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Cae a ~- LOWER BENGAL,
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es By RAM BRAMHA SANYAL, 3
: Rac SP Si i? x.
= __ - Superintendent of the Zoological Garden, Calcutta. es
a UBLISHED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THE
si MANA GEMENT OF THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN, CALCUITA. 3
Snithisonian Institap pide
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“onal Zoological pass

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PRINTED AT THE BEN GAL SECRETARIAT PEuGy
a. ey 1802,
| s, . : : \. wl
as Pri ice Rs. 5.
ae
-

PREPAOE

ee aan, 4

Es ‘the Resolution of the Govetntuetit rot Bengal on | ny
the Report of the Committee for the management of the
Zoological Garden, Calcutta, for the year 1888- 89, the

following passage occurred :— ;

> * Ags the Zoological Gardens have now been in existence for 13
x years (since 1875-76), it is presumable that many events have
qe - taken place among the large number of animals, birds, &c.,

exhibited from time to time which would be of interest to the
scientific world and to persons interested in zoology; also, that
--___ considerable experience must have been gained in the manage-
ment of animals, birds, &c., in confinement, and their treat-
“ag ment in sickness, which would be of practical use to the
managing bodies of other Zoological Gardens and to individuals
who have private collections. Sir Steuart Bayley is strongly
_ of opinion that it is incumbent on all persons who keep
~ animals in captivity to avoid, as far as possible, anything like
cruelty (such as want of space, or air, proper food or cleanli-
ness) in their treatment, and he recognizes that the Zoological
Gardens’ Managing Committee set an excellent example in
; this respect. He would venture to suggest that from the
a 4 records of the Committee and the recollections of their able
Superintendent, it would be possible for them to produce
8 a hand-book which might be of great use to the numerous
- nobles and other persons who on a smaller scale keep collec-
— tions of animals or birds in captivity.”

one a meeting of the Committee on April 2nd, 1890, it
= was determined that a Sub-Committee be appointed to give
effect to the above Resolution.

a This hand-book has accordingly been prepared = Babu
R. B. S4nyél, the Superintendent of the garden, on a plan
drawn up by the Sub-Committee. Mr. C. E. Buckland, cs.,

has supervised the preparation. of the work. Its principal
aim has been to follpet. the experience ee in the Calcutta —

i+. * ee

’
*
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-

*

¥ - * *.
in’, He a : oe
”- bl s “7 x a oa a
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Fcdlocical ‘Garlon in the management of ani ls, a

state the facts in the fashion most. likely to render them _

_ practically useful as a guide to those who may keep. private i

collections of animals. Some notice has been taken of every ie
species of animal ever exhibited in the garden, and in
doing this the ordinary scientific classification has been
adhered to: at the same time, the use of scientific terms has
been to a great extent avoided, and vernacular equivalents
ave been 2 DER os them. ,

At

AUTHOR’S PREFACE.

Soup this book fall into the hands of any European
naturalist or manager of a vivarium, I trust that he will
consider the fact that it is intended for India, where trained
supervision is a desideratum. Besides, its publication may
stimulate others more experienced and competent to record
and publish the result of their experience; so that, in time,
a more accurate and extensive literature on the treatment of
animals in captivity may be produced.

As the object of the hand-book has been to take notice,
as far as possible, of the treatment adopted or necessary in
individual cases, some repetition has been unavoidable.

With regard to the classification, description, and distri-
bution of animals, I have generally followed Anderson,
- Blanford, Hume, Jerdon, Oates, Sclater, Scully, and other —

naturalists of repute. My obligations are due to Mr. C. E. —
Buckland, c.s., for the supervision he has given to my efforts, _
and to Mr. W. L. Sclater, Deputy Superintendent, Indian —
Museum, for having allowed me access to the collection of :
skins in the possession of the Indian Museum, and for ig
general advice and assistance. ae

i ZooLoGicaL GARDENS,
Calcutta, March 1892.

a te ~ = a _
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PART I.
CLASS MAMMALIA.
ORDER PRIMATES.
" Family Simiide.
Genus SIMIA. ‘i
PAGE.
The Orang-Outang . : : : 5 3 z oe.
(Simia satyrus—Zinn.)
: ed
= Genus HYLOBATES,
The Hoolock Gibbon . ; : : RCRS Pe: % 6
(Hylobates hoolock — (Harlan, ) )
.. The White-cheeked Gibbon 3 : = 5 a eee 9
(Hylobates leucogenys—Ogilby.)
. The White-handed Gibbon... : ORR on: ee at i ee eos
(Hylobates lar—(Linn.) ) |
. The Agile Gibbon : ees Y ; : 3
(Hylobates agilis—F. Cuvier. )
The Long-armed Ape . : ; : . . . 10
(Hylobates leuciscus—(Schreb ) sit : i
The Siamang . es a : ar ai % =
(Hylobates syndactylus—(Desm.) )
Family Cercopithecide. y
Genus SEMNOPITHECUS.
The Hanuman . - eT : : il
(Semnopithecus Pie (Duress ))
The Crested Monkey ... < ° - G 14
_ (Semnopithecus iietiel( Rapiis) )
. Phayre’s Leaf Monkey : - 3 ES gy, ee : 3,
(Semnopithecus phayrei—( Blyth.) ).
The Assam Langur. : : S . a
(Semnopitecus leaped Bien. )
- The Proboscis Monkey 3 - 16
(Semnopithecus (Nasalis) a ae Geoff. St. Hilaire.)
. The Red-haired Monkey . f ° : : . ® =
Semnopithecus rubicundus—WMuller.) >
* “

14.

15.

16.

17,

18.

19,

20,

21.

22.

23,

24,

25.

26.

27.

28,

29.

30,

al.

32,

33.

34,

35.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

The Banded Leaf Monkey
(Semnopithecus femoralis—Horsfteld, )
The Purple-faced Monkey . : ; ,
(Semnopithecus cephalopterus—Zimm.)
The Simpai 5 :
(Semnopithecus asiona Ginter)

GENus CERCOPITHECUS.

The Diana Monkey
(Cercopithecus diana—(Linn.) )
The Malbrouck Monkey
(Cercopithecus cynosurus—Scop.)
The Green Monkey . .
(Cercopithecus callitricus—Ts, Gea)
The Talapoin Monkey
(Cercopithecus talupele = (Eyeat ))
The Hocheur Monkey . : :
(Cercopithecus nictitans—(Linn.) )
The Pluto Monkey
(Cercopithecus pluto— Gray, )
The Lesser White-nosed Monkey
(Cercopithecus petaurista—(Schreb.) )
The Moustache Monkey :
(Cercopithecus cephus—(Linn.) )
The Patas Monkey ;
(Cereopithecus patas—(Schreb. ) )
The Mona Monkey ;
(Cercopithecus mona—( Schreb, ))

Genus MACACUS.

The Rhesus Monkey ,

(Macacus rhesus—(Audebert.) )
The Macaque Monkey

(Macacus cynomolgus—(Linn. )
The Himalayan Monkey ,

(Macacus assamensis— We Clelland. )
The Brown Stump-tailed Monkey

(Macacus arctoides—Js. Geoff7.)
The Lion-tailed Monkey

(Macacus silenus—Schred.)
The Burmese Pig-tailed Monkey

(Macacus leoninus— Blyth.)
The Pig-tailed Monkey

(Macacus nemestrinus—(Linn.) )
The Bonnet Monkey .

(Macacus sinicus—(Linn.) )
The Toque Monkey , :

(Macacus pileatus— (Shaw.) se

19

bed

32

bo)

oP]

ee a a ,
ee! eee .
sak TABLE OF CONTENTS. _ ili =
anus CYNOCEPHALUS.
PAGE
86. The Sacred Abyssinian Baboon . . + «. . . 32
(Cynocephalus hamadryas—(Liwn.) ) 7 |
37. The Chacma Baboon . * : : ? : 34
(Cynocephalus por een )
38. aoe Mandrill_ . ; : S : A ° 5

~ (Cynocephalus Zein Cail) )

Family Cebide.
Genus CHRYSOTHRIX.,

39. The Squirrel Monkey . geet ; : bet ao Saar 36
(Chrysothrix sciurea—(Linn. ) )

GENUS CEBUS.

40. The Weeper Capuchin ; ; : : : . fe
(Cebus capuchinus— Geoffr. ji:

Family Hapalida.

| GENUS HAPALE.
41. The Common Marmoset . ; F Novae + é AF So oT

(Hapale jacchus—(Zinn.) )
ORDER LEMURES.

Family Lemuride.
GEnvs LEMUR.

42. The Mongoose Lemur 6 : : : : ; : 38
(Lemur mongoz—(Linn.) )

43. The Ruffed Lemur .. : : Pies a a5

. force varius— Geoff’. ) :

44, The Yellow-fronted Lemur : ; 5 : A 39
(Lemur flavifrons— Gray.) a

Genus GALAGO.

4D. Garnett’s Galago : anus 4 ; . »
eGalgo garnetti—(Ogilly. ) 7

Susp-FAMILY LorIsIn»,

Genus NYCTICEBUS.

46, The Slow Loris . ; = ae ‘ : rg
Bane feondisivadag (Tati ) “i

1V

47.

48.

49,

50.

51.

52.

53.

54.

55.

56.

57.

58.

59.

60.

61.

62.

63.

64,

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

ORDER CARNIVORA.

Family Felide.

Genus FELIS.

The Lion . : : - : ° -
(Felis leo— Linn. )
The Tiger . : > e

(Felis tigris—Linn. )
The Leopard :
(Felis pardus—Linn.)
The Ounce or Snow-Leopard
(Felis uncia—Schreb,)
The Clouded Leopard .
(Felis nebulosa— Griffith.)
The Marbled Cat
(Felis marmorata—Dartin.)
The Golden Cat .
(Felis temmincki— Vig. , Horsf. C
The Fishing Cat . ; : - : f 3
(Felis viverrina—Bennett.)
The Leopard Cat
(Felis bengalensis— Kerr.)
The Rusty-spotted Cat
(Felis rubiginosa—Ts. Geoff.)
The Jungle Cat . : :
(Felis chaus— Gild.)
The Caracal
(Felis caracal— Guild. )

The Lynx . : : : -
(Felis lynx—Linn. )

The Puma . : 5 - ° .
(Felis coneolor—Zinn.)

The Jaguar :
(Felis onca—Linn.)

The Ocelot

(Felis pardalis—Linn. vs
The Domestic Cat °
(Felis catus, var. domistious =a)

Genus CYNALURUS.

The Hunting Leopard. : - ;
(Cynzlurus jubatus—Schreb.)

PAGE.

64

65

2?

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* ie a, 7 2 3 y :
(la .
TABLE OF CONTENTS. vy

Family Viverride.

Genus VIVERRA. PAGE.
65. The Large Indian Civet . : : : : ; 66
; (Viverra zibetha—- Linn.)
66. The Malayan Civet . : ; : ° ; : 68

_ (Viverra tangalunga— Gray. ‘
Genus VIVERRICULA,
67. The Small Indian Civet . ‘ 4 ; é , , £
(Viverricula malaccensis — Gmel.)
Genus GENETTA.

68. The CommonGenet . 3 2 i 5 : ae 69
(Genetta vulgaris—(Less.) ) :

Genus HEMIGALEA.

69. Hardwicke’s Hemigale ; 6 5 ‘ Dee .
(Hemigalea hardwickii— ( Gray.) )

Genus PARADOXURUS.

70. The Indian Palm Civeth . . Se GALI ON ay 70
(Paradoxurus niger—Desm.) |

71. The Malayan PalmCivet . : : 6 é : a
(Paradoxurus peeaepireaias (Pall) ) .

72. The Himalayan Palm Civet ; : : : ‘ ; 71

(Paradoxurus grayi—Bennett.)

73. The White-whiskered Palm Civet é , he Son 72
(Paradoxurus leucomystax— Gray.) ~-.

Genus ARCTOGALE.
44, The Small-toothed Palm Civet . ; : 3 ; : a
(Arctogale leucotis—(Blyth.) )
Genus ARCTICTIS.
7 Phe Bear-Cat or Binturong © 26 0. 9 a -
(Arctictis binturong—(Raffles.) )
Sus-ramMity Herpestinm. —
Genus HERPESTES.

%6. The Small Indian Mungoose . wars aentt igeealnie) 2 "4,
(Herpestes auropunctatus (Hodge, )
77. The Common Indian Mungoose . c ; $ : : a
(Herpestes mungo—(G mel.) )
78. The Malayan Mungoose . 7 , é : ‘ 75
(Herpestes brachyurus— Orie )
79. The Crab-eating Mungoose ee ee | ce he 3

(Herpestes urva—(Hodgs.) )

80.

81.

82.

83.

84.

85.

86.

87.

88.

89,

90.

91.

92.

93.

TABLE OF CONTENTS,

GENus CROSSARCHUS.

The Banded Ichenumon : : -
(Crossarchus daattatilgs Dea

Family Hyenide.

Genus HYANA,

The Striped Hyzna
(Hyena striata—Zimm.)

Family Canide.

Genus CANIS.

The Wolf . :
(Canis lupus—Zinn.)

The Indian Wolf
(Canis pallipes—Sykes.)

The Jackal . : : : :
(Canis aureus—Linn.)

The Black-backed Jackal . ’ f ; : ‘
(Canis mesomelas—Sehreb.)

The Side-striped Jackal : : ; ic : j
(Canis lateralis— Sclater.)

The Dingo .
(Canis dingo—Blumenb )

Genus CYON.

The Indian Wild Dog : . ; p 3 ;

(Cyon dukhuuensis— Sykes.)

Genus VULPES.

The Indian Fox : : : : < .
(Vulpes aeons: ‘,

The Common Fox : : ; : : . : °
(Vulpes alopex—(Linn.) )

Family Mustelide.

Genus MUSTELA.

The Indian Marten . ; A ‘ : :
(Mustela flavigula—Bodd.)

GENus PUTORIUS.

The Weasel :
(Putorius vulgaris—(G@mel.) )

The Yellow-bellied Weasel . : : : .
(Putorius cathia—Hodgs.)

PAGE.
16

ears

x»

82

83

84

85

86

2»

96.
97.

98.

99.

160.

101.

104.

105.

106. —

4 ra) ¥ ~ ra # (Line

f hl lid ely os Rory 4
plane 2 =F our
Se Ss

(ony

ea eee TABLE OF CONTENTS.

GENUS GALICTIS.

The Tayra. | cates ea

ae Serta ann. ) ue
GENUS MELLIVORA.

The Indian Ratel
(Mellivora indica—Kerr.)

Genus ARCTONYX.

The Hee: Badger be
(Arctonyx collaris—FP, Gar

Genus LUTRA.

The Common Otter

(Lutra vulgaris—Zrzi.)
The Smooth Indian Otter .

(Lutra ellioti— Anderson, )
The Clawless Otter

(Lutra leptonyx—Horsf.)

Family Procyonidea.

Genus NYCTEREUTES.

The Racoon Dog
(Nyctereutes procyonoides— Gren

Genus NASUA.

The White-nosed Coati
(Nasua narica—(Linn.) )

The Ring-tailed Coati
(Nasua rufa—(Desm.) )

Genvs CERCOLEPTES.

; The Kinkajou

(Cercoleptes coudivelvulus—(Pall )

Family Mluridea.
GENUS ASLURUS.

The Panda or Cat-Bear
(#lurus fulgens—F. Cuv.)

Family Urside.
Genus URSUS.

The Polar Bear .

(Ursus maritimus—Linn.) —
Ee Drowhepear, §., .<. % « .
(Ursus arctos—Linn.)

Paar,

iz)

88

95

96

97

98 -

V1il

107.

108.

109.

110.

111.

112.

113.

114.

115.

116.

cag

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

The Grizzly Bear
(Ursus horribilis— Ord. _
The Himalayan Bear

(Ursus torquatus— Wagner.)
The Black Bear

(Ursus amenteantive POT )
The Malayan Bear : :

(Ursus malayanus— Raffles.)

Genus MELURSUS.

The Sloth Bear . :
(Melursus ursinus—(Shaw.) )

ORDER INSECTIVORA.

Family Tupaiide.
Genus TUPAIA.

The Tree Shrew
(Tupaia ellioti— Wrcstaeheae’ )

Family Krinaceide.

Genus ERINACEUS,

Hardwicke’s Hedgehog

(Erinaceus collaris—Gray & Higa)
The South Indian Hedgehog

(Erinaceus micropus— Blyth.)

The Common Hedgehog . 4 .
(Erinaceus europeeus—Linn.)

GENUS GYMNURA.

The Smaller Gymnura
(Gymnuura suilla—(Miller & Schleg.) re

Family Soricide.

GENUS CR@CIDURA.

The Grey Musk Shrew
(Creecidura cxrulea—(Ker7.) )

PAGE.

101
102
104

105

107

109

110

33

111

112:

poo mad
eee te : |
a - ‘TABLE OF CONTENTS.
i
r ‘
ORDER CHIROPTERA.
Family Pteropodide.
Genus PTEROPUS.
PAGE.
118. The Indian Fruit Bat or Flying Fox . , ; . ; 112

(Pteropus medius— Zemm.)

Genus CYNOPTERUS.

119. The Lesser Fruit Bat : ; 3 3 . . 113
(Cynopterus a in(aen )

ORDER RODENTIA.

Family Sciuride.
Genus SCIURUS.

120. The Black Hill Squirrel ‘
(Sciurus giganteus—Mc Clelland. -
121. The Javan Squirrel . é ° : : : : 114
(Sciurus bicolor—Sparr.)
122. The Large Indian Squirrel .
(Sciurus indicus—Z7wl.)
123. The Long-tailed Squirrel
(Sciurus macrourus—Z7zl.) .
124, The Hoary-bellied Grey Squirrel : : : . : 115
(Sciurus lokroides—Hodgs.)
125. The Common Striped Squirrel
(Sciurus palmarum—Zinz.)
126. The Orange-bellied Grey Squirrel
(Sciurus blanfordi— Blyth.)
127. The Rufous-necked Squirrel
(Sciurus prevosti—Desm.)
128. The Plantain Squirrel ; s ; é : : “ 116
(Sciurus plantani—Z/jung.)
129, The Grey Squirrel
(Sciurus cinereus—LZinn.)
130. The Common Squirrel
(Sciurus vulgaris— Linn.)

23

33

Genus PTEROMYS.

131. The Red-bellied Flying Squirrel .
(Pteromys magnificus—Hodgs.)

33

/

Genus SCIUROPTERUS.

132. The Grey Flying Squirrel . ; sae ae : : : 117
(Sciuropterus fimbriatus— Gray.)

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

GENUS ARCTOMYS.

| PAGE.
133. "The Himalayan Marmot .. 9. 7). © eee 118
(Arctomys hodgsoni— Blanf.) .
134. The Quebec Marmot . : i ; : . : ‘ 119
(Arctomys monax—(ZLinn.) )
Genus CYNOMYS.
135. The Prairie Marmot . ‘ : : A a : 5 a
(Cynomis ludovicianus—( Ord.) )
Family Myoxide.
GENUS MYOXUS.
136. The Common Dormouse . 5 : : - : : 120
(Myoxus avellanarius—(Zinz.) )
Family Muride.
SuB-FAMILY GERBILLINA.
GENUS GERBILLUS.
137. The Cuvier’s Jerboa Rat. : : + : : : i
(Gerbillus cuvieri— Waterhouse.)
138. The Indian Jerboa Rat ; : , : ‘ g ; y
(Gerbillus indicus— Geoff.)
Genus MUS.
139. The Common Rat : d : : ; : : i i;
(Mus rattus— Zinn.)
VAR. ALBA. .
140. The Earthy Field Mouse . : ; . : : 53
(Mus terricolor— Blyth.)
141. (Mus (nesokia) kok—Giray.) 2 ‘ ; : : “fs
142. The Rufescent Tree Rat . 5 : : . > 3
(Mus rufescens— Gray.)
148. The Common Indian Mouse : ; 3 " ‘ : ss
(Mus urbanus—Hodgs.)
144. The Fawn Field Mouse - ' , f ‘ F ie

(Mus cervicolor—Hodgs.)

Genus GOLUNDA.
145. (Golunda meltada—Hlliot) . . . . . , .

i i aa
Ti va i : ,

TABLE OF CONTENTS. _

Family Spalacide.

Genus RHIZOMYS.

146. The Red-cheeked Bambco Rat

(Rhizomys erythrogenys—Andr.)

147. The Chestnut-coloured Bamboo Rat

(Rhizomys badius—Hodgs.) ©

Family Octodontide.

Genus MYOPOTAMUS.

148. The Coypu

(Myopotamus coypu—(Mé1.)

Family Hystricide.
Genus HYSTRIX

149. The Short-spined Porcupine

(Hystrix longicauda—Marsden.)

150. The Indian Crested Porcupine

151.

(Hystrix leucurus—Sykes.) )

The European Crested Porcupine

(Hystrix cristata—(Linn.) )

Genus ATHERURA.

152. The Brush-tailed Porcupine ‘

a

(Atherura fasciculata—(Shaw.) y

153. The African Brush-tailed Porcupine

(Atherura africana— Gray.)

Family Chinchillide.
Gents LAGOSTOMUS.

154. The Viscacha

(Lagostommus AV Tdacig ite Brookes. )

Family Dasyproctide.
Genus CELOGENYS.

155. The Spotted Cavy

(Celogenys paca—( Linn.) a

Genus DASYPROCTA.

156. The Central American Agouti .

(Dasyprocta isthmica—A/ston.)

157. The Hairy-rumped Agouti . . : | :

(Dasyprocta prymnolopha— Wag/. )

PAGE,
120

27

121

~. 122

>?

>

123

124

158.

159.

160.

161.

162.

163.

164,

165.

166.

167.

168.

169.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Genus CAVIA.

The Guinea Pig. ; :
(Cavia porcellus— (Linn. ) 1

Genus HYDROCH@RUS.

The Capybara
(Hydrocherus PCN se

Family Leporide.
Genus LEPUS.

The Indian Hare

(Lepus eniicitidutne ee oeere )
The Common Rabbit .

(Lepus cuniculus—LZinn.)

Genus CAPROLAGUS.

The Hispid Hare
(Caprolagus hispidus— Blyth. )

ORDER PROBOSCIDEA.

Family Elephantide.

GENUus ELEPHAS.

The Indian Elephant . ;
(Elephas indicus—F’. Cuvier.)

ORDEK UNGULATA.

Family Rhinocerotide.
Genus RHINOCEROS.

The Indian Rhinoceros
(Rhinoceros unicornis—Linn.)
The Sondaic Rhinoceros
(Rhinoceros sondaicus—Desm.
The Hairy-eared Rhinoceros
(Rhinoceros lasiotis—Sclater.)
The Sumatran Rhinoceros .
(Rhinoceros sumatrensis— Cuv.)

Family Tapiride.
Genus TAPIRUS,

The Malayan Tapir . - 4 . ; 5 -
(Tapirus indicus—Desm.)

The Hairy Tapir
(Tapirus roulini—L%scher.)

PAGE.
124

125

126

33

23

za

130

131

39

132

135

23

. Pore ence Sy “a

ay, OY aa pat) es -
; J | - ,

oS” RAE OW CONTENTS:

Family Equidea.
GENUS EQUUS.

170. The Wild Ass :
(Equus onager—Pail.)

171. The Domestic Ass
(Equus asinus— Linn.)

172. Burchell’s Zebra : ~
(Equus Burchelli—( Gray. ) ye

Family Bovide.

SuB-FAMILY Bovinz.
Grenus BOS.

173. The Domestic Ox
(Bos taurus—Zinn.)
174, The Zebu
(Bos ees Din. )
175. The Gyal, or Mithan . aS: Shon
(Bos frontalis—(Lamlert.) )
176. The Sondaic Ox, or Banteng
(Bos sondaicus—(Miill.) ).
177. The Gaur . : : : ; : E
(Bos eo chil)

Gents BISON.

178. The American Bison .
(Bison americanus—(Gimel.) )

Genus POEPHAGUS.

179, The Yak
Bp heeus be niteta=s (Edu ) er

GENUS BUBALUS.

180. The Cape Buffalo ‘ : -
(Bubalus caffer—(Sparr.) y
181. The Indian Buffalo
(Bubalus buffelus—( Blum.) )

Genus ANOA.

182. The Anoa
(Anoa dbpteesicrne OU Smith.) )

SuUB-FAMILY TRAGELAPHIN &.

GENUS OREAS..

183, The Eland. =. 5-8 °
(Oreas canna—(H, Smith.) Warr

4

139

ee

g 2:99

143

39

33

144

X1V TABLE OF CONTENTS,

Page,
Genus BOSELAPHUS.
184. The Nilgai : , . : ; 145

(Boselaphus ad eaniclas eee

SusB-FAMILY ORYGINA,
GENUS ORYX.

185. The Beisa Antelope . 3 ' ‘ “ : : ;
(Oryx beisa—(Rupp.) )
186. The Leucoryx . : ; ° : : 2

(Oryx jeubckas Pare , )

SuB-FAMILY ANTILOPIN&.
GENUS GAZELLA.

187. The Arabian Gazelle . . : . : : 147
(Gazella arabica—(Hempr. et Bhr. )

188. The Indian Gazelle . : : . F a ‘ +
(Gazella bennetti—-(Sykes.) )

189. Grant’s Gazelle : : 2 > , f % 2

(Gazella pants cite. )

Genus ANTILOPE.
190. The Indian Antelope . Z : - : : : a
(Antilope cervicapra—(Zinn.) )

Genus TETRACEROS.
191. The Four-horned Antelope ; ; : : . : 148
(Tetraceros quadricornis—(Blainv.) )
Genus ALCELAPHUS.
192. The Bubaline Antelope ; : . 5 : é r
(Alcelaphus bubalis—( Pall.) )
SuUB-FAMILY CaPRIN#!.
Genus CAPRA.

193. The Domestic Goat . : : ’ : ee
(Capra hircus—Linn.)
194. The Persian Ibex ; 2 ; i ° :

(Capra egagrus— Gmel, '
Genus OVIS.

195. The Domestic Sheep . : : - - : . . Fe

(Ovis aries—Linn.)
196. The Punjab Wild Sheep . ; : ; J p ' 151
(Ovis cycloceros— Hutton.)
197. The Burrhal Wild Sheep . ; é : e : : so eae *

(Ovis Nahoor—Hodgs.)

sai er, Ta Ie
aa. & seisiian sis 7 , fy Eek ; 1h ‘ eee r
aN eaenias rani on 6 ONTENTS, | xv
ene eae »

Family Giraffide. — tee
x Genus GIRAFFA.

= “a te PAGE,
- —-—--:198, The Giraffe opty i ae . a vetee eee 162
Got (Giraffa Ee retaeaiate" Lain)
Family Cervide.
‘ Sus-FAMILY CERVINZ.
Genus CERVULUS.
199. The Indian Muntjac . Sic : 2 : . : 154
(Cervulus muntjac—Zimm.)

200. Reeves’ Muntjac . - : : : : ; Mont - es
. (Cervulus reevesi— Ogilby.)

Genus CERVUS.
201. The Wapiti Deer F IEE ah ory los he ET Ee
(Cervus aia sie Sokeo )
202. The Formosan Deer Baer ise Pe AMM ae IS. 5
(Cervus taévanus—Swinh.) —

203. The Barasingha Deer Steer pall, Mihara Re 155
(Cervus duvaucelli— Cuv.)
204. The Sambur Deer - : 5 : ‘ : : -
(Cervus aristotelis— Cuv. )
205. The Equine Deer - : : : ; : & 3 <3
as (Cervus equinus— Cuv.) yee iG
ieee BicEHos Deer. se {eee ee a os 156 _
(Cervus porcinus—Zimm.) ’ Bee
207. The Rusa Deer . : Fe Spe ; ; ‘ ; ¥
(Cervus hippelaphus— Cun. ) 5 Eh
208. The Molucca Deer. ° : : = ares ee é “J Gs
(Cervus moluccensis— Will.)

3?

209. The Axis Deer . t ee : mega
- — (Cervus axis—Zral.) mes

Genus RANGIFER.
210. The Reindeer. : . . : . . . . &
(Rangifer tarandus—Zinn )
Paris Tragulide.
Gzenus TRAGULUS.

211. The Indian Chevrotain. : i ere : : 159
(Tragulus none o¢ ae) ) °
212.. The Malayan Chevrotain . : : 5 : ‘ : 160
en (Tragulus Napu—F. Cw.)
213. The Javan Chevrotain P 5 : ‘ : *
(Tragulus javanicus— Pall. ie
214. Stanleyan Chevrotain : F ; q ~

(Tragulus stanleyanus— Gray. )

_

XVl TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Family Camelide.

GENus AUCHENIA.

PAGE.
215. The Guanaco E 160
(Auchenia bina ae uae )
Genus CAMELUS.
161

216. The Camel .
(Camelus Gancdie ee roe )

217. The Bactrian Camel . ‘ : : ; : : : x
(Camelus bactrianus—Linn.)
Family Hippopotamidea.
GENus HIPPOPOTAMUS.
218. The Hippopotamus. 5 . ‘ : . 162

(Hippopotamus Paap nibinee Ean, )

Family Suide.

Genus SUS.
219. The Wild Pig . 5 : ; : : . é 163
(Sus cristatus— Wagner.)
220. The Andaman Pig . : ‘ ‘ : ; :
(Sus andamanensis—.Blyth. ‘2 -
221. The Pigmy Hog. : : ‘ ‘ ‘ ; ‘ ‘ if

(Sus salvania—G‘arson.)

Genus BABIRUSA.

222. The Babirusa . : : : : : ‘ 3 : 164
(Babirusa alfurus— Less.)

GENus DICOTYLES.

223. The White-lipped Peccary . : ; ‘ 5 5 : 165
(Dicotyles labiatus—Cuv.)

ORDER EDENTATA.

Family Bradypodidea.

GENUS CHOL@PUS.

224. The Two-toed sloth . 3 : , ‘ 5 ‘ 166
(Cholcepus didactylus—(Zinn.) )

See fa wt © + %
’

, iat i ng e ‘Tal | Ee: OF ‘contEnts. i: XVii “4

Family MPH edodl weiaw. | .

Genus MYRMECOPHAGA.
ate PAGE,

225. The Great Ant-eater . j uae 1 ey, ¢ 166
(Myrmecophaga jubata—Linn. )

Family Dasypodida.
Genus DASYPUS.

226. The Six-banded Armadillo . ; p ; : A é 167
(Dasypus sexcinctus—Linn.)

Family Manide.

Genus MANIS.

227. The Himalayan Ant-eater . . : rag lias . : a
(Manis aurita—Hodgs.)

228. The Indian Ant-eater . i : : : ‘ 168
(Manis pentadactyla—Linn. .

229. The Malayan Ant-eater . : ; : : ° or
(Manis javanica— Blyth.)

‘
=e [ —~-<

ORDER MARSUPIALIA.

—“

esnee nr

oa]

Family Didelphyida.
Gunvs DIDELPHYS.

230. The Virginian Opossum
(Didelphys virginiana— Shaw. )

| Family Dasyurida..

Gz nus DASYURUS.

231. Geoffroy’s Dasyure . 5 : : a .
(Dasyurus geoffroyi— Gould. )

Genus SARCOPHILUS. x

232. The Tasmanian Devil 2 vies 37" é : 2 169
(Sarcophilus ursinus—F, Cyv.)

Family Phascolomyide.

Gzunus PHASCOLOMYS.

233. The Common Wombat
(Phascolomys wombat— Per. et ee
234. The Hairy-nosed Wombat . : “ :
(Phascolomys latifrons— Owen.) »

Bx)

33

Family Phalangi stide. .

Genus PHALANGISTA,

The Vulpine Phalanger Pans
(Phalangista vulpina—(Shaw.) )

Family Macropodida.
Genus BETTONGIA.

236. Gaimard’s Rat Kangaroo. are : - 4 cai me) op
(Bettongia gaimardi— Gray.) ) .

Genus PETROGALE.

237. The Yellow-footed Rock Kangaroo i . : ae 3
(Petrogale xanthopus— Gray.)

GENus MAC ROPUS.

238. The Great Kangaroo . ct bee . ‘ ‘ 171
(Macropus giganteus—Linn. |
239. The Red Kangaroo . : : ; . . Be
é (Macropus rufus—( Desm.) )
240. Bennett’s Wallaby . ; 3 : ane Ee
(Macropus bennetti— Pee )
241. The Black Wallaby .. “6

(Macropus ualabatus—( Less.) )

PART IT.
CLASS AVES.
ORDER PASSERES.

Family Corvide.
Sus-FAMILY CoRVINZA.

GENus CORVUS.

1. TheIndian House Crow... ‘ : ao. 4 173
(Corvus splendens— Vie7/7.)

Genvs PICA,

2. The Magpie : : : ; : ; z ie PH
(Pica rustica—(Scop.) )

3. The Black-rumped Magpie . F eT ceed tea 2) ae
(Pica bottanensis—.Deless.) | br Pee ine |

+
A

Fe “y
me CE * La?
Wi <A :

a artis .
<i Slag CP ns a Oe : oe gs ¥ .
», hyo A See. v2 -- ——. be 7
Ret, ie ee oe PAD ines (OR CONTENTS. xix =
rt m4 ita at Bes Tate ie 4 >

GENUS UROCISSA.

5
<>]

4. The Red-billed Blue Magpie . . «© + + > 175
(Urocissa occipitalis—( Blyth.) )
» <The Yellow-billed BlueMagpie . . . . ». oy

. (Urocissa flavirostris—( Blyth.) )

Genus CISSA.

The Green Magpie. : : : : : 5 : 177
_ (Cissa chinensis—(Bodd.) ) |

=

Ta.) 4

Genus DENDROCITTA.

The Indian Tree-Pie . : ‘ : : : . ; 178
(Dendrocitta rufa—(Scop.) )

The Himalayan Tree-Pie . sabeg : : : : Bt
(Dendrocitta himalayensis—(Biyth.) )

The Black-browed Tree-Pie ‘ : ; She ahi A 179
(Dendrocitta frontalis— Mc Clell.)

FS Genus GARRULUS. ‘
The Black-throated Jay : . : 2 : : 180
(Garrulus lanceolatus— V7g.)

Genus CYANOCORAX.

The Blue-bearded Jay . : . : : : 5 aye 181
(Cyanocorax cyanopogon— Maz.)

GENUS GRACULUS.

The Red-billed Chough
(Graculus eremita—(Linn.) )

Genus PYRRHOCORAX.

The Yellow-billed or Alpine Chough
(Pyrrhocorax alpinus— Vieii/.)

Family Crateropodide.

GENUS DRYONASTES.,

The Black-throated Laughing Thrush : ‘ 182
(Dryonastes chinensis—( Scop.) ) ra

Z Genus GARRULAX.

The Himalayan White-crested Laughing Thrush : . 1838 :
(Garrulax leucolophus—(Hardw.) )
The Black-gorgetted Laughing Thrush - : : . 184,
(Garrulax pectoralis—( Gould.) )
_ The White-throated Laughing Thrush . : : . 185
(Garrulax albigularis—(@ou/d.) )

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Genus IANTHOCINCLA.

PaGE.

The White-spotted Laughing Thrush . : . : « Os SSS

(Ianthocincla ocellata—( Vig.) )

GEnus GRAMMATOPTILA.

The Striated Laughing Thrush : . : : 186

(Grammatoptila striata—( Vig.) )

GENUS CRATEROPUS.

The Jungle Babbler : : : : 3 187

(Crateropus canorus—(LZinn.) )

SuB-FAMILY SIBILN 2.

Genus LIOPTILA.

The Black-headed Sibia 4 : ; . . = : 3
(Lioptila capistrata—( Vig.) )

Genus ZOSTEROPS.

Swinhoe’s White-eye . 4 : : : ° . ° 188
(Zosterops simplex—Swinh.)

Susp-FAMILY LioTRicHIN®.

Genus LIOTHRIX.

The Red-billed Hill Tit : : - : : : ; 189
(Liothrix lutea—(Scop.) )

Genus CHLOROPSIS.

The Gold-fronted, Chloropsis ‘ ; 4 a A : 190
(Chloropsis en )
Jerdon’s Chloropsis . . : : : , 191

(Chloropsis sete (Higeh. ) )

Genus MESIA.

The Silver-eared Mesia, or Silver-eared Hill Tit . 2 3 192
(Mesia argentauris—Hodgs.)

GEeNuUs PSAROGLOSSA.

The Spotted Wing, or the Spotted Wing Stare. . . os
(Pearoglossa spiloptera—(V7g.) )

SuB-FAMILY BRACHYPODIN®.

Genus HYPSIPETES.

The Himalayan Black Bulbul
(Hypsipetes psaroides—(Vig.) )

e e e ® e 13

i
7"
:.
4

29.

- 30.

31.

32.

33.

34,

35.

36.

37.

38.

39.

40.

Al,

42,

TABLE OF CONTENTS,

Genus MOLPASTES.

The Bengal Red-vented Bulbul . ,

(Molpastes bengalensis—(B/ytz.) )

The White-cheeked Bulbul . ; : : :
(Molpastes leucogenys—( Gray.) )

The White-eared Bulbul 3 : : “
(Molpastes leucotis—(Gould.) )

Genus OTOCOMPSA.

The Bengal Red-whiskered Bulbul ( : .
(Otocompsa emeria—(Linn.) )
The Black-crested Yellow Bulbul
(Otocompsa flaviventris— ( Tick.) )
Genus PYCNONOTUS.
The Yellow-vented Bulbul
(Pycnonotus analis—(Horsf.) )

Family Dicruride.

Genus DICRURUS.

The Black Drongo or King-Crow
(Dicrurus ater—(Hermann.) )

Genus CHIBIA.

The Hair-crested Drongo
(Chibia hottentotta—(Linn.) )

Genus DISSEMURUS.

The Large-tailed Drongo
(Dissemurus paradiseus—(Linn.) )

Family Lanide.

GrEnus LANIUS.

The Grey-backed Shrike . ; : : .
(Lanius tephronotus—(Vig.) )

Family Oriolide.
Genus ORIOLUS.

The Black-naped Oriole
(Oriolus indicus—Jerdon.)

The Andaman Black-naped Oriole
(Oriolus andamanensis— Zyi/.)

The Indian Black-headed Oriole .
(Oriolus melanocephalus—(Lznn.) )

The Maroon Oriole . ; : ° °
(Oriolus traillii—(Vig.) )

XXi

196

197

198

199

33

200

XXil

43.

44,

45.

46.

47.

48.

49,

50.

él.

52.

53.

54,

55.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Family Eulabetide.

GENUS EULABES.

The Southern Grackle, or the Southern Hill Myna

(Eulabes religiosa—(Zinn.) )
The Indian Grackle, or the Nepal Hill Myna
(Eulabes intermedia—(4. Hay.) )

Genus CALORNIS.

The Glossy Calornis. - °
(Calornis chalybeius— (Horsf ee

Family Sturnide.

Genus PASTOR.

The Rose-coloured Starling . . : -
(Pastor roseus—(Linn.) )

GENuS STURNUS.

The Common Indian Starling
(Sturnus menzbieri—( Sharpe.) )

GENUS STURNIA.

The Grey-headed Myna 1 . : .
(Sturnia malabarica—(Gmel.) )
The Andaman Myna . : : 3

(Sturnia andamanensis— (Ty7/.) )

Genus TEMENUCHUS.
The Black-headed Myna_
(Temenuchus pagodarum—(G'mel.) )
Genus GRACULIPICA.

The Black-necked Myna
(Gracalipica nigricollis—(Pay%.) )

Genus ACRIDOTHERES.

The Common Myna_. ; : >
(Acridotheres tristis—(Zinn.) )

The Bank Myna
(Acridotheres sy ee ) )

Genus AATHIOPSAR.

The Jungle Myna - - : .
(Athiopsar fuseus—(Wagl.) )

The Black-crested Myna :
(Athiopsar cristatellus—(Zinn.) )

‘IF

202

203

204

aI

205

206

207

a

208

‘ bs ] Jay : + a ap
Aa ney eer
7 EF CONTENT 4h
| OF CON eS. *
. ei ed 7

- Guus STURNOPASTOR.

56. The Pied Myna ‘
Gee Pieter nim (aieh) )

Family Turdide.

Sus-FAMILY SAXICOLIN”E. -

Genus PRATINCOLA.

57. The Common Pied Bush Chat M
(Pratincola caprata—(Lénn.) )

Sup-FaMIty RuTicriLin m.

GENUS COPSYCHUS.

58. The Magpie Robin ry Sore ; ; ee E ie
(Copsychus saularis—(Linn.) y. *

Genus CITTOCINCLA.

Peeve Sham. . 0 60-66
(Cittocinela macroura—(Gmel.) )

Sus-FAMILY TuRDINAE.

GENUS So

: 60. The Grey -winged Ouzel
i? - (Merula boulboul—(Lath.) )

: 61. Gould’s Ouzel : ‘ : : 3 : ; f : eee
(Merula gouldi— err.)

“tis | " Gunvs GEOCICHLA. / 5

62. 3 The Orange-headed Ground Thrush
(Geocichla citrina—(Lath.) )

Family Ploccide.
| Grenus PLOCEUS.
63. The Common Weaver Bird . UO Gy 2 ; : : .
_(Ploceus baya— Blyth.) : os

64, The Black-throated Weaver Bird
(Ploceus bengalensis—( Linn.) )

Genus EUPLECTES.

: 65. The Crimson-crowned Weaver Bird . : Shp 8 :
(Euplectes flammiceps—Swinh.)

XX1V

66.

67.

68.

69.

70.

aa

72.

74.

75.

76.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

SuB-FAMILY VIDUINZ.
GENus VIDUA.

The Paradise Whydah Bird
(Vidua paradisea—(Linn.) )

Genus MUNIA.

The Black-headed Munia_ . a 2
(Munia malacca—(ZLinn.) )

The Chestnut-bellied Munia ° 5 . .
(Munia atricapilla—(Vieill.) )

Genus UROLONCHA.

The White-backed Munia_ . ; : °
(Uroloncha striata—(Linn.) )
The Spotted Munia : 2 . . .

(Uroloncha punctulata—(Linn.) )

Genus SPORAGINTHUS.
The Indian Red Munia : . ° .
(Sporeginthus amandava—(Linn.) )
GENus PADDA.

The Java Sparrow
(Padda oryzivora—(Linn. ) )

Family Fringillide.

Genus CROCCOTHRAUSTES.
The Black-tailed Grosbeak . ; 5 : .
(Croccothraustes melanurus—(Swink.) )
Genus HEDYMELES.
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak
(Hedymeles ludovicianus—(Lznn.) )

Genus CARDINALIS.
The Cardinal Grosbeak

(Cardinalis virginianus—(Briss.) )
SuB-FAMILY F'RINGILLINZ.

Genus CARPODACUS,

The Common Rose Finch . .
(Carpodacus erythrinus—(Pall.) )

Pa@e.
‘ 214
3 215
e 99
e 9»
‘ 216
217

ai" f.
a a J
‘TENTS.

: pa PASSER.

The House Sparrow. ? ae a : .
(Passer domesticus—( Linn.) )

Genus FRINGILLA.

The Chaffinch : °
(Fringilla ceelebs—Lznn. os

Gzunus LIGURINUS,

The eon anel : : f 3 : 3 : ‘ oe
(Ligurinus ners ¢réan) )

Genus CARDUELIS.

80. The Goldfinch : : F ‘ A : 5 5 Pe
‘ (Carduelis elegans—Steph )

GENUS SERINU Ss.

The Canary Finch : 5 ‘ a
(Serinus canarius—(Linz.) )

GENus LINOTA.

The Linnet .
_ (Linota cannabina—( Linn. ' )

MEE COMeny Kedpoll: ..\,. °°. °-. <ois ean Fe

(Linota linaria—(Zinn.) )

SuB-FAMILY EMBERIZIN&.

Genus EMBERIZA.

. The Yellow Bunting
- (Emberiza citrinella—- Linn.)

Family Alaudide.
GENUS ALAUDA.

So, The Sky Lark ~~: — .-- ; : : : : : 220
(Alauda arvensis—(Linn.) )

86. The Wood Lark . < é ; 6 : shine ou) WES of a
(Alauda er et eB "

Gan: MIRAFRA.

87. The Bengal Bush Lark eee ae oa : SS Pear eaaee
(Mirafra assamica— Me Clell.)
88. The Singing Bush Lark . : : : ° : : ‘are

(Mirafra cantillans—Jerdon.)

‘

The Song Thrush
(Merula musica—Linn.) '

90. The Black Bird . . oS

(Merula merula—(Linn.) ¥

Family Pittide.

GENUS PITTA.

91. The Indian Pitta, or Yellow-breasted Ground Thrush . : ;; an :
(Pitta brachyura —(Linn.) ) ~ee

92. The Green-breasted Pitta! .° 9.7 >). 9). ©. eee 224
(Pitta cucullata—Hartlaub.) b

ORDER SCANSORES.
Family Picide.
GENUS BRACHYPTERNUS.

93. The Gold-backed Woodpecker , ; : : Mer ets ”
(Brachypternus aurantius—(Zinn.) )

SuB-FAMILY LyNGINZ.

Genus LYNX.

94. The Wryneck h : ; : i . ; Bees
(lynx torquilla—(Ziuz.) ) ;

Family Capitonide.

Gmnus MEGALEMA.

95. The Great Indian Barbet. ; 5 : 2 , | en
(Megalema marshallorum—Swinh.)

Genus CYANOPS.

The Blue-faced Barbet ; me ; hie B ol ie

(Cyanops asiatica—(Lath.)) : met '
97. The Lineated Barbet . : P k nia lee
(Cyanops lineata—(Vieill ) )

GENUS XANTHOLEMA.

The Crimson-breasted Barbet . . yaa ee ae
antholens, he ae (Mull.) ) sats

ORDER UPUPZ.

Family Upupide.

GENUS U PUPA.

99. The European Hoopoe .
(U pupa epops—Linn,)

ORDER COLUMB.

Family Columbidea.
Genus COLUMBA.

. he Indian Blue-rock Pigeon . .
(Columba intermedia— Strickl.)
The White-bellied Pigeon
(Columba leuconota— V7g.) |

Genus PALUMBUS.

_ The Darjeeling Wood Pigeon
(Palumbus pulchricollis—Hodgs.)

Genus TURPUR.

103. The Spotted Dove .
: (Turtur suratensis—(Gmel. ) )
104. ‘The Red Turtle Dove . °
(Turtur humilis—(Zemm.) )
105. The Common Ring Dove ©
: (Turtur risorius —(Zinn.) )
106. The Malay Spotted Dove.
Ee (Turtur tigrinus—(Temm.) )
- 107. The Chinese Turtle Dove
(Turtur chinensis—(Scop.) )
108. The Rufous Turtle Dove .
(Turtur meena—(Syhes.) )

Genus MACROPYGIA.
109. The Bar-tailed Cuckoo Dove . sy
- (Macropygia leptogrammica—-(Zemm.) )

Genus OCYPHAPS.

110. The Crested Pigeon . . .
(Ocyphaps lophotes—(Zemm.) )_

Genus CHALCOPHAPS.

111. The Emerald Dove : : - :
(Chalcophaps = as ) +f

XXVIll

112.

113.

114,

115.

116.

117.

118.

119.

120.

321.

122.

128.

124.

125.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

GENUS PHAPS.

The Bronze-winged Pigeon
(Phaps chalcoptera—(Lath.) )

Genus LEUCOSARCIA.
The Wonga Wonga Pigeon .
(Leucosarcia picta—(Zath.) )
Genus PHLOGANAS.
The Blood-breasted Pigeon .
(Phlogzenas cruentata—(ZLath.) )
Genus GEOPELIA.
The Peaceful Dove : ° : . :
(Geopelia tranquilla— Gould.)
Genus CALZNAS.
The Hackled Ground Pigeon
(Caleenas nicobarica—(Linn.) )
Genus GOURA.

The Common Crowned Pigeon
(Goura coronata—(Linn.) )
The Victoria Crowned Pigeon
(Goura victorie—Fraser.)

Family Carpophagide.

Genus CARPOPHAGA.

The Imperial Green Pigeon .
(Carpophaga eznea—(Linn.) )

The Pied Imperial Pigeon . : °
(Carpophaga bicolor—(Scop.) "s

The Bronzed Imperial Pigeon
(Carpophaga perspicillata—Zemm.)

Genus PTILOPUS.
The Superb Fruit Pigeon. ; : , °
(Ptilopus superbus—Zemm.)
Genus TRERON.
The Thick-billed Green Pigeon . - : 4
(Treron nepalensis—(Hodgs.) )
Genus CROCOPUS.

The Bengal Green Pigeon . .
(Crocopus pheenicopterus—(Lath.) ‘¢
The Southern Green Pigeon . . ,

(Crocopus chlorigaster—( Blyth.) )

PAGE.
281

232

233

a9

° 235

‘ 236

eae ae Men r F ——

ar ee _ TABLE OF CONTENTS. XX1X “a
-Grnvs OSMOTRERON. #
. Pag ~
126. The Orange-breasted Green Pigeon ae Ae ° : : 236 a
(Osmotreron bicincta—(Jerdon.) )
Gznvs SPHENOCERCUS. ;
127. The Kokla Grsen Pigeon . : atm Z F 2 5% q
(Sphenocercus sphenurus—( Vig i ) $
: ;
ORDER CUCULI. )
Family Cuculide. E
Guxus CUCULUS. ‘
128, The Indian Cuckoo 3 240 é
(Cuculus micropterus— Gould.)

Genus HIEROCOCCYX.

129. The Common Hawk Cuckoo Hn AD Ui aaa aN i alae ;
RD erecon ey varius—( Vahl.) )

Genus COCCYSTES.

130. The Red-winged Crested Cuckoo : : : : 241
(Coccystes coromandus—(ZLinn.) )

Genus EUDYNAMIS.

131. The Indian Coel . : : : ; : : Pe
(Eudynamis honorata—(Linn. ) )

Sus-FAMILY CENTROPODINZ.

- Genus CENTROCOCCYX.

132. The Indian Coucal - ° ° 2 : : : 242
(Centrococcyx So ELE Le i.) )

Genus CENTROPUS.

133. The Lesser Indian Coucal . 2 é A : . ° *
(Centropus viridis—(Scop.) )

ORDER HALCYONES.

Family Alcedinide.

GENUS ALCEDO.

134, The Little Indian Kingfisher. : : : : : 243
(Alcedo bengalensis— Gmel.)

TABLE OF CON
- Guus PELARGOPSIS.

135. The Indian Stork-billed Kingfisher —
(Pelargopsis gurial—( Pears.) )

GEnvs HALCYON.

136. The White-breasted Kingfisher .
(Halcyon smyrnensis—(Linn,) )

; Genus DACELO.

137. The Laughing Kingfisher .
j (Dacelo gigantea—(Zath.) )

ORDER CORACI ZA.

Family Coraciide.

Gunus CORACIAS, mi i

aims, Who Gudian Moller). lay juhy sce a to 244 ‘
(Coracias indica—(Linn.) )

139. The Burmese Roller . : ; : Pippi hrs : 245
(Coracias affinis— MWe Clell.)

ORDER BUCHEROTES.

Family Bucerotide.

Genus BUCEROS.

140, The Rhinoceros Hornbill
{Buceros rhinoceros—Linn.)

141. The Javan Rhinoceros Hornbill
(Buceros silvestris— Viezll.)

Genus DICHOCEROS.

142. The Great Pied Hornbill, or the Homrai —.. : ‘ : 246
(Dichoceros bicornis—(Linz.) )

Genus ANTHRACOCEROS.

143. Temminck’s Pied Hornbill . d : 241 eee P
(Anthracoceros convexus—(Temm.) )

3) ra

144. The Small Pied Hornbill z : : : : ugha 247
(Anthracoceros albirostris—( Shaw.) )
145. The White-billed Hornbill . ° 4 ; , ‘

(Anthracoceros rials Capea’ )

GENUS OCYCEROS.
146. The Grey Hornbill ; 2 S ; Jeti r ae
(Ocyceros birostris—( Shaw.) 7

v, Bs og a ray ,
etl a4
& a fart

i. woe Gants ACEROS.

The Rufous-necked Hornbill
(Aceros nepalensis—(Hodgs.) )

Genus RHYTIDOCEROS.

148. The Wreathed Hombill . . .
i oo undulatus—(Shaw.) 4

Ginus CRANORRHINUS.
449. ‘The Wrinkled-bill Hornhil.
(Cranorrhinus corrugatus—(Temm.) )

SUB-ORDER ZYG@ODACTYLA.

Family Ramphastide.

ih, Genus RAMPHASTOS.

150. The Ariel Toucan
is ys _ (Ramphastos ariel— Vig.)
og ---151. The Sulphur-breasted Toucan.
. (Ramphastos carinatus— Swainson.)

ORDER PSITTACI.

-Family Cacatuine.

Genus CACATUA.

The Rose-crested Cockatoo .
(Cacatua moluccensis—(G'mel.) )

The Greater Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
(Cacatua galerita—(Lath.) ) :

The Lesser Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
(Cacatua sulphurea—(G@mel.) )

The Greater White-crested Cockatoo
(Cacatua cristata—(Wagler.) )

The Blood-stained Cockatoo ,
(Cacatua sanguinea— Gould.)

. ‘The Roseate Cockatoo .

— (Cacatua roseicapilla— Vieill.)

The Citron-crested Cockatoo .
(Cacatua citrino-cristata—Praser.)

Leadbeater’s Cockatoo . .
(Cacatua leadbeateri—( Vig.) )

The Bare-eyed Cockatoo
(Cacatua gymnopis—Sclater.)

XXXII TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Genus LICMETIS.

161. The Long-billed Cockatoo . 5 : : 4 : : 254
(Licmetis tenuirostris— Wagler.)

GENus MICROGLOSSA.

162. The Great Black Cockatoo . ‘ : 7 5; 4 : 5
(Microglossa aterrima—(G'mei.) )

SuB-FAMILY CALOPSITTINZA.

Genus CALOPSITTA.

163. The Crested-Ground Parrakeet . 2 : : 3 : 256
(Calopsitta Nove-hollande—(G'mel.) )

Family Paleornithide.
Genus PALZORNIS.

164. Alexandrine, or The Rose-band Parrakeet . : ; 25
(Paleornis eupatrius—(Zinn.) )

165. The Rose-ringed Parrakeet . : : - : . : 258
(Paleornis torquatus—(Bodd.) )

166. The Rose-headed Parrakeet . : - : : . : re
(Paleornis cyanocephalus—(Linn.) )

167. The Slaty-headed Parrakeet , ; : : : 4 oi
(Palzornis schisticeps—Hodgs.)

168. The Blue-winged Parrakeet . : : 5 : a : 259
(Paleornis columboides— V7.)

169. The Red-breasted Parrakeet . ’ 4 : : : Fe
(Palzornis fasciatus—(P. L. S. Miller.) )

170. The Malayan Parrakeet : 2 - , - : : Pf
(Palzornis longicauda—(Bodd.) )

171. The Red-cheeked Parrakeet : - : 4 - 260

(Palzornis erythrogenys—({ Blyth.) su
Genus ECLECTUS.

172. The Red-sided Eclectus : pedal i “ ° : 261
(Eclectus pectoralis—(Miiller.) )

Genus APROSMICTUS.

173. The Red-winged Parrakeet — : ; - - : 262
(Aprosmictus cevthnaierue see ) )
174. The King Parrakect . : - ; ; - : a

(Aprosmictus soapualaina acne »)
Genus TANYGNATHUS.

175. The Large-billed Parrakeet . : ; ; : Bs
(Tanygnathus megalorhynchus—(Bodd.) a
176. The Sumatran Large-billed Parrakeet ; : ; “ 263.

(Tanygnathus sumatrensis—(Raffles.) )

} 7 ¢ Ang ~*~ ee
+ ot ae Th, Con! _
: as 6a TAS. pon ME pea oe Sd ,
_ TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Gunvus LORICULUS.

The Indian Lorikeet :
ete (Loriculus vernalis—(Sparr.) ) fairs
«178. ‘The Ceylonese Hanging Parrakeet ey ie ie Fay ee eee
ost (Loriculus asiaticus— (Lath.) )
179. The Blue-crowned Hanging Parrakeet #

(Loriculus galgulus—(Linzn.) )

SuB-FAMILY HUPHEMINA.

Genus EUPHEMA.

The Torquoisine Grass Parrakeet
(Euphema pulchella—(Shaw.) )

Genus MELOPSITTACUS.
The Undulated Grass Parrakeet 3
(Melopsittacus undulatus—(Shaw.) )

Sus-FAmity AGAPORNITIHN &.

- Genus AGAPORNIS.

The Rose-faced Love-bird

ws (Agapornis roseicollis—(Vieill.) ) . ;
183. The Grey-headed Love-bird . : ghee ae : ai =
x (Agapornis cana—(G'mel.) ) |

- Sus-ramity Lorunz.

GENUS LORIUS.

meeemene butpls-capped Lory §. 9 9, 267 3
. (Lorius domicella—-(Zinn.) )

185. The Black-capped Lory :

(Lorius lori—(Zinn.) )

186. The Chattering Lory . : {
4 (Lorius garrulus—(Zénz.) )
eee 54. The Red Lory” >" —-. *
——— (Lorius rubra— (Gimel.) )

o ° . . e ° 33

GENUS EOS.

188. The Blue-streaked Lory a ’ i ; - we 269

= - (Eos reticulata—(Mull. et Schl.) )
189, The Blue-breasted Lory ©

' - (Eos indica—(Gmel.) )

190, The Small Purple-capped Lory ,

(Eos guebiensis—(Scop.) )

23

XXXIV

191,

GS

192.

193.

194,

195.

196.

197.

198.

199.

200.

201.

202.

203.

204.

205.

206.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Genus TRICHOGLOSSUS.

The Ornamental Lory .
(Trichoglossus ornatus—(Zinn.) )
The Blue Mountain, or Swainson’s Lory
(Trichoglossus novee-hollandee—(Gmel.) )
The Scaly-breasted Lory :
(Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus— Kuhl.
The Red-collared Lory .
(Trichoglossus rubritorquatus— (Vig. ef Horsf, ) )

Family Psittacide.
SuB-FAMILY PLATYCERCIN &.
Genus PLATYCERCUS.

Pennant’s Broadtail
(Platycercus pennanti—(Lath.) )
Barraband’s Broadtail . ‘
(Platycercus barrabandi—(Swain.) =
The Rose-hill Broadtail :
(Platycercus exemius—(Shaw.) )
The Yellow-rumped Broadtail .
(Platycercus flaveolus—( Gould.) )
The Yellow-collared Broadtail ° : °
(Platycercus semitorquatus—(Quoy. et Gaim.) y

Genus CYANORAMPHUS.
The New Zealand Parrakeet

(Cyanoramphus nova-zealande—(Gmel.) )

2 s

SuB-FAMILY PsiIrractn z.
GEeNus CORACOPSIS.

The Greater Vasa Parrot
(Coracopsis Vasa—(Linz.) )

The Lesser Vasa Parrot
(Coracopsis nigra—(Linz.) )

GENus PSITTACUS.

The Grey Parrot
(Psittacus See )

SuB-FAMILY ARINA.

Genus ARA.
The Blue and Yellow Macaw
(Ara ararauna—(Linn.) )
The Red and Yellow Macaw .
(Ara chloroptera— Gray.)
Illiger’s Macaw :
(Ara maracana—( Vieiil,) )

PAGE.

- - 269

5 270

5 272

273

275

276
4 . >
° e o>

nik ot = hall na al bo

ivi ‘TABLE | OF CONTENTS. _ XXXV

Genus CONURUS.

; 207. The Yellow-headed Conure .

(Conurus jendaya—(Gmel.) )
_ Genus CHRYSOTIS.

The Yellow-cheeked Amazon . : ;
(Chrysotis autumnalis—(Zéun.) ) . z

209. The Red-throated Amazon. ‘ c : 6 - 4 a
. (Chrysotis collaria—(Linn.) )
210. The Yellow-fronted Amazon . : Pings : ; eae ee

(Chrysotis ochryocephala—( Gmel.) ‘o

ORDER STRIG ES.

Family Strigide.

a | GEeNus STRIX.

e11, The Met OnW ye aca ha Ne A clone
a (Strix javanica—Ginel.) 7
_ 212, TheGrassOwl . : Shi s ° we Snes: | a A
(Strix candida Tickefl) i. “7

Genus KETUPA.

213. The Brown Fish Owl . : : Cs Se ad init =, 279
(Ketupa ceylonensis— (Gmel.) i : 3

'Yhe Javan Fish Owl ‘ 3 ° , : : : =
(Ketupa javanensis—(Less.) )

Genus BUBO,
The Rock-horned Owl . : : ° : é “
(Bubo bengalensis—(Fvrank.) )
The Forest Eagle Owl . Sane :
(Bubo nepalensis—Hodgs.)

39

23

Genus SCOPS.
The Indian Scop’s Owl ; ; : . . : : . 280 a
(Scops pennatus—Hodgs.) |

Genus CARINE.

The Spotted Owlet : ‘ : 6 . : ohh Fx Sky
(Carine brama—TZemm.)

Grenus SYRNIUM.

The Brown Wood Owl : oto sateen. Sicha ras a5:
(Syrnium newarense—Hodgs.)

‘TABLE OF CONTENTS.

ORDER ACCIPITRES.

Family Falconide.

; Genus CIRCUS.

220. The Marsh Harrier . . . : ‘ ,
(Circus eruginosus—(Linn.) ) \
- Genus ASTUR. 4
221. The Shikra . : ek mee |e - ; i _ Soe a
(Astur badiea 2 (Geren y .
Genus AQUILA,
222, The Long-leeced Hasle ~ *) * 3° 7 29. ee 281

> (Aquila hastata—(Less.) ) ‘
Genus SPIZETUS. | a

223. The Crested Hawk Eagle . . ‘ : A : 5 os a

(Spizetus cirrhatus—(Gmel.) ) ‘ ‘ a

224. The Japanese Hawk Eagle . a . : - ‘ é 9 Z |

(Spizetus orientalis—(Zemm ) ) .

Genus LAPHOETUS. a

: 225. The Black-crested Eagle . ‘ 5 , tte . on x Ps 4
(Laphoztus occipitalis—(Daud.) ) | 4

; a

Genus SPILORNIS.
226. The Crested Serpent Eagle . ‘ ; ; ; “ A 282
(Spilornis cheela—(Lath.) )
Gents HELOTARSUS.
227. The Bateleur Eagle . : : ; ‘ : Z ; ne
(Helotarsus ecaudatus—( Daud.) )

Genus HALIATUS.

228. The White-breasted Sea Eagle . 5 5 ; ; < i
(Halizetus leucogaster—(Gmel.) ) ; ;
229. Pallas’s Sea-Eagle . : : F Q 5 r aa: D

(Halietus leucoryphus— (Pall) )

GENUS HALIASTER.
230. The Brahwiny Kite . : é 7 ee oe oe $. Bp
(Haliaster indus—(Bodd.) )

=

: | — MILVUS.
a 231, The House Kite. . 33 Jue me Tee Pee
(Milvus oe ee .

“ a
Genus ELANUS.

232. The Black-winged Kite
(Elanus ceruleus—(Desf.) )

Suzp-ramity FAnconinz.
Genus FALCO.
The Peregrine Faleon . :
(Falco peregrinus—(Tunst.) )
The Shahin Falcon
(Faico i i Meson e )
The Luggar Falcon. - :
(Falco jugger—J. E. Gray.)
The Sacer, or Cherug Falcon
(Falco sacer— G'mel.)
The Indian Hobby
(Falco severus— Horsf.)

Grenvs TINNUNCULUS.

The Kestril . 6 mrs : :
(Tinnunculus Ae edninas’ (inn. ))

The Red-footed Falcon i a
(Tinnunculus vespertinus—(Linn.) )

SuB-FAMILY PoLyBoRINZ.

eo Gzunus POLYBORUS.

. The Brazilian Caracara BE anes
(Polyborus braziliensis—(G‘mel.) )

Y

SuB-FAMILY VULTURINA.

- Genus GYPS.
The Long-billed Vulture
(Gyps indicus—(Scop.) )
The Indian White-backed Vulture
(Gyps bengalensis—(G'mel.) )
Gzxvs NEOPHRON.

The White Scavenger Vulture
(Neophron ginginianus—(Lath.) )

ORDER PLATALE.

- Family Plataleide.

Genus PLATAL EA.

244. The Spoonbill .. .. : *
(Platalea Jeucorodia—Zinm) |

XXXVI TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Family Tantalide.
Genus TANTALUS.

245, The Pelican Ibis . ; 5 : A 5 <
(Tantalus ioncocepahig aoe: )

Family Anastomatide.

Genus ANASTOMUS.

246. The Shell Ibis .
(Anastomus oscitans es ) 2

Family Ibidide,

GxrNnvus IBIS.

Z47. The Black-headed Ibis .
(Ibis melanocephalus—Linn.)

Genus INOCOTIS.

248. The Black Ibis
(Inocotis saaiiioeee St Rew. ) )

danids PLEGADIS.

249, The Glossy Ibis . ; . : ° : ‘

(Plegadis falcinellus—(Zinn ) %

Genus EUDOCIMUS.

250. The Scarlet Ibis .
(Eudocimus ruber—Linn.)

ORDER ODONTOGLOSSA.

Family Phenicoptiride.
Grnus PH ENICOPTERUS.

251. The Flamingo . ; - 5 .
(Phenicopterus antiquoruam—TZemm.)

ORDER HERODIONES.

Family Ardeide.
Genus ARDEA.

252. The Purple Heron : . . - ° .
(Ardea purpurea— Linn.)
253. The Common Heron .°* 4 4 5 : ¢

(Ardea cinerea—Linn.)

PAGE.
287

39

288

33

I?

37

289

33

254.

255.

256.

257.

258.

259.

260.

261.

262.

263.

264,

265,

266.

.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
GENUS HERODIAS.
The Large White Egret : : : :

(Herodias alba—(Linn.) )
The Lesser Egret :
(Herodias intermedia— Van Hass.)
Genus BUBULCUS.

The Cattle Egret .
(Bubulcus coromandus—- (Boda. ) )

Genus ARDEOLA.
The Pond Heron .
ce grayi—(Sykes.) )
Genus ARDEIRALLA.
The Blue Bittern
(Ardeiralla flavicollis—(Lath. ) )
Genus ARDETTA.

The Chestnut Bittern .
(Ardetta cinnamomea— (G'mel.) )
The Little Yellow Bittern
(Ardetta sinensis—(G'mel.) )

Genus NYCTIARDEA.

The Night Heron
(Nyctiardea edeuiabranaT nal ) )

Family Ciconiide.

Genus LEPTOPTILUS.

The Adjutant : :
(Leptoptilus argala—(Lath.) )
The Lesser Adjutant
(Leptoptilus javanicus—( Horsf. )

Genus XENORHYNCHUS.
The Black-necked Stork
(Xenorhynchus asiaticus—(Zath.) )

Genus DISSURA.
The White-necked Stork . : : ,
(Dissura episcopus—(Bodd.) )
Genus CICONIA.

The White Stork : : : : °
(Ciconia alba—(Linn.) }

XXXIX

PAGE.
289

290

33

3d

292

x} > TABLE OF CONTENTS.

ORDER STEGANOPODES.

Family Phalacrocoracide.

Genus PHALACROCORAX.

, PaGE.
267. The Large Cormorant . ‘ , : : ; ; é 234,
(Phalacrocorax carbo—(Linn.) )
268. The Little Cormorant . : : : : : : “295
(Phalacrocorax Sinners Cea )
Genus PLOTUS.
269. The Indian Snake-bird é i
(Plotus melanogaster— Gmel.)
Family Pelecanida.
Genus PELICANUS.
270. The Spotted-billed Pelican . ‘ : , : : y Pe
(Pelecanus manillensis—(Gmel.) )
271. The Lesser White Pelican . . . . ° ‘ : 296
(Pelecanus javanicus—( Horsf.) )
272. The Mitred Pelican .- : ; . ‘s 2 : Pe

(Pelecanus vaiirstnes Sat )

ORDER ANSERES.
Family Anatide.
SuB-FAMILY ANSERINA.

GENUS ANSER.

273. The Grey Lag Goose . ‘ - ; : ; : aa
(Anser cinereus—WVeyer.)

274. The Barred-headed Goose . : 5 : ; : :
(Anser indicus—(Zath.) }

275. The Chinese Goose 3 ; ; : .
(Anser eygnoides—(Linn. ) )

Genus ANSERANAS.

276. The Black and White Goose : , ; yes 2947
(Anseranas melanoleuca - Less.) Bo

GuNnus NETTAPUS.

277, The Cotton Teal ° ° ° e ° v ° . oy ; “8
(Nettapus coromendalianus— Gime.) a

OF CON’ ‘ENTS.

_ GENUS BERNICLA.

aaa + a
278. ae Canada Goose
Ps, ~ Gernicla ‘dualtonsts Cain) y
ea(o, ‘The Upland Goose F :
(Bernicla dispar—Ph. el. Landb.)

Sup-FAMILY CYGNIN#.

Genus CYGNUS.
_ 280. The Black Swan

(Cygnus atratus—Lath.)
281. The Mute Swan

(Cygnus olor—(Gmel.) )
282. The Black-necked Swan f

(Cygnus nigricollis—(G'mel.) )

SuB-FAMILY ANATIN#E.

| Gunvs SARCIDIORNIS.
_* 283. The Nukhta, or Comb Duck.
(Sarcidiornis melanonota—(forst.) )

Genus DENDROCYGNA,
284, The Larger Whistling Teal .
(Dendrocygna fulva—(Gmel.) )

285. The Lesser Whistling Teal

(Dendrocygna javanica—( Horsf.) )
286. The Red-billed Tree Duck

(Dendrocygna autumnalis—(Linn.) ) sal
287. The White-faced Tree Duck

-(Dendrocygna viduata—(Linn.) )

Genus TADORNA.
288. The Brahminy Duck
(Tadorna casarca—(Linn.) )
289. The Common Sheldrake :
: (Tadorna vulpenser—(Fleming.) ) .

Genus ANAS,
290. The Wild Duck .
_ (Anas boscas—Lznz.) -
291. The Australian Wild Duck
(Anas superciliosa——-Gmel.)
292. The Spotted-billed Duck
(Anas pecilorhyncha— Penn.)

xi

293.

294.

295.

296.

297.

298.

299.

300.

301.

302.

303.

304,

305.

306.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Genus RHODONESSA.

The Pink-headed Duck :
(Rhodonessa caryophyllacea—( Lath.) )

GENUS QUERQUEDULA.

The Common Teal : : : : : : °
(Querquedula crecca—(Linn.) )

The Garganey, or the Blue-winged Teal
(Querquedula circia—(Linn.) )

Genus DAFILA.

The Pin-tailed Duck . : : ; : - :
(Dafila acuta—(Linn.) )

Genus MERECA.

The Widgeon
(Mereca pander )

Genus CHAULELASMUS.

The Gadwell - - : 5 : - . =
(Chaulelasmus streperus—(Linzn.) )

GEenvus SPATULA.

The Shoveller : ° - : . . °
(Spatula clypeata—(Linn.) )

GENUS AEX.
The Summer Duck : : A ; A -
(x sponsa—(Linzn.) )
The Mandarin Duck . E A 3 4 ;

(Ex galericulata—(Linn.) )

Genus FULIGULA.

The Crested Duck , , : : . ° .
(Fuligula cristata—Ray.)

The White-eyed Pochard . - “ : 4 .
(Fuligula nyroca-~(Giild.) )

Genus BRANTA.
The Red-crested Duck . : , ; Ke aan .
(Branta rufina—(Pall.) )
Genus AYTHYA.
The Red-headed Pochard . «.
(Aythya ferina—(Linn.) )

Genus SOMATERIA.
The Hider Duck . - : : : . ;
(Somateria mollissima—(Zinn,) )

33

3)

303

305

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

ORDER GAVIDZ.
Family Laride.
SuB-FAMILY LARINz
GENUS aie.

307. The Brown-headed Gull
(Larus brunneicephalus—(Jerd.) )

Genus KROIKOCEPHALUS.

308. The Great Black-headed Gull
(Kroikocephalus ichthyeetus—(Pall.) )

Family Glareolide.

GENUS GLAREOLA.

309. The Large Swallow Plover, or the Eastern Pratincole
(Glareola orientalis—(Leach.) )

ORDER LINICOLEA.

Family Charadriide.

Genus LOBIVANELLUS.

310. The Red-wattled Lapwing , :
(Lobivanellus indicus—(Bodd.) )

Genus GALLINAGO.
311. The Common Snipe
(Gallinago Peconic aioe ))

Family Parride.
GENUS METOPIDIUS.

312. The Bronze-winged Jacana
(Metopidius indicus—(Zatz.) )
Genus HYDROPHASIANUS.

313. The Pheasant-tailed Jacana .
(Hydrophasianus chirurgus—(Scop.) )

ORDER GRALLAL.

Family Pteroclide.

Genus PETROCLES.

314, The Painted Sand Grouse
(Petrocles fasciatus—(Scop.) )

xhii

306

32

309

TABLE OF CONTENTS. |

- Gunvs SYRRHAPTES,

Pallas’s Sand Grouse... ont te : : :
< (Syrrhaptes paradoxus—( Pail.) ) a
2 316, The Thibetan Sand Gronse. 4 |.) 310
. (Syrrhaptes tibetanus—(Gould.) ) ae

Family Turnicide.
Genus TURNIX.

317. The Little Button Quail . .. : ; eae i ie
(Turnix dussumieri—(Zemm.) ) eat

Family Gruide.
Genus GRUS.

S18;>"The Savas ‘Crates. «6+ )).g. 1. es). Se. 311 =
(Grus antigone—(ZLinn.) ) me
319. The Common Crane . : ; : : : : : FS a
(Grus communis—Bechst.) 1
320. The Australian Crane . : . 5 6 “ F z oa | :
(Grus australasiana— Gould.) 4
321. The Large White, or the Snow-wreath Crane . . . 312 se
(Grus leucogeranus—Pall.) ki
322. The White-necked Crane. ; : ; A ; : ‘ies E:
(Grus leucauchen— Temm.) : .
323. The Manchurian Crane : : : 4 ; 4 : Fe a
(Grus viridirostris— Vieil/.) | a

324, The Demoiselle Crane . : : : J ’ ; : a —
(Grus virgo—Linn.) : 2

Genus BALEARICA.

325. The Balearic Crane : : ; : ; pny : 313,
(Balearica pavonina—(Linn.) ) ?
326. The Cape Crowned Crane. i ote, ee " ;

(Balearica chrysopelargus— (Licht. ))
ORDER FULICARIA.

Family Otidide.

Genus HOUBARA.

327. The Indian Houbara Bustard j : - : 315
(Houbara macqueeni—J. E. Gray & Fiegige )

GENUS SYPHEOTES. —
328. The Bengal Florican . . Tah ad ia ie eee
(Sypheotes apse eee = Di. s. “Mitler)) oa)

Family Rallide.
Genus PORPHYRIO.

329. The Purple Coot . :
(Porphyrio. etree maine rath) ye
330. Blyth’s Coot :
(Porphyrio chloronotus—Blytt. )
Genus FULICA.
The Coot
(Fulica atra—Linn. er
Genus GALLICREX.
The Water Cock .
(Gallicrex cinereus—( mel.) )
Genus GALLINULA.
The Moor Hen . : ’ :
(Gallinula ieee (nae ))
Genus ERYTHRA.
The White-breasted Water Hen
ae phenicura—( Penn.) )

ORDER GALLIN ZA.

Family Phasianide.
“ Genus GALLOPERDIX.
Hardwicke’s Spur Fowl :
(Galloperdix lunulata—(Valenc.) )
Genus FRANCOLINUS.
The Black Francolin
(Francolinus vulgaris—Steph. x
The Painted Francolin . °
(Francolinus pictus—Jerd. et Selb 5
The Grey Francolin
(Francolinus ponticerianus—(Gimel.) )
The Wood Francolin . ;
(Francolinus gularis—(Shaw.) ;
GrEnos ARBORICOLA,.
The Hill Francolin :
~ (Arboricola torqueola—( Val. ) ‘4
Genus BAMBUSICOLA.
The Western Bamboo-Partridge . ; ;
(Bambusicola fytchii— Anderson.)

Genus COTURNIX.
342. The Black-breasted or the Rain Quail
(Coturnix coromandelica ~—(Gmel.) )
343. The Common Quail . .
(Coturnix communis— Bonn.)

The Asiatic Quail = <3)". (st) | ee
(Perdicula asiatica—(Lath.) ) f
Grnvus ROLLULUS. |
345, The Crowned Partridge : 3 ; : ee
(Rollulus cristatus—(G'mel.) )
346. The Black Rollulus . : i : : : 4
-(Rollulus niger—(Zemm.) )

ce

SuB-FAMILY ODONTOPHORIN A.

Grxus CALLIPEPLA. oy a

ta ; 347. The Californian Quail .
i (Callipepla californica—(Shaw.) )

a SuB-FAMILY CACCABININZA.

Genus CACCABIS.

348. The Chukar Partridge . : : - 5 . Sie
(Caccabis chukar—(Giray.) )

23

GENuS TETRAOGALLUS.

7 349. The Himalayan Snow Cock . ; . : : : : 323
'
(Tetraogallus himalayensis— Gray.) oe ; .
350. The Thibetan Snow Cock . ; F ; - . : 3

(Tetraogallus tibetanus— Gould.)

Genus LOPHOPHORUS.
351. The Himalayan Monaul .. ah ME eee 324

(Lophophorus impeyanus—(Lath.) )
352. Sclater’s Monaul . - ; 5 . 5 : - 325

(Lophephorus sclateri—Jerdon. )

SuB-FAMILY PHASIANINA.
Genus PHASIANUS. ‘

353. The Pheasant 5 ‘ : ; : ; ; : 4s 5
i (Phasianus colchicus—Linn.) -.

354, “The Ring-necked Pheasant . ); +): se (ano ee 326 tea
(Phasianus torquatus— Gmel.) ‘

355. Scmmerring’s Pheasant 5 ; : aie dee : ee
(Phasianus seemmerringi—7'emm.)

S56:< The Bar-tailed Pheasant. ..-:-. “~~. -*.. 4 eee Es
(Phasianus reevesi— Gray.)

357. Elliot’s Pheasant . a : ; F = : oe

, (Phasianus ellioti— Swink.) :
358. The Cheer Pheasant . z ; a " eit a) ge eae

(Phasianus wallichii— Hardw. a

_ =

309.

360.

361.

362.
363.

364.

365.

366.

367.

368.

369.

370.

371.

372.

ee ou Oe es Oy

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Genus THAUMALEA.

The Gold Pheasant -
(Thaumalea picta—(Linn.) )

Ambherst’s Pheasant . . .
(Thaumalea ication (headt. ) )

Genus EUPLOCAMUS.

The Siamese Pheasant . ;
(Euplocamus prelatus—(Bonap.) ee
Swinhoe’s Pheasant
(Euplocamus swinhoii— Gould.)
The Rufous-tailed Pheasant . :
(Euplocamus erythropthalmus—( Raffles, ) )
Vieillot’s Fireback :
(Kuplocamus vieilloti—( Gray.) )
The Bornean Fireback .
(Euplocamus nobilis—Sclater.)
The Silver Pheasant :
(Euplocamus nycthemerus—(Zinn.) )
The Lineated Kaleege .
(Euplocamus lineatus— Vig.)
Anderson’s Kaleege
(Euplocamus caaennn = BINGE )
Cuvier’s Kaleege . ‘
(Euplocamus cuvieri—(Zemm.) )
The Purple Kaleege
(Euplocamus horsfieldi— Gray.)
The Black-backed Kaleege
(Euplocamus melanotis—(Blyth.) )
The White-crested Kaleege .
(Euplocamus albo-cristatus—( Vig.) vie

Genus GALLUS.

The Red Jungle Fow] .
(Gallus ferrugineus— Giinel.)
Lafayette’s Jungle Fowl
(Gallus lafayettii—Zess.)
Sonnerat’s Jungle Fowl
(Gallus sonnerati—Temm.)
The Forked-tail Jungle Fowl
(Gallus varius—Shaw.)
The Domestic Fowl
(Galius domesticus—Linn.)

xlvii

PAGE.
327

328

= ee)

33

oe

xlviii TABLE OF CONTENTS. _

Gents CERIORNIS.

378. The Horned Tragopan 3 j «Se Tal cong eee
(Ceriornis satyra—(Linn.) )

379, The Black-headed Tragopan . «ww
(Ceriornis melanocephala— Gray.)

380. Temminck’s Tragopan . : . .
(Ceriornis temmincki—( Gray.) )

381. Cabot’s Horned Tragopan . : ae . : .
(Ceriornis caboti— Gould.)

382. Blyth’s Tragopan = 4 (2
(Ceriornis blythi—Jerdon. )

SuB-FAMILY PAVONINE,

GENUus PAVO.

383. -The-Common Peafow] .«..° SS ws 4 oe 340 ;:
(Pavo cristatus— Linn.) .
364... The Burmese Peafowl = 0° 9.) 6: % 2 841 a

(Pavo muticus—Linn.)

Gexvs POLYPLECTRON.

385. The Peacock Pheasant . 3 ° : . : oie a
- (Polyplectron chinques—TZemm.)
386. The Malayan Peacock Pheasant . : : ° Be is i 342

(Polyplectron bicalcaratum—(LZinn.) )

Genus ARGUS. 2

gay. ‘Tho Arens Pheasang \. ~-5.42. + (.0y ie See ‘
(Argus giganteus— Temm. )

SuB-FAMILY MELEAGRINA.

Genus MELEAGRIS.

388. The Domestic Turkey . - : : : : 6 : es
(Meleagris mexicana —Linn.)

Sus-FAMILY NuMIDINZ.

Genus NUMIDA.
389, The Common Guinea-fowl
(Numida meleagris—( Zinn.) )
890. The Mitred Guinea-fowl .
(Numida mitrata— Pall.)
391. The Crested Guinea-fowl
(Numida cristata—Pall.)
392. The Vulturine Guinea-fowl . : :
(Numida vulturina—Hardw.) ,

a.

es. eee aS ieee ye
v% & ONT ENTS.

Family Cracide.
Genus CRAX,

393. The Globose Curassow .
(Crax globicera—LZinz.) )
394. Yarrell’s Curassow
(Crax carunculata— Temm. )

; Genus MITUA,

395. The Razor-billed Curassow .
(Mitua tuberosa—(Spiz.) )

ORDER OCR V PERU kek,
Family Tinamide.
: Genus RHYNCHOTUS. _

The Rufous Tinamou .
sup ymchotus ee aa )

ORDER CASUARIL.

Family Casuariide.
Genus CASUARIUS.
397. The Common Cassowary
_ (Casuarius galeatus— (Viedil.) )
398, The Australian Cassowary ;
i (Casuarius australis— Wall.)
The One-wattled Cassowary .
- (Casuarius uniappendiculatus—Blyth.)

Genus DROMAUS.
The Emu

(Dromezus novee-hollandae— “eill.)
=

ORDER SPELT HEGN EHS.

Family Struthionide.

Genus STRUTHIO.
The Ostrich
(Struthio see hee

Family Rheide.
. Genus RHEA.
» The Common Rhea ~
(Rhea americana— Vieill.)

*

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te Cat Aa

A HAND-BOOK

OF THE

MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS IN CAPTIVITY

IN

LOWER BENGAL.

ee

N.B.—The names of the “ Class,” “ Order,” ‘ Family,” “ Genus,”
§¢., having been given in the Table of Contents, are not repeated throughout
the work.

(1) THE ORANG-OUTANG.
(SIMIA SATYRUS—Linz.)

Hindi—Jangal-ka-admi. Bengali—Ban-manus.
Hab.—Borneo and Sumaira.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The greatest length of time during which any orang has as yet
survived in the garden has been seven years, but this does not represent
an absolute maximum, as the particular specimen which has lived so
long is still alive and well.* ‘The duration of life of other animals of
the same species, which have from time to time been exhibited in
the garden, has varied from three months to nearly three years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—The orang-outang is an extremely delicate animal, being
susceptible to the slightest change in the weather and to the least
dampness in its dwelling. It is therefore necessary that its accom-
modation should be such as to insure it against both these risks. The
dwelling, moreover, should not be made of destructible materials, as,
however delicate it may be constitutionally, a healthy orang is a power-
ful animal, and its propensities for mischief are great.

The following directions will be found useful in providing accom-
modation for orang-outangs. With a view to protecting these animals
from extremes of temperature, a substantial pucca structure is required.
At the same time, unless the building can be well shaded by trees and
of considerable elevation (which would be both unsightly and expensive),
its interior will become as hot as an oven during the midday heat of an
Indian summer. In the absence, therefore, of shade and elevation, the
roof should be overlaid with a covering of durmah mats, arranged in such
a way as to allow free access of air underneath. It is necessary

* This animal has died, while this work has been under publication,
A

A HAND- BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS —

to be aally careful to keep out the col and draughts durieea hy
winter nights. A thick bedding of straw is, of course, indispensab! :

The building should be well raised from the ground. Itoughttobe
divided into two parts—an inner sleeping-room, where the animal can also ey,
retire in case of bad weather, or whenever it likes, and an outer cage. =»

‘A brick-built room, 14 feet long, 12 feet broad and 7 foot oo
in height, with sufficient apertures in the wall to allow of ventilation,
and a sky-light, will be found to answer admirably as a sleeping-room
for a couple of orangs. The outer cage should be of the same
dimensions, and closed in on three sides and the top with one inch
wrought-iron bars. ‘The floor of the building should be at least 3feet —_
above the ground level. ae

As it is impossible, in Lower Bengal, to secure perfect freedom
from damp in any one-storied room, it is advisable to place in the
sleeping apartment a wooden platform, covering the length and breadth
of the room, some eighteen inches above the floor.

An orang-outang’s dwelling, like a human habitation, requires
suitable furniture to make it complete. Perches, swings, trunks of
trees, horizontal bars, have been found to be the best substitutes for
this creature’s natural surroundings. Wooden balls afford it perpetual
amusement, and a common looking-glass of ordinary dimensions, firmly
fixed to the wall, is an object of the greatest curiosity and pleasure to
this wild man of the woods.

Food.—An adolescent, or a full-grown, orang maintains excellent
health when fed upon a mixed diet consisting of three or four plantains, a
quarter of a seer of soaked gram, a quarter of a pound loaf of bread, one
egg (unboiled), and such fruits or vegetables as may be available accord-
ing to the season, repeated twice daily. The cost of such a diet for a |
full-grown orang will be about Rs.5 per month. But it is as distasteful a
to an orang as it would be to a human being to live upon the same :
kind of food without change. The diet should, therefore, be varied
from time to time, and different articles substituted according to the
taste, appetite, and state of health of the animal, as ascertained by
observation. Three different courses of diet are given in the following
scheme, which will be found useful as a guide under ordinary circum-
stances :—

Se Plantains, rice (boiled), biscuits, vegetables. | 4
(2) Gram (soaked), milk, bread, fruits. j
(3) Plaintains, egg (raw), sugarcane, &c., fruit or sweet potato,

The fruits include papya, guava, mango, tepari (Physalis-
peruviuna), rose-apple, orange, bael, &c., and pumpkins, cucumber,
cabbage, raddish, peas, beans, sweet potato, brinjal, carrot, &c., may
be given as vegetables.

Besides the articles enumerated above, there are many other things
which an orang will gladly take as food, such as bael fruit tablets, the —
leaves of screw pines, husks of the green cocoanut, and the succulent pith
of a date-palm. No two orangs, however, have exhibited identically
the same taste, so that one may refuse to taste what another has <7
consumed. with avidity. ie

Breeding.— Orangs have never bred in this or (so far as” Lede pe
to the writer) in any ‘other shoes —

ie IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 3

Transport.—\t may be necessary sometimes to transport an orang
from ove place to another, and for this purpose a good strong cage must
be used. For a full-grown orang-outang the cage ought to be at least
5’ x 4’ x 5’, made of well-seasoned planks with iron bars in front.
The bars should not be more than an inch and a half apart from each
other, as otherwise the animal is apt to thrust its arms through them —
a movement which is not only attended with danger to persons standin
near, but to the animal itself. ‘There should be a broad shelf inside the
cage for the animal to sit upon, and a moveable tray underneath to
facilitate cleaning. The tray must be of sufficient depth to admit the
feeding and drinking vessels, which should all be removed svon after
the animal has fed and drunk. Hither a thick canvas screen or a
removable shutter should be provided in front, so that in case of
bad weather the animal can be perfectly protected from draughts.
As a protection against extremes of: heat and cold some mats and
blankets should be given, the former to protect the cage from the
heat of the sun, and the latter for the animal to wrap round itself
when cold. :

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

The diseases to which orangs have been found most subject
are diarrhea, dysentery, bronchial catarrh (severe cold affecting the
chest), inflammation of the lungs, and paralysis.

Diarrhea and dysentery are common in young and newly-acquired
specimens, and, if not checked by timely remedies, prove fatal in the
majority of instances.

Bael (Ayle marmelos) is very efficacious in checking diarrhea
and dysentery if given at an early stage. There are several forms in
which it can be administered :-—

(a) Three to four chittacks of ripe pulp, freed from seeds and
glutinous exudations, given twice or thrice daily. :

(0) Bael sherbet.—The following recipe can be recommended :
Take one part of ripe pulp and eight parts of pure
water; crush the pulp so as to mix it thoroughly with
water; strain through coarse linen, and sweeten with
sugar. Four or five ounces of the sherbet given three

times a day, for two or three days, ought to check the
diarrhcea or dysentery. In very obstinate cases 10 to 15
drops of tinct. kino may be added to each dose of sherbet

(ce) Bael fruit tablets—Preserved bael fruit tablets are sold in
the bazar, and can be had for four to six annas a pound.
Two or three of these tablets given in the food twice daily
should benefit the patient.

(d) If the ripe bael is not available, the green fruit may be
roasted and ihe softened pulp sweetened with. sugar or
made into sherbet and given in the same quantities as
in (0).

In the worst cases of dysentery 20 grains of ipecacuanha

concealed in a bit of plantain or some other convenient edible may be
given with advantage. But as this medicine generally induces nausea
and vomiting, it will be found difficult to repeat the dose a second time.

Az

A table-spoonful of sivnox ene given twice daily with milk a

checks simple diarrhcea in younger specimens.

Diet.—An orang suffering from diarrhea or dysentery should be i: 4

kept as much as possible to a milk-and-bread diet. If, however, the
milk is found to disagree with the patient, it should be diluted with
a little soda-water: Barley, sago, and arrowroot sweetened with sugar
may also be given, or green husk of cocoanut and jaman fruit (eugenia
jambolana), if available.

If the weather is fine, the animal should be allowed to roam
about freely, morning and evening; also the straw bedding should be
frequently changed. The hair about the seat should now and then be

washed with tepid water and rubbed dry, as otherwise it will become '

clogged and matted, and the animal’s health will suffer.

Severe cold, affecting the chest, is a frequent and troublesome
complaint. Five drops of ipecacuanha wine in half a tea-spoonful of
honey twice a day, liquorice and honey, ammonia liniment rubbed
over the chest and throat, and fomentation, are some of the remedies
which have been found eaeeoee ale ; snuff is also recommended. !

Diet.—Mailk and bread, eggs, boiled sweet potatoes, raisins, chicken
soup.

The animal should be kept indoors and perfectly warm.

Inflammation of the lungs is brought on by sudden chill, and
if not early detected and checked ends fatally. Ii the animal
is tame enough, a poultice and ammonia liniment will be very
beneficial.

Paralysis.—Two cases of paralysis have come under observation.
In one the seizure was brought on by sunstroke, and in the other
by exposure to cold and damp. In the former case the animal never
recovered: in the latter it was removed to a healthier building, and
derived much benefit from the change. No medicine was administered
internally, but, to relieve the creature’s pain, camphor liniment and
fomentation were applied at intervals. In about four months it
recovered enough to be replaced in its former dwelling, and appeared
to have regained the health it formerly enjoyed.

Older specimens are less liable than the younger to the ailments
above mentioned ; but when taken ill they are more difficult to
cure: they exhibit a greater aversion to food and suspicion of
medicine.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF AN ORANG-OUTANG.

“Jennie” was the first orang-outang domesticated in the garden
in March a7, She was accommodated in a small covered enclosure
and provided with a square deal box stuffed with straw aad hay, and

a light blanket for bed ; a small earthen ghurra filled with drinking ~

water and a tin mug were also placed for her, but she was not seen
to make much use of the mug for drinking. ‘Though quite young,
probably not more than six months of age, she had the wrinkled face

of an old man, and looked scared and cold. From the first she evinced ~

no fear of her keeper, but would sit on the ground close to him
taking her food, which consisted chiefly of milk, out of a tin basin

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 5

in his hand. She would at other times cling tightly to him,—a boy
of fifteen or sixteen years,—folding her long slender arms round ~
his neck ; while he was busy elsewhere she would occasoinally venture
on an exploration, but the slightest movement of a bear or other large
animal in the neighbourhood was enough to frighten her, and send
her scampering and bewildered to search for her Keeper or her dwelling,
whichever she could find first.

A special residence was subsequently made for her, in the shape
of a house in miniature with brick walls and thatched roof and
windows, and a raised platform inside to keep her off the damp
ground. A smallcompound was enclosed in front of the house and
laid out like a garden. After a day or two in her new house,
Jennie developed a tendency to mischief, and commeuced pulling
the straw out from inside the thatch, so that it became necessary to
substitute a wooden roof. In the rains Jennie required special care ;
a slight exposure to wind and rain caused an attack of cold ; she had
to be carefully nursed at nights, fed with chicken soup, and have her
chest fomented. As she grew older, other things such as bread,
boiled sweet potatoes, &c., were added to the milk diet. When hungry
she would scream loudly and show temper, rolling on the ground
like a spoilt child ; and no amount of attention or coaxing on the part
of the keeper could soothe her till food was forthcoming : her hunger
satisfied, she would attempt to put bits of bread and other remnants of
food into the keeper’s mouth instead of her own.

Another orang, a young male, was obtained about this time to
share her captivity, but the new animal was never in sound health,
and, in spite of every precaution, soon died. ‘T’o console herself for
the loss of her temporary companion, Jennie soon grew attached to a
domestic cat. The milk supplied to Jennie attracted the cat, but |
the cause of the reciprocity of the sentiment was never discovered.
It may have been Jennie’s instinctive longing for companionship or
her fondness for anything hairy. The cat would patiently allow
herself to be subjected to any petty torments which it pleased Jennie
in her demonstrativeness to inflict upon her. Qne of her. favourite
fancies was to climb up the nearest tamarind tree with her feline
companion, oftentimes pulling it up by the tail, and the cat showed
no resentment for such treatment. With good food and handling
Jennie’s appearance altogether improved ; her hair became cleaner
and brighter ; she lost the scared and chilly look she had at first ;
she seemed to adopt pleasant and elegant manners with the visitors
to the garden ; she would gladly submit to be brushed and combed
by her keeper, and would at times sit cross-legged on the ground with
a hand looking-glass in front, making faces at herself. During the
winter a flannel suit was given her, but she soon tore it to pieces.
In the summer of 18738, the Committee, having received an
urgent application from the London Zoological Society for a young
orang-outang, sent Jennie to England, accompanied by her favourite
cat.

For further information regarding orang-outangs the following
books may be consulted :—Malayan Archipelago— Wallace ; Man’s
Place in Nature—Huxley ; Anthropoid Apes—Hartmann.

raised from the ground, with means and appliances for the admission of

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Tate

A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

(2) THE HOOLOCK GIBBON.
(HYLOBATES HOOLOCK—(Harlan.) )

Hindi— Ulook Bandar, Kala Bandar. Bengali—Udluk.

- Hab.—Assam, Sylhet, Cachar, Manipur, Irrawadi Valley
Bhamo, Chittagong and Arracan.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The longest period during which any hoolock has lived in the
garden as yet has been nine years, one of a pair of hoolocks presented —
in 1883 being still alive. This is, however, the only instance in which _
a hoolock has lived so long. As a rule, the duration of life, in cap- —
tivity, of this and other species of the genus is short.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—Hoolocks are as delicate as crangs; the same care and
forethought are, therefore, necessary in housing and feeding them.
Much trouble and annoyance, caused by their frequent illness and
death, may be saved by giving them a lofty and airy dwelling well

a 7 $2 » :, .
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sun and light and the exclusion of draughts and cold. The main-
tenance of an equable temperature is the first desideratum.

Wet, draught, and cold are fatal to hoolocks, at least in captivity.
The Gubbay House in the Calcutta Zoological Garden has been found
most suitable for the health and comfort of the gibbons as well as other
varieties of monkeys and smaller mammalia of delicate nature. It is
an oblong brick building, measuring 50 feet long by 30 feet broad by 22
feet high, with an arched Leslie-patent roof. The doors and fan-lights
are all made of thick plate glass, so that, while light and air are freely
admitted, draughts and cold can be effectually excluded and the tem-
perature regulated. The cages, each measuring 7 feet 6 inches long by
5 feet 6 inches broad by 14 feet high, are fixed in separate blocks against —
the walls, an arrangement which, although involving unnecessary waste
of space, has been allowed to continue, as it does not interfere with the
health and comfort of the inmates. The Dumraon House also is well
adapted to the requirements of a good monkey-house, and in it also
hoolocks are kept. In this building the eight cages, each measuring 12
feet long by 7 feet broad by 19 feet high, are arranged in two rows with
a broad passage between. As they are intended to accommodate monkeys
of unequal strength and size, the cages on one side have been built of -
thicker iron rods with wider spaces between them, while those on the
other side have been made of lighter and closer rods. ‘To prevent the
monkeys in contiguous cages from biting one another, it has been found
necessary to have strong wire netting of 1 inch mesh attached to the
partitions separating one cage from another. Additional light and ven-
tilation are obtained from a sky-light, with glass shutters, in the roof.

Although generally timid and inoffensive, hoolocks, like other
animals, are sometimes intolerant of intrusion; this has been noticed —
specially when one has lived for some time in a particularcage. Newly
obtained specimens should not, therefore, be placed with previous acqui- __
sitions. An opportunity should first be given to them to become accus- __
tomed to each other’s presence through the bars, and this is best done _

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 4

by keeping the new animal in a box outside the cage of its future com-
panion, aud observing their attitude towards each other. ‘The most
successful plan for keeping hoolocks alive for any length of time, either
in a zoological garden or in a private collection, is to let them run about,
freely in the open as often and for as long as possible. If, however, a
new arrival were to be allowed such liberty, there would be a great
risk of losing it: the best course is therefore to allow it to first acquire
some tameness, which can usually be done in about a fortnight or a
month, and then let it run about. After it has once become habituated.
to the locality and food, it is sure to come back to the place and at the
hour of feeding. A hoolock is thus enabled not only to take plenty of
exercise, which its system much requires on account of its arboreal
habits, but the freedom gives it a chance of finding its own food,
such as the spiders and insects and eggs of small birds, which form no
inconsiderable portion of a gibbon’s diet in a state of nature.

A cage of the dimensions above given will accommodate two pairs
of hoolocks. To relieve the monotony of their captive lite, a few play-
things should be provided, such as rope-swings, brass bells and wooden
balls. A. thick bedding of straw on the floor of the cage gives warmth
during the winter, and greatly conduces to their amusement at all
times. ,

Food.—An adult hoolock in captivity may be fed on boiled rice,
soaked gram, various kinds of fruits and roots, bread, biscuits, eggs,
and occasionally sparrows: a live sparrow given at intervals is much
relished. A few grasshoppers, say five to eight, should also be given
sometimes. |

The three following scales of diet will indicate the quantity of food
necessary for each hoolock per day and its cost per month :—

(a) Loaf of bread ... 1 chittack
Boiled rice with a pinch twice daily. Cost
of salt oss ... 2 chittacks Re. 1-8 per month.
Egg bn cast ih CERI)
(b) pseu yar 1 digs >)
oaked gram with a pinc : e.
pf salt. ae peor ae | trie ieee Cost
Plantains | cone a nae
Grasshoppers a SOLES
(c) Plantains... eahe
Sweet potatoes ... 2chittacks ( twice daily. Cost
Milk ce aR ee ge Kis. 2 per month.
Loaf of bread ... 1 chittack

Instead of plantains and sweet potatoes any other fruit or root may
be substituted. Some of the hoolocks have been found to eat leaves
with avidity.

Clean drinking-water should always be kept in the cage.

| Morning between 8-30 and 9.

Evening Be Pi OoON iio Aa
Breeding.—Hoolocks have never bred in this garden.
Transport.—In transporting a hoolock the same precautions should

be observed as in the case of an orang. The cage, of course, néed

not be so strong or large.

Feeding time—

ok
“n Se ay
A

8 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ‘ANIMALS

‘ 3 . ae ss
TREATMENT IN SICKNESS. a

The principal diseases to which a hoolock in captivity is subject

are diarrhea, severe cold affecting the chest, consumption and. skin disease. —
Diarrhea has often been overcome by bael, timely given, and
a light and wholesome diet, such as milk and bread, or barley and
water. If allowed to run on, it terminates fatally. bik
Severe cold affecting the chest.—The animal should be kept in a
warm place, and, if possible, covered with a blanket. |
Ten grains of chlorate of potash in an ounce of simple syru
afford great relief to the patient. .

Fomentation applied to the chest and throat, and chicken soup are —

also recommended. |

Consumption generally runs an insidious course and results in
death. If the malady is detected early, and the animal tame, it
should be allowed to run about during the day and in fine
weather. Whether tame or not, it ought to be removed from the
monkey-house and kept in a good roomy cage in a well-ventilated
place. By way of medicine it should have a tea-spoonful of syrup of
hypophosphate of lime, twice or thrice a day, and a tea-spoonful of
glycerine with milk twice daily. Nutritious and easily digestible
things should be given as food, such as corn-flour boiled with milk,
oatmeal-cakes, eggs, raw or boiled, &e.

Skin disease is a very troublesome complaint which sometimes
affects these animals. Complete isolation is requisite. The following
treatment can be recommended :—

Wash the body with soap and tepid water, and rub it tho-
roughly with powdered borax and sulphur (one part borax and three
parts sulphur). Repeat this treatment three times a week till cured.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF HOooLocks.

With very rare exceptions hoolocks are gentle creatures and, when
kindly treated, become very tame and even affectionate. They often
express their sense of joy and affection for favours bestowed on them
in the shape of biscuits, buns and fruits, by extending their long arms
through the bars of the cage and gently twining them round the neck
of their benefactor. They have a keen sense of jealousy which they have
been often observed to manifest by great restlessness and a kind of
suppressed moaning, if they do not happen first to receive the attention
of the keeper or any one else who may be feeding the other animals
living in the same building with them. ‘The idea of fun is also greatly
developed in them. Soon after the establishment of the garden a num-
ber of monkeys were, for want of better accommodation, kept together
in one compartment. It was at this time that the hoolocks were
observed to make merry at the expense of other monkeys. Although
not possessed of the pluck and strength of the others, the hoolocks

showed remarkable cunning and agility in eluding the pursuit of an

irritated Hanuman or a vindictive Rhesus. :
When the other monkeys were engaged in quarrelling—not an

uncommon occurrence when several different kinds of monkeys are kept i |
together—one of the hoolocks would softly let himself down by the help =

IN CAPIIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL, 9

of the rope-swing or the ladder, pull the tail or gently tap the head of
a combatant, and scamper off before the assailed had time to tarn and
seize his tormentor. Like human beings, the hoolocks have also indi-
vidual peculiarities. There was at one time an old female hoolock in
the garden, which had an inveterate hatred of the gentler sex of the
human race, and carried her dislike to a passion. She became fierce
and dangerous at the sight of a female visitor, dashing furiously
against the bars of the cage, so that special precautions had to be taken
to prevent her escaping and doing harm. On one occasion, however,
she managed to escape by eluding the vigilance of the keeper as he was
about to close the door. Having got loose she at once attacked an ayah
who happened to be passing, inflicting a severe wound in the woman’s
leg with her long canine teeth. A notice was immediately affixed to her
cage warning visitors not to approach too near. She used to throw out
her long arms and endeavour to drag female visitors towards her, and
Gases were reported in which inattention on their part to the warning
notice cost them a handkerchief, a glove or a bonnet. It has been noticed
that the hoolocks from the Assam jungles bear captivity better than
those from Chittagong and Arracan. A _ hoolock has often been
observed to drink by scooping up water or milk in its hand.

(3) THE WHITE-CHEEKED GIBBON.

(HYLOBATES LEUCOGEN YS— Ogilby.)

Description.— About the size of a hoolock. Colour entirely black,
with the exception of the surface below the ears, the cheeks, and a
small part immediately behind the chin, which are white. In some
specimens the white parts are scarcely visible.

Hab.— Siam. |

(4) THE WHITE-HANDED GIBBON.

(HYLOBATES LAR—(Linn.) )

Description.—The chief characteristics of this species are its whitish
hands and feet, white-or grey whiskers and beard, and a narrow
band of the same colour above the eyes; the rest of the body is black.

Hab.—Arracan, Lower Pegu, Tenasserim and the Malayan
peninsula.

(5) THE AGILE GIBBON.
(HYLOBATES AGILIS—F. Cuvier.)

Xo

_ Deseription—The characteristic features of this monkey are that
the back part of its head, the flanks, the hips and the outer surface
of the limbs are pale yellow or yellowish grey. ‘The chest, stomach, and
inside of the limbs and feet are dark brown. |

Hab.—Sumatra.

; hee a en at Mee Bh n),
A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS —

(6) THE LONG-ARMED APE.
(HYLOBATES LEUCISCUS—(Schreb.) )

Deseription.—Colour uniform grey; face much paler than other —
parts; fingers and toes black, at least much darker than other Pe S5

hair dense and woolly. | -
Hab.—Java. | ae

(7) THE SIAMANG.
(HYLOBATES SYNDACTYLUS—(Desm.) )

Description.—Larger and more robust than all other gibbons. _
General colour deep black. The chief features of this gibbon are its
large dilatable sac in the throat and the webbed middle and index toes _
of its foot.

Hab.—Sumatra.

The following remarks apply to all these species (8 to 7). je
LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. 4

A white-cheeked gibbon obtained early in 1889 is still alive and
well. The others have lived in the garden for periods varying from
a few days to a few months. Most of them are delicate animals and
do not bear captivity well.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—With regard to housing, feeding and ca these”
’ animals may be treated like a hoolock. In feeding, allowance should,
of course, be made for individual tastes. A white-cheeked gibbon has
been found. although fond of grasshoppers, not to care for eggs, either
raw or boiled. |
Breeding.—Nothing is known about their breeding in captivity.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Only a limited number of specimens of each of the species men-
tioned above have come under observation, and as most of them died
without having developed any marked symptoms of illness, no experience __
has been gained in the treatment of their diseases. But as their habits
and food are nearly similar to those. of the hoolock, it is highly pro- _
bable that they are subject to the same maladies also. A white-
cheeked gibbon, for instance, lately suffered from an attack of skin
disease. It was noticed that it would not make friends with another

inmate of the same cage, a hoolock. It became weak and emaciated,
and skin disease supervened. ‘The hoolock was removed, and a whole- —
some diet, which soon cured the animal, was prescribed as follows:—
Bread and milk, 2 chittacks of each, and two or three plantains anc
some raisins in the morning at about 8-30. Two chittacks of gra
soaked in water, a pinch of salt, occasionally a small quantity of ri
one biscuit, either one or two plantains or papya, or some other fruit i ir
the evening ; a few grasshoppers every day, and a lump of oa
the drinking water.

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 11

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The white-cheeked gibbon is very light and active. At times it

will move incessantly from side to side of the cage, or from one perch
to another, or tumble on its straw bed and roll head over heels and

again bound away to the top of its prison. Luke the hoolock, it drinks
water by scooping it up with its knuckles or fingers and licking it,
or by simply applying the lips to the drinking vessel. Its call is quite
distinct from that of a hoolock. In winter if is more noisy in the
middle of the day than either in the morning or evening; excessive heat
has the effect of moderating its spirits. When the weather is dull or
cold it sits huddled up, either on the floor of the cage or on the ledge of
the wall, looking the very picture of misery and depression ; with the
return of warm weather it becomes active and playful. Like the orang
and the hoolock, it goes to bed early. It can walk a few steps as well
as, or better than, a hoolock—that is, without much waddling. The
habit of thrusting out its long slender arms in demonstration of its
sociable and affectionate nature has not been much noticed in this
species. 7

Of the habits in captivity of the other gibbons mentioned above
very little is known. Most of them are as active and light as a hoolock
or a white-cheeked gibbon; the siamang that lived in the garden
appeared to be dull and morose. |

For further particulars on the distribution and habits of gibbons,
the following books may be consulted:—Anatomical and Zoological
Researches—Anderson; Malay Archipelago—Wallace; Anthropoid
Apes—Hartmann.

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS. .

(8) THE HANUMAN.
(SEMNOPITHECUS ENTELLUS—(Duf‘esne.) )

Hindi— Langur, Mahabir. Bengali— Hanuman, Hanu.

Description.—The hanuman is a well-known monkey in Lower
Bengal : itis slender and elongated in form; the head and body are
about 2 feet long and the tail is slightly over 3 feet ; there is no crest
on the crown of the head; hair of the eyebrows stiff and projecting ;
colour of the head, body, limbs and tail varies from greyish brown to
pale isabelline throughout; hands and feet black; face, ears and soles
of hand and feet also black.

Hah.—South- Western Bengal, Orissa, the Central Provinces, Bom-
bay, Guzerat, Southern Rajputana and part of the North-Western
Provinces, extending to Kattywar, and probably Cutch. They are not
eo east of the river Hooghly, although stragglers are often
ound.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The maximum period during which a hanuman has lived in this
garden has been six years Although indigenous to the country, and
living in a wild state within ten or twelve miles of Calcutta, these
animals do not bear captivity well.

A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

TREATMENT IN HEALTH. ,

Housing.—In keeping these animals it is necessary to bear in
mind that hanumans are essentially gregarious animals, and that
unless a large number of them are kept together they pine away and
die. But to crowd twenty or thirty of them into a comparatively small
cage would be equally wrong. Apart from any question of cruelty, it
is detrimental to their health to deprive them altogether of the oppor-
tunity of indulging the habit of bounding and leaping which they
possess in an astonishing degree in a state of freedom. ‘To afford the
necessary facilities, a large house is required, of the size and plan of.
the Gubbay or Dumraon House (see page 6), devoted entirely to the ©
hanumans. In a house 50 feet long by 30 feet broad and of propor-
tionate height, with means for isolating the refractory and the weak,
30 to 40 hanumans could with comfort be kept. As they, especially
the older males, are strong aud powerful animals, and are wont
to jump against the bars of the cage and shake them with consi-
derable violence, these need to be very firm. Stout branches of trees
should be let into the floor and the usual perches and swings provided.
It has not been possible in this garden to assign an entire house, as
suggested above, to these monkeys. A small number of them have
been lodged in one or other of the cages of the Gubbay or Dumraon
House. The tradition that male and female hanumans live in separate
troops throughout the greater part of the year is apparently incorrect ;
it is nevertheless necessary that there should be a preponderance of
females to males, so that in a collection of 30 hanumans there would be
no need for more than half a dozen males. In selecting hanumans to _
replenish stock preference should be given to young and adolescent
animals, as they are likely to do better than the older ones, which are
generally ill-tempered.

Animals of uncertain and vicious temper, especially monkeys,
which have become savage from various causes, as family pets, are
often sent to this garden as a comfortable and convenient home.
Such creatures, whether hanumans or other monkeys, should never be |
placed with those already in captivity: if this is done, there will be
no end of fighting and biting. These should either be kept in spare
cages of one of the monkey-houses, when available, or in one of the
movable cages, and if practicable in sight of the tamer specimens. “f

Food.—With the exception of eggs, grasshoppers or any other
kind of animal food, the same diet that has been indicated as suitable __
for an orang or a hoolock will do for a hanuman, provided a sufficient _
quantity of leaves is given every day. Almost all the members of this
genus consume leaves largely in a wild state, and unless this essential
element of their natural diet is regularly supplied them in captivity,
no amount of good feeding is of any avail. ‘They strip off the pinnate
leaves of the sajina (Murenga pteregosperma) with great dexterity.
The following are some of the trees and creepers the leaves of which
experience has shown to be best suited to, and most liked by, these
animals :—sajina (Murenga pteregosperma), pipul (Ficus religiosa), bair
(Ziziphus jujuba), amra (Spondias mangifera), tamarind (Tamarindus
indica), telakucha (Momordica monadelphea), bael (gle marmelos), =

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 13

Breeding —Hanumans have not unfrequently bred in this garden,

and have never produced more than one at a birth. It is always better
to isolate the female before the birth takes place, so that it may be
better observed and precautions taken to guard against the constipation
and indigestion to which an animal in this condition is not unfrequently
subject. ;
In cases of constipation, half an ounce of raisins or prunes, or one
or two boiled onions should be given. No food should be allowed so
long as the indigestion lasts. Damp, cold and draughts should care-
fully be avoided. The female with offspring should not be replaced
among its companions until the young one is three or four months old.
Should anything prevent the isolation of the female before giving birth,
or should the birth take place unexpectedly, the proper measure is to
remove all the ill-tempered creatures, if there are any in the same cage,
to another place. ‘This is easily accomplished by decoying them with
food. A female monkey and her offspring have on more than one
occasion thriven without isolation, but separation is advisable with a
view to more careful observation and to guard against any possibility
of molestation from the other and less friendly inmates of the same
cage, especially at the time of feeding. It may be supposed, too, that
all animals naturally prefer seclusion at such times. |

Transport.— No very elaborate preparations are necessary fo trans-
port a hanuman, either by rail or by ship. The same kind of cage as
has been recommended for an orang, but lighter,* will comfortably
accommodate four of these animals—three females and one male. If
the journey is by rail, and to last for a few days only, some of their
favorite leaves in addition to the ordinary food can easily be provided.
If a long sea voyage has to be undertaken, no leaves can be sent with
the animals.

In cold latitudes and in rough weather the cage containing these
monkeys on board a steamer ought to be placed near the engine-room,
as severe cold kills them. ‘They must always have drinking water in
their cage, otherwise they drink to excess when opportunity offers.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Diarrhea and consumption are the principal diseases from which
these monkeys have been observed to suffer in captivity.

Diarrhea in a hanuman is treated in the same way as in a
hoolock. Leaves should either be stopped, or judiciously given during

' the time the malady lasts.

Consumption.— Several cases of this disease have occurred, but in
none of them was it detected until after the death of the animal.

Wounds and tnyguries, the results of fighting and accidents, are also
of not unfrequent occurrence.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF HANUMANS.

The hanuman in captivity has none of the sprightliness and
friendliness of a hoolock or the amusing characteristics of an orang.
The older animals are generally dull and languid, and the males even
savage and spiteful. Instances are known of their attacking and

. ~* In this case no iron rods are necessary, so that wooden battens may be advantageously
substituted.

Lo

A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

wounding an incautious keeper without provocation. When annoyed
provoked, both the young and the old have a peculiar way of e
sing their feelings by a kind of grin and a harsh, grating 1 no
accompanied by such action as may either indicate a readiness of
animal to bound away, or to attack the object of its wrath on the
slightest further irritation. A tame hanuman sometimes becor oi
extremely attached to its guardian. There is also evidence to. show
that it appreciates kind treatment. A large male hanuman once hurt
its elbow; the wound festered, so that an operation became necessary.
The animal was removed to a small handy cage, and the wound, after _
having been opened, was carefully dressed and bandaged. This latter
operation had to be repeated for about a fortnight, and the animal
would extend its arm to be dressed, and show not the least fear or dis- —
pleasure at the pain unavoidably caused by syringing the tender sore.
Female banumans have a great affection for their young. It hasbeen —
observed more than once that, when the young ones die while still
being nursed, the mothers refuse to allow them to be removed. Besides
the harsh, erating whine expressive of anger or fear, the hanumans
have two other notes; the deep, loud whooping call ‘which is seldom
heard in captivity, and the plaintive suppressed screaming of young
animals. ‘hey generally sit with their feet resting against the bars
of the cage.

For further information regarding hanumans, Blanford’s Fauna
of British India—Mammalia, may be consulted. ;

(9) THE CRESTED MONKEY.

(SEMNOPITHECUS CRISTATUS—(Kaffles.) )

Description.—Head and body about 2 feet; tail about 2 feet
6 inches; slender in size; colour generally dark grey ; hair in general
black, tipped with white; face, forearms, hands and feet black; under
parts of the hody paler ; head crested. :
Hab.—Sumatra and Borneo.

(10) PHAYRE’S LEAF-MONKEY.

(SEMNOPITHECUS PHAYREI—(Biyti.) )

Description.—An adult male measures, head and body, about 22
inches ; tail 380 inches; slender in form. The chief characteristics
of this monkey are its peaked longitudinal crest on the head; some-
what long whiskers, nearly covering the ears; eyelids and a broad
surface above them white or whitish; white hair around the mouth;
back parts dark ashy brown or grey; chest and abdomen whitish.
It presents a peculiar spectacled appearance owing to the white colour
of the eyelids and the surface above them. '

Has.—Arracan, the Bassein districts of Pegu, Northern Tenas- a
serim. |

LENGTH OF ‘LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

An example of each of the above species ee and 10) has been livin
in the garden for the last ten years.

oo *

a

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 15

'’REATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—These animals have lived in excellent health in one
of the cages of the Gubbay House.

In the ordinary course of management it may sometimes become
important to remove the inmates of one cage to another in the same
or in a different house. The essential point to remember is that it is
necessary to be careful, as the least interference with their accustomed
mode of life makes them suspicious, defeating, it may be, the very
object of a change. On one occasion, though the gentlest means were
adopted, the simple operation of a transfer frightened one of these animals
so much that it touched neither food nor water for the whole day.
Although these monkeys are by no means hardy animals, the excellent
health which those in the garden have enjoyed so long is mainly due
to the suitableness of their dwelling-house, where they can be protected
against all the risks of a changeable climate.

Food.—Soaked gram, boiled rice, plantains, bread, biscuits, pump-
kins, sweet potatoes, dates, have been found to agree best with them.
hey do not appear to have the same partiality for leaves as hanu-
mans have. Doob grass and tender shoots of the tamarind and
pandanus leaves are, however, sometimes acceptable to them; the same
quantity of food as has been recommended for a full-grown hoolock
is enough for one of these monkeys.

Breeding.—These animals have never bred in this garden.

Transport.—They can be transported in the same manner and

with the same precautions as a hanuman.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

These animals have uniformly maintained excellent health. With
the exception of a single occasion when the Phayre’s monkey suffered
from an attack of diarrhea, they have never been known to be unwell.

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.

Both the Phayre’s and the crested monkeys are very shy. They
generally avoid coming down from a retired place close to the top of
the cage. Though very quiet, they are not uninteresting. There is
a certain playfulness in their habits, but not so strongly developed
as in the case of other species. ‘l'hey are to a certain extent inquisi-
tive, but not at all mischievous. They agree very well with one

| another.

The following species (11 to 16) may be mentioned together.

(11) THE ASSAM LANGUR.

(SEMNOPITHECUS PILEATUS—Biyth.)

Description.—Smaller than a hanuman. Hair of the crown thick
forming akind of cap, which is distinct in some individuals, but
indistinct in others: hair of the cheeks long, directed downwards and
backwards. partially covering the ears and forming a short raft. Hye-
brows long and stiff. Tail long and tufted. The upper surface of the
head and the back part of the body ashy grey: the limbs are ferrugi-
neous grey, the hands and feet dark brown, and tie fingers pale yellow.
Throat, chest and the front part of the body generally yellowish white

A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF anu WALS- ies

or role orange, sometimes ashy white. Face black ; extremity o 01
tail black.

Hab.—Assam, Sylhet, Tipperah, Chittagong, ayeeae and Tee ee
Burmah. eae

(12) THE PROBOSCIS MONKEY.

. (SEMNOPITHECUS (NASALIS) LARVATUS—Geoff. St. Hilaire.)

Description. —The chief feature of this monkey is its nose, which _
is produced into a proboscis. The animal is thus described by Dr. —
Anderson (Anatomical and Zoological Researches, 1878) :—“ The upper
surface of the head, neck, back and flanks dark red-brown, passing into __
greyish yellow on the crupper, tail, and limbs. A yellow stripe on the
shoulder, ‘The hair of the sides a the face, neck and shoulder is long
and of a yellowish tint variegated with reddish brown, and the chin is
well bearded. The under parts are yellowish white and the tail is J
tufted. The face is dirty yellow merging with white around the lips. ;
‘The under surface of the extremities are blackish, and the ears are of :
the same colour, and small. Nose produced into a proboscis with large
nostrils opening downwards and separated from each other by a
septum (partition) * * *. The eyes are rather widely apart, the neck
short, and the throat rather swollen from the presence of a laryngeal 1
sac.” |

Hab.— Borneo, .

(13) THE RED-HAIRED MONKEY. j
(SEMNOPITHECUS RUBICUNDUS- Muller.)

Description.—About the same size as an Assam langur. The
characteristic features of this monkey are its dark maroon colour, and
the radiating hair of the forehead. In some specimens the hands and
feet are blackish; in others, of the same colour as the body. Hair of
the sides of the body long and directed downwards and backwards.
Face and lips flesh-coloured, blotched with pale bluish black spots.

Hab.— Borneo.

(14) THE BANDED LEAF MONKEY.
(SEMNOPITHECUS FEMORALIS—Aorsfield.)

Deseriptiuon.—Dr. Anderson describes it as “a uniformly brownish
black monkey, the limbs, head and tail being almost wholly black, but
the difference between the colours is not well defined, and the forelimb
is grizzled with whitish hairs. The tail is slightly ‘tufted at its extre-
mity. There is a rather short, vertical crest directed backwards, the —
hair anterior to it projecting ‘forward over the eyebrow. ‘The ears
are moderately large and partially exposed. The hair on the front —
and side of the head and on the middle of the crest is blackish or dull
brown. The upper lip and chin are clad with short whitish hairs, with —
_longer black hairs intermixed on the chin. Along the flanks the hair —
is short, sparse, brown, and somewhat grizzled, which is the character

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 17

also of the belly. The throat, sides of the neck and chest are con-
colorous with the upper parts. A narrow, well-defined white line
passes along the middle of the under surface from the chest in the
adult to the hinder portion of the abdomen, *** * the white line is
prolonged as a fine line to the wrist and ankle.”

Hab.—Borneo, Sumatra and the Malayan peninsula.

(15) THE PURPLE-FACED MONKEY.

| (SEMNOPITHECUS CEPHALOPTERUS—Zimm.)

Description.—About the same size as a hoolock, tail about 24 inches.
The distinctive characteristics of this monkey are the following :—“A
ruff of white hair, more or less tinged with brown, encircling the face
and extending on to the throat and under surface of neck; the hair
on the sides of the face long, soft, and pointed upwards, forming a
conspicuous whisker ; the skin of the face black with a purplish tinge;
the palms and soles dull black.” The general colour of this monkey is
greyish black. ‘Tail tufted.

Hab.—Ceylon.

(16) THE SIMPAT.

(SEMNOPITHECUS MELALOPHUS—F. Cuvier.)

Description—It has a slender body about 18 inches in length, tail
about 30 inches. The hair of the crown formed into a crest, which is
erect and compressed laterally, but not equally distinct in all specimens.
Its colour is pale yellowish white; hands and feet yellowish; face
bluish black, washed with a leaden hue.

Hab.—Sumatra.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Of these, the Assam langur has lived the longest, one obtained in
1883 being still alive. A proboscis monkey lived for about two years
and six months, and a red monkey for about the same period. A
banded leaf monkey lived for nearly fourteen months; the duration
of life of both the purple-faced monkey and the simpai was very short,
not exceeding six months in each case. : j

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—The housing of the Assam langur calls for no_parti-
cular remarks, except that it does not seem to pine like the hanuman
when kept singly; it is, however, better to give it company whenever
possible. The comparatively long period during which a specimen has
lived in good health in the garden is mainly due, no doubt, to its
habitation. The proboscis and the red monkeys, specially the former,
are more retiring in disposition, and it is therefore necessary that they
should be afforded facilities for privacy. This is very easily done.
About two feet below the top of the cage a shelf should be placed,
broad enough for a couple of monkeys to sit or lie upon. By boarding

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_ A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

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up the sides of the cage from the level of this shelf to the top some
seclusion can be obtained. Also, instead of fixing the planks per

nently against the wire or the bars of the cage, they may be joined
together by battens so as to form a continuous screen for each side of the
cage and suspended by books. Such an arrangement has this advan-
tage, that the screen can be removed whenever desired either for the
purpose of thorough cleaning or for ventilation. as

A screen such as has been described also affords additional protec-
tion against bad weather and during very cold nights. The purple-
faced monkey and the simpai will do better if they can be allowed
occasional liberty in the same way and under the same restrictions as
hoolocks on many occasions have been.

Food.—The Assam langur or black-capped monkey appears to be
less fond of leaves than most of the other members of the same genus.
Possibly their favourite leaves have not been discovered and provided,
and those given as food are not appreciated. Several of these langurs
have exhibited a slight partiality for a kind of Amaranthus leaves;
others again would not touch them. The proboscis and red monkeys _
have shown a liking for the green stocks of paddy and wheat and
young shoots of kalmi (Convolvulus reptens). Neither the purple-faced
nor the banded leaf monkey ever throve in this garden, although
the various kinds of food suggested by experience were tried.

Besides leaves and grass these monkeys must have fruits, vege-
tables, bread, biscuits; in fact all the several articles of food which have
been recommended for feeding hanumans and other monkeys will be
found useful for these also.

Breeding.—None of these monkeys have ever bred in the garden. _

Treatment in sickness.—The only disease to which these creatures —
are known to be subject is diarrhea ; it yields to the same treatment as
has been already recommended.

The red monkey occasionally suffered from a kind of fit, but the

18

character of the attack was never properly ascertained.

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS. er

The Assam or black-capped langur is gentle and timid. Even
after several years of captivity it has never been known to become
sociable. On the other hand, it is never so savage or ill-tempered as
a hanuman. In captivity most of them lose the pale yellow colour of
the lower parts and sides of the head, neck and chest; whether this is
the effect of age or change of conditions has not been determined.

In some the colour disappears for a season only, generally during the __
rains, appearing again in the spring. In its movements the black-
capped monkey is more light and active than a hanuman. A speci-
men in the garden developed, at one time, a mischievous propensity of
biting the battens and posts of the wooden cage in which it was for
some time kept. Monkeys of this species have not been seen to carry
their tails curved forward over their back as a hanuman sometimes
does while walking on the floor of the cage, or on the perch.
Whatever may be the habits of the proboscis monkey in a wild state,
it is silent, slow and phlegmatic in captivity, and sits for hours

"IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL, 19

together in one place, scarcely noticing the visitors standing outside
the cage. The only time that it has ever been seen to become lively
is at the hour of feeding, when, shaking off its usual lethargy, it
addresses itself. eagerly to the contents of the feeding vessel. Once, on
the arrival of a young female of this species, it was, after a day or two,
placed with the older male then living in the garden. The young one
was not found to be at all afraid of the adult monkey, neither did the
latter show any hostility towards her, so that during the course of the
day they became fast friends. The red monkey is more quick in its
movements, and is decidedly more sociable in temperament than the
proboscis monkey. ‘The purple-faced monkey is an active, harmless
creature, but extremely shy. The few specimens obtained for the
garden have all died within a few months after their arrival, so that
there has been a want of adequate opportunity of observing them. —

_. For further information regarding these monkeys, the following
works may be consulted :—Anatomical and Zoological Researches—
Anderson; Natural History of Quadrumana— Martin.

(17) THE DIANA MONKEY.
(CERCOPITHECUS DIANA—(Linn.) )

_ Description.—Length of the head and body of a full-grown Diana is
about 22 inches, tail 27 inches; slender in build. The leading features of
this beautiful monkey are its semi-lunar white frontal band, white beard
(which is peaked), white throat, chest, and anterior parts of the shoulders.
The abdomen, sides and the inner side of the thighs pale orange red ;
a line of white runs along the outer side of each thigh to the knee;
lower back deep chestnut ; the rest of the body dark freckled grey.

Hab.—West Africa. |

(18) THE MALBROUCK MONKEY.
(CERCOPITHECUS CYNOSURUS—Scop.)

Description.—Length of the head and body about 18 inches, tail
about 20 inches. General colour of the body above greenish brown,
washed with olive, under parts whitish ; limbs greyish; face pale flesh
colour; scrotum blue.

Hab.—West Africa.

(19) THE GREEN MONKEY.
(CERCOPITHECUS CALLITRICUS—Js. Geoffr.)

Description.—Of a uniform light green colour, much paler under-
neath ; young animals dirty pale green; length of the head and body
about 18 inches. )

Hab.—West Africa.

This animal has been recently acquired.

Pise

Sita

-

~ inches. General colour of the body olive green, paler or whitish below;

oy inn ee

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ae

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

we

(20) THE TALAPOIN MONKEY.
(CERCOPITHECUS TALAPOIN—(Eral.)) ao
Description.—Length of the head and body about 14inches, tail 18

short, straw-coloured whiskers partially hide the ears; face black. There
is a faint whitish frontal band.
Hab.—West Africa.

(21) THE HOCHEUR MONKEY.
(CERCOPITHEOCUS NICTITANS—(Linz.) )

Description.— Length of the head and body about 16 inches, that of -
the tail 30 inches. General colour black, freckled with white; limbs black.
The characteristic feature of this species is the conspicuous white mark
on the lower part of the nose.

Hab.—West Africa. —

(22) THE PLUTO MONKEY.

(CERCOPITHECUS PLUTO—Gray.)

Description.—Black throughout. The chief characteristics of this
monkey are its well-developed black and white-ringed whiskers, and the
.broad white frontal band. The hair of the lower back is parted in the
middle, and brushed downwards and forwards, washed with greenish
white with a chestnut tinge in some places. ‘Tail long, its basal half
greenish white, distal half black or greyish black. bani * ee

Hab.—Angola. ae a

+

(23) THE LESSER WHITE-NOSED MONKEY.
(CERCOPITHECUS PETAURISTA—(Schred.) )

Descriptvon.—Length of the head and body 17 to 18 inches, tail
about 22 inches. In the Hocheur Monkey, No. 21, the white is
confined to the lower portion of the nose alone; in the present one both —-
the lower half of the nose and the upper lip are white. The whiskers,
beard, throat, chest and abdomen are also white. The general colour
of the back and head is reddish olive brown ; a black band runs across
the forehead. The tail is grey above, whitish below.

Hab.—West Africa.

(24) THE MOUSTACHE MONKEY.
(CERCOPITHECUS CEPHUS—(Linz.) ) ma ;
Description—Head and body about 1 foot 7 inches, tail 2 feet a

~2inches. Colour of the body above golden brown, freckled with black; _

head and thighs tinged with green; tail brownish orange ; under parts _ .
whitish ; whiskers well developed and of a yellowish colour ; face violet —
blue. Upper lip, a white triangular mark above a black margin. <—

Hab.— West Africa.

ty
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a
- *

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 21

(25) THE PATAS MONKEY.
(CERCOPITHECUS PATAS—(Schreb.) )

Description.—Head and body about 1 foot 5 inches, tail almost
twice that length. General colour brownish red ; under parts whitish ;
there is a black superciliary stripe, whence a black line runs down to the
nose.

Hab.—Senegal, Ethiopia.

(26) THE MONA MONKEY.

(CERCOPITHECUS MONA—(Schreb.) )

Description.—Colour of the hair brilliant golden green ; back and
sides brown or chestnut brown ; outer parts of the limbs and tail slaty
grey; the neck, chest and abdomen white; a black band across the
forehead. Ears and hands flesh coloured.

Hab.—West Africa.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A Diana monkey has lived the longest, 7.e., from 1876. Although
in excellent health otherwise, it has been subject to a paralytic affection
of both the hind limbs since 1880, and to which curvature of the spine
has latterly supervened. A Malbrouck monkey and a Hocheur monkey
have each lived as many as seven years. A ‘Talapoin monkey has
been living for the last eight years and is in excellent health. A Pluto
monkey has been kept for six years. The moustache monkey lived for
eighteen months only. The lesser white-nosed and the Mona monkeys,
obtained respectively in 1888 and 1889, are still alive and well.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—As all these animals are natives of a warm dry climate,
they require to be guarded against the risks of the damp and mois-
ture of Lower Bengal. Ample space should also be provided for
their gambols and restless activity. In the Gubbay House (described
on page 6) nearly all the conditions necessary for their health and
comfort are fulfilled. |

Food.—Ali these monkeys thrive on the same food as is given to
the hoolocks, hanumans and other monkeys mentioned before. They
appear to have no taste for leaves, but are extremely fond of fruits,
especially dates and oranges. During the winter, when these fruits are
plentiful, they form a considerable proportion of the diet of these
monkeys. Boiled rice does not appear to agree with some of them.

Breeding.—The Malbrouck has bred in the garden, the period of
gestation being close upon seven months. Before and on the birth of

_ the young monkey attempts were made to separate the male ; these failed,

but it proved to be a kind parent. For nearly a month and a half the

- infant monkey clung to the breast of the mother, to whom an extra

allowance of four ounces of milk and two ounces of bread was given
for nearly three months from the date of the birth.

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS
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“ ae eh Siete
- Transport.—The suggestions for the transport of hooloc ad
hanumans will be found useful for these monkeys also. “? A ‘ee

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

The diseases to which these monkeys have been observed to be —
| most subject are tuberculosis of the liver, a kind of flatulent cole,
o paralysis, &c. Diarrhea has not been found to be a common complaint __

among them. a
The cases of tuberculosis of the liver were not detected till after
the death of the victims, and were therefore not specifically treated. a
Flatulent colic.—This disease is evidently attended with pain, but
only the younger monkeys seem to be liable toit. It may be caused by
careless feeding on the part of the keeper, or by improper and indiges- ~
tible food given by the visitors. A teaspoonful of castor oil with an ~
equal quantity of honey will soon prove an effective remedy. Asthe
disease generally affects young animals, fomentation can be applied
without difficulty, and will be found to give much relief. No food
should be given until some time after the medicine has taken effect and ~
the animal shows restlessness and a great desire to eat. | e
Paralysis—The Diana monkey was struck by paralysis in conse- ~~
quence of a sudden exposure to chill. Through want of proper —
accommodation it was kept in a place which, though perfectly free from
damp, was not properly guarded against draughts and cold ; the space,
, celal allotted to the creature was much too small for its active
abits. : ‘
As soon as the disease was noticed the animal was removed toa _
protected place and provided with a blanket. Liniment of belladonna =
was applied to the affected parts morning and evening. Although no
treatment has succeeded in removing the stiffness of its lower limbs,
it is otherwise in perfect health. -

Ba
ad < “~

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.

Agility and_activity are the chief characteristics of the monkeys
of this group. Most of them are also extremely inquisitive. They
exhibit their curiosity, for instance, by searching corners and pockets and
constantly returning to the search. They are full of tricks, and will
amuse themselves by leaping and tumbling over a walking stick held
out horizontally to them. The Diana and the white-nosed monkeys are
specially sociable, and like to be caressed and stroked ; they willsit with
their backs against the bars of a cage and invite friendly visitors to pay ‘a
attention to them. Nevertheless they are not so affectionate as a
hoolock or a young orang, and do not manifest the same clinging
attachment to their keepers. For several months after the Diana ~-
monkey had become subject to paralysis, it was noticed to become some- ~
what cross towards the evening; probably it felt worse at that time. —

__ For further information regarding these monkeys Martin’s
acy of Quadrumana or Cassel’s Popuiar Natural Histury :
read. , gees ae

af

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. “IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 23

(27) THE RHESUS MONKEY.

(MACACUS RHESUS—(Audebert.) )
Hindi—Bundur. Bengali— Bandar, Markat Bandar.

The common bandars are well known animals in Lower Bengal.
They appear to vary much in colour, size, and in the length and
thickness of the fur, and even of the tail; some are more decidedly
thick-set in build than others; much difference may also be noticed in
their physiognomy ; the red colour of the face and callosities so charac-
teristic of the adult monkeys is partially or altogether wanting in
many.

Hab.—Northern India generally, ascending the Himalayas to about
700 feet and extending as far south as the Godaveri; Assam, Arracan,
Western China. Specimens have been obtained from the Simla and

Naga Hills, China, and India generally.

nh

(28) THE MACAQUE MONKEY.
(MACACUS CYNOMOLGUS—(Linn.) )

Description.—It resembles the Rhesus monkey in general appearance,
but its tail is longer, being about 19 inches. The colour of the body is
grey or greyish brown; face generally dusky; the eyelids white; in
some specimens there is a white mark between the eyebrows; it stands -

_ as high asa Rhesus. : 1%
Hab.—Irrawadi Valley, Burmah, Malayan peninsula, Siam.
ee. These two species (27 and 28) are mentioned together, as they
__ ¢losely resemble each other in structure and habits. |

gf)

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The longest period during which a Rhesus monkey has lived in the
garden is fifteen years. One obtained in 1877 is still alive, and in
excellent health.

A Macaque monkey has lived twelve years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—The Rhesus and the Macaque monkeys are not very deli-

eate animals, and with ordinary care thrive well in captivity. They do

as well singly or in pairs as when large numbers of them are kept

together. In the latter case they give trouble, as they are extremely

quarrelsome creatures, and, unless well watched and controlled, fight

constantly, and to such an extent that death frequently results from

. injuries received in fighting. Both the Rhesus and the long-tailed

_ monkeys are domiciled in the Dumraon House (see page 6), care

being taken to keep the weak or unhealthy in other places. In this

_ climate it is necessary to avoid overcrowding, so that in a place of

€ _ the size of the Dumraon House, which is 50 feet long and 23 feet
_ broad, there ought not to be more than 20 or 25 monkeys.

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Wood — — These riGnkaye a are almost omnivorous. Boiled rice, soe a
yram, biscuits, pumpkin, cucumber, brinjal and other vegetables _con-
stitute their ordinary food. Eggs are occasionally added to their diet as
substitutes for the insects and spiders which, in their wild state, they
eat besides fruits and vegetables. The cost of feeding an adult monkey
is from Rs. 2 to Rs. 2-8amonth. Minced meat is sometimes, but rarely,
given them. q
Breeding.—The Rhesus and the long-tailed Macaque have bred and
interbred in this garden. ‘The period of gestation is between six and }
seven months, Female monkeys nurse their young with great tender-
ness, and are competent to protect them from harm; the older animals ~
do not molest the young, so that the latter have ‘been reared in the
midst of a number, but it is always better, as elsewhere remarked, to -
segregate the female when a birth is expected. A shy and nervous
animal while nursing its young is often averse to coming down for food
from its retreat, and unless the keeper is intelligent and watchful she
has to depend upon the stray bits left uneaten by others and runs the aa"
danger of slow starvation. Anagegressive creature in a similar condi-
tion, on the other hand, provokes quarrels, and is liable to suffer accord-
ingly. On one occasion a Rhesus with a young one was so severely
injured in the throat, in foraging for food, that it was with some diffi- _
culty removed and cured. a.
_ The young monkey after birth attaches itself to its mother, and will
not leave her for nearly a month, the mother nursing the young all the
time with the utmost solicitude ; after this time it will make little’
excursions on its own account, but is careful not to stray far, and at the —
slightest sound or movement it seeks refuge with her. The mother is
unremitting in her vigilance over her offspring and in her attention He
to its personal wants and appearance. Compared with an orang-outang © a
of the same age, a monkey is more helpful and intelligent, and in fact
all its instincts are strongly developed at a comparatively early age.
In about a month the young one begins to pick up gram and other food,
and then the struggle for life soon begins, and the mother and the
young one commence to fight over their food, although their natural
instincts bind them to each other at other times.

Transport.—A travelling cage 5 feet 6 inches long, 3 feet broad, |
and about 2 feet 6 inches high, will comfortably accommodate 10 i
to 15 young monkeys for transmission either by rail or by ship. The —
cage should be made of deal or jarul (Lagorstremia regina) planks,
teak being needlessly expensive. Upright battens placed at an interval
of an inch and a half should form the front and the upper one-third of
the back and sides, the lower two-thirds being made of planks. There
must be a shelf for the animals to sit or lie upon, fixed in such a way as —
to allow of its beng drawn out for cleaning; a tray at the bottom is
also required. Thevessel containing the drinking water should be placed
above the level of the shelf, and in such a manner that its contents may
not become dirty. Asa precaution against cold or bad weather, a good ,
canvas screen for the front and plank shutters for the battened portion ~ 4
of the back and sides should be provided. An iron scraper, some saw- eis |
dust, a few bundles of straw, and the necessary food, would complete the
equipment. A more common kind of cage, but of the same. style, is

a

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 25

sufficient, if only two or three monkeys are being conveyed. The older
the monkeys are, the more difficult it is to transport a number of them
together.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

These monkeys are subject to the same diseases as orangs and
hoolocks in captivity. Besides diarrhwa, dysentery and other diseases
already mentioned, they often suffer from various kinds of wounds, the
results of fighting and accident. Fortunately they possess great vitality,
and the process of healing is so rapid that unless the wound is very
severe or extensive, little or no human skill is necessary to effect a cure.
When the injury is deep or extensive, the following treatment should
be adopted. The surrounding fur having been carefully shaved and
the wound washed with a weak solution of corrosive sublimate (1 in
1,000 or 1 in 1,500), iodoform should be sprinkled over it. Lint should
not be used, even if the wound be somewhat deep, as in that case the

~~ monkey will finger it constantly until it sueceeds in removing the dress-

ing. lodoform should be discontinued when granulation sets in, and
boracic ointment used instead. The monkey should be kept in a cage
similar to that recommended for its transport, but smaller, and with
such modification of details as individual cases may require. An

~ arrangement for securing the patient within a smaller space will be very

*

useful for dressing ill-tempered and intractable subjects. This can be
managed by having a piece of board: placed inside the cage, breadthwise,
So arranged that it can be drawn backward and forward as desired. »

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.

a

aes The Rhesus and the Macaque monkeys have almost similar habits ;

»

they are gentle and playful creatures when young, but become sullen
and vicious as they grow old, especially the males. They pass most
of their time in alternate fighting and playing; after a violent quarrel
they change to the other extreme, and behave as if they were the
mildest of creatures. They may be frequently seen picking out the
parasitic vermin from one another’s fur, and the process appears to
be thoroughly enjoyed by the animal subjected to it, stretching itself as
it does in a lazy attitude on-a perch or shelf. They fight most during
feeding time, if not checked by the keeper; but it is not easy, even
with close observation, to ascribe a cause for each particular skirmish.
The sudden violence of their fury is extraordinary. Animals at one
moment living in perfect amity and concord become in an instant
deadly foes, ready to tear each other to pieces. ‘The weak or the sickly
and the new-comers fare badly. Monkeys of these kinds are proverbial-
ly mischievous: they constantly snatch away a stick or umbrella, or even
an eye-glass, and when attempts are made to recover the articles their

' behaviour shows how they enjoy their mischief. Sometimes they appear

to rob visitors from simple curiosity and inquisitiveness, and not in a
wicked or mischievous spirit. They are also addicted to playing with
their drinking water and splashing it about. However quarrelsome and
mischievous they may be, these monkeys are generally submissive to.
their keeper, having by experience learnt to dread his power; but should

ee

mt

aoe? *

a or aes

was seen deliberately to upset one of the instruments. On another

_ from light to dark brown ; lower limbs paler; no reddish or yellowish ~

Re e oat ad é& x Se f a ee:
‘a : ke Me % “yy + ws we ar? e a e ° / ; en 4 =
ate, | néw ‘keeper happen to enter their cage, he is likely to be attacked

the whole troop, led generally by an aggressive old male. Keepers
often been wounded in such outbreaks; but if they are firm and ex]

peaceful attitude. a a
- Both the Rhesus and the Macaque monkeys are fond of water

pee in i. A bit EET ag Se
a ee . ee pon) "Cae ie) wisi Beg: pe ay i
. ae sae A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEME! T OF ANIMALS ~

no nervousness, the monkeys soon recognize their master and resume @
. ae

and swim and dive well. A number of young monkeys (M. rhesus ‘
and M. cynomolgus) were at one time allowed to run loose in the 3
garden; they greatly enjoyed their freedom, and were often seen ona
sultry afternoon perched on one of the trees near the Serpentine lake,

and jumping one after another into the water and indulging in a swim. ~
On one occasion they appeared to be engaged in a regular diving match ; 4
they “were divided into two parties, sitting on opposite banks of a
narrow arm of the lake. Among their acts*of mimicry and mischief
noticed from time to time the following may be mentioned. On one
occasion, one of them having noticed an official of the adjacent Mete- |
orological Observatory in the act of taking some observation with the ee 3
aid of certain instruments, proceeded stealthily to the observatory and

occasion one of them intruded into the drawing-room of a lady, then
living in the house next to the garden, upset an inkstand and spoiled, —
it was said, some valuable documents. He did this, it was conjectured, —
in his uncouth attempt to imitate the lady whom he had observed |
writing. , ¥
A monkey’s capacity for showing affection was exhibited in the
behaviour of one of a pair of Rhesus monkeys from the Simla Hills, _
whose companion had been severely wounded and was therefore kept
confined in a small cage for treatment. While the patient was in this
condition, the one who was still at large and well was much concerned ~ a
and would sit almost the whole day by the side of the cage and "
affectionately caress the invalid in various ways through the bars. :
:

ts

— .

(29) THE HIMALAYAN MONKEY.
(MACACUS ASSAMENSIS—McClelland.)

Deseription.—An adult Himalayan monkey is larger than©a
Rhesus; head and body of a full-grown specimen about 20 inches,
tail about 9; fur long, wavy and abundant; bare surface of the
seat smaller than in M. Rhesus; general colour of the body varies __

*

tinge in the hinder parts; face dusky, and never assumes a rufous tinge
at any season. This species may be mistaken at first sight for a M.
Rhesus from Simla or the Naga Hills, as they both possess long and
abundant hair; but the tail in this species is somewhat smaller and
more slender than in the other. : ?
Hab.—The Himalayas, Assam and Upper Burmah.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen obtained in April 1877 lived to January 1880,

oe se > litem, it J as
om

. Pi a .
IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. — 27
J -_ “i
TREATMENT IN HEALTH. 4 +,

Housing.—As the Himalayan monkey is somewhat rare, it is
better not to place one, when obtained, with a number of Rhesus or
other monkeys of quarrelsome habits. On the other hand, it is equally
injudicious to keep a monkey by itself; so that, if a pair be not avail- _
able, a young M. Rhesus of a docile and tractable nature will suit as a
companion. It has been observed that, when kept singly, a monkey is |
sometimes overrun by parasites, probably for want of the attention of
its friends which checks their growth.
Food and transport.—In these matters it may be treated in the
same way asa Rhesus. ‘The specimen that lived in the garden never
showed any partiality for animal food, in the shape of eggs, insects or

minced meat. wi

“OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A HimatayAN Monkey.

as A young Himalayan monkey is a sociable and affectionate creature, ©
* receiving caresses and attention with sympathetic pleasure. It is heavy
and slow in its movements, and not given to those active sports in which
the Rhesus monkeys appear to be perpetually engaged. ‘The specimen
_ that lived in the garden was in the habit of sucking its thumb, and
would move in a kind of rocking manner, accompanied by grins and

chuckles. | )
- (30) THE BROWN STUMP-TAILED MONKEY.
ee - (MACACUS ARCTOIDES—Is. Geoff.) ,
oa Description.—Larger than the Himalayan monkey, an adult ani-

mal standing nearly 2 feet high; thick-set in build; hair long and
abundant; hair of the crown slightly parted in the middle, that about
the shoulder being wavy, and at*the middle of the back parted; tail
very short, almost rudimentary; a large area of the seat is bare;
colour of the head and body dark brown; in young individuals the lower
limbs are paler; face red.
Hab.—High country of Cochin-China, Yunan, Assam (Naga Hills)
____ and Eastern Thibet (Moupin). : |

af

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

‘The longest period during which an example of this species lived
in the garden was six years. The specimen now living in the collection
was obtained in 1888. ‘

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

As it resembles a Himalayan monkey in its habits, nothing need be
said with regard to housing, feeding, &e. "

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

The only remark to be made is that the immediate cause of death —
of members of both these species (¢.e., the Himalayan and the stump--
tailed) was cold in the chest. 7

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‘the same slow and languid movements. It appears to lose much of

red colour of its face when kept in a place where there is a want of
sufficient light. The specimen now in the garden is rather savage _

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

* ; + Z y 4
_ OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A Stump-TaILED MonkKEY, ©

~ In habits it resembles the Himalayan monkey very closely, ha

in its disposition.

(81) THE LION-TAILED MONKEY. +

(MACACUS SILENUS—Schreb.)

Hindi—Shia Bandar. Bengali—wWNil Bandar.

Description. —A. black-coloured monkey of a slender build. Its
chief features are its ruff of light-coloured hair on the chin, throat, cheeks,
and temples, encircling the head, and its tufted tail. The ruff does
not meet on the forehead. An adult monkey measures about 21 inches
(head and body) ; tail about 13 inches. |

Hab.—The forest of the Syhadri Range or Western Ghats near the
Malabar Coast from about 14° north to Cape Comorin, and at a
considerable elevation above the sea. Most common in Cochin and
L'ravancore.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

An adult specimen lived for about six years in the garden, and ©
a pair of adolescent animals have been living since 1888.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—Adult lion-tailed monkeys are quite capable of defend-
ing themselves, and may therefore be kept, if necessary, with the Rhesus
and the Macaque monkeys. The younger ones are generally shy and
timid, and liable to be maltreated by others if kept with a number;
they should therefore be kept by themselves, or with other equally
harmless and timid animals. With respect to cold and warmth, they
should be treated in the same way as any other monkey of a delicate
nature. Although one of the adolescent monkeys now living in the
garden has not enjoyed first-rate health, no better accommodation than
the Gubbay House (see page 6) could have been provided.

Food.—This monkey should be fed in the same way as other
monkeys of the same genus. The younger specimens need careful
feeding, as overfeeding has been found to cause flatulent indigestion.
It does not seem to care for animal food in any shape.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

The adult lion-tailed monkey, after having lived in good health
for about five years, had an attack of paralysis, from which it never
completely recovered. The symptoms were like those of shaking
palsy, which in human beings sometimes results from excessive drink-
ing. In attempting the slightest movement its limbs, body, and even
head, would shake. The animal was removed from the monkey-house

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PW Pe. an & ,
IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 29
at -
and kept in a dry and warm place. No medicine was given internally.
One of the specimens now living in the garden has had an attack of
hemiplegia, fzom which it is slowly regaining health. The animal —
was removed to the hospital and kept in a roomy cage with a thick
dding of straw and blanket: its vegetable food was stopped and the
animal confined to milk and bread diet; raisins, boiled onions, barley,
and eggs being given twice a week by way of change.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A LIoN-TAILED Monkey.

The young licn-tailed monkey is a gentle, timid and inoffensive
animal. It does not appear to be as intelligent as many other members
ot the same genus. Its chuckles are very subdued, and, though quick
in its movements, it is not much addicted to leaping and jumping. An
- older animal is generally ill-tempered, and becomes almost grey with
age. This at least was the case with the specimen that lived in the
garden for about six years.

(32) THE BURMESE PIG-TAILED MONKEY.
(MACACUS LEONINUS—Bilyth.)

Description.—Stout in build. An adult male measures, head and
body, about 23 inches; tail about 8 inches. The hair of the upper part
of the back and shoulders longer than that of the lower back and rump ;
head broad and flat about the forehead, rather tapering about the chin.
The thick bushy hair above the forehead is so arranged as to form a
horse-shoe shaped crest on each side of the median line. In some the

Hair surrounding the head is so well developed and thick as to form a
kind of ruff, partially concealing the ears; tail short, about one-third
of the length of the body, and tapering; general colour dark to light
brown. The crest of the forehead, the lower part of the back about
the middle line, dark brown; face dusky flesh colour. The females
are generally smaller and lighter coloured; the crest and ruff not
conspicuous,

Hab,—Arracan and the valley of the Irrawadi.

LENGTH OF LIFE 1N CAPTIVITY.

A Burmese pig-tailed monkey has lived in the garden as many as
seven years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—All the specimens hitherto exhibited in this garden
have been lodged in one or other of the cages kept outside the monkey-
houses. The adult monkeys have generally shown such bad temper
and aversion to their fellow-creatures that it has been found necessary
to keep them singly or in pairs. The great drawback, however, to
keeping these or other monkeys in such isolated cages is the unavoid-
able absence of suitable arrangements for their protection from the
risks of a changing climate.

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

oe Food and transport.—With respect to food, it should be tz
e. . __ likea Rhesus, except that none of these monkeys have ever been nc
to care for animal food. A good cage like that recommended fo
hanuman will do for the transport of a pair of them. |

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OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A Burmese Pic-Tarnep Monkny.

Although sedate and slow, it is never morose. It soon learns to
obey its keeper and to perform amusing tricks. -One of the monkeys —
that lived some time in the garden was in the habit of standing upon —
all fours on the approach of visitors, and having made amie
grimaces would suddenly turn in the opposite direction, and so close the _
performance. ee

>

(38) THE PIG-TAILED MONKEY.
(MACACUS NEMESTRINUS—(Linn,) )

Description.—It closely resembles the preceding species, but differs
from it in the following respects : it is slightly smaller and a little more
slender in make; its muzzle is much produced; it has no horse-shoe
shaped crest in front of the crown above the forehead, and no ruffround ~
the head. The general colour of the body brown, having different shades
in different parts of it; crown of the head dark brown; a broad dark
brown band extends right down the middle of the back; tail slender,
short, about one-third the length of the body, and generally twisted
like that of a domestic pig. .

Hab.—Malayan peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo and Java.

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Ni a ee Se es os ne

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

One of these monkeys has lived in this garden so long as eight
years; another for about four years. A young specimen obtained early
in 1889 has now passed into a healthy adolescent state.

Housing.—Some of the pig-tailed monkeys have been found to
agree very well with other monkeys. In this respect, therefore,
they are easier to accomnmodate than those which have to be kept
singly or in pairs. In regard to cold and damp they require the same
careful treatment as most other monkeys.

Food and transport. —The same remarks that have been made with
regard to the preceding species apply to this also.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS. -

Paralysis, erysipelas and skin diseases have been met with amongst
the specimens exhibited. The animal obtained in 1876 was smitten
with paralysis. Onthe malady being detected, the creature was separated
from its companions and removed to a spacious cage and kept ina

\ dry place. No treatment was adopted. After having suffered forabout
six months the anima! partially recovered. While suffering from

- paralysis it became subject to an obstinate kind of skin disease, which,
however, yielded to the persistent use of borax and sulphur. eke

ae:

7

IN CAPTIVIVY IN LOWER BENGAL. aT

In 1882 an adult specimen succumbed to evysipe/as brought on
by injury inflicted by its companion in the adjoining division of the
same cage. ‘lhe wound, whick was on the dorsal surface of the right —
foot, was found to be neither deep nor extensive, so that no serious notice
of it was taken, especially as the monkeys had been observed to recover
from severer and more extensive injuries without much suffering. On
about the third day the monkey was found dead early in the morning,
the immediate cause of death being convulsions brought on by erysi-
pelas which was not detected owing to the presence of the thick fur.

*

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A Pig-raitEp MonkEy.

The pig-tailed monkey is an extremely amusing animal. Its varied
movements and antics, accompanied by absurd grimaces, which it is
impossible to reproduce in print, afford a perpetual source of merri-
ment. It appears to be a common habit with all the monkeys of this
species to stand half erect on the approach of visitors, hold tight some
parts of its lower limbs with each hand, protrude its lips and jerk its
head forward several times, and then suddenly turn round or move
a few steps to one side. ‘There was once a pig-tailed monkey which
had the strongest objection to the folding doors outside the bars of
its cage being shut by visitors, and would open them as often as they
were closed. As the folding doors were on both sides of the cage,
and visitors soon discovered the monkey’s weak point, it became a
common practice to tease him by shutting the doors, or at least one of
them on one side of the cage, while he rushed to open those closed on
the other side. Thus two visitors could keep him darting to and fro
until he became nearly frantic, and measures had to be adopted to
protect him from such persecution. The adult monkeys are in the habit
of yawning constantly, exhibiting their formidable canine teeth.

(84) THE BONNET MONKEY.

(MACACUS SINICUS—(Linz,) )

Description.—Slender in appearance. An adult male measures
about 19 inches (head and body) ; tail about 22inches. Its distinguish-
ing mark is the hair on the crown of the head, radiating from the
centre. Colour—body brown; limbs paler; no reddish tinge in the
face or about the seat.

Hab.—Southern India.

(35) THE TOQUE MONKEY.

(MACACUS PILEATUS—(Shaw.) )

Description.—The hair of the crown radiating Fae the centre as
in the bonnet monkey is much longer, extending to the forehead to
nearly above the eyebrows. Colour slightly darker than in M. Sinicus.

*

>on

_ -This species is readily distinguished from the preceding by the o

of its lips (which'are brownish black), and hence popularly designate
_ “Mishi Bandar’’* amongst the native keepers. 7

Hab.—Ceylon. '

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Both the Bonnet and Toque monkeys have lived for about eight, ee
years in the garden. me:

e J TREATMENT IN HEALTH. fs

Housing.—The Bonnet and Toque monkeys have been successfully _
kept with the Rhesus and Macaque monkeys, which they resemble in
habits and movements, so that the remarks made with regard to the
housing, feeding and transport of the latter apply to the former also.

Breeding.—The Bonnet monkey has bred in the garden, but the
young ones did not survive long. ‘The want of success in this respect
was attributed at the time to the smallness of their habitation.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

From the similarity of the habits and food of these and the Rhesus
and Macaque monkeys, it may be inferred that they are subject to the
same diseases also. There is no record of their ever having suffered
from any special ailments.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF THE Bonnet anp Toaqur Monkeys,

In habits they are similar to the Rhesus and Macaque monkeys,
though less quarrelsome and aggressive. The males of both these
monkeys were found to be savage. ‘They easily learn to perform tricks.
One of the Bonnet monkeys was extremely attached to its keeper, who

taught the animal to beg for food with folded hands. :

‘.’ Sess an

(36) THE SACRED ABYSSINIAN BABOON.
(CYNOCEPHALUS HAMADRYAS—(Zinz.) )

; It is also called “ Dog-faced monkey,” “Arabian baboon,” and
“ Hamadryad monkey.” | a
Description.—A full-grown adult male is about 3 feet high when
standing erect. The face is long and naked, bearing a resemblance
to that of a dog, the snout projecting. ‘The hair of the head, neck
and shoulders is long and abundant, and that of the lower part of
the body, from the loins downward, is short. The long hair of the
head, shoulders and the upper part of the body, forming, as it were, _
a short cloak, gives a characteristic appearance to the animal, The

* Mishi-pouder is a composition containing a large proportion of tannin, and used as too |
powder, specially by a portion of Indian women. It stains the lips black with a ferruginous _
er rusty tinge. a

or. F. 7
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Ame *
. ~~ +

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 33

colour of the body light grey or brown. The tail is about one-half the

length of the body and tufted. The female and the young animals

have no cloak of long hair. Bare area of the seat large and conspicuous.
Hab.—Abyssinia and Arabia.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The maximum period during which an Abyssinian baboon has
lived in this garden has been 13 years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—The specimen just alluded to has always been kept in
one of the isolated cages by itself and has thriven excellently. This
may be owing to the hardy constitution of the animal, or to the fact of
its having become acclimatized. Asa general rule, however, this kind
of monkey should be housed in the same way as other African
monkeys—that is, a dry, raised place should be assigned to it, and the
animal well protected from the extremes of temperature.

Food.—An Abyssinian baboon thrives well on a vegetable diet
consisting of fruits, roots, grain, boiled rice, &c. It is not, however,
a strict vegetarian, being fond of grasshoppers and eggs; they have
been observed to pick up ants and put them into their mouth.

Breeding.—This monkey has never bred in this garden. 3

Transport.—As some of these babvons have been found to bite
through the woodwork of their cages, a light iron cage should be
provided when it is necessary to carry them a long distance. Under
ordinary circumstances the same instructions as have been given under
the Rhesus monkey will suffice.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

None of the baboons that have lived in this garden have ever
suffered from any disease calling for special notice.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A SACRED ABYSSINIAN BABOON.

The sacred Abyssinian baboon, or the Hamadryad monkey, is
intelligent, clever and sociable; it is as inquisitive as a Rhesus, but its
propensities to mischief are less. Though very active, it is not much
addicted to saltatory movements: like a human being, it will sit on a
raised place, and will make use of a block of wood or a piece of stone
for this purpose : one has been found to use its drinking vessel as a seat.
It has an expressive way of calling people’s attention by a grunting
bark, and, when approached, of expressing its pleasure by a rapid
quivering of its lips accompanied by low guttural sounds; if passed
by unnoticed, it becomes excited and screams and roars.

It has an equally expressive way of evincing its anger and distrust.
A female Hamadryad monkey once became much attached to a cat. A
male that lived for 13 years in the garden bad a constitutional dread
of water, so that it could never submit to being sprinkled with it:
advantage was sometimes taken of this weakness to induce it to give

Cc

up possession , of a stick or an umbrella which it might a
from a visitor. The adult females are at times too unsightly
exhibition. The males are apt to take passionate notice of fen
visitors.

_ (37) THE CHACMA BABOON.

(CYNOCEPHALUS PORCARIUS—(Bodd.) ) -

Description.—This monkey is almost as large as an Abyssinian
baboon, which it resembles in general appearance. The distinctive
features of a Chacma are its longer muzzle, darker colour, and absence ~
of tuft to the tail. The colour of its body is uniformly dark brown,
nearly black in some individuals, mixed with a shade of light yellow.
In younger specimens the muzzle is not much produced.

Hab,— West and South Africa.

LENGTH oF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

No monkey of this species has as yet lived in the garden longer
than four years, 3

fiiah asides IN HEALTH,

’ With respect to housing, feeding and transport, it should be treated
in the same way as an Abyssinian baboon.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

The specimen that lived for four years died very suited one
morning, and the cause of death was never ascertained, so that nothing
can be said with regard to the diseases from which these animals suffer

in captivity.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A CHacma BaBoon.

The Chacma is as intelligent and clever as the Hamadryad
monkey. Though it is generally playful and sociable, its temper is
not to be trusted. The Chacma kept in this garden once showed great
cleverness in breaking a portion of its cage with the help of an iron
scraper which it managed to obtain. It exhibited a singular habit
of never touching a plantain unless given with the peel on.

(38) THE MANDRILL. eae

(CYNOCEPHALUS MORMON — (Lin) )

Description. —A full-grown mandrill measures about 4 feet 6 inches
when standing upright. It resembles the other baboons in general a
appearance, but the principal features by which it is distinguished 4 ,
from them are its peak-shaped crest on the crown of the head, —
the prominent swellings of its cheeks on either side ofthe nose, the d

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. - 35

pointed amber-coloured beard, its projecting muzzle and large lips ;
the most characteristic points are the swellings on either side of the
nose. They are obliquely ridged, and coloured alternately blue and
scarlet. The general colour of the body grey, washed with olive brown.
The tail is very short. The ridges on each side of the nose are not
coloured in young specimens.

Hab. —West Africa.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A young mandrill lived for three years and six months in the
garden, but this cannot be said to be the maximum period of its life
here, as the animal (having been on deposit) was removed after that
time. An adult specimen, also on deposit, remained for about six
months. 7

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—The young mandrill was kept in one of the cages of the
Gubbay House, and the place appeared to suit it well, as the animal
had already grown considerably, and the colour of its cheeks begun to
appear when it was removed. ‘The adult baboon lived, as a temporary
arrangement, in a large travelling cage, which was of the same style as
that recommended for the transport of an orang-outang, but slightly
larger. |

Food.—The young mandrill throve well on the same diet as is
allotted to an orang or a hoolock, but the adult was a great epicure.
Its nourishment consisted of a pint of fresh milk and a loaf of bread early
in the morning; boiled sweet potatoes, about half a pound, at 11
o’elock ; a handful of soaked gram and fruits at 2 p.m., a loaf of bread

again at 4 p.M.,anda pint of Pilsener beer the last thing in the evening.

Little bits of meat were occasionally given which it relished. The
animal, it was said, had been accustomed to this kind of feeding from
an early age. |

With regard to breeding, transport and diseases in captivity, there
are no remarks to offer.

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.

The young mandrill was gentle and inoffensive at first, but as it
grew in age and size it became mischievous and excitable. It was never
noticed to be fierce. It amused itself by snatching away bonnets and
umbrellas, and had a characteristic way of shaking its head and chuck-
ling, which unmistakably indicated pleasure. The adult was generally
grave and sedate, and would sit for hours together in one place. Some-
times, however, he became extremely excited, and on such occasions would
violently shake the cage. ‘Lhe approach of a horse and carriage made
him angry. He became very restless in the evening, when the time
for drinking beer approached, and his restlessness increased with any
delay in giving him the beverage.

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS —
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_ (89) THE SQUIRREL MONKEY. © aa :

(CHRYSOTHRIX SCIUREA—(Linn.) ) ak

Description——Head and body about 10 inches, tail about 14. The
little rounded head is much produced on the back; the colour of ~
the body grey, washed with olive ; that of the lower parts of the limbs
yellow tinged with red; muzzle greyish black ; a broad area round the
eyes flesh coloured and sparsely covered with fur; lower third of the
tail black.
Hab.— Guiana.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. ~

A specimen has been living in the garden since November 1888. ; q

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—It is kept in one of the small movable cages inside the
Gubbay House, and the place appears to suit it well. ‘This little crea-
ture is very sensitive to changes of temperature, and it is therefore
necessary to protect it from sudden exposure to cold and draughts,
especially in winter; during that season the glass doors of this house
are closed early in the evening and are not opened till the sun is well up
in the morning. A bedding of straw or hay adds much to its comfort.

Food.—Fruits, eggs, insects, minced meat, and occasionally milk
and bread.

OBSERVATIONS ON ITS HABITS.

It is a gentle, harmless, playful creature and very affectionate,
likes to be spoken to, and appreciates kind attentions ; it may be often
seen sitting with its tail curling forward and upward, so as to encircle

its own body in front; its mode of eating has much resemblance to
> that of a squirrel. It is sometimes allowed to come out of its cage,
. but does not go far. |

(40) THE WEEPER CAPUCHIN.
: (CEBUS CAPUCINUS—Geoffr.)

Description.—The characteristic feature of this monkey is its prehen-
sile tail. Its colour is smoky brown, being darker on the top of the head.
Hab.—Brazil, ranging from Costa Rica to Paraguay.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A pair have been living in the garden since 1881.
a TREATMENT IN HEALTH. | sf
, Housing.—Kept in the Gubbay House in the same manner as the _
3 Squirrel monkey. (Ve

Food.— Fruits, vegetables, eggs, minced meat, and occasionally :
grasshoppers, milk and bread. i

|

* ‘IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 37
ae

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

The only ailment from which one (long since dead) has been
observed to suffer was fits, which lasted for about five minutes each
time. No medicine was given internally, but, as the animal appeared
to have been rather fat, its food was reduced. No autopsy having

<i held after its death, the cause of the fits was not discovered.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF CaPUuCcHINS.

These monkeys may be seen constantly extending their slender arms
in expectation of something from persons approaching their cage.
Their manners at such times are extremely expressive of the earnestness
of their entreaties; they beg at all times, not only when they are
hungry. When food is given, they eat it, if hungry, but not,
however, without first carrying it up and down the cage for a few
seconds ; if not hungry, they smell or nibble at it, break it and throw
it down, and return to begging once more. They behave in the same
way with things other than food, examining them most attentively
and inquisitively. ‘They become so tame that they can be safely let
out, and in such cases, instead of going far, generally cling to their
keeper. ‘These monkeys become very impatient when they see the
keeper feeding the other animals in the same house, and may be

observed trying to call his attention by clanking the small chain and

padlock with which the cage is secured.

(41) THE COMMON MARMOSET.
(HAPALE JACCHUS—(Linz.) )

Description.—The size of the animal is about that of a grey squir-
rel. Its distinguishing features are its long, whitish grey hair on the
sides of the head, which conceals the ears, and its long, bushy and
ringed tail ; its eyes are large and the nose flat.

Hab.—Brazil.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The maximum period during which one has lived in the garden
has been about eighteen months. |

TREATMENT IN HEALTH,

Housing.—Like the squirrel monkey, the marmosets are very
sensitive to cold and draughts ; their habitation therefore ought to be
such as to protect them from the risks of climate. During the cold
weather greater precaution is necessary. In addition to the straw or
hay bedding, they should have small bits of blankets, under which they
may retire of their own accord at night. These animals are extremely
shy, and one placed on arrival in a house containing other animals
generally refuses to eat, and runs the risk of starvation. Such an
animal should therefore be kept under observation for some time, until
it becomes thoroughly accustomed to the altered conditions.

ne

88 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF “ANIMALS . a

Food.—Insects, eggs, milk, raisins, minced meat, bread and some-
times small birds. Bread and milk and either a few grasshoppers or
a boiled egg form their usual food in the garden. a a

OxsERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A MARMOSET. sae ez

Their principal occupation consists of jumping about from p erch
to perch and climbing up and down the sides of the cage. VTheymaybe —
sometimes seen nestling under the straw, or in the folds of their blankets. _

(42) THE MONGOOSE LEMUR.

(LEMUR MONGOZ—(Linn.) ) 4

Description.—Its muzzle is produced and forehead flat and broad. __

Eyes large; general colour reddish grey ; face black ; in some thereis _
a band of iron grey colour across the forehead. Tail long and bushy.

Hab.— Madagascar. ;

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The longest period during which a mongoose lemur has lived in
the garden has been upwards of eleven years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH,

Housing.—Mongoose lemurs are kept in one of the movable cages
inside the Gubbay House. |

Food.—Fruits, eggs, bread and milk.

Breeding.—Lemurs have bred in the garden; they have only one
young at a birth. When the first event took place, the cage contain-
ing the mother and the young was removed to a secluded spot and —
kept there for about three months until the young was able to shift for
itself ; the young one clung to the back of the mother for about six
months, coming down only when there was no one close by.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

The maladies from which these animals have been noticed to suffer
are inflammation of the lungs; congestion of the liver; skin disease.
With the exception of the last, all of them proved fatal. _

. OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF LEMURS.

3 Lemurs are very sociable active creatures, constantly jumping
about or pacing their cages; they carry their long bushy tails curved .
forward over their back. They may constantly be seen in the act of
cleaning their fur. si

, Although nocturnal in habits in their wild state, they have, it
appears, adapted themselves to their changed circumstances and remain
generally awake and lively during the day.

The other species of Lemur exhibited in the gardens are—

(483) THE RUFFED LEMUR.

(LEMUR VARIUS—Geoff )
Description.—Colour black, with grey whiskers.
Hab.— Madagascar.

This animal has been lately acquired.

°

IN capriviry IN LOWER BENGAL. ‘39

(44) THE YELLOW FRONTED LEMUR.
(LEMUR FLAVIFRONS—@ray.)
Hab.— Madagascar. ° 7, tah

<p (45) GARNETTS’ GALAGO.
: (GALAGO GARNETTI—(Oyilby.) )

Description.—Head and body about 10 inches, tail about 12. Its
colour is uniform, earthy krown, and hair woolly. Its eyes are large
and round ; the ears also are large and mobile. Tail long, cylindrical
and covered with woolly hair.

Hab.—East Africa.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
One lived for about seven years in the collection.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—It was kept in the Gubbay House. ‘This animal sleeps
much during the day ; it is therefore necessary to keep it in a place
where it is least likely to be disturbed by visitors. |

Food.— Fruits, vegetables, raisins, milk, bread, eggs, and insects.
Its ordinary food consists of a boiled egg, two plantains and some
bread, once in the evening. It was never noticed to touch its food until
darkness had set in.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A GALAGO.

The galago is an uninteresting animal for visitors to a menagerie,
as it remains quietly asleep almost the whole day ; at night, however, it
becomes very lively. On awaking in the evening it attends to its
personal appearance and then eats its food, always selecting the
choicest things first, and then drinks a little water, and remains lively
almost the whole night.

(46) THE SLOW. LORIS.
(NYCTICEBUS TARDIGRADUS—(Linz.) )

Description.—The size of this animal varies a great deal. Some
measure as much as 14 to 16 inches, head and body included; others
are smaller, being not more than 12 inches. A close woolly fur
covers the whole body : the tail is so short that it is almost concealed
by the fur. The colour also varies in different specimens; in some
it is ashy grey above, and pale below, a brown stripe running down
the back from the crown to the loins; round the ears also brown;
in others the colour is rufous grey above, and pale below, the dorsal
stripe broad and expanding into a patch on the crown.

There is another variety in which the stripe is rather indistinct on
the back, but is well marked about the nape, and it bifurcates on the
forehead, encircling the eyes.

Hab.— Assam, Sylhet, Rungpore, Dacca, Chittagong, Burmah,
Siam, Malacca, Sumatra, Java and Borneo.

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LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

One lived as many as ten years in the garden.

TREATMENT IN CAPTIVITY:

Housing.—As the habits of this animal are nocturnal, it should be _
treated like a galago, and kept in a specially quiet place. If this is
impossible, a small box for the animal to retire during the day should =
be provided. Seas

Food.—Eggs, small birds, fruits, bread, young shoots and leaves. _
A boiled egg, two plantains, a little bread or biscuit soaked in a little
milk, constitute its ordinary diet. Itis fed only in the evening. oo

at

‘

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A Stow Loris. ¥

It sleeps the whole day, with the head downward, rolled up
almost like a ball. If disturbed it raises its head with a slow deliberate
movement, as if with great effort, opens its eyes for a moment,
utters a subdued crackling sound, and then rolls itself up again in the "
same slow and deliberate manner. It becomes most active towards
evening when the time for feeding arrives, but its movements are always.
slow and measured. It is very apt to bite when being caught. ae

(47) THE LION. ‘a
(FELIS LEO—Linn.) i

Hindi—Sher-Bubbur. Bengali—Singha. "1

: Lions vary a great deal in colour, size, and expression ; some have —

a deep red chestnut-brown colour; others again are pale yellowish
brown. The colour of the mane also varies in different specimens:
in some it is a pale yellow; in others nearly black. Faint spots and
irregular bands may be seen on the stomach and sides of adolescent
and adult animals: the lighter the colour of the animal, the more
visible are these spots and bands. In some the muzzle is more pointed © »
than in others. |
Hab.—Africa and South-West Asia; Indian lions are now only —
found in the Gir Forest in Kattywar, Bombay Presidency.

4 LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. i
The longest period during which a lion has been exhibited in
this garden is ten years; this, however, does not represent the maximum, ——
length of its life in captivity, as the animal was sent away in exchange =
P while still in the enjoyment of health and vigour. A pairof young
animals obtained in 1884 have long since passed into the adult stage “

and are still flourishing.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—The lions aud other large carnivorous animals are kept in
the Burdwan House. It is a semicircular building, 250 feet in length |
and 382 feet in breadth, divided into eleven double-chambered dens, one
in front of the other. The inner chambers, of which the largest is 18 feet —
by 12 and the smallest 15 by 12, are enclosed on all sides with solid brick _

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IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER ‘BENGAL. 41

walls, save where the doors open in front and behind. To give light
and air, there is a ventilator on the roof, secured with wrought-iron
bars and bolts. The outer dens, which are almost all of equal dimen-
sions, except the two at each end, are closed on three sides and on the
top with wrought-iron gratings, the fourth side being formed by the
front wall of the inner chamber. ‘The wrought-iron gratings are made
of one inch thick rods; those for the front and sides being placed at an
interval of three inches apart: the rods are crossed and strengthened by
flat iron bars placed at an interval of two feet fromeach other. A door-
way, closed by a suspended grating, communicates between the inner
and the outer dens; there is similar lateral communication between the
front dens. To prevent the animals from fighting through the bars while
in the outer dens, the gratings separating them have been lined with
planks. To enable the keepers to get access to the dens for the purposes
of cleaning and other work, a man-hole has been provided on the top
of each cage. A broad verandah runs along the southern front of
the house. Inside each inner den is a wooden platform for the
animals to sit or lie upon, and a zine vessel for drinking-water is clamped
on to the grating of the door at the back of the inner chamber.

During the winter all the animals are shut into their inner apart-
ments every night, and are let out. to the outer dens much later in
the morning than at other seasons. A small quantity of straw is
also given them in the outer dens in this season, so that they may sit
or lie upon it instead of on the bare cold floor. In the summer and
during the rains, unless the day is exceptionally wet, the doors between
the inner and outer dens are left open, so that the animals may pass in
or out as they wish. re ,

The two sets of dens at the east. end of the house are generally
assigned to the lions. ‘There is every possibility that a place where
a number of large carnivora are kept will become dirty and the
atmosphere around it offensive, unless cleanliness is thoroughly and
constantly attended to. Early every. morning, therefore, the outer
dens are swept clean and a weak solution of carbolic acid or phenyle
is sprinkled wherever sweepings have to be removed. ‘The animals are
then turned out of the inner dens, and, unless the morning is very coid
or heavy rain has fallen, these dens are thoroughly washed out, ard in
cold weather the straw bedding is changed; at about 10 o’clock in the
morning the animals are shut in and the outer dens are washed clean :
by about 11, when the floors have dried, the grated doors are raised,
so that the animals may pass to and fro at pleasure. A jemadar
patrols the house always, and the rule is that sweepings should be
removed without delay and the carbolic solution applied.

Twice a month all the dens are washed with soap and water. It
is also of importance, as a sanitary precaution, to whitewash the walls
of the inner dens whenever they become dirty or when a death takes
place in any of them.

Food.—Beef forms the principal food of the lions as well as of
the other large carnivora. If the meat is good, a daily allowance
of 12 to 14 pounds, including the bones, is enough for a full-

_ grown animal; as, however, good beef is dear, and not always obtainable,
thequality has to be made up in quantity, and as much as 16 to 18

Rs. 4 in the local market.

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42 A HAND-BOOK OF" THE MANAGEMENT OF .

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pounds may be given. At this rate the feeding of | ach lion
from Rs. 10-8 to Rs. 12 per mensem. For young lions |
quantity is enough, but the amount should be increased proporti
with the creature’s growth. When the necessity for a change
is indicated by the aversion of an animal for its usual food, 2
or fowl or mutton should be substituted for its ordinary diet. Young
animals should have live food given them oftener than the older %
animals. ‘The appetite varies in these as in other creatures. Almost :
every day a small quantity of fresh dood grass should be given; when
chewed and swallowed this acts as an emetic. Ray

Breeding.—Lions have not hitherto bred in this garden, but every
facility is afforded and hopes of eventual success are entertained.

The transport of such a valuable and intractable animal
requires careful preparations. A light and strong cage is the prin-
cipal requisite; one 7 feet long, 5 feet broad, and 4 feet 6 inches
high should be provided for a full-grown lion, or a pair of young
or adolescent animals. It should be made of three quarters of an inch
wrought-iron rods placed at an interval of three inches, and let into a
frame of teak wood scantlings. Inside the rods, the two sides and the
back end of the cage should be lined with half-inch thick teak or jarul ~
planks, closely joined together, as otherwise the animal will be in a
constant state of unrest from various causes of excitement at the
different stages of transit ; a removable shutter should also be provided
for the front of the cage for use when it is very cold or in bad
weather. An iron vessel, say 12 inches long by 9 inches by 4 for
drinking-water should be introduced through a space left below the
bars in front of the cage, and clean water in sufficient quantity given
several times during the day, especially after feeding. If lions are
sent by sea, the best arrangement for feeding them during the voyage
is to send a number of sheep, at the rate of one sheep for two days
for each animal, allowing for fasting every seventh day. A sheep
weighing from 20lbs. to 30lbs. can probably be had for Rs. 3-8 to

The transfer of a lion from its den to a travelling cage and
vice versé is a difficult part of the transport operations. The usual
method is to keep the animal without food for twenty-four hours and
then decoy it into the travelling cage, which is placed with food in it
against the door at the back of the inner den. ‘This plan, however, 4
has been found to fail as often as it succeeds. The animal sometimes a
refuses to move from the corner of the den to which it betakes itself :
or it may show great restlessness for food and walk up and down in
front of the door, but still decline to enter the cave. If there is no
particular reason for haste, the best course is to watch and wait, until
at night the animal advances cautiously to steal away the food and can
then be encaged. But in urgent cases, where the animal exhibits an
unwillingness to move, or to be decoyed, summary means have to be ~
adopted to evict it by fear. It can be frightened by crackers, or a
cold water douche, while the introduction of planks inside the den will
prevent it from lurking in the corners. On one occasion an ingenious
and easy plan was found to succeed with a most refractory animal; __
a broad plank with hideous and nondescript figures painted upon it with __

be : 6 ~~
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IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 43
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chalk and coal tar was introduced into the den—the lion fled before it
through the open door into the cage outside.
‘ TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

<< &

The diseases from which lions have been observed to suffer in this
garden are paralysis, congestion of the lungs, dysentery and diarrhea.

A pair of Indian lions obtained towards the latter end of 1877
became paralysed soon after their arrival. The origin of the malady
was never exactly discovered: perhaps their long confinement in a
small cage and the exposure incidental to a long voyage by sea round
India may have rendered them liable to the attack. When the
symptoms of paralysis first appeared, every precaution was taken to
keep them dry and warm, and, as the animals were young and not at
all intractable, anodynes in the shape of camphor and soap liniments
were freely rubbed over their limbs with the help of a short mop. No
medicine was given internally in the first stage. Live food was given
them every day witha view to give tone to their systems. As the
malady became alarming, strychnia in } grain doses was given morning
and evening, but without effect. In spite, however, of careful treatment
and nursing, their condition gradually became worse, so that to put an
end to their troubles they were shot.

3 In September 1880 a young lioness died from congestion of both
lungs. Early one wet morning the animal was found lying almost
senseless near the door at the back of the inner den, breathing hard and
foaming from the mouth. -Poultices and fomentation were alternately ©
applied on the chest, carbonate of ammonia and chloric ether in vinegar
being internally given every two hours. ‘The animal being exception-
ally tame and the sharp attack of the illness having prostrated it greatly,
there was no difficulty in administering the medicine; all that was
necessary was to slightly lift up its head and pour down the medicine
from a small bamboo pail. At one time some hope of its recovery was
entertained, but towards the end of the night it became worse and
died next morning after having suffered for nearly 24 hours. A
post-mortem exatnination revealed extensive congestion of both the lungs
brought on by asudden draught which had probably entered through the
latticed shutter of the back door. As a precaution against a repetition
of the same disaster, the shutters were all boarded up, and not a single
ease of sudden death from lung disease has taken place since.

Lately a lion died from dysentery. No medicine was given
internally, but the beast was fed on live food, until at last it refused to
take nourishment in any form. The animal lived for about 17 days
without food.

Sometimes wounds and injuries received accidentally or in fighting
give trouble. A young male lion was lately injured in transit by rail
from Jconaghur (in Katty war) to Calcutta, and the severe inflammation
which supervened involved one of the eyes also. As the animal was
not amenable to treatment by hand, all that could be done was to apply
constantly a weak solution of corrosive sublimate (1 in 1,000) with a
garden syringe until the inflammation subsided and the wound
healed up. The wound, however, broke out again owing to the irrita-
tion caused by constant rubbing of the forehead against the iron rods

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44 A HAND-BOOK OE: ite MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS | a

in front, so that to ensure radical cure the animal had to be. kept ‘ chu t y,
up in the inner den while the treatment was continued. Bs

A. LIONESS KILLED BY A TIGER.

On the arrival of a pair of adult lions at the garden they
were placed together; as they began to fight it was considered
dangerous to leave them in the same den. They were, therefore,
temporarily kept apart, the lioness being accommodated in the
front portion of the next lateral compartment of the building, in
the back portion of which a tiger was securely confined; the latter
showed no tendency to be excited. All being satisfactorily arranged |
the jemadar was allowed to absent himself for a short time, leaving
two garden keepers in charge with strict injunctions that no change
should be made during his absence. Shortly afterwards a great
noise was heard in the direction of the carnivora house, and it
was found that the grating door between the two compartments in
which the lhoness and the tiger had been separated was raised, so
that they had come together. ‘The lioness was seen to be dying from
injuries inflicted by the tiger; one of the keepers had fled and has
never reappeared. A visitor who was present at the time said that the
keeper who was missing had volunteered to raise the grating and allow
the animals to meet in order to settle a dispute between the keepers
regarding the age and strength of the lioness.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF LIONS.

Young lions have sometimes been found to be very tame. A male
obtained from Mesopotamia in January 1878 was so good tempered
that it allowed itself to he led about the garden with a collar
and chain; during the day it remained tied up to a pole under the
shade of a tree, and at night slept in a room adjoining that of its
keeper. As, however, the beast was fast growing, it was thought undesir-
able to keep it outside, and it was therefore placed in one of the dens of
the Burdwan House (see pages 40-41). Itremained comparatively tame
until it left the garden in 1887. It appeared to recognize persons, and
evinced pleasure at being caressed and stroked through the bars. ‘The
animal had become much attached to a particular keeper, whose voice
and presence it recognized some four or five years after he had left the
service. A young lioness received from the same place was also very
tame, and continued so till the end of her short life in this garden.
The behaviour of even the tamest lion seems to change, for the moment,
at the sight of cattle or a horse. It becomes inordinately excited, “i
walks with nimble steps, follows the direction taken by the cattle or horse, :
stopping as they stop and moving as they move, rattling the rods of
the grating in its quick and excited movement; now crouching down
and again springing up as if ready to pounce uponsomething, the eyes _
elaring all the while and fixed steadfastly on the object of its attention.

At the approach of feeding time lions generally become excited, and
their excitement and impatience reach a climax when the bucket
containing the food is placed near the den preparatory to distribution; __
they may be seen clawing at the bars, and in their excitement
leaping sideways over one another. Live food, as already mentioned,

7
‘

¥

-

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 45

is sometimes given to these animals, and it has been observed in
this connection that all of them are not equally adept in killing their
prey. ‘The tame lion spoken of before held its prey, a kid or a sheep,
by the loins, causing it much unnecessary pain and suffering, and
otherwise behaved as a most inexperienced beast of prey; whereas
another would kill its victim in skilful style, holding it by the throat,
and showing great ferocity, excitability and quickness in the operation.
Tame lions, which joyfully respond to the attention paid to them,
have been found to become cross and irritable at certain seasons. Lions
are more noisy than tigers, roaring chiefly in the evening, towards the
latter part cf the night and in the morning. Circumstances apparently
trivial sometimes affect an animal in a most extraordinary and
unaccountable way: the old block of wood inside the den of the pair of
full-grown lions having become worn-out and thin, a much larger and
heavier one was substituted ; the lion smelt, examined, and seized it,
remained crouching close to its possession, and growled fiercely at every-
body who attempted to approach the cage, even resenting the near
presence of the female with savage ferocity ; it would not stir from the
place, so that 1t was impossible to clean the cage. For further informa-
tion regarding Lions, Blanford’s Fauna of British India—Mammalia,
and Hlhot’s Monograph of Felide may be consulted.

(48) THE TIGER.
(FELIS TIGRIS—LZinn.)
Hindi—Sher, Bagh. Bengali— Bagh. ie
Tigers are subject to great variations in form and colour. Those
from the Bengal Sunderbuns have generally a darker ground colour
than the denizeus of the hill ranges of Central and Southern India:
the Malayan tigers again are darker even than those from the Sunder-
buns. Some have larger ears with proportionately larger ear spots
(white patches outside each ear) : the size and form of the head also vary
according as the convexity of the forehead and the facial portion is less
or more prominent, and the skull broad or narrow. The females are

_ mmore slender and elongated in form than the males, which are generally

heavier in build.

Hab.—The tiger is only found in Asia, and is distributed through-
out India, Burmah, South-Eastern Asia, Java and Sumatra; and also
throughout China. In Central Asia it is found in the valley of the
Amur, the Altai mountains, around Lob Nor in Eastern Turkestan,
and on the southern shores of the Caspian. In India it is not confined
to the plains only, but is found in the Himalayas, though probably not
at a higher altitude than 7,000 feet. Tigers have been received in this |
garden from the following places :—The Sunderbuns, Dacca, Mymen-
singh, Tipperah, Rungpore, Malda, Hazaribagh, Ranchi, Sonthal
Pergunnahs, Gya, Durbhunga, Dumraon, Mirzapore, Allahabad, Bijnour
(North-Western Provinces), Travancore (Southern India), Ganjam
(Madras), Sumatra, Malacca.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The longest period during which a tiger has lived in this garden
has been fourteen years. Oue of a pair of man-eating tigers obtained
in 1878 is still alive, and, though old, is in excellent health.

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TREATMENT IN HEALTH. peren ee
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Housing.—As all the larger carnivorous animals are kept in
separate lateral compartments of the same house, the remarks which
have been made with regard to the housing of a lion apply generally —
toa tiger also, with such modifications of detail as individual cases
may require. Newly captured beasts, for instance, give trouble by
refusing to come out during the day, and thereby render it impossible
to clean their dens at the appointed hours. ‘This difficulty may be
overcome by shutting out the beast at night, when it quietly issues
forth from the inner chamber to take the food left in the outer den.
_ If the animal is only shy, but not ferocious, it should be kept out
for a day or two or till such time as it becomes absolutely necessary
“i to clean the place. The case is, however, otherwise with ill-tempered
and savage beasts. If kept out during the day, they have been known
to dash against the bars of the cage with such violence as to mark and —
injure their foreheads.
Food.—In respect to feeding also the tiger should be treated like
a lion, allowance being, of course, made for any individual taste
and idiosyncracy. The garden possessed at one time a tigress which
had an insurmountable objection to eating beef. This was attributed to
its early habits and dieting on goats’ meat. All the larger carnivorous
animals are fed once a day, namely, between 5-30 and 6 p.m. during
the summer, and between 4 and 4-30 p.m. in the winter. Growing —
animals or those that are out of condition are fed twice. Once a week
they are either starved or kept on half diet, and experience has shown
that this system is beneficial to their health. They sometimes volun-
tarily abstain from food for three or four days without suffering in the
least. On such occasions, as has been already remarked, some change
should be made in their diet to sharpen their appetites. Having
- finished their meal, the carnivora drink the water which is always kept
in their inner chambers. It is necessary to be very particular in
providing good and sufficient water, as they drink much and often.
Flowers of sulphur are occasionally given them either in their food or
in their water. Sometimes a small Jump of it is kept in their drinking
vessel. Sulphur acts asa tonic for almost all animals in captivity.

It is necessary to mention here that the buckets used for distribut-
ing the food to these animals and the trays used for conveying the
meat from the slaughter-house should be washed every day with soap
and water, as otherwise they become not only dirty, but offensive to

. Breeding.—Tigers have several times bred in the garden. ‘The

2

that between the second and third an hour and a half. No prepara
: tions had been made, and even the obvious measure of removing the

fe oe

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER AL, 47
¥

in front and behind, and durmah acy were put up against the
iron gratings in front. ‘To avoid giving her any cause of annoyance,
the cleaning of the cage, however necessary, was held in abeyance for
some time, only the remnants of food and sweepings were occasionally
removed with care from outside. ,
In about three weeks the young creatures began to move about
freely, rendering it necessary, the durmah screen having been already
removed, to enclose the front of the cage up to a certain height with

wire so as to prevent their tumbling out through the bars. ‘he third.

cub, which had been in a weak state of health since its birth, died at a
month old. The two survivors throve well under careful management.
When about four months old they were separated from their mother
and from that time were fed chiefly on live food for about three
months more. ‘To this judicious feeding was mainly due the healthy
condition to which they attained.

Two cubs born to a young tigress in May 1886 unfortunately
survived only six days. In April 1889 the same tigress gave birth
to two cubs, which have enjoyed excellent health. The cubs were
allowed to remain with their mother longer than those born in 1880,
It was interesting to observe the behaviour of the tigress towards her
offspring at the different stages of their growth. When the cubs were
three months old the mother showed great solicitude in watching
their infantile efforts at eating the small quantities of fresh mutton
given them as food, but her behaviour towards them soon altered, so

that, when they were five or six months old, she invariably quarrelled —

with them at feeding time, until it became necessary to separate them

permanently. ‘This tigress being an extremely nervous animal, the

durmah screen had to be kept up for about five months. The period
of gestation in this case was 106 days.

Transport._-The observations recorded with reference to the
transport of lions apply to tigers as well. On several occasions a
splendid tiger has reached the garden in a maimed condition, either
having broken a tooth or received wounds on its body. This is liable
to occur when the construction of the cage is defective. In examining
the cause of the loss of a canine tooth of a large tiger it was found that
the hoop iron bands with which the battened cage was bound inside
were torn to pieces, and the broken tooth was fixed like a wedge between
one of the corner posts and a piece of iron band still attached to it by
a large projecting nail. Such a case shows how essential it is, before
sending an animal on its journey, to see that the cage is free from nails or
projections which may endanger life or limb; the better plan, however,
is to send one of the travelling cages for the conveyance of the beast.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Tigers have been observed to become subject to rheumatism, fatty
degeneration, intestinal worms, tumours, growth of nail into the flesh
of the pad, epilepsy, and other complicated diseases.

= eumatism is probably brought on by the animals constantly
lying on the cemented floor of the den ; their liability to this complaint
has, however, been reduced to a minimum by the simple plan of giving
each animal a platform to sleep upon. It is, of course, impossible to

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compel an animal to make use of the platform when provided, and >

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48 A HAND-BOOK oe ‘MAN.

there have been refractory and stupid animals which would persi
lying on the floor. . "

‘ Adiposity has sometimes proved fatal. A neatly full-grown male

having died rather suddenly in October 1885, a post-mortem examination —

was held, which showed that almost all the viscera of the animal were _

embedded in masses of fat. This was no doubt caused by rer eee ae

and want of exercise. an

A nail sometimes grows into the flesh of the pad, which festers,

unless it is cut and removed in time. This happened to an old man-
eating tiger, rendering the animal lame and miserable for some time.
To facilitate the operation of cutting the nails a special cage was built
with a proper device of a moveable frame inside the cage, for securing
the animal within a small space: the operation was then performed and
tne wound dressed. In about ten days the animal was completely
cured. The best way, however, to prevent claws from growing in is to
put a log of wood in each cage so that the animal may scratch it when-
ever it hikes.

Worms sometimes prove very troublesome to these beasts. When
they are noticed or suspected a dose or two of santonine (grs.4 to 5 in
each) will be effective. ‘I'he easiest method of administering santonine
is to mix it with double or treble the weight of flowersof sulphur, and .
give it concealed in a small piece of meat when theanimalis hungry.
It is better to do so on a fasting day, as the animal should have no
food for about twelve hours before and after the santonine is given.
A small lump of black salt may be left inside the den, and if the
animal licks it the action of santonine is hastened.

Tigers have sometimes been observed to suffer from tumours or
swellings at the joints, but the nature of these growths has never been
ascertained.

The following report of an autopsy performed upon the body of a
tigress which died in November 1878 from the effect of some lingering.
illness (of which no accurate diagnosis could be made) shows that
these animals in captivity sometimes die of complicated diseases :—
“‘ Heart and lungs healthy, liver slightly congested, gall bladder full
of bile, and hepatic duct obstructed towards its termination. In the
intestines there was a constriction about three inches above the rectum,
and about an inch and «4 half above it, the mucous lining presented a
thickened appearance. On opening this, small pieces of bone were found
in different stages of disintegration impacted in an ulcerated surface.
The kidneys were abnormally large, the cortex peeling off on being
touched ; on opening them longitudinally patches of hardened granular
deposits were found all over the surface. Right ureter about three and
a quarter inches below the kidney was also full of the deposit.” 4

An adolescent tigress has lately become subject to a kind of fits, 2
which come on every second or third day, sometimes oftener: for the
moment its limbs become paralysed and the whole body convulsed.
‘The nature of the disease has not been determined. (‘This animal having |
since died, an autopsy was held and its stomach and nies were
found to be full of small round worms. )

Several cases of severe wounds have occurred among the tigers in t is =
garden, but almost all of them have recovered under careful treatment.
‘The general principle observed in the treatment of their wounds —

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IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 49
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and injuries is to prevent their getting fly-blown, and with this object
a weak solution of corrosive sublimate (1 in 1,000 or 1,500) is con-
stantly applied by a garden syringe. Where the patient is tame or
young it is taken out and kept in a cage, and the wound dressed several
times during the day, so long as granulation does not set in.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF TIGERs.

Tigers differ in temper and habits as much as they do in their
external appearance. Some are comparatively good-tempered, others
cross and sulky. Those brought up in captivity are generally milder
in disposition, and are sometimes tame enough to allow the keepers
and others to handle: them, but their temper can never be absolutely
trusted. It is a marked peculiarity of tigers that even the tamest
become savage at feeding time. An instance, on the other hand, is
known of a tigress dropping the food which it had in its mouth
and hastening to receive the caresses and attentions to which it was
accustomed almost every morning. As specimens for exhibition in a
menagerie, tigers which are not shy and do not object to visitors stand-
ing near the cage are always more valuable than newly-caught beasts,
which being wild and timid can seldom be seen to advantage. They

either pass their days in the inner den, or, if shut out, le motion-
“less in one corner of the den, or remain in a chronic state of fury and
alarm. Some take a long time to become accustomed to their altered
situation, others soon become reconciled to their new surroundings.
Some tigers have been found to be in a very nervous state on arrival,
and remain so for a long time; others never become habituated to
captivity at all. One of two tigresses from Ranchi simply starved
herself to death, although everything possible was tried to induce her
to eat and take to her new home. Her companion, who was equally
alarmed at first, and for whose life also very slender hopes were enter-
tained, at last yielded to the temptation which live kid and fowl daily
offered. Apparently trivial cases sometimes frighten an otherwise
tame tiger. <A perfectly tame young tiger was living in the garden
some time ago; the animal having been in the habit of lying on the
wet floor of the outer den every morning, it was decided to place a
wooden platform there, in addition to the one already provided in
the inner chamber. Although there was nothing peculiar about the
new platform, which had been made in the same style asthe one it
was accustomed to sleep upon every night, the sight of it appeared to
frighten the poor animal out of its senses: it became terribly alarmed
and jumped about the cage in great excitement, till at last it rushed
with tremendous force into the inner compartment, from which it did not
emerge for several days. When the platform was removed the animal
became quiet again. Even the most ferocious tigers are great cowards,
so that they soon begin to dread the cane and recognise its authority.
Tigers often fight each other through the bars which separate
their outer dens. Serious consequences having sometimes resulted from
some of these quarrels, the grated partitions were at first boarded
up to about 3 feet 6 inches from the floor. This was, however,
insufficient to check their pugnacious propensities effectually. Being
‘determined to fight, they would manage it either by standing on their
hind legs or sometimes by suddenly jumping up against the gratings
D

- Burdwan House had not then been finished, and it transpired that the

and clawing each other through the upper bars, the narrow ledge
formed by the cross flat bars giving them a temporary support. It
was therefore found necessary to complete the boarding almost tothe —__
top of the cage. ‘Tigers are less noisy than lions. Their call, whichis

a deep prolonged growl, is generally heard in the evening. a

Anecdote.

The escape of two tigers is worthy of mention. On the 28rd
January 1877, two tigers escaped at about 6 p.m. from the Burdwan
House while some of the officers connected with the garden were stand-
ing in front of one of the dens. ‘The keepers, who were on the roof of
the house engaged in raising the gratings to let the animals into their —
inner dens, first noticed the escape. ‘The officers rushed to the opposite
end of the building to verify the fact, and having ascertained its truth
beat a rapid retreat towards the nearest bird-house, and thence towards
the entrance gate, discussing the steps to be taken for keeping the animals
within the garden enclosure during the night and securing them, if pos-
sible, in the morning. It was decided to keep the roadside lamps of the
garden burning and to maintain perfect silence inside the garden, so as
not to disturb or terrify the beasts. ‘The news of the escape soon spread
in the neighbourhood ; the shops were closed and the bazars presented
an unusually deserted appearance early that night. Meanwhile at
the request of the Commissioner of Police, to whom a report had been
conveyed, a company of sepoys of the regiment stationed in the imme-
diate neighbourhood was turned out to form a cordon round the garden,
with orders to continue shouting and yelling the whole night. This plan
succeeded admirably. The tigers remained inside the garden and
abstained, while at large, from killing or molesting a single animal,
although they had ample opportunity of doing so. This unexpected
moderation on their part may be ascribed to their freedom from hunger,
as they had been fed immediately before the escape, or more probably
to their astonishment and alarm at the novelty of their situation. In
their rambles one of the tigers twice passed quite close to the Superin-
tendent of the garden, who was seated in the small ticket office made
of durmah mats only—there was no entrance-lodge then—to keep
himself informed of the movements of the beasts, with the help of the
two keepers watching them from the top of the Burdwan House. It
was a clear moon-lit night, and the trees and shrubs in the garden were
then still small. About midnight both the tigers retired inside
the walled enclosure (to the west of the Burdwan House) which was
at that time unoccupied. Hopes were then entertained of securing
them in the morning, and, everything considered, the position of the
house at one corner of the enclosure with sliding doors, the height
of the wall (7 feet as it was then) and the nature of the beasts, there
would have been a good chance of capturing them. The Commis-
sioner of Police, however, decided in the interests of the public safety
to run no further risks, marshalled his forces on the roof of the Burd-
wan house at 5 a.m., and at the third volley the beasts fell. This is
the only tiger-shooting on record so near to Calcutta. , a

Enquiry was, of course, made as to the cause of the escape. The A

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 51

masons, who had been engaged in the inner dens that day had, when
they stopped work in the evening, left the back doors of two of the
inner compartments open. The keepers who were then inexperienced
and untaught did not notice the open doors as they ascended to the
roof, so that on reaching the top they raised the gratings as usual to
allow the tigers to retire into their sleeping dens, and the tigers had
nothing to do but to walk straight out of the cages by the back way.

(49) THE LEOPARD.

(FELIS PARDUS—Zinz.)

Hindi—Kendwa Bagh. Bengali—Chita Bagh.

The leopard is well known in Lower Bengal. Its size is variable,
some specimens being as large as 8 feet from the tip of the nose to
the end of the tail; another animal of the same age, however, may
measure much less. The height at the shoulder also varies from 1 foot
6 inches to 2 feet. Three varieties of leopards have been received
in the garden. The largest in size has a comparatively short tail, and
clearly marked spots on a pale ground colour; it has a broad head,
and in many specimens the fold of skin at the throat presents the
appearance of a dewlap. ‘The smaller variety has a comparatively
long tail, and a decidedly rounded head ; its limbs are short, approach-
ing, in this respect, to the jaguar’s, but wanting the robustness of the
latter. The third is from Africa, and has an albescent ground colour;
the spots are also very clearly defined. ‘T'o these may be added the
black variety of leopard, of which the spots are distinctly visible
through the black ground colour which is deep in some specimens and
light in others. The young leopards are of a dirty brown colour and
the spots are not well marked ; this is partly due to the fur being very
rough in the young ones.

_ Hab.—India generally, Malayan peninsula, Java, Sumatra, Burmah,
Northern China, Persia, Africa generally. Leopards have been re-
ceived in the garden from the following places: Dacca, Mymensingh,
Tipperah, Barisal, Jessore, Buxa Dooars, Julpigori, Kuch Behar,
Assam, Rungpore, Dinagepore, Rajshahye, Nuddea, Moorshedabad,
Malda, Purneah, Bhagulpore, Beerbhoom, Sonthal Pergunnahs, Midna-
pore, Orissa, several districts of Behar, Rajputana, Oudh, North-
‘Western Provinces, and East Africa.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The maximum period of life of a leopard in this garden has
been fourteen years. An adolescent leopard obtained in 1876 died in
April 1890. Those that once overcome the nervousness due to the
new surroundings amidst which they find themselves on arrival
generally do well.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—As a rule all the adult leopards are kept in one or other
of the double-chambered dens of the Burdwan House, and are treated
in the same manner as the lions and tigers. Half a dozen of them

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52 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

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generally live together in one set of dens, the black leopards
always lodged separate from the others. New arrivals, when |
young, are mostly accommodated in small cages and kept inside the —
hospital or some other suitable place. ; ae
Too much care cannot be bestowed in securing them in their
prison, as they have a wonderful capacity for escaping through small
spaces and climbing to incredible heights to find means of exit. he
rods of the iron gratings of their dens ought not to be more than
three inches apart anywhere, either in the front, or sides, or the top. _
As leopards are, when at liberty, in the habit of climbing trees, stout _
ramified trunks have been placed in their outer dens, and the animals +
have been constantly observed extended at full length along a branch, ‘
or curled up in a fork. ot oo
Food.—Six pounds of beef, including bones, suffice for the daily
food of an adult leopard, and at this rate an animal’s food costs
about Rs. 6-12 per month. But the appetite of individual animals
varies, so that it is impossible to lay down a hard-and-fast rule in this
respect. ‘There have been leopards which would eat as much as 8
pounds. Leopards, with the rest of the animals in the same house, are
fed in the evening at the hour indicated on page 46. As more than one
pair generally live together in the same set of dens, some of them are
shut into the inner, and others left out in the outer den during feeding-
time to prevent their quarrelling over the food. Leopards do not
appear to drink as much and as often as tigers. Pariah dogs were, —
_at one time, tried as food for the leopards, but though, in their wild
state, they are accustomed to kill dogs for food, the same diet did not
appear to agree with them in captivity ; so that the idea of feeding
them on dog’s flesh had to be abandoned. Those that are sent tothe
garden after having been kept as pets have to be fed upon boiled meat,
at least for some time after their arrival. Hither they altogether
refuse to eat raw meat or it disagrees with them. aA
Transport.—All that has been said with regard to the transport —_
of a lion or tiger applies to a leopard also. As, however, the leopard is
a much smaller animal, the travelling cage should be proportionately
diminished. Greater precautions are necessary in transferring a leopard
from its den to the travelling cage. Whoever superintends the oper-
ation should satisfy himself that the cage is firmly placed against
the door of the den, and that there are no spaces whatever between the
cage and the door so as to allow the beast to escape into the open ; it is
incredible, as intimated above, through how small a space and how |
stealthily a leopard can manage to escape. If (as for instance, at the
Calcutta garden, when the sliding wooden protector, which is outside
the grated door of the den, is raised) a space is left between the cage
and the wall of the den, this should be closed in also, because the
leopard on stepping out from the den (or the travelling cage, asthe
case may be), generally looks up and, if it finds an open space above, —
is sure to climb up with a view to escaping. Leopards are sometimes
sent from the interior of the country in bamboo or old ricketty cages.
This is a specially dangerous method of transport, as the cage 1s
subjected to much jolting and oscillation in the course of transit. —
When, therefore, the offer of an animal is accepted, enquiry should be ~

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IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. A3

made as to the suitableness of the travelling cage, and if it turns out to
be unsatisfactory, a proper one should be sent for the purpose.

Breeding.—Leopards have bred in the garden; the principal
hindrance, however, to their breeding more freely than hitherto is the
want of room to keep them in pairs. Cubs have been known to be killed
and eaten by other leopards living in the same den. They have,
however, been successfully reared by carefully separating them with
the mother at, or soon after, birth.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

They are subject to all the diseases from which lions and tigers
suffer in captivity, and are amenable to the same treatment. As a
number of them live together in the same den, and as they are rather
quarrelsome animals, wounds and injuries are often met with among
them. :

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF Leroparps.

The agility of the leopard is remarkable, and in general it is
a more active animal than either a tiger or a lion; at the same time it
is bolder and decidedly more pugnacious, especially the black variety.
If taken young and fed upon boiled meat and milk it remains very
tame up to a certain age, but its temper can never be absolutely
trusted. Leopards are fond of climbing trees and basking on the
branches in the sun. Sometimes, though rarely, a leopard has been
observed to make immense bounds. A black leopard once made an
attempt to escape through the bars of the roof of its outer den, which
is over 18 feet high; to this height the animal attained partly by
jumping and partly by climbing up the grated partition. Some of
the leopards, especially in the early days of their incarceration, hide
themselves in the small square masonry tank in their outer dens or
under the wooden platforms in the inner. The leopard is not a noisy
animal ; it sometimes calls at, night.

(50) THE OUNCE OR SNOW-LEOPARD.

(FELIS UNCIA—Schreb.)

Description.—Smaller than a leopard. Head and body about
4 feet 4 inches, tail 3 feet, height about 2 feet. It has dense woolly
fur, the ground-colour is pale whitish grey, sometimes with a yellowish
tinge; white below. There is a median dark band from near the
middle of the back to the root of the tail; the rest of the body spotted.
Ears black, each with a large yellowish spot.

Hab.—The ounce is found throughout the Himalayas at high
elevations, and is more common on the Thibetan side of the Snowy
range, where it is met with in the Upper Indus and Sutlej valleys. It
is fairly common in Gilgit. Young snow-leopards are sometimes
captured near Almora and sent down to the plains for sale.

A snow-leopard has never been obtained for exhibition in this
garden. <A specimen was brought down from Almora for transmission
to the Zoological Society’s Garden, London, but it died from heat

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—~O4 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS ©

apoplexy within a week after its arrival. It may be remarked int is
connection that the best time to bring them down is during the height

of the cold weather in the plains, and even then it is necessary to be :
extremely careful. Its transport ought to be so arranged that it may

be despatched to England as soon after its arrival in the plains as
possible. ay -

(51) THE CLOUDED-LEOPARD.

(FELIS NEBULOSA—Grifith.)

3
q
Description.—Size of a small leopard; the characteristic features 4
of this animal are its colour and the markings of the body, the former
varies from earthy brown to light yellowish brown ; the lower paris
of the*body and the inner side of the limbs whitish ; the markings of
the body are very irregular, the head and limbs being spotted, and the
sides divided into irregularly-shaped elongated patches by narrow pale 7
coloured bands ; tail ringed with (ets marks. Irregular black marks
across the throat.

Hab.—South- Eastern Hisvalh yas, Sikhim, Bhutan, at moderate
elevations, Assam hills, hilly parts of Burmah, Siam, the Malay
peninsula, Sumatra, Java and Borneo.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen obtained in 1887 lived for about two years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—As the animal is essentially arboreal in its habits, it
ought to have branches of trees in its cage, and there ought to be
a box for retirement. Like the lynx and caracal, it requires to be
kept apart from the other smaller carnivorous animals, as it evidently
dislikes the smell which is unavoidably perceptible in a structure
occupied by a large number of smaller carnivora.

Food.—Beet has been found to disagree with this animal. It
thrives best on fowls, pigeons, and rabbits given alive, but this kind of
feeding is necessarily expensive. Mutton agrees with it better than
beef, but it is expensive also. No clouded-leopard has ever bred in
this garden. “i

Transport.—A. box, 4 feet long, 3 feet broad,and 2 feet 6 inches |
high, made of planks on three sides and iron bars about 2 inches
apart in front, will do for transporting a clouded leopard. q

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

The diseases from which these animals have been observed to
suffer are twmour on the head and dysentery.

A young animal obtained in 1880 suffered from a tumour on its
head, which rendered it partially blind. The tumour was opened and
its contents— a quantity of straw-coloured fluid—let out, but after Wes 4
time it formed again and ultimately the animal died from its effects,

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 55

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A CLOUDED-LEOPARD.

The specimen obtained in 1880 was very tame; it used to purr
like a cat when stroked and caressed. Its chief delight, however, was
to ascend a tree, and remain hidden away amongst the foliage. The
specimen which was obtained in 1887 never became thoroughly re-
conciled to its new home; it disliked being looked at by visitors, and
to show its resentment occasionally struck the rods with some violence.

(52) THE MARBLED CAT.
(FELIS MARMORATA—WMartin.)

Description.—It resembles a clouded-leopard in its markings, but
is much smaller, the length of the head and body being 18 to 22
inches, and that of the tail 14 to 153 inches. The tail is not ringed
like that of the clouded-leopard, but spotted on its upper surface. It
is an extremely beautiful animal.

Hab.—Sikhim, Eastern Himalayas, hilly ranges of Assam,
Burmah, and the Malay countries, Sumatra and Java.

A specimen lived for about six weeks in the garden. This parti-
cular specimen was accustomed to feed on a live chicken every night,
and was extremely pugnacious in temper. :

(53) THE GOLDEN.-CAT.

(FELIS TEMMINCKI—Vig. & Horsf.)

Description.—Its form is elongated. The length of head and body
_ about 31 inches, tail about 19 inches, height at the shoulder about 17
inches ; colour of the back dark chestnut; sides pale ferruginous ;
whitish below. There are some irregular spots on the breast, a white
or buff-coloured stripe runs from below the eye to behind the gape; a
whitish band inside each eye. Lars black or brownish black outside.
The colour of some of these creatures is dark brown instead of chest-
nut.

Hab.—South-Eastern Himalayas, Tenasserim, Sumatra, and Borneo.
Both the specimens that lived in this garden were obtained from
Tipperah. 7

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The maximum period during which a golden-cat has lived in this
garden has been five years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

With respect to housing, feeding and transport, it may be treated
in the same way as a clouded-leopard.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Both the specimens exhibited in the garden died somewhat
suddenly, and no post-mortem examination was held, so nothing can be
recorded under this head.

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_ A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMAIS

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS. \

Both the specimens that lived in this garden were unsuspicious in
their movements, never resenting the approach of visitors near thei a
~~ eages. Both appeared to be more active than other cats during the
; day. One of them had a habit of hiding its food under the straw _
bedding and eating it at night. a

(54) THE FISHING-CAT.

(FELIS VIVERRINA—Bennett.)
Hindi—Baraun, Ban Bilai. Bengali—Ban Bidal.
Description.—Larger than a domestic cat. Head and body about
30 inches, tail about 11, height at the shoulders from 12 to 15 inches.
Colour of the upper part of the body dark or earthy grey, lighter or
almost whitish below. Body and limbs covered with spots of varied
size and distinctness. Five to six, sometimes eight, black lines on the
head run backwards to the nape, and on reaching the shoulder are
broken up and continue as dotted lines to the lower back. There are
two horizontal cheek bands, one from behind and another from below
the eye; there are also some cross bands on the throat. In some
specimens the limbs are spotted and in others marked with spotted 4
lines. ‘Tail ringed above, the tip of the tail black, penultimate portion é
whitish. |
Hab.—Indian and Indo-Chinese subregions of the Oriental region.
Bengal, probably Orissa, and the Indo-Gangetic plain generally, extend-
ing as far as Sindh. Malabar coast, from Mangalore to Cape Comorin, —
Ceylon. Along the base of the Himalayas, as far as Nepal ; through-
out Burmah, Southern China, and the Malayan peninsula. Said to
exist in Formosa. é
Fishing-cats have been received in this garden from the follow-
ing places:—Caleutta, 24-Pergunnahs, Nuddea, Jessore, Rungpore,
Purneah, Malda, Rajshahye, Assam, Chittagong, Midnapore. |

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. | 4

The maximum period during which a fishing-cat has lived in the
garden has been ten years and a few months, Dat

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—Fishing-cats, together with other smaller carnivorous
animals, are kept in the Kuch Behar House. It isa lofty, spacious and
open bungalow, giving shelter from sunand rain to a double row of
cages, which are raised on iron supports three feet above the floor of the
house ; the central passage separating the two lines of cages is used by
the keeper for the purpose of cleaning and feeding, while the deep
verandah outside affords shelter to visitors. Each row of cages is _
divided into eight compartments, communicating with each other
by sliding doors. The compartments are each 8 feet long, 5 feet
broad, and 4 feet high, and are built of stout wire netting fastened _
toastrong iron frame. To protect the animals from cold and draughts, _

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IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 5

light plank screens are hung up outside the cages, which may be let
down when occasion arises; inside each cage is a box, open on one side,
wherein the creatures can retire. Thorough and effective cleaning is
necessary to keep down the smell arising from the presence of so many
odoriferous animals in one place, and for this purpose one of the
compartments of each row is generally kept empty, so that, during the
time of cleaning and washing the cages in the morning, the animal
in the adjoining cage may be driven into it and the cage thus
emptied washed and cleaned, the same process being repeated until the
last one is finished. Although this arrangement involves some waste
of space, it ensures more thorough cleanliness than could be achieved
with the presence of the animal in the cage, and saves it from exposure
to wet which it naturally dislikes, especially during the cold weather.
Moreover, it is not always safe to allow a keeper, and more particularly
if he isnew to the work, to enter the animals’ cages, as their temper
can never be perfectly trusted. 7

The smell emanating from these animals cannot, however,
be altogether removed by the most assiduous efforts. Newly captured
and young cats should not be placed on arrivalin a building with others,
but kept in a retired place unfrequented by visitors, until they recover
from their nervousness and cease to fret on the approach of the keeper.
These cats sometimes fight with other animals through the wire-netted
partitions of their cages; it may be necessary to add planks to the
netting, but this should be avoided as much as possible, as being an
obstruction to ventilation. During the cold weather a thick layer of.
straw is, in addition to the bedding, laid on the roof of each row of
cages to keep them warm. Once every week the sleeping boxes are
taken out and allowed to soak in the water for an hour or two and
then washed with soap. Dry earth is sometimes used with success as a
disinfectant during the winter and summer, but altogether discontinued
in the rains.

Food.— Beef and fish constitute their principal food in captivity.
An adult cat should get about one pound of beef and about half a
pound of fish every evening. ‘The cost of feeding a full-grown cat
is about Rs. 4 per mensem. Doob grass, sulphur, and salt should
be given them in the same way as to the lions and tigers. Like all
other animals, these cats require change of diet, so that chickens, pigeons,
and (rarely) rabbits are sometimes given them. Young specimens are
fed on milk, boiled meat, &c., several times during the day. Some of
the adult animals have been observed to relish land and fresh-water
snails.
Breeding.— Fishing-cats once bred in the garden, but unfortunate-
ly both the young ones were devoured by the male parent. fier

Transport.—A. box 3 feet long, 2 feet 6 inches broad, and
2 feet or 18 inches high, made of deal planks on three sides
and 4 inch iron rods in front, will suit for the conveyance of a couple
of these cats. Such as are still wild, having only been recently caught,
rarely survive a journey by rail or sea. Care should, therefore, be
taken to send only those that have lived for some time in captivity and
become accustomed to the presence of men. Fish diet is not absolutely
necessary for them, so that it can be dispensed with in transport.

Se A i
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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

3 TREATMENT IN SICKNESS. i: ee

Diarrhea and dysentery are the principal diseases from witch em
these animals have been observed to suffer. The treatment adopted is
chiefly dietetic; sometimes the animals themselves abstain from food. _
A. live chicken or a pigeon checks diarrhea in mild cases. ae

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A FISHING-CaT.

Some of these animals have been found to be savage and bold, —
others good tempered, though not tame. They generally snarl and
spit on their cages being approached or retire inside their sleeping box.
None of these cats have ever been noticed to purr. In their movements
they are not so agile as some of the other wild cats. They mostly
sleep during the day, but become active towards the evening.

“nd Lig: pic aca eget a

(55) THE LEOPARD CAT.
(FELIS BENGALENSIS—er,r.)

Description —This beautiful cat varies a good deal in size and
shades of colour. A full-grown animal measures, head and body, from
24 to 26 inches, tail about 11 inches. Ground colour above pale yellow
in some, rufous grey in others, below white or whitish. Four black :
lines run backwards from the head, and being broken up at the nape
continue down to the back as dotted lines; the cheek bands meet the 9
line crossing the throat. Black spots on the sides of the shoulders and :
body. Spots of the limbs smaller. The spots of the body have gene-
rally a linear arrangement. The arrangement of spots varies also in
different specimens.

Hab.—Himalayas as far west as Simla; Lower Bengal, Assam, the
Burmese and the Malayan countries. Southern China, Sumatra, Java,
Borneo, and the Philippines. The Syhadri Range or Western Ghats
of India, Coorg, Wynaad, Travancore, Vizagapatam. |

Leopard cats have been obtained from Assam, Darjeeling, Penang,
Dacca, Rungpore, the Sunderbuns, Sumatra, &c.

= ee ee ee

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

None have lived more than four years in this garden.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—The Kuch Behar House (see page 56) in which these
animals are kept does not appear to suit them.

Food.—Beef, their principal food here, does not seem to agree
with them. Sparrows and other small birds are occasionally given,
and are much relished. ‘

Transport.—A. cage about the size of that recommended for the
Fishing-cat, and of similar construction, will do for the transport of
a pair of these cats. Both the Fishing and the Leopard cats are in
the habit of striking at the bars of the cage. It is, therefore, much
better to have the roof of the cage made of rods instead of the front.

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. D9

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

The remarks made with regard to the Fishing-cats apply to these
also.

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.

Of the several specimens exhibited, none have ever been found to
* be tame. They invariably remain in their sleeping box during the

day, becoming livelier towards the evening. Very shy and suspicious.
More active and lighter than the Fishing-cat.

(56) THE RUSTY SPOTTED CAT.
(FELIS RUBIGINOSA—Zs. Geoffr.)

Description.—The size of this small cat is less than that of an ordi-
nary domestic cat. Head and body about 16 to 18 inches, tail about 9.
“General colour pale yellowish brown, covered sparsely with reddish
spots. The usual stripes over the head and down the back of the neck
dark brown, sometimes extending the length of the back, or broken into
oblong spots towards the hind quarters. Line between the nose and
the eye, lips, throat, breast and entire underparts pure white, faintly
barred upon the breast with rufous, inner side of front legs crossed with
two bars of blackish brown; belly spotted with the same, and inner side
of hind legs crossed with two bars of dark rufous brown. ‘Two lines of
red cross the cheeks, one starting from behind the eye, the other just
below, and extending beneath the ear. ‘Tail, slender, rather long, same
colour as the back, unspotted. Back of ears black, with a rufous spot
in the centre. Paws and the lower parts of the legs yellowish.” —Eiiiot.

In the specimen exhibited here the lines crossing the cheeks were
rusty brown in colour.

Hab.—Southern India and Ceylon.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen lived for about eighteen months.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

With regard to housing, feeding and transport, it may be treated like
a Leopard cat. ,
OBSERVATIONS ON ITS HABITS.
The specimen exhibited was very shy and retiring, remained

crouched on a shelf in one corner of the cage and never came down
during the day. It was very light and nimble in its movements.

(57) THE JUNGLE CAT.
(FELIS CHAUS—Gild.)
Bengali— Khdtas.

Description.—Slender in build. _ Size, head and body about 22
inches, tail about 11; height at the shoulder 15 to 16 inches. In some

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

specimens the ears have’a few long hairs, but not forming a -
Colour of the body varies from dark brownish grey to yellowish ; li
and flanks are generally lighter coloured than the back. Transver
bands are sometimes visible on the limbs. Tail ringed with black
towards the end, tip black. In some specimens the markings are con-
spicuous, in others absent. ae Si
Hab.—Common all over India, ascending the Himalayas to 7,000 to
8,000 feet. Burmah, Ceylon, North-Western Asia, and Northern Africa. —

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Although living in a wild state, probably within half a mile of the
garden, it does not appear to thrive well here. The longest period
during which one lived in the garden has been only a little over five
years. .

TREATMENT IN HEALTH AND SICKNESS, AND TRANSPORT.

In all these respects it may be treated in the same way as a
Fishing-cat.

OBSERVATIONS ON ITS HABITS.

In its habits it closely resembles the Fishing-cat; those exhi-
bited were however found to be less addicted to spitting and snarling
than the Fishing-cats.

(58) THE CARACAL.

(FELIS CARACAL—Gi/d.)
Hindi—Siah-gosh.

Description.—Slender in form, with long limbs. An adult animal
measures, head and body, 26 to 30 inches, tail about 9 inches. General
colour reddish brown, without spots, below white. Back and tip of ears
black. Its principal features are the long pointed tufts of the ears.
Lynxes from different localities vary in colour, some being dark, others
lighter ; faint markings are sometimes visible.

Hab.-—Punjab, Sindh, North-Western and Central India. Outside
India it occurs in Mesopotamia, and perhaps in the highlands of
Persia, in Arabia and throughout a large part of Africa (Blanford).

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The damp moist climate of Lower Bengal does not agree with
this animal, so that of the number of specimens exhibited none has
lived more than three years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—The specimens exhibited were mostly kept in the Kuch
Behar House (see page 56). Although the want of success in keeping
caracals does not appear to be due to any defects in the habitation, it _
_is in contemplation to try the experiment of keeping them in isolated _
cages, . : | a

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IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 61

Food.—A caracal should be fed on live fowls, pigeons, rabbits, Sc. ;
beef should be avoided as much as possible.
Transport.—May be treated like any other large cat.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Diarrhea and dysentery are the principal diseases from which
these animals have been observed to suffer. ‘They rarely recover.

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABIT'S.

Some specimens have been found to be tame enough to allow them-
selves to be stroked, but most of them snarl and spit on the approach
of men. They are in the habit of constantly pacing their cages, whether
tame or wild. Unlike many other cats, a caracal does not appear to
become lively towards evening; in fact they have on several occasions
been observed to sleep at night while other cats were awake and lively.

(59) THE LYNX.

(FELIS LYNX—Zinn.)

Description.—A. very heavily built cat. Head and body about
33 inches, tail about 7; height at the shoulder about 18. The tufts
of hair at the end of each ear are long, pointed and black. A ruff
is formed by the long hair of the hinder part of the cheeks. Fur
soft and woolly. Limbs powerful and paws massive. The colour of
the animal varies from isabelline grey to rufous fawn: the flanks and
limbs are marked with faint brown spots. In the specimen which
lived in the garden the summer coat was short and smooth, and the
ruff and the ear tufts were not conspicuous; during the winter the coat
changed considerably, the hair becoming longer, softer and very dense
and paler in colour ; the ruff and the ear tufts were also very conspicuous
in winter. The terminal half of the tail black. In European speci-
mens, known as the red lynx, the colour is generally brownish red with
distinct black spots at certain seasons of the year.

Hab.— Upper Indus Valley, Gilgit, Ladak, Thibet, throughout
Asia north of the Himalayas, and Europe north of the Alps.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen lived in the collection from January 1878 to February
1884. ‘Lhis, however, does not represent the maximum length of its
life in captivity, as the animal was sent away while still in the
enjoyment of health and vigor.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—During two years it remained under private treatment,
was tied up in the shade, and never allowed into the sun. The success
which attended the rearing of this animal was attributed to this
precaution, as the animal was an inhabitant of a very cold region. At
night it slept in the stable. It was bathed every morning with seap

Matin a
re,

A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS _

and water, and wiped dry with a towel. At the end of 1879 it was

removed to the garden; but, as it had been accustomed to livein

comparative seclusion and was suspicious of strangers, it was housed

in a place adjoining the garden not accessible to the visitors: from mn

thence it was occasionally taken to the garden for exhibition.
Food.—One and a half pounds of boiled beef morning and evening,
and a pint of fresh milk in the morning only. The usual practice was
to feed it in the morning immediately after the bath, and again at
7 o'clock in the evening. A basin of pure drinking water was always —

kept near it.

Transport.—Under ordinary circumstances it may be treated like
any other large cat. The arrangements, however, for transporting such
a creature ought to be somewhat special. Precaution should be taken
that it may not be exposed to the sun. ‘To ensure proper cleanliness,
which is absolutely necessary for an animal accustomed to be bathed
and washed every morning, the cage should be made with double
compartments, so that, while one is being cleaned the animal may be
shut into another: the inner retiring room, which may also be used
for shutting it in in bad weather, should be made of planks attached to
a light wooden frame, and the outer room of 4 inch iron rods on three
sides and of planks in the floor and roof. Water should be frequent-
ly given, but not always kept inside the cage, as otherwise the floor of
the cage will remain constantly wet, in consequence of the rolling
of the ship, rendering it uncomfortable for the beast to sit or lie
upon. <A quantity of dry earth may, if possible, be supplied, in a
shallow earthen vessel, which if kept in one corner of the cage, the
lynx will probably make use of it. To be fed as usual.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

The lynx above mentioned once met with a serious accident,
fracturing its left thigh bone. It happened thus. Wishing to stalk
some passing cat, it sprang over the railing of a lower verandah and
was nearly strangled by its chain. When lifted up it was found that
the left thigh bone was fractured. It was laid down carefully on its
right side, and with great docility the animal maintained this position
for weeks until the fracture had united. While a patient, it
permitted itself to be carried about from place to place, and purred with
pleasure when it received more than usual attention.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A Lynx,

It slept much during the day, but was generally lively at night.
It would make occasional springs, and was pleased with the attention -
of the persons whom it knew, and allowed itself to be handled like
a dog. It was known to recognize persons after long absence, purring
and leaning against its friends and otherwise indicating pleasure at the
interview. It was sometimes very noisy at night. Though accustomed
to be bathed almost every morning, it was afraid of being sprinkled
with cold water. . It hated domestic cats, and on one occasion very
nearly killed one which imprudently came too near its kennel with
a view perhaps to purloining the remnants of food. |

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IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 63

(60) THE PUMA.
(FELIS CONCOLOR—Zinz.)

Description— About the size of a leopard, but slender in build.
Head and body about 4 feet, tail about 2 feet 4 inches. General colour
rufous brown, darker on the tail. Cheeks, upper lip, chin, throat
white; breast and under parts generally albescent. On each side of
the upper lip is a black mark, somewhat of a crescent shape. Lower
part of the tail black: colour varies in different seasons. Young pumas
are spotted.

Hab.—North and South America.

. LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
A specimen lived for about eighteen months.

TREATMENT IN CAPTIVITY.

_ It may be housed and fed in the same manner as other carnivorous
animals already mentioned.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

The animal after its arrival in the garden was never perfectly
healthy : it suffered off and on from diarrhea and dysentery, to which
it ultimately succumbed. The treatment applied was chiefly dietetic,
live fowls, pigeons, and even kids, being given at intervals. The

post-mortem examination showed ulceration of the lower part of the
intestines.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A PuMa.

Owing probably to the indifferent state of its health, it was never
very lively ; neither was it very good tempered. Sometimes at night
it uttered a shrill, piercing cry, but was generally silent. This beast
was found never to sleep upon the wooden platform, but preferred the
floor of its sleeping apartment. When this was observed to be its
invariable practice, a bundle of straw was given for bedding even
during the summer, and good use was made of it. It was much
addicted to paddling the water of its drinking vessel. |

(61) THE JAGUAR.
(FELIS ONCA—Zinz.)

Description.—In general appearance a jaguar resembles a leopard,
from which it can, however, be readily distinguished by its short and
massive limbs and paws, its bull-dog head and powerful jaws, and lastly
by its spots, which are arranged in rosettes, with a single spot within
each ring. The ground colour of a jaguar is generally darker than of
a leopard. Tho average size of this creature is about 4 feet trom the

nose to the root of the tail; tail about 2 feet; height at the shoulder
from 18 inches to 2 feet.

Hab.—America.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A pair have been in the garden since January 1890.

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGE]

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TREATMENT IN HEALTH, _ me

With respect to housing, feeding and transport, the jaguar may
be treated like any other larger carnivorous animal. As the male is —
the more powerful of the two, it was observed to appropriate the food _
a of the female, after having eaten its own, so they had to be fed
:. separately. a

iff
TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

During the short time that they have been living in the garden, x : Y
the jaguars have maintained excellent health. ; a

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF JAGUARS,

These animals were very shy on their arrival, and continued so for
some time. They appeared after a time to have become bolder, so as not
to run away to the furthest corner of the cage on the approach of men;
they similarly learnt to obey their keeper. Though not generally noisy,
their call is more sonorous and deep than that of a leopard. One of the
favourite fancies of the male is to carry a large log of wood backward
and forward several times during the day. -

(62) THE OCELOT. __ a
(FELIS PARDALIS—Linn.) a

Description.—This is the most variable of cats, no two specimens —__
being alike in markings and colour. Fur soft and short, general colour |
rufous white or whitish ; sometimes rufous yellow ; head, neck, shoulders,
and back marked with black spots or lines: flanks and loins striped
with broad black lines: limbs spotted and more rufous in colour; under
parts white; chest and belly spotted; a black line crosses the throat .
beneath the cheek and passes down to the throat. Tail long, with —
irregular shaped bands and spots; towards the end blackish. A full- oy
grown animal measures, head and body, about 29 inches; tail about 16. z
The colour of the specimen that lived in the garden was light grey.

Hab.—Awmerica.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

An ocelot lived in this garden a little over nine years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

In respect of housing, feeding and transport it may be treated like
any other cat. ‘he comparatively long period during which this
animal lived has probably been due to its being fed on live rabbits or
guinea pigs almost once a week. It ought to be remembered that flesh-
meat often induces diarrhea in cats, and with some it disagrees more
than with others, They often eat bits of bread, biscuits and other * —
sundries. : =

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS. | “i

Severe cold and inflammation of the lungs are the diseases from
which an ocelot has been observed to suffer, the latter ending fatally. —

. :
. -

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. . 65

The cold was accompanied by slight cough and much sneezing. The
animal was not removed to another place, but, to protect it from
probable risk of climate and to keep the place as warm as possible,
canvas screens were hung all round, and a very thick straw bedding
was provided. For the first three or four days the animal ate absolutely
nothing, but when it had partially recovered its appetite chicken soup
and milk were given. Except a dose of castor oil (half an ounce) in
milk, no medicine was internally administered. During the time the
ocelot remained ill the washing of its cage was altogether suspended.
‘In about a fortnight the animal completely recovered. |

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF AN OCELOT.

The specimen exhibited in the garden was a playful, active creature ;
when not asleep it was hardly ever at rest. It found great amusement
in setting some wooden balis rolling, and watching them in motion,
sometimes from one side and sometimes from another, and, when they
stopped, in setting them in motion again. Anything tassellated or
pendant greatly excited and amused this animal, so that, when tired of
playing with the balls, it would betake itself to the bunch of jute which
hung from the roof of its cage. It was extremely tame and purred like
a domestic cat when pleased at the attention paid to it; but it once
betrayed such ferocity, its great tameness notwithstanding, that all
confidence in the animal’s temper was lost. A boy-keeper of some
fifteen years of age cleaned its cage every morning, and was very friendly
with the animal. While engaged in his usual work one morning, the
ocelot attacked him savagely and literally tore open his scalp, inflicting
at the same time other less severe wounds. Having regard to the
manner of attack as described by the boy, it was conjectured that the
pendant locks of his hair, set in motion by the movement of his body
while sweeping out the cage, attracted the beast, and that the resistance
which the boy naturally offered exasperated it, and its native ferocity of
temper was aroused.

(63) THE DOMESTIC CAT.
(FELIS CATUS var. DOMESTICUS —£7rv.)

Several varieties of domestic cats have been exhibited: the Persian
eat with lengthened fur; the Malayan cat with truncated tail,—some
of these having short and peculiarly twisted tail; and the semi-
domesticated Indian cat with grey-ground colour and black stripes,
supposed to be derived from the Felis viverrina. A Thibetan cat with
an.ashy coat has been living in excellent health for the last year.

(64) THE HUNTING LEOPARD.
(CYNZELURUS J UBATUS—Schreb.)

Hindi— Chita.

Description.—Head and body about 4 feet, tail about 2. Slender
in body and lanky in limbs. Head round and much smaller than that
of a leopard. Fur generally coarse, hair about the neck and belly some-
what lengthened and shaggy. General colour above and on the sides

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS
tawny or rufous fawn, pale below; almost the whole body covered witl
small round spots; chin and throat not spotted. A black line ru
down from the corner of each eye to the upper lip. ‘Tail spotted above, —
imperfectly ringed below. ates

Hab.—Africa, South-Western Asia, India. In India hunting
leopards are found in the Punjab, Rajputana, Central India, as far
east as the confines of Bengal. Ag

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A pair from Rajputana lived for about four years in this garden, | a
and a single specimen from Africa has been living for more than a year.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH. ae

Housing.—The specimens from Rajputana were housed in the ‘
Burdwan House (described on pages 40-41). As these animals were
trained for hunting, and accustomed to be kept on charpoys, this mode 4
of confinement evidently did not suit them. One now livinginthe
garden is lodged in a smaller house and appears to be happy. This
house is built on the same plan as that assigned to the Orang-outang,
but smaller; it has the indispensable wooden platform in the sleeping
er inner den. In their wild state they live in dry places, and it is
therefore necessary that they should have dry accommodation in cap-

A tivity also. This is specially requisite in a climate like that of Bengal.

Food.—The specimens from Rajputana were fed on beef, cut up
into small bits, without any bone; the one now in the garden is fed
on mutton, beef having been found to disagree with it. |

Transport.—Chained and hooded, they are sometimes conveyed _
from place to place on charpoys placed on carts, but this mode of trans- _
port is only possible when the animal is well trained and in constant
charge of keepers all the way. A pair of them were once brought down
in this way from Jeypore. For ordinary purposes a cage should be
provided, and, as the animal is extremely timid and excitable, should be
boarded with planks on all sides with the necessary apertures for
ventilation. :

Breeding.—Chitas have never bred in this garden, and as far as Y
known they seldom breed in captivity.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Diarrhea is the only disease that has been met with in this species,
and it yielded to change of diet. ;

OBSERVATIONS ON ITS HABITS.

Gentle in disposition, but timid and excitable. Anything unusual
excites it : it has generally a terrified look.

(65) THE LARGE INDIAN CIVET.

(VIVERRA ZIBETHA—Linz.) | a
Bengali—Bdgdans. 4
Description.—The head and body elongated, muzzle produced, —

limbs short, back slightly arched, and a crest of erectile hair along its —

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IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 67

whole length. General colour dark grey; a black band runs along the
middle of the back, corresponding to the crest. In some specimens the

sides of the body are marked with indistinct spots and “eyes.” (In

none of the specimens that have lived in this garden have these spots
or “eyes” been observed.) Upper parts of the limbs distinctly barred ;
lower parts of the same colour asthe body. Front and sides of the
neck and chest white; a broad, black band crosses the neck, forming
a collar; the black band is so wide that the white parts before and
behind it appear really as two white bands crossing the neck. THars
small ; tail ringed white with intervals of broad, black bands. An adult
animal measures, head and body, about 32 inches; tail 18. Some are
much lighter in colour than others.

Hab. —Bengal, Assam, Burmah, the Malayan peninsula, Siam and
Southern China. Common in the neighbourhood of Calcutta.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The longest period during which one of these animals has lived
in the collection has been nearly thirteen years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—The specimens exhibited in the garden have all been
kept in the Kuch Behar House (see page 56). As these animals sleep
much during the day, a large wine box with one side open will be
much appreciated by them as a retiring place. A piece of hard
stone is useful for them to scratch their nails upon.

Food.—They are almost omnivorous. Their food consists of about
half a dozen to eight plantains in the morning, and about a pound and
a half of beef, either raw or boiled, according to their individual taste
in the evening; biscuit or bread is sometimes substituted for plantains.
Land and fresh-water snails, frogs, lizards, eggs and small birds ara
equally acceptable to them. The specimen that lived for thirteen years
in the garden was fonder of a vegetable than an animal diet, and ate
large quantities of bread and biscuits.

Transport.—It may be treated like any of the cats mentioned
before. |

With regard to Breeding and treatment in sickness, there are no
observations to record, as none of them ever bred in the garden, nor is
there any experience of their illness and its treatment.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A LARGE CIVET.

The large civet, in captivity, is quiet and undemonstrative.
Although none have ever been found to become tame enough to respond
to friendly attentions, yet on the other hand they are never savage and
fierce, as some of the cats are found to be. They sleep much during
the day, becoming livelier at the hours of feeding and at night. Their
natural activity has often been noticed to be roused at the sight of a
sparrow ora lizard in or near the cage. They do not appear to be
quarrelsome, or mischievous, like the palm civets. The odour of these
animals is neither so strong nor so offensive as that of palm civets or
ratels. Large civets are, on the whole, very cleanly in their habits.

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS ee

(66) THE MALAYAN CIVET.
(VIVERRA TANGALUNGA—Gray.)

Hab.—India, Sumatra, Malayan peninsula, Burmah. Ke? thas a ‘B
animal lived only for a short time, in 1877, no special experience was ;
acquired.

(67) THE SMALL INDIAN CIVET.
(VIVERRICULA MALACCENSIS—Gimel.)
Bengali—Gandha goula.

Description.—LHlongated and slender in form. Head and body
about 21 to 23 inches, tail 15 to 17 inches. A specimen ‘now living
in the garden measures approximately, head and body, 20 inches; tail -
142. General colour of the body brownish grey or pale yellowish brown ;
five to seven dark-brown longitudinal bands on the back, and several
rows of spots on the sides. A dark stripe crosses the throat, and two
from behind the ears pass on to the shoulder. Tail ringed alternately
black and white. The colour and markings vary in different specimens,
and from the observations taken of the creatures exhibited in this garden
it is certain that many of them change colour at different seasons of
the year: confinement appears to have some effect upon their coating.

Hab.—With the exceptions of Sindh, the Punjab, and the western
parts of Rajputana, it occurs throughout India. Found in Ceylon,
Assam, Burmah, Southern China, the Malay peninsula, Java, Socotra,
Comoro Islands, and Madagascar. Often captured in the neighbour-
hood of Calcutta.

SE RS ae ee

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—The specimens exhibited in the garden have been kept
in one of the cages of the Kuch Behar House. As they are lightly-built
animals and somewhat inquisitive, they are likely to escape through
the gratings of acage if the latter are not sufficiently close, and it is
therefore better to keep them in cages made of wire netting. A small
deal wood box, full of loose earth, and some hay or straw, may be
given them as a retiring place, so that they may burrow in the earth
if inclined to do so. |

Food.—May be fed on a mixed diet consisting of meat, boiled or
raw, eggs, plantains, and other fruits and bread: in fact it, like a large
civet, eats anything. a

Transport.—A. small deal cage, 2 feet long, 1 foot or 15 inches _ ‘
broad, and about as high, will comfortably accommodate a pair of
these animals. As they are not amiable in disposition, when wild,
two or more animals of unknown temper should not be put together, —

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Diarrhea is the only disease from which some of these animals
have been noticed to suffer, and in such cases either the food was —
stopped for a day or two or a change of diet prescribed. ee

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 69

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A MALAyYAN CIVET.

The Malayan civet is active and inquisitive, and is easily tamed.
It remains coiled up in its box during the greater part of the day:
even a tame one is seldom seen pacing the cage when there is nothing
to attract its attention. Compared with the size and bulk of the animal,
its footfall is heavy. It is extremely dexterous in killing rats and
guinea pigs, holding its prey by the neck and not leaving it until dead.

(68) THE COMMON GENET.

(GENETTA VULGARIS—(Less.) )

Description— Head and body elongated. General colour yellowish
grey ; body black-spotted ; tail ringed with white and black bands; tip
whitish. A black stripe runs along the middle line of the back.

- Hab.—South Europe, North Africa and Asia.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen lived for about six years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.
It may be treated like the Malayan civet.

OBSERVATIONS ON ITS HABITS.

Resembles the Malayan civet in its habits, but less retiring in
disposition, although never very tame.

(69) HARDWICKE’S HEMIGALE.
(HEMIGALEA HARDWICKII—(Gray.) )

Description.—The specimen exhibited was not quite full-grown
when obtained : it measured, head and body, about 18 inches ; tail about
15. General colour pale yellow, with black-brown stripes on the head
and nape; across the back are five or six black bands; the lowest
portion of the tail, or more properly its base, is ringed; its terminal
portion black. Head conical, body long, and the back slightly arched.
‘Hab.— Borneo, Malacca.
May be treated like the Malayan civets and genets.

OBSERVATIONS ON ITS HABITS.

Though small, it is a fierce animal. The specimen ‘under notice
slept much during the day, but was awake and lively at night. It was
never seen to touch its food before darkness had come on. When fed
upon live food, it attacked its prey with surprising ferocity and quickness.
The footfall of this animal was also noticed to be heavy.

A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMAES

(70) THE INDIAN PALM OIVET.
(PARADOXURUS NIGER—Desm.)

(71) THE MALAYAN PALM CIVET.

(PARADOXURUS HERMAPHRODITUS—(Paill.) )

Bengali— Bham, Bhondar, Gandagaula.

These two species (70 and 71) are so much alike that they may be
mentioned together. They have the same synonyms in Bengali, and

no specific distinction is recognized. They are so common and well

known that any description is unnecessary. They appear to differ in the
following respects :—

Muzzle.—That of the Indian palm eivet, produced and narrow; of |

the Malayan shorter.

Tail—About as long as the head and body, and well clad with hair
in the Indian civet; in the Malayan species, about three quarters the
length of the head and body, and not so well clad with hair.

The colour and fur.—The general colour of the Indian species is —

blackish grey to brownish grey, and fur long, coarse and abundant ;
the colour of the Malayan palm civet is brownish grey, sometimes ashy,
and fur less abundant.

Stripes and markings—Vary in both the species. In the Indian

species the stripes on the back are generally indistinct or wanting ;

in the Malayan palm civets the longitudinal stripes on the back are
well marked, the sides of the body often spotted, and the upper parts
of the limbs barred. The young specimens of the Indian palm civet
are also striped and spotted. No white band across the forehead in the
Indian species; in the Malayan there is. Both the species are subject
to much individual variation with regard to their stripes and other
markings.

Hab.—The Indian palm civet is found throughout India, with the
exceptions of the Punjab and Sindh; rare in North-West Provinces,
Bombay, the Deccan; it is also found in Ceylon. The Malayan palm civet
is found in Bengal, Burmah, Siam, the Malayan peninsula, Sumatra,
Java and Borneo. Both the species occur side by side in Lower Bengal.
Animals of intermediate forms, 7.e., resembling both these creatures, are
also very common. Palm civets have been received from the following
places :—Calcutta and its neighbourhood, Dacca, Mymensingh, Ceylon,
Midnapore, Madras, Burmah, Gya, Malda, &e.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Although so common and living in a wild state within the garden,

these animals do not appear to bear captivity well, so ee none of

them ever lived for more than five or six years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—The palm civets are kept in the Kuch Behar House.
As they are extremely quarrelsome creatures, it is advisable to keep —

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IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. tg :

only a pair in one cage; otherwise they fight and injure each other
to a serious extent. ‘That none of these animals has ever lived for more
than five or six years is, to a great extent, due to this fact. Hither the
new arrivals should be refused a place in a garden, or kept in separate
cages. A small box for the animals to sleep in during the day is in-
dispensable. As they are arboreal in habits, a branch of a tree stuck
inside the cage will be much appreciated by them. a

Fooé.—The usual food of palm civets in captivity consists of
boiled meat, fruits and eggs; but they are omnivorous, and would eat
almost everything. LEntrails of fowls or pigeons, frogs, snails, &c., are
sometimes given as a change of diet. oiled rice, fish and vegetables
are also acceptable to them.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS oF Patm Cirvets.

Coiled up inside the box or in one corner of the cage, palm
eivets pass most of their time during the day in sleep, gathering care-
fully round them the straw, hay or dry leaves provided for their
bedding. They have a prehensile tail, although they do not all
appear to possess it in the same degree, and this limited prehensile
power of their tail may be observed when one has to be dislodged from
a forbidden place of refuge. As a last resource it holds on with the end
of its tail to anything it may chance to find. The palm civets emit
an offensive smell owing to their possession of odour glands, and their
presence in a bush or tree is easily perceived from this cause.

(72) THE HIMALAYAN PALM CIVET.
(PARADOXURUS GRAYI— Bennett.)

The chief features of this species are its uniform grey colour, and its
woolly fur. Some specimens are much lighter in colour than others:
the terminal half of the tail in some is black ; head, with the exception
of the forehead, ear, and chin, brown or blackish: a broad band below
each ear and a narrow line down the nose and a spot below each eye;
the whiskers are white.

Hab.—Assam, Sikhim, Nepal, Arracan, and the Andaman Islands.

Specimens have been received from Darjeeling and the Andaman
Islands. |

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
One lived for about five years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

May be treated like the other palm civets. Those obtained from
Darjeeling should not be exposed to sun, but kept in a cool place. It
is well, if possible, to keep a civet like this, which is very cleanly in its
habits and does not emit much offensive odour, in an isolated cage
under a tree, or some other sheltered spot.

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

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Food.—Beef should be avoided as much as possible, and thi
presents no difficulty, as the animal thrives well on fruits, bread, mill
and eggs. live sparrows and small chickens, occasionally given, will
do it much good. | ane

Transport.—May be treated like cats: those from the Himalayas —
should receive special attention. |

OBSERVATIONS ON ITS HABITS.

It resembles other civets in habits, but does not, however, appear
to be at all pugnacious. Specimens obtained from Darjeeling lose much,
of their woolly fur during the summer. |

(73) THE WHITE-WHISKERED PALM CIVET.
(PARADOXURUS LEUCOMYSTAX—Gray.)

This differs from the preceding species in being a larger animal ;
its colour is reddish brown, the muzzle paler.

Hab.—Malacca, Malay Archipelago, and Tenasserim. A specimen
was obtained in 1877 from the Karen Hills, Burmah. .

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.
It may be treated like other civets.

(74) THE SMALL-TOOTHED PALM CIVET.

(ARCTOGALE LEUCOTIS—(Bilyth.) )

Description.—The dimensions of an adult animal are—head and
body about 25 inches, tail about 27 inches. Fur smooth, colour yellow-
ish or brownish grey: three longitudinal black bands or lines of
spots run along the back : a white line on the forehead, running down

os. ee 7

_ Hab.—Assam, Sylhet, Tipperah, Arracan, Tenasserim, Malacca,
Sumatra, and Java. Specimens have been obtained from Burmah,
Tipperah, Assam.

Note.—There is nothing special to record of this animal.

(75) THE BEAR-CAT OR BINTURONG.

(ARCTICTIS BINTURONG—( Raffles.) )
Hindi—Bhal-bili or Kala Bhal-bilii.
Description.— It resembles both a civet and a bear in general appear-
ance. Has a conical head, broad at the base and tapering towards the
muzzle. Kars small and covered with long hair, which forms a pencilled
tuit at the ends. Whiskers long and numerous. Tail very long,
prehensile, and covered with long hair: body also covered with long
coarse hair. General colour grizzled black: the head and the lower __
parts of the limbs grey. Hair at the middle of the back parted.
Hab.—Assam, Arracan, Tenasserim, Siam, the Malayan peninsula,
Sumatra, and Java. A specimen said to have been capturedin Bhutan
was obtained in 1882. +m

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IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. V3

; LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen, obtained in 1888, is still alive.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—In providing accommodation for a binturong, three
points should be borne in mind; it is a nocturnal animal; arboreal in
habits; and those obtained from Sumatra and Java do not stand much
cold. Binturongs kept in one of the cages of the Gubbay House have
been found to thrive. Here they have a dead trunk of a tree which
they can climb at pleasure, a top shelf for retirement and sleep during
the day; and the house, while well protected from cold, is at the same
time airy during the summer. As, however, this house is principally
intended for delicate monkeys and lemurs, room is not always available
for a binturong, and they are, therefore, often accommodated in one of
the cages of the Kuch Behar House (see page 56). To give them some
seclusion during the day when kept here, it has been found advisable to
let down half of the plank screen outside the cage; a sleeping-box,
of course, is indispensable.

Food.— Boiled meat (beef or mutton), eggs, small birds, fruits,
bread, boiled rice, biscuits, milk, &c., constitute its principal diet in
captivity. Hight to twelve plantains or some dates or other fruits and
a bit of bread or a little boiled rice, in the morning, between 8 and
9 a.m., and from a half to one pound of boiled meat in the evenin
will be enough for an adult animal. Eggs, small birds, insects, should
be occasionally given as a change of diet. Some of the binturongs
were observed to have a. strong partiality for a fruit diet consisting of
oranges, plantains, dates, &c., and lived for months without even touch-
ing meat. None of the binturongs exhibited here appeared to like
fish, although some of them were fond of land and fresh-water snails.

Transport is easily managed : a box like that recommended for the
transport of a fishing-cat, with a shelf on one side, is all that is required.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Convulsions and fits are the principal diseases from which bintu-
rongs have been noticed to suffer in captivity. As the animals, in
almost every case, died suddenly, while apparently in the enjoyment of
health, no treatment was ever attempted. The binturong appears to
be one of the animals which have a special tendency to become fat,
probably owing to want of sufficient exercise.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A BINTURONG.

A binturong is nocturnal in its habits, sleeping during the greater
part of the day and becoming lively at night. Its movements are slow
and somewhat cautious. None of the animals exhibited appeared to be
savage, though some were shy and suspicious: on the other hand.
several of them have been observed to get remarkably tame. They
are very cleanly in habits, spending much of their time after their
meals in cleaning their faces and lips.

A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

(76) THE SMALL INDIAN MUNGOOSE.
(HERPESTES AUROPUNCTATUS—(Hodgs.) )
Hindi—WNeula. Bengali—Beji, New.

(77) THE COMMON INDIAN MUNGOOSE.
(HERPESTES MUNGO—(Gmel.) )

Both these mungooses (76 and 77) are so common in Bengal that
no description is necessary. a
: Hab.—The small Indian mungoose is foundin the Lower Himalayas _

from Sikhim to Kashmir, in the North-West Provinces, the Punjab, Sindh, ~
Beluchistan, Kandahar, Southern Persia. It is common in Lower —
Bengal, and is found as far south as Midnapore. It isalso foundin
Chittagong, Cachar, Assam, and Upper Burmah, and also in Arracan,
Pegu, and the Malayan peninsula. The common Indian mungoose has
also an extensive range of distribution, being found throughout the
Peninsula of India and in Ceylon also. On the west it extends as
far as Sindh, Afghanistan, and probably Beluchistan. It is found in
Bengal and Assam: not so common about Calcutta as the small Indian
mungoose. ,

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The longest period during which a small Indian mungoose has
lived in the garden has been six years and a few months: the common
Indian mungooses have been very short lived, none having survived —
more than two years. | @

TREATMENT IN HEALTH. ,

Housing.—Arrangements similar to those recommended for housing
a small Indian civet or a genet will be found to answer well for these
creatures. A small isolated wire cage, with a proper roof and good
canvas screens as protection against cold and draughts, and a small box
inside for the animals to sleep in, placed under the shade of a tree, and
standing on wooden legs some three feet above ground, or on a brick
platform of the same height, is by far the best accommodation for a ,
pair of mungooses. Mungooses are very quarrelsome animals, and a
therefore there ought not to be more than a pair in any single division.
They should have a thick bedding of straw to lie upon. |
Food.—Minced meat, eggs, small birds, insects, bread, plantains,
&c., form the ordinary diet ofa mungoose in captivity ; the more varied
the food, thebetter for the health of the animal. Frogs, lizards, beetles,
snails, may occasionally be given. It easily kills a bird or a mammal
much larger than itself. |
Breeding.—No mungooses have ever bred inside a cage, but numbers
of them (H. anropunctatus) annually breed in the garden, where they __
live in a state of semi-domestication. They breed in summer, and
litters have been found to consist of from two to six young ones. a
Transport.—These little creatures are so quarrelsome and pugnaci= _
ous that they have often been observed to arrive in a mutilated condition _
when two or more specimens have been placed in a small cage. ae
deal box, 12 inches high and about 18 inches in length and breadth, —

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 75

will comfortably accommodate a pair of mungooses. Even a male and
female may fight unless they have been accustomed to live together
for some time. 3
: TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.
Diarrhea and dysentery are the principal diseases which affect
mungooses. No treatment could be adopted, as the animals refused
nourishment.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF Muncoosgss.

Considering their size, they are very ferocious. When taken
young, they, however, become wonderfully tame and attached to
their owner. Adult animals seldom become tame enough, even for
exhibition in a menagerie: they either remain hidden away in the
straw or snap at the wire, uttering a querulous yelp, possibly expressive
of disgust at the approach ofa man. ‘They have been known to refuse
nourishment and to starve to death.

Of the two species above mentioned, an adult common Indian
mungoose is, perhaps, the least tameable. When they once become
accustomed to the new surroundings, their sullenness gives place to
sociability, and they behave as if they were the most affectionate
of creatures. They growl like tigers when eating. Although not
addicted to climbing trees in their wild state, mungooses in captivity
have been observed to take pleasure in climbing dead branches of trees
inside the cages.

(78) THE MALAYAN MUNGOOSE.
(HERPESTES BRACHYURUS—Gray,.)

Description.— General colour dark blackish brown, finely punctu-
lated with yellow; head rather massive.

HHab.—Borneo and Malacca.

This animal has been recently acquired; it does not appear to
carry its body low like the other Mungoose.

(79) THE CRAB-EATING MUNGOOSE.
(HERPESTES URVA—(Hodgs.) )

Description.—It looks more like a small badger than a mungoose.
Head and body about 18 to 21 inches, tail about 11. Fur long,
coarse and ragged; under-fur soft and woolly. Colour of the body
varies much in different specimens, generally dusky iron-grey, some-
times, as in the case of one exhibited in the garden, whitish. A
white stripe runs along each side of the neck from the angle of the
mouth to the shoulder. Head much darker, almost black, and
speckled with white; the lower limbs black.

_Hab.—It occurs in the South-Eastern Himalayas at low elevations,
Assam, Arracan, Pegu, Tenasserim, and Southern China. A specimen
said to have been captured at Julpigori was obtained in 1880,

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The maximum period during which a crab-eatin g mungoose
lived in the garden has been only about eighteen months.

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TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing. —As it is semi-aquatic in its habits, the crab-eating
mungoose should be accommodated in a place where it can have easy —
access to water. Its accommodation therefore may be provided in the —
form of a pit about 3 feet deep, with a bath, a grotto, and a grassor
gravel promenade, the top being covered over with stout wire netting,
or it may be a cage, detached or built in connection with others, with
a bath and a grotto, or a box which serves the same purpose.

Food.—It is almost omnivorous; eats crabs, frogs, prawns, small
fish, minced meat, &c. :

Transport.— Besides the vessel for drinking water, another made —
of zinc or iron should be given, and clean water put in during the
middle of the day when it is warm. If the journey or voyage is tolast _
for some time, the animal should be fed for a few days prior to its
departure upon such food as may be easily available during transport. —

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Nothing particular is known about the diseases to which this
animal is liable.

OBSERVATIONS ON ITS HABITS.

The Crab-eating mungoose is a restless, active creature, walking
about in its cage with heavy steps, and occasionally uttering a hoarse ie
subdued cry. Those exhibited in the garden had no bath in their
cage, but the animals could be often observed satisfying their aquatic Bs,
predilections by immersing a portion of their bodies in the gamla which
was provided as a substitute for a bath. ie |

(80) THE BANDED ICHNEUMON.
(CROSSARCHUS FASCIATUS—Desm.)

Description.—Resembles a common mungoose, but stouter in build.
Colour ashy grey, washed with brownish red on the back; fur rather
harsh; about the neck and shoulders the hair is tipped white : brownish
black bands across the posterior half of the back.

Hab.—South-East Africa.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen obtained in 1886 is still alive and well.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

With regard to housing and feeding, &e., this species may be

b treated like the other mungooses. The animal now living appears to
| thrive well in a small cage about 4 feet high and 10 feet in circum-
. ference, with a conical roof made of light planks lined with zine;

inside the cage is a small sleeping-box and a platform. During the —
winter canvas screens are let down at night. One of these animals
developed a strong partiality for a bread diet. met

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. VE

HaBITs.

Like other mungooses, it is rather heavy in its movements, and as
inquisitive and active as the rest of the species. It may be often heard
to utter the grating sound, like a mew, characteristic of the mungooses.

(81) THE STRIPED HYANA.

(HYANA STRIATA—Zimm.)
Hindi—Lakar Bagha, Hondar.

The hyena is a well-known animal in Lower Bengal: no descrip-
tion is therefore necessary. The characteristic features of this animal
are its short hind limbs, and the long hairy crest along the middle line
of the back.

Hab.—Common in Central and North-Western India, extending
through South-Western Asia to Northern Africa. Though not so
common as in Western and Central India, it is not rare in Lower
Bengal.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen has been living in the garden since 1879, Hyznas
appear to be very hardy animals and bear captivity well.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—Hyenas being extremely quarrelsome animals, diffi-
culty is sometimes experienced in finding accommodation for them.
On several occasions they have been known to mutilate, through the
bars, a leopard ora wolf living in an adjoining cage, in spite of the
stout wire-netting attached to the gratings which separate the compart-
ments. It is safer, therefore, to have the partitions boarded up with
thin planks. It is undesirable to keep a number of adult hyenas
together ; unless the floor is hard they burrow deep holes in it.

Food.—In their wild state they generally feed upon carcases of
animals that have been killed by others or that have died of diseases,
and in captivity also they do not object to eat food which other
animals will not touch ; it is, however, better to feed them on fresh and
wholesome food, regard being had to the artificial conditions of life in
confinement. Bones are indispensable to them; they break and
crunch up large pieces with surprising ease.

Transport.—As they are much addicted to biting destructible
materials, a light iron cage should invariably be provided for their
transport, unless the habit and temper of the animal to be transported.
is well known. A case is on record in which an adult hyena, sent by
rail from a station in West Bengal, escaped during the course of the
transit by biting through the sal wood battens of its cage; it was
found, on the arrival of the train at the Howrah terminus, comfortably
seated behind some bales of goods. j

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS,

Hyznas have been known to die from inflammation of the
stomach. Some six years ago a female hyzena suffered from extensive
ulceration of the mucous membrane of its mouth, extending to the lps;
the animal could hardly eat anything for about ten days, and was

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78 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

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extremely irritable. Taking advantage of its temper, nitrate of s
lotion was applied to the ulcer : a small mop fastened to the end of an
iron rod was dipped in the lotion and held out to the animal, which
seized it at once by the mouth. The repetition of this operation
evidently gave relief to the beast, as it allowed itself, after a day or
two, to be doctored without difficulty. Me:
: Wounds and injuries are very common amongst them: not long
ago a specimen was so severely attacked by its companion in thesame
den that it had to be killed. Young animals, recent arrivals at the
garden, sometimes die without apparently suffering from any illness.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF Hynas.

Although nocturnal in habits in their wild state, they may be con-
stantly seen restlessly pacing their cage almost the whole day, espe-
cially those that have for some time lived in captivity. Their mis- ©
chievous propensities, however, seem to be aroused at nightonly. A
hyena is a very cowardly animal, so that the upraised broomstick
of the keeper drives it to the furthest corner of the cage with its tail
between its legs. They are sometimes very noisy at night, and their
cry is harsh and disgreeable. With regard to their cowardice, it may |
be remarked that, if required to do so, a plucky keeper has no difficulty
in going inside the den of an adult beast; it snarls, but shows no

fight.
(82) THE WOLF.
(CANIS LUPUS—Zinz.)

‘

A black variety of the wolf was exhibited in the garden for a a
few months, prior to its departure to the Zoological Society’s Garden, a
London. It came from Thibet. :

(88) THE INDIAN WOLF.
(CANIS PALLIPES—Sykes.)

Hindi—Bheriya. Bengali—WNekreh.

Wolves vary in colour; generally they are of anearthy-grey colour
with a brownish or fulvous tinge; some are entirely rufous. In some “a
the brownish tinge on the back is much mixed with black, whereas in
others there is a total absence of black. Black colour on the back
appears to be more common in older specimens. In very young speci-
mens there is a milk-white spot on the chest, which disappears when
the animal is about a month and a half old, giving place to a dark colour
below the neck.

Hab.—The Indian Peninsula. With the exception of a single
specimen from Purneah, most of the wolves have been received from

- Behar and West Bengal.
LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
A wolf has been living in the garden for the last eleven years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH. S
Housing.—Adult wolves require substantial accommodation : they — és
have thriven when kept in a building of masonry structure somewhat of 3

|
}

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 79

the same style as that assigned for an orang, but smaller. They should
have an inner sleeping room and an outer den provided respectively
with a platform and a bath, the latter being particularly necessary
during the hot weather. The walls should, in the case of wolves, be
whitewashed, if practicable, oftner than for other animals, as this helps
to keep down the offensive smell inseparable from their residence.
Young wolves can be kept in wire cages with boarded floors or in small
portable cages.

Food.—Beef, boiled or raw, according to taste. Like civets and
mungooses, they also eat bread, biscuits, and plantains. Tame wolyes
may be fed exactly in the same way as dogs.

Transport.—No particular remarks are necessary.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Two tame adolescent wolves had an attack of paralysis of the
whole body, brought on, it was conjectured, by swnstroke; as the
animals were past recovery, they had to be killed. Another wolf
suffered from a similar ailment, and after lingering for a few months
died. In this case, however, sunstroke could not have been the cause,
as the animal lived in a perfectly shady place. Young wolves generally
succumb to diarrhea. Something resembling S?. Vitus’ dance was
observed in a specimen, but its nature was never ascertained ; the animal
recovered after some time. |

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF WOLVES.

Wolves when brought up as pets have been known to become as tame
as dogs, showing all their playfulness and intelligence and answering to
their names, coming up and receiving caresses. Whether quite adult
wolves would remain as tame as when they were young is not known.
Some of the wolves living in the garden appear to be very fond of
paddling the water, especially during the hot weather, so that the floor
of their den is seldom dry. ‘They are extremely restless animals, and
may often be seen, like the hyzenas, rapidly pacing up and down their
cages. Their excitement and impatience are very great at the approach
of feeding-time. The wolves in the garden have not been known
to bark in the same way as a pariah dog, but they sometimes make
an attempt as it were, at barking, a subdued sort of a “ bow-wow.”
They have, however, been known to howl a great deal, and add to the
evening chorus of discordant sounds produced by the lion’s roar, the
ery of the jackal, and the plaintive note of the distant dingo.

For further information on the habits of the Indian wolf the
following works may be consulted:—“‘ Fauna of British India ”—Blan-
ford ; “Jungle Life’’—Ball.

(84) THE JACKAL.
(CANIS AUREUS—Linn.)

The jackal is such a well-known animal in Bengal that any
description is superfluous. Like wolves, jackals vary a great deal in
colour. Quite adult and healthy specimens have a good deal of black

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80 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS _

on the back and about the neck. Those brought up in captivity
are generally pale coloured. Albino jackals have on several occasions —
been received. A jackal is subject to change of colour at different
seasons of the year. a

fab.—India, Ceylon, Burmah, extending through South-West Asia —
to the Caucasus, and found in South-Hastern Hurope in Greece and
Turkey, and as far west as Dalmatia, also throughout; Northern Africa. 3
Very common in Bengal, infesting jungles, thickets, and open countries,
and found in hamlets as well as in popular cities like Calcutta. Jackals
live in a wild state within the garden, and not unfrequently commit
depredations amongst the deer and antelopes. oe

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. a.

A. specimen obtained in 1876 is still alive. | a

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

_ Housing.— Although jackals are cunning and mischievous animals, _
in captivity they have been generally found to behave well, and they )
can, therefore, be kept in stout wire cages, but the floor ought to be
invariably made of planks or bricks, as they are somewhat addicted to
burrowing. }
Food.— Beef forms their ordinary food, but they eat fruits and
bread as well, and thrive much better on a mixed diet than solely
on meat. é
Breeding.— Although jackals have never bred in captivity, they
breed freely within the garden in a wild state. The number of young
in a litter is from four to six, and during May and June a:litter may E
be found in almost every drain of the garden and the adjacent
grounds. '
Nothing particular is known of their diseases in captivity.

Hasits oF A JACKAL.

The habits of jackals are well known and therefore very little need
be said. They are shy and suspicious; at least they have never been
known to become tame in this garden.

(85) THE BLACK-BACKED JACKAL.
(CANIS MESOMELAS—Scehreb.)

More thick-set in build than the Indian jackal: saddle of the back
broad; fur thick. Colour brownish grey; a good deal of black on the
back. Changes of colour occur at different seasons of the year.

Hab.—South Africa.

(86) THE SIDE-STRIPED JACKAL.
(CANIS LATERALIS—Sclater.)

Description.—This animal is “ distinguished from every described a
species of the genus by the black and white stripe extending along the
flanks, and the very long black tail with a distinct white termination.” _

: oe

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 81

Its general form is elongate and the snout pointed. The stripes and
the general colour of the body are subject to change at different seasons
of the year.

Hab.— West Africa. A specimen of this species was obtained
from Zanzibar, but whether it was imported from the west coast or was
procured in East Africa is not known.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A black-backed jackal lived for about six years, and a side-striped
species for about seven.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—May be kept like an Indian jackal.
Food.— The same as an Indian jackal.

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.

Of the two, the side-striped jackal was tamer than the black-
backed species; it was not unfrequently observed to wag its tail in
recognition of kindness shown to it. It was as restless as the Indian
or the black-backed jackal, but was not suspicious, Neither of the
species was ever heard to cry. The stripes of the side-striped species
and the black of the black-backed one altogether disappeared during
the rainy seasons, appearing again in winter. They both liked dry
places, and their invariable habit during the winter was to retire to
bed early, perhaps to enjoy the warmth of the straw.

(87) THE DINGO.

(CANIS DINGO—Blumend.)

Description.—It resembles the pariah dog of India in appearance.
Ears erect, hairs about ears longish, tail slightly curved upward, with
pendant hairs underneath it. Colour brownish-red throughout, except
the chest and abdomen, where it is somewhat whitish.

Hab.—Australia.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen has been living since January 1882.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.— As the animal has rather active habits, its place ought
to be large enough to enable it to run backwards and forwards, as it is
wont to do ; and, as its temper cannot be trusted, the cage ought to be
divided into two compartments, so that it may be shut into one while
the other is being cleaned. A sleeping-box, or more properly a kennel
should be provided. ‘The specimen now living in the garden likes
wallowing in water during the summer, and a large earthen vessel is
sunk in the ground for the purpose.

Food,—Boiled beef is its ordinary diet, but it is occasi
allowed a roasted fowl or boiled mutton be way of change, oe

FE.

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Tipperah, Darjeeling, Hazaribagh, and Vizagapatam.

A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS
aa

Transport.—As it is an easily excitable animal, it is better to trans
port it in a cage in which it has tke least chance of being excited.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS. f

Whether such an animal is likely to die from convulsions is not
known, but the post-mortem appearance of the companion of the present __
specimen suggested that belief. Unfortunately no autopsy was held.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A DINGo.

The dingo appears to be an excitable animal, and very restless _—
under ordinary circumstances. Though not savage, its temper can
never be trusted. ‘The specimen now in the garden allows the keeper to
go inside the cage to clean it. It has a plaintive sort of cry, of some-
what prolonged note, and may often be heard at nightfall, particularly _
if there is a bright moon; it has never been heard to bark like a pariah
dog.

(88) THE INDIAN WILD DOG.

(CYON DUKHUNENSIS—Sykes.)

Hindi—Sona Kutta, Ram Kutta. Kuya of the Sonthals, Kols and
other aboriginal tribes of West Bengal.

ee S- ~ 5 :
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een 1

eee

Description.—The general form of this animal is like that of a
jackal, but, though stout, it wants the compactness of the latter animal,
and there is a certain ungainliness about it, owing to the distended
appearance of its belly and abdomen, especially when one has lived
in captivity for some time. The tail is thick. The colour of the animal
varies somewhat, according to age, locality and season. It is generally
rusty red, slightly mixed with black on the back. Specimens obtained —
from Western Bengal are generally paler than those from Assam,
Tipperah, and Burmah; the winter coat is thick and bright coloured.
Terminal portion of the tail black. ‘The average dimensions of a wild
dog are, head and body, about 37 inches; tail about 15.

Hab.—It occurs throughout the Himalayan forests from Kashmir
to Assam, in the jungles and forests of Western Bengal, and is found -
in the larger forests of the Indian Peninsula, in Gilgit, Ladak and
other parts of the Upper Indus Valley, and has also been obtained
from Eastern Thibet. |

Specimens have been sent to this garden from Burmah, Assam,

i Oey

Co ee ee

iy sod
eee

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

No wild dog has as yet lived in the garden more than two years
and a few months. For some reason they do not appear to thrive well —
in captivity. a

TREATMENT IN HEALTH, - Se

Housing.—The animal being of extremely active habits in its w:

state, it ought to havea tolerably large cage, where it may take st

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 83

exercise as is possible. Wild dogs are not quarrelsome animals; two
or more can, therefore, be kept together in the same cage.

Food.—The want of success in keeping wild dogs alive for more
than two years has probably been due partly to the absence of exercise,
and partly to the nature of the diet, which consisted chiefly of beef, raw
or boiled. In their wild state they are accustomed to hunt and kill deer,
antelopes, and wild pigs for food, which not only implies fresh food,
but a considerable amount of exercise. ‘The specimen now in the garden
is fed upon fowls, rabbits, mutton, eggs, and occasionally beef. Hn-
deayvours are also being made to feed it upon bread, but as yet it has
not taken kindly to this food.

_ Transport.—No particular directions are necessary, as it may be
treated like one of the cats or larger civets.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Diarrhea and skin disease have been observed in wild dogs, The
diarrhcea was probably the result of unsuitable diet and want of
exercise. In May 1889 a mangy-looking wild dog arrived from
Darjeeling. On examination it was found to be suffering from exten-
sive skin disease; part of its body was bare, the fur that remained was
completely matted with the filth of the cage and the exudation of the
skin. ‘he animal, being in the last stage of exhaustion, was fed before
being removed to a new and comfortable cage. When it had recovered
from the nervousness caused by travel and new surroundings, it was
washed with carbolic soap and tepid water, wiped dry and placed
in a separate cage with a thick bedding of straw, and the whole body
smeared with a solution of phenyle. Some difficulty was found in
supporting its strength, as it would not eat properly. ‘The next day
the matted fur was cut off and the body smeared with sulphur and

boracic ointment. Under this treatment the animal recovered in about
a month and a half.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A WILD Doa.

For a few days a pair of adult wild dogs were kept in a place
with a mud floor; they at once set about digging holes in it, and
made use of it, when finished, as a sleeping place, in spite of the pre-
sence of a deal-wood box which was given them for this purpose. A wild
dog does not appear to be as shy as a jackal or a wolf: it will stand or
sit quite close to the bars of its cage, and when sufficiently tame is
somewhat demonstrative. In captivity it has not been heard to howl
or cry, but sometimes one may be heard to utter a kind of squeaking
sound. Itdoes not appear to be fond of water.

(89) THE INDIAN FOX.
(VULPES BENGALENSIS—Shaw.)

Hindi—Lomri. Bengali—heksial.

This is such a well-known animal in Lower Bengal that any
description would be superfluous. :

EA

West sl SF,
=A fs. al
ae pir
en is

84 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

ny

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Hab.—Throughout India, from the base of the Himalayas to Cape
Comorin; not known to occur west of Sindh and the Punjab, nor east of
Assam. It inhabits the open parts of the country. Not uncommon
in the drains of the Calcutta maidan. ae)

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The maximum period during which an Indian Fox has lived has , :
not been more than five years. ‘4

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—New arrivals had better not be exposed for exhibition
at once, as the presence of other animals and other causes of excitement
sometimes frighten them so much that they may altogether refuse to eat
and drink. In this garden they are usually kept in one of the cages of
the Kuch Behar House. Hither a hollow log of wood or a small box
within the cage forms an excellent place of retirement for these animals.
As some of them have been found to climb the wire partitions of their
cage, care should be taken to have it lined with thin planks.

Food.—The usual diet of these animals in captivity consists of
boiled meat, beef or mutton, eggs, and plantains. Some of them have
been found to be extremely fond of jack-fruits. They have often been
tried with rats, crabs and frogs, but in captivity they do not appear to ~
care for such edibles.

Transport.—A. small box, 2 feet? long, 18 inches broad and about —
15 to 18 inches high, will comfortably accommodate a pair of these
animals. For a sea-voyage the arrangement ought to be somewhat
special, so that a box, smaller than that mentioned above, placed within 4
a wire cage, will answer very well. a

TREATMENT EN SICKNESS.

With regard to their diseases nothing definite is known.

Hapsits.

The habits of Indian foxes in captivity are uninteresting, as they
spend much of their time inside their sleeping box. For particulars of
their habits in a wild state, Blanford’s Fauna of British India

(Mammalia) may be consulted.
(90) THE COMMON FOX.

(VULPES ALOPEX—(Linn.) )

Two varieties of the common fox have been exhibited in the
garden—the Vulpes Alopex, var. Montana from the Western Hima-
layas, and the common fox from the British Islands. Both of them
are much larger and more richly coloured than the Indian fox. Their is
prevailing colour varies from ruddy chestnut to dull rufous, but itis —
subject to much individual variation, especially in the Himalayan form. —
The Himalayan variety exhibited in the garden had scarcely any cross
stripe on the shoulder, and differed from the European form in haying ~

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 85

_more black on the outside of the limbs. The summer coating of both
the forms is very shabby; by the middle of March they shed most of
their winter coat, the under fur becomes loose, and the animals look as
if they had rolled on a heap of wool.

Hab.—The Himalayan form is found from Nepal to Kashmir
and Gilgit. The European form is found throughout Northern Europe
and the British Isles.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The maximum period during which a common fox of Europe has
lived in the garden has been over six years; that of the Himalayan
variety has not exceeded four years,

' TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—The general principle that should be observed is to keep
them in a cool airy place. In this garden they are generally exhibited
in one of the cages of the Kuch Behar House (see page 56). During
the warm summer days they should have cold water freely sprinkled
over them with a garden syringe, and to reduce the temperature of
the cage some wet straw or hay may also be put on its roof. From
March to October is the most trying time for these animals in Lower
Bengal.

ia? Vour to six plantains and a little bread between 8 and
9 o’clock in the morning; one to two pounds of boiled beef in the
evening. ‘The less beef is given during tho hot weather, the better.
Besides plantains, the foxes will eat dates, oranges, pears and various
other fruits. Chickens and rabbits may occasionally be given as a
change of diet.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

These foxes have been known to die from convulsions and excitement.

Hapsirts.

English foxes become wonderfully tame. They wag their bushy
tails, roll on the floor of the cage, and utter a subdued chattering moan
expressive of recognition of a friendly visit. Ifa bit of bread or some
fruit is given toa tame beast, it does not eat without some demon-
stration of pleasure. They pant much and otherwise feel uncomfortable
during the summer. Both the English and the Himalayan foxes
have been observed to turn paler after prolonged captivity.

(91) THE INDIAN MARTEN.

(MUSTELA FLAVIGULA—Bodd.)

Description.—It has a slender body, short limbs and a long tail.
The colour of the head, face, nape, the rump, tail and the limbs glossy
‘brownish black; the back and the flanks pale brown; the chin and

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANI

a)

throat dirty white ; breast and abdomen brownish yellow. Tl
small. In its movements it resembles an otter, and has, like
animal, an arched back. ‘Two specimens, both said to have come f
Bhutan, differed in colour; one being much paler than the other : head
and body 20 to 22 inches ; tail 16 inches. | 7 ae
Hab.—Throughout the Himalayas from the west of Kashmir
to the eastern extremity of Assam; also throughout the hilly parts
of Burmah, the Malayan peninsula, and Sumatra. By some authorities
it is said to be found in Southern China and evenin Amurland. In |
Southern India it is found on the Nilgiri hills, on the Travancore’
ranges, and in other portions of the country. | <a

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
No specimen has lived for more than a year.
TREATMENT IN HEALTH,

Housing.—Both the specimens exhibited were kept like civets
and other smaller carnivorous animals in the Kuch Behar House.
The want of success in keeping them alive for a longer period had
evidently nothing to do with their accommodation.

Food.—Boiled beef, eggs, and plantains.

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el & . os otk, <4 YS Cay, Robe ye
met Rie Ee Ps aes (Ae aed, het gw,
ny ee ae eae ee % : = E ped

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Both the specimens died rather suddenly, and as no autopsy was 4
held, nothing can be said with regard to their diseases. — |

Hapirs.

Very restless, active animals, perfectly diurnal and rather sociable
in habits. |

(92) THE WEASEL.
(PUTORIUS VULGARIS—(Gmel.) )

Description.—Slender and elongated in form. Its prevailing colour
is whitish brown, tip of the tail dark. Winter coat almost white. :

Hab.—Northern Europe, Northern Asia.

A specimen lived for about three years in the garden.

(93) THE YELLOW-BELLIED WEASEL. —
(PUTORIUS CATHIA—Aodgs.)

Description.—A. very small animal, measuring, head and body, _
about 9 to 10 inches, tail without hair 5 to 6 inches, and with hair from
6 to 7 inches. Colour of the back, face and upper surface of head dark
brown ; the limbs and tail are of the same colour, but slightly paler,
Chin, upper lip and throat generally white ; chest, abdomen and inside _
the limbs yellowish or brownish yellow. In the specimen exhibited —
the yellow became very pale afer the animal had been a year in
captivity. } — UU

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aha a gs oe : 4 di - ‘ : ij ole pi ae fh
day Sey, eee.) tbe Oe eet

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Hab.— Himalayas. The specimen obtained for the garden was
captured near Darjeeling at an elevation of nearly 7,500 feet.

a
IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 87

LENGTH OF LIFE 1N CAPTIVITY.

About eighteen months in this garden.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—As it is an animal of small size and cleanly habits, it
is much better to keep it by itself in a small cage.

Food.—The specimen exhibited in this garden was fed on sparrows,
eggs, minced meat, grasshoppers, and bread and milk. Ordinarily it
had about two ounces of milk and a little bread in the morning, and
either an egg, or a sparrow, and a small quantity of minced meat in
the evening. Rats were occasionally given, and it killed them with
great ferocity.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

This animal died from the effect of an abscess in its throat, which
did not admit of treatment.

HaBits.

It is an extremely active, inquisitive and blood-thirsty little animal.
To try its strength guinea pigs were occasionally put in its cage, and
it-killed them with wonderful ease and rapidity. It was otherwise a
sociable beast ; it twice escaped from its cage and did not stray far, but
amused itself by hunting squirrels.

(94) THE TAYRA.
(GALICTIS BARBARA—(Linz.) )

Larger in size than the Indian marten; prevailing colour brownish
black, a large yellowish white patch on the throat.

Hab.—Tropical America.

A. specimen lived for about two years in the garden. This animal
had a remarkably heavy footfall.

(95) THE INDIAN RATEL.

(MELLIVORA INDICA—Kerr.)
Hindi—Byu, Bajar-bhal.

Description.—This animal has a stout body and short limbs.
External ear almost wanting. ‘The coloration is very well marked.
It is greyish white above, including the upper surface of the tail; lower
parts, including the limbs, black; face, the under surface of the tail and
its extremity also, black. <A full-grown animal measures, head and
body, about 32 inches, and tail with hair about 6.

Hab.—Found in India generally from the base of the Hima-
layas. Specimens have been obtained from Hazaribagh (West Bengal),
Orissa, Oudh, Behar, and the Central Provinces.

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neg RTOMRARNLE LD Niles ri as Sy
Oa Te vets bec ae sy
, Ee ae oe On Dekh tars Wee 7 9h lt sl f
Se cl kee TL r
7 ABs > Le iain,
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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMAIS

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. he \

Indian Ratels are hardy animals. A specimen obtained in 1876 "
lived till 1886, in which year it was sent away in exchange. ee

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—As the animal is much addicted to destroying materials,
it should be provided with a strong cage. One of them has been known
to break through the stout wire netting with which some of the cages
of the Kuch Behar House are built. It should not be placed in a
conspicuous part of a zoological garden, owing to the highly offensive —
smell attaching to it. It is, moreover, a dirty animal. The specimen
that lived so long in the garden was kept in a circular cage about 8 feet
in diameter and 6 feet high. There was a sleeping-box placed on the top
and a stout branch of a tree fixed in the centre. Besides drinking-water’
in a small iron vessel, there was a heavy stone trough full of water
which it often used as a bath. :

Food.—Its usual food consisted of boiled beef and some bread, but 4
it ate almost anything; fish, rats, crabs, frogs, eggs, entrails of chickens
were always acceptable to it; it also relished boiled rice, milk and a4
plantains. ,

Transport.—Care should be taken to provide an iron cage, as it bites —
through wood in a short time.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESs.

Ee ae Re ge aie ee

The animal of which mention has been made was observed to |
suffer from diarrhea brought on by indigestion. The usualremedyin
such cases was to starve it.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF AN INDIAN RATEL.

Although nocturnal in its habits in a wild state, it has been
observed to be wideawake during the day in captivity. The specimens
that lived in this garden were seldom found to be inactive: they would
either pace their cage or would be occupied in scratching or digging up
something. Though very active, they are heavy in their walk. From
the observations taken of these animals, they do not appear to be
altogether untameable. One of them had a special fancy for un-
fastening a particular iron bar as often as it was fixed in its proper
place. It cleverly managed this by its sharp hooklike claws, and
repeated the act if, instead of the iron bar, a walking-stick or anything
else was substituted in the same place.

(96) THE HOG-BADGER.
(ARCTONYX COLLARIS—F. Cw.) — ‘
Hindi— Bhalu-siar or Balu-sur.

Description.—Stout in form, with short limbs and long truncated
snout, resembling that of a pig. Ears short. The prevailing colour
of the body and limbs is grey, but it varies considerably in individual
specimens, and also, it appears, according to age and length of life in —

-—.

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 89

captivity. A very dark example has been known to become whitish
grey after having been nearly four years in the garden : generally there
is more black on the back and part of the sides. The head is white,
a black band encircles the eyes and ears, and is formed by a stripe
which, commencing from the upper lip, passes over the eye and ear,
and by another from the chin which runs backwards across the chin
to the ear. These marks also vary. Throat, sides of the neck, and
the tail whitish, lower parts and limbs dusky, washed with pale yellow
or orange. The head and body of a full-grown animal measure about
30 inches, tail about 11 inches.

Hab.—Nepal, Sikhim, Assam, Sylhet, Cachar, Arracan, Pegu, and
Tenasserim ; has been also obtained from Western Yunan. Specimens
have been received from Darjeeling, Assam, Julpigori, Tipperah, and
Chittagong.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The longest period during which a hog-badger has as yet lived has
been only about six years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—Its proneness to escape has been found to be great,
unless secured in a strong cage. The accommodation that has answered
very well for this beast consists of an iron cage, some 12 feet long,
5 feet broad, and 4 feet high, resting on a brick-on-edge platform.
On one end of the platform is a small deep tank, filled with mud and
sand, into which the animal can burrow at pleasure; besides, there is a
small box, inside which the animal remains during the greater part of
the day; during the winter a quantity of straw is given. A neat
little tiled shed shelters the cage and its inmate from sun and rain,
The floor of the cage for a hog-badger should be hard and well-built,
as the animal is much addicted to burrowing and clawing. Shower-
baths should be administered to it almost every day by a garden syringe
during the extreme hot weather.

Food.—The ordinary diet of a hog-badger consists of a pound or
two of boiled meat in the evening; a few plantains or other fruits
and some bread are also frequently given them in the morning. They
are said to be particularly fond of earthworms, but this has not been
observed to be the case with the animals living here. On the other
hand they have been known to eat fresh-water and land snails with
avidity.

Transport.—The remarks which have been made with respect to
the transport of a ratel apply to these animals also—that is, the cage
in which it is intended to convey them should be strong. Care should
also be taken not to expose them much in the sun. An occasional bath
is beneficial.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Besides a tendency to fatness on their parti—probably owing to
absolute want of exercise—nothing is known with regard to their
diseases.

in |

: —-90 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

.; “
“ae ae a
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OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A HoG-BADGER.

It is thoroughly nocturnal in habits, sleeping the greater par
the day; when disturbed it becomes enraged and either darts at
disturber with a hissing grunt, or retires further into the hole or b x. ve
Its anxiety to escape has been already alluded to. Once a somewhat
tame animal was kept in an iron enclosure about 8 feet high; after _
having been in this place for nearly a fortnight the animal disappeared _
one night. To accomplish this it had not only to climb the fencing of —_
its enclosure, but a wall of equal height, the coping of which was stud- —_
ded with broken glass. Another animal effected its escape by breaking
open the roof of its cage. eh, i.

(97) THE COMMON OTTER.
(LUTRA VULGARIS—£rzi.) : i
Hindi— Ud. Bengali—Ua-biddal; Manch-bhondor, that is, fish-otter. — =

(98) THE SMOOTH INDIAN OTTER. y
(LUTRA ELLIOTI—Anderson.) ae Fe:

It is called Ludhra in Sindh.

Otters are so common in Bengal that no description is needed.

These two species (97 and 98) have a great resemblance externally ; ;
if, however, they are carefully observed side by side, it willeasily be
seen that a full-grown common otter is a slightly larger animal than the *
next species, and that the upper edge of its naked muzzle or the pad
of the nose is not straight, but somewhat raised in the middle and
concave on each side, whereas the pad of the nose of the smooth-haired
species is almost flat.

Hab.— The Indian form of the common otter is found almost all
over India and Ceylon, and is frequently met with in the neighbourhood
of Calcutta. They have been obtained trom Rajshahye, the Sunderbuns,
Jessore, Rungpore, Midnapore, Bhaguipore, the Sonthal Pergunnahs,
Purneah, and Dacca. The smooth-haired species occurs throughout
India: common in Sindh and the Punjab, and found side by side with
the common otter in Lower Bengal. ‘This species has been received
from Sindh and the Punjab. i

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen of the common otter has been living in the garden __
since October 1886. Otters have lived for periods varying from afew
months to five years. A smooth-haired species lived from March 1876
to August 1887 ; another specimen from Bhawlpore (Punjab) hasbeen _
living since January 1889, ;

TREATMENT IN CAPTIVITY.

Housing.—-Water is indispensable for the health and comfort of an Fy:
otter. The style of accommodation that has been found best suited to
their habits in this climate consists of an iron structure built on the

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 91

_ slope of a tank and enclosing a large area of .water. The enclosure
may be 30 feet long and 15 feet broad, stretching lengthwise into
the tank, and built on substantial brick walls with somewhat deep
foundation, as otherwise the otter is not unlikely to work its way out
under the mud. The portion of the enclosure which is to remain under
water should be made of at least half inch thick iron rods, placed one
inch or an inch and a half apart from each other ; the portion above the
water may be made of quarter inch rods, placed at an interval of an
inch anda half. Stout wire netting may be used for the roof, which,
during the hot weather, should be covered with a slight thatching of
straw. If some extent of dry ground is not available inside the
enclosure, a wooden platform may be built and a sleeping box provided,
For reasons to be explained later on, otters in this garden are some-
times kept in other and less comfortable places. Otters, unknown to
each other, should never be placed together.

Fvod.—Their food consists principally of fish. Otters eat much, but
waste more, if they have an opportunity of doing so. Two pounds of
koi or singi fish form the usual allowance of a full-grown otter, but their
appetite varies. Besides fish they eat crabs and frogs, and tame ones
have been known to become very fond of bread and biscuits. An otter is
therefore an expensive animal to keep, a full-grown one costing from
Rs. 6 to Rs. 8 a month. As far as possible young otters should not be
fed on £oi or singi, but on less bony-fish.

Transport.—To transport an otter is by no means easy, especially
if it is to be sent by sea and the distance is long; the difficulty lies in
providing fresh fish. Fortunately, however, the kot and singi fish
are hardy, and with a little care may be kept alive for a considerable
time. It is best to put these fish in an old earthen jar, but this
may be fractured on board a steamer; so the next best plan is to put
them in a wooden tub (half of a beer barrel) with plenty of tank weeds
and mud; a tub will hold from 10 to 20 pounds of fish; it should
be covered over with a piece of fishermen’s net, otherwise the fish will
escape; in such an arrangement the water need not be changed more
than once a fortnight. Crabs may also be sent, and otters may be fed
on eggs and chickens; but as they do not all care for such food, it ig
better to observe them and train them to eat such things before des-
patch. The cage for transport should be made with a sliding partition,
so as to divide it at the time of cleaning into two compartments, other-
wise it will soon become very dirty and the animal will suffer. A
quantity of dry earth or sand should be provided to enable the animal
to roll over it, and the creature should be syringed or sprinkled with
water twice a day. On approaching cold latitudes both the otter and
the food—the fish when provided—should be placed somewhere near the
engine room.

Breeding.—Otters have never bred in this garden.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Young otters, and sometimes adult ones also, have been known to
pine away and die. On one occasion a tame smooth-haired otter
suffered from an abscess in the throat; this was opened and the animal
recovered without any further treatment. Those kept in places with

oe

92 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

brick-on-edge or cemented floor sometimes suffer from a kind of foot ;
disease, no doubt brought on by constantly walking on the hard stone —
floor. 7 he.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF OTTERS.

Otters are extremely active, inquisitive and noisy animals. Al-
though in their wild state they are to a great extent nocturnal in habits,
in captivity they are lively during the greater part of the day. They
sleep during the day just as any other diurnal animal does. Although |
otters are amiable creatures in appearance and extremely graceful in
their movements, they are sometimes very pugnacious and combative.
When one is allowed to remain for some time by itself, it becomes very
exclusive in its ideas, and strongly objects to the intrusion of strangers.
Attempts to accustom two or three of them to live together have several “a
times failed. It wasthought that if one were introduced in a cage it |
would be protected, and the older inmate of the premises would get
accustomed to its presence. No sooner, however, was this plan tried .
than the cage with the new otter inside it was dragged by the old one .
into the water and held under as if to drown the poor creature. Hence
difficulties arise in housing otters, and often they have to be kept in
places not particularly suited to their habits. Towards feeding-time
otters become very impatient and _ restless, and may often be seen —
rapidly pacing up and down the cage, and every now and then standing
up in front of the door anxiously looking forward to the direction from
which their food is brought, and uttering shrill cries. As the familiar
figure of the keeper approaches with a bucketful of fish, the otter |
becomes still more restless and impatient, cries louder and incessantly; 4
as the man reaches the door, the otter jumps into the water and dives
after each fish as thrown in. It brings up the fish in its mouth and oe
commences eating it from the head. Though extremely fond of fish ;
and mostly living upon them, otters have been observed to eat crabs
and small tarrapins with evident relish. T'wo tame otters, having once
escaped from an unfinished cage in which they were placed on arrival,
were allowed the freedom of the lake for a day or two, when, having
caught and eaten fish to their hearts’ content, they would divert them-
selves with extracting crabs and eating them. An otter has also been
found eating a bird. A number of whistling teals had at one time
been placed in the otter enclosure as an experiment. Yor the first day
or two nothing particular happened; early on the morning of the third
day one of the teals was missed, but no suspicion fell upon the otter until
on the morning of the fourth day it was found in the act of eating one. |
The remaining birds were, of course, removed to a safer place.

There is an anecdote on record of an otter making friends with a
crocodile. Peggy, the oldest otter then living in the garden, once
managed to escape by digging a hole in one corner of the cage where
the bars rested on the mud. The operation having been performed under
water, it passed unnoticed till after the escape of the animal. Having
gained its freedom it took to amusing itself in the water, and baffled
all attempts of the keepers to recapture it, a large island overgrown
with shrubs and undergrowth giving it a great advantage over its
pursuers. Night supervening, the pursuit had to be abandoned

Aa

— s

ee

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 93
¥ temporarily. Next morning the animal was seen disporting itself close
to the island, but on the approach of the men it disappeared until, after

considerable search, it was found hidden inside a burrow. Its bewil-
dered appearance betrayed something unusual which was not properly
understood till after the capture of the beast, when it was discovered
that all the time it had been keeping company with a crocodile in its
hiding place. That it ever escaped being devoured was a wonder. The
crocodile was killed. A common otter twice escaped, and on each
occasion it made for the nearest fish-market.

(99) THE CLAWLESS OTTER.

(LUTRA LEPTONYX—AHorsf.)

The chief characteristics of this otter are that its claws are extremely
small and rudimentary, and in some specimens altogether wanting, and
that the third and fourth toes on all feet are considerably longer than
the others: the skull also of this species is much smaller than in other
forms found in India,

Hab,—Inhabits the greater part of the Oriental region. It occurs
in the Himalayas at low elevations, and is found in Bengal, Assam,
Burmah, Southern China, the Malayan peninsula, and Java. LExcept at
high elevations on the Nilgiri and some other places, it does not occur
in the Peninsula of India.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The longest period during which one has lived in the garden has

not exceeded three years.
With regard to housing, feeding, transport, &c., it may be treated

like other species mentioned above.

OBSERVATIONS ON ITS HABITS.

As far as they have been observed, the clawless ofters are certainly
tamer than the other specimens, but not less noisy,

(100) THE RACOON Dog.

(NYCTEREUTES PROCYONOI DES—Gray.)

Description.—Total length, including the tail, about 25 ; :
Pe ae ces Brevis pene, with plage tips to the hair; cise
egs dark chocolate brown; tail short, thi Roe
saat short, thick and pale brown with white

fab.— Japan and Amurland,

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen lived about eighteen months. Animal
; . ; s f
climate as that of Amurland are not likely, even under the aa a
able circumstances, to thrive in Lower Bengal. re |

A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAG

hb TREATMENT IN HEALTH. _ i a

Housing.—The only chance of keeping such an animal alive
place it in a very cool and airy place, and completely sheltered fron
sun. With respect to the specimen exhibited in the garden, wet
khus screens, hung outside the cage, were found useful in lowering
temperature of the place during the middle of the day in summer whe!
the animal panted a good deal: a shower-bath administered with a gar- mee
den syringe wasalso beneficial. The best treatment, however, is to allow

it, when practicable, as much liberty as possible. eee

Food.—Eggs, bread, milk, fruits, small birds and meat. The
animal referred to above lived chiefly upon eggs and bread and milk. =a

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS. ae

The animal spoken of here suffered from an obstinate kind of skin
; disease which baffled all treatment. After its death an autopsy was
i held and its liver was found to be extremely enlarged, and almost all the
viscera enveloped in masses of fat. a

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A Racoon Doa.

This animal was very shy on arrival, but after some time in capti- . q
vity it became so tame as to respond to caresses and attention. It ‘i
appeared to be very lazy, probably owing to the enervating influence

of the climate: it was never known to eat before the evening was some- 4
what dark. Although generally silent, it had a soft mew, distinctly we
expressive of pleasure. a

(101) THE WHITE-NOSED COATI. a 4

(NASUA NARICA—(Linz.) ) i

Description.—Stout and rounded in form. The chief characteristics 7
of this animal are its elongated and tapering head, truncated nose and =
long and hairy tail. ‘The colour of the fur blackish brown above,
yellowish beneath ; a good deal of grey about the head; tail yellowish
black and ringed indistinctly. |
x Hab.— South America. ae

SS.

(102) THE RING-TAILED COATI.

(NASUA RUFA—(Desm.) )

Description.—It is uniformly fulivous in colour, tail distinctly ringed. - a |
Hab.—South America. ee 28

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
A. white-nosed coati lived for about five years, and the longest a
period during which a ring-tailed coati has as yet lived has been only —
a little over four years. a

4 Ae al 2 &
ee
=
7

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 95

TREATMENT IN HEALTH,

Housing.—Coatis are hardy animals, requiring no special treatment
with regard to their housing; as they are rather destructive animals,
the cage needs to be strong. When kept in one of a series of cages in
a row, they have been known to bite other animals through the wire or
grated partition, whenever they had a chance; the partition separating
them from other animals should therefore be lined with thin planks or

stout wire of a small mesh. A small block of wood or a piece of stone

should be given them for scratching their claws on.

Food.—Boiled beef forms their ordinary diet in captivity, but they
eat fruits, eggs, small birds, land and fresh-water snails, frogs, lizards
and beetles; they are in fact omnivorous.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

These animals have been known to suffer from diarrhea and
dysentery which yield to change of diet.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A COATI.

Coatis are restless, inquisitive animals, poking their long truncated
noses into everything; their footfall is heavy, and their cry is harsh
and grating, but very subdued. They are bold animals, and although
not ferocious, their temper can never be trusted.

(103) THE KINKAJOU.
(CERCOLEPTES CAUDIVOLVULUS—(Paii.) )

Description.—General colour maroon brown; nose short, accu-
minated; ear oblong; tail elongate, hairy and prehensile. It is about
the size of a cat, but slender.

Hab.—South and Central America.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The maximum period during which a specimen has lived in the
garden has been only a little over three years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—As the animal is fond of climbing trees it should have
a place assigned to it where it can indulge in its favourite habits, and
for this purpose the cage ought to be somewhat high, with dry branches
of trees stuck inside it. A wire cage, some 8 or 10 feet long, 6 feet
broad and 7 or 8 feet high, with a shelf and a box near the roofas a
retiring place, may answer very well. The cage may be either isolated
or in connection with any other structure.

food.—Small birds, eggs, bread, milk and insects (the animal
that was exhibited in the garden had no liking for the latter).

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OY vat tm A Ve ee ke. Ke cae
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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGE!

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Nothing particular is known in respect to their ailments in ;
captivity. ie: | se

a
OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A KinxKAJou. | ae
2

The single specimen, exhibited in the garden, slept much during __
the day, but was generally active at the approach of night. It wasvery
tame, and never showed any inclination to stray when let out of a
morning. Its movements on the ground were rather awkward, butit
was an expert climber. When enraged it drew back and hissed, and ;

was very quick in striking with its forepaws.

—

es!

(104) THE PANDA OR CAT-BEAR.

(AALURUS FULGENS, F. Cuww.)

Description.— About the size of a large cat, the head round, and the
face short and very broad; limbs short and stout, tail long and thick:
very prettily coloured, being yellowish red on the back, head and tail, ~
the latter ringed and black tipped: the upper limbs and the lower parts —
of the sides generally much darker than the back; abdomen brownish.
Face and lower lips white: a stripe of dark brown or red runs down
from above the eye to the corner of the mouth ; it may be indistinct or
altogether wanting. ars white inside and at the margin outside, rest
of the outside black. Feet and the pads covered with hair, which
become thin and worn-out in captivity. The dimensions of a full-grown
cat-bear are about 24 inches, tail 17.

Hab.—South-Eastern Himalayas at elevations from 7,000 to 8,000
feet. As far as known its western limit is Nepai, but the eastern limit
extends through the mountain ranges north of Assam to Yunan, where,
in the higher mountain ranges to the east, it has, according to Anderson
(Anatomical and Zoological Researches), a greater numerical develop-
ment than in the Himalayas. :

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The maximum period of a cat-bear’s life in the garden has been
only about twenty months. Considering the elevation at which these
animals live, it is not expected that they should thrive longer in Lower
Bengal.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—The only efficient method of keeping a cat-bear alive
‘ ~ and in health in a climate so strange to it as that of Calcutta, is to allow
’ it as much liberty as possible, by which means the animal is enabled not |
only to take plenty of exercise, but to find much of its own food also,
and, as it is easily tamed, this can be accomplished without much diffi-
culty. The best plan is to locate a new arrival in a large airy cage
under the shade of a tree, or better still under a bamboo clump. Here ~
it should be fed and attended until it becomes thoroughly accustomed to ag

, .
¥

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 97

its new surroundings, and begins to look out for food at the appointed
hours; it should then be gradually encouraged to come out and climb
the tree or the bamboo clump, taking care always to shut it in before
darkness comes on. The animal will soon learn to come down of its own
accord at the proper time. |

There is some drawback to this method of keeping animals in a
place much frequented by visitors, and the spot selected should therefore
be as retired as possible. Another method suggested is to tie it up to
a, beer barrel with a chain and allow it to roam about; this has never
been tried.

Food.—It eats plantains, dates, bread, milk, bamboo leaves and
sprouts, grass, eggs, and small birds, such as sparrows. The specimen
that lived in the garden for about twenty months fed mostly upon
bread and milk, and as it almost invariably passed the day in a bamboo
clump, it consumed a good deal of its leaves and sprouts. |

Transport.—A. cat-bear is an extremely delicate animal and cannot
endure heat; it should not, therefore, be brought down from the
hills except during the winter, even for the purpose of sending it away
to some other congenial climate. Its journey in the plains should be
so arranged as to be performed by night and early morning. A light
eage with bamboo or round wooden sticks on all sides should be pro-
vided ; a plank box will suffocate it. For a sea voyage it may be placed
in the ice-house of the steamer while passing the warmer latitudes.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Cat-bears have been known to die from convulsions.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A CAT-BEAR.

In captivity a cat-bear is placid and inoffensive, and becomes
within a short time tame and docile. Its movements are awkward and
slow on the ground, but it is an excellent climber. One of the speci-
mens that lived in the garden has sometimes been observed to sleep
on the bamboo clump in the angle formed by the crossing of bamboos.
This animal held its food—bread, plantains, or even eggs—in its fore-
paws. It was never observed to drink milk by inserting its lips, but
always by lapping very gently and quietly. In captivity it is generally
a very silent animal; but when angry or otherwise irritated it utters a
“sharp spitting hiss.” |

For further particulars on the habits of cat-bears the following
books may be consulted:—Mammals of India—Jerdon; Fauna of
British India—Blanford; Proceedings, Zoological Society, London,
1870, “on the habits of cat-bears,” by Bartlett.

(105) THE POLAR BEAR.

(URSUS MARITIMUS—LZinz.)

It is distinguished from all other species by its perfectly white
colour.
Hab.—Polar regions.

= 7

A HAND-BOOK OF TI :

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
A specimen lived from March 1886 to November 1887.
» ~ - :

TREATMENT IN HEALTH. ia

Housing.—A. polar bear is one of those animals which should ys =e
never be acquired for exhibition in this climate. The animal here re-
ferred to was merely deposited by a dealer who had sent it tothis
country for sale, and every device that could possibly be adopted to

- mitigate its sufferings was tried. It was placed in one of the coolest
dens of the Carnivora House, and a bath was especially built for its com- __
fort. During the hot weather fifteen seers of ice were daily given,
which it enjoyed very much, often crouching upon a large block, or
otherwise making the best use of it. p

Food.—Its food consisted of milk, bread and biscuits in the morning __
and about three pounds of fat mutton in the evening. Fish and live
pigeons were also occasionally given. |

Transport.—Any remark on this head is perhaps unnecessary.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS. ae
This animal after having been about a month in the garden became —
subject to rather extensive superficial ulceration of the fore parts of its

body, involving the ears and upper front limbs. This originated in a

slight abrasion which it inflicted upon itself while rubbing its shoulder

and ear ona large piece of wood. So rapid was the progress of the

disease, that within three days the whole front part of the body became

one mass of superficial ulcer. While being treated for the ulcer, the

right ear suppurated and became full of maggots. Fortunately every-
thing soon yielded to the persistent use of a weak solution of corrosive

— sublimate. eb

OBSERVATIONS ON ITS HABITS. | 5

This animal had a peculiar habit of constantly sliding backwards

on the smooth wet floor of its den—some relic probably of its way in

q icy regions, : .
at

(106) THE BROWN BEAR. a
(URSUS ARCTOS—Linz.) ; | a
- Hindi—Barf-ka-rinch.

Both the European and the Himalayan forms of brown bear have
been exhibited in the garden. The only difference that has been ~—
observed is that of size, the Himalayan form being smaller thanthe
European variety ; the former is also lighter in colour than the latter, but
the shades of colour vary a great deal in both. The fur of theHuropean
variety appears to be much more shaggy than in the Himalayan
bear. Both have longish fur on the shoulder, forming a fick tuftand
giving the appearance of a hump. ‘ag8 eee Pe 2

7 ss 7 * AP

Br

v “ge “es

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. — 99

Hab.—The brown bear has a wide range of distribution, being met
with throughout the greater portion of the Palearcticregion. In Europe
it is found in Norway, Sweden, Russia, Siberia, Poland, the Pyrenees,
and Northern Europe generally; in temperate Asia it is found in
Northern Siberia, Kamtschatka, Amurland, and the Himalayas. The
Himalayan form extends from Afghanistan as far east as Nepal, and is
common in the Astor Valley and the Gilgit district. Specimens have

- been obtained from Kashmir and Kumaon.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A pair of the European variety have been living since December
1887, and a pair of Himalayan brown bears from March 1884; the former
lived for a number of years in the menagerie of the late King of Oudh
before their arrival here.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.
Housing.—Except during the few months of winter, the climate of

Bengal is generally uncongenial to these animals, and much depends,

-

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bj

a

therefore, upon the kind of accommodation assigned to them. The
house must be well protected from the sun, and be at the same time
cool and airy; besides a copious supply of pure drinking water, there
must be a bath into which it may be necessary to put a quantity of ice
during the warmest days of summer: a grotto or dark chamber, with a
platform for the animals to sleep upon, is also necessary. Like most other
animals, bears are very susceptible to damp, which should be avoided as
much as possible, so that, where the houses are low, a wooden platform,
in addition to that inside their sleeping chamber, should be given them
in the outer den also. In the construction of the house wood should be
avoided as much as possible, as most bears are addicted to gnawing it;

the wooden posts, when used should be lined with iron or zinc. These _

bears are powerful animals and some of them are mischievous also, so
that accidents have sometimes happened by trusting to their previous

_ good conduct and neglecting to take extra precautions in securing them: —

they have been known to bend three-quarters of an inch thick wrought-
iron rods with ease where the cross bars of iron strengthening them were
from 2 feet 6 inces to 3 feet apart.

Food.—May be fed with boiled rice, sugar, vegetables, fruits, eggs,
bread, biscuits and milk; meat is occasionally given them, but every
individual has not the same relish for it. Ordinarily boiled rice, sugar,
a little milk and some vegetables are given them. One of the female
brown bears isa great epicure, refusing to touch any food unless boiled
eggs form a large proportion of it. |

Transport.—For the reasons stated under “ housing,’ an iron
cage is indispensable when it is required to transport one of these
animals. Not that they have never been conveyed in a wooden cage,
but it is on the whole safer to have an iron one; the same style of cage
as has been recommended for the transport of a lion or a tiger will also
do well for a bear, but for the latter the top and bottom of the cage
should also be made of iron gratings.

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT ‘OF ANIMALS
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Teething.—Young brown bears have been known to suffer from
teething. The animal when suffering from this ailment refuses food an
salivates a good deal; if this continues for two or three days diarrhea
supervenes. No specific treatment has ever been adopted in such
eases beyond giving milk and soup to support the strength of the —
animal, and aromatic chalk powder to check the diarrhea. vies
Inflammation and ulceration of the lips are sometimes caused by an =
ill-tempered animal, especially if it is new to the place, rushing against
the gratings of the den with violence, causing thereby slight abrasion of __
the mucous lining of the lips which become swollen and inflamed. An
animal with such habits ought to have its cage so barricaded as to
prevent visitors coming too close. Lips when ulcerated may be touched _
with weak solution of nitrate of silver or borax and honey.
Diarrhea and dysentery are not uncommon among these animals ;
bael in the several forms already mentioned (page 3), Dover’s powder,
aromatic powder of chalk, are some of the medicines administered in
checking them. By way cf diet the animal should have milk and bread,
soup and eggs if necessary. !
Constipation from various causes is also not unfrequent; in ordi- —
nary mild cases 4 to 8 ounces of raisins will be found very effective ;
if, however, it is caused by hepatic disorders, 30 grains of chloride
of ammonium should be given in milk and sugar every morning until
a healthy system is attained.
Ulceration of the throat and mouth, probably brought on by
exposure to chill and sudden change in the atmosphere, is a very
troublesome complaint, causing a great deal of suffering to the beast.
The animal when subject to this disease behaves as if something were
sticking in its throat; it constantly opens its mouth, protrudes its
tongue, and moves its head from side to side, indicating great discomfort
and pain. The difficulty of treating such cases consists in inducing
the patient to eat; this, however, may be overcome by confining the
animal to milk diet alone for three or four days; by way of medicine
chlorate of potash, 20 to 30 grains in each dose, may be administered
with sugar and milk three times a day, and the mouth touched with
weak lotion of nitrate of silver. These animals have been observed to
abstain from food, without any apparent illness, for three or four days.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF Brown BEars.

_ The European brown bears are rather slow in their movements, —
and walk with measured steps, and though they often make a rush —
towards the gratings of their den, as a Himalayan brown bear does
under similar circumstances, they appear to want the agility of the
latter; this may, however, be due to the difference in their size and
bulk. Both the European and the Himalayan forms shed their winter
fur in March, and about this time they look much smaller than they —
did a few days before when they had their winter coats on; they are
very fond of water, and may, during the summer especially, be constantly _
seen in their baths. ‘They become somewhat noisy at the approach of —
feeding time, and of the two varieties the European is perhaps more

oo ee ae,

“IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 101

clamorous than the other. The noise they make is a sort of deep
guttural wail with a nasal twang. When hungry they eat up their usual
food, consisting of bread and milk or boiled rice and milk, with great
rapidity. Their mode of attack is very peculiar. They stand erect on
their hind legs, move backwards a step or two, and then plunge
forward and strike round with their forepaws. When fighting
between themselves, they also confront each other as above. They
sometimes hug each other playfully, uttering, all the time they are
thus engaged, a kind of monotonous howling cry often interrupted
by an angry growl. ‘Their vision appears to become somewhat affected
by captivity. The Himalayan brown bears, especially adolescent
animals, run very swiftly at a gallop. One of a pair of these
beasts once managed to escape at night by climbing the sides of
its cage, which was at that time built of stout gurran poles; squeezing
itself out through a small space between the roof and sides of the cage,
it found its way into one of the unoccupied rooms of the arsenal in
Fort William, and was captured the next day after much anxiety and
trouble. Although the space through which it had escaped was closed
in and all possible precautions taken to confine it, it escaped a second
time by biting through a portion of the fencing. It was, however,
discovered just outside the garden by one of the watchmen, whose
attention was called to that direction by the barking of pariah dogs.
The fugitive was soon circumvented and captured after an exciting chase
all over the garden.

¥

(107) THE GRIZZLY BEAR.
(URSUS HORRIBILIS—Ord.)

This species of bear attains to considerable size. The specimens
exhibited in the collection were, however, small animals, the larger of
the two, the male, not measuring more than 5 feet 9 inches. The front
claws are comparatively larger than the hinder ones, and curved like
those of the sloth bear. Fur coarse and abundant, longer on the neck
than in the rest of the body; its colour varies from grey to blackish
brown; the limbs, especially the lower parts, are much darker than the
rest of the body: tail very small. In the specimens under observation
the tail was scarcely visible in the winter, when the coat was dense
and thick; they looked very pale in summer, when the coating became
thin and ragged. ,

Hab.— North America, chiefly the Rocky Mountains and the open
grassy plains and prairies adjacent.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
The maximum period of life of this species has been only three
years and ten months.
TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—This may be the same as for the brown bear, though
modifications may always be necessary to suit special peculiarities.

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102 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

Before they were three days in the garden, a pair of grizzly
began damaging the roof of the sleepmg chamber of their new ha
tion, so that it had to be raised and other incidental alterations ma
These bears also must have plenty of water during the hot weather. = __
Food.—Grizzly bears have never appeared to be fond of animal
food, their large canines notwithstanding. Their ordinary food consists _
of boiled rice, sugar, biscuits, and vegetables, besides which they
consume a large quantity of fresh grass daily. Tae
Transport.—This may be managed as in the case of a brown bear.

*

a

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS. oe

Both the specimens died somewhat suddenly. No autopsy was
held in the case of the female; in that of the male, which died much _
later, the symptoms supported the conclusion that it had died from —

convulsions. : ae

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A GrizzLy BEAR.

A grizzly bear resembles the other species in manners and habits.
The male bear exhibited in the garden was rather mischievous,’ as
already mentioned. It would raise itself on its hind legs on the wooden
b latform to get at the roof, and, not content with simply scraping off
the plaster, it would try to pull down the bricks also with its long,
sharp claws. On one occasion it managed to escape by bending one
of the wrought-iron rods forming the enclosure of the passage leading
into the sleeping room. ‘Though mischievously inclined it was neither
savage or ill-tempered, so that, having got out, its next anxiety was
how to return. Having moved a little way from the opening it had
difficulty to rediscover it, and to do so it appeared tomake more use
of its sense of smell than of sight. These bears only became somewhat
noisy at the approach of feeding-time.
An excellent account of the habits of this species in a wild state
will be found in Richardson’s Zoology of the Northern Parts of British

America.
(108) THE HIMALAYAN BEAR.

(URSUS TORQUATUS—Waguer.)

Hindi—Bhalu. Bengali—Bhaluk.

The size of these animals varies considerably. A. specimen, over

9 years old, from Mergui, at present living in the collection, does

not exceed 3 feet in length from nose to seat. The largest Hima-

layan bear living in the garden measures over 7 feet 6 inches. The colour

of this species is black throughout, excepting the white horse-shoe

mark on the chest; the fur is very smooth, sleek, and abundant,

oe especially during the winter : the tufts of longish hair on the shoulders, — os

fe PY giving the appearance of a hump, are not so conspicuous in this species

as in the brown bear. In young individuals the forehead and nose ~

are sometimes grey, and the general colour also varies a great deal. In a
some individuals there is a large patch of white under the chin, while

in others none or very little. —

é,
xi, ,

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 103

Hab.—The Himalayan black bear occurs throughout the forest
regions of the Himalayas and extends through parts of Afghanistan
into Beluchistan and the west frontier of Sindh. Eastwards it is found
in the Assam ranges extending into Burmah, Pegu, and Tenasserim.
The first authentic knowledge of its occurrence in Mergui was obtained
by the acquisition of two young specimens from that place in 1883.
The Himalayan black bear is also found in Southern China, Hainan
and Formosa. The black bears said to occur in the plains of Eastern
Bengal are likely to be of this species, as sloth bears are mostly
distributed in Bengal along its western frontier and the countries
bordering it. 2

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The longest period during which a Himalayan black bear has as
yet lived in the garden has been a little over fifteen years, and it is
still alive and well. It may be remarked in this connection that the
animal referred to here lived for about eighteen years in the Viceroy’s
menagerie at Barrackpore prior to its presentation to this garden by

His Excellency Lord Northbrook.*

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—The same general principle which has been recommend-
ed for the brown bear should also be observed in this cage. The
house which has been assigned to the large Himalayan bear has been
one of the most successful habitations for bears in the garden, as the
excellent health which its inmate has generally muintained de-
monstrates. The building consists of a dark cave, a central pit covered
with a roof and provided with a bath, and a raised enclosure which
serves for a promenade.

Food.—Boiled rice, boiled gram, bread, biscuits, fruits, vegetables,
eggs and milk. Usually it gets either a seer of rice or gram boiled,
about 4 ounces of sugar and some vegetables in the morning, a
loaf of bread, some biscuits, an egg with some vegetables in the
‘evening: the animal is extremely fond of sugarcane and juicy fruits ;
if an orange or a plantain be given, it immediately sets to peeling them
in a most methodical and businesslike way. During the summer the
large Himalayan bear is generally fed only once a day to prevent its
getting fat. The feeding of an animal like this costs from Rs. 10 to
Rs. 12 per mensem ; smaller ones cost proportionately less.

Transport.—The same remarks as have been made with regard to
the transport of a brown bear apply to bears generally.

Breeding.—Himalayan bears once bred in the garden, but the
young one was unfortunately still-born. on

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Several deaths have been caused by inflammation of the lungs.
When very young animals have been concerned and a diagnosis
carefully made, fomentations have been applied and ammonia and
vinegar internally administered, but as far as it is known.without any
success. Diarrhea and dysentery are also common among Himalayan
bears, but they soon yield to treatment when timely adopted.

* This animal has since died.

a

‘104 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

the attempt. Himalayan black bears are seldom noisy, and they have

bai hs Nok
Ce ee iat
: ? Veer DANS

Congestion of the liver has been known to cause death of t. hese ;
bears: an animal lately succumbed to general debility and exhaustion
caused by hepatic disorders. The only symptoms being constipation
and want of appetite; an attempt was made to give it castor oil in milk,
but it could. not be induced to take or touch anything. On examining
the body after death the liver was found to be enlarged, the gall bladder
full of bile as black as ink, and the surface of the liver deeply coloured
with bile pigments. This animal when alive was extremely lazy.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF HIMALAYAN BEARS.

The experience gained in the management of these bears in
captivity does not support the belief that they are more savage than
brown bears ; it may be so in their wild state, but the case is certainly
otherwise in captivity. The temper of bears can never be trusted,
whether it be a black or brown bear. Although heavy in their
movements, the young Himalayan bears are generally very active
creatures, and extremely fond of, and expert in, mounting atree. It
is surprising with what ease and facility even a large and unwieldy
beast sometimes climbs a tree or the bars of its cage. The large black
bear in the collection is gradually becoming old, but three or four
years ago it used at times to climb the bars of its cage and amuse
itself by. pulling down the straw from the projecting eave of the roof
and breaking the ornamental fringes bordering it. It may still be
seen walking round and round the narrow ledge of the wall of its
pit, and it is astonishing how such a huge animal, which appears to
move with difficulty owing to the great weight of its body, can walk
and even turn round in a place where a man can hardly stand. The
thickness and bulk of this beast are most apparent as he sits, human
like, lolling against the side of the cage, one of the hind limbs drawn up and
the corresponding forelimb resting upon it. It has been observed to be
rather a common habit with animals in captivity that when they once
become habituated to a particular place and mode of life they stoutly
object toa change. This large bear is one of such animals. It having
become necessary on one occasion to remove it to another part of the
garden, a strong roomy cage was placed against the door of its house,
and arrangements were made for its removal, but every attempt to
induce it to enter the cage was frustrated. Although the animal had
been starving for three or four days and was hungry and uncomfortable,
it showed such dogged obstinacy that it became necessary to abandon

never been observed to suck up their food like the brown or sloth bears.
The habit of sucking the ear of a companion, or the animal’s own
limb, is not uncommon among creatures of this species. }

(109) THE BLACK BEAR.

(URSUS AMERICANUS—Pail.)

The American black bear is a smaller animal than either the
Himalayan black or the grizzly bears. An adult animal seldom exceeds
5 feet from the tip of the nose to the tail. The specimen living ~
in the collection is about 4 feet in length and is uniformly black” —
throughout, the nose and a portion above it is brownor greyish brown; _

id

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 105

a whitish brown patch on each side of the lips; its forehead is slightly
convex, ears prominent and oval, and are placed far apart than in the
grizzly bear. The fur of the body long, shining and smooth, and that
about the shoulders wavy. ‘The claws are black and generally covered
by the long dense hair of the feet. ’

Hab.—North America, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from
Carolina River to the shores of the Arctic Sea.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen has been living since April 1888.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—May be treated like the others. It must not be supposed
that, as being an inhabitant of a cold and temperate region, it can
be left exposed with impunity to draughts at night during the winter.
During the summer it must have plenty of water in its bath, as it likes
to wallow in it to keep itself cool.

Food.—The specimen now in the collection is fed on biscuits chiefly ;
vegetables and grass it also eats, but boiled rice has been found not to
agree with it.

-Transport.—The same as the other species.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

This bear has several times suffered from diarrhea and hepatic
disorders ; the former was probably due to unsuitable diet, and the latter
to want of exercise. Change of diet and habitation did much good.
While recovering from diarrhea it became subject to a kind of skin
disease ; to arrest the progress of this, sulphur and borax, two parts of
the former, and one part of the latter, were freely used as an external
application, and had the desirable effect ; flowers of sulphur mixed with
sugar was given internally.

OBSERVATIONS ON ITS HABITS.

Mild in disposition. Unlike the brown and the grizzly bears, this
animal is less addicted to rearing on its hind legs (though this may be
the peculiarity of this particular animal, which is somewhat lazy in all
its movements). It sleeps much during the day, and when the bath is
empty makes use of it for a bed: during the winter it carries all the
straw it is allowed for bedding to this place to lie upon. It receives
earesses with evident delight, and is extremely friendly with the keeper.
It is not at all noisy. For further information the books mentioned in
connection with the grizzly bear may be consulted.

(110) THE MALAYAN BEAR.

(URSUS MALAYANUS—Rafftes.)

Description.—A. full-grown Malay bear seldom exceeds 4 feet and
6 inches in length. ‘The chief characteristics of this species are its short
fur, small and rounded ears, and a very long tongue. Its short and

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po 2G A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS _

have been seen invariably to tear open the entrails, whether they eat them

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broad skull gives it a peculiar physiognomy, and its short close fur makes —
it look elongated in form. The colour of the animal is black, the forehead _
grey, and the muzzle pale grey; chin almost whitish: a semi-circular __
yellowish white patch on the chest, which is, however, variable in sizein _
different animals; claws are long and sharp and of a horny grey colour. __

Hab.—In India, the Garo Hills and eastern districts of Hill Tipperah
and Chittagong; found also in Tenasserim and Burmah, and extends
through Malay peninsula into Sumatra, Java, and Borneo. ~

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The maximum period during which one has lived in the garden __
has been a little over three years only, from January 1876 to May 1879.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

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“yr ga Mars eae ee as “y Sali Sue \

Housing.—No special remarks are necessary on this point, except
that as this species is particularly of an active habit and very fond of
climbing trees, its habitation should be built accordingly. It would
conduce greatly to their welfare if some arrangements and plan could be
devised by which all bears in captivity in a hot climate could be
compelled to take more exercise than they are in the habit of taking.
The Malay bears do not require a bath, except occasionally during the ,
very hot weather: during the winter they should be well protected from a
cold. The young and even adolescent beasts may be lodged with other
species of the same age and strength, but older animals become
pugnacious.

Food.—It thrives best on a mixed diet consisting of vegetables,
boiled rice, bread, biscuit, egg, and milk. Ordinarily biscuit is the best
food for this and other species. Young animals should have milk and
bread or milk and soaked biscuit or boiled rice and sugar. These bears
are extremely fond of honey and sweets in general, and are also fond of
insects ; they do not care for meat, but readily kill chickens and rats, and |

or not cannot, however, be said with certainty.

Transport.—Though small in size and less powerful than most
other species, it is, nevertheless, an animal that requires careful handling.
Its propensities to mischief are great, and it is ever seeking to escape
from its prison; lately a specimen strangled itself while on board one of
the river steamers from Assam to Calcutta.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

An adult Malay bear, which lived longer than others of its kind in the
garden, died from diarrhwa and vomiting ; it was probably a case
of gastritis. Young ones have sometimes been seen to die rather
suddenly from convulsions : they also suffer from teething.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A Matayan Bear.

Far more active than other species whose habits have been observed _
in this garden ; it paces its den constantly and rapidly, climbs the bars

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL.” 107

of its cage and swings from them. It is generally good humoured
and playful, and affords more amusement than other bears. The
younger ones are excellent climbers, and, if allowed, will remain during
the greater part of the day on a tree, scrambling from branch to branch
or sitting hidden in its thick foliage. The adult Malayan bear, which
lived in the garden between 1876 and 1879, was in the habit of
snatching away umbrellas, sticks, hats, and caps from visitors who
ventured too near its cage and evidently enjoyed the fun of their
anxiety to get possession of the lost articles, which it never dropped
until they were gone from the place. This bear exhibited a remarkable
attachment to its keeper, whose caresses and attention it enjoyed and
reciprocated.

(111) THE SLOTH BEAR.

-(MELURSUS URSINUS—(Shaw.) )

Bengali— Bhaluk.

This is the common bear of the plains. Its distinguishing character-
istics are its elongated and mobile snout; large, powerful, and curved
claws; coarse and shaggy fur, and short, unshapely hind legs. Its
colour is black throughout, except the end of the muzzle, which is dirty
grey ; a white horse-shoe shaped mark on the chest; claws white or
grey. The hair along the middle line of the back parted. The average
length of a sloth bear is about 5 feet, males being larger than the
females. 4
Hab.—Throughout the hilly and jungly parts of the peninsula of
India; its western limit is Kattywar and Cutch, its range northward is
limited by the Indian desert ; but taking India generally, the northern
range of the animal is the base of the Himalayas; its eastern limit
is probably confined to Western Bengal. Specimens have been received
from Midnapore, Orissa, Manbhoom, Sonthal Pergunnahs, Gya, Mirza-
pore, Hazaribagh, and its neighbourhood.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Though living probably within twenty miles of Calcutta, these
bears have been found not to bear captivity well, so that the longest
period that a specimen ever lived in the garden has been only about
six years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—Cages such as have been described for other species are
suitable for this also. Wet, damp, and cold should be avoided as much
as possible. ‘T'he popular method of keeping bears in a pit, as in the
London Zoological Garden, is altogether unsuited to a hot climate. The
mortality among animals so treated was sufficient to demonstrate this.

Food.— Biscuits agree admirably with most bears, but some will not
touch them. All like sweets more or less, and sugarcane is a favourite
food of all. As in their wild state they chiefly feed on fruits, and
insects, and, amongst other things, the fleshy sweet petals of the mowha
flower (Bassia latifolia), which they greatly like, honey, the young of
bees, beetles and larvee, and ants, it is no wonder that they do not

4 ote ae ae

ee e ae | a
108 = A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMAIS

of mowha flowers, but failed, as they would not keep fresh, and stale

mowha was found to be deleterious rather than beneficial. Onthe whole,

biscuits, bread, gram, Indian-corn, sugarcane, and various kinds of
fruits are the articles of diet that can be most recommended for this or
any other species of bear. In feeding sloth bears it must be remembered
that they have a peculiar habit of sucking up their food, and it “is there-
fore well to lubricate it if it happens to be boiled rice, bread, &c., with a
little milk: fresh grass should always be given them. Sometimes

animals become so partial to the food they are brought up on from ©

infancy, that they would rather die of starvation than taste anything
else. A pair of adolescent sloth bears were once sent down from
upcountry, and in the usual course the ordinary food for bears was offered

them, but though hungry they would not touch it; other articles of -

diet were supplied, but again they were left untouched; milk, bread,
biscuits, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables, raisins, eggs, pupse of ants,—in
fact everything constituting a bear’s diet was procured and in turn
offered, without avail. At last it was ascertained that they were
accustomed to feed on chappati and dd/. It was, however, too late for
one of them, which had already died of starvation. The surviving
beast is thriving apace on this diet.
Transport.—I1t may be transported like any other species.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Diarrhea, dysentery, and hepatic disorders are the ailments from
which these bears suffer in captivity. Bael in some form or other and
aromatic powder of chalk are the best remedies for diarrhea. In very
mild cases no medicine should be given, but the diet changed.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A SLOTH BEAR.

This bear is a familiar object, as it is the one commonly led about
by jugglers and itinerant showmen and taught to dance. It has, it is
believed, to suffer no little cruelty while being trained for these exhibi-
tions. In captivity some sloth bears become very tame, but generally
they are not sociable animals. The young ones are playful enough up
to about a year old, repaying caresses and advances with their antics
and amusing tricks. They appear to be more intelligent about this age
than when they grow older. Confinement and adult age sour their temper.
Like other species, they rear up on their hind legs when suddenly
confronted or frightened, but cannot retain this position long. Under
ordinary circumstances they are not noisy, but when angry utter a
kind of rapid snorting grunt. This may be observed when an ill-
tempered beast, resenting the approach of anybody near its cage,
rushes towards him at full speed. The young ones are, however,
more noisy ; they have the curious habit of sucking their limbs, generally
their forepaws, or the ears of a companion, keeping up the while a
kind of continuous half-subdued humming sound. Adult bears are also
known to do the same. They are excellent climbers. |

For further information about the habits of these bears, Blanford’s
“ Fauna of British India, Mammalia,” and Colonel MacMaster’s “ Notes
on Jerdon’s Mammalia”’ may be consulted. ;

thrive in captivity, many of these articles being difficult to procure aun
reasonable prices. Attempts were at one time made to lay in a stock pet

ze a - > — s i ; , ;
ee IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL.© 109

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(112) THE TREE SHREW.
(TUPAIA ELLIOTI— Waterhouse.)

In general appearance it resembles a squirrel, but its teeth and point-
ed head show that it isnot one. Its colour is yellowish brown, speckled
above, with a variable tinge of rusty red on the upper surface of the tail,
the rump and back. The whole upper surface is often uniformly rusty
brown; lower surface of the body whitish or whitish grey; a distinct
shoulder stripe present. Length of the head and body of a full-grown
animal from 7 to 8 inches ; tail with hairs 8 to 9 inches.

Hab.—A. large part of the peninsula of India. The hills near
Monghyr have supplied the garden with specimens.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

No specimen has lived in the garden for more than nine months.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—Having regard to its habits in a wild state, it may be
treated like a squirrel. It should have a tolerably large space, pro-
portionate to its size and suitable to its active habits, carefully avoiding
damp and wet. As it is not addicted to biting and gnawing like
a squirrel, thin wooden frames may safely be used for its cage. A small
retiring box is indispensable to its comfort. ~

Food.— Being insectivorous, it may be fed on cockroaches, grasshop-
pers, crickets, beetles, &c.; it also eats eggs, minced meat, and may be
tried with bread and milk.

Transport.—No particular remarks are necessary, as it may be easily
transported like civets and smaller cats.

Habits.—Its habits and movements, though essentially active, are
distinguishable from those of a squirrel. It is very shy in captivity.
For detailed information about the structure and distribution of this
animal the following books may be consulted: “ Anatomical and
Zoological Researches ””—Anderson; “ Fauna of British India—
Mammalia’’—Blanford.

(113) HARDWICKE’S HEDGEHOG.
(ERINACEUS COLLARIS—Gray & Hardw.)

Hedgehogs are small ratlike insectivorous animals; their charac-
teristic feature being the presence of small spines on the back and sides.
They are popularly known as Kantachua or Shahi-chue—that is, spiny
rat or porcupine rat. In this species the spines on the head are not
divided by bare space in the middle line, and its colour is dark.

Hab,—Throughout the Punjab, Sindh, and North-Western India.

-HAND-E OOK OF THE 7
3 , ‘ | K. “s ie, : | |
(114) THE SOUTH-INDIAN HEDGEHOG.

: _ (BRINACEUS MICROPUS—Biyth.)
,

It is distinguished from the preceding species by having a naked

: furrow in the middle line of the head, thus dividing the spines into two —

groups and also by its pale colour. a

_ ~fab.—Plains of Southern India. P i,

ia & eal 4
(115) THE COMMON HEDGEHOG. ih, 4

3 | (ERINACEUS EUROPAUS—Linn.) ae

Hab.—The common hedgehog inhabits almost the whole of Europe
excepting the northern countries. Its eastern limit is as far as the
Caucasus.

oy he eae a See eae

: ile LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
| m Of the Indian species one lived for about eighteen months. This
é -. eannot, however, be said to have been the maximum period of a
. * “hedgehog’s life in the garden, as some of those that had been turned

loose could occasionally be seen long after they had been set at liberty.

w TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

As most of the Indian species inhabit the driest regions of the _
country, these animals are not likely, unless kept in a dry place, to
thrive in the damp climate of Lower Bengal. Several methods a
of housing them have been tried. Perhaps the most effective was a 4
wire cage, with plank bottom, raised about three feet off the ground;
and as it formed one of a series built under a substantial shed, it
was perfectly protected from moisture: the animal remained hidden
under the thick straw bedding during the day. As other specimens
were obtained, the plan of giving them an opportunity to burrow
and live in comparative freedom was tried. In a well-drained spot,
a masonry enclosure, 10 feet long, 5 feet broad, and about 4
feet deep, with solid brick-on-edge bottom, was prepared and filled
up with earth; a wire cage placed over the whole and a number
of hedgehogs putin. This was in winter, and for some months their
appearance and habits indicated nothing but the success of the
-experiment. They came regularly out of their burrow every evening
to feed and looked very lively and quite at home. During the rains,
however, the earth in the masonry tank became saturated with
moisture, and the creatures looked very dull and were less regular
in attendance at their meals. One wet morning after a showery night
the earth was found to have sunk considerably, burying some of the
hedgehogs under the mud. Another batch of hedgehogs was turned
altogether loose. These lived for some time and enjoyed their freedom. -
Some of them would show themselves of an evening close to the spob

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_ Food.—Grasshoppers, cockroaches, boiled eggs, and even bread
and milk. One of those that were loose in the garden was observed ~
feasting upon small mellipedes, which are numerous during the rains.
It is also believed that they eat ants. " ;

Transport.—This presents no difficulty, and requires no special —

contrivances. ‘~
Nothing is known with regard to their ailments. +,

HABITS IN CAPTIVITY.

Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals, and during the day remain —
concealed under the straw of the cage or any hiding place they can
find. Though night feeders, they do not object to eating during the day
in captivity, especially those that become familiar with their new
surroundings. ‘They have the peculiar habit of completely rolling them-
selves up into a ball when touched or disturbed. Hedgehogs, like
poreupines, have the power of suddenly jerking backwards, no doubt
for the same purpose of hurting their assailants; they never do so when

they become tame and familiar. In captivity here they have never :
been heard to utter any sound. a5 ee
i
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(116) THE SMALLER GYMNURA.
(GYMNURA SUILLA—(Miiller & Schleg.) )

The smaller gymnura somewhat resembles a shrew. It has no—
spines, and the tail is naked or nearly so; head elongate, ears compara-
tively large and naked. ‘The colour of the body above rusty brown,
below yellowish white.

Hab.—The smaller gymnura is found in Burmah, the Malay
peninsula, Sumatra, Java, &. A specimen, said to have been captured
in Tenassarim, was obtained in 1883.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

No specimen has hitherto lived in the garden longer than about
eight months. — we

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—It is arboreal in habits, and may be treated like a tree
shrew in this respect.

Food.—Cockroaches, grasshoppers, and various other insects and
their larves ; in captivity it will also eat eggs, bread and milk.

Habits.—The animal is nocturnal, but like many other nocturnal
animals in captivity it is wakeful and active during the day; ts move-
ments are somewhat like a squirrel = sits, )

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(117) THE GREY MUSK SHREW.
(CRGECIDURA CHRULEA—(Kerr,) ) ae
Hindi—Chhuchandar. Bengali—Chhuncha. ae

ey tn ge

This animal is so common in Lower Bengal that any description is
unnecessary. .

Hlab.—The same species that is found about the habitation in
Bengal is also found in Burmah, Ceylon, and some islands of the Indian
Ocean.

It has never been kept for exhibition, although specimens have
several times been caught and temporarily placed in cages. They do
not bear confinement well.

Food.—Its food consists of cockroaches, crickets, and other insects.
It also eats minced meat and frogs. During the early part of the rains,
when tiny frogs are abundant, a musk shrew may sometimes be seen
feasting on them. ‘

During July and August young musk shrews may be seen accom-

_ panying an old one, probably their mother, in her foraging excursions
- round a room or habitation. When kept in cages they remain com- 4
pletely hidden under the straw during the day. .

| !
(118) THE INDIAN FRUIT BAT OR FLYING FOX.
(PTEROPUS MEDIUS—Zemm.) | |

?

Bengali—Badul or Badur.

This is a common animal in Bengal. Its colour varies. Some speci- -
mens are much lighter than others.

Hab.—The flying fox is found throughout India, Burmah, and
Ceylon. 7

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens have been living since 1881.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—Their cage must be high, shady, and cool, as they are in
the habit of roosting in a retired place during the day, and cannot bear
light or much heat. In this garden the flying foxes are kept in one of
the divisions of a large aviary, in company with the crows and magpies.
Though incongruous, the arrangement has not been disturbed, as the
heterogenous party appear to do well and live in harmony. The flying
foxes hang head downwards, and prefer to claw with their hind feet on
to the wire netting of the cage, disregarding the sticks which are placed _
across the cage for their use. a

Food.—F lying foxes are fruit-eating animals, and feed on all sorts
of garden fruits—plantains, jamun (Huginea jambolana), almond, various.
kinds of figs and other fruits. In captivity they readily eat bread and —

*,
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oe IN CAPTIVITY. IN LOWER BENGAL. et 6 TES

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___ milk, biscuits and boiled rice, and drink often, especially during the

_.. Summer. .

_ Breeding.—F lying foxes have several times bred in the garden,
and have only one young ata birth. It firmly clings to the breast of
the mother, and remains in that position for about a month.

Transport.—F lying foxes are by no means amiable in disposition,
and if a number of them are confined in a small space, they are apt to
quarrel and bite each other. ‘There must be some netting or bars
in the cage from which they can suspend themselves.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF FLy1ING FoxeEs.

Their curious instinct of hanging head downwards has already been —

mentioned. They do this nearly all day. The head is slightly raised,
and the chin touches the chest. Sometimes also the creature envelops
itself in its wing membrane. The specimens in this garden afford an
excellent illustration of the adaptation of habits to external circumstances
and altered conditions of life. Although essentially nocturnal animals
in their wild state, in captivity they feed and drink regularly during
the day. They watch keenly for their food, and as it is placed inside
the cage they scramble down the wire netting, and while still holding on
to the wire snatch a plantain or a piece of any other food and scramble
up again. Like other animals, they will quarrel for the same object,
whether food or other trifle. In captivity they are seldom noisy. Their
large ears are very sensitive, and may often be seen in a state of
vibratory movement. ‘They have a disagreeable smell.

(119) THE LESSER FRUIT BAT.
(CYNOPTERUS MARGINATUS—(Geoffr.) }

Bengali—Cham-chika.

Very common in Bengal. The size and colour vary in the specimens
obtained from different localities. Its distinguishing feature is a white
narrow margin in the ears. Size very small, a full-grown animal
varying from 33 to 44 inches.

Hab.—F ound throughout India.

These animals do not appear to bear captivity well, and they are
so well known that perhaps it would be better to dispense with the
exhibition of them in Calcutta. ‘They are exclusively frugivorous, and
hundreds may be seen of an evening congregating round a fruit-tree or
a plantain grove. Sometimes they venture inside a house, and dazzled
by the light flutter about. During the day they roost on the eaves
a rafters of old buildings, and under the surface of the plantain

eaves.

= a
- (120) THE BLACK HILL SQUIRREL.
(SCIURUS GIGANTEUS-—WMcCleliand.)

All squirrels are designated Gi/here in Hindustani and IKatbidal in
Bengali. No specific distinction is popularly recognized.
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414 sa HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF J

Description.—Length without tail more than 12 me. bl 10k
dark brown above, brownish yellow below; ears tufted ; thickness |
length of the tuft vary.

Hab.— Himalayas, from Nepal to Assam, the hills between Asstt
and Burmah and Upper Burmah. All the specimens exhibited were —
from Tipperah. :

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

No record of the actual period during which any of them lived Es
has been kept, but they have been found to be generally hardy, and
to bear captivity well.

(121) THE JAVAN SQUIRREL.

(SCIURUS BICOLOR—Sparr.)

No ear tuft present. The colour of the body varies in different —
specimens. One obtained from Batavia had the upper part of the body
grizzled yellowish, head, cheeks and throat whitish or greyish white ;
feet and tail black; the nose and chin also of the same colour.

Hab.—Lower "Burmah, all through Tenasserim and the Molayan
peninsula, the islands of Sumatra, Java, and Bornec.

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LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
Nearly four years.

(122) THE LARGE INDIAN SQUIRREL.
(SCIURUS INDICUS—Erai.)

Of the same size as the S. Giganteus ; red and black above, with a
yellow occipital patch ; feet yellow like the ‘under surface ; ears very fully
tufted. Most of the specimens exhibited here were of ‘a chestnut red
above, but the shades vary according to the locality from which they are
obtained.

Hab.—The Indian peninsula generally, south of the Gangetic
plains from Cuttack to Travancore; has also been received from the
Nepal Terai and Manipur.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
Upwards of nine years.

(123) THE LONG-TAILED SQUIRREL.
(SCIURUS MACROU RUS—£7rzi.)

The colour of the upper surface of the body grizzled bieee and

white; a yellow or white occipital patch; feet black ; the outside of the —

a limbs amber yellow like the under surface ; ears very slightly tufted.

f: Hab.—Vhe hill ranges of Southern India, Nilgiris, Shevaroys, and
BF Ghats of Travancore and Ceylon.

§

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY,
About. six years.

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 115

(124) THE HOARY-BELLIED GREY SQUIRREL.

(SCIURUS LOKROIDES—Hodgs.)

Smaller than any of the preceding species; length of the head and
body about 8 inches; tail about 6 inches; colour of the body above
rufous olive brown; under surface much paler, or rufous hoary.

Hab.—F rom Nepal eastwards through the Himalayas to Assam, and.
southwards through Manipur to Arracan, Preparis Island and Upper
Burmah. The specimen exhibited here was received from the district
of Jessore.

A. black variety, referable to this species, was obtained from Cachar.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
From 1880 to 1889.

(125) THE COMMON STRIPED SQUIRREL.

(SCIURUS PALMARUM —Linz.)

Well known in Bengal, and abundantly found in a wild state
within the garden.

Hab.—Found all over the peninsula of India from the Terai region
of the Himalayas southwards; westwards as far as Persian Beluchistan ;
and eastwards as far as the north-eastern boundary of the district of
24-Pergunnahs.

(126) THE ORANGE-BELLIED GREY SQUIRREL.

(SCIURUS BLANFORDI—Bilyth.)

Grey above; tail tip black; feet yellow ; below orange.
Hab.—Upper Burmah.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Two years and about five months.

(127) THE RUFOUS-NECKED SQUIRREL.

(SCIURUS PREVOSTI—Desm.)

Upper parts black ; tip of the tail with a reddish chestnut tint ; the
side of the face and lower jaw, the side of the neck and the shoulder and
humeral region greyish white; a broad band of yellowish white runs
along the side, extending over the outside of the thigh to the heel ; under
parts maroon chestnut.

This species is subject to great variations, according as they inhabit
different areas; but so constant and well marked these variations are

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that zoologists have divided them into local races. One o é
monly exhibited is the Sumatran race (S. raffles’). It is distingu
from others by a large white spot on the side of the muzzle, by
greyish or brownish cheeks and side of the neck, and by its red fore lir
and shoulder. A variety with under parts white has also be

~ exhibited. a
Hab.—The Malay peninsula, Sumatra, Banka, Billiton, Borneo, —
and the Celebes. ae

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Nearly five years.

(128) THE PLANTAIN SQUIRREL.

(SCIURUS PLANTANI—Ljung.)

Olive brown in colour.
Hab.—Common in the islands of the Indian Archipelago.
A young specimen lived for about three months only.

(129) THE GREY SQUIRREL.

(SCIURUS CINEREUS—Linn.) ¥

Of an uniform greyish brown colour; tail bushy ; under parts white; a
sides of the face and feet with yellowish cinereous tint. ; 7
Hab.—Kastern United States westward to the plains.
LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. 4 4

A specimen is living since 1881. .

(130) THE COMMON SQUIRREL.

(SCIURUS VULGARIS—Linn.)

Brownish red above ; under parts white. ; a
Hab.—Kurope and Northern Asia, as far south as the Caucasus, —
Thibet, and Northern China. :

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LENGTH OF IIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Nearly eighteen months.

(181) THE RED-BELLIED FLYING SQUIRREL,
(PTEROMYS MAGNIFICUS—Hodgs.) | | f

The limbs are united by an expanded membrane; colour of
back dark maroon chestnut, with black tips to the hairs; the h
neck also of the same colour, with yellowish tints; the hairs .

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 117

muzzle and eye almost black; the expanded membrane is yellow near
the back and orange red towards the external margin; the yellow of the
membrane extends over the shoulder; the limbs orange red; the tail
orange red, broadly tipped with black; the under parts are pale orange
red ; total length of the body about 16 inches, tail 22 inches.
Hab— Himalayas from Nepal to Sikhim; has also been received
from the Khasia Hills. The specimen living in the garden was obtained —
near Darjeeling.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Living since 1880.

(182) THE GREY FLYING SQUIRREL.

(SCIUROPTERUS FIMBRIATUS—G ray.)

Of a pale greyish colour above, hair on the outer edge of the hind
foot thick and bushy, extending from the tarsal joint to the base of the

fifth toe.
Hab.—North-West Himalayas from Gilgit to Kumaon.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

About three years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—The frame work of a squirrel’s cage should be made of T
or angle iron, as wooden posts are generally gnawed through, especially
by larger species. The netting used should be woven of stout galvanized
wire, of small enough mesh to prevent the smaller squirrels escaping ;
the size of the cage should be at least 4 feet square. A series of such
cages built on a platform about 3 feet high under a permanent shed or
chubutra is, perhaps, the best accommodation that can be assigned them.
The platform may be either a brick-built one with ventilators below, or
made of 1 inch thick planks resting on posts; the partition of the cages
should also be made of planks, with holes here and there for ventilation.
Hach cage should be provided with a retiring box fastened to the parti-
tion wall a few inches below the roof. A bedding of hay or straw, both
inside the box and on the floor of the cage, will be much appreciated
by the animals; avoid wet, damp, and cold. The cages for flying
squirrels should be larger and higher, with dark corners for the animals
to retire during the day. A thick tuft of jute or hemp hung from
a corner of the roof, some balls, or an ordinary wheeled bar, logs of wood,
will give them occupation and enjoyment.

Food.—Fruits, nuts, biscuits, gram, Indian-corn, and other grains
and vegetables. Soft food should be avoided as much as possible; clean
drinking-water always.

Breeding.—Except the common striped species, squirrels have not
bred in this garden : they rarely breed in captivity.

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118 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS —

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Transport.—A. cage two feet long, about a foot broad and high
will accommodate a pair. It should be boarded on all sides except the
front, where wire netting should be employed. There should bea shelf —
inside the cage for the animals to sleep upon; a straw or hay bedding
will give them both warmth and concealment, if necessary. A little
projection from a side of the cage to introduce the feeding and drinking
vessels is a better arrangement than placing them on the bottom. If
possible, flying squirrels should not be brought down to the plains in
summer.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Worms in the stomach and intestines have been found after death.
If their presence is detected when the animal is alive, one or two areca
nuts daily for a few days will do the patient good; a few drops of oil
of turpentine dissolved in about half a tea-spoonful of castor or olive
oil is an efficacious remedy. Jt may be made into an emulsion by beating
it with yolk of egg. Biscuits or bread smeared with it will be readily
eaten. Abnormat growth of the front-cutting teeth, or incisors, is gen-
erally induced by improper feeding. It may be arrested by feeding the
animal on hard substances; but if immediate relief be necessary, filing
of the teeth should be resorted to. The squirrels, and for that matter
all rodents, require something hard to nibble at to keep down the grow-
ing point of their incisors, and a few cocoanut shells and small logs of
wood should therefore be allowed them. Inflammation of the lungs is
another complaint from which squirrels have been known to suffer.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF SQumRRELS.

Squirrels are restless, inquisitive creatures, always supremely busy
about nothing. Some of them become so tame in captivity that, on a
cage being approached, its inmate may invariably be seen at its side
awaiting food or a friendly greeting. If a nut ora bit of bread be
thrown in, it at once springs upon it kitten fashion, takes it into its
fore paws, sits upon its haunches, with its bushy tail arching upon its
back, and begins devouring the morsel bit by bit ; if alarmed, it bounds
away uttering sharp chirping notes, and seeks concealment in its nest
box. Soon it may be seen peering from the nest-hole, satisfied that
there is nothing to be afraid of ventures out, but quickly withdraws
on the first alarm. Most of the Indian species are tamer than most of e
those from the Malayan islands. The flying squirrels are nocturnal
animals; they sleep during the day and come out at night.

(183) THE HIMALAYAN MARMOT.

(ARCTOMYS HODGSONI—Blanf,)

Description.—Form thick-set, legs short, tail short, general colour __
dark grey with a rufous tinge; fur of the head and back mixed with
black ; tip of the tail dusky brown. sn

Hab.—Nepal, Sikhim, and Bhutan.

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 119

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
Over three years.

(134) THE QUEBEC MARMOT.

(ARCTOMYS MONAX—(Zinn.) )

Hab.—Extends as far northward as the Hudson’s Bay, and west-
ward from the Atlantic coast to Missouri, lowa, and Minnesota.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
From November 1880 to June 1884.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

With regard to housing and feeding, the marmots should be gen-
erally treated like the squirrels, a cool and well-ventilated cage being
the principal requisite. It isa burrowing animal and appreciates a mound
of dry clayey earth, which may be given in a tray about 18 inches square
and about 9 inches or a foot deep.’ During the hot weather a bath should
be provided, but as it has never been observed to readily take to water,
a cold douche may be applied by a garden syringe.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF Marmorts.

Marmots are retiring in disposition, remaining during the greater
part of the day inside a box or buried in earth or straw. Specimens
exhibited in this garden regularly lost their fur during summer, and,
assumed a new coat at the approach of winter.

(135) THE PRAIRIE MARMOT.
(CYNOMIS LUDOVICIANUS—(Ord.) )

Description.—lt resembles the marmot, but is somewhat smaller ;
colour of the upper surface of the body reddish brown, with a few grey
and black hairs scattered here and there; the under surface of the body
brownish white; tail short and somewhat flattened. |

Hab.—North America ; the prairies east of the Rocky Mountains.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
Living since April 1884.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—Ordinarily these animals may also be housed like the
Himalayan and the Quebec marmots, but they would prefer being kept
loose on a small island, where they can dig and burrow as they like.
A. number of them were once placed on a large island overgrown with
trees and shrubs, but they all disappeared within a short time: whether
they were devoured by the crocodiles which then infested the tank, or
drowned in their attempts to swim over to the mainland was never
ascertained.

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Food.—In addition to such articles: of food ; as are mentioned U
the squirrel, these animals should have grass and roots.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF Prairie Marmorts.

These animals are fond of living together, and are extremely wary,
shy and quick in their movements. They burrow with astonishing
rapidity, and their power of deep mining was tested by placing
about a dozen of them inside a kiosk, of which the foundation walls
were sunk some 6 feet deep to prevent their digging out. The result,
however, proved the utter futility of the precaution, which was, of course,
adopted in ignorance of their habit of deep digging.

(136) THE COMMON DORMOUSE.

(MYOXUS AVELLANARIUS—(Linz.) )

About 33 inches in length, with a bushy tail, and of a reddish —
tawny colour.

Hab.— Widely distributed over Europe.

A. specimen lived for about a month only.

(137) ro (145).
No detailed description is required.

The rats from No. 187 to No. 145 may be oavieda in small
boxes with perforated zinc sides and glass front, placed on tables or
shelves in the side of a house. The rats may be fed like any other
smaller rodents, but they are omnivorous, and when hungry will nibble
at bones, meat and eggs. |

(146) THE RED-CHEEKED BAMBOO RAT.

(RHIZOMYS ERYTHROGENYS —Andr.)

The distinguishing characteristics of this species are its bright
golden red cheeks and sides of the head generally, the dark occipital line
extending forwards to between the eyes, and the absence of any white
mark on the forehead, which is present in the allied species (R. Sumatren-
sis). Total length an the tip of the nose to the end of the tail more
than 14 inches.

Hab.—Shan States of Upper Burmah and Mergui.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. a

It met with accidental death after having lived for about three
months only. |

ce (147) THE CHESTNUT-COLOURED BAMBOO RAT.

~ (RHIZOMYS BADIUS—Hodgs.)

Smaller in size than the preceding species; colour of the fur chest-
nut; quite adult specimens are slaty grey. is
7 Hab.—Found in the Himalayas from Nepal eastwards and extends __
through Assam Manipur, and Arracan to Burmah. It does not appaa a
to be found further south than the northern part of Tenasserim. &

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IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 121

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

There is no record of the actual period, but specimens have been
known to thrive well for at least three years. |

(148) THE COYPU.

(MYOPOTAMUS COYPU- (Méi.) )

Description.—Length about 23 inches ; general colour of the body
above dusky brown; the sides and underparts brownish yellow; the
muzzle and chin white; tail thick and tapering; ears small; front-cut-
ting teeth large and powerful.

Hab.—South America.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
From June 1882 to December 1885.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—The bamboo rats should be treated like the marmots.
The experiment of allowing them to burrow underground was tried, but
unfortunately resulted in the death of the animals for whose benefit the
arrangements were made. The ground sunk after a heavy shower, and
the animals were buried alive. The coypu rat must have water, and
an accommodation similar to that recommended for the otter is most
suitable. In building its cage ¢ inch iron rods should be used, as it
will easily cut through any wire netting, however stout.

Food.—The same as squirrels and other rodents. In their wild state
the bamboo rats feed largely upon roots of bamboos. This may easily be
supplied in captivity also.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF BamBoo AND Coypu Rats.

Bamboo rats are lazy, but not shy or timid; during the day they
sleep much; the coypu is very sociable in disposition, fond of water,
and rather awkward in their movements on land. ,

(149) THE SHORT-SPINED PORCUPINE.
(HYSTRIX LONGICAUDA—WMarsden.)
Hindi—Shahi. Bengali—Sdaru.

Very common all over Bengal, and found in a wild state within the a

arden.
4 Hab.—Himalayas from Nepal eastwards, Lower Bengal, Assam,
Burmah, and the Malayan peninsula, extending to the islands of
Sumatra and Borneo.
Specimens obtained from Java appeared to differ in no way from
the present species.

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LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. |

Some have been living since 1878.

(150) THE INDIAN CRESTED PORCUPINE.

(HYSTRIX LEUCURUS—Sykes.) tg
Hab.—India as far west as Sindh and Beluchistan; northwards 2
extending to the Himalayas, and southwards to Ceylon. It is not found

~ in Lower Bengal. Its eastern limit probably does not extend beyond
Hazaribagh. a

(151) THE EUROPEAN CRESTED PORCUPINE.
(HYSTRIX CRISTATA—(LZinz.) )

This species does not appear to be specifically distinct from the Indian
crested porcupine, so far as its external appearance is concerned.

Hab.—Southern Europe and Northern Africa, ranging as far as
Zanzibar. A pair exhibited here some years ago came from the latter _
country. ae

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. aS
From January 1878 to April 1881. i”

(152) THE BRUSH-TAILED PORCUPINE. a

(ATHERURA FASCICULATA—(Shaw,) ) E

Smaller in size than any of the preceding genus; head more pointed,
tail long and ratlike, terminated by a tuft of bristly spines, which are
simple and flattened, and not twisted and irregularly dilated. Thespines
of the body are softer than those of the other genus. | —

Hab.—Siam.

A brush-tailed porcupine* has recently been obtained from Darjeeling
hills. As it was purchased by its donor from a Bhutea, its true habitat
cannot be vouched for. None had hitherto been found north of
Tipperah.

(158) THE AFRICAN BRUSH-TAILED PORCUPINE.
(ATHERURA AFRICANA—Gray.)

bag —

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Although specifically distinct, it resembles the preceding species in 7
appearance.

Hab.—Western Africa. a

- * The caudal bristles of this specimen are twisted and irregularly flattened, and it is i
therefore referable to A, Macroura, Linn. i.

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IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 123

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
Over eight years.
TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—The cage for porcupines should be built of iron and
brick only, the floor and walls up to about 2 feet, being thickly
plastered with cement and lime to resist their formidable teeth ; a grotto
to afford concealment during the day should be provided; the brush-
tailed poreupines are less given to gnawing, and may therefore be
safely accommodated in a lighter cage. Strong lights should be avoided.
Keep only well-matched pairs together, otherwise they fight to death.

Food.— Grain, roots and grass.

Breeding.—The short-spined porcupines have bred and reared their
young several times. The young are born with their eyes open, and their
spines are very soft, and lie close to the body. Generally there are only
two young at a birth, and there is only one brood ina year. The males
sometimes devour the young before they are many hours old, and it is
therefore better to separate them.

Transport.—For such a destructive animal, the travelling cage should
be made of iron. If wood is used, it should be thoroughly lined with
zine.

Nothing particular is known about their ailments.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF PoRcuPINES.

Though perfectly nocturnal in their wild state, those that have for
some time lived in captivity behave like any other diurnal animal, and
feed and drink during the day. They are as a rule more lively towards
the evening. Porcupines are much given to fighting among themselves,
and animals defaced by wounds inflicted upon one another are not
uncommon. They rush upon each other sideways and backwards with
quills erect and rattling, and adopt the same tactics towards other
assailants also. The brush-tailed porcupines are milder in disposition, and

_ less given to gnawing and fighting. A very peculiar habit of circling
round and round a given space was constantly observed in some of those
exhibited in this garden.

(154) THE VISCACHA.

(LAGOSTOMUS TRICHODACTYLUS-—Brookes.)

Description.—It has the general appearance of a hare, but of a much
heavier build, with proportionally heavier head; tail long and tufted;
fur soft and downy, and of a mottled grey colour above and yellowish
white beneath; a white band crosses the muzzle and runs backwards
to each eye; length about 18 inches.

Hab.-—South America.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

T'wo years and ten months.

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a (155) THE SPOTTED CAYVY.

(CORLOGENYS PACA—(Zinn.))

_ Description—About 2 feet long, of a compact form, limbs slender,
colour of the hair of the back and sides yellowish brown; beneath white
upon each side of the body are arranged rows of white spots. The most
characteristic feature of the species is the cavity in the cheek, formed by —
the expansion and development of the zygomatic arches, and opening
oe into the mouth by a small aperture. | a
a _ Hab.—Central and South America. - , Se

a

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
From June 1882 to January 1885.

(156) THE CENTRAL AMERICAN AGOUTI.

(DASYPROCTA ISTHMICA—Alston.)
Hab.— Central America.

(157) THE HAIRY-RUMPED AGOUTI.

(DASYPROCTA PRYMNOLOPHA—Wagi.)

Hab.—Guiana. oe
The agoutis resemble the mouse deer (pages 159-60) in external

appearance, but are of a heavier build; general colour of the body __
chocolate brown. The hair of the latter species is somewhat longer __
on the hinder quarters, and of a dark colour. i
LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. a

One of the former obtained in 1878 is still alive. x

(158) THE GUINEA PIG.

(CAVIA PORCELLUS—(Zinz.) )
- Hab.—South America.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—The viscacha and the spotted cavy may be generally —
treated like the marmots, with this exception that the spotted cavy is —
fond of water, and provision should be made to supply it. For the |
agoutis and guinea pigs no earth is necessary, but they must have —
retiring boxes for concealment. —
| Food.—Like other rodents, they feed on grain, vegetables, roots, —
and biscuits; fresh kalmi (Convolvulus reptens) should be given to the

guinea pigs. a

- IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 125

Breeding.—The agoutis and guinea pigs are prolific animals and
have several broods during a year. The former have on several occasions
been known to eat up their young.

Transport.—Agoutis are given to gnawing, especially if the travel-
ling cage be built of soft wood.

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.

The viscacha is a very lazy animal, and awkward in its movements.
Those exhibited here were not shy, but approached anybody and sniffed
at everything ; they slept much during the day. The spotted cavy is
also a nocturnal animal, and is therefore found sleeping almost the
whole day. It is, however, more active than the viscacha. An opportunity
having once been given to a Paca or spotted Cavy to burrow, it made a
hole about 6 feet deep. Agoutis are unsociable animals, and of rather
solitary habits, though generally quiet and unobtrusive; they are quick
in their movements and capable of inflicting severe teeth wounds on
assailants. ‘I'hese animals have been repeatedly observed to stow away
food, mostly ship biscuits, under the sand or straw bedding of their
cage, stamping the ground above several times with their hind legs,
probably to make sure that the property is well and securely buried.
They are cleanly animals, and spend much time, especially after each
meal, in cleaning their lips and faces with their fore paws. The guinea
pigs are restless, active, inquisitive and squeaking animals, always
fighting among themselves, especially if there be odd males, or weak
and sickly animals. ‘They are nevertheless sociable creatures and like
to live in company. ~

(159) THE CAPYBARA.
(HYDROCHGRUS CAPYBARA—£rai.)

Description.—Length nearly 4 feet; height at the shoulders
about 20 inches; stout and massive ; head large; muzzle broad, eyes and
ears small; no tail; feet webbed; coat of coarse hair, of moderate
length, and of reddish brown colour. |

Hab.—The eastern part of South America.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Living since April 1884.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—A. large open and shady enclosure with a tank is by far
the best accommodation for this animal. Here it can indulge in its
favourite habits of swimming and wallowing as much as it likes, while
the grassy lawn affords it pasturage. The wall or fencing of the
enclosure should be at least 5 feet high, as it has been found capable of
clearing a wall more than 3 feet high. Economy of space, however,
is always a consideration in finding accommodation for animals, and if

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J A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGE!

for this reason it is not possible to devote such an enclosure to i
it may be located with other animals of similar habits. In this
a capybara lived happily for a long time with a Malayan tapir.
before such animals are introduced to each other their temper should be
thoroughly known, and their dispositions towards each other ascertained. _
The same animal has now been living contentedly in another house, to —
which a large grassy lawn is attached, and here it forages with tho “a
kangaroos and wallabies; but to have no water for swimming and
wallowing is a great deprivation to the beast, especially during the hot _
weather. 3

Food.—Grain, roots, bark, and grass.

Transport.—An iron cage should be provided.

The specimen that has been living in the garden has always
maintained excellent health, so that nothing is known about its ailments.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A CAPYBARA.

Although it swims and dives with great ease, and delights in water,
it is more terrestrial than aquatic in habits, spending more time on land
than in water. A capybara readily becomes reconciled to captivity, and
behaves as if it were the most natural thing for it to live in confinement a
in the plains of Bengal. While living with a Malayan tapir, the ag
animal here alluded to often indulged in frolicsome games with the .
former, and amused itself by riding on its back while both were
in the water.

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(160) THE INDIAN HARE.

(LEPUS RUFICAUDATUS—Geoffr.) ie
Hindi—Fhargosh. Bengali—Kharra.

Hab.—Northern India, from the Punjab to Bengal, exten ieee from
the lower ranges of the Himalayas to the Tapti and Godaveri rivers.

(161) THE COMMON RABBIT.
(LEPUS CUNICULUS—Linn.) q

Hab.—Southern and Western Europe and North Africa. Only the
domestic variety has been exhibited.

(162) THE HISPID HARE.
(CAPROLAGUS HISPIDUS—Biytz.)

General colour iron grey, with a brownish ruddy tinge; limbs __
shaded externally with black ; the ears very short and broad. no ae
Hab.—The Terai at the base of the Himalayas from Nepal to a
Assam, extending southwards to Dacca. >
A specimen lived for about three months only. .

Md . Re. F ’s :
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IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 127

(163) THE INDIAN ELEPHANT.
(ELEPHAS INDICUS—F. Cuwier.)

The elephant is too well-known an animal all over India to require
much description; but individual specimens vary from good to bad,
and some experience is necessary to distinguish them. ‘I'he following
notes may be found useful by those who have not access to larger
works :—

** Elephants are divided into three classes* :—

“ Koomeriah or thorough-bred.

** Dwasala or half-bred.
** Mirga or third-rate.

“The parts of a koomeriah are—

‘*‘ Barrel deep and of great girth; legs short (especially the hind ones) and
colossal; the front pair convex on the front side, from the development of muscle;
back straight and flat, but sloping from shoulder to tail, as a standing elephant
must be high in front; head and chest massive; neck thick and short; trunk
broad at the base and heavy throughout; hump between the eyes prominent;
cheeks full; eyes full, bright and kindly; hind quarters square and plump; the
skin rumpled, inclining to fold at the root of the tail, and soft; tail long and
well feathered.

“Tf the face, base of trunk and ears be blotched with cream-coloured
markings, the animal’s valueis enhanced. The dwasala class comprises all those
below this standard, not descending so low as the third class.

“The parts of a mirga are —

“ Legginess, lankiness and weediness; arched sharp ridged back, difficult to
load and liable to galling; trunk thin, flabby and pendulous; neck long and
lean; falling off behind; hide thin; head small; eye piggish and restless; and
altogether unthrifty, which no feeding improves.’

Hab.—The Terai regions of the Himalayas, Assam, Cachar,
Burmah and Siam, extending southwards to the Malayan peninsula;
elephants are also found in Southern and Central India, and were not
uncommon some thirty years ago in the Sonthal Pergunnahs.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

In proportion to its costliness it is not an attractive animal,
especially to the Indian public, and is therefore not always exhibited
in the garden; one or two young animals are, however, generally on
view during the cold weather awaiting transmission to some Zoological
Society in Kurope, or Australia.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—No shed is necessary for an adult or adolescent animal ;
it may be picketed in the midst of a grove, or under the shade of a
large tree; a mascnry platform about a foot high, and sloping on one
side should be provided with posts in front and behind to which the
animal should be secured. For young animals, such as are generally
acquired, a shed of some sort is necessary, especially during the cold
winter nights, and to shelter them from continuous heavy rains

* Notes by Captain H. Wilberforce Clarke, R.E., on elephants.

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120° A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF Al

during the wet weather. It may be built of corrugated iron, or.
with old rail posts over a platform, and barricaded round, so t:
necessary, the young animal can be kept loose inside the enclos
The attendant should remain near his charge at night, as otherwise ~
jackals and other nocturnal animals have been observed to cause young
elephants much fright and unrest; he should, therefore, be allowed ie
small hut at one end of the shed. Ordinarily an elephant should be
picketed by one ofits hind feet, and to prevent injury to the skin being __
caused by constant friction of the chain or rope, a piece of tough
leather or hide should be used as a leg protector. A healthy elephant

should be bathed at least once a day, and allowed to remain in the ~
water for about an hour; while in the water it should be well rubbed =
with jhama (vetrified brick); during the hot weather it should be
bathed twice a day. Young elephants should have some clothing at
nights during the cold season. To secure an elephant, fetters consisting s
of one bandhan (chain), one beri (anklet), one noose, and some rope for
emergencies are enough for ordinary purposes. AQ

Food.—A full-grown elephant requires 6 to 7 maunds of green Mg
fodder daily. Various kinds of grass, especially ddl, green paddy
plants, &c., constitute its natural food. In Bengal elephants are chiefly
fed on leaves and branches of various kinds of fig trees; it is, however, |
recommended by the best authorities that they should, as much as
possible, be restricted to their natural diet consisting of various kinds
of grass. Elephants are very fond of sugarcane, which may always
be given with impunity. In captivity, 6 to 8 seers of uncooked
rice or dhan (paddy), with a little salt, and afew bundles of paddy —
straw, should be daily allowed; but it is most important to remember
that no amount of good feeding on rice, dhan, or any other nutritious
grain will compensate for a continued short allowance of fodder. In
most places in Bengal there is no difficulty in making an elephant bring 2
its own fodder; besides a certain amount of saving in the maintenance “2
of the animal, it will serve the still more useful purpose of enabling ‘3
the animal to take some exercise daily. Young elephants between four
and six years old should receive about 3 maunds of fodder, and a
about 3 to 5 seers of uncooked rice, a chittack of salt, and a small 3
quantity of goor occasionally : the green stock of the paddy plant is
the very best fodder for such an animal; failing this, they can be fed
on sugarcane, dal grass, and leaves and twigs of the gulher (Ficus a
glomorata) and jack-trees ; on no account should they be fed on peepul, ie
especially when it is throwing out new leaves. Elephants should be a
watered twice daily—once in the morning at about 9 a.m., and again ©
at about 5 p.m. The cost of keeping a full-grown elephant, including
the wages of a competent attendant, amounts to Rs. 30 to Rs. 89 per
month, and that of a younger animal Rs. 20 to Rs. 25.

Transport.—A. young elephant must not be made to swim large
rivers, unless accompanied by at least one adult animal, and in charge
of an experienced attendant. When conveyed by rail, it should be
accommodated in a cattle waggon, and the attendant should travel
with it, as otherwise the whistling, jolting, and the general commotion
will frighten the animal greatly. When transported by ship, a suitable
box may be provided, but in such a case the animal must be ~

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 129

accustomed to its use some time before, as it may refuse to enter
he box at the last moment; a little enclosure may be built in some
convenient place on deck, or it may be simply kept picketed ; it soon
becomes tame enough to be a general favourite with all hands on board.
Such an animal should be habituated to dry food, such as hay, paddy
straw, and compressed fodder; a liberal allowance of flour, rice, salt,
and goor being also provided. Large elephants should be placed in
the hold of the ship on a flooring made of sand or shingles.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

The following are the chief causes of disease* :—

«Want of shelter from extreme heat and cold; excessive rain and storms
of wind and rain; want of sleep; violence in the use of the “ankus ” (driving
hook), which induces a running of the eyes, turning into sore eyes; heating
fodder, which also produces sore eyes; bark and leaves covered with bird’s
dung, which produce spasms ; the giving of gram when they are suffering from
worms ; exposure to the sun, which causes “ sarza,” in which a tremor comes
over the animal and he expires; neglect of elephant attendants as to food,
which should be clean, wholesome, and sufficient; not being bathed daily during
the hot season ; overwork and bad driving.

“ Hlephants require but little sleep. When one has had enough to eat, and
is not prevented by noise, want of room, or uneven ground, he will lie down |
before midnight ; sleep for a couple of hours; get up and eat a little ; and
then lie down on the other side, rising finally two or three hours before day-
light to finish his fodder. It takes a considerable time for him to satisfy the
first cravings of hunger ; and if the fodder be not given in time to enable him
to do so by midnight, he will go on eating all night, and not lie down at all.”

The above remarks refer to adult elephants, but many of them
also apply to younger animals.

In captivity elephants are frequently troubled with worms in
the intestines ; in this state they eat mud, which causes purging and
the worms are expelled dead. ‘The animal should not be bathed or
fed upon rice, grain or salt until after all the worms are evacuated.
If the purging continue, bamboo leaves should be given. Hlephants
sometimes suffer from sore eyes. If there is much inflammation, use
- solution of nitrate of silver (6 to 8 grains to an ounce) ; if there is only
running, bathe the eyes with tepid water, and apply a little butter.
For a white film in the eye, apply calomel dusting.

Very young and unacclimatized elephants are liable to attacks
of a kind of glandular swellings known as Zahr-bad.

Symptoms.—** Glandular swellings behind the ear, under the throat, in the
groin, or between either hind or forelegs; eyes become dull; trunk shrivelled,
urine very red. Zvreatment.—Bieed 4lb. behind the ear; apply a strong blister
of common blistering ointment mixed with sulphuric acid (1 drachm to the ounce),
well rubbed into parts affected. If the swelling falls downward, the animal will
recover, but the swelling in its downward course must be followed by the blister
until it finally disappears. If behind the ear, it generally falls down the jaw, and
disappears at the lip. If between the legs, it generally disappears at the knee-
joint. If, instead of fallmg, the disease should spread, it will cause the death
of the elephant, on the third day.*

* Notes by Captain H. Wilberforce Clarke, R.E,

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEME! ‘T OF ANIM

A young elephant, about two years and six months old, d
this disease in 1877. - ae

Lei
“ Sukha, or dry Zahr-béd—Is brought on by neglect, insufficient and im-
proper food, want of cleanliness. | a
“ Symptoms.—The animal pines away toa skeleton, becomes speckled,assumes
a shiny grey colour, and tries to scratch itself on the legs. Lreatment.—The
animal is to be washed twice a day in clear water, well dried, and rubbed well
with tillee oil (petroleum, when procurable) three times a week. The skin" i¢ tage
in a very tender state, and should be protected from the sun, which will crack
it ; and from the rain, which will rot the scurf skin, and produce a state of
intense rawness.” a

A young elephant, neglected by its former owner, was lately Bi
observed to have suffered from all the above symptoms. »

: OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF AN HLEPHANT. i

The following is recorded of a young elephant which was sent
to the Melbourne Zoological Garden in 1883:—‘‘Its voyage was an
adventurous one, as a terrific storm was encountered which cleared
tne deck of the ship, but the wise brute held on by its trunk te an
iron bar on the leeside of the vessel until the storm abated.” Hlephants
have been repeatedly observed to shed tears abundantly if forced to”
leave permanently their old home, associates, and surroundings.

(164) THE INDIAN RHINOCEROS. a
(RHINOCEROS UNICORNIS—Linn.) a

Hindi—Genda, Genda. Bengali—Gandar.

In this species the folds of the neck do not meet to form a saddle '
on the nape as in the next species, but curve backwards to join thaton __
the shoulders; the base of the skull is broad; the hide, which is very
thick and tough, is like an armour plate, and studded as it were with
round-headed nails, especially at the folds. In adult specimens the
upper lip is rounded off, but in young individuals it is produced to a
point, which is particularly noticeable, as lately observed, while the
animal is feeding, or in the act of seizing something. The ridge OF
the skull flat, and ears placed closer together than in the next species.
There is no difference in the relative size of sexes, but the horn is
smaller in the female. It is the largest known species of the Asiatic a
rhinoceros. | .

Hab.—At present the Indian rhinoceros is mostly confined to the —
Dooars to the east of the Teesta river, although specimens are now and —

then heard of or obtained from Nepal Terai and Assam. Formerly
they had a wider range of distribution, being found in the Terai regions.
between the Himalayas and Ganges, and, according to Jerdon, fron
Rohilkund to Assam. Specimens are recorded from Purneah, Nepal
Terai, Maldah, Gowhati (Assam).

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is

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 131

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

An adult female, which lived in this garden from 1878 to May
1880, had, previous to its arrival here, been living for upwards of forty-
five years in a private menagerie.

(165) THE SONDAIC RHINOCEROS.

(RHINOCEROS SONDAICUS—Desm.)

The folds of the neck unite to form a distinct saddlelike plate on
the nape; the upper lip is produced into a flexible point, which is semi-
prehensile, as is best noticed when the animal is in the act of seizing
a leaf or a twig; ridge of the skull somewhat elevated between the ears,
which are placed further apart than in the preceding species. Antero-
posteriorly, the head is longer than in R. unicornis. The hide is
characteristic, and cannot be mistaken for that of any other species;
this peculiarity is due to the shape, size, and distribution of the tuber-
cles. Except on the back, they are distributed all over the body, and
are set closely together, the interspaces between them forming a net-
work of narrow channels. ‘There are no tubercles on the back, but
the skin is irregularly cracked. Age.

Observations.—Some difference of opinion exists as to the relative
size of this and the preceding species. As far as they have been
observed here, the R. unicornis appears to be the larger animal of the
two; a female of the R. unicornis, about eight years old, has been
found to be larger than a female of R. sondaicus cf more than seven-
teen years of age.

Hab.—Sunderbuns, Assam, Burmah, extending through the
Malayan peninsula to Sumatra, Java, and Borneo.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

An adult female has been living in the garden since 1887; this
animal also lived for about ten years in the menagerie of the late King
of Oudh.

(166) THE HAIRY-EARED RHINOCEROS.
(RHINOCEROS LASIOTIS—Sclater.)

Horns two; the anterior one, which is the larger, is placed on the
nostril; the posterior is placed between the eyes, about 38 inches
apart from the former: it is small and conical in form Lars thickly
fringed with long drooping hair, which is the most characteristic feature
of this species; the upper lip is produced to a blunt pomt; the skin
smooth and without tubercles, of a brownish grey colour; the groin
and creases formed by the folds are flesh-coloured; lower parts of
the sides of the body thinly covered with brownish hairs, which are
abundant and wooliy in young individuals; height at the shoulder
4. feet 6 inches.

Fiab.— Chittagong and Tipperah Hills, Assam, and Burmah. Only
a single specimen (the third specimen living in captivity) has as yet
been obtained from the latter country.

12

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANI

-

. LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A female has been living in the garden since 1882.

(167) THE SUMATRAN RHINOCEROS.

CE AS CSS a
S ? Bs wt =

(RHINOCEROS SUMATRENSIS—Cuv.) |
3 Ears filled inside with short bristly hairs; margin not fringed x ;
aay” with drooping hairs; the upper lip is almost rounded; the skin is
- coarse and dark, and the hairs short, bristly, and less abundant. a
s Hab.—The Malay peninsula and the islands of Sumatra, Java, —

and Borneo.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

From 1882 to 1889. 4%,
Observations.—Zoologists are yet undecided as to whether these
animals (R. lasiotis and R. sumatrensis) belong to different species, or __
are mere varieties of the same; and it would not, therefore, be out of |
place to indicate the several points of distinctions which these animals
present in their external characters when examined side by side. |
The hairy-eared rhinoceros is bulkier in form than the Sumatran —
species, and has much heavier fore-quarters; besides, an adult dasiotis —
stands higher at the shoulder than an adult sumatrensis. A. young
female Jasiotis and a pair of adult swmatrensis were acquired in 1882 “.
and it was observed after about a year that the former stood higher a -
the shoulder than the male swmatrensis. : oa
The ears of the Jasiotis are shorter and placed further apart than -
in sumatrensis ; the skull of the former is broader, that of the latter
narrow. "8
The tail of the Jasiotis is shorter and well tufted; that of the
peecnonsis longer and covered with scanty, bristly, and straggling
airs.
The skin of the nape of the Jasiotis is smooth, that of the
sumatrensis slightly corrugated. In the former the neck fold com-
mences from behind and below the level of the ear and passes down-
ward to meet its fellow of the opposite side, but does not forma
pendulous knot below; in the swmatrensis the neck fold terminates in |
a pendulous knot at the front neck. | i

a
| ies

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—For tke health, growth, and comfort of a rhinoceros, it y
must have water and mud to bathe and wallow in, ample shade to pro-
tect it from sun, and a large piece of dry ground as a promenade, An ~

enclosure 230 feet long by 116 feet broad, with a tank 160 feet in length —
and 50 feet in breadth, well shaded by trees and clumps of bamboos, has —
been found to answer for a couple of pair of rhinoceroses. The fence
be built of iron rail uprights, about 5 feet high, with 1 inch iron

ue a

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 133

placed horizontally about 6 inches apart, or it may be surrounded by a
strong brick wall about 3 feet high, with 2 feet of strong iron fencing
built above and into it. Under ordinary circumstances, a rhinoceros
does not require a shed or house in this climate; but it is much better
to anticipate emergencies and provide one: there may be exceptionally
bad seasons, or an animal may require isolation and seclusion from
sickness or other causes. Before placing two or more animals together,
their temper and idiosyncracies should be watched ; a pair of Sumatran
rhinoceroses have been known to fight constantly with. each other, the
male generally being the aggressor. They had ultimately to be separated.
This incompatibility of temper may, however, be accounted for by the
weak state of the female’s health ever since her arrival. On the other
hand, a female lasiotis and a male sumatrensis agreed very well.

Food.—In its wild state a rhinoceros feeds exclusively on leaves
and branches of trees, and, like elephants, requires a large quantity to
fill its stomach. Of all kinds, it appears to like the jack-fruit leaves
best, but they are costly, and sometimes not procurable at all; the best
substitute for these are the gulher (Mcus glomorata) leaves; it also
feeds on other species of fig leaves, but it is better to restrict it to jack
and gulher as much as possible. In captivity the leaf diet is usually
supplemented by soaked gram and bran; they must have salt every day,
and a small quantity of goor every now and then.

Breeding.—On the 30th January 1889 a young hybrid (between
R. lasiotis and R. sumatrensis) was born. Both the parents had been
living in the garden since June 1882, and it is the second recorded
instance of rhinoceroses breeding in captivity. On the evening of the
29th January the female (R. lasiotis) was noticed to be somewhat
restless ; she refused her usual rations of gram, bran and salt, though
every now and then she browsed some leaves and branches. Early
next morning, she was in acute labour pain, very restless, and after
intense suffering of nearly an hour, she suddenly got up and the
young one was born.

The mother took no notice of the young one, which looked more
like a lump of animated clay than a young rhino. After about an
hour and a half, and not until after several ineffectual attempts, it got
up at last and began to look for nourishment, but evidently did not
know where to find it. It was weak and very unsteady in its move-
ments, and could not walk three yards without tumbling. At 1 p.m.
the mother was fed on oatmeal gruel, and the young one on a quart of
cow's milk. At 4 p.m. the mother had her usual food consisting of
soaked gram and leaves, but the calf receiving no nourishment yet
from the mother was fed a second time on cow’s milk about 6 p.m. and
again about 10 p.m. at night. During the course of the night the
young began sucking the mother, and henceforth there was no neces-
sity for artificial nourishment. The young animal was now very
lively and playful, and was already inclined to explore the enclosure,
but as the banks of the tank were, in some places, steep and rugged, a
temporary fencing was erected to keep the mother and young one within
bounds, and prevent the latter from tumbling down and injuring itself.
Measures were taken to prevent visitors approaching near the enclosure,
as the female evidently disliked being looked at by a crowd.

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF

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ANIMALS i

134

ba

The body of the young animal at birth was covered with soft
woolly hair; the skin was soft and of a pinkish brown colour, which —
is gradually becoming darker as the animal is growing, but still ‘a
retains a pinkish suffusion. The growth and development ofa young _
- beast, bred and born in captivity, but suckled and reared by its mother,
compare favourably with that of another, born in a wild state, butearly _
weaned from its mother, and brought up under artificial conditions.
The present young rhino is only two years and seven months old, but
it has already attained such a development as to equal the mother in
size and bulk. Its upper incisor teeth have not yet appeared, and it is
still now and then observed to seek nourishment from its mother. |

Transport.—A. cage is indispensable for the conveyance of a rhino,
young or adult ; it must be made narrow, so as to prevent the animal ?
turning round, but still broad enough to enable it to sit, down ; a strong .
plank cage, iron bound, should be preferred to one made of iron rods, ‘om
as smoothness of the surface inside is desirable ; the roof, and the upper
part of the sides, about a foot deep, should be left open, with means of
elosing in bad weather; the back end of the cage should also haye a
space of about 6 inches left open below for cleaning; there must he
sufficient opening at the front end of the cage to admit of the animal
seeing everything and breathing open air; the feeding and drinking
vessels being introduced through another opening below. A rhinoceros,
intended for transport overland, should be habituated to hay and
dry fodder. An attendant should always accompany such a valuable

animal, especially if it is young.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Tetanus has been known to cause the death of an adult female
R. unicornis. An autopsy being held, the uterus was found to be
very much enlarged, and its thickened and hardened wall pressing
against the nerves of the surrounding parts. If the disease is early
detected, the animal should be freely purged and kept quiet in a
perfectly dark room ; various remedies have been suggested, but it is
useless to menticn any, as recovery can seldom be effected.

Inflammation of the lungs has been met with in a young R.
sondaicus, the animal dying within twenty-four hours from the time of
the development of the first symptoms.

Tuberculosis of the lungs and liver was found in an old R.
sumatrensis; the animal must have contracted the disease long before |
its arrival, as in spite of careful feeding it gradually declined. Re

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF RHINOCEROSES.

Some rhinoceroses have been found to be very tractable, especially
those caught young and reared in captivity ; but, like other wild animals, _ ig
their temper can never be absolutely trusted. Of the four species of ae
Asiatic rhinoceroses, the R. lasiotis appears to be the tamest. They are
all more or less fond of water and mud, but both the two-horned
species have been observed to evince much greater liking for them
than either of the two one-horned animals; the latter have seldom been

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 135

found digging holes in the same way as these two-horned animals.
The R. sondaicus now living in the garden has never yet been
observed to wallow in the mud, and although it has ready access to a
large sheet of water, it does not resort to it as frequently, except during
very warm weather, as the habits of the genus lead us to expect. The
highest bliss of the two-horned species, on the other hand, is to lie
undisturbed in a muddy hollow or in water, and for this purpose they
are constantly digging new holes or undermining the banks of the
tank, which at times have to be protected by piles and brickbats. They
loosen the earth with the anterior horn, scraping and throwing it back
with the fore feet, sometimes beating the lumps down to convert them
into a soft ooze which they so much enjoy. ‘They remain so quiet and
still and thoroughly smeared with this liquid mud that it is sometimes
difficult to detect their presence. When hungry and food is not forth-
coming, the two-horned rhinoceroses call for it with a monotonous
wailing whine; compared with the size, their voice is weak.

@

(168) THE MALAYAN TAPIR.
(TAPIRUS INDICUS—Desm.)

Description.— Externally, atapir much resembles a pig, but is twice
as large in size; anatomically, it is related to the rhinoceros on the one
hand and to the horse on the other; it has four toes on the fore and
three toes on the hind foot. Its most characteristic feature is the
elongated snout, forming a short movable trunk; the colouring of its
body is also peculiar, being greyish white on the back and sides, and
black on other parts, the line of separation being distinct and well
marked. It has a short tail and pointed ears, and its body is covered
with short hairs. |

Hab.—Malayan peninsula, Sumatra. It also inhabits Tenas-
serim, Lower Siam, Tavoy, and Mergwi provinces.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
From 1882 to 1890.

(169) THE HAIRY TAPIR,
(TAPIRUS ROULINI-—Fischer.)

Smaller than the preceding; of a dark brown or blackish colour ;
ears edged white ; snout less elongate.

Hab.—High regions of the Andes.
LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

An adolescent specimen has been living since December 1890.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—In their wild state tapirs live in the depths of shady
forests in the neighbourhood of water, to which they frequently resort
for swimming and bathing. In captivity they should have a large

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shady enclosure with a tank. Their propensities for climbing low
and fences have on several occasions been noticed ; so that the enclos
should be built in such a way as to render climbing impossible, and for —
this purpose a wall about 5 feet high, with a deep projecting cornice,
will answer ; to enable the visitors to look into the enclosure, anembank- —__
ment about 2 feet high should be thrown up round the outer aspect
of the wall, and a footpath constructed along its top; the wail of the
enclosure used for tapirs in this garden is only about 3 feet 6 inches
high, surmounted by a light iron fencing built into the coping. It
is, however, not every tapir that will attempt escape. A house in
one corner of the enclosure is necessary, and it should be built of brick
and mortar, as the animal is addicted to biting softer materials; the
floor should be raised and dry, or a platform provided. ‘Tapirs are
generally inoffensive animals, and several of them, of the same or
different species, may live together in peace.

Food.—Tapirs feed on vegetable substances, consisting of leaves
shoots and roots; they can be fed on jack-fruit and other leaves, sweet
potatoes, yams, bran, and boiled rice; the latter may be given sparingly
during the hot weather only.

Breeding.—A. tapir obtained in January 1877 gave birth to a
young one in the month of May following; another obtained in July ie
1883 calved in October of the same year. Both these animals were a
in possession of adealer for at least three months prior to their inclusion
in this collection, and had no opportunity of pairing; this must have
happened while they were yet in a wild state before capture. Young
tapirs are marked with brownish spots and stripes, like young of wild
pigs. The spots and stripes disappear in about six months.

Transport.—In July 1888 three tapirs were shipped from Singa-
pore in battened cages with open tops; two of these animals
arrived wounded and lame; during the voyage they made frequent
attempts to escape by climbing over the sides and biting through the
woodwork of the cage. All tapirs do not of course behave in the same
manner ; but the above facts indicate the kind of precaution necessary
for their transport.

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TREATMENT IN SICKNESS,

An apparently healthy female died after having suffered for about
three days from odstruction of the bowels. A post-mortem examination
was held, and the animal was found to have been suffering from
tuberculosis of the lungs and liver.

Galloping consumption—Another female rapidly wasted away
and died on the 30th October 1890. On an autopsy being held, both
the lungs were found full of cavities, so that there was not a square
inch of healthy tissue anywhere. Up to about the end of July of that
year the animal was apparently healthy, but from about that time
it rapidly began wasting away, developing at the same time other
E unmistakable signs of consumption. ©

Several cases of prolapsus of the anus occurred among the
Malayan tapirs exhibited here. One of them, a young male, born in
the garden, had to be operated upon under chloroform, as, gangrene __

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 137

having set in, it was found necessary to remove a portion of the
rectum; the animal, unfortunately, did not recover. ‘The disease,
however, generally yields to treatment if early adopted. The first and
important thing is to gently and carefully reduce the prolapsus and
introduce a suppository consisting of equal parts of powdered catechu
and tannic acid, tied in a small piece of muslin, some anodyne being
at the same time applied ; frequent application of ice is also recom-
mended: by way of diet the animal should be restricted to linseed meal
and barley. If the case proves obstinate, besides the astringent supposi-
tory, anodynes and ice, sustained digital pressure should be applied, and
for this purpose the animal should be confined within a small space.
Perfect quietness should at all times be enjoined.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF TAPIRS.

Ordinarily tapirs sleep or remain indoors during the greater part
of the day, becoming livelier towards the evening, when the time
for feeding arrives; and if there is any delay in obtaining food at the
usual time, it calls for it by uttering, every now and then, a squeaking
note, peculiarly expressive of want. Their mental capacities do not
appear to be susceptible of any training, so that they never become
thoroughly tame or friendly, as might have been expected from their
inoffensive nature. They are never aggressive, but if annoyed or
enraged they are capable of inflicting’ severe wounds by biting.

They much enjoy bathing and swimming, and have sometimes
been observed to remain under water for at least a minute. The locomo-
tion of the hairy tapir is accompanied by much angular flexion of the
joints, causing the limbs to be drawn up high at each footfall.

(170) THE WILD ASS.

(EQUUS ONAGER—Pail.)
Hindi—Gorkhur.

Description.— Height at shoulder 11 to 12 hands; above isabelline
with a slight rufescent tinge; muzzle, breast, and the inner aspects
of the limbs white; a dark chocolate colour median stripe extends
from the mane to the tail; in some specimens there are dark cross
stripes on the shoulder, and limbs faintly but distinctly marked. They
vary somewhat in height; specimens now living in the garden, are
about three years and six months old and less than 11 hands high;
but animals of the same age have been found to be over 11 hands.

Hab.—The Punjab, Sindh, the deserts of Cutch and Rajputana,
extending through Afghanistan and Beluchistan to Persia. The race
of the wild ass is gradually becoming extinct.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
A little over five years.

(171) THE DOMESTIC ASS.

(EQUUS ASINUS—Linn.) -
Both the Indian and African varieties have been exhibited.

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(172) BURCHELL’S ZEBRA.

(EQUUS BURCHELLI—(@ray.) ) a

tee

Description —Height at the shoulder 4 feet; robust and thick-sef —

in form ; mane and tail full; the ground colour of the body above pale —

yellowish; the limb and under parts nearly white; the stripes are brown- si
ish black ; there are fainter and narrow stripes in the interspaces between —_

the broad stripes ; limbs without stripes; individuals are said to vary in

this respect, some being striped almost down to the hoof; the greater _
parts of the ears are white; a ventral black stripe runs along the
median line, and to which the large side stripes unite by their lower

ends; there is also a dorsal stripe; the head and face are beautifully -
marked by narrow black lines. ‘T'he ground colour of the body has

been observed to vary in shade at different seasons of the year. |
Hab.—South Africa, extending northwards to Kilimanjaro district.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

An adult female has been living in the garden since May 1889.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—Both the wild ass and the zebra should have well-
‘drained, dry situations for their habitation, Their principal requisites
are—a sheltered shed, a sleeping room, and an enclosure as a grazing
ground. The floor of the shed and the sleeping room should be made
of bricks laid on edge, and joints cemented. Any partition or wall
necessary for the shed should be made of planks or bricks; iron or wire
fencing with interspaces should, as much as possible, be avoided.
These animals are much given to frisking and kicking against anything,
and serious consequences may happen if the above precautions are
neglected.

Food.—Crushed food, consisting of gram, oats, Indian-corn, and
bran; bay, paddy-straw, and salt. During the wet weather the —
grazing ground should be frequently mown if the growth of fresh grass
is luxuriant, as otherwise they may get colic from overfeeding on
green grass,

_ _Transport.— Boxes for the conveyance of these animals should be
‘narrow, perfectly plain inside, and provided with doors at both ends,

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Both the wild ass and Burchell’s zebra suffered from rheumatism, —
no doubt brought on by dampness of the floor of their habitation. The
zebra had frequent attacks untila platform about 18 inches high was _
provided. From causes alluded to under housing, the wild asses suffer
sometimes from wounds and sores; in themselves they may not be
serious, but as swarms of flies are about, the danger of their getting _
fly-blown and breeding maggots should be guarded against. For surface ae
wounds nim oil is very good, but for deeper ones a dressing composed —
of stockholm tar, softsoap, sulphur and carbolic acid should be used. _

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 139

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF THE WiLp Ass AND ZEBRA.

The wild ass, unlike its domestic congener, is an intractable
animal, very shy and difficult to approach. Attempts have been made
to break them in, but without success. A fine adult male once ran
amuck and “in a state of temporary furor ran against the iron railing
of its compound with great violence and thus fractured its skull.” The
zebra is an equally intractable and untameable animal, addicted to
kicking and biting; but from what has been observed of the specimen
(EK. burchelli) it does not appear that they are altogether devoid of
sociable qualities. This animal was at first shy and vicious, but
it has gradually become so tractable as to allow itself, with a little
coaxing, to be groomed and rubbed, and if in good humour it comes
to the side of the fencing to be stroked and patted. Its call-note is
a ringing musical bellowing, somewhat like that of the swamp deer
(C. duvauceli), but uttered more quickly and less prolonged. The
most characteristic peculiarity is the periodicity of the call, which may
be heard at an interval of half an hour or more for two or three days
once every month or a month and a half,

(173) THE DOMESTIC OX.
(BOS TAURUS—Zinz.)

(174) THE ZEBU.

(BOS INDICUS— Linz.)

Both the above species, which are now only found in a domesticat-
ed state, have been represented in this collection.

(175) THE GYAL, OR MITHAN.

(BOS FRONTALIS—(Lambert.) )

Description.—Height at the shoulder 4 feet 6 inches to 5 feet;
heavy in build; general colour varies from black with a coffee brown
shade to dark brown; legs from knee downwards white; dewlap well
developed ; tail short; horns short, very nearly straight (extent of the
curvature upwards varies in different specimens); colour of the horns
greyish black; in older animals they are very rough and somewhat
scaly at the base; forehead very slightly depressed, and of a greyish
brown colour; there is no ridge in the median line of the skull
between the horns. The aspect of the skull is markedly triangular.

Many intermediate forms of gyals, including hybrids between it
and the domestic cattle, have also been exhibited. The white in the
legs, so characteristic of a pure gyal, is either wanting or imperfect in
these ; the forehead in some is altogether white or blotched with white
spots; the horns are sometimes rounded and more curved than in a
pure gyal ; others have almost straight and flat horns, and the ridge on
the anterior part of the back is much less prominent; in the hybrids,

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF A}

between the gyal and the domestic cow, this niles 1s altog
ing, and the back is remarkably straight, ee some of
breeds of English cattle.
_Hab.—The hill regions of Assam, Tipperah, and Manipur, extend-
ing through the Chittagong Hill Tracts and Arracan to Akyab ; also”
found in the Duffla hills north of the Brahmaputra. Gyals of indisputably — Si
pure breed have been obtained from Hill Tipperah and the Naga hills;
other specimens, of which the purity is doubtful, have been obtaimee il
from the Chitta gong Hill Tracts, Lushai hills, the country of the Abors— os
in the hill regions of Assam, Cachar, &c. ; ad

LENGTH OF. LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
From 1876 to 1884.

(176) THE SONDAIC OX, OR BANTENG.
(BOS SONDAICUS—(Miill.) )

The banteng is readily distinguished from the gyal by its yellowish
brown colour with a chestnut tinge and the white rump; the ridge on —
the anterior portion of the back-is much less developed than in either
the gyal or gaur ; tail long ; dewlap moderate; horns smaller, and more
rounded and curved than in the gyal. A fully adult male isa much
darker animal than when it is young or adolescent. ae

Hab.—Burmah, Malay peninsula, the islands of Java, Borneo, and a
Bali ; it is said to occur in Arracan also.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

From October 1881 to March 1888.

(177) THE GAUR.

(BOS GAURUS—Trail.)

Description.—An adult gaur is a much larger animal than a gyal
or banteng, standing nearly 6 feet high at the shoulder; it is more
slender in build, but robust and compact ; general colour dark chestnut
brown; legs white, as in the gyal and banteng; the ridge on the
anterior portion of the back is much elevated, and the back arched;
there is a conspicuous ridge in the middle of the skull between the
horns ; the forehead is depressed ; there is no dewlap.

Only juvenile and adolescent specimens have been exhibited.

Hab.—Southern and Central India, extending through the Central
Provinces and Chota Nagpore to Orissa and Midnapore, the Nepaland
Bhutan Terai, Assam, Tipperah and Chittagong hills, extending
southwards through Arracan and Burmah to the Malay peninsula.

is
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LENGTH OF LIFE-IN CAPTIVITY.

From 1881 to 1885.

Rays

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 141

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—The banterg is such a tractable animal that it may, if
necessary, be treated like a domestic cow, both with regard to housing
and feeding; but the gyal, though it also becomes equally tame after a
few days in captivity, will not thrive in the climate of Lower Bengal
unless much freedom and pasturage are allowed. A gyal calf obtained
in 1876 showed, during its adolescent stage, signs of wasting away
despite good feeding and treatment ; but on being allowed the freedom
of grazing for itself, for the greater part of the day, in an adjoining
pasturage, where there was a fine avenue of trees, the animal quickly
recovered and developed into a fine bull. Though heavy and powerful
animals, neither the gyal nor the banteng are mischievous, and can
easily be accommodated in ordinary deer paddocks; but shade and
_ coolness are indispensable for them, especially during the hot weather ;

stalls should be provided to protect them from the vicissitudes of climate.
Only young and adolescent gaurs have been exhibited in this garden,
and the following observations recorded in respect to the rearing of a
young animal may be useful :—“ As all previous attempts at rearing
gaurs in confinement had signally failed, this calf was allowed to roam
through the gardens even to the detriment of the plants, and being
a shade-loving animal, frequenting the densest forests, the instincts of
the little creature led it to seek seclusion and shade in the centre of the
most choice groups of shrubs. This freedom conferred upon it, how-
ever, no doubt kept it alive, and even now, when about two years old
and a large animal with formidable horns, it is still so tractable that
it is permitted to wander about the gardens for a few hours daily.”
In allowing this freedom the temper of the animals should be taken
into consideration, and an attendant should watch their movements,
which should be restricted within certain limits.

Food.—Newly-imported gyals eat nothing but grass and bamboo
leaves, but as they gradually become reconciled to their altered state.
of life, they begin to relish other food also, such as gram, bran, hay,
&e. ; bamboo leaves are always acceptable to them, and no efforts should
be spared to supply these as frequently as possible; salt is very
necessary for them, and should be given daily either mixed with grain
or in small lumps for licking; a small quantity should be mixed with
the food to make it more palatable. A few onions should be given
with gram or bran. A large troughful of clean water should always
be kept ina shady place, and the scouring of the vessel daily and
scrupulously attended to, as otherwise the slime that adheres to it
finds its way into the animal and causes disease.

Breeding.—Gyals have yielded fine hybrids between themselves
and the domestic cattle ; the points in which the progeny differed from
both the parents have been already indicated; these hybrids were
mostly cows, and they bred with the English and country bulls.
Bantengs have also bred in the garden.

Transport.—Gyals and bantengs intended for transport overland
should be gradually weaned from green food and fed on hay and
compressed fodder, supplemented by grain. As they are generally
harmless and tractable animals, no box is necessary, but a hurdle
enclosure may be provided. The best time to ship them to Hurope is

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142 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

between April and June; and to Australia from November to Fe
With régard to their transport inland, it is important to remember
that the climate of Lower Bengal is uncongenial to gyals (it is —
unnecessary to say anything about the gaur, as they are so seldom ~
acquired) which, if possible, should be brought down to the plains

during the winter and rains only. : :

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Hither during the transit or after a few days in the plains, gyals
generally become subject to diarrhea. Change of climate, hardship
and discomfort of the journey bring it on. Restrict such animals to
bamboo leaves alone, and they will soon recover. Some of them linger
and die. New arrivals, especially those that have been on board an inland
vessel for a length of time, during their passage from Assam or Cachar
to Calcutta, and confined more or less to dry food, when turned loose
in a grassy paddock, begin to eat greedily, and soon gorge themselves
with green grass. The stomach becomes much distended, and its action
suspended as it were ; fermentation in the meantime sets in, and as the

gas accumulates, the distention becomes excessive and painful. In Sf
really bad cases the animal becomes restless, breathes with difficulty, =
and manifests pain by its groans; the eyes become much congested. —
The most effectual treatment is to puncture the side, about 9 inches from 3
the last rib and lumbar vertebra to allow the accumulated gas to escape. 4
The operation is easy, and a sharp pointed, stout gunny needle is =

enough to perform it with, if a trochar is not handy. Immediately
after the operation, half an ounce of aromatic spirit of ammonia and two
ounces of tincture of ginger, or 4 ounces of juice of raw ginger, in
a pint of warm water should be administered. For at least two days
the animal should be fed on linseed meal, chopped hay, bran, and other
food, and for some time afterwards its allowance of green grass should
be sparing. In milder cases, where the symptoms are not such as to
bode immediate danger, one pound of sulphate of magnesia, one ounce of
aromatic spirit of ammonia, and two ounces of juice of raw ginger, in
about a pint of tepid water, have been administered with good result.
Tnnumerable parasites, about 2 of an inch long and of areddish brown
colour, were found in the stomach of a gyal, which died within a few
months after its arrival in Calcutta. This animal never recovered from
the debilitated condition in which it came, and gradually dropsical ia
swellings about the lower jaw and feet appeared. a
Rinderpest—Has now and then broken out, and done havoe
amongst the cattle, deer, and sheep. Though generally of a virulent
and contagious character, the symptoms and the period of its duration
varied.
The following appearances were observed on opening the body of
one of the victims (a banteng calf) some three hours after death :—
Lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen and heart healthy; no ulceration in
the stomach or small intestines; ulcerated patches present here and
there in the large intestines ; larynx and trachea extensively congested ;
trachea full of frothy and sticky mucous. 3
Tn order to save the parent bantengs with another calf about four
months old, which were already segregated, they were sent over to,

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IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 143

and lodged in, the Royal Botanical Gardens, Sibpur, on the other side
of the river. Here they lived happily and bred. The elder surviving
calf died after about a year and a half from the same disease. Two
years and seven months after their removal, the bantengs with the
remaining calf were brought back, but they all died during the course
of the next month and a half. It appears that the germ of the disease
had already entered into their system, and that it took such a long
time in developing was probably due to the change.

Several gyals also have succumbed to the same disease.

It has been observed that whenever there is a cattle plague in the
neighbourhood, the outbreak spreads itself in more or less severe form
among the cattle, sheep, and deer in the garden.

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.

Both the gyal and banteng are, as already mentioned, very
tractable animals, but they are all retiring, without being shy. Only
young gaurs have been exhibited here, and although one of them
attained a good size and proportion, it was never found to be fierce. This
was probably due to its having been brought up from infancy. ‘The
perspiration of the gyal and gaur is phenomenal. No other animal has
been observed to perspire so profusely as do these animals. In the
gyal it is thick and hardens into minute pellets.

(178) THE AMERICAN BISON.

(BISON AMERICANUS—(@imel.) )

A single female was obtained in December 1887, but it came in
such a sickly state that it did not survive long.
Hab.—North America.

(179) THE YAK.

(POEPHAGUS GRUNNIENS—(Linz.) )

Hab.—The mountains of Central Asia and the higher regions of
Chinese T'hibet.

A pair of these animals were exhibited for a few days while ~
awaiting transmission to the Zoological Society’s Garden, London.
Yaks are extremely intolerant of heat, and it is therefore better not
to attempt bringing them down to the plains.

(180) THE CAPE BUFFALO.
(BUBALUS CAFFER--(Sparv) )

It is smaller in size than the typical wild buffalo of India, which
is a gigantic animal; the horns are short but very~ thick, and

a
Hab. —South Africa.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen lived for about three years, and died from the effects
of an accident.

(181) THE INDIAN BUFFALO.

(BUBALUS BUFFELUS—(Blum.) )
Domestic variety.

B: (182) THE ANOA.

(ANOA DEPRESSICORNIS—(H. Smith.) )

b It closely resembles a young buffalo; colour rusty black ; short
"ea prismatic horns are directed upwards.

a Hab.—Celebes.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

One of the specimens obtained in 1880 lived for about eighteen
months only.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—The Cape buffalo will do well in an enclosure similar to
that recommended for the tapir ; if kept in a paddock, the fencing needs
to be stronger than that ordinarily used for ruminants. The anoa is a
shade-loving animal, and should not be placed in an exposed situation ;
if lazy, it should be made to take exercise.

Food.—Grass and grain; the anoa is fond of the green stalks of a
paddy plants. . Se

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF THE CAPE Burrato AND ANOA. —
The specimen of the Cape buffalo exhibited here did not appear to

care much for water like its Asiatic congener, the Indian buffalo. The
anoa is listless and lazy. |

(183) THE ELAND.
(OREAS CANNA—-(H. Smith.) )

Description.— Height at the shoulder nearly 5 feet 6 inches; colour
uniform tawny yellow, with slaty-grey shades. It is, however, a :
to great variations, some having distinct faint stripes, others without —

pans,
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IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 145

them. It has straight black horns, and a dewlap. The males have
tufts of hair on the forehead and a mane on the neck. It is the largest
of all the existing antelopes.

Hab.—Southern and Eastern Africa.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen lived from December 1882 to August 1885. It died
of rinderpest.

(184) THE NILGATI..
(BOSELAPHUS TRAGOCAMELUS—Pall,)

Nilgai is a vernacular term, meaning blue cow. The animal is
well known in India. :

Hab.——\t is found throughout the plains of India, from the Punjab
to Cape Comorin ; not found in Lower Bengal.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

From 1877 to 1885. In the latter year most of the ruminants
died from rinderpest.

(185) THE BEISA ANTELOPE.

(ORYX BEISA—(Lupp.) )

Description —As large as a domestic ass, but extremely handsome
in build and shape ; general colour of the body brownish grey, with well-
defined black bands down and across the face, on the back, and along
the sides and the limbs ; the black bands on either side of the body
unite on the breast, and continue as a single band to the lower jaw,
here they divide to form transverse bands on the head; it has a short
black mane and a long tufted tail; horns are long, slender, straight,
or somewhat recumbent, and pointed.

Hab.—Abyssinia and the coasts of the Red Sea.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
From 1879 to 1886.

(186) THE LEUCORYX.
(ORYX LEUCORY X— (Paill.) )

It is smaller than the preceding species, of an uniform whitish

grey colour, with curved horns. |
Hab.—North Africa.
Being on deposit, was on view for a few months only.

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS _
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146

TREATMENT IN eas ee
~ Housing.—The eland is a hardy animal, and may be housed
a nilgai or blackbuck. Beisa antelopes have been found to be rather —
delicate, and care should be taken not to expose them to damp —
and moisture; they also require better protection during the nightsin
winter. |
oT Food.—They thrive well on mixed food consisting of gram, bran,
| Indian-corn, wheat, paddy, &c., supplemented by hay and green grass, —_—
which should be given sparingly; they are not accustomed, in their __
wild state, to green grass, and it is important that their grazing ground
should be frequently mown during the rains to keep down the growth
of grass. eee
4 Breeding.—Beisa antelopes have twice bred in the garden. Young
nilgai, both male and female, are fawn colour; the males begin to
assume the bluish grey colour when about one year old. By
Transport.—The travelling cage for a Beisa antelope should have
its front elevation higher than the back end, and the inside padded. —
In fact the travelling cage for all horned animals should be made on ©

the same principle.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

ui

The eland, as already mentioned, died of rinderpest. The good
effect of segregation and change of place upon animals apparently
unaffected, but in close proximity to others affected by contagious
diseases, has already been noticed in connection with the bantengs —
(pages 142-43). The same beneficial result attended the removal of the
Beisa antelopes to a place some sixteen miles down the river. Here
they lived in perfect health from July to December 1885. Abouta
year afterwards one of these animals fell a victim to a second outbreak
of the same disease. A young beisa, which arrived on May 25th, 1878,
was found dead the next morning. It was placed in a shed inside
a nice little enclosure; after a voyage of nearly a month, the fresh
crop of grass was very tempting to the beast, which gorged itself, and
died from excessive distention of the stomach (see page 142).

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF EnAnpd AND Besa ANTELOPES.

The following is recorded about the habits of elands in a wild
state:—‘‘ In its natural condition,” continues Sir Cornwallis Harris,
‘“‘the eland frequents the open prairies and the low rocky hills interspersed
with clumps of wood, but is never to be met with in a continuously
wooded country. Rejoicing especially in low belts of shaded hillocks, —
and in the isolated groves of acacia capensis, which, like islands in the
oceans, are scattered over many of the stony and gravelly plains of the
interior, large herds of them are also to be seen grazing like droves of
oxen on the more verdant meadows through which some silver rivulet —
% winds in rainbow brightness betwixt fringes of shining bulrushes.”—
9 Sir Cornwallis Harris, quoted by Sclater. The male beisa antelopes
exhibited here have invariably been found to be pugnacious animals ~
but when provoked the female is as formidable to encounter as the male ©

aang,

¢ A Fu
PEs teers peaiees
NE aye
a en
Pos deal aa ae th BE
Se
;

ae : ‘
|

‘IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 147
In captivity they have never been found to be shy or suspicious,

if well treated become to a certain extent tame. The male nilgais
are also generally vicious animals; they have been observed to kneel
down when about to fight or attack a man; they often assume the
same attitude while feeding, |

* (187) THE ARABIAN GAZELLE. .
(GAZELLA ARABICA—(Hempr. et Ehr.) ) |

Horns not lyrate ; females possess horns.

Hab.—South Arabia.

Observations.—Gazelles are small, slender, elegant shaped, and
sandy coloured ruminants. The males of all the known species, and
the females of most, possess horns. White or whitish bands extend from
the base of each horn down to the upper end of each nostril; abdomen
white, bounded by dark stripes on the flanks ; the rump, and in some
eases the haunches, also white.

(188) THE INDIAN GAZELLE.
(GAZELLA BENNETTI—(Sykes.) )
Hindi—COhikérd.

Hab.—Throughout the western parts of India, extending west-
ward through Beluchistan to Persia. :

(189) GRANT’S GAZELLE.
(GAZELLA GRANTI—Brooke.)

The white of the rump extends on to the haunches; horns larger
than in any other species. Inthe male exhibited here they measured
19 inches. They much resemble those of the chikara (G. bennetti),

but are much larger.
Hab.—astern Africa.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Gazelles do not thrive in Lower Bengal. A male Grant’s gazelle
lived the longest from 1881 to 1886.

(190) THE INDIAN ANTELOPE.

(ANTILOPE CERVICAPRA—(Linm.) )
Hindi—Harna 3, Harnin ¢. Bengali—Kalsanr, Krishnasar.
Description—The upper parts of a fully adult male are glossy black,
the area round the eyes and a small portion of the muzzle white or
brownish white, the shade and extent of the colour is variable; the under
kK 2
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MANAGEMENT D - | Al f i MALS ©
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148 A HAND-BOOK OF THE

parts and inside of the limbs white; young males are of light fav
e like the does, but they gradually become darker ; the horns larg
ere and spirally twisted and annulated to about an inch from the f
- females have no horns asa rule; a horned doe was once received ai
- exhibited for some time; these horns, quite unlike those of the males, —
were smooth, somewhat flattened and curved backward, and did not
exceed 9 inches in length. Light coloured adult males are not
uncomnion. The tear glands below the inner angle of the eyes are
prominent. -* i‘.
Hab.—Found throughout the plains of India from the foot of the
Himalayas to the extreme south of the peninsula, with the exception of
the Malabar Coast, the Eastern Ghats, and Lower Bengal. It is also ;
recorded to have been observed at Gowhatty and on the banks of the —
Brahmaputra. Most abundant in the North-West Provinces, the high- 4
land of Central India, and the Deccan. “e

Baie

: ti
Ree
LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. .

ie

Specimens lived from 1876 to 1884, and prior to their inclusion in ‘4 st

this collection a few years in a private menagerie. +t

(191) THE FOUR-HORNED ANTELOPE. | a2 Val
(TETRACEROS QUADRICORNIS—(Blainv,) ) 7 :
Hindi—Chousingha. Z i 4
Description.—About the size of an Indian gazelle; colour reddish A A
brown; fetlocks marked white like those of the nilgai; hair coarse; males
only furnished with horns: in adult animals the upper pair is about =
3 to 4 inches long, the lower pair much smaller, sometimes quite

concealed by the hair ;. the aspect of the forehead is very convex. vas beg

Hab.—Generally distributed throughout the greater part of India,
especially abundant in Central Provinces; not found in Lower Bengal. |
Z ag

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. i

About four years.

(192) THE BUBALINE ANTELOPE.

(ALCELAPHUS BUBALIS—(Pail.) )

Description.—About the size of a nilgai; head narrow and elongat-
ed; the body falling away behind; colour uniform bay; the horns,
which are annulated about two-thirds of their length, are directed
upward in a lyrate form, and then abruptly turned backward. B:

Hab.—North Africa.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen lived from July to December in 1881; death being
caused by an accident. me

gs .
Bas

*

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 149

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

e+
Housing.—As gazelles and antelopes are denizens of dry regions,

they should be accommodated in well-drained paddocks free from damp

and moisture; to ensure this, if the soil is not sandy, a thick layer of
- coarse sand, about a foot deep, may be laid, with a top dressing of earth,

_ to allow some grass to grow, which should be sparse at all times.

Antelopes are not particularly susceptible to the depressing influence of
the wet weather, but gazelles are; and care should therefore be taken
to secure them perfect protection from rain and wet. The floor of the
shed should be built of masonry, and a layer of coarse sand should be
sprinkled over it, and in order that the animals may be kept indoors when

necessary, it should be enclosed with planks on three sides, with battens

or iron fencing in front. Light sheds may be built of teak wood posts
with plank roof, covered over with sheet iron or zinc. New arrivals
should not be exposed for exhibition.

Food.—Gram, bran, Indian-corn, paddy, wheat, &c., hay, onions,
and salt. Gazelles are very fond of babul leaves (Acacia arabica) ;
green grass should be sparingly given to them during the wet weather.

Breeding.—Gazelles, black bucks, and four-horned antelopes have
bred in this garden and reared young ones successfully.

Transport.—The travelling cage for these animals should be made,
like that of any other ruminants, with planks on three sides and battens

on one, but wide enough to allow them to turn round; the bubaline

antelope may be treated like an eland in this respect.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Inflammation of the lungs is a common complaint among gazelles
during the rains and winter; they have also been known to suffer from,
and die of, diarrhea. A doe of an Indian antelope was once suspected

to be suffering from consumption, and on being treated with phosphate

of lime it completely got rid of its hoarse cough, and regained its
former plump and sleek condition. A hog deer once ripped open the
side of a four-horned antelope, causing a portion of the intestine to
protrude; although the case was considered hopeless, owing to the
difficulty of keeping the beast quiet, the protrusion was reduced and the
opening stitched with carbolised catgut ligature, and the wound dressed
antiseptically, and all possible precautions taken to keep the animal,
which was absolutely tame, quiet and in one posture. ‘The antelope
recovered in about twenty days, and lived in perfect health, until some
two years afterwards it was kiiled one night by some pariah dogs.
The bubaline antelope dropped down suddenly dead one afternoon;
as the animal was in perfect health a careful autopsy was held, and its
vertebral column was found to be fractured ; the cause of the accident
was never ascertained.

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.

Gazelles are lively, active, playful creatures, but extremely shy and

wary, unless rendered tame and familiar in captivity ; the females have

>
K

invariably been found to be gentle and inoffensive, but some males are

m Ped : 4

ARITENT at sr

: MANAGEMENT OF LS
, os 2 OF

pugnacious and charge with much skill and courage, mo
_ steps backward, and coming forward with a light spring.
ee Indian antelopes, they also, though not so often, bound high in th
ia and if closely observed at this instant the feet will be found dre
closer together. The Indian antelope is perhaps more wary than a
gazelle, and is very suspicious of strangers and strange surroundings;

_ but if taken young and reared in captivity, it becomes very tame and
confiding; most of the adult bucks are pugnacious, especially during
the breeding season, and fight much between themselves; and at this
season they may be seen chasing the does round and round the
enclosure. ; bok

(193) THE DOMESTIC GOAT.
(CAPRA HIRCUS—Linn.)

The following varieties have been exhibited :— a
_ The Kashmir goat, famous for its long and fine wool; the Welsh, __
Maltese, and Lushai goats.

(194) THE PERSIAN IBEX.

(CAPRA AGAGRUS—Gimel.)

Description.—Height at the shoulder about 3 feet; colour of the
body above yellowish grey, wiiite below; the yellowish shade fades
away in captivity; beard black ; the horns of the male are large, curving
upward and backward and gradually diverging from each other; a
series of protuberances and transverse depression on the convex suriace
give it a ringed appearance.

Hab.— Found in’Crete and several other of the wilder islands of
the Aigean sea, in Asia Minor, on the Taurus, Mount Ararat, and the
Little Caucasus, possibly extending to the southern slopes of the Great =

‘ Caucasus. It is found all over Persia, Transcaspia, Afghanistan and
Beluchistan, and extend to the borders of India, where it is found in the |
Pubb and Suliman ranges in Sind, and probably north to the Khyber
Pass.’’—Notes on Indian Horned Game by W. L. Sclater.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Over three years.

(195) THE DOMESTIC SHEEP.

(OVIS ARIES—Linz.)

The following varieties have been exhibited:—The four-horned —
yam from Arabia; fat-tailed breed from Asia Minor and Afghanistan; _
the fat in this breed is deposited under the tail instead of under the —
skin ; the south down sheep with short and close-set wool and dark-brown —
face and legs. a

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Boar,
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- 3 aa
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4

ae a eee | a : j 9

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 151

» ~

(196) THE. PUNJAB WILD SHEEP.
(OVIS CYCLOCEROCS—AHutton.)
Hindi— Uryal in the Punjab.

Description.—A. full-grown male stands about 3 feet at the shoulder ;
general colour of the body varies from reddish brown to brownish grey ;
sides of the mouth, chin, abdomen, and legs below the knee white;
blackish patches on the sides and limbs; beard black ; the eyepits large ;
horns resemble those of a domestic ram, attaining a length along
their curvature of nearly 36 inches in fully adult males, and much

-annulated ; the female is somewhat small, has no beard, horns small, and
colour lighter.

- Hab.—Found in the Punjab salt range; the Suliman range in the
neighbourhood of Peshawar ; in Beluchistan and Afghanistan ; also found
in Persia and Transcaspia. The uryal inhabits much lower elevations
and hotter regions than most of the known species of sheep, which, as
a rule, are only found at high altitudes, and in a cool atmosphere.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
From January 1879 to August 1883.

(197) THE BURRHAL WILD SHEEP.
(OVIS NAHOOR—Hodys.)
Known as Burrhal throughout the Himalayas.

Description.— Height of an adult male 30 to 36 inches; colour, a light
slaty blue, with shades of pale fawn here and there; under parts
yellowish white; nose, front aspect of the limbs; a band along the sides,
_ the chest and the tip of the tail black, which varies in intensity. Horns
rounded, directed upwards and outward with a semicircular sweep;
surface rough, but not much wrinkled. The female is smaller, with
small slightly curved horns. |

Hab.—The lofty ranges of the Himalayas, from Ladak to Bhutan ;
it is never found at lower elevations than 10,000 feet.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

It does not thrive in the climate of Lower Bengal, and is therefore
seldom exhibited. A specimen lived for about eighteen months.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.— Enclosures and sheds similar to those recommended for
gazelles will answer for ibex and uryal, with this modification, that inthe
present case the fencing needs to be higher, as both these animals have
been known to jump over fencing and wall 6 feet 6 inches high with ease.
When any portion of an enclosure is formed of a wall, its surface should

_be perfectly smooth, as the least projection in the shape of a moulding
or an inclined buttress will give these sure-footed animals a foothold,

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MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS |

Pe ok |

A HAND-BOOK OF THE

_ and they will bound on to the top in an instant. But however goo J the
accommodation may be, they will never thrive in captivity in Bengal
é: unless much freedom is allowed them to roam about. Much attention
* should be paid to the bodily cleanliness of the domestic sheep, as other- _
2 wise dirt adhering to the coat will irritate their delicate skin and cause
| sores to break out; and for this purpose they should be frequently
washed with soap and water and the skin rubbed dry, and at least
twice sheared during the hot weather. As they mostly come from cooler:
regions, they would prefer a thin coat and frequent baths. |
Food.—The domestic goats should have some leaves and herbs every
day, besides the ordinary food consisting of grains, &c., allowed them in
captivity. If allowed liberty the ibex and uryal will pick up much of
their own food ; they are very fond of rose leaves, both dry and green;
in fact they thrive better on various kinds of leaves and hay than on
grain : they should have ready access to lumps of rock salt at all times.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Diarrhea is the common complaint among these animals, gene-
rally brought about by the effect of climate and improper feeding ; many
of them have, at one time or another, been affected by and fallen victim
to rinderpest.

The habits of these animals have been already mentioned.

(198) THE GIRAFFE.

(GIRAFFA CAMELOPARDALIS—Linn.)

This most striking animal is characterized by its long neck and
limbs, the sloping back, and its frontal appendages consisting of a pair
of short, erect bony processes placed over the junction of the frontal and
parietal bones, and covered externally with hairy skin; anterior to these
is another bony eminence in the middle line of the frontal bone also
covered with skin, and is spoken of as a third horn: these processes are —
present in both sexes. ars are large; lips thin, mobile and somewhat —
produced; tongue long and semi-prehensile; tail long and well tufted ;
the ground colour of the body pale brownish chestnut, with large blotch-
es of a darker tint ; the under parts and the limbs below the knee ©

- uniform pale; height of a full-grown male about 16 feet; that of
a female about 14. 3
Hab.—Africa south of the Atlas.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

From December 1877 to April 1887, the death being the result of =
an unfortunate accident. ‘=

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

. ad

Housing.— The principle of accommodation should be the same as m
the case of a zebra, with such modifications of detail as the sizeand the
characteristic structure of the animal require; it is very delicate and

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. _ 153

susceptible to vicissitudes of weather, so that cold draughts and damp
should be scrupulously avoided.

Food. —Indian-corn, gram, wheat, &c., crushed and mixed together,
or given separately as a change from one to the other: 2 to 3
seers of grain, a pinch of salt twice daily, supplemented by a few bundles
of hay, will satisfy a full-grown animal ; it is very fond of babool (Acacia
arabica), and beir (Zizyphus jujuba) leaves ; if quantities of these are avail-
able, the allowance of grain may be reduced. To enable the animal to
feed and drink with ease, both the feeding and drinking vessels should
be suspended high.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

A male giraffe was found dead one morning in December 1879 ; the
opinion was divided whether the animal died of colic or inflammation of
the lungs ; the suddenness of death, and the extremely distended condi-
tion of the stomach, full of half- digested food, supported the former
conclusion ; the nature of the accommodation, consisting of a thatched
shed with thin mat wall and low mud floor, had ee brought on
a chill inducing inflammation of the lungs.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A GIRAFFE.

The giraffe is timid and peaceable in disposition ; it soon becomes
trustful and follows a keeper or anybody who offers it a morsel of food.
Its thin and mobile lips and long and semi-prehensile tongue are ever
ready to pick up anything in the way; the animals here exhibited
showed greater preference for ladies’ bonnets and delicately dressed and
curled white muslin sheets which loosely dangle from Indian gentlemen’s
shoulders. Though timid and inoftensive, it is nevertheless capable of
inflicting serious and even fatal injuries by kicking with its powerful
limbs ; a female giraffe was once noticed to behave in a manner which
betokened mischief. To improve and adjust the drainage of the
giraffe’s enclosure, the paddock was entered: the animal was so tame,
trustful and familiar that nobody thought anything about its presence.
As soon, however, as it saw the working party, consisting of an overseer,
a cooly with instruments, and the keeper, enter, it came cantering up
and chased the former nearly round the enclosure, and repeated the
Same manceuvre an hour afterwards when the attempt was again made.
The giraffe has a rocking motion when walking, and it is given to
swinging its long neck every now and then, sometimes describing a
complete figure of 8. Another peculiarity of the animal is that, when
walking, the fore and hind leg of the same side move together. It is
easily frightened, and has been known to clear a fencing 5 feet 9 inches
high. While living in an enclosure which formed one of a series of deer
paddocks, some pariah dogs got in one night, frightened the deer, and
chased them about in all directions; the result was a general commo-
tion among the cervine family; this so much frightened the giraffe that
it jumped over the fencing and took flight ; next morning it was found
in a remote corner of the garden, quietly sitting in the midst of a dense
shrubbery. A most lamentable catastrophe happened to a fine giraffe

a

154. A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

which accidentally hung itself in the fork of a tree. It was nibbling — 2
at the lower leaves, and in order to reach some on a higher twig
evidently attempted to raise itself on its hind limbs by resting the
forefeet on the trunk, but slipped and fell on its side, and was instantly
strangulated. -@

(199) THE INDIAN MUNTJAC.

(CERVULUS MUNTJAC—Zimm. )
Hindi— Kakur.

Hab.—F ound all over India, Burmah, Malay peninsula, and the
islands of Sumatra, Java, and Borneo. In India it is not found in ~
Lower Bengal.

(200) REEVES’ MUNTJAC.
(CERVULUS REEVESI— Ogilby.)

It is smaller than a kakur.

Hab.—Southern China.

The characteristic features of the muntjacs are the bony pedicels
covered with hair on which the small antlers are situated, and the large
upper canines of the males. In C. muntjac a V-shaped fold of skin
gives a peculiar expression to the face,

(201) THE WAPITI DEER.

(CERVUS CANADENSIS—Schreb.)

The wapite is the largest of the deer kind; it has a light coloured
patch surrounding the tail; there are two brow antlers, the lower form-
ing a right angle with the beam. The young of the wapite are
spotted.

Hab.—North America.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
From January 1879 to July 1883.

(202) THE FORMOSAN DEER.
(CERVUS TAEVANUS—Swin.)

‘The full-grown male has antlers about twice as long as its head,
with a short brow antler given off at an acute angle from the beam,
and there are two other tines besides the brow antler, one being a
strong tine developed from the anterior surface half-way up the beam, 2
and the other from the posterior surface in its upper third. ’—Anderson. a
Hab.—The island of Formosa. : :

aa

»* . * .
IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENG ALi

f ve + * e am

= ~ Kn ‘ P-« a: -
agai oo’ LencTH oF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. oe

. About four years; the death being caused by an accident.

(203) THE BARASINGHA DEER.

(CERVUS DUVAUCELLI— Cu.)

It is called barasingha from the fact that each antler generally bears
six tines; the beam of the antler is somewhat flattened.
Hab.—The Terai region of the Himalayas, extending as far east as
’ Assam, and along the Brahmaputra to the Sunderbuns; also found in
Orissa and Central India. Specimens have been received from Malda,
Rungpore, Gowhati, and Orissa.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. os

- Over twelve years. ;

ae (204) THE SAMBUR DEER.
(CERVUS ARISTOTELIS—Cuv,)

. Known as sambar or sdémar generally throughout India; Jarao in

the Himlayas. :

Horns vary much in thickness, Jength, and direction and extent

of the curvature ; those from Central India have generally been found

to possess massive antlers with greater outward curvature than those

from Northern Bengal or the Terai: the colour of the skin also varies

from sandy brown to dark brown; in adolescent females a ferruginous
tint is visible.

Hab.—It is found throughout India, from a height of nearly
10,000 feet in the Himalayas to the extreme south of the peninsula,
extending westward as far as the banks of the Sutlej, and eastwards
through Assam and Burmah to the island of Hainan. ‘

, LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
From 1875 to 1885: death being due to an outbreak of rinderpest.

(205) THE EQUINE DEER.
(CERVUS EQUINUS—Cwv.)

Is closely allied to the sambur, but slender in form and smaller in®

size.
Hab.— Borneo, Sumatra, and the extremity of the Malayan penin-
sula,

: LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

From February 1880 to August 1885, In this case also the death
resulted from an attack of rinderpest. — .

ie

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156 A HAND=-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

(206) THE HOG DEER.
(CERVUS PORCINUS—Zimm.)

Hindi—Para, generally throughout India.

Hab.—Found throughout the whole length of Terai extending
across the Gangetic valley to Assam and Burmah.

(207) THE RUSA DEER.

CERVUS HIPPELAPHUS- Cuv.)
Hab.—J ava.

(208) THE MOLUCCA DEER.

(CERVUS MOLUCCENSIS— Milli.)

Hab.—Amboyna and the Celebes islands. In these deer the poste-
rior branch of the beam of the antler is larger than the anterior, and
they have short muzzles.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A molucca deer lived for about seven years, and a rusa deer has
been living since July 1888.

(209) THE AXIS DEER.

(CERVUS AXIS—£rai.)

Hindi— Chital, generally throughout India.

Hab.—The Sub-Himalayan and the Terai regions; Central and
Southern India, extending to Ceylon; extremely common and numerous
in the Sunderbuns of Bengal; specimens are said to have been obtained
from north of the Brahmaputra in Assam; it does not extend beyond
the Punjab. According to Captain Forsyth, very common in the valley
of the higher Narbada.

Hybrids between the hog and spotted deer are often produced and
exhibited.

(210) THE REINDEER.
(RANGIFER TARANDUS—Linn.)

The characteristic feature of this species is the presence of antlers

in both sexes. :
Hab.— Northern parts of Europe, Asia, and America.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—The following general remarks with regard to the forma-
tion of paddocks for deer and other ruminants may be useful :—

Tt is both economical and convenient to build the paddocks in a
series; the site selected should be away from a public road and the front
entrance to a garden; before the grounds are enclosed, the condition of

wel?

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IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 157

the drainage should be properly ascertained, and if defective, improved.

The back of the paddocks should be formed of a brick wall at least
6 feet 6 inches high, or, in other words, a compound wall should be built
along this side, and utilized for this purpose.

It is cheaper in the long run to use iron for the fencing, which
should be of an uniform pattern, though its strength may vary according
to the strength of the animals to be placed inside. A 6 feet high
fencing is enough to prevent most of the ruminants from jumping out,
although in some instances swamp deer and nilgai have been known to
clear walls and fences of nearly that height; but uryals, ibex, and other
animals of that group require special arrangement, if it is essential to
keep them within bounds; either the fencing should be higher, or they
should have a covered enclosure. Quick-growing trees should be planted
within the paddocks to afford the animals shade, which is welcome to all
and indispensable to some, such as the gyal, gaur, wapite, sambur, &c.;
tanks, proportionate to the size of the enclosures, should also be provided
for the latter animals, especially the wapite and sambur, which frequently
resort to water; a few trees on the banks overshadowing the water will
keep it cool during the fierce midday heat of the summer. Shallow exca-
vations, about 18 inches deep, may be made under the shade of trees and
filled with water, to allow the animals to roll themselves in mud and
ooze, which, while lowering the temperature of their body, helps to
protect them from flies and mosquitoes also. They are quick to take
advantage of such muddy depressions, which some of them themselves
make with their sharp pointed horns. A gravel path about 3 feet
broad should be laid inside each enclosure, along its front and sides.

A shelter of some kind is necessary to protect the animals from the
vicissitudes of climate, although under ordinary circumstances spotted —
and hog deer do without any, beyond that afforded by trees and shrubs ;
but even amongst these, circumstances constantly happen rendering it
necessary to confine one or other of them in houses. Each shed should
consist of a stall, enclosed with fencing of the same pattern as that
used for paddocks, and a retiring room with plank or brick wall; it
should be built, if possible, against the compound wall, or at least far
back in the paddock. Details of arrangements, however, must always
vary, and be modified according to requirements.

Food.—The following are the principal grains used for feeding the
ruminants :—gram, Indian-corn, paddy, and bran. A quarter to half a
seer each for the smaller, and half to one seer for the larger deer and
antelopes, of a mixture consisting of gram and bran, or gram and
paddy or Indian-corn, with salt and onions, will generally be found
enough, if ample opportunity for foraging for themselves exists.
During the winter and summer, when the lawns become parched up, or
when the number of animals in an enclosure is larger in proportion to
the extent of the turf, quantities of grass, hay, and other fodder should
be supplied, in addition to the small allowance of grain, salt and onion.
Of the various species of trees and shrubs in a garden, many yield
palatable and wholesome fodder to the ruminants, and of such nota
twig or branch that is pruned, or a leaf or pod, green or dry, that falls
during the autumn and spring, should be thrown away, but carefully
saved, collected, and offered to the animals. As far as consistent with

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MA

the horticultural aspect of an ornamental garden, trees and sk
such economic value should be largely planted. Ruminants, an
that matter other animals also, should not be fed on newly harves
gram and Indian-corn, which are indigestible and induce alimentary
. disorders; to be fit for consumption, the grain must be at least three _
' months old, and even then it is better to mix them with older stuff.
a Breeding.—Antelopes, gazelles, and deer have freely bred in this __
garden. To protect the young from the nocturnal attacks of jackals
and pariah dogs, both the doe and the fawn require to be enclosed in
a place of safety, until such time as the latter is old and strong enough —
to withstand its enemies. Mothers sometimes refuse to nourish the
young, rendering artificial feeding necessary. There are several ways
of accomplishing this; the hand may be dipped in a basin of milk and

ee the animal coaxed to lick the fingers; a regular feeding bottlemay be
used for the purpose, or a primitive one made with a small piece of be
i tubular bamboo, with its open end cut obliquely, so as to facilitate
insertion into the mouth. The milk should always be mixed with a ‘
small quantity of tepid water before feeding. Some animals require
seclusion to induce them to suckle their young, but there are again —
ae positively bad and negligent mothers which take no notice of their off-
— spring.
The young of wapite and hog deer are born spotted ; the spots on
_ the former soon disappear, but in the latter they remain more or less _—
_ _ distinct until after the animal attains maturity. aS
a PS Transport.—Deer with soft velvety horns should not, if possible,
~~ be selected for transport, unless perfectly tame and quiet, and the cage
well padded; those with mature horns should have their antlers 4

sawn off to within an inch of the burr. For large and valuable
animals like the wapite the box should be padded inside; exposure to
midday heat of the sun should, as much as possible, be avoided in all
cases. The difficulty, however, is to secure a deer for transport, especially
when a great many of them remain loose in a large parklike paddock,
enjoying almost as much freedom as in their wild state, without the
attendant risk. The safest method, though dilatory, is to decoy them
into the retiring room of the shed; but the animals are extremely
suspicious and wary, detecting danger with marvellous quickness, and a
constantly the artifice fails. ‘To coerce them is dangerous, causing loss .
of limb or life of one or the other of them. Strong netting made of
loosely twisted hempen rope may be successfully employed in catching
the hinds, which generally give most trouble. If time permits, a space Ss
about 10 feet by 5 feet, or larger if required, may be enclosed round
the usual feeding place of the animals; the work should progress
piecemeal, so as not to arouse the suspicion of the animals: much of
the success will, of course, depend upon the way the trap-door works.
‘Wood is no doubt the best material to build such a trap with, but if
iron fencing be used, bundles of paddy, straw, or hay may be strung
together to form a rough screen, and hung round as padding. ©

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

u Deer are subject to all the ailments already mentioned as being
common to other ruminants.

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pete, ca : ;
‘

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 159

Pa OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.

The muntjacs are retiring, unsocial, and suspicious; they are
ungainly and awkward in movement, owing to their hind quarters being
higher than the head and neck, which they carry low ; they have a shrill
bark, which is, however, not often heard in captivity. Instances are
known of male muntjacs inflicting severe wounds by their sharp canines, :

-_ and in one case it was a deep and dangerous one indeed.

The wapiti loves shade and water, to which they frequently
resort both during the day and night in summer: they regularly shed
their coats at the approach of the warm weather, and about the middle
of February thick patches of woolly hair come off different parts of the
body. The coats of the formosan deer undergo changes of colour;
during the summer it resembles the spotted deer, but in winter it is
uniformly brown like a molucca deer. The Barasingha is, however,
more remarkable for its seasonal transformation, as it is accompanied by
a corresponding change in the temperament of the animal. It sheds _
its horns about February and March, sometimes later, and in about
three weeks its coat is changed from an uniform sandy brown to fawn
colour of a delicate and agreeable shade, with a series of white spots p
longitudinally arranged on either side of the median line of the back; —=
it loses its fierce and dangerous character, and becomes as mild and
timid as a lamb. The colour and temperament, however, gradually _
change as the horns harden and the rutting season approaches; by.
about the end of June, if the rain has already commenced, or the #F .
beginning of July, the animal becomes again fierce and dangerous; it _
charges at the fencing if any one approaches it, stamps the ground —
with fore feet, grinds its teeth in rage, digs the ground with its horns
with all the symptoms of immoderate sexual excitement. When ina
quieter mood, it enjoys a mud bath in the slushy hollow of its own
digging. Its call note, which has been described as “ being a combin-
ation of the bray of an ass and the squeaking, grinding sound of a native
oil press,” is only heard about this period. Like the wapiti, the sambur .
is very fond of shade and water, some being more aquatic than others.

A young equine deer has frequently been observed to stand for hours
together in breast-deep water, feasting upon the duck weeds: though
not generally aquatic, spotted deer have sometimes been noticed to
resort to water for the same purpose. The female deer sometimes
ficht among themselves, and use their fore limbs as effectively as the
males do their horns; they rear themselves on their hind legs, and hug
and batter one another with the fore limbs. A pugnacious female
would, when sulking, attack a stag also, rearing up and striking and
biting in this case its hind quarters. A female wapiti once attacked a
gentleman who was superintending its transfer from one division of a
paddock to another; the animal in a fit of temper suddenly reared and ~
struck him down with its fore limbs.

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(211) THE INDIAN CHEVROTAIN. =

(TRAGULUS MEMMINA—(Erai.) )

Hab,—Central and Southern India and Ceylon. Specimens have
been obtained from Orissa and Chota Nagpore.

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A HAND-BOOK oF THE ewANad EMENT 0 OF ANID

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(212) THE MALAYAN CHEVROTAIN.
(TRAGULUS NAPU—P. Cw.)
Hab.—Malayan peninsula. |

(213) THE JAVAN CHEVROTIAN.

(TRAGULUS JAVANICUS—Pail.)
Hab.—Java.

(214) STANLEYAN CHEVROTAIN.

(TRAGULUS STANLEYANUS—Gray.)

Hab.—-Malayan peninsula.
In general aspect the chevrotains resemble the agouties.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Chevrotains or mouse-deer are delicate animals, and do not thrive
in the climate of Bengal. The Indian species have, however, done
better than the Malayan ones. .

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

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Housing. —Damp should be avoided, and care should be tasers not
to let the animals out to graze until the grass is dry. ;

Food.— Gram, bran, Indian-corn, grass and leaves.

Breeding.—The Indian chevrotains have often bred in this garden,
the female generally producing two at a birth.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Paralysis of the hind quarters and diarrhea are common among
these animals.

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.

The chevrotains are timid and shy; but though mild and gentle
as a rule, they are sometimes much given to fighting among themselves,
especially the males.

(215) THE GUANACO.
(AUCHENIA HUANACUS—WMolina.)

General aspect of the animal resembles a camel, but it has no
hump, and the toes are separate, with distinct pads and long curved
nails; colour uniform light brown, passing into white below. y

Hab. —Found over the highlands of the Andean region of Equador _
and Peru, extending to the plains of Patagonia and the forestoem #
islands of Terra del Fuego. +

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAE. 161

tay

“y
LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

From July 1878 to August 1883; it had lived for about seven
years in another menagerie.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—-A. paddock such as that described for the ruminants
constitutes suitable accommodation for these animals; a damp situation
should be scrupulously avoided.

Food.—They appear to thrive well on crushed food consisting of
gram, Indian-corn and bran; also hay, grass, and leaves.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Two of the guanacos died from the effect of an obstinate kind of
skin disease which baffled treatment.

The disease was probably the effect of the bad sanitation of the
place to which the animals had to be transferred.

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.

Though wary in their wild state, they become very tame in captivity,
so that they have often been noticed to come prancing and cantering
near the fencing and look inquisitively at visitors; they are, however,
nasty animals to approach, owing to their disagreeable habit of spitting
with or without provocation. They have a ringing metallic cry, which
is only uttered when the animal is excited. For further information
about their habits see Darwin’s “Journal of a Voyage round the
World.” |

(216) THE CAMEL.
(CAMELUS DROMEDARIUS—Linn.)

The Arabian camel is now unknown in a wild state.

(217) THE BACTRIAN CAMEL.
(CAMELUS BACTRIANUS—Zinz.)

It is distinguished from the preceding species by having two
humps; it is also more heavy and thick-set in form, and has longer
and thicker hair, especially on the head, neck, and armpits.

Hab.—F ound in a domestic or semi-domesticated state throughout
greater portion of Turkestan, extending as far as the shores of the
Black Sea on the west and the Chinese frontier on the east.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The climate of Bengal is most unsuitable to camels, which
generally have not done well. One of the Bactrian camels lived for
about four years, but it was an old animal, having already lived for
several years in the menagerie of the late King of Oudh.

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MA N

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—The camels are desert animals, and should |
absolutely dry place to live in; the kind of accommodation recomm:
for a giraffe, but less elaborate and costly, will do extremely we
these animals. They should be led about for an hour or two every «
or trained to carry children : exercise keeps them in health. The floorof |
their shed should be thickly sanded. —

Ce = a

“a species of nim (melia) and babul (mimusa) leaves, which may be given
| dry or green. ‘a

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

In Lower Bengal camels become generally subject to various kinds
of skin diseases and superficial ulcers; to prevent or keep them in check,
perfect cleanliness of the body is indispensable. During the wet season,
when it is not judicious to bathe them often, they should be thoroughly
rubbed and groomed every day. ‘The occasional application of sulphur
dust, even if there be no abrasion or ulceration, is beneficial; it prevents _
insects lodging in the hair and irritating the skin, causing them torub _
violently against anything. One of the Bactrian camels suffered from
and died of abscess of the liver, another became subject to paralysis of
the hind limbs, and while partially recovering from it hernia and pro-
Japsus ani supervened. Both of them were at first reduced, but the
former became at last unyielding, and the health of the animal having ©
by this time become much impaired, to put an end to its misery it was
killed. 3

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.

Camels are uninteresting animals, being slow, lazy, and stupid.

(218) THE HIPPOPOTAMUS. a

(HIPPOPOTAMUS AMPHIBIUS—Linz.) aa 4

An adult hippopotamus measures about 12 feet along the back,
The young animal exhibited in this garden was about three years old, __
and did not exceed 3 feet and a few iuches in length. |

Hab.— Widely distributed in the rivers and lakes of Africa. The
animal exhibited here was said to have been captured at Zimbaringo, _
near Dara-e-Saiam. ie

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
From March 1886 to September 1887.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—An enclosure, with a tank similar to that recomme!
for the rhinoceros, is suitable for a hippopotamus also. The experi

~

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 163

acquired, however, is imperfect, as the young animal exhibited here did
not live long.

Food.—Almost from the time of its capture, the young animal
here spoken of was fed on boiled barley and preserved Swiss milk twice
daily, the same diet being continued for a considerable time after its
arrival. It took a long time to be completely weaned from this food
and feed upon grass and leaves only. aes

Transport—Of such an aquatic animal requires special arrange-
ment to suit its requirements, but the owner of this young animal had
unfortunately neglected this precaution, and kept it in an ordinary box
cage, not only during the passage of the steamer from Zanzibar to

Calcutta, but for a considerable time previously.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

The animal above mentioned died from distention of the stomach
caused by overfeeding. There was obstruction of the intestines also. It
was ascertained after death that most of the teeth, molars and premolars
especially, were malformed and deficient in enamel.

OBSERVATIONS ON ITS HABITS.

It remained most part of the day under water, came out at the
time of feeding, but generally not until it was called several times. Its
feeding done, it again retired into water. At night it came out again,
walked about nibbling grass and leaves, or slept inside its house, always
taking to the water before it was quite dawn. It was observed t
_ remain under water for more than ten minutes at a time. |

(219) THE WILD PIG.

(SUS CRISTATUS— Wagner.)
Hab.—India.

(220) THE ANDAMAN PIG.

(SUS ANDAMANENSIS—B/yita.)

Hab.— Andaman Islands.

he experiment of keeping wild pigs in a dry enclosure with
a retiring shed has succeeded better than keeping them in damp slushy
a They must, however, have a mud bath during the hot
weather. ) ;

(221) THE PIGMY HOG.
(SUS SALVANIA—Garson.)

This diminutive pig does not exceed 26 inches in length from
snout to vent ; tail rudimentary,

Hab.—Nepal and Bhutan Torai. |
L 2

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A Bene ree OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIM

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
From March 1886 to June 1889.

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’
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i

TREATMENT UN HEALTH. “ae

Housing. —The same style of house as has been recommended for _
many other animals of similar habits will suit them also, viz.,a sleeping — a
chamber and an outer enclosure. Thelatter should be lined with planks _
for about 3 feet from the ground to prevent their injuring them-
selves, as they are apt to dash against fencing at the slightest alarm.

Food.—'The garden was unfortunate with several of these animals,
chiefly, as it now appears, owing to improper feeding. Whenever any
of them was acquired, it was sent down with instructions to feed it on
soaked paddy and roots. Whatever their liking for this diet might have
been in their own climate, it did not suit them here. They have been
found to thrive better on kitchen refuse, consisting of boiled meat, eggs,
vegetables, boiled rice, &c.

Transport.—They should never be conveyed in cages made with
battens, rods, or wire.

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OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.

ed Nt al

Pigmy hogs are extremely timid and shy, as already indicated,
remain constantly in concealment during the day, coming out only at
night, but if there is the least movement anywhere, they immediately
seek shelter again; they have invariably been observed to preter dry
ground to mud and slush. | a

(222) THE BABIRUSA. a

(BABIRUSA ALFURUS—Less.) Bi

Description.—The body of the babirusa is barrel-shaped and the |
skin almost entirely devoid of hair. Its most characteristic feature is __
the growth of the canines in the males; those of the upper Jaw pierce
through the upper lips, shoot upwards like horns, and are then arched
backwards over the eyes; the lower tusks are also directed upwards
and backwards.

Hab.—Islands of Celebes and Baru.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
From April 1880 to May 1884.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—May be housed like the pigmy hogs ; a small masonry
tank filled with mud and water will suffice. But for this and the next —
animal enclosures like those recommended for the rhinoceros and tapir _
are no doubt far more suitable. =

Food.—F ruits, roots, vegetables and grain; it has never be
observed to show partiality for a meat diet. “

—— -_ = COU =e J =

a | | ,
4 7

‘ ~

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 165

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Both the animals exhibited here died somewhat suddenly, the
female undoubtedly from fat.

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.

Though denizens of a tropical climate, they appeared to suffer
from heat during the fierce hot days of May and June, probably more
from radiated heat than from the effect of temperature ; at such a
time, they much enjoyed a cold bath; though generally retiring, these
animals were less shy than even a wild Indian pig.

(223) THE WHITEH-LIPPED PECCARY.
(DICOTYLES LABIATUS—Cuwv.)

Description.—The body is densely covered with thick bristly hair ;
a large gland is situated on the back towards the tail, which is very
small; colour grizzled blackish ; lips white.

Hab.—South America.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

From December 1882 to May 1891.
Tt was killed by a spotted deer, with which it long lived in amity

and peace.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

With regard to housing and feeding, it may be treated like the
preceding species.

OBSERVATIONS ON ITS HABITS.

The character of this individual animal was formed of two opposite
and contradictory elements, amiability and pugnacity. Generally it
behaved as if it were a most sociable and agreeable creature, both in
relation to visitors and animals with which it kept company. It nimbly
trotted up to the side of the fencing, and enjoyed being gently stroked
with a stick, especially if it touched the gland, with evident satisfac-
tion; but when in a sulky and disagreeable mood it snapped and hissed
at everything with its bristly hair standing on end. It once inflicted
a severe injury to a Malayan tapir with which it had long been
friendly. Its next companion was a rhinoceros, but it soon took a
dislike to its company, effected an escape by jumping over a three feet
high wall, and made itself at home with a pair of spotted deer; here
it lived unmolested, but often annoying its companions, for nearly two
years, until one morning it unusually provoked the male by biting its
nose, and was immediately speared.

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ae Bt aap Ieee Tt ane
ey [oe <

A HAND-BOOK OF THE M!

(224) THE TWO-TOED SLOTH.
(CHOLGPUS DIDACTYLUS—(Zinn,) )

Description.—It has a short, round head, with very small. externas
ears; fore limbs longer than the hind ; tail rudimentary 5 ; body clothe oe
with long, coarse hair.

In this species the fore limbs are farmed with two toes; in the
hind limbs three middle toes are developed. ea: i.

Hab.— Forests of Brazil.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

From November 1885 to November 1889.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—It should have a lofty and spacious cage, with a number
f of dry branches stuck inside, so that it can pass from one to the other
¢ without descending to the ground. To economise space, the cage may __
be divided into two stories, the lower one adapted to a terrestrial
animal; or other devices may be adopted. On the whole, its arboreal
_ habits and aversion to descend to the ground should, as much as
* possible, be recognized. 7
Food.—Feeds on leaves and fruits; the feeding and drinking

vessels should not be placed on the ground. ,

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS. a

The specimens shown here died from inflammation of the bladder.

OBSERVATIONS ON ITS HABITS.

Always clings with hook-like claws to the branches or bars of ©
cages, with the back downward. 4

(225) THE GREAT ANT-EATER.
(MYRMECOPHAGA JUBATA Linn.)

x Deseription.— Head elongate, produced into a long snout covered 4
with skin ; opening of the mouth very small; it has an enormous bushy _
tail; the prevailing colour of the body grey, with a broad black band.

’ Hab. —South and Central America.

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”
;
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LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

About eighteen months.

TREATMENT JN HEALTH.

Housixg.—It should be remembered that the animal walks ok
knuckles, so that a hard stone floor will hurt it, and as it is not ee
to burrowing, a cage with a mud floor should be preferred, or

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. | 167

layer of sandy earth spread over the brick flooring. It should always
have a thick bedding of straw, especially during the winter.

food.—Finely minced raw meat and egg with milk constitute a
capital diet for this animal.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

After having lived for about a year in this garden, the animal
became subject to diarrhea, which, although for the time yielded to
aromatic powder of chalk administered with milk, was never altogether
eured ; after death somewhat deep «lceration was found in each hind
foot.

OBSERVATIONS ON ITS HABITS.

It rested or lay asleep during the greater part of the day, envelop-

ing its body with its bushy tail while at repose, and generally became

active towards evening.

(226) THE SIX-BANDED ARMADILLO.
(DASYPUS SEXCINCTUS—Linn.)

Description —The chief characteristic of this species is the presence
of a hard bony covering which protects the upper surface of the body,
overhanging each side, and forming chambers into which the limbs are
withdrawn ; the top of the head is also protected by a shield, and the tail
has a covering of bony plates ; the exposed surface of the limbs is covered
by bony scales; the inner surface of the limbs and the under surface
ot the body have no covering and are clothed with hair.

Hab.—South America.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen has been living since 1879.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—This specimen has thrived remarkably in a cage 10 feet
by 5 feet with thickly sanded brick floor, and placed under a small
shed well sheltered by a clump of bamboos. The place is dry, shady
and retired. ‘There isa box for the animal’s shelter during the day.

Food.— Finely minced meat raw or boiled ; generally the former.

OBSERVATIONS ON ITS HABITS.

It sleeps the whole day, generally inside the box, but sometimes
outside. It has been repeatedly observed to sleep on its back, and so
soundly as not to move until touched.

(227) THE HIMALAYAN ANT-EATER.

(MANIS AURITA—AHodgs.)

_ Hab.—Inhabits the slopes of the Himaiayas, ascending to five or
six thousand feet, and extending to China and Burmah.

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

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.

(228) THE INDIAN ANT-EATER.

(MANIS PENTADAOCTYLA—Zinz.)
Hab.—The drier parts of India. |

(229) THE MALAYAN ANT-EATER.

(MANIS JAVANICA—Blyth.)

Hab.—Burmah, Malacca, Java, and Borneo. hee) %
He The garden has not yet succeeded in keeping these animals alive _—
%, for any length of time, owing chiefly to the difficulty of procuring i
regularly and in sufficient quantity their natural diet, the termites.
On one or two occasions they have even been known to take no notice x
of this food when placed within their reach. Various other things have 2
from time to time been tried, but without avail. They are now, if
received, generally let loose to forage for themselves. A manis has —
been found to swim across a tank 110 feet wide, and burrow under the
foundation of a wall 6 feet deep. |

(230) THE VIRGINIAN OPOSSUM.

(DIDELPHYS VIRGINIAN A—Shaw.)

It has a long prehensile tail, and long bristle-like hair, mingled —

with fur.
Hab.—Temperate North America, as well as central and tropical

South America.
A specimen lived for about a year only.

(231) GEOFFROY’S DASYURE. |
(DASYURUS GEOFFROYI—Gould.) a

A small civetlike animal, with a yellowish brown coat, profusely

spotted with white. |
Hab.—Found almost all over Australia.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

These animals have on the whole done well here, a pair having
lived over six years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

_Housing.—May be treated like shrews and small cats. ,
Food.—Finely minced meat and egg. They are particularly
fond of small mammals, such as rats and mice. Te

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.

Very retiring in disposition and thoroughly nocturnal, hiding the a :
whole day under straw or inside a box. ae

. " ‘ a ‘i
pe . —_ oe ee a Po oF ee §

;

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 169

(232) THE TASMANIAN DEVIL.

(SARCOPHILUS URSINUS—F. Cuv )

Form bearlike; has a large head; muzzle short and broad; ears
rounded ; the prevailing colour of the body black.
Hab.—Tasmania.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

One lived for about three months, and another for about a year.
The former never recovered from the effect of the long sea voyage; the
latter died from disease of the liver, which was very much enlarged—
almost six times its normal size. Although provided with good accom-
modation, it never took the least exercise, and although occasionally
tempted with live fowls and rabbits, it never attempted to kill any. It
touched not a morsel of food for about a fortnight before its death.

(233) THE COMMON WOMBAT.
(PHASCOLOMYS WOMBAT—Per. e¢ Less.)

Fur coarse; ears short and rounded ; muffle naked.
Hab.—Tasmania.

(234) THE HAIRY-NOSED WOMBAT.
(PHASCOLOMYS LATIFRONS—Owen.)

Fur smooth and silky ; ears large and pointed; muffle hairy.

Hab.—South Australia. ,

In general appearance the wombats look like small bears, with
very short legs, or like exaggerated marmots.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens have been living since 1889.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—Avoid damp and wet; a brick floor to their shed is
necessary, as otherwise they will burrow out immediately, but it may
be thickly covered with sandy earth. It is better for their health if
they can be let out every day to forage for themselves within a grassy
enclosure, as it compels them to take more exercise than they otherwise
would. The experiment, however, failed, owing to their persistent habit
of burrowing out under the fencing. They were once tried in an
enclosure with a brick wall, of which the deep foundation, it was
thought, would prevent their burrowing out, but as one of them some-
how managed to drown itself in the small tank inside it, the survivors
were removed. |

Food.—Grass and leaves; a small quantity of grain every morning,
and sometimes biscuits.

et 2 Nae
Onsnicy ere ON THEIR HABITS. Abie i

| Shy and retiring in disposition, they seldom come out
inner chamber during the day. As a rule they are gentle and inof
give, but occasionally they have been found to fight among themse |
and bite each other. Their habit of burrowing has already been 1 meng
tioned. bis

(235) THE VULPINE PHALANGER.
(PHALANGISTA VULPINA—(Shaw.) )

About the size of a small fox; general colour of the body grey:
ae ears white; tail black.
Hab. Seale

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens have lived over three years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

a ese ae Te ee

With respect to housing and feeding, it may be treated bee a
flying squirrel (see page 117), except that it feeds on soft vegetables
and roots.

OBSERVATIONS ON ITS HABITS.

It is nocturnal in habits, so that it is always hiding under the
straw. It is an active creature at night, when it may be seen jumping
with great nimbleness and agility.

(236) GAIMARD’S RAT KANGAROO.

Bi. (BETTONGIA GAIMARDI—Gray,) .

= Smaller in size than a rabit ; head short and broad; tail _prehgneie
3 with a tuft of hair at the end. |

is Hab.—Australia and Tasmania.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

From June 1882 to January 1892.
With respect to housing and feeding, it may be treated like the
preceding species ; entirely a terrestrial animal.

(237) THE YELLOW-FOOTED ROCK KANGAROO,
(PETROGALE XANTHOPUS—Gray.)

The tail of this species is thinner than in the next one, and is”
pencilled. ae
Hab.—The whole of the mainland of Australia,

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 171

(238) THE GREAT KANGAROO.
(MACROPUS GIGANTEUS—Linzn.)

Hab.— Eastern Australia and Tasmania.

(239) THE RED KANGAROO.
(MACROPUS RUFUS—(Desm.) )

Hab.— Australia.

Kangaroos are very characteristic animals, distinguished from all
others by the peculiarities of their general conformation, especially of
the limbs.

’ (240) BENNETT’S WALLABY.
(MACROPUS BENNETTI— Waterhouse.)
Hab.—Australia.

(241) THE BLACK WALLABY.
(MACROPUS UALABATUS—(Less.) )
Hab.—Australia.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The kangaroos and wallabies have not done as well as might have
been expected. Some of them have, however, lived since 1882.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—A. sleeping chamber with a dry raised floor, opening
into a spacious foraging ground, forms capital accommodation for
kangaroos and wallabies. There is no objection to their keeping company
with each other in the large open-air enclosure, but their retiring
chambers should be distinct for each species. Here in Lower Bengal,
the ground being generally damp, it is on the whole better to provide
a low wooden platform, wherever possible, and induce the animal
to sleep upon it.

Food.—Kangaroos and wallabies are strictly vegetable feeders ;
besides grass and. leaves which they pick up for themselves, a small
quantity of Indian-corn, wheat, and other grain is generally allowed
them.

Breeding.—The wallabies have on several occasions bred in this
garden.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Paralysis of the lower limbs is a common disease among the
kangaroos and wallabies in this garden, brought on, no doubt, by damp-
ness of the floor of their sleeping chamber and want of exercise. In

Piicr. the paralysis increases, some other ana Sach as sae
the lungs or diarrhea. supervenes, and the animals die. Ulcer %
the mucous membrane of the gums and the tongue has been known m0)
cause the death of a wallaby. y

An apparently healthy wallaby died after having been dull for
three or four days, during which time it scarcely ate or drank. On a
autopsy being performed a large cancerous tumour was found in th
pyloric end of the stomach. In the stomach of another wallaby was
a found a large ball of wallaby’s hair, deeply imbedded in the substance —
of the mucous membrane. ;

Serofula occasioned the death of two wallabies, one of them born ES
and bred in captivity. In both of them the elands of the neck were
suppurated.

ha

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF KANGAROOS AND WALLABIES.

Generally they are timid and harmless creatures, though capable
of inflicting serious wounds in self-defence. They sometimes fight
among themselves by hugging each other, trying to strangle the
adversary between the fore limbs; and at the same time biting and
fleecing it. The ball of hair that was found in the stomach of a wallaby
was probably the result of one or more fights like this. ‘They are very
inquisitive, though timid, especially the wallaby. Some of them are offen
observed to follow a visitor from one end of the enclosure to the other,
or to remain in one spot for minutes together watching every movement.

a ees

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 173

=

PART IT.

—_+—_
(1) THE INDIAN HOUSE CROW.
(CORVUS SPLEN DENS—Viceiil.)
Hindi—Kawa. Bengali— Kak or Pat-Kak.

The colour of the Indian house-crow varies a great deal: the
purple-blue reflexions of the black portions of the plumage are some-
times wanting, and the ashy-grey colour of the neck is much lighter in
some specimens than in others. The colour of the legs and bill also
varies: albinoid forms of crows are not uncommon.

Hab.—The Indian house-crow is found all over India, ascending the
Himalayas to about 4,000 feet; it also occurs in Burmah and Siam.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

An albino specimen has been living in the garden since 1883.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—It is a hardy animal and thrives well in an ordinary
aviary; a bath is indispensable, especially during the hot weather. A
house-crow is not a desirable bird to keep in an aviary, as it cannot but
be a source of annoyance to others.

Food.—In captivity it feeds on boiled rice, crumbs of bread, minced
meat and all scraps and remnants of food, being omnivorous in its
appetite.

Breeding.—Indian house-crows have never bred in actual captivity
in the menagerie, but they breed freely in a semi-domesticated state
within the garden. They begin to build in February and March, and
generally select a high branch of a tree; dry grass, straw, jute or other
soft materials being used in lining the nests, which are built of sticks:
in one instance a nest was discovered to be lined with feathers, which
the crows must have pecked off the back of an emu. The breeding
season lasts from March to June or July: crows have been noticed to
carry sticks for building, even so early as the middle of February.

Transport.— No special arrangement is necessary for the conveyance
of a hardy and common bird like this : it is much better to place at least
half a dozen of them in one cage or box, as singly, or in pairs, they may
pine; guard also against fright and excitement.

Nothing is known about their ailments.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A CoMMON Crow.

Although familiar and obtrusive when living in a semi-domesticated
state, it behaves exactly like any other thoroughly wild bird as soon as
restraint is put upon its liberty, and even after having been in

OK OF THE.
captivity for some time it shows none of its wonted familis

and intelligence. The case is different with birds taken you:
have been known to become wonderfully tame. An excellent
of a crow’s habits has been given by Jerdon in his “ Birds of India,
IL.

99) See
Vv

x

Q) THE MAGPIE, q
(PICA RUSTICA—(Scop.) ) 4 ee

Both the European and the Asiatic forms have been represented ae.
in the garden. Not only is the amount of white variable in different
specimens, but their size appears to vary also. eae.

Hab.—Europe, Northern Asia, and North America. In India

its range is confined to the Western Himalayas.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. ye
The longest period during which one has lived in the garden has
been about six years. } es,

iu
PEA.
=

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing —As magpies generally inhabit temperate regions, their
accommodation should be cool and shady. A couple of them may do
well in an ordinary parrot cage (about three feet square). but in such
close confinement it has been noticed that their fine tails become injured :
a lofty and somewhat spacious compartment of a large aviary is
undoubtedly preferable, as in such a place they can live in company
with many other birds of the same family and genus. <A hollow log
of wood or a box may be given them for retirement. During the hot —
season a tolerably large basin of water should be supplied, besides the
drinking’ water, as they are fond of bathing in sultry weather. ,

Food.—These birds appear to thrive well on a mixed diet consisting
of minced meat, fruit, especially plantains, boiled rice, boiled eges and
satoo.

Breeding —Magpies have never bred or even laid in this garden, i
but they have several times been observed as making attempts to
build. a

q Transport.—The flat-bottomed wicker baskets in which they are

ies.

imported from China and the Straits are by far the best for conveying
them from place to place; a proper arrangement should, of course, be
made for providing good drinking water, as without it these birds suffer —
greatly. As they will eat almost everything consumed by man, no
difficulty need be experienced in feeding them in transit. ?

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS. \

Magpies, like many other birds, suffer from bad moult, and seldom s Rs
recover until after the next moulting season. Perfect cleanliness and _
a good dietary are the only remedies that can be suggested for them

while in this state. , | :

SS

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL, 175

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF Macpizs.

The queer antics and familiar inquisitiveness of magpies afford great
amusement. Although they have frequently been heard to imitate
the whistling and cackling sounds of birds living in adjacent cages,
none of those exhibited have ever been known to imitate the human
voice. Their thieving propensities are well known; bits of meat,
biscuits or any other articles of food are sometimes stowed away in a
corner or buried under the sand. Anything bright and shining attracts
their attention. A tame magpie likes to be caressed and spoken to,
and is somewhat demonstrative ; in short, it makes a very good pet.

(3) THE BLACK-RUMPED MAGPIE.

(PICA BOTTANENSIS—Deless.)

This magpie is much larger than the preceding species. Its
distinguishing characteristic is that its rump is entirely black.

Hab.— Bhutan, Sikhim and Chinese Tibet.

A single specimen was once obtained from Bhutan, but it only
lived a week or ten days.

(4) THE RED-BILLED BLUE MAGPIE.
(UROCISSA OCCIPITALIS—(Blyth.) )

Description.— Head, neck and breast black, an irregular-shaped
white patch on the nape continued down to the back of the neck; some
of the feathers of the neck white (though not invariably so); wings
brown or bluish brown; the quills white-tipped; the tail blue, the
two central feathers with broad white tips, the others with back and
white tips; beneath, from the breast, white, tinged with purple. Iris
brown; in very old specimens red; bill and legs red; in very young
birds the bill is orange red. |

Hab.—It is found in the Himalayas from the extreme north-
west to Nepal; said to be common in the Naga hills, about Bhamo,
and in Arracan ; generally distributed throughout Burmah. Specimens
are now and then brought to Calcutta by China steamers. The
Angami Nagas who came to Calcutta during the Exhibition of 1883-84
used the tail feathers of this bird for the purpose of decoration.

(5) THE YELLOW-BILLED BLUE MAGPIE.
(UROCISSA FLAVIROSTRIS—(Biyta.)’)

It resembles the red-billed blue magpie in form and colour, but
is somewhat smaller. Its distinctive features, as its name implies, are its
yellow bill and its generally duller hue.

Hab.— lt also inhabits the Himalayas, from liadak and Hazara to
Bhutan, frequenting higher elevations than its near ally—the red- —
billed blue magpie.

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ANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS
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LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

“oe

The longest period during which these magpies have lived in )
garden has been nearly three years. In spite of the high elevations at which —
they are accustomed to live, these birds appear to bear captivity well.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.— These birds never thrive in small cages such as are
used for keeping parrots, &e. The only successful method of keeping
such birds is to assign to them a lofty and spacious aviary, where they
may have the opportunity of flying about from perch to perch. If ;
practicable, it is better to lay down doob grasson a portion of the floor of —
the aviary, as they have a habit of searching on the ground and enjoy |
pecking at the grass and earth. Magpies, as most birds, like sunning
themselves, but care must be taken that they are not too long exposed
to the sun at its height. A bath should be provided, and during the
hot weather they derive benefit from the application of a garden syringe.

Fvod.—Like the crow and common magpie, they thrive on food of
all kinds.

Breeding.—Neither of these two species last mentioned has ever
bred in this garden, but as the experiment of keeping them in pairs
by themselves in some quieter place has not been tried, it cannot be )
said with certainty whether they are capable of breeding in the climate __
of Lower Bengal. | et

— »

z
ol 5 oe

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

A bird apparently healthy has sometimes been known to dropdown
dead suddenly. This may be either caused by the rupture of some
blood vessel or by apoplexy. If life is not altogether extinct, an attempt :
may be made, in cases of apoplexy, to bring the patient round by q
administering a dose of castor-oil and applying tepid water to its feet,
but treatment of any kind is rarely successful. §
Diarrhea.—lf caused by indigestion only, or change of temperature, .
no attempt should be made to stop the discharge in the first instance;
the bird should be watched, and if there is much straining and discolour-
ation of the down it should be taken out in a small cage, and the
down gently washed with tepid water; this will serve to relieve the
straining also. If the flow continues for more than twenty-four hours,
about 15 drops of castor-oil and 2 of tincture of opium should be
iven.
e They no doubt suffer from other ailments in captivity, but as
nothing definite is known about them, it is better not to hazard con-
jectures.

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.

Both the red and the yellow-billed blue magpie are less sociable __
birds than the magpie (Pica rustica); they are never observed to greet _
a visitor’s approach with the same familiarity and pleasure as the
latter evinces; they are, however, never timid. When living in com-
pany with many other species of smaller birds, they are sometimes found _

.

'
-

cd
-—

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 177

fo tyrannize over them. The red-billed species is less noisy than the
yellow-billed, which has a shrill ringing note, and utters it while on
the wing.

(6) THE GREEN MAGPIE.
(CISSA CHINENSIS—(Bodd.) )
Bengali—Sirgunj or Sirgun.

Description.—The general colour of the body green or bluish green ;
head and neck yellowish green; the feathers of the head are somewhat
lengthened backwards, a black streak commencing at the lores runs
through the eyes and meets with the opposite one at the nape, the
central feathers of the tail tipped white, the outer tipped with black
and white; the wing-coverts red. Bill coral-red, iris red, legs coral-
red; the shades of green vary in different specimens, and in confinement
they generally become paler; in some a faint shade of brown is visible on
the abdomen.

Hab.—It is found in the South-Hastern Himalayas, and extends
through the hill ranges of Assam, Sylhet, Arracan and the Burmese
Provinces, to Tenasserim ; specimens have been obtained from Sikhim,

Bhutan, Comilla, Tipperah, Chittagong and Arracan.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The longest period during which one has lived in the garden has
been about six years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—Pugnacious and predatory habits render it rather a
difficult bird to provide with accommodation. Fresh arrivals may be
kept in small cages until they become familiar with the food and the
locality, otherwise they must be treated in the same way as the Urocissa
(Nos. 4-5). Small and delicate birds should not be kept in the same cage
with this one. |

Food.—Meat forms a considerable portion of its food in captivity.
The most successful method of feeding it is to mix a quantity of minced
meat with satoo, and make the compost into small pellets; it should:
also be allowed grasshoppers and other insects regularly; to sharpen
its appetite and to give tone to its system sparrows and similar small
birds should also be given occasionally.

Breeding.—These birds have never bred in this garden, nor have
they ever attempted to build.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Nothing definite is known about their ailments in captivity; they
have been known to die as suddenly as the Urocissa, but as no autopsy ©
has ever been held in such cases, the cause of death has not been
ascertained.

M

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A Green Maer.

They are bold and inquisitive birds, and become so tame as to come

to the side of the cage or aviary to peck off food held to them. Th <
sometimes treat the smaller birds in the same aviary with unsparing —

gS

cruelty, and fight much among themselves. : tem

(7) THE INDIAN TREE-PIE.
(DENDROCITTA RUFA—(Scop,) )
Bengali—Handi-chancha, Takd-chor.

The Indian tree-pie is extremely common, being found all over the
country from Kashmir to Travancore and from Assam to Tenasserim,
including Mergui, inhabiting the plains at the level of the sea and
ascending the Himalayas up to about 7,000 feet; it is alsocommon in ~
Burmah. i

=,

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

It does not appear to bear captivity well, as no specimen has ever
lived for more than about eighteen months ; it is not, however, a delicate
bird. No serious attempt has ever been made to keep it alive for a
lengthened period owing to the facility of replacing any casualties.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

2 i per i ae ee
Je. sie SS. ~2 je Oe See eee

Housing.—It never thrives in a cage, and may therefore be treat-

ed like the Urocissa (Nos. 4-5). As it is tyrannical in disposition, no
~ small birds should be placed with it. _

Food.—Minced meat, satoo, fruits and various kinds of insects.

Breeding.—Many of these birds live wild within the garden, where
they breed during the summer, generally building their nests of twigs
and grass on mango and peepul trees. Nothing is known about their 2
ailments in captivity. 3 .

It is shy, restless and somewhat quarrelsome, seldom coming to
the side of the aviary to receive food or to be stroked. ‘The harsh
metallic chuckling note so characteristic of this bird in a wild state is not
| often heard in captivity. Its mental capacity does not appear to be
+ susceptible of education to any appreciable degree. Though common, it
is worth exhibiting, as by its particoloured plumage and restless habit
of darting across the aviary and flying from perch to perch, it adds much
to the effect and liveliness of the show. '

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF THE INDIAN TREE-PIE. j
:
|

: (8) THE HIMALAYAN TREE-PIE.

(DENDROCITA HIMALAYENSIS—(Biyth.) )

Description.—Slightly smaller than the Indian tree-pie, its total length _

including the tail being about 16 inches. Forehead, lores, and feathers
above the eye black; throat and sides of the head dark sooty brown;
crown of the head, nape and upper part of the neck ashy black, with bluish _

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 179

reflexions ; lower back and scapulars dirty brown, rump and upper-tail
coverts ashy wings and the wing-coverts black ; with the exception of
the first two, all the primaries have a patch of white at their base; two
central tail-feathers ashy with broad black tips, the outer tail-feathers
black ; lower parts from the throat brown, becoming paler towards the
abdomen. Bill black or horny black, irides red-brown. \

Hab.— Found throughout the Himalayas, from the valley of the
Sutlej to Sadiya, ranging through the hill tracts of Assam to Tenasserim.
It is not known to occur in the plains, but is found in the hills only, at
an elevation from 2,000 to 7,000 feet. |

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

One has been living in the garden during the last six years.

(9) THE BLACK-BROWED TREE-PIE.
(DENDROCITTA FRONTALIS —McCleil )

About the same size as the Himalayan tree-pie, the total length
including tail about 15 inches. The distinctive feature of this species as
compared with the preceding one is that there is more black in its
colouring ; the forehead, the greater part of the top of the head and its
sides, chin, throat, forepart of the neck, tail, wing quills and the primary
eoverts being all black; nape, back of the neck, upper part of the back,
breast and upper abdomen ashy grey; lower back, scapulars, upper tail-
e., rump, lower abdomen, chestnut or chestnut brown: bill horny

lack.
A Hab.—¥Found in the Himalayas from Nepal to the extreme east of
ssam.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen has been living in the garden for upwards of four
years.

With regard to TREATMENT IN HEALTH and Sickness, both the
Himalayan and the black-browed tree-pie may be treated hke the
Indian tree-pie. Details of treatment should, however, always be
varied according to individual temperament and surrounding circum-
stances. On one or two oceasions this bird has been tried with
others in a large aviary, but this has not answered, as they are
extremely quarrelsome and cruel, readily pouncing upon other birds.
It appears better, upon the whole, to give them a cage to themselves
and keep them in a place comparatively less frequented. A cold bath is

indispensable for them during the hot weather.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF THE HIMALAYAN AND THE BLAcK-
- BROWED T'REE-PIx.

Both these species appear to be extremely shy, and untameable;
those that have lived in the garden for three or four years are still almost
as wild as they were on their first arrival, and on their cages being
approached they become very restless, as if frightened and surprised.
Their chuckling note is very discordant.

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A. HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT or ne AL

(10) THE BLACK-THROATED Be
(GARRULUS LANCEOLATUS— Jig.) rm
Deseription—The total length of this bird, including the tail,

is about 12 inches. The colouring of the head, "face, and ears black, ee
the hind neck and the back vinous grey; in very healthy and adult %

“specimens the rump and upper tail-coverts brighter; chin, throat, and
the upper part of the breast black with white streaks, the black ending
in iron grey on the upper breast; the feathers of the upper breast
are lanceolate; the plumage lower down vinous grey ; tail blue with

black bars and white tip; the primaries and secondaries black with —

blue bars on the outer web ; both the primaries and secondaries are white-
tipped ; the tertiaries grey witha broad black band and a white tip.
During the period of moult, the colouring of the head, face and neck
becomes almost pale ashy, ‘much of the blue of the tail- and wings
disappears ; the white shaft streaks of the foreneck are somewhat variable
in different specimens; iris reddish or orange red; legs and feet brownish

grey or pinkish slaty; bill yellowish at the tip, ‘the colour varies at the

base.
Hab.—The Himalayas as far east as Nepal. Common about
Almora and Dehra during the winter. |

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens exhibited have lived for about four years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—It never does well as a cage bird, but thrives in a large
and spacious aviary in company with other birds.

Hvod.—Satoo, minced meat, insects and fruits.

They have never bred in this garden.

Transport.—W inter is the best time for moving and acclimatizing
them in the plains.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Half of the new arrivals appear to die from various causes, all
arising, no doubt, from injudicious treatment during the transit;
nothing however, is definitely known about their ailments

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A BLACK-THROATED J AY..

The black-tbroated jay is sociable and lives in perfect ante with
other birds, whether large or small. It is seen to great advantage when
wheeling round some object_ or flying about an aviary; it seldom alights
on the ground; it has a musical note and utters it while on the wing or

about to change its perch. It has never been known to become very —
docile. Like many other birds, it does great mischief to ornamental —
plants hung up in baskets; it readily make friends with other species, —
so that it and a necklaced thrush, or any other bird, may not be ou .
quently seen Heart in fondling one another. mere

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IN CAPTIVITY IN’ LOWER BENGAL. 181

(11) THE BLUE-BEARDED JAY.

(CYANOCORAX CYANOPOGON—WMaz.)

Description.—General colour pale brown; tail with broad white bands
at the tip; head, sides of the face, neck and throat black; a large blue
spot over the eyes; nape and hind neck white; under surface of the body
whitish.

Hab.—Brazil.

Four specimens received in November 1888 never recovered from
the miserable condition in which they reached the garden, and died
within a month or two of their arrival.

(12) THE RED-BILLED CHOUGH.

(GRACULUS EREMITA—(Linz.) )

Resembles a house-crow in form, but is more slender; its whole
plumage is glossy black, bill slender, curved, and coloured brilliantly red;
legs and feet red.

Hab.—Found in the Himalayas from Kashmir to Bhutan; in
Kashmir it is common at low elevations during the winter, but in
summer frequents very high altitudes; in Sikhim it has been observed
at elevations from 9,000 to 16,000 feet. Its western limit reaches as far

as Kurope and Abyssinia, extending eastwards as far as China.

(13) THE YELLOW-BILLED OR ALPINE CHOUGH.

(PYRRHOCORAX ALPINUS— Vieii/.)

Its plumage is also black, but wanting the same gloss as in the
Red-billed Chough; bill yellow, feet red. 2

Hab.—lt also inhabits the Himalayas from Kashmir to Bhutan,
generally at very high elevations.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Both the specimens died within @ month and a half after their
arrival at the garden.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

These birds will never thrive in the plains, and it would therefore
be better if they were never brought down from the hills, and much less
to Bengal. The specimens which came under observation fell acci-
‘dentally into the possession of the garden, and all that could possibly be
done to mitigate their sufferings and prolong their life was tried, but
without avail. .

OE SEES TO a
A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

(14) THE BLACK-THROATED LAUGHING THRUSH.

(DRYONASTES CHINENSIS—(Scop.))

a

Description.—The general colour of the bird is brownish black
above; forehead, lores, parts round the eyes, chin, throat, and themiddle _
of the upper breast black; cheeks and ear coverts white; nape and topof
the head siaty biue; tail olive-brown, with a broad terminal black band;
primaries grey; breast and upper portion of the abdomen ashy grey; __
remaining part of it brown or ashy brown; bill black; iris red; the
length of the bird.is about 11 inches. 2 DS

Hab.—China and Burmeh.

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LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The longest period during which a specimen has lived in the garden
has been over five years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—A. small cage suits as well as a large aviary, but for the
purpose of a Zoological garden, the latter is to be preferred. Unless
the bird is perfectly healthy and its wings and feathers are clean
and free, it should not be placed with other birds at once on its arrival,
as in that case it is likely to be tormented by the older inmates of the
houses; this precaution should be observed in all such cases.

Food.—It maintains excellent health when fed upon a mixed diet
consisting of satoo, minced meat, insects and worms.

Breeding.—These birds have on some occasions been observed in
the act of carrying hay, leaves, &c.; the object, no doubt, was domestic, —
but they have never been known to lay eggs.

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TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

New arrivals generally suffer from slight diarrhea, brought on by
change and abundance of diet. No attempt should in such cases be
made to treat the symptoms, but the cause should be removed.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A BLACK-THROATED LAUGHING
THRUSH.

Sociable in disposition, it soon becomes very tame, familiar, and
demonstrative, responding to caresses and attentions by assuming
singular attitudes and sitting at the side of the cage or aviary picking —
up food from the hand. It never sits still, but is always active, either —
flying about from perch to perch, or engaged in play with some ~
companions of the same or other species. It whistles beautifully, and —
has also a sort of subdued note. Often it may be seen away ina corner ~
of the aviary, assiduously searching for insects and larvee, both of which —
form wo inconsiderable portion of its diet.

IN CAPYIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 183

; hy
(15) THE HIMALAYAN WHITE-CRESTED LAUGHING
THRUSH. :

(GARRULAX LEUCOLOPHUS—(Hardw.) )

Hindi— Rawet Kahi.

Description —Head with crest, cheeks; sides of the neck, chin,
throat and breast white; the occiput or hindermost feathers of the crest
grey or ashy; the space in front of the eye, ear coverts and parts in
front, behind and below the eye, black, appearing like a broad black
- streak from the nostrils through the eye to the ear-coverts; the rest of
plumage olive-brown, the lower plumage tinged with a rufous shade.
Bill horny black, iris red-brown; its total length is about 11 inches.

Hab.— Himalayas, ranging from Gurhwal to east of Assam, and.
extending through the hill ranges to Arracan and Pegu; a specimen
has been obtained at Bassein. They are generally brought down from
Kumaon, Almora, Darjeeling and Bhutan for sale in Calcutta.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The longest period during which one of these birds has as yet
lived in the garden has been nearly seven years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—Although a spacious aviary is the best for this species,
it may, if necessary, be also treated as a cage-bird. Preference should,
however, be always given to the former mode of housing, as in that
case the bird has an opportunity of seeking its own food on the ground,
and a number can live together. It has been sometimes found
necessary to separate, as a punitive measure, an aggressive and quarrel-
some specimen from the company of the others, and keep it by itself for
a longer or shorter period according to circumstances. ‘These birds are
fond of rolling on the sand, which should therefore be provided,
besides the usual bathing arrangement. |

Food.—Satoo, fruits, insects and worms. It may be frequently
seen searching for food in the sand and turf on the floor of an aviary,
and if it ights on a centipede, a yulus or a cricket, attacks it with
great energy and force, and kills and devours it forthwith; sometimes
it treats satoo and other food like insects, that is, beats it repeatedly and
energetically before eating. 7

Breeding.—These birds have never laid or even attempted to build
in this garden. :

Transport.—No special recommendation is necessary for the trans-
port of these birds, which may be effected in a common cage.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Diarrhea—Occasionally occurs among these birds; the same treat-
ment as has been recommended under Urocissa (Nos. 4-5) will generally
prove effective if arising from the same cause, such as indigestion or

unsuitable food. In common with many other species these bird
appear to suffer from a kind of chronic cold. The real nature of °

&S

with an almost constant running from the nostrils; these sometimes

become stopped up, the bird’s appearance is dishevelled, and food isoften

left untouched. In a majority of cases the tongue will be found to be
inflamed and its tip hardened. The usual plan of treatment adopted by
the Indian bird-fanciers in such cages is to remove the scale off the
hardened tip of the tongue and then to smear it with some ghz (clari-

fied butter) and pepper, or sugar ; for the next day or two the bird is

fed by hand upon nutritious articles; the result is, of course, not
always satisfactory.
The above symptoms may be connected with some organic disease.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A WHITE-CRESTED LAUGHING
THRUSH.

In captivity even, when a number of them live together in a large

aviary, they assemble from time to time and chatter and scream loudly |

and discordantly for a minute or two and then disperse. They are
extremely active and restless, feed constantly on the ground, picking
up earth and grass in search of insects. Hither from sport or in a

spirit of destructiveness, they sometimes destroy the nests built by ~

other birds living in the same aviary. The great peculiarity of the

chattering habits of these birds is that, when one commences, others —

approach and join in the chorus.

(16) THE BLACK-GORGETTED LAUGHING THRUSH.
(GARRULAX PECTORALIS—(Gouid.) )

Description.—Colour of the plumage olive-brown with a rusty tinge
on the nape and hind neck; its distinguishing characteristic is the broad
black band on the upper breast; chin and throat white or whitish ;
cheeks, lores, and ear-coverts white or grey, streaked with black, or
sometimes pure black; enclosing this space are two narrow black lines
which, commencing at the base of the bill, encircle the eyes and ears,
and then unite into a somewhat broad band, which passes down the
sides of the neck and then joins the pectoral band ; the middle-tail
feathers olive-brown, the next two are of the same colour, but with black
tips, the terminal tail feathers with a double band of black and white;
a narrow white streak above the eyes; lower surface fulvous; abdomen
whitish. Bill black horn colour ; iris orange-brown. The total length
of the bird is about 12 to 13 inches.

This species varies somewhat in the colour of its plumage accord-
ipg to the locality it inhabits. |

Hab.—Found in the Himalayas from Nepal to Assam, extending
to Burmah also.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens have lived from three to four years.

disease has never been ascertained, but the patient suffers a good deal, Ms

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IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 185

(17) THE WHITE-THROATED LAUGHING THRUSH.
(GARRULAX ALBIGULARIS—(Gou/d.) )

Description.—General colour of the plumage olive-brown, washed
with fulvous on the forehead, crown and ear-coverts ; the space in front
of the eyes and feathers over and beneath black; cheeks, chin and

throat white, from which fact it derives its specific name. Wings

brown, edges being rich olive-brown; tail olive-brown, the four outer
feathers having broad white tips, sides of the neck olive-brown continu-
ing down to the upper chest and meeting with that of the opposite
side to form a broad olive-brown pectoral band; the colour of the lower
plumage varies from rusty brown to bright ferrugineous; iris bluish
grey; bill leaden-black. The total length of the bird is about 12 inches.
In captivity the colour of the plumage of some specimens becomes very
ale.

Hab.—Found in the Himalayas from near Simla to Bhutan and
Sikhim up to about 9,000 feet; by some authorities it is said to be found
in Assam also ; it extends into Western China.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
A specimen lived from May 1883 to the latter end of 1887.

(18) THE WHITE-SPOTTED LAUGHING THRUSH.
(IANTHOCINCLA OCELLATA—(Vig.) )

Description.—Forehead, crown, nape and neck in front blackish-
brown ; space in front of the eye, front of the face, and supercilium
bright fulvous ; upper back and sides of neck fulvous, having subtermi-
nal broad black marks to all feathers which are tipped light fulvous ;
scapulars, wing-coverts, lower back, rump and upper tail-coverts reddish-
brown, studded with white spots having black marks in the centre ;
quills white-tipped ; middle tail-feathers chestnut with white tips, outer
tail feathers rufous with black and white tips; each side of the throat
rufous with black bars; breast fulvous or buff with broad black bars;
the lower breast and abdomen plain fulvous without any bar. Baill
yellowish ; legs dull yellow; iris yellow brown. Total length about
13 inches.

Hab,—Found in Nepal and Sikhim at elevations from 8,000 to
10,000 feet. Lo-Karreum-pho, which is the Lepcha name for this
bird, is said to be common in some places near Darjeeling.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens obtained in 1887 are still alive and well.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

With regard to housing, feeding and transport, the birds numbered
16 to 18 may be treated like the white-crested laughing thrush .

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186 _ A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

(No. 15). The white-spotted laughing thrush does fairly well as ¢
bird, if only one or a pair be kept in a small cage, but they do be
a large aviary. It is of great importance that something like occupation —
should be given to these, and for that matter to all other birds in —
captivity, as otherwise they suffer as it were from ennui, which brings
on other diseases. Baskets with plants hung from the roof, shingles,
small pieces of stones and green turf laid on the floor, also mirrors and
bells, are some of the objects which may be used with advantage in an
aviary, as they not only serve the purpose of decoration, but occupy the
time of the inmates. |

Food.—The same remarks, as have been made with regard to the i
food of the white-crested laughing thrush, apply to these birds also.
Although none of these have ever been observed to kill large centipedes
and insects with the same ferocity as the former, yet they are as persis-
tent in their search for these articles of food as that bird. No oppor-
tunity of supplying them with earth-worms, insects and similar articles
of diet should be lost. ;

Transport.—The best time for bringing them to the plains is
the winter, as otherwise the sudden change from the cool, bracing
climate of the hills to the sultry heat of Bengal greatly affects them.
If it is intended to send them across the sea, they should be sufficiently
tamed and accustomed to the change of food.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

A white-necked laughing thrush once suffered from an overgrown
beak, and it was curious that, after the superfluous growth had been __
filed off, it grew again, and ultimately caused the death of the bird.

;

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.

They are identical in habits with the white-crested laughing
thrush; the gorgetted and the white-necked thrushes are more arboreal _
than the others, whereas the white-spotted laughing-thrush is fond of
sitting hidden amidst the foliage, and is decidedly less noisy than the q
others. The white-throated laughing thrush is sociable and somewhat
inquisitive ; its habit of making friends with other birds is very inter-
esting.

(19) THE STRIATED LAUGHING THRUSH.
(GRAMMATOPTILA STRIATA—(Vig.) )

Description—Light brown in colour, forehead tinged with umber-
brown, beneath paler-brown ; all the feathers of the body, both above
and below, are longitudinally striated with yellowish white streaks, those _
on the abdomen being longer and wider than those on the back. Bill
black, sometimes horny black, legs dusky plumbeous, iris reddish brown.
_ Hab.—Is found in the Himalayas from the valley of the Sutlej] to
Bhutan, at elevations from 6,000 to 9,000 feet. . ae

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 187

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The longest period during which one has lived in the garden has
been a little over three years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

With respect to housing, feeding, &c., it may be treated like the

- other laughing thrushes. It has never been tried as a cage-bird, and

would probably not do well in a small cage.
In appetite it is less carnivorous than the other thrushes.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF THE STRIATED LAUGHING
THRUSH.

It is very sociable and extremely restless. Its peculiar call referred
to by Jerdon as “not unlike the clucking of a hen which has just laid
an ege”’ may also be frequently heard in captivity while it is engaged
in searching for food on the ground, or picking up earth or grass.
oo it inquisitively follows a visitor from one side of the cage to
the other.

(20) THE JUNGLE BABBLER.
(CRATEROPUS CANORUS—(Linz.) )

Bengali— Chhataria, Sdtbhaia, or seven brothers.

Extremely common in every part of Bengal. The colouring of the
plumage is subject to great variation, according to season and locality.
The younger birds and those that have recently moulted are much
lighter in colour than those of which the feathers have become old.

Hab.—It is found all over India, ascending the hills to about
5,000 feet ; always found within the garden in a wild state.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

As they are extremely common about Calcutta and almost as intru-
sive as house-crows, specimens are now and then caught and placed in
a large aviary, so that it is impossible to give an idea as to the period
one has lived in captivity.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF THE JUNGLE BABBLER.

They are as much arboreal as they are terrestrial; their habit of
making a cup-shaped hole on the ground for the purpose of a dust-bath
(which they take with their wings spread out) is well known; they
are extremely noisy birds; very sociable amongst themselves, although
occasionally given to much fighting.

(21) THE BLACK-HEADED SIBIA.
(LIOPTILA CAPISTRATA—( Vig.) )

Description.— All about the head black; back and scapulars brown,
washed with grey; all round the neck, the whole lower plumage,

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

rump, and upper tail-coverts bright rufous; the median tail fea
bright rufous with a black band and a bluish tip; in the ext
tail feathers the rufous portion is diminished, the black taking its
place; greater wing-coverts white at the base forming a broad ban

d i.
bill black; iris reddish brown; the total length of the bird is about
4 inches. In some specimens there is scarcely any grey tinge on the _
ack. oe
Hab.—Found throughout the Himalayas from Simla to Bhutan;
common about Darjeeling, and not unfrequently observed so low down
as 4,000 feet.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A pair has been living in the garden for about four years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—It appears to do well in a large aviary in company with
other birds. : |

Food.—F ruits, insects and satoo.

Breeding.—They have never bred in this garden, and nothing is
known about their diseases.

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.

The black-headed sibia does not appear to be a sociable bird: on
the contrary it is rather exclusive in its habits; it has a twittering
call, which it frequently utters while seated amongst plants; it is not much
seen on the ground.

(22) SWINHOE’S WHITE-EYE.

(ZOSTEROPS SIMPLEX—Swinh.)

| Description.—The total length of this little bird is about 4 inches,
and its general colour above olive-yellow; like most of the birds of this
genus it has a ring of silky-white feathers round the eye; cheeks and
throat golden-yellow, a black spot in front of the eyes, extending in the
form of a streak below the eyes; breast ashy pale, abdomen whitish ;
under tail-coverts golden-yellow; bill black ; feet dark plumbeous.
Hab.—F ound throughout India from the Himalayas to Ceylon,
including the Laccadives; also in Burmah, South China and in the
Andaman Islands. All the specimens exhibited in the garden have
> come either from Burmah or China, or some of the islands mentioned
above.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

These birds have not thriven well here, none having survived more
than five or six months. rab EES eet ; | ihn

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 189

(23) THE RED-BILLED LIOTHRIX.

(LIOTHRIX LUTEA—(Scop.) )

Description—The total length of the bird is about six inches; it
has a slightly forked tail, and there is a slight difference in the colouring
of the sexes; the prevailing colour of the bird is olive-green, with
coral-red bill. In captivity some of the specimens have been observed
to lose the bright yellow colour of their throat and chin, and the yellow
of the crown.

Hab.—Found in the Himalayas from Simla to Bhutan, from
5,000 to 8,000 feet; common about Darjeeling, on the Khasia hills,
the Kakhyan hills near Bhamo, and in Arracan and China. Numbers
of these birds are often brought to Calcutta from Singapore, to which
port they are no doubt sent from China.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

When once acclimatized they live for about four or five years, or
even more.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—It is far too restless and shy to be a cage-bird; on the
other hand, it becomes lost ina large and spacious aviary; it is therefore
best to keep the red-billed liothrix in smaller moveable aviaries, or large
cages with Java sparrows and other smaller seed-eating birds. They do
better when kept in companies varying from half to two dozen than if
allowed to live singly or in pairs. A large cage seven or eight feet high
and five feet broad and four feet deep will comfortably accommodate two
dozen of them with another dozen or two of other small birds. No
cage or aviary is complete without some nesting accommodation, whether
the birds build or not. Small cigar boxes, with holes just large enough
to admit the bird, or an elongated box divided into compartments of
the size of cigar boxes, may be placed along the top of one side of the
eage. There should be perches and thin branches of trees for the birds
to sit upon and tutts of jute or hemp and small bells to play with;
a basin of water, besides that for drinking, should be provided as a bath;
the bottom of the cage should be strewn with coarse sand and, if
possible, fresh doob grass should occasionally be laid in a portion of it.
It should be well protected from draughts and cold during winter
nights.

Feod.—In captivity its food consists chiefly of various kinds of
seeds, such as millet, hemp, canary, &c. ; it likes to pick up seeds from
among the sand and grass; it also eats berries, fruits and insects, end is
fond of nibbling at salad and cabbage leaves. Fruits, berries and salad
grown in small pots may occasionally be placed inside the cage.

Breeding.— Although they are frequently noticed to carry hay, jute,
&c., inside their retiring places, the liothrix have never been known to
lay ; this may be due to the presence of other birds in the cage.

Transport.—They are not particularly delicate, so that they are
brought down from the hills in all seasons,

A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS |

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS. . Bh

Nothing definite is known about their ailments in captivity ; the

mortality is, however, comparatively great among the new arrivals.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF THE RED-BILLED LioTHRIx.

Although a liothrix is a somewhat shy and restless bird, some of
them after being in captivity for a short time get sufficiently tame to come
to the side of the cage to receive food from the hand, but even then they
retain their nervousness. They have a chirping call, which at times
they utter incessantly. Like most other birds when frightened, especially
at night, they sit on the sides of the cage and thus fall an easy prey to
civets, mungooses, and other predatory animals.

(24) THE GOLD-FRONTED CHLOROPSIS.
(CHLOROPSIS AURIFRONS—(Temm.) )

Hindi~— Harewa or Sabz Harewa.

Description.—A bout 74 to 8 inches in length; bill slender and curved,
the tip being bent and notched; the general colour of the plumage bright
grass-green, paler beneath; forehead and the front of the crown golden or
orange yellow, with a somewhat metallic lustre; lower throat and parts
about the ear-coverts black; chin, upper-throat purplish blue, a faint

yellow zone surrounds the fore neck ; bill black; feet plumbeous. The

female is generally less brilliant in colour, the yellow of the forehead is
faint or altogether wanting, and the black of the neck is of smaller extent.

Hab.—The gold-fronted chloropsis is distributed over a large area,
being found in the Sub-Himalayan regions, from Gurhwal to Assam ; the
Khasia Hills, Manipur, ; the hills near Bhamo; Karennee, the whole of
lower Burmah, down to Amherst and the Thoungyeen Valley. It is also
found in Midnapore, Manbhum, Lohardugga, Sirgooja, the Rajmahal
Hills, and portions of Hastern Bengal. ‘This and the next species are
often brought to Calcutta for sale from Midnapore and the adjacent
places ; hundreds of these birds are annually sold at Sonepore fair, being
brought down there from Goruckpore and elsewhere in the Nepal Terai.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

About three years.
TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—These birds do as well in a small cage as in a large

aviary ; there are, however, disadvantages in keeping them in a large and

crowded aviary; they get lost, and if habituated to special dieting, as
they frequently are, may neglect feeding.

Food.—Satoo sweetened with sugar and made into a soft pulp; soft —

fruits such as plantains, custard apple, insects, and occasionally minced
meat or liver of a chicken boiled and minced. A bird accustomed to
this kind of feeding, if let loose in a large and crowded aviary, neces-

* Gi

sarily finds it impossible to obtain its proper food. A bread and milk ; a

diet has also been found to suit them well. — |

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL, 191

This kind of feeding with specially prepared food does not appear
to be absolutely necessary for all of them.

These birds have never built or laid in this garden.

Transport.—Harewas: are sometimes purchased at and brought
down from Sonepore fair; the small light bamboo cages in which they
are sold are good enough to accommodate one or a couple of birds each,
for three or four days, but they are far too fragile to bear the rough
handling to which they are necessarily subjected during the transit by
cart, cooly, boat and train. The best plan, when there are a number of
cages, is to pack them all in a light deal wood or even a bamboo frame;
it ensures comparative safety to the birds; the cages should on all
occasions during the transport be kept covered with a piece of canvas or
thick cloth. These birds are much given to fighting among themselves,
and it is therefore best not to place a number of them together, especially
when the distance to be traversed is great. When the journey is to last
some time, the cage should, of course, be stronger, made with planks on

_ three sides and 4 inch wire-netting in front; a cage one foot high,

9 inches broad, and 9 inches deep, will comfortably accommodate a, pair ;
the feeding and drinking cups should be placed at the back of the cage
inside; if placed in front, their contents will be liable to be soiled,
as all such birds are much given to constantly alighting on the wire-
netting.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

New arrivals have been known to suffer from a kind of horny

filamentous growth at the tip of the tongue, brought about probably by

the change of food. The growth should be gently scaled away, and some
non-irritating bland oil applied to the tongue. It may be very easily
removed by gently pressing the tip of the tongue between the thumb
and the index finger, which should be smeared with powdered chalk or
ash to prevent slipping.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF THE GOLD-FRONTED CHLOROPSIS.

When caged it becomes very tame and sociable, whistles beautifully
and has a pleasing note.

(25) JERDON’S CHLOROPSIS.

(CHLOROPSIS JERDONI—(Biyth.) )
Hindi—Harewa.

Description.—The general colour of the plumage grass-green; chin
and throat black, surrounded by a broad band of greenish-yellow, which
is also the colour of the forehead. In the females the chin and throat
bluish-green.

Hab.—¥ound in the drier parts of the peninsula of India ; they are
generally brought to Calcutta from Midnapore, Monghyr, the Rajmahal
Hills, and sometimes from Goruckpore.

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIN

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

None of these birds have lived more than 12 or 13 months;
appear to be more delicate than the gold-fronted species. |

f
TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Should be treated in every respect like the preceding species. 5.

(26) THE SILVER-EARED MESIA, OR SILVER-EARED
= Ma By pis

(MESIA ARGENTAURIS—Hodgs.)

Description.—-The length of this bird is about 7 inches; the nostrils
are covered by a membrane; the colour of the forehead bright yellow ;
crown, nape, lores, cheeks, black; a broad black streak runs backward
from the base of the lower mandible to below the ear-coverts, which are
white ; upper back and sides of the neck yellow; lower back and sides
ashy ; upper tail-coverts crimson; chin and throat deep orange-yellow ;
lower plumage olive-yellow; under tail-coverts also crimson. In the
females the crimson of both the upper and under tail-coverts is replaced
by orange-buff; in the young birds the crown is yellowish instead of — q
black. a

Hab.—Almost the whole range of the Himalayas, at elevations vary- y
ing from 3,000 to 7,000 feet; also found in the Khasia and Naga Hills, _
Manipur, the Kakhyan Hills and in Tenasserim.

—~

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

No record has been kept of the period. during which any one of thane
birds has lived in the garden: probably it is about the same as that of the

red-billed liothrix (No. 28).
With regard to housing, feeding, &c., it may be treated like the red-

:

*
billed liothrix. ]
(27) THE SPOTTED-WING, OR THE SPOTTED-WING - j
STARE.

(PSAROGLOSSA SPILOPTERA—(Vig.) )

Description—About 7 inches long; a greyish-brown bird. ¢
Hab.—Is found in the Himalayas, as far east as the Assam Valley. _
The specimens exhibited lived too short a time for observation. }

(28) THE HIMALAYAN BLACK BULBUL.

(HYPSIPETES PSAROIDES—(Vig.) )

Description.—The totallength of the bird is about 10 inches ;
general colour of the plumage dark brown or grey ; bill and legs ora

oi he
' IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 193

red; the head sub-crested; the feathers being irregular and ruffled ; ail
about the head greyish-black ; ear coverts, chin, throat, breast and flanks,
grey or whitish-grey ; abdomen whitish; under tail coverts grey, having
a broad white margin.

Hab.—F¥ ound in the Himalayas up to an elevation of about 9,000 feet,
its western limit is as far as Murree, and to the east it extends through
the Assam Valley to Sylhet, Cachar, Manipur, and Arracan.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Nearly three years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—It is often kept as a pet in a small cage, but it does
equally well in a large aviary.

Food.—Satoo made into a paste with water and a modicum of ghi
or prepared with boiling ghi, fruits, insects, and maggots. Like Shamas,
they may be fed on minced meat also.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

The mortality among them is greater during the period of moulting,
and as the majority of the deaths occur from drowning, they may be
explained by the fact that the birds, being very helpless on account of the
loss of feathers, fall easily into the water of the tank inside an aviary
_and are drowned. ‘TT prevent such accidents a piece of coarse cloth or
fisherman’s net should be stretched over the tank in the evening and
removed every morning.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF THE HIMALAYAN BLack BULBUL.

It is extremely sociable in habit, and when caged is a nice pet;
is mostly arboreal, being seldom seen on the ground. ‘The period of
moult lasts very long, and while moulting it loses much of the bright
orange-red colour of its legs and beak. It whistles beautifully.

(29) THE BENGAL RED-VENTED BULBUL.

(MOLPASTES BENGALENSIS—(Blyth.) )
Hindi—Bulbul. Bengali—bulbul.

Very common in most parts of Bengal; also found in Northern
Behar and Oudh ; it ascends the Himalayas up to about 7,000 feet, and
is distributed along their lower ranges from Kumaon to the Assam
Valley.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

No accurate record has been kept; it is a hardy bird, and under
favourable circumstances bears captivity well.

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF A

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—May be kept 1 in a small cage as well as in a » tenes
A favourite mode of keeping this bird with the Indian bird fanciers
carry it on the fingers or on an ornamental perch, one end of a
of string about a yard long being lightly attached to one of the regs
the bird, the other to the finger or the perch. ‘

nee —Fruits, satoo, &e. B

Breeding. —They breed largely within the garden in a wild state;
the breeding season lasts from February to June; the nests are cup- -
shaped and made of fibres, dry leaves and grass; of the 25 nests found —
in one year, more than half were built on croton bushes; the eggs are
three to four in number.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Nothing particular is known of their ailments in captivity in this
garden.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF THE BENGAL RED-VENTED
BuLBUL.

This bulbul has been known to become very tame, and, when properly
trained, learns to perform seme small tricks. ©

(30) THE WHITE-CHEEKED BULBUL.

(MOLPASTES LEUCOGENYS—(Gray.) )

Description —About eight inches in length; upper plumage olive-
brown, lower plumage earthy-brown; lower tail-coverts pale yellow;
~ ear-coverts white; lores black with a narrow white streak above them.
Bill black; legs plumbeous.
Hab.—Found in the Himalayas up to about 7,000 feet.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

’ : These birds have an! proved short-lived in captivity in this
. garden. a

(31) THE WHITE-EARED BULBUL.

(MOLPASTES LEUCOTIS—(Gowld.) )

Description. —FExcepting the ear-coverts and the hinder parts of the =
cheek, which are white, the whole head is black; hind neck brown; upper —
plumage dull-brown; the lower plumage whitish-brown ; under tail-
coverts rich yellow. Total length about 7 inches. —

Hab.— Western and North-Western India, and not uncom mon
in Central India and Central Provinces. ony

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 195

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Although there is no record of the actual period during which they
have lived in the garden, these birds generally thrive well in captivity in
Lower Bengal.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—Do well in an aviary; but it is doubtful whether
they can be treated as cage-birds.
Food.—The same as for the Bengal red-vented bulbul (No. 29).

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF THE WHITE-EARED BULBUL.

They are more shy than the Bengal bulbul: in other respects,
however, they have the same habits.

(82) THE BENGAL RED-WHISKERED BULBUL.

(OTOCOMPSA EMERIA—(Zinz.) )
Bengali—Jhunti Bulbul ; Sipahi Bulbul.

Very well known in Bengal, so that no description is necessary.

Hab.—Found all over Lower Bengal, as far west as Chota Nag-
pore, Orissa and the Northern Circars, and distributed over the lower
ranges of the Himalayas, the hills of Assam, extending to Tenasserim
and Burmah. Specimens have been received from Lucknow and adjacent
places. Large numbers are sometimes brought to Calcutta from the
Andamans and Nicobars, to which places they have been introduced.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

These birds live as happily in captivity as the Bengal red-vented
bulbul.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.
In respect to housing and feeding, these may be treated like the
Bengal red-vented bulbul. ‘They rarely breed within the garden.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A RED-WHISKERED BULBUL. ©

It is extremely active and very bold, and if properly treated
becomes as tame as the Bengal red-vented bulbul. It has a pleasant
chirruping note, which it generally utters while on the move.

(33) THE BLACK-CRESTED YELLOW BULBUL.
(OTOCOMPSA FLAVIVENTRIS—(Tick.) )

Hindi—Zurd-bulbul or Pahariya Zurd-bulbui.

Description. General plumage olive-yellow ; head, chin and throat
black, The amount and extent of black vary somewhat in different

N 2.

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196 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS _

specimens. Length about 7 inches; bill dark or ashy-brown ; claws
brown.

Hab.—The lower ranges of the Himalayas, from the valley of the —
Sutlej to Assam; the Central Provinces and southern portion of Orissa;
it is also found in Tenasserim, Cochin China and the Malay peninsula. _
The single specimen that has as yet been exhibited in the gardencame
from the Goruckpore jungles. 3

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Nine months. This does not, however, represent the maximum j
length of life in this garden, as the bird was sent away by exchange
at the expiry of that period. “Y

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing and feeding—It may be treated like the other bulbuls ;
when hept singly or in pairs, a small cage should be preferred, ‘

(34) THE YELLOW-VENTED BULBUL.
(PYCNONOTUS ANALIS—(Horsf,) )

Description.—The whole upper plumage brown; the breast brown,
and the abdomen whitish; vent sulphur-yellow. It is of the same size
as the red-vented Bengal bulbul. - Sm

Hab.—The Malay peninsula, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Cochin-China
and Siam; also found in the southernmost district of the province of
Tenasserim, and abundant on the island of Mergui.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Some of the specimens obtained early in the year 1888 are still
alive.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—These birds appear to do well in a large aviary, where
they find opportunity for searching for food on the ground. 7

Food.—Insects and maggots are as welcome to them as fruits and
satoo ; they are rather greedy and not unfrequently over-feed themselves,
and as a consequence suffer from indigestion. |

Treatment in sickness.—No treatment has ever been attempted in
hele cases, nor is it easy to do so when they are living in a very large
place.

oS ee ee a vs

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF THE YELLOW-VENTED BULBUL.

It is seen on the ground much more than other species of bulbuls; _
it also has a pleasant chirruping note, which it keeps on uttering
while hopping about on the ground or sitting on a perch. Its move-
ments are inquisitive, and it is always ready to make friends with ~
other species. aa

{IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 197

(85) THE BLACK DRONGO OR KING-CROW.
{(DICRURUS ATER—(Hermanz.) )
Bengali— Finga.

A very common and well-known bird in Lower Bengal.

Hab.—Common in Bengal and other parts of India, extending to
China, Siam and Cochin-China; also found in the Himalayas up to
about 7,000 feet. They disappear from some localities during certain
seasons of the year; although pretty abundant in the garden and in the.
neighbourhood at other times, scarcely any can be seen during the
rainy season.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Of late no attempt has been made to exhibit them in the garden,
so that there is no record of the period during which one has lived in
actual captivity here; experience has, however, shown that they do not
bear captivity well.

Housing.—There are certain difficulties in keeping this bird; it
requires a lofty and spacious place, but owing to its extremely pugna-
cious habits it cannot be lodged with other birds; in captivity it finds no
opportunity of sweeping down or taking upward flights to catch flying
insects, and does not easily learn to adapt its habits to altered circum-
stances. For an account of the habits of this bird, Jerdon’s “ Birds of
India,”’ volume I, may be consulted.

(36) THE HAIR-CRESTED DRONGO.
(CHIBIA HOTTENTOTTA—(Linn.) )

Hindi and Bengali— Kesraj.

This is also a common and well-known bird in Bengal.

Hab.—Besides Bengal it is found in the Western Coast of India;
the Himalayas as far east as Assam; Burmah and extreme south of
Tenasserim.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

No record has been kept, but it bears captivity better than the
black drongo.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—It may be kept as a pet in asmall cage about three feet
square, or exhibited in a large aviary; it is better not to keep any small
birds with it, as it is apt to tyrannize over them.

Food.—Insects, minced meat, satoo, boiled rice and milk, &.; it is
also fond of honey and other sweets. It is, however, better not to allow
pure honey to birds in captivity, as the constant habit of cleaning the
beak renders the feathers sticky and uncomfortable. |

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS. | oR
_ The only ailment from which these birds have been known to suffer —
in captivity is a horny tongue, generally accompanied by a filamento Ss
growth at the tip (see No. 24). | | ? |

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS,

It becomes tame and sociable in captivity.

(37) THE LARGE-TAILED DRONGO,
(DISSEMURUS PARADISEUS—(Linn.) ) —
Bengali and Hindi—Bhimraj.

This interesting bird is widely known in Bengal and many other
parts of India. It varies somewhat in size and the length of its
lateral tail-feathers and the tuft of its forehead; those from Bengal are
generally smaller with comparatively smaller head tufts than those from
Goruckpore, Almora, and other places in the Himalayas and the Terai.

Hab.—Most parts of India, also Burmah, Ceylon and Tenasserim.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
A specimen obtained in 1886 is still alive and well.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—May be treated like the preceding specimen (No. 36).
Tf kept in a cage, the latter should be large, as otherwise the tail
will be injured. In this garden the Bhimraj is kept in one of the
smaller divisions of the principal aviary, which is about ten feet long,
six feet broad, and some twenty-two feet high. A specimen has been
known to be so amiable in disposition as to keep company with pigeons
and chakar partridges; as soon, however, as an attempt is made to
associate other species of drongos, or even magpies, if swoops down upon ~
; and torments them. "Whether it is kept in a cage or in an aviary,
a bath should be provided.
Food.—Minced meat, satoo, insects, maggots, &c. A bhimraj has
been known to kill rats and lizards. |

aS Si bbe AS ' x
Siar te, ee ee ee va

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

These birds suffer from bad moult, and in such cases the long tail
feathers do not appear until after the next season. The only treatment
that can be recommended is cleanliness and good food.

~ -

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A BHIMRAJ.

Very sociable in habits, and when properly tamed affords great — F
amusement; intelligent and knowing, and has evidently some idea of
fun; bhimrajes have been known to frighten shamas by mewing like _
a. cat. | ery

7 (va

_ IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 199

(38) THE GREY-BACKED SHRIKE.
(LANIUS TEPHRONOTUS—(Tiy.) )

A specimen lived for a few days only,

(39) THE BLACK-NAPED ORIOLE.

(ORIOLUS INDICUS—Jerdon.)

Bright yellow, with a horse-shoe shaped black mark on the nape
extending from the base of the bill. Length about 94 inches.
_ Hab.—Greater portion of the Indian peninsula.

-

(40) THE ANDAMAN BLACK-NAPED ORIOLE.
(ORIOLUS ANDAMANENSIS—Tyii.)

Smaller than the preceding species and with a narrower black band
on the nape.

The females have the yellow parts less bright and the back washed
with green. The young males have their back also washed with
olive green.

Hab.—Andaman Islands.

(41) THE INDIAN BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE.

(ORIOLUS MELANOCEPHALUS—(Zinz.) )
Hindi—Pilak, Zardak. Bengali—Bene-Bou.

The plumage of the whole body bright yellow; head, chin, throat

and upper breast black.
Hab.—Very common in Bengal and many other parts of India;
also found in Burmah, Tenasserim, Ceylon and the Andaman Islands.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

None of these birds have as yet lived in the garden for more than

four years.
TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—All of them do well in a large aviary with other birds;
new arrivals or recently-captured birds should, of course, be kept in
small cages until they become used to captivity. |

Food.—Satoo, insects, fruits, &c.; they especially like peepul fruits,
and have also been observed to eat with avidity the fruits of Ficus
comosa and sweet Inga.

Nothing particular is known about their ailments in captivity.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF ORIOLES.

As a rule the orioles are shy birds, and therefore difficult to
tame. When three, four, or more of one species are.living together,
a

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200 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

they are seldom found to associate with each other; they are, how.
not quarrelsome birds; all of them have a melodious liquid note, w.

they may be often heard to utter, while on the wing or seated high on
a perch. Orioles are seldom seen on the ground. | a
ae

(42) THE MAROON ORIOLE.

(ORIOLUS TRAILLII—(Vig.) )

The prevailing colour of the plumage maroon-red; all about the
head black. Nig

In young specimens the head and the upper part brown; bill
bluish grey; irides pale buffy-yellow; the total length of the bird is
about 112 inches.

Hab.—Found in the Himalayas from the Valley of the Sutlej to
Assam, the Khasia Hills, Manipur, Tenasserim, Pegu and Arracan.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen lived for about eighteen months in the garden.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

With regard to housing and feeding it may be treated like other
orioles ; the specimen that lived in the garden appeared to be more
carnivorous in its appetite than other species of orioles. —

Nothing particular is known about its habits,

(43) THE SOUTHERN GRACKLE, OR THE SOUTHERN
HILL MYNA.

(EULABES RELIGIOSA—(Zinz.) )
Hab.—Forest-clad hills of Southern India.

(44) THE INDIAN GRACKLE, OR THE NEPAL
HILL MYNA.

(EULABES INTERMEDIA—(4. Hay.) )

The total length of this bird is from 103 to 11 inches, that is, about
1 to 1 inch larger than the preceding species; the arrangement of the
wattles, which are smaller, is also different from that of the other.

Hab.—Distributed along the lower ranges of the Himalayas from
Kumaon to Assam, extending to Burmah and Tenasserim, also found in
the Andamans and Nicobars; the specimens which are now and then ~
brought to Calcutta from Midnapore are probably from Western Bengal _
and the Central Provinces. :

Albinoid form of hill-myna is not uncommon. The single speci- __
men of white myna that lived in the garden some time ago came from
the Andamans. . | a

mn *

«9 ce tieieais
7™ . .
-
i
.

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 201

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

About eight years. Once acclimatized these birds bear captivity
well.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH. |

Housing.—The hill mynas do as well in small cages as in a large
aviary, the advantages and disadvantages in both being well balanced.
If kept in a cage, the latter should be at least three feet long, two feet
broad and. about the same in height, with the necessary perches, feeding
and drinking cups and a bathing vessel. These birds are somewhat
addicted to spilling their food, and for this, and other reasons their sur-
roundings require constant cleaning: a thin bed of soft hay spread over
the bottom of the cage, and renewed once every day, will serve to keep it
tidy and clean. The cage should be placed in such a situation that the
birds may have the benefit of the morning sun while protected from
draughts and cold, to which they, especially the young birds, are very
susceptible. Hven where a large aviary is available for their accommoda-
tion, a cage should always be preferred for the location of young hill
mynas, whose wattles and lappets are yet undeveloped, inasmuch as they
are likely to require much careful nursing until after the growth of these
processes.

Food.— Hill mynas are exclusively fruit-eating birds, but in capti-
vity they also eat satoo, boiled rice and milk, bread and milk and sundry

other articles of food consumed by man; some of them have been known
to become accustomed to eat boiled eggs and even minced meat; where

plenty of fruits, such as papya, plantains, dates, figs, &c., are available,
no other food seems to be required; yearling birds in captivity require
careful feeding ; satoo, bread and milk should constitute their principal
diet, fruit being sparingly given.

_ Transport.—Hill mynas kept as pets in India are not unfrequently
taken to Hurope by their owners; all that is required in such cases is
to get a quilted cover made for the cage and keep it inside the cabin,
especially when cold latitudes are reached. When, however, a number
of them are to be transported, the best plan is to put them in a snug
plank cage well covered with felt and having proper arrangements
to admit hot water at the bottom. These birds have never bred in this,
or, so far as is known, in any other garden.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

A certain affection of the eye akin to ophthalmia is most common
among these birds in captivity; it either affects one or both the eyes,
and is generally caused by exposure and cold, although unsuitable diet-
ing may also have much todo withit. If the patient happens to be
living in an aviary, it should at once be removed to a small cage, so as to
admit of its being handled for treatment. The eyes should be gently
washed with sulphate of zinc lotion (sulphate of zinc 1 grain, and water
1 ounce) twice daily, and the bird kept in a warm place, the cage being
covered up with a piece of linen or, if the weather is cold, with a
blanket; mild cases will yield to this treatment within two or three days.
It generally, however, assumes a severer form before any notice is taken

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202 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ‘ANIMALS
and proper treatment adopted; the eyes and the surrounding ;
become swollen, the eyelids tumefied and closed, and the conjun
J completely covered with thickened and hardened discharge. As it
* cannot but be very painful to the patient, before any attempt at cleaning _
: the eyes and surrounding parts is made, poppy-head fomentation should __
be applied with a sponge for about a quarter of an hour; the eye-lids __
should then be gently opened, the thickened and hardened matter
adhering thereto and to the conjunctiva removed, and the solution of ©
sulphate of zinc applied with the tip of a feather; on the second day the
discharge will be less and the swelling much reduced, and in two or three
days the patient will probably recover; a dose of castor-oil, twenty to ~
thirty drops, in a little milk, should be given internally at the beginning; _
the diet should be light and nourishing, such as bread and milk, satoo
prepared with ghi and eggs, &c.; no fruits, especially plantains and
papya, are to be allowed. Mynas also suffer from other ailments inci-
dental to a captive life. Another disease to which only the young birds
become subject appears to have some close connection with the growth
of their wattles and the lappets, as 1t commonly shows itself during the
period while those processes are in the act of growing. It consists of
a tumour or an abscess near to or on some part of the wattles; by way
of treatment a poultice made of burnt turmeric (Curcuma longa) is
generally applied by the bird-fanciers of Lower Bengal, and almost
invariably with good results; as the young bird shows great aversion to
food while suffering from this malady, it requires to be hand-fed; it is
needless to say that the bird should be kept warm, and the cleanliness of
the cage thoroughly attended to. It may be mentioned here that |
when a tumour or an abscess is well pronounced, it is by far the best to
lance it. | a

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF Hitt Mynas.

Besides being hardy and bearing captivity well when once acclima-
tized, hill mynas generally have many taking qualities, and it is no
wonder that they are so largely caged, tamed and made pets of in India;
they, especially the Nepal hill mynas, are, when tamed, intelligent and
knowing, and learn to talk easily and with remarkable fluency and
accuracy. On the occasion of a bird-show held in the garden, a hill
myna owned and exhibited by a commander of one of the river steamers
‘very much amused the visitors by its idiomatic expressions, and such
words of command as “ heave up,” “ go aft’ or with ejaculations such
as, “not a drop to save my soul,” concluding the speech with character-
istic abuse, “O, you soor.”? In this garden hill mynas soon learn to

imitate the notes of other birds, notably those of cockatoos; they are
thoroughly arboreal, seldom coming to the ground.

(45) THE GLOSSY CALORNIS.

(CALORNIS CHALYBELUS—(Horsf,) ) Z

Description. —Externally black with a brilliant green gloss; length
about eight inches ; irides crimson-scarlet. 4
Hab.—Eastern Bengal, Khasia Hills, Tipperah, Arracan, the —
southern part of Tenasserim extending to the Malay peninsula, Sumatra, —

—_

~ also.

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL, 203

Java and Borneo; all the birds received into this garden have been
from the Andamans and Nicobars.
LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

These birds appear to bear captivity well, as some of them lived
for about five years. |

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—As they are gregarious and extremely arboreal, a large
and spacious aviary is the best accommodation that can be assigned to
them ; they do better in company than singly or in pairs.

Food.—F ruits and insects, but in captivity they learn to eat satoo

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF THE GLossy CALORNIS.

The glossy calornis appears to be an extremely noisy bird, never
ceasing to chatter for a minute; it is shy and restless.

(46) THE ROSE-COLOURED STARLING.

(PASTOR ROSEUS—(Zinn.) )
Hindi—Golabi Myna.

The plumage of this bird differs in colour according to the season ;

in spring and summer all about the head, throat and upper breast black,

and the upper plumage rose-colour; feathers are thrown off during the
rainy season, and during the autumn and the winter the black feathers

of the head, &c., are tipped with buff, and the upper plumage dirty

a

rosy-brown.

The total length of the bird is about 83 to 9 inches. Those seen
in captivity in Bengal have scarcely any crest, and they seldom assume
their proper colour. On the contrary they have been observed to lose
the rosy tint of their plumage after a year in captivity.

Hab.—With the exception of Lower and Eastern Bengal, it is
found all over India, including the lower ranges of the Himalayas as
far east as Sikhim ; in Western Bengal it is known to occur in Man-
bhoom and adjacent places and rarely at Bankoora; also found in
portions of Hastern Europe, Central and Western Asia. It is not,
however, common in India throughout the year.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

They do not appear to thrive well in Lower Bengal; a few speci-
mens have, however, been living in the garden for the last four years,
but so far as the colour and crest are concerned they are poor specimens.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—A large aviary is the best accommodation for these birds,
and it is advisable to keep a number of them together.

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204 = A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

_ Food.—Satoo, maggots, insects, fruits, and grains of various:
they feed much on the ground. ;

mh M4
Bs

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF THE ROSE-COLOURED STARLING. sat

However active they may be in their wild state and in other parts
of India, they appear to be rather listless and inactive in captivity
in Lower Bengal; when half a dozen or more of them are living in one
place they generally keep together, whether on the ground or on the

Tet : ane ~
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perch, and seldom engage themselves in pursuits of pleasure or exercise ;
a large number of these birds have lately been acquired, they appear to —
spend most of their time on the ground, or on the wooden stages on __
which plants are arranged. bate '
(47) THE COMMON INDIAN STARLING. :
(STURNUS MENZBIERI—(Sharpe.) ) %

Hindi—Tilia Myna; Tilora. |

Description. Black, with fulvous-white specks; thereis a purplish __

red and bronze-green gloss in the plumage. _
Hab.—It is a migratory bird, and a winter visitant to India, where
it is common in the Himalayas and in the North-Western Provinces
during that season, extending sometimes to the Deccan in the south
and Monghyr in the north-east.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
There is no record of the period during which one has actually
lived in the garden, but they are known to bear captivity well.
TREATMENT IN HEALTH.
With regard to housing and feeding it may be treated like the
preceding species ; as a cage-bird it does well.
(48) THE GREY-HEADED MYNA.
(STURNIA MALABARICA—(@mel,) ) |
Hindi and Bengali—Pawz.

The pawi or the grey-headed myna is a well-known bird in Bengal,

so that no description is necessary. a
Hub.—lt is found throughout India, being most common in the —_

North-Western Provinces and some portions of Bengal.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Several of them have been living for the last six or seven years
in the garden.
4 TREATMENT IN HEALTH.
It does well in a large aviary, or in a large cage, in company _
with birds of other species. | me

-

Food.—Consists of grains, fruits and insects; in captivity, like
many other birds, it thrives on satoo.

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 205

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF THE GREY-HEADED Myna.

It is very active and restless in habits and mostly arboreal; it has
a melodious note, accompanied by much chattering ; it becomes very
tame when caged.

(49) THE ANDAMAN MYNA.
(STURNIA ANDAMANENSIS—(Tyti.) )

Description—White, with upper plumage pale-greyish, and the
lower plumage tinged with buff; the wings and tail glossy black, the
latter tipped with white ; legs and feet pale yellow; bill greenish yellow ;
the total length of this bird is about 9 inches.

Hab.—The Andamans and Nicobars.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens have been living in the garden since 1887.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—It does well in a large aviary.
Food.—F ruits, insects and satoo; among fruits they are extremely

_ fond of the papya (Carica papaya).
OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF THE ANDAMAN Myna.

These mynas appear to retain their gregarious habit in captivity
also, as whenever there are a number living in the same aviary they
flock together, especially for some time after their arrival; they have
also very cleanly habits.

(50) THE BLACK-HEADED MYNA.
(TEMENUCHUS PAGODARUM—(Ginel.) )
Hindi—Pawi myna. Bengali—Monghyr pawi.
Description.— Head and crest black, the lower plumage buff, and the
back grey; tail broadly tipped with white; total length about 8 inches ;
bill blue at the base, greenish in the middle, and yellow at the tip.
Hab.—The whole of India as far east as Dacca and throughout

the Himalayas as high as 4,000 to 8,000 feet; it extends to Ceylon and
to Afghanistan.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

About four years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.
May be treated in the same way as the grey-headed myna (No. 48).

Ch ines CE Ol ac Pet ee :
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A HAND-BOOK OF wae: MANAGEMENT OF AND MALS
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(51) THE BLACK-NECKED MYNA.
(GRACULIPICA NIGRICOLLIS—(Payt.) )

Description.—The head white, encircled by a broad lack collar ;
below the collar on the back is a band of black feathers: margined —
with white; upper plumage dark brown; lower plumage white; tail dark —

brown tipped with white; the naked skin around the eye yellow or

bis

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ets:

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cere!

NS eS
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greenish-yellow; bill black. a
- Hab.—Upper Burmah; Tenasserim, Cochin-China, Siam and
Southern China. ite ee
LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. )
A. few specimens have been living in the garden since the latter
end of 1886. |
oie TREATMENT IN HEALTH.
Tied Housing.—They seem to thrive very well in an aviary; as they are

extremely sociable birds, they may also do well in small cages, although _
this mode of keeping them has never been tried in this garden.

Food.—In captivity it thrives well on satoo, fruits, maggots and
occasionally minced meat; in fact it is very accommodating in its taste
and appetite.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF THE BLACK-NECKED Myna.

Black-necked myna is of a sociable disposition, and evidently
takes much delight in the presence and company of men; in whichever
part of the large aviary it may be, it is sure to fly to the side of the cage
on the approach of a visitor, even following the person from one side to _
another; it has some idea of fun also, and often amuses itself at the 3
expense of other, and even larger, birds; it is, however, not quarrel- _
some; on the contrary, it may often be observed attending the toilet of — E
other species ; it whistles beautifully, and has a sweet melodious song ; it
sings and whistles with much assiduity and force, ruffling its feathers,
and raising and throwing back its head at each exertion.

(52) THE COMMON MYNA.

(ACRIDOTHERES TRISTIS—(Linz.) )
Hindi—Myna, Desi-myna (i.e., country myna). Bengali—Salik.

This extremely common bird is found all over India, ascending the j 4
Himalayas up to about 8,000 feet ; not found in the northern parts of
Kashmir, or in Tenasserim south of Mergul. | ~ af

.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

oe
nay a
h
eee!
bear
o—
~ of
es
a>

No record has been kept, but they are very hardy and
confinement well, , fag |

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 207

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

With regard to housing and feeding, no particular directions are
necessary. ‘l'hey thrive as well in an aviary as in a small cage.

Breeding.—They breed freely in the garden, both in captivity and
in a wild state. In building their nests inside the aviaries they make
use of the feathers cast by other birds.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS. ~

Young birds have several times been noticed to suffer from glan-
dular swellings round the aperture ofthe cloaca. The bird while suffering
in this way should be kept warm and, if necessary, the part fomented.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF THE Common Myna.

The common myna is much domesticated in India, and becomes as
tame as the hill myna. It is generally sociable, although sometimes
ue fight a good deal among themselves. They are gregarious in

abits.

(53) THE BANK MYNA.

(ACRIDOTHERES GINGINIANUS—(Latz.) }

Hindi— Ganga myna. Bengali—Gang salik. |
| Description.—It differs from the common myna in having the
general colour of the plumage grey instead of brown, and in other mivor
characteristics, such as the colour of the naked skin round the eye, which
is brick red. ,

Hab.—Besides the Gangetic provinces of Bengal, where it is very
abundant, it is found throughout Upper India and Sindh, extending
through the Central Provinces as far south as the Mahanadi; it is also
found in the lower ranges of the Himalayas. The statement that these
birds are migratory in the plains is, to a certain extent, true; they are
known to desert a particular area after having lived and bred there
for years. Itis not unlikely that the erosion of the river banks in
which they were accustomed to build their nests has much to do
with such partial migrations.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

About seven years has been the maximum period during which |
some of them have lived in this garden.

(54) THE JUNGLE MYNA.

- (ETHIOPSAR FUSCUS—(Wag?.) )

Hindi—Pahari myna. Bengali—Jhunt salik.

Description.—All about the head glossy black; the upper plumage
fuscus black; the throat and breast dull cinereous blackish; abdomen

208 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF AN IMAI LS

reddish-cinereous; tail-coverts pure white; bill orange valle 7
from the south of India have grey eyes, while those from the nor
have yellow ones.

Hab.— Except in Sindh, Rajputana and Guzerat, itis found Rr
2 all over India, ascending the Himalayas up to about 8, 000 feet; it does * ps.
z not appear to be common about Calcutta. Gin

a

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

No record has been kept.

(55) THE BLACK-CRESTED MYNA.

(AETHIOPSAR CRISTATELLUS8—(Zinz.) )

In shape and size it resembles the bank myna; the plumes of the
nostrils are elevated into a crest ; almost the entire plumage black, with
green and purple reflexions ; bill pale yellow ; iris pale orange.

bp Hab.—China.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens have been living in the garden for the last five or six
years.

All the above mynas may be treated in captivity like the common
myna, which they all resemble in habits.

- es ;
_- tant easel REO Ie Pea = Teer ers ~

(56) THE PIED MYNA.

(STURNOPASTOR CONTRA—(Linz.) )

Hindi—Ablak myna. Bengali—Gosalik or Guia salik.

Hab.—Very common in Bengal, up to the foot of the Himalayas; ;
Sylhet, Cachar, and Khasia Hills; also found in the Central Provinces |
and parts of Upper India, but unknown in its south and west coasts.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Although there is no record of the actual period during shit
a particular specimen has lived in the garden, they are known to bear
captivity well.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

With regard to housing and feeding, they may be treated like the
common myna. They do better when a number of them are kept
together in a large aviary. ue

Breeding —These birds in a wild state regularly breed in the
garden, generally building their nest on cotton, peepul and tamarind
trees, and laying three or four eggs. Until after the next autumn moult —
the young birds remain a dirty brown in colour. The breeding season
is from May to about the middle of August. A curious instance of the | =
usurpation of an unfinished crow’s nest by a pair of pied mynas lately —
happened in this garden. Sie

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 209

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF THE PrieD Mywna.

The pied mynas are fond of associating in flocks, and neither in
their wild state nor in captivity are they timid birds. They feed much
on the ground; when caged and tamed they learn to sing, whistle and
even imitate other birds. They appear to be less fussy than the common
myna.

(57) THE COMMON PIED BUSH CHAT.

(PRATINCOLA CAPRATA—(Zinz.) )

Hindi and Bengali—Peddha.

Description.—The general colour of the plumage black; a stripe on
the wings, upper tail-coverts, middle of the abdomen, vent, and under
tail-coverts, white.

The female, dusky brown; rump and upper tail-coverts rufous
brown, beneath pale reddish-brown. The males vary in shades of colour
somewhat according to season; length about 5 inches; bill black, legs
brown black. |

Hab.—It is found almost all over India, extending to Burmah and
the Malayan countries and the Philippines; it is rather less common in
the delta of Bengal.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Although specimens have now and then belonged to the garden,
they have not, as a rule, done well in captivity here, so that there is no
record of the period during which one has lived in this garden.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Generally speaking, the common pied bush chat requires the same
care and treatment with regard to its housing and feeding as the
“Shama” (No. 59). |

(58) THE MAGPIE ROBIN.

(COPSYCHUS SAULARIS—(ZLinz.) )

Hindi and Bengali—Dayai.

__ The dayal is such a well-known bird in Bengal that no description
is necessary.

Hab.—Throughout the whole of India, ascending the Himalayas
up about 5,000 feet, and extending to Tenasserim and Ceylon.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

As they are extremely common in Bengal, and as numbers of them
are living within the garden in a semi-domesticated state, no serious
attempt has ever been made to exhibit them in captivity. Adult birds
should not be caged, as they do not bear captivity at all.

O

4 Re a eee re ee
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210 ~ A HAND-BOOK OF ee OF ANIMALS

TREATMENT IN HEALTH. ) ia

May be treated like the ‘Shama ’”’ (No. 59). ae

Breeding.—The magpie robins breed in this garden in a wild state _
from April to July; they build their nests in holes of trees or hollows sh:
formed by the parting of branches; their favourite trees appear to be the _
following :—mango, peepu!, tamarind, and kadam (Nauclea kadamba).
A pair of these birds building in a mango tree close to an aquatic
birds’ tank were observed to carry off the cast-away down of the swans
and other birds. | 3 y

(59) THE SHAMA.
(CITTOCINCLA MACROURA—(Gmel.) )

No description is necessary. gts
Hab.— The Shama is a permanent resident of the warm and well- —
watered jungles of the Peninsula of India and Burma” (Hume).

4 Except in the Terai at the foot of the North-West Himalayas, it is
unknown in the North-Western Provinces of India. Those brought to
Calcutta are generally from Midnapore, Cuttack and Western Bengal,
Specimens are sometimes brought down from Goruckpore in the Terai
and the Doons; it is scarce in the delta of Bengal, but common in the
hill tracts of Assam, Sylhet, Burmah, Malacca, and even Ceylon.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

One of the specimens obtained in 1888 is still alive and well.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Although it hasfrom time to time been kept in a large aviary with
tolerable success, it should, as a general rule, be treated as a cage-bird,
and for this purpose a light bamboo cage should be preferred. The prac-
tice of covering the shama cages and those of other singing birds
with a piece of cloth, so generally adopted in India for the purpose, no
doubt, of inducing them to sing at night, has been found to be very
beneficial, especially during the winter. It conduces much to the health
and liveliness of the bird if the cage containing it be taken out every
evening for an airing. Shamas should be kept singly.

Food.—In captivity its food consists of satoo, prepared with boiled _
chi, grasshoppers and maggots. The latter should be perfectly freefrom
the dirt in which they breed and live. During the winter and rains,
meat may be given as a substitute for, or in addition to, maggots; it
should be minced fine and thoroughly washed, and made into very small _
pellets : another, and better way of giving it, is to divide the minced
meat into tiny lumps, each small enough to be picked up at atime, and
stick them between the wire of the cage in several places. ‘<

Shamas do not breed in captivity.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Shamas have been known to suffer from debility and emaciation as
the effect probably of age and confinement. Of the two cases that came

Jd , :
IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 211

under observation, one terminated fatally, the other recovered. The
proper course in such a case is to feed the patient on satoo prepared with
egg, and put ina fewdrops of syrup of lactate of iron in its drinking-
water.
? Bad moulting is not unfrequent in shamas in captivity, and it is
therefore advisable to pay extra attention when the processis going on;
besides the usual satoo and insects, it should have every now and then,
while moulting, a little boiled egg mixed with the satoo. Cold and
draughts should also be carefully guarded against.

Shamas have also been found to suffer from a kind of warty growth
in their legs and feet. When in this condition they can hardly sit on their
perch. Before any treatment is attempted the perch should be covered
with lint or flannel to make it soft, and enable the bird to sit with
tolerable comfort. The warts should be lightly painted with tincture of
iodine.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF THE SHAMA.

The shama is remarkable for its charming song. Commencing from
the spring until the beginning of the moulting season, it sings almost
incessantly every day, especially before sunset. Every bird, however,
does not possess the same power or melody.

(60) THE GREY-WINGED OUZEL.

(MERULA BOULBOUL—(Lath.) )
Hindi and Bengali— Kastura.
Description.—Dark ashy-black in colour, witha large pale silvery
ashy-grey wing spot; the female is much paler with rufescent-whitish
wing spot; bill, orbits, and legs deep yellow; the total length of the

bird is about 10 inches.
Hab.—It is found almost throughout the whole range of the

Himalayas from 5,000 to 8,000 feet.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

About three years.

(61) GOULD’S OUZEL.
(MERULA GOULDI- Verr.)

It resembles the grey-winged ouzel in shape and size; the colour of
the head and neck dull black; throat pale black; wings and tail also dull
black; the rest of the body bright rufous-brown; bill pale yellow; legs
and feet yellowish.

Hab.—China.
LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
About thirteen months.
‘A 0 2
~~ «
=

.
ery

212 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

— TREATMENT IN HEALTH. | 7a

Housing. —The grey-winged ouzel is often caged in Upper India and — "
in Bengal, but it does well in a large aviary also. veg
Food.—LInsects, fruits and satoo.

aa

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF THE OUZELS.

Both the grey-winged and Gould’s ouzels are somewhat shy birds,
especially the latter, but they soon become tame and familiar. The grey-
winged ouzel sings and whistles beautifully ; both the species feed much
on the ground. ; ;

(62) THE ORANGE-HEADED GROUND THRUSH.
| (GEOCICHLA CITRINA—(Lath.) )
Hindi and Bengali—Ddma.

Description—Head and lower plumage pale brownish-orange;
upper plumage bluish-grey; a white spot on the wings; bill horny-black; —
legs flesh-coloured ; total length about 83 inches.

Hab.—Throughout the whole extent of the lower ranges of the
Himalayas; jungles of Northern and Central India, extending through
Assam to Burmah; not uncommon during the winter and spring in
certain parts of Bengal; sometimes brought to the Calcutta market
from Midnapore, Bankoora, Pachamba and Deoghur. ,

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
Above five years.
TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—This bird does well both in large and small aviaries; the —
former are, where available, to be preferred; as it is rather shy and
retiring in disposition, shrubs in pots or other means of shelter will be
much appreciated. | a

Food.—Satoo and insects ; in captivity it also eats fruits, bread, and —
other articles of food.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Cases of diarrhea have been met with amongst these thrushes, —
probably brought on by overfeeding. No treatment has ever been ~
attempted. ;

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF THE ORANGE-HEADED GROUND —
THRUSH.

It is shy and unobtrusive ; the specimens kept in this garden have —
been seldom seen, except when feeding, in the open spaces of their
habitation, their favourite resorts being one or the other of the wooden
stands, on which pots of ornamental shrubs are arranged; here, hidden
away amidst the foliage, one or all may be seen sitting motionless for
minutes together. ‘The geocichla, however, is by no means an inacti

ve
eu Y

bird, nor is it altogether devoid of social instincts.

- » be ee Bs
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; A ‘
ar

if

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 213

(63) THE COMMON WEAVER-BIRD.

(PLOCEUS BAYA—Blyth.)

Hindi and Bengali—Baya or Babai.

Hab.—The common weaver-bird is found throughout the whole of
India, extending to Assam, Burmah, Ceylon and Malayana. Although
a permanent resident in most parts of India, it is somewhat migratory
in its habits, so that it has been known to desert a particular locality
which it frequented for years; its wanderings, however, are confined
within a comparatively limited area.

(64) THE BLACK-THROATED WEAVER-BIRD.
(PLOCEUS BENGALENSIS—(Lina.) )

Bengali— Kantamala baya (i.e., necklaced baya.)

Hab.—Difierent parts of Lower Bengal, extending to Assam,
Tipperah, and parts of Burmah; it is less common about Calcutta and
its neighbourhood than the preceding species ; the contrary appears to be
the case with regard to Hastern Bengal, where this species is more plenti-
ful than the common baya.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Both the bayas, especially the common weaver-birds, bear captivity
well.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—These birds are easy to accommodate; as a rule, they
should be placed in a large aviary or in an extensive cage; to give them
occupation and amusement tufts of jute, bundles of hay or palm-leaves
should be provided; the common weaver-birds are not unfrequently,
caged and tamed.

Food.—Consists principally of various kinds of seeds, but in captivity,
and especially when caged and tamed, they learn to eat other things.

Breeding.—The common weaver-birds have, on one or two occa-
sions, been known to build, or at least to attempt doing so, within their
prison, but without success; this appeared to have been due chiefly to
the presence of other birds, which destroyed the nests as often as
begun. For further information on this subject, “Jerdon’s Birds of
India,”’ volume II, page 343, and “ Hume’s Nests and Eggs,” volume
Il, page, 114, may be consulted.

(65) THE CRIMSON-CROWNED WEAVER-BIRD.

(EUPLECTES FLAMMICEPS—Swinh.)

The golden-yellow colour of the head disappears altogether during
the ec of moult, which is rather prolonged, lasting from three to four
months. |

Hab.— West Africa.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

About three years.

(66) THE PARADISE WHYDAH BIRD.

(VIDUA PARADISEA—(Linn.) ) ; é
‘s Description.—In form and size it resembles a Munia; the disean _
oo guishing characteristic of the birds of this genus is the extraordinary ‘

length of their tails; in this species a ruff also is developed.
Hab.—W est Africa.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

About three years. | =

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—Both the crimson-crowned weaver and the Paradise
whydah birds have done well in large side cages with such small and
harmless companions as munias and Java sparrows.

Food.—Seeds of various kinds.

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS. i

The crimson-crowned weaver-bird is very shy, the Paradise whydah
18 restless, active, and to a certain extent sociable. While restlessly
moving about from perch to perch, the latter has the curious habit of
constantly raising its head and looking up to the roof of the cage.

(67) THE BLACK-HEADED MUNIA.

(MUNIA MALACCA—(Zinz.) )

All the munias that have from time to time been exhibited in the
garden are extremely common and familiar birds in Lower Bengal, and
therefore no description is necessary for any of them. &
Hab.—Southern and Central India and Ceylon, rarely Bengal.

(68) THE CHESTNUT-BELLIED MUNIA.)

(MUNIA ATRICAPILLA—(Vieill.) )

Hab.—Throughout Bengal and the foot and the lower ranges if

the Himalayas; rare in Southern India, though specimens are somet |
met with in the eastern coast of Madras; ; Ceylon and Tenasserim; nu
bers of them occur within a few miles of = whore stragglers :
generally found.

IN CAPTIVILY IN LOWER BENGAL. ya By

Ca ‘

(69) THE WHITE-BACKED MUNIA.

i?

(UROLONCHA STRIATA—(Linn.) )
Bengali— Shikari munia.

Hab.—Chiefly Southern India, though not uncommon in Lower
Bengal, Arracan and Ceylon.

(70) THE SPOTTED MUNIA.
(UROLONCHA PUNCTULATA—(Linz,) )

Hindi and Bengali— Tilia munia, sabe munia.

Hab.—Distributed throughout India and Ceylon, extending to
Assam, Burmah, and T'enasserim; numbers of them are found in the
drier parts of Lower Bengal.

(71) THE INDIAN RED MUNIA.

(SPORAGINTHUS AMANDAVA—(Zinz.) )

Hindi and Bengali—Za/ or Lal Mumia.

Hab.— Abundant in Lower Bengal and North-Western India and
_ the lower ranges of the Himalayas, extending to Assam and Burmah ;
somewhat rare in Southern India.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
Some may have lived in the garden for three years or more, but no
record of the individual specimens has been kept.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH. |

Housing.—Munias may be kept in large sized cages, and generally
treated like the red-billed liothrix (No. 23). They, especially the
Indian red species, are sometimes kept in very small cages and tamed.

Food.—Various kinds of seeds, especially kangni (Panicum ttali-
cwm); in captivity they learn to eat fruits and bread and milk.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A Monta.

Munias are extremely restless and playful birds, and are never silent
during the day, but always chirping; the red munia sometimes whistles
beautifully ; they are generally very sociable.

(72) THE JAVA SPARROW.

(PADDA ORYZIVORA—(Linz.) )

Description.—In size slightly larger than the munia, bill thick,
conical and stout, and of a cherry-red colour; the prevailing colour of

oe he ena one

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the plumage albescent ashy, with cee vee cheek spat ots; @
white variety is also common. a

Hab.—Java, Sumatra, Malacca, Torteces the Philippines, and —
southern provinces of China. Bs

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Wott six years ; but it is difficult, where a number of small birds: a
of the same species, acquired at different times, are kept, to determine
individual identity.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH,

With regard to housing and feeding, the Java sparrow may be
treated like the munia, but as it is a hardy bird, capable of holding its
own with others, it may also be kept in a large aviary.

(73) THE BLACK-TATLED GROSBEAK.

(CROCCOTHRAUSTES MELANURUS—(Swini.) ) a

Description.—The total length of the bird is about 9 inches, bill
stout, conical, and of a yellow colour with greenish apex; head, neck, and
chin black ; the prevailing colour of the upper plumage oreyish-brown ; a
chest whitish-grey ; abdomen yellowish-brown; wing black with white
tips; tail black and forked.
Hab.—Common in Central and Southern China.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

About three years and more.

(74) THE ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK.

(HEDYMELES LUDOVICIANUS—(Linn.) )
Prevailing colour of the plumage greyish-brown or black, heud

and neck, black; breast rose-coloured ; total length about 10 inches.
. Hab. _"Norh America.
. LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
‘ - About thirteen months.

(75) THE CARDINAL GROSBEAK. ~

‘ (CARDINALIS VIRGINIANUS—(Briss.) )

Of a bright red colour, subcrested; total length about 10 inches ; 2 ig |
a black band across the forehead and throat. 2

_ Hab.—Extends from the Southern United States thieuae Mexico,
to Yactan and Belize.

a 2

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 217

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

About three years.

Housing.—The grosbeaks do well in a large aviary; the cardinal
erosbeak is shy, and like any other bird of that nature requires watch-
ing for the first few days, whether it feeds properly while living with
others.

Food.—In captivity they flourish on fruits and grains and soon
become accustomed to feed on other kinds of food to which they are
perhaps strangers in their wild state; they have been frequently observed
to devour satoo and bread and milk with equal relish.

(76) THE COMMON ROSE FINCH.

(CARPODACUS ERYTHRINUS—(Paii.) )
Hindi— Tuti.

Description.—The head, throat, breast, rump, and the flanks of the
abdomen, of a roseate colour, deeper about the head and neck; upper
plumage generally brown; the breeding plumage, which they assume
about the end of spring, is almost crimson ; the colour is generally very
subdued in those that have lived some time in captivity ; the total length
of the bird is about 54 inches.

Hab.— During the winter it is found almost all over India, rarer
towards the south, but common in Northern India, the Terai, and the

_ Himalayas, extending to Assam and Arracan; it is also found over the

greater part of Central and Northern Asia and Europe.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Roughly speaking, about four years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

With regard to housing and feeding it may be treated like the
Java sparrow and red-billed liothrix.

OBSERVATIONS ON ITS HABITS.

Sociable and restless ; fond of congregating together ; has a pleasing
note.

(77) THE HOUSE SPARROW.
(PASSER DOMESTICUS—(ZLinn.) )

Hindi—Gowriya. Bengali— Chadai or Chata.

Hab.—The house sparrow is found almost all over India, abun-
dantly in most parts, more rarely in some, as the Malabar Coast in the
south and in other places where the rainfall is great; it ascends the
Himalayas up to a moderate height, and extends to Assam, Arracan,
Pegu, Siam and Ceylon. The food supplied to the animals in the
garden evidently attracts enormous numbers of them within it.

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_A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS
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(78) THE CHAFFINCH.
(FRINGILLA CHLEBS—Linz.)

Description.—Top and sides of the head and nape slaty-blue, back _
dull-brown, with faint blackish streaks; the rump and the upper tail- |
coverts dull green ; the tail feathers greyish-black, the outer ones being
faintly white margined; the exposed parts of the wings blackish-
brown ; the wing-coverts black with conspicuous white patches; cheeks,
throat, and the under parts generally reddish-brown; bill bluish-_
plumbacious ; total length about 6 inches.

Hab.—The chaffinch is found almost all over Europe, extending
to Northern Africa in the south, and as far east as Beluchistan.

WAS a
inst

(79) THE GREENFINCH.
(LIGURINUS CHLORIS—(Zinz,) )

Description.—The prevailing colour of the upper plumage ashy-
green ; the chin and breast apple-green, brighter in the lower breast ;
the abdomen bright greenish yellow; wings blackish-brown, the basal
portion of the primaries yellow, with generally a blackish-brown spot;
the terminal portion of the tail feathers blackish-brown, the basal
portion yellow; a large grey spot at the side of the head below the
eyes; the iris hazel; total length about six inches; the females are
somewhat smaller and much less brightly coloured, being generally ashy-
brown, tinged with greenish, the abdomen somewhat albescent.

Hab.—The greenfinch or the green linnet, as it is popularly called,
is distributed throughout the whole of Europe, except the extreme
north; it extends as far south as the west side of North Africa, and
eastward as far as the Ural mountains. *

(80) THE GOLDFINCH.

(CARDUELIS ELEGANS—Steph.)

Description.—The distinguishing characteristics of the goldfinch
are its scarlet crown and throat, and the bright yellow of the basal
portion of the wing; the hinder part of the crown, the nape,anda
crescent-shaped band from the nape to the side of the neck black; the
parts immediately at the base of the beak, and round and in front of
the eye also black, but this is not conspicuous when viewed from a
distance ; the lower throat below the scarlet and the sides of the head,
between the black and scarlet, white, and so is also a small triangular
space on the hind neck immediately below the black; back, sides, and
the breast bright brown; the lesser wing-coverts black; the greater wing-
coverts, and the basal half of the quills bright yellow at their exposed
parts, the terminal half black with white tips; the tail-feathers black;
the two central feathers white-tipped; some of the outer tail-feathers
having elongated white marks near the tip of the inner webs; the —
female is much duller in colour, the red of the forehead and throat much ~
less or none; total length about five inches. — q

Oe ee ae ee

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 219

Hab.—Found almost throughout the whole of Europe, excepting
the high north; North-East and North-West Africa; Asia Minor,
extending as far east as Turkistan.

(81) THE CANARY FINCH.

(SERINUS CANARIUS—(Linn.) )

The canary finch is so well-known a bird that any description would

be superfluous.
Hab.—Canary Islands.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Although specimens have occasionally been kept on deposit, cana-
ries are not generally exhibited, and no record has therefore been kept
of the period during which any specimen has actually lived in the
garden; it is well known that they thrive perfectly in captivity.

(82) THE LINNET.

(LINOTA CANNABINA—(Linn.) )

Description—The general colour of the plumage above chestnut
brown ; the crown, hind neck, and sides of the neck brownish-grey; the
chief characteristic of the bird is its crimson-red of the forehead and
breast ; total length about 53 inches.

Hab.—The linnet is a very common bird throughout Europe, and
is extensively distributed ; besides Hurope it is found in North Africa,
Turkistan, the hills in Southern Persia, the Elburz Mountains, &c.

(83) THE MEALY REDPOLL.

(LINOTA LINARIA—(Linn.) )

Description.—It resembles the preceding very closely, but differs
in having the colour of its back blackish brown, the feathers being
somewhat broadly margined with pale brown, and in some other minor
details, as the extent of the crimson red of the breast, which in this
species extends to the throat; the quills are not margined white, but
brown or whitish brown; the crimson-red of the forehead is the same as
in the linnet; total length about 5 inches; the female differs from the
male in having no red on the breast.

Hah.—The mealy redpoll has also a wide range of distribution,
being found in Europe, Asia, as far as Japan; and North America, from
the Atlantic to the Pacific.

(84) THE YELLOW BUNTING.
(EMBERIZA CITRINELLA—Linn.)

Description —Head and the under parts generally citron yellow ; the
nape and back of the neck greenish ; a chestnut brown moustachial stripe ;

yg

; v.

220 isa

brown with longitudinal faint black lines ; wings rufous-brown, washed
with greenish; the terminal portion of the quills dark brown; total
length of the bird is about 6 inches; the female is somewhat smaller, and
differs from the male in having no brown on the back and rump; the
prevailing colour being a subdued greenish grey, mottled with dark stripes
in the feathers.

Hab.—Common in Central Europe, from which it extends northward
to Lapland and eastward to Siberia, becoming scarcer in Southern
Europe. |

(85) THE SKYLARK.

(ALAUDA ARVENSIS—(Linn.) )

Hindi and Bengali—Bharat or Bharat Pakshi.

Description—Sandy brown above with little deep brown markings
to the feathers; the crown of the head slightly crested; feathers of the
crest rounded; quills dark brown, edged narrowly with sandy brown;
cheeks buffy-white, with minute deep brown spots; throat and chest
brownish-white, marked with small brown specks; abdomen creamy white,
so also the under surface of the tail; total length of the bird about 74
inches. The colour of its plumage varies much according to the season of
the year; besides, there are several well-known forms of the common
skylark, such as white, black and cream-coloured specimens.

Hab.—In India the skylark is found in the Himalayas, where it
breeds at elevations from 8,000 to 10,000 feet, and its nests have also
been found in Kooloo and Kashmir; also found in Ceylon, North
China, Siberia, Palestine, Egypt, Northern Africa, British Islands and
Europe generally. ‘The specimens exhibited in this garden were from
the British Islands.

(86) THE WOODLARK.
(ALAUDA ARBOREA—(Linz.) )

Description.—Smaller than the preceding, and lighter in colour;
a yellowish-white broad stripe commencing from behind each nostril
passes behind to the nape, then passing downwards and forwards joins
the white of the upper breast, thus enclosing an irregular triangular
space at the side of the head including the eye; under parts yellowish
white ; sides of chin, throat, and breast spotted with dark brown; flanks
striped ; quills dark brown, edged with whitish ; secondaries tipped and
edged with dull rufous; tail dark brown; the outer feather on each side
tipped and the outer web bordered white; the total length is about 5°5
inches.
~ _Hab.—Central and Southern Europe, extending eastward as far as

the Ural Mountains ; is always present in England, though rarer in some —

parts than in others.
| Observations.—These birds (Nos. 78 to 86) were, with the exception
of the canary finch, imported from England, and they differed somewhat

the forehead and sides marked with faint and narrow black lines; back 2
fulvous-brown, and mottled; the rump and upper tail-covert bright

s

a :

y

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 221

from the descriptions here given, most of them being paler ; the scarlet
on the crown and neck of the goldfinch was subdued.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Of these English birds, the greenfinch, linnet, and the mealy redpoll
lived the longest—about fourteen months: the others died within a few
months after their arrival.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—Most of them do well in small cages, but larger ones
should be preferred; in the hot moist climate of Lower Bengal
care should be taken to keep them in a cool and airy place, espe-
cially during the summer; the least neglect in this respect is likely
to be attended with fatal consequences; all of them must have ready
access to water, both for drinking and bathing; when there are
a number of them, either of one or of several species, they can be
suitably accommodated in large cages, and, if necessary, with such small
and harmless birds as Java sparrows, munias, red-billed liothrix, &c.;
they would probably also do well in a lofty, spacious and well-ventilated
aviary ; but, wherever they are placed, light, shade and coolness should
be the primary considerations ; new arrivals should not be placed with
the older inmates of a cage or an aviary, and birds of the same or
different species which have hitherto lived separately should not be
mixed up, without giving them an opportunity of becoming accustomed
to one another’s presence. The goldfinch, linnet, and skylark are
capital cage-birds even in the climate of Bengal; the bottom of the
habitation of these birds, whether it be a small cage or a large aviary,
should have clean sand sprinkled over it.

Food.—All these birds thrive on seeds of various kinds, and most of
them require insects and maggots as well; some are particularly fond of
oily seeds, such as the chaffinch, linnet, goldfinch; for these mustard
and hempseeds, in addition to various other kinds, should be provided;
the chaffinch is also fond of insects and maggots; some of them,
especially the skylark, have been observed to show great partiality for
moong grain (Phaseolus mungo); the skylark and woodlark eat fruits
and. berries as well; they are all fond of vegetables, which should be
plentifully supplied.

Transport.—The best time to import these birds into the plains of
India is the cold weather.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

The suddenness with which some of these British birds died, and
the season of the year at which these deaths mostly occurred, favour the
belief that, in the majority of cases at least, heat apoplexy was the cause
of death ; unfortunately no autopsy was held.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF THESE BRITISH BIRDS.

The linnet and the goldfinch appeared to be the most lively,
tractable and engaging of all these birds.

(87) THE BENGAL BUSHLARK.

MIRAFRA ASSAMICA—WMeCleli.)
Hindi—Aggin; Bhirirt. slay
Description—The prevailing colour of the upper plumage ashy-
brown, in some specimens and according to the locality, with a tinge of —
olive; throat whitish ; breast and abdomen brownish-white and spotted; __
total length about 53 inches. a
Hab.—Throughout Lower and Hastern Bengal, in the better-
watered and wooded tracts of the Central Provinces and Chota Nagpore,
in Assam and Cachar, and in the Dhoons and Terais which le at the -
feet of the Himalayas, and the immediately adjacent districts of Behar, —
Oudh, and the North-Western Provinces. (Hume.) :

a

(88) THE SINGING BUSHLARK.

: 4

7 | (MIRAFRA CANTILLANS—Jerdon.)

, Hindi—Agghin. |

Description.—It closely resembles the preceding species, but has —

more white about the throat and below the ear-coverts; underparts pale |

rufescent with indistinct small breast spots; total length about 53 inches.
Hub.—The singing bushlark is found throughout India, common

in some parts, rarer in others, not so common in Lower Bengal as in z

most parts of Behar. a

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens of both the bushlarks have often been included in the
collection of the garden, but no record has been kept of the length of
their life in captivity.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—In this garden they are allowed to remain in the large
aviary, where they have more opportunity of hiding themselves under
straw or amongst plants than in other places; as cage-birds they do well
and are generally treated as such by the bird-fanciers in Bengal. _

Food.—In captivity both these larks thrive well on satoo, insects’
and maggots; they also eat fruits.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF THE SINGING AND BENGAL
BusHLARKS.

Both of them are uninteresting birds as specimens for exhibition in a
an aviary, as they can be seldom seen ; they move swiftly on the ground
and are always hiding; both of them sing well, especially the singing

POP ee | aA ae ee Ay

“IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 223

(89) THE SONG THRUSH.
(MERULA MUSICA-—Linz.)

Description.—Dark olive-brown above, including the wing-coverts,

. the median and greater coverts tipped bright-buff ; the head slightly

washed with a yellowish hue; sides of the head and neck spotted and
striped s under surface of the body whitish, the throat and upper breast
being buff and spotted; total length about 8 inches; the bird is subject
to great variation. _ 3

Hab.—Found everywhere in England and Scotland and through-
out Europe, Northern Africa and Arabia.

(90) THE BLACK-BIRD.

(MERULA MERULA—(Linn,) )

Description—Adult male, silky black; the wings somewhat paler ;
bill orange ; eyelid orange; total length about 10 inches. The birds

exhibited in this garden were much paler.

q

Hab.—With the exception of the extreme north it is found almost
all over Europe, especially in the South, North-Hastern Africa, extending
as far east as Persia.

(91) THE INDIAN PITTA, OR YELLOW-BREASTED
GROUND THRUSH.

(PITTA BRACHYURA—(Linz,) )

Hindi—Nawrang. Bengali—Shumcha.

Descripticn.—Head fulvous or fulvous-brown, with olive tinge;
a black stripe from the base of the bill to the back of the neck, meeting
another black band which passes through the ears; a faint white super-
ciliary line extending to the nape; the upper plumage dull bluish-
green ; quills black with white tips, and white bars to some of the pri-
maries; a bluish patch on the shoulder; tail black, tipped with dull
blue ; chin, throat, and sides of the neck, white; the chest and the flanks
fulvescent; the middle of the lower part of the abdomen, vent, and
the under tail-coverts scarlet; bill black; legs pinkish-yellow. In the
specimens exhibited in this garden the scarlet of the abdomen was
very subdued.

Hab.—Feund throughout the whole of India, common in certain
tracts and scarcer in others; nowhere, however, very abundant; scarce
in the delta of Bengal, where they are chiefly immigrants. Common
in the Central Provinces and Southern India. The pitta is also found
in Ceylon.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The longest period during which an Indian pitta has lived in the
garden has been about four years.

A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS _

TREATMENT IN HEALTH. e..
With respect to housing and feeding it may be treated like a
geocichla (No. 62). eg

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF THE INDIAN Pitta. - “a

Like the geocichla, a pitta is a shy and solitary bird, scarcely
associating with others, and seldom amusing itself in any way. In this
respect it is perhaps less interesting than a geocichla; it is generally
very silent. a2

(92) THE GREEN-BREASTED PITTA.

(PITTA CUCULLATA—Hartlaub.) :

Description.—A. green bird, with the chin, throat, sides of the head a
and the neck all round black; the crown of the head dark rufous-brown ; )
the upper tail-coverts and part of the wings verdigris-blue; primaries
black, with a conspicuous white patch; the vent and under tail-coverts
scarlet ; length about 7 inches.

Hab.—Found in Nepal, Sikhim, Assam, Burmah and the Malayan
peninsula.

A. specimen lived for about two months only.

(93) THE GOLD-BACKED WOODPECKER.

(BRACHYPTERNUS AURANTIUS—(Linz.) )

In Lower Bengal all the birds of this group are known as kdt-tokra, —
woodpeckers. The gold-backed woodpecker is so well-known in Bengal
that no description is needed.

Hab.—Found almost throughout the whole of India, including the .
lower ranges of the Himalayas; the northern parts of Ceylon, British
Burmah, the Indo-Burmese countries and the Malayan peninsula. -

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

About six to seven months.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—A. large aviary is by far the best accommodation for a
woodpecker ; here it may have some chance of indulging in its favourite
habit of tapping, if not a living tree, at least a dead one, to procure its
food ; but, howsoever suitable the accommodation may be, a woodpecker
is always an intractable bird in captivity. In selecting stock, younger
birds should be perferred, as they can be taught to feed on prepared food
with comparative ease ; as long as they are not so trained, they should,
of course, be kept separately. 7 va

Food.—In captivity young birds may be trained to feed on satoo,
minced meat and soft fruits, but insects and maggots are indispensable;
satoo should be soft and semi-liquid, and may be prepared with eggs,
raw or half-boiled, and finely minced meat. — eit ee

r ea ed sia ed ~~ eer ‘.° "1

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 925

| Breeding.—W oodpeckers have never bred in captivity, but some-

times, though rarely, wild birds build and lay within the garden. The
mango and kadam appear to be their favourite trees for building, but
on one occasion a pair were found to lay in a hole in the trunk of a
eocoanut palm ; they were of course usurpers, the hole having been made
by some barbets.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABIT OF THE WOODPECKER.

The woodpecker being a climbing bird, as soon as one is placed in
an aviary, it ascends by the wire netting of the cage, but not being so
adept in moving down as in climbing up, it remains adhering to the
wire almost at the very top of the cage, until helped down by a keeper.
Tamer birds soon take to tapping the dead trees inside an aviary. It is
interesting to observe a woodpecker feeding; it licks up its food with its
long vermiform tongue, the tip of which is furnished with tiny recurved
spines.

(94) THE WRYNECK.
(IYNX TORQUILLA—(Linn.) )
The wryneck is found in most parts of India; more common in
Western than in Lower Bengal.
The only specimen ever obtained for the garden did not survive

more than a week ; it is a difficult bird to keep in captivity, owing to its
peculiar habit of procuring food while on the wing.

(95) THE GREAT INDIAN BARBET.
(MEGALAMA MARSHALLORUM—Swink.)

Description.—The whole head, including the nape and neck, violet
blue ; upper part of the back coppery brown; the lower back, rump and
upper tail-coverts light green, which in a very healthy specimen is
glossy; parts of the wing have yellowish patches ; tail green, with faint
bluish tinge; breast brown; abdomen pale yellow, with brown streaks

or blotches ; under tail-coverts crimson, bill yellow; total. length about
13 inches. )

Hab.—Throughout the Himalayas, extending through Assam to

China ; these birds are generally brought down to Calcutta from Bhutan
and Sikhim.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen has been living in the garden for the last five years.

(96) THE BLUE-FACED BARBET.
(CYANOPS ASIATICA—(Lath.) )
Bengali—Basanta-bairt, in some parts of Bengal.

This bird is readily distinguished from other barbets by its red cap
with the black band across; its blue face and throat, and the bright

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANI

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_ Hab.—“ Indo-Burman sub-region, having been found to the wes
as far as the valley of the Jumna, and to the eastward extending -
Arracan.” Hume. Very common in Calcutta and its neighbourhood, |
well as in other parts of Bengal. i! .

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. | aM
Specimens are always living in the garden, but there is no record — ae
a of the history of any single individual. 7 \

(97) THE LINEATED BARBET.

(CYANOPS LINEATA—(Vieiid.) )

Bengali—Coru/, amongst the bird-catchers of Bengal.

Description.—- Prevailing colour green, paler on the flanks and abdo- __
men; vent and lower tail-coverts yollowish ; all about the head and upper __
breast whitish, the feathers of the crown and nape being medially streak- _
ed white; those of the sides of the neck, breast, and abdomen also mar-
gined whitish brown; bill orange brown, total length about 103 inches. |

Hab.—The lineated barbet inhabits the whole extent of the Sub-
Himalayan region from the Sutlej Valley to the Brahmaputra, ascending ~
the Himalayas up to about 3,000 feet ; 1t has been recorded from Sylhet,
Pegu, and ‘Tenasserim. |

a

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

These birds have been found to thrive well in captivity in Lower q
Bengal, so that one of those now living in the collection has been there 4
for more than seven years. add

(98) THE CRIMSON-BREASTED BARBET.

(XANTHOLZMA HH MACEPHALA—(Mull.) )

Bengali—Chota Basanta baire.

The “Copper-smith” bird of Europeans in India. —
Like the blue-faced barbet, this bird is also well known in Lower —
Bengal ; its total length is about 64 inches; its distinctive characteristic —
is the crimson colour of its frontal space and the pectoral gorget. i
Hab.—Found throughout the plains of India, Burmah, Malayana,
Ceylon, &c.; common in Calcutta and the neighbourhood.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The same remark which has been made with respect to the
faced barbet applies to this also. ne i iat

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 2274

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing-—All of them have been found to do well in a large
aviary; the great Indian barbet takes no little time to become thoroughly
acclimatised in the plains; for the first few months it looks shabby and
even sickly, so that it is undesirable to introduce it on arrival straight
into a place where it must hold its own with other birds.

_Food.—Consists of fruits, seeds, buds and insects ; in captivity they
thrive excellently on satoo, plantains and other fruits and minced meat.

Breeding.—None of them have ever bred in captivity, but both the
blue-faced and the crimson-breasted barbets often breed in a wild state
within the garden, generally selecting a decayed branch of a tree, in
which they find it easy to make holes. On one occasion a number of them
bred in a cocoanut-palm grove: the breeding season lasts from March to
June.

Transport.—If it can be helped, the great Indian barbet should
not be brought down to the plains during the summer or even in the
rains; early in winter is the proper time to bring it down from the hills.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Nothing particular is known about their ailments; they often die
from causes which are common to most other birds.

OBSERVATION ON THE HABITS OF BARBETS.

Barbets generally are arboreal in habits, but of the several species
exhibited in this garden, the great Indian barbet appears to be the most
fond of keeping to the topmost perch of the aviary, rarely, if ever,
descending to the ground, or even to the lower perches; it is also an
inactive bird, so that it may not be unfrequently seen sitting motionless
in one place for hours together ; its cry is loud and monotonous, but very
characteristic. Once begun, it goes on calling for an hour or more; it is
rather solitary in habits, and does not associate with other birds, either of
the same or other species; the most active members of this group of
birds are the crimson-breasted barbets; compared with their size, they
have an extraordinarily loud note; the blue-faced barbets may sometimes
be seen tapping hard at the dead trunk of a tree inside an aviary; none
of the barbets have ever been noticed to climb like the woodpecker,

(99) THE HKUROPEAN HOOPOE.

(UPUPA EPOPS—Tinz.)

Hindi and Bengali—Hud-hud.

The characteristic feature of this bird is its large ornamental crest.
As, however, the bird is well known, no description is necessary.

Hab.—Found in the Himalayas and various other parts of India,
including Bengal; also in Assam, Burmah, and most other parts of
Asia, Kurope and North Africa.

During the rains and winter hoopoes may sometimes be seen within
the gardenin a wild state, and specimens have now and then been cap-
tured, and attempis made to tame them, but hitherto without success.

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF

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ANIMALS
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(100) THE INDIAN BLUE-ROCK PIGEON.
(COLUMBA INTERMEDIA—Strickl.)

Hindi—Kabutar. Bengali—Gola-Pairae

2 Very common and abundant throughout India. : ‘
Ke Hab.—India, including the Himalayas, Assam, Burmah and
. Ceylon ; more common in open countries and in and near villagesand
towns than in forest tracts. me

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Although there is no record of individual specimens, the blue-rook ,
pigeons have been known to live long in this garden. os

(101) THE WHITE-BELLIED PIGEON.

(COLUMBA LEUCONOTA—Vig.)

Description—Head and face dull or ashy black; back of neck
white; back light brownish grey; wings also the same colour; rump
white ; the primaries tipped with dull black; the secondaries tipped
dusky ; tertiaries barred with dusky bands and tipped grey; belly
white ; bill black ; irides yellow; legs red ; total length about 14 inches.

Hab.—North-West Himalayas. A specimen said to be from
Sikhim has lately been obtained. .

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LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A little over three years. Although inhabitants of very high E
altitudes, the specimens exhibited did not appear to suffer much during
the hot weather.

(102) THE DARJEELING WOOD-PIGEON.

(PALUMBUS PULCHRICOLLIS—Hodgs.) ©

Description.—Total length about 14 inches ; general colour dusky
" grey; light ashy about the head and cheeks ; sides of the neck glossed
4 green and purple; its distinctive characteristic consists of a patch of —
; feathers on the neck, black at the base, isabelline at the edges, and —
white at the tips ; throat whitish ; breast green and purple; bill yellow —
at the tip ; irides yellow; legs dull red. . 4
Hab.—Nepal, Sikhim, and South-Eastern Himalayas generally. jena

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. a ‘
A specimen obtained in 1880 lived for a few months only. =

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IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 229

(103) THE SPOTTED DOVE.
(TURTUR SURATENSIS—(Gmel.))

Hindi—Chitla. Bengali—Ghugu.
Numbers of this extremely common dove live within the garden

in a semi-domesticated state.
Hab.—Found all over India, up to about 7,000 feet in the Hima-

layas ; also common in Ceylon. |

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

No record of individual specimens has been kept; it is known
to bear captivity extremely well; some of those caged in 1878 are still
alive.

(104) THE RED TURTLE DOVE.
(TURTUR HUMILIS—(Temm.) )

(105) THE COMMON RING DOVE.

(TURTUR RISORIUS—(Linz.) )

Both the red turtle and the common ring doves look very much
alike at first sight. They differ, however, in general colour (which is
vinous or brick-red in the former, and uniform light grey-brown in the
latter), the extent of the collar, the comparative lengths of the tail and
some other particulars; the sexes in the red turtle dove also differ.

Hab,—Both the species are found throughout India and Ceylon.
None of them are common in Bengal. The red turtle-dove extends
through Assam and Burmah to the Philippine Islands. |

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Like the common spotted dove, these also bear captivity well.

' (106) THE MALAY SPOTTED DOVE.

(TURTUR TIGRINUS—(Zemm.) )

Description.—Total length about 12 inches; general colour of the
plumage above brown; feathers blackish along the shaft and tipped
lighter brown ; forehead and cheeks grey; a dark spot in front of the
eye; crown, nape and lower plumage vinaceous; hind neck and sides
of the neck black, each feather with two white spots at the tip; bill
bluish-black ; irides reddish ; legs deep red.

A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT

Hab. —Burmese countries generally, Cochin China, the
peninsula, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and even the distant isle
_ Celebes and Amboyna. :

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
No record.

: (107) THE CHINESE TURTLE DOVE. PA
(TURTUR CHINENSIS—(Scop.) ) .

| Description.—Slightly larger than the former, and differing from

ee it in having no dark shaft streaks on the upper plumage. ‘This species

appears to vary somewhat, some being much paler than others. .
Hab,—China.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

As hardy as the other turtle doves mentioned above.

(108) THE RUFOUS TURTLE DOVE.

(TURTUR MEENA—(Syzes.) )

Bengali— Sham ghugu. |

; Description.—The prevailing colour of the bird is vinaceous brown, 7

: the forehead and crown being washed with ashy; the chin and throat

whitish ; a black patch on eitber side of the neck, each feather being
tipped with grey; the vinaceous brown colour is deepest on the breast,
becoming much paler lower down and almost albescent on the abdomen ;

primaries edged with whitish; total length about 12 inches. Those

from Burmah appear to be somewhat larger than the Northern Indian

and the Himalayan specimens. | fe.

Hab.—Burmah, the hill tracts of EKastern Bengal, the foot of the

Himalayas, Central India and Bombay. ,

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

About eight years.

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(109) THE BAR-TAILED CUCKOO DOVE.

(MACROPYGIA LEPTOGRAMMICA—(Temm)) =

Description.—The upper plumage dusky black, barred with rufous; _
breast vinous browu or ashy with a vinous tinge; each feather barred —
with subdued metallic green; forehead and chin buff; crown of
head, nape, and sides of the head vinaceous, with a gloss of m
ereen ; the central tail feathers black, barred with rufous, the next
pairs barred with indistinct black and rufous at the end; |

ms —

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 231

outer pairs ashy, with a black subterminal band; vent and undertail-
eoverts buff. In the female the bars are more developed and the colours
less conspicuous; the breast and abdomen barred with brown; total
length about 15 inches ; the legs brownish red; bill horny-brown.

Hab.—South-East Himalayas, extending through Nepal and Bhu-
tan to the Khasia hills; Burmah and through Malay peninsula to Java.

The single specimen obtained for the garden did not survive more
than a month, » |

(110) THE CRESTED PIGEON.

(OCYPHAPS LOPHOTES—(Temm.) )

Description.— Slightly larger than the common spotted dove
(No. 103); head, face, throat, breast and abdomen delicate ashy grey;
the occipital crest, which is long, pointed and directed backward, black,
the length of the plumes diminishing towards the back; back of the
neck, back and sides brown, washed with olive; wings variegated; tail —
feathers tipped with white. |

Hab.—Australia. It affects marshy tracts in preference to others.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

es pair have been living since 1880.

(111) THE EMERALD DOVE.

(CHALCOPHAPS INDICA—(Liunzn.) ) i
Bengali— Ram ghugu.
It is popularly known as the bronze-winged green dove, and in the ~
Calcutta bird market it is not unfrequently called the coral-beaked dove.
Hab.—All over India, Ceylon, the Andamans, Burmah, Southern

China, Cochin China, Siam, the Malayan peninsula, and almost all the
islands of the Malay Archipelago.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

_ Like most other animals, the mortality is great amongst the new
arrivals, but those that once become reconciled to confinement live long

and well. Among the large number now exhibited h
living since 1880 or 1881. » Some have been

(112) THE BRONZE-WINGED PIGEON.
(PHAPS CHALCOPTERA—(Zath.) )

Description.—F orehead dirty buff; a curvilinear line under the eye
and the chin yellowish white; crown of the head and occiput dark
brown ; sides of the neck grey; back of the head and all the upper
surface brown; wings brown with paler edges; a patch of coppery

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bronze on each wing covert; the central tail feathers brown, otl
grey, with a band of black near the tip; breast very delicate hi.
chocolate.
Hab.— Australia.
LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A pair have been living since 1883.

(1183) THE WONGA WONGA PIGEON.

(LEUCOSARCIA PICTA—(Zazth.) )
Description.—Total length about 16 inches; head and chin white;

the nape, back, ramp, wings and tail, in fact the whole upper surface,
slaty grey; primaries brown; breast greyish black with a broad white
band across; the abdomen and flanks white, each feather of the latter
marked with a triangular black spot; irides dark brown, surrounded by

a narrow pink red line.

Hab.—New South Wales. ,
Specimens living since December 1887.

(114) THE BLOOD-BREASTED PIGEON.

(PHLOG ANAS CRUENTATA—(Latf.) )

Description.—Total length about 13 inches; the whole upper part
slaty grey with delicate purple reflexions; throat and breast white ;
the rest of the under surface of a cinnamon colour; the most charac:
teristic feature of the bird is a blood-red patch at the centre of the
breast.

Hab.—The Philippine Islands.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Though very delicate, they seem to do remarkably well after they
have once recovered from the effects of a long voyage. One of the
birds now living has been in the garden since 1880,

(115) THE PEACEFUL DOVE.
GEOPELIA TRANQUILLA—Gouwld.)

Description.—Total length about 9 inches; the prevailing colour
of the bird ashy grey; occiput, back and wings ashy brown; abdomen —
and flanks vinous; chest, sides and back of the neck crossed by

numerous very narrow bands of black; the outer tail feathers tipped
with white ; irides ashy grey. |

| Hab.—Australia ; interior of the country northward from New
South Wales. e

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
Living since 1884.

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IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 233

°(116) THE HACKLED GROUND PIGEON.

(CALZNAS NICOBARICA—(Linz.) )

Description—Head and neck slaty grey or greyish black ; the tail
and the tail-coverts white; the rest of the plumage, with minor excep-
tions, green with metallic reflexions; the distinguishing characteristic
of this species is its thick bunch of hackles, which from the base of the
occiput and the back of the neck flow down on to the body ; those from
the occiput are more or less hairlike; total length about 153 to 16
inches.

Hab.—Nicobar Islands principally, but aiso found in the Andaman
group. Some authorities say that it is found in Mergui and the
Malay peninsula, but others deny this.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The longest period during which one has as yet lived in the
garden has been over nine years. |

(117) THE COMMON CROWNED PIGEON.

(GOURA CORONATA—(Linz.) )

Description.—Of large size and massive and rounded form ; pre-
vailing colour of the plumage pale blue ; wing-coverts maroon-lilac
with coppery-bronze reflexions, with a white band across ; a band of the
same-colour and reflexions stretches across the back also; tail tipped
with bluish white ; the most characteristic feature of the species is its
large, prominent and beautiful crest, which, commencing from the
middle of the forehead, is continued down in a line to the middle of
the occiput ; it consists of about fourteen plumes, and viewed from the
_ sides looks like the upstretched train of a peacock without the ocelli;
irides crimson ; the scutillee of the starsus very prominent.

Hab.—New Guinea.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

They appear to bear captivity extremely well, as most of those
now exhibited have been living since 1879.

(118) THE VICTORIA CROWNED PIGEON.

(GOURA VICTORLA—F/raser.)

Deseription—In size, form, bulk and general colour the same as
the preceding species. It differs from the latter in the following
respects—breast lilac-brown with coppery reflexions; band on the

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wing-coverts faint blue instead of white ; no maroon-coloured band on
the back; crest adorned with white eyelets. — ar
Hab.— New Guinea and adjacent islands.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens living since 1880.

(119) THE IMPERIAL GREEN PIGEON.
(CARPOPHAGA AINEA—(Linz,) ) ee

Description.— Head, neck, chest and rest of the under plumage
grey ; base of the bill and chin white or whitish ; back and rest of the
— upper plumage glossy green with coppery reflexions; primaries and
d secondaries greenish brown; iris red; bill grey; total length about
17 inches. 3 an

Hab.—Excepting the north-west, it is found in most other parts __
of India, extending through Burmah, the Indo-Burmese countries, _
and the Malay peninsula to Sumatra, Java, Borneo and the Philip-
pines. In Bengal they are said to occur about Midnapore, but there
is no authentic record of this. ? |

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

About three years. a
(120) - THE PIED IMPERIAL PIGEON. --

(CARPOPHAGA BICOLOR—(Scop.) )

Description.—Total length about 154 to 16 inches; general colour
of the plumage white ; primaries, secondaries and the terminal portion _
of the tail black ; irides dark brown; legs and feet pale smalt blue. In
fully adult and healthy specimens the nape and upper back is washed
with delicate and faint lilac buff. ;

Hab.—Very widely distributed, being found in the Andamans,
the Nicobars, the Malay peninsula, and all the islands of the Archipe-
lago. |

LENGTH OF LIFR IN CAPTIVITY.

Either owing to unsuitable habitation or some other cause, this
species has not hitherto thriven well, so that no specimen has yet lived
longer than three years. A few have been living for the last three years —
and six months, and as they look bright and happy, and apparently in _
first-rate health, and as, moreover, the habitation is a good one, it —
may be expected that they will live longer. =

(121) THE BRONZED IMPERIAL PIGEON.
(CARPOPHAGA PERSPICILLATA—Temm.) i

Description.—Forehead, crown, and sides of the head very d
vinous ashy ; chin white ; nape, sides of the neck and upper breast ash:

eee

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 235

lower breast and abdomen almost the same colour as the crown and
the forehead; back and wings greenish, feathers being margined
brown with bronze reflexions; quills ashy black; tail also ashy black ;
under tail coverts cinereous brown; bill plumbeous white; iris brown ;
legs red; total length about 17 inches. The colour of the bill, tail
feathers, and the amount of green with bronze reflexions, vary much
in different individuals.
Hab.—Java, Borneo and Sumatra.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
Over three years.

(122) THE SUPERB FRUIT PIGEON.

(PTILOPUS SUPERBUS—TZemm.)

Description.— Total length about 9 inches; head purple, chin and
throat delicate ashy white ; nape and sides of the neck orange, washed
with rufous; breast ashy-grey with light purple tinge; 4 band of bluish-
black stretches across the lower breast ; abdomen white; upper parts,
flanks, and thighs green; the flanks above the thighs crossed by a
white band; shoulders and parts adjacent to it purple; primaries
brownish-black; secondaries green edged with yellow; the outer tail
feathers with a broad white band at the tip; bill olive green, with
yellow tip; irides yellow; feet pink. The female is uniformly green
above ; throat, greyish-white; breast, greyish green.

Hab.—Australia, Ternate, Amboyna.

Other fruit-pigeons ascribed to this genus, but of which the specific
identity has remained undetermined owing to their having arrived
young cr out of condition, have now and then been exhibited; none of
them, however, have ever done well.

| (123) THE THICK-BILLED GREEN PIGEON,
_(TRERON NEPALENSIS — (Hodgs.) )

Description.—Forehead and crown ashy; the prevailing colour of
the rest of the plumage green of different shades and intensity ; back,
scapulars, and the greater part of the lesser wing coverts maroon:
median wing coverts broadly edged with yellow, the outermost ones
being tinged with blackish ; greater coverts blackish, edged with yellow;
primaries and their coverts black; the primary coverts narrowly edged
with whitish; secondaries black, edged with yellow on the outer web
the outer tail feathers ashy, with a bar of black across. In the female
there is no maroon on the back and scapulars; bill red at the base
yellow on culmen, rest green; legs bright red; iris blue. Total length
about 94 to 10 inches.

Hab.—South-East Himalayas; the Indo-Burmese country ; the
Malay peninsula; Sumatra.

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LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. | ;

There is no record of individual specimens, but the species has not
yet done well in this garden. | ue s

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(124) THE BENGAL GREEN PIGEON. .
(CROCOPUS PHGENICOPTERUS—(Latz.) )

(125) THE SOUTHERN GREEN PIGEON.
(CROCOPUS CHLORIGASTER—(Biyth.) )
Hindi and Bengali—Harial.

The harials are well-known birds in Lower Bengal. A Bengal
green pigeon from Upper India differs from a southern green pigeon 4
much more than one from Lower or Western Bengal. The harials from
Lower Bengal are very deficient in the yellow tinge, which is generally
well marked in Upper Indian specimens.

Hab.—The Bengal green pigeon is found all over Bengal and
Upper India, extending eastward to Assam, Sylhet, Tipperah, &c., and
as far south as the Nerbudda river. The southern green pigeon is
found throughout the greater part of the peninsula of India, and
Ceylon; not uncommon about Midnapore in Lower Bengal.

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LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Neither of the above species of green pigeons appears to bear
captivity well. A few specimens have now and then been found to do
well, but as a rule they do not live long in confinement.

(126) THE ORANGE-BREASTED GREEN PIGEON.
(OSMOTRERON BICINCTA=(Jerdon.) )

Resembles a harial very closely, but smaller; legs red; has an
orange buff patch on the breast.

Hab.—The greater part of peninsular India, Ceylon, Assam,
Burmah, &c. It does not appear to be common in Lower Bengal.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

No record of individual specimens has been kept.

(127) THE KOKLA GREEN PIGEON.

(SPHENOCERCUS SPHENURUS—(Tig.))
Hindi—Zokla.

Description.—In general appearance it resembles a harial, but q
differs from it in having a ruddy tinge on the head and breast, and the a
scapulars and mantle maroon, and legs red. _The female and young: 4

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. EY S

birds have no ruddy tinge on the breast, but they can be readily
distinguished from the green pigeons by the colour of the legs.

Hab.—Found throughout the Himalayas, from 4,000 to 8,000
feet, extending to the hill ranges of Assam and Sylhet. ‘They descend
to the plains in winter, returning to the hills in summer.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Though denizens of a cold climate, they bear captivity in the
plains of Bengal much better than the Bengal green pigeons (No. 124),
which live in a wild state in the neighbourhood of the garden.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing. —A. columbarium or pigeonry with separate divisions for
the accommodation of different groups of pigeons is no doubt the most
desirable arrangement, and, when such a luxury is possible, a house
of the following style (though by no means perfect) will be found
to answer all practical purposes in this climate. A covered shed some
50 feet long, and about 12 feet broad, raised 3 feet above the level of
the ground, should be divided into three or four compartments accord-
ing to requirements. The back and sides of the shed should be solid
brick wall, some 12 feet high from the ground, the front may be
built of planks or stout wire-netting, with intervening pillars on which
the sloping roof should rest; corresponding to each division of the
_ covered shed, there should be open air flights enclosed all round with
one-inch mesh wire-netting. Unless, however, the open air enclosure
is built on a brick-on-edge platform, which need not be more than six
inches above the ground level, the rats will be very troublesome. But,
on the other hand, half the value and utility of such a place will
be lost owing to the hard brick floor, which, besides being unsuit-
able for its hardness alone, will be very hot during the mid-day heat
of the summer, and very cold in the winter mornings. As a com-
promise, however, between these two, about three or four inches of
earth should be spread over half of it and doob grass laid, the remaining
half being covered with gravel or sand. During the summer the wire
roof of the outside portion should be covered with a thin thatch of
ooloo grass ; if the front of the covered portion be made of wire-netting,
it should be protected with shutters during the cold winter nights. The
house must, of course, be fitted up with the necessary perches, boxes,
and nesting places, and other requisites of a bird-house. Various other
styles may be adopted, but it is unnecessary to mention them. In
this garden the pigeons are mostly accommodated in large aviaries
by themselves or with other birds, and they generally thrive. The
place for the Crown pigeons should be lofty and spacious, and the floor
well sanded ; being large and beautiful birds, they can never be seen to
advantage unless the cage is proportionately large; if possible, they
should have a retiring box so placed as to be perfectly screened from
visitors. The Wonga Wonga pigeons are also fond of retirement, and
appear to do well when placed by themselves ; they should also have their
retiring box in some sheltered corner and as high as possible. The
blood-breasted pigeons are very delicate, but when they once become

see MA ae

238 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

reconciled to the new mode of life incidental to captivity, th - sis
happily with other birds; here some of them hold their own with

bhimraj and chakur partridges-—by no means perfectly harmless birds. — Be
The fruit pigeons, especially of the genus Ptilopus, are generally very —
delicate birds; they should be well protected_from draughts and cold to

which they are extremely susceptible. A large moveable cage will,
perhaps, better accommodate the requirements of the latter, as it will
admit of being put out in the sun, which they much require, especially
of a cold wintry morning. <A good bath should be provided for all.

Foud.—The following is a list of the principal grains used for

feeding pigeons :—Indian-corn, barley, wheat, moong, peas, hemp-seed,
mustard-seed. All pigeons do not care for barley, though it isa good
and nourishing food; Indian-corn mixed with other grains, such as
wheat, barley and hemp-seed, makes capital food for the larger pigeons ;
the blood-breasted and the Australian crested pigeons appear to be
particularly fond of moong, but they also eat cther grains and fruits.
In captivity most of the pigeons learn to eat bread, biscuits, boiled
rice, &c. ‘The soft-billed pigeons are fond of satoo, which may be
especially prepared for them with plantains ; for the fruit-eating kind the
plantain is no doubt very good, and is always available, but it should
be given sparingly during the rains and winter; some pigeons, such
as the Wonga Wonga, are fond of hard stones of fruits, but in captivity,
where they are not required to make any exertion to procure sustenance,
over-indulgence in such food induces diarrhea; figs and berries are
the most suitable kind of food for the various fruit-eating species,
During the season when the fruits of the peepul (Pceus religiosa)

and bur (Ficus bengalensis) ripen, no opportunity should be lost of

collecting them from the neighbouring trees and giving them to the
birds. Green food, such as cabbage leaves, spinage, &c., should he
frequently supplied. |

Transport.—For the more delicate and shy pigeons the most suit-
able travelling cage is that used for the transport of pheasants (p. 335),
except that no padding is required for the top inside, as pigeons are
not much given to jumping upward like pheasants.

Breeding.—Pigeons vary much in disposition: some are extremely
shy breeders, but others, like the Indian blue-rock pigeon, will breed
anywhere. When two birds show signs of pairing, it is better to
place them together in a separate cage away from the rest; this opera-
tion is, however, often neglected for want of suitable accommodation.
In former years the crown pigeons were sometimes noticed making
attempts at the construction of a nest; they carried up hay, bits of
sticks and other materials to a large box with an open top, fixed against
the wall of the aviary some fifteen feet above the floor, and, from their
assiduous attention to this domestic arrangement it was hoped that
they would breed, but the result was disappointing. They were much
worried by the other birds pulling out the materials with which they
attempted to build their nests. One of the hens of the common crown

pigeon twice laid on the floor, but on each occasion, the egg being — 4
placed in a nest, the pair concerned declined to take any notice of it.

Of late they have given up all attempts at building, and even the

* .

isolation of a pair has failed to induce the hen to lay. The Nicobar

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 239

pigeons have twice bred in the garden; on each occasion the hen laid a
single egg in a loosely constructed nest of hay and cocoanut fibres ;
during the period of incubation both the male and female sat by turns.
The young birds do not get their hackles until the second year, and
their general colour is a dull blackish brown with faint copper-bronze
reflexions. The emerald doves have also bred; the hen of a pair of
these, living in one of the large side cages in an aviary, took to laying
in the seed pan, instead of taking the trouble of building a nest, and
there hatched out and reared its young. |

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

_ Pigeons, like many other birds, suffer from cold, catarrh, diarrhea,
vertigo, rheumatism, &c.; there is no need to add to what has already
been said on these matters. They have also been known to die of other
diseases of which the nature remains yet undetermined. A kind of
epidemic once broke out in an aviary, and although some other birds
also died, it created special havoc among the koklas and green pigeons ;
_ sometimes half a dozen birds were found dead of a morning; they
were mostly strong and well-fed creatures, and careful autopsy failed to
detect anything wrong internally. It was singular, however, that
every one of them seemed to have a tiny bare patch about their necks,
as if the feathers had been forcibly plucked, causing slight congestion
of the skin. In an epidemic of this kind, from whatever cause arising,
itis advisable to reduce the number of birds in the aviary, as over-
crowding is one of the possible causes of such an outbreak, and it also
serves the purpose of isolating the healthy and unaffected birds. All
the old sand, gravel, earth and grass should be removed, and the house ~
thoroughly washed, scraped and, where practicable, gently fumigated ;
old drinking vessels had also better be changed and new substituted.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF PIGEONS.

As a rule pigeons and doves are harmless timid birds, of somewhat
regular and methodical habits; some are extremely shy and retiring,
while others, though not bold and obtrusive, are nevertheless sociable.
Owing to their large size, pleasing colour, and beautiful crest,
crown pigeons form a very important feature of an aviary; they
may be generally seen pacing the cage up and down or round the
tank, wagging their tails, and sometimes uttering at intervals a deep
and a somewhat prolonged booming noise; they have another kind of
note— a hoarse and hissing grunt, which may be heard while they are
fighting ; their manner of fighting is also peculiar; they face each other,
then suddenly jumping upward and forward peck at the head or face
of the adversary. ‘The flight of the crown pigeons is heavy and accom-
panied by a loud whirring noise like that of pheasants ; they have
never been found to take a bath by immersion, but one may sometimes
be noticed sitting under the jet of a playing fountain and enjoying a
bath by exposing first one wing and then the other. The singular
attitude which a crested pigeon assumes in order to display its plumage
while pursuing a female has something ludicrous in it; it suddenly
crouches forward on its breast, raises its expanded tail, and slowly

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

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and majestically follows the object of its pursuit. Some of ¢
pigeons feel the cold, and like nothing better than a snug warm
several of them may be seen of a windy winter morning sitting ;
a row with half their bodies inside the nests. « ae

(128) THE INDIAN CUCKOO.

(CUCULUS MICROPTERUS—Gould,)

Bengali—.Bou-hatha-kau.

Well known in Bengal. - :
Hab.—Common in Bengal and Northern India, the Himalayas,
and Central India; it extends through Assam and Burmah to the
Malay countries. an

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

About nine months. kaa
With respect to housing and feeding it may be treated like the
the next species. |

s

(129) THE COMMON HAWK CUCKOO.
(HIEROCOCCYX VARIUS—(Vail.) )
Hindi and Bengali— Pépia.
The papia is a very well-known bird in Lower Bengal,

Hab.—Found throughout the whole of India, and according to
some authorities also in Burmah and Malayana.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

This species has also been very short-lived in the garden, owing
chiefly to the fact that generally adult specimens are received as
presentations, and they seldom become reconciled to captivity.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing. —When captured young it does well as a cage-bird ; it
ought never to be placed in a large aviary with other birds; in the
first place, because it is extremely shy and does not like to live in the
open, and in the second, the smaller birds are very apt to worry it,
mistaking it for a shikra, which it somewhat resembles. a

Food.—Satoo, fruits, insects: for young birds satoo should be
made into asoft pulp. ' ier

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Adult birds pine away and die; the younger birds suffer f
cold and rheumatism, the result generally of careless feeding
exposure. i

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. - 241

Hasitrs oF THE Common Hawk Cuckoo.

The common hawk cuckoo is a great favourite with the bird-
fanciers of Bengal, chiefly for its sonorous musical notes. A few
of these birds live in a wild state within the garden, but they are
- seldom seen in the open, so that unless they may be calling (and they
only call during the breeding season) it is difficult to detect their
presence; they are wary and suspicious, and look very like a shikra
when darting down to secure some insect as food.

(180) THE RED-WINGED CRESTED CUCKOO.

(COCCYSTES COROMANDUS—(Zizn.) )

Description.— Black above with a slight gloss of green; a white
band across the nape; wings deep rusty colour; under parts white;
bill black ; legs plumbeous ; total length about 143 inches.

Hab.—India, Ceylon, Burmah, and Malayana; nowhere abundant,
and rarely met with in Lower Bengal. A specimen was captured in the
neighbourhood of the garden, but it did not survive long.

(131) THE INDIAN COEL.

(EUDYNAMIS HONORATA—(Linn.) )

Hindi—Jfoe/. Bengali—okii.

Hab.—India, Ceylon, Burmah, extending through the Malayan
peninsula to the Philippines. A few specimens may be found living
in the garden in a wild state throughout the year.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The longest period during which a coel has lived in the garden
has been fourteen years, i.¢., from 1876 to 1889, .

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—Coels do as well in a large aviary as in a small cage;
they are frequently caged in Bengal for their melodious notes.

Food.—Satoo, fruits and insects; they are particularly fond of
the fruits of the banian, pipul and baku? (Mimusops elengi), and also
telakucha (Momordica monadelpha), a kind of common creeper which
grows wild during the rains. They sometimes overfeed themselves,
and then disgorge the seeds of the fruits they have eaten.

Breeding.—Coels do not breed in captivity; butin a wild state
they breed almost every season within the garden or in its immediate
neighbourhood. It is well known that the females deposit their eggs
‘in the nest of common crows.

Nothing is known about their maladies.

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OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF A CoEL.

It is shy and unobtrusive, but nevertheless more sociable tha
the common hawk cuckoo; it is arboreal in habits, never being seen
on the ground except for a moment when it descends to carry aw
its food It calls beautifully even in captivity, and during the breeding ~~
season it may be heard to call at night also, especially if there is
a moon. | | ie

(132) THE INDIAN COUCAL.

(CEN TROCOCCYX RU FIPENNIS—(I/i.) )

Hindi—Mahoka. Bengali—Kuka, from the noise it makes.

Description.—Head, neck, lower part of the back, upper tail-
coverts, and all the underparts purplish black; upper part of the back —
and wings deep rufous; tail green-glossed; bill black ; iris crimson; legs —
black; total length about 19 inches. They vary somewhat according
to age, sex and even locality. |

Hab.—Found all over India, Burmah, and Malayana.

La et er Ler se
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LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

About seven years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH. i

Housing.—May be kept with a magpie and crow, but certainly
not with smaller birds. a

Food.—Satoo prepared with minced meat, eggs, small lizards,
frogs, land snails, and even small birds.

OBSERVATIONS: ON ITS HABITS.

It spends much of its time on the ground searching for insects
and spiders. The specimen that lived in the garden often killed rats _
and mice, It has a deep monotonous and somewhat doleful note, which
it utters repeated]y for several minutes. a

(183) THE LESSER INDIAN COUCAL.

(CENTROPUS VIRIDIS—(Scop.) )

Description. Head, nape, upper tail-coverts, breast and abdo
greenish-black ; wings and back rufous; tail greenish-black ;
length about 15 inches, This species also varies much according ta
and age. | ! che
Hab.—F ound throughout the greater part of India; more common
in some places than in others. e7 1 a

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A specimen lived for about six months only. As it is a well-known
bird, no great trouble has ever been taken to exhibit it.

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 243

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

(1384) THE LITTLE INDIAN KINGFISHER.

(ALCEDO BENGALENSIS—Gimel,)
Bengali— Chota Machch-ranga.
Hab.—India, Ceylon, Burmah, Malayana, &. It has an exten-
sive distribution, being found in Eastern Africa, Siberia, Japan and

the islands of the Malay Archipelago; often found in a wild state
within the garden.

(185) THE INDIAN STORK-BILLED KINGFISHER.

(PELARGOPSIS GURIAL—(Pears.) )

Bengali— Gurial.

Hab.— Found almost all over India, Ceylon, and even Malayana;
common in Bengal.

(136) THE WHITE-BREASTED KINGFISHER.

(HALCYON SMYRNENSIS—(LZinz.) )
Hindi—Kilkila. Beogali—Machch-ranga.
Hab.—Common throughout the greater part of India, up to the

base of the Himalayas, Ceylon, Burmah, and through the Indo-
Burmese countries to China.

(187) THE LAUGHING KINGFISHER.

(DACELO GIGANTEA—(Zath.) )
Hab.— Australia.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen of the Indian stork-billed kingfisher has been living
for the last three years. A laughing kingfisher lived for about seven
months.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—The best possible way of keeping kingfishers is to
give them accommodation similar to that assigned for ducks and other
smaller aquatic birds (p. 306). The next best is to keep them with the

Q 2

: p ’ 2 r 1 Pg ee edly... '
244° A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS
aquatic birds themselves, but the disadvantage is that, unless sufficie
tame, they live in perpetual fear of their aquatic companions ant
lect feeding. When taken young, which is the only chance of takir
most birds, and fed in the same place with the ducks, but in a separate
cage, kingfishers soon become accustomed to their presence. A stork-
billed kingfisher has been living in a large aviary during the last
year, but it was already tame when placed here. | i,

Food.—Small fish, prawns, reptiles, frogs, &c. In captivity they —
will eat minced meat, but it is better not to give it every day. Small
live fish may be placed in a gamia (earthen jar) full of water. fi

Breeding.— Kingfishers breed in a wild state within the garden.
A pair of the white-breasted kingfishers have been found during the »
last four or five years to build regularly in the rhinoceros’ enclosure
in a steep bank of the tank, some two feet above the surface of the —
water.

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OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF KINGFISHERS.

In captivity they are uninteresting birds, sitting motionless on a ;
perch, and watching, not their prey, but the busy gambols of the other
inmates of the house. The only time that one is observed to become

- lively is when the food is forthcoming ; the stork-billed kingfisher now
living in the garden may be observed to open its mandibles while look-
ing on other birds feeding. 4

(138) THE INDIAN ROLLER.
(CORACIAS INDICA—(Linzn.) ) “a

Hindi and Bengali—WNitkanta.

A. well-known bird in Lower Bengal.
Hab.—Found all over India up to the base of the Himalayas, and
also in Ceylon.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens have been living since December 1887. This, however,

_ does not represent their period of captivity, as they were living in the

menagerie of the late King of Oudh before their inclusion in this
collection. |

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—Appears to do well in a large aviary ; adult birds do not. q
thrive at all, and as they are commonly brought in should be rejected.
Food.—Satoo, minced meat, insects and worms; it kills centipedes _

i _ and small lizards whenever an opportunity presents itself. nee
a oa mehing is known with regard to its breeding or ailments in
captivity. | ie 4

3
“

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 245

OBSERVATIONS ON ITS HABITS.

Once reconciled to captivity, it shows neither timidity nor shyness,
and keeps to the open parts of the aviary ; except for a moment or two,
when it descends to carry away its food it is never on the ground;
while sitting on a high perch, it occasionally takes short flights in the
air and again perches on the same spot; this is probably instinctive ;
one may sometimes be seen sunning itself after a bath spreading its

-wings; it has a harsh grating call, but is not a noisy bird.

(139) THE BURMESE ROLLER.
(CORACIAS AFFINIS—McClell.)

Hab.—¥Except in the extreme south of Tenasserim, it is found

throughout Burmah; it is also found in Siam and Cochin-China, and

extends through the Indo-Burmese countries to Assam and as far west
as Calcutta..
A specimen lived for about a month only.

(140) THE RHINOCEROS HORNBILL.
(BUCEROS RHINOCEROS—Linz.)

__ Description.— Head, neck, back, wings, breast, uniform bluish-
black; thighs, lower part of the abdomen, upper and under tail-coverts,
rump, pure white; tail pure white with black band across its lower
third (the width of the black band varies much in different specimens);
the most conspicuous point of this species is its large upturned. casque,
which is generally red, but slightly yellowish anteriorly; the bill is of
a light-yellow colour, having a triangular space of red at the base of
the maxilia, and of black on the mandible ; iris yellowish ; eyelid red ;
total length about 86 inches. Sexes slightly differ; the back part of
the casque in the female is reddish instead of black, and the eyelids
are white, ae

Hab.—Malayan peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

About four years.

(141) THE JAVAN RHINOCEROS HORNBILL.
(BUCEROS SILVESTRIS—Vieil/.)

Description.—In general appearance it resembles the preceding
species, but differs from it in having a casque which is straight and not
upturned; the base of both the maxilla and the mandible black, edged
with red; the colour of the bill pale yellow, but it varies somewhat in
different specimens.

Hab.—Java.

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
A specimen has been living for the last five years.
(142) THE GREAT PIED HORNBILL, OR THE HOMRAT,

(DICHOCEROS BICORNIS—(Linz.) )

Description.— Head, at the base of the casque and the bill, black;
occiput, neck, thighs, upper and under tail-coverts white; wings black ;
the tips of the greater coverts, primaries and secondaries, white; a
patch at the middle of the primaries white; tail white with a black —
band across; bill curved and pointed and of a light yellow colour; the
base of both maxilla and mandible black; casque broad and flat,
forming a notch at its junction with the bill, and extending posteriorly -
over the head for about half an inch; the greater part of the casque is
of the same colour as the bill; its posterior termination is black, edged
with red; anteriorly it is also black, which reaching to the bill continues
along the culmen to the point; the total length of an adult specimen is
over 3 feet. . :

Hab.—In India it inhabits the lower ranges of the Himalayas,
southern slopes of the Nilgiris, and the forests of the Malabar Coast ;
it is also found in Assam, Burmah, the Malayan peninsula and
Sumatra. With very few exceptions the specimens hitherto exhibited
in the garden came either from the Malayan peninsula or Sumatra.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

No specimen has yet lived for more than five years and afew ~
months.

(143) TEMMINCK’S PIED HORNBILL.

(ANTHRACOCEROS CONVEXUS—(Temm.) )

Description.—The whole under part, including the thighs, white; ~
the ends of the primaries and secondaries, and all the lateral tail
feathers also white; the rest of the plumage black, with faint purplish
reflexions; a narrow circle round the eyes white; an irregular
square patch of white at the cheeks; bill curved and yellowish white;
the casque is also of the same colour, except its two ends, which are
black, there being more black anteriorly than in its posterior ter-
minus; it ends rather abruptly on the bill at about two-thirds of its
length ; total length about 28 inches ; iris red ; feet plumbeous.

Hab.—Malacca, Java, Sumatra, Borneo. Specimens undoubtedly
referrible to this species, and exhibited here, were said to have been
obtained from the Himalayas. ‘This, however, requires confirmation.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
Some have been living for over two years.

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. © 247

(144) THE SMALL PIED HORNBILL.

(ANTHRACOCEROS ALBIROSTRIS—(Shaw.) )

Description —Head, neck, the whole upper part, including the
wings and tail, with the exception of the tips of the latter, black
with a bluish gloss; the under parts, with the tips of the secondaries
and primaries, and the ends of the tail, white; bill curved, and of
a yellowish white colour, with a black patch at the base of the mandible ;
casque, which is narrow and sharp in front, and rounded and blunt
behind, is of the same colour as the biil; broad irregular patch of
black af its anterior end extending on to the bill; abare reddish
patch just behind the base of the mandible; also a very narrow
patch of the same colour behind the eyes; total length about 30
inches; levs leaden blue.

In the female the casque does not extend so far forward on the
maxilla as in the male, and also gently slants down instead of ending
in a sharp angle. | 7

Hab.—India, Burmah, the Malayan peninsula and Borneo. In
India it has been recorded from Midnapore, Rajmahal, Monghyr,
Nepal, Assam, Sylhet and Tipperah.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
About six years.

(145) THE WHITE-BILLED HORNBILL.

(ANTHRACOCEROS MALAYANUS—(Raffles.) )
Description.—It is a jet black bird, with the exception of the

‘tips of the lateral tail feathers, which are white; bare space round

q

the eye blue; colour of the bill and casque bluish black; the base of
the casque projects backward over the forehead, while its anterior
portion forming an acute angle with maxilla slants upwards and forwards
to a point; total length about 30 inches; legs leaden blue.

Hab. —Malayan peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Nearly three years.

(146) THE GREY HORNBILUL.

(OCYCEROS BIROSTRIS—(Shaw.) )

Bengali— Dhanes.
Description.—The prevailing colour of the plumage grey, deeper
about the head and lighter about the abdomen and back ; primaries and
secondaries brownish-black tipped with white; tail tipped white, and

a

248 = A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

conspicuous lining of dark blue on its lower part; total length about —

above that a black bar; bill much curved, its anterior part yellowish- .
white, rest greyish-black ; casque is low and compressed, anteriorly it
forms an acute angle with the culmen, then slants forward and upward
to a very sharp point; total length about 20 inches, iris red-brown ; Wee
feet plumbeous. vo

Hab.—¥ound in the drier parts of India, but doesnot extend eastof —_
‘Western Bengal. Specimens are now and then brought to the Calcutta
market from Midnapore, Hazaribagh, and Monghyr.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. ie Fe

No record has been kept of the actual period during which any of
them lived in the garden. |

(147) THE RUFOUS-NECKED HORNBILL.

(ACEROS NEPALENSIS—(Hodqs.) ) < )

Description.—Head, which is slightly crested behind, neck, and |
lower parts generally, black with a green gloss; most of the primaries
broadly tipped with white; the terminal half of the tail white, the rest
black ; bill yellow; no casque; the base of the culmen slightly raised ;
the sides of the upper bill ridged at the base; the grooves of the ridges
chestnut brown; the naked skin around the eye and at the base of the
bill, light blue; the naked sac of the neck, red, lined with blue; total
length about 3 feet. The sexes differ; the female being entirely dingy-
black glossed with green; the tips of the primaries and the ends of
the tail feathers of the same colour asin the male. A pair of young
birds were recently on exhibition in the garden; neither of them had
any blue lining to the red sac of the neck. |

Hab.—South-HKast Himalayas; the hill ranges of Assam and |
Manipur ; Tenasserim,

ee a

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Slightly over six years.

(148) THE WREATHED HORNBILL.

(RHYTIDOCEROS UNDULATUS=(Shaw.) )

Description.—Top of head, crown, and occiput dark brown ; sides
of the head yellowish white (colour varies somewhat in different speci-
mens); lower neck and breast white; the rest of the plumage black,
with greenish reflexions; tail white; bill buffy-white; the base of the
culmen roughened with the presence of several transverse scaly grooves,
base of maxilla and mandible grooved, and of a brown colourin the
former, and reddish-brown in the latter; bare skin around the eye —
pinkish, that of the throat, forming a miniature sac, yellow, with a

28 inches; in the female the naked skin of the throat blue.

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 249

_ Hab.-—Found in the hill ranges of Sylhet, Cachar, and extends
through the Malayan peninsula to Sumatra and Java.

| LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
About six years.

(149) THE WRINKLED-BILL HORNBILL.

(CRANORRHINUS CORRUGATUS—(Zemm.) )

Description.—Sides of the head, neck, and upper breast white;
the rest of the plumage black; the terminal portion of the tail deep
rufous ; bill yellow with a blunt pyramidal red casque; base of the
neck red, with irregular blue markings; the bare skin around the eye
blue ; the female has no red casque, but the culmen is somewhat raised
at its basal half; throat blue. :

Hab.—Malacca, Sumatra, and Borneo.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen lived for about a month and a half only.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—However advantagecus it may be in many ways, the
hornbills cannot, unfortunately, be kept in a large aviary where num-
bers of other birds of different sizeslive. They are not only tyrannical
but to a certain extent predatory in habits, so that small birds cannot
but fare badly with them; neither is it altogether safeto keep a num-
ber of them, of the same or different species, together, as they are given
to fighting among themselves ; but if a keeper 1s intelligent and watch-
ful, and all the birds are healthy, there is no very great diffi-
culty in managing them; the slightest aggressive tendency on the
part of any may be immediately checked, or a weak or timid specimen
removed. Young, and even newly-acquired old birds, remain very
helpless for some time, and they should on no account be placed
on arrival, with the older specimens. For these young or otherwise
helpless birds,-which are incapable of flight, blocks of wood or stone
or low perches or ladders should be provided, and a thick bedding of
hay spread over the floor of the cage. A lofty and spacious cage
where they can sail about merrily, and one which is neither very cold
during the winter nor very warm during the summer, is the most
desirable accommodation for hornbills; branches of tamarind or sissoo
or in their absence stout garan poles, make capital perches for them ;
one or two hollow logs of wood, which they may at least make use of
as retiring nests should, if possible, be provided. During the summer
hornbills have been found to appreciate a shower bath administered —
by a garden syringe.

_ Food.—In captivity they thrive on a mixed diet consisting of
boiled rice, minced meat and fruits; small birds and insects are

| A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMAIS
an ad . %

occasionally given as a change to sharpen their appetite. Their
manner of taking food is characteristic, and unless therefore the
boiled rice is made into pellets or balls they cannot take it; the minced _
meat may also be mixed up with the boiled rice when making the
pellets; all sorts of berries and figs whenever available should be given c
them, but when these are not to be had, plantains cut up into bits _
should be substituted. Hornbills are voracious feeders, and are there- _
fore expensive birds to keep. Young birds should be fed several times
a day, and it may be necessary to feed them by hand. a

Breeding.—Hornbills have never bred in captivity here. It may—
not be uninteresting to mention in this connection the singular habit
of the male “of enclosing the female in the hollow of some tree, firmly -
fastening her in by a wall of mud, and keeping her a closed prisoner
until the eggs are hatched.” |

Transport.—A hornbill is easy to transport, as it is not an excitable
creature. Its travelling cage ought to be somewhat higher than the
size of the bird may require, as it is accustomed to jerk up its bill when
feeding.

q

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Severe cold, inflammation of the lungs, rheumatism, intestinal
worms, diarrhea and other undetermined forms of diseases have been
met with amongst these birds. Young birds have sometimes suffered
from rheumatism during the winter, but recovered with the setting in
of the warm weather; co/d and diarrhea have often been found to
follow each other, and as often yield to careful dieting and nursing;
the first requisite, of course, being the removal of the patient to a snug
handy cage, where it can be handled without causing much annoyance
to it. One drachm of rum and ten drops of syrup of lactate of iron are
generally effective when there is diarrhwa and cold. It there be any
difficulty of breathing, five to eight grains of chlorate of potash in Walley

a

may be given with good result.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF HORNBILLS.

Although generally shy in their wild state, hornbills become very
fame in captivity, so that it is not unusual to observe them coming
to the side of the cage ready to respond to friendly greetings. This
trait of character is especially noticeable in certain species, such as the
small pied hornbill. Rhinoceros hornbills have also been known to get
wonderfully tame within a few days after their arrival. The flight of
the hornbill, especially of the larger species, is laboured and heavy, and
accompanied by much whirring noise. They have a curious habit of hop-
ping about sideways, not only on the perch which may be necessary, but
on the ground also. Young hornbills have a plaintive cackling note
which they keep on uttering almost continually, but more especially
when hungry ; the adult pied hornbill has a somewhat pleasing metallic
sound which it quickly and repeatedly utters several times; the
homrai, though usually a silent bird, sometimes makes a loud and
very deep noise which may be heard from a very long distance. For
further information Elliot’s Monograph of the Buccrotide, or family of
the Hornbill, may be consulted. 2 .

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 251
(150) THE ARIEL TOUCAN.

(RAMPHASTOS ARIEL—VDiz.)

Deseription——Bill, which resembles that of a hornbill without
a casque, black ; throat and breast orange yellow, bounded below by
a bright yellow hand ; below that is a patch of scarlet.

Hab.—Brazil.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
About thirteen months.

(151) THE SULPHUR-BREASTED TOUCAN.
(RAMPHASTOS CARINATUS—Swainson.)

Throat and breast delicate yellow; abdomen scarlet.
Hab.—Mexico.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY,
About the same as the last.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—Toucans are impatient of cold and draughts, and greater
success in keeping them alive might be obtained by having a house
from which cold and draughts could be perfectly excluded at night
during the winter.

Food.—F ruits, crumbs of bread, minced meat, and eggs.

. OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS. .
Very active ; both these species have a metallic ringing note. They
are thoroughly arboreal. :
(152) THE ROSH-CRESTED COCKATOO.
(CACATUA MOLUCCENSIS—(Gimel.) )

Though not a native of this country, the bird is so well known in
Bengal that no description is necessary.
Hab.—The Moluccas.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
Specimens have been living in the garden since 1877.
(153) THE GREATER SULPHUR-CRESTED COCKATOO.

(CACATUA GALERITA—(Zath.) )

Also well known in Bengal.
Hab.— Australia.

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LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens have been living since 1877.

(154) THE LESSER SULPHUR-CRESTED COCKATOO. __

Tile «

({CACATUA SULPHUREA—( Gel.) ) ae

Description.—Smaller than an ordinary sulphur-crested cockatoo;

the prevailing colour of the plumage white, with light yellow shadeon __

the wings and tail; a yellow spot beneath each eye; the crest, which is a
pointed and directed forward, is light yellow; bill and legs black.

ty Hab.—The Moluccas and Celebes. s

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

This species has, unfortunately, been short-lived in this garden,
none of them having survived more than six years.

(155) THE GREATER WHITE-CRESTED COCKATOO.
(CACATUA CRISTATA—(Wagler.) )

Description.-—-Of the same size as. the rose-crested cockatoo, with
the exception of the primaries and the lateral tail feathers, which are
shaded light yellow, the bird is entirely snow white; bill plumbeous
black, legs lead colour, irides black or sometimes brown ; the crest,
though long, is not visible except when the bird is excited. In some
specimens the crest is light orange red colour, and there is no yellow
shade in the primaries and tail feathers.

Hab.—The Moluccas and Ceram.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens have been living since 1880.

(156) THE BLOOD-STAINED COCKATOO.

(CACATUA SANGUINEA—Gould.)

Description.—General colour white; lores and front reddish; the
crest is pyramidal in shape; the circular naked space around the eye __
flesh coloured or white; the crest feathers rosy at the base. Se

Hab.— North Australia.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Did not survive more than a year and six months.

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 253

(157) THE ROSEATE COCKATOO.
(CACATUA ROSEICAPILLA— Vieill.)

Description.—Forehead, crown, and occiput white, tinged with
pink ; nape, sides of the head, breast and the rest of the underparts
rosy red; back and wings delicate ashy grey; ends of the primaries
ashy black ; under surface of the tail feathers also ashy black.

Hab.—Found throughout the greater part of Australia.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens have been living for the past twelve years.

(158) THE CITRON-CRESTED COCKATOO.
(CACATUA CITRINO-CHISTATA—Fraser.)

Description.— Smaller in size than the sulphur-crested cockatoo ;
general colour snow white ; crest pointed and of a citron yellow colour.
Hab.—Timor Laut.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
Over six years. \

(159) LEADBEATER’S COCKATOO.
(CACATUA LEADBEATERI—(Vig.) )

Description.—General colour white ; nape, sides of the neck, neck
and breast rosy red, deeper about the breast; a red band across the
front at the base of the bill ; under surface of the wings also rosy red;
the crest is very conspicuous, being formed of double rows of plumes
joined in front at an obtuse angle; the plumes are red at the base,
above that pinkish yellow, then red again, and the tips white; bill
horny white ; legs flesh colour.

Hab.— Australia.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens have been living in the garden since 1382.

(160) THE BARE-EYED COCKATOO.
(CACATUA GYMNOPIS—Selater.)

The distinctive characteristic of this species is the bare aréa round
the eye; this bare space is much dilated underneath, and of a plume
beous blue colour ; crest pyramidal ; lores and front rosy red.

Hab.—Australia,

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LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen has been living since 1877.

(161) THE LONG-BILLED COCKATOO.

(LICMETIS TENUIROSTRIS—Wagler.)

Description.—General colour white; forehead and face reddish ;
throat and upper breast pinkish red (in younger specimens only —
patches) ; bare skin round the eyes faint blue-black; the upper beak
elongated. In some specimens there is more red than in others. It
has no crest, but the feathers of the head are erectile. |

Hab.—Found in South and South-West Australia, and also more
or less in some other parts. 7

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LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens have been living for the last fourteen years.

(162) THE GREAT BLACK COCKATOO.

(MICROGLOSSA ATERRIMA—(Gmel.) )

Description.—Size large, general colour black, glossed with a light
greenish-grey tinge ; a large bare pinkish patch on the cheek below the
eye; the crest is composed of numerous slender feathers directed back-
ward.

Hab.—New Guinea; also found in the adjacent islands of Hastern
Australia.

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LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen iived for a year only.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.— With the exception, perhaps, of the last-named species,
all the cockatoos described above are more or less hardy birds, and
therefore easy to accommodate ; it is only necessary to be careful about
draughts and sudden change of temperature. The method of keeping
cockatoos chained up to a perch is somewhat antiquated, but it is -
decidedly preferable, being less cruel, to imprisoning them in very
small cages, where they have hardly room to turn; spacious iron
| cages made of 4 inch rods and about three feet square, are admirably
F adapted for exhibiting them in a zoological garden; the perches for

the cage should be made of the hardest possible wood ; a bedding of —
hay should be provided, and small logs of old timber or cocoan it
; shells given to amuse the birds; even where an opportunity exist [.
; cockatcos have not been observed to indulge in a bath, but most

"

them appreciate and enjoy a shower from a garden syringe or a water-
ing can; in fact this is a necessity for them during the sultry hot
days in summer. | Cs

Food.—Paddy, Indian-corn, gram, barley, hemp-seed, chillies, and
vegetables form their principal food in captivity; but besides these a
variety of other things may be given them: the long-billed cockatoo is
extremely fond of sweet potatoes, and enjoys nothing better than digging
up roots and bulbs with its long and pointed bill. Most of them are very
fond of sugarcane; the great black cockatoo manages, with surprising
ease, to extract the kernel of the hardest nuts which a hammer will
break with difficulty; in captivity all of them evince great partiality
for biscuits, which may be given them as a change; soft food, such as
bread and milk or milk and rice, should be avoided as much as possible.
Although some of the cockatoos feed a great deal upon caterpillars and

insects in their wild state, they do better without them in captivity ;
in fact, except under special circumstances, no stimulating food should
be supplied. |

Breeding.— The great white-crested, the long-billed, and the sul-
phur-crested cockatoos have sometimes laid in the garden, but none
of them could be induced to sit, although in every instance the
cage containing the birds was removed to a quiet spot. As far as they
have been observed, cockatoos are not unlikely to breed in this climate
if suitably lodged; a spacious cage or a small aviary in some retired
part of the garden, as much embowered and sheltered by creepers and
shrubs as possible, is all that is necessary ; each pair of birds intended
for breeding should, of course, be kept separate, and some hollow logs

_ of wood provided as nesting accommodation. When the birds show
symptoms of pairing, some stimulating food may be supplied, such as
insects, caterpillars, or even finely minced mutton.

Transport.—The travelling cage for cockatoos ought to be lined
inside with zinc or sheet iron, and the front made of 3” or, still better, +”
iron bars, as otherwise they will soon cut through the wire or the plank;
as many of them can be sent in a cage as the perch will accommodate ;
they are not much given to fighting when a number of the same
species are being carried in this fashion; an exception must of course
be made with respect to the rose-crested and great black cockatoos.

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL, 255

ft TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Fortunately cockatoos have generally maintained excellent health
in this garden, and comparatively few cases of sickness have been
observed. Diarrhea has sometimes been noticed in cockatoos, probably
induced by careless feeding or brought on by exposure to cold ; in such
eases birds recover when the cause is removed. Running from the nose
caused by cold is not unfrequent in cockatoos during the winter ; this
shows that the housing is faulty and that they require more warmth;
but if the bird is really bad from cold and shows a disinclination for food
and drink, chlorate of potash, liquorice and honey should be prescribed.
During the hot weather cockatoos have been known to drop down
suddenly dead from apoplexy ; as the subjects suffered from fat, over-
feeding was probably the cause of these deaths.

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OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF CocCKATOOS.

As the rose-crested and the sulphur-crested cockatoos are constantly

caged in Lower Bengal, their habits are well known; the former becomes __
wonderfully tame in an incredibly short time, and, but for its prone- _
ness to mischief, can be kept loose in a garden without any risk of its _
escaping. ‘lhe experiment was tried some twelve years ago, and was so
far a success that the cockatoo always came back to its sleeping cage
at night, and, though it occasionally played truant, it never showed any
inclination to stray, but greatly enjoyed its freedom and amused itself
in various ways. A cockatoo has been known to attend the meetings
of the Committee of Management of the gardens, perching with becom-~
ing gravity on the back of one of the vacant chairs, and joining in any
bursts of laughter; sometimes it would spend the day in an adjoining
house, and destroy picture frames and tear window curtains, although it
was well treated. ‘The same bird on its expeditions visited the neigh-
bouring Observatory and broke some scientific instruments, so that it
became requisite to confine him to his cage. Cockatoos are, as a rule, .
somewhat demonstrative and have various ways of expressing their :
pleasure : most of them come to the side of the cage to be stroked and
spoken to, and have most winning manners, but their temper cannot be
always and absolutely trusted. Although not altogether untameable,
the Leadbeater’s cockatoo wants those qualities for which a pet is valued ;
it is somewhat shy and suspicious, and takes a very long time to become
reconciled to captivity; teasing makes it wild and spoils its temper
for ever. Some of the cockatoos have a curious habit of hiding under
the thick hay bedding of the cage, and from there calling out softly
as if to create a surprise ; the rose-crested cockatoo, in spite of its many
virtues, has one great drawhack—it screams loudly and sometimes inces-
santly ; the bare-eyed and the great black cockatoos are the least noisy
birds.
For further information about cockatoos, Gould’s Birds of Aus-
tralia, volume V, and Parrots in Captivity by W. T. Greene, may be
consulted.

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(163) THE CRESTED GROUND PARRAKEET.

(CALOPSITTA NOVH-HOLLAND—(Gmel.) )

Description.—General colour of the plumage delicate ashy grey,
somewhat paler about the breast and abdomen; the crest and the face
light yellow; a brownish red patch in the cheek; the crest, which is
pyramidal in shape, varies in thickness and length in different indivi-
duals, and the bird has no power to elevate or depress it at will; the |
extent and the intensity of the yellow about the face vary somewhat —
in different specimens and also according to age, and even, as far as has
been noticed here, according to the season of the year ; the sexes differ,
the female has scarcely any yellow about the face, and the under
surface of its tail is barred and mottled instead of being black like the

_ male: total length about 11 inches. pens

Hab.— Australia. |

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_ IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 257

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen is living since 1880, another since 1882, and others
for over two years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—It does equally well singly or in pairs, in small cages or
in large aviaries; with respect to cold and draughts, the same care
should be bestowed upon it as upon a cockatoo or any other delicate
bird; though fond of nibbling at things, the cutting power of its beak
is limited, so that its cage need not be as strong as that of a cockatoo.

Food.—Smaller grains and seeds constitute their principal food;
in this garden they are chiefly fed upon canary seeds and paddy, with
a constant and liberal supply of vegetables.

Breeding.—They have occasionally laid eggs, but never succeeded
in hatching out young, having unfortunately given up sitting after
a day or two. A box one foot long, 9 inches in breadth and height,
with a saucer-shaped wicker basket fixed inside, makes excellent nesting
accommodation for a pair of these birds.

Nothing is known about their ailments in captivity.

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.

When half a dozen of them are living with other birds in a large
aviary, they flock together, but they are by no means exclusive, as
now and then one may be observed to associate and even make friends
with a different species; the motions of these birds are graceful as
they either fly or walk on the ground; those living in a large aviary
seldom learn to talk: cage birds, however, soon pick up words and
sentences. |

(164) ALEXANDRINE, OR THE ROSE-BAND
PARRAKEBRT.

(PALHORNIS EUPATRIUS—(Linn.) )

Hindi—Rai-Suga. Bengali—Chandana.

This and the following parrakeets (Nos. 165, 166, 169 and 170) are
well known in Lower Bengal, and therefore no description 1s given. It
varies somewhat in size and colour.

Hab —This species is found in Northern India, including the
lower ranges of the Himalayas, the forests of Malabar, Central and
Southern India, Eastern Sunderbuns, and extends through Assam and
Cachar to British Burmah; it is also found in Ceylon and Hastern
China: those found in Ceylon are smaller and lighter-coloured birds
than those from Northern India.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen from Northern India has been living in the garden for
upwards of ten years.
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A larger variety of this bird has now and then been cbtainedl from
the Andaman Islands, but as it does not differ from me present species,
except i in size, it has been included under it. a

(165) THE ROSE-RINGED PARRAKERT.

(PALAORNIS TORQUATUS—(Bodd.) )

Hindi—7iya, Gollar. Bengali—Tota, Tiya.

A perfectly yellow variety of this bird with a faint mark of the
ring is sometimes met with, and those with yellow predominating are
not uncommon ; in the African forms the breast is delicate ashy, and.
the head lavender-blue : the sexes differ in cojour.

Hab.—F ound throughout India from the foot of the Himalayas 49
the extreme south; not so abundant in EKastern Bengal as in other parts ;.
it is also found in British Burmah and Ceylon, and ‘extends as far east
as Cochin-China. Some may always be found living in a wild state
within the garden. During the season when the sun-flower seeds ripen,
small migratory flocks are constantly seen foraging on them.

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LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Although specimens of this extremely common parrot are always
living in the garden, no record has been kept.

(166) THE ROSE-HEADED PARRAKEET. a

(PALZZORNIS CYANOCEPHALUS—(Linz.) )

Hindi—Zwia-tota. Bengali—Vfariadi or Faredi.

In captivity some have been noticed never to assume the cherry-
red cap so characteristic of an adult male. .
Hab.—Found almost all over India, extending through Assam to _
Burmah and Ceylon; in Lower Bengal it is chiefly confined to its_ |
western limits. |

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Unfortunately no record has been kept; they appear to bear a
captivity less kindly than other Indian parrakeets.

(167) THE SLATY-HEADED PARRAKEERT.

(PALZORNIS SCHISTICEPS—Hodg9s.)

Hindi and Bengali—Madna. a

Description —Head slaty-blue, much paler in some; soneral eoloanil
green; a narrow band of black separating the slaty-blue of the head
and the green of the rest of the plumage; a reddish wing spot ee 3
in the male; in the female the spot is faint and indistinct, <

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 259

4

Hab.—Lower ranges of the North-West Himalayas; the hill
ranges of Assam and Sylhet; not uncommon in Hastern Bengal.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

About five years.

(168) THE BLUE-WINGED PARRAKEET.

(PALZORNIS COLUMBOIDES—J%¢.)

Description. Head, nape, upper back, chest and abdomen pale
ashy grey; a green patch on the forehead, lores and below the eyes; a
green collar encircles the neck, widening on its upper part; the rest of
_ the plumage green, of different shades and intensity; bill red above,
dusky beneath; legs lead colour; the female differs from the male in
wanting the collar, or has only a faint trace of it.

Hab.—Found only in the Malabar coast and on the slopes of the
Nilgiris up to about 6,000 feet: the specimens exhibited in the garden
were obtained from the jungles of Travancore.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A pair having lived for about two years were killed by some
civets at night.

(169) THE RED-BREASTED PARRAKEET.

(PALHZORNIS FASCIATUS—(P. LZ. S. Miiler.) )
Hindi and Bengali— ayia. ea.
The Kala is very commonly domesticated in Bengal.
Hab.—Sub-Himalayan regions, Assam, Sylhet, British Burmah ;
and extends through the Malayan peninsula to Java. Javan specimens
appear to differ in no respect from the Indian birds.
LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

No record is available, but it bears captivity extremely well.

(170) THE MALAYAN PARRAKERT.

(PALZORNIS LONGICAUDA—(Bodd.) )

__ It resembles the red-breasted parrakeet in general appearance, but
differs from it in having the head a beautiful rosy-red
Hab.—The Malayan peninsula.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
No record.

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

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(71) THE RED-CHEEKED PARRAKEER
(PALEORNIS ERYTHROGENYS—(Biyth.) ) a

Description.—Total length of an adult male is about 18 inches
(larger specimens have also been recorded) ; the maxilla red, tip yellow ;
the mandible horny grey or blackish; the characteristic feature of the
species is the red cheek ; general plumage green.

Hlab.—The Andaman Islands.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. =
A.bout three years.
TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—Most of the birds mentioned above are commonly
domesticated in Bengal, and are either kept in circular dome-shaped _
iron cages, or chained to a perch: in a zoological garden, however, a
spacious aviary is by far the best accommodation for them, particularly
for the rose-headed and the blue-winged parrakeets; some of them
have tremendous cutting power in their beaks, and there are birds that
appear to take delight in destroying everything that comes in their
way ; such destructive birds should be turned out of an aviary unless
the wire netting is strong enough to resist the ceaseless assault of their
powerful beaks: they are all fond of a bath, and when living in a ©
large aviary they have no difficulty in gratifying this love of cleanli-
ness, but when kept in acage or chained up to a perch, a cold water
douche would be very agreeable to them, especially during the hot
weather.

Food.—Like the cockatoos, they also thrive on grain, seeds, and
vegetables; in this garden they are ordinarily fed upou gram, soaked
or raw ; paddy, Indian-corn, chillies, and vegetables; by way of change,
fruits, biscuits, boiled potatoes are also given them occasionally; the
rose-headed and red-cheeked parrakeets are particularly fond of fruits,
and most of them enjoy a feast of ripe papya (Carica papya): all must —
have ready access to clean drinking-water.

Breeding.— The ring-necked parrakeets have laid several times, but
have not yet succeeded in hatching out a brood; this is, however,
no fault of theirs; their surroundings are most unsuitable for sucha
domestic success ; they often breed in a wild state in the garden; they
are seldom found to bore holes in trees, but prefer a water-spout of a
high terraced building to build their nest in. ‘There is no doubt that,
if the treatment recommended for the breeding of cockatoos be adopted
in the case of these parrakeets also, some, if not most, of them will
breed freely.

Transport.—A. cage similar to that recommended for the con-
veyance of cockatoos, but proportionately smaller, and with lighter rods
in front, will do for these ; the rose-headed, slaty-headed, and the blue- —
winged parrakeets are not much given to cutting, and their cage need —
not therefore be lined with zinc inside; when, during the transport, —
cold latitudes are reached, the cage should be well wrapped in blanket —

a

~

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 261

and, if possible, kept near the engine-room of a steamer ; sudden cold is
fatal to most of them.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS,

These parrakeets, with few exceptions, are hardy birds, and, if once
established in captivity, maintain excellent health for years: cold and
inflammation of the lungs are the common complaints from which some
of them have been known to suffer; the former generally yields to
dietetic and hygienic treatment, but the latter invariably terminates in
death : the percentage of loss is comparatively large amongst the newly
acquired rose-headed parrakeets.

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.

The Alexandrine, the ring-necked and the red-breasted parrakeets
are remarkable for their intelligence and acquisitive faculties; the slaty-
headed and the blue-winged parrakeets do not appear to be endowed
with the same mental faculties as those of the parrakeets mentioned
above; they are both shy and retiring in disposition, and are therefore
not suitable pets. All of them are in the habit of sleeping with their
head turned back with the beak hidden amongst the feathers.

(172) THE RED-SIDED ECLECTUS.

(ECLECTUS PECTORALIS—(Miiller.) )

Hindi and Bengali—Hirman or Hiraman tota, the green bird;
Lalmohan, the red bird.

Though a native of New Guinea, the species is well known in
Bengal; it is not, however, generally known that the sexes differ so
widely, and that the green-coloured bird is the male, and the scarlet one
the female, of the same species.

Hab.—New Guinea.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A male has been living since 1882: it appears from the number of
deaths that take place among the new arrivals that these birds are
somewhat difficult to acclimatize.

TREATMENT IN CAPTIVITY.

Housing.—May be kept singly or in pairs in iron cages like those
recommended for the cockatoos; they are not much given to biting the
wire; extremely susceptible as they are to cold, great care must be
bestowed upon them, at least for the first few weeks after their arrival.

Food.—Fruits, grains, and seeds constitute their principal food
in captivity ; bread, biscuits and vegetables being occasionally allowed
as a change: so long as the birds do not become well acclimatized, much
attention should be paid to feeding them according to their taste and
inclination; green shoots of corn are always agreeable to them, parti-
cularly during the first stage of their captive life. ;

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OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS, 2

They are listless and inactive birds, but become very tame an i
affectionate ; a few of them learn to talk, but their power in this respect
is very limited; although generally quiet, they sometimes scream very
loud. . . ae

(173) THE RED-WINGED PARRAKERT. 4
(APROSMICTUS ERYTHROPTERUS—(Lath,) ) Reel

Description.—The general colour of the plumage green; back,
shoulders and the wing coverts black; a lengthened patch of crimson
gives the bird its distinctive characteristic ; beak orange red: the sexes
are said to differ, the female having no red patch on the wing. 3

Hab.—Northern Australia.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen lived for about six months only.

(174) THE KING PARRAKEET.

(APROSMICTUS SCAPULATUS—(Kwhl.)) _ -

Description.—The head, neck, and all the under surface of the
body, as well as the under tail-coverts, red; the rest of the plumage
green; the tail greenish-black: the female is less gorgeously coloured, _
having the prevailing colour of its plumage dirty green, with a faint — ;
shade of red about its breast; the young males also have no red.

Hab.—New South Wales.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A little over five years.

(175) THE LARGE-BILLED PARRAKEET.

(TANYGNATHUS MEGALORHYN CHUS—(Bodd.) ) -

Description.—Total length 15 inches; general colour of the plumage
green ; feathers of the shoulders greyish-black, margined yellow and —
tipped black; the upper tail-coverts bright green; the whole under ~
surface yellowish-green; the maxilla orange red; mandible light —
yellow. fe

Hab,—Gilolo and Ceram. | ,

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

. * . e ° j 4 7 i va Ps
Nearly seven years: specimens have also been living for the last
five years. +3

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 263

(176) THE SUMATRAN LARGE-BILLED PARRAKEET.

(TANYGNATHUS SUMATRENSIS—(Raffles.) )

Description.—Smaller and much lighter in colour than the preced-
ing; forehead, crown and nape green, mottled with yellow ; upper back
light yellow; breast and under abdomen light yellow; under surface
of the quills light ashy. |

Hab.—Sumatra.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
There is no record of the period during which it lived in the
garden ; it died soon after its arrival.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing—The king parrakeet appears to do well in an aviary;
but for the large-hilled and the blue-crowned parrakeets cages are to
be preferred: wherever a king parrakeet is placed it must have ready ~
access to water for bathing, especially during the hot weather.

Fvod.—Grains of various kinds and vegetables.

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.

The mental capacities of these parrakeets do not appear to be
susceptible of much training, and none of them ever attain the same
degree of tameness as most birds of the same family do ; but the king
parrakeet is a harmless creature and not given to scratching or biting.

(177) THE INDIAN LORIKEEFT.

(LORICULUS VERNALIS—(Sparr,) )

In Hindi and Bengali all the lorikeets are known as Jatkan, 7.e.,
hanging parrakeets, without any specific distinction. |

Description.—Total length about 53 inches; the general colour of
the plumage green; throat blue; rump and upper tail-coverts crimson ;
quills tinged with blue on the outer webs; breast tinged with yellow:
the sexes differ, the female having no blue on the throat.
_ Hab.—¥ound in the Sub-Himalayan regions, the jungles of the
Malabar coast, the hill ranges of Assam, Sylhet, Tipperah; extends
through the Indo-Burmese countries to Burmah, the Malayan penin-
sula, and the Andaman Islands.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Although there is no record of individual specimens, these birds
generally do well. :

(178) THE CEYLONESE HANGING PARRAKEET.

(LORICULUS ASIATICUS—(Zatz.) )

Description.—Total length about 5 inches ; the general colour of the

plumage green ; forehead and crown deep red, washed with orange on
the nape; rump and upper tail-coverts also deep red; some of the
quills edged with blue; cheeks and the area round the eyes and the
whole of the under surface pale green, tinged with blue in the foreneck.
Hab.—The Island of Ceylon. ~

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A pair of them lived close upon seven years.

(179) THE BLUE-CROWNED HANGING PARRAKEET.

(LORICULUS GALGULUS—(Zinz.) )

Description.~-Length 43 inches to 5 inches; general colour of the
plumage green; French blue flake on the crown; a triangular patch of
golden yellow on the back ; upper tail-coverts red; a red patch on the
breast ; bill black; the female differs from the male in having no blue
patch on the head and no red on the breast ; the golden yellow of the
back also faint. |

fab.— Malacca.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

This species also has not done well in captivity, so that none of
them have ever lived more than two years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—A large aviary, where they can fly about at pleasure
and enjoy some freedom, is no doubt very desirable for these birds, but
such an arrangement has its disadvantages also; the birds get lost in the
space and, amongst others, the food intended for them—and they require
somewhat special feeding—is robbed by other birds; they starve or eat
anything that comes in their way, become ill and die; so that it is on
the whole better to keep them in large cages such as that recommended
for the liothrix (No. 23), either by themselves, or with such harmless
birds as the liothrix and Java sparrows; the cage should be furnished
with logs of wood or cocoanut shells to enable them to find employment
and exercise in pecking; they must have access to water both for

drinking and bathing ; avoid as much as possible keeping them in very —

small cages.

Feeding.—The majority of deaths that have happened among these — ,

birds shortly after their arrival must unfortunately be attributed to
ignorance of their food; the general practice among the dealers is to

feed them on boiled rice, a most unsuitable diet for birds which in

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 265

their wild state feed on fruits and the saccharine juice of flowers: the
erroneousness of the dealers’ practice has only been proved by costly
experience in this garden. In captivity they thrive on sugarcane,
plantains and other luscious fruits ; biscuits, bread, boiled sweet potatoes
and vegetables may occasionally be given.

Breeding.—In consequence of unsuitable accommodation they have
never bred in this garden; they have, however, frequently during
the spring shown tendencies towards breeding; and the experiment of
assigning a good sized cage, with suitable nesting accommodation in
some retired spot to properly matched lorikeets, might be successful.

Transport.—During the season when sugarcane is available there
need be no difficulty, as with proper care it may be made to last a
good while ; at other times plantains, raisins, dates, and sweet potatoes
may be provided.

Nothing is known about their ailments in captivity.

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.

The lorikeets are not unfrequently caged in Bengal; and, if well
acclimatized, get very tame; they are, however, never demonstrative,
neither are they endowed with much intelligence, but they are very
active cheerful creatures, and have a pleasant chirping call note, which
they continue to utter when something unusual attracts their attention,
or sometimes without any cause; their flight is rapid, and they possess
the peculiar habit of resting or sleeping pendant with their heads down-
wards.

(180) THE TORQUOISINE GRASS PARRAKEET.,
(EUPHEMA PULCHELLA—(Shaw.) )

Description.— Of the size of a crested ground parrakeet; the general
colour of the plumage above, olive green; the forehead, lores and the
cheeks sky blue ; the border of the wing also the same colour ; an elongated
red patch on the wing; under parts of the body yellow; sexes differ,
the female having less blue about the face and the wings, and the wing
spot is reddish-brown instead of red.

Hab.—Noew South Wales.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A pair obtained in July 1878 lived for about three montis ‘only,
having never recovered from the delicate condition in which they
arrived, nor was their habitation suitable.

(181) THE UNDULATED GRASS PARRAKEET.

(MELOPSITTACUS UNDULATUS—(Shaw ) )

Budgerica of the Calcutta bird-sellers.
Description.— The ground colour of the plumage greenish-yellow ;
forehead and face yellow ; the feathers of the nape, sides of the neck, back

266
_ finely variegated appearance, especially about the neck; on each

_ brownish when maturity is attained; the total length about 74 inches.

_ enjoy pecking at grass and earth. They are ordinarily not fond

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and wing coverts greyish black, margined with yellow, a

of the beak are series of dark blue spots (number and position vary in
different individuals), the cere of the nostrils in the adult bird blue; in —
the adult female very faint blue or cream coloured, becoming brown or

Hab.—South Australia. | 8 ae
LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. : ee

Identification is difficult, as the older specimens get mixed up with ao

the later acquisitions. It is certain, however, that some of those
obtained in 1880 are still flourishing. ahs.

(182) THE ROSH-FACED LOVE-BIRD.

(AGAPORNIS ROSEICOLLIS—(Vieid2,) )

Description.—Total length about 5 to 54 inches; the general
colour of the plumage light green; forehead scarlet; the cheeks and
throat rosy-red; the rump and upper tail-coverts washed with blue;
tail crossed with reddish-brown and black bands, there being a tinge
of blue between the reddish-brown and the black; beak horny light

grey ; legs plumbeous. ~
Hab.—South Africa.

(183) THE GREY-HEADED LOVE-BIRD.

(AGAPORNIS CANA—(Gimel.) )

Description.—Smaller than the preceding; the general colour of
the plumage green; head, neck, and upper breast pale ashy; the
female differs from the male in having the head, neck and breast much
lighter, and in having black spots on the tail. :

Hab.— Madagascar.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens have been living since 1883.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.— Unsuitable accommodation hastened the death of the —
torquoisine parrakeets. Though the cage was protected from rain, the ©
house was damp and exposed to draughts—conditions most unfavourable _
to parrot life; the undulated grass parrakeets have done well here; —
they may be safely kept in roomy cages in a verandah which can ~
be closed in. They are sociable creatures and like to live in comp
fresh turf should frequently be laid at the bottom of the cage, as

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 267

bathing, but a shallow trough of water should be allowed them during

e summer, or an occasional shower-bath applied with a garden ©

syringe. ‘The love-birds do well in cages.

Food.—Millet, hemp and canary seeds, and vegetables; fruits,
bread, biscuits and sugarcane are also very acceptable to them;
whenever possible, shoots of green corn should be given them, and
occasionally salt. All these grain-eating birds must have some gravel
or coarse sand placed in the cage.

Breeding.—The undulated grass parrakeets have only once bred
in the garden. Of the five white eggs laid, only two were hatched,
the rest were broken, perhaps by other birds: an empty cocoanut, or
an old cigarbox with a circular hole in the side, large enough to admit
the bird, makes excellent nesting accommodation; even when not
breeding they largely use their nests, and may often be seen pecking
at the fibres of the cocoanut: some sand and plaster off the wall of

an old building should be strewn on the floor of the cage to supply -

them with lime. They are prevented from breeding by the presence
of strange birds and by want of privacy.

Transport.— Hundreds of undulated grass parrakeets are con-
stantly imported packed up in very small cages. ‘This is cruel. There
ought not to be more than a dozen birds placed in a cage about 18
inches long, 12 inches broad, and about 9 inches high.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

| They are generally hardy, but deaths frequently occur in a large
stock of grass parrakeets. They are not known to suffer from any
special diseases. .

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.

Undulated grass parrakeets are noisy, always active and supremely
busy about nothing. They make the best of their captive life, and
appear to enjoy it far better than any other birds in a similar situation.
They become very tame, but not while living in the midst of a large
company. ‘The love-birds are silent, quiet and amiable creatures,
and when kindly treated grow tame and affectionate. _

(184) THE PURPLE-CAPPED LORY.
(LORIUS DOMICELLA-+-(Zinn.) )

Description.—The prevailing colour of the plumage scarlet; an
interrupted band of yellow stretches across the breast; the wings olive
green; head deep purple, which in certain lights appears black; a
broad band of light purple on the tail; beak orange red; the female
closely resembles the male, but is lighter coloured.

Hab.—'The Moluccas and the adjacent islands.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Some of them have lived for over six years.

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS _

(185) THE BLACK-CAPPED LORY. =
(LORIUS LORI—(Linn.) ) ae

Description.— Forehead, crown, and occiput black; sides of "the oe

head, throat, and breast carmine red; the back of the neck and the

shoulders violet blue; the lower back, the rump, and the upper ;
tail coverts carmine red; wings green, the feathers being tipped
black (in very healthy specimens the green of the wings has a

metallic lustre) ; the tail red at its upper half, but violet towards the _

end; the lower breast, abdomen and under tail coverts viclet blue,

extending on each side upwards and outwards to meet the same colour ~

at the shoulder; the under surface of the tail yellowish brown; beak

orange red. Specimens obtained at different times have been found to

vary somewhat in colour and size, especially in the former. 7
Hab.—New Guinea and the adjacent islands.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

This species has generally been short-lived in this garden, none
having ever survived more than four years.

(186) THE CHATTERING LORY.
(LORIUS GARRULUS—(Zinz.) )

Description.—The general colour of the plumage red; wings olive
green ; the lower ends of the quills black; an irregular patch of light
yellowish olive on the back ; the lower ends of the tail feathers greenish
black ; thigh greenish blue; bill ivory white; total length 94 to 10
inches.

Hab.—The Moluccas.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

No specimen is known to have lived more than two years.

(187) THE RED LORY.
(LORIUS RUBRA—(G mel.) )

Description.—The general colour of the plumage scarlet red; the J
lower tail coverts and the shoulders blue. ‘a
Hab.—Amboyna.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
No record.

-

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 269

(188) THE BLUE-STREAKED LORY.
. (EOS RETICULATA—(Mull. et Schl.) )

Deseription.—The general colour of the plumage carmine red ;
dark violet stripes on the mantle; shaft stripes grey and blue; tail
brownish black |

Hab.—Timor Laut.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens have been living since 1887; others have lived for
about eighteen months.

(189) THE BLUE-BREASTED LORY.
(EOS INDICA—(Gmel.) )

Description.—The general colour of the plumage is carmine red;
a blue band stretches across the top of the head trom one eye to
another; there are other irregular blue lines about the head and neck;
the breast and the back blue; the wings red with black and purple
edgings; the lateral tail feathers purple; the thigh blue; the sexes
differ, the female being somewhat smaller and its markings fainter.

Hab.—The Moluccas.
LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A pair obtained in 1880 lived for about seven months only.

(190) THE SMALL PURPLE-CAPPED LORY,
(EOS GUEBIENSIS—(Scon,) )

Description. —Forehead and crown red; occiput purple, which is
continuous with a broad band of the same colour forming a half collar
on the nape; back red; wings violet with black edgings; a patch of
violet on the wing coverts ; throat and upper breast purple ; lower breast
red ; abdomen purple; total length about 73 to 73 inches.

Hab.—The Moluccas.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Although there is no record of the actual period during which
specimens have lived in the garden, they have, as a rule, done well
here.

(191) THE ORNAMENTAL LORY.
(TRICHOGLOSSUS ORNATUS—(Zinz.) )

Description.—F orehead, crown, and occiput violet black, in some
specimens bluish black, with a tinge of violet ; red bands, commencing
from behind the eyes, meet at the nape; a yellow band on each side

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of the neck; the rest of the upper plumage green; the first
feather greyish black, the rest of them green at the. outer web, gre
black at the inner; Bai chin, throat and breast red; throat
breast being barred with black; the abdomen green mottled
yellow ; the upper three-fourths of the inner webs of the outer tail
feathers reddish brown; the outer tail feathers tipped yellow; tota

length 72 to 8 inches: a
Hab.—The Moluccas.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

On an average specimens have lived for about five years.

(192) THE BLUE MOUNTAIN, OR SWAINSON’S LORY. -

(TRICHOGLOSSUS NOVH-HOLLANDH—(Gmel.) )

Description.-~-The head and throat purplish blue, with minute =
light blue streaks; the nape greenish yellow; the breast and each side
of the abdomen red ; the feathers being margined yellow and purple, a
give the whole a scaly appearance; middle of the abdomen blue; vent _
and thigh light green ; the rest of the plumage green; the beak orange
red.

Hab.—Australia.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. _

They have generally done well in this garden. There is, however,
no record of their length of life.

- (193) THE SCALY-BREASTED LORY.

miereacetOnaes CHLOROLEPIDOTUS—Kwii.)

~ Deser iption.— Head and nape beautiful blue; neck band and ieee
orange red; belly black.
Hab,—New South Wales.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

. 3 About a year and six months.

(194) THE RED-COLLARED LORY.
er Ue RUBRITORQUATUS—(Tig. ek

the wing red.
_ Hab.— Australia.

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. Pies |

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Nine years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—The lories, especially the purple and black-capped, are

sometimes kept as pets, and although confined in small iron cages, or

chained to a perch, some have been known to live a number of years;
an aviary is certainly to be preferred; but unless the place is large
and the tempor of the birds known, different species should not be mixed
up; experience has shown that the black and the purple capped lories,
and their congeners, fare badly when placed with the trichoglossi from
Australia. ‘The lories live happily with other birds, in a iarge aviary,
but the trichoglossi have to be lodged separately: both of them are
excessively fond of bathing. For this purpose suitable provision should
be made; particular and constant attention should be paid to the
cleanliness of an aviary where a number of soft-billed parrots, and
indeed all birds feeding on soft food, live.

Food.—The purple and black-capped lories, and other allied
species, thrive on a mixed diet of bread and milk, fruits, roots, vege-
tables and insects; the trichoglossi feed on seeds, fruits, vegetables,
bread and milk, boiled eggs; they all like sweet things, so that bread
soaked in honéy and water are very welcome to them; fibrous food is
said to be beneficial to their system; whether this is so or not, they
immensely enjoy nibbling at plants and shrubs, especially of a fibrous

nature ; sand and gravel should be strewed over the bottom of the cage

or the floor of the aviary, as, even for soft-billed birds, some grit is
necessary for digestion. Feeding vessels should be placed in such a
way that their contents may not be soiled by the droppings of birds.
Breeding.—None of these birds have ever bred in this garden,
although a solitary female of a purple-capped lory has sometimes
produced eggs.
Transport.—Be careful about cold and draughts.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Lories have now and then been known to die of fits and inflamma-
tion of the chest ; diarrhea is not uncommon among them.

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS,

Most of these birds become easily reconciled to captivity ; their
power of speech is limited, but they surpass other parrots in intelligence
and amiable qualities; the lories, as a rule, are remarkably tame and
demonstrative, and grow much attached to their owner and keeper ;
though generally peaceful, they are sometimes troublesome to the other
inmates. A small purple-capped lory was found one morning per-
sistently pecking at a crown pigeon, and even holding on to its tail
when the latter attempted to escape by flying. They all have very
Jeanly habits, and a lory may often be seen trying to clean its plumage
bey rubbing or washing.

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS —

(195) PENNANT’S BROADTAIL.

(PLATYCERCUS PENNANTI—(Lath.) )

Description —Prevailing colour of the plumage scarlet; a patch of ai
bluish grey at the base of the lower beak ; the shoulder and the wing __
coverts also of the same colour; primaries black, edged with bluish
grey ; neck slightly mottled black ; the back and the secondaries, includ-
ing a portion of the wing coverts, black, broadly edged with red (in
some specimens there is an olive tinge on the back) ; tail greyish blue;
bill horny white; legs plumbeous ; total length about 18 inches. ~

Hab.—Australia and New South Wales.

-

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

As yet a little over five years.

(196) BARRABAND’S BROADTAIL.
(PLATYCERCUS BARRABANDI—(Swain.) )

Description.—The general colour of the plumage deep green; the
forehead, chin, throat, cheeks, yellow with traces of scarlet about the
cheek ; a broad semi-lunar band of scarlet lines the yellow of the throat;
the quills are edged light blue; the under surface of the tail greyish
black; the beak orange red; legs blackish; total length about 15
inches.

Hab.—New South Wales.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

About three years only.

(197) THE ROSE-HILL BROADTAIL.

(PLATYCERCUS EXEMIUS—(Shaw.) )
Rosella of the Calcutta bird-sellers.

Description.— Head, crown, occiput, sides of the head, and breast
red; chin and throat white; abdomen olive green; rump red; back
beautifully variegated, the black feathers being edged with yellow; the
upper tail coverts greenish; middle tail feathers bluish, lateral ones
ashy ; total length about 10 inches. ;

Hab.—New South Wales.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. ae

Seven years represent the longest period during which a pair have _
lived in the garden. is

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 203

(198) THE YELLOW-RUMPED BROADTAIL.

(PLATYCERCUS FLAVEOLUS—(Gould.) )

Description.—The general colour of the plumage yellow; forehead
and sides of the neck red ; chin and throat violet ; primaries ashy brown,
some being edged faint bluish ; wing coverts faint bluish, edged white ;
feathers of the back brownish black, broadly edged with yellow; middle
tail feathers brownish black, lateral ones bluish ; the length about the
same as the rose-bill parrakeet.

Hab.—New South Wales.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Fifteen months only.

: (199) THE YELLOW-COLLARED BROADTAIL.
: (PLATYCERCUS SEMITORQUATUS—(Quoy. et Gaim.) )

Description.—The general colour of the plumage green; a narrow
crimson band on the torehead; head and its sides brownish black,
tinged with faint bluish about the cheeks ; a yellow band encircles the
back of the neck; the outer webs of the primaries bluish, the inner
being blackish brown ; the lateral tail feathers also bluish ; length about

16 inches.
Hab.— West Australia.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Over five years. |

(200) THE NEW ZEALAND PARRAKEET.
(CYANORAMPHUS NOVA ZEALAN DAI—(Gimel.) )

Description.—The general colour of the plumage green, of different
shades and intensity at different parts of the body; forehead, crown,
cheeks, and the rump red; total length about 9 inches.

Hab.—New Zealand.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The only specimen that was ever imported arrived in a delicate
state of health and survived nine months.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—An aviary is always preferable to a cage in lodging
the broadtails, but as all the members of this group are not equally

S

274

peaceful, someitmes difficulty is experienced in housing a species that
is known, or an individual that turns out, to be quarrelsome. 1
barrabands’ broadtail has been found to be*the worst in this respect:
the male rose-hill parrakeets also become very spiteful during the
breeding season, especially if the females are in the same cage, but
otherwise a rose-hill lives in perfect amity with other birds. The broad-
tails are as impatient of cold and draughts as other parrots, but in
Bengal they also suffer from the opposite extreme; in the sultry hot
days of April and May, with fiery gusts of wind, parrots, like many
other birds, suffer dreadfully. At such times a shower-bath of cool
water should be administered in the afternoon. Aviaries with light
roofs become very hot during the summer, but the heat may be easily
alleviated if quick-growing ‘trees be planted round or strong and
heavy creepers grow over them. In planting trees and creepers care
should be taken not to exclude the morning sun, which is very grateful
to the birds, especially during the winter. New Zealand parrakeets are
such quiet and-shy birds that, unless numerous, they should be kept
in single cages.

Food.—Grains, seeds, and vegetables constitute the principal food
of the broadtails and the New Zealand parrakeet; crumbs of bread
may also be occasionally given throughout the year. Indian-corn and
hem-pseeds should be given sparingly during the hot weather, but
sugarcane, soaked gram, and vegetables are recommended. In their
wild state these birds feed largely on insects and worms, and in capti-
vity they will pick up maggots intended for other birds living with
them, but this should be prevented if possible, as insect food is injurious
to them in confinement. A small quantity of rock salt should be kept
in one corner of the aviary containing the broadtails, especially the
Pennants’; all should have free access to clean drinking-water. Being
generally delicate, especially on arrival, the New Zealand parrakeets
should be carefully watched during the first few weeks of their
altered life; they are supposed to feed on insects, and may be allowed
a few in conjunction with other food.

Breeding.—None of the broadtails have ever bred in this garden,
but this is owing more to the want of suitable accommodation than to
any want of inclination. :

Transport.—Though not endowed with the formidable cutting
power of a cockatoo, some of the broadtails are destructive; in provid-
ing a travelling cage for them, not only should it be made sufficiently
strong, but logs of old wood and cocoanut shells should be provided
to allow them to exercise their beaks upon.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.
Diarrhea and cold are very common among the broadtails, the
results of unsuitable dieting and exposure. '
OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.

Pennants’ broadtails are gregarious in habits, and even in cap- a
tivity they flock together; they are naturally shy, quiet and peace- —
able; Barrabands’ broadtails, on the contrary, are spiteful and bad —

Ma | we eee

.
o- IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 275

| tempered, and seldom become tame; in an aviary they live chiefly on
the floor, searching for seeds, insects and grubs; the rose-hill is the
most sprightly and noisy of this group; the yellow-collared is a very
quiet and gentle creature, although at times apt to become cross and
sulky, probably from being teased by visitors. The New Zealand
parrakeet, as already remarked, is delicate and shy ; though said to ba
a ground bird, the specimen in the garden was never seen on the floor
of the aviary, except at the time of feeding.

(201) THE GREATER VASA PARROY.

(CORACOPSIS VASA—(Linz.) )

Description.— The general colour of the plumage dull greyish black
beak white; total length about 16 inches.
Hab.— Madagascar.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen lived for about six years.

(202) THE LESSER VASA PARROT.

(CORACOPSIS NIGRA—(Linn.) )

The general colour of the plumage the same as of the preceding
species, but its size is smaller.
Hab.— Madagascar.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

; A specimen has been living since 1886.

(203) THE GREY PARROT.

(PSITTACCUS ERYTHACUS—Zinz.)

Description.—The ground colour of the plumage ashy grey, the
_ feathers of the head, neck and breast being margined with pearl
__-whitish; the tail short and red; bill black; iris yellow.
* — Hab.— Africa.

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LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Though generally hardy, none of these birds lived more than five
years in the garden.

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TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing. —That both the greater vasa and the grey cance f
be so short-lived was chiefly owing to unsuitable habitation; gen a
speaking, {hey should be treated like the cockatoos. Bie

Food.—To be fed like the cockatoos.

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.

The vasa parrots become almost as tame as orey parrots or
cockatoos; they whistle beautifully, but have never been known io
utter a single syllable; one of the grey parrots exhibited in ie 4
garden was for some time a lady’s pet, and thereby acquired most —
winning manners.

°

(204) THE BLUE AND YELLOW MACAW.

(ARA ARARAUNA—(Liun.) )

Description.—All the upper part deep blue, with a greenish shade ~
on the forehead and wing coverts; cheeks white, crossed by a few
lines of black feathers; chin black; the rest of the under surface
yellow; bill black; legs dark red colour ; about the size of a rose-
crested ‘cockatoo, but looks larger from the length o of the tail. |

Hab.—South America.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.”

The longest period has been six years and a few months.

(205) THE RED AND YELLOW MACAW.
(ARA CHLOROPTERA—G ray.)

_ Description.—General colour of the plumage red; large bars area

. round the eyes white; a band of red velvetty feathers at the base of —
a the bill; wing coverts yellow; quills blue; maxilla white with a black _
tip ; mandible black. i=
Hab.—South America.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen has been living since 1881.

(206) ILLIGER’S MACAW.

(ARA MARACANA—(Vieill.) ) -

Description.—Forehead and rump red; the general colour of {
plumage green of various shades, much lighter about the breast

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL.

under surface generally ; border of the wings blue; tail dark reddish
brown, with bluish tips. :
Hab.—Brazil.
LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

j A specimen lived for about eighteen months only.

(207) THE YELLOW-HEADED CONURE.

(CONURUS JENDAYA—(@mel.))

Description— Head and neck golden yellow; back and wings
green, part of the wing edged blue; breast reddish yellow; tail green
and blue; bill black. )

Hab.—South America.

LENGTH oF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen has been living since 1884.

(208) THE YELLOW-CHEEKED AMAZON.

(CHRYSOTIS AUTUMNALIS—(Linz.) )
Hab.—Honduras.

(209) THE RED-THROATED AMAZON.
(CHRYSOTIS COLLARIA—(Linn.) )

Hab.—Jamaica.

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j (210) THE YELLOW-FRONTED AMAZON.

: (CHRYSOTIS OCHRYOCEPHALA—(G mel.) )

; Hab.— Guiana.

All the amazons are birds of green colour of varied shades, and
_ distinguished from each other by markings as indicated in the specific
names given above. F

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Except the last-named species, which has been living in the garden
for upwards of three years, none of the others have survived more than
about fifteen months,

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278 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

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TREATMENT IN HEALTH. '

Housing.—The macaws should be treated like the cockatoos; the
. amazons also do equally well as cage birds; the conures are generally
harmless and may be kept in an aviary. am

Food.—Grains, seeds, vegetables, fruits, bread, and biscuits.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Macaws have been known to contract the very bad habit of pluck- __
ing their own feathers—a disease to which parrots in captivity appear __
to be particularly subject; it is believed to be generally brought on by —
want of occupation, or excitement caused by too nourishing a diet;
the taste of blood which the bird gets from sucking the feathers stimu-
lates it to persist in the habit, which gradually becomes so inveterate as
to baffle treatment. Tin collars, bathing with wine, or a decoction of
aloes or quassia, and various other remedies have been recommended.
One of the macaws in this garden continued for four years a victim
to this habit, and of the various remedies tried nothing succeeded better
than a change of habitation.

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.

The macaws have almost the same habits as the cockatoos; the
amazons are quiet, sedate, and generally undemonstrative birds.

(211) THE INDIAN BARN OWL.

(STRIX JAVANICA—Gmei.)

Bengali— Lakhmi-pencha.

Hab.—Found all over India and Ceylon, and extends to Burmah ~ 7
and Malayana; at least two forms of barn owl are commonly met
with—one very light coloured, and the other darker.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Bears captivity well, but the species being very common and well —
known is not always exhibited.

(212) THE GRASS OWL.

(STRIX CANDIDA—Tickeil.)

Diagnosis. —Above brown, feathers with black shafts, and minutely —
spotted with a subterminal white ; beneath yellowish white, with small —
brown specks. —

Hab.—Found throughout India, but nowhere very common;
it has been also recorded from Tenasserim, Philippine Islands, and
Formosa. oo

he

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 279

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen from Assam lived for about five years.

(213) THE BROWN FISH OWL.

(KETUPA CEYLONENSIS—(Gine?.) )

Hindi— Uvee. Bengali—Hatum pencha.

Hab.—¥Found all over India, Burmah, and Ceylon, and. is said to
extend to China also.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Three or four of them lived for over ten years, and were, after
that period, set at liberty, in consequence of their habitation being
dismantled.

(214) THE JAVAN FISH OWL.

(KETUPA JAVANENSIS—(Zess.) )
Hab.—Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and the Malay peninsula.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen obtained in 1880 lived for about seven or eight
months only.

(215) THE ROCK-HORNED OWL.

(BUBO BENGALENSIS—(franzZ.) )
Hab.—F ound throughout India and Ceylon; rare in Lower Bengal.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
Nearly twelve years.

(216) THE FOREST EAGLE OWL.
(BUBO NEPALENSIS —Hodgs.)

The distinctive characteristic of this species is its prominent car
tufts, about three inches long.

Hab.—The central regions of aopel and the lower ranges of
the North-West Himalayas.

| gendiees ssi LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. 3
One of a pair obtained in 1878 lived till 1884.

(217) THE INDIAN SCOP’S OWL.
(SCOPS Uap

(218) THE SPOTTED OWLET.

(CARINE BRAMA—Temm.) a

Hab.—Common throughout India, Does not appear to bear
captivity well. |

(219) THE BROWN WOOD OWL.

(SYRNIUM NEWARENSE—Aodys.)

Hab.—The Himalayas. There is no record as to the length of
time it lived in the garden. 3 :

(220) THE MARSH HARRIER.

(CIRCUS ZRUGINOSUS—(Linn.)) a
Hindi—Tika bauri. Bengali—Wat-chil. ek

* Hab.—Found almost all over India, including the lower ranges of 3
the Himalayas; it is identical with the European species. i .
4 Does not appear to bear captivity well.

(221) THE SHIKRA.

(ASTUR BADIUS—(Gimel.) )

Hab.—The whole of India, extending to Ceylon, ba ond
Malayana. Bo:

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens obtained in 1877 lived for more than seven yea ;
extremely common about here it is not generally exhibited. —

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. _ 281

(222) THE LONG-LEGGED EAGLE.
(AQUILA HASTATA—(ZLess.) )

Hindi— Guti-mar-baz.

Hab.—More common in Western Bengal than in other parts of
India, though both the specimens exhibited in this garden were obtained
from North-Western India.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

None of them survived more than fifteen months; this may be
attributed to want of suitable habitation.

(223) THE CRESTED HAWK BEAGLE.

(SPIZETUS CIRRHATUS—(@mel.) )

Hindi— Shahbaz.

Hab.—Central and Southern India, extending to Ceylon; the
specimen exhibited in the garden came from Orissa.

| LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
From September 1882 to July 1890.

(224) THE JAPANESE HAWK EAGLE.

(SPIZETUS ORIENTALIS—(Temm.) )
Hab.—Said to have been obtained from Japan.

(225) THE BLACK-ORESTED EAGLE.
(LOPHOATUS OCCIPITALIS—(Daud.) )

Description.—Adult female always chocolate-brown with some of
the feathers on the back and wing coverts inclining to paler brown ; head
rather darker blackish with a black occipital crest; base of the crest
feathers and a few spots on the outer upper tail coverts white; tail
dark brown, the base white, the others whity brown; quills dark
brown, white at base, banded with paler brown above, whitish below,
the secondaries more indistinctly, the inner ones quite uniform with the
rest of the back; under wing coverts for the most part white, the
inner ones and the tips of the greater ones brown; axillaries brown ;
legs white, more or less washed with brownish; forehead whitish ; bill
bluish ; black at tip; cere pale yellow, feet light yellow; claws black;
total length 21:3; adult male 21 inches.—J. EH. Gray,

Hab.—The whole of Africa.

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(226) THE CRESTED SERPENT EAGLE.
(SPILORNIS CHEELA—(Lath.) )
Bengali— Tile baj.

Hab.—Found throughout India, ascending the Himalayas ap
7,000 feet ; it extends as far east as China and Formosa. | |

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(227) THE BATELEUR EAGLE.

(HELOTARSUS ECAUDATUS—(Dawd.) )

Description—Head, which is much crested, and the entire neck all — 2

round glossy black; hind neck and back maroon, paler on the lower nel

back; scapulars black; wing coverts bronzy brown ; the greater coverts a
blackish at the base; quills blackish, externally shaded with grey, tips

3 black; tail deep maroon; cere and orbits coral red; bill black; feet
ma coral red; adult male 21 inches; adult female larger, about 24inches. _
Hab.— Africa. , 3

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

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About three years.

(228) THE WHITE-BREASTED SEA EAGLE.

(HALIZTUS LEUCOGASTER—(Gimel.) )

Hindi— Kohassa.

Hab.--Found all over India; the specimens exhibited in the garden a
were mostly obtained from the Sunderbuns.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
+ _ A pair lived from 1876 to 1884,

(229) PALLAS’S SEA EAGLE,

(HALIZTUS LEUCORYPHUS—(Pali.) )

Hindi—Mucharang. Bengali—Korul, Bala. |
Hab.—Common in Bengal and North-West India.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Five to six years.

(230) THE BRAHMINY KITE,
(HALIASTER INDUS—(Bodd.) )
_ Bengali-—Sunker chil.
Hab.—Found throughout India.

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 283

: (231) THE HOUSE KITE.

(MILVUS GOVIN DA— Sykes.)

Bengali— Cheel.

Hab.—Common and abundant throughout India, ascending the
Himalayas up to about 8,000 feet.

Both this and the preceding species live in a wild state within the
gardens.

(232) THE BLACK-WINGED KITE.
(ELANUS CHRULEUS—(Desf) )

; Description.—The upper part grey; lores and supercilium black ;
~ shoulders, winglet, and lesser wing coverts deep glossy black ; lower
parts white ; forehead and ear coverts also white.
Hab.—Throughout India and greater part of Africa.

(233) THE PEREGRINE FALCON.

(FALCO PEREGRINUS—(Zunst.) )
Hindi— Byhri.
Hab.—Hurope and North Asia; found in India during the cold
weather only ; the bird is, however, well known in Bengal.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen obtained in 1877 lived till the end of 1884, when,
ee accidentally injured itself, it had to be killed ; it bears captivity
well.

(234) THE SHAHIN FALCON.

(FALCO PEREGRIN ATOR—(Sundev.) )
Hindi—Shahin.

Hab.—Found throughout the whole of India from the Himalayas
to the extreme south of India, extending through Afghanistan to
Western Asia.

(255) THE LUGGAR FALCON.

(FALCO JUGGER—J. EF. Gray.)

Hindi and Bengali—Lagghur.
Hab.— Common throughout India.

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LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

No record : known to bear captivity well. —

(236) THE SACER, OR CHERUG FALCON.

(FALCO SACER—Gimel.) Pp
Hindi—Chargh. 3 seas

Hab.—South-East Europe, Western Asia, and rarely Himalayas
during the cold weather it is also found in other parts of India. "ho

~ There is no record of the length of life.

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(237) THE INDIAN. HOBBY.

(FALCO SEVERUS—Zorsf)
Hindi— Dhuter. : ae
Hab.—Himalayas, extending through Assam to Burmah, Malayan

Peninsula, Java, and the Philippines ; not uncommon in the vicinity of
Calcutta during the cold weather. .

(238) THE KESTRIL.

(TINNUNCULUS ALAUDARINUS—(Linz.) )
Hindi—WNarsanak. Bengali—By.

Hab.—The whole of Europe and Northern Asia, migrating in

_ winter into North China, the Indian peninsula, and North-East Africa ;

occasionally wandering into Western and Southern Africa and the

Seychelles.—J. E. Gray. Pe

During the cold weather it is common in the neighbourhood of __

Calcutta, and even within the gardens. | a

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LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Over eight years.

(239) THE RED-FOOTED FALCON. |

(TINNUNCULUS VESPERTINUS—(Linn.) )
Hab.— astern and Southern Europe. |

LENGTH OF LIFE OF CAPTIVITY.

A few months only.

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 285

(240) THE BRAZILIAN CARACARA.
(POLYBORUS BRAZILIENSIS—(Gimel.) )

Description.—The crown of head crested, and of a greyish brown
colour; sides of the face and neck buffy white, barred with narrow
black lines; back, rump, and upper tail coverts dark brown, with
narrow white bars; tail buffy white, with a broad brown band at the
tip, and the lower part beautifully adorned with brown cross bars;
neck and breast white with distinct dark coloured cross bars; the
lower breast and abdomen blackish brown; the feathers of the lower
breast with whitish margin; bare crop patch yellow; cere and
bare space round the eye carmine brown, tinged yellow; bill horny
blue ; feet yellow; total length about 23 inches.

Hab.—LaPlata, Patagonia, the deserts between the rivers Negro
and Colorado, West Patagonia, and Terra del Fuego.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A single specimen obtained in September 1879 is still alive and
well.

(241) THE LONG-BILLED VULTURE.
(GYPS INDICUS—(Scop.) )

(242) THE INDIAN WHITE-BACKED VULTURE.
(GYPS BENGALENSIS—(Gme.) )

Both the above vultures have occasionally been exhibited while
awaiting transmission to other gardens.

(243) THE WHITE SCAVENGER VULTURE.

(NEOPHRON GINGINIANUS—(Latz.) )
Hindi—Kal-moorgh.
Hab.—Found throughout the greater part of India, but not
common in Central and Northern India; it is somewhat common

in Behar, extending as far east as Deoghur and Madhupore in the
Sonthal Pergunnahs, and occasionally in Lower Bengal.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH,

Housing.—Most of these birds do better singly or in pairs, and
accommodation should be provided accordingly; on the other hand, in
a house measuring 40° x 15’ and 19’ high as many as fifteen falcons and

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286 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEM

eagles have been observed to live peacefully. The Brazilian cara-cara,
which has lived so long and well, has always been kept singly, in a —
tolerably large cage, where it can move about freely: though generally
hardy birds, exposure to draughts and rain has been known to cause
inflammation of the lungs in some of them. Owls generally donot
object to live together, but care should always be taken to eliminate
bad tempered birds; dark corners or retiring boxes should be
provided; the vultures should always be kept by themselves, as they
are generally quarrelsome and obtrusive. The house or cage should be
thoroughly cleaned every day.
Feeding. —They are all carnivorous, and as a rule are fed upon beef, _
frogs, fish, and sometimes rats, in captivity; meat should he given
with pieces of bones attached, as they enjoy picking the bones clean,
especially the Brazilian cara-cara, hobby, and some other species : com-
mon grass snakes may, now and then, be given to the crested serpent
eagle; Pallas’s sea eagles also enjoy snakes in addition to fish and small
turtles and crabs. A small bird is bonne bouche to most of them, and
should occasionally be given. A quantity of shingles or small stones
should be kept strewn about the floor of their cages ; they swallow these,
especially after feasting upon a bird, and after some time eject them
with the feathers of the bird sticking around: all should ‘have ready
access to drinking-water.
Transport.—For exportation, tame birds that have lived for some
time in captivity should be preferred, and each bird separately accom-
modated. 3 |

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.

Owls are proverbially grave and sedate birds, and, as is well known,
like hiding themselves in dark corners; if tame, they take no notice of
anybody approaching the cage, but sit perfectly motionless, staring
with dazed wild look; the quivering of the mandibles, which is now
and then visible, signifies displeasure ; quite different, however, is the
manner of an owl that has not become reconciled to captivity; it will —
instantly fly against the side of the cage farthest from the intruder,
ruffle its plumage, clatter its bill and hiss repeatedly. All the birds
of prey are more or less self-possessed when tame, but such as have
not yet become reconciled to captivity, look scared and confused, and
flutter themselves to death on the cage being approached ; except at
feeding time, none of them are ever observed on the ground; they
sit without stirring, on a perch, the whole day and night; the same
bird has been observed to occupy the same spot of a particular perch
as long as it lived in this garden. Owls are never heard to call during
the day ; some falcons call at night only.

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(244) THE SPOONBILL.

(PLATALEA LEUCORODIA—Linz.)

Hindi—Chamuch buza. Bengali—Chinta or Sinta.

The characteristic feature of the bird is its broad, flat, and j
depressed bill, like a spatula. MS

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IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 287

Hab.—Europe, Asia, and Africa ; scarce in Lower Bengal ; some-
what common in Upper India during the winter.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Spoonbills at one time did not thrive in this garden; latterly a
specimen became reconciled to captivity; it completely cast off its old
dirty feathers, and looked lively and gay in its new plumage.*

(245) THE PELICAN IBIS.
(TANTALUS LEUCOCEPHALUS— Forst.)

Hindi—Janghal. Bengali—Rdm Shankar or Sona Sangha.

During the latter end of the rains it loses much of the rosy red
tint of its tertiaries, reassuming it again in the spring ; the young birds
are generally of a brownish grey colour.

Hab.—India, Burmah, and Ceylon.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens living since 1883.

(246) THE SHELL IBIS.

| (ANASTOMUS OSCITANS—(Bodd.) )
Hindi—Gungla, Ghongal. Bengali—Shamukbhanga.
Hab.—Particularly abundant in Northern Bengal.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

This species has not unfortunately done well in this garden, none
having survived more than a few months.

(247) THE BLACK-HEADED IBIS.

(IBIS MELANOCEPHALUS—Zinzn.)

Description Head and neck nude, and black; the rest of the
plumage white; the bare skin of the wing-bone beneath pinkish red
which is visible when the bird is on the wing; billlong, slender, curved,
and channelled. :

Hab.—It is met with over the greater part of India and Ceylon
the Indo-Burmese countries, Southern China, Siam, Cochin China,
the Malay peninsula, Sumatra, Java, and Borneo.—Oaées. For this -
garden specimens have chiefly been obtained from Dinagepore in
Northern Bengal, and Arracan. |

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens have been living upwards of ten years.

* After haying lived over two years it met with an accidental death,

(248) THE BLACK IBIS.
(INOCOTIS PAPILLOSUS—(Temm.) )

Hindi— Buza.

Be ceretion: —The colouring of the upper part of the body fus
brown ; upper tail coverts black ; wings steel blue with purple refle
a patch of white on the lesser wing coverts; lower parts blackish =
the head black, with a patch of red papillee on the back of the head.

Hab.—Found throughout the greater part of India.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens have now and then been exhibited in the garden, but
there is no record of the period during which any of them lived. We

(249) THE GLOSSY IBIS.
(PLEGADIS FALCINELLUS—(Zinz.) )

Hindi—Kewari or Kowar.

The bronze metallic lustre of the plumage is most noticeable during a
the breeding season. ce

Hab.—It has a wide range of distribution, being found throughout
Asia, Australia, North Africa, and south of Europe; common in India
during the cold weather. f

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A few have been living since 1880.

(250) THE SCARLET IBIS.
(EUDOCIMUS RUBER—Zinzn.)

Of an uniform scarlet colour.
Hab.—South America.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
A specimen lived from July 1880 to August 1888.

(251) THE FLAMINGO.

(PH AZANICOPTERUS ANTIQUORU M—TZemm.)

Hindi—Hans or Bag-hans. Bengali—Kanthunti.

Its long neck and legs, and the bent down bill, are very characte
istic; the extent and intensity of the rosy red colour of the head, bac
tail and the wing coverts vary somewhat in different specime Hi
colouring of the females is generally subdued; the young birds

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 939°

dusky white, and do not assume the adult plumage till after the first
moult; a specimen is known to be living in captivity for the last few
years without assuming the adult plumage ; flamingos vary in size.

Hab.—Kurope, North Africa, and greater part of Asia ; in India
it is found throughout the country—rarer in some parts, abundant in
others: in the south, common about Madras, and in the Pulicat and
Chilka lakes, in Northern India, the Sambhur lake appears to be their
head-quarters ; rarely found in Bengal.

LENGTH OF IIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Although one or two of them have lived for over five years, as
a rule they have not flourished in this garden. The younger specimens
appear to bear captivity better than the adult birds, which generally
pine and die. |

(252) THE PURPLE HERON.

(ARDEA PURPUREA—Linz.)
Hindi—Nari. Bengali—Ldl Anjan, Lal Kank.

Hab. — Europe, Asia, and Africa; in India, Burmah, and Oe it
is commonly met with in wet and marshy tracts.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Upwards of seven years.

(253) THE COMMON HERON.

(ARDEA CINEREA—ZLinn.)

Hindi—Kabud, Khyra. Bengali—Anan.
Hab.—Found throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa,

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens have occasionally been exhibited, but it does not appear
to bear F eapbivity well,

(254) THE LARGE WHITE EGRET.

(HERODIAS ALBA—(Linn.) )

Hindi—Walang Bagla. Bengali—Dhan bak or Bagla.

The most characteristic feature of this species is its beautiful,
decomposed, and soft train feathers which it assumes during the breed-
ing season ; the colour of the bill and the facial skin changes according
to the season of the year, being respectively black and bnghe green
during the breeding season, and yellow at other times. :

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEAFENT! oF ANTM: MALS

Observation.—A._ specimen es been known in ee summe
assume the full breeding plumage, or the usual bright green of t
skin ; this may have been due to old age, or impaired health, conseq
upon an accident which it had sustained resulting in the cbmipa
fracture of its left leg. hem

Hab.—Found throughout India and Ceylon; scarce in Lower %
Bengal. Ee

WE -

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen has been living in the garden since April 1879; this
does not represent the length of its captivity, as prior to its inclusion a
in this collection it lived for some years in the Viceroy’s menagerie at
Barrackpore.

(255) THE LESSER EGRET.
(HERODIAS INTERMEDIA—Van Hass.)
Hab.—Found throughout India and Ceylon, and extends through
Burmah to Malayana.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Only a few months.

(256) THE CATTLE EGRET.

(BUBULCUS COROMANDUS—(Bodd) )
Hindi—Gai-bagla. Bengali—Bak.

Very common in Bengal. =
Hab.—India, Burmah, and Ceylon; it also inhabits Southern China,
Cochin China, and extends through the Malayan peninsula to Java,
Borneo, Celebes, and the Philippine Islands. Found in a =e state

within the garden.

(257) THE POND HERON.
(ARDEOLA GRAYI—(Sykes.) )

Hindi—Andhe bagla (i.e., blind heron) ; the Paddy-bird of Europeans, é

Hab.—Most abundant everywhere in India.
Found in a wild state within the garden.

(258) THE BLUE BITTERN.

(ARDEIRALLA FLAVICOLLIS—(Zath.) )

| Hindi and Bengali—LZai bogia.

Hab.—Found throughout the greater part of esi Ceylon;
said to occur in China and Malayana,

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 291

(259) THE CHESTNUT BITTERN.

| (ARDETTA CINNAMOMEA—(Gmel) )
. Hindi and Bengali—Lal-bagla.

Hab.—India, Ceylun, Burmah, the Andaman Islands, China,
Malayan peninsula, Java, and the Philippines.

(260) THE LITTLE YELLOW BITTERN.

(ARDETTA SINENSIS—(Ginel.) )

Bengali— Kat-bogla.

Hab.—India, Burmah, Ceylon, the Malayan peninsula, and some
of the islands of the Malayan Archipelago. ee

(261) THE NIGHT HERON.

(NYCTIARDEA NYCTICORAX—(Linn.) )
Bengali— Kowa-dauk.

_ The young birds have no occipital plumes. This species is readily
distinguished from the herons by itsshort neck and tarsus, and thick-set
form. : |
_ Hab.—FKurope, Africa, North America, and Asia; in India it
is found throughout the country, extending through Burmah to
Malayana.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen lived over ten years in this garden.

(262) THE ADJUTANT.

(LEPTOPTILUS ARGALA—(Lath.) )
Hindi and Bengali—Har-gila.
A common and well-known bird in. Bengal.
_Hab.—India, Burmah, the Malayan peninsula, Siam, Cochin
China, Sumatra, Java, and Borneo. It is not so common in Calcutta

as it used to be some twenty years ago; it is mostly seen during
the wet weather, becoming scarce at the approach of the winter.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Appears to bear captivity well; although some of them have been
noticed to pine and die within a few days of their capture, most of
them live contentedly and well until they are sent off to other insti-
tutions. ae hee | ‘Set

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

(268) THE LESSER ADJUTANT.
(LEPTOPTILUS JAVANICUS—(Horsf) )
Hindi—Chandiari, Bang-gor. Bengali—Madan-tiki. ; . =
Top of the head entirely bald and horny ; a large white neck 5.
ruff covers the sides of the neck and breast. a,
Hab.—India, Burmah, and the Malayan peninsula; in India they

are nowhere abundant, but more common in Assam and Sylhet than in — 4
Upper Provinces ; rarely found in Lower Bengal. ia

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

About six years.

(264) THE BLACK-NECKED STORK.

(XENORHYNCHUS ASIATICUS—(Latz.) )

Hindi—Lohajang. Bengali—fam salik.

Description.—Head and neck glossy black with green and purple ~
reflexions ; middle and greater coverts, tertiaries, and the tail also glossy
black with greenish reflexions; rest of the plumage white ; bill black ;
irides brown; legs red; the young birds are grey.

Hab.—Found in India and Burmah, extending through the
Malayan peninsula to Australia; in India it is common in Central
India and Lower Bengal.

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LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens have lived for more than eight years.

(265) THE WHITE-NECKED STORK.
(DISSURA EPISCOPUS—(Bodd.) )
Hindi and Bengali—WManihyor.
Very common in Bengal.
Hab.—India, Burmah, Ceylon, and extends through the Malayan
peninsula to the islands of the Indian Archipelago.
LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The species appear to bear captivity well, as some of them obteiie
in 1880 are still alive and well.

(266) THE WHITE STORK.

(CICONIA ALBA—(Linn.) )

Hindi—Lag-lag, Dhak.

Entirely white with the exception of the scdpulars, ql and a
greater wing coveits, which are black ; bill and legs red. at

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IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 293

_ _Hab.—Burope, Asia, and Africa; it visits India during the cold
weather only, and is then common in the North-Western Provinces and
the Deccan ; not known to have been found in Lower Bengal,

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A few have been living since 1883.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH

The spoonbill, ibis, flamingo, heron, adjutant and stork require,
with slight variations, identical treatment with respect to housing and
feeding, and are therefore grouped together.

Housing.—The accommodation for animals in captivity should be
as close an imitation of their wild haunts as it is possible to provide.
The various wading birds mentioned above should therefore have an
area of a large tank or lake, with gently sloping and well turfed banks,
set apart for them; for the adjutants, storks, flamingos, and even for
the spoonbill, a light enclosure, about four feet high, is enough; but
the ibises, herons, egrets, &c., require a covered space (see under
ducks and geese, p. 306). Like most other animals in captivity, many of
these birds sometimes exhibit great jealousy at the introduction of a
stranger amongst them, and do not cease to worry it until it is
removed ; the large egret and the black-necked stork have been found
to be the greatest culprits in this respect; some of the wading birds
may have to be exhibited in other places, with shallow tanks built in

_ the floor, which, though good in themselves, can never be as comfort-
able for them as the bank of a tank or lake;such places are, however,
particularly adapted for the night herons, as affording concealment
and solitude during the day. In order to prevent the storks and
adjutants, §c., which are kept simply in an enclosure, from flying away,
their wings require to be clipped periodically, but the most practical
and simplest method of doing it once for all is to remove the first
joint of one wing and cauterise the stump.

Food.—In their wild state the spoonbill feeds on aquatic insects,
small crustacea and molluscs, frogs and fish, and as most of them are
easily obtainable, no difficulty need be experienced in feeding it; the
specimen now living in the collection is fed upon prawns and small
fish, and does not object to take minced meat occasionally. The pelican
ibis finds a great deal of its own food by frequently stirring up by its
right foot the mud at the bottom of the water near the edge of a tank,
and seizing and devouring crabs, frogs or fish that it may chance to find;
but in addition to this a small quantity of meat and fish may be
daily supplied to each of them. ‘The shell ibis is rather a difficult
bird to find food for in captivity, as it chiefly lives upon molluscs;
it has never yet thriven in this garden, avd therefore nothing can be
confidently said about it. The black-headed, glossy, and scarlet ibises
thrive cn minced meat, small fish and prawns; those that have become
tame greedily devour bits of bread and biscuit thrown to them;
they also search and find a great deal of their own food, consisting of
aquatic insects, frogs and molluscs. The herons and storks also live

: upon fish and meat; the adjutants and the black-necked storks are

PP eg se eee ee oe"
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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS i:

chiefly fed upon the latter; most of the storks are destructive to
snakes, but in captivity the white-necked stork, or the “manickjor,”
has been particularly noticed to kill and devour common grass
snakes (Tripidonotus stolatus) on many occasions, and once a young __
cobra. The food of the flamingos in captivity consists of bran
and barley (bajrah) mixed with water; some of them also become
accustomed to, and thrive on, boiled rice; like the pelican ibis, they also
search for food by stirring up the mud at the edge of the tank, and —
much of the success in keeping them depends upon the place where
they can have opportunities of finding their own food.
~ — Breeding.—None of these birds have ever bred in captivity, but for
the last few years large numbers of egrets have been regularly breeding
in a wild state within the garden, selecting for this purpose a large ~
island overgrown with trees, shrubs and undergrowths.
Transport.—Flamingos and black-necked storks are sometimes
very cruelly treated during the transit by rail, lasting sometimes for —
two or three days; their legs are bent and drawn up under the body, :
and a piece of gunny or old canvas tied round the whole; the practice |
is most reprehensible.

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.

A healthy spoonbill is an active, playful bird, and fond of exhibit-
ing its amusing antics; the movement of its bill sideways, when feed-
ing, is very noticeable. The pelican ibis is sometimes heard to clatter
its long and strong mandibles at night; its method of searching food
has already been noticed. ‘The shell ibis has unfortunately been found
to be listless and morose, perhaps from want of suitable food. The
black-headed, glossy and scarlet ibises become wonderfully tame in a.
short time, and are very inquisitive; they pass a great deal of their
time, in the morning and evening, in searching for their own food in
shallow water, but when not otherwise employed they roost on perches.
The herons and egrets are quarrelsome birds; the storks and the
pelican ibises have a very comical way of spreading out their wings
after a morning ablution. The flamingos move with wonderful swift-
ness and ease across water, from one end of a tank to another, using the
wings for support and the legs for motion, and although the whole
movement is most rapidly performed, each stroke of the foot is dis-
tinctly heard. The storks have sometimes been observed to treat a stick
or a twig like a snake: it holds the object between the mandibles and
beats it in the same manner as it does a snake,

(267) THE LARGE CORMORANT.

(PHALACROCORAX CARBO-—(Linz.) ) |

| Hindi— Gho-gur. Pani-kowa. | :
In captivity they do not assume their breeding plumage regularly. =

_ Hab.—Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. The range of its distri-
bution is said to extend also to North America. Not very common in —
Lower Bengal, and rare in south of India; more abundant in North-

West India, and in the rivers of the Himalayas.

Se “— - =e t* P J . ar
ro Sal ‘ '
*
¥

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. | 295

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

One of a pair obtained in 1887 is still alive; prior to its inclusion
in this collection it lived for some years in the menagerie of the late
King of Oudh.

(268) THE LITTLE CORMORANT.

(PHALACROCORAXEPYGM KUS —(Pail.) )
Bengali— Pan-kowti. ;

~ Hab.—South-East Europe, Northern Africa, and Southern Asia,
extending to the islands of the Malayan Archipelago. Found through-
out India, and extremely common in Bengal.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

| Very hardy and bears captivity well; no record kept of the period
during which any of them have lived.

(269) THE INDIAN SNAKE-BIRD.
(PLOTUS MELANO GASTER—(Gimel.) )
Hindi—Banwa. Bengali—Goyar.

The long snake-like neck is the most characteristic feature of this
bird, which is well known in Lower Bengal.

Hab.—India, Ceylon, Burmah, Malayan peninsula, Sumatra, Java,
Borneo, and the Celebes; very common in the rivers and swamps of
Eastern and Northern Bengal.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Nearly seven years.

(270) THE SPOTTED-BILLED PELICAN. |

(PELECANUS MANILLENSIS—(Gmel.) )

Pelicans are designated howasi/ in Hindi, and gagan-bher in
Bengali, without any specific distinction being recognized... The
prevailing colour of the plumage of this species is grey. ~

Hab.—Greater part of India, Ceylon, Burmah, Malayan peninsula,
Java, Borneo, and the Philippine Islands; the specimens obtained for
this collection mostly came from Hastern Bengal.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

None have yet lived for more than four years._

SU es

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ov. hh

A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

(271) THE LESSER WHITE PELICAN. ae
(PELECANUS JAVANICUS—(Horsf.) } ae ey a
(272) THE MITRED PELICAN. ee

(PELECANUS MITRATUS— Licht.)

The lesser white and mitred pelicans have been identified to belong
to the same species.

The characteristic feature of the species is that the females only
have the crest. a

Hab.—India, Burmah, the Malayan peninsula, Sumatra, Java,
Borneo, and the Philippines. ae

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Upwards of seven years.

(273) THE GREY LAG GOOSE.
(ANSER CINEREUS—WMeyer.) a
Hindi—Hans or Karhans. |

The species varies somewhat in size and colouring of the plumage
and bill.

Hab.—A. cold weather visitant to India, being found during the
winter throughout the whole of Upper India; rare met with in
eee It is found throughout Europe. .

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens have been living since 1882.

(274) THE BARRED-HEADED GOOSE. °

(ANSER INDICUS—(Lath.) )

It is readily distinguished from other geese by the presence of two
black bars on the occiput and nape.

Hab.—India and Burmah in the winter, and Central Asia in
summer. It has been received from the following places in India :—
Lucknow, Monghyr, Chota Nagpore, Purneah, Dacca, and Nuddea. |

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
Living since 1882.

(275) THE CHINESE GOOSE. ae Best.
(ANSER CYGNOIDES—( Linz.) } - Ae

Resembles the tame goose of Bengal, but larger, with a black ee ; 4
and orange fleshy legs and feet. a
Hab.— China; probably found in Assam also.

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 297

(276) THE BLACK AND WHITE GOOSE.
(ANSERANAS MELANOLEUCA—Zess.)
Hab.—Australia.
LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Since January 1882.

(277) THE COTTON TEAL,
(NETTAPUS COROMANDELIANUS—G@mel.)
Hindi—Girja or Girri. Bengali—Belia-hans, Ghangerel.
There is no white patch in the primaries of the female, which is
smaller and duller in colouring.
Hab.—Abundant in the deltas of the Ganges and Brahmaputra ;
also found in many other parts of India.
LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

None has yet lived for more than five months.

(278) THE CANADA GOOSE.
(BERNICLA CANADENSIS—(LZinz.) )

The characteristic feature of this species is its black head and neck,
with a broad patch of white spreading from the neck over the cheeks on
each side.

Hab.—North America.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

1879 to 1885.

(279) THE UPLAND GOOSE.
(BERNICLA DISPAR—P%i. el. Landb.)

A female exhibited in the garden had its head and neck coloured
cinnamon-brown; abdomen lighter brown and barred with black; upper
back also barred; rump and tail feathers dark brownish. Head vulture-

lke.
Hab.—Chili and Argentina.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A little over one month; it lived for about a year in a private
menagerie. | | |

Se Ma Pall wees)

_ (980) THE BLACK SWAN.

; (CYGNUS ATRATUS—Lath. )
The prevailing colour of the plumage black ; = feathers white 4

the tips of the tertiaries curled up.
Hab.— Australia.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
Since February 1882.

(281) THE MUTE SWAN.

(CYGNUS OLOR—(Gmel,) )

Individuals of both sexes differ in size, but the males are always
4 larger than the females; the female has no tubercle at the base of the
upper mandible, or a very small one; it has also less black about the
bill, and the neck is very slender; the immature birds of both sexes —
are greyish brown or grey, and the males have no tubercle: they take
about two years to assume their adult white plumage.
Hab.—Found throughout Europe, extending during the winter —
to Northern Africa, Egypt, and Asia Minor, and as far east as Western
India. .

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Living since 1880.

(282) THE BLACK-NECKED SWAN.

(CYGNUS NIGRICOLLIS—(@mel.) )

Hab.—Antarctic America.

(283) THE NUKHTA, OR COMB DUCK.

(SARCIDIORNIS MELANONOTA—(Forst.) )

Hindi—Nukhta.

T,3 ‘sive of the fleshy protuberance of the bill is much reduced -
during the non-breeding season; the females have no comb. ae
Hab.—Central and Western Indi ia, Ceylon, British Burmah; rare __

| in Bengal, although specimens have now and then been received from Be
" Rungpore and Serajgunge. Bye

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Very hardy, and flourish well in captivity here.
#

ih ie »
¢ "

Te) ao x es eee te ae Se

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 299

(284) THE LARGER WHISTLING TEAL.

(DENDROCYGNA FULVA—(Gmel.) )
Hindi—Sii. Bengali—Wurghabi.

It resembles the next species in general appearance, but is larger
and brighter in colouring.

Hab.—India, Burmah, Madagascar, &c.; frequently found in the
neighbourhood of Calcutta and in other places in Lower Bengal.

There is no record of its length of life in captivity.

285) THE LESSER WHISTLING TEAL.

(DENDROCYGNA JAVANICA—(Horsf) )

Hindi—Sithahi, Silli. Bengali—Saral. Soreil and Harili-hans in
Eastern Bengal.

Hab.—India, Burmah, Siam, the Malay peninsula, Sumatra,
Java, and Borneo; it also occurs in Ceylon and the Andaman and
Nicobar Islands. In some parts of the country it is a seasonal visitant,
but in others a permanent resident; large flocks of them are met with
in the swampy tracts of Lower Bengal during the cold weather.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
It is not improbable that some of the birds obtained in 1879 are
still alive.
(286) THE RED-BILLED TREE DUCK.

(DENDROCYGNA AUTUMNALIS—(Zinz.) )

General colour of the plumage rufous brown ; bill brick red.
Hab.—America.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
Living since 1884.
(287) THE WHITE-FACED TREE DUCK.

(DENDROCYGNA VIDUATA—(Zinz.) )

The prevailing colour of the plumage dark brown ; face white.
Hab.—Africa and South America.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Nearly five years.

~
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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS ~

7 at 4,

(288) THE BRAHMINY DUCK. =

(TADORNA CASARCA—(Linn.) )

Hindi—Surkhab. Bengali—Chaka-chaki. Boogri in Kastern Bengal. BS.
In captivity the seasonal black collar of the neck sometimes dis- _

appears permanently, or only a trace becomes visible at the breeding
season. ee

northern portions of Africa, and India, in many parts of which they are

most abundant during the cold weather. ee

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

It has never done well in this garden, none having yet lived for
more than four years.

(289) THE COMMON SHELDRAKE.

(TADORNA VULPENSER—(Fleming.) )
Hindi—Shah-chakwa, Sufaid-surkhab.

Description.—Head and neck black with greenish reflexions;
scapulars and primaries black ; greater coverts bronze green; outer webs.
of some of the secondaries orange brown; the rest of the plumage
white ; a broad band of ferruginous brown encircles the breast, shoulders,
and upper back ; bill red; irides brown; legs fleshy red. ‘The colouring
of the female is much subdued, and it also wants the pectoral band. _

Hab.—Found throughout Europe, the greater part of Asia, and
Northern Africa. In India, nowhere very common and quite unknown
in the south. The specimens obtained for this garden were all obtained
from the Monghyr district.

There is no record of its length of life in captivity.

(290) THE WILD DUCK.
(ANAS BOSCAS—Linn,)
Hindi—Nilsir. -

: Description.—Head and neck emerald green, very deep or nearly

black about the forehead; a white collar round the neck; chest dark
chestnut; abdomen and sides greyish white, with finely undulated
brown lines; an elongated patch of blue on the wings; the central —
feathers of the tail curled upwards; bill pale greenish yellow; legs orange.
The female is smaller than the male, and of a brown colour ot different —

shades. : oe
The white collar of the neck is sometimes very indistinct behind.

Hab.—Europe and Asia. ound throughout the year in Kashmir, — ,

but it is a cold weather visitant to other parts of India, where it is
generally common in the North-West. a ner

Hab.—Central Asia, Persia, Mesopotama, Asia Minor, the entire — “ual

*

- IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. d01

2

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen obtained in March 1878 lived for about a year only.
The wild duck is the origin of the domestic duck, of which several
breeds have from time to time been exhibited.

E (291) THE AUSTRALIAN WILD DUCK.

(ANAS SUPERCILIOSA—G@ mel.)
. Hab.—Australia.

(292) THE SPOTTED-BILLED DUCK.
(ANAS PA@ICILORHYNCHA—Penn.)

: Hindi—Garampai, Gagral.

~" The males are slightly larger than the females. In other respects
they look very much alike, except thatin adult males the colour of the
legs is intense coral red, whereas in the females it is very dull; in
younger specimens of both sexes the legs are orange yellow; the base
of the upper mandible is coloured red, and the nail and a small patch
of the lower mandible bright yellow. Adult males in captivity have
sometimes been found to want the red at the base of the upper
mandible. 7

Hab.—India, Burmah, and Ceylon ; outside India it extends as far

west as Afghanistan and as far east as China. 3

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens have been living since 1882.

>

(293) THE PINK-HEADED DUCK.

(RHODONESSA CARYOPHYLLACEA—(Lath.) )

Hindi—Lalsira. Bengali—Saknal.

The colouring of the plumage in both sexes differs much in
different individuals, irrespective of season.

Hab.—India. Mr. Hume considers Behar and the rest of Bengal
north of the Ganges and west of the Brahmaputra as its head-quarters ;
he includes the Nepal and Oudh Terai, the central and eastern portions —
of Oudh, the Benares Division of the North-Western Provinces, the
whole of the rest of Bengal, Assam, and Manipur, and the Hast Coast
littoral ag far south as Madras, within its normal range, throughout
which it is, except in certain isolated localities, very rare. Specimens
exhibited in the garden have mostly been obtained from Purneah
and Bhagulpore.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
About six years. —

F
a
:

‘the middle of the throat, sometimes extending the whole front of the

A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

(294) THE COMMON TEAL.

(QUERQUEDULA CRECCA—(Linn.))

Hindi—Murghabi. Bengali—Bigri.

The ground colour of the plumage is subject to much variation ; Pe
some specimens, especially the females, have no spots at all.

Hab.—Kurope, Asia, North Africa, China, &c. In India it is very —
common everywhere during the cold weather.

(295) THE GARGANEY, OR THE BLUE-WINGED TAL.
(QUERQUEDULA CIRCIA—(Linz.) ) ;

Hindi—Patari. Bengali—Giria.
The colour of the sides of the head has been found to vary from
pinkish white to greyish brown.
Hab.—Europe, Asia, and Africa, It is less abundant in India
than the common teal. de
No record has been kept of their length of life in captivity.

(296) THE PIN-TAILED DUCK.

(DAFILA ACUTA—(Linn.) )

Hindi—Sink-par. Bengali—Dig-hans. Sholoncho in Kast Bengal. -
Length of the tail varies considerably among the males ; their —
plumage also becomes much changed during the rains, so that a male
can hardly be distinguished from a female.
Hab.—Europe, Asia, and Africa. In India it is found in every —
part of the country during the cold weather.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens have been living since 1886. This is long enough time
for a pin-tail’s life in captivity here, as it is one of those ducks that leave
the country early and migrate very far to the north dee the
summer.

(297) THE WIDGEON.

(MERECA PENELOPE—(Zinz.) )
“The conspicuous, broad, more or less speckly black band, down

neck,” which is said to be generally present in the males, has
often been observed to be wanting in those exhibited in this garden; the _
creamy buff patch on the forehead appears to be a constant character A
in mature birds. @

America. During the winter it is found thoughout the erentog "pa fa
of India, but nowhere very abundant. 7 i

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 303

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
Over six years.

(298) THE GADWELL.
- . (CHAULELASMUS STREPERUS—(ZLinz.) )

Hindi—Mila. Bengali—Peeing-hans.
Hab.—urope, Asia and North America.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens obtained in February 1877 disappeared in April.

(299) THE SHOV ELLER.
(SPATULA CLYPEATA (Linz.) )

Hindi—Tokurwaila. Bengali—Panta-mukhi.

No femaies have ever been exhibited in this garden.
Hab.—Europe, Asia, North Africa, &. Very widely distributed
in India during the cold weather.

(300) THE SUMMER DUCK.
(HX SPONSA—(Linz.) )

Deseription.—Forehead dull grey; crown pale creamy and tufted;
patches of black on the sides of the head and neck ; throat and neck
white; general colour of the plumage brown; primaries, rump, and
tail coverts black; legs and feet slaty; bill black, extremity orange ;
total length about 22 inches.

Hab.—North America.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

About six years.

(301) THE MANDARIN DUCK.

(HX GALERICULATA—(Linz.) )

Description.—This duck is readily distinguished from all others by
its gorgeous plumage, the arrangement of some of which is also fantastic.
The forehead of the adult male is deep green; crown and back of the
head chestnut ; feathers of the crest deep bluish green ; back of the neck,
back, wing coverts, rump, and upper tail coverts olive ; lower part
of the neck and sides of the breast deep chestnut, immediately behind

. which are irregular black and white bands ; the inner web of the inner
secondary is developed into fan shape: it is coloured red and edged with
black and white lines; the outer web rich blue; the flanks pale reddish
brown, becoming much paler towards the extremity of the feathers
and transversely rayed with irregular lines of black; under surface
pure white. The female is a sober-coloured, ordinary looking bird;

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8 head, neck, and crest dark brownish slaty grey; transverse Gace down

the sides of the upper mandible; a circle round the eye and conti

to the sides of the head and chin, white.
_ ffa6.—China.

%

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

While some have proved hardy and borne captivity well, often ee:
never recover from the dilapidated condition in which they arrive.
Specimens have been living since 1886.

(302) THE CRESTED DUCK.

(FULIGULA CRISTATA—Ray.)

Hindi— Dubaru ablac.

-The length and thickness of the tuft vary somewhat in different
individuals ; irides golden yellow.
Hab. —Europe and Asia. In India it is common in Central and
Southern India during the cold weather.

(3803) THE WHITE-EYED POCHARD.

(FULIGULA NYROCA—(Giild.) )

Bengali— Bhuti hans.

Even in perfectly adult birds the irides have been found to bo
brownish grey or greyish white.

Hab.—Kurope, Africa, and Asia; during the winter it is common
throughout the greater part of India, including Lower Bengal.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens have been living upwards of seven years.

(304) THE RED-CRESTED DUCK.

(BRANTA RUFINA—(Pail.) )

Hindi—Lal Conch. Bengali—Hero-hans, Chobra-hans.

Hab.—Southern Europe, Algiers in Northern Africa, Hastern and
Western Turkistan, Persia, India, &e
Never have done well in captivity here.

(305) THE RED-HEADED POCHARD.

(AYTHYA FERINA—(Zinz.) )

Bengali—Lal Muriya.

Pochards with pink irides are not uncommon.

: Hab.—Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa. In India it: os occurs 6
a cold-season migrant to the northern two-thirds of the Empire.” we Pe
Does not bear captivity well. . ay ee

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. | 305

(306) THE EIDER DUCK.
(SOMATERIA MOLLISSIMA —(Zinz.) )

Hab.—Europe and Northern Asia; it seldom visits India.
A. specimen lived for a few days only.

(307) THE BROWN-HEADED GULL.

(LARUS BRUNNCEIEPHALUS—Jerd.)

Hindi—Pani-kawa, or water crow in Bengal.

Hab.—¥ ound in the sea-coasts throughout the greater part of India ;
they also occur far inland, and specimens have sometimes been obtained
from Northern Bengal.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Bear captivity well ; specimens have lived upwards of seven years.

(308) THE GREAT BLACK-HEADED GULL.
(KROIKOCEPHALUS ICHTHYATUS—-(Pail.) )

| The only specimen ever obtained came from Goalundo in Furreed-
pore.

(309) THE LARGE SWALLOW PLOVER, OR THE
EASTERN PRATINCOLE.
(GLAREOLA ORIENTALIS—(Leach.) )

Hab.—Southern and Eastern Europe, Western Asia, and Northern
Africa ; during the winter it is found almost all over India.

There is no record of the length of life of this and the following
birds.

(310) THE RED-WATTLED LAPWING.
(LOBIVANELLUS INDICUS—(Bodd.) )

Vernacular name—7iti Titiri in different parts of India.
Hab.—Common throughout India.

(311) THE COMMON SNIPE.

*. ~ (GALLINAGO SCOLOPACINUS—(Bonap.) )

. Hab.—Northern Europe and Asia; during the cold weather very
“abundant everywhere in India.
U

_

iy

A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS 7

(3812) THE BRONZE-WINGED JACANA.

(METOPIDIUS INDICUS—(Zath.) ) 7
Bengali—Jal-pipi, Karatiya, Kattoi. pe
Hab.—India, Burmah, and Malayana.

4 (313) THE PHEASANT-TAILED JACANA.

(HYDROPHASIANUS CHIRURGUS—(Scop.) 3} :
Hindi—Piho. Bengali—Dai-kakra, :
Hab.—India and Burmah.

TREATMENT IN CAPTIVITY.

Housing.—A. large sheet of water with grassy banks, planted here
and there with trees and shrubs to afford shade and cover, is the most
suitable accommodation for aquatic birds generally. But for practical
purposes it has been found necessary to enclose a long narrow arm of a
lake with light iron fencing about 4 feet high to keep the pelicans, swans,
flamingo, storks, &c.; while for the ducks, geese, and other smaller
aquatic birds a light covered structure has been built over another end
of the ornamental waters: to give the ‘birds shade, the roof must have
light thatching of ooloo grass, or creepers must be allowed to grow over
it. Most of these birds like retirement, and opportunities should be given
them to enjoy it. Clumps of reed, grass, and shrubs should be planted,
but if the place is small and the birds are many, there is little chance ;
of anything growing; small boxes and earthen pitchers, if put up in
convenient places, make excellent retiring nests for them. Perches and
sticks should be provided for the tree ducks. :

Cormorants and snake-birds have to be accommodated elsewhere, as
they are generally found to be unfriendly towards the inmates of a
_duck-house. ‘The experiment of keeping pelicans and swans loose in a
large lake was tried, but failed, owing chiefly to the depredations caused
by crocodiles in the water and jackals on land. This was unfortunate,
as the large island in the middle of the lake, thickly overgrown with
trees and shrubs, was all that a swan could desire as a breeding-ground.
Besides those mentioned above, there are also other disadvantages in
keeping aquatic birds loose in a large tank: unless their number is consi-
derable they become lost; then there are birds which cannot be pinioned;
these have to be periodically clipped—an operation which not only
involves much trouble, especially when there are many, but causes fright _
and unrest in the whole colony ; then, again, the pelicans will soon clear __
a tank of its fish. A simple enclosure like that used for keeping the
swans, &c., is, however, no safety against jackals and other predatory
animals at night, so that they have to be driven in every evening toa
shed. This is not a desirable arrangement, as the operation is not only
attended with trouble to the keeper, but sometimes with great discomfort
to the animals. ts

Food.—Cormorants, snake-birds, and pelicans live upon fish; ;
captivity the latter readily take to eat meat also, but too exclusive
a meat-diet is injurious to their health. Although they can, and d

ae | eS eee

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IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 307

eat more whenever they have an opportunity, quarter to half a seer of
fish each daily is enough for cormorants and snake-birds; it is incredible
what large sized fish they are capable of swallowing; snake-birds have
been noticed to eat fish over four inches broad. At the scale of feeding
indicated above, each bird costs from Rs. 3 to Rs. 4 per month. When
they have facilities for fishing for themselves, no fish need be supplied
to the pelicans, but some beef meat (? to 1 seer) should be allowed ;
they are greedy birds and soon clear a tank of its fish. The kinds of
fish mostly used for feeding animals are coi (Anabas scandens, Da/d.)
and singhee (Saccobranchus fossilis, Bloch.) The food of swans, ducks
and geese consists of grains, vegetables, and grass, supplemented a good.
deal by aquatic insects, worms, larvee, &c. Of grains, paddy and bran

are chiefly used here, but Indian-corn, bajra, and rice may be substi-

tuted for or mixed with them. None should, however, be given dry, but
moistened with water. Swans and some of the ducks and geese graze
much, audibly tearing the grass with their sharp beak, and an extensive
grassy bank is therefore of great advantage. ‘They are all more or less
fond of tender shoots of aquatic plants, and soon clear a pond of its
herbage, and hence it is difficult to grow anything in a small covered
enclosure: foka pant (Pistia stratiotes), baskets full of which are now
and then supplied, is greedily devoured. Wherever practicable, kalmi
(Conyvolvulus reptens) and other aquatic plants should be grown. The
swans, ducks and geese may constantly be seen dabbling about near the
bank and in shallow water in search of live food, such as worms, larvee of
aquatic insects, and fresh-water crustaceans. It is asserted that swans
never feed on animal food. This does not appear to be absolutely correct.
Their staple food, no doubt, consists of vegetables and grains, but it has
been observed that they do not despise crustacean diet.

Transport.—F or the transport of exclusively fish-eating birds, such
as cormorants and snake-birds, over long distances, somewhat similar
provision for fish should be made as recommended under the otter
(page 91) ; fresh fish may also be bought at several ports of call. Some
cormorants become readily accustomed to eat mince meat if combined
with fish: for the swans, geese, and ducks a quantity of grit should
be provided.

Breeding.—A pair of spotted-bill ducks bred in the latter end of
1885; no nest was made, but the eggs laid on a thick bed of down in

one of the retiring boxes overhanging water. Swans would breed in

this climate if suitably lodged ; one of those living in the Royal Bota-
~ nical Gardens, Sibpur, near Calcutta, laid four eggs in May 1890, all
of which were unfortunately broken. ‘The chief impediments to swans
breeding are the presence of other birds, some of which are destructive
_ to eggs; the necessity of driving them in every night for safety, causing
a certain amount of disturbance among them; and want of seclusion.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

found in the stomach and intestines of a large cormorant. Invagination

of the intestines has been known to cause the death of a snake-bird.
oid growths in the gullets of several species of ducks have been met
with. These cases chiefly occurred when they were kept in an artifizial
. ; er)

_

Thread worms, such as those commonly met with in fish, have oe,

condition in cages with brick floorings and masonry tanks. Tuberculosis
of the lungs and liver is not uncommon among various species of
aquatic birds. Leprosy of the liver has been met with in spotted bill
and pink-headed ducks. Disease of oil glands has often been noticed in
new atrivals; the birds neglect preening, and their feathers get wet,
resulting, not unfrequently, in cold, rheumatism, and other ailments;
dirt, confinement, and overcrowding during transit usually cause this
disease. The gland should be gently washed with tepid water and dirt
sticking about the place removed, and until its action is established, 4
the patient should not be exposed to wet: it is also brought on by

general debility and organic disorders. op >:

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS,

Cormorants are never shy; when sitting on a perch or on the
ground they generally keep their wings slightly expanded. This habit is
more noticeable in the little cormorant than in the larger species. They
dive for fish and hunt it under water, and such is the force of habit
that, when a fish is thrown on the floor, the cormorant picks up one,
immediately betakes to water, and after having swum and dived fora
few seconds, comes ashore to eat it. The snake-birds have almost iden-
tical habits with the cormorants; those in this garden seem to be very |
retiring. {

The same set of pelicans have been observed to resort to a particular
tank immediately after the first shower of monsoon rain, and having
enjoyed fishing for five or six days, to desert it until about the same
time the next year; they never dive, but when hunting for fish
frequently plunge their beak deep into the water, the tail raised perpen-
dicularly above its surface ; it would remain in this position struggling to
find something for ten to fifteen seconds; they actively engage themselves
in hunting for food after the sun has gone down in the evening, some-
times continuing the operation at night, particularly if there is moon-
light ; they fish at other times also, especially in the morning, but not
so regularly. When regularly fed at a particular spot, they congregate
there at the approach of the feeding time and show their eagerness and
impatience for food by frequently opening their mandibles in imitation
of the action of receiving food into the pouch. The delicate flapping
movement of their exentsile pouch is most visible while they are resting
during the middle of the day. Swans are very cleanly in habits, and —
spend much time and attention in cleaning their feathers every morning
after breakfast ; some may be seen on shore assiduously engaged in
preening, others in water-washing themselves, passing the beak over every
part of the body, and now and then beating the water with both wings
to splash it over every part. ‘Their toilet finished, some repair again
to the feeding vessel to finish its contents, others retire for a nap or for a_
quiet sail. The swans gather together in the shade during the midday
heat of the summer, and remain quietly floated for hours, as if afraid to __
venture out in the sun. Swans are not unfrequently seen to fall sound 2
asleep while floating on the water and to drift along at the mercy of the —
breeze. Extremely graceful in the water, a swan is very awkward and
clumsy in its movements on land ; it feels relief on nearing the water; and

ee ee ee See ee Fe eS

.

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 309

when coming down a sloping bank, and about to reach its proper element
it is often observed to push itself forward on the breast. A swan is seen
at its best when, with wings and tail raised and feathers erect, it
majestically pursues a female. This, however, should not be confounded
with the ruffling of feathers caused by anger or fright. It has several
other movements, each expressive of a particular state of mind. Like

pelicans, the swan also plunges its neck deep into the water where it is

shallow with a view to extract something eatable from the mud at the
bottom. Another characteristic peculiarity of the swan is that it may
be seen swimming leisurely with one leg drawn backward and upward,
so as to be distinctly visible above water. At the approach of the
migratory season, which commences at the termination of the cold
weather, the ducks and geese evince great restlessness, and if loose and
capable of flight disappear. Ducks which in their wild state do not roost
on trees have been known to acquire the habit of a tree-duck in capti-
vity. Widgeons, white-eyed and mandarin ducks living in a large aviary ~
with other species of birds regularly roost on perches provided for
other birds. The seasonal change of plumage is noticeable in some
ducks, but it is most conspicuous in the mandarin; it begins throwing
off its feathers about the latter end of May, and by the first week of
July the casting off of the old feathers is complete. It remains in this
condition for about a fortnight, and after that period gradually bégins

to assume a new plumage, completing the change about the middle of

September. In one or two cases the growth of new feathers has been

noticed to become arrested in its progress, the moult remaining incom-

plete until after the next season. For detailed information with regard
to the habits of ducks and geese which visit India and the adjoining
countries, Hume and Marshall’s “ Game Birds of India, &.,” may be
consulted. !

(314) THE PAINTED SAND GROUSE.
(PETROCLES FASCIATUS—(Scop.) )
Hindi—Hunderi, Boat-bur, Bhut-titur.

Hab.—Greater part of India, except Lower Bengal.

(315) PALLAS’S SAND GROUSE.
(SYRRHAPTES PARADOXUS—(Pail,) )

The characteristic feature of this genus consists in its remarkabl
small feet, which are joined together at the base and feathered to the

claws.
Hab.—Deserts of Central Asia, North-West China.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Of a dozen specimens obtained in the latter end of 1888, only one
is now alive.

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(316) THE THIBETAN SAND GROUSE. —

(SYRRHAPTES TIBETANUS—(Gould.) ) et

s ead

Description.—“ It has the upper parts and breast minutely mottled _
with zigzag markings ; the throat and sides of the neck ochre yellow; _
the wings sandy yellow with some black markings on the scapulars; _
and the lower parts white. Length 20 inches.” eae,

For a detailed description of the species see Hume and Marshall’s _
‘Game Birds of India, Burmah, and Ceylon.” | ia

Hab.—Within India, the desert Alpine tracts of Ladak and the
upper portions of the Sutle] Valley; beyond it, the high plateaux north
of the Himalayas.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The same as the preceding species.

(317) THE LITTLE BUTTON QUAIL.
(TURNIX DUSSUMIERI—(Temm.) )

Hindi—Dubki, Turra. Bengali—Libbia in Purneah.

Hab.— Widely distributed in India, but not very common in Lower
Bengal. In Bengal specimens have been obtained from J essore.
Purneah, Bhagulpore, Nya Dumka, &e. '

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—In providing accommodation for the sand grouse, damp
and wet should be scrupulously avoided, and may be generally treated
like the houbara bustard.

Food.—Grains, seeds, fruits, and berries; a liberal allowance of
vegetables should be supplied. Insects and worms are also acceptable
to them.

Transport.—The sand grouse are extremely shy birds, and should
be treated almost like pheasants.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

An autopsy was performed in almost every case after the death
of a Pallas’s or Thibetan sand grouse, and in the majority of them death _
was found to have been caused by disorders of the fiver or lungs. a

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF SAND GROUSE. —

They are extremely timid birds, and as shy after six months as on _
their arrival ; although the cage in which they lived was lofty and |
spacious, they were seldom, if ever, observed to fly, always preferring —
to squat on the sand and hay on the floor ; they are said to be rather
noisy birds in their wild state; in captivity, however, they are not so.

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 311

(318) THE SARAS CRANE.
(GRUS ANTIGONE—(Linz.) )
Hindi and Bengali—sSuaras.

It is a well-known bird, and therefore no description is necessary.

Hab.—India and Burmah ; not common in Lower Bengal. For
a detailed account of its distribution see Hume and Marshall’s “ Game
Birds of India, &c.” ‘

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Saras cranes are generally hardy and live for years; the nestling
and yearling birds which are frequently brought for sale, are, however,
sometimes difficult to rear. an: .

(319) THH COMMON CRANE.
(GRUS COMMUNIS—Becist.)
Hindi—Kulung.

Description—The prevailing colour of the plumage dark ashy,
washed with faint bluish ; forehead black ; crown red ; sides of the head
and neck white. In most specimens the white has a reddish or bufty
tinge; tertiaries elongated, floating and black tipped. The colour of the
bill varies a good deal in shade in different individuals; it is usually
dingy horny green; the colour of the irides also varies ; legs black.

Hab.—Found throughout Europe, extending to Northern Africa,
Palestine, Asia Minor, Persia, Afghanistan, Siberia, and China. In
India it is a winter visitant only, being more common in the north than
towards the east; there is no record of its ever being found in Lower
Bengal.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The longest period during which any of these birds has as yet lived
here has been three years and a few months only.

(320) THE AUSTRALIAN CRANE.
(GRUS AUSTRALASIANA—Gouid )

Tt resembles the saras crane, but is somewhat smailer, and the
extent of the red, which is lighter and of a buffy tinge, limited.
Hab.—Australia.
LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY

Four years.

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21) 1 THE LARGE WHITE, OR THE SNOW-WREATH
CRANE.

(GRUS LEUCOGERANUS—Pall.)

_ Hindi—Care-Kur. Tunhi in Oudh.

Except the quills, which are black, the whole plumage is wines ;
the naked skin of the face red; legs and feet red; the red is duller in
immature specimens, and very intense and bri ght in adult during the
breeding season. a

Hab.—Afghanistan, Eastern Turkestan, various parts of Siberia.
Mongolia, Manchuria, and Japan, and rarely North China; it visits
India as a winter migrant, and is generally confined to several districts
of the North-Western Provinces, and to the lakes and rivers of the
Himalayas.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens have been living since 1882.

(822) THE WHITE-NECKED CRANE.

(GRUS LEUCAUCHEN—TZemm.)

Of a brownish slaty grey colour ; the head and the upper part of the
neck white.
Hab.—Japan.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

‘Two years and six months; the death was caused by some accident,

(323) THE MANCHURIAN CRANE.

(GRUS VIRIDIROSTRIS— Vieci/.)

It resembles the kulung or common crane, but differs from it
in having a green bill and black legs; in immature specimens the
green of the bill is dull.

Hab.—North China.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Nearly three years ; the specimens exhibited never assumed proper -
plumage or looked happy. z

(824) THE DEMOISELLE CRANE. _

(GRUS VIRGO—Zinz.) .

Hindi— Karkarra.

Description.—Head, neck, and elongated plumes of the breast black ; =
a tuft of white feathers ad backwards from each eye; the genera i

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 313

plumage ashy grey; quills black ; the tertiaries elongated and drooping ;
bill greenish at the base, yellowish in the middle, and pinkish at the
tip (the latter is not always very distinct); irides coral red.

Hab.—Southern and South-Eastern Europe, Northern Africa,
Asia Minor, countries about the Caspian, Eastern Turkestan, Afghan-
istan, Southern and North Eastern Siberia, Dauria, Mongolia, and
Western China. It is a cold weather visitant to India, and is found
during the winter in the western parts of Southern India, Central
Provinces, the North-West Provinces, Behar, in the sub-montane
districts of Bengal and Assam.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

It bears captivity remarkably well, as some of them have been
living for a number of years.

(825) THE BALEARIC CRANE.
(BALEARICA PAVONINA—(Linz.))

Description.— Forehead velvety black; crown of the head adorned
witha large tuft of wire-like bristles of variegated colour ; general colour
of the upper plumage, including the hackle-like plumes, ashy grey;
chin black; beneath and behind the eye a large bare red patch; the
exposed parts of the wings white, the inner red; some reddish brown
loose plumes cover the lower parts of the wing ; under surface grey.

Hab.— West Africa.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimen living since 1883. —

(826) THE CAPE CROWNED CRANE.
(BALEARICA CHRYSOPELARGUS—(Zicht,) )

In this species the bare patch beneath and behind the eye is

white.
Hab.—West Africa.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—Properly speaking, cranes require no housing ;_ they
enjoy nothing better than being kept loose in a garden, with freedom
to roam about as they like; but this mode of keeping does not answer
in a public garden where hundreds of visitors daily resort. The next best
accommodation for them is a large enclosure with a tank, so that they
may have ready access to water. ‘The crowned cranes have been found
doing well in enclosures without a tank: the saras, snow-wreath. and
the demoiselle cranes require no particular protection from rain “ine
the success which has hitherto attended the keeping of the ed
cranes is mainly due to the scrupulous care with which they have been

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protected from the vicissitudes of the climate. Saras cranes are much _
given to fighting among themselves and with others, and care should
be taken to isolate the ill-tempered ones. Jackals and other larger
predatory animals are great enemies of animals that cannot defend
themselves, and the smaller cranes are among them ; hence the necessity
of shutting them in every night. ti

Food. —Cranes are usually fed on grains of various kinds, soaked or
dry, according to individual taste, and vegetables; but some of them find
a great deal of their own food, consisting of frogs, lizards, small reptiles,
fresh-water shells, earth-worms, &c. This shows the kind of accommoda-
tion they must have. The white and the crowned cranes do not appear —
to care much for this kind of diet.

Transport.—Half a dozen or more saras or other cranes are fre-
quently brought down to Calcutta from Lucknow and other up-country
stations in wicker cages, all being hooded with a piece of cloth to pre-
vent their pecking at each other. The birds suffer much, as they can —
neither eat nor drink properly during the time the journey lasts. Demoi- |
selle cranes are not much given to pecking at each other or anybody, |
and therefore seldom require hooding. When they are to be sent to !
far countries and the journey to last for a considerable time over the
sea, no wicker arrangement will do, but a light strong plank cage of
suitable size should be provided ; the front must be made of wire netting
to prevent the birds putting out their beaks, and a screen provided for
letting down in bad weather; unless they have lived peacefully for
some time and their temper is well known, saras and white cranes
should not be placed in pairs, but all separately.

Nothing particular is known about their ailments in captivity.

77a)

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF CRANES.

A saras crane is fond of living in the neighbourhood of water, and
so are the demoiselle, snow-wreath, and the Australian cranes ; it is never
shy, timid, or suspicious, but soon becomes tame and confiding, so that
it readily comes to the side of the enclosure to be fed and caressed, not
unfrequently evincing great pleasure at the notice taken of it by per-
forming many amusing antics with outstretched wings and accompanied
by a low, subdued trumpeting; its purring is also expressive of pleasure.
A saras of a bad disposition is, however, not uncommon; it appears to
exist only, as it were, for pecking at everything, bird, beast, and man;
children being the special object of its wrath. It usually feeds during
the day, but on several occasions it has been observed to be engaged in
stirring up the mud and searching for food till late at night. The trum-
peting of a saras is loud and piercing and may be heard at long dis-
tances; it is heard oftener at night and early in the morning; and when
they are living in batches in different parts of the garden, the callof __
one is always answered by the others. Whether they habitually kill
snakes is not known, but on one occasion two of them were observed
doing so. The white or snow-wreath crane is more shy and generally
less noisy, though at the breeding season it may be heard calling loud
and sometimes incessantly with much display of plumage; compared ~
with the saras its note is feeble, but not so feeble as it has been repre-
sented to be by some authorities; the note is a shrill, shivering whistle —

*

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 315
7

with a mellow weirdness about it; the white crane appears to be fonder
of water than the saras or any other crane. The common, Manchurian
and Japanese white cranes have not thriven well here, and have generally
behaved in a listless way. The dance of the demoiselle cranes at the
commencement of the breeding season is well worth observing; it has
been graphically described by Von Nordmann, and quoted by Hume
and Marshall in “ Game Birds of India, &.” “They dance and
jump,” Von Nordmann says,“ towards each other, bowing themselves
in a most burlesque manner, bending their necks forward, extending
the plumes on the neck and depressing their wings; others again in
the meanwhile run races, and on arrival at the goal return striding
along gravely and quietly, whilst the rest of the assembly greet them
with reiterated cries, inclinations of the head, and other demonstra-
tions.” It appears that this dance depends a great deal upon the
number of birds living together. With occasional interruptions, a few
of these birds have always been living in the garden ever since its
establishment, but they were never noticed to dance before. It was in
the spring of 1891 that they were for the first time observed to indulge
in this habit, their number having previously been augmented by the
accession of a good many new specimens. During the season of
migration they become inordinately restless, calling incessantly and
making repeated ineffectual attempts at flight; they are always lively
and active in the forenoon, but generally quieter in the afternoon.
The specimen of the belearic crane living in the garden is a most
amusing creature ; but it has its moods: grave or gay, pugnacious or
_ amiable ; it has two distinct call notes, uttered in succession; and mostly
heard while shut up in its house.

(827) THE INDIAN HOUBARA BUSTARD.

(HOUBARA MACQUEENI—¥J. #. Gray g& Hardw.)

Description.— Head crested ; the crest is composed of a series of
lengthened slender feathers in the centre of the crown; those in front
white with black tips, those behind wholly white; upper plumage pale
buff and beautifully mottled; terminal half of the primaries black ;
cheeks white, with black shafts and tips; the throat white; neck
delicate fulvous; under parts white; the neck ruff begins from near the
ear coverts; those at the sides of the neck are very long, white at the
base and black at the tip; bill horny or horny slate colour; irides
pale to bright yellow; legs'and feet pale yellow. Total length from
20 to 27 inches.

Hab.—The plains of the Punjab, Rajputana, Northern Guzerat,
Cutch, the northern parts of Kattywar and Sindh; stragglers may some-
times be found in other places in North-West India during the cold
weather; common and abundant in the desert tracts of Bikaneer,
Jodhpore, and adjacent tracts. ‘They are cold weather visitants to India,
and are found throughout the year in Afghanistan and Persia.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens have been living since April 1890.

528), THE BENGAL FLORICAN.

(SYPHEOTES BENGALENSIS—P. Z. 8. Miiller) he

A specimen obtained some years ago lived for a few days only 5 aa
another has recently been obtained, and is so far doing well. a

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—The only way to make the damp, moist climate of
Lower Bengal tolerable to a bustard is to give it a high and dry place
to live in, with a run of suitable dimension attached to the cage;
the latter should be turfed and planted here and there with shrubs
to afford it concealment when alarmed; it is an extremely timid
bird, and impatient of intrusion, exhibiting much fright and rest-
lessness at the slightest cause of excitement. Until such time as
it gets over this state of mind, it should either be placed in an unfre-
quented part of a garden, or such precautions taken as to prevent its i
remaining in a constant state of excitement and unrest ; canvas screens
may be kept down, or a light hand-railing placed round the cage
to prevent visitors approaching too near. A place similar to that
assigned to the swans, pelicans, &c., 1s no doubt the best for the Bengal
florican, which frequents swamps and jheels; failing this it, may be
accommodated with the bustard.

Food.—In its wild state the bustard feeds on fruits, berries, shoots
of grass, picking up grasshoppers and beetles; in captivity the same
kind of food may be easily supplied. Specimens. now living in the
collection were habituated to feed on bread and milk, and on being
offered fruits and grains took no notice of either. They are, however,
being gradually weaned from a bread and milk diet; if the run is
large, patches of paddy, wheat, Indian-corn, mustard, and lemon
grass may be planted in proper seasons: while the unripe ears of corn
and tender shoots of grass will supply them with a good deal of natural
food, the plants will afford them cover and amusement. The florican
feeds on seeds, grass, and insects. |

Transport.—Should be treated like the pheasants.

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OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF HOUBARA. .

The species has only been lately obtained, and has not yet become
thoroughly accustomed to its new surroundings. It behaves much like
a partridge in walking up and down the sides of the cage, and dashing
against the wire when alarmed. a

(829) THE PURPLE COOT.
(PORPHYRIO POLIOCEPHALUS—(Zatz.) )

Hindi--Keim Kaim. Bengali—Kéem Kem.

Hab.—Found throughout India and Ceylon, and is common in 3 |
Bengal wherever there are extensive marshes and jheels. A

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. ole

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

As the specimens have got mixed up, it is difficult to determine
the individual identity ; it is, however, not unlikely that some have been
living for the last twelve years or even more.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—Being aggressive and quarrelsome in habits, it cannot

unfortunately, be kept with the ducks and other smaller aquatic birds,

and is coasequeatly accommodated in less suitable places | Wherever
placed, it should have abundant supply of reeds, tank-weeds, and other
plants growing in water, as the stems not only afford it food, but it
delights to walk and perch on, them. It soon becomes tame, and may
then be kept loose in tanks and jheels.

Food.—Seeds, grains, and vegetables. Those living in the garden
appear to be ominvorous. Minced meat, bits of bread, and other
remnants of food are as welcome to them as grain and seed.

Breeding —The purple coots have thrice bred in this garden, each
time the hen laying four eggs: they have been known to have two
broods in a year.} Karly in June 1890 a pair had two chicks, which were
unfortunately killed by some vermin before they were many days old;
the pair concerned were, however, determined to have young ones,
so that, after an interval of about a fortnight fresh eggs were laid, and
in due time hatched. Proper precautions having this time been taken,
they succeeded in rearing the young, which are now full-grown birds.
Although the male was frequently near the female during the process of
incubation, it was never noticed to take any share in the act. For about
two months after the young are hatched, the parents exhibit great soli-
citude and concern in their safety and well-being, so that, if anything
unusual occurs, the hen bird at once runs towards the chicks and sits
crouching with wings stretched over them, while the cock assumes an
attitude of anger and defiance towards the intruders; often has a coot
been observed to stand against the wire-netting, and watch every move-
ment of a domestic fowl just outside it, of whose presence it would take
no notice under ordinary circumstances. They have also been repeatedly
observed to fly in a rage with outstretched wings towards a new keeper
and to peck and kick him with vicious energy. The eggs are faint
bluish grey and spotted brown. The young coots take about six months
to assume perfect plumage. : ,

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF Coots.

The coots destroy eggs by sucking them, and have been known to
treat even their own eggsin this way. They fight among themselves
with energy and force, and when thus engaged they sometimes get inter-
locked.

_ (830) BLYTH’S COOT.

(PORPHYRIO CHLORONOTUS —Biytz.)
Hab.— Africa, The specimen was caught 50 miles off Cape Verde.

A HAND-BOOK OF THE Mi

#

LENGTH OF LIFE IN THE GARDEN.
About three years. Shes
(331) THE COOT.

(FULICA ATRA—Linn.)

Hindi—Dasarni. Bengali—Burra Godhan, about Purneah.

Description.— The entire plumage black, deep about the hea 2
neck, greyish on the back, and ashy below ; bill and frontal disk white,
the former slightly tinged with pink or rosy during the breeding season;
in young birds the frontal disk is inconspicuous; irides red; feet green-
ish. toad
Hab.—Europe, Asia, and Africa; common in most parts of India. —

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

The same remarks as have been made with regard to the purple
coots apply to these also.

(332) THE WATER COCK.
(GALLICREX CINEREUS—(Gmel.) )

Hindi and Bengali—ora or Khora. a
It resembles the purple coot in general appearance; but the pre- a
vailing colour of its plumage is dull black instead of bluish ; the male ~
has a long flesh-red crest. a
Hab.—India, Burmah, Ceylon, and Malayana; common in Lower —
Bengal. Specimens have been obtained from Dacca and Tipperah.
LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

About seven years.

- (833) THE MOOR HEN.

(GALLINULA CHLOROPUS—(Zinz.) )

Hindi—Jat Murghi. Bengali—Dahuk Paira.
Hab.—Found throughout India.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
No record.

(3834) THE WHITE-BREASTED WATER HEN.

(ERYTHRA PHCNICURA—(Penn.) )

: Hindi and Bengali—Dahuk. i
= Hab.—India, Burmah, Ceylon, and the Malayan Islands ; iH is ver
common in Lower Bengal, and numbers of them are found in a
state within the garden. ‘

Oe e
IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 319

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

No record of individual specimens has been kept, but the species
bears captivity well.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing and feeding.—The coots and water hens may be treated
like the purple coot. With the exception of the water cock, they areall
good tempered and sociable and do well with the ducks; the water hens
live happily in a large aviary. They mostly feed on vegetables; but
almost everything supplied to other birds is welcome to them, minced
meat and maggots not excepted. |

Breeding.—The white-breasted water hens breed regularly within
the garden, building their nests of weeds in the midst of shrubberies
near the edge of the tank; in tanks full of weeds they have often been
found to build right in the middle.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF Coots AND WATER HEns.

The coot is most aquatic in habits, swimming and diving like a
duck ; the water cock has similar habits to that of the purple coot, but
it is shy and retiring in disposition ; though not generally aggressive,
when provoked it fights savagely ; it has a peculiar deep trumpet-like
voice ; the water hen is very tame and sociable; the jerky movement of
its tail is very noticeable, especially when it is excited. They are
_ rather noisy birds, particularly during the breeding season ; those living
in the aviary always roost on the topmost perches.

(335) HARDWICKE’S SPUR FOWL.

(GALLOPERDIX LUNULATA—(Valenc.) )

The spur of the hen bird is small, and there is generally only one

in each leg.
Hab.—Several parts of Southern India, including the Eastern

Ghats, Hyderabad in the Deccan, and extending through Central

Provinces to Mirzapore and Monghyr.
There is no record of the period during which any of them lived

in this garden.
(336) THE BLACK FRANCOLIN.

(FRANCOLINUS VULGARIS—Step2.)

Hindi—Kala titur. Ghaghar.

Hab.—Throughout the whole of Northern India, from the Hima-
layas to the valley of the Ganges ; Cuttack, Midnapore, Maldah,
Dinajpore, Rungpore, Dacca, Tipperah, Sylhet, Cachar, Manipur, the
Garo and Khasia Hills, Bhutan Duars. Outside India it is found in
Southern Beluchistan, Afghanistan, Southern Persia, and the forest
regions of the Caspian.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

~The black francolin does well in captivity in Lewer B. n
specimens have lived for upwards of ten years. ar

(337) THE PAINTED FRANCOLIN.
(FRANCOLINUS PICTUS—Jerd. et Seid.)

Hab.—Central and Southern India, Saugor and Nerbudda districts,
Cuttack, and Nagpore.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
The same as the black francolin.
(338) THE GREY FRANCOLIN.
(FRANCOLINUS PONTICERIANUS—(@mel.) )
Hab.-~Central India,
(339) THE WOOD FRANCOLIN.

(FRANCOLINUS GULARIS—(Shaw.) )
Hab.—Kastern Bengal.

(340) THE HILL FRANCOLIN. BS 4

(ARBORICOLA TORQUEOLA—( Val.) )
Hindi—Ban titur. Peura.

As this species is not very commonly known in Lower Bengal,
a short description is given.

Male—head and ear coverts rusty; the sides of the neck and nape
the same colour; lores and supercilia black, the latter lined with a
narrow white streak ; ; shoulders, back, and rump olive, with dusky
triangular spots, those on the rump being black; chin and throat black, —
the outer feathers being margined white; the. neck and upper part of
breast bright olive; below the black of the throat is a circle of white; oa
the lower breast and belly greyish white ; sides olive, tinged with chest-
nut and marked with large white spots : ; tail black speckled, with
a terminal dark band; bill black ; irides brown; legs red; total length
about 103 to LL qaphes, The female differs from the ‘male i in having
the head and neck olive or olivaceous with black speckles, and the chin, _
throat, and sides of the neck light chestnut, with black murkings ; the
neck and the breast olive with a chestnut gorget. a

The shoulder, back, rump, and sides of the specimens in the garden a
are light ashy. hi

Hab.—F¥ ound in the Himalayas from Simla to peo at elevatio ons
from 5,000 to 9,000 feet ; it also occurs in Assam.’ ss

~

* IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 821

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens have lived upwards of six years; appear to bear captivity
well in Lower Bengal.

(341) THE WESTERN BAMBOO-PARTRIDGE.

(BAMBUSICOLA FYTCHII—<Anderson.)

Description.—Head and nape greyish brown ; back olivaceous ashy ;
the feathers of the upper back and scapular with longitudinal chestnut
-markings ; the secondaries and tertiaries have broad chestnut markings
and black subterminal spots and whitish tips; quills deep chestnut with
black edgings ; tail ruddy brown, with ruddy chestnut bands and dark
edgings; lores, pale buff, extending beyond the eyes as a supercilium ;
ear coverts, chin, and throat pale rusty; a broad, black streak extends
downward from behind the eye ; the feathers of the breast have rufous
markings in the centre and paler at the outer edge, and all margined
with black, giving a scaly appearance; breast and abdomen buff ; sides
spotted with black; legs pale grey, with a greenish tinge; bill pale
horny black.

Hab.—The Khasia and Garo Hills, North Cachar, and Naga Hills,

and throughout the hill ranges of Upper Burmah.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

It does not appear to thrive well in captivity.

(342) THE BLACK-BREASTED OR THE RAIN QUAIL.

(COTURNIX COROMAN DELICA—(Gmel.) )
Hindi— Batter.
Hab.—Found in most parts of India.
(848) THE COMMON QUAIL.

(COTURNIX COMMUNIS—Bonz.)

Hindi—Burra Batter. Bengali—Butiree.

Hab.—Found throughout the most part of India; outside India,
it occurs in Beluchistan, Afghanistan, Persia, Arabia, and nearly
throughout the whole of Asia

(344) THE ASIATIC QUAIL.

(PERDICULA ASIATICA—(Lath.) )

Juhar in Western Bengal.
Hab.—Found almost throughout whole India, including Lower
Bengal.

:

x

Although cae is no record, quails aed gone don |
this garden.

(345) THE CROWNED PARTRIDGE.

~

(ROLLULUS CRISTATUS—(@mel.) )

on the head; colour of the plumage ove greenish ; ndernes
black; wings brown ; legs and feet red; basal portion of the bill al
red, rest of the bill black. The sexes differ ; the female has no crest > ae
the general colour of the plumage grass green. ies

Tab.—Southern Tenasserim, Malayan peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo,
and probably Java. |

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Upwards of seven years.

(346) THE BLACK ROLLULUS.

(ROLLULUS NIGER—(Zemm.) )

Description.— Entirely black, with a red crest.
Hab.—Malay peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo.

(347) THE CALIFORNIAN QUAIL.

(CALLIPEPLA CALIFORNICA—(Shkaw.) )

In size it is much larger than any of the quails described ahoren ; e.
its head is ornamented with a crest. Re:
Hab.—California.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens have lived for over five years.

(348) THE CHUKAR PARTRIDGE.

(CACCABIS CHUKAR—(Gray.) )

Hindi—Chukor. Bengali—Chatkor.

Though well known by name as a bird mentioned in the laa
literature of India, its identity is not generally familiar in Bengal.

Description.—General colour of the plumage above pale blu
| ashy, washed with rufous; neck and breast ashy, passing into
5 in the abdomen ; lores black, a slight white band behind the eye
chin, and throat hight fulvous ; a necklace of black band, comm
at the corner of the eye, surrounds the throat; wings reddisl

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 3823

coverts and the primaries narrowly edged with buff; sides of the breast
and belly banded ; the feathers being ashy at the base, black in the
middle and tipped brown; bill red; irides buff; legs and feet red;
total length varies from 15 to 17 inches. The female resembles tlie
male, but has no spur, and the general colouring of the plumage is
somewhat dull.

T'wo varieties of chukars have commonly been exhibited. Some

Specimens are dark, with bright red bill and legs; others pale and
light coloured. ‘These differences are due (vide Hume’s “ Birds ”’) to the
varying conditions of the climate in which they live.
_ Hab.—Throughout the Himalayas, from the east of Nepal to
Afghanistan, and from thence southwards to the level of the sea;
the salt range of Punjab. It also occurs beyond the Himalayas, in
Chinese Thibet, Southern Mongolia, and the mountainous parts of
Northern China.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Although specimens have lived for five or six years, they do not
as a rule thrive in the climate of Bengal. 7

(349) THE HIMALAYAN SNOW COCK.

(TETRAOGALLUS HIMALAYENSIS—Gray.)
Hab.—Throughout the Himalayas from the east of Kumaon.

(350) THE THIBETAN SNOW COCK.

(TETRAOGALLUS TIBETANUS—Gould.)

Hab.—The specimen exhibited in the garden was said to have

been brought from Almora.
Both the above species were very short-lived in this garden.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—Wet and damp should be avoided. Though not generally
retiring in disposition, these birds all like concealment, and provision
should be made that they may enjoy it when they like ; small elongated
boxes without a bottom placed on the floor, heaps of hay and straw,
shrubs in pots may be advantageously used for this purpose; these
birds when kept ina large aviary appear to do well; proper accom-
modation for partridges ought to be of the same style as that recom-
mended for pheasants; new arrivals should not be placed in a house
lighted from the sides, but when this is unavoidable, a piece of tarred
canvas may be hung up against the wire to prevent the glare.

Food.—Grains and seeds of various kinds, insects, maggots, and
vegetables ; some of them are foul feeders, and enjoy stable refuse
and filth.

Breeding.—The black and the grey partridges have frequently
laid in this garden, without even making any nest.

Transport.—May be generally treated like the pheasants.
| ; xc

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Oo4 - A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMATS

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS,

Partridges suffer from almost all the diseases to which pheas
in captivity are subject, and in such cases the same treatment
be tried ; climate much affects the chukar partridges, especially durin
the rains. An apparently healthy and lively bird becomes dull, leaves _
off feeding, sits listless with feathers blown out, and is found dead
the next morning ; a post-mortem examination shows nothing particular __
to account for the death. Abnormal and misshapen growths of beaks
and nails have been met with in partridges, the result, in most cases,
of the unnatural conditions in which they are condemned to live in
captivity; constant pecking at hard things, and scratching amongst
leaves and pebbles in search of food has the natural effect of wearing
off the beak and nail in a wild state; while the ease and regularity
with which they obtain food in captivity has often an opposite effect.
Tuvercular diseases of the lungs and liver are also common.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF PARTRIDGES.

Partridges are ground birds, though some of them, such as the
F. pictus, occasionally roost on shrubs or low perches, probably for
concealment ; the chukar partridge is, however, an exception: it general-
ly roosts high. Most of them keep to the corners of the aviaries, hidden
away behind shrubs or underneath the wooden stages for plants,
sallying forth every now and then in search of food or for amusement ;
older birds are bolder and may generally be seen treading the floor
of the house in company with other species. New arrivals are very
timid, and some of them so stupid that, in spite of opportunity for
concealment, they persist in hugging the sides of the cage, close to the
wire or a white wall, to the great jury of their breast feathers and
head. In aviaries thickly sprinkled with sand or dry earth the tame
partridges make hollows by scraping them, and there enjoy dust-baths;
they lie on their breasts, leaning now on one side and then on another
and exposing the wings alternately—their enjoyment is complete if
the place is sunny. The black partridge is very noisy during the
spring, which corresponds with its breeding season, and calls loud
and incessantly in the morning, at midday, and sometimes even at
night ; the painted partridge has a pleasant chirping note ; the chukar
is another noisy bird; its call-note is fully described by Hume. The
chukar partridges are more quarrelsome and pugnacious than the other _
species.

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Swe
Pe Bee, ee Owe sb ae

=.

(351) THE HIMALAYAN MONAUL.

(LOPHOPHORUS IMPEYANUS—(Latt.))

Description.“ Male, head with the crest and throat bright me- —
tallic green; back of the neck brillant iridescent purple, passing into —
bronzy green, and all with a golden gloss; upper part of the back and —
Wing coverts, rump, and upper tail coverts, richly glossed with purple —
and green, the latter colour prevailing on the wings and furthest tail- —
coverts, and the purple on the back and rump ; middle of the back white ;
quills black; tail cinnamon rufous; the whole lower surface. black,

oe ;
ng a
ui
.

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 325

glossed on the throat with green and purple, dull and unglossed else-
where.”—Jerdon. Total length 27 to 28 inches; bill horny grey;
naked orbits blue. The female is pale brown with dark spots and
markings, and is smaller in size than the male; chin and throat white.

The males lose much of the bright metallic lustre of the plumage
aiter a season in the plains.

Hab.—“ From the western borders of Kashmir to the more
western portions, at any rate, of Bhutan. The Monaul is found in
suitable localities throughout the Himalayas.”—Hume.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen lived for about eighteen months. Others have come
into the possession of the garden, but none have thriven; nor is this
expected, considering the high elevation at which they live.

(352) SCLATER’S MONAUL.

(LOPHOPHORUS SCLATERI—Jerdon.)

This bird has no crest; there is a large bare space all round the
eye of a bright blue colour; the sides and back of the neck rich golden
copper with a metallic gloss; the middle back, rump, and upper tail
coverts white; in other respects it resembles the preceding species
generally.

Hab.—Said to inhabit the hills near Sadiya in Upper Assam. A

_ specimen was on deposit for a few months.

(353) THE PHEASANT.

(PHASIANUS COLCHICUS—Linzn.)

Description.—Head green, brownish on the occiput; behind the
ears are small tufts of greenish feathers; throat, sides of face, spot
under eye, and neck green, with blue reflexions; upper back golden
yellow, feathers with triangular marks of dark blue; rest of the back
black, with chestnut margins, and a buffy white streak running parallel
to the shaft ; ramp red with greenish reflexions, deep red over the tail;
upper tail coverts olive brown, mottled with brownish black ; upper part
of the breast rich brown-red, glossing from orange to purple and blue;
flank golden orange broadly tipped with deep blue; abdomen black,
with centre feathers yellowish brown in the middle, next a red longi-
tudinal line, and a green edging ; narrow black bars cross the centre ;
lateral feathers mottled black on their inner webs; further laterally
they are mottled on both webs; under tail coverts deep red; bare skin
of the eye scarlet, finely dotted with green feathers. ‘The female is gene:
rally smaller, of a greyish yellow colour, and mottled.

Hab.—British Islands.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Bears captivity well; some of the specimens lived over seven
years.

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(354) THE RING-NECKED PHEASANT.

(PHASIANUS TORQUATUS—Gmel.)

Description.— Forehead and crown light green; ear tufts and
deep green with bluish reflexions; collar round the neck white, inter
rupted in front by the green ; upper back brownish red, feathers with bla
tips and margins; wing coverts buff in the centre, a line of black next,
and purplish red at the tip; rump red with green reflexions, some buff
marking being visible here and there; shoulders light brown witl
greenish reflexions; secondaries light brown, having deep chestnut
margins; primaries brown, barred irregularly with yellowish white;
upper tail coverts red, breast purplish red with rich coppery lustre, the
feathers margined with bluish black; flanks golden chestnut, centre of
each feather marked with dark blue; abdomen black with greenish
reflexions; under tail coverts red; tail very long, yellowish brown,
irregularly barred with black, and margined red. The female is brown-
ish, the feathers margined with buff; throat whitish. .

Hybrids between this and the preceding species have often been
exhibited. 7 a

Hab.—China.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

As hardy as the common pheasants, and live as well.

(355) SGEMMERRING’S PHEASANT.

(PHASIANUS SHMMERRINGI—Temm.)

“The male has the whole of the upper surface and throat of a
fine coppery brown, with a lighter border to each feather, which in
some lights appear of a purple hue ; in others rich coppery red, and in
others again bright but deep flame colour—this latter being especiall
conspicuous on the lower part of the back and upper tail coverts * *
- - ig *; feathers of the under surface marked _
like the upper, but the bordering is not luminous, and terminates in
dull grey, within which , on the lower part of the sides of the abdomen,
is a narrow line of white; eye orbits red; bill brown colour; feet
bluish brown colour.”—Gouwld.

Hab.—Japan.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A male lived for about three years, but it never gained a perfect a
plumage. | | ‘Jp

(356) THE BAR-TAILED PHEASANT.

(PHASIANUS REEVESI—Gray.)

Description.—‘ The head is covered by a cowl of white, surre an
by a band of black, with a spot of white under the eye; the neck has

”

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 327

a broad ring of white; the feathers of the back and upper part of the
breast are of a brilliant golden yellow, margined with black; those of
the lower part of the breast are white, each one presenting bands of
black more or less irregular in their arrangement; the under parts of
the body are deep black ; the tail is formed of eighteen feathers, which
are closely folded together, so that the entire tail appears narrow ; at the
broadest part, the feathers are about two inches in breadth; the ground
colour of each tail feather is greyish white in the centre, and golden red
at the edges, and crossed with crescent-shaped bars, which vary in
number according to the length of the feather, in the longest feather
being considerably more than fifty.” — Tegetmeier.

The irregular bands of black on the lower part of the breast are
variable in extent and intensity, so that the breast appears more yellow
in some specimens than in others.

Hab.—North China.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Of a number of birds exhibited from time to time only one bore
captivity well, and lived for about seven years.

(357) ELLIOT’S PHEASANT.

(PHASIANUS ELLIOTI—Swink.)

A specimen of this gorgeously coloured bird lived for about a
month only. |
Hab.—China.

(358) THE CHEER PHEASANT.

(PHASIANUS WALLICHII—Aardw.)

A plain-looking bird of an ashy brown colour, with black and
yellowish bars to the feathers; the head crested; bare area round the
eye red; total length about 45 inches, of which the tail is about 26;
the female is smaller and lighter in colour.

Hab.—The Himalayas, being found in Nepal, Kumaon, Garhwal,
Dehra Dun, Kulu, Kangra, &c.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Not recorded ; it does not appear to bear captivity in the plains.

(359) THE GOLD PHEASANT.

(THAUMALEA PICTA—(Linz.) )

Description.—In general appearance an adult male is a red and
yellow bird with finely variegated feathers. The head is ornamented
with a long crest of silky orange coloured feathers. This extends back-
wards over a tippet formed of broad, flat feathers, which are ef a deep

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328 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS
Da ee
orange colour, with dark blue bars across the tips. These latter form,
when the feathers are in position, a series of horizontal lines across by
tippet. ‘‘ Below this tippet on the lower part of the neck the feathe
are deep green margined with velvet black; below this again are the
scapular feathers of a dark crimson; the back and rump are golden
yellow ; the tail itself is very long; the two longest central feathers ae
are covered with small irregular circles of light brown on a dark
ground, giving them a mottled appearance; the other feathers are barred
diagonally with dark brown on a lighter ground. On each side of the :
base of the tail extend the long narrow upper tail coverts ofa bright —
orange crimson. The wings when closed show the deep blue tertiaries
covering the chestnut secondary quills. The upper part of the throat
is light brown; the breast and under parts orange scarlet.” —Tegetmeier. _
The hens are plain-looking birds, barred with alternate shades of
hight and dark brown.

(360) AMHERST’S PHEASANT.

(THAUMALEA AMHERSTIA—(Leadb.) )

Description. — Forehead green; the long plumes of the crest crim-
son; tippet white, each feather being margined with a dark green band,
with a second narrow band at some distance from the tip; the front of
the neck, the breast, shoulders, back and wing coverts, metallic green,
each feather being tipped with velvety black; the lower breast and
belly white ; the thighs and under tail coverts mottled dark brown and
white; the tail coverts are brown at the base, striped green and white
in the middle, and bright red at the end; the two middle tail feathers
are marked with transverse bands of green; the bill pale greenish ; the
naked skin of the face light blue. ;

Hybrids between this and the preceding species have also been
exhibited.

Hab.— China.

~*¥

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Six years.
(361) THE SIAMESE PHEASANT.

(EUPLOCAMUS PRAELATUS—(Bonap.) )

The general colour of the plumage bluish ashy or bluish grey of a
peculiar shade ; the feathers of the rump black with crimson margins.
Hab.—Siam and Cochin China.

(362) SWINHOEP’S PHEASANT.

(EUPLOCAMUS SWINHOII—Gould.)

The prevailing colour of the plumage is black, with bluish margins a
to feathers; longitudinal blue marking at the sides. of the neck and —
upper breast; an elongated patch of white on the hind neck and the ;

hey
- “fi
«

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 329

upper back; the portion on the back is lined at the sides and below with
a broad lining of bright chestnut with golden and coppery reflexions ;
there is also a small patch of white on the occiput.

Hab.— Formosa.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A male has been living for upwards of five years.

(363) THE RUFOUS-TAILED PHEASANT.
(EUPLOCAMUS ERYTHROPTHALMUS—(Raffes.) )

The general colour of the plumage black of different shades, the
rump scarlet, and the tail buff. The female has a dingy greenish
plumage, and possesses long spurs like the male.

Hab.— Malacca.

There is no record of the length of life.

(364) VIEILLOT’S FIREBACK.

(EUPLOCAMUS VIEILLOTI—(Gray.) )

Description.—Crest and general plumage steel blue; feathers of
the wings and back margined with brillant blue; rump bright red;
primaries dusky brown; upper tail coverts shining blue; central tail
feathers white; remainder black with a bluish gloss; feathers of the
flank streaked white at the centre; bare skin of the face déep blue;
crest compressed below but expanded at the top; the general colour of
the plumage of the female is chocolate brown.

Hab.—Malay peninsula and Sumatra.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens lived over five years.

(365) THE BORNEAN FIREBACK.

(EUPLOCAMUS NOBILIS—Sclater.)

Description.—Crest like that of the preceding species and blue-black
in colour; neck, upper breast, and back shiny black, with blue and
green reflexions; wings brownish black, with greenish margins to the
secondaries and tertiaries; primaries and under tail coverts black, with
metallic margins; middle of the abdomen and thighs black; tail
black with the exception of the four central feathers, which are brownish.

Hab.—Borneo.

A male lived about ten months only.

A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMEN

(366) THE SILVER PHEASAN f Ls

(EUPLOCAMUS NYCTHEMERUS—(Linn.) ) E.

Description.—The crest flowing and silky and blue-black in «
the upper part of the body including the tail white, feathers “ pencille
with most delicate tracery of black ;” the whole of the under parts blui
black and glossy; the large bare area of the face bright vermilion.
general colour of the female is brown, mottled with grey.

In perfectly healthy birds the bare skin becomes extroely
brilliant and somewhat swollen during the breeding season.

Hab.—China.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens have been living upwards of ten years.

(367) THE LINEATED KALEEGE.

(EUPLOCAMUS LINEATUS—Vig.)

Description.— The whole upper plumage biack, closely and finely > a8
pencilled with white ; on the wings and outer tail feathers the white lines
are broader and not so close as on the back; the inner webs of the
central tail feathers almost white, traces of markings being visible here |
and there; the breast and the whole lower plumage black, the sides _
being streaked with white; the crest black, and the large bare skin
of the face red. The female is somewhat pmaller and olive brown in
colour; the area of the bare skin of the face smaller and less brilliant.

Hab.— Pegu, Tenasserim, &c. —

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. a

About six years. @
(368) ANDERSON’S KALEEGHE.
(EUPLOCAMUS ANDERSONI—E#iliiot.)

It resembles a silver pheasant in certain points and a lineated in
others; the crest is like that of the latter; the marking on the back
and tail feathers are much coarser than either of the two pred
species.

Hab.—Burmah.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. ;
From November 1876 to September 1883. ey

(369) CUVIER’S KALEEGE.
(EUPLOCAMUS CUVIERI— —(emm.) )

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. abl

with deep blue; a tinge of blue runs through all the upper plumage;
and the feathers of the rump and upper tail coverts have broad white
margins; the vermiculations on the upper plumage are not so frequent
nor so white; and there is much less white on the tail.”’— Oates.

The female also resembles the female of £. Jineatus, but differs in
important points. It is much paler, there are no white streaks on the
neck; tail dark chestnut; outer feathers without any marks, the others
pencilled black ; the lower plumage much duller.

Hab.— Arracan.

There is no record of the period during which any of them lived
in the garden, but they are hardy birds and bear captivity well.

(370) THE PURPLE KALEEGE.

(EUPLOCAMUS HORSFIELDI- Gray.)

Description.—The upper plumage black, the feathers of the wings
margined brownish, and those of the rumps and upper tail coverts
conspicuously margined with white; the bare orbital skin crimson ;
the female is rufiscent brown, with no white streaks on the lower
plumage; the tail black with the exception of the central feathers.

ffab.—Cachar, the Khasia and Garo Hills, extending as far
eastward as Sadiya ; Bhutan, Sylhet, Hill Tipperah, Northern Chitta-
gong, and probably Arracan also.

No record of length of life in captivity.

(871) THE BLACK-BACKED KALEEGE.

(EUPLOCAMUS MELANOTIS—(Biyth.) )

Description.—Male—“ The whole upper plumage, including the
erest, glossy black; beneath white; the feathers of the throat and breast
long and lanceolate; abdomen, vent, and under tail coverts dull
brownish black.

Bill pale horny yellow; orbital skin fine red; irides brown; legs
horny. The female has the plumage brown, pale and whitish about the
head and throat ; the feathers of the back tipped with greyish, and those
of the wing coverts and beneath broadly edged with white; all the
feathers faintly white shafted.”—Jerdon.

i. ess aaa extending as far west as the easternmost parts of
epal. | : }

(372) THE WHITE-CRESTED KALEEGE.

(EUPLOCAMUS ALBO-CRISTATUS—( Viz.) )

Description.—Crest white; upper plumage bluish black, the feathers
being margined with brown ; lower back and rump white, feather barred
with black ; throat and breast greyish white, feathers lanceolate ; bill dark,
horny ; orbital skin bright red; the female is of an uniformly brown
plumage, the feathers being tipped with whity brown.

Hab.—North-West Himalayas.

302 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
Some of these have been living since 1885.
TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—In zoological collections pheasants, like most other birds,
are exhibited in fixed and permanent aviaries. Once placed in such a
habitation they are condemned to live in that limited space till death;
they tread the same hard brick floor day after day and year after year,
if they live so long; they have no change, cannot forage.for themselves,
and do not thrive.

A proper pheasantry should consist of a shed or house for shelter and
retirement and an open-air flight or enclosure as a grazing ground; to
be healthy and comfortable, it should be so constructed as to admit, if.
possible, of being shifted from one place to another as occasion arises.
No bird dislikes more than a pheasant a state of confinement for a
lengthened period, within a limited space, as nothing injures its health
more than the forced deprivation of all opportunity of grazing for itself.
The site selected should be dry and its drainage good, so that even
during the rains it ought to be altogether free from subsoil moisture ; to
ensure this it may be necessary to prepare the ground by raising it with
sandy soil. The system of giving the birds an occasional change of
ground may be much simplified by building a permanent shed of any
desired style and dimensions, and having the runs made of moveable
wire hurdles fixed on one side, so that they may be, when required,
shifted to the other side of the shed. Small plants andshrubs should be
planted in the runs ; these afford cover to timid birds which otherwise dash
against the wire netting at the slightest alarm. The runs may be netted
over at the top with stout fishermen’s netting, but to prevent inroads of
smaller predatory animals which prowl about everywhere during the night,
and even during the day, it is much better to use wire netting; as, however,
the pheasants are much given to flying against the top and injuring ~
themselves, a piece of string netting should be stretched across about
a foot below the wire. At night the pheasants should be shut in the
shed, which ought to be airy and well ventilated during the summer, ©
with contrivances to exclude draughts and cold during the winter.
Civets and mungooses appear to havea greater penchant for pheasants
than for other birds, and are ever on the look-out for the weak points of
a pheasantry to effect an entrance; all possible precautions should there- _
fore be taken to keep them out, and the keeper should be instructed
and warned to make a close examination of the house every morning,
and to have the slightest breach, if any, repaired. During the. rains
it may be necessary to keep the birds indoors continually for several
days, as prolonged exposure to wet in a state of captivity is injurious
to their health ; the brick floor of the shed should be thickly sprinkled
over with coarse sand, which should be occasionally renewed. An aviary
for pheasants is wanting in its most essential requisite if it has no grass —
run. With regard to the change of ground, in permanent aviaries it may

be managed by occasionally spreading a layer of fresh earth, about four __

inches deep, over a portion of the floor of the outer cage. Many valuable

suggestions for the formation of aviaries for pheasants may be found in — a

Mr. Tegetmeier’s excellent book on pheasants.

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 333

Food.—In their wild state pheasants are omnivorous in appetite,
feeding on grains, seeds, fruits, tender shoots of plants, vegetables,
insects, worms, slugs, and even small lizards; their diet in captivity
should, therefore, be as varied as possible, with due regard to the
conditions of climate and circumstances affecting animal life. An early
meal, consisting of Indian-corn, barley, wheat or other grain, pounded
together with a small quantity of egg-shell; green food later on, and
grains and seeds and a few grasshoppers or meal worms the last thing
in the evening, appear from experience to be as good a dietary for
pheasants and other gallinaceous birds in captivity as can be devised.
The ingredients must of necessity vary according to the season of the
year, appetite of birds, and other conditions. Boiled onions and
potatoes, and hard-boiled eggs, shell and all, may be occasionally added.
During the rains and winter the latter should be invariably given at
least twice a week; fresh green food, and if possible a few fruits and
berries, should be daily supplied; if the grass runs be tolerably spacious,
a small plot in each may be planted with spinage, salads, lemon-grass,
and some succulent vegetables, and this can be easily managed ; a wattle
hurdle being enough to prevent the birds picking up the seeds and eating
the tender shoots as they appear. After they are sufficiently grown, the
hurdles can be removed for an hour or two daily to enable the birds to
enjoy nibbling at fresh green food. Before, however, the latter is
trampled and eaten down, the hurdles should be put up again to allow a
fresh crop to grow. Much of course will depend upon careful and intelli-
gent management and constant attention. Pheasants are often fed with
tit bits by visitors in the afternoon, and if the keeper is observant and
careful, he should watch the quantities eaten, and regulate their evening
allowance of grains and seeds accordingly. The time for feeding should
be very early in the morning and very late in the evening during the
winter; and about seven in the morning and five in the afternoon in
summer; the green food always between 9 and 10 in the forenoon. A
healthy bird takes about 10 to 15 minutes to eat up its food, so that
all remnants should be removed after about half an hour; this will
have the effect of diminishing the inroads of rats, which are generally
attracted by food lying about. A piece of Mirzapore stone, about a
foot square, hollowed out so as to leave a rim 1 inch deep, forms a capital
feeding vessel. Pheasants should be always fed in one place, and for
this purpose the sleeping apartment should be preferred; abundant
supply of clean drinking-water should be kept in a cool place, and the
drinking vessel daily scoured. Lime in some form or other is most
necessary for the pheasants and other gallinaceous birds, and for this
purpose plasters of an old building appear to be the best.

Breeding.—The climate of Bengal is generally unfavourable for
breeding pheasants, and any aviary unprovided with retiring corners
militates against successful breeding. Some pheasants, however, such
as the silver, lineated, and Cuvieir’s (which have bred and reared their
young in this garden), breed almost in any climate if properly housed
and treated, and a few others may do the same under favourable
circumstances. Attention to the following details will be found
useful in breeding and rearing pheasants and other gallinaceous birds :—

A proper pheasantry of the type mentioned above, is the first
requisite ; the pairs should be well matched, and two or more species should

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334 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS
not be exhibited together; there should not be more than three hens to
a cock; besides the wicker baskets or nest-boxes full of soft hay or leaves, —
bundles of faggots or paddy straw may be placed in corners, witha
passage just enough to allow the hens to creep in and nestle themselves _
behind. These places should be searched for eggs, which should be removed _
immediately after they are laid. In aviaries the hens drop their eggs
anywhere, and the male birds frequently destroy and eat them. “There
is no doubt,” Mr. Tegetmeier says, “but that bad management and
improper feeding tend to promote this serious evil. The frequent
disturbance of the birds by the inquisitiveness of visitors, bad and
improper stimulating food, without a sufficiency of green vegetable
diet, want of cleanliness in the pen, an insufficient and dirty supply
of water, and want of grit to assist digestion—all aid in developing the
habit.” The annoyance caused by visitors can be effectually checked —
in a pheasantry like that described above by simply transferring the
breeding pairs to the unoccupied side and closing all access to it. Such

a, transfer can always be effected without the least disturbance to the
birds. Of the various means suggested for preventing the cock bird
from breaking the eggs, the following made by Mr. J. F. Dougall,

in his ‘ Shooting Simplified,” and quoted by Tegetmeier, appears to be
simple and practical. ‘In pheasantries,” says he, ‘means should be
taken to prevent the eggs being destroyed by the male bird; and

as it is impossible to keep continual watch, the hen should be induced |
to seek a dark secluded corner by forming for her an artificial nest E
covered thinly with straw. Under this straw have a net of mesh
exactly wide enough to allow the egg to drop through into a box

below, filled with sott seeds or shellings, leaving only a few inches
between ; the cock bird then cannot reach the egg, which falls uninjured

on the soft seeds below, and is safely removed.” Watching for eggs is
perhaps the best and simplest, and is easily managed if the number

of birds to deal with is small and the keeper intelligent and careful ;

a few imitation eggs made of chalk or marble lying about during the

laying season may have the desired effect of preventing the cock from a
acquiring the habit of breaking eggs, or of curing it if acquired. x
Each hen should not be allowed to sit on more than eight eggs, and aa
it should in no way be disturbed during the period of incubation, :
or interfered with while rearing its young. The cock should be separated

before the eggs are hatched. The chicks should not be fed for
about twenty to twenty-four hours after they are hatched; in the
meantime some pupe of white-ants should be collected and given
them after the lapse of that period; egg beaten with milk and
gently heated forms capital food for chicks about this stage; they
are found to thrive well on food prepared as follows:—A little mutton
fat is set by a gentle heat on an oven, and when sufficiently heated a
small quantity of bruised canary, millet and hemp seed, and a little finely
chopped green vegetable are thrown in it and rapidly stirred and allowed —
to cool. The mass crumbles away when cold and is easily picked up by
the chicks. Bruised Indian-corn and other equally nutritious grain may
be added as they grow older. Other modes of. feeding chicks have been
recommended in works treating of the subject. i» «ee
Transport.—Instructions drawn up for the Zoological Society of
London by Dr. P. L. Sclater and Mr. Bartlett for the benefit of those

>

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. OOD

_ desirous of forwarding the various species to England, are reprinted
in Mr. Tegetmeier’s book on pheasants, and are here transcribed in
extenso :—

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE TRANSPORT OF PHEASANTS AND OTHER
GALLINACEOUS Brrps.

1. For exportation, birds bred or reared in captivity should, if
possible, be procured. But if this cannot be done, the following rules

should be attended to as regards wild caught birds.

2. +~As soon as the birds are captured, the feathers of one wing and

of the tail should be cut off tolerably close to their base. The birds
should be placed ina room lighted only from a skylight above and
having the floor sprinkled with gravel or sand mixed with tufts of grass
and roots and a little earth. Among these the food should be thrown.
‘A tame bird placed with the wild ones is of great advantage, because this
bird will induce the new captives to feed. The birds should be kept in
_ this. way until they have become tame and are fit to be transferred to
the packing case.

38 The food should consist of grain and seeds of various kinds,
berries, fruit, insects, green food (such as cabbage, lettuce, &c.), bread
or soaked biscuit, chopped meat, boiled eggs, &e. |

4, ‘Travelling cages are most conveniently made of an oblong
shape divided into compartments about 18 inches square, and not
higher than just sufficient to allow the birds to stand upright in them.
They should be boarded all round, except in front, where strong wire
netting may be employed, although, if the birds are at all wild, wooden
bars, close enough to prevent the inmates from escaping between them,
are preferable. :

5. very compartment should have the top on the inside padded
with canvas, as, if this is not done, the birds are very liable to injure
their heads by jumping upwards.

6. A moveable feeding trough should be fixed along the front of
each compartment. One-third of this should be lined with tin, pitch, or
otherwise made to hold water; the remaining two-thirds will hold the
food.

_ 4%, Coarse sand or gravel should be kept strewn on the bottom of
the cages, and a supply of this should be sent along with the birds, as it
is necessary to them for the healthy digestion of their food.

8. The front of the cage should have a piece of coarse canvas fo let
down as a blind to keep the birds quiet, and in order to give them air
round holes should be bored at the back of the box in the upper

art.
J 9. The box should be cleaned out when the birds are fed, through
_ the opening in front made by removing the feeding trough, care
being taken that this opening is not wide enough to let the birds

escape.
| M0. In order to supply the birds with green food during the voyage
a few small trays (the same as are used to hold the sand or gravel) may
be sown with seed, such as rape, mustard, or any quick-growing vege-
table. The green food thus produced should be cut for them from time
to time and the sand and roots afterwards thrown into the cages,

Vee (> ee ay teat en

336 — A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS ,

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Cold and catarrh—Is commonly met with among pheasants and
other gallinaceous birds, both young and adult; it is mostly induced by
exposure to wet and draughts. If detected early, and causes removed,
the patient quickly recovers; but if allowed to run on it assumes a puru-
lent form and generally proves fatal: as the purulent catarrh is infectious,
the affected bird should be killed, and the place thoroughly washed out
and fumigated. A small quantity of raw ginger and a little treacle —
should be given to the bird suffering from simple cold.

Rheumatism, cramp, and stiffness of joints are also brought about
by wet and cold; perfect dryness, warmth and good feeding are the only ~
remedies that can be recommended. ‘These are preventible diseases, and
if proper attention be paid to sanitation and hygiene, no trouble need be ~
apprehended from them. |

Gape is a most troublesome malady, generally affecting the
chickens; it is caused by the presence of a kind of parasite in the
trachea of the gallinaceous birds. If not removed and checked early, the
parasites multiply immensely and cause death by suffocation. By
way of treatment, spirit of turpentine may be applied to the wind-pipe
by means of a feather; the spirit of turpentine when properly applied
kills the parasites, which are presently expelled in a fit of coughing
induced by the application. The parasites may be mechanically removed
by a loop of horse hair passed into the trachea. The most successful
remedy, however, appears to be the vapour of carbolic acid ; its applica-
tion is easy, and may be managed by placing the afflicted bird in a
small wooden box with open top, over which a piece of cloth is stretched,
the vapour may be produced by pouring a few drops of carbolic acid-
on a small earthen gamla, previously made hot for the purpose. Much
suffocation will be caused; but this need not be feared, as the bird
will recover immediately on being let out in the open air. One —
application is generally enough to cure the disease. It is recommended
by competent authorities that the worms after removal should be
burnt, and the dead bodies of the bird affected by them should be
similarly treated. 3

Inflammation of the eyes is also a troublesome complaint, afflicting
both young and old birds. It generally breaks out in an epidemic form
during the summer and the rains, more especially the former; the
orbital area becomes swollen and tumified, and the eyes glued together 4
with a thickened discharge. The patient should be removed from the :
pheasantry and placed inaclean and roomy cage by itself; the eyes ,
should be washed with tepid water, in which about 5 grains of 7
alum may be dissolved, and having gently wiped them dry with a bit 4
of sponge, a few drops of nitrate of silver (4 grains to an ounce of 4
water) should be applied. This treatment will have to be followed
several mornings before recovery takes place. The bird should be fed
by hand, otherwise it will die of hunger and thirst: milk and egg
treated in the same way as recommended for feeding chicks (p. 334);
satoo prepared with finely minced meat; Indian-corn and other nutri-
tious grains crushed and prepared with vegetables; raw ginger and
treacle, &c.—should constitute the diet of the birds while suffering from _
this and similar ailments. ; .

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 307
a
Diarrhea is not uncommon among pheasants and other gallina-
ceous birds ; too sudden a change in the atmosphere, change of food, bad
feeding, exposure and cold may bring it about. If there is much
straining, fomentation should be applied to relieve it, otherwise much
inflammation of the cloaca and other complications may ensue ; inter-
nally a few drops of tincture of opium with the milk and egg-food
should be given ; a little rum in drinking water is also beneficial.
Tuberculosis of the lungs and liver is common, but seldom detected
in live birds. ,
Leprosy tubercles have been found in the livers of gallinaceous birds.

Perfectly healthy birds have been found to drop down dead, especially

during the summer; too high a condition and adiposity causing the
death.

With regard to housing, feeding, &c., the pheasants and other
gallinaceous birds to be hereafter described should be similarly treated.

- x

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF PHEASANTS.

All pheasants are more or less shy and timid; some of them, such
as the silver, lineated, gold, common, and ring-necked pheasants,
become soon and easily reconciled to captivity; but others continue as
shy as they were on their first introduction. These seldom-come out
during the day, and prefer roosting under the sloping roof of the house,
or in some sheltered nook, concealed from visitors and strangers; they
come down to feed and drink, of course, but retire again afterwards.
Of those named above, the silver pheasant appears to be the tamest; on
the cage being approached, it comes to the side, its musical but soft
cooing and look of expectancy betraying nothing but confidence. The
display of feathers by the gold, Amherst, and other gorgeously coloured

_ pheasants during courtship isa singularly brilliant sight. ‘he object

is the same as in the common peafowl—to captivate the female.

(373) THE RED JUNGLE FOWL.
(GALLUS FERRUGINEUS—@el.)

Hab.—‘ Jungly districts of all Northern India, from the valleys
of the Sub-Himalayan region southward to the Vindhian range and
the North Circars ; Assam, Burmese and Malay countries; Turkestan ?
(Blyth) ; Terai jungles of Oudh (Irby), Lombock ; Timor (Wall.)—”
Eliiot. |

This bird is the origin of our domestic fowls.

(374) LAFAYETTE’S JUNGLE FOWL.

(GALLUS LAFAYETTII—Less.)

-Hab.—Ceylon.
It differs from the above species in having a yellow oomb.

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF

> (875) SONNERAT’S JUNGLE FOWL.

(GALLUS SONNERATI—TZemm.)

. - Hab.—Southern India, extending as far north as the Satpoora

(376) THE FORKED-TAIL JUNGLE FOWL.
me 3 (GALLUS VARIUS—Shaw.) |

_ It differs from all other species of fowls in having the hackles of
the neck square at their tips, instead of lanceolate; another distine- __
tive feature of this species is that it has asingle median wattle instead of -_
one on each side. The shade of colour of the bare skin behind the eyes
varies. aaa a
Hab.—Java and adjacent islands.

™* j
ee

(877) THE DOMESTIC FOWL. | —
(GALLUS DOMESTICUS—Linn.) “i

%

The following varieties have from time to time been exhibit a

_ Cotton-feathered breed from China; long-tailed breed from Japan; _
bantams from China and Japan; Brahmaputra, Cochin, and many other —_
mixed breeds. tres

Fowls have generally done well. As, however, they do not thrive __
when confined within a limited space, much care is necessary to protect .
them from the depredations of mungooses and civets. | Re

(378) THE HORNED TRAGOPAN.
(CERIORNIS SATYRA—(Linn.)) *

Description.—Male—head black ; throat intense blue, surrounded by
a band of black; neck, upper back, breast, abdomen, and all the under
parts bright red, spotted with white, each spot edged with deep black;
back, rump, wings, and upper tail coverts brown, variegated with
black bars and white eyelets; orbits and erectile horns blue. Femal
~ yufous brown, mottled and blotched with black ; breast and under parts
generally much lighter than the upper parts, which have a rufc
tinge. . . 6 Oe
3 Hab.—Nepal, Sikhim. > ‘
. a ‘ :
i | hee
‘ LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

ve

Tragopans have not, as a rule, done well in this garden. The lo:
period during which one of this species lived has been about eight
Bare, months only.

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_. ss N- CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL, — 839

(379) THE BLACK-HEADED TRAGOPAN,

(CERIORNIS MELANOCEPHALA—Gray.)

This species is not so brilliantly coloured as the preceding, owing

to there being less red about it.
Hab.— Himalayas, from Gharwal to Kashmir.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

A specimen lived for about seven months only.
(380) TEMMINCK’S TRAGOPAN.

(CERIORNIS TEMMINCKI—(@ray,) )

_Hab.—Central China.
Only an immature specimen was exhibited.

(381) CABOT’S HORNED TRAGOPAN.—

(CERIORNIS CABOTI—Gould.)

_ Deseription.— Head, nape, and sides of the head black; crest brilliant
red; a patch of bright chestnut on each side of the neck; upper parts
reddish brown, covered with bright buff spots, which are surrounded
with black; the spots are largest on the wings and tail coverts; sides

_ marked with red and black.
Hab.—South- West China.
LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

From January 1884 to April 1886.

(882) BLYTH’S TRAGOPAN.

(CERIORNIS BLYTHI—Jerdon.)

| Description.—Head, neck, and breast bright chestnut ; a broad stripe -
‘on the top of the head, and a narrow one on each side of the ears black ;
face and bare skin of the throat rich yellow; a band of green lined by
black separates the yellow of the neck from the chestnut of the breast;
upper parts reddish brown, covered with white spots; abdomen ashy
“grey ; primaries chestnut ; bill black.
Hab.— Upper Assam.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.
g

More than a year.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Tragopans are very delicate birds to deal with in the plains of
Bengal, and it is therefore better not to attempt acquiring the rarer ~
Y¥ 2 s

340" A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANI MALS a

species, except for the purpose of transport to some other Be renial
climate. The only chance of keeping any of them alive is to get |
perfectly healthy bird, and place it in a cool, airy, and dry part «
enclosure, such as has been recommended for the pheasants gene
Both the summer and rains are trying seasons. The discomfort of —
former, however, can be much alleviated by covering the runs w
durmah and. khus-khus mats during the middle of the day and until la
in the afternoon, and wetting them now and then with water; when
kept in houses without runs cold water baths may be administered by
a garden syringe. ‘

Food.—The tragopans are more fond of berries and fruits than _
grain; with respect to animal food, they should be treated like other
pheasants.

Transport.—These birds should not be brought down to the plains
except during the winter, and if possible newly-captured birds should |
not be brought down at all. In other respects instructions a bs rs
page 335 should be followed. :

.

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS. 24 3

Climate appears to affect these birds so much that, of a larga
number of tragopans (C. Satyra) exhibited here from time to time, there
were a few only that were not always dull. They generally remain
perched up almost motionless at the same spot for days and weeks :
together, coming down at odd times to feed and drink, when there is —
nobody about. Only one of them has been found to partial advantage
displaying its plumage. It was past spring, and the bird had no mate,
but in the adjoining division of the same pheasantry was ahen of
another species, and to her its gallantry was directed. It was observed -
perching upon a narrow ledge on the top of alow plank wall, which
formed the lower portion of the partition separating the cages; its 2:4
feathers were ruffled and wings a little expanded, and that on the side
farthest from the hen somewhat elevated. In this posture it stood
hissing and slightly, but majestically, jerking its head, which, with one —_—
eye closed, was bent on one side. Whether from ignorance of the arts
of a tragopanian courtship or from wonder at the effect of such a magni-
ficent display, no attention was, at that moment, directed to the horns
and lappets, which were probably also erect. For further information —
about the distribution and habits of this group, Hume and Marshall’s
“Game Birds of India, &c.” vol. I, may be consulted.

(383) THE COMMON. PEAFOWL.

(PAVO CRISTATUS—Zunz.)

Hindi—Wor, Tats. Bengali—MMaiur.

The white and piebald varieties (both imported from Europe) hase a
also been exhibited. Bi

Hab.—Central and South Central India, Prone Seem provinces, | a
the Terai of the Himalayas, Assam ; rare in eastern districts of Bengal, ote
but common in Midnapore, West: Burdwan, Orissa, and — Ee

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. © 341

(384) THE BURMESE PEAFOWL.

(PAVO MUTICUS—Linz.)

This species is readily distinguished from the preceding by the
following characters: blue and conspicuous yellow colour of the facial
skin; the long and stiff occipital crest, formed of straight, narrow
feathers, with the greater portion of the web metallic blue, washed
with green ; the feathers of the neck, all round, and breast are brown
at the bases; next, bronze greenish, assuming different hues in different
lights; and lastly, a narrow marginof black. There are other minor
points of distinction.

Hab.—Arracan, Pegu, Tenasserim, the northern portions of the
Malay peninsula, Siam, and Java.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Peafowls are hardy birds, and given suitable habitation, bear
captivity extremely well. Some have been living in the garden
almost ever since its foundation.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Peafowls are so largely domesticated in India that it would be
superfluous to say anything in respect to their housing and feeding. It
may, however, be suggested that for the purpose of exhibiting them
in a menagerie, which necessitates a certain amount of restriction to
their liberty, a structure similar to that recommended for the bustards,
but larger and loftier, and with such modification of details as may be
required to accommodate their particular habits, should be provided.
Breeding. —-Peafowls in captivity commence laying in spring, and
continue, with irregular intervals, almost till the end of the rains.

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS,

Peacocks have been observed to commence strutting about, or
dancing, as it is popularly called, as early as the middle of December,
while they have not yet assumed their full train, and to continue the
display until about the end of the rainy season. A peacock dancing
about this time looks a veritable guy, with the few shreds of old feathers
yet left, but about to fall off. A peacock has been known to manifest a
strange attachment to a particular spot, to which it resorts for dancing,
which generally takes placein the morning between 7 and 10. This
has continued for about four years now. ‘The bird is loose and wanders
far and near, but every morning, as long as the dancing season lasts, it
may invariably be seen-at the same spot, strutting about to the
admiration, not of its mate, but of the passers by and the street-boys.

(385) THE PEACOCK-PHEASANT.
3 (POLYPLECTRON CHINQUES—Zemm.)

-Deo-derrick of the Assamese.

Hab.—Assam, Sylhet, Cachar, Hill Tipperah, Chittagong, Arracan,
Pegu, and Tenasserim, extending to Burmah and Siam.

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A HAND-BOOK OF THE. MANAGEMENT. oF A x

(386) THE MALAYAN PEACOCK PHBASANT, —

(POLYPLECTRON BICALCARATUM—(Zinn,) ) = 2

Hfab.—Southern Tenasserim and Malay peninsula. = iat a
The males of these birds look like diminutive peacocks, and
adorned with eyelets over the body. Boe
Though generally delicate, they have done tolerably hee son 2
“os lived more than seven years. me

(387) THE ARGUS PHEASANT.
(ARGUS GIGANTEUS—Zemm.)

The secondary quills are much longer than fied primaries, and all
of them, including’ the tail feathers, are covered with beautiful eyelets;
the general arrangement and design of the colouring is perfect without a
being gaudy. oa

Hab.— Southern Tenasserim, Malay peninsula, Sumatra, and Sian oh.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Specimens have lived upwards of ten years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Much of what has been said regarding the housing and feeding of L i
other pheasants apply to these also. They appear to be more fond of |
fruitsthan other food.

OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS.
The Argus pheasant is solitary, cleanly, and methodical in habit 8.
It has never been found, even after long years of captivity, to con

pletely overcome shyness and timidity. Its call-note is loud
sonorous, and sometimes heard at night also. :

(388) THE DOMESTIC TURKEY. s
| (MELEAGRIS MEXICANA=Linn.) — 3
Is seldom exhibited. |
(389) THE COMMON GUINEA-FOWL.

; (NUMIDA MELFAGRIS—(Linn))

(890) THE MITRED GUINEA-FOWL.

3 (NUMIDA MITRATA—Pail.)

| Hab, —Madagascar. .

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7?

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 4 843
(391) THE CRESTED GUINEA-FOWL.

(NUMIDA CRISTATA—Pail.)
Hab.— West Africa.

(392) THE VULTURINE GUINEA-FOWL.

(NUMIDA VULTURIN A—Hardw.)

Hab.— astern Africa. :

The Guinea-fowls have not, except the common species, borne
captivity at all. The housing was no doubt at fault, and the season of the
year was not favourable for acclimatizing them. A habitation similar
to that recommended for the bustards will, perhaps, suit them better.

(393) THE GLOBOSE CURASSOW.

| (CRAX GLOBICERA--Zinzn.)
Hab.—Tropical America. |

(394) YARRELL’S CURASSOW.

(CRAX CARUNCULATA—Temm.)
Hab.—Tropical America. |

(395) THE RASOR-BILLED CURASSOW.

(MITUA TUBEROSA—(Spiz.) )

Hab.—South America. : 29

The curassows, which are said to be the new world representatives
of the pheasants, possess the following characteristics :—

Bill moderate ; culmen much curved; tip obtuse; base of man-
dibles covered by a naked cere; wings short and rounded ; tail long
and rounded; tarsi stout and long, covered in front by large scales ;
toes long and scutellated.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

| Curassows thrive well in this climate; some have been living
upwards of ten years.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

_ Should be treated like the pheasants.
Curassows are given to fighting among themselves. Their call-note
is peculiar, being a combination of the mewing of a cat and the
subdued cry of an infant.

_ A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEM
tay

(896) THE RUFOUS TINAMOU. 7

(RHYNCHOTUS RUFESCENS—(Temm))
Hab.—Brazil. ty f

. . A specimen lived for a few days only. Be:
E (897) THE COMMON CASSOWARY.
| * (CASUARIUS GALEATUS ~(Vieiii.) )
_ The distinguishing characteristics of this species are the horny black

- quill-like spines by which the wings are replaced, and the bright |
and purple colour of the bare skin of the neck; the females appear to
bs have larger casqgues. The largest specimen exhibited stood 4 feet 6
inches high. | . oe
Hab.—The Island of Ceram. .

-

Ot

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Three years and a few months. Cassowaries have not hitherto :
thriven well in this garden, owing partly to unsuitable habitation, and
partly also to injudicious feeding. f >

(398) THE AUSTRALIAN CASSOWARY.

(CASUARIUS AUSTRALIS—Wail.)

It resembles the preceding species in general appearance, but
a larger and more prominent casque, and the colour of its naked t
and foreneck is cobalt-blue, the claw on the inner toe is straigh
much more elongated than in the Ceram Cassowary, the general col
* of the plumage less dark. 3
_— | Hab.—Australia.

-

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Two years and ten months. : ;

3 ~<a oe
(399) THE ONE-WATTLED CASSOWARY. =
(CASUARIUS UNIAPPENDICULATUS— aa a

It is distinguished from the above species by its having only one
caruncle in the neck; it is of an oblong or elongate oval shape and ofa
yellow colour; the cheeks and throat are smalt blue; the prevailing —
colour of the plumage dark brown. | eae
Hab.—The island of Salwatti near New Guinea.

%
+

i 2
./

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

About two years,

™ IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL, 345

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.— A. well-drained grassy lawn with trees here and there to
afford shade during the blazing hot days of summer, and a small shed
to shelter them in bad weather, are all that is necessary for cassowaries;

_ alight fencing, about 4feet 6 inches to 5 feet high, is enough to keep them
in; stout wire-netting of a somewhat wide mesh had better be used in
building the enclosure, as otherwise they are apt to kick and peck through

__ thebars. Their former habitations in this garden having proved unhealthy,

they are now accommodated in an enclosure used as paddock for rumin-
ants, and seem to be doing well. In giving them accommodation low
damp grounds should be avoided; during the cold winter nights it is
better to shut them in.

Food,—Cassowaries thrive on vegetables, fruits, and roots; ignorant
dealers feed them on boiled rice and potatoes, and some of the birds
take such a fancy to this diet that they refuse any other food offered
them. In captivity young birds thrive well on bread and biscuits, which

-can always be safely given in conjunction, or alternately, with fruits and
vegetables ; boiled rice should be strictly avoided. Some cassowaries have
been observed to eat insects,

Breeding.—Cassowaries have never laid in this garden, but a few
years ago they bred in the menagerie of the late Rajah Rajendra
Mullick of Calcutta. |
, Transport.—The battened cages in which cassowaries are imported
‘are unsafe: strong plank cages should be provided for a long journey.

:

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Inflammation of the lungs; bronchial catarrh ; inflammation of the
entire mucous lining of the mouth* and diarrhea have been met with
in the cassowaries exhibited here; treatment is seldom of any avail
_ when the disease gets real hold of an animal; but to alleviate suffering

- remedies already recommended in similar cases may be tried.

‘OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF CASSOWARIES.

The female cassowaries are generally more pugnacious and jll-
‘tempered than the males; nevertheless they all become remarkably
tame within a short time. They are very lively animals, and often
‘indulge themselves in kicking and jumping. When fighting they kick
“with great force and energy. :

(400) THE EMU.
(DROMAUS NOVA HOLLANDA—Vieill.)

Description.—“In form it closely resembles the ostrich, but is
lower on the legs, shorter in the neck, and of a more thick-set and

* See under Emu, No. 400,

— 846 - A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OP ANIMALS
:
clumsy make. At a distance its feathers have more the appearan
hair than of plumage, their barbs being all loose and separate. As
the ostriches, they take their origin by pairs from the same shaft. The
wings are so extremely small as to be quite invisible when applied to
_ the surface of the body. They are clothed with feathers exactly similar
~ to those of the back, which divide from the middle line and fall grace-
fully over on either side.” — Gould. as Na
Next to the ostrich it is the largest bird known, standing between _
5 and 6 feet in height. The prevailing colour of the plumage of an —
adult bird is light brown or greyish-brown, mottled with greyish-black;
the head and neck are covered sparingly with short feathers ; bill black
or dusky-black, depressed at the sides, straight and slightly keeled along
the middle, and rounded at the extremity ; nostrils large; irides yellow-
ish-brown ; legs dusky-black ; toes, three, directed forward. —
Hab.—Australia.

00

\

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Nine years. This, however, does not represent the maximum period,
as the bird in question is still alive and well.

TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Housing.—An emuis a very hardy creature and requires no housing, —
properly so-called; it must be assigned a large enclosure; a fencing
similar to that recommended for the cassowaries does equally well; they-
are much given to fighting among themselves, rendering separation
necessary; new arrivals introduced in enclosures already occupied by a
pair or two generally fare badly : the vicissitudes of climate do not affect
them, but experience has shown that when kept in low and damp places
their health suffers. Crows are their great enemies, pecking them
mercilessly whenever they can, and sometimes inflicting large wounds —
on their back. :

Food.—In their wild state emus live upon grass and vegetable
alone; in captivity they appear to be omnivorous, but their staple food
consists of broken biscuits, bread, crushed food consisting of Indian-
corn, oats, gram, with a quantity of vegetables; if the enclosure is large
and green grass plentiful, they require little extra food; fruits are always
welcome to them.

Breeding.—Emus have laid several times, but only once succeeded in
hatching and rearing young ones. This happened in 1885-86: between
the 4th of November and 23rd of December 18 eggs were laid, of
which 2 were broken; on the 24th the male was found excited and
anxious, visiting the eggs repeatedly, which were lying on a sandy patch |
of ground adjoining their shed; the place was at once fenced in with
durmah mats, to afford as much privacy as possible. On the 26th
the male sat on 11 eggs, to which 4 more were subsequently added,
‘The period of incubation lasted for 63 days, the bird sitting all this
time with praiseworthy perseverance, in spite of thunder-storms and
heavy rains, to which it was twice exposed during the latter end of i
February. As it was never 0 rved to leave its nest for food or drink, —

i + a

a

—_ ., — 2 =. +
¢

oY

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. | 347

fear was entertained about its life, so that, about the 39th day of its
sitting an attempt was made to induce it to eat by placing tempting

‘morsels close to the bird. This had the undesirable effect of disturbing

the animal, which left the nest and began walking up and down in a most
excited manner. Fortunately, however, it soon settled down again. It
appears certain from the notes kept at the time that the bird was never
observed to leave the nest during the prolonged period of incubation,
except on the occasion mentioned above. It is presumed that it must
have procured sustenance at night when there was nobody about, but
a plateful of food left overnight was always found untouched in the
morning. The emaciated condition in which the bird was found to
be reduced rather supports the belief that it went without food. Of
the 15 eggs, 4 were addled or broken and 11 hatched. The chicks

at birth were striped longitudinally on the back and sides on a light

greyish ground, the marking being black. For the first 12 hours
or so the young emus require no food, but afterwards they should be
fed on cabbages and doob grass chopped fine; for weakly birds hard-
boiled eggs mixed with finely powdered meal should also be supplied.
One of the chicks died when a week old; two were made away with
at night by jackals. ‘To insure against a similar mishap the nursery had
to be enclosed with wire-netting. Of the eight surviving young, only
two reached full growth, the rest dying before they were six months
old, from the effects of cold or gape. The stripes of the young
disappear in about six months, and they assume the mottled appearance

of the adult.

Transport.—It is perhaps best to place them separately to prevent
any chance of fighting. |

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

The same as the cassowaries. One of the emus now living had,

some three years ago, an attack of inflammation of the lining membrane

of the mouth, to which wleeration supervened; while under treatment
it was removed to another part of the garden. The effect of the change
was marvellous; the animal soon recovered, and was sent back to the
old place; before, however, six months had elapsed it again became
subject to the same ailment, was again removed, and the result, as
anticipated, was that it speedily recovered. Some of the cassowaries
which died from the effect of the ulceration of the mouth and windpipe
occupied the same enclosure where the emu was afterwards placed,
and it is not unlikely that their lives might have been saved if timely
removed like the emu. The grounds of the enclosure have since been
somewhat raised and its drainage also improved.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF Hus.

Anemu is a very inquisitive creature, especially the young ones.
Ordinarily emus walk with a heavy and measured step, but if so inclined
they are capable of running with great swiftness, as may be seen when
they are chasing one another or engaged in gambols; they leap, jump,
and kick, roll over, then suddenly get up and begin the chase anew,
stopping as suddenly again, each takes a different direction. This takes

& place when i are 1n a bietent mood; but attbther time sani _
geen chasing another from quite a different cause. Lately two 0.
mens were introduced into an enclosure in which a pair of recent arr
had already been placed; everything went on satisfactorily for abo
an hour, but presently one of the older birds—a female—began chasin
one of the new; what provocation it had received was not known. It n
only chased the poor thing, but kicked forward on its back with its
powerful and massive limbs whenever it had an opportunity ; ferocity, "
pride, and a determination to vanquish were plainly visible in the beeke. ie
glaring eyes of the one, whereas the other looked extremely confused
and frightened. An emu has been known to behave as if it were La
trained to perform; on the approach of the keeper with the morning
meal the bird would sit on its tail end, a few feet from him, and having
balanced itself properly on its limbs, would, in a most deliberate
manner, approach the man, inch by inch, swaying the oe and meek
from side to side in a most fascinating manner.

3h
SS

(401) THE OSTRICH.
(STRUTHIO CAMELUS— Linn.)

The ostrich is the largest of birds ; it has a small head, with a flat
crown, a short, broad, and depressed bill, a long and muscular neck,
a stout body, with wings incapable of flight ; extremely muscular
thighs ; the feet have two toes, which are unequal in length and directed
anteriorly ; ; the sole of the foot is furnished with a pad. Young ostriches
have a mottled dark-brown plumage, with yellowish white quills and
tail feathers ; these colours, in adult male birds, change into black and
pure white, respectively, whereas the females become uniformly
dark grey, or greyish brown; the young birds have no down in the
neck, the adult ones have. Two forms of ostriches are generally seen ;
the visible portions of the skin of the neck and thigh are flesh- coloured
in some, whilst in others they are bluish ; the former are said to be. from R
Northern and the latter from Southern Africa.

Hab.—The ostrich is found throughout Africa, from Southern
_ Algeria to the interior of the Cape Colony.

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY, |

Six years and afew months have been the longest period during
which an ostrich has lived in this garden. The damp moist climate
of Bengal does not suit the constitution of these birds. ~

. TREATMENT IN HEALTH.

Cs Housing. —A shed to protect the bird from draughts and cold’
during the winter nights, and an open-air promenade attached. to it are

. _ the principal requisites; during the wet weather it may be necessary
~ to keep it in-doors continually for several days, and the bokitatiaa ‘
: therefore need to be of sufficient length to allow the bird to walk up
and down, as is its wont, during a his gerd son tinea the floor a ie
shed s hould be somewhat hi

> “me is a
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* fa

IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 349°
perfectly dry; it may be built of brick-on-edge or of flagstone and joints
well cemented ; a thick layer of coarse sand should be spread over it, —

otherwise sitting on hard bare floor will hurt the bird ; besides, it keeps
the place dry. The sand should be frequently changed, especially during
the wet weather; during the winter and summer the same sand may be
used. for several times after being exposed to the sun on each occasion;
straw bedding should be avoided; the larger the ground for the
promenade, the better. For practical purposes of exhibition, an enclosure
80 feet long and 50 feet broad, with a light iron fencing about 5 feet high,
is enough for a pair of birds; the drainage of the ground should be perfect.
A gravel path, some 4 feet broad, may be laid all round the fence
inside, as the ostrich walks much alongside it; thick patches of sand
here and there will also be much appreciated ; the ground should be
kept scrupulously clean of broken glass, broken bits of shells, old nails
and such other things. Accommodation for an ostrich is not complete
without a tank or pond where it can thoroughly enjoy bathing when it.
likes. It may be sometimes necessary to separate a pair, or there may
be birds of unequal temper requiring separate lodgment. Such contin-
gencies should always be anticipated in providing permanent habita-
tion. Crows are a perpetual source of annoyance to ostriches.. They peck
the birds whenever they are out, causing wounds on the back, and some-
times rendering it necessary to keep them in-doors for days together
- until the sore heals. Unless shut out by wire-netting and other expedients,
they do not hesitate to attack the ostriches in-doors. The matteris not
so serious during the spring and summer, as the birds can be kept out
at night, but during the winter it is so. The only effectual way of
preventing this state of things is to cover the enclosure over and all
round with wire-netting. This is expensive. Boys with bow and pellets
to shoot the crows are sometimes employed, and for a time the annoyance
ceases; but as soon as the boys become negligent, the crows begin to
assert themselves again.
food.—In their wild state ostriches are omnivorous, feeding on
seeds, fruits, leaves, berries, beetles, locusts, frogs—in fact whatever
comes in their way, taking in quantities of sand, stones, and other hard
substances to help the digestion. In captivity their food consists of
broken biscuits, Indian-corn, oats, and quantities of vegetables; a pound
ot beef or mutton meat each may be allowed once a week during the
_ winter and rains. Some ostriches do not at all care for meat, others do.
Although they may be always seen picking grass for themselves, fresh-
cut grass should now and then be supplied; there should bea good supply
of small stones and broken bricks in the enclosure for the purpose indi-
cated above. _
Breeding.—Ostriches have repeatedly laid in this garden, but never
have they yet succeeded in hatching out any young. .
Transport.— A. narrow box-cage should be preferred to a broad one
enabling the bird to turn round. In providing food for the journey,
sand, grit, and small stones should not be forgotten.

TREATMENT IN SICKNESS.

Nothing positively is known about their ailments. There have been
deaths of course, and consequently diseases also; but what they were

‘

ww

_ digestion at all. The contents washed out, its surface was carefully =

‘most amusing antics and movements; it emits a deep booming sound,

opposite her. She was naturally afraid to stoop and work in front of a

swaying its neck, and flapping its wings, in evident satisfaction at the
_ bewilderment of the woman. . . ae

350 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS wie
could never have been truly determined. Of the few cases that ca:
under observation, the diagnosis was supposed to have been co
one only; it was that of acute rheumatism: it happened jus
the termination of the rains, and was no doubt brought ab
damp, wet, and close confinement. The patient was hung ona_
anodynes, such as liniments of aconite and camphor, applied tot
internally acetate of potash (33 in a dose) was given twice daily,
with treacle and other eatables; but nothing availed: it lingered
about a month and died. A perfectly healthy male ostrich took llone

evening in April 1889, and was found dead the next morning. An

.

autopsy was performed, and every organ was found to be as healthy as.
possible. There was a good deal of fat, but not to such an extentasto _
endanger life. There was, however, something wrong with the stomach; _
it was packed full of the food eaten the previous morning, includ-

ing quantities of small stones and broken bricks. There’ was no

examined; but nothing unusual could be detected. The case was pro-
nounced to be a most unaccountable one by a competent authority who
was present on the occasion, and to whom the bird was well known, 3
and was attributed to distention of the stomach. Ostriches have suffered “
from cold brought on by exposure to draughts at night during the — sy
winter; the symptoms were—constant running from the nose, prostra- “4
tion, dullness, and want of appetite; temperature was high, and prob-
ably there was fever also; the bird was kept in-doors and proyision: .
made to secure its warmth at night; to support its strength it was fed
on pounded meal mixed with boiled eggs, but as the patient showed :
great disinclination for food it had to be coaxed to eat. After a few days ae
the animal was allowed to go out for an hour or two in the middle of a
the day: under this treatment it recovered in about a month. Asa |
premonitary symptom of some fatal malady, ostriches have been noticed

more than once to bend their neck ina peculiar way, © = |

i OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF OsTRICHES.

4
Like the emu, the ostrich is also inquisitive, but never as tame or a
familiar ; there is a certain amount of wayward playfulness about it; A
the fleetness of an ostrich is remarkable, and some idea of it may be formed
even in captivity ; it is seldom at rest during the whole day, and executes

accompanied by much inflation of the neck. Whether from pure inquisi-
tiveness or from a mischievous pleasure it finds in annoying a man,
an ostrich sometimes behaves in a funny way, as the following instance,
among others, will show. A sweeper woman was one morning engaged
in cleaning the portion of the road just outside the enclosure of an
ostrich. As soon as she came close to it, the bird trotted up and stood

formidable beak so menacingly near. She waited for half a minute, but _
the bird would not move; she raised her broom stick and shouted, the
bird was still there. It would strut away for a second or two, but come __
back immediately again, and stand there, gently stamping its feet,

=

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J

ny, ae N CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. + 368
(402): - THE COMMON RHEA.
_ (RHEA AMERICANA—Vicill.)

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY.

Of a pair obéained in November 1885, the female died in about six
months: it never properly recovered. The male met with an accident, and

had to be killed: it lived for about two years in the garden and was
¥e riving. 7 as 3 “ : 4
a TREATMENT IN HEALTH.
With regard to housing and food, it may be treated generally like
an ostrich, which it much resembles in habits also, x
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