap5dnin.
•165 3416 2 , 2nd Aug. 184-206-34-22.= 100-112-18.5-12.
North Shan States (B. M. serial No. 14.7.8.)—
Hsipaw,
•37 3138 d, 10 June 176-194-32-22 = 100-110-18.2-12.5 5:^ oz.
Mingun (B. M. serial No. 14.7.9-)—
.166 3240 c?, 9 July 1913 187—220—34 —22
„ 180—182—34.5—22.
„ 187—182—33 —22.
,, 173_194_32 —24.
172—188—32 —23.
170—201—32.9—21.7.
% of head and body :^.100— 118— 19.4— 12.8.
The skull is chiefly remarkable for the large size of the auclital
bullae ; comparison in this respect with other Burmese forms is
made in the subjoined table ; the other cranial dimensions are
given in part III in the tables II (e) and II (h).
.167
3257
d,10
.168
3276
6, 12
.169
3242
?, 9
.170
3277
2,12
Average of 11 adults
Measurements
of bull as : —
Length.
Width (at lower
edge of meatus).
Depth (from just above
upper Up of meatus).
R. macmillani ...
E. r. khyensis ...
7i'. r. taikonensis...
7.5
8.4
4.6
5
5.6
6.4
6.4
7.3
Dark bellied House Rats of India and Ceylo>\
For reasons mentioned in the introduction to this paper, and in
the descriptions of R. r. narhaclce and r. girensis, I share Mr.
Wroughton's view that, unlike the wild white bellied races of li.
rcdtus, the dark bellied House Bats of India and Ceylon are essen-
tially parasites. In part, they seem to have arisen, by domestica-
tion, directly from the wild white bellied races of the country ; in
part, they are apparently the descendants of rats imported from
abroad ; and in part, they must be regarded as products derived
from the interbreeding of the two classes just named. I devoted
much time and trouble to an attempt to work out the exact relation-
ship of the dark bellied rats of each district ; but I arrived at no
definite conclusion other than that just expressed.
14. Ratius rattus rufescens. Gray.
1837. Mus rufescens, J. E. Gray, Ann. Mag. N. H., I, p. 577.
1912. Upimys nifescens, Wroughton, Rep. No. 1, J. Bomihay N.
H. Soc, xxi, p. 405, and subsequent reports.
il
404 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Type: — A skin and skull from Dharwar (B. M. 44.9.15.2), col-
lected by Sir W. Elliot.
Gray's name rufescens may be conveniently employed for all
those dark bellied Indian rats which seem to be intimately connected
with one or other of the Indian wild races of E. rathts. Such rats
are characterized by having a more or less rufous or ochreous dor-
sal coloration ; rough haired bellies, w-hich usually show a more or
less evident rusty tinge or bloom ; external propoz-tions and skulls
agreeing more or less closely with those of the wild races.
The series collected in the Central Provinces and in Kathiawar
have already been described (pp. 77 and 83) ; they form the best
examples of a close connection between the dark bellied and the
wild forms of rattus in a given locality. In other districts, as in
Kuroaon or in the Koyna Valley, the dark bellied rats, although
clearly of Indian origin, seem to have little or no connection with
the wild stock living in their immediate vicinity. In still other
places, as Gwalior and Cutch, where there is no wild race extant,
the rats appear to be more modified, either as the result of longer
domestication, or of contact with rats from other regions. It is
noteworthy that specimens collected at Dharwar, the type locality
of rufescens, by Mr. Hudson in 1907 and more recently for
the Mammal Survey by Mr. Shortridge, can no longer be
considered typical ; like those from Gwalior, these specimens are
obvioiisly modified to a greater extent than is the type of
rufescens.
The following are the external measurements of the dark bellied
rats (other than those from the Central Provinces and Kathiawar,
which have been dealt with above at pp. 77 and 83) mentioned
in the tables of skull measurements : —
Coonoor, Nilgiri Hills ; collected bv R. C. Wroughton
(B. M. 98-3-5) :—
•23 c?, 13 Dec. 1897 156—185—32—21 = 100-119-20-5-13-5.
Dorsal colour much as in i?. r. tvroughtoni ; belly with slight
rusty tinge ; fur soft ; feet dusky.
Southern and Eastern Mysore ; collected by G. C. Shortridge : —
Seringapatam (B. M. 13.4.11)—
•92 ^ , 17 Oct. 1912 178— 208— 31— 2l=l00-117-17-4-ll-8 4|oz.
•96 2,17 „ „ 168— 213— 32— 23=100-127-19-1-13-7 3| „
Bellies with more or less evident rnsty tinge; feet dusky. 12
mammaB.
Bangalore.
•83 d , 3 Sept. 1912 178— 220— 34^23=l00-124-l9-l-l2-9 4f oz.
■88 $,9 „ „ 169— 219— 34— 22=100-130-20-1-13
12 mammte.
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 405
Kolar Town.
•94 2 , 20 Sept. 1912 164— 230— 33-5— 2l-5=100-l40-20-4-l3-l.
Like those from Seringapatam ; dorsal colour in all rather
variable.
Northern Mysore and Kanaka ; collected by G. C. Shortridge
(B.,M. 12.11.28.).
Sagar, Shimoga District,
■110 $ , 11 June 1912 150— 200— 33— 21-5 = 100-133-22-14-3.
Feet light, with dusky markings.
Gersappa, Kanara.
•105 s , 27 May 1912 198— 34—22 = 100-17-2-11-1 5| oz.
A dai'k rat, with heavy tinge of rust on belly.
Dharwar; collected by G. C. Shortridge (B; M. 12.6.29.) :—
•93 c?, 15 Nov. 1911 175—229—34—24 = l00-13l-l9-4-l3-7.
•96 2 , 15 „ „ 164—188—31—23 = 100-115-18-9-14.
Average of 13 adults:— 149-185-30^1-2l-l = 100-124-20-2-14-3.
In some of the specimens from this district the fur is soft, in others
harsh and spiny ; usually rather short and sleek on belly, which has
usually a rusty tinge ; pectoral spots of white present in several ;
females with 12 mammas,
KoYNA Valley ; collected by S. H, Prater (B. M. 15.7.3.) : —
Ghatmatha.
•54 ^ , 15 Dec.1914 155— 214— 32— 21 = 100-138-20-7-13-6
Hehvak.
•51 d , 9 Dec. 1914 172—228—31—21 ^100-133-18-12^24| oz.
•52$, 6 „ „ 175—214—32—18=100-122-18-3-10-3
-53$, 12 „ „ 175—227—30—24=100-130-17-2-14-7
Dorsal colour very dark brown, more or less clouded with black ;
bellies with rusty tinge ; feet dusky. Skulls differ from R. r. safarce
in many characters of proportion (see tables II (b) and II (/'),
part III ) ; in having the temporal ridges and supraorbital beads
very strongly, instead of very weakly developed ; and the palate
is relatively shorter than in any other Indian form — shorter
than in European races.
East Khandesh ; collected by C. A. Crump (B.M. 11.12.21.) :—f^
Bhadgaon.
.21 J ,21 Mar. 1911 198— 240— 35— 25=100-121-1 7.7-l2.67foz,
Busty brown above and below ; belly with strong wash of
yellow. Looks as though all black pigment had bleached out of
this specimen.
Ghodasgaon.
.22 $, 29 Apr. 1911 158—209—33—22=100-132-20.9-13.9
mammae 10.
Back dark broAvn ; belly slaty with some yellow ; feet dark.
406 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL RUST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Beraes ; collected by C. A. Crump (B. M. 12.3.8.) ; —
Harisel.
.10 2 , 12 JnnelQll 150— 199— 31— 22- 100-133-20.7-14.7 S^oz.
niammaB 10.
Pili, Sipna Valley.
.9 c? , 2 Jtme 1911 157—210—33—23=100-134-21-14.7 4 oz.
Bellies rougher than in specimens from Nimar, and showing
a strong rusty bloom.
NiMAR; collected by C. A. Criimp (B.M. 12.6.28.) ;—
Ganoor.
.50 s , 22 Dec. 1911 145—200—32—23=100-138-22.1-15.9 3 oz.
.31c?, 25 „ „ 152—220—35—23=100-145-23-15.14,,
Asirgahr.
.32 2 , 21 Oct. 1911 154—212—31—24=100-138-20.1-15.6 4ioz.
mammae 10.
Chandgahr.
.33 $ , 5 Dec. 1911 159—195—31—22=100-123-19.5-13.9 4| oz.
mammas 10.
All with sleek bluish bellies ; but traces of rusty tinge still more
or less evident.
GwALiOR, collected by Major Mayor (B. M. 15.7.2.) :—
Chorpura.
.15 J, 31 Julyl914180— 205— 33— 24=100-114-18.3-13.3 6 oz.
.16 c?, 5Aug. „ 174—205—31-21=100-118-17.8-12.161,,
•17 $,31 July „ 163-190—30—21.5=100-116-18.4-13-2 41,,
.18 $ , 5 Aug. „ 175—204—32—24 = 100-116-18.3-13.7 6^ „
Dark brown above ; bellies with close short hair, with a yellow
tinge, in males, blue without rusty bloom, in females.
Palunpur, Gujerat; collected by C. a. Crump (B. M. 13.9.18.): —
Palunpur.
.66 cJ , 3 Apr. 1913 178—225—35—25=100-126-19.7-14 6 oz.
.67 $ , 22 Mar. „ 165—227—34—23=100-137-20.6-13.9 5^ „
Danta.
.69 d , 18 June 1913 160— 207— 30— 23=100-129-18.7-14.4 5i oz.
Average of 24 from this district : —
156—207—32.2-22.6=100-133-20.6-14.5.
Bellies usually with distinct rusty tinge; in 10 females examined,
8 show 10 mammae, 1 shows 11, and 1 shows 12.
CUTCH- collected by C. A. Crump (B. M. 12.10.4.):—
Bhuj.
27 Julv 1911 155-224-32-23=100-144-20.6-14.8 5^ oz.
, 164-223-33-23=100-136-20.1-14 5| „
, 160-225-33-22=100-141-20.6-13.7 4^ .,
, 165-220-31-24=100-133-18.8-14.5 4| ,,
, 164-208-32-22 = 100-127-19.5-13.4 4| „
, 163-217-33-23=100-133-20.2-14.1 5 ,,
.66
6 , 27 July
.67
cJ, 27 „
.68
6rOl „
.69
$,27 „
.70
$ , 31 „
.71
$ , 21 Aug.
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 407
Ventral hairs in all short and adpressed ; yellow tinge present in
some, almost absent in others. Mammte 10, constant.
Rajputana ; callected b}^ C. A. Crump (B. M. 13.9.18.) : —
Mt. Abu.
.68 s, 18 May 1913 170— —32-24=100- -18.8-14.1 6 oz.
Belly light grey, with verj^ feeble trace of a yellow pectoral stripe.
KuMAOii; collected by C. A. Crump (B. M. 14.7.10.) ;—
Philibhit, altitude 800 feet.
.107 s , 2Mar. 1914 151-193-31—21=100-128-20.5-13.9.
.108$, 3 „ „ 163-214-30.5-22=100-131-18.7-13.5 4|oz.
.109 2,6 „■ „ 171-233-32—23=100-137-18.7-13.5 7^ „
.110$, 6 „ „ 170-222-33—24=100-131-19.4-14.151 „
No white bellied rats were obtained at this locality (see
Wroughton, J. Bomhay N. H. Soc, xxiii, p. 295), I have seen
8 specimens of '' ricfescens" from Philibhit; the fur is rather long
and soft in the younger, thinner, harsher, and with a few spines
in the older individuals. Dorsal colour varies between reddish and
greyish brown. Bellies with rather long hair, slaty bases, a rusty
tinge and merging gradually in the flank colour. Feet light brown
above, with a dusky wash — best marked in the redder specimens.
Ramnagar, altitude 1,100 feet.
1913 178- -34-23=100- 19.1-12.9 6 oz.
„ 142-190-31-22=100-134-21.8-15.5
., 150-191-33-22 = 100-127-22 -14.7
„ 170- -32-22 = 180- -18.8-13 5 „
These strike me as being slightly paler above than the speci-
mens from Philibhit ; they have more grey and less red upon their
backs ; the bellies have a yellowish-grey tinge ; feet grey with
more or less brown.
Dela, Ramnagar, altitude 1,500 feet.
.106 2 , 10 J^ine 1914 164-211-32-23=100-129-19.5-14 6 oz.
Agrees with specimens from Ramnagar. Mamm^ 12.
Jerna, Ramnagar; altitude 1,500 feet.
.102 J, 17 Jan. 1914 161-192-32-21=100-119-19.9-13
.103 c? , 19 „ „ 142-201-33-21=100-142-23.3-14-8
.104 c?. 20 „ „ 167-230-36-23=100-138-21.6-13.8 6 oz.
•105 $ , 19 „ „ 163-222-35-22=100-136-21.5-13.5
5 adults from this place average much darker in general colour
than those from Ramnagar or Philibhit. Backs heavily clouded
with black, flanks brown ; bellies with rusty tinge ; fur rather
harsh ; feet dusky ; and tails very dark also. One young speci-
men, however, is very brightly coloured, its back being markedly
rufous.
In the majority of the female rufescens from Kumaon, the mam-
mary formula is 2-3=10 ; one or two, however, have 12 mammae.
.98
6,
13 Dec
.99
2,
2
J?
.100
2,
3
?>
.101
2,
O
jj
408 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL RI8T. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Judging from their external appearance and from their skulls, these
rats are nearly related to R. r. narbadce and girensis, and have little
or nothing to do with B. r. gangutrianus
15. Raftiis rattus nemoralis, Blyth.
1851. Mus nemoralis, Blyth, J.A.8.B., vol. xx, p. 168.
1915. E^nmys nemoralis, Wroughton, J. Bombay N. H. Soc,
vol. xxiv, p. 49.
Type : — The co-types of this sub-species are in the Indian Mu-
seum, Calcutta ; a female labelled by Blyth and presented by Dr.
Kelaart to the British Museum (52.5.9.28) is, as pointed out by
Wroughton, a metatype.
Distribution : — " Distributed sparsely as a tree-rat all over Cey-
lon, up to 1,500 feet altitude," (Wroughton).
Material examined : — The metatype ; and 37 collected for the
Mammal Survey by Major Mayor.
In outward form and coloration this rat is hardly to be distin-
guished from rufescens. Judging from the skull measurements
given in tables II (d) and II (g), part III, nemoralis differs rather
conspicuously from r. handianus in its longer pterygoid region,
shorter nasals, and less closely approximated temporal ridges. B. r.
'' rufescens '' is far too indefinite a "subspecies" to compare in
these respects ; as an insular and more easily definable race,
nemoralis may conveniently be retained as distinct.
The dimensions of the specimens mentioned in the table of skull
measurements are ; —
Colombo (B.M. 15.3.1.) :—
.173 d , 25 Apr. 1913 209-235-34 -23 = 100-112-16.2-11
S.l 6 , 29 Mar. „ 160-197-31.5-22 = 100-123-19.7-13.7
.174 $,25 Apr. „ 203-215-32-21 =100-106-15.7-10.3
Hambantota.
.175 d , 5 June 1913 175-212-31.5-22 = 100-121-18 -12.6
.176 $ ,13 „ „ 164-215-31.5-22.5 = 100-131-19.2-13.7
Kandy.
.182 s ,16 Feb. 1914 159-204-30 -20.5 = 100-128-18.9-12.9
Average of 32 in adult pelage : —
160-191-30.8-21.1 = 100-119-19.25-13.2
The mammae are usually 2-3 = 10, but 12 were counted in one
spesimen, and 11 in another.
16. Rattus rattus alexandrinus, GeofFroy.
1916. Rattus rufescens and rufescens var. with white underparts,
Wroughton, Report No. 24, /. Bombay N. H. Soc, xxiv,
p. 756.
The rats collected in Sind for the Mammal Survey by Mr. S. H.
Prater, together with some specimens from the same region pre-
SCIENTIIIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 409
sented to the British Museum by the Bombay Government in 1907
and 1908, are veiy different from those from other parts of India ;
and they may for the present be referred to R. r. alexandrinus.
On the backs the fur is short and harsh, although not spiny ; the
bellies are smooth, being clothed with short and adpressed fur.
The dorsal colour is markedly paler than in any of the other Indian
specimens; it is a pale yellow brown or tawny, more or less heavily
lined with black, especially along the spine. The flanks lighten
gradually and pass, in the majority of the specimens, insensibly
into the belly ; the latter shows a conspicuous yellowish suffusion
and the ventral hairs have deep slaty bases. In a few of the
specimens, the ventral hairs (and consequently the bellies) are pure
white throughout; in these, the line of demarcation along the
flanks is distinct. In the normal dark bellied type, the feet are rusty
coloured above ; in the rarer white bellied individuals, the feet
are whitish. The tails are unicolored and more or less dusk}'.
The mammary formula is indifferently 2-3^10 or 3-2=12. The
following are the dimensions of the more important ; —
Dark bellied —
15.11.1.110 J ,
27 Feb. 1915 160-
-193-
32 24
Jacobabad
•Hid,
28 „ „ 150-
-196-
34 23
j>
8.1.22.9$,
25 Nov. 1907 161-
-193-
31 22
35
10$,
25 „ „ 181-
-227-
-35.5-32
5?
15.11.1.112$,
4 March „ 160-
-205-
31 21
Kashmor.
113$,
8 „ „ 157-
-197-
32 22
?j
8.1.22.11 cJ,
16 Dec. „ 163-
-212-
-33.5-23
Sakkur.
White bellied-
—
15.11.1.114$,
21 Feb. 1915 154-
-195-
35 21
Jacobabad.
M.S.I. 608 $ ,
13 Mar. „ 166—
-203-
-32 23
55
15.11.1.115 d,
19 Apr. „ 154-
-201-
-31 20
Gambat.
The skulls are a little smaller than in European alexandrinus,
the nasals appear to be slightly shorter and broader, while the
incisive foramina are a little longer relatively.
Remarks. — The exact status of these rats cannot be settled with-
out further material.
II. Rattiis mac'inillani, sp. nov.
1916. Einmys rufescens var. with white underparts, Wroughton,
Keport No. 20 (Chindwin Eiver), /. Bombay Nat. Hist.
Soc, vol. xxiv, p. 307 (in part).
Type.—K male (B. M. No. 15.5.5.226; Original No. 5972)
collected by Mr. G. C. Shortridge and the late Captain S. A. Mac-
millan, on 8th August, 1914, on the west bank of the Upper
Chindwin Eiver opposite Hkamti, Upper Burma.
Material examined. — Seven (4 j , 3 $ ), all from the type
locality (1 $ being, however, from the east bank of the river)
410 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Bescriijtion. — This is a dark coloured, moderately long tailed
member of the Bathis group.
The fur is short, thin and rather harsh — being intermixed, in
adults, with numerous soft, greyish-white bristles. The dorsal
colour is black, finely grizzled with greyish white and tawny ; the
blackness is chiefly due to the presence of numerous long black
hairs, which are especially numerous along the mid-dorsal line and
particularly conspicuous over the rump. The bellies are pure white,
the ventral hairs being white to their bases. The line of demarcation
along the flanks is sharply defined. The feet are light brown,
darkened above by a more or less evident dusky marking. The
tail averages about 130° j^ of the head and body length, and is dusky
throughout — above and below. The female has 12 mammse. The
following are the dimensions of the more important specimens ; —
5847, cJ, 27 July 1914 156-200-33.5- 20=100-128-21.5-12.8
.226 5972, d, 8 Aug. „ 158-205-34- 22=100-130-21.5-13.9
5975, c?, 8 „ „ 150-211-35- 21-5=100-141-23.3-14.3
.227 5973,$, 8 „ „ 169-222-32.25-22=100-131-19.1-13
5974, $ , 8 „ „ 154-187-32.5-21.75=100-121-21.1-14.1
Average of 7;— 150-195-32.9-21.5 = 100-130-22-14.3
The skull is small, the condylo-basal length averaging 37.2 in
four specially examined. It differs little in form from that of the
Indian races of i?. rattus. Among Burmese races it is distin-
guished by its small bullae (see dimensions in tables II {e) and II
((/), part III ) and relatively great cranial width ; the latter
dimension exceeds the occipital breadth by an amount equal to 3
^ of the condylo-basal length. The interpterygoid fossa is wide
and the palate develops no median posterior projection. The
temporal ridges run at a relatively high level, and in old age tend
to obliterate the supratemporal articulation of each parietal with
the supraoccipital.
RemarTxS : — This form is so sharply differentiated from all the
others described in this paper that it seems to demand recognition
as a full species. I have great pleasure in naming it in honour of
the late Captain S. A. Macmillan w^ho, in conjunction with Mr.
Shortridge, did so much good work for the Mammal Survey. In
general appearance li. onacmillani is strikingly similar to B. mento-
8US, Thos., described (/. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc, xxiv,
p 643) from the same localitj^ ; the resemblance of course is
quite superficial, for onentosus belongs to a widely different group
and has a bi-colored tail, 8 mammse only, and a very peculiar
skull.
Certain specimens obtained by the Sur^^ey at Tamanthe and one
(No. 5310) from Kin, Lower Chindwin, make a more or less close
approach in external and cranial characters to B. macmillani ; and
for the moment I propose to leave them with this form.
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM TEE MAMMAL SURVEY, 411
III. Rattus Jcelaarti, Wroughton.
1915. Epimys helaarti, Wroughton, /. Bombay N. H. Soc,
vol. xxiv, p. 48.
Type:— A. male (B. M. 15.7.1.7 ; Original No. 952) collected at
Pattipola, Ceylon, by Major Mayor on 21st February, 1914 ; pre-
sented to the British Museum by the Bombay Natural History
Society.
Distribution \ — Highlands of Ceylon, 5,000 to 6,000 feet.
Material examined : — In addition to two specimens presented to
the British Museum long ago by Dr. Kelaart, I have examined 54
(42 adults) obtained by the Mammal Survey.
Description : — In general appearance this rat somewhat closely
resembles E. nitidus, but its skull agrees exactly with that of such
normal subspecies of FL rattus, as r. handianus or r. narbadce.
The fur is long, dense, and soft. The general dorsal colour is a
dark olive-brown, mixed wdth a large proportion of black hairs.
The underparts are of an impure white, the ventral hairs having
deep slaty bases, which usually show through and tend to obliterate
the line of demarcation. The tail is relatively short, averaging
about 117 y of the head and body length in specimens
with the latter dimension from 150 mm. and upwards. The
females have 10 niamniEe. The following are the dimensions of
the specimens dealt with in the tables of skull measurements : —
156-176-32- 21 (type) Pattipola.
166-175-31.5-22
148-198-30- 20-5
146-172-31- 20 Ambawela.
162-174-34- 21
Average of 10 adults :— 157-184-32.5-20-6
% of head and body— 100-117-20.7- 13.1
The specimens examined give the following growth table : —
15.7.1.7 6 , 21 Feb.
1914
15.3.1.218 d, 5 Mar.
55
S.lOOl $, 3 „
!5
15.3.1.223 $ , 20 „
5)
.224 2 . 1 Apr.
..
Head and body
mm.
No. of
specimens.
Average J" of head and body length
formed by: —
H. & B. Tail. Hind-foot. Ear.
90-119
120-129
130-139
140-149
150-159
165-167
12
10
11
10
7
4
100 127 26.1 16.8
100 125 23.8 15.2
100 124 23- 14.5
100 126 21.1 14.2
100 120 20.8 13.4
100 110 19 12.4
12
412 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. tSOCIETY, Vol. XXVL
The skull differs from that of R. r. Imndianus only by its smaller
size.
RemarJcs : — The peculiar appearance of this species first attracted
the attention of Kelaai^t, who thought it allied to, if not identical
with nitidus. The skull, however, proves that B. Tielaarti
is closely related to B. rattus ; and its external similarity to
nitidus must, perhaps, be attributed to its highland environ-
ment.
IV. Rattus nitidus, Hodgson.
1845. Mus nitidus, Hodgson, Ann. Mag. N. H. (1) xv, p. 267.
1881. Mus alexandrinus var. nitidus, Thomas, P. Z. 8., 1881,
p. 533.
1891. Mus rattus var. nitidus, Blanford, Mammalia, p. 407.
1914. Fjpimys nitidus, Wroughton, Report No. 15, /. Bombay
N. H. Soc, xxxiii, p. 296, Report No. 23, ibid, xxiv,
p. 489.
1916. Battus nitidus, Wroughton, Report No. 26, /. Bombay
N. H. Soc, xxiv, p. 782.
Type:— A skin and skull from Nepal, B. M. No. 79.11.21,415 ;
received from the India Museum, ex Hodgson's collection.
Material examined : — (1) The type and other old specimens in
the British Mnseum ; (2) the long series obtained in Kumaon and
Sikkim by the collectors of the Mammal Survey.
Description : — In this species the tail is much shorter than in
Indian races of B. rattus — its average length, in the typical subspe-
cies, being equal to no more than 107 ^ of the head and
body measurement. The hind-foot is larger, measurements above
35 mm. being common ; and the head also, judging from the skull
measurements discussed below, is relatively larger than in Indian
It. rattus.
The fur is remarkably soft and smooth, with an abundance of
soft under fur, the middle hairs and long black hairs being
extremely fine, and the bristles or soft spines, found commonly in
B. rattus, being wholly absent.
The general dorsal colour, as seen from a distance, is dark and
approaches a deep chocolate or "seal brown." The ground colour
is a dark brown or grey, more or less finely grizzled with yellowish
brown shades, which range from tawny to "mummy brown," and
darkened, particularly along the spine and over the rump, by the
long black hairs. The latter are often sufficiently numerous to
form a broad black streak, extending from the middle of the back
to the root of the tail. The bellies range from silver to dusky
hoary. The ventral hairs have white tips and darker bases, the
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 413
basal tint varying from a pale grey to slate colour. In specimens
with light bases to the ventral hairs, the bellies are sharply con-
trasted with the flanks and the line of demarcation, although not a
hard one, is regular. In the darkest specimens, the flank and ven-
tral colours tend to merge insensibly in each other. The feet are
almost constantly of a dirty white colour above. The tail is unicol-
oured and dusky, although the precise hue is subject to considerable
individual variation.
Among the great number before me only two specimens deviate
considerably from the coloration above described. One from
Pashok, Darjiling (B. M. 17.7.9.1, j , is exceptionally dark above
and below ; in this, the belly is almost concolor with the flanks,
only a few of the more centrally placed ventral hairs having con-
spicuous silvery tips. The other from Ghoom, Darjiling (B. M.
15.9.1.149, $ ) has a rather distinct black stripe along the spine,
chocolate flanks — lacking the yellowish brown tints normally
present, and a silvery white belly — the ventral hairs being white to
their bases. In a very few specimens the feet are darkened above
by a dusky marking.
The females have a mammary formula of 3-3=12, in one speci-
men 4 pectoral mammae were present on one side, the normal 3 on
the other.
The dimensions of the specimens whose skulls were specially
examined are : —
KuMAoN (B. M. serial No. 14.7.10.) : —
.141 3783 2 , 24 Sept. 1913 170-175-34-21. 6 oz. Lwarkhet,
6,000'.
.144 3684$, 7 „ „ 176-179-34-21. 6 oz. Khati, 7,600'.
.146 4413 c5 , 10 Feb. 1914 161-178-37.5-20 6 „ Lohaghat,
5,600'.
.147 4433 cJ , 12 „ „ 171-184-36-21
Average of 12 :— 168-177-35.7-20.8
„ % of head and body:— 100-105-21.2-12.4
SiKKiM (B. M. serial No. 15.9.1.) :—
175-192-34-23 5 oz. Ghoom, 7,400'
171-182-38-22 Gangtok, 6,000'
167-162-34-21 4ioz.Ghoom, 7,400'
163-167-35-20 5 „
185-195-37-23 Gopaldahra.
184-185-34-22 „ 4,720'
805 2 , 5 July „ 155-148-33-23
Average of 70 adults :— 160-171-33.9-22.2
„ % of head and body :— 100-107-21.2-13.9
.149 6296 2 ,
, 15 Feb.
1915
.157 5864 d ,
30 Nov.
1914
.161 6288$
, 10 Feb.
1915
.163 6340 $
, 15 „
5>
40 d, (3
May 19l£
)
68 $,16
)) 5>
414 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
The following growth table resulted from an examination of 65
individuals from Sikkim ; —
Head and body
No. of
Average 7o of H. & B. formed by : —
in mm.
specimens.
H. & B. Tail. Hind-foot. Ear.
112-116
3
100 117 26.5 17.5
126-127
2
100 24.8 16.2
130-139
4
100 111 23.7 15
140-149
9
100 108 22.7 15.4
150-159
18
100 109 21.7 14.7
160-169
14
100 102 21 13.4
170-179
12
100 103 20 13.1
180-185
3
100 101 19.2 12.3
The skull is large, the average condylo-basal length being about
41 mm. The temporal ridges traverse the brain-case at a rather
low level, but form strong beads on the posterior portions of the
frontals. The nasals are considerably longer than in JR. rattus ;
the diasteme and the pterygoid region are also longer, while the
bullae are smaller. These differences will be appreciated best from
the measurements in the tables II (A), part III. In the cheek-
teeth, TO. 1 has the antero-external tubercle ( cusp 1 ) greatly
reduced — almost indistinguishable from the median tubercle
(cusp, x.).^
Remarks: — The claim of 11. nitidus to rank as a species distinct
from B. rattus is placed bej^ond question by its characteristic
external appearance, peculiar skull, and its restricted distribution
in India, where it is confined to the Himalayas. The large number
of specimens now at hand from many localities in Kumaon and
Sikkim agree closely with each other, as well as with Hodgson's
type from Nepal. There is, of course, in this long series a good
deal of minor individual variation in colour ; but viewed broadly the
coloration is remarkably uniform, while the essential characters
relating to the quality of the pelage, mammaj, external and cranial
proportions appear to be very constant. The statement in Thomas's
paper of 1881, repeated in Blanford, to the effect that the fur
of this form is frequently spiny, is an error due to the confusion
of nitidtts with rattus and other species. This confusion and such
errors were unavoidable so long as one had to work with nothing
C^) For explanation of this cusp, nomenclature, see Barrett Hamiltom and
Hinton, British Mammals., Pt- xvi, p. 501, PI. 28 (1911).
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 415
better than the wretched and scanty material bequeathed to us by
the pioneers of Indian mammalogy.
Sclater (^Cat. Mamrn. Ind. Mus. Calcutta, 1891, Pt. II, p. 67)
lists specimens of " nitidus " from Assam and Manip^^r ; but without
seeing the material it is, of course, impossible to say whether it is
correctly determined or not. Mr. F. M. D. Mackenzie, collecting
in the Chin Hills for the Mammal Survey, has recently obtained
there some specimens, which are undoubtedly referable to 7l. nitidus.
They differ from the typical Himalayan form described above and
may therefore be referred to a distinct subspecies, which 1 propose
to call : —
Rattus nitidus ohsoletus, subsp. n.
1916. Eatttts ritfescens,MVvoughton, Report No. 2b, J. Bombay
N. H. Soc, xxiv, 771.
Type:— A female (B. M. 16.3.26.52 ; Original No. 309) collect-
ed on the Chin Hills, at a point 50 miles west of Kindat, altitude
5,000', on 23 April, 1915, for the Mammal Survey, by Mr. F. M.
D. Mackenzie ; presented to the British Museum by the Bombay
Natural History Society.
Material examined : — Chin Hills (5,000') : (1) 50 miles west of
Kindat, 4 ( 1 j , 3 $ ) ; (2) 65 miles west of Kindat, 1 adult
( $ , No. 428) ; and 9 yoinig specimens in dusky juvenal pelage,
from same district.
Vescriptiov, : — General character much as in typical nitidus, but
with still shorter tail, and considerably shorter and thinner fur.
The dorsal colour differs little from that of true nitidus, but the
belly is clothed with much shorter fur and shows a rusty suffusion,
recalling the underparts of " rufescens ". The feet are of the
normal dirty white or yellow colour, and the tail is dusk}^ above
and below, throughout. The females show a constant mammary
formula of 3-3=12. The following are the dimensions of the
adu.lts :—
27 April 1915187-175-34.5-21.5=100- 94-18.5-11.5
., 178-165-35-23 =100- 93-19.6-12.9
„ 161-165-34-22 =100-103-21.1-13-7
, 143-140-34-20 =100- 98-23.8-14
,, 174-186-37-23.5 =100-107-21.3-13.5
168-166-34.9-22 =100- 99-20.7-13.1
The skull agrees closely in form and size with that of typical
nitidus. From the relative dimensions given in the table II (J),
part III, it will be seen that the nasals are a little shorter and
broader, the post-molar length a little greater relatively than in the
359
6 ,
27
Apri
•52 309
2,
23
55
310
2,
23
55
389
2,
28
55
428
2,
8
May
Averagi
3 of 5:-
-
416 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Himalayan animal. In these respects, as with most of the other
minute differences brought out by the measurements, skulls of n.
nitidus from Sikkim make a nearer approach to the present form
than do those fi'om Kumaon. The bullse of w. obsoletus seem to
be a trifle smaller and rounder than those of true nitidus.
As regards the cheek-teeth, cusp 1 of rii^ is even more reduced
thaai in n. nitidus ; and the postero-external tubercle (cusp 5) in
both m" & fn} is also unusually small and scarcely separated from
the median tubercle (cusp. s).
417
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY.
No. XIX.
A Synopsis of the Groups of true Mice found within
THE Indian Empire.
By Oldfield Thomas.
At the request of Mr. Wroughton, with a view to the prepara-
tion of his " Summary," I have made an attempt to find out the
natural relationships to each other of the many forms of " Mus "
that have been described from the Indian Empire, and now venture
to submit, with some diffidence, the following synopsis of these
most difficult animals.
As will be seen, it is very far from being a complete working out
of the species, but at least it sorts them into their natural groups,
and so makes a step towards their further elucidation.
The characters given in the synopsis are of necessity not such as
can be used by sportsmen in the field, being mainly based on the
skulls, of which some technical knowledge is needed — but this is
a fault which is inherent in all such work.
8yno2ms.
A. Muzzle short — distance from gnathion
to front bottom corner of zj^goma-
tic plate not, or barely, exceeding-
breadth across molars. (True
House Mice.)
a\ Tail about as long as head and body.
a^. Colour some tone of grey or
brown ... ... •••(!) nmsculus group.*
If. Colour more or less sandy, with
v/hite belly ... •••(2) hactrianus group. f
h\ Tail much shorter than head and
body — colour sandy ... •••(3) iJacliycercus.\
B. Muzzle normal — the distance above.
defined decidedly greater than
breadth across the molars. (Field-
Mice.)
* Includes, of Indian species, dubhis, ho^nounis and iir bonus, {'iS4a),a'qnicaudalis
(1851), manei (1852), tytleri HSi^'J), kakhycnsis and viculorwu (187 H i.
t Includes gerhillinus and tlieobaldi (1853). Althoug'h provisionally put as a
'■ group" there is little doubt that bactrianus will prore to grade into imiscuhis
throug-h such forms as Mus musculus gentilis of N. Africa, Arabia, &c.
+ Not strictly Indian having- been described from Yarkand . Probably it is
synonymous v.'ith M. loagneri.
418 JO URNAL, B 0MB A Y NA TURAL HIST. SO CIHTY, Vol. XXVI.
a\
Supraorbital edges quite with-
out any thickening ; incisors
generally bent backwards (opis-
tliodont).
a^. Size larger ; brain-case round-
ed, its breadth more than
10mm ; palatal foramina
penetrating less between
morals.
a''. Palatal foramina very
short, not reaching at
all between molars
(Sikkim) ... •••(4) pahari.
/>^ Palatal foramina longer,
reaching just between
the front part of m^ ...
«\ Colour very dark
coppery ; under-
side scarcely
lighter, washed
with ochraceous.
(South India) ...(5) famuhis.
&^ Colour normal,
brown ; underside
lighter, greyish
white. (Burma). .(6) cookii.
If. Size smaller, often very small,
braincase narrow (less than
10mm broad), not specially
rounded. Palatal foramina
penetrating far between
molars ... ... •••C'^) hooduga grouplF.
/>\ Supraorbital edges thickened in old
age ; incisors about upright
(orthodont). (S. Burma) •••(8) nitiduhis.
But further, since the above synopsis was prepared without any
thought of a generic split among the mice, and its primary
division comes exactly between the House-mice and the Field-mice,
the question again arises as to the possibility of re-estabiishing the
^ Includes booduga (1837), lepidus (1839), ccrvicolor aod strophiatiLs (1845)
ierricoZor (I85I), darjilingensis {\^b\'), fulvidiventris Ti,n.A albidiventris (1852)
cunicularis (1855), beavani (1866), and dunni (1912). The position of cfervicolor
has long: been in doubt, but the study both of the type and of authentic
specimens sent by Hodf,''son, inspirit, shows that it is a larjye and rather
long'-eared species of the present gfroup. And M. darjilingensis is also the
same species and not a member of the musciclus-dubius firroup, as has been
supposed.
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 419
genus Leggada, which was used for a number of yesrs as valid,
and then more recently (Miller, Mamm. W., Europe, p. 863, 1912)
united with Mies.
I have therefore again examined all the pertinent African species
to see how far the natural grouping corresponds with that of the
Indian ones, and if so whether the grovips can be defined satis-
factorily.
The geography of the case has first to be considered. For in the
East all the true native Indian forms come under B, those fallino-
under A being either the artificially transported and parasitic
muscul'us, or else Paleearctic in locality. Should we therefore find
that in the west those corresponding to A were again Paleearctic
and those to B Ethiopian, the case for separation would be
greatly strengthened.
And this is exactly what we do find. The short-muzzled, muscu-
lus-liJie forms range over the whole of Europe, are found in North
Africa and in Egypt, along the Nile as far south as Khartoum, but
beyond that are not found in any part of Africa, the Ethiopian
forms being all of the B type.
We thus find that the A group is by nature Palgearctic only, a more
or less artificial extension of it southwards to Khartoum in Africa
and over all India being effected by the parasitic habits of Mus
musculus itself, just in the regions of the ancient civilizations of
Egypt and India. And on the other hand the B group is Ethio-
pian and Oriental, not penetrating at all into the Palgearctic.
This seems to indicate that the groups A and B, or to call them
now by their technical names, Mus and Leggada, are really distinct
natural groups which it would be both convenient and true to
nature to recognise as separate.
The essential characteristic of 31us, as compared with Leggada
is the shortening of the muzzle, a shortening which is emphasised
by a somewhat more forward position of the anterior zygoma-root.
Looking at the skull from below the whole zygomatic plate is
pushed forward, so that its anterior edge comes opposite a point in
front of the middle of the palatal foramina while in Leggada it is
at or even behind the middle. The length of the nasals in Mus
is generally about equal to the distance from the external edge of
one tooth-row to the outer side of the zygoma of the opposite side,
or (perhaps a better comparison j to the distance between the lips
of the auditory meatus of the two sides. In Leggada the nasal
length generally decidedly surpasses these two distances. Not
only is the muzzle of Mits shorter, but it is a little broader,
so that the distance between the two anteorbital fossa? goes less
than three times in the nasal length, in Leggada more than three
times.
13
4:20 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Every individual skull will not always answer to each of these
tests, but on the whole there is rarely a case where one is doubtful
as to which of the two groups a species should be placed in.
The most doubtful are the short-tailed mice known as algirus
and sinciUijas, which more approach Leggada and have less of the
iiiuscidus specialization. But on the whole they are best referred
to IIus, in whose geographical area they occur.
To Mvs therefore I would refer the following, with their sub-
species, viz. : —
mus<'julus, L. bactriamis, Bly. wagneri, Eversm.
foeroensis, Clarke, gentilis, Brants. muralis, B-Ham.
algirus, Loche. sincilegus, Pet.
Leggada would then include : —
paliari, Thos. famulus, Bonh. coolii, Ryl.
hooduga, Gray
(genotype). nitidnlics, Bly.
and in addition the whole of the African species referred formerly to
Leggada (niinutoides, jmsha, &c., &c.) and in recent years by Miller,
Heller and Dollman, to M-ks.
The following new forms may be conveniently described here : —
Leggada nitidida lioixf^a, subsp. n.
Size rather greatsr than in true Pegu nitidula ; colour rather
paler, the posterior back withoiit the distinctl}^ darker median area
usually present in that animal. General colour above rather darker
than " drab." J^elow pale gray, the hairs slaty basally, greyish
w^hite terminally ; line of demarcation on sides not very sharply
defined, often faintly edged with buffy chin hairs white to base.
Tail averaging longer than in true nitid/iUa, its length measured as
75, 75'5, 78"5, 79, 80mm, in six specimens as compared with a
range of G4 to 7omm in eight specimens of nitidula; blackish
above, white below, the contrast more marked than in nitidula.
Mammae 3 — 2=10 as usual.
Skull essentially similar to that of nitidida, Ijnt the tendency to
a postorbital thickening or projection perceptible in nitidida is
more stronglj^ marked, the projection amounting, in old specimens,
to heavy thickened ridges, which therefore contradict the formal
rule that there are no such ridges in the present group. The}^ are,
however, quite short and do not extent back on to the parietals.
Palatal foramina extending well between the first lumin^e of m.
Incisors as in nitidula more thrown forward, or (rather) less turned
backwards, than usual, being about " orthodont " with indices 77° to
S6°, most of the species having this index below 75° (opisthodont).*
* Cf. Ann. Mas-. N. H. (9) I, p. 35 (footnote) I9l8.
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 421
Dimensions of the type, measured in the flesh : — Head and body
99mni ; tail 78-5; hindfoot 17; ear 13. Skull, greatest length
24-2; condjdo-incisive length 28-5 ; zygomatic breadth 12; nasuls
9; interorbital breadth 3-7; palatilar length 12-2; palatal
foramina 5'5 ; upper molar series 3-9.
Hah. : — Mt. Popa, Dry Zone of Burma.
Ti/pe -.—Okl male. B. M. No. 14, 7, 19, 200. Original number
3917. Collected 29th September 1913 by G. 0. Shortridge. Pre-
sented by the Bombay Natural History Society. Seven specimens.
Mus gentihilus, sp. n.
A small species of restricted Mus, about the size of M. sjncilerpis,
but with the coinparatively long tail of Mus muscnlus and
gentilis.
Size small, form slender. General colour as in 31. ijentilis, the
upper sxirface sandy fawn, the posterior back warmer, under-
surface white, the hairs white to the roots in the type, but slaty at
base in another specimen, and in yet another, they are slaty basally
and washed terminally with dull biiff}', as in the house haunting
Mus maisculus. Ears, of moderate size. Hands and feet white.
Tail, of about the length of the head and body, varying from a little
shorter to a little longer.
Skull, of about the size and shape of M. sjncileijus or rather
smaller ; markedly smaller than that of (jevtilis.
Dimensions of the type, measured in the flesh : — Head and body,
65 mm; tail, 06; hindfoot, 15-5; ear, 12.
Skull: — Greatest length, 20*3; condylo-incisive length, 19;
zj'gomatic breadth, lO-G; nasals, 8-6; interorbital breadth, 4;
palatal foramina, 5; upper molar series, 3*3.
Rah. — Aden. Type from Laliej, other s]3ecimens from Sheikh
Othman.
%)e.— Adult male. B. ]\1. No,. 99, 11, G, 71. Original number
37. Collected 23rd August 1899 by W. Dodson. Five specimens.
This little mouse is the Mus hadrianus of the first and the No.
23 of the second of my papers on Aden Mammals (P. Z. S., 1895
p. 554 and 1900, p. 103). Its small size suggests a Leggada, but
it is clearly a true Mas, and seems most related to 31. gentilis, from
which it differs by its markedly smaller size. On the other hand,
judging by the length of the tooth-row, it is larger than A/, ahhotti,
Waterh., of Trebizond, as yet only known to us by the immature
type specimen. From the members of the si3icilegu,s group it is
distinguished b}^ its longer tail.
4'2-J
A NEW SPECIES OF NESOKIA FROM MESOPOTAMIA
BY
Oldfield Thomas.
The National Museum owes to Capt. P. A. Buxton,
R.A.M.C., a number of small mammals obtained b}' him while
campaigning in Mesopotamia. Among these there are examples of
a Nesolcia which on comparison with the Museum specimens, all
recently determined by Mr. Wroughton (J. B. N. H. S. XVIII.
p. 736, 1908), appears to represent a new species of the genus.
It may be called —
NESOKIA HUXTONI, Sp. nOV.
Size and general characteristics very much as in i\^. indica.
Fur not very coarse but more or less mixed with flattened
semi-spinous hairs, those across the shoulders of the type, stifFer than
in any other member of the genus. General colour above clear
sandy fawn ^nearest to "cinnamon buff" of Ridgway), lined
with the black ends of the longer hairs. Sides clearer and more
yellowish. Under surface practicalh?- white, the chin, chest,
and inner side of limbs white, the belly pale buffv white, witli
scarcely any greyish at the bases of the hairs, at least in the adult,
young specimens having more. Head browner than back. Ears
short, almost naked, their fe'.v fine hairs white; a small whitish spot
behind their basis on the nape. Hands and feet brown with whitish
digits. Tail practically naked, its scattered short hairs brown.
Skull not certainly distinguishable from that of other allied
species.
Dimension of the type, measured in the flesh : —
Head and body, 170 mm ; tail, 130 ; hindfoot, 35 ; ear, 19.
Skull : — condylo-basal length, 43 ; condylo-incisive length, 43 ;
zygomatic breadth, 25*8 ; nasals, 13x5; interorbital breadth, 6*5 ;
palatine foramina, 6; antero-posterior diameter of bulljB, 8*1;
upper molar series (alveoli) 8*1, (crowns) 7-2.
Hah : — Mesopotamia. Type from Amara ; other specimens from
Kurna and Basra.
Type. — Adult male. B. M. No. 18.8.5.5. Original number 209.
Collected 24th April, 1918, and presented by Capt. P. A. Buxton.
Judging by the skulls, the members of the genus Nesohia
prove to be much more closelj^ allied to each other than I had
hitherto supposed, it being almost impossible to distinguish with
certainty the series of species ( or perhaps rather sub-species) \vhich
are of the size of N. imiica, the three larger forms hrachyura, scuUyi,
A I^EW SPECIES OF NESOKIA FROM MESOPOTAMIA. 423
^nd bacheri alone standing out from the rest. But tlie quality
of the fur, and the general colour ai-e fairly constant locall_Y, and in
these resjDects iV. huxtoni is readily distinguishable by its sandy colour-
ation above and its whitish lielly, the only other species which
has the upper surface buffy N. huttoni, having a buffy greyish belly,
wholly different from that of the Mesopotamian Nesoki.
This animal is stated b_v Capt. Buxton to be very common
at Amara, where its burrows are much in evidence. But it was
found exceedingly difficult to trap, and now that after much trouble
lie has succeeded in getting specimens as a memento of the historic
Mesopotamian campaign. I am glad to have the opportunity of
naming the species in his honour.
424
SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES ON SOME INDIAN BIRDS
RY
B. B. OSMASTON.
Students of birds in India must occasionally have come across-
statements in the volumes of the Fauna of British India, relating
to birds, which do not fit in with their experience.
This is only natural considering the fact that these volumes
were piiblished from 20 to 30 years ago and that our knowledge
of Indian Birds and their haliits is increasing every yeav.
The following notes based on my own experience extending
over nearly 30 years, spent mostly in the forests of the United
Provinces, deal with some such cases which have from time to time
attracted my attention and the}- are recorded in the hope that thej-
may be of some general interest.
80. The Itufoiis-chinned Laughing Thrush — lantliocinda rufigularis.
The F. B. I. says regarding the distribution of this bird: " It
is found chiefly from 5,000 to 8,000 feet of elevation."
This does not agree with my observations. I have found it
fairly common in the lower valleys of the Himalayas from 2,000
to 4,000 feet elevation ; frequenting dense miscellaneous jungle,
and have never seen it above .5,000 feet.
90. The Eastern variegated Laughing Thrush — Trochalopterum varie-
galum.
The F. B. I. says : "The eggs, four or five in number ..."
I have found very many nests of this bird but have never
found more than 3 eggs in a nest. Two or three, generally
two, constitute a full chitch.
No species of Trochalopterum of which I have experience lays
more than 3 eggs.
142. Mandelli's Spotted Babbler — Pellorneum mandeUii.
The F. B. L puts the distribution of this bird as "the lower
hills of Nepal and Sikhim " and further east.
This bird is common in the Sub-Himalayan tract, including
the Dehra Dun chiefly at about 2,000 feet.
It certainly occurs as far west as the Jumna, and probably
further west, but I have no experience of the lower Punjab hills.
174. The Red-billed Mskhhlar—Slachyridopsis pyrrhops.
The F. B. I. says this bird makes " a cup-shaped nest."
All nests I have ever seen have been domed and not cup-
shaped.
199. Hodgsons Short Wing — Hodgsonius pLoenicuroides.
The F. B. I. says : "This species is found at the foot of the^
hills as well as at considerable altitudes."
SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES ON SOME INDIAN BIRDS. 425
This bird breeds in numbers at from 10,000 to 11,000 feet
and probably in winter descends to the warmer Galleys, but I
have never observed it at the foot of the hills.
202. The Chestnut-headed Short Wing — Oligura caslaneicoronata.
The F. B. I. says of the distribution of this bird " Nepal-
Sikhim ; Khasi Hills . . . ." This species is not uncommon in
Tehri Garhwal (and doubtless also in Kumaon) between 4,000
and 11,000 feet. It frequents dense undergrowth especially in
shady ravines.
It is a resident species and breeds at low as well as at high
elevations.
I have observed it west of the Tons river, but I think it
unlikely to be found in the Punjab Himalayas.
23o. The Red-billed Liothrix — Liothrix lutea.
The F. B. I. says : " This bird is found from 5,000 to 8,000
feet or lower."
In the United Provinces this bird frequents the dense jungles
near the foot of the hills, where it breeds, at from 1,500 to
4,000 feet. It rarely ascends above 5,000 feet.
In the Eastern Himalaya, near Darjeeling, it ascends to 7,000
or even 8,000 feet.
335. The Hair-crested Drongo — Chibia lioitentotta .
The F. B. I. says of the distribution of this bird "The Hima-
layas from Garhwal eastwards."
It is however commen in the submontane Sal forests, iuclud-
ingf the Dehra Dun as far as the Jumna and I have observed it
breeding up the Jumna valley at 4,500 feet elevation.
Mr. C. H. Donald has recently pointed out in this Journal
(Vol. XXV., page 500) that this species occurs rarely in the
Kangra valley (Punjab).
350. The Scaly-breasted Wren — Pncepyffa squamata.
The F. B. I. says of this bird that it occurs in the Himalayas
*'■ at considerable elevations." This is true of the summer
months, for this species breeds below the snows at an elevation
of from 9,000 to 11,000 feet. In the winter it descends to the
submontane Sal forests and lower valleys.
371. The Spotted Bush- Warbler— rnAww thoracia.
The F. B. I. puts the distribution of this bird as " Nepal and
Sikhim" eastwards.
It also occurs in Tehri Garhwal (and doubtless also in Kumaon)
in the summer at high elevations. I found it breeding at from
10,000 to 11.000 feet.
The bird differs somewhat from typical T. thoracia and may
possibly prove to be a distinct species.
446. The Aberrant Warbler— iV^eorwis flavoiivaceus.
The description given by the F. B. I. of the nest and eggs is
wrong. They belonged evidently to Horornis.
426 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVL
The nest is of dry grass, domed and placed in dry grass on
a steep hill side and the eggs are a uniform pale terracotta.
451. Blanford's Bush- Warbler — Horornis pallidipes.
The F. B. I. says of the distribution of this bird that it is
found from Sikhim eastwards.
It also occurs in the Dehra Dun in the summer and breeds in
the rains in the dense long grass and scrub jungle bordering the
Sal forests.
It will doubtless be found in the intervening country also
between Sikhim and Dehra Dun.
The eggs of this species found by me in the Andamans and
also in Maymyo were a beautiful deep mahogany red.
458. The Brown Hill- Warbler — Suya crinigera.
The F. B. I. says the nest of this bird is a " deep cup."
All the nests I have seen have been deep and beautifully
domed.
485. The Brown-backed Pied-Shrike — Hemipus capilalis.
The F. B. I. gives the distribution of this bird westwards to
Garhwal.
I have observed it occasionally also in Dehra Dun, where,
however, it is not common.
i)12. The Ashy Swallow Shrike — Artamus fuscus.
The F. B. I. gives distribution west to Naini Tal.
This bird also extends to the Dehra Dun, where, however, it
is rare.
567. The Slaty-blue Flycatcher — Cyornis kucomelanurus.
The F. B. I. says this species is found up to 7,000 or 8,000 feet.
As a matter of fact it is migratory, being found in the plains
near the foot of the Himalayas in the winter months, and in
the Himalayas at from 9,000 to 11,000 feet where it breeds in
the summer.
-575. The Blue-throated Flycatcher — Cyornis rubeculoides.
The F. B. I. says of this bird that it occurs throughout the
whole extent of the Himalayas up to 6,000 or 7,000 feet.
I have not observed it in the Himalayas as except rarely in
the low valleys, but it is exceedingly common in the foot hills
and sub-montane Sal forests, where it breeds.
598. The Indian Paradise ¥lyca.tchev—Terpsiphone paradisL
The F. B. I. says of this bird : "It appears to be everywhere a
permanent resident except in the Himalayas."
This remark is incorrect so far as the Dehra Dun and sub-
montane tract of the United Provinces is concerned. Here this
species is very decidedly migratory, appearing in April and
disappearing in October.
SVPPLEMENTARY NOTES ON SOME INDIAN BIRDS. 427
603. The Yellow-bellied Fantail Flycatcher — Chelidorhynx hijpo.van-
thura.
The F. B. I. says that this bird " appears to be a perma-
nent resident."
In the United Provinces, at any rate, it is decidedly migratory,
spending the cold weather in the foothills and sub-montane
tract and summering in the high level forests at from 10,000 to
11,000 feet.
653. The Golden Bush Robin — Tarsiger chrysceus.
The F. B. I. says of the distribution of this bird : " The
Himalayas apparently up to 5,000 feet."
This species is seldom seen so low as 5,000 feet, except in the
winter ; it breeds near the snows at from 10,000 to 12,000 feet.
664. The Shama — Cittocincla macrura.
The F. B. I. gives the Western limit of the distribution of
this bird as Nepal.
It occurs, however, as far West as Eamnagar on the Kosi
(S.-W. of Naini Tal) where I have found it breeding.
698. The Small-billed Mountain Thrush — Oreocincla dauma.
The F. B. I. says of this bird that it breeds in the Himalaya
up to 7,000 feet at least.
In the United Provinces it is found in the sub-montane Sal
forests in the winter, but retires in the summer to the higher
Himalayas where it breeds between 8,000 and 10,000 feet.
701. The Plain-backed Mountain Thrush — Oreocincla mollissiirm.
This species, so far as my observations go, does not descend to
the plains forests in the cold weather, but winters in the hills.
It breeds at from 9,000 to 12,000 feet in the Himalayas.
748. The Brown Bulfinch — Pyrrhula nepalensis.
The F. B. I. says of the distribution of this bird: "The
Himalayas from Garhwal to Sikhim."
This bird occurs fairly commonly throughout Tehri Garhwal
to the borders of Bashahr (West of the Tons) and probably
into the Punjab.
It is a commoner bird than is generally supposed, but from
its habit of freqxienting the tops of high trees in Fir forest it
frequently escapes observation.
To any one who has familiarized himself with its note it will
found by no means rare in the big Fir forests at from 7,000 to
9,000 feet.
772. The Himalayan Green-finch — H ypacanthis spinoides.
The F. B. I. gives the distribution of this bird as the Hima-
layas up to 9,000 feet.
This is correct, but this species visits the plains along the
foothills in the winter months in vast flocks feeding mainly on
wild hemp seed.
14
428 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL RIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
839. The Forest Wagtail — Limonidromus indicus.
The F. B. I. inchules the United Provinces within the area
of distribution of this bird.
I have never observed it in the forests of the U. P. and if it
occurs there, it must I think be very rare. I knew the bird well
in the Andanians and in Burma.
887. The Fire-tailed Sun-bird — yEthopyya irjnicauda.
The F. B. I. gives the Western limit of this Bird as Nepal.
I have observed and shot it in the Tons valley (Tehri Garhwal)
at about 10,000 feet.
906. The Larger Streaked Spider Hunter — Aracnothera mmjna.
The F. B. I. gives the range of this bird as from the Sutlej
eastwards.
I very much doubt if it extends west of Nepal except perhaps
as a rare straggler as 1 have never seen it in the forests of the
United Provinces.
933. The Indian Y\\X?i— Pitta bracyhura.
The F. B. I. sives the western limit of this bird as Garhwal.
As a matter of fact they come in vast numbers to the sub-
montane Sal forests as far west as the Jumna, arriving in May
and remain to breed leaving again in October.
Mr. C. J. Donald has recently reported the breeding of this
bird as far west as the Kangra Valley in the Punjab {vide
B. N. H. S., Vol. XXV., page 497).
996. The Great Slaty Woodpecker — Hemilophus jmlverulentus.
The F. B. I. is doubtful as to the western limits of distri-
bution of this species.
It occurs as far west as the Kotri Dun in Garhwal ( S. E.
of Lansdowne).
It is not found in Dehra Dun.
10:^5, The Broad-billed Roller — Eurystomus orientalis.
The F. B. I. gives Kumaon as the western limit of this bird.
It actually extends as far west as the Kotri Dun. (See last
species.)
1092. The European Nightjar — Cajirimulyus europoeus.
The F. B. I. says of this bird : "The note is a whirring sound."
This is true for Europe but not of the Indian bird which has
an entirely different call consisting of chuck-chuck-chuck
repeated 6 to 8 times rapidly at intervals of about Ith of a
second. It never produces the whirring sound so characteris-
tic of the European bird.
It is, I have no doubt, really a distinct species {Caprimulym
unioini.).
1112. The Indian Plaintive Cuckoo — Cacomantis passerinus.
The F. B. I. says, on Jerdon's evidence, that this bird ascends
the Himalayas to about 9 000 feet.
SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES ON SOME INDIAN BIRDS. 4L>9
This is essentially a bird of the lower Himalayan valleys
and submontane tract.
It is very common between l,-'500 and 3,000 feet and rarely
if ever ascends above 6,000.
1117. The Drongo Cuckoo — Suniiculus luf/ubris.
The F. B. I. says that this bird occurs " as far west as
Nepal."
It is common in the sub-montane tract as far west as the
Jumna atid doubtless occurs further west in the Punjab though
I have no experience west of the Jumna.
1119. The Red-winged crested Cuckoo — Coccysles coromandus.
The F. B. I. gives the western limit of this bird as Nepal.
It actually occurs, though not commonly, in the low well
wooded valleys as far west as Mussoorie.
1133. The Lesser Concal — Centropus bengalensis.
The distribution of this bird is given in the F. B. I. as Bengal
and S. India, and eastwards.
It actually occurs throughout the sub-montane forest of the
U. P. in suitable places.
This year I observed several pairs in Dehra Dun breeding in
the grass lands south of Dehra bordering on the Sal forests.
They appear to be migratory at any rate in the western
portion of their range.
1395. The Banded Crake — Rallina superciliaris.
The F. B. I. says of this species : ''Its summer quarters and
breeding haunts are unknown."
It appears to be a regular summer visitor to Dehra Dun as
I have in two successive years found it breeding here.
I understand from Mr. T. R. Bell of the Forest Service that it
also breeds in the Bombay Presidency.
430
A POPULAR TREATISE ON THE COMMON INDIAN
SNAKES.
Illustrated by Coloured Plate and Diagrams
BY
F. Wall, C.M.G., C.M.Z.S., F.L.S., Lieut.-Colonel, I.M.S.
Part XXVII C^vith Hate XXVII and Biagram.)
(Covtimied from page 97 of Volume XXVI.)
HYDEOPHIS SriPiALLS (Shaw).
The Narrow-ringed Sea-snake.
History. — The type is the J'o-ang example collected by Russell,
now in the British Museum, labelled from the "Indian Ocean'".
It was described by Shaw in 1 b02. In my monograph of the sea-
snakes published by the Asiatic Society of Bengal in 1909 I
expressed the opinion that spiralis (Shaw) and hrugmansi (Boie)
were identical species; and subsequently in this Journal (Vol. XX,
p. 558) in 1911 substantiated this opinion by remarks upon the
variations in the lepidosis, and colouration of a brood of 14 young.
The snake described by Gray under the name suhcinda, and that by
Gunther as longiceps, both known from single specimens in the
British jMuseum, 1 cannot dissociate from this species. Again
the snake described by me and christened alcocJd in 190G (memoirs
of the Asiatic Society of Bengal) I now think cannot be regarded
as a species distinct from spiralis.
Nomenclature, (a) Scientific. — The generic name is from the
Greek " hudor " " water ", and " ophis " " snake," and the specific
title from Latin refers to the decoration of the body. This, however,
is in the form of rings rather than spirals.
(b) English. — The narrow-ringed sea-snake fits this subject, in
which the rings so commonly seen in sea-snakes are narrower
than in the other species, at any rate those within Indian seas.
(c) Vernacidar. — Tamil fishermen do not discriminate between
the various kinds, and call most sea-snakes " kadel nagam " or
^' sea-snake."
Identif cation. — The most reliable and at the same time simple
way that I can siTggest to identify this species is b}' counting the
costal rows two heads-lengths behind the head, and the same distance
liefore the anus. In no other sea-snake (excepting the species of
Plat'urus and H. jerd^oni) are the rows posteriorly so few in excess
of those anteriorly. In the latter spot they range between 25 and
31, and posteriorly only number 2 to 6 more, whereas in other
species the posterior count is from 10 to 20 in excess of the
Joiirn. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
Plate XXVII.
-/•^<^
P Gerl..-
THE COMMON I N D I AN S NAK ES . (Wall.)
■ r een, Chromo.
1-4 .Distira spiralis ,var.lDru^inansii,yi?ai5om?u<s. . S-8.Distira cy3.TiocTn.cta.,poiiSonoxzs.
aZl not. size .
THE COMMON INDIAN SNAKES. 431
anterior. A common though not invariable shield character is
the large temporal which usually descends to the border of the lip
(see figure A. in diagram).
General characters. — For a sea-snake, it is of conspicuously robust
habit and unusually elongate. The calibre of the body anteriorly
is but little less than that posteriorly. Anteriorly it is cylindrical,
posteriorly but little compressed. The head is large with strong
laws, and the tail as in other hydrophids is a strongly compressed
fin.
Colour (i/iid marldmjs. — The back is usually a dull greenish or
bluish hue fading about midcosta, where the lower half of the
snake becomes uniform yellow or bufi\ The body is usually encir-
cled, with from 34 to 59 black or blackish bands, often expanded
vertebrally and ventrally, but these niaj'' be replaced by dorsal bars,
the arrangement being very variable. The specimens may be
grouped as follows : —
(A) Body banded.
(a) Variety hrugmansi (Boie). With bands much nar-
rower at midcosta than the intervals. No vertebral
nor ventral spots. With this I place rohusta (Gun-
ther), his/tOi>i (Murray), and rnelanocephalus (Gray).
The commonest variety, from the Persian Coast
(Gangestun and Muscat) to the Malay Archipelago
( Penan g).
(//) Yarietv ti/jdca, vel spiralis (Shaw). Differs from the
last only in exhibiting vertebral spots in one, many,
or in all the interspaces. When few, these are iisually
seen in the foremost, and posterior spaces. Common
from the coast of Sind to Madras.
(c) As the last Avith a similar series of ventral as well as
vertebral intermediate spots. I know onl}' one speci-
men which is in the Colombo Museum, presvimably
from the Ceylon Coast.
(d) Y aviety melanosoma (Gunther). Bands at midcosta
as broad or broader than the spaces, dilated both
vertebrally and ventrally so as to be more or less
confluent in these regions. I place also fioiceri (Bou-
lenger), and alcochi (Wall) with this which is an
unusual form.
(B) Body barred.
(e) Variety suhcincta (Gray). The dorsum is barred and
these bars are interrupted near midcosta so as to leave
a series of spots on the side of the Ijody. An unusual
form, the type of which comes from the Indian
Ocean.
432 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
(/) A^ariety longiceps (Gnnther). With dorsal bars,
broader than the interspaces, and no costal spots.
Temj^ioralis (Blanl'ord) I also place with this. It is
uncommon. I have seen specimens from Bombay
and Karachi.
(0) Body banded anteriorly, barred posteriorly.
This form is intermediate between A and B. Such
a specimen was sent by Dr. Henderson to the British
Miisenm from ^ladras.
Habits.— As one would expect from its conformation, it is
strong and active. It swims with vigour, and from its large
size might prove a very disagreeable foe to encounter in the water.
An amusing account of the capture of a giant specimen appeared
in this Journal in 1913 (A^ol. XXIl, p. 403) over the signa-
ture of Mr. Stone, the Chief Officer of the P. and 0. Steamer
Arcadia.
Food. — I have lately had several specimens and submitted the
curious elongate fish whicli they had fed upon to Dr. Henderson
for identification. These fish were eel-like in conformation,
and were pronounced the young of a mur^nid, either Ophichthys
horo (Han. : buch :) or 0. orientalis (McClelland).
Breeding. — For the only domestic occurrence known to me I am
indebted to Dr. Henderson. On the 1st June 1910a large gravid $
was caught in Madras, and submitted to me with its unborn
brood of 14 for my examination. The brood in an advanced stage
of development included 10 males and 4 females. The males
(with genitals extruded) measured 10-^ to IH inches, and the
females lOf to 11^ inches.
Length. — The young are probably about 15 inches long at
birth, judging from specimens of this length in which the
xmibihcus is open. Adults usually range between 4^ and 5-|
feet, and specimens over 0 feet occur, but are unusual. Dr.
Henderson's gravid $ alluded to above measured 8 feet 3 inches.
Mr. Stone's specimen from Penang to which a reference has
been made, was 9 feet in life and the skin when I measured
it had shrunk to 8 feet 9 inches. This is much the largest
sea-snake I have ever heard of, and such a monster might
very easily have been the foundation for the story of " the
sea-snake," now I suppose universally discredited. A snake
always appears to be a great deal longer than actual measure-
ment reveals. Only lately Dr. Henderson showed me a pj^thon's
skin in the Madras Museum. A friend knowled gable in snake
matters was asked to compute its length as the snake lay alive in
the vivarium, and estimated it at about 26 feet. When dead it
proved to be IG feet.
THE COMMON INDIAN SNAKES. 433
Poison. — Nothing is known of the toxicity of this venom. No
casualties in the human subject have been reported, and the
poison has not been experimented with in the laboratory.
BistriJmtion. — From the Persian Gulf to the Malayan Archipelago.
Lepidosis. — Rostral — Broader than high. Nasals. — In contact
behind the rostral ; the siiture from the nostril, when present
passes to the 2nd labial. Fnefrontals. — With rare exceptions
touch the 2nd labial. Pruiocular. — One, Postoculars. — One (rarely
two). Temporals. — One large anterior, succeeded by a posterior
of equal size ; the anterior frequently descending to the margin
of the lip. Rarely there are two superposed anterior temporals,
and the posterior shield is not infrequently replaced b}" small
scales. Snpralahials. — G to 8 : the anterior 4, 5 or G usually
large and undivided, the rest divided. The ord and 4th usually
(rarely the 5th also) touch the eye. Infralahials. — 4 ; the last in
contact with 3 or 4 scales behind. Marginals. — Usually one
wedged between the 3rd and 4th infralabials (rarely two after the
3rd). Sublinguals. — Two well developed pairs, the fellows of
each in contact (or the posterior separated.) Costals. — Two
headslengths behind the head, usually 25 to 29 (rarely 23 to 31) ;
in midbody usually 31 to 35 (rarely 29 to 3G) ; two headslengths
before the anus 28 to oG : more or less imbricate, smooth or
nearly smooth in the young, feebly or strongly tuberculate in
adults. Ventrals. — 282 to 373. Entire thi'oughout except for a
few posteriori}^ ; less than twice or hardl}^ twice the breadth of
the last costal row.
Dentition. — I have examined the maxillary teeth of well over a
dozen examples, and find there are usually 7 (rarel)^ 6) behind
the paired fangs. Palatine. — 7. Pterygoid. — 12 to 13. Mandibular —
13 to 15.
Plate. — Our figures are excellent, and show the commonest form,
(Variety bnigmansi) to be met with around our coasts. The
ventrals are shown too broad relatively.
HYDROPIIIS GYANOCINGTUS'' (Daudin).
The Chittul.
History. — The t3"pe of this species I take to be the specimen in
the British Museum from the Sunderbunds, w^hich was one of the
• I have no hesitation in declarinji: the tuhevculata and crassicollis of Anderson,
the dayanus of Stoliczka, and the trachyccps of Theobalds (all of which are
kno«n from singrle specimens in the Indian Museum which I have examined)
identical with cyanocinchts. Further I think the sublcevis and lapemidoides of
Gray, all of which I have examined in the British Museum, will prove to belong to
this species. It is more than likely too that the melanocephalus of Gray, and the
mclanosoma of Gunther may have to be referred to this species. I have seen the
types of each in the British Museum. The hituherculnta of Peters I have not
examined, but I see no reason from the description and figure given to diss«ciate
it from cyanocinctus.
434 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
collection originally presented by Eussell to the Koyal College of
Surgeons. This specimen is probably the subject from which
figure IX Russell's second volume published in 1801 is taken.
The name ci/anocincfMS was conferred by Daudin in 1803.
homenclature. (a) Scientific. — The generic name is from the
Greek signifjdng " water snake,"' and the specific is a hybrid
word of Greek and Latin origin meaning "blue banded."
(l>) Ewjlisli. — One cannot do better than appropriate the
vernacular name for English use.
(c) Vernacular. — According to Russell " chittul " is the name
by which the snake is known to the natives about the Sunder-
bunds, but I very nuTch doubt if they can really discriminate
between this and many other sea-snakes. The word is probably a
derivative of " chitti " implying spotted or mottled.
General Characters. — The adult is a strongly built and heavj-
snake. The forebody is cylindrical, and varies from about two-fifths
to two-thirds the depth of the body at its greatest girth, except in
heavily gravid females where it may Ije only one-third. Posteriorly
the body is compressed, and the tail is flatly compressed as in other
sea-snakes. The head, of the same calibre as the forebodj-, is
relatively large and the jaws strong.
Colouration. — The many varieties have been summed up by Mr.
Boulenger, and I have little to add to his arrangement.
Variety (A), — typica (Daudin). With well-defined black bands,
more or less connected ventrall}-.
(a) All the bands complete. A common form ranging from the
Persian Gulf to Tenasserim.
(h) With some of the posterior bands interrupted costally or
subcostally. Not uncommon. From the Persian Gulf to Tenas-
serim.
(c) With some of the posterior bands deficient ventrally, and
thus converted into bars. Not uncommon. From the Persian
Gulf to Tenasserim,
Variety (B). — With well-defined black bands not united ventrally.
A common form occurring between the Persian Gulf and
Tenasserim.
Variettj (C). — With obscure bands or bars. A common form
usually met with in adult specimens, and occurring between the
Persian Gulf and Tenasserim.
Variety (D). — With well-defined dorsal bars. A common form
seen in examples from the Persian Gulf to Tenasserim.
Variety (E). — The phijjsoni of Murray. With a continuous,
black dorsal band. A rare form known from a single specimen
from Bombay, in the Bombay Natural History Society collection.
THE COMMON INDIAN SNAKES. 435
Identification. — Given a normal specimen identification is easy.
A large majority of specimens will be found to have the 3rd, 4th
and 5th labials entire, and all touching the eye. In addition there
is nearly always a complete row of marginals after the 2ud infra-
labial, which cuts off" the subsequent infralabials from the margin
of the lip. Unfortunately in many specimens certain of the head
shields are subject to great variation. Thus only two labials may
touch the eye, and either the 3rd, 4th, or 5th or all, may be divided.
Rarely specimens have a single cuneate marginal between the 3rd
and 4th infralabials, or a complete row after the 3rd infralabial.
The ranges of costal rows and ventrals are considerable. These
facts make identification in some cases difficult, in fact many new
species have been created by various aiithors, on individuals that
present a number of costals or ventrals in excess of the previouslv
recorded ranges or that present unusual characters in their head
shields. Where only two labials touch the eje, the costals and
ventrals must be counted, and these may come within the ranges
of the following species, nigrocinctus, diadema, mamillaris, and
ccerulescens . An examination of the maxillary teeth is then called
for, and this is best left to an expert. In nigrocindus there are 2
teeth behind the fangs, in ci/anocindus 6 to 8 (usually 7), in
diadema 8 to 10, in mamillaris 9 to 10, and in ccerulescens 13 to
17.
The species is, however, more frequently confused with sfiralis
(Shaw) (vel hrngmansi (Boie) ), than with any other species.
The most important points of difference between these two are,
that in spiralis the scale rows at the greatest girth range from
29 to 36, Avhereas in cyanocinctiis they range from 38 to 49.
Further the scale rows in sjnralis are usually only 2 to 6 move
numerous at the greatest girth than in the forebod}-, whereas in
cyanocinctiis, they are usually from 8 to 16 more numerous.
Ilahits. — Nothing special has been recorded about the habits
of this snake in spite of its being such a common species.
Breeding. — A small specimen only 2 feet 11 inches long, in the
Indian Museum, I found gravid. The date of its capture is not
recorded. It contained 3 foetuses, varjang in length from 1 foot 2
inches to 1 foot 3 inches.
Another gravid specimen captured in the Bombay harbour, I
found contained 9 young. The parent measured 4 feet 4 inches,
and the young of which, 4 were j , and 5 5 , varied from 12 to 13
inches in length. The date of capture is not known.
Fayrer, in his Thanatophidia, mentions a gravid specimen from
Puri (date not recorded) in which Mr. Stewart found sacs of the size
of hen's eggs, containing 16 very young embryos. A gravid
female 33 inches long, captured in the Chantabum Eiver, Siam, in
15
436 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HLST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
March 1916, contained eight embryos var3dng in length from
10 to lOi inches.
Poison. — Nothing is known. There is no record of a bite in
the human subject, but the poison may be judged to be virulent,
from the fact that a fowl that Russell caused to be bitten by a
five-footer succambed in 8 minutes.
Lepidosis. — Bostral. — Broader than high. Nasals. — In contact
behind the rostral. When there is a suture from the nostril this
passes to the 2nd labial. Prefrontals. — Touch the 2nd labial.
Frontal. — The sutures with the parietals are rather longer than
with the supraoculars. Supraoculars. — In length and breadth
about two-thirds to three-fourths that of the frontal. PrKocvlar. —
One. Postoculars. — Usuall}'' two, sometimes one. Temporals. —
Usually two between the parietal and the 6th labial. Labials. —
7 to 8. The first 5 usually entire and the 3rd, 4th, and 6th usually
touching the eye. Infralahials. — 5 ; the 3rd and 4th broadest, the
6th touching 3 or 4 scales behind. Marginals. — Usually a complete
row after the 2nd infralabial, rarely, a single cuneate, or a
complete row after the 3rd infralabial. Sublinguals. — Two pairs,
the fellows of each in contact or the posterior rarely separated.
Gostals. — Two headslengths behind the head 27 to 36; at the
greatest girth 38 to 49. Anteriorly imbricate, posteriori}^
imbricate, sub-imbricate, or juxtaposed. Each scale has a keel
occupying its median three-fifths or so. Almost alwaj'S this keel
is divided by one or two indentations into two or three parts.
The very distinctive keels and their serrations are much more
conspicuous in males where they are sometimes most pronounced
and even spinous on the belly. In females and young though
somewhat obscure they are usually discernible if looked for.
Ventrals. — 296 to 398, usually entire, rather less than twice the
breadth of the last costal row, keeled on either side like the lowest
costals.
Dentition. — Maxilla. — In well over 20 specimens examined I
find there are nearly always 7 teeth behind the fangs, but they
vary from 6 to 10. The numbers of mandibular, and other teeth
given are from the single skull in \\\j collection and are : Palatine.
— 9. Pterygoid. — 18. Mandibular. — 14 to 17.
Length. — Adults are usually 4 or 6 feet long, the largest in the
British Museum being 4 feet 10 inches. I doubt if I have ever
seen one 6 feet, but Murray says it grows to 7 feet. Judging from
the length of the young compared with those of spiralis, one would
expect to hear of as large or even lai-ger specimens than in that
species.
Distribution. — In Indian limits it occurs from the Persian Gulf
to Tenasserim. It is probably the common set sea-snake on our
Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
Diag^rarrii
Po r
m nr
A
B
c
D
Hydro/this s/tiralis Aj Bj C. Cnabsize) D (x 2)
A
Prf
S pec.
m.iv V
C
JH
W jvV
H}/dro/ihLs ct/anoct?tctus A toE Cn ai: size) F (X2^
D
E
F
Common Indian Snakes.
THE COMMON INDIAN SNAKES. 437
shores with the single exception of the Jew's nose {B. valahadyn).
In the Persian Gulf it is probably the commonest of all sea-snakes.
About Ceylon it appears to be much less abundant than on the
shores of India. I can find no record from the Andamans, though
one can hardly doubt that it occurs there.
Plate.
On the coloured plate the names of the snakes are given as
* Distira spiralis var hrugmansii and Distira cyanocincta ; these should
now be changed to Ilydropliis s-piralis var hmgmansii and Tlydrophis
cyanocincta respectively,
* In my '' Monograph of the Sea-snakes " publishsd in the Memoirs of the
-Asiatic Society of Bengal in 1909, I pointed out that the genus Distira
(Boulenger) rested on a mistaken basis. I contended that the posterior maxillary
teeth in all Hydrophis were grooved, and Boulenger was in error in supposing
these teeth in Hydrophis were not grooved- This being the only difference on
which the two were separated I claimed that they should rest under a single
generic title. Since this Boulenger has published a work on the Malayan
Reptilia, and in this he has accepted my observations and Distira now is
suppressed in favour of Hydrophis, for all those species previously included by
him under Distira and Hydrophis.
438
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS
OF INDIA.
(INCLUDING THOSE MET WITH IN THE HILL STATIONS
OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY).
BY
T. R. Bell, i.f.s.
{Continued from page 140 of Vol. XXVI. )
Part XXIL
(With Plate H.)
18. Genus — Iraota.
De NiceviUe says that this genus and Amhlypodix are structurally the most
aberrant of the Lidia Lyccenidce, because of the veins 7, 8, 9 being stalked and
9 being wanting in the female. Iraota is fm-ther : haracterised by the size of
the butterflies : 1-5 to 1 ' 8 inches in expanse, by the brilliant metallic blue of
the male upperside and by the highly variegao'd chestnut miderside in both
sexes with prominent silvery markings ; the males have, besides, a lobe and only
one thread-like tail to the hind wing, while the female has a lobe and two. The
genus occiu's almost throughout Lidia except in the desert tracts and the higher
Himalayas ; in Ceylon ; in Burma ; the Malay Peninsula ; Java ; Borneo ; the
Philippine Islands and China. De Niceville states that there are three species,^
two of which are confined to Malay. The transformations of timoleon (=mcBcenas)
are described below : —
163. Iraota timoieon ; StoU. — ^Male. Upperside: both wings black, the
lower discal area of the fore wing (this has little hair-fringe on inner margin)
and the disc of the hind wing rich, deep, metallic blue, changing to purple in
certain lights and varying in extent on both wings. Underside : both wings
chocolate red-brown or chestnut. Fore wing : with the following silvery mark-
ings : — a club-shaped mark in the cell from base outwards over vein 7 but not
touching the subcostal nervvue and reaching a little beyond the middle ; a large
rounded spot on the discoceUular nervules ; a discal series of four inwardly
angulated lunules in interspaces 2 to 6 in a straight line under each other, the
middle one obsolescent, the two uppermost the smallest ; a broad band of
darkish suffusion from base along middle of wing to nearly the outer margin ;
inner margin pale, with a tuft of hairs near the middle. Hind wing : with a
very prominent, curiously-shaped, silvery band extending from the base where
it is narrow, suddenly broadens, has a point upwards and a lobe downwards,
then narrows and turns upwards to expand into another large lobe near the
middle of the costa ; a small silvery spot below the band on the upper discoceUular
nervule and two angulated, outwardly-curved, pale whitish, ante-and post-
medial lines, indistinct beyond and diffuse from the abdominal margin across
wing, as also a terminal and subterminal, indistinct, whitish line ; anal lobe
black with a long, somewhat broad, black tail tipped with white at the end of
vein 1 and a point at veins 2 and 3. — Female. Upperside : both wings purplish-
brown. Fore wing with a large lower, discal patch of shining, generally metallic
pm-ple of variable size. Hind wing sometimes with a small, irrorated patch
of purple scales in the middle of the disc. Underside : both wings similar to
the male but all the markings more prominent. There are medium-sized extra
points at the end of vein 2. Antennae black, the club roimd with tip pale»
orange-red ; head and body black above, brown beneath ; palpi white beneath ;
eyes ringed with white, frons white with brown hairs ; cilia white and brown in.
patches.
I
THE COMMON BDTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA.
Explanation of Plate H.
igs.
53,
53 a.
Tajtiria cippiis
S
5
5'
64,
54 a,
Virachola isocrates
6
$
3)
55
Loxura atymnus
6
3>
56,
56 a,
Curretis thetis
6
2
5J
57,
57 a.
Arhopala centaurus
«J
2
JOURNAL, BOMBAY NAT. HIST. SOC.
PLATE H.
56a
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA.
Horace Knight, deL Hentschel-Colourtype.
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 439
In mcecenas, the so-called dry-season form, the prominent, silvery band on
the underside of the hind wing is wanting, though indicated by scaling.
The blue on the upperside of the female is very variable both in extent and
brilliance on both wings and is occasionally as extensive and as brilliant as
in the male.
Expanse : male, 37 "45 mm ; female, 37'47 mm.
Egg. — ^In slmpe is a much depressed hemisphere, broadest at the base.
The surface is shining and covered with coarse and moderately low-walled,
hexagonal cells about 0* 125 mm. in diameter between the walls, these walls
themselves being 0'05 mm. in width and rather less in height ; there are four
cells from apex to base, not including the micropyle-depression at its bordering
wall ; the cells are arranged in very fairly regular transverse rows and there
are about 24 round the largest circumference ; the micropyle-depression is
rather less in width than a cell-diameter and very deep, the coarse wall around
it sometimes deeply pitted with a single circle of small pits or points. The
bottoms of the cells are shining, and rather coarsely tuberculate, though distantly
so. The colour as seen at the bottoms of the cells is honey-yellow ; the walls,
are all enamel-white and the intersections appear to be very slightly raised.
B : 1*4 mm. ; H : 0* 75 mm.
Larva. — Onisciform, somewhat abnormal in slmpe ; segment 2 large, hiding
the head , semi-circular in outline, very slightly thicknened along the margin,
sloping considerably up from front to hinder margin and with a rather large,
square, dorsal depression with a flat bottom and a black, diagonal (to the square)
dorsal line across it ; segments 3, 4 progressively larger, broader and higher,
5, 6 nearly as broad as 4 and nearly as high, the succeeding segments gradually
decreasing in width and height to anal end, the last segments rather suddenly
narrower, the extremity square ; the dorsoventral margin slightly flanged, the
segments all well-marked; the gland on segment 11 large, trough-shaped with
a black mark in the centre, the organs on segment 12 circular-mouthed, protru-
ding on occasions a small, white cylinder. The head is round, light yellow in
colour, shining, with dark mandibles. The surface is thickly studded with
minute tubercles, each bearing a very short, erect, dark bristle or hair, some
fine hairs on the ventral surface laterally also. Spiracles rather large, depressed,
oval, light in colour. The colour of the body is different shades of green more or
less suffused with pink or rose ; a dark, dorsal line ; ventrum light green ; some-
times segment 9 is darker than the rest. L : 22 mm. ; B : 8 mm.
Pupa. — The sMpe is quite normal ; stout, roimded in front and behind, the
thorax slightly humped, head hidden mider segment 2, the constriction behind
the thorax very slight. Surface slightly shining, minutely rough and covered
with minute, erect hairs ; a lateral row of small depressions on abdomen, one
to each segment, segments 8 — 11 with a small swelling dorsally. Spiracles
raised, oval, rather large, light brown in colour ; that of segment 2 whitish,
longly oval, rather large. The colour of the pupa is brown with a pinkish
shade and darker brown markings. L : 15 mm. ; B : 7 mm.
Habits.— The egg is deposited on branches, leaf-buds, &c., always
singly. The larva lives on the young shoots and young leaves,
boring into the leaf buds and fruits but never living inside them ;
there is nothing exceptional about its habits. The pupation takes
place on a branch or in the axil of a leaf, &c., and the attachment is
normal though the tail-attachment is very strong compared to the
band, so that it often seems as if the pupa were attached by the
tail only. Ants occasionally are found with the larvae but do not
440 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
seek tliem out and arc certainly not necessary to the caterpillar's
existence. The butterfly is strong and quick on the wing but never
flies far at a time, is not always quick in getting up and drops suddenly
on to a leaf or settles on a stalk, twig, &c., where it walks about
slowly. It rests also in similar places and keeps the wings closed
over the back ; it rarely is found basking and does not seem to feed
much on flowers or sip moisture from the ground. It lives amongst
the foliage of the trees but is not found much in the open as distinct
from the protection of leaves, &c. ; it has a moderate liking for the
sun but is not found in deep shade either. Both forms timoleon and
mceccnas have been bred, the former in the monsoon months and
end of the hot w^eather when the shoots are all young and succulent,
the latter in the cold weather when food for larvae is not so plentiful
nor so full of sap. The foodplant of the caterpillar is Ficus bengal-
ensis or Wad, the common Banyan ; but it has also been bred
from Ficus glomerafa where it was found feeding on the fruits ;
and, no doubt, it also eats other figs. The butterfly is not rare
where it occurs but it is difiicult to come by owing to its habit of
keeping amongst foHage and its unwillingness to feed on flowers ;
the larvae can always be had in numbers. The habitat has been
given under the Genus ; and it may be added that it is further
confined to the hills and places of heavy or moderately heavy
rainfall.
19. Genus — Sukendra.
There are three species known : S. quercetorum with a very wide distribution :
the only one that concerns us here ; amisena from Burma, Singapore, Nias
Island ; and florimel from the Tavoy District in Burma. This last has no tails
to the hind wing ; the other two have one tail in the male, two in the female.
The undersides are marked in a characteristic manner and have the appearance
of " cloudings " rather than definite lines, bands and spots as in the rest of
the Lyccenidce. The transformations of S. quercetorum only are known. They
are given below. The larva is somewhat abormal in shape ; the pupa is
more or less normal. The genus is represented in the Himalayas, Southern
and Eastern Ladia, Burma, Ceylon, the Malay Peninsula and the Islands of
Nias and Java which is the range of ;S^. quercetorum.
164. Surendra quercetorum, Moore. — ^Male. Upperside: both wings dark-
brown, the middle of the wings from base outwards for more than half the
length, including the cell above and as far as vein 1 below, shining violet-purple.
Fore wing : a fringe of brown hair along the inner margin ; the cilia dark-brown
at base, lighter beyond. Hind wing : the pm'ple often entirely wanting, the
brown rather paler than in upper wing ; often a fine, terminal, darker line, the
cilia as on fore wing. A 3 mm. long, narrow, ribbon-like tail at end of vein
1, a point of scales at end of vein 2 ; the tail black, tipped white. Underside ;
light greyish-brown with sinuous, dark-brown, fine, transverse lines and spots ;
the termen of the fore wing clouded darker except at apex, this clouding extending
inwards triangularly but not reaching the centre of the disc ; on the hind wing a
similar, darkish-brown clouding occupying most of the apex and extending in
a narrowing band across to the inner margin where it is bordered below by the
medial, transverse line of lunules. Fore wing : with the following dark-brown
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 441
markings : — One straight across middle of cell, linear with a broken continuation
above between vein 12 and cell ; one on each side of the discoceUular nervnles,
close together, straight, sometimes converging at the ends ; a short, outwardly-
curved Imiule in interspaces 11, 10, 9 just under the costa and each one in
succession further out than the preceding ; the outermost one of these forming
the upper end of a postdiscal series of similar markings in the interspaces down
to vein 1, the third moved inwards and broken from the line, the fourth, fifth
and sixth continuous amongst themselves but broken from the rest and moved
outwards in a curve, the seventh and eighth straight ; a subterminal series of
small, round spots from interspace 1 to 6 ; a dark, fine anteciliary line some-
times edged fhiely paler inside ; the cilia dark-brown at base, pale beyond.
Hind wing : a subbasal line of lunules from vein 7 to vein 1, all inwardly bordered
thinly with white, the line broken and curved ; a pair of discoceUular lines as
on fore wing but fainter ; a medial, cm'ved, transverse line of outwardly convex
lunules in the interspaces from 7 downwards broken inwards in interspaces
5, 6 and again in 3, 2, &c., these lunules being very highly curved : all edged
outwardly with white but most prominently in the upper part of the line ; a
postdiscal series of inwardly-convex, similar Imiules forming a continuous lice
from vein 7 to the inner margin above anal lobe, the last Imiule rmming uji
parallel to the inner margin ; a series of submarginal spots as on fore wing, often
very indistinct ; an anteciliary, dark-brown, fuie line edged inwardly finely
white as on forewing ; cilia also as on fore wing ; the anal lobe often dull orange-
brown. Female. — ^With one extra tail, to the end of vein 2, shorter and broader
than the longer one at end of vein 1. Upperside : both wings glossy, smokey
brown, varying in shade with a purplish tint at times. Fore wing : the middle
of disc often paler ; cilia, darker brown. Hind wing : similarly brown ; cilia
often lighter towards anal angle. Underside : as in the male exactly except
that the orange on the anal lobe is brighter. Antennae, dark-brown above,
speckled with white below, with the bluntly pointed, rounded club orange; frons
brown, darker above; palpi , head thorax and abdomen darkish- brown above;
below everything light-brown. Expanse : 41 mm. and under.
The males are often only 26 mm. in expanse ; the undersides are then rather
faintly marked, the subterminal lunulate spots and postdiscal lines of the hind
wings being particularly affected.
Egg. — ^Depressed hemis'pherical in shape, covered with coarse, conical,
round-topped risings each one connected with those surromiding it by fine,
low ridges ; hardly two of the risings are the same size, the largest being
situated round the greatest breadth of the egg ; on the summit is a lace-work
of thick-walled cells without any thickening at the intersections of the lines
and the micropyle is a small perforation in the centre ; the gromid-colom' is
green, all the walls and thickenings are white. B : 0.8 mm. H : 0.4 mm.
Larva. — The shape of the larva is not normal, being rather lengthened, depres-
sed and parallel-sided. The head is hidden under the large second segment
at all times ; this segment 2 is more or less semi-circular in outline with the
dorsum taken as a whole parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pupa but slop-
ing up towards the much higher segment 3 at the hinder margin, has the
middle of the dorsum depressed to form a diamond, of which the greatest length
is on the dorsal line and of which the surface is shining, the margins of the seg-
ment thus being thickened all round the free part but having the dorsal line
of the front deeply depressed so that the thickened margins of each side end in
what looks like a small subdorsal knob ; segment 3 is very little broader than
segment 2 but a good deal higher ; segment 4 is broader than 3 and forms the
highest part of the larva and the breadth remains the same thence backwards
o segment 9, the height very gradually decreases backwards to segment^lO ;
442 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL BIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
the dorsal slope of segments 11-14 is more considerable, the 14th or anal seg-
ment being suddenly narrower than the preceding one and ending square
behind ; there is a kind of fleshy tooth at the common margin of segments 12
and 13 on the dorsal surface of which are situated the extensile organs of seg-
ment 12 which, when protruded, are short cylinders with tubercled, knob-
like extremities; the gland on segment 11 is circular in shape; on the dorsum
of segment 14 there is a depressed, shining, glabrous, central, large, green space.
The head is roundish, shining, light red-brown in colour with black mandibles.
The dorsoventral margin is more or less flanged, the flange romided in transverse
section and more or less translucent-looking. The surface of the body is covered
with minute, curved, thick-topped hairs, the ventrum with minute tubercles ;
the posterior margin of segment 14 and front margin of segment 2 are set
with simple, erect hairs and there is a single, curved, erect hair at each lateral
angle of the dorsal depression of segment 2 as well as a single, subdorsal one
on the middle of each segment 5-9. The spiracles are the colour of the body,
white-centred and of ordinary size, circular. The colour of the body is light
green or rose, with a double, lateral, diagonal band to each segment 5-10 run-
ning down and back, the posterior half of each band being dark-green, the front
half whitish ; there is a broad, dark green, lateral band with the upper edge
white-bordered on segments 2-4, that on segment 2 being narrowest ; a dark-
green, dorsal line from end to end ; the anal segment has two subdorsal, whitish
bands as well as a dark-green dorsal one ; segment 2 has a dark-green, dorsal
band ; besides which there is a subspiracular greeny -white or rose-coloured
band; all the diagonal lateral bands end on the subdorsal line and do not
meet on dorsum ; ventrum dark-green. L : 20 mm ; B : 5 mm ; H: 4 mm.
Pupa. — The shape is quite normal, the anal end being rounded, the front
also ; the head is hidden under segment 2 ; segment 2 transversely convex with
a considerable dorsal slope which passes smoothly into the similar dorsal slope of
of thetransversely convex, slightly laterally compressed thorax which is somewhat
broader than segment 2 with rounded shoulders ; the breadth of pupa is the
same from the shoulders to segment 7 so that the lateral outline is there straight ;
anal segment slightly turned under ; the ventrum of pupa flattened. The
surface of the pupa is minutely roughened with minute muslu'oom-shaped
hairs, i. e., hairs with thick stems and circular, disc-shaped tops ; on segment
2, there is a subdorsal, central, minute, conical tubercle. Spiracles of segment
2 prominent, oval, white ; the rest are glassy, prominent, oval, light-coloru?ed.
The colour of the pupa is dark brow'n-pinkish, blotched with blackish ; a
blackish dorsal line and a lateral row of large, glassy, black, depressed, circular
spots, one to each abdominal segment ; ventrum light. L : 12 mm. ; B : 4.5
mm. ; H : 4 mm.
Habits. — The single egg is deposited upon shoots, stalks, leaves
after a minute inspection of sites by the butterfly and, often, amongst
a lot of ants that stroke her legs with their antennae. The little
larva, upon emerging, eats only the young parts and seems to be
particularly fond of the gland at the base of the leaf which is
found in Acacia -pennata upon which it is always found. When full
grown and in the last few stages the caterpillar is difficult to find
because of the cryptic colouring, the diagonal bands having
the appearance of the rows of little leaflets along the branches of the
leaf. The pupation takes place in a crevice or on a leaf, on the upper
surface or below as the case may be, &c.; and the fixings are quite
normal. The butterfly can fly quite strongly but never goes far ; it
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 443
gets up when disturbed, flies a short distance and then suddenly
drops amongst the foliage. It frequents jungles where the rainfall
is heavy and the country hilly and does not extend into the jjlains
or dry places ; it likes the sun, but does not bask ; neither is it commonly
to be found feeding at flowers or drinking water on the ground,
it rests with the wings closed over the back and generally on an erect
shoot, t^\-ig or stem ; it is sluggish in getting up. The distribution
is that given for the genus. It is plentiful on the Western Ghats
from sea-level up to 2,000 feet in the Kanara and Belgaum Districts
of Bombav.
20. Genus — ^Mahathala.
There is only one species, ameria, which constitutes this genus. It is
characterised by having a spatulate tail to the hindwing, the outer margin
of the hind wing being much lengthened and the costal margin very short and
excised so that the apex is a regular point or tooth. Otherwise it is very like
an Arhoimla in general ajipearance and in the markings of the underside. It
is not a common butterfly anywhere. Its life history is unknown.
165. Mahathala ameria, Hewitson. — Male. Upperside: dark, dull purple.
Fore wing with the costal and outer marginal bands narrowly black but not
prominently so; broader on the outer margin than on the costa, broadest at apex.
Hind wing with a broader, inconspicuous, black band from the base along
the costa, where it is broadest and round the outer margin evenly to the anal
angle ; tail at the end of vein 2 black, rather long, broad, spatulate, scalloped
on each side so as to form a short, tooth-like j)rojection. Underside : fore wing
with the upper half suffused with rufous-brown, the apex smeared with whitish,
the lower half of the wing pale greyish-brown ; a broad bar across the middle
of the cell and another across the end formed by their white edgings, an irregu-
larly angled spot edged with white below the end of the cell, a broad, discal
band of conjoined spots from the costa to vein 2, edged with whitish, commencing
from the costa in an outward curve, then nearly straight do^Vn ; indications of
a submarginal series of indistinct, brown, lunular marks. Hind wing with the
entire surface, except the middle and upper marks, smeared with whitish scales,
the basal area irregularly spotted with brown; a very irregular, narrow, brown,
outwardly curved band ending in a large, brown spot below the costa near
apex, joined to a smaller brown spot on each side of it ; a discal band, mostty
smeared Avith whitish, with an outward, even curve, edged on both sides by a
brown, angulated line which is broad at the abdominal margin, gradually
narrowing upwards ; a subterminal row of indistinct, small, brown spots capped
with darker brown lunules ; all these markings often indistinct. Cilia of both
wings black. Female. — Like the male above and below except that the inner
area of both wings above is generally much duller in colour which is often
more restricted. Antennse black ; palpi black above and below with the head
and body throughout concolorous with the wings. Expanse : 37 mm. to
45 mm.
Egg, larva., pupa. — ^Unknown.
Hahits. — The insect is said to be nowhere common but as it occurs
in such places as Calcutta, it has been entered in these papers. The
habitat is Northern India, Siam, Hainan, China, Barrackpur, Mergius,
Assam, Perak, Calcutta, Goalpara, Sibsagar, Chittagong hill tracts.
16
444 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
21. Genus — Amblypodia.
De Niceville describes the neuration of the forewing as being similar only to
that of Iraota among the Lyccenidce because of the conformation of the basal
portion of and origin of vein 5 which he says is given off from vein 6 near the
base of that vein, whence it is bent down, forming a false discocelular nervule,
before tm-ning off to the outer margin. Also vein 8 in the forewing is wanting in
the female, present in the male. There are two species recognized of which only
one, anita, concerns these papers. It is an extremely variable species in colour
though never in shape ; some of the males are brown without any purple shade
on the upperside, others nearly uniform purple with, in both cases, a black
border, also variable in width and even ; the females are sometimes also uniform
brown with a much broader black border or have a basal patch of, sometimes,
quite briliant blue, most extensive on the upper wing. And these varieties
may all be bred from the same batch of eggs. The imdersides of the sexes
are alike and resemble dead leaves in their shading and the presence of a " mid-
rib " from the ajjex of fore wing to the anal angle of hind wing. A. anitais quick
and strong of wing but never flies far ; it rises, flies a short distance and then
drops amongst the foliage ; it is slow to rise and walks about when settled ; it
settles on leaves, stalks, twigs, &c., and keeps the wings closed over the back.
The larva is somewhat abnormal and very brightly coloured ; the pupa is stout
and normal in shape. The habitat of the genus is throughout Continental
and Peninsular India (except in the desert tracts, the Panjab and North Western
Provinces) ; Assam ; Bm'ma ; the Malay Peninsula ; Java, Luzon ; the Anda-
man Isles (but not in the Nicobars) and Ceylon.
166. Amblypodia anita. — ^Male. Upperside: dark violet-purple with very
little gloss, the colour obscuring the marginal black border . Fore wing : no
fringe of hairs on inner margin ; costa and outer margin with a moderately broad,
blackish band, generally broadest on the outer margin. Hind wing : the costal
band broad, the outer, marginal band narrow, in most specimens a mere line :
anal lobe marked with dull red. Cilia black; tail stout with a black fringe.
Underside : rufous-brown. Fore wing with a subbasal, black, transverse line;
a mark on the discocellulars a thin black line from before the apex to the hinder
margin beyond the middle, followed by a postdiscal series of indistinct, discon-
nected, Imiular, black marks or spots which are not always, however, visible ;
and sometimes, indications of a submarginal series ; sometimes, aho, the subapi-
cal, costal area powdered with black scales. Hind wing : medial, outwardly-
curved, black line and an indistinct, outwardly-curved, discal series of black
dots marked with white points, both in continuation of the two lines on the
fore Wing ; a series of submarginal, similar, black dots and subbasal marks ;
the ground-colour of the wing varying in tone in different specimens. — Female
Upperside : dull violet, sometimes quite brow*n. Fore wing with broad, costal
and outer, marginal, blackish-brown borders. Hind wing : generally uniform
dull violet-brown or brown without any borders ; anal lobe as in the male.
Underside : varying in shade from oclu-eous grey to violet-brown, the outer
half lighter ; markings as in the male but some of the darker colom-ed examples
have a hand of suffused whitish marks in connection with the discal line.
Antennae black, the tip orange ; head and body above and below concolouroua
with the wings. Expanse : 45 mm.
Egg. — ^Is of the ordinary, depressed, hemispherical sJiape, or very widely
dome-shaped, broadest about half way up. Surface moderately shining ;
covered with hexagonal (sometimes pentagonal), very regular, large cells, about
six from apex to base and about twenty-four round the broadest part ; seven
surromiding the apical micropyle iriegularly smaller ; the walls coarse, mostly
triangular in cross-section, sometimes rounded : with an erect spine at each in-
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 445
tersection or corner; the walls about as high as one-third of a cell-diameter,
the spine as long as the walls are high; the concave bottoms of the cells minutely-
pitted. The largest cell-diameter is 0-075 mm; the walls are 0- 05 mm. in width,
the cells round the m'icropyle are at least 0-05 mm. broad; the micropyle
funnel-shaped and 0-lmm. at the mouth. Colour is light-green in the cells, the
walls are enamel-white, the spines translucent-white, B: 0'9 mm., over 1
mm. with the spines; H: 0*45 mm. without spines.
Larva (PI. II, fig. 22). — The shape is somewhat abnormal and the horizontal
section would be a very good representation of a rather short boot-sole, the heel
being the posterior end of the body. The head is always hidden under segment
2 ; segment 2 is more or less semi-circular or rather trapeze-shaped, the narrowest
side being the front margin, the margin is somewhat tumid and there is a dorsal,
central, apparently triangular (really 4-sided) depression situated on a dorsal
tumidity again, the bottom of the depression is glabrous with fom' or five
minute tubercles, the thickened border dented on the front margin in the dorsal
line forming a small triangular sinus ; the body is broadest and highest at about
segment 6, increasing from segment 2 backwards, after which it decreases in
height and breadth gradually to the hinder margin of segment 8, increasing
again in height and breadth, though in a lesser degree, in segments 9-11 ; the
dorsal slope being more or less gradual from 6 to 11, 12 after which 13-14 have
a much more steep slope : these two end segments are short and narrower by
a good deal than segment 12 ; segments 8, 9 are generally narrowed into a kind
of waist, 7 and 10 being broader — generally, because in certain positions
Avhich the larva assumes, this is not the case ; in repose the hinder margins of
all segments 3-10 is higher than the front margin of the succeeding segment ;
the ventrum is flat ; all segments are well marked and the dorsoventral
margin is transparent. The /«ea(Z is rather small, round, shining, yellow with
a large triangular, white-outlined elypeus and black eye-patch and mandibles.
The surface of the body is very shining and finely and distinctly pitted as also
laterally corrugated ; the free margins of segment 2 and segment 14 as well as
the ventrum on the sides are all sparsely covered with minute, erect, stiff,
dark hairs. There is a small, transverse gland on segment, and the organs
on the segment 12 are small and cylindrical when protruded. Spiracles rather
small, oval and more or less the same colour as the body. Colour of the body-
is oily green-yellow with a broad, electric-blue dorsal, lateral and subspira-
cular band, the whole length of larva from segment 2 to segment 12 ;
segment 13 has only a dorsal smudge of blue. L : 17 mm. to 23 mm. ; B :
7 mm.
Pupa (PI. II. fig. 22a). — The sJiape is normal but very stout. The hmd-
frons is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of pupa ; segment 2 has the dorsal
slope in continuation of the front slope of the thorax ; the thorax is somewhat
flattened on the apex and the posterior slope is steep and short ; the 4th segment
is nearly as high as the thorax so that there is little hump about the latter ; the
dorsal line ascends gradually from segment 5 to segment 7 which is the highest
part as well as the broadest of pupa ; the slope from 7 to end is short and steep
to the end which is rounded, segments 13, 14 being tmned under; segment 2
is rounded in front, broadens out to its hinder margin from where the sides of
the pupa are parallel as far as segment 5 ; after which the abdomen swells out
again to segment 7. The surface of pupa is slightly rugose imder the lens. The
spiracles of segment 2 are linear, slightly raised, light ; the rest are linear, light-
colom-ed slits in the middle of a round, dark surface, each sunk in a shallow
depression. Colour of pupa is brown of many shades dorsally with a darkish,
dorsal longitudinal line and a black, circular spot at edge of wing (laterally)
on segment 5; ventrum dirty greyish. L: 12*5 mm. and over; B: nearly
7' 5 mm ; H : 7 mm.
446 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVl.
Habits — Many eggs are laid at a time irregularly on the uppersides
of leaves on stalks, branches, buds ; the young egg-larvao living
gregariously and continuing thus up to the last moult when they
separate, each going its own way. The pupation takes place on the
ground at the foot of the creeper as a rule in a crevice, under a dead
leaf, &c., and there seems to be no body-band — only the tail fixing.
The larvae is never attended by ants, at least none have ever been
noticed in their company. The growth of the caterpillar is rapid
and the pupal stage only lasts seven days. The butterfly is strong-
winged and of rapid flight but rarely seems to make use of its powers.
It is sluggish when put up, flies only a short distance and settles again
suddenly. It has the habit of walldng about when settled on leaves,
stalks, twigs and branches and always with the wings tightly closed
over the back. It seldom, if ever, visits flowers, neither does it seem
to feed on the juices of trees or suck water from the ground but
apparently passes its life amongst the foliage of trees ; and seems to
prefer dense scrub- jungle in regions of heavy rainfall to anything
else. The foodplant is Olax wightiana of the family Olacincce. The
habitat of A. aniia is India, Ceylon, Burma and Siam. It is plenti-
ful at sea-level on the coast of Kanara in Bombay and up to 1,800'
in the hills immediately above.
22. Genus — ^Akhopala.
As at present accepted, this genus contains about one hundred species,
mostly Oriental from Lidia, Ceylon, the Andamans, Burma, the Malay Penin-
sula, throughout the Malay Archipelago ; some being also found in China, Japan
and one or two in Australia. De NiceviUe in his Butterflies of India, Burma
and Ceylon, writes a short history of the genus in which he characterizes it as
unwieldy, but says that there is no way as jet discovered of dividing it up, as
the venation of the wings offers no basis. He states that the outline of the
wing in different species varies much, in some there is a tail to the hindwing,
in others none, and the colour of the uppersides is some shade of blue, more or
less constant for each species, though differing in the sexes of the same butterfly
sometimes, as, for example, the extreme case of a group, the type of which is
Arhopala eumolplms from Sikkim, Nepal, Assam through Burma and Malay
to Borneo, in which the males are metaUic-green, the females blue. He further
remarks : " An Arhopala is unmistakable, the merest t\To in oriental butterflies
should at once be able to distinguish any species as belonging to the genus,
which contains some of the largest as well as the most beautiful of the
Lyccenidce. Nearly all the species are of some shade of blue or purple on a black
ground on the upperside, the females with the blue or purple colour always
more restricted than in the male . . . Most fortunately the under-
sides of both sexes are alike, usually of some shade of grey or brown, with
numerous darker spots and catenulated bands . . Secondly, sexual characters in
the male are entirely absent ... " He goes on to say that he has
not noticed anything in the natiu-e of seasonal variation in any species within
Indian limits. All this is certainly true of the species found in Bombay, which
are centaurus and amantes, bazaloides, canaraica and abseus. Of these only
two are at all common, namely, centaurus and amantes which, with their trans-
formations, are given below. Hewitsmii, which seems to occur sometimes in
the Plains, has also been dealt with here. Bazaloides and canaraica are both
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 447
found in the jungle-covered Ghats in Kanara District in Bombay, but are not
common even there ; it is the same with abseus, which is very rare. The
butterflies of this genus are all strong fliers with robust bodies and ample wings,
but none of them fly far at a time ; they are insects of the forest and live amongst
the trees, in foliage ; like AmUypodia and Lraota, they fly very fast but are slow
in getting up and settle suddenly on a leaf or twig or stalk in any position ;
walking slowly about at times and resting anywhere on leaf, stalk, twig or
branch with the wings closed over the body ; occasionally the males bask in the
smi on the upperside of a leaf with the wings partially open and they have been
seen sucking juices from wounds in tree trunks ; they never, seemingly, visit
flowers though they have (rarely) been noticed sucking moistm-e from the ground.
The larvae are abnormal in shape, being much flattened, they are all looked after
by ants and are given to hiding in leaves, slightly rolled or bent into rough cells
for the purpose, these cells fashioned with the help of silk emitted from the spin-
nerets; often the inside siu'face is also provided with a " bed " or silken carpet
on which the caterpiUer rests. The pupae are abnormal in being rather long,
from the fact that the anal segment is not tm'ned mider but is in a line with the
rest of the body, and it is always widened out to resemble a horse's hoof ; the tail
fixing is strong, the body-band moderately tight and the pupa can move up
and down rapidly from just in front of the end segment to produce a knocking
noise when distiu-bed. The transformation from larva to pupa takes place,
generally, in one of the larval cells ; ants also guard the pupa. The foodplants
are various and, at least in the case of centaurus and amantes, the choice of them
seems to depend more upon the presence of the ant-protectors than upon the
kind of tree as wiU be seen below.
167. Arhopala centaurus, Fabricius — (PI. II, figs. 57 J, 57a 9)- — "Male
Upperside : both wings dark briUiant, violaceous-blue with very narrow, outer,
black markings : cilia brownish. Underside : both wings ochraceous -brown.
Fore wing with two looped spots margined pale bluish green in the cell and
a subquadrate spot inwardly margined with pale bluish green and outwardly
with greyish, at the end of the cell ; a waved, postmedial fascia margined
with greyish crossing the wing bej-ond the cell and the following spots mar-
gined with greyish : — one near the costa above the end of the cell and two
beneath the cell divided by vein 2 ; the apical third of the wing is somewhat
paler and contains a marginal and sub marginal, dark fascia. Hind wing ; with
the following spots and fasciae margined with greyish : — seven basal spots, a
medial, transverse fascia connected above at vein 7 with an imier, broken,
macular fascia extending to the inner margin of wing ; a marginal and two
submarginal, somewhat obscure fasciae ; tlu'ee transverse, marginal, metallic
greenish spots near the anal angle. Body and legs more or less concolourous
with the wings. — Female. Upjjerside : both wings violaceous-blue. Fore wing
with the costal and outer margins broadly fuscous. Hind wing ; with the costal
margin broadly, the outer margin narrowly, fuscou-J. Underside : both wings as
in the male. Expanse : 50 to 52 mm."
De Niceville gives the above description of true centaurus, Fabricius on th*^
authority of Distant who says that he made certain by comparing the type
in the Banksian collection in the British IMuseum. Distant says that Hewitson
confused matters by depicting the Avrong species as this. Then Felder described
it as nahula in 1860. Fabricius named it originally as Papilio cenlmirus in the
year 1775. Besides which Doubleday, in the year 1847, named it 2}^^udoc€n-
tatirus. Moore caUed it pirithous in 1881 and de NiceviUe and Wood-Mason
invented the variety corruscans in 1880. Swinhoe at the present time treats
centaurus, pirithous and coruscans as good species, saying that the latter two can
be easily distinguished from the first. From which it will be seen that a name
is not always as simple a thing to fix as it looks. Swinhoe considers that
typical centaurus does not occur in Bombay and considers that corruscans does.
448 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL RIS1\ SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Egg. — Similar to that of Arhopala amantes.
Larva. — The shape of this larva is abnormal in that it is much flattened and
somewhat produced behind though not particularly narrowed ; the dorsal line is
gently convex from front to anal end, the transverse section being represented,
say, by an arc subtending gths of a semicircle or less ; segment 2 is a slightly
lengthened semicircle in shape and is slightly convex transversely, rising gently in
the dorsal line from the front margin to segment 3, the posterior lateral angles
slightly rounded and a little broader than the front margin of segment 3 ; the
breadth increases gradually to the middle of the body, then decreases as gradually
to anal end which is rather more narrowly rounded than segment 2 ; segment 3
is, therefore, slightly narrower than 2 at front margin and the body is there
more or less parallel-sided ; none of the segments are constricted at margins
and the surface of the whole larva, is, therefore, quite even ; the body is slightly
flanged along the dorsoventral margin ; segment 10 is slightly tumid along the
posterior margin so that segment 11 is suddenly somewhat lower than it; the
gland on segment 11 is situated near the jiosterior margin and is circular in shape
and black in colour ; the two mouths of the organs on segment 12 are circular,
thinly black-edged and the organ itself, when protruded is short, cylindrical,
white with the extremity spined or tubercled. The stirjace of the body is shin-
ing, oily-looking and set with numerous, minute, light coloured tubercles;
round the front margin of segment 2 is a row of porrect, proportionately longish,
reddish, simple hairs ; there is also a fringe of similar hairs just under the
dorsoventral margin all round, those in the centre of each segment somewhat
longest ; the spiracles are surromided by a fringe, each, of similar hairs and there
are a few at the bases of the pseudolegs ; the top of segment 2 is smooth and
shining. The spiracles are conspicuous, longly oval and dark red-brown in
colour. The colour of the larva is green or deep greenish-red generally according
as whether it feeds on green or red leaves ; the following marking is invariable : —
a broad brown, dorsal band from end to end, broadened out into an oval on
segments 12-14 (all one oval mark, not one to each), this browii, on segments
2, 3, 4, covering the whole dorsum, bordered there by a narrow, green band, this
marking gradually narrowing forwards up to posterior margin of segment 2,
then broadening suddenly to narrow forwards into a broad line or narrow band
finishing on the front margin ; from the posterior margin of segment 4 to the
anterior margin of segment 11 the broad, dorsal, brown band is flanked by a
subdorsal, broader yellow one which is again flanked by a lateral, green, narrow
band bordered below by a thin, yellow line; the green, narrow band as well
as its lower, linear, yellow border rumiing from end to end of the body ;
the broad, yellow, subdorsal band is marked from the middle of .segment 7
backwards to the posterior margin of segment 9 with close, black, transverse,
parallel lines ; ventrum green. L : 37 mm. ; B : 8 mm. ; H : 6*5 mm.
Pupa. — Head rounded (frons), nearly completely hidden by segment 2 ,
segment 2 semicircularly rounded in front, the hinder margin straight, trans-
versely convex ; thorax humped, very slightly ca' inated along dorsal line as
well as segment 2, shoulders slightly prominent, lumpy, constriction at segments
4, 5 slight dorsally, none lateraUy; the pupa nearly parallel-sided from the
shoulders to segment 7 but ever so slightly broadening so that the region at
segment 7 is the broadest part of the body; the apex of the thorax is the
highest ; abdominal segments convex both ways, decreasing in width to segment
10, segment 11 being suddenly slightly narrower, breadth of 12-14 being the
same breadth as segment 11 ; the body increases in height slightly from segment
5 to 7 ; the slope of segments 13, 14 rather steep ; the anal segment is shaped
like a horse's hoof, the suspensory hairs arranged beneath along the margin ;
the gland-scar dark- brown, circular, raised depressed in the middle ; the organ-scars
small hemispherical bosses also depressed in centre, light in colour; ventral
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 449
surface much flattened. Surface very finely rugose, shining, covered with very
minute, white tubercles. Spiracles of segment 2 linear with thin, slightly raised
edges ; the rest conspicuous, slightly raised, oval, light in colour. The colour
of the pupa is very dark brown, smudged and speckled with blackish as a rule ;
but it may be more or less pure, light brown; wings generally lighter.
L: 18*25 mm. ; B: 7 mm.; H: 6-5 mm.
Habits. — The eggs are laid, always singly but often two or three on
the same plant and often on adjacent leaves, on the upper surfaces of
the leaves or on a stalk. From the time the larva emerges it is attended
assiduously by red ants {(EcoyhyUa smaragdina) which even stick
to the pupa. The larva is very slow in its movements, lives nearly
always on the underside of a leaf, lying along a vein or the midrib
when small, when big maldng a loose house or cell for itself by drawing
portions of a leaf together. It feeds exclusively on young leaves.
The pupa often keeps to the cell thus made and is attached strongly
by the tail and a body-band. It has the power of moving from the
base of the " hoof " and, by knocking with its body against the leaf-
surface rapidly, is capable of producing quite an audible noise. The
butterfly appears about a month after the egg that produced it was
laid. It generally emerges in the early morning but, in dull weather,
rather later. It is an insect of powerful flight as might be assumed
from the robust thorax. But it never flies far though its movements
are excessively rapid ; one sees just a glance of brilliant blue in the
sunHght and it is gone. It is somewhat slow in getting up, unwilUng,
that is, to take to the wing ; it j)itches suddenly amongst the foliage
a little further on and disapj^ears. It walks about slowly on leaves,
under and over, on stalks, twigs, &c. It occasionally basks in the
hot sun with the wings partially opened exposing the extraordinarily
brilliant upper surface which, in certain lights, positively scentillates
with exuberance of colour. Ordinarily, when resting, the wings are
kept closed over the back and the colour of the underside blends
well with the surrounding lights and shades so as to make it difficult
to spot a quiescent insect. The species is very plentiful on the im-
mediate coast of Kanara in Bombay and the larvas can be obtained
in the monsoon months in large numbers if one knows where to look
for them. It is a thoroughly jungle insect, found in places where the
rainfall is heavy and, perhaps, there, preferring the dense, creeper-
infested, damaged scrub with scattered high trees to the really good
forest. It never goes to flowers but has been noticed sucking sap
from a wounded tree-trunk and also sucking moisture from the
groimd. It is difficult to catch because of its very rapid, dodging
flight and the nature of the places it frequents. It is rarely seen except
amongst foliage. The plants upon which the larvae have been found
are Terminalia tomentosa, faniculata {ComhretacecB), Lagcrstrcemia
microcar'pa {Ly(hracece), Xylia dolahrifurmis {Leguminosece). Its
habitat is the Eastern Himalayas, Assam, Burma, the Malay Peninsula,
Siam, Nias Island, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, the Andamans, Ceylon
450 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL SIST. SOCIETY, Vol, XXVI .
and Southern India. The figures 57 and 57a on Plate II are too red,
the male too dull blue above and not blurred enough on the under-
side ; the female (57a) has the colouring far too unequal on the
upper and far too light on the underside.
It is best to append a description of the South Indian variety or species — if it,
indeed, merits the name — christened coruscans by Wood-Mason and de Niceville
in 1880 from South India. As it is the South Indian species or variety, the
description appended is based on Avhole rows of fresh insects and is taken direct
from them without reference to the original one contained in the Journal of the
Asiatic Society of Bengal, vol. xlix, pt. 2, p. 234, n. 54 (1880) ; which is, besides,
not available for reference at the present moment.
167b. Arhopala coruscans, Wood-Mason & de Niceville. — Male Upperside :
pm-plish-blue, lighter and less intense in bright sunlight than the beautiful,
shining morpho-blue of amantes. Fore wing : the black borders are here ex-
tremely narrow, not more than O. 5 mm, excejDt at the extreme apex where the
black broadensout slightly. There is a slight greenish tinge at the extreme base
of the wing. There is a slight fringe of greyish hairs along the inner margin.
Hind wing : the black border of the outer margin from vein 7 to vein 1 as narrow
as on the fore wing ; above vein 7 and below vein 1 is blackish- brown except at
the extreme base where the blue invades the inter spaces ; the actual inner margin,
the body-groove is much lighter brown. There is no anal lobe and the tail at
the end of vein 2 is short and broad (3 mm. or slightly more, by 1 mm.) and
blimtly pointed ; black with a small, greyish tip. There is also a very short
l^roduction of the cilia at the ends of veins 1 and 3. Underside : fore wing :
rufous-brown with the intervals between the terminal markings and the post-
medial band as well as between that band and the medial-markings, rufous-grey,
much lighter in colour ; the rufous-brown, slightly darker markings exactly as
in amantes band for band and spot for spot except that the spots in and at the
end of cell are larger and bordered in their upper halves by very light bluish-
green scales which stand out very conspicuously from the rufous back-ground ;
the postmedial band is also much evener than in the other species and there is
never any streak in intersjoace 1 between the postmedial and medial markings :
that interspace is here grey. Hind wing : brighter rufous-brown than on the
fore wing, with aU the markings of amantes visible as blurred spots and bands
difficult to make out excejDt that the double row of black, lunular, subterminal
markings in the anal region are here replaced by brown ones and there is only a
mere indication in interspace 1 of a sprinkling of light bluish-green scales
where the spot should be ; there is an indistinct Avash of darker rufous-broAMi
than the gromid-colom* from base through the cell to the terminal margin
where it broadens out. Cilia of both wings above and below brown with the ends
greyish — Female. Upperside : similar in colour to the male with the bases of
wings more plentifully greenish. The broad black costal and outer margins
similar to those in amantes except that, always, the posterior, terminal breadth
is less than in that species ; the veins all blackish (which is not the case in the
male) ; the abdominal margin very light in colour. Underside : exactly as in the
male. Cilia as in the male. In both sexes :antemiai brown, with a longly,
graduated, rounded club which is tipped with orange and, in the male, sprinkled
with white scales below • palpi broA\'n, lighter below ; Irons and head brown ;
thorax above blue-green, below light brown ; abdomen broAvn. Expanse : male,
50 mm. ; female, 60mm.
168. Arhopaia amantes, — Hewitson. Male. Upperside: both wings bril-
liant morpho-blue, the base narrowly greenish with narroAV black borders to the
costa and outer margin ; the veins blackish. Fore wing : the black border of
costa narrowing from base to middle ; the inner margin with a slight fringe of
THE COMMON BVTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 451
light-coloured hair. Hind wing : the costal, black border reaching from end of
vein 6 to base, narrowing inwards ; the outer margin narrow to vein 1 ; the anal
margin inside vein 1 dusky black and longly haired ; the small lobe rounded, with
a rounded, shorter point of scales at end of vein 1, and shorter points at ends of
3-6 ; the cilia white between the two ; a 5 mm. long tail at end of vein 2 which is
1 mm. broad in basal third, then narrower, black, tipped finally white. Underside :
both wings grey, the spots and bands rufous-brown and darkest on their inner and
outer edges which are, again, bordered thinly lighter or dull-whitish. Fore wing :
the space in the cell, and between veins 1 and 2 occupying the upper half of that
interspace in continuation, as far out as the imier edge of the postmedial band,
slightly lighter rufous-brown than the spots and bands with the following spots
superposed on it : a small spot in the base of the cell, a larger one in the middle,
both round and one, more or less quadrate, decreasing upwards in small steps,
enclosing the discocellular nervules; another at base of interspace 2, its outer edge in
continuation of the imier edge of the discocellular mark ; a very indistinct spot in
interspace 1 up against the middle of the bottom of the cell and another, quadrate
in the obtuse angle formed by the bottom of the cell and vein 2 ; the last two
extremely indistinct and nearly merged in the groimd-colour ; the upper halves
of the cell-spots are bordered with pure white, the bottom halves with soiled white
scales. The rufous-brown streak between veins 1 and 2 outwards is sometimes
irregular on the lower edge where the grey ground-colour of the wing sometimes
runs up along the outer border of the spot in the obtuse angle below the base of
vein 2 ; and, generally, there is a small production of the lower, extreme end of
the brown streak downwards, very faint, into the lower half of the interspace.
Beyond there is a more or less erect series of spots in interspaces 2-7 forming a
postdiscal band, the lowest largest, quadrate or subtriangular, decreasing in size
upwards, the third from the top moved slightly outwards : the inner and outer
border dull- white except the inner border of the last two spots which is purer
white ; beyond again a subterminal straight, transverse, narrow line of the grey
ground-colour leaving three series of indistinct quadrate spots of a darker (also
rufous-brown but of a lighter shade) wash in the interspaces, the middle series
lunulate and outwardly convex, the outer terminal and darkest and not reaching
the costa : they all start at vein 1. Cilia brown with the outer half grey. Hind
wing : a minute, basal spot on costa above vein 8 ; a transverse row of four
romid spots, one in each of the interspaces 7, the cell, 1 and la, the first and
third largest, the last on the inner margin, all subbasal ; two larger ones beyond :
one in interspace 7, one in the middle of cell ; a parallel-sided, medially slightly
outwardly-bent lunule enclosing the discoceUulars with a triangular spot in the
base of interspace 2 and a larger one in 1 beyond in continuation inwards ; a
postmedial, transverse band, broken and moved outwards at vein 6, composed
of a large, subquadrate mark consisting of two outwardly- convex, broad lunules in
interspaces 6, 7 which mostly touches the discocellular mark inside and is
continued by a pair of quadrate, much smaller, fainter marks in echelon
outwards in interspaces 4, 5 followed by another pair in echelon inwards in
interspaces 2, 3 which are themselves in echelon outwards ; then a
thinner outwardly convex lunule in 1 running in towards the inner margin
and finishing up with a doubly- waved band running up to the inner margin
at about the middle in interspaces la and lb. These markings are followed
by the same two indistinct, grey, subterminal lines of the ground-colour as on
the fore wing, leaving the same three series of indistinct rufous-brown markings
except that, here, in the anal region, the interval between these two grey lines
is powdered with grey and the medial, brown limules are replaced by thinner,
black ones in interspaces 2 to la ; on the anal lobe there s a large, deep black,
round spot bordered inside with light bluish-green meta Uic scales and outside
by white, with, beyond in interspaces lb, 1,2 a terminal "dusting of mixed black
and metallic bluish-green scales, bordered inwardly by thin, blackish or dark
17
452 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
lunules. Antennae with a very long, graduated club, brown above with a
sprinkling of white scales below ; head, frons and palpi brown above ; thorax
smooth with bluish-green scales ; abdomen brown. Below palpi, thorax and
abdomen light brownish. — Female. Like the male in the colour of the blue
except that it is slightly lighter and the bases of the wings are more prominently
greenish ; and the veins blacker ; the brown borders, however, much broader,
fuUy 6 mm. on the outer margin ; the black often rmining down from the costal
margin along the discoceUular nervules. Underside : exactly as in the male in
every way, the colouring aU round, perhaps, a bit lighter. Expanse : male,
55 mm. ; female, 60 mm.
Swinhoe's description of the insect is as follows : —
" Male. Upperside : dark purple-blue, shining in certain lights, coloio'ed
somewhat line pirithous, but brighter blue ; costal and outer, marginal line
black. Cilia black, tails black : a rather long tail at the end of the vein 2, slight
projections at the ends of all the other veins of the hind wing, more pro-
nounced at the ends of veins 1 and 3 than at the ends of the others. Underside :
grey, suffused with pinkish-brown ; the lower portion of the fore wing pale, the
hind w^ng darker than the fore wing, but varying much in shade ; spots and
bands chocolate-brown. Fore wing: with a small spot in the cell near
base, a larger one in the middle, four conjoined spots at the end, the third from
the upper end minute and sometimes absent ; a discal band of conjoined spots
from the costa to vein 2, increasing in size hindwards, the band slightly out-
wardly curved, sometimes very nearly straight down, but the middle spot
always a little outside the others ; all these spots and bands edged with bluish
white; a subterminal, indistinct, broWnband andstiU more indistinct, terminal
band. Hind wing with four subbasal spots, three in a row, the fourth near the
abdominal margin followed by two spots ; an outwardly-curved bar at the end
of the ceU, with dark brown edges, with two spots in an inward curve below it ;
a discal, outwardly-cm-ved, irregular band of spots and curves, commencing
on the costa with a large, brown patch composed of two squarish spots joined
together ; a submarginal, lunular, thick, brown line and an anteciliary, thinner
line, both more or less lunular, the latter edged outwardly with bluish-white
near the anal angle where there is a black spot on the lobe capped with bluish-
white ; the bands with indications of very indistinct, similar bands between
them ; a black terminal line. Antennae black ; palpi black above, whitish-
brown beneath ; head, and body blackish-brown above, grey beneath. Female.
Upperside : paler and brighter blue, merging into black on the outer parts ;
forming broad, costal and outer, marginal bands on the fore wing ; with
generally, a black spot at the upper end of the ceU ; hind wing with similar
costal and marginal bands, narrowing much in the middle of the outer margin
then broadening hindwards, with some blackish suffusion running up near the
abdominal fold which is pale. Underside : as in the male. Expanse : 55-62mm ".
Egg. — More or less hemispherical in shape, covered with 9 rows of penta-
gonal cells from apex to base, 24 rows round the broadest part ; all these cells
with coarse walls and a short spine at each intersection ; there is one apical
cell ; the colour is green, spotted darker ; the walls white. B : 1 mm. ; H : 0.
75 mm.
Larva. (PL II., fig. 23). — ^The shape is nearly the same as that of
Arhopala centaurus but slightly stouter. Head light yellow, shining, round,
hidden under segment 2. Segment 2 rounded in front, slightly thickened along
margin, somewhat constricted behind, only very slightly transversely convex ;
3 broader than 2, dorsoventral margin slightly flanged, dorsaUy higher than
segment 2 ; 4 to 10 similar to 3, each one slightly higher at the hinder margin
than the immediately succeeding segment ; segment 10 is perhaps the highest
THE COMMON B UTTERFL IBS OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA, 453
part of tlie body : it is very tumid posteriorly where the large prominent gland
is situated and is longer than any other segment ; body broadest at 6, 7 ; anal
segments flattened, very much so at the end, that end longly rounded. The
surface is rather dull ; the dorsoventral margin set with longish, erect hairs
which are always most numerous at the anterior margins, practically wanting
at the posterior margins ; the front of segment 2 and anal segment are somewhat
densely set with hairs roimd the margins ; the spiracles, aU except those of
segment 12, are surrounded by red-erect hairs as well as the circular organ-
orifices on segment 12. Spiracles situated on the anterior face of a slight
tumidity on each segment. Colotir of body is grass-green as the groxmd-colour ;
the dorsal region red-brown or chocolate, flanked by a lateral, thin, double,
yellow line ; a subspiracular, thin, yellow line ; the posterior face of each spira-
cular tumidity is black except on segments 3, 4 ; segment 2 is bordered
anteriorly with red-brown and has the large dorsal depression also red-brown
with a dorsal, white line through it which is bordered by two dark brown bands ;
there is a darker, dorsal line from segment 5 to 11 bordered by a yellowish line,
and it is broadened out on segment 10; on segments 12-14 is one pear-shaped
red-brown mark, along the dorsal line, broadest behind; segments 12, 13 have a
thin-brown band along dorsoventral margin bordered below by the thin, yellow
line ; ventrum green. L : 36 mm. ; B : 8 mm. ; H : 6 rom.
Pupa. (PL II., fig. 23a.) — ^Is exactly similar in slmpe, size and colour to that
of centaurus except that the thorax is generally greenish and the abdomen
red-brown. Surface sparsely covered with translucent-whitish, cylindrical,
short hairs w"hich are smaller than those of centaurus. The abdomen has a
depressed appearance about segments 6 and 7.
Habits. — There is nothing to distinguish this species in habits from
A. centaurus in any way. The red ants look after its larva just as
assiduously : it frequents similar places, has the same habits of flight,
&c., &c., aad is rather more plentiful in Kanara ; the foodplants
of the larva are also identical. De Niceville mentions that this species
as well as atrax (under which name he includes hewitsoni, now recog-
nized as a distinct species and to which de Niceville refers) are butter-
flies of the Plains as well as the jungles ; amantes, he says " is more
widely spread than centaurus. It occurs ."^.in the plains of
Bengal, the Central Provinces and Bombay and thence southwards
to Travancore and Ceylon ; in the last place it is found at * Colombo'.
He quotes Hutchison as saying that it conceals itself under leaves
with its wings folded ; and says that he himself took it in Calcutta
under a big banyan tree in the Botanical Gardens.
169i Arhopala hewitsoni — Male. Upperside: duU lilac colour. Fore wing:
costal band blackish, narrow ; outer marginal, blackish band rather broad,
even in width. Hind wing : nearly all blackish-brown tinged with lilac, with
lilac blue patch in the ceU-space ; filamentous tail of moderate length
brown tipped with white. Cilia white, with a brown base. Underside :
greyish-brown, markings a little darker than the ground-colour, with pale
whitish edges. Fore wing with three spots, all sometimes more or less elon
gated, increasing in size outwards, near the base of the cell; an outwardly
oblique spot below the last two cell spots, a spot somewhat elongated hindwards
in the next lower interspace and a small, roimd spot above the middle of the
two outer ceU-spots ; a slightly outwardly-curved, discal, even band of six
conjoined spots followed by a disconnected spot ; a marginal, pale brown line
454 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
a submarginal band of rather thick, lunular marks and, between them, a band
of paler marks ; the lower portion of the wing pale in colom*. Hind wing with
the markings more indistinct ; fom" subbasal spots, followed by three similar
spots ; a lunular mark at the end of the cell with two other Imiular marks a
little inwards, connected Avith its lower end ; an irregular, discal band of eight
spots, the first two from the costa and the seventh shifted a little inside the
others , the eighth being a round spot a little more inwards on the abdominal
margin ; the terminal line and subterminal series as in the fore wing ; anal lobe
small, containing a black spot, capped narrowly with white and some whitish
and metallic blue scales at the ends of the three lowest interspaces ; indications
of an anteciliary, whitish line on both wings, plainest on the hind wing.
Female. Upperside : Fore wing with the lilac colour brighter ; the costal
blackish-brown border very broad ; a black spot at the end of the cell
merged in it, the outer margin broadly suffused with blackish-brown ; leaving
the discal, medial and submedial portions lilac-blue. Hind wing : miiformly
brown, but often with a lilac tint. Underside : as in the male. Antennse black ;
palpi black above, white beneath ; head and body concolorous Avith the
wings. Expanse of wings : 36 mm.
Larva, pupa. — Unknown.
Habits. — De Niceville says : " A. atrax shares with amayites, Hewit-
son, the peculiarity of being a plains insect, with its headquarters in
Orissa and Chota Nagpur, where at times it is said to swarm." Swin-
hoe says its habitat is " India, Burma. Recorded from Orissa, Chota
Nagpur, Dehra Dun, Bholaghat in the Malda District, Sikkim,
Jalpaiguri, Calcutta, lower slopes of the Nilgiris, Bernardmyo,
Central Provinces, Chin Lushai and Chin Hills, Masoori, Shan States,
Kumaon, Pachmarhi, Simla and Ranchi." He adds " it has hitherto
passed as A. atrax, Hewitson in Indian collections. Hewitson describes
two species as male and female, he figured the male only ; this latter,
a commoner form, Bethune-Baker has described as Hcivitsoni ; we
have examples of both sexes, it is no doubt quite distinct from Hewit-
son's atrax of which there are examples of both sexes from Burma
in the British Museum."
This ends the Subfamily Arhopalince.* It is characterized by the following : —
legs normal (separating it from Oerydinoe which, however, do not concern these
papers), fore wing with veins 5, 6 close to each other at the base dividing it off
from Lycenince, Theclince, Curetince and Liphyrince), iore wing with vein 11,
not anastomosed with vein 12 (differentiating it from Poritiince in which veins
11, 12 are anastomosed). This last differentiation, depending upon a vein-
character which is not easy to see as aU the costal veins are so close together,
might cause trouble if the Poritiince were of any interest here : which they are
not, as none occur in the Plains or in Bombay. None of them extend south of
*NoTE :— On page 657, Vol. XXIV, Part 4 of this Journal B. N. H. S., the
Subfamily Arhopalince should contain only the following genera : —
Thaduka, Amblipodia,
Mahathala, Surendra,
Iraota, Arhopala,
All the rest being Tkeclince : —
Zeizus, Tajuria,
Creon, Chliaria,
Pratapa, Zeltus,
Rathinda,
Loxura,
Bindahara,
Catapoecilma,
Deudorix,
Virachola,
Horaga,
Cheritra.
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF TEE PLAINS OF INDIA. 455
the Himalayas and most of them belong to Burma and the Malayan Subregion.
The members of the subfamily are all, with the exception of the genera Sztrendra
and Zitmspa, (not included here) large insects as the Lyccenidce go, have blue,
purple or green uppersides, often brilliantly metallic and very character-
stically marked undersides. Most of them have a lobe and tail , some have
more tails than one , sometimes different in number in the sexes ; a few of the
genus ArJwpala have no tails and very little lobe — but, even then, the underside
is always unmistakable.
23. Genus — Zezius.
This is another genus that contains but one species. De Niceville writes :
"In this genus the sexes are equally balanced, the male has an extra
nervure (vein 8 wanting in the female ), the female has an extra tail to the hind
wing (at vein 3). It is strange that Mr. Moore should have overlooked
the dissimilarity in the number of subcostal nervules (veins 7, 8, 9) to the fore
wing which exists in the opposite sexes of the type species of this genus,
though it was pointed out by IMr. Hewitson. The dissimilarity in the colour-
ation of the sexes on the upperside is also remarkable, the male being bril-
liant coppery, the female duU blue and black. The genus contains but a single
species which occurs in the Malda district of Bengal, several parts of the Bombay
Presidency, in Ganjam, throughout South India and in Ceylon." The larva
is abnormal in having segment 2 peculiarly formed, in having a short, tubular
mouth to the gland and some jfleshy teeth laterally on the posterior segments ;
the pupa is similar to those of the genus Arliopala . The larva is attended
always by red ants and, indeed, will not live healthy without them and is
probably occasionally carnivorous, eating their pupae.
170. Zezius chrysomallus, Hiibner. — ^Male. Upperside : both wings coppery
red, often with a strong violet gloss in certain lights, costal and outer margins
narrowly brown, sometimes the brown diffused and slightly broader. Fore
wing : no clothing of appressed hairs on the disc and no fringe of hair along the
inner margin. Hind wing : with three black spots at the anal angle in inter-
spaces lb, 1 and 2, bordered by a marginal, slender, greyish-blue line ; a narrow
tail from the end of vein 1 and another from the end of vein 2, both black with
red and white borders. Cilia brown. Underside : both wings greyish buff-white,
or browner. Fore wing : with two pale, reddish-brown or rusty spots in the
cell another below the cell in the base of interspace 2 ; a paler, discocellular
Imiule ; a transverse, postmedial, cateulated band of eight round spots and a
less distinct, submarginal, lunular line ; an anteciliary, fine, rusty line ; cilia
brown. Hind wing : with two reddish-brown spots on the inner side of the
costal nervure ; two within the cell ; two below the cell ; one on the abdominal
margin ; a paler, discocellular limule ; a broken, catenulated, discal band of
eight marks, bent up at the lower end, those in interspaces 4, 5 slightly displaced
outwards ; a submarginal, lunular line ; three marginal, anal black spots, the
first and third with a red, inner border, the middle spot almost obliterated by
blue-grey speckling. Cilia : brown with the bases grey ; the anteciliaiy line
brown upwards, rusty in the middle, pure white in the anal third. Antennae
brown ; the club rounded, tipped orange ; body and palpi above : brown ; frons
white and brown. Below : all white. — Female. Upperside : both wings vio-
let-brow'n, the basal and discal, median areas, including the cell, pale blue ; an
anteciliary, fine , black line ; cilia brown. Hind wing with an outer, marginal,
slender, black line, margined internally in the anal region with white ; blackish,
pale-bordered, submarginal spots in the posterior interspaces, the second and
third darkest, the third bordered by a red lunule ; tails from veins 1, 2, 3 blackish
with red and white borders, the middle one longest, the outer shortest ; cilia
whitish with a broad, medial, darker line. Underside : both wings as in the male,
456 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
the markings bolder. Palpi a little longer than in the male, hi both sexes the
legs are short, thickly scale on the tarsi and broad at the ends. The markings
on the undersides of the wings are all light mouse-brown in the middle, bordered
first rusty (sometimes diffused inwards), then dark-brow^ and, finally, white.
Expanse : male, 32mm.; female, 40*48 mm.
Larva. — Head only partly hidden mider segment 2, rather large, dull brown
in colour. The general sJiape of the body is oblong, nearly quite parallel-
sided, depressed, the dorsal line nearly straight ; the segments are weU-marked
because of the dorsoventral, central, fleshy, short, somewhat romid topped,
conical tooth ; segment 2 is large, square, transversely only slightly convex with
four, accentuated, tooth-like productions on front margin, one subdorsal on
each side porrect and pointing slightly upwards, one larger, lateral, pointing
slightly out and up : segment 3 has the dorsoventral margin anteriorly provided
with 2 similar teeth on each side,smaller than those on segment 2 ; each succeed-
ing segment has one, central on the same margin ; segment 14 is semicircular
in shape and has a dorsal similar tooth directed straight back from the margin ;
the gland on segment 11 is situated near the hinder margin and is a
truncated cone pointing up and back ; the organs on segment 12 are not visible.
Surface more or less duU and covered with enamel-like, flattened, minute tuber-
cles ; all the teeth of segments 2-14 are surmounted by a single hair, those of
segments 2-4 stiff, longer, bristle-like ; segments 3, 4 have each one subdorsal,
small, conical tubercle on each side of dorsal line, each svirmomited by a hair ;
segments 5-13 also have got these hair-surmoimted tubercles ; at the base of
each leg there is besides , a small, similar tubercle. Spiracles large, oval, flush,
yellow. Colour of the body is green with a subspiracular, white line and a yellow-
ish-white, lateral line formed of a series of crescent-shaped marks with the
convexity upwards, one to each segment ; on segments 3, 4 the space between
these lateral lines is brown as well as the upper faces of the teeth of segments 2,
3, 4 ; the hinder margin of segment 10 between these lateral lines also brown ;
the gland -cone also brown, darker upwards. Sometimes the colour of the larva is
very dark, nearly black-grey but all the markings are then still visible.
L : 30 mm.: B : 6 mm.
Pupa. — Very like that of Arhopala centaurus in shape but the body has no
loop fixing it, only the tail-fixing. The head is hidden from above ; segment
2 is of ordinary size, transversely convex, the dorsal line in the same plane as
the front slope of the thorax ; thorax long, convex, slightly compressed laterally
and, like segment 2, very slightly carinated in the dorsal line ; constriction
behind thorax slight dorsally, none laterally ; the breadth is the same from
shovilders to segments 6, narrowing thence to the front margin of segment 11
whence it broadens out again to the end which is horse-hoof shaped ; segment
13 only visible dorsally as a narrow strip ; the apex of the thorax is the highest
point but only slightly higher than the body at segments 6, 7. Surface shining,
very minutely roughened, quite naked, the gland-scar is a raised, circular mark
near the hinder margin of segment 11. Spiracles of segment 2 are narrow,
long, raised, transversely rounded, light in colour ; the rest of the spiracles are
of ordinary size, flush, oval and brown. The colour is grass-green with an
abdominal, dorsal, dark-green line ; the membrane between segments 9 and 10
is visible and brown in colour. L : 20 mm ; B : 6 nim.
Habits. — Eggs are never laid on any tree that has not got red ants
{(Ecophylla smaragdina) on it. The larva is constantly attended
by these ants and is extremely restless, wandering about constantly
from leaf to leaf and is extremely cannibal in its habits as it will eat
any of its kind that may be changing its skin or pupating. One
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 457
larva that was put among a lot of OBecophylla wliich. were brought in
on some leaves was at once attacked by them so that ants evidently
do not always like strange pets to which they are not accustomed.
The pupation takes place on leaves, stalks, &c., and the head is always
pointed upwards. The caterpiUers make leaf cells or houses like
those of the genus Arhojpala and sometimes pupate in them. They
grow slowly in captivity even when ants are kept with them. The
butterfly is a bold, strong flier and very quick in its movements. The
male may be found perched on the upperside of a leaf, about 10 to 15
feet from the ground, at any time in places that the species affects,
with the wings half open basking in the sun. From this point of
vantage he will dart at anything that goes by, pursue it for a space
and then return to the identical leaf he left ; often indeed he will
take a fly without any apparent object. The males do not frequent
the tops of hills and high trees however, keeping more to the sides
of hills round open ground and the lower tree-growth. The females
are rarely seen except when laying eggs. Neither of the sexes seem
to go to flowers although they occasionally may be met with sucking
moisture from damp places on the ground. The larvcc have been
found on Terminalia pamcidata {Comhretacece), Pterocarpvs marsu-
pium {Leguminosece), Dioscorea (Dioscorece), &c. ; but always and
invariably'only when there were red ants present. The habitat of
the butterfly is Malda, Bombay, the Western Ghats, the Nilgiris,
Ganjam, Ceylon. It may sometimes be found in the Plains but
seems to be mostly confined to the hills and jungles where the
rainfall is fairly heavy.
24 & 25. Genera — Creon and Pratapa.
De Niceville lumps these two genera under the name of Camena. He writes :
" I have no hesitation in sinking the genus Pratapa, Moore, under Camena.
As will be seen the characters relied on to separate them are very slight,
chiefly confined to the outline of the wings ; the neuration is precisely the same
as also are the male secondary sexual characters as I have ascertained^by
bleaching specimens of the type species of both genera."
None of the species of Camena can be said to be really common, though the
males of C. ctesia, Hewitson, are met with in Sikkim in considerable numbers
owing to their habit of coming down to the water-side to suck up water from the
sand. All have a verv swift flight and settle on the leaves of trees and bushes.
C. deobis in Calcutta" is much attracted— as are almost all lA/ccenida;—hy the
clear, honey-like fluid distiUed by the flowers of Poinsettia ; otherwise the butter-
fly is seldom seen. All the species are rich blue on the upperside in the male,
with a more or less broad, black costal and outer margin to both wings. The
undersideiswhite, dull sordid white, or brown, always with a discal series of
spots or a line, sometimes with the discocellular nei-vules deflned by a dar
line, always with two black spots crowned with orange towards the anal angle
of the hindwing. The females on the upperside are also always blue, but of
a paler, duller shade than in the males, often with a submarginal series of black
spots between the veins on the hind wing. The hind wing has two rather
slender tails of about equal length, one from vein 1, directed straight
down, the other, from vein 2, pointing horizontally out ; the body is robust.
458 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVL
the head large, the eyes smooth, the antennae moderately long and half ringed
with white below. The larvae are rather abnormal in shape, the pupa also, in
that they have no body-band and have the last segment dilated and shaped
like a horse's hoof ; all the larvae feed on Loranthus or Viscum of different
species as far as is known — argentea, deva and cleobis have been bred and
their transformations are known. The genus is known to occur in Lidia,
Burma and Ceylon but has not yet been recorded from the Malay Peninsula
or further east.
170a. Camena argentea, AuriviUius. — Male. Upperside : both wings black
with the disc overlaid with brilliant, hardly metallic, deep, azure blue.
Fore wing : the blue occupies a short streak from base above the subcostal veins,
the whole of the cell except the lower outer corner and a narrow edge,
inside the discoidal nervules, the inner area from base below the cell as far as
two-thirds the length of the wing including a streak between veins 2 and 3 and a
small lobe at the middle of the inner margin. A few longish, grey, decumbent
hairs on iimer margin near base. Hind wing : the blue scaling occupies the
whole of the disc below the cell including the lower, outer corner of the ceU, from
base to very near the outer margin, leaving an increasing breadth of black
from vein 4 to vein 6 ; the anal area along the inner margin beyond vein 1 is
brown and covered with a dense clothing of decumbent, rather long, grey hairs
which encroach on the blue above at the base of the wing ; half the black area
from base outwards above the blue is shining (sexual mark) and clothed with
differently formed scales from the rest . There is a thread-like tail at the end
of vein 2 and another at the end of vein 1, both black, tipped with white,
both about 8'5mm. in length, the former directed horizontally outwards, the
latter straight in continuation of vein 1. There is also a small, rounded lobe
on the inner margin just inside vein 1 which is slightly bent down and is
black amongst the grey hairs, with a touch of the blue of the disc on its
outer side. Underside : burnished silver like a new ruj)ee. Fore wing : the area
below the cell and vein 2 slightly fuscous, especially on the basal two-thirds of
the wing where the scales are differently formed to the rest and there is a
large tuft of dark-brown hair appressed against the surface, directed upwards
from the edge of the lobe mentioned above to just above vein 1. There is a
thin, light-brown, postdiscal line composed of outwardly slightly concave
lunules between veins 1 and 7, sometimes with the ends indistinct. Hind
wing : burnished silver with a similar, postdiscal, light-brown line from
inner margin to vein 8, the lunule in the last interspace (the uppermost)
displaced inwards as also that in interspace 1, though those in these lowest inter-
spaces 1 and 1-a are very sagittate. The area outside this line in interspaces 2,
1, 1-a is whitish and there is a black spot in 1-a and 2, the latter crowned with
yellow, the latter with a yellow streak along its inner upper margin. Cilia of
both wings below : white with the bases brown becoming black towards the anal
angle. Antennae black, banded white below and with the tip longly orange ;
head black mixed with white, the eyes bordered white ; palpi white, the uppei-
side of terminal joint black ; thorax and abdomen above, black ; the former
covered with blue-grey, decumbent hairs and some blue scaling, the latter with
some blue scaling at sides ; below white. — Female. Upperside : as in the male
except that the blue of the upperside of the hind wing occupies the whole
cell and above at base and is much paler, though stiU metallic. Indeed,
in fresh specimens, there is sometimes difficulty in telling which is which
without looking at the midersides. Underside : pure, smooth, light grey
becoming, however, after some weeks, sullied by a slight pinkish or indian-
red blush ; the post-discal lines are plainer than in the male, the yellow crowns
to the anal spots more diffuse and larger. Expanse : male, 32mm. ; female,
35 mm.
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 459
This species has not been included in the key because it was at first thought
that it was confined to the hiUs of the Kanara District. This is, however, not
the case. It occurs all along the Western Ghats, (Kat, Mahableshwar, Matheran)
and, probably, into the Thana District.
Egg. — Nearly hemispherical in shape, pitted with coarse depressions, some of
them filled in with the white surface-covering which is spread, so to speak, all
over the green shell — really an arrangement of cells with very thick, malformed
walls ; the micropyle apical, smaU, green, with thin netlines romid it. Surface
shining. Colom* green, but spread all over so thickly with the white enamel-
like ceU-waU substance that little of the ground-colour is visible. Resembles
very closely the egg of Tajuria cippus. B : 0*8 mm ; H : 0-35 mm.
Larva. — The larva is of the normal type more or less but more parallel-sided.
Generally : it is a grass-green larva with indistinct short, diagonal, lateral lines
on the segments, has black spiracles and a large, conspicuous, enamel-white,
somewhat brown-stained, four-cornered, transverse, dorsal mark on segment 2
with the angles in the dorsal line ; the transverse, mouth-shaped gland on
segmJnit 11 red-brown with the centre white ; segment 2 in no way covered by
segment 3 but quite free : the head, however, as usual, hidden mider segment 2.
Head is of the ordinary size, hidden, romid in shape, shining whitish in colour ;
with a large, triangular clypeus which is slightly brown-marked along lateral lower
margins ; smooth as to surface ; eyes, jaws red-bro\Mi in colour. The sJiape
of the body is onisciform ( that of a Polyommatus or Castalius), the segments
well marked, segment 2 swollen romid the front margin, flat on dorsum behind
the flange and in front of the hinder margin ; third segment front margin rising
from segment 2 evenly dorsaUy, continued in segment 4, &c., to about centre of
larva ; segments 5 to 10 being about the same height ; the division between seg-
ments 11 and 12 very difiicult to make out ; the mouth in the dorsal centre of
the piece consisting of these two segments, transverse, rather small though cons-
picuous because brown with a white centre ; the anal flap and segment 13 some-
what extensive, a quarter ellipsoid, being convex, round-ended and inclined
somewhat to be pointed; the prolegs are as usual, cylindrical, of usual develop-
ment ; the legs ditto. Surface of body is covered with minute, short, erect,
blackbristly hairs, ordinarily hardly perceptible to the naked ejQ ; all except
the diamond-shaped surface, large and enamel-like white, bordered stained
brown along edges, situated in the dorsal centre of segment 2 ; segment 2, when
the larva is in repose with the head withdrawn imder it, is very like the anal
segment but without the thickened border or flange ; the base of prolegs
and the corresponding region of ventrum is covered with light, soft, erect
hairs. Spiracles not very small, romidly oval, flush, black, rather conspi-
cuous, those of segments 2 and 12 not any larger than the others. Colour rich
darkish apple-green with indication of darker, dorsal, pulsating line and short,
subdorsal and lateral, diagonal stripes on each segment ; also indications of
similar, lateral line and spiracular line. In certain positions the segments are
better marked than in others and pits appear in centre of segments in dorsal
line as well as lateral folds nearly parallel to the segment margins. L : 20mm ;
B : 6mm.
Pupa. — The pupa is attached by the tail, has a body band and the belly
flattened to fit the smiace of attachment closely ; this is so far fairly normal,
except for the flattening to slightly larger extent of the belly ; the abdomen
is shortened to a considerable extent and hy so much the broader, being swollen
out sideways like the abdomen of the pupa of Curetis thetis ; there is however
here more separation of the abdomen from the thoracic portion than in that
pupa by constriction and the segments 1-5 as a whole piece are longer; the front
of pupa is semi-circularly roimded, the side lines sloping away from each other,
18
460 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
with a slightly concave curve to segment 7 at which they curve round strongly
to meet in the dorsum of segment 11, this last and segments 12-14 being invisi-
sible when looking straight down on the pupa, forming the perpendicular (to
the pupal longitudinal axis) end of the pupa ; segments 12, 13 very narrow, the
anal segment also narrow and forming a broad curve closely applied to the
attachment surface on a thin, silvery-silken pad ; segment 2 has its dorsal line
at 60° to longitudinal axis, is moderately broad between straight margins, promi-
nently convex between them also ; thorax starting at an ascent of 45'', curving
round to come parallel with axis at hinder margin, which margin has its two
lateral halves meeting in a point in dorsal line, each meeting the wingline
in a -widely open, rounded angle less than a right angle ; segment 4 is somewhat
convex on its lateral sm-faces and slopes down from thorax towards segment
5 which in its turn, very narrow, again slopes up towards segment 6 at a con-
siderable angle ; segment 7 is the highest and broadest part of pupa ; the
surface is depressed where the wing meets segments 3 and 4 and again at where
it meets segments 4 and 5 ; from these points there is a transversely rounded
depression, passing over dorsum on segment 5 in the latter case, another along
each side of thorax forward and over dorsum just before middle of thorax in
the former case (describing a curve forward that is) ; there is yet another wider
and therefore less obvious depression or constriction between segments 2 and
and 3. Surface of pupa shining covered all over, not very densely, with very
minute short dark hairs (or tubercles) the brown diamond on thorax rugose ;
also some lateral, brown spots on abdomen. Spiracles of segment 2 nearly
linear, very light brown-green ; others, green, not very easily seen, narrowly
oval, flish or nearly so, small. Colour of pupa light green, segment
2 suffused with grey, a band along depression or constriction over front of
thorax also grey joining the margins of the wings which are also suffused in
the same way ; the green slightly darker between these bands and along their
edges; a large, dorsal, light-brown mark, diamond-shaped, greatest length
along dorsal line, from hinder margin of thorax to ,',rd of its length forwards,
with a small subdorsal dot in front of it ; a triangle of three minute brown
dots, apex posterior, in dorsal centre of each segment 6-10 (these are little
pits really) ; a larger, lateral dot with a much larger, brown, raised ring just
below it on the same segments — all these dots and rings of course small. L. 11
mm.; B at segment 7 : 5 mm ; at shoulders : 5mm.
Hahits. — The eggs are laid, sometimes more than one or two on the
same plant, in the axils of the buds, branches, &c., the young larvae,
emerging, eat the buds, later on the tender tips of the twigs ; finally
twigs, even fairly tough ones ; the pupation takes place along a twig
or elsewhere. The pupa with its swollen rounded abdomen, its
narrowed fore part, and the constricted middle, centre of thorax, &c.,
resembles very strongly the face of a monkey, this resemblance being
helped by the contrast between the grey bands and the darker green
between ; the thoracic diamond is the nose, the lateral depressions
on segments, 5-6 the eyes or the ' sunkenness ' in the cheeks below
the eyes ; the green band between the 2nd segment and the first grey
band on thorax making an excellent mouth. The face is long vnih
a huge bare forehead and sunken cheeks and long upper lip.
The egg-larva when it first emerged, is a dirty livid yellomsh in
colour with little dark bristles in rows lengthwise and others in be-
tween ; these, as is usual in most of the lycsenid larvie, disappear in the
future stages. It eats into the little, tender twig-tops and generally
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 461
prefers these all through its existence ; only when full-grown will
it eat the branches right down, even to where they begin to get
tough. The foodplant withers and shrivels very rapidly excejjt
kept in a closed glass vessel. The young fruits are also attacked
and the flowers. Ants rarely visit the caterpillars in any stage but
occasionally there are some about and they do suck the gland. The
pupa is formed, like that of Tajuria cippus, on the base of a stem or
on a tree-trunk or elsewhere, with the head pointing down when on a
perpendicular surface. It is attached by the tail but not extremely
strongly and has also a body-band. When touched or otherwise
alarmed it shivers imperceptibly but rapidly in the abdomiual seg-
ments producing a somewhat high-pitched, knocking noise ; but
whether by actual impact against the resting-surface or otherwise
is not substantiated. Altogether this larva and pupa seem to indicate
that the butterfly, notwithstanding resemblances, should not belong
to this genus Camena. It has the habits of Pralapa deva in that the
male is fond of basking on the tops of high trees in the sun and it is
even more prone to do this than that species. In fact the tops of
hills and, there, the tops of trees, are about the only places where
it may be commonly seen and caught. On a sunny day the male
insects fly up to the tops of the hills and bask on the tip of a leaf
near the top of a tree, sitting with the wings partially opened, the
underside ghnting like a new rupee in the sun so that, when seen at
the proper angle, it at once attracts the attention and that even at a
distance of as much as 30 or 40 feet ! It rests for long intervals thus,
then suddenly darts off after a passer-by, following for a considerable
distance, sometimes up into the sky, at others in a wild chase over the
tree tops and down the side of the hill ; to return to exactly the same
leaf, where it assumes its original pose. It may be found thus from
about 11 a.m. to 2 in the afternoon in the monsoon months on the
jungle-covered heights round Karwar on the coast in the Bombay
Presidency. In the bright spells which alternate with driving mists
from the open sea and, often, a heavy wind, there is, frequently, an ab-
solute lull when the heat comes down, damp, oppressive and saturated
\\'ith moisture like a heavy blanket, over the isolated hill-tops which
rear their forest covered, boulder-strewn heads along the spurs of
the Western Ghats in dead and mysterious silence. It is then that
insect life really wakes up and revels in ecstasies of acti\dty. Standing
on a huge boulder only just below the tree-tops, may be observed
the extraordinary phenomenon of hundreds of butterflies of all
descriptions from the great Papilio tamilana with its glorious pea-
cock-blue eye on the hind vnng, with P. daJcsha, P. polymnestor,
dashing along through a small clearing in the jungle to dive into the
shades immediately below on their way down the hill-side ; to the
small Terias Jiecabe, Leptosia xyphia and Bihasis sena fluttering about
the ground on the edges or darting backwards and forwards in a.
462 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Fol. XXVL
bewildering medley of colour. All the butterflies are males : half
a dozen copper-coloured Curetis thetis, brilliant irridescent-blue
Hypolimnas holina and tnisippus, dozens of Catopsilia, a passing,
darting streak of Charaxes imna or, perhaps, even Charaxes schreiberi,
two or three Charaxes aihamas, two or three golden Cynthia saloma
males with an occasional green female ; Doleschallia polyhete, Kallima
wardi, Athyma, Neptis, Skippers, Blues, &c., &c. It may sound
exaggerated but it is not ; it should be seen to be appreciated. A
carpet of living colour ! Camena argentea knows all about it, for it is
in such places it was first caught and may always be found. The
female is practically never seen and, until one was caught in Karwar
on the hill-top where she had presumably, just come by chance, the
sex was quite unknown. Afterwards another was also casually
captured b}^ a mere fluke, also on the hills. They were both looked
upon as terrific prizes. That was in 1898 or a year or two previous
to that. Great and continuous eft'orts were thereafter made to find
the caterpillar and, until the year 1911, in vain. It was then disco-
vered feeding on Viscum angulatum at Menshe in the Siddapur Taluka
of the Kanara District in Bombay. This Viscum is a mistletoe, a
parasite on, chiefly, Olea dioica belonging to the Ash family and a
common tree in the evergreen jungles of the Western Ghats. It
generally grows on rather sterile soil and is plentiful in the opener
parts of the hills and uplands where the soil has been eroded and
the rock exposed in the course of long periods of firing, hacking and
cattle-grazing. The larva may also be found on Viscum capitellatum
which grows much on such low shrubby plants as Vitex negundo,
though also on large trees such as Dalbergia latifolia, the Blackwood,
Rosewood or Shisam. Viscum is, rather like the home mistletoe,
especially in the whitish, wax-like, round fruit ; angulatum is always
leafless, hanging in great bunches of long, bare, thin twigs or branches
from the host-tree. Capitellatum has much thicker stems and grows
upright and also has thick, very obovate and rather heart-shaped
leaves.
The following is a history of the stages of the larva : —
Egg laid on 26th January.
Larva emerged . . . . 1st February.
First moult . . . . . 3rd midday.
Second moult, eat the skin . 6th about daybreak.
Third moult . . . . . . 9th at 8 a.m.
Fourth moult . . . . 11th at 8 p.m.
Changed to pupa . . . . 17th in the night.
The larva stopped eating on the 16th and settled down to change.
The butterfly came out a week afterwards on the 24th. Thus it
takes about a month from the laying of the egg to the mature insect.
The habitat of the species is Bhutan, Sikkim, Burma, Southern
India ; and de Niceville gives also Ceylon.
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 468
171. Creon cleobis, Godart. Male. — C/ppem(?e; fore wing with the discoidal
cell and the posterior base as far as the posterior angle brilliant, light sky-
blue ; the rest of the wing black-brown. Hind wing : brilliant, light sky-blue
with black-brown cilia, tipped white between the tails ; abdominal margin
gray or cream-colour. Underside : both wings light creamy-brown with a well
defhied, narrow, undulating band of indian-red crossing the wings, terminat-
ing towards the abdominal margin in a zigzag mamier on the hind wing ; near
the exterior margins is an obsolescent brown, transverse, subterminal line
of lunules ; near anal angle of hind wing two black spots, one on anal lobe in
interspace 2, bordered interiorly with an orange lunule, outwardly the space
powdered with white, interspace aU powdered with white. — Female. Upper-
side : both wings differ from those of the male in their paler, duller blue colora-
tion, that colour being more extensive on the fore wing. Hind wing : with
the costa broadly black, with a series of marginal, black spots on outer margin.
Underside : both wings as in the male, but lighter in shade. Antennte black
banded white ; club rounded, tipped broadly orange. Palpi brown above,
white elsewhere. Head w'ith vertex grey, frons grey bordered, brown : eyes
white rimmed. Thorax and abdomen are coloured with red above and below.
The submarginal line is really double and filled in whitish, plainest on hind
wing near anal angle. An anteciliary brown fine line bordered by a fine white
one inside in interspaces 3, 2, 1, 15.
Cilia light brown, at anal angle mixed with white. Tail at 1 straight down
5| mm., at 2 horizontal 3 mm., the one narrow, the other thread-like brown,
tipped white Exp. 35.
Egg. — Nearly hemispherical covered with large, coarse-walled cells, three
in a row from the apical, central pit to the base ; the apical depression evenly
concave and circular in shape and large, of the diameter of two of the cells ;
the walls of the cells without trace of thickening at their intersections. Surface
shining though not much. Colour green which shows only at the bottoms of
the cells. B : 0-8 mm., H : 0-4 mm.
Larva.- — The shape is very similar to that of Tajuria cippus with the same
prominence of the dorsal parts of segments at the margins, the same kind of
" waist " at segment 8-10 but this wailst rather more accentuated here because
the segments 11, 12 are comparatively broader; the sm:face of the body is also
similarly naked, shining-oily looking. Head rather small, shining, light in
colour with dark mandMes, hidden under segment 2. Segment 2 with a tumid
margin, more or less semi-circular in general outline with a deep, four-sided
depression dorsally, this depression with a thin, white, dorsal line joining two
angles ; segment 3 is abruptly higher than segment 2 and overhangs its hinder
margin with its anterior part or declivity, the dorsum being flattened and
corrugated w'ith a large, deep, transverse depression or dent ; segment 4 is
slightly higher again than segment 3 and is transversely convex dorsally and
forms the highest part of the body ; segments 5 and 6 are similar to segment
4 but descend posteriorly successively and are slightly flanged along the dorso-
ventral margins; the body is broadest at these segments 5, 6; segments 7-10
are narrower and lower successively and have the hinder margin dorsally tumid
and slightly overhanging each the front margin of the segment immediately
succeeding so that, from a side-view, the dorsal outline looks dentate ; segments
11 and 12 as one piece, broaden out laterally a lot and are much broader than
segment 10 at their broadest part which is about their common margin. Seg-
ment 11 is dorsaUy as high as segment 10 and has a small, mouth-shaped gland,
the organs on segment 12 not easily perceptible, circular and broAMiish-pink
in colour ; segment 14 is rather narrow and square at the extremity, overhanging
the anal claspers a good deal. Surface of larva, as said above, shining, oily.
464 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
naked except that it is thickly covered with glossy, circular, convex, minute
shagreening and corrugated pits and depressions. Spiracles are oval, slightly
raised, very light yeUow in colour, and either yellow or black-rimmed, those of
segments 11, 12 situated in depressions. The colour is rather difficult to des-
cribe : — that of segments 2-7, except the supraspiracular region of segment
7 and the dorsum of segment 3 (the former brownish red, the latter also and
soiled dorsolaterally besides), is a greenish, soiled pinkish yellow with a dorsal,
brownish band, two obsolescent, brownish lateral lines and a yeUow margin ;
segments 8 and 9 are deep red-brown with a white, dorsal patch and dark-green
dorsolaterally and laterally ; segment 10 is rich, dark green dorsaUy with a
subdorsal, whitish, diagonal line outside which the colour is brown-red ; the
remaining segments 11-14 are soiled, translucent -looking brownish or reddish
with the margins of the swellings much lighter ; the front margin of segment 2
is slightly greenish. L : 18mm. ; B : 6mm. ; H : 4* 5mm. at segment 4 ; the
height being taken at segment 6-7 (which means the common margin of those
segments).
Pupa. — Is also of the type of Tajuria cippus. Head not quite hidden by seg-
ment 2 and with two small, conical points, one on the front of each eye, close
together and directed forwards ; segment 2 transversely convex dorsally,
semi-circular as to front margin outline, slightly emarginate on the dorsal line
of front margin ; thorax humped, transversely convex, with a very slightly
depressed, dorsal line ; shoulders rounded ; the thorax is the same height as the
body at segment 6 ; the lateral outline of pupa diverges from shoulders back-
wards to segment 6 ; transverse section of the abdomen is more or less circular,
decreasing in diameter from 6 to 10; segments 11-14 forming the column or
pedestal of varying length (in different individuals) ; this pedestal circular in
transverse section, slightly widened out at the extremity in the manner of a
horse's hoof where it is attached to the leaf, supporting the whole pupa from
fore-end to segment 10 which portion is at right angles t6 the pedestal or column ;
the ventral line from head to segment 9 (end of wings) being straight ; the con-
striction behind thorax is dorsally slight, laterally nothing. Surface of the
pupa is finely rugose with a pair of subdorsal, small tubercles on the apex of
thorax ; the hinder part of thorax and segments 4, 5 are roughened dorsally as
also segments 6-9 with small, round-topped, shining tubercles. Spiracles
of segment 2 are rather large, raised, oval, white ; the rest being of ordinary
size, oval, white. The colour of the pupa is : — ^head and wings as weU as thorax
green suffused with white ; abdomen yellow-green with a broad, pinkish-brown
dorsal band on segments 7-9, margined on the front margin of segment 8 and
hinder margin of segment 9 with velvety-black ; this velvety- black margining
flanked by a subdorsal mark ; segments 8 and 9 have a similar velvety-black
mark on their common margin also. L : 15 mm. B : 5 mm.
Habits. — The larvae have much the same habits as those of Pratapa
deva in that, on emergence from the egg, they go for buds and young
leaves, eating at first the undersides of the latter leaving the top
cuticle only. Generally, a number of eggs are laid on one plant,
all singly in the axils of leaves and flowers. The full-grown larva
crawls about the plant anjrwhere and may geaerally be found sitting
on a stem eating the flowers. It is slow-moving like all its kind
and when disturbed makes itself quite hard and drops to the ground ;
but it must be disturbed violently to do this ; a breath or shaking
will not do ; all the Tajuria, Creon, Camena and Pratapa larvse do
this. The pupation takes place on the upper surface of a leaf as a
THE COMMON B UTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 465
rule or on a stalk or stem with the head directed downwards ; there
is no body-loop. Ants do not pay much heed to the caterpillar or
chryslis. The butterHy flies well but does not bask openly nor is it
found at the tops of trees. It is an insect of the lower forest strata
and is not often seen even where it is more or less abundant judging
by the eggs and larvije. The egg is much parasitized by small Chalcids
and microichneumons though the larva itself seems to be fairly
immune to parasitic attack. Ants do not trouble themselves much
about the caterpillar and are rarely seen to visit it. The food -plants
are Loranthus elasticus, the same as that of Tajuria indra — or Viscum
capitellatum, one of the food-plants of Camena argentea. The former
is a very common species of Mistletoe and is common on Mango trees
and others. The habitat of cleobis is Continental and Peninsular
India.
172. Pratapa deva., Moore. Male. — Upperside : fore wing with the discoidal
cell and the posterior base brilliant blue intersected by the dark median and
submedian nervures, costal margin and anterior half of wing before the
posterior angle dark brown. Hind wing : with the middle, from the base,
brilliant deep blue, a broad, costal and narrow, exterior margin of dark brown ;
along the exterior margin are disposed some blackish marks ; a black spot on
the anal lobe, surrounded with whitish ; abdominal margin pale grey brown.
Tails two, brown ; cilia whitish. Underside : both wings very pale cream-colour
with a series of interrupted marks disposed in an undulating line across the
wings and terminating in a zig-zag mamier abdominally on the hind wing.
Hind wing : anal angle with a black spot bordered anteriorly with red and
another of the same a short distance off on the exterior margin. — Female.
Upperside : both wings paler blue, hardly metallic and with lighter brown mar-
gins. Underside : similar to that of the male.
Egg. — Hemispherical in shape, somewhat depressed. Surface covered with
large, absolutely regular, hexagonal cells with thinnish walls ; one apical cell the
walls of which are buttressed inside ; two and a half cells from apex to base —
they are very large — but not including the apical cell ; at each intersection of
the ceU-waUs is a short, jagged-topped protuberance ; the whole surface, as
seen at the bottoms of the cells, pitted minutely. The egg is broadest at the
base and white in colour. B : 1mm. or very near it, rather less if anything.
Larva. — ^The larva is more or less the shape of Tajuria cippus but there is
no waist practically, also the tops of segments 3, 4 are not flat as in that species ;
body broadest at segment 5 and also highest ; gradually narrowing and decreas-
ing in height up to the end, the slope of anal segments slightly steeper than that
of preceding segments ; from segment 5 forwards the dorsal slope is also a straight
line to the front of segment 2 ; body swelling out laterally in segments 4, 6,
6 ; segment 2 semi-circular in outline, deeply triangularly emarginate in the
dorsal line of the front margin ; the dorsal depression of segment 2 4-sided with
a thin, dorsal line on it joining two angles, the bottom covered with minute
hairs and coloured like the rest of the body ; the anal segment is rather shortly
square at the extremity and the same, black, subdorsal, impressed lines, that
distinguish the larva of Tajuria cippus, running forward to the spiracle of seg-
ment 12. The head is hidden by segment 2, round, shining, light in colour.
The transverse section of the body is triangular, more or less equilateral, more
or less rounded at the angles, the body being more or less carinated along dorsal
line and applied closely along ventrum to the resting surface ; there is no dorSo-
ventral flange. Surface : dull, covered closely with minute, erect, pointed hairs
466 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
proceeding each from a minute, cup-shaped base or tubercle, the edges of which
are jagged or dentate; the dorsoventral margin with a fringe of fluffy, light
erect, fine hairs. Spiracles : circular, rather conspicuous, dark brown-black in
colour. The gland an oval, transverse depression on segment 11 ; organs on
segment 12 hardly visible. Colour is the same as the colour of the leaves the
larva feeds on : a kind of pale rose-madder green, velvety looking, a sort of
brown-pink green sometimes ; always with a yellow or reddish line rimning along
the dorsal ridge and a yellow subspiracular line. The segments are not easily
distinguishable except when the larva moves. L : 16 mm. ; B : about 5 mm.
Pupa. — The shape is that of Tajuria cippus ; it is longer, however, pro-
portionately in the thorax than that species, being the same length from segment
5 to front as it is thence to anal extremity. The head-ivons is more or less
ventral ; segment 2 rather flat dorsally, widely triangularly emarginate in the
dorsal line of the front margin ; the dorsal ascent the same as that of the front
slope of thorax which is at about 45° to the sm'face of suspension ; thorax hump-
ed, convex and very slightly carinated in the dorsal line with a small lump on
the apex ; the descent from apex of thorax to the lowest point of the constriction
is very short and is at a very obtuse angle with the front slope of thorax ; after
the constriction the ascent to segment 6-7 is gradual ; after which the descent
over the abdomen is gradual to the anal end ; anal segment widened out into a
horse-hoof -shaped dilatation, the widening commencing at segment 12 ; the
sides of the flat-topped segment 2 widen out gradually to the shoulders ; whence
again, the breadth increases to segment 7 which is by a good deal the broadest
part of the body ; after that the breadth gradually decreases to the end ; the
apex of thorax and body at segment 6-7 are about of equal height ; from the
posterior margin of segment 6 to anal end the dorsal region of abdomen is
somewhat flattened, the sides nearly perpendicular to it without there being an
angle anywhere between them however ; the ventral part rather convex trans-
versely ; ventral line from head to segment 9-10 is straight, that from 9-10 to
end also but these two portions are inclined to each other at an obtuse angle
so that the head touches the surface of attachment although the rest of the pupal
ventral line is free from it except the tail. Surface of pupa shining, glassy,
absolutely naked ; segments 6-7 having a central ridge each which is transverse
to the pupal length, these ridges curved with the convexity backwards ;
one round, dorsal, small tubercle centrally on segments 2-13. Colour white,
greenish-brown on the flat dorsal aspect of segment 2, a broad spiracular band
on abdomen oily-brown as well as the dorsal part of segment 6 ; wings white
with a brown, longitudinal streak down each ; ventrum white. L : 14mm. ; B :
6mm.
Habits. — The eggs of deva are laid in the axils of leaves and flowers
like those of other related species. The little larvae eat in the same
way also : at first, when very small, in little, more or less roimd patches
from the undersides of the leaves, leaving always the top cuticle
intact ; the little caterpillar lies in this hole as often as not ; otherwise
in the axils of the veins, at the base of a flower-tube, amongst the
buds, &c. When full grown it lives anywhere about the plant. Up
to the time, however, that it is full grown it continues to live under-
neath the leaves and to eat in the same way except that the holes
soon become passages and the passages become longer and broader
with the increase in size. When full grown also it may still continue
to lie on the underside — in fact generally does — eating the whole leaf
from the edge : in doing which it hardly ever protrudes the head from
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 467
under segment 2 but clasps the edge with segment 2 so to speak, the
margin of whicli therefore can assume any shape desirable. It is
very difficult to see as the colour is exactly that of the leaves and
flower-bud of the plant. The pupa is generally on the upperside
of a leaf of the plant itself or of some other shrub or plant that may
be in the vicinity. The larva wanders a good deal in its slow, deli-
berate way before changing. The pupa is fixed only by the tail and
is capable of shivering vertically up and down from the segment-
margin 9-10; so as to produce, on alarm, a rapid knocking noise. The
butterfly is not often seen but is the commonest of the Camena-Creon-
Praiapa-Tajuria group in Bombay always, of course excepting
Tajuria cippus. It inhabits, in Kanara, similar places to Cmnena
argentea, i.e., the tops of hills and small plateaux on their slopes
w^here its food-plant is plentiful. The particular Lorcunthusscurrula
is as common at a height of a couple of hundred feet from sea-level in
Kanara on such trees as Terminalia pamcalata as it is higher up and,
as was only to be expected, the larvse were found there on it also.
So the female at any rate must live down there also although she
practically never is seen except when ovipositing (laying eggs).
The male seems to like the tops of high trees and may be seen any
day in the monsoon montlis basking on the leaves of such in company
"with Caniena argentea which it resembles in its habits of sitting and
flight. The female is not rarer than the male ; on the contrary, she
is more plentiful, as is proved in breeding by the fact that the majority
of pupa? produce that sex. PnUapa (leva is found in India, Burma
and Ceylon. The caterpiller does not attract ants.
26. Genus Tajuria.
■'Differs from Pratapa, Moore {=^Camena, Hewitson). in the absence in the
male of both the tuft of hair on the forewing and the glandular path on the hind
wing. Fore wing : broader and more regularly triangular in form ; venation
similar. Hind wing : comparatively narrower and more produced hindwards ;
discoidal cell broader, the subcostal and median nervules emitted further from
the base." (Moore.) . . .in my opinion the sexual characters which
are present in males of Pratapa {z^Camena) and wanting in those of Tajuria
are very important structural characters, and had they been wanting in Camena
I should certainly and without hesitation have run the two genera into one
(de Niceville). This is so ; they are all very like species of Camena, the males
are mostly bright metallic blue on the upper sides, the females generally light,
non-metallic blue ; the undersides are also more or less similar : some pure white,
grey or brown with very well-defined lines or sj^ots of brown or black. They are
all strong, good fliers, frequenting trees and vegetation. The larvge of indra
cippus and the nearly allied (Ops) melastigma all feed on species of Lorantlms
and the pupae are without body-band standing fi-ee on their tails.
173. Tajuria indra, Moore. Male. — Upperside : both wings briUiant morpho
blue, the margins black. Fore wing : the costal margin very narrowly black.
Hind wing : with two tails, the lobe and two caudal spots black, bordered below
with white. Underside : both wings white, the outer margins broadly brown
suffused with grey and crossed by a white band. Hind wing with three black
19
468 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Tol. XXVI.
spots, one V-like, above the anal angle ; the lobe and caudal spot black, the former
crowned with silvery-blue, the latter with orange ; a black spot between them
irrorated with silver, the outer margin black, bordered inwardly with white.
Cilia white. (Hewitson). Female. Upperside : both wings pure brown.
Fore wing : immaculate. Hind wing : with a broad, oblong, posterior band of
a pale azure tint, varying according to the aspect to pale sea-green with a silvery
reflection and bearing, at the exterior edge, three oblong, black marks of which
the interior is dee|»est black, the whole bordered externally by a white, marginal
line separated from the black cilia by an intermediate, black thread which is
flexuose in the anal region ; the anal lobe bears a lunule covered with sea-green,
resplendent dots. Underside : both wings with the basal portion satin-white,
the exterior half brown with a slight violet shade ; the latter further subdivided,
in the fore wing, by an intermediate, abbreviated, undulated, whits striga,
the posterior half being pale and the whole of the inner (tornal) angle grey.
Hind wing : the costal area is white marked with four obsolescent, grey spots
which get fainter as they recede from the apical angle ; the anal region is Avhite
and bears two very large, strongly pronounced, intensely black, circular, ocellate
spots with an intermediate, round group of greenish-silverj^ irrorations ; the
exterior ocilhis bears internally a broad, orange lunule spreading in a radiant
manner towards the disc ; the second ocellus occupies the lobe and is entirely
surromided by a narrow, annular iris of pale green-silvery ; parallel to the line
of the ocelli, above them, three delicate, black marks are arranged in a series,
the intermediate one forming an angular mark like the letter V, the latter ones
two short, oblique striote ; a very faint, oblique, bifid streak stretched from the
inner ocellus towards the anal angle. Body brown above, white beneath. An-
tennae brown with a ferruginous tip, marked underneath with alternate white
and brown bands. Tails white, very delicately fringed at the sides and with a
distinct, black, medial line. {Horsfield).
Larva. — Is similar to the larva of T. cippus in general shape except that there
is hardly any "waist" and that the colour is altogether different. The body
is nearly the same breadth throughout (except at segments 2 and 14) ; the dorsal
" teeth " are only slightly developed, the height at segment 4 is less pronounced
than in cippus. The head is black and shining ; the depressed dorsal, 4-sided
space on segment 2 is dull-black ; the anal segment is sharply square behind
and has an impressed, subdorsal, black mark ; the gland is situated on the top
of a tumidity on segment 11. The surface is shining and pitted and corrugated
and covered Avith very minute bright orange -coloured tubercules. The spiracles
are round, bright yellowish, situated in depressions. Colour is dark chocolate ;
the dorsal, flat surface on segment 3, 4 is shining reddish ; there is an
obsolescent, dorsal, red line the whole length of the body ; ventrum is rosy
white. L. 19 mm.; B : 6 mm.; H : 5 mm. and a little over.
Pupa. — Shape is also more or less like that of T. cipjnis but is smoother and
of a different colour. Head hidden mider segment 2, the frons inclined ven-
trally ; segment 2 semicircular as to front margin, broadly and shaUowly emar-
ginate (cut out) dorsally on that margin, laterally concave on the dorsmii, rather
highly convex longitudinally ; thorax only slightly humped, evenly gently roun-
ded, the front ascent being in the same plane as that of segment 2, about an
angle of 70* with the longitudinal axis, apex posterior to the line joining the
shoulders, this apex the same height as pupa at segment 6 ; shoulders a good deal
broader than the hinder margin of segment 2, evenly rounded and of slightly
less width than the body is at segment 7 which is the broadest part ; the con-
striction at segments 4, 5 slight dorsally as well as laterally ; abdomen convex
transversely and swollen out laterally, the last 5 segments 10-14 forming the
pedestal or stalk so to speak, which supports the body ; the last segment broad-
ened out into the shape of a horse's hoof with the suspensory surface ventral alL
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 469
round ; ventral line from head to end of wings at posterior margin of segment
8 is straight, the distance from segment 9 to anal end being short and at an angle
to it ; the distance from front to end of thorax is nearly half the whole length
of the pupa measured in a straight line. Surface of pupa transversely striate-
roughened with two subdorsal, small tubercles on each side on thorax, a slight,
roughness on each shoulders, a central, dorsal collection of small tubercles,
ten in number on segments 6-9 and a spiracular collection round each spiracle
of 2 or 3 on the same segment ; there are no hairs. SjnracJes of segment 2 oval,
raised, facing forwards, light in colour, rest large, oval, light, those of segments
10, 11 being in rather deep depressions. Colour of pupa is rather light yellow-
brown suffused dorsally with wliite as well as along the edges of wings ; a black
patch round the spiracle of segment 2 and another, lateral, on each of the
segments 9-14 ; another, lateral, on segment 5 ; the white marking and black
patches, when the pupa is looked at from above, resemble an old man's face,
or a monkey's, the abdomen being the fore head, the white dorsal thoracic
marking the nose, the black marks on segment 5, the eyes and the rounded front'
margin of segment 2, the mouth. L : 15 mm.; B : 6. 5 mm,; H : 6. 5 mm.
Habits. — The habits are much the same as those of other members
of the genus or those of the different species of Camena. The eggs
are laid, always singly, but often many on the same plant, in the
axils of flowers, on the flowers, their stalks and other places. The
young larvte often eat into flower-buds but also live on the young
shoots of leaves. When full-grown they live anywhere on the plant,
among the flowers and on the branches, leaves, &c. The butterfly
chooses plants near the ground as a rule to lay her eggs on and always
selects shady spots in the jungle. It is an insect of the forest and
hills where there is heavy rainfall and is never found in the Plains.
It is fairly plentiful on the coast in Kanara in Bombay where it was
originally bred in the height of the monsoon. It flies well and does
not like the sun ; it therefore keeps to shady places, is not often seen
except round the food-plants and never goes to flowers or, as far as
is known, to water. It rests with the wings closed as a rule and
rarely basks with the wings slightly opened. It never flies far at a
time and has the habit of walking slowly about when sitting. The
pupa is formed along a stem with the head pointing downwards and
is attached only by the tail, there being no vestige of a body-string.
Ants of the genus Cremastogaster attend the caterpillers. Larvae
have always been found on the same species of Lorantlius, namely,
elasticus which is very plentiful on Mango trees and Pipal, a species
with smooth, hard, oval leaves often spotted with reddish and flowers
with no stalks in circles round the branches. The insect is found in
Sikkim, Assam, Bengal and Southern India : Kanara, Travancore
and the Nilgiris ; the Malay Peninsula ; Nias Island ; Sumatra ;
Borneo and Java.
174- Tajuria cippus, AurivilUius. — Male (PI. H., fig, 53). — Upperside:
both wings brilliant cyaneous-blue, the costal border of fore wing and outer
margin of both wings deep, glossy black, broadening out on the fore wing to
include the whole outer, apical portion outside a line starting at the middle
of the costa and ending at the tcrnal angle ; the abdominal fold of hind wing-
470 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
grey ; cilia grey ; thin tails from veins 1 and 2 of hind wing, the former the broader
and shorter, about 4mm. in length, black with white edges and tips.
Underside : both wings satiny grey with a postmedial, thin, black line across
both wings, composed of small hmules betAveen the veins, six on the fore wing,
seven on the hind wing. Fore Ming : this postmedial series of black lunules
beginning further from the apex, ending nearer the tornal angle, nearly straight ;
followed by a sul marginal series of greyish, oblong spots faintly margined Avith
w^hite. Hind wing ; the postmedial series further from the outer margin than
on the fore wing, more irregular in that the second pair of lunules are displaced
slightly outwards, the seventh being V-shaped with the convexity outwards
^nd rounded at the apex ; this lunule series continued to near the anal margin
by a straight, black bar of similar width, displaced slightly outwards, starting
from vein 1 and running slightly upwards ; outside this a more distinct series
of submarginal, oblong, greyish spots than on the fore wing, interrupted in
interspace between veins 2 and 3 by a circular, jet-black spot on an orange
patch which occupies the breadth of the interspace and is straight-
bordered inwardly ; followed by another, rather larger, jet-black, transversely
broadly oval spot occupying the anal lobe and bordered inside by an orange
lunule and with a narrow, metallic streak on it externally ; the space between
these two spots is a group of silvery specks on a hoary ground ; there is also,
besides, a faint marginal series of oblong, greyish spots on both wings.
Antennie abruptly terminated by a short point, brown with a ferruginous tip
and marked on one side with transverse, greyish dots ; body greenish blue
above, with delicate, white hairs beneath.— Female (PI. H., fig. .53o). Upper-
side : both wings sordid white with pale azure-silvery scales at the bases of both
wings. Fore wing: with broader, black-brown borders than in the male, but
similar. Hind wing : the costal margin broadly pale brown ; a postmedial
series of 5 black lunules in interspaces from vein 2 to vein 6 ; a sub-
terminal similar series with the two at the anal end larger, romider, more
prominent and preceded by an obsolescent broAvn lunule on the lobe. Under-
side : both wings as in the male but the marking bolder. Expanse : male, 30mm.
to 45mm ; female, 37 mm. to 45 mm.
^(/gr.— -Hemispherical in shape, minutely rugose, -^vhite ; under a lens the
roughness is seen to be due to many smooth, tubercle-like prominences.
B. O. 7 mm.
Larva. — (PI. II., fig. 26). — The sliape is abnormal in that the larva is nearly
as broad at segment 10 as it is at segment 5 which is the broadest part ; it has a
" waist " that is, being narrowed between segments 5 and 10. The head is
hidden under segment 2, is dark brownish-yellow in colour, round in shape,
and shining. Segment 2 is, generally speaking, semicircular in shape with a
short, rounded, tumidity or lobe subdorsally and laterally on the front margin,
4 in all round the free edge and it has an hexagonal dorsal depression in the
centre with a shining bottom, this depression being nearly as long as the
segment and half its breadth (transversely to length of larva), the depression
having a light, dorsal line on it ; the segment ascends gently to the hinder
margin ; segments 3, 4, 5 rise up in steps so to speak from 2 forming with seg-
ment 6 which is not so high as 5 a hood-shaped piece ; dorsally the body slopes
down to segment 10, rising into a kind of knob and thence, over 12-14 descending
in a curve to the anal extremity ; laterally, the outline of the body is :
broadening out in a curve to segment 5, then bending round this broadest
part to narrow again in a curve to before segment 10, then widening out again
rapidly to narrow more suddenly still to the rather narrow, short, trapeze-
shaped anal segment, the lateral margins of the trapeze being shortest, the
posterior margin, the extremity of body that is, somewhat longer, the anterior
margin longest ; segments 3, 4 are dorsally flattened forming a sloping, yellow
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 471
and brown, six-sided surface bordered on segment 4 ijosteriorly by a low
transverse carination ; each segment 6-10 is higher at the posterior margin
on the dorsum than the succeeding segment at the front margin; the gland
on segment 11 is present; the organs on segment 12 are also present. The
surface is shining, rather oily-looking and is more or less irregularly corrugated
and pitted all over ; it is quite naked. The S2nracles are round, rather
jn-ominent and brown in colour. The colour of the larva is ashy grey with
the following markings: segments 2 to 5 nearly totally suffused with dark-grey;
segments (i-10 dark on dorsal area, each with a short, curved, subdorsal,
black line, dorsum of segment 10 and 11 very dark ; laterally a semicircular
patch of dark-grey reaching from the dorsoventral margin half way up the
body stretching from the anterior margin of segment 8 to the posterior-
margin of 10; a black spot at posterior margin of segment 12, two small, impress-
ed, subdorsal, black lines on segment 14 ; segments 6-10 each with a yellow,
dorsal spot on the hinder margin ; ventrum pallid. Sometimes the dark-grey
is replaced by dark red. L. : 18 mm. ; B : 6 mm. at broadest part.
Pwpa. — (PI. II., fig. 26a.) Abnormal in s/(Oj;e, like that of T. indra, with
a considerable, rounded constriction behind thorax and a " stalk " composed
of segments 12-14, the last (anal segment) spread out in the shape of a rather
high horse's hoof (this is, however, variable with the circumstances of attach-
ment). Head hidden under segment 2, inclined towards ventrum ; segment
2 rather long, with a rather deep emargination in the dorsal region of the front
margin, the dorsal ascent is steep and in the same jjlane as that of the anterior
slope of thorax, the thorax very much humjaed with an anteriorly-curved,,
transverse ridge over the vertex from which the descent to the 5th segment is
rapid : segment 5, 6 again ascend in dorsal line to the middle of the latter
segment whence the descent to anal extremity begins gradually at first, then
more rapidly ; the pupa is highest and broadest at segments, 6, 7 but nor very
much broader than it is at the shoulders, the portion between these points
being narrower gradually ; the ventral line is straight from head to segment 8
then bent abruptly at an obtuse angle and is straight again to end, this angle
of bend depending much on the length of the " stalk " which is very variable r,
the dorsal slope of segments 11-14 is generally straight and about 40*^ to the
sm-face of attachment. Surface of larva moderately shining with the following
transverse ridges, &c.: — the one above mentioned on the thorax; one, central
across segment 6 made up of the lateral halves, each curved concavely back-
wards the ends of the curves meeting on the dorsal line ; similar bisinuate
ridge on segment 7 ; segment 8 again similar but the ridge less pronounced ;
the whole pupa covered with minute spots, the thorax somewhat lumpy on the
surface. Spiracles of the segment 2 raised, longly oval, yellow with the siu'face
much pitted. Colour of the pupa is brownish-grey beautifully marked with
light-green, the sides of the abdomen bright green : the highest points
with light brown and the depressions with velvety black. L : 15 mm. ;
B : 6 mm.
Habits. — De Niceville quotes " T. longinus is not only the commonest
and widest-spread species in the genus, but it is also one of the most
beautiful, the blue coloration of the upperside in the male being
exquisite. In Calcutta I have found it abundant on the flowers of
Poinsettia during the winter." Longinus is the old name for cippus.
It does not often come to flowers, neither does it drink from moist
sand or earth. It is generally found about foliage and then always
foliage of trees, rarely low down ; it occasionally may be seen basking
with its Avings partly opened (only the male) but even that not often.
472 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HLST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
It flies well and strongly and never straight, but eratically, dodging
about and settling frequently amongst the leaves of trees ; it is hardly
ever found at the tops of trees with the males of Camena deva and
Camena cippus, probably because it does not ordinarily bask in the
sun. The female is generally found near the food-plant and is not
seen as often as the male. Neither of them is, however, rare and can
always be had wherever Lorantlms longiflorus, which is the common
food of the larva is to be found ; and that means over the whole of
India except in the absolute deserts. The eggs are laid singly on the
young shoots or flowers. The young larva lives on the flower-buds
or young leaves and the full-grown larva generally anywhere on the
plant, on the under or upper surface, of leaves or on the stalks, bran-
ches, &c. It is hardly ever attended by ants though some occasionally
visit it. The pupa is found attached to the upper surface of a leaf,
or to a stalk or branch and generally with the head pointing down ;
it is fastened only by the tail and lies quite free with the head.however,
generally touching the surface to which it is fixed. The insect is
found throughout India except in desert tracts, in the outer Himala-
yas ; Ceylon ; Burma ; Malay Peninsula ; Java.
The male and female are pictured on Plate H, figures 53 and 53a.
The pictures are good except that the undersides are too pink as is
also the upperside of the female wings on the paler parts.
175. Tajuria jehana, Moore. Male. — Allied to Tajuria cippus, Aur., but
of smaller expanse. Male and female. Upperdde : both wings with the
posterior areas slatey-blue. Hind wing : with three black, marginal spots from
the anal lobe. Underside : both wings greyish creamy-white. Fore wing :
with an indistinct, black, submarginal line. Hind wing : with the submarginal
line more distinct and zigzag, a jDrominent anal and subanal, black spot, each
surmounted inwardly by a yellow lunula, the intermediate space between the
spots black-speckled. Female. Upperside : Hind wing : with a zigzag, sub-
marginal band. (Moore).
The above is quoted from de Niceville's book. He remarks : " This is doubtless
a perfectly good and distinct species, though it may be a little difficult to
recognise, as both the sexes in colouration resemble very closely the female of
T. cippus, Aur. The male T. cippus is of course abundantly distinct from both
sexes of jehana. Some males in my possession show traces of the submarginal,
brownish, zigzag band on the upperside of the hind wing, but their sex may be
determined by the narrowness and acuteness of the apex of the fore wing."
The description above given fits a male and female caught in Kanara except
that the male is as bright, metallic blue on the upperside as any specimen of
Tajuria cippus. It is much smaller however as is the female than the corres-
jjonding species of cippus. This female altogether wants the submarginal,
brown line of lunules on the upperside of the hind Aving although the male has
them. In the male this line, on the underside, is black instead of broAvn as it is
in both sexes of cippus. The dots representing it on the upperside of the male
are also black. The vmderside of both sexes are creamy-white with a sugges-
tion of pinkish, whereas, in cippus it is much purer light grey. The two anal
spots are present and prominent in both sexes ; the lobe is exactly as in cippus.
Apparently the portion of the submarginal line on the underside between veins 2
and 3 (in interspace 2) is always lunulate outwards in this latter species whereas
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF TEE PLAINS OF INDIA. 473
it is straight in jehana. Head black, the frons broadly white at sides and the
vertex also white ; eyes bordered white ; antennaae, orange, palpi and
abdomen black above, the first speckled with white, the abdomen with bluish
hairs at base and on thorax ; beneath all pure white. Exjjanse : male, 29 mm ;
female, 34 mm.
The species has not been bred and is very scarce in Bombay as far as is
known. De Niceville gives the distribution as Jati'na in Ceylon ; Lucknow,
Poona, Bombay, Mhow, and says that he had specimens from Masuri, Bhola-
ghat, ]\Ialda, Barrackpur, Orissa, the Shevroy Hills and Ratnagi. To which
may now be added Kanara District.
27. Genus Aphn.5:tts.
"The gemis is a most compact one and no one can fail instantly to recognise
any species belonging to it, all having a facies peculiarly their own. In the
great number of species the males have the upperside most beautifulljr glossed
with rich, irridescent blue, which is only visible in certain lights. In no female
does this coloration occur. The male has no secondaiy characters. In the
■case of species which have no blue coloration in the male, the male can be
known by its more pointed fore wing, with the outer margin nearly straight ;
the female having the apex more rounded, the outer margin convex and the
wings generally broader. All the species luive the underside traversed by several
hands, usually of a darker colour than the ground, often outwardly defined with
black, bearing a medial, metallic-silvery line. The anal angle is jiroduced into
a lobe which is usually marked with orange on both sides and bears two black
spots. All the species have two tails besides and the abdomen is striped. The
flight of all the species of the genus is immensely rapid and can barely be fol-
lowed by the eye, but they seldom fly far and frequently settle with closed
wings on low-growing flowers and bushes. In Sikkim males may be taken
in large numbers sucking up moisture on damp spots in the partially dried-uji
beds of streams, &c. Species of the genus appear to occur almost everywhere ;
in the plains they are fomid even in the desert tracts as well as in the regions of
heavy rainfall and jirofuse vegetation ; in the Himalayas they occur throughout
the outer ranges up to an elevation of 8,000 feet." Thus de Niceville. They
also occur on the sandy sea-shores within a few feet of high water-mark.
The above italics are not de Nic;''ville"s. The undersides are the chief charac-
teristic of the insects and, once seen, cannot be mistaken. The outer bound-
aries of the bands are always very distinct and generally differently coloured
to the ground and the silver middle line is always a striking featm-e — a glance
at the figures of Aphnoeus mdcanus, 52 and 52a of Plate G will give a good
idea of this. The larva is also a type by itself. It is rather oblong in form
with the dorsal line straight, tlie head never completely hidden under segment 2,
the surface covered with a clothing of minute disc or star-topped hairs or
tubercles and a few somewhat scattered hairs round the body and the mouths
of the organs on segment 12 prolonged into short, permanently exserted cylinders.
All of them are attended by ants as far as is known and probably have many
different foodplants. The genus "is particularly well represented in Africa "
(Distant), " one or two occur in Persia and Asia Minor, about 20 have been
recorded from India, several occur in the Malay Archipelago. Mr. Moore has
recorded six from Ceylon." (de Niceville). i)e Niceville says " 30 have been
recorded from India " but he himself only enumerates 23, some of which
are rather doubtful ; so, presumably, he meant 20.
176. Aphnaeus vulcanus, Fabricius. — Male (PI. G., fig. 52) and female
(PI. G., hg 52-a). Upperside : both wings fuscous fringed with hoary, some-
what shot with violet in the male. Fore wing : with four abbi'eviated, un-
equal, undulate, fulvous bands. Hind wing : with a fulvous, anal patch marked
474 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
with two black ocelli or spots, the inner one capped by a silvery lunule.
Underside : both wings sulphur-coloured with broad, fulvous facise or bands,
each adorned with an interrupted, medial, silver line and bordered with a sub-
undulate, black line. Foi'e wing : with the bands six in number ; the two
exterior,one marginal, the other submarginal, complete, parallel with the margin,
the outer unadorned ; the third diagonal substitute, almost halved ; the fourth
complete and bifurcated from near the middle of the disc upwards to costa or
there may be two : a short one, diagonal, from the costa to the end of cell and a
complete one parallel to it and inside from costa over the drscocellulars to inner
margin ; tlu fifth almost halved, broken off towards the anal area ; the sixth
basal, also oblique, the shortest of all. Hind wing : also with six fasicfe : the
outer two marginal of which the one is interrupted ; the second, complete,
archedly produced to inner margin : the third halved, joined with the second
at middle ; the fourth and fifth complete, suddenly inflected in the anal region ;
the sixth narrow, basal, contiguous to the body ; the anal region fulvous, bear-
ing two most black, occellar dots. Expanse : 20-40 mm.
On the underside of the hind wing, instead of the terminal band there is
a row of elongate, black sjjots in the interspaces followed by an anteciliary,
fine, black line. Cilia of both wings, above and below, nearly pure white with
their extreme bases, black. Two thread-like tails to the hind wing, one directed
straight down, the other out diagonally sideways, the one from the end of vein
I the longer, the other from vein 2 only half the length, both orange at the
base, black in the middle and white at the end. Antennae black, banded finely
white on the sides, the top and bottom immaculate ; the club long rounded,
the tip orange. Palpi black above, the point of terminal segment orange -
tipped, the sides of second joint silvery ; abdomen broAvn above, reddish at
sides, banded veiy light yellow ; thorax bluish-grey. All these very light
yellow below. There is a slight frmge of longish hairs along the inner margin
of the fore wing.
The above description is more or less that given by de Niceville ur.der
Horsefield's name. He says " Variation seems to have simply run riot in
this species as exemplified by Ceylon examj^les. There are males entirely
black above with no orange bands and others with as many as five on the fore
wing. Some males are glossed slightly with irridescent blue on the hind wing,
a very unusual feature in this species (Colonel Swinhoe possesses a male from
Mhow which is similarly glossed and I have one form Simla, one from Barrack-
pur and two from Bangalore), but the markings of the underside undoubtedly
proclaim them to be ^4. vidcanns : lastly the markings of the underside vary
from broad, almost confluent, deep-red bands to narrow, ochreous ones ;
the two short, discal bands on the fore wing are sometimes free, sometimes
joined to the third and sixth bands respectively, likewise the fourth band on
the hind wing is sometimes free, sometimes joined to the fifth. I have entirely
f ailed to split up these varying forms into distinct species as they run one into
another in every direotion." Which is all very true. The markings are most
variable and it would be next to impossible to make any one description to fit
all the vagaries.
Egg. — Dome-shaped, broadest just above the base. The surface covered
with 4 and 5-sided, deep, coarse--\\alled, flat-bottomed cells ; about 6 from
top to base, the top cells being the smallest ; all irregular in size ; on apex is
a circular, rather large, flat-bottomed depression ; at all intersections of cell
walls there is a thickening not amounting to a rising or spine ; surface shining.
Colour green with the cells-walls all enamel-white. B : O. 8mm ; H : O. 5mm.
Larva. — Is an unmistakable ApJmmns in shaj^e. The body is more or less
parallel sided, somewhat feebly convex transversely, flattened ventrally ; seg-
ments 2 and 14 rather broad ; the former of ordinary segment-shape feebly
tansversely convex, somewhat thickened on front margin, indented in dorsal
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 475
line on the front margin, the thickened margin slightly turned up — there is
no dorsal depression ; the anal segment squarish, the lateral eorners, however,
broadly rounded and the posterior edge even perhaps a little concave : the
sides of the segment even slightly, also, converge forwards : the dorsum is
moderately flat ; the dorsum of segment 2 is perhaps a little concave longi-
tudinally, the front margin of segment 3 suddenly a little higher in level ;
there is no sign of segment 13 ; segments 3-10 all of the same breadth and
height, the last being a little lower than 9; segments 11-14 sloping to the
somewhat turned-uis, hinder margin of 14 ; segment 12 bears the cylindrical,
prominent, permanently exserted little towers from which the white-pink
cylindrical organs are protruded occasionally ; these towers are obliquely
truncated at the top and bear four or five simple, cylindrical, square-topped
(not pointed that is), longish hairs around the edge ; there is not a vestige of
a spiracle to be seen on this segment 12: segment 11 has the hinder margin
displaced forwards somewhat just in front of these towers so that there is a deep
fold just before it on each side at the bottom of which is placed the spiracle ;
the gland fi-om which the honey is exuded is very short transversely and placed
on the back face of a slight dorsal prominence ; immediately before each tower
of segment 12 is a small round swelling with some of the translucent, simple,
truncated hairs on it ; the other segments are normal, segment 10 a little longer
than 9. Head only semi-hidden, rather large, shining black in colour with a
large, triangular clypeus : the surface smooth except on the basal half of the
face where there is a dense clothing of white, very minute, fine, somewhat
apjiressed, branched hairs ; colour of labrum light, ligula bro^\ii, basal antennal
joint red, second joint blackish ; mandibles dark, eyes light. Sjnrachs small,
nearly round, slightly convex, light brown or yellowish : those of segment 2
slightly larger. Surface of larva dull except on dorsum of f egment 2 and seg-
ment 14 which are shining even underneath the clothing : this clothing
consists of a dense covering of minute, branched (sometimes disc-topped)
hairs : the vast majority of them stemless or nearly so, most of them glassy-
shining ; some black ones mixed with them : these hairs shortly but distinct^
stemmed in the spiracular regions of the body ; a fringe of a single row of much
longer, minutely feathered, erect, truncated, white hairs on dorsoventral margin
all round the body : the hairs being rather sparse, longest and densest at both
ends of body^none of them being even half as long as the bcdy is wide : there
is a row of some 6 simple, translucent, truncated, cylindrical hairs between
the tower-bases and there are a few much shorter ones across bcdy on each
segment near the hinder margin, each segment 2-11 has a dorsal, circular
central depression or dent on it. The colour of the larva is green (sometimes
grey-bro^\'^) with a darker green dorsal line centred by a thin white one (or a
dark green, narrow band centred by a white line), an indistinct lateral,
white line with a black spot beneath and toviching it on segments 3, 5-10;
also a darkish green, indistinct, supra spiracular line ; anal segment dorsally
all shining dark-brown with lateral brown line diverging at the ends parallel
to the outer boundary of the dark-brown area : towers of segment 12 and
area between them dark reddish brown : segment 11 with a longitudinal
dorso-lateral, very broad reddish-brown band ; the whole of segment
2 and the front margin and lateral region of segment 4 both reddish-brown ;
these reddish-brown parts shagreened wdth the little silvery star-branched,
stemless hairs; true legs shining green; prolegs green. L: 18 mm; B:
4'5 mm ; H : 33 mm.
Pupa. — The shajje is that of any ordinary pupa of the Zizera-Polyommatvs
group ; the 13th segment is very large though not particularly broad, convex
both longitudinally and transversely, forming the rounded end of the pupa
Avith the anal segment right underneath it ventrally ; segment 12 is a short
band, less than half the length of segment 11 which is shorter than 13 ; segment
20
476 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
11 has the spiracle situated at the bottom of a considerable highly-shining
hollow which is characteristic. The front end of the pupa is bluntly rounded;
the shoulders somewhat suddenly prominent though rounded, and the pupal
breadth at these shoulders is very little, if any, narrower than at middle ; the
thorax is somewhat prominently " humped " and long ; the head vertex is
long and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of pupa, its hinder margin
curved convexly backwards ; segment 2 is a broadish transverse band, flattened
dorsally with a depressed, dorsal dent from front to hinder margin and is in
a plane inclined at an angle of 45" to that axis, the hinder margin straight ;
the thorax has its middle portion parallel to that axis, the hinder and front
slopes at about SO'' to the axis, its hinder margin nearly triangularly bent
excejjt that it is rounded at the ajoex (of the triangle) in the dorsal line,
this hinder margin meeting the wings in a deep, rounded angle of about
60" ; segment 4 is short in the dorsal line, long laterally ; the proboscis inside
the meeting point of the antennae (which only reaches to within two-thirds
the distance from mouth to end of wings) does not nearly reach the end of
the wings, pupa highest at thoracic apex broadest at segment 7. Spiracles
of segment 2 narrow, oval, black, hardly visible ; the rest small, roimdly
oval, raised somewhat, red-brown or yellowish. S^irface of pupa shining,
smooth except for some minute, sparse, erect, white hairs only visible with
difficulty under the lens and a slight depression laterally above each spiracle
and a dorsal, central dent sometimes on segments 6-8 ; there is also the
large spiracle-depression on segment 11 mentioned above; there is no sign
of the 12th segment organs or the gland. The colour is either dark reddish
brown or grass-green ; in the latter case the abdomen with a yellowish
tinge ; a lateral, blackish, subcutaneous spot on segment 2, another smaller
one at spiracle of segment 2, a brown spot at spiracle of segment 6 ; a
dark green dorsal, abdominal line. L : 11 mm ; B : 4-5 mm. at segment 7, 4
mm. at shoulders ; H at thorax : 3-5 mm. at 7 : 3'75mm.
Habils.— The eggs tire laid anywhere (axils, leaves, stalks, dry-
sticks) on practically any plant where there are ants of the genus
Cremastogaster—ix particular species probably. The ants look after
the little larvae from the first and these do not get on well without
them. When they grow larger they make little cells for themselves
in any crease or hollow they can find in the leaf-surface, fastening the
edges of the cell with silk and lining the inside thickly if somewhat
slovenily. The pupation takes place in the cell at the end of the
time and the duration of the pnpal stage is about 10 days. The
pupa is attached by the cremaster as well as by a body-band. The
cell made by the larva is rather like those made l)y spiders, untidy
and irregular and is used as a permanent abode, the inmate going out
to feed on the undersides of the leaves, always leaving the cuticle
of the uppersi le intact, even in the full-grown state. There are
always many ants attending and tliey climb all over the caterpillers ;
a half dozen may sometimes be seen on one at a time. The butterfly
is a strong flier but does not ordinarily fly far ; gets up suddenly and
drops suddenly to the ground or on to a bush or plant near the ground
\\ hen disturbed. It basks on low- plants, sitting with the wings well
opened though never ilat ; rests vv-ith them closed over the back ;
goes freely to flowers and is easy to capture when thus engaged. It
is one of the commonest of lycoenide butterflies and may be found
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 477
practically anywhere in India, (except in the eastern Himalayas and
Assam and does not extend to Burma), in desert Sind as well as in
the heavy rainfall regions, as for example, the Western Ghats in
Kanara in Bombay ; and it is just as plentiful there on the sandy
shore of the sea-coast as in the opeji parts of the jungles on the crest
of the ghats, o,000 feet above. The pupa is sometimes found in
withered leaves on the ground below the plant. It is attached by
the tail and fixed by a body-band. The foodplants of the larva are
varied and seem to depend upon the presence of ants more than
upon anything else. It has been found on Canthium narvijloriim,
Zizyphus rugosa smdjujuha, Allophyllus cobhe belonging to the families
RutacecB, Rhamnacece and Sctpindacece respectively and de Niceville
mentions having reared it on Clerodendron siphonanthus in Calcutta
{Verbenacece). The butterfly exists from the outer ranges of the
Western Himalayas where it is rare down throughout Continental
and Peninsular India but not in the Eastern Himalayas, Assam or
Burma ; Ceylon. It is said not to exist in desert tracts but it h
plentiful enough in Sind.
177. Aphnseus iohita, Horsfielcl. — Male and female. Upperside : both
wings dingily fuscous clouded with Avhitish, fringed Avith hoarv-whitish ; darker
to black in the male. Fore wing: in the male, from base to middle shining violet ;
in the female with the fascipe of the underside, showing through, obsoletely
streaked. Kind wing : in the male, from base to middle shining violet ; in the
female, like on the fore wing, M-ith the fascife showing through, obsoletely
streaked ; a large, triangular, fulvous, anal patch in both sexes, bearing two
black lunules inwardly irrorated with silver ; an inner, larger, huiular ocellus
on the lobe. Underside : both wings j'ellow with fulvous or red, transverse fasciae
centred with dull silver ; in the male reddish-purple ; the marginal one simple,
sometimes circular ; the others with the medial, continuous or very little
interrupted dull silver line. Fore wing : Avith seven fasciae, two marginal
complete, the exterior unadorned ; the third and fourth shortened and con-
fluent beyond the disc ; the fifth complete, tending towards the anal angle ;
the sixth halved, terminated at the fuscous band of the paler, anal area ; the
seventh basal, smallest. Hind wing : with six fascias ; the two marginal, paral-
lel, the inner one complete and produced curvedly towards the inner margin ;
the third halved : the fourth and fifth complete, abruptly inflected up the inner
margin in the anal region : the sixth basal, short; the anal region deep fulvous
margin in the anal region ; the sixth basal, short ; the anal region deep fulvous,
bearing two small, black ocelli, the exterior, between the tails, oblong and
inwarelly increased by a silvery band, the innermost larger, angular, placed
on the lobe, bordered by a short, interior, silvery line. Antennae black, white-
banded at sides, with the club orange-tipped, long and gradual. Cilia of both
wings above and below greyish ; a fine, jet-black, anteciliary line to both
wings below; the tails black with orange base and white tip, the one at end
of vein 1 straight down, 5mm. long, the other 4 mm., at vein. 2 Head with
vertex yellowish, but collar black ; frons white centred broadly black with some
rusty hairs ; eyes white-rimmed. Palpi black above ; thorax bluish ; abdomen
black dorsally, lateraly red. Below : all very pale yellow ; inner margin of fore
wing Avith a long, broAvn fringe.
The description is mostly in the Avords of Horsfield from de Niceville's Butter-
flies of India, Burmah and Ceylon. Horsfield is further quoted as saying " A.
478 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HLST, SOClRrY, Vol. XXT'I.
lohita, Horsfield, has the upperside brown, slightly variegSted with grey, especi-
ally in the female and marked with a few obsolete bands of a deeper tint ;
underneath the bands, comparatively with A. vulcanns, Fabricius, are narrow
and wholly without any black, marginal thread ; the bands in the forewing are
seven in number, besides an obsolete, basal, angular spot, the third and fourth
are abbreviated, co7iverging, approximate or confluent behind the disc ; in the hind-
wing the third is joostmedial, regularly transverse and without any tendency to the
second, marginal band : in the character of the fourth and fifth bands this species
agrees with A. vulcanus, while both differ decidedly from A. syama, Horsfield."
Then de Nici'ville adds " A. lohita is a species which presents considerable diffi-
culty as, in the large area which it inhabits, it shows much variability. Two of
the forms have been figured by Mr. Hewitson ; in one the red bands of the under-
side are very narrow and the two. short, discal ones of the forewing ^\•ell separated.
I have seen no variety of this figure in India agreeing with this figure ; it is possi-
ble it may be the Sumatran form as Hewitson gives Sumatra and India as the
habitat of this species. The other figin-e shoA\s all the bands very broad and
of a deep red, the discal bands confluent ; this appears to be the form occurring
commonly at Rangoon. A form intermediate between these t^^'o extremes is the
common Himalayan one. Until recently, A. lohita was the name by which Indian
specimens of this species were known, though the type was described from Java.
Mr. Moore has hoAvever separated off se\eral of these forms and described them
as new species ; but, I think, on A^ery insufficient grounds. As lately as 1886,
however, he gave lohita as from Mergui and his specimens from that locality are
now before me. I cannot find that they differ in the smallest degree from Sikkim
specimens of this species which he has named hlmalayanus iom-.e. From Ceylon
he has described A. lazularia. I cannot find in his description or in specimens-
of the species the slightest character by which they can be separated from A.
lohita, and Mr. Moore in his descrii^tion of the species admits its variability even
from such a restricted area as Ceylon. I have kej^t the A. concanus, Moore,
as a distinct species with considerable reluctance, the species having the ground
colour of the undersides reddish-cchreous instead of yellow as in typical A.
lohita ; though Mr. Moore, in describing A. lazularia, says that this red form is a
variety of that species only and occurring in the male ; also A. zoilus, Moore,
which appears to be typically confined to the Andaman Isles, and may be known
by the bands of the underside being black instead of red, but Mr. Moore records
this species from Mergui and the sjjecimen before me is perhaps nearer to zoilus
than to typical lohita as the bands are black tinged with red ; and I possess a
single female specimen from Ceylon which exhibits exactly the same character ;
lastly A. zebrinus, Moore, from Ceylon, which I have not seen."
From all of which will be seen that these Aphna'us butterflies are very variable
and it is difficult to get one description that would fit all individuals of any
species.
Larva. — Is a typical Aj^hnceus larva ; in shape ; more or less parallel-sided,
segments 2 and 14 rather narrow, the head never completely hidden under
segment 2 and the two organs on segment 12 with permanently exserted, short,
cylindrical towers. Head large, nearly round in shape, somewhat depressed,
shining, dark brown in colour with the face black ; the dorsal line slightly de-
pressed, with some few hairs at the clypeus and mouth-ai^erture. Segments
distinct especially along the dorsoventral margins ; segment 2 is transversely
rather narrow, somewhat longer than broad (about equal to the anal segment
in breadth), concave longitudinally, the margins being somewhat turned up,
smooth with a shining, red-brown border, with a fringe of long, dense, feathered
or minutely bristle-bearing hairs on the lateral and anterior margin ; these hairs
some brown, some translucent-whitish and of different lengths ; anal segment,
sloping very gently backAvards, has a large, shining, smooth, dorsal depression
occupying nearly the whole surface and bordered thinly light, is rounded
THE COMMON B UTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 479
at the extremity rather broadly and has hairs on the margin like segment 2,
the body is transversely convex, longitudinally and dorsally straight from
segment 3-12 ; segment 13 is visible dorsally ; segment 12 very short,
the organs provided with a permanently exserted, cylindrical, longish tube
with a dentate edge to the opening, and some hairs round the mouthy from
which is protruded a short, Avhite body Mith a brush-end ; the gland on segment
11 is transverse, close to the hinder margin and not easily seen ; vcntrum flat.
Surface of larva is covered with minute !-tar-topped, silvery hairs or tubercles,
those on certain places taking the colour of the ground ; a dense fringe of rather
long, white, erect hairs all round dorsoventral margin as well as transversely
across segment 13 between the bases of the organs ; on the dorsum of segments
4 to 9 there may be a central, de^iressed-looking, circular, black mark. Spiracles
quite large, oval and the colour of the body. Colour of body is greenish covered
all over thickly with brown speckles (or smokey-brown) ; the whole body dorsally,
as far as a lateral line, dark-grey ; a double black dorsal line (or none) ;
each segment 3-9 may have a red-yellow mark along posterior margin, one on
each side of dorsal line ; each segment 3-11 may have a short, dorsolateral streak,
white or a white spot on a dark ground ; front margins of segments 2-4 also
reddish-yellow and the occiput of the head may be the same colour. L : 20mm. ;
B : 4mm. ; H : 3' .5mm.
Pupa. — The shape is more or less normal except that the anal segment is
somewhat horse-hoof -shaped ; the body rather narrow. Segment 2 compara-
tively rather narrow and short, hiding the head from above, transversely convex,
semicircular in front, slightly carinated in the dorsal line (very slightly), slight-
ly triangularly emarginate in dorsal line of front margin ; the head has the frons
in a place perjiendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pupa or even a little in-
clined ventrally, the frons rounded and high ; the lateral margins of segment 2
are parallel, the shoulders somewhat prominent and a good deal broader than seg-
ment 2 and are lumpy -romided, wings having their inner margins also parallel
from shoulders to segment 8, the abdomen perhaps a little broader than should-
ers about segment 8, then decreasing to the end which may either be somewhat
tm-ned under or not and is slightly horse-hoof shaped as far as the last segment
is concerned ; the dorsal line of segment 2 rises very gradually towards hinder
margin ; thorax only slightly humped, the dorsal rise from segment 2 gradual,
the apex rather for back with the descent to segment 4 short and steep, the
dorsal line perhaps slightly carinated, convex transversely ; the dorsal line of
abdomen afterwards curved to end in a quarter-circle ; the slope of the " horse-
hoof " is steep and the suspensory surface on its ventral aspect is long and
narrow ; the wings and segments all well-marked ; gland-scar a transverse slit ;
organ-scars raised, circular with a hole in their middle. Swface very shining
with a clothing of rather sparse, very minute, short, erect, dark hairs, especially
dense round the spiracles. Spiracles of segment 2 hardly noticeable ; others
small, inconspicuous, oval, convex, coloured like the body. Colovr dark brown-
red or brown-olive with the sides of abdomen and ventrum lighter-yellowish ; it
is speckled-looking. L : 13mm ; B : 4* 75mm ; H : 4* 75mm.
Hahits. — Tlie eggs are laid on trees where there are ants of the
genus Cremaslofjaster ; the larvaj hve, to the number of 2 to 4,
huddled close together in dead, dry leaves where the ants build tem-
porary sheds over them to protect them ; they eat the substance of
the leaf without touching the upper cuticle — they are generally
found on fairly old leaves, but if given young, tender leaves they will
eat like any ordinary larva ; when full-grown the larvae make cells
for themselves by loosely drawing the edges of a leaf or part of a leaf
together in a careless-slovenly way. They may pupate inside such
480 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
a house or they may go oft' and change in a crevice somewhere.
The suspension is by the tail only and the pupa touches the surface
only with the head and tail so that daylight can always be seen below
it. The butterfly seems to be an inhabitant of the rain-forest
country altogether and it probably never ventures anywhere near
the Plains. In Kanara in Bombay it is found chiefly in the evergreen
jungles on the Western Ghats and is, there, not rare though by no
means as common as vulcanus is a bit further out in the opener country.
It is, of course, very strong on the wing but never flies any great
distance as far as has ever been observed, nor does it ever keep long
on the Aving like certain butterflies (Skippers. Discophora, Eit]jl(£a,
Sec), beating backwards and foi'wards over the same ground. When
put up out of foliage it darts oli' and disappears into the leaves and
growth a bit further on. It does not go to the tops of hills and trees
to bask either tliough it basks on the leaves of bushes in thick places
in the jungles when the sun is hot and the atmosphere steamy and
damp. It does not, seemingly, like wind and exposed places. It is
not often seen though it comes readily enough to flowers of such low
shrubs as Leea, Allophyllus, &c. It may then be caught easily enough
for it is not quick at rising whatever its character may be wlien once
on the wing. With regard to the form concanus which de Niceville
says he has kept as a distinct species with considerable reluctance, it
was bred in Kanara from larvae that were practically identical with
those of lohita ; also in the particular locality where lohifa constantly
bred out from the larvte found, the form concanus was about the only
one to be caught outside. It is certain then, or nearly certain, that
coyicanus is the dry-weather form of the other for the insects were all
bred in the month of February, and caught. The atmosphere in the
cages in the bungalow was much damper than that outside and,
certainly — and it is believed that this is the determining factor for
the difterence in form — ^the food given in captivity was of the youngest
and tenderest. Outside there were few' new shoots and the majority of
the larvae must have had to content themselves with what leaves
they could get at, mostly, then, old and tough. Description of the
larvse obtained in February were carefullj^ kept and they diftered but
little from those obtained in the monsoon months in other places —
the dift'erences being in colouration only which is variable, as is well
known, with temperature and humidity. As luck would have it no
completely authenticated eggs could be obtained of either form so
that absolute certainty is still a desidemtuni. However, as far as
the writer is concerned concanus is the dry- weather form of the
wet-season lohita. The foodplant of the larvce is, ordinarily, Termi-
nalia paniculata but they have also been bred on Dioscorea jx^nta-
phylla, always and invariably attended by ants.
Aphnceus lohita is " the commonest species in Sikkim " according
to de Niceville. He further states that it occurs throughout the
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 4b I
Hiuialay^is and in Assam, Burma, Malacca, Penang ; Orissa, the
Nilgiris and Ceylon. It is also found on the Western Gliats in
Belgaum and Kanara in Bombay from sea-level up to 3,000 feet.
178. Aphnaeus lillacinus, Moore. — Male. Upperside : both wings broAVTi. Fore
wing : with the basal area, including the cell, pale lilacine-blue ; a blackish spot at
the end of cell. Hind wing : the basal and medial areas pale lilacine-blue, anal lobe
ochreous with a very small, silver-speckled, black spot. Underside : both wings :
pale brouaiish-ochreous. Fore wing : with two black rings in the cell, a band
at the end of the cell dilated beneath and extending obliquely to the submedian
nervure ; a ringlet spot beyond the end of the cell ; an upper, discal, inwardly
oblique, double ringlet-spot and a submarginal, broad, chain-like band, the lower
ends dusky : each traversed by a silvery streak. Hind wing with very indistinct
traces of darker-coloured, transverse, subbasal, discal and submarginal bands
which are traversed by silvery and black streaks ; anal spots minut* and
silver-speckled. The silvery streak traverses the middle of the markings,
except on the submarginal band of both wings where it extends along the border.
Female. Upper$ide : both wings dull brown and of course lacking the irrides-
cent, blue colour present in the male ; the wings broader, the outer margins
much more convex. Underside : both wings as in the male. Expanse : male,
28-35 mm ; female, 30-40 mm.
The description is taken from de Xiceville's book. He says it is a vari-
able species, like all the rest and that it has been found only at Bholaghat, Malda,
Bombay and Mhow ; that it is '• quite peculiar, and has no near ally." Nothing
is known as to the transformations.
179. Aphnaeus ictis, Hewitson. — Male. t^^periiV/e .• both wings purple violet-
brown or black ; lower discal areas glossed with brilliant ultramarine blue. Fore
wing: with a small, triangular, orange-red spot. Hind wing: with the anal
lobe also red, spotted with black. Underside : both wings pale, dull sulphur-
yellow, the transverse markings of a slightly darker ochreous-yeUow, all with a
black- bordered line and medial, silver streak ; exterior margins with a row of
slender, black spots. Female. Upperside : both wings brown, basal areas
greyish vinous-bro^ni. Fore wing : with the orange spot large, broad, obliquely
divided and occupying the discal area. Underside : as in the male.
The above is Moore's description of the Ceylon insect contained in de
NiceviUe's book ; it is complementary to the following original descriptions of
Felder and Hewitson, written in 1868 and 1865, respectively : — ■
Male. — Smaller than the female of Hewitson ; with the fulvous spot on the
ujiperside of fore wing smaller or wanting ; the anal spot on the hind wing dull
and smaller. Underside : bro\raish, the transverse bands paler and broader ;
the anal spot of the hind wing also much smaller, rounded and obsolescent.
Female. Upp)erside : both wings rufous-brown. Fore wing : with a large,
medial, orange space, a spot in the cell, an oblique, transverse band in the
middle, a single spot near the costal margin, followed by a short band of two
spots and an oblique band (which borders the brown of the outer margin and
forms a triangle with the medial band), all dark brown. Hind wing : with the
space between and above the black anal spots orange. Underside : both wings
orange-yellow, with the transverse bands rufous, bordered narrowly with
rufous-brown, traversed by spots and lines of gold, the submarginal band
composed of minute brown spots.
Antennse black, the shaft banded white at sides ; the club stout, rounded,
orange-tipped. Cilia in both sexes, above : white with fine, anteciliary, black
line ; below : sullied greyish. Palpi black above, sUvery at sides of second
joint at end, thorax greenish blue above ; abdomen red with a black, dorsal
line ; all light yellow below, the abdomen with long, slatey-blue hairs at
482 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
base. Head with the vertex red, the collar black ; frons red with a broad, black
central line ; eyes red -rimmed. There is a long, grey fringe of hairs along
inner margin of the fore wing. Tails : the longer, at vein 1, being 4 mm : the
shorter, at vein 2, one-quarter the length.
De Niceville gives a key in which he tries to differentiate 23 forms-of Aphnceus
but fails to lind any constant characters by which he can separate lohita from
concanus, zoilus, zebrinus on the one hand and ictis from no less than 12 forms
on the other, although he considers that no more than six of these are good
species after careful examination of long series of most of them. He concludes,
in this way, that uniformis, elima, lunulifera, nubilis, khurdanus and trifurcata
are all varieties of ictis. Ictis inhabits Northern India, Kashmir, Ceylon ;
trifurcata. Northern India Dharmsala ; khurdanus, Calcutta, Khurda, Orissa ;
nubilis, Ceylon ; lunulifera, Darjiling ; elima, Manpuri, N. W. India, Kangra
Valley, Mhow, Poona ; uniformis. Mount Meru, Wurdhan. The distribution
rather supports the idea that they are all mere varieties of a variable
ictis.
Considering all this talk about varieties and 'variations, it is no wonder
that there is no record of the habits of the butteriiy. All the ^vriter knows
about it is that it is very quick on the wing and comes freely to flowers in
Dharwar during the monsoon months. Dharwar is Plains country and very
open so that, as the insect has never been met wath in forest-covered Kanara
or Belgaum, it probably eschews jungles and very heavy rainfall and is
■characteristic of the Plains.
180. Aphnaus hypargyrus, Butler. — Male. Upperside : both wings fulvous,
dusky at the base and on the costa. Cilia whitish. Fore wing : with all the
bands on the underside represented above, but they are dusky -coloured, the
outer and inner margins also dusky ; the apex with a small, suffused, whitish
patch, sometimes obsolete. Hind wing : with two discal, more or less interrupt-
ed, dusky bands from the costa ; a submarginal cm'ved band (sometimes macular)
from the costa to vein 3 ; the outer margin with a series of conjoined, rounded
black spots ; sometimes a complete band ; the anal lobe smaU, black, with a
few silvery spangles. Underside : both wings chalky-white, all the bands and
spots ochreous outwardly, narrowly defined Avith black and sparsely spangled with
silver in the middle ; a series of short, linear black marks between the veins ; a
line, anteciliary, black line. Fore wing : with a small streak at the base of cell ;
a band across its middle joined to a basal, fuscous patch below the median
nervure ; an oblique, discal band ; two short bands from the costa beyond
forming a V-shaped figure more or less disconnected ; a submarginal, catenulated
band. Hind wing : with some small, basal marks ; three subbasal spots in a
straight line, the two upper ones sometimes joined ; a discal, continuous band
recurved upwards to the abdominal margin A\'ith a ring-sjjot on the margin ante-
rior to the posterior end of the band ; a short, sinuous band beyond from the costa
to just below vein 4 ; a sinuous, submarginal band, recurved and broken at its
lower end ; anal lobe Avith a prominent, black spot which is sometimes smTOunded
with ferruginous. Female. Upjjerside : both wings somewhat darker and duller
coloured than in the male, the wings rather broader. Underside : both wings as in
the male. Cilia pure white both above and below, with a line, brown, anteciliary
line beloAV. Antennae brownish, banded thinly white ; the club gradual, stout,
tipped orange. Palpi pale yellow above and below, the tip of third joint brown ;
the third joint long, longer in the female than in the male. Thorax light yeUow-
ish-brown above, abdomen light fulvous, banded very pale yelloAv ; below:
thorax and abdomen very pale yellow. Head with the vertex and frons very
pale yellow, the latter with a central, fulvous line. Inner margin of fore wing
with a longish, light brown fringe. Tails fulvous at base, broAvn in middle,
tipped white, that at end of vein 2 very short. Expanse 25-40 mm.
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES 01 THE PLAINS 01 INDIA. 483
The above is de Niceville's description. He goes on to quote Butler : " Allied
to Spindasis (Aphnceus) acamas, Klug, and to S. epargyrus, Eversmann. Larger ;
the male differing from both on the upperside in the whitish costal area of the
fore wing and both sexes dift'ering in the darker bands on the wings. Underside :
chalky-white instead of cream-colour, aU the markings darker and edged with
black ; the submarginal band of the hind wing is not angulated as in S. acamas
and the hind wing itseK is longer." Butler says hypargynis represents acamas
in N. W. India, that Colonel Swinhoe got it in Karachi and Chaman, Major
Yerbuiy at Cambellpore and he finally concludes that there are thi-ee constant
local races : hypargyrus, acamas and epargyrus. De Niceville is not inclined to
Ijelieve that acamas is distinct from hypargyrus.
AU of which again goes to prove that the species of this genus are extremely
liable to variation. A. hypargyrus is common in Sird and is recorded from
Chaman, South Afghanistan, Bhooj. It is evidently confined to the more or
less desert parts of the N. W. of India.
The following life history of the species is taken from a note by Captain F. C.
Fraser, M.D., I.M.S., published at page 529 of J. B. N. H. S., vol. XX, part 2,
which is accompanied by a black and white plate representing the imago male,
female and underside, the larva, pupa and egg as well as some details of the
larval structure : —
Egg. — " The egg shown in the plate, fig. 1, is the size of the head of a Xo. 10
entomological pin and is not unlike the spineless shell of Echhnis escidentus. It
is dome-shaped, flattened on the re sting surface and presents a pit at the apex of
the dome. The upper surface is mammellated and finely pitted between the
mammeUar processes. In colom- it is a dead white and is an exceedingly beauti-
ful object under a lowpower microscope."
Larva. — " The larvae appear first as tiny, hairy, mahogany-red creatures. The
head from iii'st to last moult is jet-black. The hair of the first skin is coarse and
white with the exception of eight black hairs which project horizontally back
from the rear of the 13th segment. The full-grown larva is a prettier object than
the generality of its class. Fawn is the prevailing colour, but the mahogany-
red tint persists on the first three segments and on the dorsum of the 11th, 12th
and 13th ; there is, however, a small patch of fawn on the sides of first two
segments. There are fine, double lines of mahogany-red along the back and
sides and a row of dots of the same colour extending from the 4th to the
10th cegment. On the dorsum of the 2rd segment is a shiny, black, chitinous
plate beneath which the head of the larva is retracted when alarmed. On the
back of the 12th segment two fleshy pillars surmoiuited by three stiff bristles
arranged in an equilateral triangle. These pillars are hoUow and from them
project fine hairs ; when the larva is irritated a fleshy tongue is flickered in
and out of these with great rapidity very much in the manner of a snake's tongue.
A diagram of these pillars is shown in fig. 2, the latter representing the tongue
projected and showing the fine hairs attached to its tip. The larva viewed
imder the microscope shows a remarkable arrangement of star-like, fleshy
processes which cover the entire skin so closely as to form a complete, net-like
coat. Fig. 3 shows a portion of the skin at the site of one of the lateral spots,
viewed from above ; and it will be observed that the colouration is confined to the
stellate processes. Fig. 4 shows them in profile."
Pupa.- — ' ' The pupa is blackish or dark-brown in colour. The headis roimded
and stands out in relief frcm the body by reason of the very prominent
shoulders. The abdomen tapers gradually."
Habits. — " A hypargyrus (Butler) is confined to N. W. India,
Sind and Afghanistan in particular. These notes are made from
specimens captured on the wing or bred from ovse at Hyderabad,
21
484 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Sind. In this place, the insect is locally plentiful, being restricted,
as far as I have observed, to two small areas of rather more than one
acre in extent. The country, for some miles round, furnished no
specimens. The imago is too well-known to need a further descrip-
tion here, but I have shown in the plate, figs. 7, 8 and 9, the upper
sides of male and female and underside of a female. They are
generally seen in small groups of three or four, settling on or
fluttering round low bushes or herbs at the corners of inter-
secting pathways or roads. The ovae are deposited usually on a
dead twig in juxtaposition to the food plant or they may be laid on
the bract at the base of a leaf-stalk. On the 5th day the larvae hatch
out. When the larva is at rest it will project the tongue-like processes
in and out, about every ten seconds, and will continue doing so for
long periods. I was not able to determine whether this action was
protective in nature or for the purpose of signaUing up ants. I know
that it Avas carried on for a long time preparatory to spinning the
cocoon. Like most lycsenid larvae these are always attended by
ants and this fact is of great use in searching for them, as it is easier
to notice the ants than to see the larvae. When moulting the larvae
spin two or three leaves together in which they lie until the change
is effected. Often two or three will go into partnership to build this
temporary cocoon, but as soon as the cocoon is finished the partner-
ship is dissolved, and they wander off in different directions. The
partnership is almost invariably brought about by the agency of
ants, who pilot the larvae to a suitable spot. The final cocoon is
but a little more compact than the temporary ones and usually
consists of two leaves loosely woven together and open at both ends.
The pupa is firmly fixed by the tail to one portion of the cocoon. It
hatches out in from ten days to some weeks, this depending on the
season. The foodplant is Cassia and they show a partiality to the
young buds." It is probably C. fistula or auriculata.
28. Genus Chliarta.
" As restricted by me,the genus ChUaria contains but four species, one of which
C. cacJiara, Moore, seems to me to be very doubtfully distinct. . .The four species
that are left in ChUaria, are small insects with the ground-colour of the upper-
side black; in the male of C. othona, Hewitson, the basal half of the fore wing and
nearly the entire hind wing is pale blue ; the fore wing glossed with rich purple-
blue, especially on the outer black portion in some lights ; the underside is white
with ochreous, brown and white spots and bands The females of othona
and kina differ widely from their respective males, being dull fuscous on the
upperside without any trace of blue, the discal areas in both wings being
whitish in ktna, which is also, sometimes, the case in othona "
{de. Niceville, Butt, of I., B. and C).
De Niceville also says that no transformations have been described but
mentions that the larva of othona was once found feeding on an orchid. This
discrepancy has since been remedied for othona has now been very frequently
bred, first by E. H. Aitken at Castle Rock in North Kanara District on the
borders of Goa in the Western Ghats of Bombay ; subsequently by others in the
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 485
same district. The larva and the eggs are easy to find and can be obtained
there in any desirable quantity. The commonest focdplant is the orchid
Cottonia macrostachys, but it feeds on others as well, always choosing the
flower buds. The larva is of normal shape but has two tail-points. The butter-
flies are not particularly strong fliers. The pupa is normal. The genus
occurs in the Himalayas, Assam, Burma, South India, the Andamans and
Ceylon.
181. Chliaria othona, Hewitson. — Male. Upperside : both wings pale
cserulean blue. Fore wing with the apical half rufous-brown or black. Hind
wing with the apex black. Underside : both wings white, crossed beyond the
middle by an irregular band of rufous spots commencing in a large spot at the
costal margin of each wing ; both with a submarginal, rufous line. Fore
wing : with the costal and outer margins rufous. Hind wing : with a black spot
near its base and two black spots near the anal angle, each crowned with orange.
—Female. Upperside : both wings rufous-brown, paler towards the anal angle
of the hind wing. Hind wing : with two tails ; some submarginal, bro^vn spots;
and a line of white below them. Underside : both wings white, tinted with lilac
near the base ; a submarginal, rufous line. Fore wing : with a line at the end of
cell ; a short band beyond the middle from the costal margin ; aline below it and
the apex rufous. Hind wing : with a broken, rufous band at the middle, commen
cing near the costal margin in a black spot ; the lobe and a spot outside the tails
black, bordered above with orange-yeUow, the space between them irrorated
with silver. (Heivitson). Doherty says : — Male. Upperside : beautifully
glossed with dark blue on the fore wing beyond the cell, seen only in certain
lights. — Female. Upperside : the pale blue of the male replaced by a pale grey
area from the hind margin of the fore wing to vein 3. Hind wing : with a similar
area (without any trace of blue) extending nearly to the margin where there
is a dark, subanal spot with fainter ones near it ; marginal black and white
edge-lines as in the male. Underside : like the male, marks somewhat paler.
Hind wing : with the subanal, black spot bordered narrowly with jjale ochreous.
Wings wider and more rounded than in the male.
Egg. — More or less hemispherical, slightly depressed, surface covered with
thick- walled cells or depressions, there being four from the apex to the base, the
summit being occupied by a central one. Colour white, the ground being
green but completely obscured by the white cell-waUs. B : O. 75 mm ; H : O.
55 mm.
Larva. — ^When it first emerges from the egg it is a little yellow thing with
long hairs on its back; in the second stage it gets brown-red lateral bands and
becomes greenish. The head is not hidden under segment in the fii-st stage but
is afterwards. Head of fully -grown larva : shining, translucent, shining light
yellow with bro\\Ti-tipped mandibles. The general shape is of the usual wood,
louse form but the anal segment is trapeze-shaped instead of rounded
at the extremity, it is flat on dorsum and ends in two distant,
short, fleshy, conical points, one at each corner ; the segments are all
well-marked ; segment 2 has the dorsal depression diamond-shaped,
large and is itself more or less semicircular in shape ; the gland is
transverse, rather large, mouth-shaped with shining black lips ; the
organs on segment 12 are present with circular openings. The surface is dull
and covered moderately closely with short, dark, erect hairs. The spiracles
are small, round and black. The colour is light green with a broad, dorsal,
brown-red band ; a similar, lateral band but narrower ; a similar, subspiracular
band, as broad as the dorsal one, covering completely the last three segments
12-14. These bands all become obsolescent before pupation. L : 12 mm ; B ;
3'5 mm.
486 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Pupa. — ^la normal in shape, somewhat stout, with no constriction. Head
completely hidden from above by segment 2 ; segment 2 rounded as to front
margin ; anal end also rounded ; thorax at apex the same height as abdomen
at segments 6-7 ; breadth at shoulders the same as breadth at segment 9 . Sur-
face glabrous, pitted aU over with minute points ; mark of gland a transverse,
i ndistinct line with a black dot at each end. Spiracle of segment 2 hardly
visible, a black spot where it should be ; other spiracles small, oval, light in
colour. Colour generally green ; thorax and abdomen suiiused with pale pink ;
a dark, obsolescent, dorsal band ; also a lateral similar one ; a black spot on
shoulder and one above and below each spiracle on abdomen ; along wing-line
on thorax is a shining, black, triangular patch and a similar one behind it on
segments 4, 5. L : 10 mm ; B : 4'75 mm.
Habits. — The eggs are laid on the flower-stalks and buds of plants
in shady places in the jungles. The larva on emerging from the egg
enters a flower-bud and feeds on the inside ; but soon, as it grows,
sits on the outside and eats holes in the buds. It always prefers
buds to the full-blown flowers but will eat these latter when obliged
to do so. It is an inert caterpillar and moves very slowly and deli-
berately. The pupation is effected upon a flower-stalk or a leaf of
the orchid ; often the larva wanders away to the trunk of the tree
to change into the chrysalis. The suspension is by the tail and a
body loop. Ants do not visit the larva much though they are occasion-
nally found on the flowers and plants. The butterfly is not often
seen ; it does not go to flowers nor to water and the haunts where it
passes its time, are, like in the case of so many other Blues, a mystery.
It has occasionally been seen round the foodplants by the writer
but, otherwise, never. It is an insect of the forests and hills and
heavy rainfall and will not be found in the Plains. The foodplants
of the larva are all epiphytic orcldds and it has been found on
Cottonia macrostachys, Mrides crispum, Rhynchostylis retusa and a few
others. The butterfly has been recorded from Northern India ;
Kumaon, 4,000 feet, Sikkim, Bhutan ; Assam : Cachar, Khasi Hills ;
Chit agong Hill Tracts; Burma; South India : Kanara District of
Boinbay.
182. Chliaria nilgirica, Male. Upperside : brown. Fore wing : without
markings but shading darker at the costa and outer margin. Hind wing : with
the abdominal fold grey, with a fringe of white hairs ; a small, black spot on the
inner side of the anal lobe and a still smaller and indistinct, black spot in each
of tl e next two interspaces, the two latter capped with dull orange, all three
outwardly edged with white ; tails black, tipped and fringed with white. Cilia
brown with white tips. Underside : creamy-white with the markings duU orange.
Fore wing : a thin line at the end of cell ; a discal band commencing at the costa
with four, thin, annular marks, the first three spots outwardly oblique, the
fourth straight below the third, the band continued in very thin Imiules almost
straight down to the submedian vein ; a submarginal, lunular line. Hind wing :
with a black rather prominent, subbasal spot below the costa ; another, some-
Avhat larger, outside, also below the costa with the discal series rvmning down
from it in one disconnected, thin line ; then two annular, thin marks in the
middle followed by a thin, sinuous line which curves in the form of the letter W
on to the abdominal margin one-fourth above the anal angle ; a small, black.
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 487
anal spot ; another in interspace 2, both faintly crowned with orange ; a submar-
ginal, lunular line as on the fore wing. Antennae black, ringed with white ;
club with a dull orange tip ; head and body above and below concolovirous with
the wings. — Female. Upperside : blackish-brown. Fore wing without mark-
ings. Hind wing : with a small, black, anal spot ; a larger, subterminal spot in
each of the next two interspaces ; a small spot in each of the next two ; the last
four prominently capped with white limules ; terminal black line with an i^nner,
white thread. C/nt/emrfe ; as in the male. Expanse : male, 27 • 5 mm ; female,
3d mm.
The transformations are not known or, at any rate, have not been published.
The insect inhabits the Nilgiris and Ceylon and might possibly occur on the
Ghats in Bombay.
488
INDIAN DRAGONFLIES.
BY
Major F. 0. Fraser, I.M.S.
(With 14 Text-figures)
(Gonthmecl from page 141 of Volume XXVI)
Part IV.
Genus — Palpopleura.
Fig. 29. — Wing neuration of Palpopleura { X 2).
Palpopleura, Rambur, Brauer.
Hemistigmoides, Calvert.
Libellula, Fabricius, Burmeister.
Head moderately large ; eyes moderately contiguous ; forehead narrow, in
the male often flattened and with a straight, sharply edged foreborder, the mid
suture very shallow ; in the female the forehead less prominent, the foreborder
indistinct and somewhat rounded ; vesicle high and slightly notched.
Prothorax lobe fairly large, quadrilateral furnished with a ruff of long
hairs.
Thorax moderately robust.
Legs slim, moderately long. Male : hind femora with numerous short spines,
and a longer distal spine, mid femora similar but the spines somewhat longer ;
tibial spines very numerous, slim and short ; claw-hooks small, situated near
the apex. The leg armature of the female almost identical.
Abdomen short, broad and depressed. Parallel-sided in the male, some-
what fusiform in the female. A transverse ridge on the 4th segment.
INDIAN DRAGONFLIES, 489
Wings short and moderately broad, usually broadly coloured or marked with
black or brownish black ; the costa, about midway between the base and the
node, with a shallow notch ; trigone in the forewing slightly distal to the line
of the trigone in the hind ; sectors of the arc in the forewing either separated
or more often very shortly fused, in the hind a somewhat longer fusion ; arc
between the 1st and 2nd antenodal nervures ; 8th nervure in the hindwing
arising from the anal angle of the trigone ; trigone in the hindwing at the arc
or a shade distal to it ; 10| to 12| antenodal nervures, the last incomplete ;
cubital nervures variable, either 1 in both wings or several ; usually supple-
mentary nervures to the bridge ; trigone in the forewing broad, traversed,
often several times, its relation to the hypertrigone rather more than a right
angle ; trigone in the hindwing traversed often several times, its outer side
concave ; hypertrigones variable, often traversed several times in the forewing,
less so in the hind ; 4th nervure flatly convex ; 1 to 2 rows of cells between 5
and 5a ; 8th nervure in the hindwing strongly concave and therefore the dis-
coidal field at the termen widely dilated ; 3 to 4 rows of discoidal cells ; anal
field of the hindwing broad, with a long loop whose midrib is nearly straight
and the outer angle very obtuse and with or without split cells. The cells
between the base and the loop distinctly arranged in rows. Stigma large.
Membrane medium sized.
27. Palpopleura sexmaculata, Brauer.
Libellula sexmaculata, Fabricius, Rambur, Neur, 1842, Burmeister.
Expanse 40 mm. Length 23 mm.
Male : head ; eyes brown above, olivaceous at sides and beneath ; vesicle and
upper part of epistome and frons a brilliant metallic green ; lower part of
epistome, labrum and labium a pale yellow ; occiput olivaceous.
Prothorax ochreous with brown borders.
Thorax a warm brown on dorsum, bordered outwardly by a black, irregular,
humeral line ; the sides a pale greeny yellow, almost white and bearing
two black lines, the anterior incomplete above and approximating obliquely
towards the posterior.
Abdomen a pale sky blue, the sides of first two segments pale yellow and the
dorsum of the first brownish.
Wings short and comparatively broad, hyaline and saffronated palely as far
out as stigma where this colour is deepest; a postnodal, costal spot in the
forewing covering 1 to 2 cells, a dark streak in the postcostal space extending
more than half way to the node and often overlapping, outwardly into the
anterior costal space ; a black spot lying between the sectors of the arc and
an irregular triangular spot at the base occupying the cubital space and anal
triangle posterior to it and about half of the proximal part of trigone. Stigma
very large, black with a bluish middle. The black markings vary consi-
derably in opposite wings and in individual species. Legs brownish, tibiai
yellow on extensor surface.
Female : head similar to male but vesicle and frons are brown, not metallic.
Prothorax and thorax similar to male.
Abdomen ochreous, this colour deepest and richest along the sides ; a fine
middorsal line, broadening posteriorly, a broad subdorsal stripe, the inter-
segmental joints and the borders finely, black.
Wings very similar to those of the male but the hind deeply saffronated as
far out as apex and the fore at the base and about the postnodal spot.
The black markings more extensive and extending on to hypertrigone in
both wings.
Hab. Shillong, Pusa, Ceylon, Malabar, usually a very local insect.
490 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Genus — Brachydiplax.
Fig. 30. — a. Male sexual organs of B. sobrina. b. Female sexual organs
of same. c. Male sexual organs of B. farinosa. d. Female
sexual organs of same.
Brachydiplax, Brauer, 1868.
Microthemis, Brauer, Kirby.
Head small or moderately large ; eyes moderately contiguous ; forehead
narrow, somewhat prominent, the foreborder a little rounded ; suture rather
shallow; vesicle very small, rounded.
Prothorax variable, the lobe small or large, angulated and projecting out-
ward. Either notched or entire, furnished with a ruff of long hairs.
Thorax moderately robust.
Legs long and slim. Male : hind femora with not very numerous, widely
spaced spines of imiform size and length or nearly so, the mid femora with
less numerous spines and a long one at the distal end ; tibial spines numerous,
slim and tolerably short ; claw-hooks small, situated near the apex.
Abdomen at the base, slightly to strongly dilated, then tapering gradually
to the end, short or relatively long. No transverse ridge on the 4th segment.
Superior anal appendages with a marked angulation beneath in the male, slim.
Wings long, moderately narrow ; reticulation very open ; trigone in the
forewing broad, in line with the trigone of the hindwing; relation of the trigone
in the forewing to hypertrigone about a right angle ; sectors of arc in both wings
fused ; arc between the 1st and 2nd antenodal nervures ; 8th nervure in the
hindwing arising from the anal angle of the trigone ; 6 to 9 antenodal
nervures, the final complete ; trigone in the hindwing a little distal to the arc ; 1
cubital nervure to all wings ; all trigones and hypertrigones entire ; subtrigone
in the forewing 1 to 3 cells ; no supplementary nervures to the bridge ; 4th
nervure without any perceptible vmdulation or with only a slight costalwards
convexity ; 1 row of cells between 5 and 5a ; 2 rows of cells in the discoidal
field, the latter dilated at the termen ; 8th nervure strongly curved ; loop with
a broad, outer angle, apex broad and blunt, the cells between its inner border
and the base of the wing distinctly arranged in transverse rows. Stigma either
medium sized or small. Membrane moderately large.
Key to Species.
A, Lamina of the male sexual organs large. Antenodal
nervures 7 B. sobrina.
B. Lamina of the male sexual organs small. Antenodal
nervures 8 to 9 B. fariiiosa.
INDIAN DRAGONFLIES.
491
28. Brachydiplax sobrina, Ris, Kirby.
Libellula sobrina, Rambur.
Diplax sobrina, Brauer.
Sympetnmi sobrina, Kirby.
Fig. 31. — ^Wing neuration of B. sobrina. ( x 2J).
Expanse, male, 50 mm., female 52 mm.
Length, male, 32 mm., female 28 mm.
Head ; male ; eyes moderately contiguous, a pale violet brown above, pale
olivaceous at the sides and beneath ; occiput black with two yellow spots poste-
riorly ; front and upper part of epistome metallic bluish green, the lower part
of latter, the labrum and labium, pale green ; suture moderately shallow.
Prothorax black frosted with blue.
Thorax metallic green, frosted thickly with blue on the dorsum and the
humeral region, thinly at the sides where the metallic green shows through and
is marked by a post-humeral and a mid-lateral spot, yellow. The metepime-
ron broadly yellow crossed by a metallic green vertical stripe. Beneath frosted
thickly with blue.
Abdomen frosted densely with bright blue, except the last 3 or 4 segments,
a subdorsal, yellow spot on the 7th segment.
Anal appendages black.
Legs black frosted with blue.
Wings hyaline with a faint broAvliish suffusion near the membrane. Stigma
a light brown, heavily bordered with black. IMembrane white with a black
bordering. 3 cells in the subtrigone.
Genital organs as shewn. Lainina large.
Female ; head as for male.
Prothorax black, a collar in front, 2 spots on the mid-dorsum and the free
margin of the lobe, lemon yellow.
Thorax metallic green in front with yellow markings and a bright yellow
at the sides with metallic green markings. An irregular ?-shaped mark on
the upper, and a similar coloured stripe on the lower humeral region. A
Y-shaped mark and a broad stripe behind it, on the sides, metallic green.
Legs black, the base of the anterior femorse yellow.
Abdomen broad at the base and gradually tapering from thence to the end.
Strongly carinated, short. Black with yellow markings on all segments
22
492 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
except the 8th, 9th and 10th. A broad, conical, subdorsal spot with the base
at the proximal end of the segments, which gradually diminish in size as
traced back. A pair of spots on each segment on the ventral surface.
Anal appendages black.
Wings hyaline. Amber tinted rays in the hindwing in the inferior costal space
as far as the 1st antenodal nervure and in the cubital space as far as the cubital
nervure, posteriorly to which it slopes rapidly towards the membrane ; subtri-
gone formed of 2 cells, the traversing nervure strongly curved ; 7 antenodal
nervures ; stigma and membrane as for the male.
Hab. The borders of weedy tanks. Bombay, Calcutta, Malabar, Ceylon,
Lower Burma.
29. Brachydiptax farlnosa, Ris.
Bmchydiplax sobrina, Selys*.
Bmchydiplax pruhwsa, Laidlaw.
Male and female ; expanse 46 mm., length 28 mm.
A rather smaller but very similar species to the last and distinguished from
it chiefly by the small size of the lamina and the greater number of antenodal
nervures.
Head similar to sobrina, the vesicle and upper part of forehead blue metallic.
Prothorax and thorax of male green metallic, frosted with blue, densely in
front and on the tergum, thinly at the sides. No markings.
The female a black metallic green with a variable number of small, yellow
spots on the sides.
Abdomen narrow, depressed and tapering, in the male, frosted brightly with
blue in the first 6 or 7 segments and black in the remainder; in the female black,
no frosting, the 3rd, 4th and 5th segments with small, lateral, yellow spots
which are obsolete in adult specimens. A small yellow spot on the 6th and a
rather larger spot on the 7th segment.
Wings hyaline, relatively long to the abdomen ; antenodal nervures
8 to 9 ; base of hindwing hyaline or a bright amber suffusion as far out as the
cubital nervure. Legs as for sobrina.
Genital organs as shown.
Hab. Burma, Bhamo.
Genus — Acisoma.
Fig. 32. — Wing neuration of Acisoma panorpoides panorpoides (x2|).
I
INDIAN DRAGON FLIES. 493
Acisoma, Rambur.
Head rather small ; eyes just touching; forehead rounded ; mid-suture flush ;
vesicle small, rounded and depressed.
Prothorax with a large, projecting lobe which is slightly notched in its free
border and lined with a ruff of long hairs.
Thorax moderately large, narrow.
Legs : hind femora with a row of closely set, short spines of uniform lengtli
for two-thirds the length and with a long spine at the distal extremity ; tibial
spines long, moderately robust and numerous ; claw-hooks robust.
Wings short but moderately broad ; reticulation fairly close ; trigone in the
forewing in line with that of the hind ; sectors of the arc fused for
a long distance ; arc between the 1st and 2nd antenodal nervures ; 8th nervure
widely separated from the anal angle of the trigone in the hindwing ; 7 to 9
antenodal nervures, the final either complete or incomplete ; trigone in the
hindwing at the arc ; 1 cubital nervure to all wings ; no supplementary ner-
vures ; costal side of the trigone in the forewing often somewhat crooked,
the distal bent portion shorter than the proximal ; both trigones entire ;
subtrigone in the forewing with 1 to 3 cells; hypertrigones entire ; 4th nervure
very flatly ciu'ved ; 1 row of cells between 5 and 5a ; 8th nervure in the hind-
wing short and very strongly bent; discoidal field with 2 rows of cells, widely
dilated at the termen ; anal field in the hindwing very broad ; loop with a
right angled outer angle and split cells , between it and the anal border, rows
of very long, thin cells, standing perpendicular to the termen. Membrane
small. Stigma moderate sized.
Abdomen : both laterally and dorso-ventrally dilated from the 1st to the 6th
segment, the final segments very slim.
Anal appendages as long as the 9th segment.
Genital organs : See species.
30. Acisoma panorpoides panorpoides, Rambur.
Head : eyes turquoise blue ; occiput and vesicle black ; clypeus and labrum
pale blue ; base of occiput narrowly black, this colour prolonged into the suture
and laterally on to epistome. A fine black line crossing epistome.
Prothorax-brown or black with 2 medium spots and the free edge of the lobe
broadly sky-bluje.
Thorax sky blue in the male, a fine yellowish green in the female, marked
in both sexes with a variable, reticulated pattern of black spots and anasto-
mising stripes, which suggest hieroglyphic or Sanskrit characters.
Legs black, striped outwardly with pale blue or yellowish green according
to the sex.
Wings hyaline with a very faint, diffuse suffusion of yellow at the bases.
Antecubital nervures 7 to 8, the final nearly always complete. Stigma very
pale yellow, bordered with broA\Ti. Membrane grey white at the base.
Abdomen sky blue in the male, yellowish green in the female, marked with
black in both sexes as follows : — a chain of wedge-shaped spots on the mid-
dorsum, the bases of the wedges being distal and the series steadily increasing
in size as traced backwards ; a chain of subdorsal spots from the 1st to the
5th segment, rather obscure on the first 2 segments ; a broad black stripe on
the first segment, notched posteriorly and the borders of the 4th and 5th
narrowly black. The fhial 3 segments entirely black.
Anal appendages very pale blue or bluish green.
Genital organs ; lamina of male procumbent ; tentaculae projecting ; lobe
very small but prominent. Vulvar scales of female projecting ; the final
abdominal segments markedly dilated and flattened dorso-ventrally.
Hab. All India, Ceylon, Burma, Straits, Bengal and Bombay.
494 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Genus — Sympetrtjm.
Fig. 33. — ^Wing neuration of Sympetnim ( X 2|).
Sympetrwm, Newman. 1833.
Head slightly variable in size and shape, moderately small or occasionally
proportionately large ; eyes moderately contiguous : forehead a little
prominent, rounded and with no marked f oreborder ; suture usuallj- flush ;
vesicle^moderately small, often very slightly notched.
Lobe of prothorax very large, projecting, divided by a deep notch into
two lobes and bordei'ed with a ruff of long hairs.
Thorax moderately robust.
Legs moderately long and slim, their armature in both sexes similar ; the
hind femora with a row of numerous, small spines and with a few longer
ones at the distal ends ; mid femora somewhat similar but the spines a little
longer; tibial spines moderately short, fine, numerous ; claw-hooks slim and
long, situated about the middle of the claws.
Wings relatively short and broad, generally hyaline ; reticulation fairly
close ; trigone in the forewing in line with that of the hind ; sectors of the
arc in both fore and hind-wings fused for a long distance ; arc between the
1st and 2nd antenodal nervures ; 8th nervure in the hindwing arising from
the anal angle of the trigone ; antenodal nervures 7| to 9|, the final incom-
plete ; 4th nervure with a single, flat curve or nearly straight ; 1 row of cells
between 5 and 5a (2 rows in occasional specimens) ; 1 cubital nervure to all
wings ; no supplementary nervures to the bridge ; trigone in the forewing relat-
ively broad, the costal side at least half as long as the proximal, traversed ;
trigone in the hindwing entire (occasionally traversed) ; all hypertrigones
entire ; 8th nervure in the hindwing flatly convex, nearly straight towards the
end ; the discoidal field strongly contracted at the termen, beginning with 3
rows of cells (occasional specimens with the discoidal field of uniform breadth
as far as termen and with only 2 rows of cells as far as the node); anal field of
INDIAN DRAGON FLIES. 495
hindwing broad, no definite arrangement of cells in rows between the base and
loop; loop well developed its outer angle obtuse, split cells at the outer angle
and at the anal angle of the trigone ; membrane of medium size ; stigma small.
Genital organs of the male ; lamina usually procumbent; tentaculate strongly
differentiated, the segments well divided ; the lobe comparatively small.
Genital organs of the female ; the border of the 8th abdominal segment curl-
ing outwards, not dilated ; end of the 8th ventral plate variable, small or very
large, entire or notched, projecting or procumbent; 9th ventral plate occasion-
ally with 2 booklets near the middle, the border rather flatly rounded.
Key to Species.
A. Comparatively small species.
Antenodal nervures numbering 6J to 7|.
a. Thorax duU red in front and above,
bright lemon yellow at the sides.
Basal line to forehead interrupted
outwardly. Legs black, striped with
yellow Stricilatum.
h. Thorax sandy yellow.
Basal line to forehead almost obsolete.
Legs a sandy yellow Decoloralum.
c. Thorax reddish yellow above and in
front, greenish yellow laterally.
Basal line to forehead broad and
sharply defined Fonscolombei .
d. Thorax black, marked with bright
yellow stripes laterally.
Basal line to forehead black and
diffuse. Legs black Commixtum.
B, Larger species with comparatively small head.
Antenodal nervures numbering 8| to 9J.
a. Thorax dull reddish yellow, with a
narrow, black, humeral line.
Antenodal nervures 8J.
Wings hyaline, with a well-marked,
basal, yeUow spot Orientale.
b. Thorax black, with 2 yellow stripes
laterally.
Antenodal nervures 9i. (Nervurs black).
Whole of wing somewhat smoky,
with a diffuse yellow spot at base Hypomdas.
31 . Sympetrum striolatum, Meyer-Dur.
Libellula vulgata, Vander Linden.
Libellula striolata, Charpentier.
Sympetrum vulgatum, Linne.
Diplax striolata, Brauer.
Diplax vulgata race striolata, Schoch.
Libellula ruficollis, Charpentier.
Libellula secula, Hagen.
Libellula tnacrocephala, Selys,
496 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
2
8
Fig. 34. — Male genital organs of : —
a. Sympetnim decoloratum, b. Fonscolombei, c. Hypomelas,
e. Commixtum, f. Orientale.
Female genital organs of : —
d. Sympelrum decoloratum, g. Orientale, h. Hypomelas.
Expanse 58 mm. Length 38 mm.
Head ; eyes reddish brown above, puce coloured at the sides and beneath ;
occiput, vesicle and epistome olivaceous brown ; forehead with a black, basal
line broken at the eyes.
Prothorax reddish brown, the lobe very large and bordered with a fringe of
long hairs.
Thorax dull red with a diffuse, dark green, humeral stripe. The sides of the
thorax as far as the spiracle and the ventral border of the metepimeron a bright
lemon yellow, dull greenish above, the area between being red.
Legs ; the extensor sides of legs black, striped with yellow, the flexor surfaces
entirely black.
Wings hyaline or in very adult specimens, a little smoky ; a small basal
marking, yellow with diffuse margins ; stigma reddifh ; antenodal nervures 7J ;
1 row of cells between 5 and 5a.
Abdomen slightly constricted at the 3rd segment and thereafter a little fusi-
formly dilated to the end ; reddish yellow with yellow annules at the inter-
togmental nodes.
Female very similar but of a duller hue, greyish or olivaceous brown more
or less chequered or suffused with red. Markings as for male but more distinct.
The abdomen bordered narrowly with black.
INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. 497
Genital organs of the male ; internal segmenta of the tcntaculae rather
longer than the external, narrow, nearly straight but bent in its outer part and
tipped with black. The internal tentaculse often crossing each other at the
middle line ; lamina depressed ; lobe small.
Genital organs of female ; a prominent vulvar scale projecting at an angle of
6C° ; border of 8th abdominal segment not dilated.
Hab. N. W. India, Quetta.
32. Sympetrum docoloratum, Ris.
Diplax vulgata race decolorata, Selys.
Sympetrum vulgatum race decoloratum, Selys.
Sympetrum decolorata, Morton.
Expanse 56 mm. Length 36 mm.
Head ; eyes reddish above, ochreous at the sides and beneath ; forehead yellow
often with a tinge of red, its black basal line reduced to a mere point at the
outer side of the vesicle ; vesicle ochreous ; occiput olivaceous ; labrum and
labium pale yellow.
Prothorax ochreous or pale yellow, the border of the lobe being finely black
and furnished with a fringe of long hairs.
Thorax sandy yellow, the markings either obsolute or very obscure or occasion-
ally a triangular, black mark on the mid-dorsum and a slender black streak
on the side ; beneath bright yellow.
Legs entirely yellow or the flexor sides of femora in their distal halves, black.
Wings hyaline, the reticulation at the base and along costa bright yellow ;
stigma reddish yellow with heavy black bordering, 2 •5mm. ; antenodal nervm^es
6| ; no basal marking to the wings as a rule.
Abdomen bright reddish orange with, in many specimens, a bright yellow
spot situated subdorsally near the distal end of each segment.
Anal appendages reddish.
Genital organs of male ; lamina procumbent ; tentaculse very small, yellow
and pointed with black ; the internal tentaculse narrower and less sharply curved
than in striolatum.
Genital organs of female ; a large vulvar scale projecting vertically.
Hab. Continental Lidia in the drier zones, Quetta, the Deccan.
33. Sympetrum fonscolombei, Selys, Meyer-Dur.
Lihellula flaveola, Fonscolombei.
Diplax fonscolombei, Meyer-Dur.
Libellida fonscolombei, Selys.
Libellula erythroneura, Buchecker.
Sympetrum rhceticum, Buchecker.
Sympetrum sanguineum, Longstaff.
Expanse 60 mm. Length 38 mm.
Head ; eyes reddish brown above, paling to a peach blossom or lilaceous tint
at the sides and beneath ; occiput brown ; vesicle reddish brown ; front brown
or reddish brown above, white below, a broad black basal line at the vesicle and
eyes ; labrum and labium brown.
Prothorax ferruginous, furnished with a ruff of very long hairs.
Thorax small, narrow, reddish brown above on dorsum, a greenish blue tint
laterally where it is traversed by 3 oblique, black stripes, the middle one of
which lies interior to spiracle and is interrupted or incomplete above ; beneath
marked with black frosted over with white.
Legs almost entirely yellow, the hind tibise alone being black on their extensor
surfaces.
Wings hyaline, the reticulation in the basal half of male being a bright red,
in the female a reddish yellow ; an amber coloured marking at the base of both
wings, in the forewing but slightly marked in the superior costal space and as
498 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
far as the 1st antenodal nervure in the inferior costal space, slightly in the sub-
costal space and as far as the cubital nervure in the cubital space ; in the hind-
wing the marking reaching beyond the 1st antenodal nervure and cubital
nervure and extending for a variable distance over the anal triangle. Trig-
one in the forewing traversed, in the hind entire ; antenodal nervures 6J ;
stigma pale brown or yellow, bordered at the costa broadly with brown,
2 — 2' 6 mm. ; membrane fairly large, white.
Abdomen cylindrical, sides parallel, but a slight constriction at the 3rd seg-
ment, bright red on the dorsum, laterally greenish yellow, marked with 2
parallel black lines and on the 8th and 9th segments a pyriform black spot.
Anal appendages nearly as long as the 9th segment, reddish.
Female somewhat similar to the male but the reddish tinting not so marked.
The forehead and labrum a bright yellow, the space between white or diaph-
anous ; the thorax a light golden brown and laterally greenish yellow with the
same black markings as in the male ; abdomen a light brownish yellow with
black marks similar to those seen in the male.
Genital organs of the male ; tentaculae very small, the internal segment being
strongly curved ; lamina procumbent ; lobe small.
Genital organs of female ; vulvar scale very small, projecting but very slightly.
This and the preceding species are often the carriers of minute Acari, which
parasytise them from the water and which utilises them not so much for
a living as for a distributing agent. There is no evidence to show that they
draw any sustenance from their hosts.
Hab. Throughout Europe, Asia Minor, Central and Southern Asia, Quetta,
Kashmir 5—10,000'. Mm-ree, Nilgiris 7,500.'
34. Sympetrum commixtum, Kirby.
Dlplax comviixta, Selys.
Sympetrum suhpruinosum, Kirby.
Expanse 60 mm. Length 38 mm.
Head relatively large and somewhat globular ; eyes reddish brown above,
violaceous or puce coloured at the sides and beneath ; the forehead narrow and
marked at the base with a diffuse black stripe ; vesicle brown ; occiput oliva-
ceous brown ; face and labrum yellow.
Prothorax yellowish brown.
Thorax dorsally and in front a brownish yellow, laterally black with 2 bright
yellow bands which deepen in colour as traced towards the dorsum ; beneath
variably black.
Legs entirely black, the outer surface of anterior femora often striped with
yellow.
Wings hyaline with the apices occasionally smoky ; antenodal nervures Q\ ;
discoidal field much contracted at the termen ; 1 row of cells between 5 and
5a ; the basal marking a pale, diffuse yellow ; stigma ochreous, 3 mm.
Abdomen in the male a little fusiform, red above, deep black beneath,
which latter colour overlaps the lateral borders of the dorsum.
Anal appendages reddish or ochreous.
Female very similar to the male but of a much duller hue and without
any of the red colouring of the male.
Genital organs very similar to striolatum.
Hab. Throughout Continental India, the Deccan, Deesa, N. W. India.
35. Sympetrum hypomelas, Kirby.
Diplax hypomelas, Selys.
Expanse 66 mm. Length 36 mm.
INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. 499
Head comparatively small ; eyes brown above, paler laterally and beneath ;
occiput and vesicle brown ; front, epistome and labium yellowish ; basal line
of forehead usually present.
Prothorax brownish yellow.
Thorax brown with 2 broad, bright yellow, lateral stripes somewhat darker
above, a broad dark humeral band and black stripes traversing the spiracle
and metepimeron.
Legs entirely black except the flexor surfaces of the hind femora.
Wings hyaline or suffused with a smoky, yellow tint. Antenodal nervures
9| ; the discoidal field barely contracted at the termen ; a variable yellow mark
at the base of hindwing.
Abdomen of male strongly constricted at the 3rd segment and fusiformly
dilated from the 6th to the 9th, the dorsal surface red, the ventral black. The
lateral borders often finely black.
Anal appendages reddish.
Genital organs of male ; tentaculee very large, black, the external segment
directed nearly horizontally back, the internal shaped as a robust, strongly
curved hook ; lamina procumbent ; lobe small, rectangular and directed strongly
backward.
Grenital organs of female ; vulvar scale very small.
Hab. Bengal, Assam, Khasia Hills, Burma, Thibet, Sikhim.
36. Sympetrum orientate, Kirby.
Diplax orientale, Selys.
Expanse .56 mm. Length 33 mm.
Head comparatively small ; eyes brown above, paler at sides and beneath ;
vesicle and occiput brown ; forehead with a dift'use basal line present as a rule ;
front and epistome pale yellow.
Prothorax brownish.
Thorax reddish brown on the front and dorsum, a dull reddish yellow on the
sides, a narrow, black humeral stripe, other markings very obscure.
Legs entirely black or the hind femora striped with yellow on the flexor
surfaces.
Wings hyaline ; discoidal field barely contracted at the termen ; basal spot
to hindwing moderately large, a golden yellow colour with the free border
not sharply defined ; antenodal nervures 8|.
Abdomen similar in shape to hypomelas, brick red on the dorsum, black
ventrally.
Genital organs of male ; tentaculse moderately large and projecting nearly
horizontally, the internal segment being strongly curved ; lamina moderately
flat but more prominent than in hypomelas ; lobe a little rounded slightly arched,
small.
Gtenital organs of female ; a very small vulvar scale, 2 flatly curved pro.
jections from the 8th ventral plate.
Hab. Bengal and Assam, Khasia Hills.
The Sympetra are a group of very similar insects, whose specific differences
are not very marked, whose colouring is very similar and whose markings are
usually very obscure. The first four species are very closely related to one
another and a good deal of confusion has marked the history of their specific
valuation. Hypomelas and orientale are sharply marked off from the rest and
may be distinguished from one another by a comparison of their genital oi'gans.
They are more closely related to each other than to the first four species of the
group.
23
500 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVl.
Genus — Diplacobes.
B
B'
■ Fig. 35. — A. Forewing of Diplacodes nebulosa.
B. Forewing of Diplacodes trivialis contrasting its neuration
with that of " A ".
B. Hindwing of Diplacodes trivialis.
Diplacodes, Brauer 1868, Selys 1883, Karsch 1889, Kirby and Ris.
Trithemis, Kirby.
Diplax, Brauer.
Libellula, Fabricius, 1793, Rambur 1842.
Head very small ; eyes just meeting ; forehead moderately prominent,
rounded and mthout a marked foreborder ; suture moderately deep ; vesicle
rounded.
Prothorax : posterior lobe moderate to very large, projecting in the middle,
slightly or thickly fringed with long hairs according to the species.
Thorax comparatively narrow.
Legs moderately robust ; middle and hind femora with a row of not very
closely set but usually long spmes, (Ai'mature of legs in the two sexes scarcely
difEermg), tibial spmes fine, numerous ; claw-hooks robust, situated about
the middle of the claws, slopuig.
Wings relatively short and broad, reticulation moderately close. Trigone
in forewing slightly distal to that of the hind ; sectors of arc in forewing,
shortly fused, a long fusion in the hind ; are betAveen the 1st and 2nd antenodal
nervures ; 8th nervure m the forewmg strongly arched, in the hindwing sepa-
rated (usually widely so) from the anal angle of the trigone ; antenodal nervures
usually 7J, but variable, the final incomplete ; trigone in the hindwing at the
arc ; only 1 cubital nervure to all wings ; no supplementary nervures to the
bridge ; trigone m the forewing free or traversed, in the hind entire ; 4th
nervure flatly arched ; 1 row of cells between 5 and 5a ; discoidal field with
I
INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. 501
2 rows of cells in its proximal part or 1 row of 3 cells at the trigone, followed
by rows of 2, strongly dilated at the termen ; anal field of hindwing broad,
2—3 rows of cells between the inner border of the loop and the basal raargin
of wing ; loop with a right-angled outer angle and with bifurcated cells.
Membrane and stigma of medium size.
Abdomen slim and nearly cylindrical in both sexes, dilated at the base and
dorso-ventrally in the distal half of the 7th and for the whole of the 8th and
9th.
Sexual organs : For those of the male see under species.
Of the female ; border of 8th segment not dilated ; 8th ventral plate at its
end prolonged into a projecting and somewhat bipartite, vulvar scale ; 9th
ventral plate flat at the base or slightly keeled and furnished with small
hooks, the apical half usually somewhat bent ventralwards and the end pro-
longed as a tongue-like projection overlapping the 10th segment.
Key to Species.
A. Trigone in the forewing free.
Subtrigone in the forewing free, (rarely
formed of 3 cells.)
Discoidal field With 2 rows of cells at its com-
mencement D. nehvlosa.
B. Trigone in the forewing traversed, (rarely one or
both free.)
Subtrigone in the forewing formed of 3 cells.
Discoidal field commencing with 3 cells and
then continued as 2 rows of cells (rarely
commencing with 2 cells) D. trivialis,
37. Diplacodes nebuiosa, Kirby, Trans. Zoo. Soc. Lond. 12, p. 308. (1889).
Karsch and Selys.
Kirby, Cat. p. 42, 1890.
Id., Linn., Soc. Journ. Zool, 24. p. 556, 1893.
Diplax nebuiosa, Brauer, Zool. hot. Wein. 18. p. 721, 1868.
Selys. Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg. 27 p. 96. 1883.
Libellula nebuiosa, Fabr. Ent. sys. 2 p. 379, (1793).
Hagen. Zool bot. Wien. 8 p. 481. 1858.
Expanse 42 mm. Length 24 mm.
Male : in adults and usually in moderately juvenile specimens, the whole of
the thorax and abdomen is black, frosted finely with blue and the markings
almost or entirely obsolete. The head black, the forehead and upper part of
epistome being highly glazed and of a bluish lustre. The labrum brownish ;
the eyes deep sea blue, paler beneath. Legs black.
Juvenile specimens : head ; forehead, epistome, labrum and labium pale
yellow; a fine dark line to forehead in front of the vesicle which is bright yellow ;
occiput bright yellow ; eyes pale blue beneath, brownish above.
Prothorax pale' yellow, the brown humeral band of the thorax continued
on to it.
Thorax ; dorsum broadly black, 2 yellow spots at the wing attachments, a
narrow, diffuse, humeral band which uniting with the mid-dorsal dark area,
encloses a variably sized spot of yellow. The sides bright yellow, the sutures
mapped out in black, an interrupted black line over the spiracle, the metepi-
meron variably black. Often there is a very variable marbling of brown on the
sides.
Legs yellow, black on the flexor surfaces.
502 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Wings hyaline with dark brown tips, this colour extending inwards as far as
the inner end of the stigma and with the inner margin extending back almost
straight to the termen. The apical marking differs according to the age of the
specimens and in some very juvenile specimens sent to me by ]VIr. Bainbrigge
Fletcher from Pusa, it is entirely absent or if present is a mere shadow. Stigma
dark brown, 2 mm. A small tinge of brown at the base of the hindwing extend-
ing out as far as the cubital nervure.
Abdomen black marked with pale yellow ; segments 2 and 3 with broad
yellow spots on the sides which often almost entirely obscure the ground colour-
ing. Subdorsal spots on the 4th to 7th segments which gradually decrease in
size as traced distally. Last .3 segments entirely black.
Anal appendages pale yellow or ashy.
Female very similar to juvenile males but brighter coloured. The black
markings of the thorax obscure, the yellow markings of the abdomen prepond-
erating over the black which is present only as fine annules at the intersegmental
joints and a narrow black line along the mid-dorsal carina. A fine black line
along the ventro-lateral ridge. The 9th and 10th segments black or small,
yellow, subdorsal spots on the 9th. Anal appendages bright yellow.
Wings hyaline, the basal spot bright saffron, the stigma pale brown. Th(^
apical brown markings seen in the male, quite absent in the female.
Hab. Eastern and Central India, Ceylon, Bengal, Madras and Burma extend-
ing thence to the Straits, Malacca, Singapore, Java.
This species is found only in marshy areas, being rarely if ever seen away
from the neighbourhood of water.
A well marked variety is foimd in Mesopotamia and INIr. Rishworth has sent
me similar specimens from Karachi. In these the apical marking is usually
obsolete and if present is a mere shadow. There is also a well-marked blackish
brown basal spot reaching more than half way to the first antenodal, beyond
the cubital nervure and thence obliquely to nearly as far as tomus. ■' This
variety may be the D. parvula of Rambur but as I have seen no specimens
of the latter, I cannot say for certain. "
Fig. 36.— Male sexual organs of D. trivialis, ( x 18).
1. In profile. 2. From the front.
INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. 603
38. Diplacodes trivialis, Karsch, Ent. Nach. 17, p. 246. (1891). Sumatra.
Kirby, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (7). 15. p. 271. (1905).
Lihellula braminea, Fabr. Suppl. Ent. Syst. p. 284. (1798).
Idhellula trivialis, Ramb. Neor. p. 115. 1842.
Diplax trivialis, Brauer. Novara. p. 104, 1866. Batavia.
Id., Zool. hot. Wien. 17, p. 289, 1867. New Guinea.
Trithemis trivialis, Kirby. Trans. Zool. Soc. Lond. 12, p. 278. (1889).
Id. Cat. p. 18, 1890.
Expanse 45 mm. Length 26 mm.
Male and female very similar.
Head ; eyes very pale blue, capped above with a small greenish zone which
shows brown in certain lights ; vesicle pale blue or tinged with yellowish green ;
occiput brown; forehead, epistome, labrum and labium very pale blue. A
black, basal line to the forehead in front of the vesicle.
Prothorax pale greenish yellow with the humeral stripe of the thorax continu-
ed on to it.
Thorax the same colour but fading to pale blue on the sides and almost to
white on the underneath. A brownish humeral strijje, finely bordered on the
inner and outer sides with black. Laterally, tl^e sutures finely mapped out in
black and often a small black spot lying between them.
Legs greenish yellow, the femorae ringed with black at the distal ends ; flexor
surfaces of the tibise black.
Wings hyaline, with a small basal, saffronated spot in the hind wings, more
noticeable in the female and extending out as far as the cubital nervure, not
quite to the inner border of the loop and about half-way or less to the tornus ;
Ih antecubital nervures ; stigma pale brown ; membrane grey ; costa yellow.
Abdomen black, marked variably w'ith pale, greenish-yellow, the first 3 seg-
ments with broad spots on the sides which almost obscure the ground colour,
the sutures on these 3 mapped out finely in black ; long, narrow, oval spots on
the 4th to 7th segments, the distal 3 entirely black. (In the female and juve-
nile males, these last 3 segments bear small, similar spots to those on the 4th
to 7th). Beneath, pale blue.
Very adult specimens of the male tend to lose most or all of the yellow mark-
ings, the abdomen especially, being entirely black with a frosting of blue. In
some specimens which I took on the Katraj Lake, Poona, the frosting extended
over the whole of the thorax, legs and abdomen and the markings were entirely
obsolete. In these specimens the eyes were a beautiful topaz blue and the
stigma in all wings was a light azure blue.
Sexual organs of the male ; lamina moderately large and projecting and split
by a deep, broad, triangular cleft into 2 somewhat diverging lobes ; external
tentaculse broadly triangular ; internal small but robust and shaped as an
outwardly bent hook. Lobe projecting rather more than the tentaculee.
Anal appendages pale yelloAv.
D. trivialis is a species of the plains and usually frequents low, dry situations.
Numbers may often be seen settling or hovering over roadsides and bye-paths
or bare waste lands. It is comparatively rarely seen over water and then onl}'
at certain seasons when very adult specimens appear to betake themselves to
the neighbourhood of lakes and tanks for purposes of breeding. In this respect
it contrasts strikingly with nebulosa which is rarely seen away from water.
In Madras where both species are moderately common, the two are rarely
taken in company.
Hab. The whole of Continental India except in the hilly regions. Ceylon,
Singapore, Java, New Guinea, Lower MesojKJtamia.
504 JOVRNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Genus — Rhodothemis.
Fig. 37. —Wings, showing neuration of Rhodothemis rufa.
Rhodothemis, Ris, 1911.
Crocothemis, Van der Weele, Hagen.
Lihellula, Rambur, 1842.
Erythemis, Brauer.
Orthetrum, Kirby.
Head of medium size ; eyes just meeting ; occiput large ; forehead projecting
moderately ; in the male a shallow suture separating two flattened, triangular
areas which are not so distinctly demarcated in the female ; the suture almost
flush. Vesicle broad at the base but narrowing or pointed above where it
bifurcates into two tiny prominences.
Prothorax lobe large and projecting, divided into two rounded lobes which
are fringed with long hairs.
Thorax robust. Legs very slim. In the male the hind pair of femora with
about 8 very closely set and smallish spines, followed by 5 or 6 gradually length-
ening ones ; tibial spines numbering about 10, long and moderately stout.
Armature in the female less open but the basal spines of the femora are wider set
and less numerous. Claw-hooks small.
Wings long and moderately broad ; reticulation fairly wide ; trigone in the
forewing a Uttle distal to the line of the trigone of the hindwing ; sectors of the
arc in both wings with a long fusion ; arc between the 1st and 2nd antenodal
nervures ; 8th nervure in the hindwing slightly separated from the anal angle
of the trigone ; antenodal nervures 10| to 12J, the final incomplete ; trigone in
the hindwing at the arc ; 1 cubital nervure to aU wings ; no supplementary
nervures to the bridge ; trigone in the forewing narrow, traversed ; trigone in
the hindwing and all hypertrigones free ; subtrigone in the forewing with 3
cells ; 4th nervure with a single flat curve ; 1 row of cells between 5 and 5a ;
8th nervure in the hindwing very strongly bent ; the discoidal field beginning
with 3 or 4 cells and then continued as 2 rows of cells nearly as far as the Une of
the proximal end of the bridge, strongly dilated at the termen ; anal field of
hindwing broad ; the loop large, its outer angle extending 3 cells distal of the
trigone, 4 rows of cells between it and the basal margin of wing. Membrane
large. Stigma moderately large.
Abdomen at the base, dorso-ventrally dilated but only sUghtly so from side
to side. Broad and depressed and tapermg gradually to the end.
Sexual organs : see under species.
1
INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. 506
39. Rhodothemis rufa, Bis. 1911.
Crocothemis rufa. Van der Weele.
Eryihemis rufa, Brauer.
Libellula rufa, Rambur.
Orthetrum oblitum, Kirby.
Erythemis oblita, Brauer.
Libelluia oblita, Rambur, 1842.
Crocothemis cruentala, Hagen.
Expanse 72 mm. Length 44 mm.
Male : head; eyes bright red, capped at the summit -w^th brown, paler beneath;
forehead and upper part of epistome bright scarlet ; lower part of epistome and
the labrum a rich ochreous or reddish ; labium brown ; occiput reddish brown.
Prothorax brownish red.
Thorax reddish brown with no markings.
Abdomen bright scarlet or vermiUion red.
Anal appendages red.
Wings hyaline with a dark brown spot at the base of the hindwing which
extends as far as the 1st antecubital nervnre and well beyond the cubital ner-
vure. Posteriorly this spot usually reaches the tornus. In the forewing the
basal spot very small and not extending as far the 1st antenodal and cubital
nervures.
Juvenile males are much lighter than the adults in colour and approach
somewhat that of the female.
Female : Expanse 70 mm. Length 41 mm.
Head ; eyes reddish brown above, much paler beneath and at the sides ; vesicle
brown ; occiput a pale greenish yellow ; forehead the same colour ; upper part
of epistome black and very sharply defined from the forehead ; lower part of
epistome and labrum ochreous.
Prothorax dark browli, with a pale greenish yellow, mid-dorsal stripe which
widens posteriorly and is continuous with a similar coloured stripe on the thorax.
Thorax golden brown, the fore part darker. A mid-dorsal, greenish yellow
stripe which runs back over the interalar space and is continued posteriorly
with a similar coloured stripe on the fore part of the abdomen. In front, this
band is spUt by the mid-dorsal carina into two narrow, triangular spots, and
is bordered outwardly by a broad, black, humeral stripe.
Abdomen dark golden brown, with the greenish yellow dorsal band of the
thorax continued on to it as far as the 4th segment and from thence represented
by a pair of similar coloured spots on the fore part of each segment as far as
the 8th or 9th. A fine, black, mid-dorsal line on the 1st to 4th segment.
Wings as for male but the basal spot paler and its margin diffuse. Stigma
dark brown.
Sexual organs of male ; lamina broad and depressed, its free border curling out-
wards ; tentaculse small, the mternal a robust hook, straight at the base but
curving outwards at the point ; the external narrow, somewhat square and of
about the same length as the internal ; lobe very narrow and tongue-like.
Sexual organs of the female ; border of the 8th abdominal segment not dilated ;
and of 8th ventral plate forming a strongly developed, broad, projecting vulvar
scale which overlaps the 9th ventral plate ; the 9th narrow and projecting over
the 10th and furnished with a small, conical protuberance on each side.
Hab. Western India as far North as Bombay, Ceylon. I have taken females
of this species in considerable numbers in Bombay during the month of Novem-
ber but the males were extremely rare. On the wing, the adult male is indistin-
guishable from 0. pruinosum or C. servilia, for both of which it is hable to be
mistaken. The insect frequents rank jungle in the immediate neighbourhood
of large tanks.
506 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Grenus — Nburothemis.
Fig. 38. — Wings of {a) N. intermedia, and (6) N. ftilvia, contrasting the open
and close reticulation of the neuration.
Head moderately large ; eyes meeting for but a short distance ; forehead
rounded and but shghtly prominent, in the male, with or without a distinct fore-
border, in the female without ; suture generally wide and shallow ; vesicle
markedly tumid and with two poorly-developed tubercles above.
Prothorax : lobe small and not projecting, notched slightly in the middle Une.
Thorax medium sized ; legs slim, very similar in the tv/o sexes ; femora 3 with
12 to 16 small, gradually lengthening spines ; mid femora similar but fewer
spines ; tibial spines very sUm, somewhat far apart ; claws fine, the hooks
situated about the middle.
Abdomen rather short, the base moderately, ventro-dorsaUy dilated, the
dorsum markedly carinated, gradually tapering towards the anal end ; 4th seg-
ment without a transverse ridge. Anal appendages small and acuminate.
Sexual organs in the male ; lamma depressed, broadly and flatly arched, the
free border fringed with longish hairs ; external tentaculse foliate, somewhat
INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. 507
quadrangular, overlapping the lobe laterally ; internal tentaculse robust hooks
curving first backwards and then outwards. Lobe rather higher than the tenta-
culfe, narrow and strongly arched.
Sexual organs of the female ; border of 8th segment not dilated ; 8th ventral
plate prolonged as a rather large, oval, \'Tilvar scale which projects almost at a
right angle from the body axis ; 9th ventral plate sHghtly carinated in the middle
line.
Wings moderately broad, often differing in the two sexes, often coloured
wholly or in part and often showing an extensive formation of secondary reticu-
lation ; trigone in the forewmg 2 to 3 cells distal to the line of the trigone in the
hind ; sectors of the arc in forewing short, in the hind, a longer fusion ; arc
between the 1st and 2nd or at the 2nd antenodal nervure ; 8th nervure in the
hindwing at the anal angle of the trigone ; antenodal nervures numerous, in the
forewing llj to 36, the final incomplete, often a development of reticulation
at the outermost antenodal nervures ; base of trigone in the hindwmg at the
arc ; 4th nervure moderately convex in the middle ; normally 1 row of cells
between 5 and oa, but owing to a developmen-t of secondary reticulation, this
space is often filled with a close irregular network made up of several rows of
cells ; trigone in the forewing relatively short and broad, its relation to the
hypertrigone rather more than a right angle, traversed by 1 or 2 main nervures
and often filled \\-ith secondary nervures ; trigone in the hindwmg with a strongly
concave, distal border, traversed once but often filled with a network of secon-
dary reticulation as in the trigone of the forewing ; cubital nervures generally
multiple ; supplementary nervures to the bridge either absent or if present
numerous ; 8th nervure strongly curved ; discoidal field with 3 rows of cells or
filled with a close reticulation ; nearly parallel sided as far as the termen. Anal
field of hindwing broad, loop with long and broad apex, the external angle
obtuse, the midrib almost straight. The cells between the inner border of loop
and basal margin of the wing, only indistinctly arranged in rows of largish cells
which in one species are further divided up by secondary nervules, Membrane
moderately large. Stigma moderate to very long.
The members of this genus show wide variation in their general facies and
often very marked variation in the individuals of any one species.
In some species the sexual differences, especially in colouring are very pro-
nounced. Six species are taken within Indian limits.
Key to Species.
A. Numerous nervures traversing the space bounded
in front and behind by the subcostal and 3rd
nervures and laterally by the node and the
proximal end of the bridge.
i. Male ; wings dark golden brown With
reddish reticulation as far out as the
stigma, the outer border of this mark-
ing strongly indented N. fulvia.
B. No nervures traversing the space bounded in
front and behind by the subcostal and 3rd
nervures and laterally by the node and the
proximal end of the bridge.
i. Male ; base of wings up to the node in the
forewing and distal to the node in the
hind, black, iridiscent violet, bordered
outwardly by a broad, white, opal band.
Female ; base of wmgs yellow as far as
node, a faii'ly broad, irregular fascia
traversing both wings at the node and
the apices brown N. lullia tullia,
21
508 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL MIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
ii. Male ; similar to former but without the
opal band N, tullia feralis.
iii. Male ; base of wings golden yellow in
the forewing as far as 2 to 3 cells distal
to trigone, to a more distal point in the
hind. Female ; apices of wings hya-
line N. intermedia,
intermedia.
iv. Male ; base of wings yellow as far as 2
cells proximal of stigma. Female ;
apices of wings pale browii N. intermedia
degener.
V. Male ; basal marking up to the proximal
end of stigma, (variable in extent).
The marking in the hindwing curving
inwards so as to reach the termen
proximal to the terminal end of the 6th
nervure. Female ; variable. Wings
hyaline or saffronated, basal mark in
the hindwmg very small and not
reaching the trigone. Apices of wings
tipped with brown N. fiuctuans.
vi. Male ; basal marking extending to stig-
ma and its free border running straight
back from costa to termen in both wmgs.
Female ; wings bright yellow, with a
poorly marked, darker yellow spot at
the base and a dark brown apex N. terminata.
h
Fig. 39. — Sexual organs of N. fulvia. (a) of the male from the front, (6) of
the male in profile, (c) of the female, ( X 20).
INDIAN DRAGON I LIES. 509
40. Neurotfiemis fulvia, Kirby.
Neurothemis sophronia, Brauer.
lAhellula sophronia, Drury.
Libellula fulvia, Drury.
Polyneura sophronia, Rambur.
Polyneura fulvia, Rambur.
Libellula apicalis, Guerin.
Male ; Expanse 68 mm. Length 40 mm.
Head moderately large, somewhat globular ; eyes just meeting, reddish browli
above, paler beneath ; clypeus, labrum and labium ochreous ; vesicle tumid and
with two small points above, coated with short, stiff hairs ; occiput large
brown. Suture almost flush.
Prothorax brown, the lobe smaU, notched, naked.
Thorax coated with hair on the dorsum, laterally naked, golden brown in
front and above, ochreous in the humeral region, bright olivaceous yellow later-
ally and beneath. Legs ochreous, femora spined as for genus.
Wings moderately broad, both coloured a rich, reddish brown tint through-
out the whole of their extent, except for a small window near the apex, the
limits of which are as foUows : — In the forewing from the inner third of the
stigma, in a very sinuous curve to the termen which it reaches at a point mid-
way between the ends of the 5th and 6th nervures ; in the hind from the same
point but sloping back towards the base of the wing ; outwardly this hyaline
spot is bounded by the brown tip to the apex of the wing which begins variably
from the outer end of the stigma. In both wrings the inner margin of the spot
is very deeply indented.
In addition to the colourless area, there are a number of hyaline spots or
streaks where the ground colour instead of being smoky, is a clear, pale amber
tint ; these are the superior costal space, the subcostal space, the hypertrigone
and the anal angle immediately adjacent to the membrane and also a small
spot lying between the node and the inner postcostal nervure and a spot
twice its size immediately in rear of it. The smoky ground tint is not always
uniform and in many specimens the termen at the basal half of the wing
especially in the hind, and the inferior costal space are of a much darker tint.
Antenodal nervures numbering about 30 to 35 but these are extremely irregular,
and are often forked or johied up in a close anastimosis. The stigma large,
dark brown ; the membrane grey. There is a great formation of secondary
reticulation throughout the wings and the 3rd nervure is constantly
forked at the inner end of the stigma ; the supernumerary nervures to the bridge
are about 8 and the cubital nervures number about 10 and 5 in the fore and
hindwings respectively. The spaces between 5 and 5a, and 7 and la filled with
a close reticulation.
Abdomen a little tumid at the base, especially dorso-ventrally, gradually
tapering towards the anal end and markedly keeled on the dorsum. A rich,
dark brown with the intersegmental nodes black. Anal appendages yellow,
ochreous or brown.
Sexual organs as for genus.
Female : expanse and length as for male ; shape very similar but the abdomen
considerably shorter. The general colouring a much paler, golden yellow which
on the sides of the thorax is distinctly ohvaceous or greenish. The most
marked differences seen in the wings, which are a rich, clear, golden yeUow or
amber tint marked with a deeper, smoky brown in those areas noted in the male
where the tinting was intensified. The hyaline windows at the distal ends of
the wings are absent or if present then only obscurely and diffusely so.
Sexual organs as for genus.
bio JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL RIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
The sexual differences in this species are so marked that Rambur and Drury
described the male and female as two distmct species, although the former sug-
gested that they might be the two sexes of one species.
I have specimens from Calcutta, Bombay, Madras and Assam which show
but the slightest differences in markings but in three males sent to me by Mr.
Beeson, taken in Toungoo and Tharawaddy, Burma, these are so marked as to be
almost specific. In these the ground colour approaches nearer to the female,
being a rich, pale golden browh. The apices of the wings are but faintly
tipped with pale amber and the margins of the hyaline area are not nearly
so clearly cut.
This species is a shy, retiring insect, usually keeping to the precincts of dense
jungle. Males and female are nearly always seen in company but very rarely
pairing and although a comparatively common insect, I have never seen them
over Water or ovipositing.
Hab. India except in the desert or drier zones, Burma, Ceylon.
41. Neurothemis tullia tullia, Bis.
Libellula equestris. Fabric ius.
Libell'ula Uneata, Tabricius.
Diplax equestris, Brauer.
Libellula tullia, Drury.
Neurothemis equestris, Brauer.
Neurothemis var. pedestris, Selys.
Male : Expanse 45 to 53 mm. Length 28 to 35 mm.
Head comparatively large, warm brown above, opalescent green beneath and
at the sides ; occiput broVn ; vesicle rounded or with two obscure points, brown;
front a dark, greenish yellow or blackish and very glossy, almost metallic ; epis-
tome, labrum, and labium pale greenish yellow.
Prothorax, moderately large, rounded and slightly notched lobe, dark brown
and with a broad, mid -dorsal, greenish yeUow fascia.
Thorax blackish brown on the dorsum where the mid-dorsal fascia of the pro-
thorax is continued backwards over the tergum to the dorsal surface of the
abdomen. The sides pale and in juvenile specimens yellowish.
Legs black, the extensor surface of the tibiae yellowish. The terminal spine
of the hind femora very long.
Abdomen slender, of even thickness, strongly keeled, blackish brown or black,
with the mid-dorsal, yellowish-green fascia continued back as far as the 8th
segments. Anal appendages pale, creamy yellow.
Wings moderately broad and rounded, the basal half jet black in both wings,
this colour extending outwards to a little beyond the node and curvuig inwards
towards the base near the termen and bordered outwardly by a broad, opales-
cent, white fascia to about halfway to the stigma. Membrane and stigma black.
No supernumerary nervures to the bridge ; 5 cubital nervures in the forewing,
2 in the hind ; trigone and hypertrigone in the forewing traversed twice, in the
hind once. The reticulation over the black area ochreous or reddish.
Sexual organs as for the genus.
Female strikingly different from the male, so much so, that the two sexes
were described as t^vK) different species by Fabricius under the names equestris
for the male, and Uneata for the female.
Expanse 40 to 45 mm. Length 30 mm.
Head much paler in coloiu-, the front, epistome, labrum and labium a pale
greenish yellow ; vesicle and occiput oUvaceous.
Prothorax and thorax marked as in the male but the coloiu* much paler, the side
pale greenish yellow and only the mid-dorsal fascia bordered by a diffuse, brown
stripe. Legs yellow, the distal ends of femora, brown. Abdomen pale greenish
yellow, with a fine, mid-dorsal black line and a broad, blackish brown stripe
INDIAN DRAGONFLIES.
oil
subdorsally which meet over the dorsum on the 9th segment. The 10th
yellow, with two small, subdorsal spots, black.
Anal appendages pale yellow.
Wings hyaline, the basal half from just distal to the node, a pale amber yellow ;
this area bordered outwardly by a broad, ragged, smoky brown fascia extending
from the costa nearly to the termen and curving inwards towards the base near
the termen, in the hindM'ing. The apices of all wings broadly smoky brown,
as far inwards as inner end of stigma. The inferior, costal space blackish-
brown.
Sexual organs not differing markedly from the genus.
Hab. India, Burma and Ceylon in the moist areas. I have taken this
insect in Calcutta, Madras, Bombay, Elephanta Island, Nilgiris, Colombo and
Bangalore. In the latter district, it is exceedingly local but where found, veiy
plentiful. It favours swampy areas such as new paddy fields or low, moist
jungles and may on occasions be seen flitting in countless swarms, its flight
reminding one strongly of an Hesperid. Variation is not a noticeable char-
acteristic.
42. Neurothemis tullia feralis.
Male : very similar to tullia tullia, but the white opal band across wings is
absent in the male. The base of wing is black as far as 2 cells proximal of the
node in the forewing and to the node in hindwiiig.
Female similar to tullia tullia. A bright yellow at base of wmgs and a dark
apex, the dark ray in the subcostal space and the postnodal dark band absent
Hab. I include this as doubtful from Burma. Malacca, Java, Siam.
43. Neurothemis intermedia intermedia, Ris.
Libellula intermedia, Rambur.
Trithemis intermedia, Brauer.
Neurothemis intermedia, Selys.
Fig. 40. — Sexual organs of N. intermedia intermedia, (a) of the male seei s
from the front. (6) Ditto from the side, ( X 20).
512 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Male and female scarcely differing and only distinguished by careful scrutiny.
Expanse 52 mm. Length 32 mm.
Head : eyes puce brown above, rusty at the sides and greenish yellow beneath ;
occiput reddish brown ; vesicle oUvaceous ; front, epistome and labrum pale
yellow, often with a rusty tinge especially below.
Prothorax sandy, the lobe small and but faintly notched.
Thorax pale olivaceous on the dorsum, with a goldon sheen, a broad, dark
brown, humeral fascia. The tergum pale oUvaceous green, pale greenish yellow
laterally or often a shade of pale salmon pink. The legs sandy.
Abdomen long and slender, of even width throughout, strongly keeled, a
golden brown or ochreous, marked subdorsaUy with a diffuse, brown stripe.
In many specimens the dorsum of the first few segments are pale oUvaceous
green, this colour being continued on from the tergum, and the sides of the distal
segments are markedly ferruginous.
Anal appendages ochreous.
Wings hyaline, relatively broad and large. In the male, both wings to
rather beyond the trigone, tinted with an amber coloured suffusion varying
in intensity according to the age of the specimen and to a less extent according
to the season or locality. As a rule wet season forms are of a darker colour
than those taken during the dry. The amber tinting spreads out as far as the
stigma between the costa and the subcosta. In the female, the basal marking
is absent but the tinting is present between the costa and 3rd nervure as far
out as the stigma. Stigma rusty red ; membrane a smoky brow'n ; cubital
nervures 2 to 3 in the forewing, 2 in the hmd.
Sexual organs of male and female not differing from the genus.
Hab. India, Burma and Ceylon, in the moister areas and at elevations
below 2,000 ft. This species is found throughout the year and is usually very
common. It is rarely if ever seen frequenting the neighbourhood of water
preferring long grass, from which it may sometimes be seen rising in hundreds.
44. Neurothemis intermedia degener, Selys.
Neurothemis intermedia, Selys.
Neurothemis septentrionis, Ftirster.
Expanse 50 mm. Length 32 mm.
Male and female very similar.
Head, thorax and abdomen coloured very much the same as in the foregoing
species.
Wings hyaline and particoloured : relatively broad and long. In the male,
the marking of a uniform, bright reddish yellow, somewhat darker at the costal
stripe and with red reticulation. It extends outwards from the base as far
as 2 cells proximal of the stigma. In the forewing its border slightly convex,
in the hind, sloping sharply backwards and mwards towards the anal angler
the anal border being hyaline for about one cell's breadth. In some species
the colour is a deeper, reddish brown, the cell middles being paler and the
border of the wings grained.
A dark ray may be present in the subcostal space and a clear area immedi-
ately posterior to it. In the female a dark costal streak extends out as far
as the stigma, expanding somewhat at the node and the apices of the wings
are yellowish as far inward as the middle of the stigma.
Stigma dark, reddish brown, 3*5 mm.
Hab. Burma, Bhamo, Assam and Bengal.
INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. 513
45. Neurothemis fluctuans, Hagen.
Lihellula fluctuans, Fabricius.
Polyneura elegans, Rambur.
Polyneura apicalis, Brauer.
Neurothemis ceylanica, Brauer.
Neurothemis nicobarica, Brauer.
Neurothemis palliata, Hagen.
Expanse 50 mm. Length 32 mm.
Male and female very similar.
Head : front reddish ; epistome, labrum and labium yellow.
Prothorax dark reddish brown.
Thorax reddish brown, dark olivaceous on the dorsum and a paler russet
green at the sides and beneath.
Abdomen ferruguious with obscure, blackish, subdorsal spots.
Wings moderately broad and long ; in the male, the basal marking, which is
of a golden brown or black colour with reddish reticulation, usually extending
as far out as the stigma but subject to a little variation of 2 or 3 cells more
proximal or distal ; in the forewing, the border of this marking a little convex,
in the hind, sloping strongly towards the base so that it reaches the termen
at a point somewhere between the terminal end of the 6th nervure and tornus.
Secondary reticulation not a marked feature, the trigone in the forewing having
about 5 or 6 cells and the hypertrigone 5 to 8. In the female the colour of the
wings varying considerably ; either hyaline or tinted dull yellow, the basal
marMng in the hindwing usually small, not extending as far out as the trigone
and its border vignetted off. The apices of the wings touched variably with
brown, this colour occasionally extending as far as the middle of the stigma
and having a sharply defined border. In other female specimens, the basal
marking is better defined and is of a clear yellow or yellow with dark, dijEfuse
clouding at its outer border or it may be a dull broWn without any rays at the
base. Stigma moderately large, dark brown.
Hab. Malaysia, Straits, Nicobars, Ceylon and Low'er Burma.
46. Neurothemis terminata, Eis., 1911.
Neurothemis fluctuans, Brauer.
Neurothemis fluctuans, race apicalis, Selys.
Neurothemis stigmatizans, Laidlaw.
Expanse 62 mm. Length 40 mm.
Larger insects than the two last and rather darker in colour ; markings if
any, rather obscure.
Head, thorax and abdomen a golden brown.
Wings broad and long ; in the male, the basal marking extending variably
outwards to as far as the stigma or rather wider, its border without indentation
and running straight back to the termen, which it reaches a little distal to the
end of the 5th nervure. Secondary reticulation rather more developed than
in the foregoing two species and reddish m colour. Trigone in the forewing
with 6 to 7 cells, in the hypertrigone some 3 or more cells, subtrigone in the
same wing with 12 to 24 cells ; stigma dark brown, rather more than 4 mm.
In the female, reticulation more open, the markings varying widely but usually
the wings a bright yeUow with poorly defined darker marks at the membrane
and brown tips to the extreme distal ends of the wings, this latter marking
not usually extending in beyond the distal end of the stigma. In isochromatic
females, which are less common, the wings are yellowish with a diffuse, brown
clouding at the node, reaching as far out as the proximal end of the stigma.
Hab. Ceylon and the Nicobars.
.514 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Genus — Bradinopyga.
Fig. 41. — Wings showing neuration of Bradinopyga geminata.
Head : eyes broadly contiguous; forehead narrow and sloping ; suture mode-
rately deep ; vesicle rounded or with two small points.
Prothorax ; posterior lobe small, rounded procumbent.
Thorax robust.
Legs moderately short and slim. Hind femora Avith numerous, closely-
set, short spines ; mid-femora with a row of gradually lengthening spines ;
tibial spines numerous, about 12 pairs. The leg armature about the same in
the sexes.
Abdomen at the base, a littledorso-ventrally dilated, very sHghtly constricted
at the 3rd segment, sides nearly parallel and tapermg very gradually to the end.
A more or less distinct, transverse ridge on the dorsum of the 4th segment.
Wings long and moderately broad ; trigone in the forewing one or two eells
distal to the line of the trigone in the hind ; sectors of the arc in both w^ngs
with a long fusion ; arc between the 1st and 2nd antenodal nervures ; 8th
nervure in the hindwing arising from the anal angle of trigone ; antenodal
nervures 10| to 12|, the final complete ; trigone in the hindwing at the arc
or a little proximal ; 1 cubital nervure to aU wings ; no supplementary ner-
vures to the bridge ; trigone in the forewing traversed occasionally twice ;
trigone in the hind entire or traversed, its distal side concave ; all hypertri-
gones entire ; 4th nervure markedly undulating ; discoidal field generally with
4 rows of cells, occasionally a more or less lengthy space with 3 rows of cells ;
strongly dilated at the termen ; anal field in the hindwing broad ; loop long
and broad and with divided cells at the outer angle ; cells between the inner
border of the loop and the base of wing arranged in transverse rows.
Stigma of medium size. Membrane large.
Only one species which is readily distinguished by its stigma, which is black-
ish and white at both ends. Trithemis pallida has a somewhat similar coloured
stigma but the number of antenodal nervures in this insect do not average more
than 8J, whereas Bradinopyga has not less than lOJ.
47. Bradinopyga geminata.
Libellula geminata, Rambur, 1842.
Expanse 70 mm. Length 44 mm.
Head : eyes browli above, opalescent or purplish at the sides and beneath ;
vesicle black ; occiput brow>n ; front, epistome, labirm and labrum brown
mottled obscurely with white and black, anastomosing streaks.
INDIAN DRAGONFLIES.
515
Prothorax browii w'ith similar mottling.
Thorax broVn mottled with grey, white and black streaks which anastomos
in an irregular pattern. Legs blackish brown.
Wings hyaline ; many of the basal nervures and all the antenodal nervures
yellow; 10| to 12| antenodal nervures in the forewing 9 to 10 in the hind;
stigma blackish browii with a spot of white at either end.
Abdomen similar in colour to the thorax, cinerous beneath, the intersegmental
nodes ringed with black. Anal appendages white.
J'emale : Expanse 45 mm. Length 75 mm.
Very similar to the male but rather lighter in colour. One antenodal nervure
less in both wings than in the male.
Hab. The single species taken in India has a wide distribution, being
found in the plains and submontane areas throughout India, Ceylon and Burma
except in the desert tracts. The insect has a curious habit of sunning itself
on walls coated with cement, or on the sides of ^vtells.
I have seen numbers resting on the face of the granite rocks on Elephanta
Island, and in all such situations, ow'ing to its cryptic colouring, it is well nigh
invisible. Possibly the habit is of a protective nature or it may aid the insect
in stalking its prey. Rambur described the species as from Bombay as far
back as 1842.
Genus — Crocothemis.
Fig. 42. — ^Wings of Crocothemis servilia. (X2^)
Crocothemis, Brauer, 1868.
Head large and globular : eyes shortly fused : forehead projecting, the suture
very deep and separating two horse-shoe shaped, flat areas : vesicle rotmded.
Prothcrax : posterior lobe very small and rounded, middle lobe fringed
anteriorly with long hairs.
Thorax robust, legs moderately long and robust, the hind femora with a row
of closely-set numerous short spines of uniform size and with a much longer
one at the distal end ; tibial sjiines numerous, fine and of medium length :
claw hooks robust, nearer the distal end of claws. Armature in the female
very similar.
Abdomen broad, sides parallel or slightly fusiform and tapering strongly
near the end : in the female the sides parallel : both sexes strongly carinated
along the dorsal ridge. Anal appendages closely-set and long.
Wings long and of medium Width : reticulation close : trigone in the forewmg
about one cells breadth distal to the trigone in the hind : sectors of arc in the
forewing moderately short, a much longer fusion in the hind : arc between tha
1st and 2nd antenodal nervures : 8th nervure in the hindwing arising from the
anal angle of the trigone or in very occasional specimens, slightly separated
25
516 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
from it : antenodal nervures 9^ to 101 the linal incomplete : base of trigone iu
the hindwing at the arc : 1 cubital nervure to all wings : no supplementary
nervures to the bridge : trigone in the forewing traversed once, rarely twice :
subtrigone with 3 cells : trigone in the hindwing entire : all hypertrigones
entire : 4th nervure slightly undulated : 8th nervure strongly arched : discoidal
field with 3 rows of cells (occasionally 2 or 4, but this very rare), strongly dilated
at the termen : 1 row of cells between 5 and 5a : anal field of hindwing broad,
the loop broad and extending 3 cells beyond trigone and with bifurcated cells
at both angles : stigma and membrane large.
Two species have been described from within Indian limits, viz., servilia and
erythrcea, but having examined some hundreds of specimens collected over a
wide area w'hich included Egypt, Mesopotamia, South Persia, Sind, Bombay,
the Deccan, the Carnatic, Madras, Assam, Burma and Ceylon, I have come
to the conclusion that the two cannot be separated. It is possible to form a
complete series including both species and when large numbers are examined,
the specific characters break down everywhere, especially as regards the wings,
the reticulation of the apices and the apical and basal markings. I consider
them to be transitional forms towards the establishment of at least three
different species but find it more convenient to describe them under one
heading with two varieties, a small and a large red form and a yellow variety,
of which I call the former C. servilia servilia, the large red form, variety
maxima, and the latter, variety erythcea. It must be noted however that as
these three are not infrequently seen pairing with one another and as the
neuration in all closely agrees, the division is a purely artificial one. All forms
are yellow in the teneral stage, but this colour is retained in the adult stage
of erythoia onl_y, the others assuming in a few days a brilliant red colour.
Erythcea in its colouring conforms with what is usually found to be the
case with desert species, the greater number of which, especially in
Mesopotamia, are of a sandy yellow tint.
28. Crocothemis servilia servilia.
Crocothemis erythcea, Selys.
Crocothemis soror, Kirby.
Crocothemis reticulata, Kirby.
Libellula servilia, Drury.
Crocothemis servilia, Brauer.
Erythemis servilia, Brauer.
Libellula ferruginea, Fabricius.
Libellula soror, Rambur.
Expanse 55 to 60 nun. Length 35 mm.
Male : head ; eyes reddish brown or deep blood red above, opalescent or pur-
plish at the sides and beneath ; occiput olivaceous ; vesicle, frons, epistome
and labrum brilliant red or the lower part of epistome and the labrum may be
orange or yellowish.
Prothorax ferruginous.
Thorax reddish brown without markings, densely imbescent. Legs reddish
brown.
Abdomen and anal appendages a bright carmine red with no markings.
Wings hyaline, reticulation close, especially at the apices, an amber coloured,
basal marking which in the foreAving is only present in the inferior costal
space, the subcostal and cubital spaces at the extreme proximal parts. In
the hindwing this marking is of variable extent, reaching as far the 1st ante-
eubital nervure, rather beyond the cubital nervure and from thence in a convex
margin as far as the tornus. Antecubital nerviu'es lOJ to llj. In occasional
specimens the apices of the wings are distinctly smokey. Stigma deep amber
heavily bordered with black.
INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. 617
Sexual organs prominent, reddish in colour : lamina broad but recumbent :
external tentaculae projecting, foliate : internal tentaculse stout, curved, black-
tipped hooks : lobe prominent and arched.
Female :
Head : eyes brown above, lilaceous at the sides and beneath : occiput oliva-
ceous : vesicle brown : frons, epistone and labrum pale yellow.
Prothorax brown or ochreous.
Thorax a golden brown without markings. Legs ochreous with black spines.
Abdomen olivaceous brown, with a fine black dorsal carina.
Wings as for male but the basal markings paler and the reticulation yellow
instead of red as in the male.
Hab. Throughout Continental India, Burma and Ceylon. I have seen it
also in fair numbers in Basra, Bushire and Suez, but in these places it is largely
replaced hj the yelloAV form erytluea.
49. Crocothemis servilia servilia., var. maxima.
Expanse 65 mm. Length 45 mm.
This species does not differ in colour from the foregoing but it is of a much
larger size and is apparently a local insect. I have only taken it in Poona
district. Usually it shows bilateral polymorpliism as regards the neuration
of the wings, thus quite occasionally the discoidal field of one side begins
with a row of 3 cells and is then continued as 2 rows of cells.
In this respect it resembles R. rufa so closely that it is only with great diffi-
culty distinguished from that insect, usually however this character is present
only on one side. Very occasionally the antecubital nervures number 12J on
one side and lOJ on the other. Generally it is of a much more briUiant red
than servilia servilia.
50. Crocothemis servilia servilia., var. enjlhcea.
Crocothemis erythcea, Brauer.
Libellula ferruginata, Fabricius.
Libellula victoria, Fourcroy.
Libellula rubra, de Villers.
Libellula ferruginea. Van der Linden.
Libellula eri/thcea, BruUe.
Expanse 55 mm. Length 35 mm.
]\Iale and female very similar.
Head : eyes puce coloured above, ochreous at the sides and beneath : occiput
olivaceous : vesicle brown : frons, epistome and labrum a pale straw colour but
m some males the frons is ochreous.
Prothorax olivaceous browin.
Thorax a golden yellow, rather darker on the dorsum and with a usually
sharply defuaed, antehumeral, pale whitish green stripe. The sides much paler
especially in the female and with a distinct greenish tinge. Legs olivaceous.
A whitish green stripe on the tergum.
Abdomen ochreous, this colour being most intense along the sides, paler on
the dorsum, the dorsal carina finely black. Anal appendages yellowish.
Wings hyaUne, the apices more often than not tinted faintly and diffusely
with broAAli or sepia. An amber suffusion, pale and diffuse, runs along the costa
of both wings and blends AA-ith the basal marking which is more diffuse and much
paler than in servilia servilia. Stigma bright yellow.
Hab. ^Mesopotamia, Egypt, Southern Europe, throughout Africa, Quetta,
Bombay, Poona and Ceylon. I have noticed specimens of this msect on board
ship during voyages from the Persian Gulf to Karachi and Bombay, so possibly
its spread has followed trade routes. I am of opinion that specimens from
India have in the past been regarded as teneral forms of servilia servilia.
(To be continued.)
518
SUB-SPECIES AND THE FIELD NATURALIST
BY
E. C. Stuart Baker, f.l.s., f.z.s., m.k.o.u.
A letter which has recently been circulated to all Members of
the British Ornithologists Union has attracted my attention,
because in it the assertion is made that modern scientific methods
are opposed to the work of the Field Naturalist. Now my own
work, sach as it is, has been until the last few j^ears purely that
of a Field Naturalist, and it seems to me that no assertion has
ever been made showing a profounder ignorance of the true facts
of the case, indeed it is probable that no scientific or thorough
field worker will attempt to refute the contra-assertion that JModern
Museum Naturalists are far move dependent on the field-oliserver
than were those of earlier times.
The assertion in the letter is based on two grounds, first the
wicked and foolish system of trinomialism, or sub-specific classi-
fication indulged in by modern ornithologists, and secondly the
attempts of these same ornithologists, to enforce a system of
nomenclature, which shall be permanent and stable. I propose
to comment on these two accusations separately.
In the first place, what is a sub-species or the form of variation to
which we give the honor of a third name ? The generally accepted
answer to this is as follows. A sub-species is a geographical race
or variation differing in some respect from the form first described
as the species, j^et linked to it by other intermediate forms found
in intervening areas. It is essential, however, that to entitle such
a variation to a trinomial, it should liave arrived at a point in its
evolution sufficientlj" advanced to enable it to exist as a permanent
form within some definite area. From this it will be seen that
a sub-species is merely a term for a species in the making. Once
Nature has advanced in evolution to the time, Avhen the links or
intermediate forms have ceased to exist, then the sub-species will
attain the full statiis of species, because thej will be definitely
severed from their nearest allies. This will, of course, never
happen in its entirety, for Nature is perpetually at work creating
new forms and variations suitable to their environments, whilst
destroying those which are unsuitable, and thus unfitted to carry
on the work of perpetuation. In former days specimens frequently
came to Museums and Private Collections with no date whatsoever
as to where, when or how they had been collected, but the
specimens, if sufficiently distinct from any known form, were
very properlj?- given a name. To such an extent, however, did this
obtain that birds were occasionally named after a locality in which
they never occurred, simply because the person who eventuallj^
SUB-SPECIES AND THE FIELD NATURALIST. 519
•obtained and named the skins had not recognised the importance
■of getting with them correct data, or had accepted the first state-
ment made without further inquiry. Now-a-days binomialism
does not suffice to cover the whole range of differentiation in
species, because Field Naturalists have shown from their obser-
vations that species vary according to their geographical distribu-
tion, as governed by varying conditions of temperature, humidity,
^and many other factors. It is to describe these variations in the
shortest manner possible that trinomials, or sub-species, have
come into use. Now the whole of the material facts upon which
this work of trinomialism can be carried out must be collected by
Field Naturalists, and it is only from their discoveries and obser-
vations that the Museum Naturalists have data xipon which they
•draw their reductions and form their conclusions. For instance,
no Museum Naturalist can take 1,000 specimens of a species col-
lected in any one country and say, •• Here we have so many
variations in structure or colouration which constitute so many
«ub-species." It is not until the careful Field Observer gives him
information as to where, when and how each specimen has been
collected, in what kind of country and at what elevation it has
been found that the Museum man can tell whether the variations
are merely individual or are the effect of an environment which
necessitates or encourages their evolution.
Classification of the living members of the Class "^4res," like
-every other classification, is intended to simplifj^ or make easy the
attainment of knowledge. In the present instance it should
assist in the acquirement of knowledge, both of ornithology as a
whole, as well as of each individual species, its life history, and
-all other facts connected with it. If the classification employed
helps towards this end, it is scientific ; if, on the other hand, it
renders the acquisition of knowledge more difficult, it is not
scientific, and should be discarded.
But the writer of the letter to which I have referred, and a few
■others of similar mentality, do not argue on these lines. In effect,
what they do say is this : " The old system of dividing birds into
species is sufficient for me, and I have no desire to learn anything
more. I do not intend to have anything to do with the attempt
of modern ornithologists to work out the marvellous evolution of
Nature in forming variations to suit the needs of their immediate
•environments. It is nothing to me that Nature evolves a dark
bird which may obtain safety in the deep shadows of evergreen
forest, whilst its cousin attains a white or pale coat which renders
it inconspicuous in snow or sunlit grass-land. It is of no interest
to me to know that a migratory bird has developed long wings,
whilst its sedentarjr relation has them shorter and weaker."
520 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Dark colour and light colour, strong wings and weak ones, are,
of course, two of the simplest developments in evolution, and any
child can understand them, but the reasons for the many other
differences existing, often in but slight degree, between sub-
species are still beyond what we can now interpret ; on the other
hand, the material we of this generation are busy collecting and
collating will assuredly help those of a future generation to
decipher the puzzles which we now grapple with in vain. Each
generation has at its disposal the collective knowledge of previous
workers, and the Naturalist who desires to add something new to
the sum total of existing recorded facts must not onl}^ assimilate
the accumulated knowledge of his predecessors, but must con-
stantly seek fresh fields of learning.
When ornithology was in its infancy, birds were lumped
together under one name in the most extraordinary way, and at
this period much the same degree of nomenclature obtained
amongst civilized people as obtains to-day among savage tribes.
Thus there were groups of birds known as Vultures, Eagles,
Ducks, Storks, Owls, Flycatchers, and so on ; sometimes these were
again divided into " large " or " small", and sometimes a second
qualifying name was added, denoting some conspicuous character.
As time progressed these larger divisions were gradually broken
into smaller and smaller ones, until eventually most birds which
differed conspicuouslj^ from others had a definite trivial name. To
this succeeded a time when Latin and Greek, or pseu.do-Latin and
Greek, names were given in addition to the local trivial names,
thus enabling workers to recognise the bird spoken or written
about, whatever the language emploj^ed in the context. At this
period and for a long time after, fresh discoveries were constantly
being made; unknown countries were still plentiful, and Natural-
ists had more than sufficient to emplo.y them in working out new
species on the very broadest lines. Under such circumstances
minor differences were either overlooked or ignored, whilst the
causes for these same differences were never sought for.
Now, however, we live in a time when there are but few
countries left to explore, and novelties of specific rank are few and
far between, consequently minor differences attract attention to a
far greater degree than Avas previously the case. Together with
these differences the worker now seeks to elucidate their causes,
thus necessitating a knowledge of their life history quite unneces-
sary so long as one was content to acknowledge only such striking-
features as were visible without search to ever3'one. A very much
finer division of living objects becomes possible to the modern
ornithologist, for whom the material to be worked on has already
been collected and classified on broader lines bv the Naturalists
SUB-SPECIES AND THE FIELD NATURALIST. 521
of previous generations. Hence we have come to the use of
trinomials to denominate geographical differences existing in
the same species under different circumstances and in varying
environment.
As reaards the second accusation levelled against Modern
Naturalists, that of upsetting long existing names in their attempt
to regulate nomenclature as a whole, it is curious that the
accusation is nearh^ always made by the same individual, who
inveighs against trinomialism. If we examine the reasons given
for the accusation, it invariably comes to this, that by giving names
to birds which are not those 103^ which the accuser knows them, we
inconvenience him. There can be but one correct name for a bird,
and Natu.ralists of the calibre who complain because their personal
convenience and sympathies are not consulted forget that no
generation works for itself alone and its own pleasure. It is the
duty of each generation to put classification and nomenclature
— -amongst other things — on as stable a basis as possible for the-
generations to follow, and the only way to do this is to make some
definite rule as to nomenclature and adhere to it. The rule thus
made by the International Congress and universall}:- agreed to is that
priority of nomenclature shall be strictly adhered to with effect
from the date of the lOth Edition of Linnaeus (1758), the founder
of binomialism. This of coarse means that from time to time some
long accepted name has to be discarded for another hitherto over-
looked and unknown, w^hich preceded it. Naturally our own
sympathies are in favour of the continuation of the name we have
known all our lives, but oiir children will always know it by the new
name, and will not be bothered with this question of sympathy, if
we are only consistent, and adopt as soon as it is ascertained the name
to which the bird is properly entitled. If ornithologists of the
present generation do their duty without first stopping to consider
whether it will inconvenience them personally, those of coming gene-
rations will have, but little left to do in reference to classification
and nomenclatxire. All this, the rough foundation work of orni-
thology will have been threshed out by ourselves, and perhaps
those who next succeed us. Those later to come will be employed
in elucidating cau.se and effect, not in finding out what is, but in
ascertaining lohy it is and hoir it has become so. The ornitho-
logist will not want to find oiit in what respect one bird differs
from another, where it lives and how it feeds. All this will be
ready prepared for him to acquire speedily from books, and it will
be his duty to continue the investigation into reasons and results,
and to tabulate what he learns as the basis of work for yet future
generations.
So too, the Oologist will no longer want to know what bird lays
what kind of egg, but will be discovering why each particular
522 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVL
kind of egg is laid, how and why it is pigmented in a thousand
diflferent ways, together with the attendant anatomical and biologi-
cal circumstances.
Practically all scientific Zoological research resolves itself into an
endless inquiry into the ways of evolution. Each successful
Natviralist adding during his life something to the accumulated
mass of accepted facts upon which others shall build up either
additional facts, or shall make some discovery which shall further
enlighten humanity upon the ways and means of the great mystery
of creation and perpetuation of life by evolution.
To me it seems that M^hen we find out a few facts entitling
geographical races to trinomials, we are adding a few bricks to
the foundation of the building whose coping stone shall be complete
knowledge.
To those of us who are Field Naturalists in India, correct
nomenclature does not, of course, appeal with any great force ;
but on the other hand, the existence and definition of sub-species
is a factor of the greatest interest. A Government officer in the
course of his duty may have to visit the snow-clad mountains of
the Himalayas, the dense, humid forests of Assam and Burma, the
arid plains of Sind and Rajputana, or the never varying heat
of South India, Ceylon or Tennasserim. Over all these greatly
contrasting areas, he may meet with the same species of bird,
perhaps all varieties included in the standard works under one
name, or perhaps divided into half-a-dozen so-called species.
When quite a young man, intensely interested in ornithology,
and living in a part of India teeming with bird-life, I was con-
stantly confronted with difficulties in ascertaining the name of
some particular bird. Sometimes it seemed to me that the des-
criptions of two or three birds would equally well apply to the
specimen in hand, whilst at other times no description seemed
correct in every particular, and it was quite impossible to say to
which of two or more descriptions my bird should be allotted.
Gradually it dawned on me that in many cases geographical varia-
tions of the same species had been all lumped under one specific
name, and in others these had been split up into several species
under different binomials. At this time several leading scientists
were beginning to work out a system of sub-species with trinomials,
and when I had read some of their articles, my difficulties began to
disappear. Having grasped the idea of their system, there opened
before me the w^onderful scheme of creation by evolution, the
constant standardization (if I may use such a term) of variations
in structure and colour which help to maintain existence with the
corresponding elimination by destruction of all unnecessary or
injurious characteristics.
SUB-SPECIES AND THE FIELD NATURALIST. 523
The need for trinomialism is brought home to tis in India very
plainly by the study of our two most common birds, the House-
Crow (Corvus insolens), and the Bulbul {Molpastes luemorrhoiis').
Thus the common House-Crow is divided by Blanford and Gates
into two species, Corvus splendens in India, and Corvus insolens in
Burma. But if we study the forms in various areas, we find that
there are still two geographical races which differ even more from
the typical Indian bird than does the Burmese one. These two
races are the small very dark bird from Cevlon and another from
Sind which has the paler plumage so light that it appears almost
white. If one merely had tj^pical specimens of the Ceylon bird
(Corvus splendens protegatus) and the Sind bird (C s. ziuimeyeri )
to examine, one would at once say here are two excellent species
of Crow very different from one another. When, however one
has a series from all over India and Burma, it is easy to see that
all are one and the same species, but that the dry, glittering plains
of Sind have affected the plumage, until the pale brown has been
bleached almost white, whereas in Ceylon and Burma the constant
humid heat has deepened it until the whole bird is practically
black. As regards the Bulbuls, the authors quoted have been
very generous in the number of species allowed, and we find
Molpastes liamorrlwus, the common Madras red-vented Bulbul,
mascjuerading as a good species in no less than six areas, i.e.,
Ceylon and the greater part of Continental India, (hcrmorrhous),
Punjab and N.-W India (imiermedius), Bengal, Assam, and N. E.
India, (beniialensis'), Manipur and W. Burma (burmanictis), Kachin
Hills, Shan States and N. E. Burma, (cttricapillus), and finally
S. E. Burma, and Tennasserim, {nviripiletis).
But these are nothing but geographical races of one and the
same bird, each race grading into the next. Thus, between any
two adjoining races within certain areas surrounding each special-
ised ai'ea, there is some form of bird not stable, but varying
individually in degree, which is neither one race nor the other,
but half-way between the two.
Hume, one of the greatest ornithologists, who combined in him-
self ecjually the attributes of the Field and the Museum Naturalist,
long ago nearlji grasped the question of geographical races and
sub-species. For instance, dealing with the species of Crow-
Pheasant, he divided this into several species, shewing the differ-
ences between the races with great accurac}-, but eventually,
finding that though the extremes varied, they all ran into one
another, he once more lumped them under one name. At the
same time he definitely laid down the fact that here we had one
and the same species of bird with various different races in
diff'erent geographical areas.
26
524 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HLST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXT L
Perhaps the most difficult point for the young ornithologist to
get over was the chronic inconsistency of all the standard books,
such as those of Jerdon, Hume, Blanford and Gates, etc. All
these authors at times accepted the smallest of differences between
adjoining races as sufficient reason for making them species, yet in
other instances, far greater geographical variations are passed over
in silence. A good example of this may be found in the Cuckoo
Shrikes. Here we have the dark Grey Ciickoo Shrike (Camiiophcuia
irnelanoschista') and the Pale Grey Cuckoo Shrike (C, melanoi'tera)
given the status of species, yet under the one name of Graucalus
macei we have lumped together the small bird from Ceylon, the
large one from Northern India, and the bird from Siam and
Burma, which differs utterlv in havino- the female the same as the
male, instead of barred on the chest and throat.
The above are mereh' odd instances cited from amongst an
unfortunately large number of similar cases, but will suffice to
shew that trinomials are not only necessary, but \Aill actually help
the learner to identify the birds he comes across. Also they will
shew him how important it is for the Field Observer to make the
most careful notes to be attached to each specimen he collects, for
without these data neither he himself nor any ]\Iuseum Ornitho-
logist will be able to make a correct interpretation of what he sees.
Thus the modern Museum Naturalist, as I said in the first lines of
this article, is absolutely dependent on the work of the Field
Naturalist, and according to the latter's keen powers of observa-
tion, accurate recording and ample notes, will be the value of the
deductions the former can draw.
525
THE FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT.
(JODHPUR AND JAISALMER.)
BY
E. Blatter, S.J. and Prof. F Hallberg.
Part II.
With 13 plates.
*
(Continued from pcuje 246 of Vol. XXVI.)
RosACEiE.
Neurada L .
I\eurada procumbens, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 441.
Loc. : Jaisalmer: Jaisalmer, gravel (No. 932y !), on sand (No. 9008!),
Vinjorai, dunes (No. 9330 !).
Distrib.: N. Africa, Arabia, Persia, Afghanistan, Sind, Punjab.
Flowers and fruits in Nov.
COMBRETACE.E.
Anof/eissus Wall,
Anogeissus pendula, Edgevv, in Journ. As. Sec. Beng. XXI (1853) 171.
Vern. N.: Ehndruk, dhau.
Loc: Jodhpur : Kailana (No. 6597!), on the rocks between Sagur and
Balsaniand (Macadam.). Jaisalmer : Amarsagar (No. 6598!), Bads
Bag near Jaisalmer (No. 6596 !), generally in rocky places (Macadam).
Distrib.: Gujarat, Bundelkhand, N.-W. Provinces, Rajputaua.
Fr. in October and November.
Uses : The wood is extremely hard and consequently difficult to work,
but is excellent where a hard wood is necessary, in cabinet-making,
in-laying, etc. The leaves are used in dyeing, producing a dark
green (Macadam).
Anogeissus aeuviinata, "Wall ; Bedd. Fl. Sylv. t. 16.
Vern N.: Dau.
Loc: Marwar (Macadam).
Distrib.: Rajputana, Central Provinces, Northern Circars, Burma,
Chittagong.
Uses : The wood, which is very hard, is excellent for cabinet-making,
in-laying, etc. Also used for building purposes (Macadam).
Anogeissus rotundifolia, spec. nov.
Arbor circa 6 m. alta (quam vidimus). Partes novelise (rami, folia, iu-
florescentia) cinereo-tomentoste. Folia alterna, numerosa, juniora
late elliptica vel suborbiculata, matura vero orbiculata vel suborbicu-
lata, latiora quam longa, diametrum 2 cm. attingentia, apice ebtusa,
rotunda, vel emarginata, generatim mucronata. Nervi lateraies,
generatim 7, prominentes in facie inferiore. Petiolus 3 mm. attingens,
fortis.
Pedunculi subtermmales vel axillares, solitarii, foliis longiores (saepe
duplo). Capitula globosa, densa, 15 mm. attingentia (staminibus
exclusis). Calycis tubus compressus, 2-alatus, para alata 1 mm.
526 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
longa, 2 mm. lata, pars supra ovarium longe attenuata et producta
5 mm, longa (brevi post anthesin); ake glabrfe vel fere ita, brunnese,
subobtusa, margine iutegerrimo ; limbus late campanulatus, 1*5
mm. in diametro, paullulum pubescens. Stamina exserta, filamentis
brunneis, antheris fiavis.
Fructum maturum non vidimus.
Distinguitur a ceteris Anogeissi speciebus forma et magnitudine
foliorum.
On the stem at the base of the petiole of the leaf there is on each side
a group of minute fleshy filiform protruberances, about 1 mm. long.
In one instance a complete axillary solitary sessile flower-bud was
observed.
Locality : Kailana near Jodhpur, found in flower in October 1917 (Nos.
6594!, 659o!).
Note: Dift'ertne specifice ab Anogeisso covonata Stapf in Kew Bull.
No. 4 (1414) 153 ?.
Anogeissus sericea, Brand, in Ind. For. XXV (1899) 287, var. nummularia,
Duthie. Fl. Upp. Gang. Plain I (1903). 340.
Loc. : W. Rajputana (King).
Distrib. : Merwara, W. llajputana.
Myrtace.e.
Psidium L.
Psidium gugava, L. Sp. PI. (1758) 470.
Vern. N.: Amrud.
Loc: Jodhpur : Jodhpur where water is plentiful (Adams). Jaisalmer
Amarsagar (No. 7133!), Bada Bag.
Native country : Mexico.
Eugenia L,
Eugenia jamholana, Lam. Encycl. Meth. Ill (1789) 198.
Vern. : Jamun,
Loc: Jodhpur: Balsamand (No. 7277 !). Jaisalmer: Amarsagar (No.
7276 !), introduced.
Distrib. : Indo-Malaya, Australia.
Fl. in November.
Eucalgptus L'Herit.
Eucalgptus sp.
Loc: Jodhpur: Kailana (No. 7278!), introduced.
Native country : Australia.
Lythrace^.
Ammannia L.
Ammannia baccifera, L. Sp. PI. (1762) 175.
Loc: Jodhpur: Jodhpur (No. 3480 !), Balsamand (Nos. 3412!, 6105!,
6001 !), Mandor (Nos. 3481 !, 3489 !, 3490 !, 3491 \\ Kailana (Nos.
3496 !, 3497 !, 3498!, 3500 !), Balarwa (Nos. 6009 !, 8499 !). Jaisalmer :
Between Phalodi and Bap (Nos. 3479!, 3486!, 3487!, 3488!).
Jaisalmer (Nos. 6006 !, 3494 !), N. of Jaisalmer ( No. 6008 !),
Amarsagar (Nos. 3411 !, 3410 !, 3426 !, 3425 !), Bada Bag (Nos. 3495 !,
3493 ! 6106 !, 6007!, 6005 !, 3428 !, 3427 !), Vinjorai (Nos. 6004 !,
6003 !, 3482 !, 3483 I, 3484 !, 3485 !, 3492 !), Devikot (Nos. 5996 !,
6002 !).
Journ., Bombay Nat, Hist. Soc.
Plate XIII.
A. — Cresb of a dune East of Loharki (Jaisalmer State). On top :
Callifjonum poly g mo ides. On the slope : Rhynrhosia arenaria.,
Aevua p.wudo4oni{intosa^ Indigofera argentea.
B. — The same dune as above, seen from the plain. Part of the advanc-
ing wind-eroded crest is shown on Plate I-A.
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT. 527 I
Distrib.: Africa, S. and E. Asia, Australia, Europe (where it is
probably introduced). <
Fl. and fr. in October and November. ;i
Ammunia multi flora, IJoxb. Fl. Ind. I (18:^0) 447.
Loc: Jodhpur: Kailana (Nos. 3385!, 3384!), Balarwa (No. 3386!), ;
near Kotda (No. 3390 !), Jaisalmer: Viujorai (No. 3389 I), near Devi-
kot (Nos. 3388 !, 3387 !).
Distrib.: Trop. Africa, Madagascar, Asia: Persia, Kurdistan, Afghani-
stan, India, Andamans to the Philippines and Japan, Australia :
N. W. and S. Australia, Victoria, New S. Wales, Queensland.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Ammannia desert onim, Blatt. and Hall, in Journ. P.omb. Nat. Hist.
Soc. XXV (1918) 213. i
Loc: Jodhpur: Kotda near Seu (No. 334-5!), near Badka on wet ;
ground (Nos. 33461,33471). Jaisalmer: Devikot (No. 3341 !), near j
Devikot (Nos. 3342!, 3343 !), Vinjorai (No. 3344 !).
Fl, and fr. in November. -
Piinica L.
Tunica ffranatum,Ij.Qi>. PI. (1753) 472. — The pomegranate. ,
Vern. N. : Anar.
Lcc: Jodhpur. Jaisalmer: Bada Bag (No. 6747 !).
Note : The Jodhpur variety is celebrated for its delicate flavour
( Erskine).
Lau'sonia L. 1
i
Larvsonia inermis, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 349.
Loc: Jodhpur: Jodhpur (No. 7315!). Jaisalmer : Amarsagar (No. 6748 !).
Saxifragaceje. j
J'altlia Thunb, ;
Vahlia viscosa, Ptoxb. Fl. Ind. II (1832) 89.
Vern. N.: Noli (Macadam). |
Loc: In rocky dry places of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, not very common. ]
Distrib.: India, Persia, Egypt, Trop. Africa. j
Fl. in December. !
Onagrace^.
{
Trapa L.
Tra2)a bispinosa, Roxb. Hort. Beng. (1814) 11.
Loc: Jodhpur : Balsamand (No. 6750 !). Not seen anywhere else.
Distrib.: Trop. Africa, Indo-Malaya.
Fr. in October.
CUC'URBITACE.E.
Momordica L . • I
Momordica charantia, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 1009.
Vern. N. : Karela.
Loc: Jodhpur : Kailana (No. 6661!). Jaisalmer: Not uncommon in
cultivated places (Macadam).
Distrib.: Trop. Africa, Indo-Malaya.
Fr. in October.
Uses : The fruit when green is cooked and eaten (Macadam).
528 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAl HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Momordica /}alsa7mna, li. Sp. P\. {1763) 1009.
Loc: Jodhpur : Mandor (6660 !).
Distrib.: Africa, W. Asia, Indo-Malaya, Australia.
Fl. aud fr. iu October.
Momordica dioicci, lloxh. in Willd. Sp. PI. IV (1805) 605.
Loc: Jaisalmer: Jaisalmer, sand (No. 6659 !), Bada Bag (No. 6658 !).
Distrib.: Indo-Malaya.
Fr. in November.
Luff a Cav.
Luffa aeyyptiaca Mill. Diet. ed. 8 (1768).
Loc: Jodhpur: Bhikamkor (No. 6655!) Jai.salmer : Bada Bag (No.
6656 !).
Fl. in October and November.
Luffa acutangula, Roxb. Hort. Beng. (1814) 70.
Loc: Jaisalmer: Amarsagar (No. 6657!). Jodhpur: Balarwa (Nos.
6709 !, 6671 !).
Fl. in November.
Cucumis L .
Cucumis triffonus, Roxb. Hort. Beng. (1814) 70.
Vern. N. : Kachri (Macadam).
Loc: Jodhpur : Osian (No. 6654 !), Balarwa (No. 6701 !), Balsamand
(No. 6653 !), Mandor (No. 6647 !), Phalodi (No. 6648 !). Jaisalmer :
Vinjorai (No. 6652 !), Devikot (Nos. 6649 !, 6651 !), Loharki (No.
6700 !), Sodakoer (No. 6650 !), not uncommon in fields and cul-
tivated places, in large quantities between Dabla and Jaisalmer
(Macadam.)
Distrib: Persia, Afghanistan, Indo-Malaya, N. Australia.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Uses : Fr. eaten.
Cucumis meld, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 1011, i-ar. ac/restis, Naud. in Ann. Sci.
Nat. ser. 4, XI (1859) 73 and XII, 110.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana (No. 6640 !), Osian (No. 6646 !), Barmer
(No. 6612 !), Phalodi (No. 6643 !), Jaisalmer : Vinjorai (No. 6636 !),
Amarsagar (No. 6637 !), Jaisalmer, sand (N<^. 6638 !), near Devikot
(No. 6639 !), Vinjorai wet ground (No. 6641 !), near Bap (No. 6644 !),
near Loharki (No. 6711 !).
Fl. in October and December.
Cucumis pri)j)hc-tarum, L. Cent. Amoen. Acad. IV (1759) 295.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : Devikot (Nos. 6635 !, 6634 !), Amarsasar (No. 6669 !).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, Arabia, Baluchistan, Sind, Rajputana.
Fl. and fr. in November.
CitnUlus Neck.
Citrullus colocynthis, Schrad. in Linntea XII (1838) 414.
Vern. N. : Tastumba, Tumba.
Loc : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (No. 6624 !), Balarwa (No. 6706 I), Kailana
(No. 6704 !), Phalodi (No. 6627 !), Osian (No. 6633 !), Mandor (No.
6630 !), Bhikamkor (No. 6626 !), near Badka (No. 6622 !), Barmer
(No. 6623 I), Jaisalmer : near Devikot (No. 6625 !), Vinjorai (No.
66291), Jaisalmer, rocky plateau (Nos. 6631!, 6632!), Sodakoer,
riverbed (No. 6628 !), Amarsagar (No. 6705 !), Loharki (No. 6703 !),
very frequent in sandy placen between Balotra and Jaisalmer, parti-
cularly between LTtarni and Undu where large patches of ground are
often thickly covered with the fruit (Macadam).
Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. 8oc.
Plate XIV.
A. — View of g^ravel plain, from the top of dune in Plate XIII showing;'
bare patches. In the fore-g'round, at foot of dune : Aerua fnmentoM,
Crotalaria hurhin.
B.— Bare area in the above locality, colonized by Clenmif papillosa, Fagonia
cretiea, Boerhaavia difl'um, and Leptadenia spartiuw.
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT. 529
Distrib: Mediterranean region, W. Asia, Arabia, India, Ceylon.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Uses : The seeds are ground and made into cakes by the very poor
(Macadam).
VltruUus vulgaris, Schrad. — The Water Melon.
Loc. • Cultivated in both states. Growing even in the poorest soil,
called ' baikal' which is a light sand having little or no earthy
admixture. (Adams).
Distrib. : Indigenous in tropical Africa, extensively cultivated in most
warni countries.
Uses : The pulp is eaten fresh, the seeds are dried, ground and mixed
with flour for food. There is a large import of fruit into some of the
towns in Jodhpur. (Adams.)
Coccinia Wight & Am.
Coccinia indica, Wight ct Arn. Prodr. (1834) 347
Vern. N. : Jungli Karela, goleda.
Loc: Jodhpur: Barmer (No. . fc)617 !), Bhikamkor (No. 6693!), near
Badka (No. 6621 !) Jaisalmer : near Bap (No. 6615 !), Bada Bag,
ne^r Jaisalmer (No. 6618 !), Amarsagar (Nos. 6619 \, 6694 !), Vinjorai
(No. 6620!), Devikot (No. 1616!).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, Indo-Malaya.
Fl. in November.
yidothria L.
Melothria leiosperma, Cogu. in DC. Monogr. Phan. Ill (1881) 622.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Bhikamkor (No. 6603 !), Jaisalmer : Bada Bag (No.
6695 !), Sodakoer (No. 6602 !), Loharki (No. 6696 !).
Distrib. : India, Ceylon.
Fl. in November.
Melothria maicraspatana, Cogn. in DC. Monogr. Phan. Ill (881) 623,
Vern. N.: Ak phutni vel.
Loc: Jodhpur : Jodhpur (No. 6605 !), Bhikamkor (No. 6702 !), Mandor
(No. 6606 !), Osian (No. 6697 !), Balsamand (No. 6610 !), Barmer
(No. 6699), Phalodi (No. 6609 !), Jaisalmer : Sodakoer (No. 6611 I),
Loharki (Nos. 5922 !, 6698 !), Vinjorai dunes (No. 6607 !), near Bap
(No. 6612 !).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, Indo-Malaya, Australia.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Melothria perpusilla, Cogn. in DC. Monogr. Phan. Ill (1881) 607.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : Vinjorai (No. 6614 !), Shihad (No. 6613 !), .Jodhpur :
Jodhpur (No. 6708 !).
Distrib. : Africa, Indo-Malaya.
Fr. in November.
Melothria heterophylla , Cogn. in DC. Monogr. Phan. Ill (1881) 618.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Mandor (No. 6604 !).
Distrib. : India, Ceylon, China, Cochin China, Java.
Blastania Kotschy & Peyr.
BlastaniafimbriAtipula, Kotschy & Peyr. PL Tinu. (1865-1866) 15, t. 7.
Loc. • Jaisalmer : Bada Bag (No. 6601 !).
Distrib. : Trop. and S. Africa, Arabia, Sind, Rajputaua, Gujarat.
Fl. in November.
530 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL H[ST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Corallocarpus Welw.
Corallocarpus epigceus, 0. B. Clarke in Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. II (1879)
628.
Vern. N. : Karela.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Barmer, sand (No. 6599 !), near Kotda (No. 6600 !),
Osian (No. 6707 !).
Distrib.: India, Ceylon.
Cucurbita L.
CuGurbita maxima, Duchesne.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : Amarsagar (No. 6670 !).
Cactace.e.
Opuntia Tourn.
Opuntia dillenii, Haw. — The Prickly Pear.
Vern. N. : Nagphani (nagphani means snake-hooded and refers to
the shape of the leaves (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur and Jaisalmer States ; often found in dry rocky places
near villages (Macadam).
Used for fences.
FiCOIDE.E.
Triantlicmn L.
Trianthema monogyna, L. Mantiss. (1767) 69.
Vern. N. : Safed santer, Sarta (Macadam), Hata.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Mandor (No. 6753 !), Seu (No. 6755 !), Jaisalmer :
Vinjorai, sandy plain (No. 6754!), Jaisalmer (No. 6751!), Shihad
(No. 6752 !), very frequent in gardens and cultivated places
(Macadana).
Distrib. : Most tropical regions.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Note : Cap of fruit containing two seeds, truncate, slightly mitriform,
oblique, with a raised margin, higher on one side. ; mouth closed
(downivards) by a thin membrane. Lower part of capsule containing
3-5 seeds.
Trianthema triquetra, Rottl. *t Willd. in Gesellsch. Naturf. Fr. neue
Schr. IV (1803) 181.
Vern. N. : Lunki.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (Nos. 6756 !, 6769 !), Phalodi (No. 6764 !).
Jaisalmer : Bap (Nos. 6761 !, 6757 !), Jaisalmer (No. 6766 !), Jaisal-
mer, on sand (No. 6762 !), Amarsagar (No. 6758 !), Vinjorai (Nos.
6760 !, 6765 !), Vinjorai, on gravel (No. 6767 !), Vinjorai, sandy plain
(No. 6768 !), Devikot (Nos. 6763 !, 6759 !).
Distrib. : India, Ceylon.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Note : Trimen, in his Fl. of Ceylon II, 269, makes the variety Rottleii,
which cannot be retained, as the only character of importance, viz.,
the folding of the calyx-teeth " over top of ripe capsule " is not
constant. Our specimen No. 6760 combines the characters of the
type and of Trimen's variety.
Trianthema pentandra, L. Mantiss. (1767) 70.
Vern. N. : Santer, Sarta.
This species, is represented by the follovving varieties : —
Var. a. rubra car. nov. — Fructus maturus ruber.
Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
Plate XV.
A. — Edii'e of sand-dune at Loharki.. Jaisalmer State (the same as on Plate
II) with a clump of Calotroph procera, Aerua tomentosa, Lcptadenia
spartium, and Panicum turgidum.
B.— Elevated dune area at Loharki. with Crotalaria lurhhu Lepfadema
spartium^ Aerua pstnbdo-towentom. and Panlcum turgldnnu
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT. 531
Loc. ; Jodhpiir: Jodhpur (Nos. 6774 !, 6777 !), Balarwa (No. 6778 !),
Bhikamkor (Nos. 6780 !, 6782 !), Phalodi, on gravel (No. 6783 !),
Barmer, on gravel (No. 6770 !), Jaisalmer : Phalodi to Bap (No.
6775 !), Sodakoer (No. 6784!^, Loharki, on dunes and gravel ( No.
6773 !), Shihad (Nos. 6787 !, 6772 ! ), Jaisalmer (No. 6776 ! ), Amar-
sagar (No. 6771 !), Vinjorai, on dunes (Nos. 6786 !, 6785 !).
Vnv. p flava, var. non. — Fructus matvirus flavus.
Loc. : Jaisalmer: Jaisalmer (Nos. 6788 !, 6789 !).
This variety seems to be rare, whilst the other is very common, especial-
ly in gardens and cultivated places.
Distrib. of the species : India, Trop. Africa.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Trianthema hydaspica, Edgew. in Journ. Linn. Soc. VI (1862) 203.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Seu, wet ground (No. 6797 !). Jaisalmer: Bap, gravel
(Nos. 6792 !, 6793 !), Amarsagar (No. 6796 !), Jaisalmer (No. 6798 !),
near Devikot (No. 6794 !), Devikot (Nos. 6790 !, 6791 !, 6795 !),
Vinjorai (No. 6799 !).
Distrib. : India, Trop. Africa.
Fl, and fr. in October and November.
On/f/ia Forsk.
On/(/ia decumhenx, Forsk. Fl. Aegypt. Arab. (1775) 103.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Mandor, on rocks (No. 6802 !), Kailana, on rocks
(Nos. 6801 !, 6808 !, 6811 !, 6812 !), Kotda near Seu (No. 6804 !),
Barmer on rocks (Nos. 6806 !, 6809 !). Jaisalmer: Bada Bag (Nos.
6800 !, 6805 !), N. of Jaisalmer on rocks (No. 6807 !), Vinjorai on
rocks (No. 6803 !).
Distrib. : India, W. Asia, Africa.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
MoUufjo L.
Mollugo hirta, Thunb. Frodr. PI, Cap. (1794) 24.
Vern. N. : Bakda, Matter (Macadam), Hata.
Loc: Jodhpur: Badka (No. 6813!), Barmer (Nos. 6117 1,6821 !),
Jaisalmer : Jaisalmer (Nos. 6814 !, 6820!), 15 miles E. of Jaisalmer
(No. 6822!), N. of Jaisalmer (No. 6819!), Sodakoer (No. 6818!),
Devikot, gravel (No. 6815 !), Vinjorai (No. 6816!), rather frequent
in cultivated places of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer (Macadam).
Distrib.: Warmer regions of the world.
Fl. and fr. in November.
Uses: Used as a cure for indigestion.
Mollugo nudicaulis, Lam. Diet. IV, 234.
Vern. N. : Ragatia khar.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana (Nos. 6850 !, 6851 !), Balsamand (No. 6848 ! ),
Mandor (No. 6847 !), Balarwa (No. 6852 !), near Badka (No. 6846!),
Jaisalmer: Devikot (No. 6849!).
Distrib : Tropical Africa, India, New Caledonia, Cuba.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Uses. .- Applied externally against ulcers.
Mollugo cerviana, Seringe in DC. Prodr. I (1824) 392.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Bhikamkor (No. 6854!), Balarwa (Nos. 6855 !, 6866 ! ),
Phalodi (No 6862 !), Barmer, sand (No. 6859 ! ), near Badka
(No. 6853 !), Loharki (No. 6858 !), 10 miles W. of Bap (No. 6866! ),
.Jaisalmer, sand (Nos. 6864 !, 6865 ! ), (Devikot No. 6860 ! ), Vinjorai,
dunes (Nos. 6863 ! , 6867 !).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, India, Ceylon, Australia.
Fl. and Fr. in October and November.
27
532 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Gisekia L.
Gisekia pharnaceoides, L. Mantiss. (1771) 662.
Vern. N. : Morang (Macadam), Sareli.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Jiidhpur (No. 6826!), Osian (No. 6828!), Bhikamkor
(No. 6827 !), near Badka (No. 6825!), Barmer (No. 68331), Jaisalmer:
Jaisalmer, sand (Nos. 6832!, 6830!, 6824!), Sodakoer, sand (No.
6823 !), near Loharki, sand (Nos. 6829 !, 6834 !), Vinjorai (No. 6831 !),
near Devikot (No, 4824 !).
Distrib.: India, Baluchistan, Afghanistan, Africa,
n. and fr. in October and November.
Uses: Eaten by camels.
Limeum L.
Limeum indicum, Stocks ex T. Anders, in Journ. Linn. Soc. V, Suppl. 1
(1860) 30.
Vern. N.: Shapari,
Loc: Jodhpur: Phalodi (Nos. 6842 !, 6843 !), Jaisalmer: Bap, gravel
(No. 6838 !), 10 miles W. of Bap (No. 6836!), Loharki (No. 6837!),
Amarsagar (No. 6835!), Jaisalmer, gravel (Nos. 6839!, 6840!),
Sodakoer (No. 6844!), Devikot (No. 6841 !), Vinjorai, sandy plain
(No. 6845!).
Distrib. : India, Baluchistan, Arabia, Nubia.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Umbellifek^e.
Peucedanum L.
Feucedanum graveolens, Benth. & Hook, f. Gen. PI. I, 919. — The Dill.
Loc. : Judhpur : Marwar Junction, run wild (No, 6744 !).
RUBIACE^.
Mitragyna Korth.
Mitragyna parvifolia, Korth. Obs. Naucl. Ind. (1839) 19.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : Amarsagar (No. 7083 !), probably cultivated.
Distrib.: India, Ceylon.
Fr. in November.
Oldenlandia L.
Oldenlandia aspera, DC. Prodr. IV (1830) 428.
Vern. N. : Danakar.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Kailana (Nos. 7092 !, 7090 !), Balsamand (No. 7089 !).
Balarwa (No. 7091 !), Bhikamkor (No. 7096 !), Phalodi (No. 7098 !)
near Badka (No. 7086!). Jaisalmer: Amarsagar (No. 7093!), Jaisal-
mer, plateau (No. 4131 !), 10 miles W. of Bap (No. 7088 I), between
Phalodi and Bap (No. 7085 !), Shihad (No. 7087 1), near Loharki
(No. 7097 1), near Devikot (No. 7084!), Devikot (No. 7094 1), Vin-
jorai, sandy plain (No. 7096 !).
Distrib. : India,
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Spermacoce L.
Spermacoce stricta, L. f. Suppl. (1781) 120.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Balarwa (Nos. 7100 !, 7099 !), rare in Eajputana,
Distrib, : Trop. Africa and Asia.
Fl. and fr. in October.
Note : The floral leaves are much more numerous than given by Cooke.
Spermacoce hispida, L. Sp. PI. (1763) 102.
Journ., Bombay Nat, Hist. Soc>
Plate XVI.
A. — In the neighbourhood of Kailana (Jodhpur State). A clump of
Leptadenia spart'mm and Aerua tomentosa.
B. — Near Kailana : Lt-ptadcnia spartium supporting Launcea cUmdrilloUles.
ILORA 01 THE INDIAN DESERT. 533
Loc. : Jodhpur (Nos. 7101 !, 7102 !), Kailana (No. 7108 !), Mandor
(No. 7105 !), Osian (No. 7107 !), Balarwa (Nos. 7108 !, 7103 !), Bhikam-
kor (No. 7104 !). Not found in Jaisakner State.
Distrib. : Indo-Malaya.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
NoTK : The capsule does not open in the manner described by Hooker
(Fl. Brit. Ind. Ill, 200) and Cooke (Fl. Bomb. Pres. I, 624). The
capsule has finally the appearance of two spreading valves with the
scarious septum between them. This septum, however, consists of
two lamellae, easily separable from each other. After the two meri-
carps have separated, the one which dehisces first, remains open,
whils its lamella, on account of its elasticity, is thrown back on the
closed mericarp and remains in that position till this mericarp also
opens.
Composite.
Vernonia Schreb.
Vernonia cinerea, Less, in Linnasa IV (1829) 291.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (Nos. 10007!, 10013 !), Balsamand (No. lOOlI !),
Mandor (Nos. 10012!, 10008 !), Barmer (No 10015 !), near Badka (No.
10009 !).
Jaisalmer : Jaisalmer (No. 10010!), Amarsagar (No. 10014 !).
Distrib. : Tropics of the Old World.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Vernonia cinerascens, Schultz.-Bip. in Schweinf. Fl. Aethiop. (1867) 162.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana (No. 10001 !), Barmer (No. 10002 !), Kotda
near Sen (No. 10004 !). Jaisalmer : N. of Jaisalmer (No. 20003 !),
Jaisalmer on rocks (No. 10005 !), Vinjorai (No. 10006 !).
Distrib. : India, Baluchistan, Trop. Africa.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Note : There are several discrepancies between the descriptions in
Cooke's Fl. Bomb. Pres. and Hook, f.'s Fl. Brit, Ind. Our specimens
agree with Hooker's diagnosis.
Ageratum L.
Ageratum conyzoides, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 839.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Balarwa (No. 10017!). Jaisalmer: Vinjorai, sand (No.
10016 !), Amarsagar (No. 10018 !), Bada Bag (No. 10019 I).
Distrib. : All hot countries.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Blumea DC.
Blumea amplecten's, DC. in Wight Contrib. (1834) 13.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Balsamand (No. 10020!), Jodhpur (No. 10021 !), Kailana
(No. 10022 !).
Distrib. : India, Ceylon.
Fl. and fr. in October.
Cyathoeline Cass,
Cyathocline lyrata, Cass, in Ann. Sc. Nat. ser 1, XVII (1829) 420.
Loc. : W. Rajputana, near irrigated spots (King).
Distrib. : India,
Pluchea Cass.
Fluchea lanctolata, C. B. Clarke Comp. Ind. (1876) 94.
Loc. : W. Rajputana (King).
1 istrib. : India, Afghanistan, N. Africa.
r,U JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI. \
I
Sphceranthus L. ,
Sp/iceranthus indieus, L. Sp. PI. (17'53) 927.
Loc. : W. Rajputana (King).
Distrib. : Africa, Indo- Malaya, Australia.
Ccesulia Roxb.
Coesulia axillaris, Roxb. Hort. Beng. (1814) 62.
Loc. : Jodhpur : 2.'5 miles S. E. of Limi (No. 10024 !).
Distrib. : India, Ceylon.
Fl. in November.
Gnaphaliuvi L.
Gnaphalium pulvinatum, Del. Fl. Aegypt. 122, t. 44, f . 1 .
Loc. : Jaisalmer: N. of Jaisalmer (No. 10025!), on wet ground. ,
Distrib. : Lidia, Egypt.
Fl. in November.
Peffolettia Cass.
Peyolettia senegalensis, Cass, in Diet. Sc. Nat. XXXVIII, 232.
Loc: Jodhpur: Mandor (No. 10029 !), Kailana (Nos. 10026!. 10032!),
Kotda near Seu (No. 10033 1), Barmer, on rocks (Nos. 100311, 10036 !).
Jaisalmer : Jaisalmer, on rocky plateau (Nos. 10027 !, 10037 !), ;
Jaisalmer, sand (No. 10034 !), Amarsagar (No. 10035 !), Vinjorai, sandy !
plain (No. 10028 !). ' '
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, Cape Verde Islands, Trop. Arabia, Rajputana. I
Fl. and fr. in October and November. j
Note : The Flora of Trop. Africa mentions this plant as occurring in j
Sind ; but, to our knowledge, no Indian Flora has ever noted this |
genus. ■
Vicoa Cass.
J^icoa auriculata, Cass, in Ann. Sc. Nat. ser, 1, XVII (1829) 418. |
Loc: Jodhpur: Jodhpur (No. 10038!), 25 mi!e8 S. E. of Luui (No.
10030 !). I
Distrib. : India, Ceylon. ;i
Fl. in October and November. ]
Pulicaria Gaertn.
Pulicaria crispa, Benth. in Gen. PI. 11, 336.
Vern. N. : Dhola lizru (Macadam).
Loc : Jaisalmer : Vinjorai, sandy plain (Nos. 10042 !, 10041 !), Jodhpur,
not very common (Macadam).
Distrib. : India to Arabia, Trop. Africa, Cape Verde Islands.
Fl. in November.
Uses : The bruised leaves are applied to the head to relieve headache
(Macadam).
Pulicaria angustifoUa, DC. Prodr. V, 479.
Vern. N. : Soneli (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana (No. 10068 !), Mandor (No. 10066 !), near
Badka, sand (No. 10070 !), Jaisalmer: Bap (No. 10069 !), Sodakoer,
dried up river bed (No. 10071 !), Vinjorai, dunes (No. 10065 !).
Distrib.: India, Baluchistan.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Fulicana vrightiana, C. B. Clarke, Comp. Ind. 118.
Vern. N. : Souela.
Journ I Bombay Nat. Hist Soc.
Plate XVII.
^ J'^^m^'
^"4
'i^'tt
A. — Along the road from Jodhpur to Balsamand : Crotalaria burhia and
^«-M« f(»???<'?jf(»A-a with isolated individuals of Calotropis proeera ; in the
background PruMvph npicigent.
B.— On the road between Jodhpur and Kailana : Crottth/ria lurliia^ Arrua
tomenfosa, and Leptadpnhi xpartium.
I
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT 535
Loc. : Jodhpur: Jodhpur (No. 10063!), Kailana (No. 10056!), Mandor
(No. 10062 !), Osian (Nos. 10055 !, 10057 !), Balarwa (No. 10067 !),
Phalodi (No. 10061!), Barmer (No. 100591). Jaisalmer : Between.
Phalodi and Bap (No. 10056!), near Bap (No. 10060!).
Distrib. : India.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Pnlicaria rajputance spec. nov.
Suftrutex perennis, foliosus, bipedalis, partibus omnibus, exceptis
capitulis dense albo-lanatis, parte inferiore lignoso, interdiim glabres-
cente : rami virgati. Folia 6 cm. attingentia, alterna, sessilia,
linearia-oblonga vel sub-spathulata, besi aiiriculata., semiamplexi-
caulia ( margine non recurvato), serrata vel irregulariter deiitata vel
simiato-dentata.
Capitula generatim pauca, circa 8 mm. diametro, ad apices ramorum
solitaria, heterogama ; involucrum hemisphsericum, pnbescens ;
bracteaj pluriseriatse, graciles, setacese, acuminatse, exteriores
breviores. Receptaculum convexiusculum, foveolatum. Corollae
feminete ligulatse, flavije patentes, bracteis longiores, hermaphroditue
pappo jequilonga3.
Pappus duplex : exterior paleis brcvissimis in cupulam miniroam
laceram cum interiore connatis, interior setis pluribus barbellatis,
incrassatis versus apicem ; setie 6-plo longiores acheeniis. Achsenia
glabra.
This species is nearly related to P. cnspa, Benth. It differs in the
following points : The plant is woolly all over ; the margin of the
leaves is not recurved ; the ligules are much longer than the bracts ;
the pappus is six times as long as the achenes.
Loc: Jodhpur: Kailana (Nos. 10043 ! 10044 !), Mandor (No8.10050 !,
10051 !), Balsamand (No. 10039 !), near Badka (No. 10046 !),
Jaisalmer: Between Phalodi and Bap (No. 10047!), near Jaisalmer
(No. 10045!), near Devikot (No. 10048!), Vinjorai (Nos. 10049!,
10052!, 10053!).
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Lagasca Cav.
Lagasca mollis, Cav. in Anal. Cienc. Nat. VI (1803) 332.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (No. 10054 !).
Distrib. : Central America ; a weed of cultivation in many parts of India.
Fl. and fr. in October.
Eclipta L.
Ectipta erecta, L. Mantiss. II (1771) 286.
Vern. N. : Jal bangra (Macadam).
Loc: Jodhpur: Balsamand (No. 10077!), Barmer (No. 10073!),
Jaisalmer: Between Phalodi and Bap. (No. 10072!), Bap (No.
10078 !), Amarsgar (No. 10074!), Jaisalmer (No. 10079!), Vinjorai,
near tank (No. 10076 !), Devikot wet ground (No. 10075 !).
Distrib.: Cosmopolitan in warm countries.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Blainvittea Cass.
Blainvillm rhomboidea, Cass, in Diet. Sc. Nat. XXIX (1823) 494.
Loc : Jodhpur : Kailana (No. 10080 !), Balarwa (No. 10082 !). Jaisal-
mer : Bada Bag (No. 10081 !).
Distrib. : Africa, Indo-Malaya, Australia, America.
Fr. in October and November.
636 JOURNAL, BOMB AY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol, XXVI,
Wedelia J acq,
Wedelia urticcefolia, DC. in Wight Contrib. 18.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : Jaisalmer (No. 10144 ! ).
Distrib. : Indo-Malaya.
Fl. in November.
Glossocardia Cass.
Glossocardia setosa, spec. nov.
Herba basi lignosa, diffusa vel erecta, ramosissima, 45 cm. attingens.
Folia alterna, tenuia, semel vel bis pinnatisecta segmentis linearibus
apiculatis.
Capitula parva, 10 mm. longa, pedunculata, terminalia vel axillaria,
numerosissima. Involucrum oblongum ; bractese exteriores gener-
atim 3, insequales, omnes margine lato, scarioso, laceratiusculo,
maxima late ovata, 3 mm. longa et ceteris latior, apice obtusa, in
parte non scariosa brunneo-viridis ; ceteree late ovatsB repente
acuminatte cuspidatte, costa in dorso prominente, brunneo-virdi.
Bracteae interiores 3-5, insequales (maximse circa 6 mm. longse,
2-2^ mm. latje), oblongte, obtuste, siariatse, glabrae, brunnese, mar-
ginibus albis scariosis. Receptaculum parvum convexiusculum,
foveolatum, paleis paiicis planis.
Achsenia 8-9 mm. longa, nigro-brunnea, linearia-oblonga, attenuata
utrimque, magis versus basim, a dorso plano-compressa, marginibus
patenter longeque setosis, ad facies linea longitudinali adpresse
setosa, aristis duobus fere horizontalibus ad apicem adscendentibus,
3 mm. longis setosis coronata.
The following characters distinguish this species from Glossocardia
linearifolia Cass. : —
The plant is much larger and generally erect, the shape of the outer
bracts is different, the awns of the achene spread almost horizontally
and are setose, sometimes half way up, at other times along their
whole length.
Loc: Jodhpur: Kailana (No. 10083!), Balsamand (No. 10085!).
Jaisalmer : Bada Bag (Nos. 10086 !, 10084 !).
Fr. in October and November.
Bidens L.
Bidens pilosa, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 832.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana (No, 10145 !), a very rare plant in Hajputana.
Distrib. Most warm countries.
Fl. and fr. in October.
Tridax L.
Tridax procumbens, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 900.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (No. 2951 !), very rare in Eajputana.
Distrib. : Central America, naturalized in India.
Fr. in October.
Chrysanthemum L.
'Chrysanthemum indicum, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 889.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : Amarsagar, in garden (No. 10088 !).
Distrib. : China and Japan, grown in Indian gardens.
Cotula L.
Cotula hemisphcerica, Wall. Cat. 3236.
Loc: W. Rajputana near irrigated spots (King).
Distrib. : India, China.
Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
Plate XVIII.
A. — Clump of Lycium harharum, and Capparis decidua iu a sandj plain
near Devikot (Jaisalmer State).
B. — Slioot-liabit of Jlaloxy Ion mlicornlcuiii. The plant protects the small
mound on which it g'rows ag'ainst erosion. Taken East of Sodakoer
(.Jaisalmer State)-
cjG
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT. 537
Echinops L.
Echinops echinatiis, DC. in Wight Contrib. 24.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Mandor (Nos. 10090 !, 10091 !), near Badka (No.
10092 !). Jaisalmer : Vmjorai (No. 10089 !).
Distrib. : India, Afghanistan.
Fl, and fr. in October.
Note : We have noted specimens with blue and lilac flowers.
Triclwlepis DC
Tricholepis radicans, DC. Prodr. VI (1837) 564.
Loc. : W. Rajputana (King).
Distrib. : India.
Volutarella Cass.
Volutarella divaricata, Benth. and Hook. f. in Gen. PI. II. (1873) 476.
Loc. : Jodhpur : In cultivated places about Jodhpur, not very common
(Macadam), Mandor ( No. 10100 !). Balsamand ( No. 10097 !),
Balarwa (No. 10102 !), Bhikamkor (No. 10094 !), Phalodi (No.
10103 !), Banner, sand (No. 10104 !). Jaisalmer : Between Phalodi
and Bap (Nos. 100951 !, 10096 !), near Bap (No. 10098 !), near
Loharki (No. 10093 !), Jaisalmer, sand (No. 10101 !), Vinjorai, sandy
plain (No. 10099 !).
Distrib. : India, Afghanistan, Baluchistan.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Uses : Said to be a powerful purgative (Macadam).
Dicoma Cass.
Dicoma tomentosa, Cass, m Bull. Soc. Philom. (1818) 47.
Vern. N. : Vajradanti.
Loc: Jodhpur: Kailana (Nos. lOlIl !, 10109!), Bhikamkor (No.
10108 !), Osian (No. 10115 !), Barmer (No. 10113 !), near Badka (No.
10117 !), Kotda near Seu, on rocks (No. 10118 !). Jaisalmer :
Near Bap (No. 10116!), Amarsagar (10107!), Bada Bag (No.
10106 !), Jaisalmer, rocky plateau (Nos. 10110 !, 10105 ! ), Vinjorai,
gravel (No. 10114 !), Vinjorai, dunes (No. 10112 !).
Distrib.: Trop. Africa, India.
Fl. and fr. in October and November,
Uses : The roots are used as tooth-brushes.
Lactuca L.
Lactuca runcinata, DC. in Wight Contrib. (1834) 246.
Loc. : Jodhpur Fort (No. 10119 !).
Distrib. : India, Ceylon.
Fl. in October.
Lactuca remotiflora, DC. in Wight Contrib. (1834) 26.
Loc: Jodhpur: Jodhpur (No. 10121!), Balsamand (No. 10087!),
Barmer (No. 10120 !).
Distrib. : India, Arabia.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Somhus L.
Sonchus asper, Hill. Herb. Brit. I (1769) 47.
Loc : Jaisalmer: Amarsagar (No. 10121a!).
Distrib. : All temperate and many tropical countries.
Fl. and fr. in November.
538 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Sonchus oleraceus, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 794.
Loc. : Jaisalmer: Near Loharki, on sand dune (No. 10122 !).
Distrib. : All temperate and many tropical countries.
Fl. in November.
Launcea Cass.
Launcea nvdicaidis, Hook, f . Fl. Brit Ind. Ill (1881) 416.
Vern. N. : Akria, jangli gobi, ban gobi (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur : Mandor (No. 10125 !), Barmer, rocks (Nos. 10123 !,
10126!).
Jaisalmer: Bada Bag (No. 10124!).
Distrib. : From India westwards to the Atlantic.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Launcea chondrilloides, Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. Ill (1881) 415.
Vern. N. : Dhud phad.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana (Nos. 10133 !, 10140 !, 10127 !), Mandor
(No. 10138 !), Osian (No. 10137 !), Balarwa (10142 !), Bhikamkor (No.
10143!), Barmer (Nos. 10128 !, 10129 !), near Badka (No. 10136!),
Kotda near Seu ( No. 10139 !), Jaisalmer : Loharki (No. 16134 !),
Jaisalmer, rocky plateau (No. 10136 ! ). Jaisalmer, sand (No. 10130 !),
near Devikot (Nos. 10141 !, 10132 !, 10131 !).
Distrib. : India, Afghanistan, Persia, Arabia, Egypt.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Uses : The water in which the plant has been boiled is taken against
constipation.
Tagetes L.
Tagetes erecta, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 887.
Loc: Jodhpur: Balarwa (No. 10146 !). Jaisalmer : Amarsagar (No.
10147 !).
Distrib : Probably Mexico.
Fl. in October and November.
Flaveria Juss.
Flaveria contrayerha, Pers. Syn. II, 489.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Balarwa No. 10148!), Osian (No. 10149!), near Badka,
sand (No. 10150!).
Distrib. : Peru, naturalized in India.
Fl. in October and November.
Oleace.e.
Jasniinum L.
Jasminum grandiflorum, L. Sp. PI. (1762) 9.
Vern. N. : Chameli.
Loc. : Jaisalmer: Amarsagar (No. 9097 !), Bada Bag (No. 9098 !). In-
troduced.
Loc: Distrib. : Sub-tropical N. W. Himalaya.
Fl. in November.
Salvadorace^.
Salcadora Garcin.
Salvadora persica, L. Sp. PL (1753) 122.
Vern. N. : Jal, fr. called pilu (Macadam).
Loc. : Balarwa (No. 9107 !), frequent in the salt districts of Pach
Padra, and not uncommon about villages where it is probably
planted (Macadam).
Distrib. : India, Ceylon, W. Asia, Egypt, Abyssinia.
Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
Plate XIX
A. — A rocky plain with little soil at Amarsag'ar near Jaisalmer. In the
background Eiipho'-bin nerifd'ta.
B. — A family of Arhtida h.irfighuita on volcanic ground, West of
Loharki (Jaisalmer State).
ILOEA OF THi: INDIAN DESERT. 539
Uses : The fruit and the leaves are eaten. They have a pungent
taste, resembling that of mustard and cress.
Salvadora oleoides, Dene, in Jacq. Voy. Bot. (1844) 140, t. 144.
Vern. N. : Jal (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur : Mandor (No. 9101 !), Balsaraand (No. 9106 !), Phalodi
(No. 9100!). Jaisalmer: Near Bap (No. 9099!), Amarsagar (No.
9104!), near Devikot (No. 9105 !), Vinjorai, dunes (Nos. 9103!.
9102 !), not very abundant about Jodhpur, much more common
in the neighbourhood of Balotra.
Distrib. : India, Arabia.
Uses : The fr. is eaten.
Note : We have a specimen of »S'. oleoides from Barmer with partly
opposite, partly ternate leaves.
Apocynace.*.
Wrightia R. Br.
Wrightia tinctoria, R. Br. in Mem. Wern. Soc. I (1811) 74.
Vern. N. : Kerna.
Loc. : Jodhpur (Macadam).
Distrib. : India, Ceylon, Timor.
Fr. at the beginning of the cold weather.
Uses: The wood is used for turning, making lacquered toys, etc.:
the leaves produce a blue dye. The fruit is used medicinally
(Macadam).
The following plants were found growing in the garden of Amarsagar
(Jaisalmer) : — Flumieria acutifolia Poir., Lochnera rosea Reichb.
ASCLEPIADACE/E.
Pei-iploca L.
Periploea aphylla, Dene, in Jacq. Voy. Bot. (1844) 109, t. 116.
Loc. : Western Rajputana (King).
Distrib.: Punjab, Rajputana, Sind, Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Persia,
Arabia, Egypt.
Glossonema Dene.
Glossonema varians Benth. in Benth. and Hook. f. Gen. PI. II. (1876) 748.
Loc: Jodhpur : Balarwa (No. 6559 !), Kotda near Sen (No. 6566!).
Jaisalmer: Jaisalmer (No. 6555!), near Devikot (No. 6556!).
Distrib.: Sind, Rajputana, Baluchistan, Persia.
Calotropis R. Br.
Calotropis procera, R. Br. in Ait. Hort. Kew. ed. 2, II (1811), 78.
Vern. N : Ak, Akra, Akda.
Loc: Jodhpur : Jodhpur (No. 6568 !), Osian (No. 6560!), near Badka,
sand (No. 6561 !), Barmer (No. 6563 !). Jaisalmer : Sodakoer, riverbed
(No. 6564!), Jaisalmer (No. 6565!), Shihad (No. 6558!) Vinjorai
(No. 6563 !), gregariovis and very common in sandy soil.
Distrib. : India, Ava, Persia, Trop. Africa.
Flowers after the rains and throughout the cold season (Macadam).
Uses: The milky juice is used as u cure for coughs. The silky hair
of the seeds to stufl' pillows and quilts (Macadam).
Oxystdma R. Br.
Oxystelma esculentum, R. Br. in Mem. Wern. Soc. I. (1811) 40.
Loc: Jodhpur: Balsamand (No. 6554!). Jaisalmer: North of Jaisalmer
(No. 6553 !), Amarsagar (No. 6567 !).
Distrib.: Indo-Malaya.
28
o40 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NA.TURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Pentatropis R. Br.
rentatropls cynancJioides, R. Br. in Salt Voy. Abbys. (1814) Append. 64.
Loc: Jodhpur : Mandor (No. 6583 !), Balsamand (6577 !), Kailana (No.
6579 !), Kotda near Sen (No. 6576 !), Barmer, rocks (No. 6578 !).
Jaisalmer : North of Jaisalmer (No. 6575 !), Jaisalmer (No. 6581 !),
Devikot (No. 6580 !).
Distrib.: India, Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Arabia, Trop. Africa.
Dcemia R. Br,
Dceonia extensa, R. Br. in Mem. Wern. See. I (1811) 50.
Vern. N.: Gaderiaka vel.
Loc: Jodhpur: Jodhpur Fort (No. 6560!), Kotda near Seu (Nos.
6552 !, 6551 !).
Distrib.: Ceylon, India, Afghanistan.
Fl. in October, fruits in November.
Sarcostemma R. Br.
SarcosfemmT. brevistigma, Wight Contr. (1834) 69.
Vern N.: Kursanni, Tanta (Macadam).
Loc: Jodhpur: Barmer, m Euphorbia bushes and alone (No. 5672 !),
Balarwa (No. 6573 !), growing in bushes of Euphorbia nivulia between
Balsamand and Sur Sagar and elsewhere about Jodhpur (Macadam).
Jaisalmer: North of Jaisalmer (No. 6584 !)
Distrib.: India.
Fl. from October to December.
Uses: The seeds are eaten. The root called satar is ground and
applied to snake bites, and an infusion of it is taken by persons
bitten by mad dogs (Macadam).
Leptadenia R. Br.
Leptadenia spartium, Wight Contrib. (1834) 48.
Vern. N. : Khimp (Macadam).
Loc: Jodhpur : Phalodi (No. 6585!), Mandor (No. 6586!), Osian
(No. 6570 !), Kailana (No. 6587 !). Jaisalmer : Jaisalmer, rocky plateau
(No. 6669 I), Loharki) No. 6588 !), near Loharki (No. 6589 !), Jaisalmor
(No. 6590 !), Vinjorai, dunes (No. 6591! ), Sodakoer (No. 6592 !), very
common in sandy places, often associated with A^rua tomentosa,
Zizyphus, Capparis aphylla (Macadam).
Distrib.: India, Baluchistan, Arabia, Egypt.
Fl. in. October and November.
Uses: Ropes for charpoys &c., are made from the fibre, but they are
not strong enough for well ropes (Macadam).
Cryptostefjia R. Br.
Cryptostegia grandiflora, R. Br. in Bot. Reg. (1819), t. 435.
Loc: Jodhpur (No. 6571), not indigenous.
Distrib.: Trop. Africa, introduced and spread throughout the dry
Deccan districts and Guzerat.
Fl. and fr. in October.
Gentianace^.
Enicostemma Bl.
Enicostemma liUorale, Bl. Bijdr. (1826) 848.
Loc : Jodhpur : Kailana (No. 10360 !), Balarwa (No. 10361 !), near
Badka, damp ground (No. 10365 !). Jaisalmer : Jaisalmer, wet ground
(No. 10362 !), Vinjorai, dunes (Nos. 10363 !, 10364 !).
Jaurn., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
Plate XX
A. — Dune vegretation at Osian (Jodhpur State)
B — Another view from the above dune area.
I
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT. 641
Distrib,: Tropics of the Old World, W. Indies.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Uses : The plant is crushed and applied locally against snake bite.
When crushed and mixed with water it is taken internally against
exhaustion.
Hoppea Willd,
Hoppea dichotoma, Willd. in Ges. Naturf. Fr. N. S. Ill (1801) 434.
Vern, N.: Ramjetta (Macadam).
Log.: Jodhpur : In cultivated places, near water, about Jodhpur,
not very common (Macadam).
Distrib.: India.
Uses: Used in piles and snake bite (Macadam).
Limnanthemum Gmel.
Limnanthemum parvifolium, Griseb. in DC. Prodr. IX (1845) 141.
Loc: Near Badka (No. 5775 !).
Distrib.: India, Ceylon.
BORAGINACE^.
Cordia L.
Cordia rothii, Koem. & Schult. Syst. IV (1819) 798.
Vem. N. : Gondi (Macadam).
Loc: Jodhpur: Jodhpur Fort (No. 10158!), Kailana (No. 10159!),
Phalodi (No. 10160 !). Jaisalmer : Bap (No. 10161 !), Jaisalmer
(No. 10162!).
Distrib. : Abyssinia, Arabia, India, Ceylon.
Uses: The berry is eaten. The bark, mixed with catechu, is chewed
by the poor to redden the lips, as a substitute for the more costly
pan (Macadam).
Ehretia L.
Ehretia aspera, Roxb. Cor. PI. I (1795) 41, t 55.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana (Nos. 10164 !, 10165 !), Barmer (No. 10167 !).
Jaisalmer : N. of Jaisalmer (No. 10166 !).
Distrib. : Abyssinia, Baluchistan, India.
Heliotropium L.
Heliotropium zeylanicum, Lam. Encycl, Meth. Ill (1789) 94.
Vern. N. : Khali bui (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (Nos. 10195 !, 10194 !), Osian (No. 10196 !),
Bhikamkor (No. 10197!), near Badka, gravel (No. 10198!). Jai-
salmer : Loharki (No. 10199 !), Shihad (No. 10200 !), Amarsagar
(Nos. 10201 !, 10202 !).
Distrib. : India, Trop. Africa.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Uses : Eaten by camels.
Heliotropium supinum, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 130.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Barmer, rocks (No. 10204 !). Jaisalmer : N. of Jai-
salmer (No. 10207 !), Vinjorai, gravel near tank (Nos. 10205!, 10206!).
Distrib. : Mediterranean, S. Africa, India.
Fl. and fr. in November.
Heliotropium rariflorum, Stocks in Kew Journ. Bot. IV (1852) 174,
Vern. N. : Kharshni.
Loc: Jodhpur: Osian (No. 10268 !), Bhikamkor (No. 10269!), near
Badka (No. 10270 !) near Badka on sand (No. 10271 !), Barmer
(No. 10272!). Jaisalmer: Jaisalmer (No. 10274 !), Jaisalmer, rocky
542 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI
plateau (Nos. 10275!, 10276!), Amarsagar (Nos. 10277 !, 10278!,
10279 !), Vinjorai on rocks (Nos. 10280 !. 10281 !),
Distrib. : India, Baluchistan, Nubia, Socotra,
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Hdiotropium eichwaldi, Steud. ex DC. Prodr. IX 1845) 535.
Vern. N. : Khali bui, Tinderu.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana (No. 10209 !), Seu, near tank (No. 10210!),
Jaisalmer : Amarsagar (Nos. 10208 !, 10211 !).
Distrib. : W. and C. Asia, India, Australia.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Uses : The leaves rolled up and put into the ear are said to cure
ear-ache (Macadam).
Heliotropium calcareum, Stocks in Kew Journ. Bot. IV (1852) 174.
Vern. N. : Jal bangra. Kali bui (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur : A common weed in cultivated places (Macadam).
Distrib. : Rajputana, Sind, Baluchistan.
Heliotropium avalifolium, Forsk. Fl. Aegypt. Arab. (1775) 38.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (No. 10212 ! ), Balsamand (No. 10213 !).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, India, Australia.
Fl. and fr. in October.
Heliotropium undulatum, Vahl. Symb. I, 13.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (No, 10214 ! ), Phalodi (No. 10215 ! ), Balarwa
(No. 10216 !), Mandor (No. 10217 !), Kotda near Seu (No. 10218 !).
Jaisalmer : Near Loharki (No. 10219 !), Loharki (No. 10220 !), Amar-
sagar (No. 10221!), N. of Jaisalmer (No. 10222!), Devikot (No.
10223 !), Vinjorai (No. 10224 !).
Distrib. : N. Africa, W. Asia, India.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Note : We have not found a sufficient reason to separate H. undulatum
Vahl. from H. tuberculosum Boiss. {^^H. widulatum, Vahl var. tvber-
culosum Boiss. (See Cooke Fl. Bomb. II, 212).
Heliotropium undulatum, Vahl. Symb. I, 13, var. suberosa, 0. B. Clarke,
in Hook. Fl. Brit. Ind. IV, 151.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kotda near Seu (No. 10225 !). Jaisalmer : Near Bap
(No. 10227 !), Bap (No. 10226 !), Loharki. gravel and rocks (No,
10228 !), Sodakoer (No. 10229 !).
Distrib. : N. Africa, W. Asia, India.
Fl. and fr. in November.
Note : The mature fruit has nutlets with a simple or bilobed corky out-
growth on the back. This character appears to be constant and we,
therefore, retain Clarke's name, although the nutlets in our specimens
are four and each of them contains one seed.
Heliotropium paniculatum, R. Br. Prodr. (1810) 494,
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (Nos. 10235 !, 10234 !. 10232 !, 10233 !), Kai-
lana, near a tank (Nos. 10236!, 10237 !), Balarwa (No. 10231 !), Osian
(No. 10238 !), Phalodi (Nos. 10239 !, 10240!). Kotda near Seu (No.
10241 !), Barnier, sand (Nos. 10242!, 10243!). Jaisalmer: Shihad
(No. 10244 I), Shihad gravel (No. 10245 !), near Loharki (No. 10246!),
Loharki (No. 10247 !), Sodakoer (No. 10249 !). Jaisalmer (Nos. 10250 !,
10251 !), Bada Bag (No. 10262 !), Vinjorai, rocks (No. 10253 !).
Specimens attacked by a kind of spike disease were found in the
following localities :■ —
Jodhpur : Jodhpur (No. 10260 !), Kailana (No. 10259 !), Bhikamkor
(No, 10257 !), Phalodi, sand dunes and gravelly soil (No, 10256 !),
Barm^r, sand (No. 10256 !). Jaisalmer : Loharki (No. 10261 I),
Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
Plate XXI.
lit',
A. — Xear Kailana Lake. A specimen of Euphorbia neriifolia. supporting
Sareostemma brevistigma.
I 1
^,
s*i>.
^...^.yi.fc
K ■■
1
^
X. ■ ^^nW«PB»^!w£^'3'
;-». >
Si--^
-X
•-. -
B.— On the rocky plateau above Mandor near Jodhpur. A clump of
Euplmrhia nevi[f\>lin, Cupparis deriduti, and Conrolvulv^ fjlomeratug
rar. rolubilis. The low vegetation consisting chiefly of Arht'ula.
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT. 543
Sodakoer, riverbed (No. 10262 !), Jaisalmer, rocky plateau
(No. 10263!), near Devikot (No. 10265 !), Viujorai, sandy plain
(Nos. 10266 !, 10267 !).
Distrib. : Indo-Malaya, Australia.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Heliotropium strigosum, Willd. Sp. PL I, 743.
Vern. N, : Choti santri (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodbpur : Common about gardens (Macadam). We have not
seen this species.
Distrib. : W. Asia, Indo-Malaya, Australia.
Trichodesma R. Br.
Trichodesma indicum, B. Br. Prodr. (1810) 496.
Vern. N, : Sal konta.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodbpur (No. 10151 !), Mandor (No. 10152 !), Balarwa
(No. 10153!), Barmer, rocks (No. 10154 !). Jaisalmer : Amarsagar
" (Nos. 10155 !, 10156 !), Bada Bag (No. 10157!).
Distrib. : Mauritius, Persia, Baluchistan, Cabul, India, Cejdon.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Sericostoma Stocks.
Sericostoma pauciflorum, Stocks in Wight Ic. (1850) t. 1377.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana (No. 10177 !), Mandor (No. 10178 !), Osian
(No. 10179 !), Balarwa (Nos. 10180 !, 10181 !), Bhikamkor (No.
10182 !), Bhikamkor, dunes (No. 10183 !), Phalodi (Nos. 10184 !,
10185 !), Kotda near Seu, rocks, (No. 10186 !), Barmer, sand (Nos.
10187!, 10188!). Jaisalmer: Loharki (10190!), Amarsagar (No.
10191 !), Vinjorai, dunes (Nos. 10192 !, 10193 !) .
Distrib. : India.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Amebia Forsk.
Arnebia hispidissinia, DC. Prodr. X (1846) 94.
Vern. N. : Rambas, rambaiya (Macadam).
Loc: .Jodhpur : Kailana (Nos. 10168!, 10169!), Osian (No. 10170!),
Balarwa (No. 10171 !), Bhikamkor (No. 10172!), Badka (No. 10173 !).
Jaisalmer: Loharki (No. 10174!), Sodakoer (No. 10175 !), Vinjorai,
sand (10176!).
Distrib. : Egypt, Nubia, W. Asia, India.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
CONVOLVULACE^.
Cvscitta L.
Cwscuta hyalina, Roth Nov. PL Sp. (1821) 100 (non Wight).
Vern N. : Amar bel.
Loc: Jodhpur : Jodhpur Fort (No. 2990 !), Balarwa (Nos. 3544 !, 3547 !),
Phalodi (No. 2983 1), Bhikamkor (No. 35481), Seu (No. 3546!).
Jaisalmer: Vinjorai, sandy plain (No. 6662 !), Jaisalmer (No. 3570 !),
Devikot (No. 3545 1, Loharki (No. 2989 !), Amarsagar (No. 2982 !).
Distrib.: India, Baluchistan, Abyssinia.
Fl and fr. in October and November.
Note : Cuscvia has been found parasitic on the following plants : Various
Ficoideoe, Tribulus, Calotropis procera, Aerua, Amarantus polyganius,
BoerJutvia, Desmodium, Rhynchosia.
Uses: Boiled in water the plant is taken against pain in tb« chest.
544 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XS,VI.
Cressa L.
Cressa cretica, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 223.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Near Badka (No. 3521 !).
Distrib. : All warm countries.
E volvulus L.
Evolvulus alsinoides, L. Sp. PI. ed. 2 (1762) 392.
Loc: Jodhpur: Kailana (Nos. 3525!, 3532!), Balsamand (No. 3524!),
Bhikamkor (No. 3533!), Mandor (No. 3534!), Barmer, rocks
(No. 3523!).
Distrib.: Tropical and sub-tropical countries. '
Fl. in October and November.
Breweria R. Br.
Breweria latifolia, Benth, ex C. B, Clarke in Hook. f. Fl. Brit.. Ind. IV
(1883) 224.
Loc: Jodhpur: Phalodi (No. 6563!), Kotda (No. 3531 !), Kotda, sand
and gravel (No. 3530 !), Balsamand (No. 3505 !). Jaisalmer: Amar-
sagar (Nos. 3528! 3529!), Jaisalmer, sand (No. 3517 !), Vinjorai,
rocks (No. 6664 !), Jaisalmer, rocky plateau (No. 6665 !).
Distrib. : India, Trop. Africa.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
CONOVOLVULUS L.
Convolvulus rottlerianvs, Choisy Convolv. Orient in Mem. Soc. Phys.
Genev. VI (1834) 477.
Loc: Jodhpur: Jodhpur (No. 6677 !), near Badka (No. 6666!), Vin-
jorai, sandy plain (No. 3506 !). Jaisalmer : Between Phalodi and Bap
(No. 3516 !), near Bap (Nos. 6667 !, 6668 !).
Distrib. : India, Afghanistan, Baluchistan.
Fl. and fr, in October and November.
Convolvulus microphyllus, Sieb. ex Spreng. Syst. I (1825) 611.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Phalodi (No. 3512 !), Osian (Nos. 3501 !, 2995 !,6678 !),
Kailana (Nos. 2994 !, 6679 !), Balarwa (Nos. 2996 !, 6680!), Mandor
(Nos. 3503 !, 3000 !), Barmer (Nos. 3501 !, 3513!). Jaisalmer: Soda-
koer, riverbed (Nos. 3510 !, 3504 !), Loharki (No. 3511 !), Vinjorai
(Nos. 2999 !, 2997 !), Jaisalmer (No. 2998 !), Devikot (No. 2981 !).
Distrib. : From India to Egypt and Nubia.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Convolvulus glomemtus, Choisy ex Dc Prodr. IX (1845) 401.
Vern. N.: Rota bhel.
Loc: Jodhpur: S. E. of Luni (No. 3535 !), Kailana (No. 2551 !), Seu
(No. 6683 !), Barmer (No. 6682 !). Jaisalmer : Jaisalmer, rocky
plateau (No. 3537 !).
Distrib. : India, Afghanistan, Baluchistan, W. Trop. Africa.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Convolvulus conglomeratus var. volubilis, C. B. Glarke in Hook. Fl. Brit. Ind
IV, 219.
Vern. N. : Rota bhel, Ratanjot.
Loc: Jodhpur: Barmer (No. 3553 !), Barmer, rocks No. 3536 !), near
Badka (No. 3519 !), Phalodi (No. 3552 !), Mandor (No. 6690 !), Kai-
lana (No. 3538 !). Jaisalmer : Amarsagar (No. 3520 !), Jaisalmer
(No. 6684!), N. of Jaisalmer (No. 3539 !), near Bap (No. 6691!),
Vinjorai, rocks (No. 3550 !).
Fl. and fr. in October and November ; according to Macadam it flowers
also in February.
Journ.i Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
Plate XXII.
I
A. — A sandy plain at Sodakoer villa.ye (,Jaisalmer State). An association
of Aerua tomcntosa and Aerua pgeudo-tomcntoga, with families of Cap-
pans deciduii.
B. — Cidanche tuhulosa, parasitic on the roots of Capparis decidtia in the
above locality.
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DF/SFET. 545
Uses: The whole plant soaked in cold water is used as a cooling drink
(Macadam).
Convolvulus pluricaulis, Chois. Convolv. Orient. 96, var. macra C B. Clarke
in Hook. Fl. Brit. Ind. IV, 218.
Vern. N. : Santari, Sanowri, Santer (Macadam).
Loc. : Jaisalmer. Common in the plains (Macadam).
Distrib. : Punjab.
Convolvulus arvensis, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 153.
Loc. : Jodhpur.
Distrib. : Cosmopolitan.
Fl. in October.
Convolvulus rhyniospermus, Hochst. ex Choisy in DC. Prodr. JX (1845) 405
Loc. : Jaisalmer : Vinjorai (No. 6681!), Jaisalmer, rocky plateau (No.
3508!).
Distrib. : Rajputana, Sind, Kordofan.
Fl. and fr. in November.
Convolvulus densiflorus spec. nov. — (Prope C. rhyniospermum Hochst.).
Herba perennis, prostrata vel ascendens ; caulis suque ad 75 cm. longus
simplex vel ramis multis lateralibus brevibus, teres, aliquantulum
hirsutus, fortis, fistulosus. Folia conferta a basi caulis et ramorum
ad apicem, ita quidem ut axis vix conspici possit, integerrima, viridia,
elliptica vel oblanceolata, basi attenuata, 35 mm. longa, 11 mm. lata,
apice subacuta vel subobtusa, juniora parce hirsuta pilis longis,
matura glabrata, nervis inferne prominentibus ; petiolus 3 mm.
longus.
Flores dense capitati pedunculis axillaribus. Pedunculi 10 mm.
attingentes, rarius 25 mm. villosi, fortiusculi. Bractese confertse-
foliis similes sed minores, ovatae vel lanceolatse vel ellipticse, genera,
tim apice acutse, densissime hirsutse pilis longis sericeis in parte
inferiore, gradatim glabrescentes apicem versus, Sepala exteriora
anguste lanceolata, acuta 8 mm. attingentia ; densissime villosa
in 2/3 inferioribus, parte apicali glabrata ; sepala interiora subulata,
7 mm. attingentia, passim densissime villosa vel apice glabrata.
Corolla pallida-rubra, calyce subbrevior ; lobi brevissimi, apice paulu-
lum penicillati. Filamenta glabra insequalia. Stylus glaber ; stigma
glabrum lineare, stylo fere sequilongum.
Capsula globosa, bilocularis, 4-valvi8, scariosa, glabra. Semina 4,
glabra tuberculata.
Loc: Jodhpur: Balarwa (No. 7312!), Jaisalmer: Amarsagar (No.
3515!), N. of Jaisalmer (No. 3614 !).
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Convolvulus gracilis, spec. nov.
Herba perennis, erecta, ramis multis erectis filiformibus, 50 cm. alta,
adpresse argento-canescens in omnibus partibus calyce et corolla
exceptis. Folia anguste-linearia, 21 mm. longa, 3/4 mm. lata.
Flores multi in cymis largis laxis terminalibus. Pedunculi et pedicelli
filamentosi ; pedicelli, 2-10 mm. longi. Bractese et bracteolse subulatse.
Bracteee 5 mm. attingentes, bracteolee circa. 2 mm. longse. Sepala
glabra, 3^ mm. longa. paululum incrassata in fructu, interiora minora,
omnia ovata, exteriora latiora, apice acuta vel breviter acuminata,
venis multis longitudinalibus parallelis. Corolla rubra, calyce duplo
longior ; lobi hirsuti in parte dorsali, breves. Ovarium 2-loculare,
4-ovulatum. Filamenta stylusjue glabra ; stigma lineare stylo fere
eequilongum.
Capsula exserta, glabra, coriace a, straminea. Semina dense tomentosa
pubescentia.
o46 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVL
Loc. : Jodhpur : Barmer, on rocks (Nos. 7313 !, 7314!).
Fl. and fr. in November.
Jacquemontia Choisy.
Jacqtuimontia paniculala, Hallier f. in Engl. Jahrb. XVI (1893) 541 and
XVIII (1894) 9o.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (No. 2980 !).
Distnb. : Trop. Africa, Indo-Malaya, Australia.
Fl. in October.
Jlerremia Dennst.
Merremia cegyptia, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 162.
Vern. N. : Rota bel.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana (No. 3556 !), Barmer (No. 3509 !), Kotda near
Seu (No. 3543 !). Jaisalmer : Bada Bag (No. 6676 !).
Distrib. : Tropics generally, often cultivated.
Fl. in October and November.
Ipomosa L.
Ipamoea eriocarpa, R. Br. Prodr. (1810) 484.
Loc: Jodhpur: Jodhpur Fort (Nos. 3527 1,3526!), Jodhpur (No.
6674 !), Balarwa (No. 6692 !).
Distrib. : Tropics of the Old Word, Afghanistan.
Fl. and fr. in October.
Ipomoea sindica, Stapf. in Kew Bull. (1894) 346,
Vern. N. : Rota belri.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Balarwa (Nos. 6685 !, 3569 !), near Badka (No. 3561 !),
Osian (No. 3564 I), Barmer (Nos. 6686 !, 3568 !, 3557 !, 3566 !),
Kailana (Nos. 3565!, 6687!, 3567!). Jaisalmer: Between Phalodi
and Bap (No. 3562 !), Sodakoer (No. 3563 !).
Distrib, : N.-W. India, Sind, Rajputana.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Ipomo&a aquatica, Forsk. Fl. ^-Egypt.-Arab. (1775) 44.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : Bada Bag (No. 2987 !).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, Asia, Australia.
Fl. in November.
Ipomoea obscura, Ker-Gawl. in Bot. Reg. (1817) t. 239.
Loc. : Jodhpur (No. 2988 !),
Distrib. : Africa, Indo-Malaya.
Fl. in October.
rponuBa palmata, Forsk. Fl. ^5<]gypt.-Arab. (1775) 43, var. semine glabra
var. nov. — Semina omnino glabra.
Loc. : Vinjorai (No. 6675 !). "
Fr. in November.
Ipomcea pestigridis, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 162.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Osian (No. 3554 !, 3558 !), Phalodi (No. 3542 1),
Balarwa (No. 3560 1), Jodhpur (No. 6688!). Jaisalmer: Bap (No.
3541 !), Amarsagar (No. 3540 !), between Phalodi and Bap (No.
3655 !), Jaisalmer (No. 3659 !).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, Indo-Malaya to Polynesia.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Ipomoea batatas, Poir Encycl. Meth. VI (1804) 14.
Loc. : Cultivated in Jodhpur State (Erskine).
Distrib. : Tropical America.
\
Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
Plate XXIII.
A. — An open forest of Zizypliu^ rotunclifolia between Loharki and Soda-
koer (Jaisalmer State). In the foreg^ronnd a bare gravel area and an
isolated specimen of Prosopis splcigera.
■J.
B.— Rocky river bank, two miles East of Sodakoer, with SeUioeinjurthhi
heerocarpa and Antichai-in linearh.
I LOR A OF THE INDIAN DESERT, 547
Rivea Choisy.
Rivea hypocraterijormis, Choisy Convolv. Orient, in Mem. Soc. Phys.
Genev. VI (1834) 408.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Mandor (No. 2992!). Jaisalmer: Amarsagar (Nos.
3507 !, 2986 !), Bada Bag (No. 2991 !), between Phalodi and Bap
(No. 2985 !).
Distrib. : India.
Fl. in October ; fr. in October and November.
SOLANACE^.
Solanum L.
Solanum nigrum, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 106.
Vern. N.: Chirpoti, Mokko.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Phalodi (No. 6514 !), Jodhpur Fort (6515 !), Balsamand
(No. 6513 !). Jaisalmer : Amarsagar (No. 6516 !), Bap (No. 6517 !).
Distrib. : Cosmopolitan in the temperate and tropical regions^of the
world.
Fl. and fr. in October and November. '
Uses : A decoction of the plant is used in fever. The crushed leaves
are used as an application for boils (Macadam).
Solanum xanthocarpum, Schrad. and WendJ. Sert. I (1795) 8, t.i2.
Vern. N. : Boringni, Adkuntali (Macadam).
Loc: Jodhpur: Jodhpur (No. 6521!), Mandor (No. 6520!), Balsa-
mand (No. 6518 !), Balarwa (No. 6548 !), Barmer (No. 6519 !),
common in sandy places near villages (Macadam).
Distrib. : Indo-Malaya, Australia, Polynesia.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Uses : The berries are used to cure cough and tooth-ache, for the latter
they are burnt and the smoke is taken into the mouth (Macadam).
Solanum indicum, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 187.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : Loharki (No. 6549 !).
Distrib. : Indo-Malaya to the Philippines.
Solanum incanum, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 188.
Loc: Jodhpur: Barmer (No. 6506!), Bhikamkor (No. 6504!), Osian
(No. 6503 !), Jaisalmer: Devikot (No. 6507 !).
Distrib. : India, S.-W. Asia, Arabia, Egypt.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Solanum albicaule, Kotschy ex Dunal in DC. Prodr,. XIII,' Pt. II (1852)
204.
Vern. N. : Narkata.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Near Badka (No. 6510 !), Kotda, near Seu, growing in
Euphorbia bushes (No. 6512 !), Banner, on rocks (No. 6508 !), Mandor
(No. 6511 I), Bhikamkor (No. 6501 !). Jaisalmer : Vinjorai (No. 6509 !).
Distrib. : Sind, Arabia, Trop. Africa.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Uses : The water in which the crushed plant has been boiled is taken
against ulcers.
Solanum inelongena, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 186.
Vern. N.:Brinjal.
Loc: Jaisalmer: Amarsagar (No. 6505 I).
Distrib. : Native country uncertain.
Solanum tuberosum, L. Sp. PI. (1753)185.
Cultivated in Jodhpur State.
29
548 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL RIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
9
Physalis L.
Physalis minima, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 183.
Loc: Jodhpur: Bhikamkor (No. 6523!), Jodhpur (No. 6526!), Barmer
on sand (No. 6524 !).
Distrib.: Trop. Africa, India, Ceylon, Australia.
Fr. in October and November.
Physalis peruviana, L. Sp. PI. (1763) 1670.
Loc: Jaisalmer : Between Phalodi and Bap (No. 6525! ),
JVithania Paiiq.
Withania somm/era, Dunal in DO. Prodr. XIII, Pt. I (1852)458.
Vern. N. : Argan, Chirpotan (Macadam).
Loc: Jodhpur: Jodhpur (No. 6533 !), Maudor (Nos. 6522!, 6534)!.
Distrib.: Mediterranean region. Cape of Good Hope, India, Ceylon.
Fl. in October.
Uses: Used as a cure for lumbago and rheumatism.
Lycium L.
Lycium barbamm, L. Sp. PI. (1753)192.
Vern. N.: Morali.
Loc: Jodhpur : Kailana (No. 6547!), Balarwa (No. 6539!), Osian
(No. 6537 !), near Badka (No. 6536 !), Barmer (No. 6544 !). Jaisalmer :
Amarsagar (Nos. 6546!, 6541 !, 6545 !, 6543 !), Devikot (No. 6542 !),
Vinjorai, dunes (No. 6540 !), near Bap (No. 6538 !), common in dry
and rocky places (Macadam).
Distrib.: India, Baluchistan, Afghanistan, Persia.
Fl. in October,
Uses : The leaves, pounded and mixed with ghee, are applied to
abscesses. The bark of the wood is pounded and the powder
blown into the nostrils of horses against bronchitis. Used in local
salt-industry.
The process at Pachbhadra is as follows: — " Oblong pits of various
sizes are dug, a supply of brine percolates through the pit bed,
and when that has become sufficiently concentrated, so as to
show signs of crystallisation around the pit edge, branches of a
thorny shrub, called morali, a species of mimosa (No, of Lycium !)
are sunk in it. On these branches salt crystals form and con-
tinue to grow for two, or sometimes three years. At the end of
that period the salt crop is extracted, usually in this way : men
enter the pit, and with an iron chisel, wedge-shaped, and having
a handle five feet long, they cut through the thorny branches, and
break up the salt which is caked on the bottom. By shaking the
branches the crystals are detached." — Adams 5.
Datura L.
Datura fastuosa, L. Syst. Nat. ed. 10 (1759)932.
Vern. N.: Datura, dhola (Macadam).
Loc: Jodhpur : Balarwa (No. 6531). Jaisalmer : Amarsagar (No. 6528 !).
Datura fastuosa, var. alba, C. B. Clarke in Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. IV
(1883) 243.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : Bap (No. 6529!). Jodhpur: Barmer (No. 6530!).
About gardens and cultivated places, more common than the type
(Macadam).
Nicotiana L.
Nieotiana tabacum, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 180.
Loc: Jodhpur: "A coarse tobacco is grown round some of the villages
and is consumed locally (Erskine)."
Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc,
Plate XXIV,
A. — Sand-dune north of Jaisalmer. On the rigrht a family of Cyperu^
arenarius, to the left A e7-v,a sp., on the hill in the hsLckgroiind Fa/jcmm
cretica.
B. — Pond and marshy ground between Phalodi and Bap with various
Cyperacecs.
m
FLORA OF TUB INDIAN DESERT. 549
Lycopersicum Mill.
Lycopersicum esculentum, Mill. Gard. Diet. ed. 8 (1768) n. 2.
Tomato.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Barmer (No. 6502!).
Capsicum L.
Capsicum annuum, L. Hort. Cliff. (1737)59, var. acuminata, Fingerh. Mo-
nogr. Gen. Caps. (1832) 13, t. 2.
Loc:. Jodhput- : Balarwa (No. 6532! ), Jaisalmer : Amarsagar (No. 6527 !)
ScROPHULARIACBiE.
Anticharis Endl.
Aniicharis glandulosa, Aschers. in Monatsb. Akad. Wiss. Berl. (1866) 880,
var, ccerulea, var. nov.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : Bada Bag (No. 10282 !). Jaisalmer, rocky platean
(No. 10283 !), Jaisalmer on rocks (No. 10284 !), Vinjorai (No. 10285!).
Distrib. of type: Upper Egypt and Sind.
Fl. and fr. in November.
Anticharis linearis, Hochst. ex Aschers. in Monatsb. Akad. Wiss. Berl.
(1866) 882.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana (Nos. 10286!, 10287!, 10288!), Mandor (No.
10289 !), Balarwa (No. 10290 !), Bhikamkor (No. 10291 !), Phalodi
(No. 10292 !), near Badka (No. 10293 !), Barmer, rocks (Nos. 10294 !,
10295 !). Jaisalmer : Between Phalodi and Bap (No. 10296 !), near
Bap (No. 10297 !), Shihad (No. 10298 !), Loharki (No. 10299 !)
Bodakoer, riverbed (No. 10300 !), Amarsagar (No. 10301 !), Devikot
(No. 10302 !), Vinjorai, dunes (No. 10303 !).
Distrib.: India through Arabia and Trop. Africa to the Cape Varde
Islands.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Celsia L.
Cdsia coromanddiana, Vahl. Symb. Bot. Ill (1794)79.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Balsamand (No. 10307 !), Jaisalmer : Bada Bag (No,
10308 !).
Distrib. : India, Ceylon, Afghanistan, Ava, China.
Fl. and fr. in November.
Schweinfurthia A Braun.
Scliweinfurthia sphcerocarpa, A. Braun in Monatsb. Akad. Wiss. Berl.
(1866) 875.
iioc. : Jaisalmer : Sodakoer, riverbed (Nos. 10304 I, 10305 !), N. of
Jaisalmer (No. 10306 !).
Distrib. : Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Sind, Rajputana.
Fl and fr. in November.
Paplidium, Del.
Peplidium humifusum, Del. Descr. de L'Egypte (1812) 148, t. 4.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Seu (No. 10310 !), near Badka (No. 10311 !).
Distrib. : Egypt, Kurdistan, India, Ceylon, Australia.
Fl. and fr. in November.
Slriga, Lour.
Striga orobancheoides, Benth. in Hook. Comp. Bot. Mag I (1835) 361
' t. 19.
Vern, N. : Missi (Macadam).
550 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Kailana (Nos, 10312!, 10313!, 10314!), Mandor
(Nos. 10315!, 10316!), Osian (No, 10317 !). Jaisalmer: Jaisalmer
(No. 10318 !).
Distrib. : India, Ceylon, Arabia, Trop. and S, Africa.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Uses: Chewed to strengthen and colour the teeth (Macadam).
Note : We have observed several forms which may prove to be con-
stant varieties : —
Forma I. Plant reddish, corolla rose.
Forma II. Plant green, corolla white.
Forma III. Plant reddish, corolla white.
Strlga euphrasioides, Benth. in Comp. Bot. Mag. I (1835) 364.
Loc: Jodhpur. Kailana (Nos. 10319 !, 10320 !), Balsamand (No. 10321 !),
Mandor (Nos. 10322 !, 10323 ! ), Balarwa (No. 10324 !), Kotda, wet
ground (No. 10325!). Jaisalmer: N. of Jaisalmer (No. 10326!),
Devikot (Nos. 10327 !, 10328 !), Vinjorai (No. 10329 !).
Distrib. : India, Ceylon, Java.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Sopubia Buch.-Ham.
Sopubia delpMnifolia, G. Don Gen. Syst. IV (1837) 560.
Loc: Jodhpur: Balsamand (No. 10309 !).
Distrib.: India, Ceylon.
Fl. and fr. in October.
Lindenberc/ia Lehm.
Lindenbergia urticcefolia, Link & Otto Ic PI. Rar. Hort. Berol. (1828) t. 48.
Vera. N. : Pindru.
Loc: Jodhpur: Balsamand (Nos. 10331 !, 10232 !), Kailana (No. 10333 !),
Mandor (Nos. 10334!, 10335!), Bhikamkor (No. 10336!), Kotda
(No. 10337 !), (Barmer No. 10338 !), Barmer on rocks (Nos. 10339 !),
10340 !, 10341), near cultivated places about Jodhpur, not very
common (Macadam).
Distrib. : India, Afghanistan.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Note : Several of our specimens have acute calyx lobs, but sub-
glabrous or pubescent ovaries and capsules. This shows that
L. abyssinica Hochst. is not a good species and ought to be included
under L. urcicaefolia, L. and O.
As regards the variations there seem to be two forms which may
prove to be constant varieties. They are distinguished by the size
of the corolla. Two specimens from Barmer have the corolla 4 and
11 mm. broad, respectively. Further material is required to clear up
this point. (Similar variations were observed in Bombay specimen,
see Journ. Bom. Nat. Hist. Soc. XXV, 424.)
Oeobanchace^.
Cistanche Hoffmgg. & Link.
Cistanche tubulosa, Wight Ic. t. 1420 bis (1850).
Vern. N. : Beaphor, Lunki ka moola (=fox's radish) (Macadam), bhui
phod.
Loc. : Jodhpur, not uncommon (Macadam). Jaisalmer : Near Bap
(No. 10342 !), Shihad (No. 10343 !), Bada Bag (No. 10344 !), Devi-
kot (No. 10345!).
Distrib. : India, Central Asia to Arabia.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. 8oc,
Plate XXV.
I^JB*
-^:i^
.i
A, — Western slope of a sand-dune three miles south-west of Phalodi
(Jodhpur State), with pure Calotropis vrocera association.
B. — Family of Cyperus arenarim coverings the eastern slope of the above
dune.
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT, r>51
BiGNONICAEiE.
Tecomella Seem.
TecmnelUt undulata, Seem, in Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 3, X (1862) 30,
Vern. N. : llohera (Macadam).
Loc. : Frequent in the plains of Jodhpur (Macadam), W. Rajputana,
found on some of the drier ridges of Jodhpur (King).
Distrib .: India, Baluchistan, Arabia.
Uses : The wood is used for Persian wheels, furniture, lacquered
toys etc. The seeds are used against abscesses. — In Godwar the
term "Rohera ke phul " is applied to a pretentious good for nothing
person (Macadam).
Pedaliace^.
Sesamum L.
Sesamum indiqum, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 634.
Vern. N. : Til. ^ ^ . ,
Loc- Jodhpur: Osian (No. 10347 !), Balarwa (No. 10349 !), Jaisal-
mer- Between Phalodi and Bap (No. 103-54!), Bap (No. 10350!),
near Lokarki (No. 10352 !), Shihad (No. 10353!), N. of Jaisamer
(No. 10351 !), Vinjorai (No. 10348). According to Adams, til is cul-
tivated in the following parganas of Jodhpur :— Jalore, Jaswant-
pura, Mallani ,Jodhpur, Nagare, Merta, Parbatsar, Pali, Bali, Sojat,
Jaitaran.
Distrib. : Trop. Africa ? cultivated throughout India.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
552
NOTES ON A COLLECTION OF SNAKES MADE IN THE
NILGIRI HILLS AND THE ADJACENT WYNAAD.
Bi
LlEUT.-CoLONEL F. WaLL, I.M.S., C.M.G., C.M.Z.S., F.L.S. .
(With Diagrams and Maps.)
A period of sick leave lasting in all for four months in 1917,
and spent in the Nilgiris gave me a great opportunity for studying
the snakes of that locality, and the interesting plateau known
locally as the Nilgiri-Wynaad.
My thanks are due to the many Planters around who were kind
enough to assist me in collecting, and without whose aid I would have
obtained but little. I am indebted to the following gentlemen :
Mr, J. B, Vernede of Rookery Estate, Mr. L, Gerard Rogers of
Adderley, Mr. C. Vernede of Hill Grove, Mr. C. Hercus of Glen-
dale, Mr. A. K. Weld-Downing of Frith Hall, Mr. R. S. Hunter
of Pilloor, Mr. G. Oakes of Kalhatti, Mr. W. B. de Courcy of
Liddelsdale, Mr. J. H. Wapshare of Hope, Mr. F. W. F. Fletcher
of Rockwcod, Mr. J. E. Bisset of Mayfield, and Mr. V. W. G.
Bisset of Wentworth. The first six of these gentlemen are on
estates on the Eastern slopes of the Nilgiri Plateau. ]\fr. Oakes
is in the middle of the plateau, and Mr. de Courcy on the north-
west confines overlooking the Wjmaad. The last four gentlemen
have estates in the Nilgiri-Wynaad, a locality politically in the
Nilgiris, but zoo-geographically part of the Wynaad. The terrain
is a complicated mass of mountain ranges that calls for special
remarks. The Gazetteer of India says of the Nilgiris :
" It consists of two well marked divisions : the high steep sided
plateau formed by the junction of the Eastern and Western Ghats
as they run southwards down the two opposite sides of the Indian
Peninsula ; and lower area adjoining, and geographically forming
part of, the Malabar- Wynaad. The plateau, which is divided into
the two taluJhS of Ootacamund and Coonoor, averages 6,500 feet
above sea-level, and several of its peaks run up to over 8,000 feet.
The lower area adjoining the Wynaad forms the third, or Gudalur,
taluk, and is often called the South-East Wynaad. It is only 2,000
to 3,000 feet above the sea, is more level than the plateau, and is
covered for the most part with thick forest. * * * Along the
south-western edge of the plateau runs a line of bold hills called
the Kundahs, several of the peaks in which are over 8,000 feet in
height. * * * The Western Ghats join the Eastern Ghats in
the high plateau of the Nilgiris."
" The Wynaad consists of a table land 60 miles by 30 miles, lying
amid the Ghats at the average height of 3,000 feet above sea level.
COLLECTION OF SNAKES IN THE NILGIRI HILLS. 553
Its most characteristic features are low ridges of hills, with sharp
peaks (rising in some places to 6,000 feet) and extensive valleys.
Towards the east, where it merges into the plateau of Mysore, the
country becomes level. In the south-east the Ghats are low till
they meet the Nilgiris near Naduvattam ; on the west and south-
west, where the taluk joins the low country of Malabar, there are
several peaks of over 6,000 feet. The annual rainfall averages 130
inches, bat is much heavier in the west than in the east."
I am indebted to Mr. Fletcher of Eockwood for a far more
detailed and lucid account of this terrain than can be gathered
from the excerpts just quoted. I have erased from this a few
sentences that were merely answers given to queries of mine, and
which have no general interest as my preconceived ideas were
hopelessly erroneous.
" The Wynaad is a narrow belt of jungle country lying between
the Nilgiris and the Bramagiris. For the purposes of this argu-
ment its limits may be taken as coincident with the influence
of the south-west monsoon above the Ghats. On the
west the Sahyadris shut off" this plateau from the Malabar
plain : on the south (really south-east) the Kundahs separate it
from the higher plateau of the Nilgiris. It is, then, easy to see
why the species peculiar to the Wynaad caamot find egress to the
Malabar plain or the Nilgiri plateau. North (really north-west)
the Bramagiris form a dividing line between Wynaad and Coorg ;
and in this direction I should certainly expect the Wynaad snakes
to continue up through Coorg, and the Mysore country adjacent to
the Ghats, as far northwards as the physical conditions of altitude,
rainfall, and climate conform to those of the Wynaad. These hills
are neither very high nor very steep. The planting districts of
Coorg and Mysore (and possibly a stretch of country farther
north along the foot of Ghats) are so similar to Wynaad in every
respect, that you would do well to make quite sure the Wynaad
snakes are not found there. In these remarks you will see I take
it for granted that all the species you found confined to the Nilgiri-
Wynaad also occur in North and South Wynaad. I do this be-
cause the whole Wynaad belt has, practically, the same elevation,
the same rainfall, and the same climate ; and also because the
boundaries between the three Wynaads are merely lines drawn on
the map, and there is no natural barrier to confine the Wynaad
species to the Nilgiri- Wynaad. As I have not studied the ques-
tion, I cannot say definitely and from my own knowledge that the
species peculiar to Nilgiri- Wynaad are common to all three
divisions of the Wynaad, but I think this may safely be assumed.
Eastwards, the Wynaad plateau merges insensibly into the table
land of Mysore. There is nothing in the shape of a mountain
range to prevent the extension of the Wynaad snakes into the
554 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI .
Mysore country. Here I tliiuk the climate is the barrier. When
the moisture-laden clouds of the south-west monsoon strike the Ghats,
they part at once with most of the contained water, and the rainfall
during this period on, and in the immediate vicinit}' of the Ghats,
is 250 inches at least. As the clovids pass inland, the}' discharge
the rest of their contained moisture in a comparatively short
distance, and so the south-west rains do not extend very far inland.
Every mile you go east from the Ghats makes a difference of 10
inches or more. Nilgiri-Wynaad being further from the coast
than South or North Wynaad, the rainfall is lighter. On our Ghats
it is about 150 inches. I am not more than 5 miles from the Ghats
in a direct line, yet my average drops to 90 inches. Estates lying-
east of Rockwood, and only about 2 miles away as the crow
flies, get about 65 inches. And not much farther east still, the
south-west monsoon peters out altogether. So, adjacent to Wynaad
on the east there is a zone of the Mysore country where the
annual rainfall is only about 40 inches, part received during the
south-west monsoon, and pai't during the north-east monsoon. This
makes a great difference in the physical aspect of the two zones, and
an equally marked difference in the climate. The western face of the
Ghats, exposed to the full forceofthesouth-west monsoon, is mighty
evergreen forest. On the Wynaad Plateau, this gives place to
deciduous jungle, largely interspersed with bamboo. Directly the
east limit of the monsoon is reached, the country changes completely,
and becomes open and dry. In South-East Wynaad the climate can
rightly be described as temperate — on Rockwood in the hot weather
(March, April and May) the thermometer never climbs much
over 80. But to cross the boundary into the dry Mysore countrj'-
means a transition almost to the climate of the plains. It is this
marked and sudden difference in rainfall, vegetation, and climate
(which would mean a different habitat), that may I think account
for the fact that the Wynaad species do not extend into Mysore.
These views are crude, and very possibly in some respects they are
erroneous. The western half of the Nilgiri Plateau is much higher
than the eastern half : the Dodabetta ridge cuts the plateau in half,
and forms a* barrier between the east and west halves ; and the
rainfall is far heavier in the western half. The latter gets most
of its rain during the south-west monsoon ; the Coonoor or Eastern
belt depends chiefly on the north-east monsoon."
The map illustrating the terrain referred to is a reduced repro-
duction of that given by Mr. P. W. P. Pletcher in his highly in-
teresting and charmingly written book " Sport on the Nilgiris."
Altogether 1,699 snakes came in, of which 831 were collected in
the Wynaad. This large total comprises 43 different species, one
of which Typhloios fletcheri can be claimed as new to Science.
iue^Gi(/^
0
o
(0
M
0)
X
z
>l
It
£
0
n
P3
'A
o
H
S
H
o
m
P
t
P4
02
xn
hH
p— I
c
k
3
0
COLLECTION OF SNAKES IN THE NILGIRI HILLS.
555
Several of these species are of course not truly montane. All of
the species found in the plains of Southern India ascend to vary-
ing altitudes in the hills. In addition to the snakes I collected
this year in the Nilgiris I had the good fortune to acquire a collec-
tion made by the late Mr. Grey from the same locality amounting
to about 180 specimens. There was nothing rare among them,
but they furnished a few interesting notes on food and breeding.
The following synopsis shows the numbers and localities from
which they were collected : —
NILGIRI WYNAAD.
s
Name of Species,
o
-
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
O
o
-♦^
o
o
-w
+3
-f<»
S
o
03
t-t
o
CO
CP
CO
CO
•3
o
s
co"
>
o
o
s
CO
o
o
o
8
la
O
o
o
o
m
to"
o
o
to
c3
o
m"
o
o
CO
o .
is
CO
o
o
o
o.
Si
of
o o
05^
OJ CO
5s'
"3
a
3""
o
o
0
o .
0£
CO
o
o
2«
C3
"a
to
1
CO
1 Typhlops fletcheri .. .
2 „ beddomi . . .
3 ,, thurstoni
4 Rhinophis sanguineus
5 Silybura ocellata
C ,1 brevis ..
7 Plectrurusperroteti ..
8 Melanophjdium wynadense .
9 Tiopidonotuspiscator..
10 „ beddomi
11 „ stolatus
12 ,; monticola
plumbicolor.
13 Macropisthodon
14 Rhabdops olivaceus
15 Xylophis perroteti
16 Lycodon auetcus
17 ,, travancoricus
18 Zaocys mucosus
19 Coluber helena
20 Dendrelaphis tristis ..
21 Oligodon vennstus
22 „ afflnis
23 ,. subgriseus ..
2t Ablabes ealamavia
25 Dipsadomophus tiigonatus
26 ,, ceylonensis.
27 ,, nuchalis
28 „ forsteni
29 Dryophis perroteti
30 „ mycterizans..
31 ,, pulverulentus
32 Chrysopelea ornata
33 Bungarus caerueeus . . .
34 Naia tripudians
35 ,, bungarus
36 Hemibungarus nigresoens .
37 Callophis bibroni
38 Vipera russelli
39 Echis carinatus
40 Anoistrodon millardi . . .
41 Laohesis strigata .. .
42 „ graminea
43 „ anamallensis
Total
27
29
11
24
12
15 201 16
1
36
93
23
3
19
24
51
32
4
3
U
5
50
6
12
10
1
I
1
1
8
1
"28
1
4
20
5
11
12
4
7
108 324 28
I
99
22
2
19
14
30
3
3
8
1
J7
50
11
3
40
2
38
14
3
34
1
108
6
8
31
33
20
18
21
28
"1
2
143
5^8
16
4
7
3
10
4
238 31
G
1
3
43
105
62
130
28
43
157
52
13
106
5
CI
7
65
88
1C7
6
30
11
47
5
3
40
41
1
ft
82
8
7
5
12
a
58
1
28
5
11
48
22
193
1,699
SO
556 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL H18T. SOCIETl, Vol. XXVL
Family TYPHLOPID^,
Genus Typhlope.
Fletcher's Blind Snake — TypJilops Jletcheri (spec, nov.)
(After Mr. F. W. F. Fletcher of Rockwood).
Specimens of a Typhlojjs very like braminus were collected for me from
Adderley, Pilloor, and Rockwood, They differ however from braminus,
in that the suture below the nostrils passes to the 2nd labial instead of
to the prseocular. Although this is the only difference I can find, it is
sufficiently important, I think, to claim for this the rank of a species
apart from braminus. Of the hosts of true braminus I have examined I
have never met with a specimen in which the lower suture from the
nostril was aberrant, and all the species of the genus I know show
wonderful constancy in the condition of the nasal shield, the nostril, and
the sutures proceeding therefrom. It would be interesting to know if the
many specimens in the British Museum referred to 7'. bramimis collected
by Colonel Beddome from the Anamallay and Tinnevelly Hills, have the
peculiarity now pointed out by me.
Description — Rostral. — About one-third the breadth of the head, extend-
ing back to the level of the eyes. Nasals. — Not meeting behind the
rostral ; completely divided ; the suture below the nostril shorter than
that above, and passing to the 2nd labial. Prcefrontal, frontal and inter-
parietal— Subequal. Supraocular, prca and postparietals — Subequal. Prreo-
cular — About as large as the ocular ; in contact with the 2nd and
3rd labials. Ocular. — Large, in contact with the 3rd and 4th labials.
Suboculars. — None. Temporal. — One. Labials. — Four. Costals. — In 20 rows.
The eye is beneath the suture dividing the ocular and supraocular
shields, and is distinct. The nostril is inferior. The tail ends in a small
acute spine. The diameter of the body is 1/40 to 1/45 the total length.
Colour. — Dark uniform purplish-brown above paler beneath, where the
scales are pale brown except in the basal third which is deep plum coloured.
Length. — Three apparently adult specimens measure respectively 6|, 5|
and 5f inches. One younger is 4^ and two others 2| inches.
Habitat.— ThQ Nilgiri Hills at an altitude of about 3,000 to 6,000 feet.
Beddome's Blind Snake — Typhlops beddomii (Boulenger).
I obtained one specimen only of this little known species from Pilloor
and this was recovered from the stomach of a small Hemibunyarus nigres-
cens. It measured 5^ inches.
As the specimen is damaged from digestion there is an element of
uncertainty in the identification. The following points which can be clear-
ly made out point to the specimen being Beddome's blind snake, viz., the
rostral is about one-third the width of the head, the nasals meet behind
the rostral, are quite divided, and the lower suture from the nostril is
about three or four times as long as the upper. Scales in 18 rows.
Diameter of body is about 1/42 the total length. On the other hand the
lower suture from the nostril passes directly backwards to the prseocular
(Boulenger's plate in his catalogue. Vol. I, 1893, Plate 1, fig. 3, shows
this passing to the 2nd labial). The eyes are invisible. The colour is
a pale flesh tint. If the identification is correct this is the first record of
this species in Hills North of Palghat Gap.
Thurston's Blind Snake — Typhlops thurstoni (Boettger).
When Boulenger's Catalogue appeared there were only two specimens
in the British Museum. It is satisfactory to record that I have now
obtained three more good examples, all from Rockwood Estate, Wynaad.
Journ., Bombay Na.t. Hist. Soc
Plate I.
S ^^p
^^ Oc
TYPHLOPS THURSTON I (x 5)
TYPHLOPS FLETCHERI (x 0)
P^M.
^Se< %
A. — Ventral aspect of tail.
B. — Dorsal aspect of tail.
MELANOPHIDIUM WYNADENSE (x 2^)
RHINOPHIS SANGUINEUS (x 2)
NILGIRI SNAKES.
COLLECTION OF SNAKES IN THE NILGIRI HILLS. 557
They agree very well with the description given in Boulenger''s Catalogue
(Vol. I, p. 26) except that my specimens are much more slender, the diameter
of the body being respectively about 1/75, 1/64, and 1/82 the total length.
My specimens measured 12^, lOj and 9| inches.
I give two drawings of the head shields.
Family VROPELTID^.
Beddome's Shieldtail. — RhinopMs sanguineus (Beddome.)
All my specimens, 40 in number, came from the Wynaad where it is
evidently a common species.
Food. — Many contained fragments of earth worms in the stomach, and
the intestines were nearly always loaded with semi-liquid mud from their
victims' alimentary systems. The fact that the worms were found in
fragments suggests that when seized they break themselves free by their
struggles, only to be recaptured, and repeat the process.
Sexes. — Of 35 sexed 16 were $ and 19 d" ■ The following sexual differ-
ences were noted. In females the body is rather longer and the tail shorter
than in the male. This is seen by the ventrals in the former ranging from
214 to 218 against 200 to 213 in the male, and the subcaudals numbering 5
to 7 in the female against 9 to 11 in the male. In the male also the last
ventrals, the last scales in the lowest 3 rows of costals, the anal, and the
subcaudal shields are pluricarinate. The keels are rather indistinct, and
only seen on a subterminal zone on these shields (see figure). There is no
trace of these keels in the female.
Breeding. — Although I got no gravid $ , many juvenile specimens with
open navels prove that the young embark on life late in July, August, and
September.
Growth. — No less than eleven were young of the year, and varied in
length from 4f to 5| inches. No specimen between 5| and 10 inches was
obtained so that it would appear that the young double their length in the
first year of life. Nearly all the specimens were from 11 to 13 inches
long. One $ measured 16 and one c? 14 inches. The rule m Colubrines
is for the young to be about one-foui'th the average adult measurement.
Colour. — No young specimens were brightly marked with coral-red ven-
trally. Only a faint tinge of pink was seen until adult life in this region.
Lepidosis. — In most specimens several of the subcaudal shields were entire.
The skin strips off this snake as easily as from others, except on the end
of the tail. Here the modified skin on the terminal scute is so intimately
adherent to the terminal vertebrae, that it is only removed with consider-
able difficulty.
Dentition.— The maxillary teeth number 5. There are no teeth in the
palatine, and pterygoid bones. The mandibular set number 5.
The Argus Roughtail.— 6Y7y6Mra ocellata (Beddome;.
This is an even commoner species than the last in the Wynaad (including
Liddelsdale), my aggregate being 101. No specimen reached me from any
other locality.
Food. — This consists entirely of earth worms, and the remarks made
under the diet of the last species apply equally well to this snake.
Disposition. — I had a few live examples sent me, and I found them all
very inoffensive creatures. They are rather restless in one's grasp, and
push their noses through and through the clefts of the fingers. I put them
on to loose earth, and found sometimes they would burrow, and at other
times they remained inert, making no attempt to glide away. They move
very slowly. Those that burrowed used the snout only for this purpose,
and 1 am still perplexed as to the use of the curious tail. This is so often
558 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
coated with mud when other parts of the snake are not, that I had expected
the use of this appendage in some way whilst probing beneath the soil.
The sexes. — Of 23 that were sexed 16 proved to be $ and 7 <S • The tail
in the male is longer, the subcaudals numbering 9 to 11, against 7 to 8 of
the female, but the body is but little shorter in the male. The male
ventrals numbered 185 to 196 as compared with 194 to 208 (usually over
200) in the female.
Breeding. — I had two gravid females captured between the 20th of June
and 10th of July. One measuring 11 inches contained 3 sacs with well
developed embryos about 4f inches long. The other measuring 14^ inches
contained 5 sacs in which embryos 4J inches long were observed. A few young
of the year measuring from 5 to 6f inches reached me in July and August.
Length, — I had four females 15 to 15| inches long, and my largest males
measured 13 and 13| inches, respectively.
Dentition. — Maxillary set 4 or 5. Palatine and pterygoids edentulous.
Mandibular set 6 or 7.
The Common Roughtail — Silyhura hrevis (Gunther).
All my specimens, 59 in number, came from the Wynaad.
Habits. — The few live specimens sent to me were as inoffensive as the
last species. In captivity it burrowed with the aid of the snout alone, and
nothing in its behaviour suggested any special use for the stumpy curiously-
fashioned tail. In this species again I repeatedly noted that the top of
the tail was clogged with earth when none was adhering to other parts.
Food. — Most examples contained fragments of earthworms in the sto-
mach. The overloaded condition of the intestines with liquid mud gave
one an idea of the heavy toll exacted from the ranks of its fellow sojourn-
ers beneath the soil.
Sexes. — Of 26 examples in which the sex is recorded, 14 were S and 12
2 , I was unable to discover any external characters to differentiate the
sexes. Females as usual attain to a greater length, no less than 10 exam-
ples reaching or exceeding 11 inches, whereas only one male had acquired
this length. My largest female measured 16^ inches, and my largest male
12 inches.
Breeding. — I had no single gravid female, but the season for the appear-
ance of the young is evidently from June to August. I had 21 young vary-
ing from 3| to 6^ inches from the end of June onwards. They pro-
bably grow three inches in the first year as twelve specimens ranged from
6| to 8| inches.
The young examples I noticed had no trace of the terminal points, that
one sees so well developed in the adult, and the supracaudals are less evi-
dently carinate.
Lepidosis. — The range of ventrals I found to be 133 to 145 for the S and
139 to 143 for the 5- The subcaudals in the J being 9 to 12, and in the
$ 9 to 10. One specimen had the 7th, 8th and 9th subcaudals entire.
The skin strips off easily everywhere except on the truncate part of the
tail. Here the epidermis is thicker than elsewhere, and intimately adher-
ent to a cushion of deep musculature. Within this no osseous thickening
is to be observed but the vertebrte are probably peculiarly L^ropeltid.
Dentition. — The maxilla holds from 5 to 6 teeth. The palatine and
pterygoid are edentulous. The mandibular array is 7.
Perrotet's Spinetail — Plectrurus perroteti (Dumeril and Bibron).
Boulenger in his Catalogue (Vol. I, p. 162) under the heading P. davisoni
suggests that this species may have to be united with perroteti. I think
there is no question that davisoni cannot be retained as a species apart.
No less than 135 examples of this snake came into my hands, and from
Journ-i Bombay Nat. Hist, 8oc.
Plate II.
An
Sul
D. — Ventral aspect of tail.
E — Dorsal aspect of tail.
7:Scr
SILYBURA BREVIS (X 3)
NILGIRI SNAKES
COLLECTION OF SNAKES IN THE NILGIRI HILLS. 659
this large material I am also inclined to doubt the validity of the other
two " species," viz., guentheri and aureus. Without however studying the
type specimens it is wisest to say no more.
Habits. — Several live specimens were brought in, some having been en-
countered crossing the roads, and showing so little alarm at the approach
of footsteps as to permit easy capture. In one's grasp it glides through
the fingers restlessly and slowly without attempting to bite. One wreathed
itself round a stick that was placed over it, and was carried so, for a mile
or more without relaxing its folds. It exhibits considerable strength when
wreathed round one's fingers.
Put into loose earth it burrowed with its nose so as to conceal its head,
frequently leaving most of the body uncovered. No use was made of the
tail while burrowing.
Sexes. — Of 38 sexed, 28 were found to be females and 10 males. I
could discover no external difl'erences to distinguish the sexes.
Breeding. — It is viviparous in habit. I obtained four gravid females
between the 29th of June and the 3rd of August. In a specimen captured
on the 29th of June six embryos were found measuring about 3 inches.
In another between the 1st and 4th of July four embryos measuring about
2 inches long were observed. In a third caught on the 8th of August three
young were found, all males, 4^^, 4\ and 4 J inches long. The fourth
killed between the Ist and 3rd oi August contained three foetuses (two
of which were males, and the third of uncertain sex one of which measured
3^ inches). The young escaped from one mother partly by their own
movements when she was cut open. A specimen in Gray's collection, date
of capture unknown, contained six eggs.
I have always been puzzled to know when the genitals of male fcetuses
became ensheathed. Up to a certain period they are found extruded
before birth. I was able to observe that in the three most advanced
fcetuses ripped from their mother, although males (ventrals and sub-
caudals 166 + 12, 167+12 and 167+11), the genitals were no longer ex-
truded so that the ensheathing takes place before birth. The mothers
varied in length from 11 to 14 inches.
The season of birth is from June to September. I obtained 3 specimens
^i, 4f and 5| inches long in June, and as many as 15 varying from
4 to 4f inches in September. As many as 40 specimens of this year's
production were collected.
Food.- — Earthworms form its exclusive dietary, many of these being found
in fragments '' in gastro". The intestines were almost always filled with
liquid mud.
Colour. — In some specimens there is a bright carrot red hue on the centres
of the scales of the belly and beneath the tail instead of the usual mustard-
yellow. In the young a pale pinkish shade replaces these brighter hues.
One specimen furnished me with several white vermiform parasites which
appeared to me identical with the Porocephalus crotali so frequently found in-
festing the abdominal cavity of Colubrines. One of these was half obtruded
from the cloacal orifice which would make it appear an interalimentary
parasite, sometimes though usually found attached to the walls of the ab-
dominal cavity, or outside the various viscera.
Lepidosis. — The ventrals in the S varied from 160 to 167, in the $ from
162 to 181. The subcaudals in the d from 9 to 12, in the $ 6 to 8,
Habitat. — It is an extremely common snake between 5,000 and 6,000
feet, and gets scarcer as one approaches 3,500 feet. This accounts for the
small number (only five) of specimens from the Wynaad.
Dentition. — The maxillary teeth number 7. There are no palatine, and
no pterygoid teeth. The mandible holds 6 or 7.
560 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
The Black Burrowing Snake — Melanophidium toynadense (Beddome).
This species is apparently less rare than museum collections would make
it appear, I managed to obtain 26 specimens, though the British Museum
has only 3 representatives.
Sexes, — No external diflerences to denote the sex were observed by me.
Of 8 sexed, 5 were d' and 3 $ .
Food. — Earthworms form the exclusive diet, most specimens having frag-
ments of these in the stomach. The intestines were loaded with liquid mud.
breeding. — No gravid female was secured. Young of the year measuring
from 5 to 6 1 inches were obtained in July (4), August (2) and September (8).
Length. — My longest taped 17 inches and was a c?- I had two other
males of 16| and 16f inches in length, and a female 16| inches long.
Colour. — The irregularly-distributed, light, ventral patches were quite
white, not yellow as supposed by Boulenger.
Lepidosis. — The ventrals ranged between 170 and 184, and the sub-
caudals between 10 and 13. No sexual diflerences can be established.
Habitat. — All were captured in the Wynaad.
Dentition. — There are 8 maxillary teeth. The palatine and pterygoid
bones are edentulous. The mandibular teeth number 8.
Family COLUBRIDM.
Sub-family Colubrin^e.
The Chequered Water Snake — Tropidonotus piscator (Schneider).
Forty-three examples of this common snake reached me. Mr. Oakes
sent me two from his garden near Ootacamund at 6,300 feet elevation.
This is a remarkable altitude to find a denizen of the Indian Plains
flourishing.
Food. — Many had recently fed and in every case a frog had been taken.
An Lcalus (Spec?) once, Rana limnocharis three times, (one specimen
having devoured four small ones), and in three other examples the frogs
were too digested to identify.
Young. — Three young of the year were obtained in June varying from
7f to 8| inches in length, five in July from 9 to 11 inches, eight in August
from 91- to 1^1 inches, and two in September from 11 to IH inches.
Varieties. — All were marked with small, and ill-defined, dark, ehequerings,
some being nearly uniform in colouration. In some a pale chequering
was more evident than the dark. Several were adorned with a bright
pinkish suflusion at the edge of the ventrals, and some with bright rose
chequering in the flanks. These bright hues were seen in young of the year,
as well as adults, and one young specimen of 7| inches showed a bright
canary throat, this hue extending to the sides of the neck. The entozoon
Kallicephalus willegi was seen in large clusters in the stomachs of nearly all.
Beddome's Grass Snake — Tropidonotus beddomi (Gunther).
This species seems to be equally common throughout the Nilgiris, and the
Wynaad,one hundred and fifty-seven specimens having been collected. It will
be seen from the synopsis that it inhabits a zone between 3,000 and 7,000 feet.
Sexes. — Of 123 specimens sexed, 54 were S and 69 $ .
Food. — Frogs proved the favourite diet, but occasionally small toads
were taken. Fifteen examples were found to have swallowed frogs, and
twelve of those had feasted on species of Ixalus. On three occasions two
Lvalus were found, on one three, and on one four. In other cases the
frog was too far digested to identify. In one specimen I found a mass
of frocf's eegs, with the prospective mother in a state of dissolution. Once
I found a young Bufo melanostictus and once the legs of a toad that was
probably the same species. This diet sheds light on the haunts of
COLLECTION OF SNAKES IN THE NILOIRI HILLS.
561
Beddome's grass snake for Lvalus variabilis by far the commonest species, I
found inhabiting marshy ground, or water cuts where arum lilies and wild
caladiums grew. The hollow stems of these plants where they embrace the
stalk were found tenanted by this frog in great numbers.
Breeding. — Many examples were egg-bound, and these are best tabu-
lated. It will be observed that of the 21 gravid females, 16^ inches was the
smallest length, and 27 J inches the largest. From 5 to 9 eggs are
usually produced, but they varied from 3 to 11. The embryos attain
some degree of development before oviposition. It will be seen later that
young of the year commenced to appear in June, and continued to the
month of September. The fact that many females were egg-bound in
the latter month shows that the season for the young to hatch extends
probably to November.
Date.
Length of
mother in
inches.
No. of
eggs.
Remarks.
20-6-17
21
6
Eggs, 1" to 1" in length.
to
5-7-17.
16i
5
>>
19f
6
Eggs, 1" to 1" in length.
7 to
22
9
Eggs, f" to 1" in length.
10-7-17.
10 to
174
7
Tail deficient. Eggs, 1" long.
25-7-17.
^j
181
6
25-7-17
22
8
Eggs, 1" long, with minute em-
to
bryos inside.
3-8-17.
1 to
27i
8
, 3-8-17.
1 to
20i
3
6-8-17.
6 to
• * • •
7
12-8-17.
• 9
20A
10
18
5
Eggs about 1" long with minute
? J
embryos inside.
. 12 to
• • • •
7
24-8-17.
)»
• • > ■
8
15 to
24i
7
18-8-17.
15 to
23i
6
Follicles enlarged, not much ad-
20-8-17.
vanced.
>)
• • • •
8
)'
• > • •
7
9 to
25
9
11-9-17.
17 to
• • • •
8
23-9-17.
1 to
....
11
20-9-17.
562 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Groioth. — Seventeen young of the year varying from 5^ to 10 inches
were captured in the months of June to September, both these outside
measurements occurring in the last month. Nothing longer than 7 inches
was procured before September though eight of this year's progeny were
caught before this month. Seventeen other specimens between 14| and
17^ inches were secured, evidently last year's production, but the lengths
exceeding 17|^ inches are so gradually, and evenly progressive, that it is
impossible to follow the growth any further. The largest specimen was a
2 27J inches in length, and the average of the six largest of this sex was
25 inches against 22 inches for the average of the six largest S . The
largest S measured 25 inches.
Lepidosis. — The ventrals, and subcaudals were only noted in a few cases
and show no difference in the sexes. Thus in the S the ventrals were 141
to 150, in the $ 139 to 147. The subcaudals in the S were 69 to 81, and
in the 2 62 to 81.
Dentition. — The maxilla holds from 24 to 25 teeth behind which is a gap
followed by 2 teeth fully twice the length of the preceding. The palatine
teeth number 18 to 19, the pterygoid 33 to 38, and the mandibular 32
to 33.
The Bufl'-striped Keelback. — Tropidonotus stolatus (Linne).
In all 52 specimens of this snake reached me. It is evidently a fairly
common species up to 5,000 feet and occurs up to about 6,000 feet. Being a
snake of the Plains it was to be expected that it would be found in the
Wynaad as plentifully as in other parts of these Hills. Seven of the total
were of the " red " variety, vermilion hues replacing the pale blue seen in
usual specimens. This beautiful ornamentation was seen in three quite
juvenile examples measuring respectively 8|, llf and 11 inches,
Breedinr/. — Five gravid females were included all captured in July,
August, or September, The smallest dam measured 17 inches, and the
largest 28| inches. The clutches of eggs varied from 3 to 10, In one case
the eggs were found to contain minute embroys which if unravelled might
have been about one inch long.
Food. — Of the many that had but recently fed, two contained frogs with
dilated toes that I think were Rana temporalis, three contained frogs too
digested to recognise, and nine others species of l.ralus. One of these last
had swallowed no less than six of this small batrachian.
Growth. — Twelve specimens were young of the year ranging between 6^
and 8| inches during the months from June to September. The growth of
the species is difficult to follow as the breeding season probably lasts
during half the year.
Jerdon's Grass Snake. — Tropidonotus monticola (Jerdon).
All the 13 specimens of this uncommon snake were caught in the
"Wynaad. Unfortunately most were very juvenile, and some had their
tails more or less deficient. The largest adult, a 5 measured 22f inches.
Colour and markings. — In one young specimen there was a very bright
yellow collar, and in all the specimens the throat and sides of the neck
were yellow. This hue was replaced by a bright orange in the adult.
Most of the supralabials had narrow blackish margins. The cross bars are
sometimes very obscure, even in quite young specimens.
Food. — Three had their stomachs distended. A Biifo mela7iostictus had
been taken by the large 2, and a Rana limnoeharis by two other examples.
Growth. — Seven of this year's production taken from July to September
COLLECTION OF SNAKES IN THE NILGIRI HILLS. .563
varied from 6j to 7f inches in length. Two others of 12 and 14^ inches
respectively, taken in September were evidently last year's broods, so that
it about doubles its length in the first year of life.
Lepidosis. — In one the 7th labial was confluent with the lower temporal
and did not descend to the margin of the lip. The postoculars were 4 on
one side in one specimen, and the temporal single on one side in one speci-
men. The ventral count ranged between 133 and 141, and the subcaudal
between 78 and 88.
The Green Keelback. — Macropisthodon plumbicolor (Cantor).
Mr. Vernede tells me his coolies call it '• pacha uaga" (="green cobra")
a very appropriate name when one considers the degree to wdiich it can
flatten the neck cobra-wise.
This is one of the commonest snakes in the Hills, 106 examples having
been collected. It favours an altitude between 3,000 and 6,000 feet;
and was quite common at Kalhatti at 6,300 feet. Only 2 specimens
came in from the Wynaad side out of the large total collected there. Of
39 sexed, 26 were S and 13 $.
Colour. — The verdant-green hue is not due to a green pigment. It is
due to a yellow pigment that overlies the scales as a s«)rt of varnish, and
which is soluble in spirit leaving the specimen blue. Some specimens
are darker than others due to the varying abundance of the yellow pig-
ment, and in these the scales are plumbeous when the pigment is removed.
The inappropriate specific name plumbicolor is thus accounted for. The
remarks made on the colour of the snake Dryophis mycterizantt apply
equally well to this species. I skinned a few, cleansed them in my bath
with soap and water and placed them in spirit. In a few days a very
distinct yellow tinge was imparted to the liquid, and as I boiled it down
the colour became deeper and deeper, but I could not separate it out as a
powder.
The skin strips easily as is usual with snakes. It is slate coloured
on the inner side, and the integument around the last three or four
costal rows is white. Short white lines are scattered through the skin
becoming fewer up the sides of the body. Another very curious pecu-
liarity I have seen in no other snake. I allude to an arrangement of
small, extremely regularly-disposed, series of ring-like spots, on either
side of the 9th and 10th costal rows above the ventrals. These are placed
at the angles of the scales referred to, are in the integument itself, and
if looked for can be seen from the epithelial surface. Where the rows
in midbody are 2.5, five rows intervene vertebrally between these spots,
and where 27, seven rows.
Food.— A remarkable partiality in diet is shown towards the toad Bufo
melanostictus. No fewer than ten had swallowed this batrachian, and
two of these were quite young specimens. One adult had accounted for
two, and another for three large specimens. In some cases the distension
was extraordinary. For instance a snake measuring three inches in girth
was five and a quarter inches round the gastric region, and found to
contain a toad with a head fully twice the transverse diameter of that of
the hosfs ! Frogs were taken by three examples, once Ixalus variabilis,
and once a species probably of I.talus.
Breeding.— It seems rather remarkable that no single specimen proved
gravid. I have definitely ascertained (and reported in this Journal,
Vol. xvi, page 390) that the young hatchling varies from o^ to about 6i
inches. I got one measuring 6| inches in August, and twenty others,
young of the year, varied from 7J to 10 inches in the months of August
and September.
31
.>64 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVL
Growth. — What I take to be last years broods were represented by two
specimens 15 and 15| inches long. My largest example measuring 33
inches was a 5 , another of the same sex was 31|^ inches, and a third
29| inches. The largest S was 29^ inches.
Parasites. — I found two young specimens infested with small scarlet
mites {Trombidia) which had fastened themselves chiefly on to the skin
between the ventral shields. These I submitted to Dr. Annandale.
Dentition — The maxilla holds 12 teeth after which there is a short gap,
followed by two large teeth more than twice the length of the preceding.
The palatine teeth number 7, the pterygoid 13 to 14, and the mandibular
16 to 19.
The Olivaceous Smooth Snake — Rhabdops olivaceus (Beddome).
Five specimens of this uncommon species reached me, all from the
Wynaad. The belly is a dirty yellowish hue peppered with olive-green
especially at the bases of the veutrals; and subcaudals. A black narrow
zigzag line runs along the ventrals. Three were S and two 5 .
Breedinr/. — My largest example captured in September was gravid.
Eleven follicles (five in one ovary and six in the other) being distinctly
enlarged. The specimen measured 30f inches.
Lepidosis. — -The ventrals in the males ranged between 210 to 213, in the
females 202 to 207. The subcaudals in the males ranged between 69 and
74, and in the females 63 to 64. The prseoculars (two, Boulenger Cat.
Snakes Brit. Mus., Vol. I, page 300) are subject to variation. In three
specimens the loreal by a confluence with the lower prpeocular touched the
eye, and in one specimen the prsefrontal touched the eye owing to the
confluence of this shield with the upper prteocular, in addition to the
confluence of loreal and inferior prseocular. This is the subject figured
by me.
Perrotet's Dwarf Snake — Xylophis perroteti (Dumeril and Bibron).
Of the 61 specimens collected many came from the Wynaad. It is
common at an altitude above 5,000 feet as will be seen from the numbers
taken at Kalhatti, Frith Hall and Coonoor. Mr. Eogers too told me that
his specimens were all taken from the higher parts of his estate. Of 47
sexed 18 were S and 29 5 .
lood. — It subsists entirely on earth worms, and every specimen opened
had either fragments of worms in the stomach, or the intestinal tracts
loaded with mud from this diet. One specimen 21 inches in length was
found to contain a very large worm (Moniliventer grandis ? ) 12^ inches in
length lying fully extended in the gullet and stomach.
One specimen 20 inches in length was recovered from the stomach of a
Hemibungarus niffrescens.
Breeding. — Four gravid females were included in the total, all killed in
July. They varied in length from 17 to 21 inches. The eggs found within
numbered from 6 to 12 and contained minute embryos estimated at about
one inch long if unravelled. The eggs were one to one and a half inches
long. One specimen contained a single large unfertilised egg. I think the
ecrgs are probably deposited as such, but cannot speak positively.
Growth. — I had eight j'^oung of the year ranging between 5^ and 8 inches
in June, July and August. Fifteen other examples between 12 and 16
inches were probably last year's brood. The 5 attains to a greater length
than the d" . I had no c? specimen exceeding 20 inches but six 5 were
21, 21, 21, 21f, 23i and 23f inches long, respectively.
The tail is distinctly longer in the S •
Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
Plate III.
RH IN OP HIS SANGUINEUS
(X 3)
RHABDOPS OLIVACEUS.
(X U)
NILGIRI SNAKES.
COLLECTION OF SNAKES IN THE NILGIRI HILLS. -565
Lepidosis. — The ventrals and subcaudals show definite ranges in the
sexes ; thus the ventrals in the <S ranged between 133 and 141, in the 5
between 143 and 150. The c? subcaudals were 25 to 4C, and the $ 14
to 20.
Dentition. — The maxilla supports 28 to 31 teeth. The palatine array
vary from 14 to 18, the pterygoid 32 to 34, and the mandibular 26 to 31.
The Common "Wolf Snake — Lycodon aulicus (Linne).
Only 7 of this very common snake were collected, showing that it does
not favour the Hills. The highest altitude was 5,700 feet.
Varieties. — Three conformed to the usual variety typica of Linne, one to
Boulenger's variety B, and three others 1 would place with Boie's Variety
unicolor in spite of the fact that all had bright yellow collars from which a
moustache-like stripe of the same shade was thrown forward to meet in
front of the rostral. Otherwise these very strikingly handsome specimens
had no trace of marks. The body was a very deep purplish-brown almost
chocolate. These three specimens came from Coonoor, the cart road below
Coonoor, and from Pilloor. I have never seen this variety before. In
Boulenger's variety B, the crossbars were 11 and the first interval involved
27 scales vertebrally. In the typical variety the bars ranged from l-l
to 25.
Food. — One had eaten a skink which I think was a Mabuia.
Lepidosis. — In the two specimens of unicolor (Boio) where the ventrals
and subcaudals were counted they were $ 227 and 69, and 222 and 67 (?)
In Boulenger's variety B these shields numbered 179 (?) plus 62.
The Hill Wolf Snake — Lycodon travancoricus (Beddome).
The 65 specimens collected were as common in the Wynaad as in the
Nilgiris. The species is found up to 6,000 feet, and beyond. Three or
four of those brought in came with an account of having been killed inside
houses in Coonoor.
Se:fes, — Of 31 in which I have recorded the sex 21 wore c? and 10 $ .
Colour. — All the specimens that reached me freshly killed had the
crossbars, and variegations in the flanks of a bright yellow colour. The
yellow in all Lycodonts is very unstable, losing its colour after a few hours
immersion in spirit.
Food. — A large number had recently fed, and a great partiality is shown
for a lacertine diet. Frogs of the genus I.ralus had on three occasions
furnished the meal. The lizards were of varied sorts. Geckos had twice
been taken, Lygosoma ten times, a Mabuia on three occasions, and a
Charasia (probably dorsalis ) twice. Two other lizards were too digested
to recognise.
Breeding. — Not a single female specimen showed any enlargement of the
ovarian follicles. The hatching season can be arrived at however in the
following manner. This species grows to the same length as its congener
aulicus, the young of which are known to be 6f to 7f inches long when
hatching. Specimens within this range (of travancoricus) were captured in
August and as specimens up to H inches were also bagged in the same
month it is probable that they hatched out in May if not before. The
season then is about May to August.
Groiuth. — Young of the year measuring 7^ to 7f inches (2) were obtained
in June, 8 to 11 inches (8) in July, 7 to 11 inches (11) in August, and 9J
to 11 inches (4) in September. Ten other specimens in the same months
ranging between 16 to 18^ inches were obviously last year's progeny, and
show that the young double their length in the first year of life.
566 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Anal y lands. — These glands furnish an opaque yellowish fluid.
Parasites. — One specimen was infested with little scarlet mites appar-
ently similar to those already alluded to which had attached themselves to
specimens of Macropisthodon plumbicolor.
Lepidosis. — The labials in one were 10 in number on the left side. The
temporals in one were three anteriorly on the right side.
Dentition. — The maxilla supports anteriorly 3 teeth progressively in-
creasing in size, then 2 elongate subequal teeth about twice the size of the
3rd. After these there is an edentulous space that would take about 3
teeth. This is followed by from 9 to 11 small isodont teeth after which
come 2 more elongate teeth about twice the length of the preceding. The
palatine array number 13 to 17, the pterygoid 21 to 27. The mandibles
have anteriorly 3 progressively increasing teeth, and then 2 elongate about
twice the length of the 3rd. A small gap that would take about 2 teeth is
followed by a series of small isodont teeth numbering 19 to 20.
The Dhaman — Zaocys viucosus (Linnc).
This species 88 of which were acquired is a fairly common snake even
at 6,000 feet elevation. It is probable a very much larger number would
have been sent me had I not stipulated that such a bulky snake was not to
be included. Nearly all the specimens sent me were in consequence quite
young.
Food. — I remarked in my popular article in this Journal dealing with
this snake that it was a gourmand with very varied tastes. This is fidly
borne out by these specimens. One had eaten a mouse, four others frogs,
too digested to recognise, one a single l.valus, one four Ixalus, and another
six l.valus. One contained an Lialus rariabilis, and a skink of the genus
Maburia. Another had swallowed a Bufo melanostictus, and a lizard of the
genus Lyyosoma.
Breediny. — There are no breeding events to chronicle, but a female o
feet 10 inches in length, and in a very emaciated condition was killed in
Coonoor on the 27th of June with a large swelling that proved to be an
vinfertilised egg. This measured 2| inches in length, and 1 inch in breadth,
and weighed just under ^ of an ounce. The hatching season in these Hills
is evidently in the early months of the year probably March to May as may
be judged by the dimensions of specimens brought in, coupled with the
fact that this species is known to be about 14^ to 16^ inches when emerg-
ing from the egg. Young of the year measuring 19f to 20^ inches (4)
were captured in June, 17^ to 20f inches (9) in July, 18 to 23 inches (19)
in August, and 18f to 22 inches (6) in September.
The Trinket Snake — Coluber helena (Daudin).
One of the snakes called " kattu viriyan" (meaning "banded snake'") by
the Tamils. The total for this species was 107. it does not appear to
favour an altitude above about 5,000 feet.
Sexes. — Of those in which sex is recorded 26 were S and 18 $ .
Food. — There were surprisingly few that had recently fed. A mouse had
been swallovved by four examples, and masses of hair were found in the
cloaca of a fifth. A frog of the genus I.ralus constituted the meal in one
case.
Breediny. — No single 2 showed any enlargement of the ovarian follicles.
This may be accounted for possibly by my asking those helping me not to
put large snakes into the tins supplied, as they take up so much room and
expend so much spirit.
COLLECTION OF SNAKES IK THE NILGIKl HILLS. •'367
Growth. — Five young of the year ranging between 13 and lo^ inches
were included in July, sixteen between 18 and 17 \ inches in August, and
one 15| inches in September. Eleven other examples measuring from 20
to 23 inches were obviously last year's broods. Fourteen others from 30
to 39 inches seem to represent the progeny of the year before last. My
largest was a 5 48^ inches in length.
Parasites. — Scarlet mites had attached themselves to two specimens,
probably the same species already reported with reference to Lycodon
travanco7'icu>t, and Macropisthodon plumbicolor.
Lepidosis. — The labials were 10 in one example with the .5th, 6th and 7th
touching the eye. In one the 5th to the 9th subcaudals were entire.
One large specimen captured alive proved a very truculent creature to
deal with. It buried its teeth in the butterfly net used to encompass its
capture, and then got itself tied up in the net in a hopeless muddle.
Dentition. — The maxilla carries from 19 to 25 teeth, the palatine 10 to 14,
the pterygoid 15 to 26 (? 30) and the mandible 22 to 30.
The Indian Bronze-backed Tree Snake — Dendrelaphis tristis (Daudin).
It is singular that this species which is so aljundant in the Plains only
furnished 6 representatives and it seems probable that they were from
slopes below about 3,000 feet.
Sexes.- — Three were c? and 3 $ .
food. — A frog of the genus Lialus had been swallowed on two
occasions.
Lepidosis. — The costals in all the S reduced to 9 posteriorly, and in all
the 2 to 11. The ventral count for the d" was 179 to 181, and the $ 174
to 180. The subcaudal count for the S was 133 to 159 and for the 2 145
to 154.
The Beautiful Kukri Snake — Oligodon venustus (Jerdon).
The 30 specimens procured show that the species favours an altitude
between 5,000 and 6,000 feet and this probably accounts for the relatively
few examples furnished by the Wynaad. It extends up to at least 6,500
feet.
The sexes. — Of 26 sexed, 12 were J and 14 5 .
Food. — Until this holiday in the Nilgris I had failed to discover the diet
of the Kukri snakes as a group.
The few, and very minute teeth in the palatine, and pterygoid bones,
seemed to indicate something peculiar in their choice of food, w-hich I now
find consists of reptilian eggs, frog's eggs, and snails. In two cases the
stomach was distended with a mass of frog"s eggs, in a third there were 16
eggs, and in a fourth 4 eggs, and a snail. In no case was any
vestige of a frog ingested. Eggs of reptiles which may have been either
snakes or lizards wuth soft shells had been eaten by four examples. In two
cases a single egg was found, in one two eggs, and in a third three eggs.
The size of these Avas about the same in each case being about f of an inch
in length. These eggs were invariably flat, and empty, and in some cases
were found embedded in a mass of coagulated yolk, the nature of
which puzzled me till I discovered an egg-case embedded therein. One
specimen had swallowed a snail with a white shell very little damaged. In
another amorphous masses were found of the consistency of a cooked meally
568 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXT'I.
potato, and the nature of the material would have remained unsolved but
for fragments of snail shell adhering. In one such mass small grits and
the remains of insects were discovered evidently the contents of a snail's
stomach.
Breeding. — No gravid 5 came in, but from the measurements of young it
would appear that the season for the appearance of the broods is June, and
the closely preceding months.
Groioth. — One young of the year 4^ inches long reached me in June, and
another 6^ inches long in August. Four other juvenile examples ranging
from 9| to 10-^- inches in August and September, I take to represent last
year's broods. My largest specimens were a $ 19^ inches and a c? 17
inches.
Lepidosis. — I found the loreal shield absent in 11 specimens on both
sides, and in 3 others on one side. The 6th labial failed to touch the
margin of the lip in 17 examples on both sides, and in 2 others on one side.
In one the 6th and 7th labials were completely confluent. The ventral
and subcaudal counts (including 5 J , and 8 $ specimens in the late Mr. C.
Gray's collection) were, ventrals S 142 to 152, 5 152 to 165. Subcaudals
were J 31 to 35, $ 27 to 34.
Dentition. — The maxilla supports 7 to 8 teeth progressively increasing
from before backwards. The palatine has from 1 to 3 very small teeth in
the middle. The pterygoid has from 4 to 8 teeth after an edentulous
anterior space. The mandible has from 9 to II teeth.
The Wynaad Kukri Snake — Oligodon afinis (Gunther).
The Wynaad furnished all my 11 specimens.
Sexes. — Of 9 sexed, 4 were c? and 5 5 .
Grototh. — One example 4 inches long was captured in July. All the
others were adults, the S specimens ranging between 11^ and 12f inches
in length, and the 5 between lOf and 13 inches.
Colour.- — The young specimen was coloured exactly like adults. In
adults the crossbars are narrow and well-defined, and numbered from
33 to 41.
Lepidosis. — Though the loreal is usually wanting I got two examples
with a small loreal on both sides, and one with a loreal on one side. The
labials were constantly 7, the 3rd and 4th touching the eye. The ventrals
in the <S ranged from 135 to 140, and in the 5 from 135 to 141. The
subcaudals in the S were 32 to 34, and in the $ 25 to 28. In at
least 5 examples the costal rows had reduced from 17 to 15 at or before
midbody.
Dentition. — The maxilla bears 17 teeth progressively increasing from
before backwards. The palatine has 1 tooth about its middle. The ptery-
goid has 4 teeth with an edentulous space before them. The mandible
has 8 teeth.
The Common Knkri Snake — Oligodon subgriseus (Dumeril and Bibron).
The total of this species reached 47, and the fact that 41 of these
came from the Wynaad is difficult to explain. It evidently does not come
much above 5,000 feet elevation.
COLLECTION OF SNAKES IN THE NILGIRI HILLS. 569
Se:ies.—Oi the 28 sexed, 10 were d and 18 $.
Breeding. — No female was gravid, but the season for the appearance of
the young can be inferred by the following facts.
In this Journal (Vol. xix, p. 661) I recorded a young one 4*8 inches
long that I thought a hatchling. This was killed in March in Cannanore.
As will be seen below all my young this year taken from June to Septem-
ber were considerably longer, and indicate that they hatched out much
earlier in the year, probably January to March.
looA, — Like venustus its diet consists of lizard's (snake's ?) and frog's
eggs. Four soft-shelled eggs were found in one specimen, about | of an
inch in length, their contents absorbed, and the egg-envelope collapsed.
Another contained a yellow sausage-shaped mass that was almost a
cast of the stomach. It measured 4^ inches and when broken into was
found to contain 5 soft shelled, empty, egg envelopes from f to | inches
in length. These were embedded, and concealed in the coagulated yolk-
mass. A young specimen 6| inches long also contained in its stomach a
mass of coagulated yolk in which one soft-shelled, and empty egg-case
I inch long was embedded. A fourth specimen contained a similar
yolk-mass but no egg envelope was discovered therein. A fifth specimen
contained three very small lizards, the bodies of which measured about
f of an inch, and the tails a similar length. Flocculi of coagulated yolk
adhered to them, and there seems little doubt that the snake had dis-
covered eggs just on the point of hatching, and probably liberated the
occupants in its endeavour to swallow the eggs. A mass of frog's eggs
distended the stomach in one example, with no trace of the frog.
Groioth. — Young of the year were represented as follows : — One 6|
inches long reached me in June, five varying from 6 to 1\ inches in August
and eight measuring from 6g to 9| inches in September. My largest <S
taped 19 2" inches and J 18 inches.
Colour. — The crossbars consisting of more or less confluent quadrimacu-
late parts numbered 16 to 22 on the body, and 3 to 4 on the tail. Dark
variegations are often grouped so as to suggest crossbars in the
intervals.
Lepidosis. — 1 found the loreal absent in one specimen, and two anterior
temporals in another. In one other example the 4th to 8th subcaudals
were entire.
The Western Reed Snake — Ablabes calamaria (Gunther).
Evidently an uncommon snake, only 5 specimens having been acquired.
Four of these were from the Wynaad. There is nothing special to note
since all accord well with Boulenger's description. One specimen 5 inches
long in August had 132 ventrals and 70 subcaudals. In another 8| inches
long, these shields were 139 -f- 57. In a third 8^ inches long 126 -f- 59, in
a fourth J (?) 9| inches 127-1-64, and in a fifth a $ {?) 10\ inches
135+53.
Dentition.— The maxilla bears 24 teeth, the palatine 15, the pterygoid
16, and the mandible 18.
The Brown Tree Snake — Dipsadomorj)lius trigonatus (Schneider).
Only 3 specimens were received, and this being so, it is strange that tw(
of these should have come from such an altitude as Frith Hall Estate
One had swallowed a lizard of the genus Calotes,
570 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HI/ST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
The Hill Tree Snake — ^ Dipsadomorphus ceylonensis (Gunther).
In the paper referred to in the footnote I gave in tabular form a series
of 21 speeimens characterised by costals in midbody 19, ventrals varying
from 214 to 235 and subcaudals 98 to 109. Between 1909 and 1917 I
received from Ceylon and the Hills of South India 11 more specimens with
costals 19, ventrals 209 to 240, and subcaudals 94 to 107. This year I have
acquired 40 more specimens with costals 19, ventrals 214 to 239, and sub-
caudals 94 to 110. In the aggregate then, I have had 72 specimens with
costals 19, ventrals 209 to 240, and subcaudals 94 to 110.
Habitat. — All except seven of these were captured in the Wynaad.
Sexes.— Oi 33 sexed, 19 were $ and 14 2 .
Food. — Frogs had been swallowed by five examples, once a Rana limno-
charis, and twice a species of Lvalus. Seven other specimens had eaten
lizards, three Salea horsfieldi, and one a Calotes versicolor.
Breeding. — In August I got two females in each of which 7 follicles were
impregnated. In September four other females were egg-bound, the
numbers of eggs varying from 5 to 8. These, very elongate in shape,
measured one inch long in a specimen killed during the last ten days of
that month. The prospective dams measured from 321- to 34 inches,
(length of two not recorded), a length it would appear they attain at the
end of the second year of life.
Grorvth. — Three examples in August and September measured from 12^
to 15^ inches, four others from 20 to 26\ inches, 10 others from 31| to 39
inches, and six others from 44|^ to 50^ inches. These various ranges
appear to denote the broods of successive years.
My largest c5' was 50^, and $ 34 inches.
Lepidosis. — In three specimens the scale rows were found in places to be
21 for a brief interval or intervals, but when critically examined it was
found that at these spots the costals remained the same. One or more
shields in succession in the vertebral row were divided into three and
accounted for the increase to 21, and I find this tendency in certain in-
dividuals of all the species of this genus of which I have examined a large
series. Posteriorly the costal rows reduce to 15 with great consistency.
Dentition. — The maxilla in Nilgiri specimens supports from 18 to 20 teeth
followed after a short gap by 2 large, grooved, and obliquely-placed
pseudo fangs. (In Ceylon specimens there are only 14 to 15 teeth ante-
riorly). The palatine has 9 teeth. (In Ceylon specimens 7 to 8). The
pterygoid has 19 ? to 21 teeth (Ceylon specimens 18 to 20). The mandible
holds 25 to 28 teeth (Ceylon specimens 21 to 24).
* In 1909 I published a note in the Records of the Indian Museum (pag-es
1.51 et seq.) upon certain "forms" of Dipsadomorplms. I expressed the view
that ccyZoncjisis (Gunther) as described in Boulenger's Catalog'ue (Vol. iii, i5. (JO)
includes four distinct " forms," and ^ave in tabular form the shield characters
for each upon which reliance is mainly placed in the separation of the species of
this genus. I sufrg'ested that they should each receive recognition as distinct
species. Dr. Annandale in a later issue of the same Journal (Vol. iii, part 111. p.
281) dissented from my views. The conclusions drawn by me from the rather
small series of specimens of each " form "' that I had examined when I wrote the
paper referred to, are completely confirmed by the very much larger material now
available vvith regard to t>vo of those "forms". The others (one from Ceylon,
and one from the Andamans) do not concern us here. The fact that there is some
slight overlapping in the ranges of the ventrals shields does not I think invalidate
the recognition of two distinct " forms " which I still choose to regard as
" species " though I exiject others will not accord to them so exalted a rank.
COLLECTION OF SNAKES IN THE NILGIRI HILLS. 571
Beddom's Tree Snake - Dipsadomorphus nuchalis (Beddome).
In my paper published in the Records of the Indian Museum (see foot-
note to D. ceylonensis I recorded a sequence of 16 examples characterised
by costals i^l in midbody, ventrals 234 to 251, and subcaudals 90 to 108.
Since then I obtained before this year another example with costals 21,
ventrals 244, and subcaudals 108. This year my Nilgiri sojourn furnished
42 others with costals 21 (rarely 23, and once 25 in places), ventrals 233 to
252, and subcaudals 95 to 111. 1 have now therefore seen 59 examples of
a " form " characterised by costals 21 (in places more), ventrals 233 to
242 and subcaudals 90 to 111.
Habitat. — This " form " was most common in the Wynaad, but fairly
abundant on the slopes of the other parts of the Nilgiri District.
Sexes. — Of 25 sexed, 12 were J and 13$ .
Food. — On five occasions frogs were discovered " in gastro " and three
of these were species of Ixalus. Lizards furnished the meal on nine other
occasions, Calotes versicolor twice, and Charasia dorsalis once. Two mice
and the feathers of a bird were found in one stomach, and a single fled-
gling in another.
Breeding. — No gravid $ was included in the total.
Groroth. — August and September furnished eight examples from 13 to
15f inches in length, July four from 20 to 25f inches, July to September
twelve from 28 to 41 inches, and seven from 45 to 50^ inches. These seem
to indicate the broods of successive years. My largest S was 50| inches,
the largest $ 48f inches.
Lepidosis. — As in the previous species I noted the tendency for some
shields in the vertebral row to disintegrate. In one specimen the scales
would be counted as 23 in places, but here the vertebrals were broken up
into the three, and the costal rows remained normal. In another there
were 23 rows in the anterior, and middle parts of the body, the vertebral
splitting in places to make the count 25. Posteriorly the scale rows are
consistently 15.
Dentition. — The maxilla has 14 teeth, followed after a short gap by 2
elongate, grooved, pseudo fangs.
The palatine holds from 6 to 7, the pterygoid 15 to 17, and the mandi-
ble 20 to 23.
Forsten's Tree Snake — Dipsadomorphus forsteni (Dumeril and Bibron).
Only one specimen and that a small one came to hand. It was captured
on Pilloor Estate. This measured 20f inches. The costals were 27 an-
teriorly to well behind midbody, and dropped to 17 two heads length be-
fore the anus. The ventrals were 260, and the subcaudals 109.
Dentition. — The maxilla holds 10 to 12 teeth followed after a short gap
by 2 elongate, grooved, obliquely-set, pseudo fangs. The palatine has 6 to
7 teeth, the pterygoid 9 to 11, and the mandible 17 to 19.
Perrotet's Whip '^usike^ Drifophis peri'oteti (Dumeril and Bibron).
An aggregate of 57 specimens were collected, all from altitudes above
about 5,000 feet.
Sexes. — Of 54 specimens sexed, 25 were S and 29 $ .
The keels are rather more pronounced in males.
Food. — Frogs and lizards form their staple diet. Of frogs 15 examples
contained species of Ixalus (two examples two frogs, and one •xample
three frogs). One other had swallowed a frog too digested to recognise.
Of lizards toll was taken of species of Lygosoma by six specimens
32
o72 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
(one containing two). Once the species was definitely albopunctatus . A
Goiiatodes jerdoni was recognised in one, and a species of Calotes in another.
Breeding. — The season is later than for most other species in these Hills.
Altogether I received nine gravid females which I record in tabular form.
Length of
Nos. of
Date.
dam in
embryos
Remarks.
inches.
or eggs.
20/6 to 10/7
18
•)
Contained one non-fertilised
egg and one sac with an
embryo 5^ inches long.
6 to 12/8
18i
4
Contained small eggs ^ inch
long.
12 to 24/8
17f
2
Follicles distinctly enlarged
to g inch.
1 to 6/9
22
6
Eggs 1 inch long with con-
tents the consistency of a
meally potato.
>?
22f
5
Eggs f inch long.
»
23
10
Sacs f inch long containing
minute embryos.
f>
20
■5
Eggs with no trace of embryos.
}>
20*
5
Eggs 1 inch long.
j>
22
3
Eggs with no trace of embryos.
It will be noticed from this that the majority contained eggs in an early
stage of development as late as September. From analogy I judge that
the young would not have been born till the end of the year, or the begin-
ning of next.
Growth. — I think it will transpire that the embryos measure .5| to about
7 inches at birth, judging from the appearance of the foetus o\ inches in
length. Four specimens varying from 8f to llj inches in September
seem to indicate birth from October last year to March this year.
Twelve examples ranging between 13f and 15| inches, I take to be last year's
production. Females attain a greater length than males. My largest d"
was 20f inches, and no less than eight females exceeded this length, the
largest being 23 inches.
Colour. — The verdant-green hue is to be accounted for in exactly the
same manner as that of the next species.
Lepidosis — The scale rows are 15 to a point well behind midbody, and
reduce to 13 at a point two heads-lengths before the vent. This applies to
both sexes. The ventrals in the cJ were 137 to 142, and in the 2 I'^S to
146. The subcaudals in the c? were 71 to 81, and in the $ 65 to 75.
Green Whip Snake — Dryophis mycterizans (Linne).
eye
Mr. Vernede tells me it is called " kannu pambu " (meaning
snake") by his coolies.
The aggregate totalled 82, mostly from the lower slopes. One killed on
Liddlesdale shows that stragglers may go up to about 6,000 feet.
Sexes. — Of the 73 examples sexed, 43 were c? and 39 5 .
COLLECTION OF SNAKES IN THE NILGIRI HILLS. o73
Food. — Lizards had furnished the meal on six occasions, a Lygosoma
once, a Mabuia once, and Chavasia dorsalis once. Others were too digested
to identify. Frogs had been victimised by five examples, on three occa-
sions a species of Ixaius having been taken. One example had eaten an
Ixalus, and an agamoid lizard. Another had swallowed a good sized snake
of the species Rhinophis sanguineus. The snake was doubled up in the
stomach, and not lying at full length as happens in the case of snakes
victimised by Bungarus and Hemibungarus.
Breeding. — For the number of specimens collected the information derived
is meagre. Only four gravid females were included. One killed between
the 22nd and 25th of August, measuring 4 feet 9 inches, contained 10 eggs
about one inch long with embryos from 2 to 3 inches in length inside. One
killed between the 28th of August, and the 1st of September measuring 5
feet 10 inches, contained 5 eggs about one inch long with small foetuses
inside. One killed between the 1st and the 8th of September, measuring 3
feet 11 inches contained 3 embryos. One of these was 14^ and another
12j inches long, and the third was very much deformed. A fourth example
killed between the 20th and 30th of September, measuring 3 feet 10-| inches,
contained 4 eggs about f of an inch in length. The season for the birth of
the young is evidently between July and December or perhaps even Janu-
ary. This is borne out by a specimen 18^ inches long, being killed in
August, and the fact that one specimen late in Septeniber contained very
immature eggs.
Growth. — Young of the year were not well represented. Three examples
only were acquired, all in August, and these ranged between 15 and 18^
inches. The variation in the length of the young at birth, also that be-
tween the sexes, and the long season for birth make it very difficult
to follow the broods of successive years. However, 20 males ranging
between 39^ and 46f inches, and 14 females varying between 41 and 48f
inches are almost certainly about completing their second year of life, and
it is probable that the 8 males between 23^ and 34 inches represent those
completing their first year of life.
Females acquire a greater length. Thus my largest ^ was 51 inches,
and I had three $ exceeding this, their respective measurements being
56, 57 and 70 inches.
The tail is decidedly longer in the males.
Colours. — 1 made many observations on the colour, and it is a surprising
fact that the very beautiful chlorophyll-green hue is not caused by a green
pigment. The only pigment to be derived from the skin is a fairly bright
yellow. The scales viewed i;nder a good lens are seen to be studded with
minute yellow points. I had frequently noticed that the spirit in which
specimens had been preserved, acquired a yellow tinge and the skins
became more and more bluish. Having carefully washed six freshly-
removed skins with soap and water in my bath, 1 placed these in water
and boiled them . The result was that the skins acquired a bluish tinge,
and a decided yellow tinge was imparted to the water.
As I boiled this away the yellow became more pronounced and I had
great hopes of obtaining a powder eventually. In this however I was
disappointed, as the final stage simply left the tin coated with a thickish
varnish of yellow. This I had great difficulty in dissolving again, trying
chloroform, ether, and rectified spirit cold, and brought to the boiling point.
Finally a 70 per cent, boiling solution of rectified spirit proved successful.
The skin is really a light blue, and the minute peppering with yellow pig-
ment produces the green eft'ect. Some specimens are more heavily pig-
mented than others, and correspondingly more of a yellowish-green. If one
574 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
examines the scales on the throat one frequently sees patches of a beauti-
ful Cambridge-blue, owing to the usual yellow pigment seen elsewhere happen-
ing to be wanting. Again in the overlapped portions of the dorsal scaling
especially in the forebody the colour is seen to be Cambridge-blue, the
yellow pigment here also being absent. The flank line too if examined will
be seen devoid of blue, and is therefore either quite white, or when pig-
mented a bright, pure yellow.
When the skin is stripped, small white lines from the inside aspect of the
skin are seen in echelon, forming chevrons with the apices directed back-
wards thus, and these marks
are found to correspond with the overlapped Cambridge-blue edging of the
costal scales. An uninterrupted well-detined white line is also seen on the
inside of the skin corresponding to the outwardly visible flank line. Now
it is interesting to note further that the beautiful blue referred to is also
not due to a pigment. It is to be accounted for by a peculiarity inherent
in the skin itself. This on the inner side is heavily impregnated with
black pigment, and the colourless, translucent, epithelium covering it reflects
the blue of sunlight from its minute particles, whilst absorbing all the other
colours.
Lepidosis. — It is curious that I found that the scale rows which are 15 to
well behind midbody, reduce to 11 in males, with one exception. In females
however it reduced to 13 only, with the exception of five specimens.
The ventrals in the <^ were 172 to 182, and in the $ 170 to 182. The
subcaudals in the J were 148 to 170, and in the 2 132 to 144.
The Brown Whip Snake — Dryophis pulvendentus (Dumeril and Bibron).
This proves to be a much more uncommon species than I had previously
supposed, only two specimens being procured.
One c? was 54^ inches long, the tail accounting for 22^ inches. The
ventrals were 191 and the subcaudals also 191. The 2 example measured
571^ inches of which the tail accounted for 23 inches. The ventrals were
190, and the subcaudals 181. The tail of a skink probably a Mabuia was
found in the stomach.
As far as 1 am aware this has not previously been reported from the
Nilgiri Hills.
Dentition. — The maxilla supports anteriorly 5 small teeth, followed by 2
large and subequal teeth fully twice the length of the preceding. After a
gap that would take about 3 teeth, there is a series of 5 to 6 quite small
teeth succeeded by 2 large, grooved, subequal, pseudo fangs about thrice
the length of the immediately preceding array. The palatine has 9 teeth,
and the pterygoid 19 to 22. The mandible has anteriorly 5 teeth progres-
sively increasing in length, followed by a gap that would take about 4 teeth,
after which there is an array of from lo to I'J small teeth.
The Golden Tree Snake — Chryyiopelea ornata (Shaw).
Seven specimens only were received, all of the variety figured in my
popular article on this snake. (Vol. xviii, opposite page 228, figures 1 to
4.)
COLLECTION OF SNAKES IN THE NILQIRI HILLS. 575
The vermilion vertebral spots were obolescent in some, faint in others,
and bright in others in the anterior part of the body especially.
Food. — One had swallowed a lizard of the species (lonatodes jerdoni ( ).
Groxoth. — One measuring 11^ inches was evidently this year's production.
Two measuring 25 and 26| inches were obviously last year's progeny.
The largest was a $ 47^ inches in length.
Lipidosis. — The ventrals ranged between 216 and 228, and the subcaudals
from 119 to 140. The last ventral as is usual was billdlike the anal.
Sub-Family Elapin.e.
The Common Krait — Bungancs cferuleus (Schneider).
Only 5 examples were acquired and all from the Wynaad, It would
appear from this that the species does not ascend these Hills to the same
level as in the Western Himalayas where 1 have had specimens up to
5,000 feet.
Selves. — Four were of the § and one of the d" sex.
Food. — All the three young examples had fed on Typhlops which appear-
ed to me to be the species fletcheri. The largest of these Typhlops was
5f inches long.
Growth. — One killed in August measuring 12} inches was this year's
hatchling. Two others 16^ and 17^ inches, I think are probably this
year's hatchlings also.
The Cobra — Naia tripudians (Merrem).
Twelve examples were acquired. These were all light specimens with a
well-defined binocellus on the hood conforming to forma iypica.
Food. — A small example 16-^ inches in length had eaten a young snake
of the species Zaocys 7nucosus.
Groivth. — -Specimens of 14, 14^, 15f and 16 inches were, I think, hatched
out this year.
The Hamadryad — Naia /miifjarus (Schlegel).
Two young specimens came to hand, both 1 think just hatched, and
being encountered together on the same day (between the 25th and 27th
of August) probably of the same brood.
Colour. — They were both as black as an ordinary krait (Bunyarus c(e-
ruleus) with very similar pure white bands numbering in one example .32,
and in the other 36 on the body, and 12 and 11 respectively on the tail.
The head was black with the tip of the snout white, a white transverse
band across the prsef rentals, an interrupted, narrow band just behind the
eyes from which two white stripes converged backwards where they
almost met a similar white oblique stripe on the neck. On the belly
plumbeous replaces the black of the dorsum, and this gets darker poste-
riorly till beneath the tail, the bands are quite as black below as above.
Size. — One measured 20f, and the other 20|- inches.
Lepidosis.—The ventrals in the former were 241, and in the latter 289.
The subcaudals in the former were 85, the Ist to 18th, 25th, o7th to
40th entire ; in the latter 37, the 1st to ]5th, 19th to 22nd, 29th and 30th
entire. The costals are, as I have always found them, 19 over the middle
of the hoods, two heads-lengths behind the head 17, at midbody 15. and
two head-lengths before the anus 15. The vertebral row is slightly
enlarged.
576 JOURNAL, BOMB AY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
1 came across one largish specimen while butterfly catching on the
ghat road at about 2,500 feet elevation. My attention was arrested by
what I took to be a very loud hissing, and as 1 looked round I saw a
large, blackish snake about 20 yards away, through a window in the
foliage that allowed me to see it, without my attracting its attention.
It was moving extremely slowly up a five foot bank on the cart road, and
I must have had a good 31) seconds to observe it. 1 should judge it at
about 9, perhaps 10 feet, and as it dilated its hood very distinctly, in
response to the agitated gibberings of a squirrel {Funambidus striatus) in
the twigs of a lantaaa bush above it, there can be little doubt about its
identity. The noise 1 took to be a prodigious hissing proved to be the
scoldings of a magpie robin (Copsi/chus sauluri-<i) that was perched in
the lantana thicket. With only a butterfly net at my command I gave
the snake a wide berth.
Dentition. — The maxilla supports 3 teeth behind the fangs. The palatine
teeth number 7 to 9, the pterygoid 10 to 14, and the mandible 14 to 16.
The Striped Coral Snake — Hemibungarus nigrescens (Gunther).
The 58 representatives of this species show that it inhabits a belt between
about 3,000 and 7,000 feet elevation. Four came from over 6,500 feet.
Sexes.— Ot 39 sexed, 27 were J and 12 $ .
Disposition. — It appears to be a very quiet, and inoffensive snake. A
friend of mine encountered one on the road towards Lamb's Rock (Circa
6,000 feet). It made no attempt to escape but crawled slowly along with-
out showing any alarm. He walked right up to it, and finally killed it.
Such a nature would account for the character of its diet, for in every case
where it had fed the snake victimised was one of the most inoflfensive and
slowly moving species.
J/ood. — It is entirely ophiophagous in habit. A Plectrurus perroteti had
been swallowed on five occasions, a Xylophis perroteti on four others.
Silybura ocellata had furnished the repast on two occasions, and Silt/bum
brevis on one other, A yielanophidium wynadense had been victimised once.
Typhlops provided the meal on three occasions, a specimen of beddomi once,
and what appeared to he Jletcheri twice. In every case the snake swallowed
was lying at full length within, and in the case of large specimens these
extended forwards into the gullet.
Breeding. — No single $ had follicles fertilised. Three specimens in the
late Mr. Gray's collection were gravid, measuring respectively 25^, 26 and
26| inches, and contained 4, 3 and 6 eggs, respectively. It is evidently
not prolilic. The lengths cited above point to sexual maturity at the end
of the second year of life. The eggs were in every case too small to expect
an embryo to be visible and none could be discovered.
Growth. — Youne of the year were represented in specimens measuring
from 9 ^s to 9f inches (3) in July, from 8J to 9f (6) in August, and
from 9 to 11 1 inches (5) in September. A young one in the late Mr. Gray's
collection taped 8| inches. A further series of 10 specimens ranging
between 17| and '2S^ inches evidently represents last year's production,
and another series of 14 between 30 and 38^ inches appear to be the
preceding year's progeny. The season for the appearance of the young
is probably from May to August. My largest $ was 31^ inches, and 1
had six J exceeding this measurement. My largest was 40^ inches, and
I believe a d" • (Ventrals 240 and subcaudals 37).
Colour. — I would place all the examples with Boulenger's variety " B."
I noticed that in the young the colour is chestnut (as applied to a horse).
The black stripes are well defined and bordered with beaded, white lines.
COLLECTION OF SNAKES IN THE NILGIRI HILLS. o77
As it attains maturity the light ground colour darkens, till in adult life the
whole dorsum is blackish. The stripes — in all cases five — were still indi-
cated by interrupted white lines for a variable extent anteriorly, but these
became obsolescent, or completely lost posteriorly in many specimens. The
belly was a most beautiful rose-pink which viewed through a less appears
perfectly smoothly diffused. In young specimens the belly was white or
faintly pink, and the intensity of this hue appears to increase with age.
In some examples the belly was mottled with blackish tones.
Lepidosis. — The ventrals in the c? ranged between 230 and 252, and in
the 2 from 230 to 239. The subcaudals in the c? were 37 to 44 and in
the 2 30 to 36.
Dentition. — The maxilla supports from 3 to 4 (usually 3) teeth behind the
fangs. The palatine teeth number 8 to 11, the pterygoid 5 to 8, and the
mandibular 9 to 10.
Bibron's Coral Snake. — Callophis bibroni (Jan.)
A solitary specimen of this very rare species was acquired from the
Wynaad and that a young one only 8f inches in length. The ventrals were
219, and the subcaudals 35. It was flesh coloured with 33 complete black
bands on the body and 6 on the tail. These are narrower than the inter-
vals costally, but by an expansion vertebrally about the same breadth.
There was a broad, white, parieto-occipital band on the head divided mesi-
ally by a black line. The head otherwise was black.
J3oulenger in his Catalogue (Vol. Ill, p. 396) says among other generic
features that this genus has no teeth in the maxilla. As a matter of fact
he is in error for that remark only applies to the species jnacclellandi.
In my skulls of maculiceps and trimaculatus there are 2 to 3 postmaxillary
teeth, and in two bibroni that I have examined 1 (dubiously 2).
Family 9 VIPERIDM.
Sub-Family Vipebin^.
Russell's Viper. — Vipera russelli (Shaw).
Twenty-eight specimens were brought in, nearly all young. This is
probably due to my asking those collecting not to send in large specimens.
Food. — No less than ten young of the year were distended with their
prey, a mouse being found in the stomach in every case. In five others
packs of hair were found in the stomach of the cloaca.
Growth. — Young of the year were represented by 10 individuals in July,
measuring from 9f to 12^ inches, 7 in August varying from 10 to 12|
inches, and 2 in September measuring 13J and 13| inches respectively.
Poifoning .—M.X . Vernede had a cooly woman bitten by a large example
judged to be 5 feet in length. In 10 minutes from the casualty she was
brought in a comatose state for treatment, and within 15 minutes of the
accident was dead. This is a very good example of what frequently
occurs. The woman was bitten by a j.oisonous snake, but did not die of
snake poisoning. Death from this toxaemia takes many days, often a week.
She died of syncope from fright.
The Saw-scaled Viper. — Echis carinatus (Schneider).
Only 5 examples were brought in, all from Pilloor Estate. It is evident
that this species which is so common in the plains rarely comes above
3,000 feet. The markings in all were remarkable for their rusty tones
dorsally and ventrally.
One had swallowed a Scolopendrum.
.>78 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL RLST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Sub-Family Crotalin^.
Millard's Hump-nosed Viper. — Ancistrodon millardi (Wall).
Eleven specimens of this species described by me in this Journal in
1908 (Vol. XVIII, page 792) were sent in, all from Pilloor Estate.
Sexes. — Of 6 sexed, 4 were S and 2 5 •
Food. — A lizard had been swallowed in two instances, one juvenile
specimen of (6\ inches length having taken a Charnsia dorsalis. One adult
contained a mouse, and in another a wad of hair was protruding from the
cloaca.
Growth. — My smallest was a S i^-) 6j inches long in July. My largest cT
was 15^, and 2 15 inches.
Lepidosis. — The head shielding is wonderfully consistent. The frontal is
invariably disintegrated with 3 small scale-like parts anteriorly, and one
large entire part posteriorly. The boss <in the snout is slight, and has few
small scales upon it (4 or 6). The 2nd labial does not enter the loreal pit
in any specimen. The ventrals in the c^ were 40 to 43, and in the 2 30
to 34.
Dentition. — The maxilla holds 2 fangs. The palatine teeth number 4
(dubiously 3 in one specimen), the pterygoid 13 to 16, and the mandible
1 () to 19.
The Horseshoe Pit Viper. — Lachesis stviyata (Gray).
The total for this species was 48. I think it occurs at an altitude only
above 5,000 feet and one specimen obtained at Avalanche was killed at a
height estimated at about 7,000 feet.
Sexes. — ^Of 37 sexed, 17 were cJ , and 20 2 .
Food. — Those that had recently fed were found to have swallowed mice
and frogs. Once a snake had been devoured. Adults seem to favour a
murine diet, five having eaten mice, and another contained a mass of hair.
One had eaten an Ixalus. A half grown example had eaten some species
of frog. Two young ones had fed on species of Lvalus, and one other 8^
inches long had made a meal of a snake of the species Fleet rwus per roteti.
Breeding. — No single 2 showed any enlargement of the ovarian follicles.
The season for the appearance of the young judging from its congener
anamallensis will probably prove to be the early months of the year.
Growth. — Five specimens between 7\ and 8f inches long in August and
September, I take to be the fruits of last year's mating produced early this
year. Adults usually attain a length of from 14 to 16 inches. I received
one 18 inches long, one 2 18, and two 2 19 inches long.
Lepidosis. — The costal rows were always 21 to a point well behind mid-
body, and reduced to 17 at a point two heads-lengths before the anus.
The ventrals in the J were 137 to 141, and in the 2 137 to 142. The sub-
caudals in the J were 36 to 42, and in the 2 32 to 35. In one the 3rd
Hubcaudal was entire.
Dentition.— Th.e maxilla has a pair of fangs. The palatine teeth number
5 or 6, the pterygoid 10, and the mandible 12.
The Green Pit Viper. — Lachesis f/raminea (Shaw).
I acquired 22 of this common species, the majority (17) coming from the
Wynaad.
Sexes. — Of those sexed, 7 were S and 6 2 •
Colour. — With reference to what has been said about the verdant-green
colouration of Dryophis mycterizans I find that in this species also there is
a yellow pigment overlying the blue beneath. Under a lens I can see no
COLLECTION OF SNAKES IN THE NILGIRI HILLS. 679
minute spots of pigment, but the yellow is evenly laid on like a varnish
except where the scales overlap, and here the blue is cserulean. On the
last row of scales the yellow is laid on very thickly giving a bright yellow
eftect, the blue beneath being entirely masked.
Food. — Mice were victimised by six specimens. In the case of a young
specimen 9^ inches long, a frog of the genus Iialus had been eaten.
Breeding. — No $ showed any sign of enlarged follicles, which makes it
probable that the birth of young occurs at much the same season as in the
next species.
Growth. — Four examples measuring from 8^ to 9^ inches in August and
September were probably born early this year. Five specimens between
lof and 16f inches I think represent the young of the preceding year.
My largest c? was 20| and my largest § 24^ inches.
Lepidosis. — The ventrals ranged between 148 and 165, and the sub-
caudals from 45 to 63. In one the 2nd to 6th, 30th, 33rd to 35th, 37th to
39th, 41st to 48th, 57th and 60th were entire.
Dentition. — The maxilla holds a pair of fangs. The palatine teeth
number 3 to 5, the pterygoid 10 to 14, and the mandible 10 to 13.
The Anamallay Pit Viper. — Lachesis anamallensis (Gunther).
This species yielded no less than 193 specimens, and it would appear to
be the commonest snake in the Wynaad, Mr. Wapshare alone sending me
in 143. It favours a belt between about 3,000 and 5,000 feet, and evi-
dently does not come much above the latter limit.
Sexes. — Of 62 sexed, 34 proved to be J and 28 9 .
lood. — A large number had recently fed and were enormously distend-
ed in many cases. Kats and mice appeal to the gastronomic tastes of
adults, small frogs and lizards to that of the juvenile ranks At least 4
had eaten rats, and 27 mice. Packs of hair were found in the stomach,
intestines, or cloacee of many others. A large lizard Calotes versicolor
was removed from one adult. Young between 8 and 14 inches had taken
small frogs on six occasions, a Lyyosoma once, and another small lizard on
another occasion. The species obviously plays a considerable part in keep-
ing down the numbers of murine vermin.
Breeding. — I received 5 gravid specimens, and in each case the cyoesis
was in a very early stage. One 24| inches in length between the 25th
July and 3rd of August contained 8 small, spherical, and enlarged
follicles about | of an inch in diameter. Another between the same dates
measuring 19^ inches, showed 3 follicles in about the same stage. One
between the 9th and 16th of September contained 8, and another 6
enlarged, spherical follicles about f of an inch in diameter. A fifth mea-
suring 28;^ inches between the 20th and 30th of September, showed 16
follicles enlarged to about f of an inch in diameter. The lengths of two
of these were not recorded, but the series shows what 1 have on previous
occasions drawn attention to, viz., that with snakes as a general rule the
older the snake the more prolific its tendencies. It is not likely that any
of these would have produced their broods before about February or
March next year.
The season for the birth of the young is between February and August.
The gravid $ 19i inches long points to sexual maturity at the end of the
second year of life.
Growth. — A specimen 6f inches long in August was obviously but recent-
ly born. One 9^ inches long killed between the 25th of July and 3rd of
August, and two specimens 8| and 9| inches long in August, I reckon,
were born in February and March this year, assuming that the growth in
this species is as E have found it in so many other species, where the young
33
580 JOURNAL. BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
just about double their length in the first year of life. Six examples in
July ranging between 12 and 13 inches must have been born about last
July. Similarly 8 specimens in August between 12 and 14^ inches in July
and August last year. Two more measuring 13|^ and 15 inches in Sep-
tember would also point to birth in or before August last year.
My largest d" was 25 inches. No less than ten $ equalled or exceeded
this measurement, my largest being 28;^, 29^, 29^, 29^ and 33 inches.
Parasites. — One specimen had an unusually large nematode worm in the
intestine measuring 3^ inches.
Colon?', — The variation in the light tones is extreme. Every shade of
dirty yellow tinged with green, and different intensities of green being seen
in different individuals. Again the darker tones vary from a light brown
through every shade to black, and the degree of variegation also varies
enormously. Many specimens might have been taken for a dead stick,
and some showed a remarkable resemblance to a dead stick covered with
lichen.
Lepidosis. — I only examined this critically in a limited number of speci-
mens, but I found 19 scale rows in four of these. The ventrals in the c?
were 143 to 154, and in the $ 137 to 148. The subcaudals were 52 to 61
in the S and 49 to 54 in the $ . In one the 6th to 9th were entire.
Dentition. — The maxilla carries a pair of fangs. The palatine teeth
number 4 to 6, the pterygoid 15 to 19, and the mandibular 13 to 16.
I think it will add to the interest of this paper to give a list of all the
snakes that are known to inhabit the Nilgiris, and Wynaad, including
with them all the species known to inhabit the South Indian Plains, since
most of the latter are to be met with in the Hills up to 2,000 and 3,000 feet,
and some even up to 6,000 and 7,000 feet.
1 have made the list in the form of a key which will, I think, facilitate
the identification of the species to be met with.
I have eliminated from the list for reasons cited below species which
have been incorrectly reported from the area under discussion.
In a previous number of this Journal (Vol. XVIII, p. 782) I showed good
reason to doubt many of the localities attached to specimens collected
by the late Colonel Beddome, and presented by him to the British and
Indian Museums, and the collection now under review substantiates the
doubts previously expressed.
In the note referred to I showed that no less than eight species which are
well known from Bengal, Burma, and Tenasserim are recorded from the
Hills of S. India on the sole authority of Beddome. These are (1) Tropi-
donotus parallelus, (2) T. subminiatus, (3) T. himalayanus, (4) Lycodon jara,
(5) Simotes splendidus, (6) S. Octolineatus, (7) Dendrelaphis caudolineatus and
(8) Bungarus fasciatus. To this formidable list should also be added (9)
Dendrophis pictus. As was to be expected no specimen of any of these
species were brought in this year.
Simotes splendidus. — This species described by Gunther in 1875 from a
single specimen presented to the British Museum by Beddome, and labelled
" Wynaad " in his own handwriting remained the only known specimen for
many years. In 1899 Colonel Evans and I recorded it (dubiously owing to
the previously reported locality) from Sagaing, Upper Burma (Vol. XIII,
p. 537 of this Journal). Colonel Evans later (Vol. XVI, p. 362) reported
two more from Burma, one from the Ruby Mines District and the other
from Yamethin District. I threw doubts on the locality of the type speci-
men (Vol, XVIII, p. 782). Later I recorded another from Kyaukse,
Upper Burma. (Record of Ind. Mus, Vol. II, p. 105). Since then I have
examined two more specimens from Burma, precise locality not recorded.
In the meantime no other example has been discovered in the Wynaad.
COLLECTION OF SNAKES IN THE NILGIRI HILLS.
581
Simotes beddomi. — The remarks made under the last-named species lead me
to think that the types of this species also collected by Beddome, and
presented to the British Museum, and labelled " Wynaad " have the
locality incorrectly recorded. These specimens appeared to me typical of
S. theobaldi a snake I was very familiar with in Burma. I examined the
types of S. beddomi beside specimens of >S'. theobaldi, and could discover no
difference (see Vol, XXIII, p. 170 of the Journal).
The evidence of inaccuracy in Beddome's records is so convincing that
one is justified in doubting all his other S. Indian records of locality that
have not up to the present time been confirmed by other observers. Ac-
cordingly in my key to the species I attach an asterisk to all those whose
locality rests on the sole authority of Beddome.
Zaocys dhumnades. — A specimen of this Chinese snake is in the British
Museum labelled "Deccan" on the authority of the late Colonel Sykes.
Boulenger's Catalogue, Vol. I, p. 376. This is obviously another flagrant
error in habitat.
Cerberus rhynchops. — The British Museum has a specimen of this snake
labelled " Nilgiris " on the authority of Theobald (Boulenger's Catalogue,
Vol. Ill, p. 17). This is without doubt another error, for this snake is a
denizen of tidal rivers only.
Key to Families.
Ventrals not enlarged. — Anal divided into 3 or 4. Eye
immobile beneath shields. Pupil round . .
Ventrals enlarged but not twice last costal. — Anal divid-
ed into 2 ; twice breadth of ventrals. Eye immobile, and
in one shield (except Platyplectrurus), Pupil round
Ventrals 2 to 2J times breadth of last costal row. — Anal
divided into 3 ; as broad as ventrals. Eye mobile, and
surrounded by many shields. Pupil vertical. Costal
rows more than 40 . .
Ventrals 7Hore than 3
or divided ; as broad
many shields. Pupil
40. Two pairs of sublinguals
Ventrals more than 3 times last costal roiv. — Anal entire ;
as broad as ventrals. Eye surrounded by many shields.
Pupil vertical. Costal rows less than 40. One pair of
times last costal roio. — Anal entire
as ventrals. Eye surrounded by
variable. Costal rows less than
sublinguals
Typhlopidce.
Uropeltidce.
BoidcB,
Colubrid<e.
Viperidcs.
Key to Typhlopidce.
a
ai
O
"3
a
a
o
Suture nbc
nostril
ve
Suture
below
nostril.
c3
<0
O
tn -•
— "
O O
6
_c3
"3
o
O
•2 ^
S2
a
.2
a
8
3 P
rt
o
o
o
>A^
m'"
'A
ft
O
H
t^
-I
Name ot species.
1
18
round.
yes
• •
yes
2
18
yes
yes
3
20
yes
yes
4
20
yes
yes
..
5
20
yes
• .
yes
6
SO
yes
. •
yes
7
28 to 34
beaked.
-•
yes
• •
jes
30
I
L
SO
y.4
35
1
as
%
Typhlops porrectas,
„ teflilomi.
„ limbricki.
„ braminus.
(N),(W) Typhlops /e««fter«.
qN) ,, thU'-stonK
„ aoutas.
JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVL
Key to Uropeltidce.
Costal tows.
"C
v
s
o
J3
.2
A
m
w
M
J3
.a
t»
bo
a
n
O
©
a
-a
'O
o
■73 ,j;
IM
4=
IM
o
8
13
15
13
9
13
15
13
10
13
15
15
11
13-15
15
15
12
15?
15
15
13
15?
15
15
14
17
17
17
11
17
17
17
16
17
17
17
17
17(19)
17(19)
17(19)
18
19
15
15
+
+
+
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
SnoiU.
o
ft
a
"o
o
a
o
M
o
>
13
Name of species.
many
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
175
to 185
163
— J98
188
— 200
152
— 165
171
— 175
164
— 177
liO
— 150
120
— 146
144
— 172
193
— 231
182
- 214
10 to
15 —
15 —
7 -
10 —
8 —
5 —
8 —
6 —
6 —
5 —
15
18
17
12
12
12
9
12
10
a
10
(W) MelanopMdium wynci'
dense.
„ punctaium.
(W) „ bilineatum.
Plectrurus perroteti.
I
•(N)
•(W)
OUentherl,
aureus.
* (W) Platyineetrurus san-
flidneuii,
HUybura hrevis,
„ ellioU.
,. ozellata.
Rhinophin xanguineus .
I
Ket/ to Boidre.
t^
>«
o
Si
13
|3
Name of species.
s
ED
cu
^
o
w
TS
^
h«
tS
3
ai
£.
•«^
-^
.2
o
o
d
m
O
>
m
19
40 to
49
162 to 136
17 to 24
Eryx conicus-
20
56 —
65
192 - 210
25 — 36
„ johni.
21
Gl —
75
242 — 265
60 — 72
Python molurus.
COLLECTION OF SNAKES IN THE NILGIRI HILLS.
583
Key to Coluhridce.
Costal rows.
© a;
03 fi
in l«
-d
o
IS
en c8
S °
bo
>
O
^3
Labials,
60
"3
O
C! CO
S O
3 tu
0-"
:3
Si
3
0*
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
4:!
43
44
45
46
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
E8
59
60
13
13
13
13
13
15
li)
]S
16
15
15
15
15
15
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
1?
19
19
19
19
19
19
21
21
21
23
(23
\K
(i\
<23
(25
ni
<23
*.25
13
13
13
13
13
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
17
17
17 or 15
17 or 15
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
19
19
19
19
19
19
21
21
23
23
23
25
2i
25
27
23
25
27
13
13
13
13
13
llor9
11 or 9
13 or 11
13 or 11
13 or 11
15
15
15
16
15
14 to 12
13
15
15
15
15
No.
Yes,
Slightly.
No.
J)
Yes.
No.
63
25
ab
27
out
15
15
15
15
17
17
15
17
17
17
17
17
15
15
17
15
19 or 17
20 or 19
17
19
21
J7
19
21
Yes.
No.
100
17
Yes.
Ko.
]■•
> ,,
Yes.
No
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
3 to 5
1
lorO
0
1
1
1
2
1
1
Oor 1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
rd..th.
34
34
34
34
34
45 or 56
45U
45
J5
J5
34
34
34
34
34
—5
456 or 66
34
34
345
345
345
345
34
34 or 4
345 or
456
3
345
56
345
456
34
345
456
345
45
345
345
a 45
0
|56
34
0
34
45
56
67
345
450
many
0
ta. th.
45
56
567
56
56
789
78
67
67
56
56
56
56
58
567
156 or567
78 or 678
56
56
67
67
67
67
56
6 01-7
78
5
67
78
67
58
56
67
78
67
678
£7
67
567
698
86
Round.
Vertical,
Round.
Horizon-
tal.
Round.
130 to 147
200 „ 243
218
228
Vertical.
Round.
Vertical.
Round.
Vertical.
•Round.
222
163
174
135
169
180
158
164
200
127
215
180
200
138 :
129 ,
17« ,
175 ,
14t ,
189 ,
167 ,
145 .
151 ,,
206 ,
„ 252
» 266
„ 226
„ 200
.. 188i
,,147
,, 203
„ 212
„21S
„ 173
„ 218
„ 163
, 262|
, 2131
, 238!
, 162
, 142
, 224
, 202
, 189
, 202
202
151
225
215
67
78
Vertical.
n
Round.
Vertical.
Round.
Vertical,
209 to 240
125 ., 162
152
161
131
120
134
129
207
248
197
170
133
141
200
254
, 145
157
, 256
266
225
200
156
183
265
207
J2
3
Name ot specie
17 to 39
65 „ 88
S2
24,
25
113
117
68
136 ,
146 ,
, <4
85
, 39
, 146
124
84
174
207
2
34
2
25
1
38
2
64
1
80
2
95
2
100
2
28
2
23
2
56
1
56
2
1
2
2
1
1
many
34
64
41
30
» 36
„ 29
1.50
„ 76
„ 117
,, 146
,> 144
,, 36
„ 36
„ J*o
„76
„ 66
„74
„ 69
„ 34
Xylophls per)-ot<-tl.
Dryocalamus nyni
pha.
Ilemihangavus nig-
restens.
Callophis trlmacu-
latus.
Callophis bibroni.
Dendrelaptiiatristis.
Dendroyhis gran-
clocuUs.
Dryophis perroteH
mycterU
47 „ 76
68 „ 73
94 to 111
70
62
46
80
55
76
93
77
89
92
85
95
113 „ 129
73
52
49
34
74
lOi
92
65
72
50
96
131
II
saws,
Dryophis pulveru-
lentus.
Oligodon subgrisens.
„ brevicauda
BungaruBcaaruleus.
Ablates calamaria,
Naia bungarus.
Zaocys mucosus.
Chrysopelea ornata
OUgodan venusUis
, afflnis,
Lycbdon aalieus.
,, travancoru
r.us.
Lycodon striatus<.
,, anamallen-
xis.
Simotes arnensis.
Gerardia prevos-
tiana.
Polyodontophis sub-
punrtatux,
Rhabdops oUvacens,
Dipsadom or ph us
Cfylonensis.
Tropidonotus pisca-
tor.
I, heddomi.
, stolatus.
„ vionticola
Helicops schistosus.
Dipsadom o r p h u s
trigonatus.
Dipsadom o r p h u s
nuchalis.
Zamenis fasciolatus.
Naia tripudians.
Cerberus rhynchoiw
Macrop i sth odon
plumbicolor.
Coluber Helena,
Dipsadom o r p h us
forsteni.
Chersydrus granu.
latus.
584 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Key to Viperidce.
a
a
■c
Costal rows
"O
>
en
OD
•a
^ ID
BO =8
tea
""2
•a
a a
'2 o
to
g
a
a
a
O
s
Name of species.
e4
65
66
67
68
69
17
17
17
136 to 152
30 to 44
Divided.
21
21
15
187 „ 175
55 „ 76
ti
21
21
15
138 .. 158
43 „ 63
•»
21
21 (23)
17 or 15
134 „ 145
31 „ 40
)1
27 to 29
29 to S 1
23 to 21
154 ,, 180
43 „ 64
3?
23 to 29
29 to 31
27 to 21
132 „ 192
21 .. 48
Entire.
Ancistrodon m'.llardi.
Laehesis graminecn.
,, anamaUenete.
,, strigaia.
Vipera rusaelli.
Echis carinatus.
Footnote to Key.
* Implies that the locality rests solely on Beddome's authority and therefore
calls for confirmation.
W. Implies has only been recorded from the Wynaad.
N. Implies has only been recorded from the Nilgiris.
No. 9. Melanophidmm fwictatum so far as I know has not been recorded from
the Nilgiris or Wynaad, but is to be expected, as specimens from the Hills south
of this area have been recorded, and I in this Journal (Vol. XXIII, p. 377) men-
tioned one found at Tolwadi in the Hills North of this area.
No. 47. Polyodontophis siibpimctatus has not been actually recorded from the
Wynaad or the Nilgiris but is to be expected as it is known from the Hills to the
north, and the south of this area.
Nos. .59, 63 and 46, viz., Cerherus rhyiichops, Cherydnis granulahts, and
Gerardia prevostiana are all snakes peculiar to estuaries or tidal rivers, and would
not be found near these Hills. They are incorporated in the key for the sake of
completeness with regard to the snakes known from the South Indian Plains.
The names in italics are mountain forms, those in Eoman characters and denizens
of the Plains, all of which are to be met with on the lower elevations of the
Hills (excepting Nos. 59, 63, and 46).
585
SOME BIRDS OF LUDHIANA DISTRICT, PUNJAB.
BY
H. Whistler, f.z.s., m.b.o.u.
It so chanced last year (1917) that on return from England I
was posted to Ludhiana District and remained there for roughly
four and-a-half months from the 20th June to the 9th October.
During my spare time in that period I collected a fair number of
birds and made a considerable amount of notes, but the time was
too short and the time of year rather unsatisfactory for gaining
anything like a complete knowledge of the birds of the district.
Several interesting birds were however obtained and a desire to get
them on record has induced me to write this short note, to which
for the sake of completeness I have added the names of all species
observed, so as to form a nucleus for a future complete list of the
birds of the district. All notes unless otherwise stated refer to the
neighbourhood of the town of Ludhiana past which runs an old
channel of the Sutlej River known as the Budhan Nala ; this
channel is clear cut and well defined running between grassy
meadovi's, with occawonal reed beds along its banks ; it was one of
my happiest hunting grounds, most of the country round Ludhiana
being merely a mixture of cultivation and sandy plain with coarse
Sarkana grass.
Ludhiana is a town and district of considerable importance
situated on the main line of the N.-W. Railway betwen Ambala
and Amritsar ; its north-westerly boundary is the River Sutlej over
which the Railway line and Great Trunk road cross about 6 miles
from Ludhiana at a place called Ladhowal.
The serial numbers and names of the species refer to those used
by Blanford and dates in the four volumes of Birds " Fauna of
India Series."
1. The Raven — Corvics corax, L.
7. The Indian Hoase-Crow — Corvus sjjlendens, YiceW.
16. The Indian Tree- Pie — Dendrocitta rufa (Scop.),
104. The Striated Bs^hhlav— A ryya earlii (Blyth.).
Some Babblers seen in the grass jungle at Ladhowal were
probably of this species.
105. The Common Babbler — Argya caudata (Dum.),
107. The Large Grey Babbler — Argya malcolmi (Sykes).
Common and doubtless resident at Ludhiana, Jagraon, and
Khanna.
110. The Jungle Babbler — Cratevopus canorus (L.).
139. The Yellow-eyed Babbler — Pyctorhis sinensis (Gm.).
Met with occasionally in July and August ; an empty nest
was found on July 11th but it was apparently deserted ; a pair
with a brood of newly fledged young were seen on 6th August.
586 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
243. The Common lora, ^githina tiphia (L.)
On the 10th August 1 saw a small bird in some Kikurs on
the Railway bund at Ladhowal, at the edge of the Sutlej
River and shot it as being of a kind new to me. On recovery
it proved to be a female of this species and had probably bred
in the vicinity ; the ovary and oviduct shewed signs of recent
activity, and there was the remains of an incubation patch.
There was no trace of moult. This species has only previously
been recorded in the Punjab from Gurdaspur and Hoshiapur
districts where it appears to be not uncommon {vide A. J.
Currie, Jour. B. N. H. S. XXIV, 602).
278. The Madras Red-vented Bulbul — Molpastes hcBmorrhous (Gm.).
327. The Black Drongo — Dicrurus ater (Herm.).
366. Blyth's Reed Warbler — Ao'ocepkalus dumetorum (Blyth.).
Passed through in fair numbers on migration in September
and the first week of October.
374. The Indian Tailor-bird — Orthotomus sutorius (Forst.).
381. The Rufous Fantail-warbler — Cisticola cursitans (Frankl.).
Most abundant during June, July, August, and September,
but towards the end of the latter month there were perhaps
signs of a decrease, and the species is very probably for the
most part a summer visitor only. Many nests were found in
June and July.
During the breeding season the male soars in the air in a most
erratic fashion, rising and falling in jerks, but keeping roughly
to an area of '/hich the centre is the nest site towards which
he falls very quickly at intervals, as if intending to settle ;
just, however, as he nears the ground he shoots up into the
air again and resumes his soaring jerks. All the time he utters
a creaking note which rises to its climax as each serial jerk
reaches its highest point, coinciding with it. Any small bird that
approaches the nest is fiercely attacked.
While feeding the young the parent approaches the nest in
somewhat similar fashion, flying well up in the air, but not
rising to the height of the male's display ; as it comes it utters a
note which is softer and more level in tones, than the song-
described above, but the whole approach rather resembles the
above display and to the uninitiated might be mistaken for it.
When disturbed the young in the nest utter a menacing
hissing note.
384. The Rufous-fronted Wren-warbler — Franklinia buchanani (Blyth.)
386. The Long-tailed Grass-warbler — Laticilla bwnesi (Blyth.).
On July 1st 2 or 3 of these warblers were seen in a stretch of
grass and tamarisk in the Railway embankments of the Sutlej
bridge at Ladhowal, and another was seen in the same place on
2nd September.
392. The Bristled Grass-warbler — Chadorvis locustelloides (Blyth.).
On 1st July I shot a male which was calling cheerfully
perched on the top of a tall sprig of tamarisk which rose above
the level of the grass and tamarisk jungle mentioned under the
last species. From the condition of the organs it was evidently
a breeding bird.
394. Sykes' Tree Warbler — Hypolais rama (Sykes.)
A few were observed on migration in September.
SOME BIRDS 01 LUDHIANA DISTRICT, PUNJAB. 587
402. The Indian Lesser 'WhitethToat—Si/lvia affinis (Blyth.).
Observed in small numbers in September and October, being
first noted at Khanna on 12th September.
418. Hume's Willow Warbler — Phylloscopus numii (Brooks).
Observed commonly in September and the first week of
October.
462. The Streaked Wren-warbler — Prinia lepida, Blyth.
464. The Ashy Wren-warbler — Prinia socicdis (Sykes).
Occasionally met with in the fields, both at Ludhiana and
Khanna, but does not seem to be very numerous.
466. The Indian Wren-warbler — Prinia inornata, Sykes.
Very common and probably resident. I found a nest with
5 hard set eggs on Ist September, built about 5 feet from the
grouncl in a clump of Pampas grass. It was of the iisual deep
purse shape, built of fine shreads of pampas grass with a slight
lining of vegetable cotton ; this lining was not placed in the
bottom of the cup, where the eggs would rest on it, but about an
inch higher forming as it were a sort of dado.
469. The Indian Grey Shrike — Lanius lahtora, Sykes.
473. The Bay-backed Shrike — Lanius vittatus. Val.
476. The Rufous-backed Shrike — Lanius erythronotus (Vig.).
This species was not observed until 6th September on which
day 1 saw three ; after this I observed single birds on the 7th,
17th and 21st September and two on 2nd October.
488. The Common Wood Shrike — Tephrodornis pondicerianus (Gmel).
500. The Small Minivet — Pericrocotus peregrinus (L.).
Observed both at Ludhiana and Khanna.
501. The White-bellied Minivet— Pericrocotus erythropycjius (Jerd.).
Although unfortunately no specimen was procured I saw two
parties of Minivets on 27th June near the Civil Lines Park
which appeared to be different to the ordinary species, and to
have the lower parts white. It is quite possible that they
belonged to this species which has been recorded from the
neighbouring district of Ambala.
518. The Indian Oriole — Orioluskundoo, Sykes.
A summer visitor and rery numerous, being specially abun-
dant about Ladhowal. The majority probably left in the
second half of September but I saw an adult male on 5th
October.
528. The Ptosy Pastor — Pastor roseus (L.).
A small but well marked passage of these birds was observed
from the 18th to the 31st of July, during which period I
observed almost every evening one or more fiocks passing in a
south-easterly direction, always on the same line.
A single straggler was seen with some Mynahs on September
29th.
544. 'TheBlackhea.def\Mynah.— Te77ienuchuspaf/odarum (Gm.).
This handsome Mynah was observed not uncommonly at
Ludhiana during my stay from the middle of June until the
23rd September after which I did not meet any ; a riest hole
at which birds had been seen on 30th June was opened on the
I4th August and then found to contain a fully feathered young
bird which I reared successfully. Further south at Khanna I
found these Mynahs very abundant driving a visit from the
11th to the 13th of September.
34
588 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
The above nestling started to sing in the first week of Sep-
tember, and has ever since been a most energetic chorister ; its
own song which in the beginning was low and pleasant has
been rather spoilt by the imitation and inclusion of the song
of the Common Mynah. In November it underwent a complete
moult, including the wing and tail feathers. The iris was at
first blue but later assumed the grey colour of the adult.
549. The Common Mynah — Aciidotheres tristis (L.).
651. The Bank Mynah — Acridotheres giwjinianus (Lath.).
Met with in small numbers in August, September, and
October.
•555. The Pied Mynah — Sturnopastor contra (L.).
One was seen in Ludhiana on 5th July and there were some
frequenting the neighbourhood of the Budhan Nala near the
railway in the first week in October ; during my visit to
Khanna from the 11th to the 13th of September the species was
common there, being found both singly and in flocks. One was
seen near Chappar on 2nd October.
588. The Brown Flycatcher — Alseonax latirostris (Raffl.).
I obtained a male of this species in the garden of the rest-
house at Khanna on the 12th September ; it was there hawking in
the shady lower boughs of some large trees, and I mistook it for
Muscicapa yrisola. The bird was an adult and was a little fat.
There was no sign of moult, and the organs were small.
This appears to be the first record for the Punjab of this well
known and widely spread species.
598. The Paradise Flycatcher — Terpnphoni paradid (L.).
Single examiiles on migration were observed on September
the 18th, 26th and 29th and on October 7th.
604. The White-browed Fantail Flycatcher — Rhipidura albifrontata
Frankl.
608. The Common Pied Bush-chat — Pratincola caprata (L.).
Common during my stay in the district.
610. The Indian Bush-chat — Pratincola inaura (Pall.).
A winter visitor only, first observed on 14th September.
618. The Pied Chat — Saxicola picata Blyth.
A male was observed on 3rd October.
619. The White-capped Chat — Saxicola ca^mtrata, Gld.
A female shot on 6th September was the first wheatear
observed on the autumn migration ; a male was seen at Khanna
on 12th September.
625. The Isabelline Chat — Saxicola imhellina Cretz.
One was seen on a ploughed field on 8th October.
629. The Brown Rock Chat — Cercomela fusca (Blyth).
Observed at Ludhiana in June and October, and at Jagraon
in July.
644, The Indian Redstart — Ruticilla rujiventris (Vieill.).
This common winter visitor was first seen on 25th September
but it was still scarce when I left Ludhiana on 9th October.
647, The Red-spotted Blue-throat — Cyanecula suecica (L.),
Observed as follows : 1 on 7th September, and 2 or 3 on 29th
September ; 1 on 2nd October and 1 on 4th October.
661. The Brown-backed Indian Robin — Thamnobia cambaiensis (Lath.).
663. The Magpie Robin — Copsychus saularis (L.).
A male was seen on the 8th of October.
SOM£ BIRDS OF LUDHIANA DISTRICT, PUNJAB. 589
t
734. The White-throated Munia — TJroloncha malaharica (L.),
735. The Spotted Munia — Uroloncha punctulata (L.).
On 13th July I saw in company with a flock of the last
species in the Park a couple of " spice-birds ;" they were some-
what larger than the white-throated Munias, and as far as I
could see had a black head, the upper parts chestnut,
with * scaled ' whitish underparts. Unless they had escaped
from captivity it is possible that they were of this species,
which is otherwise unknown to me, but might be expected to
occur occasionally in the Southern Punjab.
738. The Red Munia — Sporaginthus amandava (L.).
These little Munias were very abundant about the embank-
ments of the Sutlej bridge at Ladhowal in July, occurring in
lar^e flocks in the flooded grass and tamarisk jungle.
A few were noted in September.
761. The Common Rose Finch — Carpodocus erythrinus (Pall.).
A party on migration wert> seen feeding in a Peepul tree in
the Resthouse compound at Khanna on 12th September.
775. The YeUow-throated Sparrow — Gymnorhis Jlavicollis (Frankl.).
Common but perhaps a summer visitor only.
776. The House Sparrow — Passer doviesticus (L.).
777. The Rufous-backed Sparrow — Passer pyrrhonotus, Blyth.
I have already recorded in the Journal the meeting of a flock
of th se Sparrows near Ludhiana on 19th February 1910.
Sp.^" Sand Martin— CofzYe Sp. ?
A few Sand Martins were observed about in July, August
and September, but in October there was a most noticeable
passage, great numbers frequenting the neighbourhood of
the Railwq,y bridge over the Budhan Nala. Unfortunately I
omitted to collect any specimens so the exact species remains
a matter of doubt.
813. The Swallow — Hirundo rustica, L.
A single straggler was seen on 24th July ; one was seen on
September Ist and perhaps others during the month. In
October several parties were seen.
818. The Wire-tailed Swallow — Hirundo smithii, Leach.
Common throughout my stay in the district.
Sp ? Striated Swallow — Hirundo Sp ?
A flight of Striated swallows were seen at Jagraon on the
9th July and a single bird at Ludhiana on 29th July.
A fair number were also seen in September and October, but
the exact species was not identified.
826. The White Wagtail— MofaciV/a alba, L.
829. The Masked Wagtail — Motacilla per sonata, Gld.
833. The Grey-headed Wagtail — Motacilla borealis, Sundev.
835. The Indian Blue-headed Wagtail — Motacilla beema, Sykes.
847. The Indian Pipit — Anthus rufulus, Vieill.
On my arrival in June this Pipit was found to be very
common on the grass meadows of the Budhan Nala where it
was usually met with in pairs, feeding on the stretches of more
closely cropped turf. The majority appeared to have finished
nesting but the breeding display of the male was frequently
seen both in June and July ; it was not observed after the end
of July ; after that there was a slight tendency to gather in
flocks but the species remained common in August and Septem-
ber, though I did not observe it after 25th September.
590 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL RISr. SOCIETY, Val. XXVI
In the breeding display the male rises in the air in an ascend-
ing succession of dipping curves, uttering all the time a jangling
rather bunting like note; arrived at the highest point in the air
he then falls again to earth in an abrupt curve with stiff partly
extended wings. This Pipit perches freely on bushes and tufts
of grass,
1 took four fresh eggs from a nest on 29th June. This nest
was very well concealed amongst the grass and coarse stumps in
the top of a tussock of cropped sarkana grass ; the nest which
was domed with a deep cup was too loosely constructed for
removal ; it was composed of dry shreds and blades of coarse
grass, with a slight lining of smaller scraps — almost chaff —
and a few fine horse hairs. When disturbed the female flutter-
ed out and along the ground as if wounded.
861. The Indian Skylark — Alauda guhjula, Frankl.
This skylark was also common on the grassy meadows of the
Budhan Nala on my arrival in June ; a few males were still in
song but the majority of birds seen were in small parties of 4 or
5 which frequented patches of longish grass and lay often very
close ; these parties seemed to be chiefly composed of immature
birds and were perhaps family parties.
The male when singing mounts to a great height, almost
vertically, with the head to the wind and the wings fanning
rapidly ; having attained its pitch it remains there for a long
time, keeping roughly in the same place ; it starts to descend in
the same fashion as it rose, but when it is some 25 yards and
so from the ground the song ceases and the bird falls rapidly
with the wings held stiffly open. The song is well sustained but
monotornus, and of the usual skylark type ; imitations of the
notes of other birds such as Sarcojjramvius indicus and Totanus
ochropus are also introduced.
About August the species seemed to move away from the
neighbourhood of the nala and I did not notice it elsewhere.
867. The Indus Sandlark — Alaudula adamsi (Hume).
Is found very abundantly in the bed of the River Sutlej
where it breeds.
869. The Singing Bush-lark — Mirafra cantillans, Jerd.
This strange little lark was found to be very common in the
neighbourhood of the Budhan Nala in June and July ; it did
not frequent the grass meadows along the margin so much as
the sandy plains covered with coarse tufts of grass which
extend on both sides of the nala. The males soar and sing
somewhat after the manner of Alauda gulgula, but do not go so
high and once up at their pitch move in wider circles ; the
descent is also more precipitate from the start. They are
determined mimics and one was heard combining in his song
the discontented chattering call of Falco jugger and the shrill
call of Coccgstes jacobinus. It is I think this lark which is so
often heard singing by night in the darkness.
The flight of this species is curiously stiff, with the wings
jerking rather than beating and appearing not to rise above
the level of the back, while the tail is partly spread.
A strange performance is sometimes indulged in when the male
flies backwards and forwards along a beat of some 12 yards
and so, keeping at the same height above the ground,and singing
a curious little harsh song of some 2 or 3 monotonous notes.
SOME BIRDS OF LVD HI AN A DISTRICT, PUNJAB. 591
867. The Crested Lark — Galerida cristata, L.
879. The Ashy-crowned Finch-lark — Pyrrhulauda grisea (Scop.).
Met with throughout my stay, but particularly common in
September.
895. The Purple Sunbird — Aracthnecthra asiatica (Lath.).
This common summer visitor was still numerous as late as
the 25th September, and one or two were seen about until my
departure from the district.
921. The Thick-billed Flower-Pecker — Pipiisoma squalidum (Burt.).
1 saw a single specimen of this bird in a Peepul tree in the
rest-house garden at Khaana on 12th September; so it is
extremely probable that I was right in my identification of a
small bird seen in Civil Lines at Ludhiana on I3th August and
attributed to this species.
972. The Yellow-fronted Pied Woodpecker — Loipicus Mahrattensis
(Lath.).
98H. The Golden-backed Woodpecker — Brachypternus aurantius (L.).
1019. The Crimson-breasted Barbet — Xantkolmma hcematocephala (P. L.
S. Miill.).
1022. The Indian Roller — Coracias indica, L,
1025. The Litte Green Bee-eater — Merops viridis, L.
This abundant summer visitor was still common when I left
the district on October 9th.
1027. The Blue-tailed Bee-eater — Merops philipppinus, L.
In June and July a small colony of these Bee-eaters were
observed havinting a particular locality by the Budhan Nala ; in
August the species became more abundant and more widley
spread although the original colony of June and July had left
its quarters ; I put this change down to the moving and packing
. of the species after the completion of breeding ; they continued
common during September, but had started to decrease in
number when I left the district on October 9th.
1033. The Indian Pied Kingfisher — Ceryle varia, Strickl.
1035. The Common Kingfisher — Alcedo ispida, L.
Observed as follows : single birds near the Budhan Nala on
September oth and October 2nd, one near Ladhowal on Septem-
ber 2nd and 2 near Ladhowal on September 15th.
1044. The White-breasted Kingfisher — Halcyon smyrnensis (L.).
1062. The Grey Hornbill — Lophoceros birostries (Scop.).
Although I only saw the Grey Hornbill on two occasions (in
July) at Ludhiana, it was common towards Khanna when I
went there in September.
1066-7. Races of Hoopoe — Upupa epops, L.
HoopcBS were common throughout my stay in the district, but
unfortunately I did not obtain sufficient specimens to speak
with certainty about the race represented.
1073. The Common Indian Swift — Cypselus affinis, Gray and Hardw.
These swifts which had been abundant since my arrival on
20th June began to decrease in numbers towards the end of
September ; there were however some still about when I left the
district on October 9th.
107-. Sp. ? Spinetail Swift — Chcetura, Sp. ?
On 7th July at Jagraon two very large swifts seen flying, for
the most part high, in company with a number of Cyi)selus affinis
certainly belonged to some species of spine-tail.
592 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY. Vol. XXVI.
1090. Franklin's Nightjar — Caprimulgu? monticola, Frankl.
1 met with a flight of 8 or 10 of these Nightjars in a small
patch of grass jungle on 31st July ; three specimens obtained
were all in heavy moult. Two more were seen near the Budhan
Nala on 9th August, and on the 10th August a few were found
on the Railway embankment at Ladhowal. One of these shot
was in moult, but exhibited what appeared to be the remains of
an incubation patch. Two more were seen at Ladhowal on 15th
September.
1104. The Ouckoo — Cuculus canorus, L.
This cuckoo was observed about the embankments at Ladho-
wal on passage in August and September ; I saw one thereon 5th
August, several on 10th August (on one occasion 3 being in
sight at the same time), and one on 15th September ; 4 were
seen there by a friend on 28th September.
1109. The Common Hawk-cuckoo — Hierococcya varius (Vahl.).
In the ' Fauna of India ' it is stated that this Cuckoo does
not occur in the Punjab ; I have however elsewhere (Jour. B. N
H. S. Vol. xxvi, 177) recorded it as a common summer visitor in
the neighbouring district of Ambala, and it is interesting to
record this further extension of its known range.
On arrival at Ludhiana on 20th June I found that the ' Brain-
fever ' bird's well known call was to be heard daily, both early
and late, and sometimes by moonlight as well ; this continued
throughout July and the first half of August. During the latter
half of the month I was away, but a certain number lingered
on into September, and I last heard the call before dawn on
September 19th.
1118. The Pied Crested Cuckoo — Coccystes jacobinus (Bodd.).
I did not come acroos this Cuckoo in June but first observed it
on July 1st ; it was very common and noisy throughout July
and August, but about the middle of September it began to
get scarce again , it wis only heard once or twice during the
second half of the monbh, and two were heard on 3rd October.
It is doubtless a monsoon visitor only.
1120. The Indian Koel — Eudynamis honorata (L.).
This Cuckoo remained abundant until the end of September
but in October I only met with two, both on the 6th of the
month ; from the 16th to the 30th of September a couple of
fledged nestings were haunting the trees in my compound, care-
fully fed and tended by a pair of Corvus splendens.
1130. The Common Covical — Gentropus sinensis (Steph.).
1135. The Large Indian J*aroquet — Falceo}-ni.<< nepalensis, Hodgs.
1138. The Rose-ringed Paroquet — Palceornis torquatus (Bodd.).
1139. The Western Blossom-headed Paroquet — Falaornis cyanocephalus
(L.).
This pretty little Paroquet was found to be not uncommon
during my stay in the district.
1152. The Barn Owl — Stn.v Jlamviea, L.
One was heard and seen about the Tehsil garden at Jagraon
during my visit there from 7th to 9th July.
1161. The Mottled Wood Owl — Syi-nium ocellatum, Less.
On 19th July I saw a large Owl in a heavily wooded part of
the Park which was apparently of this species.
SOME BIRDS OF LUDRIANA DISTRICT, PUNJAB. 593
1169. The Dusky Eagle-Owl — Bubo coromandus (Lath.).
— sp ? Scops Owl — Scops sp. ?
Some species of Scojis Owl was heard calling at night in
August and September.
1180. The Spotted Owlet— ^^^me bmyna (Temm.).
1189. The Osprey — Pandion halia'etus (L.).
On 20th September I came upon a fine Osprey eating something
on the summit of a Kikur tree near the Budhan Nala which was
then in flood ; I could not see what the booty was, but below on
the ground was an indeterminate mass of entrails, apparently of
a large frog. When disturbed the bird flew away across the floods,
occasionally approaching the surface of the water and ploughing
it with his outstreched talons for 5 or 6 yards at a stretch.
Two more Ospreys were reported to me on 28th September,
and on 4th October I saw in the distance what was almost cer-
tainly a bird of the same species,
1191. The King Vulture — Otogyps calvus (Scop.).
1196. The Indian White-backed Vulture — Pseudoyyps l/enyalensis (Gm.).
1198. The Egyptian Vulture — Neophron percnopterus (L.).
1203. The Indian Tawny Eagle — Aquila vindkiana, Frankl.
Not uncommon during my stay in the district ; a nest with
a single egg, apparently unfertile, was found near the Budhan
Nala on 29th June, which is an unusuUy late date for this species
to be breeding.
1207. Bonelli's Eagle — Hieraetus faseiatus (Vieill.).
1220. The White-eyed Buzzard-Eagle — Butastur teesa (Frankl.).
1223. Pallas' Fishing Eagle — Halicetus leucoryphus (Pall ).
1228. The Brahminy Kite — Haliaetur indus (Bodd.).
The Brahminy Kite was first seen on 6th July, when a single
individual was catching flying ants in my compound ; after this
the species became common and many were seen, both adults and
immature birds, in August and September ; there were still
some about when I left the district on 9th October.
The meadows and floods of the Budhan Nala were the favourite
haunt of the species.
1229. The Common Pariah Kite — Milrus govinda, Sykes.
1233. The Pale Harrier — Circus macrurus (S. G. Gmel.).
1237. The March Harrier — Circus oeruginosus (L.).
A very ragged individual of this species was occasionally seen
about the Budhan Nala in June and July. The retiirn migration
of this species, however, did not commence properly until Sep-
tember, although a single individual was also seen on 30th
August. There were a fair number about in September.
1244. The Shikra — Astur badius (Gmel.).
1249. The crested Honey-Buzzard — Pemis cristatus (Cuv.).
A nest containing two well marked eggs was found in the rail-
way bunds at Ladhowal on 3rd July ; the female sat closely ,
but the eggs appeared to be unfertile. The nest was situated
in a large Shisham tree, one of a clump of trees on a bund
surrounded by reeds and water.
A Honey Buzzard was seen at Ludhiana on 10th August, and
perhaps another on 25th September,
1257. The Lugger Falcon — Faleo jugyer, Gray.
1265. The YLestrel—Tinninculus alaudanus (Gmel.).
This winter visitor was first observed on the 19th September,
and another was seen on the 29th of the month.
594 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISr. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
1272. The Southern Green Pigeon — Crocojms chlorogaster (Blyth.).
Observed occasionally both at Ludhiana in July, August and
September, and at Khanna in September,
1292, The Indian Blue Rock Dove — Columba intermedia, Strickl.
1295, The Eastern Stock Dove— Columba eversmanni, Bonap.
One was shot on 23rd September ; it was feeding in company
with a number of Columba intermedia.
1307, The Spotted Dove — Turtur suratensis (Gm.),
A Spotted Dove was observed in my compound on 26th Sep-
tember ; this was the only one seen in the district.
1309. The Little Brown Dove — Turtur cambaieiisis (Gm.).
1310. The Indian Ring Dove — Turtur risoiies (L.).
1311. The Red Turtle Dove — (Enopopelia tranquebarica (Herm.).
1321, The Common Sandgrouse — Pterodurus exustus (Temm.).
1324, The Common Peafowl — Pavo cristatus, L.
The Peafowl is very abundant about Ludhiana and Jagroaon
and of course a resident.
I found two nests containing 4 eggs apiece in my garden on
8th August and 26th September ; both were mere scratches in the
ground, the former in a pumpkin bed, the latter in a tangle of
grass and herbage in a waste plot.
13S6, The Rain Quail — Coturnix coromandelica (Gm.).
Occasionally heard calling in June, July and the beginning,
of August. On 16th July I flushed a pair near the Nala and,
shot the female, who while dying laid a fully formed soft white
egg, so the species certainly breeds here,
1372. The Black Partridge — Francolinus vulgaris, Steph.
1375, The Grey Partridge — Francolinus pondicerianus (Gm.).
1383. The Little Button-Quail — Turnix dussumieri (Temm.).
Found in fair numbers during my stay in the district in the
near neighbourhood of Ludhiana.
1384, The Indian Button-Quail— Twrni^c tanhi, Blyth.
I shot an adult male of this species near Ludhiana on lith
July, which is the only specimen that I have hitherto obtained
in the Punjab.
1393. The Eastern Baillon's Crake— Porsam ;pMS?7Za (Pall.).
A number of these small Crakes must have passed through on
migration in the first week of September, for I flushed two on
September 1st and four on September 6th, from flooded herbage
by the edge of the Budhan Nala, Three specimens were shot
and preserved.
1402, The Waterhen — Gallinula chloropus (L.),
Met with on two occasions in the railway bunds at Ladhowal
in September, and on two occasions by the Budhan Nala in
September,
1403. The Watercock — Gallicre.v cinerea (Gm.),
About 5 miles from Ludhiana along the Grand Trunk Road is
the station of Ladhowal close to the Railway bridge over the
Sutlej river. The erection of the bridge and the confining
of the river at this point have rendered nece.ssary the build-
ing of a series of embankments and wide borrow pits, which
holding water at most times of the year are covered with
luxuriant vegetation. In particular the borrow pits have
become huge reed beds which are the favourite haunt of
many aquatic birds. In one of these reed beds on July 24th
1 found a nest with 3 eggs which was new to me ; from the
SOME BIRDS OF LUDRIANA DISTRICT, PUNJAB. o9.5
difficult situation of the nest which could only be approached
with a boat and much disturbance 1 had great difficulty in
identifying the owner of the nest, and it was only on oth
August that I managed to surprise her at home. She flew
ofl" across an open stretch of water with the blundering flight
of a Moorhen, and I shot her, to find that I had secured
Gallicrix cinerea ; by this date the 6 eggs of the clutch were
rather incubated. The nest was a thickish pad, flat and
rather insecure, of green reeds, with a slight canopy of reeds
bent ever it, placed about 15 ins. above the surface of the
' water in a thick tuft of coarse grass and reeds, growing at
the end of a submerged 'bund.' The nest was w'ell concealed
and I had to part the foliage to get my hand in ; the bird
must have entered by climbing the stems around. A curious
looking bird flushed in a neighbouring patch of reeds on the
24th and 28th of July was doubtless the male of the nest.
I can find no previous record of the species for the Punjab.
1414. The Great Indian Bustard — EiqMdotis edwardsi (Gray.).
In the Bengal ' Sporting Magazine ' for 1857 there is said to be
an account of the riding down of one of these Bustards by a
party of officers near Ludhiana, but I have not had an oppor-
tunity of verifying the reference. The species is not likelj'
to be found in the district now,
1419. The Great Stone Plover — Esacus recurvirostris (Cuv.).
1422. The Indian Courser — Cursorius coromandelicus (Gm.).
Two Coursers seen from the train near Ludhiana (on the
Jagraon line) on 6th July appeared to be of this species.
1425. The Large Indian Pratincole — Glareola orientalis, Leach.
In Stray Feathers, Vol. II, p. 465, I find this note and repro-
duce it here for facility of reference : —
" Sir,
I see in your contributions to the Ornithology of India, Stray
Feathers, Vol. II, p. 285, you say that you have never heard of
the occurrence of Glareola orientalis or large Swallow- Plover in
the Punjab, so I trouble you with these few lines to say that I
shot a specimen on the 19th November 1871 on a bank in a pool
about a mile from Ludhiana, Punjab. It was a young bird,
I suppose, having lighter colored tips to some of the Feathers on
the back of neck and back. Its length was 9 inches, tail 3
inches, legs dark brownish purple. I regret I did not stufl' it,
but made a drawing of it. I have since lost the drawing, but I
feel certain it was the bird described by Dr. Jerdon. It is the
only one 1 have ever seen up here."- — F. Field.
1427. The Little Indian Pratincole — Glareola lactea (Cmm.).
This Pratincole breeds on the Sutlej River between Phillaur
and Ludhiana in large colonies in April and May, and 1 found
many eggs when stationed at Phillaur in 1910. It is probably
a summer visitor only.
This year in July I saw many flights of Pratincoles both at
Ladhowal and in the neighbourhood of the Budhan Nala ; they
were occasionally met with on the Budhan Nala both in Sep-
tember and as late as 4th October.
1429. The Pheasant-tailed Jacana — Hydrophasianus cJiirurgus (Scop.).
This handsome bird was observed in small numbers about the
pools at Ladhowal in July, August and September, and they were
evidently there for the purpose of breeding as I found a nect
596 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISr. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVL
with 4 slightly incubated eggs on 1st August. The nest was on
one of the open stretches of water, but in a corner sheltered by
the angle of a reed bed : it was built on the soft submerged weeds
which filled the water, and was a mass of soft weeds, roughly
circular and flat, about an inch above the surface of the water.
The bird left the nest at my approach, and I found that the
weeds composing it were wet and absolutely hot to the touch.
The eggs were lying any how on the nest, in no sort of order.
A party of 4 of these Jacanas were seen on the Budhan Nala
on 8l8t July.
1430. The Bed wattled Lapwing — Sarcogrammus indicus (Bodd.).
1433. The Yellow-wattled Lapwing — Sarciophonis malabaricus (Bodd).
On 10th April 1910, I shot a pair of these Plovers in the
riverain area of the River Sutlej, but on the JuUundur side of
the River near Phillaur ; although this was actually outside the
area of the Ludhiana District, I take this opportunity of
recording the occurrence of this Plover in the Punjab where
it appears to be very rare.
1447. The Little Ringed Plover — ^giaKtis dubia (Scop.).
1454. The Curlew — Numenius arqtiata (L.).
A party of Curlews were seen near the Budhan Nala on the
12th and 14th of September.
1460. The Common Sandpiper — Totanus hypoleucus (L.)
Single individuals were seen on 13th August, 17th September,
and 7th October.
1461. The Wood Sandpiper— jTotowMS grZareoZa (Gm.).
With the exception of a single doubtful record on 11th August,
I did not see any Wood Sandpipers until 7th September, on
which date about 30 and 40 were observed about the Budhan
Nala ; the rush continued throughout the month and attained
its greatest height during the first week of October ; for instance,
on 2nd October I saw about 70 or 80 of these birds in one big
flight on the Budhan Nala.
1462. The Green Sandpiper — Totanus ocJiropus (L.)
Several w^ere seen in July and August, and by September,
the species had become fairly common.
1464. The Redshank — Totanus calidris (L.).
The Redshank was not identified with certainty before
7th October.
1466. The Greenshank — Totanus glottis (L.).
One was seen on 25th July, and one or two in August, and
a few more in September: by October they were fairly common.
1484. The Full Snipe — Gallinago coslestis (Fronzel.).
1487. The Jack Snipe — Gallinago gallinula (L.).
First observed on 5th October.
1488. The Painted Snipe — Rostratula capensis (L.)
On 17th September I saw a w-ader feeding in the open on a
flooded patch of ploughed field and at first thought it was a
green Sandpiper ; but as I approached it squatted and allowed
me to come quite close when it rose and revealed a female
Painted Snipe, which I shot ; about 50 yards away I found 3
more on a patch of flooded fallow ground covered with a sparse
crop of short grass with a few tufts of Sarkana grass ; these I
saw running rapidly across the open to the tufts of grass by
which they squatted. I flushed them but did not fire at them.
SOME BIRDS OF LUDHIANA DISTRICT, PUNJAB. 597
However on my return some time later I crossed the same
fallow field and saw one squatting and watching me about 15
inches from a tuft of grass. As 1 went towards it to my asto-
nishment two others got up from the same patch, and of these I
secui-ed a male. This ground was a couple of hundred yards
from the bank of the Budhan Nala which had recently been
flooded by the heavy rains and turned into a sheet of water.
It is probable, therefore, that these Painted Snipe were flooded
out and so driven to such an unusual feeding ground. They
' very possibly breed in the vicinity as the ovary of the female
shot contained eggs.
The species was not observed again until October when one
was seen on 3rd October, and three on the 5th of the month.
These were flushed from flooded herbage near the sides of the
Budhan Nala.
1496. The Whiskered Tern — Hydrochelidon hyhrida (Pall.).
A party of 5 Whiskered Terns was seen passing up the Budhan
Nala on 25th June, and 2 or 3 immature birds were fishing on
the floods by the Nala on 14th September.
1503. The Indian River Tern — Sterna seena, Sykes.
Observed commonly throughout my stay.
This species breeds in colonies on the sandbanks of the River
Sutlej in April and May.
1504. The Blackbellied Tern — Sterna melanogaster, Temm.
Curiously enough the only individuals of this species that I
observed were a couple at Ladhowal on October 7th, yet 1 had
been on the look out for it.
It breeds on the sandbanks of i Sutlej in April and May, but
is less common than the last species.
1510. The Little Tern — Sterna minuta, L.
I found a small colony of this species breeding on a sandbank
of the Sutlej near the Railway bridge in May 1910.
1517. The Indian Skimmer — Rhychops albicollis, Swains,
Single birds were observed on June 28th and July 28th. The
species breeds fairly commonly on the sandbanks of the River
Sutlej in April and May, and I found several nests when sta-
tioned at Phillaur in 1910.
152-. Sp. ? Pelican— Pefeca^Ms, Sp. ?
Four or five Pelicans of some species were seen in the
distance on 7th October ; they were sitting on a sandbank of
the River Sutlej about half a mile above the Railway bridge.
1528. The Little Cormorant — Phalacrocorax javanicus (Horsf.).
Found commonly at Ladhowal, and occasionally visiting the
Budhan Nala, in Jxdy, August, September, and October.
1529. The Indian Darter. — Plotus melanogaster (Penn.).
Observed about the embankments at Ladhowal as follows :
two on 3rd July, several on 24th July, and one on 5th August.
1542. The Black Ibis — Inocotis papillosus (Temm.)
A flock of Black Ibis was seen on 25th September, and three
birds on 29th September.
1552. The Painted Stark — Pseudotantalus leucocephalus (Ponn.).
Observed on the Sutlej near Ladhowal as follows : one on
3rd July, two on 2nd September, and one on 7th October.
1554. The Eastern Purple Heron — Ardea manillensis (Sharpe.).
Single birds were seen at Ladhowal on 3rd July, and by the
Budhan Nala on 14th July and 3rd October.
3 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
1555. The Common Heron — Ardea ciimrea, L.
Observed fairly commonly throughout my stay in the district.
A great number were seen about the sandbanks of the river on
2nd September, and these were perhaps a migrating flock.
1559. The Large Egret — Herodias alba (L.).
One was seen on 4th October.
1561. The Little Egret— Herodia garzetta (L.).
1562. The Cattle Egret — Bubulcus coromandus (Bodd.).
It is exceedingly diflicult to tell the Egrets apart except
under the most favourable circumstances, as when seen flying
at some distance all look uniformly alike and white.
Egrets, representing doubtless both the above species, were
seen throughout my stay in the district, and became particularly
abundant in September, when large flocks appeared ; Buhvkus
coromandus was clearly identified on difl'erent dates throughout
my stay.
1565. The Pond Heron — Ardeola grayi (Sykes.).
1567. The Little Green 'H.eron—Bviorides javanica (Horsf.).
Specimens were obtained at Ladhowal on 15th and 30th
September.
1568. The Night Heron — Nycticorax griseus (L.).
Observed iu small numbers thoughout my stay in the District.
1571. The Yellow Bittern — Ardelta sinensis (Gm.).
A fair number of these little Bitterns were seen in the
reed beds at Ladhowal on various dates between 3rd July and
15th September ; they seemed to keep entirely to the reed beds
and never come into the open, hence it was very diflicult to
observe them or obtain specimens. They are probably nocturnal
feeders and may emerge more after dark, as occasionally
towards dusk one might be seen winging its noiseless flight
over the reed beds without having been flushed by the party.
They doubtless breed here, but the thickness of the weeds and
reeds, which render rowing, a matter of great difiiculty, and the
depth of the water which prevents poling in many places, pre-
vented my finding any nests, unless a nest with a single egg
found on 5th August belonged to this species. It was however
destroyed by some thing before I had identified the owner.
1572. The Chestnut Bittern— ^n/efto cinnomomea (Gm.).
A male was shot from the big reed bed on 3rd July, and at the
spot where it rose I found a nest with one fresh egg which was
apparently its property. The nest was a mere pad of wet vege-
table matter, resting in Marsh grass, about 15 inches above the
surface of the water, in a small bush growing amongst the reeds.
1591. The Cotton-Teal — Netlopus coromandus (Gm.).
A pair were seen at Ladhowal on 28th July, and 5 near the
same place on 5th August ; a female was given to me on Sep-
tember 9th which had been shot that day at Ladhowal. This is
the first locality in the Punjab where I have personally met
with the species.
1602. The Shoveller— /Spaftt^a dypeata (L.).
First observed on 7th October.
1617. The Indian Little Grebe— Podicipes albipennis (Sharpe.).
On October 5th I found a small party of young Grebes, the
size of Thrushes and in the striped down plumage, near their
nest which was amongst a few reeds in a flooded borrow pit
by the railway line.
599
REDUCTION OF EUPHORBIA BOTHIANA, Sprengel,
OF THE INDIAN FLORAS.
BY
L. J, Sedgwick, f.l.s., i.c.s.
it has always been a problem whether or not iv. Rothiana, Spreng., of the
Indian Floras, includes plants referable to more than one species. Wight
in his Icones while assigning that name to his specimens collected on the
western mountains expressed a doubt as to its correctness, and referred
also to the plant described by Heyne in Roth's Nov. PI. Spec. 230 s. n.
ii'. Iceta. which he held to be a rather rare variety. Boissier in DeCandoUe's
Prodromus, ten years later, described separately E. Rothiana, Spreng., and
E. oreophila, Miq. Hooker reunited these two species under the former
name, holding that the characters by which, Boissier had distinguished E.
oreophila, Miq., did not hold ^good, " the organs to which they refer being
extremely variable."
From personal observation, however, I am convinced that these are two
totally distinct species, one of the mountains, and the other of the plains.
The former may be either a perennial or a fast-growing annual ; the latter
is certainly an annual, and is a cold-weather associate of winter crops,
being extremely abundant in the Dharwar District, both on the black-soil
and among winter crops in the ricefields, but not on stony or gravelly
kharif lands.
Very elaborate descriptions only tend to confuse, and while obscuring
the salient features often result in errors creeping in through attention to
the peculiarities of one or a few individuals. I therefore give the main
distinguishing characters only.
1. E. laeta, Reijne in Roth. Nov. PI. Spec. 230 (1821).
A weak, glabrous, succulent, erect annual + 1 ft. high, entirely green.
Stem with a few adventitious branches from the axils of the alternate
stem-leaves ; terminating in a constant ivhorl of three leaves. Branches
above the crown always three. Subsequent branching dichotomous. Stem-
leaves alternate, sessile, flaccid, spreading, narrowly and exactly linear,
+ 2| X 3 in. ; suddenly rounded at the base. Crown-leaves linear-lanceolate
±2 X ^ in. Leaves subtending the dichotomous branchlets ovate-trian-
gular, sub-trilobed, + f in., and as broad as long, connate at the base below
the rounded auricles, with strong midrib and very numerous radiating
basal nerves. Involucres solitary, glabrous without and glabrate within ;
glands tvith more than 2 short projecting points. Capsule glabrous, deeply
3-lobed ; seeds smooth, from white to lead-coloured, with a very large white,
fleshy arillode.
Synonyms. — E. Rothiana, Spreng. Syst. Veg. Ill 796 (1826). Boiss, in
r>C. Prodr.^ 15. part II. p. 156. Dalz. and Gibs. Bomb. Fl. p. 226 (in
part). Hooker Fl. B. I. V. p. 263 (in part). Cooke, Fl. Bomb. II. p. 564
(in part). E. segetalis, Grab. Cat. 179 (probably ; not of Willd.). It will be
seen that Heyne's name has five years' priority over Sprengel's.
DiSTKiBuxiON. — An annual weed of cultivation on black soil fields and
rice fields sown with winter crops. Bombay Carnatic, and probably over
a wider range. Firs. Jan. -Mar.
2. E. oreophila, Miq. Analect. Bat. III. 17. e.r Boiss. in DC. Prodr. V. 15.
Pt. II. p. 156.
A strong, erect, glabrous herb, 4^ 2 ft. high. Stem sub-iooody, often tinged
with red, ending in a crown- whorl of Jf, or onore leaves. Branches above the
600 JOURI^AL, BOMBAY NATURAL RIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
crown 4 or more: secondary branching dichotomous. Stem-leaves alternate.
Sessile, ascending, lanceolatr or oblanceolate, + 3x f in., gradually tapering
to the base. Crown-leaves as the stem-leaves, but broader. Leaves subtend-
ing the branchlets as in the last sp. but not connate at base. Involucres as
in the last ; glands ivith two long, decurved horn-like points. Capsules
and seed more or less as the last.
Synonyms.— i^. glanca, Roxb. Fl. Ind. II, 473 (not of Willd.). E. Bothiana,
Wt. Ic. (not of Spreng.) E. segetalis, Wt. No. 7691, in herb. DC. ex Boiss.
loc. cit. E. Bothiana, Dalz. and Gibs. Somb. Fl. p. 226 (in part). Hooker,
Fl. B. I. V. p, 263 (in part). Cooke, Fl. Bomb. II. p. 564 (in part).
Fyson, Hill-tops Fl. p. 360.
Distribution. — Summit of the Western Ghats, and South Indian moun-
tains, very common in grasslands and forest clearings. Firs, winter-spring
Wight (i.e.) says — "A very common alpine plant, found on nearly all the
" higher hills that I have visited. X have specimens from Mahableshwar and
" Ceylon, and from numerous intermediate stations." Boissier (I.e.) says —
" In montibus Indise meridionalis, malabaria." Perhaps also in the Hima-
layas {E. diver gens, Klotsch., referred by Boissier to E. orcophila and by
Hooker to his E. Bothiana).
Varieties. — (1) Boissier gives " Var. pubescens, foliis et capsulse pedicellis
pubescentibus. In territorio Cannara." Hooker retains this variety, but
describes it as " branchlets and leaves more or less pubescent." It is also
clear that the locality is not Canara but Mercara in Coorg.
(2) Boissier also gives a Var. Wightiana. This is Wight's type in Ic.
1864. {E. Bothiana). But it seems to be only a luxuriant example.
I base my reduction of Hooker's E. Bothiana into the two species above-
described on field observation. I have seen E. oreopliila at Kotagiri in the
Nilgiris in 1915 and 1916 and at Mahableshwar in 1918. And I have seen
E. Iceta in numerous places in the Dharwar District during the last three
winters. The differences between them in habit, etc., are constant. Espe-
cially in the case of E. Iceta 1 must have seen thousands of plants, and have
repeatedly watched in vain for any divergence from the exact number of
three crown-leaves, and for any lignification or reddening of the stem.
I have to thank Father Blatter for kindly obtaining and sending me the
descriptions of the earlier authors to enable me to clear up the synonymy.
There are still a few other authorities quoted in the F. B. I., but they are
of less importance.
601
A LIST OF BIRDS FOUND IN THE SIMLA HILLS,
1908-1918.
BY
A. E, Jones.
It ha^ often occurred to me that this list might be of some
interest to those who know these hills, but fear it cannot in any
way pretend to be exhaustive when such a bird as the Rufous-
chinned Laughing-Thrush (lanthocincla rujigularis) is omitted.
Only those birds observed and identified by my friend, the late
P. T. L. Dodsworth, from whose M. S. notes many of these records
are taken, and myself are included.
Some of the species, though resident, are wonderfully local,
while many of the migrants' occurrences are so sporadic that years
often lapse without a single specimen being seen, where in other
years the same species may be common. Again, many of the
records are only accidental visitors and might not occur again for
years.
Dodsworth worked the lower hills and valleys, including a three
month's trip (January, February and March) in 1913, while 1
have devoted my spare time to the higher elevations. Our
investigations have extended from Kalka on the South to Suket on
the North-west and from Bilaspur on the West to Narkanda on
the North-east. The elevations explored were approximately from
2,000 ft. up to 10,000 ft.
I take this opportunity of thanking Col. P. S. M. Burlton,
Superintendent of Simla Hill States, for his kindness in granting
me the privilege of visiting certain parts in this district, without
which many of the species now included woiild not have appeared,
and my many friends who have accompanied and helped me on
many a hard day's fag.
The nomenclature is that adopted by Oates and Blanford in the
" Fauna of India" volumes, and the serial numbers are those of the
species in that work.
4. The Jungle-Crow — Corvus macrorhynchus, Wagl.
Common resident. Lays end of March to 1st week in May.
7. The Indian House-Crow — Corvus splendens, Viell.
Dodsworth and 1 once saw a single specimen at " Annandale,"
Simla. Common about Solon. Elevation 4,000 feet.
12. The Red-billed Blue Magpie — Urocissa occipitalis, Blyth,
Common in the lower valleys. Frequents the cultivated areas
where it breeds. Lays end of April and May. Eggs three to
six in number.
13, The Yellow-billed Blue Magpie — Urocissa flavirostris, Blyth.
Never observed nearer than Jungi in Mandi State, across the
Sutlej, There it appeared to be fairly common at 8,000 ft.
602 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
1 6, The Indian Tree-pie — Detidrocitta rufa. Scop.
Common in the lower hills up to 4,000 ft.
18. The Himalayan Tree-pie — Dendrocitta himalaymsis, Blyth.
Fairly common near cultivation with plenty of dense forest
in the vicinity. Lays end of May to middle June. Eggs three
or four in number.
24, The Black-throated Jay — Garrulns lanceolatus. Vigors.
Common. Breeds indiflerently in dense forest or in the
vicinity of villages. Lays towards the end of April and
throughout May, occasionally in June.
26. The Himalayan Jay — Garrulus bispecularis, Vigors.
In the cold weather wanders far and wide but during the
breeding season extremely local. At no season does it appear
to wander far from the forest. Eggs, of which a good series
has been taken, are easily distinguished from G. lanceolatus.
The nest too is very characteristic, being made of moderate
sized sticks and green moss, lined with roots — a firm, compact
structure, very different from the nest of the Black-throated
Jay. Few nests exhibit any attempts at concealment. From
records of eleven nests I find three eggs to be the normal
clutch, only twice have I found four.
27. The Himalayan Nutcracker — Nucifraga hemispila. Vigors.
As Hume says, " Common about the fir-clad hills just North
of Simla". As far as I know the egg has probably not
previously been taken in India (Mr. E. C. Stuart Baker has
them from Tibet, I believe). A nest I found on the 10th March
1917 containing two young about five days and an addled egg
was placed 22 ft. from the ground in a Deodar tree. It was
supported by two horizontal branches where they sprang from
the main stem. In appearance it resembled a Jay's, but the
exterior had, besides the twigs, a certain amount of lichen and
dry Oak {Q. dilatata) leaves incorporated in it. Lined with dry
grass, moss, lichen and hair. It measured externally 8 inches
wide by 4 inches deep. Inside breadth 4 inches by 2| inches
deep.
The young were clothed in white down. The egg is a broad
oval. The ground colour is a very pale greenish grey and the
miarkings, which are most numerous at the large end, consist of
irregular blotches, some larger and some smaller, of umber
brown with a few underlying freckles of pale inky purple.
It measures 1-42 inch long by 1'07 inch wide.
The tree, in which the nest was, stands on a steep hill-side
facing East and the surrounding forest, consisting of Deodar,
Pine, Oak and Holly, is fairly dense though there is no under-
growth. Elevation 7,500 ft.
31. The Indian Grey Tit — Parus atriceps, Horsf.
Common up to about 6,000 ft. In the cold Aveather descends
to the lower valleys and plains. Probably double brooded.
Nests found April to July.
34. The Green-backed Tit — Parus monticola. Vigors.
Common at all elevations from 6,500 ft. upwards.
35. The Red-headed Tit — JEgithaliscus erythrocephalus, Vigors.
Common resident, single brooded. Nests March to beginning
of May, though I think these late nests are probably second
attempts. One nest I found was lined with feathers of the
Imperial Sand-Grouse (P. arenarius) !
A LIST OF BIRDS FOUND IN THE SIMLA RILLS. 608
38. The White-throated Tit — Mgithaliscus niveigularis, Gould,
A specimen I obtained on 4th June 1937 was identified by
Mr. N. B. Kinnear as pertaining to this species.
42. The Yellow-cheeked Tit — MachldopMis xanthogenys, Vigors.
Common up to 7,000 ft. Wonderfully capricious in its choice
of habitat. In a large forest I knotv, which in every respect
appears suitable to its economy, it is entirely absent. Breeds
April to June and is, I think, double brooded. Eggs usually
' four in number.
44. The Crested Black Tit— LophopJianes mekmolophus, Vigors.
Common from about 6,000 ft. upwards. Pine and Fir forests
are its principal habitat. Breeds end of March to June.
47, The Simla Black Tit — LophopJianes rufinuchulis, Blyth.
Only observed beyond Narkanda from 9,000 ft. upwards where
it was apparently not uncommon.
49. The Brown Crested Tit — LophopJmnes dichrous, Hodgs.
I found this peculiar little bird fairly common in the Pine
forest between Narkanda and Baghi. Elevation 10,000 ft.
76. The White-throated Laughing-Thrush— (?armZaa;aZ6ig'MZam, Gould.
Not uncommon, but local. Breeds from 6,500 ft. to 7,500 ft.
in April and May.
82. The Red-headed Laughing-Thrush^TrocMo^^erMm eryihroce-
phalum. Vigors.
Widely distributed in the cold weather. Never found far
from dense cover. Nests up to 8,500 ft. and probably higher.
May, June and July. Eggs two, rarely three.
90, The Eastern Variegated Laughing-Thrush — Trochalopterum va-
riegatum, Vigors.
Another species which wanders considerably in winter but
its nesting haunts are above 7,600 ft. up to at least 8,800 ft.
Eggs appear to be invariably three but, of course, may rarely
be more or less in number. A noisy bird.
99. The Himalayan Streaked Laughing-Thrush — Trochalopterum
lineatum, Vigors.
As Hume remarks "one of the commonest birds about Simla."
Lays from end of March to August. Eggs usually 3 or 4.
Frequently victimised by Coccyses jacobinus,
101. The Striated Laughing-Thrush — Grammotoptila striata. Vigors.
Usually seen only in pairs. Mostly observed between 7,000
and 8,800 ft. A female shot June 11th would have laid in a
few days.
105. The Common Babbler — Argya caudata, Dumeril.
Dodsworth observed this species at 3,000 ft. in the cold
weather near Kalka.
110. The Jungle Babbler — Grateropus canorus, Linn.
Common about cultivation up to 5,000 ft. The Pied Crested
Cuckoo often places her eggs in the nest of this species.
129. The Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-Babbler — Pomatorhinus erythrogenys.
Vigors.
Not uncommon about the outskirts of forests where there is
abundance of undergrowth. An early breeder. All nests
found in April, though Dodsworth found one containing young
in June. Breeds up to 7,000 ft. at least.
174. The Red-billed Babbler — Stachyrhidopsis pyrrhops, Hodgson,
Another lover of dense undergrowth. Ascends to 7,000 ft.
Young out of nest 23rd April. Not uncommon.
36
604 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
183. The Plain-brown Tit-Babbler — Proparus vinipectus, Hodgs.
A small party was observed at Narkanda, Septr, 1918.
Open, scrub-covered hill-side. Elevation 9,000 ft.
187. The Himalayan Whistling-Thrust — Myiophoneus temminelci,
Vigors.
This cheerful songster is very common, wherever there is a
rocky stream. Resident.
191. The Indian Blue Chat — Larvivora brunnea^ Hodgson.
Not uncommon in the Sallow scrub above 8,000 ft. during the
breeding season. Observed much lower in the cold weather.
Nests end of May and June. Only one nest found containing
four " Hedge-sparrow blue " eggs, 11th June 1916.
204. The Black-headed Sibia — Lioptila capistrata, Vigors.
Very common resident in well-wooded tracts. Breeding
season end of April to August, but most nests found June and
July. Eggs two or three.
219. The Stripe-throated Siva — Siva strigula, Hodgson.
In the cold weather flocks are seen at all elevations but in
the breeding-season only found above 8,000 ft. One nest found
in a Sallow sapling 4^ ft. from the ground, 30th June 1918.
Elevation 8,600 ft. Three eggs as described by Mr. B. B.
Osmaston, Journal, B. N. H. S., Vol XXV, No. 3, p. 494.
226. The Indian White-eye — Zosterojis palpebrosa, Temm.
Common summer visitor. Breeds April to June.
232. The Yellow-naped Ixulus — Ixulus flavicolUs, Hodgson.
Not rare in the cold season and a few pairs are seen during
the breeding months. Occurs up to 8,000 ft.
235. The Eed-billed Liothrix — Liothrix lutea, Scopoli.
Dodsworth obtained specimens below Sanawar in March 1913.
Elevation 3,600 ft. In July 1918 I saw at least two males on
Kasauli Hill, elevation 7,000 ft.
237. The Red-winged Shrike-Tit — Fteruthius erythropterus, Vigors.
Fairly plentiful in the well-wooded parts. Birds seen build-
ing in Deodar (C deodera), Pine (P. e.xelsa, P. longifolia) and
Spruce. Breeds May and June ; but saw one brood out of nest,
20th May 1916.
241. The Green Shrike-Tit. — Fteruthius xanthochlor is, Hodgson.
Not common. In the cold weather goes about with parties of
Tits. Breeds April to June from 7,000 ft. upwards. One nest
contained 4 highly-incubated eggs on 15th April 1917. Another
nest described in Journal, Vol, XXIV, No. 2, p. 369.
260. The Fire-Cap — Cephalopyrus flammiceps, Burton.
This beautiful little bird is not uncommon about the Oak
( Q. incana ) forests in the breeding season. It arrives in the
hills in March and nesting operations soon commence. Eggs
usually four in number. The nest-hole is at various
heights from ground, from 4 ft. to 40 ft. The nest itself is
merely a pad of fine strips of dry grass. The female sits very
close and if disturbed at the nest " puffs " at the intruder after
the manner of Tits. The male has a delightful song.
261. The Spotted-wing — Psaroglossa spiloptera, Vigors.
A pair seen at Suni, Bhajji State in June 1913. Elevation
2,500 ft.
269. The Himalayan Black Bulbul — Hypsipetes psaroides, Vigors.
During the non-breeding season goes about in large noiay
flocks. Breeds May and June. Eggs usually 3.
A LIST 01 BIRD8 FOUND IN THE SIMLA HILLS. 605
283. The Punjab Eed-vented Bulbul. — Molp stes intermedius, A. Hay.
The common Bulbul of the lower cultivated valleys. Ascends
to about 5,500 ft. Breeds May :ind June.
284. The White-cheeked Bulbul — Uolpastes lencogenys.
Frequents the gardens in Simla, where it is common. Breeds
April to June.
315. The White-tailed Nuthatch — Sitia himahyensis, Jard. and Selby.
Not common. A few pairs found in the Oak ( Q. incana)
forests. Breeds early in April. Eggs three to six.
323, The White-cheeked Nuthatch — Sitla lencopsis, Gould.
The habitat of this species appears to be above 8,000 ft. A
pair seen going into a hole 100 ft. from the grovind in a Spruce
19th May 1918.
327. The Black Drongo — Dicrurus ater, Hermann.
Very common in the lower valleys up to 5,000 ft. in summer.
Breeds May and June.
S28. The Indian Ashy Drougo — Dicrurus longicaudatus, A. Hay.
Common up to 8,000 ft. Breeds May and June.
341. Tlie Himalayan Tree-creeper — Certhia himalaynna. Vigors.
Another very common species. Breeds March to May.
348. The Wall-creeper — Ticlwdroma muraria, Linn.
Not uncommon in the cold weather. A few remain till the
beginning of April.
352 The Kashmir Wren — Anortlmra negkcla, Brooks.
Appears in the cold weather. The first birds arrive about the
end of October. By the end of March all have left again.
356. The Scaly-breasted Wren — Pnoepyga squamata, Gould.
Cold weather visitor. Some remain till mid April.
358. The Goldcrest — Regulus cristatus, Koch.
A winter visitor departing, as a rule, in March.
362. The Turkistan Grasshopper Warbler — Locustella straminea,
Severtz.
A single specimen obtained, 25th May 1914. Elevation
7,000 ft.
366. Blyth's Reed- Warbler — Acrocephalus dumetorum, Blyth.
A bird of passage. In some years it swarms, in others not a
bird is seen. Remains till beginning of June, but I have never
heard the cocks singing up here. Returns in August.
372. The Brown Bush-Warbler — Tribura luteiventris, Hodgson.
Very uncommon. I found a pair in July 1914, with young
scarcely able to fly. Elevation 8,600 ft.
374. The Indian Tailor-bird — Orthotomm sutorius, Forst.
A pair seen August 1917. Elevation 5,500 ft. A single bird
seen, September, elevation 7,000 ft.
382. Franklin's Wren- Warbler — Franklinia gracilis, Frankl.
Occurs up to 4,000 ft. at which elevation it is commonly
met with.
405. Tickell's Willow- Warbler — Phylloscopus apnis, Tick,
Probably not uncommon on migration. One obtained, April
1916. Elevation 8,600 ft.
406. Tytler's Willow-Warbler— J%Z/osco;)2<s tytleri, Brooks.
Dodsworth procured this species. I feel certain it is a fairly
regular Spring migrant. Its call note is feeble.
407. The Brown Willow- Warbler— P%//osco/;ms tnstis, Blyth.
A few appear at the end of October. They must leave eariy
in March for higher elevations.
606 JOURNAL,- BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
413. The Grey-faced Willow- Warbler — Phylloscopus macvlipennis,
Blyth.
Only a single specimen procured. Probably uncommon.
414. The Orange-barred Willow- Warbler — Phylloscopus pukher,
Hodgson.
Procured both on Spring and Autumn migrations.
415. Pallas's Willow- Warbler — Phylloscopus proregulits, Pallas.
A resident species moving up to the higher elevations in sum-
mer. Breeds in the Deodar forests May and June at 8,000 ft.
and upwards. One nest besides three eggs of this species
contained one of the Himalaya Cuckoo (C. saturatus).
416. Brooks's Willow- Warbler — Phylloscopus subviridis. Brooks.
As far as my experience goes a rare migrant.
418. Hume's Willow-Warbler — Phylloscopus humii, Brooks.
By far the commonest species ol this genus. Leaves these
parts about the middle of May after which not one is seen.
422. The Greenish Willow- Warbler — Acanthopneuste viridanus, Blyth.
Passes through March to beginning of May, at which time it
is here in thousands.
428. The Large-Crowned Willow- Warbler — Acanthopneuste occipitalis,
Jerd.
A common breeding species. Lays from the beginning of
May to June.
429. Blyth's Crowned Willow- Warbler — Acanthopneuste trochiloides,
Sundev.
Dodsworth obtained one specimen.
433. The Black-browed Flycatcher- Warbler — Cryptolopha burkii,
Burton.
Passes through April, May and June. Latest date 9th June.
Not uncommon.
434. Hodgson's Grey-headed Flycatcher- Warbler — Cryptolopha xanth-
oschista, Hodgson.
A very common breeding species. Breeds end of March to
June. Eggs four, rarely five.
450. The Pale Bush-Warbler — Horornis palUdus, Brooks.
This species is not uncommon during the breeding-season.
Its song may be heard from April to August at elevations of
8,000 ft. and upwards.
455, The Rufous-capped Bush-Warbler — Horeites brunneifrons, Hodgson.
First obtained, October 1917, when a single specimen only
was met with. In April 1918 it was passing through in consider-
able numbers. Frequents scrubby hill-sides.
458. The Brown Hill- Warbler — Suya crinigera, Hodgson.
Common on the open hill-sides up to 7,500 ft. Breeds May to
July. Eggs four, rarely five. One seen on Mount Huttoo,
elevation 10,469 ft.
473. The Bay-backed Shrike — Lanius vittatus, Val.
A few pairs ascend to about 5,000 ft. elevation where they
breed about the cultivation in May and June.
476. The Rufous-backed Shrike — Lanius erythronotus, Vigors.
Very common about the cultivation up to 6,000 ft. in summer.
Breeds May and June. Eggs four to six. The commonest
fosterer to Guculus canorus.
495. The Short-billed Minivet — I'ericrocotus brevirostris, Vigors.
A common breeding species. Arrives in March and departs
again the end of October or November. Breeds April to June.
A LIST OF BIRDS FOUND IN THE SIMLA RILLS. 607
499. The Rosy Minivet — Pericrocotus roseus, Vieill.
A pair procured, October 1916. Elevation 3,500 ft.
•505, The Dark-grey Cuckoo-Shrike — Campophaga melanoschista .
Not uncommon in the cultivated villages up to 5,000 ft. They
breed in May as a rule and the eggs number two or three.
518. The Indian Oriole — Oriolus kundoo, Sykes.
Common about the cultivated villages up to 5,000 ft. Breeds
May and June.
544. The Black-headed Myna — Tememichus pagodarum, Gm.
A few pairs ascend to about 5,000 ft. Young are out of the
nests the end of May and June.
549. The Common Myna — Acridotheres tristis, Linn.
Found everywhere in the precincts of human habitations.
552. The Jungle Myna — Mitkiopsar fuscibs, Wagler.
Dodsworth found a small colony below .Jutogh. They were
breeding in holes in a cliff. Elevation 6,000 ft. Another colony
breeds in the weep-holes in the pucca masonry buttresses sup-
porting the bridge which crosses the Ashni River on the road
from Simla to Junga. Elevation 4,000 ft. Lays end of May.
558. The Sooty Flycatcher — Hemichelidon sibirica, Gm.
Not uncommon on migration. Passes through end of April
and returns in September. One nest containing young 20th
July 1913. Another nest found .June 17th 1918 contained
three hard-set eggs. Both nests placed, on horizontal branches,
some distance from the main stem of the trees (Deodars).
560. The Orange-gorgeted Flycatcher — Siphia strophiata, Hodgson.
Only a single specimen procured, one of a pair. Elevation
5.000 ft. Several seen in the Baghi forest during September
1918. Elevation 10,000 ft.
561. The European Red-breasted Flycatcher — Siphia ^arrya,Bechst.
A few pass through on migration in April. A fine male
obtained 2nd April 1916.
567. The Slaty-blue Flycatcher — Cyornis leucomelanurus, Hodgson.
Not uncommon as a breeding species in the dense under-
growth above 8,000 ft. Lays in May.
568. The White-browed Blue Flycatcher — Cyornis superciliaris, Jerd.
One of the commonest birds in Simla during the summer
months. Lays April, May and June. Eggs three or four.
575. The Blue-throated Flycatcher — Cyornis rubeculoides, Vigors.
By no means common. Only a few observed. Two nests
recorded, May and June.
579. The Verditer Flycatcher — Stoparola mdanops, Vigors,
Another very common breeding species. Breeds April to
June,
588. The Brown Flycatcher — Alseonax latirostris, Raffl.
On May 28th, 1916, I saw a bird with young out of the nest
which I ascribe to this species. They were all so shy that I was
unable to procure a specimen. No other record. Elevation
8,600 feet.
589, The Rufous-tailed Flycatcher — Alseonax ruficaudus. Swains,
Fairly common on migration — April and September,
592, The Grey-headed Flycatcher — Culicicapa ceylonensis, Swains.
Common breeding species. Lays April to June.
594. The Rufous-bellied Niltava — Niltava siindara, Hodgson.
Not uncommon in suitable localities. Breeds May and June.
t
608 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol, XXVI.
598. The Paradise Flycatcher — TerpsipJione paradisi, Lino.
Common about the small hill-streams flowing through the
cultivated areas up to 5,500 feet. Breeds May and June.
603. The Yellow-bellied Flycatcher — Chelidorhynx hypoxanthum, Blyth.
Occurs here in fair numbers both on the Spring and Autumn
migrations.
605. The White-throated Fantail Flycatcher — Rhipidura albicoUis,
Vieill.
A few pairs ascend to about 5,000 feet. Breeds June and July.
608. The Common Pied Bush-Chat — PratincoJa caprata, Linn.
Not uncommon up to about 6,000 feet in summer.
610. The Indian Bush-Chat — Pratincola maura, Pall.
Ascends to and breeds at fully 7,500 feet. Common. Eggs
from four to six.
616. The Dark-grey Bush-Chat — Oreicola ferrm, Hodgs.
Very common. Lays March to June. Double brooded.
628. The Red-tailed Chat — Saxicola chrysopgia, De Filippi.
1 obtained one specimen at Sairee on 29th September 1912
which Dodsworth recorded in the Journal, Vol. XXII, No. 1,
page 196.
630. The Western Spotted Forktail — Henicurus maculatus, Vig.
Common along all the hill streams. Breeds April to June.
637. The Little Forktail — MicrocicMa scouleri, Vig.
Not uncommon. Its favourite haunts are the waterfalls along
the courses of the hill streams. Breeds April and May.
638. The White-capped Redstart — Chimarrhornis leucocephalus, Vig.
A common winter visitor leaving these parts in mid-April and
returning in October.
639. The Blue-fronted Redstart — Ruticilla frontalis, Vig.
Another winter visitor. Departs in March.
644. The Indian Redstart — Ruticilla rufiventris, Vieill.
Migrating downwards, October 1916, when a few were seen.
Dodsworth procured it in Bhaghat state in March 1913. Eleva-
tion 3,600 ft.
646. The Plumbeous Redstart — Rhyacornis fuliginosus, Vig.
Only found along the hill streams where it is by no means
uncommon up to 7,000 feet. Breeds April to July.
653. The Golden Bush-Robin — Tarsiger chrysoeus, Hodgs.
Uncommon. One procured, April 8th, 1917. Elevation 6,000
feet.
654. The Red-flanked Bush-Robin — lanthia rufilata, Hodgs.
Comes into Simla in the winter months and remains till mid
April.
657. The Blue-headed Robin — Adelura coeruleicephala, Vig.
Appears towards the end of October, leaving again in March.
Common.
661. The Brown-backed Indian Robin — Thamnobia cambaiensis, hath..
Ascends the hill to 5,000 feet. Common at the lower eleva-
tion.
663. The Magpie-robin — Copsychus saularis, Linn.
A fair number come up to breed in the cultivated villages.
Occasionally seen as high as 6,500 feet.
672. The White-collared Ouzel — Merula albicincta, lloyle.
A few stragglers appear in Simla during the cold weather.
One or two pairs remain to breed just North of this place. A
nest found containing one ogg, 16th May 1915. A brood seen
A LIST OF £2ItDS FOUAD IN THE SIMLA RILLS. 609
following parents 2ncl June 1918. Elevation 8,700 feet. The
song is very feeble.
678. The Grey-headed Ouzel — Merula castanea, Gould.
Not uncommon in some winters. Not observed during the
breeding season.
676. The Grey- winged Ouzel — Merula boulboul. Lath.
Common in well wooded localities. Nests found were inva-
riably ou trees. Lays April to July. Eggs two to four. A
very fine songster.
677. The Black-throated Thrush — Merula atrigularis, Temm.
Begins to arrive in October and during the winter is here in
thousands. In some years numbers do not depart till May. In
habits and call-notes it resembles the Song Thrush {T. musicus).
678. Tickell's Ouzel — Merula unicolor, Tick.
An irregular autumn visitor. Some seasons not one is seen,
in others it is fairly plentiful.
683. The Pied Ground Thrush — Geocichia ivardi, Jerd.
Occurs very rarely as a breeding species. Dodsworth found
a nest when I happened to be out with him. There were two
young just hatched and two eggs on the point of hatching.
690. The Chestnut-bellied Rock-Thrush — Petrophila erythrogastra, Vig.
Not uncommon in forest where there are rocky banks and
cliffs both of which appear to be essential to its economy.
Breeds April and May. Eggs three or four.
691. The Blue-headed Rock-Thrush — Petrophila cindorhyncha, Vig.
Common as a breeding species. Arrives in April. Lays
May and June. Also a forest bird, does not ascend much
above 7,600 feet.
693. The Western Blue Rock-Thrush — Petrophila cyanus, Linn.
A summer visitor appearing in Ajiril and departing in Sept-
ember or early October. Dodsworth took several nests in May
and June but this species is by no means common. Its haunts
are the bare rocky hills. Never found in forest.
695. The Missel-Thrush — Turdus viscivorus, Linn.
A resident species, neither common nor rare. Breeds above
8,000 feet. As far as my limited experience goes it appears to
prefer a tree near the crest of a ridge on which to build a nest.
Lays end of April and May.
704. The Large Brown Thrush — Zoothere monticola, Vigors.
Only a single specimen ever seen and procured. It was fre-
quenting a small waterfall. Ovaries slightly enlarged 21st April
1916. Elevation 6,500 feet.
709. The Brown Dipper — Cinclus asiaticus, Swains.
Found all along the perpetual streams up to 6,000 ft. Breeds
about these parts in January.
712. The Eastern Alpins Accentor — Accentor nepalensis, Hodgs.
A winter visitor appearing in small parties. Disappears by
the end of March.
713. The Altai Accentor — Accentor himalayanus, Blyth.
Large flocks arrive about November, leaving again usually in
March, though in a backward season, I have observed small
flocks till mid-April. In the heat of the day this species ex-
hibits a decided preference for the shady side of the hills.
715. The Robin Accentor — Tharrhaleus rubeculoides, Hodgs.
Only observed on one occasion. There was a pair and I shot
one, but unfortunately failed to retrieve it.
610 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY. Vol. XXVI.
716. The Black-throated Acceotor — TharrJialeus atrigularis, Brandt.
A not uncommon winter visitor. Single birds or a pair
usually seen. Arrives October.
719. Jerdon's Accentor — Tharrhaleus jerdoni, Brooks.
A winter visitor, sometimes remaining till May. Single birds
usually seen. Not uncommon in some years.
785. The Spotted Munia — Uroloiicha punctulata, Linn.
Not a com.Tfton bird in these parts. Ascends to 6,000 feet
elevation.
741. The Black and Yellow Grosbeak — Pycnorhamphus ieteroides,
Vigors.
This is a resident species, coming right in to Simla in the
winter. In the summer its haunts are the Deodar (C deodara)
forest just North and North-east of Simla where it breeds from
7,500 feet upwards. The seven nests of which 1 have
records varied in height from 18 feet to 60 feet from the ground.
Most nests are placed close to the main stem of the tree (Deodar
and Spruce) but I found one placed, on a horizontal branch 10
feet away from the trunk, and had to extract the eggs with the
aid of a spoon tied to the end of a stick. The materials of the
nest are fine twigs, lichen and silvery plant-stems, with occa-
sionally a little moss, lined with dry grass and rootlets. Both
birds assist in building. Eggs (as described by Mr. Brooks in
Hume's N. and E. 2nd edition), two or three, quite as often
the former as the latter.
746. The Red-headed Bullfinch — Pyrrhula erythrocephala, Vigors.
Common winter visitor. Willow grown banks of streams are
its favourite haunt. Leaves these parts end of April or begin-
ning of May.
748. The Brown Bullfinch — Pyrrhula nepalensis, Hodgs.
Like its congeners a forest bird and as far as my experience
goes only found above 9,000 feet, but probably descends to
lower levels m winter. It has quite a melodious callnote.
750. The Himalayan Crossbill — Lozia himalayana, Hodgs.
In October 1916, I observed several small flocks and obtained
a good view of them through my glasses. They were, however,
very restless and 1 failed to secure any.
758. The Pink-browed Rose-Finch — Progasser rhodochrous, Vigors.
Plentiful in the winter months. Usually leaves in April but
a few stragglers sometimes remain till May.
761. The Common Rose-Finch — Carpodacus erythrinus, Pall.
Very common in the cold weather. Leaves in April or begin-
ning of May.
767. The Himalayan Goldfinch — Carduelis caniceps, Vigors.
A more or less resident species. Small flocks wander from
one locality to another until they separate for the breeding
season, about the middle of June.
768. The Red-browed Finch — Callacanthis burtoni, Gould.
Dodsworth procured this species in March 1911, and January
1912. He notes that it goes about in small flocks and is remark-
ably fearless.
771. The Gold-fronted Finch — Metoponia pusilla, Pall.
Abundant in the cold weather. Roams about the hill-sides ie
vast flocks which retreat to their breeding quarters generally ic
April.
A LIST OF BIRDS FOUND IN THE SIMLA HILLS. 611
772. The Himalayan Greenfinch — Hypacanthis spinoides, Vigors.
Resident, though the flocks wander away from their breeding
haunts in the cold season and spring. Birds shot in April are
moulting. Commences breeding operations in June which
continue till September or, rarely, till October, for in 1916
I saw a brood of young ones which had not left the nest more
than a day. This was on 29th of that month (October).
775. The Yellow-throated Sparrow — GymnorMs flavkolUs, Frankl.
Not uncommon up to about 4,000 feet elevation.
776. The House-Sparrow — Passer domestlcus, Linn.
Abundant in Simla.
780. The Cinnamon Tree-Sparrow — Passer cinnamomeus, Gould.
Common up to at least 8,000 feet.
787. Stoliczka's Mountain-Finch — Fringilauda sordida, Stol.
Large flocks frequent the open spaces during the winter months.
Leaves these parts in March.
792. The Pine-Bunting — Emheriza leucocepJiala, S. G. Gin.
Dodsworth procured a specimen on 23rd February 1913 at an
elevation of 3,500 feet.
793. The White-capped Bunting — Emheriza steicarti, Blyth.
Abundant in the cold season. Leaves these parts in March,
returning September and October.
794. The Eastern Meadow-Bunting — Emberiza stracJieyi, Moore.
Breeds in Simla from April to September. Common.
803. The Crested Bunting — Meloplius melanicterus, Gm.
Frequents the lower valleys up to 5,000 feet. Neither com-
mon nor rare. Breeds May and June and probably later.
805. The Kashmir Martin — Chelidon Kashmiri ensis, Gould.
Large flocks of Martins appear in May. I have failed to
secure a specimen but think they are probably the present
species.
809. The Indian Sand-Martin — Cotile sinensis, J. E. Gray.
Occurs in fair numbers in the neighbourhood of Suni on the
banks of the Sutlej. Elevation 2,000 feet.
810. The Crag-Martin — Ptyonoprogne rupestris. Scop.
Very plentiful in the cold weather. Both the Jungle-Crow
and the Kestrel take toll of its numbers.
813. The Swallow — Hirundo rustica, Linn.
Only occasionally seen in Simla. Breeds at Suket City in
the shops aligning tho main street. Elevation 3,000 feet.
818. The Wire-tailed Swallow — Hinindo smithii, Leach.
Not common. Returns year after year to the same locality
for nesting purposes. Ascends to 7,000 feet.
822. Hodgson's Striated Swallow — Hirtindo nepalensis, Hodgson.
Much more numerous than the foregoing species. Breeds
commonly in Simla.
826. The White Wagtail— JI/otact7?a alba, Linn.
Only observed on the downward migration during September.
Elevation 6,000 feet.
829. The Masked Wagtail — Motacilla personafa, Gould.
Occurs up to 7,000 feet on both the spring and autumu
migrations.
831. The Large Pied Wagtail — Motacilla maderaspatensxs, Gould.
A few pairs are found frequenting the larger streams.
37
612 JOURI^AL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
832. The Gray Wagtail — Motacilla mdanops. Pall.
Very common on both migration. Possibly a pair or two
remain to breed as I saw a single bird on the Ashai River on
May 24th, 1918.
837. The Yellow-headed Wagtail — Motacilla citreola, Pall.
Dodsworth procured a specimen in May 1912. Elevation
5,000 feet.
840. The Tree-Pipit — Ardhus trivialis, Linn.
Common on migration in April and May, returning in Sept-
ember.
841. The Indian Tree-Pipit — Anthus maculatus, Hodgs.
One specimen obtained from a small flock, September 1918.
Elevation 8,500 feet.
844. The Brown Rock -Pipit — Anthus similis, Jerd.
Not uncommon as a Weeding species. Eggs taken as high as
7,000 feet. They are (the eggs) indistinguishable from those of
Oreocorys sylvanus.
847. The Indian Pipit — Anthus rufulus, Vieill.
Occurs up to 2,500 feet or 3,000 feet down in the Sutlej valley,
Bhajji State.
848. The Tawny Pipit — Anthus campestris, Linn.
Obtained by Dodsworth, January and February 1913. In his
manuscript notes he remarked it was common, going about in
small parties.
850, Hodgson's Pipit — Anthus rosaceus, Hodgson.
Dodsworth procured this species, February and March 1913.
-iiio^gjrlcfirpj^e Water-Pipit— ^wi/m*- spinoletta, Linn.
.i9:tjjl ^ solitary specimen seen and obtained, which Mr. N. B.
Kibnear kindly identified for ine.
o* BSSpl Tfe^fflJpland Pipit — Oreocorys sylvanus, Hodgson.
Jaaaaiq etiJ Rfefeident. Breeds commonly from 4,000 feet to 8,000 feet.
May to July.
888. MrS^^<)uM's^-Yellow-backed ^\m-h\r(\.—Mtliopyga gouldice, Vigors,
yil* no ifin8 ^ ^^«(*yIlWial and rare species in these parts. Ascends the
hills to 7,50Qyf^t.
895. The PuirgfeS^Br^isd — Arachnechthra asiatica, Latham.
v/oiO-9l§arjtA¥j$0rrtk)ahe hiilsin summer to 4,000 feet at which elevation it
is not uncomnwindoixjii l
915. The Fire-breasted -FWy^ei-pecker— Dicoewm ignipectus, Hodgson.
Bt \iiO it95loaeMe6lt99iDlov=^fi«^ affld down the hills according to season.
.itooMQ^Iip^Sit^'©/®^ fe^^el^'^atli^n. Wherever parasitic tree plants
(mi9^©yi$ie6).n&1'e\(/'.n(iiiTiei?€Jds— tliis species is not uncommon
'^Jilfiool 9,'b©few©^ 2,0(J():^feet»ahdi6^P@(feety
919. Tickell's FtWer-tpe'5kidr*4^i)iofE4m .erythrorhynchus, Latham.
.no8^b(Al»|l\§la\§^^«^«««^-^^t\.^^*»^'*i^'^^**^ 1916. Elevation 6,000
946. The ^W^st-fiimalayan Scaly-belU#i^i8 Green Wood-pecker—
Gecinus sg|^3ia^,„\'^gp;;,^at ~[in:i^BW 9J
I9dm9iq98 A^4»flaftfej,Jitojfi§ifAvai¥^Bt^flga«AD5iJi9§adN^May up to the
highest elevations hereabouts. Si.:^<^gfl)Qi<^ i^jj^Q^nmon number
950. ,The BlacTc-ndped,Grrefen Wpod-n6cker-^ejCi»Mi\ocawa» Vigors.
u.nn^a^ ^^"«Lfk'l"i?e ^iStfWuii'cVanf'lX'JLTToF^I^^^^^ above
,, ,7,500 feet. Otoe neat fouJid had tbe eniaaMe..»n1w'|Six ^^^
A LIST OF BIRDS FOUND IN THE SIMLA HILLS. 613
951. The Small Himalayan Yellow-naped Green Woodpecker -Gecinus
chhrolophus, Vieill.
By no means common. Observed up to 7,000 feet.
961. The Western Himalayan Pied Woodpecker — Deiidroaypm himalay-
ensis, Jard. and Selby.
Fairly plentiful. Found up to 8,000 feet elevation. Eesident.
Eggs usually four.
967. The Fulvous-breasted Pied Wood-pecker — Dendrocopus macii,
Vieill.
. Dodsworth obtained this species near the Ashni River, Patiala
State. Elevation 3,500 feet.
969. The Brown-fronted Pied Woodpecker — Detidrocopus auriceps
Vigors.
Abundant everywhere up to about 7,500 feet. Nests in April
as a rule. Eggs, generally four in a clutch.
986. The Golden-backed Woodpecker — Brachypterrms aurcmtius, Linn.
Dodsworth obtained one specimenin Bhagrat State. Eleva-
tion 3,000 feet.
996. The Great Slaty Woodpecker — Hemilophus pulverulentis, Temm.
Dodsworth observed a party of these Woodpeckers in August
1907, vide Journal, B. N. H. S., Vol. XXI., No. l,p. 263.
1001. The Speckled Piculet — Picumnus innominahis, Burton.
Not uncommon. Often found close to the ground climbing
up dwarf bamboo or course grass. Ascends to 6,000 feet
elevation.
1003. The Wryneck — lynx torquilla, Linn.
Only a single specimen (male) obtained, 30th April 1916.
Elevation 8,300 feet. Dissection showed that it would soon have
been breeding. I have never heard its call in these hiUs and
think the individual must have come some way out of its course.
1006. The Great Himalayan Harhet— 31 egalceina marshalhrum, Swinhoe.
Common. Its wailing cry its heard in every wooded ravine
up to 8,000 feet. Nesting season April to June.
1009. The Lineated Barbet — Thereiceryx lineatus, Vieill.
Found in the lower valleys up to about 3,500 feet of elevation.
Common.
1012. The Blue-throated Barbet — Cyanops asiatica, Latham.
Uncommon. Observed up to 6,700 feet. (Dodsworth.)
1019. The Crimson-breasted Barbet— XawMo/oBma hcem'itoceplmla, P. L.
S. Mull.
Observed but rarely in the lower hills up to 2,000 feet, March
1912.
1026. The Common Indian Bee-eater — Merops viridis, Linn.
Ascends the hills to 5,000 feet. Breeding down on the banks
of the Sutlej, June 1913. Elevation 2,200 fef-t.
1027. The Blue-tailed Bee-eater. — Merops philipfmius, Linn.
In October 1915, 1 saw a large flock fly overhe-id, their call notes
first attracting my attention. 1 record this with some hesita-
tion, but at the same time I may mention I am well acquainted
with this species in the Plains where I have takeu its eggs.
The birds were certainly bee-eaters and the notes I heard were
those of M. philippinus. Elevation 8,000 feet. I made a note
at the time regarding the meteorological conditions, which were
misty and monsoony.
1034. The Himalayan Pied Kingfisher— Cer?//e luguhns. Vigors.
A conspicuous bird on the large rstreams up to 4.000 feet.
614 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL BISr. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
1035. The Common Kingfisher — Alcedo ispida, Linn.
Ascends the hill-streams up to 5,500 feet. Not uncommon.
1044. The White-breasted Kingfisher — Halcyon smyrnensis, Linn.
Occasionally ascends to at least 5,000 feet. Uncommon.
1062. The Common Grey Hornbill — Lophoceros birostris, Scop.
Not uncommon in the jungles above Kalka. Goes about in
small flocks. Observed up to 8,500 feet elevation.
1066. The European Hoopoo — Upupa epops, Linn.
Found in summer up to at least 8,000 feet. Frequents the
barer hill-sides. Lays April, May and June. Common.
1068. The Alpine Swift — Cypselus melba, Linn.
Large scattered flocks are frequently to be seen in Spring and
Autumn. Departs usually about the end of April, returning in
October,
1072. Blyth's White-rumped Swift — Cypselus leuconyx, Blyth.
During the month of April 1917, which was unusually cold,
large numbers were seen. Elevation 6,000 feet^ — 8,000 feet.
107.J. The Common Indian Swift — Cypselus affinis, Gray and Hardw.
Abundant as a breeding species in Simla, Arrives beginning
of March and immediately commences breeding operations.
Another brood is reared during the monsoon, July to September.
Not observed above 7,000 feet.
1077. The White-necked Spine-tail — Chcptura nudipes, Hodgson.
This bird must be considered very rare in these parts. I have
only seen it twice, on each occasion a pair. The last time was
when Mr. C. H. Donald was with me, May 1918. Elevation
8,000 feet.
1082. The Himalayan Swiftlet— CoZ/oca/m brevirostris, McClelland.
Dodsworth obtained one in February 1913. Elevation 4,000 feet.
1090. Franklin's Nightjar — Caprimulgus monticola, Franklin.
At a favourite spot which 1 used to. visit almost every week
during May and June, I used to hear the note of a Night jar, but
could never get a good view of it. On describing the note to
Mr. B. B. Osmaston he had no hesitation in ascribing it to this
species. Elevation 8,000 feet.
1095. The Jungle Nightjar — Caprimulgus indicus, Latham.
Common on the barer hill-sides contiguous to jungle. As-
cends to 6,000 feet.
1104. The Cuckoo — Cuculus canorus, Linn.
Abundant in the lower valleys up to 6,000 feet though I once
procured a male above 8,000 feet. Arrives end of March or
beginning of April. The commonest fosterer is L. erythronotus,
but it also victirasies Bush-chats and Pipits. Occasionally it
must also use the services of Bulbuls, for one egg taken in a nest
of M: leucogenys was identified by Mr. E. C. Stuart Baker as
pertaining to this species.
1105. The Himalayan Cuckoo — Cuclus saturatv^, Hodgson.
Not nearly so plentiful as the last species. Ascends to at
least 8,600 feet. First heard in April ; all have ceased calling
by the end of June. Eggs found in nests of Pallas's WiUow-
Warbler and the Large Crowned Willow-Warbler, the former
slightly speckled, the latter spotless white. A young one found
in a nest of Cryptolopha xa7ithoschista .
1107. The Indian Cuckoo — Cuculus 7mcropterv^, Gould.
Occasionally heard. Probably commoner at the lower eleva-
tions.
A LIST OF BIRDS FOUND IN THE SIMLA HILLS. 615
1]14. The Banded Bay Cuckoo — Pentlwcoryx sonnerati, Latham.
Only once observed. Some White-cheeked Bulbula were
persistently attacking it as it perched on the tops of cactns
bushes. 1 got a good view of it through my glasses, but it was
too wary to allow me to approach within gunshot. Elevation
5,000 feet.
1118. The Pied Crested Cuckoo — Coccystes jacobinus, Bodd.
Very common in the cultivated areas up to 5,500 feet, and
occasionally found as high as 8,000 feet. Much given to wander-
ing at night. I have heard it calling at 11 p. m. at the latter
elevation. Usually victimises T. lineatum in these parts.
1138. The Rose-ringed Paroquet — Palceornis torquatus, Bodd.
A male procured by Dodsworth in the lower hills. Elevation
3,000 feet.
1139. The Western Blossom-headed Paroquet — Palceornis cyanoce-
phalus, Linn.
Occurs in these hills up to 5,000 feet at which elevation I
found it nesting in 1918.
1141. The Slaty-headed 'Paroquet — Palceornis schisticeps, Hodgson.
A common woodland species. Does not appear to ascend
above 7,000 feet. Most eggs are laid in April.
1138. The Himalayan Wood-Owl — Syrniumnivicola, Hodgson.
Not uncommon in and around Simla. Dodsworth was, I
believe, the first ornithologist to find the egg of this species.
The particular "nest" he took that egg from was placed in a
small cave in a cliff. Since tiien I have found several " nests"
all of which were in holes in trees, varying from 10 feet, to 35 feet
from the ground. The eggs are two or three, perhaps more
often the latter number. These are laid from the middle of
March to the second week in April. Six eggs average 1*886 x
1*583 inch each. This owl has quite a variety of notes besides
the usual "Who-hoo". One is a pecidiar squawk which can
easily be imitated by placing a blade of grass between the two
thumbs of one's hands and blowing sharply on the edge of the
grass-blade. Another is very similar to the note of the
domestic pigeon when he is showing off before the female.
Barely more than one young one is reared to maturity. I have
never found anything but rats in the nest-hole. Numbert* of
pellets found near their nests and under their rooting-places
have never contained remains of birds. A really iiseful bird.
1160. The Brown Wood-Owl — Syrnium indrani, Bykes.
This grand owl must be considered very rare about Simla.
I have twice found its nest, in each case in a hole in a tree.
On the first occasion there was only one egg on the point of
hatching, 29th April. The second nest contained two young
about a week old on the 14th April. I have only heard this
owl using two different cries. The first is very much like that
of the male domestic pigeon. The others is a low, sonorous
squawk. The latter is a note of alarm, 1 am inclined to
think. No notes regarding food of this powerful bird, but one
would imagine it capable of taking a pheasant or even a fowl,
with ease. One egg measured 2*15 x 1"74 inches.
1175. The Spotted Himalayan Scops Owl— Scops spilocephalus,
Blyth.
Fairly plentiful in the Oak and Rhododendron forests up to
8,000 feet. Usually lays in April.
616 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol.XXTI.
1183. The Large Barred Owlet — Glaucidium cuculoides, Vigors.
Like the last species, but does not ascend much above 7,000
feet. Eggs are laid end of April and beginning of May.
1184. The Jungle Owlet — Glaucidium radiatum, Tickell.
Only observed in Suket State where it was fairly common at
3,000 feet.
1186. The Collared Pigmy Owlet — Glaucidium brodiei, Berton.
Neither common nor uncommon. Found up to at least 8,500
ft. Frequently to be seen on the move during the day-time.
A female shot 28th April contained an egg almost ready for
expulsion.
Its note is " Hoot-ootoot-oot".
1190. The Cinerous Vulture — VvJiur monachus, Linn.
So rare that it might almost be omitted from this list.
Dodsworth came across it on two or three occasions and I have
seen it once near Billaspur, elevation 2,500 ft.
1191. The Black or King Yultuve—Otogyps calvus, Scop.
Fairly common up to 8,000 ft. Breeds up to at least 5,800 ft.
Several nests examined, in each instance these were placed
on the flattops of Deodars (C. deodara). All the nests were
solitary, built of fine and coarse sticks and lined with dry
grass-tufts. Most nests contained young in April, but I secured
one egg, almost ready to hatch, on the 8th of that month.
1193. The Himalayan Grifion^ — Gyps himalayensis, Hume.
Perhaps the commonest vulture found round Simla. Breeds
on clifl's. Most eggs are laid in January.
1196. The Indian White-backed Vulture — Pseudogyps bengalensis, Gm.
Another common vulture in these hills. Large congregations
are frequently seen below the Simla slaughter-houses. Ascends
to 8,000 ft. Dodsworth found it breeding above Kalka up to
3,600 ft. of elevation.
1197. The Smaller White Scavenger Vulture — Neophron ginginianus,
Latham.
A partial migrant. Numbers are seen about Simla during
the summer bvit nearly all descend to the lower hills in winter.
Lays in May. Eggs one or two. Nests on cliffs.
1199. The Bearded Vulture — Gi/paiitus harbatus, Linn.
This grand bird is a not uncommon resident about Simla.
Usually it will be observed sailing round the hills at no great
elevation from the ground but at times will be seen soaring
gracefully at great heights. As the breeding season approaches
a pair will be seen playing in the air when after a certain amount
of flapping they grasp each others talons and come tumbling
towards earth, only releasing their grip when within a few yards
of it. They pair on the rocks near their nest. Eggs, one or two,
are laid from December to March. A very silent bird, though
rarely it gives vent to a squeal. Never seen on a carcase.
1200. The Golden Eagle — Aguila chrysaetus, Linn.
A single specimen observed at an elevation of 10,000 feet,
near Narkanda. Mr. C. H. Donald assures me he has often
seen this species about the same locality.
1202. The Steppe Eagle — Aquila bifasciata, J. E. Gray.
A common cold season visitor. Appears towards the end of
October, leaving again in March and early in April.
1207. Bouelli's Eagle — Hieraetus faciatus, Vieill.
Rare. During ten years' observation 1 have only seen it on
A LIST UI BIRDS FOUND IN THE SIMLA HILLS. 617
very few occasions. Probably it becomes less rare nearer the
plains.
1208. The Booted Eagle — Hieraetus pennatus, Gmel.
A single specimen was observed during Sept. 1918. Elevation
10,000 feet.
1210. The Black Eagle — Ictinaetus malayensis, Reinw.
Excessively rare. Only observed on one occasion, June 1917.
It was then beating slowly over forest, pursued and buffetted by
all the Drougos in the vicinity. Elevation 7,000 feet.
1213. Hodgson's Hawk-Eagle — Spizaetus nepaknsis, Hodgson.
Not uncommon. Usually seen hunting in pairs over dense
forest, or seated on trees commanding a good aspect of the
surrounding jungle. Breeds in February and March, both on
clifl's and large trees. Eggs one or two.
1216. The Short-toed Eagle — Circaetus gallicus, Gmel.
One observed hovering over the bare hill- side at Kufri, while
I was watching it through my glasses two Hobbies and a Kestrel
repeatedly stooped at it. Elevation 8,000 feet.
1217. The Crested Serpent-Eagle — Spilornis cheela, Latham.
A few pairs breed in well-wooded and well-watered nullahs
round Simla. Lays about the end of March and beginning of
April. Breeds up to 6,500 feet.
1223. Pallas's Fishing-Eagle — Haliaetus leiicoryplius, Pall.
I was surprised at seeing a specimen of this Eagle soaring
above the hills between Theog and Mattiana. Elevation 8,000
feet.
1228. The Brahminy Kite — Ualiasiur indus, Bodd.
One or two are to be seen every year about the Ashni River, a
few miles below Simla Elevation. 5,000 feet.
1229. The Common Pariah Kite — Milvus govinda, Sykes.
Abundant in the immediate vicinity of Simla up to 8,000 feet
of elevation. Breeds March to June.
Ii32 The Black-winged \^\te—Elanus ccsruleus, Desf .
Only observed on one occasion, September 1912, at an eleva-
tion of 4,500 feet.
1235. The Hen-Harrier — Circus cyaneus, Linn.
Appears in October in fair numbers. Usually seen quarter-
ing the open hill-sides. Departs in March.
1237. The Marsh Harrier — Circus aruginosus, Linn.
Seen only on one occasion, May 1918. Elevation 8,500 feet.
1239, The Long-legged Buzzard — Buteo ferox, S. G, Gmel.
Fairly abundant in the winter months. Usually commenc-
ing to appear in October, leaving in March.
1244. The Shikra — Astur hadius, Gmel.
Uncommon ; one or two are seen each season. Dodsworth
shot one at 6,700 feet of elevation.
1247. The Sparrow-Hawk— ^cciptVer WiSMtf, Linn.
During migration Sparrow-Hawks are not uncommon but as a
breeding species must be accounted rare here. I have only
found two nests. One contained three very hard-set eggs, the
other three nearly fledged young ones. I shot the male bird
from the first and it appears to agree well with Blanford's
description of this species in the " Fauna " B. I. Vol. Ill,
page 402. Another male I have, also appears to agree with
Blanford's description, but Mr. C. H. Donald, to whom I showed
these two skins, considers them very dark on the upper plumage
618 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL RIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI,
and unlike the Sparrow-Hawks he has been used to seeing in the
Kangra District and elsewhere. Since he drew my attention
to this difference I have looked up my notes when these birds
would be migrating and carefully recalled to memory whether
they were pale or dark specimens, and am confident in saying
that during the migration season the great majority (males)
seen were the pale race. Birds seen in May and June were
invariably of the darker race and at that period would be breed-
ing. Hence, as Mr. Donald says, it looks as though the latter
is a local, non-migratory race, in fact Hume's malanoscMstus .
1255. The Shahin Falcon — Falco jieregrinator. Sundew.
A rare resident. I know of only two pair breeding and
frequenting the neighbourhood of Simla. Its eyrie is always
placed on a ledge in some almost inaccessible precipice. The
eggs, two or three in number, are laid in March and April, and
in four instances when I have taken the eggs these have reposed
on the bare earth.
1257. The Luggar Falcon — Falco jugger, J. E. Gray.
A pair found breeding in a cliff on the banks of the Sutlej
near Bilaspur, March 1912. Elevation 2,000 feet.
1260. The Hobby — Falco subbuteo, Linn.
Not uncommon on migration and a few pair remain to breed.
I have thrice found the nest, twice with young and once with
eggs, see "Journal" Vol. XXIIl, No. 3, page 679 and
Vol. XXIV, No. 2, page 3S9. Breeds in June. Its food consists
principally of coleopterous insects but 1 have on more than one
occasion seen it take swifts (C. affinis).
1265. The Kestrel — Tinnwmulus alaudarius, Linn.
Kestrels are common throughout the year but whether those
that breed with us are replaced in the winter by others from fur-
ther North it is impossible to say. Lays in April, May and June.
Most nests were betw^een 6,000 feet and 7,000 feet, but I have
one clutch of eggs taken below 6,000 feet.
1283. The Kokla Green Pigeon — Sphenocerus spenunts. Vigors.
A common breeding species. Arrives April when its peculiar
call is heard in every heavily wooded Oak ( Q. dilatata ) forest
up to about, 7,000 ft. Very few are seen after August. Breeds
in May and June. One nest contained three eggs.
1291. The Bronze-winged Dove — Chalcophaps indica, Linn.
Dodsworth obtained specimens of this species at 3,500 ft.
elevation in February 1913. He opined that it was tolerably
abundant.
1292. The Indian Blue Rock-Pigeon — Columba intermedia, Strickl.
Breeds in a few secluded cliffs. I have seen it nesting in the
same cliff as Gyps Mmalayensis and again in close proximity to
GypcBhis harhatus. Elevation 5,000 feet.
1293. The Blue Rock-Pigeon — Columba livia, Bonnaterre.
Dodsworth obtained specimens of this species, together with
hybrids between this and the last species, from a flock he came
across during February 1913. Elevation 4,000 ft.
1298. The Eastern Wood -Pigeon — Palumbus casiotis, Bonap.
During some winters large flocks are seen. Most have retired
further North by the end of March but occasionally a few
remain till mid-April.
1305. The Indian Turtle-Dove — Turturferrago, Eversm.
Very common in forest up to 8,500 ft. elevation.
A LIST OF BIRDS FOUND IN THE SIMLA HILLS. 619
1307. The Spotted Dove — Turtur suratensis, Gm.
Also very common. Frequents cultivated tracts up to 6,000
ft. elevation.
1309. The Little Brown Dove — Turtur camhayensis, Gm.
Occurs up to 2,000 ft.
1310. The Indian Ring-Dove — Turtur risorins, Linn.
Not uncommon about the cultivation up to 6,000 ft.
1324. The Common Peafowl — Pavo cristatus, Linn.
Not uncommon up to 5,000 feet, but rarely seen above 6,000
feet.
1328. The Common Jungle-fowl — Gallus ferrugineus, Blyth.
Common in the outer hills up to 4,000 feet of elevation and
Mr. E. C. Stuart Baker mentions a clutch of 8 eggs which he
received from Dodsworth taken in Simla. J. B. N. H. S. Vol.
XXV, No. Ij page 8.
1333. The Cheer Pheasant — Catreus wallichi, Hardwicke.
Only found in a few favoured localities about Simla. During
the early part of 1917, a young sportsman here shot a beautiful
male, hybrid between this species and Gennceus albioristatus which
is now in the Society's museum.
1334. The Koklas Pheasant — Pucrasia macroloplia., Gray.
This splendid sporting bird is fairly plentiful in the Deodar
forests between 7,500 and 8,500 feet. Its usual haunts in the
shooting season are the more or less open forests where there
is a good growth of grass, and except when disturbed appears
to shun the dense undergrowth. In the breeding season the
reverse is the case. Lays during the last week in April and the
beginning of May. Pahari name, " Plaash."
1336. The White-crested Kalij Pheasant — Oennceus ablicristalus, Ogilvie
Grant.
Found in almost every ravine where there is sufficient under-
growth to afford it cover. Most eggs are laid in May and June.
1342. The Monal — LophopJiorus refulgens, Temm.
Scarce until one gets at least 30 miles out of Simla.
1345. The Western Horned ^h.Qeisa.nt—Tragopan melanocephalus, Ogilvie
Grant.
Very rare. A few are shot in most seasons towards Kotgarh
above 9,000 feet.
1355. The Common or Grey Quail — Coturnix communis, Bonn.
I have shot it when out after Chukor but consider their occur-
rence rather exceptional. Elevation 4,000 feet.
1357. The Jungle Bush-Quail — Perdicula asiatica, Adams.
Not uncommon in the lower scrub-covered hills up to 3,000
feet of elevation.
1362. The Common Hill-Partridge — Arboricola torqueola, Gray.
Such an arrant skulker that it is considered scarce. This,
however, is by no means the case, it being tolerably plentiful
wherever there is an abundance of dense undergrowth. Obser-
ved up to 8,600 feet.
1370. The Chukor — Caccabis c7ium.r, Blyth.
Fairly plentiful in suitable localities, i.e., the bare stony
hill-sides, more or less dotted with low bushes, generally near
cultivation. From 4,000 feet of elevation, upwards.
1372. The Black Partridge— .FrawcoKnws vuglaris, Steph.
Found everywhere except in high forest. Its favourite haunts,
38
620 JO URN A L, E 0MB A Y NA TUBAL HIST. SO CIETY, Vol. XXVI.
however, are in the vicinity of villages. Occurs up to 8,600 feet
near Simla. Breeds June and July.
1875. The Grey Partridge — Francolinus pondicerianus, Steph.
Occurs up to about 4,000 feet of elevation.
1384. The Indian Button-Quail — Turnix tanki, Blyth.
In July 1913 I procured one of a pair seen. This is the only
record of this species. Elevation 6,500 ft.
1393. The Eastern Baillon's Crake — Porzana pusilla, Oates.
One was caught in one of the European shops in the Mall.
It was kept in a cage for a week and was given to me when
it died.
1405. The Coot — Fulica atra, Linn.
A single record only. This specimen was caught by one of our
dogs when out after Chukor. Elevation 4,000 feet.
1431. The Red-wattled Ij&^-vfing—Sarcogrammusindicus, Sharps.
Occurs in small numbers along the streams up to 6,000 feet of
elevation.
1460. The Common Sandpiper — Totanus Jiypoleucus. Temm.
Common along the streams during migration.
1462. The Green Sandpiper — Totanus ochropus, Temm.
Same as the last.
1466. The Greenshank — Totanus glottis, Bechst.
Observed at a small pond at 7,000 feet of elevation. Often
heard flying over at night during migration.
1482. The Woodcock — Scolopax rusticola, Linn.
Not uncommon during the cold weather. It is not improbable
that a few remain to breed as I have on two occasions flushed it
during the month of June.
1526. The Cormorant — PJmlacrocorax carbo, Linn.
While marching from Bilaspur to Suket in March 1913 I saw
several cormorants, which, judging from their size, I attributed
to this species.
1555. The Common Heron — Ardea cinerea, Linn.
Occasionally seen and heard on migration.
1565. The Pond Heron — Ardeola grayi, Hume.
Only one record — a single bird seen at the Ashni River,
8 miles from here. Elevation 4,000 feet.
1579. The Grey Lag Goose — Anser ferus, Schaeff.
A flock of about 200 birds flew over Simla on March 4th, 1918
Their well-known 'call attracted everyone's attention.
1588. The Ruddy Sheldrake — Casarca rutilla, Bonap.
A small party were seen on the Sutlej in September 1909.
1601. The Garganey—Querquedula circia, Steph.
Three were shot from a small flock at the beginning of
September 1909. They were feeding in a small marsh on the
banks of the Sutlej. Elevation 2,500 feet.
1602. The Shoveller — Spatula clypeata, Boie.
At daybreak while locating Chukor two flew over out of
gunshot. They appeared to be making straight for the plains,
September 1912. Elevation 4,000 feet.
621
SOME SOUTH INDIAN COCCIDS OF ECONOMIC
IMPORTANCE, (a)
BY
T. V. Ramakrishna Ayyae, B.A., F.E.S., F.Z.S.,
Ag. Government Entomologist, Madras.
Agricultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore.
The economic importance of Coccidas (scale insects and mealy
bugs^ needs no special mention — especially in tropical countries.
Though this is well known in tropical America, Australia and
South Africa, the fact is not so well realised in India. The causes
that contribute to this paucity of oiir knowledge regarding this
group of insects are many. In the first place these insects have a
partiality for fruit trees, garden shrubs, and hot house plants, and
in India there is hardly anything compared to the extensive fruit
cultivation and horticulture found in those countries. Except on
the hill ranges where some attempt is nowadays being made to
grow fruits, and around some big cities where nursery men ply
their trade, there is nothing worth the name of fruit culture any-
where in the plains ; this is specially the case in South India.
Secondly, though several species of Coccids are found in India,
except in a few cases damage to the ordinary cultivated crops by
these insects is very little, compared to others like beetles and
caterpillars with which agriculturists are more familiar.
But nowadays, however, there is a tendency and desire on the
part of both European settlers and Indian landlords in different
parts of India to take to gardening and fruit culture in addition to
the time-honoured custom of growing only the staple food and
industrial crops. To these prospective gardeners and orchardists a
knowledge of the Coccids of the country — especially of those forms
which are of some economic importance — will, I believe, be of
some use and it is chiefly with this idea of contributing a little in
this direction that this paper is read.
In the course of a systematic study of the species of this in-
teresting group of insects found in South India, I have had
chances of noting some forms which, judging from their present
status, bid fair to play some prominent part as insects of economic
importance in course of time. At present most of the species are
found confined to various wild trees and shrubs, and some of the
well-known fruit pests of the group so far known in the country
have not as yet spread sufiiciently to attract any serious attention.
(a). This is a paper which was read at the Indian Science Congress,- Lahore, in
January 1918.
622 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
But as the area under fruit is increasing gradually and forests are
cleared for cultivation, several of these forms might, under favourable
circumstances, transfer their activities not only to fruit trees and
garden plants but even to food and industrial crops grown in the
fields. Nor do the chances for wider distribution stop there ; nursery
men and fruit vendors have begun to import fruit and nursery
stock from foreign countries and this will be another important
medium for the importation of some of the well-known scale pests
from abroad. In this manner Coccids have good opportunities of
coming into more prominence in the future.
I have in this paper attempted to list those forms which have
so far been noted to be of some economic importance and a few
Avhich show promise of playing the role of pests in due course. So
far I have noted about 129 species of Coccids inhabiting Sovxth
India and of these I have selected the following 33 which are of
economic importance and therefore deserve some attention.
Family— COCCIDS.
Sub-family — DiASPiNiE.
1. Chionaspis vitis, Green.*
Found on Mango in Bangalore, Coimbatore and at the foot of the
Nilgiris. The female scales are white and more or less transparent and oval
in shape, the male puparia are small and snowy white. The insect is found
in colonies on the foliage and infested leaves turn into a pale sickly
yellowish colour. It is not at present a very serious pest but it is not
unlikely to be so. The alternate food plants on which this insect has been
noted are Vitis lanceolaria, Elceaynus latifolia and occasionally Loranthus.
Mr. Green who has studied the insecty in Ceylon says " should the grape
vine be ever cultivated largely in Ceylon, this insect might prove a rather
serious pest." The remark applies equally to South India.
2. Diaspis echinocadi — Bouche.*
This is the prickly pear scale. Found in Coimbatore and other localities.
The small pale whitish brown oval scales are found in patches on the
prickly pear. The colonies are especially numerous near the branches of
thorns and flower buds. During the summer months the insect multiplies
enormously and considerably checks the vigorous growth of this undesirable
weed, but it has not begun to play a very important role as a natural enemy
of the prickly pear.
3. Hemichionaspis aspidistrce, Sign. *
This insect has been noted on a variety of plants till now. On pepper
leaves and berries in Malabar, on Ceara rubber leaves on the Nilgiris, on
Citrus leaves in Godavari, on Jak leaves in Mysore, on Ficus leaves in
Coimbatore and Cocoanut leaves in Malabar. The female puparium has an
irregular elongated shape pointed at one end and more or less dilated at the
posterior end. Has a pale brown colour. The male puparia are small, narrow,
and clear white in colour. It is curious that in certain cases males predo-
minate and in others only female scales are found.
* Note. — All the species with an asterisk werenamed by Mr. E. E. Green.
SOUTH INDIAN COCCIDS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. 623
This insect is important from an economic point of view as it has been
noted on a variety of plants in different places and in some causing an ap-
preciable amount of damage. Has been noted to cause severe damage
to young arecapalms.
4. Hemichionaspis thece, Mask.*
This insect resembles ' H, aspidistras ' very closely. The male Bcales are
arranged on the leaves in definite groups and are often found far more
numerous than the female scales. Found on pomegranate leaves — Coimba-
tore and Tea in Assam. In Assam it is often found to be serious especially
on young tea bushes. ]t is likely that the insect is preseent in the tea
districts of South India also.
5. Aspidiotus destructor, Sign.*
Found on cocoanut leaves all along the West Coast, in Tinnevelly and in
Coimbatore. The transparent yellowish white oval scales are found in large
patches on fronds that are badly infested. In some places some appreci-
able damage is done by this insect. The effect of the infestation consists
in the leaves getting faded and shrivelled up and the colour turns to a
sickly pale yellowish white. The insect has also been noted on pepper,
Para rubber, Loranthus, etc.
6. Aspidiotus camelUce, Sign.*
This is the well known ' yellow bark louse ' of tea. The scales are oval
and have a pale yellow colour ; they resemble small oyster shells over-
lapping one another. Noted on elm in Ootacamund. Also recorded on
Grevillea, Cinchona, and Michelia in Ceylon. This is often a bad pest of
young tea on the Nilgiris ; in these cases the upper shoots are covered over
by the scales and killed outright. The scales can be easily made out on
infested plants due to their conspicuous appearance.
7. Aspidiotus (Chrysomphalus) aurantii. Mask.*
This is the citrus red scale of American states, but it has not yet become
so serious a pest in India. Has been found on Ilose bushes, Malabar, and
on Jasmine leaves, Godavari District. I have not yet found it on citrtis in
South India. It has been recorded on Agave, Pomelo and Orange plants in
Ceylon. This is evidently one of those insects regarding which orange cul-
tivators may be warned. On rose bushes it is found very bad, killing shoots,
stem and leaves of infested plants. The circular greyish brown transparent
scales cover the shoots and foliage in masses.
8. Aspidiotxis ficus, Ashmead.*
'Chis is another well known insect and has an equally wide distribution.
The small more or less conical purplish scales are often found crowded
together on citrus leaves. Noted on Ficus in Anantapur Manfj-o in Coim-
batore, Citrus in Malabar and Nilgiris and on Pandanus in Cochin, This
has not been found to be so bad as ' A. aurantii.'
9. Mytilaspis piperis. Green.*
This is the only species of the genus of mussel scales that has been found
to be a pest so far. It is noted on black pepper infesting the tender vines
and the foliage in North Malabar and "VVynaad. In some plantations in
Wynaad and Travancore severe damage has been recorded. An infested
vine cannot easily be made out as the colour and general appearance of the
scales resemble the corrugated surface of the vine.
624 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXFI,
Sub-family — Lecaniin.^.
10. Pulvinaria psidii. Mask.*
This is one of the most important of Coccid pests at present known i n
South India. It is popularly known as the * Guava mealy scale.' Though
it is very often found bad on the guava plant it has been noted to do
damage to a variety of others, the chief of them being coflFee, tea, mango,
GitrUrS and Morinda. The young and fairly mature scales are bright green
in colour more or less resembling the green bug of coffee, but the mature
female throws out a white ovisac and this is found in numbers on badly
infested plants. A black mould also forms in course of time and gives
a completely blighted appearance to the plants affected. It is found
throughout South India especially in the hill plantations.
11. Pulvinaria maxima. Green.*
This is also a destructive species almost chiefly confined to the Margossa
(nim) tree and found in most parts of South India chiefly in and around
Ooimbatore. Almost throughout the year the pest can be found on trees
in varying numbers. A badly infested tree shows all the stages of the
pest in numbers ; the male piiparia are small and white and cover the whole
surface of the plant, leaves, shoots and stem. The adult females are pale
brown leathery objects generally found attached to the tender shoots and
stems ; when about to oviposit they upread themselves to the leaves and
branches and deposit the long curved ovisac so conspicuously seen on
infested plants. The adult males are tiny delicate two winged creatures
with a pair of long processes at the tiil end. A small lady bird beetle
is also found predacious on this scxle. The common black ant ' Cam-
ponotus compressa' visits the scale iu colonies, and nests of this ant are
found underneath these trees. The insects throw out so much secretion
that the ground below becomes completely wet and the foliage of the lower
branches becomes covered with black soot giving the characteristic
blighted look. There is every likelihood of this insect spreading to other
plants and trees also. Recently mulberry plants were found attacked in
Ooimbatore, The insect was first descTibed by Green from Javanese speci-
mens collected on Erythrina lithosperma.
12. Pulvinaria thespesice. Green.*
This species is in structure and habits very similar
species. I have noted this pretty bad on
populnea) which is a very common avenue tree
to the preceding
the Portia tree (Thespesia
along the coast roads
of* the Godaveri district near Cocanada, Coringa, etc. The long, curved
ovisacs are very big and prominent and found in masses on the leaves and
shoots. This was first described from Ceylon on the same plant and has not
been recorded from India till now.
13. Creoplastes adiniformis. Green.*
This pretty looking reddish brown waxy scale is found on a number of
plants and though it has not yet assumed the role of a pest there are signs
that it might prove a destructive species. Found on Cocoanut leaves
(Ooimbatore and Malabar), Mango leaves (Ooimbatore), on Oanna leaves
(Samalkota, Godavari), on Ficus (Anantapur) and on Calophyllum leaves
(South Canara). The scale is often found in large colonies along the
unfolded inner surface of the cocoanut leaves in Malabar. On Calophyllum
it was found doing some appreciable damage. The octagonal arrangement
i
Journ. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
Plate 1.
PULVINARIA MAXIMA, Gr.
A Scale infested branch of Nim.
B.— 1. $ adult. 2 $ pupariuni. 8. $ with ovisac.
SOUTH INDIAN C0CCID8 OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. 625
of the spherical waxy test into plates gives this insect an ornamental
appearance. It is recorded on Loranihus in Poona.
14. Ceroplastodes cajani, Mark.*
Found on Red gram all over South India. It is also found doing some
damage to the main vines of * Dolichos lablab, ' to shoots of Zizyphns jujuba
and the sacred ' thulsi ' plant (Ocimum sanctum). The scales are small and
oval and covered with white glassy tests of wax. Big patches of these are
found on Red gram and lablab stems. A species of ' Etiblemma' moth is
found predacious on this insect. This insect was first described by Maskell
under the name of ' Eriochiton atjani,' from specimens collected at
Madras on Red gram in 1891.
15. Lecanium nigrum, Neit.*
This is popularly known as ' the black scale ' and has a world-wide dis-
tribution. The scales are of a dark shining brown colour and have an
irregularly oval shape with the dorsal surface strongly convex. The scales
cover the shoots and leaves in numbers. In Coimbatore it has been noted
on Cotton, Thespesia popuhiea, Uygrophila spinosa. Sandalwood, garden
crotons, and Hibiscus esculentus. Sometimes it does considerable damage.
Some of the Thespesia, avenue trees in parts of Mysore are bad with this
pest. Besides the above it has been noted on coffee, tea, rubber, etc., in
different parts of India. It is badly parasitised by a chalcid very often.
16. Lecanium hemisphcericum, Targ.*
This is one of the two or three well known Coccid pests of South India —
* the brown bug of coffee ' and has been noted throughout the world on
various food plants. Sometimes it is very bad on coffee in the hill planta-
tions. It also infests tea, guava, cinchona and other plants. The scales
are oval and hemispherical and have generally a reddish brown colour.
17. Lecanium oleae, Bern.*
A very convex purple brown scale with prominent ridges on the surface.
This is not so common as the two previously mentioned species of 'lecanium.''
It is found on Tamarind fruits and stalks and on Hyrgrophila spinosa (Coim-
batore), on coffee (Coorg), and on Sesbania and Thespesia (in the Bellary
District). This is the common 'olive scale' of European countries.
18. Lecanium viride. Green.*
Among coccid pests so far known in South India this insect appears to be
one of very great importance as a pest. It is popularly known as the ' green
bug ' of coffee and tea in the hill plantations of South India and a good
deal is on record regarding this insect. Besides coffee and tea which it
regularly infests it has been noted on Aegle and Carissa (Coimbatore) and
Guava, Citrus and I'lumeria acutifolia on the Nilgiris. It is often found
together with the ' brown scale.'
19. Hemilecanium imhricans, Green.*
This scale is of a fairly big size about ^" across and has a rough circular
shape. The dorsum is slightly convex. In colour the scale is dirty brown
and in many cases very closely resembles the stem of the host plant.
Noted on ' Jatropha multifida ' and Ailanthus excelsa (Coimbatore) and
Cedar (Shevaroys). It has been noted before on Ficus sp. and Red cedar
in Mysore ; on these trees it is a pretty bad pest. Masses of the seal©
626 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL BIST. SOCIEIY, Vol. XXVI,
and its young are found completely covering the stem and shoots of the
host plant and this gives a glistening white appearance to the stem. A
black mould follows the attack and the tree suffers to an appreciable
degree. It is probable that this insect might in course of time assume the
status of an important pest of some of our valuable trees.
Sub-family — Dactylopiin^.
20. Dadylopius indicus. Green*.
This is the well known wild cochineal insect producing the beautiful
purple dye. Though this is not commonly found I found it pretty
abundant on the prickly pear plant in parts of the Godavari district. The
soft mealy covered females are found crowded together on the surface of
the prickly pear foliage, and the male puparia which are shining white
small cocoon shaped objects are also found clustered near the thorn
bunches. The insect seems to eflectively destroy prickly pear of the species
Opuntia monacantha though my efforts to inoculate the s^me on the common
South Indian species 'O.dileni^ did not meet with success. The dye got out
of this insect is a brilliant purple one.
21. Pseuclococcus citri, Risso.
A well known mealy bug found throughout the world and doing serious
damage to different plants in various countries. It has over forty host
plants. I foimd it bad on Cocoa plants grown in the Government gardens,
Kallar (Nilgiris). Large white patches of this bug were found covering the
growing pods. It has been noted before on Coffee seedlings in Mysore
and Coorg.
22. Pseiidococcus virgatus*.
This is another mealy bug very commonly found in South India infesting
a variety of garden plants such as croton, tomato, Sesbania, Hibiscus (in
Coimbatore), Cambodia cotton (in South Arcot), etc,
23. Pseudococcus sacchari, Ckll. f
This mealy bug is found infesting the inner surface of the leaf sheaths
of the growing paddy plant. Sometimes this does considerable damage
to paddy in parts of Trichinopoly and Tanjore. It is known as the
' choorai ' disease on paddy. Infested fields show isolated patches of
plants drying up.
24. Pseudococcus corymbatus, Green. (MS name only.)*
This is another destructive mealy bug which produces large masses of
white mealy matter. Noted on Jak (in Malabar), On citrus shoots and
fruits (in Godavari District), and on Cotton plants (Coimbatore). The
shoots and fruits of the host plants are covered over with thick masses of
the white mealy matter under which the bugs live. In Malabar the red ant
Oecophylla visits the colonies of the bug on Jak. Not recorded before from
India and no description of the species has yet been published.
25. Phenacoccus insolitus. Green.*
A mealy bug found doing damage to Brinjal plants all over South India.
Generally found appearing on plants which are fairly old and have been in
the field for a pretty long time. Attacked plants show the leaves covered
t Named by Prof. Newstead.
Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc
Plate 2.
Phenacoccus insolitus, Gr.
A. — Brinjal plant covered with ovisacs.
B. — A mealy bus' ^vith ovisac mag-nified.
C— The larva.
J
Journ., Bombay Na.t. Hist. Soc.
Plate 3.
AnomalocOccus indicus (nov. sp.) Green.
A.— Babul branch infested with scales and visited by the black ant.
B.— Female and male puparia magnified, two views of the former are shown Cmagnified.)
SOUTH INDIAN COCCIDS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. (327
over by white patches, coutaiuiug colonies of this mealy bug. It has not
been found tt) attack any other cultivated plant so far; but it is pretty
bad on brinjal. Recorded before on Slda cordifolia in North India.
26. Phenacoccus iceryoides. Green.*
A mealy bug found infesting citrus shoots (in Godavari), mango fruits and
stalks ( in Viziagapatam ), and on shoots of Odina odiar tree in Coimbatore.
Noted before on BosweUia, Capparis and mango elsewhere. This is also a
somewhat destructive species found in white masses on the shoots and
fruits of the host plants.
27. Riper sia sacdiari. Green.*
This is an impor'tant mealy bug pest of sugarcane and often does serious
damage. The orange coloured bugs are found clustered at the nodes of
lower regions of the growing sugarcane plant which are covered over by
the old leaf sheaths. The bugs are covered over with white powdery matter.
Found on certain varieties of cane on the Coimbatore farm.
Sub-family — Asterole«'aniin.e.
28. Anotnalococcus iiidicus sp, new. Green.*
This is a serious specific pest of Acacia arabica (Babul) in the Coimba-
tore district. The female scales are pale white in colour and spherical
in shape. Young trees suft'er badly from this pest and badly infested
trees show the white scales in numbers on every portion of its stem,
branches and shoots. A moth ' Eichlemma scitula'' is found predacious on
the scale and among the scales on the branches can be found the cocoons
of this caterpillar which appear as dark brown spherical shell like objects
bigger than the scales. Large colonies of the black ant Camponotus com-
pressus are found nesting at the foot of the trees and visiting the infested
branches frequently. The insect is a species new to science.
29. Ccrococcus hibisci, Green.f
The scales of this species are spherical and is often found in yellowish
or greyish brown masses on the shoots of cotton in different places. Not a
serious pest. Noted on cotton in Vizag, Godaveri, Coimbatore and Tinne-
velly districts. First described by Green in Vol. II of the memoirs of the
Department of Agriculture, India, p. 19 (1908).
TACHARDIIN.^.
30. TacJmrdia lacca, Kerr.t
This is the lac insect and produces the waxy secretion which forms the
chief constituent of the shellac of commerce. This insect, therefore, is a
useful one. Lac cultivation though well known in the Central Provinces
and Bengal is not carried on anywhere in South India although there is no
doiibt that it can be successfully carried on in these parts also. In the
wild condition I have found encrustations of this insect on Mango (Sadi-
apet), Dalbergia lanceolaria (Walayar forests), and on the Rain tree (in
Coimbatore). It has been noted on a species oi SJiorea in Mysore and
t Named by Prof. Newstead.
X The lac found on Dalbergia was determined as ' T. lacca, kerr' by Mr.
•Green. One species I found on " Thespesia ' in Cuddappah has been determined by
Mr. Green as ' T. lobato , Gr.''
39
628 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
other places of South India. In Northern India of course it is found and
cultivated on a variety of trees such as Kusum, Palas, Acacia, Ficvs,
Zizyphus, Red gram, etc.
Sub-family — Monophlebin.^.
31. Monophlehus tamarindus, Green.*
This species of Monophlebus is noted infesting garden crotons in the
Godavari District. The adult insects are stout and muscular and covered
over with a white powdery bloom ; they are able to move about.
There are other species of Monophlebus recorded to do damage to
mango, ficus, and other trees in North India.
32. Walkeriana cinerea, Green*.
The individuals of this genus are pretty large in size and have nume-
rous waxy wart like projections from the bodj^ surface. I found this
species bad on Lawsonia alba and Sandal-wood tree in South Malabar.
The infested shoots which are covered with numerous individuals of this
insect become pale and covered over with a sooty mould. I have recently
noted this pretty bad on Thespesia populnm in Coimbatore. The branches
covered by the scales turn sooty black and sickly.
33. Icerya aegyptiaca, Dougl.
This is one of the common mealy bugs found on all sorts of ornamental
plants in gardens. The adult insects are covered with white waxy material
and there are processes of thu same material at the sides of the body ;
they move about slowly on the plant surface and are often found in colo-
nies on the tender parts of the host plants. Has been noted also on Bread
fruit tree Artocarpus incisa (South Malabar) on Jak (Nilgiris), and on
Ficus leaves ( Vizagapatam District).
Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. 8oc.
Plate 4.
Walkeriana cineria, Gr.
A. — Adnlt scales on Portia stem X 1.
B.— Adult 9
C.— Adult 9-
D.— Larvae, nat. and magnified.
E. — Very young larva mag-nified-
629
THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB
BY
C. H. Donald, f.z.s.
Part II.
{With Flates I and 11.)
{Continued from jpage 265 of Volume XXVI.)
Types D & E.
This chapter deals with the True Eagles, the Hawk-Eagles and the
Himalayan Rough-legged Buzzard, iu all 5 genera comprising 11
species.
Type D takes into account all birds with a feathered tarsus,
with the exception of the Lammergeyer which has been placed in a
Type (C) by itself, on account of its beard, a characteristic which
it shares with no other species of the Raptores.
Type E contains but one genus, and that genus is represented
by only one species, so far as India is concerned, and even that is
very rare. I place this bird (the Himalayan Rough-legged Buzzard)
in a type next to the Eagles because its tarsi are feathered, in front,
right down to the toes and I separate it from them because the
Eagles and Hawk-Eagles have their tarsi feathered back and front
whereas the Himalayan Rough-legged Buzzard has its feathered in
front only, and naked behind.
Of the 11 species 3 are winter migrants and 5 are more or less
restricted to the Himalayan forests and not likely to be met with
in the plains, though all eleven are to be found in the Punjab.
Perhaps the least well known of all the Order of Acciptres are
to be found among the larger Raptores. The ordinary man who has
to spend a certain number of years of his life in India, and whose one
thought is to get out of it as soon as possible, and whose interests
do not lie in the direction of the fauna of the country, does not worry
much about nomenclature and to him every bird he sees, provided
it is a big one, is either a vulture or an eagle, and it does not much
matter which. Our friend the Punjabi villager does not help us
either, for though he knows the difference between the vulture and
the eagle he calls them indiscriminately, " 111 " or " lUur ", and by
the time the seeker after knowledge has heard " 111 " or "Illur"
applied to some 4 or 5 different species, which he has not had much
trouble in identifying as being different to each other, whatever
they actually are, he has come to the conclusion that there is a pau-
city of names in the Punjabi dialect, or that all big birds one sees
are one and the same in different guises. The Sahib who calls every-
thing a vulture or an eagle takes the place of the old Punjabi among
630 JO URNAL, B 0MB A T NA TUBAL HIS T. SO CIETY, Vol. XX VI.
the European community and soon damps the ardour of many a
promising young naturalist newly arrived in the country.
It seems a pity that our English nomenclature is not more helpful
either. It is distinctly puzzling to the student who has acquired the
knowledge that all true Eagles and Hawk-Eagles can be recognised
at a glance by their feathered tarsi, to suddenly come upon " Short
toed Eagles ", " Serpent Eagles " and even " Buzzard Eagles " which
not only have a naked tarsus, but as in the last case have not
even the size or presence to carry off the name ; the White-eyed
Buzzard Eagle being about the size of a crow. However, we are not
here to discuss nomenclature, and these papers are written with a
view to simplify identification.
There is a vast difference between the Vultures and the Eagles,
even far up in the sky, and it takes very little practice to recognise
one from the other. The flight of the JEagle is always a good deal
" lighter " than that of the Vulture and the tail extends a little
further beyond the line of the wings, than does that of a Vulture.
The wings too appear to be narrower for their length, and even
when soaring will often be seen to bend slightly from the tips.
At close quarters the feathered head separates the Eagle from the
Vulture and the completely feathered tarsi, back and front, from all
other diurnal birds of prey. Some of the Owls too have feathered
tarsi, but there can be no confusion between an Owl and an Eagle.
Plumage is a most variable factor and unless it is possible to
describe each and every phase of plumage minutely, it is extremely
difficult to recognise a bird by the description of its plumage alone.
In these papers I have taken the descriptions from the Fauna of
British India and in many cases from Hume's " Rough Notes," as
they cannot well be improved upon, but have not given them very
fully. Since other factors are given which are much safer to rely
upon than the plumage, the latter has only been touched on in a
general way.
Key to the Types.
Type. Size. Characteristics.
J). jMedium to large. Head and neck fully feathered ; tarsus feathered
back and front to the division of the toes or very
neai'ly.
E. Medium . . Head and neck fully feathered ; tarsus feathered
in front only, to the base of the toes, naked behind.
Key to the Species.
Type. Name. Characteristics.
i)". Aqula chrysaetus, a. Primaries exceeding secondaries by more
The Golden Eagle, than length of tarsus ; b. claws much curved,
hind claw longest ; c. primaries in closed wing
reaching to within an inch or so of tail; d. Nostril
elliptical, higher than broad ; e. tarsus 4" in length ;
f. hind claw without toe over 2J".
THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB.
631
Type.
E.
3i
Characteristics.
a, b, c and d, as for chrysciHus ; c. tarsus
3|" ; f. hind claw without toe under 2}/'.
a, b, c and d, as for above ; e. tarsus 4" ; hind-
claw without toe under 2".
a, b, c and d, as for above ; e, tarsus 3|" or
under.
a, b and c, as for above ; d. nostril round ; e.
tarsus 4".
to
Name.
Aquila heliaca.
The Imperial Eagle
Aquila bifasciata.
The Steppe Eagle.
Aquila vindhiana ,
The Tawny Eagle.
Aquila maculata.
The Large Spotted
Eagle.
Hieraetus fascial us, a and b as for above ; c. primaries in closed wing
The Bonelli's Eagle, falling short of tip of tail by over 2" ; e. tarsus 3£
to 4" ; g. wing 19" and over.
Hieraetus pennatus, a, b and c, as for Aquila ; e. tarsus 2\ to 2f" ;
The Booted Eagle, g. wing 14 to 16*".
Ictinaetus vmlayen- a. as for Aquila ; b. claws but little curved,
sis. The Black Eagle .inner as long as, or longer than hind; c. primaries
in closed w^ing reaching to end of tail.
Spizaetus limnaetus, a. Primaries exceeding the secondaries by less
The Changeable than length of tarsus ; b. as for Aquila ; c. pri-
Hawk-Eagle. maries in closed Aving falling very far short of tij)
of tail ; h. feathering of tarsus not extending to
division of toes ; i. crest rudimentary.
Spizaetus ne2)alensis, a, b and c as in *S'. limnaetus ; h. feathering on
The Hodgson's
Hawk Eagle.
Archibuteo hemiptt-
lopus. The Himala-
yan Rough- legged
Buzzard.
tarsus extends to division of toes ; i. a crest always
present.
As for TYPE. Tarsus feathered in front to
the toes, naked behind.
Type D.
Family FALCOXIDiE.
Sub-family FALCONIN.^.
Genus Aquila (5 species).
No. 1200. Aquila chrysaetus. The Golden Eagle.
'Characteristics.
Colouration.
Size large ; tarsi fully feathered to the toes ; claws
much curved, hind claw from 2f" to 3i" round the
curve, Avithout toe ; tarsus 4".
In adults, the head is dark brown paling to rufous
tawny on the nape and sides of neck. The feathers of
the nape and hind neck are long and lanceolate. Fea-
thers in front of the eye are greyish white. The upper
tail coverts, the small feathers on the bend of the wing,
and the thigh coverts and under tail coverts are a
light rufous brown, the tail coverts more faded than
the thigh. The bases of most of the back feathers and
quills are white, more or less mottled with dark brown.
The rest of the plumage is a deep chocolate brown,
almost black, Avith faint bars or mottling on the tail.
The young bird is a glossy broAvnish black through-
out, except for the head and neck, Avhich are marked
like the old bird, but more taAvny.
632 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Measurements.
Habits, etc.
The secondaries are white for about half their length,
making a conspicuous patch in the centre of each wing,
when the bird flies, and the tail is white, fhiely mottled,
for about two -thirds of its length. The tail coverts,
bend of wing and flanks similar to that in old birds.
Bill dark horny, tip black ; irides hazal broAvn ; cere
and feet bright yellow.
Length from 35" to 40" ; tail 13" to 14" ; wing 25"
to 271"; tarsus 4"; hind claw 2|" to Z\" ; expanse
about 7 ft.
The Golden Eagle is probably the least AveU known
of all eagles, since it seldom, one might almost say
never, visits the vicinity of even a hill station, except
perhaps in the depths of winter, and then even rarely.
It is, however, by no means so uncommon as people
imagine, among the inner ranges of the Himalaya,
and most of the big nallahs can boast of a pair of these
fine birds. In his " Rough Notes " Mr. Hume says :
"As far as I yet know, this bird is of such excessive
rarity in the Himalayas, south of the snows, as scarcely
to deserve a place in our list."
He says again, " every so called Golden Eagle which
has, as yet, been sent me, has proved to be " A. imp-
erialis in the dark third stage of plumage."
Mr. Hume had, at Kotgarh (in the Simla District),
" a regular establishment for shooting and jireserving
birds ", from whom he received over a thousand birds,
and who had special injunctions to shoot all large
eagles. From them he received several Imperial
Eagles but not one single Golden, and though he
quotes Dr. Stolickza as saying, this species "is
often seen about Kotgarh and further east ", he is
obviously sceptical. Why this should be I cannot
think, unless Mr. Hume has himself gone off the
rails and mistaken the Golden for an Imperial
yet this seems hard to believe in a man who so closely
observed birds in the field. I have never seen the
bird actually in Kotgarh, but have found him more
than once near Narkandah, and have taken a nest
within four miles of Baghi, on the upper Hindustan
Thibet Road. The nest contained a single yoimgster
which I took and reared. Further East, I found a
nest in the cliffs near Moonsh within 6 miles of Daran-
ghatti, also on the H. T. Road. Another nest also
with a half fledged youngster, was taken by me at
Shoang, a few miles S. E. of Kilba, and I can safely
say, that the Golden Eagle is to be met with right along
the Sutlej watershed, from Kotgarh to the Kailas Range,
in suitable localities. I have again seen the bird in
various parts of Kashmir and Chamba, and sent several
specimens to the Bombay Natural History Society
from Kashmir. Further to the East again, I have met
with the bird in the Jubal and Taroche State of the
Simla District, and in Tehri Gurhwa], as far up as
Hursil Avithin 2 marches of Gungotrie.
THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB.
Explanation of Plate I.
Figs, la & 2a
Figs. 1. & la )
Characteristics. /
Figs. 1 & 2 represent a bird flying directly overhead.
,, ,, approaching on a very slightly lower plane.
Wings fairly long, and curving upwards, and some-
times backwards, from the body. The fore-part of
the wing forms an even and regular line from the
body to the tip of the primaries, whereas the hinder
portion, i.e., the tips of the wing feathers come round
in a slight curve, downwards from the primaries
to about the centre and then slightly upwards.
Where the tertiaries meet the body there is a regular
triangle of light. The tail is long and protrudes well
beyond the point where the tertiaries meet the body.
Characteristics
applicable to : —
Figs. 2 & 2a
Characteristics.
Characteristics
applicable to :—
Aquila chrysaetus, Hiera'etus fasciatus, Ictinaetus
malayensis and Circaetus gallicus.
The Black Vulture {Otoyyiis cabms), all the species
of Spizaetu and Spilornis cheela, are given to soaring
with their wings held in a higher plane than is the
body, as depicted in Fig. la, but the shape of the
wings is different to the above, in either case.
Wings long and held on the same plane as is the
body, except the primaries which may curve upwards
near the extreme tips. The fore-part of the wing
frequently uneven and the back, where the ter-
tiaries meet the body, curve inwards less than in
the preceding Fig, and make less of a triangle.
Tail apparentl}^ shorter and protruding much less
than in the above. The tail is often spread out like
a fan in which case it appears shorter still.
AD the species of Aquila, except A. chrysaetus, the
B'isli Eagles {HaliaHus) Raliastur, and to some
extent Bvteo.
Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
1.
la.
THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB.
THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUi^JAB. 633
There is a world of difference between the Golden
Eagle and the Imperial, and though the adult plumage
of the Imperial very closely resembles the Golden, their
flight is as the poles apart, and in the hand, the claws
of the latter alone are sufficient to set him apart from
every other bird of prey. The cxtraordinaiy part of it,
to me, is that Mr. Hume should have collected so many
Imperials from the hills around Kotgarh, as they are
very uncommon and only to be found in the spring
and autumn during their migrations to and from India.
The Imperial Eagles are said to breed in the Himala-
yas, but I cannot remember ever having even seen one
in any portion of the Himalayas, except as I have
already stated, in the spring and autumn. Col. Ward
wias of the same opinion., and in a letter to me said, in
over 20 years his collectors had never found a Golden
Eagle, in Kashmir. This proves to me conclusively
that the Golden Eagle is taken for the Imperial more
often than one imagines. It might be said that the
mistake is mine, and I have taken the Imperial for
the Golden, but the sjjecimens now in the Bombay
Natural Histoiy Society's museum, sent by me some
years ago, will prove that this is not so. I have reared
4 Golden Eagles, taken from the nest, and in each
ease the first plumage was the usual dark brown,
almost black, with the head and other markings as
given above. This would be the third or fourth year
markings of the Imperial, which is a more or less light
brown throughout in its lineated or first plumage.
The flight of the Golden Eagle somewhat resembles
the BoneUi's eagle and also the Black Vultm-e, when
soaring, except that he holds his wings even further
back than either of them.
The wings curve backward from his body, to a slight
degree, and very considerably upwards and the tips
of the primaries appear to be several inches above the
level of the body. The flight is light, graceful and
bold, and the tail protrudes well back from the line
of the tertiary quiUs. The only bird that the Golden
Eagle can actually be mistaken for on the wing, is the
Black Eagle, which has a very similar flight, and at
some distance looks very much alike in colom'ing, but
the Black Eagle is very rare in the haimts of the
Golden Eagle, and the flight though very similar, is
lighter than that of the latter. The Black Eagle has a
tremendous expanse of wing in proportion to the size
of his body and weight.
A. chrysaetus has long been considered an enemy to
game and to be destroyed, as " vermin," on sight,
but the sooner this fallacy is dispelled the better will
it be for both the Eagle and the game.
I do not mean to infer that he does not kill game, but
Avhat I do mean to point out, is, that he does more
good than harm in destroying other vermin. The pair
begin their preparations for the nest about March or
early April and from this time on, they seldom visit
634 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL UIHT. SOCIETY, Fol. XXVL
the Alpine pastures, until the youngster leaves the
nest and is able to accompany the parents, which is
not until the end of August or beginning of September.
Now', the Golden Eagle is essentially a falcon in his
mode of hunting, and kills his quarry in the open. His
great spread of Aving is all against his hunting amongst
trees. This fact is a safe guard to all the pheasants
during the breeding season. The Snow Cock and the
Monal who feed a good deal in the open, are safe from
him from April to September, and the Kalij is safe
because he seldom ventures far into open ground. The
Koklass, on the other hand has the pace to get clean
aAvay from the eagle. I have flushed Koklas s on many
occasions at the edge of a deep nallah when an eagle
appeared in view, and though I have seen some good
chases, the Koklass has always got clear away. The
environmeiits of a Golden Eagle's nest gives one a very
good idea of his depredations, during the time the
youngster is in the nest. C!r6w's beaks and feet pre-
dominate to a very large extent ; next, in order, comes
the Large Red Flying Squirrel {Pteromys inornalus).
judging from the bits of fur and tails which strew
the ground below. A village cat or two, and on one
occasion, I found the remains of a fox and on another,
the skull and tail of a fairly recently killed pine
marten. Out of the nest from Avhich I took the
young one near Baghi, were taken a few feathers
and bits of a freshly killed pheasant, and that a
Koklass, so they do occasionally fall victims, but
when one considers the harm done to game, Chikor
in particular, by the Jungle Crow (('. macrohynclms).
anything which tends to reduce their numbers ^Wth
the regularity of the Golden Eagle, might well be
allowed some latitude on his own account, and still
have the balance well to his credit.
Shepherds all over the higher Himalayas tell of
Golden Eagles carrying ofl' young lambs, and I have
myself seen a pair attack a musk-deer, which just
escaped hj running into some dense cover. Near
Gungotrie, in the Tehri Gm-hwal State, I saw one attack
a full groM-n Tahr, and though I did not actually see
the animal being struck, I saw it flying through space
over a thousand feet of cliff, to be badly smashed up
among the rocks beloAA'. As it landed within a few
hundred feet of me, I went and examined it, and foimd
a clean cut extending from behind the ear to half-way
down the neck, evidently the mark of the formidable
hind talon of the eagle. Two eagles circled over us
the whole time. Though cases of their killing very
small lambs and kids may not be very uncommon, I
should think it is very seldom that they attack full
groA\''n Tahr, and, in this case, they must have either
been very hard pressed for food, or came upon a
sick or wounded 'animal.
Blanford mentions that this eagle lives on "gallina
ceous birds, and on mammals, such as hares, lamba,.
THE BIRDS OF PliEY OF TEE PUNJAB. 035
kids, fawns, etc., and it is said occasionally to attack
even wolves, but it does not disdain carrion ".
I have never seen this bird approach carrion. I
have watched many times vultiu-es on a carcase and
have seen a pair of these eagles circle overhead, as if
to make certain there was nothing there for them to
catch, but I have never seen one come down.
One spring, 1903 I think, ButTalo-herds lost a num-
ber of their animals whilst crossing the Chuttar Dhar
into Bhadarwa (Kashmir), due to an unusually heavy
fall of snow, while they were crossing, and vultures
feasted daily on the pass, but I never saw a Golden
Eagle among them at any time, though a pair might
any day be found in an adjoining '"nallah ". Again,
I fear a case of mistaken identity, and the Imperial
the real culprit.
The young Golden Eagle is hard to mistake, on
account of the large Avhite wing patch, and the white
bar on the tail, both being visible almost as far as the
bird itself can be seen, on the wing.
It is said to lay usually two eggs, occasionally white-
more often blotched with rufous brown, measuring
about 2-87 by 2-25.
The nest is a huge platform of sticks, usually on a
ledge in a clitf . lined with branches, with leaves adher-
ing to them, grass and lichen.
Since writing the above, I have received the follow
ing extract from Hume's "Nests and Eggs," Vol. Ill,
pp. 130-131, from Mr. A. E. Jones of Simla (to whom
I am greatly indebted for various bits of information
with regard to the Raptores), and which I had not
seen previously. I quote the above in full. Mr. Hume
had evi'dently had reason to change his opinions since
he wrote his " Rough Notes"'.
" The Golden Eagle occurs and breeds sparingly
in the Himalayas from Sikhim to Afghanistan ; in the
eastern and central portion of this tract it is confined
to the immediate neighbourhood of the Snowy Range,
but in the extreme N. W. it comes nearer down to-
wards the plains. Mr. Frederic Wilson, well known as
" Mountaineer," writing of the country about Gungoo
tire and Jumnotrie, tells me that it inhabits the hills
jutting out from the Snowy Ranges, and often soars
over the latter and up their remote valleys. It is never
seen on the lower ranges. It does not go into the
dense forests, but may be seen sailing above them and
along hill sides that are entirely bare, or only studded
with a few trees, here and there. A pair are generally
seen together. They feed on pigeons, monals and
more esijecially on the SnoAv Pheasants, on the
young of Tahr and Bhurrel, and will kill adult Musk-
ID eer. I have several times seen them do this.
" The nest I have not seen except on a precipice
which was quite inaccessible.
On the other hand, at Thandiani, a hill some 9,000'
ft. high, overlooking the Agrore Valley, on the borders
iO
■636 JOVBNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXII.
of Hazara, Captain Unwin found a nest and seciu'ed a
young one thence, along with the female bird, which
he sent to me. He says : ' The nest was placed on
a Deodar tree overhanging a steep precipice. It was
about 25 ft. high from the ground, and Avas composed
of a vast number of sticks and branches, collected from
the neighbomung Pine trees. These were piled up
against the trunk of the tree to a height of about 6 feet,
and formed a platform of almost 3 ft. in width ; it was
lined or littered with dry grass and roots. Some
Goojars, who live near the steep ravine, where we found
the nest stated that this pair of Eagles had bred, in
this same nest, for the past thi'ee years, and that they
occasionally carried off lambs and kids from their
huts.' "
In Kulu and Gungotrie I have heard the Golden
Eagle called " Mariari " and east of Simla, in Bushahr,
it is known as " Dhungshoorish" which means the
" monal tiger " or monal killer.
Type D.
Family FALCONIB.®.
Sub -FAMILY FALCONIN.^.
Genus Aquila.
:No. 1201, Aquila heliaca. The Imperial Eagle.
•Characteristics.
■Colouration.
Size very large ; nostril eliptical, higher than broad ;
tarsus under 4" (3-4 to 3-8); hind claw without toe,
round curve, 2" or under.
Head and neck varying from tawny buff to almost
pure white in certain specimens. Dark streaks to
feathers of forehead and back of the head. The
feathers on the neck generally black shafted.
With the exception of the above and the wing coverts
near the bend of the wing, upper and lower tail coverts,
and the tip of the tail feathers; which vary from buff
to a whity brown, the whole bird is a deep blackish
broAvn throughout, highly glossed. The basal portion
of the tail mottled, forming a sort of irregular grey-
brown band across the tail. There are generally a few
pure white, or white with irregular dots of black or
dark brown, feathers on the back and scapulars,
indiscriminately scattered about.
The young or lineated plumage of the Imperial Eagle
is very different, being : —
Head and nape brown, the feathers with paler edges.
The upper back, wing coverts and scapulars are a
darker brown, M-ith pale centres, tips or edges. The
lower portion of the back is a very light brown or buff,
and the upper tail coverts are white with a slight tinge
of reddish.
Tail light bro^Vn with fulvous tips, mottled towards
the base, forming paler bars. The primary quills are
THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB. 637
a very deep brown and the secondaries and tertiaris
are paler, more or less tipped with whitish and some-
what mottled.
The whole lower parts of the bird are a pale brown,
each feather with a darker border, this border being
thin on the throat and upper breast and very pro-
nounced lower down. The thigh plumes, vent and
lower tail coverts are a dirty browny white. Bill
bluish horny ; cere yellow, with a greenish tinge ;
irides light to dark brown ; feet whitish yellow.
Measurements. Length 28 to 32", wing 22", tail llj", tarsus 3-7;
expanse about 6 ft.
Distribution. Throughout the Province in the winter.
Habits, etc. The Imperial Eagle is said to build freely in the
plains of India and in the Himalayas, though it is
generally said to be only a winter visitor to this
country. Mr. Hume found them breeding in the upper
Punjab and Mr. Blewitt took a nest in Hansi, which
luidoubtedly Avas that of the Imperial Eagle as the
female, an adult in the dark plumage, was shot on the
nest.
For a long time the next species A. bijasciata, was
considered a phase of this eagle, until Messrs. Brooks
and Anderson separated them as different species.
Mr. Hume divided the plumage of the Imperial Eagle
into four phases, viz. the first or lineated stage ; the
second with the pale bars on the wing (the typical
Steppe Eagle) the third or dark brown phase without
the wing bars probably the second stage of the Im-
perial, and the fourth or last stage where the eagle
assumes its adult dark plumage, with a light head and
neck.
In considering the third stage, i. e., with the conspi-
cuous wing bars, as a phase of the Imperial Eagle, pos-
sibly in its second year, it is strange that Sir. Hume did
not take into consideration the numbers of birds in
this plumage in proportion to the numbers he saw in
each of the other stages. Had he done so, he must
have realised that it could not be the same species as
the Imperial Eagle, unless he was prepared to admit
that this phase of plumage, once assumed, remained for
some years. If, as he considered, the adult plumage
of the Imperial Eagle was assumed in its third or
fourth 3'ear, it Avould stand to reason that there would
be many more birds in the adult plumage than in any
immatvu'e one, which was merely a jAase of a single
season. Yet the Steppe Eagle, i. e., Hume's second
phase of the Imperial, is infinitely commoner than the
dark Imperial, and for every one that is met with of
the .latter, 10 might be counted of the former.
However, they have since been separated and the
point is at rest but the fact that they were once con-
sidered the same bird nullifies the value of much of
Sir. Hume's information with regard to this species.
For instance he recounts Sir. Hutton's account of the
arrival of these birds near Mussoorie. " In October
638 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
we have sometimes seen as many as fifty together,
sailing leisurely in a wide-spread flock, if such it can
be called, and coming from the West leaving individuals
at intervals along the line of march. These appear
to be all in the plumage of A. bifasciakt, and judging
from the few adults procurable here, they may almost
be called rare."
Now if A. heliaca and A. bifasciafa were one and tht^
same bird, there would be justification in calling the
Imperial Eagle one of our commonest birds, in the
winter at all events, which it is far from being. Of
course, Mr. Hume himself was not sure that they were
all phases of one and the same bird, but in the absence
of conclusive proof, he assumed that they -n^ere and
hence we have the habits of two species rather mixed
up, and in recording the finding of nests in the upper
Punjab, without describing in particular to which
phase the nest belonged, it leaves one wondering
whether by any chance, the nest of A. bifasciata has
been found in India after all.
In over 20 years spent in the Himalayas I have never
once seen this bird after about ]\Iay, or before Sep-
tember, and unless some authentic case is recorded
of its doing so, will remain very sceptical about its
breeding in the hills, even though stragglers may
remain to do so in the plains.
In my notes on the Golden Eagle, I have mentioned
that the Imperial and the Golden are evidently fre-
quently taken one for the other, and the Golden has
obviously been accredited with the ignoble habits of
the Imperial, and the Imperial received the name for
being a hunter, ^v^hich he never earned due to his like-
ness to his noble cousin.
In the full adult plumage, the head of the Imperial
is very much lighter than that of a Golden at any
stage. "^ His flight too is that of a vulture, slow and
heavy, with ^v:ings spread in a straight line w^ith the
body. The tail too is shorter, or rather protrudes,
less'than that of the Golden. The AVings appear to be
broader.
The Imperial is quite content to sit on a stump
or the top of a tree in an open plain, by the
hour, and AVait until some rat or lizard, or frog
makes its appearance, or some smaller and weaker
bird of prey than himself has the temerity to kill
something within the range of his keen vision.
Under these circumstances the Imperial bestirs him-
self. I have seen him in full pursuit of a hare but I
should not think he often succeeds in catching one.
As a robber he excels, as with the exception of Pal-
las's Fish Eagle, he is " top dog " in the plains, most
birds have to give up their spoils when the Imperial
arrives on the scene.
The Imperial can easily be identified from the Golden
by his much shorter hind claw and tarsus, and a young
Imperial in the lineated plumage, from the Steppe
THE BIRDS Oi PREY OF THE PUNJAB.
639
or the tawny, both by the length of tarsus and the dark
edged feathers with paler centres, which gives a streaky
appearance, on the breast and abdomen, which is
lacking in the others.
Like most of the true eagles, except the Golden, he
lives a great deal on carrion and is a constant attendant
on slaughter houses.
The nest is said to be the usual platform of sticks
placed on a tree. Usually two eggs are laid, unspotted
greyish white or pure white, measuring ."} ))y 2 "2,
Indian examples 2-7 by 2 '09.
Type D.
Family FALC0NIDJ5;.
Sub-family FALCONIN.-S.
Genus Aquila.
No. 1202. Aquila bifasciaki, The Steppe Eagle.
(Jharacieristics. Xostril eliptical, higher than broad ; tarsus 4"
hind claw without toe 2".
Colouration.
Measurements,
Habits, etc.
Very variable. In some specimens the whole bii'd
is deep brown and in others a very light j)ale brown ;
often a rufous patch on the nape, which varies in size.
The back, quills and tail veiy dark brownish -black,
the latter with traces of greyish bands or cross bars.
Usually there are variations of the above, such as
lighter coloiu'ed mottling on the quills, and buff tail
coverts.
Younger birds are paler, some being very pale buff
but more often a soft umber- brown, without the nape
patch. There are almost always two whitish bars on
the wing, faint in some, very distinct in others, due
to the white tips to the secondaries and the greater
wing coverts being pale tipped.
These bars are visible both above and below, as the
inider wing coverts are also pale tipped, and are a cons-
picuous feature of this bird.
The quills are more or less mottled and barred. In
some the tail coverts are light buff whereas in others
they are deep brown.
The tail is usually narrowly tipped with white or
l^uff and the rest of the feathers either brown through-
out (except the tip) or mottled grey, or white, and
forming cross bars.
Bill and claws black ; gape, cere and feet yellow ;
irides dark brown, sometimes lighter and veiy clear.
Length 30 to 32"; tail 11 J"; wing 22"; tarsus 4".
The Steppe Eagle is a cold weather visitor to India
and dm-ing the winter one of the commonest of birds
of prey, both in the hills and plains. Though the claw
of this species is about the same size as that of the
Imperial, the foot is smaller and weaker. Blanford
says that the nest of this species has never been found
640 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL mST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
in India, and is generally placed on the ground. I
am inclined to think that stragglers do occasionally
breed in this country, and I should not be surprised
to find that the extraordinary variety of plumage, is
due to its occasionally interbreeding with the Tawny
Eagle. In the early spring of 1916 I fomid a Steppe
Eagle carrying sticks to the nest of a Tawny Eagle from
which I had only a few minutes previously caught a
Tawny. Then again, a few years previously I shot a
bird which, as far as colouring went, was a typical
Tawny Eagle, on a high pass in Bushahr State, in
October, when the usual migrants were coming in daily.
This bird had not the smallest trace of the wing bars
and was a uniform rich brown throughout. Its size
corresponded with an average Tawny, as also other
measurements with the exception of the tarsus which
was 4" like that of a Steppe Eagle. Then the fact of
its ajapearance on a high pass just at a time when Steppe
Eagles might be expected but a Tawny most unex-
pected. Was it merely an abnormal specimen of
either the one or the other or was it a hybrid ? If so,
do Steppe Eagles occasionally remain behind and mate
with Tawny Eagles or do some adventuresome spirits
among the Tawny accompany the Steppe Eagles to
their summer haunts ?
In habits the Steppe resembles the Imperial but is
m.ore given to soaring and hunting for its food, instead
of waiting for it to come to it, than is the latter. The
flight is the usual slow heavy flight of the eagle with
wings held in the same plane as the body. The tail of
this species (and the next) protrudes only a very little
more than does that of a vulture and when ringing, is
frequently opened out like a fan, which makes it look
shorter still.
The white bars are visible a long way off when the
wings are fuUy stretched, and in some specimens, are
quite distinguishable even when the bird is sitting.
Occasionally almost a black specimen will be found
sailing about in the company of other eagles or vultures,
but some traces of the usual bars will separate it from
the others, if it is a Steppe.
Type D.
Family FALCONIDiE.
Sub-family FALCONIN/E.
Genus Aquila.
No. 1203. Aquila vindhina. The Indian Tawny Eagle,
Characteristics. Nostril eliptical, higher than broad ; tarsus 3" or
under.
Colouration. Very variable. Varying from a deep rich umber-
brown to an almost dirty buff. Sometimes the plumage
is party-coloured, being deep brown and light grey
brow'n, at others it is more or less uniform throughout.
THE BIRDS OF PBEY OF THE PUNJAB.
641
Measurements.
Distribution.
Habits, etc.
The quills are dark brown or black at the end, with
greyish marking and mottling towards the base. The
tail is frequently barred and as often unbarred, almost
uniform light brown.
To some extent these changes are due to age, but
on the other hand, the first year plumage shows consi-
derable variations and it is practically impossible to'
make any description of them intelligible, unless each
phase is to be described separately and in detail.
Bill bluish gi-ey, tip black ; cere yellow ; irides hazel-
brown ; feet yellow or dirty greenish yellow.
Length 25" to 28" ; tail 10" to 11" ; wing 18" to 20" ;
tarsus 2|" to 3"; expanse 5' to 6'.
Throughout the Province, not common in the higher
Himalayas.
This species is by far our commonest eagle and has
the distinction of belonging purely to the Indian
Empire. It breeds in the plains from November to
June, on trees, very often on quite low bushes, and is
said to lay usually 2 eggs, greyish white more or less
spotted or blotched, measm'ing 2 • 63 by 2 • 11. It closely
resembles the last species, in flight, colouration and
habits, but lacks the white bars which are a feature of
the Steppe Eagle. It lives to a large extent on garbage
and on w'hat it can rob from other birds of prey, notablv
the Common Pariah Kite, which frequently has to
give up its dinner.
Great differences of opinion exist as to whether the
light or the dai'k is the nestling or first plumage. Mr.
Hume gives a very interesting account of the various
stages of plumage in which this bird bi'eeds, but miless
a series of these birds had been reared from the nest,
and kept until they had assumed their final adult
plumage, I do not know how one can possibly arrive
at what constitutes each phase. ]Mi-. Hume, for
instance, says : " The young one in the nest is yellow-
ish white, and the young of the first year are little
else but whity brown. In the second stage, early
in the second year, they become wood-brown and
in this stage are found breeding, although rarely ".
A specimen fomid in the nest by Mr. D. Dewar some
years ago, near Lahore and given by him to the Lahore
Zoo, was a very deep umber-brown throughout, the
head, breast and miderparts, except the vent which
was lighter, being all exactly the same colour, xm-
streaked and mimarked in any way. Two youngsters
fomid by me in Wazirabad, some years ago were both
a good deal lighter than the one fomid by ]Mr. Dewar,
but distinctly a uniform darkish bro^ai and could
by no means pass for "yellowish white" or whiti/
brown.
Whether the variations in the nestling and first
plumage are due to locality or to the season in which
they hatch out, it is not easy to say, but that they
do exist, and to an extraordinary degree, I do not
think there can be the least doubt. If then it be
«42 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
admitted that they do exist, without keeping several
birds and watching each successive phase, it would be
practically impossible to state with any degi'ee of
certainty, which phase of plumage belongs to any
particular age. Sometimes it is not difficxxlt to tell
whether a bird has undergone one or two moults, by
the presence of the inimoulted feathers of a previous
phase remaining ; these are generally much frayed
and faded.
Writing to me with regard to this species, Mr. A. E.
Jones says : —
" As i-egards the various phases of plumage of A.
vindhiana I quite agree with your remarks. If any-
thing, T incline to the belief that the fully adult (a
very old bird) is the bird in the j)alest plumage of all."
■■ When a pair are breeding, more often
than not, they are in entirely different phases of
plumage. So taking all the evidence I think it is
simply a case of " Bttleo vulgaris over again. One
thing I have noticed, up round Lahore way one sees
many more pale specimens than dark ones. Round
Amballa, where there is more scrub (dhak) jungle,
the reverse is the case, in my experience."
The point raised by Mr. Jones, with regard to the
scrub jungle, is interesting. I have not myself noticed
' that the plumage differs according to locality, to any
marked degree, between one ])ortion of the Province
and another, but then again, I cannot say I have been
on the look out for this jx'culiarity. If Ave accept this
as a general characteristic and assume that the birds
romid Ambala are, as a general rule, darker than their
up-country brethren, Ave must take it for granted
that the species is localized very considerably and
does not qiiit the locality in Avhich it was born. If
so. hoAV far does environment effect colour ?
It Avould be interesting to knoAV Avhether any other
members of the B. N. H. Society have noticed the same
peculiarity and, if so, to Avhat cause they ascribe it.
Type D.
Family FALCONID^.
Sub-Family FALCONIN^E.
Genus Aquila.
No. 1205. Aquila maculala. The Large Spotted Eagle.
Characteristics. Nostril round ; tarsus 4"; plumage soft.
Colouration. " Dark, almost blackish broAvii, Avith a slight piu'plish
gloss on the mantle ; primary quills black ; tail mi-
barred, but washed Avith grey toAvards the end aboA^e ;
head and neck all round jialer, the tips, and some-
times broad shaft-stripes to the lanceolate feathers
of the croAvn and nape, lighter broAvn ; feathers on
tarsus and upper and loAver tail coverts mixed with
THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB.
643
Measurements.
Habits, etc.
whitish ; base of all feathers, including wing and tail
feathers, white."
"Young birds are also dark brown and differ
chiefly from the adults in having the upper back
and smaller wing-coverts marked with elongate paler
greyish-brown spots, these spots are largest and
whitish on the smaller scapulars and median coverts ;
longer scapulars, larger coverts, and secondaries with
large buff tips ; lower back and rump pale brown,
with dark edges to the feathers ; upper tail coverts
whitish; tail black, grey, or mottled towards the end
and pale-tipped ; lower plumage with light brown
shaft-stripes varying in breadth and tint; vent and
lower tail-coverts buff. Some birds are pale brown
beneath." (Blanford.)
Bill greyish white with a tinge of blue, the tip
dusky brown ; claws blackish brown ; feet dirty yellow
with a slight tint of orange ; irides light yellowish
brown ; cere and gape yeUow.
26i" to 28" in length ; wing 19" to 21"; tail lOf"
to 12"; tarsus 3' 9 to 4- 25"; expanse 5' to 6'.
The Large Spotted Eagle is usually to be fomid in
the vicinity of water. Dr. Blanford does not record
it from the Punjab at all and Mr. Hume mentions
having got specimens from Saharanpur but no place
fiu'ther North than that.
He also mentions how this eagle changed its locality
with the change in the conditions of the country,
making its appearance in the Etawah district where
it used to be unknown, shortly after canal irrigation
made the dry sandy tracts into moist cultivated
areas, and swampy jheels, more suitable to the habits
of this bird.
Thence it has worked its way gradually up into
the Punjab and is now, by no means rare in the
Gurdaspur District and I have met with it as far
north as Wazirabad, in the Gujranwala district.
Whether it has always been in the Punjab and
passed unnoticed I am unable to say, but it is quite
possible it is more or less a recent arrival in the
Province, i.e., since canal irrigation became a general
feature in what was once dry soil.
It is a sluggish bird, and not much given to
soaring, though it may be seen at great heights
occasionally. For the most part it lives on frogs, rats
and such like and does not disdain even smaller fry
stiU, as I shot one with a mole cricket between its
mandibles.
A very dark bird, in the vicinity of a jheel, which
has not got a white head, is pretty certain to be an
adult Spotted Eagle.
The flight resembles the Tawny or any of the
other eagles, i.e., slow and heavy with the wings in
line with the body.
41
644 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
No. 1207
Characteristics.
Colouration.
Dimensions,
Distribution.
This eagle breeds on trees in India, from April to
June and is said to lay a single greyish-white egg,
profusely spotted and blotched with yellowish brown,
measuring about 2*65 by 1*98.
Type D.
Family FALCONID^.
Sub-Family FALCONiNiE.
Genus Hiercetus (2 species).
Hieraetus fasciatus, The Bonelli's Eagle.
Wings not reaching to within a couple of inches
of tip of tail; primaries exceeding secondaries bv
more than length of tarsus ; claws much curved, hind
claw longest.
In the adult plumage. Forehead and top of head
a rich brown. The lores whitish. White streaks and
spots visible on the head, being the bases of the
feathers showing through. The back of the head sho^^'
traces of white edges. The neck, behind, and upper
back, scapulars, wing coverts a rich deep brown, the
primaries and secondaries being almost black. The
whole of the upper parts, including the rump and tail
coverts are dark to very dark brown, with white bases
of feathers showing through here and there. The
actual shades of brown vary in individuals from a deep
grey brown to pm'e brown or sometimes blackish brown,
depending on age. Tail feathers are a dull gi-ey
brown, mottled with lighter grey and forming irregular
bars. The central feathers as a rule pure brownish
grey, unmottled.
The whole of the underparts, with the exception
of the thighs, tarsi, under tail coverts, and wing lining
pure white, with a narrow line of brown on either
side of the shaft of each feather. The extent of these
brown lines also depend on age, being broader on
younger birds. The thigh coverts brown, indistinctly
spotted with white and the tarsus irregularly inter-
mixed with brown and white. Under tail coverts
sandy brown, with whitish irregular bands. The wing
lining brown but not so rich brown as on the back,
and with spots and blotches of white, especially on
the lower wing coverts.
Yomig birds vary greatly from the first to the
adult plumage, being lighter on the upper parts and
reddish brown beneath with darker shaft stripes and
vary from a deeji rufous bufi to a light reddish brown.
Bill bluish grey, tipped black ; cere and gape yello-
wish ; irides pale brownish yellow, rarely bright
yellow ; feet pale dingy w'hitish brown with a yeUow'ish
tinge. (Hume. )
Length 26 to 29"; wing 19 to 20"; tail 10 to 12^" ;
tarsus 3|" to 4" : expanse 5 to nearly 6 feet.
Practically throughout the Province, but not as
cending to very high altitudes.
THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB. 645
The Bonelli's Eagle is one of the most sporting of the Eagles and though
classed as a Haioh-'E&^e, owing to the lightness of his build, and the character-
istic common to the Hawk-'E&.^es, of being partially white on the breast
in some phase or other of its plumage, it resembles the True Eagles closely in
its mode of hmiting. If we take the Golden Eagle as the type of the True
Eagles and the Spizseti as the t^qoe of the Hawk Eagles, the Bonelli's is much
more of a True Eagle than a Hawk Eagle, except for the breast marking and
lightness of build. The wings, though falling well short of the tip of the tail in
the closed wing, are none the less a good deal longer than those of the Spizjeti,
and it is a typical falcon in its method of hunting in the open. Almost
invariably they will be foimd hunting in pairs. The flight is very like that of a
Grolden Eagle ; the wings are held well back, tail protruding considerably from
the edge of the tertiaries, and the flight itself light, bold and graceful. The
adult is immistakable from the very light, silvery whiteness of the imderparts,
combined with the characteristic flight.
These birds do considerable damage among poultry and pigeons and the
fact that they can take pigeons so easily, shows that they are gifted with consi-
derable speed. On the hiU sides they take toll from chikor to no small extent.
On page 145 of Vol. XV of the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Socie-
ty INIr. W. D. Gumming gives an interesting account of the method of attack of
these birds when depriving a hen of her chickens. He states that the birds
sat down in front of the hen and then dashed in among the chickens, instead
of swooping at them, but this I should think was rather the exception than the
rule. I have, caught the species many times and with bait varying from a
quail to a full grown fowl, and there has never been any hesitanc)^ about the
form of attack. A determined swoop right into the net which has often
carried it several feet past the bait in spite of the Eagle being wrapped up in
the net, which of course, it carried with it, by its impetus.
The Bonelli's Eagle is by no means rare and almost a certain find, if in quest
of this bird, is a crow colony, late in the afternoon. In almost all the plains
stations near one of the main rivers, wiU be foimd a grove of trees, which
crows have selected for their roosting haunts, and wiU be found congregating
there in their thousands, in the afternoon. Sooner or later one or more of
these Eagles will make their way to the colony in quest of their dinner and
seldom need go hmigry thence. There need be no doubt as to when the Eagle
arrives. Every other large bird of prey will be mobbed and driven away by
the crows, but the excitement when the BoneUi's arrives cannot be mistaken.
Every crow leaves the trees, and making a wide detour, comes round in the
rear of the Eagle where might be fomid a mob some hmidreds, if not thousands
strong, keeping close behind it, but the sky in front is clear of them. The only
other bird, which the crows show respect to is a Peregrine Falcon, and she is
held in even greater dread, but one cannot be mistaken for the other, owing
to the Peregrine being not much bigger than the crows themselves, whereas
the Eagle is, of course, more than double the size.
This species, though a bold Imnter in his wild state, appears to be practicallj'
useless for hawking piu*poses. I have never tried him myself but have heard
from those who have, that he is most disappointing. Col. Biddulph, a well
known falconer, and one of the best authorities on the subject, in the country,
told me he had got one to stoop two or three times to the lure but no more.
Another Well known falconer fomid his eagle would " take" almost anji;liing.
Bo long as the quarry had a string tied to its leg, or was in difficulties, but Mould
not attempt to give chase after a wild bird. The eagle was eventually found
useless and given its liberty. It, however, refused to go and the following morning
returned and caught a duck in the next compound to that in which it had lived
so long. The sweeper boy rushed out to save the duck but the eagle had its
own ideas on the subject, and got his claws well home into the sweeper boy !
046 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
The Bonelli's breeds in cliffs as a rule, but does not disdain trees when no
cliffs are available. The nest is the usual structure of sticks lined with grass
or leaves. The eggs are white with a faint greenish tinge, sometimes unspotted
and at others marked with brown blotches or streaks and measure 2" 78 by 2* 1
and are usually laid from December to February. (Blanford.)
Type D.
Family FALCONIDZE.
Sub-family FALCONING.
Genus Hiercetus.
No. 1208. Hieraetus pennatus, The Booted Eagle.
Characteristics.
Colouration.
Measurements.
Habits, etc.
Size medium, length imder 22"; tarsus 2J to 2|".
There are two very distinct phases of plumage in
this species, but as the bird is absolutely immistakable
from its size and by the length of its tarsi, it is not
necessary to give the details of plumage. In the
light phase the top of the head, nape, sides and back
of neck are a pale buff with a rufescent tinge, each
feather with a darker centre. Forehead and lores
buffy white, a narrow blackish streak running be-
tween the eyes and the lores, and a similar streak
both under and over. The whole of the upper plumage
varies between a very pale buffy or rufous white to
wood brown, darkest on the primaries, which are
blackish, but the deeper shades of brown predominate
on the upper surface generally.
The lower surface is much lighter being a buffy
white, with dark streaks on the feathers, particu-
larly on the chin and upper part of the breast. " Young
birds have the head and neck rufous brown or dull
rufous, sometimes dark brown. The upper plumage
brown, as in adults but with dark shaft stripes ; tail
coverts whitish ; lower parts either dark brown or
pale rufous, with blackish streaks, except on the lower
abdomen tail greyish brown above, paler below
more or less distinctly banded and pale tipped."
(Blanford.)
The dark or melanistic phase of plumage is some-
what similar to the yoimg plumage above described.
Whether the dark phase is retained for any number
of years it is not known, but birds are known to breed
in it.
BiU pale blue at base, blackish at tip; irides pale
brown ; cere, gape and feet yellow.
Length 19 to 211"; tail 8| to 9" ; wing 15 to 16";
tarsus 2J".
This species is said to be a winter visitor to India
and Blanford only records one nest as having been
taken and Hume says that nothing is known of its
nidification in India. The bird is by no means rare
aid breeds freely in the higher Himalayas. I have
found its nest in Bhadarwa (Kashmir), in Tehri Gurhwal
and in Bushahr (Simla District). One pair built for
THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB. 647
3 consecutive years on a very high deodar tree in front
of the Forest Bungalow at Nachar, on the Hindustan -
Tibet Road, and reared one youngster on each occasion.
They utilised the same nest each time — but
evidently added to it every year as I watched them
carrying sticks to it. On one occasion only have I
seen birds in the dark plumage breeding and strangely
enough both were in the same plumage. In every
other case the parents have been in the light phase and
the youngsters have been dark.
The flight is very kite-like and in the dark phas-e
it might be very easily mistaken for a kite, except
that the tail is never forked.
In the light phase the bird appears to be almost pme
white below with black margins to the wings, like the
White Scavenger Vulture.
When soaring the wings are frequently slightly bent,
like a kite's and the flight is very light and wavering,
frequently changing direction or swerving from its
course, and the tirst joint of the wing is constantly
being bent and straightened. This species lives chiefly
on small birds and rodents but does not despise
lizards and frogs.
It breeds in April and May and is said to lay two
eggs, greenish white with generally, but few
colom'ed markings. (Blanford.) A very noisy bird in
the breeding season, with a shrill piercing call.
Type D.
Family FALCONIB^.
Subfamily FALCONING.
Genus Ictincetus.
No. 1210. Idinaetus malayensis. The Black Eagle.
Characteristics. Claws not much curved, inner equal to or longer
than hind claw ; primaries in closed wing reaching
to end of tail ; inner toe thicker than middle toe and
nearly as long ; outer toe very short.
Colouration, Almost black throughout ; lores whitish ; tail
feathers with grey mottling above and whitish below ;
lower parts sometimes very deep brown.
Young birds appear to vary slightly with regard
to the amount of, and the colour of, the marking on
the head and mider parts. On the whole the young
only differ in being a little browner, in having a
lighter coloured head and some marking on the lower
parts. The extent and colour of this marking varies
a good deal, probably with locality, but whatever be
the marking the curious formation of the foot is a
sure index to this species.
" Bill greenish horny, black at tip ; cere, gape and
feet bright yellow; irides dark brown. (Blanford.)
Meamrements. Length 27" to 31"; tail 13" to 14"; wing 2\\" to 24';
tarsus 3J"; expanse about 6 feet.
648 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL RLST. SOCIETY, Vol, XXVI.
Habits, etc. This is essentially a bird of the hiUs and not often
to be met with in the plains. Blanford says that
the eggs were obtained by Hume from Kulu and
Bushahr, and were said to have been taken early in
January, and Lt.-Col. Rattray records the fuiding of
a nest in Changlagali on the 4th May 1904, with
one egg, much incubated. (Journal of the Bombay
Natural History Society, Vol. XVI, page 662.)
Blanford gives its distribution as " throughout the
Himalayas as far west as Chamba " but it is
obvious it is to be found a good deal further west
and north, judging from the finding of the nest in
Changlagali. Though widely distributed, I do not
think this bird is often met with anywhere in the
Punjab. Personally I have only come across it about
half a dozen times in over 20 years wanderings in the
Himalayas, though I saw it frequently during 18
months I spent in the Jeypm- Agency (Madras
Presidency) and on the borders of the Bastar State
(C.P.). The flight of this handsome eagle has been
likened to that of a Harrier, but, though he resembles
the Harriers in his manner of beating over a
hill-side and suddenly checking, to drop silently into
the grass, the flight itself is more like that of a Golden
Eagle, the wings held well back and showing a great
expanse of chest.
On the wing this appears to be a huge bird owing
to the great length of the wings, though in reality
it is comparatively small and does not weigh more
than about 4 lbs. If passing overhead at close
quarters, the brilliant yellow feet are plainly dis-
cernible, contrasting vividly with the smrounding
black feathers.
It is said to live largely on the young and eggs of
birds and has been seen to carry off a nest and
examine its contents. I have seen it " drop " after
lizards.
Col. Rattray describes the egg as "a very hand-
some one, smeared with grey and dark purple ; the
markings are nowhere in blotches, but smeared,
running round axis of egg." As many as 3 eggs have
been foimd in one nest. They measure about 2*6
by 1-95.
Type D.
Family FALCONIDiE.
Subfamily FALCONING.
Genus Spizaetus.
No. 1212. Spizaetus limnaetus, The Changeable Hawk-Eagle.
Characteristics. Primaries exceeding the secondaries by less than
length of tarsus; claws much curved, hind claw longest;
tip of primaries in closed wing falling very far short
of end of tail ; feathering of tarsus does not extend to
the division of toes ; crest rudimentary or wanting.
THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB.
649
Colouration.
Measurements.
Habits, etc.
The whole of the upper plumage more or less um-
ber brown, the feathers varying from dark brown
centres to light brown edges. The head and neck
generally much darker brown, the feathers pale edged.
Quills brown as also the tail.
The undersurface generally, including wings and tail
light grey, both wings and tail much barred.
Chin and throat almost or quite white with 3 streaks,
one in the centre and one on each side, blackish.
The change from the young to the adult is gradual
but considerable like in all Si)izaeti.
" Bill dark plumbeous, with black tip ; cere dark
leaden in adults, yellow in the yomig"? irides leaden
grey, pale straw coloured or golden yellow ; feet
yellow." (Blanford, for S. cirrhatus).
" Length 26" to 29" ; tail 11" to 12"; wing 16" to 17"
tarsus 4". (Blanford.)
Besides the above Dr. Blanford describes a dark
or melanistic form which he describes as blackish -
brown throughout, in which the basal half of the
inner webs of the quiUs and the lower surface of the
rectrices are grey. Another form stiU is chocolate
brown generally. In these the bill and cere are black.
I have never seen this species, to be absolutely sure
of, in the Punjab, though Blanford records the distri-
bution as "as far west as Kumaon and probably
to Kashmir ". In April 1917 I saw a pair of obvrous
" Spizaeti " in Dharmsala, which must have been
8. limncetus as neither of them had crests.
The birds ai-rived one evening, presagers of a big
storm which lasted for 3 or 4 days, dm'ing which
time they hmig about the top end of the Cantonments,
and suddenly disappeared never to be seen again.
I tried hard to catch one but had no luck, though
I could easily have shot one and on more than one
occasion got to within 20 yards, but of course, never
when I had my nets at hand.
Like the next species this is a great hunter and
does a considerable amount of damage among the
Phasianidae. In Gurhwal he is known as the " moor-
haitah " or peacock killer, and Mr. Thompson
(in "Hume's Rough Notes")
accomit of this species killing
himself saw done.
Mr. Thompson says, "the difference in habits
between this bird and the next (Hodgson's Hawk
Eagle) is, the latter, "is confined to the deep wooded
hiUs ascending far into the interior of the Himalayas
to almost the snow line whereas the other
(the present species) is always foimd in the Bhabur
forests and does not ascend the hills to any great
height, and never is found in the interior of them."
It builds in trees the usual platform of sticks lined;
with fine roots and stems, and lays usually two eggs,
of which I can find no description.
gives a very good
a peacock, which he
650 JO URNAL, B 0MB A 1 ' NA T URAL MI>S T. S 0 CIETY, Vol . A'A' VI.
Since writing the above I have been fortunate enough to catch a very fine
specimen of this species, on the bank of the Upper Bari Doab Canal, in the
Gurdaspur District, and some 13 miles from that place. While motoring
past I heard a call which was obviously that of a " Spizaeti" hut still
somewhat different to 8. 7iepalensis with which I am familiar. On a tree
overlooking an " escape," I found the bird and a few yards further on a
second one. My net and a couple of quails, always carried for bait, were
soon got out of the motor and a nice place selected for the erection of
the little vertical net (the "doguzza" of the Lidian falconer). The spot
selected was some 100 yards from the nearer bird, and equally visible to
both. I got behind a convenient bush, not five yards from the net, and
had not been there more than 2 minutes when the eagle dashed into the net.
Unfortunately its impetus carried the net into a bush a few paces further
on, which I had carefully selected as a good back ground for it, and
between the struggles of the eagle and the thorny bush, the net was torn
to ribbons and the eagle would have escaped had I not been in hiding so
near. The other one continued calling and from its darker breast plumage,
I put it down as a youngster. While I was securing the eagle, having got
it out of the net or what remained of my net, a third one appeared on the
scene and flew into the branches of an adjoining " seeshum" tree. The one
I took to be the yomigster at once left its perch and sat down alongside the
new arrival, still continuing its plaintive wail.
I have been over this bit of country times out of number, and at all
seasons of the year, for the last 3 years and have never seen these birds
before, but the fact of a young one being with them would point to the
fact that they had nested somewhere close at hand. This was on the 29th of
March, so the nesting operations of this species must take place in the
winter.
The colouring of the breast of my specimen is almost pure white, with
a tinge of light bufl'. Each feather having a dark brown centre the extent
of which varies considerably. Tliese dark brown centres form a row of
irregular lines, extending from just below the throat to about the level of the
flanks. Those on either side terminate in a deep brown patch, while those
in the centre continue down between its legs but are lighter in colour than
on the breast and throat.
Under portion of wings and tail light gray profusely barred and blot-
ched with black.
Back deep brown ; scapulars and secondaries somewhat lighter brown
than the back, each feather with buff margins.
Lesser coverts lighter brown than the back, with somewhat lighter
margins and the median and greater coverts, dark brown with very pale
margins, some almost pure white, and the bases of some of the feathers
frequently showing, pure white.
Head and neck pale buff throughout, almost white in parts, each feather
with a small dark centre, making a more or less regular line of oblong dots
which touch each other.
Irides lemon yellow. Crest plainly visible, black tipped.
The colouration generally is extremely like some specimens of *S'. nepalensis
and a Kieraetus fasciatus which T catight the other day, was also very like,
except that the margins to the back feathers were not so pronounced, but
taken all round, it would be absolutely impossible to differentiate between
these birds by colour alone. The following, however, places them apart
at once.
1. H. fasciatus, longer wings, no crest, irides almost invariably some
shade of brown, practically never yellow.
THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB.
Explanation of Plate II.
Figs,
Fig.
tics.
1, 2, & 3
All represent a bird flying directly overhead.
1 Characteris- Wings long and 'wy broad, extending from the
body in a straight even line, almost to the tip of the
primaries. Very rounded at the tips and making
much less of a curve behind. The rear part meeting
the body almost at right angles. The wings held on
the same plane as the body and only the tips of the
primaries curling upwards. The tail comparatively
very short and protruding very little beyond the line
of the tertiaries. Sometimes spread out like a fan,
in which case it hardly looks like a tail at all. Flight
heavy but regular, the circles even and the wings
almost motionless.
All Vultures except O. calvus.
Characteristics
applicable to : —
Fig. 2
Characteristics.
Characteristics
applicable to : —
Fig. 3.
Characteristics.
Characteristics
applicable to : —
higher
Wings very long and narrow in porportion to
their length. Held on the same plane as the body,
neither curving upwards nor backwards. The fore-
part of the wings very straight (when soaring only)
from the body to the tips and the rear line but
little rounded, meeting the body at right angles.
Tail long and very distinctly wedge-shaped.
The Lammergeyer and to Neophron, except that
the latter has a short tail.
Wings short, broad and rounded ; curving upwards
and backwards. The line of the wings straight
and even in front and well curved behind meeting
the body at a considerable angle. Tail long and pro-
truding considerably beyond the line of the wings.
All the Spizaeti. All the species of Astur and
Accijjiter conform to the above characteristics as
regards the shape of the wings and tail, but none of
them fly with their wings held back in a
plane to the body.
The accompanying plates and these explanatory notes thereon, are not
intended to draw any hard and fast line in describing the flight of Birds
of Prey. Whilst attempting to give a general idea of the genera here
described, it must be remembered that the descriptions apply only to the
typical and most common attitudes adopted by the birds whilst soaring,
and cannot be expected to hold good at all times. For instance, the
accompanying drawing of a Lammergeyer together with the above descrip-
tion applies to one seen soaring, with the intention of rising high into the
air, and would not apply to the same bird circling in short spirals over a
hill top, where he may have seen something which needs further investiga-
tion, or beating low over the hills in quest of food. In either of these
cases the chances are that the fore-part of the wing will be bent back from
the shoulder as though in readiness to close for a stoop, and the tips of the
primaries may often be seen bending downwards and in a lower plane than
is the body. The wind also appears to play an important part in the
position of a bird's wings and tail.
Even though the flight of individual birds varies considerably, once the
species becomes more or less familiar, on the wing, it is a simple matter
to recognise it whatever be the position of its wings, at the time, as the
chief characteristics are pretty well always noticeable.
Further details of flight will be dealt with in their proper place, i.e.
when dealing with individual species.
Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist Soc,
Plate II
THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB.
THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE FUNJAB.
651
2. 'S'. limnaetus, shorter wiugs, short crest, iricles usually some shade of
yellow (gray iu a very young bird), tarsus not feathered
to the base of the middle toe, i. o. the feathering stops
just short of the division of the toes.
•3. H. nepalensis, wings and eyes as in limnaiihis, crest conspicuous and
about 3 inches in length ; tarsus feathered to the base
of the toes.
Tyte D.
Family FALCONID^.
Subfamily FALCONING.
Colouration.
Genus Spizaetus.
No. 1213. Spizaetus nepalensis, The Hodgson's Hawk-Eagle.
Characteristics. Primaries excetding secondaries by less than length
of tarsus ; claws much curved, hird claw longest ; tip
of primaries in closed wing falling very far short of
end of tail ; feathering of tarsus extends to the division
of toes ; a prominent crest 3'" to 4" in length.
Upper surface varying from dark to light browii,
darkest on the scapulars. Top of head and crest
black, the latter tipped white except in very old birds
when the white tip is lost. Lower surface much
lighter than the upper, varying from fawn to white
with dark markings on the feathers. The under-
surface of the open wing is pale grey much barred,
as also the midersvu-face of the tail.
The breast and underparts vary, according to
age from pale fawn throughout, with darker shaft
stripes in some birds, to pure white with black spots
to each feather, in others. The crest feathers are
black, tipped with white, but in some old birds, the
white tip is wanting. Blanford, in his description of
the Crested-Hawk-Eagle, mentions this peculiarity,
but omits it in the description of this species.
Bill black; cere blackish; irides yellow, orange
in very old birds, and pale greyish yellow in very
young ones ; feet pale dirty yellow.
Length 27.5" to 29"; tail 12 J" to 13^"; wing 17" to
181"; tarsus 4".
This fine Eagle is well distributed throughout
the Prmjab Himalayas, extending from Kashmir to
the borders of the United Provinces, though it appears
to be more partial to certain localities than to others.
Comparatively common in Bhadarwa and Chamba,
it appears to skip the ranges intervening between
Dharmsala and Kulu and appears again in the Kulu
valley. Rare again in the Sutlej valley, where I only
saw it twice in some 8 years, to reappear in fair numbers
in the Jubal and Taroche States.
Measurements.
Hahitf<, etc.
652 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXII.
Unmistakable in its flight, as it is in the hand, at
least as a Spizseti if not as S. nepalensis.
Very short rounded wings, long tail and the wings
held well back, as in the BoneUi's or the Golden. The
under surface, in an adult looks a beautiful silvery
white from beneath, closely dotted and barred. In
the breeding season, and more or less throughout the
rains, this bird is very noisy, and frequently gives
vent to a shrill but not unmusical whistle composed
of several short notes.
The call is not unlike that of a monal pheasant and
is perfectly initiated by the Himalayan Jay [Garruliis
bispecularis).
A great hunter in its wild state, it is most dis-
appointing in captivity, seldom aspiring to anything
bigger than a hare, and not in the least inclined
to pursue its quarry any fm'ther than a Sparrow
Hawk.
For three years I experimented with different birds,
from the fledgling, taken from the nest, to an ancient
bird with orange eyes, but with very small results.
My total bag for the 3 years with some 7 birds was,
a few hares, an houbara which was the result of a
mistake, for the houbara anyway, as it evidently
did not realise it was being pursued and ran into a
bush where it was ignominiously pounced on by the
eagle, a village cat and, the most wonderful achieve-
ment of the lot a Tawny Eagle. The latter carried off
a Luggar falcon which I had thrown up as a decoy for
a Peregrine Falcon, with a ball of feathers covered
with nooses in its claws. My falconer who had the
Eagle on his wrist at the time, loosed him and much
to our surprise, the Hawk-Eagle made straight for
the Tawny and pulled him down before the latter had
gone 200 yards. This was about the longest chase
we had seen with these birds and was provided by an
eyass which I had taken out of the nest.
Like most hawks, the Hawk-Eagles are gifted with
considerable speed for a very short distance, and in
its wild state the bird spends its time seated on a,
tree at the head of a nallah, where pheasants are
wont to feed, and when one gets directly beneath the
branch on which the eagle sits, the latter drops like a
bullet on to it before the pheasant knows what is
happening. The nest of this species, or rather the
environments of the nest, give a good clue to what
the youngster is fed on. Strangely enough the
Koklass pheasant, which is the speediest of all the
Phasianidse, appears to suffer most, along with doves
and flying-squirrels. This species appears to despise
crows as I have not seen the feather of a single crow
near any of the many nests I have examined.
They usually build on I>eodar trees in dense jmigle,
but abnost invariably with a clearing or a glade close
TRE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB. 653
at hand, and always with a dead tree near the nest,
on which the youngster first practises using his
wings.
In Vol. XXII, page 800 of the Bombay Natural
History Society's Journal, Mr. E^odsworth gives an
account of a nest which he found in the Simla Hills
on a cliff, not on a tree, and obtained two hard set
eggs in February. Mr. Dodsworth states that the
natives call this bird the " Mariari " but this I think
is a mistake. "Mariari" is the name by which the
Golden Eagle is known in most of the Punjab hiUs,
except in Khanawar (Bushahr) where he rejoices in
the name of " Dhimgshoorish" or the " monal tiger".
The Spizaeti are more commonly known as " Shiah
Baz "or " Kuldar ", but no reliance can be placed on
names given to birds of prej' by villagers. Falconers
are the only class of people in India who have any
miiformity in their nomenclatiu'e, and ordinarily, it
would be nothing uncommon to be given three
different names for the same bird, by three different
men in the same village.
The eggs are said to be greenish white, sparingly
spotted or streaked with reddish brown and pale
purple, and measuring 2'7 by 2 '2.
This species is easily caught and not difficult to
tame and train. Anything from a rat to a country
fowl wiU do as a bait, and the small vertical net
seldom fails to catch it. Once, however, it discovers
the trap, one has to be up very early in the morning
(literally), to be successful. An old bird which I had
caught and which subsequently escaped, learnt the
lesson very thoroughly and was not going to be
caught napping again. I tried it with evei-y, kind of
bait and trap, but it evidently recognised me as its
enemy and connected me with traps, for if reasonably
near, it flew off the moment it saw me, or if at a safe
distance, it merely sat on and took not the least
notice of my pigeons, and rats, and chikors. Finally
I was fortmiate enough to see it fly into a tree late in
the evening, and kept a careful watch until it got
quite dark and so made sure it meant to spend the
night there.
Next morning I was on the spot long before
daylight, and a moon, in its last crescent, helped me
to locate the bird from below.
The net was soon erected and a lively rat tied up
behind it, and I took cover behind a neighbom-ing
bush and patiently waited for daylight. Through the
branches of the bush I could just see the eagle against
the sky. As it became lighter I could see that it slept
with its head under its wing. Finally a Koklass
called, and a little while later the jimgle was awake and
full of a variety of sounds and the eagle too bestired
itself. Its first action was to stretch out one wing
and a leg and almost immediately after it went through
654 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXJ I.
the usual contortions of a bird of prey casting its
pellet. My rat -was stiU in comparative darkness and
I began to think the eagle would move off without
seeing it, when suddenly the sharp eyes caught the
movement, and the head nodded two or three times
in the direction of the net and the next instant, the
bird was safe in the net. Much given to soaring and,
in the breeding season, talks most whilst in the air.
They usually soar in pairs, but a pair seldom hunts
together, and though both may be in the same ravine,
they select different trees, usually a good distance
apart, on which to wait for game.
During the day, the very top of a tree or a large
branch of some dead tree may be selected for their
midday rest, but when on the look out for game, they
almost invariably take up their position somewhere
in the middle of a tree, which is well covered with
foliage, and are thus well concealed from view.
Though this species is said to lay two eggs I have
never seen more than one young bird in a nest, or
accompanying the parents.
The parents appear to drive the youngster away
from their special naUah, very soon after he has
learnt to fly, and about one month's tuition in the
art of catching game is all they seem to consider
necessary for him.
Type E.
Family FALCONID^.
Sub-family rALCONINA\
Genus Archibuteo.
No. 1242. Archibuteo Jiemiptilopus. The Himalayan Rough-legged Buzzard.
CJiaracteristics. Head feathered ; tarsi feathered to the toes, in front
only, naked behind.
Colouration. "Upper parts brown, feathers of nape and upper
back broadly edged with rufous, a few of the wing-
coverts the same in some specimens ; upper tail-
coverts with rufous or buff tips and bars, bases of
nuchal feathers white ; quills as in Buteo, ferox,
white ; tail brown above, sometimes pale rufous in
part, whitish below, barred darker ; lower parts brown,
with or without rufous, or white with brown spots
on the throat and breast ; flanks and thigh-coverts
always brown. When the lower parts are brown
the middle of the breast is often white or rufous."
(Blanford.)
"One specimen is dark chocolate- brown through-
out, there is scarcely any white even on the bases
of the primaries, and pale bands only on the basal
portion of the tail." (Blanford.)
BiU dusky horn-coloxured, yellowish laterally at
base of mandible ; toes and naked part of tarscu>
livid waxy, claws homy black.
THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB.
65.-
Measuremenis.
Habits etc.
Length 28"; tail 11; wing 20"; tarsus 3-25"; mid-
toe without claw 1-75"; biU from gape 1'9"".
This rare bird only appears to have been obtained
about half a dozen times altogether in this country,
at high elevations, in Sikhim, Nepal and Kulu.
The only thing known of its nidification i s a note in
the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society,
Vol XIX page 523, by Lieut. Bailey who foimd it
near Gyantse, Thibet, in September 1908.
Mr. Bailey says that this bird feeds on hares and
snow cock, which were very plentiful in the vicinity
of the nest, and also states that it is said to do
damage among the flocks by killing young lambs.
This being the case the Rough-legged Buzzards must
be a very different bird to his very near connections,
which are much more common in the Punjab, viz.: —
the Long-legged and the Common Buzzards, which are
quite content to exist on rats, lizards, frogs, etc.
I have never seen this bird, to my knowledge, so
cannot describe his flight, but since he resembles the
members of the genus " Buteo " in other respects,
his flight is probably similar, yet the fact of his being
able to kiU the Snow-cock, shows that he has a
considerable turn of speed as well as strength and
courage, far surpassing the other buzzards.
X0'6IC>|^
656
PROGRESS OF THE MAMMAL SURVEY.
As announced in the circular in the last Journal the Committee have
decided to carry on and if possible complete the Survey of the Mammals of
India, Burma and Ceylon commenced by this Society in 1911. Arrange-
ments are in progress for obtaining collectors to commence work if possible
in October next.
The following subscriptions have been received towards the Mammal
Survey Fund from June 1915 to 30th April 1919, and it is hoped that
members will send further subscriptions :—
Names.
Amount.
Amount previously acknowledged and invested in Bom-
bay Port Trust Bonds
Annandale, Dr. N. . .
Anonymous
Bridgeman, The Bon'ble Major H
Budd, Lt.-Col. N. A. H
Ball,H. P
Bird, Rev. A. F. R.
Bannerman, Surgeon-General W.B
Clifford, Major R.
Chatfield, H. S.
Culbertson, J. M.S
Connor, Lt.-Col. F. P. (I.M.S.)
Cochin Government
Davis, G. (LC.S.)
Evans, Col. G, H. (C.l
Erb, E.
Elliott, R. E. A. (I. C
Forsyth, Dr. Wm.
Fellowes, Kyrle
Frei, Max
Fry, John T. . .
Fletcher, Capt. A. B
F. M. S. Government (2nd Donation)
.E.,F.L.S.)
S.)
G. O.
(C.S.I., LM.S.)
Do. (3rd „
Government of Bihar and Orissa
Gillum, The Hon'ble Mr. S. J.
Gosse, Capt. i\ H. (R.A.M.C.)
Hannyngton, F. (I.C.S.)
Hanhart, S.
Huggins, J. R.
Heath, R. H. . .
Hayne, A. R. S.
Julius, V. A. . .
Kilkelly, Lt.-Col. P. P. (I.M.S.)
Lowndes, D. G.
Lloyd, Lt.-Col. C. R
Mitchell, F. J.
Macaulay, F. G. A.
Ormiston, W.
)
Rs.
a. p.
5,000
0
0
16
0
0
15
0
0
58
14
5
50
0
0
10
0
0
3
8
0
16
10
@
20
0
0
55
0
0
4
8
0
10
0
0
250
0
0
16
0
0
75
0
0
15
0
0
30
0
0
9
12
0
5
0
0
10
0
0
10
0
0
20
0
0
875
0
0
870
0
0
1,500
0
0
10
0
0
17
10
0
20
0
0
50
0
0
30
0
0
18
8
0
18
8
0
20
0
0
10
0
0
15
0
0
150
0
0
15
0
0
10
0
0
50
0
0
PROGRESS OF THE MAMMAL SURVEY.
657
Names.
Amount.
Parrington, Lt.-Col. J. W
Phipson, H. M.
Purkis, F. C. . .
Schmid, W. . .
Smith, A. Kirke
Sanders, D. F.
Sprott, F. H. . .
Scott, Major F. B.
Simonds, Major M. H,
Smith, Dr. Malcolm
Tweedie, A. G.
Thomas, Oldfield (F. 11. S.)
Tyrrell, Major J. U. . .
Tyler, H. H. F. M. (I.C.S.)
Walton, Col. H. J (I.M.S., C.M.Z,
Whistler, H. (F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.)
Watson, E. A.
S
Interest credited by Bank on Current
Account up to 30th April 1919 . . Rs.
Interest on Fixed Deposits up to 30th
April 1919 „
Interest on Bombay Port Trust Bonds
up to 30th April 1919 „
46 12 10
624 4 0
757 4 8
Promised.
Mr. W. S. Millard
,. E. Comber
Rs. 1,000
„ 1,000
Rs.
100
0
0
1,000
0
0
15
0
0
20
0
0
15
0
0
10
0
0
16
0
0
15
0
0
14
0
0
50
0
0
20
0
0
659
12
8
15
0
0
100
0
0
100
0
0
10
0
0
3
0
0
Total
10
0
0
3
0
0
11,535
11
7
1,428
o
6
2,000
0
0
14,964
1
1
658
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
No. I.— THE TIGER AND THE TRAIN.
About a month ago a cvirious incident occurred on the G. I. P. main line
where it runs through the Satpuras near Asirgarh.
Some surface men walking along the permanent-way came on the end of
a tiger's tail lying beside the rail. It had obviously been quite recently cut
off by a passing train. An inspection of the gTass on the adjacent bank
showed that some animal had made ofi" with difficulty and a few steps were
sufficient to bring part of the tiger into view. The surfacemen considered
a closer inspection would be imprudent, although on their way to the
nearest village they stoutly maintained to themselves that the tiger was
dead, and they were thus able to impress on the local Shikari the simplicity
of firing a bullet into its carcase and claiming the reward which Government
pays for the destruction of tigers. Tlie Shikari and the surfacemen
promptly returned to the spot and the former (no doubt with a reduced
charge for economy's sake) fired at the tiger, which at once got up and
mauled him. While this was taking place a keyman on the G. I. P., who
was also present, ran in and split the tiger's skull with an axe. The unfor-
tunate Shikari died subsequently of his wounds. The tiger was found to
have been struck by a passing train in the hind quarters and badly
damaged. As such an occurrence must be very unusual it may be of some
interest to the readers of the Journal. It is difficult to conceive how such a
cautious and active animal as a tiger could get caught by a train : it might
be accounted for by the passing of two trains simultaneously, or again the
tiger at the last moment may have thought the other side of the track
afforded more cover and security. I have heard of several instances of
leopards beiug killed by trains, but these animals are much less timid of
man and aU his works than tigers are.
KUANDWA, C
November 1918.
A. A. DUNBAR BRANDER, i.f.s.
No. IT.— ARROW HEAD IMBEDDED IN A TIGER'S BACK.
I enclose a photograph which may be of interest to members of the Society.
It represents an arrow head found imbedded in the flesh of a tiger which
I shot last Christmas. The wound was evidently an old one, for skin had
grown entirely over it and only a small patch of slightly lighter-coloured
hair marked the spot on the beast's back where the arrow had entered.
r- -i .^jaojjctr—ji.it, ,*■: , '„
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 659
The tiger was well known in the district as a troublesome fellow, who
held up travellers and bullock carts from time to time. His nasty temper is
perhaps not to be wondered at, seeing that he had such a " thorn in the
flesh."
J. G. RIDLAND.
Bombay, 19th February 1919.
ii
No. III.— SIZE OF TIGERS.
On reading Col. R. W. Burton's tiger notes from the Oriental Magazine
I looked up my Volumes of Oriental Magazine from 1830-1833 and found
A. Mull " gives measurements of a tiger, killed by him and Capt. D — in
Khanded as 12'-2" when dried and ll'-9" shortly after death, also of a
tigress of 9'-8" and a panther of 9'. Any tiger in that or the Ajunta coiantry
was in 1829 considered small if under 10'-9". A pity they did not give
the weights. " Lowry Todd" says in 1832 that he had seen about 100
skins of tigers in the Mahratta Country and measured many just after
death and none was over 9'-5" in length. He also asks if there is any truth
in the popular idea of a tiger's age being told by the number of lobes in his
liver and says that he found a big old tiger with 12 lobes, an old tigress
with eleven lobes, a young tiger had 7 lobes and a cub 4 lobes. Has this
been tested by any of your readers ?
R. LIGHT, Lt.-Col.
Hastings, England,
16th October 1918.
Xo. IV.— TIGRESS {FELIS TIGRES) ATTACKING A SLOTH BEAR
(MELUESUS UHSINUS).
On the night of the 10th of this month a tigress and cubs killed one of
my kills in a nullah, and I sat up with a friend. It was a bright moon-
light night. About 7-30 we suddenly heard an appalling noise about 150
yards away on our right and behind us. It sounded like two tigers
lighting. Then we saw a bear coming hurrying and stumbling along the
nullah from our right. It was gasping for breath, and when it got just in
front of up on the opposite bank of the nullah, it suddenly uttered a roar
and jumped round, as bears do when they think something is attacking
them. I thought the tigress must be following, so I advised my friend not
to shoot. The bear now went on a few yards, and sat down to get breath,
gasping and occasionally moaning. Then it went off towards our left, still
muttering and complaining, and unfortunately for itself crossed the nullah
into the jungle behind us. Suddenly the uproar commenced again, and it
was obvious that the tigress had gone for the pour old bear again. The
howls of the bear, and the roars of the tigress went off through the forest,
and gradually faded away in the distance. After they had died away
1 heard tho plaintive calls of what I thought at the time were bear cubs,
but which might have been tiger cubs, going off in the same direction.
The tigress never came back to the kill. 1 have heard of tigers killing
bears, but I suppose I shall never be so near seeing the performance as
I was on the night of which I write.
J. A. DUKE, D.s.p.
Nimar, 4th March 1919.
43
660 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
No. v.— MONGOOSE (MUNGOS MUNGO) KILLING A HEDGEHOG.
Going along the road in my car this morning I saw a mongoose attack-
ing a hedgehog on the edge of the road. The car passed within a few
feet of them and the mongoose only drew back for a second. The car was
stopped thirty yards down the road and I watched events. The mongoose
was scratching at the hedgehog which was in a ball and was trying to
bite at the depression which he knew was the a ital spot. There was a wall
along the road so I got out of the car and went along behind it till I arrived
opposite the place where the struggle was taking place. I was about six
yards from the two animals and watched them for a quarter of an hour.
The mongoose kept on scratching at the hedgehog and biting it. Then it
seemed to spit out something probably bristles from its mouth. The
mongoose got rather blown after a few minutes. Its mouth was open and
it was panting hard. After another eflbrt it took a rest lying down by the
hedgehog with its hindlegs spread out. During this time it occasionally
sniS'ed the hedgehog and kept a sharp look-out. Then it made a prolonged
attack on the hedgehog scratching and biting at the vital spot and some-
times rolling over with it. At last it got a firm hold of something with its
mouth and 1 could see the hedgehog being gradually forced open, but could
not tell where the mongoose's grip was. The hedgehog began to squeal
loudly, a most unpleasant sound. The mongoose then dragged the
hedgehog across the road and along the wall to a bush at the corner, the
distance being about thirty yards. I moved along the wall and could just
see the mongoose moving about in the bush. Then a man came near and
the mongoose ran away. I got the hedgehog out and found it rolled up
and still alive. I could not wait any longer so put the hedgehog back in
the bush. On my return an hour later the hedgehog was lying dead just
outside the bush. On opening it I found that its head been bitten out.
The mongoose must have returned finished it off and again been frightened
away. Three hours later the hedgehog was not to be found. From an
inspection of the hedgehog it did not seem as if the mongoose had bitten
off a number of bristle and so got a hold on the flesh, but I should imagine
that the compressing muscles of the hedgehog must eventually become
weary and a very slight relaxation would allow the mongoose to get its
mouth into the aperture. Whatever the cause it is probable that there is
only one result when a mongoose sets to work on a hedgehog.
E. O'BRIEN, Ll.-Col.
PoRBANDAK, 27/7i October 1918.
No. VI.— NATURAL DEATH OF A ¥01i{VULPES BENGALENSIS).
As notes appear occasionally in the Journal on the subject of the
natural death of wild animals, the following incident may be worth
recording. I was out riding early in the morning and noticed a fox
(Vulpes bengalensis) lying on the ground. As I passed by near it I was
muoh surprised to see it simply curl itself up in a ball as if it was going
to sleep till the sun rose and warmed it a bit. I thought its behaviour
seemed very tame as the spot it selected was an open bit of grass land
though in the neighbourhood of fields.
As I was on my way home some three hours later, my attention was
attracted by some 3 or 4 white backed vultures {Psendogyps bengalensis)
sitting on the ground doing nothing in particular. On getting near 1 fouad
one was mauling the mangled remains of skin, etc., of the unfortunate little
fox. Presumably it was not caught asleep but chose this spot to die in.
Ubtao, Ml March 1914. G. O. ALLEN, i.c.s.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 661
No. Vll.— SPOTTED DEER {AXIS AXIS) AND WILD DOGS
( C UON D UKHVN EN SIS) .
On the 4th of January I went out from my camp for an evening stroll
after cheetal. I took with me three long dogs and a terrier in case I
wounded an animal. Going through the jungle I saw a fine little fox
slipping away, so, as there seemed to be no cheetal just there, 1 loosed my
dogs on the fox. They went off, and I lost sight of them. Before they
came back I heard from a small teak plantation in the opposite direction
the unmistakable noise of a pack of wild dogs in full cry. I rushed along
in that direction, and had only run about 20 yards when some cheetal
hinds rushed out past me with two wild dogs stretched at full speed after
them. I could not get a shot in, and they disappeared over a small hill.
I then dashed into the teak plantation as I heard more wild dogs calling
there. My orderly caught a glimpse of five of them, but 1 did not ; and
I turned back to collect my own pack as I had visions of their being killed
by superior numbers of wild dogs. I assured myself that my dogs had
returned, and then 1 proceeded in the direction the first lot of cheetal
hinds had been chased. I suddenly saw a wild dog standing on a little
hill about 100 yards away. I moved a bit closer, and saw there were two
dogs. They both looked rather out of breath and excited. Suddenly one
of them dashed forward at something I had not seen before and which
now turned out to be a small cheetal fawn. This fawn had been lying on
the ground, and had suddenly jumped to its feet and tried to escape. The
dog which rushed at it merely knocked it over and then stood aside.
The fawn again made a dash to escape, and the other dog rushed after it
and knocked it over. Neither made any attempt to tackle or kill it. I
was dodging about trying to get a steady shot, but could not on account of
the dogs' movements and trees in the way. The third time the fawn
sprang up it luckily rushed past me. One dog dashed in pursuit, and, as
it passed, I dropped on one knee and whistled. The dog broke away from
me, but drew up about oO yards off' staring at me, so that I had no difii-
culty in knocking it over. The other dog went off like a flash. So did the
fawn, and seemed none the worse for its tumbles. I was using a Manlicker
rifle with nickel bullets, and the wounded dog being shot on the stomach
went about two miles before dying, i tried to put my dogs on to him, but
there were too many fresh cheetal traces all over the place for this to
succeed. I have never before heard of wild dogs playing with their prey.
J. A. DUKE, D.s.p.
NiMAR, C. P., Uh March 1919.
No. VIII.— EXPECTED PLAGUE OF FIELD EATS IN 1920.
The famine of 1918-19 will almost certainly be followed by a rat plague
in North Gujarat, liajputana, South East Sind, Kathiawar and the East
Deccan in the winter of 1920-21. This sequence — monsoon failure followed
by a plague of rats two years later — is now well known and established.
The following are the best authenticated cases : —
Failure Eat plague
of monsoon in winter of
1876 1878-79.
1899 1901-02.
1911 1913-14.
In the Statistical Atlas of the Bombay Presidency, Edn 1906, in discussing
the rat plague after the 1899 famine, the schedule on p. 16 attributes the
plague to the winters both of 1900-01 and 1901-02. But this is evidently
662 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
incorrect, since on reference to the district accounts of all the infected
districts it will be found that rats are only mentioned as having been a
pest in 1901-02.
The frightful destruction of crops caused by these plagues can be judged
by the following rough estimates, which are based on my own experience
of the rats in North Gujarat in 1913-14. Revenue assessment (in 1906)
of the Ahmedabad and Kaira district— Rs. 34| lacs. Deduct 14^ lacs
for land such as rice lands, the crops on which are not liable to damage
by rats — Rs. 20 lacs. Assume that the average gross money outturn is
now about 50 times the assessment — Rs. 10 crores. Assume 57o of the
gross outturn to be destroyed by rats — result, loss of Rs. 50 lacs in two
districts alone. I have taken 5"/^ as a conservative estimate. From
personal observation I should say that in some talukas, such as Prantij,
the damage in 1913-14 was much higher, and in individual fields of
" math" as high as 507o. From this it follows that precautionary measures
are quite worth taking, should any be known. And there is ample time to
organize them.
It would be best if preventive measures could be based on such know-
ledge as we possess of the life history of the field rat species, and of the
causes both of the rise in their numbers and their subsequent return to
the normal. The cause to which these rat plagues is usually attributed
is the diminished mortality among the young broods in the year of
monsoon failure through the absence of water to drown them in their
burrows. It is doubtful whether this drowning of young rats in normal
monsoons has been definitely investigated and proved. If not the cause
assigned is purely theoretical, and is therefore open to argument. A
great objection to it is that the fields worst infected in North Gujarat in
1913-14 were the highest fields with the sandiest soil, i.e., the fields least
liable to water-logging in a normal year. The ordinary monsoon rainfall
in such fields runs ofl' easily, and so much as does not run off soaks through
the light sand. The causes of natural phenomena are often not the most
obvious ; and a remark in the Statistical Atlas suggests another possible
clue. In speaking of the cessation of the 1878 plague, the compiler wrote:—
" It is conjectured that a parasite (a red tick found on the bodies of the
rats) may have aided in the work of destruction." It is possible that in
normal years the multiplication of the rats is kept down by the attacks of
this, or some other, parasite, a,nd that the failure of the monsoon is
prejudicial to the parasite. Ticks breed in grass, and there is a noticeable
diminution in the grass crop in a famine year. On the other hand they
do not feed on the grass, but use it merely as a jumping-off place. And
even in a famine year there would be herbage high enough for the ticks to
attach themselves to rats. A more probable cause of the diminution in
the number of ticks would be the diminished humidity. Animals, like
plants, are influenced by the humidity of the air, and some species find
their optimum only in a fairly humid atmosphere. The ticks which attack
travellers in the Kanara Forest country are an example of this. These
ticks find their optimum in the heavy rainfall belt on the crest of the
ghats, and diminish in numbers rapidly as the rainfall decreases eastward.
Whether the Eastern limit of ticks and the lines of equal prevalence recede
westward in years of light rainfall I do not know. But it seems reasonable
to suppose that this is the case. And in the same way the rat tick may
easily diminish in numbers in years when the humidity in July to October
is noticeably below the normal.
Should the above theory be correct we can get little hope of preventing
the rat plague in 1920-21 along nature's own lines. The mischief will
now have been done, and artificial breeding of ticks is presumably beyond
the bounds of practical operations. It would be necessary therefore to find
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
663
some other modus operandi of a more direct kind such as poisoning or
digging up of burrows in the breeding season. But it is beyond the scope
of this note to do more than draw attention to the impending evil.
L. J. SEDGWICK.
Dharwar, Ith January 1919.
It may be argued that if the multiplication of rats is due to decrease
in prevalence of ticks then the greatest prevalence of rats should occur in
the year following the greatest decline in ticks, i.e., (in this case) 1919-20.
But if we assume that the recovery of the ticks is spread over two or
more seasons it may take time for the repressive influence of the ticks to
get the better of the impetus which has been given to rat-multiplication in
the meanwhile. The appended theoretical graph will explain this argument.
It will be noticed that the rat prevalence begins to fall at the point where
the tick prevalance riches the half way point between maximum deficiency
and normal. The graph is drawn on the assumption that the monsoons of
1917, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922 and 1923 are normal. In practice the actual
graphs would be much more complicated, and in a long series of years
the two lines would constantly cross.
c
a
j3
B
a
a
Q
a
o
o
o
O
o
o
o
o
o
>,
o
>.
o
>»
O
>>
o
>.
o
t*s
o
t^
o
m
t->
ai
M
m
Ut
to
U.
02
M
en
S-,
ai
Ut
Ul
a
•a
•a
a
T3
a
"O
a
TS
a
13
a
•a
a
o
O
o
o
o
o
o
o
s
00
a
a
O
a
r-l
a
C-1
a
CO
'M
a
a
t^
1^
00
00
05
o>"
o
o
1— I
T-l
oi
Ci
rry
CO
•*
t— I
r-t
1-^
^^
r-t
1—1
CI
(M
IM
(N
l>]
(N
IM
o\
(M
a-.
05
o
a>
o
05
C5
Oj
05
O
02
O
O
05
C5
Maximum possible excess.
50 % excess.
Norma).
50 % deficit.
Maximum possible deficit.
■
= prevalence of ticks.
— prevalence of rats.
Mr. Sedgwick has done well to call attention to this interesting phono-
mena which is of such great economic importance.
The first thing we want to know is what are the kinds of rats, which
cause these plagues, and I would appeal to members to send in specimens
of rats should there be a plague next year. Of the more recent plagues
there is not, as far as we know any record of the species concerned, but
fortunately two good naturalists Sir Walter Elliot and the Rev. Mr. Fairbank
of the American Mahratti Mission at Ahmednagar have put some facts on
record. Sir Walter Elliot writing in the Madras Journal of Lit. and
Science many years ago remarked that owing to "The monsoon of 1826
having been deficient at the commencement of the season, the mettades
bred in such numbers as to become a perfect plague. They ate up the seed
as soon as sown and continued their ravages when the grain approached
maturity, climbing the stalks of the jowaree and cutting ofl' the ears to
664 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI
devour the grain with greater facility. I saw many whole fields completely
devastated so much so as to prevent the farmers paying their rents." In
1912 Capt. G. C. Shortridge, one of our Mammal Survey Collectors was
collecting in the Dharwar District, the district to which Sir Walter EUiot
refers, and wrote of the mettades which are now called soft furred rats
Millardia meltada as being " confined almost if not entirely, to the black
soil country, where it is probably the chiefly destructive to cotton crops.
These rats, in favourable seasons, increase in such enormous numbers as to
eat down the crops of an entire district. While at Dharwar I never found
the species so plentiful as Tatora or Gunomys, although there is no doubt
that at times it becomes a plague."
Writing of the plague in 1878-79 Mr. Fairbank says that the Indian
Gerbille Tatera indica was the primary culprit. He describes how this
plague extended over several thousand square miles principally in the
Ahmednagar and Sholapur Collectorates and the adjoining Native States.
This plague was first noticed in the end of 1887 when the Rabi (winter)
crops began to ripen. At first writes Mr. Fairbank " stalks were cut down
here and there in the fields but more were cut as days went on. And
afterwards fields were suddenly attacked and destroyed in a few nights.
When food became scarce where they were, the rats gathered their forces
and an army of them invaded fields that had not been harmed before and
quickly destroyed them." Besides the Indian Gerbille the soft-furred
Field Rat was also, in all probability, responsible for a good deal of the
damage as Mr. Fairbank remarks that " In some places they did not cut
down the stalks but climbed them and gnawed off the ears of grain" a habit
as we have seen from Sir Walter Elliot's paper he noticed in the latter
animal in Dharwar.
The Southern Mole Rat Gunomys kok too was probably responsible for
some of the damage, but Mr. Fairbank says only in small numbers. Ap-
parently then in the Ahmednagar district the rat plague was caused by the
following species in the order given : — Indian Gerbille, Soft-furred Field
Rat and Southern Mole Rat, while in the Dharwar District Capt. Shortridge
considered the order of destructiveness to be as follows : — Indian Gerbille,
Southern Mole Rat, Soft-furred Field Rat, though in Walter Elliot only
mentions a plague of the last named.
In 1909 the Society was' sent two examples of the Sind Mole Rat,
Gunomys sindicus which was said to be a regular plague in the Indus Delta.
As regards the breeding habits, I may briefly mention the following
facts. The Indian Gerbille generally makes its hole in or about a hedge or
bush, while the Southern Mole Rat burrows are found right in the open,
along side a bund or, as often as not in the jungle but they are always
easy to tell by the mole like mounds thrown up outside the burrows. The
soft-furred field rat on the other hand is found in old walls, heaps of stones,
but principally in cracks in the sunbaked soil. These difl^erences in habits
may account for what appears to be difl'erent times of year when the plagues
take place. Sir Walter Elliot's record seems to point to a plague in the
middle or end of the monsoon, while as Mr. Sedgwick has pointed out
according to official records the plagues take place as a rule in the cold
weather, two years after the failure of the monsoon.
The 1826 plague is attributed by Sir Walter Elliot to the failure of the
early rains and consequent great increase in first broods of rats, many,
which are as a rule drowned at that season, escaping. That many rats are
drowned by heavy rains is shown by Mr. T. Davidson, Avho writing to
Mr. Fairbank says from Hadha in the Sholapur Collectorate on May 20th,
1879, says "there was a grand slaughter of rats on Monday night and
Tuesday. It rained 2-6o inches and in the morning the whole black soil
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 665
was covered with dead and dying rats, sticking in the mud. The people
say half of them have died. " Sir Walter Elliot says of the Mettadesthat
number perish at the beginning of the rains owing to the cracks filling up
their hole or falling in on them. In the monsoon probably large numbers
of rats are killed one way or another, but I do not think that when the
rains are a failure, that alone is the cause of the plagues. Mr. Sedgwick
suggests that ticks have a great deal to do with the keeping of rats in
check and the killing off the plagues. They very likely do play a part, but
probably the scarcity of food is the principal cause of the plagues, and we
know that abundance and scarcity of food has a great deal to do with the
facundity of animals.
All kinds of rats breed chiefly in the spring, though also probably in
warm climates, all the year round to a certain extent, and if this spring,
when the breeding season commences they cannot get as much food as
usual, the litters will be fewer and smaller in size and fewer young rats
will reach maturity and take longer before they are able to breed. Rats of
all kinds breed when they are a month or two old, but probably owing to
the scarcity of food this will be delayed, so that even if this year's rains
are good the rat population next winter will be below the average.. With
this years supposed good monsoon there will be abundance of food and the
rats will breed next spring in numbers and produce by the following winter
a regular plague.
The plagues of rats are said to disappear as quickly as they appear and
at times numbers are seen dead in the fields. This points to their having
been attacked by some disease which has broken out owing to their great
increase in numbers. The natural enemies of rats in ordinary times keep
them in check, but when once they become a plague and get beyond their
natural enemies then Nature calls in other remedies in the form of some
infectious disease. This may account for the quick disappearance
of the plagues and for the number of dead rats seen lying about in the
fields.
In all probability a certain number of the rats migrate to a less popu-
lated district but of this we know nothing. Any information about rat
plagues after a famine would be most acceptable with special reference to
the following points : —
(1) Kind of rat causing plague (skin and skull should be forwarded
for identification).
(2) When increase was first noted.
(3) When rats began to decrease.
(4) When rats appear to be in their normal numbers again.
(5) If any great increase or scarcity of birds of prey, mungooses or
other carnivorous animals also snakes during or before the
plague.
(6) If any dead rats seen lying in the roads and fields (specimens
should be collected and sent in strong country liquor to the
Society.)
(7) Any signs of rats migrating or leaving the district.
As regards the preventive measures it is diflicult to say what can be
done but it is evident that the sooner measures are adopted the more
eriicacious they will be, and with the present scarcity of food it is evident that
any method of trapping or poisoning with a bait would be of more value
now, than later on when food becomes plentiful. It must be remembered that
if a poison is used it must be one which is not harmful to the rats natural
666 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
enemies or else much of the good done by killing the rats will be defeated
if their enemies are also killed.
Killing rata when the plague is at its height will probably do little
good as Sir Walter Elliot has shown.
N. B. KINNEAR.
Bombay Nat. Hist. See,
9th March 1919.
No. IX.— PORCUPINE'S METHOD OF SHEDDING QUILLS
WHEN ATTACKED.
Seeing R. D. Macleod's note in the Journal of the 15th January 1918 on
" a fight between a dog and a porcupine " and his wish for information as to
the porcupine's mode of attack, I give my personal experiences. At Quetta,
in 1885 a brother Officer and I went for a walk in uniform one evening,
taking with us two young grey hounds, 2 bull terriers, a fox terrier and a
retriever. At the foot of the hills, the dogs turned a fox out of the rocks
and killed it. When we came to another cavity in the rocks we let the .'>
terriers go in. Before long we heard barking and fighting and presently the
fox terrier came out with a quill through its lower lip and another through a
fore IcQ'. I then called the other 2 terriers as I knew how dangerous it was
for them. The bull terrier bitch came out with 4 or 5 quills in each socket
of her eyes and one through her chest and coming out of her side. These
we took out and later found her eyes had not been touched and they and the
wounds in her lungs healed up all right. While I was calling up the whole
for the bull terrier dog, out came a porcupine quite close to my face and
went for the two grey hounds with its quills laid back. When near them
it turned the quills forwards over its head and ran at them in turn, leaving
about a dozen quills in the side of each, then backed away. The quills are
loosened in the skin sockets. We had only canes so threw stones at it and
though we knocked out many quills ib got away into the rocks. The retrie-
ver cleverly kept out of its way, only barking. Soon another porcupine
came out and went back into the hole when stoned. The bull terrier dog-
never came out again. No doubt he got quills into his brain or heart and
had so many in him that he could not turn round and get out. A dog is no
match for a porcupine in its hole.
R. LIGHT, Lt.-Col.
Hastings, England,
16th October 1918.
No. X.— RECORD FEMALE NILGIRI TAHR
{REMITRAGUS RYLOCIRIUS).
In November I was out shooting " Nilgiri Tahr" on the Nelliampathies.
I had got within 500 feet of a herd, who were below me on precipitous
ground. I picked out what appeared to be a decent sized buck. The
beast turned out to be a doe taping 14". The biggest $ recorded in
Rowland Ward's book or in any other authority I have had the oppor-
tunity of consulting seems to tape only 11".
A. P. KINLOCH, Lieut.
CoLABA, Bombay,
'A\st January 1919.
^nSCELLANEOUS NOTES. 667
No. XI.— INDIAN GREY SHRIKE {LANIUS LATHORA)
ATTACKING WOUNDED SANDGROUSE.
This morning I shot a Sandgrouse which fell 120 yards away. When I
got close to it I saw an Indian Grey Shrike attacking it. The Sandgrouse
gave one flutter which frightened off the Shrike and then lay dead. The
Shrike returned and began pecking at it. I watched it for a few minutes
and then went up expecting to find it had attacked the eyes, but it had
drilled a hole in the Sandgrouse's skull. I have never seen this before
and it may be of sufficient interest to record.
It was rather cheek of a small bird like a Shrike to go for a Sandgrouse.
E. O'BRIEN, Lt.-Col.
PORBANDAR, KaTHIAWAR,
1st November 1918.
No. XII.— OCCURRENCE OF INDIAN RED BREASTED
FLYCATCHER (SlfHIA HYPERYTHRA) IN THE DECCAN.
In the Fauna it is stated that this bird has not yet been procured in
India, when on migration between Kashmir, its summer quarters and
Ceylon, its winter quarters, nor have I been able to trace in the journal any
account of its occurrence outside the Himalayas.
It may, therefore, prove of interest to know that I procured a male of
this species in good plumage at Bolarum (Secunderabad, Deccan) on the
28th of September last, and saw another on the 30th, two days later.
No more were seen, and the two individuals mentioned were evidently
on migration. I am inclined to believe that its occurrence on this occasion
was not fortuitous and that this species migrates annually down the con-
tinent of India, but has probably been overlooked owing to its similarity to
S. parva, its European ally. I may mention that though in the Fauna it is
stated that S. parva occurs in India down to a point considerably South of
the Deccan, i have never observed it in the Deccan, and think it has
probably been confounded with 8. hyperythra, from which it may be distin-
guished at large by the ring of white feather round the ej^e, which is a
conspicuous marking wanting in the latter, and by the lesser amount of
chestnut on the underparts. Another rare Flycatcher shot on migration at
Bolarum on 2nd October 1917, was Layard's Flycatcher {Alseonax muttii).
A. J. CURRIE.
Bunder Abbas, 2Stli November 1918.
[There are three skins of Sepliia parva in the Society's Collection, two from the
Satara district and one from Kolaba District below Ghats — Eds.].
No. XIII.— NESTING HABITS OF THE BROWN ROCKCHAT
{CERCOMELA FUSCA).
A few years ago I spent the hot weather touring in the Banda district
of Bundelkhand living in Canal inspection houses. Every inspection house
had its pair of Brown Rockchats, which nested inside the house, usually in
the bathroom, to which they had access through the drain opening when
the house was shut up. I found several of the nests, which were placed
either in the corner of one of the shelves in the wall or else on the cornice,
and I was surprised to find that they were invariably built on a foundation
of small pebbles or gravel. The foundation consisted of an irregular heap
44
668 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
of pebbles some six inches across and about three deep and the nest was a
very neat grass-lined cup, about 2^" in diameter and about 1^" deep,
( I did not measure it) embedded in the gravel with its lip flush with the
top of the heap. These pebbles must have been carried up by the birds.
I should be glad to know whether this is the usual form of nest of these
birds, as I have not seen it mentioned anywhere. Is the Rockchat a bird
that is changing its habits and extending its range ? Jerdon speaks of it as
" found at Saugor, Bhopal and Bundelkhand, extending towards Gwalior and
the N. W. Provinces". He goes on to say "It is a permanent resident of
Saugor and I have always found it on tlie sandstone hills there, among rocks
cliffs and loose stones, never coming to the cultivated ground below".
I have always found it most common in districts such as Banda and
Mirzapur, where there are plenty of rocky hills, but it is by no means
confined to the hills and frequents cultivated land. The part of Banda
where I found these nests was many miles from the hills. I have also foimd
it common, though to a lesser degree, in many other districts of the United
Provinces where there are no hills at all and nothing but cidtivated land.
At the same time it still seems to have a preference for anything suggesting
rocks, such as j)ucca buildings, and the form of the nests I found and the
fact of the usual means of access bemg through the small hole in the wall
suggested to me that the birds were following instincts inherited from some
time when they may have been confined to rocky country. But I imagine
that in any case Jerdon's information must have been incomplete and the
change in habits, if there has been one, cannot have taken place in the
50 years since he wrote.
Hardoi, Oudh,
2^rd February 1919.
L. S. WHITE.
No. XIV.— A NOTE ON THE LARGE BROWN THRUSH
{ZOOTHEA MONTICOLA).
I am sending you by post a skin of the Large Brown Thrush (Zoothea
monticola,) a bird which is fairly common in the thickly wooded nullah,
which extends from my vegetable garden to the top of the Binsar ridge and
down which runs a perennial stream. The elevation is from 7,300 to
nearly 8,000 feet. The description of the bird as given in the Fauna of
India is not quite complete, for instance, no reference is made to the white
webbing under the primary and secondary quills forming a broad bar
nearly across the inside of the wing which is quite noticeable during flight.
In reference books to which I have access nothing appears to be recorded
regarding the habits or nidification of this bird. From personal observa-
tion I believe the bird obtains its food in the bed of the nullah raking
up fairly large stones with its powerful beak. It is a busy bird whilst
feeding, moving back with its tail lowered when a stone is displaced, and
then darting forward with its tail cocked and seizing any worm or insect
exposed by the removal of the stone. The favourite hunting ground of
this thrush appears to be accumulations of ooze and gravel at the base of
boulders and I have frequently noticed the scratching of this bird and
the probings of Woodcocks in the same places. It is a shy bird and will
not brook close observation. Its flight is rapid and is more like that of
a dipper than of a thrush. The flight is generally up or down stream, but
when much disturbed it darts through the thick underwood and makes for
the next nullah ; in fact although I have observed quite a number of these
birds during the past five years, I have never seen one in anything like
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 669
open forest or away from the immediate vicinity of a wet well wooded
nullah. The bird is not gregarious. I have never been fortunate enough
to find the nest of the Large Brown Thrush, although I am convinced that
it breeds here, as it remains throughout the year being certainly more
common during the winter months. Some years ago, whilst upon a short
visit before I had taken up my abode in Buisar ; the late Mrs. Goban, a
keen observer of birds, showed me a nest which she declared to be that of
Z. monticola ; the nest contained one egg, pale green, with rather pale brown
blotches, the nest itself was cup shaped, neatly constructed of moss and
lined with fibre and was built in the first bifurcation of a holly tree about
six feet from the ground and almost touching the bank which rose steeply
from the bed of the nullah. By standing on a boulder the inside of the
nest was clearly observable. I suggested that the nest might be that of
an ouzel, but Mrs. Goban declared she had seen the bird leave the nest
which indeed had let to its discovery, and was quite certain that the bird
was the Large Brown Thrush. I had to leave the next day, and so was
unable to prosecute inquiries, but heard afterwards that the nest had
been destroyed.
Hume in his Nests and Eggs, 2nd Edition, makes no reference to Z.
monticola, but gives an account of a nest of the Purple Thrush taken
in the same nullah by Home many years ago, the indentification of which
was obviously open to question, owing to the circumstances under which
the bird was obtained and makes me wonder whether the nest was not
that of Z. monticola, as the description of Home's nest and eggs tallies
completely with the one found by Mrs. Goban. The Purple Thrush is, at
any rate, at the present time, an exceedingly rare bird. I have not seen
it myself once in the past five years during which I have been a close
observer of the birds in the neighbourhood, and think it quite possible
that Home mistook Z. monticola for CocJwa ptirpurea. However in a foot-
note on page 111 of Nests and Eggs the Editor states that now that the
history of these Thrushes is better known, there is little doubt that Home's
nest really belonged to C. ptirpurea.
S. J. MARTIN.
BiNSAR House,
KuMAON^ 30th December 1918.
No. XV.— NIDTFICATION OF THE SMALLER STREAKED
SPIDER-HUNTER {ARACHNOTHERA AURATA).
During June and July 1918, when camped at the foot of the Pegu Yomas,
in Prome Division, at the headwaters of the Shwele River, I shot 2 or o
specimens of Arachnothera aurata, the Smaller Streaked Spider-hunter,
(Blanford's No. 907) and found them just ready to breed. The birds
are by no means rare in this immediate locality, and distinctly conspicuous
from their habit of sitting on a branch and twisting their heads, and stretch-
ing their necks, and their dumpy unbalanced figure owing to their short
tails and long bills. On July 24th, I noticed one fly past my te with a
thread of silk or cotton in its bill, but a long search failed to bring its nest
to light. Several other hunts brought no better luck.
On July 28th, 1 was out doing a long day's logging. As I was walking
along a rather slippery felled teak, 1 put out a hand on to a creeper
growing beside it to steady myself. From right under my hand, an Arach-
nothera aurata flew out, and after a very short search I found its nest,
containing 2 eggs. The creeper had been pushed aside 5 days before, to
get at the tree to fell it, when the fellers had found the nest ; luckily the
670 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
bird had not deserted, but was actually sitting, when I found it, though the
nest had been pushed 2 or 3 feet out of place by the tree in falling.
The nest was on the underside of a leaf of a thorny climber {Smilax
macrophylla, I believe) common in Lower Burma, which bears thorns all
over its stems and along the ribs of the leaves, which are up to nine inches
or a foot in length ; the local name is ' Katcho.' It was hung from the
leaf by about 100 little threads of silk, each worked into the material
ef the nest, pushed through the leaf, and knotted on the upperside.
These threads ran all round the back and sides of the nest, but were
especially numerous at two ends of the rough semicircle thus formed. On
the upper surface, the semicircle of^knots was about f " wide, and 5" in exter-
nal diameter. The front was open, and the nest was so built that when the
leaf was hanging naturally, there was a space of about If" between the
edge of the nest and the leaf in front, the back was close up against the
leaf. Water was kept out of the holes in the leaf by the knots ; when I
found it, it had been raining heavily, but the inside was quite dry. The
combined strength of the supporting threads was considerable.
The nest itself was a cup, high at the two sides and low at the back and
front, made of vegetable fibre, ornamented scantily on the outside with
skeleton leaves, and bits of bamboo leaf. Round the lip of the nest were
several pieces of white, curly, bark from bamboo spathes, I think : these
were arranged in a strip, 2" long, and |" down just on the outside of and
below the lip.
The nest was about 2f" across at the top, rather less from back to front,
and more from side to side, of rather the conventional "watch pocket '•
shape. Externally, it was 2|" deep at the front and back, and 3^" at the
sides: internally, If" deep at front and back, and correspondingly more
at the sides. The internal hollow was 1|" across from front to back, and 2"
from side to side : this makes the sides half an inch, and the bottom 1^"
thick.
It was very compactly put together, and lined with vegetable down
somewhat scantily, mixed with fine fibres, the whole forming a pad at the
bottom of the nest which was easily removed. The rest of the nest was
entirely made of strips of brown vegetable (bark) fibres, finer towards the
inside, but no where more than /„'' across, which were not felted together,
but appeared to be piit in one by one and worked into shape ; from the
inside, the nest came to pieces easily, but outside it was bound round with
a few rather broader strips of fibre, which creased the outline of the nest.
The nest was about 5' from the ground, on the top of a ridge with some
secondary growth round it (not dense as the soil was bad) in a patch of
open jungle of mixed bamboos and small trees.
The eggs — 2 in number — were fairly set, and I can match them for
colour and markings from my small series of Arachnothera magna. In size,
they are 21, and 19-75 x 15 and 14-75 millimetres (= 83-78 x 59 and -85
inches). The colour is a sort of purple, or dark battle-ship grey with minute
net-like, or crack-like marks all over them : one egg has no other markings
except a faint ring of darker grey at the large end. The other egg, which
is the lighter in the back ground and has a greenish tinge, has dark grey
spots all over it. Both eggs are glossy and pitted, with a hard, fine grained
shell rather like eggs of Ploccelki javanensis, but not so thick.
Mr. E. C. Stuart Baker tells me that he has never seen a nest of Arach-
nothera magna as small as this, while Arachnothera magna and Arachnothera
longirostis both use skeleton leaves extensively in the making of the nest,
instead of fibre, as in this case.
As I believe that the nest and eggs of Arachnothera aurata have never
been found before, I send you the above rather full description. Although
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 671
1 looked carefully, I was unable to get a second nest to confirm my notes,
though I found some fully fledged young birds flying about in September.
J. M. D. MACKENZIE, i.f.s., m.b.o.u., f.z.s.
Prome, Burma,
December 1918.
No.
XVI.— THE MALABAR PIED HORNBILL {ANTHRACOCEROS
CORONATUS) IN MIRZAPUR, U. P.
This bird is fairly common beyond a line some 15 miles or so South
of the Ganges as soon as the country side has lost the character of the
Gangetic Plain and there are plenty of trees ; for although found in quite
open country, being strictly arboreal it must have plenty of " baghs " or
large trees to act as " stepping stones." They go about in flocks and
attract one's attention both from their colouring and their call. The
expanded tail as the bird alights is quite pretty. When seen in the hand
the bird's head has a most rakish appearance, the black feathers sticking
out like the hair on the back of a school boy's head.
They are known locally as " dhanesh" and are highly prized by the local
inhabitants both for their flesh and for the oil to be obtained from them.
They are distinctly wary, especially if followed up, and when opportunity
occurs are invariably added to the "bag."
G. O. ALLEN, i.c.s.
MiRzAPUR, SOth November 1912.
No. XVII.— THE CUCKOO {CDCULUS CANORUS)
IN MIRZAPUR, U.P.
I find the following amongst my notes : —
I have heard this cuckoo calling a good deal lately (5th August 1912).
I shot a young cuckoo not far from the Civil Station. It proved to
be in the second stage of plumage, the nuclial spot being still
retained (27th August 1912).
G. O. ALLEN, I.c.s.
MiRZAPUR, ?,Qth November 1912.
No. XVIII.— EXTENSION OF RANGE OF THE BRONZE-
WINGED DOVE.
Regarding the Bronze-Winged Dove {Chalcophaps indica) Blanford states
in Vol. iV Birds, Fauna of British India, 1898, that the only localities in
which it is found in the Madras Presidency are the Malabar Forests from
Cape Comorin upwards towards Bombay. I write to state that I shot a hen
of this species on 18th February 1919 in the Panapakkam Reser%e Forest
of this district. This was shot as the bird was entirely new to me and
I could not identify it until it was in my hand. Two more of the same
species were seen later but not fired at. Please let me know whether this
is a new locality for the bird to be found in. I have a dim recollection
that the late Mr. Roscoe Allen (Madras P.W. D. ) told me in 1912 that he
had shot a specimen of this species in the Mamandur forest (a continuation
i\72 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL KIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI
of the Panapakkam forest and some 20 miles distant) and had reported
the same to the Society. I regret to state that my bird was too much
knocked about for preservation.
H. DAWSON.
Chittook, S.I.,
15th February 1919.
(This is an interesting' record as apparently the furthest South this Dove has
been recorded on the East Coast is inland from Masulipatam (vide Stuart Baker"s
Indian Pigeons and Doves). There is however a skin in the British Museum
Collection labelled "Madras " and presented by the Eev. H. H. Baber, but whether
Madras town or Presidency is meant it is impossible to say. — Eds.)
No. XIX.— HABITS OF THE PAINTED SAND GROUSE
{PTEROCLES FASCIATUS).
I was taken this evening by a friend of mine to a spot well known to him
about 20 miles South of Mirzapur where the Painted Sand Grouse came
and scratched in the evening. It is a small bit of ground about 30 ft. long-
entirely bared of grass by these "Painters" which come and scratch there
at dusk, the earth having presumably some peculiar attraction. The birds
come in large numbers just at sunset and the same place is apparently
used year after year. They must come from far oft' as I have never heard
of any of these birds being shot within 10 miles or so of the place.
On the occasion of my visit only two "Painters" arrived when it was
getting dusk so we left. The vernacular name of this bird in this district
is " Gutila titar." As to their nesting season here, young birds are
generally found strong on the wing at the end of July.
G. O. ALLEN, i.o.s.
MiRZAPUK, 1st February 1913.
No. XX.— SAND GROUSE IN MESOPOTAMIA.
In his ' Corrections to the List of Birds from Fao' republished in "Miscel-
laneous Notes" of Vol. XXVI, No. 1 of the Journal, Mr. W. D. Camming
includes P. exustus with the remark that "Grouse are seen and heard flying
over Fao which, with the aid of binoculars, I thought might be this bird."
It would be of interest both to sportsmen and ornithologists in Mesopota-
mia to know if this species has been shot, South of Tekrit. Personally
I much doubt its occurrence in Mesopotamia, and feel pretty sure that
the birds Cumming observed, and was doubtful of, were P. sensgallus.
During a sojourn of nearly 3 years in this country I have never known of
any example of The Common Sandgrouse {P. exustus) being brought to bag.
Barring rare stragglers the following are the only Sand Grouse likely to
be met with in Mesopotamia, their status being as shown : —
P. arenarius The Imperial Sand Grouse. A cold weather visitor in
small numbers to deserts north of Amara.
P. alchata The Large Pintailed Sand Grouse. The common resident
Sand Grouse of Mesopotamia. North of Amara it occurs
in vast flocks.
P. seneyallus The spotted Sand Grouse. Residents but not nearly so
common as the last, except near Basra where it breeds
in considerable numbers.
P. licktenstemi ( arabius ? ) The Close-barred Sand Grouse are not
probably resident.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 673
The call notes of P. alchata and P. senec/allus very usefully serve to
differentiate these two species when on the wing. The former has a single
••Caw" like note, the latter a bisyllabic note or chuckle,
H. A. F. MAGRATH, Lt.-Col.
Basra, 2nd February 1919.
Xo. XXI.— THE BURMESE PEAFOWL {PAVO MUTICUS)1N THE
CHITTAGOXG HILL TRACTS, BENGAL.
In Vol. XXIV, No. 1, Mr. Stuart Baker mentions the above bird as
being found in Gurunia and Ramoo in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Mr.
Marchant of the Provincial Forest Service informs me that the place is
(larjania and that Ramoo is a sort of a petty township in the Garjania
circle. He had a live specimen sent to him about 3 years ago which he
liberated in the Sitakund jungles.
CHAS. M. INGLIS.
Baghowinie Fty.,
Lakekia Sakai, 10th Aiir/ust 1918.
No. XXII.— NIDIFICATION OF STONE'S PHEASANT
{PHASIANUX BLEGANS). A CORRECTION.
In Vol. XXV, No. 3, Mr. Stuart Baker mentions ten eggs he received
from me which he said were laid by a hen of a pair kept in an aviary by
me. He must have misunderstood me. I probably wrote that the eggs
were laid in captivity. The eggs which were a part of a clutch of o were
given to me by Mr. O. Bertling. I believe they w'ere received by him from
the late Mr. Bartlett.
CHAS. M. INGLIS.
Baghowinie Fty.,
Lakeria Sarai, IQth August 1918.
No. XXIII.— THE GREAT INDIAN BUSTARD {EUPODOTIS
EDWAKDSI) IN MIRZAPUR DISTRICT, U.P.
With reference to the note on p. 307 of Volume XXI of the Journal that
Bustard and Florican used to be found in this District, this is certainly
still so in the case of the Bustard.
During the rains a few are generally to be seen on the large grassy mai-
dans some miles to the South of the station.
I have also seen them in other localities in the district in November and
in March: so presumably they breed here. It is locally known as the
•■ dhoom chirya " no doubt from its booming call.
A friend of mine with long experience of the game birds of this district
feels certain he once saw a Florican not far from the station, but it was not
bagged and this bird certainly cannot be said nowadays to be found in the
district.
G. 0. ALLEN, i.cs.
MlRZAlUR, 1913.
674 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
No. XXIV.— NOTE ON THE OCCURRENCE OF THE LESSER
FLORICAN OR LIKH (SYPHOOTIS AURITA) IN BOMBAY.
It may be of interest to record the fact that while travelling to Parel this
morning I saw on the cricket ground of the Catholic Gymkhana on the
Kennedy Sea face a female Lesser Florican or Likh (Sypheotis aurita). The
bird flew slowly across the grounds towards the Hindu Gymkhana and was
quite unmistakable.
N. MARRYAT.
Bombay, Uh September, 1918.
[A lesser Florioan was reported to have been seen near Churchg-ate Station on
8tli June 1913, vide J. B. N. H. S., vol. XXII, p. 631— Eds.]
No. XXV.— THE COTTON TEAL IN MALABAR.
Blanford in F, of I. Birds, Vol. IV states that the Cotton Teal {Netkapus
corornandelianus) is rare in Malabar, also Stuart Baker in Indian Ducks
says " from Malabar I can find no record of it's (Cotton Teal) Occurrence,
though there is one somewhere could I only remember it." So, it may
be of interest to record that I lately saw 4 specimens which were shot
near here, Nelliampathy Hills, Malabar, and I am informed that they
are not uncommon.
A. M. KINLOCH.
KOLLENGODE, P. 0. viu PaLGHAT,
South India,
1st January, 1919.
No. XXVI.— OCCURRENCE OF THE COMMON SHELDRAKE
{T ADORN A CORNUTA) AND THE MARBLED DUCK
{MARMARONETTA ANGUSTRIOSTRIS) IN KATHIAWAR.
I was shooting with H.H. The Maharaja Jam Saheb at X'mas and on the
28th December we shot a nallah near JBalambha, about 36 miles N. E. of
Jamnagar. Among the bag was a pair of Sheldrake. They are the first I
have seen in Kathiawar. They were in very fine plumage and the collar
and markings down the brest and belly were of a deeper, richer chestnut
brown than that depicted in the plate in Stuart Baker's Duck Book. I
measured the male bird as he lay on the ground, without stretching, and he
was 2 feet.
We also shot a specimen of the Marbled Duck. I could not identify it
as I had never seen one before, but it was an easy task by the book. Our
bag in 3 or 4 days round Balambha also included half a dozen Greylags
and a few Imperial and Sindhi Grouse. Both the latter are rare visitors
so far south, only met with, as a rule, when water is very scarce in Cutch
and Sind.
H. W. BERTHON, Lt.-Col.
Ra.ikot, Sth Janwiry, 1919.
[H.H. The Maharaja Jam Saheb of Nawanagar has kindly forwarded to
us the two skins of the Sheldrake. Writing of this bird Hume says "I
have it from the mouths of Indus, the Coasts of the Gulf of Cutch, from
Nawanagar Kathiwar " The last-named specimen which is in the Hume
Collection in the British Museum is an immature bird and was shot in
December. Of the Marbled Teal Stuart Baker says it has been obtained in
Cutch and the late Col. Butler shot one near Mount Abu. In the Society's
collection there is a ^in from the Nail shot by Mr. H. C. Wright in
December 1899. In Sind this bird is not uncommon. — Eds.]
MISCELLANEOUS XOTES. 675
No. XXVII.— SPOT BILL DUCK IN KASHMIR.
I am writing to let you know that I shot a Spot-billed Duck {Anas poeci-
iornicJui), a male, here on the 7th November 1918 and have ascertained from
all available sources that this is the first of the species, which has ever been
seen in Kashmir.
I shot a Stifl'-tailed Duck on the same day and three more on November
L>3rd.
D. G. OLIVER, Major.
Srinagak, Kashmir,
2oth November, 1918.
No. XXVIII.— THE SHELDRAKE {TADORNA CORNUTA)
IN MANIFUR STATE.
On October 27th I saw 6 common Sheldrake (Tadorna cornuta) 9 miles
South of here. As far as I know, the common Sheldrake has only once
been previously recorded in Maiiipur, a shikari having shot one in 1910
(vide my letter in Vol. XXII, No. 2 Journal). I have never seen the
Common Sheldrake in Manipur before, but the Muhammadan Shikaris say
they see them occasionally, though rarely. There is no Manipuri name for
the Common Sheldrake, though they have names for the commoner ducks.
J. C. HIGGINS, i.L.s.
Imphal, Manifur State, 3rd November, 1918.
No. XXIX.— FURTHER NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF AMBALA
DISTRICT, PUNJAB.
The following are a few additions to Mr. Hugh Whistler's list as
published in the •• Journal"', B. N. H. S., Vol. XXV, No. 4, pp. 665-681 :—
104. The Striated Babbler — Argya earlii, Blyth.
Common about the reeds anywhere near the canal at Ja-
gadhri.
235. The Red-billed Jjiothvix—Liothrix lutea, Scop.
Dodsworth obtained specimens between Kasauli and Kalka
in March 191-'» and I saw at least two males at an elevation of
<),000 ft. on Kasauli Hill in July 1918.
260. The Fire-Cap — Ceplialopyrus flammiceps, Burton.
I obtained a male from a small flock feeding at the top of a
Sheeshum tree at Jagadhri, 4th March 1917. Probably not
uncommon on migracion as I have also obtained it at Ladwa, in
the adjoining District of Karnal as the same season. Males
were assuming the •' fire cap."
328. The Indian Ashy Drougo — Dicrurus longicandatvs, A Hay.
Not uncommon in the cold season. The race-course is a
favourite resort of this species.
405. Tickell's Willow-Warbler — Phylloscopus affinis, Tick.
One specimen obtained IGth March 1918.
463. The Yellow-bellied Wren-Warbler — Prima flavivenfris, Deless.
Common near the canal and backwaters at Jagadhri.
475. The Black-headtul Shrike — Lanius nigriceps, Franklin.
One specimen obtained close to Jagadhri Station, 4th Fe-
bruary 1917.
676 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
530. The Central-Asian Starling — Sturnus porpJiyronotus, Sharpe.
The only Starling I have succeeded in obtaining. Very
common in the cold season.
698. The Small billed Mountain Trush — Oreocincla dauma, Latham,
One specimen obtained 17th February 1918, in a mango tope
close to the canal at Jagadhri.
732. The Black-throated Weaver-bird — Ploceus bengalensis, Linn.
Obtained tvpo specimens from a flock composed of this species
and Passer hispanioleiisis at Jagadhri.
767. The Himalayan Goldfinch — Garduelis caniceps, Vigors.
A single specimen in our compound in Cantonments. Its
song attracted my attention, 6th February 1918.
772. The Himalayan Greenfinch — Hypacanthis spiTwides, Vigors.
Procured a male from a small party near Jagadhri, 17th Fe-
bruary 1918.
778. The Spanish Sparrow — Passer Mspaniolensis, Temm.
Several specimens obtained from a flock composed of this
bird and Ilocetis bengalensis. Common winter visitor. A
Jungle sparrow at this season.
789. The Ileed-Bunting- — Emberiza schoeniclus, Linn.
Probably a regular winter visitor, a few being seen almost
every sea.son. A male and female procured near Jagadhri, 17th
February 1918.
790. The Grey-headed Bunting — Emberiza fucata, Pall.
A male procured from a small party 8 miles from Canton-
ments, 17th March 1918.
800. The Red-headed Bunting — Emberiza luteola, Sparrm.
This species was found in large numbers near Cantonments,
10th March 1918, when I procured a male and female.
A. E. JONES.
Simla, 17//j October, 1918.
XXX.— LIST OF BIRDS OBSERVED IN THE EUPHRATES
VALLEY.
A short while ago I was looking at a printed list of birds, etc., found in
this country, published by the Bombay Society in 1916. I enclose a
typewritten list of birds we have seen in this country, most of them I
have seen myself. Probably many others with a greater knowledge of the
subject than we have, have sent you lists. There may be some not
reported before in the list enclosed. I also send you a list of wild flowers
found at Khan Baghdadie and immediate neighbourhood.
LIST OF BIRDS OBSERVED IN THE EUPHRATES VALLEY.
House Sparrow. Very numerous in all towns and villages. They
are a d — d nuisance in our gardens.
Rook. Large flock appear in the Euphrates valley during
the Winter months.
Jackdaw. Many were seen above Hit in March and April.
They were evidently breeding and had nests on
the cliff's by the river.
Magpie. Several pairs were observed nesting at Hit in
March. At Anna a very large colony of these
birds was observed.
Blue Jay or Indian Not uncommon throughout Euphrates Valley.
Roller.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
677
White-eared Bulbul.
The Sharmar or Per-
sian Nightingale.
Sedge Warbler.
Dartford Warbler.
Lesser Clrey Shrike.
Golden Oriole.
Lesser Whitethroat.
Common Starling.
Wheater and Dessert
Wheater.
Persian Robin.
Common Swallow.
House Martin.
Sand Martin.
Redstart.
Yellow and Grey Wag-
tail.
Nightjar.
Little Owl.
Large Crested Lark.
Large or Common Bee-
Eater.
Persian Hooded Crow.
Hoopoe.
Pied Kingfisher.
Indian Common King-
fisher.
White-breasted
fisher.
Kite.
Pale Harrier.
King-
Common Buzzard.
Sparrow Hawk and
Kestel.
Ring Dove.
Stock Dove.
Rock Dove.
Black Partridge.
Chakor.
Seesee.
Common Quail.
Common at Nasiriyah and on the lower reaches of
the Euphrates. Its song was constantly heard
in Spring.
Seen and heard in the same districts as the
Bulbul.
Constantly observed along river banks.
Two of these were seen on Ramadi Grass Farm in
July.
Seen at Nasiriyah and Ramadi.
A pair seen at Nasiriyah in March 1916 and
another pair in September in the garden of
D.H.Q., Ramadi.
Seen at Ramadi, July, August, September.
Large flocks collect in Winter months.
Frequently seen in Euphrates area.
Do. do.
do.
do.
Do. do.
do.
do.
Do. do.
do.
do.
Do. do.
do.
do.
1 at Ramadi,
August, in
D.H.Q. Garden
Do. do.
do.
do. do.
Do. do. do. do. do.
Do. do. do. do. do.
Very plentiful throughout Mesopotamia. A nest
with eggs was found on the Government Garden,
Ramadi, June 1918.
Common in Mesopotamia during Summer months.
It was observed to nest in sandbanks near Nasi-
riyah.
Seen at Nasiriyah and Ramadi.
Frequently seen at Nasiriyah and Ramadi.
Common on Euphrates.
Do. do.
Seen in early Spring at Nasiriyah, and all through
the hot weather.
Occasionally seen as far North as Ramadi.
Frequently seen near Ramadi and further North.
This bird on more than one occasion was res-
ponsible for the death of pigeons belonging to
the Carrier Service.
Seen at Hitia, April.
Seen nesting at Khan-Baghdadi, March.
Breed freely in all palmgrov^es along Euphrates
Valley.
Heard occasionally at Nasiriyah and Ramadi in
the Spring.
Observed building at Khan-Baghdadi in April 1918.
Not uncommon along Euphrates Valley.
A pair seen on hills above Hit in April.
Several pairs were observed to breed round Hit.
6^ brace were shot below Hit, 3rd October 1918.
Seen on Ramadi Grass Farm in August and in
several other places.
678 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Macqueens Bustard or
Houbara.
Several of these birds were seen near Hit in March
and April. 2^ brace were shot there on the
1918.
were
Some also
Moorhen, Water
and Coot.
Purple Moorhen.
Rail
2nd October
at Ramadi.
Common in the marshes of the Euphrates
have been shot
Common Sand-
Re d s h a n k
Greenshank.
■Common Snipe.
•Common Gull.
Paddy Bird.
piper,
and
A specimen was
Ramadi, September 1918
Not uncommon.
caught in the D. H. Q. Garden at
Cora mor ant,
and White
Pelican
Stork.
Common Heron anc
Night Heron.
Brahminy Duck.
Imperial Sandgrouse.
Common Sandgrouse.
Linnet.
Plover.
LIST OF WILD
Daisy (White & Yellow). Thyme.
Iris. Stonecrop.
Orchid. Thistle.
Fumitory. Dead-Nettle.
Poppy (Red & Purple.) Pink.
Pimpernel (Blue & Red). Rock Rose.
Hawk Weed. Corncockle.
Dandelion. Mulein.
Salvia. Rock-Cress.
Campion. Saxifrage.
Silene. Cranesbill.
Wild Mustard. Persicarius.
Yarrow. Trefoil.
Grape Hyacinth. Marigold.
Forget-me-Not. Woodruff.
Hounds Tongue. Wild Aster.
Plantain. Sorrel.
Burdock. Night Stock.
Toad Flax.
Vetch.
15th Division, Mesopotamia,
8th October 1918.
Met with throughout Euphrates Valley. Observed
to be very abundant along Euphrates old Channel,
December 1915, and on borders of Hammar Lake.
Seen as far North as Hit. Collects in flocks
during Winter months.
Seen at Nasiriyah and Ramadi. A Pale Harrier
was seen to have killed one of these near Jack-
son's House on the Habiniyah Escape (Habini-
yah Escape is at Ramadie), October 1917.
Were seen in large numbers on Bv.taniyah Lake
near Nasiriyah, January 1916. Also in the
Habiniyah Lake near Ramadie.
I Seen and heard at Ramadi.
Several seen and shot, Ramadi, December 1917.
Golden Eye and every kind of duck are abundant.
Found in large numbers throughout Mesopotamia.
Do. do. do.
Flocks of these birds were seen on Ramadi Grass
Farm in September 1918.
Not uncommon throughout Euphrates Valley.
FLOWERS FOUND AT KHAN BAGIIDADI,
April 1918.
Lungwort.
Feverfew.
Sanfoin.
Ragwort.
Figwort.
Maidenhair Fern.
Eyebright (Veronica).
Chickweed.
Mignonette.
Mesambryantheminn.
Cuckoo-Pint.
Spurge.
Sandwort.
Adonis.
A-gapanthos.
Mallow.
Garlic.
Parsley.
Medick.
Ragged Robin.
H. T. BROOKING,
Maj.-Genl.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
67^
No. XXXI.— LARGE CARP FROM MESOPOTAMIA.
I enclose a photo which may be of interest. It ia that of what is pos-
sibly the largest fish caught on a rod and line out here. It was caught by
Major H. L. Golan, I.A., in the Diala River in September, the bait being
atta. It was 69" long (measured along the curve of the back) 38" girth^
680 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
and weighed 123 lbs. The rod was a 14 ft. one and not a heavy one as
may be seen in the photo and the fish took 1^ hours to land.
Mesopotamia, R. BAGNALL, Major,
12tk October 1918. 74th attd. 67 Punjabis.
No. XXXII.— LARGE CARP FROM MESOPOTAMIA.
I enclose a photo of a 96 lb. fish caught in the Diala near Qizil Robat
at the beginning of the month — caught on a lump of atta.
Mesopotamia, H. MACKAY,
19th October 1918. Brig.-Genl., R.A.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 681
No. XXXIII.— THE HABITS OF THE TREE FROG
{R HA COPHOR US MA C ULA TUS) .
I watched a little tree frog that twice came on to the table in the
verandah in the evenings to make a meal off the insects attracted there by
the lamp.
He looked very thin and was very stolid, only moving when something
edible came pretty close. The attitude he adopted was comical : folding
his "arras " close under him and sitting in a most "collected " posture as
if he was going to make a mighty leap. He let all sorts of insects
crawl over him only objecting when they stopped too long in his eye ; he
would then wipe them off' lazily with a front leg. He only ate things if
still alive. I caught some insects and after incapacitating them put them
in front of the frog but he would not pay any attention to them unless
they still moved : when he speedily devoured them.
The projection of the tongue is a curious sight : it looks as if half the
animals inside was coming out of the huge gape ! The tongue is covered
with some gummy substance which adhered to the table cloth. He ap-
peared several times to shoot out his tongue and leave this sticky mess on
the table when there was nothing there to catch : perhaps he was merely
" bird liming " the space in front of him to stop an unwary passer-by. I
was anxious to see if he would touch a " geranium bug " {Cydnus indicm)
and was most surprised to see him take two or three : they must have been
very satisfying or did not agree with him as he left soon afterwards jumping
off the table on to the vertical back of a chair, a characteristic feat. Per-
haps this diet accounts for his thin appearance! I see E. H. A. remarks
" their aspect was always famine stricken and angular."
G. O. ALLEN,
Dehra Dun.
19-1-19.
MiRZAPUR, U. P.,
lOth October 1912.
No. XXXIV.— THE HABITS OF DRYOPHIS MYCTERIZANS.
The other day 1 came on a large Dryophis myderizans in the act of swal-
lowing an Earth Snake— a species of Sylihura. On my going up close the
Dryophis disgorged the portion of the Sylibwra that was down its throat and
made off, as did the latter, apparently none the worse for the ordeal !
Have any other members of our Society noticed D. mycterizans eating other
snakes ?
A. M. KINLOCH.
KoLLexGODE P. O. via Palghat, S. I.
1st January 1919,
No. XXXV.— THE BITE OF THE LARGE SPOTTED VIPER
(LACHESIS MONTICOLA).
The following may be of interest to you. A boy about twelve years old
was brought to' me on the 7th instant, and he and father both stated that a
snake had just bitten the boy. Their house is quite close, and could not
have taken more than 10 minutes for them to come to me, and they declar-
ed that they had come at once. 1 found a puncture on the first finger of
the right hand where the boy said he had been bitten, and on equeezing a
682 JOUBNAL, BOMBAY NATURiL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol XXVI.
little blood showed. I incised the wound well with a Laudor-Brunton
lancet and rubbed in Permanganate of Potash Crystals for some minutes,
with ligature above wrist. The boy only complained of some pain up as
far as shoulder, but this may have been the effects of the ligature. He was
alright next morning. I sent at once for the snake which they had killed,
and it proved to be a Lachesis monticola. About lo inches long, it was under
a stone which the boy was removing.
A. WPtlGHT.
Gyabaki, D. H. Ey.,
10//i October 1918.
No. XXXVI.— IJEMARKS ON COL. WALL'S IDENTIFICATION
OF HYDROPHIS CYANOCINCTUS.
In the last number of this Journal (XXV. 4, p. 754), Col. Wall has
given details of some sea snakes — a gravid female and four others — which
1 sent to the Society's Museum about two years ago. At the time they
were identified by me as H. tuherculatus, Anderson. Col. AVall now states.
in his article that he considers them to be H. cyanocinctus, a diagnosis with
which I cannot agree at all.
It is now nearly six years since I obtained the first specimen of this
snake, and being then unable to identify it with any description, sent it to
Mr. Boulenger for his opinion. " He considered it to be H. iuberculatus, but
as far as I am aware he had no specimen for comparison, the type and only
one then known being in the Indian Museum. What is evident, however,
13 that he did not consider it to be cyanocinctus, and this view was confirm-
ed later in a second specimen. (Jnl., Nat. Hist. Soc, Siam., 1.4.247).
Col. Wall on the other hand who has examined the type of H. Uiberculatus,.
lias pronounced it to be an undoubted cymwcinctns [vide Monograph,
p. 220).
I very naturally therefore wished to examine this type for myself, and
last year through the kindness of Dr. Annandale I A\as able to do so. I
had no hesitation in agreeing with Col. Wall that it was a cyanocinctiis.
At the same time I felt equally sure that my own snake was not, and
being therefore unknown to science I described it under the name of
H. simnensis .]■
I had then a large series of them, together with typical cyanocinctus,
for comparison, both species being common in the Gulf of Siam. Col.
Wall's article is dated December, and at the time he wrote if he could not
have seen my description. In any case he could not have known i had
renamed the snake, as in my preliminary notice I have given no synonymy.
Col. Wall has given eight reasons to support his diagnosis and 1 will
take them in their order. With Nos. 2, 3 and 5 I agree, but that fact
does not in any way influence my decision.
"1. Because the number of the costal rows accords with the range
given in Boulenger's description in his Catalogue, Vol. Ill, p. 295."
I cannot follow Col. Wall in his argument here. The range given by
Boulenger is 27 to 33 round the neck, 39 to 45 round the body. Yet the-
range recorded by Col. Wall for my 13 specimens is, 31 to 35 round the*
neck, 35 to 39 round the body ; 39 in fact, Boulenger's minimum count, ift
reach only 3 times in the series.
• This specimen is still in the British Museum of Natural History.
t Preliminary diag-noses of four new sea snakes — Jrnl. Nat. Hist. Soc Siam.
II, 4, p. 340, Dec. 1918.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 68a
" 4. There is nothing in the lepidosis of the head by which they can be
considered distinct."
x\gaui I quote Boulenger. " Frontal much longer than broad, as long as
its distance from the rostral or the end of the snout " and later "two-
superposed anterior temporals." In my description of H. siomensis I haAe
given, '' frontal as long as or shorter than its distance to the rostral " and
"normally a single anterior temporal " ; and in a series of So specimens
the frontal is shorter than its distance to the rostral in 22, or 66 per cent,
of them, and although a single anterior temporal appears to be normal,
fragmentation of that shield on one or both sides occurs in 11, or
33 per cent., of the specimens. Such differences as these were they to bo
found only in one or two examples might be rightly viewed with suspicion,
but where they are to be found frequently over a large series they are
surely entitled to recognition.
" 6. The dentition agrees with that of my Indian specimens and is as-
follows : — The postmaxillarv teeth vary from 7 to 1(1 ( Indian specimens 6
to 10)."
This is not in accordance with Col. Wall's previous remarks on cya-
nocmctus [antea, XXIII, 2, p. 375). There he says, the postmaxillary
teeth are usually 7 in number, sometimes 6, in one 8. My 5 skulls of
cyanocinctus from this region agree entirely with his original figures, whereas
in 6 skulls of siamensis the teeth are 8 and 9, in one doubtful 10.
Finally there is the question of length and colouration ( 7 and 8 ).
The length of siamensis ( my series includes 7 gravid females ) does not
exceed 1000 mm. Cyanocinctus on the other hand attains a much greater
length. Boulenger gives it up to 1,500 mm., but in}- largest specimen mea-
sures 1,885 mm,
Siamensis is gi-eenish-grey above, with dark grey complete bands. The
head is dark grey or black, with yellow markings along the sides and
across the snout. Both bands and yellow markings tend to disappear in
old age. Of my 21 examples ( adult and half grown ) of cyanocinctus fi-om
this region, none is completelj'^ banded. They are boldly marked with
blue black dorsal bars, which as with siamensis disappear with age. The
head is oliveaseous or yellowish, and without the defined markings of cya~
nocincius.
In considering therefore that my specimens were not H. tuberculntus, I
agree with Col. Wall, for we are both of the opinion that that name should
be a synonym of cyanocinctus. But that my siamensis is also a cyanocinctus
I most strongly contest. In fact I find them so different that I should not
have thought it possible for them to be confused.
MALCOLM A. SMITH, r.z.8.
Bangkok, August 1918,
No. XXXVII.— NOTES ON SOME INTERESTING SNAKES RECENTLY
PRESENTED TO THE SOCIETY.
Ablabes pavo, Annandale.
The Society has been fortunate in securing a specimen of this handsome
snake, which has hitherto been only known from the Abor Hills, where a
single example was obtained on the Upper Rotung, by the 32 Sikh Pioneers^
while road making. It is describee! by Dr. Annandale in the Zoological
Results of the Abor Expedition. (Records of the Ind. Muse. Vol. VII.,
pt. 1. Plate.) The present specimen was obtained at Kindat, Chin Hills,
Burma, by Mr. J. M. D. Mackenzie, The scale characters agree with
Dr. Annandale's description of the Abor specimen ; on the present species,
the 3rd supralabial on one side is divided giving off a small scale wedged.
46
684 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vd. XXVI.
in between the 2nd and 3rd labials. There are 224 ventrals and 72
sub-caudals. Length 362 m.m. Tail 68 m.m.
The colouration is strikingly handsome and has been rightly described
by Annandale as a magnificent species.
Calamaria pavimenfala.
The specimen was presented by Mrs. Jackson, and was obtained at Tura
on the Gaw Hills, Assam. The lepidopsis agrees with the description in the
fauna of British India. Reptilia, p. 282, except in the number of ventrals
which is 186 in the present species.
The coloration is a deep iridescent brown above each scale having a
lighter mottled centre. The lops are yellowish speckled with brown. The
belly is uniform yellow. The pair of yellow spots at the base and another at
the end of the tail mentioned by Boulenger are not in evidence in the
present specimen.
The marking of the sub-caudals with a dark median line is in agreement
with Burmese and Javan forms. The finding of this snake in Assam
definitely establishes a record ; its occurrence there being hitherto regarded
as doubtful.
Bungarus cceruleus, color variation.
The snake was presented by Major Shaw, it was taken at Yerawda
Poona.
It is distinguished by the complete absence of the white transverse arches
which characterise the coloration of the species.
The whole dorsal region is a uniform deep purplish brown, as in Bungarus
lividus.
On close examination a trace of white may be recognised in two faint
irregular longitudinal lines along the flanks formed by the lower borders of
the 4th and sometimes oth transverse row of costals being edged with white.
These lines are not apparent except in close inspection. They are more
in evidence on the mid-body and are completely absent on the tail.
Bungarus cceruleus. An abnormal specimen.
The specimen was presented by Capt. C. M. Ingoldby, R.A.M.C., and was
taken by him in Jullundur, Punjab. The enlargement of the median row
of scales so characteristic of the krait is in the present specimen repeatedly
interrupted by the breaking up of the median scale into or sometimes 3
separate scales.
The lepidopsis is quite normal till the 48th transverse row of costals is
reached here. The median enlarged scale breaks up into 3 scale 3 giving
oft' an extra right and left lateral scale and converting the row into one of
17 instead of the normal 15 scales. The next transverse row is again normal
and is followed by one containing 16 scales; in this instance the median
scale only breaks up into two, giving an extra scale to the laterals on the
right side. Continuing we find the costals arranged in an alternating series
of 16 and 17 scale rows with an occasional return to the usual series of 15
rows, this arrangement persisting throughout the entire length of the
snake.
In the rows where the costals number 17, the median scale is equal to or
sometimes smaller than the laterals ; when the number is 16 the enlargement
is somewhat maintained.
The arrangement, size and number of the costals being an important
feature in the identification of the kraits, this instance of a departure from
the normal is perhaps worthy of a record.
S. H. PRATER.
Bombay Natural History Society's Museum,
January 1919.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 085
No. XXXVIII.— THE UNDESCRIBED FEMALE OF AN INDIAN
DRAGONFLY, HEMICORDULIA ASIATIC A.
Whilst looking over a small collection of dragonfiies sent to me from
Pusa by Mr. Bainbrigge Fletcher, I was pleased to find a pair of the very
rare dragonfly, Hemicordidia asiatica, Seiys, the female of which has
hitherto been unknown. Only two specimens of this insect are known, both
males, one in the Selys collection, which has been probably looted or
destroyed by the Germans and another which was taken by Mr. Stevens
in the Abor Expedition. The former specimen was taken in the Khasi
Hills, the latter at N. Lakhimpur, Upper Assam, whilst the Pnsa pair were
taken in Shillong.
The (5 and $ are much alike, difl'ering only in the shape of the wings
and abdomen ; the following is a description of the $ . Head ; eyes green ;
vesicle, frons and upper epistome metallic green, lower part of epistome,
the labrum and labium bright yellow.
Prothorax brown with a large, dorsal, yellow spot.
Thorax metallic green, with two broad, bright yellow stripes on the
sides, one post-humeral and the posterior one involving the whole of the
metepimeron. Legs black marked with yellow.
Wings clear hyaline, thus difl'ering from those of the male which are a
little smoky. The anal angle (tornus) rounded. Hind 35 mm.
Abdomen. Segments 1 and 2 dorso-ventrally dilated, segments 1 to o
compressed laterally, the remainder strongly depressed, 7 to 9 moderately
dilated. Length 32 mm. Colour black marked with yellow along the
sides, the first 3 segments by a continuous fascia, 4 to 8 with elongated
spots which reach the base of each segment. The dorsum of the first 2 or
3 segments metallic green.
Genital organs. Distal border of the 8th ventral plate prolonged as two
small foliate processes, the 9th with a poorly developed vulvar scale, not
overlapping the 10th.
F. C. ERASER, Major, i.m.s.
Bombay, Jan. 28th, 1919.
No. XXXIK.—LIJiELLULINES AT ST. THOMAS' MOUNT,
MADRAS.
The following notes were made as the result of several excursions, during
the months of February and March, of this year, in the neighbourhood of
St. Thomas' Mount, Madras. No notes, so far as 1 am aware, have hitherto
been published of the species of the Odonatn occurring in this locality.
These notes deal only with the LihelliiHne.'<, but I hope to publish a list of
some of the other families found in this neighbourhood. The nomenclature
is that used by Major F. 0. Eraser, i.M.s., in his articles on Indian Dragon-
flies now appearing in the journal.
Tanks and wells were full in February around the Mount, and the
weather was cool and pleasant. Towards the end of March however the
weather began to grow unpleasantly hot, and the water-level in the tanks
liad fallen about six to eight feet. The change seemed to make no
difi^erence in the number of dragonfiies about. Dragonflies were numerous
throughout the months of B'ebruary and March, but the number of species
was not large. Larvte appeared to be maturing constantly as juvenile
forms, of almost all the species taken, were found throughout the period.
686 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
The following is a list of species found.
Ovthefrum sabina very common.
Diplacodes triviality ,, ,,
Diplacodes nebulosa scarce*
Trithemis pallidinervis common.
Trithemis aurora aurora very scarce.
Trithemis aurora aurora juo „ „
Crocothemis senilia common
Zy. comma petiolatum „
Brachythemis contaminata very common.
Brachydipla.i sobri)ia scarce.
Totamarcha obscitra common.
Tan tala ft a vescen s , ,
Indothemis caesia scarce.
Bradinopyya yeminata common.
Rhyothemis larieayata „
Rhyothemis phyllin one female.
Acisoma imnorjjoides panorpoides common.
Tholymis tillarya ,,
Tramea Limbata only one specimen
seen, not taken.
By far the commonest species were Orthelrum sabina and Diplacodes trivialis.
It would be difficult to tell which was the more common. The former
swarmed in the hedges and shrubs, while the latter seemed to prefer the
grassy spots of the " maidans " and the sides of roads. Hardly a square
yard of the grassy plains around the Mount were free of D. trivialis.
None were found over water. The females were more numerous than the
males, which latter when mature are exceedingly active and difficult to
catch. Colour changes due to maturation are very marked in this species,
the full grown male being a handsome insect of a dark slaty blue frosted
over, while the juveniles are of a pale yellow with scarcely any markings.
All gradations between the pade yellow and the fully matured slate-blue
insect were taken, the colour contrast is very striking.
Associated with D. trivialis, and like it, a very low flying insect, a few
specimens of D. nebulosa were taken. This insect was very scarce and the
adult male is even more active than trivialis. Females were somewhat
more common than males.
In common with several other species of Odonata, O. sabina is at times
markedly gregarious. Its distribution on these occasions is very local.
Small areas can be found swarming with it to the exclusion of other species.
In one plot of ground, during the month of March, they could be taken 3 or
4 at a time with each sweep of the net. This little plot of ground was not
more than twenty yards square. I noticed the same thing in connection
with R. varieayata. In all my excursions in this neighbourhood I saw only
one specimen of this tribe (Rhyothemis), flying high in the gardens of the
Agri-Horticultural Society, Mount Road, Madras. The Chetpat llailway
station, however, literally swarmed with these beautiful insects. They even
flew into the railway carriages. I took several pairs on the platform, but
on searching the fields and tanks around the station I failed to see a
single specimen. The station employees could give no information as to
whether they appeared there every year ; in fact they had not noticed
their existence until questioned, in spite of the extraordinary numbers
present.
Another species, with similar local habits, is B. geminata. Large numbers
can be taken off the north wall of the Church of England cemetery, St»
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 687
Thomas" Mount, and the ruins of the ancient Roman Catholic Church,
near the Butt Plain in the same locality. They seem to have a particular
liking for cemeteries, as large numbers can be taken in St. Mary's Ceme-
tery, Madras. The stone gray colour of this insect seems to match well
with discoloured walls and tombstones. 1 have never taken any in
shrubbery or grass, always on rocks, stone walls, or buildings of sombre
colour.
The banks of the river Adyar, which runs west of the hill, were worked
several times but the results were disappointing. Large numbers of B.
contaminaia were found. These insects were never seen away from water,
and are to be found all along the river banks as well as in nearly every
well in the place.
T. 2}(i^^idi^i6rvts was fairly common. Only two specimens of T. aurora
aurora jiiv were taken. These last must be more numerous and it is
possible that the particular locality favoured by them was not discovered.
The colour changes due to maturation are very well marked in T. pallkJi-
nervls. The adult insect has a robust maroon thorax, while in the juvenile
the thorax is a pale yellow.
Two species, fairly common in the wells around the Mount, are of
special interest. They are Z. petiolatum and T. iilhrga. These flies appear
to be almost exclusively " night fliers " or more correctly " twilight
fliers " as no specimens were seen flying or feeding by day. A few
specimens of T. tiUarga were beaten up from a dense growth of cactus
during the afternoon, but their movements were sluggish, and showed
nothing like the same activity they evince after sundown. They appear
to leave their shady haunts about sunset. The ^0 or 40 minutes of dusk
which mtervenes before complete darkness is a busy period for them.
I never observed any of these insects seated at this time. They spend
the time <m the wing in extraordinarily swift flight over water, in wells or
tanks, or over the tops of trees and bushes, feeding greedily on the
swarms of mosquitoes and other small insects, which seem to awaken to
life at this time. The eyes of specimens of both species, when examined
fresh, are of a singularly rich olive green quite unlike the eyes of other
species of LiMlulines. It is possible that this feature in conjunction with
the peculiar conformation of the vesicle, as pointed out by Captain F. C.
Fraser, i.m.s., may be of some special service to it in its night-flying
habits.
Another interesting feature with regard to Z. petiolatum is the unusually
delicate nature of its limbs, an abdomen. It is possible that the nature
of its prey may have something to do with this. Its facies is almost
mosquito-like in appearance, if due allowance is made for its size.
The male of C. servllice occurs in two distinct colourations. One a
bright scarlet with delicate frosting, and the other a dusty yellow.
Mature specimens of both types were taken.
P. flavescens \xeTe not numerous at this time of the year, but I believe
they have been known to swarm over the Butt plain at the beginning of
the' rains. A high flying insect, it hovered chiefly around mango trees
apparently feeding on the little mango flies, always to be found among
the leaves of these trees at this time of the year.
On the whole dragonflies were numerous, but the number of species
found was disappointingly small,
■" Since writing the above Captain Fraser has fo\uid that D. nehvlom was
common around'' Madras in .June. They were plentiful over marshy
o-round. 1 mio-ht add that the few specimens taken by me were also
688 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVL
found, in a marshy spot. O. sabina, on tlie other hand, found swarming in
February and March; was scarce in June.
H. R. RISHWORTH.
H. S. "Madkas,"
btli September 1918.
No. XL.— A NOTE ON THE FUNCTION OF THE
'' FORCEPS " IN FORFWDLIDAi.
In Maxwell-Lefroy's " Indian Insect Life " on page 52 the function of the
forceps carried by earwigs is discussed. " The function of the forceps" says
the author, "is a mystery that will be cleared up only when their food habits
and general life are better understood. It has been suggested that the
forceps, though not actual weapons of defence, appear as such and give
the insect a more formidable appearance which protects thena against the
enemies that occur in their habitat, etc.
While at Amara in 1916 during the late summer months, large numbers of
earwigs used to appear nightly round the tent lamps and run about the table
during meals. This species had a very long pair of forceps shaped rather like
the mandibles of the stas beetle.
Diagrammatic and drawn from memory.
1 sent several specimens to the Bombay Natural History Society, but have
not heard if they have been identified. On more than one occasion I have
seen them deliberately seize a small moth with the forceps and hold it firmly
and then run away with the victim to some sheltered place. In one instance
I saw the earwig bend its tail towards its mouth and start nibbing at the
captive moth. In no case, however, did I actually see an earwig devour the
whole of its prey — they are restless and active creatures and generally escaped
from observation in a short time. Had 1 known the interest of the subject,
it would have been easy to have observed their habits more closely when kept
in captivity.
I called the attention of several others to the predatory habits of this
species of earwig and I would be very interested to know if this habit has
been noted by other observers in Mesopotamia or elsewhere.
F. POWELL CONNOR, Lt.-Col., i.m.s.
Basra, December 1918.
[In the introduction to the Volume ou Derma'pteia (Earwijrs) in the Fauna of
British India series, Mr. Malcolm Burr jrives some iuteresting- notes and extracts
ou the use of the forceps. It appears that the forceps are useful weapons in attack
and defence, but are never used ir copuhxtion. Occasionally they are used to help
to fold and unfold their v.-ings and lift up their elytra. In attacking- an insect an
earwig either waits till it passes or siddles up to it sideways till within reach
when it shoots out its nbdomen to the side and seizes its victim by the forceps th<in
transferring it to its mouth. Sometimes the prey is continued to be held in the
forceps while being eaten and if disturbed the earwig runs away with its victim
still impaled between the forceps. It is regretted that we have not been able to
have the earwigs identified yet. — Eds-]
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
689
No. XLI.— SOME BUTTERFLIES TAKEN IN BENARES,
AND ADJOINING DISTRICTS.
The following list is compiled from fairly continuous collecting in spare
time over a period of eighteen months (1916-17) spent chiefly in Jaunpur.
About five months of the time I was posted at Benares and also spent a week
at Xmas in Mirzapur.
Benares from a butterfly collecting point of view presents few features of
interest, the district being almost entirely under cultivation and my collect-
ing was practically confined to the " Company Bagh."
Jaunpur, an adjoining district on the N. W. side, is equally uninteresting
and my hunting ground consisted of my own and neighbouring compounds.
The part of Mirzapur (which lies to the S.-W. of Benares), where I was
camping, is entirely different and consists mostly of scrub jungle and stony
waste land with scattered villages.
The list is no doubt incomplete, but probably includes most of the com-
moner species.
NympJmlidce,
Danais limniace, Cr.
,, plexippus, L.
„ chrysippus, L.
Euploea core. Cr.
Ypthima hubneri, Kir.
Mycalesis perseus, Fal.
Melanitis ismene, Cr.
Euthalia nais, Forster.
Neptis euryuome, W.
Junonia lemonias, L.
„ hierta. Fab.
,, orithyia, L.
„ atlites, Joh.
„ almana, L.
Vanessa cardui, L.
Hypolimnas bolina, L.
Common particularly in July and August at
Duranta flowers.
Fairly common during the rains.
Common at all times.
Comm<^n at all times especially during the rains
at Duranta flowers.
Saw one or two Ypthima, probably this species,
in grassy scrub jungle in Mirzapur district at
Xmas. Took a d.s.f. specimen in Jaunpur on
2'2nd Jane and saw a w.s f. on 4th July.
Common from August to November.
Very commonly seen in the rains at dusk under
big trees. Found one attracted in the day-
time to Duranta flowers. They were particu-
larly attracted by the ripe fallen fruit of the
Phalsa {Grevia asiatica) and while feasting
were at the same time in deep shade.
Saw one or two at Xmas in Mirzapur sunning
themselves on the paths in scrub jungle, ^'aw
a newly emerged specimen at Jaunpur on 22nd
June feeding on the Phalsa fruit and took a
damaged one at sunflower on Sth July. An
alert species.
A few noticed in Benares in November. Also
seen on 5th July.
Common .
Not common. Chiefly seen in November, when
it was much attracted by the little mauve
flowers of Jiistice diffusa, a common weed.
Common.
A single specimen seen on 19th February 1917
in the garden in Jaunpur.
Common : particularly the w.B.f . in September.
Not common : an odd one seen in December
and in February.
Very common at Duranta in the rains.
<690 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Hypolimnas misippus, L.
Atella phalautha, Drury.
Telchinia violte, Hub.
•Cethosia cyaiie, Drury.
NemeohidcB.
Plenty of males at Duranta in August, but
females not seen till November and then not
common.
Common in July and early cold weather.
Found this pretty common in Mirzapur at Xmas
in damp semi-dried up " bunds " where there
were still a number of small flowering plants :
took a couple in Jaunpur in July.
Secured the only one 1 saw in Company Bagh,
Benares, at Duranta on 4th July 1916.
Abisara echerius, Stoll.
Papilionidoe.
Papilio aristolochise, Fab.
,, clytia, L.
5>
demoleus, L.
polytes, L.
nomius, Esp.
Pier idee.
Leptosia xiphia, Fab.
Delias eucharis, Drury.
Anaphteis mesentina, Cr.
Huphina nerissa, Fab.
Ixias pyrene, L.
,, mariamie, Cr.
•Catopsilia pyranthe, L.
,, florella, Fab.
J, crocale, Cr.
,, pomona, Fab.
Terias libythea, Fab.
.. venata, M.
,, Iteta, Bdl.
,, hecabe, L.
Pareronia hippia, Fab.
Saw several in the jungle in Mirzapur at Xmas.
Conmion in rains at Duranta.
(Dissimilis.) Saw three at a Duranta hedge on
9th July in Jaunpur.
Abundant especially in rainy season.
Common in rains and early cold weather : cyrus
and polytes forms of female found, but only
a single much damaged romulus.
Took a perfect specimen on 6th July 1916 at
Duranta hedge in Benares : saw two more
next year on 24th June in Jaunpur.
Common at Benares in November : n( it seen at
other times.
Abundant at most seasons of the year.
Found freshly emerged insects common in
Jaunpur in April.
Fairly common in rains ; found several phryne
forms in December attracted by the flowers
of Lanthana camara.
Common : mostly in November, but also seen in
December and January and up to April. Not
seen at all at other times.
Common : almost all the year round, especially
in the rains.
Fairly common in July.
Seen most often in November.
Very common in the rains at Duranta.
Fairly common in July. 1 found the Catopsi-
lias did not put in an appearance at the
riow^ers till the sun was getting hot about
9 a.m., whereas D. eucharis and E. core were
always to be found from sunrise.
Fairly common in the rains.
Taken in the rains but not common.
Fairly common in November in Benares.
The commonest of this genus, especially in the
rains. The 5 is slightly larger than the S
and on the underside of the $ the hind wing
is a paler yellow than the forewing.
Fairly common in November in Benares : very
partial as were the Catopsilias and others to
the prickly bushes of Laninna camara.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
(591
Everes argiades, Pall.
Lyccenidce.
Chilades laius, Cr. Common amongst the lime bushes in July and
August. The S much commoner than the $ .
,, trochillus, Frey. Common at the wild indigo from June to August.
Zizera maha, Koll. Common at most seasons.
„ gaika, Fab. Taken in July.
,, lysimon,Hub. Do.
„ Otis, Fab. Do.
Saw what 1 am practically certain was one of
this species on 6th July in Jaunpur.
Catachrysops strabo, Fab. Fairly common in November : also taken in April
,, cnejus. Fab. An odd one taken in November and also in
,, pa n d a v a Not certain of this. One specimen is noted as
Hors. taken in Jaunpur and it is very likely to be
found here.
Tarucus theophrastus, Taken in March and several in July and Aug.
Fab.
,, plinius, Fab.
Lampides bochus, Cr.
Taken in December : common in middle of
March and also in July by the lime bushes.
A single (S taken at Jaunpur on 1 6th August
at Duranta.
Folyommatus boeticus, L. Very common in Jaunpur at beginning of
March.
Deudoryx epijarbas, M. Not common : taken in April in Jaunpur.
Castalius rosimon, Fab. Only found early in July : Jaunpur.
Hesperiidce.
Telicota dara. Koll. Not common : taken in rains and early hot
weather.
Parnara mathias, Fab. Extremely common during the rains at Duranta.
Badamia exclamationis, A single specimen taken in the rains : Jaunpur.
Fab.
Hasora chromus, Cr. Taken on 16th July : Jaunpur.
Hesperia galba. Fab, Several taken in July.
G. O. ALLEN, i.o.s.
Dehra Dun, 19f/j Jawmry 1919.
No. XLII.
-NOTES ON EMERGENCE FROM THE COCOON
IN LASIOGAMPIDM.
While at Basra in October 1918, I found some of the wiUow trees on the
long island just above Gurmatali covered with caterpillars, recent cocoons
and old cocoon shells. The larvpe and cocoons were of the LasioaiwpidcB
type and the former were of two kinds — one a chestnut brown, resembling
the willow stalk in colour, and the other of a much lighter shade of yellow
and white, like the under surface of the leaves.
An imago S emerged from one of the smaller cocoons taken, and this
closely resembled 'Taragama siva.' This was sent to the B. N, H. Soc.
for identification.
The following are a few notes on the larvse : —
No. I. — 20th October 1918 — Cocoon being made, end slit open by
larva and lightly saled inside. 22nd October 1918 — Pupa formed
10th Novemlaer. 1918 — Moth emerged and this proved to be a h
Taragama siva $ . She was placed in a mosquito net bag outside
the window, but failed to attract any males. This specimen was
also sent to the B. N. H. Soc. for identification.
47
692 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
No. II. — 23rd October 1918 — Darker type of larva started cocoon,
24th October — Cocoon nearly finished, but larva still depositing
layers on the inside. At 1 p.m., larva bit its way out at one end and
started to make deep clefts in the cocoon wall at two places opposite
each other.
The opening thus made was tested several times as regards size with
great deliberation, the larva extending half its body out of the cocoon
to assure itself that the vent was large enough. The two clefts were
then lightly sealed on the inside with a tangle of soft silk. 25th October —
Cocoon apparently completed, but movements still continue inside.
No. Ill & IV. -31st October 1918— Two large larvw of the lighter
variety started making cocoons. The same stages were observed as
noted above.
No. V. — 10th November 1918 — One large larvse of the dark variety is
making its cocoon.
I had to leave Basra soon after this and left the remaining larvae and
cocoons at the Central Laboratory.
In Maxwell-Lefroy's ' Indian Insect Life ' there is a note on ' Emergence
from the Cocoon ' on page 481. Restates that data are not available for
many Indian insects and gives some of the commonest methods chiefly in
order to direct the attention of the student to this neglected point. Some
of the methods mentioned are : —
A — By the activity of the Pupa :
i. The pupa releases itself by a large pair of mandibles (Micropteryx).
ii. The pupal head has hard processes and the body is ciliated.
(Anthrax).
iii. The pupa escapes by wriggling out of the cocoon. (Psychidse.)
B — By the activity of the imago :
i. By the secretion of solvents to dissolve the cocoon, e.g., by means
of free Potass hydroxide in Puss moth cocoons.
ii. By solvents supplemented by spines at the base of the costal edge
(Saturnia, etc.).
C — By structural devices in the cocoon :
i. One end is closed with thread loops only. (Uttacus).
ii. The lips of one end close mechanically and can easily be opened
from within (Earipe)
iii. A definite lid is provided to the cocoon. (Limacodidse).
The author goes on to say that there are probably abundant devices as
yet unknown, and the method employed by the larvee, as described above, is
as far as I know one of these.
It was a striking fact to observe how the larva, after all but completing
the cocoon, always ' remembered ' to destroy part of its laboriously built
home by biting out two deep clefts at one end, and how the valve-like door
thus made was patiently tested several times to make certain of its being
of the right size and then carefully closed on the inside with a little soft
silk which would not interfere with the emergence of the imago.
[The moth appears to be Taragama giva or a very closely allied race- — Eds.]
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 693
T would be very interested to know whether this device has been
observed before in this or any other species. If the moths have been
identified, I hope the editor will make a note of the specitic name below.
F. P. CONNOR,
Lt.-Col., I. M.S.
Ihe Field, Mesopot. Ex. Force.
December 1918.
No XLIII.— TENACITY OF LIFE OF PARAPOLYBIA
ORIENTALIS, SANES.
"While seated at my writing table in my bungalow at Dehra on 25th
October something small fell on my head from the roof and something also
fell buzzing on the table. I saw that the object on the table was a small
insect of the wasp kind minus its abdomen. I looked up at the ceiling and
as I expected saw a disappointed looking lizard. I then picked up the
object off the floor and found it was the missing abdomen. With the aid
of a pocket lens 1 found it to be still in a most animated state : if I touched
it, out went its sting : whichever side I touched, the sting was automatically
shot out on that side. After the lapse of a quarter of an hour or so it
ceased to retaliate on being attacked.
Meanwhile the head and thorax complete with legs, wings and antennte
was walking about on the table. It frequently essayed flights but they did
not get further than about a foot and the insect nearly always landed on
its back from which position it recovered itself with some difficulty. It sat
quite contentedly, wiped its antennae in turn with its legs and touched its
mouth with the ends of its antennee. When brought in touch with its
recently severed posterior it would not even recognize it !
G. O. ALLEN, i.c.s.
Dehra Dun,
^Qth January 1919.
No. XLIV.— PROTECTIVE HABIT OF THE LARVA OF
TRYPAN OPHORA SEMIHYALINA, KOLL.
About the 20th May 1918, I found in Mussoorie a strange looking larva
feeding on the leaves of a common shrub, Coriaria nepalensis, Wall., locally
known as Masuri, and having no idea what it was I kept it.
When the leaf on which it was seated was touched, beads of moisture at
once appeared all over its body at the ends of the small tubercles and when
the danger was overpast these beads would gradually recede inside again.
This particular larva had plenty of practice in performing this feat as it
received much attention from the children and became known as the
" fountain caterpillar."
It ate from the top of a leaf and generally entirely finished a leaf at a
time before going to another, the edge being eaten was straight and not
concave. About a day before it pupated, I noticed it turning its head
round and sucking up some of the beads : perhaps it had been recently
called on to exude more than it could conveniently in that condition
withdraw. It changed its skin about ten days or so before pupating, which
occurred on 12th June. The imago emerged in Bahraich on 28th June.
G. O. ALLEN, I.c.s.
Dehra Dun,
29th Januanj 1919.
694 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
No. XLV.— NOTE ON THE SUPPOSED EFFECTS OF THE BITE
OF A PENTATOMID BUG {HALTS DENTATUS).
I am forwarding to yon the enclosed letter from Mr. Leverin^ of
Secunderabad, Deccan, and an insect. Could you kindly tell me its name
and whether it is poisonous ?
Two outstanding examples of this can be cited from this part of India,
the Jerimundlam spider and the green Avhip snake, both being universally
considered as deadly poisonous, yet both are harmless. The only snake I
have ever had brought to me by an Indian and considered harmless was a
young Russell's Viper !
I am sending you an insect which I found and killed in my bungalow,
several days ago. I have found them about my rooms a number of times.
I have never heard them called by any other name than the very un-
scientific one of " Mother Bags."
We have had this experience with them. Several years ago we had a
teacher named Nathaniel, who lived on the school compound near ours.
He came over one evening bringing one of these insects, which he had
killed, and which he said had stung him. His physical condition was
somewhat peculiar ; his lower lip was swollen and hanging down. The
lobes of his ears were somewhat swollen. About the upper portion of
his body, on the front there were several " welts " rather large, and
about two inches long. He was suffering a good deal. If I remember
correctly his heart action was somewhat reduced. My wife oave him a
stimulant, and he recovered in a short time.
Sometime after, one evening he and his wife came in with another of these
insects. That time she had been stung. She was in rather a bad condition,
and my wife, who, as you know, is a doctor, feared a collapse. She had on
the upper portion of her body marks very similar to those on her husband.
Under a stimulant she revived.
Can you tell what the insect is and if it is really dangerous ^ Within
four or five years there have been two deaths in our neighbourhood from the
sting of some sort of insect. One was the son of a neighbour, a boy of about
ten years. He was stung in the corner of the eye some time on a Saturday
evening and died about noon on Monday. He was under the care of two
well qualified doctors who both said that death was due to the stino-.
(Dr. Jivanji and Mr. Yelliah, an Assistant Surgeon, now dead, but then
connected with the Civil Hospital.) (I did not talk with either of the phy-
sicians about the case, bvit was about the house and did talk with the
parents.) The insect that stung this child was not seen, but was supposed
to have been one of this species.
The other death was that of a smaller child and the friends said it was
stung by one of these insects.
I should like to know whether the insect is really dangerous, or whether
these cases that occurred on our compound, and seemed to be genuine stino^s
of this insect, were probably due to some other cause. I have been misled
so many times in India that I am a little sceptical.
Lallagxtda, Deccan, E. H. HUNT.
22w(^ Novemhei- 1918.
[The Bug- is a common species Halys dentatus, Fabr., belcngiu^- to the
Pentatomidfe.
There is very little known about the habits and life histories of these bugs, but
in an allied family it has been recorded by Lefroy that" some of these species
have a painful bite,, due to the injection of blind at the moment of puncture". —
Eds.]
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
695
No. XLVI.— A FEW ADDITIONS TO THE LIST OF MUSSOORIE
PLANTS BY JAMES MARTEN IN VOL. XIX, p. 475.
I collected a few plants while on a short visit to Mussoorie in May and
early June 1918 and find the following not in the above mentioned list.
My specimens where I was not absolutely certain of them were very kindly
identified for me at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sibpur. In several cases
I see I have found an early flowering species while others of the same genus
in Marten's list flower in the rains and autumn.
Banunculacece.
Ranunculus Isetus, Wall.
Common in damp meadows at the Park and
Brewery ; at their best during the first half of
May.
Very common : flowers in April and early May.
Very common: ceases flowering by the middle
of May, but the bursting of the seedpods is the
most interesting thing about them.
Pohjgakicece.
Polygala abyssinica, Tres. In flower in May : fairly common.
Caryophyllaceae .
(=C. vulgatum, L. var. glomerata, Thuill of F. B.
I.) A common flower in May.
Barberidacece.
Berberis lycium, Royle.
Cruciferce.
Cardamine impatiens, L.
Cerastium glomeratum,
Thuill.
Leguminosce.
Vicia tenera, Grah.
Trifolium pattense, L.
Indigofera gerardiana.
Wall.
Rosacece.
Spiraea bella, Sims.
Crassulaceoe.
Sedum adenotrichum,
Wallich var. genuinum,
R. Hamet.
Onagracece.
Oenothera rosea, Sims.
Flowering in May.
Plenty of this familiar flower in the Company
Gardens in May.
Commences to flower towards mid May.
Fairly common.
Common in Mayon stony ground.
This common weed is no doubt referred to as
Oenothera sp.
Caprifoliacece.
Leycesteria formo8a,Wall Fairly common on the way to the park.
Valerianacece.
Valeriana wallichi, DC. Very common in April : over by middle of May.
DipsacecB.
Morina persica, L. This thistlelikc plant is found flowering on grassy
plots in May.
Compositce.
Ainsliaea pteropoda, DC. The spikes are familiar roadside objects in early
May.
696 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Launea secunda, Clark. Fairly common on dry banks in May.
Senecio nudicanlis, Ham. Common in similar situations.
Taraxacum officiatiale, Common : closely resembles the British Dande-
Wigg. lion.
Erigeron alpinus, L. A very common daisy : leaves narrowly lanceolate.
., canadense, DC. Not common : flowering in early June : apparently
is not found at Simla.
Primulacece.
Primula floribunda, Wall. Found a number of these miniature primroses in
flower on 2-3-16 : saw one plant in flower on
10-5-18.
Androsace rotundifolia, Fairly numerous in early June.
Hardw.
Asclepiadacece.
Ceropegia wallichii,
Wight.
Rare : found a single example of this extraordi-
nary looking flower on Fox's Hill on 20th May:
rare in Simla.
Scropkulariaceoe .
Mazus surculosus, Doh. Not often seen : found in the Park and another
spot in May.
Verbenacece.
Caryopteris wallichiana, Fairly common in early June.
Schauer.
„ grata, Bth. Not uncommon : apparently not found in Simla.
Labiatce.
Calamintha umbrosa, Bth. Common.
Stachys sericea, Wall. Found in flower in the Park in middle of May.
Scutellaria scandens, (^ S. angulosa, Bth.) Very common on banks
Don. in May.
Euphorbiacece.
Euphorbia pilosa, Linn.
Lilacece.
Smilax aspera, Linn.
Numerous in shady spots.
This prickly climber is often seen, but does not
flower till the autumn.
G. O. ALLEN, i.c.s.
Dehea Dun, 28th January 1919.
No. XL VII.— ON THE IDENTITY OF BLA8T0SP0RA
BUTLERI, SYD.
Sydow and Butler in their " Fungi Indiae orientalis," Part IV, describe
a rust fungus on Jasminum malaharicum from specimens collected by the
writer at Matheran in the Bombay Presidency. In giving the fungus the
name Blantospora the authors express a doubt whether it really belongs to
that genus, as they had not observed the germination of the teleutospores.
The tops of some of the teleutospores were observed by them to be prolong-
ed into a sort of papilla and these were suspected by them to be showing
the initial stages of germination characteristic of Blastospora teleutospores,
which have no distinct germ pores and which germinate by the bulging out
of the top wall itself into a germ-tube (see Fig. 1).
Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
Fig 2
Fig. 3
Fig 4
Fig. 5
SCALE
O 1 2 3 4 5
MICRONS
ON THE IDENTITY OF BLASTOSPOBA BUTLERI, Syd.
(Fig:. 1) Germination of teleutospore of Blastospora (after Von P. Dietel).
(Fig-. 2) G-ermination of teleutospores of Uromyeeg on Ja^mlnum malaharlcum.
(Fig. 3) Germination of teleutospores of Uromyces Ilobttoni on Jasmlnum (jraiidl.
florum.
(Fig. 4) A group of teleutospores of Ufomyccs on Jasminu7n malabaricum (to
show variation in size and shape.)
(Fig. o) A group of teleutospores of Uromyces Hobsuni.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 697
In the months of December 1912 and January 1913 the writer succeeded
in germinating the teleiitospores of the supposed Blastospora in distilled
water and it became evident that the above idenlitication was incorrect
and that the fungus in question is a true Uromyces. A true germ-tube was
seen to come out through a germ pore ( see Fig 2 ).
It may be mentioned in passing that this Uromyces on Jasminum malaba-
ricum bears a very close resemblance to Uromyces Hobsoni. Vize ( U. Cunn-
inghamianus, Bare. ) on Jasminum grandiflorum. The teleuto and secidial
stages agree closely on both hosts, in microscopic characters ( see Figs. 2,
3, 4, and 5 ) as well as in the effects produced on the host. There is one
striking difference, however. Whereas U. Hobsoni has no uredo stage, as
Barclay has proved, the fungus on J. malabaricum shows a uredo stage in
association with the teleuto. The writer made several inoculations and
cross-inoculations with the different spore forms found on either host, but
with negative results. It remains doubtful, therefore, if the fungi on the
two hosts are identical and if the uredo stage found on J. malabaricum
actually belongs to the Uromyces found on it. The writer had hoped to be
able to work out the complete life-history of this interesting fungus and,
to settle its relationship with U. Hobsoni, but for some reasons the investi-
gation has remained in abeyance for the last few years. In the meantime
it is thought fit to put on record the observation ot the germination of the
teleutospores which establishes beyond doubt that the fungus is a Uromy-
ces and not a Blastospora.
References.
(1) Sydow et Butler : "■ Fungi Indies orientalis," Part IV. Mycol. Vol.
X., No. 3, 1912.
(2) Von P. Dietel : " Uredineen aus Japan II " Annal. Mycol. Vol. VI,
No. 3, 1908.
(3) Barclay : '• On the life-history of a remarkable uredine on Jasmi-
num grandiflorum" Trans. Linn.. Soc. of London, Vol. Ill, Part II, 1891.
S. L. AJREKAR, B.A.
Agricultural College, Poona,
Wth February 1919.
698
PKOCEEDINGS
OF THE MEETING HELD ON 28th NOVEMBER 1918.
A meeting of members of the Bombay Natural History Society, and their
friends, took place on Thursday, the 28th November 1918, Mr. John
AVallace presiding. The election of the following 22 members since the
last meeting was announced : —
Lt. A. G. McArthur, I.A.R.O., Dadar, Bombay ; Mr. T. E. Love, Quilon ;
Mr. R. Senior- White, F.E.S., Ceylon ; The Curator, Central Museum,
Nagpur ; the Principal, Belgachia Medical College, Calcutta ; Major C. H.
Browne, Madras ; Assistant Surgeon H. Vincent, Poona ; Mr. W. Y.
Austin, Kaira ; Mr. V. K. Namjoshi, Cambay ; the Judicial Secretary to
Government, U. P., Allahabad ; Capt. R. Y. Anderson-Morshead, Trimul-
gherry ; De Directeur, van Het Algemeen Proefstation, Medan, Sumatra ;
Mrs. H. A. Marshall, Travancore ; Mr. A. L. Sheather, Muktesar, U. P. ;
Mr. A. A. Graham, Mussoorie ; Lt.-Col. J. H. V. Barr, Bandar Abbas ;
Major R. C. Burke, Simla; Miss R. H. Western, Palampur, Punjab:
Lt.-Col. the Nawab Sir Afsurul-Mulk Bahadur, A.D.C., K.C.I.E., M.V.O.,
Hyderabad, Deccan ; Mr. H. C. Barnes, I.C.S., Naga Hills ; Mr. Jamshed
Vesugar, Rawalpindi ; Lt.-Col. G.
Muirhead, Anandi West.
The following contributions to the Museum
meeting : —
R. Row, I. A., Calcutta,
and 2-Lt. J. M.
were received sinee the last
Contribution .
Locality'.
Donor.
1 Fresh water shrimp
1 Bear Skull
5 Eggs of white tailed plover
(C. gregaria.)
1 Egg of Common Coot {Fulica
atra.)
1 Tiat Snake Z. inueosus . . ")
1 BufF striped Keel back, Tropi
donotus stolatus.
1 Eryx
1 Russels Earth Snake {Eryx \
conicus.) I
1 Eel Fish J
1 Dryophis jyerrotteti
1 C. calca>'atus
1 Egg of Malabar Trogon ( Tra-
gon fasciatus.)
5 Marmot skins . .
1 Young Star Turtle ( T. elegans)
(alive.)
1 Lizard {Agaura sp)
9 Birds, 1 Bat, 1 Shrew, Jave- ")
lin Sandboa {E.jaculus) J
35 Birds' Eggs, 4 Snakes, 4^
Bats, 1 Lizard, 7 Scorpions, \
1 Centipede. 2 Spiders j
Dinapur, Bihar .
Kohima, Assam .
Museigil, Mesopo-
tamia.
Bassein, Bombay,
Capt. A. S. Brooke.
Mr. J. H. Hutton.
Lt. T. R. Livesey.
Mr. A. P. Kinloch.
Nilambur, S.l. . .
Mr. A. M. Kinloch.
Tibet
Mr. C. H. Dracott.
Colombo . .
Mr. Robinson.
Mesopotamia
Capt. E. H. Martin.
Do.
Lt. R. E. Cheesman.
Rangoon . .
Dr. H. H. Marshall.
PROCEEDINGS.
699
Contribution.
Locality.
Donor,
1 Flying lizard Draco dussumeri.
Kotagiri, Nilgiri
Capt. P. H. Gosse,
Hills.
R.A.M.C.
3 Grizzled Indian Squirrel
Madura, S. I. . .
Mr. R, F. Stoney.
5 Bats V
1 Striped Squirrel {F. pmanfi '
Ratufa macraura dandokma.) j"
1 Mouse . . . . . . J
Karachi . .
Capt, C.B. Ticehurst,
R.A.M.C.
1 Viriditar-blue Flycatcher
Kurd u V a d i ,
Deccan.
Mr. D. F. Woods.
1 Zamenis diadema
Mesopotamia
Lt.-Col.H, H.Smith.
Few Butterflies . . . . ")
1 Eckis colloratus, 2 Z. venfri- )-
Do.
Lt,-Col. H. P. Peile,
maculcitu.t, 1 Trop. tessollatus J
I.M.S.
1 Cormorant (P. carbo) , .
Kohat
Dy. Commissioner.
1 Pseudo Scorpion
Muscat , .
Capt. C. W. Sanders.
52 Birds .
Insects . . . . . . >
Coorg
Capt. N. B, Kinnear.
Snakes, etc.
2 Snakes . .
Tura, Assam
Mrs. F. E.Jackson.
1 Contia sp.
Liuga, P. Gulf . .
Mons. H. .T, Bourge-
oise.
1 Longicorn Beetle (Noocerambi/.r
Tavoy, Burma , .
Mr. C. Hopwood.
grandis.)
1 Tylototriton verrucosus . .
Taungyi, Burma. .
Mr. W. 0. Hannyng-
1 Zamenis rhodoi'ackis . . "j
ton.
2 Maubia sp, . . , , r
2 Gecko r
2 Scorpions . . . . j
Muscat . . , ,
Major K. G, Ghar-
purey, I.M.S.
2 VVigeon (.V/a/Y'CPft ^yc'we/oye)
Jhansi
Major V. Coats.
1 Great Crested Grebe (P. cris^-
Mesopotamia
General Brooking.
«fMS.)
With reference to the Society's Journal, the Secretary apologised for
Journal No. 1. Vol. XXVI, being so late but there had been many delays in
obtaining some of the proofs from England. He hoped that it would be
issued to members in December and the index number (No. o, Vol. XXV)
would be ready soon after.
Prof. Hallberg then read a paper on a Botanical tour in Kashmir, which
was illustrated by a large number of beautiful photographs, both of flowers
and scenery in Kashmir.
OF THE MEETING HELD ON 27th FEBRUARY 1919.
A meeting of members and their friends took place on Thursday, 27th
February, the Hon. Mr. G. Carmichael, C.S.I., presiding.
The election of the following 41 members since the last meeting was
announced : — Mr. K. K. Chakravarty, Dacca : Mr. W. de Zwart, Medan,
Sumatra ; Major E. A. Arthur, Mesopotamia ; the Principal, Gujerat Col-
lege, Ahmedabad : Capt. C. Benson, A.D.C., Bombay ; Capt. E. A. Goldic,
M.C, I.M.S., Mesopotamia; Lt.-Col. R. W. C, Keays, Mesopotamia; His
48
700 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX VL
I.A.R., Ahmednagar ;
Tailyour, Srivilliputnr,
; and Mr. B. V. Vakil,
Excellency Sir George Lloyd, D.S.O., G.O.I.E., Bombay ; Capt. C. E
M. Judge, Delhi ; Lt.-Col. W. R. Lawrenson, Madras ; Mr. F. V. Clark
Htawgaw, Burma; Mr. C. J. Brown, Lucknow; Mr. A. Locket, Assam
Mr. C. McCann, Bombay ; Mr. Ganda Singh Cheema, M. So.
Lahore; Mr. M. Mitra, M.Sc, Agra; Mr. D. M. Short, Villupuram
Lt. F. W. A. Phillips, Ceylon ; Mr. R. Finney, Golaghat, Assam
Mr. J. H. Hutton, Calcutta ; Mr. D. G. Harris, Ghazipur, U. P.
Mr. Govind P. Damania, Versova ; Mr H. B. Copley, Kotah, Rajputana
Lt. A. Ashton, Agra ; H. H. the Jam Saheb of Nawanagar, Jamnagar, Ka-
thiawar ; Mr. H. T. McLeod, A.M.I.C.E., F.R.M.S., Guntakal ; Mr. James
Beckett, Penukonda, Anantapur Dist. ; Mrs. H. M. Rait Kerr, Kirkee ; Mr.
G. R. Atkinson, Dharwar ; Lt. G. A. D. Simpson, Fort Lockhart, N. W. F.
P. ; Mr. H. A. W. Brent, Bombay ; Miss A. M. Webbe, Barout, Meerut
Dist. ; Major S. St. M. Carter, D.S.O., R.A.M.C, Simla ; Mr. R. R. Mole,
C.M.Z.S., Madras ; Lt.-Col. H. A. Newell, LA., F.R.G.S., Madras ; Major
M. D. Ritchie, I.M.S., Calcutta; Mr. E. Dainttith,
Mr. J. P. Norris, Philadelphia, U. S. A. ; Mr. B. P.
Ramnad Dist. ; Capt. H. R. Lanktree, Rangoon
B.Sc, Bombay.
The following gentlemen were elected as Office Bearers for the present
year.— President: H. E. the Right Hon. Sir George Lloyd, D.S.O., G.C.LE.
Vice-Presidents : Mr. J. D. Inverarity, B.A., LL.B., the Hon. Mr. Justice
N. C. Macleod, and H. H. the Maharao Saheb of Cutch, G.C.S.I.,
G.C.LE.
Managing Committee:— Mr. T. Bainbrigge Fletcher, F.E.S., Mr. T. R.
Bell, C.I.E., IF.S., Rev. E. Blatter, S.J., Mr. E. Comber, F.Z.S., Col. G. H.
E^ans, CLE., F.L.S., Major M. L. Ferrar, I. A., C.B.E., Major F. C. Eraser,
I.M.S., Mr. F. Hannyngton, I.C.S.. Lt.-Col. J. E. B. Hotson, I.A.R.O.,
C.B.E., (I.C.S.), Mr. C. M. Inglis, Prof. V. N. Hate, Capt. N. B. Kinnear,
M.B.O.U., Lt.-Col. W. Glen Listen, CLE., I.M.S., Mr. F. M. Mackwood,
Mr. H. P. Macnaghten, Mr. P. J. Mead, CLE., I.C.S., Mr. R. A. Spence.
Lt.-Col. F. Wall. I. M.S., C.M.G., Lt.-Col. H. J. Walton, I.M.S., C.M.Z.S.,
Mr. John Wallace.
Mr. L. H. Savile, Honorary Treasurer, and Mr. W. S. Millard, Honorary
Secretary.
The following contributions to the Museum were received since the last
meeting : —
Contribution.
Locality.
Donor .
Skulls of 2 Impala [Acpycoros ~
melampus).
2 Roan Antelopes {H. equinus)
3 Coke's Hartebeste [Bubalis
cockei).
1 Grant's Gazelle {G. granti) t
British German
Lt.-Col. W. R.
Law-
2 Oryx (0. besia) ..
2 Topi (Z). kor riff urn)
1 Waterbuck ( Cobus defaisa)
East Africa.
renson.
8 Thomson's Gazelles {G. thom-
soni) .
PROCEEDINGS.
701
Contribution.
Locality.
Donor.
1 Hare (Lejyus sp.), 1 Jackal"]
(C. aureus), 1 Pigmy, 1 j
Musk Shrew, 1 Bat, 1 Fox }
( Vulpea sp.), 1 Lizard]
{af/ava). J
2 Lizards, 5 Snakes
I Spur Fowl {G. spadicea)
II Birds' nests
1 Curlew {H. acquata)
1 Avocett {li. avocetta) .
2 Coots {F. atva) . .
1 DoHerel {E. monnellu.i)
I Spot-billed Duck (A.
ryncha).
1 Silybura sp.
1 Malabar Civet Cat. ( V. civettina)
1
pcscilo
1 Albino Snipe (6r. coelestes)
2 Hares {Lepus sp.)
2 Hedgehogs {E. blanfordi)
1 Fox ( V. bengalep&is)
1 Yellow Bat {S. khuli) . .
1 Thrush (Z. monticola) . .
1 Blackbuck skull (malformed) .
18 Birds
1 Shikra {A. badiua)
1 Bandicoot {B. malabariea)
1 Pintail (/). acuta) . ,
1 Wi eon (M. penelope) . .
1 Tufted Duck {F. fuligula)
1 Mallard . . ....
1 Gadwall ( C. streperus) . .
1 Sheldrake (7*. cornuta)
2 Black partridges (i^. franco-
linus).
1 Hooded Crow ( C. capellanas)
2 Sheldrakes (7'. cornuta)
1 Imperial Eagle (^. heliaca) |
1 Courser (C. coromandelicua) )
1 Golden Cat (i^. teinmincki)
Basra
Nasik
Thana . .
Darjeeling
Kolaba, Bombay ,
Mesopotamia
Srinagar . .
Nelliampatty Hills
Trivandrum
Near Bombay
Jhang, Punjab
iumaon . .
Ahmedabad
Nasik
Bombay , ,
Mesopotamia
Jamuagar
Goona, C. I.
Htawgaw, Burma,
Lt.-Col. F. P. Con-
nor, I. M.S.
Mr. D'Cunha.
Major M. L. Ferrar.
Mr. E. A. D'Abreu.
Mr.J. A. D.McBain
General Brooking.
Lt.-Col.D. G.Oliver.
Mr. A. P. Kinloch.
Zoological Gardens,
Trivandrum.
Mr. H. A. W. Brent.
Capt.C.B.Ticehurst,
R.A.M.C.
Mr. S. J. Martin.
Rev. D. Archer.
Capt. N. B Kinnear.
Mr. W. S. Millard.
Lt. A. St. J. Mac-
donald.
H. H. The
Saheb.
Jam
Mr. T. B. Hawkins.
Mr. F. V. Clerk.
Minor contributions from:— Mr. F. J. Mitchell, Lt.-Col. H. D. Peile, Mr.
D. G. Cameron, and Major R. D. O. Hill.
CONTRIBUTIONS.
Capt. N. B. Kinnear, the Keeper of the Museum, made the following
remarks on the specimen received since the last meeting : —
The Indian contributions are 2 hares, a hedgehog and a fox from Capt.
O. B. Ticehurst, Jhang, Punjab. A golden cat from Htawgaw, Burma, sent
in by Mr. F. V. Clark, and 18 birds' skins collected by Capt. Kinnear at
702 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Nasik and 5 birds by Mr. J. A. D. McEain in the Kolaba District. A
griffon vulture was presented by Mr. H. Whistler, from Jhang. 2 shel-
drakes were obtained for us at Jamnagar by H. H. the Jam Saheb, and a
spot-billed duck taken at Srinagar, Kashmir, was sent in by Col. D. G.
Oliver. Mr. T. B. Hawkins presented an Imperial eagle and a courser from
Goona, C. I., Major M. L. Ferrar, a spurfowl from the Thana District and
Mr, H. A. W. Brent, an albino snipe from the vicinity of Bombay. A
curiously malformed black buck head was received from Revd. D. G.
Acland. The Society is indebted to the Trivandrum Zoo for the skin of a
Malabar civet cat and to the Colombo Museum for a few mammal skins
presented by them.
The following papers were read: — (1) "Expected Plague of Field Kats
in 1920" by L. J. Sedgwick, I.C.S. (2) " Wild Forms of Bombay Island
and Salsette " by Prof. J. F. R. D'Almeida. The papers will be published
in full in the Society's Journal. The meeting ended with a vote of thanks
to the various contributors.
ACCOUNTS FOR 1918.
Mr. L. H. Savile, the Honorary Treasurer, presented the accounts for
1918. Referring to the membership he stated that the number of members
at the end of the year under review was 1,775 as compared with 1,738 in
1917 showing a fairly satisfactory increase considering that the war was
still in progress, 142 new members joined the Society during 1918 compar-
ed with 99 in 1917. He expressed a hope that now that the war was over,
1919 would show a much larger increase in membership as well as in the
activities of the Society.
Referring to the accounts the Honorary Treasurer stated that the open-
ing balance was Rs. v;,945 and the closing balance (omitting Rs. 12,000 on
fixed deposit) was Rs. 3,384. The receipts show an increase of Rs. 3,097
due largely to increase in membership, while the expenditure (which
included an increase in the salary of the staff and a victory bonus of one
month's pay) was — allowing for one or two special items in 1917 — about the
same as last year.
The Mammal Fund accounts were also presented. As the original collec-
tors were still on active service little work was done during the year.
The opening balance was Rs. 8,962 and the closing balance Rs. 8,684.
As the war is now over the Committee have decided if possible to
continue the Survey during the current year, and have written to the
original collectors with a view to their continuing their work ; should this,
as it is hoped to be found possible, a large increase in the funds will be
required and it is hoped, therefore, that all members of the Society who are
interested in this work will contribute towards the continuing of the survey
to a satisfactory completion.
OF THE MEETING HELD ON 3ei. APRIL 1919.
A meeting of members and their friends took place on Thursday, the 3rd
April, 1919, Major F. C. Eraser, I.M.S., presiding.
The election of the following 12 members since the last meeting was an-
nounced : — The Principal, Central College, Bangalore ; Captain F. W, Wil-
liamson (I.C.S.), Bombay; Lieut. R. Hailstone, Bombay; Lieut. J. A. H.
Maund, Bombay ; Captain C. de C. Martin, I. M.S., Bombay ; Major Allan
PROCEEDINGS.
703
Brooks, D.S.O., Canada ; Mr. F. L. Usher, Bangalore ; the Head Master,
Abu High School, Mount Abu ; Mr. R. H. Corbett, Papun, Burma ; Captain
E. de V. Moss, Madras ; Mr. W. A. Hickie, Budge Budge, Bengal ; and
Brigadier-General E. Dickson, Europe.
The following contributions to the Museum were received since
meeting : —
the last
Contribution.
Locality.
Donor.
1 Nukhta (Sarcidornis melanotus)..
'2 Black Partridges {F. fyancolinufi)
1 Monitor ( V. ben(jalensis)
1 B-.ifl'-striped Keelback (7'.
stolatus.)
I Common Wolf Snake (i. |
aulicus) J
1 Star Tortoise {T. elegans) alive.
2 Nilgiri Langurs {Pithecus johnii)
0 Birds
1 Phoorsa {E. carinoAa) . .
1 Spider
1 Red Sheep
J
Karimpore, Assam
Jhang, Punjab . .
Kotah
Ahmedabad
Nelli a m p a t t y
Hills.
Karachi . .
Bushire . .
Persia
Mr. J. Curror.
Mr. H. Whistler,
F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.
Mr. H. Copley.
Mrs. McCormack.
Mr, A. M. Kinloch.
Capt. C.B.Ticehurst.
Col. C. Bowie-Evans,
I.M.S.
Major E. J. Arthur.
Minor contributions : — Mr. G.O. Allen, Mr. D.C. Cameron and Capt. Dodds.
CONTRIBUTIONS.
In the course of the paper, the possibility of finding a substitute for cotton
was discussed in somewhat technical detail. The relative merits of silk
cotton and ordinary cotton for textile purposes were dwelt upon and the
conclusion arrived at that so far the experiments to find a suitable substi-
tute for cotton have not been very successful. We must not forget, in
addition, that vegetable silk especially Calotropis silk, was comparatively
expensive, because there is a great demand for it as stuffing material in the
manufacture of safety belts. On the other hand, there were vast stretches
in India, especially in the drier parts, Deccan, Gujarat, Rajputana, Punjab,
where nothing of economic value was growing, but where the soil was ad-
mirably adapted for the cultivation of Calotropis. Calotropis silk has got
one great advantage over other vegetable silks : its cultivation does not re-
(}uire any special care, and the silk is easily separated from the seeds.
Calotropis silk would be cheaper, comparatively, than any other vegetable
silk, and even if it should never develop into a substitute for cotton, it
would always find a good market as stuffing materials.
JOURNAL
OF THE
Bombay Natural History Society.
Oct. 1919. Vol. XXVI. No. 3.
THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON.
BY
E. C. Stuart Baker, F.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.
Part XXVIl.
With a Coloured Plate.
{Continued from page 337 of Volume XXVI.)
Genus —TliAGOPAN.
Having accepted Beebe's classification of the Pheasants and
Partridges founded on the moulting sequence of the tail-feathers,
this grand genus heads the Perdicince, or true Partridgtis.
Like the great majority of Pheasants, however, the two sexes are
different in colour. The males are magnificent birds, generally
with a great deal of crimson in their plumage, replaced in Cabot's
Tragopan by buff". Two small fleshy horns of bright colour lie
hidden in the feathers of the crown, but during the-breeding season
are erectile and swollen. An aprOn-like lappet hangs from the
chin, folded into mere wrinkled skin normally, but exteuding a
couple of inches or more during display.
The females are brown or grey-brown birds, mottled with back,
rufous and a little white, and are very game in their general
appearance. They have no horns or lappet. In shape the birds of
this genus are much like huge partridges ; the tail is a little longer
than the wing or about equal to it, and is carried in the same
manner as that of the Common Partridge. The legs ai'e very
powerful, and are armed with a short blunt spur ; the wings are
rou.nded, the first primary the shortest and the fourth and fifth
sirb-equal and longest*. The tail is stronwly sfraduated, the central
• The bastard wing is enormously develcped and o^' a dilferent col ) ir to the rest
of tlse wins' in most of the species.
706 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
feathers being about two-fifths longer than tlie outermost. The
bill is rather small, and the feathers of the forehead and lores run
almost up to the outer edge of the nostril. In most species the
sides of the face are bare, but in the Satyr or Crimson Tragopan
they are well feathered. The throat and chin are very sparsely
feathered in the adults, but well covered in the young. At present
five species are known, all of which, with the exception of the
Eastern Chinese bird, Tragopan cahoti, come within the areas
included in these articles.
Key to the Species and Sub-species.
A. Heads black with crimson markings (Males).
a. Below crimson, with black-edged
wdiite spots ... ... ... sati/ra.
h. Below black with white spots ... melanoceplialus .
c. Whole breast crimson-red, abdomen
smok3'--grey or sepia-grey ... hlythi hlythi.
d. Crimson, confined to extreme upper
breast as a narrow gorget ... h. inolesworthi.
e. Below crimson, feathers centred
with pearl-grey ... ... temmincM.
f. Below buff ... ... ... ... cahoti.
B. Head brown, mottled like uj)per plumage (Females).
(J. Upper plumage streaked with white.
d~. Centre of abdomen grey ... onelanocephalas.
b'. Centre of abdomen white or
buffy-white ... ... cahoti.
h. Upper plumage streaked with fawn
or buff
c~. Shoulder of wing tinged with
crimson
a^. General tint darker owing
«,
to black markings pre-
dominating
h". General tint paler and
more buff. Black mark-
hlythi hlythi.
■
I
ings fewer
No crimson tinge on shoulder
of wing
satijra.
temmincJci.
d\
Tkagopan satyka.
The Crimson- Horned Pheasant.
Horned Indian Pheasant. — Edward's Nat. His. B, iii. pi. 116 (1750)
(Bengal).
Phasianus bengalensis cornutus. — Brisson Orn. vi. app. p. 14 (1760)
(Bengal).
TRE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA. 707
Meleagris satyra. — Linn, Sys, Nat. i., p. 269 (1766) (Bengal) ; Latham Ind.
Oru. ii., p. ei9 (1790) ; Griff, ed. Cuv. iii. pi. (1829).
Phasianus cornutus. — Mull. Suppl. Linn. Syst. Nat. p. 125 (1776) ;
Stephin Sbaw's Gen. Zool. xi., p. 2^9 (1819).
Penelope satyra.— Gmelin. Sys. Nat. 1 pt. ii., p. 733 (1788) ; Bonnat. Tab.
End. Meth. i., p. 170, pi. 84 (1791).
Phasianus satyrus. — Temin. Pig. et. Gal. ii., p. 349 (1813) ; ibid. iii. p. 672
(1815) ; Vieillot Nov. Die, Nat xi., 1817, p. 39 ; id. Gal. Ois. ii., ]825, p. 23,
pi. 206.
Horned Plieasant. — Lath. Gen, Hist. viii. p. 208 (1823).
Tragopan satyrus. — Cuv. Reg. Anim. i. p. 479 (1829) ; Gray in Griff, ed.
Cuv. iii. p. 31 (1829) ; Gould Cen. Him. Birds, pi. 62 (1832) ; Jerd. Nat.
Lib. Oru. iv. p. 222, pi. xxiv (1834) ; Temm. PI. Col. v. pis. 13, 14 (1834) ;
Ogilvie-Grant Oat. B. M. xxii. p. 271 (1893) ; id. Hand-L. Game-B. i., p.
220 (1895) ; Blanford, Fauna B. I. iv. p. 99 (1898) ; Gates, Game-B. Ind.
1 p. 241 (1898) ; Gates, Cat. Eggs B. M. i. p. 50 (1901) ; Ghigi Kend. Ace.
Bologna (5) x. pp. 403-4 (1903) ; Smith Avi. Mag. (3) i., p. 225 (1910) ;
Walton, Ibis, 1906, p. 247; Seth-Smith, Avi. Mag. (3) ii. p. 212(1911);
Finn., Gamo-B. India, p. 28 (1911) ; Beebe, Zoologicfe 1 No, 15, p. 269
(1914) ; id. Pheasants, i. p. 49 (1918).
Satyra satyra. — Less. Diet. Sci. Nat. lix. p. 196 (1829) ; id. Traite d'Orn,
p. 493 (1831).
? Phasianus nepaulensis. — Gray, in Griff, ed. Cuv. iii., p. 29 (1829).
Phasianus melanocephalus. — (Jraj'', 111. Ind. Zool. i. p. 47 (1830-32).
Satyra pennantL—iAray 111. Ind. Zool. i. pi. 49 (1830-32).
Satyra lath2mi.— Gray, 111. Ind. Zool. i, pi. 51 (1830-32).
Satyrus cornutus. — Schinz. Nat. Abild. Vog. p. 252, pi. 98 (1833).
Satyra nepaulensis.— Gray, 111. Ind. Zool. pi. 40 (1834).
Tragopan melanocephalus. — Jard. Nat. Lib. Orn, iv., p. 226, pi. xxvii
(1834).
Ceriornis macrolophus. — ^Svvain. Class. B. ii., p. 341 (1837).
Satyra {tragopan) alpnis. — Thien., Fortpflanz. ges. Vog. p. 52, tab. xii.
fig. 4 (1845-54).
Ceriornis satyra. — Gray, Cat. Hodg. Mam. & B, ed, i., p. 125 (1846) ;
Blyth, Cat. Mus. As. Soc. p. 240 (1849) ; Sclater and Wolf, Zool,
Sketches, 2 pi, 3y (1831) ; Jerdon, B. of In, iii. p, 516 (1863) ; Sclater, List,
Phas. p. 10 "(1863) ; Irby, Ibis, 1868, p. 2.34 ; Beavan. Ibis 1868, p. 379;
Gould, B. of Asia, vii., pi. 49 (1868); Bulger, Ibis 1869, p. 169: Sclater,
P.Z.S. 1870, p. 164 ; Elliot. Mon. Phas. i pi. 22 (1872) ; Murie, P.Z.S. 1872,
p. 730. pis. Ix, Ixi ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, p. 521 (1873) ; Marshall, B. Nest
In. p. 59 (1877) ; Hume and Marsh. Game-B. In. i p. 137 (1878) ;
Scully, Str. Feath. viii,, p. 343 (1879); Sclater P.Z.S. 1879, p, 117,
pi. viii. fig. 4; Gates ed. Hume's Nests and Eggs, iii. p. 409(1890).
VERNACULAR NAMES.— 'hxmgi {H. Garhwal and Kumaon) ; Monal
(H. Nepal) ; Omo. Bap. (Bhutia) ; Tar-rhyak (Lepcha) ; Cham-dung {Tibetan).
Description — Adult Male. — Head, crest, and a broad ring sur-
rounding the semi-naked gular patch, black. A streak on either
side of the crest, sides of the neck, hind neck, upper back, and the
whole of the lower plumage orange-crimson ; the ujoper back and
lower plumage from the breast to the vent with white black-edged
ocelli. On the breast and upper back the spots of white are small
and completely surrounded with a comparatively broad edging of
black ; towards the vent the spots get larger and larger, the white
708 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
less pure and more grey, and the black proportionately less in
extent until the spots on the posterior flanks and abdomen become
large gray blotches with black at the bases only. The under tail-
coverts are crimson with white ocelli surrounded by brown with
black terminal fringes.
Lower back, scapulars rump and shorter tail-coverts olive-brown
with white, black-edged ocelli and black and rufous buff vermicu-
lations ; longer tail-coverts amber-brown with sub-terminal broad
black edges. The scapulars are profusely marked with crimson
and occasional similar marks appear on the back and outer edge of
rump and upper tail-coverts.
Shoulder of wing crimson ; coverts like the scapulars, the greater
coverts showing broad bases of mottled buff and black. Inner
secondaries like the greater coverts, but with no crimson ; outer
secondaries and primaries deep brown, with numerous broken
mottlings of buff. Bastard wing chestnut, mottled at the tip on
inner webs with dark-brown.
Colours of Soft Parts. — Bill, brownish black, black at the base ;
irides, brown, or hazel-brown ; legs, diill fleshy, deepening in colour
and suflTused with crimson during the breeding season ; claws, pale
horny-brown ; spur, pale grey-brown, almost white at the tip.
Horns, dull Prussian blue, becoming much brighter during the
breeding season ; lappet, Prussian blue, the same colour as the
whole of the gular and orbital region, but when extended the
edges show a bright sage-green, with four, rarely five, triangular
patches of brilliant deep scarlet.
Measurements. — Length, 671-722 mm. (Beebe). Wings, 245
to 285 mm. Average of 30 birds, 268- 5 mm. The bastard wing
measu.res up to 137 mm. Tail, 232 to 300 mm., average, 269-5
mm. Bills from front to tip in a straight line, 14-16 mm. ; tarsus,
85 to 90 mm., with the short spur measuring from 10 to 15 mm.
Weight, 3 lbs. 8 ozs. to 4-lbs. 10 ozs. (Hume ).
Two fine males shot by my collectors during the breeding season
were said to weigh a little under 2^ seers=5 lbs. Both these
birds were said to be very fat.
Adult Female. — Whole plumage above rufous-buff or rufous-
ochre, vermiculated, barred and blotched with black and with
narrow pale ochre central streaks ; tail, rich rufous-brown with
broken bufi" and black bars, the black grading into the general
rufous-brown ; the black on the inner webs of the outer tail feathers
developing into broad well-defined bars.
Below, the chin and throat is generally pale, sometimes almost
albescent, — the breast is like the back, but paler and less richly
colovired ; on the abdomen and vent the general tint becomes still
paler, and the central streaks develop into large white spots.
THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA. 709
Wings like the back, the inner webs of the quills browner,
and less richly coloured ; under wing-coverts, axillaries and flanks
like the back.
The variation in the plumage of the female is far greater than
in the adult male, and birds from the same locality differ to such
an extent that it is hard to belieye they are the same species. In
some the rich rufescent tone is almost entirely absent, being re-
placetl with gre}", which gives the dominant tinge to the whole
appearance. In others the ochre centres are larger and brighter
and ochre to a great extent replaces the rufous in the mottlings
as well. In a few birds the centre of the crown has the features
marked with deep bright chestnut, and the same colour appears
hei'e and there on the wing-coverts, scapulars and innermost
secondaries.
Colours oj Soft Parts. — Irides brown or hazel-brown, much the
same as in the male ; bill, horny-brown ; legs, dull-grey or greyish
brown nearly always with a tinge of purple or fleshy .
Measurements. — Length, 573 mm. expanse, 762 mm. (Beebe).
Wings, 215 to 235 mm., average 18 specimens, 226 mm. ; tail, 190
to 211 mm., average 204 mm. Bill from front to tip, 13 to 15 mm.;
tarsus, 68 to 74 mm., generally showing an obsolete spur only. The
tarsi are very much more slender in the female than in the male.
" Weight, 2 lbs. 4 ozs. to 2 lbs. 10 ozs." (Hume).
Young male and young female are like the adult of the latter
sex, but less richly coloured ; there is no rufous in the plumage, and
the ochre is often pale and whitish on the neck and upper back.
The adult plumage of the male is assumed by degrees, the
black and crimson of the head, neck and extreme upper breast and
back being first completed, whilst the crimson appears in patches
on the wings, scapulars and back and the ocelli make their first
appearance as white dots scattered indefinitely here and there. It
is interestine- to note that at the second autumnal moult when the
male acquires the semi-adult plumage, many feathers are assumed,
which show a transitional stage between the plumage of the young
bird and the completely coloured male. Thus, many of the feathers
which are mottled in the former and crimson in the latter are at
this moult mottled over the greater part but with faint-crimson
stains and indefinite pale grey ocelli.
The throat and chin are covered with black feathers, more or
less mottled at the base, and the skin, which hardly shows through,
is pale and leaden coloured ; the lores and sides of the face are also
well-covered with short thick black feather.
Ghieh in down, crown and nape rich chestnut, changing to
chestnut-brown on the back and rump and tail tuft ; lores, an indis-
tinct supercilium and sides of head and nape pale fulvous, the latter
mottled with chestnut ; the forehead is brighter and almost an orange
710 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
rufous. Below pale fulvous or yellow-buff, gre3^er and duller on
abdomen and darker and rufescent on the under aspect of tail tuft.
Wings rufous-buff, mottli^d and barred with blackish-brown ; the
greater coverts edged with ochre.
Bistrihution. — Hume gives this bird's Western limits as the
Alaknanda Valley in Garhwal, and from that point it extends
through Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan into the Hills N. of the
Brahmapootra as far East as Tezpur or Danang. Beebe adds
nothing to its known area of habitat, but confirms Hume's record
from Alaknanda. Mr. 8. L. Whymper, in a letter to me, writes :
" The exact limits of the two species I do not know, but I
have shot T. satyra on the East bank ©f the Alaknanda and
melanocejJialus on the West bank of the Bhagirutti, so that
there is a large tract of country unaccounted for ; roughly,
however, it may be said that the upper waters of the Ganges
forms the dividing line."
Nidifjcation. — ^There is practically nothing on record about the
nidification of this bird in a state of nature, though it breeds
commonly in captivit}^ Hume obtained its eggs from natives —
he does not say how many — who took them in May in forests
below the level of the snows between 9,000 and 12,000 feet or in
dense patches of hill-bamboo.
Although these nests were apparently on the ground, I expect
that normally it is a tree-nester like the rest of the family. In
1918 I was fortunate enough to receive two birds obtained with
their nests in the Chambi Valley, and in both cases the latter had
been built in trees. Mr. D. M., w4io obtained them for me,
writes as follows about them : —
" The eggs of this Pheasant, Cham-dang in Tibetan, were
taken in the Rhododendron and Oak Forest in the Chambi
Vailey, and were found in a nest which was built in a tree
at about 20 feet from the ground, and quite hidden from view
until the hen bird flew from it and so disclosed its position.
The two eggs already had signs of chicks in them. The forest _
here is very thick, but stunted, and the ground much broken
up by huge great rocks covered with moss and ferns and
ground, trees and rocks seem ever to be w^et and damp.
" The nest was just a jumble of ver)'" old dead twigs and
branches, mostly rotten, and veiy fragile, perhaps the bird did
not built it, but found this old mass of sticks and turned it
into a nest.
" The other nest was the same, but empty and lower down
in the tree, the men could almost reach up to it.
" The natives tell me that they only lay two eggs as a
rule, never more than four and certainly one only sees two
chicks with "the old birds."
THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, 711
The two eggs sent me with the birds are extremely richly-
coloured compared with others in my collection laid in captivitj'.
The groimd colour is a pale yellow or buff, but the whole
surface is practically covered with a mottling of rich brick-red,
making them appear much the same in general colour as a rather
dull Perigrine's egg or a richly-coloured Neophrons. One egg,
the larger of the two, is considerably brighter than the other, and
looth are much marked with scratches from the bird's feet. They
measure 58'o x 44."5 mm. and 5o-0 x 40-8 mm.
Other eggs laid in captivity and now in my collection measure
from 53-0 x 41-0 mm. to Go-0 x 4o-8 mm. These are all a dull-
pale stone coloiir, and are much mottled with dull lilac-brown, in
each case the markings being numerous everywhere, but more
especially so round the centre.
My two wild-laid eggs and some of the others are very round
eggs, whilst others are longer and more compressed towards the
smaller end. The texture is fairly close, but rather coarse, there is
practically no gloss, and the shell is rather thin in proportion to
the size of the ess:-
Beebe describes the eggs as varying from 61 to 67 mm. in length,
and from 40 to 42 mm. in breadth within average of 64 x 41 mm. ;
his eggs are therefore longer, yet not so broad as those which have
passed through my hands.
Eggs in the Tring Museum agree better with mine than with
Beebe's, these, four in number, vary from 62-0 mm. to 65*9 mm.
in length and from 43'5 mm. to 45'9 mm. in breadth. The smallest
egg 1 have examined both in length and breadth is 53-0 x 40*8 mm.
and the biggest 65*9x45"9 mm.
According to trustworthy accounts, the breeding season com-
mences about the first week in May and lasts through June, whilst
in the highest latitudes a few hard-set eggs may be found as late as
the first week in July. My eggs were taken on the 22ud May at
nearly 10,000 feet elevation, and an empty nest the next daj^ i-ather
lower down. Beebe says that in captivity birds have been known
to lay from mid- April to August, but captive birds are always
irregular in this respect, and are equally unreliable in sitting.
The display of the male saiyra during the breeding season is very
fine, but often it is only partial. The bird commences by walking
up and down in an excited manner about and in front of the hen,
then suddenly it will jump up on to a perch, give its head a shake,
let down its lappet and erect its horns. For a few minutes it
remains on the perch, the head lowered and advanced with the
lappet fully extended to show its brilliant colouring and its deep
blue horns erect and gently quivering ; the wings may be closed,
but more often are slightly extended and shivering. After this it
again descends to the ground, and advances to the hen, and once
f 12 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI,
more adopts the attitude of the perch, but now he gradually raises
his wings and draws his head back between them, whilst his breast
is lowered to the ground, until he eventuall}^ resembles a beautiful
fan. This attitude is generally persevered in for a few minutes, after
which he draws himself up to his full height, drops, and nearly
closes his wings, but keeps the lappet fully extended, and his horns
well raised. The termination of the show may be closer intimacy
with the hen, but more often, a sudden collapse, after which the cock
walks about and feeds quietly until once more excited to action.
Frequently the display is only partial, and a full display, such as
that described is probably rare ; very often during the breeding-
season the cock bird merely indulges in a vigorous shake of the
head, which appears to let loose the lappet, and to erect the horns
for a few seconds ; sometimes this is followed by a partial or a side
view display, and less often by the complete performance.
Anger induces display almost as freely as sexual excitement, but
in such cases it is apparently seldom or never complete ; I once
watched two rival males in adjoining cages, semi-displaying conti-
nually, and varying this performance by racing up and down the
side of the cage, and glaring disdain at the other.
If the natives' accounts are correct, these birds are strictly
monogamous, and the male is a most attentive father and husband,
but at present very little is known on this point. Mr. D. M.
informs me that "alter the eggs are hatched, both cock and hen
wander about with their two little chicks, and feed and look
after them equally."
The period of incubation is, I think, 26 to 28 days, but Beebe
says from 24 to 28 days, and from his own experience cites 26
days as having been the time for a chick to commence cracking its
egg prior to emerging.
General habits. — The Crimson Tragopan may be found any-
where between 6,000 and 12,000 feet, according to the time of
year, and also the time of day, but as a rule they will not be found
wandering much below 8,000 feet, except dui'ing very severe
winters. In summer they are usually found between 9,000 feet
and 11,000 feet. Both the nests which I have already referred to
as having been takenfor me in Cham bi Valley were found at 10,000
feet, and the birds were then also breeding at nearly 2,000 feet
higher. The limits of height appear to be the limits of the forest
line, and as long as there is ample cover of forest or of the common
Ringal Bamboo, the Tragopan may be found whatever the elevation.
They are essentially birds of thick cover, and apparently never
wander about on the higher slopes of grass land upon which both
the Monal and the Blood Partridges are so often found. Occasion-
ally they may visit the edges of the open land, but they never
leave the protection of cover more than for a few j^ards, and at the
THE GAME BIltDS OF INDIA. 713
slightest sign of clanger scuttle back to it. Beebe says that in
addition to cover, these birds al\va3's seem to require a good water
supply. This is probablj" correct in regard to all the Tragopans,
but, on the other hand, practically all over the area inhabited by
these birds the forests are very humid, and almost every ravine or
hollow has more or Jess water trickling through it even during the
driest months.
They wander about either singly or in pairs during the cold
weather, but after the chicks are hatched they remain in familj^
parties until October or November, when they sometimes split up
again. About this time the birds wander down a good deal lower
than their breeding haunts, and keep well below the snow-line, but
even when thus driven down by the cold, the members of each
family will sometimes keep together throughout the winter until,
in March or early April, they once more wend their way to their
summer hau.nts.
Beebe well describes the varioTis calls of the Tragopan.
Writing of late spring, he says :
" At this season the birds are silent, unless the hen still
communicates with her nearly grown young by means of the
same low, clucking call which is used when they are chicks.
Only when in dire fright or distress, as when suddenly flushed
by a dog, do the birds — both cocks and hens — give utterance to
a series of loud, raucous notes : r/uaZ" .' ciuali ! 'luaJc ! qiio.h ! The
call note of the Satyra Tragopan is very distinct from its note
of alarm. I have heard it given a number of times by wild
birds, and in captivity it is a very characteristic utterance.
The male utters it as a herald of his nuptial display — a high,
rather quavering baa ! baa ! baa ! baa ! When this is heard,
the hen is usually near by, and unless something occurs to
alarm the birds, a display is almost sure to follow. The hen
utters a call comparable to this when separated from her
nearly grown young, the call in this instance being given
singly, and in a slightly higher, shriller tone."
The defiant challenge trumpet of the Tragopan is a very fine,
wild sound. It commences with a short trumpet-like " Wah,"
followed by three or four more similar calls, each more prolonged
than the last, and ending with a long-drav?n " wa-a-a-a," too wild
and ringing, however, to deserve being called a wail. This call can
be heard for an immense distance, especially when uttered in the
early dawn of a peaceful Himalayan morning, when it rings across
the mist-soaked valleys from one hilltop to another, to be taken up
and replied to by other birds in their turn. During the daj*,
except in the height of the breeding season, it is but seldom heard,
but as the cool of the evening draws on, it may again be heard
uttered at intervals as the birds settle down for the night.
2
714 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL RIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Beebe states that the cock birds only utter this challenge for
a very brief period, perhaps two weeks, but this is, I think, a
wrong estimate, and I am told by good observers that a cock com-
mences to trumpet before the mating season, and continues, though
perhaps not so regularly, to call after the hens have laid. Certainly
it may be heard from early April until late in June.
As with so many game-birds, the challenge is usually made from
an elevated perch, often comparatively high up in a tree ; then
when the gauntlet thrown down is accepted, the two birds slowly
approach one another, each booming as they make their way
towards their rival. What happens when they meet, no one knows
for no one has yet seen the possible combat, or, the equally
possible result, the mutual showing off, ending in both birds
slinking away.
They are much persecuted by the Hill men, who trap and shoot
them, both for their plumage and their flesh. The favourite form
of trap is the usual little hedge or fence with well-noosed gaps at
intervals, through which the birds pass rather than take the slight
trouble involved in flying over the obstruction. The birds Avhich
are shot are nearlj;^ always obtained by calling during the breeding
season, and, of course, in this way, it is only the males which can
be enticed within shooting distance. The Tibetans, Garhwalis,
and Bhutias are all adepts at calling these birds up by imitating
their challenge cries, and if a male is wathin hearing, their success
in luring him up is practically certain, though it by no means
follows that a successful shot will crown the proceedings. They
are extremely wary, even when under the influence of love, and,
more often than not, apparent!}' spot the would-be murderer before
he has time to fire.
From a sporting point of view, these grand birds seem to be a
failure. In the first place they are nowhere numerous enough to
make the pursuit of them alone worth while, and in the second,
they are such confirmed skulkers, that it is most difficult to get
them to fly. It is true that Hume, Beavan and others have re-
corded them as easy to put up with dogs, but modern birds
seem to be more sophisticated than those of the days when these
sportsmen wrote. True, if a dog can come on one suddenly in
comparatively light jungle, he will take to wing or get up some
tree, but as a rule he or she trusts to its legs to take it into safety.
Mr. Whymper writes me :
" From a sporting point of view, both species of Tragopan
are very disappointing; even dogs, accustomed to Hill Phea-
sants often fail to make them show themselves, though, as
the only places I ever saw them in were dense ringal jungles,
generally on very steep and broken hillsides, this is not per-
haps to be wondered at. However, one never-to-be-forgotten
THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA. 715
morning, the dogs put up a hen Tragopan that came overhead
an easy shot, and, as I fired, I became aware of a bird like a
gigantic robin red-breast shooting down on me, and with a
hasty shot about ten foot in front of him I had bagged a right
and left, cock and hen Tragopan sati/ra, the most gorgeous of
game-birds.''
Occasionally, when walking along the higher hill-tracks, or when
wandering along some nullah or ravine, one may tumble on a bird
sunning itself in some bare patch, or perched in full view on rock
or tree; such chances are, however, but very rare, and the hasty
pot shot thiTs obtained is even less often fruitful of any results.
Beebe states that from the few birds he saw of this species in
the few days he devoted to their study he came to the conclusion
that the Tragopans roosted far down in the valleys and fed higher
This is not quite in agreement with the observations of sports-
men, who have spent many more years than he has days in their
haunts. These state that the Tragopans generally roost in the
highest part of their individual haunts, so that Beebe's birds must
have been exceptional in their habits.
They appear to be almost entirely vegetable feeders, eating all
kinds of seeds, shoots and tendrils, and also feeding largel}^ on bulbs
and roots, in digging for which they frequently excavate holes of
some considerable size.
(To be continued.')
:i6
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY.
No. XVIII — {continued).
Report on the House Rats of India, Surma, and Ceylon.
BY
Martin A. 0. Hinton.
Part III.
{Continued from page 416 of this Volume I)
Note on the Skull Measurements.
In Table I are recorded the measurements of all the skulls
specially examined for the purposes of this paper. The worlv was
done by means of good sliding calipers, provided with a micrometer
screw fine adjustment, and a vernier reading 0.1 mm. accurately.
All measurements were made with the utmost care and the finer
ones under a w^atchmaker's glass ; many, at long distant dates, were
tested by repetition. With this and much other experience of
such work I believe that the margin of error is very seldom greater
than 0.05 mm. either way.
The dimensions recorded are —
1. Condylo-basal length. •
2. Occipito-nasal length (from tip of nasal to most prominent
point of occipital surface in mid-line).
3. Greatest zygomatic breadth.
4. Least interorbital breadth.
5. Cranial width, taken just above squamosal roots of zygomata.
G. Greatest distance between temporal lines in fronto-parietal
region.
7. Least distance between temporal lines near interparietal.
8. Occipital breadth.
9. Median depth of occupit.
10. Post-molar length ; condyle to m\
11. Auditory length ; condyle to front surface of bulla.
12. Length of a nasal.
13. Greatest combined breadth of nasals.
14. Palatal length ; from most forward point of premaxilla to
posterior edge of palate — NOT including median palatal
spine, when present.
15. Length of diastema.
16. Length of anterior palatal foramina.
17. Greatest combined breadth of anterior palatal foramina.
18. Breadth of rostrum in front of infraorbital canal.
19. Least width of outer wall of infraorbital canal ( " masseteric
plate" ).
20. Length of molar series ; on crowns.
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. Ill
The measurements were all reduced to percentages of the
condvlo-basal lengrth bv slide .rule calculation ; and then all were
averaged. In Table II are given the maximum, minimum and
average values of the condylo-basal length, and of the percentages
of that dimension yielded by the other measurements. At the foot
of the table the least intertemporal distance is expressed in the
same way as a percentage of the cranial width.
Table II of course is far more instructive than Table I ; j^et the
latter is the more important — because it is the foundation of my
work ; it is hoped also that someone else will find it useful as a
basis for further work.
718 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
»
«
00
o
p-l
-to
•to
o
ID
o
5C
00^
00
o
e
ft?
u
CM '-'
s^
o
o
O
o
_g
o
f3
O
(N
o
•Tj;ngi'Bd['BX'
•dsqns sn))o.(. 'y;
:CH-
o
=0
'y[o%s\i'eQ
CO
n
fc>D
C
o
CO ^
tH C4-
§uoqi'Bjsj
CO
o
s
o
c8
"5 ^
o
3
CO
CO
GO "X)
^^
r> '73
0)
CO
m
CO
o
COO+
CO
0 0+
co
f-^'r ?> -r ^"^S^ t= Sq^O iMOOlO^ ^COTJHCO
^^g'^ 2:^2:2 =^^2;^ ^g^s-^ ^.;-4..^
r f ?^ ?> 7"** '*'=^ «^"S= =5 o^^^i o5 (M OS 00 CO
S^S*^ 2^22 °°22^ ^132^ <^i^,^
^^ ^^^~^^ f =^^ ^"^* ^^ t^^r^^ cq ooTJi —
^^S'^ S^^'2 ^^2;^ ^^2^ <^^i^t^
^° T^^T^ -*'*'' ^ "^ «5-H oico 56 ^i cqcoic to'
J^q^S^ 23^2 ="^=^2 ^g^^-^ c^.^-*i
-* e^ ^ CO t- -X> t- tH 03 nH 00 r-H lO OJ f-H =1 ^, ^
^^2'^'' ;22i:2 °=22;^ ^^^^-^ ^c^-*^
'-^'^ '^ -^ if^ » <M <M t» lO 05 -^ 00 tH ^ ph ir^ lo
t^oo^: jooocou. ^oi.^; ^^i^-^ c^Tif^^o
Ci -^ O CO -fi r^ CO 00 00 O !>• <M lO 00 I^h jln
^^sS'-'^ 122:1:2 ^^<^'^ ^55=^^ <^c--;t*i>
T' 7' "^ <^^ ^ CO CO t- 00 rti to t- O -* CO O Cs| O
JSi^S'^'" ^^^;^ o^oco ^oot^ iii^i
^° ^^ C0I0I5 GO O CO C^'TOM ^wTo
^^g^ 2;^^': =^2f^2 ^g5f^=^ <f^.^4i.t^
2^g^ 2222 =^*22 ^g^i*^ <^.^4^i
f T <^ t- -H lO ^ -t T*< lO CO O) 00 ^ 02 ^ CO tH 10
^^8^ 2;2;2^2 ^222: ^5^2^ (^.^^o
'"f^ ■* '-I «> "^ ^ «5Th t- CO t-CO Tf( (N (M CO
S^g*^ 222J2 =^2^i2 ^g]2'^ ^.^'^i
"p CO C5 en o t- o en CO 01 io c^'I^h ^ |^
^^2'^'' ^;^22 ^^2^;^ '*§q'2'^ ^^t-^Hi
•^ 7 7 <^ =p ■* ci 7 >-o 00 CO ;:5 SToo .x> 01 1-
SiSl'r^j'^ 22 '^'2 Cftt--"0 4j<C0-lii^ !MI^-;nt-
<P "P '-;' "^ O CO -^ r- CO Ttt -( r-H t- 00 00 00 -* « CO CS>
?§g;^'^ 2^22 ^^22 ^g^2'^ c,.i^o
~^* . i^ i;^ c-q 00 10 c-1 TjH -* CI t-, Solo o c-:i rH r^ CO
J^-S"^ S^linS «^^c^^ =^5^2=^ M.^*i;~
(>i >o CO 10 :^; (N <M t- CO CO CO Tt( rt 00 00
^Is-^ 2S;i:2 ^2^2: ^000 ^ci^t^
i>~C0O lO 03 lO rH Oi 00 CO -O C53 -H 03 ;;;
OOOO-b If^cO^IO O|0OC0 ^OOci (^qt^^.t^
?§^g"^ 22-2 ^^=^2 ^g^2^ ii.^4^.^
~^~^~^^ 5^1 71 "fx^ cq CO 10 00 ^ToTbolo S< CO c<i r-K —
?o22'*'^ 2:^22 oii^cD-* ^(Noi^ (>it--^i^
t^OOSO ;0^-^;^ ^22:^ ■^53 2^ ^ll^^^cb
7 "^ 7 T" CO C3 -* <M -* 05 00 00 lO CO .-H ^5 c:; CO —
kkk^ 2i!;2i2 =^2^3 ^j^2'^ <^^t-4^'c:D
■^ "^1 ^ ^ «p 1^1 S M 10 .-H fM 03 C-l CO 05 03 (M rt 03
000 10 "2^2212 ocoi-* co-l^icb rln^^cb
o
I3Q
d o
S12;
H o
I— i(NCOtjH »OCOI>00 CiO'-IC^I COtJHIOCO t^QOOSO
;^
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY.
719
ft:;
to
S
ft:;
c .
O C4-
o CH-
c-i CH-
<M CH-
o
c3
co CH-
CO Ot
GO
CO 0+
CO ^o
<M "TO
CO
K
c3
pq
CO 'So
C-. "X)
o
o CH
c; 0+
.-H o G^l cr,
O <M O lO
-* ■* iM
<?J CO O (M
t^ >0 C-1 O
I:~ l-~ 10
O t- O "O
^ CO
■* 00
O 00 O:
(N O CO t>
00 Oi CO o
OJ (M ffl IC
CO ■* -^
O >0 CO o
O C5 •* 10
05 1^0 0
OA
tJ- CO
000
CO o CO o
to tr- <x> ao
01 iM en i-o
CO ^ r-l
t~ D- CO IM
O 10 CO O
O t- t-H 00
o t- o -^
00
CO CO
(M
05 CO
l:~ I> (M
(N O ■<** t>
CO 10 CO CO
03 S-l 01 O
CO Tl- 1— 1
O O CO -*
":S 10 <M 10
I- CO c; 10
O l^ o o
Ti< CO
CI
CO t~ CO c-
^§
O) CO "
CO ■*
oc r-( la
O CO C^» u-5
(M X >0 t^
o t^ o ■*
^ X
t^ <M CI
(M i^ -^ :J
t^ 03 03 O
CO CO ^^
IC r-1 05
10 CO (N -*
1— I o ■>* c»
OJ t^ o ■*
(M C- ■* O
h1«
CO O X (M
t- 03 X o
CO CO ^
X ^H X
O ■* rt TfH
10 CO D'
05 t^ O ^
C-)
M X
O I--
■>* O X 1— I
(M O CO O
13
O
^ ■* 10 r-H
^ t^ c- o
CO CO I— I
ox IM
^ (M ^ -*
O X C-A -^
X 10 03 CO
CO OS
CO <M
05 l>
LO (N t- IN
(N CO CO O
IC O C- CO
O <M o o
Tj4 ■* (M
X O O t^
lO CO ■— I o
CJ '^ t^ X
C3 X O o
CO o 10
Th (M r-^ X
(M l-H
X rt o
(M X Th o
^§
Oi I—I O CO
CO -* 1^
■* m ^ ■*
o 1* c^i in
CO t^ X (M
C5 t- O >0
O CO ■* t-
tJ* (M .-H C-
(M 1—1
t> O r-H r-<
cj t- -rh o
X -H OS CO
CO ■* --I
,— I Oi (M X
CO CO (M 10
in i>
oj X o in
CO o l^ "
T)1 r-H o t^
CO I— I ^^ Ci
cj c- ■<# CO
CO m 05 o
X o cc o
CO Tf ^
^ 03 1— I CO
in M CO >n
CO t- in CO
ci tr~ o -^
CO -H
IM
o c-
CO 03 C5 t-
(M CO CO CO
CO 03
t- o CO m
CO ■* l-H
CO >— I 03 r-H
o ■* ^ in
t^ (N CM
Oi t^ O "*
rjl CO
O c-
<M pH
CO <M r— 1 I— I
<M t- Tt< O
Tti X (M OJ
t^ S3 X m
CO CO ^
10 CO CO ■— I
10 '^ fM m
C3 X o ^
Tt< o
rt CO
vO CO
0-) CO -* o
03 Oi
CO X
CO CO
r- in
X m
■* CO in
CO Tt< M in
S^ Tt* C<)
(33 t- o "*
CO ^
o o
■<# t^ CO
(^^ CO ^ o
X C3 m Til m CO
o 0-1
Tfl Tf
o "n
CO -t O^ O
■* O: rh
C3 O o m
1* r-<
Ttl CO
in
.— 1 X
Tji in CO CO
(M l> Ti< 50
CO in I- t-
O 0-1
-^ in
CO m
IM CO
Oi CO
03 X
1— I m
TjH CO
C-1
f-i X
01 1> •-I i>
i?-i t^ "* CO
o
C3 —I
CO -+
t^ OS
03 O
03 C3
in (M
CO ^H
—I in
M CO
C3 X
X 03
m t^
—I X
<N I> -* O
CO d X ^i
03 ,
CO ■
03 t-
m CO
[-- X
—I in
05 00
t^ in
o 'n
CO CO o
4f CO -^ CO
r^ IM m TT
Ol l^ -* CO
C7i ^i
CO Ttl
in CO
cb CO
CO C--!
CO -*
01 X
IM m
C3 X
CO. -t
01 in
(M
X in
o i^
X CO CO X
(M C^ Tfl CO
X 'O
03 ^^
CO -*
o m
0^1
03 TT
in rt*
C-1 X
01 in
in
C3 X
C3 X
o ■*
Tj( (M
<M
CO ■*
CI CO •*
(M CO ■<*< CD
CO
ojCH-
03 'X)
(M CO l^
03 I — I
CO Tt<
o o
01
in I— I
CO -^
(M C-
IM >n
CO ■*+
c: X
CO I— t
o in
<M
in
O 00
10 0> I— I Til
Ol CO -n* CO
CO CO »— I 1^-1 <-H ^
X O
CO -f
o o
01
CO Tt<
C3
CI m
CO X
03 l^
CO in
o ^
t- in
in Oj CO ■*
(M CO -^ CO
0 1
+^
0
ce J.
cc •
cr. f-i
C <=
a
o5r
+2 i>-
fi
.20
^(mcoth incot-co ^2'~'2JI 2Z122 IIj22S
720 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
o
02
rt
o
CD
a
ce
o
m
M-l
O
OS
l=!
a
O)
r-l
;3
02
c3
o
■ s
s
V.
S
<c
i-H
O
cS
>
• . — 1
0 10 -O
m CO CO CO
1— 1 CO ijf >— i
a> r- Tt< LO
t- C5 CO
'-0 C3 00 0
CO cc ^
10 13' CI -rtH
1 — ^ 1 — I 1 — I ^
05 t- 0 -+
1— 1 1— 1 1— H
CO 0 0 t-
CI ^
CI CO CO CO
CO "X)
0
3
CO t~ t- t^
CO 0; CO t^
CD »0 CO lO
CI t^ CJ OC
■^ 00 rH TtH
1-- 0 0 10
CO "* ,-(
CD ■* CO 10
1 — 1 r-^ r-^ ^^
cs t^ 0 -^
1—1 1—1 I-H
CO ^ c; I--
c<
cq CO -* CO
^'5 „
fC Or
-.-..
0; UO t- ^
0 C5 00 53
CO CO ^
tH CO ca
CO -* CI 10
r-l (— 1 1— I 1 — 1
CO CI t- CI
Ci r- C5 ^
1 — 1 1 — 1
CO in i^
Tf -H 0 CO
CI rH
m r-4 00
CI t- CO CO
« "XJ
0
2
^ <N C- 30
CD 01 GO lO
CO CO nH
CO -?! LO
10 ■* CO ■*
f— ( r— I F— t 1— 1
CO 0
03 c- c; 'i*
1—1 1—1
rH CO CI
■* 0 03 t-
Tt( t- '^
CI CD M CO
S?"^
0 <N CI ^
00 ■— 1 Oi CC
CO ■* r-l
-+ 0
CO C5 LO 1*
CI 0 t^ -t
0 rH 00
CO -i* C-1 10
1 — 1 1 — 1 1— 1 1— 1
CI 00 0 10
1— I 1— 1 1— H
Tt< --^ 0 t^
0 •-I
CI tr~ CO CO
^-o
3
i_o CO CO CO
00 rH -.Jl Tjl
^ rt ^ CO
CO CI C4 ^
CO OfJ 03
CO f-l C5 l^
CO -^ T-H
lO ■* CI •*
^1 1—! 1—1 1—1
0 CO 0 1^5
1— 1 t— 1 1— 1
-* CI rH t-
CI ^
CI c- CO m
f.^
,-iol
CO Ol 1—1 CO
CO Oi 0: 10
CO CO I-H
CO C3
10 -^ CO 4n
rH 1— 1 1— 1 1 — 1
c<i 0 in
CO CO ■* 00
■* C5 CO CJ
c> t- 0 CO
1— 1 1 — ! 1— 1
CO 0 0 CD
CI
d CO CO CO
2 00
^^
3
■* CO 05
05 CI 0; »0
CO Tt< 1— 1
lO CO CD
CO -rrH CO CO
1— 1 r— 1 r-l 1— <
LO C^ lO c~-
C3 CO 0 lO
1 — ! 1 — ^ 1— 1
CO t- cs 1^
4t* CI 0 t-
CJ r-^
CO 03 r-l
CI t^ Tti CD
^^
r^;^l
LO ^ Ti*
00 ^ 0 ^
CO ■* CI
00 1-H CO 00
I'o 'Ji C! LO
r— 1 1— ^ 1— 1 1— 1
CO ■■* t^ >0
03 00 0 4tH
1 — ^ 1— H rH
0; t^ CO
-* rH 0 t-
0 ^^
t- CO CI
CI t> ■<?• CO
rt'cl
CI 10 t^
CO GO CO LO
CO CO r-H
,-( a: i-o CO
>0 CI — < -H
F— 1 p— 1 r— 1 — '
CI t^
0 t~ 0 M
rr CO C5 CO
■<i( 0 c; CO
CI
l^ GO CO OC
CI 0 CO LO
r-H
f3cH-
rtlN
CI -* CI 10
CO 10 —H CO
-* -f CI
CD 10 CI
t^ 10 CO t^
r— 1 1— 4 F— I 1 — 1
1 — 1 -rtl 01
0 C3 1— CO
r— 1 r-H rH r— 1
U1 CO 10 CO
■># 10 CI 00
1^ CD LO Tl
(M t- 4f 1^
?i^
0
CO CO CO Tti
00 0 OC CO
CO ■<# .— 1
I- I- CI -+
10 CO CI LO
1— t r— 1 1— ^ 1— t
QC ^ CI
1— CO c: Ti<
00 -* C3 CO
Oi t^ 0 LO
1— 1 1 — 1 1 — 1
t)( CI 0 t-
CI ^
CI l> CO CO
00 0+
■-I'M
Q CO 0 ">o
^ -^ CI
r- 00 CO 10
0> r^ CO C5
cc ^ a-, cr.
CD CO 03 LO
10 CO CI CO
f— 1 1— 1 1— 1 1— (
C3 0 1— i 10
CO CO 0 t^
CI ■— 1
CI l^ CO CD
3
CO CO C^ CI
0 CI 0 CO
^ TTI CI
CD 1— 1 1— '. 1— '
10 4+1 ci CO
rH 1— H 1— H 1— 1
GO 1—
C3 0 rH in
1—1 I-H 1—1
m 05 CO ^
4j< CI -^ 00
CI rH
CI CO r^ "
M C- CO CD
oCH-
,-;n
CD CO Oi S3
00 0 QC 10
CO T*l 1-H
CO 0 CI
10 CO CI 10
^H 1— 4 i ^ 1 1
CI CO CO -3<
0 00 0 4t(
r— 1 1 — 1 1 — 1
CO LO 10
Tf ^ 0 C'
CI r-i
CO in 0
CI t^ -* in
Is
2CH
"I'M
cq t^ ic CI
0 CI 0 IC
Tt' -tH ca
CO ■*
CO Tt* CI CD
r- 1— 1 1 — 1 1— 1
CO CO OC C4
C5 CO 0 m
1 — I 1 — ^ 1 — 1
in -^ m
-<t CI r- t-
CI ^
10 -^ -i<
CI l^ -* CD
(—1
rtlN
CO CO
C> CI (33 CO
CO Th ■-<
r- r-l 'rh LO
LO -* CI >S)
1— 1 1— 1 1— 1 r^
1-^ CO' CO c;
0: 00 0 4(<
1 — 1 I-H f— (
r-l cq 00
■* CI 0 00
CI r-t
I- 03 03 CO
(M CD CO CD
'^
CI 10 CO
0 CI OJ CO
CO ^ ^
00 r-l CO
10 10 CO 10
I— 1 1— H f— 1 -H
00 -T" CO
00 CO 0 'n
1 — 1 1 — 1 1— 1
rH rH CO CO
Tt< CI 0 l^
CI 1-^
t^ in CI LO
CI t- Tt< CO
s^
w«
Oi 1-H 00 -Ti
00 1—1 Ci CO
CO '^ — <
^ CD
0 4)4 CO >o
1— 1 1 — 1 1— i 1 — 1
r^ I-H in
C3 00 0 ^n
1-H rH 1 — I
CO C^ CD
T}< CI 0 »
CI -H
03 CO t^ CO
C4 t- 00 CO
CI
0 X)
WPI
t-- CO
I- Ci Ol CO
CO CO 1—1
CO r- r- 00
CO -* CI 10
I— 1 r— 4 f— t 1— 1
^ in 0-5
0 t^ C5 -rtl
I-H rH
CI CO in CD
■"3* ^ 0 l-
CI rH
in CO 00 CO
CI t^ CO 0
g
1— I
1
t^ CO 10 t^
05 ^ 10 Oi
rH 00 -^
Os Oj Ow C^"^
CD I-H CO CI
t-' 0 <5i 10
CO TjH 1-1
ira Tj< CI 10
rH 1—1 1—1 rH
0 QC 0 'tl
1— 1 1— I 1— 1
CO 0 0 c-
CI I^- CO CO
s
5
1 i
1-1 CI CO ■*
>o CO » (»
0 0 1-" C4
CO Tt< in CO
1 — ^ 1 — ^ 1 — I 1 — 1
1— CO c; 0
^ -H rt C!
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY.
721
5*
e
s
e
CO
8
ft?
4ti
o
a
»o
Cq CO O lO
-H IC (M O
-t< ~t< <M
1-1 05
o o
oCH-
1 — 1 CO CO Csl
ro -f (M CO
-* -+• M
O O
eC r-l
in o <N oo
M 00
05 05
O CO
■^ cc
C3 O
tJi 1 — 1
•ts
t^ (M t^ GO
T— I ■^ ^H O
-f ^ (M
O O rH (M
T(H -h G^) 00
I> CO
t— I CO
CO CO
05 CO
00 »o
o o
t- CJ O M
CO
£Jo+
2^
■<* -H
^ -f '-1 CO
05
(M 00
■— I (M -H CO
■* ^ (M
r- lO CO 1— 1 05 1^ o GO o 00 -ti c)
CO CO (
o to
8^
I— I -H (>J ,-H
i—t CO ^* rO
■^ -t* (M
CO -*
o o
05 l^
C5 00
O 00
O 00
O LO
^ CO r-H CO
CO i-H
O »
o
CO
CO CO CO
O (M O O
-* ■* (N
■^ -f — 4 00
<M — <
C2
M OO
LO >0
4t< t^
GO Th
1-1 lO
Th 00
O 00
O lO
(M 00 00 00
■* (M O !>•
OO r-H
Tj( 1—1
co
t- 0+
CO
CO fQ
o
^H CO lO ^H
o ^ o o
n* TjH (M
CO CO Tt^ (M
CO CO ^H CO
00 -* t^
O t^ O LO
lO GO CO CO
■^ CO ^H t*
O O (M
«■) t^ T(< C-
co»o
■* Tti CO lO
CO --H CO
<M 00 ^ 00
(N 00 t^
'i' CO t- lO
C5 ^< O lO
CO Tt< IM
>0 CO - LO
f— * 1— i t-H
O t- t-H tJ*
fH i-H i-H
^ (M -H c-
C-1 t- tJ* CO
rti C- CO LO
C5 CO CO (N
<M -^ji 1— 1
t- 00 (M
t- "* tH
CO lO ^H CO
Tt< ■* (M
CO tJ( (M t^
O O -^ t^
' — I 0-1 I— I I — I
LO -* ^ 00
(M 1-1
C^ 00 -^ t>
<M "TO
CO
«}s
a> -*
<M LO •— I O
■* ■* <M
t~ LO CO CO
« CO ■>* 05
05 C5 -^ CO
■rt< CD ""^i
TjH Tt* <M 05
C-l I— I
tr- C^ -"it
Tl t^ tH I>
e^i uo o CO
(M tJ< o CO
Tti Tin (N
»0 CO C5 .— I
CO lO CO t~
I— ( CO CO ■^
O C5 -H CO
Tf Til
Tfl Ttl i-H 00
in ■<* (M CO
1— I t1< o CO
-* TtH (N
O ^H lO CO
CO »ft CO CO
-* (M 00
C5 O — I lO
Til
T}H ^ -H 00
^H lO (M
M t- tH I?-
CO CO f- 00
C] t> Tt< CO
C5
-1 0+
!>• (N GO I—
C5 (M 05 CO
CO ■* ^
LO 00 00
CO -^ (M O
■<* I> 00 CO
05 t^ O LO
-* CO
C<l lO
^ CO
to i-H CO
IM t^ T}< t^
LO
--10+
Ttl CO
Ci
CI C-l o o
CO ■># (M
GO (M CO
CO CO CI in
CO CO o
C5 00 O CO
-H 00
O f-H t-
C-l t^ t(< CO
CO
^■ft)
C5 -H o m
CO ■* (M
GO CO t^
CO CO CI LO
00 l> LO CO
05 1^ o m
CO
Tt (M
<M
r- GO
O I>
tn i—t I—I t~
<M i> •<# o
^CH-
o
-* C5 t^ 00
or, o <35 in
CO ■* — <
-* C- CO c-i
CO CO C-l CO
CO -H CO "*
C5 t^ O ■*
T* IM
<M
Tj* 00
CO CO -* ■-<
IM t- ■<*< I>
a
CO
LO
m
o
c
.2
2 ^
<N
O
a
rt Tti C^
c; <M
CO "^
CO
a> CO
r— I l^ Oi
CO Tt< C) tH
r-l IM IM
CO O CO
Ttl <M
CI
t^ CO
CO IM rt O
CI t- Tt< CO
2^
a
05 -*
IM t^
O O
C4
c~ •<# in t^
t- CO CO CO
00 r-H t^ 00
o o o CO
CO GO CO 0>
Ol 00
CI I
C5 (M OJ
CO l> -^ CD
5 "x)
CO
CO
00 o
t:^ in
C) C5 OO
in CO • 4t<
--( CO C5
C5 t^ O CO
GO iO
l^ 1^ CO <M
<M CO CO CO
LO
!M
a> CO
CO TjH
00 o
CO in
IN ■* CO
CO ■* CO in
t~- CO in r-H
CJ 00 O LO
O CO
tH IM
C-1
--4 GO
00 O CO 1^
CI t^ 4t< CO
r- CO C)
O iM
CO Tt<
O CO
C)
CO ir^ Tj< TjH
o in -# CO
CO CO 00 ^
05 t^ 05 CO
■^ CJ
CI
OS CO
o c^
rt CO lO
CO D- ■* CO
o
a
CO
CO CI
CO -*
CO
CI CO
CI Ttl
CO -^
I'o
CO CI r-H
O GO O LO
Tj< (M
cq
Ci t^
o t-
-H in 00 CO
CO t^ CO CO
gof
o
Ol tJI 00 t-
00 in
CO C3 I
CO CO I
tJ< ^ X CI
in ■>* 1-H in
C5 CI r-H r-H
00 t^ o -f
■<* o
«<l
CO
Tj< 00 c; 00
d CO CO in
CI
o
CO CO
■* CO
t~ LO
t- CO -H
rf< CI — < -f
CO r-H CO
CO CO O CO
CO
CO C5
C5 00
OC CO
CO O 1-H 00
CI CO rJ4 in
CO
-H CI CO -*
in CO t^ CO
C5 O ^ CI
CO -^
I- 00 C3 O
— — I ,-H CI
722
JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXFL
S
1
1 .-
.s f^ o
r^ 1— H
o
00
a
r- CO 02
O CO t-i lO
Ti< ■* w
r^ CO Ci (M
CO OO o >»
1 — 1 1-H 1 — 1 1 — i
00 t^ I> IC3
05 CO O ^
rH i-H rH
<M CO I> C^i
4)1 CO o I>
OJ r-l
(M to W C5
CM I> ■* CD
I— 1
1— 1
CO
T5
O
a
CD CO lO (M
CD 02 tr- lO
CO CO -H
CO t- Th
lO ■* r-^ T^
I— 1 1 — ^ F-H r— i
CO lO CO
OS CO O CO
1-H 1-H rH
■35 rH CO
CO rH O IT-
<M rH
»0 05
CM i ^ l>
,
=3
fcD
P-l
CO
00 >0 CO 00
CO 03 1—1 CO-
ITj rH CO IQ
CO -*
■* CM O C-
CO rH CO IT)
ci-1 t- 4)1 CO
o
t^ O 05 "O
CO -* ^
lO CO (M lO
■— ( 1— 1 1— 1 rH
OJ t- O CO
r-H 1-H rH
CO
•-</:*
r-H CO G^l C-J
O <M O^ CO
Tti T)< —
CN CO CO r-H
CO ^ M CO
f-H 1 — 1 1— 1 1 — 1
cq CO CO
O OO O lO
1 — 1 r-H 1-H rH
CO -r* C~ 00
r}l CO rH t^
(M 1-H
■>* CO l>
CO t- 4)1 CC
1
2
go+ 1
rtjM
1— I t~- t^ CO
00 05 00 i>
CO CO .—1
-rfl CO t^
CO ri< e-T CO
t— 1 r-H ( — ^ 1 — 1
C-l O CO c-
05 t- O CO
1 — ^ 1-H rH
r-H CO "O
-+> (M O t>
C^ Tjl C4
CM t^ •<# t>
CO
o
C- I- tH o
OJ O r^ rH
CO O lO CO
05 CJ5 rH r-H
CM TT. C/i
■^ t- 00 lO
CO CO ^
lo -* c-1 in
1 — 1 1 — i 1—* J — 1
Ci >0 OJ CO
r-H 1-H
CO 05 <35 O
1 — 1
c^^ CO m CC
•r-t
'sj
00 (M CO CO
CO o t^ lO
CO ■* r-1
t^ 00 lO
4tl CO ^ ■<*
.—1 I — 1 1— ( i-H
f- 00 CO
00 I-- C5 CO
1-H 1-H
CC (M
■rtf rH O C^
C-1 '-*
CO ^ CO
CM CD ^ CO
O
1— 1
r^
^^ Ttl 00 OJ
00 o o^ >c
CO tH rH
lO OS t-- OO
lirs 4}< -^ lO
r-H r-l r-l .—1
<M CO O-l CO
C5 t- O •*
,-^ r^ r-i
t- Tji I> irr
^ (M O t-
CM ^
C~ CM -rH CO
CM t^ -^^ CO
r+,1
i?q M CO (M
CO o oi o
CO Ti^ r-l
00 CO 00
lO "* oi lo
1 — 1^1 — 1 1 — 1
CO 00 t- CO
C5 t- O ^
1 — i 1 — 1 r-H
lO C-4 CO rH
4t* CM O CO
(M rH
CO (M CO
CM C- 4w CO
2
1^ C/3 T-l
•
rHJOl
00 rH CO
c^ la I— 1 CD
Ti< Tf c^
cr> CO lO CO
i> 4fl M CO
rH i-H r-H 1— 1
CO Til -*
o o -^ i
1 — 1 Cvt rH 1-H
LO 00 ^
TH -rtl ^ CO
CM r-H
CO CO rH ff^
C>1 C- l« t^
1
CO
o .
pq
S ^
H)t.
IC r-H C^ CO
00 O 05 lO
CO tH t-H
t^ C^ CO CO
lO ^ <M lO
r— 1 rH ^H rH
m CM
• CO o lO
r-i —^ <-i
CM CO CO c:<i
tH c^5 o t-
CM ^- 4)^. t'
o
go+
o
a
c- lO r- c-5
00 -^ O CO
CO -^ M
CO Tt< CO xH
CO Tfl C) »o
1 — 1 1 — 1 1 — 1 r-H
rH C- CO CO
<35 t^ O "*
1 — I r^ 1 — 1
00 CD Ttl t^
CO C-1 O t--
CM ^
Cq t- rtl t>
1
5o+
"m
Tj< ■* 00 ITS
CO 00 t- lO
CO CO r-(
lO CO (M CO
lO CO C-l lO
^H 1-H ,-H r-H
rH CO C>1 t-
<3J O O CO
1 — ^ 1 — 1 rH
GO CO CO
1* o 05 CD
CM
CM CO CO O
• •-<
1— <
13^
o
a
00 1— 1 ^ CO
« C5 CO lO
CO CO r-l
lO ^ >0 CO
lO CO r-H lO
1-H 1 — 1 f-H 1 — 1
1-H fi<| 1-H
• o o -^
1 — 1 1 — 1 1 — I
rH Til (M
4(1 O 05 t~
r)1 00 rH -*
C?5 CO 4i< t-
•5
*
1
1^
c3
Is
Pi
o
O
o^
H«
f- iO CO
,li Ti< ^ CO
^ ''f C<)
C5 CO 00
t- CO cr o
1 — 1 rH r-H rH
C- c- CO I--
C5 CO O O
O CO C- r-H
-^ 4tl r-H 00
CM r-A
C- xi' CD <M
c^^ r- 4)1 ir-
O
SCH-
rJpt
o: CO CO c<>
O C-^ '-^ "^
T}< Tt* <M
C-1 CO lO c^
t^ '^ CM CO
r-H 1 — 1 1 — 1 1^
CM C- CO r-l
O CO o '^
r-H 1-H 1 — 1 — H
C- 00 CO
4jl CO 1-H (i)
cq r^
00 ■* CO
CM on ■* t-
3
^
§o+
r^
CO GO <rC| M
OO o o o
CO ^ (M
CO CO CO CO
o 4}i -^ iirs
1-H r-H 1-H F-H
-.^H CM (M -+
(35 t- O 'J^
rH 1 — 1 rH
C-l CO tX! lO
4>< M O t-
CM t- 4t< tb
o
•i-t
s
P5
1—4
rJ!«
»0 00 iCl --<
(M ^1 rH CO
Tj< -* Cq
O -^ r-H
CO 4)H -co
1 — 1 r-H 1-H
CO r-H OJ C^
Oi C: o «>
r-H ,-H rH
C- t~ 00 Tli
-* -il rH 00
(M ^^
(M 00 4j< t-
pi
rJ|M
lO ^ 00
CI ^ 05 CO
CO TJH .-H
CO t^ CO
CO CO o "^
1 — i r-H 1 — 1 1 — 1
lO O r-H
cjs 00 o >o
^1 -H ^^
1— 1 <M 00 t^
tJI Ci o c-
C-5 ^
cj^j t~ 4)( t-
■1
ilit[9uTS
-I'M
o >o -^ t^
OS r-l O »0
CO Ti* (M
^ C5 CO
O CO rH lf»
1 — 1 rH rH r-H
CO CO c- lO
05 r~ o >o
r-t i-H
CO -^ r-H r-
4jl CO r-H t-
CM t-4)' t-
•uigui'a
1—1
r^:oi
ir> CO ^-^ -*
f- C5 OJ lO
CO CO r-l
O CM tH c-q
O CO o >o
rH rH 1-H rH
rH Tjl C- CO
OJ CO o> 4h
1-i r-f
(M 05 (M r-
4)1 rH O I>
CM rH
(M CO ■^ t^
'1
ungred^'BX'
1— 1
o
•a
00 CO ^
01 o .^ o
CO ■!# oq
CO CO 05 O
I'O CO O »^
r-* ^-i ^A '^^
CO IC3 -* ^
05 t^ O -^
r-H rH I-H
T)l CO rH C^
CM rH
(M t- Tf< t^
53
Ba-BUlTS-BJI
r-]«
lO CD r-l
r^ CO M O
-* Ti< c-1
lO OJ CO rH
CO CO O '^
rH r-H p-H ^H
r- CO CO CO
is 00 o >»
rH 1 — 1 1-H
lio ->^ c- lo
4)1 4h ^ 00
M t-4(i t-
§
•55 .
ta o
' -£ 1
03 1
. . . . . . . . . . - •
^ CI CO Tf
lO CO I> 00
0> O r-H ffq
1— 1 1 — ^ 1-H
CO ^ m CO
,^ ^^ ,-i r-{
t- 00 <> o
,-t r-A •-* a
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY.
723
8
05
0)
a?
a
<0
«
CO
S
1
o
2cH
^in
<M m i-H o5
p (M f1< i>
tH -* (M
16-8
15
12-5
16-2
05 00 t> IM
OJ GO O lO
rH I-H I-H
f-H t- lO -H
Tt( (^1 -^ oo
CO GO i^t CO
o
2CH-
-<;-N
O 10 O rH
C5 (M o O
M Tl* (M
l> CO 00 t^
CO rtl rH lO
-— * I-H ^H r-H
GO M C^
O t- O "O
r— 1 ^H rH -H
'* —1 -H CO
Tf C^ -^ O)
!TI -H
CO <M OS
CI 1^ •# CO
o
«1«
«<l O CO CO
ei 1-H o CO
CO Tj< (M
t^ t^ ^ 00
CO 4« M CO
I-H I-H l^H ^H
C5 00 O -JjH
i^ f-H -H
<M -H
GO ^ CO I>
OJ 00 tH O
I-H
rJfil
05 .^ O !0
CO Tt* (M
CO O lO CO
UO CO ^ lO
I-H i-H I-H I-H
CO O M t^
C5 00 O "*
I-H ^H r-H
CO CO
CO (M -H t-
t^ t^ t> iM
IN CO tH CO
00
2of
rH|«
C-1 t> t^ (M
lO -rl* tH t^
>0 t- CO (?1
CO (M 00 I*
CO -H 00
00 O <35 O
CO tJI ^
^ ^ v\ \a>
I-H I-H ^H ^H
02 [-- O i-O
^ c^i o i>
M t- CO CO
I-H
•^M
00 CO lO o
O -* to Ttl
lO ^H CO ^H
GO C5 -H -Jt
CO 00 l> (M
O OO O lO
CO CO --H
lO ■* <N IQ
I-H f-H I-H I-H
05 t^ O CO
rH f-H ^H
CO o o t^
(M -H
M CO CO CO
•«*
s
o
1
8
«o
S
1
SI)
d
20+
.„
00 lO 00 I-H
I-H CO O CO
T*< TjH (N
lO CO I-H i-l
CO -* (^^ t-
I-H I-H rH I-H
O 05 ^ CO
I-H 1 — 1 ,-H f-H
■^ CO (N •*
■* -V f^ O)
(M —1
CO coco CO
<M t^ -i* t-
W«
.-H r^ O l:~
(X) (M GO OJ
lO 1 — 1 O^ ^H
O CO CI
CO l-~ -JH C^
c-l l> ■* t^
O 00 O lO
Tl( ■* <M
lO -t< ^ o
I-H r-H f-H I-H
C5 GO O CO
^H I-H f-H
■^ CO CD t-
C-4 f-H
2°+
r*'
-H Tt( -* (M
r-< CO CO ■*
(M 00 CO GO
CO t- CO I-H
tH CO (N 00
O i-H -H CO
CO ^ <M
CO Tt< <M CO
I-H I-H r-H r-H
05 t- O "*
r-( — H -H
■^ (M O t-
(N -H
<M t- -* CO
I-H
r-H
o
3
cn ^ c-\ r-i
C-1 C- 00 r-H
GO C<) 00 t^
CO (N t-
CO t^ CO 05
CI r- rH CO
O CO o o
Tf -^ c^^
CO -* ^ CO
r-H I-H I-H I-H
C5 GO O »0
-H -H -H
^ -H _H 00
I-H
H«i
ai ■* o I-H
GO 00 (N
^ CO -* ■»
I-H Tt< -H C>
t^ -* 00
t^ o ci CO
CO tH ^
O Tt( CO CO
I-H I-H I-H I-H
05 t^ O CO
I-H pH I— H
tj< — 1 o CO
IM -H
CI t^ -^ CO
S^5
r^l«
OS lO GO
o CO o ^
Tl< TjH ai
l^ CO t^ G<1
CO >0 (>1 CO
I-H -H rH r-H
00 CO t-
05 C5 O "O
r-H ^H f-H
-H Oi (M
Tt* (M pH i>
(N I-H
CO ft o la
<M t- Ttl O
.a
1
d
o
1
CO CO CO
t- o o »o
CO ■* (M
Tj( CO ■* -H
UO CO C^l CO
I-H rH ^H I-H
(M ^H t^ r^
Oi f- O -#
^^ ^H ^^
l^ 00 -H
T)f .Ih is t^
CM t^ ^
(T^l CO ■* «>
O
a
IQ CO O
r- c^ 00
tH <M t^ lO
I-H <M fH
CO ■* 00 CO
t- OJ 00 >o
CO CO --<
lO -^ M IS
I-H I-H I-H I-H
Cft O O ^
f-H ^H -H
tK -« o t>
(N -H
(M CO CO C^
H«
CO •* 00
o 0-1 C5 lO
■* Tt* ^
r— < Ttt r-H --^
CO -^ CO CO
I-H I-H -H I-H
O CO -H lO
I-H f-H -H I-H
30 — < ■*
-* l?1 f^ (»
C-l -H
CO CO CO
<N l> t}< CO
S
1
1
h
o —
E-
5^
r-H
o
C5 CO •* CO
,1h 4j< C5 >0
■rtl tH -H
■»!< CO Ol o
CO -i* ^ CO
^H ^H I-H ^^
I-H l^ t^
o o> "^ 'fs
I-H ^H ^H ^H
t^ CO CO lO
■* "i^ f^ 00
C^l -H
lO tK CO
<Jl t^ tH t- 1
i-H
r-lM
Oi -* 00 -*
00 C^ t^
I-H CO t^ CO
era CO 1(0
t- ■* rf< — •
o (M a5 CO
Tt< ■* t-^
lO -^ CO no
I-H I-H I-H I-H
O 00 O 'O
^H -H I-H I-H
IM I> •<# t^
1— t
O
d
a
t- IT- CO
O <M O ■»
^ ■* iM
lO -H CO
CO -i< (M CO
r-H I-H ^H I-H
lO 05 C- -H
03 GO O «0
Ttl CO — 1
Ttl CO -H 00
f>^ -H
CO (N f*! 00
(M t- rfi CO
-d
o
d
a
OO t- C-J '^
C5 (ji o «b
CO ■* <M
t^ (M 00
CO iC CO CO
r-H f-H I-H I-H
^ C- O l^
O 00 -H lO
I-H I-H I-H r^
CO CO l^ c^l
tH (M O 00
O 'CO CO c^ 1
N t- tH to
1
^o+
rd
o
d
a
t^ -+ CO CO
C5 .^ 00 CO
CO ^ --<
0> rH CO
CO C2 05 00
CO CO a> i^
CO >0 t~ 1
CO 'i* S^l O
f-H rH r^ 1^
O t- O -H
^H I-H -H
Tt< Ol o i^
C-l -H
(M t^ Tjl t- 1
1
I-H
^1
lO 00 -*
05 -^ O CO
CO tJ< nH
CO t^ CO 00
O CO S-T 'O
I-H -H -H — t
05 -H 00 00
00 CO O '-"5
I-H -H -H
CO S> "* C'l
tH 01 — 1 ciD
00 CO CO Tti
(M t^ tH to 1
r^
Tj4 00 CO "*
O -H 05 CO
CO ^ rH
35 r-H CO lO
lio »b C'l >o
f-H I-H f-H f-H
Ttl (M 00 t-
Oi 00 O "^
I-H f-H I-H
■* 01 — t-
CO Ol CO 00
(N CO ■* CO
d o
s
tl i
-*^ .'.
• • c3
<D --"
Ho
,-H *■) CO 'M^
LO -O C M
O O -^ <M
r-H -H ~H
CO -X lO CO
-H -H -H -H
r- CO cri o
-H — 1 -H (M
724
JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
o
o
O
f-i
2
^
o
aj
"B
o
CO
a
!:yi
g
to
to
■*^
e
to
1
.2 •
i-H (M CO
00 o c:' LO
CO TjH ^
00 lO tH
>o eo (M o
I-H (— ( f— * I-H
05 00 ^ O
I-H I-H I-H
rM CI
-* -H o 00
CI pH
t- CO I> 00
CI O CO o
CD
(M t- t-
i> -i* CO lO
eo 1-H (M (M
CD ■* Ol CI
'* i# 00 ^
t^ O 00 lO
eo TiH r^
»0 '^ (M lO
T-H I-H 1-H I-H
O 00 o tH
I-H F-l ^H
eo o c> t^
CI
CI CD eo CD
<M (>> to
t^ C5 ai lo
CO CO i-H
CO 02 t- t-
lO CO (M lO
1— 1 r-l .-H -H
(M 1-H ■*
OS t^ O rt*
1-H I-H I-H
tr- m ^
-* O O tr-
CO 00 05
CI CO M O
S^
■* t- CO 05
00 eo lO eo
05 00 O Ti<
I- 00 CI TjH
CO IC t-
CO Ol OO lO
CO CO ^
lO TjH (M lO
I-H ^H 1 — 1 I-H
00 CO o Tjt
1-H 1-H
CO o o t-
d CO CO CD
o
-* CO '^ CO
CD 00 00 ID
CO CO p^
OO CO Oi
lO (M -H Tt<
I-H f-H . — \ i—i
CO !M
<i) t- o -*
f-H 1-H I-H
CO c^ C5 eo
eo o C5 c^
CI
lO iCi CO o
d o eo CO
Gwalior,
B. M. 15^7^2
12 ^o
H«
f-l t^
Ol rH O CO
CO Ttl (M
(M CO eo
CO n< (M CO
I-H ^H -H ^t
CO t^ CO
^ C5 CI
Ci ^^ I-H
C5 Ol O lO
1-H 1-H I-H
i# ^ f-H 00
CI 1-H
d C- •* CO
1— 1 ■* CO IM
t- t^ c^
00 00 CO ^
CO CD ■* t^
t^ CO — 1 ^
05 1— 1 O CO
CO -* IM
CO tJI CO CD
1-H 1-H I-H I-H
o t- o >o
1 — 1 I-H i-H
■^ CI r-t t-.
CI 1-H
CJ l> T^H CD
-~ 1
»0 CO -^ ■*
lO <M I> "*
lO 00 eo M5
CI eo c^ OO
00 I-H 03 ^
00 o O lO
CO TjH CI
m CO r^ CO
I-H 1 — ^ 1 — I 1 — 1
Oi CO o -#
r^ f^ ^^
■* r-l O t-
d I-H
d t- eo CD
^CH
H«
CO t^ lO ai
lO i> oo >o
eo CO r-H
t- lO -^ Oi
lO -^ (M ■*
I-H I-H I-H I-H
C5 CO ^ t-
00 CD o eo
1-H 1-H 1-H
CD iO
eo o c> t-
Cl
00 00 CO d
d CO e^ CO
TO lO
XI, a>
c^^
r^m
CO lO CO
Ir- I-H CO CD
(M c-l eo 00
CD lO C5
1-H »o eo
CO 00 -^ CD
CO lO -co
CD -^H eo t-
1 — 1 1 — 1 f-H I-H
O O ^ CO
I-H i^J r-l hH
■^ ■ CI CO
1 — 1
ce M
^ CM
??Of
rtlel
00 >C CO
lO 1* CO ■*
LO CO CO t^
05 CO >Cl O
eo CO m
t- O Oi lO
eo Tt* i-i
lO rt* (?■) lO
I-H I-H I-H ^H
C5 I-- O 'i*
f-H ^H ^H
eo ^H o c^
CI I-H
d CO I* CO
g?CH -^
eo cq t- C5
t> -(< CO
^ -H -rH CO
00 CO CO lO
cod 05
t~ 05 00 lO
CO CO ^
CD 1+ CO lO
I-H 1—1 1 — \ ^^
05 t^ O CO
1 — I f-H 1 — 1
eo o O t^
CI I-H
d c- eo CO
p ^
-.te^
lO ■* lO CO
O <M O CO
T*( ■* (M
CO -H CD
CD lO C-1 t>
I-H I-H 1 — 1 1 — 1
00 00 00 CO
05 OO O »0
f-H I-H f-H
eo >o t^
■^ CO ^ V-
Cl -H
O lO IC ■*
d f- 4tH CO
o
g
lO lO 00 00
O "M O CO
Tj< ■* C-l
tH ,-H eo
CO tH (>1 CO
I-H ^H rH ^1
t^ t^ 00
O CI O lO
1 1 , ^ I-H
t- lO eo
-f< CI -^ (i)
CI — (
■* rH TfH
eo i> -* CO
CO
rti«
l>(M TtH 00
00 -^ <35 lO
CO ■'JH -H
CO OO 00
CO M rH CO
I-H -H rH ^H
00 CI CI
C5 t^ O 'O
^H 1 — \ r-^
-n CO CI
-# CI O 00
CI r-(
eo d t- CO
CI l> 4i< CD
1—1
-.^
<N ^ OO O
C<1 t- 00 OO
eo t^ (M lO
C5 CD lO CD
•^ Hi Si r-t
00 O 00 lO
CO ■* ^
lO CO ^ I*
f—t f-H I-H F-H
C3 t- O 'i^
I-H ^H 1-H
CO -H o t-
CI r^
d CO CO o
f-H
rti«
00 00 >o c^
l> O 00 lO
eo ^ I-H
>0 •<* CO lO
I-H I-H f-H I-H
I-H 1-H d r^
05 l> O -^
1-H 1— H 1-H
t- 00 CO
eo .-< o 00
CI ^
TfH CO 00 lO
d CO CO CO
1-H
: 00 Tti t^ 00
rQ ....
o t- o 00 ici
g CO -^ r-1
CO lO 00 <M
IC CO ^ lO
f-H f-H r—l I-H
CD CD 00
C5 t^ O eo
hH 1 — t I-H
OO eo CI rti
eo -H o t^
CI nH
Tt< r-1 O
d I- 1* CO
I2af
o
a
lO Oi t^ CI
cq 00 tM (M
CI CI CI CD
CO O ■* CO
-+I C5 ■^.
t^ C3 Oi IC
eo eo r^
CO CO (M lO
— 1 I-H ^H ^H
o t~ o ■*
^^ ^^ ^^
Tt< --H O O
CI I-H
d t^ CO CO
1 — 1
CO G3 » l^
'o CO (» 00 lO
S CO CO ^
d
lO 05 t^
lO eo <M ic
1 — ^ I-H I-H 1 — 1
c:, CO
CI t- C5 -^
1 — 1 ^H
C5 lO 00 CI
CO O C5 l^
CI
Tt< -* 00 eo
d CO CO o
Sli
.2
Teeth : State
of Wear : —
1— 1 C-l CO -rtl
kO CO t^ 00
C5 O —1 'M
I-H I-H I-H
eo Tt* L-i »
I-H I-H f-H ^H
t> OO 03 O
^H I-H 1 — ^ CI
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY
7-2
O
• i-H
O
to
O
CO
t-l
o
a
0)
r-l
O
t-i
CO
OS
.93
ft'
8
•JOUOOQ
«:«
<N (M lO CO
CO 05 t^ iC
CO CO -H
OS 00
lO CO -M ■*
1— 1 1— 1 1-H r-H
'O OS t^
00 CO O CO
^H ^H ^H
00 CO ^ CO
CO o o t-
CI fH
Ttt 00 'H <M
CJ CO CO o
S. and E.
Mysore.
00
CO 0+
--!«
CO Tt<
00 rH as CO
CO -* rt
Cq CO CO -^
tH iM t)* <M
■>^ ir- ■"!< O
»0 00 00 CO
CO -^ (M lO
^^ r^ ^^ 1-^
OS 00 O '•'5
^H f^ fH
tJ< F-( o t^
CI CO CO CO
00 "o
rt|M
IQ Tt< CO
00 O OS lO
CO ■«*( rH
C<l t- CO
CO Tt< M CO
^H ^^ ^H ^^
lO C<1 ■* I-
00 CO 00 Tj*
•O fh t^ 00
OS 00 o ■*
fH -^ F-H
CO >-< o t-
C-1 P-H
M t^ CO lO
o
OS (M
CO OS -co
CO CO
00 ■* CO cq
CO CO fH OS
CO fH CI
■^ 00 00 00
^ <n ^ ^
t-H f-^ f— ( ^H
00 t^ O CO
CO • o 1^
F-H
CI CO CO o
OS ^D
«I«
CO Tt< CO
C- CO <N OS
CO CO ■<* ^
OS o» c^ c<
CO '^ ^ tH
OS r-( O CO
CO ■* (M
CO -^ CO lO
^H ^H r-H I— )
OS 00 O lO
r^ ^H pH
CO fH o t-
Cq -H
Cfl t- -"J* CO
o
OS .^ 00 c»
CO OS t^ >o
CO CO -^
CO ^ CO -H
lO 4< CO lO
r— ( 1— ( r— 1 F-H
CO 00 !M CO
OS I- o CO
r-t fH »— (
lO CI CO
CO O OS t-
c<
CO CO 00 ca
CI CO CO CO
13
O cS
2o+
T— 1
o
a
as ic
rX cis • ic
CO CO
r- <N »c as
-* CO — 1 CO
(M 00 CO lO
OO lb OS CI
F-H F-H
lO ph 00 l>
CO OS 00 CO
^H
(M eo CO <N
CI CO CO -i
o "Sd
r^'.U
f-H CO OO CO
<M OS 00
^H ^H OS r-H
1^ CO r-f »
00 CO ^ CO
-H •-*< o CO
Tj( Tjf S<»
CO >-0 (M O
^H r~i ^H i—{
O OS o »
I-H F-H pH F-H
Ti< CO ^ t-
C» F-H
CJ I- rt< CO
OO
2
S
C^ CO OS OS
OS (M OS lO
CO ^ — 1
^H CO r-H
cq (M 00 t-
Ttl t^ tH -■#
00 00 CO
CO -* ^1 o
nH F—t -^ r— (
OS 00 o o
fH rM F-H
-# C? fH l^
cq fh
CI t- -H CO
Dliarwar,
B. M.
12-6-29.
CO ,
03 *0
r^|«
CO 00 <N M
OS I-H 05 CO
CO ■* ,^
<N CO --1
CO tH M CO
00 lO 00 CO
cq lO OS r~
r- M 05 rH
s
o
OS OO o -*<
^H fH fH
-1< c^ o c-
CI -H
CI t- CO CO
CO
G5 01-
a
^ TtH tH
CO OO 00 CO
CO CO r-(
<M CO CO CI
lb CO (^^ lb
^H F-H pH ^H
CJ X (M — <
OS CO o -n
fH pH r-H
00 CO lO
CO o o c-
C<l -H
t^ !>• t- C^
cq CO CO >b
g
Co
O
co
«oO+
h;«
tH c- oj
OS CO CO CO
<M OS t)( CO
tJI C* CO t)<
00 I-H N cq
f
O «^ OS >o
Tj* TJH -H
lO tH CO CO
^H ^H ^H ^H
CSl 00 r^ lO
F-H -H -H
■^ C<l fH t-
Cq fH
CJ C- CO CO
1—1 ,
o
CO OS CO
OS -H OS iffl
CO -^ --I
pH — h
O -* (M CO
1-H rM 1 ^ r— 4
CO CO c^ CO
OO CO CO lO
lO CI CO ■*
OS OO o ^
r-H ^ F-H
CO -H O l^
CI -H
5^1 CO CO CO
2
lO ^
CQ
OS Tl4 00 CO
•-H CO CO OS
lO ;o iCi CO
lO O F^
CO >0 00 CI
CO OS C^ lO
CO CO .-H
CO '^t CI lO
^H p-H r-H 1-H
OS t- O CO
^H F — i f-H
CO O O I-'
ca —1
C^ CO CO CO
5 CO
OS
J'-
c3 CO
CO „
CO CH-
CO
CO ^O
tX fH f-H
O CI .-H CO
tJH Tj( cq
CO 00
CO ■^ CO lO
OS t~ CO
OS 00 --^ lO
■* 00
Tj< CO fH t-
CI —I
c- (^ Oi
CO i> -* CO
r^ CO O CO
tJ< -* CI
fh CO CO CO
CO -* CO CO
OS CO CO lO
OS OS —I o
CI Tit CO F-H
-H CO -H GO
Ca r-l
OO t- CO CO
(N t- ■* CO
■^ F-H
t^ O OS CO
CO -"IH — I
CO CO CO lO
CO -Ft* C5 lO
CO F-1 CO
OS C~ O -^
OS CO CO ■*
CO -H o t-
C<) fH
■^ OS CO
CI CO "* CO
0+
!>• CO F-H
00 -^
CO tH
CO
t^ OS CO cq
CO M CI CO
t-- cq CO OS
OS 00 o ■*
CJ OS »o
O 00
-# F-H
cq
CO cq lO
CI t- ■* CO
as
CO CH-
00 o
CO -*
■F* CO ■* -H CO CI CO
OS CO
CO "* cj m
CO t^ CO CO
OS c- O ■*
-# -H
CI
lO CD
t— OS rH F-H
C? CO t)* CO
r- ,
CO "T)
o
OS OS 00
t~ O 00 o
CO -* -^
fH F-H CO
CO Tfl C<I CO
CI
OS 00 I-H lO
-H C- F-H
CO -*
CI
C<1 lO
Tt< CO rjt CO
CI C- -^ CO
CO 'O
o
iocO'-<r-H TttooOi-H co;0"*os
CO -<* CI CO OS l^ O '^^
t^ O OS CO
CO -JH --I
CI
00 CO
OS t-
Tj< —1 CO
d t- •* CO
^0+
CO OS ^t — I
r- 00
CO CO
OS CO
t^ CI CO
CO CO CI lO
CO lO ■* OS
OS r- o CO
■* o
CI
O I-
CO 00 F-H
CI CO •* CO
CO "X)
o
CI Tt( lO OS
r^ O 00 LO
CO -t< -H
CI CO OS CO
CO -* (i> lb
■<* CJ 00 CO
OS t- o •^
OS 00 -H UO
CO o o t-
C1 -H
lO 00 00 CO
CI CO CO CO
.2
D I
n J.
fhc^coth uocot-oo oso--"^^ 52;:*)22 5z;22ci
(7'o be continued.)
7i!6
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY.
No. XX.
By Oldfield Thomas, f.r.s.
(Published by permission of the Trustees of the British Museum).
^.— NOTES ON THE GENUS CHELI0NE8.
When writing on the members of the large genus Meriones
(A. M. N. H. (9) III. p. 263, 1919), I came to the concision
that the Indian species of recent years known as Meriones hurriance,
the Desert Gerbil, is so distinct from all of them that it deserved
generic separation, and I founded for it the genus Cheliones.
Its chief chai'acters are that the animal is of a more burrowing
habit than ordirar}^ Meriones, and in correlation with this, the
ears are quite short, the fore-claws elongated, and the skull
strongly built, much bowed, and with comparatively small bulla3.
In Meriones the fore-claws are decidedly shorter than the hind,
the ears are long, the skull lightly built, and the bullse very large
— all characters of surface-living, desert animals.
The range of the genus extends from the North-West frontier
and Baluchistan, just penetrating Afghanistan, on the west,
through the great Indian Desert of Rajputana to Delhi, on the
east, and Kathiawar on the south.
Throughout the greater, and lowland, part of this area the
species, though variable, shows no local specialization, but when
the higher grounds of the North-West Frontier and Baluchistan
are reached we get a certain difference which may be suitably
recognized by the formation of a special sub-species.
Cheliones hurriance collinus, subsp. n.
Size apparently slightly greater than in true hurriance, but
owing to the scarcity of specimens in which the basilar suture has
closed, it is difficult to make certain of the degree of difference.
Colour above on the average darker and grayer, while below the
whole under surface, apart from the white chin, is broadly and
prominently washed with strong buffy, the bases of the hairs being
dark slaty, the total ventral colour resulting being conspicuouslj^
darker than in hurriance, in which the hairs are usually
washed with white or pale buffy, and their bases are either wholly
white or at most pale slaty.
Skull slightly larger and the palatal foramina longer and more
widely open than is usual in hurriance, though there is much varia-
tion in this respect.
Dimensions of the type: — Head and body, 150 mm. ; tail, 150 ;
hindfoot, 32-5; ear, 11. Skull, median length, 36-7; diagonal
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 727
length, to back of bnllae, 37*2 ; condylo-basal length, 33"5 ; zygo-
matic breadth, 21*3; interorbital breadth, 6-8 ; bi-meatal breadth,
19-5; palatal foramina, 6-1 ; diagonal length of bullee, 13; back
of bulli© to front of meatal swelling, 8-8; upper molar series, 5-5.
An old male sknll with closed basal suture has a median length
of 38-5.
Habit : — Hilly region to the north-west and west of the Indian
Desert. Type from Kohat, North- West Frontier, 1,000-
1,700', Other specimens from Attock, Khelat-i-Ghilzai, Afgha-
nistan, and Baluchistan, (Wad and Dasht in the far south-west).
Type: — Young adult Female (basilar suture not closed). B. M.
No. 7.6. 8. 7. Original number 31. Collected 23rd February
1907. and presented by Capt. C. H. T. Whitehead.
^.—CHANGE OF COAT IN THE COMMON PALM
SQUIRREL— AN APPEAL.
By R. C. Wroughton, F.z.s.
In connection with the identification of two series of the three-
striped jungle squirrel, obtained by Capt. P. Gosse, R.a.m.c, I
have again examined all the available material of the (southern)
three-striped Palm-Sqiiirrel, as distinguished from the (northern)
five-striped Banyan-Squirrel. Unfortunately though the total
number of specimens is considerable, it is composed of series
representing only one season of the year for each locality.
These squirrels may be divided into three groups, viz : — (1) the
squirrels (palmarum.^ living commensal with man ; (2) those
species living wild in the jungle in localities of comparatively
heavy rainfall (tristriatus, ivroughtoni, numarius) ; and finally (3)
those living in the more arid country of the Dekhan (rohertsoni).
In all these forms there appears to be a seasonal chang(5 of coat,
very much marked in fristriatus, &c., less so in palmarum., and
little more than indicated in rohertsoni.
In tristriatus the new coat of the year is assumed about
December-January, by the shedding of the old coat and its com-
plete renewal, i.e., by a " moult." In this coat the general ground
colour (some shade of " grizzle ") extends over the whole upper
surface of the body ; broken only by the darker saddle-mark, never
more than brown in colour, which in its turn carries the three
longitudinal buffy stripes.
With the end of February or the beginning of March the first
indication of modification of the coat begin to appear, usually, but
by no means always, commencing by the formation of black
patches, in the saddle mark, upon the shoulders, which spread back-
wards, until, some time between July and November, the whole
of the back is black with white stripes, while, as a secondary detail.
728 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
the face, in front of the ears, takes on a golden red colour. This
face colour seems to be all that remains of the "seasonal" (I use
the term without prejudice) change in robertsoni, while 'palmarum,
though showing some signs of the black coat never dons it in its
entiretj?", at least I have never seen an example.
I believe it may be accepted that the new coat put on at the
beginning of the year is the result of a true moult, but how the
later changes are brought about, whether all individuals undergo
them, to what extent they are effected, if at all, by climate and
environment we have not sufficient material to justify even a
guess.
I would appeal to members to arrange with the Society to send
in for examination series (three or four or more pairs) of their local
squirrel in each month round the year. Such series will be most
valuable if consisting not only of the forms living in the jungle far
from human habitations, but equally of the forms frequenting the
bungalow verandah, in City or Cantonments ; the ow\j proviso
being that all specimens of any series are obtained as near as
possible from the same spot, and of course all specimens must be
dated without which their value is lost.
0.— TWO NEW FORMS OF THE '' l^UNAMBULUS
TRISTRIATU8 " GROUP.
By R. C. Wroughton and Winifred M. Davidson.
In a collection of mammals made by Captain P. Gosse, partly
in the Nilgiris and partly at Khandalla, are included two series of
Funamhulus, one from each locality. These two series differ not
only between themselves but also from any named form in the
Museum Collection.
Mr. H. C. Robinson has recently described (Records Ind. Mus.
xiii, 1, p. 41, 1917) a new form of iristriatus under the name
annandalei. In default of authenticated specimens of true tri-
striatus Mr. Robinson adopted specimens from Kanara, for compa-
rison, as representing tristriatus, not knowing (I.e. footnote) that
these Kanara specimens had been allotted to a new form, numarivi?.
The British Museum has a series, sent by Capt. H. Ferguson,
from Trevandrum, which are undoubted tristriatus, with the type
of which they agree in all essential particulars. We find it there-
fore difficult to believe that there is another form in Travancore
without evidence of much greater divergence than is shown in the
description of amiandalei.
The description of these two new forms will render necessary
considerable alterations if not the complete remodelling, of the
Key to the Genus in Wroughton's Summary later on. Here we
would merely point out that for the present the sleek coat of the
SCIENTIIIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 729
palmarum group as compared with the rougher, more ragged-
looking, fur of the jungle dwellers is a better guide to diagnosis
than size of the respective skulls.
The following are descriptions of the two new forms : —
FUNAMBULUS THOMASI, sp. nOV.
A Funambulus of the tristriatus group, slightly smaller than F.
tristriatus and numarms, and considerably smaller than F. wroughto7ii.
Fur about 8 mm. long, fine but not so silky as in tristriatus, the
coat having a rougher appearance. General colour of body apart
from the dorsal area grey grizzled with ochraceous, less warm in tone
than in wwrnarms ; saddle patch, approaching "chestnut brown,"
showing evidences, in two specimens, of the presumably seasonal
change to black ; three longitudinal dorsal stripes, white or cream, the
central continued farther forward than in tristriatus, more as in
numarius. Under surface bufiy white. Face mixed golden and
ferruginous. Tarsus faintly buffy. General tint of hind-feet a
colder grey than the ground colour of the body ; fine fringe of hairs
edging the soles greyish or silvery white, not buffy or ochraceous,
as in tristriatus and numarius. Tail less bushy than in tristriatus, as
in ntimarius, and relatively shorter than in either species ; above,
darkly grizzled ; below, with the characteristic orange midrib.
Skull of about the same size as in numarius, biit rather broader
and lower ; braincase less arched. Upper tooth-row consistently
shorter, and breadth of palate conspicuously less, than in numarius.
Dimensions of type (as recorded by the Collector) : —
Head and body, 147 ; tail, 130 ; hind-foot, 35 ; ears, 15.
Skull: greatest length, 41; condylo-incisive leng*th, 37*6;
zygomatic breadth, 24-2; length of nasals, 13; breadth of brain-
case above meatus, 17 ; interorbital breadth, 13; palatilar length,
18-1 ; breadth of palate between molars, 5-2 ; diastema, 9-5 ; length
of bullee on an antero-posterior line, 7*8 ; upper tooth-row, 7*2.
Hah. Khandalla, Bombay Presidency. Alt. 2,000 feet.
Type. Adult female. B.M. No. 19. G. 3. 50. Original No. 107.
Collected 11th April 1918, and presented to the National Museum
by Captain Philip Gosse, R.A.M.C.
Captain Gosse collected five specimens, two males and three
females, in addition to which we have examined two specimens from
Thana, in the National Collection, unfortunately without date,
which seem to be referable to this species. Of the five Khandalla
specimens, collected between February and April, two April speci-
mens are already beginning to assume the dark " summer " cDlouring ;
while the two additional specimens from Thana are in full " summer "
coat, with black saddle-patch and deep ferruginous colouring on
the face.
We have pleasure in naming the species aftei Mr. Oldfield Thomas .
730 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HJST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVl.
FUNAMBULUS GOSSEI, Sp, nOV.
A Funambulus of the tristricdus growp, niai'kedly smaller than
F. tristriaius and numarius, and slightly smaller than F. thomasi.
Fur 5 — 6 mm. long, as fine and silky as in tristriatus. General
colour of body, apart from the dorsal area, freely sprinkled with
bnffy, the resulting appearance grizzle drab, lighter than in thomasi
and noticeably lighter than in tristriatus and nur)iarius. Saddle
patch in very dark " summer " colouring centrally, rich "chestnut
brown " tending to deep buint limber on its borders. Thi-ee
longitudinal dorsal stripes, white or cream, continued but only faintly
visible on the nape, the central one very slightly narrower. Under-
surface buffy white. Face reddish, but not so brightly coloured as
in t7-istriatiis, numarius and ivrouglitoni. Thighs, above coloured like
the body ; below, white. Tarsus occasionally with faint buffy
tinge. General tint of hind-feet somewhat paler than ground
colour of body ; fine fringe of hairs edging the soles greyish or
silvery white, as in thomasi, not buff"y or ochraceous as in tristriatus
and numarius. Tail above, buffy, with whitish edges, darkly
grizzled and tipped, the darkest grizzling appearing so regularly as to
give a suggestion of faint rings ; below, with orange midrib less vivid
than in numarius and wroughtoni, more as in tristriatus and thmnasi.
Skull conspicuously smaller than in tristriatus, but of similar,
though perhaps rather slenderer, build. Incisors vertical or very
slightly opisthodont, not proodont as in tristriatus. Upper tooth-
row proportionately longer than in monarius.
Dimensions of tii'pe (as recorded by the Collector) : —
Head and body, 138 ; tail, 147 ; hind-foot, 36 ; ear, 16.
Skull : greatest length, 38 ; condylo-incisive length, 35 ; zygo-
matic breadth, 21-5; length of nasals diagonally. 11-2; breadth
of braincase above meatus, 17; interorbital breadth, 12; palatilar
length, 16-5; breadth of palate between molars, 4*7; diastema,
8-5; length ofbullee on an antero-posterior line, 7*1 ; upper tooth-
row, 7-9.
Hah. Kotagiri, Nilgiri Hills. Alt. 4,100—4,500 feet.
Tyjje. Adult male. B.M. No. 19.6.2.30. Original No. 201. Col-
lected 20th June 1918, and presented to the National Museum by
Captain Philip Gosse, R.A.IM.C.
Eight specimens were collected by Captain Gosse, four males
(two immature), three females, and one of unrecorded sex imma-
ture. The species is readily distinguishable by its small size. All
specimens are in the " summer " phase, including two of the
immature examples which are less than half grown.
We have named the species in honour of Captain Gosse, in
token of his interest in mammalogy, which has resulted in the
determining of the two new forms here described.
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURf'EY. 731
D._ON THE GENUS TADAEIDA (WRINKLE-LIP BATS).
BY
R. C. Wroughton, F.Z.S.
Blauford places the two species tragatiis (No. 224), and 'pUcatus
(No. 225) in the Genus Kyctvwmus. Dobson in 1874 (J. A. S. B.
Vol. XLiii, pt. 2, p. 142) established o subgenera Dinops, Bysopes,
and Chaerephon, placing both the above mentioned species in
Bysopes. That name however having already been used for a
different animal-had to be dropped. Later Chaerephon was recog-
nised as a full Genus and plicatus was assigned to it, tragatus
being retained in Nyctinomus. Lyon (Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash,
xxvii, p. 217, 1914) pointed out that Tadarida antedated Nyctino-
mus. The species tragatus must therefore now be recognized as
belonging to that Genus, of which it is the only Indian represen-
tative. Dobson desciibed tragatus (1. c. supra) chiefly by distin-
guishing it from plicatus, though he noted its resemblance to
cestonii. In J876, in his Catalogue of the Asiatic Chiroptera
(p. 181) he repeated his description, but added a few body measure-
ments which do not help very much towards identification. Still
later, in 1878, (Catalogue of the Chiroptera of the British Museum,
p. 424) he compared it ^vith cegyptiacus, Geofl:". pointing out that
it had 6 incisors in the lower jaw whereas wgyptiacus had only 4.
There appear to be therefore two sections in the Genus Tadarida,
viz., one represented by agyptiacus with 4 incisors in the lower
jaw, and, though this character is not noted by Dobson, the anterior
premolar reduced to a mere rudiment ; the other section repre-
sented by tceniotis {^cestonii) with 6 incisors in the lower jaw,
and an anterior premolar which though markedly reduced in size,
is still a functioning tooth.
Dobson 's tragatus therefore belongs to this latter, or tceniotis,
section, which is represented in the National Collection (so far as
the Indian fauna is concerned) by a single specimen from Malabar.
There are, however, three other specimens belonging to the cegyptia-
cus section, as do all the specimens obtained by the Mammal
Survey, viz: — Sind, 3; Cutch and Kathiawar, 14; Dharwar and
Mysore, 3 ; and Dekhan, 6. These have all been entered in the
Reports as Xydinomus tragatus which clearly is a mistake, and they
almost certainly are a form, or forms, identical with, or closely
related to Tadarida asgyptiaca.
Having laid out and studied all the available material I have
decided to describe as new three forms which may be compared as
follows : —
A. — Size larger, forearm about 52 mm.
a. General colour paler, about " drab
gre}"." ... ... ... ... cegyptiaca, Geoff.
732 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
h. General coloar darker, about
" mouse grey." ... ... ... sindica, %^. r\..
B. — Size larger, forearm 48 or less.
a. General colour paler, near " seal
brown." ... ... ... ... thomasi, sp. n.
b. General colour darker, near " clove
brown." .., ... ... ... gossei, sp. n.
The following are descriptions of the three new species : —
Tadarida sindica, sp. n.
A tadarida of about the same size as a'gyptiaca, coloured in the
same way but markedly darker in colour.
Size and fur as in oegyptiaca.
General colour above about " mouse-grey," as compared with
" drab-grey " in cegyptiaca. Showing the same pattern below as
that spacies, viz., a darker band coming round over the shoulders
and turning backwards along the flanks, close to the base of the
wings, the centre of the abdomen quite markedly paler, the general
darker colouring, as compared with legyptiaca well maintained, but
a white region on the flanks immediately at the bases of the wings,
which is not present in the other species.
Skull broader and stouter than in oegyptiaca, the anterior
premolar even more rudimentary.
Dimensions of type : — Head and body, 77 ; tail, 60 ; forearm, 52 ;
ear, 23. Skull :—Condylo-incisive length, 19-9 (20-3); Zygo-
matic breadth, 13 (12-6); braincase breadth, 10-9 (10-3); least
interorbital breadth, 4-9 (4*6); breadth across muzzle at lachrymal
processes, 7*9 (7-6) ; palatal breadth across posterior molars 8-8
(8'7); toothrow behind anterior premolar, 5*8 (6).
Hab : — Sind. Type from Kashmir, Upper Sind Frontier.
Type :— Adult. 0. B. M. No. 15, 11, 1, 51. Original number
519. Collected 6th March 1915, by Mr. S. H. Prater and presented
to the National Collection by the Bombay Natural History Society.
Three specimens in all were taken by Mr. Prater. The contrast
in colouration is very marked and that in the shape of the skull
much more so than seems indicated by the measurements recorded.
Tadarida thomasi, sp. n.
A tadarida considerably smaller than either of the preceding,
with much warmer colouration.
Size noticeably smaller than either cegyptiaca or sindica.
General colour above near " seal brown," below only slightly
paler.
Skull much as in sindica, but smaller in all dimensions.
Dimensions of the type: — Head and body, 76; tail, 36; forearm,
47; ear, 20. Skull: — Condylo-incisive length, 18-7 ; Zygomatic
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 733
breadth, 11-7; braiucase breadth, 9*7; least interorbital breadth,
4*5 ; breadth across muzzle at lachrymal processes, 6*9 ; palatal
breadth across posterior molars, 8 ; toothrow behind anterior
premolar, 5-4.
Hob: — Cutch and Kathiawar. Tp5^e from Bhuj, Cutch.
%je:— Adult. 0. B. M. No. 12, 10, 4, 32. Original number
537. Collected 25th September 1911, by Mr. C. Crump, and
presented to the National Collection by the Bombay Natural His-
tory Society.
Mr. Cramp obtained 4 specimens at Yankaneer, 2 at Mt. Abu,
and 8 in Cutch.
I have much pleasure in naming this very distinct species in
honour of Mr. Oldfield Thomas to whom the Mammal Survey,
especially on its scientific side, owes so great a debt.
Tadarida gossei, sp. n.
A tadarida closely resembling thomasi except in colouration,
which is much darker.
Size, on the average, slightly smaller than thomasi.
General colour above darker than in thomasi, near " clove
brown," below only slightly paler in the centre of the abdomen.
Skull scarcely differing from that of thomasi.
Dimensions of type : — Head and body, 65 ; tail, 3G ; forearm,
46; ear, 20. Skull: — Condylo-incisive length, 18-5; Zygomatic
breadtii, 11-8; braincase breadth, 10; least interorbital breadth,
4-5 ; breadth across muzzle at lachrymal processes, 6*9 ; palatal
breadth across posterior molars, 8*1 ; toothrow behind anterior
premolar, 5-2.
Hab : — Poona. Type from Sassoon Hospital.
Ty2X :— Adult. 0. B. M. No. 19, 6, 3, 21. Original number
87. Collected 19th March, 1918, and presented to the National
Collection by Capt. P. Gosse, r.a.m.c.
Capt. Gosse obtained altogether 6 specimens.
734
INDIAN DRAGONFLIES.
BY
Major F. 0. Frasek, I.M.S.
(With Text-jicjures)
{Continued from page 517 of Volume XXVT)
Part V.
G enus — Indothemls.
Fig. 43. — Wings of Indothelnis limbata showing neuration.
Head moderately large ; eyes moderately contiguous ; frons with a sharp
foreborder and shallow suture ; vesicle high.
Prothorax ; posterior lobe small and procumbent.
Thorax fairly robust ; hind femora in the male with about 12 moderately
slim, gradually lengthening spines ; tibial spines numerous, fine and moder-
ately long ; claw-hooks slim and inclined.
Wings long, reticulation rather close ; trigone in the forewing about one
cell distal to the line of the trigone in the hind ; sectors of the arc in fore-
wing shortly fused, a longer fusion in the hind; arc between the 1st and 2nd
antenodal nervures ; 8th nervure in the hind wing widely separated from
the anal angle of trigone ; antenodal nervures 8^ to 12^, the final incom-
plete ; trigone in the hindwing at the arc ; 1 cubital nervure to all wings ;
no supplementary nervures to the bridge ; trigone in the forewing traversed;
sub-trigone with 3 cells ; trigone in the hindwing and all hypertrigones
free ; 4th nervure flatly curved in the middle ; 1 row of cells between 5 and
5a ; 8th nervure in the forewing strongly arched ; discoidal field with 3 or
occasionally 2 cells at the beginning and then for a short length, 2 cell
INDIAN DRAGON FLIES. 735
rows, strongly dilated at the termen ; anal field of hindwing broad ; loop
with a broad apex, traversed cells at the outer angle. Membrane and
stigma of medium size.
Sexual organs. For male, see under species.
Female with a small, projecting vulvar scale ; border of 8th segment
not dilated.
Key to Species.
1. 8^ antenodal nervurea to the forewing ; apices
of wings hyaline 7. ccesia.
2, 12i antenodal nervures to the forewing ; all
apices tipped broadly with dark brown ;
hindwing with a large, dark brown, basal
spot 7. limhata.
51. Indothemis csesia, Ftis, 1911.
LibelhUa ccesia, Rambur, 1842.
Trithemis casia, Brauer.
Diplax mcridionalis, Selys.
Male: Expanse 65 mm. Length 40 mm. Abdomen 17 mm. Hind-
wing 32 mm.
Head globular ; eyes broadly contiguous for a distance equal to the
breadth of the occiput, dark reddish brown with a purple sheen
above and a dark lilac grey at the sides and beneath ; occiput black ;
vesicle metallic blue , frons metallic blue ; epistome black with yellow
sides ; labrum black ; labium brownish.
Prothorax lobe small, recumbent, rounded and fringed with a few long
cilise, black.
Thorax long and narrow, bluish black above and at the sides, marked
obscurely with black as follows : — the mid-dorsum broadly, a humeral
stripe with irregular borders and the lateral sutures. The bluish black
changes to a greenish yellow on the metepimeron, the latter colour extend-
ing on to the under surface.
Wings hyaline ; antenodals 8^ to 9^ ; discoidal field very variable,
even in the wings of individual species, commencing with a row of 3 cells',
then 2 or more rows of 2 cells, or commencing with 2 rows of 3 cells and
then 2 rows of 2 cells. Stigma dark brown.
Legs black, the bases of femora a pale yellow. The hind femora with
scanty, widely set, short spines and one longer one at the distal end ; mid
femora with a row of gradually lengthening spines. Tibial spines long and
numerous.
Abdomen laterally parallel, dorso-ventrally dilated at the base, depres-
sed in the middle part and then at the anal end again slightly dorso-
ventrally dilated. Bluish black marked with large, wedge-shaped, lemon
yellow spots on all segments except 9 and 10. These spots have their base
at the proximal end of the segments and gradually decrease in size as
traced towards the anal end of abdomen. Beneath, a similar set of spots,
except on the 9th and 10 segments.
Anal appendages creamy white with black tips.
Sexual organs : lamina procumbent, almost invisible in profile ;
tentaculfe with a foliate, external branch, internal branch hooked ; lobe
small, rounded.
736 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Female : expanse 63 mm. Length 37 mm. Abdomen 15| mm. Hind-
wing 29 mm.
Head : eyes very pale violety brown above, laterally very pale olivaceous
fading to a pale grey or a bottle green beneath; occiput pale olivaceous;
vesicle olivaceous ; frons and epistome a greenish yellow with a faint touch
of ochroous above ; labrum pale yellow ; labium a dirty yellow, bordered
with black.
Prothorax small, fringed with a few cilise.
Thorax moderately large, greenish yellow with black markings as
follows : — the dorsal carina black with a difi'use, golden brown stripe on
either side, a humeral stripe, all the lateral sutures and spiracle outlined
in black.
Legs yellow, striped with black. Armature the same as in the male.
Wings hyaline, antenodal nervures 8f , discoidal field commencing with
1 or 2 rows of B cells and then 1 or 2 rows of 2 cells or else entirely made
up of rows of 3 cells. Subject to less variation than in the male, the latter
formation prevailing. Stigma pale brown outlined with black.
Abdomen with parallel sides, dorsum strongly carinated, base very
slightly dilated, tapering a little at the anal end. Bright yellow marked
with black as follows : — a fine, middorsal line on the carina, and a lateral,
forked spot on each segment, with its base at the distal end. Inter-
segmental nodes finely black.
Anal appendages yellow tipped with black.
Vulvar scale projecting.
Hab. Continental India in the plains, Bombay, Madras, Jubbulpore.
52. Indothemis limbata, Ris.
Trithemis limbata, Selys.
Male : Expanse 58 mm. Length 32 mm.
Head globular ; eyes reddish brown above, lilaceous below and at the
sides : epistome and the lower part of forehead reddish brown, above black ;
vesicle black and the forehead immediately in front of it, greenish yellow ;
occiput black.
Prothorax black, the posterior lobe small, depressed, arched.
Thorax violety black, in some adult specimens a whitish violet powder-
ng at the sides. Legs black.
Wings hyaline, the retriculation black. Stigma dark brown, framed in
black ; apices of wings narrowly tipped with dark brown ; a basal marking
in the hind wing of dark golden brown, extending nearly up to the 1st
antenodal nervure, a little beyond the cubital nervure and thence in
a strong curve to the anal angle. In the forewing a similar coloured
spur in the subcostal, cubital spaces and anal angle. Membrane black.
Abdomen slightly depressed, the sides nearly parallel, tapering gradual-
ly to the end. A glossy black, with traces of pruinescence in very adult
specimens.
Anal appendages narrow, pointed, black.
Sexual organs : lamina moderately long, at first depressed, then pro-
jecting somewhat, shallowly notched, its free border furnished with golden
brown hairs ; tentaculse very small, the internal, a projecting, recurved
hook ; the external, a depressed, triangular, broad, foliate organ ; lobe
small, broadly rounded^ nearly as high as the tentaculse.
Female unknown.
Hab. Burma.
INDIAN DRAGONFLIES.
737
Genus — Brachythemis.
Fig. 44. — Wings of Brachythemis contaminata showing neuration.
Brachythemis, Brauer, 1868.
Head moderately large ; eyes moderately contiguous ; forehead strongly
rounded and with no marked foreborder ; suture flush; vesicle high and
narrow, with two small points on summit.
Prothorax ; lobe very small, broadly arched.
Thorax moderately robust. Legs long, hind femora with a row of
gradually lengthening spines, mid femora with similar, stouter, smaller
spines. Tibial spines numerous, fine and moderately long. Claw-hooks
medium.
Abdomen narrow and short, slightly fusiform, depressed and gradually
tapering toward the end. A transverse ridge on the 4th seg-
ment.
Wings short and moderately narrow, the reticulation close, those of the
male usually crossed by a coloured fascia ; trigones in line with each other ;
sectors of arc shortly fused ; arc between the 1st and 2nd antenodal nervures,
8th nervure in the hindwing either at the anal angle of the trigone or a
little separated ; 6| to 8^ antenodal nervures, the final incomplete ; trigone
in hindwing at the arc or slightly proximal ; 4th nervure with a single flat
curve ; 1 to 2 rows between 5 and 5a ; trigone in the forewing broad,
entire or traversed, that of the hind entire ; sub-trigone in the forewing
entire or with 2 or 3 cells, when with 2 cells, the traversing nervure strongly
convex ; all hypertrigones free ; 1 ciibital nervure to all wings ; no supple-
mentary nervures to the bridge; 8th nervure in the hindwing long, slightly
curved ; the discoidal field with parallel sides or but slightly dilated, with
3 rows of cells ; anal field in the hindwing broad ; loop long and broad,
its mid-sector nearly straight, the cells between its inner border and the
basal margin of wing with a tendency to be arranged in rows. Stigma
small. Membrane of medium size.
Sexual organs : male, small; lamina depressed, its free border prolonged;
the tentaculae, two small hooks and poorly developed external process; the
738 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVL
lobe prominent and arched. Female : border of 8th segment not dilated ;
at the end of the 8th ventral plate, a moderately long, split vulvar
scale ; the 9th ventral plate a tongue-like process overlapping the lOtb
sesfment.
■'tj'
Key to Species.
1. Wings of male a dark, blackish brown from
base to node B . fuscopalliata .
2. Wings of male a rich amber tint as far as
the stigma B. contaminate.
53. Brachythemis fuscopalliata, Eis.
Trithemis fuscopalliata, Selys.
Caccrt/ates fuscopalliata, Kirby.
Mule: Expanse 58 mm. Length 38 mm.
Head moderately large ; eyes dark brown above, sepia tint beneath ;
occiput vesicle and uj^per part of epistome dark brown ; lower part of
epistome with a transverse, black streak ; labrum and labium yellow.
Prothorax black, the lobe small and arched.
Thorax robust, an uniform black, with a patch of ferruginous at the
attachment of each wing on the sides. Legs black, the outer surfaces of
of the tibiae striped with yellow.
Wings : antenodal nervures 6^ to 7^ ; subtrigone of the forewing entire
or traversed by a strongly convex nervure; 1 row of cells between 5 and
5a, some of these occasionally divided ; stigma bright opaque yellow ; costa
brown or reddish brown outwardly ; a broad, blackish brown fascia crossing
both wings from the base as far out as the 2nd postnodal nervure in the
forewing and the 3rd or 4th in the hind, in the hindwing this fascia sloping
to meet the termen at about its middle.
Abdomen short and tapering, uniformly black.
Anal appendages bright ochreous.
Sexual organs : lamina recumbent, two tufts of long, greyish hairs on its
surface ; tentaculte very small, the internal, slim, strongly curved hooks,
the external low and blunt ; lobe moderately large, arched and higher
than the tentaculse. (See Jour., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc, Sep. 15
1917.)
Female : Head ; eyes olivaceous, with 2 dark, equatorial lines traversing
them from above down ; the remaining parts a light, greenish-yellow.
Prothorax lemon-yellow with 2 transverse, black streaks.
Thorax olivaceous green marked with a 3-lined fascia in the humeral
region and the spiracle and sutures laterally outlined in black.
Legs yellow, streaked in their length with black.
Wings : antenodal nervures 8|to 7^, the final complete or incomplete, this
asymmetry sometimes seen in the opposite wings of a single specimen.
Trigone in forewing free or traversed once. The antenodal nervures and
stigma, a bright yellow ; the black fascia of the male not present, the
wings being entirely hyaline.
Abdomen olivaceous green with a brown, subdorsal fascia and the
mid-dorsal carina finely black ; edges of abdomen narrowly black. The
extent of the black markings is subject to much variation according to the
age of specimens.
INDIAN DRAG ON FLIES. 739
Expanse 62 mm. Length 35 mm. (See J. B. N. H. Soc, Sept. 15, 1917.)
Hab. Lower Mesopotamia. 1 have not taken this insect further up the
Shat-el-arab than Kerna, it is common about Basra. The specimens des-
cribed by Ris are from Fao. It has much the same habits as the following
insect contammata and keeps to the banks of rivers.
54. Brachythemis contaminata, Brauer.
Libellula contaminata, Fabr.
Lihellula truncatula, Rambur, 1842.
Male : Exp. 45 mm. Length 32 mm.
Head : eyes violety brown above, puce, olivaceous or olive green at the
sides and beneath ; occiput brown ; frons and epistome a very pale green
almost white or in very adult specimens, olivaceous.
Prothorax ochreous with 2 transverse brown stripes.
Thorax olivaceous brown, darker on the dorsum ; an obscure, brown,
humeral fascia and 2 similar lateral fascije on the sides ; the sutures
black.
Legs ochreous, the femora black externally.
Wings hyaline, the reticulation reddish ; a rich, amber-coloured fascia
extending from the base outwards to the proximal end of stigma or a little
further. This fascia is most intense in its outer part and in some speci-
mens is separated from that part covering the base, usually there is a
variable area which is but faintly tinted between the basal and outer
parts. It is subject to wide variation being most intense in the wet-sea-
son and southern forms. In some it is almost absent. Stigma red.
Membrane ochreous. Antenodal nervures 8, some of them running from
the intercostal to the costal nervure only and others only between the
subcostal and intercostal nervures. Occasional nervures are bifid.
Abdomen rich ochreous or even reddish, marked with obsolete, dorsal
and subdorsal stripes. In some specimens the ground colour of the abdo-
men is a pale greenish yellow, this colour being almost obscured by a
broad, subdorsal fascia on each side, which entirely covers the last 4 to 5
segments and expands and meets across the dorsum at the distal parts of
many segments. Some specimens in addition show a row of geminate,
narrow, black, dorsal streaks and another row of fine black streaks on the
outer side of the subdorsal, ochreous fascia.
Anal appendages ferruginous.
Female paler but the markings much better defined, especially on the
abdomen. Eyes a paler brown colour above. Face pale or whitish.
Thorax a pale greenish yellow, the fascia noticed in the male being
darker and better defined, the humeral one forking below. Sutures of the
thorax and those of the first few segments of the abdomen, mapped out
in black.
Wings hyaline, with no amber tinted fascia as in the male. Stigma
conspicuously bright yellow.
Anal appendages paler, black tipped.
Hab. Continental Inaia. Ceylon, Malay Peninsular, Indo-China.
This species is invariably found along the banks of rivers or large tanks.
Males and females are about equal in numbers and during the daj'time do
not appear to molest one another, paring taking place at dusk. The insect
is on the wing from earliest dawn to dusk and its shadowy form may even
be noted hovering over water long after dark, during which hours, its
principal food consists of mosquitoes.
740 JOURNAL, BOMB AY NATURAL RIST. SOCIETY, \ol. XXVI.
GeniTS — Zygonyx, Selys.
Fig. 45. Wings of Zygonyx iris showing neuration.
Zygonyx, Selys, 1867, 1871, Brauer, 1868, Karsch, 1890, Kirby, 1900.
Zygonidia, Kirby, 1900 and 1901.
Neurocena, Kirby, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 1900, Id. 1905.
Head large and globular ; eyes moderately contiguous ; forehead pro-
minent, rounded ; vesicle high and broad, notched at its summit.
Prothorax : lobe small, flatly arched, not projecting.
Thorax robust. Legs long and slim ; hind femora with a row of stout,
small, triangular spines and 3 or 4 longer ones at the distal end : mid-
femora furnished with a dense mass of long coarse hairs. The hind femora
of female with a row of gradually lengthening spines. Tibial spines very
long and numerous. Claw hooks very robust, more so than the claws, which
are exceptionally long.
Abdomen robust, the base somewhat dilated, the 3rd and 4th segments
distinctly constricted, especially in the male and then parallel-sided as
far as the end. Abdomen of female more robust than that of male and the
sides of the 9th segment dilated.
Wings long and narrow, very robust, the node of forewing being placed
far distal to the middle point of wing ; reticulation rather open ; trigone
of forewing about Z cells distal to the line of the trigone in the hind ;
sectors of arc fused for a short distance in the forewing ; for a longer
distance in the hind : arc usually between the 1st and 2nd antenodal
nervures ; 8th nervure in the hind wing at the anal angle of the trigone
or a little separated : .antenodal nervures vejy variable, 12i to 16, the
end one complete or incomplete ; base of trigone in the hindwing usually
a little proximal to the arc; 1, 2 or 3 cubital nervures in the forewing,
1 or 2 in the hind ; no supplementary nervures to the bridge (I possess
one specimen which has an accessory nervure in one of the forewings) ; rela-
tion of trigone in the forewing to the hypertrigone rather more than a
right angle, usually traversed but in one species free: trigone in the
hindwing traversed or entire ; subtrigone in
the forewing with 1 to 4
cells ; 4th uervure variable, with a single flat curve or markedly undulated ;
1 or 2 rows of cells between 5 and 5a, or a few divided cells ; the discoidal
field usually with 3 rows of cells, dilated at the tftrmen ; anal field broad, the
INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. 741
loop very loug and its apex bent sharply at a right angle to the stem, the
mid-nerviire bent at a ftght angle ; 2 or 3 rows of cells between the loop
and anal border of wing. Membrane of medium size. Stigma long
narrow.
Sexual organs. See under species.
Key to Species.
A, Only 1 cubital nervure in the forewings. Trigones
in both wings entire. Costal and proximal sides
of trigone iu the forewing equal . , . . . . Z. ilia.
B. 2 or o cubital nervures in the forewings. Trigones
traversed or entire. Costal side of trigone in the
forewing much shorter than the proximal.
a. 2 rows of discoidal cells as far as bridge . . Z. ida.
b. 3 rows of discoidal cells at beginning . . Z. iris.
Of the above 3 species, only iris is taken within Indian limits, the others
inhabiting Malaysia and Indo-China.
55. Z. iris, Selys, 1869, Kirby, 1890, Martin, 1904, Ris, 1911.
Zygonidia insignis, Kirby, 1900.
Zijgonidia malaijana, Laidlaw, 1902.
Zygonidia ceijlanica. Kirby, 1905.
Zygonidia cenea, Kirby, 1905.
Male: Expanse 95 mm. Length 55 mm. Abdomen 38 mm. Hind wing
43 mm.
Head : eyes deep sea blue above, paler beneath ; vesicle, forehead and
upper part of frons a shiny, metallic violet ; lower part of frons and epistome
bright yellow with an obscure black spot in the middle of latter ; labium
black with 2 small yellow spots at its base ; labrum yellow, its free border
narrowly black ; occiput black.
Prothorax black marked with a fine, yellow collar anteriorly and a
similar one across the middle lobe.
Thorax metallic green or bluey green, marked with yellow as follows : —
an irregular, broad, yellow post-humeral fascia, 2 broad, lateral, yellow
stripes, one at the spiracle and the other crossing the metepimeron, a row
of yellow spots on the tergum. The mid-dorsal cai'ina finely pale.
Legs black, the anterior femora yellow beneath.
Abdomen black, the first 3 segments shiny and sometimes with a
metallic lustre, the remainder a matt black. Segments 1 to 3 and the
base of the 4th with a large, lateral, yellow spot, the intersegmental nodes
as far as the 6th finely ringed with yellow, the dorsal carina finely yellow,
expanding on the anterior half of the 7th to form a large, yellow shield-
like spot. Anal appendages and the last 3 segments black, the former
being long and slim, as long as the 9th segment.
Wings hyaline but faintly tinged with yellow, the apices distinctly
smoky. Stigma long, narrow, black. Membrane grey, the wing mem-
brane adjacent to it, narrowly brown. Neuration subject to much varia-
tion, even in the wings of any single specimen, asymmetry being the rule
rather than the exception.
In one specimen, a male, there are 2 rows of cells between 5 and 5a in
the left forewing, 1 row in the right forewing ; in the right hind several
cells are divided and in the left, some are forked so as to form triangular
cells; antenoclal nervures in the left forewing 13i, in the right 15; in
another specimen, a female, the left fore and hind-wings have only 1 row of
742 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, T'oL XXVI.
cells between 5 and 5a, 2 tows in the right forewing and some divided
cells only in the left. Antenodal nervures in the right forewing 15i, in
the left 16. The trigone in the hindwingis distinctly proximal to the arc.
Sexual organs : lamina depressed at its base, distinctly beaked at its end ;
tentaculse small, the internal a short, black recurved hook, the external
sub-quadrate ; lobe broad and short, projecting.
Female very similar to the male, but the markings better defined and
broader. A small, mid-dorsal spot of yellow is present on the 6th segment,
in addition to the large spot on the dorsum of the 7th. On the side of
the 4th segment, there is an obscure yellow line in partial prolongation of
the lateral, yellow spot.
Sexual organs : border of the 8th abdominal segment not dilated, but
that of the 9th, markedly so. In one specimen which I possess, these
dilatations are distinctly seen grasping a mass of ova which the insect was
busily engaged in depositing in water at the time I captured it.
Hab. Bengal, the Southern Hills of India, Ceylon, not below 3,000 feet.
The insect, in the Nilgiris, may be seen following the course of brooks on
the ghat roads, the female, however, keeping to more retired situations such
as the beds of precipitous mountain torrents. In Ceylon it is found in
similar situations. Eastwards it is found throughout Malaysia and Indo-
China,
Genus — Onychothemis, Brauer.
Fig. 46. a. Male sexual organs of Onychotheviis tonJcinensis ceylanica.
b. Claws of same contrasted with " c " which shows the claws
of Zygonyx iris furnished with claw-hooks.
Onychothemis, Brauer, 1868, Kirby, 1890, Karsch, 1890, Kirby, 1905.
Five species have been described, only one of which is found within
Indian limits.
Head relatively small ; eyes shortly contiguous ; forehead prominent
and rounded, the foreborder not marked ; vesicle conical, high.
Prothorax with a moderately large posterior lobe, projecting somewhat,
the border arched and bearing a small notch.
INDIAN DRAGON FLIES.
743
Thorax very robust. Legs long and robust, the armature similar in both
sexes ; the hind femora with a row of robust, closely-set, gradually length-
ening spines, which in the other femora are replaced by a row of fine
spines,
Tibise with a few widely-set, very stout spines ; claws very long and
entirely without claw-hooks or if present, only as the merest, tiny pro-
jection.
Abdomen robust, the base a little dilated, slightly depressed, but the
end segments strongly keeled, tapering from the base to the anal end. No
ridge on the 4th segment.
Wings long and broad, the reticulation close ; trigone in the forewing in
line with that in hind ; sectors of the arc with a long fusion ; the arc
between the 1st and 2nd anteuodal nervures ; 1.5i to 17^ antenodal nervures,
the final incomplete ; 8th nervure at the anal angle of the trigone ; trigone
in the hindwing generally a little proximal to the arc ; 1 cubital nervure to
all wings ; no supplementary nervures to the bridge ; trigone in the fore-
wing traversed, its costal side short, its relation to the hypertrigone about a
right angle ; trigone in the hindwing and all hypertrigones free ; subtri-
gone in the forewing 3 or 4 cells ; 4th nervure strongly undulated ; 2 rows
of cells between 5 and 5a. ; 8th nervure in the hindvving moderately con-
vex ; the discoidal field strongly dilated at the termen, with 3 cell rows ;
anal field broad, the loop very long, extending as far as 3 cells distal to
the outer angle of the trigone, its toe very narrow, 4 rows of cells between
it and the anal border of the wing, these cells not distinctly arranged in
rows. Membrane moderately large. Stigma medium.
Sexual organs.
See under species.
Fig. 47. — Wings of Onychothemis tonkinensis ceylanica showing neu-
ration.
56. Onychothemis tonkinensis ceylanica, Ris.
Ris describes this insect as a new sub-species from Ceylon ; my own
description is made from a female specimen taken in the Nilgiris and,
allowing that Ris made his from a dried and faded specimen, the two agree
in the main and are doubtless the same species. I am not aware that this
insect has been taken in India before,
Male and female very similar.
744 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Head comparatively small; eyes bottle green; occiput black edged
behind with canary yellow, entirely yellow at the back ; vesicle conical,
with 2 points which are tipped with brown, metallic green with a bright
yellow summit ; frons and forehead above metallic green ; epistome and
labrum a dirty yellow, the former with 2 diffuse brown spots about its
middle ; labium a dirty yellow with diffuse brown borders.
Prothorax black with a yellow collar anteriorly and the free border of
the posterior lobe yellow, this latter border furnished with a ruff of long,
pale coloured hairs which interlace with similar hairs on the back of the
head and antero-dorsal surface of the thorax.
Thorax black, deep blue metallic lustre marked with bright yellow as
follows : — the mid-dorsal carina and interalar sinus yellow, a post-humeral,
incomplete fascia consisting of 2 spots just joined by a narrow isthmus, 2
moderately broad fascise on the sides, the posterior one crossing the
metepimeron and finally a row of yellow spots on the tergum.
Legs black, armature as described for the genus, no claw-hooks. Anterior
femora marked with yellow on the outer surface.
Wings hyaline, the apices tipped with a faint smoky brown. Mem-
brane black. Stigma blackish brown. Subtrigones with 4 cells ; antenodal
nervures 15^.
Abdomen black marked with bright yellow as follows : — A triangular spot
on the dorsum of the 2nd segment, the intersegmental node between the
2nd and 3rd and the transverse ridge on the 3rd segment finely yellow, a
series of dorsal, geminate spots on the 2nd to 9th segments, gradually
enlarging as traced analwards and gradually approaching the proximal
ends of the segments, oval yellow spots on the borders of the 2nd to 6th
segments, very large on the sides of the 3rd and decreasing rapidly in size
as traced analwards, the 10th segment black. Anal appendages black.
Beneath the abdomen, the yellow bordering spots on the upper side are
found to extend inwards as far as the pleural membrane.
Sexual organs : male : lamina a broad, somewhat depressed arch,
notched at the border ; tentacuke ; the internal a long, slender, strongly
curved hook, the external broad and foliate ; lobe rather small, projecting
and bearing a stout, blunt spine at the apex.
Female : border of 8th segment not dilated ; no distinct vulvar scale,
the 8th ventral plate minutely bilobed ; the 9th ventral plate overlapping
the 10th and bearing near its middle, 2 small, stout, spinous processes.
Hab. Ceylon, Nilgiris, Kalar 2, -500 ft. The insect is very local and
very scarce. I have seen five specimens only of which I captured one and
that only after stalking it for two hours vip to my middle in a swift
mountain stream where the boulder strewn bottom made progress both
arduous and dangerous. It is quite the most wary dragonlly I have ever
attempted to take, and its wariness is only equalled by its restlessness.
The species is found haunting deep ravines at the foot-hills, in dense jungle
and always settling, after short flights, over deep water.
(7b he continued.)
7io
SOME NEW IIAMMALS FROM MESOPOTAMIA.
BY
Oldfield Thomas, f.e.s., f.z.s.
(Published by periiiission of the Trustees of the British Museum.)
Among some mammals obtained bj' members of the Mesopo-
tamian Expeditionary Force, and submitted to me for determination
by the Bombay Natural History Society there are examples of the
following five new species. In pursuance of its habitual public-
spirited polic}^ the Society has presented all the types to the
National Museum.
1. Eptesicus hingstoni, sp. n.
A small form of the serotinus group.
Size decidedly smaller than in the Persian form of Serotine
previously determined as turcomanus of Eversmann, with which
•inirza, Fil. is probably synonymous.
General colour " bufF}^ brown," the hairs slaty with dull buffy
ends. Undersurface rather lighter, the hairs slaty, tipped with
pale drabby or drabby whitish. Inguinal region dull whitish to the
liases of the hairs. Membranes and limbs bi'own, the hinder edge
of the interfemoral whitish.
Ears of medium size ; inner basal lolie convex forwards, front
margin straight, tip narrowly rounded off. Tragus shaped about
as in E. serotinus. Wings to the bases of the toes. Tail with two
■ vertebrte exserted. Posterior rump naked; a deposit of fatty
matter present in this region.
Skull broad, low, with flattened muzzle and widely expanded
zygomata, but in these respects it is less marked than in E.
serotinus and turcomanus, more than in the Eg5'ptian E. innesi.
Incisors as in turcomanus, the outer pair much smaller than the
inner, the outer pair standing so that their front edge is on a level
with that of the inner.
Dimensions of the type, measured on skin : —
Forearm 45 mm. Third finger, metacarpus, 43 ; first phalanx,
14-3; second phalanx, 13*5.
Skull, greatest length, 16-7; condylo-basal length, lG-2 ; z^-go-
matic breadth, 12; intertemporal breadth, 4; breadth of braincase,
8-2; mastoid breadth, 9-2; front of canines to back of m', 6-3;
front of p* to back of m", 4'1 ; breadth across m", 7*7.
Measures of a spirit specimen (male) : — Head and body, 59 ;
tail, 40; forearm, 45; ear, 15-5; tragus on inner edge, 5*5;
lower leg and foot (c. u.), 27.
Habitat. — Mesopotamia. Type from Baghdad, two other speci-
mens from Basra.
746 JOURNAL, BOMB AY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Type.—KAxxlt skin. B. M. No. 19. 3. 1. 1. Original number 304.
Collected by Captain Kingston, I. M.S.
This bat, which is named in honour of its first captor, presents
an intermediate stage in size between the small E. innesi of Egypt
and the U. s. turcomamts of Persia. E. shiraziensis, Dobs, of S. W.
Persia is again larger still.
2. Eptesicus walli, sp. n.
A small pale coloured species allied to E. pellucens and matschiei.
Size rather larger than in E. ]jellucens.
General colour, so far as can be observed on a spirit specimen,
very much as in that species, with sandy buffy back, biiffy whitish
undersurface, and translucent membranes, pale brown for the most
part, then becoming whitish along the hinder edge of the wings and
on the posterior third of the interfemoral. Forearms, tibias, and
tail, dark brown.
Ears rather short, triangular, the front edge nearly straight, the
tip narrowly rounded off, almost pointed, the outer edge slightly
convex ; outer basal lobe little developed. Tragus of medium
height, its outer margin slightly convex, with scarcely a trace of
basal lobule, tip rounded, inner margin straight. Wings to the
base of the toes. Wing membranes near the body, and interfemoral
numerously studded with warts, similar to those in Bhinopterus,
and there are a certain number of warts on the forearms and tibias.
A narrow postcalcareal lobule present. Middle third of tail with
an elongated thickening about half an inch in length either of a
glandular or a fat-storing nature ; a similar structure seems to be
present in E. pellucens, so far as can be judged from skins.
Skull closely similar to that of E. pellucens, but markedly larger
and heavier in all dimensions. Upper inner incisors thick,
unicuspid, but worn at the point in the type.
Dimensions of type, measured on the spirit specimen : —
Fore arm, 40 mm. Head and body, 55 mm.; tail, 42 ; ear, 13 ;
tragus on inner edge, 4-3: third finger, metacarpus, 38 ; first phalanx,
11-7 ; lower leg and foot (c. u.), 23-3.
Skull, condylo-basal length, 13-7; basi-sinual length, 11 ; zygo-
matic breadth 10*4; interorbital breadth, 5; breadth of braincase,
7; bi-eadth aci'oss canines, 4-8; across m\ 6, 5; front of canines
to back of m"^, 5-3 ; front of p* to back of m^, 3-7.
Habitat. — Mesopotania. Type from Basra.
y^jje.— Adult female in spirits, B. M. No. 19.3.1.2. Original
number M. 17. Collected by Lieut.-Col. F. Wall, I.M.S.
This species is most nearly allied to the bat I described as
Vespertilio matschiei pellucens, but its skull and dentition are so
much larger and heavier that it should evidently be separated. The
SOME NEW MAMMALS FROM MESOPOTAMIA. 747
characters now observed on the spirit specimen also indicate that
pelhtcens, of which we previously only had skins, should be con-
sidered as a different species from matschiei.
The presence of warty excrescences on membranes and limbs is
an interesting character, recalling the condition in Biiinopteras, bnt
the skull is shaped quite as in other small Eptesicus, and not as in
Bhinopterus. It. is possible however that species elsewhere referred
to Bhinopterus on account of the presence of warts, (e.g., Scahrifer
notius, G. M. Allen. Bull. Mus. Harv. LIT. p. 46. 1908), are also,
as in this case, members of Mptesicus.
3. PiPISTRELLUS COXI, sp. n.
A Pipistrel with a whitish undersurface, near F. riippelU.
Size and general colour about as in P. rilppelli and nigripes,
though the back is more broadly washed with sandy buiT, so as to
hide more completely the dark bases of the hairs. Undersurface
wholly buffy whitish, the hairs whitish to their roots.
Ears and limbs black ; membranes brown, not whitish.
Skull, compared with that of P. rilppblli, smaller, with shorter
and less inflated braincase. Muzzle broad and flat, the supraorbital
ridges well developed, and continued backwards to form a percepti-
ble sagittal ridge, though the specimen is not old. Below, in
agreement with the shortened braincase. the distance from the back
of the condyle to the palation is 6-7 instead of about 7'2 mm.
Teeth very much as in P. rilppelli; inner incisor large, bicuspid,
outer small, not surpassing the cingulum of the inner; small
premolar visible from without.
Dimensions of type, measured on skin : —
Forearm, 33 mm. Third finger, metacarpus, 30, fii'st phalanx,
11 '6, second phalanx, 10.
Skull, greatest length, 12-8; condylo-basal length, 12*1; basi-
sinual length, 9-8 ; interorbital breadth, 4-9 ; intertemporal
breadth, 3-7; breadth of braincase, 7; front of canine to back of
m^, 4-8 ; front of p* to back of m^ 3.
Rahitat. — Mesopotamia. Type from Bart Mahommed Chakala,
Amara.
Type.—M\\\t skin. B. M. No. 19.3.1.3. Original number 151.
Collected 20th March, 1918, by Major R. E. Cheesman, and for-
warded by Sir P. Z. Cox.
This bat is not related to any known Asiatic species, biit seems
to be the northern limit of a series beginning with the Uganda
P. fuscipes, which has a large and raiTch inflated braincase, through
the Egyptian and Soudanese P. riippelU, in which the brain case is
more normal, while in P. coxi it is distinctly smaller than usual.
Colour and other characters seem much the same in all.
748 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI
Named in honour of Sir P. Z. Cox, to whose assistance the
obtainino- of a number of the Mesopotamian specimens is due.
4. Paraechinus ludlowi, sp. n.
Nearly allied to P. dorsaUs, And. and de Wint., but far paler.
General essential characters as in P. dorsalis, these, of course,
including the peculiar enlarged buUas and hollow pterygoids
characteristic of Paraechinus, as compared with Hemiechinus, to which
the other and more common Mesopotamian hedghog, H. auritus,
belongs.
Size about as in dorsalis. Coloration on the same plan as in
that animal, there being similarly a darker median dorsal area
with light sides. But on the darker median part, which is about
1-2 inches broad, the spines have only one subterminal dark band
(about 4 mm. in length and beginning 4 mm. from tip of spine)
instead of two, those of dorsalis having a second dark band lower
down. And on the light coloured sides the spines are for the most
part completely white, without any dark band at all, those of
dorsalis having here always one dark band and sometimes a second
one. Spines of back about 24 mm. in length. Undersurface wholly
white. Muzzle and a narrow line up forehead brown. Limbs
whitish, darkening terminally.
Skull, so far as can be judged from a somewhat immature
example, quite like that of P. dorsalis.
Hindfoot, as measured by collector, 34 mm. ; ear, 43.
Skull (immature), greatest length, 49-5 ; condylo-basal length,
49; zygomatic breadth, 28-7; nasals 14-5 x 3-7; interorbital
breadth, 12-5; palate length, 25-6; upper tooth series, 25-2; front
of p' to back of m", 11-7.
Habitat of type. — Hitt, on the Euphrates, about 100 miles West
of Baghdad. Altitude about 400'.
Type.—lmmsktwve male, B. M. No. 19.3.1.4. Original number
4. Collected 8th August, 1918, by F. Ludlow.
This hedghog, which is widely different fiom the common
H. auritus, seems to be only related to Paraechinus dorsalis, dis-
covered by Mr. Theodore Bent in the Hadramaut, S. Arabia. It
differs, however, so markedly in coloration that it should evidently
be distinguished specifically.
5. Gerbillus cheesmani, sp. n.
A Gerbil with the general appearance of G. (jerbiliits, gleadoivi, and
ajidersom biTt with larger bu.lla3 and smaller teeth than any of them.
External characters very much as in G. andxrsoni, with which
the species shares the more normal proportions of the feet and the
less tufted tail as compared with the common Egyptian Gerbil,
G. gerhillus. Colour as usual bright sandy buff above, pure white
SOME NEW MAMMALS FROM MESOPOTAMIA. 749
below, the hairs of the sides tipped with biiffy, and the hairs of the
middle of the back alone slaty at base. Usual white eye and ear
patches present. Palms and soles with the hairy covering longer
than in andersoni, less close and fine, but this may possibly be due
to confinement. Tail pale buff'y white above, pure white below, the
terminal tuft little developed, faintly brown above.
Skull, as compared with those of the other species, distinguished
by the greater size of the bullae, which project backwards bej'ond
the level of the most posterior part of the occiput, which is not
the case in any one of them. This gives quite a diffei'ent aspect to
the skull in the upper view. Supraorbital ledges strong and heavy,
even more so than in andersoni^ and much more than in gerbillus,
and with marked postorbital projecting angles, at least in the tj^pe,
which is an old individual. Molars remarkably small for the size
of the animal, and though the specimen is old and the teeth worn,
there does not seem evidence that they are materially shortened
antero -posteriorly .
7)imensions of type: —
Head and bod}", 94 mm. ; tail, 132 ; hindfoot, 26 ; ear. 13.
Skull, greatest median length, 29-5 ; greatest diagonal length,
29-8; condylo-incisive length, 26; zygomatic breadth, 16-2;
nasals, 11-1, interorbital breadth, 5' 2 ; breadth of braincase, 13"8;
bi-meatal breadth, 15' 3 ; palatal foramina, 4*7 ; bulla, greatest
longitudinal diagonal length, 1 1 ; breadth at right angles to last
(exclusive of meatal projection), 6*4; upper molar series (worn), 3-4.
Habitat. — Mesopotamia; exact locality not recorded.
Type. — Adult male, B. M, No, 19.3.1.5, Lived for a short time
in confinement and died 21st August, 1917, in Bombay. Presented
by Major R. E. Cheesman.
This Gerbil is practically indistinguishable externally from G.
andersoni, but is readily separable by its larger bulte and smaller
teeth. In the common G. gerhiUus the tail is more tufted and the
proximal part of the foot is peculiarly slender, with the distal part
broadened, while in andersoni and cheesmani, the proportions are
more normal. The Sind G. gleadowi is a less bright buffy and has
a tail nearly as much tufted as G. gerbillus.
But in none of these allied species do the bullas project backwards
beyond the line of the occiput, as they do in G. cheesmani.
7.
. \
roo
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS
OF INDIA.
(INCLUDING THOSE MET WITH IN THE HILL STATIONS
OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY).
BY
T. R. Bell, i.f.s.
{Continued from page 487 of Vol. XXVI.)
Pabt XXIII.
29. Genus — Thaduka.
"Allied to Mahathala, Moore. Fore wing : short, broad ; costa convex at
base, apex acutely angled ; exterior margin erect, scalloped ; posterior angle
lobular ; hind margin the same length as the costal, concave in the middle.
Hind wing : short, broad ; anterior margin convex ; apex and exterior margin
very convex, sinuous, with three prominent tails, the middle one longest ;
anal lobe large ; abdominal margin very concave above anal lobe .... Body
short, stout. Antennio uniformly thickened to the end. Palpi slender.
Legs short. Eyes naked." {Moore.)
The above is taken from de Niceville's book. The author adds " This
is a very aberrant genus and, as far as I can ascertain, may be known from
all others occurring in India (except some species of Iraota, Moore) by
having three very distinct tails besides a large, anal lobe to the hind wing.
A single species of Thaduka only is known up to date and it occurs in
Upper Tenasserim."
The above was written in the year 1890 or thereabout by de Niceville and
there is still only the one species in the genus. It has since been taken in
the Kanara District of Bombay, where it has also been bred from the larva
and egg. The original description was written by Moore from a female
and, until bred in Kanara, no males had been taken or seen. The larva is
similar to that of Arhopala centaurus and amanfes in shape, but the markings
are characteristic. The pupa is normal and the suspension is by the tail
and a body-band. The larva feeds upon the euphorbiaceous Trewia
nudiflora, a very large tree of damp places.
183. Thaduka multicaudata, Moore. Male. Upperside : black, with the
basal area smalt-blue or silvery blue ; otherwise the colour of the wings is
blue with a very broad, black, borders covering all, but the basal, discoidal,
and submedian areas. Cilia and tails also black. Underside : dark vinous-
brown. Fore wing : with the outer half and lower portions paler, three
green spots in the basal half of the cell, a larger one at the end with a
brown dot inside it ; a discal band of six separate, square spots from the
costa to vein 2, the first two outwardly oblique, the third outside them ;
the next three, a little on the inner side of each other ; a submarginal series
of acutely angled marks. Hind wing : generally darker than the fore wing,
with three outwardly-curved, irregular bands of separated spots with pale
edges, antemedial, medial and discal, often very indistinct ; anal area with
some bronzy or bluish scales and a few similar scales near the base and
sometimes on other portions of the wing. — Female. Exactly similar in
shape, colouration and markings. Antennft black ; palpi black above,
two basal joints grey beneath ; head and body black above, brown beneath.
Expanse : 40 mm. to 48 mm.
Egg. — Is similar in shape to that of Arhopala centaurus and amantes, i e.,
it is dome-shaped, but broadest just above base. It looks, however, to be
turbanshaped and flat on top. And the reason for this is that there are two
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 751
rows of long, delicate, feathery -looking spikelets, finely bifurcated at the tips,
placed at right angles to the polar axis of the egg and shghtly converging,
one row towards the other, at the points. There are 2 cells from the base to
near the summit of the egg and these spikes are situated where the walls
of the middle row of cells intersect with the walls of the top row of perfect
cells and the bottom row of half-cells. On the summit the egg is pitted
and has a rather large, central, circular, depression (micropyle). All the
cells are large, nearly regularly quadrilateral with rather high, fine walls
and are flat-bottomed. The cells round the equator are ten in number.
The colour is finely granulated green, the walls of cells and spikes being
white. B. : 0-6 mm. ; H. : 0'4 mm.
Larva. — The larva agrees in all respects, in sha2)e and habits, with that
of the species of the genus Arhopala as represented by centaurus and
amantes. The head is hidden beneath segment 2, is shining black and
rather large. Segment 2 is semi-circular in shape, very slightly emarginate
in the dorsal line of front margin and the central dorsal depression is
semi-elliptical in shape with the convexity forwards, velvety black in
colour and with a dorsal, green line ; segment 3 somewhat suddenly
higher and broader than 2 ; segments 4-1 i nearly of coequal breadth and
length ; segments 12-14 decreasing in width, the anal segment rather flat,
dorsally and thickened round the free margin, broadly rounded at extre-
mity with a square velvety-black dorsal patch bisected by a fine, green,
dorsal line. The whole larva is depressed, being of the same height from
segment 4-10, both inclusive. The surface of the body is covered with
minute, short, light-coloured, sparsely-disposed, star-shaped hairs ; on the
black patches they are denser than elsewhere and black ; laterally corru-
gated with some rather deep pitting on the dorsoventral margins ; the
whole dorsoventral margin set with distant, long, simple hairs ; the gland
of segment 11 large and conspicous, surrounded by an oval, deep- black
patch which has a thin, green line just inside the circumference the whole
way round and the axis of which is transverse ; the organs of segment
12 circular-mouthed, protruding on occasions little white cylinders.
Spiracles are plainly visible, rather longly oval in shape and yellow in
colour. The colour of the larva is light green with a dorsal, dark-green
line flanked on either side by a subdorsal, white line ; a laterodorsal
white line ; a lateral white line ; all six lines commencing on segment 3
and ending just in front of the gland on segment 11 ; the space on the
dorsum between the lateral and subdorsal, white lines is obscurely rose-
coloured. Before the change to pupa the colour changes to a brown-pink.
All the segments are distinct. L : 19 mm. ; B •. 5'5 mm.
Pupa. — The pupa is more or less normal in shape. The head is bowed
towards the ventrum and is hidden from above by segment 2 ; segment 2
is large, very convex transversely, the front margin semi-circularly curved,
the dorsal ascent towards thorax in the same plane as the ascent of the front
slope of thorax ; thorax ascending in a gentle curve to apex, the apex
rounded, then descending evenly to segment 5, the descent including
segment 4 ; the dorsal constriction at segment 5, slight laterally nil ;
dorsal outline from segment 5 to 8 straight to descend gradually
thence to segment 10 after which it falls nearly perpendicularly to the
longitudinal axis of pupa, the change in direction of course gradual and
rounded ; laterally the pupa increases in breadth from the head to the
slightly angular shoulders, then more still though only slightly to segment
7 and 8 after which it gradually decreases to end ; the extremity rounded
and not broadened out hoof-wise though closely applied to the surface
of suspension. Surface covered with very minute, tubercular granules
which sometimes coalesce into lines ; the shoulders eaeh with a small
752 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVL
tubercular swelling ; gland-scar and scar of organs of segment 12 conspi-
cuous. Spiracles of segment 2 small, linear, facing forwards ; other spiracle^>
with swollen lips, oval, conspicuous, light-brown in colour. Colour of the
pupa is very dark rosey-brown, lighter on the abdomen and dorsum
generally ; a light-brown, dorsal line on segments 2-4 ; a row of two or
three light-brown spots parallel to the segment margins on each side of
the dorsal line on segment 6-10 ; ventrum light rosey brownish-yellow. L :
14 mm. ; B: 6-5 mm. at segment 7; H: 5'3 mm. at apex or thorax.
The breadth at shoulders is 6 mm.
Habits. — The eo'ss are laid siiio-Jv or in twos and threes on
leaves, leaf-stalks, stems and twigs, even on the trunk of the trees
and, in this case, in crevices or cracks. One female often laj-s
many on the same tree. The butterfly is fond of the sun and
sits for long periods on the same leaf basking with closed wings,
sometimes on a twig, stem or trunk of a tree ; with care it can
then be caught between the fingers ; but, once on the wing,
its flight is extremely rapid though not sustained. The larva
from the first moulfc makes a house or shelter for itself by turning
over a bit of the edge of a leaf, fixing it down and lining the
inside with silk ; it then ornaments the house by eating holes
all round through both layers except on the outer side, where the
hinge is. It makes new nests as required, feeding always upon
the tender leaf on which is made its abode. The piece of leaf is
either turned over onto the top or bottom, it seems immaterial to
the caterpillar. To pupate it wanders off to some crevice in the
bark, hole in the tree, or even down to the groiind, where it
gets under a dead leaf, clod of earth or stone, or into a hole
A dozen or more pupae are sometimes found together. The
butterfly is difficult to kill by squeezing for some reason or other —
like the protected danaine insects ; it is the only lycasnid insect
of these papers that has this property. Some of the larva? are
attended by ants of the genus Grema stoij aster , some are not ; the
ants do not seem to care much for them as they leave them at the
slightest sign of danger. The puptB are, also, sometimes attended
by these same ants. The reason the butterfly is rare is, probably
because the tree upon which the larva feeds is, as a general rule,
about 150 feet in height with a clear stem of some 60 feet or
more and the butterflies keep to the tops. The reason for success
in obtaining the larva3 for the first time in Kanara was that
extensive cutting of the tree had been going on and there w^ere
large areas on which stool-shoots were coming up plentifully. The
young leaves attracted the females and so the discovery come about
during the writer's walks over the cuttings. The range of the but-
terfly is limited as it is only recorded fi*om Tenasserim in Burma, the
Nilgiri Hills in Madras and Kanara in Bombay. Up to the time of
the discovery of the larva the female only was known. There is
absolutely no diff'erence in the sexes in the matter of shape and colour.
THE COMMON BUTTJSRFLIjES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 753
30. Genus — Zeltus.
Eyes hairy; body small and rather weak ; autennge short,
considerably less than half the costal margin of the fore wing. The
type and only species of this genus is a much more weakly constructed
butterfly than the species of HijpolijccBna says de Niceville. But
as w^e do not know what that means, not knowing any of this latter
genus, it does not help us much. Zeltics is a weak-flying, fluttering
little insect that plays about in the shade and often near water in
the monsoon months on the Kanara coast, sitting on leaves at
about ten feet from the ground and occasionally flying off" for a
short distance to return again to the same point of vantage. It comes
occasionally to flowers but. on the whole, is rarely seen at all. It is
not to be mistaken for anything else as it has two very long, white,
feather}^ tails to the hindwing, one at the end of vein 1, the longer
by double, the other at the end of vein 2, fully 6 mm. or 7 mm.
in length ; about one-quarter inch. The description below will
explain the rest. This beautiful and delicate little butterfly has been
bred as both Horsfield and Moore give figures of it, but they do
not state what the larva feeds upon ; and the writer has never had
the luck to come across it. It is found all over India, in Burma, the
Malay Peninsula, Niass Island and in Java and Borneo.
194. Zeltus etolus Fabricius. Male. — Upperside : fore wing: black, with
a bluish base ; hind wing : light blue and silvery, with an oblong, abbre-
viated, black patch at the outer apical angle ; two circular, distant,
subocellate spots at the anal region. Underside : fore wing with the
greater portion of the surface testaceous-brown, separated by an oblique
boundary from the bluish base ; surface marked with a short, double
band on the discocellular nervules ; a distinct, abbreviated, medial, and
a faint, almost complete, submarginal band, all these marks darker than
the ground. Hind wing : pale blue with a whitish histre ; bearing, near
the base, in contact with the costa, a very distinct, black dot enclosed
in a faint, whitering ; a short, broad band on the discocellulars as in
the fore wing ; a postmedial, complete band of the similar colour straight
from costa to vein 3, then displaced inwards, then hook-shaped, directed
somewhat outwards from the base of vein 3 and along it, then down,
recurved and back and up to about the middle of vein '2, then down,
for a short way and, after a curve, up and diagonally straight to the
middle of the inner margin as a deep-black line ; followed by a submargi-
nal and marginal, much tiner band, one outside the other, the inner
terminating in a distinct oblong, transverse streak in interspace 1 between
and above the tails, the outer having a small, black portion in interspace
3 about the middle of the margin, followed in the same line by two very
large, intensely black ocelli or round spots, the first in interspace 2 just
above the base of the upper tail, the other on the anal lobe ; between them,
in interspace 1, the space covered with white irroration, most thickly dis-
posed and covered with a greenish-silvery powdering on a wedge-shaped
dash at the edge of the anal ocellus, the. dash having its point directed
inwards. Body brown above, sparingly clothed with bluish hairs, whitish
and downy underneath. Antennae brown, delicately ringed with white
to the club, which is rusty red at the tip. Legs banded alternately blacV.
7
754 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, J ol. XXVI.
and white. — Female. Upperside : both wings dull, smokey brown. Hind
wing : with the abdominal margin whitish, very hairy ; the outer margin
bearing, from vein 3 to the abdominal margin, a double series of somewhat
quadrate, white spots ; followed, on the margin, by a small, black spot in
inter-space 2 ; a large, intensely black, rounded spot in interspace 1 ; thence
to the inner margin irrorated with black scales ; the anal lobe with an oval,
ochreous spot ; a very fine, black, marginal thread from the anal angle to
vein 5, inwardly defined with white. Underside : both wings marked as
in the male, but the ground-colour of the costa and anterior half of the fore
wing and the apex of the hind wing, more ochreous than in the male.
Cilia on the upperside of fore wing dull brown, on the underside paler ; on
the hind wing dull brown at the apex, thence pure white to the anal angle.
Two tails in both sexes, white throughout in the male, the one at vein 2
long and faintly marked with blackish down the middle in the female ;
the one at the end of vein 1 twice as long, more prominently marked with
black, that colour disappearing towards the tip. Expanse : male, 30-38 mm.;
female, 35-40 mm.
Larva. — Green, hairy, depressed ; head black, second and third segments
increasing in size ; marked with short, black lines ; the following segments
of equal size ; the three last ones dorsally flattened and marked above
with crimson.
Pupa. — Of the usual lycienid shape ; yellowish-green ; head and thorax
emerald-green.
The description of the transformations are from Horsfield and Moore's
figures and are given in de Niceville's book.
Habits. — All that is known to the writer has been given already
nnder the description of the genus, de Niceville says that it
occurs commonly at low elevations in Sikkim and he remarks that
it flies rapidly and compares it to a dragon-fly ! It does not really
fly rapidly.
31. Genus — Rathinda.
" The genus Rathinda contains but a single species which is brown on
the upperside with an oblique, transverse, discal, macvUar, white or
ochreous band on the fore wing and a submarginal, reddish-ochreous band
on the hind wing. The underside is very beautifully marked, the apex
of the fore wing is ochreous-brown, the base of the fore wing and the
entire hindwing is sometimes pure white, sometimes pale ochreous-browa
cr greyish-ochreous, sometimes entirely ochreous, marked with dark,
ochreous-brown lines, patches and spots ; the hind wing with a sub-
marginal, metallic, silvery-green line. There are three tails, the middle
one twice as long (4 mm.) as the others. The male has no secondary
characters." The larva is very abnormal having many fleshy processes,
long and conical in various positions ; the pupa is of the type of Tajuria
aad Camena-Ops-Creon, fixed only by the tail and standing free thereon.
The butterfly is a weak, fluttering flier and is easily caught ; it is confined
altogether to the underwood but is found from sea-level up to the 3,000'
hill-tops and even out into the borders of the opener country on the
Western Ghats in Bombay ; which means from the region of 100 to 300'
and over of rainfall to where it is but 60" or even less and from the
Malayan scrub jungle of the coast through the very densest and tallest
evergreen forest into more or less Deccan scrub on the other side ; it
extends from Assam through Orissa and is found throughout Southern India
and Ceylon in suitable places. The foodplants are numerous.
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 755
185. Rathinda amor. Male. Upperside : brownish-black with a violet tint.
Fore wing : with a white spot, often with ochreous scales upon it and
more or less trapeze-shaped, placed obliquely just beyond the cell in
interspaces 4, o, with two more, smaller, generally slightly blurred and in a
curve downwards and outwards, in interspaces 2, 3 ; a slight fringe of
sparse, glistening, brownish hairs along the inner margin ; a fine, auteci-
liary, black line ; the cilia light, glistening brown, pure white under the
apex and just before the tornal angle. Hind wing : with the abdominal
fold light brown as well as the costa very narrowly ; a band of red-orange,
subterminal, in interspaces 1 to 5 thinning upwards, sometimes wanting
in the higher interspaces, sometimes continuous, sometimes consisting
of separate lunules capping terminal brown spots or even, in tbe first
three interspaces, black, terminal spots ; these spots whether brown or
black bordered by pure white, fine lines exteriorly in interspaces 1 to 3 ;
a fine, anteciliary, brown line ; the cilia pure white outside the spots, grey
in the middle of the outer margin, brown towards the apex ; a thread-like
tail, the middle one 3'5 mm. in length, at the ends of each of the veins
1, 2, 3, the outer half as long as the middle one, the innermost shortest ;
all brown, tipped with pure white. Underside : white, the markings brown,
both wings often sufl'used with golden ochraceous. Fore wing : the apical
third brown, the inner edge an even, outwardly convex curve from the
middle of the costa to about a quarter of the length of the inner margin
from the tornal angle ; this area in some specimens completely suffused with
golden-ochraceous and always with a subterminal black, straight line,
interrupted at the veins, bordered inside by a fine, white line of equal
breadth ; the area beyond nearly always sufl'used with golden-ochraceous
forming the terminal outer border, limited by a fine, dark-brown, anteci-
liary line ; the cilia light brown. The inner border of the white is often
irregular, sometimes nearly straight, diverging from the outer border to
vein 1 or beyond and with a twice-waved, thin line of brown near the
outer edge of it in interspace 1 ; inside the pure white, discal band thus
formed there is a large, brown patch between vein 1 and 4, more or less
quadrate in shape, sometimes invading interspace 1 below somewhat, not
extending further in than the base of vein 2 with two brown spots above
it in interspaces 4, 5 which border the discocellular nervures ; these
nervules bordered on the inside by a more or less triangular brown spot
often connected with the large brown patch below ; in the cell are two
brown spots one under the other beyond the middle and, below them in
interspace 1, touching the median nervure, is a quadrate or transversely
elongate, subbasal spot ; a basal, brown line along the underside of vein 1 2
and another line, parallel to it and twice waved, extends from vein 1 near the
base of the wing to the subcostal nervure in the middle of the cell. The
whole wing at the base from the median nervure upwards to the costa as
far as the discal, white band may be sufl'used with golden ochraceous and
the brown spots on the white groiind-colour are then often bordered by
ochraceous. Hind wing : proceeding inwards from the outer margin the
markings are as follows : — cilia pure white with an anteciliary, very fine,
brown line ; a terminal moderately broad, golden-ochraceous band bordered
inwardly by a fine, jet black line from costa to vein 1 : a submarginal.
light bluish-silver, complete, rather fine line turning up at the anal end
to the anal angle and touching the terminal, ochraceous band in the
middle of the outer margin, the space between it and the outer margin
is white, often with ochraceous scales on it here and there, in interspaces
16, 1 and 2 often with a black spot overlying the white, the central one
always the largest, sometimes obsolecent, but, if present, bordered on the
outside also by silver ; this submarginal band bordered inside by a fine.
756 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL RIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
chocolate-brown, more or less lunulate, continuous, fine line ; both this,
subterminal band and the inner brown border turn up at the end in an
even curve to the inner or abdominal margin ; a highly-lunulate, thin,
chocolate, postmedial line curving from the costa out and in to the
middle of the abdominal margin, the convexity of the lunules outwards
and the interspaces 6, 7 often suffused outwards with chocolate ; inside
this is a medial curved series of lunulate, quadrate and elongate spots
from the costa to the abdominal margin, the abdominal end in the shape
of an angulated band ; a chocolate line on the outside of the discocellu-
lars and another, often produced triangularly inwards in its upper
half, inside the discocellulars a spot above these discocellular markings
in interspace 6 ; inside these again a subbasal chocolate line across the
middle of the cell continued interruptedly above to vein 7 and below
to the abdominal margin ; spot in base of cell, one above and below ; and,
finally, a chocolate streak along the middle of interspace 8 parallel to the
costal margin. The whole disc may be suffused with golden-ochraceous
leaving the chocolate spots and marks intact. — Female : like the male
but the white band on fore wing purer white and larger ; the underside
generally paler. Antennoe black, banded with white ; the club thin,
rounded, tipped broadly orange ; palpi black above and on sides, light
ochreous or white below ; head with vertex and frons black, bordered
white ; abdomen and thorax black above, white below. Expanse : maJe,
24 mm ; female, 30 mm. or less.
Egg. — Depressed — -hemispherical in sJiape ; four rows of more or less
hexagonal, thick-walled cells from summit to base ; the bottom row smallest
and irregular ; the top row arranged round an apical cell which is a little
larger than the others and centains, within its confines on the fiat bottom,
a circle of six, very small cells with broad, low walls round the micro-
pyle which is the absolutely central pit. Each cell has a concave bottom
covered with tiny, impressed, greenish pitting. The walls of all the large
cells are coarse and rather irregular, rather high and of rounded transverse
section. The whole surface shining. The colour white over the green
ground. B. : 0'75 mm ; H. 0. 5mm.
iar^a. (PI. II, fig. 27.) — In general shape the larva resembles those of
Tajuria cippus or Vreon cleobis being broad in the anterior segments, narrowed
to a waist in about 8, 9 and broadened out again in 12 ; but the segments are
perhaps not so well-marked and the surface is dull instead of shining. The
head is hidden under segment 2, rather small, round, shining yellow in colour
with a large, triangular clypeus, black eyes and labrum, jaws tipped with
brown-red. Segment 2 is hood-shaped, semi-circular in outline, depressed in
dorsal centre in a square with a dorsal line down its centre of a diflerent
shade to rest ; the margins, therefore, somewhat tumid, the dorsal line on
front margin narrowly emarginate with a small subdorsal, fleshy point on
each side of the emargination pointing forwards. The anal extremity is
square and practically hidden from above by the dorsally flattened,
marginally somewhat tumid, posteriorly broadly-truncated segment 13 (?) ;
segment 12 is convex on dorsum, otherwise somewhat gibbous, which
means higher than the preceding and following segments ; segment 3 has
two, short, subdorsal, fleshy, pointed-conical processes, one on each side of
dorsal line in middle of the segment ; segment 4, broader and higher than
segment 3, has a similarly situated pair three times as long — which means
about as long as the larva is high ; one, dorsal, the same length on segment
6 ; one, dorsal, still longer than that of segment 5, on segment 6 as well as a
subspiracular one of the same length ; one, dorsal on each of the
segments 7-11 ; that on 7 a mere, short triangular cone; those on 8, 9 of
normal shape, but rather short and between that of segment 3 and
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 757
that of segment 4 in length ; that on 10 longest of all, slightly longer than
those of segment 6 ; that on 11 the same length as the one on segment 3
or even shorter ; segment 12 has a subspiracular one directed slantingly
backwards with an vipward tendency ; the process on segment 3 is slightly
curved and erect, leaning slightly forwards ; on segment 4 is erect, leaning
forwards, slightly hooked at tip ; on 5, erect ; on 6 also vertical as con-
cerns the dorsal one, the subspiracular being directed straight out in the
horizontal plane ; those of segments 8, 9 curved, leaning forwards ; that
of 9, vertical ; of 10, situated near the hinder margin, leans backwards,
curved forwards slightly. Surface of the larva is shallowly pitted
all over and transversely creased ; covered fairly closely with minute,
thick-based, erect hairs, these hairs occasionally inclined towards the
surface ; the dorsoventral margins of segments 2 and 14 are set with
erect, light-coloured, short hairs ; on other segments they are light brown
and somewhat longer. Spiracles broadly oval, rather small, flat, raised upon
slight corrugations of the body, greenish light-brown in colour. Colour
of the body is grass-green with a broad, enamel-white dorsal band in-
creasing in width from the hinder margin of segment 6 to segment 12 ; this
band on 7-9 bordered by rose-brown stretching down each side on
segment 9 ; the dorsal process of 5 has a brown-rose band from its base down
each side to behind spiracles ; processes on 6, 10 (dorsal) are green at their
bases, yellowish above and red at tips and are nearly 3 mm. in length.
The ground-colour may also be rose-red — it depends upon whether the
larva is feeding on green leaves or red ones, or green or red flowers. L:
17 mm ; B : 4 mm without the processes.
Pupa. — (PI. II, fig. 27a). This is also of the tyj)e of those of Tajuria
cippus or Creon cleobis. The head bowed ventrally, hidden from above by
segment 2 ; the frons rather prominent, rounded. Segment 2 is a rather
broad, transversely convex band or piece, rounded in front outline, with
a straight posterior margin except for a shallow wave forwards in dorsal
line ; it is 2/3rds as long as broad and inclined at an angle of 45° to the
plane of the head-frons and 30^^ to the longitudinal axis of the front half
of pupa ; the thorax is of ordinary length, is prominently humped, smooth,
the hinder margin with its two halves meeting at a right angle in the
dorsal line ; each half again meeting the wings in a widely rounded, deep
angle of about 60° ; segment 4 dorsally flat and parallel to the plane
through the spiracular lines at that point ; segment 5 ascends to segment
6 which is again humped in the middle ; here the pupal axis is suddenly
bent at nearly a right angle to that of segments 1-5 and the body gradually
becomes thinner in diameter to the hinder margin of segment 9, then
remains perfectly cylindrical to the end, segments 10-14 forming a sort
of thick stalk longer in some pupne than in others, segments 12-14 being
cut away ventrally obliquely to form the attachment surface ; ventrally
the angle of the bend is at the ends of the wings : at segment-margin 8/9
that is, but even here the angle is rounded and not sharp ; the dorsal line
of segments 6-14 is quite straight as is the ventral line of 1-8 and the
continuing line of 9-14 ; laterally the outline is from shoulders to
segment 6 nearly parallel ; the sides converging thence to anal end ; the
last segment dilated, horse-hoof-shaped. The surface of the pupa is shining,
minutely, irregularly and shallowly creased with short, lowly-conical,
paired tubercular unevennesses on segments 6-9 and some further, minute
warts on the coloured band of the same segments ; segment-margins 8, 9
are bevilled, the posterior one of segment 8 much more than the front one
of 9 and suddenly raised above it dorsally. Spiracles of segment 2 are
small, oval, raised, light brown or whitish in colour ; the rest are roundish,
small, raised, similarly coloured. Colour of pupa is ordinarily grass-green ;
758 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXII.
the ventral edge along the dorsal margin of the wing suffused with whitish
grey ; a brown spot dorsally behind apex of thorax and a similar spot at
front margins of segments 10, 11 ; the larval band on the dorsa of
segments 7-9 white, suffused with light pinkish-brown. Sometimes, when
the pupa is formed in artificial conditions in a breeding cage or away from
green leaves, it is suffused all over with blackish or very dark grey, the
ventral margin of the dorsal margin of wings is broadly lighter as well as
the dorsal band of segments 7-9 except the little tubercles "and the dorsal,
hinder^part of segment 3, L : 9 mm ; B : 4 mm for a fat pupa ; 8 mm
and 3'o mm for a thin one.
Habits. — The egg is laid as usual in the axil of a flower or leaf,
always of young flowers or leaves. The egg- larva eats flower-
buds and very tender leaves. When full-grown lives amongst flowers
or on the undersides of tender leaves. It is sluggish and never
Avanders very far for food if it can help it. The pupation
is effected on the upper surface of a leaf or on a perpendicular
stalk or wing, &c., and the head always points up. The tail only
is fixed but it is fixed very strongly and the pupa stands quite
free upon it. Some of the pup^e are thin and stand out at quite
an angle from a perpendicular surface (say, 15" which is a lot),
others are quite stout and then the head rests generally against the
pupating-surface or very nearly. In the larval stage there does not
seem to be any gland on organs on segment 12 and ants are
certainly not particularly attracted by either the caterpillar or
chrysalis. When the pupa is touched it gives vent to a little
knocking noise ; even, sometimes, when blown upon. This noise
must be produced by some action in the joints of the segments
8-11 because the pupas that stand quite free, not touching with
their heads, omit it. The larv^a is of rapid growth and the butter-
fly emerges after about a week from pupation,
Eatinda amor is one of the prettiest little insects to be found and
it is one of the commonest in the jungles of the Bombay Presidency.
It would be hard to beat it for delicacy of build and neatness of co-
louring : the little waving tails and brightly varied pattern of the
undersides impart to it an air of distinction among its fellows- -per-
haps because it is so plentiful and always, so to speak, on view. It
never or hardly ever goes to flowers or water. It flutters daintily
about the rosy-vermillion flowers of Txora coccinea b}^ the sides of
water -courses and the edges of paths in the half-shadeof the jungles:
or sits, expectant, on the end of a leaf in a patch of sunlight, basking
with its wings half-open ; or flies about amongst the low bushes on
business bent; or rests, exposing the speckled glorj'-ofits underside,
on the green foliage of some favoured shrub everywhere it exists.
And it is limited in its range, for it is found only in Southern India
and Ceylon, Assam and Orissa, The foodplants aie various and
the larva has been found on the following : — Ixora, Hopea, Croton,
Blachia, LorantJms, Slchleichera, 'Eugenia, Gareya belonging to the
THE COMMON B UTTEllFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 759
families Ruhiacecx-, I)ii:)terocari-)eai, JEiii^liofhiaceoe Loranthaceoe, Sainnda-
ceoe, Myrtaceoe. It ynight be said to be fairly omnivorous in
vegetables !
32. Genus — Catapcecilma.
Three species of this genus are known from Indian limits, one only of
which is wide-spread, namely, the one below, elegans. The three may be
known by having three, short, thread-like tails to the hind wing \\\e Rathinda
and Horaya, but can be distinguished from both of them at once by the fact
that the wings have sinuate outer margins and the underside is banded and
spotted with metallic silvery-green or silvery violet instead of being marked
with lines and spots as in the former, or with a broad-medial white band on
a pure ground as in the latter ; the wing neuration agrees very closely with
that of Horaga, but the male never has any sexual characters such as are found
in most of the species of that genus ; the eyes are hairy, the autennte have
a gradually-formed, well-developed club ; the palpi are moderately long,
much compressed, the second joint reaching well beyond the head and longly
haired beneath, the third slender, but well-formed. The transformations
of elegans are known. The larva is normal, but depressed in shape with a
large segment 2, the surface is covered with very minute, flat-topped,
thick, circular, white tubercles. It is always attended by ants. The
pupa is normal in shape and the last segment is not hoof-shaped as in
Rcdhinda. Judging by elegans, the flight of insects of the genus is rather
that of Nacaduha than anything else ; fairly strong but of the fluttering
description. Catapcecilma is an Oriental genus altogether and is known from
Mussoori, Burma, South India and Ceylon.
186. Catapoecilma elegans, Druce. Male. Uppersiie : dull, dark purple
with narrow, black, costal and outer borders which are inclined to be
maculate ; a fine anteciliary, black line ; the cilia shining-grey and broadly
black at the ends of the veins ; the outside margin sinuate between the
veins. Fore wing : the margins both narrow ; a fringe of sparse, rather long,
grey hairs along the inner margin. Hind wing : the costal margin above
vein 7 and broadly, obliquely down to vein 6-end brown-black, outer margin
as on fore wing ; anal margin light-brown. Underside : dusky-smokey with a
violet tint with light-yellow intervals along the costa of fore wing and lightest
in middle of outer margin of the same, between the discal and subbasal
markings of hind wing and along its outer margin, as also along the inner
margin of fore wing below vein 1 ; with, on both wings, rusty and black spots
and bands with broad margins of irridescent silver. Fore wing : above vein
12 on the costa many little, transverse, black lines with silver scales on
them ; in interspace 11 ; some silver scales about middle and a brown-
quadrate spot in the end on the costa ; in 10 : two quadrate, silver spots,
one in the middle and one before it and a brown one on the
costa at its end; in 9: the same. In the cell: a rusty red spot
with an outer, silver border filling the base ; a similar one in the
middle and another, quadrate, enclosing the discocellulars ; both these last
bordered on inside and outside with silver. Below the cell : a blackish,
rounded spot in the angle of vein 2 and the median nervure, bounded out-
side by silver ; the base of interspace 3 touching the discocellular spot,
silver in continuation of the outer border of the borders of that spot,
continued by a larger, quadrate spot filling the interval between
veins 2 and 3 with a small spot in addition near its inside under vein 2 ; all
chocolate dark -brown, the inner border of the whole silver ; in interspaces
4, 5 in continuation of the outer border of this large mark is a continuous
760 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
silver inside border to a chocolate-brown and dusky-brown mark ; beyond
all these is a postmedial, silver, broken, transverse band of lunules en
echelon inwards from very near the costa to just below vein 2 ; a submargi-
nal, transverse, perfect series of separated, quadrate, silver spots, six in
number, from interspace 1 to costa ; the margin beyond, narrow, very light,
the cilia shining light ochreous with the ends broadly chocolate at the ends
of the veins. Hind wing : the extreme bases of interspace 7, the cell and
interspace \h filled with, each, a chocolate-brown spot, outwardly bordered
with silver ; followed closely by a transverse row of three other, subbasal,
similar spots in the middle of interspace 7, cell and la, some chocolate
suffusion between in interspace \b and above vein 8 ; a russet and brown
band, margined with silver enclosing the discocellulars with a complete,
transverse, discal band immediately after reaching from costa to vein 2,
then sharply recurved to the middle of the inner margin, inside silver,
rusty in the middle and bordered outside with diffuse chocolate , then a
submarginal, nearly precisely similar, recurved band ; a marginal series of
silver, quadrate spots as on the fore-wing, margined with brown more or
less ; a tine, silver, anteciliary line followed by finer, brown line ; the
cilia as on fore wing. In interspace 2 the terminal markings are replaced
by a black-centred blurred brown spot. Thread-like tails at the end of vein
1, vein 2 and vein 3, the middle one 4*5mm.,the outer less than half that, the
other shortest ; all black with white tips. Antennae light brown above,
ochreous below, banded white ; the club round, long, black, with orange tip.
Palpi black above, ochreous below, with some silver scales on the sides.
Head with the vertex and frons russet, the eyes rimmed silver. Thorax
and abdomen dark brown, the former with blue hairs in front ; below white ;
the legs very longly woolly. — Female. Upperside : pale azure-blue with
broad, dark brown borders to the fore wing, the outer decreasing to the
tornal angle where it comes to a point; it is quite 3 mm. broad at the
apex, the broadest place ; the inside edge is lunulated outwards between
the veins. Hind wing : the costa broadly light brown above vein 6 ; the
abdominal margin lighter brown ; the outer margin narrower brown
with a series of three blackish, blurred, terminal spots in interspaces
2, 1, ^b, la; all four bordered inside and out by silver lines. Underside :
exactly as in the male but much lighter in shade. Expanse : male,
26-35 mm ; female, 25-35 mm.
Laroa. — The shape is more or less normal but somewhat broad and
depressed-looking ; the segments well-marked. Head completely hidden,
shining light yellow in colour, dark red about the mandibles. Segment
2 large, semi-circular in shape, the hinder margin convexly curved
backwards so as to encroach upon the length of segments 3, 4, with
a dorsal, central, large, shining surface which is slightly convex (instead
of flat as in most larvge), the margins slightly thickened and turned
up along the free edge ; anal segments sloping, the last broadly and
slightly squarely rounded, with a large, shining, slightly pitted, dark-
brown depression dorsally-like that of segment 2 : indeed segment 2 and
the anal end are very like each other ; hinder margin of segment 13 some-
what tumidly raised above this depression : the body between segment 2
and segment 12 parallel-sided, the last segment, perhaps, broadest ; organs
of segment 13 circular, black, not very easily seen ; the gland of segment
12 conspicvious, transverse, triangular-depressed (the section, that is, is
triangular). Surface of larva dull, each segment with a lateral transverse
line at the lower end of which is the spiracle ; covered with minute,
flat-topped (disc-shaped), white, thick tubercles ; some hairs round the
free end of anal segment : no others anywhere along the dorsoventral
margin. Spiracles small, black, circular, in the bottoms of the lateral.
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 761
transverse folds. Colour : all the dorsal part of the body down to the
lateral line is a dark, blackish green-brown in colour, marked lighter on
each segment diagonally ; the dorsal portion of segment 7 yellowish ;
below the lateral line the body is light greyish-green with dark mottlings
arranged in a pattern showing two spiracular, olive-green, longitudinal lines
which are slightly broken ; free edges of segments 2 and 14 grey-green ;
ventrum yellow. L : 14 mm ; B : .5 mm at segment 12 ; H : 5 mm.
Pupa. — The shaj)e is quite normal. Head bowed, hidden under the large,
convex, slightly dorsally carinated segment 2 ; segments distinct ; thorax
humped, convex, slightly compressed laterally on the dorsum ; constriction
behind thorax dorsally slight, laterally nil ; abdomen circular in transverse
section, rather long, ending in a perfectly rounded, more or less hemis-
pherical shape with the last segment slightly turned under upon the
ventral aspect of which are the suspensory hairs ; lateral outline diverging
ever so slightly from shoulders to segment 8/9 but very nearly parallel,
pupa broadest at segment 9, of equal l\eight at apex of thorax and
segment 6/7 ; the general shape being long and narrow, curved down at
both ends so that the pupa touches at both extremities and not elsewhere.
Surface smooth, only slightly shining, very minutely haired all over.
Spiracles of segment 2 facing forwards, nearly covered by a small expan-
sion of the anterior margin of thorax ; other spiracles raised, oval, black
with a little hole in the centre — funnel shaped ? — and conspicuous. Colour
of the pupa is a nondescript yellowish dark-brown, smudged with black
or very dark brown ; otherwise, another way of putting it, yellowish-pink,
speckled with black. L : 9 mm ; B : 4 mm.
Hahits. — The larva is always attended by ants of the genus
Or emastog aster which never leave it either in that state or in the
pupal state and it is often to be found in little houses built over
scale-insects by them on the branches of the trees or on the twigs ;
it is restless, and difficult to keep in captivity. Three larvas were
found when originally discovered, in a dead leaf amongst foliage,
hung up there and more or less fixed ; they were huddled together.
But the larvse feed upon young, tender leaves, wandering out tor
that purpose, resting only on the undersides and eating all but the
top cuticle. They wander off to pupate and rarely undergo the
change on a green leaf; but generally choose a crevice or fold in
a dead leaf, &c. The pupa is laxly attached by the tail only. There
is no body-string. The growth of the larva is not particularh^
rapid and the pupa is somewhat long in producing the butterfly.
The places the butterfly chooses to lay her eggs are generally in
thick jungle on the low branches of a cut tree or small bush, not
overshadowed by dense shade but exposed to the air and sunlight.
The foodplant is Terminalia panimlata (Comhretacece), a large tree.
The butterfly is not often seen nor are its eggs and larvae easy to
find ; indeed the eggs have so far eluded notice, notwithstanding-
seeking by the writer of this description. The male insect is,
perhaps, even more uncommon than the female which is, at least,
occasionally seen flying round the foodplants and laying eggs.
They both stick to the jungles, the male occasionally basking low
down on the end of a leaf. The flight is not strong but neither
8
762 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
is it weak — a sort of medium fluttering style. It rests with its
wings closed as a rule and never goes to flowers or water. It was
first bred in Kanara District of Bombay and has been recorded from
Masuri, Sikkim in the Himalayas ; Orissa, South India ; Kanara and
the Nilgiris; Ceylon; Assam ; Burma; the Malay Peninsula; Nias
Island and Sumatra and Borneo.
33. Genus — Horaga.
Like the genus Catap<scilma, and the oenus Rathinda, this is also dis-
tinguished from the majority by the insects having three tails to the hind
wing ; they are further characterized by having both wings crossed by a
more or less broad, continuous, discal band whereas Rathinda is spotted
with only an apical band to the hind wing, Catapcecilma is dark-banded
and spotted without a sign of a similar white band. Eyes naked ; body
stout; palpi directed out straight in front, second joint roughly scaled,
slender and reaching beyond the head, third joint cylindrical, one-third the
length of the second ; legs short, antennae short, gradually thickened to the
pointed club ; considerably less than half the length of the wing. De Niceville
says that about ten species have been described, that the genvis is a purely
Oriental one, that its headquarters are in India and enumerates 7 species as
occurring in India, Burma,aud Ceylon of which, however, only 6 are now recog-
nised as really good ; others occur in the Malay Peninsula and some of the
island of the Archipelago beyond. The flight of the insects is rapid, but
they never go far, but settle again shortly. They do not go to flowers and
water, at least they have never been observed to do so. The writer once saw
many butterflies flying round the young shoots of Diospyros embryopteria .
De Niceville and Mackinnon bred two of the species at Masuri in the
Himalayas and the larva is said to be very similar to that of Rathinda
amor but has eleven processes instead of the 15 of that species. The
pupa is stout, affixed only by the tail and evidently resembles very much
the stout type of Rathinda chrysalis. The foodplant is given as Coriaria
nepale7isis of the family Coriariaccce .
187. Horaga onyx, Moore. — Male. Upperside cyaneous-blue. Fore wing
with a patch of white outside the end of the cell, divided into 4 by veins
2, 3 and 4 ; the upper piece the smallest, the spot below vein 4 small ; the
costa with a black band, narrow at the base, increasing in width outwards,
occupying the whole apical space beyond the white patch, and broadly down
the outer margin. Hind wing with the costal a]*ea broadly blackish,
a narrow, macular, outer, marginal, black band ; terminal black line ; anteci-
liary bluish-white thread ; tails black, tipped with white. Cilia of both wings
black, tipped with white on the hind wing and at the hinder angle of the fore
wing. Underside pale ferruginous-brown, with a pinkish tint. Fore wing
with the hinder, marginal space below the submedian vein white ; a broad
band with dark-brown edges crossing the wing from the white hinder
space to near the costa, its inner edge passing just outside the end of the
cell, fairly erect, somewhat sinuous, its outer margin inwardly oblique
from vein 4, narrowing the upper end of the band to a point below the
costa ; terminal line dark-brown. Hind wing with a narrower band in
continuation, edged inwardly with dark-brown, somewhat difluse on its
outer side, the band somewhat constricted in its middle, extending from the
costa (where it is broadest) down to the first interspace, where it is angled
and runs inwards in a straight black line, with some metallic blue-green
spots on it ; two similar spots below the angle ; and three or four on the
abdominal margin above the anal angle ; a black, anal spot in interspaces
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 763
1 and 2, each with a metallic blue-green spot attached to it ; marginal
line dark brown, a white thread inside it. Cilia of both wings white, con-
taining a medial, brown line. Antennae black, ringed with white ; head
and body above and below concolorous with the wings, abdomen whitish
beneath and at the sides. — Female. Upperside paler and duller blue,
the discal white patch on the fore wing larger, more complete and usually
oval-shaped. Underside as in the male but paler, and the white bands
broader. Expanse of wings, 28-34 mm.
Za;7'a!.-—" Of the usual lycsenid shape, furnished with eleven tentacular
processes ; two on segment 3 ; a single one on segment 4 ; 3 on segment
5 ; 1 each on segments 6-9 ; 2 on segment 11 ; those on segments 3, 4, 7-9
all dorsal; one of 5 dorsal, two lateral ; the two on 11 lateral. Colour
being green in some places, brown in others." [Mackinnon and de NiceviUe),
Pupa. — " Very short and thick for its length, with no medial girth. Colour
light green anteriorly, the wing-eases brown ; the abdominal segments
also brown ; green on the back of the body." (Mackinnon and de Niceville.)
Habits. — The butterfly has much the habits of Fathinda amor
but is, perhaps, rather stronger on the wing; it flutters in much
the same way and sits on leaves. It does net come to flowers or
go to water and never comes into the open. It is a jungle species
but is found on the sea coast at sea-level in Kanara as well as in
the scrub-evergeen parts above the Ghats at 2,500'. It is most
decidedly rare in Kanara below the Ghats though more plentiful
above. It has been recorded from the Himalayas ; the Karen and
Shan Hills ; Sikkim and the Khasis ; Assam ; Orissa ; Kanai-a in
Bombay. The foodplant is given as Coriaria nejpalensis by Mackin-
non and de Niceville.
188. Horaga cingalensis, Moore. — Male. Upperside of a brighter and
cleaner blue than in H. onyx. Fore wing : the outer margin more convex ;
the white patch usually smaller, not usually extending below vein 2 ; the
black, outer, marginal border narrowing hindwards. Hind wing : with the
upper tail (at the end of vein 3) in all the specimens we have seen, very
short, not half as long as it is in onyx. Underside : ground colour similar.
Fore wing : with the margins of the white band more even, making the
band somewhat bottle shaped. Hindwing : the band narrower, straighter,
not constricted at its middle ; the anal markings somewhat similar, but
the space between the anal, black spot and the black spot in the first
interspace is white speckled with black atoms ; there is an extra subter-
minal, small, black spot in the third interspace and each spot and mark
in each interspace is capped with metallic blue-green scales. Antennse,
head and body as in onyx. — Female. Upperside : dull bluish-grey. Fore
wing : with some blue scales on the basal portion ; the white patch as in
H. onyx. Hind wing with some white on the middle of the costa and a
smallj suffused, whitish space in the middle of the wing ; the ground colour
of the wing paler than it is on the fore wing. Underside : as in the male.
Expanse ; male 28 mm ; female, 30 mm.
Habits. — The transformations are unknown and the habits, practi-
cally, also.
Habitat. — South India, Ceylon. The Type came from Ceylon ;
it is found also in Kanara ; it is closely allied to H. onyx, but can
always be recognised by the shortness of the tail at the end of vein
3. {Sivhilioe).
764 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
188 a. Horaga viola. — Male. Upperside : blackish-brown with a slight
violet tint. Fore wing with a somewhat oval white patch outside the cell,
varying in size in different examples. Hind wing without markings, tails
black, tipped with white, outer marginal line of both wings finely black.
Underside paler with a stronger violet tint. Fore wing : with the white
patch continued to the hinder margin, somewhat constricted at the sub-
median vein. Hind wing : with a black, anal spot ; another usually (but
not always) in the first interspace ; and soaie obscure blackish spots in
the others. Antennje black, ringed with white ; head and body above and
below concolorous with the wings ; no sex mark in the male. Female.
Upperside : dull greyish-blue. Fore wing : with the white patch larger
than it is in the male ; costal black band rather broad, widening gradually
from the base to the apex, filling up the whole apical space outside the white
patch and broad down the outer margin to the hinder angle. Hind wing :
with the costal space broadly blackish, with a small white patch on the
middle of the costa ; the outer margin with a narrow, more or less macular,
black band ; marginal line finely deep black, with an inner, white thread.
Underside as in the male. Expanse : male, 22 mm. ; female, 25 mm.
Larva. — A single specimen from a larva found feeding in Mussuri on
the leaves of the Coriaria nepalensis. It is a most curious-looking creature,
about half an inch long, of a reddish-brown colour, of the usual lycsenid
shape, but furnished with eleven tentacular processes, two on the third
segment, one each on the fourth, seventh, eighth, and ninth segments, all
dorsal, the fifth has three, two lateral and one dorsal, the eleventh has
two lateral ones. (Mackinnon and de NicSville). Habitat. ^ — India. The
type caiTie from Dharmasala, N. W. Himalayas; Mackinnon and de Niceville
record it from Mussuri and Sikkim ; Colonel Swinhce has it from Nilgiris,
3,500 feet elevation and says: " it is a rare species, though widely distri-
buted." It has also been taken in Kanara, Bombay Presidency.
34. Genus — Loxura.
" Eyes naked, body short, only moderately robust ; palpi long (still lon-
ger in the female), flattened and scaled throughout, second joint outreach-
ing the head by two-thirds its length, third joint half its length ; legs
short, thick and scaled ; antennae short, only one-third the length of the
costa, thickened throughout their length." (Moore, as quoted by de Niceville).
De Niceville says that " four species of the genus have been recorded
from India. I am unable to give a single character by which these species-
can be identified They are very conspicuous butterflies on the wing
and are usually found amongst trees and bushes, especially bamboos. They
have rather a weak flight and their long tails soon get broken." At the-
present day these forms have all been placed under the single name
atpntius as separate races characterizing difl'erent regions in India; Ceylon;,
the Andamans ; South India ; and North India, Burma and the Nicobars,
They are all, however, represented in Kanara District of Bombay ; so they
do not even merit to be considered as races. The butterfly also inhabits,
outside India, the Malay Peninsula and some of the Malay Islands. The
larva and pupa are somewhat abnormal in shape, the former having a waist
and being shining as to surface, the latter having only the tail attach-
ment and the last segment hoof-shaped. The foodplant is Smila.r or-
Diosoorea, only the young shoots being eaten ; the former belonging to the
Liliaceae, the other next door to it.
189. Loxura atymnus, Cramer. — Male. Upperside: both wings tawny-golden,,
the intensity of the tint varying in individuals, from florid but not glossy-
orange to pale saft'ron-yellow. Fore wing : the exterior and posterior
margins blackish brown, the inside boundary being regular and passing.
THE COMMON B UTTERFL lES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 765
in an arch from the middle of tlie costa to the tornal or outer angle, leaving
the greatest breadth at apex. Hind wing with a narrower and paler,
apical border, the inner edge of which is slightly dentate and gradually-
diffused into the ground-colour of the surface or entirely covered with a
diluted yellowish tint ; inner margin dirty-greyish and downy, lengthened
in the direction of the lobe ; the lobe irrorated with dusky-white. Under-
side : both wings covered with a yellow-ochreous, powdery tint which is
uniformly diffused over the whole surface ; marked with four brownish,
parallel bands, the two inner ones of which are generally very obsolete
and apparent only in fresh and well conditioned specimens ; the third,
extending across the middle of both wings , is the most distinct and is
composed of darkish lunules between the veins all continuous with each
other ; the fourth, marginal, is faint and interrupted. Hind wing : the
transverse or lower end of the lobe is marked with a brownish streak
consisting of three confluent spots which are covered along the margin with
whitish irrorations, the inner spot being diffused over the rounded extre-
mity of the lobe. Body brownish above with a slight admixture of
yellow; the thorax with delicate, silky heirs; underneath, these parts
are covered with a short, close, whitish down. Antennee brown. Tail
pale tawny with an obscure margin and a white tip. — Female : exactly like
the male and can be distinguished by the conformation of the front legs ;
the tarsi also by the wing being broader, the costa more arched, the inner
margin longer than in the male ; thus giving the wing a blunter appearance.
The above description is taken from de Niceville's book and is Horsfield's
original one. Expanse : male, female, 30-45 mm.
The four species mentioned by de Niceville are atymnus, surya, prabha
and arcuata. The first is given as occurring throughout India ; the second
as coming from Kanara and Travancore ; the third from the South
Andamans ; the fourth from Ceylon. In Kanara the form atymnus is
common ; surya is the dry-weather form of it and all of them are now
allowed to be one species ; there is no doubt that they are. The name
atymnus is Cramer's and dates from 1780 and is far the earliest. The
others are all Moore's ; he was very fond of making species.
Eyy. — The shape is hemispherical or very nearly so and it is broadest at
the very base. The surface is shining, like china, pitted rather minutely
all over, with a rather deep, apical, much larger pit — the miscropyle. The
colour is white. B : 1mm.
Larva. — The shape is, on the whole, that of Tajuria cippus though the
" waist " is less developed, the segments 11, 12 are not broadened out later-
ally and the front part about segment 5 is not so much broader than the
rest of the body as in that species ; on the whole the shape is narrow for the
length, being more or less of the same breadth from segment 3 to segment
11 except for the slight narrowing of the waist about segment 9. The
head is hidden by segment 2 and is rather small, shining yellow and
round ; segment 2 is not very broad, somewhat thickened round the free
margin with a slight emargination in the dorsal line on the front margin,
more or less hemispherical in outline, the dorsal slope towards segment 3
slight ; segment 3 ascending more rapidly and segment 4 still rising at the
same angle to the top of 5 which is the highest point of the body ;
after which the dorsal line descends again very gradually and very slightly
concavely about segment 9, where the waist is. to the anal end which
is the lowest as wpII as the narrowest place ; this anal end is flattened dor-
sally and is square at the extremity round which there is a distinctly
thickened flange — as, indeed, there is to a somewhat lesser degree, round
the whole body on the dorsoventral line ; here, also, as in the larva of
Tajuria cippus the dorsal portion of segments 3 and 4 ia flattened. Surface
766 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
of larva is pitted minutely and rather deeply all over, also finely corrugated
into the bargain and clothed with minute, white tubercles ; otherwise shining
and quite naked. Spiracles are situated in depressions, raised in themselves,
circular in shape and white in colour. The colour of the larva is greenish-
yellow, rather soiled, suffused with dull rose on the sides of segment 2 and
segment 14 ; ventrum dull rose. The colour may be more green than rose or
more rose than green. The thickened dorsoventral flange is deeply indented
on its ventral surface. L : 19 mm; B: 4"5 mm.
Pupa. — Has, at first sight, the appearance of being normal in shape, but
the anal end is hoof-shaped though not very prominently so ; and there
is only the tail attachment (the shape and style is very like those of Cheritra
jaffra) ; the head is hidden under segment 2 ; segment 2 is semi-circular
in front, very convex transversely, the dorsal line in the same plane as the
front slope of the thorax although the front margin is rather minutely
suddenly higher than the posterior margin of segment 2 ; thorax convex-
humped, slightly carinated in the dorsal line ; the constriction is slight ;
the pupa is broadest at segments 3 (shoulders) to segment 6, highest at
the thoracic apex although the height at segment 6 is nearly as great ;
tran^iverse section of the abdomen is all but circular ; the anal segment is
horse-hoof-shaped ; and the ventral portions of segments 12-14 lie flat
on the attachment surface. Surface slightly shining, slightly minutely
roughened, quite naked, rugose on the dorsal abdominal band. Spiracles
of segment 2 oval, dull enamel-white, convex, of ordinary size ; others longly
oval, white, on raised green broadly oval swellings Colour of pupa green;
margins of segments 3-5 along the wing-lines lined with black ; front and
back of thorax suffused black ; dorsum of abdomen greyish-brown with the
sides by the wings tinged with rose-colour ; wings suffused blackish out-
wardly. L : 15mm ; B : 4mm ; H: 45mm.
Habits. — The eggs are laid on the young shoots that spring out
of the ground to the height of several feet before any leaves develop ;
also on the leaf-buds later on before the leaves expand ; one at a
time though there may be several on the same shoot. The larvae
resemble, in the most astonishingly accurate manner, the leaf-buds
at the nodes of the shoots a^id thus escape notice as they take advantage
of that resemblance and lie closely applied alojig the shoots. The
pupa is formed also along the stem with only the tail-attachment
closely applied along ventrum. The caterpillar is invariably attended
by ants, the red, biting species with pugnacious, aggressive habits,
(Ecophylla smaragdina. The pupa less so. When the caterpillar
is violently disturbed it hardens itself and becomes rigid and falls,
though, as a rule, it is very firmly seated and is not easily shaken
off. The butterfly haunts the underwood in the jungles and does
not venture into the open except for very short distances at a time
and then only, when in transit from one jungle to another or one
bit of jungle to another. Tt keeps mostly low down and does not
lly high. It is generally seen about the foodplants especially at
the beginning of the rains and end of the hot weather in Kanara
when the shoots of Smilax the foodplant are coming up everywhere
from the roots that have lain practically dormant during the
months of January to May. It has rather a strong flight, some-
what "jigging," in triangular curves and never flies far; it
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 767
alights on the shoots of the footplant or on bare twigs and stickS;
and sits with the wings closed, the little white tips to the long-
tails waving in the wind. It walks about cilso sometimes wdien
settled and is not ver}^ quick at rising. It basks low down, too,
in the sun, with the wings opened about a quarter. In Kanara
the}' are found from sea-level up to 2,500' but alwaj's in jungle
and they prefer the neighbourhood of the evergreens to the opener
deciduous t3^pe — the places where iSmilax abounds ; they have no
other food except Bioscorea which is, practically, the same thing.
The distribution has been given above under the genus but is
repeated here, taking it as a fact that only a single variable species
exists : — throughout India, Ceylon, the Andamans and Nicobars,
Burma, and throughout the Malay Peninsula and Islands.
The figure of the butterfly on Plate H, numbered 55 is, on the
whole, rather good except that the tail-points are not black and
white enough and the underside not bright enough.
35. Genus Deudorix.
The eyes are hairy ; the body robust ; the palpi straight, the second
joint reaching beyond the head by one-third its length, and
thinning upwards, smoothly scaled, the third joint very slender about
one-fourth the second in the male, longer in the female ; le^s scaly,
femora haired below ; antennte longer than half the costa, club evenly-
formed. Deudorix epijarhas is the type species and the one that is dealt
with here. In all its ways it is very closely allied to Viraclwla and has
nothing to do at all with Eapala. The shape of the wings, the style of
marking on the underside, the larva and its habit of feeding on the
interior of fruits, the pupse — all are those of Tirachola. The larvte of this,
Virachola and Bindahara are extremely like each other and rather difficult
to separate. There are supposed, at the present day, to be four species
of Deudorix in the Indian region. The genus exists in every part of India
except in the desert tracts and very high altitudes ; in Ceylon, the
Andamans and Nicobars ; Burma, Malay Peninsula and across to Celebes.
Indeed that is the distribution of the single species epijarbas.
190. Deudorix epijarbas, Moore. — Male. Upperside: scarlet-red in colour.
Fore wing : with broad black, costal and outer marginal borders ; the
costal band has its inner margin somewhat curved, being limited by the
median vein, consequently it is broadest at the apex, its inner edge on the
outer margin is uneven, and at the hinder angle the black band is
continued for a short distance along the hinder margin ; the rest of the
hinder margin is narrowly suffused with black, and so is the submedian
vein. Hind wing : with the costa, base and abdominal area suffused with
blackish, the abd(miinal fold brown ; outer marginal line finely black :
anal lobe black with a small, red mark in it ; tail black, tipped with white,
the veins often more or less finely black. Antennte black, ringed with
white ; club with a red tip and with a white, streak on the underside below
it. Underside : greyish-brown, markings indicated by their white edges.
Fore wing : with a thick bar, with a pale-white line splitting it at the
end of the cell ; a discal, almost straight, rather broad band narrowing
gradually hindwards ; a submarginal series of thick, lunular marks, edged
outwardly with white, its lower end close to the Ipwor end of the discal
band. Hind wing : with a thick bar, with a pale-white line running
through it, at the end of the cell ; a discal series of seven conjoined spots
768 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX VL
the upper six squarish, the seventh angled, the series irregular, the second
spot a little outwards, the fifth a little inwards touching the lower end of
the spot of the discoidal band and decreasing in size hindwards ; the
angular spot running in on to the abdominal margin one-third above the
anal angle, a submarginal series of similar spots, increasing in size hind-
wards ; anal lobe black ; a linear white mark, and a curved streak of
metallic-blue scales above it ; a black spot in the first interspace, ringed
with orange. — Female. Upperside : fulvous-brown. Fore wing : with some
fulvous suffusion below the median vein, varying in extent in difl'erent
examples. Hind wing with the abdominal fold pale, in some examples
without any markings, in some the entire wing is tinted with fulvous ;
and sometimes there are indications of a series of fulvous, submarginal
spots. Underside as in the male, the ground colour often much paler.
Expanse ; male, 35 to 48 mm ; female, 32-50 mm.
LJffff. — Depressed — hemispherical, broadest just above base, with a central,
apical depression ; 14 rows of more or less square, fine-walled cells from
the top to base with a small prominent point at each wall-intersection ;
walls fine, subregular, nearly all meeting in the apical depression ; colour
white, shining. B: O. 5mm ; H: O. 25mm.
Larva. — The general shape of the body is, perhaps, the normal lycfenid
form but tapering more than usual to the end, the transverse section being
convex over dorsum, flat on the ventrum, the fore-end semicircularly
rounded, the anal end which, composed of segments 12-14, is an elongated
semi-circle in outline with a strong dorsal slope, thickened round the edges,
the whole dorsal part inside being a flat, circular surface formed into a
sort of flat disc to fit the hole which the larva makes in the rind of the
fruit : it is admirably constituted to clean out the refuse from inside— for
which purpose it is actually used ; Head shining red-brown ; eyes black ;
clypeus round-topped triangular, slightly sunk at apex, half the height
of the head, with a thin, whitish border-line continued up on to the vertex
of head as the dorsal line ; labrum and basal, antennal joint dirty-white ;
ligula and second joint dirty-orange ; the ligula large with a shallow,
frontal sinus, segment 2 is semicircular, also tumid round the margin, the
dorsum being occupied by a large triangular depression with the sides
curved, the base along the hinder margin and shining at the bottom but
not very deep ; the whole slightly ascending towards segment 3 from the
front margin ; segment 3 is a good deal broader and higher than segment
2: segment 4 than 3 ; segments 5, 6 are the broadest and highest part of
the body ; it thence decreases both in breadth and height to segment 10 ;
segment 11 is somewhat narrower and lower than 10 and flattened dorsally
with the transverse, mouth-shaped gland at its hinder margin; segments
12-14 are dorsally indistinguishable from each-other, composing the
"shovel" and the organs are situated on this flat, circular shovel as well as
the last pair of spiracles, and the protrusible bodies are white and cylind-
rical. Surface of body shining and oiled-looking, covered densely with
small, moderately short, erect, blackish bristles ; round the dorsoventral
margin and round the shovel, as well as along the front margin of segments 2
and 3, is a row of long, erect, lightish hairs three or four times as long as the
bristles 7 or 8 to each segment ; each segment from 4-10 has a dorsal and late-
ral, transverse depression, the spiracles being situated in the bottoms of the
end of the lateral ones. Spiracles are conspicuous, large, oval, light yellow —
the lateral depressions are fairly broad. Colour ia dirty leaden-green, seg-
ment 2 and segment 3 yellow ; segments 4, 5, and 10 are a dirty brown-green,
segments 7-8 dorsally pale-orange except for a dorsal, central small patch
of ground colour and a subspiracular white patch ; the centre of the
"shovel" is also dirty brown-green. L : 16mm ; B : 6-25mm ; H : 4-75mm.
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE TLAINS OF INDIA, 769
Pupa. — Very much the same shape as that of Vivachola perse., i. e.,
the usual normal, lycsenid shape : very little humped in the thorax, cons-
triction behind it very slight dorsally, nil laterally, the lateral outlines
parallel from shoulders to end of wings, shoulders very little prominent :
head hidden under segment 2 ; segment 2 with the outline semicircular
in front, convex transversely, the dorsal slope of ascent from front margin,
the same as that of the front of thorax ; the pupa is stoutest about
segment 8, though very little stouter there than at the shoulders. The
surface covered with minute, erect hairs ; round the front margin of
segment 2 and round the spiracles and along the body just at the dorsal'
margin of wings are some longer, light, hairs, erect and otherwise. Sjnra-
cles of segment 2 facing forwards, oval, whitish ; the rest situated in wide
depressions, fairly large and conspicuous, oval and a little lighter in colour
than the rest of the body. Colour of pupa is rosy-brown, covered with
blackish spots and smudges, forming on the abdomen a dorsal line, on the
thorax a lateral crescent above each shoulder; the dorsum of thorax and
front slope lighter. L : 11 mm : B : o'5 mm.
Habits. — Single eggs are laid on the stalks, leaves and flower-buds,
also on the stems of the branches, twigs, &c. The little larva makes
its way immediately to the fruit and bores its way through the
shell into the inside ; it eats the inside, changing, as necessary, as
it grows, to another fruit. It often pupates inside the fruit it last
cleans out. De Nicevilie says in his description that the colour is
" dull-ochreous blotched with leaden-black, the surface of all the
segments smooth and shining, the constrictions between the segments
well-marked, each segment with a shallow, dorsal pit, a subdorsal
and a lateral pit which bears the deep-hlack spiracles ; the entire
lateral " (dorso ventral evidentl}^) " edge of the larva furnished with
rather long, bristly hairs." The spiracles may be black in some
specimens though, generally, their colour is very constant and
characteristic. He also remarks that the butterfly •' has an extremel\-
rapid flight, but often settles and is not easily caught" which is very
true. The insect is of wide range and is found in the plains and
the hills, in regions of heavy rainfall as well as where it is any-
thing above 10" or 15", in open land as well as in the forests,
from sea-level up to, certainly, 4,000' for it has been taken at
Masuri in the Himalayas. Both the male and the female go freelj^
to flowers and also, occasionally, to water in damp places on the
ground ; the male may be caught basking on quite high trees with
the wings somewhat less than half-open ; but they rest with them
closed. They may both be taken at flowers quite easily but, once on the
wing, the flight is too rapid and irregular to make a capture anything
but difficult. Epijarbas is recorded from all throughout India
except in the desert tracts and very high elevations ; Ceylon,
Andaraans, Nicobars, Burma, Malay Peninsula, Nias, Borneo,
Celebes. The larva is rarely attended by ants. The food plants
are the fruits of Pomegranate, Sapindus trifoliatus or Rita, Gonnarus
and probably others.
770
SOME BIRDS OBSERVED AT FAGOO, NEAR SIMLA.
BY
H. Whistler, f.z.s., m.b.o.u.
While on a short spell of casual leave iu Simla this year
^1918], I seized an opportunity of going out to Fagoo in
hopes of obtaining some birds new to my collection, Fagoo is
the name of a stage 14 miles from Simla on the main Hindustan-
Tibet road ; the Dak Bungalow there is situated at a height of 8,200
ft. But the ridge behind the Bungalow rises somewhat higher.
The name of Fagoo will be familiar to students of the earlier
records of Indian ornithology, as both Beavan and Tytler obtained
some specimens there, and the locality also is mentioned in some
of Hume's notes.
I reached Fagoo on 25th October and returned from there again
to Simla on 31st October; during this period a heavy storm occurred
and fresh snow fell on some of the hills further north. At Fagoo
there was hoar frost every night, which remained all day in
sheltered patches. It will be seen from the notes below that many
of the birds from the higher Himalayas had already arrived.
The country round Fagoo is on the whole disappointing ; with
the exception of small protected forests, the hillsides are somewhat
bare, consisting of rough cultivation and bush scrub, divided here
and there by small patches of oak or pine wood.
1. The Jungle Crow — Corvus macrorhynchus levaillanti, Less.
Abundant and generally distributed.
2. The Himalayan Nut-cracker — Nucifraga caryocatactes hemispila, Vig.
Two pairs were seen and another one or two heard in the
woods about Fagoo between 7,500 and 8,500 ft. The curious
harsh call carries a long way in the nullahs and reveals the presence
of birds which otherwise escape notice. One pair observed feed-
ing, were busily engaged in searching the needle clusters of a
Pinus longifolia. Although not ordinarily shy, their suspicion is
easily aroused and it is not then easy to secure a specimen.
3. The Indian Grey Tit — Parus atriceps, Horsf .
A few observed about Kasumpti (6,500 ft.) and at Fagoo.
4. The Green-backed Tit — Parus monticolus monticolus, Vig.
Very common and noisy and one of the most conspicuous
members of all hunting parties.
5. The Crested Black Tit — Parus melanolophus, Yig.
Very common and found in all hunting parties ; the long crest
is carried erect and with the pure white cheek and nape patches
gives the bird a very distinctive appearance.
6. The Red-headed Tit — Aegithalos erythrocephalus erytkrocephaly^,(Vig).
Several flocks of this beautiful little tit were met with, in every
instance forming part of a larger mixed hunting party.
7. The White-throated Laughing Thrush — Oarrulax alhogularis, Gould.
Two small flocks were met with in some heavy jungle at about
7.500 ft. when I was beating for Pheasants. They were very shy
and moved quickly through the forest uttering their weird cries.
This is the first occasion on which I have come across this species
SOME BIRDS OBSERTED AT EAGOO, NEAR SIMLA. 771
although I have always been on the look out for it when in
the Hills. It would seem to be very local and capricious in its
distribution.
o. The IJed-headed Laughing Thrush — Trochalopteron erythrocephalum
erythroceplialum, Vig.
A single individual Nas observed in the open in a small patch of
stunted trees, where it was uttering a loud and beautiful call.
9. The Variegated Laughing Thrush — Trochalopteron variegettum varie-
gatum, (Vig).
Very common and easily found from its noisy behaviour. In-
dividual bands appear to move about a good deal up and down
the hillsides in the course of the day so that a patch of jungle
may be found full of them at one time and at another time empty.
They also move freely out into the trees on the open cultivated
hill-sides.
10. The Streaked Laughing Thrush — TrocJmlopteron lineatum grises-
centior, Hart.
Less abundant than the last species and for the most part
found skulking close to the ground in low bushes in or about the
terraced cultivation.
11. The Rusty-cheeked Scimitar billed Babbler — Pomatorhinus ery-
throgenys erythrogenos, Vig.
A single individual was seen and shot while we were beating
out a small strip of wood between two fields on a hillside about
7,500 feet. It came flying along low over the ground with a
rather peculiar flight and appearance due to the short wings
combined with the heavy bill and tail.
12. The Black-headed Sibia — Lioptila cap istrata pallida, Hartert.
Not observed at Fagoo though it was seen in Simla at a little
over 7,000 feet on Jacko.
1?. The Stripe-throated Siva — Siva strigula strigula, Hodgs.
A flock of these handsome little birds were observed feeding
in some bushes in heavy jungle above 8,2( 0 feet near the Dak
Bungalow; the yellow of their plumage blended extraordinarily well
with tne dead leaves on the bushes, and their whole actions and
subdued call- notes were very reminiscent of the family of Bab-
blers, especially when alarmed by my presence, the flock began to
move rapidly up the hill. They went so fast feeding through the
jungle that 1 lost contact, but afterwards 1 found the flock again
at its leisure in some seedling firs in a warm sanny hollow on the
top of the hill. Here they were unsuspicious and allowed a near
approach.
14. The Black Bulbul — Hypsipetes psaroides, Vigors.
A couple of flocks were observed in a nullah to the south side
of the ridge on which stands the State Rest house at Fagoo, some-
what below 8.000 feet.
15. The White-cheeked Bulbul — Pycnonotus leucoyenys, (Grey).
A few were observed up to 8,000 feet in the nullah mentioned
under the last species.
16. The Himalayan Tree-Creeper — Certhia himalay ana himaloyana, Vig.
One or two individuals were observed in company with hunting
parties.
17. The Cashmere Wren — Troylodytes trogo odytes neyleclus, Brooks.
Observed on three occasions only ; one bird was feeding in the
terraced hedge, separating two fiekls from one another ; the second
was skulking in the bushes of an isolated patch of open jungle, and
772 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVl.
the third was found in heavy jungle in company with a hunting
party. The note is a harsh " chipping" one, similar to that of the
Eno-lish wren in character but louder and deeper in tone.
18. The Himalayan Gold Crest — Regulus reyulus, himalayensis, Jerd.
Two specimens were obtained from a hunting party on the last
day of my trip ; 1 had not previously realised that the species was
likely to be ab )ut, so it is probable that many of the small birds
which I had previously attributed to Phylloscopus proreyulus were in
reality of this species ; both birds appear very similar in the field.
19. The Siberian Chiti-chaff — Phylloscopus collybita tristis, Blyth.
Common and generally distributed about Fagoo, both in forest
and in bushes about cultivation. It appeared to be averse to the
company of hunting parties and to be usually solitary or in
company only vf'\t\i one or two individuals of its own species.
The loud single note was frequently heard.
20. Pallas' Willow Warbler — Phylloscopus proregulus newtoni, Gatke.
I believe that this willow warbler was common in the hunting
parties but unfortunately did not obtain a single specimen for
verification.
21. Hume's Willow Warbler — Ph'jlloscopus superciliosus humii (Brooks).
This species was heard calling freely in and abovit Simla from
6,500 to 7,500 feet, but appeared to be very much less numerous
at Fagoo.
22. Hodgson's Grey-headed Fly-catcher 'Wa.xhlex—Cryptclopha
xanthoschistos xanthoschistos (Gray).
One or two were met with in hunting parties.
23. The Pale Bush Warbler — Horeites pallidus, Brooks.
A. single specimen was shot skulking in the base of a low bush
amongst mixed cultivation and scrub on a steep hillside. It was
uttering a harsh chucking note similar to that of Phylloscopus
indicics. In the same area I failed to secure what was probably a
second specimen of the same species. On several occasions about
7,000 feet in Simla I heard a song attributed to this species.
24. The Brown Hill Warbler — Sut/a ciinigeru, Hodgson.
A specimen was presented to me by a small sportsman with a
pellet bow, who must have obtained it close to the Dak Bangalow
at Fagoo. Personally I only met with the species at about 6,500
feet at Kasumpti, close to Simla, but it is doubtless common in all
the cultivated valleys.
25. The Short-billed M.m\vQt—Pericrocotus brevirostris (Vigors).
Abundant in flock i which moved freely up and down the hill-
sides over forest and cultivation alike, but of course, only settling
in trees.
26. The Common Mynah — Acridotheres tristis (Linn.).
Several in Fagoo bazaar at 8,200 feet.
27. The Grey-headed Flycatcher — Vulicicajm ceylonensis, (Swains).
Although no individual was actually seen I heard what was almost
certainly the call of this Flycatcher at about 7,800 feet in a nullah.
28. The Yellow-bellied Flycatcher — Chelidorhynx hypoxantha, (Blyth).
A small party of these beautiful flycatchers was observed in some
heavy jungle above 8,000 feet. They happened to meet with a
hunting party and the Phylloscopi in the latter took exception to
their presence and several graceful asrial combats took place.
29. The White-capped Redstart — Chaimarrornis leucocephala (Vigors).
One was seen frequenting a stream at about 7,500 feet near
Cheog Village.
SOMi: BIRDS OBSERVED AT FAGOO, NEAR SIMLA. 773
30. The Blue-fronted Redstart — Fhcenicurus frontalis. Vigors.
Three of these Redstarts, all females, were met with, in each
case frequenting small patches of bush with a few trees on fairly
open hillsides. They were very tame aud allowed a close
approach ; the conspicuously marked tail renders the species very
easy of identification in the field.
31. The Blue -headed Redstart — Fhcenicurus ccendeocephala, Yigors.
A female was found in company with one of those of the
last species. A male flew past me on a hillside just above Kufri
Bazaar (8,000 ft.) on the return journey.
32. The Golden Bush Robin — Tarsiger chrysaus, ^oAgsou.
I shot a small bird which was sitting in one of the terrace hedges
on a partly cultivated hedgeside under the impression that I was
firing at an accentor, but on picking it up was pleasantly surprised
to find that I had secured an adult female of this somewhat
scarce species.
33. The Whistling Thrush — Myiophoneus temminckii temminckii, Vigors.
This was one of the common birds of the hillsides occurring
in all the more open woods. Apart from its predilection for
mountain streams and the ravines through which they run, it is
a very arboreal species and trees rather than undergrowth are
essential for its comfort.
34. Jerdon's Accentor — Frunella stropMatus jerdoni (Brooks).
Very common but from its skulking and shy habits rather
difficult to secure without risk of damage to the skin. This
accentor was usually met with singly, threading the undergrowth
in any open locality whether close to thick jungle or amongst
cultivation. When flushed it would fly but a short way and then
abruptly settle again at the base of some patch of cover. The
note is loud and rather harsh, but reminiscent of that of the
English Hedge-Sparrow.
35. The Black-throated Accentor — Frunella atrogularis (Brand).
A small flock of these Accentors were frequenting a certain
patch of hillside where some small fields were packed in between
scrub jungle and a small but very thick Ilex wood. They were even
greater skulkers than the last species aud, in spite of several
attempts, I failed to get a shot, although on one or two occasions
I could see individuals in the open within 2 or 3 yards of me
which had to be spared.
36. The Himalayan Green finch — Acanthis spinoides (Vigors).
In the course of a hurried visit of one day to Kufri at the end
of August I had found the Himalayan Green finch extremely
common in the cultivated stretches of hillside that border the
roadside, but on this trip I found that the species had practically
vanished. There were one or two still about close to Fagoo
bazaar and these had probably been detained by late nesting.
37. The Common House Sparrow — Fasser domesticus indica, Jard. and
Selby.
A few observed about the State Rest House at Fagoo.
38. The Cinnamon Sparrow — Fasser rutilans debilis, Harteit.
Not uncommon at Fagoo in a patch of light jungle close to the
Dak Bungalow.
39. Stolickza's Mountain Finch — Montifringilla nemoricola altaica.
(Eversm).
On the return journey just above Kufri Bazaar I came across
a huge flock of some 50 to 80 flinches which were new to me.
774 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL RIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
They were perching in the tall scrub which bordered the sides
of the terraced fields, and when disturbed flew backward and
forward calling, loath to settle, but equally loath to depart. 1
was very hard up for time, but with some trouble luckily secured one
specimen which proved to be of this species. The crop was full
of minute seeds.
40. The Grey-headed Bunting^ — Emberiza fucata arcuata, Sharpe.
A single immature specimen in heavy moult was shot in a low
bush on a partially cultivated hillside.
41. The Eastern Meadow Bunting — Emheriza cia stracheyi, Moore.
The Meadow-Bunting was without doubt the most common
bird in the neighbourhood of Fagoo, found every where except
actually in thick jungle. Wherever one went its squeaking note
would be heard on the ground and one was continually disturb-
ing small parties which rose with a flash of their white tail
feathers only to settle a few yards further on. The presence of
a party thus moving in front often made it diflicultto get a chance
at some more desired specimen. They feed mostly on the ground
or in bushes, but are not averse to perching in trees.
42. The Crag Martin — Riparia rupestris (Scop).
The Crag Martin was general in small numbers about the road
from Jacko to Fagoo, hawking backwards and forwards at a
moderate height along the hillsides.
43. The Upland Pipit — Oreocorys sylvmms, (Hodgs.).
A single individual was found feeding in heavy grass on a
cultivated hillside beyond Kasumpti, (6,500 feet) ; it was
not at all shy, but kept on rising at my feet with bunting like flight
and settling but a short distance away, when it would again com-
mence to feed rapidly along the ground.
44. The Brown-fronted Pied Woodpecker — Dryobates aunneps, (Vig.).
Observed at 7,000 feet in Chota Simla. Woodpeckers appeared
to be scarce at Fagoo as I saw none and heard only one or two
calls of species not identified
45. The King Vulture — Otogyps calvus, (Scop.).
Seen at 7,000 feet near Chota Simla.
46. The Himalayan Grifl'on Vulture — Gyps f ulcus himalayensis, Hume.
A large vulture which I attributed to this species was common
soaring over the hills at Fagoo.
47. The White-backed Vulture — Pseudogyps bengaleiisis (Gmel.).
A few observed about 7,000 feet at Simla.
48. The Egyptian Vulture — Neophron percnopterus.
Not observed at Fagoo and only one or two seen with the kites
about Simla. The exact race represented was not ascertained.
49. The Lainmergaier- — Gypcetus barbatus grandis, Storr.
This grand bird was to be seen sailing over the hillsides or
sweeping high over the valleys at almost any time both in Simla
and about Fagoo; adult and immature birds appeared to be
equally common. It is not shy and on one occasion 1 might almost
have killed one on the wing with my small collecting gun.
50. The Short-toed Eagle — Circaetui gallicus (Gmel.).
One was seen hovering high over the ridge on which stands
Fagoo dak bungalow. Mr. A. E. Jones informs me by letter that
he observed one in the same place in September.
51. The Farmh Kite— Milvus gorinda, Sykes.
Kites were scarce at Fagoo, but the one or two that I saw appeared
to belong to this species, which swarms about the bazaar in Simla.
SOME BIRDS OBSERVED AT FAGOO, NEAR SIMLA. 775
62. The Sparrow Hawk — Accipiter nisus, (L.),
Not uncommon about Fagoo.
53. The Shahin Falcon — Falco peregrinus peregrinator, Sundev.
On one occasion when L was collecting on an open hillside a Falcon,
apparently of this species, stooped at a small bird that I had dis-
turbed and passed over my head at such a pace and with such a
noise that I was considerably startled; in a second or two it was so
far away over the valley that I had no chance to verify the species.
54. The Kestrel — Falco tinnuncuLus, L.
Common about Fagoo and continually engaged in altercations
with larger raptores.
55. The Indian Turtle Dove^ — Streptopelia turtur ferrago, (Eversm.)
During my visit to Kiifri in August this dove had been very
common along the road, but it was probably then on migration
and had moved away later, as on this trip I found it to be com-
paratively scarce, only five or six individuals being seen in all.
56. The Common Peafowl — Pavo cristatus, Linn.
A single pea-hen was flushed in some Ilex jungle at about
7,000 feet when we were beating for pheasants.
57. The White-crested Kalij Pheasant — Gennceus albomstatus, (Vig.).
I devoted two days of my short time to looking for pheasants
and found that this species was sufficiently common on a ridge
near Fagoo. The summit of the ridge was about 7,500 feet in
elevation and comprised a "protected forest" of dark and
gloomy Deodar jungle with comparatively little undergrowth.
Below the protected area patches of pines and Ilex alternated
with open hillside and cultivation, the trees usually occupying
those parts of the ground too steep for cultivation.
The main head-quarters of the pheasants was of course in the
protected area but from there they straggled freely down to the
woods in the open, and were apparently most numerous in the
close neighbourhood of the villages. Owing to the distance from
Fagoo I was not out in the early morning or late evening which
was stated to be the best time to shoot the birds as they then
collected in and about the fields, but I found that in the after-
noon many pheasants certainly were to be found in the isolated
patches of wood between the fields.
These pheasants were usually found in small parties of which
the inrlividuals rose singly and, when flushed, especially by a
dog, frequently settled in a tree at no great distance where they
sat motionless. On rising the curious guinea pig like squeak,
familiar to all keepers of the ornamental silver pheasant, was
freely uttered. A good many birds appeared to be killed by
natives who shoot the bird at roost or use dogs to make it take
to the trees.
On other days while collecting I came upon two or three
pheasants in heavy undergrowth elsewhere and found then that
they sat very close, rising as a rule within a yard or two of my
feet. These were, however, I believe Koklas {Pucrasia macrolophus)
but in no case did I get a clear view for identification.
58. The Chukar Partridge — Caccabis chukcir, (Gray).
I discovered in the course of collecting where two or three
coveys were living on the open bush clad hillside near Fagoo,
but could not spare the time to make a determined efl"ort to
circumvent them.
■ 776
SUMMAKY 0\^ THE RESULTS FROM THE INDIAN
MAMMAL SURVEY
OF THE
BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.
By R. C. Wroughton, f.z.s.
Part IV.
(^Continued from page 379 of Volume XXVI.)
Subfamily II. — Marmotin^.
Gen. — Marmota.
There is only one genus. The name Arctomys, used by Blan-
ford, was proposed by Schreber in 1780, but Blumenbach had
already given to the genus the name Marmota in 1779.
The material available in this
group is very scanty, especiallj^ of
No. 259. himalayanus, the more eastern forms. Even
Hodgs. with the help of Hodgson's types
No. 260. hodgsoni, Blanf. and drawings I cannot convince
No. 261. caudatus, Jacq. myself that there is any specific
difference between his himalayanus
and hemachalanus (i.e., hodgsoni,
Blanf.), and propose to treat the latter name as a synonym of the
former, at any rate until, if ever, there is material to prove to the
contrary. Good series of marmots, from both slopes of the eastern
Himalaya, are a great desideratum. Thomas has recently exa-
mined the more western forms, belonging to the caudatus group
(J. B. N. H. S, xxiv, p. 341, 1916), when he added stirlingi to the
existing species. The species described by him in 1909 (A. M.
N. H. (8) iii, p. 259), namely, littledalei, has not been taken in our
limits, but only on the Pamir. I have however included it, as
well as dichrous. Anderson, from Kabul, in the following key : —
Key to the genus Marmota.
A. — General colour greyish ... ... l.himalayana,ii.odgs.
B. — General colour fulvous or brown.
a- General colour fulvous.
a". Size large, hind foot 100 mm.;
back broadly washed with black. 2. caudata, Jacq.
b'. Size smaller, hindfoot 70-80 mm. ;
no black splash on back.
a'. No dark crown ; area between
cheek and shoulder grizzled ;
belly hairs broadly brown
basally ... ... ... 3. stirlingi, Thos.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY.
777
6". Crown of head dark ; no grizzled
shoulder patch ; little or no
brown at base of belly hairs.. 4. littledalei, Thos.
General colour dark brown above
and below... ... ... ... 5. dichrous. And.
Distribution : —
1. M. himalayana, Hodg-
son.
M. caudata, Jacqiie-
mont.
Tijjte locality: — Nepal. (Hodgson).
Other localities : — Ladak (Ward) ;
Sikkim (Maudelli) ; Garwhal (Long-
staff); Kashmir (Whitehead) (B.M.)
j^^e:_B. M. No. 45.1.8. 239.
(Co-types of lieinachalanus, Hodg-
son, B. M.Nos. 45.1.8.237 and 238,
Lectotype, B. M. No. 45.1.8.237).
Type locality : — Kashmir, (Jac-
quemont).
OtJier localities : — Kagan Valley,
Hazara District. (Whitehead)
(B.M.).
Type : — Unknown.
Tijpe locality:— Chitral, 11, OOO'.
(B. N. H. S.— Stirling).
OtJier localities : — None.
Ttjpe:—B.M.^o. 15.7.1.10.
Type locality : — Alai Mountains,
Pamir. (Littledale).
Other localities : — None.
Type:— B.M. No. 92. 1. 1, 7.
Tijpe locality :— Hills North of
Kabul.
Other localities :— None.
Co-type and Lectotype : — B. M.
No. 76. 2. 12. 3.
• Family II. — Dipodid^.
A single species only of this Family is represented in the Indian
region, for which, or rather for its representative in Central Asia,
Nehring in 1897, provided the subgeneric name Alagtagulus.
It may now be treated as a full genus.
3. M. stirUngi, Thomas.
4. M. littledalei, Thomas.
5.
M. dichrous, Anderson.
Gen. Alagtagulus.
No. 262, indica, Gray
This is the onl}' form found
within Indian limits.
10
778 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVL
Distribution: —
A. indicus, Gray. Type locality : — Kandahar.
Other localities : — Kandahar ; N.
W. Frontier. (B. M.).
Co-types:— B.M.^o. 44.0.15.4
& 5.
Lectotype :— B.M. No. 44.9.15.4.
Family III.— GuRiDiG.
There is only one genus.
Gen. — Platacanthomys.
No. 263. lasiurus, Bly. This is the only species.
Distribution : —
P. lasiurus, Blyth. Type locality : — South Malabar
(Rev. H. Baker.)
Other localities : — South Malabar ;
Travancore (B. M.) ; South Coorg
(M.S.I.).
Co-type:— BM. No. 60.5.13.1.
Family IV. — MuRiD^.
The three Subfamilies may be distinguished as follows :—
Key to the Subfamilies of the Murid^e.
A. — Tail markedly longer than half the
head and bodj^ together.
a. Tail well covered with hair, usually
with a tassel of longer hairs at the
tip ; feet abnormally long in pro-
portion to size ... I. Gerbillin^.
b. Tail sparsely haired, showing the
scales, no marked tassel ; feet of
normal length II. MURIN^.
B. — Tail less than half as long as the head
and body together III. Oricetin^.
Subfamily I. — Gerbillin^.
The genus Gerbillus was founded by Desniarest in 1804, and
seven years later Illiger separated Meriones lor an animal from the
Caspian region, while in 1881 and 1882 Lataste separated Dipodil-
LUS and Tatera for Egyptian and Indian forms. These four genera
may be arranged in a key as follows : —
Key to the genera of the GERBiLLiNiE.
A. — Size small, head and body 80 mm. or less.
a. Sole of foot hairy ; one large metacarpal
pad T. Gerbillus.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY.
779
II, DiPODILLUS.
III. Meriones.
IV. Tatera.
h. Sole of foot naked ; two metacarpal pads.
B. — Size large, head and body 100-175mm.
a. Sole of foot at least partly hairy
6. Sole of foot entirely naked.
Gen. — Gerbillus.
No. 268. gleadowi, Murr. The only species in the Indian
region.
Distribution : —
G. gleadowi, Murray. Type locality :— Rohri, Sind. (Glea-
dow.)
Other localities : — Thar and Parkar
(B.M.); Palanpur (M. S. I.).
Type : — Unknown.
Gen. II. — DiPODILLUS.
No. 267. nanus, Blanf. Besides this species, swinJioei, Scully,
was taken near Kandahar, and as pointed out by Blanford,
(Maram., p. 400), is likely to be taken at Quetta. These two
species may be distinguished as follows : —
Key to the species of Dipodillus.
-Size smaller, head and body about
A.
B.
70 mm.; tail longer, about 110 mm.
-Size larger, head and body about 85 ; tail
shorter, about 75 mm.
Distribution : —
1. D. nanus, Blanford
1. nanus, Blanf.
2. swinhoei, Scully.
2. D. swinhoei, Scully.
Type locality : — -Gwadar, Baluchis-
tan. (Blanford).
Other localities : — Palanpur; Kathia-
war(M. S. I.).
Co-types : — Ind. Mus. Oalc. No. a.
and B. M. No. 74. 11.21. 39.
Type locality : — Between Kandahar
and the Khojak Pass. (Scully).
. . Other localities : — 'None.
T?/^e:— B. M. No. 81. 8. 16. 9.
Gen. Ill, — Meriones.
No. 265. hurrianrp-, Jerd. These two species may be distin-
No, 266, erythrura, Gray, guished as follows : —
Key to the species of Meriones.
A. — Sole of feet only distally hairy ; eai'S
small ... ... ... ... ... 1. hurriance, Jerd.
B. — Sole of feet almost entirely hairy ; ears
large... ... ... ... ... 2. erythrourus,GT.
780 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
2. M. erythrourus, Gray-
No. 264. indicus, Hardw.
DiSTRIHUTION : —
1. M. hurriance, Jerdon. Type locality : — Hariana,, Punjab
. . (Jerdon).
Other localities: — Dasht, Baluchistan;
Kotah ; Attok ; Delhi (B. M.).
Co-types :— B. M. No. 67. 2. 4. 1.
and 71. 4. 11. 3.
Lectotype :— B. M. No. 67. 2. 4. 1.
Type locality : — Kandahar.
OtJier localities : — Kandahar (B.M.)
Type:— B.M. 1^0. 44. 9. 15. 8.
Gen. TV. — Tatera.
Quite recently in this Journal (Vol.
XXV, p. 40, 1917), I examined this
genus and suggested the revival of
the names cuvieri. Waterh., hardwickei, Gray, and ceylonica, Wr.,
and the establishment of two new species, viz., slierrini and dunni
for the northern forms. These six forms may be arranged in a
key as follows : —
Key to the species of Tatera.
A. — Feet and tail short, only exceptionally
exceeding 40mm. and 190mm. respec-
tively.
a. General colour hazel
h. General colour greyish.
a'. General colour grey-drab. ... 2
6'. General colour pinkish drab. ... 3.
B. — Feet and tail longer, at least 44mm.
aiid 200mm. respectively.
a. Anterior palatal foramina long
(10mm.); general colour hazel ...
h. Anterior palatal foramina short
(6 — 7mm.)
a'. General colour buffy
h' . General colour reddish ...
1. indica, Hardw.
sherrini, Wr,
dunni, Wr.
7. hardwickei, Gray.
5. cuvieri, Waterh.
6. ceylonica, Wr.
Distribution : —
1. T. indica, Hardwicke.
Type locality: — Kumaon (?).
Other localities : — Nasirabad (Boys) ;
Khandesh ; Ahmednagar (B. M.) ;
Kathiawar ; Palanpur ; Khandesh ;
Central Provinces ; Gwalior ; Bengal
Kumaon (M. S. I.).
Type:— B.M. No. ll.j/.,..
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SUBVEY. 781
2. T. sJienini, Wroughton. Type locality : — Jacobabad, Sind.
(B. N. H. S.— Prater).
Other localities : — Upper Sind Fron-
tier (M. S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 15.11.1.88.
3. T. dunni, Wroughton. Type locality : — Umbala, Punjab
(Maj. Dunn).
Other localities : — Umbala (B. M.).
Type :— B. M. No. 9. 4. 6. 10.
4. T. hardwickei, Gray. Type locality : — Dharwar (Elliot).
Other localities : — Dharwar ; Travan-
core (B. M.); Satara ; Dharwar ; Kana-
ra ; Coorg (M. S. I.).
Co-Ujpes : — B. M. Nos. 11. e. and h.
Lectotype:—B. M. No. ll.e.
6. T. cuvieri, Waterhouse. Type locality: — Ramnad, Madura.
Other localities : — Trichinopoly ; Tin-
nevelly; Madura (B. M.) ; Bellary ;
Mysore (M. S. L).
>y^e :— B. M. No. 55. 12. 24. 135.
6. T. ceylonica, Wroughton. Type locality : — Ceylon (Kelaart).
Other localities : — Maha Oj^a, Man-
keni, Colombo, Kala Oya, and South-
ern Province, Ceylon (M. S. I.).
Type :—B. M. No. 52. 5. 9. 31.
Subfamily II. — Murine.
It is in this group, as was to be expected, that we get the
widest divergence between Blanford's nomenclature, &c., and the
currently accepted view. In Linnasus' classification the genus
Mus included not only the Subfamily Murine, nor even only the
whole Family Murid^, but embraced forms which are now
accepted as belonging to quite different* Suborders, e.g., the
Marmots and the Guinea-Pigs. Of course Blanford's classification
was a great advance on this but he recognised only seven genera of
Murine, whereas now no less than twenty-three are accepted. Of
these, besides the genera used by Blanford, only three, viz. : —
Apodemus, Bandicota, and Rattus, were established before 1888,
and have since been revived. All the remainder, except Gunomys,
Hadromys and H^romys have been established, directly or
indirectly, as the result of the Survey.
The following is an alphabetical list of the Indian genera of
MuRiNiE now recognised, with the reference and genotype in each
instance : —
(1) AcoMYS, Geof^roy, Ann. Sci. Nat.
(2) X., p. 126, 1838... ... A. cahirinus, Geoffroy.
782 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
(2) Apodemus, Kaup., E-G. N. S. i.,
p. 150,1829 ... ... A. agrarius, Pallas.
(3) Bandicota, Gray, A. M. N.H. (4)
xii., p. 418, 1873 ... ... B. gigantea, Hardwicke.
(4) Chiropodomys, Peters M. B. Ak.
Berl., p. 448, 1868 ... ... C. penicillatus, Peters.
(5) CcELOMYS, Thomas, J. B. N. H.
S. xxiii., p. 414, 1915 ... C. mayori, Thomas.
(6) CREMNOMY&, Wrotighton, J. B. N.
H. S. xxi., p. 340, 1912 ... (7. cwte/wcMS, Wroughton.
(7j Dacnomys, Thomas, J. B. N. H.
S. xxiv., p. 404, 1916 ... D. millardi, Thomas.
. (8) GoLUNDA, Gray, Oh. M. N.H. i.,
p. 586, 1837 G. ellioti Gray.
(9) Grypomys, Thomas, J. B. N. H.
S.xx.,p. 909, 1911 ... G. gleadowi, Murray.
(10) GuNOMYS, Thomas, A. M. N. H.
(7) XX, p. 203, 1907 ... G. bengalensis, Gr. & H.
(11) GUYIA, Thomas, J. B. N. H. S.
XXV., p. 201, 1917 ... ... G haJileenw, Thomas.
(12) Hadromys, Thomas J. B. N. H.
S. XX., p. 999, 1911 ... H. Awme*, Thomas.
(13) H^ROMYS, Thomas, A. M. N. H.
(8) vii., p. 207, 1911 ... H. margaretpje, Thomas.
(14) Hapalomys, Blyth, J. A. S. B.
xxviii., p. 296, 1859 ... H. longicaudatus, Blyth.
(15) Leggada, Gray, Ch. M. N. H. i.,
p. 586, 1887 ... ... L. booduga, Gray.
(16) Leggadilla, Thomas, J. B. N. H.
S. XX., p. 682, 1914... ... L. plafythrix, Bennett.
(17) MiCROMYS, Dehne. Ein neues
Siiug. Faun, Dresd, p. 1, 1841. M. agilis, Dehne.
(18) MiLLARDiA, Thomas, J. B. N. H.
S. XX., p. 998, 1911 M. meltada, Gray.
(19) Mus, L., Syst. Nat. i.,p. 59, 1758. M. musculus, L.
(20) Nesokia, Gray, A. M. N. H. (1)
X., p. 264, 1842 ... ... iV. m(?ica,Gray&Hardw.
(21) Pyromys, Thomas, J. B. N. H.
S. XX., p. 996, 1911... ... P. priestleyi, Thomas.
(22) Rattus, Fischer, Nat. Mus. Paris.
ii., p. 128, 1803 R. rattus, L.
(23) Vandeleuria, Gray, A. M. N. H.
(1) X., p. 265, 1842 V. olemcea, Bennett.
Miss Ryley and I published some years ago (J. B. N. H. S.xxii.,
p. 19, 1913), a key to the genera of the Murine, but some genera
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY.
783
have been established, and one or two names changed, since then,
so with the corrections thus rendered necessary, I republish our kej
as follows : —
Key to the genera of the MuRiNiG.
I. — Tubercles on anterior lower molar in two
longitudinal series.
A. — Coat composed at most of one half
spines.
a. Postero-internal cusp of upper molars
absent.
a\ Incisors not longitudinally
grooved.
a^ Front edge of zygomatic plate
straight or convex.
a. All digits except the pollex
with claws.
a
a
, Anterior upper molar at
most half the length of the
entire tooth-row ; ter-
minal edges of incisors
not notched ; frontal
ridges present.
a\ Plantar pads six.
, Transverse lamina3 of
upper molars straight.
a'. Size large ; head
and bodj^ more
than 250 mm.;
coat harsh ; mamynce
3—3=12
6'. Size smaller ; head
and body at most
225 mm.
a^ Palatal foramina
long (8 mm.) ;
coat harsh mvlti-
mammate (16 to
18 mammce) ...
6\ Palatal foramina
short (5 mm.) ;
mammcB 2 — 2
= 8
. Transverse lamiute of
upper molars consi-
derably curved.
I. Bandicota
II. GUNOMYS.
III. Nesokia.
784 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVL
a . Mesopterygoid fossa
normal.
a^. Mammae more
« than six ; coat
silky, sometimes
mixed with
spines.
a^ Tooth-row ac-
tual ly and
prop ortion-
ately longer,
more than 10
mm. ... IV. Dacnomys.
6^ T o o t h - r o w
shorter, less
than 10 mm. V. Rattus.
b\ Mammse 1-2 = 6;
coat silky ... VI. Cremnomys.
b'. Mesopterygoid
fossa roofed in
anteriorly ; coat
spiny ; mammae
4—2=12 ... VII. Pyromys.
h\ Plantar pads less than six.
a. Pectoral mammae pre-
sent.
a\ Mammt© 1—2 = 6. VIII. Grypomys.
b\ Mamni^ 2—2=8. IX. Millardia.
/>". No pectoral mammas ;
mammary formula
0—2 = 4 X. GUYIA.
b\ Anterior upper molar
more than half the tooth
row.
a'. Bevelled edges of incisors
notched ; palatal fora-
mina extending back-
wards deeply between
the molars.
a\ Frontal ridges well
marked XI. Leggadilla
6^ No frontal ridges,
a^ Muzzle shorter ;
essentially housemice XII. Mus.
^7. Muzzle longer ;
essentially junglemice XIII. Leggada.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY. 785
If. Bevelled edges of in-
cisors not notched ;
palatal foramina short-
er; no frontal ridges. XIV. CoELOMYS.
6^ Other digits, besides the
pollex, with a flat nail
instead of a claw,
a*. First and fifth digits of all
feet with flat nails ; coat
silky, mammce 2—2=8... XV. Vandeleuria.
6*. Hallux and pollex alone
with nail XVI. H^romys.
ff. Front edge of zygomatic plate
concave ; coat harsh ; 7na7nmce
2—2=8 XVII. Hadromys.
//. Incisors longitudinally grooved ;
coat harsh ; mamm'-fl — 2^8 ;
plantar pads six XVIII. GoLUNDA.
/,). I'ostero-internal cusp of upper molars
present. [domys.
a\ MammsG 0 — 2 = 4 ... ... XIX. Chiropo-
h\ Mammas 2 — 2 = 8.
a\ Tail not prehensile ... ... XX. Apopemus.
6". Tail prehensile... ... ...XXI. Micromys.
B. — Coat composed entirely of spines ... XXII. Acomys.
II. — Tubercles on anterior lower molar in
three longitudinal series ; coat
silky ] mammce 2 — 2 = 8 ... ... XXIII.Hapalomys.
Gen, I. — Bandicota.
Blanford uses Nesocia (as he spelt it) for all this group, but
Thomas restricted the name to the extreme northern and western
forms, and at the same time revived the genus Bandicota and
established Gunomys (A. M. N. H. (I), xx., p. 202, 1907).
In a paper in this Journal (J.
B. N. H. S. xviii., p. 748, 1908)
I discussed this group, and recog-
No. 296. bandicota, Bechs. nised five species (using indica,
No. 297. nemorivaga,ii-odgs. Bechstein for bandicota, Bechstein,
as being the earlier of the two
names), and Thomas has recently added another, viz. : — savilei (J. B.
N. H. S. xxiv., p. 641, 1916). These six species may be arranged in
a key as follows : —
Key to the species of Bandicota.
A. — Size very large, hind-foot more than
60 mm . ... ... ... . . . 1 . gigantea, Hardw
U
786 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
B. — Size smaller, hind-foot 58 mm, or less.
a. Hind-foot about 58 mm. ; colour of
underfur brown
i' . Hind-foot 51 mm. or less.
a\ Hind-foot 48-51 mm.
a^. Colour almost black.
d\ Skull stouter, coarser
6^ Skul] more finely built
6^. Colour brown ...
6\ Hind-foot only 43 mm. ...
Distribution : —
1. B. gigantea, Hardwicke
2. malaharica, Shaw.
3. elliotana, And.
4. indica, Bechst.
5. nemorivaga, Hodgs.
6. savilei, Thomas.
2. B. malaharica, Shaw.
3. B. elliotana, Anderson.
4. B indica, Bechstein.
5. B. nemorivaga, Hodgson
0. B. savilei, Thomas.
Type locality : — Hardwar, United
Provinces.
Other localities : — Rajputana ; Delhi
(B. M.) ; Kathiawar ; Junagadh (M.
S. I.)
Type :— B. M. No. 60. 5. 4. 84.
Type locality : — Malabar Coast.
Other localities: — Travancore; Cey-
lon (B. M.) ; Central Provinces ; Sa-
tara ; Dharwar ; Kanara ; Mysore ;
Coorg ; Ceylon (M. S. I.).
Type : — Unknown.
Type locality: — Calcutta (Anderson).
Other localities : — Palamow (B. M.) ;
Bengal; Bhutan Duars (M. S. I.).
Co-types : Ind. Mus. Calc. Nos. a.
b. and c.
Type locality: — Pondichery.
Other localities:— W\\g\ri Hills(B.M.).
Type : — Unknown.
Type locality : — Nepal (Hodgson).
Other localities : — Nepal ; K h a s i
Hills ; Tounghoo ; Yunnan ; Formosa
(B. M.).
Co-types :—B. M. Nos. 43.1.12.67
and 68. (Type of macropus. Gray, and
of hydrophilus, Hodgson, B. M. No.
45.1.8.286).
Lectotype:—B. M. No. 43.1.12.67.
Type locality : — Mount Popa, Bur-
ma (B. N. H.'S.— Shortridge).
Other localities : — Mount Popa (M.
S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 14. 7. 19. 211.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY. 787
Gen. II. — GuNOMYS.
Thomas established this genus to represent the southern or
long-tailed mole-rats (A. M. N. H. (7), xx., p. 203, 1907.)
In my paper quoted above, I
No. 29io.bengalensis, Gf. &i accepted eight species which were
H. recorded to occur within our area.
Additional material however shows that the separation of tora?/ewsis,
Horsf. from bengalensis, cannot be maintained, consequently as the
later name the former mu§t rank as a synonym of the latter. The
remaining seven may be arranged in a key as follows : —
Key to the species of Gunomys.
A. — Teeth smaller, upper molar series less
than 7*5 mm.
• a. Size larger, head and body more than
200 mm., hind foot about 35 mm. ;
skull length 43 mm. ... ... 1. bengalensis, G. &
H.
b. Size smaller, head and body less than
200 mm., hind foot 32 mm. ; skull
length 41 mm. ... ... ... 2. gracilis, '^elw.
B. — Length of upper molar series more
than 7'5 mm.
a. Coat fine, silky, long (25 mm.) ; hind-
foot 37 mm. ... ... ... 3. wardi, Wroughton.
b. Coat coarser, soft or harsh, shorter
(13-16 mm.).
a\ Size large, head and body more
than 200 mm., fur coarse and
harsh.
a.^ Length of upper molar series
7'6 mm. ; hind foot about 40
mm. ; Colour mixed buff and
black... ... ... ... 4;. varius, Thos.
b.^ Length of upper molar series
8 mm. ; hind foot about 40
mm.; colour brown .. . ... 6. lordi, Wvonghion.
b\ Size smaller, head and body less
than 200 mm. ; hind foot about
35 mm.
a.^ Fur coarse and harsh ; upper
molar series 8"3 mm. ... 6. sindicus, Wrough-
ton.
b^. Fur fine and soft ; upper molar
series 8 mm. ... ... 7. koJc, Gray.
788 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Distribution : —
1. G. bengalensis, Gray and Type locality : — Bengal.
Hardwicke. Other localities : — Nepal ; Calcutta
(B, M.) ; Kumaon ; Darjiling ;
Bihar ; Orissa (M. S. I.).
Type : — Not traced. (Type of
daccaensis, Tj^tler, B. M. No. 79. 11.
21.427. Type of tamyensis, Hors-
field, B. M.No. 79.11.21.426. Type
of morungensis, Horsfield, B. M. No.
79.11.21.408. Type of plurimammis.
Horsfield, B. M. No. 79.11.21.409.
Type of barclayana, Anderson, Ind.
Mus. Oalc. No. g — h. Type of
blythianus, Anderson, not traced).
2. G. gracilis, Nehring. Type locality : — Ceylon.
Other localities: — Kandy (B. M.) ;
Kandy ; Tanimanewa (M. S. 1.).
Type : — In the Agricultural Mu-
seum, Berlin. (Type of "Musdubius,^'
Kelaart, B. M. No. 52. 5. 9. 22.).
o. G. wardi, Wroughton. Type locality : — Pandritton, Kash-
mir. (Ward — Crump).
Other localities : — Pandritton
(Ward) (B. M.).
Type :— B. M. No. 8. 7. 6. 34.
4. G. varius, Thomas. Type locality : — Penaug, Malay
Peninsula.
Other localities : — Pegu ; Mergui
(M. S. I.).
Typei—B. M. No. 98.8.3.3.
5. G. lor di, Wrovighton. Type locality: — Kolaba District
(B. N.H. S.— Lord).
Other localities : — Kolaba District
(Lord) (B. M.).
Type:—B. M. No. 8.9.13.1.
6. G. sindicus, Wroughton. Type locality : — Pithoro (Central
Sind Desert (Government of Bom-
bay).
Other localities : — Pithoro (Bombay
Government) (B. M.).
Ttjpe :— B. M. No. 8.9.13.7.
7. (t. /I'oA;, Gray. Type locality : — Dharwar. (Elliot).
Other localities: — Rajputana (Boys) ;
Surat ;
Ahmednagar
(Fairbank) ;
SUMMARY OF TRE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY, 789
Nilgiris (B. M.) ; Junagadh ; Palan-
pur ; Khandesh ; Niniar ; Central
Provinces ; Satara ; Dharwar ; Bel-
lary; Mysore; Coorg (M. S. I.).
Co-types :— B. M. No. 30 b.c, &c.
(Co-types of providens, Elliot, are
the same as those of kok).
Lectotype: — B. M. No. 30 c.
Gen. III. — Nesokia.
This name, used by Blanford for the whole group, was
restricted by Thomas (I.e. supra) to include only the short
tailed mole-rat of northern India, which also has representatives
as far north and west as the Caspian Sea and Egypt.
In my paper, twice quoted above,
I pointed out that the name
hardwickei was antedated by indica,
No. 294. hardwickei, Gray. G. and H. Out of ten species of
this genus, dealt with in that
place, only four belong to our fauna, and these may be arranged
in a key as follows : —
Key to the species of Nesokia.
A. — Coat soft and silky.
a. Colour duller, rufous brown.
a.^ Fore-claws long and sharp ... 1. indica, G. & H.
6.' Fore-claws short and blunt ... 2. griffithi, Horsf.
6. Colour ochraceous ... ... ... 3. huttoni, Blyth.
B. — Coat harsh ... ... ... ... 4. beaba,yVi\
Distribution : —
1. N. indica. Gray and Type locality: — "India."
Hardwicke. OtJier locality : — Kajputana (B. M.).
Type :— B. M. No. 99a. (Type of
hardwickei the same).
2. N. griffithi, Horsfield. Type locality :— " Pushut," N. W.
Frontier. (Griffiths).
Other localities : — Kuram Valley ;
Kohat ; Hassan Abdul; Rawal Pindi
(B.M.); Kumaon (M. S. I.).
Type :— B. M. No. 79.11.21.401.
3. iV. ^witom, Blyth. Type locality: — Kandahar (Hulton).
Other localities: — Baluchistan (Blan-
ford) ; Quetta (Quetta Museum)
(B. M.) ; Sukkur, Sind (M.S.I.).
Tyye:—B. M. No. 79.11.21.499.
790 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
4. iV. heaha, Wroughton. Type locality : — Pithoro, Central
Sind Desert. (Govt, of Bombay).
Other localities : — Pithoro (Bombay
Government).
■ Type:~B. M. No. 8. 9. 13. 9.
Gen. IV. — Dacnomys.
Blanford had no knowledge of this animal ; the genus was
established by Thomas to receive it. (J. B. N. H. S., xxiv., p. 404,
1916). There is only the one species.
Distribution : —
D. millardi, Thomas. Type locality : — Gopaldhara, Darji-
ling. (B. N. H. S.— R. S. Lister).
Other localities : — Pashok, Darjiling
(M. S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 16. 3. 25. 98.
Gen. V. — Rattus.
The separation of the rats subgenerically from the mice (Mus),
under the name Epimys, was proposed by Trouessart in 1881
(Bull. Soc. Sci. d' Angers). It was accepted as a full genus
by Miller in 1910 (Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash, xxiii, p. 58.) Hollis-
ter, however, recently showed that the oldest name for the genus
is Rattus (Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., p. 126, 1916), and must be
used in place of Epimys.
No. 272. rattus, L. These are the nine species of the
No. 273. concolor, Bl. genus recognised by Blanford. I
No. 274. decumanus. Pall. cannot find a single authentic record
No. 27^.fulvescens, Gray. of the taking of ^ecwmawws in India,
No. 276. bowersi, And. outside the docks of seaside towns.
No. 277. herdmorei, Bl. and j)ropose to omit it from this
No. 278. blanfordi, Thos. list; jerdoni I have shown (J. B. N,
No. 279. jerdoni, Bl. H. S. xxiv, p. 489, 1916), to be a
No. 280. niveiventer, Hodgs. synonym of fulvescens, and it also
therefore drops out of this list. On
the other hand, however, a number of new names must be added.
The species surifer, Miller, and vociferans, Miller, have been found
to intrude into our area. Besides 7nackenziei, and m. fece, allied to
bowersi, Anderson, and manipulus, and berdmorei mullulus, allied to
berdmorei, Blyth, Thomas has described the new species listeri (J.B.
N. H. S. xxiv, pp. 407—414, 1916), and mentosus (J. B. N. H. S.
xxiv, p. 643, 1916). I have myself described the species lepcha
and eha, allied to niviventer and fulvescens respectively ( 1. c. p.
427). Finally Mr, Hinton in his study of the rattus group has
added eight names in that group. To these must be added Bon-
hote's species vicerex, which, if it does not belong to it, comes very
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY,
791
close to it. Thomas also has described (A. M. N. H. (7), xx., p.
206, 1907) a species, rogersi, from the Andaman Islands. All these
forms may be arranged in a key as follows :-^ •
Key to the species of Rattus.
A. — Tail nnicolor throughout, above and
below.
a. Hind-foot 45 mm. or more.
a^ Size very large, hind-foot 56mm. 1. validus, Mill.
■ 2. andafnanensis, Bl.
. 3. rattus group.
(for key see below) .
4. concolor, Bl.
6^ Size smaller, hind-foot 45 mm.
b. Hind- foot less than 40 mm.
a'. Mammae, 10 or 12
6'. Mammae 8
B. — Tail not unicolor.
a. Tail bicolor, distal portion white.
a\ Mammae 3 -2 = 10.
a^. Size smaller, hind-foot 37 mm... 5. manipulus, Thos.
6\ Size larger, hind- foot 48 mm. or
more.
a
Hind-foot about 48 mm. : at
a
7. m. fece, Thos.
8. howersi, And.
10. blanfordi, Thos.
11. rogersi, Thos.
least one-third of tail white 6. macJcenziei, Thos.
b^. Hind-foot about 5 1 mm.; only
extreme tip of tail white...
Mammae less than 10.
Two rairs of pectoral mammee.
a^ Smaller, hind-foot about 37
mm.
b\ Larger, hind-foot about 47mm. 9. lister i, Thos.
b'. Only one pair of pectoral
mamnife.
a". Mamm« 1 — 2 ==6 ...
h\ Mamma? 1 — 3 = 8
Tail throughout dark above, pale
below.
a\ Mammas 3—2=10.
a'. Upper incisors thrown forward,
forming an obtuse angle with
the palate,
a". Upper molar series 6*5 mm.
in length ...
b^. Upper molar series 6 mm. in
length
6\ Upper incisors not thrown for-
ward, forming a right angle
with the palate ...
12. berdmorei, Bl.
13.6. midlulus, Thos.
14. vicerex, Bonh.
792 JOljRNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
6^ Mammge 2 — 2=8.
a. Size large, hind-foot 45 mm. or
more ... ... ... ... 15. vociferans. Mill.
b'. Size smaller, hind-foot less than
40 mm.
a\ Coat harsh and spiny.
a*. Colour dark brown ... 16. mentosus, Thos.
b\ Colour ochraceons ... 17. surifer, Mill.
h\ Coat soft and silky.
a\ Colour schraceous.
a\ Larger, head and body
130—140 mm. hind-
foot about 30 mm. ... 18. fulvescens, Gray.
6^ Smaller, head and body
110—115 mm. hind-
foot about 25 mm. ... 19. eha, Wroughton.
b\ Colour dark grey-brown.
a\ Belly pure white ... 20. niviventer, Hodgs.
b\ A dark gorget and
median streak ... 21. lepcha, Wrough-
DiSTRiBUTiON : — ton.
1. R validus, Miller. Type locality:— Trong, 1,000',
Lower Siam. (Abbott).
OtJier localities : — Malay Peninsula
(B. M.) ; Tenasserim (M. S. I.).
Type :_U. S. Nat. Mus. No. 86741 .
2. R. andamanensis, Blyth. Type locality : — Andaman Islands.
(Hodgs.).
Other localities :— Andamans (B.M.).
Co-types:— B.M.l^os. 81.11.10.3
and 4, and Ind. Mus. Calc. Nos. a.
and b,
3. R. rattus, group. The members of this group, as
recently accepted by Hinton (J. B.
N. H. S. xxvi., pp. 59, 384), may be
arranged in a key as follows : —
Key to the members of the R. rattus group.
I. — Tail shorter, averaging less than 120 ^
of head and body.
A. — Tail relatively short, averaging
about 108 % or less, of head and body.
a. Tail scarcely longer than head and
body ; fur short and thin ; under-
side not silvery, frequently with
a rusty tinge ... ... ... ('a) n. obsoletus, Hint.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY.
793
nitidus, Hodgs.
tikos, Hint.
b. Tail slightly longer, averaging
about 108 % of head and body;
fur long and thick.
a\ Colour seal brown ; underside
silvery or hoary ... ... (b) n.
&\ Colour umber ; underside white (c) r.
B. — Tail relatively long, averaging 117
% of head and body.
a. General colour dull greyish brown, (^d) r. tatkonensis,ii.ia.t
b. General colour brighter.
a\ General colour with an ochreous
tinge
6\ General colour with a rufous
tinge...
II. — Tail longer, averaging more than 120
% of head and body.
A. — Ventral fur white to bases; lateral
line of colour demarcation usually
well defined Cessentially wild
rats).
a. Size large; mammee normally
3—3=12.
a^ Tails relatively longer, averag-
ing 130 % of head and body.
a". Colour black, grizzled with
tawny
6". Colour dark olive brown
(e) r. khyensis, Hint.
(/) kelaarti, Wr.
(g) macmillani, Hint.
(h) r. sikkimensis,
Hint.
b\ Tails relatively shorter, about
125 % of head and body; colour
cold grey or yellow, lined with
KjlcliCiv «•• ••• ••• •••
b. Size variable ; mammge normally
2—3=10.
a'. Fur full ; dorsal colour warm
and bright; tail length variable,
a^. Dorsal colour olive brown.
a\ Size larger ; average length
of head and body 145mm ;
tail shorter, about 123%
of head and body
6^ Size smallei'; average length
of head and body 137mm.;
tail longer, 131^ of head
and body.
(i) r. gangutrianus,
Hint.
(j)r. tistce, Hint.
(k) r. bhotia, Hint.
12
794 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI
h^. Dorsal colour not olive. j
a. Backs bright clay or golden 1
brown ; tail very long,
more than 150 % of head
and body ... ... (V) r.satarce, Hint. '
h\ Backs inclining to rufous,
whitish bristles usually
present ;
a*. Tail short, about 122 per
cent, of head and body. {¥) r. wroughtoni,
Hint.
6*. Tail longer, 132 per cent. I
of head and body ... (l)r. kandianus,^el.
b\ Fur rather short, thin, and
harsh, but usuall)^ not spiny ;
dorsal colour cold and dull ;
tail long, about 135 per cent,
of head and body.
a^. Dorsal colour warmer, near
cinnamon brown or tawny, (m) r. arboreus,^. Ham.
b'. Dorsal colour colder and
greyish,
tt'. Dorsal colour drab ; long
black hairs tending to ]
form a middorsal stripe. . (n) r. narbadce, Hint.
b\ Dorsal colour drab grey ;
middorsal line decidedly
darkened by black hairs ; 1
white of belly duller . . . (o) r. girensis, Hint.
B. — Ventral fur slaty-based ; no sharp
line of colour demarcation along \
the flanks ; (essentially commensal i
with man). '
a. Dorsal colour rufous ; hair of belly
rough, with rusty tinge. \
a\ Tail shorter, 125 per cent, of \
head and body ... ... (^) r. rufescens, Gray. !|
6\ Tail longer, 135 per cent, of '
head and body ... ... (q) r. nemoralis, Kel. j
b. Dorsal colour rarely rufous ; belly '
without rusty tinge.
a\ Backs grey or brown ; belly light
grey or dusky, rough or smooth (r) r. alexandrinus, !
Geoff". 1
6\ Back black ; belly bluish gre}^, j
sleek-haired (s) r. rattus, L.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY. 795
3(a). R. nitidus obsoletus, Type locality : — Chin Hills. (Mac-
Hinton. kenzie).
Other localities : — Chin Hills. (M.
S. I.). ■
Type :— B. M. No. 16. 3. 26. 52.
3(6). R. nitidus nitidus, Type locality '. — Nepal. (Hodgson).
Hodgson, Other localities : — Nepal ; Assam (B.
M.) ; Kumaon ; Darjiling ; Sikkim ;
Kalimpong (M. S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 79.12.21.415.
(Type of pyctoris, Hodgs., B. M. No.
45.1.8.381; Type of equicaudalis,
Hodgs. B. M. No. 79.11.21.410).
3(c). R. rattus tikos, Hinton. Type locality : — Tenasserim (B. N.
H. S. — Shortridge).
Other localities : — Tenasserim (M.
S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 14. 12. 8. 168.
3((^). R. rattus tatkonensis, Type locality : — Tatkon, Chindwin
Hinton. River (B. N. H. S. — Macmillan).
Other localities : — Chindwin ; Upper
Burma (M. S. I.).
Typei—B. M. No. 15. 5. 5. 224.
3(e). R. rattus khyensis, Type locality : — 25 miles West of
Hinton. Kindat, 600' ; Chindwin River (B. N.
H. S. — Macmillan).
Other localities : — Chindwin ; N.
Shan States; Mt. Popa ; Pegu (M. S.
I-)-
Type :— B. M. No. 16. 3. 26. 57.
o(f). R. kelaarti, Wrou- Type locality : — Pattipola, Ceylon
ghton. (B. N. H. S.— Mayor).
Other localities : — Central Ceylon,
5,000'— 6,000' (M. S. I.)
Type:—B. M. No. 15. 7. 1. 7.
3(^). R. macmillani, Hinton. Type locality : — Hkamti, Chindwin
River (B. N. H. S.— Macmillan).
Other localities : — Hkamti (M. S. I.)
Type :— B. M. No. 15.5.5. 226.
3(A). R. rattus sikkimensis, Type locality : — Pashok, Darjiling
, Hinton. (B. N. H. S.— Baptista).
Other localities : — Ringin, Singhik,
Rongli, Gopaldhara, Sikkim ; Bhutan
Duars (M. S. I.).
Type:—B.M. N. 17. 7. 2. 46.
796 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
3(i). R. rattus gangutrianus, Type locality: — ^Ranibagh, 2,500',
Hinton. Kumaon. (B, N. H. S. — Crump).
Other localities : — Kumaon, 1,100' —
7,650' (M. S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 14. 7. 10. 127.
3(j). R. r. tistce, Hinton. Type locality : — Pashok, Darjiling
(B. N. H. S.— Baptista).
Other localities : — Narbong, Rongli,
Gopaldhara. Batasia, Gangtok, Sedon-
chen, Sikkim (M. S. I.).
Type :— B. M. No. 17. 7. 2. 13.
3(^). i^. r. 6^o^m, Hinton. Type locality: — Hasimara, Bhutan
Duars (B. N. H. S.— Baptista).
Other localities : — Hasimara (M, S.
L).
Type:—B. M. No. 17. 7. 2. 20.
3(Z). R. r. satarce, Hinton. Type locality : — Ghatmatha, Satara
(B. N. H. S.— Prater).
Other localities : — Satara (M. S. I.).
Type :— B. M. No. 15. 7. 3. 56.
3(m). R. r. wroughtoni, Type locality : — Coonoor, Nilgiris
Hinton. (Wroughton).
Other localities : — ^Dharwar ; Coo-
noor ; Travancore (B. M.) ; Dharwar ;
Kanara ; Mysore ; Coorg (M. S. I.).
Type :— B. M. No. 98. 3. 5. 26.
3(w). R. r. kandianus, Type locality : — Newera Eliya, Cey-
Kelaart. Ion. (Kelaart).
Other localities : — Newera Eliya
(B. M.) ; Kandy, Newera Eliya, &c.;
Central Ceylon (M. S. I.).
Co-types :— B. M. Nos. 52.5.9.24
25, and 26. (Type of tetragonurandus
Kelaart, B. M. No. 52. 5. 9. 23).
Lectotype :— B. M. No. 52. 5. 9. 26.
3(o). R. r. arboreus, Type locality : — " Bengal." ( B.
Buch, Ham. Hamilton).
Other localities : — Behar ; Bengal ;
Orissa (M. S. I).
Type : — Unknown.
3(^). R. r. narbadce, Type locality : — Sakot, Central Pro
Hinton. vinces (B. N. H. S. — Crump).
Other localities : — Central Provinces
(M. S. I.)
Type:—B. M. No. 12.11.29.132.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY. 797
o{q). R. r. girensis, Type locality : — Sasan, Junagadh
Hinton. (B. N. H. S.— Crump).
Other localities : — Southern Kathia-
war (M. S. I).
Type :— B, M. No. 13. 8. 8. 125.
^(r). R.r.rufescens, Graj. Type locality : — ^Dharwar (Elliot),
Other localities : — Rajputana ; Guze-
rath ; Dekhau ; Konkan ; S. Mahratha
Country ; Nilgiris ; Kumaon ; Roliil-
kund (B. M.) Cutch ; Palanpur ; Ka-
thiawar ; Gwalior ; Khandesh ; Central
Provinces ; Western Ghats ; South
Mahratha Country ; Kanara ; Mysore
(M. S. I.).
Type :— B. M. No. 44. 9. 15. 2.
3(s). R. r. nemoralis, Type locality : — Ceylon. (Kelaart).
Blyth, Other localities : — Ceylon (Kelaart).
(B. M.) ; Southern Province ; Ceylon
(M. S. I.).
Co-types : — Ind. Mus. Calc. No. q\
and r^
3(^). R. r. alexandrinus, Type locality : — Alexandria, Egypt.
GeofFroy. Other localities : — Sind (M. S. I.).
Type : — Unknown.
3(u). R. r. rattus, Lin- Type locality : — Upsala, Sweden,
nseus. Other localities : — Kanara ; Ran-
goon ; &c., (? imported) (M, S. I,).
Type : — Unknown.
4. R. concolor, Blyth. Type locality :— Shwegyin, Burma.
(F^erdmore).
Other localities : — Siam ; Malay
Peninsula (B. M.) Chindwin ; Mt.
Popa ; Tenasserim (M. S, I,).
Co-types : — Ind. Mus. Calc. Nos.
e.,f. and g.
5. R. manipulus, Thomas. Type locality : — Kabaw Valley,
Chin Hills. (Mackenzie).
Other localities : — Manipur (B. M.) ;
Chin Hills (M. S. I.).
Type:— B.M. 1^0. 16.3.26.78.
6. R. mackenziei, Th.oma's. Type locality: — Chin Hills. (Mac-
kenzie).
Other localities :■ — Khasi Hills (B.
M.) ; Chin Hills (M. S. 1.).
Type:~-B. M. No. 16. 3.46, 65,
798 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
R. mackenziei
Thomas.
8. R. bowersi, Anderson
9. R. listen, Thomas.
10. R. hlanfordi, Thomas.
11. R. rogersi, Thomas.
12. R. berdmorei, Blyth
13. R. berdmorei 7nullulus,
Thomas.
14. R. vicerex, Bonhote.
15. R. vociferans, Miller
feed, Type locality : — Muleyit Range,
Tenasserim. (Fea).
Other localities : — Mt. Muleyit (B.
M.).
Type :— B. M. No. 88. 12. 1.47.
Type locality : — Kakhyen Hills,
Burma (Anderson).
Other localities: — Manipur (B. M.) ;
Chin Hills ; Mt. Popa (M. S. I.).
Type : — Ind. Mus. Calc. No. a.
Type locality :■ — Pashok, Darjiling
(R. S. Lister). '
Other localities : — Pashok, (M. S. I.).
Type :— B. M. No. 16. 3. 25. 97.
Type locality : — Kadapa, Madras
(Blanford).
Other localities : — Matheran, Bom-
bay ; Shevaroy Hills ; Central Provin-
ces (B. M.) ; Berars ; Central Provinces;
Western Ghats ; Kanara ; Mysore ;
Coorg ; Bengal (M. S. I.).
Type :— B. M. No. 80.11.11.54.
Type locality : — Ike Bay, South
Andaman Island (Rogers).
Other localities : — -None.
Type :— B. M. No. 6. 4. 13. 2.
Type locality : — Mergui, Burma
(Berdmore).
Other localities : — None.
Type : — Ind. Mus. Calc. No. a.
Type locality :— Mt. Muleyit,(Fea).
Burma.
Other localities : — None.
Type :— B. M. No. 16. 2. 16. 1.
Type locality : — Simla (Hume).
Other localities : — Simla ; Ladak ;
Murree, Punjab (B. M.) Kumaon ;
Sikkim (M. S. I.).
Type ;— B. M. No. 85. 8. 1. 313.
Tijpe locality :— Trong, 1,000',
Lower Siam (Abbott).
Other localities : — Malay Peninsula
(B. M.) ; Tenasserim (M. S. I.).
Type :— U. S. Nat. Mus. No.
86736.
SUMMARY 01 THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY. 799
16. 72. mewtosMs, Thomas. Tyjpe locality: — Hkamti, Upper
Chindwin (B. N. H. S.— Shortridge).
- Other localities : — Upper Chindwin
(M. S. I.).
Type :— B. M. No. 15. 5. 5. 232.
17. i2. sMn/er, Miller. Type locality :—TYong, 3,000',
Lower Siam (Abbott).
Other localities : — Malay Peninsula
(B. M.); Tenasserim (M. S. I.;.
Type :— U. S. Nat. Mus. No. 86746.
18. R. fulvescens, Gray. Type locality: — Nepal (Hodgson).
OtJier localities : — Sikkim ; Khasi
Hills (B. M.). Kumaon ; Sikldm ;
Darjiling ; Kalinipong ; Chin Hills ;
Shan States ; Tenasserim (M. S. I.).
Co-types :— B. M. Nos. 45.1.8.376
and 377.
Lectotype :— B. M. No. 45.1.8.376.
19. ^. eAa, Wroiighton. Type locality : — La,ch.en, 8,000',
Sikkim (B. N. H. S.— Crump.).
Other localities : — Sikkim (B, M.) ;
Sikkim (M. S. I.).
Type :— B. M. No. 15.9.1.189.
20. R. niviventer, Hodgson. Type locality : — K h a t m a n d u ,
Nepal (Hodgson).
Other localities : — Simla, Nepal
(B. M.) ; Kumaon ; Sikkim (M. S. I.).
Type :— B. M. No. 43. 1. 12. 73.
21. R.lepcha, Wroughton. Type locality : — Chuntang, 5,3b0',
Sikkim (B. N. H. S.— Crump.).
Other localities : — Sikkim (M. S. I).
Type :— B. M. No. 15. 9. 1. 185.
Gen. VI. — Cremnomys.
I established this genus for the rock-rat of Cutch( J. B. N. H.S., xxi,
p. 340, 1912), one of the earliest discoveries of the Survey. There
is nothing, of course, to correspond with it in the " Mammalia."
The genotype, cutchicus, was described at the same time as the
genus, but later, when representatives had been found in other
parts of India, Thomas studied them and distinguished five other
forms. These six members of the genus may be arranged in a key
as follows : —
Key to the forms of Cremnomys.
A. — Size smaller, hind-foot about 24 mm. :
skull about 33 mm. ; upjDer molar
series 5.2-5-4 mm. ...
1. cutchicus, Wr.
800 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
B. — Size larger, hind-foot about 26*29 mm,;
skull about 35 mm.
a. Underside almost pure white ; upper
molar series 5 — 5*4 mm. ... ... 2. australis,Th.o^.
6. Underside more or less grey.
a^ Hind-feet long, 29 mm. ; upper
molar series 5-3 mm. ... ... 3, aust. siva, Thos.
b\ Hind-feet shorter ; upper molar
series 5-6 mm.
a^. No nuchal buffy patch.
a\ Colour paler, "Front's brown" 4. medius, Thos.
6'. Colour darker, " seal brown", 5. ?ned. coenosus, Thos.
6^. A buffy nuchal patch... ... 6, med. rajput, Thos.
Distribution : —
1. C. cutchicus, Wroughton. Type locality : — Cutch. (B. N. H. S.
— Crump).
Other localities : — Cutch (M. S. I.).
Type-.—B. M. No. 11. 10. 18. 1.
2. C. australis, Thomas. Type locality ; — Vijayanagar, Bel-
lary (B. N. H. S.— Shortridge).
Other localities : — Bellary ; East
Mysore (M. S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 13. 4. 10. 57.
3. C. australis siva, Thomas. Type locality ; — Sivasamundram, S.
Mysore (B. N. H. S,— Shortridge).
Other localities : — South Mysore ;
French Rocks, Seringapatam (M.S.I.)
Type :— B. M. No. 13. 4. 11. 78
4. C. medius, Thomas, Type locality : — Kudia, Junagadh
(B. N. H. S.— Crump).
Other localities : — Junagadh ; Pa-
lanpur ; Kathiawar (M. S. I.).
Type :— B. M. No. 13. 8. 8. 128.
6. C. medius ccenosus, Thomas. Type locality : — Singar Gaya,
Bihar. (B. N. H. S.— Crump).
Other localities : — Gujhundi; Hazari-
bagh (M. S. I).
Type:—B. M. No. 15.4.3.137.
6. C. medius rajput, Thomas. Type locality : — Mt. Abu, Rajpu-
tana. (B. N. H. S. — Crump).
Other localities : — Mt. Abu, Rajpu-
tana (M. S. I).
r^^^e:_B. M. No. 13.9.18.40.
SUMMABY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SUlifEY. 801
Gen. VII. — Pyromys.
The genus was established by Thomas (J. B. N. H. S., xx, p. 996,
1911), for a mouse taken by Mr. Priestley, Indian Police, in Sind.
The genotj^pe and only species was described at the same time.
By the older mammalogists this animal was probably confused with
Leggadilla platythrix.
Distribution : —
P. priesileyi, Thomas. Type locality : — Virawa, Thar and
Parkar, Sind. — (Priestley).
Other localities :■ — None.
Type:—B. M. No. 11. 3. 13. 9.
Gen. VIII. — Grypomys.
The genus was founded by Thomas (J, B. N. H. S., xx, p. 999,
1911) for a mouse described by Murray from Sind.
No. 291. gleadowi, ^iuvr. This is the genotype and only
species.
Distribution : —
G. gleadowi, Murray. Type locality : — Karachi, Sind
(Gleadow).
Other localities : — Thar and Parkar
(B. M.) ; Kathiawar ; Pa Ian pur
(M. S. I.).
Co-Types:—B. M. Nos. 86.1.30.1
1—3.
Lectotype:—B. M. No. 86.1.30.1.
Gen. IX. — MiLLARDiA.
A genus made by Thomas (J. B. N. H. S., xx, p. 998, 1911)
for the " metad " of the Southern Mahratha Country.
Thomas, who has recently re-examin-
No. 290. meltada, Gray. ed this group, recognises three sub-
species besides the true mel'ada. The
four may be distinguished as
follows : —
Key to the subspecies of M. meltada, Gray.
A. — General colour darker, about " bistre. ".
a. Tooth-row longer, about 6 mm. ... 1. m. meltada, Gray.
b. Tooth-row shorter, about 5.6 mm. ... 2. m.listoni,Wv.
B. — Genei'al colour paler, about " drab ".
a. General colour grey ('• drab grey "). 3. m.pallidior, B.\j.
b. General colovn- buffy (" ecru drab " ). 4. m. dunni, Thos.
13
80-2 JOVRNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Distribution : —
I. M. meltadameltada, Type locality: — " Dharwar " (El
Gray. Hot).
OtJier localities : — Nasik ; Ahmed
nagar ; Dharwar ; Madras (B. M.)
Cutch; Kathiawar; Khandesh ; Nimar
Central Provinces ; Dharwar ; Coorg
Ceylon (M. S. I.).
Co-Types .•— B.M. Nos. 34 a.b. and
c. (Type of com6en, Wroughton, B.M.
No. 7. 1. 7. 3).
Lectotype : — B. M. No. 34. a.
Type locality : — Kolaba Dist., Bom-
bay Pres. (Liston),
OtJier localities : — Ratnagh-i (B.M.).
T^^^e;— B.M. No. 7. l.>. 6.
Type locality : — Lunwa, Palanpur
(B. N. H. S. -Crump).
Other localities: — Palanpur (M. S. I.)
Type:—B. M. No. 13. 8. 23.3.
Type locality : — Umbala, Punjab
(Major Dunn).
Other localities : — None.
Type .-—B.M. No. 8. 3. 3. 5.
Gen. X. — GuYiA.
Thomas separated this genus from Millardia (J. B. N. H. S., xxv,
p. 201, 1917, for the aberrant species kathleent^, Thomas (J. B. N.
H. S., xxiii, p. 29, 1914), the genotype and only species.
2. M. meltada listoni,
Wroughton.
3. M. meltada pallidior,
Eyley.
4. M. meltada dunni,
Thomas.
Distribution ; —
G. kathleencB, Thomas.
Type locality : — Pagan, Upper
Burma (B.N. H. S.— Shortridge).
Other localities : — Pagan ; Mt. Popa
(M. S. L).
Type:—B. M. No„ IL 1^5.
(To he continued.)
Journ. BoTnbayNal.Hist.Soc .
Plate XXVIII.
P Serhardt del ,
J .Green, ChroniD.
THE COMMON INDIAN SN AKES . ( Wall)
l-5.ETiKvdp]Tia valakadien,Dc^worz^zz^. 6-8. Hydrus platurusyar.Hcolor./^ouow^u.?.
alL-nMt.sinx,.
803
A POPULAR TREATISE ON THE COMMON INDIAN
SNAKES.
Illustrated by Coloured Plate and Diagrams
BY
F. Wall, C.M.G., C.M.Z.S., F.L.S., Lieut.-Colonel, I.M.S.
Part XXVIII {with Plate XXV III and Diagram.)
{Continued from i^age 4-37 of Volume XXVI.)
ENHYBRINA VALAKADYN (Boie).
{vel SGIIISTOSA (Daudin) ).
The Jew's-nosed Seasnake.
History. — The type-specimen, which had previously been lost
sight of, I discovered in the Royal College of Surgeons' Museum,
London. It is No. 523 of their catalogue (1859, p. 78), and is
the original specimen from Tranquebar figured by Russell in his
second volume (plate xi). It was one of Russell's collection
which was pi-esented to the above Institution by the East India
Company, most of which has since been transferred to the British
Museum.
I do not concur with Boulenger in thinking plate x. of Russell's
same volume a distinct species. I agree with those herpetologists,
and they are many, who think that the figure on plate x represents
the same species as plate xi. If this opinion is correct this snake
should be known by the name sc/iistosa given it by Daudin in
1803, while Bole's name valaJcadyn dating from 1827 should be
suppressed. I prefer in this paper however to retain the title
with which all have been familiar for so many j^ears.
Nomenclature, (a) Scientilic. — The generic name is from the
Greek "en" in, and " hudor " water. The specific name is
borrowed from the vernacular.
(/>) Enrjlish. — I would suggest "Jew's nosed Seasnake" or
simply " Jew's nose."' These names draw attention to a very
obvious feature which is peculiar to this species.
(c) Vernacular. — According to Russell " valakadyn " is the
name given to it on the Coromandel Coast, and " hoogly pattee "
about Calcutta. The former is Tamil from "valla" strong: and
" Kadyen " biter. " Pattee," a " bandage, " obviously refers to its
flattened body.
General characters. — The snake is robust in habit, the forebody
cylindrical, and much less constricted relatively than in many
seasnakes. Posteriorly the body is very compressed and heavy,
especially in gravid females. The head is large, and has a peculiar
804 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
downward prolongation of the snout, and equally peculiar pro-
nounced furrow in the chin. The tail is a flattened vertical
paddle similar to that in other hydrophids.
Colour, — Very variable. The young are bluish or bluish-grey
with many well defined, black annuli, often dilated vertebrally.
As age advances these bands become more and more obscured,
first disappearing ventrally, to become dorsal bars, which in old
specimens may disappear altogether. In old adults the dorsum is
frequently a uniform bluish or bluish-gi-ey, merging at roidcosta to
yellow or yellowish ventrally. Both dorsal and ventral hues again
are subject to much modification according to whether the speci-
men has recently desquamated or is about to do so. In the latter
case the yellow on the belly becomes often tinged with brown.
Identification. — The downward projection of the rostral shield
to below the level of the lip and the groove in the chin are both
features peculiar to this species, and make identification as easy
as it is certain.
The suture from the nostril passes to the 1st labial, a very
unusual feature seen in only one other species, viz., I^yihydris
hardwicJci.
Hahits. — This is far the commonest seasnake around our shores,
and extraordinarily plentiful. On the Malabar Coast the fishermen
brought them in bucketfuls until deterred from doing so. I have
certainly had over fifty brought to me in one morning taken from
their nets. On the Coromandel Coast at Madras and at Gopalpore I
have seen the nets brought in with a dozen or more of these
snakes among the haul. At Cannanore the men in the 75th
Carnatic Infantr}^ fishing in the sea with lines, more often it
seemed to me Viooked a "Jew's nose '' than a fish !
It frequently comes up tidal rivers, and several were captured
for me at Watiya in Burma at a distance of 40 miles from the sea.
It has been taken in Tolly's Nullah, Calcutta, 80 miles from the sea.
In Cannanore I kept several of these snakes in a dr}' masonry
trough among mj^ flower pots, where they lived manj^ days without
any water. Here they crawled about in a clumsy awkward
fashion, but progression was far less hampered than is the case in
the very thin necked seasnakes. All these specimens were conspi-
cuously gentle creatures, that I failed to provoke to bite an
offending object. This placid disposition is well exemplified b}^ the
fact that the sepoys and others who habitually bathed at Canna-
nore were never bitten, plentiful as I have shown that the " Jew's
nose " is there.
The Sexes. — Females appear to be more numerous than males
from the few notes at my disposal. In Cannanore of 13 specimens
sexed 8 were $ . Again of 19 foetuses obtained in the same
station 12 proved to be $ . Except for the basal swelling in the tail
THE COMMON INDIAN SNAKES, 805
in males there is nothing to distinguish the sexes. The tubercles
on the scales are rather more pronounced in males than in females.
Each male clasper is bifid with its extremities beset with villose
papillge. A raphe passes from the cloaca np the inner face, and then
to the back of the " stalk " where it divides to pass up up each
limb.
Boocl. — They live entirely on fishes. Speaking of Malaj'-an speci-
mens l)r. Annandale says : "A very large proportion of the fish on
which they feed are silurids and others provided with long, sharp
spines, and the manner in which these spines are eliminated from
the snake's bodies is curious, for they appear to pass out through
the walls of the alimentary canal and through the body wall to
the exterior. I have freqiiently found specimens of the Hydro-
phinae with fish spines actually protruding from within through
the integument, without, apparently, causing any inflammation or
inconvenience. Seasnakes cannot hiss, but produce a low gurgling
sound when annoyed."
Breeding. — ^The season is only proximately known. On the 12th
November 1903, in Cannanore, I had a gravid § in which small
eggs were discovered containing no trace of embryo. In December
the same year I had a gravid mother with foetuses, ranging from 6|
to 7 inches long. In January and February 1904, I had four
other gravid females in which the embryos were well developed,
the most advanced measuring from lOf to 11 inches on January
29th. As Guntherhas recorded a newly born individual lO^ inches
long, the brood above referred to would probably have been born
early in February,
In 1917 I had 11 specimens from Madras in June (evidently
this year's offspring) which varied in length from 12^ to 17 inches.
My youngest mother measured 3 feet 2 inches in January, a length
I reckon (from rather meagre figures) she would have attained at
the end of her 3rd year of life. My six gravid specimens contained
respectively 4 foetuses, and 5 foetuses and 1 infertile egg, 6 eggs,
6 foetuses, 9 foetuses and 8 foetuses. The young latterly are con-
tained in transparent membranous sacs filled with a viscid fluid of
the consistency of castor oil. Males before birth as usual had their
genitals extruded.
Groivih. — The young appear to double their length in the first
year, when they are about 20 to 24 inches long. At the end of
the 2nd year they are about 30 inches long, and at the end of the
3rd about 38 to 40 inches, and growth continues for some years
later. Average adult specimens range between 3 and 4 feet, but
I have had larger examples, viz., a § 4 feet 3^ with a girth of 6^
inches at its greatest thickness, and a j 4 feet 7 inches long.
Food. — I have onl}^ found fish ingested.
806 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Venom of Knhydrina.
Quality. — In its dried state Fraser and Elliot report that it
consists of " thin scales of a very pale yellow colour."
Quantity. — Rogers estimated that the average amount injected
during a bite represented one centigramme in the dried state.
(Average from 13 specimens;) Fraser and Elliot's estimate for
six specimens is much lower, but could not be stated exactly
owing to an accident.
Toxins.
(1) Neurotoxins operating on nerve cells.
(a) A depressor paralysing the respiratory centre (Rogers,
Fi'aser and Elliot).
(6) A depressor paralysing centres in the bulb (Inferred
from the remarks of Rogers, Fraser and Elliot),
(c) A depi'essor paralysing nerve endings, the phrenics
especially (Fraser and Elliot).
(2) A direct stimulant to cardiaa muscle (or nerve endings).
Very feeble (Fraser and Elliot).
(3) Toxins affecting the constitution of the blood.
(a) Hsemolysin. Very feeble (Fraser and Elliot).
Anal t/ sis of the action of Enhydrina toxin.
(1) (a) The "neurotoxin" paralysing the respiratory centre
is the chief agent in producing death. It is powerfully
assisted by (1) (c).
(?>) This neurotoxin evokes symptoms of paralysis of
the lips, tongue, throat and voice,
(c) This assists (1) (a) in arresting breathing.
(2) This is so feeble in action as to be altogether a negligible
factor in the toxaemia.
(3) (a) This affects the blood so little that hemorrhages are
not likely to be seen.
Symptoms of Enhydrina poisoning.
These have only been studied on lower animals in the laboratory.
Rogers saj^s there is no difference between the toxic manifestations
of this species and the cobra.
Fraser and Elliot, however, have pointed out that there is much
greater respiratory embarrassment with Enhydrina venom than
cobra venom, and this is accounted for by the fact that in Enhy-
drina poisoning the heart and blood vessels are practically
unaffected by any direct action of the venom, whereas in cobra
toxaemia both are markedly affected. Again the paralysis of the
end plates of the phrenic nerves is more pronounced than in cobra
poisoning.
In the human subject then one would expect a clinical picture
such as I have portrayed in my article on the cobra (Part XX of
TRE COMMON INDIAN SNAKES. 807
these papers, Vol. 22, p. 243). Over and above this, one would
expect a greater degree of respiratory embarrassment. Htemor-
rhages are not so likely to occur and the local effects according to
Lamb are slight. Death, as in other Colubrine toxgemisB, is due to
a paralysis of the respiratory centre.
Treatment. — Fraser and Elliot have shown that Calmette's
antivenene has a very feeble action in neutralising the effects of
the poison, so that this agent or the Kasauli preparation may be
tried. Otherwise treatment should be symptomatic, and on the
lines laid down in my book (Pois. Terr. : Snakes. 1913, p. 145).
Lethal dose. — The minimal lethal dose for rats was found to be
•00009 grammes of dried venom per kilogramme weight of the rodent.
In rabbits the dose was -00006 grammes and in cats, the least
susceptible of the three animals experimented with, -0002 grammes.
Distribution. — Around all our coasts from the Persian Gulf to
Tenasserim, the Malayan Kegion and as far East as New
Guinea. At Cannanore though I have no figures to support me
I judge that I got at least ten specimens for every one of all other
species put together. In Madras in 1917, out of a collection of 199
seasnakes, 60 proved to be of this species. Though I have fre-
quently witnessed the drawing in of the huge nets (perhaps a mile
long) the fishermen use in Ceylon, I very rarely saw any seasnake
captured, and never this species. I can find no record of it from
the Andaman Islands though very common on the Coast of Burma.
Lepidosis.—Bostral.—^tAhe^ deeper than broad, projecting below-
the level of the lip. Nasals.— lu contact behind the rostral ; the
suture from the nostril passes to the 1st labial. Froifrontals. —
Usually touch the 2nd labial (in rare instances the praeoculars
meet the nasals). Frontal— The parietal sutures are equal to the
supraoculars or sometimes slightly longer. 8upraoailars .—V swaWj
as long and as broad as the frontal. PrcBOcular. — One. Fostoculars —
One or two. Temporals.— One, large, nearly descending to the lip,
often divided into two. Labials.— 7 to 8 ; the first 4 usually entire,
the 3rd and 4th touching the eye. Infralabials. — 5, the 5th in
contact with 3 or 4 scales behind. Marginals.— '^ one. Sublingu-
als.—Absent. Two small pairs both widely separated by small scales
are regarded by some as such. Gostals.— Two headslengths behind
the head 47 to 61, at greatest girth 50 to 70 : imbricate or subimbi-i-
cate everywhere ; furnished with keels occupying the median ^ to f
of each scale, and frequently twice or thrice denticulated. The
keels and their denticulations are most pronounced on the belly,
especially in males which may be very rough in consequence. In
females and young the keels are less obvious, or even obsolescent.
This condition resembles very closely that seen in H. cyanocindus,
and coronatus. Ventrals. — 230 to 361 ; little broader than the last
costal rows ; often divided ; laterally keeled as in the last costal rows.
808 JOURNAL^ BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Dentition, — Maxilla. — Two fangs and 3 to 5 small teeth behind
Palatine — 5 to 6. Pterygoid — 15 to 16. Mandible — 16.
HYDEIJS PLATUBUS (Linne).
Linne's Seasnake.
History — Described by Linne in 1766. Figured by Russell in
1796 on the XLI plate of his 1st volume.
■ Nomenclature. — (a) Scientific — The generic name is from the
Greek " udor " water, the specific from the Greek " platj^s," flat, and
" oura," tail.
(/>) English. — Linne's seasnake.
(c) Vernacular. — According to Fayrer this snake is called
" kullundur " by natives about Puri.
General characters. — It is the most eel-like of all the marine
forms. The head is relatively large, and depressed, and the snout
unusually long. The body anteriorly is not nearly so constricted
as in many seasnakes, and is compressed. The back is sharplj''
ridged. The tail is a vertical paddle as in other seasnakes.
Identification. — The scale rows anteriorly (4'0 to 54) are un-
usually numerous for a marine species, and there are no marginals.
Only one other species, viz., E. valaJcadyn, agrees in these respects,
and this is known by the downward projecting rostral, the groove
in the chin, and the suture running from the nostril to the 1st
labial, all features not seen in H. platurus. Osteologically it differs
from the other marine species in that the prgefrontal bones do not
meet the parietal or postfrontals, and in the possession of a sub-
parietal ci'est or keel. The snake, however, is very distinctively
marked and once seen could hardly be mistaken for any other.
Goloiiration. — There are several colour varieties which may be
grouped as follows.
Variety (^A) (^ the hicolor of Schneider, and variety E of
Boulenger's Catalogue, Vol. Ill, p. 268). Head chocolate or black
above, yellow beneath. Body with a broad stripe dorsally of the
same colour as the head. The lower edge of the stripe is straight, and
sharply demarcated from the pale yellow of the sides and belly.
Tail with black dorsal bars, and lateral spot.
This is by far the commonest variety on our coasts. Some
specimens have a series of black costal spots in the yellow, or these
may be confluent and form a more or less irregularly-outlined stripe.
(Variety 0 of Boulenger's Catalogue.) Such specimens are not
infrequent.
; I have seen specimens in the Indian Museum from Ceylon and
Puri. A specimen in the Bombay Natural History Society's
collection from Madras, and another in the Indian Museum from
the Nicobars, have the posterior part of the dorsal stripe festooned
Journ., Bonnbay Nat. Hist. Soc.
Pry
Plate
^r s ^^
A
B
c
A.S.
//ya^ru s /i Ice lui^as tWa / s ize)
A
B
C
AJ3.C. naf size ZfXr
COMMON INDIAN SNAKES.
THE COMMON INDIAN SNAKEtS. 809
instead of straight, and thus constitute a form transitional between
Varieties A and B.
Variety (B) (= the ornata of Gray, the maculata of Jan, and
Varieties A and B of Boulenger's Catalogue). In this the dorsal
stripe is broken up into cross-bars in the whole body length, or
for a variable extent posteriorly and a series of spots costally
alternates with the bars. It is a rare form known from Borneo,
but dubiously from our coasts.
Variety (D) (= Variety D of Boulenger's Catalogue). Like
Variety A, but the yellow is replaced by a khaki hue. In some
the hues are separated by a yellow line. I saw three such with a
yellow line from Ceylon in the Colombo Museum, and there is one
from Bombay m the British Miiseum. One without the yellow
line in the Indian Museum is from Travancore, and there is
another m the Colombo Miiseum from Ceylon.
Variety {E) (^ Variety G of Boulenger's Catalogue). The name
jpalUdus would suit this form. It difiers only from Variety A in
that the sides and belly are whitish or greyish, and the
dorsal stripe and caudal marks are much paler than normal,
indeed these may be almost obsolescent. Such a specimen from
Travancore is ia the British Museum. Probably a specimen I
saw in the Colombo Museum from Ceylon, another in the Indian
Museum from the Persian Gulf, and a third in the Bombay Natural
History Society's collection from Bombay, all of which I took at
first to be very faded specimens, belong to this variety. The last
is so pale, and the vertebral stripe so extremely indistinct ; I
regarded it dubiously as an albino. Father Dreckman in 1913
wrote to me of a somewhat similar specimen he had recently
acquired near Bandora on the Bombay coast. This was a light grey
colour with a somewhat darker vertebral stripe. The tail had the
usual characteristic black marks.
Breeding. — As far as I am aware no breeding events liave been
published, and I have never seen a gravid specimen myself. It is
probably viviparous in habit like other sea snakes.
Poison. — In " Land and Water" (Nov. 15th, 1879) is an account
of one that climbed up the anchor chain of a man-of-war in the
Ganges. An unfortunate midshipman who tried to capture it was
bitten and died shortly afterwards.
Edozoa. — Both Dr. Annandale and Dr. Willey, among others,
have remarked upon barnacles that attach themselves to this snake.
Dr. Annandale mentions Conchoderma hunteri as one species, and
Dr. Willey published an excellent plate of this snake with a
cluster of Barnacles of two species, viz., C. hunteri and Lepas
■anserifera clinging to the tail (Spolia Zeylanica, 1900, p. 207,
14
810 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
and 1910, p. 180). These creatures are not parasites, frequently
clinging to inanimate objects. When attached to snakes they
furnish an example of commensalism.
Length. — This is a small snake, specimens exceeding two feet
being unusual. The largest measurement I know is 2 feet, 3^
inches.
Lepidosis. — Rostral. — Broader than high. Nasals. — In contact
behind the rostral. There is usually no suture from the nostrils,
but when present it passes to the 2nd labial. Pnefron.tals. — Usually
touch the 2nd labial, but sometimes they are cut off by the
apposition of the prysocular and nasal. Frontal. — The parietal
sutures are equal to, or little longer than the supraocular. Supra-
oculars.— In length and breadth about three-quarters that of the
frontal. PrcBocular. — One, rarely two. Postoculars. — Two, or some-
times three. Temporals. — Two or three small scales hardly deserving
the name of temporals lie between the parietals and the 6th labia).
Labials. — 7 to 9 ; the first 3 usually entire, manj'^ of the succeeding
frequently divided ; the 4th, 5th, and 6th usualh^ touching the
eye. Infralahials . — 5, the 5th largest, and touching 3 or 4 scales
behind. Marginals. Absent. Sublinguals. — Small, but usually
descernible as such ; the fellows of both pairs separated by several
scales. Gostals. — Two headslengths behind the head 40 to 54, at
greatest girth 41 to 55 ; juxtaposed everywhere. Each scale has
a pair of small round tubercles in the middle, one behind the other,
which are very characteristic. (A similar feature is only seen m
two other seasnakes, viz., H. gracilis and H. cantoris.) These
tubercles are very pronounced in males, especially on the lowest
costal rows, and give the snake a rough rasp-like feel. At or about
midcosta the tubercles become single, and dorsally may be obsoles-
cent, especially in females and young. Ventrals. — 284 to 339 ;
small, not or hardly broader than the last costal row, but usually
recognisable as such, anc^ countable; bituberculate laterally as in
the lowest costal rows.
Distribution. — Persian Gulf to Tenasserim and the Andamans.
Beyond Indian limits it has a very wide range extending to Japan,
Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the Western Coast of
North America.
Not uncommon on our shores. Ferguson speaking of Ceylon
remarks that it is common about Colombo, and at the pearl fisheries.
Dentition. — Maxilla.- — The upper jaw bears from 8 to 10 teeth
behind the fangs. Palatine 6 to 7. Pterygoid. 23 to 27.
Mandibular 16 to 18.
Plate. — Our figure shows a good illustration of Variety bicolor of
Schneider.
{This series of Popular Articles is noio concluded.)
'^J^urn.,' Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
Plate XXVI.
■'r-. ■
m.-.:t^
A.— View of Phalodi (.Todhpur State), taken from the Rest House.
B. — View of Barmer (Jodhpur State) and neig'hbouring hills.
811 ^
THE FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESEIIT4-
(JODHPUR AND JAISALMER).
BY
E. Blatter, S.J., and Prof. F. Hallberg
Part III.
With 6 i:ilaies.
(^Continued frmn page 551 of Vol. XXVI.)
AcANTHACEa;.
Blej^hccris Juss.
Blepharis sindica, T. Anders, in Journ. Lin. Soc. IX (1867) 500.
Vern. N. : Bhongri.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (No. 9130 !), Mandor (No. 9142 !), Osian (No.
9134 !), Balarwa (No. 9144 !, 9144 !), Bhikamkor (No. 9132 !), Phalodi
(No. 91361), near Bhadka, gravel and rocks (No. 9141!), Barmer
(No. 9133 !). Jaisalmer : Shihad (No. 9129 !), near Loharki (No. 9138 !)
near Jaisalmer (No. 9131!), Amarsagar (No. 9135 !), Devikot (No.
9139 !), Vinjorai (No. 9140!).
Distrib. : Punjab, Rajputana, Sind, Gujarat.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Uses : The plant is boiled in milk and taken as a tonic. It is given to
cattle for greater milk production.
Ruellia L.
Ruellia patula, Jacq. Misc. Bot. II (1781) 358, var. alba Saxtou in Rec. Bot.
Surv. Ind. VI (1918) 288.
Loc. : Kailana (No. 9110 !), Kailana rocks (No. 9111 !), Mandor (No.
9112!), Kotda near Sen (No. 9113 1), Barmer rocks (Nos. 9114,
9115 !). Jaisalmer: Vinjorai (No. 9J09 !).
Distrib. : The type extends from India to tropical Africa. The variety
has been found by Saxton in N. Gujarat.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Andrographis Wall.
Andrographis echioides, Nees in Wall. PI. As, Kar. Ill (1832) 117.
Vern. N..: Goondlu (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur : Bori Mera (No. 9162 !), found occasionally about
Jodhpur, but not common (Macadam).
Distrib : Tropical India, Ceylon.
Fl. and fr. in October.
Barleria L.
Barleria prionitis, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 636, var. diacantha var. nov. — Altitu-
dine 150 cm. attingens, formans frutices densos. Florum spicee 15
cm. attingentes, bracteolis 3 cm. longis spinosis albis. Calycis lobus
anterior bispinosus, posterior spina simplici.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Barmer (No. 9165 !), on rocky hillsides.
Barleria acanthoides, Vahl Symb. I (1790) 47.
Vern. N. : Chapri, in Jaisalmer, Damasha in Jodhpur (Macadam).
812 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana, on rocks (Nos. 9166 !, 9167 !, 9168 !). Jaisal-
mer : Araarsagar on rocks (Nos. 9169 !, 9170 !), Bada Bag on rocks
(No. 917] !), Vinjorai (No. 9172 !).
This plant is common on rocks near Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, Maca-
dam found it in '' dry and sandy places". All our specimens were
gathered in rocky localities.
Distrib. : India, Baluchistan, Abyssinia, Nubia, Egypt.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Note : — This plant is very variable with regard to the mucro of the
leaves and outer sepals, the division of the spines in the bracts and
bracteoles, and, finally, the length of the corolla. In general, the
mucro of the leaves is stronger, that of the outer sepals weaker
than in Sind specimens. The sepals are sometimes without mucro.
Barleria.hochstetteri, Nees in DC. Prodr. XI (1847) 231.
Loc. : Jodhpvir : Barmer (No. 9163 !), Barmer on rocks (No. 9164 !),
Distrib. : Rajputana, Sind, Baluchistan, Arabia, Nubia, Abyssinia.
Fl. and fr. in November.
Note : — King mentions Barleria nocti flora L. as occurring in Western
Rajputana. As this species has been observed in the Nilgherries
only and in Ceylon, we are justified in doubting the identification
of King's plant.
Lepidagathis Willd.
Lepidayathis cristata, Willd. Sp. PI. Ill (1800) 400.
Vern. N. : Patta fori in Jodhpur; Bhangri in Jaisalmer (Macadam).
Loc. : Not uncommon in sandy places of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer
(Macadam). We have not seen this species.
Lepidayathis tvinervis, Nees in Wall. PI. As. Rar. Ill (J 832) 96.
Vern. N.: Uut Katala (Macadam).
Loc: Jodhpur: Kailana on rocks (Nos. 9128!, 9127!). Bhikamkor
(No 9126!).
Distrib. : India.
Fl. and fr. in October.
Note : — In naming this plant we have followed Cooke, although our plants
do not exactly agree with his description. There are also difi"erences
between our specimens and the description in Hook. Fl. Brit. Ind.
Until more material is available we retain the above name.
Uses : The hairy mucilaginous seeds, soaked in cold water, form a
cooling drink (Macadam).
Justicia L.
Justicia micvantha, Heyne ex Wall. Cat. (1828) 2449.
Loc: Jodhpur: Sutlana (No. 9160!). Jaisalmer: Bada Bag (No.
(9161 !).
Distrib. : India.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Note : — The leaves of No. 9161 are unusually large. The fact that
the plant was growing in a well-watered garden, may explain this.
Justicia simplex, D. Don Prodr Fl. Nep. (1825) 118.
Loc: Jodhpur: Kailana (Nos. 9146 !, 9147!), Balarwa (No. 9148!),
Osian (Nos. 9149!, 9150!), near Badka (No. 9161!), Kotda
(No. 9158!), Barmer sand (No. 9152!). Jaisalmer: Shihad
(Nos. 9153 ! , 9154 !), Amarsagar (No. 9155 !), Vinjorai (No. 9156 ! ),
Vinjorai on rocks (No. 9157 ! ).
Distrib. : Abyssinia, India, Malay Islands,
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Journ , Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
Plate XXVII.
A.— A Rocky Valley above Mandor ^Jodhpur State)- On the terraced slope :
Enphorhui neriifdia. In the foreground : a belt of Acrua tomentosa,
below it Lepidagatliig trinervis and Fagotiia nrefica.
B. — A field at Balarwa (Jodhpur State), invaded by Lcucas aspcra.
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT, 813
Justicia jjvocumbens, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 15.
Vern. N. : Gvingi biinti, mokra ghas, kagner (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur : Common along the roadsides about Jodhpur and iu
cultivated places (Macadam). We have not seen this species
though Macadam calls it common about Jodhpur.
Distrib. : India, Ceylon, Malaya, Australia.
Peristrophe Nees.
Peristrophe bicali/culata, Nees in Wall. PI. As. Rar. Ill (1832) 113.
Vern. N. : Kagner (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur : Balsamand (No. 4009 ! ), Kailana (No. 9122 !), Osian
(Nos. 9117 !, 9118 !), Phalodi (No. 9119!), Kotdanear Seu, on gravel
and sand (No. 9120!), Barmer rocks (No. 9121!). Jaisalmer;
Amarsagar (No. 9124 !), Devikot (No. 9125 !).
Distrib. : India, trop. Africa.
n. and fr. in October and November.
VERBENACEiE.
'Lippia L.
Lippia nodi flora, Michaux Fl. Bor. Amer. II (1803) 15.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana (No. 10365 !), Balsamand (No. 10366! ).
Distrib. : Most tropical and subtropical regions.
Fl. and fr. in October.
Bouchea Cham.
Bouchea marruhifolia, Schauer in DC. Prodr. XI (1847) 558.
Vern. N. : Bui.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana rocks (Nos. 10374 !, 10375 ! , 10376 !), Bhi-
kamkor (No. 10377 !), Kotda near Seu, rocks (No. 10378 !), Barmer
rocks (No. 10379!). Jaisulmer: near Bap (Nos. 10383!, 10381!),
Loharki, rocks and gravel (No. 10380!), Jaisalmer, rocky plateau
(No. 10382 !), near Devikot (No. 10384 !), Vinjorai, sandy plain
(No. 10385 !).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, Abyssinia, Egypt, Arabia, Sind, Rajputana.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Vite.v L.
Vitex negundo, L. Sp. PL (1753) 638.
Vern. N. : Samala (Macadam).
Loc: Jodhpur : Balsamand (No. 10373!).
Distrib. : Afghanistan, India, Ceylon, Philippines.
Fl. in October.
Usas : An infusion of the seeds is used for rheumatism of the joint
(Macadam).
Clerodendron L.
Clerodendron pMomidis, L. f. Supp. (1781)292.
Vern. N. : Arni, yerna.
Loc. : Osian (No. 10367 ! ), near Badka (Nos. 10372 !). Jaisalmer :
near Bap (Nos. 10368 ! , 10369 !), Vinjorai (No. 10370 !) , Devikot
(No. 10371 ! ).
Distrib. : India, Ceylon.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Uses : Eaten by camels. The leaves are applied locally against
guinea worm.
814 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXTl.
Labiate.
Qcimum L.
Ocimum sanctum, L. Mant. I (1767) 85.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana (No. 10413 !). Jaisalmer : Bap (No. 10411 !),
Amarsagar (No. 10412 ! ). Cultivated.
Fl. and fr. in November.
Ocimum canum, Sims in Bot; Mag. (1824).
Vern. N. : Bapji (Macadam).
Lou.: Jodhpur: Phalodi (No. 10416 !).
Distrib. : Tropics of the Old World.
Fl. and fr. in October.
Uses : The seeds are drunk in milk as a tonic, and a decoction of them
with potash in water is used as a cooling drink in fever. A bunch
of the plant hung in the corner of a room is said to attract mosqui-
toes and keep the rest of the room free from them (Macadam).
Ocimum basilicum, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 597.
Loc. : Bhikamkor (No. 10414 !), Barmer (No. 10415 ! ).
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Leucas R. Br.
Leucas urticoe folia, E. Br. Prodr. (1810) 504.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (No. 10392 !), Jodhpur Fort (No. 10393!),
Balarwa (No. 10394 ! ), Bhikamkor (No. 10395 ! ), Kotda (No. 10396 !),
Barmer (No. 10398!). Jaisalmer: Bap (No. 10399!), Bada Bag
(No. 10400 !), Devikot (No. 10401 !), Viujorai, wet ground (No.
10102!).
Distnb. : Abyssinia, Arabia, Baluchistan, India.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Leucas aspera, Spreng. Syst. II (1825) 743.
Loc. : Mandor (No. 10407 !), Balarwa (Nos 10108 !, 10409 ! ).
Distrib. : Indo-Malaya.
Fl. and fr. in October.
Leucas cephalotes, Spreng. Syst. II (1825) 743.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (No. 10405 !), Mandor (No. 10404 ! ).
Distrib. : India, Afghanistan.
Fl. and fr. in October.
Leucas nutans, Spreng. Syst. II (1825) 743.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Baiarwa (No. 10406!).
Distrib : India.
Fl. and fr. in October.
Leucas stricta, Benth. in Wall. Cat (1828) 2045.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Balarwa (No. 104101).
Distrib. : India.
Fl. and fr. in October.
Salvia L.
Salvia cpgypiiaca, L. Sp. PL (1753) 23.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (No. 10386 !), Kailana (10387 !), Balarwa
(No. 10388!), Osian (No. 10-3891). Jaisalmer: Shihad (No. 10390!).
Distrib : Mediterranean, W. Asia, Afghanistan, India.
Fl. and fr. in October.
Salvia ccgnptiaca var pumila, Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. IV (1885) 656.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Mandor (No. 10391 !).
Distrib. : India, Afghanistan, Baluchistan.
Fl, and fr. in October.
Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
Plate XXVIII
A. — Gravel veg-etation near Balarwa (Jodhpiir State). Sand-bindin? plants
in the foreground ; in the background : Capparis der/dua. Prosopn
spicigera.
B. — Scrub at Bhikamkor (Jcdhpur State). Capparh Jecidua, Gi/mnosporia
montana, Lyciinn barbarum. Zizyplm.^ rntimdifn/ia, Prosnpis apiciyera,
Calligonum iJolygonoides, Crotalaria burhia, Tt'j^hrosia purpurea, Aerua,s-p.
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT. 815
Nyctaginace^.
Bcerhaavia L.
Bcerhaavia diffusa, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 3.—B. repens L. ; Hook. f. Fl. Brit,
lud. IV, 709 cum ya.T\et&t\hVia pmcumbens et diffusa.
Log.: Jodhpur : Jodhpur (Nos. 5869!, 5870 !). "ivailana (No. 5827!),
Mandor (Nos. 5852 !, 5871 !), Phalodi (No. 5856 !), Osiau (Nos. 5836 !,
5840 !, 5850 !). Bhikamkor (Nos. 5847 !, 5846!, 5844 !, 5860 !), Barmer,
sand (No. 5872!), near Badka (No. 5867!), Jaisalmer : Amarsagar
(Nos, 5841 !, 5848 !, 5844 !), North of Jaisalmer (No. 5838 !), Jaisalmer
(No. 5862 !), on sand (No. 5845 !), Jaisalmer on rocky plateau (No.
5837 !^, Phalodi to Bap (No. 5853 !), near Bap (No. 5855 !), Sodakoer,
dried-up river bed (No. 5866 !), Shihad (No. 5863 !), Loharki (No.
5854 !), near Loharki (No. 5859 !), Bap (No. 5868 !), Devikot (No.
5849 !), Vinjorai, gravel (No. 5865 !), Vinjorai, sandy plain
(No. 5861 !).
Distrib. : Tropical and subtrop. Africa, Asia, and America.
n. and fr. in October and November.
Note : — It is impossible to retain the varieties proposed by J. D.
Hooker. We have tried to classify our rich material under certain
groups, but we did not succeed. If we take the extreme forms we
are easily tempted to regard them as distinct species ; but the
numerous transition forms make it necessary to unite them all
under one species.
Uses : The ashes of the leaves taken in water are said to be good
against night-blindness. The roots, crushed and boiled, are consi-
dered to serve the same purpose.
BcerJiaana verticiUata, Poir Encycl. Meth. V (1804) 56.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur Fort (No. 5858 !), Mandor (No. 5857 !),
Osian (Nos. 5839 ! 5830 !), Barmer (No. 5877 !). Jaisalmer: Amarsa-
gar (No. 5879!), Jaisalmer, rocky plateau (Nos 5833! 5834!),
Jaisalmer (No. 5878!), North of Jaisalmer (No. 5832!), Vinjorai,
dune° (No. 5880 !), Devikot (No. 5876 !).
Distrib. : From W. India and the Punjab to Trop. Africa.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Bcerhaavia elecjans, Choisy in DC. Prodr. XIII, part 2 (1849) 453.
Loc: Jaisalmer: North of Jaisalmer (No. 5831!), Jaisalmer rocks
(No. 6875 !), between Phalodi and Bap, in afield (No 5829 !), near
Loharki (No. 5881!), Vinjorai sand (No. 5882!), Vinjorai rocks
(No. 5874 !).
Distrib. : Punjab, Sind, Baluchistan, S. Arabia.
Fl. and fr. in November.
Amarantace^.
Celosia L.
Celosia argentea, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 205.
Vern. N. : Mokmal, Amarti (= everlasting) (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur: Bhikamkor (No. 9048), Balarwa (No 9047 !), not un-
common about gardens, Jodhpur (Macadam), Barmer on rocks (No.
9049!).
Distrib. : Throughout the tropics.
FL and fr. in October and November.
Digera Forsk.
Digera arvensis, Forsk. Fl. ^^gypt. Arab. (1775) 65.
Loc: Jodhpur: Osian (No. 9042 !), Phalodi (No. 9044!), Barmer sand
(No. 9039!). Jaisalmer: between Phalodi and Bap (No. 9045!),
816 JOVliNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL UlST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Shihad (No. 9007 !), near Loharki (No. 9041 !), Vinjorai sandy plain
(No. 9043 !), Amarsagar (No. 9040 !).
Distrib. : N. Africa, Arabia. Afghanistan, Baluchistan, India, Ceylon.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Amarantus L.
Amaranlus spinosus, L. Sp. Pi. (1753) 991.
Loc. : In many places of Eastern Jodhpur.
Distrib. : In many tropical countries.
Amarantus paniculatus, L. Sp. PI. (1763) 1268.
Loc. : Jodhpur Fort (No 9014 !).
Distrib. : Cultivated or an escape in Africa and Asia.
Amarantus gangeticus, L. Syst. Nat ed. 10 (1759) 1268.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Mandor (No. 9012 !), Phalodi (No. 4016!). Jaisalmer;
Jaisalmer (No. 9013 !), N. of Jaisalmer, wet ground (No. 9071 !).
Distrib. : In the tropics generally.
Amarantus gangeticus var. tristis, Prain Beng. PI. 869.
Vern. N. : ChandeJa.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Bhadka (No. 9011 !).
Uses : Used against stomach ache in children.
Amarantus vividis, L. Sp. PI. (1763) 1405.
Loc. : Jodhpur ; Jodhpur (No. 5982 !). Jaisalmer : Jaisalmer (No. 9009 !),
Amarsagar (No. 9010 ! ).
Distrib. : All tropical countries.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Amarantus blitum L. var olerncea, Hook f. Fl. Brit. Ind. IV. (1885) 721.
Loc: Jodhpur: Balarwa (No. 9016!), Phalodi (No. 9017!), Seu
(No. 90151).
Distrib. : Cultivated in warm and tropical conntries.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Amarantus polyqamtis, L. Amcen. Acad. IV (1759) 294.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (No. 9030 ! ), Balsamand (Nos. 9025 !, 9024 !),
Balarwa (Nos. 9032!, 9031!), Bhikamkor (Nos. 9019!, 9018!),
Phalodi (No. 90-'5 !), Banner, (No. 90341). Jaisalmer: Bap (No.
9027) !), Shihad (No. 9029 !), Amarsagar (Nos. 9033 ! , 9023 ! ),
Jaisalmer (Nos. 9070 !, 9028 !), Devikot (No. 9022!), Vinjorai
(No. 9021!), Vinjorai, sandy plain (No. 9020!).
Distrib. : Most hot countries.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Mrua Forsk.
Ai^rua tomentosa, Forsk. Fl. ^Egypt. Arab. CXXII and 170 {=Mrua
jaianica Wight).
Vern. N. : Bui (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur : Osian (No. 5953 !), Bhikamkor (Nos. 5977 ! , 9075 !),
Phalodi (Nos. 5961!, 9072!), near Bhadka (No. 9073 !), Barmer
(No. 5978 !), Jaisalmer : Sodakoer sandy plain (No. 5958 !),
Sodakoer river bed (No. 9074 ! ), Loharki (No. 5975 !), Jaisalmer.
rocky plateau (No. 5981 !), Amarsagar (No. 5960 1), Devikot (No.
5966 !), Vinjorai (Nos. 5956 ! , 5957 !).
Distrib. : Cape Verd Islands, E. and W. trop. Africa, N. Africa,
Arabia, India, Ceylon (not Java).
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Uses : The white woolly seeds are much used to stuff beds and pillows
and its use is said to be protective against rheumatism (Macadam).
Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
f>late XXIX.
A. — Chhatris near Maiulor (Jodhpur State). On the rocky <j;roiim1 : Eu-
pJiorhia neriifoUa.
13.— The Bada Ba^; dain near .Jaisahner. To the rii-'ht : Acacia arahlca.
Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
Plate XXX.
^^''^
f.«|||:T..,.,j|te«K^,»^©^ . MP^
1^^^
VHM^.
«•
fe —
i<> '^■•:;
■r* *
4
A. — Dry jjTavelly river-bed. 2 miles East of Sodakoer f Jaisalmer State).
Shrubs in the foreg-round : Hahixylon saUcAirnicum. Trees in the back-
ground : Cordia Rotliii, surrounded by a belt of CahHroph procera.
B. — Locality as above Haloxylon salicornictim, Cordia Rothii and Grasses.
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT. ,817
^rua lanata, Juss. in Ann. Mus. Par. II (1803) 131,
Loc. : W. Rajputana (King). We have not seen this species.
Distrib. : Africa, and warm parts of Asia to the Philippines.
JErvM psendo-tomentosa, spec. nov. — Suffrutex virgatus, 1^ metrum attingens
dense stellatim tomentosus ; caulis erectus, racemosus, subteres,
obsolete striatus, in parte dimidia inferiore ssepe glabrescens et
rubescens. Folia alternata, 80 mm longitudine attingentia, latitudine
vero 5^ mm., lineana lanceolata, basi attenuata, apice acuta, sub-
sessilia, generating dense tomentosa in facie dorsali, in facie vero
ventrali ssepe glabrescentia, nervis infra prominentibus.
Flores unisexuales diceci, scssiles in spicis cylindricis, albis vel rubes-
centibus. Spicfe breves, raro excedentes 25 mm., simplices vel com-
positiB, numeros!3e, generatim sessiles, interdum pedunculatse,
formantes panicula terminalia ampla foliosa. Flores feminei : Urac-
teolae plus miniisve asquantes sepala, late ovatoe, acutse, hyalinsae,
interdum rubescentes, apice in facie dorsali barbatee. Sepala 5, 2
mm. longa, duo exteriora lineari-oblonga, tria interiora lanceolata,
omnia apiculata, facie dorsali dense villosa, hyalina, nervo medio
herbaceo non attingente apicem, interiora vel omnia (sssepe cum
villositate) rubescentia; corona staminodialis minutissima sed distinc-
ta, 10-partita ; 5 dentes coronre ceteris duplo longiores, omnes apice
glandulosi. Pistillum sepalis brevius ; stigmata duo, purpurea, glan-
dulosa. Flores masculi : Sunt foemineis minores. Sepala latiora,
duo exteriora ovata, tria interiora elliptico-oblonga, omnia acuta,
pallidiora quam in fl. femineis, albida vel flava, vel pallide rubes-
centia. Stamina 5, filamentis brevissimis vel sepala tequantibus ;
antherse oblongse, 2-loculati«, loculis dehiscentibus longitudinaliter ;
staminodia varise longitudinis ; pictillodia breviter stipitata ; stylus
brevissimus stigmatibvis minutissimis.
This species difi'ers from A. to)nentosa Fove,k. in ttie following points : —
The panicles are not naked but leafy ; the spikes rarely reacla 25 mm.,
usually less, they are generally much stouter and often compound.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Jodhpur (No. 9086 ! ), Mandor (No. 5954 !), Osian
(Nos. 5980 ! , 5952 ! , 5950 ! ), Bhikamkor (Nos. 5967 ! ), 5976 ! , 5968 !),
Phalodi (No. 9088 !), near Bhadka (No. 5979 1,9089!), Barmer sand
(Nos. 5969 ! , 5970 ! , 5971 ! , 5955 !). Jaisalmer : Loharki (No. 9087 !),
near Loharki (No. 5951 !), Sodakoer sandy plain (No. 9085!), Soda-
koer river bed (No. 5959!), Jaisalmer (Nos. 5968!, 5962 !), Vin-
jorai (No. 5965 !), Vinjorai dunes (No. 5973 !).
Fl. in October and November.
Nothoscerua Wight.
Nothosoerua bra^Mata, Wight Ic. VI (1853 !).
Loc. : Jodhpur: Kailana (No. 9050 !), Osian (No. 9051 !), Jaisalmer :
Bada Bag (No. 9052 !).
Distrib. : From trop. Africa to India and Ceylon.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Achyranthes L.
Achyranthes aspera, L. Sp. PL (1753) 204.
Vern. N. : Unda kanta, untaghda, narkata, aghada, audi jhara, kutia
bharutia.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Osian (No. 9037 !), common in dry places in Jodhpur
(Macadam), near Bhadka (No. 9038 !). Jaisalmer : Amarsagar (No.
9036 !), Bada Bag (No. 9053 !).
15
818 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Distrib. : In the tropics generally.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Uses : The water in which the crashed plant has been boiled is taken
against pneumonia.
A. aspera L. var. argentea, Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. IV, 730.
Loc, : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (No. 9076 !), Kailana (No. 9077 !), Banner
on gravel (No. 9035 !).
Distrib. : Europe, Africa, Arabia.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Pupalia Juss.
Pv/palia lappacea, Moq. in DC. Prodr. XIII (1849) 331.
Loc: Jodhpur: Maudor (Nos. 5989!, 9079!), Kailana (Nos. 5990!)
9069 !, Balarwa (No. 5992 !), Barmer (No. 5984 !). Jaisalmer : Bada
Bag (No. 5986 1), Amarsagar (Nos. 9078 !, 5987, 5983 !), Vinjorai
on rocks (No. 5988 !). Devikot (No. 5985 !).
Distrib. : Tropics of the Old World.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
P. lappacea var. velutina, Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. IV, 724.
Loc. : W. Rajputana (King).
Distrib. : Deccan Peninsula, Burma.
Pupalia orbiculata, Wight Ic. (1852) t. 1783.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Barmer on rocks (No. 9066 !).
Distrib. : India, Ceylon.
Fl. and fr. in November.
AlternantJiera Forsk.
Alternanthera triandra, Lam. Encycl. Meth. I (1783) 95.
Loc: Jodhpur: Kailana (No. 9067!). Jaisalmer: Bada Bag (No.
9054 !).
Distrib. : All warm countries.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Gomphrena L.
Qomphrena globosa, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 224. — The Globe Amaranth.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Mandor (No. 9046 !). Introduced.
I
Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. 8oc.
Plate XXXIX.
A.— Hill near Mar war-Lohawat (Jodhpur State). To the left a low sand
dune with Calligonum. polygo?mdes, in the foreground Crotalaria hurUa,
Coftvolimlus sp., and various Grasses.
B.— Typical Fort at Devikot (Jaisalmer State). Scanty ruderal veg'etation.
819
A TENTATIVE LIST OF THE VERTEBRATES OF THE
JALPAIGURI DISTRICT, BENGAL.
BY
Chas. M. Inglis, M.B.O.U., W. L. Travers, H. v. O'Donel
AND E. 0. Shebbeare, i.f.s,
( With Plates.)
AlthoiTgh several present and past residents of the district have
taken an interest in natural history, we know of no list of the
fauna, and have accordingly attempted to draw one up to the best
of our ability as far as the vertebrates are concerned. On Inglis'
first visit to the district, Shebbeare proposed the drawing up
of the list ; the latter had already done some collecting and the
former had collected in the adjacent districts of Darjef^ling and
Goalpara. Inglis drew up a tentative list of the birds which
during his later visits he was able to add to and confirm many of
the species given in it. Later, Inglis and Shebbeare made out the
list of mammals and sent both lists to O'Donel, who added several
birds and confirmed a number more and sent notes on a number of
species ; he also added considerably to the list of mammals, more
especially bats as, besides collecting himself, he had the Society's
collector Baptista working with him for some months. Shebbeare
also sent a copy to Travers to add any ducks which had been omitted
and for some notes on them which he gave. Travers also drew up
the list of snakes, having collected them for some years. He also
collected the tortoises for Dr. Annandale who kindly identified
them and gave us the names of others probably found in the
district ; these we have included with a note. None of us have
worked out the lizards and frogs, but we have included such as we
know for the sake of completeness. The list of fishes for which
Shebbeare is responsible is compiled from a previous list made by
him. His collection and observations were chiefly made near the
hills in the quick-flowing streams, and having had no opportunity
of visiting the south of the district where most of the tanks occur,
he has been unable to add the numerous Bengal tank and sluggish
river fish which are sure to be found. His list is therefore very
incomplete. The names of a few mammals and birds were also
got from a Settlement Report of the Western Duars by Mr. Sunder
written in 1895.
As to the nomenclature, we have followed the Fauna of British
India except in the mammals where we have tried to give the
names from the mammal survey, and in the game-birds, pigeons
and doves, where we have followed Mr, Stuart Baker. We have also
followed the late Lt.-Col. H. H. Harington in the TimeliidcB as far
as he had gone before his regrettable death.
820 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
The English names of the snakes are mostly taken from Lieut. -
Col. Wall's articles in the Journal. The numbers throughout
refer to the Fauna of British India. All the species in the list
have been got or observed in this district by one or other of us
unless otherwise stated.
We have taken as our area the v^^hole of the Jalpaiguri civil
district which is situated in the extreme N. E. of Bengal adjoining
Bhutan, Assam, and Cooch Behar State.
The northern part of the area in which most of oiir collecting-
has been done lies in the foothill tract known as the Duars (or
Dooai'sj, an area taken over by the British Government after the
Bhutan War of 1865 and prior to that time divided by the Bhutan
Government for the purpose of rent collecting into a number of
small districts known as Bala-Duar, Luckee-Duar, etc., whence the
name. The term " Duars " and specially such combinations as
Sikkim and Bhutan Duars, Buxa Duars, Eastern and Western
Duars, etc., used by writers in describing the habitat of species,
lead to a good deal of confusion. Originally, at any rate, the
whole of the foothill tract east of the Tista and stretching into
Assam was called the Duars (just as the corresponding tract west
of the Tista is called the Darjeeling Tarai), but latterly the meaning
of the word has been narrowed down hj common usage to refer
to the " Duars " tea district which onl}^ extends eastw^ards to
the Sankos and is therefore co-terminous with the Jalpaiguri
District. We presume that Sikkim Duars refers to that part west
of the Jaldhaka and Bhutan Duars to that east of this river. Buxa
Duar was one of the original divisions made by the Bhutan Gov-
ernment, a comparatively small area, but we believe that the expres-
sion " the Buxa Duars " is meant to refer to the whole of the tract
between the Torsa and the Sankos. Similarly Eastern and
Western Duars though originally used relatively to the Sankos,
is some times, we believe wrongly, used relatively to the Torsa.
British Bhutan is another rather confusing term which M^e believe
is intended to be synonymous with the Duars.
The north boundary of the district is in some places the foot of
the hills and in others the top of the first ridge which at one point
(above Buxa) reaches an elevation of nearlj^ 6,000 feet. From the
foot of the hills, which is usually well-defined, a stony plateau
intersected by the steep-sided beds of streams and rivers slopes gently
southwards for a distance of two to six miles to join the true plains,
at some places passing into them imperceptibly and at others des-
cending to their level by one or more steep or even precipitoiis
declines. The plains like the plateavi slope towards the south,
but with a very gentle gradient.
As might be supposed all water courses flow from north to
south ; those which rise in the Himalayas are torrents in the rains
Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
Plate I.
Tea with shade trees haunts of Franhlinia gracilis and other Warblers.
'- * .
-■^,j«*.:">'^:
Torsa river, the haunt of Ardea insigiiis, Merganser castor, etc. ; the stones in
the foreground affording shelter to the Wall Bat (Mrotis muricela).
VEJITEBR.^TES OF TRE JALPAIGURI DISTRICT, BENGAL. 821
and have rocky, gravelly, or sandy beds according to their distance
from the hills. For the first few miles after leaving their gorges,
these hill streams are confined to some extent b}'" the necessity of
cutting their way through the plateau, but once in the plains they
spread out to an enormOus width. Except a few of the larger
ones, these hill rivers disappear underground for some part of their
length in the dry season causing a waterless tract some miles wide
from north to south. The streams which rise in the plains are
in almost every respect the opposite of those which rise in the
hills ; they have narrow beds and high banks with overhanging
evergreen vegetation, and vary very little at the different seasons.
The northern part of the district is nearly all either tea-grant or
Government forest and the southern part nearly all cultivation ;
the distribution of these three is shown on the accompanying map.
The tea-grants are not all entirely under tea. Parts of them
are grazing land, savannah, and, in a few cases, tree-forest. The
Government forests are mostly tree-forest though there are still
a few fair-sized savannahs and some forest villages.
The forests of the plains consist of a great variety of trees
of which the commonest is Sal and there is generallj^ a heavy
undergrowth of shrubs and creepers mostly evergreen. In the
river beds Khair and Sissoo forest is found. This is not evergreen
and usually has a lighter undergrowth or simply grass. The
forest of the hills consists of trees with moderate iindergrowth and
some bamboos in the valleys. Where shifting cultivation has been
practised there is an almost impenetrable mass of shrubs and
creepers.
The savannahs consist mostly of tall grass usually from 8 to 15
feet high with scattered trees ; there are some areas with shorter
grass. The area of savannah throughout the district is much
smaller than formerly and constantly on the decrease owning to the
extension of cultivation, tea and grazing outside the Government
forests, and fire protection, which tends to encourage trees, within
them.
The cultivation in the plains is almost entirely irrigated paddy
land and a good deal of jute is grown. There are practically no
large villages as in some other parts of India and the homesteads of
the cultivators, surrounded by clumps of bamboos and betel-palms,
are scattered among the paddy fields at frequent intervals.
We have included a few photographs of the various types of
locality to make the above descriptions clearer to those who do not
know the district.
The average temperature in the plains is between 60° and 70°
during the cold weather (November to February) and between
75" and 80° during the rest of the year. Frost is rare. The
average rainfall at Jalpaiguri is 127 inches. The rainfall increases
822 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HL'ST. SOCIETY, Vol.XXTI,
as the hills are approached and the average in the northern part of
the district is about lUO inches while in the hills themselves (at
Buxa— 2,000 feet) it is 194 inches.
Part I — Mammals,
Bengal Monkey (3), Macaca rhesus. — Very common.
Himalayan Monkey (4), Macaca assamensis. — One in captivity is said to have
been caught locally. This may prove to be Macaca pelops.
[Pithecus sp ? — A pale yellow coloured langur is common in the adjoining
district of Goalpara (Assam). Jerdon reported one from the Terai, the
adjacent district on the (west) side, which Blauford suggested might
be P.entellus. Recently we have heard of another observed in the Terai.]
Tiger (29), Felis tigris. — Common.
Panther (30), Felis pardus. — Very common.
Clouded Leopard (32), Felis nebulosa. — One was killed by some coolies at
Hanatapara. A clouded leopard and one of the common variety {Felis
pardus) fought together at Samsing, killing each other. Mr. Phillips got
a young cub at Buxa in May, the mother being killed by Bhotias.
It is very tame.
Marbled Cat (33), Felis marmorata. — Travers got one atBaintguri. Skins are
occasionally brought down by Bhotias for sale. O'Donel saw a black
cat in the forest near Hasimara which he took to be a melanistic
specimen.
[Golden Cat (34), Felis temmincki. — May occur here, but.we have not found it.]
Fishing Cat (35), Felis viverrina. — Common.
Leopard Cat (36), Felis bengalensis. — Mr. W. P. Field has shot three
leopard cats in the Duars, two on his tea garden, one in Tondu forest ;
he has also had kittens brought to him twice. Mr. F Murdoch has also
shot a leopard cat, which had double upper canine teeth in the upper
jaw. Shebbeare sent a skin and skull of a young animal to the
Society which he obtained in the district. This cat appears to be
not uncommon in the west at any rate. Mr. Field has tried to tame
kittens but found them most savage even when quite small.
Jungle Cat (41), Felis affinis. — Common. The young when first born show
the black on the back continuous, this is replaced in a few days later by
broken blackish markings ; from these the change to sandy grey and
greyish brown is gradual. The young have been taken in in December,
February and May. The call of this cat is hard and raucous carrying
a long distance and is often heard round bungalows at night.
Large Indian Civet (45), Viverra zibetha. — Very common. It appears to be
impartial as to its diet, fruit and meat being equally welcome.
Small Indian Civet (48), Viverricula malaccensis. — Very common in grass
land and also got in the forest where river beds occur. It is doubtful
whether this animal is arboreal as stated to be. None of us have seen
one climb a tree, and O'Donel has seen one chased by dogs pass a tree
without making any attempt to climb,
[Spotted Tigec Civet (49), Prio7iodon pardicolor. — No specimens have been
secured by us but O'Donel has had skins from the Bhutias, who got
them apparently at low elevations, so it probably occurs round Buxa.]
Indian Palm Civet (Sic), Parado.rurus crossi (?).— Some skins seem to be
intermediate between this and the next species.
Malayan Palm Civet (52), Parado.rurus drictus — Travers got this species
in his bamboos at Baradighi.
Small Indian Mungoose (58), Mungos auropunctatus auropunctatus. — Un-
common.
VERTEBRATES OF THE JALPAIGURI DISTRICT, BENGAL. 823
Common Mungoose (60), Mungos viungo mungo. — Common. " My dog
chased a specimen and to my surprise the Mungoose darted up a small
tree, Albizzia stipulata, and took refuge in the highest branches."
(H. V. O'D.)
Crab-eating Mungoose (60), Mungos urva. — Decidedly uncommon. It is
generally to be found near stream beds whether flowing or dry and
usually in pairs, the latter probably being family groups. Their foot-
prints are often seen in the Murti.
Jackal (69), Canis indica,
Indian Wild Dog (70), Cuon dukhunensis.
Indian Fox (72), Vuljjes bengalensis.
Indian Marten (77), Maries flaviguta. — Uncommon. " On one occasion,
I found this animal tearing up the partly deserted hive of the jungle
bee." (H. V. O'D.)
Brown Ferret-badger (87), Helictis orientalis. — Only noted by O'Donel west
of the Torsa Iliver.
Burmese FeTTet-ha.dg6T [88), Helictis personata. — Recorded by O'Donel in
this Journal, Vol. XXV, page 819.
Hog-badger (90), Arctomg.v collaris. — This is mentioned in Sunder's Settle-
ment Report.
Common Otter (92), Lutra lutra. — This is given in Sunder's Settlement
Report.
Smooth Indian Otter (93), Lutra macrodus — Either or both this and the
former are common. Mr. W.P. Field has seen an albino of one of these
species.
Clawless Otter (95), Aong.v leucony.v.
Himalayan Black Bear (98), Ursus tibetanus. — In and near the hills.
Sloth Bear (100), Melursus ursinus. — Common.
Sikkim Tree Shrew (102), 'Twpaia belangeri chinensis. — Has been obtained
at Hasimara and Bharnabari
Short-tailed Mole (112), Talpa micrura. — There is a specimen from Jalpai-
guri in the Society's Museum, collected by Shebbeare.
Hodgson's Brown-toothed Shrew (115), Soriculus caudutus. — Recorded from
Hasimara and Bharnabari.
Himalayan Pigmy Shrew (124), Pachyura hodgsoni, — Common at Hasimara.
Musk-rat, Pachyura sp.
Common Flying Fox (134), Pteropus giganteus giganteus.
Fulvous Fruit-Bat, (137), Rousettus leschenaulti. — The Society's collector
shot a single example at Hasimara.
Southern Short-nosed Fruit-Bat (13S), Cynopterus sphinx sphinx. — Several
specimens obtained at Hasimara and one at Bharnabari.
Allied Horse-shoe Bat (150), RhinoL(Ji^hus affinis himalayanus. — A single
example was taken at Hasimara.
Great Himalayan Leaf -nosed Bat (159), Hipposideros armiger. — Only obtained
in November.
Bicoloured Leaf-nosed Bat (166), Hipposideros fulvus. — One obtained at
Hasimara.
Indian Vampire Bat (169), Lyroderma lyra tyra. — Recorded frcm Siliguri,
Jalpaiguri and Hasimara and said to be very plentiful at the first two
localities.
Eastern Barbastel (172), Barbastella darjelingensis. — Hasimara.
Club-footed Bat (1-80), Tylovieteris fulvida. — Mr. Crump got this at Sivoke,
just outside the district.
Babu Pipistrel (189c), Pipistrellus babu. — A single specimen has been taken
at Hasimara.
Coromandel Pipistrel (187), Pipistrellus coromandra, — Very common.
824 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISr. ^SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Southern Dwarf Pipistrel (187a), Pipistrellusmimusonimus. — Very common at
Hasimara and has also been recorded from Jalpaiguti and Bharnabari.
Tickell's Bat (191), Hesperoptenus tickelli. Hasimara and Bharnabari.
Dormer's Bat Q93), Scotozous dorineri dormeri. — Bharnabari.
Common Yellow Bat (194), Scotophilus kuhli. — Common at Jalpaiguri, Hasi-
mara and Bharnabari.
Wroughton's Bat (193A), Scotophilus loroughtoni, — Common at Hasimara ;
also recorded from Jalpaiguri.
Harlequin Bat (197), Scotomanes ornatus. — Got by Mr. Crump at Sivoke,
and O'Donel has obtained it at Buxa.
Hairy-winged Bat (200), Rarpiocrphalus lasyurus. — A single specimen was
obtained at Hasimara.
Wall Bat (212), Myotis muricola. — O'Donel got this under stones in the bed
of the Torsa river, where it is common.
Painted Bat (213), Kericoula picta.
[Cutch Sheath-tailed Bat (221), Taphozous kachemis kachensis. — Obtained by
Mr. Crump at Sivoke.]
Particoloured Flying Squirrel (234), Pteromys alhoniger.— Got by O'Donel
from trees felled in his fuel-coupe at Hasimara.
Assam Giant Squirrel (240), Ratufa yiymitea yiyantea. — Very common.
[Long Snouted Bhootan Squirrel (243a), Dremomys lokriah botia. — A squirrel
{Sciums lokriah) is given by Sunder in his Settlement Report, but as
he has not given the following species, Tomeutes lokroides, he may have
been mistaken but still he calls it an "orange bellied squirrel"; he may
have been correct and if so it is probably this species and notZ). I. lokriah.']
Hoary-bellied Himalayan Squirrel (251), Ttmeutes ZoAvozWp.s'.— Exceedingly
common .
Common Five-striped Squirrel (2o3e), Funambulus pennanti pen7ianti. — Mr.
Crump obtained this species at Haldibari. Sunder says of this squirrel
that it is common and as he has spent a good deal of his time in the
south of the district he is probably correct.
Hodgson's Tree-mouse (270), Va^ideleuria dumeticola. — Very common in the
tea bushes.
Bhutan Duars Rat, Rattus rattus bhotia. — Mr. Hinton has described a new
race of the common rat from specimens obtained at Hasimara where
it is very common.
Rattus sp.
Nepal House Mouse (282), Mus dubius. — Very common.
Himalayan House-mouse (2S2a), Mushomourus. — Apparently not so common.
Southern Field-mouse (287), Mus booduga. — -Very common.
Bengal Mole-rat (295), Gonornys benyalensis. — Very common.
Bengal Bandicoot (297), Bandicota elliotana. — Common and often damages
tea by cutting through the stem of a bush three or four inches under
the soil.
Indian Bush-rat (299), Golunda ellioti. — Common at Hasimara.
Bay Bamboo-rat (312), 72Ajro?«,ysc«s^awews. Very common in tea gardens.
" I have heard of this rat being destructive to tea, but have never
found it so myself though it is common in the forests round Hasimara."
(H. V. O'D.)
Crestless Himalayan Porcupine (316), Acanthion hodgsoni. — Common. Their
burrows are situated in the banks of ravines, but are very difficult to find
owing to the thickness of the jungle.
Hystrix bengalenis (?) — A porcupine other than the crestless one is often turned
out of heavy jungle during tiger beats and consequently not shot at.
Common Indian Hare (320), Lepus ruficaudatus. — Common among tea and
in river beds.
VERTEBRATES OF THE JALPAIGURI DISTRICT, BENGAL. 825
Hispid Hare (325), Lepu<i hispidus. — Not so common as formerly owing
to the decrease in grass juiigle in the district.
Indian Elephant {S32), Elephas maximas. — Common. Rogues are prevalent
and do a lot of damage. Khedda operations have been carried on
during the last few years. Young are born all the year round.
Great one-horned Rhinoceros (334), Rkmocerosimicornis. — Probably slightly
on the increase, in the few suitable localities, owing to strict preserva-
tion. Not nearly so common as formerly.
Smaller One-horned Rhinoceros (335), Rhinoceros sondaicus. — Has been shot
during the last twenty years. As all rhinoceros are preserved and the
tracks and habitat of this and the last are identical and their
appearance not very djfl'ereat, unless a close view is obtained, it is
difficult to say whether this species still exists here.
Asiatic Two-horned Rhinoceros (336), Rhinoceros sumatrensis. — Almost cer-
tainly not found in this district, now, though one was shot on the Sankos
River (boundary of this district) in 1864. In his Settlement Report
Sunder says a rhinoceros was shot in Dalgaon forest bvit is very rare.
The Gaur (338), Bibos gaurus. — A few herds exist, some of which are appar-
ently on the increase owing to preservation. In places they are fairly
plentiful. As far as we know they rut all the year round.
The Bufi'alo (342), Bubalis bubalis. — Not common. A few are found in
suitable localities.
Capricornis sumatrensis (Jamrachi ?), (352). — A serow is found in the hills,
but we are uncertain to which species it belongs.
Nemorhcedus {hodgsoni ?) (354). — A goral, most probably Hodgson's is found
in the hills.
The Indian Antelope (357), Antilope cervicapra. — Sunder writes in his Settle-
ment Report that this species is foimd in the waste lands of Falakata,
Alipur and Bhalka tahsils ; these lie on the south part of the east side
of the district. As far as we know this species is no longer found in
the district.
The Bengal Barking-deer (362), Muntiacus vaginalis. — Common in forest
throughout the district. They rut all the year round.
The Swamp-deer (365), Rucerrus duvauceli. — Found in heavy savannah,
though much less common than formerly. They rut during the latter
part of the rains.
The Sambhur (367), Rusa zinicolor.—'Sext to the barking-deer this is the
most plentiful deer. They rut during the cold weather.
Spotted Deer (368), Axis arts.— A few small herds, very local. We believe
they rut during the cold weather.
Hog-deer (369), Axis porcinus. — Plentiful in suitable locahties. We believe
they rut during the rains.
A deer intermediate in size between the Sambhur and Hog-deer and
resembling the latter has been shot in the same locality on several
occasions. We have seen heads and believe a specimen was for-
warded to the Society by Mr. W. P. Field who was the first to draw
attention to the matter.
Indian Wild Boar (374), Sus cristatus. — Extremely common.
Pigmy Hog (376), Sus salcanius. — Rare now, though probably commoner
before the reduction of savannah land. Travers has seen them and
Shebbeare, who knew the animal in Goalpara where they are common,
believes he has seen them. In both cases they were seen in Sal forest.
Gangetic Dolphin (379), P/atanista gengetica. — Found in rivers in the south
of the district.
Indian Pangolin (399), Manis crassicaudata . ) A pangolin has been reported
Chinese Pangolin (400), Manis aurita. S but we have never seen it.
16
826
THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB
BY
C. H. Donald, f.z.s.
Part III.
(Continued from page 655 of Vol, XJSVI.)
Type F.
{With Plate I.)
This chapter deals with 5 genera of the Birds of Prey, compris-
ing 9 species, of which one has really no bvasiness here, being
unknown to the Punjab so far, but as it has been recorded from
Quetta, and may wander into the districts adjoining Baluchistan,
I give it a passing mention. This is Milvus migrans, the Black
Kite.
All the species of this type have one characteristic in common,
and that is, a tarsus feathered for half its length or more, in front,
and naked hehind. All except one are birds of medium size, i.e.,
about the size of the ordinarj- Pariah Kite. The one exception
is the little Black-winged Kite {Elanus ccendeus) which is not
much bigger than a pigeon, except that it has long pointed wings
which make it look bigger, when seen flying.
With regard to the genus Buteo, the Buzzards, Mr. Hume
has pointed out that the feathering of tlie tarsus is variable, but
for the purpose of these papers, I think, it will be found that the
feathering is a good enough guide, and though the extent of the
feathering may vary in different species of the genus, or even in
individual specimens of the same species, it will generally be found
to conform to the keys herein given.
The genus Bnteo has been a bone of contention among ornitholo-
gists for a very long time, and whether the various species have,
even now, been definitely sorted out correctly, is by no means
certain.
A e:enus in which there is no definite limit to the immature
plumage, and in fact, in which there is no distinctive plumage
for any age, among its many species, must obviously be a subject
for controversy and be difficult to divide up into species, unless
there are other constant factors capable of conferring specific rank.
Whether Buteo vulgaris, B. pluraipes and B. desertorum are really
separate species or whether they are merely phases or races of the
same species, need not be here discussed. We are, here, only
concerned with the simplification of the present acknowledged spe-
cies, and not with arguments for or against their retention or
change.
(
BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB.
Fig. 1 — Represents a Buzzard flying directly overhead.
Characteristics.
Wings ample, rounded and regular, i. e., almost in a straight
line from the body to the tip of first primary. Usually held slightly
upwards and above the level of the back, though this is by no means
so constant a feature of the Buzzards as that of other species already
dealt with. The tertiaries curve into the body forming a slight
triangle with the base of the tail. There is always a light patch on
the wing, at the base of the primaries, which is visible both above
and below and is a characteristic of all species of Buzzards and of
every phase of plumage, to a greater or lesser degree.
The tail is medium, neither long nor short and frequently spread
out, when the bird is soaring.
Colouring is no criterion and may vary from a deep chocolate
brown throughout, to very light bufl" on head and body, and light
brown wings. In the former phase, however, the wing patch is
white and very distinct, as also white barring on the tail. In the
latter, the wing patch may not be very distinct but is always visible,
and the tail, especially above, is almost sure to be some shade of
reddish brown.
Fig. 2 — Represents a Kite flying directly overhead.
Characteristics.
"Wings long and more often curved than straight. If curved,
as in the illustration, the ends are pointed, but if held straight they
will be rounded, but not so much as in the Buzzards, and during the
later summer months, individuals will be seen with very pointed
wings. This is due to irregular moulting and the uneven growth of
the primary feathers. The characteristic flight of the Kite, as seen
round stations, is usually with curved wings as shown in the illus-
tration, as though preparing to stoop. The white wing patch is
generally the sign manual of Milvus melanotis, but govinda is occa-
sionally similarly adorned, to a somewhat lesser extent.
The tip of the primaries, especially when the wings are curved,
are usually beloio the plane of the body.
Tail long and/orA-e^. This characteristic of all Kites makes
them unmistakable for anything else, and is noticeable both when
the bird is sitting or flying.
Fig. 3— Represents a Black-winged Kite flying directly overhead.
Characteristics.
Wings long and pointed. The front portion, together with
head, body and tail white, the margins of the open wing, through-
out, black. The upper portion of the body is black and dark grey.
The slight washing of brown on the breast of young specimens
is not visible, except at very close quarters, so the whole of the
under-surface of the body appears to be pure white.
Tail medium, usually compressed and appears very narrow.
This bird is also unmistakable for anything else on account of
its size and curious colour, the latter resembles some of the male
Harriers and Neophron. Does not very often soar. Hovers a great
deal with slow deliberate beats of the wings.
F^g.Q.
THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB.
827
The 5 genera and the 9 species of this type (F) are as under:
Oenus.
Milvus.
Haliastur.
Btdeo.
)}
>t
Pemis.
Elamis.
Genus.
Milvus.
UaXiastw.
Buteo.
Pemis.
Elanus.
Species.
M. govirida.
M. melanotis.
M. migrans.
B. ferox.
B. leucocephalus .
B. desertorutn.
H. indus.
P. cristatus.
E. cceruleus.
Species.
M. govinda.
M. melanotis
M. migrans.
H. indus.
B. ferox
B. leucocephalus.
B. desertorum.
P. cristatus.
E. cceruleus.
The Common Pariah Kite.
The Large Indian Kite.
The Black Kite.
The Brahminy Kite.
The Long-Legged Buzzard.
The Upland Buzzard.
The Common Buzzard.
The Honey Buzzard.
The Black- Winged Kite.
Key to Geneka and Species.
Size medium ; tail forked ; tarsus 2" to '2\" ; plumage
in adult dark brown above, lighter (usually) below.
Size medium ; tail rounded ; tarsus about 2" ; plu-
mage in adult reddish or chest-nut brown above,
white below.
Size medium ; tail rounded ; tarsus 2^" to 3|".
Size medium ; bill weak and elongate ; lores and
sides of head coveted viith. small scale like feathers,
like forehead and chin, unlike all other birds of
prey.
Size small ; tarsus under 1^" ; colour very pale to
pure white below except primaries which are black,
greyish-brown to black above.
Length about 24" ; wing in male 16'75 to 18"5
and in female 17 to 19*5 ; head tawny or rufous with
black streaks in adults.
Length over 25"; wing in male 19 to 20'5 and in
female 19' 25 to 21'5 ; a light patch visible on the
under part of the wing, when flying.
Length about 23" ; wing about 17" or under ; head
whitish with black streaks in adults.
Tarsus about 3'75, feathered for about half its
length, naked part, in front, scutellate ; wing over 16" .
Tarsus about 3' 5, feathered for about two-thirds
its length, naked part, in front reticulated ; wing
over 16".
Tarsus under 3". Wing under 16".
As for genus.
As for genus.
As for genus.
Type F.
Family FALCONID^.
Sub-family FALCONING.
Genus Milvus.
No. 1229. Milvus govinda. The Common Pariah Kite.
Characteristics. Size medium ; tail forked ; head tawny or rufous
with black streaks in adults ; wing in males 16.75"
to 18-5" and in females 17" to 19-5." (Blanford).
828 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Colouration,
Measurements.
Habits, etc.
birds,
; legs
birds ;
Dark brown throughout usually. "Head tawny
or rufous with blackish shaft-stripes ; a patch behind
the eye including the ear-coverts, uniform dark
brown ; first five primaries and large primary-coverts
blackish, later primaries and secondaries coloured
like back ; all the quills more or less mottled wiuh
whitish on the inner webs towards the base, and
banded with blackish brown cross-bars, tail brown
above, whity brown below, with numerous darker
cross-bands, faint and obsolete in some (probably
old) birds ; lower parts rather paler than upper,
whitish at the chin, and generally, but not always,
becoming tinged with rufous on the abdomen and
lower tail coverts, and always dark-shafted through-
out, with pale or rufous stripes on each side of the
dark shaft-lines. Lower wing-coverts, like breast,
except the larger coverts, which are ashy brown
with pale bands.
Young birds have broad buff or white shaft-stripe
to the feathers of the head (except the ear-coverts),
neck and lower surface, and buff or whitish tips to
the feathers of the back, wing-coverts, scapulars,
secondaries and tail-feathers." (Blanford.)
Bill black, cere and gape yellow in old
greenish grey in the young ; irides brown
and feet yellow, pale greenish grey in young
claws black. (Blanford.)
Length of females about 24 ; tail 12 ; wing 18-5 ;
tarsus 2-1 ; mid-toe without claw 1-6 ; bill from gape
] -7. Males are smaller — length about 22*5, wing
17-5. (Blanford.)
This is without exception the commonest bird of
prey in India, except in the higher ranges of the
Himalayas. Found in every town and village from
the plains to the Hill Stations of Simla, Dalhousie
and in fact wherever one might expect to find a
slaughter-house. It lives for the most part on offal
and practically nothing comes amiss to the Pariah
Kite, from a native sweet-meat to a dry bone.
It is by no means uncommon to see a kite swoop
down and take a clawful from the contents of a
sweet-hawkers basket on a railway station, and on
one occasion the writer saw an entire basketful
turned over and the contents shot off the platform
on to the lines, under a carriage. In this case the
claw of the kite must have caught, for a second
either in the basket work or a bit of string.
It did nob prevent the hawker from retrieving
his lost property and disposing of it to the pas-
sengers, before the train left, with the added
advantage of a little extra weight ! Quite lately the
writer and a friend were having breakfast under a
tree. The friend had just transferred a liberal
helping of Irish stew to his plate, which was in his lap
and was on the point of bringing his knife and
fork to bear on the delicacies, when a kite swooped
THE BIRDS 01 PREY 01 THE PUNJAB. 829
noiselessly from above and sent well over half the
contents of the plate flying to the ground, much to
the delight of a miserable " pi " dog which cowered
alongside. Yet with all their daring, 1 know no bird
more difticult to catch than a kite. It is useless to
put up a net for the most hungry of kites, even with
the most tempting of baits behind it.
The kite will circle round once or twice and
"move on." The ordinary nooses which seldom fail
to catch a falcon will only catch a kite if set in
longish grass where they are absolutely invisible,
and then only if several of them happen to be about.
The best way of catching one is to drop three or
four pieces of meat about a lawn and over the
most inconspicuous and uninviting piece, place a
couple of horse-hair nooses, mixed up with bits of
straw and attached to a long bit of concealed string.
The flight of the Kite is unmistakable. The
forked tail is enough in itself to proclaim any
member of Milvus from afar, but even if this useful
appendage happens to be wanting, there is no
mistaking the bird. The wings are very frequently
bent from the first joint, and the primaries, as
often as not, are seen to be on a lower level than
the body. The flight itself is very light and the
circles are irregular and erratic.
They build usually on trees, but not infrequently
on buildings, making a nest of twigs, lined with
grass and rags and lay 2 to 4 eggs, pale greenish
white, blotched, or spotted with brown or reddish
brown and measure according to Blanford, 2'19" by
1-77 ".
I have given the description of this species from
the "Fauna of British India" in full, as the above will
answer equally well for the next two species, with
but little difl'erences. This and the next species are
by no means easy to recognise one from the other
and though the types of each present no very great
ditiiculty, one frequently comes across specimens,
which are probably hybrids, and might pass
for either. A kite which answered to the
description of melanotis in the air, has conformed
to the measurements of govinda, in the hand. The
breast markings of the kites vary considerably and
occasionally a very light coloured bird, with dark shaft-
stripes, almost resembles the breast of a "Spizaeti,
except that the dark shaft-stripes of the kite are
broader.
In the air, this species can usually be recognised
from the next species, by not having the moon-
shaped pattern of whitish or bufl', on the wing under-
neath, which is a conspicuous feature of melanotis,
but even this distinguishing mark is by no means a
sure guide, and may be found indistinct where it
should stand out, and certainly present where not
expected.
830 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
No. 1230.
Gharactaristics.
Colouration,
Measunments.
Habits, etc.
Even in migrans 1 have found specimens which
appeared to be links between govinda and migrans,
conforming to the latter in everything except the
very important head markings, the ground colour
being more inclined to rufous than white. Out of
over a dozen examined in Basra in one day, I
found great variations, in the head markings as well
as in measuments, but as migrans is so far, unknown
to the Punjab, though having been found in Quetta,
it should not be included in these papers.
Milvus melanotis. The Large Indian Kite.
Size medium ; tail forked ; wing in males 19" to
20'5" and in females up to 21 "S" ; length over 25".
Very similar to the preceding species but it may
be generally recognised from the latter "by the
amount of white on the inner webs of the quills near
the base, forming a conspicuous white patch below
the wing, as in Buzzards. As a rule, too, the lower
abdomen and under tail-coverts are much paler in
M. melanotis than in M. yovinda. Some birds,
however, appear almost a passage between the two "
(Blanford.)
Bill bluish ; cere yellowish white ; irides hazel
brown ; legs dull china-white ; claws black. (Oates.
Length of male about 25"; tail 1'6'' ; wing 19' to
20-5''; tarsus 2-2"; mid-toe without claw 1-6''; bill
from gape 1-75". Females are larger, length 27" ;
wing 19-25" to 21 5" ; tail 13-5".
Very similar to govinda except that it is supposed
to be a somewhat shyer bird than the latter and is
said to have a heavier flight, but personally I cannot
see any great difl'erence one way or the other, as
regards its flight.
As I have already said, it is not always easy to
differentiate between this and the preceding
species, but on the wing, this species looks a good
deal bigger than the difterence in measurements of
the two species would appear to justify, and a
female melanotis can pretty well always be recognis-
ed, even if the male may leave room for doubt.
Size, in conjunction with the lighter colouring and
the wing patch, will generally sufhce to set melanotis
apart, especially if they are seen together, as they
frequently are, but as already stated, these are by
no means infallible guides.
This species is said to build in the Himalayas from
January to May ; the nest and eggs are similar to
those of M. govinda, but are said to be slightly
larger, averaging about 2'31'' by 1'8". I cannot
speak with any authority, not having found the nest,
but I certainly have seen the bird in the plains of
the Punjab during the summer.
Lt.-Col. Rattray records having found nests of
this species in Thai and Murree respectively (Vol.
XII, p. 344 and Vol. XVI, p. 662 of the B. N. H.
Soc. Journal.)
THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUIS JAB.
831
No. 1231. Milvus migrans. The Black Kite.
Very similar to govinda but distinguished from
that species by having " the edges of the feathers on
the crown and nape whitish instead of light brown
or rufous, and by the more distinctly ferruginous
colour of tlie abdomen." It is also smaller, a female
measuring about 23" in length and a male smaller
still.
Lt.-Col. T. E. Marshall records finding the nest
of this species round Quetta (Vol. XV, p. 352 of the
Journal of the B. N. H. Soc.)
There is no record of this species having been
found in the Punjab.
Genus Haliastur.
No. 1228. Haliastur indus. The Brahminy Kite.
Characteristics.
Colouration.
Measurements,
Habits, etc.
Size medium ; tail rounded ; tarsus about 2" ; wings
long and exceeding the tail. Colour in adults chest-
nut brown above and white below.
Very distinctive in the adult. The whole head
neck, sides of the head, and practically the whole
of the underparts, down to the middle of the
abdomen white, with dark shaft-stripes. Practically
the whole of the upper surface, except head
and neck, chestnut or deep chestnut brown. Tail
chestnut,except the end which is whitish. Prima-
ries blackish.
The young bird is very kite-like except that
the whole plumage is somewhat lighter than that of
the average kite, and with more rufous-brown on
the lower parts. A later phase shows some white
on the upper surface and the rufous is a little more
pronounced, and the general colouring some-
what lighter than in the first stage.
"Bill bhiish horn; cere yellowish; iris brown;
legs and feet greenish-yellow."
" Length of female about 19" ; tail 8-5" ; wing 15" ;
tarsus 2" ; mid-toe without claw r4". Males a very
little less." (Blanford.) Expanse about 4'-9" to 5''.
A very familiar feature of most tanks, canals,
jheels and in fact wherever there is a little water,
though it is frequently found in other localities as
well.
Most commonly met with, in the Punjab, just
before and during the monsoons, when, presumably,
there are a greater number to be seen in the dis-
tinctive dress of the adult. It soars well but does not
usually attain to any great height, and is more
given to sitting on trees, or the ground, overlooking
a pool of water. It lives chiefly on frogs, lizards, rats,
insects and is a past master at taking grasshoppers
ofl' the stems of growing rice. This species may
often be seen sailing over rice fields and swooping
suddenly and apparently just touching the stalk of
a plant in its flight and going on without the smallest
check. If watched, it will be seen to bend its head
832 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
down to its claws and take the insect into its mouth
or if winged, the wings of the insect will be seen to
drop first and then the head may be bent down two
or three times, depending on the size of the grass-
hopper, until it is all eaten. The unerring aim with
' which it invariably takes off the insect without seem-
ingly so much as touching the stalk is wonderful.
I have never seen it carry off any of the plant, and
nor have 1 ever noticed a check, which would be the
case if the stem was caught in its talons, together
with the insect.
Though considerably smaller than a kite, this
species holds its own with ease and frequently makes
a kite give up a tit-bit. It is readily caught and
the bait, behind a net, might be anything from a
mole-cricket or a frog to a chicken, but the net must
be well concealed or have a good back ground of
brushwood or trees, as the Brahminy Kite does not
come down with the dash of a hawk or a falcon, so
has plenty of time to see its danger and swerve.
Unlike the kites, which will almost invariably
sail round once or twice before making a swoop, and
are therefore almost impossible to catch in a net, the
Brahminy Kite will come absolutely straight from
its perch and make for the net without hesitation.
It is a most disappointing bird in the hand and is
much better admired at a distance, where its lovely
white and chestnut plumage is a distinct acquisition
to the landscape.
In the hand it will be found very coarse and
bedraggled, and nob at all the lovely bird we see in
the air.
The flight is kite-like but the wing is not so often
bent as in that of a kite. The young, at a glance,
might be mistaken for a kite, but one glance at the
tail, which is not forked in the Brahminy Kite, will
dispel all doubts. The wing too is broader and appa-
rently more rounded in flight than in that of a kite.
This species is distributed throughout India and
is to be met with quite high up in the Himalayas at
times. I saw a pair at Kajiar, between Dalhousie
and Chamba, with two fully fledged youngsters in
attendance, and have also found them on Himalayan
streams at 8 to 9,00U ft. elevation.
The cry is a shrill squeal not unlike a Kite's.
They breed in the spring, building a nest of sticks,
lined with leaves, on a tree, and lay usually two
eggs, " greyish-white, unspotted or scantily speckled
or blotched with reddish brown, and measure
about 2-02 by 1-65." (Blandford).
Genus Buteo.
No. 1239. Buteo ferox. . The Long-legged Buzzard.
Characteristics. Size medium ; tarsus about 3f", feathered for
about half its length. Naked part, in front, scut-
ellate ; wing over 1(/'.
THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB.
833
Colouration.
Measurements .
17
Very variable and practically imiiossible to des-
cribe accurateljr for each phase, without taking up
a great deal of space. To begin with there are two
very distinct phases of plumage of this species, viz.,
the light or pale variety and the melanistic form.
If the differences ended here it would not mxich
matter and each could be described separately, but
in each of these forms there are widely different
characteristics, which make any sort of description
of a species as a whole, absolutely misleading for
any individual.
I quote below from Hume's Rough Notes, -p. 279,
to ohow what might be expected regarding the
variations in even one of the selected phases.
*' At one end of the series, the whole of the chin,
throat, breast, abdomen, vent and lower tail coverts,
in fact the whole lower parts, are white, with
only the faintest possible fulvous tinge in some
places, and a few only of the feathers with dark
shafts. A few of the feathers of the sides have
irregular, patchy, rufous brown bars. The axillaries
are pure white, with a faint rufous spot towards the
tip ; the tibial plumes are pale rufous, mottled with
rufous white ; and the tarsal plumes are white
broadly barred with pale rufous.
At the other end of the series, the chin, throat,
breast and lower tail coverts are a rich rufous buft',
all the feathers, except those of the lower tail
coverts, with conspicuous dark shafts, and rich
brown or rufous brown, linear, lanceolate, shaft
stripes. The whole of the sides, abdomen vent,
tibial and tarsal plumes, a very rich rufous brown
edged with brighter rufous, and the axillaries pure
cinnamon colour. Between th^se two extremes,
there is every intermediate tj'pe of colouring of thb
lower parts."
Under the circumstances, individual descriptions
of such variations would take pages of print, where-
•is a general description, or the description of one
particular phase would only occasionally apply and
thus be confusing, especially when it is remembered
that in the above quoted extract from " Rough
Notes" Mr. Hume is only dealing with the pale phase.
It might be said, that when dealing with this
species, or even genus, one might safely expect to
find anything from a chocolate brown bird, to one
that is almost white beneath to pale brown above.
In these papers 1 will not attempt to give any
description of this species, so far as the plumage is
concerned.
" Bill brownish plumbeous, tip black ; cere yellow-
ish-green ; irides brownish-yellow ; legs dingy pale
lemon-yellow. " (Hume.)
Length of female 24'' : tail lO-o"; wing 18" to
\^\" tar.sus ?,-7o". Male, length 22" ; wing 16-2o" to
17-9". (Blanford.)
834 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Habits, etc. The Buzzards resemble the eagles to some extent.
They are sluggish birds, and though they do at
times soar to great heights, and soar well, they a"re
much more at home sitting on the stump of a tree,
or even on the ground, on the look out for rats, frogs,
lizards and even insects, on which they prey.
Whatever be the colouring of this species, it can,
as a rule, be easily identified both in the hand and
in the air. A tarsus feathered for half its length or
more, in front, and naked behind, at once places it in
Type F.
Once this is done the rest is simple, by elimination
of the remaining genera, as follows : —
Kites, 3 species, all have forked tails ; tarsus
Brahminy Kite, tarsus only 2", wings exceeding
tail, colouration white and chestnut.
Black-wingod Kite, size very small ; tarsus
under 2".
The Honey Buzzard, bill weak and elongate ;
sides of head covered with small scale-like feathers ;
tarsus about 2".
The above eliminates 6 species and leaves the 3
Buzzards, in all of which the tail is rounded, difler-
entiating them from the Kites and the tarsi in all
three are over 2|", which fact sets them apart from
the other three species, as well as, of course, from
the Kites.
In the air, a Buzzard, as such, is unmistakable from
the light moon-shaped patch, due to the light bases
of the primaries, on each wing, visible in every
phase of plumage.
These birds begin to arrive in the plains in October
and are then common throughout the Punjab. Not
often found in groves or jungles, but every plain, dry
ricefield and desert can supply its quota of B. ferox.
In the lower hills, shortly after the rice has been
harvested, these birds will be found on the trees
adjoining the fields and as frequently, sitting on the
"bunds" between the fields. If not disturbed, a
Buzzard will return time after time to the same tree,
after flying down for an insect or a rat.
Occasionally they are very sociable and three or
four may be seen sitting at opposite ends of the same
field, seldom on the same tree, but usually I have
noticed that the first comer establishes his right to
the locality and drives away all intruders.
This species has a curious habit of descending on
to the ground towards dusk and looking for his food
thence. This is comprehensible in birds which take
their quarry on the wing, for they can then see it
better against the sky-line, but since the Buzzard
takes nothing on the wing, except termites, it is
strange he should adopt this plan. I do not
mean to say that all Buzzards come to the ground
THE BIRDS 01 PREY OF THE PUNJAB. 835-
in the evening, but simply that the sight is by no
means uncommon, and I have seen them leave a tree
to sit on the ground, at dusk.
The Long-legged Buzzard is said to breed in the
Himalayas, but comparatively few must stay in this
country to do so, as it is almost invariably B. deser-
torum which is found in the Himalayas, and after
April the Long-Legged Buzzard is rarely seen.
" The eggs, 2 to 4 in number, are broad regular
ovals, greenish-white richly blotched with reddish-
brown, and measure about 2-3 by 1"8." (Blanford.)
The only record of recent years, in the B. N. H.
Society's Journal, regarding this species is in Vol.
XV, p. 352, by Capt. Marshall, R.E., who says, " I
think, perhaps some breed in the hills — (he refers to
Quetta) — as 1 have observed them at the end of
April and have had eggs brought me by a native,
on one occasion, which I think must have belonged
to this bird."
(To be continued.)
b36
MltSCELLANEOUS NOTES.
No. I.— NOTE ON THE MALABAR SLENDER LORIS,
LORIS LYDEKKEIUANUS.
Through the kindness of Lt.-CoL F. Wall, i.m.s., the Society received on
13th June last a living example of a female Mysore Loris, Loris lydekke-
rianus and her two young. Shortly after their arrival the mother and her
two babies were put in a large wire netting cage, which, half way up,
had some branches fixed across and on one side near the top a box with
one side removed. All day long the mother used to sit curled up on the
top of box, but apparently at night wandered about the cage. On the
bottom of cage were two Jerboas, Gerhillus sp., which had been brought down
from Mesopotamia by Major Cheesman in the spring of 1917, and were
thriving splendidly. Most of the day they spend their time in a box, which
they entered by a hole at one end, coming out in the evening to feed and
frisk about. Two days after the Loris was put into the cage the hamal
came to me in the morning with a dead Jerboa, which had been decapi-
tated and its head eaten. Thinking it was the work of a rat we carefully
examined the cage but found no hole, by which a rat could have entered.
On the following morning the remaining gerbill was found killed and eaten
in the same way and there was no doubt that the Loris was the culprit.
It seems rather surprising that such an active and vigorous animal as
a Jerboa could have been caught and killed by a Slender Loris, more
especially when she was handicapped with two young on her breasts.
During the day the Loris used to sit on a branch or on the top of the
box rolled into a ball with her head tucked in against her stomach, her
hands and arms also hidden away inside and only her legs and feet
visible, the latter clasping the branch or supporting her on the ground.
In the middle of this ball and firmly fastened on to each of the mammse
were the two young and it was a mystery how they were not suffocated.
Occasionally a small foot or hind leg was visible or a grotesque little
animal with huge head, and body tapering away to almost nothing, would
immerge from the ball and mount its mother's back, slowly grasping the
fur with its hands and feet, chiefly the latter. As Col. Wall has rightly
suggested the young Lorises forcibly reminded one of a bat in their
movements, especially when crawling over their mother's back. Unfortu-
nately the two young ones did not live long. One of them dropped oil' its
mother one morning, and after a few attempts to pick it up from a branch too
high above, the mother gave up and retired with the remaining one to
another corner of the cage. The young one was picked up, warmed and fed
and put on to its mother only to fall otf. Again it was put on and this time
it seemed to be all right and was seen iirmly attached to its mother's breast
when the Museum was closed for the night. In the morning however the
hamal found both dead at the bottom of the cage, one appeared to have
died, while the other had been killed by the mother.
Colour. — In colour the young are much lighter than the adults The
hair on the back is dark for the basal half like the adults, but the
remainder is of a very pale whifcish-grey. Down the middle of the back
there is a pale fawn colour line, which starts at the posterior end of the
white head-streak and ends at the anus. The markings on the face and
round the eyes are much browner than in the adult and the hairs in the
inside of the ears are the same colour as the face markings.
Age and time of Breeding . — Col. Wall suggests that these two young ones
were born in the beginning of June or end of May and probably he is
about right. The skull shows that all the milk teeth are visible.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 88-7
Mr. Shortridge has recorded in the Coorg Mammal Survey Report that
the late Mr. Graham found on March 16th a female, with an apparently
recently born young one of the allied species Loris malaharicus, and of the
present species he obtained young specimens in October, but unfortu-
nately no mention is made in the Report as to their approximate age.
N. B. KINNEAR.
Bombay Natural History Society,
No. II.— TIGER, FELIS TIGRIS, CLIMBING TREE.
The following unusual though not unprecedented occurrence might interest
Shikari members. A wounded tiger (I suspect tigress, they are generally
more active) took a boy out of a tree from over 20 feet from the ground.
It managed to grab him by the ankle and the combined weight of the tiger
and boy broke the branch on which the boy was sitting and brought him
to the ground. The ankle was broken, a compound fracture and the leg
had to be amputated, but the boy, a Bhil, is doing all right. The lowest
claw mark on the tree is 3 feet from the ground, and the highest '2\ feet.
This means that the tiger not only jumped, but also actually climbed—
though the clmibing was only a couple of jerks upward a few feet at most,
just enough to reach the boy's ankle.
This happened a few days after the beginning of the month. There was
only one gun — my assistant who did everything possible to get the tiger
but it got away. The rifle was a -450 express (not H. V.) with Eley's
hollow bullets — an inadequate weapon for tigers and such like animals as
previous experience has shown. The tiger had gone through the stops and
thought itself clear. The boy (he is about 16 or 17 1 think) was sitting
outside the line of stops — his own idea — and nobody knew he was there.
He thought he would be clever and stooped down to ' shoo ' the tiger back
which was too much for the latter's nerves. I give the account as it was
given to me by letter, and afterwards by word of mouth.
Instances of the kind are sufficiently uncommon to make each one that
occur perhaps worth recording. Many years ago a stop was taken out of
a tree by a wounded tigress in Kanara. I think General Peyton mentions
it in the Gazetteer and I know myself of one case in which a tigress got
into a tree — also in Kanara to get out of the way of dogs. But this was a
tree with big branches low down — a Ficus, as far as I remember, and the
heaviest tiger could have jumped into it easily enough and in fact have
slept in it if he wanted to.
G. MONTEATH, b.a., i.c.s.
Jalgaon, East Khandesh,
2-ith April 1919.
No, III.— WILD DOGS, CUON DUKHUNEN8IS, AND SAMBHUR.
Seeing an account of the behaviour of wild dogs with a cheetal fawn in
the last number of the Journal reminds me of a most interesting sight I
saw in the Nilgiri Hills in 1914. I and a friend were fishing the Billi-
thada Halla river in the Kundahs, at an elevation of about 7,600', on a
misty morning, when suddenly the mist lifted and we found ourselves
close to a herd of sambhur, consisting of one stag, about 10 hinds and
one calf. , :
838 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVL
They, presumably being as surprised to see us as we them, did not
move off more than 200 yards, and while we stood looking at each other
1 noticed two wild dogs approaching the herd.
They made straight for the calf which left the herd and galloped full
tilt for the river, and as he approached it we noticed 9 or 10 more dogs,
coming up parallel with the river and trying to cut him off.
The calf reached the bank first only a few yards from where we were
standing, hit his fore feet on a rock as he leapt into the air and turned
a complete somersault, but landed safely in the middle of the river and
was soon making off on the other side.
None of the dogs attempted to follow him, but this may have been due
to the double shock they received from watching the acrobatic perfor-
mance of their quarry and seeing two human beings at such close
quarters.
Instead they wandered back towards the herd of sambhur with which
they mingled in a most friendly manner.
Occasionally one, or perhaps two dogs, would approach a hind but she
merely put her head down as a cow does to domestic dogs, and then they
would cease to worry her. Eventually the sambhur drew oft' in one
direction and the dogs in another.
I have told this incident to many old residents, who imagined they
knew all about the habits of the wild dog, but they have always been at
a loss to understand why they did not attack at least one of the hinds
more determinedly.
Some people have suggested that they were not hungry but they ran
the calf as far as the river strongly enough.
Personally I am beginning to think that wild dogs seldom attack any-
thing so large as a full-grown sambhur, for on the several occasions on
which I have come across the remains of this animal killed by wild dog
it has always been not larger than a half-grown calf.
•^ F. WARE.
Civil Vetekinary Department,
Madras, 'I^th July l^l'd.
No IV —DISTRIBUTION OF THE DIFFERENT RACES AND
SPECIES OF TAKIN (BUBORCAS).
Having been a member of the Bedford expedition which discovered and
shot the first Shensi takin {Budorcas bedfordi) in 1910 ; and having met
with a herd of takin (presumably B. taxicolor) on the mountains directly
east of the ' Nmai-hka in 1914, I was very much interested in Mr. Mill's
letter in the last number of the journal.
Without accepting Mr. Mill's proof as final, he certainly makes out a
strong case for the existence of takin between the Chindwin and Assam ;
and assuming for the moment its existence, we have two points to
consider.
{i) Is it B. taxicolor, B. bedfordi or B. tibetanm ?
(m) Whence did it arrive in the Saramatti region ?
Now let us consider the localities where takin are known to be found.
They are, from west to east : —
(i) The Bhutan Himalaya.
(m) Zayul and the Mishmi Hills,
(m) The Salween-Irrawaddy divide.
{iv) The mountains of N, W. Ssu-chuan, W. China.
{v) The Tsin-ling range in Shensi, W. China.
The first three localities are occupied, so far as is known, by B. taxicolor,
the fourth by B. tibetanus, the fifth by B. bedfordi.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 839
The remarkable point about the known distribution of the takin is its
apparent discontinuity. Thus area (i) is separated from area (ii) by the
whole breadth of the Upper Assam valley ; area (ii) from area (iii) by the
deep valley of the Taron (or eastern branch of the Irrawady) ; area (iii)
from (iv) by at least the Salween and Yangtze valleys. The separation
of areas (iv) and (v), though very considerable in miles, is more difficult to
define ; the plain of the upper Han river, and several big tributaries of the
Yangtze, however, intervene. And there is this significant feature about
it, that the new species, B. bedfordi occurs on a range running at right
angles to all the ranges on which B. taxicolor (with B. tihetanus) is found.
This statement requires explanation. The most western (Bhutan)
animal occurs at the extreme eastern end of the Himalayan ranges, which
here trend east and west ; the most eastern animal is found at the western
end of the Tsin-ling ranges, which also trend east and west, but its area
of distribution in Shensi is probably much less restricted than is that of
the Bhutan takin. The intermediate areas are all on north and south
trending ranges.
The Ssuchuan takin, known for many years, and shot by no less than
three Europeans in 1908 (Mr. R. W. Zappy, Mr. C, H. Hears and Capt.
Malcolm M'NeilJ) originally described as B. taxicolor var. tibetana was
subsequently raised to specific rank under the name B. tibetanus. This
animal inhabits the high mountain ranges of far Western Ssuchuan, the
Tibetan Marches, geographically related to the parallel mountain system.s
of Burma, and S. E. Tibet. B. bedfordi obtained from the Tsin-ling is
another animal altogether. As far as T know, there was never any
question of its being a mere colour variety of B. taxicolor though obviously
a close ally.
According to Mr. E. H. Wilson, however, who has perhaps seen more
takin skins than anyone else, these animals vary so enormously in colora-
tion, that it is still an open question, which are varieties and which
species."
The only even moderately well known takin are those of Bhutan and W.
China, from the two most widely separated areas ; and these are the types
of the three species. Those known from the parallel ranges in the Sino-
Tibetan area are all referred to B. tibetanus, which is certainly very close to
B. taxicolor. This suggests that the Shensi animal has been long isolated,
while those of the Sino-Tibetan area have been recently, or even still are
in communication with those of the Bhutan area. It also suggests that
the parallel ranges of the Sino-Tibetan area are more closely related to
the Himalayan ranges than they are to the ranges of mid-China,
But the whole of this great area from the Brahamaputra to the Yalung
is so little known, that the present apparent discontinuity of distribution
may easily turn out to be exaggerated. Indeed there is no reason why
B. taxicolor, B. tibetanus and B. bedfordi should not be mere colour varieties
of the same animal, of which the intermediate forms have not yet been
found ; though such a verdict need not invalidate the above argument.
We now come more directly to Mr. Mill's animal. It is evident that
there is no obstacle to migration down one of the parallel ranges stretching
south between the Brahamaputra and the Yalung river, so long as the
necessary conditions are fulfilled. Major Bailey's Tibetan takin were shot,
I believe, somewhere near Drowa-gompa on the Salween-Zayul divide,
and there is nothing to prevent an animal migrating from there S.-W,
into the Naga Hills, passing along the range between the Zayul valley and
the headwaters of the Mali-hka ; or due south down the range between
the Hukong valley and the Mali-hka. There is indeed no reason why
takin should not be found on the ranges between the Mali-hka and the
840 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Nmai-hka. In fact the remarkable thing to my mind is, not that this
weird animal should crop up here and there, but that it should have
escaped the observation of sportsmen so long. But of course the N.-E.
Frontier is a terra nova.
It must be remembered, however, that the mountain ranges mentioned
above carry few peaks above 10,0U0 feet, and that takin are likely to be
confined to special localities.
The existence of takin over a considerable length of the Salween-
Irrawaddy divide is proved. When I was at Chamutong, in the Upper
Salween valley (latitude 2S'^), in 1911, I saw skulls, which had come from
the mountains to the west, where the takin is regularly hunted. Mr. C. 0.
Lowis got one in Mekh valley, N.-E. Frontier, in 1913 ; and T saw a herd
of seven not many marches from Hpnnaw in 1914.
After crossing the Salween valley, however, there is a big break in the
continuity ; and it is not till we have got far into the north-east that
takin re-appear.
The reason for this may be guessed. The takin is an animal of the
high mountains. In summer its limit is probably not less than 10,000 feet
though it may descend considerably lower in winter especially in such a
country as the N.-E. Frontier, with its heavy snowfall. But altitude is
not everything and I have come to the conclusion that the presence of
much bamboo growth at high altitudes whether for shelter or food — is
essential to the takin's existence.
If this is so we can easily mark out the probable limits of the takin's
distribution and say where it is most likely to be found ; and so far all
the available evidence points to the above conclusion or something very
like it.
Thus w-e should not expect to find takin on the high but dry and rocky
Mekong-Yangtze divide, nor north of the sources of the Zayul and Taron
rivers, in S,-E. Tibet. It is not until we get right away vip into N.-W.
Ssuchuan, where a well distributed annvuxl rainfall again covers the moun-
tains with bamboo and Rhododendron forest, that this animal reappears.
The mountains of Shensi at 10,000 feet are similarly clothed with bamboo,
Rhododendron and Conifer forest. Whether the mountains of the Kansu-
Tibet Frontier also harbour the takin has yet to be proved, but I see no
reason to doubt it will eventually be met with there too ; it is not an
animal that fears evei: the severe cold of a Kansu winter.
In the same way takin should come to light on the high range between
the Brahamaputra and the Dibang, and again between the Dibang and the
Zayul river.
We have now answ-ered the two questions originally put^ and I might
sum up my opinion as follows. I am a firm believer in Mr. Mills' takin,
which is probably B. taxicolor, but might prove to be a local variety ; these
animals have probably migrated from Zayul province.
In view of the great interest attaching to the geographical distribution
and variation of an animal like the takin whose habits and mode of life
in the wild state are practically unknown, any further light which can
be thrown on the matter by observers such as Mr. Mills would be most
valuable.
F. KINGDON-WARD.
BisLakVf^, -Sth March 1919.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 841
No v.— NOTES ON THE BIG GAME AND DUCK OF
DHAR STATE.
Tiger {Felis tigris). — Confined to the reserved forest tract (Shikar pre-
serve) on the banks of the Narbadda. Majority of tigers shot measure 9'-6".
A tine tigress shot by my wife in 1914 measured 9'-10". 1 think it is
a good size for a tigress.
Panther {Felis pardus). — -Very common in the State ; from the records
kept of panthers shot the. following observations are made.
The lar::;er variety is more common than the smaller. The following
measurements will show the differences —
8ft. 7ft. 6ft. Sft. Mis. Total.
8 36 49 3 10 106.
Habitat — They are common in the hills everywhere but now very rarely
come, in broad day light, near a town or on to the plains as they used
to do in the eighties, when they were thus shot in the open by sportsmen.
The last shot in this way was at 7 a.m. in the month of March 1908.
Mention of particular instances. ^ — My wife shot a panther over a kill
at night on the 13th September 1918 which was found next morning dead,
with one of his legs and portion of his right side up to the breast eaten
by another panther. Over the same kill three more panthers later appeared
and ate what remained.
On the 30th of November 1918 my wife shot a panther which measured
8'-2'' when found dead next morning, so it must have measured at least
8'-4".
The biggest panther on record was shot in the State in November 1908,
three miles from Dhar city. He was an old and well marked animal
with big spots.
An old muzzle loader bullet was found in his nose when skinned. I
venture to think that this panther was not only a record in Dhar State
but must be at least one of the best shot in India, as I have faint recol-
lections of once reading in a newspaper, some years back, that a 9'
panther was shot in Assam or somewhere about there.
Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus). — Not common. Confined to the tracts along
the Narbadda river. They were common in 1850 and 1870 below the foot
of the Mandu hills (part of the Vindhya range).
The biggest bear, shot up to now, measured 7'-9".
Sambhar {Rusa equinus). — Not very common in the State. They are
confined to one locality on the banks of Narbadda in the reserve forest.
The biggest head was shot (by me) in 1914; the right horn measured 46',
the left 441" while the spread was 44". Another tine head was shot in
the same month which measured 36-^-", another head picked up in 1908,
belonging to an animal killed by a tiger, measured, left horn 38" and
right horn 34.^" (partly broken) spread 29''.
Since 1916 Sambhar have again commenced to appear in the hills of
the forests round Mandu.
Chital {Axis axis). — Remarks the same as for Sambhar, the best head shot
in these tracts up to noV measured 36".
Blue Bull (Beselaphus tragocamelus) . — Confined to tracts on the banks of
the Narbadda. Two heads shot by me measured lOV' and 9^" and two by
my wife 8|" and 8^", respcictively.
Blhck-buch {Antilopecervicapra).—ThTrovLg\\o\itth.e Malwa plateau portion
of the State, and are abundant. The biggest head was shot in 1916,
3 miles from the town. The right horn 27-^" and the left 27".
18
84'2 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Another head was shot in 1916 which measured 25^", one of 24* in
1915 and a fine head in November 1918 which measured 26 '. On the
western and eastern sides of the plateau, heads between 21" and 25"
are common.
Chinkara {Gazella bennetti). — Since 1915 they have appeared on the Malwa
Plateau portion of the State and are also abundant in Nimar, i.e., tract
below the ghats and on the banks of the Narbadda.
Two good heads shot there, measured 12^" each.
Four-horned antelope {Tetraceros quadricorus). — My remarks are same
as for Sambhar, Chital, etc. Two heads were shot in 1911 which
measured 3^" each.
Habitat. — Very rare in the State.
Duck. — The following vernacular names which are commonly used by
local Bhois (Kahars) to distinguish species of duck, which are annual
visitors to the State may interest readers : —
Brahmini Duck, Cascara
rufila . . . . . . 6 Chackwa Chackwi =^^^T ^^-
Comb Duck, Sarcidiornis
melanonotus . . . . Nakta. q'^sj.
Whistling Teal, Dendiocyna
javanica . . . . Chui. ■^^,
Cotton Teal, N ettopus coro-
mandelianu.s . . . . Gengat Gurra f[rT3' I?!-
Grey Duck and spotted
bill, Anas pcecilorhynclm. Ghagral (one of the varieties) qj]^^.
Teal of all kinds, i.e., Gar-
ganey, etc., are called
by one name . . . . Patra ^^\.
Wigeon, Mareca penelope Titry tfl^.
Pintail, Dafila acuta . . Lampuchi (long tail) rS'TTqgsT.
N.B. — It is very surprising that the Bhoi-Kahars of this place will
always call "Wigeon" as Lampuchika Naroka, fe., male of
Pintail, though these two varieties are absolutely difl'erent and
have no connection with each other whatsoever.
Gadwall, Chaulelasmus stre-
perus . . . . . . Kalpuchhi (Back tail) ^^S'^sTt.
Shoveller, Spatula clypeata . Ohapti Chochka Patra ''Flat billed teal".
Mallard, Anas hoscas . . Called Hari-Garden Ghagral, i.e., green
beaded, if^j *\\^ ^^X']^.
Red crested Pochard,
Netta rufina . . . . Singbaj ^q^R.
Vochavd, Nyroca ferina .. Bhetia (Lalsar) H2rq'T(^^^).
White-eyed Pochard, Ny-
roca africana . . . . Katakabri, ^2^^.
Tufted Duck, Fuligula
fuligula . . . . Kabra " Variegated" " Pied" ^^JJ.
Dhak, C. ].,
6ih January 1919.
UDAJI RAO PUAR, k.c.s.i., k.b.e.,
Maharaja of Dhar,
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES; 843
No. VI.— VARIETY OF THE COMMON HOUSE CROW.
{COUVUS SPLENDENS) AT JHANG, PUNJAB.
In the Journal of the Society (Vol. XXVI, 290), I described a variety of
the Common House Crow and remarked that a second bird somewhat
similar was frequenting the same place. This second bird I had not
intended to kill but on f5th December 1918 it was shot by a sportsman and
brought to me. I accordingly now record its description : —
Forehead, nasal tufts, anterior half of the sides of the face, chin and
throat {i. e., the usual mask) chocolate brown, slightly darker in tint than
any other portion of the plumage. Nape, remainder of sides of face and
neck, white, merging imperceptibly into creamy white on the breast.
Remainder of plumage creamy brown, slightly motled in appearance due
to the presence of irregularly scattered feathers of a darker tint.
Iris dark brown ; bill and legs dark chocolate brown. Organs not distinct,
but apparently a female. Just completing entire moult.
HUGH WHISTLER, f.z.s.,
Jang, Punjab. Indian Police.
[There are in the Society's collection two very similar specimens. — Eds.J
No. VII.— MATERNAL INSTINCT IN THE PIED BUSH
CHAT (^PRATINCOLA C A PRAIA).
The probability that a bird will desert its nest and eggs if disturbed is
often mentioned and is a fact well known. I once found 12 nests of
Tickell's Staphidia {Staphidia striata) within a space of 20 yards all
deserted and many with addled eggs therein. The opposite is not so
often told. A Pied Bush Chat laid her eggs this year in a rusty old kerosine
tin lying on the ground behind the line of Railway carriages occupied by
visitors to Kalate. The tin was frequently picked up and carried about
to show ofl" the nest. The bird was caught by a servant and tied by the
leg to his mistress' carriage and she nursed and fondled it. When let go
the bird returned to its nest. The tin was brought to show me some days
later^ the bird flying off the nest at the time. I took a Cuckoo's (Cvculus
canorus) egg out of the nest. In spite of these frequent attentions
the bird still sat. Two days after I first saw it there were two more
Cuckoo's eggs in the nest. The small bird has had her reward. She has
hatched her brood and been spared the cuckoos. As an instance of strong
maternal instinct this may deserve to be recorded.
S. M. ROBINSON.
Rangoon, \st May 1919.
No. Vm.— NESTING HABITS OF THE BROWN ROCKCHAT
{CERCOMELA FUSCA).
I was much interested in Mr. L. S. White's letter in the last issue of
the Journal for May 1919, regarding the nesting habits of this bird.
During four years residence in the United Provinces my experience exactly
coincides with his. The Brown Rockchat is one of the most familiar
birds of the bungalow and is doubtless often mistaken for the Brown backed
Indian Robin, Thamnohia camhaiensis. A favourite nesting site is the ledge
844 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NA2 URAL HLST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI,
that often runs round the top of the wall inside the bungalow, about 3 inches
or so below the level of the ceiling : and corners of shelves in the disused
rooms are also very frequently used.
The nest is always surrounded by and on the top of a small heap of
stones collected by the bird. Pits of broken earthenware pots seem to
be the favourite material and some of the pieces are so large that it is a
marvel how the bird carries them. One piece I measured was 2f X 2
inches and about \ in thick : and this particular nest had between 60 or 60
such pieces all round it. The next was in a corner of the shelf in the office
that had 5 people working in it all day, and the birds showed absolutely
no fear, coming to feed their three-quarter pledged ji-oung about once in
every niinute. If unmolested these birds will build in the same shelf year
after year, and sometimes make a new nest in the opposite corner of the
shelf.
W. H. MATHEWS.
RUNGLI RUNGLIOT,
Dae,jeelin<j, 10th July 1919.
No. IX.— AN ALBINO SWALLOW.
On 2nd July I procured an albino swallow which on examination is, 1
think, a specimen of jtlodgson's Striated Swallow Hirundo nepalensis. Some
of the measurements are wing 4-6 : bill from Gaps about 5"5 : tarsus 'o :
iris pink.
The colour is pure white but some of the inner webs of the seconaaries
are tinged with butf, also the tail feathers. Unfortunately the bird was
rather damaged when I shot it and the skin is a very poor one : however
I enclose it for what it is worth.
W. H. MATHEWS.
RUNGLI RUNGLIOT, P. O.,
Darjeeling, IQih July 1919.
No. X.— ABNORMAL VARIETY OF THE GREEN BEE-EATER
{MEROFS riRIDIS).
On 9th June 1919 I obtained an abnormal variety of this bee-eater at
Thang, Punjab. The Bird was a female and one of the recently fledged
brood.
The entire plumage is of a soft creamy white which assumes its darkest
and most dusky tint on the secondaries. A narrow supercilium and the
throat are washed with yellow which is palest on the centre of the throat.
The feathers of the crown, nape and breast are lightly washed with
yellowish green.
The feathers of the wing-coverts, scapulars, back, rump, and upper
tail coverts are lightly edged with greenish or yellowish buff, imparting a
slightly mottled appearance to those parts. There is a faint blackish bar
across the ends of the secondaries.
Iris grey : orbicular pale olive flesh colour. Bill and legs fleshy
whitish horn
HUGH WHISTLER, f.z.s.,
Indian Police.
Thang, Punjab, 2Qth July 1919.
MISCELLAIsEOUS jSOTES. 845
No. XI.— SOME BIRDS OF PREY OF MESOPOTAMIA.
A couple of months in any country does not go very far to enable one to
study the fauna of that country, especially when one is tied to an office stool
for the greater part of the day. but on the principle of "every mickle making
a muckle '' I venture to give below a list of the Birds of Prey I came across
during ni}^ short sojourn in Basra, including a hurried trip to Bagdad
(during period 18th October to 6th December 1918).
Most of my early mornings, from 6 to 8 a.m., were spent in the environ-
ments of creeks and palm groves, with nets, nooses and a rat or a sparrow,
by way of bait, in quest of Accipitrine birds generally, and the Barbary
falcon in particular, but so far as the latter was concerned I had no luck
whatever. 1 saw it on several occasions, but invariably on the move. and
never had an opportunity of setting my nets. In Ashar, there was one to
be seen almost every afternoon perched high up on the mast of the wire-
less, but in such a position that it was almost impossible to find a place
whereon to set a trap.
Around Basra itself I came across tlie following species : —
1. Imperial Eagle. - — A single specimen in the lineated plumage,
Aquila heliaca. observed twice near Makina, in the end of October,
Besides this, I saw another a few miles up river
from Shaikh Sad. It had put up a hare among
some scrub and was stooping at it in great style
and turned the hare out of cover several times.
it was in plain view of the steamer as we went up
river and 1 watched the chase with my glasses for
about quarter of an hour and as we turned the
corner it was still stooping, so what the ultimate
result was I never knew. It was a very fine speci-
men in adult plumage and I should think a female,
judging by its immense spread.
:.'. Large spotted One specimen arrived towards the end of Novem-
Eagle — Aquila ber and took up his quarters in the palm groves
maculata. behind the 3rd Echelon where I frequently saw him .
3. Boated Eagle — I frequently saw a pair of these birds and
Hiercetus pen- caught a male. Both in the light phase of plum-
natus. age.
4. Black Kite — Extremely common everywhere.
Milvus migrans.
o. Pale Harrier — I saw one specimen which I am almost certain
Circus macrurvs. was a Pale Harrier, near Mohamerrah on 18th
October.
6. Marsh Harrier — Not uncommon. I saw them at old times near
Circus oerugino- Makina and as far up as Amarrah.
sus.
7. Long-legged This species is very common. I caught two in
Buzzard — Buteo the dark plumage and two in the light, and saw
ferox. several others. I was on the look out for B. deser-
toriun but never came across one.
8. Sparrow Hawk — I saw several specimens at Basra and Bagdad.
Accipiter nisus.
9. Peregrine Falcon Seen twice at Makina.
— Falco peregrinus.
10. Barbary Falcon Not uncommon. Appears to be somewhat cre-
— Falco barbarus. puscular in its habits. Sits on the ground about
sunset apparently watching for bats.
846 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
il. Hobby — Falco 1 cannot be absolutely certain but am almost
suhbuteo. sure I saw this species once, late in the evening.
It might have been "barbarus," but the flight and
mode of hunting was that of a hobby.
12. Kestrel — Tin- I could not be sure which, but one of the Kestrels
nunculus alauda- it certainly was. I saw one flying at a heif^ht over
rius or Lesser Ashar and another at Bagdad.
Kestrel — T.cen-
chris.
13. Saker Falcon — I saw one strike a sandgrouse near Shaik Sad
Falcon cherrug. on the bank of the Tigris. It had to give up its
prey to a Steppe Eagle.
14. Merlin — Msalon One pair took up its quarters in the palm grove
regulus. behind the 3rd Echelon. They hunted singly
and might be seen any morning or evening beat-
ing over the groves, but never together. On 3
occasions I visited the grove during the day and
found both, though not together, but within a
short distance of each other, resting for the day.
lo. Steppe Eagle — The only one T saw was the one mentioned
Aquila bifasciata. under the Saker Falcon. A typical one with the
lines on the wings very well defined.
There was one other bird which I failed to recognise, although I saw it
twice. In size, shape and flight and colouring it closely resembled
Aquila vindhiana and had I seen the same in India, I should have unhesi-
tatingly put it down as a Tawny Eagle, but as this species is not supposed
to occur outside of Indian limits and as I did not get to within a hundred
yards or so of it, I omit it from the list.
C. H. DONALD, f.z.s.
Dharmsala Cantt.,
'2nd February 1919.
No. XII.— EXTENSION OF RANGE OF THE GREEN IMPERIAL
PIGEON CCARFOPHAGA ^NEA ^ENEA) IN WESTERN INDIA.
The Green Imperial Pigeon, Carpophaga cenea oenea, according to Mr. Stuart
Baker in " Indian Pigeons and Doves," is not found further north in the
Bombay Presidency than the north of North Kanara. He does, however,
not make any mention of the skin in the British Museum labelled
"Bombay" and presented by Col. Sykes of which Blanford in the 4th
Volume of the Fauna of British India writes in a footnote as follows : —
" There is in the British Museum a, specimen labelled Bombay from
Sykes's collection, but the species is not recorded in Sykes's list, and a
specimen of the Himalayan Dendrotreron Tiodgsoni, also from Sykes's collec-
tion, occurs similarly labelled. Butler, in the 'Bombay Gazetteer', says that
Carpophaga oenea was included in Major Lloyd's Konkan lists and that he
maj' have seen it once himself at Khandala. But neither Fairbank nor
Vidal records it."
It is therefore interesting to be able to record that a skin of this pigeon,
shot on Tungar Hill near the Basseiu Road, B. B. & C. I. Railway station,
34 miles north of Bombay, on 19th January 1919, has been presented to
the Society's Museum by Mr. M. Frei. This was the only specimen
obtained by Mr. Frei, but he writes that several birds were seen.
N. B. KINNEAR.
Bombay Natural History Society,
Bombay, 30i^ January 1919.
&
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 847
No. Xlll.— EXTRACTS FROM " A MONOGRAPH OF THE
PHEASANTS BY WILLIAM BEEBE."
As these extracts may be of interest to Entomologists and others who
have not access to the above fine and expensive work, I have copied them
out and send them along.
Under " Daily Round of Life" of the Himalayan Blood Partridge
(Ithaffenes cruentus, Hardw.) on pages 10, 11 of the above volume the author
writes : — '* Once in Nepal close to the Sikhim line, [ found a family of
five Blood Partridges feeding in a most interesting way. The region was
devoid of all but grassy vegetation with a few scattered clumps of
low barberry bushes. A heavy snow fall, unseasonable, as it was mid
April, had covered the ground and hidden all the seeds and leaves of the
low-growing plants. What I had not noticed during previous days was
now made conspicuous by the back ground of snow the abundance of
}umps of tall sterus, each topped with the seed-case of a last year's lily.
These three-parted, brown and brittle cups showed where in past months
ha^l bloomed scores of red and yellow blossoms. I was able to watch the
fee ling Partridges for only a few minutes before a Raven discovered me
anfl croaked his disapproval, sending the covey scuttling ofi' along the
hillside and over the nearest ridge. At the same time a flock of pipits
find finches flew up and away.
The snow was soft and I read in its surface the confirmation of what
I had observed. The Partridges had appeared to be leaping up at the
seed-cases, or pressing against and bending down the stems. I carefully
examined many which had been thus disturbed and found that there was
good reason for these actions.
The fierce gales and winds of the past winter had tipped and swayed
the lily-seed goblets, and the flat, reddish seeds had been scattered over
moss and snow, skimming along on their circular wings for many yards
around. But with all this upsetting, only about half the seeds had been
shaken out. 1 have spoken in a previous paragraph of the insect life
which was noticeable even after a heavy fall of snow and I found that one
secret of their presence was the half-emjstied seed-cases, which, on these
high, treeless barrens, formed safe and snug retreats. Into one case a
rove-beetle had crawled ; into another a small moth, although, owing to
the number of seeds still remaining, the tips of the insects' wings
protruded from the top. Here two tiny flies were resting, hardly able to
use their legs, much less their wings, in the chill of the morning. There
is no doubt but that these insects remain in their retreats in a state of
semi-frozen hibernation until the return of more seasonable weather.
When the snow and ice covered thickly all other food, the Blood Part-
ridges found here bountiful feast, both of seeds and insects in the lily
cases. The maze of tracks revealed the patience and activity of the
Partridges in levelling the stems, while in a wider circle around the scene
of action the dainty footprints of skylarks, pipits, finches were every-
where interlaced showing that they had learned how to secure a portion
of the stray seeds which were thrown upon the white surface from the
efl'orts of the Partridges.
When I found that this habit of the Partridges was common to the
several flocks which I had the opportunity of observing, I realized how it
was possible for these birds to remain at such high, barren altitudes when
all other sources of nourishment were sealed by frost and snow. I
investigated the seed-cases of a half dozen lily clumps four hundred
yards apart with these interesting results —
Nine were empty except for a scattering of seeds.
Twenty-six held a single earwig each.
848 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL KIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI,
Four held two earwigs (in three instances both insects were in the
same partition).
One held an earwig in one partition, and a ladybird beetle and a dip-
terous larva in another partition.
Three held similar dipterous larvee.
One held a small spider and two small flies.
Five held rove-beetles of two species, one of which proved to he new.
Eight held small chrysomelid beetles.
One held a chrysomelid and a carab beetle, a weevil and a small grey
spider.
Two held small moths.
One held a small moth, a mosquito, and a homopterous insect.
Thus almost fifty per cent, of the seed- cases contained one or more
earwigs, and some of these, as well as others of the insects, were hereto-
fore unknown species. The conditions at the time of collecting these
were as follow. At this season, mid-April snow covered the ground deeply
and remained unmelted for three days. The preceding week had been
warm and clear, and insects were abundant, and all those now iound in
the seed-cases were alive, although too numbed to fly or to do more than
move their legs weakly. In no instances, were more than half the seeds
remaining in the cases, and where the stems were thin and more pliant,
almost all the seeds had been thrown out during the winter. The lily
clumps were large and a dozen or more stems sprang from a circular mass
of dead, prostate, whitened leaves, the whole forming a mat about a yard
in diameter. At this season new leaves were sj^routing, and before
covered by the snow, showed as straight, vertical, green shoots several
inches in height.
Text identifications.
Himalaya Raven, Corvus corax iibetanum, Hodgs.
Earwigs, Homotagesfece (Bormans). Forficula ■planticollis, Kirby.
Ladybird Beetles, Coccinella 1 -punctata, Liun.
Two small flies, An undescribed Criorhina and a number
of the Ccrdyluridce.
Rove Beetle, Osonius belbei, Beurh.
Chrysomelid Beetles, Trichotheca Jiirta, Baly.
Carab Beetle, Opisthius indicus, Chaiidoir.
Weevil, Tanymecus sp.
Moth, A noctuid.
Homopteron, of the family Jas-sidce.^'
Baghownie Fty., Laherii Sarai, CHAS. M. INGLIS, m.b.o.u.
13th July 1919.
Page.
Line.
10
21
12
14
17
18
19
20
20
21
22
No. XIV.— THE BLACK-BREASTED KALIJ PHEASANT {GENN^DS
HORSFIELDI KORSFIELDI) EAST OF THE IRRAWADDY.
Through the kindness of Mr. B. B. Ormaston I have received a fine
specimen of this pheasant obtained S. E. of Myitkynia on the East bank
of the Irrawaddy and at an elevation of 3,000 ft. in January 1916.
Although Mr. Stuart Baker gives Myitkynia as one of the localities in
which this species (type specimens of G. batenani) has been got, yet being
on the eastern border of this bird's habitat 1 consider it interesting enough
to record. I may mention that the central rectrices are slightly
vermiculated near their bases though the bird is fully adult.
Baghownie Fty., Laheria Sarai, CHAS. M. INGLIS, m.b.o.u.
lUh March 1919.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 849
No. XV.— A NOTE ON THE BREEDING OF THE HILL PARTRIDGE
{ARBORICOLA TORQUEOLA) NEAR SIMLA.
So little appears to be known regarding the breeding of this common
but little observed bird that it is of interest to set on record some parti-
culars of a nest which was recently obtained for me about 8,500 ft. near
Mahasoo, Simla, by a valued correspondent this year.
The nest was found first on 25th April through the flushing of the
parent birds, but although they had betrayed the approximate where-
abouts of the nest, it was discovered only after a careful search ; there
were then 7 eggs, on the 27th April there were still only 7 eggs, but 8 were
found the next morning. When the place was again visited on the 2nd
May it was found that another and last egg had been laid, making in as
a clutch of nine. On each of these subsequent visits neither parent wall
seen and the eggs were invariably cold, yet from the placing of grass over
the entrance hole there was no doubt that the eggs were not deserted.
As I had insisted on the necessity for complete authentication of the
eggs, endeavours were made to snare a bird at the nest but a first attempt
with horse hair nooses was unsuccessful ; so on the 7th May a gut noose
was set and the nest was visited a second time in the evening. There had
been a hail storm and hail stones then lying thickly around ; my corres-
pondent on arriving at the nest was astonished to find it completely
covered over with grass and while he was looking at this and wondering
at the reason the bird suddenly bounced out and as it passed he made a
lucky grap and caught it in mid air in his hand ; the broken gut snare was
then round its neck. He kept the bird and set a fresh noose in the
entrance and this had been disturbed next morning though the second
bird was not caught. The eggs were then taken for me.
The nest is described as being built in a carefully scraped out and
rounded hole in a bank ; this hole measured 8f inches in diameter after
the removal of the nest, which was built carefully of, and domed with,
grass with an internal diameter of 6^ inches. The actual site of the nest
was fairly open, but only a few yards away started under-growth of the
type usually frequented by the Feora. Particular emphasis is laid on the
facts that whenever the nest was visited the eggs were quite cold, and on
the fact of concealing the entrance of the nest with grass whether the
bird was sitting or absent.
The eggs when blown were found to be all slightly incubated to an
equal extent. They are in shape of a very pointed oval, verging almost
on the pyriform, of a very fine texture, faintly pitted, and with a rather
pronounced gloss. The colour is an almost pure white, with no marking.
The nine eggs measure from 42*5 to 46 mm. in length and 32'5 to 34 in
width ; the average comes to 44 by 33'2 mm.
HUGH WHISTLER, f.z.s.,
Jang, Punjab, 20th July 1919. Indian Police,
No. XVI.— LATE STAY OF COMMON SNIPE (GALLINAOO
CCELE8TE8) IN CENTRAL INDIA.
Snipe have stayed here very late this j^ear. As a rule there are no snipe
in the tanks round Indore, after the end of March. This month I have
shot snipe on the 7th, 17th and to-day, thus —
On the 7th . . . . 5 fantail.
„ 17th . . . . 2 fantail and 1 jack snipe.
„ 21st . . . . 3 fantail.
There are blue winged teal here, but they always stay till the end of April
and beginning of May.
Indore, 2\st April 1919. PERCY HIDE.
19
850 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
No. XVII.— LATE STAY OF PIN-TAIL SNIPE
[GALLINAOO 8TENURA) IN BURMA.
While I was on tour the other day at a place called Natogyi, where there
is a large tank (natural) of foul stagnant water, I shot a Pin-tail Snipe
(Gallinago stenura) on the evening of the 6th May. When I first saw the bird
it was standing at the very edge of the water, much in the same way as a
pond-heron does, in an attitude of keen attention, apparently on the look-
out for some water-insect or worm. I got quite close before it flew. A little
farther along the tank I saw another in exactly the same attitude at the edge
of the tank. I got quite close to this one too before it flew oft", but I missed
the bird. I saw no more birds This is the Dryzone of Burma,
and from the middle of February till the rains break it is very hot.
May is probably the hottest month. Is it not very late to find Snipe P Is
there any record of Pin-tail Snipe breeding in the plains ? 1 hunted for a
nest without success. The bird was in very good condition.
A. F. M. SLATER.
MYINGrAN, LTpPER BuRMA,
IbthMay 1919.
No. XVII [.—MIGRATION OF SNIPE IN BURMA.
My shikar books show the following on the subject of Snipe : — ( I arrived
in Burma on 13th September 1913.)
The first snipe-ground was found 30 miles W. of Yaunghwe in S. Shan
States Birds were "fairly plentiful and appear to be travellers" — "Pin-tails."
This is perhaps important. East of a line Yaunghwe-Lorkaw (100 miles S.)
the country is a mass of hills with hardly any ground in it to tempt a snipe
down.
Birds were still " fairly plentiful " all the way down the river at Lorkaw.
On 2nd October (1913) I have an entry : " The snipe must be coming in
.... I got my first fan-tail to-day."
But you will note that I had only just arrived in the country, and had
nothing to " watch for," knowing nothing of the district.
I shot a bag of AS couple at Lorkaw on 23rd February 1914.
" The number of snipe about seems to be on the increase." Probably
they are moving back North. Fans and Pins mixed.
I left the district temporarily about middle March.
Winter, 1914-1/).
" ?^ couple of Pin-tail to-day. There is a small number of birds about
. . . . 17th August 1914 . . . ." I had naturally not been shooting much —
or leaving the telegraph oftice much — as in those days we all hoped for
recall.
My first fan-tail shows on 7th September 1914: " there are a few fan-
tails about now."
There is a gap of some days towards the end of the month, but on 4th
October 1 have an entry : " A whole rush of birds seems to have come in
with the moon." Later, in the middle of December (1914) I have : "The
snipe seem to have fallen oft' and it seems to me that most of those travel-
lers have gone — probably South. The local mass is useless regarding
habits of snipe as they are too small and elusive to warrant the expen-
diture of powder and shot. But it seems to me that they travel largely
with the moon of Tha-din-gyut, i-e., say the first moon after 20th September.
November and December were quiet months. There were always plenty
of snipe, but I never noticed a larger quantity than usual. During Febru-
ary 1 did — probably the Southern birds going back.
, 1 4 i^Jw .
MI^CELLANEO US: NO TES.
U. ,\i.^^
:ssi
I shot consistently, till 13th May I mean. In middle April I have an
entry: " I'm afraid the snipe will soon be gone. ..."
Re the last bird 13th May. I have " The bird — a pin-tail — seems quite
true and examination shows no sign of its having been touched up by a
pellet.
Winter, 1915-16.
My first bird was on 4th August. '• 2-couple of pin-tail to-day. I had
no idea they 'd be in so soon — or I'd have gone out earlier. The birds are
in good condition and may have been here sometime. . . .,"
'^^ * /\Zttjos7' -TfirnaJauan M'7^s Jooo'- sooo'
l^'ovt Meiiv
I shot only another dozen couple or so before 1 went into head-quarters
and got no shooting. I was away from the suipe-ground again at the close
of the season — i. e., after February 1916.
Winter, 1916-17.
852 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
I got no chance of shooting anything till 17th August, when I picked
up 3^ couple of pin-tails. The fan-tails made their first appearance (as far
as I was concerned) on 15th September. 1 returned to India before the
close of the season.
To sum it all up : —
I am of the opinion that pin-tails may be expected in Lorkaw from
1st August annually. Fan-tails from 1st — 10th September: — about a month
later.
That the pin-tails move — in the majority — southwards with the first
moon of October, re-appearing about 1st February. That the fan-tails
about Ist February. That the fan-tails don't move much after arrival
at Lorkaw.
That both kinds are on the move homewards from 1st March onwards —
most being gone by 20th of the month. A few stay another few weeks.
Lame birds stay throughout the summer. Painted snipe undoubtedly
breed there.
The geography of the surrounding country makes one think that the
ifaunghwe-Lorkaw valley is regarded as the first "Long halt " for Pin-tail
who come in probably from N.-E. From the enclosed rough map you may
be able to gather that most of the country East and North-east of that line
is all hills, and unlikely to prove suitable stopping places for birds en
route.
E. T. KENNY.
Rangoon.
No. XIX.— FEEDING HABITS OF THE LITTLE EGRET
{HERODIAS GARZETTA).
I witnessed this morning what appeared to me a rather astonishing
performance on the part of a Common White Egret (Paddy bird or Bogla).
When I first noticed it, it had caught either a chameleon or some lizard at
least a foot long. This creature was struggling furiously in the Egret's
bill. It repeatedly succeeding in escaping but was always recaptured
after running a few yards. After a bit its struggles became feeble, and I
noticed that it was then always caught by the head, whereas at first the
bird caught it by any portion of the body it could catch hold of. The
Egret now started to try and swallow its head first. The head and front
legs went in, but it began to struggle furiously with its hind legs and long
tail sticking out. The commotion that went on in the bird's neck was now
extraordinary to witness. It looked as if the lizard's head or legs must
break out through the neck. Several times a black patch appeared on the
neck of the bird which looked like the lizard's head coming through, but it
was only that the skin was stretched very tightly and the colour of the
lizard or skin showed through the feathers. At last after fearful eftbrts the
hind legs also went down. The bird then stood working its neck, in which
the bulge could still be seen, up and down for about ten minutes. After
that it flew away none the worse. When the bird stood holding the lizard
in its bill the latter looked quite as long as the bird itself and 1 would never
have believed it could have been swallowed.
H. R. MEREDITH.
Khunti Ranchi District:
Chota Nagpur, l^th May 1919.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 873
No. XX.— FURTHER OCCURRENCE OF THE ROSE-COLOURED
STARLING (PASTOR EOSEUS) AND THE FLAMINGO {PHCENI-
COPTERUS ROSEUS) IN THE DARBHANGA
DISTRICT, BEHAR.
Four flamingoes were brought to me on the Ist February this year and
they had evidently been snared in some adjoining jheel. The first and
last record of this bird from near here was of three brought in on the 22nd
November 1907, and already recorded in No. 3, Vol. XVIII, p. 683 of this
Journal. This bird must be exceedingly rare here and seems to only
occur in small parties at long intervals.
On the 31st January this year, I shot a single specimen of the Rose-
coloured Starling. It flew up from a Chilli field, where it had been feeding
on the chillies. It was by itself, but there were specimens of the Pied
Myna (Sturnopastor contra) feeding not far oft". This is also a rare bird here,
and the last record I have of it appear to be the 12th March 1909.
CHAS. M. INGLIS, m.b.o.u.
Baghownie Fty., Laheria Sarai :
Behar, 11th March 1919.
No. XXI.— DIFFERENT BIRDS NESTING IN COMPANY.
There is in my compound a palm tree, the name of which I am afraid I
do not know, which has the following nests in it : —
Common Myna, 2 nests with young.
Bengal Red-vented Bulbul with young.
Ashy Swallow Shriks with young.
Spotted Munia building.
Magpie Robin with eggs. The leaves of this tree form natural hollows
where they join the trunk and are ideal nesting sites. The tree is about 35
feet high.
W. H. MATTHEWS.
RUNGI RUNGLIOT P. O. :
Darjeeling, 10th July 1919.
No. XXII.— NOTES ON SOME NESTS RECENTLY FOUND
IN SOUTH TENASSERIM.
I hope at a later date to be able to publish a full list of the birds met
with during my residence in South Tenasserim, but it seems desirable to
record, without further delay, these notes on the nidification of certain
species, concerning which the information is at present very meagre.
21. Black Racket-tailed Magpie. — Crypsirhina varians.
These birds are common throughout the Tavoy and Mergui districts wher-
ever the forest is of a fairly open type, and where there is a pr'sponder-
ance of bamboo : they are not found in heavy evergreen jungle. The nests
are built, as a rule, in bamboo clumps, at a height of about ten to twenty
feet from the ground, and are composed of twigs, and often, but by no
means always, lined with tendrils. The normal clutch appears to be three,
but I have found only two incubated eggs, and very occasionally four are
laid. There is nothing to add to the description of the eggs given by Hume,
and all the eggs taken by Mackenzie (who was with me in 1918), and
myself fail within the limits of measurement quoted by him. The nests
seem by me, eleven in all, were found between the 16th and 26th April,
and I do not know if the birds breed again in July, as they do near
Rangoon.
8.54 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vet. XXVI.
^3. The White-winged Jay — Platysmurus Uucopterus.
On March 12 I was fortunate enough to find a nest of this- species
containing four eggs, quite fresh, with the exception of one which showed
sUght blood streaks, thereby indicating that the clutch was complete and
that incubation had commenced. The nest was exactly as described by
Davison, forty years ago, placed on the frond of a cane, (Gates, who was
not a botanist, has incorrectly translated "Calamus" as "reed" in his note
on the breeding of this bird). The nest found by me was placed at a height
of about ten feet from the ground, and exactly resembled a rather large
■ crow's nest from below, being entirely composed of small sticks. The cup
was deep, neatly lined with roots, and well rounded, it contained a few
fresh flowers of an epiphytic creeper, a Vaccinium I think. The eggs
measure, in inches, l-80xU-94, l-28x0-92, l-29x0-96, and l-27x0i^5.
Thej' are very heavily speckled all over, more densely at the large end,
and very closely resemble those of Cissa chinensis ; in fact, except that
they are a trifle longer and broader, and have a rather greenish tint,
they are diflicult to distinguish from those of the Green Magpie. There
:is not, however, the slightest doubt as to their authenticity, as I myself
saw the old bird sitting on the nest, and she did not take flight until we
were within a couple of yards of the nest, and subsequently hung about
protesting vigorously against the robbery. A Karen who was with me on
this occasion, later found another nest with two fresh eggs which he
brought to me ; this was in all respects similar to the one found by me,
but the eggs, as is so common with Jays, were by no means identical,
being larger, lighter in colour, and more pointed. These two eggs measure
1-42 X 0-97 and 1-35 x 0-93 and are undoubtedly genuine as the flnder was
able to name the bird, (it is called Tokluh in the Karen language), and
also picked out the bird, without assistance, from my collection of skins.
64. Black-throated Laughing Thrush — Dryonastes chinensis.
I have only met with this bird once, and this was at an elevation
of about 3,000 feet on Nwalabo, in heavy bamboo forest. The nest was
small, no larger than that of D. sannio, made of bamboo leaves and thickly
lined with coarse roots. It was placed in a banboo fork, about seven feet
from the ground, and contained three fresh eggs, of the palest possible
skimmilk blue, narrow and pointed and measuring l"23x0'90 : l-23x0-88 :
1-25X0-86.
86. Chestnut-headed Laughing Thrush — TrocJialoptemm melanostigma.
These birds are not uncommon in the dense evergreen on the slopes of
Nwalabo, at an elevation of about 2,000 to 3,000 feet. I found my first
nest on May 11, 1918, with two fresh eggs in a small sapling. It was a
massive cup of green moss, lined with the black hair-like fungus so com-
monly used for this purpose. Parenthetically I may remark that this
appears to be the substance referred to by writers on oology as " fine
black roots", " hair-like roots," etc., etc. It is, as a matter fact, a thread
fungvis which attacks the leaves of trees and other plants ; I have found a
piece of this substance, fully three feet in length, coiled round and round
and used by a bulbul as a lining for its nest. To return to the Trochaloptenim,
the nest was placed on, and built into, the moss in a fork of a small branch
and one egg unfortunately was broken in getting it down ; the other
measures 1-20 x 0'85 and was, when fresh, a beautiful sky blue, (it has
since faded), marked with some large blotches of sepiaat the large end,
and a few spots of the same colour scattered over the rest of the surface.
In 1918 I also found two other similar nests, but they were empty and
had apparently been used. In 1919 I visited Nwalabo again, and on
April 25 found a nest in process of construction, watching the birds for
some time. This nest however, was not in the least like that (Sessribedl
MISGELLANEOUS NOTES, '.. 8,55
above, as it was built in a tangle of creepers and was composed entirely of
dry leaves, not a scrap of 2;reen moss being used, although this material
was readily available. This nest was for some reason deserted, and a new
one was commenced a few yards away, this time on the frond of a tree
fern ; on May 10 a friend went to take the eggs for me, but though the
bird was seen on the nest, there were no eggs, and T presume she deserted
again, as I never got the eggs. A third nest, with two fresh eggs, was found
on April 30, this time in a hanging bamboo, and was in all respects similar
to that of Dryonastes chinensis, for which I mistook it till the parent birds
put in an appearance. The evidence 8,t present available thus goes to show
that T. melanostigma is very irregular in its choice of nesting site and mate-
rial and is only constant in always selecting a deep moist ravine in which
to build its nest. The two eggs taken this year difler in no way from the
one described above.
118. Tenasserim Scimitar Babbler — Pomatorliinus olivaceus.
Common and noisy in bamboo forest. A very neat nest, with three
fresh eggs was found near the head waters of the Tavoy river, on March 7.
It was placed in a large crevice between the roots of a tree, and was com-
posed externally of bamboo leaves, and neatly lined with tine grass, but
although so tidily built and apparently compact it fell to pieces when
removed. The nest was of course domed, and both it and the eggs were
in all respects typical.
160. Abbott's Babbler — Turdinus abhotti.
Was found breeding commonly in the heavy evergreen at the end of
February and beginning of March. The full clutch appears to be three,
but sometimes only two are laid. Nests and eggs precisely as described
by Hume, but the latter are subject to a good deal of colour variation
inter se.
175. Eed-winged Babbler — Cyanoderma erythroptenim.
The nest much resembles that of Mixornis, but is more massive, loosely
made of bamboo leaves, and neatly rounded and lined with fine grass
inside. It was placed in a small cane plant near the ground and contained
two incubated eggs on April 16. These eggs differ from those taken by
Stuart Baker's collectors in that they are unspotted, and of a white colour,
very faintly tinged with blue. They measure 0-66 xO'oO. The bird was
seen to leave the nest by Mackenzie and myself, and was shot by me in
his presence on its return, so there can be no doubt as to the correctness
of the identification of the esgs, which appear, however, to be abnormal in
colouration.
177. Sumatran Yellow-breasted Babbler — Mixornis gularis.
The nest and eggs of this bird, which is of course nothing but a geogra-
phical race of M. rubricapillus, as might be expected exactly resemble those
of the latter species. A nest with two fresh eggs was brought to me in
Mergui on April 27, 191f5, together with the parent bird (alive), which
had been snared on the nest.
218. Tickell's Staphidia — Staphidia striata.
Common on Nwalabo at an elevation of about 3,000 feet, where it breeds
freely in holes in road cuttings. Numerous nests were found during the
first week in May 1918, but with the exception of one nest these were
empty, and some showed signs of having been occupied by young birds.
It is probably a fairly early breeder, as at the end of April 1919 I found
a lot of nests with fresh eggs, or rather egg-shells, as in every case the
eggs had been sucked, I suspect by tree-shrews, which are exceedingly
common. The nests are made of moss and lined with bast fibres, and
except for the fact that they are cup-shaped, they rather recall the nest
of a mouse.
856 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
298. Yellow-vented Bulbul — Pyononotus analis.
An inhabitant of low-lying swampy country, from Mergui southwards.
The nest is of the ordinary bulbul type and is built generally in a fairly
thick bush often near the ground ; two nests were placed in creepers which
had enveloped dhani palms (Nipa fruticans), whilst one was practically on
the ground in a grass tussock. I have had no luck with this bird, as the
nests were almost all empty or else occupied by newly hatched young, and
very few eggs were obtained. These are of a very red appearance, due
to the rich, almost blood, red spots with which they are thickly speckled
all over, though Darling, whilst noting this type of colouration, observed
that the eggs of this species were prone to the usual amount of variation
met with in the eggs of most bulbuls. The birds breed here in March and
April, and very possibly earlier ; the eggs taken average about 0-85 X 0*65.
299. Finlay son's Stripe-throated 'Bnlhul— Pycnonotus fi7ilayso7ii.
Although the bird is so common, nests are rather scarce. It seems to
like fairly open country for breeding purposes, and the nest as a rule is
placed in an isolated shrub, within two or three feet from the ground:
when one does come across a nest it is easy enough to see. The birds
seem to lay invariably two eggs, at ail events I have no record of a
greater number, though 1 have a vague idea that Mackenzie once found
one with three. The description given by Hume does, as usual, full
justice to these pretty eggs, and I have only to add that the type with
the well marked zone of blotches is a very shrike-like egg. Those in my
collection measure on the average about 0"82 X 0'62.
310. Black-headed Bulbul — Micropus melanocephalus.
A nest was found on March 6 with two young about two days old. It
was on a frond of a cane, in dense evergreen forest, and was more like
a flycatcher's nest than a bulbul's, being a tiny pad of dead leaves, the
very shallow cup being sparsely lined with the hair-like fungus. The
parent birds hawked insects on the wing, much after the manner of
flycatchers, with which they fed their young.
329. Tenasserim Ashy Drongo — Dicrurus nigrescens.
Two nests were found by me in scrub jungle on the sea coast on April 14
1919. The first of these was avery shallow pad of the usual drongo type,
placed on the top of a horizontal fork of a branch about seven feet
from the ground, and contained three fresh eggs with a pink ground
colour and spotted all over, very much recalling certain types of nightjar's
eggs ; the second nest was in the vertical fork of a small pollard, tree, a
deep cup, and as conspicuous as a bulbul's, and the eggs, two in number
and fresh, had a pure white ground colour and were richly marked with
deep brownish red blotches, and it would be hard to imagine any two types
more dissimilar.
543. Gold-crest Myna — Ampeliceps coronatus.
A nest was found in process of construction in a hole in a casuarina
tree at a height of about thirty feet from the ground, on April 14, and I
got the clutch of three fresh eggs on April 30. The nest was said to
consist of dead leaves and casuarina shoots, whilst the eggs are a clear
Cambridge blue, and measure 1-12 x 0-78: 1-01 x 0-78: 0-97 X 0-80.
731. White- bellied Munia — Urolonclm leucogastra.
These birds, which are found as far north as Tavoy, appear to replace U.
punctulata south of Mergui. The nests are precisely like those of U. punc-
tulata, and the birds breed throughout the year, but chiefly in the hot
weather. They lay five or sometimes six eggs .which average about 0'58 x 0'44.
898. Burmese Yellow-breasted Sunbird — Amchnechthraflammaxillaris.
This beautiful httle sunbird nests from December to March, making the
usual sunbird's nest, often in gardens and close to houses. It is fond of
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 857
such trees as limes and guavas for building upon, or a prickly bush may be
chosen. The eggs, which seem to be always two in number, somewhat
resemble those of A. asiatica, but are as a rule of a decidedly more greenish
ground colour.
905. Plain- coloured Sunbird — AntJiothreptes simplex.
I record this, subject to correct identification of the female, which was
shot oft' the nest. This was found on March 17, 1918, in scrub near the sea,
and was made of grass, and very thickly felted inside with soft silky
pappus probably from a Calotropis, or some similar plant. It was suspended
like a sunbird's nest and had a similar portico, but otherwise in general
appearance rather resembles a Munia's nest. The eggs are very pale lilac,
with purplish clouds at the large end, and a very few deep purple (almost
black), splashes and scriggles elsewhere on the eggs, in one of which the
markings are mostly ;^at the small end : the eggs measure 0*74 x 0"50 :
0-72 X 0--50.
939. Dusky Broadbill — Corydon sumatranus.
On the same day on which 1 found the Flatysmurus'' nest, and not very
far from it, whilst following the course of the stream through heavy ever-
green forest, my attention was attracted by an enormous mass of moss
and debris suspended from the tip of a cane. I could not at first believe
that this was the nest of a bird, but investigation revealed the iinmistak-
able entrance hole, and a little shaking of a convenient creeper caused the
bird to take flight Making sure from the closeness with which it sat
that the nest contained eggs, at considerable trouble we got down the nest
intact from a height of about forty feet, when to my great disgust I found
that it contained four newly hatched young. It was seven feet in length,
and must have weighed fully ten pounds, and was composed of coarse dry
moss, to which all sorts of odds and ends, pieces of sticks, leaves, cocoons,
and so on had been added. The entrance hole and the nest cavity were
placed about the middle of the mass, all of which had undoubtedly been
placed in position by the birds, and it would be interesting to know how
long a time was occupied in building the nest, whether it represented the
accumulation of several years. We replaced the nest as far as possible in
its orignal position, but I was unable to visit the spot again.
940. Black and Red Broadbill. — Cymhorhynchus macrorhynchus.
The nests of this species are simply smaller editions of that just des-
cribed, but are none the less very large untidy-looking structures. They
are built as a rule on an isolated tree either in a swampy open space, or
if in the forest, on the bank of a stream or where there is an open patch,
and never far from water. They are always suspended from the tip of a
branch, sometimes at a considerable height from the ground. Last year
we were very unlucky, as although Mackenzie and I found numerous nests
in April, nearly all were empty. Probably the birds are early breeders,
as this year I have taken two nests with eggs during the first week in
March. All the eggs taken are of the cream or fawn coloured type, very
heavily speckled all over with amber brown, and average about 1"0.5 X
0"75. The nests are, after the usual Broadbill fashion, lined with green
leaves, which are not however renewed as incubation proceeds ; the normal
clutch appears to be three.
942. Gould's Broadbill — Serilophus lunatus.
On March 12, truly a red letter day, I found no less than seven nests
of this bird, all suspended from bushes in or near the same stream where
the Flatysmurus and Corydon nests were found. These nests are made of
green moss and are much more neatly and tidily built than are those of
Cymhorhynchus. In size, too, they are not exaggerated, and are more or less
spherical, with a diameter of about six inches. The full clutch appears to
20
858 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
be five, but at times only four are laid, and they never seem to vary in
type, all that I have found here and elsewhere having a white ground
colour, and being profusely speckled with purplish brown.
944. Long-tailed Broadbill — Psarisomus dalhousice.
These birds appear to be confined to Nwalabo at a height of about 2,000
to 3,000 feet, where several nests were found in April and May.
945. Green Broadbill — Calyptomena viridis.
On March 7 I shot a male of this species, and subsequently found an
unfinished nest close by the spot : and on the same date my Burman found
two nests, one empty, the other with a single young bird. He was much
struck by the antics of the parent, which appears to have put up a regular
lapwing stunt in its endeavours to entice him away from the nest. Unlike
other broadbills, this bird builds in thick jungle, away from water, and
the nests are composed, not of moss, but of grass and fibres, and those
found were in all respects similar to those described by Hume, being
built across, and not from the tip of twigs, pinched flat at the point of
suspension, and provided with a long hanging tail. I showed a nest and
my specimen to one of my Rangers, and a fortnight later he brought me
in a precisely similar nest with three incubated eggs, which were long
and rather pointed, of a creamy colour, and unspotted.
984. Malay Rufous Woodpecker — Micropternus brachyurus.
There seems to be very little cause for separating this bird from M.
phceoceps of which it is little more than a local variety. The breeding
habits of both are, as might be anticipated, identical ; two nests were
taken on February 22 and March 4, and contained respectively two and
three fresh eggs ; they were made in tree ants' nests, and these in turn
were built on bamboos. The eggs are indistinguishable from those of
the northern species.
1032. Red-bearded Bee-eater — Nyctiornis amictus.
On April 27th 1918 I found a nest in a hole in a bank about twenty
miles south oi Mergui, which contained two newly hatched young, and an
egg on the point of hatching. This year on April 4 I found a nest with
two eggs already chipped, and which were preserved with much difficulty.
They seem very large as they measure l-34xl"l0 and l-30xl'12. The
nest holes though in soft sand were neither more than three feet long, and
the eggs rested on a mass of wings of some hymenopterous insect, probably
a hornet.
1055. Blyth's Wreathed Hornbill — Rhytidocros suhruficoUis.
I have never actually seen a nest myself, but one of my Rangers suc-
ceeded in finding three, and brought in the eggs and the parent birds
alive : the dates were March 3, 1918, two eggs hard set ; March 11, 1918,
two eggs nearly fresh ; and February 15, 1919, three eggs fresh. All
three are described as being of the typical Hornbill type, placed in holes
of large trees at a great height from the ground, and with the entrance
plastered up in the usual manner ; the old bird was in each case in good
condition and had no difficulty in flying when released.
Near Lawthaing, at the headwaters of the Tavoy river, immense
numbers of R. undulatus and R. suhruficoUis congregate every evening for the
purpose of roosting, curiously enough selecting bamboos and not trees; I
have counted as many as two hundred which had already arrived, and small
flocks of six to a dozen were still coming in at dusk ; this was in February.
1083. Hume's Swiftlet — Gollocalia innominata.
1084. Little Grey-rumped Swiftlet. — Collocalia francica.
These two species breed in company in large numbers on the Mali
Islands, a few miles from the coast, abo>it half-way between Tavoy and
Mergui. C. francica makes the edible nests of commerce, which are a
.v: ".'.:; .lox .^I'^c:: miscellaneous notes. , 859
Government monopoly, the right to collect them, being sold by auction,
biit the nests of C. innominata, though of very little value on account
of the large amount of grass and feathers, used in their construction, are
also collected by the licensee, but are only purchased by the poorer
classes. The pure white nests of C. francica are worth, at present prices,
about Rs. 140 a viss ; those of C. innominata being worth only about lis. 5.
C. innominata is the earlier breeder of the two, commencing nesting
operations in February, a few eggs being laid about the first week in
March; but C. /ronc/ca does not lay till well on in April, and fresh eggs
may be taken as late as the latter half of May, by which time C.
innominata have all hatched oft ; and whilst this latter species plasters
its nests at random on the walls of the caves anywhere above high-
water mark, C. francica always goes to the top of the cave, and places
its nests well inside a fissure of the rock. The eggs of C. innominata are
constantly the larger, measuring on the average 0' 94 X 0*62, whilst those
of C. francica average 0'83 x 0'52. A very long egg of francica may be as
long as a very short egg of innominata, but is always narrower, and the
eggs of the two species can be distinguished with certainty.
A difterence in the habits of the two is that whilst francica leaves the
caves at dawn, finds its food over the mainland, and returns to the islands
at dusk, innominata haunts the caves all day, and the numbers are so great
as to recall white ants fluttering round a lamp, and the birds may even be
caught by a quick grab of the hand, a feat which we actually saw
performed several times.
1103. Yellow-breasted Trogon — Harpactes orescius.
Although none too often seen at their times, one discovers in the breeding
season that this is one of the commonest birds, and I must have seen some
twenty-five or thirty nests. Once one gets the hang of it, they are very
easy to find, all that is necessary being to examine every stump that looks
sufticiently rotten for the trogon to be able to peck. They lay from the
middle of February to the middle of March, and the nest is placed at any
height from three to fifteen feet from the ground. As a rule the bird
scoops out a hollow about the shape and size of a cocoanut, with the top
quarter cut oft' diagonally, and in this it sits facing outwards with its
long tail raised vertically and pressed against the back of the hollow.
Normally the clutch is only two, but very occasionally three eggs are laid ;
they are cream coloured and of course unspotted. The nests are very
frequently placed close to a path : c. f. Binsham's notes in Hume's Nests
and Eggs.
1314. Little Malay Cuckoo-dove — Macropygia nificeps.
Appears to be very rare and confined to Nwalabo mountain. A nest of the
usual dove type, with a single fresh egg was found on May 14. 1918.
1 o51 . Lesser Adjutant — Leptopiilus javanicus.
These birds breed in several spots on the little Tenasserim river, the
largest colony, consisting of about forty nests, beino at Indaw village,
some sixty miles south of Mergui. I first found this on December 23,
1917 ; but on that date all had hatched out ; and I only got one addled egg.
In 1918 I was unable to reach the spot before November 23 which proved
rather late as most of the broods had just hatched, but I got seventeen
eggs, all with the exception of one clutch very hard set. The nests are
built in Kanyin (Dipterocarpus) trees at an immense height, fully loO feet,
and are only accessible to professional climbers, who drive previously pre-
pared bamboo spikes into the trunk, forming a ladder as they climb. The
full clutch is four, but as often as not only three eggs are laid.
CYRIL HOPWOOD, m.b.o.u.
860 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
No. XXIII.— MESOPOTAMIAN BIRD NOTES.
The publication by Mr. W. D, Gumming of corrigenda to the Lists of
Birds from Fao published in the Ibis for 1886 and 1891, is welcome,
although somewhat belated. As there are at the present time several
active workers in Mesopotamia who are interested in the subject, may I
be allowed to offer a few remarks on Mr. Cumming's paper.
Upcher's Warbler {Hypolais languida). Mr. Gumming describes this
species as plentiful, breeding everywhere on both sides of the river, and
adds that the note in the Ibis 1891, p. 109, under the heading of Scotocerca
inquieta refers rightly to this bird. The Bombay Natural History Society's
little pamphlet compiled by Mr. N. B. Kinnearonly mentions two species of
Hypolais, H. languida and H. rama. It is true that Mr. Gumming sent
home two skins of H. languida from Fao, obtained on August 27th and i^8th
{Ibis 1891, p. 108) and that the range of this species extends from Pales-
tine to Persia. There is however no evidence at present that this species
breeds near Fao, or in the plains of Mesopotamia. The eggs sent by Mr.
Gumming, and which were described by Sharpe {t.c. p. 109) as those of
Scotocerca inquieta (!) were really those of Hypolais pallida pallida, a species
which is not mentioned either by Sharpe or Kinnear. This bird breeds
commonly at Fao and in Mesopotamia. Probably H. languida occurs as a
breeding species in the hilly districts, such as the Zagros, whence Sarudy
records it as nesting and on passage, while H. p. pallida is common and
generally distributed on the plains and also in the Zagros.
Finsch's Grey Shrike {Laniusfallax). "I believe this was wrongly
indentified and corrected later to L. assimilis by Dr. Bowdler Sharpe." A
case of making confusion worse confounded ! Two races of Great Grey
Shrike appear to occur in Mesopotamia in winter, the Palestine Grey
Shrike {Lanius excubitor aiicheri), which is frequently but erroneously called
L. fallax and breeds in the Zagros district, Syria, etc., possibly also in the
Mesopotamian plain, and secondly the closely allied Transcaspian Grey
Shrike (L. excubitor pallidirostus) which occurs on passage and in winter.
Gumming's Ked-rumped Wheatcar {S. cummingi). " 1 believe I identified
this as S. chrysopygia but Dr. Bowdler Sharpe found it to be a new species
and named it after me." This statement is incorrect in several particulars.
In Dr. Sharpe's list {Ibis 1886, p. 483) it figvires as Saxicola moesta \ It
remained under this name till Mr. J. I. S. Whitaker described it as a new
species under the name of Saxicola cummingi some fifteen years later. Cy,
Bull, B.O. ex. ,]). Kvii; Ibis 1902, p. 58 and pi. 111. It is now generally
agreed that there is only one species of Ked-rumped Ghat, CEnanthe xantho-
prymma (H. & E.), which is divisible into two (or possibly three) local
races.
(1) CEnanthe xanthoprymma xanthoprymma (H. & E.). Hitherto only
recorded by British ornithologists from Egypt, Nubia and the Red-sea
littoral. Probably breeds in Arabia and according to Sarudy in the Zagros.
(2) (E. xantJioprymma chrysopygia (De Fil.). This race breeds in Southern
Transcaspia, Persia and Persian Baluchistan.
(3) CE. xanthoprymma cummingi (Whit.). Only differs from the typical
form in having the bases of the tail feathers the same red brown as the
rump, instead of white. It has been obtained at Fao and also from Berber
in winter, while Sarudy states that it breeds in the hills which bound the
plain of the lower Karun River and is common on spring passage on Djebel
Tniie. He adds that "S. xanthoprymna'" according to the Arabs breeds on the
same ground and that the two birds maj' be found mated together. If
there is any truth in this statement, (E. x. cummingi can only be an
individual variation.
Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
Giant Tortoise (Testudo giqantea) at Hibumbard, Galle.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 861
" Indian Roller." Coracias garrula {Sic.'] Apparently both the European
Holler (C. garndus) and the Indian Roller (C indicus, or more correctly
C. benghalensis) breed in Mesopotamia, but the latter species appears to
be prevalent south of Bagdad, though the European Roller seems to be the
representative species at Bagdad according to Sassi. I have long been
puzzled by Mr. Cumming's notes on the Rollers in the Ibis 1886, p. 488,
and in the light of the later communication can only suppose that by some
mistake the notes on the tvro species have been transposed.
With regard to the small Bustard shot on two occasions by Mr. Gumming,
but not preserved, if noticeably smaller than Honbara u. macqueeni, it was in
all probability the Little Bustard, Otis tetra.r, which is known to occur both
in Mesopotamia and the Zagros. The Eastern Pintail Sandgrouse (P. alchala
candaeuta) breeds in large numbers both in the Tigris and Euphrates
valleys as well as near Ahwaz.
F. C. R. JOURDAIN.
Appleton Recxory, Abingdon, Berkshire,
14^A February 1919.
No. XXIV.— THE GIANT TORTOISE LIVING IN CEYLON.
{With a plate.)
Through the kindness of Mr. W. Ormiston of Kalupandani, HuldummuUe,
Ceylon, we are able to reproduce a photograph of a giant tortoise, living
at Hirumbard near Galle and which appears to be the same animal Mr. J ,
Pearson of the Colombo Museum, wrote about in SpoHa Zeylanica Vol, VII,
p. 209, 1911. According to that note, this tortoise belongs to the kind
known as Testudo gigantea, a species which was formerly indigenous, to the
Seychelles, but the history of how this particular one came to Ceylon and
how long it has been there is obscure. It appears to have been at Galle
since 1846 and Mr. Paul Pieris, C.C.S., wrote to Mr. Pearson that some
years ago he was shown by a relation of his some papers, which were eaid
to prove that the tortoise was 120 years old.
As a matter of fact that is not a very great age for one of these giant
tortoises and quite recently the home papers reported the death of the old
tortoise at the Zoo, which is stated to have been 260 years old. In Lord
Rothschild's museum at Tring there is the shell of an example of T. gigantea,
which measures 46'- 5" in length and belonged to an animal weighing
593 lbs., said to have been 300 years old when it died.
These large tortoises formerly inhabited the Galapagos islands, Mada-
gascar, Aldabare, the Seychelles, &g., but for many years have been
extinct in their native haunts, except were especially protected.
Some of the islands on which they were indigenous were uninhabited by men,
but with the advent of sailing ships from the west the tortoises were
doomed, as captains of merchantmen found in them a useful food, which
could easily be kept alive and so provide fresh meat for the crews, who
in these days w^ere mostly fed on salt junk. The history of these interest-
ing animals has been written both by Dr. Gunther and Lord Rothschild,
and Dr. Gadow in the volume on " Reptiha " in the Cambridge Natural
History gives a short summary of what is known about them. In the
Swalik hills in the Punjab the remains of a gigantic tortoise have been
found, this animal lived probably in the early Pliocene times and was
considerably larger than any of the recent giant tortoises.
N. B. KINNEAR.
Bombay Natural History Society,
July 1919,
862 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XKVl.
No XXV— THE RUDIMENTARY HIND LIMB IN AN EMBRYO
OF FYTUON MOLURUS.
In Volume XXV of this Journal (page 509) Mr. D'Abreu has contributed
a particularly interesting note on the breeding of Python molurus in captivity.
Among other interesting observations he records the existence of two
minute prominences — the rudiments of the hind limb — in a young embryo
about three inches long.
((3) Tiudirneni'CLr^y 'fiirxi. tv-ni
r^epr-e.se.rtieu. iy a. iud-^~
O) Ope.7lJ.rLg o/- cZoo-CCL
I wrote to him on the subject, and suggested that the prominences referred
to might prove to be the rudiments of the male clasper, and not the
rudiments of a limb. In reply he has very courteously sent me the speci-
men to examine, and I am pleased to be able to confirm his observation,
and have made a drawing of the condition. The opening of the cloaca is
seen as a circular orifice. On either side, and on the lateral surface of
body, low down, is a bud-like projection. When the embryo is viewed in
profile this bud is seen to be oval shaped, and obliquely placed, the largest
diameter passing backwards and downwards. I could discern nothing to
suggest rudiments of an anterior limb.
F. AVALL, LiEUT.-CoL., i.m.s.
Bangalore, IQth April \Q1Q.
No. XXVI.— THE HABITS OF THE GREEN WHIP SNAKE
DR YOPIIIS MICTERIZANS.
With reference to the note on " The Habits of Dnjophis mycterizans " pub-
lished in the Journal— Vol. XXVI, No. 2, p. 681—, may I inform Mr. A. M.
Kinloch that I have come to look upon JJ. myctenzans " eating " other
snakes as quite a common occurrence ? Among the victims I may mention
Helicops schistosus, Trojjidonotus pitcator, T. platyceps, Folyodontophis collaris.
In all these cases the victim's head was well in the mouth of the aggressor
and was kept there from two to five minutes before being released. I
always examined the victim as soon as set free and never noticed any
tooth marking on the head, nor was there any appreciable quantity of
saliva about it. The last case on record occurred recently, in March 1919,
the victim being another D. mycterizans whose head was well down the
throat of the aggressor at the time of my arrival on the spot. The
victim's head was disgorged three minutes after and was found to show
no tooth puncture ; it was, however, covered with saliva, a sign that degluti-
tion * had begun. Both the aggressor and its victim are still in my
serpent arium living together in perfect harmony, with a rather mixed
crowd of other snakes.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. .. 863
One of my colleagues here tells me that cases are known of a D. mycte-
rizans kept in captivity, in our College Museum fully eating a specimen
larger than itself. Major Wall— Journal Bombay Natural History Society,
Vol. XVI, No 4, p. 547 — reports a case of cannibalism practised by this
snake, the victim being Tropidonotus stolatus, as mentioned by Mr.
Primrose — Bombay Natural History Journal, Vol. XV, p. 347.
J. F. CAINS, S.J.
St. Joseph's College, Trichinopoly.
nth June 1919.
No. XXVn.— NOTE ON THE SNAKE TEIRHINOFHOLIS
NVCRALIS (BOULENGER).
A small decapitated specimen of this little knoven snake has been
acquired from Mr. Leonard from Sima, Upper Burma. Longitude 97°, Lati-
tude 25°, Altitude 4,400 feet.
The type was described in I8S3 by Boulenger in his Catalogue Vol. I,
p. 419, and figured in Plate XXVIll of the same Volume, from a specimen
captured at Tounggyi in the S. Shan States. A second specimen referred to
me for identification by our Secretary some time back was obtained at
Mansi, Upper Burma, at almost the same longitude and latitude as Mr,
Leonard's specimen. In the Mansi specimen the ventrals are 139 and
subcaudals 23. The anal entire as in the type. The scales are 15 in the
whole body length.
Mr. Leonard's specimen measuring 5| inches, the tail accounting for half
an inch, also agrees well with the type. The ventrals are 136 .P, subcaudals
25, anal entire, and scales 15 in whole body length. I notice that
Macolm Smith refers to this in his list of Siamese snakes as occurring
north of the Isthmus of Kra and ho records two specimens from Province
Ratchaburi, Siam (near the Tenasserim border). The ventrals and sub-
caudals were 141 + 24, and c? 132+24 respectively.
F. WALL, Lt.-Col., i.m.s.
Bangalobe, ^nd June 1919.
No. XXVIII.— A GRAVID SPECfMEN OF THE SNAKE
CYLINDROPHIS MACULATUS (LINN.).
Among a few snakes sent to me last year from Ceylon by Mr. Gerard
Joseph, was a specimen of Cylindrophis maculatus, which proved to be gravid.
The date of its capture is unfortunately not on record.
The parent measured 10| inches, and when cut open was found to
contain two large foetuses, one S with the genitalia protruding, and the
other a 5 • Each was folded into three. The united measurements of the
two almost equalled that of the prospective mother ; the S taping 5, and
the $ 5 f inches. From this it is evident that the embryos acquire an usual
degree of development before birth, and that the species is not prolific.
The young were coloured and marked exactly like the parent.
The viviperous habit of this species is not a new observation since
Abercromby {Spolia Zeylanica, Vol. IX, p. 146) in 1913 recorded a specimen
with three well developed foituses " in abdomina". This was acquired
by him on 1st April. No measurements of the dam or young were given.
F. WALL, Lr.-CoL., i.m.s.
Bangalore.
864 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
No XXIX.— REPLY TO DR. MALCOLM SMITH'S REMARKS
IN THE LAST JOURNAL.
In answer to Dr. Malcolm Smith's criticism in the last Journal (p. 682) on
my identification of his specimens sent from Siam, which I considered to be
Hydrophii> cyanocinctus (Daudin) {vide Bombay Natural History Journal
Vol. XXV, p. 754), I would like to make the following reply.
My conception of Hydrophis cyanocinctus is based upon well over one
hundred specimens collected from an extensive area, viz., Persian (iulf,
Coast of Sind, W, Coast of India especially Bombay and Cannanore,
the Coast of Ceylon, the E. Coast of India especially Madras, Orissa, and
the Sunderbunds, Chittagong, and the Coasts of Burma and Tenasserim.
In addition 1 have examined all the sea-snakes, in the British Museum,
upon which the descriptions in Boulenger's Catalogue are based. (Vol III,
1896.) The specimens described by Dr. Malcolm Smith as H. siamensis
(Journal Natural History Society, Siam, Vol. II, 1917, p. 341), which
I consider II. cyanocinctm are all from a small area, viz, the Coast of Siam.
The differences he claims for his siamensis as opposed to cyanocinctus
(Daudin) 1 will deal with in detail.
For easy reference I append in column A my range of costals and ven-
trals for what I consider cyanocinctus. In column B are those given by
Dr. Malcolm Smith for his siamensis.
A. B.
cyanocinctus. siamensis.
(1) Costals two heads lengths behind (1) neck 29 to 35,
head 25 to 36.
(2) Costals at midbody 33 to 44. (2) maximum girth 35 to 42.
(3) Ventrals 280 to 397. (3) 271 to 343.
It will be noticed that Dr. Malcolm Smith's figures are completely
contained within mine.
(2) The frontal. Dr. Malcolm Smith places reliance on the frontal
shields, but I find that the length of the frontal, and the length of the
snout vary a good deal in individuals of the same species.
(3) Temporals. With regard to the temporals, by Dr. Malcolm Smith's
own showing, these are aberrant in 33 per cent, of his specimens! It is
diHicult to see therefore how he can place any reliance on these shields in
establishing his siamensis as a species.
(4) Dentition. Dr. Malcolm Smith remarks that in one place I have
noted the posterior maxillary teeth of cyanocinctus as 6 to 8, and that in
his specimens from Siam 1 count them 8 to 9, doubtfully 10. As my skull
collection enlarges 1 frequently have to modify previously expressed views,
and a slight increase of previously reported figures is to be expected. In
lU specimens of cyanocinctus in the Indian Museum I found the variation
6 to 10. lu at least 12 others they range again from 6 to 10.
(5) Lenyth. Dr. Malcolm Smith says his Siam specimens do not
exceed 1,000 mm., whereas cya7ioci7ictus grows to 1885 mm., and he seems to
think that the fact that seven of his specimens were gravid clinches the matter
of length. However it is very well known that snakes grow considerably
after attaining sexual maturity. My breeding notes on many species
abundantly illustrate this. As an example let us refer to Mr. D'Abreu's
note in this Journal on the breeding of Python ii-olurus (Vol. XXV, p. 509).
Here the lengths of the parents are noted as $ 8 feet 6 inches, and J 5
feet 8 inches. It would not be sound to argue from this that a snake 5
feet 8 inches long, and sexually mature should be considered of a different
species from one that well authenticated records show reaches over 19
feet.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. . 865
(6) Colouration. This is so variable that it carries little if any
weight in establishing many species, and I find cyanocinctus from Indiat
Coasts remarkably variable.
Dr. Malcolm Smith may be perfectly correct in his view that the species
he has described as H. siamensis is valid, but I think it rests on a very
insecure basis, and is not supported by the facts I have explained above.
F. WALL, LlEUT.-COLONEL, I. M.S.
Bangalore, 2l5^ Juhj 1919,
No. XXX.— NOTES ON SOME RECENT ADDITIONS TO OUK
SOCIETY'S SNAKE COLLECTION.
On my return to India this year I was shown, while passing through
Bombay, a number of interesting snakes, which had been received by the
Society during the last few years. These had already been indentified by
Mr. Prater and two were recorded by him in the previous number of the
Journal, but nevertheless 1 have included them in these notes as I have
been able to add some additional information.
Typhlops jerdoni (Boulenger) (= Typhlops diversiceps (Annandale)
A well preserved specimen of this little known, and seemingly rare
snake, was presented to the Society's collection by Mr. J. M. D. Macken-
zie from Pegu. As all the other known specimens are from Hills, it
would be interesting to have further information concerning the exact
locality in Pegu (District i"). The specimen accords well with Boulenger's
description (Faun. Brit. Ind. 1890, p. 238), except in the following
points : —
The rostral is more than one-fourth, but less than one-third the breadth
of the head at the eyes. The nasals shieltls just meet behind the rostral.
The prseocular touches the 3rd labial only. The diameter of the body is
about /tj the total length, the latter being 5^ inches. In a later descrip-
tion of the snake, Boulenger modifies his original observations, in a corri-
gendum (Cat. Snakes, Brit. Mus. Vol. I, 1893, p. 418) showing that the
prneocular touches only the third labial, and it may be remarked that this
is the only Indian species of the genus that shows this peculiarity.
In 1891, Sclater (List. Snakes, Ind. Mus., p 2) reported a specimen
from Buxa Doors. Among collections of snakes belonging to the Indian
Museum, and submitted to me at various times by Dr. Annandale for
identification, I was able to examine, and confirm the identification of
Sclater's specimen. 1 found another labelled Lashio. N. Shan States.
The examination of Annandale's type of T. diversiceps from Pashighat,
Abor Hill (liec. Ind. Mus. Vol. Vlll, p. 44 and plate 1) shows that the
specimen is a verj^ typical one of T . jerdoni. The scale rows reported as 18
are in reality 22. The anterior nasal touches the first and second labials,
not the first only as reported. The pnoocular touches the 3rd labial only.
The diameter of the body is about 1,^ the total length. In this Journal (Vol.
XIX, p. 338), I reported a specimen from the Darjeeling neighbourhood
(Pashok or Tindharia) 9j inches long.
The habitat at present known for the species is Eastern Himalayas,
Hills of Assam, Burma as far East as the N. Shan States.
Coluber (Ablabes) pavo (Annandale).
A very nice little specimen of this rare snake described in 1912 by Dr.
Annandale (Rec. Ind. Mus. 1912, Vol. VIII, p. 47, and plate) from a single
specimen captured in the Abor HiUs has recently enriched the Societys'
21
866 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
collection. This was found at Kindat on the East bank of the Chindwin
River, Upper Burma, and therefore considerably extends the habitat.
This specimen differs from the type in having the scale rows 21 two heads-
lengths behind the head, 21 in midbody, and 17 two headslengths before
the vent. The ventrals are 225^ and the subcaudals 75, The tail is
possibly very slightly deficient. The supralabials are 8, the 4th and 5th
touching the eye on the left side, in this specimen. The left side agrees
with the type. The posterior extension of the post-nasal so well shown
in Dr. Annandale's figure, suggesting a confluence of this shield with the
loreal, is again exactly repeated in the Burmese specimen.
I find the maxillary teeth 17 (possibly 18) on the left side very gradually
and slightly decreasing posteriorly. The mandibular teeth are enlarged
anteriorly. On these dental characters the species would appear to have
better claims to inclusion under Coluber than Ablabes. On superficial
characters too it appears to me to have closer aflinities to C. porpliyraceus
than any Ablabes. The ventrals are too numerous for Ablabes, and accord
with Coluber, and the scale rows accord with Coluber rather than Ablabes.
Calamaria pavimentata (D. & B.).
A nice little specimen of this uncommon snake was receiv^ed from Mrs.
Jackson, from Tura in the Garo Hills, Assam. The previously known habitat
(China, Cochin, China, Siam, Java, Burma) is thus considerably extended.
The lepidosis is very typical. A prseocular is present. Ventrals number
200, and subcaudals 16. The belly is uniform yellowish.
DlPSADOMORPHUS MULTIFASCIATUS (BlYTh).
A very juvenile specimen, probably ahatchling, measuring 11 J inches, was
killed at Naini Tal, and presented by Mr. C O. Allen.
It is not such an uncommon snake in the Western Himalayas as records
might suggest. In the Indian Museum there are specimens from Subathu,
Mussoorie, and Naini Tal ; it has been recorded by Anderson from
Simla, and I have had two specimens from the Naini Tal District, two from
Mussoorie, and no less than seven reached me in 1914, from Muktesar.
It would appear therefore to be as common in the Western as in the
Eastern Himalayas, and to favour an altitude above 5,000 feet.
Hydkophis c^rulbscens (Shaw).
The receipt of a gravid 2 from Alibag, donor Mr. Alcock, affords useful
information of the breeding season. It was captured in June 1917,
in the very month and year that 1 captured the first specimen to shed any
light on the breeding season. My note appeared in this Journal in
Vol. XXV, page 808. Mr. Alcock's specimen measured 2 feet 5 inches,
and contained 5 embryos in an advanced stage of develoijment, though
not sufficiently advanced to make a study of the lepidosis possible. The
brood comprised d 4f", 6 H", 6 4//, ? 4i", and 2 4.f .
I have now examined well over 60 of this common snake, and it is
perhaps remarkable that only 5 have proved to be gravid. A specimen in
the Indian Museum 2 feet 2^ inches long contained 5 eggs. Another in
the same collection 3 eggs, and a third 6 foetuses. No dates of capture
were available with any of these. The specimen I recorded to which an
allusion has been already made, was 2 feet 4 inches long, and contained 4
foBtuses, one retained from a previous brood. It is evidently not a prolific
species, the young varying from 3 to 6.
Hydrophis mamillaris (Daudiis).
A fine specimen of this rare sea-snake is an important addition to the
Society's collection. It was sent by Mr. Alcock from Alibag. It is a $
measuring 28J inches.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 867
The scale rows two headslengths behind the head are 28, in midbody 37
and two headslengths before the vent 35. The ventrals nnmber about 339.
The neck is about one-third the greatest depth of the body.
There are 10 posterior maxillary teeth. 40 black bands encircle the
body, and these are about twice the breadth of the intervals. They are
confluent ventrally as high up as midcosta posteriorly. The tail is com-
pletely black.
I have seen only seven other specimens ; four in our Society's collection,
two in the British Museum, and one in the museum of the Royal College
of Surgeons, London.
Hydrophis ornata (Gray)*
A well grown $ specimen of this uncommon sea-snake was acquired from
Major Gharpurey, captured at Jask in the Persian Gulf.
The scales two headslengths behind the head are 32, at midbody 41, and
two headslengths before the vent 42 ; subimbricate anteriorly, juxtaposed
in the middle and posteriorly. The ventrals are about 3H0. Otherwise it
is a very typical specimen. The posterior maxillary teeth number 11 on
the left side. It is just the kind of specimen that so many herpetologists
would make the type of a new species, on the abnormally large ventral
count (210-300 Boulenger), and the abnormally low number of anterior
scale rows (35 to 42 Boulenger), and on this account it would find a more
fitting resting place on the British Museum shelves than in our Society's
collection.
Hydrophis vipkkina (Schmidt).
A fine S was presented to the collection by Sir Charles Bailey, captured
on the Orissa Coast.
The scale rows two headslengths behind the head are 33, at midbody
49, and two headslengths before the vent 42. Ventrals about 276. Here
again the numbers of scale rows (27 to 29 on neck, and 37 to 43 on the
body, Boulenger), would tempt some to pronounce this is new species.
The fact that the pnefrontal does not touch the second labial that the
frontal is as broad as long combined with the extraordinary breadth of the
anterior ventrals, (fully 3 times that of the last costal row) leave no doubt
as to its identity. The posterior maxillary teeth number 5 on the
left side.
F. WALL, Lieut. -Col., i.m.s.
Bangalore.
No. XXXI.— OCCURRENCE OF STICHOPTSALMA
GODFREYI (ROTHS.)
A specimen of this Stichopthahna was taken at Taungshum Taung, Tavoy
district, on the 17th May 1917, and came into my possession. It was
identified by Mr. Ernest Swinhoe who informs me that the type specimen
was taken by Mr. Godfrey in Siam and is now in the South Kensington
Museum. Though T visited Tavoy in February last I was not successful in
getting any, but a forewing of one, that had probably been eaten by some
bird, was found, and pointed to the fact that others were about. I enclose
a painting showing the upperside, to full scale. On the underside the
markings resemble S. camedava to some extent but there are only two
868 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
ocelli on the fore wings, and three on the hind wings. The ground colour
of the underside is a dark fulvus, the ocelli which are chestnut in colour,
are surrounded by a black ring with white pupils.
Since writing the above I have received another specimen.
For the information of collectors who do not know this butterfly, I add
the original description by Lord Rothschild in the Annals and Magazine]
Nat. Hist. (8), Vol. XVII, p. 474.
" S • This very distinct species is nearest to St, cambodia, Hew.
Ujyper surface. — Head brownish rufous ; antennte rufous ; thorax and
abdomen greyish brown, abdomen washed with blackish. Fore wing :
basal half greenish steel-blue washed with olive-brown on costal area
and from the base distad ; outer half greenish white or white tinged, with
Nile-green ; terminal band, apex, and submarginal row of large, excised
patches black-brown washed with steel-blue ; a postmedian band of dark
greenish steel-blue chevrons joined into a chainlike band. Hind wing
similar, only the submarginal band of excised patches is replaced by a
second row of chevrons and the white ground of the outer half of the
wing is strongly suffused with greenish lavender-blue. Underside very
similar to that of combodia, but much darker ; all the lines and other
markings much sharper and the double submarginal bands deep brown.
Length of fore wing 72 mm., expanse 151 mm."
O. C. OLLENBACH.
Dehra Dun, 28^ April 1919.
No. XXXII.— OCCURRENCE OF COLOTIS VESTALIS
AND AM ATA AT UNAO.
On 3rd May this year at Unao (38 miles S. W. of Lucknow) while inves-
tigating a plot of babul jungle known locally as the " Babuli " for birds'
nests I came across two kinds of Colotis that I had not personally taken
before.
I took the first opportunity I could of revisiting the spot and on the 6th
took a number of what proved to be Colotis vestalis. Most of them
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 869
were in fresh condition. The 2 was far less numerous than the c? .
They were on the wing soon after sunrise but were not very easy to secure
as the undergrowth they frequented was a mass of thorny bushes
Associated with them were some C. amata of which I also obtained a few :
these were not nearly so common as vestalis. These on being examined
proved to be the Calais form found in the Punjab and not the amata of
Central and Southern India.
As I cannot find in the Journal any mention of C vestalis having been
taken anywhere near this locality, it may be of some interest to record it.
These Colotis appeared to be very local as I did not notice it anywhere
else beyond a quarter of a mile of this spot.
G. O. ALLEN, i.c.s.
LuCKNOw, 15th May 1919.
No. XXXIII.— EARLY APPEAUANCE OF PIEIUS BBASSIC^;
(LiNN) IN THE DARBHANGA DISTRICT, BEHAR.
I caught a female specimen of this common butterfly in my garden on
the 8th January and a male on the following day. This is three weeks
earlier than the usual time of these butterflies appearence which is about
the 1st of February.
I saw no others till about a week later and they were not really plentiful
till very late in February.
CHAS. M. INGLIS.
Baghownie Fly, Lahekia Sakai.
No. XXXIV— NOTES ON THE HABITS OF BUTTERFLIES
ZEUXIDIA MASONI AND XANTHOT^NNIA BUSIBIS.
I think there are few collectors who have had the chance of taking the
above-named species, so that the following notes may be of interest to
readers of this Journal.
Both these insects are very difficult to come by as they fly only after
sunset and are to be found in dense forest covered country.
In Tavoy district about 16 miles N. E. of the town, at a place called
Yeawine, I came across this species and was fortunate enough to take a
few of each. Z. masoni I found high up a dry nala (stream) near the crest
of the hill. The nala was deep and narrow and was practically choked
with undergrowth, while giant forest trees towered overhead. At a spot
a few yards below the crest and for a length of about 100 yards down the
nala this butterfly was to be seen, but not above or below. The males
would appear first and would take up positions on some suitable leaf
overhanging the stream and from these points of vantage, no doubt, watch
for the females, which come much later. If by chance another male came
along one of those on watch would immediately attack it and there ensure
a battle which lasted till one of the combatants was beaten ofl' and the
two would part to take up new positions. By watching carefully where
they settled I was able to take a few specimens, but many got away in the
darkness. The females did not settle, but flew down the stream at a fair
pace for a certain distance and then disappeared up the hill sides.
This species appears to fly only during the evenings, for though I visited
the place before dawn I did not see any. It has a weak hopping flight
and settles frequently, even when disturbed. I did not notice that the
males gave out any odour, as stated by some collectors, but my companion
assured me he could detect it, so 1 suppose I must take his word for it.
870 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATTJRAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Xanthotaenia busiris. I took in the same stream as Z. masoni, but much
lower down, near the base of the hill where the stream spreads out into a
bog.
This insect is crepuscular but occasionally flies by day light. It was
always to be found in the bog during day-time, sitting on dead leaves, and
when flushed would fly a short distance and settle. Its flight is very like
that of Mycalesis visala and is most difticult to spot when sitting, as the
jColours of the underside harmonize with its surroundings. It is a
wary creature and needs some stalking to bring it to bag. By visiting
this spot repeatedly I secured several specimens, all of which, with one
exception, were males. The female is larger but otherwise there is no
diflerence between the sexes in colour.
O. C. OLLENBACH.
Dehra Dun, 25th April 1919,
No. XXXV.— NAINI TAL BUTTERFLY NOTES.
With reference to the list of the Kumaon Butterflies at page 133, Vol. XX
of the Journal, the following notes may be of interest : —
Orinoma damans, On 23rd May 1916, I took one of these at exactly
Gray. the spot mentioned in the list.
Mycalesis visala, M. Took one below the Brewery on 11th October 1916.
Aulocera sarasvati, Found this common in September 1916 along with
Koll. A. swaha, Saraswati prefers the sunshine while
sivaha is fond of sunlit patches amongst the trees
and bushes.
Lethe vaivarta, Doh. Very common in October 1916, down the Ratighat
road.
Eulepis dolon, Wd. In the very dry season of 1916, I took a couple
at Sarria Tal on 5th May : I once had two under
my net at the same time. Took another on 13th
in a nala down the Ratighat road : saw one or
two others about the place. At the beginning of
June 1917, I saw an odd one down the Fishponds
valley.
AuzaJcia danava, M. The $ is common than the S •
Neptis mahendra, M. Took this at water which I believe is unusual.
„ narayana, M. Found this very common in the middle of May
1916. This is also common at Mussoorie, though
MacKinnon's list notes it as rare.
Issoria sinha, Koll. Took one at CheenaChowki on 20th October 1916.
Papilio cashmirensis. Took a very damaged specimen on the top of Alma
Roth. on 29th June 1917.
Zepherus icana, M. One taken on 8th October 1917 down the Fish-
ponds valley.
Eudspa milionea, A single one taken on 19th May 1916 down the
Hew. Ratighat road. This insect is abundant during the
latter part of May and in June in the nalas
at Mussoorie, which would appear to be about the
limit of its range to the East.
Tajuris maculata, A 2 w. s. f. taken on 8th October 1917 in the Fish-
Hew, ponds valley.
G. O. ALLEN, i.c.s.
Dehra Dun, Qth March 1919.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 871
No. XXXVI.— LIFE HISTORY NOTES ON COORG BUTTERFLIES,
I do not think that the puzzling distribution of the S. Indian Ypthima
has yet attracted the attention it deserves.
Starting in the extreme South with Y. i/pthh)ioides of Travancore and
the Tinnevelly hills with a slightly differentiated form on the Palnis in the
neighbourhood of Kodaikanal, we find its place taken on the Anamialais
by Y. chenui. This exceedingly weak-flying species seems to have had no
difficulty in crossing "the Palghat gap", that well-known Zoological barrier
for many species, and is found in suitable localities on the Nilgiris in small
colonies. Between the Nilgiris and the Brahmagiris there is a distinct
break in the Western Ghats, so that it is not surprising to find Y. chenui
absent on these latter hills though they run up to nearly 6,000 feet. How-
ever, it turns up again in the next high range northward, the Western Ghats
in Coorg with their highest peak Tadiandamol (5,730 feet). On this hill and
on another peak slightly S. of it at the summit Y. chenui is abundant
enough, but extremely local, only occurring where the forest fires have
spared the tender grass on which its larva feeds. This grass {ISathistira
ciliata) is common enough in Coorg, but at higher elevations cannot stand
continual burning. At all events I have failed to find Y. chenui fiirther
northward along the Western Ghats where Y. philomela suddenly makes
its appearance flying freely W. of Mercara during and after the S.-W.
monsoon. I have never found Y . pliiloniela in S. Coorg nor on the Western
Ghats, S. of Mercara, though it is fairly abundant in the Nilgiri Wynaad
over 50 m. to the S. of Mercara. N. of Mercara it will only be found
sparingly in open grass land.
The discontinuous distribution of all these S. Indian grass-feeders may
perhaps be attributed to the prevalence of grass fires all along the Western
Ghats from the Cardamon Hills in Travancore to theBaba Budens in Mysore.
At all events the discontinuity is worthy of note.
PoLLiBETTA (26/A A2^ril 1918). Saw an amusing encounter this morning
between a crow and an Atlas moth. At first it looked 10 to 1 on the crow
as the moth — a female — was apparently flying in an utterly dazed fashion.
Each time, however, that the crow made a dash, the moth " jerked" in
some extraordinary way, escaping death by inches each time. After about
five futile attempts the crow got disgusted and flew into a neighbouring teak
tree. The moth at once settled in full view of the crow, but to my astonish-
ment the latter made no attempt at the sitting shot and shortly afterwards
flew oft' leaving the moth in possession. As a rule the Atlas moth keeps to
fairly thick jungle and one rarely sees them in the open where a bird
can get a good view of them. Apparently, even in these unfavourable
circumstances, a slow-flying moth can keep it's end up. In Coorg the most
usual food-plant of the Atlas moth larva appears to be Ardisia hujiilis, though
I have also found it on Cavega arhorea. The life of this moth in a perfect
state must be very short, its size making it so conspicuous and it does not
appear to be protected.
After several unsuccessful attempts extending over three years, I suc-
ceeded in 1918 in breeding out Ci/aniris limbata c^ and *$ , a species which has
not been bred hitherto. The food-plant is a Hijdaffe (Nat. Ord. Malpighia-
ceas) growing on the Downs near Mercara and apparently midway between
Hiptaffe madablota and H. parmflora ; the leaves and flowers resembling
parvifiora while the seeds are winged as in madoblata. This scandent
shrub is only in flower near Mercara from January to March. The butterfly
is common all through the year and must therefors have other food-plants,
since the larva appears to feed solely upon the flowers. I have never
observed it eating the leaves nor making any attempt in that direction.
87'2" JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Description. — The egg is sea-urchin shaped, finely reticulated and
greenish white.
The larva is apple-green on emergence, covered with sparse white hairs.
It immediately bores inside the flower-bud and after its first month turns
a dull pinkish red, matching the buds of its food-plant.
When full fed, the head is yellowish brown, the body dull coral pink,
with a dark red dorsal stripe, covered with white bristles, which under a
microscope disclose a hexagonal stellate process near the base of each.
The larva is full fed in about 16 days when it is 10 m.m. long x 4 m.m.
broad at the widest segment.
The pupa is of the usual squat, Cyaniris shape, dull green blotched with
brownish 8 m.m. in length and 3'5m.m. broad ; the wing cases marked with
minute black dots and naked, the body covered with a fine pubescence.
My specimens remained nine days in the pupal state, hatching out on 1st
March 1918. The larvse are attended in a desultory fashion by ants, but
are evidently able to get on without their assistance. While conducting
experiments with the Mercara Hiptage I came across several Hesperid
larvae which all appeared to belong to one species till their emergence in
March 1918, when it was found that the smaller specimens were Bibasis
sena, and the larger ones Ismene fergusonii .
Identity of marking, food-plant and habits in the early stages would
seem to show that these butterflies are even more closely allied than is
generally supposed and that they might well be placed in the same genus.
F. HANNYNGTON, i.c.s.
Bellary, 20th Feb. 1919.
[Since the above note was written we regret to say Mr. Hannyngton died. We
hope in the next number of the Journal to publish an obituary notice — Eds.]
No. XXXVII.— THE HAWK MOTH {DEILEPHILA LIVORNICA).
A CORRECTION.
In October 1916, 1 sent some Hawk moths to you for identification. One
of these you identified as Deilephila livornica, and in Vol. XXV, No. I of the
Journal, you printed an article of mine on the moth under the above name.
Some time afterwards 1 came to doubt the identification, and sent the
moth to Mr. T. R. Bell, and on his recommendation to Sir George Hampson.
I have now heard from the latter that the moth is not Deilephila livornica,
but Celerio euphorbia. Linn. Var. nervosa, Koths.
Sir George Hampson says that there are only two specimens of the moth
in the British Museum, and he would like a good series.
If there are any members of the Society near Murree who are keen on
collecting, I could tell them where they could obtain munbersof specimens.
F. B. SCOTT, Capt., I.A.
Allahabad, IQth Feb. 1919.
No. XXXVIII.— IT^EP^CTOi? COSTALIS, STAL., PREYING ON
CERATINA FIRIDJSf^IMA, D.T.
On the 16th April I caught a Harpactor costalis, Stal., busy sucking a
Ceratina viridissima,!). T., which it had evidently caught on a sunflower.
This is a very common predaceous bug here and Lefroy mentions its
preying on Dysdercus cingulatus, Fabr., the Red Cotton Bug, but I am not
aware whether it has been previously recorded as preying on the little bee,
C. viridssima.
CHAS. M. INGLIS, m.b.o.u.
Baghownie Fxy., Laheria
Sarai, lO^A May 1919.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 873
No. XXXIX.— NOTES ON THE FLYING WHITE ANT AND
SCORPIONS THAT FEED ON THEM.
Actual personal observation, 9-0 a.m., 11th June 1919, at Jamshed-
pur (late Sakchi), in the province of Bihar and Orissa, on the w^orks of the
Burma Mines, Ltd.
This morning at about 9-0 a. m., after a good deal of rain during the
night, millions of the winged variety of the white ant (termites) started
coming out of their nests in and above the ground — and it was most interest-
ing watching them issue forth, in numberless legions usually four abreast
at a time — -from horizontal openings or slits in the dome of their spire-like
dwelling. They practically pushed themselves out, in blind instinct like
compliance with a law of nature — and with them came out also numberless
ordinary (wingless) ants — seemingly younger ones — only to crawl about and
return to their chambers underground.
None of the winged insects came out of the usual bore holes one sees
all around a good sized nest, but from newly made slits about three inches
long by one-half inch wide.
From the bore holes, however, came out a regular platoon of scorpions —
large and small — who at once shikared the flying ants, and most dexterously
caught them in their front claws from whence they transferred them to
their mouths. The largest scorpion was eight inches long, black as ink,
and the smallest, one inch long, also black. The colour of the scorpions
varied from a dirty brown to ink black, and some had a tinge of red. The
number that came out that I could see were twenty-four, others may have
been hidden in the scrub brush that grew over the nest — and all were
partaking of a sumptuous succulent feast. The scorpions were most
alert, and quite alive to the fact they should make hay while the sun shone,
literally — and packed up as tightly as possible between their claws and their
mouths, as many winged insects as they could conveniently hold. One —
the biggest — ^secured forty-six of them, he was a monster. He very adroitly
placed himself over an opening, from which files of four were issuing in
a constant stream. He usually caught them fair and square and pressed
them home to his mouth very easily — but sometimes he got hold of one of
their wings, with his claws, and with a tender embrace conveyed the
helpless creatures to bis mouth — which in a very short time became a
temporary larder, pulsating with life and trembling wings.
A crowd of Indian workers of the Company soon collected round the
yellow mud edifice, where this struggle between life and death was going
on, and amongst them were some Santal and Kol women who wished to
share the spoil with the scorpions. They brought brass bowls, half filled
with water, into which they quickly and very nimbly dropped such of
the flying ants as they could catch, keeping an eye on the scorpions at the
same time. All the ants they collected are subsequently deprived of their
wings and then eaten, fried generally in oil. I have heard of the wild
tribes in India sometimes eating locusts and even snakes, when they are
hungry, but have not before noticed that the flying white ant was collected
for a meal.
The cessation of the exodus of the ants was also a signal for the
scorpions to disappear too, and within a few minutes they scurried back
into the bore holes — deep down in the earth nest. I dug ofl' several feet
of the top of the nest, and came across several sponge like structures,
pulsating and swarming with life, in cup-shaped casings containing embryo
ants and eggs, but no scorpions. These had gone deep down into the
earth — there in unmolested silence and darkness to enjoy the rich feast
they had secured and thus gorged to await another favourable opportunity
during the rains, for repeating the operation.
22
874 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
The scorpions did not use their stings or tails for any purpose whatsoever
— these were well curled over their backs, but their claws in front were
constantly spread out to catch and embrace all that came within striking
distance.
I also noticed that there were many Santal and Kol women willing to
kill the scorpions, and collect them — if allowed by me — as they said a good
oil, useful to be rubbed on for aches and pains in joints, could be extracted
from their bodies. I preferred, however, watching these dreaded insects
at their shikar game to seeing them killed — and all one heard when the
nest was once more normal and showed no signs of life was "Bab-ra-bab-
kitta bichoo " — "My father, how many scorpions," — and that was all one
could say — for never have 1 seen so many scorpions in one particular spot.
Evidentlj' the sandy yellow clay soil, and also the lateritic soil all round
here, harbours hundreds of scorpions, centipedes and snakes, as 1 have
come across more than one usually sees elsewhere in India.
The Indians of these parts, who were watching the nest with me, stated
that it was the turn of the scorpion now, as he was eating the white ants,
but a time would come when the white ants would cluster all round and
eat the scorpion, and that it was usual for this to happen, but I have no
convincing evidence.
C. H. DRACOTT.
Jamshedpur, 24iA June 1919.
No. XL.— NOTES ON SOME NEW AND OTHER INDIAN
DRAGONFLIES.
^SeHNID^.
Subfamily -<9^]schnin^.
1. Hemianax ephippiyer, Morton, Trans. Ent. Soc, London, 1907.
The breeding places of this insect in India are small tanks and reservoirs,
usually of considerable depth and rich in water weed. The greater number
emerge as the imago, during the month of April. I noticed over one
hundred exuvite clinging to a small tuft of reeds in a tank at Poona, the
tank measuring only about 15 feet either way and its waters swarming with
the full grown larvse. A large number of these were collected and emerged
in the next few days, the greater number being males.
There were a few isolated specimens of Anax gtdtatus amongst them.
Females of these dragonflies are rarely seen on the wing and are much
more easily obtained by breeding out the larviB. It is quite easy to dis-
tinguish the sexes in the last instar of the larvae as development of the
genital organs is well advanced and moulded on the ventral plates of the
abdomen. The females may be picked out and males, if not wanted, can
be restored to their watery habitat. Another advantage of this method is
that teneral specimens have the gut and ovaries empty and so no decom-
position goes on after death and the colours do not fade. Colour develops
very rapidly in the -/Eschnidse, the species quoted above emerging at about
1 1 o'clock at night and having a good display of colour by the hovir of dawn.
Even before they emerge from the pupa case, the colour of the insect may be
seen showing through, especially the blue at the proximal end of the abdo-
men. I found that the percentage of exuvise worked out as 2 to 1, male and
female respectively, so that the scarcity of females is real and not apparent.
2. Orogomphus xanthe-ptera, sp. nov.
1 2, Madura District, South India, Mr. Prater, 1917. Type specimen in
the Bombay Natural History Museum.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
Length of hindwing 56 mm. Length of abdomen 54 mm. Breadth of
hindwing 20'5 mm.
Head very broad, frons much elevated, considerably higher than the
occiput and with a broad, diffuse brownish black, basal line, rest of frons,
face, labrum and labium bright yellow, occiput black, fringed with stout,
yellow hairs.
Prothorax very small and tucked away out of sight beneath the head.
Thorax cubical, relatively small, brownish black with yellow markings,
as follows :• — a narrow, humeral streak, angulated inwards above and then
turning downwards parallel to the dorsal carina for a short distance, a
broad lateral fascia under the forewing and another on the posterior part
of the metepimeron.
Wings deeply and evenly saffronated
throughout
the
whole of their
extent although there is some hj^aline cellular mottling. Stigma black.
Antenodals f|, postnodals H, median nervures 3-, cubital nervures ^,tri-
gonal cells |, hypertrigonals cells |, anal loop 22 cells, squarish [and
consisting of an outer and an inner circle of cells.
Abdomen : 1st and 2nd segments dilated, 3 to 6 narrow, 7 broadening
apically, 8 and 9 dilated and then tapering to the 10th which is small.
Black marked with yellow as follows : — 1st segment with a somewhat trian-
gular patch on the dorsum and the side broadly yellow, the marking here,
broadening proximally ; 2nd segment with small transverse lunules on the
dorsum, proximal border and the side broadly, the marking here, narrowing
proximally, 8rd segment with similar markings ; 4th to 7th with dorsal
lunules only ; the remaining segments unmarked but the lunules may have
become obscured through decomposition.
Legs black. Anal appendages small, black. Vulvar scale broad
depressed, slightly overlapping the 9th ventral plate.
8. Macrogomphus annulatus, de Selys.
1 S and 1 $ apparently taken in cop. Madura District, 1917.
Prater.
Length of abdomen 50 to 52 mm. Length of hindwing 38 to 40 mm.
These two very rare insects are in a well-preserved condition and cor-
respond closely to type. The superior anal appendages are creamy white,
and
M
r.
876 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVl.
nearly evenly forked and with a small ventral tooth ; inferior appendages
black; both pairs evenly and widely divergent. The oreillets of the
female are about half the size those of the male.
This pair of insects are in the collection of the Bombay Natural History
Museum.
LIBELLULID^.
Subfamily Libellulin^.
4. Diplacodes parvula, Rambur, 1842.
This insect is very closely related to Z>. nelmlosa, differing from it by
possessing a blackish basal spot to the hindwing and by not possessing
apical markings. It almost entirely replaces D. tricialis in Mesopotamia
and in part at least, in N. W. India. The insect is fairly common in
Karachi.
AGREONID^.
Subfamily Protoneukin^.
5. Disparoneura Jletcheyi, sp. nov.
2 S 6, and 2 $ $ . Shillong, September 1918. T. Bainbrigge Fletcher.
Length of hindwing 23 mm. Length of abdomen 31 mm.
Male : Head, eyes reddish brown above, paler beneath, an equatorial
brown line separating the two coloured areas, labrum rust red, with a row of
small black spots along its border, rest of head black marked with a
broadish rust red band crossing between the anterior part of the eyes and
two obscure spots on the outer side of the lateral ocelli.
Prothorax black marked with longitudinal, red, subdorsal stripes and
with a minute dorsal, geminate spot on the mid-lobe and a single, tiny
spot on the dorsum of the posterior lobe. Lateral border of middle lobe,
narrowly red and two minute red spots on the posterior border of the
posterior lobe.
Thorax rust red on the dorsum, fading to a pale fleshy tint laterally.
Marked very irregularly and variably with black as follows : — a broad,
middorsal band, another broad, subdorsal band, incomplete above and
behind where the ground colour invades it irregularly. A line on the 2nd
lateral suture, split more or less longitudinally and irregularly and an
elongate spot on the metepimeron. Tergum mottled with rust red.
Abdomen black marked with red or wedgewood blue. The apical border
of the first segment red ; a longitudinal, fine red line on the dorsum of the
second segment ; 2 subdorsal lunules on the apical borders of segments 3 to
7. Obscure reddish or bluish spots on the sides of segments 3 to 6. The
sides of the first and second segments red or purplish.
In some specimens the ground colour or markings are entirely wedge-
wood blue but they do not appear to be more adult than the red-marked
ones, in which, especially on the head, the red is of a very intense
character.
Legs black, base of femora and extensor surfaces of tibioe rust red.
Anal appendages of the usual disparoneurine shape, the superior with
pointed apices and a robust ventral spine and the inferior sloping and
tapering ventrally and rather longer than the superior.
Wings distinctly tinted, especially along the costa and apices ; stigma
crimson, the hinder border paler.
Female similar to the male, the markings being rather more defined and
very irregular,
6. Caconeura mackivoodi, sp. nov.
1 <S Dyatalawa, 5,000 feet, Ceylon. September 1916.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 877,
Length of hindwing 21 mm. Length of abdomen 32 mm.
Head jet black with a purple sheen.
Prothorax and thorax jet black, the dorsum a deep metallic purple ; on
the sides of thorax, two dirty yellow, narrow lines, starting from the
middle and hind coxse respectively.
Abdomen deep black, no markings.
Anal appendages strongly resembling those of a Disparonewa. The
superior with a robast ventral tooth, the inferior directed ventrally,
apering to the end, somewhat broad at the base and slightly upturned at
he extremities.
Wings: stigma black, stronglj^ braced ; 17 postnodals in the forewing,
15 in the hind, ab fails for a short distance, to meet Cu2b in all four wings,
Cu2 less than half the wing length.
1 took this solitary specimen in a dark, rocky gorge occupied by a
mountain torrent and only secured it after a rather perilous climb, which
1 should not have attempted unless T had previously spotted the insect
from above with field-glasses. I find this instrument as valuable to the
odontologist as to the hunter after more noble game, both for the purposes
of detection and observation.
7. Caconeura canningi, sp. nov.
1 S Coonoor, 0,000 feet, Nilgiri Hills, May 1917.
Length of hindwing 20 mm. Length of abdomen 32 mm.
Head velvety black, no markings.
Prothorax black, no markings.
Thorax black with a posthumeral, yellow line on each side and an
incomplete, similar coloured line starting from the hind coxa and not
reaching the metepemiron. Ventral surface pruinose. Legs black.
Abdomen black. Minute white lunules at the basal ends of segments
3 to 6 ; a fine, white, dorsal line on the 2nd segment ; a similar coloured
ring to the first segment and obscure lateral spots on the distal third of
segments 3 to 7.
Anal apendages very similar to the last.
Wings: stigma black, covering not quite, I cell, its costal s de longe
than the posterior, postnodals 16 in the forewing, 13 in the hind, only a
vestige of «6 present, almost absent in the hind wings, Cuo not half the
wing length.
Subfamily Agrionin^.
8. Enallagma assamica, sp. nov.
Several <S <S and § $ . Shillong, Assam, T. Bainbrigge Fletcher. 26th
October 1918.
Length of hindwing 17 mm. Length of abdomen 24 mm.
Head : eyes bottle green at the sides, paler beneath, black above ; post-
ocular spots blue and joined across the occiput by a line of the same
colour ; labrum pale blue, black at the base ; rhinarium blue, with a black
spot above; a pale blue line crossing the frons between the eyes in front of
vesicles.
Prothorax black, the sides pruinose.
Thorax black on the dorsum, pruinose on the sides, marked with fine,
blue, humeral lines. Legs whitish, the femora streaked with black on
the extensor surfaces.
Abdomen very attenuated as far as the 7th segment and then expanding
gradually to the 10th Pale greenish-blue except segments 8 and 9 which
are a deep sky-blue with no markings, the row of spines on the proximal
border of these two segments being blue also ; broad, dorsal, black markings
on all segments except 8 and 9, the markings expanding proximally on each
878 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, V0I. XXVI
segment and tapering very slightly apically. Black annules at the junctions
of each segment, connected with the dorsal black markings. Usually pale
blue annules at the proximal borders of segments 1 and 2.
Anal appendages nearly as long as the 10th segment, concave internally,
bifid at the end very much as in P. decorum. The inferior small and
whitish.
Female somewhat similar to the male but paler in colour. The black
markings slightly more extensive and involving the dorsal surfaces of
segments 8 and 9 also, 10th segment pale blue instead of black as in the
male. Ground colour more green than blue and the sides of thorax not
pruinose. The black on the upper surface of the eyes is sharply limited
and the sides and under surface are a paler green. There is also a pale
brown, equatorial line running through the pale area.
The legs yellowish at their bases.
Wings : stigma dark brown, unicolourous ; ab commences at the level
of ac as in true Pseudagrion and the female has a ventral spine on the 8th
segment.
F. C. FRASER, Major, i.m.s.
Bombay.
No. XLI.— ANTS ATTACKING BEES.
I am not a member of your Society ; though I have often thought I
should like to be, but venture to write and inquire as to whether an attack by
red ants (Burmese Kagyin, I don't know their scientific name) on bees has
ever been recorded ? There are numerous colonies of these red ants round our
house here. They have their nests in almost every tree. Yesterday, on
my return from office, my wife mentioned that a column of red ants had
come into the house and was disappearing through the bed room window
in the direction of a bee hive, which has recently been established under
the eaves, and wo wondered seriously as to whether the ants were after
honey. At night when we went to bed we heard an excited buzzing from
the hive which astonished us, at such a time of night (10 p.m.). We inves-
tigated with electric torches and found a dense double column carrying
dead adult bees. When we woke in the morning the buzzing was still
going oil, but there was a small volume of it. On investigating again we
found the grewsome procession of corpses was still pouring down the
window still and out unto the wall outside, bees were buzzing about while
a number were hanging to the window curtains as if exhausted. These
were being hunted up by the ants and we noticed that whenever a bee
still ou the wing approached the marching column the ants did their best
to get hold of it while every now and then when a bee flew within reach it
was seized and appeared to be instantly killed. Eventually a servant
knocked down the hive and in a short while the remnant of the bees flew
away and are now clustered on a croton column in the garden. I believe if
the hive had not been knocked down every bee would have been killed.
What astonished us was that the bees appeared to be able to put up no
sort of fight. I noticed one or two dead ants being carried which looked
as if perhaps a bee sometimes was able to make use of its sting. The ants
are of the variety, about ^ " long, which cocks its *' tail " and makes war
ike demonstration when you put your fingnre near it. They are fond of
crowding into a garden gate awaiting nervous people about to open it.
A. G. H. BREITHAUPT.
Sandoway, Arakan Coast,
lUh March 1919.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 879
No. XLIl.— HABITS OF EARTHWORMS.
At Naini Tal on 5th June 1917 while coming up along the Khairna road
after a heavy shower of rain 1 found, all the way up to the top of St. Loo
gorge, the whole ground strewn with quantities of worms all migrating up
hill. They were coming from the lower side of the pathway and making their
way up hill. All stretched out at full length they looked in places like a
lot of scattered " spillikins." A week later I was coming up the same
way — also after recent heavy rain— and the worms were still on the move.
I watched some even climbing up the tree trunks which were often quite
perpendicular. Their efforts to get up the steep bank on the upper side
of the path often resulted in their tumbling down again. In the sunshine
they showed in some lights a beautiful purplish colouring. I presume these
worms thought it time to move higher up for fear of being flooded out.
G. O. ALLEN, I c.s.
Dehra Dun, 9th March 1919.
880
REVIEW.
A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS.*
This Handbook, Part I of which has just been received is edited by
Mr. H. F. Witherby assisted by other authors in the various sections,
whose names should guarantee that the handbook will have as claimed,
easily accessible and reliable information concerning all British birds
dealt with in a scientific manner, yet capable of being understood by
beginners.
'J'he first part was printed before the war but was held up and addenda
have had to be added on the cover. The Introduction explains concisely
the scope of the work a;nd a glossary of terms, some diagrams showing
various external parts of birds and how to measure are added. We then pass
on to a Key of Orders, profusely illustrated by diagrams to show the distinc-
tions followed by a Key to the families of Passeres and a key to the Genera
of the CorvidEB. It is explained in the introduction that these keys are not
intended to be used as means of identification, but only as guides, and must
be used in conjunction with descriptions. The rest of the part is taken up
with the Crows, Starlings, Oriole and some of the Finches, a key to the
Genera Fingillidae being given ; under each species is given the English and
binomial Latin names, the trinomial name being given if the species has
been divided into subspecies.
For the benefit of Indian readers it is necessary to explain something
about the nomenclature. In 1912 " A Handlist of British Birds " was
written by some of the authors of this present work. The nomenclature
there adopted was based upon the tenth edition of Linnaeus (1758) and was
in conformity with the " International Rules of Zoological Nomenclature"
and the " opinions " of the Commission. This list altered many of the
names which had been in use in England and elsewhere for long past,
but it was hoped that uniformity in nomenclature would result from adopt-
ino' these " strict priority " names. Since 1912 not a few of these names
even have been altered again for one reason or another, and some
have had to be even altered back to the names originally largely
in vise, e.c/., Podiceps vice Colymhus for Grebes and Colymbus vice
Oavia for the Divers — on this ' Handlist ' the nomenclature in the hand-
book is based, but revised and brought up to date, but it is too much
to hope that even in the names in the Handbook will be final. By
cfoino- back to Linnseus Ed. X as a basis theoretically we should obtain
uniformity but practically uniformity is, we consider, impossible at any
rate for many years to come, even if all were agreed to accept this basis
(and some people and countries do not), for instance, great diversity of
opinion exists over Genera while the acceptance or not of any given
specific name is often not merely question of accepting the oldest name,
but whether that name is applicable and here individual opinion will arise.
Under each species the descriptions of various plumages in detail and
their moults, measurements, structure such as relative length of quills, etc.,
and colour of soft parts are given. The measurements of the wings of
male and female are given, but as a rule only the measurements of the bill
of the male which seems rather a pity ; for instance, in the case of the two
Nutcrackers (which only difler in tiaeir bills) the measurements of the male
■•' A Practical Handbook of British Birds, edited by H. F. Witherby, M.B.E., P z.s..,
M.B.O.U. Authors of the various sections : Ernst Hartert, Ph. D., M B.o.u., Annie C,
Jackson, h.m.b.o-U., Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain, M.A., M. B.o.u., C Oldham, F.z.s.,
M.B.O.U., Norman F. Ticehurst, M-A., f.r.cs., m.b.o.u. and the Editor. Witherby
&Co., London, in 18 parts, price Is', per part.
REVIEW. 881
and female is given for one one, but only of the male of the other. We are
glad to see it noted under each species how the measurements of the bill are
taken, an essential point omitted in most books. Characters and allied
forms are then enumerated very briefly, noting some of the other species
and subspecies which are nearly related, how they difler and where they are
found. Field characters showing the distinctive points to look for in
the field are, we think, as innovation so far as British birds are concerned,
and a very excellent one, well done, and close and original observation
is evident in these paragraphs. Breeding habits then follows with a
short description of eggs, etc., measurements, months of laying whilst
the number of brood incubation and fledging periods are added where
known. We might suggest that as the measurements of in some cases
100 eggs has been accomplished the extremes of size might have been given
as well as the average. Food is next dealt with and these paragraphs
contain some useful information ; distribution at home and abroad and
migrations finish the account, these being concisely and accurately done.
The beginner must be careful to remember that the keys are to be used
as guides and not for ultimate diagnosis for which he must refer to the
descriptions, otherwise he will find that if he has say Whiskered Tern
before him, the key of the orders will guide him to the Limicolca instead
of the Lari ; or if he is endeavouring to place a Eosy Pastor in its right
genus, according to the key of genera he will be guided to the BomhycilUdoi.
These mistakes in the keys together with confounding thigh with tibia
on p. 3 we think might easily have been avoided otherwise the keys seem
sound and no doubt will be very useful. We do not seem to have heard
before that the Raven is an autumn to spring immigrant in Scotland and
we wonder on what records this statement is based ; nor can we
credit that the Hooded crow ever arrives in the Eastern countries as earlj^
as August 5th such records doubtless being referable to occasional birds
which have passed the summer there.
The present part contains, besides numerous black and white diagrams,
a coloured plate of the juvenile plumages of some of the Finches, suffi-
ciently good for recognition and colored plates are promised for juve-
niles of all British breeding species (where different to adult). This will
supply a long felt want. We do not see any mention of the artists name.
The handbook is well printed on good paper and remarkably free from
misprints (though there seems to be one somewhere on p. 27, line 31, as we
can make no sense of the sentence). The information is sound, concise and
up to date simply but scientifically put and if the other parts are equally
good (and we are sure they will be) the work will be a most valuable book
of reference to the ornithologist and beginner alike.
23
882
PROCEEDINGS
OF A MEETING HELD ON 1st JULY 1919.
A meeting of members of the Bombay Natural History Society, and their
friends, took place on Tuesday, the 1st July 1919, Mr. John Wallace pre-
siding. The election of the following 24 new members since the last
meeting was announced : —
The Honorary Secretary, Victoria Memorial Park, Rangoon ; the l»ev.
R. D. Acland, Sonai ; the Secretary, Municipal Committee, Peshawar ; Mr.
S. L. Ajrekar, Poona ; Mr. R. Du B. Evans, Baghdad , Dr. 0. E. Forsyth,
Borjuli, P. O. ; Mr. F. Rutz, Karachi ; Mr. V. P. Vaidya, Bombay ; Dr.
F. W. O'Connor, Cachar ; Mr. D. Keiller, Muktesar ; Mr. G. P. Goffi, Muk-
tesar; Mr. J. A. Hearsey, Muktesar; Major C. P. Hill, Rangoon; Mr.
L. A. Lampard, Quilon ; Mr. L. M. Parlett, Coonoor; Mr. R. 0. Morris,
Attika, P. O. ; Mr. R. Barton Johnstone, Mussoorie ; Miss E. E. Smellie,
Indore ; Mr. G. W. B. Goodfellow, Ceylon ; Prince A. R. Effendi, Rawal-
pindi ; Mr. P. R. C. Williamson, Trichinopoly; Major C. B.Conaghy, I.M.S.,
Sehore ; Mr. G. C. Stephenson, Europe.
The following contributions to the Museum were received since the last
meeting :—
Contribution.
Locality.
Donor.
2 Gibbons {Hylobates sp.), 1
Crab-eating Mungoose
{H. urva), 1 Small Indian
Civet {V. malaccensis), I
Golden Cat (F. temmin-
cki), 1 Leopard Cat {F.
bengalensis), 1 Tiger Civet
(P. pardicolor), 2 Striped- V
necked Weasels {M. stri-
gidorsa), 1 Flying Squir-
rel (P. sybilla), 2 Small
Flying Squirrels {H. al-
boniger), 1 Short Tailed
Mole {T. micruva), and
11 Snakes.
3 Spiny Mice {Acomys) alive . .
20 Small Mammals
120 Mammals, 27 Birds, 1 ■)
Snake and 18 Insects.. }■
Burma-Y u n n
Frontier.
a n
2 Pigmy Squirrels {Hylopetes \
belone) and 4 Eggs of V
Shikra {A. badius). j
1 Red-bellied
erythraeus),
2 Snakes
Scorpion. '
2 Palm Squirrels {F. palmarum)
Squirrel ( C. )
4 Bird Skins, '
and 1 Whipf
P. M. Leonard.
Bushire . .
Mesopotamia
Shiraz
San do way
Garo Hills
Madras . .
Capt. T. M. Lyle.
Capt. C. Hobkirk.
Lt.-Col. Hotson.
F. C. Purkis.
A. B. de Castro.
Madras Museum.
PROCEEDIXGS.
883
Contribution.
Locality.
Donor.
3 Jungle Squirrels {F. tris
tviatus) .
S Palm Squirrels {F. jjalma-
rum) . I
3 Dusky Striped Squirrels
{F. sublineatus). j
1 Striped Squirrel (F. pennanti),
2 Striped Squirrels (F. ijen-
nanti).
1 Hare (Z, nigricollis) and a
Snake {S. brevis).
1 Female Mysore Slender
Loris (i. lydeckerianus)
withitwo young-alive.
3 Gerbiles {Gerbillus sp.), 3 ^
Rats {Rattus sp.) and 39 y
Bird Skins. j
1 Avocet Sandpiper (7". trekia)
]
1 Eagle Owl (Bubo sp. ?)
6 Sea snakes
54 Butterflies, 1 Spiney Lizard )
(U. loricatus), 1 Javelin >
Sandboa (i'. jaculus),&Q,)
5 Birds' Eggs
27 Butterflies ..
1 Krait [B. cceruleus) and 1
Wolf Snake (i. aulicus)
1 Burrowing Snake {Glau-
coma sp.)
Coral-bellied Cut-tail (7". gun-']
theri) and Ring-tailed Rat f
Snake (C cantoris) J
1 Snake {Calamaria pavimen- "1
tata) and 1 Pit Viper }■
(i. gramineics). J
Snakes, a few Spiders and
Scorpions.
1 Brown Tree Snake {D.
triffonata).
54 Mammal Skins and 13 Birds,
34 Butterflies
1 Flying Lemur (Cf. penninsu- ']
Lee), 1 Pigmy Squirrel j. Tavoy
{H. belone) j
Trivandrum
Nagpur
Punjab
Karwar
Mysore ..
Mesopotamia
Karachi . .
Mesopotamia
Siam
Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia
Belgaum . .
. Trivandrum Museum.
E. A. D'Abreu.
H. Whistler.
T. R. Bell.
Lt.-Col. F. Wall.
I 'sir P. Z. Cox, and
I jMaj. R.E.Cheesman.
. . Icapt. C. B. Tice-
( hurst.
..!Maj. F. P. Connor.
. . |Mr. Malcolm Smith.
. . 'Lt.-Col. H. Peile.
Lt. S. G. Adams.
JMaj. C. W. Watney.
Rev. F. F. Harvey.
Mesopotamia . . Maj. F. E. Venning.
Lebong .
Garo Hills
Muscat . .
Mysore . .
E. Khandesh
Massoorie
E. C. Linton.
Mrs. Jackson.
Maj. S. K. Gharpury.
Van Ligan.
G. Monteath.
G. O. Allen.
J. C. Hopwood.
Minor contributions from : — Curator, Trichur Museum, Lieut. -Col. E. J.
Gregson, R. S. Maj., A. J. Lodge, A. G. Braithaupt, J. Harrison, Maj. F.
C. Eraser, H. F. Lodge, and Maj .-Gen. A. Skeeu.
Mr. Kinnear read a paper on " The former distribution of the Lion in
Mesopotamia and India.''
^^
JouRN. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
VITTY He SEAEIORNE. LONDON.
TRAGOPAN BLYTHl BLYTHl.
The Grey-Beilied Horned Pheasant.
( J Natural Size.)
JOURNAL
OF THE
Bombay Natural History Society.
Jan. 1920. Vol. XXVI. No. 4
THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON.
BY
E. C. Stuart Bakek, F.L.S., F.Z.S., ^F.B.O.U.
Part XXVIII.
With a Coloured Pleite.
(^Continued from jxir/e 715 of Volume XXV T.)
Tragopa:s melanocephalus.
The Western Tr ago pan.
Phasianus melanocepkalmi, — Gray in Griffiths' ed. Cuv. iii. p. :?9 (18:29)
(Almorah).
Satyra 77ielanoc^'ph(>Ia,— Gray, 111. Ind. Zool. 1, pis. 46, 48 (1830-3L').
Trar/opcm hastinffsi, — Vigors, P.Z.S. (1830) p. 8 ; Gould, Cent. B.
Himai. pis. 63, 64, 65 (183i') ; Jardines, Nat. Libr. Orn. iv, p. 224, pis. xxv.,
XXVI. (1834); Hntton, J.A.S.B.. xvii. pi. 2, p. 695 (1848); Fitz. Atl. Nat.
Vog., fig. 232 (1864).
Ceriornis melanocephala, — Gray, Gen. B. iii, p. 499 (1845^ ; id. Cat. Hodgs.
Coll. Mamm. and Birds ed. 1, p. 125 (1846) ; Blyth, Cat. Mus. Ass. Soc.
p. 240 (1849) ; Gould, B. Asia, vii. pi. 45 (1855) ; Adams, P.Z.S. 1858, p.
498 (N.W. Himalaya) ; id. P.Z.S. 1859, p. 185 (Pimjab Range) ; Jerdon, B.
Ind. iii, p. 517 (1803) ; Sclater, List of Phas. p. 10, pi. 10 (1863), (N.-W. of
Simla and S. Cashmere) ; Pelzeln, Ibis. (1868), p. 320 (Koteghur) ; Stolizka
J.A.S.B., xxxvii. p. 67 (1868), (N. W. Himalaya) ; Beavan, Ibis, 1868, p. 380
(Simla); Sclater, P.Z.S., 1870, p. 164; Elliot, Monog. Phas. 1. pi.
23 (1872) ; Hume's Nests and Eggs Ind. B., p. 522 (1873) ; Brooks, Str.
Feath. iii. p. 256 (1875), (Mussoorie and Gangotri) ; Marsh, B. Nest. Ind.
p. 59 (1877); Hume and Marshall, Game-B. Ind. 1, p. 143, pi. (1878);
Marshall, Ibis. 1884, p. 422 (Chamba) ; Gates, ed. Hume's Nests and Eggs
iii. p. 410 (1890).
Trayopan melanocephalus, — Ogilvie-Grant, Cat. Birds B. M.. xxii. p. 275
(1893) ; id. Hand-L. Game-B., p. 224 (1895) ; Gates, Hand-L. Game-B. 1,
p. 245 (1898) ; Blanf. Faun. Brit. Ind., iv. p. 101 (1898) ; Gates Cat. Eggs
B. M. 1, p. 51 (1901) ; Ghigi, Rend. An. Bologna (5) x. pp. 403, 404 (1903).
VERNACULAR NAMES.— io\va,r {Garlmali) , Jaghi, Jatjhi {Busahir) -.
Sing-Monal {N.- W. Himalaya) ; Jigurana c^ , Bodal 5 ( Kulu, MamU.
Suket) ; Falgar (^Chumbi).
1
886 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATVRAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Description — Adult Male. — Feathers of head, nape and parts
surrounding bare skin of face and throat, black, the longest crest
feathers tipped crimson ; neck all round below the black, deep
crimson-red ; feathers of fore-neck and upper breast, which are very-
stiff and bristl}^, a gorgeous orange flame colour. Remainder of
upper part and anterior sides of the neck and shoulders greyish
ochre, vermiculated with black in bars, and with white ocelli
surrounded with black. The inter-scapulars next the crimson
neck are often more or less strongly tinged with rufous, and
therefore appear darker and richer than elsewhere. The longest
upper tail-coverts with black tips and large white central patches
edo'ed with rufous. Tail mottled black and ochre, with broad
black terminal bars. ,
Shoulder of wing crimson-red ; wing-coverts like the back, biit
the ocelli larger, and the ochre mottling greater in extent ; prima-
ries and outer secondaries brown with broken ochre bars and
mottling ; innermost secondaries mottled ochre and black with
terminal heart-shaped white ocelli surrounded with olive-rufous and
black, and also with a few olive-rufous, almond-shaped marks
surrounded with black. Under wing- coverts mottled brown and
ochre and marked with crimson. Axillaries deep brown.
Below the throat the under plumage is black, the feathers red at
the base, showing through in patches everywhere, and with bold
white ocelli. The flanks, vent and under tail-coverts are more or
less mottled with ochre and brown.
Colours of Soft Parts — Irides, rich brown or hazel-brown ;
bill, black or blackish brown ; orbital skin, bright red ; horns,
bright pale Prussian blue, sometimes with a tinge of green (" light
blue " Blanf.) ; lappet, bright, fleshy pink, with a deep purple
line down the centre, and with triangular patches of pale blue with
the bases joining on the centre line. The edge of the lappet and
the top next the bare cheeks is also pale bright blue. On the
lowei' part of the cheeks there are greenish blue caruncles, which
show up well when the lappet is extended ; legs and feet fleshy
grey or fleshy red, with a tinge of purple, deeper and redder in
the breeding season than at other times, " pale flesh colour,
approaching to white " (Hume).
Measurements. — "Length, 27 to 29; expanse, 37; wing, 11-25;
tail, 10-5 to 11-0; tarsus, 3; weight, 4-5-lbs." (Hume).
The following comprises the measurements of 30 specimens in
the British Museum, Tring Museum, etc. Wing, 257 to 290 mm.,
average, 274 mm.; tail, 221 to 247 mm., average, 237-5 mm. ;
tarsus, 78 to 97 mm. ; all but one under 85 mm., and averaging
about 81 mm, ; bill at front, 17 to 20 mm.
The weights of freshly-killed wild birds seat to me from
Kashmir were given as 4, 4^ and 4| lbs.
THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA. 887
Adult Female. — Above, pale grey, profusely vermiculated with
black and with black patches on the inner secondaries, scapulars,
and to lesser extent, on the back. The feathers of these parts
have also, here and there, white central streaks or arrow-head
markings. On the head and nape the grey is more rufous in tint,
and the centre of the crown is a darker, blackish bi'own, with the
feathers white centred. Tail vermiculated grey and blackish
with a broad sub-terminal band of black on all but the central
feathers.
Below finall}^ vermiculated grey and dark brown, the feathers of
the chin, throat and sides of the head with pale fulvous centres,
and those of the breast and abdomen with spatulate white centres
bordered by black.
The whole appearance of the bird is grey instead of rufous-
brown, as in satt/ra, but the depth of colour varies considerably ;
in some the black markings on the upper plumage are sufficiently
pronounced to make the general tint a rather rich brown-grey,
whilst in others it is comparatively pale and dull. The under
plumage also varies a good deal, some birds being much
darker than others. A few females have the hind nape sufficiently
rufous to cause this part to contrast faintly with the rest of the
plumage.
Colour of Soft Parts. — As in the male, but the legs without the
reddish tinge at any time of the year.
Measurements. — " Length 24; expanse 32 ; wing 10; tail 9" :
(Hume).
The measurements of 14 females are : wing, 225 to 250 mm.
average, 235 mm,; tail, 178 to 190 mm., one very short tailed bird
having it only 159 mm. average 184*5 mm.; tarsus, 62 to 75
mm. average 70 mm, ; bill at front, 17 to 19 mm.; weight 3 to
31 lbs.
The Young Male is similar to the female in his first plumage,
but the marks below are rounder, more ocelli in shape and less
spatulate.
After the first moult the males assume a blackish crown, the ear-
coverts become blackish with white centres, chin and throat sooty-
black, and the ocelli appear on the upper plumage here and there
and below the white black-edged ocelli are numerous, one or two
almost wholly black feathers showing on the heart and flanks.
A certain amount of red is always assumed at this moult, in
some specimens practically the whole neck, fore neck and extreme
upper breast becomes a deep crimson brick-red, M^hilst in others
this colour is confined to the nape and upper breast.
Distribution. — Apparently the Ganges forms the actual dividing
line between this species and the last, but there seems to be a
considerable area East and West of this river in which neither is
888 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
to be found. From the West bank of the Bhagirathi River they
extend North and West through Kashmir to Hazara. From the
latter country a friend writes :
"Hume was quite right in saying that the Tragopan
occurs here, but they are very rare or else ver}^ hard to
get at, for I have only seen and shot one, a gorgeous male
sunning himself on a high rock, and which I potted without
compunction."
Nidification. — The first, and for many years the onl}^, recorded
account of this bird's nesting is that of Capt. Lautour, as quoted
by Hume ; —
"I was shooting on a range of hills from 8,000 to 11,000
feet high. The Argus in parts very plentiful, the hills covered
with pine-forests, and the Argus I used to find about one-
fourth of the height of the hills from the top, and they appear-
ed to affect the vicinity and edges of snow nullahs and land-
slips, where there was a fair quantity of undergrowth, and
where there were plent)^ of rocks.
" At the time of finding the nest, I was on the look-out
for Pheasants, but the ground being rather stiff, I had just
given up my gun to the shikari, when the bird got up almost at
my feet. I was going through a pine-forest, and had reached
a place where an avalanche or landslip had carried Q,wa,y all the
pine-trees, and in their place small bushes and shrubs, resem-
bling the hazel, had sprung up. The nest was on the ground,
and was very roughly formed of grass, small sticks and a few
feathers ; it was very carelessly built."
The next nest about which I have any definite des^.ription was
taken by Mr. F. L. Hughes on the 3rd of June, 1908, West of
the Makhan Nallah, Ghamba. He writes me : —
" I do not know exactly what the elevation was, but I
should say just about i:>,000 feet. The nest was placed on a
slanting tree, about 10 feet from the ground, in a hollow,
where a large branch had been torn off by some storm. It
was about a foot in diameter and was composed of a few
sticks and grass, the lining^ being entirel}^ of this material,
and contained three eggs, just showing faint signs of incu-
bation. The tree on which the nest was placed was a wild
cherry, and was on a steep khud, about 100 feet or so above
a stream. The slope was well wooded with the ordinary local
trees, chestnut, wild cherrjr, etc. There was not much under-
growth what there was consisting of elder, as far as I can
remember.
" The bird was very shy, and never gave us more than a
glimpse, gliding off the nest long before we coiild get close
up to it, however quietly we approached."
THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA. 889
In 1910 the nest was again found by Mr. S. L. Whymper on
the 6th June. In a letter he says :
" The on]_y nest I ever siw of the Tragopan, presumably
'luelanocephalus, \yas in theNila Valley, West of the Bhagirathi
in Garhwal. The birds were still about the nest, but this
had been plundered by some vermin and deserted ; it was
quite a respectable loose stick nest with a little grass lining,
which had been much disturbed by the plunderer. It was placed
under the protection of a small bush growing in an open glade
in very dense Ringal Jungle on a steep and rocky hillside.
" The fragments of eggs, in one case practicallj' half an
egg, scattered round the nest agree fairly well with Hume's
description."
Finall}', Beebe found a nest in Native Garhwal which also was
built on a ti'ee, but unfortunately he omits to state at what height
from the ground. In this case the nest was evidently that of
some other bird, probably a crow of some kind, according to
Beebe, but had been relined and renovated by the Tragopans. It
was a big bulky affair, but well concealed in a tree with dense
foliage and many creepers. ' The nest itself was formed ot sticks
and grass, evidently placed in position early that year, and was
lined again by the Tragopan with fresh twigs, oak leaves and grass.
Two eggs sent me from Pir Panjab, Kashmir, taken in June,
1901, are said to have been taken from a stick nest in a tree.
The eggs differ from the those of Tragopan satyra in being much
paler and much less round in shape ; they also average a good
deal bigger. The four eggs in the British Museum collection
taken hj Capt. Lautour, and a fifth from the same clutch in my
own collection and the eggs taken by Mr. Hughes are all a very
pale stone-buff, freckled and mottled all over with a dirty -pale grey
or lilac-brown, making the eggs look very dull. The t\\o eggs
taken in Pir Panjab and sent to me are very similar, but have the
freckles and mottlings so pale that unless examined closely, they
are hardh^ noticeable ; and the eggs in the Calcutta Museum from
the same place are much the same. The texture is similar to that
of a hen's egg, but without any gloss whatsoever, and decidedly
more fragile. In shape they are long ovals, in all but one speci-
men distinctly pointed at the smaller end.
The breeding season commences, judging from the scanty infor-
mation available, in the middle of May, and extends to the end of
June. Beebe, who omits dates in so many notes in his valuable
work, does not say when he found his nest, but judging from the
context which gives the names of other birds breeding and of
flowers in flower, it was in early May.
This Tragopan is monogamous, like the others of its genus, and
appears to be a good father and husband, assisting to look after
890 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI
the chicks when hatched, and remaining with his familjr until the
following spring. These family parties usually number from 4 to
6, showing that it is unusual for large clutches of eggs to be taken,
and, though one cannot yet state anything definite in this respect,
it will pi'obably be found that 2 to 4 eggs form a normal clutch.
The display of the Western Tragopan is similar to that of the
Crimson Tragopan already described.
General habits. — The Western Tragopan keeps to much the same
altitudes as its more Eastern brothers, i.e., generally between 8,000
and 10,000 feet, wandering up to 12,000 feet in summer and
down to 6,000 feet and even lower in winter. It is still common
in many parts of Kashmir despite what Beebe says to the
contrary, and equally so in many suitable parts of Native Garhwal,
but the bird is so shy and such an inveterate skulker, that it
appears more rare than it really is. The fact also that it selects
for its haunts almost impenetrable forest and undergrowth growing
in the roughest and most broken hills and mountains makes it
difficult to find even when one knows that it is somewhere near,
and even if found, it by no means infers that it must be brought
to bag.
Mr. 0. H. Donald writes to me about this bird and its present
day habitat and habits :
" This Tragopan is to be found pretty well throughout the
Himalayas in suitable localities, from Kashmir to Garhwal,
and is not rare, provided one looks for it in the right place at
the right season of the year, and is willing to undertake
really hard work and hard climbing in pursuit of it.
" I have shot it as low down as 4,000 feet in winter, but I
do not think it often comes much below 6,000 feet. In the
summer the forests of oak, spruce, silver fir, etc., especially
where more or less mixed with ringal bamboo are its favourite
haunts, and it is particularly partial to broken and boulder-
strewn country. In winter when it is driven low down by
heavy snow, it affects the boulder-strewn forests more than
ever. Higher up, the stunted rhododendron and birches
which form a dense low scrub on the edge of the Alpine
pastures are also much affected by this bird in the early
autumn, though they seem to wander into the open parts
ver}^ rarely, if at all.
" Their flight is unmistakable, and a Tragopan rising
suddenly, even though invisible, cannot be mistaken for
anything else from the terrific deep whirr its wings make.
" It, however, nearly always prefers running to flying, and
when disturbed, will race up a hillside, giving vent to a
plaintive, single note, call. A dog approaching one from
below Mall almost invariably have the effect of sending it up
THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA. 891
into a tree, where it will sit very close, in amongst the thicker
leaves and branches, and may or may not utter its call.
Flying from its perch when the sportsman gets closer than
it thinks safe, the Tragopan gives an exceedingly difficult
shot as, like the Koklas, it goes off with its nsnal loud whirr,
and seems to acquire tremendous pace almost from the
moment it leaves the tree. As a matter of fact, I do not think
it can really be anything like as fast as the Koklas on the wing
in spite of its appearance to the contrary, as I have seen one
easily overhauled by a Golden Eagle {A. chrysaeius), whereas
a Koklas can as easily out-pace the latter, for thoiigh I have
seen many a long chase of these Pheasants by Golden Eagles,
I have never seen one caught, and so long as it can take
retuge in foi*est countr}^, it is safe.
" The Hen Bird is much more prone than the Cock Bird to
sit close when taking refuge in a tree on being flushed, and
the}^ are very difficult to see when thus hiding, I have spent
as much as ten minutes looking for one in amongst the dense
foliage, and finally have had to dislodge her with stones, and
even then she only took to wang after some dozens had been
thrown, and one had nearly hit her.
" The Tragopan is very seldom found in open country and
I have not even seen them come out into the open glades in
the forest so beloved by the Monal and Koklas.
" The call when disturbed sounds something like wank,
wank, wank, uttered at intervals of a second or so.
" As a table delicacy the young bird is hard to beat, and
the Tragopan, take him all round, is as handsome as he is
sporting, and as sporting as he is good to eat."
They are mainly, but not entirely, vegetable eaters. Principally
they live on roots, buds and shoots, and dig deep and wide for the
first named, and for bulbs, etc. They sometimes, at all events, eat
grubs, beetles and similar food, but there are very few actual records
of anything but vegetadan food having been found in their
stomachs.
Their call has been described to me as a cross between the
" honk " of a wild goose and the " mi-ao " of a peacock. This is
exactly how I have myself described the trumpet challenge ofBlyth's
Tragopan, which is a ve.y fine ringing cry which carries far, even
in very dense forest.
Tragopan blythi.
The Grey-Bellied Hor7ied Pheasant.
Ceriornis temmincki. — Jerd. (nee Gray), Ibis, 1870, p. 147 (Upper Assam) ;
Newton, Ibis, 1870, p. 520.
Ceriornis hlythi. — Jerdon, Pr. As. Soc. Bengal, 1870, p. 60 ( Assam ),
Sclater, P.Z.S. 1870, pp. 163, 219, pi. 15 ; id. Ibis, 1870, p. 520 ; Gould
892 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX Tl
B. Asia. vii. pi. 47 ( 1872 ) ; Elliot, Monog. Phas. 1, pi. 26 ( 1872 ) ; Godwin
Austen, P.Z.iS., 1872, p. 496 ( Naga Hills); id. J.A.S.B., XI iii. pt.
2, p. 172 ; Hume, Str. Feath., vii. p. 472 ( 1878 ), ( Descr. of adult and
juv. ); Hume and Marsh., Game-B. Ind. 1, p. 151, pi. ( 1878 ); Godwin-
Austen, Ibis, 1878, p. 206 ( Mozemah); id. P.Z.S. 1879, p. 457, pi. xxxix. ;
Cran, Str. Feath. x. p. 524 ( 1883); Sclater, P.Z.S. , 1884, p. 477 ; Hume;
Str. Feath xi. p. 301 ( 1888 ), ( N. E. Manipur).
Tmgopan */y^/?/. — Ogilvie-Grant, Cat. Birds B. M., xxii. p. 276 (1893); id.
Hand.-l Game-B. 1, p. 228 ( 1895); Gates, Man. Game-B 1, p. 254 ( 1898 );
Blanf., Faun. Brit. Ind., iv. p. 102 ( 1898 ); Stuart Baker, J. Bomb. N. H.
Soc. xii. p. 487 (1899); (North Cachar); Ghigi, Rend. Ace. Bologna (5)
X. pp. 403, 404 (1903); Beebe, Zoologica, i. No. 15, p. 270 (1914); id.
Pheasants, i. p. 78, 1918 ; Gates, Cat. Birds' Eggs, B. M., iv. pi. v. fig. 5
(1901): Venning, J. Bomb. N. H. Soc. xxi. p. 632 (1912), (Fort White
Chin Hills).
Trmjopun bli/thi bhjthi.— Baker, Bull. B. O. C. xxxv. p. 18, 1914.
VERNACULAR NAMES. — Hur-haria (Assamese and Mildr); Sun-sorai
{ Assmnese ); Gnu { Auffami Naga); Aghah [Sema Naga) ; Aogho [Chang
Naga ) ; Chingtho ( Kuki).
Description — Adult Male. — Forehead, crown, breast, a patch down
either side of the neck and feathers surronndino- the bare facial and
gular skin black ; broad supercilia, nape and occiput, remainder of
neck, extreme upper back, shoulders of wing and upper breast
crimson Indian red, occasionally with a trace of orange. Upper
plumage iDlack, each feather .with numerous semi-concentric bars
of buff, a terminal ocellus of white surrounded with olive-brown and
black, and two sub-terminal ocelli of deep maroon red, surrounded
in the same way as the white. The basal mottlings of black and
buff are almost entirely concealed, so that the upper plumage
appears to be a mass of the w^hite and maroon ocelli. 'J.^he longest
upper tail-coverts are whitish with narrow edges of olive-browai,
next to these are black bars and then still broader ones of red-brown
fading into the white. Tail black, the feathers with irregular
broken bars of rich buff on the basal thirds.
Shoulders of wing crimson-red ; bastard wing light brick-red on
the outer, mottled with black on the inner webs ; wing-coverts
like the back ; primaries and outer secondaries brownish black
with broken buff bars, obsolete on the inner webs of the primaries.
Lower breast and abdomen smoky grey, the centres paler and
showing up fairly distinctl}'" against the rather darker margins.
The flanks and thighs with black and buff mottlings and these parts
with vent, and sometimes the under tail-coverts, are splashed with
crimson-red.
Colours of the soft i^arts. — Iris hazel-brown ; bill dark horny,
commissure and gape paler, and tinged with fleshy ; legs dull
reddish or yellow-brown, becoming brighter and redder in the
breeding season ; horus bright pale Prussian blue, rarely with a
verdigris green tinge ; lappet orange-yellow or yellow, palest and
most yellow on the lower portion, more orange, and also mottled
THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA. 893
with red on the upper part, and on the orbital skin and cheeks ; on
the bottom and also half-way up the sides there is a pale blue edging,
blue ^•eining•s running in from the edge towards the centre.
The colouration of lappets and horns probably differs very greatly
individually, two cock birds which I kept alive lor some time
in a large aviar}^ were quite unlike one another, although brothers.
One had the lappet when fully extended orange almost throughout,
whereas the other bird had it a pale lemon-yellow with a very broad
edging of blue.
" Irides deep brown; orbital skin orange; horns azure ;
lappets brimstone, tinged with blue ; legs and feet light brown,
tinged pink " (Damant).
Measurements. — Wing, 260 to 265 mm.; tail, 180 to 220 mm.;
tarsus, 82 to 94 mm. ; bill about 16 mm. The horns in the
breeding season measure a full inch or 26 mm. , arid the lappet
nearly 3 inches or 75 mm. long, hj about 36 mm. broad.
Hume gives the total length as 21-0 to 23-0 inches ; bill from
gape, 1-3 to 1-4.
Adult Female. — Whole upper plumage black and rufous, the
black being in broad bold bars and patches, the rufous in narrow
bars and minute stippling; in addition nearljr all the feathers have
a Y-shaped or crescentic central mark of biiff, a few feathers having
two such marks and others longitudinal marks of the same colour.
The tail is lighter in general effect, and has the black replaced to a
great extent by rich rufous ; chin and throat white with brown
spots, the former almost immaculate ; whole lower surface and
flanks mottled and stippled with very dark brown, dull rufous and
greyish white, the latter colour forming distinct spots on many of
the feathers ; the centre of the abdomen and vent are more gre3ash
and uniform in colour, the under tail -coverts rather more richly
and deeply coloured.
Colours of soft parts. — Irides pale bluish brown to daik brown ;
the former colour being almost certainly a sign of immaturity ; bill
dark horny, commissure, gape and base of lower mandible paler ;
legs dull fleshy horny, claws darker and browner.
Measurements. — Wing, 230 to 245 mm.; tail, 155 to 180 mm. ;
tarsus, about 70 mm. (68 to 73 mm.); bill front about 14-15 mm.
Yo^tng male.— Ijike the female, changing in the spring to a
plumage half-way between that of the adult male and female.
A fine young male which I had in my aviaries in North Cachar
moulted in April-May into the plumage described below.
Forehead to nape deep glossy black ; lores covered with feathers,
white near the eye, black, edged with reddish next the forehead ;
a broad supercilium from above the eye red ; nape and hind-neck
vermiculated brown and black ; a broad band from behind the eye
and below the supercilium black; ear-coverts dark br( wn with a
9
894 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI,
few white specks ; chin and throat thinly covered with mottled
white and brown feathers ; lower throat and upper breast as in the
adult male ; lower breast and under plumage like that of the female,
but with many feathers having their centres more or less grey ;
the upper plumage is like that of the female, but darker and more
boldly speckled, many of the feathers of the scapulars and inter-
scapulars, having dull chestnut-brown eyes and similar ej'es scattered
here and there over the whole of the upper surface.
Irides dai'k brown ; legs dull reddish, the rudimentary spurs
paler ; gular skin dull orange, showing through the feathers ; round
the lids of the eye livid, and livid fleshy above the eye ; bill horny,
culmen darker, and base and commissure pale and rather fleshy.
Bistrilmtion. — This fine Tragopan is found throughout the hills
South of the Brahmapootra, extending from the Barail Eange in
North Cachar and the Naga Hills Eastwards throughout the
Patkoi Ran2:e into North- West Burma and South-Eastwards
through Manipur into the Chin Hills, where it is comparatively
common in certain suitable places. It is restricted to elevations
between 5,000 feet and 9,000 feet.
The specimen obtained by Dr. Oran from the Dapla Hills was
undou.btedly the Northern race of this species, which probably
connects geographical!}^ with the Southern form somewhere in the
hills to the East of Sadiya, Beebe's distribution map of the
Tragopans does not give this species sufficient range to the North
and East.
NidificaHon. — There is practically nothing on record about the
breeding of this Tragopan beyond what is contained in the notes
furnished by me to Beebe.
The Breeding Season commences in early April and lasts
through May, but probably all chicks have hatched off before June ;
they are thus, as might be expected from the fact of their lower
habitat, earlier breeders than the other Tragopans. The A.ngami
Nagas, who know these birds well, assure me that they always lay
their eggs in nests in trees, stumps, or even dense thick bushes, but
never actually on the ground. Most often the nests are placed at a
height of 6 to 10 feet from the ground, but more rarely as high as
20 or 25 feet. According to most Nagas, the birds build the whole
nest themselves, but one of my informants, shrewder than the rest,
said that the birds usurped other birds' nests and then finished
them off according to their own taste with additional sticks, twigs,
leaves and grass. This man also told me that he had taken a nest
which was merely a platform of sticks and twigs placed on the top
of a mass of leaves and vegetable rubbish collected in the creepers
covering an old tree.
Certainly my own birds in captivity made determined efforts to
lay their eggs on their perches in the aviaries, a feat of balancing
THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA. 895
qxiite bejT-ond their powers. The first egg laid was found by me in
a pail of water M/ifZer a perch, though unfortunately this fact taught
me nothing ; when, however, two more were found, smashed,
directly underneath the same perch, light dawned on me, and I
fixed up a suitable box on the perch which was at once adopted by
the Tragopan, and the fourth Qgg diily deposited therein. An-
other egg was laid by another hen in a box fixed about 8 feet from
the ground in the top of the aviary, althoiigh there were other
boxes on the ground, had the birds cared to avail themselves of
them .
The natives 'say they lay from 2 to 5 eggs, generally only 3 or 4,
but that they never succeed in hatching and bringing up more
than two young ones. They also say that the young are quite
capable of getting down from the nest to the ground directly they
are hatched, and that they can fl}^ well within a week.
The cock bird's method of display in a wild state is given further
on in this article, but I had many opportunities of observing partial
displays of my tame birds. The most noticeable thing was the
curious way these Tragopans had — like all the rest of the genus —
of suddenly shaking their heads violently, and at the same time in-
flating horns and wattle, giving the on-looker the impression that
the shake released some automatic spring which released the horns,
&c. This action was sometimes performed by the bird when
perched, in which case he generally erected himself as much as
possible — stood on his toes, more or less, or on the ground when
he crouched low down. In either case the action was often accom-
panied by a shivering of the wings, and sometimes led to a partial
display never completed, as it was always interrupted by some
other male bird interfering. I noticed the cocks in half plumage
began this display at least a dozen times to the older bird's
once.
The only eggs which have been recorded are the three above
referred to, one in the British Museum and one in the Tring
Museum, both the latter also laid in captivity.
In shape four of the eggs are broad ovals very little compressed
at the smaller end, and the fifth, that in the British Museum
Collection, is a rather narrow oval. The five eggs measure,
respectively, 59-7 x 42-6 mm. ; 57-8 x 45-4 mm. ; 58-6 x 43-7
mm. ; 59-0 x 42-8 mm. and 60-9 x 36-6 mm.
The texture is close and smooth, with a very fine, rather soft
grain, but practically no gloss.
The colour is a pale dull buff" obsoletely speckled, and freckled
with chocolate. Both my eggs are much claw-marked and
scratched by the birds in getting in and out of the nest. The
eggs are exactly similar to those of melanocephalus in colour and
texture, and like them much paler than those of satyra.
896 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HLST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
General habits. — This bird lives at an altitiide considerably lower
than that generally affected by this genus ; 9,000 feet forms its
tipper limit ov^er the greater part of the Barail Range, but it dovibt-
less wanders higher in the Eastern Naga Hills, and the higher
peaks of the Patkoi Range. On the other hand, it is constantly
found as low down as 5,000 feet even in summer, and round Fort
White in the Chin Hills is common at this elevation.
As far as I can ascertain, it does not move up and down the hills
in summer and winter, but is more or less resident at the same ele-
vation throughout the 3'ear. This is doubtless due to the fact that
nowhere except in the extreme North-East are the hills it frequents
high enough to come within snow limits.
It is a bird which keeps much to dense forest and prefers such
as has thick undergrowth and is of a broken rocky nature. Over
most of its range it is of a very shy retiring nature, but Venning
records that in the Chin Hills it is so bold and so stupid that an
officer was able to knock one over with a stone after he had had
several shots at it.
The iirst occasion on which I ever saw this grand Game-bird was
described by me in Beebe's " Pheasants ", and so little is known
of it that I venture to quote this again in full : —
" Although common in parts of the Naga Hill's Ranges, at
elevations over 6,000 feet, Blyth's Tragopan is but a rare
straggler into the adjoining ranges of North Oachar, and it
was, therefore, some years after 1 was first posted to that dis-
trict before I came across it in a wild state.
" When at last I did see it, the meeting was most unex-
pected, for at the time I had no idea that this magnificent
pheasant ever wandered so low as 6,000 feet, the elevation at
which I was then camping.
" The country surrounding m}^ camp was of a very broken
and rugged character ; the main range of hills, known as the Barail
Range, running almost due North-East and South-West, and
having on either side two rapidly flowing hill streams, to the
West the Jennam and to the East the Jiri. These streams, though
full of Mahseer, and magnificent from an Isaac-Waltonian point
of view, were too small, except in their lower reaches, during
the cold season, even for the use of dug-outs. In the rains,
on the other hand, they formed mad torrents of muddy water,
hurling themselves from rock to rock in a blinding spray of
yellow foam ; or pouring themselves in a headlong tumult over
broken rapids or actual water-falls. Ear above these streams
which in the distance look like silver ribbons, towered the
crests of Mahadeo, Hengmai, Hungrum, and other mountain
peaks, narrow spurs jutting from their sides and running down
into the valleys beneath. At the feet of these mountains the
THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA. 897
vegetation -was most luxurious and massive; magnificent forest
trees reared their heads a hxmdred feet above the scrub and
jnngle which grew below them, bxit, as one ascended above
4,000 feet, the vegetation began to get more scanty, and from
5,000 feet upwards, stunted oaks seldom more than oO feet
high, formed the principal part of the forest.
" Even here, however, the jungle was most lovely, for every
tree-trunk and ever}^ swaying bough was wreathed with
masses of moss, amongst which nestled orchids of all kinds and
colours. That beautiful scented orchid, the white snowdrop-
like G(Telogt/ne, filled the air with its odour, and on every side
the Dendrohium chri/sotoxam and densijlorum showed their
masses of yellow blossom ao-ainst the vivid gfreen moss. Nor
was the uudergrowth unworthy of the rest of the forest. Here
and there Jasmine flowered and clambered in wild profusion ;
here and there were banks of bracken, looking as if imported
froiu some Welsh mountain-side, and everywhere were glades
of various begonias with their unilti-coloured foliage and
flowers, and ferns of all kinds, from the most delicate trailing
maidenhair to palm fei-ns as tall as the oaks around them.
" High u]^ near the crests of one of these mountains ran a
tiny rill, tinkling and trickling amongst the pebbles of soil laid
bare during lieavy rains, until with many others of its meri-y
brethren it lost its identity in the rivers below.
" At the edge of this little streamlet I lay down amongst
the moss and ferns prepared to watch whatsoever ^aiimal life
might decide to show itself.
" Birds of all kinds were numerous and bold, taking little
notice of the dull clad human watcher. A bevy of Yellow-
throated Minivets flew from tree to tree ; the orange and grey
males constantly uttering their musical notes, as they flitted
along in their follow-my-leader style from one fine field of
insect game to another. A pair of Scaly-breasted Wrens
bustled about over rt fallen log, rather shy at first and resenting
my presence with shrill cries, but soon becoming reconciled,
and once more busy collecting material for their nest, hangin
amongst the moss on a tree near by. Then a flash of trans
parent pink, yellow and gvoy, gliding from one tree-trunk to
another, told me of the flight of one of the tiny flying lizards,
and almost urged me to rise and catch it — if I could — but
laziness triumphed and I remained on my mossy bed. I had
lain there about an hour, and was almost dozing, lulled by the
soft breeze and the hixm of cicadae and grasshoppers, when a
chuckling call and a scratching among the undergrowth across
the stream recalled me to my senses. At first I credited this
call to a Horsfield's Kalij Phe.isnnt. though thppe are rare at
b
898 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL RIST. SOCIUTY, Vol. XXVI-
this elevation, but presently a richly-coloured brown bird
made its way into the open space. This bird, I saw at a
glance, was no hen Kalij, for even at the distance it then was,
I could see, without vising my glasses, that the feathers were
marked with broad striae or bands of colour darker than the
rest. I had, however, never seen a hen Tragopan, and could
not recognise what it was until she was followed by her mate,
and a magnificent male specimen of Blyth's Tragopan, re-
splendent in his crimson glor}^, burst upon nvj view.
•' For a few minutes the two birds, male and female,
scratched about the hillside just like a pair of barn-door fowls,
now and then picking up an insect disturbed from under the
pebbles, or seizing a grasshopper from the scraps of herbage
scattered about over the bare ground. But presently, ceasing
to take any interest in the abundant food all about him, the
cock bird began to attempt to attract the attention of the hen
by all sorts of antics and displays. At first he merely came
up to her and bowed and scraped with his wings slightly
raised, and his purple-blue horns fully dilated and projecting
forward. Then seeing that she took no notice, he depressed
his wings and walked slowly round her, nodding violently
as he walked, and swelling out his throat and breast, the feathers
of which were ruffled and standing almost on end. After a
short time of this ineffectual display, he once more stopped in
front of the hen, and standing still, leaned forward until his
breast almost, or quite, touched the ground ; he then extended
both his wings, so that their upper portions faced the same
way as his head, and stood thu.s for some seconds — a blaze of
deep crimson, with his weirdly shaped horns quivering with
excitement, and his wattle displayed to the fullest possible
extent. Then suddenly his feathers collapsed, his horns nearly
disappeared ; he held himself ei-ect, and once more quietly
commenced to scratch and feed, until he and his mate shortly
disappeared into the adjoining forest.
" As far as I could see, the hen bird took little or no
interest in the display of the male, and continued sei-enely
feeding all the time it was going on, but this was perhaps only
a lady-like way of inducing him to exert himself to the utter-
most. Both birds constantly uttered a soft, chuckling note,
and now and then the cock bird gave a loud qumvk.
" I have had a great many of these birds in confinement,
and found them — once they had settled down — very easy to
keep. They were almost omnivorous in their diet, and would
eat any sort of grain, many kinds of green food, and any
insects, small reptiles, etc., which I could procure for them.
The males were rather quarrelsome, more especially during
THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA. 899
the breedine- season, but thev seldom did one another much
harm, the weaker bird promptly apologising and retiring to a
distant part of the aviar}^ whilst the stronger was quite
content to strut around, and proclaim in loud (juaivks what
he would have done had it ever come to a fight.
" The cocks had a luagnificent loud clanging, almost
trumpet-like call which the}^ uttered only at da^^break during
the breeding season ; it was rather like a mild and musical call
of a Peafowl, but shorter and not neai'ly so harsh.
" The Nagas, especiall}'- the Angamis, are adepts at catching
these Tragopans in nooses, and on one occasion I had no less
than 30 of these beautiful birds brought to me."
Mr. J. P. Mills, of the Indian Civil Service, sends nie the fol-
lowing interesting notes on this Tragopan from Mokokchung in the
Naga Hills : —
" This Tragopan inhabits evergreen forest at about 6,000 feet
and over, going about in the non-breeding season, in small
parties which may number as many as four or five. The call
in unmistakable, sounding something between a bleat and a
loud "mi-a-ou." It runs well but does not readily fly. Its
diet consists largely of flies, small leaves and shoots and one
which I had in captivity could only bo induced to eat mustard
leaves (the stuff" Goorkhas call lai-patta, which I expect you
know). It stands captivity very badly and soon loses condi-
tion, even if it does not die of shock within an hour' or two
of being caught.
" The Sema Nagas call it " ar/hah " and the Chang Nagas
" Aogho " which means "The foolish bird." Certainly, it
seems to act up to its name for the Changs catch it as follows :
A man goes through a likely piece of jungle chopping occasion-
ally at a tree with his dao as he wanders along. If a
Tragopan is anj'-where near it promptly replies to the sound,
for it is their custom to call whenever they hear any unusual
sound. The man the^i chops lumps of bark and wood of the
tree and arranges snares in a circle all round it. Plies
promptly comes in numbers to suck up the fresh sap and the
Tragopans are attracted in trees by the flies, and in attempt-
ing to catch them are themselves caught in the nooses. Tra-
gopans are very conservative in keeping regularly to certain
runs in the forest, and both Semas and Changs take advantage
of this to noose them in the runnings they most frequent."
Tragopan blythi molesworthi.
The Tibetan Trcu/opan.
Tragopan blythi molesworthi — Stuart Baker, Bull. B.O.C., xxxv. p. 18
(1914) (Tibet). Bailey, Journal, B. N. H. Soc, xxiv. p. 76 (1915) (Tse-La
Tawang). Beebe, Pheasants, i. p. 86 (1919).
900 JOUliNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Tragopan blythi — Cran, Str. Feath., x. p. 524.
VERNACULAR NAME—Bo]i (Tibetan).
Description — Adult Male. — Differs from Tragopan bhjthi hhjtlii iii
having the whole upper parts much darker in general tint, the
rufous spots much browner and the buff vermiculations narrower
and less distinct ; the white spots are smaller, though equally
numerous. Below, the red of the breast is confined to a compara-
tively narrow gorget, descending only a short way below the neck
on to the breast, and the whole of the rest of the lower parts are
much paler than in Tragoimn blythi hlythi, the pale centres of the
feathers hardly showing at all in contrast with the surrounding
parts.
Both legs show powerful, but blunt short spurs, about 10 mm.
in length.
Total length about 530 mm.; wing, 250 mm.; tail, 195 mm. ;
tarsus, 76 mm.; middle toe and claw, the same; bill from front
abo-it 19 mm.
Female — Unknown .
Distribution. — The type of this sub-species was obtained by
Capt. Molesworth, after whom it is named, at the Tse-La,
Tawang, Tibet, in the mountains due North of the Dibrugarh
District of Assam, rather further East than the point shown in
Beebe's map of the Tragopan 's distribution.
It is probable that it extends along the mountains at from
6,000 to 10,000 or 12,000 feet, from Bhutan to the Brahmapootra
on the East, forming a Northern race of bli/thi, and divided from
it on the South and East by that river. The bird obtained by
Cran from the Datla Hills and recorded in " Stray Feathers "' must
have been this sub-species, and officers and others of the Mishmi
Expeditions of 1911-12 frequently came across a Tragopan which
must also have been the same.
Nidijication. — Nothing known .
General Habits. — As far as we know at present, the Tibetan
Tragopan inhabits much the same country and forest as its nearest
relations. Molesworth obtained it at about 8,000 feet, and in the
Mishmi Hills it was seen at about 9,000 to 10,000 feet on several
occasions. It is, perhaps, a bird of higher altitudes than the
Grey-bellied Tragopan, for the Abors told me that it never came
below a ridge of hills running well over 7,000 feet, and they said
that Sclater's Monal and this Tragopan inhabited the same
forests and the one came no lower down than the other.
Colonel J. Chatterton came across them more than once, and told
me that though they kept to the thickest undergrowth, and were
very hard to get a glimpse of, they were not shy, but would
continue to feed and scratch about within a few yards of one almost
immediately after they had been first disturbed.
THL GAME BIRDS OF IlSDIA. 901
TkAGOPAN TExMMlNCKI.
Temminclc's Trcujoimn.
Satyra temminckn,—3 . C. Gray, 111. Ind. Zool. i., pi. 50 (1830-32).
Trciffopan temmincki, — Benn. P.Z.S. 1834, p. 33. Ogilvie-Grant, Cat.
Birds B. M., xxii. p. 275 (1893) ; id. Hand-B. Game-B. 1, p. 227 (1895) ;
Gates, Man. Game-B. 1, p. 251 (1898) ; id. Cat. Eggs B. M. 1, p. 51
(1901); Ghigi llend. Ace. Bologna (5), x. pp. 403-404 (1903); St.
Quinten, Aviciilt Mag. new series 1, p. 95 (1903); id. iv. pp. 192, 284 (1906) ;
Baker, J. B. N. H. Soc., xviii. p. 753 (1908) (Sadone Hill Traets, Pansong
Pass), Gates, J. B. H. N. Soc, xix. p. 260 (1909) (Sadone). Ingram,
Nov. Zool., six, p. 270 (1912) (Yunnan). Thayer and Bangs, Mem. Corap.
Zool. Harvard Coll., xl. No. 4, p. 140 (1912); Fangshen, Hupeli and
Washan (W. Szeehuen). Bailey, J. B. N. H. Soc., xxiv. p. 76 (1915)
(S. Tibet).
Cenornis temmincki, — Gray, Gen. B. iii. p. 499 (1845). Blyth, Cat. Mus.
Asiat. Soc. p. 240 (1849); Swinh., P.Z.S. , 1863, p. 307. Sclater, List. Phas.
p. 11, pi. 11. (1863) (China). Gould, B. Asia, vii. pi. 46 (1869). Sclater,
P.Z.S., 1870, p. 164 (N. and E. Szeehuen to C. China). David., N. Arch.
Mus. Bull. vii. p. 11 (1871) (Szeehuen). Swinh., P. Z. S., 1871, p. 399
(W. China). Elliot, Mon. Phas. 1, pi. 24 (1872). David, and Oustal. Ois
Chine, p. 118, pi. 112 (1877) (S. W. China to S. Shensi); Hume. Str. Feath.
viii. p. 201 (1879) (Mishmi Hills). Sclater, P.Z.S., 1879, p, 117, pi. viii.
fig. 3. Seebohm, Ibis, 1891, p. 379 (W. Szeehuen) Gurney. Ibis, 1899,
p. 40. Beebe Pheasants, i. p. 87 (1819).
VERNACULAR NAMES.~Bop. (Tibetan); Oua-Oua-ky ; "^Ko-ky ;
Kiao-ky ; Sin-tsiou-ky ; Tso-che {Chinese).
Bescription — Adult Male. — Forehead, lores, anterior crest, ear-
coverts and sides of head, and feathers surrounding bare gular
skin black. Posterior crest and centre of crown and nape, neck,
extreme tipper back and upper breast deep orange red, changing
into crimson maroon or maroon-red on back, rnmp and upper
shorter tail-coverts. These latter parts with ocelli of pure grey
surrounded with black ; longer tail-coverts dull pale red, the
centres paler and greyish, and the tips darker and more richly
red. All the feathers from upper back to the longest tail-coverts
have the bases mottled blackish brown and buff, showing through
the maroon here and there where the feathers are disarranged.
Tail buff, with broad, deep brown bar at end, and with numerous
narrower bars and mottlings of the same ; a rufous tinge is also
present on the buff in most cases.
Wing-coverts like the back, but with larger ocelli ; edge of wing
and bastard wing light brick-red; quills brown, barred and mottled,
especially on the outer webs with rufous, changing to pale buff on
the secondaries ; on the innermost secondaries there are ocelli,
like those on the wing-coverts, but larger and more ill-defined;
there is also a certain amount of red splashing.
* The translation of tliese names are roughly : Jungle -fowl, Homed-fowl.
starred-fowi. and Long-life-fowl.
3
902 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Below the orange-red of the foreneck changes into Indian red
again paling on the posterior flanks and thighs and under tail-
coverts, whilst the vent and centre of the abdomen is an almost
3^ellowish red. The whole of the "under surface feathers have th^ir
centres grey in clear cut distinct oval markings.
Colours of soft jjarts. — " Mandibles black, pale towards the
tips ; fleshy horns, and facial area blue ; gular lappet deep purplish
blue, with margins and indentations deep salmon ; legs and feet
pink or reddish, deeper in colour at the breeding season. (Beebe).
"The bird had two horns, each about 1^-in. long of a light
peacock blue colour and a pouch under his throat, 3^ to 4 inches
long of the same coloirr, mottled over with reddish yellow spots,
about ^" in diameter." (W. Scott).
ilfeasMremewfe.-- Wing, 225 to 263 mm., average 36 birds, 242
mm. ; tail, 185 to 230, average 215 mm.; tarsus 70 to 80 mm.;
bill from front about 15 to 16 mm.
Beebe gives the tail as averaging 215 mm., and wing 251 mm.
Weight, 31 lbs. (Bailey).
Adult Female. — The females vaiy in general tint, from dark rich
grey-brown to a quite bright rufous-brown, and varj^ in this
respect far more — apparently — than the females of any of the other
Trago]3ans.
The whole of the upper parts are mottled with velvety black and
dull to bright rufous, whilst on the wing-coverts, scapulars and
back there are numerous arrow-shaped marks varjdng from white
or pale grey to bright cream-bufi"; on the necks the palest markings
are obsolete, and on the centre of the crown, which is darker than
elsewhere, these central streaks become longitudinal and spatulate
in shape. The tail is like the back, but the markings form broken
irregular bars.
Below the chin and throat are more or less immaculate and vary
from smoky white to a rather rich buff'; the front and sides of the
neck are buff or rufous, each feather edged with black ; the breast
is much mottled with black or dark brown and fulvous, the feathers
with whitish centres ; towards the abdomen the general colour
becomes paler, and the white central spots purer w^hite and more
definite ; the abdomen, vent, thighs and under tail-coverts are the
same, but with the mottling, finer, paler and duller.
The range of variation in general tone in the lower parts is
quite as great as in the upper, some specimens appearing brown or
grey-brown and others quite a bright ferruginous.
Colours of soft ixi.rts. — Legs dull pale horny-brown or fleshy-
brown ; irides dark brown ; bill dark brown, paler at tip.
Measurements. — Wing, 220 to 230 mm., average 224 mm. ; tail,
180 to 205 mm., average 194 mm. ; tarsus, 65 to 74 mm. ; bill at
front about 14-15 mm.
THE GAME BIRDS 01 INDIA. 903
Tlie Young Male is similar to the female, but according to Beebe,
" very rarel}" do we fmd an individual clad in the full,
dull, female-like plumage, but almost always the head and
neck are far ahead of the body plumage. When this full
immature garb is attained, we find the head and neck to be
clad in didl brown feathers, those of the crown with few or no
markings, while the chin and throat are streaked with white.
By far the more usual plumage of the first year male is a black
crown more or less tinged with brown and dull red. Around
the neck as in melanoceijlialas we find a bright collar, dull
orange-crimson at the back, and usually orange-yellow across
the throat."
The Chich in doivn. — Lores, crown, bright rufous-brown, chang-
ing to darker chestnut-brown on back and tail tuft; circle
round e^'^e, sides of neck and ear- coverts brighter pale fulvous ruf-
ous ; below pale dull fulvous ; wing-coverts like the back, quills
and greater coverts dark brown, mottled and barred with light
rufous and black.
Distribation. — In the extreme West of its range, this form meets
and is found in the same area as Tragopan blythi, overlapping the
triTC hlytJii in the Chin Hills, and the sub-species molesicorthi in
South-Eastern Tibet. Thence it extends through Yunnan and the
Kachin Hills, Sadiya, Mishmi Hills and the Tibetan Mountains
Northwards through Ta-tsien-lu, Szechuan, Shensi, Hupeh, as far
East as the Mountains North-East of Hankow.
The distribution as given by Beebe requires considerable exten-
sion to the North-West, North of the Brahmapootra River.
Major F. M. Bailey records it as common on the Upper Dibang
Valley and the Tsanpo Valley.
Mr. W. Scott was the first person to find this handsome bird
within our limits, obtaining a skin at Sadone. Since then numer-
ous other specimens have been obtained in Yunnan and in the hills
and mountains borderinsj Assam on the North.
Nidification. — There is practicallj^ nothing on record about the
breeding of this bird in a state of nature. There are 6 eggs in the
British Museum from Ta-tsien-lu, said to be a single clutch, though
they look more like two, and any number of eggs laid in captivity.
I have also 3 eggs, a complete clutch, of well-incubated eggs
obtained throirgrh Schluter from some French missionaries taken at
Shensi, Peling Mountain. These were taken on the 23rd May
1891, I am informed, from a stick nest in a fir-tree, but I have
been unable to elicit any further details.
Judging from its breeding in captivity, the season commences
in April, and lasts through May into early June, and the usual
number of eggs laid is 2 or 3, the former more often than the latter.
As with all other birds, a hen may be induced to lay a large
904 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
number of eggs if they are taken away as soon as laid, but this
means nothing.
The breeding area seems to be at an elevation between 7,000 and
10,000 feet, and the type of country much the same as that fre-
quented by other birds of this genus. The period of incubation is
said to be 27 da3^s.
As this is by far the most common of all the Tragopans in capti-
vity, there is a great deal on record about the displays indulged in
by the cock during the breeding season. The many descriptions
are well summarised by Beebe, who ^^'rites :
" As the breeding season approaches and the loud chal-
lenge cries have remained unanswered, the cock commences
actual display. The principal preliminary overtures may be
described as follows : —
1. " A slow stately walk about the female, the wing
toward her lowered and partly spread, the shoulder on the
further side raised, the body being thus flattened, with much
of the upper plumage in view.
2. " A sudden rush with partly spread wings, with or
without the erecting of the horns, or the wattle or both.
3. " In the tout-ensemhle of the climax, the bird sud-
denly ceases its stately gait, the plumage of most of the
lower parts is fluffed out ; the half-spread, drooping wings
move slowly, with wrist edges well out from the body and
tips pressed inwards and downwards ; the head and neck
vibrating spasmodically, until the horns and wattle flash
out to their utmost. This last touch gives to the Tragopan
an indescribable appearance ; from beautiful it becomes
gaudy ; ±rom an excited half-crouching bird it changes
to a grotesque, painted creature, and before one knows
whether to admire or merely marvel, the moment has passed,
the horns and wattle contract, the feathers settle, and after
a moment the Tragopan walks off"."
The eggs are in texture, shape and colour like those of T. blythi,
but are duller, dirtier-looking eggs, paler in the ground coloiir and
more distinctly mottled and blotched or spotted wdth dingy
yellowish brown and dull violet. The number of blotches, &c., vary
considerabl)^, in one thej^ are practically absent, in most rather
numerous, whilst in some the}^ run into one another and cover most
of the egg.
My 3 wild-laid eggs measure 54-1 x 41-4 mm.; 53*6 x 40-8
mm. ; 53-4 x 40-7 mm. respectivel3\
17 eggs in the British and Tiing Museum laid in captivity and
12 others I have been able to examine, measure in length between
50-5 x 40-5 and 57-1 x 41-1 mm., and in breadth between
52-6 x o5-8 and 55-2 x 41-8 mm.
THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA. 90o
Beebe records an ^gg o\\\y 37 mm. in breadth and his other
measurements also fall within the limits given above.
General Habits . — Pere David records that this Tragopan "lives a
solitary life in the vi^ooded mountains, seldom leaving the thick
cover, and feeding on seeds, fruits and leaves. Its cry is very
loud, and most nearly imitated by the syllable oua two or three
times repeated, whence its Chinese name Oua-oua-hj, but it is
also called Ko-ky, or Kiao-ky, meaning Horned-Fowl, and Sin-
tsiou-ky, or Starred-Fowl, on account of the grej'' spots adorning
the plumage. The flesh is said to be capital eating. I am
informed that this bird is not met with under about 10,000 feet
above the sea level."
E, H. Wilson, in his most interesting book, " A Naturalist in
Western China", writes :
" This strikingly handsome bird is fairly common in parts of
Western Hupeh and Western Szechuan, between 4,000 and 9,000
feet altitude, frequenting woods and shrub-clad countr}'. It pre-
fers steep mountain slopes, covered with aborescent vegetation, and
in summer, when the foliage is on the trees, is most diflicult to
find. In winter it may occasionally be surprised, early in the
morning or evening near the margins of cultivation and close to
thick cover. Like all the woodland pheasants, these birds will
only take wing when hard pressed and usually afford only a
chance snapshot. A heavy bird^ the Tragopan flies almost at
the speed of an ordinary pheasant, and always makes straight for
dense brush or timber. The Chinese entrap them alive in the
same way they do the Golden and Amherst Pheasants. They are
esteemed highly as pets, and they sell for from 3 to 5 ounces of
silver each, — a high price in these regions. The markings on the
wattle are supposed to resemble the Chinese character for longe-
vit}'', hence the common name Tso-chi. They are regarded
as birds of good omen, bringing good luck and long life
to their foi'tunate owners. Every year numbers are brought
down to Ichang for sale, where they find ready purchasers.
In the mountains they apparently adapt themselves to captivity
but in the Yangtze Valley proper the climate is too hot for them.
" The short tail and heavy body make the birds appear heavy
in flight, and shooting them would be moderately easy did one but
get fair chances. The Tragopan is a good table bird, but to
shoot them for this purpose alone would be gross scandalism.
They feed on grain and berries, and are especially fond of the fruits
of the Cotoneaster and allied shrubs, and of maize. South of
Ichangf this bird is much rarer than in the mountains North-
West of this town, and in Western Szechuan. "
In Yunnan Beebe found them in what he calls most uninter-
esting country, the forest being stunted Rhododendron mixed with
bamboo stubble.
906 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
The crop of a bird examined by him was full of vegetable matter —
apparently shoots and biads — and insects, amongst which latter two
spiders were recognisable.
Tragopan caboti.
Cabot's Trarjopo.n.
Ceriorms caboti. — Gould, P.Z.S., 1857, p. 161 (China) ; id. Birds As,
ii-vii. p. 48 (1858) ; Swinh., P.Z.S., 1863, p. 307; Sclat., List, of Phas., p. 11.
(1863) (? China); Swinh., Ibis, 1865, p. 350 (Hills of Quang-si ?) ; Sclat
P.Z.S., 1870, p. 164; Swinh., P.Z.S., 1871, p. 399 ; Salvad., P.Z.S. 1871,
p. 695 ; ElHot, Mon. Phas. 1 pi. 25 (1872) ; David and Oustal. Ois. Chine,
p. 419, pi. iii., 1877 (Mts. between Eokien and Kiang-si) ; Rickett and La
Touche, Ibis, 1898, p. 333 (Fohkien) ; La Touche,Ibis, 1899, p. 49 (Fohkien) ;
Ptickett, Ibis, 1900, p. 59 (Fohkien) ; La Touche and Rickett, Ibis, 1905
p. 58 (Fohkien) ; Touche, Ibis, 1913, p. 281 (Description of Nestling).
Ceriornis modestus. — David, M.S., David and Oustal., Ois. Ohme, p. 419
(1877).
Tragopan caboti.— OgiWie-Gr&ni, Cat. Birds B.M. ii.-xxii. p. 277 (1893)
id. Hand-B Game-B. 1, p. 229 (1895) ; La Touche, Ibis, 1900, pp. 29-30
(Eggs described and colours of soft parts of male and female) ; St. Quintin,
Avicult. Mag. new series 1, p. 95 (1903) (Incubation in captivity) ; Ghigi,
Rend. Ace. Bologna (5) x. p. 402. tav. ii. (1903) ; Beebe, Pheasants, i. p. 99
(1919).
VERNACULAR NuiME—l^n-shovi-chi {Chines^.
(To he continued.)
SCIENTIFIC KESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY.
No. XVIII — [continued).
Reports on the House Rats of Iis'dia, Burma, and Ceylon.
BY
Martin A. C. Hinton.
Part IV.
(Continued from page 725 of this Volume.)
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY
907
J
1
8
g
en
S
o
CO
o
r^',71
1.-3 ^ lO
t^ -^ CO CO
CO lO -* CI
-^ CO CO eo
CO C5 C-l O
O Ci 00 o
CO CO rH
lO -f C-1 lO
rH rH rH rH
O CO o -^^
-* o o» t-
CI CO -# o
|2
C5
o
CO
P*J
05 GO lO <H
CO >o i> >o
CO CO o -^
CO TiH lO 35
CO (M 00 (M
-t 1^ t- L'i
CO CO 1— 1
O CO rH -i+l
rH rH rH rH
CO O C3 CO
1 — 1 rH
CO O 05 CO
cq
cq CO CO CO
JO
g in
12
o
a
t- 1-H 05 Ci
00 <M <M t>
r-H -^iH CO CI
CD (M ^
-t< rH O t-
Cl y-*
O CO (M l>
Cl CO -* CO
CO o t^ uo
CO CO -H
>0 -* <M Ti<
r-^ i—\ 1—i ^H
05 CO 05 -H
^^ 1 — 1
O
a
lO <M 05
lO «3 00 lO
CO CO rH
00 o
lb ■* M th
^^ ^^ f-^ t—i
cq f-H tJ) »c
Ci CO CJ 00
rH I — 1
eq lO rH rH
4l< O 35 l^-
cq
I>lO rH
(N CO Tt< c-
icH
,0
■* »0 05 rH
>o Tit CO e<3
CO ■* (N
■>* ■* »o c-
eq t- ■* c-
CO rH 05 CO
CO -* rH
O -* rH O
1 — 1 rH 1 — I rH
Oi I- O 'O
^^ ^^ r~\
rjl CI O C-
cq CD Tjt CO
CO
o
eo t- lo
CO O CJ lO
CO ^^ rH
CO rH rH (r^
O -^ rH lb
t~A r~< 1—^ r—^
OO ■* CO
00 l^ o o
rH 1 — I rH
rH CO l> CO
-# CI O t-
CI ^
X 00 rH
CI CO rH C-
00
g
CO
Jo
CO
.Si
»— t
io
o
a
o >o O
t- O Oi ^
CO -r}* rH
16-1
15- 1
15*5
^ -t< CO
C5 00 O -il
rH 1— 1 rH
CO rH tH
CO rH O C~
(M r-*
CO eq
CNI C- -* t>
o
g
lO C^ CO (M
Tr^ rH , — I 1 — 1
t~ t- O O
00 rH rH 35
rH -Jt t- Tjf
ITS t^ t~ >C
CO CO rH
•^ n r-i ^
rH 1—1 rH rH
00 CO 05 CO
CO O 35 CO
cq
cq CO CO o
?CH-
MlM
UO CD (M
<M C5 (M lO
CO rH tH t~
t^ lO 35
35 !>• CO
05 rH rH CO
CO ■* (N
CO ■* CO O
rH rH rH rH
C5 35 O ^
f-i i—\ w-^
■4* CI rH l^
CI ^^
C^l t- tH lO
o
rHl«
CO ■* -* (N
<M Ol m -*
t- C- -+ 00
CI lO CO
CO 35 CO
Cq t- T}f CD
ai rH ^ CO
CO '^ !M
CO TtH CO CO
r-t •—< r-i r-<
35 00 O -*
■^ CI O GO
1— 1
rtlM
O ^^ 02
O Al -^ lO
■* ■* (M
•-*
CO '^ (M CO
— 1 rH rH —1
CI -t* CO
35 35 r-l -^<
^ CI
'Ttf CI rH t-
CI rH
c- cq 00 cq
CI C^ CO CO
;:!ot-
w;ej
cq (M 05
t^ cq •>* rjl
Cq C- 00 t-
«q 35 CI Cq
t- cq eq CI
00 o O lO
CO •* (M
lO -H CI lO
1 — 1 rH rH i-H
35 C- 35 CO
■<* -^ O C-
C-1 ^
Cl t- Tt< t-
o
O
g
Ot}H lO CO
(M CO O t>
<N (N CO t^
miM rH lO
■* rH 00 rH
t^ 05 o o
CO CO <M
O CO CI ITj
rH rH rH rH
35 00 O CO
rH 1 — I rH
Cl ^
CI t- CO t-
CO
O
CO CO r-
lO >C 00 t^
CO lO C- Tt*
00 oo lo eq
00 eq
eq CD -* CD
t^ OS 31 O
CO CO ^
lO CO ^ '^
rH rH rH . — 1
GO t^ 35 CO
CO O 35 D-
cq
eo
o
g
-«.
ft?
Ceylon,
B. M. 15- 3-1.
o o en CO
CO Tt< --H
(35 -# CI lO
lb ^ CO ira
rH rH rH rH
■* CO t tH
35 l> 35 Ttl
10 t-
■^ rH O t^
rH CO CO
CO C- CO lO
t-|CH-
o
a
:0 uo CO 00
t^ o Ol o
CO ■* rH
OO CO t^
«<l rH CO t-
rH ^ CI :0
O X 05
CO CO CI o
35 00 o ^
^^ wH r-^
'il ^ O o
CI CO CO CD
GO -ti
r- 4
o
a
-^ CO 05 i-H
CO O 00 O
CO CO rH
c- cq CO cq
lb -* CO LO
r-^ t—< r~i r-^
— 1 00 cq CO
35 CO O -+
^i ^-< ^^
CO '^
rjl rH o I-
C^l rH
eq 35
cq c- CO CO
CO ^
o
a
t^ l> CO
,1| ^ ^ CO
-H tH (M
00 IM »0
CO »o CO t^
rH rH rH rH
,-K rH CO
•-^ iy\ •-* <->
05 I> CO
cq ^
Si <X) r-^ r^
eq r- 4h CO
t~ "So
r^
rH CO -t<
O CO -co
■rt< cq cq cq
lb -* cq CO
,-t ^^ ,—1 r-l
35 CO 35
35 35 O '-O
4i< ^5 rH X
eq <->
CO C- tH CO
CO
O
a
I'-i
CO 00 00 CO
t- IfJ 00 C-
<M rH t- t^
35 t^ 05
CO
rfl CO -H -*
1 — 1 rH rH 1 — 1
00 t^ 35 CO
r— 1 :—\
Tt< CI O I-
cq -H
eq CO ■* o
,3
c o
5
'eeth : State
of Wear : —
.... •••• .... ••!»
1-: -o t- X
35 O -I CI
CO M< O CO
1 — \ ,^^ ^^ y^A
t- X 35 o
^ ^ rH CI
908
JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATUBAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
o
02
-^3
P-l
CO
to
■t
o
02
!=!
o
OS
cS
<I)
pq
s
to
•■g
CO
S
ft?
•ad
Sikkim,
B. M. 15^9^1.
much
■^ ira CO lo
O <M r-l
lO -^ ^ CO
OO CO CO CI
Ol t^ t^ lO
TJH lO <M CD
'* ■* <M
CD lO CO I--
(— 1 f-H 1— 1 r-H
OS o -^ l>
<N 1— 1 ^
Ti< lO CO 00
(N rH
CO OO tH CO
§o+
rt>M
r-H t- l-~ ^
02 i-H Ol CO
CO tH i-H
CO (M --I
CO lO CO CD
t— t 1 — ^ r-H r— 1
CO tH 1^ LO
OS t^ O CD
1—1 1—1 1—1
-* CD
"* CO 1^ t-
CO LO CO 00
(M t- ■* CD
go+
T-^lCl
tH c- cq CO
lO OS CO 1—1
t^ LO CO CD
CD ^ OS 00
CO Ol CD LO
<M -^ r-H CO
^ Tt< (M
CD ^ CO t-
1— 1 1 — ^ 1 — I 1 — 1
O OS o t^
^H 1— 1 r-H 1—H
Tt( rt< r-H t^
C-1 CO "* CO
^^
H«
CO rH
CO lO t— 1 CD
■* T^ (M
CO 00 tH
CO lO CO t-
r- 1 1— ( r— 1 1 — 1
lO S^l CO CO
00 00 CO I*
OS 1-H 00 t^
O O O CO
1— ( (M 1—1 rH
'^ tH Ol CO
cq ^^
01 00 tH CD
,-.;«
CO CO (M
(M lO ^ CO
'i* 'i* IN
^ CO
t~ CO 1* t^
1— t 1 — ^ 1— ( 1— I
-* O CO "*
o OS o CO
1 — 1 1 — 1 ^^ r—t
>0 CO <M
LO '+< C-l CO
OS rH I> t^
CI OO Til CO
io+
o
a
i-i CO (M
t^ C- CO
C^ CD OS
lO Tj< CO t-
CO rH Til »C
r-^ CO O CO
^ ^ C-l
CD lO -* CO
1— 1 nH 1— 4 p^
CS OS o V?-
-^ 1 — t 1 — I
-* CO — 1 l^
Ol CO -* CO
c-
-^^
o
s
lO CD Oi
O C-1 O CO
Tt( ^ (M
OS lO LO t-
1— 1 OS (M t^
LO CO Ol CO
t^ LO CO c~
CD O CO CD
1— 1 r-l 1— 1 1— 1
o OO o t—
1 — ^ rH 1 — \ r-^
rjl CO rH t-
(M C- tH CD
2o+
'm
05 CO
00 irq o CO
CO TtH (M
OS rH IC 00
LO -* (M lO
1 — t r-H rH i—t
00 CO
O OO OS CD
rH r-H i— t
<M rH t-
-*l <M O t^
(M ^
CO r- ■<* CO
Ol t'- ^ CO
o
Is
;2 CH-
1—1
CO t~ t- eq
CO »o t^ ■<*
OS CO OS t--
lO t^ t- lO
CO i) tH o
M tH ^ CO
-* TfH cq
CO -* C-l CO
r-H 1 — 1 ^H 1— (
CS OS O 00
r— 1 1 — 1 1 — 1
-* -t< 01 CO
C-l rH
r~ OS t^
O iM OS CO
TH -* r-H
t- 00
lO ■* (M CO
1 — 1 1— 1 1— S 1-H
OS CO rH (M
■^ -^ in in
00 CO OS CO
OS CO O 00
-* CO 01 00
(M ^
01 C^ CO CD
CD
CO OO I> OS
O «N OS lO
Tj< TfH rt
eq 00 (M
CO T}< <N CO
I— 1 ^H 1—1 1—1
OS Tt* OS
OS CO O t~
r^ ,—t r-i
>n CO r-H C-1
Ti< CO (M 00
CO -* 1-H OS
0-1 I> 4tl CO
2! Of
much
LO lO (M CO
(M CO CO Ol
<M r-l rM oi
<M -* 01 ^
00 00 rH t-
O ?M O CO
-H ^ Ol
O -1< CO CD
1 — ^ 1 — (I — ^ 1 — 1
O :o O t~
rH r-H r— 1 rH
-* CO C-1 00
^1 ^
01 t^ ■* CO
oi
cc
!-;«
<M CO i-l (M
^-1 CO ■— ( CO
TjH -* M
CD lO
-tl r-l l^ Ol
00 -* ^ rH
00 OS <M CO
CO >o • 'to
^H 1 — 1 1—!
O CS CS CO
-* CO Ol 00
<M r^
01 I- Til CO
CD ^H
o
a
te 6 s"
a_. o o
fM Tfi O ^
Tt< -* <M
16-8
15-4
13
16-4
CO
. . . i:^
<—*
'^ Tjl rH CO
■^ "* CI OO
T+l CD OS
CO 00 tH CO
Co
Ceylon,
B. M. 15- 3-1.
S.lOOl
o
a
(M OS
CO OS OS lO
CO CO r-H
15-8
14
14-8
-H -+< CS
• i OS CO
1-< •-*
Ol CO l^ CO
-* O CS t-
(M
lO OO 00 -H
Ol CO CO CD
rtlM
OS lO CO CO
t- i-H OS O
CO ■* rH
OS 1 — \ ^<
lO ■* CM LO
I-H F— I 1—1 1—1
rH OS CO
OS C- O LO
r-H I-H 1-H
CD OS (M rH
-^ rH O t-
^ ic Til in
01 t- -* i
much
r-( I^ lO — 1
OS lo CO OS
CS CO CO
CO -<j< CO tX
CO rH 00 rH
1-- O CO o
CO -# nH
LO CO 5-1 -+1
1 — 1 1— 1 1— ( 1— 1
00 t^ OS i-O
tH rH O »
(M rH
01 t^ CO CO
OO
rHlN
C^ CO OS
OS 01 00 OS
rH CO lO Ol
rH t^ 00 OS
CO oq 00
CD O OO lO
CO -^ ^
>0 ^ 01 'f
. ^ 1 1 1 1 F— 1
OS » CS ^
^ —t (^ l-
01 t- CO CO
-4<
CI CH-
o
a
t(< C- t^
CO OS (i)
CO CO rH CO
00 1— i CO
LO -* (M lO
1— t 1— I 1— t r-H
■^ OS (M
OS CO O -*
1 — ^ 1 — I 1 — 1
tH 00 r^ -*
4* O O t-
(M rH
lo 05 in
Ol C- CO CO
Dimension
No.
Teeth : State
of Wear : —
i-< M CO -*
LO CD t- CO
OS O — 1 01
CO ■* m o
1-H rH 1 — 1 r— 1
t^ 00 OS o
r-{ ^^ ^^ <y\
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY
909
CO
1
k
1 — 1
o
O <M i-H ^
f-^ .-< to 00
C- CO CO CI
1-H lO 1* CO
'^f -H O CO
I- o o m
CO ^ (M
CO 'f -- lO
r-t 1 — ^ i-H 1— 1
O I- O -H
1 — 1 1 — \ t—i
^ o o t-
cq rH
CI l^ ^ I-'
s>
CO
e
d
5 1-
1
(N C2 <M O
c^ 05 '^ m
--H CO CO CO
oo m CO ^
CO CI t-
CO oo >* o
iM ^ -^ O
Tf rt< <M
t^ CO Cl t^
r— t 1— 4 1 — 1 I-H
O O — 1 CO
I-H CI I-H I-H
i# CO -H CO
CI rt
1 — 1
^ ^ rH O
05 UO CI -rH
C- UO 00 ^
-+ CI ^ Tjf
l> >0 I-H
OJ ^ o o
CO ■* (M
O '^ CI CO
r— 1 F^ 1 — 1 r-t
o 00 o CO
F-H 1 1 1 1
r*( -H o ^
CI r-l
CI I- T^l C-
i-H
H»l
t> 00
O CI I-
O t^ -H
<» o> t^ CO
Tt* CI -H CO
CI pH
CO Ci CO S5
CI t- tH CO
-^-+0 0
-* "* <M
CO Tt< -co
1 I-H r-^
Oi 00 -H t-
I-H f-H I-H
1 — 1
00
CO
rtW
i-l X O CO
O tH 00 CI
CD -H CO CI
I-H t^ Tjf -H
O I-H t-
05 rt O LO
CO -* C-1
CO '^ — 1 o
I-H F-H 1— 1 f— 1
05 00 O CO
1 — 1 1 — 1 1 — 1
O -H o CO
CI -H
cq 00 Ti4 CO
o
. — 1
o
S
l^ C-l 00 CO
CO -iH t- -tH
00 oo O CO
-H r- CI -H
CO TtH '^
• L- 4tf t?-
C5 (M O O
CO '^ M
CO -H -H o
I-H rH r-H f^
C2 t^ O 'S
I-H -H rH
O CI -H 00
CI r-H
oo
1 — (
o
s
rH O O -H
-H t- O 00
lO CT 00 L-i
CO -* rH
o ^ o t-
C^ -H
tH CO O CI
CI t- -* l-
00 o o ;o
CO -* (M
CO -+< -^ o
-H rH -H -H
Oi t— Oi iCi
I-H I-H
o
J-
1^
o -* -H
C3 CO CO C5
O lO 00 ^
C^ t- 1--5 CI
-H C- -* W5
O C5 O O
CO CO CI
CO ^ ^ lO
1 — 1 -H -H 1 — 1
05 CO C3 tH
f-H I-H
-* O 05 t-
CI
CI CO ^ t-
CO
-d
C-1 C3 Ci
-^ O -t* lO
00 -* t- '^
'^ UO CO f-l
lO ^ CS
C5 1— 1 O: lO
CO •<*< ^
CO CO -H o
I-H ( — t I-H r-H
0 oo O lO
I-H 1 — I -H
t)< -H O CO
CJ i^
CI 00 Tt( o
=0
1
•(S<
ft;
o
CO
•M 0+
p-i CO CO
CO O -H o
-* Tt< M
-H ^ OO -+
t- O CO t^
1 — ^ 1 — ^ 1 — 1 I-H
LO ^ CO
O C3 O 00
1 — I 1 — 1 1 — \ r^
CI oo ^
o Lo cq 00
CI --H
1.0 o
CI X -* CO
o CH-
c
--I C5 1— 1 .— 1
-H t)H Ul CO
t- O 00 -t<
O t^ V-O CO
CO CO o
-H ro o o
"* Tt* M
CO -* CO CO
1 1 ^ -H r^
O O OS i-~
I-H -H
■* CO ^ 00
CI I-H
c:) I- tH CO
2 (yr
CC
o
CI lO t^ CI
-H ^ 05 lO
CO ^ -)H
o r- ^ CI
O O lO
O cq C5 -o
■* -^ nH
CO -* CI --o
r-H 1 1 : 1 ^
C5 Oi O CO
I-H -H 1 — 1
-H CI —1 CO
CI .—1
CI t- >* O
CO
o
CI cn 05 C5
O Cl Cl o
TiH -# rH
CI CI t-
CO ^ CO CO
I-H — H -H -H
CI CI CO
o C5 o t^
I-H -H 1^
CO rH CI t-
-^ lO .^ I-
CI ^
t- CO C5 CO
CI t~- CO CO
r-"
.2
S
eS J.
-H CI CO '^
LI O r- 30
C5 O -H CI
I-H -H I-H
CO Ti< m CO
I-H I-H ^H r^
t- 00 OJ o
r-t — H i-K CI
910
JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol, XXVI.
TABLE II (a).
Dimension.
Rattus rattus Non-Asiatic.
Rattus rattus tistoe.
li. rattus
alcxrmdrinus,
db frugivorus.
R. nlexandri-
nus, Spain.
R. frugivorus,
Cyprus.
Pashok.
Sikkim
(other
localities).
'5
White
bellied.
Slaty
bellied.
No. of
Skulls .—
8
4
5
J
4
1
23
1
37-5 45
38-4—42-1
40-2 43
36-8—38-9
36—39-8
37-5- 40-2
40-8
40-5
40
41-8
37-8
37-7
38-4
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
2
104—108
104 107
100 107
105 107
106 109
103—105
105-5
106
105-6
106-7
106- 1
107-4
104
3
48-6— 53-9
48-6—53-9
49-8 53-1
51-3 .54-2
52-7—54-2
51-9—^4-1
50-9
51.1
51-8
52.6
53-3
53
49-8
.4
-±
13-8— 15-9
14-1-15-9
14-4 15-4
14-4—15-4
14-8 15-6
14-5—15-7
15
15-2
14-9
14-9
15-2
15
14-7
5
35- 4— 43-8
38-5-^2-4
40-3—41-1
40-1— 43-1
40-6—44-2
40-4—43-1
;
40- 1
40.7
40-7
41-8
42-4
41-7
40
6
31-1— 3? -2
33-38-2
35-2-36-4
35-5-38-5
34-2- 38-7
34-3—39-2
34-8
35-6
3^8
36-3
36-9
36-8
35-5
7
• • • •
29-7-33-3
30-2—33-3
30-6—34-8
30-8 34-7
29-9—34-6
311
32
32-6
32-6
32-6
30-9
8
37-8— 42-6
37-8 41-6
38- 1—40- 7
39-6 42-4
40-4—41-7
40 —41-6
40-3
40-1
39-8
40-8
41 1
40-5
9
22-8— 26-2
23-3 25-4
23-7—24-4
23-4 25
23-8 25-4
23-1—25-7
24
24- 1
24- 1
24-2
24-8
24-2
24
10
45-8— 48-9
45-8—48-6
46-4 48-3
44-2—45
43-9 44-8
43- 9-^47- 8
47-4
47-2
47-3
44-7 '
44-4
45-5
45-3
11
25-1— 28-4
26-7-28-4
25-1—27-7
24-9- 27-4
20 —27-6
26 —27-3
■'
27- 1
27-4
26-6
26-6
26-8
26-7
27-7
12
33-6 40-7
36-7—39-8
37-4—39-2
38-1— .39-9
30-6— 3v)- 5
37-1—38-7
38- 1
38-4
38-1
39-2
38-4
37-9
39-2
13
9-4— 12-4
9-75- 11-5
9-9 10-5
10-25 11-35
9-5—11-1
9-9 10-7
10.55
10-4
10-3
10-7
10-3
10-4
10-3
14
55 -,3— 57-5
55-5-57
55-3— .56-6
57-5-59
57—58-7
56-7—59
56- 1
56- 1
56-1
58-2
57-8
58-1
57-6
15
25-3— 28-3
27-1-28-3
26-1—27-8
27-5 28-6
26-1-28-4
26-2—28-7
27-2
27-7
26-9
28- 1
27-5
27-6
27-4
16
17-1—20
17-1-18-8
18-4—19-9
18 19-3
17-7—20-1
17-9—19-6
18-6
17-9
18-9
18-7
19
18-9
19-6
17
5-2— 7-7
5-6—7-3
6—7-7
5-15—6-45
5-8—6-5
5-3-6-4
6-3
6-3
6-6
6
6
5-8
5-9
18
17-5 20-3
18—19-9
17-5—19-5
18-8—19-6
17-7- 19-8
18-7- 19-3
18-6
18-9
18-3
191
18-9
18-9
181
19
9-7— 11-3
10-3—10-9
10-2— 10-7
10-8 12-1
11-1— '3-3
10-7-11-7
10-45
10-6
10-5
11-rf
11-8
11-2
Hi
20
13-6 17-3
14-3—16-7
15-8-16-7
16-2-18-7
17-6-20-3
16-5 17-9
15-8
15-4
16-1
17 8
18-9
17-2
17-2
5
100
100
100
100
100
100
106
7
....
72—81-1
79—82
74.4—80-7
71-3-80-8
74-83-4
77-5
SO -5
77-5
77
78-3
77-3
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY
mi
TABLE II (&).
Eattus rattus
Rattus rattus
bliotia.
arboreus.
Ballus rattus
narbadcB.
Rattus rattus
girensis.
Rattus rattus
satarce.
Hasimara
Bihar
'3
®
s
S
Bhutan.
and Orissa.
No. of
Skulls :—
8
8
7
4
4
1
35-1— 38-9
38-3—40-3
.36-9—40-5
34-4—39-2
39-3—40-1
37-4
39-5
38-4
37-1
39-7
100
100
100
100
100
2
105—108-5
104—106
105—106-5
105.5—108-5
106-5—108
106-7
105
105-7
106-5
107-6
3
50-4 53-6
49-6 53-9
48-7—51-2
50 - 3—50 ■ 8
49-1— 50-4
52
52- 1
50-1
50-6
49-8
4
13-8 16-1
14-1—16-2
14.3 16
14-8—16-6
14-5 14-8
14-8
15
15-4
15-7
14-7
5
41-4 43-6
40-1—42-3
39—43.4
40-9—42-5
42—42-9
42-2
41-3
41-1
41-7
42-4
6
35-2—38-3
32-5-36-8
33-4—39
34-6 37-8
39—39-8
37
35-5
36-7
36.2
39-3
7
30-9—35-6
29-2—31-3
28-6 36-9
29-5 32-2
31-3 33-9
U
30-7(1)
32-5
311
32-6
8
40 - 9—41 - 9
38-1-41-5
39-2—42-1
39-6 41-2
39-2—41
41-3
40-3
40-5
40
40-2
9
23-4— 25-7
23-2—25-1
22-7-25-1
23-5 24-7
22-5 24-6
24-6
24 1
24-2
24- 1
23-8
10
43-7- 4o-5
46-47-2
45-1—48-1
45-5 46-9
44—45
44-8
46-6
46-5
46-2
44-5
11
26-1-27
26-2—27-8
26-4—28-1
26-7-27-7
25-2—26-7
26-5
27-2
27-4
27-2
25-9
12
37 • 5—40 • 5
36-5—39-2
37-3 39
37-6— .39-4
37-5—39-4
38-6
38
38-1
38-4
38-6
13
9-7—11
10-7— 11-3
9-65—11-5
9-9 10-7
9-6—10-2
10-4
10-9
10-7
10-4
9-95
14
57-4—58-8
57—58-8
55-1^ — 57-5
55 - 9—57 • 8
58-3-59-2
58-1
57-6
56-4
56-7
58-6
1.-)
25-8 29-1
27-29-5
27—29
26-6—28-4
27-6-29-4
26-9
28-3
27-7
27-5
2«-5
16
18.3—21.5
18-9-20-5
18-2—20-1
19-1—21
19-5 21-8
19-4
19-8
19-3
20-5
20-3
17
5-4—6-55
5-1—7-2
6-5-6-95
6-4—7-25
6-85- 8-15
5-8
6-4
6-8
6-9
7-45
18
17-7—19-3
17-6- 19-1
17-7—20
17-7— 18-6
17—17-8
18-7
18-2
18-6
18-2
17-3
19
10—12.6
10-1-11-7
9-9—10-9
10-2—10-75
9-75-10-6
11-45
10 8
10-5
10-45
10
20
17-5— 19-2
15-1-17-3
15-5—17-5
15-8 18
16-6 17-8
18-5
16-3
16-4
16-6
17-4
5
100
100
100
100
100
7
73-8 85-1
73—76-8
73-4 85-1
69-7-78-1
73-3—79-9
78-2
74-4(2)
78-9
74-7
76-8
(1) 6 range between 31 & 31.3. (2) 0 range between , :; cV- 74- 1 .
«12 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
TABLE II (c).
Rattus ratt'us lurouglitoni.
o
CO
Dharwar.
N. Mysore
S. &E.
Coorg.
Cooiior.
Travancore.
0
o
g
a
andKanara.
Mysore.
No. of
Skulls :—
2
4
3
2
3
6
1
38-9— 40-2
38-6—40-9
36—39-4
36-1-38-6
1
37-7
37
39-4
39.9
38-6
43-2
38
37-4
36-9
100
100
100
105-5—107
100
105 106
100
100
100
106—107-5
100
107—109
100
o
107
107
106-5
49-1—51
105-5
48-9-50-1
105
105
106-6
49-7—53
107-4
49-8 52-3
105-5
3
51-8
52-2
50-2
14-7_-16-4
49-3
14-7— 15-4
48-2
49-1
51-4
15 15-9
51-3
14-5—16-5
50
4
15-1
16-2
15-6
39-9—41-1
15.1
38-4—40-5
16-6
15-1
15-5
41-1—42
15-5
41-1—43-4
15-2
5
42-2
44-1
40-3
34-9—38-6
39-2
33-7—36
40-7
40-8
41-3
35-9—36-7
42-5
36-3-40
42
6
38-2
39-8
36-4
31-4—33-5
34-9
30-31-6
35-5
35-9
36-3
32—35-3
38-3
32-1—36
37-9
7
33-2
34-3
32-4
39-4—40-9
30-8
38-9—40-3
31-6
30-1
33-1
40 - 6—41 - 1
34-3
37-4—41-5
34-1
8
42-2
42-7
40-1
22-5—23-9
39-7
23-8-24-3
39-9
39-8
40-8
24-1—25-5
40-2
23-7—25-8
39-5
9
24-2
25-4
23-2
46-5—47
24-1
47-4—48-1
23-3
23-4
24-9
47-2—47-8
25
46-3—47-2
24-7
10
47-8
46
46-7
26-9—27-1
47-6
27-3—27-6
46-1
44-9
47-4
26-6—28-4
46-9
26-3—27-9
46-9
11
28-7
25-7
27
37-9 38-5
27-4
37-2-38-9
26-2
25-5
27-6
37-7—39-8
27-1
36-9-39-9
28-2
12
38-2
38-7
38-1
10—10 • 5
37.8
9-3-11-2
39-4
39-1
38-5
10-4—11-4
38-7
9-85-11-7
38-2
13
10-35
11-3
10-3
56 57-3
10-3
56-5—56-8
10-6
10-4
10-9
57—57-7
10-8
55-7—57-7
10-6
14
55-5
57-7
56-5
27-5—28-4
56-6
26-6—28-1
57-8
58-6
57-3
27-5—27-8
56-7
25-7—29-1
56
15
26-3
28-4
27-7
18-6—20-3
27-3
19-3-20-8
28-2
28-9
27-6
18-4—19-5
27-4
IS- 1—20-6
28-2
16
19-4
20-6
19-3
6-2—7-45
19-9
6-35-7-9
19-2
19-9
19
7—7-5
19-3
6-35-6-8
20-3
17
6-9
6-75
6.8
17-6-19-5
7-2
17-8—19-4
7-25
7-2
7-2
18-9—20
6-6
18 19-2
7-3
18
18-8
19-7
18 7
9-5—10-7
18 4
9-2—10-4
19-2
17-6
19-5
9-15—10-4
18-5
9.4__10-8
18-7
19
10-1
10-3
10
15-9—17
9-7
15-1—15-9
10-1
10-4
9-9
15-5—16-1
101
15-3—17
9-75
20
16-5
17
16-6
15-4
16-3
17-1
15-9
16-3
16-3
5
100
100
100
78-8 82-3
100
77-7 80-3
100
100
100
76-2-84-2
100
77-5 83-5
100
7
78-6
78
80-3
78-7
77-8
79
79-5
80-8
81-3
SCIENTIFIC BESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY.
913-
TABLE
II id).
Rattus rattus sikl
imensis.
Rattus rattus
Rattus rattus
l-andianus.
gangutrianws.
Jalpai-
Sikkiui,
'S
Pashok.
Hasimara,
guri,
various
Gopaldhara.
Bhutan.
Bengal.
localities.
a
S
(?)
No. of
SkuUs : —
8
8
8
1
1
4
3
1
34-1 42-7
38-4—43-4
39-4—44-2
41-5
39-8
37-5—42-5
38-3- 41-7
38-3
40-8
41 4
39-7
40-3
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
2
107—110
105-5-107
102—106
105—105-5
104-5- 106-5
108-8
106-5
104-3
105
102
105.2
105-5
3
47-4 52
48-7—52-1
50-4—52
50-1—51-7
51-8—52-8
49-8
50
51-3
53
53
50-8
52-4
■4
14-9 17-1
14-6 15-4
14—16-3
14-4-15-2
15-2—16-4:
15-7
15
14-9
14-7
151
14 6
15-8
5
40-9— 44-4
39 42-7
38-7 41-6
38-9—41-5
40-8 43-8
42
40-5
40-1
39-8
39-7
40-5
42-2
6
36-1 40-3
33—37 - 3
31-5—35-7
33-9 35-2
33-4—37-3
37-6
35-6
33-7
33-5
33-4
34.7
35.5
7
31-6 37
29 33
24-7-28-4
27-1—27-9
25-9 30-6
33-1(1)
31-5
26-7
25-6
27-4
27-6
28-6
S
38- 1—42-1
38-8 42-2
37-8—40-4
37 - 9—40 - 5
40-3 40-8
40 2
40 1
39- 1
3S-S
39
39-2
40-6
9
23 25-2
22-7—25-1
22-5 24-3
22-6—24-3
23-3—25
24-2
23-8
23-2
23-4
23-3
23-8
24-3
10
44-7—47
44-6—46-5
44-4—46-6
43-7 45-6
44-9—45-7
46-3
45-5
45-3
44-9
44
44-5
45-2
11
25-1—27-4
26-3—27-5
25-4—28-2
24-6 26.6
25-5—26-6
26-2
27
26-2
25-6
26-1
25-7
26-2
12
38-1—44
37-5—42-9
37 - 6—40
38-3 39-5
37—40-1
39-9
39-5
38-9
40-5
36-2
39-1
38-6
13
10-8—12-3
10-3—11-7
10-4-11-3
10-4- 11-2
10-8 11-5
11-56
10-9
10-9
10-85
10-3
10-9
111
14
55-5—58-7
56-4—58-7
56-6—59-4
58-2—59-3
58-2—58-3
57
57-3
57-8
58-9
57-8
58-7
5S-3
15
26-1—28-8
27—28-9
26-8 29
27-2—28-1
26-9—28-2
27-7
27-7
27-7
28-2
28-4
27-6
27-7
10
19-21-9
18-9—21-4
19 19-9
18-9—19-8
19-4- 20-3
20 1
20-1
19-5
20-5
19-8
19-4
19-8
17
6-5 8
6-2- 71
6-1—7-5
6-35 6-7
6-25 6-85
7-2
6-5
6-6
6-75
6-5
6-6
6-5
18
18-4 19-5
16-8-19
17-2—19-5
17-7—18-8
17-8 19.6
18.9
18
18-4
18-3
19-6
18-1
18-6
19
9-85—12
10-15—11-6
10.4—11-9
10-4-11-5
10-75 11
10-5
10-8
10.9
10-9
11-3
10-9
10-9
20
15.4—17
16-3-18-5
16-2—18-3
17-2—19-5
17-3— IS
o
16 4
17 1
17-3
17-6
17-S
18 1
17-7
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
75-6-83-3
74-6 84-2
63-9—70-6
67—67
63-6 72-7
7
78-6
77-9
66-6
' 64-2
i
69
67
67-8
«14
JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HI^T. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
TABLE II (e).
Rattus rattus rufescens.
Ttattus rattus
Rattus rattus
Rattus rattus
,
khyensis.
tikos.
tatkonensis.
o
Kiimaon.
Central
Nimar.
Khan-
a
Provinces.
desh.
No. of
SkuUs :—
7
9
6
8
1
14
1
34-7— 42-8
39-4-41-9
37—41-8
36-8—40-2
36-3-40-5
38-1
40-3
39-5
38-8
38-4
37-3
37-8
43-3
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
2
104—109
103-5—107-5
104—107-5
104 107
104-5 108
106-5
105-5
106-5
106
106
105
107
105
3
47—53-5
46-3—50-8
48-5 54-8
51-6 53-1
48-9 52-5
50-4
48-7
51
51-2
50-3
50-1
50-2
. .
4
14—17
13-4—16-7
14-1—16-1
14-9_17.2
14-4—16-8
15-3
15-6
14-9
15-85
15-5
15-8
14
14-5
5
39-2— 45-9
38-6-42
37-1- 42-5
40—43-2
39.8 43-2
41-5
40-1
40-6
42
41-4
44-8
41
38-6
6
32-7 41-8
34-2-38-4
34-2—39
34-6 39-1
34-8 38-9
37-1
36-1
36-5
37-1
36-5
38-6
38-1
32-6
7
26-8*— 36-6
28-4—32
28-9—34-3
29-5—34
30-4—35
31-7
31-1
31-6
31-7
32
34-8
33-3
30-7
8
39 43-5
38-4 42-2
39-4 42-8
39-7—42-9
38-7—42
40-8
39-8
41-2
41
40-6
41-8
40-7
40-6
9
23-3 20-8
22-5 25-4
23-5—25-4
23-9 25-8
23-2—24-8
24-6
24
24.2
24-7
24-1
25-2
25-1
23-5
10
42-9 47-4
45-2-47
44-5—47-9
45—47-5
45-2-47
45-6
45-9
46
46-3
46-2
45-8
46-5
46-6
11
26—28-5
26-1—29-1
26-2—28-9
25-8—28
26-4 28
27-2
27-4
27-4
26-8
27
27-9
27-2
26-1
12
35-7 40-6
37-3—40
36-7 40-2
35-6—39-8
36-5 39-4
38
38-4
38-2
38
38-5
36-4
38-9
38-8
13
9-35 12-25
10 - 7—12
10—11-8
9-75—11-3
9-8-11-5
10-8
11-3
10-7
10-45
10-5
10-2
10-3
10-6
14
57—58-4
56-1—58-8
56 59-2
56-4—58-4
56 57-7
57-8
57-7
57-6
57-2
56-7
55-8
56-3
15
25-7—29-2
26-9—28-8
26-28-6
27-4 28-6
27—28-4
27.2
27.7
27-2
28-1
27-7
28-4
27-8
28-8
16
17-6 21-2
IS -3-20-8
17-5 21
19-2—21
19 21-2
19-3
19-7
18-9
19-9
20-1
20-1
19-8
20-5
17
5-4 7-5
5-65 7-3
5-75—7-1
6-25-8
5- 95—7-4
6-25
6-4
6-35
6-9
6-55
7
6-1
6-9
17-4—19-4
17-5 19-6
17-3 19-2
17-2-20-7
17—18-8
18
18-5
18-3
18-2
18-8
181
19-3
18
18-7
19
10-3 11-9
10-3-11-9
10-3—11-6
9-95 12-1
10—12-2
111
11 1
11
10-7
10-65
10-45
10-6
10-4
20
16-5 20-7
16-2—17-7
15-9—19-7
15-7—17-4
15-8 17-5
17-9
17
17-6
16-5
16-7
16-1
16-9
14-5
5
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
67 -8t— 80-3
72-7—82-3
73—82-4
70 - 7—80 - 1
72-4—83
7
76-5
77-6
78
75-4
77-3
78
81-3
79-7
*In
L5-5-5-228 K
in : next low
est 29-2.
fin 15-5-5-
228 Kin ; nc;
>ct lowc
St 74-2
SCIENTIFIC RESLLTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY.
9ir,
TABLE II (/ ).
Rattus rattu
s riifescens.
s
Gwalior.
Kathiawar.
Cutch.
Palanpixr.
Koyna.
Dhanv
ar.
0
No. of Skulls:—
4
.
5
6
3
3
2
1
35.6—39-1
36-4—38-1
37-2—38-7
37-4-41-1
36-9—40
38- 1
37
37-7
39-6
38-6
36-1
39-(;
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
o
lOo 106
106 109
104 108-5
104—107
106 107
lOS-6
107
107
105-3
106-3
106-5
105-5
3
52—53
50—52
49-6- 51-2
49-1—52-2
48-2-51-1
52-5
50-8
50-4
50-6
49-5
51
48-5
4
14_16-6
14-6—16-2
15-8 16-8
14-6—16-3
14.4_15.2
15-5
15-3
16-1
15-3
14-8
16-6
15-7
5
40-3— 44-1
41-2—43-4
42-4— 43-7
39-2—43-6
39-8—43-6
42- 1
42
43
41
41-6
42-1
40-9
6
34-3— 40- S
35-2—39-3
35-9—39-2
34-6-38-2
35-8—39-6
37-5
37-3
37-5
36- 1
37-1
36-9
36-9
7
30-4— 34-8
31-5—34-3
31-8 34-7
32-2—33-7
31—34-1
32-5
33
33
33
33
34-1
33-1
S
41-42-7
40-5 42-5
41—43
39-1-41-4
40-8—43-1
42
41-6
41-8
40
41-6
42-1
40-4
9
24-6 25-1
23-6— 25-1
24-3—25-2
24-1—24-8
23-25-7
24-8
24-3
24-8
24-3
24-4
25-5
24-8
10
45-5-48-9
46-2 49
46-2—47-5
45-7—47-7
47-3— 47-7
47-4
47-3
46-8
46-5
47.5
46-5
46-8
11
26-4-28-4
27-2—28-9
27-4 29
26-7—27-5
27-5-28-5
27-2
27-8
28-2
27- 1
28-2
28-2
27-3
\1
37-7-39-2
37-8—39-6
37-2-39-9
37-7—39
36-8—39
38-5
38-8
38-7
38-4
37-7
39-1
36-9
13
10-1—11
9-75—10-8
9-75 11-1
9-9—10-4
9-5—11
10-6
10-25
10.7
10 1
10-1
10-5
10-6
14
55-4—57-8
55 -1—57-2
55-5—56-6
57- — 57
55-4 — 55-5
56-3
56
56
57
55-5
57
56-9
15
26-7- 29-2
26-7-28-4
26-1—27-6
28-2—28-3
27-1—28-3
28
27-4
26-9
28-2
27-5
27-7
27-5
16
19-7—21
19-2—21
19-5—20-7
19-3—19-8
18-5—19-2
20-2
20
20
19-6
19
20-8
19-5
17
6-9—7-9
6-5 — 7- 15
5-95—7-1
6-4—7-4
6-2—7
7-4
6-9
6-4
6-8
6-5
7-5
6-8
18
18-2-19-4
17-3—19-2
18-1—19-3
18-4 19
15-9—17-8
18-8
18-1
18.5
18-7
17-1
18-6
18-2
19
10-1—10-5
9-7-10-5
10-2—11-6
10 - 4—10 - 7
8—10-3
10-2
10-1
10-8
10-5
91
10-25
9-85
20
15-6—17-4
15-2—17-9
16-1—17-7
15-3—17-1
15-5-16-8
16- 1
16-5
16-8
16-4
16-2
15-8
15-4
5
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
7
75-4—79
76—81-4
73-7-79-8
77-3-84-5
75-2 85-5
77-1
78-4
76-6
80S
79-6
81
81
916
JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
TABLE II ig).
Rattus rattus rufescens.
Rattus rattus alexandrinus.
Rattus rattus
ncmoralis.
Sind.
1
CO
N. Mysore and
S. E.
Coonor.
Dark
White
a
ft
Kanara.
Mysore.
Belly.
-
Belly.
No. of Skulls :—
■>
5
1
6
6
2
1
36.9—39
36.4—41.7
37—40
39.7
41.1
34
37.8
36.2
38.4
38.6
35.5
37.9
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
10
100
2
106—107
106—109
104—106
107
108
108.5
106.3
108
108
105.1
106.5
107
3
48.2—52.3
51.3—52.2
52.2—54.6
50.2
50.7
50.5
48.3
51.9
53.4
49.0
51.4
4
14.7—16.3
15.4 16.8
14.8 15.8
14.9
15.3
16.2
15.7
15.5
16.1
15.3
14.7
15.8
5
40.1—42.9
38.3 43.3
40 41.9
40.3
39.5
43.2
42
41.5
41
41
40.6
42.5
6
36.3—38.7
35.4—39.1
35—37.9
35.5
36.5
.38.8
37.4
38.4
37.1
36.8
36.9
39.8
7
30.7—36
30.4—37.4
30—34.4
31
31.4
33.8
33
32.6
33.3
32.6
31.3
, .
8
38.5—42.1
37.6 42.1
39.3—41.8
40.6
40.9
40.9
40.5
38.7
40.9
40.6
39.8
40.9
9
23.3—25.2
22.8—25.6
23 24.7
23.2
24.6
24.1
24.5
23.5
24.4
23.8
24.5
24
10
46-9—48.2
46 48.2
46.6 48.5
45.9
46.5
46.5
47.5
46.7
47.1
47.8
47.1
47.5
11
26.7—27.6
25.7—28
25.8 27.5
27.2
26.6
28.2
27.2
27.6
26.6
26.6
27.1
27.4
12
36.8—39.6
30- 39.7
36.1—37.0
39.6
39.2
36.7
38.3
37.8
38.5
36.8
38
37.7
13
9.5—11.5
10.9 12.2
10—12
11.1
11.5
10.3
10.1
10.5
11.4
11
10.7
9.5
14
54 . 7—56 . 6
57—58
56.1—57.7
57 . 3
57.4
56.2
55.9
56
57.4
56:8
56.6
55.7
15
26 28.4
27.1—29.1
25.7—27.9
28. 7
27.1
25.9
27.3
27.9
28
27
25.7
27.4
10
18.5—19.6
17.6 20.3
18—20.3
18.7
18.5
19.7
19.2
21
19.2
19.4
19.4
18.5
17
6.2—7.2
6—8.5
5.4—7.35
7.05
6.S
6.5
6.6
6.6
7.3
6.6
5-9
0.1
IS
17.7—18.7
17.6—19.3
18—20.1
19.7
18.5
18.5
18.2
18.8
18.6
19
18
18.5
19
9.7.5—10.5
9.8 10.7
9.5 11.1
10.1
10
10.6
10.1
9.4
10.2
10.3
10.4
11.1
20
15.3—16.8
14.6—16.5
14.2—19
16.7
15.3
18.2
16.1
17.1
15.5
16.7
IS
18.5
' —
5
iOO
IOO
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
7
76—85.3
78 . 6 -86 . 7
75—83.4
76.9
79.6
78.2
78.5
78.7
82.2
79.5
77.1
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY.
917
TABLE II {h).
R. macmillani.
o
a
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
IS
19
20
No. of SkuUs :
4
35-5— 38-4
37-2
100
106—108
107-2
48-8— 51-9
50-2
14-4— 16-6
15-7
42-6— 44-
43*2
36-8— 39-5
38- 1
29—33-8
31-S
39-7— 41-1
40-1
2.'^— 25-9
24-7
44-7-^5-5
45-2
26-1- 26-9
26-4
38—39-6
38-8
10-7—11-8
n-2
57-8—58-9
58-3
25-6—2?
27-2
R. kelaarti.
19
5
17
10
17
1—20-2
19-8
7—7-6
6-9
5—18-3
17-9
7—11-5
11-3
5—19-7
18-4
100
68-1— 77-2
72-9
36—37-9
36-8
100
109—110
109-3
49-9—52-8
51-1
16-1—17-4
16-5
42—43-9
43-1
36-4—38-9
38
31-9—34-9
33-4(2)
39-6-^1-1
40-6
21 —25-8
24-6
44-5—47-2
45-9
25-9—27-5
26-3
38-6^41-6-
39-8
11-2—12-4
11-9
57-1—59-2
S7-9
26-9-29-4
27-7
19-5-21-5
20-3
6.3—7
6-7
18-9-19-8
19-3
10-2—11-6
10-7
16-4-17-9
16-9
Kumaon.
Ratlus nitidus nitidus.
SiMcim.
100
76-1-80-5
78
40-5—42-6
411
100
105-106-5
105-5
48-4—51-2
49-8
14-9
38-6— 10-3
39-4
34 -36-5
35-3
29-8- 32-«
31-4
38-5^0-1
39-6
23-2—25-3
24-5
44 7—46-4
45-5
23-6—25-6
24-7
42-5—44-7
43-9
10-4-11-7
10 9
56-8—58
57-5
29 -.1-30-8
30
19-7—20-9
20-1
6-8- 7-05
6-9
18-2— 19-7
19
9-4-10-2
9-9
15—17
16-3
100
76-5-82
80
38-9—43
41
100
105-108
106- 1
48-8-52-9
SO -5
14-6- 15-6
15-1
3S-9— 41-7
40-6
35-1— 38-4
37-3
31-2-34-2
39-5-41-2
40-5
23-7-25-7
24-7
44-5— 47
46- 1
25-25-8
25.4
41-5-43-7
42-8
10-8—11-8
11
56-8—58-8
57.6
27-5-29-2
28-3
18-19-5
18-9
6-6-7-15
6-8
18-5- 19-8
19 ?
10-7—11-35
111
15-3-17-4
16?
100
78-7-84
8! 3
44-4
ioo
102-5
50-3
14 -G
S7-1
33-8
29-7
38'5
21-4
46
25
40ol
10-S
57-7
30
18-5
7-2
19-6
10-6
14-6
80
918 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. '^SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
TABLE II {i)—concld.
i h.^
Rattus nitidus
Rattus vicerex
>d
cbsoletus. ■
Rattus
1
Chin Hills.
Type.
Sikkim.
Kumaon 1
turkes-
en
tanicus.
a
S
No. of Skulls :—
4
5
2
1
40-2— 43-1
39
36-6-41
41 1
38-9
39-1
42 2
37-5
IQO
ioo
100
100
100
100
2
106 107
106-5—107-5
106-5
106
107
106
106
107
3
489 49-6
50-4 54-7
49-2
51-1
52-8
51-4
50-2
53-6
4
13-9— 15-4
14-9 17-5
14-7
•
15-6
14-1
15-4
14-4
5
39-2— 40-
41 •2^6- 2
39-8
41-3
42-8
43-2
40-7
43
6
35 35-8
34-6 39-1
35-4
35-7
37-1
37-1
33
37-6
7
32—32-8
29-5— 31-7
32-3
29-2
30-4
31-2
29-4
31
8
40-4 41-6
40-7 43-4
40-9
39-8
41-7
42
41-5
42-1
9
23-2—24-7
23-2—26
23-8
25- 1
24-7
24-8
24
25-9
10
45-3—47-8
44-9 46-3
46-9
47-2
45-4
47-3
48-1
46-1
11
23-8 26-4
25-7- 27-1
24-9
27 • 5
26-5
27-6
27-5
27-5
12
40-8 43-2
38-6^41-5
42 1
39-5
40 3
41-2
39-3
37-9
13
10-9—11-6
11-7—13-1
n-4
11-3
12-3
11-2
11-4
10-9
14
56-5 58-5
55-5 .57-2
57-5
55-1
56-4
54-2
55-7
54-7
15
27-7—29-7
26—28-5
28-3
27-9
27-3
26-6
27-5
27-8
16
19-2— 20-4
18-6—20-7
19-8
20-8
19-9
21-5
19-2
19-6
17
5-8—7-2
5-75- 6-4
6-5
6-4
6-2
6'9
7-1
6-4
18
18-5 18-9
18-3-20-5
18-7
20-5
19-4
19-2
19-7
18-9
19
[ 9-3—10
10-5 12
9-7
10-5
11-2
10-5
10
12
20
15-3 16-2
16-8 20-5
15-7
17-7
18 4
17-9
15-9
19-5
5
100
100
100
100
100
100
7
80-1 83-9
68-7-71-5
81-2
70-9
70-4
72-2
72-2
7-2
919
INDIAN DRAGONFLIES.
BY
Major F. C. Fraser, I.M.S.
( With Text-figures J)
(Continued frcm loage 744 of Volume XXVI.)
Part VI.
Genus — Trithemis, Brauer.
Fig. 48. — Male sexual organs of ; a. Trithemis /estiva, b. Trithemis palli-
dinervis, c. Trithemis aurora, d. Trithemis Tcirlyi.
Head proportionate in size ; eyes shortly contiguous ; forehead variable,
with or without a marked foreborder, usually without in the female ; suture
challow ; vesicle moderately high.
Prothorax with a small posterior lobe, rather hidden beneath the head.
Thorax moderately narrow. Legs long and slim: the hind femora with a row
of closely-set, smallish spines, gradually lengthening distally ; mid femora
with less numerous spines and some longer ones at the distal extremity.
Femora in the femald resembling the mid femora" of male. Tibial spines
numerous, fine and of medium length. Claw-hooks robust, springing from
the middle of claws.
Abdomen of variable shape accordiiig to the species and also to the age
of individual specimens. Most often clavate and somewhat depressed or
else markedly fusiform. The base somewhat dilated dorso-ventrally and
usually some constriction at the 3rd segment. In the female, the shape is
more generally cylindrical. In festica and jmllidinerris the sides are more
or less parallel
Wings relatively broad and long, especially in jmllidinervis. Hyaline or
parti-coloured ; reticulation close. Trigone in the forewing a little distal
to the trigone in the hind ; sectors of the arc with a long fusion ; arc
between the 1st and 2nd antenodal nervures ; antenodal nervures 8^ to
15i, the final incomplete , 8th nervure aris'ng from the anal angle of the
origone in the hindwing, occasionally slightly separated ; relation of trigone
920 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
^li the forewing to hypertrigone rather more than a right angle, this trigone
narrow and traversed, in the hmdwing free (very occasionally traversed
in kirbyi). All hypertrigones entire ; subtrigone with 3 cells ; 1 cubital
nervure to all wings (kirbyi often has 2 in the hind wing) ; 4th nervure
variable, straight or undulated ; 2 rows of cells between 5 and .5«. ; dis-
coidal field with 3 rows of cells or rarely 1 or 2 rows of 4 ; more or
less contracted at the termeu ; anal field of hindwing broad and loop well
developed ; 4 or more rows of cells between the loop and the basal
margin of wing ; divided cells at the anal and external angles of the loop.
Membrane large. Stigma usually small and in one species bicolourous.
Sexual organs : those of the male on the 2nd segment, large, the tenta-
cul^ variable and described under species ; lobe usually long, fairly
straight and narrow. Female : border of 8tli segment not dilated ; no
distinct vulvar scale ; 9th ventral plate keeled, furnished with 2 small
spines, the free border tongue-shaped and overlapping the 10th ventral
plate.
'■^-Four species of this genus are found within Indian limits, two of which
are found throughout India and are probably about the commonest dragon-
flief} we have in this country ; the other two are local and one at least may
be considered scarce. A fifth species comes from Mesopotamia.
Key to Species.
1. Adult forms.
A. Abdomen fusiform or clavate and depressed.
Thorax and abdomen bright crimson, this
colour slightly violaceous due to a thin
pruinescence.
i. Antenodal nervures 11^ to 15|^ .. T. aurora aurora.
ii. Antenodal nervures 9^ to 10|^ . . T. annulata.
B. Abdomen slim, cylindrical or triquetral.
i. Thorax and abdomen bright vermilion
red, with no frosting . . . . . . T. kirbyi kirbyi.
ii. Thorax and abdomen black, this colour
violaceous due to a thin pruinescence. T.festiva.
iii. Thorax golden brown, abdomen black
marked with yellow . . . . . . T. pallidinervis.
11. Teneral forms.
0, Abdomen very slightly fusiform or the sides
parallel and depressed, ochreous.
i. Antenodal nervures 11^ to 16^ . . T. aurora aurora.
ii. Antenodal nervures 9f to 10^ . . T. annulata.
57. Trithemis aurora aurora, Ris, 1911.
Trithemis aurora, Brauer, 1868, Selys, 1882, Kirby, 1889, 1890,
Karsch, 1891.
Trithemis soror, Brauer.
Trithemis adelpha, Selys.
Trithemis fraterna, Albarda.
Trithemis congener, Kirby.
Trithemis intermedia, Kirby.
Trithemis yerburyi, Selys.
Trithemis liturata, Selys.
Libellula aurora, Burm. 1839, Hagen, 1858, Calvert, 1898.
INDIAN DRAGONFLIES.
921
Fig. 49.
--Wings of Tritheinis aurora aurora showing ueuration.
Expanse 50 to ho mm. Length 32 to 3o mm.
Male : Head : eyes bright red or crimson above, brown at the sides and
lilaceous beneath : occiput brown ; vesicle and upper part of forehead a
glossy, metallic red with an iridescent bluish sheen ; ejiistome ochreous
or reddish, labrum and. labium yellow, both bordered variably with black.
Prothoras black with an ashy collar anteriorly.
Thorax purple or crimson with a bluish pruinescence on the dorsum,
laterally a golden brown in the adults or bright yellow in teneral forms
marked with three parallel, black stripes, the first midway beween the
humeral region and the spiracle, the second over the spiracle and the third
over the metepimeron. Often these three are joined at about their middle
by an irregular horizontal stripe. The dorsum is edged with a black,
humeral stripe.
Legs ferrugiuovis above, black beneath.
Wings hyaline, the reticulation crimson as far as stigma. The basal
spot golden brown with red reticulation and darker brown rays in the
inferior costal and cubital spaces. The latter rays are also present in the
forewings. The basal spot of hindwing variable in extent, usually extend-
ing as far as trigone and may or may not reach the tornus. Antenodal
nervures variable ; in five consecutive specimens examined, they numbered
13^, 14f, 15^, 11^ and 10^. Stigma small, bright crimson bordered heavily
with black.
Abdomen crimson with a bluish pruinescence. A black, lateral spot on
the 10th segment. Base slightly dilated, then constricted and then
markedly fusiform, and depressed. In some specimens there is an addi-
tional black mark on the sides of the 9th segment, but this and the marK
on the 10th are very variable in extent. Anal appendages red, the superior
having the tips black.
Sexual organs : male : lamina broad and depressed, notched shallowly in
the middle ; internal tentaculse attenuated and curving outwards : external
not marked ; the lobe narrow and relatively long.
Male teneral form.
922 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Tol. XXVI.
Juvenile forms of this and annulata show surprising differences
when compared with the adults. The differences are not limited to colour
alone but also to shape, so much so, that for a long time I was in doubt as
to whether the teneral forms were not entirely different species Further
study and observations and by collecting a complete series ranging from
very teneral to adult forms has shown that they are one and the same
insect.
The teneral form differs in the following particulars from the adult insect: —
The eyes are brown above instead of blood red ; the face is bright yellow
with no trace of red or ochreous.
Prothorax ochreous. Thorax pale greenish yellow or grey or almost
white, with the same marki gs as in the adult but offering a greater
■contrast by reason of the pale ground colour and the total abfence of
pruinescence. The lateral black stripes are often incomplete but the black
outline of an " envelope " on the under surface of the abdomen, which is a
specific character of all tritheminse, is well defined.
Legs black, the tibise striped outwardly with bright yellow.
Wings with bright yellow reticulation instead of crimson ; the basal
marking of a paler tint and not as extensive as in adult aurora. Stigma
black.
Abdomen much narrower and more sharply carinated on the dorsum.
There is usually some suggestion of the adult fusiform shape but in the
earliest stage, the abdomen has nearly parallel sides. Pale ochreous in
colour or with a reddish tinge according to age. The spots on the 9th and
10th segments are usually present but not as well marked as in the adult.
Anal appendages yellow.
Female : head : eyes purple brown or fawn above, lilaceous or slaty tint
beneath. (The dark colouring in all species of Trithemis is present as a
sharply limited cap on the summit of the eyes), occiput black, spotted with
yellow behind or in young forms the occiput may be a golden brown ;
vesicle and clypeus ochreous or these and the labrum bright yellow, the
latter edged with black. Often there is a black streak on the upper
surface of the forehead. Labium olivaceous edged with black.
Prothorax black with anterior and posterior, yellow collars more or less
in evidence.
Thorax pale whitish green with the following markings : — an obscure,
pale brown stripe on the mid-dorsal carina, the latter itself finely yellow
and dividing this fascia into two ; a similarly coloured humeral fascia better
defined and three fine, black, lateral, oblique lines as in the male.
Wings hyaline, the apices diffusely marked with brown for a variable
extent up to as far as the middle of the stigma. Stigma reddish brown
with black borders. Reticulation a bright yellow usually but may be
brown or nearly black. The basal spot about as extensive as the male but
a paler colour and the dark rays absent.
Abdomen with parallel sides, nearly cylindrical, ochreous with black
markings which are variable in extent and may almost obscure the ground
colouring, the dorsal carina finely to broadly black, the borders similar.
The Ist, 2nd and 3rd segments are largely yellow, but this colour decreases
in extent as traced towards the anal end, until on the 9th and 10th it is
represented only by a subdorsal spot on each side of the middorsal carina.
On the first 8 segments there is a subdorsal black streak dividing the
yellow ground colour into inner and outer yellow spots. Beneath black,
with a lateral yellow spot on each segment except the last two.
Teneral forms do not differ markedly from the adults, they are paler in
tint and the wings lack the brown apices. The abdomen is ochreous with
a blackish brown, interrupted, subdorsal line on the first 3 segments which
INDIAN DE AGON FLIES. 913
gradually approaches and fuses with the black line bordering the remain-
ing segments. A fine middorsal black line on the carina. Anal appendages
black. In the adult female these are ochreous with black tips.
Hab. Throughout Continental India in the plains, but ascending to
3^500 feet, in the Southern Hills at least. I have specimens from Shillong,
Karachi, Bombay, Madras and Ceylon and from parts of the Deccan, but
with the exception of the extent of the basal marking in the hindwing,
they show but little variation. It is one of the commonest Indian dragon-
flies and is fqund throughout the year in Southern India in the plains. In
the Deccan, it is not common until the month of April, when it suddenly
appears in large numbers along the banks of rivers, streams or tanks.
It breeds in running water for preference, keeping to the shallows, where
large numbers of the larvae may be found by lifting up curtains of
spirogyra.
58. Trithemisannulata, Ptis, 1908. Coll. Selys.
Lihellula aitnulata, Paliset de Beauvais.
LiheUula rubvinervis, Selys, 1849, Hagen, 1856, Selys, i860.
TrithemU rHbrinern.-<, Braner, 1868, Selys, 1887, Kirby Cat., 1890,
Calvert, 1893, Martin, 1894, 1895, Maclachlan, 1897, Kirby, 1897.
Libeliida obsoleta, Rambur, 1842,
Trithemis obsoleta, Brauer, 1868.
Libeliida kcematina, Rambur, 1842.
Expanse 64 nnn. Length 37 mm.
The colouring of this species both for male and female is exactly
similar to aurora, but it is readily distinguished from the latter by the
follow-ng specific characters :— the size is much greater, some of the
females being of comparatively great size ; the antenodal nervures number
only 9i to 10| and lastly, the rays in the inferior costal and cubital spaces
seen in aurora are absent. The basal marking in the hindwing varies as
inaurnra, but is similar in colour.
Teneral forms of anmdata are exactly similar to those of aurora except
for the three diflerences noted above for the adults.
Anmdata replaces aurora or rather the latter replaces the former in India,
anM?</«fa being found in Mesopotamia. The diflerences between the adult
and teneral forms in the one and the other are a most striking analogy and
furnish the most convincing proof of the relation between these forms.
Hab. Mesopotamia, Africa generally and Madagascar, throughout Asia
Minor and the Mediterranean coast. Specimens from Suez are exactly
the same as those from Mesopotamia. I include this species on account
of its striking analogy to aurora and also to the close association which
Mesopotamia has now with this country,
59. Trithemis kirbyi kJrbyi, Ris, 1911,
Trithemis aurora, Kirby, Proc. Zool. Soc, 1886, Cat. 1890.
Trithemis Idrbyi, Selys, 1891.
Male : Expanse 56 mm. Length 35 mm.
Head: eyes reddish brown or bright red above, pale brown laterally
and beneath. In some specimens there is an equatorial ring of red
just below the red cap and this is followed by a delicate lilac tintT occiput
brown : vesicle, forehead and upper part of epistome bright vermilion red
fading to yellow below : labrum and labium yellow.
Prothorax ochreous with a black collar in front and another behind.
Thorax oHvaceous to golden brown, suftused with a peach-blossom tint
at the humeral and metepimeronal regions, the intervening area being a
pale greenish white. In many specimens the sides are suflused with bright
924 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HLST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVL
crimson. All that is left of the humeral stripe is a tiny black spot, often
entirely absent and on the sides are two more or less obsolete stripes,
one crossing the spiracle, incomplete above, the other on the posterior
suture, incomplete below. Beneath the usual black outline of an envelope.
Wings hyaline with a very variable, basal spot ; the reticulation bright
crimson, this colour extending as far as the apex along the costa and 2nd
ners^ure (radius) ; stigma deep blood red with black margins and paler
extremities; antenodal nervures 10| to Hi ; the trigone in the hindwing
often traversed (in one of ray specimens, this is traversed twice), in some
specimens, the trigone of one wing only is traversed ; quite occasionally
the costal border of the trigone is strongly convex so that the distal angle
meets the 7th nt-rvure by means of an abrupt backward angulation of
the latter, this bent part forming a fourth side to the hypertrigone ; in
some specimens two cubital nervures are present ; the basal marking a
dark amber tint, extending in most specimens as far out in the forewing
as the 4th or 6th antenodal nervure, the outer ends of hypertrigone and
trigone and a variable area in the anal region. In the hindwing as far out
as the 5th antenodal nervure, 2 cells beyond the outer end of the trigone
and from thence in a slight analwards curve as far as the termen, the outer
part of the loop being excluded. In other specimens the marking is
limited to a broad spur in the costal and cubital spaces as far only as the
3rd antenodal and not extending into the trigone ; in the hindwing to
half-way between the 3rd and 4th antenodals, to the distal end of the
trigone and posterior to this as a more or less isolated patch in the anal
area, not reaching the termeu or anal margin ; a third form has only dark
rays in the inferior costal space, the cubital plus trigonal space and in the
hindwing, a small, diffuse, faint spot in the anal area, in which the cell-
middles are paler than their margins. (I possess one specimen in which
the basal marking is of average extent but is of a smoky brown and in
which all the cell middles are clear, the appearance being that of a coarse,
brown network.)
Abdomen brilliant vermilion red with small black middorsal spots on
he 9th and 10th segments and occasionally similar coloured, wedge-
shaped spots on the distal borders of the 8 and 9th segments. Anal
appendages bright red.
Legs reddish, the inner surfaces of the hind femora black.
Sexual organs : lobe arched and sloping ; internal tentaculse stout,
almost straight hooks ; the lobe long, narrow, straight and projecting.
Female : Head : eyes reddish brown on summit, lilaceous at the sides and
beneath, the beginning of an equatorial ring in front just below and parallel to
the cap ; vesicle pale ochreous above, yellow in front ; occiput reddish-
brown ; face pale yellow, a deeper colour below ; labrum and labium pale
whitish green.
Prothorax olivaceous with a black collar in front and behind.
Thorax much paler than that of the male but the markings better
defined. The sides generally suffused with a beautiful peach-blossom tint.
Abdomen brick red on the dorsum, pale olivaceous at the sides where
there is often a sufi'usion of peach-blossom tint. Long, hne, subdorsal
streaks of black which are almost obsolete on the first few segment, but
strongly marked on the 5 th to 9th, absent on the 10th; middorsal, black
spots on the 8th and 9th as in the male but somewhat larger. Anal
appendages ochreous.
Legs olivaceous, the coxfB tinted with peach-blossom.
Wings hyaline ; the basal marking variable, in some specimens only a
suspicion of yellow rays in the costal and cubital spaces of forewing
and in the hijid reaching as far as the 1st antenodal nervures, halfway
INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. 925
across the subcostal space, nearly to the outer end of the cubital space
and then curving strongly to the tornus ; in others the marking is
almost as extensive as in the male, but the cell middles are usually clear
and give a characteristic stippled appearance to the wing base.
Hab. The insect is found locally in many parts of India from far North
to far South. I have not seen it among material sent from the North-West
nor from Burma. It is reported from Ceylon. My own specimens have
almost all been taken in the Deccan where I have found it to be very local
and I have also taken it in Madras, but not in Bombay. It is a shy and
very active insect and not easily captured. Rough nullahs and the rocky
shores of streams and rivers are its favourite haunts and in such places
it is invariably seen settled on rocks or such like bare spots, where its
brilliant orange red colouring makes it a conspicuous object. The females
are rare and are only found, when coming to water ior purposes of ovi-
positing. I have had to haunt the j)laces where the males congregated
for days together before I succeeded in capturing a specimen.
60. Trithemis festiva, Brauer, 1868, Selys, 1879, Kirby, 1886.
Libellula carnatica, Fabr., 1798.
Libellula festica, Kambur, 1842.
Libellula ivjerncdis, Brauer, 1865.
Dytheviis infernalis, Brauer, 1866.
Trithemis infernalis, Brauer, 1868, Selys, 1878.
Trithemis prosperina, Selys, 1878, Kirby, 1890.
Libellula cyprica, Martin ?
Trithemis cyprica, Martin, 1894.
Male : Expanse 60 mm. Length 35 mm.
Head : eyes deep purple above or dark brown with a purple sheen, slate
blue at the sides and beneath ; vesicle and upper part of forehead glossy
metallic violet ; epistome and labrum dark olivaceous brown with a darker
brown middle or the labrum black with a brown base ; labium blackish
brown , occiput dark brown.
Protborax deep indigo blue.
Thorax black, but appearing purple owing to a thin pruinescence.
Abdomen black, the first three segments only with bluish pruinescence.
Legs black.
Wings hyaline but sometimes in old specimens faintly tinted; stigma
black ; a basal marking in the hindwing which varies in size and den-
sity, usually there is a dark, smoky brown ray in the inferior costal space
and another in the cubital space, the former not reaching the first anteno-
dal nervure, the latter extending beyond the cubital nervure. From the
cubital space the marking is continued in an even curve to nearly as far
as or to the tornus. Little variation in the neuration of this insect is
seen.
Sexual organs : male : lamina low and broad, its surface coated with
bright brown hairs ; external tentaculse quadrangular, the internal short
and strongly hooked backward ; the lobe small, pointed and narrow,
arched more than in the other species.
Teneral forms of the male are much livelier coloured and approach that
of the female. With the exception of the upper part of forehead and
labrum, the face is a bright greenish yellow ; the labium similarly coloured.
Thorax bright greenish yellow with black markings as follows : — a moder-
ately broad middorsal fascia split by the mid-dorsal carina which is yellow,
a broad humeral stripe and laterally three oblique stripes connected above
with each other; the tergum and interalar sinus yellow.
6
926 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Pol. XXVI.
Abdomen black marked with yellow as follows : — all the dorsum of the
Ist three segments, the colour here being traversed by fine black lines at
the sutures and transverse ridges ; a window-shaped mark consisting of
four panes on the 4th segment ; oval dorsal spots on the .5th to 7th,
decreasing in size progressively as traced backwards ; the sides of the
first three segments, the yellow here being separated from that on the
dorsum by a black line ; beneath a broad midventral spot on all segments
from 1 to 7,
The basal marking of wing is usually not as extensive as in the adult
forms and is of a deep golden brown.
Female very similar to teneral males, but the whole insect more robust
and the abdomen thicker and nearly cylindrical. In the male this is slim
and strongly keeled and the last few segments are a little dorso-ventrally
dilated. The yellow is more extensive and the black markings conversely
less in evidence.
Head : eyes puce brown above, pale lilaceous grey at the sides and
beneath ; vesicle and upper part of forehead not metallic, the former
brown, the latter and the face pale dirty yellow.
Thorax pale brown on the dorsum, the mid-dorsal and humeral regions a
little darker and usually the latter bearing traces of a fine black line.
Laterally the sides are pale yellow with similar but finer black lines as
seen in the male.
Abdomen a pale reddish or olivaceous brown, somewhat variable with
black margins which gradually encroach on the pale dorsal area and
meet over the dorsal carina on the last three segments. The sides of the
fist three segments yellow. Legs yellowish brown.
Basal spot of hindwing bright golden brown. Some specimens have the
apices of all wings tipped with brown as far as the distal end of stigma.
Hab. Throughout India, Ceylon, Burma and Indo-China, New Guinea,
Borneo, Java, Formosa, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor. The insect is extre-
mely common and is found throughout the year except in the Northern
areas in the cold season.
It is not often seen away from water and prefers running to still waters.
Females are comparatively rare.
61. Trithemis pallidinervis, Morton, 1907.
Sympetritm pallid inervis, Kirby, 1889, Id. Cat., 1890.
Trithemis dryas, Selys, 1891.
Diplax dryas, Martin, 1904.
Expanse 71 mm. Length 43 mm.
Male and female very similar in appearance, the later however is paler
and the yellow markings greater in extent on the abdomen.
Head : eyes reddish brown above, brown at the sides and slate blue
beneath ; vesicle, upper and front part of frons iridiscent, metallic purple
in the male and light yellow in the female, in which there is only a broad
basal line to the forehead, metallic blue green ; epistome and labrum light
brown in the male, very pale yellow in the female ; labrum yellow with
black borders ; occiput olivaceous or yellow.
Prothorax dull brown.
Thorax dull brown with a diffuse blackish brown mid-dorsal stripe and
on the sides which are pale yellowy a post-humeral and two lateral black
stripes, the front one crossing the spiracles and the hind over the posterior
suture.
The humeral stripe curves abruptly back below but does not quite touch
the stripe crossing the spiracle; which latter is incomplete above. In
INDIAN DRAGON FLIES. 927
addition there is a fine humeral stripe incomplete above and below.
Beneath, the usual black, envelope marking.
Wings long and broad, the reticulation very fine and giving a peculiarly
characteristic invisible appearance to the wings. Stigma of forewing
in the male distinctly larger than that of the hind, dark reddish brown,
whitish at the extremities (stigma of female distinctly larger than that of
male) ; a golden brown, basal marking in both wings extending about
halfway to the Ist antenodal nervure, not as far as the cubital nervure in
the forewing but well beyond it in the hind ; 8^ antenodal nervures ;
always 11 rows of cells between 5 and ba (quite occasionally there is only 1
row in other species of the genus) ; membrane blackish.
Abdomen long and slender in the male, much stouter in the female, the
sides almost parallel and in the male, the internodal jouits distinctly
swollen. Black marked with yellow, each segment (except the yth, 9th and
10th in the male) bearing a long, oval, subdorsal spot. In the female
there is a small point of yellow on the 8th and two small spots of the
same colour on the distal half of the 10th. The sides of the first three
segments broadly yellow ; the ventral surface pruinose. Anal appendages
pale yellow with black tips in both sexes.
Sexual organs : male : lamina broad and somewhat depressed ; external
tentaculas short, internal short, backvvardly directed, robust hooks; lobe
very slightly arched, small and very narrow, yellow. Female as in all
species of the genus, the borders of the 8th segment not dilated ; vulvar
scale small and inconspicuous.
Pallidinervis has a distinct facies of its own which at once separates it
from all other members of the genus. With the exception of the small
lobe to the prothorax and the contracted discoidal field, there are few
features which place it as a trithemis. The differences between it and
other species may be briefly summarised and are so many that palhdinervis
might well be given generic rank.
a. The insect is much larger than all other species of tritlwmis. A
moderate sized pallidinei vis may be as much as 20 mm. greater in expanse
than a small aurora, or 15 mm. greater than kirbyi, or 11 mm. t}\a.nf estiva.
b. The difierences between the sexes is almost negligible when compared
with those of the other species, in fact it is much less than the difierences
between teneral males and adult females.
c. The legs are characteristically long and spidery, the hind reaching
far beyond the hind border of the hindwings.
d. The hind femora have a row of closely-set spines that are of even
length and there is a single longer spine at the distal end of the femora.
e. The mid femora have a row of widely-set, gradually lengthening
spines.
/. The armature of the hind femora in the female is exactly the same
as in those of the male.
g. The wings are relatively very long and characteristically clear and
diaphanous.
h. The stigmata in the wings of the male dift'er in size.
I'll'
Pallidinervis and kirhyi represent the two ends of the scale ui the chain
of evolution, the former being the most highly developed, the latter very
occasionally presenting archaic characteis.
Hab. Locally throughout India. Poena, Bombay, Deesa, Thibet,
Ceylon, Madras.
The insect is generally found perched high up on the summit of tall
reeds, beds of bull-rushes being a favourite site. It is peculiar in this
habit and therefore generally a solitary insect. The long, spidery legs are
bunched together and fully extended, so that its body appears stalked to
928
JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
the resting place, whilst the wings are held slightly elevated and the
abdomen pointed almost perpendicularly in the air. Although common
where found, I have so far failed to locate its larva which is apparently a
ank breeder.
Genus — Khyothemis.
Fig. -jO.
-Wings of
(5 Rhijothemis variegata (X 2 -8).
Rhyothemis, Hagen, 1867.
Libellula, TIambur, 1842.
Head relatively small ; eyes broadly contiguous, the junction about equal
to the depth of the occipital triangle ; forehead prominent and rounded,
similar in both sexes ; suture deep ; vesicle large and prominent ; occiput
small.
Prothorax with a small posterior lobe which is narrowly arched and ciliated
along its free border.
Thorax narrow and relatively small.
Legs long and slim, similar in the two sexes. Hind femora with a row
of widely-set, smallish spines and one longer one at the distal end ; mid
femora with longer and less numerous spines. Tibial spines numerous,
very fine. Claw-hooks robust, situated near the end.
Abdomen short and compressed laterally. Somewhat fusiform in the
male, a little cylindrical in the female. A transverse ridge on the 4th
segment.
Wings long and broad or short and broad, varying usually in the shape
in the sexes ; reticulation close ; generally more or less coloured with black
or black and yellow, the former colour with a more or less metallic reflec-
tion ; trigone in the forewing 3 to 4 cells beyond the line of the trigone in
the hind ; sectors of arc separated in the forewing, but usually joined
for a short distance in the hind ; arc between the 1st and 2nd antenodal
nervures, often opposite the 1st ; 8th nervure at the anal angle of trigone ;
7| to 10| antenodal nervures, the final incomplete ; base of trigone in the
hindwing at the arc ; 1 cubital nervure to all wings ; no accessory nervures
INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. 929
to the bridge ; relation of trigone in hindwing to hypertrigone about a
a right angle ; trigone in the hindwing entire ; hypertrigone in the fore-
wing generally traversed, that of the hind usually entire ; 4th nervure with
only a slight undulation, its end bent abruptly towards the termen ; 1 to 2
rows of cells between 5 and .5« ; the discoidal field more or less contracted
at the termen and filled with 3 to 5 rows of cells ; anal iield of the
hindwing very broad ; the midrib of the loop nearly straight, its angula-
tion commencing very near the trigone so that the end segment, or toe of
the loop is relatively long, its outer angle broad and filled with numerous
cells, the space between the midrib and inner border very narrow ; the
space lying between the loop and anal border of wing filled with numerous
rows of narrow cells arranged transversely. Membrane moderately large.
Stigma short.
Sexual organs : male : lamina broad and depressed at the base, the border
rounded and projecting ; tentaculte small, the internal backwardly curving,
robust hooks, the external small and angular ; lobe small and narrow.
Female : borders of the Sth segment not dilated ; 8th ventral plate pro-
longed into a small, projecting vulvar scale ; 9th ventral plate broad,
carinated at the end, not overlapping the 10th ventral plate, 10th very
small.
Key to Species.
Wings marked with black and yellow.
At least 2 rows of cells between 5 and 5a.
i. Sexual diflerentiation very marked.
Male with the whole of wings, suffused
with yellow. Fore wing with spots at the
node, trigone and at the middles of 6 and
5a, and 7 and 7a. Hindwing similar but
with two additional, transverse, basal bands.
Female with broader and shorter wings
than the m.ale, all apices of wings hyaline,
much more so in the fore than hind wingf,
the black markings more extensive than in
the male and the spots coalesced to form
broad fasciie which traverse the wing from
costa to termen . . . . . . . . R. varief/ata.
ii. Sexual differences both in shape and colour,
less marked.
Male with apices of all wings tipped with
brown. In the forewing usually only a well
marked, black spot at the node, but often a
poorly marked, diffuse spot over the middle
of 5 and 5a and possibly a similar spot at the
trigone. In the hindwing similar spots, a
ray in the intercostal space at the base, and
two transverse, basal f ascise which are not as
extensive as in varier/ata.
Female similar to male, but the marks usually
more extensive or better marked. Apices
of all wings tipped with brownish black .. R. phyllisphyllis.
II. Wings marked with black only.
At least 2 rows of cells between 5 and 5«. Wings
entirely black with a metallic lustre, except
the extreme apices which are hyaline. . . R. plutonia
930 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, fol. XXVI.
III. Only 1 row of cells between 5 and ba.
Base of both wings black with a bluish, metallic
reflection, in the forewing as far as the tri-
gone, in the hind nearly as far as the node . . R. triangularis.
62- Rhyothemis variegata variegata, Hagen.
Libellula varieyata, Linne.
Libeliula marcia, Drury.
Rhi/othemis marcia, Hagen.
Libeliula murcia, Fabr.
liJiyothemis murcia, Braiier.
Libeliula indica, Fabr.
Libeliula histrio, Fabr.
Libeliula celestina, Oliv.
Male. Expanse 7o mm. Length 37 mm.
Eyes reddish brown above, olivaceous at the sides and beneath ; occiput
black ; vesicle and forehead metallic green ; face and labrum golden yellow
labium blackish brown.
Prothorax black.
Thorax metallic green or a coppery green on the dorsum. Very pilose.
Abdomen parallel-sided, dorso-ventrally dilated for the first four segments,
metallic, coppery green, pruinose at the sides and beneath. Legs black.
Wings long and rather narrow at the apices, suflused entirely with
yellow, marked very variably with black as follows : — the apices of all
wings a blackish brown ; irregular black spots, very variable in size, some-
times very large, sometimes almost or some at least entirely obsolescent,
at the trigone, node and at the middles of 5 and 5a, and 7 and 7a. In
addition to these, in the hindwing, two irregular, transverse, black fascise
which lie in a diffuse, framing of deeper yellow than the rest of the wing.
Female : head, prothorax and abdomen coloured the same as in the
male. Con8ideral)ly shorter than the male. Expanse 67 mm. Length 32 mm.
Wings much shorter and broader than in the male and marked very
differently. The distal half of the forewing and the apex of the hind from
the proximal end of stigma, hyaline and with no tinting of yellow, the
remainder of wings suffused with yellow and marked broadly with black, the
latter colour preponderating. Tihe tornus narrowly, two rounded indenta-
tions at the terminal ends of the 7th and 8th nervures and a variably
sized, circular spot in the middle of the outer part of the black fascia,
yellow. Also a more or less quadrate spot immediately distal to the node
and an irregular, transverse band posterior to the trigone in the hindwing.
In the forewnig, the termen narrowly and a subcostal ray yellow.
Hab. Throughout Continental India in the moister areas. Ceylon,
Indo-Malay, Burma, Thibet, Nepal, Bombay, Madras, Bangalore, Calcutta,
Bhamo, Mandalay, Annam.
Contrary to the general rule, females of this and the next and probably
of all species of the genus are much in excess of the males. In Bangalore
and Madras where 1 have seen the insect swarming in such numbers that
five or six could be taken with a single stroke of the net, not more than
] per cent, would be males and half of the number taken would be variegata
and the other half phi/liis. I captured a hundred specimens one day under
the impression that they were all variegata but when examining them at
leisure I was surprised to find that I had only two males of that species,
the remainder being females of that insect and phyllis, the latter closely
resembling the males of variegata. They are to be sought for in marshy areas
INDIAN DRAGONFLIES.
931
and will be found to have a habit of dancing in the air in large numbers'
looking for all the world like a swarm of gigantic and glorified gnats.
Fig.
51.
-Wings of $ Mhyothemis variegata variegata (x 2'2).
63. Rhyothemis phyllis phyllis, Hagen.
Lihdlula phyllis, Sulzer.
Celythemis phyllis, Brauer.
Lihellula quadripunctata, Roemer.
Libellula vittata, Weber.
Male. Expanse 8:2 mm. Length 38 mm.
Female. Expanse 70 mm. Length 32 mm.
The sexes very similar in colour although difl'ering in size and somewhat
in shape. Phyllis is probably the parent form of variegata and if a
heavily marked male of the former be compared with a lightly marked
male of the latter, the differences will be seen to be almost negligible.
The female of variegata has probably evolved from phyllis by a clearing of
the apices of the wings and an increase in size of the markings at the base
until the spots coalesced.
Head : eyes reddish brown above, olivaceous at the sides and beneath ;
occiput black ; vesicle and forehead metallic green ; face and labrum a
golden yellow ; labium darker yellow or brown.
Prothorax black.
Thorax metallic coppery in the male, metallic green in the female.
Legs black.
Abdomen black with a more or less metallic lustre, pruinose beneath in
the male only.
Wings entirely suffused with golden yellow, darker at the base and along
the costa and in the hind distinctly opalescent. Marked with black as
follows : — A nodal spot, larger in the fore than in the hind wing and larger
in the female than in the male ; the apices of all wings halfway to stigma,
paler in the female: a diffuse spot at the outer angle of trigone, larger in
the female ; two broad, irregular transverse bands at the base, extending
variably outward to the 2nd or 4th antenodal nervuie and to the distal
end of the trigone or ]| cells beyond the posterior band, to well beyond
the outer angle of loop. In the female and also not unoccasionally
932
JOURNAL, BOMB AY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
in the male, additional spots at the middles of the 5th and 7th nervures.
Many females have also an additional spot at the terminal part of the dis-
coidal field in the hindwing.
Fig,
52. — Sexual organs of Rhyothemis phyllis phyllis.
Sexual organs : As for the genus ; there is absolutely no differentiation
between the sexual organs of phyllis and variegata, both have a very
depressed lamina, the apex of which is furnished with a fringe of very
stout hairs, a golden yellow in colour, and both have very massive inter-
nal tentacula. The females of both species possess horny processes on
the 9th ventral plate, near its base.
Hab. Throughout Continental India, Ceylon, Burma and Indo-Malay.
This insect is nearly always found in company with the former and what
has been said for variegata, applies equally well for phyllis. The larvse are
found breeding in company with those of variegata in the shallow, stagnant
waters of marshes. They are short, squat and stoutly built insects, with
rather long legs and are remarkably deeply pigmented, being almost black
in the living state.
(To be continued.)
933
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY.
No. XXI.
BY Oldfield Thomas, f.r.s., &c.
{Published by permission of the Trustees of the British Alttsenm.)
.4.— SOME NEW MAMMALS FROM BALUCHISTAN
AND NORTH-WEST INDIA.
Among the fine series of Mammals from Baluchistan contributed
by Col. J. E. B. Hotson to the Bombay Natural History Society
there occur a number of interesting small mammals which have
been put into my hands for examination.
As a result the following new species seem to require descrip-
tion : —
Myotis lanceus, sp. n.
A bufFy greyish species with woolly fur and deeply notched
ears.
Size decidedly larger than in M. emarginatv.s, to which its woolly
fur and notched ears give it a certain resemblance.
Fur cjuite woolly, just about as in emarginatus ; hairs of fore
back and withers over 8 mm. in length, those of hind back 5 mm.
Interfemoral slightly hairy proximally above, without frijige ;
otherwise all the membranes are naked; legs and hind feet with
fine hairs on them.
General colour greyish bufF}^, the hairs slaty at base, with a
broad buffy whitish subterminal ring and inconspicuous tawny tip.
Undersurface dull creamy white, the hairs white nearly to their
roots. Ears of medium length, their inner margin strongly and
evenly convex, outer margin angularly emarginate. Tragus
straight.
Skull larger and heavier than in emarginatus, with broader
muzzle ; not so large as in formosics. Relative proportions of
premolars about as in emarginatiis, the small p^ in the tooth row.
Dimensions : — Forearm, 45 mm.
Head and body (from dry skin), 55 mm.; tail (c), 37; ear (wet),
15 X 10 ; tragus on inner edge, 7 ; third finger, metacarpus, 39*5 ;
first phalanx, IG ; lower leg and foot (c. u.), 30.
Skull : greatest length, 16; median length, 14-6; zygomatic
breadth, 10-3 ; iuterorbital breadth, 4 ; breadth across upper canines,
6a
934 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
4-4; palato-sinual length, 7*8; maxillary tooth series, 6-8; front
of^ * to back of m ', 4.
Hab\ — Dizak district^ Persian Baluchistan. Type from Shastun.
Alt. 3,820'.
%>5e;— Adult? .B. M.No. 19, 11, 8, 2. Original number 125.
Collected 28th July 1916, and presented by Col. J. E. B. Hotson.
This well marked species is perhaps a large desert coloured
eastern representative of the S. European M. emarginatus, but
further material will be needed before its affinities can be certainly
determined. Larger than emarginahis, it is on the other hand much
smaller than the bright coloured Asiatic species M. furmosus and its
allies, to which there is also a certain resemblance.
Meriones persiciis baptistae, subsp. n.
A fine bushy tailed jird, with larger bulla3 than in true per sic us.
Size as in ijersicus. General colour gerbil buff, the hairs
'' warm-buff" with their tips blackish, so that the general tone is
darker than in Kelat M. persicus. A more ochraceous line along the
edge of the white on sides. Ears coloured like the head. Tail heavily
tufted, the long hairs attaining 22-24mm. in length ; base above
ochraceous buffy lined with black, under surface mixed whitish and
buffy ; tuft at end black, mixed with some white lines.
Skull as in tvwe per sicm, except that the bullas are larger, mor«
lully inflated, and generally project backwards behind the level of
the back of the supraoccipital (there is (?ome optical illusion in this,
the bulla? often appearing to project behind the supraoccipital
level when reallj^, as judged by a straight-edge, they only just
equal it). In persicus they fall decidedly short of the same level.
Dimensions of the type: — Head and body, 132 mm.; tail, 156;
hindfoot, 36 ; ear, 23. Skull : greatest length in middle line,
43*3 ; diagonal length to back of bullae, 44. 3 ; Condylo-incisive
length, 39 ; zj^gomatic breadth, 22-7 ; nasals, 18-5 ; interorbital
breadth, 7'8 , bi-meatal breadth, 23*3; palatal foramina, 9;
diagonal horizontal length of bullae, 16; front of meatal inflation to
back of bulla, 12-2; upper molar series, 5-6.
Hah :— Pasht Kuh, S. W. Baluchistan, about 27" 2'/ N., 65°
12' E. Others from Gwambuk Kaul and Kuldan in the same
region.
Type :---0\d j . B. M. No. 19, 11, 7, 69. Original number 455
Collected 24th March 1918 and presented by Col. J. E. B. Hotson.
Four specimens.
Taking provisionally as representing persiciis, Col. Hotson's
series from Kelat, in which the bullse are exactly of the same size
SCIENTIIIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 93r,
as those of B. M. No. 76, 3, 10, 2, one of Blanford's co-types,
this fine Gerbil is distinguished by its darker richer colour, the
decidedly greater development of the tail tuft, and its larger
hvdlse.
M, amhrosius, Thos. of Western Persia is nearly allied, but
has a brighter buffy colour and much smaller buUaj.
With the entire agreement of Mr. Wroughton I have named this
handsome animal after N. A. Baptista, who acted as Col. Hotson's
taxidermist, and to whose collecting powers the Survey is already
so much indebted.
DlPODILLUS INDUS, Sp. n.
General characters as in I), nanus but size distinctly smaller and
tail less heavily tufted.
Skull smaller throughout than in nanus, and the bullas especially
very considerablj^ smaller. Indeed the bullae of the Baluchistan
species prove to be unusually large for this genus, approaching
those of B. arahmm.
Dimensions of the type :—}Iead and body, 72 mm.; tail, 117;
hind foot, 22; ear, 13.
Skull : (the measurements in brackets those of D. nanus)
median length, 25-5 (27-6); diagonal length to back of bullae
25-6 (28); condylo-incisive length, 22-1 (24j ; zj^gouiatic breadth.
13-6 (14-7); nasals, 97 (10); bi-meatal breadth, 13-8 (14-2);
palatal foramina, 4*3 (5); buUcO, diagonal horizontal length, 9"4
(10-3) ; breadth at right angles to last, excluding meatus, 5-7 (6) ;
upper molar series, 3'2 (3-5).
Hab: — Sind, Kathiawar, and Gujerat. Type from Gambat,
Khairpur, Sind.
Tz/j^e:— Aditlt J. B. M. No. 15. 11. 1. 100. Original number
825.' Collected 12th April 1915, by S. H. Prater. Presented
to the National Museum by the Bombay Natural History
Society.
Six Dipodils are included in Col. Hotson's collection from various
localities in S. W. Baluchistan. Blanford having described D.
nanus from Saman, Dasht, just a little further South-westwards.
I have been able to treat them as practically topo-typical of that
species and then make a comparison with the Gerbils from
Kathiawar and Sind referred to in the Survey Reports Nos. 10, 12,
and 24 as D. nanais.
I find that the latter are iinquestionably different and have
therefore described them as above
936 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
This clearing up of the identity of Blanford's D. nanus is a
very i:iseful result of Col. Hotson's collection, for the name has been
used for specimens from a number of different localities.
D. inches would appear to be the farthest eastward of the species
of Bipodill'iis, and the only one which occurs in India prope".
Allactaga hotsoni, sp. n.
A very long-eared Jerboa of medium size.
Size decidedly greater than in A. indica, but not equalling that
of the Central Asiatic species. General colour dull greyish buffy,
about as in A. indica, or a little darker. Ears enormously long,
far longer in proportion than in any other species of the genus,
and equalling in actual size those of the largest Jerboas. Usual
white hijD-stripe present, below which the outer sides of the hips
are pale fawn tending towards buffy, not ochraceus as in unlliamsi.
Whole of back of leg black down to the ankles, a marking towards
which there is little or no tendency in other species. Tail dull
fawn with a subterminal black ring about two inches in length,
not preceded by a white one. Terminal white tuft growing on the
last 15 mm. of the tail, its hairs about 18 mm. in length.
Skull rather larger than in A. indica, falling far short of that
of A. loilliamsi. Braincase with its broadest point further
forward than in the other species, about half-way between the
anterior corner of the orbit internal to the lachrymal bone and the
back of the skull. Palatal foramina wddely open, especially
posteriorly. Bullas very large, larger even than in the much
larger A. icilliamd, and approaching those of A. mongolica and
rnckbeili.
Dimensions of the type: — Head and body, 122 ; tail, 220 ; hind-
foot 58 ; ear, 41 : Skull : upper length, 29-5 ; condylo-incisive
length, 29.5; zygomatic breadth, 21.7; nasals, 11 x 4-6;
interorbital breadth, 9; greatest breadth of braincase, 15-7;
palatilar length, 16-8 ; palatal foramina, 5-7 x 3 6 ; bullas, breadth
at right angles to greatest diameter, 6*5 ; upper molar series,
without p*, 5.
Hah: — Persian Baluchistan. Type from Kant, 20 miles S. W.
of Sib. Alt. 3,950'
y^jje:— Adult $B. M. No. 19, 11, 8, 56. Original number
111. Collected 17th July 1916, and presented by Col. J. E. B.
Hotson. One specimen only.
This most distinct species of Jerboa is readily recognisable by
its excessively long ears and, in correlation therewith, by its large
bullas, which equal those of much larger species. It is in all
SCIENTIFIC RESVLTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 937
respects larger than A. indica, of which Col. Hotson has also
sent specimens, while it is smaller, though with larger ears, than
any of the larger species of the genus.
As being the most striking of the new species he has been
instrumental in discovering in Baluchistan, I have named this
interesting Jerboa in honour of Col. Hotson, the donor of the
fine collection in which it occurs.
OCHOTONA RUFESCENS VULTURNA, subsp. nOV.
Size rather less than in typical rufescens, greater than in the
Central Persian 0. r. vrder. General colour in full summer
pelage much more uniformly buffy reddish than in the other forms,
the light neck band less contrasted with the back, owing to the
paler colour of the latter. Forehead and crown buffy cinnamon,
the subterminal band of the hairs warm buff, their ends strong
cinnamon; band across neck dull buff"y ; back like crown, not, as
in the other forms, with a more reddish shoulder band and greyer
hind back, but nearly uniform mixed buffy and cinnamon. Under-
surface slaty greyish broadly washed with buffy. Ears like the
head. Limbs pale buffy throughout.
Skull with larger bullae than in vizier, rather smaller than in
regina, and larger than in a Kurum Valley specimen of true
rufescens,
Bimensionsofthe type: — Head and body, 167; hindfoot. 32; ear,
23. Skull: uppei length, 42 mm. (Skull of the more fully adult
No. 126, the nasal sutures commencing to anchylose : — upper
length, 44; condylo-incisive length, 41-5; zygomatic breadth,
22-7; nasals, 14-2; interorbital breadth, 4-3; parietal breadth,
17-2; greatest bimeatal breadth. 21-5; palatal foramina, 12-3;
breadth of palatal bridge, 2-2; bullae horizontal antero-posterior
length, 12-2; oblique diameter on side aspect (upper anterior to
lower posterior edge), 11.
Hah : — Kelat region, Baluchistan. Type from Harboi, near
Kela.t.
Type :— Young adult s ■ B. M. No. 19. 11. 8. 57. Original number
103, Collected 11th August 1917, and presented by Col. Hotson.
Two specimens.
The Pikas referable to 0. rufescens are found over a large quadri-
lateral corresponding approximately with the northern half
of Persia and the whole of Afghanistan, At the north-western
corner of this quadrilateral, on the Kopet Dagh, Ashabad and
Meshed, there occurs 0. r. regina, then at the north-eastern corner,
at Kabul and in the Kurum Valley, typical 0. rufescens ; at the
938 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
sotitli-westpru corner, in Central Persia, on the Korud Range, 0. r.
vizier, and now this very buffy fo)-m from the south-eastern corner
Kelat and probabl}^ Qaetta, completes the set.
The series available however is far too small to make it possible
to work out the interrelationships of the different forms, especially
as the changes of pelage render so many of the specimens not
properly comparable with the rest. It is for this reason that
I am still in doubt whether specimens from Mastung, 8. W. of
Quetta and Ziarat, N. E. of same place, are or are not certainl}^
referable to 0. r. vulhirna.
B—TWO NEW SPECIES OF CALOMYSCUS.
RY Oldfield Thomas, f.r.r.
Amono- the fine collection of Mammals from Baluchistan con-
tributed to the Survey hj Col. J. E. B. Hotson, there are no less
than 14 examples referable to the rare form Galomyscus, of which
only one single specimen has hitherto been recorded, and which
is remarkable for its close relationship to certain American Murida3,
and wide distinction from all Old World forms except Cricetus and
its allies. That specimen, the type of Galomyscus hailwardi, was
captured in the mountains of Western Persia, so that the dis-
covery of the same group in Baluchistan indicates that the genus
has an unexpectedly wide range.
With two exceptions I can add but little to the original descrip-
tion of the genus, the type of hailtrarcU having been such a good
specimen that most characters were observable upon it. More
unworn teeth among the present specimens confii-m the surpris-
ino-ly close alliance of Galomyscus with the American Peromyscus,
or at least with such members of that genus as have no interme-
diate cross ridges on their molars. Indeed I might even have thought
it necessary to sjnaonymize Galomyscus with Peromi/scus had we
not now found that there is a constant difference between the two
in the number of molar roots. In Peromyscus there appears to be
always the specialised reduction in number resulting in only two
roots being visible on the inner aspect of m' and one in m", while
in Galomyscus the condition is the more primitive one of three
being visible in m^ and two in nr.
The mammary formula appears to be 1 — 2 = G, the number
almost invariably present in Peromyscus.
As was originally said to be probable, the peculiar white tuft
half way along the tail of the type of hailirardi does not occur in
other specimens, and is no doubt abnormal.
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURFEY. 939
The specimens in Col. Hotson's collection are referable to two
species, both new.
OaLOMYSCUS BALUCHI, Sp. n.
Size as in C. bailwardi, but with smaller ears. Palatal foramina
longer.
Dimensions about as in bailirardi. General colour very much
as in that animal, the intensity of the bnffy somewhat variable.
Ears distinctly shorter, usually 18 mm., in two cases 19, while
those of the type of G. hailivardi are recorded as 21-5.
Skull very like that of G. hailwardi, but rather more slenderly
built. Palatal foremina uniformly longer.
Dimejisions of the type : — Head and body, 75 mm. ; tail, 89
(ranging up to 96) ; hindfoot, 21 ; ear, 18.
Skull; greatest length, 26 ; condylo-incisive length, 22-6
zygomatic breadth, 12-9; nasals, 9*5; interorbital breadth,
4-1; palatilar length, 11; palatal foramina, 5-2; upper molar
series, 3*5.
Hah : — Kelat District, Baluchistan. Type from Kelat itself'
other specimens from Harboi, 9,000', in the same neighbourhood-
T^jje:— Adult s B- M. No. 19. 11. 7. 65. Original number 699.
Collected 6th July 1918, and presented by Col. J. E. B. Hotson.
Eleven specimens.
Of the two Baluchistan species this is undoubtedly the closer to
G. haihvardi, but may be distinguished by its smaller ears and
longer palatine foramina.
CaLOMYSCUS HOTSONl, sp. n.
Smaller than hailwardi and haluchi. Colour darker.
Size less than in the other two species. Fur equally fine and
soft. Colour similar in general pattern but decidedly darker,
owing to the greater extent of the blackish tips to the hairs, and
the rather darker tone of the ochraceous. Undersurface, hands and
feet similarly pure white, and tail equally pencilled, tufted, bicolor,
blackish above and white below.
Skull much smaller than in the other species ; interorbital region
narrowdr ; palatal foramina of medium length ; bulige rather
smaller.
Dimensions of the type. — Head and body, 72mm; tail, 77; hind-
foot, 19 ; ear, 18.
940 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Skull: greatest length, 24*5; condylo-incisive length, 21-7;
zygomatic breadth, 12.6; nasals, 9* 3; interorbital breadth, 3-7;
palatilar length, 10 ; palatal foramina, 4*9 ; upper molar series, 3'3.
Hah: — Panjgur District, Baluchistan. Type from Gwambuk
Kaul, about 30 miles S. W. of Panjgur. 2,700'.
Type -.—Adult, s B. M. No. 19. 11. 7. 63. Original number
239.' Collected 8th February 1918, and presented by Col. J. E. B.
Hotson. Three specimens.
Eeadily distinguishable from both the other species by its
smaller size, narrower interorbital region and darker colour.
yjj
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS
OF INDIA.
( INCLUDING THOSE MET WITH IN THE HILL STATIONS
OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY).
BY
T. R. Bell, i.f.s.
( Continued from paf/e 769 of Vol. XXVI. )
Part XXIV.
36. Genus — Rapala..
Eyes hairy ; body robust ; palpi shorter than in Virachola, second joint
more laxly scaled. All the species are red, blue or brown on the upperside ;
the undersides are pure ferruginous, ochreous, ochreous-brown, buff-grey
or oreenish-grey, rufous-brown, lavender-grey, vinous-red, chrome-yellow,
often varying in tint, with a short band, discocellular and another postme-
dial completely across both wings and curving round to the anal margin
on the hind wing, this band never very broad. They also, all, have a lobe
and a thread-like tail to vein 2 on the hind wing. There are 20 Indian
species some of which extend to the Malay Peninsula, Nias and Sumatra
but none beyond. The Andamans and Nicobars, Assam, Barma and
Ceylon are here taken as India.
The species of Rapala are all robust, fast-flying insects, fond of flowers
and occasionally coming to water. The larva are abnormal in shape being
provided with a subdorsal and dorsoventral row of fleshy, erect, tubercular
teeth of no great length ; the pupa is more or less normal. The larvte of
some species seem to be attended by ants, of others they are not. They
all as far as is known, feed upon flowers. Three species are dealt with
here : schistacea, mruna ( = orseis ) and melampus, the first two blue-glossed
on the upperside, the third red. The transformations of all three have
oeen described.
191. Rapala melampus, Cramer. — Male. Upperside: scarlet. Fore wing:
with the costal and outer marginal bands black, of moderate width, gra-
dually increasing from the base to the apex, then gradually narrowing on
the outer margin to the hinder angle; veins finely black. Hind wing :
with the costal space pale dusky ; outer, marginal line finely black; anal
lobe black ; with some ochreous scales above on the inner side and a few
scattered, metaUic-greenish scales on the outer side ; tail black, tipped
with white. Cilia black with greyish white tips. Underside: pale purplish-
brown ; markings a little darker than the ground colour, with whitish
edp-es. ' Fore wing : with the hinder, marginal space pale ; a double, dark
line at the end of the cell ; one on each side of the discocellulars.; a nar-
row, nearly straight, discal line of conjoined, lunular marks from near the
costa to the submedian vein, the third from the costa displaced a very little
outwards: indications of a series of submarginal marks. Hind wing: with a
dark double line at the end of the cell ; a discal band of conjoined, lunular
marks as in the fore wing ; the latter straight from the costa to rein "2,
then curvin"- inwards in two angles to the abdominal margin one-third above
the anal angle ; a subterminal series of indistinct, lunular marks ; anal
lobe black with some pale whitish-grey scales above it and between it and
a black spot in the first interspace ; terminal line of both wings dark
brown, with a white thread on its inner side in the hind wing. Antennae
942 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXV
black ringed with white, chib with a dull red tip, and a white streak
beneath ; frons grey, with a brown, median stripe ; eyes ringed with white ;
head and body brown above, with red hairs, pale purplish-brown beneath;
the abdomen ochreous-grey. — Female. Upfier&ide duller in colour than the
male, often more or less brick-red. Fore wing with the marginal bands
dark brown or blackish-brown. Hind wing still duller in colour, generally
sufl'used with pale brown. Underside as in the male. Expanse 32 — 40mm.
Egg. — A slightly depressed section of a sphere in shape. Surface shining;
covered all over with extremely minute, slightly concave-bottomed, hexa-
gonal cells which are separated from each other by low, even walls of one-
third the width of a cell-diameter and perhaps similar height where these
cells are largest — which is anywhere immediately round the micropyle-
surface and for a short distance from it; there are about 4 cells to 0'05mm.
square ; the micropyle-surface is quite circular, depressed and O'Olmm.
in diameter ; at the intersection of the cell-walls are, one at each,
0.016mm. long, blunt-topped (even slightly dilated-topped ), transparent,
erect spines or excrescences. Colour yery light green. B: O'Gomm. H :
0.375ram.
Over 100 eggs were taken out of the body of a butterfly. The size of
the cells decreases, as usual, towards the apex in top third and is smallest
immediately around the micropyle-surface.
Larva. (PI. II, fig. 24). — Is of the same type exactly as those of Rapala
schistacea and raruna. Head hidden by segment 2 ; surface shining ;
light-yellow in colour ; mandibles white, the mouth opening margined with
black ; shape round. Segment 2 rounded in front, slightly constricted
behind with a notch-emargination in centre of the front margin ( dorsal)
and a very short, thick tooth at each posterior dorsolateral corner ; trian-
gular, dorsal depression light-brown in colour ; end segment slightly convex,
sloping to end, the last produced out behind in two triangular teeth point-
ing slightly up ; segments 11, 12 each with a similar tooth pointing slightly
back and up ; segments 3-10 have each a subdorsal and dorsoventral tooth
which are all thick at the base and cylindrical at top, short, fleshy ; the
eff'ect of these two rows is that the dorsum is flat between the ridges of
subdorsal teeth on each side ; the dorsoventral teeth point out and slightly
forwards and the space-area of each segment between the subdorsal and
dorsolateral rows is more or less flat and hexagonal-looking ; segment 3 is
cut nearly square in front through the axis of the teeth. Surface of body
smooth and ( naked ?), tops of the teeth have some hairs on them, all white
and short except those on anal segment which has 3 or 4 longish hairs ; anal
and front margin with longish, fine, white hairs. Spiracles very small,
situated at base of dorsolateral teeth, Colour of larva is pure white with a
faint greenish tint and a faint marbling on sides. The larva is broader at
segments 5, 6 and is broader than high at that point ; at both ends the
breadth is equal. L : 18mm. ; B : 6mm.
Pupa. ( PI. II., fig. 24 ), — Head hidden under segment 2, the frons not
much bowed, high; segment 2 trapeze-shaped seen from above, broadest
side posteriorly ; thorax stout, humped; abdomen broader and higher at
segment 7 than is the case at thorax ; the pupa is similar to that of raruna.
Surface clothed with fine, erect hairs on segments 1, 2 along the front mar-
gin of latter, on eyes of former ; otherwise smooth and more or less dull ;
two lateral rows of indented spots, one on each side above each depressed
spiracle. Spiracles of segment 2 ; facing forwards, oval, white ; others light,
roundish, in depressions. Colour of body brownish-pink, blotched minutely
with black, having an undefined, dorsal, blackish line and a blotchy blackish
THE COMMONS BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 943
appearance laterally ; the segmental membrane 9/10 is marked with dis-
tinct raised edge on one side. L : 16mm. ; B : 6mm.
Habits. — These are the same as for raruna and .schistacea as re-
gards the eggs, larvte and pnp^. The larva is not much attended
by ants, if at all ; it feeds upon the flowers of Our/einia dcdbergioi-
des, called the Chittagong Avood. It also probabh^ feeds upon
other things. The insects have the same habits of Hight as noted
for varuna and schistacea but seem to be more characteristic of the
plains than of the jungles ; at least they are more frequently found
in open country. The distribution is throughout India, Ceylon,
the Malay Peninsula, Nias, Sumatra. Captures have been recorded
from the Cororaandel Coast ; Mhow ; Bombay ; Thana District ;
Poona ; Karwar ; Dharwar ; Kanara District ; Nilgiris ; Central
Provinces ; Chin Lushai in Burma ; Masuri ; Matheran ; Sikkim ;
Nias and Sumatra.
192. Rapaia schistacea, Moore. — Male. Upperside : dark slatey-blue.
the lower disc of the fore wing and the disc of the hind wing shot with
Drilliant blue in certain lights. Hind wing : abdominal fold pale brown.
Anal lobe with a black spot, an orange spot on its inner side and son e
white hairs above it ; tail black, tipped white. Cilia of lobe black with a
white middle line ; rest of cilia of both wings black with pale tips* Underside:
both wino-s buff-grey, markings a little darker than the ground colour, veiy
fine and usually faint. Fore wing with a double line, with a pale line betwee-i
at the end of the cell ; a slightly sinuous, discal line, outwardly edged wit:i
white sliohtly outwardly-curved, from near the costa to near the sub-median
vein ; a sub-marginal line of disconnected lunules, outwardly edged with
white ; the hioder marginal space pale. Hind wing with similar discoidal
and discal lines, the former edged on both sides with white, the latter well
separated from it, shghtly outwardly-curved from the costa to vein 2, then
curved inwards in a long loop to the abdominal margin a little above the
anal angle, where it is white-edged on both sides ; a submarginal, indistinct
band ; anal angle black, lined with white above and below it ; a smaller
black spot in the first interspace, capped with orange ; a terminal, black,
fine line which becomes obsolete upwards ; and a fine, anteciliary thread
from the lobe to vein 2. Antennee black, ringed with white ; club with a
red tip ; frons ochreous with a brownish, middle stripe ; eyes ringed with
white ; head and body above and below concolorous with the wings, abdomen
below ochreous. Female. Upperside : paler than male, with a purplish
"loss ; the colour darkening ; with blackish-brown, rather broad bands on
the margins of fore wing, broadest at apex. Underside : as in male.
Expanse: 29-37mm.
Larva. — ^This is one of the abnormal larvse of the family ; it is unlike any
other known one outside the genus. The body is nearly parallel sided and
trapeze-shaped in transverse section, the longest side being the closely
applied ventral surface, the shortest the dorsal; and this because of the
existence on segments 4-10 of a row of subdorsal and dorsoventral teeth
or tubercles {vide PI. II, fig- 24), the anal segments with six teeth roiisd
the circumference and rather flat. HeadTOuud, hidden, trarslucent-looking
yellowish cfreeny-white in colou.r with a black suffusion about the mouth-
opening and a white labrum, mandibles reddish, clypeus triangular with
the marginal line soiled ; segment 2 nearly semicircular in shape, convex
SiU JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
transversely, more or less quarter-spherical in shape the dorsal depression
being hardly existent and convex, white enamel-looking ; or yellowish ;
segment 3 is particularly short (as are also 4, 5) and segments 3-10 bear,
each one, a subdorsal (might be called dorsolateral, perhaps, more correctly),
fleshy, conical tooth with a very shortly-cylindrical top, broad at base,
erect, about half a millimetre in length or more — as long as the segmeut
perhaps — and ail of equal length ; there is besides, on the same segments,
a dorsolateral, similar tooth or tubercle; segments 11, 12, 14 have each a
dorsoventral tooth only, the iirst two pointing up and slightly back, the anal
pair directly back : and no dorsolateral ones ; the dorsolateral teeth of
segment 3 are more or less on the front margin and are connected over
the dorsum by a ridge ; the dorsolateral teeth of segment 4 are just behind
the front margin and also connected by a ridge ; segment 4 is the highest
point of the dorsum and thence backwards to segment 11 is the same
height ; the last segments sloping to end, 12 being dorsally flat, this flat
part short-parabolic in outline ; the free margin separating the anal teeth
a straight line. Surface of larva covered with sparse, minute, erect, dark
hairs ; anal segment margin as well as the front margin of segment 2 set
with longish, flne, white hairs ; the teeth or tubercles clothed with
semi-appressed, brown, very minute bristles and surmounted by 3 or 4
longish, black bristles ; gland on segment 11 large, mouth-shaped and
transverse, rather widely open, situated on the top of a tumidity and
surrounded by some black, bristle-beariuL, minute tubercles ; the organs of
segment 12 are circular-mouthed, small, emitting small, cylindrical, white
tubes. Spiracles of ordinary size, oval, brown, situated above the dorsoven-
tral teeth. Colour of the larva is green ; the cylindrical portion of the
teeth translucent-looking except on segment 6 where they are black ;
bases of dorsoventral teeth touched with brown ; a diagonal white line
curving from hinder margin of the segment at the base of the dorsolateral
tooth round the outside of it and up to dorsal line on front margin of
each segment 3-10 ; the dorsal space inside these diagonal lines sufl'used
with brown ; segment 11 with three parallel, short white lines anterior to
the gland, longitudinal and connected by a short, transverse, white line
along front margin ; a yellowish subspiracular line running over the
dorsolateral teeth, ventrum light translucent green — the sides being set with
longish, white hairs. L : 19mm ; B: 6'25mm.
Pupi. (PI. IT, fig. 24 a) — Normal in shape but with the constriction very
shallow and wide ; stout. Head hidden under segment 2, very considerably
bowed towards ventrum; segment 2, transversely convex, long, the dorsal
slope at 60° to the longitudinal axis of the pupa, hinder margin rather convex
towards thorax ; thorax humped, the front dorsal slope 60° in continuation of
that of segment 2, gradually becoming parallel to the longitudinal axis about
apex and then descending gently to segment 5, compressed somewhat
lateral ; the shoulders much broader than segment 2 ; the lateral outline
thenco to segment 7/8 slightly concave, the dorsal also ; abdomen stout and
as high as the thoracic ajiex at segment 7 and broader than shoulders at 7/8 ;
anal end somewhat turned under : the hinder end of pupa, therefore, broadly
rounded ; the transverse section of the abdomen is circular except for the
soHiewhat flattened ventrum. Surface of pupa finely aciculate-reticulate
covered with minute, erect, red hairs which are longest on the two extremi-
ties and with a slight, circular depression above each spiracle of abdomen-
scars of the dorsolateral teeth ? The intersegmental membrane between
segments 9, 10 is visible, black and finely striate, the posterior margin of
segment 9 very sHghtly raised above 8. Spiracles of segment 2 facing
forwards, oval, white, flat ; the others situated in shallow depressions, oval:
light brown, oval with a middle slit. Colour brown-rose, smudged with
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF TEE PLAINS OF INDIA. 94.1
blackish on the sides of thorax and on wings, leaving a diamond-shaped
space of the ground-colour on the apex of thorax pure ; blackish, lateral,
smudged abdominal, line. L : \'2 mm. ; B : 6 mm ; H : 5'25 mm.
Habits. — The egg is laid amongst the flowers, the larva lives
nearly entirely on them, indeed entirely; and is attended by a
Cremastogaster ant ; is sluggish, grows rapidly ; turns rose before
pupating ; pnpates anywhere, wandering pi'ior to settling down ;
often goes down to the ground to change and undergoes the trans-
formation on a leaf, in a crevice, on a stone &c. The pupa is
attached by the tail and a body-band. When touched it makes
a noise like fluttering which is distinctly audible ; probably it
makes it by moving ihe abdominal segments together at the
common margin of segments 8, 9, and that might be the reason
why the segmental membrane is there exposed. The butterfly is a
strong and rapid flier and does not bask on the tops of trees
but sits on the lower branches generally with the wings closed,
doing nothing in particular as far as can be seen — it occasionally darts
after another insect. The place to find them and catch them is at
flowers for they are very greedy of nectar and may be found at them
even in really dull weather, one of the favourites being the sapinda-
ceous Allophyllus Gohhe. The flight is straight. The habitat of this
insect is India. Cevlon, Andaman Islands. It frequents open plain
country as well as jungles and regions of forest, hills and heavy
rainfall in Sikkini ; Khasis, Ranchi, Calcutta, Dharwar, Thana,
Karwar, Central Provinces, Chin Lushai, Massiiri, Lucknow,
Matheran, Cachar, Nilgiris. The foodplants of the larva are
Spircea sorUfolia (Rosacecf) in the Himalayas ; Antidesma (j/ices&m-
hilla (^Euphorhiaceii') ; Zizy pirns (^Bhamnacece) • Acacia pennata
(Lecp-iminosecB) ; (luisquaUs indica (Comhretacect^ ; and nearly
always it is the flowers that are eaten.
193. Rapala varuna-, Wood Mason and de Niceville. Male. Upperside .
dark indigo-blue, glossed, in certain lights with a greenish tint. Fore wing :
with a blue colour merging into the broad, black costal and outer, marginal
borders. Hind wing: with the costal space and abdominal fold blackish,
outer margin with a very narrow black band; the abdominal space outside
the fold darker black than the colour of the fold; anal lobe black, with an
orange spot, and a few greyish- white scales along its upper side; tail black,
tipped with white. Cilia of both wings black with pale tips, wdth a white
medial line through it from the anal lobe to vein 3. Underside rufous-
brown, varying in shade of colour somewhat in dift'erent examples ; mark-
ings darker brown. Fore wing : with a bar at the end of the cell ; a mo-
derately broad, discal band from near the costa to the submedian vein,
slightly outwardly curved above its middle, in some examples with a patch
of black suffusion joining it to the discal bar ; a submarginal, narrower
band. Hind wing: with similar discoidal and discal bands, the latter
outwardly edged with white, composed of conjoined, squarish, spots, pass-
ing close to the lower end of the discoidal bar, slightly outwardly curved
from the costa to vein 2, where it curves inwards in a large angle to the
abdominal margin a little below its middle, and is there prominently edged
946 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL Hmr. SOCIETY, Yol. XXVI.
with white on both sides and has a short, white line close below it ; anal
lobe black, crowned with dull orange ; a white, anteciliary thread on the
lower half of the outer margin. Antennse black, ringed with white ; club
tipped with red ; frons black ; eyes ringed with white ; head and bady
above and below concolorous with the wings, abdomen below ochreous. —
Female. Uppevside paler, pale brown glossed with purple ; consequently
the costal and outer marginal black borders more distinct. Underside
paler than the male, markings similar. Expanse : 27 — 40 mm.
Larva. — It is of the same shape exactly as others of the genus ; that is of
the lycoenid form generally but with a row of dorsolateral and subspiracular
( dorsoventral ) teeth or short, cylindrical, fleshy protruberances topping
broadly conical productions or risings of the larval surface. Each segment
3-10 has these ; segment 2 is normal with, the usual four-sided, dorsal de-
pression ; segments 11-14 ( segment 13 is entirely wanting or, at least, not
traceable ) are without the dorsolateral teeth and the subspiracular ones
are situated slightlj'- higher than those of the rest of the segments, those on
segment 11 pointing slightly up, those on segment 12 slightly up and back,
those of the anal segment straight out and back, diverging slightly from
each other and separated broadly at their bases by the perfectly straight
hinder margin of the segment, the distance between the bases being well
over the length of the tooth. The dorsal depression of segment 2 is
smooth and shining, has the margins slightly waved and is more or less the
colour of the rest of the body with a pure white, dorsal line as well as a
similar line at right angles to it, the two forming a white cross ; the seg-
ment itself is tumid as usual, semicircular in shape. Segment 3 has the
front margin straight and rising perpendicularly from segment 2, the teeth
being situated there, the rest of the segment sloping back and slightly
down to the hinder margin ; all, the other segments 4-10 rise suddenly, i.e.,
in a steep slope to the top of a rather narrow, round-topped ridge behind
the middle of each, which ridge bears tho dorsolateral and subspiracular
tooth on each side of the dorsal hue where it ( the ridge ) is largely dented
between the two dorsolateral risings ; behind the ridge the segments fall
nearly perpendicularly to the hinder margin ; also, laterallj^ on each, the
whole surface is slightly concave between the dorsolateral and subspiracu-
lar teeth on the front slope of the ridge. Segment 11 bears the mouth-
shaped, transverse gland on the crest of the ridge ; segments 12 and 14
are more or less flat dorsally between the subspiracular teeth and the for-
mer bears the usual protrusible organs which are small and often difficult
to trace. Head round, shining, light watery greenish-white suftused at eyes
and round the mouth-opening with dark red-brown : the labrvim and anten-
nae whitish ; the clypeus is large, triangular, outlined thinly red-brown.
Surface shining, covered with a few ordinary, minute, lowly convex tuber-
cles and short, black hairs ; the teeth set with short, black, radiating hairs:
the front margin of segment 2 with a good many light, fine, erect hairs all
over it, some of them very nearly as long as the segment itself ( three
or four onl}^); some very much shorter hairs on the hinder margin of
segment 14; tjie hairs on the "teeth" are as long as the teeth proper
themsel'^es (not counting the great conical surface-risings which might be
looked upon as their bases). Spiracles small, rather light pinkish-brownish,
slightly prominent, duliif>h, very regular-oval ; those of segment 12 larger
than the rest. Colour is perhaps, generally, apple-green but the whole is
more or less sufl'used throughout with brown-rose ; on each segment is a
white line starting subdorsal at the front margin and running down and
back to the hinder margin just above and behind the spiracle ; the
dorsal region lighter ; the cylindrical teeth nearly white (a sort of livid,
soiled-looking yellowish-white) ; the tops or crests of the ridges also lighter ;
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 947
the ventrum, legs and prologs all a light, very pale, watery green. L : 15
mm. ; B : 7-5 mm. including the teeth and about 5 mm. excluding
them.
The colouring is difficult to describe as it is so patchy. There is a touch
of yellow behind each spiracle ; the spiracles are situated upon the
posterior slopes of the ridges; the tlat-dorsal surface of segments 12-14
is somewhat corrugated.
Pupa. — This is more or less normal in shape but very stout in build. It is
highest at segment 7 and there also broadest ; the front end is compara-
tively narrowly rounded, the anal end very broadly as segments 10-14
have their dorsal line more or less in a lalane perpendicular to the longitu-
dinal axis of the pupa ; segment 9' has it inclined at about an angle of
45° ; the dorsal line of thorax slopes towards head from the hinder margin
in a more or less even, slightly convex line ; the head is nearly altogether
ventral, the front margin of segment 2 forming the front of the pupa ,• the
shoulders are rounded and hardly promment ; there is a slight wide
constriction from them to segment 7 laterally ; dorsally also, segments 4, 5
are at a lower level than either the thorax or segment 6. Segment ti is
hood-shaped, more or less in the shape of a quarter-sphere but slightly
liattened in the dorsal region along the front margin (which is practically
in the same plane as the straight ventral line) and very slightly compressed
laterally, the dorsal line at an angle of 73° to the longitudinal axis,
the hinder margin very nealy straight between the spiracles ; the
thorax is twice the length of segment 2 (perhaps a -little more) and,
like it, transversely convex, rising from the front margin in the same plane
as it also but soon curving round to become nearly parallel to the ventral
line or longitudinal axis (which is, here, the same thing ), at the extreme
hinder margin it falls gently, the hinder margin is produced backwards in
a right angle into segment 4, and each end of this hinder margin meets the
wing-line in a widely open, broadly rounded angle of slightly under 90° ;
segment 4 is very short in the dorsal line, somewhat extensive laterally ;
segment 5 is shorter than the dorsal line of segment 4 ; segments 6-9 inclvi-
sive are more than three times as long as 5 and coequal ; segment 10 the
same as these ; segments 11 , 12 half as long as them ; segments 13, 14 to-
gether (segment 13 practically non-existent) as long as 12. Surface
of the pupa is rugose with fine, raised, thin reticulations which are more
or less in the form of rays from small, raised points and this is the case all
over except in the broad spiracular depressions where there are merely tiny
tubercular risings without reticulations ; the hinder margin of segment 9 and
the front margin of segment 10 is conspicuously thickened and raised, the
former more than the latter — with a narrow depressed interval between ;
segments 10, 11 similar but less so ; the whole surface set with short, erect,
light brown, pointed, minutely feathered hairs which are longest and den-
sest on segment 2 along the front margin and on the three last anal
segments, (12-14 ); these hairs as long as the spiracles : the longer ones as
long nearly as the spiracles of segment 2. Spiracles of segment 2 are near-
ly as long as segment 5 and less than half that breadth, oval, facing forwards
and very light pink-brown in colour; the rest are very small, oval, slightly
raised, shining and the same colour, each one in a broad, shallow depression
of the surface ; that of segment 11 blind, of segment 12 still blinder. The
colour is moderately dark brownish pink suffused dorsally and laterally on
the abdomen irregularly with brown, on the thorax laterally ; the wings
yellowish suffused thickly with brown or olive-brown. L : IT 5mm. : B: 6mm.
at segment 7, 4mm. just before shoulders ; the heights at those places the
same.
948 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Hahits. — The egg is laid in the axil of a flower-bud or on the
stalk of a flower ; nearly always amongst the flowering parts.
Never more than one is deposited at a time. The little larva eats its
way out of the side of the egg towards the top and is at first more
or less like other Ij^ctenid larva3. However, after the first moult it
begins to show the "teeth" of the mature stage. It bores into
the flower-bud when very small and feeds on the tender parts of
the inside. As it grows bigger, however, it takes to eating the
rest of the flower parts and even the young leaves. It is at all
times sluggish and is sometimes attended by ants of various sorts.
Before pupation it becomes a dark brownish-pink in colour and
wanders away to some crevice or secluded, darkish place where it
fixes itself down with a bod3'-band and tail-attachment. When
touched it emits a knocking noise by moving the body from seg-
ment 0/10 forwards: it moves it up and down, though verj-
slightly. The larva, when not feeding, retires to branches
or the trunk of the tree and hides itself in the crevices
of the bark or similar places. The habits of the butterfly
are identical with those of Bapcda schhtacea in every way
and the caterpillar feeds on the flowers of ZkijijJius xt/lopn'i'us, Z.
rugosa (^Rhamnacece); (iuisqualis indica (^ Combretacea- ): Sapindiis
frifoliahts (Sapindacece) and, doubtless, many others. The habitat
of the butterfly : is throughout India, Burma, Ceylon, Java and
Borneo, in the plains and hills, in forests or open country, from
sea-level up to 3000' at least and practically everywhere except iii
desert country'' where rainfall is deficient. Specimens have been
taken in Calcixtta, Karen, Chin Imshai and Chin Hills, Masuri,
Lucknow, Matheran, Thana, Belgaum, Dharwar and Kanara Dis-
tricts in Bombaj^ ; Java ; Port Blair in the Andamans.
37. Genus Cheeitra.
The genus contains but two species, one with the underside pure white,
the other with it washed with ferruginous ; both with a long, feathery white
tail at the end of vein 2 which is as long as the whole costal margin of the
fore wing ; another, not a quarter the length, at the end of vein 1 and a
short apology for one at vein 3. Eyes naked ; body moderately robust ; palpi
pointing straight forwards, second joint long and roughly scaled, reaching
for half its length beyond the head, the third one-fourth the length of the
second, slender; the palpi of the female much longer than in the male.
Antennae gradually thickened to end, tip pointed. The transformation of
jaffra are known and are given below. The larva is abnormal, soniwhat the
shape of that of Rathinda but with only short, dorsal, hooked teeth instead
of long tentacular processes. The pupa is stouter than that of Rathinda but
much of the same type and is attached only by the tail. The larva is prac-
tically omnivorous in the matter of foodplants. The genus inhabits North
East India in the Himalayas ; South India ; Ceylon ; Burma ; the Malay
Peninsula and some of the Malay islands.
194. Cheritra jaffra, Butler. — Male. Upperside : both wings : blackish-
brown, covered with a beautiful purplish gloss. Fore wing: immaculate. Hind
wing with the anal extremity of the outer margin black separated ofi" from
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 94
the rest of the wing by a straight, white boundary often composed of two
separated luniiles, the outer opposite the 18mm. long tail at the end
of vein 2, the inner opposite the space between the long tail and the inner
tail; the black extremity' also bordered below by white from tlie anal angle as
far as the base of the long tail; a short white line inside this latter white mark
at the extreme margin indicating the interior attachment of a small, brvish-like
appendage. Underside : both wings pure white with a slight lustre, the apex
somewhat broadly and outer margin tinged with brown ; a delicate, brown line
on the discocellular veins ; a complete postmedial line composed of interrup-
ted, short lines between the veins ;the two in interspaces 4, 5 moved out-
wards ; a very obsolete submarginal, similar line. Hind wing : with a post-
medial similar line to that on the fore wing but inside it and not continuous
with it, composed of similar lunules from the costa to vein 4, then of much
more arcuate marks curving round to the middle of the anal margin ; a simi-
lar submarginal series from costa to anal margin parallel to the postmedial
line ; outside this again a series of four deep-black spots, marginal, from the
interspace 3 to anal lobe inclusive ; the uppermost and last but one gener-
ally much smaller than the other two. Cilia of fore wing brown, of hind wing
white.— Female. Exactly like the male except that the white, transverse bands
above the tails on the upperside of the hind wing are far broader and there
is no purplish gloss. Antenna3 black with a few white scale below ; head,
palpi, thorax and abdomen brov/n above, white beneath ; the eyes bordered
with white and vertex of head with a white central line. Expanse : male
and female, 40mm.
Very rarely specimens are found with a white, discal patch on the fore
wing in the Kanara District. About half a dozen insects of the same brood
were bred bearing this patch.
Egg. — Nearly hemispherical in shape, broadest just above the base ; the
surface covered with seven rows of coarse-walled cells, irregular in contour,
from summit to base; shining. The colour is enamel-white. L : 1. Smm ;
B : 1mm.
Larva. ( PI. II, fig. 25). — The shajye is that of the larva of BatMnda but
it diflers in having a dorsal ecries of short, rather hooked, fleshy teeth on
segments .5 — 10 instead of the tentacular processes described for that genus
The head is shining light-yellow in colour, rather small, round and is hid-
den under segment 2. Segment 2 rounded along the free margin, some-
what narrowly indented in the dorsal line of front margin and, again, laterally
with a small, rounded sinus, the margin somewhat thickened ; anal segment
square behind at the extremity ; segments 11, 12 broadened out at their
common margin into a sort of triangular, rounded tooth on each side so
that the body is little narrower across there than it is at the broadest part,
segment 5 ; segment 11 has the gland situated on a transversely sv.ollen
fold near the hinder margin. The body is considerably broadened out a
segment 5 gradually increasing in width and evenly, from the front, then
narrowing again as evenly though more gradually to segment 10, increasing
much more rapidly to the tooth at the common margin of segments
11/12, thence narrowing to the extremity ; the dorsal outline is more
or less straight from the anterior end at head up to the top of segment -5,
sloping at about 45° when the larva is at rest with the head tucked in and
the front segments somewhat contracted, then convex over the top of seg-
ment 5, after which, with a slight concave curve it runs down to segments
11/12, thence sloping nuich more rapidly for the short distance to the end ;
the ventrum is quite flat and closely applied to the surface ; the dorsal out-
line, further, toothed on segments 5 to 10 by one single, 1mm. long ( barelj^
that), hooked, laterally compressed, sharp, broad-based, fleshy tooth in the
middle: the first four directed somewhat slantingly backwards, that on seg-
8
950 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIIST. SOCILTY, Vol. XXVL
ment 9 quite vertical, that on segment 10 slanting forwards. The surface
is shining, pitted minutely all over, laterally indented at the base of each
dorsal tooth ( or only at teeth of segments 8-10 ), covered besides with ap-
pressed hairs all over which are somewhat irregularly directed, white-colour-
less and very small ; also similar hairs on the dorsoventral margin but mixed
with a few, comparatively long, brown, erect hairs — the minute hairs on the
brown parts are brown. Spiracles of ordinary size, oval, light in colour,
narrowly bordered brown. Colour of the larva is green or rose according to
whether it is feeding on green or red young leaves ; generally with a lighter
colour dorsally on segments 3 — 6 ; segments 8, 9 are always brown ; the teeth
are tipped yellow ( if the colour is rose ) and brown ( if green ) ; there is a
greenish (if rose) or white (if green) subspiracular line. L: 19mm.
Fupa. (PI. II, tig. 25a). — It is also of the same iy^e as that of iZa<M7MZ«
amor : fixed by the tail only and standing free. Head bowed, hidden from
above by segment 2 ; segment 2 rounded as to the free margin, convex dor-
sally and transversely, sloping in the dorsal line at a considerable angle
towards thorax ; thorax large, stout, very convex-humped ; constriction be-
hind it dorsally slight, laterally nil ; abdomen swollen at common margin —
or about there — of segments G, 7, being highest part of the pupa ; and that
region is also the broadest part, broader somewhat than at shoulders ; the
dorsal slope from 6/7 tc the anal extremity is at an angle of about 45° to the
surface the pupa is fixed to, assuming that that surface is all in the same
plane; the anal segment hoof-shaped; ventral line more or less straight
though slightly curved concavely. Surface dull, finely rough, no clothing ;
the segments distinct. Spiracles of segment 2 raised, white in colour
and longly oval in shape : the rest small, longly oval, flush and brown.
Colour ol pupa : — head, thorax and wings brownish-grey, the colour of the
bark of young shoots ; eyes bright-green ; abdomen bright-green with a
long, dorsal oval space on segments 6-10 which is brownish- grey. L : lOmm.
Hahits. — The eggs are laid, three or foiii* in fairl}^ rapid succes-
sion on the shoot or stalk of the j^oiing leaf ; the larva, emerging,
lives openlj^ on the underside of a leaf or on a leaf-bud or stalk.
Later on, when it gets big, it is easy to see as it always feeds on the
young leaves throughout its existence and is a conspicuous object,
feeding on the edges from below; also, there are almost invariably,
several together, i. e., on the same leaf, if large, or on separate
leaves of the same bunch. The pupa is formed on a stalk or twig
amongst the shoots, on a tree-trunk, the surface of a rock, &c. ; and
the head is iuvariablv directed upwards. The butterfly is very
plentiful in the North Kanara District of Bonibaj'-, in Belgaum and
along the Ghats also ; and is, besides, very easj^ to see, attracting
attention bj' its long feathery tails as it flies or sits. It ma}^ be
found flying about young shoots almost at an}^ time during the day
in the wet months in the opener places of the jungles where there
have been cuttings or hacking of branches ; it flutters a good deal
round these, often flying oflf a space to return again ; but will also
fly along pretty straight and strongly along the edges of these clear-
ings and frequently rises to the tops of the trees. It basks some-
times quite low down on a leaf wnth the wings half opened, at
others it chooses a higher j)erch ; it rests on the undersides of leaves,
on a twig, &c., with the wings closed completely held over the back
THE COMMON B UTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA . 951
iu the usual wa^y. It exists from sea-level to 2,500' — the highest
parts that Kauara can boast of but never seems to go into the
absolutely open fields nor to extend further than where the rainfall
is less than about 30 ". The larva is not attended by ants as a rule
but, occasionally, these insects may be found on the young leaves
with them although, it seems, not with the primary intention of
visiting them. The eggs are laid, as a rule, many on one plant, on
the young shoots in the axils of leaves and on buds. Some of the
foodplants are Cinnamon, Xylia dolahriformis, Saraca indica(^ both
these last Lerjuminosece ) and, doubtless, there are others. Cinna-
mon belongs to the laurels or Lauracece. The places from which the
insect has been recorded are: Southern India and Cejdon, There
is another form, formerly considered to be a separate species but
now regarded as a race only, C. freja, Fabricius, the originally
described form from North India, which exactly resembles joffra
except that the undersides are washed with ferruginoiis. That
race exists in the Himalayas ; Assam ; Burma ; Malay Peninsula,
Java and Borneo.
38. Genus — Bindahaka
Eyes hairy ; body moderateljr stout ; palpi directed straight forward
(twice as long in the female as in the male), second joint scaly, very long,
extending two-thirds beyond the head, third joint one-third its length,
slender, naked ; legs scaled, femors slightly hairy beneath ; antennoe
with a lengthened, pointed club. There are two species and a more or
less constant race recognized in India : phocides from Himalayas in Bhutan,
Sikkira, Sylhet, Burma, South Andamans, Malay Peninsvila and Nias
Island ; areca from the Nicobars ; and our one, sugriva from South India,
Ceylon and Java. This last is easily recognized. by its pure velvety black
uppersides with long cream-coloured or light coftee-coloured tails, as long
as, and very similar to, the white ones of Cheritra jaffra, with a bright
metallic-blue, short band above them in the male ; the female is brown and
rather similar to the female of Cheritra jaffra but easily distinguishable
from it by the banded underside which is the same in both sexes ; the anal
lobe of the hind wing is oblong and elongated. Sugriva is common
in the iuneles of the Western Ghats in Kanara District and is
fond of flov/ers, especially those of Leea. The larva is very like those
of the genera Deudorix and Virachola, having the same peculiar formation
of the last three segments to form a shovel for cleaning out the fruits
in which it lives and which it eats. The butterfly flies fast and well and
keeps to the tops of high trees but does not come out into the open. The
pupa is also similar to those of those genera.
195. Bindahara sugriva, Horsfield. Male. — Upperside : both wings black.
Fore wing : with the extreme costal nervure yellowish and marked near the
apex with three delicate, oblique, black lines. Hind wing: narrow,
gradually tapering to the anal extremity, with a single marginal notch
near the base of the tail ; where starts a broad, short, metallic-blue,
marginal band, varying in tint according to the light, terminating at a
small distance above the anal angle ; abdominal margin brown from
the base to the middle, then greyish-yellow, in the anal region orange
extending to the extremity of the tail ; there are two black lunules in the
952 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
anal region, one exterior near the marginal notch, one at the base of the
tail, both of them very faint. Underside : both wings ochraceous-brown
becoming pure yellow towards base with the spots and bands of a
deeper colour bordered throughout with a delicate, yellow line. Fore
wing : bearing an oblong spot near the base, and three, broad, transverse
bands ; the first, at a small distance from the base, abruptly
terminated at the costal vein ; the next, postdiscal, extending
across the whole wing, thinning downwards and tending slightly
towards the outer angle, with an irregularly-waved, posterior margin : the
third, somewhat narrower, submarginal, also extends right across the wing.
Hind wing : an oval spot near base near the costa ; then a broad
irregularly-interrupted, subbasal, arched band, composed of, near the costa,
subconfluent marks, on the disc and near the inner angle of several succes-
sive pairs of distinct, oval spots ; postniedially : a series of brown arcs
margined with yellow forming a curved band right across the wing, being
simple near the exterior margin but consisting of a double series of parallel,
darker coloured arcs as they approach the inner margin ; beyond this a de-
licate, brown, submarginal thread, flexuose across the entire wing ; forming
the inner boundary of a marginal series of oblong spots containing, in
the anal regio'j, two deep-black ocelli, one on each side of the tail, an
oblong similar spot on the lobe ; all these black spots adorned, each, at the
internal edge, by a delicate, powdered greenish-silvery streak. Body
black above, white-downy beneath. Antennee black with a ferruginous tiji,
sprinkled snow-white underneath to base of club. Tail uniformly deep
cream coloured. Female. Upperside : both wings olive-brown, in some
lights glossy metallic-brown. Hind wing : with the anal area and the tail
white ; a large, black spot at the outer base of tail and a black-speckled
spot at the anal lobe. Underside : both wings white, marked as in the
male. Expanse : male : 35-40mm ; female : 80-40mm.
Egg. — Drnne-shaped, broadest just above the base. Surface shining ;
covered with thick-walled cells which are 4-and o-sided, the lirst two rows
above the base more or less regular— -oblong with their greatest length along
the meridians ; the intersections of the walls are thickened and slightly
prominent ; all the cells are more or less irregular-shaped and diminish in
size upwards ; there are about three rows of large cells from just above the
base upwards ; then, further up, they get small, the walls get thin and
only the intersections are prominent : little, white lumps ; the centre or
apex is occupied by an annular depression immediately around which the
cells are minute. Colour: blue-green; the cell-walls and lumps all white.
B : 0.9mm ; H : O.Gmm.
Larva. — Is in shape, etc.. nearly exactly like that of V. isocrates to look at
except that the white mark on segments 7, 8 is here cream-colour. Head
shining, round, red-brown in colour, the eye-batch black. Segment 2 is
semicircular in outline, the central, dorsal depression shining with a large
black spot at each lateral angle ; the arrangement of the last three segments
12-14 is the same as in V. isocrates. Surface very shining, covered closely
with minute, erect bristles ; these bristles longest on the sides and front
margins of segments 2, 3 on the dorsoventral margins and round the edges
of the "shovel"; gland on segment 12 inconspicuous, transverse, mouth-
shaped. Spiracles : black, oval, situated in depressions, raised, conspicuous.
Colour of body very dark purple-brown ;segments 2, 3 orange, except that
3 has a lateral patch of body-colour and a dorsal line of the same, segments
7, 8 creamy-white with a small, dorsal and lateral patch of body-colour ;
ventrum orange. L : 20 mm ; B : G mm ; H : 5 mm.
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 953
Pupa. — Very similar to that of V. isocrates. Head ventral, the front
margin of segment '2 starting from the resting-surface, absolutely semicir-
cular in outline, convex transversely, dorsal slope of segment '2 and the
front ascent of thorax in a plane at about 60" to the longitudinal axis of
pupa ; thorax convex and even with segment 2 but broader ; shoulders
rounded ; greatest breadth at segments 7/8 ; the construction very slight ;
transverse section of abdomen a slightly depressed circle. Surface of pupa
finely aciculate-reticulate on segments 2, 3 ; with semi-erect, fine, white
hairs on the whole surface except wings and sides ; also covered with
minute, brown tubercles. Spiracles of segment 2 nearly linear, longly
oval, slightly raised and facing forwards ; others longish oval, brown in
colour. Colour : lightish yellow-brown ; blotched darker on sides of seg-
ments 2, 8. L : 11.75 mm ; B : 5 mm. H. 4-75 mm.
Habits. — The habits are nearly the same, for the larva and pupa,
as those of Yirachola isocrates. The larva is only intermittent!}^ visit-
ed by ants ; not reall}^ attended by them. The eggs are laid on the
fruits, whether ripe or green but always when fairly well-grown ; on
the branches, twigs, leaves, &c. The larva, however, does not fix
the fruits up with a web and change into the pupa sometimes when
they have fallen to the ground ; ordinaril}^ however, they leave them
and pupate anywhere else. Neither do the larvse spin a hinged
door to the entrance of the fruit when they pupate inside it. The
pupa is attached by the tail and a body-band in the usual way.
The butterfly is a strong flier but not so quick or active as Betidorix
or Viraeloola. The male is much oftener seen than the female as
the latter does not visit flowers nearly as much. She probably
attends to business while the other, as usual, prefers leading an idle,
luxurious existence. The flower that seems to attract the males most
is that of Leea sambucina in Kanara. They are easy to catch when
sitting on the flower-heads but it is not usual to get a good specimen
for they seem to batter themselves about a good deal, especially their
long, feathery tails. It is rare to get a perfect specimen except a
cage-bred one. Ordinarily the insect must live amongst the upper
stories of the forests for, except at flowers, it is rarely seen. It
certainly does not go to the summits of the hills to bask on the tops
of trees for the writer has never seen one in such places although
other butterflies go up in numbers for the purpose. The foodplant
of the larva is Salacia macrosperma of the order Rhamneoe, a somewhat
extensive creeper of common occurrence in the heavy evergreen and
semi-evergreen forests of Kanara. The fruits, which are the only part
eaten, are round, about T'-l'S" in diameter, wrinkled-rough on
the surface and bright orange in colour. They ripen in the mon-
soon months and may then be found strewn about on the ground in
the iungles, most of them having the insides eaten out of them by
monkeys. It is an easy matter to climb up and get as many as are
wanted from the branches and nearly every fourth or fifth one is sure
to contain a larva or two, if not even three. Sometimes as many
as five eo-CTs will be found on the stalks and fruit-surface and these
954 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
can be bred out without difficulty. Many of the eggs are parasitised- —
and perhajDS it is as well, for there seems to be a superabundance of
them and the females must be extremel}^ prolific. The habitat of
Bindahara sugriva is South India, Ceylon and Java. It is certainly
a purely jungle insect and never occurs anywhere even near the
eastern border of the forests of the Western Ghats where the rainfall
is probably deficient. It is plentiful on the hills near Karwar in
Kanara close to the sea — within a mile or so of the actual sands — and
is sure to occur also at Mahablesliwar and all alono- the evero-reen
parts of the western ghats up to Matheran.
{To be continued.)
955
SUMMARY OF THE RESULTS PROM THE INDIAN
MAMMAL SURVEY
OF THE
BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.
By R. C. Wroughton, f. z.s.
Part V.
{Coniinued from ixuje 802 of Volume XXVI.)
Gen. XI. — Leggadilla.
Thomas established the genus to accomniiodate the species
platytJinx, Benu., (J. B. N. H. S., xxii, p. 682, 1914).
A large number of names has
No. 289. platythrix, Benn. been added comparatively recently,
of which the following is a chro-
nological list (with references), viz: —
1832. platytlirix, Bennett, P. Z. S., p. 121.
1908. ramnadensis, Benth., Rec. Ind. Mus. ii, p. 385.
1911. sadhu, Wr., J. B. N. H. S. xx, p. 1001."
1912. Cinderella, Wr., J. B. N. H. S. xxi, p. 770.
1912. pJiillipsi, Wr., J. B. N. H. S. xxi, p. 772.
1913. surJcha, Wr. and Ryl., J. B. N. H. S. xxii, p. 16.
1913. bahadur, Wr. and Ryl., J. B. N. H. S. xxii, p. 18.
1913. siva, Thos. and Ryl., J. B. N. H. S. xxii, p. 242.
1913. grahami, Ryl., J. B. N. H. S. xxii, p. 434.
1913. hannyngtoni, Ryl., J. B. N. H. S. xxii, p. 435.
1914. shortridgei, Thos., J. B. N. H. S. xxiii, p. 30. *
1914. gurkha, Thos., J. B. N. H. S. xxiii, p. 200.
These twelve species may be arranged in a key as follows : —
Key to the species of Leggadilla.
A. — Mammary formula 4 — 2==12.
a. Size large, hind-foot 22mm.; colour
brown ... ... ... . . . 1 . platyihrix, Benn.
b. Size smaller, hind- foot 17mm.; or
less ; colour grey drab.
a\ Size larger, hind-foot 17mm..
condylo-baspl, length of skull
25mm. ; upper molar series 4mm. 2. sadhu, Wr.
6\ Size smaller, hind-foot 16mm. at
most ; condylo-basal, length of
skull 22mm. ; upper molar series
4mm. ... ... ... ... 3. Cinderella, Wv.
956 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
B. — Mcimmaiy formula 3 — 2=10.
a. Size large, liind-foot 22mm.
a\ Undersurface whitish grey
G.
h . Undersurface pure white.
a. Coat composed of fine spines...
h'. Coat composed of coarse, harsh
spines
Size smaller, hind-foot 19mm., or less.
a\ Hind-foot about 18mm.
a. Colour darker ; a pinkish line
dividinsf flank from underside.
b'. Colour paler ; sharp line ot de-
marcation between flank and
pui'e white underside
6'. Hind-foot about 16mm. or less.
a. Coat composed almost entirely
of stiff* spines.
a. Colour darker, dark bistre ...
h\ Colour paler, fulvous drab
b"- Coat with much finer spines.
a. Coat very close and short
(3 mm.) ... ... ...11.
b\ Coat fuller, hairs and spines
longer (7-8 mm.) ... ...12
4. sJiortridgei, Thos.
5. liannyngtoni, Ryl.
bahadur, Wr. and
%1.
grahami, Ryl.
gurkha, Thos.
8.
. 9
.10
. phillipsi, Wr
. surkha, Wr.&Ryl.
rajnnadensis, ^enth.
siva, Thos. & Ryl.
Distribution : —
1. flatythrix, Bennett.
2. L sadhu, Wroughton.
3. L. Cinderella,
ton.
Wrough-
Tjfpe locality :— " Dukliun" (Sykes).
Other localities : — Ahmeduagar ;
Thana ; Central Provinces ; Dharwar
(B. M.) ; Khandesh ; Berars ; Nimar ;
Central Provinces ; Ratnagiri ; Satara;
Dharwar; Mysore (M. S. I.).
Tijpe:—B.^U. No. 55.12.26.382.
(in al.). (Type oi saxicola, Elliot, B.
M. No. 32. d. ; Type of sjpinulosa,
Blyth. Ind. Mus. Calc. No. e.
Type locality : — Virawah, Sind
(Priestley).
Oilier localities : — Cutch; Kathiawar;
Palaiipur (M. S. T.).
Type:—B. M. No. 11. 3. 13. 8.
Type locality .•— Bhuj, Cutch. (B. N.
H. S.— Crump).
Other localities .-—Cutch (M. S. I.)
Type:—B. M, No. 12. 1. 9. 12.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY. 957
4. L. sJiortridgei, Thomas. Type locality : — Mt. Burma (B. N.
H. 8.— Shovtridge).
Other localities ;— Mt. Popa (M. S, I.)
Type:~B. M. No. 14. 4. 3. 6.
5, L. liannyngtoni, Rj^ley. Type locality : — Makut, S, Coorg.
(B. N, H. S.— Shortndge).
Other localities : — Coorg (M. S. I.).
Typte .•— B. M. No. 13. 6.' 21. 2.
G. L. bahadur, Wroughtou Type locality .•— Karwar, Kanara.
and Ryley. (B. N. H. S.).
Other localiiies : — Kanara (B. M.).
Type:—B. M. No. 12. 10. 16. 3.
7. L. grahami, ■S.jdey. Tyjje locality :—Woteko\li, 2,000', S.
Coorg (B. N. H. S.— Shortridge).
Other localities : — S. Coorg (M.S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 13. 6. 21. 1.
8. L. gurhha, Thomas. Type localiiy : — Jerna, Ramnagar,
Ivumaon (B. N. H. S.^ — Crump).
Other localities : — Kumaon ; Behar
(M. S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 14. 12. 1. 1.
9. L. phillipsi, Wronghton. Type locality : — Asirgarh, Central
Provinces (B. N. H. — Crump).
Other localities : — Palanpur ; Nimar
Berars (M. S. L).
Type:—B. M. No. 12. 3. 2. 1.
10. L. surkha, Wronghton Type locality: — •Vijayanagar, Bel-
and Ryley. lary (B. N. H. S.— Shortridge).
Other localities : — Bellary (M. S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 12.10.16.1.
11. L.ramnadensis,Benthani. Type locality: — ^Bamnad, Madura,
Madras (Aunandale).
Other localities : — Raninad (Aun-
andale) (B. M.).
Type .-— Ind. Mus. Calc. No. ?
12. X. sim, Thomas & Ryley. Type locality: — Sivasamundram,
' S. Mysore (B. N. H. S.— Shortridge).
Other localities : — None.
Type:—B. M. No. 13. 2. 16. 1.
Gen. XII.— Mus.
Thomas has quite recently (J. B. N. H. S., xxvi, p. 117, 1918)
still further restricted this genus to the house-mice proper. Though
the difference is not strongly marked, the fact that all the s]Decies,
other than the true house-mice, are found only in Asia and Africa,
9
958 JOURI^AL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
while tlie house-mice are primarily palsearctic (their presence, or
more correctly their representation, in India being accounted for
by their close commensalism with man) seems, as pointed out by
Thomas, to be a valid reason for recognising them as natural groups.
„ ^no 7 T The following names are avail-
Ino. Ibl. museums, L. t,i • xi • j •
TVT ooo 7 , • -r>i able in this genus, arranged iii
No. 283. bactnanus, Bly. -i r- • -^ . ^
' '' order oi seniority, viz : —
1845. dubius, Hodgson, A. M. N. H., xv, p. 268.— Nepal.
1845. Jiomourus, Hodgson, I.e. — Nepal.
1845. urbanus, Hodgson, I.e. — Nepal.
1846. bactrianus, Blyth. — Kandahar.
1851. cequicaudalis, Horsfield, Catalogue, p. 143.
1852. manei, Kelaart, Prod. Zeyl., p. 64. — Ceylon.
1853. gerbillinus, Blyth, J. A. S. B., xxii, p. 410.— Find Dadan
Khan,
1853. theobaldi, Blyth, I.e., p. 583. — Salt Range, Punjab.
1859. tytleri, Blyth, J. A. S. B., xxviii, p. 296.— Dehra Dun.
1878. kahhyensis, Anderson, An. Zool. Res., p. 307. — Kakhyen
Hills.
1878. viculorum, Anderson, I.e. p. 308.
In the present state of our knowledge of this group, I propose
to recognise only three forms, viz. : — musculus as representing the
actually imported stock ; bactrianus, including gerbillinus and
theobaldi, as representing the overlapping paltearctic forms ; and
dubius, the oldest name, including all the rest, and representing
he old established forms of musculus.
Key to the forms of Mus.
A — Belly white ... ... ... ... 1. bactrianus, Bly.
B — Belly coloured.
a. Belly bluish grey ... ... ... 2. musculus, L.
b. Belly washed with ochraceous ... 3. dubius, Hodgs.
Distribution : —
1. M. bactrianus, Blyth. Type locality: — Kandahar (Hutton).
Other localities : — Quetta (B. M.) ;
Jacobabad, Sind (M. S. I.).
Co-types:— B. M. Nos. 56.2.29.3.
& 4, (Type oi gerbillinus, Blyth, Ind.
Mus. Calc. No. d. ; Type of theobaldi,
Blyth, Ind. Mus. Calc. Nos. d—f).
Lectotype :— B. M. No. 56.2.29.3.
2. M. musculus, Liunasus. Type locality : — Upsala, Sweden.
Other localities : — Imported speci-
mens only found in India.
Type : — Unknown.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY. 359
3. M. duhius, Hodgson. Tyj)e locality : — Nepal (Hodgson).
Other localities : — Hazara ; Kash-
mir ; Delhi ; United Provinces ;
Ajmer ; Jetpur ; Ahmednagar; Thana;
Nilgiris (B. M.) ; Kathiawar; Palan-
pur ; Satara ; Dharwar ; Kanara ; Bel-
lary ; Mysore ; Coorg ; Ceylon ; Ku-
niaon ; Rohilkund ; Behar ; Sikkim ;
Darjeeling ; Bhutan Dnars ; Chindwin;
Mt. Popa; Shan States (M. S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 79.11.21.405.
(Type of homourus, Hodgs. B. M. No.
79.11.21.406; Co-types of urbanus,
Hodgson, B.M. Nos. 45.1.8.398—400.
Lectotype, B. M. No. 45.1.8.398 (in
al.) ; Type of wquicaudalis, Horsefield,
not traced ; Type of manei, Kelaart,
not traced ; Type of tytleri, Blyth,
not traced ; Type of kakhyensis, Blyth,
Ind. Mus. Calc. j\ ; Type of viculorum,
Anderson, Ind. Mus. Calc. No.
k\—V).
Gen. XIII. — Leggada,
When restricting Mus to the house-mice, as explained above,
Thomas revived this genus (genotype L. booduga) for the wild or
field mice (perhaps jungle-mice would be a better name).
No. 285. nitidulus, Bly. The *^fol] owing names, arranged
No. 287. booduga, Gr. in order of seniority, are available
No 288. cervicolor, Hodgs. in this genus, viz. : —
1837. booduga, Gray. Ch. B. N. H. i., p. 586.— Southern
Mahratha CoiTutry.
1839. lepidus, Elliot, Madr. J. L. S. x, p. 216.— S. M. Country.
1845. cervilcolor, Hodgs. A. M. N. H. xv, p. 268.- — Nepal.
1845. strophiatus, Hodgs. 1. c. — Nepal.
1851. terricolor, Bly. J. A. S. B. xx, p. 172.— S. India.
1851. darjilingensis, Horsf. Catalogue, p. 143. — Trincomali.
1852. fulvidiventris, B\y. J. A. S. B. xxi,p. 351. — Trincomali.
1852. albidiventris, Bly. ]. c. — Calcutta.
1855. cunicularis, Bly. J. A. S. xxiv, p. 721. — Cherrapunji.
1859. nitidulus, Bly. J. A. S. B. xxvi'ii, p. 294. — Shwe Gyen,
Burma.
1866. beavani, Pet. P. Z. S. p. 559. — Manbhoom.
1898. famulus, Bonh, J. B. N. H. S. xii, p. 99.— Nilgiris.
960 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
1912. (^mm, Wrough. J. B. N. H. S. xxi, p. 339.— Ambala,
Punjab.
1914. coohii, %1. J. B. N. H. S. xxii, p. 664.— Gokteik, Shan
States.
1916. jpaliari, Thos. J. B. N. H. S. xxiv, p. 415. — Batasia,
Sikkim.
Four of these Thomas recognises as distinct, viz: — jpaliari, famu-
lus^ coohii and nitidulus (differentiating a subspecies of nitidulus)
from Mt. Popa. The rest he lumps together, as a group, under
the name hooduga, pending further study. These forms may be
arranged in a key as follows : —
Key to the forms of LKCiGADA.
a.
A. — Supraorbital edges quite "without any
thickening ; incisors generally
bent backwarks (opisthodont).
Size larger ; braincase rounded, its
breadth more than 10mm.; pala-
tal foramina penetrating less far
backward between the molars.
Palatal foramina very short, not
reaching at all between molars... 1. ^a/zan, Thos.
Palatal foramina longer, reaching
just between the front of ante-
rior molars.
Colour very dark, coppery ;
underside scai-cely lighter,
washed with ochraceous
a
a
2.
h. Size
Colour normal, brown ; under-
side lighter, grejash white ...
smaller, often very small ;
braincase narrow, less than 10mm.
not specially rouiided ; palatal
foramina penetrating far between
molars
B. — Supraorbital edges thickened in old
age ; incisors about upright (ortho-
dont).
a. Size smaller; tail shorter (^64 —
73mm); colour rather darker, medi-
an area of back distinctly darker...
h. Size larger; tail longer (75 — 80mm);
colour rather paler, dark median
dorsal mark absent
famulus, Bonh.
coohii, Rvl.
4. hooduga, Gray.
6.
n. nitidulus, Bly.
n. pop'TeuSj Thos.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY
961
I
I
Distribution : —
1. L. pahari, Thomas.
2. L. famulus, Bonhote.
L. cookii, Lyle}^
4. L. booduga, Graj-
Type locality :— Batasia, Sikkini
(B.N.H. «.— Crump).
Other localities : — Chuntang, Sik-
kim (M. S. I.).
TyjJe :— B. M. No. 15.9.1.199.
Type locality : — Coonoor, Nilgiris.
Other localities : — None.
Type:—B. M. No. 97.11.12.1.
Tyjje locality : — Gokteik, N. Shan
States.
Other localities : — Chin Hills ;
Chindwind; Shan States (M.S. I.).
Type:—B. M. No. 13.11.18.2.
Type locality : — "Dharwar." (Elliot).
Other localities : — Ahme d n a g a r ;
Dharwar (Elliot) ; Madras (Jerdon) ;
Ti'ichinopoli ; Travancore ; Ceylon ;
Orissa; Calcutta (B. M.) ; Kathiawar;
Palanpur ; Khandesh ; Berars ; Nimar;
Central Provinces ; Satara ; Ratnagiri;
Dharwar ; Kanara ; Bellary ; Mj^sore ;
Coorg ; Ceylon ; Kumaon ; Beliar
Bhixtan Duars ; Chin Hills ; Chind-
win; Mt. Popa; Pegu (M. S. I.).
Co-types : — B. M. Nos. 37. a.b.&d.
(Co-types of lepidus, Elliot, the same
specimens ; Co-types of cervicolor,
Hodgson, B. M. Nos. 45.1.8.383.
& 385 ; Lectotype :— B. M. No. 45.
1.8.383; Type o^ strophiatus, Hodg-
son, B. M. No. 45.1.8.384; Co-types
of terricolor, Blj^th, Ind. Mus. Calc.
Nos. a. f. and n — a ; Type of darji-
lingensis, Horsfield, B. M. No. 79.11.
21.412. Type of fulvidiventrisy
Blyth, Ind. Mus. Calc. No. 1 ; Typ
of beavani, Peters, not traced ; Typo
of dunni, Wroughton, B. M. No. 9.4.
6.36 ; Type of albidiventris, Blyth,
not traced ; Type of cunicidaris, Blyth,
Ind. Mus. Calc. No, a. — c. ; Type of
dninni, Wroughton, B. M. No. 9.4.6.
361).
Lectotype : — B. M. No. 37.a.
962 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCLETY, Vol. XXVI.
5. L. nitidula nitidula, Type locality : — Shwe Gyen,
Blyth. Biirma.
Other localities : — Pegu (MS. I.).
Type : — Not traced.
6. L. nitidula pop'ra. Type locality: — Mt. Popa (B. N.
Thomas. H. 8. — Shortridge).
Other localities : — Mt. Popa (M.
S. I.\
Type:—B. M. No. 14.7.19.200.
Gen. XIV. — Ccelomys.
The genns was established by Thomas (J. B. N. H. S., xxiii, p.
414, 1915) to accommodate a species discovered by the Survey in
Ceylon .
In addition to the genotype, mayori, Thomas added later a
second species, hicolor (J. B. N. H. S., xxiv, p. 49, 1915). These
may be distinguished as follows : —
Key to the species of Ccelomys.
A. — Hairs of underside slate-coloured,
with white tips ; spines narrow ("2
mm.) and not stiff . ... 1. mayori, Thos.
B. — Hairs of underside pure white ; spines
coarser (-4 mm.) and stiff... ... 2. hicolor, Thos.
DiSTlilBUTION :■ —
1. C w;ff?/on, Thomas. Type locality: — Pattipola, 6,210
Ceylon. (B. N. H. S.— Mayor).
Other localities : — Pattipola (M.S.I.)
Type:—B. M. No. 14.12.1.7.
2. C. bicolor, Thomas. Type locality : — Kottawa, 250',
Ceylon. (B. N. H. S.— Mayor).
Other localities : — None.
Type:—B. M. No. 14.12.1.8.
Gen. XV. — Vandeleuria.
No. 270. oleracea, Benn. In addition to this, the genotype,
Miss Ryley gave the subspecific name
spadicea, (J. B. N. H. S., xxii, p. 659, 1914) to the Kathiawar form
and Thomas the subspecific names modesta(-J. B. N. H. S., xxiii, p.
202, 1914) and inarica (J. B. N. H. S., xxiv, p. 54, 1915) to forms
from Kumaon and Orissa, and tlie latter also revived the names
nilagirica, Jerdon, and dumeticola, Hodgson, and established the
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY, 963
species rubida (J. B. N. H. S. xxiii, 1914) from Kumaon. These
seven forms may be arranged in a key as follows : —
Key to the Species of Vandeleurta.
A. — General colour bright, rich fulvous,
a. Teeth larger, 3-5 mm. ; bright tawny
line on the flanks ... ... ... 1. rubida, Thos.
b. Teeth smaller, 3-2 mm. ; no bright
tawny line on flanks ... ... 2. dumeticola, Hodgs.
B. — General colour other.
a. Size larger, hindfoot about 20 mm. 3. nilagirica, Jerd.
b. Size smaller, hindfoot aboui; 18 mm.
a\ No dark face markings; feet white.
a'. Colour dai'ker, fawn colour ... 4. o. oUracea, Benn.
6". Colour paler, vinaceous, cinna-
mon ... ... ... ... b. o. spadicea, Byl.
b\ dark lines from snout to eyes ;
feet drab,
a^. General colour drab ... ... 6. o.7nodesta, Thos.
b'. General colour brown... ... 7. o. marica, Thos.
Distribution : —
1. V. rubida, Thomas. Typelocalitij : — Bageswar, Kumaon.
(B. N. H. S.— Crump).
Other localities : — None.
Type:—B. M. No. 14. 12. 1. 3.
-. V. dumeticola, Hodgson. Type locality : — Nepal (^Hodgson).
Other localities :— Nepal (B. M.) ;
Bhutan Duars ; Chin Hills ; ]Mt.
Popa (U. S. I.).
Type :— B. M. No. 43. 1. 12. 74.
3. V. nilagirica, -Terdon. Type locality : — Ootacamund. (Jer-
doia).
Other localities : — Kolaba ; Nilgiri
Hills (B. M.). Coorg (^[. S. I.).
Type : — Unknown.
4. F. oleraceaoleracea, Ben- Type locality : — "Dukhun" (Sj^kes).
nett. Other localities: — Surat ; Sehore ;
Central India ; Berars ; Nimar ;
Central Provinces ; Ahmednagar ;
Dharwar; Bengal (M. S. I.).
Type :— B. M. No. 55. 12. 26. 286.
(Type of wroughtoni, Rvley, B. M. No.
98. 4. 2. 31V
5. 7.
oleracea
By ley.
spadicea,
(i. F.
oleracea
Thomas,
modesta,
7. 7.
oleracea
Thomas.
marica,
964 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HLST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Type locality : — Palanpiir. (B. N.
H. S. — Crump).
Other localities : — Palanpiir (M.S. I.).
Type :— B. M. No. 13. 8. 23. 4.
Type locality :—B.aYnna,ga.r, Ku-
maon (B. N. H. S. — Crump).
Other localities : — Kumaon (M.S.I.)
Type:—B. M. No. 14. 12. 1. 2.
Type locality : — Chaibassa, Orissa.
(B. N. H. S.— Crump).
Other localities : — Orissa (M. S. I.).
Tijpe:—B. M. No. 15. 4. 3. 108,
Gen. XVI.— H^ROMYS.
This genus was separated from Mus, by Thomas, to provide for
certain Bornean forms.
No. 281. chiropus, Thos. The name chiropus is based on a
single specimen taken by Fea. As the
description given of it by Thomas seems to agree in many ways
with the characters ascribed to H^romys I have placed it tenta-
tively in that genus.
Distribution : —
H. chiropus, Thomas. Type locality : — Karennee (Fea),
Other localities : — None.
Type : — Mus. Civ. Genoa.
Gen. XVII. — Hadromys.
The genus was founded by Thomas (J. B. N. H. S. xx, p. 999,
1911) to accommodate a mouse, humei, from Manipur described bv
himself in 1886 (P. Z. S., p. 63).
No. 293. humei, Thos. The genotype and only species.
Distribution : —
H. humei, T^homskS. Type locality : — Moirang, Manipu:.
(Hume).
Other localities : — (None).
Type :— B. M. No. 85. 8. 1. 318.
Gen. XVIII. — Golunda.
Blanford lumps this genus with the African Pelomys, but their
separation is now quite generally recognised.
No. 299. ellioti. Gray, Kelaart gave two names in Ceylon
but I have been able to retain ovly
one of them, mz : — newera (J, B. N. H. S., xxiv, p. 94,1915).
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY.
965
Blanforcl gave the name watsoni to the form from northern
India. Hodgson named a " ilfws m^oi/inx," which the mutilated
skin, which constitutes the type, shows to have been a GoLUNDA
(?) but pending the receipt of further specimens I can only-
rank it as ellioti. These three forms may be arranged in a key
as follows : —
Key to the species of Golunda. ♦
A. — Colour darker, grizzled black and tawny.
a. Grizzle coarse
b. Grizzle very fine
1. ellioti, Gray.
2. newera, Kel.
B. — Colour paler, grizzled black and buft' ... 3. watsoni, Blanf.
Distribution : —
1. G. ellioti, Gray.
2. G. newera, Kelaart.
8. 6r. watsoni, Blanford.
Type locality : — "Dharwar" (Elliot).
Other localities : — Bombay ; Nepal
(B. M.); Khandesh ; Berars ; Nimar;
Central Provinces; Satara; Dharwar ;
Kanara ; Coorg ; Kumaon ; Bengal ;
Bhutan Duars (M. S. I.).
Co-types : — B. M. Nos. 38. a. & d. ;
(Type of mijothrix, Hodgson, B.M. No.
45. 1. 8. 375. ; Type of cojfoea,
Kelaart, B. M. No. 52. 5. 9. 30).
Lectotype :— B. M. No. 38. a.
Type locality : Newera Eliya, Cey-
lon. (Kelaart).
Other localities : — Pattipola and
Ambewela, Ceylon. (M. S. I.).
Type : — Not ti-aced.
Type locality : — Kirtar Range, Sind.
(Watson).
Other localities : — Kohat ; Dagshai,
Umballa, Punjab (B. M.) ; Sind;
Cutch ; Palanpur; Kathiawar (M.
S. 1.).
Type
-B. M. No. 8. 3. 9. 23.
Gen. XIX. — Chiropodomys.
'No. 271. gliroides, Blj^ Sclater in his " Catalogue of Mam-
malia in the Indian Museum, Cal-
cutta " records the loss of the type of gliroides, and that conse-
quently it is not possible to identif}'- that species. I propose
therefore to ignore that name and to use peguensis, Blyth.
10
966 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Distribution : —
(7. peguensis, Blytli. Type locality : — Schwe Gyeii (Berd-
more) .
Other localities : — Malay Peninsula ;
S. W. Siam (B. M.) ; Tenasserim (M.
S. L).
, Type : — Ind. Mns. Calc. No. a.
Gen. XX. — Apodemus.
No. 286. arianus, Blanf. There is I believe no reliable record
No. 284. .sublimis, Blanf. of the occtirrence of sublimis within
onr limits, while arianus was given
to a Persian species. I wrote a note on these animals in 1908 (J.
B. N. H. S., xvii, p. 280) in which I recognised three forms, rank-
ing them all as subspecies of sylvaticus L., of Europe. One of these
having been found to bear the preoccupied name griseus, True,
Millei- has substituted the name rusiges. These names may be
arranged in a key as follows : —
Key to the subspecies (Indian) of Apodemus sylvaticus.
A. — Tail at least as long as the head and body.
a. Larger, hind-foot 23 mm.; colour
darker, ochraceous brown ... 1. .§. rusiges, Mill.
b. Smaller, hind-foot 21 mm. ; colour
paler, drab ... ... ... 2. ,s. wardi, Wr.
B. — Tail shorter than head and body ;
hind-foot 21 mm. ... ... ... o. s. p>entax,y^v.
Distribution : —
1. A. s. rusiges, Miller. Type locality: — Central Kashmir.
(Abbott).
Other localities : — Kashmir (Ward)
(B. M.).
Co-types. — U. S. Nat. Mus. Nos.
20139 20144 -. 201.11
35502" 35507 ^ 355 u'
Type locality: — Saspul, 9,000' —
11,500', Ladak. (Ward— Crump).
Other localities : — Ladak : Skardo
(Whitehead) (B. M.).
Type:—B. M. No. 7. 12. 16. 2.
Type locality : — Thandiani, Punjab.
(Maj. Magratii).
Other localities : — Hazara ; Murree
(Dunn). (B. M.).
Type:—B. M. No. 7. 8. 1. 4
2. A. s. wardi, Wrough-
ton.
3. A. s. pentax, Wrough-
ton.
SUMMARY OF THE INDIAN MAMMAL SURVEY. 967
Gen. XXI. — Micromys.
No. 292. eryilirotis, BI. The only species found \Yithin our
limits.
Distribution ; —
M. erythrotis, Blyth. Type locality : — Cherrapunji, Assam.
(F. Skipwith).
Other localities : — Cherrapiinji (B.
M.)
Type : — Ind. Mns. Calc. No. a.
Gen, XXII. — AcoMYS.
TVT ono 7- -T . -n- The name used by Blanford is that
' ^^ ot a species from Palestine, ihomas
has examined the single specimen, taken in 1876, by H. E.
Watson, and has described it under the name o^ flavidus, (J. B. N.
H. S., XXV, p. 205, 1917).
Distribution : —
A.flavidus, Thomas. T ype locality : — Laki Hills, Sehwan,
Sind. (Watson).
Other localities : — None.
Type .•— B. M. No. 91. 11. 1. 11.
Gen. XXIII. — Hapalomys.
No. 269. longicaudatus, Bl. The only species of the genus.
Distribution ; —
H. longicaudatus, Blyth. ^I/P^ locality : — Sitang A^alley, Te-
nasserim. (Berdmore).
Other localities : — JMeta, Tavoy ; S.
W. Siam (B. M.); Tenasserim (M.S.I.).
Co-types : — Ind. ]\Ius. Calc. Nos. a
and b.
{To be continued).
963
THE FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT.
(JODHPUR AND JAISALMER).
BY
E. Blatter, S.J., and Prof. F. Hallberg.
Part IV.
(Continued from page 818 q/ Vol. XXVI.)
Chenopodiace^.
Chenopodmm L.
Chenopodium album, L. Sp. PL (1753) 219.
Vern. N. : Goela, Chill (Macadam).
Loc. : Very common about fields and gardens (Macadam).
Distrib. : Cosmopolitan.
Uses : The boiled leaves are eaten as a vegetable.
-'to^
Atriplex L.
Atriplex sp.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Towards month of Luni (King).
muceda Forsk.
Sucedafruticosa, J^'orsk. Fl. ^-Egypt. Arab. (1775) 70.
Vern. N. : Lunki (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur : Abundant in the salt districts of Pach Badra ; found
also at Palli (Macadam).
Distrib. : Africa, India, America.
Uses : Eaten by camels.
Haloxylon Bunge.
Haloxylon recurvum, Bunge ex Boiss. Fl. Or. IV (1879) 949.
Vern. N. : Khar.
Loc: Jodhpur: Kotda near Seu (No. 9092!), Jaisalmer: Vinjorai on
rocks (Nos. 9091 !, 5974 !).
Distrib. : India, Afghanistan, Yunnan.
Fl. in October and November.
Uses : The ashes are given in water against internal ulcers. Used by
dhobles instead of soap.
Haloxylon salicornicum, Bunge ex Boiss. Fl. Or. IV (1879) 949.
Vern. N. : Lana.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Common in the salt districts of Pach Badra (Macadam).
Jaisalmer: Sodakoer river bed (No. 9093 !).
Distrib. : India, Baluchistan, Afghanistan.
Uses : Eaten by camels.
Haloxylon multiflorum, Bunge in Boiss. Fl. Or. IX, 949.
Loc. : On Sind frontier (King).
Distrib. : N. W. India, Afghanistan, Rajputana.
ILORA 01 THE INDIAN DESERT. 969
Salsola L.
Salsola fostida, Del. Fl. .^^^gypt. Illustr. (1812) 310.
Vern. N. : Lani (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur: Banner, rocks (No. 9095!). Jaisalmer : Bap, shore
of tank (No. 9096!), Sodakoer (No. 90941).
Distrib. : India, Baluchistan, Persia, Arabia, N. Africa.
Fr. in October and November.
POLYGONACE/E.
Calligonum L.
CalUgonum polygonoides, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 530.
Vern. N. : Phog.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Bhikamkor (Nos. 9064 ! , 9062 !, 9056!), common and
gregarious in the salt districts of Pach Badra, near Bhadka (No. 90551),
Barmer rocks (No. 9057 !), Phalodi (No. 9065 I). Jaisalmer : near
Loharki (Nos. 9061 !, 9058 !), near Loharki sand dunes (No. 9059 !),
Loharki (No. 9060!), Vinjorai (No. 9063!).
Distrib. : India, Persia, Armenia, Syria.
Fl. in October.
Fr. in October and November,
Uses : The wootl is used in building huts, wells, etc. ; the green
branches are eaten by camels ; the buds, called " lasson," are used
by the poor as food in February and March. (Macadam).
Polygonum L.
Polygonum plehejum, R. Br. Prodr. (1810) ■i20, var. sindica, Hook. f. Fl.
Brit. Ind. V, 29.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Kailana (No. 9080 I).
Distrib. : Sind, Rajputana.
Fl, and fr. in October and November.
Polygonum plebejum var, indica, Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind, V, 28.
Loc: Jodhpur: Jodhpur Fort (No. 9090!). Jaisalmer: between
Phalodi and Bap (No, 9083!), N. of Jaisalmer (No, 9082 !), Vinjorai
(No. 9081!).
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Fagopyrum Gfertn.
Fagopyrum esculentum, Moench Meth. 290.
Loc. : Jaisalmer: Amarsagar (No. 9084 !). Introduced.
Aristolochiacb^,
Aristolochia L.
Aristolochia bradeata, Retz Obs. Bot. fasc. V (1789) 29,
Vern. N. : Hookah bel, Aoula sa (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur: Barmer, sand (No. 9258 !), near Badka (No. 9257 !).
Jaisalmer : Vinjorai, near tank (No. 9259 !).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, Arabia, India, Ceylon.
Uses : The seeds ground in water form a lotion softening the hair,
Laukace^.
Cassytha L,
Cassytha filiformis, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 35,
Loc. : Jodhpur: Mandor (Nos. 9255 ! , 9256 I).
Distrib. : Tropics generally.
970 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, T ol. XXVI.
EUPHOEBIACE^.
Euphorbia L.
EupJwrbia neriifolia, L. Sp. PL (1753) 451.
Veru. N. : Thor.
Log.: Jodhpur : Kailana (No. 9196!), Barmer (9195!). Jaisalmer :
Jaisalmer (No. 9194 !). Abundant in rocky places. (Macadam).
Distrib. : India.
Fl. in February and March (Macadam).
Uses : The milky juice is used as a cure for coughs and is applied
to the skin as a blister. The leaves, called " papri ", are eaten
(Macadam).
Euphorbia dracunculoides , Lamk. Encycl. Meth. II (1786) 428.
Vern. N. : Bamburi (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur: Barmer, sand (No, 9197!). Jaisalmer: Gagruap
Sayar (Macadam).
Distrib. : Tiop. Africa, Arabia, India.
Fl. early in December (Macadam), November.
EupJiorbia elegans, Spreng. Syst. Ill (1826) 794.
Loc. : Jodhpur Fort (No. 2956 !).
Distrib. ; India.
Fl. and fr. in October.
Euphorbia hyper ici folia, L. Sp. PI, (1753) 454.
Vern. N: Dudeli (Macadam).
Loc: Jodhpur: Balsamand (No. 2958!). Jaisalmer: Amarsagar
(Nos. 2957 ! , 2960 ! , 2959 !), Bada Bag (Nos, 2963 ! , 2961 ! , 2962 !),
Distrib. : Almost throughout the Tropics.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Euphorbia hirta, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 454.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Balsamand (No. 9198). Jaisalmer : Amarsagar
(Nos. 9199 ! , 9200 1).
Distrib. : Most tropical and subtropical countries.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Euphorbia thymifolia, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 454.
Loc: Jodhpur: Jodhpur Fort (No. 9201!), Phalodi (No, 9202 !).
Jaisalmer : Jaisalmer (No, 9203!), near Loharki (No, 9204 !).
Distrib. : All hot countries except Australia.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Euphorbia granulata, Forsk. Fl. ^gypt. Arab. (1775) 94.
Vern. N. : Dudeli.
Loc: Jodhpur: Mandor (No. 2972!), Bhikamkor (Nos. 2973!,
2976!), Barmer, gravel (No. 9206!), Barmer, sand (No, 2964!).
Jaisalmer : Bap (Nos. 2975 !, 9207 !, 2969 ! ), near Bap (No. 2970!),
N. of Jaisalmer (No. 9205 !), Amarsagar (No. 2974 !), Jaisalmer
(No. 2965!), Jaisalmer, sand (No. 2967 !), Jaisalmer, rocky plateau
(No. 2977!), Vinjorai, sand (No. 2971 !), Vinjorai, rocks (Nos.
2968!, 9208!), near Devikot (No. 2966!). Often covering large
patches of sandy ground ; frequently associated with Corchorv^
antichorus in the desert tracts between Balotra and Jaisalmer
(Macadam).
Distrib. : India, Afghanistan, Arabia, Egypt, Canary Isles.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Euphorbia granulata var. glabra var. nov. — Folia glabra in facie ventrali.
Loc. : Jodhpur Fort.
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT. 971
Euphorbia microphylla, Heyne in lioth Nov. PI. Sp, (18-21) 229.
Loc: Jodhpur: Bhikamkor (No. 9211 !), Balarwa (No. 9212!), Barmer,
sand (No. 9213 !), Phalodi (No. 92U !). Jaisalmer : Loharki (No.
9215 !), Jaisalmer (Nos. 9216 !, 9217 !).
Distrib.: Indo-Malaya.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Euphorbia darkeana, Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. V (1887) 253.
Loc: Jodhpur: Phalodi (No. 9218!). Jaisalmer: between Phalodi and
Bap (No. 9219 !), Amarsagar (No. 9220 !), Vinjorai, dunes (No. 9221!).
Distrib. : India.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Euplwrbia jodhpurensis, spec. nov. — Generatim sicut E. clarkeana, his
exceptis : Caules pauci filiformes erecti colore stramineo. Folia 15
mm. attingentia, generatim toto margine spinuloso-serrulata, apice
obtusa vel subacuta stipulis laceratis. Cocci aliquantulum carinati.
Semina 4-angulata, apice attenuata obtusa, distincte transversim
rugosa, roseo-brunnea, delicatulo-foveolata.
Loc. : Jodhpur (No. 9228 !).
Phyllanthus L.
Phyllanthus maderaspatensis, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 982.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Balarwa (No. 9229 !), Osian (No. 9230 I), Kailana (No.
9231 I), Mandor (No. 9231a !), 25 miles S. E. of Luni (No. 9232 1),
near Kotda (No. 9233!). Jaisalmer: between Phalodi and Bap,
iields(No. 9234!).
Distrib. : Tropics of the Old World.
Fl. and fr. in October.
Phyllanthus nirurii, L. Sp. PL (1753) 981.
Vern. N. : Gugerati bawal (Macadam).
Loc. : Jodhpur: Jodhpur (Nos. 9235 !, 9241 !, 9251 !), Balsamand (No.
9240 !); Osian (No. 9237 !), Bhikamkor (Nos. 9246 !, 9242 !), Phalodi
(No. 9239 !), near Bhadka, sand (Nos. 9249 !, 9238 !) Barmer, sand
(No. 9245 !). Jaisalmer : between Phalodi and Bap, fields (No.
92441). Amarsagar (No. 9243!), Bada Bag (^No. 9250 !), Devikot,
gravel (Nos. 9248 !, 9247 !), Vinjorai, sand (No. 9236 !).
Distrib.: Tropics generally, except Australia.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Uses : The root pounded and mixed with Commiphora mulcul is given
to camels suffering from indigestion.
Ricinus L.
Ricinus communis, L. Sp. PI. 1007.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : Bap (No. 9252 !).
Distrib. : Tropics generally, probably indigenous in Africa ; cultivated
throughout India.
Urticace^.
Ficus L.
Ficus religiosa, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 1059.
Vern. N.: Pipal.
Loc: Jodhpur: Bhikamkor (No. 9001!), Jaisalmer: Amarsagar (No.
9004 !).
Distrib. : Subhimalayan forests in Bengal and Central India.
LTses : The roots are used medicinally. The wood is of little value, but
is used in sacrificial fires. In Godwar it has been observed that the
Pipal is appealed to by the Bauris on their stones of witness to
punish them if they break their vows. (Macadam).
972 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL MIST. SOCIETY, Vol, XX FI. ]
I
Ficus bengalensis, L. Hort. Cliff. (1737) 471, No. 4.
Veru.N.: Bar, Baryat.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Bhikamkor (No. 9002 !).
Distrib. : Wild in the siibhimalayan forests ai^d on the lower slopes ,
of the hill ranges of Southern India.
Ftciis 7nysorensis, Heyne in lloth Nov. Sp. PI. (1821) 390, var. pubescens
King, Spec. Fie. 20. ■
Loc. : Jodhpur: Barmer (No. 9003 !), planted. ;
Distrib, : Konkan, Kanara, \
Morus L.
Morus alba, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 986. \
Loc : Jaisalmer : Amarsagar (No. 9006 !).
Distrib. : Cultivated in Europe, Western and Central Asia, and m ]
China. i
Cannabis L.
Cannabis sativa, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 1027. ,
Loc. : Jaisalmer : Amarsagar (No. 9005 !). ^
Distrib. : Wild in Central Asia, cultivated elsewhern. \
Fr. in November. j
Gnetacb^e
Ephedra L.
Ephedra foliata, Boiss. Fl. Orient. V (1881) 716. j
Vern. N. : Lana (Macadam). ■
Loc. : Jaisalmer (King). -^
Distrib. : Punjab, Uajputana, Afghanistan to Syria. ^
Hydrochakitace.e. 1
■I
Vallisneria L. i
>
Vallisneria spiralis, L. Sp. PL (1753) 1015. '
Loc : Jaisalmer : between JPhalodi and Bap (No. 9340 !).
Distrib. : Warm regions of the Old and New World.
El. in October.
LlLIACB^,
Asparagus L.
Asparagus racemosus, Willd. Sp. PI. II (1799) 152.
Vern. N. : Narkanta.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kotda (No. 10355 !), Kailana (No. 10356 !) growing in
Euphorbia bushes near Balsamand and elsewhere about Jodhpur. \
(Macadam). \
Distrib. : Indo-Malaya.
Fl. in November, the flowers appearing before the leaves.
Dipcatli Medic, j
Dipcadi en/thrcBum, Webb. & Berth. j
Loc: jaisalmer: near Bap (No. 10358!), N. of Jaisalmer (No. 10359!).
Distrib. : liajputana, Sind, Arabia, Egypt.
Fr. in November.
Asphodelus L.
Asphodelus tenuifolius, Cav. in Ann. Cienc. Nat. Ill (1801) 46, t. 27, f. 2.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Balarvva (No. 10357 !). A weed of cultivation. j
Distrib. : India to the Mediterranean.
Fl. and fr. in October. i
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT. 973
Allium L.
Allium cepa, L. Sp PI. (1753) 300. — The Onion. Cultivated in many-
places. The soil called pili, a sandy clay, is especially adapted for it.
Aloe Tourn.
Aloe sp.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : Bap (No. 9193 !).
n. in October. Flowers orange.
CoMMELINACEvB.
Commelina L.
Commelina benghalensis: L. Sp. PI. (No. 1753) 41.
Loc. : Jodhpnr : Mandor (No. 9175 !), Osian (No. 9174 !), Balarwa
(Nos. 9178!, 9179!). Jaisalmer: Amarsagar (No. 917(3 !), Bada Bag
(No. 9177!).
Distrib. : Tropical Africa and Asia.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Commelina Forskalcei, Vahl. Enum. 1 (1806) 172.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Balarwa (Nos. 9180!, 9181 ! ).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, India.
Fl. and fr. in October.
Commelina albescens, Hassk. in Schweinf . Beitr. Fl. ^thiop. (1867) 210.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana (Nos. 9182 !, 9183 !), Balsamand, rocks
(Nos. 9184!, 9186!, 9185!), Mandor (Nos. 9187 !, 9188 !, 9189 !),
Osian (No. 9190 !). Jaisalmer: Bada Bag (Nos. 9192 !, 9191 ! ).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, Arabia, Baluchistan, Sind, Eajputana.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Cyanotis Don.
Cyanotis axillaris, Schultes f. Syst. VII (1830) 1154.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : Bap (No. 9173 ! ).
Distrib. : India, Ceylon, E. Asia, Trop. Australia.
Fl. and fr. in October.
Naiadace^.
Fotamogeton L.
Potamogeton pectinatus, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 127.
Loc. : Jodhpur (No. 9331 !). Jaisalmer : between Phalodi and Bap (No.
9332 !), Bap (No. 9333!).
Distrib. : India, Ceylon, Western and Eastern Tibet.
Fruits in October.
Potamogelon crispus, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 126.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Kailana (Nos. 9334!, 9335!).
Distrib. : N. and S. temperate, subtropical and tropical regions.
Fruits in October.
Fotamogeton nutans, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 126.
Loc. : W. Rajputana (King).
Distrib. : Widely diffused, especially in temperate climates.
Naias L.
Naias graminea, Del. Fl. Egypt (1812) 282, t. 50, f . 3.
Log. : Jodhpur State (No. 9338 !), Jaisalmer: Bap (No. 9339!).
Distrib. : Old World.
Fl. and fr. in October.
11
974 JO URNAL, B 0MB A Y NA T URAL HIST. SO CIE T Y, Vol. XX VI
Naias australis, Bory ex Chamisso in Linnsea IV (1829) 501.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Kailana (No. 9337 !).
Distrib. : Mauritius, Madagascar. Not been noted from India before.
Fr. in October.
Naias Welwitschii, Rendle in Cat. Afr. PI. Welwitsch. II (1899) 95.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : Bap (No. 9336 !).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa. Not been observed in India before.
Fl. and fr. in October.
Cyperace^.*
Cyperus L.
Cyperus pumilus, L. Sp. PI. (1762) 69,
Loc: Jodhpur: Kailana ',No. 2877!), Mandor (Nos. 2485 !, 2480!).
Jaisalmer : N. of Jaisalmer (No. 2906 !), Bada Bag (No. 2437 !),
Vinjorai (Nos. 1962 !, 1960 !), Devikot, wet ground (No. 1957 !).
Distrib. : Tropics of the Old World.
Fr. in October and November.
Cyperus pygmcBus, Rottb Descr. et Ic. (1773) 20, t. 14, f. 5.
Loc: Jodhpur: Kailana tank (No. 2879 !). Jaisalmer: N. of Jaisal-
mer (No. 2924).
Distrib. : Trop. and warm countries of the Old World.
Fr. in October and November.
Cyperus difformis, L. Cent. PI. pt. 2 (1755), in Amoen. Acad. IV (1788) 302
Loc : Jodhpur : Balsamand (No. 2947 !), Mandor (No. 2488 !).
Distrib. : Warm regions of the Old World.
Fr. in October.
Cyperus niveus, Eetz. Obs. fasc. 5 (1789) 12.
Loc. : Jaisalmer: near Loharki (No. 2454!).
Distrib. : India, Afghanistan, China.
Fr. in November.
Cyperus arenarius, Retz. Obs. fasc. 4 (1786) 9.
'Loc: Jodhpur: Mandor (No. 2487 !), Bhikamkor (No. 2866!), Osian
(No. 2922!), Phalodi, sand dune (Nos. 2867! 2911!). Jaisalmer:
Shihad (No. 2927 !).
Distrib. : India, Ceylon, Persia, Arabia.
Fr. in October and November.
Cyperus conylomeratus, Rottb. Descr. et Ic. (1773)21, t. 15, f. 7.
'Loc: Jodhpur: Jodhpur (No. 2943!), Mandor (Nos. 2486! 2466!),
Balarwa (Nos. 2917 !, 2914 !), Bhikamkor, sand dune (Nos. 2887 !,
2894 !). Jaisalmer: between Phalodi and Bap (Nos. 2451 !, 2452 !),
near Bap (No. 2938 !), Loharki (No. 2458 !), Jaisalmer (Nos. 2499 !,
1936!), Vinjorai, sand dunes (Nos. 2913!, 2912!, 2497!, 2498!,
2493!).
Distrib. : India, Ceylon, Mediterranean, Trop. Africa.
Fr. in October and November.
Citperus compressus, L. Sp. PI. (1753^ 46.
Loc: Jodhpur: Balarwa (No. 2921!).
Distrib. : Tropics generally.
Fr. in October.
Ci/2)erus aristatus, Rottb. Descr. et Ic. (1773) 23, t. 6, f. 1.
"Loc: Jodhpur: Kailana (Nos. 2946!, 2941!, 2900!), Mandor (Nos.
2470 !, 2479 !). Jaisalmer : Bap (No. 1963 !), Jaisalmer, wet ground
(No. 2927 !), Vinjorai (Nos. 2496 !, 1934 !, 1963 !).
Distrib. : More or less throughout the Tropics.
Fr. in October and November.
*We have to thank Mr. L. J. Sedj^wick, i.cs., for kindly naming the Cyperaceas-
~\
I LOR A OF THE INDIAN DESERT. 975
Cyperus iria, L. Sp. PL (1753) 45.
Vern. N. : Moth.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana (Nos. 2868 !, 2898 !, 2885 !), Mandor (No.
2461 !), near Badka (No. 2875 !), Badka, wet ground (No. 2856 !).
Distrib.: Mediterranean, Indo-China, Australia.
Fr. in October and November.
Cyperus eleusinoides, Kunth Enum. II (1837) 39.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Balsamand (No. 2933 !).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, Indo-Malaya, Queensland.
Fr. in October.
Cyperus bulbosus, Vahl Enum. II (1806) 342.
Loc: Jodhpur: Mandor (Nos. 2462!, 2473!), Jaisalmer : Amarsagar
(Nos. 2935!, 2910 !), Vinjorai, tank (No. 16641).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, Baluchistan, India, Ceylon, Australia.
Fr. in October and November.
Cyperus rotundus, L, Sp. PI. (1753) 45.
Loc: Jodhpur: Kailana (Nos. 2884!, 2876!), Jodhpur (Nos. 2859!,
2866!), Mandor (Nos. 2475!, 2478 !), Balarwa (No. 2918 !), Phalodi
(No. 2864 !), Sen, wet ground (No. 2477 !), Kotda near Sen, wet
ground (No. 2888 !), near Badka (No. 2873 !), Barmer, wet sand (No.
2861!). Jaisalmer: between Phalodi and Bap (Nos. 1953!, 2453!,
2474 !), Sodakoer (No. 2925 !), Amarsagar (Nos. 2867 !, 2860 !),
Jaisalmer (No. 1940 !), N. of Jaisalmer (No. 2907 !), Vinjorai, tank
(Nos. 1961 !, 1967 !, 1936 !).
Distrib. : Most hot countries.
Fr. in October and November.
Cyperus tuherosus, Rottb. Descr. et Ic. (1773) 28, t. 7, f. 1.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : between Phalodi and Bap, cultivated fields
(Nos. 2436!, 2459!).
Distrib.: Mauritius, India, Ceylon, Australia.
Fr. in October.
Kyllinyia Rottb.
Kyllinr/ia triceps, Rottb. Descr. et Ic. (1773) 14, t. 4, f. 6.
Loc : Jodhpur : Mandor (Nos. 2466 ! , 2484 !, 2472 ! , 2464 !, 2481 !),
Kailana (No. 2871!).
Distrib. : India, Ceylon, China, Avistralia, Africa.
Fr. in October.
Fimbristylis Vahl.
Fimbristylis dichotoma, Vahl. Enum. II (1806) 287.
Loc: Jodhpur: Kailana (No. 2883!). Jaisalmer: N. of Jaisalmer
(No. 2905 !).
Distrib. : Warm regions of the Old World.
Fr. in October and November.
Fimbristylis ferruginea, Vahl. Enum. II (1806) 291.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana (No. 2899 !). Jaisalmer ; Bada Bag (No.
1987!).
Distrib. : Indo-Malaya, Australia, Polynesia.
Fr. in October and November.
limbristylis quinquangularis, Kunth. Enum. II (1806) 229.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : Bada Bag (No. 2955 !).
Distrib. : Indo-Malaya, China, Australia.
Fr. in November.
976 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Fimbristylis tenera, Roem. and Schult. Syst. II, Mant. 57.
Log. : Jodhpur : Kailana (No. 2886!), Balsarnand (No. 2949 !), Mandor
(No. 2471 !), Seu, wet ground (No. 2467 !). Jaisalmer : between
Phalodi and Bap (No. 2455 !), Jaisalmer, wet ground (No. 2931 !),
Vinjorai (Nos. 2496 !, 1966 !), near Devikot (Nos. 1954 ! , 1955 !).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, India.
Fr. in October and November.
Fimbristylis tenera var, o.vylepis, C. B. Clarke in Hook. Fl. Brit. Ind. VI,
642.
Loc: Jodhpur: Kailana (No. 2880!), Badka (No. 2946 !), Kotda
near Seu (No. 2476 !). Jaisalmer: Vinjorai, wet ground (No. 1938!).
Distrib. : India.
Fr. in October and November.
Eleocharis R. Br.
Eleocharis atropwyurea, Kunth Enum. II (1837) 151.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Mandor (Nos. 2482 ! , 2463 !), Seu, wet ground
(No. 2468 !). Jaisalmer : between Phalodi and Bap (No 2457 !), Bap
(Nos. 1949!, 1952!).
Distrib. : Tropics generally.
Fr. in October and November.
Scirpus L.
Scirpus supinus, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 49.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : Bap (No. 1950 !).
Distrib. : Old World generally and America.
Fr. in October.
Scirpus quinquefarius, Ham. in Wall. Cat. (1828) 3465.
Vern. N. : Moth.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana tank (No. 2870 !), Mandor (Nos. 2483 !,
2469 !), betwoa Phalodi and Bap (Nos. 2460 !, 2456 !, 2435 !),
near Badka (No. 2874!). Jaisalmer: Jaisalmer (No. 1939!), N. of
Jaisalmer (No. 2904!), Bada Bag (Nos. 1979!, 1983 !), Amarsagar
(No. 1959 !), near Devikot (No. 1956 !), Devikot (No. 2863 !),
Vinjorai, wet ground (No. 1965 !, 1937 !).
Distrib. : India, Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Africa.
Fr. in October and November.
Scirpus maritimus, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 51.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : Amarsagar (No. 2934 !), Bada Bag (No. 1980 !),
Vinjorai (Nos. 1933 !, 2494 !).
Distrib. : Cosmopolitan.
Fr. in November.
Scirpus grossus, L. f. Suppl. (1781) 104.
Loc. : W. Rajputana, margins of tanks (King).
Distrib. : Indo-Malaya, Philippines.
Scirpus litoralis, Schrad. Fl. Germ. I (1806) 142, t. 5, f. 7.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : N. of Jaisalmer (No. 2903 ! ).
Distrib. : Central Asia, India, Ceylon, Persia, Mediterranean, Africa.
Fr. in November.
Stenophyllus Rafin.
Stenophyllus barbata,T. Cooke Fl. Bomb. Pres. II, 887.
Loc: Jodhpur: Balarwa (Nos. 2919!, 2920!). .Jaisalmer: Bap
(Nos. 1951!, 1948!).
Distrib. : India, Ceylon.
Fr. in. October and November.
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT. 977
Gramine^. *
Digitaria Rich.
Digitaria sanguinalis, Scop. Fl. Carn. ed. 2, I (1772) 52.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Balarwa (No. 4910 a ! ), Osian (No. 4143!). Jaisalmer:
Between Phalodi and Bap (No. 4885 !), Sodakoer, near tank (No.
4097 !), Amarsagar (Nos. 4974 !, 4180 !, 4179 !).
Distrib. : All warm countries.
Fruits iu October and November.
Digitaria sanguinalis var. ciliaris, Prain Bang. PI. 1181.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Bhikamkor (No. 4666 a!), Balarwa (No, 4903!),
Mandor (No. 9750 !).
Jaisalmer : Amarsagar (Nos. 4883 !, 4878 !), Vinjorai dunes (No. 4797 !).
Distrib. : Most warm countries.
Fruits in October and November.
Digitaria pennata, Cooke Fl. Bomb. Pres. II. 941.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Kailana (Nos. 4981 a !, 4980!, 4618!, 4629!), Barmer,
rocks,' in Euphorbia bush (No. 4881 !).
Distrib. : Gujarat, Eajputana, Sind, Baluchistan, Abyssinia.
Fruits in October and November.
Panicum L.
Panicum fluitans, Retz Obs. fasc. 5 (1789) 18.
Loc: Jodhpur: Kailana, tank (No. 4677!).
Distrib. : From tropical Africa to India, trop. America.
Fruits in October.
Panicum colonum, L. Syst. ed. 10 (1759) 870.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (No. 4648!). Jaisalmer : Sodakoer, tank (Nos.
4101 !, 4096 !).
Distrib. ; Most warm countries.
Fruits in October and November,
Panicum ramosum, L. Mant. ( 1767 ) 29.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Balarwa (Nos. 4900 ! 4913 ! ), Jaisalmer : Jaisalmer
( No. 4830 !), Vinjorai, sandy plain (No. 3993 I, 3995 !), Vinjorai, on
rocks (No. 4764 !), neighbourhood of Jaisalmer (No. 4120 !).
Distrib. : India, Ceylon, Afghanistan.
Fruits in October and November.
Panicum turgidum, Forsk. Fl. Aegypt. Arab. (1775) 18.
Vern. N. : Munt, Muruta gas.
Loc. Jodhpur: Kailana (Nos. 4627 !, 4630 !), Osian (Nos. 4145 ! 4138 I,
4134 !, 3997 !), Bhikamkor (Nos. 4661a !, 4659 !, 4665a !), Phalodi (No.
4937 !), Barmer, sand (No. 4199 !). Jaisalmer: Neighbourhood of Bap
(No. 4044 !), Sodakoer (No. 4087 !), Loharki (Nos. 4845 !, 4841 !, 4696 !),
Amarsagar (No. 4865 !), Vinjorai (No. 4799a !), Vinjorai, sand dunes
(No. 4927 !)
Distrib. : Gujarat, Rajputana, Sind, Baluchistan, Egypt, Arabia, Trop.
Africa.
Fruits in October and November.
Panicum trypheron, Schult. Mant. II (1824) 244.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : Amarsagar (Nos. 4956 !, 4961 ! ).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, Indo-Malaya, China.
* We have to thank Mr. L. J. Sedg-wick and Mr. C. McCana for kindly naming-
the grasses.
978 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Panicum antidotale, Retz Obs. fasc. 4 (1786) 17.
Vern. N. : Gramna.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Mandor (No. 4005 !), Osian (Nos. 4148 I, 4140 1, 3998 !),
Barmer, sand (Nos. 4990 !, 4875 ! ). Jaisalmer : Near Bap (Nos. 4036 !,
4042 ! ), Loharki (No. 4169 !), near Loharki (No. 4071 !), Lohavat (No.
8762 !), Amarsagar (Nos. 4690 !), Jaisalmer, sand (No. 4826 ), Devikot
(No. 4217 !, 4204 !, 4213 !), Vinjorai, dunes (Nos. 4798 !, 4911 !).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, Afghanistan India, Ceylon, Australia.
Fruits in October and November.
Panicum crus-galli, L. Sp. PI. 56.
Vern. N. : Siwan.
Loc: W. Rajputana (Erskine).
Distrib. : All warm countries.
Panicum psilopedium, Tvin. Gxskm.Va.uic. 217.
Vern. N. : Kuri.
Habitat : W. Rajputana (Erskine).
Distrib. : Hotter parts of India, Burma, Malacca, Ceylon.
Urochloa Beauv.
Urochloa panicoides, Beauv. Agrost. 52, t. 11, f. 1.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Osian (No's. 4000 !, 4764 I).
Distrib. : Tropics generally.
Fruits in October.
Setaria Beauv.
Setaria verticillata, Beauv. Agrost. (1812) 51.
Loc: Jaisalmer: Amarsagar (Nos. 4868!, 4886!), Bada Bag (Nos.
4699!, 4804 a!).
Distrib. : Temperate and tropical regions.
Fruits in November.
Pennisetum Pers.
Pennisdum typhoideum, Rich, in Pers. Syn. I (1805) 72.
Vern, N. : Bajra.
Loc: Jodhpur: Jodhpur (No. 4684!), Mandor (No. 4777 ! ), Osian
(No. 4732 !), Balarwa (Nos. 4899 ! 4914 !, 4917a!, 4901 !), Bhikamkor
(No. 3706 !). Jaisalmer : Between Phalodi and Bap (No. 4887 !).
Distrib. : Probably a native of Africa, widely cultivated in India.
Uses : Bajra is the staple food of the majority of the people, and is
more extensively grown than any other crop, thriving best in sandy
soil. It is sovra with the first fall of sufficient rain, takes from 70-90
days to ripen, and the average yield per acre is If cwt. The stalks,
called kharia, are saltish and consequently sparingly used as fodder,
but are suitable for thatching huts. The crop is sometimes grown
alone, but more commonly mixed with moth and mung. (Erskine).
Penniaetum cenchroides, Rich, in Pers. Syn. I (1805) 72.
Vern. N. : Dhaman.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur Fort (No. 4172 1), Mandor (Nos. 4002 !, 4015a !,
4776!), Osian (Nos. 3999 1, 3995a !, 4133 !), Bhikamkor (Nc 4603 !),
Palodi (Nos. 4936 !, 4942, 4153 !, 4161 !), Barmer, sand (Nos. 4984a !,
4672 !), Barmer, rocks (No. 4674 ! ), Kotda near Seu (Nos. 8766 !,
4651!). Jaisalmer: Between Phalodi and Bap, lake (No. 4893 ! );
Shihad, gravel (Nos. 4059 !, 4057a !), Sodakoer, riverbed (Nos.
4091 !, 4084 !, 4064 !), Loharki (No. 4694 !), near Loharki (No.
4853 I), Amarsagar (Nos. 4960 !, 4638 !, 4867 !), Vinjorai (No. 4932 !),
Vingorai dunes (Nos. 4928 !, 4790 !), Devicot (No. 4827 !).
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT. 979
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, Mediterranean, India.
Fl. and fr. in October and November.
Pennisetum cenchroides var. echinoides, Hook. f. in Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind.
VII, 88.
Loc. : Jophpur : Balsamand (No. 3904 !), Bhikamkor (No. 4664a !).
Distrib. : Africa, Madeira, Arabia, India.
Pennisetum prieurii, Kunth Rev. Gram, II, 411, t. 119.
Loc: Jodhpur: Balarwa (No. 4911!), Bhikamkor (Nos. 4661a!,
4610!), Barmer (No. 49861), Kotda, sand (Nos. 4790 a!. 3667.').
Jaisalmer: Lohavat (No. 3986 !), Loharki (Nos. 4847 !, 4850 !, 4693 !),
near Devikot (Nos 4816 !, 4822!).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, Punjab, Sind.
Fruits in October and November.
Cenchrus L .
Genchrus biflorus, Roxb. Fl. Ind. I (1832) 233.
Loc: Jodhpur: Jodhpur (Nos. 3910!, 4681 !, 4679!, 4983!), Kailana,
tank (Nos. 4496 a !, 4488 !), Osian (No. 3996 !), Barmer (No. 4870 I).
Jaisalmer : Loharki (No. 4840 !), near Loharki (No. 4854 !), near
Devikot (No. 4823 !), Amarsagar (Nos. 4877 !, 4636 !, 4975 !).
Distrib. : Africa, Arabia, Baluchistan, India.
Fruits in October and November.
Cenchrus catharticus, Del. Cat. Hort. Monsp. (1838).
Vern. N. : Bharut.
Loc: Jodhpur: Jodhpur (Nos. 3909a !, 4683 !), Kailana (No. 4612 !),
Mandor (No. 4744 !), Phalodi (Nos. 4151 !, 4947 !), Barmer, sand
(No. 4199 a !). Jaisalmer : Amarsagar (No. 4972 !), Vinjorai,
dunes (No. 4920 !).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, Arabia, India.
Note : Bharut is particularly abundant in years of scarcity when The
poorer people subsist on it : the seed of this grass is about the size
of a pin's head and is enclosed in a prickly husk, which causes a
great deal of discomfort to both man and beast, as it sticks to the
clothes of the former and in the hair of the jatter and is very difficult
to remove. (Erskine).
Tragus Haller.
Tragus racemosus, Scop. Intro. Hist. Nat. 73.
Loc: Jodhpur: Kailana (Nos. 4625!, 3903!). Jaisalmer: Jaisal-
mer (No. 4829!), Amarsagar (No. 4182!), N, of Jaisalmer (No.
4112 !), Jaisalmer, rocky plateau (No. 4125 !), Vinjorai (No. 4767 !),
Vinjorai, rocks (No. 4773!).
Distrib. : Warm regions generally.
Fruits in October and November.
Latipes Kunth.
Latipes senegalensis, Kunth Rev. Gram. I, 261, t. 42.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (No. 4647a !), Kailana (No. 4624 !), Bhikam-
kor (Nos. 4657 !, 4658 !), Kotda near Seu (No. 8768 !). Jaisalmer :
Loharki (Nos. 4848 !, 4884 !), Vinjorai (4921 !), N. of Jaisalmer (No.
4114 I), near Devikot (No. 4820 !).
Distrib. : Senegal, Abyssinia, Arabia, Sind, Baluchistan.
Fruits in October and November.
980 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Perotis Ait,
Perotis latifolia, Ait. Hort. Kew. I, 85.
Loc. : Jodhpur : JocThpur (Nos. 3813!, 4497 !), Balarwa (No. 4915 !),
Osian (No. 4144 !), Bhikamkor (Nos. 4159 !, 4156 !, 4606!, 4656 !).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa and Asia, Afghanistan.
Zea L.
Zen Mays, L. Sp. PI. 971.
Vern. N. : Maize, Indian Corn.
Loc. : Jodhpur, cultivated in many places.
Uses : This is an irrigated crop, generally grown on lands attached to
wells, and is most common in Bali and Desuri. The fields are
ploughed two or three times before the seed is sown broadcast in
July or August, but a little early maze is often grown as fodder for
the cattle. The crop ripens in about two months, and the outturn is
ordinarily put at 8^ cwt. per acre. The cobs (dunda and makkia)
are picked off, stripped, dried in the sun and beaten with sticks to
separate the grain and the ripe ones are often roasted and eaten
(Erskine).
Sacclmrum L.
Saccharum spontaneum, L. Mant. 11, 183.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Bhikamkor (No. 4154 !).
Distrib. : S. Europe and warm regions of the Old World.
Fruits in October.
Saccharum ojficinale, L. Spec. PI. 54.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Phalodi (No. 3989a !).
Distrib. : Cultivated in the hotter parts of India.
Fruits in October.
IscJmemum L.
Ischaemum laxum, Br. Prodr. 205.
Vern. N. : Seran.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Balsamand (No.8749 !), Mandor (No. 4743!).
Distrib. : Westwards to the Cape Verd Islands, eastwards to Australia.
Fruits in October.
Apluda L.
Apluda aristaia, L. Cent. II, 7.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Barmer (No. 4197!).
Distrib. : Indo-Malaya, Australia, Pacific Islands,
Elionurus Humb, and Bonpl.
Elionurus royleanus, Nees ex A. Rich. Tent. Fl. Abyss. II (1851) 471.
Loc: Jodhpur: Kailana (No. 4985!), Balsamand (No. 4176!,,
Mandor (No. 4013! ), Kotda, rocks (Nos. 4791b ! 4867 !, 3807 !) Barmer,
rocks (Nos. 4676 !, 4861 !). Jaisalmer : Loharki (No. 4839 !), near
Loharki (Nos. 4852 !, 4837 !, 4070a !, 4069 !), Jaisalmer (No, 4785a !),
Jaisalmer, rocks (No. 4783 !), Jaisalmer, sand (No. 8740 !), Amarsagar
(Nos. 4190!, 4804!, 4866!, 4963!, 4963a!, 4969 !), Jaisalmer, rocky
plateau (No. 4124 !), Vinjorai, rocks (No. 4762 !), Viniorai, sandy plain
(No. 4220 !).
Distrib. : Mediterranean, Abyssinia, Arabia, India.
Fruits in October and November.
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT 981
Elionurus hirsutus, Munro ex Benth. in Journ. Linn. Soc. XIX (1881) 68.
Vern. : N. : Sheven 2;as.
Loc, : Phalodi (Nos. 4171!, 4950!, 4948!. 4941 !). Jaisalmer : Near
Bap (No. 4043 !), Sodakoer (No. 4095 !), Sodakoer, sandy plain (No.
4093 !), Jaisalmer, rocky plateau (No. 4128 !). Vinjorai, sand (No,
4763 !), Vijorai, dunes (No. 4791 !), Vinjorai (No. 4922 !).
Distrib. : N. Africa to India.
Fruits in October and November.
Andropogon L.
Andropogon foveolaius, Del. Fl. Egypt. 16a, t. 8, f. 2.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana (No. 4981 !), Balsamand (No. 4004 ! ), Mandor
(No. 4735 a !), Kotda (No. 4652 !), Barmer (No. 4864 !), Barmer, on
rocks (Nos. 4859 !, 48H0 !). Jaisalmer : Jaisalmer, rocky plateau
(Nos. 4132!, 4123!, 4688!), Vinjorai, rocks (No. 4771!), Vinjorai,
sand (No. 4757 !).
Distrib. : From India to the Cape Verd Islands.
Fruits in October and November.
Aoidropogon pertusus, Willd. Sp. PI. IV, 922.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Mandor (No. 4736 !).
Distrib. : Mediterranean, Trop. Africa, Asia and Australia.
Fruits in October.
Andropogon sorghum, Brot. Fl. Lusit. I, 88.
Vern. N. : Jowar, Great Millet.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Osian (Nos. 4751 !, 4146!), Bhikamkor (No. 4660 !).
Distrib. ; Cultivated throughout the warmer parts of Europe, Asia and
Africa. Introduced into America, Australia, etc.
Fruits in October.
Note : Jowar requires a stifl'er soil and a greater amount of rain than
Bajra. It is sown between the middle of Jvily and the end of August,
and is harvested in October and November, the average yield being
about 200 cwt. per acre. When the crop is ripe, the heads are cut
off and the stalks (karab) are carefully stacked and subsequently
given to cattle. If, owing to insufficient rain, the jowar is not thriv-
ing well, the stalks are often cut while green and stored for fodder,
called chiptu, which fetches a better price than karab. (Erskine).
Andropogon squarrosus, L. f. Suppl. 433.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : Bada Bag (No. 4811 !).
Distrib.: Trop. Africa, Indo-Malaya.
Flowers in November.
Andropogon annulatus, Forsk. Fl. Aegypt. Arab. 173.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana (Nos. 8764 !, 4631 !), Bhikamkor (No. 3936 !).
Jaisalmer: Between Palodi and Bap (Nos. 4888!, 4039!, 4892!,
4035a !, 8743 !), Sodakoer, tank (No. 4100!), Jaisalmer, rocky
plateau (No. 4122 !), Bada Bag (Nos. 4687 !, 4807 !, 4812 !), Jaisalmer
(No. 4879 !): Amars.agar (Nos. 4976 !, 4194 !, 4639!, 49591,4965!),
Devikot (Nos. 4206 !, 4810 !), Vinjorai (Nos. 4781a !, 4794 !).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, India, China, Australia, Pacific.
Fruits in October and November.
Andropogon iwarancusa, Jones in Asiat. Research. IV (1795) 109.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana, tank (No. 8770 !), Balsamand (No. 4008 !),
Mandor (Nos. 4756a !, 4780 !. 4746 !, 4776a !), Osian (Nos. 4750 !,
4748 !), Phalodi (Nos. 3989 !, 4170 !), Barmer, rocks (Nos. 4993 !, 4863 )
Jaisalmer : near Bap (Nos. 4045 !, 4740 !), Sodakoer, river bed (Nos.
4065 !, 4088 !, 8763!), Vinjorai (No. 8769 !).
Distrib.: N. Africa to India.
Fruits in October and November.
12
982 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HlSr. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Cymbopogon Spreng.
Cymbopogon martini, Stapf in Kew Bull. (1906) 335-41.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : Jaisalmer, rocky plateau (No. 4121 !), N. of Jaisalme
(No. 4110 !).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa to India.
Fruits in November.
Aristida L.
Aristida adscenscionis, L. Sp. PI. (1753) 82.
Loc: Jodhpur: Mandor (No. 4006a!), Bhikamkor (No. 4608!),
Bhikamkor, dunes, very common (No. 4667a !), Phalodi (No. 4015 !),
Banner (No. 4862 !), Barmer, rocks (No. 4991 !). Jaisalmer : N. of
Jaisalmer (No. 4108 !), Amarsagar (No. 4186 !).
Distrib. : Most warm countries.
Fruits in October and November.
Aristida mufabilis, Trin. and Rupr. in Mem. Acad. Petersb. ser. VI,
vol. VII (1849) 150 (excl. var. (Bquilonga).
Vern. N. : Lomp.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (Nos. 4496 !, 3914 a !), Kailana (No. 4489 !),
Balarwa (No. 4909 I), Mandor (No. 3971 a !), Balsamand (No. 3984 ),
Osian (No. 4731 !), Bhikamkor (Nos. 3777 !, 4662 !, 4668 !, 4997 I),
Phalodi (Nos. 4946 !, 49431,4945;), Kotda (No. 4791 a!), Badka
(No. 4047 !). Jaisalmer: Bap (Nos. 4026 !, 4024 !), Bap, gravel (No.
48H3!), near Bap (No. 4038 !), between Phalodi and Bap (No. 4884 1),
Shihad (No. 4050!), Sodakoer, riverbed (No. 4089!), near Loharki
(Nos. 4838 !, 4698 I), Loharki (Nos. 4839 a !, 4846 !, 9344 !), Jaisalm.er
(No. 49771), Devikot (No. 4211!), Vinjorai, dunes (Nos. 4929!,
4926 !), Vinjorai, sandy plain (No. 3992 !), Vinjorai, sand (No.
4767a !), Vinjorai, rocks (No. 4768 !).
Distrib.: Trop. Africa, Arabia, India.
Fruits in October and November.
Aristida funiculata, Trin. and Rupr. in Mem. Acad. Petersb. ser. VI, vol.
VII (1849) 159.
Loc: Jodhpur: Kailana (Nos. 4619!, 4935!, 4616!), Osian (Nos.
4149 !, 4137 !. 4735 !), Bhikamkor (No. 4667 !), Barmer (No. 4876a !),
Barmer, rocks (No. 4837 !). Jaisalmer : Loharki (No. 4692 !), Am.ar-
sagar (Nos. 4955 !, 4308 !, 4882 !), Vinjorai (No. 3985 !), Vinjorai,
dunes (No. 4934 !).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, Araoia, Baluchistan, India.
Fruits in October and November.
Aristida hystricula, Edgew. in Journ. Linn. Soc. VI (1862) 208.
Loc: Jodhpur: Kailana (Nos. 4984 !, 4635!), Balarwa (No. 4904!),
Bhikamkor (No. 4669 !), near Badka (No. 4611 !). Jaisalmer: Bap
(No. 4025!), near Loharki (Nos. 4074 !, 4072 !, 4067 !), Sodakoer,
gravel (No. 4099 !), Jaisalmer (No- 4189!), Jaisalmer, rocky plateau
(No. 4129 !), Devikot, sand (No. 4813 !) Vinjorai, sandy plain (No.
3991 !), Vinjorai, gravel (No. 4756 !).
Distrib. : Baluchistan, Sind, Punjab, Rajputana.
Fruits in October and November.
Aristida hirtigluma, Steud. Nom. ed. II, IT, 231.
Loc: Jodhpur: Kailana (No. 4614 !), Balarwa (No. 4902 !), Mandor
(No. 4733a !), Bhikamkor (No. 4605 !), Osian (No. 4752!), Barmer,
FLORA OF THE INDIAN DESERT. 983
rocks (No. 4200 !). Jaisalmer : Sodakoer, river bed (Nos. 4090 !,
4081!, 4060 !), Sodakoer (No. 4062!), near Loharki (Nos. 4857!,
4068 I, 4075 !), Amarsagar (Nos. 4185 !, 8474 !), Vinjorai (No. 8756 !),
Vinjorai, dunes (No. 4792 !).
Distrib.: Egypt and Abyssinia to India.
Sporobolus Br,
Sporobolits glaucifoUus, Hochst. in Flora XXV(1842) I. Bieb. 123.
Log. : Jodhpur : Balsamand (No. 4778a !). Jaisalmer : Sodakoer, tank
(No. 4102 !), N. of Jaisalmer (No. 4109 !), Vinjorai (No. 4793a !),
Vinjorai, wet ground (No. 4774 !).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, Punjab, Sind, Rajputana.
Fruits in October and November.
Sporobolus orientalis, Kunth En. PI. I, 211.
Log. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (Nos. 4496a !, 4493a !), Barmer, rocks (No.
4858 !). Jaisalmer : Bap, gravel (No. 4834 !), N. of Jaisalmer
(No. 4107 !), near Devikot (No. 4821 !).
Distrib. : India, Ceylon.
Fruits in October and November.
Gracilea Koen.
Qracilea royleana, Hook. f. in Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. VII (1897) 284.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana (No. 4678 !), Bhikamkor (No. 3667a !), Barmer
(No. 4987 !), Barmer, rocks (No. 4994 !). Jaisalmer: Shihad, gravel
(No. 4853 !), Amarsagar (Nos. 4643 !, 4802 !), Jaisahner (No. 4188 ),
Vinjorai, sandy plain (No. 4218 !)
Vinjorai, rocks (No. 4766 !).
Distrib. : Nubia, Socotra, India.
Fruits in October and November.
Gracilea royleana var. plumosa, Hook. f. in Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. VII, 284.
Log. : Jodhpur : Barmer (No. 4197a !).
Distrib. : Abyssinia, Arabia, Punjab, Sind, Rajputana.
Fruits in November.
Cynodon Pers.
Cynodon dactylon, Pers. Syn. I, 85.
Vern. N. : Dubh, Dob.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur Fort (No. 4173 !), Balarwa (Nos. 4906 !,
4908 !). Jaisalmer : Amarsagar (Nos. 4181 !, 4192 !).
Distrib. : All warm countries.
Fruits in October and November.
Chloris Sw.
Ghloris pallida, Hook. f. in Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. VII, 289.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (Nos. 4685 !, 8755 !). Jaisalmer : Between
Phalodi and Bap (No. 4889 I), N. of Jaisalmer (No. 4115 !), Devikot
(No. 4209 !), Vinjorai, near tank (No. 4755 I).
Distrib. : Bundelkand, Central India, Rajputana.
Fruits in October and November.
Chloris tendla, Roxb. Fl. Ind. I, 329.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana (Nos. 4617!, 4621 !), Barmer, rocks (Nos.
4990a !, 4765 !, 4675 I). Jaisalmer : Bap (No. 9711 !).
Distrib. : Abyssinia, Arabia, India.
Fruits in October and November.
984 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Chloris villosa, Pers Syn. I, 87.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana (No. 4613!), Mandor (No. 4777a !, 4778 !,
4011a !, 4007a !, 4732a ), Osian (^No. 4753 !), Bhikamkor (No. 4730 !).
Jaisalmer : Vinjorai, rocks (No. 4770 !).
Distrib. : From the Canaries to India.
Fruits in October and November.
Chloris virgata, Sw. Fl. Ind. Occ. 1, 203.
Vern. N . : Gharania gas.
Loc: Jodhpur: Balsamand (No. 4174!), Osian (No. 4136 !), Bhikam-
kor (No. 4663a I). Jaisalmer : N. of Jaisalmer (No. 4116 !), Jaisal-
mer (Nos. 4019 !, 4034 !, 4032 !).
Distrib. : Trop. and S. Africa, Mediterranean, India, China, Mongolia,
America.
Fruits in October and November.
Chloris quinquesetica, Bhide in Journ. & Proc. As. Soc. Beng. (new ser.)
VIII, (1912) 311.
Loc. : Jodhpur: Balsamand (No. 8748 !), Osian (No. 4141a !).
Distrib. : Western India, Rajputana.
Fruits in October.
Chloris polystachya, Roxb. Fl. Ind. I, 330.
Loc. : Jaisalmer and Jodhpur States (Erskine).
Distrib. : India.
Eleusine Gaertn.
Eleusine flagellifera, Nees in Linnsea XVI (1842) 220.
Vern. N. : Tantia.
Loc: Jodhpur: Kailana (Nos. 4615!, 4623a!, 4620!), Balsamand
(No. 4177!). Balarwa (Nos. 4914a !, 4916 !), Mandor (Nos. 4744a ! ,
4000a!, 4005a!, 4754a!), Bhikamkor (Nos. 4601!, 4692!, 4155!),
Phalodi (Nos. 4167!, 4944!), Barmer, sand (No. 4673!), Barmer
(No. 4988!). Jaisalmer: Between Bap and Phalodi (No. 4030!),
Bap (No. 4U22 !), near Bap (No. 4041 !), Shihad, gravel (No. 4054!),
Shihad (No, 4058 !), Sodakoer, riverbed (No. 4078 !), near Loharki
(Nos. 4839a !, 4073 !, 9345 !), Loharki (Nos. 4844!, 4695 !), Jaisalmer
(No. 4818a!), Jaisalmer, rocky plateau (No. 4119 !), N. of Jaisalmer
(No. 4111!), Vinjorai, dunes (Nos. 4789 1,4924!, 4920a!, 4799!),
Vinjorai (No. 4800!).
Distrib. : N. Africa to India and Afghanistan.
Fruits in ^October and November.
Eleusine aegyptiaca, Desf . Fl. Atl. I, 85.
Vern. N. : Makra.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (No. 3913a !), Balsamand (No. 4176 !), Balarwa
(Nos. 4912 !, 4197 !, 4895 !), Mandor (No. 3972 !), Bhikamkor (Nos.
4670 !, 4158 !). Jaisalmer : Bap (No. 4023 !), Shihad (No. 4059a !),
Sodakoer (No. 4063 !), Loharki (No. 4049 !), Amarsagar (No. 4970a !,
8757!), Bada Bag (No. 4836!). Jaisalmer (No. 4184!, 4806!),
Devikot (No. 4214 !).
Distrib . : Warm regions of the Old World, introduced into the New,
Fruits in October and November.
Eleusine aristata, Ehrenb. ex Boiss. Fl. Or. V, 557.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (Nos. 4682 !, 3911 !, 3914), Bhikamkor (No.
4661 !). Jaisalmer : Sodakoer, river bed (No. 4061 !), Amarsagar (Nos.
4973 !, 4966!), Vinjorai. sandy plain (No. 3994 !).
Distrib. : Nubia, Arabia, Afghanistan, India.
Fruits in October and November.
I LOR A 01^ TEE INDIAN DESERT. 985
PappophoTum Nees.
PappopTiorum elegant, Nees in Wight Cat. n. 1771.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Jodhpur (Nos. 4622 !, 8759 !, 4626 !, 4623 !), Mandor
(No. 4007!), Bhikamkor (No. 4604!). Jaisalmer : Shihad, gravel
(No. 4057 !), near Loharki (Nos. 4697 !, 4066 !, 4855 !), N. of Jaisal-
mer (No. 4113 !), Amarsagar (Nos. 4970 !, 4183 !, 4964 I), Jaisalmer
(No. 4979 !), Jaisalmer, rocky plateau (No, 4126 I), near Devikot
(No. 4819a !).
Distrib. : India.
Fruits in October and November.
PappopJiorum aucheri, Jaub. and Spach 111. PI. Or. IV, .32, t. 323.
Loc. .• Jodhpur : Balsamand (Nos. 4003!, 4178 1). Jaisalmer: N. of
Jaisalmer (No. 4117!) Jaisalmer, rocky plateau (No. 4130 I), Vinjorai,
rocks (No. 4745 !).
Distrib. : Persia, Turkestan, Afghanistan, India.
Fruits in October and November.
Pappophnrum robustum, Hook. f. in Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. VII, 302.
Loc: Jodhpur: Kailana tank (Nos. 4499!, 4982!, 4634!, 4633!)
Balsamand (Nos. 4779a I, 4010 !), Barmer, rocks (No. 4196 !).
Distrib. : Upper Gangetic Plain, Rajputana.
Fruits in October and November.
Eragrostis Beauv.
Eragrostis ciliaris, Link En. Hort. Berol. I, 192.
Loc. : Jodhpur : (No. 3905a !), Mandor (No. 4014 !), Osian (No. 4749 !),
Balarwa (Nos. 4905 1, 4905a!), Bhikamkor (Nos. 4666!, 4655!,
46631), Phalodi (Nos. 4162 1, 4150 1, 4949 1). Jaisalmer : Shihad,
gravel (No. 4055 !), Sodakoer (No. 4796 1), Loharki (No. 4842 1), Jai-
salmer, gravel (No. 41 18 1), Vinjorai, dunes (Nos. 4788 !, 4786 !, 4925 1,
8753 1), Vinjorai, sandy plain (No. 42191), Devikot (Nos. 4208 !,
4212 1), Devikot, gravel (No. 4216 1).
Distrib. : Tropical regions.
Fruits in October and November.
Eragrostis ciliaris var. brachyslackya, Boiss. Fl. Or. V, 582.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Mandor (No. 4739 !), Phalodi (No. 4017 !). Jaisalmer :
Bap (No. 4029!), Sodakoer, sandy plain (No. 4092!), Sodakoer, near
tank (No. 4105 !), Amarsagar (No. 4954 !), near Devikot (Nos. 4817 !,
4688a !), Devikot (No. 4202 !).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, Arabia, India.
Fruits in October and November.
Eragrostis viscosa, Trin. in Mem. Acad. Petersb. ser. VI, I (1831) 397.
Loc: Jodhpur: Kailana (No. 46281), Balsamand (No. 4178a 1),
Mandor (No. 3972!).
Distrib. : Trop. and S. Africa, India.
Fruits in October.
Eragrostis plnmosa. Link En. Hort.Berol. I, 192.
Loc: Jodhpur Balsamand (No. 8747 1), Mandor (No. 4133a!). Jai-
salmer: Between Phalodi and Bap (No. 4040!), Bada Bag (No.
8752 1), Amarsagar (No. 46421), Jaisalmer (No. 47001).
Distrib. : Throughout India, Burma and Ceylon,
Fruits in October and November,
Eragrostis interrupta, Beauv. Agrost. 71.
Loc: .Jodhpur: Jodhpur (Nos. 4649 !, 3912 1, 87541), Kailana, tank
(Nos. 4487 1, 3904a 1), Balsamand (No. 4003a !), Mandor (Nos. 4001 1,
4737!, 4001a!), Phalodi (Nos. 4168 1, 41511), S. E. of Luni
986 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI,
(No. 4051 !) Kotda, near Sen (Nos, 4653 !, 4787a !), Barmer,
rocks (4873!), Barmer, wet ground (ISTo. 4871!). Jaisalmer :
Between Phalodi and Bap, fields (No. 8751 !), Bap
(No. 4021 !), Sodakoer, tank (No. 4098 !), Amarsagar (Nos. 4953 !,
4647 !, 4880 ! ), Jaisalmer (No. 4785 !), Jaisalmer, sand (No. 4819 !),
near Devikot (Nos. 4828 !, 4832 !), Devikot, wet ground (No. 4814 !),
Vinjorai, lake (No. 4779).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, Mesopotamia, India, Burma.
Fruits in October and November.
Eragrostis stenophylla, Hochst. ex Miqucl Analect. Bot. Ind. II, 27.
Loc. : Jaisalmer : Vinjorai, dunes (No. 4787 !).
Distrib. Trop. Africa and Asia.
Fruits in November.
Eragrostis tremula, Hochst. ex Steud. Syn. Gram. 269.
Loc: Jodhpur : Jodhpur (Nos. 4686!, 4680!), Kailana, tank (No.
3902 !), Mandor (No. 4738 !), Osian (Nos. 4141 !, 4135, 4733 !), near
Badka (No. 4048 !), Bhikamkor (No. 4591 !). Jaisalmer : Vinjorai,
sand (No. 3987 !), Vinjorai (No. 4759 !).
Distrib. : Trop. Africa, Afghanistan, India.
Fruits in October and November.
Eragrostis maior, Host. Gram. Austr. IV, 14, t. 24.
Loc. : Jaisalmer: Bap (No. 4028 !).
Distrib. : Mediterranean, trop. and su.btrop. Asia.
Fruits in October.
Eragrostis minor, Host. Gram. Austr. IV, 15.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Kailana (No. 4632 !), Bhikamkor (Nos. 5000 !, 4607!),
Barmer, sand (Nos. 4196a !, 4996!). Jaisalmer : Between Phalodi
and Bap (Nos. 4894 !, 4891 !), Loharki (No. 4691 !), Amarsagar
(No. 4641 !, 4193 ! ), Jaisalmer (Nos. 4018 !, 4645 !), N. of Jaisalmer
(No. 4113a !), Vinjorai, gravel (No. 4780a !), Vinjorai, rocks (No.
4782 !), near Devikot (No. 4815 !), Devikot, gravel (No. 4215 !).
Distrib. : Mediterranean, India, W. Tibet, N. Asia.
Fruits in October and November.
Eragrosteis pilosa, Beauv. Agros. 71.
Loc: Jodhpur: Jodhpur (No. 4498 !), Balarwa (No. 4910 !), Bhikamkor
(No. 4157 !), Mandor (No. 4742a!). Jaisalmer : Between Phalodi and
Bap (No.4890!), Bap (No. 4027 !), Sodakoer, river bed (Nos. 4077 !,
4082!, 4083 !, 4085 !), Sodakoer, near tank (No. 4103!), Jaisalmer,
sand (No. 4818 !), Amarsagar (No. 4968!), Vinjorai, wet ground
(No. 4775!), Jaisalmer, wet ground (No.4783a !), Devikot (Nos.
4207!, 4205!, 4210!).
Distrib. : Most warm countries.
Fruits in October and November.
Desmostachya Stapf.
Demiostachya bipinnata, Stapf in Dyer Fl. Cap. VI (1900) 632.— Eragro-
stis cynosurmdes, Beauv.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Osian (No. 4147 !), Bikamkor (No. 4671 !), Kotda
near Sen (No. 4650!). Jaisalmer : Between Phalodi and Bap (No.
4037 !), near Bap (No. 4046!), Jaisalmer, wet ground (Nos. 4784!,
4817a !), Amarsagar (Nos. 4967 !, 4187 !), Vinjorai, wet ground.
(No. 4741 !).
Distrib. : Mediterranean to India.
Fruits in October and November.
I LOB A OF THE INDIAN DESERT. 987
Oropetium Erin.
Oropetium thomceu7)i, Triii. Fund, Agrost. 98, t. 3.
Loc: Jodhpur: Bhikamkor, wet ground (Nos. 4609!, 4165 !). Kotda,
rocks (No. 4792a !). Jaisalmer : Sodakoer (No. 4076 !), Bada Bag.
(No. 4809 !), Amarsagar (No. 4191 !), Vinjorai, rocks (No. 4761 !).
Distrib. : India, Ceylon.
Fruits in October and November.
Triticum L.
Triticum vulgare, Vill. Hist. PL Dauph. 11, 153.
Vern. N. : Ghau, Wheat.
Loc. : Cultivated in many places, especially in Jodhpur State.
Hordeum L.
Hordeum vulgare, L. Sp. PI. 84. — Barley.
Loc. : Cultivated to some extent in both States.
CRYPTOGAMIA.
Filices.
Actinopteris dichotoma, Bedd.
Loc. : Jodhpur : Barmer, on rocks (No. 1140 !).
Distrib. : Mascarene Isl., N. Africa, Persia, Cabul, India, Ceylon.
988
A TENTATIVE LIST OF THE VERTEBRATES OF THE
JALPAIGURI DISTRICT, BENGAL.
BY
Chas. M. Inglis, m. b. o. u., W. L. Travers, H. V. O'Donel
AND E. 0. ShEBBEARE, I. F. S.
Part II {With a Flats, Map and text-hlock.)
{Continued from page 825 of Volume XXV2).
BIRDS.
Jungle-Crow (4), Corvus macrorhynchus. — The common crow found in the
forests.
Indian House-Crow (7), Corvus splendens. — Common, but only found in the
bazaars and r ever in the forest.
Green Magpie (14), Cissa chinensis. — Fairly plentiful and met with in large
flocks, also singly.
Indian Tree-pie (16), Dendrocitta rufa. — Very common.
Himalayan Tree-pie (18), Dendrocitta himulayensis. —Gommon in the hilly
portion of the district ; also occurs in fewer numbers in the plains.
O'Donel has taken nests 9 miles from the hills.
Indian Grey Tit (31), Farm atriceps.—Yevy common.
Green-backed Tit. (34), Farus monticola. — Common round Buxa.
Yellow-billed Crow-Tit (51), Faradoxornis flavirostris. — Recorded from the
" Bhutan Terai " ; so far not observed by us.
Larger Red-headed Crow-Tit (52), Psittiparus ruficeps .—Inghs got this at
Buxa early in March. There was a small party in some undergrowth.
[Hoary-headed Crow-Tit (61), Fsittiparus gularis yularis. — Probably occurs
above Buxa.]
Riifous-necked Laughing-Thrush (62), Dryonastesruficollis. — The commonest
Laughing-Thrush in the district.
Himalayan White-crested Laughing-Thrush (69), Garrulax leucolophus leuco-
lophus. — Very common in the hills and also found in the plains at
their base.
Biack-gorgeted Laughing-Thrush (72), Garrulax pectoralis.—^oticeiS. in t\\Q
plains where it keeps to the forest.
Necklaced Laughing-Thrush (73), Garrulax moniliger. — Fairly common, espe-
cially round Gorumara keeping to the forest in fairly large flocks.
Rufous-chinned Laughing-Thrush (80), lanthocincla rufigularis rufigularis. —
Procured at Buxa.
Crimson-winged Laughing-Thrush (87), Trochalopterum phoenicium phoenicium,
— Obtained at Buxa where they were got in the dense undergrowth.
Striated Laughing-Thrush (101), Gramm.atoptila striata striata.— Shot at
Buxa where it was fairly common in the undergrowth.
Striated Babbler (104), Argya earZw.— Fairly common on the churs of the
Torsa.
Small Rufous Babbler (109), Argya longirostris. —Common in high grass.
Jungle Babbler (110), Crateropus terricolor terricolor .—Y ery common.
Slaty-headed Scimitar Babbler (116), Pomatorhinus schisticeps schisticeps.—
Common in scrub jungle interspersed with grass, also in the forest in
hills and plains.
VERTEBRATES 01 THE JALPAIGVRI DISTRICT, BENGAL. 989
Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler (129), Pomatorhinus erytJirogenys eryihrO'
genys. — Common in the undergrowth round Buxa.
Bengal Red-capped Babbler (134), Timelia pileata bengalensis. — Very common
in high grass or brushwood.
White-headed Shrike-Babbler (137), Gampsorhynchus rufulus rufulus. — Com-
mon at the base of the foot-hills, but does not appear to come down
to the plains.
Yellow-eyed Babbler (139), Pydorhis sinensis sinensis. — Common in grass
land.
Hume's Babbler (141), Pyctorhis altirostris griseigularis . — Recorded from
Bhutan and Buxa Duars.
Mandelli's Spotted Babbler (142), Pellorneum ruficeps mandelUi. — Common in
forest and thick brushwood.
Abbott's Babbler (160), Malacocinla abbotti. — Common in the forest and of a
most confiding habit.
Black throated Babbler (169), Stachyrhis nigriceps nigriceps. — Shot at Buxa
Red-headed Babbler (172), Stachyrhidopsis ruficeps ruficeps. — Very common
throughout the district keeping to forest and brushwood.
Stachyrhidopsis rufifrons ambigua (173 a). — Recorded from the Bhutan Duars.
Red-throated Tit-Babbler (180), Schoeniparus rufigularis. — IJecorded from
the Bhutan Duars.
Long-billed Babbler (185), Rimator malacoptilus. — O'Donel met with a
pair at about 4,000 ft., they were hopping about the ground in low-
shrubs reminding him of Pnoepyga in their movements. Their flight
seemed very weak and when disturbed they only flew a few
yards.
Himalayan Whistling-Thrush (187), Myioplioneus tcmmincki. — Common,
especially in the hills.
Slaty-bellied Short-wing (201 ), Tesia cyaniventris . — Very common at the
foot-hills in winter, extending sparingly well into the plains.
Chestnut-headed Short-wing (202), Oligura castaneicoronata. — Shot at Buxa
in the hills and a common winter visitor to the plains.
Long-tailed Sibia (203), Sibia picaoides picaoides. — Observed at Buxa, keep-
ing in parties.
Black-headed Sibia (204), Lioptila capistrata capistrata. — Shot at Buxa in
the hills and at Gorumara in the plains.
Rufous Bar- wing (211), Actinodura egertoni egertoni. — Keeps in parties in the
undergrowth round Buxa.
Hume's Staphidia (217), Staphidia striata rufigenis. — Recorded from Bhutan
Duars.
Blue-winged Siva (221), Siva cyanuroptera cyanuroptera. — Observed at Buxa.
Stripe-throated Yuhina (223), Yuhina gularis gularis. — A rare winter visitor
to the plains.
Black-chinned Yuhina (225), Yuhina nigrimentum. — Shot at Buxa where
they were seen in small parties. O'Donel found it common from
1,000 ft. upwards.
Indian White-eye (226), Zosterops palpebrosa. — Very common.
[Swinhoe's White-eye (228), Zosterops simplex. — Shebbeare thinks he got this,
but is not certain about it.]
Chesnut-headed Ixulus (231), Ixulus occipitalis. — O'Donel met with this bird
at about 3,000 ft. elevation.
Yellow-naped Ixulus (232), Ixulus fiavicollis flavicollis. — Common in the hills,
also descending to the plains.
White-bellied Herpornis (234), Herpornis xantholeu^a. — Very common in
the hills above Buxa and at the foot-hills, also occasionally extending
to the plains in winter.
Red-winged Shrike-Tit (237), Pteruthius erythropterus. — O'Donel saw this
bird at elevation over 4,000 ft.
Common lora (243), ^githina tiphia. — Very common.
13
990 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Ruby-cheek (911), Chalcoparia phoenicotis. — Recorded from Bhutan Duars.
Gold-fronted Chloropsis (247), Chloropsis aurifrons.- — Common.
Orange-bellied Chloropsis (249), Chloropsis hardwickii.- — Fairly common.
Fairy Blue-bird (254), Irena puella. — Common in the foot-hills and occa-
sionally straying well into the plains in the winter.
Sultan-bird (255), Melanochlora suUanea. — Common in the hills and foot-
hills.
Red-tailed Miula (258), Minla igneitincta. — Several shot at Buxa in the
company of other small birds.
Fire-cap (260), Cephalopyrus fammiceps. — Shot near the Sankos at plains
level.
Spotted-wing (261), Psaroglossa spiloptera. — Very common along the base
of the hills, occasionally descending to the plains.
White -throated Bulbvil (263), Criniger flaveolus. — A resident species in the
northern portion of the district. Very common in heavy forest.
Himalayan Black Bulbul (269), Hypsipetes psaroides. — Common in hills and
plains, more in evidence in the plains in winter when large flocks visit
the open country. Breeds in the foot-hills and plains. A nest seen
by O'Donel in the foot-hills was placed at the end of a branch some
50 feet high ; another, taken in the plains by O'Donel on the 13th May,
was placed some 15 feet high and contained 3 highly incubated eggs.
Brown-eared Bulbul (272), Hemixus flavala. — Common along the base of the
hills and as high as Buxa and extending sparingly into the plains in
winter. It has a flute-like note.
Striated Green Bulbul (277), Alcurus striatus. — Common at the base of the
hills and higher, but never seen in the plains. O'Donel found this
bird common about 3,000 ft. elevation.
Bengal Red-vented Bulbul (282), Molpastes bengalensis. — Very common.
White-cheeked Bulbul (284), Molpastes leucogenys. — We believe we have
seen this bulbul in the hills. It was very common near the base of
the hills in the Darjiling Terai.
Bengal Red-whiskered Bulbul (288), Otocompsa emeria. — Very common.
Black-crested Yellow Bulbul (290), Otocompsa flaviventris.- — Very common
in the forest. It has a very pleasant trilling note.
Cinnamon-bellied Nuthatch (316), Sitta cinnamomeiventris.— Common. A
resident species in the northern half of the plains, portion of the
district. It breeds in April and May.
Velvet-fronted Blue Nuthatch (325), Sitta frontalis. — A common resident
species.
Crow-billed Drongo (326), Dicrurus annectens. — Common during the summer,
but not noticed during the winter. It breeds in May and June and
during this season it has a most clear loud note and is just as aggressive
as D. ater. Usually found in forest but will take up its residence in
compounds where there are large trees,
"Black Drongo (327), Dicrurus ater—Yery common in open country.
Inrlian Ashy Drongo (328), Dicrurus longicaudatus. — Very common. O'Donel
has seen this bird sit alongside a small beehive and deliberately pick
off bees and swallow them.
Bronzed Drongo (334), Chaptia cenea. — Very common in forest. A splendid
mimic.
Hiar-crested Drongo (335), Chibia hoUentotta. — Very common in the forest ;
also very often seen outside especially on Simul trees when in flower.
A handsome bird as often seen in pairs as parties.
Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo (339), Bhringa remifer. — Rather common in the
dense forest.
Larger Racket-tailed Drongo (340), Dissemurus paradiseus. — Common in the
forest ; only noticed singly or in pairs, never in parties. A very fine
mimic.
VERTEBRATES OF THE JALPAIGURI DISTRICT, BENGAL. 991
Wall Creeper (348), Tichodrcma muraria. — They come down in winter
to the gorges where the rivers break into the plains.
Brown Wren (357), Pnoepyga pusilla. — Common in the hills and also in the
plains during the winter, keeping to the undergrowth.
Turkestan Grasshopper-Warbler (362), Locustella straminea. — Recorded from
the Bhutan Duars.
Blyth's Reed-Warbler (366), Acrocephalus dumetorum. — A common winter
visitor. During the upward migration in March and April more birds
are seen ; quite a lot stay on to the end of May.
Burmese Bush-Warbler (370), Tribura intermedia. — Recorded from the
Bhutan Duars. We have never seen it.
Spotted Bush- Warbler (371), Tribura thoracica. — Common in heavy grass and
reed jungle during the winter.
Brown Bush-Warbler (373), Tribura luteiventris. — Recorded from the Bhutan
Duars.
Indian Tailor-bird (374), Orthotomus sutorius. — Resident and common.
Black-necked Tailor-bird (37r)), Orthotomus atrigularis. — A forest species.
Yellow-headed Fantail-Warbler (379), Cisticola tytleri. — A common resi-
dent species. The male bird has a clear bell-like note during the
breeding season. This note is often heard while sitting on some grass
reed, but is generally heard high up in the air when the bird appears
to spend hours circling round the neighbourhood of his nest.
Franklin's Wren-Warbler (382), Franklinia gracilis. — Resident and common.
A sprightly cheery little bird moving about in small parties.
[ Beavan's Wren- Warbler (383). FranUinia rufescens. — Probably found. ]
Hodgson's Wren-Warbler (385), Franklinia cinereicapilla. — Procured by Man-
delli in the Bhutan Duars.
Large Grass-Warbler (388), Graminicola bengalensis. — Resident, but rather
uncommon .
Striated Marsh- Warbler (389), Megalurus ^aZwsim.— Recorded from Bhutan
and Buxa Duars.
Thick-billed Warbler (393), Arundinax dedon. — A fairly common winter visitor
to the plains.
Brown Willow-Warbler (407), Phylloscopus tristis. — A cold weather visitor.
Smoky Willow- Warbler (409), Phylloscopus fuUginiventris. — A cold weather
visitor.
Dusky Willow-Warbler (410), Phylloscopus fu^catu^.— A cold weather visitor.
Orange-barred Willow-Warbler (414), Phylloscopus pulcher. — Shot at Buxa
during the winter.
Green Willow-Warbler (421), Acanthopneuste nitidus — Seen in the cold
weather.
Blyth's Crowned Willow-Warbler (429), Acanthopneuste trochiloides.—A
winter migrant.
Black-browed Flycatcher-Warbler (433), Cryptolopha burkii.—A very com-
- 'mon winter visitor to the plains.
Tickell's Flycatcher- Warbler (438), Cryptolopha cantator. — Shot at Buxa
during the cold weather.
Strong-footed Bush- Warbler (448), Horornis fortipes.— Bather an uncommon
- winter visitor to the plains.
Blanford's Bush- Warbler (451), Horornis pallidipes.— A winter visitor.
Golden-headed Warbler (454), Phyllergates coronatus. — A rare bird. O'Donel
has only seen two at Hasimara during a number of years. It is
possibly only a winter visitor in the plains.
Yellow-bellied Wren-Warbler (463), Prinia flaviventris.— Resident and
common.
Ashy Wren-Warbler (464), Prinia socialis. — Resident and very common.
Jungle Wren-Warbler (465), Prinia sylvatica. — Resident and common. This
species is usually found in light forest interspersed with grass ; the
other species of Prinia found being essentially grass birds.
992 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Indian Wren- Warbler (466), Prinia inornata.. — Resident.
Black-headed Shrike (475), Lanius nigriceps. — Very common and the one
resident Shrike in the plains.
Grey-backed Shrike (477), Lanius tephronotus. — A common winter visitor to
the plains.
Pale-brown Shrike (479), Lanius isabellinus. — Sparingly distributed in the
plains during the winter.
Brown Shrike (481), Lanius cristatus. — A common winter visitor to the
plains.
Black-backed Pied Shrike (484), Hemipus picatus. — -Resident, but not often
met with. It moves about in small parties keeping to forest.
Nepal Wood-Shrike (486), Tephrodornis pelvicus. — Probably a resident species
even in the plains. It keeps to large flocks in the winter which break
up into pairs in April and May. O'Donel has noted stray pairs in June,
8 miles from the hills.
Common Wood-Shrike (488), Tephrodornis pondicerianus — Common and resi-
dent.
Indian Scarlet Minivet (490), Pericrocotus speciosus. — -Common in the hills
and foot-hills and their immediate base and moving well into the plains
in the winter.
Short-billed Minivet (495), Pericrocotus brevirostris. — Not at all uncommon.
Several were shot at Rajabhatkhavva in February.
Yellow-throated Minivet (498), Pericrocotus Solaris. — Rather uncommon, but
resident in the hills and plains.
Rosy Minivet (499), Pericrocotus roseus. — Resident and fairly common in
the hills and plains.
Small Minivet (500), Pericrocotus peregrinus. — Resident and common every-
where.
Dark-grey Cuckoo Shrike (505), Campophaga melanoschista. — Fairly common
and resident in the plains, but less so during the winter when some birds
move southwards. Breeds in the plains and the hills during June and
July ; the song at this season is a clear whistle like " ttveet, ttveet, teeor."
Black-headed Cuckoo-Shrike (508), Campophaga sykesi. — Uncommon and
only noted in summer.
Large Cuckoo-Shrike (510), Graucalus macii. — Kesident and common.
Ashy Swallow-Shrike (512), Artamus fuscus. — Common and resident. O'Donel
has noted birds during every month of the year.
Burmese Black-naped Oriole (515), Oriolus tenuirostris. — Rather rare ; so far
we have only noted it during the winter, but Mr. Primrose shot one at
Lankapara in August.
Indian Black-headed Oriole (521), Oriolus luteolus. — Resident and common.
Maroon Oriole (522), Oriolus trailii. — Resident and common. It extends
well in to the plains keeping to heavy forest.
Indian Grackle (524), Eulabes intermedia. — Resident. Common in the hills
and foot-hills.
Common Indian Starling (532), Sturnxis menzbieri. — Occasionally seen in the
cold weather.
Grey-headed Myna (538), Sturnia malabarica. — Resident and the commonest
Myna in the district.
Common Myna (549), Acridotheres tristis. — Common and resident.
Bank Myna (551), Acridotheres ginginianus. — Found in the banks of some of
the rivers.
Jungle Myna (552). Mthiopsar fuscus. — Common and resident.
Pied Myna (555), Stumopastor contra. — Fairly common and resident.
Sooty Flycatcher (558), Hemichelidon sibirica. — A not uncommon visitor to
the plains.
Orange-gorgetted Flycatcher (560), Siphia strophiata. — Shot at Buxa.
European Red-breasted Flycatcher (561), Siphia parva. — A winter visitor
to the plains.
Journ , Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.
Plate II.
A stream risingr in the hills, the junji'le on the banks being the resort of Pavo
cristattis, the Common Peafowl, Gallus ferrugineits, the Red Jung-le-fowl, &c.,
and the sand and stones that of CEdicnemus scolopax, the Stone-Curlew, and
other waders.
Near view of forest along the banks of a river. Haunts of Ketupa Zeylcni-
tensis, the Brown Fish-Owl, Polioae'tus humilis, Hodson's Fishing Eagle, &c.
The Vertebrates of the Jalpaiguki District, Bengal.
VERTEBRATES OF THE JALPAIGURI DISTRICT, BENGAL. 993
Eastern Red-breasted Flycatcher (562), Siphia albicilla. — A common winter
visitor to the plains.
Slaty-bine Flycatcher (567), Cyornis leucomelanuriis. — A very common
winter visitor to the plains. It is found in any sort of jungle both in
high grass and thick forest.
Little Pied Flycatcher (569), Cyornis melanoleucus. — A fairly common winter
visitor to the plains. It keeps to the forest.
Blue-throated Flycatcher (575), Cyornis ruheculoides . — Not uncommon along
the base of the hills.
Pigmy Blue Flycatcher (578), Nitidula hodgsoni. — Only one specimen pro-
cured by Inglis at Buxa early in March.
Verditer Flycatcher (579), Sfoparola melanops. — A winter visitor to the plains.
Brook's Flycatcher (586), Anthipes poliogenys. — Fairly common and resi-
dent. It keeps generally to tree jungle.
Brown Flycatcher (588), Aheonax latirosins — Probably resident. O'Donel
has got specimens in July.
Grey-headed Flycatcher (592), Culicicapa ceylonensis. — A common winter
visitor to the plains.
Rufous-bellied Niltava (594), Niltava sundara. — A not uncommon winter
visitor to the plains. It keeps to thick scrub and forest.
Small Niltava (595), Niltava macgrigorice . — A very common winter visitor to
the plains.
Burmese Paradise Flycatcher (599), Terpsiphone affinis. — Very common in
the forests at the foot of the hills.
Indian Black-naped Flycatcher (601), Hypothymis azurea. — Common and
resident in the plains throughout the year.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (603), Chelidorhynx hypoxanthum. — Very common
in the hills and a common winter migrant to the plains. It keeps
to forest
White-browed Fantail Flycatcher (604), Rhipidura albifrontata. — A common
resident species.
White-throated Fantail Flycatcher (605), Rhipidura albicollis. — Very com-
mon in the plains. It is one of the birds always seen while sitting
over a kill for a tiger. They very often come and pick insects from
off the kill.
Common Pied Bush-Chat (608), Pratiyicola caprata. — Resident in the southern
portion of the district, never near the hills.
Indian Bush Chat (610), Pratincola maura. — A common winter visitor to the
plains.
White-tailed Bush Chat (611), Pratincola leucura. — Common in the grass
churs of the Torsa river.
Hodgson's Biish Chat (613), Pratincola insignis. — A winter visitor.
[Jerdon's Bush Chat (614), Oreicola jerdoni. — Recorded from the adjoining
district Purneah. We have not seen it.]
Dark-grey Bush Chat (615), Oreicola ferrea. — A common winter visitor to the
plains.
Western Spotted Forktail (630), Henicurus maculatus. — Confined to the hill
streams. Inglis got it at Buxa early in March.
Slaty-backed Forktail (632), Henicurus schistaceus . — A common winter visitor
to the plains. It keeps mostly to forest streams.
Black-backed Forktail (633), Henicurus immaculatus . — Common in the forest
streams.
Leschenault's Forktail (634), Henicurus leschenaulti. — Occasionally seen in
the. winter.
Little Forktail (637), Microcichla scouleri. — Seen in the hills.
White-capped Redstart (638), Chimarrhornis leucocephalus. — Common in the
hills and descends in winter along the principal rivers in the plains ;
never seen further than six miles from the hills.
Daurian Redstart (641), Ruticillaaurorea. — An occasional cold weather visitor
994 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Hodgson's Redstart (643), Buticilla hodgsoni. — An uncommon winter visitor
to the plains ; usually keeping to the principal river beds. Inglis got
one near a small stream at Nilpara.
Indian Redstart (644), Buticilla rufiventris. — Only noted in the plains during
the upward migration in April and May.
Plumbeous Redstart (646), Bhyacornis fuliginosus . — A. common winter visitor
to the plains. It usually keeps to the principal rivers, but Inglis got
it in a small stream at Kuntimari some 17 or 18 miles from the hills.
Indian Blue-throat (647), Cyanecula suecica. — A winter visitor.
Common Ruby-throat (650), Calliope camtscJiatkensis . — A rather uncommon
winter visitor.
Tibet Ruby-throat (652), Calliope tschebaiewi. — A very common winter visitor
to the plains.
Red-flanked Bush Robin (654), lanthia rufilata. — Shot in the hills at Buxa
early in March.
White-tailed Blue Robin (659), Notodela leucura. — Shot at Jamguri, 14 miles
from the foot of the hills.
Magpie-Robin (663), Copsychus saularis. — Resident and very common.
The Shama (664), Cittocincla macrura. — Resident and common.
[Dusky Ouzel (674), Merula fuscata. — A specimen recorded from Bhutan
Duars is considered by Oates to be M. atrigularis.l
Grey-winged Ouzel (676), Merula houlboul. — Common in the hills and also
a common winter visitor to the plains. O'Donel has found it 20 miles
from the foot-hills.
Black-throated Ouzel (677), Merula atrigularis. — A very common winter
visitor to the plains.
Pied Ground-Thrush (683), Geocichla wardi. — Has been recorded from the
Bhutan Duars.
Orange-headed Ground-Thrush (686), Geocichla citrina. — Fairly common and
resident in the plains.
Chestnut-bellied Rock-Thrush (690), Petrophila erythrogastra. — A rate winter
visitor to the plains and not seen further than 8 miles from the hills.
It keeps to forest.
Eastern Blue Rock-Thrush (692), Petrophila solitaria. — Common winter
visitor to the plains. It keeps a lot to river beds but, is also got in
compounds ; nearly all the forest bungalows have one of these birds in
the cold weather.
Western Blue Rock-Thrush (693), Petrophila cyanus. — A winter visitor.
Small-billed Mountain-Thrush (698), Oreocincla dauma.—8o far only noted
in winter in the plains ; it generally keeps to the forest, but has been
seen away from it at Nilpara.
[ Large Brown Thrush (704), Zoothera monticola. — Only seen in the Terai. ]
Lesser Brown Thrush (705), Zoothera marginata.^F airly common in certain
areas of forest though absent from others equally suitable. It is proba-
bly resident.
Brown D ipper (709), Cinclus asiaticus. — Has occasionally been noticed in the
hills
Eastern Baya (721), Ploceus atrigula. — Resident and common.
Large-billed Baya (721a), Ploceus megarhynchus. — O'Donel found a colony of
these birds breeding at Hasimara in June 1912. The nests were quite
difl'erent in shape to those of P. atrigula, being more or less rounded
and attached to the tree in two or more places, with the entrance holes
in the sides. Probably this species occurs right along the base of the
Himalayas. He has never got the birds again.
Chestnut-bellied Munia (726), Munia atricapilla. — Fairly common in grass
land.
Hodgson's Munia (727), Uroloncha acuticauda. — Scattered thoughout the
northern part of the district.
Spotted Munia ( 735), Uroloncha punctvlata. — Very common.
VERTEBRATES 01 THE JALPAIGURl DISTRICT, BENGAL. 995
Indian Red Munia (738), Sporceginthus ama)idava.
Scarlet Finch (751), H<rematospiza sipahi. — Only seen in the hills when it
was shot at Buxa by Inglis on the :26th February.
Common Rose Finch (761) Carpodacus en/thrinus. — Very sparingly distri-
buted in the plains in the winter, but more in evidence during the
upward migration in April and May.
House-Sparrow (776), Passer domesticus. — Very common near habitations.
[Tree-Sparrow (779), Passer montanus. — Only seen in the Terai.]
Cinnamon Tree-Sparrow (780), Passer cinnamomens. — O'Donel has found
it visiting the plains in large flocks during the winter, keeping generally
to light forest.
Dwarf Bunting (791), Emheriza pusilla. — A fairly common winter visitor to
the plains.
Yellow-breasted Bunting (797), Emheriza aureola. — An occasional cold
weather visitor. It occurs in flocks.
Chestnut Bunting (801), Emheriza rutila. — Recorded from Bhutan Duars.
Crested Bunting (803), Melophus melanicterus. — Fairly common in November
and December, but disappears for the rest of the year.
Indian Sand-Martin (809), Cotile sinensis. — ^Very common along the bank of
the large rivers.
The Swallow (813), Hirimdo rustica. — A common winter visitor.
Eastern Swallow (814), Hirundo guttaralis. — Common in the winter.
Tytler's Swallow (815), Hirundo tytleri. — Common in the winter.
Wire-tailed Swallow (818), Hirundo smithii. — Common in the winter.
Hodgson's Striated Swallow (822), Hirundo nepalensis. — A common winter
visitor.
Syke's Striated Swallow (823), Hirundo erythropygia. — Common and the
only resident species in the plains.
White Wagtail (826), Motacilla alba. — A common winter visitor to the
plains.
Hodgson's Pied Wagtail (830), Motacilla hodgsoni. — Common in the plains
during the winter.
Large Pied Wagtail (831), Motacilla maderaspatensis. — Rather un-
common.
Grey Wagtail (832), Motacilla melanope. — Common in the plains during the
winter.
Grey-headed Wagtail (833), Motacilla borealis. — Common during the winter
in the plains.
Yellow-headed Wagtail (837), Motacilla citreola. — Common during the winter
in the plains. This appears to be the earliest arrival. O'Donel has
seen it as early as the lltli August.
Forest Wagtail (839), Limonidromus indicus. — A rare winter visitor to the
plains.
Indian Tree-Pipit (841), Anthus macidatus. — Common during the winter in
the plains.
Brown Rock -Pipit (844), Anthus similis. — Recorded from as far east as the
Sikkim Terai.
Richard's Pipit (845), Anthus richardi. — Common during the winter in the
plains.
Blyth's Pipit (846), Anthus striolatus. — Common during the winter in the
plains.
Indian Pipit (847), Anthus rufulus. — Common and resident in the plains.
Indian Sky Lark (861), Alauda gulgula. — Common in the southern part of
the district.
Ganges Sand Lark (866), Alaudula raytal. — A few pairs are to be met with in
the beds of the larger river.
Bengal Bush Lark (870), Mirafra assamica. — Resident and common in
the tea.
996 JOVRNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISr. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Himalayan Yellow-backed Sunbird (882), Mthopyga seherice. — A common
resident species in the hills and plains.
Fire-tailed Yellow-backed Sunbird (887), JEthopyga ignicauda. — Inglis got
this species at Buxa in February and early March.
Mrs. Gould's Yellow-backed Sunbird (888), ^tlwpyga gouldiae. — Common at
the base of the hills, but does not appear to extend to the plains.
Black-breasted Yellow-backed Sunbird (890), Mtliopyga saturata. — Occurs
in both hills and plains.
Purple Sunbird (895), Arachnechthra asiatica. — Common and resident in the
plains.
Larger Striated Spider-hunter (906), Arachnothera magna. — Common and
extending well into the plains during the winter.
Little Spider-hunter (909), Arachnothera longirostris. — Inglis shot this in the
plains at Gorumara on the 19th January.
Scarlet-backed Flower-pecker (912), Dicaeum cruentatum. — Common in the
plains.
Fire-breasted Flower-pecker (915), Dicaeum ignipecius. — Observed in the
hills.
Plain-coloured Flower-pecker (917), Dicaeum dlivaceum. — Common in the
hills and their bases, but does not, we believe, extend into the plains.
Tickell's Flower-pecker (919), Dicaeum erythrorhynchua. — Seen in the plains.
Blue-naped Pitta (927), Pitta nepalensis. — Common in the plains during the
winter. A great skulker and seldom seen.
Indian Pitta (933), Pitta hrachyura. — Scarce and only noted in May.
Green-breasted Pitta (935), Pitta cucullata. — Common in the hills and at
their immediate base, but not seen in the plains. Shebbeare, how-
ever, believes he saw a nest of this species in the plains.
Hodgson's Broadbill (943), Serilophus riibripygius. — Scattered along the
foot-hills extending further into the plains during the cold weather,
having been obtained at Rajabhatkhana during that season ; it goes
about in parties.
Long-tailed Broadbill (944), Psarisomns dalhousice. — Common in the hills
and extending well into the plains in winter.
Black-naped Woodpecker (950), Oecioius occipitalis. — Common in the plains.
Small Himalayan Yellow-naped Woodpecker (951), Gecinus chlorolophus, —
Appears to be resident. A very common species in the forest.
Large Yellow-naped Woodpecker (955), Chrysophlegma flavinucha. — Observed
in the forest at close quarters but not shot.
Fulvous-breasted Pied Woodpecker (967), Dendrocopus macii. — Very com-
mon in the plains.
Darjiling Pigmy Woodpecker (973), lyngipicus semicoronatiis, — Occasionally
seen in the plains.
Himalayan Pigmy Woodpecker (974), lyngipicus pygmceus, — Occurs in the
plains.
Red-eared Bay Woodpecker (978), Pyrrhopicus pyrrhotis. — Uncommon in the
plains and usually keeps to the dark portions of the forest.
Northern Rufous Woodpecker (983), Microptemus phceoceps. — Common in the
forest in the plains.
Himalayan Golden-backed Three-toed Woodpecker (989), Ttga shorei. — Un-
common but resident in the plains.
VERTEBRATES OF THE JALPAIGURI DISTRICT, BENGAL. 997
Tickells' Golden-backed Woodpecker (992), Chrysocolaptes gutticristatus. —
Very common.
Speckled Piculet (1001), Picummis inmmiinatus. — Common in the foot-hills,
occasionally seen in the plains.
Rufous Piculet (1002), Sasia ochracea.— Common in the foot-hills, also seen
in the plains. O'Donel took a nest containing 3 eggs on the 27th
April, from a 4-foot bamboo stump.
Common Wryneck (1003), lynx torquilla. — Apparently only passes through
the district on migration.
Great Himalayan Barbet (1006), MegalcBina marshallorum. — Common in the
hills and extends to the plains in the eastern part of the district
where O'Donel has found it 8 miles from the hills. It keeps to the
forest.
Lineated Barbet (1009), Thereiceryx lineatus.—Yerj common throughout
the district.
Blue-throated Barbet (1012), Cyanops asiatica. — The commonest barbet in
the district.
[ Kuddy Barbet (1012a), Cyanops rubescens. — Mr. Primrose shot this in the
Terai. We have not found it but is a bird easily passed over unless
shot. ]
Blue-eared Barbet (1016), Cyanops cy a notis. — Uncommon.
Crimson-breasted Barbet (1019), Xantholama hcematocepJmla. — Rather un-
common.
Indian Roller (1022), Coracias indica. — Very common.
Burmese Roller (1023), Coracias affinis. — Inglis got this species at Nilpara
on the 4th February.
Broad-billed RoUer (1025), Eurystomus orientalis. — Nowhere common and
keeps to high forest.
Common Indian Bee-eater (1026), Merops viridis. — Very common.
Blue-tailed Bee-eater (1027), Merops philippinus. — Visits the district in
considerable numbers in Tune and July after rt'hich it disappears.
A stream rising" in the plains. The haunts of Pelargopsis (ivrial, the
Brown-headed Stork-bellied Kingfisher, Alcedo ispida. the Common King-fisher,
Plains melanogastcr , the Indian Darter or Snake-bird, etc.
14
998 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL UmT. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater (1030), Melittophagus swinhoei. — Common in the
plains. It is only met with in forest.
Blue-bearded Bee-eater (1031), Nyctiornis athertoni. — Common in the plains.
It nests in any bank of a stream or a road cutting.
Indian Pied Kingfisher (1033), Ceryle varia. — Common,
Himalayan Pied Kingfisher (1034), Ceryle luguhris. — -Extends well into the
plains along the principal rivers, even some 13 or 14 miles from the
foot-hills.
Common Kingfisher (1035), Alcedo ispida. — Common.
Beavan's Kingfisher (1036), Alcedo beavani. — Only found in the forest.
Several were seen and shot at Kajabhatkhawa.
Three-toed Kingfisher (1040), Ceyx tridadyla. — Only got in the forest
during the rains.
Brown-headed Stork-billed Kingfisher (1043), Felargopsis gurial. — Common.
White-breasted Kingfisher (1044), Halcyon smyrnensis. — Common.
[ Ruddy Kingfisher (1046), Callialcyon lilacina. — Only shot in Goalpara but
we think we have observed it here. ]
Great Hornbill (1051), Dichoceros bicornis. — Very common in the hills where
large parties of about 30 birds were seen ; they were rather shy. It
is also common along the foot-hills. The call during the breeding
season is a loud tock, tock, uttered at slow but regular intervals.
Indo-Burmese Pied Hornbill (1053), Anthracoceros albirostris. — Common in
the forest.
Malayan Wreathed Hornbill (10 5 i), Bhytidoceros undulatus. — Mr. J.R. Phil-
lips of the Bengal Police kindly sent Inglis the skin of a female of this
bird taken from a nest near Buxa. The nest was in a very large tree,
called Myna Kat (Tetrameles nudiflora) by the natives and was sitviated
about 100 feet from the ground. The tree was in thin hill forest,
on a high hill about 4,000 feet elevation and in a lonely place about
2 miles S. E. of Buxa and about a mile from the unfrequented Jainti
road. It was first discovered about the Ist May, but the men were
unable to reach it. Owing to Mr. Phillips being away from Buxa an
interval of over three weeks lapsed before the men tried again and
this time on the 26th May, they were successful in reaching the nest.
There was a single young one inside without any feathers and with
closed eyes. They killed the female and took both her and the young
one to Mr. Phillips. He kept the young one for some time and when
it died also sent its skin to Inglis. O'Donel thinks he has seen this
species flying over Chuapara in the plains.
Rufous-necked Hornbill (1057), Aceros nepalensis. — Due to the great trouble
taken and generosity of Mr. Phillips, we can now put down this
hornbill as occurring in this district. About the end of November
1918, Mr. Phillips sent Inglis a skin of this species He had
purchased the living bird at Buxa and kept it alive for some time.
It was a male. From Buxa itself Mr. Phillips has now sent Inglis
three hornbills. — Dichoceros bicornis, Bhytidocerus undulatus and Aceros
nepalensis — -and it is due to his energy that we have been able to certify
the occurrence of the two latter.
Common Grey Hornbill (1062), Lophoceros birostris. — Uncommon. O'Donel
has always observed them in the open country.
European Hoopoe (1066), Upupa epops. — A winter visitor.
Indian Hoopoe (1067), Upupa indica. — Common.
Alpine Swift (1068), Cypselus melba, — -Uncommon.
Large White-rumped Swift (1071), Cypselus pacificus. — Very common in the
plains during June and July.
Common Indian Swift (1073), Cypselus affinis. — Common.
Palm-Swift (1075), Tachornis batassiensis. — Common.
White-necked Spine-tail (1077), Chcetura nudipes. — Very common.
Himalayan Swiftlet (1082), Collocalia fucipJiaga. — Extends well in to the
plains ; O'Donel having noticed it some distance from the hills.
I
VERTEBRATES 01 THE JALPAIOURI DISTRICT, BENGAL. 999
Indian Crested Swift (1086), Macropteryx coronata. — Rather uncommon.
O'Donel has seen large flocks hawking insects during the winter.
Franklin's Nightjar (1090), Caprimulgus monticola. — Uncommon. A speci-
men from the Bhutan Duars which is in the British Museum was got in
April,
Horsfield's Nightjar (1093), Caprimulgus macrurus. — Very common. This is
the subspecies of C. alhonotatus.
Red-headed Trogon (1101), Harpactes erythrocephalus . — Found in the hills
and the plains keeping to the dense forest.
European Cuckoo (1104), Cuculus canorus. — Occurs in the plains but is very
seldom heard calling.
Himalayan Cuckoo (1105), Cuculus saturatus. — Occurs in the plains during
September and October.
Indian Cuckoo (1107), Cuculus micropterus. — Very common. The earliest date
on which O'Donel has heard it calling was the 27th March. It con-
tinues to call up to the beginning of July.
Common Hawk-Cuckoo (1109), Hierococcyx varins. — Very common.
Indian Plaintive Cuckoo (1112), Cacomantis passerinus. — -Uncommon.
Rufous-bellied Cuckoo (1113), Cacomantis merulinus. — Uncommon.
Banded Bay Cuckoo (1114), Penthoceryx sonnerati. — Rare in the plains but
appears to be resident.
[Violet Cuckoo (1115), Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus . — Shot in the adjoining
district Coalpara where it was far from rare. ]
Drongo Cuckoo (1117), Surniculus lugubris. — Very common in the plains.
It resembles Dicrurus annectens but lacks the sprightly appearance of
that bird.
Pied Crested Cuckoo (1118), Coccystes jacobinus. — Common in the plains from
April to November.
Red-winged Crested Cuckoo (1119), Coccystes coromandus.—Yexy common in
the foot-hills and extends well in to the plains, keeping to the forest.
Indian Koel (1120), Eudynamis honorata. — Scarce in the northern part of
the district, common in the south.
Large Green-billed Malkoha (1123), Ehopodytes tristis. — Common but not
easily seen. It is a picturesque sight to see a pair of these birds fly
across an opening in the forest with their long tails streaming out
behind. They are said to feed on the ground but we havn't found
them doing so.
Sirkeer Cuckoo (1129), Taccocua leschenaulti .—VvecordiQ^ from the Bhutan
Duars.
Common Coucal (\lSQ),Centropus sinensis. — Common.
Lesser Coiical (1133). Centropus bengalensis. — Commoner than the last in the
northern half of the district.
Large Indian Paroquet (1135), Palceornis nepalensis. — ^Rather common in
the forest. Large numbers were seen at Gorumara and Kuntimari.
Large Burmese Paroquet (1136), Palceornis indoburmanicus . — Most birds
obtained here seem to be intermediate between these two species.
Rose- ringed Paroquet (1138), Palaeornis torquatus. — Very common.
Western Blossom-headed Paroquet (1139), Palceornis cyanocephcilus . — Fairly
common.
Eastern Blossom-headed Paroquet (1140), Palceornis rosa. — Noticed in
the cold weather.
Red-breasted Paroquet (1145), Palaeornis faciatus . — Very common.
Indian Loriquet (1150), Loriculus vernalis. — Recorded from Sikkim and
Bhutan Duars but not observed by us.
( To be continued. )
1000
THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB
BY
0. H. Donald, f. z. s.
Part IV.
(Continued from ^fctge 835 of Vol. XXVI.)
Type F.
Family FALCONID^.
Subfamily FALCONING.
Genus Buteo.
No. 1240. Buteo leucocephalus. The Upland Buzzard.
Characteristics.
Colouration.
Measurements.
Habits, etc.
Tarsus about 3'5, feathered for about two-thirds
its length, naked part in front reticulated ; wing
over 16" ; irides white or buff.
" Colouration above rather pale greyish-brown,
with more or less rufous on the feathers of the nape
and upper back, scapulars, wing-coverts, and upper
tail-coverts ; white bases of feathers often conspi-
cuous on the head and neck, which are sometimes
white streaked with brown ; quills as in B. ferox, but
there is no grey on the outer webs of the primaries ;
tail brown above, with dark bars, paler below,
whitish near the shafts and towards the base, some-
times bordered with rufous ; lower parts white, the
throat streaked with brown; upper breast and
abdomen with large brown spots irregularly distri-
buted, sometmies edged with rufous ; lower breast
as a rule white ; the upper breast, flanks and thigh-
coverts often entirely brown, and sometimes, as in
Hodgson's type, the whole breast and abdomen. No
rufous or fuliginous phase is known " (Blanford.)
" Bill bluish horny ; irides white ; legs and feet
wax-yellow. (Henderson.) Cere greenish-yellow ;
irides light buff. " (Shanghai Mus. label).
" Length of a female 25-5 ; tail 10-75 ; wing 19-20 ;
tarsus 3'5 ; mid-toe without claw 1'8 ; bill from
gape 2."
Little or nothing appears to be known about this
species and only two or three specimens have been
procured, in the Himalayas. One from Native
Sikhim and the other from the Pir Panjal Range,
in Kashmir.
It appears to be a more robust bird than B. ferox
with larger bill and feet and more powerful claws.
The difference in the feathering of the tarsi and
the curious white or pale buff eye should differentiate
it from the last species. I have never seen it to my
knowledge, so cannot describe its flight.
Nothing appears to be known regarding its nidifi-
cation.
THE BIRDS 01 PREY OF THE PUNJAB.
1001
Genus Buteo.
No. 1:?41. Buteo desertorum. The Common Buzzard.
Characteristics.
Colouration.
Measurements.
Habits, etc.
Tarsus under 3", feathered for about J its length
or a little over, naked part in front usually scutellate.
Wing under 16" ; irides brown.
As in B. ferox very variable, individuals varying
from dark to light brown on the upper j^arts, with a
darker shaft-stripe to each feather, and a rufous
margin .
This latter is particularly noticeable in young
birds. " Sides of head paler than crown, usually
more or less streaked brown, the streaks generally
forming a dark or blackish moustachial stripe from
the gape, and frequently another streak running-
back from the eye. Primary quills with long dark
brown or blackish ends, all the remainder white
beneath the wing, brown on the outer web above, rufous
or white on the inner and more or less barred and
mottled."
The white portion of the primaries makes a most
conspicuous patch, seen only when the bird flies.
The lower parts vary from almost white to a rufous -
brown, with irregular spots on breast and abdomen
and long dark streaks on the throat. " The flanks
and thigh-coverts and sometimes the abdomen all
brown, or the two latter brown with more or less in-
distinct white or bufl' bars.''
There is also the dark phase of plumage which
is " dark smoky or chocolate brown throughout,
except the bases of the quills, which are white or
whity-brown mottled and barred darker, and the
tail, which is banded with light brown." (Blanford.)
" Bill black, bluish-grey towards the base ;
cere yellow ; irides brown ; legs and feet yellow."
(Blanford.)
Length of female about 20" ; tail 9" ; wing 15|" ;
tarsus 2"8". Males are less, wing 14-5". (Blanford).
Expanse about 4 feet.
This species is said to come down to the plains
during the winter months, but I cannot say that I
have ever seen one. Out of some 25 to 30 Buz-
zards which I have caught at various times, I have
not succeeded in getting any other species than
B. ferox, on the plains nor B. desertorum in the hills.
Of course B. ferox is very common among the lower
hills throughout the winter, but 1 here refer to the
higher ranges, between 8,000 feet and 11,000 feet
above sea level, where the Common Buzzard is
usually to be found.
Throughout the Himalayas, from Kashmir to
Bushahr (in the Simla District), I have found this
species, or at any rate what I have taken for granted
is this species, from its smaller size, whereas the few
1 have caught have proved to be so. On the
margins of open glens, surrounded by thick forest,
1002 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
or on the outskirts of Alpine pastures, and frequent-
ly in grassy " nallahs " are places where this bird
may be found.
It is, I think, more given to soaring than is B. ferox
and is often to be seen circling high above the trees
for considerable periods at a time.
After attaining a good height, it has a way of
closing its wings and dropping at a tremendous
pace, as though after some quarry, but it usually
ends up by alighting on some convenient tree, over-
looking a glade, where, like B. ferox, it will sit by
the hour, waiting for a vole to turn up.
In the spring a pair might often be seen stooping
at each other and again in the autumn, when the
youngsters are being initiated in the art of flying.
Many years ago, while hunting for brown bear,
the writer came upon a most unusual scene. My
attention was attracted by several of these birds, at
least 12 or 15, all on one little woodland glen, a
curious enough occurrence in itself. Several were
sitting on rocks in the centre of the open patch of
country while others were on trees or flying round
above. I promptly took "cover to see what had
attracted them and shortly after a few crows arrived
on the scene. It appeared to be a sort of gathering
of voles which had attracted them, and 1 don't
think I have seen so many voles in the whole course
of my existence as 1 saw within a few minutes, on
that occasion. Most of the Buzzards had evidently
fed, and fed well, before I arrived on the scene, and
contented themselves watching the voles, but one or
two caught them while I watched, and the crows
followed suit. Every vole on the hill-side had
chosen that day and that hour to come out and
afford the Buzzards the feast of their lives. I found
a few dead voles, but as 1 was in a hurry 1 did not
wait to examine them, to ascertain whether they
had been killed by birds and left, or had died a
natural death or of some disease.
1 have also seen this species catching cicadas ofl'
the trunks of trees. I watched a bird on one occa-
sion sitting on a branch, half way up a tree, looking
at something above it. After a few seconds it flew
straight up against the trunk, caught the cicada
ani flew ofl' on to another tree to eat it.
The flight of all Buzzards is alike. Wings held
usually in a line with the body, but occasionally
back. Tail not much in evidence, and very often
expanded like a fan. Wings long and rounded
and nearly always fully extended, unless about to
stoop or descend. Colouring apparently light, some-
times an almost transparent brown. A very light
patch on each wing about two-thirds of the way
from the body, like in the Large Indian Kite, but
of course in the latter the tail is forked and much
longer than in the Buzzards,
THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB.
1003
This Buzzard undoubtedly breeds all over the
Himalayas, though 1 can find no record of its nest
ever having been taken in this country. I cannot
remember ever having seen the melanistic phase of
plumage of this species, though it is so common
with the other {B. ferox), though a dark brown phase
of plumage is by no means rare, but not the dark
chocolate brown, almost black, of ferox.
The nest and eggs are said to be similar to those
of B. ferox, though I presume, a trifle smaller.
Genus Pernis.
No. 1:349. Perni-s cristatus. The Crested Honey-Buzzard.
Characteristics.
Colouration.
Measurements.
Habits, etc.
Size medium ; bill weak and elongate ; lores and
sides of head covered with small scale like feathers,
like forehead and chin, and unlike all other birds of
prey.
Very variable. Generally ashy grey from chin,
and forehead to ear coverts, all round, i.e., all the
small scale like feathers. Thence passing into a
grey brown or light brown on the neck and back.
The feathers frequently have very dark shaft-
stripes. The whole upper surface of the bird, with
wings extended, is brown or grey-brown and occa-
sionally almost quite grey with a faint touch of
brown only. Sometimes a bird may be seen with
the whole of the head a very pale grey, but this is
uncommon. Tail blackish-brown, with two bands,
one much narrower than the other, greyish-brown.
A narrow tip to tail feathers also greyish-brown,
sometimes almost white.
The under surface is much lighter and is often
irregularly spotted or banded with white. The
lower surface of the wing when open is a very pale
brown, almost white, with blackish bands. The tips
of the primary quills black. A small crest of black
feathers is usually present.
The plumage from the young to the adult varies
a good deal, but the curious feeble bill and the
small scale like feathers, instead of bristles, on the
lores are enough in themselves to recognise this
species by.
" Bill blackish, gape and base of lower mandible
bluish ; cere deep leaden colour ; iris golden yellow,
brownish-yellow or red ; legs and feet yellow."
(Blanford.)
Length 25" to 27", though occasionally larger or
smaller specimens may be found. Wing 15^" to
17i"; tail 10^" to 12^"; tarsus 2" ; expanse 4' to 4f.'
This species is pretty well distributed all over the
Punjab in suitable localities, but does not occur in
the higher ranges of the Himalayas, and is not likely
to be found much over 4 to 5 thousand feet above
sea level. Found in most groves and gardens and
along most of the canal banks and it breeds
wherever it is found.
1004 JOURNAL, BOyiBAY I^ATURAL mST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Not in the least shy, as a rule. On a tree it can
be at once recognised by its comparatively small
head, from any other bird of prey of the same size.
The head almost invariably looks sleek, as though
each feather had been plastered down, and its
attention is usually attracted to the branches of
trees on its own level and above and seldom on the
ground, or over some adjoining plain, as is more
often the case with most Raptores.
This species, in flight, rather resembles the Spizaeti
and can seldom show itself in the open without
having all the crows and mynahs in the neighbour-
hood shrieking at it and king- crows attacking
it. Blanford says " its flight is direct and rather
hurried than quick, and it seldom flies far, except
when soaring." If disturbed from its perch, it
simply hurls itself into space, flies low until it
reaches the tree it intends to alight on, and then
rises suddenly into the branches, rather like a
Goshawk. The beats of the wings are quick and power-
ful. It soars well, usually in the spring and early
summer, and is very noisy. The wings, when
soaring, are held more or less on the same plane as
is the body and not well back, as in the Spizaeti,
and are somewhat longer and narrower than in that
species. The bars on the wings and tail are very
conspicuous as a rule.
It lives for the most part on the larvfe of wasps
and bees and honey and is said to rob the eggs of
small birds. I have never succeeded in bringing
this species down to the net, although I have tried it
frequently, with quails, sparrows, rats, snakes and
even mole-crickets, although I know it occasionally
kills lizards -and on one occasion I disturbed one on
the ground which flew ofl' bearing a mynah in its
claws. Since writing the above I have had one come
down for a quail.
I remember reading a very interesting account of
the doings of one of these birds, in captivity, many
years ago. Unfortunately I cannot even now re-
member in what book or magazine I saw it, and was
under the impression it appeared in the Journal of
the B. N. H. Soc, but as I have been through prac-
tically every number since the early Nineties and
can t find the account, I must be mistaken. The
part that I particularly noted was a description of this
bird flying oft' its master's hand in pursuit of some-
thing invisible to the man. He, however, followed
in the direction as fast as he could, and discovered
his bird attacking a huge bee-hive. The bees prom-
ptly swarmed round him, but did not appear to worry
him much, and all the bird did was to ruflle his
feathers and go on with his meal of honey or larvae.
Later on he got back the bird and, to his amazement,
discovered that the bird had collected a considera-
ble number between his feathers, which he continued
to pull out occasionally and eat, for a couple of days
THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB.
1005
after. His explanation was that the bird permitted
the bees to get between the feathers, by raising
them and then proceeded to keep them there by the
simple method of smoothing them down again. The
bees, between two feathers, were unable to back out
and also unable to turn the thorax round to sting
the bird. It sounds an amazing provision of
nature, to keep the bird supplied with food, and it
would be most interesting to know whether any-
body else has noticed a similar proceeding on the part
of this species.
The Honey-Buzzard builds in trees, from April to
July, a nest of twigs lined with leaves or grass and
lays one or two eggs, " broad oval in shape, white or
buff thickly mottled and blotched with blood-red,
reddish or yellowish-brown, and measuring about
2-03 by 1-72.
Genus Blanus.
No. 1232. Elaniis axruUibS. The
Black-Winged Kite,
Characteristics.
Colouration,
Measurements.
Habits, etc.
Size small, length not exceeding 14" ; tarsus very
short, under 1^".
Upper parts ashy grey, the median and smaller
wing coverts black, as also a narrow supercilium and
the posterior lores ; primaries grey. Under parts
including tail, the forehead and the sides of the
head white. In many specimens the white on the
neck and breast is tinged with light brown, and the
back too is brownish grey. These are young birds,
and the amount of brown varies, probably with age.
Bill black ; cere, gape, legs and feet yellow ; claws
black ; irides crimson, yellow in young birds.
Length about 13'' ; tail 5" ; wing 10^" ; tarsus 1-3" ;
mid-toe without claw 1" ; bill from gape 1-1". (Blan-
ford.)
This pretty little Kite may be found all over
the Province in suitable localities. Thin scrub
jungles, cultivation or grassy slopes are its most
favourite haunts. Not often to be found in dense
jungles or open plains, and nor does it appear to
ascend the Himalayas to any great height, though I
have seen it at about 8,000 feet. The flight of this
bird is unmistakable, the beat ot the wing being slow
and heavy for such a small bird. It is much given
to hovering, but its method of remaining stationary
in the air is, however,very different from that of the
Kestrel.
It hovers with a regular slow beat of the wings,
not the quick vibrations of the Kestrel. Then again,
the wings are very often held straight, back, almost
at right angles to the sides of the body and not
horizontal to it as in the Kestrel, something like
that of a " tumbler " pigeon as it prepares to
" tumble."
On seeing an insect on the ground, the wings
cease their beats and the bird, with its wings almost
15
1006 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
touching each other behind, descends very slowly
at first, extending its legs as it approaches the ground
and when within a few feet of it, the wings suddenly
close into the body and the bird literally drops the
last few feet.
Though they undoubtedly breed in the Punjab, I
know of no record of their nest having been taken.
Major Betham records having taken 3 nests near
Poona (Journal of the Bombay Natural History
Society, Vol. XIV., p. 397, and Vol. XV, page 710).
They appear to breed in the winter months, laying
3 or 4 eggs " usually densely blotched with brownish-
red and measuring 1'53 by 1'21."
If they do breed in the Punjab, the season, I think,
must be in tlie spring or summer, as during the
winter they are not often to be met with in couples,
whereas I have seen a pair together, on two or three
occasions in May and June, in the Kangra District,
not far from Palumpur, among the tea plantations.
Type G.
This chapter deals with a Type which comprises 9 genera of the Rapto-
res, in all 14 species. The main characteristic of this Type is a tarsus
feathered in front for half its length or less and naked behind ; No pro-
minent tooth on the cutting edge of the upper mandible.
Before going further it may be as well to describe, for the novice, the
difference between a " festoon " and a " tooth " as most birds of prey have
either the one or the other. A " festoon " is a downward curving of the
cutting edge of the upper mandible which is gradual and rounded, whereas
a " tooth " is a sudden sharp pointed projection of the same, a little
behind the point of the beak. The following rough diagram of each will
make it clear ; —
Festoon i/QIZZ Toot A
It must be remembered that some falcons have both, tooth and festoon,
but the reader need not worry about the latter at all and it is only here
mentioned so that there need be no confusion between them.
The next chapter will deal with birds which all have toothed mandibles,
whereas none or those in the present Type are so adorned, but those in
the next Type {H), resemble those in this Type (G), in having their tarsi
similarly feathered, so it is very important to state here the factor which
differentiates them, viz .-—no tooth on cutting edge of upper mandible.
For instance, if the examination of the legs shows that the tarsus is only
feathered at the top, and for less than half its length, thus consigning the
specimen to this Type, or the next, the only other point to look at is the
beak. If toothed the bird belongs to the next Type, if merely festooned,
then to this.
This Type deals not only with the largest number of species, but con-
tains birds of all sizes from among the biggest to very nearly the smallest
of the birds of prey, but one and all have their tarsi naked for more than
half its length and no tooth on upper mandible.
IRE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB.
1007
The genera are all well defined and the species, with one or two ex-
ceptions, should give little, or no trouble to differentiate. Another feature
all the species in this Type have in common is an eye of some shade of
yellow, with the exception of one {Butaslur teem) which has a white eye.
This feature though must on no account be taken as a guide or key to the
Type as it is apt to be very misleading as such, and is here merely men-
tioned as a feature on which no special reliance can be placed. The iris in
Pallas's Fishing-Eagle {Haliaetwi leucoriphus ) is a yellowish brown, more
yellow than brown in some and more brown than yellow in others, and in
very old birds of other species, such as some of the true hawks, it becomes
bright orange red. This feature merely helps with regard to the next
Type {H) in which all the species have dark brown eyes, with no sign of
any shade of yellow, but is of no importance in itself.
Key to the genera in Type G.
Genus.
Circaetus {one species).
Characteristics,
wing about 21".
naked
' small
Spilornis {one species).
Butaslur {one species).
HaUaetus {two species).
Size medium ; wing about 21". Tarsus
except at the upper extremity, clad with
rounded or subhexagonal imbricate scales all round".
Toes and claws short. No crest.
Size medium ; wing about 20". Tarsus and claws
very similar to Circtua ; Prominent broad nuchal
crest. Colouring peculiar, being deep brown above
and below with small white ocelli on under parts.
Size small ; wing about 11". Tarsi naked except
at extreme top and covered with imbricate scales
which are rather larger in front. The larger scales
in front do not diminish in size to any appreciable
degree from top until the base of middle toe is
reached. Irides white in adults.
Size large ; wing about 23". Tarsi feathered in
front for about one-third its length. Below the
feathering a few large scutse, in front only, the rest
of the tarsus reticulated. Claws grooved beneath.
Polioaetus {two species). Size medium ; wing about 17i to 19". Outer toe
partially reversible. Tarsi feathered in front for
about one-third of its length ; and clad both in front
and behind with large coarse scutee, reticulated on
the sides. Claws rounded beneath, much curved and
almost sub-equal.
Size medium. Wing varying from 13 to 16".
Build slight. Tarsus with transverse shields in
front, which are largest near the top end and dimi-
nish in size gradually towards the base of middle
toe. where they become absorbed in the reticulation.
Irides yellow or yellowish brown, not white.
Size medium to small. Wing varying from 8^ to
14". Tip of primaries in closed wing only reach to
about half way down the tail. Tarsus scutellated
behind and in front. Bill from gape two-thirds to f
of mid-toe without claw.
Size small in both species. Wing under 9". Si-
milar to Astur except that its tarsi are thinner and
Circus {three species).
Astur {two species).
Accipiter {two sjjecies).
mid-toe
longer.
the latter being about twice the
length (without claw) of the distance from bill to
1008 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
In all the above genera, except Astur and Accipiter no mention has
been made of the distance that the tips of the primaries, in the closed
wing, fall short of the end of the tail, as they comprise all comparatively
" long winged species" in which the wing fall short of the tail by a matter
of 2 to 3" in some species, and reach to the end of the tail in others, so it
would only be confusing to mention the fact in the keys, except in the
case of the true hawks where the difference is very marked and the wing
reaches to only about half way down the tail. These two Astur and
Accipiter) can thus at once be separated from any members of the re-
maining 6 genera, of this Type. The very thin tarsi and long middle toe
of Accipiter is enough to separate it from Astur, but it is not easy to define
what constitutes a ''thin" tarsus or "long" middle toe, unless there is
something to compare with. For this reason the comparison is made
between the length of middle toe as compared with the distance from bill
to gape, in each genera.
The other six genera are very easily identified one from the other.
Circaetus, Spilornis, Haliaetus and Rolioaetus are represented by species of
birds all as big and bigger than kites, so cannot be confused with Harriers
or the White-eyed Buzzard-Eagle {Circus or Butastur) which are all smaller
than any kite. From each other they can be identified thus: —
1. Circaetus .. ) Tarsi naked except the ( 1.
2. Spilornis . . ) upper extremity only. | 2.
3.
4.
Haliaetus
Poliou'etus
::}
Tarsi feathered for about ^ 4.
one-third of its length.
No crest
Broad nuchal crest.
Tarsi scutellate in
fro7it only; claws
grooved beneath.
L
Tarsi scutellate in
front and behind ;
claws rounded
beneath.
The remaining two genera Butastur and Circus can be recognised from
the preceding four, as already stated, by their smaller size, and from the
true hawks by their longer wings, and from each other also by their size,
as the wing of Butastur is about 11" while that of the smallest Harrier
would be about 13". The Harriers can further be distinguished by a rufi"
of light coloured feathers which extend round the back of their heads
from the throat, giving them rather an owl-like appearance. For further
details there are the "keys" given above.
N.B. — I am rather diffident about placing Haliaetus albicilla, The
White-tailed Sea-Eagle in this Type. According to Hume, the
tarsus of a couple of specimens shot by him, were feathered, in
front, for three-fifths to five-eights of their total length, whereas
Blanford makes no such exception in the case of this species.
Unfortunately I have only handled one specimen and did not
notice its tarsi.
Key lo THE Species.
As for genus.
As for genus.
As for genus.
Wing about 23, usually under 24". Tail with a
broad white band in the centre, in the adult plu-
mage, rounded, the outer tail feathers being about
1 inch shorter than the two middle ones.
Larger, wing about 25 to 26". Tail, except at the
base, all white, wedge shaped, the outer rectrices
being about 2 inches shorter than the middle ones.
Circaetus gallicus.
Spilornis cheela.
Butastur teesa.
Haliaetus leucoryphus.
Haliaetus albicilla.
THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB.
1009
Polioaetus ichthyacstus.
Polioaetus humilis.
Circus macrurus.
Circus cyaneus.
Circus ceruginosus.
Astur pahwibarius.
Astur badius.
Accipiter nisus.
Accipiter virgatus.
Basal three-fourths of all tail feathers white in
adults, mottled in young.
Middle tail feathers brown throughut.
Wing about 14^", outer web of 2nd, 3rd, 4th, not
5th, quill notched ; Tarsi over 2^" but under 3" in
length.
Wing about 15", outer web of 5th, quill also not-
ched ; Tarsi about 3".
Larger, wing about 16" ; tarsus Sf*.
Larger, wing 12" to 15" ; tarsus over 3''.
Small, wing 7 to 9" ; tarsus 2" or under.
No gular stripe ; 5 or 6 dark bars, one terminal
on 4th quill, in adults (Blanford).
Generally a dark gular stripe ,; 7 or 8 bars on 4th
quill in adults (Blantord).
Family FALCONID^.
Sub-family FALOONiNiE.
Genus Circaetus.
No 1216. Circaetus g alliens. The short-toed Eagle.
Characteristices .
Colouration.
Dimensions.
Habits, etc.
Size medium ; wing about 21". Tarsus naked except
the upper extremity, clad with " small rounded or
hexagonal imbricate scales all round." Toes and
claws short ; inner and outer toes, without claws,
sub-equal, as also are the claws, which are not very
curved.
" Upper parts generally brown. Shafts on head,
back and wing-coverts blackish ; longer scapulars,
primary and some secondary quills blackish brown
outside, the quills white inside except at the tip
and the primaries for some distance up each border ;
all quills except first primaries with dark cross-
bands ; tail brown above white-tipped, whitish below,
with dark cross-bands, generally four in number, the
first concealed by the coverts ; the inner webs were
all rectrices except the middle pair partly white.
(Blanford.)
The upper portion of the breast is pale brown with
dark shaft stripes and gets lighter lower down, the
abdomen and tail coverts being white, with dark
brown spots. The young plumage is somewhat lighter
on the upper parts and white below with "brown
shaft-stripes on chin, throat and upper breast and a
few scattered spots of light brown or rufous on the
lower breast and abdomen."
" Bill pale greyish blue, tip blackish ; cere whitish ;
irides bright orange yellow ; legs and feet pale
earthy greyish brown. "
" Length 26" to 28" ; tail 11-5 to 13
22 tarsus 3-75" (Blanford.)
This Eagle, by no means
certain localities, is almost unmistakable either a
1,000 ft. up in the air, or seated on a tree. In the
wing 21
to
common, except in
1010 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
air it appears to be silvery grey throughout, when
seen from below, and very much larger than his
measurements would lead one to believe.
Blanford likens it to a Harrier — "but more
frequently circling in the air or beating over the
ground and bushes like a Harrier" — but this is a bit
misleading so far as the flight is concerned, as a
Harrier's mode of progression is a succession of
flaps followed by a bout of sailing whereas the
Short-toed Eagle is seldom seen to flap. On the
open plains where it is most frequently met with,
it will be found to circle and hover, circle and
hover, changing its position frequently to search
diS"erent bits of the plain. On seeing its prey it will
sometimes stoop with closed wings at a tremendous
pace, until within 50 ft. or so of the ground and
thereafter will descend gently to the ground, rather
like a Black-winged Kite, only I have never seen
it do so with legs extended or wings held so far
back as that of the latter. Its flght is generally
light and graceful, and the wings are sometimes held
well back, when soaring, but not always.
Seen flying and at very close quarters a narrow
dark line is discernible in the region of the first
primary, and some dark marking on either side of
the chin. Closer still, and the spots on the abdomen
may also be noticed, but usually what one sees is a
great big bird of a uniform pale silvery grey through-
out. Seated on a tree, some distance away, the
first thing to strike the observer is a huge head,
more like an owl's than an eagle's. I have seen this
bird tackle and kill a large snake which, I think,
was a Zamenis and quite 5 to 6 ft. in length.
I saw the bird dropping from a great height, on
the canal bank near Gurdaspur, then, as usual,
steady himself before he got near the ground and
finally sit on the bank whence he rushed at the
snake, with outspread wings. I could not see where
he caught it, but he flew off' the instant he had got
a good grip and judging from the very small amount
of snake, and that about the centre of its body, I
concluded that the bird had its head in its claws
and the rest of the snake was coiling round the bird.
I have twice caught this species in nooses, with a
rat as a bait. On one occasion the eagle sat down
about 4 ft. from the nooses and then rushed at
the rat through them and was caught, and on the
second it came down direct, but very slowly and
almost vertically downwards, so that it got the
rat without touching the nooses, and only got
caught by the merest chance as it was flying away
with it.
1 have seen this species on the bare slopes above
Dharmsala, at about 7,500 ft. though he is by no
means a familiar feature of the hills, at these
altitudes.
THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB.
1011
»
The wiugs, in flight, appear long and rounded and
the tail ample, and extended well beyond the line of
the wings.
It is said to breed usually in trees and build a
"loosely constructed nest of sticks, sometimes lined
with grass or green leaves '', laying a single egg,
a broad oval, bluish white without spots and measur-
ing 2-9 by 2'3.
The food of this species consists, for the most
part, of lizards, snakes, frogs, rats and insects.
[ have tried to catch it with a bird (a quail) for a
bait, but in vain.
Genus Spilornis.
No. 1217. Spilornis cheela
Characteristics.
Colouration.
Measurements.
Habits, etc.
The Crested Serpent-Eagle.
Size medium ; wing about 20". Tarsus naked,
except at the upper extremity, clad with small
rounded or subhexagonal imbricate scales all round ;
toes and claws short. Prominent broad nuc/ial crest.
Deep chocolate brown both above and below, parts
of the head, crest, wing-coverts and primaries black
or blackish. The upper parts have a deep purplish
gloss. The under surface, together with the smaller
wing-coverts with small white ocelli and frequently
many of the back feathers, tail-coverts, scapulars and
secondary quills are tipped with white. The crest,
when erected, shows a considerable amount of white,
or when seen from behind, the feathers having white
bases.
The upper parts are darker than the under parts,
and in the open wings, and tail, two or more broad
white or whitish bars are visible from below.
" Bill plumbeous, bluish black at tip and on cul-
nien : cere, skin of lores, and gape bright, or in some
dingy lemon-yellow ; irides intense yellow ; legs and
feet pale dingy yellow. " (Blanford.)
Length about 29" ; wing 20 ; tail 13 ; tarsus 4.
Blanford states that " this Eagle is usually found
on trees near water, especially the fine trees along
the irrigation-channels and canals in Upper India,
and along stream beds in the Lower Himalayas."
I cannot ever remember having seen this species
actually on the plains of India though it is fairly
common all along the lower hills and up to an eleva-
tion of about 6,000 ft., and may even be found soar-
ing at still higher elevations. Since writing the
above I have come across one on the canal bank near
Gurdaspur. Usually to be met with on the banks of
streams and the edges of rice fields ; as often sitting
on a boulder as in a tree. It lives chiefly on frogs,
snakes, lizards, Crustacea and insects. Mr. Hume
quotes Mr. Thompson as saying that " the parent
birds often succeed in destroying pheasants and
bringing them to the nest, " and Capt. Hutton goes
still further and says " where a pair take up their
quarters, no fowl or pigeon can escape ; I have had
dove cot cleaned out over and over again by them. "
1012 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Personally I cannot say I have ever known these
birds to make even an attempt to chase a bird of
any sort, except when the latter was in difficulties.
I have succeeded in catching a good many at
various times and have had a few come down to small
birds but invariably after a long wait, as if making
sure that the bait was really in difficulties and could
not get away, but more often I have had to change
the bait (a bird) and piit down a rat or a small
snake.
The claws of this species are nearly always covered
with mud showing that he grabs the most of his food
from wet paddy fields and jheels.
This bird breeds on trees at elevations varying
from about 2 to 4,000 ft., as a rule, during the
spring, making a nest of sticks lined with green
leaves, and lays usually only one egg, streaked and
spotted with brownish red and purple and measuring
about 2-78 by 2-2. (Blanford.)
The flight is very Hawk-Eagle like. Wings held
very far back, more so, I think, than any other bird
of prey. The wings appear very broad and rounded
and the tail is seldom spread out when soaring, and
usually appears very narrow.
The dark ground colour and the light broad bars
on wing and tail are unmistakable at almost any
height. During the breeding season and when the
young birds leave the nest, this species is much given
to soaring and at these times is particularly noisy.
The call is a peculiar four-note whistle, the first
three notes being short and last long, something like
*' ti ti ti tiiiu, " and oft repeated at short intervals.
The Crested Serpent-Eagle is generally to be
found soaring high over trees and very often dense
forests and seldom over barren hill-sides, unlike
his cousin the Short-toed Eagle which is seldom
found near thick jungle and almost invariably over
sandy plains or barren hill-sides.
Genus Butastuk.
No. 1220. Butashir teesa. The White-eyed Buzzard Eagle.
Characteristics. Size small, about that of a crow, wing about 11".
Tarsi naked except at the extreme top, and covered
with imbricate scales which are rather larger in
front. The larger scales, in front, do not diminish
in size to any appreciable degree from the top until
the base of the middle toe is reached. Irides white
in adults, brown in young birds.
Colouration. There is not much variation, in this species in
colour generally, although the head and neck in
individuals may vary from brown to almost white
with dark shaft stripes.
General colour, throughout, brown frequently
with a rufescent tinge on the upper parts the
feathers more or less dark shafted. There is always
a very light buff or white nuchal patch, made by the
THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB. 1013
bases of the feathers showing through which is
usually very conspicuous, and there is also a light
patch on the upper portion of each wing, which is
also conspicuous both when flying and sitting. Quills
brown above and whitish beneath, pnre white near
their bases.
Chin and throat white with three dark brown
stripes, one on either side and one in the centre
of the chin.
" Cere, gape and base of lower mandible orange
terminal portion of both mandibles black ; irides
pale yellowish-white in adults, brown in young birds.
Legs and feet dingy orange yellow." (Blanford).
N.B. — Punjab birds have, as often as not, absolutely
pure white eyes with no sign of any yellow.
Measurements. " Length about 17 ; tail 7 ; wing 11-5 ; tarsus 2-3 ;
mid toe without claw 1-3 ; bill from gape 1*3."
(Blanford.)
Habits, etc. This is a very common bird in the Province and
to be found commonly perched on telegraph wires
along the railway line, or on the tops of trees or
bushes, and frequently on the ground, in any fairly
open country. Not to be found in thick jungle or
high up in the Himalayas, though I have seen this
species as far into the mountain ranges as Kulu, but
at altitudes not exceeding 5,000 feet.
In the spring and early summer this is a very
talkative bird and its not unmusical and somewhat
plaintive call may be frequently heard, as the bird
soars. It soars well and during the beginning of
the breeding season is often to be seen high up, as
often as not with bigger birds of prey.
In flight it somewhat resembles a sparrow-hawk
but the wings are longer than the latter and the
tail does not project so much as in the hawk.
Seen from below, the colouring is a light silvery
grey on the wings, the body being a little darker.
The wings are held on the same plane as the body
and appear narrower and longer than that of any of
the Hawks, and not so pointed and shorter than that
of any of the Falcons.
It lives for the most part on insects, lizards, mice
and frogs, but will attack a bird in difliculties, or
wounded, with great dash and is a very easily
caught species, in a net, in consequence.
I had a curious experience with this species on
one occasion. I had set a net, with a pigeon for a
bait, for a Booted Eagle, which had already fed and
was not at all keen on coming down. After waiting
about ten minutes I was on the point of giving him
up and picking up my net and had actually moved
out of my hiding place when a Mottled Wood-Owl
{Syrnium ocellatuni) flew into the net after the pigeon
and while I ran forward to catch the owl, a White-
eyed Buzzard Eagle came from the opposite side,
flew over the pigeon and fiercely attacked the owl,
16
1014 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISr. SOCIETY, Vol. XX f I.
when I was onlj' a few feet from it, so I was able to
secure both. The Wood-Owl is, in my experience,
one of the most difhcult birds to catch in a net. It
will either sit on its perch and blink away without
attempting to come down at all, specially in the day,
or it will come readily and turn aside when within a
couple of feet of the net, and the back-ground
must be such as to make the net absolutely invisible
before one of these owls can be caught. Why this
one came down, in broad day-light, and did not
swerve as they usually do, I do not know, and why
the Buzzard should ignore the pigeon and attack
something larger than himself was also curious,
especially as it was in the depths of winter and
therefore neither eggs nor youngsters were to be
protected.
This species is much given to not only sitting on
the ground but does a great deal of walking and
running about, in quest of insects.
It builds on trees, from March to May, a nest
made of sticks, usually unlined, and lays 3 to 4 eggs,
usually white but sometimes spotted, measuring
1-83 by 1-53.
Genus Haliaetus.
No. 1223. Haliaetus leucoryphus
Charac teris tics .
Colouration.
Measurements
Pallas's Fishing-Eagle.
Size large, wing about 23". Tarsi feathered in
front for about one-third of its length, with a few
large scutse below the feathering, in front only.
The remainder of the tarsus reticulated. Claws
grooved boneath. Tail rounded, a white band across
the centre.
The whole and head and neck light coloured, varying
from pure white on the forehead, whitish on the
throat, sides of neck and head and chin, to fulvous.
The body above and below dark brown, often with
a purplish gloss. The tail has a wide band about
four inches in width, across it, and some three
inches from the end, which is pure white.
The young plumage is totally difl'erent being a
pale brown throughout, darker on the back than on
the lower surface. Quills and tail-feathers dark
brown. In this phase of plumage the bird some-
what resembles the lineated phase of the Imperial
Eagle, but, of course, cannot be confused with it as
its tarsi are not feathered, back and front to the
toes, as in the Aquila.
" Bill dark plumbeous, cere and gape light plum-
beous (irides greyish yellow ; legs and feet dull
white ; claws black." (Gates.)
N.B. — In many Punjab birds I have found the eye
some shade of brownish yellow or almost entirely
light brown.
" Length of a female 33 ; tail 12 ; wing 23 ;
tarsus 4 ; bill from gape 2*9 ; males are smaller,
the wing being 1 to 2 inches shorter." (Blanford.)
THE BIRDS OF PRE1\0F THE PUNJAB. 1015
Habits, etc. This fine bird is common on all our Punjab Rivers
• and is frequently met with on large jheels and
tanks, on the plains of N. India. Its rancous call,
resembling ungreased cart wheels, can be heard for
very long distances and not a few legends are
woven round this species in the lower hills.
Fishermen, to whom this species is very familiar,
. in some parts of the country, firmly believe that
the species gives birth to two absolutely separate
species of birds. The light coloured youngsters
remain light coloured all their lives, and turn into
the Steppe Eagle {Bvyya Ookhab) while the dark
oues take after their parents !
Fishermen, as a class, are fairly observant and
yet strangely enough they do not appear to have
observed the fact that the young of Pallas's Fishing
Eagle are always light coloured, so the species
should very soon die out.
In parts of the Kangra District the " Kurl and
Kurli " are responsible for the distribution of the
rain. The nest, which uobodj' has ever seen, is
placed on a very high cotton tree and if it rains
when the " Kurli " is sitting on her eggs, it is not
likely to stop for weeks, whereas if the " Kurl " is
sitting when the rain begins, it means light rain and
fine weather to follow. " Kurli bursta " is a house-
hold word in the district.
This latter is a curious legend in the district
for the simple reason that the " KurV is by no
means a common bird except where the River
debouches on to the plains in the extreme end of the
district.
That the nest is placed on a high cotton tree is very
often correct, but though it may never have been
seen by the Kangra man, every fisherman in the
lower reaches of the river is very familiar with it.
Most Kangra men are very uncertain as to whether
the Kurl and Kurli are Pallas's Fishing Eagle or the
Osprey, and both birds have been pointed out to me
as "Kurl".
This is a very powerful bird and does not hesitate
to attack and rob any of the true Eagles for tit bits,
except the Golden, which, of course, it probably never
meets. I have seen as many as five at one time
following in the wake of fishermen, as they hauled
their nets through the river. They sit about on
convenient trees, or even on the ground and wait for
the haul to be brought to the bank, and are off with
any fish that happens to be left a little away from the
men.
This Eagle will not go under water after its prey,
like the Osprey, but it will take one within six inches
or so below the surface and Mr. Hume records taking
a fish from one of these Eagles, weighing 13 lbs. 2
ozs. which the bird had succeeded in carrying right
across the river.
lOlQ JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXV L
I have seen this species make a determined swoop
into a flock of duck as it flew past but he ^ did not
attempt to follow up. It is not often that they
attack unhurt birds but a wounded duck or goose
stands a poor chance of escaping from one of these.
Pallas's Fishing Eagle is not proud and will descend
to robbing a tern of a tiny fish not more than 4
to 5 inches in length, or a Marsh Harrier of its hard
earned frog. It will unhesitatingly attack even the
Imperial Eagle and being faster on the wing than any
of the members of the genus Aquila, except chryscetus
has no difliculty in robbing them of their prey,
though I, on one occasion, witnessed a most interest-
ing spectacle in which a fine female Imperial Eagle
devoured a raynah. The bird had been originally
caught by a Laggar Falcon which had to give it up
to a Tawny. The Fishing Eagle attacked the Tawny
and both came to the ground with the mynah
between each of their claws and while other Eagles
circled round, ready to join in the fray, the Imperial
came straight down and at once attacked and got the
mynah. The Tawny at once released its hold but the
Fisherman held on for a little time, before giving up,
but did not move away as the other had done and
only waited for an opening to attack the Imperial,
Mr. Hume says that he has never known this bird
to protect its nest while eggs were in it, but once the
young arrived on the scene, it was very difl'erent, and
the pair attacked any man who went for the nest.
They breed in the late autumn and early winter,
building a huge nest of sticks in the fork of a tree
and lay from two to four eggs, " greyish white,
unspotted ; very dark green when looked through
against a light, and about 277 by 2*17. "
The flight, when beating up or down a river is
hurried and the wing usually slightly bent back from
the " wrist." It soars well and attains tremendous
heights. The wings are held in the same plane as
the body and the tips of the primaries very frequent-
ly appear to be hanging downwards, i.e., below the
plane of the body. The tail is seldom spread out
and frequently appears to be very narrow.
No. 1225. Halia'etus albicilla. The White-tailed Sea-Eagle.
Characteristics, Size large, wing about 26 inches ; tail white ex-
cept at the base (no marginal dark band at the end,
as in leucoviipTius) and 7vedge-shaped.
Colouration. Very similar to leucoryphus except that there is a
vast difference in the tail. Whereas of leucoryphus
it may be said that the tail is dark with a broad
white band in the centre, in the case of this species
it is all white, except at the extreme base.
" Cere and bill yellow in adults ; cere yellowish
brown, bill black in young birds ; iris yellow (brown
in the young); feet yellow. There is a slight ruif of
TRE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB.
1017
Measurements.
Habits, etc.
lanceolate feathers, far less distiDct than in leuconj-
phus, and the end of the tail is wedge-shaped, the
middle feathers being considerably longer than the
outer." (Blanford.)
In the young the tail feathers are "white more or
less mottled and edged with brown."'
Female.— " length 34 ; tail 13; wing 26: tarsus 4^ ;
bill from gape 3. Males are rather less, wing i^4'5."
This is a winter visitor to India and by no means
common. I have seen the bird on two or three occa-
sions on the Chenab Eiver, near Riasi, in Kashmir
State, and shot the only one I have ever had in my
hand in Bhadarwar, in November of 1898.
One huge bird which I took to be this species I
saw flying up the Beas River in Kulu, in April 1916.
Unfortunately I only got a glimpse as it passed
between some trees, but in that glimpse I noticed the
great deal of white about the tail, which, together
with the very dark colouring of the rest of the bird
and its immense size, made me feel pretty sure that
it tvas this species.
As already stated I am rather difhdent in placing
this species in Type G. as Mr. Hume says that the
feathering of the tarsus in the two specimens he
shot extended to from five-eighths to three-fifths
of its length, but Blanford makes no mention of this.
It cannot, however, be mistaken for any other spe-
cies. From the true Eagles, which it resembles in
size, it can be differentiated by its tarsi which are
not feathered to the toes, back and front, and from
H. leucoryphus by the shape and the amount of white
on the tail.
It appears to resemble the preceding species in its
habits generally and nothing appears to be known of
its nidification in this country.
Genus PolioaMtus.
No. 1226. Polioai'tus ichthycetus. The Large Grey-headed Fishing-Eagle.
Characteristics,
Colotiration.
Size medium, wing about 20". Tarsi feathered
for about one-third of its length, scutellated behind
and in front, reticullated on the sides. Claws
rounded beneath. Basal three-fourths ol all tail
feathers white in adults and mottled in the young,
including the two central feathers, terminal 2 to 3
inches dark brown.
Head and neck all round grey, the crown and
nape being light brown. The grey feathers often
with whitish shaft stripes. Quills very dark brown,
almost black ; wing-coverts, back, rump and upper
tail-coverts dark brown, as also the terminal band
on the tail ; Upper back a little paler and breast a
little paler still. Abdomen, flanks and basal three-
fourths of tail pure white.
" Young birds are light brown, with pale edges to
the feathers, those of the head, neck, upper back,
1018 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
and lower parts with whitish shaft stripes. The
quills are barred and the basal portion of the tail
mottled brown and white." (Blanford.)
" Bill dark brown, basal two-thirds of lower man-
dible bright plumbeous ; cere and iris brown ; legs
and feet china white ; claws black. (Gates.)
clear yellow, sometimes tinged with reddish
mottled with brown." (Legge.)
Iris
and
Measurements.
Habits, etc.
'' Length about 29 ; tail 11
19 : tarsus
bill from gape 2, Males rather smaller."
These Fishing Eagles are recorded in the Fauna
of British India as being found " throughout the
greater part of the Peninsula of India in suitable
localities, from the base of the Himalayas, but not
west of Delhi, nor in Sind, and rare to the south-
ward " I cannot remember ever having got
one in the Punjab nor can I find any record of one
having been so found in the B. N. H. Society's
Journal.
Every specimen I have, so far, shot or captured,
has turned out to be the next species, viz., P.
huniilis, but as there is no reason why they should
not occur in the Province, I have included the
species, provisionally, and described it in the event
of one being met with.
Their habits and eggs seem to be very similar
to the ne^t species, but though the bird is bigger
than P. humilis it appears to lay a smaller egg.
No. 1227. Polioaetus humilis. Hodgson's Fishing-Eagle.
Characteristics.
Colouration,
Size medium, wing about 18 ; Tarsi feathered for
about one-third of its length, scutellate behind and
in front and reticullated on the sides. Claws
rounded beneath. Middle-tail feather s brown through-
out, the remainder, for the basal three-fourths,
mottled, terminal 2 to 3 inches dark brown.
Head and neck all round ashy grey, browner on
the nape and crown. Sometimes a few brown fea-
thers scattered about all over the head.
Upper parts generally dark brown, quills blackish.
Breast ashy brown, darker in some specimens than
in others. Abdomen, flanks and under tail-coverts
white. The two middle rectrices brown throughout
but the remaining tail feathers mottled white and
brown for about f of their length, and dark brown
for the terminal fourth, with a thin margin of white
or buff to the tips. Under parts of tail lighter than
the upper.
" Young birds are paler brown ; they want the
grey on the head, and the breast feathers have white
shafts and ends." (Blanford.)
" Upper mandible blue-black ; cere, gape and
lower mandible leaden blue ; irides bright yellow ;
legs and feet white, washed with leaden blue ; claws
black." (A. Anderson.)
TRE BIRDS 01 PREY Of THE PUNJAB.
1019
Measurements.
Habits, etc.
" Length of a Himalayan female 24*5 ; tail 9*2 ;
wing 17'5 : tarsus 3"1 ; bill from gape 1*7. Males
very little smaller. Specimens from Assam and
Cachar have generally a wing of 16 to 17 inches;
Malay birds are much smaller." (Blanford.) The
following are the dimensions of a very fin,e Hima-
layan female procured by me on 7th July 1919 in
Kulu : — Length 25; wing IS'S ; tail 9'5 ; tarsus 3*2.
This Fishing-Eagle is found throughout the Pro-
vince from Kashmir to the Jumna Kiver, in suitable
localities. Large streams with wooded banks are
his favourite haunts, but I have met him on open
stretches of river with hardly ten trees within a mile
of country.
Like his cousin, Pallas's Fishing-Eagle, he adver-
tises the whereabouts of his nest to all and sundry,
by making an appalling noise in its immediate vici-
nity. If one happens to be sitting in the nest, it
welcomes the advent ef the other by a succession of
querulous shouts and cackles, not unlike a very
small child crying. In the distance the sound is
distinctly plaintive and childlike but at close quar-
ters it is querulous and unpleasant. The Fishing-
Eagles are not given to soaring and a hurried rush,
with fast beating wings, up and down a stream, from
one lot of trees to another seems the limit of his
movements, at any one time. The species is unmis-
takable at any stage by the curious light, if not
white, colouring fore and aft and the deep brown in
between.
The Fishing-Eagle will sit for hours on a branch
overlooking a pool in a stream and drop like a stone
on to any tish that has the temerity to show itself
near the surface.
I have never seen this species disappear under
water, like an Osprey, after fish, and nor have
I ever seen it strike the water otherwise than legs
first, but on the other hand 1 have seen it almost
dragged under by, presumably, a fish too big for the
Eagle to bring to the surface. The Eagle struck
the water with terrific force, its legs going in almost
up to the body, and there it remained for a few
seconds, its wings working hard to rise. Finally,
when it did rise, its claws were empty, but both,
body and wings, had been repeatedly wetted,
without in any way interfering with its flight when
it did eventually give up the struggle.
This species is fairly common all over the Kulu
Valley, and they must do a good deal of damage
among the trout, but on the other hand, before one
can recommend its extermination, it is as well to
thoroughly investigate its life history and see what
it can show on the other side of its Ledger in the
way of keeping down other enemies of the. trout,
which, but for the Eagle, might prove to be a bigger
danger to the fisheries than the Eagle.
1020 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol, XXVI.
The Hodgson's Fishing Eagle builds in trees on
the banks of the streams which it frequents, a large
nest of sticks, from January to May, and lays two
to three eggs, white and unspotted and measuring,
according to Blanford, 2-75 by 2-12.
The claws of this species are very curved and
much of a size, the hind claw not being much bigger
than the outer claw.
Rather an ungainly looking bird, either sitting or
flying, except for the head, with its bright yellow
eye, which is very nice looking, but the body, in
repose, has rather the look of a Vulture being
somewhat hunch-backed.
This species may be found as high up as 8,000 ft.
but its favourite elevation is between 3,500 and
5,000 ft., and it is by no means rare even on the
plains.
(To he continued.)
1021
NOTES ON INDIAN BUTTERFLIES.
(^Continued from Vol. XXIIl., Pcu/e 310.)
BY
Lt.-Ool. W. H. Evans, f.z.s., f.e.s.
Since my last paper on Indian bnttertiies appeared in the Journal, a
period of 4^ years has elapsed. Before returning to India, however, I was
able to spend some time at the British Museum and an effort is made here
to bring up to date our information on Indian butterflies.
18. Fruhstorfer has made some progress with the Indo-Australian
section of the Macrolepidoptera of the World and up to page 824 in the
German edition has been received at the British Museum.
(1). Euripus halitherses, Db 4' Hi'n-, in addition to the already described
female forms, there are given,
(julussa, Fruh, an extreme dry season form with a nearly white hind-
wing.
neda, Fruh, with large white submarginal spots.
pademoides, Fruh, as plate 204. 1 and la. Lep Ind.
gyrtona, Fruh, as nijctelius but missing the 3 streaks in the basal zone
of the hindwing.
Thus with isa, haliartus, alcathoioides, cinnamoneus, and nyctelius, 9 forms
of females are now described. As 2 forms of females are rarely obtained
alike, opportunities exist for making lots more new names.
The race flying from Teuasserim to Indo-Cbina, said to be larger and
darker, is called mastor, Fruh.
(2). Euripus consiviilis, Wd. Three races ; consimilis, N. India Upper
Burma ; 'ineridionalis , WM, South India ; eurimus, Fruh. Lower Burma
Here again the female is given many names :
White abdomens dorsally black ringed,
amala, Fruh, yellowish as Tarhestina, menu,
sunta, Fruh, white and milky blue.
diocletiana, Fruh, as the Euplcea with the same name.
Abdomens entirely black,
gudila, Fruh, ground coloiiV jlack blue."
triquilla, Fruh, ground colour '• blue black," with the spots on the
hindwing practically obsolete.
(3). EribcBci athamas, Drury, is the N. Indian and Burmese race with
varieties hamasta, M, and bharata, M. Other races are ayrarius, Swin, South
India ; madeus, R S^- J, Ceylon : andmnanicus, Fruh, Andamaus.
(4), Eriboea arja, Fd. The large, extreme wet season form is raberi,
Fruh, and the extreme dry season form vernus, H ■$• J.
(5). Of Eribcea vioori, JJist, from the Malay Peninsula, sandahanus, Fruh,
is the race found in Indian limits, Assam and Burma : the small wet season
form is maryinalis, R S,- J.
(6). Of Eribcea jalysus Fd, from Sumatra, the Burmese race is ephebus,
Fruh.
(7). The smaller Teuasserim race of Eribcea eudamipjms, Db, is separated
a.a javiblichus, Iruh.
(8). The race of Eribcea schreiberi, God, from S. Burma and the Malay
States is called tisamenus, Fruh.
(9). The Ceylon race of Chara.ras fabius, Fab, is called cerynthus, Fruh.
(10). Chara.ias polyxena, Cr. The typical form is Chinese : the W. Hi-
malayan race is heviana, M: the small Sikkim race is Iiindia, But : the As.
17
1022 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVL
sam race hierax, Fd: the Burmese race agna, M. In addition to the nume-
rous named varieties, Fruhstorfer calls the form with the underside red
brown, showing the white band from the upperside by yellowish indications,
rossa, Fruh.
(11). Pareba vesta, Fab. W. Himalayan race anomala, Koll : the typi-
cal form from Sikkim, Assam and China : the Burmese form sordica,
Iruh.
(12). Libythea vohini, Mar, is placed as a race of narina, God.
(13). Libythea lepita, M, is treated as a se^sarate species to celtis Fuess,
which, as far as India is concerned, is only found in Chitral.
(14). The South Indian race of Libythea myrrha, Gray, is separated as
carina, Fruh: rama, M, being retained for the Ceylon race.
(15). Libythea hauxwelli, M, is said to be the extreme dry season form of
geoffroyi alompra, M.
(16). The Indian races of Zemeros flegyas, Cr, (typical form Chinese) are :
indicus, Fruh, Sikkim and Assam : allica. Fab, a pale race Karen hills. We
are not told what to call the Tenasserim and W. Himalayan forms.
(17). The W. Himalayan race of Dodona, dipcea. Hew, is nostia,Fruh :
dracon. Den, is said to replace dipcea, in Upper Burma.
In the " Entomologische Rundschau " No. 29, p. 23 (1913), Fruhstorfer
confines Dodona ntgenes, Bates, to the Eastern Himalayas and calls the W.
Himalayan race venox.
(18). The race of Dodona adonira. Hew, from the Ruby Mines, Upper
Burma, and possibly the Naga hills is called argentea, Fruh.
(19). The Eastern form. Dodona ouida, M, flying from Nepal to Assam, is
called phlegra, Fruh.
(20). It is stated that Dodona binghami, M. and angela Grs, probably
refer to opposite sexes of the same species.
(21). Dodona longicaudata, DeN , is given as the Northern race of deodata,
Heiv.
(22). Taxila burnii. Den, is said to be an Abisara and not a Taxila.
(23). The dry season form of Abisara fylla, Db, is c&Wed fyllaria, Fruh.
The Upper Burmese race has not been named,, but will probably prove to be
intermediate hetweeu fylloides, M, from Central China and magdala, Fruh,
from Tonkin.
(24). The Indian forms of Abisara echerius, Stoli, (chinese) are treated
thus : race fraterna, M, Mussoorie to Kanara : race prunosa, M, Ceylon :
race bifasciata, M, Andamans and Nicobars : race angulata, M, (based on
a dry season male), the Eastern Himalayas and presumably Burma.
Abnormis, M, is a variety of angulata -.jhana, Fruh, is a female variety from
the Chin Hills with 3 white bands on the forewing ; suffusa, M, is a dry
season form oi fraterna, described from Bombay.
(25). The Burmese race of the Malayan Abisara kausambi Fd, is called
paionea, Fruh.
(26). Abisara neophron, Hew, is divided into races thus; neophronides,
Fruh, Sikkim and Nepal .■ neophron, Hetv, Assam and Naga hills : gratius,
Fruh, Toungoo to Tonkin : chdina, Fruh, Tavoy, South China and Perak.
(27). The Burmese race of the Svimatran Taxila thuisto, Hew, is called
sawaja, Fruh. (28).
(28). In the Loganias, massalia, Doh, and marmorata, M, are placed as
separate species : watsoniana, DeN, is put as a race of the latter from the
Karen hills.
(29). The Burmese race of the Javan Allotinus subviolaceus, Fd, is called
manychus, Fruh.
(30;. Allotinus nivalis, Druce, is confined to Borneo and the Burmese
race is called substrigosa, M.
NOri:S ON INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. 1023
(31). A new Allotiniis is given from ^uTma-posidion atacinus, Fruh : po'
sidion'is deycribed by Fruhstorfer from Java. It is said to be a common
form, hitherto unrecognised. Fosidion diflers from horsfieldii, M, in having
a shorter male brand and less striping below : it differs from the closely
allied unicolor, Fd, from Penang, which is the only AlloHnus with rounded
wings. Fosidion is figured by De Niceville in his " Butterflies of India,"
etc., on plate 26, fig. 156, and by Swinhoe " Lep Ind" pi. 616*3 and 3B.
(32). The Burmese form of the Javan AUotinus horsfieldii, M, is called
continentalis, Fruh.
(33). The Burmese race of the N. Bornean AUotinus fabius, Dist. is
paruynnis. El, the female of which is figured in " Lep Ind" pi. 6j6, fig. 3a
and 3c, while the male figured in 3 and 3b is posidion atacinus, Fruh.
(34). AUotinus apthonius, Fruh, is a new species, which appears to have
been caught by Fruhstorfer himself at Tandong Tenasserim. The male
is similar to the male of drumila, M, the apex of the forewing being less
sharp and the ground colour above a lighter richer, brown : the median-
band is more bent forward : the underside is greyish yellow and the ante-
terminal band is absent. The female is midway between the females of
drumila, M, and multistrigatus, Den. The new form was caught in May in
the dry season at an elev^ tion of 4,000 feet.
(35). The Indo -Burmese race of the Javan Gerydus boisduvali, M, is
called miletus, Fruh. Gerydus longeana is treated as a separate species.
(36). Gerydus biggsii, Dist. Two varieties are described : atonmria,
Fruh, with the ordinary white band shaded greyish brown : denticulata,
Fruh, is a female with dentate wings.
(37). The Burmese race of the Javan Gerydus symethus, Cr, is called
diopeithes, Fruh.
1024
lJESCRiption of a new snake of the genus
contia, b. & g., from persia.
BY G. A. BOULENGEK.
CONTIA CONDONI, Sp. 11.
Rostral broader than deep, the portion visible from above
measuring about one-third its distance from the frontal ; suture
between the internasals a little shorter than that between the
prfa^rontals ; frontal one and a half to one and two thirds as long
as broad, not much broader than the supraocular, as long as its
distance from the end of the snout, shorter than the parietals ; nasal
undivided ; loreal small, as long as deep ; one prteocular ; two post-
oculars ; temporals 1 + 2 ; seven upper labials, third and fourth
entering the eye ; four lower labials in contact with the anterior
chin-shields, wdiich are longer than the posterior; chin-shields,
of both pairs in contact with each other. Scales smooth, in 17
rows. Ventrals 169-173; anal divided; subcaudals 69-75. Pale
brown above, with small blackish spots, forming narrow crossbars,
continuous or interrupted and alternating on the back; white
beneath.
Total length 520 mm. ;* tail 145.
Two specimens, male (V. 169; C. 75) and female (V. 173; C;
69), from Shiraz, presented by Lt.-Col. De\^ Condon to the Bom-
bay Natural History Society's Museum. The male is now in
British Museum.*
This species is allied to Contia fasciata, Jan, and C. hrevicauda
Nikolsky, both of which are known from Persia. The scale
formula alone enables one to distinguish the three snakes : —
G. condoni. Sc. 17; V. 169-173; C. 69-75.
G. fasciata. „ 15; „ 158-171; „ 48-62.
C. hrevicauda. „ 15; „ 158-168; ,, 38-41.
* The specimens have been killed in a v&ry roug^h manner and are, therefore,
unfortunately, in an unsatisfactory condition.
1025
BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY'S
MAxMMAL SURVEY OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON.
Report No. 30, Dekhan, Poona District.
BY R. C. Wroughton and Winifred M. Davidson.
Collection ... ... No. 30.
Locality ... ... Dekhan.
Date ... ... January to May, 1918.
Collected by ... ... Capt. Philip Gosse, r.a.m.c.
Earlier Reports : — . . For previous reports, see Vol. XXV.,
p. 472, 1918.
Captain Philip Gosse, r.a.m.C!., has presented to the Mammal
Survey a collection of 250 mammal specimens got together by him
during a short tour of service in India. The specimens are from
two distinct localities, and we propose to deal with them in two
separate Reports.
Somewhat the lai'ger half of the specimens, 137 altogether, are
from the Dekhan {i.e., from Poona and the neighbourhood) ; and
these are dealt with in the present Report.
The collection comprises 31 forms distributed over 23 genera.
As was to be expected, there are, with the exception of a hitherto
unknown Fnnamlndus, and a new form of Wrinkle-lipped Bat,
no strikingly new forms, nor even forms new to the Mammal
Survey list; bub as linking up the East Khandesh and Satara
(Kojma Valley) collections this collection is of considerable interest.
From the point of view of distribution the capture of Felis
rubiginosa at Khandalla is a great surprise, for hitherto it has not
been found North of Dharwar.
The following is a detailed list of the specimens on the same
lines as in former Reports, except that we have omitted the refer-
ences to former Reports, as these are easily traceable from the
Summary recently published in this Journal.
(1) Pteropus uiganteus giganteits, Brunn.
T/ie Indian Flying-Fox,
(Synonymy in No. 2.)
Poona, (S 2.
" Common, feeding at night on certain trees. Shot feeding on Pepul
tree."— P. G.
(2) Cynopterus sphinx sphinx, Vahl.
The Common Plantain-Bat.
(Synonymy in No. 6.)
Poona § 1.
"While in verandah at Sassoon Hospital the large bat I have seen three
or four times during the month flitted in. Rushed for net : when I got
i
1
1026 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Fol. XXVI
back it was hooked up on centre rafter. Got it and nearly broke the
electric light with same stroke." — P. G.
(3) PipiSTRELLTJS MiMXTS, Wrought.
The Common Dioarf Pipistrel.
(Synonymy in No. 1.)
Poona, c?2.
No. 58. " Shot while hawking over nullah one mile above Wanowri. "
No. 238. " Shot flying about our compound." — P. G.
(4) PiPisTRELLUS COROMANDRA, Gray.
The Common Indian Pipistrel.
(Synonymy in No. 5.)
Poona, c? 7 ; $ 1.
Two of these specimens are indicated by Capt. Gosse as having been
taken in the Sassoon Hospital. No. 76 had " many red ticks."
(6) SCOTOPHILTJS WROUGHTONI, ThoS.
The Lesser Indian Scotophil.
(Synonymy in No. 1.)
Poona, c? 5 ; $ 2 ; ? 2.
" '^ommon."— H. G.
(6) ScoTOPHiLus KtTHLi, Leach.
The Yellow Scotophil.
(Synonymy in No. 1.)
Poona, c? 2.
(7) Tadarida Gossei, Wroughton.
Gosse^s Thick-tailed Wrinkle-lip.
1891. Nyctinomus tragata, Blanford. Mamm. No. 224.
1918. Tadarida gossei, Wroughton, J.B.N.H.S., XXVI, 733.
Poona, d 4; 2 2.
From Sassoon Hospital.
" They have a very strong, musty scent. Very loud shrill squeak when
pairing, or when caught by me, in daytime. Also squeak in pairs in day-
time, behind the chicks." — P. G.
(8) Pachyura perrotteti, Duvern.
The Indian Pigmy Shreio.
(Synonymy in No. 4.)
Poona, $ 1.
" Caught with cheese bait among stones." — P. G.
(9) Pachyura blanfordi, J. And.
Blanford^s Musk-Shrew,
Poona, J 4; $ 3; ? 2.
Khandalla, c? 3 ; $ 4.
The specimens constituting this very uniform series are topotypee of
Dr. J. Anderson's blanfordi, and undoubtedly represent that species.
Whether the name will stand, however, only further research will show : it
MAMMAL SURFEY OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON. 1027
is here used proviisionally until the confusion in which this difficult genus
at present remains has been reduced to order. Meanwhile it is noticeable
that Capt. Gosse's specimens agree in every detail as to proportions and
coloration with the original description. J. A. S. B., xlvi., pt. '2, p. 269.
" Common in and around bungalow."
" No. 8. Caught with dead bird, in bungalow. Three inguinal mammse.
Nos. 17 and 45. Caught with meat in house, and in a field, respectively.
Nos. 31 and 50. Caught with cheese, in compound, and amongst rocks on
mountain side, respectively. No. 108. Caught in jungle. Testes pale
green colour." — P. G.
(10) Felis affijs^is, Gray.
The Jungle Cat.
(Synonymy in No. 1.)
Poona, S 1 (skull only).
(11) Felis rubiginosa, GeoflF.
The Rusty Spotted Cat.
(Synonymy in No. 5.)
Khandalla, <S 1.
■' Trapped in ravine below cemetery. Iris pale gold."--P. G.
(12) Paradoxurus NIGER, Desm.
The Southern Toddy Cat,
(Synonymy in No. 5.)
Poona, (S 3, (one imm.)
With regard to No. 95 of the collection, a specimen covered with mange,
Captain Gosse supplies the following note : —
" Caught in gin by Kerudin (my boy) last night in nullah behind 2,
Victoria Road, Poona. 'Dm' calls it a 'biju, ' which is Hindustani for
ratel. He also says it is sometimes called ' ood-bilaou ', Hindustani for an
otter. He explains its want of hair by the fact that it lives on dead men,
and that this so heats the blood that its hair falls out ! " — P. G.
(Apparently some confusion had arisen in the mind of Kerudin between
this animal and the ratel, Mellivora indica. The common vernacular name
of the present animal is of course " manuri.")
(13) MuNGOS MUiTGO MCERENs, Wrought.
The Common Dekhan Mungoose,
1915. Mungos mungo moerens, Wroughton. Journ., B. N. H. S., Vol.
XXIV, p. 52.
Poona, S !•
" LiTed in cactus hedge near bungalow." — P. G.
(14) MuNGOS SMiTHi, Gray.
The Ruddy Mungoose.
(Synonymy in No. 7.)
Khandalla, S !•
" Iris yellowish brown with tinge of red." — P. G.
1028 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
(15) Canis indicus kola, Wrought.
: The Pale Indian Jackal.
1916. Canis indicus kola, Wroughton. Journ., B. N. H. S., Vol, XXIV
p. 650.
Pooua, 2 !•
(16) FUNAMBULUS PENNANTI PENNANTI, Wrought.
The Common Banyan Squirrel.
(Synonymy in No. 1.)
Poona,d 2, $ 3.
"Very common. Caught among palm-trees on Mutha Canal Bank,
" No. 246. Maramee two pairs inguinal." — P. G.
(17) FuNAMBULUS THOMASi, Wrought, and Dav,
Thomas'' s Forest Squirrel.
1919. Funambulus thomasi, Wroughton and Davidson. Journ., B. N.
H. S., Vol. XXVI, p. 729.
Khandalla, c? 2, $ 3.
"No. 101. Pregnant. Two in utero.
*'No. 107. Suckling. Two mammse in groin. This specimen was singing
when shot."— P. G.
(18) Tatera indica, Hardw,
, The Common Antelope-Rat.
(Synonymy in No. 1.)
Poona, c? 4, $ 4.
" In cactus and rocks by a pond.
" Caught with rhodium."— P. G.
(19) Vandbleuria oleracea oleracea, Benn.
The Common Indian Tree-Mouse.
(Synonymy in No. 2.)
Poona, c? 3, 2 2.
This is the first series taken under the Survey from the locality of
Bennett's tj^pe.
"No. 18. Trapped with chapatti and rhodium in banyan tree.
" Nos. 19 and 41. Caught in banyan tree.
"No. 24. By millet field.
"No. 30. Caught with cheese on ground in garden. Strong ' mus '
scent."— P. G.
(20) Mus URBANUS, Hodgs.
The Indian House-mouse,
1845. Mus urbanus, Hodgson, A. M. N..H., xv., p. 269.
1845. Mus dubius, Hodgson, ibid. p. 268.
1891. Mus musculus, Blanford. Mammalia, No. 282.
Poona, (5^ 3 ; 2 2.
Mr. Oldfield Thomas has pointed that the name dubius, hitherto used for
this species in these reports, is not available, being antedated. Fischer
(Syn. Mamm. p. 236, 1829), applies it to a Paraguay mouse described, but
MAMMAL SURVEY OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON. 1029
not named by Brants in his " Muizen", p. 185. Hodgson's urbanus must
therefore be revived for the common ochraceous-bellied house-mice, as the
next oldest available name.
" Nos. 78, 33 and 49. Caught in bungalow, No. 28 with cheese.
" Nos. 78 and 79. Caught in nullah behind bungalow." — P. G.
(21) Leggada booduga, Gray.
The Indian Field-mouse.
(Synonymy in No. 1.)
Poona, d 5 ; ? 1 ; ? 2.
Khandalla, $ 2 ; ? 1.
" Common.
"Nos. 10, 11 and 25. Caught with chapatti bait in and near millet
held.
" No. 29. Caught in bank with cheese."— P. G.
(22) Legadilla platythrix, Benn.
The Dekhan Leggad.
(Synonymy in No. 1.)
Poona, d 2 ;? I.
Khandalla, J 2 ; ? 3 ; ? 1.
" No. 64. Caught with chapatti bait.
" No. 102. Parasites under skin of head.
" No. 110. Pregnant. Six small embryos." — P. G.
Capt. Gosse further records that the strong smell of "mouse" per-
ceptible in No. 113 was absent in No. 23.
(23) Rattus rattus rueescens. Gray.
The Indian House-rat,
(Synonymy in No. 1.)
: Poona, d 4 ; $ 1 ; ? 1.
Mr. Hinton in his recently published monograph of the Rattus rattus
group (J. B. N. H. S., XXVI, p. 59, 1918) has restricted the sub-specific
name rufescens to the shorter-tailed variety of the rufous backed, rusty
bellied rats commensal with man.
"Common in houses.
" Nos. 2 and 3. From plague-infected house.
" No. 9. Caught with dead bird for bait in skinning room.
" Nos. 35, 36 and 39. Trapped in bank of dry nullah away from houses.
The first was caught with cheese and chapatti. It shows no staining by
purple cactus juice." — P. G.
(24) Rattus rattus alexandrinus, Geoff.
The Egyptian House-rat.
1812. Mus alexandrinus, Geoffroy, Descr. d'Egypt. II, p. 733. Atlas
pi. v., fig. !■.
1891. Mus rattus, Blanford. Mammalia, No. 272.
Poona, d 3; $ 1.
In his above mentioned study of the Rattus rattus group, Mr. Hinton
accepts Geoffroy's alexandrinus for the grey-bellied gray or brown house-
18
1030 J O URNAL, B 0MB A Y NATURAL HIST. SO CIETY, Vol. XX VI.
rats. Four out of the five adult specimens show the white " caste mark "
on the forehead, showing that they represent the " Mus brahminicus " form
of Maj. R. E. Lloyd, i.m.s.
(25) Rattus blanfordi, Thos.
The White-tailed Rat.
(Synonymy in No. 2.)
Khandalla, d 4; §2.
" No. 56. Caught with chapatti amongst some rocks on side of
mountain.
" No. 103. Caught at foot of big tree.
" No. 111. Trapped on bank of mountain torrent.
No. 112. Mammse : one pair in each groin, one small in axillse. Four
large embryos in utero.
No. 116. Trapped with cheese, chapatti and aniseed, on ledges of rock
in nullah."— P. G.
(26) MiLLARDIA MELTADA MELTADA, Gray.
The Dehhan Metad.
(Synonymy in No. 1.)
Poona, c? 3 ; ? 2.
(27) GoLUNDA ELLiOTi, Gray.
The Common Bush Rat,
(Synonymy in No. 1.)
Poona, 9 1, ? 1 juv.
(28) GuNOMYS KOK, Gray.
The Common Mole-rat.
(Synonymy in No. 1.)
Poona, (S 1.
" No. 14. Among cactus and rocks, by a pond near bungalow. Bait :
chapatti and oil of rhodium. Skin fairly tough." — P. G.
(29) LePUS NIGRICOLLIS, CuV.
The South Indian Hare.
(Synonymy in No. 5.)
Poona, c? 1 ; ? 1.
Khandalla, $ 1.
(30) MOSCHIOLA MEMINNA, Erxl.
The Indian Chevrotain.
(Synonymy in No. 6.)
Khandalla, d 1 ; $ 1 ; ? 1 (skull only).
" Shot with bow and arrow. The female suckling ; two mammse. — P. G.
(31) SUS CRISTATUS, Wagu.
The Indian Wild Pig.
(Synonymy in No. 5.)
Khandalla, ? 1 (skull only).
MAMMAL SURVEY 01 INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON. 1031
Report No. 81, Nilgiris.
BY R. C. Wroughton and Winifred M. Davidson.
Collection ... ... No. 31.
Locality ... ... Nilgiris.
Date ... ... June-Jaly, 1918.
Made BY ... ... Capt. P. Gosse, r.a.m.c.
Earlier Reports : — ... For previous reports, see Vol. XXV. i
p. 472, 1918.
The major part of Capt. Gosse's collection was dealt with in
the last Report, the balance here discussed was made in the Nilgiris
during June and July, 1918, and considering the very short time
available seems to be fairly representative. It is to be hoped that
when the Survey collecting parties are reorganised a further
investigation of this area may be made, as it promises to be very
interesting.
Capt. Gosse's collection here amounted to only 113 specimens,
representing 28 forms in 22 Genera.
A Funambulus from Kotagiri proves to be new, otherwise the
retaking of Leggada famvla is the most striking result of the
collection. This species was origiiaally taken by Mr. Charles Gray
at Coonoor, in 1897, and was described by Bonhote in this Journal
(Vol. XII, p. 99, 1899) and has since been known only by the
type specimen.
The following is a detailed list of the specimens : —
(1) Macaca sinica, L.
The Bonnet Macaque.
(Synonymy in No. 5.)
Kotagiri, cf 1, 5 1.
These specimens were shot together, " close to bungalow. Rookery
Estate."
(2) PipisTRELLUs coromandra. Gray.
The Common Indian Pipistrel.
(Synonymy in No. 5.)
Kotagiri, J 1, $ 2.
(3) ScoxoPHiLUS KUHLi, Leach.
The Common Yelloto Bat,
(Synonymy in No. 1.)
Kotagiri, ^ 1, .f 2.
(4) Pachyttra, sp.
Musk-Shretos.
Ootacamund, d 19, ? 7.
1032 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
This perfectly consistent series corresponds with the Ceylon species
montana, Blyth, in both measurements and colouring, though it has not yet
been ascertained to what degree the latter character is of value. No
name, however, can with confidence be given to the present series until
this very difficult genus has been worked out.
" Very common in banks by roads.
" No. 157. The strongest-smelling specimen I have yet met.
" No. 192. Three mammtv;, each inguinal. Bare patch each side behind
axilla ; in the short stiii' hair in centre is the musk gland." — P. G.
(5) Felis affinis. Gray.
The Jumjle Cat.
(Synonymy in No. 4.)
Ootacamundj ? 1.
(6) Felis bengalensis, Kerr.
The Leopard Cat.
(Synonymy in No. 11.)
Ootacamund, ? 1.
(7) Viverkicula malaccensis, Gmel.
Small Indian Civet.
(Synonymy in No. 3.)
Ootacamundj ? 1.
(8) MuNGOS viTTicoLLis, Beun.
The St ripe- Necked Mungoose.
(Synonymy in No. 11.)
Ootacamund, ? 3.
A reward was offered for " Vermin " by the District Forest Officer at
Ootacamund, who kindly permitted Captain Gosse to select any specimens
he wanted. One of the present series, as also specimens of Mungos mungo
ellioti, Lutra Intra and Cuon dukhunensis, were obtained in this way.
(9) MuNGOS MUNGO ELLIOTI, Wr
The Common Carnatic Mungoose.
(Synonymy in No. 22.)
Ootacamund, ? 1.
(10) Lutra lutra, L.
The Common Otter.
(Synonymy in No. 11.)
Ootacamund, ? 1.
(11) AONYX CINEREA, HHg.
The Clawless Otter.
(Synonymy in No. 11.)
Ootacamund, 2 2.
MAMMAL SURVEY OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON. 1033
(12) Melursus uksinus, Shaw.
The Sloth Bear.
(Synonymy in No. 11.)
Kotagiri, ? 1.
(13) Canis naria, Wrought.
The South Indian Jackal. \
1916. Canis nana, Wroughton. Journ., B. N. H. S., Vol. XXIV, p. 661.
Ootacamund, $ 1.
(14) CuoN DUKHUNENsis, Sykes.
The Indian Wild Doy.
(Synonymy in No. 2.)
Ootacamund, ?11.
Kotagiri, ? 1 (skull only).
(15) Pexatjrista philippensis, Ell.
The Madras Flying-Squirrel.
(Synonymy in No. 6.)
Kotagiri, c? 1, ? 1. I
" No. 213. Out of hole in tree below tea factory." — P. G. \
(16) Ratufa indica centralis, Ryl. I
The Bombay Giant Squirrel.
(Synonj^my in No. 5.)
Kotagiri, S 1, $ 1.
Coimbatore, 5 1.
" Common in bamboo belt in Fever Belt at foot of Nilgiris.
■' No. 227. Mammse, three pairs abdominal." — P. G.
(17) FuNAMBULUS GOSSEi, Wrought, and Dav.
The Nilyiri Forest Squirrel.
(Synonymy in No. 5.)
Kotagiri, cj'S, 5 1.
Coimbatore, $ 1.
" 219. Mammse, two pairs inguinal. Suckling. "^P. G. ,
(18) FuNAMBULUs suBLiNEATUS, Waterh.
The Malabar Pigmy Palm-Squirrel,
(Synonymy in No. ll.i
Kotagiri, c? 1. ]
'A tag of skin 16 mm. long, coverea witn short hairs, in region of I
umbilicus." — P. G.
(19) Mus UKBANus, Hodgs.
The Indian House-Mouse. \
(Synonymy in No. 30.) . \
Ootacamund, S ~. ,
Kotagiri, cJ 1, $2.
1034 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
" Nos. 143 and 200. Caught (respectively) in Highbury House, Ootaca-
mund, and in my bedroom at the Blue Mountain Hotel, Kotagiri.
" Nos. 208 and 209. Mammse five pairs, three pectoral, two inguinal."
—P. G.
(20) Leggada famula, Bonh.
The Nilffiri Wild Mouse.
1899. Mus famulus, Bonhote. Journ., B. N. H. S., Vol. XII, p. 99.
Ootacamund, 5 1.
Coonoor, S 1.
The re-taking, after an interval of over twenty years, of Lec/gada famula
hitherto known only by the type in the British Museum, is, as noted in our
Introduction, of much interest in the history of Indian mammalogy. The
two specimens collected by Captain Gosse agree absolutely with the type
and with Bonhote's description and plate. They show the outstanding
character of long, soft, dense fur. The colour above is a very dark brown
sprinkled with a coppery tinge, and hardly lighter below, with a wash of
ochraceous, having no very sharp line of demarcation from the dorsal
colour. The hands and feet are dark brown, and the tail coloured like the
back, but slightly lighter below. Captain Gosse's record, printed below, of
the number of mammse of the female adds to our knowledge of the species,
as the type specimen is presumably a male.
Mr. Thomas, in his recent revision of the Indian mice (J. B. N. H. S.,
Vol. XXVI, p. 417, 1919), has revived Leggada for the longer-muzzled form,
essentially Jungle mice, into which group this species naturally falls.
" No. 127. Caught in evergreen jungle in glen below Hatherly Cottage.
Mammpe three pairs, two inguinal, one axillary." — P. G.
(21) Leggada booduga. Gray.
The Indian Wild Mouse,
(Synonymy in No. 1.)
Ootacamund, ? 1.
Kotagiri, S 1, ? 1.
Coonoor, c? 2.
" No. 129. From clearing in evergreen jungle." — P. G.
(22) Leggadilla grahami, Ryl.
The Lesser Coorg Leggad.
(Synonymy in No. 11.)
Kotagiri, S 1-
(23) Rattus kattus wboughtoni, Hint.
The Nilgiri Tree- Rat.
1919. Rattus rattus ivroughtoni, Hinton. Journ,, B. N. H. S., Vol.XXVI.,
p. 384.
Ootacamund, J 1, $ 5.
Kotagiri, S 1
Mr. Hinton has, in the monograph above referred to, given the name of
ivroughtoni to the white-bellied wild rats of the Nilgiris.
MAMMAL SURVEY OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON. 1035
••No. 128. Among big rocks, evergreen jungle. Mamrase, three pairs
inguinal, one axillary.
"No. 148. Caught in Highbury House. Very wasted and thin.
" No. 197. Large vaginal orifice quite separate from urethral." — P. G.
(24) Rattus RATT0S KUFESCBNs, Gray.
The Indian House-Rat.
(Synonymy in No. 1.)
Ootacamund, c? 1-
Kotagiri, S !•
" No. 164. Parasites in spirits : very rapid runners." — P. G.
(25) MiLLARDIA MELTADA MBLTADA, Gray.
The Dekhan Metad.
(Synonymy in No. 1.)
Ootacamund, c? 6, 5 3.
Coonoor, ? 1, (skull only).
•• Caught in bank. This species is always verminous — see specimens in
spirits. They bleed freely from trap-wound." — P. G.
(26) GuNOMYs KOK, Gray.
The Common Mole-Rat .
(Synonymy in No. 1.)
Ootacamund, S 1? $ 1-
Kotagiri, $ 1.
Coonoor, ? 1, (juv.).
" No. 190. Caught in garden at mouth of large burrow in soft earth.
Bait, bread."— P. G.
(27) Leptjs nigricollis, Cuv.
The South Indian Mare.
(Synonymy in No. 5.)
Kotagiri, 5 1.
(28) BiBOS GAURUS GAURUS, H. Sm.
The Common Gaur.
(Synonymy in No. 6.)
Kotagiri, S 1, (skull only).
9
1036
PROGRESS OF THE MAMMAL SURVEY.
It was decided by the Committee in March 1919 to proceed witii the Mam-
mal Survey as soon as collectors and additional funds could be obtained.
Mr. C. A. Crump was unable to return to India owing to his having been
wounded in France and Lt. G. C. Shortridge not being available at present
the Society engaged Mr. H. W. Wells to come out as a collector.
Mr. Wells arrived in India in September 1919 and proceeded at once to
Assam, which province it is particularly desirable should be worked next.
Mr. Wells went first to Margherita and thence to Sadiya and although he
reports the jungle as too thick at present to do much trapping, it is hoped
that before long, conditions will improve. It is requested that all mem-
bers in Assam will try and help our collector. The Society has already to
thank the following members and others for their promises of assistance to
Mr. Wells :—
The Hon'ble Sir Beatson- Bell, k.c.i.e., c.s.i., Chief Commissioner, Assam.
Mr. H. E. P. Gill, Cachar, Assam.
Mr. A. J. W. Milroy, i.c.s., Gauhati, Assam.
Capt. G. A. Nevill, Balipara, Assam.
Mr. H. R. Cooper, Margherita, Assam.
Mr. A. Locket, Jorhat, Assam.
Mr. H. O. Allan, Darrang Game Association, Tezpur.
Mrs. F. E. Jackson, Tura, Garo Hills, Assam.
Mr. A. M. Primrose, Kalliani, Assam.
Mr. L. Bishop, Badlipar, Assam,
If sufficient funds are available it is hoped to bring out shortly a second
collector so that the Survey can be more quickly finished.
The following additional subscriptions have been received since the list
published at page 6o6 of this Volume (May 1919) : —
Names.
Amount previously acknowledged in Journal
XXVI ..
Boalth, V, H.
Brown, G.
Comber, E. . .
Central Provinces Government . . . . '
Evans, Lt.-Col. W. H
Gaye, W
Gharpurey, Major K. G.
Heath, R. H.
tngoldby, Capt. CM
Inman, Major H. M.
Millard, W. S
Mackwood, F. M
Napier, A. G. F
Porbandar, H. H. The Maharaja Raua Saheb
Swithinbank, Mrs. D.
Triggs, Bernard
Watson, Lt.-Col. H. R
Whistler, H.
Interest credited by Bank on Current Ac-
count up to 30th June 1919
Interest on Bombay Port Trust Bonds up
to the end of December 1919
Since May 1915 the Expenditure amounts to Rs. 6,000-12-0 leaving a
balance in hand of Rs. 12,197-12-1.
Amount.
Rs.
a.
P-
NO. 2, Vol.
12,964
1
1
15
0
0
10
0
0
1,000
0
0
2,500
0
0
50
0
0
10
0
0
50
0
0
3
8
0
30
0
0
10
0
0
1,000
0
0
100
0
0
10
0
0
250
0
0
30
0
0
20
0
0
\
10
4
0
10
0
0
Rs. a. p.
Rs.
18,073
13
1
30 lo 0
93 12 0
124
11
0
Rs.
18,198
8
1
1037
OBITUARY NOTICES.
F. HANNYNGTON, I.C.S.
Frank Haunyngton was the youngest son of the late Mr. John Child
Hannyngton, a Madras Civilian, who for a long time was Judge of Salem
and spent the last 15 years of his service as Resident in Travancore. He
was well known as " Curly" to the oarsmen of Trinity College, Dublin,
where he became Captain of the boats. From Dublin he went to Wren's
to prepare for the I. C. S. examination, which he passed in 1897, returning
subsequently to Trinity College for his year's probation. At Wren's and in
later life he was known as the "Bishop ". Like many Irishmen he was a
great lepper and one of his accomplishments was to kick a top hat held at
arm's length over the head.
Hannyngton started his service in India on January 30th, 1899, as Asst.
Collector and Magistrate, South Arcot. During the early part of his career
he served at Tinnevelly, Malabar, Madras and Ootacamund putting
in some time as Private Secretary to H. E. the Governor. In 1906 he went
into the Postal Department and was successively Postmaster-General of
the Punjab, the United Provinces and Bengal. In 191i^ he reverted to the
Madras Government being put on special duty in Madras and in the same
year he was appointed Commissioner of Coorg which post he held up till the
end of 1918 when he was transferred to Bellary. In Marchhe went on leave
and on his way home died in Bombay early in April 1919.
Hannyngton was always deeply interested m Natural History and in
1897, when at Naini Tal, took up butterfly collecting, to which pursuit he
devoted most of his spare time. He made a very fine collection of the
butterflies of Kumaun regarding which he published a paper in the Journal
(XX. p. 131 & 871) : in this he described a new Zephyrus under the name of
triloka, which afterwards proved to be a form of Zephyrus syla. Later he
published notes on the life history of Vanessa indica and caschmirensis and
of Papilio ravana, also notes on the distribution of .Lethe kansa and Euthalia
patala. While P. M. G. of Bengal, he sent collectors up the Chumbi valley
and secured a new Pavnassius, which Mr. Avinoff has named hannyngtoni
(T. E. S. 1915, p. 351). In Coorg he again made a most complete collec-
tion of the local butterflies and published a note on them in the Journal
(XXIV. p. 578). Amongst the butterflies he captured in Coorg were a most
interesting series of Mycalesis, which have not yet been worked out.
Hannyngton's death was a blow to all his friends ; he was " one of the
very best." He joined the Society in 1908 and became a member of the
Committee in 1913. He had great hopes of succeeding to his father's job
of Resident in Travancore and working out the butterflies in that province,
which are not as well known as they should be.
He married in 1905, Maisie, daughter of Col. Forbes.
E. V. ELLIS, I.F.S.
Amongst the numerous young men that have fallen during the war is
E. V. Ellis of the Burmali Forests. He was an ardent entomologist and
would have made a great name had he lived. He started collecting about
1912 and had done tremendous execution amongst the butterflies of
Burmah. In Vol. XXV, p. 104 of the Journal, he wrote a very comprehen-
sive note regarding the butterflies of the Tharrawaddy and Pegu Yoma,
while in Vol. XXIII, p. 585, he described a new Penthema under the name
yoma. He had made several trips into the Shan States and Maymyo, etc.,
and had added the very interesting Mandarinia veyalis to the Burmese
butterfly list. He had also visited the little known Coco Islands, North of the
Andanians, finding the fauna, etc., in all respects Andamanese. Butterfly
collectors of the ElHs type are very rare and his loss is a very serious one.
19
1038
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
No. I.— LARGE KASHMIR STAG HEAD {CERVVS
CASHMlIilANUb).
The enclosed photograph measurements of a Kashmir Stag {Cervus
cas/mirianus) may be of interest to some of your readers. The horns were
measured by Major Wigram, K. O. S. Borderers, the Secretary, Game
Preservation Department, Kashmir State.
Length — left 48, right 51^ inches.
Girth — 6 A inches.
Tip to tip — 21 inches.
Outside spread — 41^ inches.
Points — 6+5 ^11 inches.
The stag was shot in one of the side nullahs of the Liddar Valley
within a day's march of Bijhehare, and was well-known locally,, as he
used to stay at one or other of the lower valleys annually, when driven
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 1089
down by the snow. He was very wily as had been fired at and missed
several times and was believed by the local villagers to be invulnerable
owing to his being possessed by a protecting " Shaitan.'"
The head is the largest that has been shot in Kashmir for some years
past. There is, I believe, one larger head in Rowland Wards Kecord of
Large Game.
Maymvo, Upper Burma,
nth Auffust 1919.
0. GILBERT ROGERS,
Chief Conservator of Forests, Burma.
[According to Rowland Ward's Records of Big Game 'The finest pair of antlers a]>
pears to be one given by Raja Gulab Singh, many years ago to Colonel King, then
Commanding the 14th Hussars, at whose death they passedto CaptainPrettyjohn of the
same regiment. What became of these antlers Mr. A. 0. Hume, who measured them
in Meerut in 1852 or 1S53, could not ascertain. The record stands, R. 52, L. 53-J-,
measured along the curve inside. Girth 10 inches at burr, and 7 half-way between
bez and tresuines. They were a wide branching, symmetrical pair."
Mr. C. Gilbert Roger's head appears to come next to this head, the first given in
Ward's list being one belonging to Mr. K. S. Laurie, shot iir the Liddar Valley
and measuring as f Hows : —
Length on outside curve . . . . . . 48-^''
Circumference between bez and trez . . 7^"
Tip to tip U'"'
Widest inside 33"
Points 7+5
Eds. I
No. II.— PORCUPINE'S METHOD OF ATTACK.
I have been very much interested by the recent correspondence as to the
methods employed by Porcupiires for using their quills either in ofl'ence or
defence, and as I have had practical and painful experience of their
methods I would like to state what I know on this subject. In February
1918, in Mesopotamia, while in camp near Samarra on the R. Tigris, I had
the good fortune to dig out a couple of adult Porcupines from their earth
amidst some ancient ruins.
I did not actually see the animals dug out, as it took the best part of
a day for a couple of dozen men at least to accomplish the task, but when
they eventually cornered the creatures it was only with the aid of numerous
garments and pieces of clothing that they could capture them — and from
the state of some of the clothing that I saw , the Porcupines seem to have
put up a good fight.
When I saw the animals in the evening, they had leather collars round
their necks and were fastened to stout stakes driveir into the ground and
appeared rather dazed and very frightened.
I was standing a few feet from one of them talking to a youngster who
had been instrumental in their capture, when I suddenly received a terrific
blow on my shin which all but knocked me over.
It was exactly as if I had been dealt a severe blow with a pick belve
or stout wooden cudgel — and fortunately for me I was wearing thick putties
and riding breeches, and two pairs of socks at the time, but even then a few
of the animals' quills penetrated nearly half-an-inch into my leg and for a
shorb while the pain was agonizing.
For many days my leg was very stiff aud sore and I carried a large bruise
for over a fortnight to remind me of the incident.
i040 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
What had happened was this — the Porcvipine had suddenly launched
itself backwards with incredible speed and hurled its hindquarters against
my legs, and as the beast, when dead, weighed over 25 lbs,, the resultant
shock was no joke.
Now just above the tail extremity the Porcupine has a small compact
bunch of stout white quills a few inches only in length aud it was with
these, backed up by the speed and weight of its body, that it had given me
such a terrific blow.
These little quills looking almost like a bunch of toothpicks, though
they are of course extremely solid and strong, appear to me to be the real
ofl'ensive and defensive weapons of the Porcupine.
They do not come out easily, but make a powerful impression on the
mark they strike — while if the object aimed at is a large one, many of the
longer quills also take effect and these, not being so firmly fixed into the
creature's skin come out and remain embedded in the victim, which pro-
bably gives rise to the stories that the Porcupine uses its long quills mainly
for use on its enemies and also that it can throw its quills several feet.
The creature's movements on such occasions are so swift that probably
it is hardly noticed that it has closed with its enemy and then resumed its
original position.
As far as I can remember, this bunch of small quills is situated just above
the rattles of the tail.
I wonder if any of your readers have had a similar experience, or have
ever heard of such a case.
Keepers in Zoological Gardens would probably know quite a lot about
the ways and niethods of oflence and defence adopted by these animals.
C. R. S. PITMAN.
C/o Grindlay and Co.,
August 1919,
No. ill.— PORCUPINE'S METHOD OF ATTACK.
Lt.-Col. R. T;ight's Note on Porcupines on page 666 of Vol. XXVI,
No. 2, of the Journal afforded very interesting reading ; and also causes
me considerable surprise. I have several times seen porcupines attacking
dogs ; and 1 have also seen a tame porcupine playfully attacking its owner
— much to the owner's discomfiHire • In either case the porcupine's
method of attack was to turn completely round, and run backwards at the
object of its attack. In the case ot the dogs, the porcupines ran back-
wards at them (when at close quarters), left a few quills in them ; and
then advanced forward a few paces and waited for the dogs to advance,
which, needless to say, they did not do.
In one case a porcupine was being chased by one of my dogs and sud-
denly stopped, with all its quills elevated, and to my horror I saw the dog
leap right on top of the porcupine ! The porcupine then went on its way,
leaving the dog riddled with quills.
I have never seen or heard of a porcupine being able to turn its quills
forward over its head and in fact I have frequently raised the quills of
porcupines I have shot and have not been able to turn theiV' beyond a
vertical position.
Lt.-Col. Light's note causes me to surmise that the porcupines up North
are of a different species — as they seem to be possessed with larger powers
of raising their quills and in their mode of attack.
RANDOLPH C. MORRIS.
HoNfNAMOTTI, AXTIKAN, P. O.,
Mysore, SOth July 1919.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 1041
No. IV —CARACAL {FELIS CABACAL) AND HUNTING LEOPARD
{CYNAELURUS JUBATUS) IN MIRZAPUR, U. P.
The following notes on two uncommon mammals in Mirzapur District
may perhaps be of interest in connection with the Survey.
On 28th December 1912, during a sambhar beat in lijiht jungle about 25
miles S. of the Ganges, a small animal that I did not recognize came out at
very close range. 1 blew a large piece of its back away with a 600 Express
but it made ofl' and took refuge in a small nala where it was shortly after-
wards despatched with a shot gun. It proved to be a female lynx {^F.
caracal). My measurement made it 34 inches long (body 27 and tail 7)
apparently a rather small example. Unfortunately the only memento I
have of it are the claws, as shortly after 1 got the head mounted it was des-
troyed in a bungalow fire. This is considered locally a distinctly rare
animal. I saw not long ago in the possession of a friend a very fine skin
of a cheetah {C.jubatus) that had been killed in 1916 by villagers about 30
miles South of Mirzapur, which is on the Ganges near Benares. I think
about 5 have been obtained in the last 25 years, one being shot while it
was in the act of stalking a sambhar. The one whose skin I saw had been
killed in the neighbourhood of a grassy plain which held some Black buck.
LucKNOW, IQth August 1919. G. O. ALLEN, i.c.s.
[Mr. Allen's note on the hunting leopard is most interesting as very little is
known about the distiibution of this animal in India. The distribution of the
hunting leopard in India, according to the latest books on Natural History is not
correct and we would urge members to send in any informa+ion th( y have on the
subject. Notes on old and recent records of hunting leopards would be most
valuable. We have been for some time collecting old records and hope shortly to
publish them. It is advisable when writing of this animal to call it the hunting
leopard and not the cheeta, a name used in many parts for the leopard or panther,
Felis pardus. — Eds.]
No. v.— FIELD RATS IN THE DECCAN IN 1879.
I notice in the last number of the Journal an interesting note on the
probability of a rat plague in India following the famine prevailing last
winter.
I served in the Sholapur District in 1879 and remember writing long
reports dealing with the rats and no doubt other officers did the same and
probably much information might be obtained from the Bombay Secretariat
for the years 1879 and 1881. Government gave in 1879 rewards for killing
rats, I think, a rupee per hundred. These were paid by the village officers
of the big villages and were paid between (I think) 4 and 6 p.m. As a check
on the payments, I used to ride over and appear unexpectedly about 4
and make the payments for the day in different villages. If the number of
rats brought in was about the average it showed there was not much fraud,
but when tae payments were greatly above the day sample one knew
something was wrong.
It gave one much information as to the various rats which were doing the
damage — and when one examined the rats any woman brought for reward
one could pretty well guess the type of village she came from. In the dry
hilly villages these were almost all Indian Gerbilleo ; in the bagait villages
they were the " kok " rat but the most destructive in that part were one or
two species of spiny mice or rats.
The numbers of rats caused an immense increase in birds of prey. Nests
of Aquila vindhiana and Elanus caevuleus being found everywhere and the
birds already commencing to build before the young left their present nest.
1042 JOURNAL, BOMBAT NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
We officials encouraged the payments of rewards though I doubt if
it did good except in giving a livelihood to people who might otherwise have
starved. The onjy castes that ate the rats were Mangs and Pardis and they
Icept fat and flourishing while the other poorer classes were in wretched
condition. The rats continued in enormous numbers till the first rains
which were heavy, and in the heavy black soil country thousands were
drowned.
The rats seemed then to become diseased and died oS" very fast. I think
they wore trovibled by a pale reddish brown tick but it is now a matter of 40
years ago and one does not remember all details.
I think the records in the Secretariat would give much information.
Castle Douglas, Scotland, J. DAVIDSON (late i. c. s.).
August 26tJi, 1919.
No. VI.— NOTE ON THE EGGS OF FRINIA INORNATA,
THE INDIAN WREN- WARBLER.
Hume in his Nests and Eggs of Indian Birds, 2nd Edition (Oates), page
304, Vol. I, says regarding the colour of the eggs of Prinia inornata " still
more rarely it is a clear pinkish white. These latter eggs are so rare
that I have only seen six in almost as many hundreds." Now it is a very
curious fact that I have, here, in Gonda District U. P. found no less than
17 nests containing these pink or white variety of Prinias eggs.
During the whole of my time in India, now nearly 40 years, I have
examined many hundreds of nests of this bird, but never came across this
variety of eggs till now. Only once before have I seen them and this
clutch was sent me in the nest by an Indigo Planter friend in Champaran,
The nest had been attached to the leaves of the growing indigo plant and cut
down when the indigo was being cut for manufacture. At the time I did not
know what bird the eggs belonged to,though from the general markings of the
eggs and construction of nest I presumed they were those of P.inornata.
Last year one of my men told me he had found a nest with 4 eggs but
did not know the bird, so I went to identify it, and to my surprise and delight,
they were the white variety of P. inornata. Since then during last season
(1918) I have taken the following clutches — all of the white variety.
3rd July — 4 eggs — fresh. In ' Akhora ' brush.
17th ,, 4 ,, ,, In coarse grass, ( ' Khar' ).
25th ,, 3 ,, ,, In Sugar cane.
26th ,, 5 ,, „ In ' man j ' grass.
19th Aug.— 3 „
This season (1919) I have taken the foUownig t —
17 th July — 1 egg fresh,. Nest in 'Akhora' bush. The man should not
have taken this single egg. But waited for
clutch.
2yth „ 5 ,, „ In ' Munj ' grass.
2nd Aug. 4 ,, ,, Sugar cane.
4th „ 5 „ Hard set. So left them to hatch out. In Sugar cane.
6th ,, 5 ,, Slighty set. In ' munj ' grass.
9th „ 5 ,, Fresh. Sugar cane.
12th „ 4 „ „ 'Munj.'
16th „ 6 „ Slighty incubated. In jowari (Lahareah) growing
16th ,, 4 ,, Fresh. Sugar cane
crops.
te"-
19th „ 4 „ „
^Ist „ 5 „ „ 'Munj.'
2l8t „ 5 ,, ,, Sugar cane.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 1043
They were all typical inornata nests. Attached to the leaves of the
shrub, grass, or sugar-cane, I do not know the scientific name for ' Akhora '
plant, but it is a very common shrub about here, and a very favourite nesting-
place for P. inornata, P. socialis and Tailor bird. The eggs also are a
replica of the blue variety, only with the ground, white in place of blue.
The markings are verj^ beautiful shinnig up well on the white ground.
Some have the etchings, but others only large blotches of colour of two
shades, one clutch having hardly any of the white shining owing to their
being clouded one with claret brick red.
•~ ft
There can be no doubt that these eggs are those of P. inornata. I was
doubtful on shooting one bird, as it none resembled the description of
P. hianfordi, but I sent it to Hugh Whistler who kindly identified it and
confirmed the identification as P. inoniata.
Now, nearly all these eggs have been taken in one locality, viz., Wasir-
gung in this District, only two nests having been taken at Gonda itself.
Of course it may be that this bird in other localities also lays white eggs
as personally I have only examined nests in these two places, but my
friend Mr. Hutchison, who has collected eggs in Gonda District for years
has never come across this white variety : How can this be accounted for
that in only one locality, practically in all India nearly every bird of this
species lays white eggs ? At Wasirgung, I only came across 4 nests with
blue eggs. The general features of Wasirgung are in no way different
from other parts of the District, except that there are some large pieces of
water. Lakes in fact, but this cannot account for it.
As I think this is worth placing on record, I am sending you this note
for the Journal, I am also sending you a bird skin, a nest, and a clutch of
these eggs for the Society's Museum.
F. REED
Gonda, Oudh, 1th Sept. 1919.
No. VII.—NOTE ON THE I^IGWIJAR (CAPRIMULGUS JEGYPTICUS)-
I saw a curious sight the other day, which may be worth recording. J
was motoring along the Gurmat Ali road at 4-30 p.m., on the 8th August
and saw a number of Egyptian Nightjars (C. m/>ipticus) flying slowly and
aimlessly about in the hot sun, they were not feeding at all, and the onlj^
explanation I can think of is that the excessive heat had made the ground
too hot to sit on ! The temperature on this particular day registered
121-7° It is curious, if my theory is correct that the birds had not 'the
sense to settle length wise on the palm branches for the time being.
W. M. LOGAN HOME Major, m.e.f.
Mesopotamia, Aur/ust 1919
No. VIII.— strange BEHAVIOUR OF A WILD BIRD.
Whilst walking on the sands at Birchington, Kent, with my wife, I saw a
Guillemot at the water's edge, so we walked over to look at it. It resisted
my efiorts at picking it up and managed to peck me once or twice ; finally I
managed to lift it up. It then became quiet and allowed us both to scratch
its head. As several small boys were playing near by, I carried the bird out
on to the rocks and threw it into deep water ; it swam out to sea for a short
distance, then turned round and faced me. I offered it a shrimp so it swam
in and took it from my hand, finally climbing on to the rocks at my feet.
We both again scratched its head and put it back into the water, being ra-
ther afraid the small boys might get hold of it. We then went home to tea
1044 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
and returned later to see how it was getting on. It was swimming about
and feeding quite happily. I was unable to find any reason for its apparent
tameness. The weather previously had not been rough, so there was no
reason for exhaustion. I examined it carefully but could find no injury nor
was it ill nourished and from the way it was feeding later on it did not
seem distressed in any way. It occurred to me thab this strange behaviour
in a wild bird might prove of interest to your readers, so send it to you.
Bikchington-on-Ska, Kent, J, E. M. BOYD, m.c,
20th October 1919. Majok, R.A.M.C.
No. IX.— THE BLUE-BREASTED QUAIL {EXCALFACTORIA
CHINENSIS) AT MIRZAPUR.
Mr. H. Branford of Mirzapore has just sent me for identification the skin
of a small quail which he shot out of sugarcane, 4 feet high at Mirzapure, on
17th July 1919. It proves to be a male of the blue-breasted quail {Ex-
calfactoria cJimensis). As Mr. Branford states that in 23 years shooting
in the locality he has not previously met with the species, and as Mirzapore
appears somewhat out of its range, as given in Blanford and Gates' work
you may care to insert this record in the Journal.
Jhang, HUGH WHISTLER, f.z.s.,
31st July 1919. Indian Police.
No. X.— BIRDS OF DIFFERENT SPECIES NESTING IN COMPANY.
The frequency with which I have found nests of different species in the
same tree rather surprised me. Dewar has, I think, noted in one of his books
that the Oriole often builds in company with the Black Drongo and it must
very often be the attractive presence of this excellent watchman that
accounts for others choosing the same site for nesting purposes.
On several occasions I have found three or more nests belonging to
different species in one tree and mention three cases.
19th June : A mango tree of small size contained, 20 feet up, a nest of
the Black Drongo with four white eggs ; 5 ft. higher up was a nest of the
Southern Green Pigeon with two eggs ; and slightly higher and to one side
was the nest of a Red Turtle Dove with one egg.
20th June : In an ordinary sized mango were first of all a Red-vented
Bulbul's nest containing two eggs, then a little higher a Jungle Babbler's
with three eggs, then a S. Green Pigeon's with two eggs and finally a Black
Drongo's containing two eggs.
7th July : A mango tree was the choice of a S. Green Pigeon (2 eggs),
below it of a Black Drongo (3 eggs) and 10 ft. from the ground of a Red-
vented Bulbul (2 young birds).
I took the Green Pigeons' eggs as they were of an unusual shape. By
the 15th the Drongos had hatched out and there was another nest of a
Green Pigeon with one egg.
LucKNow, IQth August 1919. G. O. ALLEN, i.c.s.
No. XI.— THE RED TURTLE— DOVE {(ENOPEPELIA T.
TRANQUEBARICA) IN UNAO, U. P.
With reference to the notes on this bird on pp. 157 & 581 of Vol. XXIII,
I had noticed it in Unao in January 1914 often feeding along with the In-
dian Ring — Dove but 1 have no note of ever having seen many of them.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 1045
This year however on 19th June in the same district I noticed them in
very large numbers on an open bit of ground that was once a Government
babul plantation (it has nearly all been cut down now). I commenced to
count a flock and fovmd there were 26 cocks and a few hens.
I soon saw a bigger lot: this numbered over 50 including both sexes. In
another flock there were over a hundred birds of this species.
They were all busyfeeding — this was early in the morning — in dense flocks
which consisted entirely of this species as a rule. The whole bit of " usar "
there was dotted with these flocks, the colour of the flocks making very
conspicuous patches. They were breeding now as I took the first nest on
May 6th. A couple of days later I took two eggs from one nest and three
from another, all in the same babul tree.
The nest is so flimsy that it takes quite a lot of finding. In that tree
was also a nest of the Large Grey Babbler containing eggs. There appear-
ed to be several other Red Turtle Doves nests without eggs in this tree and
they were evidently not deterred by my attentions as I took yet another
ne.=t on 17th June from this same tree.
This babul tree was evidently particularly popular with this species — it
was not far from where 1 had seen so many of them — as I only found one or
two other nests, in difl'erent trees, towards the end of Jime.
The place where I noticed these birds so numerous, was a spot I often
visited while out nest huntingso presumably they were not all breeding in the
neighbourhood at that time an any rate.
LucKNOw, loth August 1919. G. O. ALLEN, i.c.s.
No. XII.— ACCIDENTS TO VULTURES.
In Vol. 13 (1861) of the Ibis, Capt. Irby has recorded an instance of an
Indian Long-billed Vulture {Gyps indicus) being caught inside a horse's
belly. An interesting accident was described to me in August 1915 (I did
not witness it myself) shortly after it had been observed.
A moribund ox was lying by the side of the Chakrata road in Dehra Dun.
Vultures were hard at it and had picked out its eyes. One had evi-
dently gone for the tongue and to do so had put its head right inside the
ox's mouth. As an expiring effort or by some involuntary muscular
contraction the mouth had closed tightly over the vulture's head the bird
helplessly flapping its wings in its eSbrts to extricate it. The other vultures
evidently realizing something was wrong held oft".
LucKNOW, 10^^ August 1919. G. O. ALLEN, i.c.s.
No. XIII.— HOVERING HABIT OF THE SPOTTED OWLET
{ATHENE BRAHMA).
Is it a common habit with ^4 Mene brahma to hover ? I happen to have
twice noticed it. The first occasion was in February 1917 at Jaunpur when
this little owl at dusk flew out from a tree and several times hovered for
some considerable time over a barley field in difl'erent places. I saw
exactly the same thing at Pinjaur in November 1918.
G. O. ALLEN, I.c.s.
LucKNOw, \Qth August 1919,
20
1046 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
No. XIV.— A 17 SCALE KRAIT (BUNGARUS CAERULEUS)
FROM BANGALORE.
I have just examined a very unusual specimen of the common krait. It is
a juvenile example measuring 1 foot 8j inches. Tail 2^ inches. In this
the scale rows instead of coming to 15 at or near the neck, remain 17 (or
16) for llf inches behind the snout. I have carefully studied the lepi-
dosis and find on the left side there are 8 rows of costals below the verte-
bral, until a point 11| inches from the snout. Here the 4th and 5th rows
above the ventrals fuse and become 7 to the vent. At points 3|, 5f, and
6| inches from the snout the 3rd and 4th, or 4th and 5th rows above the
ventrals fuse, reducing the count to 7, but at each spot 3 scales later the
4th row subdivides to re-establish 8 rows. On the right side the costals
are 8 to llf inches behind the snout. At this point they become 7 by a
fusion of the 4th and 5th rows above the ventrals and remain so to the
vent. At points 4, 7\ and 11^ inches from the snout by a similar fusion
the rows come to 7, but 3 scales later by a division of the 4th row, 8 costals
are re-established. In this Journal (Vol. XXII, p. 402) I remarked upon
two kraits from Jhelum, and Sholapur which I considered of the species
caeruleus, and which showed a similar unusual departure from the
normal. In both of these there were 17 scale rows in the entire body
length. It occasionally happens that one sees an individual with a scale in
the vertebral row here and there divided so as to bring the count to 17 at
this particular spot. Prater has recorded such an example in this Journal
recently (Vol. XXVI, p. 684). This aberration however is a very different
one from that in which the costals exhibit a supernumerary row.
The specimen I have just remarked upon has the vertebrals as broad as
in normal 15 scale kraits, and appears by colouration, and other features to
be a caeruleus, and not a sindanus.
The arguments in favour of uniting caerulew, and sindanus under the
former title, are becoming steadily more forcible.
F. WALL,
LlEUT.-CoLONEL, I. M.S.
Bangalore, 1st August 1919.
No. XV.— EARLY OCCURRENCE OF THE PAINTED LADY ( VANESSA
CARDUI, L.J IN THE DARBHANGA DISTRICT, BEHAR.
While going round my work this morning I saw a Painted Lady
(F. cardui L.). It settled about a couple of feet in front of me, and then
flew off for a short distance, settling again. I again went up to within
a couple of feetof itto make sure of its identity. This species is not uncom-
mon here from the beginning of March to the first few days of April. I have
got specimens from the first of the former month up to the 4th of the
latter one, but they seem commonest after the middle of March. I
have not seen them here at any other time.
CHAS. M. INGLIS, m.b.o.u.
Baghownie Fty., Laheria Sarai,
\itn October 1919.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 1047
No. XVI.— _\ CURIOUS METHOD OF FEEDING NOTED IN
DANAIS LIMN I ACE, Oram.
Late in May last a large swarm of Danais limniace, Cram., was found in
the compound of our Laboratory in Bangalore on the numerous Crotolaria
striata plants — with which a good portion of the Laboratory compound is
covered. Each tender and succulent pod of the plants had not less than
two or three butterflies oo it. The insects were found very busy scratching
up the surface of the pods with the claAvs of their middle pair of legs in a
steady and persistent manner, the tip of the uncoiled proboscis following
the scratched portions at the same time and sucking up the juice oozinr
out of the small wound. When a group of butterflies on a plant was dis-
turbed they scattered away and soon after another group of them was
found to settle on the plant and get very busy at the sa.Tie work. After
a group of butterflies were at a set of pods for about five minutes the sur-
face of the pods was found to be scratched in patches. Except teak
(Tectona grandis) no other plant or weed was found to be in blossom in or
around the Laboratory compound. A few stragglers of Euploea core, Cram,
were also found amidst the swarm of D. limniace feeding in a similar manner.
'&
T. V. SUBRAHMANIAM,
Junior Assistant Entomologist,
Department of Agriculture,
Bangalore,
Sth August 1919.
No, XVII.— NOTES FROM THE ORIENTAL SPORTING MAGAZINE,
JUNE 1828 TO JUNE 1833.
At page 311 of Volume XXVI, the writer expressed a hope to be able to
collate some further notes from old sporting magazines, and is now able to
furnish a few notes on the Old Series of the " Oriental Sporting Magazine."
Pig Sticking : At page 12 of the Magazine for June 1828 is the epic
poem " The Next Grey Boar we See," and in the October number for 1830 is
published the well known song " Saddle Spur and Spear," the author
being " S. Y, S.".
In the same number the contributor of the doings of the Sholapur H nn
says that when at Deesa he killed the largest hog he had ever seen : 6 feet
1 inch long : tushes 10 inches.
This record gives a length longer by seven inches than any recorded at
page 740 of Volume XXV of our Journal. It is unfortunate that the
weight is not stated.
In March 1918 Major Gordon, r.h.a., speared a boar at Abu Jisra on the
Diala IJiver, which measured 38 inches at the withers and weighed 267 lbs.
Had this animal been killed earlier in the year the weight would have
been quite 300 lbs. : a monster indeed. I have no note of this length so a
comparison with the Deesa boar is not possible.
Doings of the Ahmednugger Hunt and Tent Club are contributed to the
1829 issue, 18 hogs having been speared in the Godavery River direction
between 23rd September and 8th October 1828.
Flint V. Percussion. In the October number of 1828 "Percussion" writes
from Bombay under date 25th May to persuade those sportsmen still
using '' the good old flint lock " from ignorance or in a spirit of contradic-
tion to discard it for a percussion lock.
1048 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL MIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
Big Jumps. In the same issue is an extract from an English newspaper,
the " Observer " of March •24th, 18-28, which states that " a horse, the
property of Captain O'Hanlon, whilst galloping the other day, m the vicinity
of Cheltenham, covered, in a single bound, the enormous distance of thirty-
live feet and a half."
Bears. In August 1830 the Magazine reproduces a Review, from the
•' London Literary Gazette," of the Field Sports of the North of Europe :
1827-28 by L. Lloyd, Esquire.
The Review is a lengthy one and many anecdotes are given as to bears
of Scandinavia which, in the words of the Reviewer, " though doubtless
founded on fact are occasionally, perhaps, a little embellished."
Of the " embellished " description is " a bear has been seen walking on
his hinder feet along a small tree that stretched across a river, bearing a
dead horse in his fore paws ! " Readers can visualize the perform-
ance.
Of the " founded on fact " kind the maltreatment of an old soldier by
an enraged bruin is of interest with reference to a similar occurrence
related in our journal as having happened to a native near Mount Abu in
Rajputana (Volume XXIV, page 354).
The old soldier who was so sadly mauled in 1790, was knocked over by
the bear which seized him with his teeth by the back of the head as
he was lying face downwards. The beast tore off the whole of his scalp
from the nape of the neck upwards so that it merely hung to the fore-
head by a strip of skin which was severed by the surgeon who dressed the
wound.
The scalp is described, when separated from the head, exactly resem-
bling a peruke ! It is not related whether the man recovered from this
injury, but probably he did, as it is quaintly recorded that " having no hair
he was unable to comply with the Regulations which required it to be worn
in a certain form and so was discharged from the army ! "
Bustard. A " Lover of all Sports " writes from Ahmednugger on 1st
August 1829 to say that between 1809 when he killed his first bustard at
83 paces with No. 5 shot using a double barrel gun by H. Nock, and date
of writing, he has bagged 961 bustard. He gives the weight of cock birds
as varying from 18 to 32 lbs. and a few ounces, and of hens as from 8 lbs.
to 15 lbs.
Sixteen years ago the present writer saw and shot bustard in the
Hyderabad territory north of the Godavery River.
Riddles. In 1831, "J. G." propounds the riddle " why are snipes like the
Bombay hawkers " and tells us as the answer " Because they are Chorers
with long bills."
Tiger shooting. '■ Nimrod in the East ", writing in July 1831, relates the
doings of his party shooting in Khandeish. The bag for the period 7th
April to 20th May was 46 tigers, 9 bears, 1 cheeta. Four elephants were used.
Sportsmen who know the Tapti River country will be interested to see the
names of the various places at which sport was then obtained ; Shoda ;
Sultanpur ; Perkassa ; Tulloda ; Bamungaum ; Pimpalnair ; Moolleir. 25
tigers and 4 bears were killed between 8th and 28th April inclusive.
A Tiger " Basket.^' A sporting contributor writing from Dharwar on 10th
January 1832, describes the use of " a tiger basket," when following up a
wounded beast. He describes the basket as being, perhaps, the best sub-
stitute for an elephant. It was about seven feet high, and large enough to
hold three people comfortably, and made of bamboos so strong as to resist
the charge of a tiger.
On the occasion in question the writer relates that he pitched his tiger
basket fifteen yards from the bush in which the wounded animal lay, but
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
1049
the beast went out the other side and gave no opportunity,
for him that he was fortunate not to be charged before he
" basket."
We may say
into his
got
Bareilly, 21th August 1919,
R. W. BURTON, Lt.-Col.,
Indian Army.
No. XVllI.— AN ANOMALY IN FLORAL BIOLOGY.
In Papilionaceous flowers as a rule the standard (or vexillum) which
is the largest petal is towards the posterior side and stands upwards, tha
two wings (alfe) are laterally situated and the keel petals (carina) which
enclose the stamens and the pistil are directed downwards. The wings
afford the landing place for the insects which get dusted with pollen on
their ventral side or abdomen. In the following cases, however, the
flowers become completely reversed so that the standard instead of the
wings and the keel is brought down and forms the platform for ths
pollinating insect. The wings and keel petals on the other hand are car-
ried up along with the enclosed stamens and the pistil, and insects will
therefore receive the pollen on their back and not on their abdomen.
I. Canavcdia nisiformis, DC.
(The Sword Bean).
The flowers are confined to the terminal portion of the raceme and by
their own weight bring down this portion of the inflorescence which thereby
resembles an inverted candelabrum. When the raceme thus hangs down
the flowers also are completely inverted and the above mentioned anomaly
results. When it does not droop, as it sometimes happens when it is
small or few flowered, the inversion is brought about in another way.
The posterior two-lobed portion of the calyx together with the adjoining
standard petal is heavier than the rest of the flower and is consequently
pulled down by gravity helped by a slight torsion on the part of the
pedicel. The flowers are also negatively gentropic so that those that are
placed below when the inflorescence is horizontal are raised up in order
to be exposed to light. This is very evident even in the bud stage.
It IS interesting to note that the corolla changes its colour later in the
day from pink to light purple, a signal to keep oft' insects, when no longer
required. At the same time the standard approaches the tip of the keel
and closes the entrance. Self-pollination is certain as the anthers and
stigma mature at the same time, but I have also noticed flowers wherein the
stigma projects beyond the level of the anthers. These must necessarily
be cross-pollinated.
Among insect visitors I have observed the Carpenter bee. But the
flowers are always infested with the large black ants.
Clitoria ternatea, L.
In this casG the inflorescence is axillary and suigle [lowered and the
flower leans on its heaviest side borne by the short pliant pedicel. The
standard is the largest petal and the wings and keel are much reduced.
In one flower that I examined the standard weighed, 26S gm. whereas
the wings and the keel together with the stamens and the pistil weighed
1050 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
only "099 gm. The inversion therefore is clearly due to one-side weight.
The flowers open from 5 to 10 a.m.,* and are visited by the common butter-
flies.
A similar peculiarity in floral biology has been recordedf for a species
of Erythrina, viz., in E. crista galli a Brazilian species where the flower is
said to be twisted through 180° (supination) so as to bring the standard
downwards which affords the landing place for visitors.
n.
Pollination in Erythrina indica, Lamk.
According to Scott-Elliot| the flowers of Erythrina caffra (S. Africa) are
ornithophilous, but the birds get dusted with pollen on their breasts.
This observer also studied the arrang'irnenfc in E. indica in Mauritius and
says it is the same as in E. caffra. 1 am able to confirm this by my own
observation in the Agricultural College, Botanical Garden, in February last.
In this species which is common in S. India the wing and keel petals ara
much reduced and form a kind of cup in which the nectar is stored. The
standard is large and bright, scarlet in colour but does not provide
the platform for visitors. The flowers are densely and spirally arranged
on the axes which radiate horizontally from the ends of branches. The
stamens and pistil diverge from the standard and the stigma abruptly
bends towards the standard. Scot-Elliot§ wrongly savs it is below the
anthers. It is on the other hand projected a little forward.
Between 8 and 9 in the morning I have seen crows making a prolonged
stay in the branches and drinking nectar freely from the flowers. Fine
little birds with long beaks and yellow breasts (?) which I have often
observed in Morinya and Adhatoda are also constant visitors. These hop
along the peduncle and thrust their beaks between the keel and the
staminal column and drink the sweet juice. It is also a pleasing sight to
see squirrels gently walk along the peduncle and taste the nectar. The
plant really trades on very liberal terms with these creatures. To my
great surprise I was able to draw 1^ C.C. of the nectar from 30 flowers.
This comes to 5 C.C. per 100 !
P. S. JIVANNA RAO, m.a.
Lawley Road, P.O., Coimbatobe,
7th August 1919.
* C. E. C. Fischer in Bomb. Nat. Hist. Journ. Vol., XVII, p. 405.
t Knufch, Hanibook of Flower Pollination, Vol. 11, p. 338.
X Aanals of Botany, Vol. IV, p. 263.
§ Ibid.
1051
H
yj
O
O
CO
O
co
I
<
H
<
>-
<
OQ
o
QQ
CO
'>3
.—I
CO
o
CO
EX
C<3
o
CO
o
04
«
Oi
CO
P4
o osco trt -^ 1
C3
CO
CiWOOcoC^lOC^OOOeOGCOCOO
o t- woo ,
o^ot-co
o O CM C3 a>
C3 CO lO 1
05
OS 00 5^»
S^ 1
1
03
o
o
c3
-3 OT _ ho
c8 3) c3 C
3j
O c3
FQ "
a ^3
» -a o
t^ ^ o "
H rt o <
S *!
r a^
s 2.2
s -"^
MO
g a'-'
K r-M
s —
T^ °
^ a
CO
2ja
M « CD
M
S SpS
60
3
bo "
a a.
a) o „ - - , , .. ^
„ d a
o c8 a
6
S
per
a S
P 0)
CJ
II
t:^ -* -^
01 ed cR
a) o g
2 " a
"i: — ^
2a5^
p<
ca'
05
oooot^ooooo
OOOCO«OJOOOOO
iOO^COt^-^OiO"^iO
,-H TP -^ t* lO
OO
(M CO
r-l
lO CTi
O 00
o
c^
CJ
00^000O0t-<00
0<»«-C0 CO Oi^OW
C3 ^ lO to i-H **
-• o
1-5
M
B
H
f-l
t— t
^
rO
W
o
O
o
o
0
(>
a
o
a
05 O
o
a
O
^.4 a>
rt o
Qj a
-ara
O CO
"_--!,
.3
3
s^s5--S
H fH ^^
1-1
Tl
fl
- - -
" 73*
a
o
a
rt
<B
1
1
IS
►3
3
a
a
>
o
c3
a
o
n
J3
a
a
ca .
. .M ^ .
0)
-— en
ja o;
• a.o.s
nf^ca^
<U ;: K
=" a a,
-d o:
ag
Sj 01
03
1 2 a)
ra 0)1-5 CC
o -
a ca 03
J3 (B.r
^ ^ r^ ■-
:SJ
■S 3 to
3 t> a;
oHta
o ; -
is a
CO O -_ oi
bo (D rj ho
2 - is i:
- S o s
t^ o- o
ca c*< a)
iOW - 2
^ . r^ a
o o 5 2
::+3 +3 tT. a
>•
o
>
o
tt)
c3
o
1052 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI.
a
o
o
oo
g
so
to
T— I
CO
o
■♦O
/— <
«
s
s
^
i
OS
OT
d
a»
J5
ra
m
«
05
CO
OO
o
o o
o
Pt
o o
o
oo
o
c3
oo
o
o o
o
Oo
oo
s
to
•
CO o"
-*
o o
U5 O"
CO
•-I
•-H r-)
zn
03
CD
P4
r3
c3
O
.a .
^^^ .
t^ o ™
°g^ ■
=3 rt» S •
•- g r;
a "'^
o
.'A
5 >,
M 3 M
^ "^ o
CO Tt< *^
a
a
s
a -
o
4H O
o CQ
tn
P4
P4
CO
oaocococo«5-*<cc.o
•
•
13
. jp ...... .
c3
•M
S:
s
o
• '3 • :
cf-<
•5
<u -S
B
Ah
1—1
60
13
O
m
fl • • • • :S o
P " • • • EC o
O CD O O to
o
g lI tn 43 t3 CD 1-4
u
0 7 m m !U !h ,.
P5
Cost of Spirit rec
Expenses recov
Donations ..
Registration Fe
Sundries
Interest of Inve
„ on Fix
» ,, Cui
,, „ Wai
0.----.,.-r.
s
CO
5.,
M
9
CO
u^
PH
CI
o
o
H-t
n
J3
* ^
-o
O
O
o
'3 :=!
o c3
V3
■a 52
■" 1=1
5 a
O IX!
ID
< s
Jj
so
5.*
S i
I— I '4i
I— I ^v,
h4 !^
1— t
05
IN
03
10o3
UJ
O
O
CO
>-
oc
O
CO
<
a:
3
<
>-
<
CO
O
CO
X)
Si
CO
C"S
O
o
o
<1
-o
-1
GO
0000
O 71 o o
O O -J 5D ff»
O O r-l 30 CO
O ifl — i
= 1-1 "»
a.
H
O
n
a
=3
-1 P
6C
a ><
o «
(u a c
iH ca a
P3
O (X
fl art
™» flj 'J
o CQ''-«
o ajS
rrt O on
S ° S
-u'O —
5 «
^ ^ a
3 Wo
"52
o " ;<
® n
." a;* J3
-^ Q, en
a
C5
ti o i>
CO »-
o o
.- o '
MM
o a
O CIS
♦^ -w l-i^
»*-i **-* T"
o aj o 03
5000
J a a a
J oj rt c5
WWW
3)
0
0
0
c<i
CT
M
0
0
0
0
a
o
0
,-,
■M
^
CO
00
•0
0
•-<
—
0
0
,_,
la
^
M
«o
t^
00
i-H
-1*
r-4
K
0
•-I
a,
I— I
H
O
M
0:
S5
O
•A
o
ca
a
o
03
60
^ H
O
O
w
03
00
es
*-»
o
Pi
o
o
W
m ^
O
a.
o
Q
o "
n
=, B4 -a
so ti
a £
o
a
s
o
M
a
«
n
a
SQ
BQ
^ a)
I ^
21
2
o
3
o
>»
-UJ
0
0
w
0
-J
■s
I-H
^
("S
>
Vj.
0
<l
CO
-J
^1
C
ii
£
K
•
5^
-*3
rt!
^
•
c
•^
53
f--.
'/■'
ce
35
I
-la
-*
S3
o
10r)4
PROCEEDINGS
OF A MEETING HELD ON 20th AUGUST 1919.
A meeting of members of the Bombay Natural History Society took i)Iace
on Wednesday, the 20th August 1919. The election of the following
13 new members since the last meeting was announced : —
Major G. 0. Campbell, Meerut : Mrs. E. H. A. Nicolas, Barabanki ; Major
H. R. Lawrence, I. A., Hyderabad, Deccan ; Mr. B. 0. A. Allen, Calcutta ;
Capt. J. H.Boag, M.C., Ti.A.M.C, Jhansi ; Mr. F. Thomas, Bombay ; Dr. C.
L. Digby Roberts, Kalimpong ; Mr. E. W. Butler, Dooars ; Mrs. W. Priestley,
Bombay; Mr. A. A. Phillips, I.S.R., Mianwali, Punjab ; Dr. Ida Colthurst,.
Calcutta ; Capt. M. S. Harvey Jones, Mhow ; and Capt. J. S. McLellan,
Poona.
The following contributions to the Museum were received since the last
meeting : —
Contribution.
Locality.
Donor.
1 Maccelland's Coral Snake,
Major R. CoUis Hal-
Callophis macclellandi.
lowes, R.A.M.C.
1 Shaw's StriatedAVolf Snake, )
Lycodon striatus.
1 The Common Krait, Bu7i- C
gurus caeruleus. '
Gonda, U. P. ..
F. Field.
23 Birds ^
1 Levantine Viper, Vipera
libetina.
1 Speckled-bellied Racer or \-
Mesopotamia
Major W, M. Logan
Dhaman, Zamenis ventri-
Home.
maculatus. J
1 Muf. famulus . .
Ootacamund
Capt. P. H. Gosse.
2 Indian Black Buck, Antelope
Dhar, C. I.
H. H. The Maharaja
cervieapra.
of Dhar.
18 Birds "j
17 Lizards . . . . . . V
Baudar-i-gaz, near
Capt.C.M.Ingoldby.
12 Snakes . . . . . . j
Caspian Province.
1 Tortoise (alive) . . . ^
1 Glass Snake-Lizard, Opki- r
saurus apus. J
Menjil, N. Persia.
D...
1 Burmese Slow-Loris, Nyctice-
Bassein. Burma . .
bus coucang.
8 Arabian Fruit Bats, Eovsetfus
Karachi . .
Capt. C. B. Tice-
arabica.
hurst.
1 Snake . .
Aleppo . .
Major A. L. Mac-
kenzie.
2 Skulls of Persian Gazelle, . .
Sheik-Saad
Rev. Wormald.
Gazella subgutturosa.
4 Tortoises, Bellia crassicollis,
Near Bangkok.
Dr. Malcolm Smith.
Testudo elongata, Geomyda
Hills near Chum-
grandis, H. annandalei .
poru, Siam.
PROCEEDINGS.
105--i
Contribution.
LocaUty.
Donor.
1
4 Snakes, 2 T. nuchalis, 1,1
Eastern Bronze-back,
Thandaung Hills,
Dendrophis pictus, 1
Toungoo District.
Banded Wolf Snake,
and
Lycodon faciatus. \
Dr. H. H. Marshall.
1 Worm j
Hlaw-ga, Burma,
1 Scorpion . . . . . . |
Rangoon.
1 Pigmy Shrew . . . . J
1 Hodgson's Tree Mouse,")
Vajideluria dumeticola, |
with four young. ^•
I^agrispiir, Dar-
Mr. 0. Lindgren.
1 Hodgson's Grey-bellied Rat, |
jeeling.
Rattus nitidus. J
1 Skin of Puff-adder ..
East Africa
Major K. G. Ghar-
1 Pallas' Squirrel, Callosciu- ^
purey .
rus erythraeus. \
1 Bamboo-Rat, Rhizomys pru- (
Manipur . .
Mr. J. P. Mills,
I.C.S.
mosus. . J
1 Large-Spotted Viper, Lache-
Leboui;, Darjee-
Mr. P. C. Lentoii . .
sis monticola.
ling.
1 Southern Grackle (alive),
Purchased
Mr. T. Davis, I.C.S.
Eulabes reliyiosa.
1 Zamenis, 1 Contia and 1 Li-
Qizil Robat, Meso-
Lt.-Col. H. D.Peile.
zard.
potamia
1 Javelin ^aiuAhoa,, Eryxjaculus.
Mesopotamia
Mr. FitzGerald.
4 Jungle Squirrels, Fimambulus
Trevandrum
Trevandrum Muse-
tristriatus.
um .
1 Malayan Dwarf Snake, ^
Calamaria pavimentata. |
1 Striped-bellied Keel-tail,
T raehischium monticola.
1 Striped Kukri Snake, Simo-
tis cychirus.
1 Himalayan Bush Snake, '
Tropidonotus himalayanus.
Tura. Assam.
Mrs. V. E. Jackson.
1 The Common Green Viper,
Lachesis f/ramineus.
1 Glass Snake Lizard, Ophi-
saurus gracilis (head only).
5 Lantern flies. J 1
58 Birds, 2 Gerbilles . . ]
4 Eggs of White Stork Cico- \
(
Major R. E. Ghees-
nia alba. \
)
man.
6 „ of Magpie Pica rus- )■
Mesopotamia . . )
Major Genl. Sir
tica.
(
Percy Cox.
3 „ of Collared Pratincole
Gla revla pra tincola . )
1 Royal Snake, Zamenis diade-
Jodhpur
Mrs. C. Patterson.
ma, 1
Minor contributions from : — Maharaj Kumar Vijayaraju of Cutch,
Mr. L. Newcome, Col. Mereweather, Major H. Brown, Mr. T. H. Cameron,
and Mr. N. B. Kinnear.
A paper on " The Power of Scent in Wild Animals, " by E. C. Stuart
Baker was read and then the meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the
various contributors.
\
•i^SIf
i0mbaj) Itatxttal pistorg S^ridg*
OFFICE-BEARERS, LIFE MEMBERS, AND MEMBERS
ON 1st FEBRUARY 1920.
LIST OF OFFICE-BEARERS.
president,
H. E. The Right Honourable Sir George Lloyd, g.c.i.k., d.s.o.
t)ice*ipresi&ents.
Mr. J. D. Inverarity, B.A., ll.b. f The Hon'ble Sir Norman
I Macleod.
H. H. Sir Shri Kengurji Sawai Bahadur, G.C.S.i., G.C.i.E.,
the Maharao of Cutch.
Ibon. Secretaries.
Mr. W. S. Millard.
Mr. R. A. Spence.
Ibon. XTreasurer.
Mr. H. F. Lodge.
(Acting) Mr. R. C Lowndes.
1bon. BDitors.
Mr. W. S. Millard.
Mr. R. A. Spence. | Mr. N. B. Kinneir, m.b.o.u.
/iDanaGiiiG Committee.
Mr. T. Bainbrigge Fletcher, f.b.s.
Mr. T. R. Bell, c.i.e., i.f.s. (Reld.)
Rev. E. Blatter, s.J.
Mr. E. Comber, f.z.s.
Lt.-Col. G. H. Evans, c.i.e., f.l.s.
Lt.-Col. W. H. Evans, r.e.
Major M. L. Ferrar, i.a.
Major F. C. Eraser, i.m.s.
Prof. V. N. Hate.
Lt.-Col. J. E. B. Hotson, i.a.r.o.
i.cs.
Mr. C. M. Inglis.
Lt.-Col. W. G. Listen, c.i.e., i.m.s.
Mr. F. Ludlow, i.e.s.
Mr. F. M. Mackwood.
The Hon'ble Mr. H. P. W.
Macnaghteu.
The Hon'ble Mr. P. J. Mead,
C.I.E., I.C.S.
Mr. P. M. D. Sanderson.
Lt.-Col. F. Wall, C.M.G., C.M.Z.S.,
i.m.s.
Mr. John Wallace, c.e.
§0mba;g Natural Pistorg Sncietn,
LIST OF MEMBERS.
LIFE MEMBERS.
Aga Khan, H. H. Aga Sultan Mahomed Shaha
(g. C.S.I.) ... ... ... ... Bombay.
Alwar, H. H. the Maharaja Sawai Jey Singh
Bahadoor (k.c.s.i., k.c.t.e.)... ... ... Alwar.
Baker, E. 0. Stuart (f.z.s., M.b.O.U.) ... ... Europe.
Balkrishna Venayek Wassoodew (b.a.) ... Bombay,
Baroda, The Curator, State Museum ... ... Baroda.
Baroda, H. H. the Maharaja Sir Sayaji Rao
(g.C.s.I.), Gaekwar of ... ... ...Baroda.
Barton, B. L. ... ... ... ... Europe.
Barwani, Capt. H. H. Rana Ranjit Singh, k.C.s.i. Barwani, C.I.
Beale, H. F. .. ... ... .. Europe.
Bhurie Singh, H. H. Sir (k.c.s>.i., c.i.b.) ... Ciiamba.
Bikaneer, H. H. Colonel Sir Gunga Singh (g.C.S.i.,
G.C.I.B.), Maharaja of ... ... ... Bikaneer.
Bridgeman, The Hon'ble Lt.-Col. H. G. 0.
(R.F.A.) ... ... ... ... Europe.
Barder, H. C, ... ... ... ... Europe.
Bate, The Most Hon'ble The Marquis of ... Europe.
Caccia, A. M. (i.f.s.) ... . .,. ... Europe,
Cassamalli Jairajbhoy Peerbhoy ... ... Bombay.
Clarke, L. 0. fi.c.s.) ... ... ... Dibrugarh.
Coltart, Dr. H- N. ... ... ... Europe.
Cooch Behar, Maharaj Kumar Victor N. Narayan. Cooch Behar.
Coode, J. M. ... ... ... ... Lahore.
Cowie, Rev. A. G. G. ... ... ... Rawai Pindi.
Craw, H. H. (i.c.s.) ... ... .. Rangoon.
Currimbhoy Ebrahim, Sir, Bart. ... ... Bombay.
Cursetji, Khan Bahadoor C. M. ... ... Bombay.
Cutch, H. H. Sir Shri Kengurji Sawai Bahadoor
(G.C.I.B., G.C.s.I.), Maharao Saheb of... ... Cutch.
Davidson, Lt.-Col. J, (i.m.s., d.s.o.) ... ... Dehra Dun.
Dawson, W. H. (i.c.s.) ... ... ... Eiirope.
Dhar, H. H. Maharaja of Tk-CS.!.) ... ... Dhar.
Dhrangadhra H. H. Ghanshyam Siiihji, Rajah
Saheb of ... ... ... ... Kathiawar.
Dhunjibhoy Bomanji ... ... ... Bombay.
Drake- Brockman, Lt.-Col. H. E. (i.m.s., f.z.s.) ... Bombay.
Duxbury, Major C. L). ... ... ... Ambala.
English, E. E. ... ... .. ... Europe,
Foulkes, Lt.-Col. T. H. (i.m.s.) ... ...Aden.
LIST OF LIFE MEMBERS, xly
Gammie, Professor G. A. ... ... ... Kirkee.
Goosalves, A. F. ... ... ... ... Bandra.
Hide, P. ... ... ... ... ... Europe.
Hill, Major R. D. 0. ... ... ... Europe.
Holkar, H. H. the Maharaja Tukuji Rao ... Indore.
Husbands, Lt. H. W. S. (m.c, a.bi.i.c.e.) ... Europe.
Hyam, Judah (g.b.v.c, f.z.s.) ... ... Pusa, Bengal,
Ichalkaranji, The Hon'ble Meherban Narayenrao
Govind, alias Babasaheb Ghorpade, Chief of .. Kolbapur.
Idar, Maharaj Kumar Major Dowlatsingh, a.d.c... Idar.
Inglis, C. M. ... ... ... ... Laheria-Sarai,P.O.
Darbhanga.
Inverarity, J. D. (b.a., ll.b.) ... ,,. ... Europe.
Ivens, J. H. ... ,,. ... ... Europe.
Jamkhandi, Shrimant Parashram Ramchandra
Patwardhaii, The Chief of ... ... Kolhapur.
Janjira, H. H. Sir Sidi Ahmed Khau, Nawab of ... Janjira.
Jind,H. H. The Maharaja Sir Ranbir Singh (K.c.s.i.,
C4.C.I.E.) ... ... ... ... Jind, Punjab.
Kagal, Meherban Piraji Rao Bapoo Sahob Ghote,
Chief of ... ... ... ... Kagal, S. M. G.
Khan, Muucherji Framji ... ... ... Bombay.
Kolhapur, H. H. Sir Shahu Chhatrapati, The
Maharaja of (g.c.s.i., g.c.v.o., g.c.le.) ... Kolhapur.
Kotah, H. H. Sir Umed Sing Bahadoor (k.c.s.i.,
G.C.S.I.), the Maharaja of ... ... ... Kotah.
Lamb, Sir Richard (i.c.s., k.c.s.i., c.le.) ... Europe.
Lee, D. H. ... ... ... ... Europe.
Long, G. R, (i.F.s.) ... ... ... Rangoon.
Manavadar, Khan Shree Fatehdin Khan, Chief of... Kathiawar.
Mandlik, Narayan Vishvanath ... ...Bombay.
Marshall, Arch. McL. ... ... ... Europe.
Marshall, J. McL. ... ... ... Europe.
Martin, Col. Gerald... ... ... ... Europe.
Millard, W. S. (F.z.s.) ... ... ... Bombay.
Mills, Major J. D. ... ... ... ... Europe.
Miraj, Shrimant Gungadharrao Ganesh, a/ias Baba-
saheb Patwardhan, Chief of ... ... Miraj.
Monteath, G. (i.c.s.) ... ... ... Jalgaon.
Morris, Lt.-Col. D. 0. ... ,,. ... Saugor, C. P.
Mosse, Major A. H. E. (la.) ... ... . . Kathiawar.
Murland, Major H. F. ... ... .. Europe,
xlvi
LIST OF LIFE MEMBERS.
Mysore, H. H. Krishna Raj Woodayar Bahadoor
(g.c.s.i.)? the Maharaja of .,,.
Naraenji Dwarkadas
Narotum Morarji Goculdas ..
Nowanagar, H. H. The Jam Saheb
Nurse, Lieut.-Ool. C. G. (f.b.s.)
Ogilvie, G. H. (i.f.s.)
Olivier, Col. H. D. (r.e., F.z.e.,
Patiala, H. H. the Maharaja of
Pestonji Jivanji (N.c.s.)
Petit, DhuDJibhoy Bomanji ...
Petit, Jehangir Bomanji
Phipson, H. M. (f.z.s.)
Poncins, Viscount Edmond de
Rae, Major M. E. ...
Raven shaw, Col. C. W.
Roberts, Lieut.-Col. M. B. (o.b.e.)
Ross, Major Tyrell ...
Roumania, H. R. H. Carol Crown Prince of
... Mysore.
... Bomba}'.
... Bombay.
... Jamnagar.
... Europe.
... Europe,
... Europe,
... Patiala.
... Hyderabad, Deccan,
... Bombay.
... Bombay.
... Europe.
... Europe.
... Bushire.
... Europe.
... Gortivval, U. P.
... Europe.
... Europe.
Sangli, Sbrimant Chintamanrao Appasaheb Pat-
wardhan, Chief of Sangli
..Sangli, S. M. C.
Scindia, H. H. The Maharaja, Sir Madhowrao
(g.c.s.i., G.c.v.o.)... ... ... ... Gvvalior.
Seton-Karr, Capt. H. W. ... ... ... Europe.
Smith, H. C. ... ... ... ... Rangoon.
Spence, R. A. ... ... ... ... Bombay.
Spooner, T. J. (c.E.) ... ... ... Gadag.
Standen, B. (c.I.e., i.c.S.) ... ... .. Pachn7arhi, C. P.
Tata, Sir Dorabji J. ... ... ... Bombay.
Tehri, Garhwal State, H. H. Raja Narendra Shah
Sahib Bahadur of Tehri ... ... ... Ajmer.
Tejpal, Goverdhundas Goculdas ... ... Andheri.
Tilly, T. H. ... ... ... ... British Columbia.
Travancore, H. H. the Maharaja Sir Sultan Rama
Raja Bahadoor (g.C.S.I., G.C.i.e.)
Vaughan, W. (f.e.S.)
Venning, Lt.-Col. F. E. W.
Venour, Lt.-Col. W. E.
Walker, Roland
Whistler, Hugh ...
Wroughton, R. C. (f.z.s.)
Yerhnry, Col. J. W,
... Trivandrum.
... Europe.
... Europe,
... Kohat.
... Bombay,
... Dharmasala.
... Europe.
,,. Europe.
LIST OF MEMBERS,
xlvii
MEMBERS-
Abbott, R. G.
Abrabam, E. F. (i.c.s.)
Abraham, K. C. ...
Abu, High School, The Head Master ...
Acland, Rev. R. D. .,.
Acott, A. S. V. (i.c.s.)
Acworth, E. G. B. ... ... ,,.
Adam, J. B. Mercer (i.f.s.) ...
Adam, C. G. (i.c.s.)
Adams, G. G.
Addington, Capt. the Hon'ble R. A. ...
Addyman, J.
Anvani, M. S. (c.s.)
Afsur-iil-mulk Bahadur Lt.-Col. Sir, a.d.c,
K.C.I.E., M.V.O.
Aga Khan, His Highness Aga Sultan Mahomed
Shah [Life Member)
Aga Shah Rook Shah
Agharker, Shankar Purshotum
Ahlquist, Dr. Jonas, m.d., d.t.m.
Aiusworth, Lt.-Ool. H. (i.m.s., m. b., f.r.c.s.)
£\. i\.\X ^ tJ • m •• ••• ■•• ■«« •••
Aitchison, D. A. D.
Aitchison, P. E. (i.f.s.)
Aitken, Lt.-Col. A. B. (m.c.)...
Aitken, C li;. .•« ... ... ...
Aiyar, T. V. Ramkrishna
Ajrekar, S. L., b.a.
Akalkot, Raja Fatesingrao ...
Ali Rajpur, C.I., Raja Pratap Singh (c.i.E.)
All, Salim A.
Allahabad Public Library, The Secretary
Allan, 0. W. (i.f.s.)
Allen, B. C. A.
Allen, G. 0. (i.c.s.j
Alwar, H. H. Maharaja Sawai Jaisingh Bahadur,
K.C.S.I., K.C.i.E. {Life Memher)
Amar Singh, Capt. Kumar ...
American Museum of Natural History, The
Librarian
Amman, A. C.
Anderson, Major F.
Anderson-Morshead, Capt. R. Y.
Andrew, G. P. (i.c.s.)
Andrews, E. A.
Europe.
Europe,
Kuala Lumper.
Mount Abu.
Bramhapuri.
Nawabshah, Sind.
Bombay.
Minbu.
Bombay.
Bombay.
Poena.
Dadar, Bombay.
Broach.
Hyderabad, Deccan.
Bombay.
Poena.
Europe.
Assam .
Europe.
Nilgiris.
Matlras.
Karachi.
Baghdad.
Bushire.
Coimbalore.
Poona.
Akalkot.
Ali Rajpur.
Tavoy.
Allahabad.
England.
Calcutta.
Gangapur City.
Fyzabad.
Alwar, Rajputuna.
Jaipur.
Neio York.
Champaran.
Siam.
England.
Meiktila.
Assam.
xlviii
LIST OF MEMBERS.
AndreweSjH. Leslie
Augelo, Capt. N. L.
Annandale, Dr. N. (D, Sc.) ...
Annesley, F. C.
Anstead, R. D. (b.a.)
Antram, Chas. B. (f.e.s.)
Arbuthnot, Major P. B. (i.A.)
Archbald, W.
Armstrong, Capt. J. S. (r.a.M.C.)
Armstrong, R. S. ...
Arnould, F. G.
Arthur, Capt. D. (i.M.s.)
Arthur, Major E. J.
Arthur Library, The Honorary Secretary
Arundel-Barker, Mrs. M. C...
Ashton, A.(b.a.) ...
Ash, H. D.
Ashe, 2nd-Lt.:W. St. G.
Aspinal, L. E.
Aspinwal], J. E.
Atlay, F.
Atkinson, G. R.
Austin, W.Y
Australian Museum, The Secretary
Backhouse, Rev. B. H.
Bacon, A. L.
Bagnall, Major R. ...
Bailey, Lt.-Uol. F, M. (c.i k.)
Baini Parshad (M.Sc.)
Baker, E. C. Stuart (f.z.s.) {Life Member)
Baker, P. M. (b.sc, a.i\i.i.m.e., a.m.i.e.e.)
Bakewell, F. W.
Bale, Sons & Danielsson, Ld., Messrs. John
Balkrishna Venay<'k Wassoodew (b.a.)
Member)
-ijall, xl, i , a,, ... ...
Ballantine, W. J. H. ... ,
Balston, Lt.-Col. G. R., r.h.a.
Banatvala, Hon'ble Col. H. E. (i.M.s., c.s.i.)
Bandanvvara, Thakur Rameshwer Singh
Bannerji, Girindra Ch. (b.a.)...
Bannerman, Surgeon-General W. B. (u.s.i., K
M.D.,D.8C., I.M.s.), Retd. ...
B^pat, S. K.
Barbour, Major J. H. (r.a.M.C.)
Bare, Dr. D. L., d.d.s.
Baria, Maharaja Ranjitsinghjee, of
... Africa.
... Rangoon.
... Europe.
... Bombay.
... Coimbatore,
... Calcutta.
... Deolali.
... Rangoon.
... England.
... Ceylon.
... Europe.
... Bombay.
... Bombay.
... Castle Rock.
... Lansdowne.
... Bombay,
... Bombay
... Moran, P. 0.
... Rangoon.
... Bombay.
... Mogok, Burma,
... Bombay.
... Poena.
... Sydney.
... England.
... England.
... Bombay.
... Europe.
... Calcutta.
... Europe.
... Europe.
... Colombo.
... Europe.
{Life
... Bombay.
... Ajmere, C. I.
... Shillong.
... Bombay.
.., Delhi.
... Ajmer.
... Simultala, Bihar
.H.P.,
... Europe.
.. Europe.
... Europe.
... Calcutta.
... Baria.
LIST OF MEMBERS.
xlix
Bailee, K. W. (i.c.s.)
Barnes, B. D.
Barnes, H. C. (i.c.s.)
Barnett, W. G. ... ...
Baroda, H. H. the Maharaja Sir Sayaji flao
Gaekwar of (g.c.s.i.) {Life Member) ...
Baroda Museum, The Curator
Barr, Lt.-Col. J. H. V.
Barr, Mrs. A. D.
Barrington, A. H. M. (a.C.f.)
Barron, P. A. R. ...
Barrow, Col. H. J. Waller (r.a.m.c.)
Barter, E. G. (i.c.s.)
Barton, C. o. ..• ... ...
Q'jixion,^. h. {Life Member)..,
Barwani, Capt.H.H. Rana Ranjit Singh (k.c.s.i.).
Basil- fid wardes, S.
Baskerville, H. D. (i.c.s.)
Batten, Dr. C. A. Cliiford
Battiscombe, E.
Battye, Major W. R.(l.M.s.) .,.
Baumbach, R.
Baxter, N. B.
Bayley, Sir Chas. (i.c.s., k.c.s.i., i.s.o.)...
Beadnell, (/. B. ... ...
Beadon, W. R. 0. (f.g.s.)
Beagle, Atkins W. G.
Beale, H. F. (^Life Member) ...
Beamish, H. E. ... ... .«
Beatty, Lt, A. P. ...
Beazley, Capt. W. E.
Beckett, James
Beebe, C. William
Beechey, A. St. V. (i.f.s.)
Beeson, C. F.
Beg, Nawab Nazir Jung Bahadur Mirza Nazir
Begbie, Lt.-Col. A. S.
Bell, Dr. L. H. I. ... •••..,. •••...
Bell, R. D. (CLE., I.c.s.)
Bell, T. R. (C.I.E., I.F.S.)
Bellairs, Major R. G. (o.b.b.)
Bennett, H. C. (i.f.s.)
Benson, J. J. B. ...
Benson, Capt. C. E. (a.d.c.)...
Benson, Major R. L.
Berlie, Dr. H. C. ...
Bernhardt, K.
7
Bombay.
England,
London.
Bombay.
Baroda.
Baroda.
Via Seistan,
Etirape.
Rangoon.
Lakon Lam pang,
Slam.
Eut^ope.
Mandapam.
Rangoon.
Europe.
Barwani, C. L
Delhi.
London.
Mussoorie.
Nairobi.
Europe.
Ootacamund.
Mirpurkhas, Sind.
Eiu'ope.
Bellary.
Rangoon.
SadiyaP.O., Assam.
Europe.
Rangoon.
Jullunder.
Europe.
Anantpur.
America.
Jubbulpore, C. P.
Dehra Dun.
Hyderabad, Deccan.
Europe.
Europe.
Bombay.
Karwar.
Almora, U. P.
Mercara.
Bel gaum.
Bombay.
London.
London.
Europe.
LIST OF MEMBERS.
Best, The Hon'ble James W. (i.F.s., o.b.e.)
Betham, Brig.-Genl. R. M. ...
Betterton, F. A.
Betts, Major A. J. V. (i.M.s.)
Beynon, F. C. ... ... ...
Bharatpur, H. H. Maharaja Kishen Singh
Bharda, J. D. ... ... -
Bhatavadekar, Sir Bhalchandra Krishna, Kt. ...
Bhatia, G. R.
Bhurie Singh, H. H. Sir (k.o.s.l, c.i.e.) {Life
Member) ... ... ... ... Chamba.
Biddulph, Lieut.-Col. S. F. (la.) ... ... Neemuoh.
Biggie, H. W. ... ... ... ... Shillong.
Bignell, Capt. G. N. ... ... ... Bombay.
Bignell, Capt. E. G., r.g.a..,. ... ... Aden.
Bikanir, H. H. Col. the Maharaja Sir Gunga
Berar.
London.
Calcutta.
Europe,
Kasauli.
Bharalpur.
Bombay.
Bombay.
Dehra Dun, U. P.
Singh of (g.c.s.i., g.c.i.e.) [Life Member)
Billimoria, N. M,
Binning, D. B.
Binny, Capt. A. C. M.
Birch, C. V,
Birch, G.
Bird, Rev. A. F. R.
Bird, B. H. (i.o.s.)
Birkett, Lady
Bishop, L.
Bisset, Major E. (i.M.a.)
Blackie, Capt. F. B.
Blair, Capt. D. P. (r.a.m.c.)...
Blandy, Major R. (m.c.)
Blanford, H. R. (i.F.s.)
Blathwayt, C. H. ( l.c.s.) ...
Blatter, Rev. E., s.j. ... ...-
Bloech, E. 0.
Blunt, H. R.
Boag, G. T. (l.c.s.)
Boag, Capt. J. H. (m.c, r.a.m.c.)
Boalth, V. H.
Bodding, Rev. P. 0.
Boles, Capt. D. C. ... ...
Bolitho, Capt. E. W. (r.f.a.)
Bolster, R. C. (l.c.s.)
Bombay Government, The Chief Secretary,
Separate Department ... ... ... Bombay.
Bombay Veterinary College, The Principal ... Bombay.
Bomford, Capt. T. L. (i.M.S.) ... ... Calcutta.
Booth, Capt. C. H. B. (r.a.m.c.) ... ... Bombay.
Bootbby, Lt. R. E. ... .., ... England.
Bikanir,
Cutch-Bhuj.
Bombay.
Europe.
London.
Karachi.
Nandyal, R. S.
Rawalpindi.
Europe.
Koomtai, P. 0.
Jullundur.
Calcutta.
Europe.
Bo 112 bay.
England.
London.
Bombay.
Rangoon.
Srinagar.
... Madras.
... Jhausi, U. P
... Lahore.
... Dumka.
... Europe.
... Bombay.
... Delhi.
LIST OF MEMBERS,
Botham, A. W. (i.c.s., c.i.B.)...
Bowen, Lt.-Col. A. W. N. (r.a.m.c.) ...
Bowen, J. C. G. ... ...
Boweu, Major J. P. (r.e.) ...
Boxwell, F.
Boyd, Major J. E. M. (r.a.m.c.)
Bracken, G. T. H. (i.c.s.)
Bradfield, Major E. W. C. (i.m.s.)
Bradley, J. W.
Bradshaw, J. P. ... ...
Braham, N. C.
Bramley, Major P. B. (i.a.r.)
Branford, R.
Brassey, Major L. P. (i.m.s.)...
Breese, Wing Commander Charles (r.a.f.)
Brent, H. A, W. ...
Breslauer, E.
Bridgeman, Lt.-Col., the Hon. H. G. 0.
Brierley, Major VV. E. (i.M.s., f.r.c.s.)
Bringentoff, Ernest A.
Bristow, C. H. (i.c.s.)
Brodie, N. S. (i.c.s.)
Brodrick, Capt. W. L. C.
Brook, Carlton P. ...
Brook-Fox, E.
Brooke, A. F.
Brooke, Capt. A. S.
Brooke, R. H. ... ... ..,
Brooke-Smith, Lt.-Col. H. ...
Brooker, J. Gorton
Brooks, Major Allen (d.s.o.) ...
Broucke, P.
Broughton, Lt.-Col. T. D. (r.b., a.o.r.e.)
Brown, A. G.
Brown, C. J.
Brown, Capt. D. G.
Brown, Goroge.
Brown, Lt.-Col. H. R. (i.m.s.)
Brown, Capt. L. N. (i.c.s.) ...
Brown, Prof. R. S. C. (b.s.c.)...
Browne, Major C. H.
Browne, D. R. H. ...
Browne, E. G.
Browning, Lt. C. S.
Brunlees, Capt. L. H.
Buckweli, B. E.
Budden, Major J. A.
Bulkley, W. W. ...
Bullock, Capt. H. (la.)
li
... Shillong.
... Ahinednagar.
... Bombay.
.., Bombay.
... Europe.
... Europe.
... Coconada.
... London.
... Bessein, Burma.
... Bombay.
... Ban Nar Raheng.
... Busra.
... Hissar.
... Europe.
... Simla.
... Europe,
... Bombay.
... Europe.
.. Bombay.
... Esthonia.
... Jalgaon.
... Europe,
... Bangalore.
... Singapore.
.. Poona.
... Europe.
.,. Europe,
... Bombay.
... Bombay.
... Mirpurkhas.
... Canada.
... Bagaha, P. 0.
... Nilgiris.
... Mai P. 0.
... Lucknow.
... London.
... Ceylon.
... Poona.
... Basra,
... Poona.
... Madras.
... P. Gulf.
... Fatehgarh, U. P.
... Europe.
... Mesopotamia.
... Rangoon.
... Europe.
,,. England.
.. Bombay.
lii
LIST OF ME3IBERS.
Burd, Major E. (i.A.)
Burder, H. C. {Life Member).,.
Burke, E. P.
Burke, Major R. C.
Burkill, I. H. (m.a.)
Burma Educational Syndicate, The Registrar
Burma Forest School, The Director
Burn, J. G. (l.c.s.) ...
Burnett, Prof. K. ... ... ... ..;
Burns, C L. c.* ... «■• ...
Burton, Brig.-Genl. R. G. ...
Burton, Lt.-Col. Richard W.
Bury, Lt.-Ool. Charles H. ...
Busher, R. C. ...
Bute, The Most Hon'ble Marquis of {Life Member).
Butler, A. L.
Butler, E. W.
Butler, F. G. (i.c.s.)
Butler, Lt.'Col. H. M.
Butler, Lt. S. G. (i.a.k.o.) ... ..; •
Byculla Club, The Hony. Secretary
Byrne, Major E. G. J.
Shwebo, Burma.
Europe.
Dilburgarh.
Kathiawar.
Singapore.
Rangoon.
Pyinmana, U. B.
Europe.
Europe.
Bombay.
Europe.
BareiUy, U. P.
Europe.
Naini Tal.
Eitrope.
Europe.
Matelli, P. 0.
Vizag.
Europe.
Shillong.
Bombay.
Nowshera,
Caccia, Major A. M. {Life Member) ... ... Europe,
Cadell, Hon'ble Mr. P. R. (i.c.s., c.i.E.) ... Bombay.
Calcutta, Hony. Secretary, Zoological Gardens ... Calcutta.
Caldwell, John ... ... ... ... Calcutta.
Cambridge University Museum of Zoology, The
Superintendent
Cameron, D.
Cameron, I. M.
Cameron, Thos. H.
Campbell, A. N.
Campbell, A. S.
Campbell, Major G. C.
Campbell, R. G
Campbell, Major T. A.
Campbell, W. E. M, (i.c.s.) ...
Canning College, The Professor of Biology
Canning, Fred. (i.F.S.)
Capper, Lt.-Col. A. Stewart (d.s.o.) ...
Capper, Brigadier-Genl. W. ...
Carmiohael, The Hon'ble Sir G. (i.c.s., k.c.s.i. )... England
Garmichael, Lord (G.C.I.B., K.c.M.G.) ... ... Europe.
Carmichael Medical College, The Principal ... Calcutta,
Carter, Major H. St. M. ... ... ... Simla.
Carter Lt.-Col. J. F. C. (i.A.) ... ... Europe,
Carson, A. de C. ... .. ,, ..o Kandy.
... Europe.
... Europe,
... Rajabhatkhawa
... Kottayam.
... Bombay.
... Surat.
... Europe.
... Europe.
... Europe.
... Aligarh.
... Lucknow.
... Naini Tal.
... Guna, G.l
... Europe.
LIST OF MEMBERS.
liii
Casling, Dr. P. V. (i.m.d., d.g.m.c.)
Cassamali Jairajbhoy Peerbhoy {Life Member) '-f.
Cassell, R. H.
Cater, A. N. L. (i.o.s.)
Cattell, J. G.
Cavanaoh, B. F.
Cave, W. A.
Central India Agency Office, The Residency
Central Research Institute, The Director
Centr;il College, The Principal
Chamier, Capt. R. 0.
Champion, H. G. (i.f.s.)
Channer, Major B. G.
Chanter, E. D.
Chappie, E. ... ;..
Chaston, Chas. S. ...
Chatfield, H. S. (b.a., Bar.-at-Law)
Chaudhuri, B. L. (b.a., b.sc.)
Cheema, Ganda Sing (m.S.c.)
Cheesman, Major R. E.
Cheyne, G. C.
Christopher, S. A. (Bar.-at-Law)
Clark, A. J. (i.o.s.)
Clarke, A. M.
Clarke, L. 0. (r.c.s.) (Life Member)
Clayton, Major E. F.
Clayton, F.
Clerk, F. V.
Clifford, M. W. (I.F.S.)
Clifford, Lt.-Col. R.
Clift, F. A. ...
Clogstoun, H. S. (r.f.c.)
Club of Western India, Poona, The Hon'ble Secy. Poona.
... Peshawar.
... Bombay.
... Moniarah.
... Delhi.
... Europe.
... Europe.
... Europe.
... Indore, C. I.
... Kasauli, Punjab.
... Bangalore.
... Ambala.
... Almora, U. P.
... Bombay.
... Delhi.
... Rangoon.
... Calcutta.
.-.. Bombay.
... Calcutta.
... Lahore.
... Baghdad.
... England.
... Rangoon.
... Europe.
... Bombay.
... Imphal, Assam.
... Europe,
... Patna.
... Htawgan,U.Burma
... Naini Tal.
... London.
... Taungy.
... Europe.
Clutterbuck, P. H. (i.E-.s., f.z.s., c.r.B.)...
Coates, C. F.
Coates, Major V. ..,
Coats, Capt. D. H. (r.a.m.c.) ...
Cochin, The Diwan of ,.
Cochrane, R, A.
Cockburn, E. D. ...
Coen, W. W.
Coghill, Lt.-Col. N. S. (i.A.)
Coggan, H. D.
Coggin-Brown, John (m.sc, f.g.s.)
Coimbatore, Librarian, Agricultural College
Research Institute
Colam, H. N.
Coldstream, J. (i.c.s.)
Dehra Dun.
... Europe.
... Jhansi.
... Simla.
... Trichoor.
... Mogok.
... Europe.
... Hubli, S. M. Ry.
... Palanpur.
... Kamptee, C. P,
... Europe.
and
... Coimbatore.
... Europe,
... Delhi.
liv
LIST OF MEMBERS.
Coldstream, Major J. C. (i.A.)
Collins, M. V. H. ...
Colombo Museum, The Librarian
Coltart, Dr. H. N. {Life Member)
Colthurst, Dr. Ida .,.
Colvin, Major E. J. D. (i.A.) ...
Colvin, Miss B.
Comber, Edward (f.z.S.)
Conder, J. M. (l.c.s.)
Condon, E. C. H. (m.a.t., a.m.i.c.e., m.a.)
Congreve, C R. T. ...
Conley, Andrew
Connor, Lt.-Col. F. P. (f.r.c.s., i.m.s., d.s.o.) ...
Conservator of Forests, N. C. Division...
Cooch Behar, Maharaj Kumar Victor N. Narayan.
Coode, J. M. {Life Member) ...
Cook, Chas.
Cook, J. Pemberton
Cooke, E. Bernard...
Cooper, Capt. D. G. (l.M.s.) ... — •••
Cooper, G. E. R.
Cooper, H. L.
Cooper, H. R. (b.sc, f.c.s.) ...
Cooper, T. ... ..* ••• •••
Copley, H. B.
Copley, Hugh n ... ••• •••
Corbett, G. L. (i.c.s.)
Corbett, R. H. ... ... ••• •••
Cosens, Major F. R,
Cosens, Lieut. G. P.
Courthope, E. A. (i.F.s.)
Covernton, S. H. (i.c.s.)
Cowie, Rev. A. G. G. [Life Member) ...
Cox, C. E. C. (f.z.S., i.f.s.) ...
Cox. H. R. ..V
Cox, Lt.-Genl. Sir Percy Z. (g.c.i.e., k.c.s.i.,
K.C.M.G.. F.Z.S., F.R.G.S., K.C.I.E.)
Craw, H. H. {Life Member) (i.o.s.)
Crawford, F. L.
Crawford, Leslie ... ... .«
Crawford, W. M. (i.c.s.)
Crerar, J. (i.c.s., c.i.e.)
Crompton, Capt. J. ...
Cross, R. G.
Crosfchwaite, B. M. > ...^'^
Croathwaite, Major C. G. (i.A.)
Cruick shank. Major J. E.
Cubitt, G. E. S. (i.f.s.)
Simla.
Europe.
Colombo.
Europe.
Calcutta.
Indore.
London.
Bombay.
Bassein.
Bombay.
Coimbatore.
Jamaica.
Calcutta.
Jubbulpore, C. P.
Cooch Behar.
Europe.
Europe.
Africa.
Bombay.
Bombay.
Almora.
Calcutta.
Cinnamara, P. 0.
Mhow.
Kotah.
Nagpur.
Saugor, C. P.
Papun, Burma.
Delhi.
Sudan.
Europe.
London.
Rawalpindi.
Dehra Dun, U. P.
Nowshera.
Baghdad.
Rangoon.
Raipur.
Bombay.
Belfast.
Bombay.
Bannu.
Europe.
Europe.
Europe.
Dehra Dun.
Kuala Lumpur.
LIST OF MEMBERS. Iv
CufFe, Lady 0. T. W. ... ... ... Maymyo.
Culbortson, J. M. S. (a.M.i.c.e.) ... ...Karachi.
Cull, B. N. ... ... ... ... Calcutta.
Cunningham, Lt.-Col, A. H. (r.b.) .^. ... Roorkee.
Cunningham, C. F. ... ... ... Bombay.
Curran, Capt. W. J. ... ... ... Europe,
Currey, E. S. ... ... ... ... Europe.
Currie, A. J. ... ... ... ... Sbiraz.
Currie, M. M. L. (i.c.s.) ... ... ... Gujaranwala.
Ourrimbhoy Ebrahim, Sir, Bart. ... . ... Bombay.
Curror, John ... ... ... ... Karimpore.
Curry, J. C. ... ... ... ... Europe.
Cursatji, Khan Bahadur C. M. {Life Member) .,. Bombay.
Cutch, H. H. Sir Shri Kengurji Sawai Bahadoor,
the Maharao Saheb of (a.o.i.E., g.c.s.I.) {Life
Member) ... ... ... ... Bhuj, Cutch.
Cuvelier, E. D. A. ... ... .., ... Europe.
D'Adhemar, Raymond W. ... ... ... Bandikui.
D'Almeida, J. F. K. (b.a.,b,sc.) ... ... Bandra.
Dacca Museum, Superintendent, Natural History
Section... ... ... ... ... Dacca.
Daintith, E. (i.a.r.) ... ... ... Ahmednagar.
Daly, Col. Sir Hugh (k.c.s.i., o.s.i., k.c.i.b.) ... Europe.
Damania, Govind P. ... ... ... Versowa.
Daniel, Capt. C. J.... ... ... ... Europe.
Danson, J. W. W. ... .,• .,. Europe.
Darjeeling Gymkhana Club, The Secretary ... Darjeeling.
Darjeeling, The Vice-President, Natural History
Museum ... ... ... ... Darjeeling.
Dart, G. Wesch^ ... ... ... ... Bombay.
Datia, H. H. the Maharaja Lokendra Govind
Singh, Bahadur ... ... ... ...Datia, C. I.
Datta, Dr. D. N. P. (m.d.) ... ... ... Hoshiarpur.
Daukes, Major C. T. ... ... ... Bombay.
Davey, G. H. ,,. ... ... ... Alleppey.
Davidson, H. M. M. ... ... ... Behali P.O., Assam,
Davidson, J. ... ... ... ... Europe.
Davidson, Lt.-Col. 0. (i.M.s., d.s.o.) {Life Member) Bombay.
Davies, W. .. ... ... ... Poona.
Davis, G. (i.c.s.) ... ... ... ... Bombay.
Davison, A. ... .. ... ... Jubbalpore, C P.
Dawes, Lt.-Col. C. D. (i.M.s.) ... ... Bombay.
Dawkins, C. G. E. (i.f.s.) ... ... ... Katha, U. Burma.
Dawson, H. ... ... ... ... Chittoor.
Dawson, W. G. (f.e.s.) ... ... ... Europe.
Dawson, W. U. (^i.c.s.) {Life Member),,. ... Europe.
D'Cruz, A. M. ... ... ... ... BomlDay.
IVl
LIST OF MEMBERS.
Calcutta.
Peshawar.
Calcutta.
Kheri, U. P'.
Lucknow.
Europe,
Medan, Sumatra,
Bombay,
Mesopotamia.
Bombay.
Deakiu, Mrs. M. E.
Deaa, Edwoin
Deane, N. B.
De Carteret, St. G.
De Gruyther, T.
De Rhe-Philipe, G. W. V. (f.b.s.)
De Zwart, W.
Delany, M. F.
Delmege, C. H. (r.e.)
Delme-Raddiffe, Major A. ...
Delm6 Radcliffe, Lt.-Col. H. (f.z.s., f,e.g.s,,
M.B.o.U.) ... ... ... ... Europe.
Deputy Director of Agriculture, Burma ... Mandalay.
Deshmukh, C. D. (i.c.s.) ... ... ... Amraoti.
Dew, The Hou'ble Lt.-Col. A. B. (c.s.i., c.i.e.) ... Quetta.
Dewar, D. (i.c.s.) ... ... ... .-• Ranchi.
Dewes, Lt.-Col. F. J. (i.m.s.)... ... ... Rangoon.
Dhar, H. H. The Raja of (k.c.s.i.) {Life
Member) ... ... ... ... ... Dhar, C. 1.
Dharamdas Tribhuvandas Varjivandas ... ... Bombay.
Dholpur State, The Maharaj Rana Udaibhan
Saheb Bahadur, Dholpur .„
Dhrangadhra, H. IL Ghanshyam Sinhji
Dhunjibhoy Bomanji {Life Member) ...
Dibell, Miss Mabel E.
Dickson, Brigadier-General E.
Dickson, Major H. R. P. (ci.E.)
Director of Agriculture, Bombay ...
Director of Agriculture, F. M. S.
Director of Agriculture, Mesopotamia ...
Director of Industry, Bombay
Dixit, D. L. (b.a.) ...
Dobbs, J. G.
Dobbs, W. E. J. (i.c.s.)
Dodgson, Major R. C. (r.f.a.)
Dods, Capt. E. R. S. (i.A.) ...
Dods, W. K.
Donald, C. H.
Donaldson, A. E. ...
Donaldson, R.
Donovan, Lt.-Col. C. (l.M.s.)...
Douglas, Col. A. P. (r.a.) ...
Douglas, Wm. ... ... ,„
Dover, C.
Dow, H. (i.o.s.)
Dow Hill Training College, The Principal
Downing, A. K. Weld
Dowson, E. C.
... Rajputana.
... Kathiawar.
... Bombay.
... Madras.
... Europe.
... Bahrain.
... Poona.
... Kuala Lumpur.
... Mesopotamia.
... Bombay.
... Poona.
... Raichur.
... Simla.
... Europe.
... Bombay.
... Calcutta.
... Dharmsala.
... Rangoon.
... Ajmer.
... Europe,
... Simla.
... Suffry, P. 0.
... Calcutta.
... Europe.
... Kurseong.
... Coonoor, Niigiris-
... Ceylon.
LIST OF MEMBERS.
Wii
Dracott, C. H. ,,.
Drake- Brockman, Major D. H.
Drake-Brockman, D. L. (i.o.s.)
Drake-Brockman, Lt.-Col. H. E. (i.m.s.,
[Life Member) o..
Drummond, Oapt. J. G. P.
Drummond, J. R. (b.a., f.l.s.)
Drummond-Hay, H. M.
Drury, B. W. ... ... ;..
Drury, J. (m.a.)
DuBoulay, The Hon'ble Sir James (i.c.s., K
Dubash, K. D.
Duckworth, G. P. ...
DufF, A. C. (i.c.s.) ...
Duke, A. H. ... ... ...
Duke, J. A.
Dumayne, Sir Frederick
Dunbar-Brander, A. A. (l.F.s., o.b.e.) ...
Dunkley, E. J. ... ...
Dunn, 0. W. (i.o.s.)
Dunn, Col. H. N. (a.m.s.)
Dunsterville, Col. K. S. (r.a.)... ,...
Duxbury, B. H.
Duxbury, Major C. D. {Life Member) ...
Dwane, E. H.
Dwane, F. C. ... ... ...
Dwane, H. M.
Dwane, Lt.-Col. J. W.
Dyson, Col, T. E. (i.m.s.)
Ebden, Capt. J. W.
Eocles, P. (i.c.s.) ...
Economic Botanist to Government,
Edge, Mrs. K. C. ...
Edwards, Capt. F. H.
Effendi, Prince A. R. Shahzada
Elgee, Lt.-CoI. J. W. L.
Elliott, A. (c.i.E.) ...
Elliott, J. ... ...
Elliott, R. E. A. (i.c.s.)
Ellis, R. H. (i.o.s.) ...
Ellis, S. F.
Elmore, A. E.
Elwes, H. J. (f.r.s.)
Emblen, H. ... <..
English, E. E.
Erb, E. ... ... ...
8
U. P.
... Jamshedpur.
... Lansdowne, Garh-
wal, U. P.
...Jodhpur, U. P.
F.Z.S.)
... Europe.
... Manzai.
... Europe.
... Ceylon.
... Chanda, C. P.
... Pachgani.
.C.i.E,). Simla.
... Bombay.
... Poona.
... Europe,
... Siam.
... Seoni-Chappara.
... Europe.
... Khandwa, C. P.
... Yenangyonng.
... Maymyo.
... Bangalore Brigade
... Europe,
... Bombay,
... Simla.
... Europe.
... Ballarpur.
... Madras.
... Europe,
... Europe.
... Mesopotamia.
... Bombay.
... Cawnpore.
^,. England,
... Bombay.
... Kothi.
.. Europe.
... Europe,
... Europe.
... Bijapur.
... Mangalore.
... England,
... Tharrawaddy.
... Europe,
... Europe t
... Europe.
... Bombay.
1 viii
LIST OF MEMBERS.
Erskine, J.
Evans, Geoffrey (b.a., CI.e.) ...
Evans, Col. G. H. (I.cv.d., f.l.s., c.i.e.)
Evans, R., Dn. B. ...
Evans, T. M.
Evans, Capt. J. W. D.
Evans, Lt.-Col. W. H. (r.e.)... ...
Evershed, John
Ewing Christian College, The Professor,
ment of Biology
Fairbank, Rev. H. ...
Faith, IS. W.
Farley, T.
Farr, B. T. C.
Farrell, R. C, (i.F.S.)
Farrington, Sir H. A., Bart, (i.f.s.)
Fawcett, E. B.
Fawcus, L. R. (i.c.s.)
Favrer, Lt.-Col. F. D. S. (i.m.s.)
Fell, Hon'ble Sir Godfrey (u.i.e., i.c.s.)
Fellowes, Kyrle
Fellowes-Manson, Lt. C. E. ...
Fenton, Col. L. L. (i.A.)
Fenton, Capt. L. S. (i.A.)
Fernandes, B. A. ...
Femandes, J.
Ferrar, Major M. L. (i.A.,, O.B.B.)
Field, Frank
Field, Capt. F. M. S.
Field, G. G. ... ••• ...
Field, W. P.
Finlay, Sir C. Kirkman
Firth, Lt.-Col.R. A.
Fischer, C. E. C. (i.f.s.)
Fitz-Gerald, Major A.
Fitz-Gibbon, Lt. F. (r.a.)
Fitzpatrick, Capt. G. V.
Fleming, Lt.-Col. A. M. (i.M.s.)
Fleming, E. W.
Fletcher, Capt. A. B.
Fletcher, T.Bainbrigge (f.e.S.)
J^letcher, G. G.
Florence, James ... .«
Flower, Capt. S. S.
Flynn, A.'A. (c.M.z.s.)
Forbes, Alister
Forest Botanist, Forest Research Institute
... Nilgiri.
... Europe.
... Rangoon.
... Baghdad.
... Bombay.
... Meerut.
... Rangoon,
... Kodnikanal.
Depart-
... Allahabad.
... Ahmednagar.
.. Bombay,
... Darrang.
... Qnilon.
... Hyderabad, Dn.
... Darjeeling.
... Europe,
... Calcutta.
... Bombay.
... Delhi.
... Europe.
... Mandalay.
... Europe.
... Mesopotamia.
... Bandra.
..* Nagpur.
... Lahore.
... Gonda, U. P.
,,, Calcutta.
... Port Blair.
... Jalpaiguri.
... Europe.
... Nowshera.
... Coimbacore.
... Bombay.
... Africa.
... Mesopotainia.
... Bombay.
... Myitnge.
... M. E. F.
... Pusa.
... Bombay.
,.. Athestone.
... E^gypt. ^
... Karachi.
... Bombay.
,.. Dehra Dun.
LIST OF MEMBERS.
lix
Forsham, R. ...
Forster, T. W. (b.f.s.)
Forsyth, Dr. Wm. ...
Forsyth, Dr. C. E. ...
Foster, O. B. ••w>.
Foster, R. Guy
Foster, Major R. T.,..
Foulkes, R.
Foulkes, Lt.-CoL T. H. (i.m.s.) [Life Member)
Fountaine, Miss M. (f.b.s.) ...
Fowke, Philip F. ...
Fowler, Mrs. C. ...
Francis, Lt. H. F. (r.g.a.) ...
Francis, Capt. R. F.
Fraser, Duncan
Fraser, D. de M. S.
Fraser, Major F. 0. (l.M.s., M.D., F.L.B.S.)
Fraser, J. S.
Fraser, The Hon'ble Sir Stuart (i.c.s., c.
Fraser, Major S. G. G.
Fraser, W. S. (0. B.E.)
Frei, Max
French, H. A. L.
Frenchman, D. P. (b.SC.)
Frere, Major A. G.
Friedlander, F. L. ... ... •.-.%
Frizelle, Major J. ... ... .„
.Frohlickj H. ... ...
Fry, John T.
Gaikwad, Slirimant Sampatrao (Bar.-at-Law)
Gairdner, K. G. ... ... ,..
Gales, Sir R. R.
Gammie, Prof. G. A. (Life Member) ...
Garbett, C. 0. (i.O.S.)
Gardyne, Major A. D. G.
Garrett, H. B. G. (i.F.S.)
Garrett, R. S. ... ... .••
Gatherer, Lt.-Col. R. G. T. ...
Gaye, W. C.
Gebbie, F. St. J. (c.i.e.)
Gent, J. R. P. (i.F.s.)
Gervers, Major F. R. S. (r.e., c.i.e.)
Gharpurey, Major K. G. (i.m.s.)
Giberno, ii. B. ... ...
Gibson, Capt. A. B.
Gibson, E. C. (i.c.s.)
... Bom bay -
... Mansi.
... Europe.
... Borjuli, P. 0.
... Europe.
... Sallebile, P. 0.
... Europe.
... Madura.
... Aden.
... California.
... Nuwera Eliya.
... England.
... Rangoon.
... Jullundur.
... Bombay.
... Bombay.
... Mhow
... Madras,
I.E.,
... Europe.
... Muttra.
... Ajmer, Rajputana.
Bombay.
Karachi.
... Bombay.
... Europe.
... Rangoon.
... Campbellpur.
... Bombay.
... Bombay.
... Baroda.
... Rahing.
... Bombay.
... Kirkee.
... Bombay.
... Europe.
... Europe,
...Delhi. ^
... Landi Khana.
... Europe.
... London.
... Calcutta.
.., Bombay.
... Dhulia.
... Europe.
... Bombay.
... Bombay.
LfST OF MEMBERS.
Gibson, B. E. (i.c.s.)
Gibson, Dr. W. R. (f.r.c.s., l.r.cp.) ...
Gilbert, C. C. ,„ ... ..,.
Gilbert, 0. E. L. (i.f.s.)
Gilbert, R. N.
Gilbert, T.
Gilbert-Cooper, W. J. (i.f.s.)
GilchristjG. W.
Grill, H.
Gill, E. H. N ,.
Gilliam, P. 0.
Gillum, Hon'ble Mr. S. J. ...
Gimlette, Lt.-Col. G. H. D. (c.i.E., i.m.s.)
Gimson, C. (t.c.s.) ...
Girard, George
Gladstone, Capt. H. S. (f.z.s., f.r.s.e.)...
Glascock, L. 0. (m.v.o.)
Glasson, J. W. (i.c.s.)
Glazebrook, E. K....
Gleadow, F. (f.r.m.s.)
Glennie, Capt. E. A. (d.s.o.,r.e.)
Godding, Capt. H. C. (r.a.m.o.)
Godfrey, E. J. (b.sc.)
Godson, Capt. C. A. (i.m.s.) ...
Goldsmith, Capfc. H. A. (l.A.)
Goldie, Capt. E. A. (m.c.,i.m.s.)
Gombert, Rev. F. (s.j.)
Gomme, David E.
Gondal, Kumari Shri Bakuverba
Gonsalves, A. F. [Life Member)
Gooding, G. C.
Goodfellow, G. W. B
Gordon-Canning, C. J.
Gordon, R. G. (.I.c.s.)
Gore,F.W
Gosse, Dr. P. H. (r.a.m.o.) ...
Go ugh, Lt.-Col. H. (la., CLE.)
Gould, B. J. (i.o.s.)
Graham, A. A.
Graham, A. K.
Graham, L. (lc.s.) ..,
Graham, R. J. D. (m.a.)
Grant, F. A
Gravely, F. H
Greaves, H. R.
Green, E. Ernest (f.e.s.)
Green, E. J. (i.a.r.o.)
Green, Miss L. D. (m.a.)
... Mirpurkhas.
... Madras.
... Europe.
... Nasik.
... Europe.
... Dharwar.
... Europe.
... Europe.
... Cachar.
... Benares, U. P.
... Bagdogra.
... Bombay.
... Evrope.
... Assam.
... Alipur.
... Europe.
... Delhi.
... Madras.
... Rangoon.
... Europe.
... Dehra Dun.
... Mesopotamia.
... Bangkok.
... Europe.
... Bombay.
... Dibrugarh.
,.. Trichinopoly.
... Barkola, P. 0.
... Gondal.
... Bandra.
... Calcutta.
... London.
.,, Europe,
... Alibag.
... Europe.
... Europe.
... Nimach.
... Seistan.
... Mussoorie.
... Bombay.
,., England.
... England.
... Europe.
... Madras.
... Bombay.
... Europe,
... Lahore.
LIST OF MEMBERS.
Izi
Green, S. A. C. (i.c.s.)
Greer, Major F. A.... ... *.*.|
Greer, W. (i.c.s.) ...
Gregory, Major C. ...
Gregson, Major C. D.
Gregson, Lt.-Col. E. G. (c.i.b., c.m.g.).,.
Gregson, T. S.
Grieve, A. N. (i.f.s.)
Griffin, Lt. A. M. (i.a.r.o.) .,. ^
Grigson, P. St. J. B.
Gronvold, H.
Grubbe, Lt.-Gol. E. A.
Gujrat College, The Principal
Gupta, B. Sen
Gupta, Basant Lai (m. sc.) ...
Gwalior State, The Director of Agriculture
Hadden, Capt. D. H. (m.c, r.a.m.c.) ...
Haefliger, 0.
Haffender, E. D. H.
Haigb, P. B. (i.c.s.)
Hailstone, Lt. R. ...
Hall, C.J ;;:
Hallberg, Fred.
Halliday, Lt.-Col. H. M. (la.)- -
Hamber, Lt. L.G. W.
Hamid, A. All
Hamilton, J. D. (b.f.s.)
Hampson, A.
flampson, S.
Hankin, A. C. (c.s.i., c.r.E.) ...
Hanhart, S.
Hannyngton, W. 0.
Harcourt, Lt.-Col. J. S. M. ...
Hare, Major G. A. (r.a.)
Hargreaves, 0. K. (a.c.f.)
Harker, Mrs. E. M.
Harlow, C. M. (i.f.s.) ... l*]
Harper, E. W. (f.z.s., m.b.o.u.)
Harris, D. G.
Harris, Lt.-Col. 0. M. (r.h.a., d.s.o.) ...
Harris, W.
Harrison, A. J.
Harrison, Major C. F.
Harrison, Mrs. H. Z,
Harrison, .J. Stuart
Harrison, R. T. ( a.m. i.e. e.)
Harrold, W. P.
... Shahba.idar.
... Shwebo
... Belgaum.
... Bombay.
... Europe.
... Karachi.
... Bombay.
... Purulia.
... Bangalore.
... Pakokku.
... Europe,
... Europe.
... Ahmedabad.
... Tezpur.
... Dehra Dun.
... Gwalior, C. I.
... Bombay.
... Karachi.
... Henzada, Burma.
... Bombay.
... Bombay.
... Koni, S. I.
.. Bombay.
... Calcutta.
... Dharmsala.
... Nawabshah.
... Theyetmo, Burma.
... Bombay.
... Europe.
... Secunderabad.
.. Bombay.
... Shwebo, Burma.
... Dehra Dun,
... Kirkee.
... Rangoon.
... Nasik.
... Jubbulpore.
... Enaland.
... Ghazipur.
... Europe.
... Gauhati.
... Europe,
... Tavoy.
.. Jodhpur.
... Secunderabad.
... Karachi.
... Abu Road.
Ixii
LIST OF MEMBERS.
Hart, Sir George (c.I.E., K.b.e.)
Harter, R. W.
Hartshorne, J. F. B. ('i.c.s.)
Harvey-Jones, Capt. M. S. ...
Harvey-Kelly, Major 0.
Harvey, Lt.-Col. W. F. (i.M.S.)
Harwood, Capt. G. £j.
Haslam, R. -E. ..• ••• •••
Haslehurt H. M.
Eassells- Yates, Major Gr. A. (r.g.a.) ...
Hasted, H. R» ^ -••
Hastings, J. R- Gf.
Hate, Prof. Vinayek N. (b.Sc.)
Haughton, Major H. L.
Hawes, Capt. A. J. (r.a.m.c.)
Hawes, C. Gr.
Hawkins, T. B.
Hawley, Capt. W. G. B.
Hay, Dr. Alfred
Hay, E. Alan
Hay, E. F. A. (i.f.s.)
Hayes, B. H.
Hayne, Capt. A. R. S.
Headlara, Commr. E. James (R.I.M., c.m.g.,
Heaney, Lt. G. F. (r.e.)
Hearn, Capt. E. b.,.. ... •••
Hearsey, T. N. (t.f.s.)
Heath, R. H.
Hector, G. P. (m. A., B.SC.)
Henderson, Capt. K. D.
Henderson, J. L. ... ... ...
Henderson, lit.-Col. M. ... ...
Henderson, W. L. ... ..<
Herbert, E. G.
Herbert, Capt. V. A. (i.a.r.)
Heron,A. M. (b.s.c, a.m. i.o.b., f.c.s.) ...
Heron, F. A.
Hervey, A. C. C. ... ••• ...
Hervey, C. 0. D. ... •••
Hewson, R. B. ... ... ...
Heyder, Lt. H. M.... ... ...
Hozlett, J. M. ... ... •«*
Hichous, G. W. ... ••• •••
Hickey, B. S. ... ec. «..
Hickman, R. St. J. ...
Hicks, E. ... ... ...
Hickie, W. A.
Hide, P. {Life Member) ,.. ••*
... Europe.
... Bombay.
... Ahmedabad.
... Mhow, C. I.
... Karachi.
... Kasauli.
... Tank.
... Europe.
... Kaira.
... Europe.
... Madras.
... Tavoy.
... Bombay.
... Bombay.
... Ambala.
... Bombay.
... Bombay.
... Quetta.
... Bangalore.
... Europe.
... Rangoon.
... Lucknow.
... Europe.
D.s.o.) Bombay.
... Hoorki.
... Cawnpore.
... Palghat.
... Europe.
... Calcutta.
... Travancore.
... Europe.
... Rangoon.
... London.
... Ramnagar,
..^ Calcutta.
... Bombay.
... Amritsar,
... Trichinopoly.
... Jalna.
... Ambala.
... London.
... Rangoon.
... Champarun.
... Cachar.
... Assam.
... Bengal,
... Indore.
LIST OF MEMBERS,
Ixiii
Higgiubotham, Sam
• ••
... Allahabad.
Higgins, J. C. (i.c.s.)
• 9*
... Nowgong.
Higginson, G. R. ...
• ••
... England.
Higuell, S. R. (i.c.s., c.i.b.) ...
• • •
... Simla.
Hiley, A. C. (i.f.s.)
»••
... East Khandesh.
Hill, H. Brian C. ...
• ••
... U. Assam.
Hill, Hon'ble Sir Claude H. (
I.C.S.,
K.C.S.I.,
C«I«E*i ••• *••
• ••
... Europe.
Hill, Major R. D. 0. {Life Member)
• • •
... Dehra Dun.
Hill, Major C. P
• • •
... Europe.
Kingston, Oapt. R. W. (i.m.s.)
• • •
... Bombay.
Hirst, Dr. L. F.
■ ••
... Colombo.
Histed, S. E.
t ••
... Karachi.
Hitchcock, R. H. ...
• ••
... Calicut.
Hitchct)ck, R. V. ...
• ••
... Shahabad.
Hitchius, C. S.
• •t
...'Drabau.
Hobart, R. C. (i.c.s.)
• ••
... Barabanki.
Hodgins, R. D. Sooble
• ••
... Travancore.
Hodgkins, C. J.
• ••
... Europe.
Hodgson, H. P.
■ ••
... Europe,
Hogan, J. G.
« ••
... Europe.
Holkar, H. H. the Maharaja Tukuji U^o{Life
Member )
• • •
... Indore, C. 1,
Holland, L. B. (i.f.s.)
• ••
... Lahore.
Holmer, Miss M. R. N. (m.a.)
• • •
.... Delhi.
Holmes, H. R.
• «•
... Kamptee, C. P.
Holmes, J. F.
• • •
... Europe.
Hood, A. F.
• • •
... Bombay.
Homfray, Jeston (i.f.s.)
• ••
... Calcutta.
Hoosein Belgrami, The Hon'ble Mr.
Syed Nawab
Imud-ul-Mulk Bahadoor (c.s.i.)
fl ••
... Hyderabad, Deccan
Hope, A. J. R.
• ••
... Simla.
Hopkins, 2nd-Lt. G. H. E. ...
• •<>
... Bombay.
Hop wood, J. C.
• • •
... Rangoon.
Hopwood, S. F. (i.f.s.)
• ••
... Mogok.
Horsf'all, G. L.
• •■
... Europe.
Hosken, Major A. Fayrer
^««
... Bombay.
Hotson, Lt.-Col. J. E. B. (o.b.e., i.c.s
.)
... London.
Howard, W. H. K. (o.b.e.) ...
»••
... Bombay.
Howell, E.B.
• • •
... Shanghai.
Howell, E. Berkley (u.i.e., i.c.s.)
• • •
... Bagdad.
Howell, G. C. L. (i.c.s.)
c • •
... Europe.
Hoyas, Sir Count E. [Life Member)
• • •
... Vienna.
Hudlikar, S. B. (m.a.)
• •4
... Indore.
Hudson, Major C. (d.s.o., i.m.s.)
• ••
... Bombay.
Hudson, L. S.
• • •
... Bombay.
Huggins, J. R*
• ••
... Tanjore.
Hughes, Major J. E.
■ • •
... Bombay.
Ixiv
LIST OF MEMBERS.
Humm, Oapt. P. S.
Humphrys, Major F. H.
Hundley, G.
Hunt, Rear Admiral k. T. (r.n., c.i.b.)
Hunt, Dr. E. H.
Hunt, Lt.-Col. S. (i.M.s.)
Husband, Major J. (l.M.S.) ...
Husbands, Li. H. W. S. (m.c, a.m.i.c.e., s.m.r
Husbands, Capt. G. S. (i.M.s.)
Hutchinson, Lt.-Col. F. H. G. [i.M.s.) ...
Hutchinson, Lt.-Col. L. T. Rose (i.M.s.)
Hutchinson, Major W. G.
Hutchison, L. P. ...
Hutton, C. H.
Hutton, C. I.
Hutton, G. M.
Hutton, J. H.
Hyam, Judah (g.b.v.c, F.z.s.) {Life Member)
Hyderabad, The Librarian, State Library
... Kasauli.
... Europe.
... Mepale.
.. Europe.
.„ Europe.
... Bombay.
... Bombay.
,E.) Europe.
... Europe,
... Delhi.
... London,
... Europe,
... Gonda.
... Europe.
... Europe.
... Mesopotamia.
... Calcutta.
... Pusa, Bengal,
... Hyderabad, Deccan.
Ichalkaranji, The Hon'ble Meherban Narayen
Govind alias Babasaheb Ghorpade, Chief of
{Life Member) ... ..« ... .., Kolhapur.
Idar, Maharaj Kunwar Major Dowlatsing, A.-D.-C.
• ••
(Life Member)
Imperial Library, The Librarian
Inglis, Chas. M. {Life Member)
Inglis, H. A.
Ingoldby, Lt.-Col. C. M. (r.a.m.c.)
Inman, Capt. H. M. (i.M.s.) ...
Inspector of Schools, Surma Valley & Hill
... Mahi Kanta.
... Calcutta.
... Laheria Sarai.
... Anarh Laheria
Serai.
... Bombay.
... Bombay.
Dists. ...
Inverarity, J. D. (b.a., ll.b.) {Life Member)
Ireland, S. G. de C. (i.c.s.) ...
Irvine, Capt. M. L. C. (i.M.s., m.c.)
Irwin, C. J. (I.c.s.)
Irwin, Lt. H. N. (m.c.)
Irwin, Capt. H. R. ...
Ivens, J. H. (p.W.D.) {Life Member)
Iyer, L. A. Krishna (b.a.)
JacksoD, Dr. T. S. .. ...
Jacob, J. R.
Jacob, W. R. LeGrand U.f.s.)
James, Lt.-Col. C. H. (i.m.s.)
James, Major F. H. ... ...
... Cachar, Assam,
... Bombay.
... Sitapur.
... Bombay.
... Europe.
... Singelli.
... Poona.
... Europe,
... Travancore.
... Bombay.
... Bombay.
.,., Assam.
... Delhi.
... Bombay.
LIST OF MEMBETiS.
Ixv
James, Lt. G. P. Lidiard
James, H. M.
Jamkhaudi, Shrimant ParashramRamchandra P;
\vardhan,The Chief of (Z//e Member)
Jamsetji M. Doctor (c.M.z.sJ...
Janjira, H. H. Sir Sidi Ahmed Khan Xawah
(k.c.t.e.), (Life Member) ...
Janson, V. T.
Jardine, AV. E. (i.C.s., c.i.E.)
Jeddere-Fisher, Major H. 0.
Jenkin, R. Trevor (i.F.s.)
Jenkins, J. B.
Jenkins, S. E. F. (i.f.s.)
Jennings, Surgeon-General W. E. (i.m.s.)
JermjTi, Col. T.
Jesse, William (M.A.)
Jind, H. H. The Maharaja Sir Ranbir Singh
(KiCiS.I,, G. C.I. E.J... ... ...
'Johnston, S. E.
Johnstone, iv. Barton
Johorj^, Prof. I. W. (m.a., b.d.)
Jolly, Capt. G. G. (i.m.s.)
Jolly, E.^H. P. (i.c.s.)
Jones, A. E.
Jones, Lt.-Ool. J. Lloyd (i.m.s. retil.) ...
Jones, Lt. W. H. C.
Jouguet, Lt. H.
Jonrdain, Rev. (f.c.r.)
Judge, Capt. C. E. M.
Jukes, J. E. C. (i.c.s.^/
Julius, V. A.
Junaoadh Durl)ar, The Administrator ...
... London.
... Shamshernagar,
it-
... Kolhapur.
... Bombay.
of
... Janjira.
... Bombay.
... G wall or.
... E^irope.
.. Jubbulpore.
... Karachi.
... Pegu.
... Bombay.
... Europe.
... Meerut.
of
... Jind, Punjab.
... Toungoo.
... Mussoorie.
... Indore.
,.. Bombay.
... Bombay.
... Simla.
... Europe.
... Bel gaum.
... Dehra Uun.
... Europe.
... Delhi.
... Simla.
.., Colombo.
... Junaoadh.
Kagal, Meherban Piraji Rao Bapu Saheb Ghoto,
Chief of (L//^ Member)
Karachi, Frere Hall (Municipal) Library
Karachi, Victoria Museum, The Curator
Kashmir, General Raja Hari Sing Saheb Bahadur
Hari Singh, of
Keays, Lt.-Col. R. A*. C.
Keiller, D.
Kelly, Major C R. (r.g.a.) ...
Kemball, Lt.-(!ol. A. G.
Kemball, H. L,
Kemm, A, (i.c.s.)
Kemp, S. W.
Kennion, Lt.-Col.
9
R. L. (f.z.s.,c.i.e.)
Kagal, S. M. C.
Karachi.
Karachi, Sind.
Jamniu.
Madras.
Muktesar.
Europe.
Rawalpindi.
Bombay.
Kurseong.
Calcutta,
Nepal.
Ixvi
LIST OF MEMBERS.
Kenrick, Major W. H. (i.M.s.)
Keppel, Capt. T. R. H.
Kerr, Dr. A. F. G....
Kerr, Nigel
Keys, Lt.-Col. W. D. A. (i.m.s.)
Khan, Muncherji Framji {Life Member)
Khan Saheb Zada Sardar Mahomed
Khareghat, M. P. (i.c.s.)
Kiddle, J. A. C.
Kidner, Major W. E. (r.e.) ...
Kilkelly, Lt.-Col. P. P. (i.m.s.)
Kilner, Dr. J. N. (m.b.)
King, A. W.
King, E. 0.
King, The Hon'hie Mr. R. C. H. Moss (i.c.s., .j.p,.)
Kingston, A. H.
Kinloch, A. M.
Kinloch, A. P.
Kirby, JBrig.-Genl. A. D. (r.a.)
Kirpalani, N. K.
Kirwan, Oupt. Noel G. B.
[vishen Singh, Sirdar
Knaptou, Lt.-Col. Henry A. Forbes (i.m.s.)
Knight, J. B.
Knyvett, Capt. W. A. (i.a.u.o.)
Koechlin, M. C.
Kohiyar, Dr. A, J. ..
Kolhapur, H. H. the Maharaja Sir Shahu Chluitra-
pati (g.c.s.i., G.C.V.O., g.c.i.e.) {Life Member) ...
Kotah, H. H. the Maharaja Sir Umed Sing Baha-
door (k.c.s.i.. g.c.s.i.) {Life Member)...
Kunhardt, Majar J. C. G. (i.m.s.)
Knshal Pal Singh, Hon'ble Raja
Bombay.
Bombay.
Chiengmai .
Portugal.
Europe.
Bombay.
Larkhanu.
Bombay.
Europe.
Europe.
Europe.
Adra-Nagpur.
Europe.
Bangalore.
Nugpur.
Bombay.
Kollenoode.
Kollengoda.
Europe.
Hyderabad.
Europe.
Dharmpur, Simla
Hills.
Ahmednagar.
Poona.
Calcutta.
Ellapatti.
Bombay.
Kolhapur,
Kotah.
Bombay.
Kotla, Agra Dist.
Lace, John H. ^^c.i.E., f.l.s.) ... ... ... Europe,
Lahore, Curator, Central Museum ... ... Lahore.
Lahore Punjab Veterinary College, The Principal.. Lahore.
Lahore, The University of the Punjab ,.. ... Lahore.
Laird-MacGregor, E. G. L. (i.c.S.) ... ... Belgaum.
Lake, Major E. A. W. ... ... .,. Rangoon.
Lamb, tSir Richard (i.c.s., k.c.s.i., c.i.e.)
{hife Member) ... ... ... ... Europe.
Lamb, W. S. .. ... ... ... Rangoon.
Lambert, G. B. (i.o.s.) ... ... ... Lucknow.
Lamjjard, L. A, .. ... ... ... Quilon.
Lane, E....
Kodarma P. O,
LIST OF MEMBERS.
ixvii
JLjiillC'^ XI. 0» *«» ••• ««•
Laue, Lt.-Col. W. H.
Langford, Capt. E. G. (r.f.a.)
Langmore, G. H. ...
Lanktree, Capt. H. R. ...
Liirkluxua, Madrassatul-lslam, The Principal
Larymore, W.
Latit", Hasan, C.
Latif, Sarbau, C. ...
Laverton, (Japt. G.
Lavvvenson, Lt.-Col. W. R. ...
Lawrence, Major H. R. (l.A.)
Leach, F. B. (i.o.s.)
Lecky, R.
Lee, Capt. A. J. (i.m.s.)
Lee, Lt.-Col. A. W . H.
Lee, D. H. {Life Member)
Lee, Brig.-Genl. F.
Leete, F. A. (F.C.H., i.F.s.)
Leftwich, C. G. (i.c.s., c.b.e.)
LeMarchand, A. E. M.
Lemarchand, J. R. ...
LeMesurier, H. P. (c.E.)
Leonard, Major W. H. (i.m.s.)
Leonard. P. M. R. ...
Leslie, Lt.-Col. G. A. J. (r.e., c.b., c.m.g.)
Leslie, M.
Leevett- Yeats, G. A. (i.s.o., c.i.b.)
Lewin, Lt.-Col. E. 0. (r.f.a.)
Lewis, W. H. (ic.s.)
Ley, A. H. (c.i.E., i.c.s.)
Ley. W. E. (i.c.s.) ...
Librarian, Students' Library, St. Xavier's College
Lieberherr, E.
Lightfoot, S. St. C.
Likhite, V. N. (b.a., b.sc.)
Lindgren. Osear
Lindley, E. S. (p.w.d.)
Lindle3'Hiude, G.
Lindsajf-Sniith, Lt.-Col. J. (^I.a.)
List, John N.
Lister, R. S.
Listoii, Lt.-Col. W. G. (i.m.s., c.i.e.) ...
Livesey, Capt. T. R. (i.a.r.o.)
Lloyd, Lt.-Col. R. A, (d.s.o., i.m.s.) ...
.. nharwar.
.. Bombay.
.. Evrope.
.. Lopchu.
. . Uangoon.
.. Larkana, Sind.
,. (/h:imparan.
.. Hyderabad, Decean.
.. Calcutta.
. . /'jurope,
.. Madras.
.. Hyderabad, Decean.
.. llangoon.
.. Madras.
. . Madura.
.. Quetta.
.. Myitkyina,
.. Euroj^e.
.. Europe.
., Han goon.
.. Bombay.
.. Indore.
,., Kookila Mook,
Assam. ■
.. Europe.
,, Bombay.
.. Sinlukaba.
.. Bombay.
,.. Bombay.
... Ghazipur, U. P.
,.. Europe.
,.. Europe.
.. Delhi.
Chanda, C. P.
Bombay.
Bombay.
Monyvva.
Poona City.
Darjeeling.
Punjab.
N. Ivamrup.
Lahore Cant.
Ranjoon, Burma.
Bengal.
Bombay.
Kirkee.
Bombay,
Europe.
Ixviii
LIST OF MEMBERS.
Lloyd, Lt.-Col. C. R. (a.s.c, d.s.o.) ...
Llovd, J. B.
Lloyd, H. E. Sir George (g.c.i.e., d.s.o.)
Locrket, A.
Lodge, G. E.
Lodge, H. F. (m.c.)
Logan, Capt. R. 0 —
Logan Home, Major W. M. ...
Lomas, H. A. (r.c.s.)
Long, G. R. (r.F.s.) {Life Member)
Long, Major W. C. (i.m.s.) ...
Lorimer, Major D, L. R. (c.i.b., i.a.) ...
Lory, F. B. P. (m.a.)
Love, T. E.
Lovegrove,W. H. (i.f.s.)
Lovell, Major E. H. (r.a.)
Lowis, F. C.
Lewis, Lt.-Col. R. M.
Lowman, T. J.
Lowndes, Lt. Donald
Lowndes, The Hon'ble Sir George (k.c.s.i.)
Lowndes, R. 0.
Lowrie,Capt. A. E. fi.F.s.) ...
Lowsley, C. 0.
Lowson, Major C. S. (l.M.S.) ...
Lowther, E. H. N.
Luard, Lt.-(Jol. C. E.
Lucas, Major J. de B. T. (f.r.a.)
Lucknow, The Curator, Provincial Museum
Lucknow Public Library, The Honorary I
i.Xc«Il. ••• »•■ ••• ■*«
Ludlow, F. (i.E S., M.B.O.U.) ...
Luke, J. H.
Luke, K. J.
Lumsden, The Hon'ble Mr. O. F. (i.c.s.)
Lunawada, Mabaraj Kumar Ranjit Singh of
Lunham, Lt.-Col. J. L. (i.m.s.)
Lyall, J. H. (i.f.s.)
Lyall, Major R. A.
Lydiard, G. Gordon
Lynch, C. E.
Lynch-Blosse, C. E.
Lynch-Blosse, H. R. (i.c.s.) ....
... Bombay.
... Europe.
. Bombay.
. .. Assam.
... Europe.
... Bombay.
... Europe.
... Bombay.
... Bombay.
... Europe.
,„ Europe,
.... Gilgil.
... Karachi.
... Tra van core,
... Europe.
... Simla.
... Rano'oon.
. . . Europe.
... Jalpaiguri.
... Lansdowne.
... Europe.
... Bombay.
... CJhindwara, C. P.
... Ahniednao[ar.
... Bombay.
... Europe.
... Sehore.
... Ambala.
... Lucknow.
ibra-
... Lucknow.
... Poona.
... Narayenganj.
... Barrackpore.
,., England.
... Lunawada.
... Bombay.
... Nani Tal.
... Ajmer,
... Sitam:ihri.
... Europe.
... Bombay.
... Delhi.
Macaulay, F. G. A.
MacCaw, V. H.
Macdonald, A. St. J. (r.A.R.o.)
... Madras.
... Calcutta.
... Mesopotamia.
LIST OF MEMBERS.
Ixix
Macdonald, K. C. ...
MacDonald, Lt. A. B. (r.f.a.)
MacEwen, Lt.-Col. D. L.
MacFadden, R. R. ...
Macgregor, Duncan
MacGfregor, Capt. R. F. D. (i.m.s.)
Macllvaine, Miss Anne
Macintyre, Capt. D.
Mackay, C J.
Mackenna, J. (ci.E., i.c.S.) . .
Mackenzie, Allen ...
Mackenzie, Capt. E. A. H. ...
Mackenzie, G. H. L.
Mackenzie, J. M. D. (i.f.s.) ...
Mackenzie, Major L. H. L. (i.]\i.s.)
Mackenzie, J. M. ...
Mackenzie, M. M. ,.,
Mackie, A. W. W. (i.c.s.)
Mackinlay, Lt.-CoI. Clias.
Macklin, A. S. R. ([.c.s.)
Mackwood, F. M. ...
Mackwood, F. E. ...
MacLachlan, R. B.
MacLaclilan, Capt. D. (i.a.r.o.)
Macleod, The Hon'ble Sir Norman
Macleod, R. D. (i.c.s.)
MacMichael, N. Tlcs.)
Macnacrhten, The Hon'ble Mr. H. F. W. (m.a.) ...
Macnaghten, N- D.
Macnee, E. A.
Maconochie, The Hon'ble Mr. E. (c.S.i., i.c.s.) ...
Macphail, G.
Macpherson, R. E.
Mactavish, Capt. A. ... i.. ...
Madan, F. R. ... ...
Maddock, Lt.-Col. E. C. G. (i.m.s.) ...
Madras Forest College, The Principal ...
Madras, The Librarian, Govt. Central Museum ...
Madras, The Principal, Presidency College
Madras, The Professor of Zoology, Christian College,
Mahaluxmiwalla, CD.
Mahomedbhoy Currimbhoy Ebrahim ...
Mahon, B, L. ...
Main, T. F. (b.sc.) ...
Major, Lt.-Col. F. F.
Makeig-Joues, J. (i.c.s.)
Malik, Sahib Abdul Haq
Malony, Cajtt. J. B. de W. (i.M.i^.)
. Europe.
. Belgaum.
. Europe,
Rairangpore,
. Aden.
, Bombay.
, i^ew Jersey, U.S. A.
, Europe.
, Calcutta.
Rangoon.
Do oars.
Evrope.
Calcutta.
Rangoon.
Bombay.
Surdali.
iSaran, Bihar.
Europe.
Europe.
Larkana, Sind.
London.
Colombo.
l^oona.
Karachi.
Bombay.
Fatehpur.
Adyar.
Bombay.
Cairo, Egypt.
Nagpur.
Rajkot.
Europe.
Mirzapur.
Europe.
Kurnool.
Ahmednaoar.
Coimbatore.
Madras.
Madras.
Madras.
Bombay.
Bombay.
Pollibetta.
Mirpurkhas.
Bomba)^
Dera- Ismail-Khan.
JuUundur.
Sehore.
Ixx
LIST OF MEMBERS.
Maltby, Capt. 0. M. (i.A.) ...
Manavadar, Khan Shree Fatehdinkhan, Chief
{Life Memher) .,,
Mandlik, Narayan V. [Life Memher)
Manekjee, Manek M.
Mann, Dr. H. H.
Mann, T. H,
Marjoribanks, Lt.-Gol. J. L. (i.m.s.)
Marjoribanks, N. E. (i.c.s.) ...
Marlow, T.
Marrs, R..,-
Marryatt, N.
Marshal], Major A. (D.s.o.) ...
Marshall, A. H.
Marshall, Arch. McL. {Life Memher) ...
Marshall, A. W.
Marshall, Mrs. H. A.
Marshall, Dr. H. H. (L.R.O.s.)...
Marshall, J. McL. {Life Memher)
Marshall, Lt.-Col. T. E. (r.a.)
Martin, A. ff.
Martin, Capt. C. De. C. (i.m.s.)
Martin, Capt. E. H. de C.
Martin, Coi. Gerald {Life Memher)
Martin, F. A.
Martin, Major J.
Martin, S. J.
Martindell, H. E. W.
Mason, Major L. (m.c, i.f.s.)
Massy, Major VV. J.
Matthews, W. H. ...
Maund, Lt. J. A. H.
Maung, Po Bye (k.s.m, & f.r.c.i.)
Mawson, Mrs. G. T.
Maxwell, Lt.-Col. J. (r.f.a.) ... .,,
Maxwell, R. M. (i.c.s.)
Maxwell, Major W. F. (r.e.)..
Mayes, W.
Mayne, Lt.-Col. H. B. (r.g.a.)
Mayo, H. T.
Muyo College, The Principal
Mazagonwalla, K. B. (b.a.) ...
McArthur, Lt. A. G. (i.a.r.o.)
McCann, C.
McCleverty, Capt. G. M. (m.c.)
McConaghy, Major C. B. (i.m.s.)
McConnell, Lt. R. ...
McCormaok, Dr. H.
... Bombay.
of
... Manavadar.
... Bombay,
... Tavoy.
... Poona.
... Europe.
... Bombay.
... Madras.
... Tharawadi.
... Bombay.
... Bombay.
... Quetta.
... Punjab.
... Europe,
... Karachi.
... Travancore.
... Rangoon.
... Europe.
... Europe.
... Ellappatty, P. 0.
.. Bombay,
... Benares.
... Eu7'ope.
... Europe.
.. Bombay.
... Binsar.
... Rangoon.
... Sanger.
... Burma.
... Darjeeling.
... Bombay.
... Myaimg-Mya.
r,. Thana.
... Europe.
... Bombay.
... Bombay.
... Rangoon.
... Bombay.
... Karachi.
... Ajmer.
... Bombay
... Rosecandy.
... Bombay.
... Bombay.
... Sehore, C. 1.
... Bombay.
... Peermade.
LIST OF MEMBERS.
Ixxi
McCudden, Capt. J. H.
McDonald, Capt. E. J. 0. (l.M.S.)
McDonough, Lt. A. D.
McGlashan, John (c.e.)
Mcllvvrick, L.
Mcintosh, Alex, (c.e.)
Mo'lver, C. D.
McLaughlen, Major H. D. ...
MoLead, H. T. (a.m. i.e. e., f.r.m.s.)
McLeod, M. C.
McLellan, Capt. J. S.
Lahore.
Assam.
Cawnpore.
Calcutta.
Gokak Falls.
Trichinopolj'.
Satara.
Indore,
Guntaka] .
(Jalcutta.
Poona.
Sir
Henry (g.C.V.O., K.c.I.E.
McMahon,
o.s.i.)
McNeale, J. H. ...
McNeill, J. (i.c.s.) ...
McRae, VVm.
Mead, The Hou'ble Mr. P. J. (c.i.e., i.c.s.}
Mears, Lt.-Col. A. (i.A.)
xMeaton, E. G.
Meek, Dr. D.
Mehta, Dr. M. V. (m.r.c.p., l.m. & s.) ...
Meinertzhagen, Lt.-Col. R. .,.
Menezes, J, Heotor...
Menon, K. G,
Mercer, David
Meredith, H. R. (i.c.s.)
Merrikin, M. S.
Mess (Secretary, R. A. Mess ...
Mess Secretary, R. A. Mess ...
Mess President, Leicestershire Regiment.
Mes-^ President, 1st Connaught Rangers.
Mess President, The 1st. Border Regiment.
Mess President, 1st Battalion, The Royal Scots.
Mess Secretary, 2nd Q. V. 0. Sappers and Miners,
Mess Secretary, 5 th Ammunition Column, R. F. A.
Mess President, l/6th Jat. Light Infantry.
Mess President, 7th Hussars.
Mess President, 2/8th Gurkha Rifles.
Mess President, Xlth K. E. 0. Lancers.
Mess Secretary, 13th Rajputs.
Mess Secretary, 18th Infantry.
Mess Secretary, 41st Dogras.
Mess President, 42nd Deoli Regiment.
Mess President, 44th Merwara Infantry.
Mess Secretary, 4r)th Rattray's Sikhs.
Mess President, 46th Punjabis.
Mess President, .')2nd Sikhs.
Mess Secretary, .58th Rifles.
Europe.
Sanger, C. P.
Europe.
Coimbatore.
Bombay.
Europe.
Oorgaum.
Europe.
Bombay.
Europe.
Goa.
Trichoor^ Cochin.
Europe.
Khunti.
Burma.
Bombay.
Cambellpore.
Bangalore.
Ixxii
LIST OF MEMBERS.
K. 0. Y. Lt.
Mess Secretary, r)9th Scinde Rifles
Mess President, 62nd Punjabis.
Mess President, 64th Pioneers.
Mess Secretary, 87th Punjabis.
Mess President, 90tli Punjabis.
Moss President, Officers Mess,
Infantry,
Mess Secretary, 1st K. S. Lt. Infantry
Mess President, 94th RusselFs Infimtr}-.
Mess President, The iOlst Grenadiers.
Mess President, 103rd Mahratta L. Infactry.
Mess Secretary, 109th Infantry.
Mess President, 1 lOth Light Infantry.
Mess President, 117th Marathas.
Mess President, l22nd Rujputana Infantry.
Mess President. Royal Artillery
Messent, P. G. (c.i.e., c.e.) ...
Milburne, Wm.
Millard, Miss Hallen.
Millard, W. S. (f.z.s.) {Life Member') ...
Miller, A. C.
Miller, Lt. J. G.
Miller, W. A. H. (i.f.s.)
Millett, Capt. G. P.
Mills, Major J. D. {Life Member)
Mills, J. P. (i.c.s.) ,..
Milner, C. E.
Milroy, A. J. W. ...
Miraj, Shrimant Gungadhar Rao Ganesh alias
Babasaheb Patwardhan, Chief of (Life Mem-
Uo I j ••■ «•• ••• ••• •••
Mitchell, F. J.
Mitchell, H. H. G. ...
Mitchell, Capt. R. St. J. (r.e.)
Mitra, M. (m.sc.)
Mole, R. R, (c.M.z.s.)
Molesworth, Major A. L. M. ...
Montagnon, D. J. ...
Monte, Dr. D. A. de (l.m. & s.)
Monteath, G. (i.c.s.) {Life Member)
Monteath, J. (I.c.s.)
Montgomerie, A. (i.c.s.)
Montgomerie, H. (i.c.s.)
Montmorency, G. F. de (i.c.s.)
Moolla, M. E.
Moore, H. B.
Moore, J.
Moore, T. D.
Aden.
Lucknow.
Europe.
Calcutta.
London.
England.
Poena.
Kandri.
^Nasik.
Europe.
Europe,
Naga Hills.
Rangoon.
Gauhati.
Miraj.
Europe.
Madras.
Bombay.
Agra.
Europe.
Quetta.
Assam.
Bandra.
Jalgaon.
Bombay.
Belgaum.
Tando, Hyderabad.
Delhi.
Rangoon.
Bombay.
Madras.
Bombay.
LTST OF MEMBERS.
Ixxiii
Moore, W. G. ... ... ... ... Maymyo.
Morrell, A. U. ... ... ... ... Travuucore.
Morris, Chas. F. ... ... ... ... Bombay.
Morris, Lt.-Col. A. H. (r.a.m.c.) ... ... Europe.
Morris, A. P. (b.so.) ... ... Insein.
Morris, Lt.-Ool. D. 0. {Life Member) ... ... Europe.
Morris, R. C. ... ... ... ... Attikan P.
Morrison, H. W. -. ... ... ... Badlipar.
Moss, Capt. E. de V. ... ... ... Ali Masjid.
Mosse, Major A. H. E. (l.A.) (Life Mem-...
Motilal Vallabliji
Moule, Major H. E.
Mouiton, Major J. C.
Mowbray, Capt. G. B. De
Moylan, W. M.
Moynan, Dr. R. N. 0.
Mudhol, Shrimant Malojirao Raje Ghorpade,
Chief ot
Mnir Central College, The Principal ...
Mriir, G. B. F. (i.c.s.)
Muirhead, Lt. J. M.
Mullan, J. P. (m.a., f.l.s., f.z.s.)
Mulroney, J. T.
Mundy, N. 8.
Mann, Capt. Leonard (r.B.) ...
Munns, F. A. C.
Murdoch, F.
Murland, Major H. F. {Life Member)
Murphy, E. J.
Murray, Capt. A. D.
Murray, Major J. H. (i.M.S., c.i.e.)
Musgrave, Brig.-Genl. A. D. (r.f.a.) ...
Mysore, The Director of Agriculture ...
Mysore, The Superintendent, Mysore Government
"Museum ... ... ... ... Bangalore.
Mysore, H. H. the Maharaja Krishna Raj Woodayar
^iii[vxi\oox {Q.G.^.\.)(^Li,fe Member) ... ... M_ysore.
0.
Bombay.
Bom bay.
Europe.
Singapore.
Evrope.
Jamtee.
Bilaspur, C. P.
Mudhol, 8. M. C.
Allahabad.
Basti. U. P.
Deolali.
Bombay.
Siliguri.
►Silchar, Cachar.
Delhi.
Bihar.
Jalpaiguri.
Europe.
Rangoon.
Quetta.
Bombay.
Mesopotamia.
Bangalore.
Nagpur, Central Museum, The Curator
Nair, (Hon.) A. Narayanan, (b.a.)
Namjoshi, V. K.
Nand Kumar Twari (b.sc.) ...
Nangle, Lt.-Col. M. C. ' ...
Napier, A. G. F. (m.sc, a.m.i.c.e.)
Napier, Ford G. S.
10
... Nag]iur, C. P.
... Bedla, near Udai-
pur.
... Cam bay.
... Benares.
... Quetta.
... Rangoon.
... Vandiperiyar, U. P.
Ixxiv
LIST OF MEMBERS.
Naraen ji Dwarkadas( L?/;? l/em&gr)
Narrotuindas Morarji Gomildass (^Life Member) ...
IN as n J .ti ifj. ... ... ... ...
Nasrnlla Khan, H. H. Nawab Major Mahomed ...
Nawanaoar, H. H. The Jam Saheb of Jamnaoar.
Neale, Capt. W. G. (i.a.)
Needham, J. E. (c.b.e.)
Nevill, Capt. G. A.
Nevill, Humphry ...
Newcome, Lionel ...
Newland, Major W. B. M. (i.m.s.)
Newman, E. G.
Nicholetts, Lt. W. A.
Nicholls, Major W. A. (r.h.a.)
Nicholson, K. G. ...
Nicolas, Mrs. E. H. A.
^iederer, George
Nisbet, R. H.
Nizam's College, The Librarian
Norman, C
Norman, f^apt. A. C.
Norman, Col. H. H. (r.a.m.c.)
Norman, John B.
Norries, J. P.
Noyce, F. (i.c.s.)
Norse, Lt.-Col. C. (t. {F.-E.s.){Life Member)
Nuttall, W. M.
Bombay.
Bombay.
Ajmere.
Bhopal, C. L
Kathiavvar.
Bombay.
Bombay.
Badlipara.
Gnjranvalla.
Somwarpet P. 0.
Bombay.
Bombay.
Assam.
Europe.
Bombay.
Barabanki.
Bombay.
Eiiri^pe.
Hyderabad, Deccan.
Ran ooon .
Bombay.
Mesopotamia.
Champa ran.
Philadelphin, U. S.
A.
Simla.
Europe.
Dibrugarh.
Oakley, R. R.
Oberholser, Harry C.
O'Brien, Lt.-Col. Edward ...
O'Brien, P.
O'Brien, J. Rilev ...
O'Callaghan, T.^P. M.
O'Connell, Dr. J. M,
O'Connor, Dr. Francis W. ...
O'Donel, H. V.
O'Donuell, 0
O'Hara, R. R.
Ogilvie, A. W. (i.f.s.)
Ogilvie, G. H. (i.f.s.) {Life Member) ...
Ogilvy, Lt.-Col. D. (r.e.)
Oldfield, Lt.-Col. G.E. B. ...
Oliver, A.W. L.
Oliver, Col. H. D. (r.e., F.z.s.)(Li/V Member)
Oliver, Major D. G.
... Europe.
... Washington, U.S.A.
.,. Bhuj.
,,, Surat.
... Bombay.
... Sadiya.
... Europe.
... Assam.
... Hasimava.
... Europe.
... Rangoon.
... Prae, Siam.
... Europe.
... Bareilly, U. P.
... Dargai.
... China.
... Europe.
... Bombay.
LIST OF MEMBERS.
Ixxv
Ollenbach, 0. C. ...
Ormiston, W.
Orr, Major H. M. C.
Orr, J. P. (o.s.i., I.C.S., c.b.b.)
Osborne, A. F.
Osmaston, A. E. (i.f.s.)
Osmaston, B. B. (i.f.s., g.i.b.)
Ostrehan, Capt. M.
Onseley, Mrs. W. ...
Oxley, Lt.-Col. J. C. S. (i.m.s.)
Owen, W. 0. Tudor (i.c.s.) ...
... Dehra Dun,
... Europe.
... Europe.
... E^irope.
... Ramnacl.
... Europe.
... Pachmari.
... Implial.
... Dehra Dun.
... Bombay.
... Palitana.
U. P.
Page, A. J. (i.c.s.)... ... ... ... Nyaunglebin.
Page, W. T. (f.z.s.) .,. ... Europe.
Paget, B. C. T. ... ... ... ... Europe.
Palanpur, H. H. Capt. Nawab 8alieb Taley Maho-
med Khan ... ... ... ... Palanpur.
Panchgani, Lady Superior Sf. Joseph's Convent... Panchgani.
Panday, Mrs. J. L. ... ... ••- Bombay.
Panna, H. H. the Maharaja Mohendra Yadvendra
Singh Bahadur ...
Parish, N. B.
X cii*KOrj xi. (i»Cy.o«).«» ««* ••• ••■
Parker, R. N. (i.f.s.)
Parlett, L. M. (i.c.s.) (Ketd.)
Parr, Lt.-Col. H. 0. (a.d.c.)
Parrington, Major J. W. (r.a., r.f.a.) ...
Piirsons, S. R. (i.f.s.)
Partridge, U. R.
Pascoe, J. Harding
Pasteur Institute of India, The Director
Pasteur Institute, The Director
-L atel, L. U • ••• ••• ... .••
Paliala, H. H. tlie Maharaja of (Life Mem-
ber)
Panna, C. I.
Bombay.
Homalin.
Europe.
Europe.
Meerut.
Simla,
Chhindwara, C. P.
Nagrakata P. 0.
Nilgiris.
Kasauli, Punjab.
Rangoon.
Bombay.
Patna College, The Librarian
Patuck, P. S. (I.C.S.)
Pawsey, C. R.(io.s.)
Pears, S. E. (c.i.E., i.c.s.) .
Pearson, Major G. H. A.
Pearson, R. S. (i.f.s.)
Pearson, Major W. B.
Peck, N. F. (I.C.S.)
Peebles, W. J. M. ,..
Peile, Lt.-Col. H. D. (i.m.s.)
Peppe, Capt. F. H. (r.f.a.) .
Percival, A. P. (i.f.s.)
... Patiala.
,., Bankipore.
.. Narsingpur.
.. Assam.
.. Khyber, Peshawar.
.. Jullundur.
.. Dehra Dun, U. P-
.. France.
... Bhagalpore.
... Shahibng.
... Europe.
... Nowshera.
... Europe.
Ixxvi
LIST OF MEMBERS.
Percival, G. S. P. ... ...
Perry, J. J.
Perry, Major S. (b.a.)
Pershouse, Major S.
Peshawar, Municipal Committee, The Secretar
PestoDJi Jivanji (n.C.s.) {Life Member).,.
Petit, Dlmnjibhoy Bomanji [Life Member)
Petit, Jehano;ir Bomanji (Life Member)
Petit, Major G. (r.A.M.c)
Petley, 0. A.
Pliayre, Major H. B. (m.c.) ...
Phelps, Lt.-Col. M. P.
Phih'p, C. L.
Phillips, A. A. (i.s.R.)
Phillips, C. A.
Phillips, Major J. A. S. (i.m.s.)
Phillips, J. 11.
Phillips, W. W. A.
Phipson, Major E. S. (i.M.s.)
Phipson, H. M. (f.z.s.) {Life Member)
Phythian-Adams, Major E. G.
Pinfod, E. fS. (b.a.)
Pipe, T. S.
Pitman, Oapt. 0. R. S.
Pitt, W. H.
Poison, Capt. F. V.
Pollard, Lt.-Col. A. E. St. V.
Poucins, Viscount Edmond de {Life Member)
Ponsonby, W. G. ...
Pope, J. A. ii.c.s.)...
Porbandar Stale, The Dewan
Port Blair Settlement Readini,^ Club ...
Porter, 2nd- Lt. G.H.
Pottinger, Capt. J. A.
Pottin^er, Lt.-Col. R. S
Powell, J. E
Powell, J. W
Powell, W. S. (i.P.s.)
Pral], Col. S. E. (i.M.s.) '
Pratap Singh, Lai Ram (b.a., LL.b.) ...
Prendergast, H. H. L.
Prendergast, Capt. N. H. ...
Prentice, James ...
Prescott, Major C. W. (i.a.) ...
Prescott, Major H. W. B. (b.a.m.c.) ...
Priestley, E. (d.s.p.)
Priestley, Mrs W.
... Ramuad.
. . Burma.
... Bombay.
... Europe,
y ... Peshawar.
... Hyderabad, Dec-
can.
... Bombay.
... Bombay.
... Bombay.
,.. Toungoo.
,,. Quetta.
... Europe.
... Europe.
... Europe.
.., Calcutta.
... Kohat.
... Insein.
... Ceylon.
Simla.
• • •
... Europe.
Europe^
Calcutta.
• • •
Dharv\ar,
... Egypt.
Madras.
■ * •
Europe.
... Bombay.
France.
Secundera}>ad.
■ • »
Bombay.
Porbandar.
■['Port Blair.
Poona.
.'.' Tank, N. W. F. P.
Bombay.
... Herbertpore.
... Bombay.
Rangoon.
• • • o
... Europe.
Dehra Dun.
• « •
Arkonam.
• • •
Mi ran shah.
• • •
Cossipore.
Bannu.
• • •
Bombay.
.., Bijapur.
... Bombay.
LIST OF MEMBERS.
Ixxvu
Primrose, Alex. M.
Procter, Sir Henry E. (c. b. e.)
Pudukkottai, State Museum, The Curator
Pujari, Tribikram (b.a.)
Punjab Agricultural College, The Principal
Porkis, F. C. (b.f.s.)
Purkis, H. Vernon ...
Assam.
Europe.
Pudukkottai
Puri, Orissa.
Lyallpur.
Rangoon.
Kishtwar.
Quarry, P. S.
Qiiinlan, D. (m.r.c.v.s.)
Quin, Lt.-Col. R. P. Wimyss
,.. Dacca.
... Hanchi.
... Dhond.
Rae, Major M. E. [Life Member)
Raikes, E. B.
Raikes, Major L. T. (d.s.o., r.f.a.)
Rajkot, H. H. Sir Lakhajiraj (k.C.i.e.),..
Rajkuniar College, The Principal
Rajkumar College, The Principal
Ruke, B. C.
Ralston, Lt.-Col. W. H. (d.s.o.)
R-ane, K. R. (m.M. & s.P.)
Rane, Y. K.
Raper, J. C. D. (a.m. i.e. E., v.d.)
Ravenshaw, Col. C. W. {Life Member) .,.
Rawalpindi Clul), Ltd., The Secretary ...
Readymoney, N. J.
Recior, St. Mary's College
Reddoch, Mrs. F. H. L.
Reeve, (Jhas. F.
Reid, E. C ... ... ...
Reid, Sir Marshal (c.i.E.j
Reid, W. J. (i.c.s., c.i.e.)
Reilly, Major N. E.
Remington, G. L. ...
Randall, H. U. (i.o.s.)
Reynolds, Capt. G. N.
Reynolds, L. VV. (i.c.s., c.i.e.)
Ribeiro, J. (l.c.b.)
Rice, Capt. E. M. (i.A.R.o.) .„
Richards, B. D. (b.sc.)
Richmond, R. D. (i.F.s.)
Ridland, J. G.
Rimington, F. J.
Rishworth, Lt. H. R. (i.M.s.)
Ritchie, A. B.
Ritchie, Major W. D. (i.M.s.) ...
... Kohat.
... Europe.
... Belgauni.
... Rajkot.
... Rajkot.
... Raipur.
... Prome, Burma.
... Bombay.
... Juvem, Bombay.
... Juvem, Bombay.
... Lanowli.
... Europe.
... Rawalpindi.
... Bombay.
... Mazagon, ]jombay
... Europe.
... Nasrapur.
... Bombay.
... Europe.
,,. Gauhati.
... Europe.
... Ajmer.
... Junagfidh.
.„. Saugor, C. P.
... Jodhpur.
... Bombay.
... Mesopotamia.
... Europe.
... Simla.
... Bombay.
... Bombay.
... Madras.
... Rangoon.
... Mesopotamia.
Ixxviii
LIST OF MEMBERS.
Rivett-Carnac, P. K.
Robert, A. W.
Roberts, A, A. Lane (i.c.s.) ...
Roberts, Major A. S. B. (i.A.)
Roberts, Dr. C. L. Di^rby
Roberts, Lt.-Col. Sir James (i.M.S., c.I.E.)
Roberts, Lt.-Ool. M. B. (o.b.e.) {Life Member)
Robertson, Sir Benjamin (l.C.S., K.C.S.i., CLE.]
Robertson, J. H. (i.CS.)
Robertson, Laurence (c.S.i., I.c.s.)
Robinson, A. C
Robinson, H. 0. ••• ... ...
Robinson, Lt. J. A.
Robinson, J. B. ... ... • ...
Robinson, Hon'ble Mr. Justice S. M. ...
Rocke, Capt. C. A.
Rodger, A. (i.r.s.) ...
Rocrers, 0. G. (i.f.s.)
Rogers, Rev. K. St. A. (c.m.s.)
Rogers, W. S.
Rondano, Rev. A. (s.j.)
Roper, Freeman
Rosenthal, F. M. B.
Ross, J. P.
Ross, Major Tyrell {Life Member)
Ross, Major E. J. ...
jtougbton, N. J. ... ... •••
Roimiania, H. R. H. Carol, Crown Prince
{Life Member)
Routh. Lt.-Col. G. F. S.
Row, Lt.-Col. G. U. (I.A.)
Row, Dr. R. (m.d.) ...
Rowlsindscn, B. C. ...
Roy, N. ...
Royal Asiatic Society, The Honoi-ary Secretary
Ruddle, W. H.
Rudkin, Capt. B. A.
Rushton, C. E.
Russell, Muior G. H.
Ruttledge. Lt. R. F.
Rutz, F'r.
Rynd, Major F. F. (r.a.)
Ryves, The Hon'ble Mr. Justice A. E....
... Quetta.
... Madras.
... Delhi,
... Rangoon.
... Bengal.
... Bombay.
... Garhwal.
... Nagpur, C. P.
... Madn.s.
... Poona.
... Europe.
... Kuala Lumpur.
... Jullunder.
... Sagrampur.
... Rangoon.
... Europe.
... Kangoon.
.., Europe,
... Nairobi.
... Bombay,
... Kankanady.
... Europe.
,.. Secunderabad.
... Bombay,
... Europe.
... Quetta.
Nao
;pur,
of
... Roumunia.
... Landi Kotal.
... Calcutta.
... Bombay.
... Bombay.
... Dacca.
... Bombay.
... Secunderabad.
... Bombay.
. .. Mandalay„
... Karachi.
... Bangalore.
. .. Karachi.
... Karachi.
... Allahabad.
Sabnis, T. S. (b.a., u.isc.)
Sabour, The Principal, College of Agriculture
Salar Jung, H. E. The Nawab
Bombay .
Sabour, Bengal.
Hrderabad .Deccar .
LIST OF MEMBERS.
Ixxix
Salkeld, Major R. E.
Salmon, Capt. W. H. B.
Sanders, A. D.
Sanders, Capt. C. W.
Sanders, D. F.
Sanderson, P. M. D.
Sandilands, Dr. J. E. (m.u., m.a., m.d.) ...
Sangli, Shrimant Chintamanrao Appasaheb Patwar-
dhan {Life Member)
Saone, Gr. Prier De
Sarangarh, The Hon'ble iiaja Jawahir Singh
Sarkar, Capt. S. (l.M.S.)
Satya Churn Law ...
Saunders, C.
Saunders, Lt.-Col. F. W. (r.e.)
Saunders, H. F.
Savile, L. H.
Sasb3% H. B.
Saxton, W. T.
Scaldwell. R. W. ...
Scarlett. Lt.-Gol J. A. (r.h.a.)
Schmid,' W.
Schomberg, Major R. C. F. ...
Scindia, H. H. the Maharaja Sir Madhowrao
(g.C.s.i., g.c.v.O.) (Life Member)
Scot, J. S. (i.F.s.) ...
Scott, A. G.
Scott, Major F. B. Ci.a.)
Scott, R. P. :
Scott-Coward, C. W.
Scribner, Fleet Surgeon R. B. (r.n. ) ...
Scroope, Capt. C. F.
Seal}-, Major A. E....
Searight, E. E. G. L.
Secunderabad C/lub
Secretary
Sedgwick, L. J. (i.c.s.)
Segar, Mrs. W. J. ...
Seervai, Dr. Ruston F.
Senior-White, R, (f.e a.)
Seton-Karr, Capt. H. W. (Lite Jlfemler)
Sewell, Major J. H. (Retd.) [..
Seymour Seweli, Capt. R. B. (i.m.h.) ...
Shand, Capt. J. G. B. (l.M.s.;...
Shannon, G. C. (i.c.s.)
Sharp, F. E
Sharp, The Hon'ble Mr. H. (c.s.i.) ...
Shaw, G. E
Library, The Honorary
Europe.
Europe.
Bombay.
Pachmarhi.
Hyderabad, Deccan.
Bombay.
Bombay.
Sangli, S. M. C.
Europe.
Sarangarh, C. P.
Europe.
Calcutta.
Calcutta.
Ranikhet.
Madura, S. l,
Europe.
Europe.
Ahmedabad.
Hasam.
Bombay.
Bombay.
Singa})ore.
Gwalior, C. L
Madras.
Rewa, C. I.
Europe.
Calcutta.
Viz3g;ipiatam.
Europe.
Europe.
Bakloh, Punjab.
Bombay.
Secunderabad.
Poona.
Dharwar.
Bombay.
Ceylon.
Europe.
Rangoon, Burma.
Europe.
Bombay.
Hyderabad.
Bombay.
Delhi.
Piyang.
Ixxx
LIST OF MEMBERS,
Shaw, G. L.
Sheather, A. L.
Shebbeare, E. 0. ...
Shephard,T. F. G. .-.
Shepherd, VV. C. (l.C.s.)
Sheppard, S. T.
Shevade, S. V. (b.sc.)
ShiUidy, G. A.
Shipp, W. E.
Shirley, G. S.
Shovtland, C. V. N. (a.m.i.c.e.)
Shortt, Capt. H. E. (i.m.s.) ...
Shortt, D. M.
Shortt, 2nd Lt. W. H. 0. ...
Shuttleworth, H. L. (m.a., f.k.g.s., i.c.s.)
Siam, H. R. H. Prince Abhakara of Chumporu
Silvester, C. J.
Simcox, A. H. A. (i.c.s.)
Simmons, R. M.
Simonds, Major M. H.
Simpson, Capt. G. A. D.
Simpson, Lt.-Ool. J. C.
Simson, Lt. R.
Sinclair, R. L. ... •••
Sind Club, The fiony. Secretary
Sirdar Anandrao Scindia
Sitwell, Major N. S. H. (r.a.)
Sitwell, S. A. H.
Sitzler, E. A. (i.f.s.)
Skeen, Maj.-Genl. A.
Skelton, J. H.
Skilling, Wm.
Skinner, Major J. M. (i.M.s.) ...
Skinner, Lt.-Col. R. B. (r.e.)
Sladen, Dr. R. J. L. (f.r.c.s.)
Slater, A. F.
Slater, A. F. M.
Slater, J. Sanders ...
Smale, Chas. B. (i.f.s.)
Smales, Capt. R.
Smart, Dr. A. G. H. (m.b.) ...
Smillic, Miss E. E.
Smith. A. Kirke
... Jalpaiguri.
... Muktesar.
... Dow Hill P. 0.
._ Biikar.
... Bombay,
... Bombay,
... Poona.
... Larkana.
... Europe,
... Rangoon.
... Nagpnr.
., . Bombay.
... Villupuram.
... Mongyr.
... Nawar Kulu.
... Bangkok.
... London.
... Sholapm*.
... Ajmer.
... Bolaram.
. . Fort Lockhart, N.
W. F. P.
... Bannu.
... Fyzabad.
... Dharwar.
... Karachi.
... Gwalior, C. I.
... Dum Dum.
... Bombay.
... Mawlaik.
... Kohat.
... England.
... Calcutta.
... Bombay.
... Kohat.
... Bhusawal.
.. Aligarh.
... Meiktila, Burma.
... Europe,
... Rangoon.
... Bombay.
... Europe.
... Indore.
... Bombay.
LIST OF MEMBERS.
Ixxxi
Smith, Lt. E. Cecil ...
Smith, Capt. G. R. (i.A.R.) ...
Smith, H. 0. •„ ... ...
•Smith, J. I. (i.c.s.) ...
Smith, Lt.-Col. F. A. (i.m.s.) ...
Smith, Capt. H. H.
Smith, Dr. Malcolm
Smith, Major Sidney (R.G.a.)
•Smith, Major 0. A.
;Smith, S. i), (b.a.) ...
Somervaille, Geo. ...
Souter, C. A. (i.c.s.)
:Spalding, Major W. B.
Sparke, W.
Sparrow, Lt.-Col. R.
Spence, Dr. A. D. ...
Spence, R. A. {Life Member)
•Spencer, F. D.
Spink, H. H. M. (i.a.r.o.)
Spooner, T. J. (c.E.) {Life Membei')
Sprott, Capt. F. H.
Srinagar Club, The Secretary
Stables, Major Alex, (r.a.m.c.)
■Stallard, Lt.-Col. H. G. F. (r.a.m.c.) ...
Stampe, Lt. W. L.
Staudbridge, Lt.-Col. W. J. (r.a.)
Standen, B. (i.c.s., C.I.E.) {Life Member)
Stanford, Capt. H. M. (r.f.a., m.b.o.u.)
:Stanford, J. K. (mc.m.a., m.b.o.u.;
Stanley, Major E. H. B. (i.m.s.)
Stanton, W. C.
Station Library, The Hon'ble Secretary
ioi^eei, j\. • ... ... *' > ...
StefFen, 0. ... ...
Steichen, Rev. Father A. (s.J.)
Stent, P. J. H. (i.c.s.)
Stephen, R. F.
Stephen, Mrs. E. M.
Stephens, L, B. ... ... ...
'Stephenson, G. C. ...
Stevens, Herbert ... ... ...
Stevenson, Capt. F. (i.m.s.)
Stevenson, Major W. D, H. (l.M.S.)
Steward, C. F. 0. ...
Stewart, A. P. ...
Stewart, D, L.
■Stewart, E. A.
Stewart, C. G. ... ... ...
11
... Europe.
... Bombay.
... Rangoon.
... Europe.
... Hyderabad, Dn.
... Fyzabad.
... Europe.
... l^oicbay.
... Hazaribagh.
... Bombay.
... Rangoon.
... Coorg.
... C/'awnpore.
... Rangoon.
... Europe.
.. Rangoon.
... Bombay.
... Siam.
... Europe.
... Europe,
... Coorg.
... Srinagar, Kashmir.
.. Europe.
... Bombay.
.. Europe.
... Europe.
... Pachmarhi.
... Mesopotamia.
... Rangoon.
... Lahore.
... Europe,
... Simla.
-. Ootacamund.
... Bombay.
... Bombay.
... Bombay,
... Assam.
... Simla.
... Europe.
... Europe,
... Gopaldhara.
... Europe.
... Bombay.
... Mirik P. 0.
... Bombay.
... Jalpaiguri.
... Behali.
... Rangoon.
Ixxxii
LIST OF MEMBERS.
Stewart, Capt. D. M.
Stewart, Major G. B. (l.M.s,;
Stewart, Major G. H. (i.M.s.)
Stewart, John
Stewart, R. R. (ph.d.)
Stirling, Lt. J. E. ...
Stirling, J. H.
Stoekley, Major C. H,
Stokes, H. G. (c.i.e., i.c.s.) ...
Stokes, I. W.
Stone, Capt. F. H. S. (r.n.r.)
Stoner, W.
Stoney, R. F.
Storey, Thos. H.
Story, S. S.
Strachan, N. J.
Street, E.
Stringfellow, H. P. ...
Stuart, J. D.
Stubbs, L. M. (r.c.s.)
Sudan, Govt. Museum, Curator
Sulivan, Col. G. D. F.
Sunth, Maliaranu Shri Jarwarsinhjee,
Suter, Dr. M. F. (d. sc.)
Sutton, Lt. A. T. C.
Swete, M. H. F. ...
Swinhoe, General C.
Swithinbank, Mrs. B. W.
Sykes, C. M. (a.m. i.c.e.) ...
Sylvester, Capt. E. C. (r.f.a.)
Symons, C. T.
Symons, Lt.-Ool. T. H. (i.M.s., o.b.e.
Raja
)...
... Poena.
... Bombay.
... Rangoon.
... Europe.
... Rawalpindi..
... Meorut.
... Jodhpur.
... Calcutta,
... Europe.
... Europe,
... Bombay.
... Europe.
... Madras.
... Oodeypur.
... Bombay.
... Europe.
... Mandalay.
... Bombay.
... Rangoon.
... Bareilly.
... Sudan.
... Europe.
Suheb of P. O. Sunth Ram-
pur.
... Bombay.
... Africa.
... Siam.
... Europe.
... Rangoon.
... Kalyan.
... Vaudiperiyar P. 0.
... (Colombo.
... London.
Tailyour, B. P.
Talbot, G.W ,
Talbot, R.H.^ ,
Taleyarkbau K. M., (Bar,-at-i,aw)
Tambe,Dr. GopalRarachandra (m.a.,b.sc.,l.m. & s.)
Tasker, T. J. (I.c.s.)
Tata, Sir Dorabji J. (Life Memher) ...
Tate, Capt. A. R. W
T avoy Club, The Honorary Secretary ,,.
Taylor, Lt.-Col. G. (r.h.a.) ... ' ...
Taylor, J. R.
Taylor, Dr. W. R. (m.r.c.s., l.r.c.s.)
Tehri Garhwal State, H. H. Raja Narendra Shah
Saheb Bahadur ...
Madura.
Rangoon.
Cachar.
Bombay.
Narsinghpur.
Bancvalore.
Bombay.
Quetta.
Tavoy, Burma.
Europe.
Topchanchi.
Insein.
Tehri.
LIST OF MEMBERS.
Ixxxiii'
Tejpal, Goverdhandas Goculdas (Life Memler) ...
Tenison, Major W. P. C. (r.A., ri.s)
Thatcher, E. C.
Theobald, Wm.
Thom, W. S.
Thomas, E, F. (i.c.sO
Thomas, F.
Thomas, Roger
Thomason Colleoe, The Principal
Thomson, Major D. B.
Thomson, Lt. H.
Thomson-Glover, J. W.
Thornhill, Lt.-Col. Sir H. B. (k .c.i.e.i
Thorns-Roberts, J. W. B. ...
Thornton, H. A. (i. c. s.) ...
Thruston, L. A. ,.,
Thnillier. Brio-.-Genl. H. F. (R. e.)
Thiillier,' Major L, C. (i.A.) '
Tibbs, Kev. P. G. ...
Ticehurst, Dr. 0. B. (m.a., m.b, o.u., r.a.m.c.)
Tietkens. A. J. H.
Tilden, H. B. (f.c.s.)
Tilly, T. H. {Life Member)
Tomkins, S.
Tomlinson, A. G
Trav.'incore, H.H. The Maharaja t^ir Sultan Ram
Raja Bahadoor (g.c.S.I., g.c.i.e.) {Life Member).
Travers, W. L. 'c.b.e.)
Traylen. G. D.
TreVelyun, Capt. VV. R. F.
Trevenen, Major W. B.
Trevor, C. G. (i.F.s.)
Triggs, Bernard
Trinity College, The Principal
Trivandruni, The Director, Government Museum
and Public Gardens
Trotter, E. W.
Trotter, Lt. fl. (i.f.s.)
Troup, R. S. fi.F.s.)
Truninger, L. (c.i.E.)
Tunnard, T. E.
Tunstall, A. C.
Turkhud, Dr. D. A. (m.b.,cm., etc.)
Turner, P. J. S.
Turner, Sir Montague
Tweedie, A. G.
^ y cl U 1 1 - k_ • X-)* «•• «•• ••• ••• ,«,
Andheri.
Europe.
Dehra Dun.
Mysore, S. I.
Paletwa, Aracan
Hill Tracts.
Madras.
Bom hay.
Batrhdad.
Roorkee.
Europe.
Bombay.
Kashmir.
En rope.
Rangoon.
Lasliio.Shan States..
Europe.
Europe.
Bombay.
Eirkee.
Europe.
Darjeeling.
Calcutta.
Suna, South Africa..
Delhi.
Busrah.
Trivandruni.
Jalpaigriri.
Bombay.
Mesopotamia.
Poona.
Nani Tal.
Rutlam.
Kandy, Ceylon^
Trivandruni.
Bangkok, Siam.
Europe.
Europe.
Calcutta.
Ceylon.
Assam.
Bomhay.
Matara, Ceylon.
Europe, ,1
Calcutta. j
Ahmedabad.
Ixxxiv LIST OF MEMBERS.
I
Tyers, G. A. V. ... ... ... ... Europe.
Tyler, H. H. F. M. (i.a.r.O.) ... ... Europe. •
Tyrrell, Major J. R. (i.M.s.) ... ... ... Nowgong.
Tyson, John D. (i.c.A.) ... ... ...Calcutta. ]
Tytler, Brig.-General H. C, (c.M.C, c.i.e., d.s.o.) Delhi.
Ubsdell, Lt. A. R. ... ... ... ... Calcutta. \
Underwood, Rev. J. E. ... ... ... Englaiid. l
TJngefroren, H. ... ... ... ... Europe. i
United Province.s, Judicial Secretary to Govern- ;
ment ... ... ... ... ... Allahabad. j
United Service Club, The Secretary .... ... Bangalore.
United Service Library, Hony. Secretary . , Poona. i
Upton, T.E.T. ... ... ... ...Calcutta. !
Urwin, Lt.-Col. J. J. (i.M.s.)... ... . Chapra. (
Usher, F. L. ... ... ... ... Europe. j
U. S. Department of Agriculture, The Librarian... Washington, D. G. j
Vaidya, V. P. (Bar.-at-Law) ... ... Bombay.
Vakil, B.N. (b.s-c.)... ... ... ... Bombay.
Van Het Algemeen Proefstation Der, A.V.R.O.S.
De Directeur ... ... ... ... Medan, Sumatra. j
Van Ingen, E. M. ... ... ... ... Mysore.
Varvill, M. N. ... ... ... ... Bombay. \
Vaughan, Wm. (f.e.s.) {Life Member) ... Europe. |
Vellore Club, The Honorary Secretary ... Vellore, S. I. j
Venning, Lt.-Col F. E. W. (d.s.o.) {Life Member) England. '
Venour, Lt.-Col. W. E. (i.a.) {Life Member) ... Europe. ;
Vernon, H. A. B. (i.c.s.) ... ... ... Kurnool. '
Vesugar, Jamshed ... ... ... ... Lahore. |
Victoria College, The Principal ... .. Palghat. ,
Victoria Memorial Park, The Hon'ble Secretary Rangoon. ;
Victoria Technical Institute, The Curator and :
Librarian ... ... ... .., Nagpur. \
Vijayarajji, Maharaj Kumar Shri ... ... Bhuj, Cutch. ;
Villar, A. R. (i.F.s.) ... ... ...Rangoon. ;
Vinayak Rao, M. ,., ... ... ...Calcutta.
Vincent, H. ... .. ... ... Poona. i
Vincent, The Hon'ble Sir William (i.c.s., K.c.s.i.) Delhi.
Vithuldas Damodhar Thakersey, Sir, Kt. ... Bombay.
Vitty, 0. P. ... ,., ... „, Europe.
Volkart, L. ... ... ... ... Bombay.
Wait, W. E, ... ... ... ... Colombo. I
Wait, H. W. ... ... ... ... Jhelum. j
Wakefield, G. E. C. (c.B.E.) ... ... ... Hyderabad, Dn. j
Wakefield, J. G. ... ... ... ... Gaya, Bengal. i
Walker, Capt.E.T.... ;.. ... ...Delhi.
LIST OF MEMBERS.
Ixxxv
Walker, ('apt. G. B. ... ..,
Walker, J. S. E , i ...
Walker, Roland {Life Member)
Walker, Major W. B. (r.a., f.a.)
Walker, Lt.-Col. F. Spring (i.a.)
Wall, Lt.-Col. F. (I.M.S., C.M.Z.S., c.m.g.)
Wallace, John
Walsh, C. L. ... ... ...
Walsh, E. P. (i.c.s.)
Walsh, M. P. (Bar.-at-Lriw) ...
Walters, 0. H.
Walton, Lt.-Col. H. J. (i.m.s., o.m.z.s.)...
Wapshare, J. H,
Warbiirton, A. P.
Warburton, Major H. G.
Ward, Capt. W. R, (o.b.c.) ...
Ward, Col. C. H. ...
Ward, F. Kingdon-...
* V cil OaJ-* ••• SSO •••
Waterfield, E. H. (i.c.s.)
Wathen, Mrs. G. A.
Watney, Lt.-Col. C. W.
Watson, Lt.-Col. H. R.
Watson, H. W. A. (i.f.s.)
Watson, Lt.-Col. J. W. (i.m.s.)
Watson, Philip
Watts, Lt.-Col. G. A. R.
VVauohope, Brig.-Genl. A. G.
Wauchope. Capt. R. S. (i.A.)
Way, J. D.
Webb, G. R.
Webb, M. (i.c.s.) ...
Webb, J. E. N.
Webbe, Miss A. M....
Webb-Wure, George
Webster, Lieut. D. (r.n.)
Webster, W. H. A....
Wells, Major F. VV. A.
Wells, Dr. H. E. (m.b.)
Wells, Capt. R. T. (i.m.s.)
Wernicke, Ernest A.
West, L. C.
West, W^ilfred
Western, Miss R. H.
Weston, A. T.
Weston, Wm, V. ... ... ...
Whalley, G. P.
... Abu.
... Motihari, BengaU
... Bombay.
... Rangoon.
... Bombay.
... Bangalore,
... Bombay
... Europe,
... Bellary.
... Akola, Berar^
... Lahore.
... Europe,
... Nilgiris.
... Rangoon.
... Europe.
... Bombay.
... Meerut.
... England,
... England.
... Dharwar.
... Europe.
... Mesopotamia.
... Secunderabad.
... Maymyo.
... Bombay.
... Rangoon.
... Baluchistan.
... Mesopotamia.
... Bombay.
... Europe.
... Bombay.
... Bombay.
... Calcuttu.
... Meerut.
... Madura.
... Eurojye.
... Secunderabad..
... Jhansi.
... Pegu,
... Europe.
... Darjeeling.
... Hubli. .;
... Meerut.
,,. Sukkur.
... Papun.
... Europe.
... Calcutta.
Ixxxvi
LIST OF^MEMBERSi
••'•
Wheatley, Major P. (r.f.a.) ...
Whiffin, Dimdas
Whistler, Hugh (m.b.o.u., f.z.s.) (Life Member}
White, Colin R.
White, G. H.
White, L. S. (i.c.s.)
White, Capt. W. T....
White, W. P.
Whitehead, H.!(b.sc., r.a.m.c)
Whitehead, John (i.F.S.)
Whymper, S. L.
Whyte, W.
Wickham, P. F. (c.e.)
Wilkis, J. S.
Willcox, A. V.
Williams, E. Alban ...
Williams, Lt.-Col. C. E. (i.M.s.)
Williams, Capt. J. K. (i.A.R.o.)
Williams, Chas. H. ...
Williamson, A. (i.c.s.)
Williamson, P. R. C.
Williamson, F. W. (i.cs.)
Williamson, W. J. F. (c.M.G., f.z.s., m.b.o.u.)
Willingdon, H. E. Lord (g.c.s.i., g.c.i.b.)
Wilson, Lt.-Col. Alban (d.s.o.)
Wilson, A. F.
Wilson, A. R.
Wilson, Bt.-Lt.-Col. Sir A. T. (c.m.g,, k.c.i.e
C.B.E.. D.s.o.)
Wilson, Major C. H. E. (r.f.a.)
Wilson, Mrs. D. W.
Wilson, J. C. C.
Wilson, Ca])t. N. F. J. (c.M.G., O.B.E., R.I.M.)
(Wilson, J. M.
Europe.
Panposh, B.-N, Ry.
... Dharmsala.
... Hardoi.
... Ra]kot.
.i. Cavvnpore.
... Europe.
... Bombay.
... Europe.
... Chakratta, U. P.
... Europe.
... Ranooon.
... Rangoon.
... Madras.
... Europe.
... Europe.
... London.
... Bombay.
... Bangalore.
... Sliwegyin.
... Trichinopoly.
... Bombay.
... Bangkok, Siam.
... Madras.
... Europe.
... Madras.
... Almora, U. P.
Wilson, R. A. (i.c.s.)
-Wimbush, A. (i.f.s.)
Winchj H. J.
Wise, George M. ...
Withers, D. S.
Witt, D. 0. (i.f.s.) ...
Wood, Major H. (R.B.)
Wood, John A.
Wood, Col. W. M. P.
Wood, T. U
Woodcock, A. W. ...
Woodhouse, Adolphus W. H.
Woodhouse, E. J. ...
Woods, D. F
... Bomba3\
... Kharaghoda.
... Bombay.
... Papun, Burma.
... Bombay.
... Assam.
... Amravati.
... Coimbatore.
... Shivrajpur.
... Bombay.
... Assam.
... Ranchi.
... Bombay,
.„ Europe.
••• Sadra.
... Europe.
... Bombay.
... Coimhutore.
... Europe.
... Bombay.
LIST OF MEMBERS.
Ixxxvii
Wooldrklge, Miss A. W. ■ ...
Wordsworth, ('apt. 11. G.
W organ, Lt.-Col. R. B.
Wrangham Hardy, G.
Wright, A. J. ^ ...
Wright, H. C.
Wright. J. M. (i.c.s.)
Wright, Major Robert E. (i.M.s.)
Wright, Major W. D. (i.m.s.j
Wroughton, R. C. (F,z.s.) {Life Memher)
Wyndham, P. (i.c.S., c.b.e.) ...
Bombay,
Bombay.
Lahore.
Darjeeling.
Travancore.
Europe.
Myaiingmya.
Madras.
Boml)ay.
Europe,
Bombay.
Yeolekar, T. G. (m.a., b.sc.) ... ...
Yerbury, ('ol. J. \V. (r.a.) {Life Memher)
Yoiinan, Col. A. C. (i.m.s.) ...
Young, Lt.-Col. H. G. (D.S.O., R.F.A.) ...
Youijg, J. V. (I.F.S.)
Young, L. W. H. .«=
Young, R. H.
Yule, Major R. A. (i.a.)
... Poona.
... Europe,
... Europe.
... Lahore C/antt.
... Rangoon.
,. Bombay.
... Karachi.
... Peshawar.
Zollinger, A. E.
Zumbro, Rev. W. M.
-Zurmuhle, E.
... Tuticorin.
,,, Madura.
... Bombay.
Ixxxviii
O
co
<
<
F>0
yj
O ^
O ^
CO ^
o
.5-
>-
<
o
o
o
s
,-*i-i-^O'^O05c»ooe^oooo oo
COojOSOCMCRi-t-^OOOOCOlCCfJO t^O
•coo'^QOoi'^ — os>-HCO-*.-Hi'-»o»o cow
CO w^ -^ CS r^t^ f., jQ rt (jq ,_, jf3 »-( F^ OI »J^
ffi C^ CO CO
I— I ft j
^ OS
oo
o
oo
o
oo
o
oo
o
oo
s
oo
o
oo
o
So
o
(X o
o
o o
00
00 o"
■^
lO o
t*
v^
f~l
t-H •— f
o
o
I/:
CO
"> _
, 1) 15 o
f^ tr ^1 o ^
• fl CH §<
a
_. o
S ^
3 '"-
© CO
bo
t3 O ffl 1^ O 01^ 3
CO O tf ft ft P< iJ b
a:
:ft
g
o
PS
CD
a
"S 5
Vt ^
© M
bo >: _
?^ :« O
o o
'J I'D
I
o ^
m
n o
f^ en
P3
o
g
S
Si
a
O o
O
□
ca
>
fflM<lJ
-S r?
g a «
H
.13
•a
a
m «. o
-a
a
a
o
.a
m
o
es
~ s
^ -
fi
03
111
o s
-I o
a
^g -5
a :
.?5
«1^
a "
<u a
a <u >> •
<D J-i a en
rh O^^ o
^o^ „«
Oh
ca 'o
I -a'
a -^
« :^"
«*H O
O p3
en
^ 2;
0)0^
tl'-
<u ^
5s
?"
i-. ®
ro
^ 0)
^-Q
•2 m
<^^
gco
!2;«r
sg
0~
■3 ^
a 03
o-"
Mi?
1*9
a. 2
oa o
<: s
"rj^
!-
cj aj
^5S
□ XI
O-u
"S a
03 o
S^-n
«3
O)
^ a,
U. Cj
^-
»i:
O ID
a cQ
00 •<c
«
.— <
t-~^
>— '
«r>
O
■"«
oa
CO
ui
»-
c^
f-4
P4
to
cr
00«50*^0000
o o CO i« **• o in i--:) o
COr-05CO'»C3«-»rHO
.-H '^J* o -* -^
ft *^
t>.o
oo
^i
c~o
CO
(M
OO-^OoOOOOOOOftOOoO — 00
OOcocoo'T^t^oot-c^ocoeoco'^tNQOOo
0<=>COo^W'^coC?30C1005GO<-"-*OOCTsC)2
ail
.«
a ^
:2 2
73
ft
o
.s
, CEI
2«
a a
c9 a
§2
p J
OS i^
C3
a
« a
a «
<D a
3"C
a
o
Oi
a
^ ^^ •— t — H 03 --I (^1 "M
2 OJ m 05 jaSsos C5
u . , i
p - -J
a
o
a
>
o
>>
<s
a
o
n
J3
p<
a
■a
a
a
tf S
I 2
00 <*^
k^
r . - - rS
a §•«
•r fl '=
a sj CO
. B-3
•55 en
O -w
o a
! <» S
) a-s-
CO .—
o £
C3
a<
. a
• a
CO
: B
o
■OpQ
E a
o
ffl
' (P QJ ^
a
S "w bo « IB 1^ 0)
gi o o 2 C S £
CO -*3 ctf ® > if
lSjoftS,§.2 •
- - . - ,, -e ? »
en 'O ©
fli c^ u
> X S
w S-5
i" m <o
cocoH
; a
^ ml ^
■°^ H 2 2
j= B a; 3
■« H 4) 3
0<P6
Mm
>
a
03
n
<=*'a;z;'~
SgoS
5«S§
2 a°* ^i
^ fO ^*^ '^
a p^ 5^
■^ a ! T:
o rtO s
'^< l"f i:
o
n
Ixxxix
cr.
S_j 'i>
<4)
h- H ^
o
O
O
<
o
o
o
H
CO
^
KO
O
<1
H
O ^
(2
CO
o
no CO coo
OO
OO
A
CO ^^ -^ X c>a CO
U5 r^ C4 C<« CO "»•
^ <-« c*a la ^-t
OOOOCQoOOOQOO
O O CD ^^ O
OO o c- >-»
O »« -^ OS CQ
P2
-i : :
:
OI
'— -
m • •
•
•
>
ks •
•
. u
C <o
Sa:
*
^-2
>.V1 •<!
•
.0.5 »
id^
to
'a
•^ r/
<D
Q
0 H o e
^ o a o
01 — "p =i
CQ<!co ■<
(E O
Si? s
20 —
o,. -so-;
o a
_ p.
<D cr Qj
3 en -^
ai <D —
0:
D
O c3 o Q
C
c
U) (1)
■5)= „
— P<!n
t, ^ i^l
■"O ?
!=• - S?
o
■;; o
5 i?
I £'
B
a
CO
-a -3; „, 5 o
> — ««■--.
o o .e „
Q >> m o (W
« S O O
'c^ c c a
£ a « is ^
.2 O 0! rf '«
ta
a .
a s>
R B
CJ
"S i
o>
ff Q
oOS
Tf,
*^
<a
a
0
m
s
o
S
o
oa
in
d
id ■-'
(U 0)
« s
o o
>•-• CO
a
0
0
CO
CO
CT
h
0
0
0
0
0
ea
0
0
-
QO
CO
t— *
05
■*
0
0
0
0
0
00
c-
cc
(M
C*
0
U5
o?
0
c=>
CO
CO
03
0
in
r-4
»^
i-H
■91
Ma
o
» 5
— 3
at "D
ro >
D
>^
■«!
P3
0
H
O
CI
C3
M
0)
v
fe
fe
CI
o
cq
n
u
S
bo
C
U
oS
ft in"
t>. •
o o
m
c
cS
pa
tio
c
-« t<
o
o
a
O
o
=3
C3
ft
03
•a
a
13
n
o
2 -
e; PQ pa
o
i_i i-i i-i r^
o t.
o "^
S I
— Ea
ES
O
O S
o
OQ
o
5-
o
j^' L*.
o
o
O
«3
o
«
a
o
12
NEW GENERIC TERMi^.
Pao-e
Taterona (Mammalia) ... ... ... ... 4
OUYIA ( „ ) 201
DlOMYS ( „ ) 203
INDEX OF SPECIES.
XCI
Abisara angulata
bifseciata
echerius
jhana
fraterna
. — fylla
fyllaria
690
— kausambi paionea
— neophron
chelina
— gratius
neophron
neophronides.
~ prunosa
Ablabes calamaria.
pavo
Abrus precatorius
Abutilon . .
asiaticum
bideutatum
cor nu turn
fruticosum
indicum
muticum
Acacia
arabica
catechu
jaquemonti
leucophloea
pennata
Senegal
Acanthion hodgsoni
Acanthis spinoides
Acanthopneuste nitidus. .
occipitalis
— ■ — trochiloides
viridanuB
Accentor himalayanus . .
nepalensis
Accipiter . .
Number.
lO-2'2
1022
1022
1022
1022
1022
1022
1022
1022
1022
1022
1022
1022
1022
569
683
139
226
226
226
227
227
226
226
245
U6, 627
246
246
246
945
246
824
773
991
606
606, 991
606
609
609
1007, 1008
44
Accipiter nisus
virgatus
Aceros nepalensis
Aehj'ranthes
' aspera
Acinonyx . .
jubatus
venaticus
Acisoma
panorpoides panorpoides
Acomys
cahirinus
dimidiatus
flavidiis . .
Acridotheres ginginianvis
tristis
Number
181, 617, 775, 845, 1009
. . 181, 1009
.. 998
..817
S17, 818
.. 44
.. 44
.. 44
492, 493
492, 493,
686
785, 967
.. 781
.. 967
. . 967
588, 992
. . 588, 607, 772, 992
A cTocephalus dumetorum.
Actinodura egertoni egertoni
Actinopteris dichotoma . .
Adelura cseruleicephala . .
^don familiaris . ,
^^^gialitis alexandrina
dubia . .
^iCgithaliscus erythrocephalus
• niveigularis
^^^^githalos erythrocephalus
cephalus
^i<]githina tiphia . .
^i^rides crispum . .
JEvuA
lanata
pseudo-tomentosa
tomentosa . .
^i]salon chicquera
regulus ..
x^thiopsar fuscus
^iCthopyga goulditie
ignicauda
saturata
586, 605, 991
..989
. . 987
. . 608
.. 292
187, 294
. . 187, 596
..602
.. 603
erythro-
..770
. . 586, 989
..486
. . 816
..817
.. 817
222, 234, 540, 816
..182
. . 846
. . 607, 992
. . 612, 996
. . 428, 996
. . 996
XCll
INDEX OF SPECIES.
^thopyga seheriae
Ageratum
conyzoides
Agrionoptera
— lineata
— simularis
Ailanthus excelsa
Ailurus
fulgens . .
Ainslisea pteropoda
Alactagulus indicus
Alauda gulgula . .
Alaudula adamsi . .
raytal . .
Albizzia . .
lebbek . .
stipulata
Alcedo beavani . .
ispida
Alcurus striatus . .
Alhagi camelorum
AUactaga hotsoni
indica , .
mongolica
williamsi
NUMBKR.
..996
..533
..533
..147
..153
..147
. . 625
..350
. . 350
. . 695
.. 778
. . 590, 995
. . 174, 590
. . 995
. . 246
. . 246
. . 823
..998
176, 591, 614, 997, 998
. . 990
. . 241
. . 936
936, 987
.. 986
. . 936
..973
..973
. . 477, 945
..102
..1023
Allium
■ cepa
Allophyllus cobe . .
AUotinns apthonius
fabius panormis
horsfieldii continentalis
nivalis substrigosa
' subviolaceus . .
manychus
Alee sp.
Alseonax latirostris
muttii . .
ruficaudus
Alternanthera
Alysicarpus
triandra
588,
hamosus
monilifer
rugosus
tetragonolobus
..1022
..1022
..1022
.. 973
607, 993
.. 667
.. 607
.. 818
.. 818
.. 240
.. 240
.. 240
210, 241
.. 241
Alysicarpus vaginalis
Amarantus
blitum oleracea
gangeticus . .
tristis
— paniculatus
~ polygamus
spmosus
viridis
Amaurornis phoenicurus . .
Amblypodia
anita
Ammannia
degyptiaca
arenaria
attenuata
auriculata
australasica
baccifera
210,
— coccmea
— cordata
— debilis
-- deusiflora
— desertorum . .
— lloribunda
— glauca
— indica
— japonica
— lanceolata
~ longypes
— madagascariensis
-- multiflora
— octandra
— parviflora
— pusilla
— racemosa
— salicifolia
— senegalensis
— trifiora
— undulata
— vesicatoria
~ wrightii
210,
AmmanoUa linearis
Ammoperdix bonhami
Ampeliceps coronatus
215,
Number..
.. 240
.. 816
.. 816
. . 816
.. 816
.. 816
.. 816
.. 816
.. 816
.. 185
438, 444, 447
.. 444
210, 526
.. 215
.. 211
.. 215
211, 213, 215
.. 212
210, 215
.. 211
215, 216
.. 215
.. 215
10, 213, 527
212
.. 215
.. 215
.. 212
215, 216
.. 211
.. 212
12, 214, 527
210, 211
.. 212
.. 211
.. 211
215, 216
214, 211, 210
216
211
215
211
211
294
856
INDEX OF SPECIES.
XCUl
Anaph.ieis mesentina
Anathana . .
ellioti . .
pallida . .
wroughtoni
Anas boscas
pacilorhyncha
Anax guttatus
Ancistrodon millardi
Andrographis
echioides . ,
Andropogon
annulatus .
foveolatus .
iwarancusa.
pertusus
sorghum
squarrosus .
Androsace rotundifolia .
Anogeissus
acuminata .
pendula
■ rotundifolia .
sericea
Anomalococcus indicus .
Anorthura neglecta
Anourosorex
assamensis.
squamipes .
Anser ferus
indicus
Anthersea roylei . .
Anthipes poliogenys
Anthothreptes simplex .
Anthracoceros albirostris
coronatus
Anthus blakistoni
campestris
maculus . .
— richardi . .
rosaceus , .
■ rufulus
similis
spinoletta
NUMBEK.
690
28
29
29
29
i91, 291, 842
. . 675, 842
..874
. . 578
..811
..811
. . 981
. . 981
. . 981
. . 981
. . 981
. . 981
.981
. . 696
. . 525
. . 525
..525
. . 525
. . 526
. . 627
..605
. . ;i8
. . 38
. . 38
. . 190, 620
..190
. . 300, 301
..993
. . 857
176, 998
..671
..173
. . 173, 612
. . 612, 995
.. 995
..612
589, 612, 995
173, 612, 995
..612
Number.
Anthus striolatus
trivialis ,
Anticharis
glandulosa
linearis
Antidesma ghsesembilla .
Antilope cervi<:apra
Aonyx
cinerea
leptonyx . .
leuconyx . .
Aphngeus
.. 995
173,612
.. 549
. . 549
.. 549
. . 945
K-2r,, 841
.. 349
.. 349
.. 349
.. 823
. . 473
.. 478
.. 478
.. 482
..477
. . 481, 482
.. 478
..481
478, 480, 482
..478
. . 473, 478
..478
..478
..980
..980
785, 966
..782
..966
. . 966
..966
. . 966
966
636
..616, 631, 637, 638,
639, 846
248, 616, 630, 631, 633
180
180, 631, 636, 638, 845
. . 180, 632
..247, 631, 642,845
180, 593, 631, 640, 642,
846, 1041
Arachnechthra asiatica ,. 612,174,286,
591, 857, 996
concanus
himalayanus
hypargyrus
ichita . .
ictis
lazularia
lillacinus
lohita . ,
syama . .
vulcanus
zebrinus
zoilus . .
Apluda
— aristata
Apodemus
— ananus
-- sublimis
— sylvaticus pentax
rusiges
wardi . .
Aquila
bifasciata. .
-- chrysaetus.
-- fulvescens
-- heliaca
— imperialis . .
-- maculata .
— vindhiana .
XCIV
INDEX Ot SPECIES.
Arachnechthra flammaxillaris
Arachnothera aurata
■ longirostis
. magna
Arboricola torqueola
Archibuteo
. hemiptilopuH
Arctictis . .
binturong
gairdneri
ArctogalicTia
leucotis
Arctonyx . .
. coUaris
- — dictator
taxoides
Ardea cinerea
manillensis
Ardeola grayi
Ardetta cinnomomea
■ minuta . .
sinensis . .
Ardisia hunilis
Argemone
mexicana
Argya caudata
• earlii
longirostris
malcolmi .
Arbopala
abseus . .
■ amantes
anita
atrax
bazaloides
canaraica
centaurus
corruscans
eumolphus
.446,
. . VI-2,
hewitsoni
pirithous
pseudocentaurus
Aristida
Number.
.. 856
..669
. . 670, 996
428, 670, 996
. . 619, 849
..654
. . 631, 654
. . 53
. . • • . . 53
. . 53
. . 52
. . 52
. . 281, 347
347, 348, 823
347, 348
347, 348
189, 598, 620
. . 189, 597
190, 598, 620
. . 598
. . 294
. . 598
..871
. . 219
..219
. .' ' 585, 603
585, 675, 988
. . 988
. . 585
446, 455, 457
,.446
447, 448, 450,
453, 454, 750
. . 446
.. 454
. . 446
. . 446
446, 447, 453,
456, 750
. . 447, 450
..446
446, 453, 454
. . 447
.. 447
.. 982
Anstida adscenscionis
funiculata
— hirtigluma
hystricula
mutabilis
Aristolochia
Arnebia
bracteata
hispidissima
Artamus fuscus . .
Artocarpus incisa
Arundinax aedon
Asio accipitrinus
Asparagus
racemosus
Aspidiotus (Chrysomphalus) aurantii
camellias
destructor . .
ficus . .
Asphodelus
tenuifolius
Astur
badius
palumbarius
Atella phalantha
Athene brama
Atriplex sp,
Aulocera sarasvati
Auzakia danava . .
Axis axis . .
porcinus
Azadirachta
— indica
Number,
.. 982
.. 982
.. 982
.. 982
.. 982
.. 969
.. 969
.. 643
.. 543
426, 992
.. 628
.. 991
.. 178
.. 972
.. 972
. 623
. 623
. 623
. 623
. 972
. 972
. 1008
181, 593, 617, 1009
1009
690
178, 593, 1045
968
870
..870
841, 661, 825
.. 825
. . 233
233
loo:
Badamia exclamationis . .
Balanites . .
roxburghii
Balsamodendron roxburghii
Bandicota
elliotana
gigantea
.. 691
.. 232
.. 232
.. 233
783, 785
786, 824
782, 785
INDEX OF SPECIES.
xcv
Bandicota indica
malabarica
savilei
Barbastella darjilingensis
Barleria . .
acanthoides
hochstetteri
prionitis
Bauhinia . .
Belomys . .
pearsoni
trichotis
Berberis lycium . .
Bergia
ammannioides
odorata
cestivosa . .
Boselaphus tragocamelus
Bhringa remif er . .
Bibasis sena
Bibos gaurus
Bidefts
pilosa
Bind^hara
sugriva
Blabephorus pinguis
Blainvillea
rhomboidea
Blarinella
wardi
Blastania . .
fimbristipula
Blastospora biitleri
Blepharis . .
sindica
Blumea
amplectens
Bcerhaavia
— diffusa
— elegans
— verticillata
Boswellia serrata
Botaurus stellaris
Number.
.. 786
.. 786
.. 786
.. 786
.. 823
.. 811
. . 811
. . 81-2
.. 811
.. 244
.. 357
. . 357
.. 357
.. 695
. . 225
.. 225
225
. . 225
.. 841
.. 990
. . 461
.. 825
. . 1035
. . 536
.. 536
.. 951
951, 954
.. 301
. . 535
.. 535
.. 36
.. 37
.. 529
.. 529
.. 696
.. 811
.. 811
.. 533
.. 533
.. 815
.. 815
.. 815
.. 815
.. 233
.. 190
Bouchea marrubifolia
Brachydiplax
farinosH
pruinosa
sobrina
Brachypternus aurantius.
Brachythemis
-^ contaminata
fuscopalliata
Bradinopyga
Number.
.. 813
. . 490
. . 490, 492
.. 492
490, 491, 492, 686
175, 591, 613
..737
. . 686, 737^
738, 739
..738
.. 514
. . 514, 686
.. 220
. . 220
. . 544
..544
.. 825
..178
178, 593.
. . 190, 598
838, 839
838, 839, 840
. . 838, 839
560, 562, 563, 566
..197
..197
. . 198
. . 198
575, 684, 1046
..580
1007, 1008, 1012
180, 593, 1007,
1008, 1012
Buteatrondosa . . . . . . . . 305
Buteo 241, 826, 1000
desertonmi: 826, 827, 835, 845, 1001
ferox . . 181, 617, 827, 832, 845,
1000, 1001, 1002, 1003
frondosa . . . . 135, 241, 305
leucocephalu's . . . . 827, 1000
plumipes . . . . 826
vulgaris . . . . . . . . 826
Butorides javanica . . . . . . 598
geminata
Brassica campestris
oleracea
Breweria . .
latifolia
Bubalis bubalis . .
Bubo bengalensis
coromandus
Bubulcus coromandus
Budorcas bedfordi
•■ taxicolor
tibetanus
Bufo melanostictus
Bulbostylis
-~ barbata
capillaris
puberula
Bungarus cceruleus
fasciatus
Butastur . .
teesa
XCVl
INDEX OF SPECIES.
Number.
Caccabis chucar . .
Oacergates fuecopalliata
'Cacomantis merulinus
passerinus
Caconeura canningi
mackwoodi
Cadaba
indica
Calamaria pavimentata
■Calamintha umbrosa
Calandrella brachydactyl
minor
•Callacanthis burtoni
Callialcyon lilacina
'Calligonum
polygonoides
Calliope camtschatkensis
tschebaiewi
Callophis bibroni
Callosciurus
atrodorsalis
shanicus.
619,
428,
684,
J 74,
365,
365,
365,
365,
— caniceps
— cnimpi
— epomophorus davisoni. 366,
— erythrteus . , 365, 366,
bhutanensis
crotalius
erythrteus. 368,
erythrogaster . .
kinneari
nagarum. 369,
punctatissimus . .
ferrugineus . .
gordoni
griseimanus
qiiinquestriatus
rubeculuB . .
sladeni
careyi
fryanus
haringtoni
midas
millardi
rubex
365,
366,
365, 366,
366,
365,
366,
366,
366.
775
738
999
999
877
876
222
222
866
696
293
293
610
998
969
969
994
994
577
365
368
368
366
368
368
368
368
369
369
369
369
370
369
368
370
365
870
370
366
367
367
367
367
367
367
Callosciurus sladeni shortridgei
sladeni
stevensi
Calomyscus bailwardi
baluchi
hotsoni
Calotes versicolor
Calothemis
Calotropis
acigastra
procera
Calyptomena viridis
Camena . .
argentea
cippus
cleobis . .
ctesia
— deva
Camponotus compressus
Campophaga melanoptera
melanoschista
— sykesi
Canavalia
ensiformis
Canis
aureus
indica
indicus indicus
kola
laniger
lanka
lupus
naria
pallipes
Cannabis
sativa
Canthium parviflorum
Capparis . ,
aphylla
— decidua
grandis
sodada . .
spinosa
Caprimulgus jegypticus
asiaticus
Number.
366, 367
366, 367
365, 368
938, 939
.. 939
.. 939
70, 571, 579
.. 141
.. 142
.. 539
246, 539
.. 858
457, 464, 467, 469
458, 462, 465, 467
.. 472
.. 457
.. 457
.. 472
118, 627
.. 524
624, 607, 992
.. 992
.. 241
241, 1049
, , 338
.. 338
.. 823
.. 339
839, 340, 1028
.. 339
339, 340
.. 338
339, 340, 1033
338, 339
.. 972
.. 972
.. 477
.. 222
222, 540
.. 222
. . 222
.. 222
.. 222
1043
.. 177
INDEX OF SPECIES.
XCVll
•Caprimulgus europajiis . .
indicus
macrurus . .
monticola . .
unwini
Capsicum , .
annuum
•Cardamine impatiens
Cardiospermum halicacabum
•Carduelis cauiceps
Carega arborea . .
■Carex
— —- condensata
mercarensis
speciosa . .
Carpodocus erythrinus .
■Carpophaga renea senea .
Caryopteris grata
wallichiana . .
Casarca rufila
rutila
Cassia
auriculata
kleinii
obovata
obtusa
Cassytha . .
filiformis
Castalius . .
ananda . .
decidea
ethion
rosimon
Cataptecilma
Catachrysops
~ elesans
atrabo
— cnejus
— pandava
— strabo
Catopsilia . .
crocale
florella
pomona
• pyranthe
Number.
. . 428
. . 614
..999
o92, 614, 999
. . 428
. . o49
. . 549
. . 695
. . 235
610, 676
. . 871
. . 208
. . 209
. . 208
..209
^589, 610, 995
. . 846
. . 696
. . 696
..842
190,620
..244
. . 244
. . 244
. . 244
. . 244
..967
. . 969
. . 123, 128
..123
. . 124, 129
126, 127, 132
.. 129,691
. . 759
. . 759
..107
. . 108
. . 110, 691
. . 112, 691
691
462
Catreus
wallichi . .
Celerio euphorbite
Celosia
argentea . .
Celsia
coromandeliana
Celythemis phyllis
Cenchrus . .
bitlorus
catharticus
Centropus bengalensis
sinensis
Cephalopyrus flammiceps.
Cerastium glomeratum . .
Ceratina viridissima
Cerberus . ,
rhynchops
Cercomela fusca . .
Cerjornis blythi . .
caboti . .
690
690
690
690
macrolophus .
melanocephala
modestus
satyra . .
temmincki
Cerococcus hibisci
Ceropegia wallichii
Ceroplastodes cajani
Certhia himalayana
himalayana
Cervus cashmirianus
Ceryle lugubris . .
varia
Cethosia cyane
Ceyx tridactyla . .
Chierephon
plicatus
13
Chserocampa alecto
Chjietura . .
Chaimarrornis leucocephala
Chalcopharia phojnicotis
Chalcophaps indica
Chaptia senea
Chara sp. ...
NUMBEK.
1
1, 2, 619
.. 872
.. 815
.. 815
.. 549
.. 549
. . 931
. . 979
.. 979
.. 979
429, 999
177, 592, 999
604, 675, 990
..695
.. 872
. . 89
89, 581, 584
588, 667, 843
. . 891
.. 906
.. 707
.. 885
.. 906
.. 707
. 891, 901
. . 627
.. 696
. . 625
. . 605
.. 771
. . 1038
. . 613, 998
176, 591, 998
. . 690
. . 998
. . 27
.. 27
.. 299
. . 591
. . 772
. . 990
, . 618, 671 5
.. 990
.. 219
xcvni
INJiEX OF SPECIES.
Charasia . .
Charadrius fulvus
dorsalis
Charaxas fabius .
cerynthus
polyxena
hemana
— • — hierax
hindia
rossa
Charaxes athamas
imna
schreiberi
Chaulelasmus streperue
Chelidon kashmiriensis
Chelidorhynx hypoxautha
hypoxanthum
Cheliones . .
— hurrianoe collinue
Chenopodium
album
Cheritra freja
jaffra
Chersydnis granulatus . .
Ohettusia gregaria
leucura
Chibia hottentotta
Chilades laius
trochillus
Chimarrhornis leucocephalus
Chimmarrogale . .
himalayica
Chionaspis vitis . .
Chiropodomys
■ gliroides . .
• peguensis . .
penicillatus
Chliaria
cachara .
kina
nilgirica .
othona .
Chloropsis aurifrons
hardwickii
Number.
.. 565
.. 187
571, 673, 578
..1021
..1021
..1021
. . 1022
..1021
..1022
..1021
..1022
.. 462
.. 462
.. 462
191, 842
..611
.. 772
427, 608, 993
.. 726
. . 726
. . 968
. . 968
.. 951
766, 948, 951
.. 584
.. 187
187, 294
425, 990
.. 691
.. 691
608, 993
.. 38
.. 38
.. 622
785, 965
.. 965
965, 966
.. 782
. . 484
.. 484
.. 484
.. 486
484, 485
.. 990
,. 990
Chsetura nudipes . .
Choetornis locustelloides
Chorlis
pallida
polystachya
quinquesetica
tenella
villosa
virgata
Chrysanthemum
indicum
Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus
Chrysocolaptes gutticristatus
Chrysopelea ornata
Chrysophlegma flavinucha
Cicer
arietinum . .
Ciconia alba
Cinclus asiaticus . .
Cinnyris currucaria
Circaetus . .
callicus. .
Circus
■ cyaneus
NUMBEK
614, 998
586
— - niacrurus
Cissa chinensis
Cistanche
tubulosa
Cisticola cursitans
tytleri . .
Citrullus . .
colocynthis
vulgaris. .
Citrus
aurantium
medica
Cittocincla macrura
Clemmys caspica . .
Cleome
brachycarpa
papillosa . .
riscosa
Clerodendron
phlomidis
983
983
984
98A
983
984
984
.)36
536
999
997
574
996
242
242
189, 294
609, 994
.. 175
1007, 1008, 1009
180,617,774,1008,1009
1007, 1008
617, 1009
181, 593, 845, 1009
181, 693, 617, 845, 1009
854, 988
550
55U
586
991
528
528
529
2.32
232
232
427, 994
295
220
221
220
221
813
813
INDEX OF SPECIES.
XCIX
Cleroilendrou siphonanthus
Clitoria ternatea. .
Coccinia . .
indica . .
Coccinella 7-punctata
Cocculus . .
cebatha
villosus
Coccystes coromandus
■ jacobiuus 590, 592,
Coclioa jjurpurea.
Ccelomys . .
bicolor.
mayori .
Ccesulia
— axillaris .
Collocalia brevirostris
francica
fasciphaga
innominata
Colotis amata
■ vestalis . .
Coluber helena
pavo
porphyraceus
Colnmba eversmanni
— intermedia
livia
Commelina
albescens
bengalensis
forskaloei
Commiphora
• agaUo3ha
mukul
Conchoderma hunteri
Contia brevicauda
condoni
fasciata
Convolvulus
arvensis
conglomeratui
— densiflorus
— glomeratue
— gracilis
Number.
. 477
.1049
. 529
. 529
. 848
. 219
. 219
. 219
. . 429, 999
603, 615, 999
. . 669
. . 785, 962
. . 962
. . 782, 962
. . 534
. . 534
. . 614
. . 858, 8o9
177, 998
858, 859
868, 869
868, 869
. . 566
. . 865
. . 866
. . 183, 594
183, 534, 618
. . 618
..973
. . 973
..973
. . 973
. . 232
. . 233
232, 246, 971
..809
.1024
..1024
. . 1024
. . 544
. . 545
.. 544
.. 545
. . 544
.545
Convolvulus microphyllus
pluricaulis . .
rhyniospermus
— rottlerianus
Copsychus saularis
Coraoias affinis
bengalensis
garrulus
indica . .
Corallocarpus
epigoeus
Corchorus
— • acutangulus
antichorus
fescicularis
olitorius
tridens
trilooularis
Cordia
rothii
Coriaria nepalensis
Corvus capellanus
corax
tibetanum
insolens
macrorhynchus
splendens
NUMBEK.
. . 544
. 545
. . 545
.. 544
. 576, 588, 608, 994
618, 997
. . 861
. . 293, 861
176, 591, 861, 997
.. 530
. . 530
. . 229
.230
. . 2:J(), 970
. . 229
. . 229
. . 230
. . 229
. . 541
..541
762, 763, 764
. . 292
. . 585
..848
523
601, 634, 988
levaillanti . . 770
. . 289, 523, 585, 592,
601, 843, 988
protegatus
Corydon sumatranus
Cotile sinensis
Cottonia macrostachys
Cotula
hemisphijurica
Coturnix communis
coromandelica
Courtoisia
cyperoides
Crateropus canorus
terri color terricolor
Cratilla
rtalverti
lineata
.. 523
.. 523
. . 857
611, 995
485, 486
.. 536
. . 536
185, 619
. . 594
.. 192
.. 192
585, 603
. . 988
.. 152
.. 153
.. 153
INDEX OF StECIES.
Cratilla metallica
Cremastogaster . .
Cremnomys
australis
122,
Siva
cutchicus
medius
csenosus
rajput
Creon
cleobis
Oreoplastes actiniformis
Cressa
cretica
Criniger flaveolus
Crocidura
— aranea
— fuleginosa
— fumigata
— horsiieldi
Crocopus chlorogaster
phoenicopterus
Crocothemis
cruentala
erythoea
reticulata
rufa
■ servilia
soror
Crotalaria
burhia
capensis
medicaginea
retusa
striata
servilia
515,
Crypsirhina varians
Cryptolopha burkii
cantator
xanthoschiata
xanthoschistos
Cryptostegia
grandiflora
Cryptotheca apetala
NUMBEK.
. . 163, 154
469, 476, 479
784, 799
. . 800
.. 800
782, 799, 800
.. 800
.. 800
. . 800
.. 457
463, 465
,. 624
.. 544
..544
.. 990
.. 37
.. 37
.. 37
.. 37
.. 37
183, 594
.. 183
. . 515
. . 505
516, 517
.. 516
.. 505
516, 686, 687
516, 517
516
235
235
135
235
236
1047
853
6(M>. 991
.. 991
. . 606, 614
xanthos-
chistos. 772
. . 540
. . 540
.. 215
Cu cuius canorus
Number.
. . 592, 606, 614, 671, 999
Cucumis
micropterus
saturatus
melo
prophetarum
trigonus
Cucurbita
maxima
Culicicapa ceylonensis
Cuon
dukhunensis
rutilans
Curetis
bulls
— thetis
Oursorius coromandelicus
gallicus
Cuscuta
hyalina . .
Cyamopsis
psoralioides
Cyanecula suecica
Cyaniris limbata .
puspa . .
Cyanoderma erythropterum
Cyanops asiatica . .
cyanotis. .
— rubescens
Cyanotis
axillaris
Cyathocline
lyrata
Cydnus indicus . .
Cylindrophis maculatus
Cymbcpogon
martini
Cymborhynchus macrorhynchus
Cynselurus jubatTis
Cynodon . .
barberi
dactylon
intermedius
Cynopterus sphinx sphinx
. . 614, 999
606, 614, 999
528
528
528
528
530
530
607, 772, 993
. . 340
,340,661,823,837,
1032, 1033
340, 341
135, 140
135, 139
135, 136, 139, 462
186, 595
186
543
543
236
236
588, 994
871, 872
116
855
613, 997
997
997
973
973
533
533
681
863
982
982
857
1041
.. 983
304, 305
304, 305, 983
304, 305
823, 1025
INDEX OF ISPECIES.
ci
Cynthia saloma
Cyornis leucomelanurus
-- melanoleucus
rubeculoides
■ superciliaris
Cyperus
— arenanus
— aristatiis
— bulbosus
- compressus
— conglomeratus
— difformis
— eleusinoides
— iria
niveus . .
pumiliis. .
pygraaeus
rotiuidus
tuberoBUS
Cyprellus pallidus
Cypselus affinis . .
leuconyx
raelba . .
murinus
_ pacificus
Dacnomys. .
millardi
Dacfcylopius indicus
Dafila acuta
Dalbergia . .
— lanceolaria
latifolia
sissoo . .
Danais chrysippus
— limniace . .
plexippus
Daphnis nerii
Datura
fastuosa . .
Deilephila livornica
Delias eucharis . .
176,
Number.
.. 462
426, 607, 993
.. 993
426, 607, 993
.. 607
. . 974
. . 974
. . 974
. . 975
.. 974
.. 974
.. 974
. . 975
. . 975
.. 974
.. 974
202, 974
.. 975
.. 975
. . 293
591, 614, 998
.. 614
61 4, 998
.. 293
. . 998
784, 790
782, 790
.. 626
191, 842
.. 244
,. 627
.. 462
.. 244
.. 689
689, 1047
.. 689
.. 299
.. 548
. . 548
.. 872
.. 690
Dendrocyna javanica
Dendrelaphis caudolineatus
tristis
Dendrobium chrysotoxum
Dendrocitta himalayensis
rufa
Dendrocopus auriceps . .
— himalayensis
macii
Dendrophis pictus
Dendrotreron hodgsoni . .
Derris scandens . .
Desmcistachya
bipinnata
Deudoryx
epijarbas
Diardigallus praelatus
fasciolatus . ,
Diaspis echinocacti
Dicreuin cruentatum
erythrorhynchus
ignipectns
olivaceum
Dichoceros bicornis
Diclirostachys cinerea
Dicoma
tomeutosa
Dicrurus annectens
ater
longicaudatns
Digera
arvensis
Digitalis purjjurea
Digitaria . .
pennata
sanquinalis
var. ciliaris
Dioscorea
pentophylla
Diospyros embryopteris
Dipcadi erythrfeum
Diplacodes
nebulosa
parvula
NUMBEK.
. . 842
. . 580
. . 567
..897
. . 602, 988
585, 602, 988
. . 175, 613
. . 613
613, 996
..580
. . 846
..139
..986
..986
..767
691, 767
.15
.15
..622
. . 996
. . 612, 996
. . 996
..996
..998
.245
.537
.. 537
. . 990, 999
586, 605, 990
605, 675, 990
.. 856
.. 815
.. 815
.. 308
.. 977
.. 977
.. 977
.. 977
.. 457
.. 480
.. 762
.. 972
.. 500
500, 601, 686, 687
..876
en
INDEX OF SPECIES.
Number.
Diplacodes trivialis
Diplax commixta
dry as
equestris . .
fonscolombei
hypomelas
meridionalis
nebulosa . .
• ^— orientale . .
sobrina
striolata . .
trivialis
vulgata
Diplostemon octandrum
Dipodilliis
arabium
Indus . .
500,
501,
501",
— nanus . .
— swinhoei
779,
Dipsadomorphus ceyloueusis
• — — forsteni
multifasciatus
nuchalis
495,
935,
935,
570.
trigonatus
Dischrostachys . .
Disparoneura fletcheri . .
Dissemurus paradiseus . .
Dissura episcopus
Dodona adonira . .
argentea
binghami
dipoea
■ nostia
- eugenes . .
venox
— longicaudata
— ouida
■ — phlegra
Doemia
extensa . .
Doleschallia polybete
Dolichos . .
biflorus
Dremomys
680
498
926
510
497
498
735
501
499
491
495
503
497
211
779
935
936
936
779
571
571
866
571
569
245
876
990
189
1022
1022
1022
1022
1022
1022
1022
1022
1022
1022
540
540
462
242
242
363
Dremomys lokria
bhotia
lokria
macmillani .
— pernyi
— rufigenis
udamsoni
opimus
Dryobates aviriceps
Dryonastes chinensis
• ruficoUis
Dryophis mycterizans . . 563,
perroteti
pulverulentus . .
Dythemis infernalis
Dysdercus cingulatus
Number.
. . 363
363, 364, 824
363, 364
363, 364
.. 364
363, 364
. 364, 365
.. 364
. . 774
. 854, 855
. . 988
)72, 578, 681,
862, 863
.. 571
. . 574
.. 925
. . 872
Echinops . .
echinatus
Echinus esculentus
Echis carinatus . .
Eclipta
erecta
Ehretia
aspera
Elteagnus latifolia
Elanus
coeruleus
,181,
Eleocharis
— atropurpurea
— capitata
— chaetaria
— congesta
— fistulosa
— palustris
— plantaginea
— spiralis
Elephas maximas
Eleusine . ,
. . 537
. . 537
. . 483
. . 577
. . 535
. . 535
. . 541
. . 541
. . 622
1005
617, 826, 827,
1005, 1041
197, 198, 976
198, 199, 976
. . 198, 199
198, 199, 312
..312
198, 199
198, 199
..198
. . 198, 199
. . 825
. . 984
INDEX 01 SPECIES.
cm
Eleusine iBgyptiaca
aristata . .
flagellifera
Elionurus . .
hirsutus
royleanus
Emballonura
monticola
Emberiza aureola
— _ cia stracheyi
fucata . .
arcuat;
leucocephala
luteola
pusilla . .
rutila . .
• schoenicles
stewarti
stracheyi
Enallagma assamica
Enhyclrina
valakadyu
Enhydris . .
curtus . .
Enicostemma
littorale
Eogiaucomys
fimbriatus
Ephedra . .
foliata . .
Epimys kandianus
■ — kelaarti .
nemoralis
— nitidus . .
rufescens
389, 394, 398
Eptesicus hingstoni
• innesi . .
matschiei
■ pellucens
• serotinus
. turcomanus
walli . .
Eragrostis . ,
ciliaris
Number.
984
984
984
980
981
980
23
23
995
774
676
774
611
293, 676
. 995
. 995
. 676
. 611
. 611
. 877
. 96
(), 803
. 94
. 94
. 540
. 540
. 358
. 358
. 972
. 972
. 387
. 411
. 408
. 412
68,77,83,87, 384,
400, 402, 403, 409
.. 745
.. 745
.. 746
746, 747
.. 745
. . 745
.. 746
.. 985
.. 985
Number.
Eragrostis ciliaris var. brachystachya. . 985
interrupta
major
minor
pilosa
plumosa
stenophyllii
tremula
viscosa
Eribtea agrarius . .
— arja
rseberi
vernus
athamas . .
— andamanicus
— bharata
— hamasta
— madeus
eudamippus
jamblichus
jalysus
ephebus . .
moori
marginalis
sandakanus
schreiberi
tisamenus
Erigeron alpinus
canadense
Eriochiton cajani
Eriophorum
comosum
Erodium . .
cicutarium
Erythemis oblita
rufa
servilia
testacea
Erythrina
caffra . .
— crista galli
indioa . .
lithosperma
Esacus recurvirostris
.. 985
.. 986
.. 986
.. 986
.. 985
.. 986
.. 986
.. 985
. . 1021
. . 1021
. . 1021
. . 1021
. . 1021
. .1021
. . 1021
. . 1021
..1021
.1021
. .1021
..1021
. .1021
..1021
. . 1021
. .1021
. .1021
.1021
..1021
.. 696
.. 696
.. 625
.. 203
.. 203
.. 232
.. 232
.. 505
.. 505
.. 516
.. 168
. . 1050
. . 1050
. . 1050
. . 1050
.. 624
186, 595
CIV
INDEX OF 8PECIEIS.
Euaspa milionea . .
Eublemraa scitula
Eucalyptus sp. . ,
Budynamis honorata
Eugenia . .
janbolana
Eulabes intermedia
Eulepis dolon
Eupetaurus
— cinereus
Euphorbia
clarkeana
devergens
dracunculoides
elegans
glanca
granulata
hirta . ,
hypericifolia . .
jodhpurensis . .
rothiana
Ijeta . .
— microphylla . .
neriifolia
nivulia
— — oreophila
pilosa . .
segetalis
thymifolia
177
Euplocamus diardi
ignitus
praelatus
: — rufus
sumatranus
vieilloti
Euploea core
Eupodotis edwardsi
Euripus consimilis
amala
diocletiana
eurimus
gudila
meridionalis
sunta
triquilla
Number.
.. 870
.. 627
. . 526
, 592, 999
.. 526
.. 526
.. 992
.. 870
.. 354
.. 354
.. 970
.. 971
.. 600
.. 970
.. 970
.. 600
. . 970
.. 970
.. 970
.. 971
599, 600
.. 599
. . 971
219, 940
. . 540
. . 599
.. 696
.. 600
.. 970
.. 15
.. 10
.. 15
.. 10
.. 11
.. 10
689, 1047
595, 673
..1021
. . 1021
. . 1021
. . 1021
. . 1021
..1021
. . 1021
. . 1021
Euripus halitherses
alcathsBoides
cinnamoneus
gulussa
gyrtona
— — haliartus
isa . .
master
neda
nyctelius
kademoides
Eurystomus orientalis
Euthalia nais
Everes argiades . .
Evolvulus . .
alsinoides
Excalfactoria chinensis
Exostoma stoliczikne
NUMBEK>
. . 102]
. . 1021
. . 1021
. . 1021
. . 1021
. . 1021
. 1021
. . 1021
. . 1021
. . 1021
..1021
428, 997
.. 689
132, 691
.. 544
. . 544
. . 1044
. . 295
Fagonia
arabica .
bruguieri
cretica .
Fagopyrum
esculentum
Falco barbarus
cherrug
jugger
milvipes
— peregrinator
• peregrinus . .
— . peregrinator
. . 231
..231
. . 231
. . 231
. . 969
. . 969
. . 845
. . 182, 846
182, 590. 593, 618
. . 182
— - — sacer
subbuteo . .
tinnunculuB
Farsetia . .
segyptiaca
hamiltonii
jacquemontii
macrantha
Felis
affinis
.. 618
. 182, 845
.. 775
182
(>18, 846
775
219
220
220
219
220
40
42, 43, 822, 1027, 1082
INDEX OF SPECIES.
cv
Felis bengalensis
■ caracal
chaus
isabellina
leo . .
lynx
raanul
marmorata .
nebulosa
oniata
pardus
rubiginosa
temmincki
tigris
torquata
uncia
viverrina
Feroculus
FicTis
bengalensis
— — mysorensis
NUMBEK.
40, 41, 43, 822, 1032
40, 44, 1041
.. 40
.. 44
40, 41, 42
. . 40
40, 42, 43
40, 41, 43, 822
40, 41, 43, 822
. . 40, 41, 42
40, 41, 42, 822, 841
40, 41, 42, 1027
40, 41, 43, 822
40, 41, 42. 659, 822,
837, 841
. . 40, 42, 44
. . 40, 41, 43
40, 41, 42, 822
Fimbristylis tenera
oxylepis
religiosa
Filices
Fimbristylis
971
972
972
971
987
192, 197, 975
193, 312
193, 194
- 195,197
mierocarya . . 197
dichotoma . . 194, 975
digitata . . . . 195
diphylla . . 194, 195
annua . . . . 195
pleristriata . . 195
acuminata
argentea
complanata
ferruginea . .
glomerata . .
junciformis
miliacea
monostachya
monticola . .
oestivalis
polytrichoides
quinquangularis
schcenoides
spathacea . .
194, 195, 975
. . 203, 204
195, 196
195,196
. . 192
.196
..194
..193
195, 196, 975
193, 194
..194
tetragona ,
umbellata
uncinata
wallichiana
■ — woodrowii
Flaveria . .
contrayerba
Forficula planticoUis
Francolinus pondicerianus
vulgaris
Frankliuia buchanani
■ — cinereicapilla
— gracilis
rufescens
Fringilanda sordida
Fuirena . ,
Fulica atra
Fuligula f uligula . .
Funambulus
bengalensis
dravidianus
— kathleeuse
— layardi
— numarius
— palmarum
bellaricus
brodiei. .
comorinus
favonicus
kelaarti
olympius
pabnarum
pennanti
NuMBEK.
196, 197, 976
195, 196, 976
. . 193
203, 204
. . 203, 204
. . 203
195, 196
. . 538
..538
. . 848
185, 594, 620
185, 594, 619
. . 586
. . 991
605, 991
.. 991
.. 611
. . 203
185, 620
. . 842
. . 372
. . 374, 376
. . 374, 377
. . 730, 1033
. . 374, 377
373, 374, 377
. . 729, 730
. . 373
374, 375
373, 375
373, 375
374, 375
373, 375
374, 375
.. 375
.. 374
argentescens 374, 376
lutescens 374, 376
pennanti 376, 824, 1028
- robertsoni . . 374, 376
- striatus . . . . 576
sublineatus 373, 374, 377, 1033
- thomasi . . 729, 730, 1028
~ tristri^tus . . 373, 374, 728,
729, 730
14
CVJ
IND£X OF SPECIES.
Number.
Funambulus tristriatus iiumarius 374, 376
tristriatus . . 376
wroughtoni . . 374, 376, 729
Galega incana
spinosa . .
Galeopterus
volans
Galerita cristata . .
deva
Gallicrex cinerea
Gallinago coelestis . . 188,
gallinula
• nemoricola
stenura
Gallinula chloropus
Gallus ferrugineus
macartneys
Gampsorhynchus rufulus rufulus
Garrulax albogularis
leucolophus leucolophus
moniliger
pectoralis
Garmlus bispecularis
lanceolatus
Gazella bennetti. .
Gecinus chloroloplius
occipitalis
squamatus
GenDcBus albocristatus . . 185
—■ — — batenani
horsfieldi horsfiekli . .
Geocichla citrina . .
— - wardi . .
Gerardia prevostiana
Gerbillus . .
andersoni
cheesmani . . . .
gerbillus
gleadowi . . 748
Gerydus biggsii . .
.. 238
.. 240
.. 39
.. 39
174, 591
.. 174
. . 594
596, 849
188, 596
.. 301
.. 850
185, 594
184, 619
.. 10
.. 989
603, 770
.. 988
.. 988
. . 988
602, 652
. . 602
.. 842
613, 996
612, 996
.. 612
619, 775
.. 848
.. 848
.. 994
609, 994
.. 584
778, 779
748, 749
748, 749
748, 749
749, 779
. . 1023
Gerydus biggsii atomaria
denticulata
boisduvali miletus
longeana
symethus
diopeithes
Giaekia
- pharnaceoides
Glareola lactea . .
orientalis
pratincola
Glaucidium brodici
cuculoides
radiatum
Glossocardia
Glossonema
linearifolia
setosa
varians
Gnaphalium
pulvinatuni
Golunda . .
ellioti . . 782
newera . .
watsoni
Gomphrena
— globosa
Gonatodes jerdoni
Gonomys bengalensis
Gossypium
— arboreum
herbaceum
Gracilea
— royleana
plumos
Graminicola bengalensis
Grammotoptila striata
Graucalus macii . .
Grewia
abutilifolia
populifolia
salvifolia . .
villosa
Grus antigone
Number.
. . 1023
..1023
. . 1023
..1023
..1023
..1023
.. 632
.. 632
186, 595
.. 595
. . 294
.. 616
. . 616
.. 616
.. 636
. . 536
. . 536
. . 539
. . 539
.. 534
.. 534
785, 964
824, 964, 965, 1030
964, 965
.. 965
.. 818
. . 818
572, 575
.. 824
.. 228
.. 228
.. 228
. . 983
.. 983
.. 983
.. 991
.. 603
.. 988
524, 992
.. 229
. . 229
.. 229
.. 229
.. 229
.. 185
striata
INDUX 01 SPECIES.
cvu
Orypomys
CJimomys
gleadovvi
bengalensis
gracilis
— kok
lordi
— varius .
— sindicus
— wardi .
(Tuyia
kathleenas
Gymnorhis flavicollis
Gymnosporia
montana
Gvmiiura . .
gymnura minox-
(4j'nandropsis
— pentaphylla
Gj^paetus
barbatus.
NUMBEK.
. . 784, 801
782, 801
. . 783, 787
782, 785, 787
. . 787, 788
664, 787, 788, 1030, 1035
. . 787, 788
. . 787, 788
664, 787, 788
. . 787, 788
. . 784, 802
. . 782, 802
.. 589,611
. . 233
. . 233
. . 33
. . 33
221
.. 221
262
180,251, 262,616, 618
— grandis
774
Gyps
. . 249, 255, 256, 257, 258
fulvus 179, 249. 250, 255, 250, 260
himalayensis ,. ., 774
himalayensis 249, 250, 256, 260,
616, 618
indicus . . 179, 250, 257, 287, 1045
tenuirostris . . . . 179, 250, 258
Haliastur indus .. 181,593.
Haloxylou
nitiltifloruiu
recurvum
-■ salicomicuni . .
Halys dentatus . .
Hapalomys
longicaudatus
Hapalocarpum indicum . .
vesicatoriuin
Harpactes erythrocephalus
orescius
Harpactor costalis
Harpiocephalus . .
. lasyurus
Harpiola . .
— gnsea
Hasora chromus . .
Helarctos . .
malayanus
Hadromys
huuoei
Hiematospiza sipalii
Hteromys . .
— ■ — chiropus
margaretta-
Halcyon smyrnensis
Haliaetus . .
. albicilla
leucoryphus
785, 964
. . 782, 964
..995
785, 964
..964
. . 782
176,591, 614,998
1007,1008, 1014
.. 1008, 1016
181, 593, 617, 1007,
1008, 1014
Helicops schistosus
Helictis
uipalensis
orientalis
personata
Heliotropium
calcareuin
eichwaldi . .
ovalifolium
paniculatum
rariflorum . .
strigosum . .
supinum .
tuberculosum
undulatum
■ — zeylaniciim
Hemianax ephippiger . .
Hemibungarus nigrescens
Hemiclielidon sibirica . .
Hemichionaspis lepidistrpe
these
Hemicordulia asiatica . .
Hemiechinus
auritus
collaris
Number.
617, 827,831
968
968
968
968
694
785, 967
782, 967
. . 216
. . 215
. . 999
. . 859
..872
. . 20
21, 824
. . 20
. . 20
. . 691
. . 351
. . 351
. . 862
..346
. . 347
346, 823
346, 347, 823
. . 541
. . 542
..542
. . 542
. . 542
. . 541
. . 543
. . 541
. . 542
. . 542
. . 541
. . 874
. . 564, 576
. . 607, 992
622
623
685
31
748
32
cvm
INDEX OF SPECIES.
Hemieehinus megalotis
Hemigalus
derbianus incursor
Hemilecanium imbricans
Hemilophus pulverulentis
Hemipus capitalis
picatus . .
Hemistigmoides . .
Hemitragus hylocarius
Hemixus flavala . .
Henicurus immaculatus
leschenaulti
maculatus
schistaceiis
Herodias alba
garzetta
Herpornis xantholeuca
Hesperia galba . .
Hesperoptenus tiekelli
Heylandia
■ • latebrosa
Heynea trijuga . .
Hibiscus abelmoschiis
cannabinus
— esculentus
— niicranthiis
Hieraetus . .
■ fasciatus
— pennatus
180,
Hierococcyx varius
Himantopus candidus
Hipposideros armiger
fulvus
Hiptage madablota
• parviflora
180, 617,
..177,
Hirundo erythropygia . .
guttaralis
nepalensis
rustica . . . . 172,
smithii . . . . 172,
tytleri . .
HodgsoniuB phoenicuroides
Hoplopterus ventralis . .
Hoppea
Number.
. . 32
. . o2
. . 53
. . 625
. . 428, 613
. . 426
. . 992
..488
. . 666
. . 990
. . 993
. . 993
608, 993
..993
190, 598
598, 852
. . 989
.691
. . 824
. . 235
. . 235
.. 139
. . 227
. . 228
. . 227, 625
.. 227
. . 646
593, 616, 631,
644, 650
631, 646, 845
287, 592, 999
.. 187
.. 823
. . 823
871, 872
.. 871
172, 995
. . 995
611, 844, 995
589, 611, 995
589, 611, 995
. . 995
.. 424
. . 186
.. 541
Hoppea dichotoma
Horaga
cinojalensis
onyx
viola
Hordeiim . .
• vulgare
Horeites brunneifrons
pallidus . .
Horornis fortipes
pallidipes
pallidus
Houbara macqueeni
Huphina nerissa . .
Hyjena
hyiiena
striata
Hydranympha helvetica
Hydrochelidon hybrida . .
Hydronynipha
Hydrophasianus chirurgus
Hydrophis cierulesceiis . .
cyanocinctus
gracilis
jerdoni
maniillaris
ornata
siamensis
spiralis
alcocki
bishopi
brugmansi . . 430,
floweri
longiceps
melanocephalus
melanosonia . .
robusta
subcincta
typica vol spiralis
tuberculatus . .
viperina
Hydrus platurus . .
Hyla arborea
Hylomys , .
suillus . .
NUMEEK.
.. 041
. . 762
. . 763
762, 763
.. 764
.. 987
. . 987
.. 606
.. 772
.. 991
426, 991
.. 606
294, 861
.. 690
.. 58
.. 58
.. 58
. . 157
294, 597
.. 155
186, 595
.. 866
433, 682, 864
. . 95
. . 430
.. 866
.. 867
682, 864, 865
. . 430
.. 430
.. 431
431, 433, 435
.. 431
430, 432
.. 431
.. 431
. . 431
430, 431
.. 431
682, 683
.. 867
.. 808
. . 295
.. 34
.. 34
INDEX OF SPECIES.
cix
Hylopetes
— alboniger
phayrei
probus
sagitta
spadiceiis
Hypacauthis spinoides
Hypolais languida
pallida pallida
rama
Hypolimnas bolina
latifolium
misippus
Hypolytrum
— wightianun
Hypothymis aznrea
Hypsipetes psaroides
Hyrgrophila spiuosa
Hystrix bengalensis
cristata , .
604,
Number.
.. 358
358, 359
358, 359
358, 359
.. 358
. . 358
. «11, 676
29, .^60
.. 860
586, 860
462, 689
.. 205
462, 690
. . 205
. . 206
.. 993
771, 990
. . 625
.. 824
■>«•)
Indothemis cassia
limbata
Inocotis papillosiis
Iraota
timoieoii
Irena puella
Ipomiea
aquatica
batatas . ,
eriocarpa
— - obscura . .
palmata . .
- — pestigridis
sindica . .
Ischtemum
laxum
Issoria sinha
Ithagenes cruentus
Ixalus .. 562,563,565,
variabilis
Ixias niarianne
pj^rene
Ixos leucotis
Ixulus flavicollis
lauthia rufilata
lanthocincla rutignlaris
- rufigularis
Ibis melanocephala
Icerya segyptiaca
Ictinaetus
malayensis
Impeyanus refulgens
Indigofera
anabaptista
argentea
cordifolia
houer
enneapliylla
gerardiaiia
linifolia
paucifolia
tinctoria
trigonelloides
617. 631
Indothemis
608, 994
424, 601
.. 988
. . 294
.. 628
.. 647
647
321
237
237
237
236
237
237
695
236
237
237
236
734
flavicolis
occipitalis
lyngipicus pygmajus
semicoronatus
lynx torqnilla
Number.
. 686, 735
734, 735, 736
, . 189, 597
438, 444, 447
.. 438
.. 990
.. 546
.. 546
.. 546
.. 546
.. 546
.. 546
.. 546
.. 546
.. 980
.. 980
.. 870
.. 847
566, 567, 570,
571, 578, 579
561, 563
.. 690
.. 690
.. 279
.. 604
.. 989
. . 989
.. 996
.. 996
175, 613, 997
Jacquemontia
■ paniculata
Jamides
bochus . .
celeno . .
Jasminum. .
grandiflorum
malabaricum
Jatropha multifida
Jnnonia almana . .
.. 546
.. 546
.. 98
98, 134
.. 101
.. 538
697, 538
696, 697
.. 625
.. 689
ex
INDEX OF SPECIES.
Junonia atlites . .
— — hierta
lemonias
orithyia . .
Jnsticia
micrantha
procumbens
simplex . .
Kallima wardi
Kerivoula . .
— crypta
hardwickei
lenis . .
picta . .
Ketnpa zeylonensis
Kimator malacoptilus
Kyllinga melaiiospenna .
Kyllingia . .
— - triceps . .
Lachesis aiiamallensis
monticola
strigata . .
liactuca . .
remotiflora
runcinata
Lagasca
- mollis
Lagerstrsemia iniurocarpa
Lampides
bochuB. .
boBticus
pura
Lanius assimilis . .
cristatus . ,
Lanius erythronotus
NUMBEK.
. . 689
.. 689
.. 689
.. 689
. . 812
.. 812
. . 813
. . 812
. . 462
..21
22
22
22
21, 824
.. 178
.. 989
. . 312
. . 975
. 975
.. 579
.. 578
.. 681
. . 578
. . 537
. . 537
. . 537
. . 535
. . 535
.. 449
.. 132
.. 691
132, 133
.. 103
293, 860
.. 992
587, 606
Lanius excubitor auchere
■ pallidirostris
fallax
isabellinus
lahtora
nigriceps . .
tephronotus
vittatus . .
Laphophorus ipejanus
Laponaria
Laranthns elasticus
Larus ridibundus
Larvivora brunnea
Latlirecista
asiatica
asiatica
pectoralis
simularis
terminalis
Laticilla burnesi . .
Latipes
— senegalensis
Laun.'ea . .
•-- chondrilloides
nudicaulis
Launea secunda . .
Lawsonia . .
alba
inermis
Lecanium hemisphtericum
oletB
viride
Leea sambucina .
Leggada . .
albidiveutris
beavani . .
Number.
. . 860
. . 860
293, 860
.. 992
587, 667
675, 992
.. 992
587, 606
.. 321
.. 224
.. 469
.. 188
.. 604
146, 147
146, 148
.. 147
. . 147
. . 147
. . 147
. . 586
. . 979
. . 979
. . 5J38
. . 538
. . 538
. . 696
.. 527
. . 628
. . 527
. . 625
625
625
625
953
419, 420, 421, 784, 959
. . 959
. . 959
booduga
- cervicolor
- cookii . .
-- cunicularis
- darjilingensis
- dunni . .
- famula . .
420, 782, 959, 960, 961,
1029, 1034
959
420, 960, 961,
966
. . 959
. . 960
.. 1031,1034
INDEX OF SPECIES.
CXI
Leggada famulus . . . . 420
fulvidiventris . .
■ lepidus . .
nitidula nitidula
popaja . .
uitidulus
pahari . .
popoeus . .
strophiatus
— terricolor
Leggadilla
bahadur
Cinderella
grahami
gurkha
Ito/),
— haniiyngtoni . .
- phillipsi
- platj'thrix
— ramnadeusis
— sadlm
— shortridgei
— siva . .
— surkha
Lepas anserifera . .
Lepidagathis
cristata
trinervis . .
Leptadenia
spartiuui
Leptetrum quadrimaculata
Lepthemis divisa
. sabina
• — trinacna
Leptopilus javanicus
Leptosia xyphia . .
Lepus hispidus .
nigricoUis . .
ruficaudatu.'^
Lethe vaivarta
Leucaena glauca . .
Leucas
aspera
cephalotes
nutans
Number.
, 959, 960, 961
. . 959
.. 959
.. 962
. . 420, 962
420, 959, 966
420, 960, 961
..960
. . 959
.. 959
. . 784, 955
955, 956, 957
. . 955, 956
956, 957, 1034
955, 956, 957
955, 956, 957
955, 956, 957
782, 801, 955,
956, 1029
955, 956, 957
. . 955, 956
956, 956, 957
955, 956, 957
955, 956, 957
.. 809
..812
..812
. . 812
. . 540
222, 234, 540
.. 150
.167
.167
. . 158
. . 859
. . 461, 690
.. 825
. . 1030, 1035
. . 824
. . 870
. . 246
..814
..814
..814
..814
Leucas stricta
urticajfolia
Leycesteria formosa
Libella
aiiceps
brunnea . .
cjerulesceus
cancellata
deleserti . .
glauca
luzonica . .
neglecta . .
petalura . .
pruinosa cletia
ransoiinetti
sabina
testacea . .
triangularis
trinacria . .
labellula . .
ampuUacea
anceps . .
annulata
apicalis . .
asiatica
aurora . .
braminea
bremii . .
brunnea
— caesia
cancellata
camatica
celestina
clathrata
congener
conspurcata
contaminata
cyprica . .
equestris
erythsea
— erythroneura
ferruginata
— - ferruginea
festiva . .
— • flaveola
Number.
. . 814
. . 814
. . 695
. . 155
..161
.159
..159
..157
. . 164
. . 166
.163
..170
. . 170
. . 170
. . 162
.167
.169
. . 164
. . 158
]44, 147, 149, 488
..167
. . 160, 161
. . 923
. . 509
.147
. . 920
. . 503
. 158
.. 159
. . 735
..157
. . 925
. . 930
. . 158
.145
. . 151
. . 739
. . 925
.. 510
..517
. . 497
151, 517
. . 516, 517
. . 925
..497
CXll
INDEX OF SPECIUS.
Libellnla fluctuans
fonscolombei
frumenti
fulva
- fulvia . .
oreminata
gibba
glauca . .
gracilis . .
histrio . .
heematina
mdica . .
infernalis
intermedia
leptura . .
lineata . .
maculata
macrocephala
marcia . .
murcia . .
nebulosa
neglecta
oblita . .
• obscura
obsoleta
pectoralis
pentica . .
petalura
phyllis .
pruinosa
quadrimaculat
quadripunctata
ramburii
ransonnetti
rubra
rubrinervis
rufa
ruficollis
sabina . .
secula . .
servilia . .
sexmaculata
-— sobrina . .
sophronia
— : soror
Number.
513
497
157
151
509
514
167
166
162
930
923
930
925
511
167
510
150
495
930
930
501
170
505
145
923
147
151
170
931
170
149, 150
")0, 931
161
162
517
923
505
495
167
495
516
489
491
509
516
Libellula striolata
ternaria
testacea
tseniolata
trinacria
trivialis . .
truncatula
■ tuUia
variegata
victoria . .
vittata . .
vulgata . .
Libythia hauxwelli
lepita . .
myrrha . .
rohini . >
Limeum
indicum .
Limiianthemum , .
parvifolium
Linionidromus indicus . .
Limotes octolineatiis
Lindenbergia
— abyssinica
— — urciceefolia
— - urticsefolia
Linum
nsitatissimum
Liopicus mahrattensis
Lioptila capistrata
capistrata
pallida
Liothrix kitea
Lipocarpha
Lippia
argentea . .
nodiflora . . . .
sphacelata
Lochnera rosea . .
Locustella straminea
Loganias marmorata
— watsoniana
niassalia
Loipicus mahrattensis
Lophoceros birostris
Number.
. 495
. 151
. 168
. 160
. 168
. 503
. 739
. 510
. 930
. 517
. 931
. 495
.1022
.1022
.1022
.1022
. 632
. 532
. 541
219, 541
428, 995
.. 580
.. 550
.. 560
. . 550
. . 550
.. 230
.. 230
.. 175
.. 604
.. 989
.. 771
604, 675
.. 204
.. 813
.. 204
.. 813
.. 204
.. 539
605, 991
. . 1022
..1022
. . 1022
.. 591
..176,591, 614,998
426,
INDEX 01 SJrECim.
CXUI
Lophophanes dichrous . .
melanolophus
rufinuchalis
Lophophorus
• chambanus
impejanus
Fhuysii
refulgens
sclateri
Lophoshoros wallichi
Lophura . .
diardi . .
rufa
sumatrana
vieilloti . .
Loranthus . .
elasticus
longifiorus
scurrula
Loriculus vernalis
Loris lydekkerianus
Loxia himalayana
Loxura
atymmis . .
Luffa
— acutangula
-- {Bgyptiaca ,
Lusciniola melanopagon . .
Lutra
aurobrunnea
ellioti
lutra
macrodus . .
tarayensis . .
vulgaris
Lycium
barbarum
Lycodon aulicus . .
jara
travancoricus . .
Lycopersicum
esculeutum
Number.
.. 603
.. 603
.. 603
.. 319
.. 321
319, 3iiO, 321
mantoni , , 321
obscurus . . 321
..319, 320, 335, 337
320, 619
319, 320, 331
2
9
16
10, 11
11
11
. . 123, 622
465
472
467
999
836
610
764
764
528
528
528
.. 182
. 348, 349
.. 348
Lyriothemis
acigastra
cleis
Lj-^roderma lyra lyra
Lythrum triflorum
NxJMBER»
..141
141, 142, 144
141, 143, 144
..823
..216
Mabuia
Macaca assamensis
pelops
rhesus
sinica
Machlolophus xanthogenya
Macrogomphus annulatus
Macropistbodon plumbicolor
Macropteryx coronata . .
Macropygia ruficeps
Mahathala
amena
Malacocinla abbotti
Mangifera
indica
Lygosoma . .
15
349, 823, 1032
.. 823
..349
..348
548
. . 548
.. 565
. . 580
. . 565, 567
..549
.. 549
.565, 566, 571, 573, 579
Manis aurita
crassicaudata
Mareca penelope
Marmaronetta angustirostris
Marmota ... . . . .
caudata
caudatus
dichrous
himalayana
himalayanus . .
hodgsoni
7-. — littledalei
stirlingi
Martes
flavisfula
— - flavigula
peninsularis
foina
565, 566, 573
..822
..822
..822
..1031
..60S
..875
663, 566, 567
..999
.. 859
..443
..443
..989
.. 235
.. 235
..825
.. 825
.. 191,842
..674
..776
. . 776, 777
..776
..777
. . 776, 777
..776
..776
..777
. . 776, 777
. . 343
343, 344, 823
..343
. . 343, 344
..343
«XiV
INDEX 01 SPECIES,
Martes gentilis .
gwatkinsi
toufieus .
Mazus surculosus
Medicago
laciniata
Megalsema marshallorum
Megalurus palustris
Melanitis ismene
Melanochlora sultaiiea . .
Melanocorypha bimaculata
Melanophidium punctatum
wynadense
Melanoschistus , .
Meleagris satyra
Melhania . .
denhami
hamiltoniana . .
niagnifolia
tomentosa
Melittophagus swinhcx3i . .
Mellivora . ,
indica . . ...
Melophus melanicterus . .
Melothria
heterophylla . .
leiosperma
madraspatana
perpusilla
Melursus . .
." ursinus . . 351 , 659,
Menetes
berdmorei
decoratus
Meriones
ambrosius
erythrourus . .
hurrianoe
pereicus baptistse
Merops philippinus
viridis 176, 293, 691
Merremia
tegyptia
Merula albicincta
atrigularis
Number.
.. 421
343, 344
343, 344
.. 696
.. 236
.. 236
613, 997
.. 991
.. 689
.. 990
.. 174
.. 584
560, 576
.. 618
.. 707
. . 228
.. 228
.. 229
.. 228
.. 228
.. 998
.. 347
347, 1027
611, 995
529
529
529
529
529
351
823, 841, 1033
..377
. . 377, 378
. . 377, 378
. . 726, 779
.. 935
. . 779, 780
726, 779, 780
..934
591,613, 997
, 613, 844, 997
.. 546
.. 546
.. 608
609, 994
Merula boulboul . .
castanea . .
fuscata . .
unicolor . .
Metoponia pusilla
Mierocichla scouleri
Micromys . .
" — agilis . .
erythrotis .
Micropternus brachyurus
phteoceps . .
Micropus melanocephalus
Microthemis
Millardia . .
dunni . .
listoni . ,
meltada
listoni
meltada
Number
609, 994
.. 609
.. 994
.. 609
.. 610
.. 608
785, 967
.. 782
.. 967
.. 858
.. 996
.. 856
.. 490
784, 801
801, 802
Milvus govinda
pallidior
.. 181
melanotis
migrans
Mimosa
•-- hamata
— 1-- rubicaulis
Miniopterus
fuliginosus
-^ pusillus
Minla igneitiucta
Mirafra assamica
cantillans
erythroptera
Mitragyna
— parvifolia
Mixornis gularis . .
rubricapillus
MoUugo . .
cerviaua . .
hirta
nudicaulis
Molpastes bengalensis
htemorrhous
intermedins
leucogenys
. . 801
664, 782, 801
..802
802, 1030, 1035
.. 801,802
, 693, 617, 774, 827
.. 827,830
.826, 827, 831,845
245
245
245
22
22
22
990
995
174, 590
..174
.. 532
532
855
.. 855
531
..531
.. 531
..990
. . 523, 686
.. 605
286, 605, 614, 990
INDEX OF SPECIES.
cxv
Momordica
- halsaniina
- charautia
- dioica
Monomorium speculate
Monophlebus tamarindiis
Monsonia . .
heliotropioides
senega]ensis
Montifringilla nemoricoia
Morina persica . .
Moringa . .
concanensis
pterygosperma
Morus
alba
Moschiola meminna
Motacilla alba
beema . .
• bore alls
citreola
citreoloides
hodgsoni
luzionensis
:- — madraspatensis
melanope
personata
Mungos
— auropnnctatus
Number.
527
.')28
527
528
114
628
231
232
231
altaica . . 773
095
235
235
235
972
972
1030
172, 589, 611, 995
. . 173, 589
173, 589, 995
173, 612, 995
..173
. . 995
..172
172, 611, 995
173, 612, 995
172, 589, 611
auropnnctatus
helvus . ,
pallipes . .
— birmanicus
— flavidens
-- fuscus
— iulvescens
— lanka
— mungo . .
ellioti
ferrugineus
nicerens
inungo
pallens
- nipalelisis
■ - pall^s . .
54, 56
.. 822
55, 56
55, 56
54, 55, 56
55, 57
54, 55, 57
.. 54
55, 57
54, 660
55, 57, 1032
55, 56
55, 57, 1027
55, 56, 823
.. 57
55, 56
. . 55
Mungos smithii
— urva
— vitticoUis
Munia atricapilla
Muntiacus vaginalis
Murina
aurata
cyclotis . .
huttoni . .
rubex , .
tubinaris
Mus
abbotti
jequicaudalis
alexandrinus
algirus
bactrianus
booduga
dubius
famulus
fterensis
gentilis
— — gerbillinus
homourus
kakhyensis
• kandianus
manei
muralis
musculus
• ftemoralis
nitidvis
• rattus
robustulus
rufescens
gpicilegus
tectorum
theobaldi
tytleri
urbanus
viculorum
wagneri
Muscicapa griseola
Mustela . .
1-4 alpinus
420
Number.
54, 55, 57, 1027
54, 55, 58, 823
54, 55, 58, 1032
..994
. . 825
..19
. . 20
. . 20
. . 20
. . 20
. . 20
419, 784, 957
..421
. . 958
63, 64, 412, 1029
.. 420
420, 421, 958
..824
824, 958, 959, 1028
..1034
. . 420
. . 420, 421
. . 958
.. 958
.. 958
..387
.. 958
. . 420
421, 782, 958, 1028
..408
..412
63, 64, 412, 1029
. . 400
. . 403, 404
. . 420, 421
. . 63
.. 958
.. 958
958, 1028, 1033
., 958
.. 420
.. 588
.. 345
• .. .. 845
CXVl
INDEX OF SPECIES.
Mustela canigula
• erminea . .
kathiah . .
longstaffi
^- strigidorsa
subhemachalana
temon
whiteheadi
Mycaiesis perseus
visala . .
Myiophoneus temmincki
timminckii
Myotis emarginatus
lanceus . .
muricola . .
Myriapoda
Mytilaspis piperis
Number.
345, 346
345, 346
345, 346
.. 345
.. 345
345, 346
.. 345
,. 689
.. 870
604, 989
.. 773
.. 933
.. 933
.. 824
.. 303
.. 623
Nesokia
beaba
buxtoni
griffithi
huttoni . .
indica
Nesoxenia lineata
metallica
Nethapus coromandelianus
Netta rufina
Nettium crecca , .
Nettopus coromandelianus
coromandus
Neurada . .
procumbens
Neurothemis
422,
Naia
australis
bungarus
tripudians
welwitschii
Nectogale
elegans
sikhimensis
Neophron
— (
percnopterus
- gingianus 180
Neornis flavolivaceus
Neptis eurynome . .
mahendra
narayana
Nerium odorum . ,
oleander .
Nesala
brevipes . ,
capitellata
lanceolata
tri flora
973!
9741
575 I
978
575
974
38
38
39
261
249, 250, 261, 616
180, 249, 251, 261,
593, 774
425
689
870
870
307
307
215
216
216
216
216
ceylanica . .
equestris . .
fluctuans . .
apicalis
fulvia . . 506, 507,
intermedia . , 506,
degener
intermedia
— nicobarica . .
— palliata
— pedestris . .
— septentrionis
— sophronia . .
— stigmatizans
— terminata . .
— tuUia feralis-
tuUia . .
507,
Nicotiana . .
tabacum
Niltava macgrigorite
sundara . ,
Nimachilus marmorata . .
Nitidula hodgsoni
Nothosterua
brachiata
Notodela leucura
Nucifraga caryocatactes hemispila
hemispila . . . ,
Numenias arqnata
Number.
783, 789-
789, 790
422, 423
.. 789-
423, 789
782, 789'
154
153
674
842;
191
842
598'
525
525
506
513
510
508, 513
.. 513
608, 509
511, 512
508, 512
508, 511
513
513
510
512
509
513
508, 513
508, 511
510, 511
.. 548
.. 54S
,. 993
607, 993
.. 295
.. 993
.. 817
.. 817
.. 994
.. 770
.. 602
187, 596
INDEX OF SPECIES.
cxvii
^ycticorax griseus
^yctinomus tragata
Nyctiornis amictus
athertoni
Nymphaea
lotus . .
Nyroca africana . .
ferina . .
fuligula . .
Ochotoua rufescens
vizier . ,
vulturna
Ocimum
basilicum
caniim
sanctum . .
Odina odiar
(Ecophylla smaragdina . .
CEdicnemus scolopax
■ (Enanthe chrysopygia . .
cummingi
xanthoprymrna
CEnopopelia tranquebarica
CEnotliera rosea . .
Olax wightiana . .
Oldenlandia
aspera
■ Olea dioica
Oligodon affinis , .
subgriseus
venustus
Number.
190, 598
731, 1026
.. 858
.. 998
.. 219
.. 219
290, 842
191, 842
.. 191
..937
..937
. . 937, 038
. . 937, 938
..814
..814
..814
. . 625, 814
..627
449, 456, 766
. . 186, 294
..860
. . 860
..860
184, 594, 1044
.. 695
..446
.. 532
.. 532
. . 462
. . 568
. . 568
.. 567
Oligura castaneicoronata . . 425, 989
Onychothemis . . . . . . . 742
tonkinensis ceylanica 742,743
Opisthius indie us . . . . . . 848
Opuntia . . . . . . . . . . 530
dillenii 530
— monacantha . . . . . . 626
Oreicola ferrea
jerdoni
Orenius sinuatus . .
Oreocincla dauma
— moUissima
Oreocorys sylvanus
Orinoma damaris
Oriolus kundoo . .
luteolus . .
tenuirostris
trailii
427,
174,
Orogomphus xantheptera
Oropetium
thomreum
Orthemis lineata . .
metallica
Orthetrum
144, 147,
154,
anceps
asiatica
brevistylum . .
bninneuni , .
brunneum
caucellatum . .
cancellatum
carnaticum
chrysis
chrysostigma . . 154, 155,
luzonicum
— deleserti
— divisum
— glaucum
— gracilis
— hyalinum
— internum
— japonicum
~ leptura
— lepturum
— luzonica
— neglecta
— uicevillei
" oblitum
-- obscura
— petalura
156,
internum
Number.
608, 993
.. 993
.. 295
676, 994
.. 427
612, 774
.. 870
587, 607
.. 992
. . 992
.. 992
.. 874
.. 987
.. 987
.. 153
.. 153
154, 155
156, 161
.. 147
.. 160
.. 156
.. 159
.. 156
.. 157
.. 164
157, 169
156, 163
.. 163
.. 145
.. 164
.. 167
165, 166
.. 162
.. 160
.. 157
154, 156
.. 157
.. 167
.. 167
.. 163
.. 170
.. 166
.. 505
.. 145
.. 170
cxvm
INDEX OF SPECIES.
Number.
Orthetrum pruinosum . . 157, 165, 170
. ceylanicum . . 170
■ neglectum . . 170
ramburii . . . . . . 161
ransonnetti . . 154, 156, 162
, sabina . . 154, 155, 156, 167, 686,
688
■ sabinum
testacea
• testaceum
testaceum
tseniolatum
— triangulare
triangulare
trinacri
tricolor
Orthotomus atrigularis
sutorius
Orygia
decumbens
Oryx beatrix
leucoryx . .
Osonius belbei
Otis tetrax
Otocompsa emeria
flaviventris
Otogyps
calvus
.. 167
.. 169
156, 168
.. 168
154, 156, 160
. . 156, 165
.. 164
156, 158
.. 163
.. 991
586, 605, 991
.. 531
.. 531
.. 283
.. 283
.. 848
.. 861
.. 990
.. 990
.. 253
179, 249, 250, 253, 260,
593, 616, 774
Pachyura hodgsoni
leucogemys
murina
perrotteti
rubicimda
Paguma
grayi
grayi
37,
wroughtoni
larvata intrudens
leucomystax robusta
tytleri
Pak«ornis cyanocephalus 17'i
faciatus
indoburmanicus
nepalensis
rosa
schisticeps
torquatus
592, 615
177, 59:
./ /
178
615
Palpopleura
sexmaculata
Palumbus casiotis
palumbus
Pandion
haliaetus
178,
Otomops . .
wroughtoni
Ougeinia dalbergioides
Oxalis
corniculata
Oxystelma
esculentum
27
139
232
232
539
539
Pachyura
bidiana
blanfordi
cserulea
davi
37, 823, 1031
37
..1026
. . 37
37
Panicum . .
antidotale
colonum
crus-galli
fluitans
psilopediuni
rumosum
trypheron
turgidum
Pantala flavescens
Papaver
somniferum
Papilio aristolochi.e
cashmirensis
centaurus
clytia
daksha
demolius . .
nomius
Number.
37, 823.
37
37
1026
37-
50
50
51,52
52
51,5^
51
51
, 999
999
999
, 999
999
615
592,
, 999
488
489'
618
294
251
, 593
977"
978
977'
978-
977"
978
977-
97r
977
686, 687
219^
219^
690
870
\ 453
690
46L
690
690
250, 251
44'
INDEX OF SPECIE ?=
CXIX
Papilio polymnestor
polytes
tamilana . .
Paplidium
humifusum
Pappophorum
aucheri . .
elegans . .
• robustum . .
ParacToxornis flavirostris
Paradoxurus
Paraechinus
aureus
birmanicus
crossi
hermaphroditiis
jerdoi>i
niger
ravus
• strictus
blanfordi
dorsalis
ludlowi
macracanthus
micropus
nudiventris
Parapolybia orientalis
Parascaptor
leucurus
Pareba vesta
anomala
sordica
Pareronia hippia . .
Parkinsonia
aculeata
Parnara mathias . .
Panis arenarius . .
atricepa
melanolophus
monticola , .
monticolus monticolns
Passer cinnamomeus
domesticus . . 293,
indica
—— — hispaniolensis
Number.
.. 461
.. 690
. . 461
.. 549
.. 549
.. 985
.. 985
.. 985
. . 985
.. 988
.. 48
49, 50
49, 50
49, 822
.. 48
49, 50
48, 49, 1027
49, 50
.49, 50, 822
.. 32
.. 33
.. 748
. . 748
.. S3
.. 33
.. 33
.. 693
.. 35
. . 35
..1022
..1022
..1022
.. 690
..244
..244
..691
..602
602, 770, 988
.. 770
, . 602, 988
.. 770
. . 611, 995
589,611,995
..773
. . 293, 676
Passer montanus . . •
pyrrhonotus
rutilans debilis
Pastor roseus
Pavo cristatus
nmticus
Pavonia . .
arabica .
odorata .
zeylanica
Pesanum
harmala
Pegolettia
senegalensis
Pelargopsis gurial
Pelecanus. . . . . ;
Pellorneum mandellii
ruficeps mandellii . .
Penelope satyra . . -
Pennifietum
cenchroides.
Pentatropis
pneuru
typhoideum . .
cynanchoides
Penthocoryx sonnerati . .
Perdicula asiatica
Pericrocotus brevirostris . .
erythropygius
■ peregrinus . ,
roseus
Solaris
speciosus . .
Periploca , .
aphylla. .
Peristrophe
bicalyculata
Pernis
cristatus . .
perotis , .
Petaurista
albiventer
berrelli
candidulus
Number.
.. 995
..589
.. 773
293, 587, 853
184, 594, 619, 775
..673
..227
.. 227
.. 227
227
..231
..231
..534
..534
. . 997, 998
..597
..424
. 989
. 707
. 978
. 978
. 979
..979
. . 241, 978
. . 540
. . 540
.. 615,999
. . 185, 619
606, 772, 992
.. 587
. . 587, 992
. . 607, 992
.. 992
. . 992
.. 539
.. 539
..813
.. 813
. . looa
181, 593, 827, 1003-
.. 980'
.. 354;
355, 357
355, 356
355. 35fy
echinoides
cxx
INDEX OF SPECIES.
Petaurista caniceps ,
Cinderella
cineraceus
fulvinus
inornatus
lanka . .
lylei venningi
• niagnificus
nobilis
oral
philippensis .
punctatus
sybilla
taylori
yunnanensis .
Petinomys
fuscicapillus
layardi
phipsoni
Petrophila cinclorhyncha
cyanus
• erythrogastra
solitaria
Peucedanum
graveolens
Phalacrocorax carbo
javanicus
Phaseolus
aconitifolius . .
mungo
radiatus
trilobiis
Phasianus bengalensis cornutus
castaneus
• cornutus
curvirostris
elegans
ignitus
— impejanus
— melanocephalus
— nepaulensis » .
— rufus . .
— satyruB
— stacei , .
— wallichi
NUMBEB.
354, 355, 357
. . 354, 355
. . 354, 355
. . 355, 357
354, 355, 356
. . 354, 356
. . 354, 356
..354
. . 355, 356
. . 354, 355
354, 356, 1033
.. 354
. . 355, 357
. . 355, 356
.. 354
.. 359
. . 359, 360
. . 359, 360
359, 360
..609
. . 609, 994
609, 994
..994
..532
..532
.. 389,620
. . 189, 597
..241
..241
. . 241, 242
..241
..241
.. 706
.. 10
.. 707
.. 320
.. 673
.. 10
.. 320
707, 885
.. 707
.. 10
.. 707
o
• . ^
1
Phenacoccus iceryoides
insolitus
Phoenicopterus roseus
Phoenicurus cteruleocephala
frontalis
Phoenix da6tylifera
sylvestris
Phyllanthus
madraspatensis
nirurii
Phyllergates coronatus . .
Phylloscopus affinis
collybita tristis
fuliginiventris
fuscatus
— humii
— indicus
— maculipennis
— numii
— proregulus . .
— newtoni
-- pulcher
— subviridis . .
— superciliosus humii
— tristis
— tytleri
Physalis
minima . .
peruviana
Picumnus innominatus
Pieris brassicf©
Pinus exelsa
longifolia . .
Pipistrellus babu . .
coromandra
coxi . .
fuscipes
823,
mimus
mimus
nignpes
• riippelle
Piprisoma squalidum
Pithecolobium
dulce
Pithecus enteUus
Number.
.. 627
.. 626
.. 853
.. 773
.. 773
.. 306
.. 306
.. 971
.. 971
.. 971
.. 991
605, 675
.. 772
.. 991
.. 991
.. 606
.. 772
.. 606
.. 687
.. 606
.. 772
606, 991
.. 606
.. 772
605, 991
., 605
.. 548
.. 548
.. 548
613, 997
.. 869
.. 604
604, 770
.. 823
1026, 1031
.. 747
.. 747
..1026
.. 824
.. 747
.. 747
175, 591
.. 246
.. 246
.. 822
INDEX OF SPECIES.
exxi
Pitta brachyura . .
cucuUata . .
nepalensis . .
Platacanthomys . .
lasiurus
leucorodia
Platanista gengetica
Plalysmurus leucopterus
Plectrurus davisoni
perroteti
Ploccella javanensis
Ploceus atrigula . .
begalensis
megarliynchus . ,
Plotus melonogaster
Pluchea
lanceolata
Plumeria acutifolia
Plumieria acutifolia
Pncepyga pusilla . .
squamata
Podicipes albipennis
Poinciana . .
Polioaetus
humilis
ichthyaetus . .
Polycarp.'Ba
corymbosa
Polygala . .
abyssinica
erioptera
irregularis
Polygonum
plebejum
indica
Polyneura apricalis
elegans
fulvia . .
sophronia
Polyodontophis collaris . .
subpunctatus
Polyommatus bceticus
Poraatorhinus erythrogenys
NUMBEK.
. . 428, 996
996
.. 996
. . 778
..778
..189
..825
..854
..558
558, 576, 578
..670
..994
. . 676
..994
597, 997
..533
..533
. . Q-Io
.. 539
. . 991
. . 425, 605
.. 191,598
..244
..244
1007, 1008, 1017
. . 1009, 1018
. . 1009, 1017
..224
224
... 223
. . 224, 695
..223
..223
. . 969
. . 969
.. 969
.. 513
.. 513
.. 509
.. 509
.. 862
.. 584
.. 691
.. 603
Number.
Poraatorhinus olivaceus . .
schisticeps schisticeps
Pongamea
glabra , .
Porocephalus crotali
Portulaca . .
oleracea
quadrifida
Porzana pusilla . .
Potamogeton
crispus
natans
pectinatus
Potomarcha
obscura
Pratapa
deva
Pratincola caprata
— leucura
~ maura
Prenolepis
longicornis
Primula floribunda
Prinia blanfordi . .
flaviventris
inornata . .
lepida
socialis
sylvatica . .
Prionodon
maculosus
pardicolor
Progasser rhodochrous
Proparus vinipectus
ProSopis . .
spicigera
Protorthemis lineata
• metallica
erythrogenys
.. 771,989
Prunella atrogularis
■ strophiatus jerdoni
Psarisomus dalhousite
Psaroglossa spiloptera
Pseudococcus citri
855
988
.. 244
139, 244
.. 559
.. 224
.. 224
.. 224
594, 620
.. 973
.. 973
.. 973
.. 973
..144
145
. . 145, 686
. . 457, 464
464, 435, 467
. . 588, 608, 843, 993
993
993
588, 608, 993
132
114
696
1043
. . 675, 991
587, 992, 1042, 1043
587
587, 991, 1043
991
47
47, 48
. . 47, 48, 822
610
604
.. 245
245
.. 154
. . 153
.. 77.a.
.. 773
858, 996
604, 990
626
IG
cxxu
INDEX OF SPECIES.
Pseudococcus corymbatua
sacchari . .
Pseudogyps
Number.
..626
..626
..626
.. 249,258
179, 249, 250, 258,
260, 287. 593, 616, 660, 774
virgatus
bengalensis
Pseudotantalus leucocephalus
Psidium L
guyava . .
Psittiparus gularis gularis
ruficeps
Psoralea odorata . .
plicata . .
Pterocarpus marsupium
Pterocles alchata
• • alchata caudaot
arenarius
exustus
fasciatus
• lichtensteini
senegallus
Pteroclurus alchata
exustus
Pteromys
Punica granatum
Pupalia
lappacea . .
— velutina
arbiculata
Putorius
. . 597
. . 526
. . 526
..988
..988
..238
..238
. . 457
. . 672, 673
. . 861
184, 294, 672
. . 672
. . 184, 672
..672
. . 672, 673
..294
184, 294, 594
.. 358
larvatus
Pycnonotus finlaysoni
leucogenys ,
■ leucotis leucotis
mesopotamia
analis . .■ •
Pycnorhamphus icteroides
Pyctorhis altirostris griseigularis
sinensis
Pyromys
sinensis
alboniger
• (Hylopetes) alboniger
■ belone
phayrei
■- probus
■ spadiceus
inornatus
Pteropus giganteus giganteus
Pteruthius erythropterus
xanthochloris
Ptyonoprogne rupestris
Pucrasia macrolophus
Pulicaria . .
■ augustifolia
crispa . .
rajputante
■ wightiana
Pulvinaria maxima
psidii . .
thespesias
Punica
. 824
. 359
. 359
. 359
. 359
.. 359
.. 634
823, 1025
604, 989
.. 604
.. 611
619, 775
.. 534
.. 534
.. 534
.. 535
.. 534
.. 624
.. 624
.. 624
.. 527
priestleyi
Pyrrhopicus pyrrhotis
Pyrrhula erythrocephala
nepalensis
Pyrrhulauda grisea
Python molurus . ..
Number.
527
818
818
818
818
344
344
856
771
279
279
856
610
989
585
989
784, 801
782, 801
.. 996
.. 610
427, 610
174, 591
862, 864
Quercus semiaerrato
Querquedula circia
Quisqualis indica. .
.. 301
191, 620
945, 948
Eallina superciliaris
Rallus aquaticus . .
Rathinda . .
amor
Ratuf a
bicolor
indicus
Rana esculenta . .
.. 429'
..185
..754
755, 758, 763
..360
..360
..360
< • . • 29o
INDEX OF SPECIES.
cxxiii
Eana limnocharis . . , .
temporalis . ,
Ranunculus Isetus
Rapala
■ — melampus
schistacea
varuna
Raphanus sativus
Rattus . , . . . .
■ andamanensis
berdmorei
■ mullulus
blanfordi . .
bowersi
concolor . .
■ ■ decumanus
eha
fellii
• fete
fulvescens
girensis
jerdoni
kandianus
kelaarti
lepcha
listeri
mackenziei
macmillani
manipulus
mentosus .
nitidus
nitidus
obsoletus
niviventer
Number.
. . 562, 570
.. 562
.. 695
.. 9^1
..941
942, 943, 948
.. 945
..220
..784
.. 791,792
790, 791, 798
.. 790,791
..790,791,798,1030
790, 791, 798
790, 791, 797
790
790, 792, 799
.. 361,363
. . 790, 791
790, 792, 799
. . 403, 408
790
.. 408,411
62, 411, 412, 793, 795
790, 792, 799
790, 791, 798
790, 791, 797
fete . . . . . . 798
61,398, 400,409,410,
793, 795
790, 791, 797
. . 410, 790, 792, 799
411, 412, 415, 416, 591
Number.
Rattua rattus frugivorus
— gangutrianus
— girensis
— kandianus
— khyensis
nemoralis
obsoletus
rattus
rufescens
rufescens
surifer
validus
vicerex
vociferans
Ratufa dealbata
fellii
gigantea
61, 389, 408,
793, 796
62, 83, 794, 797
62, 387, 388,
794, 796
60, 398, 400,
401, 793, 795
narbadiB 62, 77, 403, 408, 411,
794, 796
63, 408, 794, 797
,. 415,416
63, 64, 794, 797
63, 403, 408, 794,
797, 1029, 1035
satarre 61, 87, 405, 794, 796
sikkimensis 61, 394, 793, 795
tatkonensis 60, 398, 400,
402, 793, 795
tikos . . 61, 400, 793, 795
tistJB 61, 68, 391, 395, 793, 796
wroughtoni 62, 384, 388, 794,
796, 1034
. . 791, 798
. . 407, 415
790, 792, 799
. . 791, 792
59, 60, 498, 790, 791
790, 792, 798
60, 793, 795
. . 60, 792, 795
790, 792, 799
. . 63
rattus 56, 63, 392, 397, 400, 403, 404,
410, 411, 412, 414, 782, 790,
791, 792
alexandrinus 63, 64, 408, 409,
794, 797, 1029
arboreus 62, 74, 794, 796
bhotia 61, 72, 397, 398, 793,
796, 824
gigantea
lutrina .
indica bengalensis
centralis
indica
maxima
superans
macroura .
dandolena
macroura
melanochra
phoeopepla marana
phoeopepla
. . 360, 361
.. 361,363
. . 361
. . 362, 824
. . 361, 362
. . 360, 362
360, 262, 1033
. . 360, 361
. . 361, 362
. . 360, 361
..361
. . 361, 362
. . 362
. . 361, 362
361, 363
. . 361, 363
CXXIV
INDEX OF SPECmS.
Regulus cristatus
• regulus himalayensis
Kemirea . .
maritima
Rhabdops olivaceus
Rhacophorus maculatus
Rhinoceros unicornis
sondaicus
sumatrensis
Rhinolophus affinis himalayanus
Rhinophis sanguineus
Rhinopoma
hardwickei
kinneari
muscatellum seianum
Rhipidura albicollis
albifrontata
Rhizomys castaneus
Rhizothera dulitensis
longirostris
Rhodonessa caryophyllacea
Rhodothemis
rufa
Rhopodytes tristis
Rhus
mysorensis . .
Rhyacornis fuliginosus
Rhynchops albicollis
Rhynchosia
arenaria
minima
rhombifolia
Rhynchostylis retusa
Rhyncospora
aurea
wallichiana
wightiana
Rhyothemis
marcia
murcia
phyllis
phyllis phyll
plutonia
triangularis
— vaneagata
Number.
.. 605
.. 772
.. 204
.. 204
.. 564
.. 681
.. 825
.. 825
.. 825
.. 823
557, 573
.. 25
.. 26
..26
.. 26
608, 993
588, 993
.. 824
.. 292
291, 292
.. 190
.. 604
504, 505
.. 999
.. 235
.. 235
608, 994
188, 597
242
243
242
242
486
205
205
205
205
928
930
930
686
929,
931, 932
929
930
686, 929
Rhyothemis variegata variegata
Rhytidoceros subruficoUis
■ undulatus
Ricinus
— communis
Riparia rupestris . .
Ripersia sacchari
Rive a
hypocrateriformis
Rostratula capensis
Rousettus leschenaulti
Rucervus duvauceli
Ruellia
patula
Rusa equinus
unicolor
Kuticilla aurorea . .
frontalis
hodgsoni
rufiventris
289,
Number
930, 931
.. 858
858, 998
971
971
714
627
547
547
596
823
825
811
811
841
825
993
608
994
588, 608, 994
Saccharum
officinale
spontaneum
Saccolaimus
saccolaimus
Salacea macrosperma
Salea horsfieldi . .
Salsola
— ffjetida
Salvadora
olevides
persica
Salvia
tegyptiaca
pumila
Sapindus trifoliatus
Saponaria vaccaria
Saraca indica
Sarcidiornis melanonotus
Sarciophorus malabaricus
980
980
980
25
25
953
570
969
969
538
539
538
814
814
814
769, 948
.. 224
.. 951
.. 842
186, 59
INDEX OF SPECIES.
CXX\r
Sarcogrammus indicus . . 186,
Sarcostemma
brevistigma
Sasia ochracea
Satyra (Tragopan) alpnis
lathami
melanocephala
nepaulensis
pennanti . .
satyra
temminckii
Satyrus cornutus
Saxicola capistrata
chrysopgia
isabellina
moesta . .
picata . .
Schizothorax esociuus
intermedius
Schoeniparus rufigularis
S chweinf urthia
sphoerocarpa
Scirpus
articulatus
■ corymbosus
erectus
• grossus
kyllingoides boeck
kysoor
litoralis
maritimus
michelianus
• mucronatus
quinquefarius
squarrosus
supinus
Sciurus lokriah
Scleria
annularis
bifiora
caricina
elata
hebecarpa
lithosperma
stocksiana
Number.
590, 596, 620
540
540
997
707
707
885
707
707
707
901
707
588
608
588
860
588
295
295
989
549
549
200, 976
200, 201
200, 201
200, 201
00, 202, 976
.. 202
200, 202
200, 202, 976
200, 202, 976
. . 200, 202
. . 200, 201
200, 201, 976
. . 200, 202
200, 201, 976
824
206
207
207
206
208
207
206
208
Scleria tessellata. .
Scolopax rusticola
Scolopendra morsitans
Scops giu . .
spilocephalus
Scotocerea inquieta
Scotomanes ornatus
Scotophilus kuhli
wroughtoni
Scotozous dormeri dormeri
Scutellaria scandens
Sedum adenotrichum
Seetzenia . .
orientalis
Senecio nudicaulis
Sericostoma
pauciiiorum .
Serilophus lunatus
rubripygius .
Sesamum . .
indiqum
Sesbania
aculeata
Setaria
verticillata
Sibia picaoides picaoides
Sida
cordifolia
grewioides
spinosa
Silybura brevis .
ocellata.
Simotes beddomi ,
splendidus
theobaldi
Siphia albicilla . .
hyperythra
parva
strophiata . .
Sitta cinnamomeiventris
frontalis
himalayensis
leucopsis
Siva cyanuroptera cyanuroptera
strigula . . , .
Number.
207"
620'
303
178
615
293, 860
.. 824-
1026, 1031
824, 1026
.. 824
.. 696
.. 695
.. 231
.. 231
.. 696
.. 543
.. 543
.. 857
.. 996.
.. 551
.. 551
.. 240
.. 240
.. 978
.. 978
.. 989
.. 225.
226, 627
.. 226
., 225
658, 576
557, 576
.. 581
.. 580
.. 581
.. 993.
.. 667
607, 667, 992
607, 992
.. 990
.. 990 ■
.. 605
.. 605
.. 989
.. 604.
«XXV1
INDEX OF SPECIES.
Siva strigula strigula
Smilax aspera
macrophylla
Sodada decidua . .
Solanum . .
Sonchus
albicaule
incanum
indicum
melongena
nigrum
tuberosum
xanthocarpum
asper
oleraceus
Sopubia
delphinifolia
Sorghum vulgare . .
Soriculus . .
baileyi . .
caudatus
leucops
nigrescens
Spatula clypeata . .
Spermacoce
hispida
stricta
Spliperanthus
indicus
Sphenocerus spenurus
Spilornis . .
cheela . .
Spirtea bella
sortifolia . .
Spizaetus
- limnaetus
Number.
..771
..696
..670
..222
..547
..547
.. 547
. . 547
.. 547
. . 547
.. 547
. . 547
537
537
538
550
550
241
35
..• .. ..36
36, 823
36
36
. . 191, 598, 620, 842
532
632
..•• ..532
534
534
618
. . 1007, 1008, 1011
180, 617, 1008, 1011
695
945
. . 648, 651
. . 631, 648, 649, 651
nepalensis 617, 631, 650, 651, 652
Sporobolus . . . . . , . . 983
glaucifolius . . . . . . 983
orientalis . . . . . . 983
Sporoeginthus amandava . . 589, 995
Stachyrhidopsis pyrrhops . . 424, 603
ruficeps ruficeps . . 989
rufifrons ambigua . . 989
Stachyrhis nigriceps nigriceps . . . . 989
Stachys sericea
Staphidia striata
Stenophyllus
rufigensis
barbata
capillaris
puberula
Sterna anelica
melanogaster
minuta
seena
Stichopthalma cambodia
camedava
godfreyi . .
Stoparola melanops
Streptopelia turtur ferrago
Striga
euphrasioides
orobandcheoides . .
Strix cambayensis
flammea
Sturnia malabarica
Sturnopastor contra
Sturnus menzbieri
nobilior . .
poltaratskyi
porphyronotus
vulgaris .
— caucasicus
— dresseri
— dijungaricus
— humii . .
Number.
..696
.. 855
. . 989
. . 197, 976
.. 197,976
. . 197, 198
. . 197, 198
..188
. . 188, 597
. . 294, 597
188, 189, 597
..868
..867
..867
. . 607, 993
.. 775
.. 549
.. 550
.. 549
. . 293
178, 293, 592
..992
588, 852, 992
. . 380, 992
..380
. . 380, 381
. . 676
. . 293
381
ooo
OO-J
383
381
293,
minor
— nobilior
— oppenheimi
— poltaratskyi .
— porphyronotus
— purpurascens .
— sophise . .
— vulgaris
— zaidamensis
Suffrenia dichotoma
Suoeda
fruticosa . .
Surendra
381
383
380
381
381
382
382
383
214
968
968
440
INDEX OF SPECIES.
CXXVll
Surendra aniesena
florimel
quercetorum
Surniculus lugubris
Sus cristatus
— salvanius
Suya crinigera
Sylvia affinis
Sympetrum
commixtum
— decolorata
decoloratum
fonscolombei
hypomelas , ,
orientale
pallidinervis
rh^eticum
eangiiiueum
sobrina
striolatum . .
subpruinosum
vulgatum
Sypheotis aurita , .
Syrnimn indrani . .
nivicola . .
ocellatum
Taccocua leschenault
Tachardia lacca . .
Tachornis batassiensis
Tadarida . .
tegyptiaca
sindica
' thomasi
■ tragata .
Tadorna cornuta .
Tagetes
erecta
Tajuria
NUMBEK.
..440
..440
..440
. . 429, 999
. . 825, 1030
.. 825
426, 606, 772
..587
..494
495, 496, 498
..497
495, 496, 497
495, 496, 497
495, 496, 498
495, 496, 499
926
497
497
491
495
498
. 497
.. 674
.. 615
178, 615
178, 592
Tajuria indra
jehana
495.
longinus
Tajuris maculata..
Talpa
, macrura
micrura
Tamariiidus
■ indica
Tamarix . .
— articulata
dioica . ,
■ — gallica . .
orientalis
Tamiops
macclellandi
barbei
manipurensis.
Taphozous
— kachhensis kachhensis
niidaster.
— longimanus .
— melanoDogon
■- perforatiis . .
— theobaldi theobaldi
secatiTS . .
cippus
177, 999
.. 627
. . 998
27, 731
731, 732
732, 733, 1026
.. 732
732, 733
.. 27/
674, 675
.. 538
.. 538
.. 467
461, 463, 464, 465, 466,
467, 468, 469, 472, 765
Taragama siva
Taraxacum officianale
Tarsiger chrysseus
Tarucus
ananda . .
plinius
— • theophrastus
Tatera
— ceylonica
cuvieri
_ — dunni
hardwickei
— - indica
sherrini . .
427.
Number.
465, 467
.. 472
.. 471
.. 870
.. 34
.. 34
34, 823
.. 244
.. 244
224
224
.. 224
224
224
.. 378
. . 378
378, 379
378, 379
.. 23
25, 824
.. 25
.. 26
.. 24
.. 24
.. 24
.. 24
.. 691
.. 696
773
123
Taxila burnii
thuisto
Tecomella
sawaja
664, 7
608,
..- 115,
. . 121, 123
118, 123, 691
115, 118, 123, 127,
691
779, 780
780, 781
780, 781
780, 781
780, 781
80, 781, 1028
780, 781
. . 1022
..]022
..1022
. . 551
CXXVIU
INDEX OF SPECIES.
Tecomella undulata
Tectona grandis . . ...
I'elchinia vioke . . ...
Telicota dara . . . .
Temeuuchus pagodarum
Tephrodornis pelvicus
• pondicerianus
Tephrosea
ehrenbergiana
incana
multiflora
pentaphylla .
petrosa
purpurea
spinosa
tenuis
villosa . .
Terias hecabe
liBta
libythea
venata
Terminalia paniculata
tomentosa
Terpsiphone affinis
paradisi
Tesia cyaniventris . .
Testudo gigantea
Tetraceros quadricornis . .
Thaduka . .
multicaudata . .
Thamnobia cambaiensis . .
Tharrhaleus atrigularis . .
jerdoni
rubeculoides
Thereiceryx lineatus
Thespesia populnea
Tholymis tillarga . .
Tichodroma muraria
Tiga shorei
Timelia pileata bengalensis
Tinnunculus alaudarius
cenchris
Tomeutes . .
lokroides
Number.
.. 551
..1047
.. 690
.. 691
587, 607
.. 992
587, 992
.. 238
.. 238
238, 239
.. 239
..239
..238
240
..238
. . 238, 239
. . 461, 690
..690
..690
..690
449, 457, 467, 480,
761
449
993
426, 588, 608
989
. " ., ..861
842
. 750
750
. . 688, 608
610
610
..609
613, 997
624, 625, 628
. . 686, 687
. . 605, 991
996
.,989
182, 593, 613, 846
. . 183, 846
.,370
370, 371, 824
Tomeutes lokroides lokroides
owensi
mearsi
phayrei
bellona
mearsi
virgo . .
i
blanfordi
phayrei
pygerythrus
--V— janetta . .
pygerythrus
Totanus calidris . .
glareola . .
glottis
, — hypoleucus
ochropus
stagnatilis
Tragopan
Number.
.. 372
371, 372
.. 371
371, 372
.. 372
371, 372
.. 370
.. 371
.. 371
370, 371
.. 371
.; 371
. . 188, 596
. . 187, 596
188, 596, 620
187, 596, 620
187, 590, 596, 620
.,187
.. 705
891, 892, 900, 903
706, 892, 900
706, 899
caboti 706, 906
hastingsi . . . . . , 885
melanocephalus. 619, 706, 707,
710, 885
satyra . . 706, 707, 710, 715, 889
blythi
blythi . .
molesworthi
Tragus
temmincki
racemosus
Tramea limbata
Trapa
bispinosa
Trianthema
Tribulils
hydaspica
monogyna
pentandra
triquetra
alatus . .
— terrestris
Tribura intermedia
• luteiventris
thoracica
Trichodesma
706, 901
.. 979
.. 979
.. 686
.. 527
.. 527
., 630
., 531
,. 630
.. 530
., 530
.. 230
,, 230
.. 230
.. 991
605, 991
425, 199
,. 543
INDEX OF SPECIES.
CXXIX
Trichodesma indicum
Tricholepis
radicans
Trichotheca hirta
Tridax
procumbens
Trifolium pattense
Tringa miiiuta
temmincki
Trionyx euphraticus
Trirhinopholis uuchalis
Trithemis . .
adelpha
annulata
aurora
aurora
cfBsia
Triticum
cyprica
dry as . .
festiva
fraterna
fuscopalliata
infernalis
intermedia
kirbyi . .
kirbyi
limbata
liturata
obsoleta
pallida
pallidinervis
prosperina
rubrinervis
soror
trivialis
yerburyi
vulgare . .
Number.
543
537
537
848
536
536
695
188
188
295
863
919, 922
.. 920
920, 922, 923
919, 920, 923
686, 687, 920, 921
735
920
925
926
919, 920, 925
.. 920
.. 738
.. 925
511, 920
919, 920, 923
920, 923
.. 736
.. 920
.. 923
.. 514
686, 687, 919,
920, 926
925
923
920
503
920
987
987
Trochalopterou erythrocephalum ery-
throcephalum
. lineatum grisescentior, .
771
771
variegatum variegatum. 771
Trochalopterum erythrocephalum
17
603
Trochalopterum lineatum
melanostigma
phoenicium phoenicium. 988^
variegatum
Troglodytes troglodytes neglectus
Tropidonotus beddomi . .
himalayanus
monticola . .
parallelus . .
piscator
platyceps . .
stolatus
■ subminiatus
Trotula trianthis . .
Trypanophora semihyalina
Tupaia
belangeri belangeri
chinensis
siccata
tenaster
Clarissa
nicobarica
Turdiorus abbotti
Turdus merula syriacus
musicus . .
viscivorus
Turnix dussumieri
tanki
Turtur cambaiensis
ferrago
risorius
suratensis
Tylonicteris fulvida
Typhlops . .
beddomii
diversiceps
fletcheri
jerdoni
thurstoni
Number.
.. 603-
854, 855
424, 603
.. 771
.. 660
.. 580-
.. 562
.. 580
560, 862
.. 862
£62, 86a
,. 580
.. 21&
.. 693
.. 29
.. 30
30, 82a
.. 30
.. 30
.. 30
.. 31
.. 855
.. 29a
.. 609
.. 609'
185, 594
594, 620
183, 594, 619-
183, 618
183,594, 619
183, 594, 619
.. 823
556, 576
.. 556
.. 865
554, 55e
.. 865
.. 556:
cxxx
INDEX OF SPECIES.
Upupa epops
indica
Urochloa . .
176,
panico
ides
Urocissa flavirostris
occipitalis
Uroloncha acuticauda
leucogastra
■ malabarica
punctulata
Uromastrix microlepis . .
Uromycos cunniughamianus
hobsoni
Ursus
arctus
— — — isabellinus
tibetanus . .
torquatus . .
Number.
591, 614, 998
176, 998
.. 978
.. 978
.. 600
.. 601
. . 994
. 856
.. 589
589, 610, 994
.. 295
.. 697
.. 697
.. 350
.. 350
.. 350
.. 823
350, 351
Vahlia
viscosa
Valeriana wallichi
Vallisneria
spiralis
Vandeleuria
dumeticola
nilagirica
oleracea
marica
modesta
oleracea
spadicea
rubida
Vanellus cristatus
• vulgaris
Vanessa cardui . ,
Varanus griseus . .
Veruonia . .
cinerascens
cinerea
Vespa dorylloides
Vicia tenera
Vicoa
auriculata
Vigna
Viola
stocksii
Vipera russelli
Virachola isocrates
perse . .
Viscum angulatum
capitellatum
Vitex
negundo
Vitis lanceolaria . .
vinifera
Viverra
civettina .
megaspila
zibetha .
— pruinosa
— zibetha
Viverricula
malaccensis
527
527
696
972
972
785, 962
824, 962, 963
962, 963
782, 962, 963
963, 964
.. 964
963, 1028
.. 964
.. 963
.. 294
.. 186,
689, 1046
.. 295
.. 533
. . 533
.. 533
301, 302
Volutarella
divaricata
Vormela
Vulpes
— peregusna
— sarmaticus
Vultur
alopex
bengalensis
cana
ferrilatiis
leucopiis
montana
monachiis
178, 179, 2
Number,
. 695
. 534
. 534
. 242
. 222
. 222
. 677
. 952, 963
. 769
. 462
. . 462, 465
. 813
462, 813
. 622
. 234
. 46
46,47
46,47
46, 822
. 46
. 46
. 47
47, 822
', 1032
. 537
. 537
. 344
. 344
. 344
. 341
. 341
341, 6(
30, 823
. . 3^
H, 342
. . 3^
H, 342
. . 34
Q, 342
. . 3^
H, 342
.. 252
249, 25
0, 252,
2(
50, 616
Walkeriana cinerea
Wedelia . .
urticfefolia
62g
536
53f
INDEX OF SPECIES.
CXXXl
Withania . .
somnifera
Wriglitia . .
tinctoria
NUMBEK.
.. 548
.. 548
.. 539
. . 539
Xantholsema hfematocephala
Xanthoteennia busiris
Xenorhynchus asiaticus
Xylia dolabriformis
Xylophis perroteti
Ypthima chenui . .
huberni
philomela
ypthimoides
Yuhina gularis gularis
nigrimentum
Zaocys dhumnades
mucosus , .
Zea . .
mays
Zeltus
etolus tabricius , ,
. . 175, 591,
613, 997
. . 869, 870
..189
139, 449, 951
. . 564, 576
871
689
871
871
989
989
.. 581
566, 575
.. 980
.. 980
.. 753
.. 753
Zemeros flegyas
- allica .
indicus
Zepherus icana . .
Zeuxidia masoni
Zezius
chrysomallus
Zinaspa
Zizera gaika
lysimon
maha
• otis
Zizyphus . .
jujuba . .
oenoplia
rotundifolia
rugosa . .
trinervia
truncata
xylopyra
xylorpyrus
Zoothera marginata
monticola
Zosterops palpebrosa
simplex
Zygonidia ceylanica
insignis
■ • malayana
senea . .
Zygonyx . .
ida
ilia
■ iris
Zygophyllum
simplex
Zyxomma petiolatnm
609,
NuMBEK,
. . 1022
..1022
. . 1022
.. 870
869, 870
.. 455
.. 455
.. 456
.. 691
.. 691
.. 691
.. 691
123, 233
233, 477, 625
.. 129
222, 234
127, 477, 948
234
234
234
948
994
668, 669, 994
604, 989
.. 989
.. 741
.. 741
.. 741
.. 741
.. 740
.. 741
. 741
740, 741
.. 231
.. 231
686, 687
THE
y\^
JOURNAL
OF THK
Bombay Natueal Histoet Society.
EDITED BY f^/^^^'*^^^
W. S. M I L L A R D, (^ ( L I S R A R Y
R. A. SPENCE and N. B. KINNEAR.\^ \ '^^^ / •*
I
■voXi. ixizsi'V'i, 3sro. i.
Date of Publication, 20th December 191 1
Price to Non- Members
... Ps, 9-0
or £ 0-136
LONDON AGENTS:
DULAU & Co., Ltd., 37, Soho Square, W.
fRINTED AT THE TIMES PKESS, BOMBAY.
CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER.
Pagb
The Game Birds of India, Burma and Ceylon, Part XXV.
(With a Plate of Catreus wallichi, the Cheer
Pheasant.) By B. 0. Stuart Baker, f.l.s., f.z.s.,
M.B.O.U 1
SUMMARV^ OF THE RESULTS FROM THE INDIAN MaMMAL
Survey of the Bombay Natural History Society.
Part II. By R. C. Wroughton, F.z.s 19
Scientific Results from the Mammal Survey, No.
XVIII. Report on the House Rats of India, Burma
and Ceylon. By Martin A. C. Hinton 59
A Popular Treatise on the Common Indian Snakes. Part
XXVI. (With Plate XXVI and Diagram of Cerberus
rhyncops and Enhydrina curtus.) By Lt.-Col. F. Wall,
C.M.G., C.M.Z.S., F.L S., I.M.S 89
The Common Butterflies of the Plains of India. Part
XXI. By T. R. Bell, i.F.S 98
Indian Dragonflies. Part III. (With 12 Text-figures.)
By Major F. C. Fraser, i.m.s 141
Notes on the Birds of Ambala District, Punjab.
Part II. By H. Whistler, M.B.O.U., F.z.s. ., 172
The CvPERACEiE of the Bombay Presidency. Part II.
By L. J. Sedgwick, f.l.s., i.c.s 192
A Revision of the Indian Species of Rotala and Amman-
nia. Part II. By E. Blatter, S. J., and Prof. F.
Hallberg 210
The Flora of the Indian Desert. (Jodhpur and
Jaisalmer). Part I. (With 12 Plates.) By E.
Blatter, S. J., and Prof. F. Hallberg 218
The Birds of Pkey of the Punjab. Part I. (With 2
Diagrams.) By C. H. Donald, f.z.s 247
Panthers. By Brig.-General R. G. Burton 266
The Mesopotamian Bulbul. By Capt. Claud B. Ticehurst,
R.A.M.C 279
Miscellaneous Notes : —
I. — Notes on a Young Hog Badger {Arctonyx Sp.) in the
Garo HiUs. By V. A. Jackson 281
Further Notes on the Hog Badger. By V. A.
Jackson - 281
CONTENTS OF THIS N U M B E R—(contd.)
Page
II. — Porcupine's mode of attack. By Reginald H. Heath 282
111. — Method of Porcupine's attack. By Lt.-Ool. E.
O'Brien 283
IV.— Method of Porcupine's attack. By F. J. Mitchell . . 283
V. — The Beatrix or Arabian Oryx \^Oryx leucory.v) in
Central Arabia. (With a Plate.) By Lt.-Col. R. E.
A. Hamilton 283
VI. — Notes on a Takin Head from Assam. By J. P.
MiUs, i.o.s 284
VII. — Panic in Elephants during an Earthquake. By V. A.
Jackson, f.h.g.s 285
VIII.— On White Elephants. H. Macnaghten 285
IX. — ^The White-Oheeked Rulbul {Molpastes leucogenys.) By
Brig.-Genl. R. M. Betham .' 286
X. — The Plumage of the Purple Honeysucker (Arachnets-
thura asiatica). By Capt. Claud B. Ticehurst,
B A.M.C 286
XI.— Note on the Indian Long-Billed Vulture {Gyps indi-
cus). By W. H. Mathews, i.p 287
XII. — The Common Hawk-Cuckoo (Hierococcy.v varius) in the
Punjab. By Hugh Whistler, F.Z.S., Indian Police. . 287
XTII. — The Breeding habits of Mrs. Hume's Pheasant. By
Capt. R. Blandy 289
XIV. — Notes on Kalij Pheasants in the Chin HUls. By
Capt. R. Blandy 289
XV. — Occurrence of the Lesser Florican or Likh 5. aurita in
the Mahableshwar Hills. By Kyrle Fellowes 289
XVI. — ^Abnormal Varieties of the Indian Redstart {R. rufiven-
tris) and the Common House Crow (C splendena). By
Hugh Whistler, f.z.s., Indian Police 289
XVn. — The Colour of the eye of the female White-Eyed
Pochard {Nyroca africana), By Capt. Claud B. Tice-
hurst, K. A.M.C 290
XVin. — Notes on the habits of the Mallard {Anas boschas).
By Lt.-Col. E. J. D. Colvin 291
XIX. — An Addition to the Game Birds of Burma. The Long-
Billed Hill Partridge {lih/zothera lonyirostiis, Temm.)
in renasserim. By Chas. M. Inglis, m.b.o.u 291
XX. — Natural History Notes from Fao. By W. D.
Gumming 292
•XXI, — How Trout were introduced into Kashmir. By F.J.
MitcheU 295
XXII. — Note** on the Larva of Cheerocampa alecto. By Oapt.
F. B. Scott, i.A 299
CONTENTS OF T H I S N U M B E R—{contd,)
Page
XXIII. — Life History of the AntTiercsa roylei (Oak Emperor)
Moth. By C. W. AUan 300
XXIV,— A Flight of Locusts. ("With a Plate.) By E. C. B.
Acworth 301
XXV. — Nesting Habits of Vespa doryllcides, Sauss. By C.
F. C. beeson, m.a., i.f.s 301
XXVI.— Mimicry in Spiders. By F. Clayton 302
XXV II. — On the breeding habits of some Myriapoda. By C.
McCann 303
XXVIII. — Note on a New undesribed Species of Cynodon.
(With a Plate.) By K. Raugachari and 0. Tadulin-
g*"^ 304
XXIX. — A Variety of Butea frondosa. By Lt.-Col. C. E. Luard, . y05
XXX.— The Edible Date-Palm in Bombay. By E. Blatter, S.J.. 306
XXXI. — Oleander poisoning Camels. By Capt. J. E. B. Eotson
i-Ai^o .' 306
XXXII. — Notes from the Oriental Sporting Magazine. New
Series, 1869 to lt<79. By Lt.-Col. K. W. Buiton,
^•^ 309
XXXIII.— Nilgiri Trap for catching wild animals. By Capt.
Philip Gosse, r.a m.c ^ ' Q\\
XXIV. — Eleocharis conyesta, Don., in the Bombay Presidency.
By L. J. Sedgwick, i.c.s ' oi o
PbOCBBDINGS Qio ;Q1Q
Print^a by K. G. Pear-son for the Proprietors of the Times Prc^s noiiiI)iv and
pubJ«hea by W. S. Millard for the Bombay Natoral HTsWr7aocieKl'u-18
THE
J O U R N A
OF THE
Bombay Natural History Society.
EDITED BY
W. S. MILLARD,
R. A. SPENCE and N. B. KINNEAR.
■VOL. -X"X"VI, ITO. 2.
Bate of Pwhlication, 20th May 1919.
Price to Ncm-Memhers
... Rs. 12-0
or £ 0-160
LONDON AGENTS:
DULAU & Co., Ltd.,
34-36, Margaret Street, Cavendish Square, W.
•
PRINTED AT THE TIMES PRESS, BOMBAY.
CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER.
Page
The Game Birds of India, Burma and Ceylon. Part XXVI.
(With a Plate of LoplioplioruB impejanus, the Impeyan
Pheasant or Monal). By E. 0. Stuart Baker, f.l.s.,
F.Z.S., M.B.O.U , 319
Summary of the Results from the Indian Mammal
Survey of the Bombay Natural History Society.
Part III. By R. C. Wroughton, F.z.s 338
On Asiatic Starlings. By Capt. C. B. Ticehurst, r.a.m.c. 380
Scientific. Results from the Mammal Survey, No.
XVIII (contd.). Report on the House Rats of India,
^ Burma and Ceylon. By Martin A. C. Hinton 384
Scientific Results from the Mammal Survey, No. XIX.
A Synopsis of the Groups of True Mice found within
the Indian Empire. By Oldfield Thomas, f.r.s 417
A New Species of Nesokia from Mesopotamia. By Old-
field Thomas, f.r.s 422
Supplementary Notes on Some Indian Birds. By B. B.
Osmaston, CLE., i.F.s 424
A Popular Treatise on the Common Indian Snakes. Part
XXVII. (With Plate XXVII and Diagram of Hydro-
phis spiralis and Hydrophis cyanocinctus.) By Lt.-Col.
F. Wall, C.M.G., C.M.Z.S., F.L.S. , I.M.S 430
The Common Butterflies of the Plains of India. Part
XXII. (With Plate H.). By T. R. Bell, c.i.E., i.f.s. 438
Indian Dragonflies. Part IV. (With 14 Text-figures.)
By Major F. C. Fraser, i.m.s 488
Sub-Species and the Field Naturalist. By E. C. Stuart
Baker, f.l.s., F.z.s. , M.B.O.U 518
The Flora of the Indian Desert. (Jodhpur and
Jaisalmer). Part II. (With 13 Plates.) By E.
Blatter, S. J., and Prof. F. Hallberg 525
Notes on a Collection of Snakes made in the Nilgiri
Hills and the adjacent Wynaad. (With Diagrams
and Maps.) By Lt.-Col. F. Wall, i.m.s., c.m.g., c.m.z.s. 552
Some Birds of Ludhiana District, Punjab. By H.
Whistler, F.z.s., M.B.O.U 585
Reduction of Euphorbia rothicma. By L. J. Sedgwick,
F.L.S. , i.c.s 599
A List of Birds found in the Simla Hills, 1908-1918.
By A. E. Jones 601
Some South Indian Coccids ok Economic Importance.
(With 4 Plates.) By T. V. Ramakrishna Ayyar, B.A.,
F.E.S., F.Z.S 621
The Birds of the Prey of the Punjab. Part II. (With
Plates I and II.) By C. H. Donald, f.z.s 629
Progress of the Mammal Survey 656
CONTENTS OF THIS N U M B E R—^-ontd.)
Page
Miscellaneous Notes : —
I.— The Tiger and the Train. By A. A. Dunbar Bran-
^^■^^^■^■^ 658
II- — Arrow head imbedded in a Tiger's back. By J. G.
Ri^^^^tl g5g
III.— Size of Tigers. By Lt.-Col. R. Light (j59
IV.— Tigress (Felis tif/ris) attacking a Sloth Bear {Melut-
siis iirsinus). By J. A. Duke 559
v.— Mongoose {Munrjos mumjo) kiUing a Hedgehog.
By Lt.-Col. E. O'Brien t . . .! 6G0
VI.— Natural Death of a Fox ( Vulpes bengalensis). By G.
O. Allen, i.c.s (j^jq
VII.— Spotted Deer {Axis avis) and the Wild Dogs {Cuon
dukhunensis). By. J. A. Duke QQ\
VIII.— Expected Plague of Field Eats in 1920. By L. J.
Sedgwick, i.c.s (jgj
IX. — Porcupines method of shedding quills when attacked.
By Lt.-Col. R. Light (36(j
X. — Record Female Nilgiri Tahr {Hemitragus hylocirius).
By Lt. A. P. Kinloch 660
XI. — Indian Grey Shrike (Lanius lathora) attacking
wounded Sandgrouse. By Lt.-Col. E. O'Brion . . 667
XII. —Occurrence of Indian Red Breasted Flycatcher {Si-
phia hypevythra) in the Deccan. By A. J. Currie . . QQ*]
XIII. — Nesting habits of the Brown Rockchat {Cercomela
fusca). By L. S. White 667
XTV. — A Note on 'the large Brown Thrush {Zoothea monticola).
By S. J. Martin 668
XV. — Nidification of the Small Streaked Spider-hunter
{Arachnothera aiirata). By J. M.D. Mackenzie,
I.F.S., il.B.O.U., F.z.s 669
XVI. — The Malabar Pied Horn bill {Anthvacoceros coronatus)
in Mirzapur, U. P. By G. O. [Allen, i.c.s. . . , . . 671
XVII. — The Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) in Mirzapur, U. P. By
G. O. Allen, I.c.s 671
XVIII. — Extension of Range of the Bronze-winged Dove. By
H.Dawson 672
XTX. — Habits of the Painted Sandgrouse {Pterocles fasciatus).
By G. O. Allen, I.c.s 672
XX. — Sand Grouse in Mesopotamia. By Lt.-Col. H. A. F.
Magrath 672
XXI. — The Burmese Peafowl {Favo muticus) in the Chitta-
gong Hill Tracts, Bengal. By C. M. Inghs (i73
XXII. — Nidification of Stone's Pheasant {Fhasianus elegans).
A Correction. By C. M. Inglis 673
XXIII. — The Great Indian Bustard {Eupodotis edwardsi) in Mir-
zapur District, U. P. By G. O. Allen, i.c.s 673
XXIV. — Note on the occurrence^ of the Lesser Florican or
Likh (Syphoetis aurita) in Bombay. By N. Marryat. 674
CONTENTS OF THIS N U M B E R—{contd.)
Page
Miscellaneous Notes — contd.
XXV.— The Cotton Teal in Malabar. By A. M. Kinloch . . 674
XXVI.-v-Occurrence of the Common Sheldrake {Tadorna cor-
nuta) and the Marbled Duck {Marmaronetta angus-
^n'osfn's) in Kathiawar. By Lt.-Col. H. AV. Berth©n. 674
XXVII.— Spot Bill Duck in Kashmir. By Major D. G. Oliver. 675
XXVIII. — The Sheldrake {Tadorna cornuta) in Manipur State.
By J. C. Higgins, i.c.s 675
XXIX. — Further Notes on the Birds of Ambala District,
Punjab. By A. E. Jones 675
XXX. — List of Birds observed in the Euphrates Valley. By
Major-General H. T. Brooking 677
XXXI. — Large Carp from Mesopotamia. By Major R. Bag-
nail 679
XXXII. — Large Carp from Mesopotamia. By Brig. -General
H. Mackay, K.A 680
XXXIII. — The Habits of the Tree Frog ( jRhacophorus macula-
tus). By G. O. Allen, i.c.s 681
XXXIV . — The Habits of {Dryophis myctenzans). By A. M. Kin-
loch 681
XXXV. — The Bite of the Large Spotted Viper {Lachesis monti-
cola). By A. Wright 681
XXXVI. — Remarks on Col. Wall's identification of {Hydrophis
cyanocinctus) . By Malcolm A. Smith, r.z.s 682
XXXVII. — Notes on Some Interesting Snakes recently presented
to this Society. By S. H. Prater 683:
XXXVIII. — The Undescribed female of an Indian Dragonfly
[Heymcordulia asiatica). By Major F. C. Eraser,
i.M.s 685
XXXIX.— Libellulines at St. Thomas' Mount, Madras. By
H. R. Rishworth 685
XL. — A Note on the function of the " Forceps " in For-
ficulidse. By Lt.-Col. F. Powell Conner, i.m.s. . . 688
XLI. — Some Butterflies taken in Benares and Adjoining
Districts. By G. O. Allen, i.c.s 689
XLII. — Notes on the Emergence from the Cocoon in Lasio-
cavipidce. By Lt.-Col. F. P. Connor, i.m.s 691
XLIII. — Tenacity of Life of {Parapelybia orientalis). By G. O.
Allen, I.c.s 693
XLIV. — Protective habits of the Larva of {Trypanophova semi-
hyalina). By G. O. Allen, i.c.s 698
XLV. — Note on the supposed efl'ects of the bite of a Penta-
tomid Bug {Halys dentatus). By E. H. Hunt 694
XL VI.— A few Additions to the List of Mussoorie Plants, by
.lames Marten, in Vol. XIX, p. 475. By G. O.
Allen, I.c.s 695
XL VII. — On the Identity ot {Blastosporabutleri), Qyd. (With
a Plate). By S. L. Ajrekar, b.a 697
Proceedings 698—703
Printod by E. G. Pearson for the Proprietors of the Times Press, Bombay, and
publinbod by W. S. Millard for the Bombay Natural History Society— 7018*19.
THE
JOURNAL ;
OF THE
Bombay Natueal Histoey Society.
EDITED BY
W. S. MILLARD,
R. A. SPENCE and N. B. KINNEAR, CM.ZS
-VOL. s:3Z"v^i, isro. s.
Date of Publication, 20th Ootoher 1919.
Price to Non-Members Rs. 0
or £ 0-18-0
LONDON AGENTS:
DULAU & Co., Ltd.,
34-36, Margaret Street, Cavendish Square, W.
^
PRINTED AT THE TIMES PRESS, BOMBAY.
CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER.
Page
The Game Birds of India, Burma and Ceylon. Part XXVII.
(With a coloured Plate of Trago^pan). By E. C. Stuart
Baker, f.l.s., f.z.s., m.b.o.u "05
Scientific Results from the Mammal Survey, No.
XVIII (contd.). Report on the House Rats of India,
Burma and Ceylon. By Martin A. C. Hinton 716
Scientific Results from the Mammal Survey, No. XX.
By Oldfield Thomas, f.r.s 726
A. — Notes on the Genus Cheliones.
2^. Change of coat in the Common Palm Squirrel —
An Appeal. By R. C. Wroughton, F.z.s.
(j^ Two new forms of the Funamhulus tristriatus
Group. By R. C. Wroughton and Winifred
M. Davidson.
B. — On the Genus Tadarida (Wrinkle-Lip Bats). By
R. C. Wroughton, f.z.S
Indian Dragonflies. Part V. (With Text-figures.) By
Major F. C. Eraser, lm.s 734
Some New Mammals from Mesopotamia. By Oldfield
Thomas, F.R.S. , f.z.s 745
Oommon Butterflies of the Plains of India. Part
XXIII. By T. R. Bell, C.I.E., i.F.s 750
Some Birds Observed at Fagoo, near Simla. By H.
Whistler, f.z.s., m.b.o.u 770
Summary of the Results from the Indian Mammal
Survey of the Bombay Natural History Society.
Part IV. By R. C. Wroughton, F.z.s 776
A Popular Treatise on the Common Indian Snakes. Part
XXVIII. (With a colouredPlate XXVIII and Diagram).
By Lt.-Col. F. Wall, C.M.G., C.M.Z.S., F.L.S., i.M.s 803
The Flora of the Indian Desert. (Jodhpur and
Jaisalmer). Part III. (With 6 Plates.) By E.
Blatter, S. J., and Prof. F. Hallberg 811
A Tentative List of the Vertebrates of the Jalpaiguri
District, Bengal. (With Plates.) By Chas. M.
Inglis, M.B.O.U., W. L. Tiavers, H. V. O'Donel and
E. 0. Shebbeare, i.f.s 819
The Birds of Prey of the Punjab. Part III. (With
Plate I.) By C. H. Donald, F.z.s 826
CONTENTS OF THIS N U M B E R—{contd.)
Page
Miscellaneous Notes : —
I. — Note on the Malabar Slender Loris, Lons lydekke-
rianus. By N. B. Kinnear, o.m.z.s 836
II. — Tiger, Felis tigris, climbing tree. By G. Monteath,
B.A., l.c.s g;37
III.— Wild DogSj Cuon duklmnends, and Sambhur. By
F. Ware j337
IV. — Distribution of the different races and species of
Takin {Budorcas). By F. Kingdon-Ward 808
V. — Notes on the Big Game and Duck of Dhar State.
By Udaji Rao Pnar, k.c.s.i., k.b.e., Maharaja of
Dhar 841
VI. — ^ Variety of the Common House Crow (Corvus
splendens) at Jhang, Punjab. By Hugh Whistler,
p-z-s ." 843
VII. — Maternal instinct in the Pied Bush Chat {Pratincola
caprata). By S. M. Robinson 843
V1I[. — Nesting habits of the Brown Rockchat {Cercomela
fusca). By W. H. Mathews 843
IX. — An Albino Swallow. By W. H. Mathews 844
X. — Abnormal variety of the Green Bee-Eater. (Merops
viridis). By Hugh Whistler, f.z.h 844
XI. — Some Birds of Prey of Mesopotamia. By C. H.
Donald, f.z.s 845
XII. — Extension of Range of the Green Imperial Pigeon
{Carpophaga cenea cenea) in Western India. By
N. B. Kinnear, c.m.z.s 840
XIII. — Extracts from " A Monograph of the Pheasants by
William Beebe." By Chas. M. Inglis, m.b.o.u. . . . . 847
XIV. — The Black-Breasted Kalij Pheasant (Gennaius
horsjieldi horsfieldi) east of the Irrawaddy, By
Chas. M. Inglis, m.b.o.u 848
XV. — A Note on the breeding of the Hill Partridge
(Arhoricola torqueola) near Simla. By Hugh
Whistler, f.z.s 849
XVI, — Late stay of Common Snipe {Gallinago coelestes) in
Central India. By Percy Hide 849
XVII. — Late stay of Pin-tail Snipe {Galtinago stonura) in
Burma. By A. F. M. Slater 350
XVIII. — Migration of Snipe in Burma. By E. T. Kenny .... 80U
XTX. — Feeding habits of the Little Egret {Herodia!<
garzetta.). By H. R. Meredith 852
XX. — Further occurrence of the Rose-coloured Starlinc
(Pastor roseus) and the Flamingo {Phmnicopterus
roseus) in the Darbhanga District, Behar. By
Chas. M, Inglis, m.b.o.u 853
XXI. — Different Birds nesting in company. By W.
Mathews 853
CONTENTS OF THIS NUMB E R—{contd.)
Page
Miscellaneous Notp:s — co7itd.
XXII. — Notes on some Nests recently found in South Tenas-
serini. By Cyril Hopwood, m.b.o.u. . . . , 853
XXIII. — Mesopotamiau Bird Notes. By F. C. R. Jourdain . . 860
XXIV. — The Giant Tortoise living in Ceylon. (With a Plate).
By N. B. Kinnear, c.m.z.s 861
XXV. — The rudimentary hind limb in an Embryo of Python
molurus. By Lt.-Col. F. Wall, i.m.s 862
XXVI. — The habits of the Green Whip Snake Dryophis mycte-
rizan^. By J. F. Cains, s,j 862
XXVII.— Note on the Snake Trirhinopholis nuchalis (Boulenger).
By Lt.-Col. F. Wall, i.m.s 863
XXVill. — A Gravid Specimen of the Snake Cylindrophis macu-
latus (Linn.). By Lt.-Col. F. Wall, i.m.s 863
XXIX. — Reply to Dr. Malcolm Smith's remarks in the last
Journal. By Lt.-Col. F. Wall, i.m.s 864
XXX. — Notes on some recent additions to our Society's
Snake collection. By Lt.-Col. F. Wall, i.m.s 865
XXXI. — Occurrence of &tichuptlmlma yodfreyi (Roths). By
O. C. Ollenbach 867
XXXII. — Occurrence of Colofis vestalix and n?nata at Unao.
By G. O. Allen, i.o.s 868
XXXIII. — Early appearance of Pieris firassicce (Linn.) in the
Darbhauga District, Behar. By Chas. M. Inglis.. 869
XXXIV. — Notes on the habits of Butterflies Zni.ridia mnsoni and
Xanthot(ennia hmiris. By O. C. Ollenbach 869
XXXV.— Naini Tal Butterfly Notes. By G. 0. Allen, i.c.s 870
XXXVI.— Life History Notes on Coorg Butterflies. By F,
Hannyugton, i.«!.s 871
XXX VI I. — The Hawk Moth {Deilrp/rila livomica). A correction.
By Capt. F. B. Scott, i.a 872
XXXVIII. — Harpactor cnstalis, Stal., preying on Ceratina
viridissima, D . 'T . By Chas, M. Inglis, m.b.o.u. .. 872
XXXIX. — Notes on the Flying White Ant and Scorpions that
feed on them. By C. H. Dracott 873
XL. — Notes on some new and other Indian Dragonflies.
By Major F. C. Fraser, i.m..s 874
XLI. — Ants attacking Bees. By A. G. H. Breithaupt .... 878
XLII.— Habits of Earbhwonus. By G. O. Allen, i.c.s 879
Review. A practical handbook of British Birds 880
Proceedings 882
'a"-
Printed by E. O. Pearsa'i (or the Propriecora of the Times Press, Bombay, and
publiiibecl by W. S. Millard for the Bombay Natural History Society— 7018'19,
THE
JOURNAL
OF THE
Bombay Natueal History Society.
EDITED BY
W. S. MILLARD,
R. A. SPENCE and N. B. KINNEAR, C.M.Z.S.
"VOL. -x-x-^vi, 3sro. 4.
Date of PuMicatioJt, 31st January 1920.
Price to Non-Memhers
... E.s.9-0
or£ O-18'O
LONDON AGENTS:
DULAU & Co., Ltd.,
34-36, Margaret Street, Cavendish Square, W.
»
PRINTED AT THE TIMES PRESS, BOMBAY.
CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER.
Page
The Game Birds of India, Burma and Ceylon. Part
XXVIII. By E. 0. Stuart Baker, f.l.s., f.z.s.,
M.B.o.u 885
Scientific Results from the Mammal Survey, No.
XVIII (concld.). Reports on the House Rats of India,
Burma and Ceylon. By Martin A. C. Hinton 906
Indian Dragonflies. Part VI. (With Text-figures). By
Major F. C. Fraser, i.m.s 919
Scientific Results from the Mammal Survey, No. XXI.
By Oldfield Thomas, f.r.s 933
A. — Some New Mammals from Baluchistan and
North-West India.
B. — Two new Species of Galomyscus. By Oldfield
Thomas, f.r.s 938
The Common Butterflies of the Plains of India. Part
XXIV. By T. R. Bell, C.I.E., i.F.s 941
Summary of the Results from the Indian Mammal
Survey of the Bombay Natural History Society.
Part V. By R. C. Wroughton, F.z.s 965
The Flora of the Indian Desert. (Jodhpur and
Jaisalmer.) Part IV. ^j E. Blatter, S. J., and Prof.
F. Hallberg 968
A Tentative List of the Vertebrates of the Jalpaiguri
District, Bengal. Part II. {With a Plate, Map and
Text Block.) By Chas. M. Inglis, m.b.o.u., W. L.
Travers, H. V. O'Donel and E. 0. Shebbeare, i.f.s. ... 988
The Birds of Prey of the Punjab. ( With Text-Figures,)
Part IV. By C. H. Donald, F.z.s 1000
Notes on Indian Butterflies. By Lt.-Col. W. H. Evans,
F.z.s., F.E.S 1021
Description of a New Snake of the Genus Gontia, B. &
G., FROM Persia. By G. A. Boulenger 1024
Bombay Natural History Society's Mammal Survey of
India, Burma and Ceylon. Report Nos. 30, Dekhan
(PooNA District), and 31,Nilgiris 1025
Progress of the Mammal Survey 1036
Obituary Notices ;, F. Hannyngton, i.c.s., E. W. Ellis, i.f.s. 1037
CONTENTS OF THIS N U M B E R—{contd.)
Page
Miscellaneous Notes : —
I. — Large Kashmir Stag Head {Cercus cashminanus)
{with text block). By C. Gilbert Rogers 1038
II. — Porcupine's method of attack. By O. R. S. Pitman. 1039
III. — Porcupine's method of attack. By Randolph C.
Morris \ ()4Q
IV. — Caracal {Felis caracal) and Hunting Leopard
{Cyncelurus jubatus) in Mirzapur, U. P. By G. O.
Allen, i.c.s 1041
v.— Field Rats in the Deccan in 1879. By J. Davidson. 1042
VI. — Note on the eggs of Prima inornata, The Indian
Wren-Warbler. By F. Reed 1043
VII. — Note on the Nightjar {Caprimulgus (pyi/pticus) .
By Major W. M. Logan Home 1043
VIII. — Strange behaviour of a wild bird. By Major J. E.
M.Boyd 1043
IX. — The Blue-breasted Quail {E^tcalfactona chinensis) at
Mirzapur. By H. Whistler, f.z.s., m.b.o.xj 1044
X. — Birds of different species nesting in company. By
G. O. Allen, i.c.s 1044
XI. — The Red Turtle-Do ve (CEnopepelia t. tranqebarica) in
Unao, U. P. By G. O. Allen, i.c.s 1044
XII. —Accidents to Vultures. By G. O. Allen, i.c.s 1045
XIII. — Hovering habit of the Spotted Owlet {Athene
brahma). By G. O. Allen, i.c.s 1045
XIV. — A 17 Scale Krait {Bungarus cceruleus) from Bangalore.
By Lt.-Col. F. Wall, i.M.s 1046
XV. — Early occurrence of the Painted Lady ( Vanessa
cardui L.) in the Darbhanga District, Behar. By
Chas. M. Inglis 1046
XVI. — A curious method of feeding noted in Danais
limniace, Cram. By T. V. Subrahmaniam 1047
XVII. — Notes from the Oriental Sporting Magazine, .June
1828 to June 1833. By Lt.-Col. R. W. Burton, i.a. 1047
XVIII. — An Anomaly in Floral Biology. By. S. P. Jivanna
Rao, M.A 1049
Accounts for 1918 1051
Proceedings 1053
'C-
Printed by B. ti. Pearson for the Proprietors of the Times Press, Bombay, and
published by W. S. Miilard for the Bombay Natural HistorT Society— 5636.20,
7
THE
JOURNAL
OF THE
Bombay Natural History Society,
EDITED BY
W. S. MILLARD, F.Z.S.,
R. A. SPENCE and N. B. KINNEAR, F. Z. S., M. B. O. U.
VOL. XXVI, No. 5.
Containing Title Page ; Contents of Vol. XXVI ; Alphabetical List
of Contributors ; List of Plates ; Index to Illustrations ;
Errata ; List of Office-Bearers ; List of Members ;
Statement of Accounts for 1919 ; New Generic
Terms ; Index of Species,
Date of -publication, 15th January 1921-
Pnce to Norir Members ... ••. ••• ••• ^^s, 4-8-0
or £ 0-7-0
LONDON AGENTS:
DULAU & Co., Ltd., 34-36, Margaret Street, Cavendish Square, W,
^m^
FEINTED AT THE TIMES PRESS, BOMBAY.
NOTICE TO THE BINDER.
The contents of this Number should be arranged in the
following order, when Volume XXVI is being bound : —
Title Page
Contents of Vol. XXVI
List of Contributors
List of Plates ...
Index to Illustrations ..
New Generic Terms ..
Errata ...
Frontispiece.
y To follow the frontispiece
in this order.
List of Office-Bearers
List of Members
Accounts for 19i9
Index to Species
^At the end o± the Volume
in this order.
VN
ji^^'Si.
rv>
MBL/WHOI LIBRARY
u
H 1
52 N
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11