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Si Witt £r 4 { r7 ; : ' A Sey RE a RAUF Lin os ot A Hiciigl A 4 « i J Pave’ { race " tae be yey frig y ‘ sabe the ge sg ly Hye ; Peed Log hres care. ages wal Wad A DX 5 eae es iy ay Mase AV e OLSON KE iv Ce ee eer ew ey ee ee ae SRN Has MEK oa Oe i ROME OC Re RCC a UY quasd pee ety wage Hark yay ‘ ey fx Vg ory Lr See aks yt YS aligh F198 fit CT eee i Petey ey ity p Lea ban 0. 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LIP RAT | Price Rs. 3-0-0 MADRAS PRINTED AT THE DIOCESAN PRESS 1952 INSTRUCTIONS TO BINDER The contents of these two parts should be arranged in the following order when they are being bound: ~— Title page eA List of contributors List of plates... Index to illustrations Index to species e@o Contents of Nos. 1 & 2 of Vol. 49 , To follow frontis- piece in this order. the two numbers. ‘i. go at the end of THE JOURNAL OF THE BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY EDITED BY SALIM ALI, S. B. SETNA, Ph.p., and H. SANTAPAU, s,J, al VOL. 49 Nos. 1 & 2 Containing 24 black and white plates, 2 photographs, 4 maps and 24 text-figures ~ Dates of Publication Part 1. (Pages 1 to 136) ... April, 1950 Se ae a i372 to 354) ... August, 1950 LONDON AGENTS DAVID NUTT (A. G. BERRY) 212 Shaftesbury Avenue, . LONDON, W.C. 2. PRINTED AT THE DIOCESAN PRESS, MADRAS 1952 CONTENTS OF VOLUME 49 No. 1 Y JunGLe Meworins. Part V—Basars. By Lt.-Col. E. G. Phythian-Adams, 0.B.E., F.Z.S., IA, (Retd. e Mai two plates)... Bere caren iawesetectentes te PONT er ao SoME Nose ON THE ee Phytiowepu IN ‘Kasain, By itorace: Gx ALR AM GCI eins ta5isiecc. see vcad vosrve diese sdisee'ows ¥0e A NOTE ON THE RORQUALS (BSaluenoptera spp... By C. A, Gibson-Hill, M.A., F.z.s. (With 3 plates)......cs00008 BUTTERFLIES OF SIND. By N. H. Menesse, 0.B.E., I.S.8....... NOTES ON THE SCROPHULARIACEAE OF BoMBAy. By H. San- UD Aline SiUlnt Ee Sekine raids senses seeds eecle sets ctiecsiccvices sce sancre Neue Notes ON Zurdus merula IN SOUTH INDIA. By S. Dillon Mee, eueaee teen tee eo tibdsc aad eches teediatstowsl couse onic nba en mente A NOVEL METHOD OF DESTROYING MAN-EATERS AND CATTLE-LIFTERS WITHOUT FIREARMS. By S.R. Daver. Wala plate Gnd VN lO 12217 ES) cscs acbienr say cosicsselesse. THr TROPIC- BIRDS OCCURRING IN THE INDIAN OCEAN AND ADJACENT SEAS. By C. A. Gibson-Hill, M.A., M.B.O.U. (GLEE LE? TIES EOP OPT Ce Eo ee WILp LirE RESERVES IN INDIA: Assam. By E.P. Gee, m.a., C.M.Z.S., F.R.G.S. (Wzth two plates, a mapand a lable)... THE FOULING ORGANISMS OF PEARL OySTER CAGgEs. By George K. Kuriyan, M.sc., F.z.8. (With a text figure)... CHAMPARAN BUTTERFLIES—NorTH Binar. By A. C, Har- FINA WISE Poca ee memmo rien cles jeeuinn soe cae a uatbuce tan aeaSe ius Sevecccute OBSERVATIONS ON SOME LARVAL AND POST-LARVAL STOMA: torops. By K.H. Alikunhi. (W7h two plates)............. OBITUARY :— Eee Ber craves... (Asst. da IM ocr capssee Acton aera REVIEWS :— 1, External and Internal Anatomy of the Buffalo» Louse, Haematopinus tuberculatus Burmeister. By M.A.H. Qadri (S. Mahdihassan)............. BS's)asiee- 2, Wild Flowers at a Glance. By M. C. Carey and Dorothy Hitchew (Hs Santapaw). <0... coc eessseeee PAGE 52 | 67 81 90 93 101 108 109 Sr CONTENTS OF VOLUME 49 The Ocean. By F. D. Ommanney, Ph.D., A.R.CS., F.L.S. (H. Santapau)... 4. Birds of the Coast. Bo C. Re ‘Ginoe Hill, M.A,, MeB.O.U. (CE. 2\.)).e Additions to the once s pees since eAueuee 1949 MISCELLANEOUS NOTES :— 1. ae 3. wn 10. 11. 18. Ho: Longevity in Elephants. By Hamid A. Ali........ Wild Elephants dying in Assam. By E.P. Gee A bull Bison’s abnormal behaviour. By Randolph C. Morris.. The large Red Fiying Suite Pye e inor- natus Geoffroy. By B. B. Osmaston.. Scent. By Lt.-Col. R. W. Burton, 1a. (ene The southern limit of the Red Junglefowl (Gallas g. murghi Robinson and Kloss). By A. J. Brock Occurrence of the Blue-breasted Quail { £xcalfac- toria chinensis sala in’ Mysore. AByG ay aks Frend.. Re an ; Two Birds bon aimee more ST ufota aoe is cea! ed. By S. Dillon Ripley... Brose Possible occurrence of the Black Tern [ Chlidonias niger (L.)| near Delhi. By H. G. Alexander... Status of the Red-crested Pochard (Netia Se Pallas) in South Indiay By A. J Brock one. Occurrence of the Scaup Duck [Aythya marila (L.)] in the Bombay Deccan. By Brig. W. B. Aspinall... Seer Pilanpeys The occurrence ik the neon Saipe teas: nemoricola Hodgs.) near Poona. By M. Suter Field identification of Birds. By H.G. Alexander Freak Shots. By P. H. Sykes... eke. Occurrence of Russell’s Viper aera Passel (Shaw)| in Kathiawar (Saurashtra) By G. A. Kapadia... 8 oi chlkl A Uae pee The record ising Fart eee pas johni oy sell)] By V. K. Chari. S Effect of atmospheric pressure aie ‘asiuae: ee i. ©..Gee: (With a photo)... Meas Whale Sharks in Indian Wetcis ‘By Baitors. Spc Specific names of the two common Indian Colzas Butterflies. By D. G. Sevastopulo, F.R.B.S....... 131 CONTENTS OF VOLUME 49 20. A Honey-Bee in the nest of a Mason-Wasp. By D. G. Sevastopulo, F.R.E.S.. -21, The male genital armature of Vane chasers Karny (With a text cay By T. N. Anantha- Keishinans B.SC. (ELONS.)rs-2% chesense 22. Observations on the occurrence aE Nite, Tick Aponomma gervaist (Lucas) on Varanus sp. By Basant Kumar Behura.. 23. Reduplication in the nee of Wao com ee J. L. Kantarao and V. Venkateswarlu. (With GD LERULTLBUKE snes vwcece seeaeaweenue 24. A Note on the enti in ihe neterint specimen of Portulaca tuberosa Roxb. By A. T. Natarajan. LITE Oil e LAURIN Es seaes as hae Seen enw cel Sbecs seemieaces ANNOUNCEMENT.....: Ce ee ee ee ee ee ce ee ee ee ee Oe ee ee No. 2 / Juncte Memorigs. Part VI—Bison, TSINE, ETC. By Lt.-Col. E. G. Phythian-Adams, 0.B.E., F.Z.S., LA. rae (With a plate)... SIRE coc csefowsitesiaas weteen'ece voaits NOTES ON SOME reat MEROPIDAE (oninsy, By Daniel Marien. (With a map)... Setateamta dine ae caites Two NEW SPECIES OF J/schaemum FROM BOMBAY. By Nadee Bor. Geayeee vata Nees etiael «cletasts LIFE-HISTORY AND nen OF THE ee FLEA Ca Neie lides felis BoucHE. By K.R. Karandikar and D. M. Winslet 5 CW/2778 St 2092 IP GUHES) fae ae Sev cevicdtass vos THE LOWER SIND VALLEY, AND SOME FURTHER OBSERVA- TIONS ON BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY. By Lt.-Col. R.S. P. Bates, M.2.0.U., 1A. (Retd.) (Wik 4:Dlates)... ..ccecccse+o+e SomEe WassT BENGAL PLANTS. By J.C. Culshaw................ THE MysorE LAC INSEcT. ByS. Mahdrhassan. (With two plates and 1 text figure)... ee ee Aen THE LESSER FLORICAN [Sypheotides indica (Quieeaye ins CourRTSHIP DISPLAY, BEHAVIOUR, AND Hapirts. By K. S. Dharmakumarsinhji. (Wzth a plate and 2 text figures)... Notes ON THE Lentibulariaceae oF BomBay. By H, ACA Uo oeiog HalesStiocaicce senace. so sice scab acaaes adios cased sbicetevece A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF BiG GAME HUNTING AND SHOOTING IN INDIA AND THE EAST, By Lt.-Col. R. W. Burton, 1.4. GRICEC Serica cha cet see nc ses ie dei ven sens's Ik 133 134 136 137 to 165 169 178 188 197 201 217 222 vi CONTENTS OF VOLUME 49 A NEW VARIETY OF Cucurbita maxima. By C. Rajasekhara Mudaliar, mia. (With two plates) sitions ee csten seen NOTES ON BIRDS OF THE IRRIGATED AREA OF MINBU’ DistrRIicT, BurMA. By W. L. Roseveare, 1.8.E. (Retd.) (With two sketch maps)... oi saslicnidee coeiteser sesetmecner es CERTAIN OBSERVATIONS ON Bde papyriftera Venn. AND Boswellia serrata ROXB. IN RELATION TO TRAUMATISM. By Miss R. Shah, B.Ag. ea M.S. Sn (With a plate)... sid Sicesaeteise Selanne aatcheuaise woeiceeee cece estehnealdcieius ecfeesioee OBITUARY :— Ww PF. Wickham, ((BBsO0 en tee ces eweee cere REVIEWS :— 1. A Naturalist in Sarawak. By E. Banks. (H.A.) 2. A Bird Photographer in India. By E. H.N. Lowther. (W.T.L.)... Scout ceigetect esesse 3. Oxford Junior Bacyelesacate “Velie II. (Natural History). (CRM Ga) iin eaecener cents sect 4. Flowering Trees and Shrubs in India. By D. V. Cowen. (R.M.C.)... sates ae Additions to the Society’s eee since sagen 1950. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES :— 1. Wild Elephants dying in Assam. By E. P. Gee. v 2. Abnormal clavicle bones in Tiger. By W. H. Gibbs. (With a photo)... 3. On the young of the Cesion iene epotcah Cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus phillipst ee By W. W.A. Phillips... 5 ete Satie 4, The Fishing Cat (rami 7 viverrinus ebeanetty By -A, otc J... Macdonmalldiste: sarepeess stereo cee: Vv 5; Feral albino and ae Rats. By C. A. Gibson- 6. The ‘Burwness Wild. Dog. tse Lt.-Col. R. W. Burton, 1.A. (Retd.)... whe 7. The Burmese Wild eee zis leihses Se canine. By Capt, K. Boswell, 1.A.m.c. (Retd.). 8. Occurrence of the Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch (Sitla castaneiventris castaneiventris) in Sind— A correction. By Humayun Abdulali............000... 9, Black Drongos fostering a Koel. By T. EB. H. Sith... cccneseesne voy ene ene nny teecey coenge soe 09g sme ceresene PAGE 242 244 296 296 297 298 298 300 301 303 304 10. El. 12. 13. 14, 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. ale Zee 23. 24. 7a) 26. CONTENTS OF VOLUME 49 On the status of Aurystomus orientalis laetior Sharpe. By W. Meise.. ‘On the Blue-tailed Bee- he: (inode supereiinees javanicus Horsf.) in Bombay. By Humayun Abdulali.. sucsmbceens Occurrence i the Ginereoue) intro eaten monachus Linnaeus) at Ahmedabad, North Gujarat. _By Hari Narayan G. Acharya............ A brief summary on the Chukar Partridge in Nevada, U. S. America. By Glen C. Christensen Occurrence of the White-winged Black Tern [Chlidonias leucopterus (Temm.)] in Bombay. By Humayun Abdulali.. sees Kentish Plovers eee pas alexandrinus( Lie I at Bombay. By H.G. Alexander... ee The Snow Goose (Anser Pi periiveia. Palla). in Kashmir—An addition to the avifauna of India. By Editors.. ; iy naey Geese and Buck ¢ on Attic! Chilka bares Oricon. 7 E. C. Benthall and L. A. Craven... ...... ccc cessccacs Gleanings... mea CE ne Tee REinceuent ee fades i in A chakoe By F. Gordon Cawston, M.D., F.Z.S.. ESOP A biometrical study a Weise ilisha (ie in the Godavari River. By P. I. Chacko and B. Krishnamurthy... me ies Breeding habits of iy hes te Quy Ey Wo Ky Caanic” (Wie 1X1 T22U7ES). Jc cexcsatr ows Occurrence of the fresh water Medusa (Limnoc- nida indica) in South-west India. By P. A. Ramakrishna, B. S. Bhimachar & M. K. Subramaniam.. ee Oe ener The flowering ae ‘Strobilanthes. Bo H. Santapau, S. J.. aire iS pohlanines Pies (Nees) ae Sacae sane in sane rashtra. By G. A. Kapadia... she Mecardonia dtianthera ey Pennell ‘By A. P. Benthall... nee A note on tie a occurrence nat the: Alga PDair: diopsis near Kakinada, Madras Presidency. By B.S. M. Dutt.. Pe Catalogue of Books in athe Hoban PN abaeel. Pistons Society’s Library, Part [V—Entomology.......,. vil PAGE 305 307 307 309 310 311 311 312 314 314 315 317 318 ALPHABETICAL: LIST (OF, CONTRIBURORS VOLUME 49 Nos. 1 and 2 PAGE : ABDULALI, HuMayun, Occur- chaetophora Karny. (With rence of the Chestnut-bellied a lext figure). Nuthatch (Szt/a castaneiven- tris castaneiventris) in Sind— A correction Won the ' Blue-tailed Bee-eater Cievors superciltosus Javanicus Horsf.) in Bombay ... —--——,, Occur- rence of the White-winged Black Tern [Chlidontias leu- coplerus (Temrm.) 4 in Bombay me ACHARYA, HARI a G., Occurrence of the Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus Linnaeus) at Ahmedabad, North Gujarat ns ALEXANDER, HORACE G., Some notes on the Genus Phyd- luscopus in Kashmir : ——-—, Possi- ble occurrence of the Black Tern [Chlidonias niger cake Vd near Delhi ee ; "Field dentification of Birds —_——_—_ Kent- ish Plovers [Leucopolius alexandrinus (Linn.) at Bombay awe 5c AI, HAMID A., wopeevitysl in Elephants ALIKUNHI, K. H., Pe oie nities on some Daca and Post- larval Stomatopods. year two plates) —«. ans ANANTHAKRISHNAN, T. N., B.Sc. (Hons.), The fate genital armature of Ayyaria 303 307 | 310 23 311 M3 101 | ASPINALL, Brig. W. B., Mocca rence of the Scaup Duck Aythya marila (L.) in the Bombay Deccan BATES, Lt.-Col. R.S. P., M.B. 0.U., I.A. (Retd.), The Tener Sind Valley, and some further observations on Bird Photo- graphy. (With 4 plates) ... BEHURA, BASANT KUMAR, Observations on the occur- rence of the Tick [dponomma gervatst sees” on Varanus sp. ive BENTHALL, A. P., Mcamone dianthera (Sw.) eeedene BENTHALL, E. C., andCRAVEN, L. A., Geese and Duck on the Chilka Lake, Orissa BHIMACHAR, B.S8., see RAMA- KRISHNA, P. A. Bor, N. L., Two new species [schaemum from Bombay BOSWELL, Capt. K., I.A.M.c. (Retd.), The Burmese Wild Dog and other’ matters canine Brock, A. J., The southern limit of the Red Junglefowl (Gallus g. murghi Robinson and Kloss) —, Status ho: i Red-crested Pochard (Nelta = vutina Pallas) in South India. Burton, Lt.-Col. R. W., 1.4. (Retd.), Scent. oie SE aN bibliography of Big Game hunting and shooting in India and the East ms PAGE abet 122 178 132 322 312 165 301 118 121 116 222 LISLE ORF CONTRIBUTORS Burton, Lt.-Col. R. W., I.A,; (Retd.), The Burmese Wild Dog. CAWSTON, F. GORDON, M.D., F.z.S., Replacement of fangs in Snakes ie ae de CHacxo, P. [., & KRISHNA- MURTHY, B., A biometrical study of Ailsa tlisha (Ham.) in the Godavari River CHART, Ver Ki;- Phe® record Black Earth Boa [Aryx johni (Russell) ] ae ——, Breeding ha- bits of Thais bufo (Lamarck). (With two text figures) CHRISTENSEN, GLEN C., A brief summary on the Chukar Partridge in Nevada, U.S. America er CRAVEN, L. A., see BaN ATES H.C, CuLSHAW, J. Bengal ee DAVER, S.R., novel Hcthod ot destroying Man-eaters and Cattle-lifters without fire- arms. (Wiha plate and 11 text figures) DHARMAKUMARSINHJI, K. 5., The Lesser Florican Sypheo- tides indica (Miller) : Its Court- ship Display, Behaviour, and Habits. (With a plate, 2 text figures and 2 tables) ; Dutt, B.S. M., A note on the occurrence of the Alga Draparnaldiopsis near Kaki- nada, Madras Presidency —_— , Some West Epitors, Whale Sharks in Indian Waters Efe —, The Snow Goose (Anser hyperboreus Pallas) in Kashmir—An addition to the avifauna of India FREND, G. V. R., Occurrence of the Blue-breasted Quail [ Bxcalfactoria chinensis (Linn.)] in Mysore ae Gren, E. P., M.A., ¢.M.Z,S., F.R.G.S., Wild Life Reserves in India: Assam. (With 2 plaies,a map and a table) ... PAGE 314 127 OH, 309 188 201 | 311 118 81 | GEE, BE. Pe MAN, F.R.G.S., Wild dying in Assam , Effect of ents pheric Breesare while fishing, (With a photo) C.M.Z.S., Elephants ——_—_——, Wild Blepuants dying in Assam | Gripss, W. H., Abnormal ste vicle bones in Tiger. (With a photo) ihe oe GIBSON-HILL, C.A., M.A,, F.Z.S., A note on the Rorquals (Balaenoptera spp.). a eee AT Ehe Tropic-birds occurring in the Indian Ocean and adjacent seas. (With 3 plates) ee ; Feral albino and piebald Rats HARMAN, A. C., Champaran Butterflles—North Bihar KanTARAO, J. L., & VENKA- TESWARLU, V., Reduplication in the epicalyx,of | Aibis- CUS Ts: (With a_ teat figure) ae KarapiA, G. A., Occurrence of Russell’s Viper [Vipera rus- sellz (Shaw)] in Kathiawar (Saurashtra) ee are —-, Strobilanthes callosus (Nees) at Junagadh in Saurashtra : KARANDIKAR, K. R., & NUN sHI, D. M., Life-history and bionomics of the Cat Flea Ctenocephalides felis Bouche. (With six text figures) KRISHNAMURTHY, B., see CHACKO, P. I. KURIYAN, GEORGE K., M.Sc., F.z.8., The Fouling Organisms of Pearl-oyster Cages. (With a text figure) oats ea MACDONALD, A. St. J., The Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus Bennett) MAHDIHASSAN, S., The Mysore Lac Insect. (With two plates and 1 text figure) eee 113 296 298 133 169 90 298 197 x MaRIEN, DANIEL, Notes on some Asiatic Meropidae (Birds). (With a map and 3 tables) Muise, W., On the ets of Eurystomus orientalis laetior Sharpe ‘ “ ves MENESSE, N. H., 0.B.E., I.S.E., Butterflies of Sind Morris, RANDOLPH C., A bull Bison’s abnormal behaviour. MuDALIAR, C. RAJASEKHARA, M.A, A new variety of Cucurbita maxima. (With two plates) —« ine ee MunsuiI, D. M., see KARANDI- KAR, K.R. NaTARANJAN, A. T., A note on the growth of a herbarium specimen of Portulaca tuberosa Roxb. (With atext figure) ... OsMASTON, B. B., The large Red Flying Squirrel— Pteromys inornatus Geoff- roy : Nae aes aver Lt.-Col. wAG,, O.B.E., 8:2Z.S.,. 14: (Retd.), Jungle Memories. Part V—Bears. (With two plates) ... eee owe Jungle Memories, Part VI— Bison, Tsine, etc. aes a plate) ae é a PHILLIPS, W. W. Py. ‘on the young of the Ceylon Rusty- spotted Cat (Prionailurus vubiginosus phillipst Pocock). RAMAKRISHNA, P. A., BHIMA- CHAR, B. S., & SUBRA- MANIAM, M. A., Occurrence of the fresh water Medusa (Limnocnida indica) in South- west India PAGE 151 305 20 134 114 137 297 318 LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS RipLEy, S. Ditton, Notes on Turdus merula in South India ss ts wee RIPLEY, S. Dero Two birds about which more informa- tion is needed ack ROSEVEARE, W. L., L.S.E. (Retd.), Notes on Birds of the Irrigated Area of Minbu District, Burma. (With two sketch maps) mee SANTAPAU, JH, Sa, 28.8), Notes on the Scrophulariaceae of Bombay ee Notes on the Lentibulariaceae of Bombay .. a ee The flowering of Strobilan- thes. (Witha diagram) SEVASTOPULO, D.G., F.R.E.S., Specific names of the two common Indian Colias But- terflies AY ——_—_—_ —_—_— a Bonevies in the nest of a Mason age ae SHAH, Miss R., B. AG. (Bom.), M.S. (Mich.), Certain obser- vations on Broussonetia papyrifera Vent. and Bos- wellia serrata Roxb. in relation to Traumatism. (With a plate) ; SmitH, T. E. H., Black Dron: gos fostering a Koel SUBRAMANIAM, M. K.,, RAMAKRISHNA, P. A. SuUTER, M., Theoccurrence of the Wood-Snipe (Gallinago see nemoricola Hodgs.) near Poona ae SVYKES, P. H.. Piel: Shots: VENKATESWARLU, iOVz.., see KANTARAO, J. L, PAGE 50 119 244 217 320 131 131 288 304 123 125 HELO Ohi Ad 73:5 VOLUME 49 Nos. 1 and 2 PAGE Jungle Memories. Plate I. A sloth bear at a waterhole see Ao de 4 Plate II. Asloth bear returning from the night’s foraging An) A Note on the Rorquals (Balaenoptera spp.) Plate I. Anadult Fin Whale, about 70 feet long, being pulled on the deck of a factory ship off the South Shetlands ae, JG The upper jaws and baleen plates of a Fin Whale about 65 feet long, seen from below. Plate II. A foetal Fin Whale, about 6 feet long, removed froma dead cow on the flensing re Leith Harbour, South Georgia tals eee |7/ Plate IIl. Semi-diagrammatic representations: of the ieee larger rorquals, the Blue Whale, the Fin Whale and the Sel Whale aa see eee “218 Phases in the iuevenienta of a large Blue Whale coming” up to the surface to breathe. A Novel Method of destroying Man-eaters and Cattle-lifters without Fire- arms. Plate: A ‘ Soori Phanda’ in action See ARS oe 56 The Tropic-birds occurring in the Indian Ocean and adjacent Seas. | Plate I, Anadult of the Long-tailed Tropic-bird—Phaethon I. leptu- vus, in flight, taken at sea 200 miles east of the Cocos- Keeling Islands are eee e . 74 An adult of the Christmas Island Long-tailed rope: ge P. lepturus fulous, in flight Plate II. An adult of the Red-tailed Tropic-bird—P. rudricauda westralis, in flight. ie ae «75 A Red-tailed Tropic-bird—P. rvubricauda eiraiee on its nest ‘in a rock crevice ‘on Christmas Island (Indian Ocean). Plate III. A juvenile of the Christmas Island race of the Long-tailed Tropic-bird—P. lepturus fulvus a A juvenile of the Red-tailed Tropic-bird—FP. yibecauae westralis, photographed two or three days before leaving its nest. Wild Life Reserves in India: Assam. Plate I, A half-grown rhino is cine-filmed by Dr. Dillon Ripley and Mr. Salim Ali in Kaziranga,Game Sanctuary « oO This herd of wild buffalo in the Pabha Reserve stood oF their cine-picture, and then disappeared into cover. Plate II. This full-grown bull rhino in Kaziranga Game Sanctuary charged us once, and was thinking about repeating his charge as this picture was taken a9 cS “I (op) xii LIST“OF PLATES PAGE A catch of fourteen wild elephants in a stockade in Assam. Observations on some Larval and Post-larval Stomatopods. Plate I. Sguilla nepa: Modification of structures during metamor- phosis from pelagic larva to post-larva Ass .. 104 Plate Il. Sguilla nepa: Modification of structures during metamor- phosis from pelagic larva to post-larva Ah oe LOS Jungle Memories, Plate: A solitary bull Gaur. ' A herd of bison in tall grass Si gekey) The Lower Sind Valley, and some iurther Sicervatiane on ‘Bird Photo- graphy. | Plate I. White-breasted Kingfisher with giant mole-cricket for young 178 Plate II. Kashmir Pied Woodpecker at nest-hole eh ee 179 Piate III. Rufous-tailed Flycatcher on nest “ie des ... 184 PlatelV. Red-wattled Lapwing approaching nest. Male Indian Blue Chat at nest - AP wae pp ediets) The Mysore Lac Insect. Plate: Figs. 1&2. Lakshadia mysorensis on Shorea talura 24 A 98 Plate: Fig. 3. Lakshadia mysorensis all insects excepting one, freed from all secretion Fig. 5. Rhyncosia cana, infected with Lakshadia mysorensis 199 The Lesser Florican Sypheotides indica (Miller). Plate: Male Floricanin angry pose, with male decoy. Male Florican mating on female decoy ... ae of tele A new variety of Cucurbita maxima. Plate I. Cucurbita maxima Duch, var. badagarensis. Mudaliar, C.m. oes Aas wists lise ee 242 Plate II. Figs. 1, 2,3. Flower, fruit and seed of Cucurbita moschata. Figs. 4,5, 6. Flower, fruit and seed of Cucurbita maxim 243 Certain observations on Ayrcussonetia papyrifera Vent. and Boswellia ser- vata Roxb. in relation to Traumatism. Plate: I. A four-month old sapling of Broussonetia papyrifera Vent., five of the eight lateral roots of which had been detached from the soil and damaged As we. 288 Il, Another ‘four-month’ old sapling of Broussonetia papy- vitera Vcnt. of which all the roots including the tap-root were damaged and detached from the soil wen 208 PNP TO WTLEOSTRATIONS VOLUME 49 Nos. 1 & 2 PAGE Atmospheric Pressure while Fishing : Effect of Photo... 128 Ayyaria chaetophora Text fig. Le Hoe 152 Balaenoptera borealis | Plates ec. ae 18h —__—_——— musculus Plate III. én cee 18 — —— physalus Plate I. ex ase 16 | Plate: il: sa eas 17 | Plate ILI. is 8 | Bhoma Hill, Khandala: Tie gram showing the pe of the top. ca. soe 321 | Birds of the Irrigated Area of Minbu District, Burma : Map ait ae 244 Map oa s6c 245 | Broussonetia papyrifera Plate re , 288 Biue Chat at nest: Male Indian Plate IV. fs es 185 | Clavicle bones in Tiger ; | Abnormal Photo er 297 | Ctenocephalides felis ext oe i 2.6, aes 170 pa 2 os yal +B) ) 3 : 174 ” ” 4 Toe s| re 175 ” ” 6 Cucurbita maxima var. bada- Larvensis Plate 1. i coe 242 Plate 2, Figs, 4, e Gratis 243 —————. moschata Blate 2. Kieset2.-3) 2. 243 Flycatcher on nest : Rufous- tailed Plate III ee sot 184 Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Text fig. eas Jungle Memories. Part V— Bears Plate I. Plate II. aun Jungle Memories. Part VI— Bison, Tsine, ete. Plate : i or Kingfisher with Bian oie cricket for young: White- breasted Plate I. Lakshadia mysovensis Plate: Figs. 1&2 Piate: Figs.3 & 5 Text Fig. 4 : Lapwing approaching meee Red-wattled Plate IV. Man-eaters and Cattle- fers. : A novel method of destroy- ing without firearms Plate ; nae Text fig. are Text fig. Text figs. Text figs. sas Meropidae (Birds): Notes on some Asiatic Map Phaethon I. bias Plate I. a ———-— lepturus fulvus. Plate I. Rec ‘2 Plate III. ee eee — rubricauda westra- lis Plate II. Plate III. Portulaca tuberosa Text fig. PAGE US7, 178 198 199 199 165 134 INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS xiv PAGE Sguilla nepa Plate I. nae 104 Plate Il. 0 105 Sypheotides indica Plate .. ee 204 Text figs. 1 & 2 206 Thais buto Text fig. 317 Text figs. 1, 2,3 & 4 coo’ 318 Wild Life Reserves in India : Assam Map .. Plate I. Plate II. Woodpecker at Kashmir Pied Plate II. nest-hole : PAGE 82 84 85 179 INDEX OF SPECIES PAGE PAGE Abisara echerius angulata... Poi. oe | aMiiamala Spy pen! een Nl seb- toe 1) OL Abrota ganga_... oo vee 100 Anagallis arvensis aa is os ~=«190 Acacia arabica... se a .» 20° Anas acuta ": = = dese tgs ———— monnieria... ie Efe 30 | —--—,(P.aethereus)... ... dis 78 ———— rugosa... oss im ses 33 | Indigofera arborea sad AG eenenmliga Hibiscus... ine de ay a. ped33 | imornatus (Pic). ont 5 534 12 — rosa-sinensis ... a «2/1133 | Hole virescens > .;. aa ee waswtl peas ? Hieraetus fasciatus... i .. 273 | Ipomoea hispida... st oF Berio o'! Hilsa ace any ave tee 315; 346 | —=————— ODSCUTA, se. aa i sce ITS --—- ilisha ke , es .. 315 | ———— Pes-caprae .... eee 199, 194 Himantopus namentonte aac e260 | se CS ICTICIS neat Sas .. 194 Hippolysmata vittata ... St fe 91 Iraota timoleon timoleon anh aes 98 Hirundo daurica . Se a .. 263 | Ischaemum “de cp biot we | oaéS an rustica Garin cies oe .. 263 | Ischaemum bombaiense bi 165, 166 ——-— —-— tytleri ... a 1.5. weet 263 — imbricato ... a eae OL ——-— smithii ... mae a ee 2OG | ee LOO SEO bap ise Boe INS Hoplopterus duvaucelli... ae . 29|-—-——— rugecsum .. aS ose. 66, Hoppea dichotoma sae eed 25) — santapaui ... fe, 165, 167 ——-—— fastigiata san shi 191,193 |) remene (Ml): Sag ais aes 22 Hornemannia viscosa .. eae ae 37 | Issoria sinha pallida... he sie 7, horsfieldi ... ae ee be .. 120 | Ixias pyrene satadra ... i ee 22 Horsfieldia anita dina ... ae .. 100 | Ixobrychus cinnanomeus Bs oo. SS e28S Hottonia indica ... ses ae ae 34 -—— sinensis ... 463 dt ORAS — sessilifora ... as ae 34 | Ixora parviflora ... Hoe aoe so | 196 imei’; *:.. : ove ay 12 |, lynxtorquilla_..., ce Ace .». | 2O7 Huphina nerissa eyaece pn ies 94 | Jambheri... tee ae “Bt ase GO Hyarotis adrastus adrastus.... as 99 | Jamesbrittenia ... & ae “aie 29 Hydrilla ... ane BC oie -. 323 | Jamides alecto SHEA bs a3 98 Hydrophasianus chirurgus aes ee 2a — bochus bochus ase oe 98 Hydropityon ste oe as 32 —celeno celeno ... mee ate 98 Hygrophila Serphyltam | re io 43 | japonica ... ate aoe ite stl |) 68 Hymenolepis diminuta.. tee sce) L/Gy| awanieus.... ote 506 i: we 6307 hyperboreus aoe ae oon .. 311 | Kallima inachus inachus eee ae 97 Hypolimnas bolina ... Ae «» 22,97 | Kickgia ... eo bee ae rg INDEX OF SPECIES 42 | PAGE ! Kickxia incana ... ate Suaeeege 27, — ramosissima 27 Kittacincla malabarica 250 Kydia calycina 56 laetior 207 Lagenipora ae 91 Lakshadia chinensis 197, 198 —— communis 197, 198 —— mysorensis ... ... 198, 199, 200 Lalage melaschista 253 | Lampides boeticus . 24, 98 | Lanius colluroides ZZ —cristatus.. 252 | Larus brunnicephalus ... ‘ Die | lathami sa Sele ase eee 74) Leonotis nepetaefolia ... 195 Lepas tunuivalvata hs ove 91 Lepidagathis cuspidata Lepidonotus carinatulus 91 Leptoptilos dubius 283 Leptosia nina nina ae OA lepturus .. 74, 80 lepturus, (P.) ees see 73 = (Pel) 72, 74, 78 ———-, (P.lepturus) ... ue 76 -, (Phaethon 1.) ... 80 Lethe confusa confusa ... 96 ——- (europa ?) ... 95 Leucas Cephalotes 196 montana ... 194 Leucopolius plerandeinas 279, 311 Lyperia 29 Libythea myrra panels 97 Limenitis procris procris be 96 Limnocnida indica 318, 319 Limnophila ee 32 Limnophiia aquatica .. 33 aromatica 32, 33 conferta ... ane 32, 33 _——_——_--— elongata ... 34 ———_-—— gratioloides 34 ——_——_-——- gratissima 33 ——_——_-—— heterophylla 34 ——_————- indica sls use ... 30, 34 ——_——_-—— myriophylloides i 34 ———-—— polystachya oe sles polystachyoides .., 33, 34 ——_——_-—— racemosa .. 560 34 —— — Roxburghii 33 -_— rugosa : 325.33 —— - sessiliflora ees vee OS, 34 XXi PAGE Linaria BY sc 205 27 Linaria cabulica .. 27 —- ——— var. paneer 27 - incana ... orgies - ramosissima 20,527 - sp. : 27 Lindenbergia indica 45 ————_-—— polyantha 45 —__—~~——— rulderalis 45 ————_——- urrticaefolia Se 45 Lindernia esos // = - aera 37, 38, 39 —_-——- ——_-.——_ var. aaa 39 ——~—— bracteoides 37, 40 ——-——- ciliata ... er — Se Oy Oo ——-—— cordifolia 36, 38 ——-—— crustacea 30,/07, —— -—— estammodicsa 37, 40 ——-—— hirsuta 38 ——-~—— hyssopioides ... 36, 38 —— -—— japonica ae a 48 ——-—— oppositifolia ... 8 «. 37, 40 ——-—— parviflora .. 36, 38 ——-—— pedunculata ... 38 ——-—— quinqueloba ... 37, 40 ——-—— ruelloides 37, 39 ——-—— sessiliflora ... sa soe 36, 40 — -—— verbenaefolia 37, 40 ——-——- viscosa 36, 37 Linum mysorense 220 Lippia germinata 196 Lobelia trigona abe aa 193 Lobivanellus indicus 297 longifolia, (P.) oes 114 Lophospermum scandens ses 47 Lophura leucomelana moffttti... 119, 120 lorenzii, (P. collybita) ... 13 Loxura atymnus 88 lucasi 132 Ludwigia proce 180, 193 Luscinia svecica ae As 250 Lycezenesthes emolus emolus ... 98 Lyceenopsis cardia dilecta 98 - -—— puspa gisca 0 ae 98 Lysimachia monnieri AR = 2930 Lyncornis macrotis cerviniceps 271 Lysiosquilla 101, 103, 105 | ——-- —— eusebia 102 -—— excavatrux : jee 02 ——-—— maculata 103, 105, 106, 107 aes tigrina a ae 103, 167 Xxii PAGE Lysiosquilla multifaciata 103 — Lytocarpus ha maculipennis, (P.) | magnirostris, (Urocissa e.) 305 | mahrattensis 51 | Manulea ae 234) Manulea Wrist. 28 Marsilea quadrifoliata .. 196 Martynia diandra 194 Matapa aria 99 | Maurandia Berehinifora 47 —— personata 47 _—— scandens 47 | — sem perflorens 47 Maurandya antirrhiniflora 47 —- antirrhinifolia 47 -—— semperflorens 47 Mazus japonicus 48 McCannii 48 rugosus 48 Mecardonia se 29 Mecardonia dianthera ... 322 Medicago lupulina 190, 193 Megalaima hemacephala 267 Megalurus palustris 256 Melanitis leda ismene ... 222,296 melanota ee emer 120 Melittophagus revoilii ... 152 Mella iu 29 —- floribunda 31 ——- hamiltoniana 30 Membranipora 91 memnon, (P.) 100 Menippe rumphii oF Merops se 151 apiaster ... au auliod —-— leschenaulti 151,' 15255153>! 154, 370 ieschenaulti anadamanensis... 155 fee lesckenaulti 152, 153 —<—$=s« > —_ —- quinticolor Mei JOSE orientalis 159, .269 os —— beludschicus... 162. —_ —_ —_ ——-_ orientalis. 161 philippinus philippinus 159 ——-— superciliaris Be 269 -- superciliosus javanicus 307 —— persicus.... 158, 307 - Merremia tridentata perl Od Merula simillima. 50 Metopidius indicus a 277 INDEX OF SPECIES 13 Microcarpea cochlearifolia —-————. muscosga ... ——_—— —— spathulata Micropternus brachyurus micropterus, (C.) Microsarcops cinereus Mimulus gracilis ———— strictus Mirafra assamica : mofftti ae 50 Molpastes cafer ... Monniera —-—- enuneitolia ——-— floribunda - hamiltoniana Monticola solitaria moschata, (C.) Moschus moschiferus Motacilla alba (ocularis) ——-——_-- alboides ——-——. cinerea —-—--—— citreola (calcarata) — —- —--—- (citreola) ——-— flava — leucopSis . Munia atricapilla murghi, (Gallus g.) muscatensis musculus, (B.) Mycalesis malsara —- mineus mineus ———--— perseus typheus ——_——- visala visala Nacaduba dubiosa indica —- nora nora najdanus neglectus, (P.) Nemorhedus és Neopithecops zalmora ... Neptis columella ophiana hordenia hordonia hylas adara nandina susruta Neptunus pelagicus Netta rufina Nettapus corona ndclene nigropileus Nosopsylla faciaius Notocrypta curvifascia Nyctanthes arbortristis Nycticorax nycticorax . PAGE (idl 48 ate 41 eat 26% 305 280 31 35 -266 120 247 z9 -30 31 vest 21 BQ 5318250 242, 243. a oo 264 264 264 . 264 “A ar 264 264 we «=6: 264 . - 260 118 159 14, 15, 16, 18, 19 95. 95. 95 95 98 98 159 iT fav BH see > 100- - 96 -Q7- - 96 dee ee 96 ides seo — Oke 121 INDEX OF SPECIES . PAGE Nyctyornis a ety, Peake): Nyctyornis athertoni 152, 162, 163 —athertoni ... ~=—162 Obelia Re ie van a ea 91 occipitalis, (P.) lee 3 Oldenlandia ita dod ae a 4] —- panichlatay., 4778 sr ons al OS -—— sp. ... a ee sae, ee0 orientalis ... Ne wae ee se | 160 -——, (M.O. _ e oh ge 1152 Oriolus chinensis ae an eae 200 - xanthornus at ie ee 208 Orobanche indica sis She aes 42 Orsotrioena medus medus AS ae 96 Orthosiphon rubicundus var. rigida... 194 Orthotomus sutorius ... ae Ate ea 45): Ostrea cucullata moe ae bes sil Ozius rugulosus ... Bbc see Sf 91 Padina ~ . ... oe eae 92 Padraona pretltg Pre iltis ie ae 99 Pandion haliaetus Som ae eee) RAR A ie Panolia eldi ie re re ale 86 Pantoporia nefte inara... Pe ae 96 - —— perius en wan See 96 —— selenophora selenophora 96 Panulirus dasypus ae one wee 2 Papilic demoleus demoleus seen eae —w—- helenus helenus ibe ee 93 - Memnon agenor “ies Aas ss) —- ——- vy. alcanor ... 93 —- —— v. butleria- nus 93 - polymnestor polymnestor ... 100 - polytes romulus Berar 4) east [6 _——-- V. Cyrus. a. 94 Paranemonia hati e Cues aes eee 91 Pareronia valeria Ep pia Ai ah 95 —-—— - v. philomela 95 Passer domesticus Bee aos ear ecZOp flaveolus ... fen o soe 202 montanus ae oe col weZOZ Pathysa nomius nomius te es 94 ayetta indica ..2 .. ... ‘ice ste dal Pedicularis zeylanica ... eee Ree 46 Pediculus vestimenti... Ses we 09 Pelecanus philiprensis ... See Sel 44 Pellorneum ruficeps__... Nes acl beni ZA —- ————- minor ... ae e247 Pennaria disticha 405 wes Ge, 91 Pentaceras herdmani... iS see 92 Peplidium humifusum ... ee Scie 4] X xiii PAGE Peplidium maritimum ... vee ice 4] Periclimenus spineferus iat wee 9] Pericrocotus erythropygius ... Solow Wey) peregrinus obi sae 202 Perineris sais er a oF 91 persicus ssl56, 157,158 —=———, (M.5. Nee 00) Lo7, 159 ——_——, (M. eipercinos is) oe see hog Petroskirtis leinardi Sere ae - 92 Phaethon ... A ia 74, 76, 80 Phaethon aethereus es ee, Sig 69 Sea a ere NCUCUISN my OU 2015 4 ————- lepturus a te «a. 09, 73 2a) Bea — fulvus topes 7G -————-- rubricauda Seceralig: eee 76 ————- spp. ... ee Gad ae 79 Phalacrocorax niger... de. eae MCOL Phaylopsis parviflora .., Sp we ==196 philippinus 156, 157, 158 ——, (M.)... i ws we 156 ——, (M.p.) 152, 156, 157, 158 ?Philomachus pugnax ... ree ee ZOU Phragmaticola aedon ... abe ww =. 256 Phylloscopus oo 2h, 3 —-—— affinis 105257 ——— fuscatus ... Sa Prin i 7) = griseolus ... ae ae 10 ee inornatus humei an 1 ia Be magnirostris .., es 9 ————- — neglectus .., wae ae i ——. occipitalis ee oa 10 —— — reguloides vee os || (2 ?—_—.—__—- schwarzi ... cos owe 206 —— tytleri nae ah see 10 Phyllydoce spp. : ; 9] physalus, (B.) mn 15, 16, 17, 1S F119 Picus canus des “Ac x ioe) 200 ——- viridanus ... ose sa « 266 Pieris brassicae ... jes tes gas 94 —-— canidiaindica .., A Scr 94 Platajea leucorodia te des tes) 282 ?Plegadis falcinellus ... Ay «- 283 Ploceella chrysaea ae oes coe ~ 260 Ploceus manyar ... site ae sos 200 - passeriaus cea saa we 259 Plumbago zeylanica ... one Sie oO Podiceps ruficollis ees as was) E287 Pogostemon plectranthoides ... oon LOG Polycarpa on ry sea ae 92 Polycarpaea corymbosa “ts rhe ee Polydora hornelli bas one a gl XXIV Polygonum plebejum pomona aa Porphyrio Polincepaatte Portulaca sp. -— tuberosa2 Portunidae Ss Porzana pusilla opesiies Potodrilus sp. Pratapa cleobis ... Precis almana almana ... atlites hierta hierta — iphita iphita —— lemonias letonias ——_——- vaisya... Prinia flaviventris inornata ... Prionailurus rubiginosus phillies viverrinus protractus sae Pseudogyps bengalensis Psittacula alexandri -— cyanocephala —__—_—-— eupatria -— himalayana —— krameri Pterocarpus marsupium Pteromys inornatus Pulex irritans ——- Sp. os Pulicaria Fonolosa Pycnonotus blanfordi -~—— flaviventris jocosus Quamoclit pinnata quinticolor (Merops 1.) ... ramosissima, (K.) Raiaphalcyon capensis ... Randia longiflora Rapala melampus - schistacea - ? Rallus aquaticus Rattus norvegicus - rattus reguloides, (P.) Regulus Regulus cristatus reticulatam, (U.) Rhamphicarpa longiflora orithya swinhoei... INDEX OF SPECIES PAGE : 196 Rhinoceros sumatrensis 21 ——- unicornis 277 | Rhinoplax vigil we 41 | Rhipidura albicollis 134, 135 4. —— aureola 91 | Rhodonessa caryophyllacea 276 | Rhodophila ferrea 91 | ——.—.—— melanoleuca 190 | Rhopodytes tristis .. 23, 97 | Rhynchops albicollis a 97 | Rhyncosia cana .. .. 22,97 | Rickettsia ctenocephali 97 | Riparia paludicola 97 - riparia 23 | romulus 22,97 | rostrata 257 | Rottleri, (C.) 257 | rubricauda ; 297 | rubricauda, (P.)... 298 | ——--——, (P-r.) 22 | Ruellia anagallis 272 ~—-— suffruticosa 269 | Russelia equisetiformis ... 259 — floribunda 268 | ——-—juncea ... see 269 | rutilans, (C.) 268 | Salmacis virgulata 57 | Salvadora persica 114 | Sarcopsyllides 172, 173, | Sargassum - 175, 176 | Sarkidiornis melanotos ... 177 | Saron marmoratus 190, 193 , Saxicola caprata 248 — torquata 248 — — leucura 248 | Schizodactylus monstrosus 196 | schlegelii ... 153 | Scoparia dulcis 28 — grandiflora 270 | Seicercus 5A 190,193 | Semecarpus ene 99 | Septas : 99 | sericea, (Pica p. ) 276 | Shorea robusta 292, 299 talura dae 290, 299 | sibbaldii ... a Bae 12 | simillimus 13 | simulata 13 | Siphia parva 220 | Sitta castaneiventris 44 tephronota PAGE woe 6 85 .. 82, 86 67 251 251 86, 119 249 249 268 Wai eS 199, 200 176 263 262 21 18 oe 297496 74, 77, 78 73,77, 78 dee ae 13 ee, eee 192 eve eee 29 ao ite tT SOS . 57, 118, 192 198, 199, 200 1 JROSMY , 50, 51 21 250 303, 304 303 3 INDEX OF SPECIES PAGE Sopubia delphinifolia 45 -- trifida 45 Spalgis epius epius 100 Sphenandra nae 29 Spicula pedicellata 166, 167 —-— sessilis 165, 167 Spindasis elima elima ... 24, 99 -—— ictis ictis 99 ———-— vulcanus vulcanus ... 99 ? Spizaetus limnaetus , 273 Squilla ee LONG 103, 107 Squilla desmaresti 103 empusa 101, 102, 103, 107 — — hieroglyphica sescu LOZ —w— holoschista 103, 105 mantis 103 ——— nepa 103 quadridens 302, 103 ———. quinquidentata 193 — raphidea sui eee 103 ——— wood-masoni 103 Staurophragma ... 26 Stemodia ... Sloe Stemodia aquatica 34 - menthastrum 33 =. tuderalis 45 ——-—— serrata 32 Stemodiacra ss om Stemodiacra viscosa... es 32 Stenopus robustus 91 Sterculia trens ... é oF, Sterna albifrons 278 sairantia =... 278 —--— bengalensis 80 ?—-— hirundo (tibetana) 278 —-- melanogaster 278 striata 276 strictus, (M.) Si Striga asiatica 42, 43 —-- -— — var. Albion 44 —-- coccinea .., 00 aa s 42 —-- densiflora 42, 43 ——-- euphrasioides 42, 44, 94 —-- gesneroides oe 42 —_- — var. minor 43 Striga hirsuta 43 lutea Re ee 25 . Ss iol eee ee ’ + e ; iy a, ny a NE ee ee , t re jo = > See SS «at ee . wp oP epee: < Tay ee a ee ae .o my . - tema 4 u i eT ees | 7 fy 5 a 4 3 Sy . \ al JOURNAL OF THE - BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY Vol. 49, No. 1 Editors SALIM ALI, S. B. SETNA, H. SANTAPAU ei ae men, | (SONIAN INST; Tap \\ ox Gy, JUL1 9 1950 ATrovay gseO., APRIL 1950 Rs. 15 The All-Proof ‘“Sowar Prima” is com. pletely protected from every risk to which a watch is subjected in every day wear at work or play. It is positively queeksereck: water-proof and stain-proof. You will be proud to own one of these superb time-keepers whose permanently brilliant case hermetically seals the thoroughly reliable and fully jewelled movement. The West End ; : ALL-PROOF “SOWAR-PRIMA” Positively - Shock e Proof, 104" Medium Size Stain-Proot & Water-Proof | w, 5. Patent Everbright Steel Case ... Rs. 156 WEST END WATCHC° BOMBAY CALCUTTA ae ae ee _—- se CONTENTS OF VOLUME 49, No. 1 PAGE JUNGLE MerEmorisgs, Part V. By Lt.-Col. E. G. Phythian-Adams, O.B.E., F.ZS., L.A. (Retd.). (With 2 plates) wa ibe Beis 1 Some NotrrEs ON THE GENUS Phylloscopus IN KaSHMIR. By Horace G. Alexander, \ ... Si esi ee ies ~ 9 A NorE ON THE RORQUALS (alaenoplera spp.). By C. A. Gibson-Hill, M.A., F.Z.S. (With 3 plates) Bed V4 BUTTERFLIES OF SIND. By N. H. Menesse, 0.B.£., 1.S.E. REA eds 20 NotES ON THE Scrophulariaceaeé OF BOMBAY. By H. Santapau, S.J., BalusSe oe Sy see oe eee a 25 Notes on Zurdus mevula iN SoutH Inpia. By S. Dillon Ripley i 50 A Novet METHOD OF DESTROYING MAN-EATERS AND CATTLE-LIFTERS WITHOUT FIREARMS. By 8S. R_ Daver. (With a plate and 11 text- figures) aes ses sat et aos ws 52 THE TrROPIC-BIRDS OCCURRING IN THE INDIAN OCEAN AND ADJACENT Seas. By C. A. Gibson-Hill, M.a., M.B.0.U. (With 3 plates) oe 67 WILD LIFE RESERVES IN INDIA: ASSAM. By E. P. Gee, M.A., C.M.Z.S., F.R.G.S. (With 2 plates, a map and a table) wai ies ews 81 THE FOULING ORGANISMS OF PEARL-OYSTER CAGES. By George K. Kuriyan, M.sc., F.z.S. (With a text-figure) ies a ve 90 CHAMPARAN BUTTERFLIES—NorTH BinaR. By A. C. Harman ies 93 OBSERVATIONS ON SOME LARVAL AND Post-LARVAL STOMATOPODS. By K.H. Alikunhi. (With 2 plates) see ‘es lee sc 101 OBITUARY : H. B. Hayes see see aie Set cs «= KOS REVIEWS :— J, External and Internal Anatomy of the Buffalo-Louse. (S. Mahdi- hassan) ... Se. eos - a oeelOd 2. Wild Flowers ata Glance. (H. Santapau) ... oe .. 109 3. The Ocean. (H: Santapau) i a ve Teo 4. Birds of the Coast. (H.A.) ae eee sins vale Additions to the Society’s Library aa tae ee | MISCELLANEOUS NOTES:— 1. Longevity in Elephants. By Hamid A. Ali (p. 113). 2. Wild Elephants dying in Assam. By E. P, Gee (p.113). 3. A bull Bison’s abnormal behaviour, By Randolph C. Morris. (p. 114). 4. The Large Red Flying Squirrel (Péeromys tnornatus Geo#roy). By Bb. B.Osmaston (p.114). 5. Scent. By R. W. Burton JUL 1 2 1950 ii CONTENTS OF VOLUME 49, No. 1 (p. 116). 6. The southern limit of the Red Junglefowl Gallus G. Murght Robinson & Kloss). By A. J. Brock (p. 118). 7. Occurrence of the Blue-breasted Quail (Zxcalfactoria chinensis) in Mysore. By G. V. R. Frend (p. 118). 8 Two birds about which more information is needed. By S. Dillon Ripley (p. 119) 9. Possible occurrence of the Black Tern [Chlidonias niger (L.)] near Delhi. By H.G. Alexander (p. 126). 10. Status of the Red-crested Pochard (Vetta rufina Pallas) in South India. By A. J. Brock (p, 121). 11. Occurrence of the Scaup Duck [Aythya marila (L.)] in the Bombay Deccan. By W. B. Aspinall (p. 122). 12. The Occurrence of the Wood Snipe (Gatlinago nemoricola Hodgs.) near ‘Poona.- By M. Suter (p. 123). 13. Field identification of birds. By H. G. Alexander (p. 123). 14. Freak Shots. By P. H. Sykes (p. 125). 15. Occurr rence of Russell’s Viper (Vipera russelli Shaw) in Kathiawar, Saurashtra. By G. A. Kapadia (p. 127). 16. The Record Black Earth Boa (Hyryx johni Russell). ‘By V.K. Chari (p. 127). 17. Effect of atmospheric pressure while fishing. (With a photo). By E. P. Gee (p. 128). 18. Whale Sharks in Indian waters. By the Editors (p. 129). 19. Specific names of the two common Indian Colas Butterflies. By D.G. Sevastopulo (p. 131). 20. A Honey-bee in the nest of a Mason-Wasp. By .D. G. Sevastopulo (p. 131). 21. The male genital armature of Ayyaria chaetop- hora Karny. (With a text-figure). By T. N. Ananthakrishnan (p. 131). 22. Observations on the occurrence of the tick Aponomma gervaisi (Lucas) on Varanus sp. By Basant Kumar Behura (p. 132). 23. Reduplication in the -epicalyx of Hibiscus L. (Witha text-figure). By J. L. Kantarao and V. Ven- kateswarlu (p. 133). 24. A note on the growth in a herbarium specimen of Portulaca tuberosa Roxb. (With a text-figure). By A. 'T. Natarajan (p. 134). Announcement. see ae eS ae ae 136 JOURNAL OF THE BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY 1950 VoL. 49 No. 1 nel JUNGLE MEMORIES BY LtT.-CoL. E. G. PHYTHIAN-ADAMS, O.B.E., F.Z.S., I.A. (Retd.) PART V—BEARS (With two plates) In previous sections I have endeavoured to describe jungle episodes not only for their interest, but also to point the moral. My experiences with bears, however, are so limited, that I can do little more than describe incidents as they happened, and must leave it to the reader to extract, if he can, any information which may be of use to him. I remember very well how, many years ago, I was showing my shikar photos to my aunt’s head-keeper in Perthshire, as fine a type of sportsman as one could meet anywhere. He was obviously in- terested in the prints of tiger, panther and elephant, but what impressed him more than anything was a photo of a bear—a beast he said that he definitely would not like to meet. I suppose it was some sub- conscious memory of the days when bears were found in Scotland, but it struck me as rather remarkable, for I think most sportsmen in India have a sort of amused contempt for a bear, and until they strike trouble, are not inclined to take them very seriously, That certainly was my own outlook, until a certain episode caused me to some extent to modify my views. HIMALAYAN BEARS When I came out to India in 1904 my first station was Dalhousie in Chamba State and in those days Red bears were comparatively common. But of course it was impossible for a newly-joined subaltern to obtain leave long enough to try for them, and as my subsequent service was spent in South India, Burma and overseas, I have never yet had an opportunity of bagging one. All I could manage was to slip away on Sundays to try for the Black bears which used to raid the fields not far from the station, so my shikari assured me, and I think he was probably right, though I was far too inexperienced 2 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 to be able to judge correctly. Often I spent a moonlight night try- ing to intercept a crop-raider, but never saw one, though I was shown fresh tracks reputed to be bears. So it happened that I did not meet a Himalayan bear till years later, and then it was in Burma. That was in 1913 at Magyigon, while I was searching for the wounded rogue elephant as already described in a previous section. We were going along in the jungle looking for tracks, when I saw a bear asleep in the fork of a tree, a good 30 feet up and some 50 yards in front of us. I fired a conical bullet from the left barrel of my 10 bore (if the right was fired first both barrels used to go off to- gether), and down the perpendicular trunk came the bear like a flash—I think she must have fallen most of the way. The roars got fainter and I thought she had gone some way, but really she was lying dead at the foot of the tree. I had no tape with me, and as we had to take the skin off at once I was unable to take measure- ments, but the dried skin in a photo shows that she was a very large beast, and my diary says very fat too—gallons of it. Unfortunately this fat made it impossible to dry the skin satisfactorily under monsoon conditions, and it proved rotten when sent to the taxider- mist, in spite of every attention and frequent scraping. Probably I should have done better to salt it and keep wet in brine—one lives and learns! A Lucky MIstaKxt In the course of many years of shikar one inevitably has a number of lucky shots, but the most extraordinary I ever made was in Burma in 1920. I had got week-end leave from Meiktila and was trying for tsine near Yinmabin on the Kalaw ghat. We had been out from dawn but could not find fresh tracks till too late to be of use, so had to give it up till the afternoon. On our way back we came across very fresh bear droppings, and my mokso Ko Po said it was probably lying up in a thickly bushed nulla close at hand. Cautiously work- ing along it I suddenly saw a black mass moving in the dense cover on the opposite bank about 4o yards away, so thinking it was the bear I fired for the shoulder, and brought it down. Ko Po, who was literally dancing with delight shouted out. ‘You have got them both’, and when I asked what he meant he said it was a couple of pigs! And so it was—they had been moving side by side on the sloping ground, one slightly in advance, and my bullet had taken the top off the head of the lower one and then passed through the heart of its companion. No wonder the mokso was pleased, as they were a couple of huge sows, and he anticipated selling the meat for up- wards of Rs. 100. That a bullet should pass through the animal aimed at and wound another beyond, must be within the experience of many sportsmen. Only a few years ago a case occurred at Mudumalai where a spotted: stag was shot, and the bullet wounded a doe and fawn standing beyond; but the extraordinary point in the case I have related is. that both animals were killed dead with a single shot. I am afraid. some readers will doubt my veracity, but I can assure them that the incident did occur exactly as described. Of course it was a most amazing fluke, but at the same time it is an unforgettable jungle memory. JUNGLE MEMORIES 3 MALAYAN BEAR It was while I was stationed at Bhamo in Upper Burma that IL bagged the only Malay bear which I have seen. This must have been in July 1914 (my diary of the period is very condensed and. omits dates), as I had my Chinese munshi, Hwan Jhi Lieng with me, and I know that I passed my examination in Yunnanese short- ly afterwards and before the outbreak of war. On this particular occasion we went up the Irrawaddy by boat to Thapanbin and beat the jungles on the left bank for anything which might turn up. In the first beat a sambar cantered past me at 9o yards and I got it with a lucky shot from my No. 2 Express—- the Burmans would not believe I had hit it till I showed it lying dead. Two beats later I was watching with some amusement my little Chinese munshi as he tried to draw a bead on a sambar pass- ing him, when suddenly a Malay bear came out in front of me. My right barrel missed fire, but the left rolled him over and another shot finished him. The skin was a very fine one with short thick glossy fur and a wide orange V, but unfortunately three days’ heavy rain prevented my saving it, and now I have not even the skull to remind. me of the affair. What pleased my Burmans most was that he was full of honey, which ran out of his mouth all the way back to camp—those who know Burma will realise that it was not wasted! What happy care-free days those were before two World Wars upset everything, and what cheerful and willing helpers the Burmese villagers were, if one could speak their language. Never shall I forget another trip to Thapanbin when, after beating the jungles across the Irrawaddy, we had to return in a violent thunderstorm. There were some 30 of us in a Burmese racing boat with only 2 inches of free-board, and the water was very rough, but I think I was the only one who worried at all! SLOTH BEAR When I first visited Chanda in the Central Provinces in 1906, sloth bears were very common, and since a number of villagers had been mauled, Government paid a reward of Rs. 5 on each skin brought in. It was here that I bagged my first, a large female which we suddenly came across standing up and eating out of her paws, which were full of white ants. She was off before I could shoot, but rushing after her I found her lying under a thick bush with her paws over her face. A soft-nosed bullet from my Jeffery .400 roused her and she bolted into some thick cover, where a few seconds later we heard her ‘yodel’. Cautiously approaching I gave her another shot but it was unnecessary. The timid behaviour of this bear was in marked contrast with that of another which I encountered in the following year. At the time I was in camp at Soorsa near Moharli, and during our first night there two bears were either fighting or making love close by—the noise was a ‘whoo-hoo’ like a child crying and suddenly bursting into violent sobs. Next day we heard them at it again some miles away while working the jungle, but could not contact. 4 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST. SOCIETY, Voi... 49 They returned close to camp that night, the attraction no doubt being our water supply, as there was little available elsewhere. On the following morning I started off at 4.30 a.m. for distant bison ground, and at 5.15 suddenly heard a grunting noise quite close behind us. [ thought it was a pig but the shikari said it was a bear, and I had scarcely time to change rifles when he was charging downhill at us making a most disgusting uproar. It was of course too dark to see the sights, so I decided to reserve my fire till he was close on us. He was going so fast that almost at once he was within 5 yards when I fired both barrels of my No. 2 Express in rapid succes- sion. ‘The flashes lit up the whole scene as he reared up and fell over sideways and backwards, leaving a picture of claws and black hair, but above all of the big white V which showed up very clearly. The shikari had bolted and got up a tree, but my orderly stood like a rock, and just before I fired I heard him click down the safety catch of the .303. The bear went off slowly but it was too dark to follow, so I left that till we returned the same way at 9 a.m. We then found that both bullets had hit and that there was a heavy blood trail which we followed some way till it led into such bad ground that we had to give it up. I sat up over the nearest waterhole that night but he never came to it, and I think he must have died not far from the scene of the encounter. This was one of the closest calls I have had in the jungle, and shows how aggressive a bear can be at times, though without the slightest provocation. BOMBING CAVES As a rule bears feed at night and lie up in caves during the day- time, and if one can get a shot as the animal returns at or soon after dawn, well and good. Otherwise it may be possible to smoke it out, though in my own experience this method seldom produces results. While I was at the School of Musketry, Satara, in 1908, a friend and I managed to get week-end leave, and went out to prospect some ground reported to hold bears about 25 miles away. Before dawn next day I put T. to sit up over a cave where there were fresh tracks, while I went off to wander through the jungle. The bear came alright and obligingly stopped at the mouth of the cave to sniff at a ginger biscuit which T. had inadvertently dropped—he fired but missed, though not more than 20 feet above. I heard the shot so returned, and after we had had breakfast, decided to smoke the bear out. We made a huge fire of grass and green brushwood ai the mouth of the cave, with chillies added to give it pungency, but though we kept at it from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., we were unable to move the animal and had to give it up as a bad job. No doubt that cave went too far into the hill for the smoke, or the fireworks which we subsequently tried, to have any effect, but when caves are shallow it is possible to bomb them out. While I was on recruiting duty in 1915 I camped for some days at Kangundi, a small raj in the N. Arcot district, where I was anxious to establish a recruiting connection. The local men were keen on shikar, so ] thought it would help matters if we had a bear hunt, and a fine chase one gave me! The whole country there is a mass of small hills ‘QOyI9JeM & 7e IeIq Y}OTS V yojoy fo ovavyo yy H “H ojoyd 143YYsv7 7 ‘SuiSvI0F $.Jy8tu oy} Wor SurTuInzor Ie9q YWO[S V yvjoy fo ovsvyv yy *H *“H 0j0Yq oe SS fc 5 eae The atv id ‘90S ‘LSIFT “IVN AVaWwog ‘Nunof JUNGLE MEMORIES 5 covered with jungle, and with caves everywhere. An old bear was located on the afternoon of 30th May, so I started after him next morning, but found he had got into a cave. I took an uphill position, but when bombed out he bolted down and gave no shot. ‘Next beat, positions were reversed and he bolted up while I was ‘below—incidentally he nearly caught the shikari. We followed him across a plateau and half-way down the other side, and bombed him out of his third cave. This time he broke past me but gave no shot, and the same thing happened in the following beat. It was now after 1 p.m. and I was nearly done with the heat, but the beat- ers were very keen on one more attempt, so I agreed. My post was on a rock downhill and when the bear was bombed out of his refuge (an open cave), he came past me along the hill-side about 50 yards away. I was using my 12 bore with ‘Destructor’ bullets and aimed for his shoulder, but he stopped as I fired, and took it in the neck instead. He proved to be a very fine old bear with a huge head and worn teeth, and we carried him up to the cave he had just vacated and had a long rest there before starting back. We got the bear to camp by 5 p.m., and [I presented a haunch to the Dowager Rani at her request. In return she sent a troupe of dancing girls to cele- brate my success—some of them were quite attractive, but my orderly whispered to me that all were boys! However that may be, they certainly put up a good show, and their graceful movements provided a pleasant climax to a very arduous day. A heavy thunder storm that night made me wonder whether I should have my usual bad luck with the skin, but treatment on both sides with Taxinine powder prevented the hair slipping, and luckily I was able to get it in next morning to a taxidermist in Bangalore who made an excellent job of it. NILGIRIS Seventy or eighty years ago bears were quite common on the plateau, and old shikar books record their being shot in the grounds of Government House at Ootacamund. But those days are gone, never to return, and nowadays the only bears which remain on the Nilgiris are found in the low country, in the Anaikatti and Mudumaiai forest reserves. Even there they are few and far between, and since their habits are largely nocturnal it is seldom that one is encountered. In the past 24 years I have fired at only 4, and perhaps the incidents are of sufficient interest to merit inclusion in this series. In February 1929 ' went into camp at Anaikatti to try for a very fine bison reported te be in the vicinity. At 2 p.m. on the afternoon of our arrival, from the verandah of the bungalow, I spotted a fine black bull crossing the spur to the east of the Honey Rock, some 14 miles distant, so went after him. When we reached the spot we found a herd, and as the bull, though a grand animal, was not the one I wanted, we sat down and watched them for some time, and then started back about 5.30 p.m. We soon came across fresh traces of bear, and shortly after, while passing below a small cliif face, heard subdued growls in front. The noise was only some 19 vards away, but to get a view into the cave was impossible owing to the slope of the ground, unless one crept round the corner to the mouth of it, which was asking for trouble on so steep a slope. We 6 JOURNAL, BOMBAY ‘NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 29 withdrew and tried to look in from the top, but it overhung so that we could see nothing. As no alternative offered we then returned to our original position, and my shikari Kala threw a couple of stones round the corner without effect. I was wondering what to do next, when with angry growls a black ball rushed out in front of me and disappeared in the long grass downhill. I had no time for a shot, but before I could lower my rifle, another followed. A quick ‘ssnap-shot hit, and the bear turned offering his side at not more than 40 yards. I could see only his upper half above the grass, but a shot at the shoulder knocked him over, and after floundering about he disappeared from sight. Shortly after we heard the death wai! some way below and found that he had rolled a considerable distance down the very steep slope. My shikari said there was probably a third animal, as three bears had on several recent occasions chased villagers below the Succoth Estate not far away. I thought it unlikely after the firing, but went and examined the cave—it was only a sheltered overhang of rock with no depth and obviously empty. We then went down to examine the one shot and found it to be a young but full grown male—the pads of the fore-paws were badly abraded—one had maggots in it and the other an ingrowing claw, which cannot have iamproved his temper. The first bullet (soft nosed .423 Mauser) we found had broken the bear’s left shoulder, and the second his right and carried broken bits of bone through the heart, a shot which I have found far more effective than if placed behind the shouldex when the animal is broadside on. This point has already been refer- red to in the article on tigers. Three days later I beat the big ravine two miles east of the forest bungalow, as there were numerous fresh bear tracks in that direction, and a lot of open caves which could be easily bombed. The second beat held a bear but it broke out to one side and offered no shot, so I moved about a mile upstream. About 2.45 p.m. I got into position on a huge rock covering the bed of the ravine some 50 feet below me, and also the opposite bank so far as intervening trees and bushes permitted—my shikari Kala was up the slope be- hind me as stop. About 3 p.m. the beat was audible in the distance, and shortly after I heard Kala shouting and throwing stones, which were answered by the angry grunts of a bear. Standing up and turning round to command the slope behind me, I saw a bear about 35 yards away, evidently annoyed that its attempt to break out had been frustrated—its ears were laid back, making its head look very well brushed and smooth. I fired at once for the shoulder; and after carrying on for 20 yards or so it went out of sight behind a bush, and gave the death wail. When the beaters came up, I had a little fun with them, saying that I had shot a large monkey, and it was most amusing to see how their long faces brightened up when they saw what it really was. It proved to be a female, and was probably the companion of the one shot previously—this one also had a raw patch on one fore-paw and only 3 claws, of which 2 had ‘grown in circles but without entering the foot. I noticed that the pads of both bears were well stained with the juice of prickly-pear fruit. Huge areas were covered with the latter in those days and bears were then common, but since the unfortunate introduction of the cochineal insect and the consequent elimination of most of the JUNGLE MEMORIES 7 prickly-pear, bears are now seldom to be found in that locality, and there has been a very marked diminution in peafowl and jungle- fowl, which also are so fond of that fruit. I have fired at only 2 other bears at Anaikatti since then. The first of these was at Xmas 1936 when, going along a jungle path on a cold misty morning soon after dawn, we spotted a bear grubbing about in a thicket only 45 yards away. The light was so bad that it was difficult to make out, but when it reached an opening in the bushes I had a steady shot. I was surprised to see it go off apparent- ly untouched as I felt sure I had hit it, so ran after it, but the bear, whose progress had till then been fairly leisurely, soon got into top gear and left me winded. I then went back to the thicket to look for blood, and found that my bullet had hit a twig about an inch thick and had been deflected. He was a fine big brute and it was hard luck to lose him like that. The last bear I have met was when. after small game early in 1948, some 6 miles downstream from Anaikatti. We were beating a long ravine thickly covered with bushes and scrub, and I heard the men shouting that a bear was coming towards us. At Anaikatti it is as well always to carry a few ball and buckshot cartridges, as one never knows what will turn up. I therefore reloaded with those, and shortly afterwards heard the bear grunting as it tried to break past the stops on my left. There was a small game-path leading out of the bushes 11 yards in front of me and the bear suddenly appeared there, but stopped on seeing me. Though at such close range it was very hard to make him out in the thick cover, but it was obviously necessary to fire at once, and I did so, aiming for his throat. The bullet turned him, and as he went off, I gave him the left barrel at the back of the head, but neither shot seemed to have much effect, and a minute later he bolted past the gun on my right, who got in two useful shots in the open. That, I am sorry to say, was the last we saw of him, for though we followed the blood trail some way, we never came up with him. Bears are extra- ordinarily tough animals and unless the bullet is very accurately placed (not too easy on account of their long hair) the chances are they will get away. Talking of their long hair, I am surprised that so many shikar books refer to it as more suited to Arctic conditions than to the climate in which they live. But the hair though long is comparat- ively thin, and can hardly be hot. It seems to me more likely to be a non-conductor of heat, just as those who have served in Iraq wilt remember how the Arabs during the hot weather are in the habit of ‘donning additional black clothing. I imagine the bear’s long hair is intended mainly to protect him from bees when he raids the combs, as he is so fond of doing. BEAR KILLED BY TIGER From time to time when wandering in the jungle one comes across the scene of a jungle tragedy, In 1908 I was shooting in the Kauria Zemindari of the Raipur district, C.P., and one afternoon having nothing better to do, as I was tying up for tiger, I climbed the big 800 foot hill above my camp. In a hollow at the top we found the skeleton of a bear which had obviously been killed by a tigress a few days 8 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 before, as it was comparatively fresh. The place showed signs of the conflict quite clearly—tufts of hair were lying about and a mass of pug marks of both the tigress and the bear showed beyond doubt what had happened. It also explained why the tigress refused to take any of the baits I was tying out for her. She could hardly have come out of the fight altogether unscathed, and had presumably moved to other quarters. SALLY It was while I was at Bhamo in 1915, after my return from recruit- ing duty, that a Burman one day brought in to the fort a coupie of very small Himalayan bear cubs. I bought one of them and a brother officer the other, for the small sum of Rs. 5 each if I remember rightly. Sally and George, as we named them, were a source of endless amusement. They were tied up to adjacent posts on the verandah of our quarters, and I remember we found it neces- sary to shorten their chains, after we had returned one morning from parade, and found that Sally had got several turns of it round George’s neck and was, no doubt unintentionally, strangling her brother. One very peculiar habit they had of putting their paws over their faces and inhaling deeply when having an easy after their evening meal. Exactly why they did this we could never dis- cover—they were not sucking or licking their paws so far as we could see. Every now and then one would get loose and make for the nearest tree, and sometimes it would be hours before we could get it down. George unfortunately did not survive long, but Sally throve apace and was quite a big girl when the regiment moved to India. She took the river steamer and the sea voyage as a matter of course, and was perfectly happy so long as she was with the men, with whom she was a great favourite. Within 48 hours of our arrival at St. Thomas’ Mourt, we received a signal to mobilise on field service scale and re-embark at Madras by 1 p.m. on the following day. We did it too, with 5 minutes in hand, but I had to leave Sally behind with my orderly, who had charge of my bungalow. And it was while I was away that on one occasion she caused some ‘alarm and despondency’, to a worthy padre who after dining well, took a short cut to his bungalow through my compound, in the early hours of the morning. Hearing footsteps, Sally came out from behind her tree and waddled towards him, no doubt with the most friendly intentions, but it gave the padre the shock of his life! I then went off to a Staff job and when the regiment proceeded to Mesopotamia in 1916, joined it en route, so had no chance of seeing Sally again. She was left with the depot at Secunderabad, and though full grown was entirely without vice. A playful habit of hers was to sit up as one approached and deliver a round-arm swing, and unfortunately this proved her undoing, as one morning her claws caught in the C.O.’s breeches and removed most of them—so she departed to the zoo. When I returned from Mesopotamia I tried to find her; but was unsuccessful, so all that remains to me of Sally is her photo and a very happy soelonys though perhaps hardly a jungle one. (To be continued) SOME NOTES ON THE GENUS PHYLLOSCOPUS IN KASHMIR. BY Horace G. ALEXANDER I was in the Liddar Valley, Kashmir, from June 12th to July 4th, 1949, with Pahlgam (7,000 feet above sea-level) as base. All. my observations were made between that height and 10,000 feet, apart from brief excursions higher and lower. The phylloscopi have always interested me, and I have spent many hours standing trying to get satisfactory views of these tiny birds as they flit about in trees or bushes, and much oftener failing than succeeding. The notes that follow must only be regarded as a first essay (as far as I am concerned at least) on Kashmir phylloscopi. It will be seen that I am by no means clear about the status, even in this limited area, of several species. Ticehurst, in his excellent monograph of the genus, warns his readers against field identifications. This warning should be taken to heart, and the field observer should always either present his evidence for identifications, or should only give his identifications as tentative. On the other hand, the observer today has the inestimable advantage of Ticehurst’s book to help him. I never go on a holiday in India without it, and even when I leave it behind when out on a day or two’s trek, I generally regret its absence. In what follows, I try to deal with the species observed in order of their size, beginning with the largest. In general it may be said that the main divisions of the genus, from the point of view of the field observer, are four: first, large or long-tailed species with no wing-bar; secondly, large species with a wing-bar; thirdly, smal! or short-tailed species with no wing-bar; fourthly, small species with a wing-bar or wing-bars. All four types are represented in Kashmir. I do not follow the sub-divisions in the above order in what follows. The three long-tailed species with no wing-bar are all smaller than the two with wing-bars, so I take the latter first. On the other hand, the only small species without a wing-bar is slightly larger than those with wing-bars, so here I take it first. Phylloscopus magnirostris. This species, the largest of all Indian phylloscopi, is common in the Liddar Valley, Once you have learnt its very distinctive song, which apparently is hardly subject to any variation, its presence is easily detected. The song is a clear bell-like cadénce of five notes: ‘twee—ti-ti tu-tu’. The call-note is of the same character, a double note, the second note much higher than the first. I noted between forty or fifty of them, nearly always close to running water. It is a strictly arboreal bird. I think I only three times saw one come down to within ten feet of the ground, and I never got wholly satis- factory views of them. The rather broad and dark bill is a useful character. There is one pale wing-bar at the tips of the wing-coverts, but it is difficult to see. 10 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 Phylloscopus occipitalis. This is by far the commonest species of the genus in Kashmir indeed, I think it is the commonest bird of any kind in the Liddar Valley. It occurs from 6,o00 feet upwards, wherever there are trees. Its various songs and call-notes seem to form almost exactly the same repertoire as that possessed by the European Coal Tit, but I fear that may not be much help to Indian ornithologists. The commonest of these notes, apparently the song, is a constantly re- peated, cheerful, rapid, chi-wee, chi-wee, etc. Sometimes it is reversed, with the emphasis on the wee: wee-chi, wee-chi, etc. This species has one or two fairly distinct wing-bars, but it is the mark- ings on its head that are diagnostic. The dark bands above the eye-stripe and through the eye are often very strongly marked, contrasting with the long yellowish eye-stripe between them. The usual English name for the bird, ‘Crowned Willow-Warbler’, is given it because of the pale coronal streak, greeny-yellow, somewhat variable in intensity, running from the bill over the top of the head to the nape. Another good field character is the orange base of the bill. This feature, adjoining the beginning of the yellow superciliary stripe, and a yellowish throat, gives the bird a decidedly yellow appearance about the face, in marked contrast to the last species. Phylloscopus tytleri. This bird is somewhat smaller than the last two, but it belongs, with them, to the species having reasonably long tails. It has no wing-bar, I only saw a few, and it was some time before I identified them satisfactorily, as they were browner than I had expected. In- deed, I think the field observer may be pardoned for thinking, when he first sees them in Kashmir, that he is watching a Siberian Chiffchaff. The first that I saw at close quarters, in low bushes, was carrying food, so it may have had a nest nearby. I only once heard the song: whittle-di-wee-you was the way I syllabified it. After watching several at very close range I described them as rather dull brown all over the upper-parts, the tail showing a trace of rufous or fulvous on the edges of the feathers. The wing-quills seemed to show a very faint trace of greenish, but only very faint. In the hand, the very narrow bill is a good character, but I did not notice this in the birds I saw. Perhaps I should have noticed it with more extensive observation. Phylloscopus affinis. On June 30th, in juniper scrub at about 10,000 feet, I saw one of these, and probably a second half a mile from it. It is very easy to identify, being uniform brown above and bright, almost canary, yellow below. At altitudes above 10,000 feet it 1s probably common. Phylloscopus griseolus. On June 18th I saw what appeared to be a bird of this species at the edge of some woodland about 8,500 feet, above Pahlgam. If the identification was correct, it was presumably a bird of passage ‘or a wanderer. It is not difficult to identify, as its upper plumage SOME NOTES ON THE GENUS FHYLLOSCOPUS IN KASHMIR 11 is a peculiar grey-brown, and its under-parts are oily yellow. It has no wing-bar. In its winter quarters, in Indian jungle, it is fond of hopping about the boles of big trees, and usually keeps near the ground, associating with other small birds. Phylloscopus neglectus. This is a short-tailed species without the least trace of a wing- bar. Indeed, I believe it is the only one in the whole genus that combines a short tail with absence of wing-bar. Ticehurst could not trace a single specimen from Kashmir. It appeared to me to be one of the commoner species, so I must present my evidence. On June 22nd and 23rd I came on small parties, the first near Pahlgam not much above 7,000 feet, the second at Lidderwat, at over 9,000 feet, In both cases they were feeding in low scrub near the main Liddar stream, and they were absurdly tame, but extremely skulking, so that I sometimes saw them at barely six feet distance from my eyes, and below me, but only for a split moment, except once or twice when two chased. However, subsequently, on June 28th, 29th and 3oth and again on July 3rd, I saw others, latterly singly or in pairs, which were sometimes as polite to the observer as any Phylloscopus ever knows how to be. That is to say, I saw individuals at close quarters, below me, which stayed in one spot, in full view, for at least five seconds. The first I saw were more or less in company with the first P. iytler. that I saw, and as both species are brown above and dirty white below without any wing-bar, this caused me some confusion. Happily, this got disentangled later. I had to make up my mind why I was certain that these small brown phylloscopi were not Chiffchaffs. From the first day, my first and most decisive answer was, ‘the short tail’. Perhaps it will be sufficient if I quote what I wrote after the final observation on July 3rd. ‘My last observation, to-day, is the most satisfactory of all. I was exploring the scrub and boulders of a ‘‘marg’’ about 9,000 feet up, and heard a little three- note song, ti-wish-1, in some bushes to my left and below me. Soon I saw a P. neglectus, and it was under close observation for the next ten minutes, showing itself on top of bushes from time to time, and sometimes coming within ten feet of me, and all the time below me. It was mostly silent. Then I heard a very faint peep behind me, and presently a second bird appeared. The first, in response to the gentle ‘‘peeping’’, came up the hill and fed it, while the second bird shivered its wings. The first then sang several times, there was a little chasing and then they separated again, and I only saw the male. Had the female (for I feel confident it was the mate, not a young bird) come off the nest?—or were they courting? As to colour, I have not much to add [to what I had written in my notes on earlier days.| Plain brown is the colour of the body feathers, from crown to tail. There is no suggestion of a wing-bar, In certain lights the wing-quills and the tail-feathers look slightly fulvous, in others al- most olive-green; possibly they reflect a somewhat different coiour at different angles. (The birds were seen in bright sunshine at just about noon). The under-parts show no trace of yellow, but are decidedly streaky. I still have no very satisfactory account of the 12 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol: 49 colours of the soft parts. I should say: Eye nearly black, biil brown, legs rather pale brown. The pale superciliary extends a little behind. the eye, but is much shorter than in most phylloscopi’. It will be seen that my evidence suggests that birds of this species were appearing in small parties in the Liddar Valley in mid-June, and beginning to nest there, at heights between 7,000 and 9,000 feet, by the end of the month. Those in parties were mostly silent, but I occasionally heard a sharp chip note, and in chasing one uttered a double chi-ip. Phylloscopus reguloides. Now we come to what, in Kashmir at least, is the most difficult group, namely the small phylloscopi with wing-bars. Here my in- formation is certainly very incomplete, even for the area in which I was observing. P. reguloides is the greenest of this group, its upper plumage appearing a rather bright green, or yellow-green, when it is seen at close quarters. Also, it has a pale occipital streak. I notice that Salim Ali, in his new book on ‘Indian Hill Birds’ describes it as the Kashmir Crowned Willow-Warbler. I am afraid this strikes me as an unfortunate name, since the ordinary Crowned Willow-Warbler (P. occipitalis) must outnumber it in Kashmir by a hundred to one. But if the word ‘Small’ were added, it’ would emphasise the fact that this species, like that, has a pale occipital stripe. This, together with its short tail and greenish upper-parts, should suffice to identify it under favourable conditions. On June 25th I had a close view of one, and a few days later I saw some in a mixed party, but those are all I was sure of, and it appeared to me to be a rather scarce species. Phylloscopus inornatus humei, I do not favour the use of trinomials by field observers, as the use of the subspecific name is normally a mere assumption based on what is written in books, It is rarely possible to distinguish one sub- species from another in the field. But in this case, not only is the form of the so-called Yellow-browed Warbler that occurs all over India (except in the extreme north-east) known to be humez, but also it is in fact paler and less yellow than P. i. inornatus, so that it is not impossible to distinguish. This is alleged to be one of the commoner species in Kashmir at the altitudes IT was exploring. My experience suggests otherwise. I only twice tieard its very distinctive double call-note, tiss-yip, which one can hear almost any day in the gardens of New Delhi in the winter; apart from this I only saw it for certain on two or three occasions in mixed parties of small birds in the woods. Phylloscopus pulcher. On June 27th, following a heavy downpour of rain, I found a remarkable concourse of small birds, flycatchers, tits, warblers, etc., in the scrub close to the Forest Rest-House at Pahlgam. Twice, while I stood watching, a bird of this species appeared, its orange wing-bands instantly marking it out. On one, I also caught a SOME NOLTES;ON THE GENUS PHYLLOSCOPUS IN KASHMIR 13 glimpse of the white in the tail-feathers, a feature that is hardly found in any other Indian Phylloscopus, though it is characteristic of course of the Grey-headed Flycatcher-Warbler, of the nearly re- lated genus Seicercus. This bird, by the way, so common at most hill stations in the: Himalayas, I did not see: in Kashmir. Phylloscopus proregulus. This, the smallest Indian Phylloscopus, appeared to me to be the most abundant after P. occipitalis. Its song 1s weak, a rapid, rather unmusical, feeble trill, suggesting a Regulus. The call-notes I heard included a rather flat chi-wee, and, near the nest, a plaintive twee. It is readily distinguished by the lemon-yellow coloured rump, often visible when the bird hovers, goldcrest-like, to pic insects off the foliage of the pine trees. When this cannot be seen, the vellowish wing-bars and superciliary streak and occipital streak, the latter rather variable, should help in identification. The general plumage is browner than that of the other small wing-barred phylloscopi of Kashmir. It must not be forgotten that the Goldcrest, Regulus cristatus, is also common in Kashmir. Its general plumage is olive-green. There is a single pale wing-bar and a second pale bar at right angies to it. The occipital stripe is orange or yellow, except in the young birds, which lack this feature. And at the sides of the crown there runs a black line. But below this, the whole face is uniform greenish, with no pale superciliary stripe, and no dark eye-strip, features which are characteristic, in varying degree, of every Phylloscopus known to me. At least four species of Phylloscopus may occur at higher eleva- tions in parts of Kashmir which I did not visit. These are P. collybita lorenzi, P. trochiloides, P. subviridis and P. maculipennis. A NOTE ON THE RORQUALS (BALAENOPTERA SPP.) BY C. A. GIBSON-HILL, M.A., F.Z.S. (Raffles Museum, Singapore) (With three plates) SYNOPSIS An attempt is made to analyse the published records of rorquals (Balaenoptera spp.) stranded on the coasts of India and Ceylon with the object of determining the species occurring in this area. Positive identifications apparently exist for only one species, the Blue Whale, B. musculus (Linn.). It seems -highly probable, but not certain, that two others, the Fin Whale, B. physalus (Linn.), and the Piked Whale, B. acutorostrata Lacép., also arrive here at least occasional- ly. The great majority of the records are merely generic, and to assist in the production of more precise identifications in the future a brief account is given of the external characteristics of the five. known living species. The paper finishes with a summary of the records from the Malaysian sub-region, which includes the seas im- mediately to the east of the northern Indian Ocean. THE RORQUALS KNOWN FROM THE COASTS OF INDIA & CEYLON In a recent number of this journal N. G. pillai (1949: 358) provides an interesting note on an immature rorqual caught alive off the coast of Bombay on 12 April 1949. Unfortunately no specific diagnosis is given. The balance of probability is that the specimen was a Lesser Rorqual, Balaenoptera acutorostrata Lacép., but this cannot be regarded as certain on the information available. Similarly, the list of whales stranded on the coasts of India published by S. T. Moses (1947: 377-8) includes only two precise identifications of Balaenoptera spp. in a total of more than 25 strandings. The two that Moses cites are an immature Blue Whale, B. musculus (Linn.),. length about 35 feet, which came ashore at Nirodumunai (Ceylon). in 1932, and a specimen described as ‘B. edeni’ which is said to have been stranded in the Sittang estuary in June 1871. B. edeni (Anderson, 1878: 551-64) is a synonym of the Piked Whale or Lesser Rorqual, B. acutorostrata, but this does not give us a definite record for the latter mammal on the Indian coast as Sittang is situated in Burma, about 75 miles east of Rangoon. In addition to the Nirodumunai whale cited by Moses, Dr. A. Aiyappan tells me (in litt., 18-3-49) that the Madras Museum con- tains an entire mounted skeleton of B. indica Blyth (= B. musculus) which came ashore at Mangalore in 1874. I am also strongly of the opinion that the 61-foot whale figured by Kinnear (in Prater, 1915: 577), which was stranded at Viziadrug near Ratnagiri in August 1912, belonged to this species. No doubt also any of the additional records on Moses’s list with lengths of over 80 feet can fairly safely be ascribed to it; these are Quilon 1848, Amherst Island (Arakan= Burma again) 1851, Quilon 1858, near Cherai (Cochin) November NOTE ON RORQUALS (BALAENOPTERA SPP.) 15 1927, between Suratkal and Moolki 1939, and probably Mulvel (Okhamandal) March 1939. The last of these must be treated with some reserve, aS the whale is said to have been 79 feet long but with a flipper length of only 6 feet (see Moses 1941: 896); this is much too short for any rorqual with the body length quoted. Similarly I have not included the 160-foot whale, Pondicherry 1757, cited by Moses from Ananda Ranga Pillay’s diary, as the length given is too large for any known species. Even without these last two records, however, we have ample evidence that the Blue Whale, B. musculus, does come ashore at intervals on the coasts of India and Ceylon. There is also, in my opinion, a fairly definite Indian record for the Fin Whale, B. physalus (Linn.). This is the 41-foot whale re- ported by Prater (1915: 576) which was stranded at Dhabool, 97 miles south of Bombay, on 11 December (?) 1913. It is not, seem- ingly, listed by Moses. Prater identifies it as B. indica, but from the description of the colouring and the size of the flippers (measuring 1/gth of the total body length) it must almost certainly have been an example of physalus. Probably, though there is no_ direct evidence to show this, some of the other records attributed non- specifically to ‘rorqual’ belong to the Fin Whale. The information by which the different Balaenoptera spp. can be distinguished from each other is not readily available, but the genus as a whole can be separated from any others occurring in these waters without much difficulty. As a result many identifications have no doubt been left at the level of rorqual on the assumption that that was as far as the matter could be carried. The rorquals are a group of whalebone whales distinguished from all other members of the sub-order Mystacoceeti by ,a particular combination of a few characters. They have a series of parallel grooves or ‘pleats’ on the chin, throat and pectoral region, a dorsal fin and fairly short flippers (equal to about 1/7th, or less, of the total length). Taken together, these features are diagnostic of the genus. Five species are known. From the three paragraphs above it would appear that we have undisputed records of only one of these, the Blue Whale, from the coasts of India and Ceylon. On the other hand it is probable that at least two others, the Fin Whale and the Piked Whale, have occurred in our area. Any of the five might reach this region during their wanderings in tropical waters. Even Bryde’s Whale, B. brydei Olsen, which seemed to Olsen to be con- fined to the cooler waters off South Africa, from Angola to Natal, has been reported from Granada in the West Indies (Norman and. Fraser, 1937: 235). It would accordingly appear to be of general interest to give a summary of the external characters of the known rorquals, in the hope that on future occasions it may be possible to obtain more precise identifications. The sizes of the living rorquals can be shown most satisfactorily by the following table, taken partly from Gibson-Hill (1948: 61) and, in the case of the whales of commercial importance, based originally on the ‘Discovery’ Reports (1929, continuing). The lengths given are measurements in feet from the tip of the snout to the notch of the tail flukes. Oil yields are only very approximate estimates, as there: 16 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 is considerable individual variation: as an example, one might refer, to Olsen’s statement (1913: 1079 and 1083) that in Bryde’s Whale the yield ranges from 2-3 barrels in an ill-conditioned animal to 15-20 barrels in a very fit one. The highest recorded yield for any species is 305 barrels taken from a Blue Whale flensed at Walvis Bay, South Africa. The measurements of length are as follows: TTI oe Average length at Approx. Sete: sexual maturity Approx. | Average pate of Species ae 7 maximum oil yield iene Rei | length |in barrels A ° Male Female length B. musculus ... 23 74 77 | 100 1u0 U7 B. physalus ... 21 63) ysterws6O) Vy 1682 50 1/9 Biboréalis .... 15 44 | 43 60 17 1/10-1/12 B. Ory det... ... P12 about 30-35 48 3 1/10-1/12 B. acuto- | vostvata ... Pog about 25-30 | 33 ae 1/8 The following are the principal external features distinguishing the five species: the data is taken partly from Norman and Fraser (1937: 218-41) and, in the case of Bryde’s Whale, from Olsen (1913: 1073-81). The general colouring and the size and position of the dorsal fin can be used, under favourable conditions, in determining the identity of a rorqual seen at sea. In a stranded specimen at- tention should also be paid to the grooves on the throat, the size of the flippers and, above all, the form and colouring of the baleen plates. There are also differences in the agility, speed and manner of movement among the larger rorquals at least, but no attempt is made to go into these points here. A certain amount of experience at sea in areas where whales are relatively numerous is essential before the distinctions can be mastered adequately. As in all cases of identifying freely-moving animals, the faculty can only be acquired by practice, and continued practice is needed to maintain it. In the early part of 1946 I was able to separate the three large rorquals at a moderate distance and under reasonable conditions. Now I would not like to attempt to do so. Regular whalers, on the other hand, habitually spot the species and gauge the approximate length, rapidly and surely, except in the case of the Sei and Bryde’s Whales, which have even been confused on the flensing platform. Apart from this one instance, no appreciable difficulty is likely to be experienced in identifying a stranded or beached whale, using the points given below. Observers should, however, remember that the body colour, as in man, is affected by post-mortem changes, but there is little immediate alteration in the colouring of the baleen plates. The Blue Whale or Sibbald’s Rorqual Balaenoptera musculus (Linn.), This species has a relatively longer head than other rorquals, with the sides almost parallel for part of their length. The general colouring is a dark slate blue, with the tip and under surface of the flippers whitish; but there is some individual variation in the colour- Journ. BomBay Nat. Hist. Soc. PreArp L An adult Fin Whale, about 70 feet long, being pulled on the deck of a factory ship off the South Shetlands. Photos 7 as = SS ECE Ae Gator The upper jaws and baleen plates of a Fin Whale, about 65 feet long, seen from below. ‘e181005) YINOS ‘MoqIeP] YYo'T ‘w0j;zeI[d Sutsuoy oy} UO MOS pvap & WOIF PIAOUIL ‘SUOT JooF Q JNOQe ‘oTeY AA UL [P}O} V- 1tH-V0SQ1D “V "DO 0j0Yd Yippasvisd>: Qe ity Uys Yes tye i ] y ty G YY ie tivid ‘90S ‘LSIFT ‘LVN AvdWwog ‘Nunof NOTE ON RORQUALS (BALAENOPTERA SPP.) 17 ing and it may be modified by paler mottling. Whales which have been resident in cold waters for a long period often acquire a cover- ing film of diatoms. This may be so thick as to make the under parts appear glaucous or even yellowish, a feature which has earned ior it the alternative name of ‘Sulphur-bottom’. The dorsal fin is low, small and placed well back towards the tail. The flippers are long and tapering, measuring about 1/7th of the body-length. There are usually about 80-100 ventral grooves, and in the mid-line they extend back to the umbilicus, about half-way between the planes of the fippers and the dorsal fin. The baleen plates, including the fringes -on the frayed inner border, are jet black; this feature is character- istic of the species. The synonyms used in the literature of our area include sibbaldii (Gray), indica Blyth and ‘Great Indian Fin ‘Whale.’ The Fin Whale or Common Rorqual B. physaulus (Linn.). The head in this and the next two species appears wedge-shaped ‘when seen from above. The general colour of the Fin Whale is grey above and white below, including the under surface of the flippers and tail flukes, but the pattern is slightly asymmetrical in the region of the head and shoulders. The outer surface of the right lower jaw and the side of the neck is white, while the left lower jaw and adjacent areas of the neck are grey. Inside the mouth the change is reversed, the right side of the lower jaw and the neighbouring part of the tongue are pigmented, while on the left side these areas are without colour. This feature is characteristic of the species. The ‘dorsal fin is fairly tall and triangular in shape, while behind it is -a sharp-sided median ridge. The flippers measure only 1/oth of the total bodylength. There are usually about 60-90 ventral grooves, running back to the umbilicus .as in the Blue Whale. The baleen plates share the asymmetry of colouring of the jaws. The plates -on the right side, for about one-third of the distance back from the tip of the snout, are white; the remainder on that side and all those on the left mandible are a dull blue-grey streaked with pale ash-grey and yellowish grey. The fringes are in all cases yellowish white. The synonyms used in the literature of the Indian Ocean include australis (Des.), blythii And. and ‘Razor-back.’ The Sei Whale or Rudolphi’s Rorqual 7?. borealis Less. The dorsal surface is a bluish black, with the flanks grey and an area on the under surface, stretching back from the chin, white; the extent of this white patch varies to some extent individually, but it never runs as far as the tail and the under surface of the flippers and flukes is always dark. The dorsal fin is relatively larger than in the preceding two species and placed further forward. On the other hand the flippers are still smaller and measure only about 1/r1oth- a/12th of the total body-length. The ventral grooves range from 36-60 and extend only as far back as a point about midway between the line of the flippers and the umbilicus. The baleen plates are mainly black, with the frayed inner edges white; the latter are quite ‘characteristic, being much longer, softer and silkier than in any of tne other rorquals. The synonyms include schlegelii (Flower). 2 18 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST., SOCIETY, Vol. 49 Bryde’s Whale 8. brydei (Olsen). This species is very similar to the Sei Whale, with which it is often confused. The dorsal surface is bluish black, with the chin and throat a dark bluish grey; the under sides of the flippers are grey; the remainder of the lower surface is white or whitish. The dorsal fin is small, and the flippers only about 1/1oth-1/12th of the total body-length. The ventral grooves, 42-54 in number extend as far back as the umbilicus, as they do in the Blue and Fin Whales, a point which distinguishes this species from the Sei and Piked Whales. The baleen plates are short, with long stiff bristles; in the anterior part of the jaw they are whitish, sometimes with greyish stripes, while further back they are greyish black. The long stiff bristles on the frayed, internal edges of the plates should be diagnostic of this species. At the present time this whale is known with certainty only from waters off South Africa and off Granada. The Piked Whale or Lesser Rorqual 8B. acutorostrata Lacép. This species has a short head which appears almost triangular when viewed from above. The general colour is blue grey on the upper parts and white underneath, including the under side of the flippers and the tail flukes. There is also a prominent white patch on the outer surface of the flippers, which is characteristic of this species. The dorsal fin is smaller than in the Sei Whale, but it is placed about the same distance forward. The flippers measure roughly ith of the total body-length. There are about 50 ventral grooves which, again as in the Sei Whale, only extend back to half- way between the flippers and the umbilicus. The baleen plates, in- cluding the fringes, are entirely yellowish white, The synonyms. include rostrata (Miller) and edent And. Some of the points given above can be tabulated as follows: Species | Flippers Flukes Baleen Plates : Maca B. musculus slate-blue above, slate-blue, both jet black, including whitish below. surfaces. frayed edge. B. physalus | grey above, white below fore part right side white, remainder dull blue-grey. B. borealis grey (both surfaces) ;black with frayed edge long, fine and | whitish. B. brydez dark bluish grey dark bluish grey anterior plates whit- above, grey above, whitish ish, posterior black- below. below. ish ; long _ stiff bristles. B. acutorostrata blue grey with a biue grey above, yellowish white, in prominent white | white below. cluding frayed patch above, ‘edge. ' white below. Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. Puate IIL Blue Whale DYTTTN ION ULC MLL SLT = — Fin Whale set) (CUA tee Sei Whale \ o (S go 43 60 Semi-diagrammatic representations of the three larger rorquals, the Blue Whale, the Fin Whale, and the Sei Whale. Phases in the movements of a large Blue Whale coming up to the surface to breathe. The sequence shows the short period during which the back and dorsal fin are exposed, and the manner in which the whale dives again without raising its tail flukes out of the water. The Humpback Whale (Megaptera nodosa), which also occurs in tropical waters, always throws its tail flukes well in the air as it turns to sound. NOTE ON RORQUALS (BALAENOPTERA SPP.) 19. It is perhaps of interest to note here that we have only one record of a rorqual trom the coasts of the Malay States. This is a suckl- ing Blue Whale, B. musculus, about 42 feet long, which was stranded on the beach about 18 miles south of the town ot Malacca on the roth june 1892. The skeleton’ is at present on exhibition in the Raffles Museum. The only report of the occurrence of the Fin whale, B. physalus, in Malaysia is from the south coast of Java, though it is possible that a large rorqual stranded near Lundu, on the coast of Sarawak, towards the end of the last century belonged to this species (see Gibson-Hiil, 1950). The Sei Whale, B. borealis, is known from java and the inner Gulf of Siam (ashore at Kandhuli), (Chasen, 1940, 108). Recently, while examining the materia! in the Sarawak Museum, I found on exhibition there the skeleton of an immature example of this species, approximately 23 feet long. It had come ashore at Pusa, at the mouth of the Saribas River, in January 1go0g, but no attempt appears to have been made to publish the record. REFERENCES Anderson, J. (1878): Anatomical and Zoological Researches, London. Blanford, W. T. (1891): The Fauna of British India ‘etc., Mammalia, Pt. 2, Ist ed., London. Chasen, F. N, (1940): ‘A Handlist of Malaysian Mammals’, Bull., Raff. Mus., XY. Gibson-Hill, C. A. (1948): (Notes on the fauna communicated in) The Antarctic Pilot, 2nd ed., Admiralty, London. Gibson-Hill, C. A. (1950): ‘The Whales, Porpoises & Dolphins known in. Sarawak waters’, Sarawak Mus. Journ. xvii (in the press). Moses, S, T. (1941): ‘Whales’in Baroda, etc.’, Journ.,: Bombay Nat: Hist. Soc., xli (4): 895-7, | Moses, S. T. (1947): ‘Stranding of Whales on the coasts of India’, Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., xlvii (2): 377-8. Norman, J. R., & Fraser, F. C, (1937): Giant Fishes, Whales & ‘Dolphins, London. | Olsen, O. (1913): ‘On the External Characters and Biology of Bryde’s Whale (Balaenoptera brydei) a new Rorqual from the coast of South Africa’, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1913: 1073-90. Pillai, N. G. (1949): ‘A Whale near Bombay’, Journ,, Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., Xlviii (2): 358.. | Prater, S. H. (191&): ‘Note on a stranded Great Indian Fin Whale (Balaenop- tera indica) at Ratnagiri: with a note by N. B. Kinnear’, Journ., Bombay Nat, Hist. Soc., xxiii (3): 576-7, BUTTERFLIES OF SIND BY N. H. MENESSE, 0O.B.E., I.S.E. Superintending Engineer, P.W.D., Sind, (Retd.) The desert province of Sind, with its scanty rainfall, scorching ‘Summer temperatures, hot dry winds and dust, would appear to have ‘little attraction for butterfly life. Nevertheless butterflies are to be found, at times sparsely, but often in large numbers even in such arid and unexpected places as on the stony hills near Tatta, in the sandy wastes of the Thar Desert and along the desolate frontiers of Upper ‘Sind. The number of species is however very limited as this naturally depends on the lepidopterous fauna available. For this reason the Lloyd Barrage and its extensive network of perennial canals which commenced operating in 1932 have up to now had practically no effect on the butterfly life beyond slightly extending the range of a few species, because although hundreds of thousands of acres of rice, cotton, wheat, etc. are cultivated annually in the canal zone such seasonal crops afford little or nothing in the form of food plants for the butterfly larvae. Consequently they have to depend mainly on the natural vege- tation of the country, which itself is limited both in extent and variety. The principal larval food plants are thus provided by the babul (Acacza arabica), ber (Zizyphus jujuba), ak (Calotropis procera), kirir (Capparts decidua), kandera (Alhagitcamelorum), khabbar (Salvadora persica), and other natural desert vegetation. Larval food plants are also available in the flower gardens of Karachi and in the cultivated citrus groves found scattered about the canal zone. Also by the occasional amaltas (Cassia fistula) and Bauhimia trees that have been planted at some of the canal inspection bungalows. No provincial list of the butterflies of Sind has previously been published and very little has been written on the subject. In the Sind Natural History Society’s journals for October 1935 and 1936 respectively, C. J. Rae has -described ‘Some Karachi Butterflies’ and ‘Some common Sind Cold Weather Butterflies’, but the main work still remains the ‘ List of Butterflies from Karachee’ by Lt.-Col. Swinhoe, which appeared in the Proceedings ot the Zoological Society of London, 1884, and which that author subsequently enlarged and rewrote in his article ‘On the Lepi- doptera of Karachi and its Neighbourhood ’, published in the Journal ot the Bombay Natural History, Society, Vol. I, No. 4 (October, 1887). In that article Swinhoe mentioned that due to the recent introduction of the Karachi Water Works gardens were springing up everywhere and all kinds of new trees were being cultivated, and he thought it possible that the list of Karachi butterflies might go on increasing every year with the growth of vegetation until it somewhat resembled that of Bombay. It is therefore interesting to note that this increase has not yet materialised and that now, after some 60 years, the list of Karachi species is still very similar to what it was in Swinhoe’s days. The following provincial list has been prepared from observations made all BUTTERFLIES OF SIND 2h over Sind between 1932 and 1947, and for the purpose of this list the Lower-Upper Sind boundary has been taken as an east-west line through the town of Nawabshah. Examples of most species are met with more or less throughout the year, but the best season is from July to Nov- ember, and butterflies are particularly numerous in the occasional years of heavy summer rain. The notation followed is according to that given. by Brigadier W. H. Evans in his ‘ Identification of Indian Butterflies ’. 1. Tros aristolochiae aristolochiae F. The Common Rose. The form dzphilus Esp. is not rare. Karachi and Lower Sind. Common. Not noted in Upper Sind. 2. Papilio polytes romulus Cr. The Common Mormon. Swinhoe does not include this in his final list although in his earlier list he had noted it as rare. It is now common in Karachi, rare in Lower Sind and has not yet extended its range north of Nawab- Shah. The & forms that occur are vomulus Cram. and cyrus Fabr. 3. Papilio demoleus demoleus L. The Lime Butterfly. Common all the year round. The brownish-yeliow insect is also: cominon.t 4. Belenois mesentina mesentina Cr. The Pioneer. Common and numerous. 5. Catopsilia crocale Cr. The Common Emigrant. & form alemeone (Cram). 2 form crocale (Cram). The Emigrants are found throughout Sind, their numbers generally depending locally on the presence of amaltas and Bauhinia trees, which. provide their principal larval food plant. Out of the four species that. occur all except domona F. are common. 6. Catopsilia pomona F. The Lemon Emigrant. ° 7. Catopsilia pyranthe minna Herbst. The Mottled Emigrant. 8, Catopsilia florella gnoma F.2 The African Emigrant. 9. Terias laeta laeta Bdv. The Spotless Grass Yellow. In his first list of Karachi butterflies Swinhoe has noted this as. ‘June. Rare’, but in his final list states, ‘ A common insect at Karachi and very plentiful in May and June.’ It is now scarce both in Karachi and in the rest of Sind. 10. Terias hecabe simulata M. The Common Grass Yellow. This is the grass yellow met commonly everywhere. In order to ascertain whether 7. 2. fimbriata Wall occurred in Sind a series of grass yellows were taken at various places in different months of the veat. All were identified by the B.N.H.S. and confirmed by Brig. Evans as szmulata. . % In the experience of Mr. M. A. Wynter-Blyth these brownish-yellow insects are old examples whose coloration has been faded by the elements.—EDs. 2 Nos. 7 and 8 are now considered the wet season form and dry season form, respectively of the.same species. M.A.W-B. 22 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL FIST? SOCIETY, Vol. 49 [1l. Ixias pyrene satadra M. The indian Orange-tip. This is shown in the Identification of Indian Butterflies as occurring in Sind. Swinhoe does not record this insect nor did 1 ever come across it. | 12. Celotis amata amata F. The Small Salmon Arab. The colotis group (except protyvactus and fausta) are found every- where and are the commonest butterflies in the Province. 13. Colotis protractus But. The Blue Spotted Arab. Locally common throughout Sind. 14. Colotis vestalis But. The White Arab. 15. Colotis fausta fausta Oliv. The Large Salmon Arab. Taken near Karachi, Dabeji, Oderolal and Sukkur. Rare. 16. Colotis etrida etrida Bdv. The Little Orange-tip. 17. Colotis danae dulcis But. The Crismon-tip. 18. Danais limniace mutina Fruh. The Blue Tiger. Common in Karachi in July and August after rains. Scarce in the rest of Sind. 19. Danais plexippus L. The Common Tiger. Occurs only in years of heavy rainfall. Entirely absent from 1938 onwards and then appeared in large numbers in Karachi from July to September, 1944, after abnormal rains. 20. Danais chrysippus L. The Plain Tiger. One of the commonest butterflies in Sind, seen everywhere and in every month of the year. v. alcifpotdes M. and v. dortppus Cr. both occur. 21. Melanitis leda ismene Cr. The Common Evening Brown. Karachi. Very rare. Swinhoe took one in 1879 and two in 1886. 22. Ypthima asterope mahratta M. The Common Threering. Karachi. Very rare. Swinhoe records taking one in 1886. [I did not come across this insect or 1Z. l. zsmene although constantly on the lookout during the past 15 years. 23. Hypelimnas bolina L. The Great Eggfly. Karachi. Very rare. Swinhoe notes 2 specimens in 1882 and 2 in 1886. This insect and the two listed above now appear to be extinct. 24, Hypolimnas misippus L. The Danaid Eggfly. Common in Karachi after heavy rain from July to December. Not common in Lower Sind. Not noted in Upper Sind. 25. Precis hierta hierta F. The Yellow Pansy. The Yellow, Blue, and Peacock Pansies are common in most months of the year. 96. Precis orithya swinhoei But. The Blue Pansy. BUTTERFLIES OF SIND 23 27. Precis lemonias vaisya Fruh. The Lemon Pansy. Swinhoe took one in 1885 at Karachi. In 1936 not uncommon near Jacobabad, but Aieewnete in Sind I came across none until I took one in Karachi in 1942. Suddenly became numerous throughout Sind from October to December 1943. After 1944 became occasional in Karachi and Lower Sind and was-not seen again in Upper Sind. 28. Precis almana almana L. ‘The Peacock Pansy. 29. Vanessa cardui L. The Painted Lady. Common. Often numerous. 30. Atella phalanta Drury. The Common Leopard. Karachi only. Very rare. Swinhoe took one in July, 1882, and I took one in Sept. 1942. 31. Tarucus callinara But. The Spotted Pierrot. The blue pierrots are found in most months of the year. 34 speci- mens taken in the Hyderabad and Karachi Districts between Sept. 1938 and June 1939, were identified by Brigadier Evans, through A. Jones, as follows: callinara 5, nigra 21, alteratus 6, nara 1, theophrastus indica 1. 32. Tarucus theoprastus indica. The Pointed Pierrot. 33. Tarucus extricatus But. The Rounded Pierrot. 34, Tarucus alteratus M. The Rusty Pierrot. 35. Tarucus nigra BB. The Spotted Pierrot. 36. Tarucus nara Koll. Tne Striped Pierrot. 37. Syntarucus plinius F, The Zebra Blue. August to November. Not common. 38. Azanus ubaldus Cr. The Bright Babul Blue. Very numerous around babul trees from June to November. 39. Azanus uranus But. The Dull Babul Blue. Is greatly outnumbered by 4. uwbaldus. 40. Zizeeria trochilus trochilus Freyer. The Grass Jewel. 41. Zizeeria trochilus putlit Koll. The Grass Jewel. The two Grass Jewels are found in the vicinity of Karachi, gene- rally in the grasses along the coastline. 42. Zizeeria lysimon Hub. The Dark Grass Blue. Very common all the year round. 43, Euchrysops contracta contracta But. The Small Cupid. Very common in all months of the year. 44. Euchrysops pandava minuta,. The Plains Cupid. Scarce. Possibly often overlooked. Several taken in Nov. and Dec. 1943 near Umerkot. ee ee 1 Mr. M. A, Wynter-Blyth questions this record since this is a South Indian ‘butterfly. —Epbs., 24 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST: SOCIETY, Vol.. 49. 45. Catachrysops strabo F. ‘The Forget-me-not. Locally common Nov, to March. 46. Lampides boeticus L. The Peablue. Common. 47. Apharitis acamas hypargyrus But. The Tawny Silverline. Small broods met occasionally. Rare. 48. Spindasis elima elima M. The scarce Shot Silverline. Not observed by me, but Swinhoe states ‘ Several taken in the Hubb River by Capt. Becher in Sept. 1885.’ 49. Virachola isocrates F, The Common Guava Blue. Karachi. Rare. Rae found it in one particular orchard in Karachi in 1935 and I took it in June, 1944. 50. Hasora alexis alexis F. The Comtnon Banded Awl. Karachi. Very rare. Swinhoe records one in July 1882 and I noted. one in July 1944 after abnormal rains. 51. Badamia exclamationis Fab. The Brown Awl. Karachi. Very rare. July 1944, and one in June 1885 by Swinhoe.. 52. Gomalia elma litoralis Swin. The African Marbled Skipper. Karachi. Recorded in July 1879 by Swinhoe. 53. Syrichtus galba F. The Indian Skipper. Found iocally throughout Sind. Not common. 54. Syrichtus evanidus But. The Sind Skipper. Rare. 55. Suastus gremius gremius F. The Indian Palm Bob. Very rare. A few taken in Karachi in Sept. and Oct. 1943. 56. Baoris mathias mathias F. The Smali Branded Swift. This and B. m. thrax (below) are common in all seasons. 57. Baoris mathias thrax Hub. 58. Baoris bevani bevani M. Bevan’s Swift. Karachi. Recorded in Oct. 1885 and July 1887 by Swinhoe. 59. Gegenes nostrodamus karsana M. The Dingy Swift, Not rare but often overlooked. NOTES’ ON THE SCROPHULARIACEAE OF BOMBAY BY H., SANTAPAU,; (S.J 2,478; VERBASCUM Linn. Verbascum coromandelianum (Vahl) Kuntze (‘coromandelicum’),. ° Rev. Gen. Pl. 1: 468, 1891; Pennell, Scroph. West. Himal. 395. 943° Celsia coromandeliana Vahl, Symb. Bot. 3: 79, 1794; Roxb., Bi. .Ind.. 3: 100, 1832, Nees in Trans; Linn. Soc: 17: So, 1837; Benth. in DC. Prodr. 10: 246, 1846; Hook. f., FI. Brit. tnd...4s 251, - 1883; Dalz. &-Gibs:, Bomb, Fl. 176; Woeht.. icon. “t.. 1400; Cooke, Fl, Press, Bomb. 22. 231,, Gamble, Fl. Madr. 945; Murbeck, Monogr. Gatt. Celsia 120, 19625. Celsia viscosa Roth, Catal. Bot. 2: 69, 1800; Wight in Hook. Jour. Bot, 13) 228, 28aa; Nees, loc: cit., 313; (Don, Gen: Syst. 4: 499, 1837. Verbascum. celsoides Benth, loc. cit.,: 229; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 4: 250, 1883. ‘By Linnaeus these two genera (Verbascum and Celsia) were: placed in different classes, Verbascum in Pentandria, with five sta- mens, and Celsia in Didynamia, with four stamens in two pairs . Linnaeus concluded his account of Celsia with the comment that his. adduced characters show how well it differs from Verbascum, an acknowledgement of the real relationship of the two. ‘After Linnaeus’s time many species were added to both genera until by 1846, when Bentham revised the Scrophulariaceae for De- Candolle’s Prodromus Systematis Regni Vegetabilis (10: 224-248), the two were placed next each other, with 92 species in Verbascum and 24 in Celsia. Only the number of stamens could be counted upon to distinguish them, while parallel species and sections were recognised in each genus. Most of the species now put in Celsia had relatively simple foliage that suggested in aspect Linnaeus’s group of Verbas- cum; in fact one of his species, which further acquaintance had shown to have only four stamens had been transferred to Celsia. In Ben- tham and Hooker’s Genera Plantarum (2: 928-929) of 1873 the two genera were kept apart, but with the comment under Celsia: ‘Genus a Verbasco non differt nisi staminis quinti defectu, et a nonnullis cum eo jungitur’. ‘It was in 1891 that Kuntze (Revisio Generum Plantarum, 1: 468) definitely combined Verbascum and Celsia, making the necessary specific combinations under the former. He commented on the exist- ence of Verbascum celsoides Bentham with either 4 or 5 stamens, on the close resemblance of Celsia coromandeliana Vahl to Verbascum virgatum With., and of Verbascum arcturus L. and its associates to” 26 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL FIST? SOCIETY. Vol 49 Celsia cretica L.f., on the didynamy of the stamens apparent in much of Verbascum as well as in Celsia, and finally on Nees’ evidence that the fifth posterior stamen is often sterile or incomplete in Verbascum. ‘In his recent studies of these genera, the most detailed ever made, Murbeck maintains the validity of these two genera, but his eventual treatment involves considerable shifting of species. First appeared his monograph of Celsia in Acta Universitatis Lundensis . in 1926. Later in the same journal... im:1993, Came his mono- graph of Verbascum. Comparing the keys to the species in these papers one discovers that in both genera there is a primary division into Aulacospermae (with seeds longitudinally 6-9-suleate and -cost- ate), containing 1 species of Verbascum and 6 of Celsia; and Bothro- spermae (with seeds transversely foveolate), containing 251 species of Verbascum and 68 of Celsia. The flowers were in fasciculate clusters in 199 species of Verbascum and 1 of Celsia; while they were solitary in each axil in 53 species of Verbascum and 73 of Celsia. The indumentum consists of branching hairs in most species of Verbascum, and in 9g species of Celsia; but of simple, often gland- tipped, hairs in the remaining species of Verbascum and in most species of Celsia. In the later monograph Murbeck transfers to Verbascum from Celsia a number of 4-stamened species clearly related to 5-stamened species of Verbascum, thus eliminating from Celsia all fasciculate-flowered species. ‘In all this there is little convincing difference. Capsule distinct- ions, and especially placental ones, were introduced to distinguish both these genera from Staurophragma Fisch. & Mey., rather than to contrast Verbascum and Celsia. But there are definite trends between the latter, which might be summarized as follows: Verbas- cum has stamens usually five, flowers usually fasciculate, and hairs usually branching; and Celsia has stamens nearly always four, flowers always solitary to an axil, and hairs always simple. But surely such trends should not constitute genera. ‘Murbeck says that he cannot see the necessity of combining Ver- bascum and Celsia, and that this is not practicable until one can see where the Celsia species will fit into an enlarged genus. From his presentation it is clear enough that Verbascum is a simple coherent group, with an amazing preponderance of species in the Levant. ‘It seems to me that Kuntze’s reasons for uniting Verbascum and Celsia into a single genus are most cogent, and that we need a phylogenetic rearrangement of the species of the enlarged genus Verbascum. Doubtless, the resurrection of the fifth stamen has occurred in more than one sub-group and is of less significance taxo- nomically than other characters that should be stressed . . .’ (Pennell, Scroph. West. Himal., 36-39). KICK XI1A Dumort. Wetsttein in Engl. & Prantl, Pflanzenfam., 4 (3b): 58, 1801, separated the Indian Linaria ramosissima Wall. from the genus Linaria and placed it under Elatinoides (Chav.) Wetstt. The oldest name for the genus is Elatine Hill, Brit. Herb. 113, 1756; but the name is already preoccupied by Elatine Linn., Sp. Pl. 367, 1753, which NOTES ‘ON THE: SCROPHULARIACEAE: OF BOMBAY 27 is- applied to quite a different genus. The oldest valid name is then kKickxia Dumort., Fl. Belg. 35, 1827, and this is the name proposed by Pennell, ‘in spite of the tact of the existence of: Kickxia Blume, 1828, for a genus of the Apocynaceae. The genus Linana is still accepted as a valid one by both Wetsttein and Pennell; the differences between the two genera are given in the following key taken from Pennell, Scroph. West. _Himal., p. 58: Seeds angled or flattened-winged; capsules dehiscing by irregular distal ruptures: corolla large, the spur (15-20 mm. long) as long as the remainder of the corolla; flowers nearly spicate; leaf-blades lance- ovate, sessile; plants erect, glabrous. fi 18. Linaria. Seeds reticulate-alveolate or spinulose; capsules irregu- iarly rupturing or over most of the side, or the side abscissing as a_ plate; corolla small, the spur 2-5 mm. long, mostly shorter than corolla (4-7 mm. long); flowers on slender pedicels; leaf-blades ovate, rounded or hastate near base, petioled; plants twin- ing, glabrous to villose. ote 19. Kickwia. The following key to the species of Kickxia of India is taken from Pennell, loc. cit. : Whole plant, including the external surface of the co- rolla, glabrous; corolla yellow throughout, 6 mm. long, the spur strongly curved forward; pedicels frequently much longer than the length of the sepals and capsules. oe LS dR vamostssinia: Whole plant, including the externally pubescent sur- face of the corolla, hairy, mostly hirsute; corolla 7 mm. long, with the upper lip purplish and palate purple-spotted, the spur deflexed, straight or only slightly curved forward; pedicels usually about the | length of the sepals and capsules, occasionally longer. ses 2. K. incana, 1. Kickxia ramosissima (Wall.) Janchen, in Oesterr. Bot. Zeit- SGlipeso2 2052, 1939 Pennell lOc. cit. p.759: Linaria ramosissima Wall., Pl. As. Rar. 2: 43, t. 153, 18313 Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 4: 251; Dalzell & Gibs., Bomb. FI. wow VWieht, Hist, 165.)..\Cooke, 282° Gamble, Fli-Madr. 946. Linaria sp. Graham, Cat. 142. Elatinoides vamosissima (Wall.) Wetstt. loc. cit. A tolerably common plant about Bombay on old walls; abundant on the ruins of Bassein Fort, near Bombay; fairly abundant also on the walls of Purandhar Fort near Poona. 2. Kickxia incana (\Wal!.) Pennell, Scroph. West. Himal. 59, 1943. Linaria incana Wall., Pl. As. Rar. 2: 43-44, 1831; Benth. in De. Prodr. 105 270, 1846; Hook: t., Fl. Brit. Ind: 4: 252, 1883. Linaria cabulica Benth. in DC. Prodr. 10: 270, 1846. Linaria cabulica var. pubescens Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 4: 258, 1592. 28 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 The identity of Linaria incana with L. cabulica is suggested by Pennell, loc. cit.; I have examined all the sheets assigned to either species in Kew Herbarium and am inclined to agree with Pennell, as. I can see no constant difference on which these two species may be distinguished. There is considerable variation in the size of the flowers, and this seems to be the main difference between the two plants. Prain, Beng. Pl. 2: 757, 1903 for L. incana, Haines in Bot. Bih. & Or. 619, 1922, and Cooke, 283, for L. cabulica state that the spur of the flower is longer than the corolla tube; Wallich, loc. cit..,. definitely states that the spur is only half as long as the corolla tube, and all my specimens agree with Wallich’s remark. In Cooke’s Flora, 283, this plant is placed among Excluded! Plants, as there is no evidence of its occurrence within the boundaries of Bombay Presidency proper, except a doubtful specimen from Baluchistan. Bentham, loc. cit., gives the plant as occurring on: wails in the Deccan on the authority of Perrottet’s specimens which Bentham has examined. I have found the plant on several occasions. on the walls of Purandhar Fort near Poona, and in consequence there: remains no doubt as to the occurrence of this plant within the limits. of Bombay Presidency (Santapau 5307, 23-10-1944; 5582, 23-12-1944; 7193, 3-9-1945; 8184, 22-12-1945). In habit it is very similar to K. ramosissima, but the leaves are not hastate, the flowers are smaller with a very small spur, and the whole plant is pubescent, at times densely so. SUTERA Roth. Sutera dissecta (Del.) Walp., Rep. 3: 271, 1844; Bruce in Kew Bull. 1940 (2): 63-64. Caprana dissecta Del. Fl, Heypte o5, 1. 92, 4.2, 13612. Sutera glandulosa Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 291, 1821; Hook. f., FI. Brit, Ind. 4: 258, 1884; Benth: ig) DG. Prodr. ioe soc. 1846: Wight, Icon. t. 856; Wetstt. in Engl. & Prantl, Pflanzenfam. 4 (3b): 69, 1895; Cooke, 285; Gamble, FI. Madr. 946. A monotypic genus extending from North Africa through ‘Arabia to India. Found on the banks of rivers or on drv river beds over Western India; the small white flowers, pinnatifid leaves and visco- sity of the whole plant are typical and distinguish it from the rest of the Scrophulariaceae. : : There has been some slight confusion over this genus as it was reduced by Willdenow and later revived by Roth. In 1807 Roth pub- lished the two species Sutera foetida and S. brachiata; the former was founded on Buchnera foetida Andr. and is the type of the genus Sutera, the latter is a synonym of Manulea hispida Thunb., for which the new combination Sutera hispida (Thunb.) Druce has been made. In 1809 Willdenow reduced Sutera to Manulea, but twelve years later in 1821, Roth revived the genus and added another species Sutera glandulosa Roth. This species is, however, synonymous’ with Capraria dissecta Del. and the new combination Sutera dissecta (Del.) Walp. was made. In 1836 Bentham founded three new genera, NOTES ON ‘THE SCROPHULARIACEAE OF: BOMBAY 29 ‘Chaenostoma, Lyperia and Sphenandra and incorporated Sutera foe- tida and Manulea foetida in his genus Chaenostoma. In 1891 Kuntze replaced Bentham’s Chaenostoma into Sutera Roth (1807) and created a new genus, famesbrittenia, for the species founded on Sutera glandulosa Roth. In 1897 Diels revived Chaenostoma but treated Lyperia and Sphenandra as sections of this genus. A few years later Chaenostoma, as conceived by Diels, was again reduced to Suteru ‘by Hiern. Hemsley and Skan adhered to this arrangement but still considered Jamesbrittenia, founded on Sutera glandulosa, to be a ‘distinct genus. They separated this from Sutera on the character of the shortly two-lobed style. The type of Jamesbrittenia has been examined and the minutely bilobed style is present, but this is also present in Sutera elliotensis Hiern, so cannot be taken as a separat- ing generic character. There appear to be no characters on which Jamesbrittenia can be excluded from Sutera Roth 1807. Sutera Roth 1821 is therefore synonymous with Sutera Roth 1807, and the generic name Jamesbrittenia ‘s not required and becomes a synonym.’ (E. A. Bruce in Kew Bull., loc. cit.) BACOPA Aublet. From the point of nomenclature, probably the most confusing name in the Scrophulariaceae is Herpestis or Monniera. Bentham & Hooker in Gen. Pl. 2: 951, give Herpestis as the correct name for the genus, and this, as Kuntze remarks, in spite of all the rules of priority; Herpestis was only published by Gaertn. in 1805. The ‘oldest name for the genus seems to be Moniera B. Juss. ex P. Browne, Hist. Jamaic. 269, 1756. The beginning of the confusion must be attributed to Linne’s publication in 1758 of Monniera for a plant of ‘the Rutaceae. As regards the specific name, Linne published in 1756 his Lysi- machia monnieri in Cent. Pl. 2: 9 the name being changed to ‘Gratiola monnieri in 1759 in Syst. Nat., ed. 10, 851 (June 1759), and to Gratiola monnieria in Amoen. Acad. 4: 306, Nov. 17509. O. Kuntze in Rev. Gen. Pl. 462, 1891, gives the following names as synonyms for the same genus, by order of priority: Monniera P. Browne, Gratiola Linn. p.p., Bram: Adans., Bramia Lamk., Mella Vand., Septas Lour., Mecardonia and Calytriplex R. & P., Herpestis ‘Gaertn. Wettstein in Engl. & Prantl, Pflanzenfamilien 4 (3b): 76, 1895, and Merrill, Enum. Phil. Fl. Pl. 3: 435, 1923, take Bacopa Mublet, Hast, P!. Gui. Branc. 1; 128, t. 40, 1775, as: the real and ‘legitimate name. Pennell in his earlier works recognised the following genera as valid: Herpestis Gaertn., Bramia Lamk., Bacopa Aublet, and Mella ‘Vand. Of these he considered Herpestis and Bacopa as two American genera without any representative in the Old World; Mella and Bramia are also American plants, but they extend to the tropics of the Old World. Pennell in the latest paper on the present question ‘has re-examined the whole problem and decided on the fusion of ‘most of the four genera under a single generic name, Bacopa, the ‘genera he had previously accepted being reduced to sections of 380 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL GIST. SOCIETY,. Vol. - 49 Bacopa. In this new arrangement of the genus, Pennell follows Wettstein loc. cit. Key to the Bombay species of Bacopa: Corolla campanulate ; outer sepal ovate, 2-3 times wider’ than the innermost sepal; leaf blades cuneate, round- ed, l-veined; prostrate or creeping plants. fae B. monniert. Corolla zygomorphic; outer sepal rotund, more than 4 times wider than the innermost; leaf blades linear- lanceolate, attenuate to an obtuse apex, pinnately- veined; erect plants: Flowers sessile — solitary. bes B. hamiltoniana. Flowers pedicelled, several in an axil. ee B. floribunda. Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) Pennell, in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. 98: 94, 1946. Lysimachia monnieri Linn., Cent. Pl. 2: 9, 1756. Gratiola monnieri Linn., Syst. Nat. (10) 851, 1759 (June). Gratiola monnieria Linn. in Amoen. Acad. 4: 306, 1759 (Nov.). Bramia mdica Lamk., Encycl. 1: 459, 1783. Monniera cuneifolia Michaux, Fl. Bor. Amer. 2: 22, 1803. Herpestis monniert H.B.K.,. Nov. Gen. Sp. "Plo%: 366; 1s17- Benth, in DC. Prodr. 10: 400, 1846. Herpests monmera’ Benth., Scroph: Ind 30), 18355 "look. =: in F.B.I. 4: 272, 1884; Graham, Cat. 144; Sayeedud-Din in Journ. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc.. 41: 324-323, 4930. Herpestes monnieria Dalz. & Gibs., Bomb. FI. 178. Moniera cuneifolia Cooke, 2: 285; Gamble, Fl. Madr. 953. Bacopa monmeria Wettst. in E. & P., Pfam. 4 (3b): 76, 1895; Merrill Enum. Phil Pl. Pl 3) aera soe: Bramia monnieria Drake, Fl. Polyn. Franc. 142, 1893. Brania monnieri Pennell, Scroph. South. U.S., in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Philad., 71: 243, 1920;,id. in Scroph. Cuba, iop. cit:, 75:10, 19233 1d. ‘Scroph. Hast. “lemp...N. aernsseo 1935; 1d. Scroph. West. Himal. 23, 1943. Up to 1943, Pennell considered this plant ‘a genus, probably monotypic, occurring through the tropics of both hemispheres, grow- ing especially on and near sea coasts’. (Scroph. West. Himal. 22). This is a common plant in Western India; in Khandala on the Western Ghauts it is abundant in shallow water in the village tank and in ditches near it. The flowers are blue, generally pale blue, very occasionally pure white. Bacopa hamiltoniana (Benth.) Wettst. in E. & P., Pfam. 4 (3b): 77, 1895; Pennell in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Philad., 98:: 92. Herpestis hamiltoniana Benth. in Wall., Cat. 3898, 1831 nom. nud. i’ id. ‘in’sSeroph. dnd. /g0,/ur835¢ssHook. tion Balin: 272, 1884; Dalz. & Gibs., 178. Monniera hamiltoniana Kuntze, Rev. Gen. Plant. 163, 1801. Monniera hamiltoniana Cooke, Fl. Pres. Bombay 2: 286, 1904; Gamble, Fl. Madr. 953. : Mella hamiltoniana Pennell, Scroph. West. Himal. 43, 1943. NOTES ON THE SCROPHULARIACEAE OF BOMBAY ak In general appearance this plant is very similar to Ammannia sp. 3. in Kew Herb. there are several sheets showing a mixture of these two plants; the leaves of B. hamiltoniana are entire, not serrated or sub- serrated as those of Ammannia; the capsules are practically of the same size in both species and very similar, but the capsules of Bacopa are more finely tuberculate than those of Ammannia. Bacopa floribunda (R. Br.) Wettst. Lc.; Pennell, Proc. Acad. Nat. -Sce,« Philad.)-90S:3.92: Herpestis floribunda R. Br., Prodr. 442, 1810; Hook. f. in BH, Belg 32.2720 1884: Bramia floribunda Muell., in Fragm. Phyt. Austr. 9: 167, 1875. Monniera floribunda Kuntze, Rev. Gen. Plant. 463, 1891. Monniera floribunda Cooke, 2: 286, 1904; Gamble, Fl. Madr. 953: Mella floribunda Pennell, in Journ. ‘Arn. Arb. .24: 248, 1943. In general this plant is very similur to the preceding species ; it differs, however, in having several flowers in most axils; the pedicels may be so short as to be very obscure. MIMULUS Linn. Mimulus strictus Benth. in Wall., Cat. 3918, 1830; Scroph. Ind. 28, 1835; Pennell, Scroph. West. Himal. 32, 1943. Mimulus gracilis auct. plur., non R. Br. Grant in her monograph of the genus, in Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 11: 134, 1925, followed Bentham in identifying MM. strictus with M. gracilis. Pennell has separated them as being two different plants; his reasons seem convincing: ‘Although this was reduced to the synonymy of the Australian Mimulus gracilis R. Br. by Bentham himself in 1846 (in DC. Prodr. 10: 369) it seems distinct by possess- ing wider and longer leaves, longer calyces, and shorter pedicels, the Australian plant . . . having linear-oblong to oblong leaves up to 3 cm. long, calyx only 5 mm. long, but pedicels 4-6 cm. long. The two seem to differ also in colour, the corolla of M. gracilis being de- scribed by Ewart as ‘“‘violet, purple or blue with yellowish pro- tuberances’’ while that of the plant of India is stated by J. D. Hooker (F.B.I. 4: 259) to be “‘white or pale blue”’.’ (Pennell, loc. cit., 32.) M. strictus has the general appearance of one of the Limnophilas, but its flowers are larger, calyces longer, and leaves always opposite, never verticillate nor dissected. In Kew Herb. I have seen no speci- mens from Bombay; its occurrence in the Presidency is given on the authority of Cooke 2: 287. For critical notes on this species, see Blatter and Hallberg, in Journ. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 25: 423, 1918. STEMODITIA Linn. The generic name Stemodia was published by Linne in Syst. Nat., ed. 165.1118, .1759, and is, therefore, posterior to Siemodzacra P. 32 fOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST SSOCTERY Volt 49 Br., Hist. ‘Jam. 269, 1756; but “Stemodia ‘is ‘included’ “among ‘the nomina conservanda in the latest edition of the Intern. Rules of Bot. Nomencl. (1935), published in 1947. ‘As here understood, this (i.e. Stemodia) is quite a natural group, distinguished by separated anther-cells, corolla usually pubescent anteriorly, pedicels short and bibracteolate, and leaf-blades sessile or clasping. Such a characteriza- tion is only achieved by the recognition of several tropical groups as distinct genera, as partially indicated by Minod and further deve- loped in my recent papers on the Scrophulariaceae of Colombia and Cuba. The structure of the zygomorphic flowers indicates pollination by bees.’ (Pennell, Scroph. East. Temp.,N. Amer. 102.) Flowers clearly pedicelled. aise S. wiscosa. Flowers sessile or nearly so. ae S. serrata. 1, Stemodia viscosa Roxb., Pl. Cor. 2: 33, t. 163, 1798; Hook. fy Eh. Brit. Indsasi205,00 8844 Grahan, "Catie. eDaiz: & Gibs., Bomb. Fl. 176; Wight, Icon. t. 1408; Cooke, 288; Gamble, Fl. Madr. 949. Stemodiacra viscosa Kuntze, Rev. Gen. Pl. 466, 1801. The viscosity of the plant is one of the characteristics that may help to distinguish it from other members of the family. It is not a common herb, but by no means rare, in rice fields and in dry river ‘beds. 2. Stemodia serrata (Hochst.) Benth. in DC. Prodr. 10: 381, 1846; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 4: 265, 1884; Cooke, 288. Sutera serrata Hochst. in Flora 24 (1): Intell., 43, 1841. This seems to be a rare plant in the Presidency; I have seen no ‘other specimens but those in Kew Herb. In general appearance it is very similar to some of the Linderinias, from which it is clearly dis- tinguished by its capsules, which are linear oblong and shorter than the calyx, and by its flowers and fruits which are sessile or nearly so, sessile flowers not being common among the Lindernias. LIMNOPEHILA R. Br. The generic name Limnophila R. Br., Prodr. 442, 1810, is given as nomen conservandum in the latest edition of the Intern. Rules of Bot. Nomencl., as against Ambulia Lam., Encycl. 1: 128, 1783, Diceros Lour., Fl. Cochinch. 381, 1790, and Hydropityon Gaertn. i. Feruct.’-3 219, ""1805. Key to the species of Limnophila adapted from Cooke: ‘Leaves pinnately nerved; no whorls of pinnatifid leaves: Calyx not striate in fruit; leaves opposite, petiolate ; flowers sessile. ace) shes GUpeOSa. Calyx striate in fruit: Flowers sessile .. LL. conferta. Flowers pedicellate woe Lit aromatica. NOTES ON THE. SCROPHULARIACEAE OF: BOMBAY: 33 Leaves with 3-5-parallel nerves running from base to tip, uc iowes leaves whorled, pinnajifid or multifid ; fruiting calyx not striate. Flowers sessile or nearly so: Flowers white in terminal spikes - Upper leaves crenulate, bracteoles linear-lanceolate, calyx segments deltoid-ovate, acute tis L. aquatica, Upper leaves serrulate, bracteoles triangular- acute, calyx segments narrowly triangular subacute or obtuse nh L. polystachyoides. Flowers pink, usually axillary, solitary vais L. sessiliflora. Flowers pedicellate; pedicels usually longer than the calyx fis L. indica. 1. Limnophila rugosa (Roth) Merrill, Interp. Herb. ‘Amb. 466, 1917, &-Enum. Phil. Fl. Pl. 3: 434, 1922; Pennell, Scroph. West. Himal. 26, 1943. Herpestis rugosa Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 290, 1821. Capraria gratissima Roxb., Hort Beng. 47, 1814; Fl. Ind. 3: 92, 1832 (non L. gratissima Blume). Limnophila Roxburghii G. Don, Gen. Syst. 4: 543, 1838; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 4: 265, 1884; Graham, Cat. 143; Dalz. & Gibs., Bomb. Fl. 177; Cooke, 289; Gamble, FI. Madr. 951. Stemodia menthastrum Benth. in DC. Prodr. 10: 386, 1846. Terebinthina rugosa Kuntze, Rev. Gen. Pl. 468, 1891. A stout plant for the genus, with leaves (including the petioles) up to 10x3 cm.; flowers sessile, clustered in small, nearly sessile heads. Not common in the Presidency. 2, Limnophila conferta Benth. in DC. Prodr. 10: 387, 1846; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 4: 266, 1884; Dalz. & Gibs., Bomb. Fl. 177; Cooke, 289; Gamble, Fl. Madr. 951. Ambulia conferta (Benth.) Baillon, Hist. Plant. 9: 454, 1888. Terebinthina punctata Kuntze, Rev. Gen. Plant. 468, 1891. When the plant is fully developed, it has the typical looks of most Limnophilas ; in the young stages it is a difficult plant to classify. I have found it in rice fields in Khandala; but it is rather rare. 3. Limnophila aromatica (Lamk.) Merrill, Interpret. Herb. Amb. 466, -1o17s;Enum. Philo 1, Pl: 3) -432) 19023. Ambulia aromatica Lamk., Encycl. 1: 128, 1783. Limnophila gratissima Blume, Bijdr. 749, 1826; Hook. f., FI. Brit. Ind. -4.: 268, 1884; Graham, Cat. 144; Dalz. & Gibs., Bomb. Fl. 177; Cooke, 290; Gamble, Fl. Madr. 951 (non Roxb.). ‘The leaves of this plant are mostly in whorls of 3, and sharply serrate, but not divided. 4, Limnophila aquatica (Willd.) Santapau, comb. nov. Stemodia aquatica Willd., Sp. Pl. 3: 346, 18or. 3 34 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 Limnophila polystuchya Benth., Scroph. Ind. 26, 1835; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind.: 4: 269, 1884; Wight,’ Icon. t.* 860. Cooke, 290; Gamble, Fl. Madr. 952. | Terebinthina aquatica Kuntze, Rev. Gen. Plant. 468, 18091. 5. Limnophila sessiliflora (Vahl) Blume, Bijdr. 749, 1826; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Indi*'42"27o,*a884e"Cooke, ‘260. Hotiona sessiliflora Vahl, Symb. Bot. 2: 36, 1791. Limnophila heterophylla Woodrow, in Journ. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc. 12: 174, 1898 (non Benth.). Terebinthina sessiliflora Kuntze, Rev. Gen. Plant. 468, 1891. 6. Limnophila indica(Linn.) Druce, in Rep. Bot. Exch. Club Brit. Ish s::33 1420, to1a;- Merrill). Enum) (Phil oP Pls 3% 433, 1923: Pennell, Scroph. “West. Himatsi26,,.01n943; Hottonia indica Linn., Syst. Nat., ed. 10, 919, 1759. Cyrilla: aquatica, Roxb., Pl. Cor. 2: 47, t..189, 1798; Fl. Ind. 3: 115, 1832 (non Stemodia aquatica Willd.). Limnophila. gratioloides R. Br., Prodr. 442, 1810; Hook. f., Fl, -Brit..\ Ind.) 4: 274, 7884 \Graham, ’Cat: -143; . Dalz.. & Gibs.,, Bomb. Fl. 177; Cooke; 291; Gamble, ‘Fl. Madr. 952. Limnophila racemosa Benth., Scroph. Ind. 26, 1835; Hook. f., lace citus ¢ Graham, loc, ‘eit 's\" Dalai & Gibbs: loc. cit: 5; WV1esht. Icon. t. 861; Cooke, 290; Gamble, loc. cit. Limnophila myriophylloides Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 294, 1821. Limnophila elongata Benth. in Wall. Cat. no. 3903. Limnophila indica Druce, as here understood, is extended to in- clude both L. racemosa and L. gratioloides and the several intermediate varieties. I have come to this conclusion after a careful study of the literature and examination of all the Indian specimens preserved at Kew. Often the basis for the separation of the various species and varieties is a question of size; but there seem to be too many inter- mediate types merging into one another for this distinction to be accepted. Similarly the presence or absence of pubescence is made a specific distinction; most authors make L. racemosa _ pubescent, L. gratioloides glabrous; Gamble in the key to the Madras species omits this point and merely mentions that L. racemosa has glabrous calyx in fruit, whilst L. gratioloides has a pubescent calyx; the specimens preserved at Kew do not show any constant distinction between pubescent and glabrous forms. The strong scent of tur- pentine is again a doubtful character, as both species possess it in a greater or lesser degree. For the past several years I have been having constant difficulties when dealing with the classification of TL. racemosa and gratioloides, as the typical characters assigned to either plant seemed easily to be found in the other species. 7. Limnophila pelystachyoides Blatter in Journ. As. Soc. Beng. (NES2) 262-3528 1940. The following is the description of the plant given by Blatter, loc. cit.: ‘A paludine herb, go cm. long, erect or ascending from a NOTES ON THE .SCROPHULARIACEAE OF BOMBAY 35 floating portion which is densely ‘clothed with capillaceo-multifid leaves. Stem stout, sparingly and finely muriculate, here and there with a straight hair; upper (flowering) part pentagonal in transverse section. Lower leaves all capillaceo-multifid; upper ones opposite or in whorls of 3 (in the same plant), 2 cm. long, 7 mm. broad, entire; lanceolate- acute to linear in the highest region and much shorter, sessile, serru- late (not crenulate), 3-nerved from base running up to the tip, mostly with an additional pair running half-way up. Flowers sessile in ter- minal spikes about 6 cm. long’; lower part of inflorescence lax, upper very dense with very small floral leaves which are shorter than the flowers. Bracteoles triangular-acute, a little more than 1 mm. long. Calyx 3.5 mm. long, divided half-way down; sepals rounded-keeled on back, slightly subequal, central part of each sepal green; teeth 5, narrow-triangular, as long as tube, subacute or obtuse, finely muricu- late on margin and on central line of back with a few hairs at the tips. Corolla at least twice the length of calyx, white, woolly inside. Capsule entirely enclosed by calyx, 4-5 mm. long, ovoid, minutely papillose, glabrous, shining. Seeds brown, elongate, 4 mm. long, broader at apex than at base, 4-5- sided, truncate at both ends, finely tuberculate.’ DOPATRIUM Buch.-Ham. Dopatrium junmceum (Roxb.) Buch.-Ham. ex Benth., Scroph. Ind. Bt, 1935; Hook. 7; Fl * Brit. Ind. “4: 274, 18384; Graham; Cat. 142; Dalz. & Gibs., Bomb. FI. 178; Cooke, 292; Blatt. & Halib. in fourd. Bomb. Nat. Hist. “Soc. 45.426" 1418; Merit nim. Philo BE -Pl; a: >445, 192¢5 Gamble, Pl. Madr. 954. " Gratiola juncea Roxb., Pl. Cor. 2: 16, t. 129, 1798. A very typical herb, often unbranched, occasionally much branched at or near the base, fleshy below, slender above; fairly common in rice fields or swampy places during the rains. ‘An inconspicuous plant. For corrections and additions to the description as given by Cooke, see Blatt. & Hallb., loc. cit. Dopatrium junceum var. multiloba Blatt. & MHallb. in. Journ. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc. 45: 426, 1918. The most typical part of the variety seems to be the 5-7-lobed lower lip of the corolla. Corolla is lilac with purple veins. TORENIA Linn. For a key to the species, see Cooke. 1, Torenia cordifolia Roxb., Pl. Cor. 2: 32, t. 161, 1798; Hook, f., Fl, Brit. Ind. 4: 276; Graham, Cat.. 144; Dalz. &. Gibs., Bomb. Fl. 180; Bot. Mag. t. 3715; Cooke, 292; Blatt. & Hallb., loc. cit., 422; Gamble, Fl. Madr. 956; Pennell, Scroph. West. Himal. 32, 1943. 36 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 The strongly winged calyx is typical of this plant among all the native Scrophulariaceae of Bombay. 2. Terenia bicolor Dalz. in Kew Journ. Bot. 3: 38, 1851; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind..4: 278, 1884; Dalz. & Gibs., Bomb. «FI. 181; Cooke, 293; Gamble, Fl, Madr. 957. Calyx strongly ribbed, but not winged and much longer than broad; the whole flower is much larger than that of T. cordifolia Roxb. ARTAN EMA Don. Artanema longifolia (Linn.) Merrill, Enum. Phil. Fl. Pl. 3: 436, 1923. Columnea longifolia Linn., Mant. 1: 71, 1767. Archimenes Sesamoides Vahl, Symb. 2: 71, 1791. Artanema longiflora Wetstt. in Engl. & Prantl, Pflanzenfam. 4 (3b): 79, 1895. A large herb, with relatively large leaves; a fruiting specimen may prove difficult of identification, as the plant has little at that stage that is clearly typical. The plant, however, is a rare one in ‘the Presidency. LINDERNIA All This genus has been extensively treated by Pennell in Scroph. East. Temp. N. America (Acad. Nat. Sci., Philad., Monogr. 1, 1935) and more recently by Mukerjee in the Journ. Ind. Bot. Soc. 24 (3): 127-134, 1945. Most of the rearrangements necessary after the fusion of Lindernia All., Vandellia Br., Ilysanthes Raf. and Bonnaya Link & Otto have been made by Pennell and Mukerjee. In the following pages, the species of this genus from Bombay are listed for the con- venience of Bombay botanists; the order followed here is that of Cooke, p. 295 & foll. Key to the Lindernias of Bombay, adapted from Mukerjec : Capsule about equalling the calyx or shorter: Glabrous or sparsely hairy; calyx not divided below the middle i L. crustacea. Pubescent with spreading hairs; calyx divided to the base or nearly so 5 L. viscosa. Capsule twice as long as calyx or longer : Perfect stamens 4: Flowering calyx not divided below the middle Flowering calyx divided to the base or nearly so . sessiliflora. cordifolia, hh Perfect stamens 2: Leaves parallel-nerved : Leaves entire; pedicels up to 3 cm. long; -corolla 3-4 times as long as calyx i Leaves often serrate or subserrate; pedicels rarely more than 1 cm. long; corolla twice as long as or shorter than calyx xe L.. parviflora. L. hy'ssopiotdes. NOTES ON THE SCROPHULARIACEAE OF BOMBAY aq Leaves penninerved : Corolla white or red: Staminodes present: Staminodes hairy : Leaves sessile, corolla 6-7 mm. long, fruit 12- 15 mm. long ae L. ciliata, Leaves petioled; corolla 18-20 mm, long, fruit 25-30 mm. long sos L. ruelloides. Staminodes glabrous : Leaves. very sharpfy spinous-serrate, teeth 1-1.5 mm. apart Ss L. bracteoides, Leaves shallowly serrate, teeth about 3 mm. apart L. guinqueloba. Staminodes absent L. estaminodiosa. Corolla blue or violet: Corolla 12 mm. or more long: Capsules linear-subulate, leaves broadly elliptic to ovate-oblong hs L. anagallis. Capsules narrowly cylindric; leaves linear or narrowly lanceolate a L. verbenaefolia. Corolla 6 mm. or shorter; leaves distantly and shallowly toothed, oblong oe L. opposittfolia. 1. Lindernia crustacea (Linn.) F. Mueller, Cens. Austral. Pl. 97, 1882; Wetstt. in Engl. & Prantl, Pflanzenfam. 4 (3b): 8o, r595; Merrill), Enum)’ Phil) Bie OPI. 3i 437, 1923; Pennell, Scroph. West. Himal. 29, 1943; Mukerjee, loc. cit., 130. Capraria crustacea Linn., Mant. 87, 1767. ; Vandellia crustacea Benth., Scroph. Ind. 35, 1835; Hook. f., Ki Brits Indi 42-279, 1884; Graham, -Cat.144¢ Dalz. & - Gibs., Bomb. ‘Fl. 180; Wight, Icon. t. 863; Cooke, 295; Blatt. & Hallb. in Journ. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc. 45: 420, 1918; Gamble, Fl. Madr. 959. Torenia lucida Wall., Cat. 3962. Gratiola lucida Willd., Sp. Pl, 1: 103, 1798. Fairly common about Bombay in rice fields after the harvest, or in moist soil generally throughout the year. I have found it parti- cularly abundant about Khandala. ‘Based upon Capraria crustacea Linn. of Amboyna this Oriental plant has had a disturbed taxonomic history, having been placed successively in Torenia, Vandellia and Lindernia . . .” (Pennell, Scroph. East. Temp. N. Amer. 139, 1935). The whole plant is glabrous, the capsule somewhat truncated at the apex and as long as or a little shorter than the calyx. For a full description of the plant, see Blatt. & Hallb., loc. cit. 2. Lindernia viscosa (Willd.) Merrill, Enum. Phil. Fl. Pl. 3: 439, 1923. Hornemannia viscosa Willd., Enum. Pl. Berol. 654, 1809. Vandellia hirsuta Buch.-Ham. ex Benth., Scroph. Ind. 36, ro35; EHook. ‘f.,7 Fl. Brit. Ind. 4:* 280, 1884: Dalz. & Gibs., Bomb. Fl, 179; Cocke, 295; ‘Blatt. & Hallb., loc. cit., 421; Gamble, Fl. Madr. 959. 38 JOURNAL, ‘BOMBAY NATURAL. HIST. SOCIETY, Vol... 49 Lindernia hirsuta Wetstt. in Engl. & Prantl, Pflanzenfam. 4 (30): 79, 1805; .Mukerjee, toc: cit., 1307-46, | Vandellia viscosa Merrill, in Phil. Journ. Sci. (Bot.) 7: 246, LOI2. . ) Not quite as common as the preceding species. In the vegetative stages, this plant might at first sight be taken for one of the Blumeas, with which it has remarkable resemblance. For a full critical de- scription see Blatt. & Hallb., loc. cit. 3. Lindernia cordifolia(Colsmann) Merrill, Enum. Phil. Fl. Pl. 3: 437, 1923; Pennell, Scroph. West. ~ Himal. 30; “Mukerjee, lOC SCIie 11.32: Gratiola cordifolia Colsmann, Prodr. Desc. Grat. 15, 1793. Lindernia pedunculata Wetstt. in Engl. & Prantl, Pflanzenfam. 4 (3b): 79, 1895. - Vandellia pedunculata Benth., Scroph. Ind. 37, 1835, & in DC. Prodr. 10: 416, 1846; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 4: 282, 1884; Dalz. & Gibs., Bomb. Fl. 179; Cooke, 295; Gamble, FI. Madr. 959. : Vandellia cordifolia G. Don, Gen. Syst. 4: 549, 1837; Haines, Bot. Bih. & Or. 633, 1922. Tittmania grandiflora Wall., Cat. 3949. In general appearance, very similar to Lindernia anagallis (Bonnaya Veronicaefolia Spr.), especially when in fruit. I have not found the plant in Bombay. 4. Lindernia hyssopioides (Linn.) Haines, Bot. Bih. & Or. 635, 1922; Mukerjee tec, “cit: 192: Gratiola hyssopioides Linn., Mant. 174, 1767. Ilysanthes hyssopioides Benth. in DC. Prodr. 10: 419, 1846; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 4: 283, 1884; Dalz. & Gibs., Bomb. Fl. 179; Cooke, 296; Blatt. & Hallb., loc. cit., 419; Gamble, Fl. Madr. 961. Bonnaya hyssopioides Benth., Scroph. Ind. 34, 1835, ®& in Wall., Cat. 3866;.Graham, Cat. 143: For a full description of the plant, see Blatt. & Hallb., loc. cit. 5. Lindernia parviflora (Roxb.) Haines, loc. cit., 635; Pennell, Scroph. West. Himal. 29; Mukerjee, loc..cit., 132. Gratiola parviflora Roxb., Pl. Cor. 3: .3, t. 203; 1819, &. F. Ind. 1% 740;.1832, Ilysanthes parviflora Benth., in DC. Prodr. 10: 419, 1846; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 4: 283, 1884; Cooke, 296; Blatt. & Hallb., loc. cit., 420; Gamble, Fl. Madr. 96r. Bonnaya parviflora Benth., Scroph. Ind. 34, 1835; & in Wall., Cat. 3867. | Bonnaya hyssopioides Wight, Icon. t. 857 (non Benth.). A very common plant at all times of the year, often frequenting rice fields during the dry season (Blatt. & Hallb., loc. cit.). My NOTES. ON THE SCROPHULARIACEAE OF BOMBAY 39 experience in Khandala is that generally this plant prefers moist soil, but it also grows well in dry rice fields even during April and May. The length of the corolla generally distinguishes this from the pre- ceding species, but often one and the same plant may show rather large corollas said to be typical of L. hyssopioides. For a key to the species of Ilysanthes, see Blatt. & Hallb., loc. cit. 6, Lindernia ciliata (Colsm.) Pennell, in Journ. Arn. Arb. 24: 253, 1943, &, Scroph. - West.; -Himal.: 32:;..Mukerjee, -lot: CIE .3.) 233% Gratiola ciliata Colsmann, Prodr. Desc. Grat. 14, 1793. Bonnaya brachiata Link & Otto, Ic. Plant. Sel. 25, t. 11, 1820; Hook.7i.55 Fl, Brit..Ind: 4)2 A418, , 1884); Graham), : Cat) 143); Dalz. & Gibs., Bomb. Fl. 178; Cooke, 297; Blatt. & Hallb., loc. Clie 413) Gratiola serrata Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 140, 1820. Ilysanthes serrata (Roxb.) Urban, in Berl. Deutsch. Bot. Ges. 2: 436, 1884; Gamble, Fl. Madr. 962. Vandellia brachiata Haines, loc. cit., 632. Very common near Bombay and in Khandala during the rains; I have seen specimens in flower only 2 cm. high; towards the end of the rains, it may reach 25 cm. in height. The close serratures of the leaves are typical. For further details, see Blatt. & Hallb., loc. cit. 7. Lindernia ruelloides (Colsm.) Mukerjee, loc. cit., 133. Gratiola ruelloides Colsm., Prodr. Desc. Grat. 12, 1793. Gratiola reptans Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 140, 1820. : Bonnaya veptans Spr., Syst. 1: 410, 1825; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Indsi a: 284, 1884; Dalz..'& Gibs., Bomb.’ F1)*179; ' Cooke, 297; Gamble, Fl. Madr. 962. Ilysanthes reptans Urban, loc. cit., 2: 436, 1884. Ilysanthes ruelleodes Kuntze, Rev. Gen. Pl. 462, 18091. 8. Lindernia anagallis(Burm.) Pennell, in Journ. Arn. Arb. 24: 252, 1943, & Scroph. West. Himal. 31, 1943; Mukerjee, loc. Gin, S33. Ruellia anagallis Burm., Fl. Ind. 135, 1768. Bonnaya veronicaefolia (Retz.) Spr., Syst., 1: 14, 1825; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 4:.285, 1884; Graham. Cat. 143; Dalz. & Gibs., Bomb. Fl. 178; Wight, Icon. t. 1411; Cooke, 2098; Blatt. & Hallb. loc. cit., 418; Gamble, Fl. Madr. 962. Graitola veronicifolia. Retz.,. Obs.. 4: 8, 1786; Willd.,, Sp. PI. i) 109, 1708. Ilysanthes veronicifolia Urban, loc. cit., 436. Vandellia veronicaefolia Haines, loc. cit., 633. Lindernia anagallis var. grandiflora (Retz.) Mukerjee, loc. cit., 133- : Gratiola grandiflora Retz.,. Obs. 4: 8, 1786; Willd.; Sp. PI. fi, 10541799 5, Roxb: Pl. Corn. 2.2. 42) 4. 070,170: 40. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 Bonnaya grandiflora Spr., Syst. 1: 41, 1825; Blatt. & Hallb., | loc. cit., 418. Graham, Cat. 143;.Dalz:,.& Gibs.. Bomb. I. 179. Bonnaya veronicaefolia var. grandiflora Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 4: 285, 1884; Cooke, 298. Blatter & Hallberg, loc. cit., state that this variety is the commoner plant in Bombay, the typical variety being rather rare in the Presidency. I have collected a number of specimens especially in Khandala and most of them seem to belong to the variety grandiflora. 9, Lindernia verbenaefolia (Cols.) Pennell, in Scroph. West. Himal. 31, 1943: Mukerjee, loc. cit., 133. Gratiola verbenaefolia Colsm., Prodr. Desc. Grat. 8, 1793. Bonnaya verbenaefolia Spreng., Syst. 1: 42, 1825; Benth. in DC. Prodr. 10: 421, 1846; Dalz. & Gibs., Bomb. Fl. 178; Wight, Icon. t. 1412. Bonnaya veronicaefolia var. verbenaefolia Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 4: 295, 1884 ;-‘Cooke,. 208: 10. Lindernia oppositifolia (Retz.) Mukerjee, loc. cit., 134. Gratiola oppositifolia Retz., Obs. 4: 8, 1786; Wiilld., Sp. PI. I: 105, 1798 (non Linn, ut scribit Mukerjee). Bonnaya oppositifolia Spr., Syst. 1: 41, 1825; Benth. in DC. Prodr. to: 421, 1846; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 4: 286, 1884; Graham, Cat. 143; Dalz. & Gibs., Bomb. Fl. 179; Cooke, 298; Gamble, Fl. Madr. 962. Ilysanthes oppositifolia Urban, loc. cit., 445. Vandellia oppositifolia Haines, loc. cit., 634. 11. Lindernia bracteoides (Blatt. & Hallb.) Mukerjee, loc. cit., 133. Bonnaya bracteoides Blatt. & Hallb., loc. cit., 416. 12. Lindernia estaminodiosa (Blatt. & MHallb.) Mukerjee, loc. Citi, 133. Bonnaya estaminodiosa Blatt. & Hallb., loc. cit., 416. 13, Lindernia quinqueloba (Blatt. & Hallb.) Mukerjee, loc. cit., eee Bonnaya quinqueloba Blatt. & Hallb., loc. cit., 417. 14. Lindernia sessiliflora (Benth.) Wetstt. loc. cit., 79; Mukerjee, IOC, Cit. ,, 232. Vandellia sessiliflora Benth., Scroph. Ind. 37, 1835 & in DC. Prodr:* 16: 416, 18465" Hook.f, hi Brit. Ind. 4: 282, 1884. Bonnaya micrantha Blatt. & Hallb., loc. cit., 417. Dr. S. K. Mukerjee, to whom I had sent some of Blatter and Hallberg’s type specimens of Bonnaya micrantha, informed me in a private letter that he was certain of the identity of B. micrantha with Vandellia sessiliflora. For my part, I have checked the type sheets of the Bombay plant with those of Vandellia sessiliflora in Kew Herbarium; both sets of sheets clearly belong to the same species. A NOTES ON THE SCROPHULARIACEAE OF BOMBAY 41 point worth noting, however, is that several of the Kew specimens show hypogeal fruits, and such fruits are absent from Blatter & Hallberg’s specimens or from those I have myself collected in Khandala and Purandhar. Moreover, at the latter place, I found this plant to be fairly abundant and widespread especially near Vazirgadh Fort. PEPLIDIUM Del. Peplidium maritimum (Linn.) Wetstt. in Engl. & Prantl, Pflan- zentana:i41i(3b) 2178, (18455. Gamble) Fl -Madr:: 963. Hedyotis, maritima: Linn. f.,: suppl. 119, 1781. Oldenlandia maritima Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 97, 1821. Peplidium humifusum Del., Descr. Egypt. 148, t. 4, 1812; Hook.od.5, Wl. Brit.; ind. 4: 1287; 1884 :\\Graham, Cat, 142; Cooke, 299. Microcarpaea cochlearifolia Sm. in Rees Cyclop. 23, no. 2, 1813; Wight in Hook. Bot. Misc. 3: 95, Suppl. t. 29, 1833. At first sight this plant is remarkably similar to Portulaca sp. There are no specimens from Bombay at Kew; but McCann has found the plant near Bombay. The only specimens from Bombay which I have seen are those collected by McCann, I have failed to find the plant in spite of persistent searching for a number of years. GLOSSOSTIGMA Arn. Glossostigma spathulatum(Hook.) Arnott ex Benth. in Comp. Bote Mae. 2: 59,, 1936; Hook. 1.,.\Fl: Brit. Ind. 4: 2388, 1884; Dalz. & Gibs., Bomb. Fl. 180; Cooke, 299, Gamble, Fl. Madr. 964; Pennell, Scroph. West. Himal. 36, 1943. Microcarpaea spathulata Hook. ex Wight in Bot. Misc. 2: 101 Supple ti. -1,° 1831; Graham, Cat. 142. Glossostigma diandrum Kuntze, Rev. Gen. Pl. 461, 18g91. VERONICA Linn. 1. Veronica anagallis Linn., Sp. Pl. 12, 1753; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 4: 293, 1884; Cooke, 301; Wetstt. in Engl. & Prantl, Pilanzeniam. 4 (30): <66,.1805; Blatt. & EHallb. loc’ cit, 427. Veronica anagallis var. calycina Blatt. & Hallib., loc. cit., 427. Blatter & Hallberg found this new variety near the Tapti river in Khandesh in Dec. 1916 (No. 1634); I have not seen the specimen, as apparently it has disappeared from the Blatter Herbarium. 2. Veronica beccabunga Linn. var. attenuate Blatt. & Hallb., loc. Cia wo. The authors confess that the plants were not in flower at the time they were collected; I have examined the type sheets, but found them in too poor a state for an exact determination. 42 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 BUCHNERA Linn. Buchnera hispida Buch.-Ham. in D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nep. gr, 1825; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 4: 298, 1884; Dalz. & Gibs., Bomb, ‘Fl.) 132 ;, Wight, Icon, ,T...1413 ; Cooke, 301; Gamble, Fl, Madr. 966; Pennell, Scroph. West. Himal. 95- An erect, generally unbranched herb; Cooke mentions that the colour of the corolla is ‘light purple’, but I have often seen this plant in the field and the corollas were mostly deep purplish blue turning slightly paler with age. When the main stem is damaged, the plant produces a number of long branches from near the spot of the injury. Common in grass fields. H. L. van Buuren in Poona Agric. Coll: Mag. vols. 5 & 6 writes that this plant is a root parasite on grasses ; I have often tried to find the connection between this and the host plant, but without success, the reason possibly being the fibrous and delicate nature of the roots of grasses. STRIGA Lour. Key to the Strigas of Bombay adapted from Cooke. Calyx 4-5-ribbed : Parasitic on roots; leaves scale-like ne S. gesneroides. Not parasitic; leaves linear, not scale-like Pe S. densiflora. Calyx 10-ribbed; flowers yellow or white eke S. asiatica. Calyx 15-ribbed : Corolla white, tube much longer than calyx .. SS. euphrasioides. Corolla yellow, tube about as long as calyx ite PL S.astelphiurea: ]. Striga gesneroides (Willd.) Vatke ex Engl. in ‘Abhandl. Preuss. ‘Akad. Wissensch. 28: 1894; Pennell, Scroph. West. Himal. 97, 1843. Buchnera gesneroides Willd., Sp. Pl. 3: 338, 1801. Buchnera. hydrabadensis Roth, ‘Nov. (PliSp.. 202;) 1827. Orobanche indica Spr.,. Syst. 2: 817, 1825. Buchnera orobanchioides R. Br., App. salt. Voyage Abyss. 74, 1814, nom. nud.; & ex Endl. in Plora 22 487, 1. 2; 1832: Striga ovobanchioides Benth. in Comp. Bot. Mag. 1: 361, t. £9, 18363. Hook, t.,. Fl Brit. Ind.e4)) 209, 1834 )Dalze& Gibs., Bomb... Fl. 181; Wight, Icon., t. 1414; Cooke,/ 302; Gamble, Fl. Madr. 967. Striga coccinea Graham, Cat. 145 (non Benth.). A parasitic herb growing on the roots of some Acanthaceae; in Bombay, Khandala and Purandhar I have often found this plant on Lepidagathis cuspidata Nees, occasionally on L. trinervis Nees. It is a large herb, generally about 30 cm. high, and extensively branched ; stems purple, mostly dark purple; leaves scale-like, of the same colour as the stem; flowers lighter purple. The whole plant dries black. This is what I consider the typical variety; the stem varies from 15 to a little over 4o cm. (the largest plant collected was 46 cm. high). The tuberous root mentioned by Cooke, is seldom present in Bombay plants; I have never seen this plant growing on rocks. NOTES ON THE SCROPHULARIACEAE, OF BOMBAY \ 43 Striga gesneroides Vatke var. minor Santapau, in Kew Bull. 1948: 491, 1949. A very striking small plant, with the floral structure of S. ges- neroides but ditfering in the following particulars: (a) The host plant I have always found to be Hygrophila Serpyllum Anders. The presence of the parasite generally reduces the amount of flowers and fruits in the host, or delays flowering, but seldom prevents it altogether. (b) The total length of the stem varies from 1.8 to 8.5 cm. at the flowering stage. (c) Flowers are conspicuously smaller, being only 2.5-3.5 mm. diam. when fully open. (d) The bracteoles supporting the flowers are either not ciliolate at all, or only very sparsely and minutely so. (e) Branching of the stem from below is rather rare. (f) Stems are generally purple, flowers a little lighter purple; in Khandala I have found plants with green stems and white flowers (Santapau 3416! 3545! 5462!); both types of plants, however, dry black. A common plant in Khandala, but easily missed on account of its small size; often it scarcely appears above the ground. The white- flowered plants I have only found scattered among numerous purple ones in a rice field on Kune Plateau. 2. Striga densifiora Benth. in Comp. Bot. Mag. 1: 363, 1836; Hooke ‘t., Fi. Brit. Ind. 4: 299, 1884; Dalz. & Gibs., ‘Bomb. Fl. 181; Cooke, 303; Gamble, Fl. Madr. 967. Buchnera densiflora Benth., Scroph. Ind. 41, 1835. In general appearance it is very near S. asiatica Kuntze, but differs in the structure and number of calyx ribs; it seems to be much less common than S. gesneroides Vatke or S. asiatica Kuntze; I have seen it in cultivated fields at the foot of Purandhar Hill, where the parasite was abundant and did much damage to crops. 3. Striga asiatica (Linn.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. Plant. 466, 1891; Micra nm Vrans. Amer. Phil. Soc., N.5.,.024, (2) 353, 1035. Buchnera asiatica Linn., Sp. Pl. 630, 1753. Striga lutea Lour., Fl. Cochinch. 22, 1790; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 4: 299, 1884; Cooke, 303; Gamble, Fl. Madr. 968; Pennell, Scroph. West. Himal. 96. Buchnera hirsuta Wall., Cat. 3860. Striga hirsuta Benth., in DC. Prodr. 10: 502, 1846; Dalz. & Gibs., Bomb. Fl. 181. ‘A common plant in Western India, in cultivated fields, parasitic on roots of grasses, especially of Eleusine coracana Gaertn. The calyx is always (at least in Khandala and Bombay) ro-ribbed; in flower it is narrowly tubular or cylindric; in fruit it widens considerably. Hairs on stems, leaves and calyx are either simple or more often from a broad whitish tubercular base. Tube of corolla very faintly pubescent 44 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 outside. The branching of the stem varies considerably, from a slender, simple, unbranched stem to a profusely branched, stout one. Corolla yellow. Striga asiatica var. albiflora Kuntze, Rev. Gen. Plant. 466, 1891. Striga lutea Lour.: Hooke. f.,, Cooke,'Gamble, ‘et alior. Il. CC." PLO" parte, Generally I have found in the field that plants with white flowers are considerably stouter and more extensively branched than the yellow flowered ones. A very common plant in Khandala, parasitic on the roots of Eleusine coracana Gaertn., to which it causes severe damage. It is very similar to S. densiflora Benth.* but the calyx in every speci- men examined was to-ribbed. 4. Striga euphrasisides (Vahl) Benth., in Comp. Bot. Mag. 1: 364,. 1836; Hook..,f.,,.F1.,Brit. .Ind.,.4,:, 299; Graham; Cat, 1453, Dalz. &, Gibs.., .Bomb. -F1.,.181 ; Cooke,, 303; Gamble AFI. Madr. 968; Pennell, Scroph. West. Himal. 96. Buchnera euphrasioides Vahl, Symb. Bot. 3: 81, 1794; Wight, LCOM 2 04-655. Pennell contrasts this plant with S. asiatica so that the plant with white corolla, the tube of which is externally pubescent, and much branched stems is S. euphrasioides, whilst the plant with yellow corollas, the tube of which is externally glabrous or merely puberulent, stems simple or much branched is S. asiatica. This would suggest that S. aSiatica var. albiflora should be made synonymous with S. euphrasioides; the difference however, in the calyx ribbing seems to be constant, to ribs in S. asiatica and its variety albiflora, and 15 ribs in S. euphrasioides, and in consequence I consider this a good point for the differentiation of the species. 5. Striga sulphurea Dalz. & Gibs., Bomb. Fl. 182, 1861; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 4: 300, 1884; Cooke, 304. Very similar to the preceding species, from which it differs mainly in having yellow flowers and a calyx nearly as long as the corolla tube. RHAMPHICARPA Benth. Rhamphicarpa iongiffora(Arn.) Benth., in Comp. Bot. Mag. 1: 368, 1836; Hook. f.,. Bl. Brit. Ind. :,,300,\ 18845\-Graham, Cat. 1457. Dalz... &Gibs., sBomb:. Fl...1825\, Wight,-iieons yp 415; Cooke, 304; Gamble, Fl. Madr. 969. Buchnera longiflora Arnott, in Nov. Act. Nat. Cur. 18: 356, 1836. This is a common and pretty herb growing in grass lands from about July till October. Flowers open at nightfall, and remain open during the night and early hours of the morning; if the day is cloudy, flowers may remain open till about midday, otherwise by about 9 a.m. most flowers have closed. On several occasions I have noticed these NOTES. ON THE .SCROPHULARIACEAE OF BOMBAY | 45 flowers fully open at or a little after midnight. Cooke, loc. cit., attributes the name of this plant to Benth. in DC. Prodr. 10: 504, 1846, and sees no incongruity in citing as a reference Graham, Catalogue p. 145, published 1839! SQPUBIA_ Buch.-Ham. Corolla purple; calyx teeth in flower about twice as long as calyx tube: ies S. delphinifolia. Corolla yellow; calyx teeth in flower. about as long as the tube: teh S. trifida. 1. Sopubia delphinifclia (Roxb.) G. Don, Gen. Syst. 4: 560, 1837; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 4: 302, 1884; Graham, Cat. 145; Dalz. & Gibs., Bomb. FI. 182; Cooke, 305; Blatt. & Hallb., loc. cit., 428; Gamble, Fl. Madr. 970. Gerardia delphinifolia Roxb., Pl. Cor. 1: t. 90, 1795. Common in cultivated lands and in grass fields at the close of the rains and the first part of October. Flowers are rose coloured or light purple. Capsules are conspicuous and very distinctly one-sided, the remains of the stigma always being inclined to one side. An elegant herb when in full bloom. For the many variations in the species, see Blatt. & Hallb., loc.. cit. 2. Sopubia trifida Buch.-Ham. tm D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nep. 88, 1325 Oo, i; Mi Bot, Inds 4: -3o2,- 1884;1.Cooke, 306; Blatt. & Hallb., loc. cit., 429; Gamble, Fl. Madr. 970; Pennell, Scroph. West. Himal. 95, 1943. Gerardia scabra Wall., Cat. 3880. A rare plant in the Presidency, according to Cooke. LINDENBERGIA Lehm. Lindenbergia indica (Linn.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. Plant. 462, 1891. Dodartia indica Linn., Sp. Pl. 633, 1753. Lindenbergia ruderalis Voigt, Hort. Sub. Calcut. 501, 1845; Kuntze, loc. cit., 462; Pennell, Scroph. West. Himal. 25, 1943. Stemodia ruderalis Retz., Obs. 5: .25, 1789. Lindenbergia urticaefolia Lehm., in Link & Otto, Ind. Sem. Hort. Hamb.. 1820'; 5, 17830;;:Hook. f:, Fli Brit.. Ind. 4: 262, 1884; Graham, Cat. 143; Dalz. & Gibs., Bomb. FI. i705 ook, olcom. bli1t.8755 Cooke. 3075) Blatt., & Hallb., 1OCy- Gils, 242: Lindenbergia polyantha Royle ex Benth., Scroph. Ind. 22, 1935; Hlook..¢.,' Fl.’ Brit. ‘Inds 4':' 262, :°1884; Cooke, 307. As is clear from the list of synonyms, I have followed Blatt. & Hallb., in reducing L. polyantha to L. urticaefolia; the oldest name for the group is Dodartia indica Linn., from which the new combina- tion was made by Kuntze. For a full discussion of the reasons for 46 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 the fusion of the two hitherto accepted: species into one, and for the many intermediate forms between the two extremes, see Blatt. & Hallb.;: :loc.. cit. CENTRANTHERA R. Br. Centranthera nepalensis D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nep. 88, 1825; Pennell, Scroph., West. Himal. 03, 10942. Centranthera Iuispida Hook. f., Fl. Brits (1): 21-22). Ticehurst et al. (loc. cit.) say that there is a little scrub on Nabi-u-Tanb but no trees; ‘at the base of the sea cliffs are many water-worn fissures, mere cracks at the top and eight inches to two feet wide at the base and going in some six feet, some ending in an enlarged chamber; it was in these fissures that the Tropic Birds were breeding.’ North (loc. cit.) says that Mait Island is completely devoid of vegetation, and has no fresh water except after rain. He found one nest in a crevice under a boulder and a second in a hole in a cliff- face. Jones (loc. cit.) gives a rather similar account of two nests from Geziret Saba. The Short-tailed Tropic-bird is midway in size between the other two species, but with the elongated centre tail feathers appreciably shorter. Baker (1929: 291-3) gives the following measurements in mm. for adult birds: ‘ Central Wing Exposed acts t =o ail. Longest flat culmen | feather : pe Rica ‘ P.a.indicus ... a 281)-301 55-60 25-28 | 215-301 | he 875, P. 1. lepturus ... Ms 252-282 44-5] 21-23 ee Rech P.r. rubricauda mee He 320-339 65-69 30-33 360-428 In the Indian Ocean the adult can always be identified by the combination of white centre tail feathers and a red or orange-red bill. The races of the Longtailed Tropic-bird occurring here have a yellow or yellowish bill at all times, while in the Redtailed Tropic-bird the elongated centre tail feathers have black shafts and thin, attenuated red vanes. In addition the upper parts in the present bird are narrow- ly barred with black, an instance of the retention of a juvenile characteristic. Too much reliance should not be placed on this feature in the field here, however, as it brings in the possibility of a TROPIC-BIRDS OF THE INDIAN OCEAN 73 late immature example of one of the other two species being taken for the Short-tailed Tropic-bird. The immature bird resembles the adult except that the centre tail feathers are not appreciably longer than those on either side of them, the bill 1s yellowish not red and the markings on the dorsal surface are broader; on the head they almost form a black occipital crescent. The immature bird can scarcely be differentiated from the young of the other two species in the field. In the hand first juvenile birds can be separated on the following points, in addition to differences of size (as above) and the colouring of the soft parts. The descriptions of the markings should be taken as general indications of the patterns. There are apparently minor individual variations, even between birds of the same age, and pro- bably small subspecific differences, but these are not sufficient to confuse the diagnosis. P. rubriceuda P. a. indicus * | Outer prima- Black, witha broad| Shaft and outer} White, with a nar- ries. white border to the) web black; tip and] row black shaft-stripe inner web. ‘inner web white. broadening at the | tip. Inner prima- White with very’ White with shaft White, with black ries. dark gray shaft- black. shaft and sub-apical stripe. spot. Outer second-| White, with shaft! White, with base| White, with shaft aries. Inner second- aries. Rectrices blackish. Dark grey border- ed with white. 7 pairs. White, centre pair with black tips. of shaft black. White with black half crescents on outer web. 6 pairs. White, with black shafts and sometimes sub-apical spots. black. Black, with irregu- lar white border. 8 pairs. White, with black — shafts and small sub-apical spots. Phaéthon lepturus Daud.: Longtailed Tropic-bird. Two races of this bird are known from our area, The typical race (type locality, Mauritius) which occurs in suitable localities over the greater part of it, and the Golden Longtailed Tropic-bird, P. lepturus fulvus Brandt (type locality, Christmas Island) which is known only from the neighbourhood of Christmas Island, 180 miles south of Java Head. The typical race of the Longtailed ‘Tropic-bird breeds at a number of places in the Indian Ocean near or south of the equator. It is usually found on oceanic islands with a fairly thick cover of trees or palms, and is not known authentically from the hotter and more barren localities round the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf and the Mekran LE ee re SP ny ne a ON aE * Not examined. Data from Ticehurst (1923): 71) and Baker. (1929: 291). P. lepturus based on P. 1. fuluus (Christmas I.). P. rubricauda on P. r. westralis (Christmas I.). v4 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 coast. In the western part of the Indian Ocean it nests in some numbers in the Mascarene, Seychelle and Maldive groups and is fairly common in their neighbourhood. Legge (1880 (2): 1174) men- tions a dead bird picked up on the Galle face, on the Ceylon coast, in 1870. There is also a record of a bird killed on Ross Island in the Andamans (Hume, 1874: 323), of one taken on the south coast of Pegu, near the mouth of the Bassein estuary (Oates, 1883: 225), and of a straggler collected from the Barak River, near Dilkushah in morth-east Cachar, about 170 miles from the sea (Hume, 1888-9: 351). Although this bird is always said to occur in the Andamans? these records, which are almost certainly attributable to strays, are the only authentic formal records for the northern Indian Ocean outside the Maldive area. The only established nesting grounds outside the Mascarene—Seychelles—Maldive region are the Cocos-Keeling Islands, where there is a small colony which comprised about 10-15 pairs in 1941 (Gibson-Hill, 1949b: 230), and Diego Garcia (Chagos) where Gardiner found a single pair in 1905 (1907: 110). The typical race, P.l. lepturus, is not known from localities outside the Indian ‘Ocean. In the Mascarene islands this bird is known to breed on Mauritius and Rodriguez (Baker, 1929: 293). It almost certainly formerly bred on Réunion, and may still be present there; the British Museum ‘collection contains several skins from this locality (Sharpe & Ogilvie- Grant, 1898: 455). Vesey-Fitzgerald (1941: 530) says that this bird is common around all the rocky islands of the Seychelles Archi- pelago, and apparently nesting widely. Betts (1940: 502) says that * Stuart Baker (1929: 293) gives the distribution of this bird as the ‘Red Sea -and Persian Gulf, over the whole of the Indian Ocean’, but the first part of this statement cannot be accepted. There are no authentic records of lepturus from the northern part of the Arabian Sea and adjacent waters. Hume (1876: 481-2) writing of indicus says ‘This is the only species of Phaéthon that I have seen or ‘known to occur in the Indian Ocean anywhere near our Indian coasts or in the Gulf of Oman, or the Persian Gulf. Both flavirostris (=lepturus) and rubricaudu have, I know, occurred in the Bay of Bengal and about the Andamans and Nicobars, but I have neither seen nor heard of either of these in the localities above alluded to.’ This still holds good. Archer & Godman (19387 (1): 20) say that lepturus might at any time find its way into the Gulf of Aden ‘and any definite record of its occurrence in the Gulf of Aden or the Red Sea would be of the utmost interest.’ Personally I think it most unlikely that a true lepturus would get into these warmer regions, but I agree fully that a definite record ol its occurrence would be of the utmost interest. All the supposed records that I ‘have been able to trace are of the quality of those of Major Phillips, who nearly ‘saw five of the four storm petrels authentically known from the northern Indian Ocean in one voyage from Suez to Karachi! He gives several records of P. i. lepturus from the southern end of the Red Sea, including ‘15-45 Hours. Tropic bird, with red-bill and long white tail feathers flew close across our bows, giving an excellent view—definitely the White Tropic Bird (P. 1. lepturus); a beautiful third.’ (Phillips. 1947: 608). A red bill and long white tail feathers: definitely P. @thereus indicus, a very beautiful bird! 2 Accepting general statements such as those of Hume (1876: 481) and Smythies (1940: 445), together with Kloss’s inclusion of this bird in his list of the avifauna of the Andamans (1903: 330), I have myself helped to perpetuate the error, and ‘in a note in my Checklist of the birds of Malaya (1949d: 16) I give the Andaman Islands as a breeding ground of P. 1. lepturus. Now, on a fuller examination of the records from the Bay of Bengal, I am satisfied that there is not yet any evidence that it actually nests in this region. JOURN. BomBAy Nat. Hist. Soc. Prarie i An adult of the Long-tailed Tropic-bird—Pheton 1, lepturus, in flight, taken at sea 200 miles east of the Cocos- Keeling Islands. Photos 7 | - -_ C. A. Gibson-Hill An adult of the Christmas Island Long-tailed Tropic-bird—P. lepturus fulvus, in flight. Journ. BomsBay Nat. Hist. Soc. PrAare ul An adult of the Red-tailed Tropic-bird—P. rubricauda westralis, in flight. Photos C. A. Gibson-Hill A Red-tailed Tropic-bird—P. rvubricauda westralis, on its nest in a rock crevice on Christmas | Island (Indian Ocean). TROPIC-BIRDS OF THE INDIAN OCEAN 75 it nests in small numbers on Mahé, in this group, and that there were over 1,000 pairs breeding on Aride at the time of his visit to the island (25 April to 8 May). Vesey-Fitzgerald also reports its pre- sence in the ‘Aldabra-Providence-Farquhar groups, south-west of the Seychelles. Gardiner (1903 (1): 369) says that he saw it on nearly every atoll in the Maldives, including Addu, and found it nesting at Hebaridu in South Mahlosmadulu atoll. He also found a single pair nesting on Diego Garcia, in the Chagos group; they were stated to have bred for a number of years in a large Pisonia tree (1907: 110). It cannot be common there; Bourne (in Saunders, 1886: 335) refers to frigate-birds and boobies on Diego Garcia, but he did not apparently see any tropic-birds. I cannot trace any record for the Laccadive Islands; Betts (1939: 386) does not list it. The nesting site varies. Vesey-Fitzgerald (loc. cit.) says that on the larger islands of the Seychelles, such as Mahé, Silhouette and Praslin, this bird nests in hollow trees high up in the mountain forests, while on the smaller islands, such as Cousine, Frigate and Aride, it nests in holes in the ground and under overhanging rocks. The latter sites are confirmed by Betts who says that on Aride the egg is normally laid on the bare ground in a dark and sheltered spot in a rock crevice or under a boulder, often at a considerable depth and concealed by long grass. In the Maldive Archipelago Gardiner (loc. cit.) found three nests in a hollowed-out branch of a Tulip Tree, Her- nandea peltata, and his collector two others in a neighbouring tree. Vesey-Fitzgerald does not give any breeding dates. Betts found most- ly eggs and very young birds on Aride at the end of April. Gardiner’s nests were located on 24 November; one contained an egg and three had single nestlings. I found two nests on the Cocos-Keeling Islands, one in May and the second in June, each contained a single ege. They were situated on the ground, among coconut palms, and partly in the shelter of scrubby bushes. The Golden Longtailed Tropic-bird, P. 1]. fulvus, the other race occurring in the Indian Ocean, is known to nest only on Christmas Island where there were about 300-450 breeding pairs in 1938-40 (Gibson-Hill, 1947b: 95 & 143-6). It has been observed over open water as far north as Java Head, and it is said to stray occasionally to the edge of the Cocos-Keeling group, about 530 miles west of Christmas Island. It has not been reported outside these limits. Apparently it nests only in cavities in the trunks of dead or dying trees, usually at a height of 25-50 feet from the ground. A favourite place is a hollow that has rotted inwards where a main branch has fallen away. This site is very similar to the ones recorded for the typical race by Gardiner, and some of those noted in the Seychelles by Vesey-Fitzgerald. It is possible that a few individuals breed in each month of the year, but from notes made by the present writer on Christmas Island it seems that the majority of the eggs are laid between June and October. The adult Longtailed Tropic-bird can be identified by its very long, white tail feathers and (in the Indian Ocean) yellow, greenish yellow or yellowish grey bill. Some birds have a lovely but fugitive 76 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 golden apricot blush on the feathers of the breast, belly and back, but this is scarcely discernible when they are in flight. The Golden race from Christmas Island is most distinctive, and cannot be con- fused with any other bird. The areas normally white in an adult Phaéthon, including the elongated centre tail feathers, are here a rich apricot yellow, seeming, when the bird is seen sunlit in new plumage against a deep blue sky, as though they were burnished gold. Apart from this conspicuous distinction there appears to be little difference between the two races. The soft part colours are almost the same and, as the following measurements show, there is no. significant variation in size.’ | | Coll. ; Total a) |) Wine" 7.. Expused | Bill to No. Date taken Sex length Tail | gat Tarsus culmen | gape | —_ P. lepturus lepturus (Cocos-Keeling Islands). Vi2 13-3 val J | Gol 355 ear aes hata big Wiel 16. Ba 41 :, 678 | 405 | 274 23 4810) (67 V15 2312 BsAV ag Tain 474, | 155.0 23hicei4Ors G2 V16 B02 or ne 707 | 416 | 279 23 50 a V17 Ded ale al ae 636 384 | 274 24 | 50 74 V18 2:10:41 a | 640 | 356] 281 24 50 73.5 V19 17:10; 41 J 790 | 501) 273 | 23 48 72 V14 26: 2:41 Or tl oa V7 Ss be Seater 24 50 68 P. lepturus fulvus (Christmas Island). } D38 ° 6:12:40 | ¢ 726 |. 415 1” 280 23 AOR ae p39 | =—s-«6:12:40 | @ slo | 5241 285 23 By Os aD 1936 {1 fori AQHoW 1140 | Q 744 | 440 | 287 25 52 74:5 bs Qe WrA0) | 2 730) o\9 AST sh a79 23 50 69 | | | Phaéthon rubricauda Bodd.: Redtailed Tropic-bird. Two races of this bird are known from our area. The typical race (type locality, Mauritius) which occurs in and near the Mascarene Islands, and the Western ‘Australian race, P. rubricauda westralis Math. (type locality, Houtman’s Abrolhos, West Australia), which is found in the eastern portion of the Indian Ocean and in the Banda Sea. The typical race of the Redtailed Tropic-bird is not numerous and has a very restricted range. It breeds on Round Island, near Mauri- tius (but not on Mauritius itself), and on Assumption Island (Baker, 1929: 293), and on the Cosmoledo atoll and the southern island of the Aldabra group (Vesey-Fitzgerald, 1941: 530). There are no recent accounts of its status in the Mascarene group. From Vesey- Fitzgerald’s account, and that of Betts (1940: 530), it certainly does not appear to be plentiful in the Aldabra area. It is known from open water in both these neighbourhoods, but there are no authentic records of it from much further afield and no specimens have been ._—_— —_— + ‘ Measurements, in mm., in the flesh of specimens taken by the present writer on Christmas and the Cocos-Keeling Islands (1940-41). The tail is measured from the base of the longest rectrice,, the exposed culmen from the tip of the bill to the beginning of the feather tract. JOURN. BomBay Nat. Hist. Soc. PLATE LE A juvenile of the Christmas Island race of the Long-tailed Tropic-bird—P. lepturus fulvus. See Photos ae C. A. Gibson-Hill A juvenile of the Red-tailed Tropic-bird—P. rubricauda westralis, photographed two or three days before leaving its nest. TROPIC-BIRDS OF THE INDIAN OCEAN V7 taken north of the equator. Baker (loc. cit.) erroneously includes the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf in its range, as he does for the pre- ceding species. Some of the earlier visual records of the Short- tailed Tropic-bird, P.a. indicus, were taken to be immature specimens of the present bird, and Irvine incorrectly ascribed the egg which he took on an island in the Persian Gulf in 1898 to it, but there is nothing to show that it has ever really been encountered in these areas. The race P.r. westralis occurs in the eastern part of the Indian Ocean. It is known to breed on Houtman’s Abrolhos off the west coast of Australia! (Mathews & Iredale, 1g21: 81), on Christmas and the Cocos-Keeling Islands, and on Gunong Api, in the Banda Sea (van Bemmel & Hoogerwerf, 1940: 451-7). The present writer found a population of about 400-600 pairs on Christmas Island in 1938-40 (1947b: 95 & 137-43), and one pair on the Cocos-Keeling Islands in 1941 (1949): 235). It is known from the open sea between the latter two islands, and from this area north to Java Head and the entrance to the Sunda Straits, but there do not appear to be any authentic re- cords for the south coast of Java or the south-west coast of Sumatra. The two areas given in the paragraphs above cover the known breeding grounds of P. rubricauda in the Indian Ocean. It is pos- sible, however, that there is another hitherto unlocated nesting’ site somewhere in or near the southern part of the Bay of Bengal. Jerdon (1864: 850) describes it as ‘frequently seen in the Bay of Bengal’. This ‘s certainly an exaggeration, but specimens are known from the neighbourhood of the Nicobars. Hume (1874: 322) refers to an example of this species sent from these islands to Blyth, which the latter erroneously called @thereus. In the following paragraph he discusses ‘a very fine male’ from the Bay of Bengal, of which he gives the measurements and a brief description. The wording is ambiguous and these two entries may refer to the same specimen, but at least they give us one undoubted rubricauda from this area. More recently I have handled an example of this species, an imma- ture male in the last juvenile plumage, which came on board a ship passing between the Nicobars and the northern point of Sumatra (1949a: 100-4). It is of interest to note that Hume gives the Jength of the culmen in the bird which he measured as 2.6” (=66 mm.), and the recent example has an exposed culmen of 69.5 mm. Mathews made at least two attempts to frame a definition of his race westralis, but the only character which really stands is its shorter bill. Mathews (1912: 88) quotes 76-80 mm. for the length of the exposed culmen in typical rubricauda. 14 adults from Christmas Island and 2 from the Cocos-Keeling Islands which I have measured have a culmen range of 58-65 mm. van Bemmel & Hoogerwerf (1940: 452) give 55-61 mm. for 3 adults from Gunong Api. The difference is very small, but the two birds from the Nicobar area are certainly larger than any known examples of weStralis. On the other hand Baker * The type locality of westralis is Rat Island in the Houtman’s Abrolhos group, but it is by no means common in the area. Six nests were located in the season 1947-48 (Serventy & Whittell, 1948: 121). A single nest was recorded on, the main- land near Busselton in November 1939. a er 78 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 (loc. cit.) gives the culmen length for this species as 66-69 mm., but without disclosing the locality of his specimens. 66-69 mm. is well below the published range of the typical rubricauda. It is just pos- sible, therefore, that there is a so far unrecorded breeding ground somewhere off the coast of Sumatra or in the Nicobars from which these examples have come. If such a colony does exist it would be quite natural for its birds to be intermediate in character between the typical race to the west and westralis to the south-east. It was partly in the hope of finding it that an examination was made of Pulo Perak, an isolated barren islet in the middle of the northern portion of the Malacca Strait, in April 1949, but unfortunately no evidence was seen of tropic-birds breeding there. No difficulty should be experienced in identifying the adult of rubricauda. It is much bulkier than the other two tropic-birds, with relatively shorter central ta'l feathers. Further these have very at- tenuated webs, with the shafts black and the webs a deep red. The bill ranges from orange-red to vermillion. Often the birds have a fugitive roseate blush on the feathers of the breast, belly and back, but this is a variable character and scarcely discernible in flight. As noted above the two races occurring in our area cannot be dis- tinguished in the field. Immature birds have the black-marked plum- age common to all young tropic-birds, but the dark areas are more extensive, and again they are bulkier and heavier in build. The distinguishing points in the wing and tail feathers are given under P.a, indicus. ; SUMMARY This paper gives a brief account of the tropic-birds occurring in the Indian Ocean and attempts to summarise what is at present known of their range here. All three recognised species nest in this area. P. aethereus indicus is known to be breeding at the eastern end of the Persian Gulf, and in the area round the lower end of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden; its normal range would seem to be the Arabian Sea and adjacent waters; there are doubtful records of strays in the Bay of Bengal. P. 1. lepturus is breeding mostly in the Mascarene, Seychelle and Maldive groups in the western Indian Ocean, with a few pairs on Diego Garcia and the Cocos-Keeling Islands further east ; it is known as a straggler to the Bay of Bengal. The race P. 1. fulvus nests only on Christmas I'sland and is known from neighbouring waters. P. rubricauda is breeding on Round Island (near Mauritius), on Assumption and at the south-west end of the Seychelles (typical race), and on the Cocos-Keeling Islands, Christmas Island and islands. off the north-western coast of Australia (the race westralis); it is also known from the neighbourhood of the Nicobar Islands, and there may be a third breeding centre in this region. REFERENCES Archer, Sir Geoffrey, & Godman, Eva M. (1937): The Birds of British Somali- land and the Gulf of Aden. 2 vols, London. Baker, E. C. Stuart. (1929): The Fauna of British India, etc., Birds. 2nd edn., 6. London. ; TROPIC-BIRDS OF THE INDIAN OCEAN 723 Bennett, G. (1860): Gatherings of a Naturalist in Australasia. London. Betts, F, N. (19389): ‘The Birds of the Laccadive Islands,’ Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 40 (3): 382-7. Betts, F. N. (1940): Birds of the Seychelles. Pt. II, the Sea-birds—more particularly those of aride Island, Ibis, (14) 4: 489-504. Bulman, Capt. J. F. H. (1944): Notes on the Birds of Safaga. Ibis, 86: 480-492. Butler, E. A. (1877): Astola, a Summer Cruise in the Gulf of Oman. Stray Feathers, 5: 283-304. Chasen, F. N. (1933): Notes on the Birds of Christmas Island (Indian Ocean).. Bull. Raff. Mus,, 8: 55-87. Delacour, J., & Jabouille, P. (1931): Les oiseaux de I’Indochine Frangaise,. 4 vols, Paris. Gardiner, J. S. (1903): The Fauna & Geography of the Maldive & Laccadive: Archipelagoes, 2 vols. Cambridge, England. Gardiner, J. S. & Gadow, H. (1907): Aves, with some Notes on the Distri- bution of the land-birds of the Seychelles. Trans. Linn. Soc,, 2nd series, 12,. (1): 103-110. Gibson-Hill, C. A. (1947a): The Normal Food of Tropic-Birds (Phaéthon spp.). Ibis, 89: 658-661. Gibson-Hill, C. A. (19476): Field Notes on the Birds (of Christmas Island, Indian Ocean). Bull, Raff. Mus., 18: 87-165. Gibson-Hill, C. A. (1949a): An Immature Redtailed Bo’sun-Bird. Bull. Raff. Mus., 19: 100-104. Gibson-Hill, C. A. (19496): The Birds of the Cocos-Keeling Islands (India Ocean), Ibis, 91: 221-243. Gibson-Hill, C, A. (1949c): Notes on the Nesting Habits of Seven Representa- tive Tropical Sea-Birds, Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 48 (2): 214-35. Gibson-Hill, C. A. (1949d): An Annotated Chiecklist of Malayan Birds. Bull. Raff. Mus., 20. Gibson-Hill, C. A. (1950): Pulau Perak. Malayan Nat. Journ. 5, (1): (in the press). Holdsworth, E. W. H., (1872): Catalogue of the Birds found in Ceylon. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1872 :404-83. Hume, A. O. (1873): Contributions to the Ornithology of India. Sindh, No. 2 Stray Feathers, 1: 91-289. Hume, A. O. (1874): Contributions to the Ornithology of India. The Islands of the Bay of Bengal. Stray Feathers, 2: 29-324. Hume, A. O. (1876): The Laccadives and the West Coast, Stray Feathers, 4: 413-483. Hume, A. O. (1877): Notes in Butler, 1877 supra, Hume, A. O. (1888-9): The Birds of Manipur, Assam, Sylhet & Cachar. Stray Feathers, 11: 1-353. Hume, A. O., & Davison, W, (1878): A revised list of the Birds of Tenasserim. Stray Feathers, 6: 1-&24+i—xxii. Jerdon, T. C. (1864): Birds of India, 3. Calcutta. Jones, R. Bark (1946): An account of a visit to the Brcethers (Jebel Teir) Islands in the Gulf of Aden. Ibis, 88: 228-232. (=Geziret Saba, 9 miles south of Perim, vide Corrigendum in Ibis, 90: 631), Kloss, C. Boden (1903): In the Andamans and Nicobars, London. Legge, V. (1880): » «+ June dnd July Lepidonotus carinatulus Gurbe ... August and September Syllis gracilis Gurbe sig, ot) AUSUSE Syllis variegata Gurbe e “1 september » Phyllydoce spp. ... July and August A few individuals of the heteronereid stage of Perineris were collected during August and some Potodrilus sp. were found to in- habit the cages in July. Crustacea: The most common were the two species of Cirripedes belonging to the genus Balanus De Costa; B. amphitrite Darwin var. venustus; and B. tintinnabulum Linn. var. communis. Both varieties attach themselves to the shells of cultivated oysters. Lepas (Lepas tunuivalvata Annandale) was found in_ clusters attached to the wooden frames of the cages from July to September and in smaller numbers in May. Of the sub-order Natantia, the following species were found: Hippolysmata vittata Stimpson (June to September); Stenopus vobustus Borradaile (September and October); Periclimenus spineferus de Mann (June); Alpheids (September) and Saron marmoratus Oliver (July). Reptantia: Crabs belonging to the family Portunidae were most abundant in the cages throughout the year. Charybdys annulata Fabricius, Thalamitta prymna Herbest, T. admetta Herbest, T. wood- masoni Alcock and Neptunus pelagicus Linn formed the majority. The remainder belonging to the following families were also frequent- ly noticed in the oyster cages. 1. Fam. XANTHIDAE: Ozius rugulosus Stimpson; Xantho euglyptus Alcock; and Menippe rumphi: Fabr. 92 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 2. Fam. MAIIDAE: Tylocarcinus styx Herbest; and Shizophrys aspera Milne-Edwards. Juvenile specimens of Panulirus dasypus Labicille were also found. in July to September. Echinodermata: Small specimens of Pentaceras herdmani Lutken were noticed in September and October; those of Salmacis virgulata Agassiz in August; and o: Astropecten indicus Doderleir in June, July and August. | Tunicata: Compound ascidian Diandrocarpa brackenhelmi Michaelson was observed encrusting the oysters and the oyster cages during the months of south-west monsoon; the small dull reddish leathery ascidian of the genus Polycarpa Heller was common in November. Pisces: Small specimens of the genera. Epinephelus, Tetrodon and. Balistes have been found to frequent the oyster cages at Krusadai Island. Specimens of Petroskirtis leinardi were also recovered frequently. Sea weeds: Sea weeds were noticed to be washed on to the cages by the currents in the gulf. They settled more during the north-east monsoon period than in other seasons. The important genera of marine algae noticed adhering to the cages were Chaetomorpha, Enteromorpha, Ulva, Codium, Padina, Sargassum and Gracillaria. During the months of south-west and north-east monsoons, the settling was greater. The gulf currents are mainly responsible for the distribution of these animals; but when currents were too strong the settling on the cages was considerably less. I am grateful to Mr. M. Devidas Menon, B.sc. (Hons.), who initiated this work in Krusadai and to Dr. Beni Charan Mahendra and Mr. K. Chidambaram, M.aA., F.z.s., for their valuable suggestions and’ constructive criticisms. CHAMPARAN BUTTERFLIES—NORTH BIHAR BY A. C. HARMAN Before Ileft India some three years ago I had been making for many years a survey of the butterflies of the district of Champaran — but I do not think that I could have exhausted all the species to be found there. To the north of Champaran is the forest belt (Bettiah Raj and Ramnagar Raj) which is about 90 miles in length and about 10 miles deep. This borders on to the Nepal Terai and is separated from it by the Gandak River. The Himalayan foothills start here and rise to about 500 ft. at Treveni. Treveni Hill in Nepal must be about 3,000 ft. Thirty miles east of Treveni is Samashwa, where there is a dak bungalow at 2,800 ft. Beyond the ridge one can get a most gorgeous view of the Nepal hill ranges and snows. I had not the facilities for exploring the jungies at ail seasons of the year as it was almost impossible to get there in the rains—so certain butterflies must have been missed. My collecting was done mostly in the months September to May. For the purpose of this list I should divide the butterflies into two groups —those taken in the forest belt and those found in the cultivated area of the district. Stray forest species appeared from time to tine in my garden near Bettiah—some 50 miles from the nearest jungle. Note.—These butterflies are named and listed according to Evans’s Indentification of Indian Butterflies—2nd edition revised. The speci- mens are deposited in the Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun. PAPiLIONIDAE Al. Troides helema cerbarus Fd. Found along the Nepal border at Ramgarwa and other places. A?2. Tros aristolochiae aristolochiae F. Common most of the hot weather and rains. A3. Chilasa clytia clytia L. This form is iess common. y.dissimilis L. Common form—appears March till December. v. dissimillima Evans. Have taken one. A4. 1. Papilio memnon agenor L. Strays seen and taken at various times. ¢ v. butlerianus Roth. One seen on 18-6-’33. Q vy. alcanor Cr. One seen on 14-6-’33. 2. Papilio helenus helenus L. One seen and one taken. 3. Papilio polytes romulus Cr. Common from March to December. 94 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY. Vol. 49 Q v. cyrus F. One taken by Mr. Gill at Japaha. aoe A6, Bl. B4. Bo. B8. BY. B10. Bll. 4, Papilio demoleus demoleus L. Common most of the year. Pathysa nomius nomius Esp. Appears about March and April only. Zetides sarpedon sarpedon L. Mr. Gill took one. | Zetides agammemnon agammemnon L. One worn specimen November ’45. PIERIDAE Leptosia nina nina F. Appears March-April and October- November. 10. Pieris canidia indica Evans. Flies in jungle belt only, November to March. 11. Pieris brassicae L. Appears end of January-February, sometimes larvae are in pest form; it is double brooded. Last brood hatches out middle April and disappears at once, I should say it migrates back to the Nepal hills as I have seen them on the road from Nepal, miles from any food plant! 3. Delias eucharis Drury. Common most of the year ‘i Larvae feed on ‘ ohangi’, also on pummaloe. 11. Delias descombesi leucacantha Fruh. Jungle belt. oe August till December. 12. Delias aglaia L. Strays appear sometimes but mostly ea in jungle belt : October to April. 13. Delias thysbe pyramus Wall. Taken in jungle belt, nape ber—December ’28. Belenois mesentina mesentina Cr, Appears October—Novem- ber. Common March till June. Larvae feed on Ca pfaris. have bred the dark ¢fafrobana form in June—July. Huphina nerissa evagete Cr. Common most of the year. Larvae feed on Capparvis. 2. Appias lalage lalage Db. Stray specimens appear only for a day or two in early December evidently migrating from Nepal. Mr. Gill and I each took one on the same day in 1937 at a distance of 70 miles apart.. Have only seen males. 4. Appias libythea libythea F. Mr. Gill took one at Motihari—June ’38. 5. Appias lyncida hippoides M. Stray specimens found in the rains. 6. Appias albina darada Fd. Stray specimens found in the rains. “4, Catopsilia crocale Cr. Common March till December. 2. Catopsilia pomona F. Flies in company of above. vy. catilla. Not too rare. Bid. Vek 15; iy, 18. 12. 28. . CHAMPARAN . BUTTERFLIES—NORTH BIHAR 95. Catopsilia pyranthe minna Herbst. Common June to. December. Catopsilia florella gnoma F. Not common as above. Terias blanda silhetana Wall. Rare, but took a number: of pupae—November 1934. Terias hecabe hecabe L. Common. Colias croceus edusina But. Appears March and April. only. Hebomoia glaucippe glaucippe L. One stray specimen taken at Motihari by Mr Gill—June 1938. Pareronia valeria hippia F. Common in rains. Breeds. August to October.- Larvae feed on Capparis. 2 v. philomela. Not rare. DANAIDAE Danais aglea melanoides M. Jungle belt. Appears November to April. Danais limniace mutina Fruh. Common most of the year. Danais melissa septentrionis But. Jungle belt. October to December. Danais plexippus L. Common. Danais chrysippus L. Very common. v. alcippoides M.) Have seen exam- v. dorippus Cr. {ples of both these, but not taken. Euploea mulciber mulciber Cr. Jungle belt. Strays down to Bettiah during rains: June to October. Euploea core core Cr. Very conimon. Euploea core vermiculata But. Common. Euploea klugii klugii M. One taken September ’°34. Euploea crassa kollari Fd. Rare. Appears in the rains. Euploea crassa crassa But. One taken by Mr Gill at Japaha. . SATYRIDAE Mycalesis perseus typheus Fruh. Appears November to March. Common in the jungle. Mycalesis mineus mineus L. Jungle belt. Flies October to March. Mycalesis visala visala M. Jungle belt. Gill took them at Japaha. Mycalesis malsara M. Jungle belt. Fliesin March and. April. “96 D3, .D14. D16. 22: F24. Zo. -F 26. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 13. 13: a 28. Lethe [europa ?] Examples cf this Itook many years ago at Ramgarwa, but have never seen it anywhere else. Mr. Inglis had it in his Durbhanga collection. Lethe confusa confusa One taken at Samashawa (above 3,009 ft.) Nepal border, March 1928. Ypthima inica Hew. Common March to December. Ypthima hubneri hubneri Kirby. Common March to December. Ypthima avanta avanta M. Jungle belt. Flies Novem- ber-December-March. Ypthima baldus baldus F. Jungle belt. Flies Novem- ber-December- March. Orsotrioena medus medus F. Appears in the rains. Melanitis leda ismene Cr. Common most of the year. Elymnias hypermoestra undularis Drury. Jungle belt. Flies October to March. NYMPHALIDAE Charaxes fabius fabius F. Rare. One taken September 1928; one seen 21—4—40. Eriboea athamus athamus Dr. Two pupae found ona babul tree December 1928. Not seen flying. Euthalia lepidea lepidea But. Jungle belt. Appears November to March. Euthalia garuda suddhodana Fruh. Common most of the year. Euthalia lubentina indica Fruh. Rare. appears February-March, September to December. Euthalia nais Forst. Jungle belt. One taken October 1982. Limenitis procris procris Cr. Jungle belt. September to March ; strays taken in Bettiah. Pantoporia nefte inara Db. Jungle belt. Two taken March 1928. One 2 November 1928 and April 1938. Pantoporia selenophora selenophora Koll. Jungle belt. One 2 taken at Samashawa 2,800 ft. March 1926. Pantoporia perius L. Jungle belt. Common September to March. Neptis columella ophiana. Jungle belt. One Q taken 2 April 1934 and 2 April 1937. Neptis hylas adara M. Jungle belt. Appears October to April. Some strays taken near Bettiah. Neptis nandina susruta M. Jungle belt. October to April. P34. F35. ‘G1. G4, Ol eae CHAMPARAN BUTTERFLIES—NORTH BIHAR 97 Neptis hordonia hordonia Stoll. Jungle belt. October to April. Cyrestis thyodamas thyodamas Bdv. Jungle belt. October to April. Hypolimnas misippus L. Common in the rains, Q vy. alcippoides But. One taken November 1935. Q v. imaria Cr. Three or four taken. Hypolimnas bolina L. Common. June to November. Kallima inachus inachus Bdv. Jungle belt. Rare. Precis hierta hierta F. Least common of the genus. Some years absent. Precis orithya swinhoei But. Common most of the year. Precis lemonias lemonias L. do. do. Precis almana almana L. do. do. Precis atlites L. Not so common as above. Precis iphita iphita Cr. Jungle belt only. November to April. . Vanessa cardui L. Generally appears from February to April. One seen early : 17 October, 1937. Vanessa canace canace L. Jungle belt. Flies October to April. Rare. Argynnis hyperbius hyperbius L. Appears October-— November, March-April. Breeds. Cuoha erymanthis lotis Sulz. Jungle belt. October to March. Atella phalanta Drury. Flies most of the year. Issoria sinha pallida Evans. Jungle belt. November to April. Cirrochroa tyche mithila M. Mr Gill took them, July 1937. Cethosia cyane Drury. Jungle belt. November to April. Ergolis merione tapestrina M. Common in the rains. Telchinia violoe Fab. Rare. One taken at Bhikna Thori (Nepal border) 17 March, 1937. Mr Gill took some at Japaha. ERYCINIDAE Libythea myrra sanguinalis Fruh. Jungle belt. One taken at Treveni, March 1930. Abisara echerius angulata M. Jungle belt. Appears November—December. 98 HI. Hz. 3. lg Wa H23. H24. H25. H26. H27. H28. H29. Ip heyoy H44. H45. H49. HS3. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, ¥ol. 49 15. 16. 34. otek LYCAENIDAE Castalius rosimon rosimon F. Appears most of the year. Castalius caleta decidia Hew. Jungle beJt. Taken during October to Match. Tarucus theophrastus indica. Flies June till September. Syntarucus plinius F. Flies June till November. Lycaenopsis puspa gisca Fruh. Jungle belt. Appears. October to March. Lycaenopsis cardia dilecta M. One stray specimen taken July 1936. Chilades laius laius Cr. Common most of the year. Zizeeria trochilus putli Koll. Common June to Sep- tember. Zizeeria gaika Trimen. Common most of the year. One rare aberration taken 1 April, ’°37 and sent to Mr D. G. Sevastopulo. Zizeeria otis otis F. Common most of the year. Euchrysops cnejus F. Appears September to November. Lycaenesthes emolus emolus God. Rare. Appears. October-November. Catacnhrysops strabo F. Common most of the year. Lampides boeticus L. Appgars February to April and October-November. Jamides bochus bochus Cr. Jungle belt. October to December—March. Jamides celeno celeno Cr. Jungle belt. October to. December—March. Jamides alecto eurysaces Fruh. Jungle belt. October to December—March. Nacaduba nora nora Fd. Common June to November. Nacaduba dubiosa indica Evans. Common June to November. Curetis thetis Drury. Common April to November. Curetis bulis Db. and Hew. Jungle belt only. October: to March. Iraota timoleon timoleon Stoll. One # taken 24-12-38. Mr Gill took 3 (f' dQ) at Japaha. Amblypodia alemon DeN. Jungle belt. Flies October to March. Amblypodia amantes amantes Hew. Jungle belt. Plies. October to March. | Loxura atymnus. Jungle belt. One talon October 1932. d H57. Hos: - H60. H84. #85. le iD. I 26. I 28. 147. 157. iss. 159. 164. I 66. 1 88. 1S: Bae H81. 1. CHAMPARAN BUTTERFLIES—NORTH ‘BIHAR 9 Spindasis vulcanus vulcanus M. COmmDn. March to November. Spindasis ictis ictis Hew. Common March to November. Spindasis elima elima M. One worn specimen taken July 745. Zesius chrysomallus Hub. Rare. Only females taken. o taken by Mr Gill at Japaha. Tajuria jangala ravata M. Jungle belt. One taken November 733. . Tajuria jehana M. Rare. One taken only. Tajuria cippus cippus F. Appears March to December. Zeltus etolus F. Jungle belt. One taken at Bikhna Thori (Nepal border) December ’35. Virachola isocrates F. Taken by Mr Gill at Japaha. Rapala schistacea M. Jungle belt. Fiizs March to November. Rapala melampus Cr. nen at Bagaha September ’34. Mr Gill took some at Japaha. -HESPERIDAE Hasora badra badra M. One stray sp2cim2n. 4 N svember "40. Hasora alexis alexis F. Appears April and July to October. Larvae feed on Beech. Badamia exclamationis Fb. Flies April to November. Caprona ransonnettii saraya Doh. Jungie belt. One taken March ’35. Syrichtus galba F. Appears April to October. Suastus gremius gremius F. Appears June till Decem- ber. Udaspes folus Cr. Appears April and August to October. Notocrypta curvifascia Fd. Jungle belt. One taken March 732. Gangara thyrsis clothilda Hb. One stray specimen, ‘November 732. | Matapa aria M. Appears about soar October— November. | Hyarotis adrastus adrastus Cr. Onetaken August ’32, one seen October 740. Taractrocera maevius sagara M. Appears July to September. 190. 20. Padxaona phellus phellus Mab. Jungle belt. Treveni one taken November ’3?, 100 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 191. 1. Astycus augias augias L. Flies May to October. Common. 2. Astycus pythias bambusae M. July to October. I 97. 30. Baoris sinensis subochracea M. One doubtful speci- men. 31. Baoris mathias mathias F. Flies nearly all the year. 32. Baoris guttatus bada M. do. do. 33. Baoris zelleri cinnara Wallace. One specimen July ’29. The following additional species, taken in Darbhanga District (N. Bihar) are in the collection of Mr. Chas. M. Inglis, F,z.s., C.M.B.0.U. None of these have been taken in Champaran. A 1. Troides aeacus Fd. @. A 2. Tros varuna astorion Wd. One specimen. A 4. Papilio polymmestor polymnestor Cr. Somewhere in N. Bihar must be the meeting place of this form, and P. memnon as I have seen many of the latter. A 6. Zetides bathycles chiron NYMPHALIDAE F23. Abrota ganga M. This is interesting as the habitat given of this species is Sikkim-Bhutan only. Evidently a migrant and must have flown over 100 miles to where Mr Inglis took it. LYCAENIDAE H 8. Spalgis epius epius Wd. A local species. H12, Tarucus callinara But. H14. 1. Azanus ubaldus Cr. 27-5-'19, 24-6-719. 2, Azanus uranus But. 17-5-’20. Hi7. Neopithecops zalmora But. One specimen in 1925. His. Everes parrhasius assamica (?) Tyt. 23-5-’19, 26-4-’20, 24-3-’21. H25. Euchrysops pandava pandava Hors. One specimen. H46. Horsfieldia anita dina Fruh. 2-3-’20, 29-4-’20, 17-11-20. HS59. Pratapa cleobis God. 9-5-’20, ff¥ OBSERVATIONS ON SOME LARVAL AND POST-LARVAL SLOMATOPRODS* BY K. H. ALIKUNHI Central Inland Fisheries Research Station, Barrackpore. (With two plates) SYNOPSIS 1. Habits of larval and post-larval stomatopods of the genera Squilla and Lysiosquilla were studied by observation on specimens. kept in aquaria. 2. The peculiar reactions of the pelagic larvae to light are de- tailed. 3. The characteristic feeding habits of the larvae and adults are described. 4. Pronounced cannibalistic tendencies are noted in the group. 5. The mechanism of larval and post-larval moults is described and discussed. 6. Eye stalks, as in other crustacea, appear to control the develop- ment of chromatophores. Removal of eye stalks does not affect moult- ing, growth and metamorphosis. 7. Removal of eye stalks a few days prior to final larval moult results in the production of blind albino specimens of post-larvae. The rudiments of post-larval pigments are well laid in the advanced pelagic larva. INTRODUCTION Though Stomatopods are quite abundant in the tropics they are generally considered useless as food except in certain places in the Far East where, like prawns, they form an article of human diet. Living usually in burrows and crevices, they are seldom caught in a state in which they can thrive in aquaria and therefore, very little is known about their life habits. Recently Bigelow (1941) has given an account of the habits of Squilla empusa Say after his observations on live specimens in an aquarium at Woods Hole. The observations detailed in the present paper were made when the author was working on the stomatopod larvae of the Madras plankton, at the University Zoological Research Laboratory, Madras’. * Paper read before the 35th annual session of the Indian Science Congress,,. Patna, 1948 and published with the permission of the Chief Research Officer, Central Inland Fisheries Research Station,’ Barrackpore. * The paper was written when the author was working at the Fresh-water Biological Research Station, Madras, but was revised and finalised for publication after his transfer to the Central Inland Fisheries Research Station, Barrackpore. 102 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 Since specimens of post-larval stomatopods were then being reared in the aquarium tanks, the author had ampie opportunities to observe these animals alive at close quarters and study their habits. The author is indebted to Prof. R. Gopala Aiyar, the then Director of the laboratory and also to the University of Madras for the facilities he was given to carry out the work. His thanks are also due to Dr. B. N. Chopra for kindly going through the manuscript and offering valuable suggestions. FEEDING HABITS OF LARVAE It has been shown that the late planktonic larvae could be made to metamorphose into the post-larvae in the laboratory and that the post-larval forms so obtained could, with proper care, be grown in aquarium tanks to a fairly large size (Alikunhi and Ajiyar, 1942; 1943; Alikunhi, 1944, a, b). The larvae which generally keep healthy in the aquaria are transparent. The feeding habits of these larvae are peculiar. When minute bits of flesh of Emerita are introduced into the aquarium the larvae quickly sense the presence of food, show great activity, get hold of the bits by the help of their raptorial claws, hold them firmly at the mouth by means of the maxillipeds and begin to feed while actively swimming. The larvae being trans- parent, it is interesting that at a casual glance the particles of food appear as moving about apparently by themselves. In the aquarium, the larva generally swims near the surface but it also frequents the bottom layers. It therefore picks up the particles of food even from the bottom of the aquarium. REACTION TO LIGHT The larvae generally show certain definite reactions to light. When placed in a glass trough of sea water and when the maximum incidence of light is on one side of the trough, the larvae are invariably found to crowd on the opposite side of the vessel where there is less light. When the light is obstructed by a piece of paper or even with the palm of the hand, the larvae react almost instantaneously and begin to swim about in the vessel normally in all directions. When the obstruction is removed and the light again allowed to fall fully cn the side of the vessel the larvae promptly swim away and crowd on the opposite side as before. While keeping the larvae in the aquaria, therefore, a sheet of brown paper was wrapped on that side of the trough which had the maximum incidence of light so that uni- form lighting was ensured in the container and the larvae behaved normally. MOULTING It is interesting to note that till now the final pelagic larvae of only a few species of stomatopods (Squilla empusa, S. quadridens, Lysiosquilla excavatrix and L. eusebia) have been observed to moult into the post-larvae. But even in these species the actual process of transformation into the post-larva has not been described in detail. OBSERVATIONS ON LARVAL AND POST-LARVAL STOMATOPODS 103 Faxon (1882) has seen a larva of S. empusa, 17 mm. long, meta- morphose into a post-larva, 19 mm. in length. Bigelow (1894) deal- ing with S. quadridens, mentions that ‘in the passage from the larval to the adult form the body becomes broader and more compact at the expense of its length, so that shortly after the moult it is but 1.1 cm. in length, while before it was 0.5 cm. longer’. Giesbrecht (1910) observes that the final pelagic larva of S. mantis and S. desmaresti measures 20-22.5 and 21-22.5 mm. respectively, while the first post- larval stage measures 17-18 and 16 mm, respectively. My own observations also go to show that there is a definite reduction in length following the final larval moult, particularly in the larvae of the S. nepa and S. quinquidentata groups in which the pre-labial region is highly telescoped. Instances, however, are not wanting where the reduction in length is rather insignificant as in the short, stout larvae of the small-eyed species of the ‘Chloridella’ group. As noted by Bigelow, generally, during transformation from the larval to the post- larval stage the body becomes broader and stouter at the expense of its length. All the species of stomatopod larvae commonly occurring in the Madras plankton have been correlated with their adults by rearing the planktonic larvae and metamorphosing them into the post-larvae in the laboratory (Alikunhi—unpublished). Observations on larval and post-larval moults could, therefore, be made on 12 species of the genus Squilla including the common forms S. nepa, S. holoschista, S. wood-mason and S. raphidea, and on three species of the genus Lysiosquilla namely L. maculata, L. tigrina and L. multifaciata. Time of Final Larval Moult. Larvae which are in the final pelagic stage could be recognized under the binoculars by the outline of the post-larval carapace and telson that is clearly visible through the transparent larval exo- skeleton. This outline of the post-larval body appears only in the final pelagic stage. Such larvae, if kept in fresh sea water aquaria, are invariably found to metamorphose into post-larvae during the night. It is remarkable that the frail, transparent pelagic larva transforms itself into a totally different post-larva overnight, in the course of 6 to 1o hours after definition of the post-layval body outline. To ascertain whether darkness had any particular effect in hasten- ing the final larval moult and metamorphosis, 18 specimens of the final pelagic larvae of S. nepa were placed in the morning in an earthenware vessel containing fresh sea water and the vessel was kept covered to avoid all light. Examination at 1 p.m. and at 4 p.m. showed that the larvae remained unchanged. By next morning how- ever, 15 of the larvae had metamorphosed. Similar larvae, from ‘the same collection kept in a glass trough of sea water, also meta- morphosed overnight, and the early post-larvae in both the cases were identical in the intensity of pigmentation, etc., showing that both the groups had metamorphosed almost at the same time. On other occasions also, larvae picked out from the tow-net collections in the morning and kept in glass aquaria, metamorphosed into post-larvae ‘only during the night. It might, therefore, be inferred that in the 104 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 open sea also the final moult and metamorphosis normally take place: at night, though darkness by itself does not appear to have any particular effect in hastening metamorphosis. In the laboratory the final larval moult invariably took place after 10 o'clock in the night. Unfortunately, the actual process of moulting could not be observed in detail, but the complete moults and a series. of specimens in the different stages of moulting have been collected so as to furnish a full account of the process. Final Larval Moult and Metamorphosis. The following observations were made on larvae of S. nepa but the statements are equally applicable to other species of stomatopods. occurring on the Madras coast. It is interesting to note that while the general broadening of the post-larval body is effected at the expense of its length, in the case of the carapace, only a narrow median strip of the larval structure takes part in the transformation into the post-larval carapace (Plate 1, a-a’). This median strip is clearly indicated in the final pelagic larva, but is more than double the length of the post-larval carapace. During moulting the larval carapace, together with the peripheral’ skin falls off, exposing the median soft skin which soon gets hard- ened. It is thrown into a series of folds anteriorly, thereby getting shortened. With the quick hardening of the new carapace the folds. also disappear and finally the general shape of the adult carapace is assumed. While these changes are taking place, the terga of the last three thoracic segments split longitudinally in the middle and through the opening so formed the soft post-larval body which by then is free from its larval coat, is gradually drawn out by a series of convulsive movements of the abdominal segments. Quickly following this the anterior limbs are also pulled out of their larval covering. On completion of this casting off of the larval skin, the post-larval body, being very soft, quickly undergoes some shortening. The region between the antennae and the labium and the last three thoracic segments get considerably shortened and assume proportions totally different from those in the larva. With the hardening of the new skin, the various organs show a closer approximation to the adult condition than in the previous larval stage. During this. quick process of transformation the following changes, besides the general broadening of the body and the formation of the new carapace, ate conspicuous: The eye stalks become short and stout, with the cornea set more in the fashion characteristic of the adult (Plate 1 c-c’). The raptorial dactylus becomes provided with a series of well- developed free spines which were just visible through the transparent skin of the pelagic larva (Plate 1 b-b’). The last three thoracic segments get conspicuously broadened and their lateral sides are provided with characteristic processes (Plate II a-a’). The pleopods. which in the larva had the gills in the form of compact bundles, now have them branched and finely plumose (Plate II b-b’). The telson and the uropods largely approximate to the adult condition (Plate II :c-c’). The frail body of the pelagic larva is singularly transparent and’ generally devoid of pigment. The early post-larva has the body Prate I bay Nat. Hist. Soc. Journ., Bom is from pelagic larva Squilla nepa f structures during metamorphos 10n Oo ificat Mod to post-larva a’. Same of early post-larva. a. Carapace of final pelagic larva ; b’. Same of early post-larva c’. Same of early post-larva. b. Raptorial claw of final pelagic larva c. Eye of final pelagic larva Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. Piatr II Squilla nepa Modification of structures during metamorphosis from pelagic larva to post-larva a. Last three thoracic segments of final pelagic larva; a’. Same of early post-larva. b. Pleopod of final pelagic larva; b’. Same of early post-larva. c. Telson and uropod of final pelagic larva; c’. Same of early post-larva. OBSERVATIONS ON LARVAL AND POST-LARVAL STOMATOPODS 105: opaque and several chromatophores are now distributed all over the dorsal body surface, often forming definite patterns. With meta- morphosis the pelagic existence is also abandoned and the post-larva. confines itself to the bottom of the aquarium. It is of interest to note that while most of the changes under- gone during the final larval moult are already heralded by the more- or less distinct outlines of post-larval structures in the late pelagic larva, the very conspicuous transformation from the larval to the post-larval body is remarkable in that it is achieved in the course of a relatively short period of 6 to 10 hours. Post-Larval Moult. Post-larval specimens kept in the aquarium and regularly fed,, undergo the first moult within 4$ to 6 days after metamorphosis. Unlike the final larval moult, the post-larvae moult during any time. of the day or night. It may be mentioned that early Alima larvae also when kept in aquaria, moult into later stages during day time. The post-larva when about to moult, becomes less active and repairs to a quiet corner of the aquarium. The body then appears less bright. than before. The process of moulting is essentially the same as in the pelagic larvae. The terga of the last three thoracic segments split longitudinally in the middle, the abdominal portion is first drawn out of the old coat through the opening so created, the carapace. comes off and falls away or sometimes may remain connected with the rest of the moult by the anterior end, and finally the cephalic and theracic appendages are also freed from their old covering. Occasional- ly when the abdominal moult is completed, the specimen begins to swim in an excited fashion (with the slough trailing) trying to get the anterior limbs also free. It soon falls to the bottom as if ex- hausted. Immediately after moulting since the chitinous covering has not hardened, the specimen is rather weak and unable to move about actively. It often swims by an awkwardly synchronised movement of the limbs and then more or less passively falls to the bottom. During this period it is completely helpless and highly vulnerable to attacks by enemies. Cannibalism is rather pronounced in the group and if more than one specimen are kept in an aquarium and if any of them undergoes a moult, it usually falls an easy victim to the predatory leanings of its brethren. This destructive tendency is manifested’ also when specimens of different sizes are kept together in an aquarium, the smaller ones being preyed upon by the larger. The mechanism and periodicity of larval and post-larval moults are similar in the genus Lysiosquilla also. FEEDING Hasits oF POST-LARVAE AND ADULTS The early post-larvae continue to live and grow in the aquaria provided the water is. daily changed and they are regularly fed with suitable food. In the present series of experiments, the mole crab: Emerita asiatica which occurs in large numbers in the inter-tidal zone of the Madras beach, was found to be quite an agreeable food: 106 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 for the post-larvae. Feeding can be effected either with live speci- mens or with minced meat, depending on the size of the post-larvae. For young specimens small bits of the soft parts of the body of the crab are preferable. Older specimens will readily feed when small live Emerita are introduced into the aquarium. The food is promptly caught with lightning rapidly by the powerful raptorial claws, and the maxillipeds by a quick movement grab the same and hold it in position at the mouth when the mandibles begin to work at it. Soon the entire bit is taken in and can be seen from the dorsal aspect as a light brown mass inside, at the level of the anterior half of the carapace. In the case of older post-larvae it is very often noticed that while several of the crabs are caught and killed none of them is completely eaten up, but in every case about 1/3 of the body at the junction between the cephalothorax and the abdomen alone is eaten. This happens to be the softest portion of the body of the mole crab. The live Emerita is often pursued by the post-larva and repeat- edly slashed with the raptorial claws, before it is actually caught. Tc observe the specimens feeding is really very instructive and on one occasion there was in the aquarium a specimen of Lysiosquilla maculata which was apparently conscious of the usual feeding time and which had the peculiar habit, on getting hold of a bit of food, of lying at the bottom of the aquarium on its back, with the head and tail curved up, busily engaged in munching at the morsel. ALBINO SPECIMENS That in the eye stalks of crustacea are situated the centres which control the development of chromatophores over the body could be clearly demonstrated in the case of stomatopods also. But for a few yellow chromatophores on certain regions of the body and the characteristic reddish tinge in certain species, pigment is generally absent in stomatopod larvae. However, in the course of about 12 hours during which the final larval moult resulting in metamorphosis into the post-larva takes place, numerous chromatophores make their appearance, all over the body. Active, final pelagic larvae of S. holoschista were taken and the eye stalks were chopped off. On releasing into water they began to swim about in an aimless fashion. By next morning like the normal larvae, they metamorphosed into post-larvae. These however, were pale white in colour. Under the microscope the chromatophores over the body appeared as minute dots unlike the normal post-larvae in which the chromatophores are generally large, blotch-like, stellately branched or irregular. The arrested development of chromatophores results in almost albino specimens. In other respects they behave normally ; they take food when they come across the same and thrive in the aquaria. A few advanced larvae, not quite in the final pelagic stage, were subjected to similar experiments. Three days after the removal of eye stalks the larvae moulted and metamorphosed into post-larvae which were more or less perfect albinos. Chromatophores were either absent or if a few were present, they were extremely minute and ‘inconspicuous. Fed regularly, these post-larvae also thrived in aquaria OBSERVATIONS ON LARVAL AND POST-LARVAL STOMATOPODS 107 and moulted regularly like the normal specimens. After the second post-larval moult a small feeler like structure appeared in place of the eye. The much pigmented L. maculata also behaves likewise, and if eye-stalks are removed the final pelagic larvae metamorphose into post-larvae which are devoid of pigment. It is clear from the above that even though the frail pelagic larvae are transparent, the rudiments of post-larval chromatophores are well laid even before the final pelagic stage and their further development is arrested by the removal of the eye stalk. The removal of the eye stalk does not adversely affect the specimens in any way other than in inhibiting pigmentation. REFERENCES. Alikunhi, K. H. and Aiyar, R. G. (1942): On some Squilla larvae from the Madras plankton. Curr. Sci., Xi, 2. Alikunhi, K. H: and Aiyar, R. G. (1943): Growth in some Stomatopods. Curr. Sci., xii, 3. Alikunhi, K. H. (1944a): Growth stages of Lysitosquilla tigrina Nobili. Curr. Sci., xiii, 1. Alikunhi, K, H. (19446): Final Pelagic Larva of Squilla hieroglyphica Kemp. Curr. Sci., xili, 9. Alikunhi, K. H. (unpublished). An account of the Stomatopod larvae of the Madras Plankton. Bigelow, R. P. (1894): Report on the Crustacea of the order Stomatopoda collected by the steamer Albatross between 1885 and 1891, and on other specimens in the U.S. National Museum, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xvii. Bigelow, R. P. (1941): Notes on Squilla empusa Say-Journ. Wash, Acad. Sci., Xxxi, 9. Chopra, B. (1939): Report on Stomatopoda. Sci., Rep. John Murray Exped. 1933. 34, vi, 3. Claus, C. (1871): Die Metamorphose der Squilliden, Abh. Ges. Wiss. Got- tingen, XVi. Faxon, W. (1882): Selections from Embryological Monographs, I. Crustacea. Mem. Mus., Comp. Zool. Harvard Coll. ix, 1. . Giesbrecht, W. (1910): Stomatopoda: Faune und Flora du Golfe von Neapel. Monogr. 33. Kemp, S. (1913): An account of the crustacea Stomatopoda of the Indo-Pacific Region. Mem. Ind. Mus., iv. Schmitt, W. L. (1940): The Stomatopoda of the west coast of America. Rep. Allan Hancock Pacific Exped. vy, 4. OBITUARY H.By HAYES _ Hugo Basil Hayes who died in Bombay on the 7th January of this year at the age of 57 was a member of the Society since 3-1-1943, during which time he served on the Executive Committee from 5-6-1947 to the time of his death. His wide and varied experience of both big and small game shoot- ing and fishing in Northern India, Bihar, Orissa, Bengal and Bombay was unrivalled. Unlike most of us who laid on expensive bundobast for shikar trips, with tents, carts and servants, Mr. Hayes would rough it in true style; a small box of stores, a stove for cooking and. perhaps a camp-cot, and he would go off into the forests in pursuit of his most cherished sport, be it shooting or fishing, or both, mix- ing and living with the jungle people, who held him in high esteem. Unfortunately he kept no diary of his many years of shikar ex- cursions, but to spend an evening, or a few days with him in a camp was a joy. He had the gift of relating shikar experiences, without being boring or repeating himself. To see him get down to cook-. ing a meal and then washing up after a long day, at his age, was. indeed a fine illustration of the old school, and an example to many of us younger men. His great charm lay in his unselfishness and his kindly help to strangers. My own acquaintance with him only developed in 1944, while stationed in Bombay, when through an introduction from the Society, I came to know him and got the benefit of his experience of both the fishing and shocting around Bombay, besides introductions to others interested in the sports I sought myself. The foundation of the Bombay Presidency Angling Association with its headquarters at Powai Lake near Bombay and the introduction of the fry of Rohu, Mirgil and Catla from Patna in 1935-1936 will remain a monument to his great services to the angling fraternity in Bombay. Good catches and huge fish have been recorded in the past four or five years, after he introduced tank angling methods, so: well developed in Bengal but hardly known in Western India. His death will be felt by his many friends, and the Society loses a valuable and able field naturalist, a progressive worker, and a fine sportsman and gentleman. A. St. J. M. REVIEWS i. EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL ANATOMY OF THE BUFFALO-LOUSE, Haematopinus tuberculatus Burmeister. By M. A. H. Qadri, Aligarh Muslim University Publications, Zoological Series, 1948. Price Rs. 3. It was not long ago that even the so-called university lectures were all calculated to prepare students merely to answer questions of the type ‘Write short notes on’. At least in chemistry there are excellent text-books published in India, to mention two on Organic Chemistry, from our own province, one by Karve and Advani, the other by Nadkarni and Kothari. No book of a similar standard has appeared in zoology from any centre of teaching in India and the reason is not far to seek. Indian types of animal life have not been studied properly. I believe Prof. B. Mirza even as a student, dis- ‘covered that the earthworm given for dissection in India did not correspond with the type described in English text-books. His attention having been thus drawn early, he has given the consideration that the study of biological types rightly requires, for it is only such monographic studies that can be subsequently incorporated into text- books of Indian zoology. Perhaps of all types specific to a country the foremost amongst them belong to insects. Prof. Baber Mirza of Aligarh has therefore announced several monographic studies on Indian insects, the one under review being the first of the series. Here Dr. Qadri deals with the Buffalo-louse, Haematopinus tuberculatus. The contents cover 20 pages, with an additional page of 20 references and g plates containing 20 illustrations. The printing is excellent. The illustra- tions, which were done in pen and ink, are reproduced on art paper, which, in these days of paper shortage seems a luxury rather than a necessity. The price is Rs. 3 but appears reasonable considering the present cost of paper and printing. The contents represent a good average of the type of research work done in Indian universities. Dr. Qadri cites, among others, the monograph of H. Sikora on Pediculus vestimenti. She was a mere artist working for Prof. von Prowazek of Hamburg, and the work indicates what a lady-technician can do in Germany even during her spare time. She discovered an organ containing symbiotic bacteria which she named ‘Magenscheibe’. Ries (Zeit. Morph. Ok., 1931, 20: 147) went further into its details and included in his thesis observations on more than one species of Haematopinus. Unfortunately no mention is made of this monograph by Ries nor even to symbiosis. S. MAHDIHASSAN 2, WILD FLOWERS AT A GLANCE. By M. C, Carey and Dorothy Fitchew. Pp. xi+275, plates 264; 17.5x11 cms. London, J. M. Dent & Sons, Ltd. (1949). Price 10s. 6d. This is one of the finest books written for the public at large; botanical terminology has been reduced to the minimum, and even 110 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL GIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 the few terms used are clearly explained in the introduction. For easy reference, plants are grouped according to the colour of their flowers, and within each colour-group plants are arranged following the system of Bentham and Hooker in their British Flora. Each plant is fully illustrated in colour and has in ‘addition a clear and simple description. Other interesting details given are the places where the plant is found, the districts in the British Isles where the plant is common, the time of flowering, the total height of the plant, and short notes on the derivation of the Latin name. The colour plates are a joy to see and botanically perfectly accurate. An index of English names closes the book. A novel departure in such popular books is the addition of a clear cut scale in inches embossed on the back cover of the book; such a scale is often a necessity in the field, and the publishers have done a good service to the forgetful tribe of botanists in attaching such a scale to the book. The price is very moderate considering the large number of colour plates and the excellent printing and binding of the little volume.. Without hesit- ation I recommend this book as a present for school children and their elders. The study of the flowers of the field with the aid of this book becomes such a real pleasure that the book could very properly be called ‘Botany without Tears’. HH. (SANTAPRAY, 3., LHE OCEAN. By F, D,;Ommanney, Ph p,, A.R,C4s., he lasin evan ix and 1-238 with Plates I-IV and text figures 1-12. Oxford Univer- sity Press, 1949. Price 5s. This book forms volume No. 203 of The Home University Library of Modern Knowledge, and is in no way inferior to the many excellent little volumes already published in the series. The ten chapters of the book read like a story; they are written in very simple style and without the cumbersome technical terminclogy often found in such books. Chapter II deals with Life in the Sea and discusses the very controversial point of the origin of life; ‘there is no direct evidence as to how’or ‘where ‘life’ first began ‘on “earth :.°. “The'sea’ 1s so excellently suited to the development and maintenance of life that it. is natural to look upon the shallow coastal seas as its birthplace: and cradle’; with such charming scientific honesty no reader need pick up a quarrel. In subsequent chapters the author discusses the various kinds of life in the. sea, beginning’ with the lowliest; the importance of plankton is very properly stressed forming as it does the basic food on which higher sea animals depend. The printing of the book is of the very highest standard and the text figures are select and clear. At the end of the book there is a short but very select bibliography, in which the names of a number of recent books on the subject are listed with short notes on their contents and method of dealing with the subject. This is a book that ought to be read by every one who is interested in.the general subject. of biology, and in the fascinating chapter of life in the sea. H. SANTAPAU REVIEWS 11k 4. BIRDS OF THE COAST. By C. A. Gibson-Hill, M.a., M.B.o.u. Pp. 216. 16 plates; numerous sketches and distribution maps. London, H. F. and G. Witherby Ltd. (1949). Price 10/6 nett. Though one of the numerous books that continue to be written about British birds, this is outstanding in so far as the author fairly establishes his contention in the preface that the description of key points assisted by black and white line drawings are often more yaluable for recognition than coloured plates. While weather coucitions in India do not ordinarily force us to attempt identification in rain, snow and fog, we must admit that many of the numerous comparative sketches in this book are clearer and more helpful than detailed descriptions. As the title implies, it deals mostly with ducks and geese and the wading birds, followed by gulls and terns. But a few of the passeres and birds of prey are also included. With the large variety of coastal birds visiting India in winter, we sadly lack a work of this nature and it is to be hoped that somebody who can sketch birds well will make an attempt to fill the deficiency in the near future. Finn’s ‘How to know the Indian Waders’ was a good effort for its time, but a modern work with illustrations of this type would be very welcome. One cannot conclude without reference to the amazing versatility of the author mostly in connection with oceanic birds but also covering various other forms of life. The name re-appears in journal after journal always accompanied by excellent photographs and sketches and we hope that we will have his writings more often on forms nearer to | us. Te sys The following books have been added to the Society’s Library since ‘August 1949 :— fie MARINE PELECYPODA OF BOMBAY. By TT. V. Subramanyam, K. R. Karandikar & N. N. Murthi—A Reprint from the Journal of the University of Bombay, Vol. XVIII, Pt. 5, March eno 2. ON INDIAN INSECT TYPES—External and Internal Ana- tomy of the Buffalo-louse, HZaematopinus tuberculatus Burmeister. By M. A. H. Qadri. Aligarh Muslim University Publication (Zoological series). Edited by Dr. M. B. Mirza 1948 (A Review copy). 3. WILD FLOWERS AT A GLANCE (with more than 260 illustrations of wild flowers in full colour). By M. C. Carey & Dorothy Fitchew (J. M. Dent & Son Ltd., London, 1949) (A Review copy). 4. THE OCEAN. By F. D. Ommanney (Oxford University Press, 1949) (A Review copy). 5. PROCEDURE IN TAXONOMY-—Including a reprint of the International rules of Zoological Nomenclature with summaries of opinions rendered to the present date (1907-1947). Completely indexed—Revised edition. By T. Edward Schenk, H. John Mc- Masters. Revised and enlarged and in part written by A. Myra Keen i412 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 -& Williams Siemon Muller (Stanford University Press, California 1948). . 6. SOME VERTEBRATE ANIMALS OF CEYLON—Pictor- jal Series. Vol. I. By P. E. P. Deraniyagala. The National Museums ‘of Ceylon. (Colombo, 1949). 7. BIRDS OF THE COAST. By C. ‘A. Gibson-Hill (H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd., 5, Warwick Court, London, W.C. 1, 1949). 8. TROPISCHE SCHMETTERLINGE (Tropical Butterflies). By Ernst Ritimeyer & Viktor Schiitz (Hallwag A. G. Bern, 1947). 9. ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES, BARODA from 1937-1938—1947-1948. By Dr. Sele Moses. 10. BULLETIN OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES, BARODA STATE, Nos. 1-16. Bulletin No. 1 of 1940 Fish-culture in and around Kosamba. By Dr. S. T. Moses, 1940. Bulletin No. 2 of 1940 Cold Storage of fish and its potentialities in Baroda. By Dr. S. T. Moses, 1940. Bulletin No. 3 of 1940 A Statistical Account of the fish supply of Baroda City. By Dr. S. T. Moses, 1940. Bulletin No. 4 of 1943 The Fisheries of Vishvamitri (Baroda). By Dr. 5. -T... Moses, “1043: Bulletin No. 5 of 1944 The Fresh-water Prawns of Baroda. By Dr. S. T. Moses & -P. H. Joshi, 1944. Bulletin No. 6 of 1945 Fishery Bye-Product Industries. By Dr. S. T. Moses, 1946. Bulletin No. 7 of 1945 Decomposition & Putrefaction of fish. By pr. oS. 1, Moses, 1047, Bulletin No. 8 of 1946 Dermestes vulpinus F.—An Insect pest on «dried fish. By Dr.’ S.°1.j.Moses, :1647: Bulletin No. g of 1946 Development of Indian Fisheries: Objectives & Requirements. By Dr. S. T. Moses, 1947. Bulletin No. 10 of 1947 Whales in Baroda (Orca Stranded at Aramda in 1943 and Balaena at Ganjana in 1944). By Dr. S. T. Moses, 1947. Bulletin No. 11 of 1947 Baroda Fisheries. By Dr. S. T. Moses, 1947. Balen No. 12 of 1947 Pearls & Pearl Fisheries in Baroda State. By Dr. S. T. Moses, 1947. Bulletin No. 13 of 1947 A Preliminary Report on the Cephalopods of Baroda. By Dr. S. T. Moses, 1948. Bulletin No. 14 of 1948 A Preliminary Report on Mushrooms of Baroda. By Dr. S. T. Moses. Bulletin No. 15 of 1948 Crocodiles in India. By Dr. S. T. Moses, 1948. aa No. 16 of 1949 Sea-Weeds of the Baroda Coast. By Dr. ‘SS. T. Moses & T. V. R. Pillay, 1949. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 1 LONGEVITY IN’ ELEPHANTS In connection with a recent note of Mr. N. G. Pillai’s relating to the age of elephants (J.B.N.H.S. 48: 356), I have a recollection of reading that the elephant ridden by the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) in 1876 in Delhi was the same as was used in 1803 by Lord Lake in his triumphal entry into the Imperial Mogul-Maratha capital. Is this a fact? “SoUTHWOOD’, Mussorig, U.P. HAMID A. ALI aoth November, 1949. 2. WILD ELEPHANTS DYING IN ASSAM In August and September 1949 some brief reports appeared in ‘the press of wild elephants dying in the North Cachar Hills of Assam. I immediately made enquiries, and thanks to the co-operation extend- ed to me by Mr. P. D. Stracey, Senior Conservator of Forests, and Mr. M. N. Pait, Divisional Forest Officer of Nowgong District, I am able briefly to give a few facts about the case. The epidemic apparently started about the first week of June, end lasted up to the second week of July. There was a spell of hot weather during this period. The area affected was the Langting- ' Mupa Reserved forest and the strip of Unclassed State Forest to the east of it, an area of some 20 miles by 15 miles to the south of Lumd- ing railway station. A fair number of tusks of tuskers and tushes of makhnas and females have been brought in, and the latest estimate of the D.F.O. of Nowgong is that approximately 55 elephants must have died. It is believed that two or three herds were affected, and that mortality was greatest among the younger animals. The carcases of the dead elephants were found chiefly in nine different places inside the area referred to above. There is no news of any other wild animals such as deer or bison having died. The epidemic is believed to have been anthrax, but unfortunately there is no proof, as no vet seems to have been available at the time. In the early part of June there was an outbreak of the epidemic ‘at two villages to the east of Langting station, with heavy loss of ‘domestic buffaloes. It is not known if the elephants nearby contract- ed the disease from the buffaloes, or vice versa. It is an extraordinary thing that ten years ago a similar epidemic occurred in the North Cachar Hills, in which elephants, bison and ‘sambar are reported to have died in considerable numbers in the upper Kopili area of Garampani. Some 29 elephant tusks were re- ‘covered from a comparatively small area round the hot springs. The epidemic raged from April 1939 till September of that year, and 8 114 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 the large herds of bison of the Krunming Reserve were said to have been practically wiped out. The Sub-Divisional Officer of the North Cachar Hills at that time tells me that the disease seems to have been a form of rinderpest, but that there is no accurate information on the point. Other such epidemics have taken place in Assam, such as in the Kochugaon Forest of Goalpara District in 1933, when some 20 bison are reported to have died, and in Kaziranga Game Sanctuary in.1947, when 14 carcases of Phino were picked up (many more may have died, and no trace of them found). An enquiry is to be held in the North Cachar Hills in the near future, and it is to be hoped that more information will become available. In the meantime all elephant catching operations in that particular district have been cancelled. oie dee OaTInG P.O., Assam, ; eo ae 25th December, 1949. 3. A BULL BISON’S,; ABNORMAL ,. BEHAVIOUR On returning to my estate after 5 days’ absence, on the 14th December I was informed that a large solitary bull bison had visited my. cart-bulls shed (surrounded by coffee) on the 13th and 14th, demonstrating at the graziers. On the 15th I received word that the same bull was grazing in my new coffee clearings, and again showing hostility to the graziers on the grass slope nearby. On arriving at the place I, sure enough, found the bull on the borders of the new clearing and, on seeing me the bison at once walked to- wards me in a most menacing manner. There was little doubt as to his intentions and I shot it; a large brute, blind in one eye (the eye was missing). It is just possible this may have accounted for his ill-temper and curious behaviour. HONNAMETTI Estate, ATTIKAN P.O., Via Mysore (S. InpIA) RANDOLPH C. MORRIS 20th December, 19409. 4. THE LARGE RED FLYING SQUIRREL—PTEROMYS INORNATUS GEOFFROY Not much seems to be on record concerning the life and habits of this squirrel. Early in my service from the year 1890 onwards 1} held charge of the Jaunsar Forest Division, with Chakrata as my head-quarters. My charge included the leased forests of Tehri Garhwal in Tons valley from its junction with the Jumna river at 1,000 feet. altitude up to about 13,000 feet. The forests were mostly coniferous. At low levels there were extensive areas covered with the Chir. Pine (P. longifolia). Above 5,000 feet came the Blue Pine MISCELLANEOUS NOTES — 11S (P. excelsa) mixed with oaks of two kinds and from 7,000 feet up to about 9,000 feet, Deodars, spruce firs and silver firs predominated, with the high level. Karshu Oak. Above 10,000 feet the forest growth consisted of the high level silver fir, birch and rhododendron, etc. The flying squirrel was not rare throughout this area. In the summer months they frequented the fir and oak forests between 7,000 and 9,o0o feet. They are’ nocturnal in their habits but in undisturbed forest may often be seen on the move in the dusk after sunset. They are, however, more often heard than seen, the cry being a rather loud, penetrating and drawn-out whine. The only nests I found were similar to the English squirrel’s dray, a nest as big as that of a crow made of sticks and vegetable matter. They have one young only. A young one taken by me in May from a nest in a spruce fir about 30 feet from the ground was unfortunately hardly old enough to survive, and in spite of artificial feeding it died in a few days. Their food consists I believe entirely of seeds chiefly acorns and other fruits and leaves. They will take long flights, if necessary, by gliding down the mountain side. On one occasion I was standing in open fir forest near a forest rest house at Deota. It was growing dusk. Suddenly I noticed a flying squirrel sitting motionless on an excrescence from a_ spruce fir about 2 feet from the ground. The animal was watching me and evidently thought itself safe as it had the tree trunk at its back, up which it could disappear if necessary. I began to advance on the squirrel very gradually and the animal seemed to think all was well. When only about 3 or 4 feet off I sprung forward and managed to seize it in both hands as it endeavoured to run up the trunk of the tree. I gripped her firmly and managed to avoid being bitten. I took her up to the house and put her in a strong basket with a lid for the night. In the morning I found she had eaten her way out of the basket and was loose in the room. I captured her and took her out intending to make her climb a tree and see how far she would glide. There was no difficulty in inducing her climb up a small spruce tree about 30 feet high. The tree was near the head of a fairly steep valley leading down from 7,500 feet (Deota) to the Tons river at 3,500 feet. I now endeavoured to persuade her ty take off. She refused for some time but eventually gave in. I ex: pected her to fly perhaps too feet or so and to alight on some big tree below, but to my surprise she glided away right down the steep valley. She was visible for only about too yards when the valley curved. When I last saw her she showed no signs of alighting and I imagine she may have continued her downward course for a very long away. She was doubtless scared and wanted to put a consider- able distance between herself and her enemy. 5 In the year 1892 I was iiving in Naini Tal. During my stay there, a forest working-man brought me a young flying squirrel. It seemed to be nearly full grown and was in good health. I was leav- ing for England in a month or so, so I made arrangements to take her (for she was a female) with me. I had a cage made and in due course started off for Bombay with the squirrel in the cage and with a small sack of apples. 116 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 The squirrel was very fond of apples and fed well on the journey but felt the heat (it was July) intensely. I gave her a big lump of ice in her cage which she much appreciated. Eventually I got her safely on board ship and she survived the voyage and arrived at my home in Sussex in very good condition. At first we housed her in a small room in the tower above the house but she was not very happy there, so she was relegated to an old glass house—a fernery where she had lots of room. She lived in this house for over a year being fed on apples, nuts, pie crust and other fruits. 7 In the meantime I had to return to India and my mother took her in charge. She fed her every day. When I returned two years later she was still in good health and fairly friendly. One evening in July we heard her calling in the park. We ultimately traced her to a big oak tree. On examining the fernery we discovered a hole in the roof through which she had evidently been in the habit of going out every night te feed on apples or acorns, and then returning in the early morning. We did not block up the hole and she returned as before. For some time she ‘continued her nocturnal visits to the park and garden and eventually she strayed away and was ultimately found dead in Petworth, 4 miles away, probably shot by some ‘sportsman’. Had we had a pair of these squirrels I feel sure they would have done well and probably would have bred, but I am inclined to think they could not survive the winter in England unless fed, as I do not think they store up food in autumn. There is another large red flying squirrel which occurs in the submontane sal forests of the tract from Jumna to Nepal. I saw it on several occasions and it seemed to me to be exactly similar to the one above described. The only one I saw at close quarters was when I was sitting up in a machan in the Bahraich sal forest. There was a tiger kill under my machan and I was keeping very quiet ag the time had come when the tiger should return. Suddenly there was some smack on the tree just above my head not 2 feet away where a flying squirrel had alighted having doubtless glided down from some distant tree. It gave me a jump! I do not remember if the tiger returned or not. It would be interesting to ascertain if this large flying squirrel which inhabits the submountane sal forest is, or is not, the same as the high level Himalayan species. Possibly the Bombay Natural History Society may have specimens from both localities and could settle the question? 116, BANBURY ROAD, ‘OXFORD, B. B. OSMASTON 28th November, 1949- 5. SCENT Some sportsmen are apt to underrate the power of scent possessed by certain animals. The tiger and the domestic cat are two instances. In the article on the Indian Wild Dog published in the Society’s Journal Vol. 41, No. 4, the writer remarked at page 710 that the MISCELLANEOUS NOTES ey scenting power of the species is extraordinary as shown by the fact that the animals can follow a line in the hot weather when the ground. is bone dry. They have been observed doing this during the hottest hours of the day when the temperature is around 110° Fahrenheit. This power of scent possessed by the Indian Wild Dog is superior to that of most domestic dogs; but that in exceptional instances the trained Alsatian dog can perhaps more than equal it is evidenced. by the doings of ‘Captain Hall’, the Alsatian so named by the Egyptian Police after his former English owner. The dog was three years old when taken in hand, and though born of untrained parents. took to the work at once and proved to be of amazing intelligence. In his most interesting and informative book, ‘Egyptian Service— 1902-1946.’ Sir Thomas Russell Pasha, K.B.E., C.M.G. relates how this dog, among many and remarkable cases, showed how he was able to follow a scent several days old, and even on a tarmac road over which motor cars had been passing for some hours after the scent had been laid. In one case every detail was personally known by Sir Thomas. Russell as the Senior Police Officer in close connection with the murder of his shikari, Guda. The dog Hall arrived with his handler four days after the murder, and having had his nose pressed down to the foot imprint of one of the three suspects picked the man out from a number of men lined up in two ranks for his inspection. He was then taken back to the place in the desert where the naked body of the murdered man had been buried by the murderers and repeated the process by detection of a second man in the identification parade; being once more taken to the graveside he repeated the feat by singling out the third suspect. Although the previous two were still in the ranks he passed them by and seized the third man. The tracks from the village hamlet to the desert grave showed that a donkey had been used for conveyance of the corpse. The five days old back track from the grave to the village was followed by the dog which disregarded everyone of the many other overlying tracks and led the following party of police and others to the hut where the man had been strangled. For the first seven kilometres the ground was soft and still showed the track, but a kilometre from the desert edge sand and gravel gave way to flint and rock yet the astounding dog took the track over a mile of stony country, over ground fouled by the tracks of village flocks and herds and getting yet more foul as it approached the village. Slowly he puzzled out the line, took it half round by the outer wall of the hamlet, in and along the village street, sniffing at each door till he found the house he wanted when he gave tongue and demanded entrance. This wonderful instance of power of scent and sagacity is here related with presumed permission of the distinguished author in whose book are also instances of the marvellous tracking powers of some Arabs. In Upper India also there zre people who can perform very wonderful feats of tracking as is well known to the police of those parts of the country. BANGALORE, R. W. BURTON, November 1949. Lieut.-Col. 1.4 (Retd.) 118 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 6.. THE SOUTHERN :LIMIT OF THE RED JUNGLEFOWL (GALLUS G..MURGHI ROBINSON & KLOSS) I was always under the impression that on the east coast the Grey Junglefowl was found south of the Godavari river and the Red Junglefowl north of the river. Recently I have shot Red Junglefowl at Polavaram on the right bank of the river and also at Devipatnam on the left side of the river immediately opposite Polavaram. When at Bhadrachellam shooting on the left bank of the river I was rather surprised to find Grey Junglefowl in this area and two very fine cock birds were shot. c/o THE INDIAN LEAF ToBACcco DEVELOPMENT Co. LTD., Post Box No. 20, A. }. BROCK RAJAHMUNDRY, 16th December, 1949. | The Godavari river above Rajahmundry has so far been accepted as the southern limit of the range of the Red Junglefowl. Jerdon writes that he has heard of its being shot further south at Cummum {Cumbum?), but adds that he cannot vouch for this record. Jerdon also says that on the Indravati, not far from its junction with the Godavari, both the Red and Grey Junglefowl were heard crowing a few yards from each other. In the Journal (Vol. 40, p. 379) Salim Ali and Humayun Abdulali have referred to a sight record by Mr. C. McCann near Bombay and have subsequently seen a young cock tethered in captivity said to have been raised from eggs taken at Khandala, Western Ghats. It might be interesting to draw attention to the fact that Jerdon (Vol. 3, p. 537) refers to Blanford informing him of its occurrence in the Rajpipla Hills, south of the Nerbudda, though this is completely ignored in Blanford’s Fauna published 35 years later (1898). In the main however, it seems to be true that the distribution of the Red Junglefowl in India coincides in a striking measure with that of the sal tree (Shorea robusta). The ecological factors governing this parallelism need to be determined.—EDs. | +, OCCURRENCE OF THE BLUE-BREASTIED QUAIL [EXCALFACTORIA .CHINENSIS (LINN.)] IN MYSORE Can you help me out’ over the identity of a quail? It had an outstanding bright red eye and this being so I did not make a care- ful note of the rest. On my return I find Frank Finn in ‘Indian Sporting Birds’ makes no reference to a quail with such a coloured eye, in fact makes little reference to the eye in any of the varieties. I can also say the legs were bright yellow, only the one was flushed and appeared to be mature. For the rest I think the throat was white, chest. black. . - MISCELLANEOUS NOTES eh.) 119 It was in a swamp with tall grass. I hope the colour of the eye will give you a clue? JKURADY: KHAN ESTATE, SANGAMESWARPET P.O., CHIKMAGALUR DISTRICT, G. “V. RR. BREND (MysoRE STATE) Bist October, 1949. [The yellow legs and red eye indicate that this was the Blue- breasted Quail (Excalfactoria chinensis). It is the size of a Button Quail and distinguished in the hand by its four toes as against three in the latter. Though the Fauna (Vol. V, p. 370) implies that it is widely spread and breeds throughout Peninsular India, there are very few definite records even of its occurrence. Salim Ali failed to meet with it in his several surveys except at Warangal (Hyderabad) and in Bhopal (Central India). Bidie (Stray Feathers IX, p. 208) procured two while snipe-shooting in Chingleput District, while Jerdon ‘got it in the Carnatic’. Dewar lists it from Madras without comment, and Ferguson found it in Travancore where he believed it bred. Wenden obtained a stray specimen at Vehar Lake near Bombay (Stray Feathers XX, p. 165) and also at Poona whence Major W. B. Trevenen (J.B.N.H.S. XXVIII, p. ro81) lists it—-Eps.] 8. TWO BIRDS ABOUT WHICH MORE INFORMATION IS NEEDED PINK-HEADED Duck Rhodonessa caryophyllacea While in the Manas, Kaziranga and other Game Sanctuary areas in Assam in March, 1949, Mr. Salim Ali and I kept a sharp look- -out for this rare duck and inquired about it from all possible sources. One Forest Ranger made an unconfirmed report of having seen a ‘pair on the Belsiri River in the Balipara Frontier Tract in 1937. This aberrant-looking bird, which seems to me to be transitional between the river and diving ducks, has apparently not been reported by anyone since the mid-thirties. Aside from the unlikelihood of ifs ‘occurring on a river when it has always been noted as an inhabitant ‘of quiet forest ‘Jheels’, or ‘bhils’, I am not at all certain of the above record. I would welcome comment form the members of the Society on the status of this bird, for failing new records I am inclined to list it as extinct in my Handlist, now under preparation. ~Biack KALeEEJ. Lophura leucomelana moffitti | This pheasant was described by Hachisuka in 1938 from captive ‘birds in the U.S.A. Delacour. (Ibis, 1949, Pp- 205) accepts this race and lists its range as ‘unknown’. ‘One pair of these birds was shipped ‘from Calcutta to California in 1934, and one or more’ pairs‘to Japan 120 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 in the same year. The male is black all over with steel-blue reflect- ions on the breast and upper parts, a black rump and black lanceolate breast feathers, the latter with faint white shaft lines. The female is. like the female of the Black-backed Kaleej, L. 1. melanota, with a plain buff throat and central tail feathers finely peppered with black, in this character approaching Horsfield’s Kaleej lathami (=horsfieldi auctorum). The range of melanota is Sikkim and western Bhutan, while lathami occurs in eastern Bhutan, North-eastern Assam, the Garo and Khasia Hill ranges, the Mikir Hills and on into Burma. It would’ be very worth while indeed if any information could be furnished to: the Society about the occurrence of an all-black male kaleej pheasant. Delacour (l.c.) suggests that the range of moffitti might be in central Bhutan, in which case it should be found in northern Assam in the Manas River area and west towards the Sankosh River. While on the Manas Sanctuary this spring (1949), I saw a white-rumped pheasant near a salt lick in the Bhutan foothills. It looked like the usual lathami, although I could not see the breast. More information: is badly needed to determine the status of the bird known as moffittt. PEABODY MUSEUM oF NATURAL HisTory, S. DILLON RIPLEY YALE UNIVERSITY, NEw Haven ConnecTIcuT, U.S.A., 7th February, 1950. 9. POSSIBLE OCCURRENCE OF THE BLACK TERN [CHLIDONIAS NIGER (L.)| NEAR DELHI On October 11, 1949, I was watching a number of terns, mostly Black-bellied, sitting on a sand-bank in the middle of the river Jumna, just north of Old Delhi, and flying round in the air above the sand- bank, when I noticed one bird with a dull grey mantle and square tail, flying round just over the water. It was clearly a marsh tern, and the mantle looked much too dull for a Whiskered Tern. Then I noticed, to my astonishment, that there was a distinct patch of dark feathers on the side of the neck. This I had always believed to be diagnostic of the Black Tern, which as far as I was aware does not occur in India. In England, where I have frequently seen Black Terns in autumn plumage, one regularly looks for that patch, hoping some day to find a bird without it, which would be the rarer species (in England) namely the White-winged Black. And here I was find- ing the English species in India, where it ought to have been the other way round, and the dark patch should have been lacking. The bird would not come any nearer, and I had to be content with a view at a distance of perhaps fifty yards. But my companions, Mr. G. L. Cross and Rev. John Bishop, confirmed my impression that the ‘bird had a dark patch on the side of the neck. Fortunately, six days later, at a point on the river a mile lower down the river, right opposite Old Delhi, I found the same bird’ MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 121 (presumably) on sands on the near side of the river, and here I watch-- ed it, both resting and in the air, at distances of ten yards and even less, in bright sunlight, the light behind me. It was an immature bird, with some brownish feathers on the nape and upper back and scapulars. The lower back and rump were - whitish, the tail grey, very much the same colour as the wings. The- neck patch was grey, not black. This patch was not very conspicuous, apparently being formed by dark tips to only three or four feathers. The beak was black at the base, but it appeared to be rather browner at the tip, possibly due to the bright sunlight causing it to look rather shiny. The eye was black, legs and feet dull reddy-brown.. Everything in these details fits the Black Tern best, with the possible exception of the pale lower back, but that was not pure white, as I believe it is in the White-winged Black Tern. In any case, the dark patch on the side of the neck appears to be diagnostic, as there is no evidence that either the White-winged Black or the Whiskered ever shows such a patch. The Black Tern appears never to have been recorded in India before, but there is a single record from as far east as Tientsin; and’ since it is a regular migrant in central Asia, the occurrence of a single bird on migration in north-west India is not surprising. Whilst I am writing about marsh terns, I would like to comment on one thing that puzzles me. Recently [I have seen a good many Whiskered Terns, both in Kashmir at their nests in full breeding- plumage, and in winter plumage in various parts of India. The silvery grey colour of the mantle is quite distinct from the dull grey of the other two marsh terns, and I do not understand why this very obvious difference has not been noted as the most obvious and ready means to identification. 24 RaypurR Roan, H. G. ALEXANDER™ DELHI, 8th February, 1950. 10. STATUS OF THE RED-CRESTED POCHARD (NETTA RUFINA PALLAS) IN SOUTH INDIA It might interest you to know that yesterday whilst shooting on» the Godavari River near Rajahmundry there was a flight of approxi- mately 50 of these ducks. We shot five male birds and one female. The condition of the plumage was very good and the ducks were easily identifiable from the illustration in Stuart Baker’s ‘Ducks’. Three days earlier I also saw four male birds on the Godavari River and was able to approach them closely and easily identify them. It might also interest you to know that I have shot this species | in Chirala and Ongole in the Guntur District in 1947. EO. Box..No., 20, RajaHmMunprRyY, M. & S.M. RLy., A. J. BROCK — East GopDAVARI DISTRICT. 122 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST... SOCIETY, Vol. 49 [Subsequent to the above Mr. Brock wrote in advising that he had seen more flights on the Godavari around Rajahmundry and also between Polavaram and Bhadrachellam. He believes that they are commoner this season than ever before. In a recent issue of the Journal (Vol. XLVII, p. 750) we have referred to other records from Madras Province, and while numbers may vary in different years, this species is certainly much commoner than has been recognised. —Eps. | 11. OCCURRENCE OF THE SCAUP DUCK [AYTHYA MARILA (L.)] IN THE BOMBAY DECCAN On 6th February 1949, a party of seven guns from Ahmednagar ‘visited a jheel some 19 miles away, known as White Temple Lake, trom a small white painted temple on the top of a hill overlooking the lake. It is a medium sized attractive lake formed by an obviously ancient artificial bund of great thickness. At the end of the shoot we collected to count the bag, and Major S. D. Gupta, R.I.A. produced among his birds what looked like a pochard but was unlike any of the pochards we knew. I therefore sent the skin of this bird to the Bombay Natural History Society who pronounced it to be a Scaup, an uncommon bird, and very rarely found so far south as this. Indeed the last one recorded was at Panvel, near Bombay in 1884. Unfortunately, none of us, ignorant of the prize we had secured, can say whether this was a solitary specimen. Our bag that day was unusually varied, for besides the scaup, it included pintail, gadwall, wigeon, red-crested| pochard, common or red-headed pochard, white-eyed pochard, teal, shoveller and snipe. Among so many, the absence of the tuftec pochard on that day is notable. 1.A.C. CENTRE & SCHOOL, W BLL ASPINATI® AHMEDNAGAR, Brigadier 1oth November, 1949. |The females of the Tufted Pochard and the Common Pochard occasionally also show some white round the face (normally much less than in the Scaup), and it may thus be helpful to record the other differences. The Common Pochard has no white wing-bar though vermiculations on the back are present as in the Scaup. Both the Scaup and the Tufted Pochard have white wing-bars. The wing of the Tufted Pochard ranges between 189 and 208 mm. while in the Scaup it measures 210-230 mm. The bill of the Tufted Pochard is shorter and narrower. According to Witherby (Handbook of British Birds) it measures 38-42 mm. as against 41- 47 mm. jin the .Scaup.- In the Tufted Pochard there are no vermiculations on the back. The back, moreover, is less dark than in the Scaup. Of course these di ferences need to be looked for only when the crest is not sisible: -—Eps. | MISCELLANEOUS. .NOTES 123 12, THE OCCURRENCE OF. THE WOOD SNIPE (GALLINAGO NEMORICOLA HODGS.) NEAR POONA The Wood Snipe which I handed over to you the other day was secured in a nullah about a mile from the village of Mahalunge near CChakan on the Poona-Nasik road in a region of. low scrub-covered hills. The bird got up in a patch of swamp densely covered with tussocks of waist-high grass where a few snipe were also put up. It was very distinct from the other snipe on account of its size and comparatively very slow flight. This was on the 15th January 1950. 116, KOREGAON Park, Poona, Me SUPER 30th January, 1950. [The barring on the underparts extending to the abdomen together with its general duskiness gives the bird a ‘woodcocky’ appearance but from which bird it is differentiated by the longitudinal stripe on the head as compared with the transverse bars in the woodcock. In addition to this the attenuated outer tail feathers, the buff borders to the scapulars and the appreciably larger size separate this species from all other Indian snipe. The Fauna (Vol. VI, p. 255) gives the wing as ranging from 133-14t mm. but in the above specimen it measured 152 mm. while we have others in the Society’s collection measuring 148 and 150 mm. The Wood Snipe has been obtained near Thana by Major M. L. Ferrar, near Bombay by T. H. Moore and at Ambarnath (Kalyan Taluka, Thana District) by H. M. Molesworth, ail records being for January. In winter it has also occurred in Central India and in the hills of Coorg, Wynaad, Nilgiris, Annamalais, Shevaroys, etc.—Ebs. | 13. FIELD IDENTIFICATION OF BIRDS As one who has watched birds for fifty years, and does not shoot, I was glad to see the note in the Journal (Vol. 48, p. 587) by the editors warning against faulty identification. What I miss in the editors’ note however, is any practical suggestion for ensuring correct identification. May I attempt to fill at least part of this gap? (1) I would suggest that when a record of a rare species is sub- mitted, full particulars should always be given of the conditions under which the observation has been made. Thus, how long was the bird under observation? Was. it seen only at rest or only in flight or both? At what approximate distance was it seen? Was it seen above the observer’ or below? Was it séen_ through binoculars (if so, of what magnification?) or only with the naked eye? What were the conditions of the light? Was the sun shin- ing, and if so was it behind the observer or behind the bird, or where? (2) If. possible, comparison with some commoner species Sipe be made, both as to colour and size and shape. 124 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 (3) In describing colours, it is almost useless to say, ‘Black on. the head’, or ‘Pale on the wing’, or any other vague statement of that kind. Which part of the head or the wing? Almost every good text-book of birds has a chart showing how to name the different parts of the plumage, e.g. crown, nape, scapulars, wing- coverts, primaries, chin, throat, breast, etc. and it is often of vital importance in making an identification sure to know exactly where the striking colour (whether black, white, red, blue, etc.) really was. Wihenever possible a full description of the bird seen should be written down on the spot, not after you have begun to look it up in the book. It is terribly easy to imagine afterwards that you saw something which in fact you did not see. The whole description should be written down, for sometimes the identification may rest on some rather trivial detail, e.g. the extent of a pale eye-stripe over the eye. Did it extend almost to the nape or did it end just behind the eye? Special points of shape should be noted, e.g. long tail, stout beak, crest, etc. In some sea-birds, such a point as whether the wings extend beyond the tail when the bird is at rest, or whether the tail is slightly forked, rounded or square at the end, are important. (4) Size and shape are very deceptive points. It is dangerous to jump to conclusions. It is really amazing how different the size of a bird may appear to be under different circumstances. Unless. you have actually seen two birds of diferent species in company with each other, it is unwise to say dogmatically that the bird you are describing was smaller or larger than the other, commoner one. Moreover, in flight, the shape of the wing may vary according to the position of the bird and the conditions of wind etc. Anyone who: has watched kites in the air will know that sometimes they fly in such a way that for a time the observer, even after long experience, may feel almost sure that he has quite another species under observation. Again, one sometimes sees a number of large birds soaring in the sky, and then you perhaps notice a bird that looks. a good deal smaller. But in the end you realise that its apparent smallness is simply due to the fact that it is much higher in the air. (5) Song and call-notes can be a very valuable piece of support- ing evidence of identification. Again, it is most necessary to record the sound, as exactly as possible, at the time. It is extremely difficult to recall the exact phrase of a bird’s call-note accurately after an interval of an hour or two. I would add that, especially with small birds, pipits, warblers and the like, much patience is needed, and a capacity to stand quite still for a long time. And it is well, whenever possible, to go a second time, and try to see the unknown bird, or the suspected rarity, again, in the light of the possibilities suggested by the books of reference. Finally, I hope field observers will recognise that, as a rule, subspecies cannot be identified in the field, and it is better not to pretend that you have gone further than identification of the species. 24, RaypuR Roap, DELHI, H. G. ALEXANDER’ 6th February, 1950. ———— MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 125 14. FREAK SHOTS I always find it interesting to read anything under the above heading and therefore I was glad to see Mr. MacDonald’s letter in Vol. 48, No. 3. If you are not already flooded out with similar letters 1 would like to add one or two experiences of mine, in case you are interested. Shooting ‘into the brown’. I remember snipe shooting one early morning 17 or 18 years ago with a friend at the Salt Lakes near Calcutta when a large wisp of snipe, numbering about 60, flashed past me just off ground level at such a pace that I completely failed to get off a shot. As however they were heading for my friend (who was looking the other way) I bellowed at him and was most amused to see him swivel round and discharge both barrels almost simultaneously into the pack. The resultant pick-up was 11 or 14, I can’t remember which. This however was not as remarkable as the effort of a game keeper which I witnessed in Ireland in County Wicklow when I was a boy. This man was absolutely first-class at calling down Golden Plover, which he did with the aid of a penny whistle. We lay side by side in a depression in the middle of a large sheep pasture one cold November morning and Campbell was soon success- ful in calling down a very large flock ot, I should think, a couple of thousand Golden Plover. They settled very thickly all around us and Campbell whispered to me to watch him ‘shooting for the pot’, as he described it. He gave them the first barrel on the floor, which did not seem to do much damage but his left barrel into the flock as they wheeled away had the most devasting effect. We picked up no less than 57 and I will never forget how horrified and amazed I was. Mixed bags. The following rights and lefts that I have myself had may be of interesting :— (a) A hare and a wood pigeon while shooting a bog in County Wicklow in 1926. (b) Two tiger in a beat in a block in Mandla Division in the C.P. in January, 1943. The animal shot with the left slithered for- ward on its belly, quite dead, right under my machan, so great was the impetus of its charge. (c) A peacock and a bear in a miscellaneous beat in Bastar State in 1933. In this case peafowl were pouring down the hill when I heard a bear vociferating close ahead of me. I just had time to ‘slip a Contractile into my right barrel when the bear charged out and I rolled him over at close range. Simultaneously I noted a lovely peacock flying straight at me. He naturally got the left barrel. Fluke shots. Flighting sandgrouse one morning near Ahmednagar in March 1941 I had a strange shot. I was hidden in an oleander bush and saw four sandgrouse about to pass me fairly close. I fired at the leading bird, which dropped, and then found to my astonish- ment that there was nothing to use my second barrel on, as the remain- ing three birds had disappeared. I simply could not make it out until I collected all four stone-dead close together. By some strange 126 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST..\SOCIETY, Vol. 49 coincidence of flight all four must have got dead in line at the critical moment of the first shot. I also well remember the, I should think almost unique, coincidence of seeing three snipe killed by one barrel on no less than three occasions in one day. This was whilst shooting a bog in the County Wicklow many years ago. I did it twice within half an hour in the morning and a friend repeated it once in the afternoon. On the first occasion I was not aware that more than one bird had got up. That was a close one and I dropped it at about 15 yards range. The other two were in a straight line at about 35 yards and 60 yards respectively. In each case they were marked by my Red Setter or I would not have known of their existence. The other two were cases of birds getting up in a bunch together and of lines of flight coinciding at moment ef firing. ‘ Strange experiences. The following two stories may be of interest, the first of which was actually witnessed by me and the second I can vouch for as it happened to a friend, now retired from India, who was not given to telling tall stories. A party of us were shooting grouse in Scotland in 1936 and. the grouse were few and far between. It was early September and we were walking in line over some rough ground when an old cock grouse got up and charged off low over the heather. A fusillade of shots. followed him but he got away unscathed and we watched him more or less out of sight. Two hundred yards ahead however there was a noise of impact like the crack of a rifle and the bird disappeared. We all heard this extraordinary noise and moved forward rapidly to investigate. We found that a woodcock had happened to jump up out of a patch of bracken directly in the grouse’s path. The grouse’s head was driven right into the woodcock’s breast. The woodcock was stone-dead but the grouse’s heart was still feebly fluttering when we arrived on the scene. I think I am right in saying that this incident was reported by my host to the Field. The other incident concerns a kaleej pheasant. My friend was shooting some years ago in the Naini Tal District and he had been warned that there was a panther about so that he was carrying a few Lethal. A kalee} got up and flew straight down the path and was duly bowled over. The bird fell on the path but seemed to jerk itself off the path and over the khud. My friend and his shikari charged up and the shikari was lucky enough to recover the bird many yards down the khud-side. When he came back it was found that the bird’s head had been completely removed, which seemed extraordinary as the shot had been fired at about 4o yards range. The explanation was found to be that my friend had had a Lethal in his right barrel and, in his excitement, had forgotten this and pressed the wrong trigger. There was no mistake about it as he checked up on the cartridge cases, which were of different colours. Do not blame me if nobody believes this story but, as I said before, my friend 1S a very honourable man! c/o BaLMER LAwrle & Co., LTD., 21, Netajr SuBHAS Roan, P:°'H.sSYKES CALCUTTA, 25th January, 1950. ee MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 7 127° a3. ‘OCCURRENCE OF ‘RUSSELL’S VIPER [VIPERA RUSSELLI (SHAW)| IN KATHIAWAR (SAURASHTRA) As K. S. Dharmakumarsinhji desires to know (J/.B.N.H.S. Vol. 48, p. 595) of an authentic record of Russell’s Viper in Kathiawar I may inform him that it occurs in the Sorath Region of Kathiawar. I first came across a single individual some ten years ago in a valley of the Datar range of hills. It was disturbed at a sun bath and disappeared into the thickets. In my college museum there are 3 specimens of this viper all collected in the college compound. Two of these are preserved in spirit while the third is a skin cured by myself and mounted on khaddar cloth. This is 3 ft. 6 ins. in length. The snake mentioned by Mr. Vasu in Vol. 48, No. 1 page 1go of the Journal is too small for a full grown Russell’s Viper and may be, as suggested by K. S. Dharmakumarsinhji, probably a Saw-scaled Viper Echis carinata. BAHAUDDIN COLLEGE, | JUNAGADH (SAURASHTRA). . G2. KAPADIS 1st December, 1949. 16. THE RECORD BLACK BARTH BOA [ERYX JOHNI (RUSSELL) | The following measurements and lepidosis of a female Black Earth Boa (Eryx johni Russell) seem worth recording. The snake was acquired in August 1949 from a snake-charmer who said it had beer caught off Thana near Bombay. Total length 4’ 2” Tail 3 Leptdosis : Costals (a) Two head-lengths behind the head... 62 (6) Mid-body we 09 (c) Two head-lengths before the vent... 49 Wentrals: 2.7 213 Caudals ... 34 The specimen weighed 24 lbs. on the day it was brought in. Boulenger and Smith in their Fauna of British India volumes on Snakes both record a specimen measuring 3 ft. 3 ins. Major Wall in his Handlist of Snakes of the Indian Empire, and Prater (Snakes of Bombay Island and Salsette, (J.B.N.H.S., Vol. 29, p. 353 and Wol. 30,,p.,21 respectively) write of one,3 ft. 74 ins. long. Ditmars (The Snakes of the World, 1935) states that the Black Earth Boa grows to about a yard in length while Col. Gharpurey (Snakes of India, 1935) mentions its reaching 4 ft. 114, APOLLO STREET, BomBay, V.K. CHARI 8th December, 1949. Asst. Curator < 128 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 17, EFFECT OF ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE WHILE FISHING (With a photo) I was recently able to put my small pocket aneroid barometer to further use while fishing. During the first five days of my fishing trip to the Manas river last November the barometer was fairly high -and remained steady, and the fish were on the take all the time. The black mahseer on the left (93 Ib.) was the only fish moving from II a.m. to I-30 p.m. The four fish (including another 7 lb. black mahseer) were caught in the evening when the glass was rising. On the sixth day, however, I fished a good long pool from 11 a.m. till 1.30 p.m. without a bite (except for an incident which I will describe later). I had fished this same pool at the same time, with the same spoon, on a previous day, and killed 8 fish. But on this day not a ‘bite. I therefore consulted my barometer and found that the glass hed fallen and was still falling. Scanning the horizon, I espied a few suspicious clouds beginning to put in an appearance. I fished a short time after this and then gave it up and did some photography at a place where I had wanted to go but had previously been too engrossed with fishing. At 4 p.m. the glass stopped falling, and started to rise slightly. I took up fishing again, and between 4.15 and 5 p.m. had the best ‘sport of the week—killing four fish, and losing one, in the short space of three-quarters of an hour. The fish had really come on the feed. . MISCELLANEGUS NOTES _. 129 Now for the ‘incident’ referred to above. In the mid-day fish- ing period, when nothing was moving at all, one darkish fish was jumping out of the water in sheer joy, so it seemed, and was seen to do so four or five times. I caught it, and it had taken the spoon right down its throat, good and proper. Jt turned out to be a black mahseer of g$ Ib. And it so happens that one of the fish caught that same evening was also a black mahseer of 7 Ib. (no bokar were caught on that day). It is possible, theretore that black mahseer (a fairly rare fish in Assam) come on the feed, or at any rate are caught, on days of low or changeable atmospheric pressure. In support of this I remember a day on another river some years ago (the Koliani in March 1947) when the sky became overcast and a few drops of rain fell. Not a fish moved anywhere from 2 p.m. onwards—except at 4 p.m. when my companion caught a black mahseer of 4 Ib., and a bokar of 2 Ib. It would be interesting to hear if other anglers have any experiences to prove or disprove the theory of the effect of atmospheric pressure on fishing in general, and on black mahseer in particular. Doyane T.E., OaTiIne:P:O.;, E. P: GEE ASSAM, 15th December, 1949. 18. WHALE SHARKS IN INDIAN WATERS To the records of Whale Sharks from the west coast of India -cited by Prater (Volume 42, page 256) and by C. V. Kulkarni (Volume 47, page 762) may be added the recent capture of another leviathan of the shark tribe from around Baba Islands off the coast of Karachi early in November 1949 reported by Mr. Irfan Hussain in the Illustrat- ed Weekly of India for 27th November 1949. The specimen, a photograph of which was also published, is said to have been 38 feet in length, 23 feet in girth and 4 tons in weight. Whale Sharks are the largest of all living fishes but have none of the rapacity associated with true sharks. ‘They are usually met with floating on the surface of the sea and are so sluggish that they let themselves be easily approached and harpooned. Even after being wounded they seem to evince the greatest indifference to their fate as is shown from the following account by Frank W. Lane in an. article entitled ‘Scavengers of the Sea’ published in the Field of 24th ‘October 1949 and reproduced here with acknowledgment. “‘The Whale Shark is the largest fish in the world. According to Dr. E. W. Gudger, who has made a special study of this fish, a whale shark 55 feet long has been known, and another specimen filled the ‘60-foot long fish-trap in which it was caught. Capt. Young writes of an estimated maximum length of 7o feet for these sharks and mentions a specimen landed at Miami which weighed 134 tons and which broke the tackle as it was being hauled out on the marine railway. Although the whale shark is so huge it is one of the most. in- offensive and sluggish creatures in the sea. It is a plankton feeder, 9 130 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL GIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 using its sieve-like gill-rakers to strain small crustaceans and similar fare from the water. Its mouth is equipped with some 6000 teeth, only 4 of an inch long. The body of a whale shark is covered with a rubbery gristle which is 4 in. thick in a full-grown shark. A remarkable feature of this ‘armour plating’ is that the shark appears to be able to strengthen it at will by tightening its dermal muscles. Dr. W. Beebe writes that on one of his expeditions a whale shark was encountered and a harpoon driven into it. But despite the utmost efforts to drive further harpoons in they ‘bent as if they had struck steel’, I have read another account in which a whale shark was fired at between 4o and 50 times without visible effect, and when a shotgun loaded with No 2 shot was fired at the shark from a distance of about 2 feet the shots ‘just bounced, leaving a little circular mark in his skin’. Incidentally, Mr. Gilbert Whitley, of the Australian Museum, has recorded that the hide of a large sun-fish, which is similarly thick and leathery, has proved impervious to the bullets from a Winchester rifle ! There can surely be few creatures which have a greater apparent indifference to their fate than the whale shark. Even when harpooned, lassooed round the tail and drawn along by a motor-launch, fired at and made to suffer other indignities, these leviathans seldom make any desperate effort to save themselves. In one case reported by Capt. Charles Thompson a whale shark, after undergoing the attentions mentioned above, did not seem ‘to realise that anything in particular was happening to him, but kept ‘circling around, moving his great tail, in a slow regular way, draw- ing the small boats after him with the greatest ease’. At last the shark was headed, by poking it with a boat-hook, towards a sand- bank and there made fast. The shark was eventually killed by having a piece cut from the top of its head and its brain prodded with a knife stuck on the end of a pole. Another instance of the extreme indifference to man of the whale shark was shown during the taking of a film of one of these sharks. During one sequence the director stepped on to the back of the ‘star’, stayed there for some five or six seconds, and then only climbed back into the boat for fear he might be taken for a ride! This amazing indifference to its fate is undoubtedly largely responsible for the various encounters which have occurred between whale sharks and ships. The whale shark is unmolested by anything which swims and there is nothing in its ancestral memory to make it fear its huge fellow travellers in the seas. ‘Therefore it goes placidly -about its business of feeding and apparently it never occurs to its dim brain that the huge iron-clad monster bearing down. upon it will ‘not swerve aside and may strike it with deadly force. Of the manv accounts which could be given of such ship vs. shark encounters, I have selected that by Capt. Klebingat of the schooner- yacht ‘Navigator’. The Capt. writes :— ‘The vessel was struck on the starboard side by an immense shark. ‘The wheel was wrenched out of the hands of the steersman. The tail of the fish rose 8 feet above the water-line. The engine stopped as the fish struck the propeller. The shark, distinctly seen when it went MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 131 astern, was of a mottled colour, and at least 30 to 35 feet long. After going into drydock, it was found that considerable damage had been done to the hull and rudder of the ship.’’ 114, APOLLO STREET, Fort, BomBay, EDITORS 5th December, 1949. 19. SPECIFIC NAMES OF THE TWO COMMON INDIAN COLIAS BUTTERFLIES I notice that Mr. Wynter-Blyth in his article of An Expedition to: Sangla in Kunawar [J.B.N.H.S. (1948): 373] refers to the ‘Dark Clouded Yellow’ as (’. croceus and to the ‘pale’ as C. tyale. It is now generally considered that the two common Indian species previously known under these names are not conspecific with these Western European species and that the correct name for the common orange species is Colias electo L., fieldii Men., and for the yellow Colias erate Esp., erate. Talbot, in the Fauna of British India, Butterflies, Vol. I (2nd ed.) uses these names, but I am stili separated from my library and so cannot give references. KAMPALA, D. G. SEVASTOPULO, 1oth January, 1949. F.R.E.S.. 20. A HONEY-BEE IN THE NEST OF A MASON-WASP With reference to Capt. Boswell’s note under this heading [J.B.N. H.S. 47 (1948): 771] and to Lt.-Col. Hingston’s comment, there is also the possibility that the so-called Honey-bee was really one of the solitary Mason-bees. Many of these build clay nests very similar to those built by the Mason-wasps, except that they are provisioned with a mixture of honey and pollen instead of with paralysed insects or spiders. It seems very much more probable that a solitary bee had built its nest unobserved in the rolled up tent and that the resulting imago was on the point of emergence when the cell was broken into, rather than that a honey bee had either crawled into, or been packed in, the cell of a solitary wasp. KAMPALA, D. G. SEVASTOPULO, 1oth January, 1949. F.R.E.S~ 21. THE MALE GENITAL ARMATURE OF AYYARIA CHAETOPHORA KARNY (With a text figure) The male genital armature of some of the Thysanoptera have been described in detail by De Gryse and Treherne (Canadian Entomologist,. 1924). But Ayyaria chaetophora, a member of the subfamily Thripinae, exhibits some differences with regard to the 132 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 shape and the structure of the relative parts concerned. The coxal’ lobes which are heavily chitinised, bear anteriorly one pair and. posteriorly two pairs of long setae and are easily distinguished from. the subgenital plate or hypandrium. The coxites seem to be absent. The periandrium with its arching sides (endapophyses), is well develop- ed and between them carry the epiphallus and the hypophallus. The epiphallus is wider anteriorly, gradually narrowing towards the posterior extremity and the hypophallus is almost uniformly slender. Seg. Male genital armature of Ayyaria chaetophora. Karny Hyp—hypandrium CxL—coxal lobe PA—periandrium _ Eph—epiphallus HpH—hypophallus. T. N. ANANTHAKRISHNAN, B.Sc. (HONS.),, LoyoLta COLLEGE, Mapbras, Lecturer in Zoology.. 5th November, 1949. 22. OBSERVATIONS ON THE OCCURRENCE OF THE TICK. APONOMMA GERVAISI (LUCAS) ON VARANUS. SP. The genus Aponomma is represented in India by four species. viz:—A. gervaisi (Lucas) including var. lucasi Warb., A.-laeve Neum., A. pattoni Neum., and A. trimaculatum (Lucas). From Orissa only the species A. gervaisi and the variety lucasi have been recorded. The species A. gervaist is known only from the Barakuda Island of the Chilka Lake on Varanus bengalensis, both: males and females having been collected on the host’. On the oth July, 1945 a ‘Godhi’ (Oriya)—Varanus sp. measuring 3 feet 74 inches from the tip of the head to the’ tip of the tail was- * Sharif, M. -{1928) : ‘A revision: of theIndian Exididae. Rec. Ind.,‘Mus.. Cal.- ‘30: 333-341, ' } MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 133. killed in the city of Cuttack. On examination I found that immediately posterior to the anal aperture there was a cluster of silvery shining: ticks. A total number of 32 females of A. gervaisi was collected in this cluster and no male specimen was obtained. Sixteen specimens. were measured of material preserved in form- alin. The body length excluding the rostrum which is usually bent almost at right angles to the body as is usually the case in members. belonging to Acari, varied from 2.2 to 2.7 mm. with an average of 2.3 mm. in length and from 2.2 to 3.0 mm. with an average of 2.6 mm. in breadth. Thus the breadth was definitely longer than the length. The infection of ticks immediately posterior to the anal aperture: may be due to the softer nature of the area. My thanks are due to Mr. E. Browning of the British Museum (Natural History) for the identification of the ticks. LonpDon, BASANT KUMAR BEHURA. ‘23rd January, 1950. 23. REDUPLICATION'‘ IN FHE -EPICALYX OF HIBISCUS L.. (With a text figtire) Malvaceae is a Natural Order where the flowers often possess an. epicalyx. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L., (N. O. Malvaceae) is a species. Two views of same Velox flower showing calyx and epicalyx only. ‘much cultivated and the flowers possess an epicalyx of a single whorl’ ‘of free bracteoles at the base of the calyx tube commonly consisting< “of 6-7 bracteoles. 134 JOURNAL, BOMBAY’ NATURAL’ HIST; SOCIETY, Vol, 49 It is interesting to note that in a few specimens brought for class- work, and examined casually, the epicalyx is in three series of free bracteoles. The bracteoles in the first series just at the base of the calyx tube, where normally the epicalyx occurs, are 13 in number disposed more spirally. The second and third series arise on the pedicel disposed in whorls consisting of 8 and 9g respectively. This feature of the epicalyx, though it seeems to be an horticultural freak, common in cultivated plants, may be in the direction of securing additional protection to the flower bud. DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL SCIENCE, J. L. KANTARAO Hinpu COLLEGE, MASULIPATAM, V. VENKATESWARLU 6th December, 1949. 24. A NOTE ON THE GROWTH IN A HERBARIUM SPECIMEN OF PORTULACA TUBEROSA ROXB. (With a text figure) Portulaca tuberosa Roxb. (Portulacaceae) is a common herbaceous: weed with tuberous roots in sandy situations near the sea’. In * Maypranathan, P. V. (1933): Bulletin of the Madras Government Museum: Natural History Section, Vol, 2., P. 33 (Government Press, Madras.) MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 135 September 1948, while changing pressed plants collected at Picha- varam (a seashore village) after fifteen days, certain fresh tiny buds were found to be growing adventitiously on the dry terminal distal ends of the herbarium specimen of Portulaca tuberosa Roxb. The production of buds on dry specimens specially under abnormal con- ditions of the plant-press aroused some interest, and a close observation was therefore made on the very same specimen under similar condi- tions for over 10 months. As a result it was found that the buds continued to grow slowly under the drying sheets. The three buds which continue to grow even now, measure 14 mm., 14 mm., and 8 mm. The leaves are reddish in colour and the tuberous root has been pressed flat by the pressure of the plant-press. This peculiar behaviour of P. tuberosa Roxb. is very interesting and it demonstrates the enormous power of endurance of the plant under the most unfavourable conditions of the pressure of the plant- press, and lack of light and water. A similar phenomenon was observed by Singh!’ in 1933 in herbarium material of Coleus barbaratus Benth. from the North-western Himalayas. I am much grateful to Professor T. C. N. Singh for his kind suggestions and criticisms during the course of the preparation of this note. Botany LABORATORY, A. T. NATARAJAN ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY, ANNAMALAINAGAR, 25th July, 1949. [A few years ago, one of us (H. S.) collected a specimen of Euphorbia khandalensis Blatt. in Khandala, on the Western Ghats ; the tuber measured 35 cm. long 6 cm. diam.; after removal of leaves, etc., the tuber was left to dry in the sun for several months, and was then placed in a cupboard, where formaline fumes were very strong. After six months in such a cupboard, the specimen burst into flower, after which fruits were produced in norma! numbers. After being in this formaline atmosphere for over a year, the tuber was removed and planted in a flower pot; the plant has been producing flowers, fruits and leaves for the last eight years in succession. ‘ In the case of epithytic orchids, it is a common experience in Bombay to find them growing even after they have been dried, pressed and attached to the herbarium sheets. But perhaps one of the most remarkable cases that has come to our notice was one of Euphorbia (neriifolia?) noted by Mr. C. McCann, formerly Joint-Curator of our Society; for over a year Mr. McCann kept a branch cf Euphorbia on a shelf in the Society’s office; the plant was not watered nor even planted in soil, it was merely left on the dry shelves to wither and die. To speed up the death of the plant, Mr. McCann plunged the lower part of the plant into boiling water; in a day or two after such an immersion, the plant burst into flower. In view of such experiences, it is a eisingh, F.C. .N. (1933): A unusual growth phenomenon in Coleus barbaratus Benth. Current Science, Vol. 1., p. 273. 136 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 good practice to have all plants properly poisoned with Mercuric Chloride in alcohol before entering them into the collection of a herbarium.—Ebs. | ANNOUNCEMENT We have been asked to announce the recent inauguration of the Rajasthan Academy of Sciences with headquarters at Pilani. The Academy aims at furthering the progress of science, both pure and ' applied, by encouraging research, organising meetings and scientific discussions and, in due course, publishing a scientific journal. The President of the Academy for 1949-1950 is Sri M. L. Schroff, a.s. Hons. (Cornell), the Vice-President and Secretary being Dr. B. N. Mulay, Ph.D (Bombay) and Shri K. R. Ramachandran, M.sc. (Wales) respectively. We wish the Academy all success. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY V. M. PHILIP AT THE DIOCESAN PRESS, 18 CHURCH ROAD, VEPERY, MADRAS,—-3]-121950. 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It contains matter of serious ornithological interest.’ Mysindia ‘No one will deny the highly scientific knowledge of the author as shown in the book.’ The Planters’ Chronicle | Over OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS CALCUTTA BOMBAY MADRAS ORDER-FORM The Honorary. Secretary Bombay Natural History Society 114, Apollo Street Fort BOMBAY Dear Sir Please sencdame @ Siayea. ons COPNis. ae eee of A BIRD PHOTOGRAPHER IN INDIA’ by Bo Et. Ne owsher, Jprice Ks Ceo whole te cele iwi ie je: ja; ale fe ce ie 16) tay Je yes oie oa: utriesh a! (a: ae) Jui, a ie, 96: cw et ere? (ar “ela /ep ieunemlaerareer «a * per V.P. Post/remittance enclosed ll aN NOW BUILT IN INDIA SSS ee —_—_—_——_ The Premier-Fiat of ltaly association has now made it possible to assemble the World famous Fiat Cars in India. This is another step towards the complete manufacture of automobiles in India. —<— >» (Gam oT @ Dadajee Dhackjee & Co. Ltd., INDORE, Fiat’s universal reputation is highlighted by tes utility and economical value. 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Whilst in camp protect yourself, friends and staff by taking with you an adequate supply of _ ‘PALUDRINE’. One tablet every three days protects you against malaria. 106 tablets cost Rs. 3/- (plus tax). AACIN egg y Fe | We , 2 2 CCL _UWUWW”)r)” OCP B=EeE“y-EU DS. CONTENTS OF VOLUME 49, No. 2 JUNGLE MEwmorRIES. Part VI. By _ Lt.-Col. E. G. _Phythian-Adams, - O.B.E., F.Z.S., L.A. (Retd.) (With a plate) es ; NOTES ON SOME ASIATIC MEROPIDAE (BiRDS). By Daniel Marien (With a map and 3 tables) sae ih das st ee TwO NEW SPECIES OF /SCHAEMUM From BomsBay. By N. L. Bor LIFE-HISTORY AND BIONOMICS OF THE Cat FLEA, Ctenocephalides felis Bouché. By K. R. Karandikar and D. M. Munshi (With 6 fext- figures) aa “es Le dee Mes hs THE LOWER SIND VALLEY, AND SOME FURTHER OBSERVATIONS ON BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY. By Lt.-Col. R. S. P. Bates, M.B.O.U., 1.4. (Retd.) ( With 4 plates) sae big Bre tes Sia SOME WEST BENGAL PLANTS. By J. C. Culshaw THE MysQ RE Lac Insect. By S. Mahdihassan. (With 2 plates and 1 lext-figure) aoe SoS ee sie $03 Ses THE LESSER FLoRICAN [Sypheotides indica (Miller)|]: Its CourtTSHIP DispLay, BEHAVIOUR AND Hasits. By K. 8. Dharmakumarsinhji (With a plate, 2 text-figures and 2 tables) fe Sea Notrs on THE LENTIBULARIACEAE OF BomBay. ByH. Santapau, S.J., F.L.S, Sa ae ae Sua Mae? vee ae A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF BIG GAME HUNTING AND SHOOTING IN INDIA AND THE East. By Lt.-Col. R. W. Burton, 1.4, (Retd.) A NEw VARIETY OF Cucurbita maxima, By C. Rajasekhara Mudaliar, M.a. (With 2 plates) ... wer ae és es ay NOTES ON BIRDS OF THE IRRIGATED AREA OF MINBU DISTRICT, BURMA. By W. L. Roseveare, I.S.E. (Retd.) (With 2 sketch ntaps) CERTAIN OBSERVATIONS ON Sroussonetia papyrifera Vent. AND Soswellia serrata Roxb, IN RELATION TO TRAUMATISM. By Miss R. Shah, B.Ag., (Bom.), M.S. (Mich.) (With a plate) ... es OBITUARY : W.P. F, Wickham (B.B.0O.) oes ae eos ene REVIEWS :— 1. A Naturalist in Sarawak. (H.A.) eee eee nee 2. A Bird Photographer in India. (W.T.L.) ... oe ee 3. Oxford Junior Encyclopedia. Volume II (Natural History) (R.M.C.) ... age ‘ a 4. Flowering Trees and Shrubs in India. (R.M.C.) se Additions to the Society’s Library sée ‘see tes 169: 201. 217 222° 242: 244. 288: 291 292° 293. 296: 294. 295- “e CONTENTS OF VOLUME 49, No. 2 MISCELLANEOUS NOTES:— 1. Wild Elephants dying in Assam. By E. P. Gee (p. 296). 2. Abnormal clavicle bones in Tiger. (With a photo) By W. H. Gibbs (p. 296). 3, On the young of the Ceylon Rusty-spotted Cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus phillipsi Pocock). By W. W. A. Phillips (p. 297). 4. The Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus Bennett). By A. St. J. Macdonald (p. 298). 5. Feral albino and piebald Rats. By C. A. Gibson-Hill (p. 298). 6. The Burmese Wild Dog. By Lt.-Col. R. W. Burton (p..300). 7. The Burmese Wild Dog and other matters canine. By Capt. K. Boswell (p. 301). 8. Occurrence of the Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch (Sitta castaneiventris castaneiventris) in Sind—A _ correction.,, By Humayun Abdulali (p. 303). 9. Black Drongos fostering a Koel. By T. E. H. Smith (p, 304). 10. On the status of Hurystomus orientalis laetior Sharpe. By W. Meise (p. 305). 11. On the Blue-tailed Bee-eater (Merops superciliosus javanicus Horsf.) in Bombay. By Humayun Abdulali (p. 307). 12. Occurrence of the Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus Linnaeus) at Ahmedabad, North Gujarat. By Hari Narayan G. Acharya (p. 307). 13. A brief summary of the Chukar Partridge in Nevada,. U.S. America.. By Glen C. Christensen (p; 309). 14. Occurrence of the White-winged Black Tern [Chlidonias leucopterus (Temm.)] in Bombay. By Humayun Abdulali (p. 310). 15. Kentish Plovers ( Leucopolius alexandrinus) at Bombay. By H. G. Alexander (p. 311). 16. The Snow Goose (Anser hyperboreus) in Kashmir—An addition to the Avifauna of India. By Editors (p. 311).° 17. Geese and Duck on the Chilka Lake, Orissa. “By ob). G: Benthall and L. A. Craven (p. 312). 18. Gleanings (p. 314). 19. Replacement. of fangsin Snakes. By F. Gordon Cawston (p. 314). 20. A biometrical study of Hiilsa ilisha (Hiam.) in the Godavari River. By P. I. Chacko and B. Krishnamurthy (p. 315). 21. Breeding habits of 7ais bufo (Lamarck). (With 2 text-figures). By V. K. Chari (p..317). 22. Occurrence of the Freshwater Medusa (Limmnocnida indica) in south-west India. By P. A. Ramakrishna, B.S. Bhimachar and M. K. Subramaniam (p. 318). 23. The Flowering of Sirobilanthes. (With a diagram). By H. Santapau (p. 320). 24. Stvobilanthes callosus (Nees) at Junagadh in Saurashtra. By G. A. Kapadia (p. 321). 25. Mlecardonta dianthera (Sw.) Pennell. By A. P. Benthall (p. 322). 26.-A note on the occurrence of the Alga Draparnal- diopsis near Kakinada, Madras Presidency. By B.S. M. Dutt’ (p:323), date PAGE Catalogue of Books in the Society’s Library, Part I1V—Entomology ide, eee fourn. Bompay Nar. Hist. Soc. A sohtary bull Gaur. Photos Sdlim Ali. A herd of bison in tall grass. ~ JOURNAL OF THE BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY 1950. Vou. 49 No. 2 JUNGLE MEMORIES BY Lt.-Cot. E. G. PHYTHIAN-ADAMS, 0.B.E., F.Z.S., LA. (Retd.) Part VI—Bison, TSINE, ETC. (With plates) BISON It is, I suppose, the ambition of every budding sportsman to bag a_ bison. It certainly was mine from my earliest days in India, but many were the fruitless tramps I had after this grand animal before I gota shot. My first efforts were in Chanda in 1906, where rinderpest had unfortunately cleared the best areas, but H. and I managed to secure a block free of disease. The season (August) was a good one for tracking, but bison were so few and far between that, as I now realise, we were simply wasting our time trying to find a shootable bull. In March of the following year I was again in the Chanda jungles, and spent some time looking for an old solitary which was reported to be very aggressive, and which the D.F.O. told me had a short time before killed a buffalo calf tied up for tiger, but I was unable to contact him. If there was any foundation for the story of his bad temper, then I feel sure that he-must have been wounded, for my experience is that bison normally are timid animals, and will not attack without cause. However these trips, though unsuccessful as regards the main objective, afforded other game, and above all gave me that experience of the habits of bison and of the details of tracking which were to prove so useful in years to come. The first bison I shot was in North Canara, where I found them far more numerous and much less difficult to contact than in the C.P, Moreover the monsoon had broken, so tracking was easy. I reached my camp at Pardhana on the 8th June 1909, and found Raya Gouda waiting for me; he proved to be one of the best shikaries I have ever met. Next morning we started off at dawn for a favourite locality, but on atrival found the whole place a litter of confusion, with branches lying about and bamboos broken down and smashed by a herd of elephants. The shikari thought this would have scared everything else away, so we moved further on. My experience of bison in the Central Provinces was that they lie down to chew the cud between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., but Raya Gouda assured me that during the monsoon we should find them still feeding up to midday, and subsequent events proved him correct. pec 2 8 1860 138 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 About 10 a.tn. we came across very fresh tracks among wild melon shoots, and shortly after saw a big bull looking at us about 100 yards away. I aimed for his chest, but he turned and bolted before I could fire, so I had to take a running shot which missed, as the bullet glanced off a fallen tree just after the bull had jumped it. Half a mile on the tracks led us toa herd uf some 20 animals which were feeding away from us. We worked round and got ahead of them as they slowly crossed an open glade. I had never seen bison in the herd before, and though they were in full view, could not make out which was the bull. To me they all looked the same, so I signed to the shikari that I did not know which to take. He held up five fingers, by which I under- stood him to mean that the fifth was the bull. It certainly was a very black beast, and as they would soon be gone and the chance lost, I fired at its shoulder. The herd bolted and there was no blood, but I was certain that I had hit, though the shikari was sceptical. After following the line for a short distance, I saw the wounded one staring at me from the bottom of a nullah some 50 yards away. Only the head was visible, so I moved up closer for a knock-out shot, but the animal bolted before I could fire. Rain then came down in such torrents that we had to take shelter for half an hour, but as soon as it cleared we again took up the almost obliterated tracks. The shikari managed to puzzle them out very slowly, and after about half a mile I saw the bison standing very sick and broadside on some 100 yards away. I tooka standing shot at the shoulder, and though the beast moved on, was confident that I hit about about the right place. After a short distance we found it lying down and apparently dead, but it tried to rise as we approached, and I finished it off with a shot through the brain. I wish I could record that it was a very fine head, but these jungle memories are, as their name implies, a narrative of fact and not of fancy, so leave it to my readers to imagine my dismay when I found that I had shot a cow! And what made it far worse was that another sportsman had committed the same offence only a short time before in the same jungle, and the D.F.O. had therefore asked me to be parti- cularly careful not to make a similar mistake. ‘The shikari also was very upset, and asked me why I had fired at all when he held up his hand to warn me to wait, as the bull was not in sight. Unfortunately I had mistaken his signal, but that was poor consolation. Others too have made a similar mistake over their first bison, though it is not all who would admit it, and frankly, after 40 years further experience, I am inclined to think that the shooting of an occasional cow is rather a good thing. Comparatively few fall victims to tigers, and so there is no check on their increase till Nature steps in and wipes out whole herds with disease. However that may be, not one sportsman in a hundred will deliberately fire at a cow, so let us analyse the mistakes I made on this occasion. First, colour is no guide—one will find old cows as black as any bull. How then to distinguish the latter ? A shootable bull, apart from actual horn measurement, is conspicuously larger than any cow and is quite unmistakable if seen in company with them. If you come across a herd and they seem to be ail much of a size, you may be quite sure that no shootable animal is present. In that case do not be in too much of a hurry, but sit down and wait, and sooner or later the herd bull will JUNGLE MEMORIES 139 appear, when you can decide whether he is shootable or not. Some books will tell you that a herd bull never carries a good head, and that one should restrict oneself to solitaries, but in my experience it always pays to examine a herd, in case it has been joined temporarily by a solitary bull. In some parts of the country the shooting licence prescribes definite limits of size for a shootable head. For instance, in the Nilgiris it is 33 inch spread, or 18 inches in girth, the spread being the horizontal distance between the outer edges of the horns at their widest. How is one to judge whether a bull is up to this standard ? Even with years of experience it is extremely difficult to estimate girth, but if one remembers that from tip to tip of a bison’s ears when extended is about 35 inches, one has a rough guide as to spread. If the horns project beyond the ear-tips, you should be safe in firing. What other mistake did I make? I was using solid bullets whies certainly was correct, as they are necessary for penetration through bone, but what [ did not realise is that a bison’s heart (like an elephant’s) is situated lower than in the case of other animals, and roughly speaking is only about one-third of the way up from the bottom line of the body instead of half-way, so my shots were a bit too high. To resume—Ii had one more chance at a bull in the same jungles, but messed itup. After the regrettable incident of the cow, I decided to stick to solitaries, but it was eight days before we came across one. We had started at dawn, but it was not till 3 p.m. after many hours of tracking, that we saw a big bull in the bushes only 60 yards away, coming diagonally towards us browsing—only his back was visible. Raya Gouda had impressed on me the importance of taking the first good shot which offered, so as the bull’s head came out of the bushes, I fired at his ear-hole at about 40 yards. I had hoped to brain him on the spot, but was not too steady, and the bullet must have grazed the back of his head, for he rushed off and we couid find only a few drops of blood. We followed some way, but though he stood more than once I was unable to get another shot in the thick cover, and finally we had to give it up. The wound was obviously little more than a graze, so I felt no compunctions about leaving him. My diary records that we reached camp at 7 p.m. having been on the go for 13 hours. The mistake I made over this bull was in not waiting till his shoulder came into view. A bison’s brain is small, and one has to be very steady to hit it. If I could have rested my rifle against the side of a tree, I feel sure that I could have laid him out on the spot, but no tree was available as we were in the open. ‘This bull carried a magnificent head, his massive horns having a very wide spread, with only a slight turn-up at the tips. It was entirely my own fault that I failed to bag him, and it was many years before I saw his equal. I hope that this account of the mistakes which I made in my early days after bison may be of use to others. BURMA -Two years later my Regiment moved to Burma, and during the 64 years I spent in that country between 1911 and 1921, I was able to renew my acquaintance with bison on a number of occasions. I soon found that to secure the willing co-operation of the village shikaries (moksos), a knowledge of Burmese was essential, so got on to that as 140 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 quickly as possible, and found it made all the difference. Most of my shooting was done in the wet zone, where the jungle was far denser than anything I had come across in India, and more often than not efforts to view an animal merely resulted in his bolting, without affording the chance of a shot. I know of nothing more exasperating than to find, after many hours arduous tracking, that one’s quarry, though literally within a stone's throw, is for all practical purposes invisible. ‘To show the nature of the jungle, I will give two instances. In June 19141 was in camp at Teinthaw some way north of Bhamo, and on the 8th started out rather later than usual, as I had fever the night before and was not feeling too fit. At noon we found fresh tracks and followed them till 1 p.m. then halted for a couple of hours as the bull would be lying up.. Kesuming tracking at 3 p.m. we found his sleeping place half an hour later, and came up with him at 4.30. He was only 20 yards off, but the jungle was so thick that I could see only a small patch of black hide, and could not make out which way he was facing, let alone the size of his head. Before I could get a better view, a puff of wind betrayed us and he bolted. Camp was some hours away, and as I did not feel it enough to sleep out, we left him. Four days later, having moved camp in the meantime, I started out at 4.30 a.m. and about 7 found the fresh tracks of a very large bull. We came up with him at 8, and again at 8.30 and 9.15, but he was moving fast and evidently suspicious, and I could get no chance of a shot. The jungle was almost impenetrable, and though on one occasion we got within 30 yards, I could see nothing of him. Finally we had to give it up as a bad job. Of course in both these cases I could have fired ‘ on spec’ in the hope that the bullet would find the right spot, and that the head would prove to be a good one. But I have alwaysconsidered it unsporting to fire at any animal in dense cover where one cannot be certain of placing an accurate shot, and little short of criminal to fire at a dangerous one under such conditions. The chances are that the animal will escape to die a lingering death, and it may prove a menace to some unfortunate villager who happens to stumble onit. If sportsmen were more careful over their first shots, we should hear less of animals lost, and of regrettable incidents. I had Government elephants with me in camp, and could no doubt have got a shot off one at either of these bulls, but to my mind that way of shooting bison is simply slaughter and not sport. It offends against the cardinal principles of sportsmanship in that neither risk, nor physical exertion, nor skill in jungle-craft is involved, while even a third class shot should have no difficulty in hitting a bison gazing with bovine unconcern at a range of 30 yards. ~ But I digress, and the impatient reader may well ask when I am going to give an account of shooting a really worthwhile bull. I can only reply that everything comes to him who waits, as the monkey found when he had sat long enough on the bee-hive. But I should like to make it clear that this is no tale of slaughter, and that of the hundred or more bulls to which I have worked up, those fired at may be counted on the fingers of one hand. To resume. My experiences in the Pegu Yomas and elsewhere were much the same as at Bhamo, and my memories of bison in Burma, JUNGLE MEMORIES 141 apart from the wonderful bird and insect life of the jungle, are chiefly of a sense of frustration, of the intolerable nuisance of the leeches, and of the pouring rain. In connection with the last I had a useful object lesson one day on how to make fire when our matches had become sodden and useless. The moksos cut a section of dead bamboo about a foot long and two inches in diameter and split it down. In one piece they cut out a slot length-ways, witha small groove above it at right- angles—the other was sharpened along the edge and the fine shavings placed beneath the groove in the first piece. The sharpened edge was then rubbed hard against the groove, and in under half a minute a spark materialised which set fire to the shavings. All this was done ‘in pouring rain with very inadequate shelter. I kept the pieces of bambo for many years asa memento of a very ingenious contrivance, but borers got in, and they perished. One other memory deserves recording. Going along a jungle path one day during the monsoon, we met a couple of small murrel jerking themselves forward, very literally ‘Fish out of water’. They were no doubt making their way from one flooded area to another, but the path they were on, though wet with rain, was definitely not under water. It is of course well known that murrel can live out of water longer than other fish, and that they bury themselves in the mud when tanks dry up, but to meet a couple in the open, certainly 50 yards from any water, seemed to me rather extraordinary. NILGIRIS The pursuit of bison in Burma was generally very arduous, and at times involved sleeping out on the trail. In Canara conditions were not so difficult, but it was not till I settled down in the Nilgiris that I found how easy it can be to bag one of these grand animals. They are of course no longer found on the plateau, except for a very occasional wanderer, but in the low country they are so numerous that seldom a day passes without seeing them, or at least finding fresh tracks. I am referring here to the Mudumalai, Benne, and Muthunga forests, and not so much to the Anaikatti range, where conditions are less suitable, and where they are restricted mainly to the slopes of the hills. The forest between Masinigudi and Teppakadu is a favourite locality, and to show how numerous they are, I may mention that during a 3-day camp in June 1949, [came across. no less than four herds, all containing bulls with shootable, though not large heads, and quite a decent Solitary, while G. working in another direction, met two solitaries, one of which was considerably aboveaverage. In these jungles tracking is seldom necessary, as the forest is open and the animals can be seen from some distance. Once viewed, a cautious approach will bring one within easy range. The oft-repeated statement in shikar books that bison are shy retiring animals and avoid human proximity, most certainly does not apply to the Nilgiris. I have shot a bull within half a mile of the Mudumalai Game Hut, and it is quite common to see a herd feeding close to the main road to Mysore, and paying but little attention to passing cars. Even solitaries when met with deep in the jungle show little concern, provided of course that the wind is in one’s favour. One I remember meeting up the Doddakatte path early one morning 142 JOURNAL, BOMBAY: NATURAL -HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 in June 1940. Atthe time we were sitting watching a herd of chital, and trying to decide whether the stag, which was roaring, was worth shooting. Suddenly we became aware of a bull which fed across our front not 50 yards away and did not even favour us with a look,- though we were right out in the open in very short grass, with nota tree or an ant-heap anywhere in the vicinity. I saw that he was not shootable, and as he was moving very slowly and I wanted to get on, we left the path and went round by the right passing him at 30 yards. We talked at him and even shouted, but he paid not the least attention, and it was not till our movement so close caught his eye that he looked up, gave a terrific snort, and bolted, the tuft of his tail SUES comically as he jumped over a bush. ARE BIsoN AGGRESSIVE ?! The popular idea that bison are dangerous animals is not-borne out by my experience of them, as shown by the incident above, which is only one of many. A wounded animal may of course give trouble, but if not molested they are, in my opinion, no more dangerous than domestic cattle. My old Kurrumba shikari Kempa, (who is shown at the head of the Doddakatti tigress in the photo with Part I of this series), did however warn me that if repeatedly followed up and disturbed, they might resent it. At the time I was trying to get photos of a small herd, and my very inadequate hand-camera necessitated so close an approach that at each attempt the animals were alarmed and bolted before I could secure a picture. After three abortive attempts Kempa advised me to give itup. ‘ You may move bison twice and sometimes three times without trouble’ he said, ‘but if you go on worrying them, they will turn nasty’. The old man’s knowledge of the jungle was unrivalled, and I never knew him wrong, so rather unwillingly I sles ome further attempts to obtain photographs. That was a good many years ago, and since then I have repeatedly come across bison and have always found them timid and inoffensive— so much so that I have not the least hesitation in walking straight towards them in the open, and their re-action invariably has been to bolt after a good look. But one never ceases to learn in the jungle, and on the 2nd December 1948 an incident occurred which proved that old Kempa was perfectly correct, and that a bull, if molested, may prove aggressive even though not fired at. At the time we were after small game some 6 miles downstream of Anaikatti at the foot of the northern slopes. The covert to be beaten was an isolated patch of jungle not of great extent, but heavily bushed. I was the centre gun, and an open glade some 20 yards broad ran ina straight line on either side of me. Soon after the beat started a peahen came out past the left gun who fired both barrels at it, and I then heard the beaters, who were still some 100 yards away, shouting that a bison was coming towards us. A few minutes later I heard it moving through the bushes in front. My rifle was lying on the ground close by, ‘but I ae not bother to pick it cs as I had no reason to expect 2 This See has Abate appeared in the Journal for April 1949, but - is republished here for the sake of completeness. JUNGLE MEMORIES 143 trouble, and I knew there was no really good head in that area, I did however, as a precautionary measure, move back a few yards towards a tree, at the foot of which my shikari Kunmada, and my chokra were sitting. Suddenly the bull’s head appeared from the bushes about 25 yards away on my right front, and I expected him to break past me on the right, as he could easily have done. But after a good look he swung round, put down his head and charged straight at me. There are occasions when discretion is the better part, and this was obviously one ofthem. I nipped back behind the tree just in time, and as he dashed past saw him make a vicious sweep with his horns, but luckily we were all under cover. Having made his point he swung half-right and went off with his head up. He wasa young bull of deep chocolate colour, and his horns had a spread of not more than 30 inches, but his bulk was very imposing as he rushed past literally within arm’s length. As he charged, Kunmada shouted loudly at him, but without the least effect. This was no affair of a startled animal making a blind rush, such as any sportsman of experience will have seen time and again, but a deliberate head-down charge. He could have got away straight to his front, or to his left, without coming any nearer to us, but I suppose that with the beaters shouting behind he thought he was cornered. That seems to be the only explanation, and it shows how the unexpected may occur in the jungle at any time—Kunmada told me that he had never known a similar case. It was extremely lucky for me that I had the tree handy—as it was, though the bull had to cover 25 yards to my 5, he nearly beat me to it. There was of course no question of using my rifle, as it was out of reach lying on the ground—the bull went over both it and my shooting stick but without touching either. SoFT-NOSED versus SOLIDS™ - When one has shot a few bulls, my own feeling, with which I think most sportsinen will agree, is to hold one’s fire unless one encounters an exceptionally fine head. Bison are such grand beasts, and in the Nilgiris at any rate, so easily bagged, that to continue shooting ordinary bulls just for the sake of shooting, seems to me more slaughter than sport— besides the meat is nearly always wasted, as very few jungle tribes in India will touch it.1 The last bison I shot was in 1930, and 1 That bison meat should be repugnant to Hindus is only natural, but illogically enough the same aversion extends in many places to the flesh of the Nilgai, though the latter is of course an antelope, and except in name has no connection with the Bovidae. The subject of cow-worship, though scarcely relevant to our subject, is of such interest as to deserve mention. Exactly how and when the cult of the cow originated is unknown, but: it is certainly not of great antiquity. In early times the cow was the unit of value, and cattle the measure of a man’s wealth, but it was not till the time of the Emperor Asoka Maurya that any protection was afforded to them, and then only to a limited extent. Pillar Edict V of 243 B.c. lays down an elaborate code of regula- tions restricting the slaughter of many animals, but the killing of cattle for food (except Brahminy bulls and milch cows) continued to be lawful. This is confirmed by the Arthasastra of Kautilya, and the exceptions given seem to mark a definite transitional stage in the cult of the cow, which till then had not been an object of reverence. However that may be, the fact that bison meat is fadoo is a fortunate cccurrence, as it may save this grand animal from the extinction which is rapidly overtaking ‘the deer tribe, owing to the virtual abrogation of the Game Laws a, the indiscriminate slaughter of all edible animals which now prevails. 144 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST. “SOCIETY, «Val. 49 though I have met many solitaries since then none has come up to the 40-inch limit which I have set myself. As the story of my last bull exemplifies the relative values of soft-nosed and solid bullets when used on bison, I give it here. We were in camp at Mudumalai at the time, and on the 7th May I started up the Doddakatti path before dawn to visit a bullock which had been tied up for tiger. We found the bait untouched, so turned down the forest path towards Honurhatti, and soon heard a chital stag roaring in the valley below us to the north. As we moved down the slope towards it, we suddenly put up a solitary bull which galloped away downhill. He was jet-black and [ could see that his horns were fine ones, projecting well beyond his ears, I fired and knew that I had hit, so followed and soon found a dropping anda pool of blood. The tracks now led into some very thick stuff, and while watching the men puzzle out the line, I noticed what looked like a large grey rock, indistinctly visible in the bushes some 20 yards ahead. Suddenly there was a tremendous snort, and the trackers wisely dived right and left into cover as the grey rock materialised into the bison, which however bolted before I could fire. I ran after him and got in two quick shots as he went off, the first hitting rather far back, as we found later, and the second a miiss. We again resumed tracking, and after about 200 yards came up with him again, still in such terribly thick under- growth and long grass that I could not make out how he was standing. However, with a wounded animal, it pays to take every possible chance without loss of time, so I fired at what I thought was his shoulder, quite forgetting that I was still using soft-nosed bullets. The shot knocked him over, but he recovered and went off again with me in hot pursuit. As I came to the edge of a clearing, I saw him standing tail-on about 45 yards away. I was out of breath from running and far from steady, so moved forward a few yards to a sapling to get a side-rest for my rifle. The bull must have heard me, as he swung round offering the chance of a brain shot, and it was then only that I remembered what bullets I was using. To open the bottom of the magazine, let the cartridges fali on the ground and press ina clip of solids took only a few seconds, by which time the bull had turned slightly to his right to stare at the men following me, and exposed the point of his shoulder. I fired at it, and the way he crashed down and out made me regret that I had not changed to solids earlier. It was lucky for me that he did not charge while I was reloading, but I felt that I simply had to take the risk. My rifle on this occasion was a 423 Mauser. Had I been using a lighter bore, I should probably never have seen the bull again after the first shot, and certainly could not have anchored him so soon. Undoubtedly I could have finished the affair more quickly if I had reloaded with solids at once after firing the first shot, but I did not think of it at the time. Soft-nosed bullets are all very well for a heart shot inclining forward behind the shoulder, but for quick shooting when large bones may be encountered, the greater penetration of the solid ‘tells every time. I have myself killed a bull with a single soft-nosed ‘405 bullet behind the shoulder, but I also know of two cases at Mudumalai where sportsmen fired 17 and 13 shots respectively (all soft-nosed °375 ordinary) before they could finish off their bulls, I shall refer to this again later. +2 JUNGLE MEMORIES 145 A Forty INCHER I am still waiting to bag a 40 incher. But I did put up a bull only two years ago which certainly reached, and probably exceeded my limit. As we were going along the Benne road one morning soon after dawn, I heard a rustling in the long grass on the bank above us, My driver quickly handed me the heavy rifle, but I could see nothing and did not realise what it was till the bull, which had been watching us through the tops of the grass not 20 yards away, swung round and went off, giving a momentary glimpse of magnificent horns with those very blunted points which not only indicate age, but add so much to the value of the trophy. Before I could raise my rifle he had disappeared in the dry 6-foot grass, where I soon found it hopeless to follow him, and: though we spent several days looking for him we never met again. Whoever shoots that bull will obtain a very worthwhile trophy. BISON KILLED BY TIGER Bison at times fall victims to tigers. In May 1939 some miles from Mudumalai, I found the remains of a large cow which had met its fate in this way. The kill was about a month old when I came across it, but sufficient remained to show a badly twisted hock, no doubt where the first attack was made, and claw marks on the face. The horns had been removed by the Forester who assured me that there could be no doubt that the kill was by atiger. I heard of similar kills towards Benne and at Doddakatti, and a party of American sportsmen some years before the last war, came across three tigers feeding on a cow bison which they had killed down the Thoraipalli road, and bagged one of them. All these cases occurred in the Mudumalai forest of the Nilgiris, where bison were, before the war, particularly numerous. At Anaikatti also, where comparatively few are to be found, a mature bull was killed by a tiger in August 1938. The skull of this animal can be seen in the forest bungalow there—the horns are of good girth, but the spread is poor. Besides cases reported, there must be a number of bison killed in this way whose remains are never found, and it seems probable that more are killed by tigers than is generally realised. Some Hints The following notes will, I hope, prove useful to those who have not yet gone after bison :— The sportsman who restricts himself to solitaries, should not be in too great a hurry to fire at a single animal on the assumption that it must necessarily be a bull. Twice I have encountered solitary cows, very black aged beasts, which for some reason had left the herd, probably on account of sickness or old age. In such cases the size of the tracks should arouse suspicion before the animal is sighted, but the tracks even of a bull are not necessarily proportionate to the size of his head. The biggest tracks I ever saw were of a herd bull on Kortaybetta hill near Kollegal. We had to follow some way before coming up with their owner, and then found a herd of some 20 animals in such long grass that a clear view of the buil’s'‘head was impossible. I climbed a tree to have a look, and was disappointed to find that it was after all a 146 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 poor one. Incidentally, in such cases the morale of your men will be improved if you send them up the tree first—otherwise they may think you are frightened ! The traditional idea that a solitary is always an aged worn-out beast which has been turned out of the herd by a younger animal is not supported by facts. It is very seldom indeed that a herd bull carries a really fine head, whereas the solitary nearly always does, and moreover is generally an animal of such physique that he could knock any herd bull into a cocked hat. There are of course afew which are really solitary on account of old age or sickness, but there can be no doubt whatever that the great majority of solitaries are so only temporarily, and rejoin a herd fora short time at the mating season. It therefore pays always to examine a herd in case this has happened. Solitaries are often accompanied by a young bull, which whether intentionally or not, acts as guard while the senior takes his siesta. Iftherefore you put up a young bull, you may be pretty sure that the old gentleman is close by—it is most unusual to find a youngster on his own. Horns vary enormously, not only in length and spread, but also in girth, and it is for this reason that some game licences very reasonably lay down an alternative definition of a mature bull—spread or girth. In some heads girth is comparatively poor, though the spread is good; others have good girth, but the horns are short with little spread; others again have great spread, but with the points of the horns worn down and blunted—it is these which discerning sportsmen prize most. When mounting horns with only the skull, as is usually the case, appearance is improved if the latter is kept complete, less of course the lower jaw. A mere frontlet of bone detracts from the appearance of the head. As already stated, when estimating the head of a living animal, provided that the horns project beyond the tips of the ears, the bull should be a shootable one. The poetry of big game shooting is to finish the business with a single shot, and if you can get close enough, a bullet in the brain or in the centre of the neck will do the trick. If you have to take a body shot make sure, so far as possible, that the first shot is a disabling one, and for the necessary penetration use solids. As regards the rifle, no bore smaller than -400 H. V. should be used, in fact this is generally laid down in the conditions of the licence. I have already referred to the difficulty experienced by two sportsmen in killing their bulls with the ordinary (not Magnum) ‘375, and for the sake of comparison of various bores, I give below a table showing the relative striking energies at 100 yards range—the figures have been extracted from Major Burrard’s Votes on Sporting Rttles. °318 bullet 250 gers. ... 2,580 foot Ibs. *375 (ordinary), bullet 270 grs. cra vie al) rs °375 (Magnum), bullet 270 grs. ... ~3,400 x ‘404, bullet 400 ers. wee sa 3,30 i *405 (Winchester), bullet 300 grs. ... 2,510 7 -423 (Mauser), bullet 347 ers. .. 2,940 i ‘470, bullet 500 grs. .-- 4,060 rr I leave readers to draw their own conclusions from the above, but J might mention that a brother officer who used an ordinary :375 JUNGLE MEMORIES 147 extensively in East Africa during the First World War, informs me that he found it useless for the larger antelope, and that a service +303 proved far more effective, even for a side shot at rhino. Sooner or later, you will almost certainly have to follow up a wounded bull. In that case it is better to leave the tracking entirely to the shikaris, and to concentrate on watching for the animal, which may be lying up awaiting a chance of reprisal. . Bison shooting is grand sport, but it should never degenerate into slaughter. Stalk your bulls fairly, and do not degrade yourself. by shooting them from an elephant or out of a car. When you have shot one or two restrict yourself in future to really good heads. How many you shoot is of course a matter of personal inclination, but half a dozen bulls in a man’s lifetime should be enough for most people. My own modest total has not reached even that figure, and the single head which I have kept looks down from my walls to remind me of the final scene of our encounter when the bull faced me in the open, and I had to reload with solids behind that very inadequate sapling. WILD CATTLE Apart from bison, were there at any time wild cattle in S. India ? To many the idea will seem ludicrous, but I once picked up an old book entitled Nilgzrz Sporting Reminiscences, in which the author quotes that well-known sportsman of old days, General Morgan, as having come across a solitary wild bull in, the valley behind Bangi Tappal about 1850. Gen. Morgan describes the animal, which he viewed from a distance of only 25 yards, as follows: ‘ Let the reader fancy before him a magnificent Brahminy bull, the blackness that of midnight, of a stature far surpassing anything seen in the domestic state, with an enormous hump and dewlap; white blaze on the forehead; straight horns gently curving upwards, set on at right angles to the head, like an English bull and about a foot in length; head small, muzzle thorough-bred; legs as fine as an Eland antelope, with four white stockings, and a tail with a bushy tuft that almost swept the ground. Now let us contrast this with a bull bison I killed the next morning—hump low but long, blaze on face grey, horns semi-circular, legs thick and dirty white stockings, tail ending at hock with but a small tuft of hair. The two animals were as different as they well could be.’ Gen. Morgan fired at the bull, but was deceived by the enormous hump, and the bullet was too high. It entered a shola, and while following it up, he came across the fresh droppings of an elephant, which he went after, being sure that the bull was mortally wounded. But, as so often happens when one changes one’s objective, he failed to locate the elephant, and then when he returned, could not find the bull either. After relating his disappointment, Gen. Morgan continues: ‘I may mention that Dick Sullivan when Assistant to the Collector of Coimbatore, told me when I mentioned the case to him, that he was well aware that wild cattle came down close to the Kullar river at Metapoliam from the upper sources of the Bhavani. I firmly believe that in those vast forests and unexplored tracts, wild cattle, the Bos trontalis of naturalists, may- and will yet be found by future sportsmen.’ 148 JOURNAL, BOMBAY” NATURAL SHISTIVSOCLET VY, Vol219 In those days the Gayal or Mithan (Bos frontalis), was classed as a distinct species, though it is now known to be merely a hybrid between the bison and domestic cattle, being kept in a partially domesticated condition by the hill tribes of Assam and the Indo-Burmese hill ranges. The possibility of its existence in the distant Kundahs of the Nilgiris intrigued me, and I decided to investigate. I knew the valley behind Bangi Tappal where Gen. Morgan met his bull, and was quite certain that wild cattle were no longer to be found there or in its vicinity, but some miles beyond is an area known as ‘ Big Bison Swamp ’so cut off by nature and difficult of access, as to be seldom visited by any human being. The Badagas who graze their herds of buffaloes and cattle in the Kundahs during the hot weather, never penetrate so far, while to the Kurrumbas in the Bhavani valley 4,000 feet below, access is denied by the precipitous slopes covered with almost impenetratable primeval forest—nor indeed is there anything to attract them. From enquiries which I made, it did not dppear that anyone had visited the spot since the early eighties, and there if anywhere might be found corroboration of General Morgan’s story. In April 1932, after 3 days marching, I reached Nadgani, some 8 miles beyond Bangi Tappal, and camped there since this was as far as pack-ponies could conveniently be taken. At dawn next day we started on our voyage of discovery. After descending about a mile to the Yemavipuzha stream, we climbed the steep ridge to the left, which brought us on to the more or less level ground running up to Anginda- malai, the pyramid-shaped peak which can be seen from Ootacamund. The going was very bad indeed, as the long tangled grass concealed many rocks and loose stones over which we were constantly stumbling. ‘There were no game paths, and since the Badaga herds never come so far, the grass had not been burnt for very many years. Fortunately pefore long we struck an elephant path, such as I had previously seen in the low country between Masnigudi and Teppakadu. It was some 18 inches broad,’ beaten down hard and flat by the passing of countless herds, and so smooth that one could have cycled along it quite comfortably. From its direction it obviously connected up somewhere with the Sispara bridle path, and would have afforded a much easier, though longer, means of access to Anginda than the route we took. We ascended the peak, and found elephant droppings on the bare summit which the map showed to be 7,819 feet above sea-level—what induced the animals to climb up there I cannot imagine. From this projecting bastion of the Nilgiris the view was superb. Far below lay the picturesque patchwork of Kerala’s paddyfields and homesteads, clumps of bamboo and jungle, interspersed here and there with the gleam of water, the whole merging gradually into the darker belt of coconut palms which fringe the coast, and beyond that again the sea rose like atilted wall. So clear was the air that with the naked eye I could see a steamer and several dhows to the south of Calicut, while the glasses revealed numerous small fishing boats, though over 40 miles away. It was hard to tear oneself away from such an entrancing spectacle, but time was passing and our objective lay still some distance away, as we could see. So we descended to our ‘ Grand Trunk Road’ which soon after led us along a knife-edge with a nasty drop on either side, and then to the top of a cliff. I wondered how we were going to JUNGLE MEMORIES 149 negotiate it, but the track went on down in zigzags, wonderfully engineered, till it again reached the level. It is, no doubt, this section of the path to which General Hamilton refers in his Records of Sport in Southern India, in which he says: ‘One cannot help being struck with the skill with which these paths are traced; the gradients are truly wonderful, avoiding every steep and difficult ascent by regular zigzags, and I could not help thinking what a knowing old engineer the first maker of the track must have been’. From the bottom of the cliff the ground rose, and still following the path, we at length reached Big Bison Swamp. ‘There I made a most careful search for signs of wild cattle, but could find none, nor indeed of any other animals except elephants, which obviously visit the spot in considerable numbers every year. Beyond the swamp the track led over a col down into the ‘Silent Valley’, still mostly unexplored, and concerning the deadliness of which my shikari, ‘Old’ Anthony, had some wonderful stories of shooting parties which had entered it and never returned! Whether its evil reputation is due to innumera- ble leeches, or to the presence of hamadryads, or to some other cause, it is, I believe, a fact that with the exception of elephants, no animal is to be found there. We ourselves noticed the complete absence of bird and animal life once we had reached the base of the cliff which I have mentioned above, though till then there had been no dearth of it. A dead silence seemed to brood over the area, and no apter name could have been given to it than the ‘ Silent Valiey’. ‘The shikaris were most unwilling to explore further, and anyhow there was no time, so we started back. Of our return journey there is little to relate. After ascending the cliff and passing round Anginda, we came across a herd o: Nilgiri ibex and I had a fleeting chance at a saddle- back, but the clouds had come down and visibility was poor, which must be my excuse for missing it. And so ended a trip, which if unsuccessful.as regards the main objective, stil] remains a most interesting memory. Though we found no traces of wild cattle, still I think that Gen. Morgan’s story may be accepted without reserve, as he was a very experienced sportsman. I imagine that the bull he saw was either a hybrid bison, or else the descendant of domestic cattle which had gone wild during the fourth Mysore war, which after ail was not so many years previous to his unique experience. Whatever the solution, I can hardly believe that any wild cattle exist in the Nilgiris today. Perhaps some younger and more energetic sportsman will be encouraged by this account to follow my footsteps and make a further search. To the best of my belief, no one has visited that area since I was there. TSINE While I was in Burma, I spent a good deal of time, on and off, in the pursuit of tsine, which I soon realised were far more alert than even bison. Yinmabin, on the Kalaw ghat and some 30 miles from Meiktila, ‘Was in those days an excellent centre for them, but I was greatly handicapped by my military duties, which allowed me only an occasional day in the jungle. The latter being fairly open, I managed on a number of occasions to work up to both herd bulls and solitaries, but 150 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. 49 failed to find one up to the standard I had set myself as shootable. I wanted a really good head or none at all, a policy which, I am afraid, was not very popular with my zoksos. There was one very fine old bull near Yebokson, some 6 miles beyond Yinmabin, and I tracked him often but never could get a shot. He always spotted us first, and all that happened was a snort, a crashing through the jungle, and very occasionally a fleeting glimpse as he bolted. I have mentioned previously how important a factor luck is in big game shooting, and it was luck pure and simple which eventually gave me this bull with a minimum of effort. On the 13th April 1920 I left the Rest House at dawn for Yebokson, intending to pick up the tracks which we had abandoned the evening before. Ten minutes after leaving Yinmabin, my Burmese driver suddenly pulled up the car, and said ‘ What is that’? Looking to the right, I saw a fine bull not 40 yards away, staring at us. A moment later he went off, and running after him I managed to get in two shots, - the second of which brought him down with a crash. i shouted to the driver to go on to Yebokson and bring the trackers, and when I turned round again, I found that the bull had picked himself up and disappeared. I decided not to wait for the men, but to track him myself. There was no blood for 50 yards, then quite a lot, light- coloured and frothy, so I knew a lung was pierced, while it appeared that a hind leg also was broken. I soon saw the bull going off slcwly, sO ran on and as I came up, he turned round to face me, pawing the ground and snorting. I fired two hurried shots, but was unsteady, and one missed. I expected a charge, but he went off again and dis- appeared from sight. Knowing the tsine’s reputation, I followed the tracks very cautiously, but had not gone far when I saw something waving in the grass on my right front. It was a hind leg feebly kicking—my third shot had passed through the neck, but he had covered another 14Q yards before collapsing, and then required a finisher. The bull proved to be avery old one, with the mark ofa previous bullet wound on one hind leg, while the horns had an unusually fine spread. I must confess that it was in a very satisfied frame of mind that 1 sat down to smoke a cigarette and await the arrival of the men. It was only half a mile or so to the road, so it was not long before they arrived, beaming at the idea of so much meat. “My mokso, Ko Po, then pointed out to mea fact which Ll had overlooked in the excitement of the chase, viz.: that this was the identical animal which had previously given us the slip so often. Admitting the amazing luck of my meeting the bull asI did, still I think I am justified in regarding this aS one of my most Satisfactory jungle memories, since I was single-handed, and had to rely on myself alone. Not that the tracking presented much difficulty, for though the ground was hard, there was a tair blood traii—but I had to both track and keep a good look-out at the same time, which was not so easy. (Zo be continued) NOTES ON SOME ASIATIC MEROPIDAE (BIRDS)! BY DaNniEL MaRIEN (With a map) (Communicated by Dr. Ernst Mayr—New York) INTRODUCTION Receipt of 267 specimens of bee-eaters (Meropidae) in the Koelz Collection from India and adjacent countries has permitted a revision of the Indian species of this family. The family Meropidae is re- presented in India by the genera Merops (5 species) and Nyctyornis (1 species); related species of these genera are distributed throughout most of the Old World tropics and sub-tropics. In habits and appearance the Indian forms agree with other members of this family. Although these species are fairly well known taxonomically, there is still much to be learned about their distribution, migrations, plumages, and molts. Statements in the literature on these points are often misleading or lacking. In this review particular attention has been given to plumage sequence, seldom discussed in the standard references, yet in some instances a useful zoological character. I am grateful to Dr. Walter Koelz for the privilege of examining his extensive collection. Drs. Ernst Mayr and Dean Amadon have directed and encouraged me in thig study and I am greatly indebted to them for their helpful suggestions and kind advice. My thanks are due also to Capt. Jean Delacour for measurements of M. leschenaulti in the British Museum. PLuMAGE AND Mouts: The sexes are alike in coloration; females average smaller in size. The immature plumage somewhat resembles that of the adult but is generally duller. In those species with elongate central tail feathers these are acquired, along with the fully adult plumage, before the second summer. The post-juvenal molt normally takes place during the late summer and autumn but certain exceptions are to be found. There is always one complete molt annually. The time and progress of this molt varies among the species; details will be found in the discussion under each form. The primaries apparently initiate the molt or at least start concurrently with the body molt. They are replaced progressively and singly fram the innermost; each wing is normally at the same stage. The secondaries are among the last feathers renewed; molt * Notes from the Walter Koelz Collections, Number 5. The previous papers in this subseries are: Number 1, American Museum Novitates, no. 1406, 1949; Number 2, American Museum Novitates, no. 1424, 1949; Number 3, American Museum Novitates, no. 1425, 1949; Number 4, American "Museum Novitates, no. 1459, 1950. 152 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL. HISP. “SOCIETY. Voir 49 is begun at each end of the series and proceeds to meet at the middle of the row. The tertials are probably replaced independently of the secondaries. 5% The tail molt does not begin until the fourth or fifth primaries are already out of their sheaths and is completed before the end of the wing molt. Friedmann’s paper on the caudal molt of some non- passerine birds (1930, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 77(7): 1-6) states that the tail molt of Melittophagus revoilu is irregular. This was the only bee-eater studied by Friedmann and suggested an investigation of the present material to determine the order of rectrix renewal in the six Indian species. The sequence. of the caudal molt wag found to be constant within each species, and for convenience will be expressed by means of a simple formula. For example, in M. apiaster molt begins with the central pair (1). The pair next alongside these (2) follow shortly, then the outer tail feathers (6) are replaced, and after these the third pair from the centre (8). Molted next are the pair inside the outermost feathers (5), and lastly the next inner pair (4). The tail molt pattern can thus be written: 1, 2, 6, 3, 5, 4. The order of rectrix renewal is given in Table 1 below. TABLE 1 Order of rectrix renewal of six Indian bee-eaters Species/Subspecies | Tail Molt Pattern Merops Ll, leschenautti ee i oa J, 2; 6, 35 =, i? M. apiaster ap oe Mae ies 1525 Os Opc oe M. superciliosus persicus ak ee pe 15:2, 3, gerd M. p. philippinus ... a = Sou 1 2220,.3 04 M.o. orientalis eae ee a Bas 126,32, 9 Nyctyornis athertoni ... a sted is: 1,236. 554 (a) full sequence indeterminable with present material. In these forms the pattern of rectricial ecdysis does not appear to have systematic significance above the specific level. It ig possible that the molt sequence would be found to vary geographically if a large series of molting individuals of different subspecies were studied. — MEASUREMENTS: All measurements are given in millimeters. Bill length refers to a measurement taken from the anterior border of the nostril to the tip of the culmen. The length of the wing was taken with the wing pressed flat on the rule. Wing-tall index, where given, is the ratio of the length of the \tail to the length of the wing expressed as a percentage of wing length. Similarly, the tail-bill index is the ratio of bill length to tail length expressed as a percentage of tail length. With the exception of M. leschenaulti and N. athertona the measurements are only those of the specimens in the Koelz Collection and are of fully adult unworn birds. a3 ee ~ NOTES ON SOME ASIATIC MEROPIDAE (BIRDS) 153 Locauities: Under each species and subspecies heading a list is given of the specimens collected by Dr. Koelz. These previously unpublished records should be useful in mapping the ranges and migrations of these species. Merops leschenaulti | The Bay-headed Bee-eater is widespread in the Indo-Malayan Region, but in the Greater Sunda Islands it occurs only on Java and Bali. A very similar species, M. viridis, is present on Sumatra and may replace it ecologically, though both species occur in south- easterr Asia, Java, and Bali. There is some individual variation in color in the species, chiefly in depth of color of the head and back, but there igs considerable geographic variation among populations. The Java and Bali birds, quinticolor, are, even in freshly molted specimens, bluish on the upper surface of the tail and the tips of the secondaries. Members of the other populations have these areas normally green, but they often become blue through wear. The chestnut pectoral band bordered posteriorly by a black band is absent in quinticolor; only the black band is retained. There is also considerable geographic variation in size; Table 2 shows the measurements of three populations within the species. These measurements indicate that the Andaman Islands birds are larger, with longer tail and wings; the Java and Bali birds are shorter-winged and shorter-billed; the mainland birds are inter- mediate in size. On the basis of the above-mentioned differences Merops leschenaulti can be divided into three subspecies as follows: Merops leschenaulti leschenaulti Vieillot Assam: Khasia Hills, Nongpoh, May 2-6, 1949, 4 ad. g, 38ad. @. United Provinces: Kumaon, Tejan, June 4, 1948, 1 ad. ¢, 1? imm. 9; Kathgodam, August 19-20, 1 ad. ot, 2imm. o. Nepal: Hitaura, May 20-June 13, 1947, 5 ad. 6, 4 imm. 6, 2 unsexed imm. Bastar: Korher, March 25, 1949, 1 ad. co. Southern Madras Presidency: Nilgiri Hills, Kunjapanai, February 19-20, 1987, 3 ad. o&; Nilambur, March 8, 1 ad. co. Southern Bombay Presidency: Jagalbed, February 21-March 4, April 14, 1938, 5 ad. of, 5 ad. Q; Castle Rock, March 5-6, 2 ad. of, 2 ad. 9. Type locality: Java, error=Ceylon. Range: Ceylon and the west coast of India north to Belgaum; the United Provinces, Nepal, Assam, Orissa, eastern Bengal, to Burma, Yunnan, Siam, and French Indo-China. Chasen (1939, Bds. Malay Peninsula, 4: 100-101) says he knows ‘. . . of no reliable record from south of Kuala Kangsar in Perak .. .’. There are, however, several specimens from Pahang in the collection of the American Museum of Natural History, two from Gunong Tahan and two from ‘Sungei Lebih’. Therefore, about five degrees north latitude seems to be the southernmost limit of the range in Malaya. Freshly molted birds are dark green on the back and a rich chest- nut brown on the crown and nape. Like other members of the genus, a 49 Vol. SOCIETY, JOURNAL, 154 BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. 9 (6-08) a a [rey : C0) =. 0} 0 Op 9T= 9a Ll = 02 oP (0-66 ) zot-Z6 oP | P¢ 666.) SOI-S6 Parag es ig ws. Weg ‘waxy ds (4.801) zIt-zor | 8 ‘ oe Pa (Z.0UE) SSTTLOT eg me (ee " “ suemepay: dos | g(o-90t) ztt-oor | dee Bos See | PGe = | 7olt 201) eeti-or “| Pee & Tae " f pugley wee SUI N ‘uoey me anpuayIsay SdOAIPT JO s\Npe jo s]USTUOINSvaT ‘] BIAV Pe it NOTES ON SOME ASIATIC. MEROPIDAE (BIRDS) 155 this bee-eater nests in holes along the banks of streams; as a conse- quence the plumage of breeding birds becomes worn, causing the feathers of the back, wings, and tail to acquire a bluish tinge and the feathers of the head and nape to become paler. _Immatures are distinguishable by their smaller bill and by having the crown and nape concolorous with the back, which is green. The breast markings of immatures are indistinct. _-The annual post-nuptial and the post-juvenal molt may take place from late May through October. Merops leschenaulti andamanensis, new subspecies Type: A.M.N.H. No. 641320, Rothschild Collection ; adult male; Port Blair, South Andaman Téland: December, 1897; A: L.. Butler, collector. Agrees in coloration with the nominate race but differs in being larger, with longer tail and wings. Range: South Andaman Island and probably other islands of the group. Hume (1874, Stray Feathers, pp. 163-164) says, “This species .. . is also found. . . in the Great and Little Cocos, Strait Is., etc.,. etc. We never met wih this species in the Nicobars’. Nest- ing is apparently in the middle of May. ay Merops kesehan gute quinticolor Mieilloy - Type locality : Ceylon, error=Java. Range: Java and Bali. | ) | Similar to the nominate race but distinctly bluer. on the tail, lege the chestnut pectoral band, and being smaller. ; _ Because the breeding season on these islands differs from that on. the..mainland, the post-nuptial molt occurs during the winter months. November birds in the material studied were very worn, while March and April birds were in fresh plumage. 3 Merops apiaster Linnaeus Khorasan: Bardu, August 16, 1940, I unsexed imm.; Rokat i Khan, September 1, 1 imm. 9. Enizintan.: and April. 21, 1941;.-1. ad. o',. May 7, 1 ad... 9, May 17-28, 1941, 8 ad. 9, May 24-25, 1940, 4. ad. &, 1 ad. 9, September Ftd 1 eY3(5 WY oicaned Lmagab aspera tiecn 5 . Afghanistan: Turuk Pul, May 10, 1987, 2 ad. OF Baghlan, July. 1, 1 imm. co; Khanabad, July 3-4, August 31, 1. ad. .ot,::2,.imm.: oo; 1. imm; 9 ; Takia, Kishm, July .6,, 1. ,imm....° ;. Gumbaz;, Kishm, July ewe? inamas ir aieabade July ayer ie unsexed imm. 0. Iskan, ‘August 8, 1 ad. ‘9; Doao, August 23,..1989,.1. imm..:¢f; Balkh, September 19: 4937.01 adic, |. imm-.ots, 1.1mm." India: ; Northwest Frontier Province, Parachinar, May Z, 1936, 1 adi: O's = 7 Merops apiaster is very Serer over ite extensive. range across cue Eurasia from the Iberian Peninsula to western. Siberia and there are no subspecies. In southwestern Asia this species breeds in Iran, Baluchistan, Afghanistan, and Kashmir. It is. highly 156 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 migratory, wintering principally in southern Africa. The material collected by Koelz seems not to differ from other Indian specimens nor from examples from other parts of the range. It is known that the molt of this species does not conform to the simple pattern of a single complete molt found in most of the Indian bee-eaters. After the breeding season, in August and September, adults of apiaster have a complete body molt into an eclipse plumage somewhat resembling the juvenal feathering. The adults in eclipse plumage may be distinguished from immatures by their worn rectrices and remiges, elongate central tail feathers, and yellower scapulars. On the wintering grounds in Africa adults and immatures alike under- go a complete molt during which both age classes acquire the nuptial plumage. ‘The period of this winter molt falls between the months of October and February. The molts of this species are reminiscent of those of the Ainerican tyrant flycatchers, Tyrannidae, which, according to Dwight (1900, Annals N.Y. Acad. Sci., 18: 186-1387), postpone molting after nesting until reaching the winter quarters. Such cases of delayed molts may possibly be adaptations to permit early or extensive migration. Kipp (1986, Mitt. Vogelwelt, 35: 77-78) in a study of migratory Palaearctic passerine birds found that those species whose winter quarters lie south of the Tropic of Capricorn have a winter molt which may be partial or complete. In some instances there is also a partial or complete molt during the summer preceding migration. The condition in M. apiaster agrees well with these observations since it winters in southern Africa and has its annual molt while in its southern quarters. Measurements: Wing; males, 147, 149, 149, 150, 150, 153; females, 141, 142, 148, 148, 146, 148, 148. Tail: males, (central rectrices) 109, 109, 118, 114, 115, 115, 117, 119, (outer rectrices) 88, 89, 89, 90, 90, 92, 98, 94; females, (central rectrices) 102, 104, 105, 106, 108, 110, 118, (outer rectrices) 87, 88, 88, 89, 91, 91, 95. Bill: males, 27, 29, 29, 30, 30, 32, 32, 34; females, 24, 25, 25, 26, 27, Pim Oo Ly , Merops superciliosus and Merops philippinus Some authors, most recently Peters (1945, Birds of the World. volume V, pp. 284-235), treat M. philippinus as a subspecies of M. superciliosus, but both groups are in fact quite distinct. There is a western, large, green-tailed form, M. s. persicus, that meets the eastern, smaller, blue-tailed form, M. p. philippinus, in northwestern India. Because the morphological differences between philippinus and persicus are not very striking and their ranges are contiguous, one would expect to find clear evidence of intergradation. Yet despite the similarity of appearance and the fact that except for a very narrow zone of overlap they replace each other geographically, no intermediates seem to have been reported. This, together with their physiological differences in molt, migration, and ecological adjust- ments to different climates suggest that they are not as closely related as would appear—are, in fact, allopatric species rather than subspecies. Distribution. The distribution of the two species in India is shown in the accompanying map. Because the breeding season varies Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. op Merops Superciliosus persicus Philippinus philippinus Both taken at same tocality Approximate boundary between species Text-figure 1. Distribution of Merops superciliosus persicus and Jlerops philippinus philippinus during the breeding season in India, showing the narrow zone of overlap. The breeding range of persicus extends westward to Egypt; the breeding range of philippinus extends eastward to Malaya and Indo-China. Triangles: JZ, 5s. persicus ; squares: JZ. p. philippinus. Explanation of the num- bered symbols is given in the text. i | ) NOTES ON SOME ASIATIC MEROPIDAEL (BIRDS) 157 somewhat in different parts of the country and the movements of these bee-eaters are not well known, Mr. Salim Ali has called to my attention the advisability of utilizing only those records of birds actually breeding. All of the records are taken from the literature. It will be noticed that there is very little overlap of breeding range; indeed, several authors have pointed out that where one form is found nesting the other is not known to breed. The numbers refer to the positions on the map. 1. Bhavnagar, Kathiawar (Dharmakumarsinhji, 1947, J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 46: 723-724). 2. Khainju, Sukkur Dt., Sind (Baker, 1934, Nid. Bds. Indian Empire, 3: 398). 3. Draklan, near Kashmor, Sind (Ticehurst, Ibis, 1923, p. 30). 4, Quetta, Baluchistan (Christison, Ibis, 1941, p. 544). 5. Bannu, N. W. Frontier Province (Magrath, 1908, J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 18: 685). 6. Peshawar, N. W. Frontier Province (Briggs and Osmaston, ha J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 82: 755). Lahore, Punjab (Oates, 1890, Hume’s Nests and Eggs of Indian Bins, 8: 63- 65). Sultanapur, Punjab (ibid.). 0, Ferozepore, Punjab (Baker, 1934, op. cit., p. 397). 10. Delhi (Oates, loc. cit.). 11. Agra, United Provinces (ibid.). 12. Allahabad, United Provinces (ibid.). 13. Mirzapore, United Provinces (ibid.). 14. Hoshangabad, Central Province (ibid.). 15. Nagpur, Central Province (D’Abreau, 1935, J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 38: 105). 16. Raipur, Central Province (Oates, loc. cit.). 17. Waltair, Madras Prov. (Abdulali, 1945, J. Bombay Nat, Hist. Soc., 45: 342). 18. Rajahmundry, Madras Prov. (Neelakantan, 1948, J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 47: 741). 19. Coorg (‘Feeding short-tailed juveniles’-—Communication from Betts to Ali). 20. Gujarat (Littledale, 1886, J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 1: 196). Feology. M. s. persicus appears to be more tolerant of dry ground, and, at least in Iraq, may choose for a nesting site ‘. . . desert mounds or perfectly flat bare ground.’ (Ticehurst, 1922, J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 28: 300), but in Afghanistan marshy areas are utilized (Whistler, 1944, J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 44: 291). For its nest hole philippinus prefers the banks of streams. In India, the limit of the range of persicus corresponds closely with the periphery of the dry area where the average annual rainfall is less than twenty inches. Physiology. Besides being morphologically and ecologically distinct, these two forms differ physiologically. M. 8. persicus makes a long southwestward migration in the autumn from its breeding grounds to its winter quarters in central and southern Africa. The post-nuptial molt is begun before migration (vide infra), but its progress is soon arrested; upon arrival on the winter range the birds undergo a complete molt. M. p. philippinus does not make such an 158 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 extended migration and the post-nuptial molt immediately follows the breeding season. The direction of migration of this form is south- eastward to southern India, Malaya, and the East Indies. } The’ east-west migration of persicus from northwestern India across Iran and Iraq to Africa suggests a recent range expansion correlated with the progressive desiccation of northwestern India in the not too distant past. A secondary zone of contact would thus seem to have been established where the two forms meet and behave like good species. It remains for Indian ornithologists to determine whether occasional hybridization occurs in this zone or whether there is complete reproductive isolation as it now appears. Merops superciliosus persicus Pallas Luristan: Beshedalan, June 13, 1941, 1 ad. &; Burujird, July 22-23, ad. 9, 1 imm. 9, September 25, 1 ad. ¢, 2 imm. 6, October 7, imm. ot, October 17, 1942, 2 ad. ot; Durud, October 15, 1941, ind rey ; bi cadeu+Qu October A, diad.® ,. damm. 491: Khorasan: Nishapur, September 20, 1940, 1 ad. of, 1 ad. Qe Afghanistan: Baghlan, July 1, 1937, 1 ad. o&; Taliqan, July 5, ad. ¢; Chah i Ab, August 20-28, 1 ok 3, 1 immi-g, tbading; imm. 9; Khanabad, August 31, 1 imm. ¢; Aq Cha, Septemer 8, ad. ot. 7 / : C Breeds from Kathiawar, Sind, Rajputana, Delhi, southern and western Punjab, west to Baluchistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Palestine to Egypt. In Egypt it is known chiefly as a migrunt, but a few breeding colonies exist in the Nile delta (Meinertzhagen, 1930, Nicoll’s Birds of Egypt, vol. 1, p. 327). : According to Salim Ali (1945, Birds of Kutch, p. 72) neither species is found breeding in Kutch, but just to the south in Kathiawar persicus reaches its southernmost limit on the Indian peninsula. Baker (New Fauna Vol. IV p. 239) ascribes all the breeding birds of Punjab and Rajputana to persicus, but that is not entirely accurate. It will be seen from the distribution map that both persicus and philippinus breed at Delhi. The range of persicus probably extends throughout the lower, drier region of northwestern India as far east as Delhi where it meets philippinus in the western section of the United Pro- vinces. The latter race extends northwest along the mountains in Kumaon and northwestern Punjab to southern Kashmir and Pesha- war. In Rajputana, persicus has been found (though not breeding) as far south as the Aravalli Hills and from there westward to Sind. Winters in southern and central Africa. On migration it passes regularly through Bombay (September-November). There seems to be some tendency in this subspecies to begin the post-nuptial molt before migrating. In numerous adults taken between August and October there is evidence that some, but not all, of the body feathers are being replaced. The scapulars and the first three or four primaries are always renewed at this time. This type of molting behaviour is intermediate between that of M. p. philippinus and the complete molt into an eclipse plumage of M. apiaster, but in the latter none of the primaries are shed in the pre- migratory molt. Once on the wintering grounds there is a complete molt, by both adults and immatures, extendimg from November to January, with extreme dates October 1 (Gaboon) and March 29 et bd eh NOTES ON SOME ASIATIC MEROPIDAE (BIRDS) _ "159 (British East Africa). Adults and birds in first year plumage are indistinguishable after this molt. Measurements (males only): Wing, 150, 158, 154, 157, 158. Tail, ie eo 0.04. Bill “SD, oo, 04 oO, ot: Merops philippinus philippinus Linnaeus - Punjab: Kangra, Bhadwar, April 16, 1988, 1 ad. ot. United Provinces : Kumaon, Lechiwala, September 1, 1948, f 1mm. co: Nepal: Hitaura, ha 3-7, ak 1 ads, ot, 3 ad.; 9 2 nme oe, id imm. @, July 15-29, 1 ad. 9, 1 unsexed ad., 1 imm. 6, 3.imm. Assam: Khasia Hills, Umran, April 15, 1949, 1 ad.- 9. Bihar: Mohammadgan}, August 20-29, 1947, 2 ad. &, 1 imm. &, 2ad. 9,5 imm. 9, 1 unsexed imm., September Dela. Olsen Central Province: Bheraghat, April 11-12, 1946, iad. CS. eer Oo, April 25, 1.ad. O° May 11-19, 2 ad. cot, I ad. Madras Province: Hllore, February 2, 1930, 1 Cb Q; Kasargad, February 27, 1 ad. 9. Southern - Bombay Province: Jagalbed, February 24-March 4, 19388, 2 ad. co, 3 ad. On 1 unsexed ad. ; ’ Castle Rock, March 5, Lad. ae : Supa, February 27, 2 ad. 9. ) Breeds from Northwest Frontier Province, northeastern Punjab and the United Provinces and east through Nepal, Bihar, and Assam to Burma, Yunnan, Kwantung, French Indo-China and northern Malaya. The southern limits of its range are obscure, but the southernmost breeding record seems to be that of Betts (communi- cation to Ali) who found it feeding short-tailed young in Coorg. Stresemann (1940, Journ. Ornith., 88: 404) records this race breed- ing on Celebes. The post-nuptial and post-juvenal molts may begin as early as July 4 (Nepal, female adult); some birds complete the molt as late as September 23 (Cachar, immature male). Young birds acquire the adult plumage through this molt. An immature female was taken on December 3 at Singapore, in worn plumage except for the new tertiaries and first six primaries, but such a late molt ig exceptional. -Measurements: Wing, males, 151, 132, 182, 132, 132, 134, 135, ian. -females=. 1212 1240 124) 125) 196 12% 127, 127, Lon 127, 127, 128, 128, 129, 131, 181. Tail, (outer rectrices), males, 87, 89, 91, 91, 91; females, 84, 86, 86,-87, 87,°88; 88, 89, 89, 89, 89, 90, 93. Bill, males, 31, 34, 34, 34, 34, 36, 36, 37; females, 31, 31, 31, 32, 32, 32, 32, 32.5, 92.5, 33, 38, 34, 34, 34, 35. Merops orientalis The range of this species extends from northern Africa across southern Asia to Annam. Nine subspecies are now recognized: two in Africa (viridissimus, cleopatra), three in Arabia (cyanophrys, muscatensis, najdanus), and four in the Iranian-Indo-Burmese area. The races of the last-named region are ill-defined, for they appear. to comprise a single large variable population, the extremes of which 160 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 are certainly separable, but which intergrade into each other through an intermediate group. | The easternmost subspecies, birmanus, occurs in Upper Burma, Yunnan, Siam and Indo-China. It differs from the nominate race in having the upper back, nape, and crown ferruginous; this area is. only slightly tinged with rufous in orientalis. The latter race is found throughout most of India and is morphologically and geographi- cally intermediate between birmanus and the subspecies resident in Sind, northwestern India, Baluchistan, and Iran. This western race, beludschicus, is the palest, with only a golden sheen on the green of the head. Recently, Whistler (1944, Spolia Zeylanica, 23: 223) separated the Ceylon population, describing the new race, ceylonicus, as having the bill longer and stouter than the bill of nominate orientalis, but approaching birmanus in the amount of rufous on the nape and crown. Examination of seventy-six specimens of this bee-eater in the Koelz Collection, twenty-two specimens loaned by the Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, and of a large series in the collection of the American Museum of Natural History, including the type of beludschicus, indicates that the racial differences reported in the literature are greatly exaggerated. The subspecific characters are slight and the nominate race itself occupies the unfavourable position of an intermediate population between the distinct extremes. How- - ever, if large enough series are compared it is frequently possible to correctly place the specimens. The Assamese population is usually referred to birmanus, but I find the northern Cachar birds to be most like orientalis; although approximating the richer color of the eastern subspecies the ferruginous. color is restricted more to the nape. In the northwest, birds from the Kangra Valley in Punjab are orientalis, but just where the border between the nominate subspecies and beludschicus is to be drawn is not apparent from the present: material. It is not improbable that beludschicus will be found to range into the dry lowlands of Rajputana and southern Punjab, as does M. s. persicus, but, from lack of other evidence, it seems best to consider Punjab birds as referable to orientalis and not, as Peters: (1945, op. cit., p. 287) has it, to beludschicus. Comparison of Koelz specimens from Iran with a series including the type and a topotype of beludschicus fails to show any noticeable differences. Four males from Tomogaon on the Iranian Plateau are slightly larger. A female from Dirak, Baluchistan, in the Rothschild Collection, shows characters of both orientalis and beludschicus. All these, however, are best referred to beludschicus. Two specimens from Ceylon in the Rothschild Collection, an adult female and an unsexed adult, both collected in December, agree with Whistler’s description as regards the amount of rufous on the head and nape, but the bill, though scarcely stouter, is not longer. It seems unfortunate that this population was named, especially since the species has already been badly split, but I would want to see more material before synonymizing ceylonicus with orientalis. Considering the three Indian mainland races as one population, it can be said that the easternmost birds are most rufous on the crown = fix re NOTES ON SOME ASIATIC MEROPIDAE (BIRDS) 16} and nape; the intensity of color decreases towards the western iimits. of the range. In the west the throat is a pale blue, the blue showing a tendency to decrease and to be confined more to the cheeks toward the easterly limits of the range. In the west the underparts tend to be bluish-green and the upperparts pale green; the trend in an east- ward direction is toward more yellow-green underparts and darker upperparts. There are no appreciable size differences affording any basis for separating the four subspecies. The length of the central tail feathers was found to be quite variable within each race; only some of the variation could be ascribed to wear. Measurements are tabulated under the subspecies headings. Males display a tendency to develop the central pair of rectrices more beyond the tip of the tail than do females. Nesting takes place principally in April and May. The annual post-nuptial molt is complete and takes place from July to September. In birds of the year a complete post-juvenal molt occurs at about the same season. Merops orientalis orientalis Latham Northern Punjab: Kangra Valley, Bhadwar, April 9-10, 1933, 2 ad. © ; Baijnath, May 19, 1 ad. 9, May 26, 1936, 1 ad. ¢ ; Hissar, Sirsa, Jan. 20-Feb. 1, 1983, 5 ad. ot, 2 ad. 9 ; Panwali, March 8, 1 ad. '9;. Lahore, Feb. 9-17, 2 ad. co, 2 ad. Q. = United Provinces: Gorakhpur, January 28, 1947, 1 ad. o; Nichlaul, February 9, 1 ad. of, February 12, 1 ad. 9; Khada, February 26, 2 ad. ot; Lechiwala, September 2, 1948, 1 ad. co; Lucknow, December fey lo56, | ad.-o,.2 ad.’ .O-. Nepal: Simra, March 6, 1947, 1 unsexed ad. Bihar: Raxaul, March 1, 1947, 1 ad. 9; Garhwa Road, September mld, 3 ad: of, 3 ad. QO. Bengal: Dacca, January 12-13, 1937, 3 ad. Cc. Surguja: Ramanujganj, September 27-October 2, 1947, 2 ad. o&, aad. 2. Central Province: Seven miles north of Jubbulpore, February 23- = 24, 1946, 1 ad. of, 1 ad. 9; Bheraghat, March 11, 1 ad. o‘,~-1 ad. = Mandla, June 26, 1 imm. 9; Belwani-Kisli, September 28, 1 athe CG. Bastar: Kesarpal, March 29, 1949, 1 ad. o&. Mewar State: Udaipur, April 22, 1987, 1 ad. 9. Madras Province: Foot of Mahendra, January 26, 1937, 1 ad Q; Rati, January 31, 1 ad. 9; Sidhout, March 22, 1 ad. o&; Salem, April 7, 1948, 1 ad. o&. Northern Bombay Province: Junagadh, Jamwala, January 31, feed, | ad. 9, February 11, 1 ad...o%, 1 ad. 9. Southern Bombay Province: Londa, January 8, 19-20, 81, February 1-4, 18-15, 1938, 2 ad. of, 8 ad. Q; Jagalbed, February 20-25, March 8, 1 ad. of, 2 ad. 9; Supa, February 26, 1 ad. ot. Measurements: Wing, 20 males, 89-97 (93.6), 22 females, 89-95. (91.4). Tail, 19 males, 68-74 (71.2), 24 females, 65-74 (70.4). Bill, 25 males, 20-25 (23.2), 27 females, 19-26 (22.6). 162 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 Merops orientalis beludschicus Neumann Iran: Iran: Tomogaon, February 3-4, 1940, 4 ad. o&, 5 ad. ‘9. Kirman: Saadatabad, December 28, 1939, 1 - eis Luristan: -Isin, December 16-19, 1939, 3 a oo, 2 ad. 9+ Bandar Abbas, “December Di wade ieae Fars: Borazjun, April 11, 1940, 1 aa! o. India: Sind: Khinjar Lake, January 18, 19384, 1 ad. 9, Jan. 28- Feb. 27, 8 ad. ot, 38 ad. 9; Karachi, December 3, 1939, 1 ad. Q. Measurements: (Tomogaon birds listed separately) Wing: males, 94, 94, 95, 96; females, 86, 90, 95, 95, 98; Tail: males, 69, 70, 71, 78, 73; females,~68, 69,-70, 70, 73; Bills: amalesi:22;.23, 24 24, 24; females, 19, 21, 21, 23, 24. Tomogaon specimens: Wing: males, 95, 98, 99, 100; females, 91, 98, 94, 96, 99; Tail: malés, 70, 78, 74, 77; females, 70,772). 75, 78; Bib: males, 725; 25. 2a, 26- females, 22, 22, 24, 25. . Nyctyornis athertoni athertoni (Jardine and Selby) Nepal: Simra, March 4, 1947, 1 ad. o, 1 ad. 9; Amlekhganj, | March 9, 1 ad. o&; Thankot, March 28, 1 ad. co; iitaura, May 28, 1 unsexed ad., June 8, 1 imm. ©, 1 imm. Q, 1 unsexed imm. , June 12-4 eons ee : United Provinces: Kumaon, Kathgodam, August 20, 1948, lad: o’; Lechiwala, September 1-2, October 28-30, 5 ad. o&, 38 ad. QO. Bengal: Siliguri, December 29-30, 1936, 2 ad. 9; Darjeeling District, Badamtam Forest, Rangit, December 24, 1 ad. ot. Assam: Khasia Hills, Nongpoh, May 38, 1949, 1 ad. o. June 22-28, 1 ad. o,:1 ad;-Q, 2.imim. o; 4 imm. 9; Barni Hat, June 2.1 ad. ot, 1 ad.-.05.f imm..o,-2 imam, Oy consexeds imma: Surguja: Ramanujganj, October 2, 1947, 1 ad. co. Central Province: Kanha, August 13-30, 1946, 1 ad. o&, 2 ad. &. Southern Madras Province: Nilgiri Hills, Kunjapanai, February 20. 1957, dads Give ad. 2 On . Southern Bombay Province: Jagalbed, February 18, 1938, 1 ad. Nyctyornis athertoni is a forest bird of the Indo-Malayan region ranging from Travancore and Belgaum in southern India, the Central Provinces (but not yet reported from Chota Nagpur’), Nepal; and the United Provinces, to Assam, Vizagapatam Hills, Bengal, Burma, Siam, Indo-China, and Hainan. Its distribution in southern and central India is curious, the bird being not very common and existing for the most part in isolated ecological pockets. Salim Ali (1948, Gujarat Research Society, Monograph No. 2) and Ripley (1949, Evolution, 3: 150-159) believe that this species and many other Indian species exhibiting similar distributions spread south from the Himalayas or the Kaimur Ridge-Vindhyan chain of hills during periods of low temperature and high humidity, only to become isolated during following periods of higher temperatures and increasing desiccation. In effect, N. athertoni is a relict species in southern India. * Salim Ali has recently collected specimens in Keonjhar and the Simlipal Hills (Mayurbhanj), Northern Orissa.—EDs. 163 NOTES ON SOME ASIATIC MEROPIDAE (BIRDS) “(P) ZEA Z2l WL ‘Zét “MA : Seinseant ad41,, (Z-2Z) Z8z-€-£22 |. (¥-S6) 0-26-0-F6 (F-GE) LE-SE (2.0) Z-T€-Z-62 | (1-6) 6-F6-F-26 (0-86) 6&-ZE (t-2z) $-0-6.zz | (2-96) 0-O0I-T-¥6 (6-PE) LP-6Z (0:22) Z-62-T-bz | (1-96) 6:ZOI-0-€6 | (S-9€) OF-EE XOpuy xopuy Te La [le -SUl MA Ita (4-221) $-LEI-S2I (S.S@L) OF I-22 9(8-62T) 9ET-LZL o(Z-SEL) OFI-ZZ1 (6-€§1T) 6ET-IET (8.PET) SET-ZET (S-PET) SEI-OE1 (S-68T) EPL-SET SUIM 2U0JAAYJY SIUAOAJINAAT JO S}[NpYy Jo sjUataiInsvayy ¢ AIavy, és Ps soe seyepneoiasig &el eZ ae fuo}ONIV N | sofoadsqus 164 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 It was formerly thought that this bird has no subspecies but Koelz has since described a _ short-tailed race, brevicaudata, from Hainan (1989, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 52: 79). At that time there were available to him only six specimens of the nominate race and twelve of the Hainan population. The collection of a fairly large series of Indian material by Koelz affords an opportunity to review the status of this subspecies. Measurements were made only on unworn and non-molting adults; included is the type and original series from which brevicaudata was described. The measurements are presented in Table 3. The races are not too sharply defined. The females of nominate athertont were found to have tail lengths concentrated among the lower values and it may be expected that further collecting will secure even shorter-tailed birds. Three of the five Hainan females and two of the five Hainan males overlap the mainland population in tail length. The averages of the wing-tail index and the tail-bill index indicate that the Hainan birds have a relatively shorter tail and, at least the males, have a longer bill relative to tail length. Fiven though the differences are not striking it seems legitimate to vecognize N. a. brevicaudata. All mainland birds are best included with the nominate race. There is a single, post-nuptial, molt that is complete and takes place between May and October. The post-juvenal molt occurs at about the same time. Since the immature plumage is exactly like that of the adult, birds of the year are best distinguished by their somewhat smaller size, especially shorter bill, although not all short- billed birds are necessarily immatures. TWO NEW SPECIES OF ISCHAEMUM FROM BOMBAY BY INS Bor While working out a considerable collection of grasses from the Blatter Herbarium Bombay, two ncvelties in the genus Ischaemum were discovered and are described below. Despite the fine work carried out on the grass fiora of Bombay by Blatter and McCann, it is quite clear that much remains to be done. Bombay contains a disproportionate number of interesting genera _ which are endemic, most of them monotypic, besides a large number of endemic species. Nearly all of these are annuals and come into flower at the end of the rains when plant hunting is not, in the ordinary course of events, popular. Be that as it may, this time of the year is likely to be very fruitful and productive of new species. The neighbourhood of Castle Rock is one place that may be recommended as an excellent hunting ground. Other places in the province, however, may be expected to yield much of interest. IJIschaemum santapaut was first collected at the end of 1949, but it turns out to be a very common grass with a fairly wide distribution—it was so common that it wasn’t worth collecting. Ischaemum bombaiense Bor, sp. nov. J. robusto Salisb. affinis sed ab eo spiculis multo majoribus, gluma superiore dorso nodulosa recedit. | Gramen annuum. Culmi usque 30 cm. alti, graciles, laeves glabrique, nodis ramosi. fFoliorum laminae usque 12 cm. longae, 7 mm. latae, lineari-acuminatae, ad basin attenuatae, utrimque pilis e tuberculis ortis tectae, supra scabrae, brevissime petiolatae; petiolus dense albo-pilosus; vaginae laxissimae et a culmis solutae, laeves, striatae, marginibus scariosis et dorso apicem versus villosae vel dorso omnino pilis e tuberculis ortis tectae; vaginae superiores sine lamina; ligula scariosa, 2-3 mm. longa. Racemi gemini; articuli rhacheos crassi, sectione triangulares, 7° mm. longi, 8 mm. apice lati, angulo exteriore villo-ciliati, denticulati. Spicula sessilis: gluma inferior 8 mm. longa, 3-3°5 mm. lata, oblongo-acuta, inferne coriacea, superne herbacea nervis multis gracilibus viridibus, superne carinata, inferne marginibus nodulosa, dorso convexo rugis transversalibus crassis ornata, sulfurea; glurra superior 8 mm. longa, explanata 5 mm. lata, navicularis, inferne dorso rotundata, superne valde carinata, 3-nervis, dorso inferne 2-3 _nodulis ornata, carina et marginibus apicem versus scaberrima. Anthoecium inferius Qo; lemma oblongo-ellipticum, acutum, 8 mm. longum, hyalinum; palea ei similis sed minor; stamina 3; antherae 3 mm. longae. Anthoecium supcrius 3; lemma 6 mm. longum, ad 34 fissum, aristam geniculatam e fissura emittens; palea squama hyalina 6 mm. longa; stamina 3; antherae 2°75 mm. longae; style 2; stigmata plumosa, purpurea; arista 20 mm. longa; columna torta, 166 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 brunnea, 8 mm. longa. Spicula pedicellata: pedicellus sectione triangularis, 1°5 mm. longus, altero margine villo-ciliatus; gluma inferior glumae inferiori spiculae sessilis similis, sed altero margine late alata, 7°5 mm. longa, 8 mm. lata; gluma superior navicularis, 7 mm. longa, basin versus 2-3 nodulis instructa; nervi superne anastomosantes anthoectum inferius vacuum; lemma _ paleaque elliptico-lanceolata, acuta, hyalina. Anthoecium superius 9; lemma paleaque eis anthoecii inferioris similes. Ischaemum bombaiense Bor, sp. nov. An annual grass. Culms up to 30 cm. tall, slender, smooth and glabrous, branching at the nodes. Leaf-blades up to 12 em. long, 7 mm. wide, linear-acuminate, narrowed to the base, covered on both surfaces with bulbous-based hairs, smooth on the margins below, scabrid above, very shortly petiolate; petiole covered with dense white hairs; sheaths very loose and slipping from the culms, smooth, striate, villous on the scarious margins and near the top, or covered with bulbous-based hairs all over, those near the top of the culm without leaves or only with rudimentary leaves; ligules scarious, 2-3 mm. long. ee Racemeés in pairs seated at the tip of a stout peduncle, the lower two joints of the rhachis being confluent. Joints of the rhachis very stout, triangular in section, 7 mm. long, about 3 mm. across at the top, villous-ciliate on the exterior angle, toothed at the upper articulation. Sessile spikelets: lower glume 8 mm. long, 3 to 3°5 mm. wide, oblong-acute in shape, crustaceous-coriaceous ‘in the lower half, herbaceous above with numerous very fine, green nerves, rugose in the lower half with 8-4 very stout ridges, bright yellow in colour, keeled above, nodular on the margins below, scabrid on the -keels above, for the rest smooth and glabrous; upper glume 8 mm. long, 5 mm. wide when flattened, boat-shaped, rounded on the back below, strongly keeled above, 3-nerved, the central’ nerve dividing half-way up at the point of junction of the awn with the upper lemma and afterwards nerves anastomosing above, with 2 or 3 nodules on the dorsal surface near the base, scabrid on the keel and very scabrid on the two margins above. Lower floret o; lemma oblong-elliptic, acute, 8 mm. long, hyaline; palea similar but smaller; stamens 3; anthers 8 mm. long. Upper floret ¢#; lemma 6 mm. long, cleft half-way down and armed with a geniculate awn in the cleft; palea a hyaline scale 6 mm. long; stamens 3; anthers 2°75 mm. | long; styles 2; stigmas plumose, purple: awn kneed, 20 mm. long; ~ column brown, 8 mm. long, twisted. Pedicelled spikelet: pedicel triangular in section, very stout, 1°5 mm. long, villous-ciliate on the outer margin; lower glume very. similar to the lower glume of the sessile spikelets, but with a broad wing on one margin, 7°5 mm. long, 3 nm. wide; upper glume boat-shaped, 7 mm. long, with 2-3. prominent nodules on the dorsal surface at the base, nerves anastomos- ing above. Lower floret empty; lemma and paleéa elliptic-anceolate, acute, hyaline. Upper floret 9; lemma and palea hyaline, similar to those of the lower floret. \ | “telaurl ©: eon Tene _ Inpia: Bombay, Khandala. Tata’s Lake, Blatter 9904. (Typus. in Herb. Kew. et: in: Herb.: Blatt., Bombay). . --.:-°-. (6; 52> ba ‘This is -a- most; remarkable species.. At first sight it. might be taken. for Ischaemum rugosum Salisb. ,;were it not for the very large TWO NEW SPECIES OF ISCHAEMUM FROM BOMBAY 167 _ spikelets. A further remarkable and unique feature in the genus is the presence of nodules on the upper glume of both the sessile and pedicelled spikelets. This grass should be sought for again and should not be very difficult. to find. | _ Ischaemum santapaui Bor, sp. nov. I. imbricato affinis sed ab eo habitu annuo, culmis ramosis, spiculis minoribus recedit. Gramen annuum, in oryzetis incolum, dense caespitosum. Culm usque 2 mm. alti, in paludibus geniculato-ascendentes, e nodis inferioribus radices aereas demum in solum penetrantes emittentes, subrobusti, teretes, multinodes, laeves glabrique, purpurascentes, nodis ramosissimi; e nodo rami 7-8, l-nodes, superne vaginam sine lamina gerentes, ex vagina 1-2 racemos erittentes, nodis pilosi. Foliorum laminae lineari-acutae, usque 15 cm. longae, 10 mm. latae, basi rotundatae vel vix cordatae, utrimque glabrae scaberrimaeque; vaginae laxissimae, glabrae laevesque, striatae, e culmis solutae; ligula lacerata, membranacea, 2-3 mm. longa. _Racemi numerosi, gemini, divergentes, usque 5-6 cm. longi; rhachis fragilis; spiculae ad quemvis rhacheos nodum binae; articuli 3 mm, longi, triangulares, altero margine pilosi. Spicula sessilis:: gluma inferior (cum callo 0°5 mm. longo) 4°5 mm. longa, 1°75 mm. lata, dorso plana, 10-1l-nervis, oblonga, acuta, inferne chartacea, superne herbacea nervis multis viridibus, superne bicarinata, carinis scabra, inferne marginibus rotundata, marginibus per totum decursum anguste inflexis; gluma superior 4°5 mm. longa, navicularis, superne carinata, inferne dorso rotundata, dorso prope carinam scabra, membranaceo-chartacea, apice acuta, mucronata. Anthoecium inferius of; lemma hyalinum, lanceolatum, acutum, 3°75-4°25 mm.. longum, 1°25 mm. latum; palea circiter 8 mm. longa, sed angustior; stamina 8; antherae 1°55 mm. longae. Anthoecium superius | lemma latiusculum, 3°5 mm. longum, ad 4 fissum, lobis acutis, “ex fissura aristam geniculatam emittens; palea squama_ triangularis, hyalina; stamina 3; antherae 2°5 mm. longae; styli 2; stigmata plumosa; lodiculae 2, truncato-cuneatae; arista 15 mm. longa; columna brunnea, torta; 6 mm. longa. Spicula pedicellata: pedicellus 2 mm. longus, -2-angulatus, angulis ciliatus; glumae vestigiales, herbaceae, multinerves. | a _ Ischaemum santapaui Bor, sp. nov. An annual grass growing in ricefields and swamps, densely caespitose. Culms up to 2 mm. tall, in wet places decumbent at the base, with many roots and _ numerous stilt-roots from the lower nodes, many-noded, smooth and glabrous (purplish in colour), much branched at the nodes; branches slender, 7-8 from each node, 1-noded, bearing at the tip, in a sheath with reduced blade, a single or a pair of racemes, white, hairy at the nodes. Leaf-blades linear-acute, up to 15 cm. long, 10 mm. wide, rounded or shallowly cordate at the base, glabrous on the upper and under surfaces, coarsely scabrid on both surfaces; sheaths very loose, smooth and glabrous, striate, slipping from the culms; ligule lacerate, membranous, 2-3 mm. long. . Inflorescences very numerous on each plant; racemes binate at the tips of the glabrous peduncles, divergent, up to 5-6 cm. long; rhachis fragile, bearing at each node a sessile and a pedicelled spikelet; 168 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 joints of the rhachis 38 mm. long, 8-angled, long hairy on one angle, smooth and glabrous on the other two, with an oblique articulation at the tip. Sessile spikelet: lower glume (with a callus 0°5 mm. long) 4°55 mm. long, 1°75 mm. wide, 10-1l-nerved, oblong, flat on the back, tapering to an acute tip, chartaceous below, herbaceous above with many green nerves, 2-keeled above with scabrid keels, rounded on the margins below with margins narrowly incurved from base to apex; upper glume 4°5 mm. long, boat-shaped, firmly keeled in the upper half, rounded on the back below, scabrid on the back near the keel, membranaceous-chartaceous in texture, acute at the tip, mucronate. Lower floret ot; lemma hyaline, lanceolate-acute, 3°75-4°25 mm. long, 1:25 mm. wide; palea about 3 mm. long but narrower; stamens 38; anthers 1:55 mm. long. Upper floret : lemma rather narrow, 3°50 mm. long, cleft half-way down, with a geniculate awn in the cleft; palea a triangular scale, 3 mm. long; stamens 38; anthers 2°5 mm. long; styles 2; stigmas plumose; lodicules 2, truncate, cuneate; awn with an elbow at its point of juncture to the lemma, 15 mm. long; column brown, twisted, 6 mm. long; bristle scabrid. Pedicelled spikelet, rudimentary, consisting of rudimentary glumes, seated on top of a short pedicel; pedicel 2 mm. long, 2-angled, ciliate on the angles; rudimentary glume often a small scale but towards base of the raceme up to 2 mm. long, herbaceous and many-nerved. Inp1A: Bombay Presidency, Karjat, G.I.P. Rly. Riversides. 11-12-1949, H. Santapau 9665. (Typus in Herb. Kew. et in Herb. Blatter, Bombay). Father Santapau states in litt. ““The plant is very common all over Karjat in ricefields (after the harvest), along hedges, and from Karjat upwards to Khandala along the railway line, some of the specimens being from Khandala itself; before reaching Karjat it is also found along the railway line in fairly good abundance. ‘I'he grass grows in dense tufts or clumps, the number of culms per clump being up to 50, in height up to a little over 1 m. generally, occasionally to nearly 2 m.; in the lower part of the culms the plant throws out adventitious roots from several nodes. The branching or multiple proliferation of the nodes is very noticeable. In ricefields the plant occasionally appeared prostrate at the lower nodes, then erect for the rest.’’ LIFE-HISTORY AND BIONOMICS OF THE CAT FLEA’, CTENOCEPHALIDES FELIS BOUCHE.! | BY K. R. Karanpikar AnD D. M. Muwnsui (With six text figures) CoNTENTS PAGES Life-history: Egg; Larva; Pupa aif & ... 169-172 | Bionomics: Hosts of fleas a Ae et ae he 173 Feeding habits af om 19 TA a 173 Mode of feeding ... ae ne 174 Locomotion and means of eisub ution 13: wef Ltd Longevity x ih Ry 175 Fleas as vectors of diseases: st. ve 176 References : ue . By: ay eLT6: Ey LIFE-HISTORY Fleas are holometabolous insects. Hggs are laid generally in such places where the host animal rests during the night and where the larvae on hatching can obtain their food without much difficulty. Some of the locations selected for egg laying are dirty corners, under the carpets, in straw mattings, cracks and crevices in the floor, un- clean chicken houses containing dried excrement, feathers, straw, etc. Cienocephalides felis oviposits in the fur-covering of its host (cat) and also near the breeding places of the same animal. Plenty of eges were obtained from a blanket which formed the bed of a kitten. Observations on the mode of oviposition were made with the help of the draw tube technique described below. A glass tubing was drawn out to form a fine narrow pipette with a lumen which would hold a number of fleas in a single row. The end of the pipette was closed, and flea specimens were introduced into it and blown with mouth towards the closed narrow passage. The movements of the fleas thus enclosed in the narrow passage in a single row were observed with the help of a low power microscope. Egg Just prior to actual egg-laying, the flea wriggles about restlessly and shows very rapid movements of the legs and the mouth parts. Suddenly after this a little quantity of fluid excretion is ejected with a considerable force through its genital aperture, and immediately ————-—- ' This paper forms a part of the thesis submitted by the junior authcr for the M. Bes slegree to the University of Bombay. 3 170 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 afterwards, an egg is launched out and deposited into the fluid. The process is repeated and more eggs are deposited in the same manner. The flea under observation was found to deposit three eggs in quick succession. A female Xenopsylla cheopis is reported (14) to deposit from 2 to 6 or even more eggs at a time, and is capable of laying 300 to 400 eggs during its life-time. In the case of C. felis a female laid over 800 eggs during its life-time. Eggs of C. felis are just visible to the naked eye, their average size being about 800 microns (Fig. 5). They are broadly oval in shape and glistening white in colour. The surface of a freshly laid egg is perfectly smooth, but when dry, it shows a faint reticulum spread all over in a discontinuous way. Unlike the eggs of other fleas which become dull and darkish with age, those of the cat-flea remain relatively unaltered in colour, except that they become a little opaque. Minute micropylar openings which provide passage to the spermatozoa during fertilization, are situated at each pole of the egg and arranged in circular rows. There are 35 to 55 such openings at i anterior pole of the egg of C.felis, and 20 to 30 at its posterior pole. Larva The eggs hatch after 2 to 4 days into a tiny worm-like apodous larva which moves about actively and away from light by means of bristles which encircle its body segments (Fig. 1). When full grown, it measures about 4 mm. in length. It has a distinct head, three thoracic segments and ten abdominal segments. The midportion of the body covering the seventh and eighth segments is the broadest. The body tapers towards the anterior and posterior extremities, the head and the terminal abdominal segment being the smallest. The latter bears a pair of stout, blunt, hooked, chitinous processes called Fig. 1. Larva of C. felis. the anal struts. The head which is of the prognathus type is more chitinized and darker in colour than the body-segments. It bears a pair of slender cylindrical antennae. The ocelli are absent. The mouth parts which are of the biting-crushing type, consist of the labrum, a pair of mandibles, a pair of maxillae and the labium. LIFE-HISTORY AND BIONOMICS OF THE CAT FLEA 171 The larva, unlike the imago, is not parasitic in its feeding habits. It feeds on the organic debris found on the body of the host. An examination of the contents of the larval stomach reveals the presence of blood and blood-pigments. Obviously their source lies in the organic debris which is usually formed of the faecal matter of the adult fleas containing half-digested blood. Occasionally the larvae occur on the hind region of the body and in the dirty pelt of the host. Larvae of other species of fleas are also found at times on the body of nestling birds and also on human beings with unclean habits. Here they probably feed on the organic material present on the skin of the host which at times contains blood defaecated by the parent flea. The presence of this blood can be demonstrated in the form of minute dark-coloured particles on the fur or feathers of such animal hosts. The larva passes through three consecutive instars. The length of the larval life is not definite and generally varies according to the temperature and humidity conditions of its surroundings. Generally speaking the larval life extends over a period of 9 to 10 days. To- wards the end of this stage, the larva surrounds itself with a silken cocoon (Fig. 6) spun from its own salivary secretion. Pieces of debris are incorporated in the walls of the cocoon with the result that it resembles its surroundings so closely that it is very difficult to spot it out. Often several cocoons adhere together to form masses which then become visible to the naked eye. When the. cocoon is completed, the enclosed larva moults into the pupal stage, Pupa The pupa resembles the adult. In a full-grown pupa which is whitish in colour, the segmentation of the exoskeleton can be clearly seen (Fig. 2). The head is bent ventrally and the palps and the Fig. 2. Pupa of C. felis. legs lie folded and well-pressed against the ventral surface of the body. The duration of the pupal stage is from 7 to 10 days, after which the pupa moults into the imago (Fig. 4). Thus the whole life- cycle of the flea is completed within a period of about three weeks. 172 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 - “The life-cycle period may be shorter in the case of tropical fleas living. under optimal conditions, with a temperature of 23°C. and humidity from 80% to 90%. Observations on the development of the dog flea (Ctenocephalides canis), according to Russel (17), indicate the duration of the different stages as follows:—egg stage—2 days; larval stage—6 days; pupal stage—8 days; total period of the life- cycle—16 days. However, under extremely abnormal conditions, such as low temperature and scarcity of food, the life-cycle of the flea from the egg to the adult may take a much longer period, which, as reported by Jordan (18), may in some cases extend from 18 to 20 months. Very often the imago may remain quiescent in the cocoon for a very long time before it emerges from it to lead a free active life. Waterston and Jordan (25) state that a mechanical stimulus from outside, however slight, is required for the resting imago to break through its cocoon, and in the absence of that stimulus, the emergence is very often delayed. They also state that the required stimulus is usually supplied by the host itseli by brushing against the resting cocoons which thus become activated, and emergence follows. More striking is the behaviour of certain fleas such as Ceratophyllus styx, which leaves the cocoon before the arrival of its emigrant host, the sand martin, and instinctively waits for it near the entrance of its burrow. This probably accounts for the sporadic outbreak of fleas after long intervals. After emerging from their cocoons fleas can live without food for a considerable period of time. When sexually mature, copulation takes place and the cycle starts over again. BIONOMICS Hosts of Fleas The normal food of the fleas is the blood which they obtain from the hosts on which they live a parasitic life. As a general rule, a flea restricts itself to its specific or true host, but in the absence of such a host, it will readily attack and feed on the blood of other animals which may, therefore, be called the casual or accidental host. The latter may belong to allied species or even to widely separated ones. Thus the common cat-flea (Ctenocephalides felis) is also found on dogs and may even attack man. Rat fleas feed on mice and even moles. The common rat-flea (Xenopsylla cheopis) readily feeds on the blood of man in the absence of its normal host. The Pulex irritans, which is specific of man, also feeds on blood of the dog in North China and visits man only when the dog is not available. In Europe Pulex irritans lives normally on man. The dog-flea (Ctenocephalides canis) is a common ectoparasite of the jackal and is not often seen on the dog. It may even be found on cats. Many animals exchange fleas with one another due to their living close together. That is why the bird fleas are found on mammals or even on bats. Beasts of prey are infested with fleas from the victims on which they prey. Thus rabbit fleas are found at times on wild -eats. Russel (17) has stated that a German naturalist collected 2,036 fleas from theatres, concert halls, ball rooms, schools and LIFE-HISTORY AND BIONOMICS.OF THE CAT FLEA 173 barracks in the great Duchy of Baden and found that 50% of them were dog-fleas. In zoological gardens cat-fleas are generally numerous in most cages. Probably more species of fleas hive been obtained from Insectivora and Rodents than. from other Orders of Mammals taken together. It may, however, be mentioned here that Ungulates and monkeys are the only mammals generally free from the flea trouble. Russel (17) suggests that Ungulates are immune to fleas, due to the fact that their young ones always follow their mother from the time of their birth, instead of leading a stationary, helpless life in their shelters. It has also been observed that the relationship between a flea and its specific host is often characterised by individual preferences. Thus the human flea will readily feed on the blood of a particular person and reject that of another although belonging to the same species. Feeding Habits Some fleas may remain attached to the body of their specific host nearly throughout their life and thus prove to be highly parasitic in habit, while others may act only as temporary parasites. Female fleas belonging to the family Hectopsyllides (Sarcopsyllides) fix them- selves to the body of their host and remain attached in one position for a greater part of their life. The ‘Jigger’ (Tunga penetrans) may be mentioned as an example of this habit. The females may even bore through the skin and oviposit subcutaneously. Other species bite occasionally, taking short feeds, and still others may take a long feed and then hop away from the body of the host to return once more after a lapse of time. Many species of fleas do not suck blood more than once in their life. Ag a general rule, fleas are temporary parasites. When the temperature is high, the process of digestion takes place rapidly in fleas as in other insects. Thus the number of feeds is closely correlated with the rapidity of digestion which, in its turn, is governed by temperature conditions. It is rather a remarkable fact to note that some fleas, under conditions of starvation, will resort to taking in liquid food other than blood. Thus a starved flea will suck a drop of water or even insert its mouth parts into the skin of a caterpillar and suck its fluid. Damph (6) introduced a number of common bird fleas (Ceratophyilus gallinae) of both sexes on the body of a hairy caterpillar and observed that the fleas immediately started sucking the body fluid of these insect larvae. He also observed that a naked hairless caterpillar was not, however, attacked by such fleas. Russel (17) has mentioned that the larvae of Pulex irritans prey on caterpillars and feed on their juices. The common belief that the capacity of oviposition of a flea depends upon adequate feeding prior to that process, has been refuted by Jordan (18) who states that a freshly emerged flea can start laying eggs even before leading any parasitic existence, since enough nutritional matter is stored by the larva and carried over to the adult stage to enable a certain number of eggs to get ripened. Several successive generations have been observed to have been produced in this way. This fact easily accounts for the excessively large number of fleas found sometimes in uninhabited huts and other locations such as srain storage, etc., where the normal food is not available. 174 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 Mode of Feeding Observations on this point were made with the following technique. A kitten was first laid on its back on a dissection wooden board and its limbs were tied by strings on to nails fixed to the corners of the — board (Fig. 3). Its head was then adjusted in position by means of a leather strap fitted across its neck. Its belly was shaved .so as to make the skin clean and bare. A square piece of clean white flannel with a median circu- lar hole of about an inch in diameter was spread and tied to the belly. Another piece of soft wire gauze with a close meshing and of the same size as the flannel piece was taken and had a median circular aperture of the same size cut . into, it. The wire gauze was then spread over the flannel piece in such a way that ‘both the apertures coincided with each other. The gauze was then fixed to the board and a flea starved for about a week, was introduced on the portion of the belly exposed through the apertures. A watch glass was immediately placed over the aperture in order to close it and trap the flea within the circular area. Movements of the flea were then observed with the help of a binocular dissecting microscope. Before the stylet-like piercing mouth parts were inserted into the skin of the host, a flea was seen wandering about on the surface of the skin, as if for the purpose of exploration, making occasional punctures here and there. When an appropriate spot was discovered, it immediately took up a tilted position. The epipharyngeal and the mandibular stylets were then thrust into the skin, while the furcate labium was bent outwards, the palps forming an angle with the submentum. The forelegs spread outwards and thus balance the posterior region of the body high above the surface of the skin. So long as it was not disturbed, it remained absolutely glued to the spot. In this position it could be examined from all sides with the help of a powerful lens or a telemicroscope. Within two or three minutes one could see its abdomen gorged with red blood. Careful observations also revealed the up-and-down movements of the mandibles and the passage of blood through the pharynx into the pulsating mid-gut. Fig. 3.. Demonstrating the mode of feeding. Locomotion and Means of Distribution The normal mode of locomotion in fleas is by jumping from place to. place. They can also glide their way easily through fluffy objects, such as fur, cotton, wool, flannel, etc. Being habituated to this type of locomotion in the furry coats of. mammals, birds and such ' LIFE-HISTORY AND BIONOMICS OF THE CAT FLEA 175 other hosts, certain structural adaptations have been developed by them. They have a bilaterally compressed body covered with spines and. bristles all of which are backwardly directed. In the case of the combed fleas like Ctenocephalides, the spines of the comb are also similarly directed. The antennae being delicate and sensitive, are lodged within the antennal grooves, the eyes are protected by the ‘ocular’ and ‘frontal’ bristles. If disturbed, they often sham death and rest with their legs tucked in tightly to the body, in which condition they. may even be blown about. ‘With the help of their powerful legs they jump over long distances. Patton (14) states that Fig. 4. Adult of C. felis. Fig. 5. Egg of C. felis. Fig. 6. Pupa exposed by cutting open the cocoon. the longest jump a flea can take, measures over 33 cm., and the highest jump taken by it veaches a height of about 19°95 cm. When off the host, the fleas remain confined to the ground and cannot distribute themselves far and wide like winged insects. But they are carried from place to place through the agency of their hosts. Transport, especially sea-transport, helps a good deal in_ the distribution of fleas from port to port. Also the eggs which are frequently laid on the host are scattered about when the animal goes to its resting place. LONGEVITY Observations made by Nicolle (12) on Nosopsylla faciatus indicate that the average length of life of the flea is from 6 to 8 days under ordinary temperatures. Experimentally however fleas have been kept alive for several months. Bacot (2, 8) for instance, had kept Pulex 176 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY,. Vol. 49 irritans in the living condition for 513 days. Xenopsylla cheopis lived for 162 days [Webster and Chitre as quoted by Patton (14)]. Strickland (21) kept fleas living as long as 17 months without feeding them at all during this period. Nicolle (12) states that under certain conditions the larvae and pupae of fleas remain’ unmetamorphosed for months and months. Jordan (18) also mentions that the pupa may lie quiescent within its: cocoon for an indefinitely long period until it receives the requisite mechanical stimulus for itg emergence. As regards C. felis, it was observed that the flea could be kept alive for over three months under experimental conditions. | Fleas as Vectors of Diseases . Many of human diseases are due to fleas. Their stylet-like mouth- parts; when inserted into the skin of the host, render them liable to carry pathogenic organisms from animal to animal, from animal to man, and from man to man. Formerly with the exception of Diphylidium canium, fleas were only suspects as carriers of diseases. There was enough suspicion that fleas may be the cause of relapsing fever, typhus fever, and kala-azar. But no definite proof was available in support of this suspicion, until the findings of the Indian Plague Commission (1), in connection with their role in the transmission of the plague germs, were published. The common rat-flea (Xenopsylla cheopis) is now known to be an effective vector of the bubonic plague and the murine (endemic) typhus. Verjbitski (24) successfully trans- mitted the plague bacilli from rat to rat by means of the Ctenocephalides felis. The Indian Plague Commission (1), during their exhaustive series of experiments, succeeded in the transmission of the same bacillus with the human flea (Pulex irritans). Ctenocephalides canis, Pulex irritans and C. felis have been shown to be the intermediate hosts of certain helminths that affect man (e.g. the tapeworms Diphylidium canium and Hymenolepis diminuta). Haemorrhagic septicaemia of cattle is probably transmitted by C. felis in tropical countries (7). The digestive tract of fleas is rich in bacterial flora and protozoal fauna. That the flea is a potential reservoir of protozoal infection, has been shown by various workers prominent amongst whom have been Balfour, Cowdry, Korke, Laveran, Minchin, Noller, Patton, Ross, Splendore, Swingle, Tyzzer, Wenyon, Yamasaki and others. As a result of the laborious work done by these workers in different parts of the world, remarkable facts about protozoal and spirochaetal infection by fleas have been revealed. Recent re- searches in insect microbiology have shown that C. felis has also been found to be a carrier of some unnamed species of Crithidia (20) and Rickettsia ctenocephali (20). REFERENCES 1. Advisory Committee (1906-1914): ‘Reports on Plague Investigations in India.» Vols: 4, 2,23: , 2. Bacot, A. W. & Martin, C. J. (1914): Journal of Hygiene. (Plague supp.) 1914, p. 423, 1924, pp. 23-98. ° 3. Bacot, A. W. & Ridewood, W. G. (1914): ‘Observations on the Larvae of Fleas’. Parasitology, 7: 157-175. 4. Balfour, A. (1906): Herpetomonas parasites in Fleas. Journ. Hug., 6: 652. face LIFE-HISTORY AND BIONOMICS OF THE CAT FLEA 177 5. Cowdry, EH. V. (1923): ‘The Distribution of Rickettsia in the tissues of insects and arachnids’. J. Haptl. Med., 42: 281-252. 6. Dampf, A. (1907): Die Ost und Westpreussische #lohfauna. Schriften der Physikokonom. Gesellschaft zukonogsbergi-i-Pr., 48: 388. 7. Daubney, R., Hudson, J. R. & Roberts, J. I. (1934): J. Comp. Path, 47: 211. 8. Korke, V. T. (1916): On a nosema (Nosema pulicis, n. s.) parasitic in the dog-flea (Ctenocephalus felis). Indian Journ. Med. Res., 3: 5, 9. Landois, L. (1865): ‘Anatomie des Hundeflohs (Fulex canis Duges)’. Nova Acta Akad. Leop. Carol. 10. Laveran, A. & Franchini, G. (1914): Infection naturelle du rat et de la souris au moyen de puces de rat parasités par Herpetomonas pattoni. C. R. Acad. Sci., 158: 450. 11. Minchin, E, A. & Thomson, J. D. (1915): The rat trypanosoma, Trypanosoma lewisi, in its relation to the rat-flea, Ceratophyllus fasciatus. Quart. Journ. Micro. Sci., 60: 463. 12. Nicolle, C. & Sparrow, H. (19385): Arch. Inst. Pasteur Tunis, 24: 179. 13. Noller, W. (1914): Die Ubertragungsweise der Rattentrypano-somen II Teil- Arch. Protist, 34: 295. 14. Patton, W. S. (1980): ‘Insect, Ticks, Mites and Venomous Animals.’ Liverpool, Part IL (Public Health). 15. Patton, W. 8S. & Rao S. (1921): Studies on certain Flagellate parasites of Pulex irritans L. Part IV, Indian Journ. Med. Res., 8: 621. 16. Ross, E. H. (1909): A gregarine parasitic in the dog-flea, Ctenocephalus serraticeps. Ann. Trop. Med. & Parasit., 2: 359. 17. Russell, H. (1918): ‘The Flea’, 18. Smart, J., Jordan, K. & Whittick, R. J. (1948): ‘A Handbook for the Identification of Insects of Medical Importance’, London, 19. Splendore, A. (1920): Sui parassiti delle avicole. Annali d’Igiene, 30: 445, 560, 622. 20. Steinhaus, E, A. (1946): ‘Insect Microbiology’. New York. 21. Strickland, C. (1914): ‘The Biology of Ceratophyllus fasciatus Bosc.. the Common Rat-flea of Great Britain’. Journal of Hygiene, Cambridge 14: 129-142. 22. Swingle, L. D. (1911): The transmission of ‘Trypanosoma lewisi’ by Rat- fleas (Ceratophyllus sp. .and Pulex sp.), with short descriptions of three new herpetomonads. Journ. Infect. Dis., 8: 125. 23. Tyzzer, HE. E. & Walker, E. L. (1919): A comparative study of Leishmania ‘infhntum of infantile kala-azar and ,;Leptomonas (Herpetomonas) ctenocephali parasitic in the gut of the dog-flea. Journ. Med. Res., 40: 129. 24. Verbitski (1908): ‘The part played by insects in the epidemiology of the plague’. (In Russian). 25. Waterston, J. & Jordan, K. (1942): ‘Fleas’. Brit. Museum (Nat. Hist.) ‘Economic series, No. 3. 26. Yamasaki, S. (1924): Uber Leptomonas ctenocephali, Trypanosoma lewisi und pathogene Trypanosomenarten im Hundfloh. Arch. Protist., 48: 136. THE LOWER SIND VALLEY, AND SOME FURTHER OBSERVATIONS ON BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY BY Lr.-CoL. R. S. P. Bates, M.B.0.u., 1.4. (Retd.) (With 4 plates) In the spring of 1943 I had an enforced spell in hospital. The hackneyed saying that it is an ill wind that blows no one any good operated well to my advantage on that occasion. For, after the surgical specialist had removed what he called a foreign body, a considerate Medical Board granted me a month’s sick leave to regain the use of my leg. I joined my wife in Murree, where I soon found I was capable of getting about fairly well on even ground. That being so, we decided to make at once for the Vale of Kashmir to see what ‘transpired in June between Ganderbal and Kangan in the lower reaches of the Sind Valley. In Srinagar I gleaned some useful information from Bob Lowther, whom I contacted in the Chenar Bagh. He had just come in from Shalabug after working around Ganderbal in the hopes of netting photographs of the elusive Ibisbill. I fear the nesting of that intrigu- ing bird in the Lower Sind has in all probability now been brought to an end through the reclamation of the larger islands and the avarice ‘of certain unscrupulous egg-shikaris. Whether the present unsettled state of the country will re-act to the advantage or detriment of the species, and allow it to rehabilitate itself in the area, it is impossible to say, but I live in hopes. The late Colonel ‘Bingie’ Phillips, whose recent death in Mombasa we all mourn, is, I believe, the only bird-photographer in India to have tried successful conclusions with that bird of superlative interest. He had a considerable amount to say about it in Vol. 45, pp. 347-52. It lays its eggs in April, so his nest of 4 eggs, found by him on the toth of that month, was by now finished with, and Lowther reported seeing both birds on the 4th May still in the vicinity of the nest but ‘unaccompanied by their young. Some disaster appeared to have be- fallen the family. A mile or so further upstream another pair were accompanied by 4 small young, so at least one couple still appeared to have a chance of bringing a brood to maturity. I saw what must have been the abandoned nest of Phillips’s birds. It was a flat mosaic of small stones covering a circle of about 8 ‘inches diameter amongst the coarser shingle tailing off a small island. It was placed on the highest part of the ridge to be above normal flood level. A point to which I would draw attention is the even ‘curve of the bill in the living bird portrayed in Colonel Phillips’s photographs. Is it possible that the bill in museum specimens assumes the more peculiar shape shown in the woodcut in the Fauna through -shrinkage during the process of drying? | JOURN. BomBay Nat, Hist. Soc. PLATE I White-breasted Kingfisher with giant mole-cricket for young. Journ. BomBay Nat. Hist. Soc. PLATE II Kashmir Pied Woodpecker at nest-hole. LOWER SIND VALLEY AND BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY 179 It is not really of this bird that I wish to write, for I could hardly expect to get even belated information about it of which I could make use. It was the news brought by L regarding a nest- ing pair of White-breasted Kingfishers which most intrigued me. Previously I had only seen this bird with any regularity in the Jhelum Valley as far up as Garhi, and in the Kishenganga at the lower end of the Tithwal Gorge, though once, many years ago, I heard a bird calling near the Nasim Bagh. But here it was, actually nesting m a quarry-face at Ganderbal. L noticed the nest on 12th May when he saw both birds leave the tunnel. At that time they seemed to be feeding on small fry and frogs. His shikari recognised the bird and testified to having once seen a nest in the Vale, but this find of Lowther’s is, I believe, the first authentic record of this King- fisher’s nesting so far into the Himalayas at this point. It appears to be extending its range, for later on Colonel Phillips wrote to me that he had been coming across it in the Vale at all seasons of the year, in small but seemingly increasing numbers. When, on 6th June, I photographed the parents, the nest al- most certainly contained young, for they were constantly bringing food to the nest-hole. It was difficult to recognise of what this consisted since it was often crushed into an unrecognisable mass. Frogs certainly figured on the menu, occasionally a small fish, and I think a lizard, but the most intriguing item was a huge mole-cricket with the most wonderful digging apparatus I have ever seen. In fact, besides scrapers and shovels, it appeared to have capacious grabs with which to scoop up and eject the waste material behind it. Its scientific name is, I gather, Schizodactylus monstruosus, and it is really a desert species. The lower slopes on the northern side of the Vale around the larger side valleys are of rather an arid stony nature, so the insect may have reached this perhaps unusual but congenial habitat from across the watershed from Ladakh and the Indus Valley. When Colonel Phillips photographed this same bird on the 12th June, he averred that the nest then contained well-grown fledglings and that the food being brought to them ‘always consisted of frogs or the battered remains of lizards’ (Vol. 46, p. 99). In this photograph facing p. 91 the victim looks to me like a frog which has also undergone the violent crushing treatment which appears to be the fate meted out to all but the smaller and softer items when intended for the young brood. | The kingfisher proved very easy to photograph, posing time after time on a large pile of stones facing the nest-hole. These stones were a godsend, since the only position for the tent and camera, if focussed on the hole, faced the strong light coming over the top of the quarry bank. I built up another stack to get myself level with the bird on its favourite perch, and it is this mound, and the hiding- tent upon it, which are clearly reflected in the bird’s eye. On 8th June we left the houseboat at Ganderbal and moved up to the Akhal rest-house. This is a somewhat dilapidated forest hut, seldom used I should think, about half a mile from the left bank of the river opposite Kangan (elevation 5,800 ft.).. A very dirty tonga took us along the so-called new motor road as far as the Kangan D.B., 180 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 and I hobbled the remainder of the way with a few rests which served to give me a chance of observing the birds around us. I have always considered Kangan to be the point in the Sind Valley where the returning trekker first meets with a predominantly ‘Vale’ fauna. This certainly holds good for. the valley bottom where fields and parklands slope up to the forest rim. Starlings, House- Sparrows, Mynas, White-cheeked Bulbuls, Drongos, a Roller or two, and Tickell’s Thrushes, were all noted on that first walk. And, before we left, we had seen many of the common fry of the drier parts of the Vale with the notable exception of the Paradise Flycatcher. Indian Orioles were not uncommon, but surely Stuart Baker has got his data wrong in recording orioles nesting at Sonamarg! Did he mix up Sonamarg with Sonarwain, I wonder? I have never seen orioles at any distance from the Vale, except of course below it in the Jhelum and Lower Kishenganga Valleys. Black Bulbuls were noted as being fairly numerous, especially along the forest edge. That was to be expected, since they winter in small numbers in the Vale and in large numbers below it, moving up to the Vale in flocks in the spring, to spread themselves in May about the lower ends of all the side valleys where they breed on their lower slopes. As soon as we entered the mixed forest, a few hundred feet above Kangan and the river, we were in another world. A Forktail was disturbed within fifty yards of the hut, and Black-and-Yellow Gros- beaks were calling as they fed their way through the summits of the tall pines. Willow-Warblers, Red-breasted Flycatchers, and a pair of Small-billed Minivets were seen as we crossed a little glade; while Meadow-Bnntings were moving about the undergrowth. The harsh cacophony of a Small Cuckoo drifted down from the slopes of a thickly- wooded nullah, to be followed shortly by the hoopoe-like notes of a Himalayan Cuckoo. I felt I had chosen well, and even if a mile in any direction were to remain my limit of travel, I would have plenty to do. My first victims were a pair of Kashmir Pied Woodpeckers. June seems to be late for finding nest-holes still in use. As most of my incursions into the hills had started from halfway through that month, I had not had many opportunities of photographing this bird. The few occupied nest-holes which I had noted at odd times, had often been in difficult, some in well-nigh impossible, situations in bare trunks 40 or more feet from the ground. I have noticed, however, that in the mixed forests of Kashmir, this woodpecker shows a decided preference for boring its nesting hole into the trunks and branches of chestnut trees. On our very first outing, on the morning of the oth, I heard the unmistakable squealings of young woodpeckers emanating from the far side of one of these trees. On going round, I could at first see no signs of the nest for I was looking well up into the tree. Imagine my delight when I glanced down at the main trunk to discover that I was standing with my elbow almost blocking their lair. I have never seen quite such a low nest; the majority run from say 12 feet to almost any height. We returned to camp and put the hide in position that evening. ye LOWER SIND VALLEY. AND- BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY “181 Surrounding trees rendered the light rather poor, added to which the 1oth proved to be a cloudy day. I perforce had recourse to the silent shutter and slow speeds, but between 1o o’clock and 1.15 p.m. exposed a dozen plates. Of these only half were worth keeping, for the birds proved altogether too tame, moving their heads in charact- eristically jerky fashion in the middle of exposures taking no notice whatsoever of the shouts and whistles whereby I attempted to make them freeze. The five negatives which showed no movement are all very good, so really I have nothing to complain about. The food brought to the young was varied but hard to recognise. One item appeared to be a small cocoon, no doubt with its larva or pupa within, while another was a large butterfly or moth. I had sent Khalik Khan a mile or so up river to where I had made out some large islands. He failed to trace the presence of any Ibisbills, but on cne of the larger and more accessible were no fewer than 4 sandpipers’ nests, a Hodgson’s Pied Wagtail’s, and a Red- wattled Lapwing’s. I visited this island on the 15th and found the sandpipers’ nests to contain c/4, c/4, c/3, and c/2. On that day the Red-wattled Lapwings completed their clutch with the laying of the fourth egg. A close inspection of this nest showed it to consist of some 200 sheep droppings, many bits of dry horse dung, and tiny pieces of wood and bark, the flotsam of the island’s rim, as well as small clods of earth and some pebbles. This lapwing is by no means uncommon along the side rivers in their lower reaches where there are islands or waste land along the banks. As is usual with this annoying bird, any man, bird, or beast foreign to the island was invariably met with a torrent of abuse and much ostentatious flying as soon as their boundary was violated. I cannot say that I find the Red-wattled Lapwing protectively coloured to any marked degree. The large expanse of deep black on the breast and head contrasts too highly with the adjacent white parts. The earthy back is inconspicuous enough, but there is little difficulty in picking out the sitting bird from either the front or side, however still it remains. I wasted a whole morning on that island, obtaining no photo- graphs of the sandpipers, in spite of having had rough hides up for a couple of days, but with no dummy lens in position; and some mediocre negatives of the Pied Wagtail on its nest where the patchy light and strong shadow cast by the sun proved too much for me. I tried shading the nest with an old umbrella, but even these birds kicked at that treatment and I had to remove the offending gamp. A number of useful paths radiated in all directions from the forest hut. Two led directly up and down the valley following the lower rim of the forest; two more ascended long spurs into the hills. The more northerly of the latter probably joined the route over the Hyan Pass, but we could not follow it far enough to see. ~ On the days between the 1oth and 15th we explored these different tracks. Those along the edge of the trees disclosed that here was primarily the domain of Rufous-tailed Flycatchers in large numbers, Blue-headed Rock-Thrushes, and Dark-grey Bushchats. I found nests of all three species, but two Rufous-tailed Flycatchers’ were in sites of which I had had no previous experience. They were, in fact, in identical situations in perrotia scrub, both of them built across small 182 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 horizontal forks, rather open to vetw and about 43 feet from the ground. The small young ones in one of them were found dead on the 18th so I examined the nest in detail, finding it to have been built almost entirely of moss with some bits of bark skin intermixed. A quantity of grey lichen plastered its exterior. The bulky little cup was lined with fine hairs and three or four downy feathers. The cup measured ig inches across and 1% inches deep. The Rufous-tailed Flycatcher is one of the commonest birds in I» «. THE SPORTSMAN’S HANDBOOK TO PRACTICAL COLLECTING AND PRESERVING TROPHIES. 1900: 248. Wardrop, Gen. Sir Alexander, and Morris, C.W.G. ... Days anp NIGHTS witH INDIAN Bic GAME. 1923 249. Webber, Thomas W. Tue Forests or Upprer INDIA AND THEIR INHABITANTS. © 1902: 250. Whistler, Hugh ..» LN THE HicH HIMALAYAS. 1924 251. Whitney, Caspar .., JUNGLE. TRAILS AND JUNGLE PEOPLE. 1905 252. Williamson, Capt. Thomas .., ORIENTAL Fietp Sports. Oblong quarto. Coloured plates. 1807 253. Williamson, Capt. Thomas -», ORIENTAL FIELD Sports. Crown quarto. Uncoloured Plates. 1808 “+254. Wilson, Col. Alban ... Sport anp SERVICE In ‘ASSAM AND ELSEWHERE. 1924 250. Wood, it.-Col. H. S. I.M.S. ... SHIKAR MEMORIES. 2 19384 256. Woodyatt, Maj.-Gen. Nigel ... My Sportiva MEmorizs. 1923 7. Wray, John Willough- by ... WitH RIFLE AND SPEAR: REMINI- SCENCES OF SPorT IN INDIA. 1925 % Many sportsmen are interested in the natural history of the big game animals they seek, and some of the other animals they may meet with. The following will supply the need:— x 1. Phillips, W. W. A. .... MAnuAL of THE MAMMALS OF CEYLON, 1937 2. Pocock, RB. I. oe GP AUNA © SOF, SB RETISE 219i NID TONG MAMMALIA. Violet: 1939 Vol, Ak . 1941 Sw eereieish lel 3.2 Nigiee 189- sand 190: SoLartihe Bibliography. ; 4. The Journals, existing and future, of the Bombay and Ceylon Natural History Societies. A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF BIG GAME HUNTING AND SHOOTING 235 Tn addition to these there are older, also more recent books which some may wish to consult: AUTHOR B ee lantord,, Wi. 1. eoerdon, OC, T’. . Kelaart, E. F. Lydekker, KR. cH 100 bo @ Sterndale, RK. E: o. 9) Je) 9. Tennent, Sir James Emerson C . HKardley-Wilmot, Sir 8. Hingston, R. W. Gare Btlooker: Sir J oseph ea ~I o> . Kipling, Lockwood ... », Rudyard 8. 25) 99 f 9. Mockler-Ferryman, A F. 10. Selous, F. C. 11. Spittel, R:. L. e093) Lag | ° 2 o Pigsticking is not ‘Big Game Hunting’. TITLE MAMMALIA: FauNa OF BRITISH InpiA SERIES. MAMMALS OF INDIA. ProproMus FAauNAE ZEYLANICAE. (Ceylon) THE DEER oF ALL LANDS. THE GREAT AND SMALL GAME OF EUROPE, WESTERN AND NorTHERN ASIA AND AMERICA. THE GAME ANIMALS OF INDIA, Burma, MaLayA AND ‘TIBET. Second edition, edited by 3. G.’ Dollman. MasMMALIA OF INDIA. MAMMALIA OF INDIA. abridged edition. New and NaturAL History oF CEYLON. THe Lirk ors TIGER. THE LIFE OF AN HLEPHANT. A- NATURALIST IN HIMALAYA. A NATURALIST IN HINDUSTAN. HIMALAYAN JOURNALS: oR, NOTES oF A NATURALIST IN BENGAL AND SIKKIM. BEAST AND MAN IN INDIA. THE JUNGLE Book. illustrations in colour. THE SECOND JUNGLE Book. THe Lire Story oF A TIGER. HAST AND WEST. WILD CEYLON. PUBLISHED: 1891 1867 @ 852 1898: 1901 1867 LOTT Lou: 1920 1923 1854 1892 1909 1895 1910 1900 1924. It is, however, a famous classic field sport—one of the principal sports of India—so the only two books wholly devoted to the subject are here included :— Baden-Powell, The Rt. Hon. Lord Wardrop, General Alexander Sir Pia Stickinc, on HoGc-HuUNTING. Revised and enlarged edition. MODERN PIGSTICKING. Second edition. 1924 19386 1912 1930 The following list of articles selected from the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society is by way of appendix to the bibliography as affording information of interest to sportsmen which 236 JOURNAL, .BOMBAY NATURAL. AIST. SOCIETY, Vals 49 they will not be able to obtain without purchase of a number of the books in the bibliography, most of which are out of print, and many difficult to find. ANIMAL ibs BEARS 2. BISON x] . BUFFALO . DEER TITLE AND AUTHOR The Black and Brown Bears of Europe and Asia. No. 4 pp- 719-720 in item 45 of this hist): 15, — es Thorold’s Stag (Cervus thoroldt) from. Tibet,, and on the Mammals of the Tibetan Plateau. By Wl. Blanford, HR Ses, HGZ.S. (With an excellent plate of this rare stag). Vol. 8, No. 4. pp. 540- 544, : 1894 238 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, . Vol. 49 16 Ii. lliey. 19. 22 _, ANIMAL . GOATS SHEEP . LIon TITLE AND AUTHOR PUBLISHED The Serows, Gorals and Takin of British India and the Straits Settlements. By R. I. ‘Pocock, F.RIS., FuZsS. > Pare I. (With good plate of male takin). Vol. 19, No. 74. pp. 807-824. Part II. Coloured plates, and text-figs. Vol. 22, No. 2. pp. 296-319. Note on Takin (Budorcas taxi- color) from the Mishmi Country. By Captain F. M. Bailey. (With 10 photo illustrations of horns and Skaulis 3). Viol 221, Noo. apa. 1059-1071. Notes on a trip after the Ovis pol.) By eColonel "Gla a. Sullivan, late 4th D.G.’s. (A good photograph of a ram, and a head with 63 inch horns.) Vols Loy Nor depp. Oveune Notes from an expedition for Ovis pol. By Walliana Morden, American Museum of Natural History. (Illustrated.) Vol. 34, pp. 142-148. Note. Other good articles on hunting this now much more rare sheep, record horns for which are 75 inches but none approaching that now obtain- able, are in Vol. 10, (1895); Vol. 18, (1901); Vol. 28, (1915). A note on its distribution is at page 216 of Vol. 37. Ovis ammon hodgsoni. A good photo of this, the largest wild sheep in the world, is at page 980 of Vol. 19. Ovis vignei. Article—‘Notes on Oorial’) By, tit-Col a ae Stockley at pages 1126-7-8. of Vol. 28. is of use and interest to sportsmen. Records of horns of the species in various locali- ties are in Rowland Ward’s book listed in the Bibliography. The “lions -ot. Asia. By To Pocock, F.R.S., F.Z.8. (With 5 plates, 4 text-figures of skulls, 1910 1918 1912 1907 1930 A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF BIG GAME HUNTING AND SHOOTING ANIMAL 38. LION 24. TIGER Al. . PANTHER . PHOTOGRAPHY 239 TITLE AND AUTHOR PUBLISHED and a map.) Nol. 34, pp. 6388- 655. > The Kethiawarn Laon: «, By it. Col. pile iLeenbou- «Vol. 19) No. 1, pp. 4-15. (Also see Vol. 48, pp. 493-514). Tiger Shooting in Burma. By Wie Thom, iP. «(etd,). (With 2 plates.) Vol. 37, No. 3. pp. 577-603. .. & Central Provinces Tiger. By Gaptam, ©. iy 8. Pitman, Bsa VOlse SUue NOt 2... pps 459-462. Some Reminiscences of Sport in Assam.” py EG EM im five parts. Vols. 45 and 46. digers: By iv. Pocock; E-8.s., F.Z.8. (With one coloured plate and 12 black and white plates. An exhaustive and scientific article.) Vol. 38, No. 3, pp. 505-541. Note. For naturalists there are the books previously listed, of which Pocock’s ‘Mammalia’ deals with all the carnivora of the Indian region. The Panthers and Ounces of Asia: By WL. Pocock, ‘WiR-s., F.z.S. (With. illustrations of skins and skulls). Vol. 34, No. 1. pp. 64-68. Vol. 34, No. 2. pp. 307-336. The Panther as I have known him. By Lt.-Col. A. E. Mosse, I.A., F.Z.8. Vol. 34. (3 plates) —>pp. 350-356. Vol. 34. (1 plate) pp. 673-679. Vol. 34. pp. 1015- 10238. Stalking a Herd of Saing. By i fly Peacock, F.2:s.. (Wath 4 photographs.) Vol. 87, pp. 278-288. (Reprinted from ‘The Field’.) Where Big Game Takes the Waters. By EH. H. Peacock, F.Z.8. (With 3 plates.) Vol. 387, No. 4, pp. 780-783. The Malayan Gaur or Seladang (Bibos gaurus hubbacki). By Theodore Hubback, F.z.s. 1930 1909 1929 1930 1934 1935 240 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST. SOCIETY, Yor wes ANIMAL 833. ELEPHANT ey) Ot | ~l Se) 88. RHINOCEROS AQ. TAPIR 41. SHIKAR ARTICLES TITLE AND AUTHOR PUBLISHED: (With 5 excellent plates.) Vol. 40, pp. 7-19. Wild Elephants in the United Provimcess; Bye eae Champion, 1.F.s., F.z.8. With four “plates. -Wol. 32) Nos pp. 126-1382. Wild Elephants in Assam. By J. EK. Hall. (With a plate. Mostly about shooting.) Vol. 41, No. 8, pp. 563-572. The Malayan Elephant (Elephas MLLim ws Ind1cus\ By Theodore Hubback, F.z.s. (With 8 plates of outstanding merit.) Vol. 42, No.3, pp: 483-509. An Elephant Shoot in the Baragur Hills, Madras Presi- dency.’ By ~ Handoloh ee: Morris, F.z.s. (With 2 photo- eraphs of tusks.) Vol. 31, No. 3, pp. 720-725. A Further Shoot in the Baragur Hills. By Randolph C. Morris, F.Z.8. (Photographs of the elephant and of the tusks 8 it. 2m, each Ol dbs) Volk 33, No. 4, pp. 861-868. A Note on the position of the Rhinoceros in Burma. By W. F. H. Ansell. (With map and plate, also a full list of references.) Vol, 47, No. 2, pp. 249-276. Rhinoceros Shooting in Burma. By W.-S: Thom, 1.P: 3(Retd). (With 2 photographs.) Vol. 39; No. Lt) pp: 137-150: The Malay Tapir (Tapirus ndigas\< JBy: We “Son hhomac 1.p. (Retd). (With one plate.) Vol. 88, No. 8, pp. 479-483. Some experiences almonest Elephant and other Big Game of Burma from 1887 to 1951) By Wie as homes 1.p. (Retd.). (With 2 photo- graphs.) Vol. 36, No. 2, pp. 821-833, A Journey to Siam and back. By 4it--Col C. EH. Stockley, 1938. 1927, 1940 1942. A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF BIG GAME HUNTING AND SHOOTING 241. ANIMAT: TITLE AND AUTHOR PUBLISHED: F.Z.8. (Illustrated.) In four parts in .Vol. 29 and the last part m= No, - 2. of Viele 30: 1925: 43. SHuxarn ArticnES ;:.. A Sporting Trip to the Pindari Glacier. By W. H. A. Shortt. (With three plates.) Vol. 30, parts 1 and .2. 1923: 44. — ... Three Months up the Sutle] Valley. By Lt.-Col R. W. Burton, 1.a: (Retd). (Illustrat- ed with photographs.) Vol. 31, pp. 28-39. Vol. 31, pp. 352- 3867. 1920: (Read with H. W. Waite’s article on ‘Birds of the Sutlej} Valley’ in Vols. 45 and 46; and Wynter-Blyth’s Sutle} and Baspa Valley article on Butterflies in Vol. 47., these three accounts give about all the available information concerning the valley of the Sutlej River: and the Hindustan-Tibet Road). 45. KASHMIR Pan eel siom Game: soe OLO. tal Imo. (OL Kashmir and the Adjacent Hill Provinces. 2. The Mammals and Birds of Kashmir and the Adjacent Hill Provinces, being ratural history notes, (These two fully informative and illustrated series by the late- Colonel A. EH. Ward, 1.4. (Retd.), are in Volumes 28 to 33 of the Society's Journal, and are very necessary to the big game sportsman- naturalist shooting in those regions. The series 2 was not fully completed by the author.) Tt has been suggested that a list of books on Angling should find permanent record at this place. 1. Bhattachariya, P. N. Hints to AMATEURS IN TANK ANGLING. 2. Conway, Capt. C. W. WwW. 8: .. SUNLIT WATERS. 1942: ee luacy,-G. H. THE ANGLER’S HANDBOOK. 1905 4. Macdonald, A. St. a CiRCUMVENTING THE MAHSEER AND OTHER SPORTING FISH IN INDIA AND BURMA. 1948 5. ‘Skene Dhu’. oie (DHE }YANGLER IN INDIA, “OR Micuty MAHSEER. 1923; ee ethomas, Hi: 8. 2 Shae hop a1n Inpra, > Second edition. (This is considered the best of the several published). 1881 i Uhomas, H:. 8. ... TANK ANGLING. No. 4 includes chapters on sea angling, and contains references to the valuable articles on both freshwater and sea angling to be found. in back numbers of the Society’s Journal. A NEW VARIETY OF CUCURBITA MAXIMA BY C. RajJASEKHARA MUDALIAR, M.A. (Agricultural College, Coimbatore.) (With two plates) Cucurbita maxima, Duchesne var. badagarensis, Mudaliar, C. R. War. nov. Accedit ad Cucurbitam maximam Duch. colore foliorum, magni- tudine et structura sepalorum, forma corollae et natura pedunculi frutescentis, differt vero magnitudine, colore et forma fructuum; -accedit etiam ad C. moschatam generali aspectu culmorum, foliorum ef florum, differt vero distincte structura tubuli corollae, pedunculo © frutescente cylindrico et striato, pallido et uniformi colore foliorum viridi. Folia pallide viridia, orbicularia, 12 cm. long, 14 cm. lata. Flores feminei 5-6 cm. diam., pallide lutei; corolla tubularis, tubo uni- formiter lato et dimetiente 3.5 cin. diam.; flores masculi minores, 4.5-5 cm. diam.; corollae tubus uniformiter latus, 2.5 cm. diam. Flores apparent intra 45 dies post seminationem; varietas haec valde praematura est. Pedunculus fructifer cyiindricus, striatus, crassi- tudine uniformi (nec striatus nec expansus ad basim); fructus longi -et cylindrici vel breves et globosi. Annual, trailing herb 3 to 3.5 meters long, stem nearly cylindrical, slender, slightly prickly in the younger portions, almost glabrous when mature. Leaves light green both when young and mature, orbicular, 12 cms long, and 14 cms broad, indistinctly lobed, margin denticulate -and slightly serrate near the base. Flowers medium sized, light yellow, monoecious (pedicel 2 to 3 cms in male flower and 5.5 to 7.5 cms in female flower). Calyx tube short, lobes linear 0.6 cms; corolla of pistillate flower, tubular, 3.25 cms across both at top and bottom (not expanding at top)—(plate 2). Staminate flower, com- paratively small, 2 to 2.5 cms across. Ovary of pistillate flower long and linear or globular, lemon yellow in colour. Fruit long, or short and rounded, slightly: ribbed, lemon yellow when tender, ripening to orange with stripes of light buff colour in the grooves (Plate 1); fruit stalk cylindrical, striated, uniform in thickness (not expanding near the base), (Plate 2; Fig. 5) flesh 2.5 cms thick at the’ middle 3-75 cms at the extremities. Seeds flat, smooth, white glossy, margin ‘dull white, mycropylar end oblique (Plate 2). Madras Herbarium No. 93177 and 93178; (Malayalam—Vellari mathan) cultivated commonly in Malabar District; a quick growing plant flowering within 45 days after sowing; also a good yielder and ‘duration up to 34 months. The variety is named after the place, Badagara where it is largely grown. In general appearance ihe new variety approaches Cucurbita ‘maxima Duch. variety typical, in the colour of the leaf, size and shape Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. PLATE 1 CUCURBITA MAXIMA Duch. var. BADAGARENSIS Mudaliar, C. R. S OFF ld 9'S“b “S34 e'Z 1 s8i4 "008 ‘ISIE ‘ENT Aequog ‘‘uanop A NEW VARIETY OF CUCURBITA MAXIMA 243 of sepals, corolla shape, and nature of fruiting stalk, as recorded by Oliver (1871), Clarke (1872), Woodrow (1898), Bailey (1902), and Hector; but differs in the following characters, namely, the size, colour, and shape of fruit, both when tender and when ripe, the time of flowering and the maturity of the fruit, etc. It resembles Cucurbita moschata only in the general appearance of the vine, the leaf and flowers, but differs distinctly in the following characters : (i) shape of the coroila tube which is of uniform width both at top and bottom; while in Cucurbita moschata the corolla tube is expand- ing gradually from bottom. (11) Cylindrical and striated fruiting stalk as against the strongly grooved and widely expanding stalk of Cucurbita moschata. (iii) light green colour of the leaves as opposed to the dark green leaves with white blotches of Cucurbita moschata. Tapley (1937) whe describes the different varieties of Cucurbita maxima of New York, has not recorded this variety. A large number of Cucurbita types were collected from different parts of the Madras Presidency and studied. Classification of South Indian pumpkins will form part of another paper. The local name, Vellari mathan, suggested whether it may be. a cross between Cucumis sativus Linn. (Vellart) and Cucurbita moschata Duch. (Mathan). A large number of artificial crosses were tried between these two species of different genera at the Agri- cultural Research Station at Pattambi with no_ success. Inter- generic crosses at Coimbatore between this new variety of C. maxima and Cucumis sativus also © failed. Inter-specific crosses with Cucurbita moschata were mostly unsuccessful; the few set fruits did not have viable seeds at all. These are further evidences that this plant is of a distinct species, Cucurbita maxima Duch. There are two forms in this variety, one with longer fruits, 30 to 33 cms by 11 to 14 cms and another with short and rounded fruits, 10 to 14 cms. (Plate 1). These two forms cross easily with each other. ACKNOWLEDGMENT The author wishes to express his thanks to the Superintendent, Agricultural Research Station, Pattambi for permitting him to examine and study the crop in the Research Station at Pattambi and to Rev. H. Santapau for helping in Latin translation. LITERATURE CITED Bailey, L. H. (1902): Cyclopaedia of American Horticulture. Clarke in Hooker’s Flora of British India (1882): Vol. 2. Hector, J. M., Central News Agency Ltd.., Johannesburg, S. Africa. Oliver, D (1871): Flora of Tropical Africa Vol. 2, p. 555. Papley, W. TF. et.al (1937): The Vegetables of New York, part IV. ou ge NOTES ON BIRDS OF THE IRRIGATED AREA OF MINBU DISTRICT, BURMA BY W. L. ROSEVEARE 1.8S.E. (Retd.) (With two sketch maps) IN © RO DUC TON The following notes cover observations made during the period from October 1934 to February 1937. Except where otherwise stated, they were made in that part of the Minbu district which is irrigated by the government canals, in its immediate vicinity, or in the neighbourhood of Minbu town. The area is indicated on the accompanying rough sketch-map. The notes are compiled entirely from visual observations, no attempt having been made to secure specimens. For the most part, especially under the headings ‘Identification’ and ‘Habits’, facts already recorded in Smythies’ ‘Birds of Burma’ have not been repeated. The notes are, therefore, mainly supplementary to that excellent volume, and have been arranged under the same headings. Particular attention was given to the status of each species throughout the year. The information given under that head has been compiled from a note-book in which each species was recorded at the end of each month as having been either very common, common, fairly common, uncommon or absent during the month in question. In the case of migrants, earliest and latest dates were also recorded. GLOSSARY OF BURMESE WORDS CHAUND i encase, Ares A stream-bed that goes dry, or peachicaly SO, for (patton the jyear Ue an eee ee (lit.) An umbrella. The word is applied to - the metal ornament on the summit of a pagoda. 1 TRAE RRA RI Be Mio 5 A shallow natural lake. Indaing ..................« Dry dipterocarp forest, without bamboos. | SOV EE Rese SACM AR ia e- Land in a river bed, exposed, and often culti- vated in the dry weather. USCA Bac Sch ee AP The low bank surrounding a rice field. Kokkobin, Burmese .. Albizzia lebbek. GIA ITACOD wore. JaTIONNES ) oe BIRDS OF THE IRRIGATED AREA OF MINBU DISTRICT 246 BVT ess cise Sue Sous Fee wees A rice crop grown during the dry weather, and therefore practically restricted to the bord- ers of ins. ) VOUN DIN ce ecceceserees Ficus sp. (The pipal tree). MEE Te ctisah a eeeals ss oo 5 Indian corn (maize). MEGMOUNS DIN. ....2. 460... Acacia. leucophioea. A roadside tree. of moderate size. Bert, Save Sic mut al A large area, adjacent to the Irrawaddy, in the Minbu district, which is submerged only by very high floods. CAR eas en eat AR Dry (i.e. unirrigated) cuitivation, other than kaing. AUB BOR SEO IMAGE li, © oNIS 1 Bon Gah oN sar ae 7 Inspection bungalow. BIB O Es Vd 8 hats wet slatsies winds ‘Birds of Burma’ by Smythies. em yeilies eesctaa! Aes ns rs oe Fauna of British India (Birds). N ror. On. SPE CLES Corvus macrorhynchos. The Jungle Crow. Habits.—Frequents paddy fields, ya land, river beds, indaing jungle and lakes. Fairly common all the year. ~I eS BIRDS OF THE IRRIGATED AREA OF MINBU .. DISTRICT 2 Falco peregrinus, The [astern Peregrine Falcon. Status.—Only seen once, on 3 January 1937 at Mon canals head, when a bird got up from the water's edge and settled in a tree. The- white lower plumage, barred black, identified it as this race, not the: Shahin. Falco jugger. The Laggar Falcon. Identification.—-The black and white stripes on the head are a Conspicuous feature in the field. Status.—Four observations, in April, July, November and. December. One was of a pair, the others of solitary birds. Two. were perched on tree-tops, one flew up from the roadside into a tree, while the fourth was soaring over scrub jungle and sometimes. hovering against the wind almost like a kestrel. Falco tinnunculus. The Kestrel. Habits.—Seen in scrub, ya land, kaing, and over lakes and canals. I once saw two birds on the wing catching flying ants with their claws and transferring each one as caught to their bills. Status.—Uncommon. Seen in every month from November to: March, but never in other months. Aquila clanga. The Greater Spotted Eagle. Status.—Only one good identification, on 8 December 1935, when: a bird was seen circling over kaing cultivation near the Paunglin lake. ? Hieraétus fasciatus. Bonelli’s Eagle. Status.—A bird seen ‘circling over the R. Mon on 27 January 1936, and another seen to settle in paddy in the S. Mon canal area on 6 November 1936 were most probably this species. ? Spizaetus limnactus. The Changeable Hawk-Eagle. Status.—In January 1936 birds were seen several times near water which were probably the melanistic form of this species. Butastur teesa. The White-eyed Buzzard Eagle. Habits.—Found mainiy in scrub, but also in ya land, paddyfields, and at lakes. Status.—Common, or fairly so, from August to November, un- common from December to July, but observed in all months except May. >? Butastur liventer. The Rufous-winged Buzzard-Eagle. Status.—One doubtful observation, on 14 February 1935, when a bird was seen in a tree close to the R. Mon. ? Ichthyophaga sp. The Grey-headed Fishing-Eagle. Status.—On 13 January 1935, a bird was seen flying over the: Irrawaddy bank near Minbu, which was probably this species. Le 274 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 Haliastur indus, The Common Brahminy Kite. ‘ Habits.—Found only in river-beds and at lakes. It seemed to avoid the canals. Nesting.—The only nest seen was on 23 February 1935, high up in a cotton tree standing in paddyfields, with one of the pair sitting. Status.—Common, or fairly so, throughout the year. Milvus migrans [govinda], The Common Pariah Kite. Nesting.—Observed in January and February, twice in a cotton tree, once in a Burmese kokkobin. Habits.—Seen mostly in villages, also in ya land, river-beds, and at lakes. Status.—Earliest date September 22. Very common October to February, common March to May, uncommon in June. Latest date 24 June (1935), when a single bird was seen in flight at the Wethigan lake, Salin. 7 Elanus caeruleus, The Black-winged Kite. Habits.—Seen in paddyfields, ya land, scrub, indaing, and at river and lake sides. I have seen it hovering for several seconds, without moving its wings, like a kestrel. Status.—Not uncommon in August (earliest 4 August), September and October, for which months I have a record of 9 observations, but only seen once outside those months, viz: on 1 February 1935. Circus macrourus, The Pallid Harrier. Status.—Three observations, on 18 November 1935, 24 January and 5 February 1936. All were adult males, and the pale grey upper plumage with black wing tips was distinctive. One bird was in flight over the Dalauk Jn, another was feeding on a small bird in the dry bed of the Salin canal, while the third was quartering over the Minbu golf-course. Circus melanoleucus, The Pied Harrier. Habits.—Mostly on ya land, also in kaing cultivation, paddyfelde river-beds and at lakes. Status.—Earliest 9 October. Common October to March, and fairly so in April. Never seen in May, but I did see a bird once on the 20 June. Birds still in juvenile plumage were seen as late as the 15 March. Circus aeruginosus, The Marsh Harrier. Habits.—Seen only at lakes, usually hunting over the marshy land or mayin paddy at their edges. Status.—Observed from October (earliest 14 October) on to “April, but never common. Latest date 19 April, when an adult male was seen hunting over mayin paddy at Paunglin lake. Astur badius. The Shikra. Identification.—The white bases of feathers showing through on the nape of the young bird aes a conspicuous white patch, similar to a White-eyed Buzzard’s. BIRDS OF THE IRRIGATED AREA OF MINBU DISTRICT 275 Voice.—Once, in June, I saw two birds calling with a whining note, not unlike a Brahminy Kite’s. Status.—Uncommon. Only five certain observations, all between 74 June and 5 November. Accipiter nisus, The Sparrow-Hawk. Status.—Only seen once, on 16 December 1934, when a bird was in flight at the head of the Salin canal. Crocopus phoenicopterus, The Green Pigeon. Habits.—Seen in paddyfields, ya land, scrub and indaing. Once in November, I saw a flock drinking at the water’s edge of a canal, and picking food off the surface of an adjoining in. Otherwise I only saw them in flight or in trees. Status.—Never seen from March to August. KMarliest 20 September: In the cold weather it was very variable in its occurrence, being com- mon at times and uncommon at others. Streptopelia chinensis, The Spotted Dove. Habits.—It mostly favoured ya land and lake sides, but was found also in paddyfields, river-beds, scrub and indaing. On 4 August 1935 there were swarms of birds among the mayin paddy stubble round the Paunglin Lake, and on 12 October 1935 the bushes growing in the lake were full of them. When making love, the male bows and coos, and the two rub bills. Nesting.—Nests found in January, February, April, July, November, and December, generally 4 to 5 feet up in a hedge, once only 18 inches up, and once on the ground under an overhanging rock. These low nests contained more material than the others. Always two eggs. Status.—Very common throughout the year. Streptopelia decaocto, The Ring Dove. Habits.—Found mostly in ya land, also in scrub, indaing and river- beds, and along canals. Status: Common from December to March, uncommon in other months. On 14 December 1934 ripening paddy near Mon canals head was swarming with birds. CEnopopelia tranquebarica, The Red Turtle Dove. Habits.—Mainly in ya land, also in scrub, indaing, and river-beds, and along canals. Status.—Common, or fairly so, from January to June, less so dur- ing the rest of the year. Not seen in July or December. Gallus gallus, The Junglefowl. Habits.—Seen mostly in indaing jungle, sometimes in scrub. Status.—Common, or fairly so, from December to April, very seldom seen during the rest of the year. Coturnix coromandelica. The Black-breasted Quail. Habits.—Found in ya, scrub and kaing land. On 3 May 1936 there were large numbers of birds in the thin. scrub and-ya crops 6 JOURNAL, BOMBAY. NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 no I round the edge of the Minbu golf-course. They were mostly in parties of 3 or 4. One party of 3, well seen, comprised two birds with a black breast, and one without it—perhaps a young bird of the previous year. Nesting.—On 9 June 1936 a bird was put off a nest in scrub jungle at Paunglin. The nest was an unlined scrape under a small plant and. contained 4 eggs. They had a stone-coloured background and dark brown blotches at the large end. The date appears unusually early. Status.—Very common from July to February, rather less so from. March to June {but see observation of 3 May, described above). Francolinus pintadeanus [phayrei], Phayre’s Burmese Francolin. Habits.—Found mostly in scrub, also in ya land and indaing jungle. Status.—Common from April to June, seldom seen in July, then: fairly common from August to March. Female with two young seen on 28 August. ? Rallus aquaticus, The Indian Water Rail. Status.—A rail was seen at the Paunglin lake on 19 January 1936. It swam into the rushes and sat very close. In size it was about the same as a Moorhen, perhaps a little smaller, and the plumage appeared all dark brown. Apparently this species, not striata. Porzana pusilla [pusilla]. The Eastern Baillon’s Crake. Status.—Only seen once, on 22 February 1935, when a live bird, which had beén netted on Wethigan lake, Salin, was brought to me. It had acquired adult plumage, but still had the red-brown eye of a young bird. It was said to be common in the ins near Salin. Amaurornis phoenicurus. The White-breasted Waterhen. Habits.—Seen mostly along canals, also in stream beds, paddy- fields and scrub. Status.—Common from March to May, seldom seen the rest of the year. Gallinula chloropus. The Indian Moorhen. Habits.—Only seen on lakes. Once in November, I saw two birds. on an open in, with no cover round it, and once saw a young bird walking about on lily leaves like a Jacana. Status.—Very uncommon in the area, and never seen from May to: October. On 13 April 1935 I saw a number of birds on a small in alongside the Salin canal—an unusual sight in this area. Gallicrex cinerea. The Watercock. Identification.—During the rains, when the male had a pink or red horn, his bill was usually yellow, not red. Habits.—Seen in paddyfields and lakes. One June I saw a male perched nearly at the top of mayin paddy stalks—an unusual position. Status.—Fairly common from June to September, very uncommon in October and November, not seen December to February, uncommon from March to May. “J wy BIRDS, OF (RHE ‘TRRIGATED AREA OF) MINBU DISTRICT 2 Porphyrio poliocephalus. The Indian Purple Moorhen. Habits and Status.—Only seen on the Wethigan and Paunglin lakes —both large sheets of water. From January to April a flock of up to 60 or more was always to be seen at a particular spot at the edge of Wethigan lake, close to Salin town and alongside a busy road. They used to feed among water hyacinth, and I was informed that their food consisted of insects. They were seen in smaller numbers at the edge of the Paunglin lake in June, November and December. Never seen from July to October. Fulica atra, The Coot. Status.—Never seen in this area. Metopidius indicus. The Bronze-winged Jacana. Habits.—Confined to lakes. It usually kept apart from the Pheasant-tailed species, but I once saw a single bird among about BO ol the latver: Status.—Common, or fairly so, from April to August, less common September to March. Hydrophasianus chirurgus. The Pheasant-tailed Jacana. Habits.—Confined to lakes. Status.—Unlike the Bronze-winged, it was more common in the dry weather than during the rains. Burhinus oedicnemus. The [Indian Stone-Plover. Status.—Only one good observation, on 22 April 1935, when a single bird was seen on the bank of the S. Mon canal. On g June 1936, in scrub jungle near Paunglin lake, six birds, which were almost certainly this species, got up with a loud alarm whistle. Esacus recurvirostris. The Great Stone Plover. Status.—Only seen on 6 March 1936, when two birds were seen, a mile apart, on mud and sand banks in the bed of the Irrawaddy. One of them was behaving as if breeding. Glareola maldivarum, The Large Indian Pratincole. Status.—Only seen on the 29 and 30 June 1935, at Paunglin lake. Three solitary birds were seen, in flight and on mud at the edge of the lake, and also a flock of 30 to 4o standing head to wind in a wet field. At least half the flock were young birds, with mottled upper plumage and no cheek-stripes. ‘Glareola lactea. The Small Indian Pratincole. Habits.—Seen mostly in river-beds, but also hawking flying insects over lakes, paddyfields, and even va land. Status.—Never common, least so from July to December. Larus brunnicephalus. The Brown-headed Gull. Status.—Only seen twice, on 21 October 1935 and 15 November 1936. On the first date three birds were flying down the R. Mon at ‘dusk; on the second occasion a single bird was fishing in the Paunglin 278 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL GIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 lake, and standing at the water’s edge near Paunglin village. It was very tame. Chlidonias hybrida. The Whiskered Tern. "@a Identification.—As in Shwebo district, the bill sometimes appeared black, not red. Possibly these birds were White-winged Black Terns, whose bill, according to F.B.I., is darker in winter. Habits.—Found on lakes and rivers. One day on the Wethigan lake I saw a flock settle several times on water-lily leaves. Status.—Rather uncommon November to April, never seen May to October. Sterna aurantia. The Indian River Term. Habits.—Seen only on rivers and lakes. On the Paunglin lake I once saw three birds flying about in a deluge of rain with their bills pointing upwards, as if catching the rain. On another occasion a bird dropped a fish which it was carrying five or six times and caught it again in the air, possibly to get it into a good position for swallowing. Status.—Commion or very common November to July, but very seldom seen in August, September, or October. Sterna melanogaster. The Black-bellied Tern. Identification. —I saw birds in non-breeding plumage as early as 15 March. A bird with white belly, probably a young one, was seen as late as 7 December. Habits.—Seen on lakes as well as rivers. Status.—Common from November to June, never seen between 24 June and 17 October. ? Sterna hirundo [tibetana]. The Tibetan Tern. Status.—On 21 February 1936 I had a good view of a solitary bird standing in the river bed at Minbu. It was the shape of the Black-bellied species, with long forked tail, and appeared much the same size. The crown was black, the upper plumage pale grey, the lower plumage white, and the bill conspicuously bright red. I con- clude that it can only have been this species. Sterna albifrons. The Ternlet. Habits and Status.—Only seen four times, always on the Irrawaddy. One observation on 6 March and two in May were of single birds. ‘Another, on 26 May, was of a flock. One of the single birds was hovering over the water just like a Pied Kingfisher. Rhynchops albicollis. The Indian Skimmer. Habits and Status.—Only seen on 6 June 1936, on the Woes Two birds were seen flying downstream along the water’s edge, against the breeze, fishing. They flew back at a height of 20 feet or so, turn- ed and went downstream fishing again. This performance was repeated several times. Later in the day four birds were seen flying about over the river. | ; BIRDS OF THE IRRIGATED AREA OF MINBU DISTRICT 279 Leucopolius alexandrinus. The Kentish Plover. Status.—Only one good observation, at the Dalauk In on 23 February 1936, when a flock of 30 were seen on the shore. The black legs were clearly, visible. (They were feeding by scratching’ the mud with their feet and listening. Charadrius dubius. The Little Ringed Plover. Identification.—Young birds are liable to be mistaken for Kentish Plover as the brown collar is sometimes not complete, even as late as the middle of January. The yellow legs, if seen, are distinctive. On the other hand I have seen a fledgling, not yet able to fly, with the brown collar already complete. Habits.—Seen at river and lake sides. When still very small, the young birds run about nearly as fast as the parents. A peculiar method of feeding was noticed on one occasion. Birds were running about on the scum at the edge of a jheel, stopping frequently to scratch’ it with one foot, and sometimes following this with a peci: at a spot an inch or two ahead. Adults and young birds tend to congregate separately. On 14 October 1935 I saw numbers of young birds (no black on head and with the collar brown) at the Paunglin lake, but no adults, whereas three days later I saw numbers of adults in the Mon river-bed with no young birds. Nesting.—One nest found was a scrape at the foot of a thistle, and contained a few dead leaves as well as two eggs. A week later there were still only two eggs, with the bird sitting. Charadrius dominicus. The Golden Plover. Status.—Only seen three times in the area, at the edge of the Paunglin lake in October and November, and on kaing land in January. On 12 October at least one bird of a flock was still in partial breed- ing plumage, with the white lines down the side of the neck. Hoplopterus duvaucelli. The Spur-winged Plover. Habits.—Found mostly in river-beds, also at lake-sides. Nesting.—A pair seen on 27 February 1937 in the bed of the Irrawaddy were evidently breeding. One bird was on guard, calling, while the other was seen close by, creeping silently away. Newly hatched young were seen on 26 March and 8 April, while a pair seen on-5 June 1935 in the bed of the Irrawaddy evidently, from their behaviour, still had fledglings. The protective colouring of young birds was wonderfully effective on sand-banks. Status.—Common, or fairly so, throughout the year. Lobivanellus indicus. The Red-wattled Lapwing. Habits.—Found mostly at lakes, but also along canals, in paddy- fields, Raing, scrub and indaing. Nesting.—Young bird seen on 30 June 1935, with parents still in attendance. | Status.—Common from September to April, and fairly so from | ‘May to August. 1 Stamping ?—Ebs. 7 280 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 Microsarcops cinereus. The Grey-headed Lapwing. fabits.—Found ‘only at lake-sides. Status.—Earliest date 12 October. Seen occasionally upto February, but never iater. Himantopus himantopus. The Black-winged Stilt. Habits.—Seen mostly in lakes, also in paddyfields. Status.—Observed in all months except May and July, and some- times fairly common, but their numbers were very variable from month to month—apparently they wander locally. Tringa ochropus, The Green Sandpiper. Identification.—The fact that the bill and tarsus are about the same length was a good field distinction from the Wood Sandpiper. Habits.—Seen mostly in river-beds, but also in canals and paddy- fields, and at pools in indaing jungle. Not infrequently in: company with Common Sandpipers, when the larger size was noticeable. It sometimes puts its head right under water when feeding, which I never saw the Common Sandpiper do. Status.—Never common in the area, and, except for one observ- ation on 19g July 1935, not seen from May to August. Tringa stagnatilis. The Marsh Sandpiper. Habits and Status.—Only seen twice, on 14 October 1935 at the Paunglin in, and on 23 February 1936 at the Dalauk In. On the first occasion several birds were joined by’ a Greenshank, and the similarity was very striking, the Sandpipers appearing exact miniatures of the larger bird. The two birds seen on 23 February were putting their heads under water to feed. They were quicker in their move- ments than a Wood Sandpiper. Actitis hypoleucos. The Common Sandpiper. Habits.—Seen at lakes, river-sides, along canals, and once in a paddy field. Status.—Fairly common August and September, common October to April. Earliest date August 5, latest May 9. r Tringa glareola. The Wood Sandpiper. Habits.—Seen usually on shores of lakes and rivers, but also in young paddy. In the latter, I have seen flocks of many hundreds in August, with the birds very wild. Status.—Common to very common from August to April. Earliest 14 August, latest 19 April. Tringa totanus. The Redshank. . Status.—Very uncommon. Only one good observation, on 22 August 1936, when a solitary bird was seen at the water’s edge of the Dalauk In. Tringa erythropus. -The Dusky Redshank. Status.—Flocks of Redshanks with no white in the wing, but with ‘conspicuous short white supercilium, were seen on 14 April 1935, 23 BIRDS OF THE IRRIGATED AREA OF MINBU DISTRICT 281 ¥ebruary and 20 March 1936, which were presumably this species. On 14 April 1935 about roo birds were feeding in a pond alongside the Salin canal, with Little Egrets and Stilts. Some were standing in water up to their thighs, others swimming about in parties, with their heads under the surface most of the time. Their legs were a very’ dull red. On 23 February 1936 a large flock was seen at the Dalauk In, again wading in water up to their breasts, and putting their heads right under. The flock seen on 20 March 1936 was feed- ing in the same way in a small in near the head of the Salin canal, ‘which was crowded with waders. On 15 November 1936 a single -bird was seen at Paunglin, again with-no white visible on either the closed or open wing. ‘Tringa nebularia. The Greenshank. Habits.—Seen at river and lake sides and in canals. Once in February I saw a flock of 12 in the Irrawaddy bed. Status.—Earliest September 4, latest April 22. Never common, -but seen in every month between those dates. ? Tringa guttifer. Armstrong’s Sandpiper. Status.—A solitary Sandpiper seen feeding in mud at the Paunglin lake on 19 January 1936 may have been this species. It was about the size of a Redshank, the bill was no longer than the tarsus, the upper plumage appeared pale brown, mottled white, the tail white with -dark markings, lower plumage white. The bill and eye were dark, _and the legs yellow. It uttered a chirping whistle. -? Philomachus pugnax. The Ruff and Reeve. Status.—A solitary bird seen at the Paunglin lake on 17 November 1935 was apparently a Reeve. It was feeding in mud with a party of Wood Sandpipers among a number of stationary Golden Plovers. It was the shape of the former, but the size of the latter. The bill was straight and not longer than the tarsus. Upper plumage plain lightish brown, lower plumage pale, bill black, legs orange-yellow. -? Calidris minuta or C. ruficollis, The Little Stint or The Eastern Little Stint. Identification.—Distinguished from Long-toed Stint by white on tail, and from Temminck’s Stint in non-breeding plumage by conspicu- ous speckled appearance of upper plumage. Status.—Only seen on 23 February 1936, when large numbers were feeding with Wood Sandpipers at the Dalauk In, Paunglin. It was presumably too early for Temminck’s Stint to be in breeding plumage. ‘Calidris temminckii. Temminck’s Stint. Identification.—Most birds of a flock seen on 20 March 1936 -already had the mottled upper plumage of the breeding season. Distin- guished from Little Stint by the all-white outer tail feathers. Habits.—Seen mostly at river-sides, also at lakes. Sometimes with Little Ringed Plovers. Status.—Seen in all months from October to April, and sometimes ‘common. Earliest date 14 October, latest 14 April. 10 282 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 Calidris testacea. The Curlew-Stint. Status.—On 14 October 1935 a flock was seen at the Paunglin lake. The slight curvature of the bill was observed, and the pale streaks. on the side of the neck, distinguishing them from Wood Sandpipers. - Capella gallinago. The Fantail Snipe and/or Capella stenura. The Pintail Snipe. Status.—One or both of these were uncommon in August or September, common or very common October to February, fairly common in March, and uncommon in April. The earliest date, presumably a Pintail, was 15 August. Pelecanus philippensis. The Spotted-billed Pelican. Habits.—Three adults, seen with one young bird on the Wethigan lake in August, flew up and settled on top of a tall tree, leaving the young bird on the water. No party larger than this one was seen. in the area. Status.—Seen only on the Paunglin and Wethigan lakes. Except for one observation on 19 January 1936, all were between 24 June and 12 October. it was said to visit the Wethigan lake only when at its lowest, say May to August. Phalacrocorax niger. The Little Cormorant. Habits.—Seen on iakes and canals. On Paunglin lake I once saw a flock of about 80 fishing in a closely-packed bunch. Status.—Usually common or very common, but between April and September it sometimes became uncommon. Anhinga melanogaster. The Indian Darter. Habits.—Seen mostly on lakes, but also on rivers. Status.—Not seen from July to September. Seen in all other months, but never common. Platalea leucorodia. The Indian Spoonbill. Status.—A single bird was seen on 14 April 1935, feeding with a White Ibis among Lesser Egrets in a pool alongside the Salin canal near its head. The ‘scything’ action was most distinctive, as was the extraordinary ‘spoon’. Threskiornis melanocephalus, The White Ibis. Habits.—Seen only on pools and lakes. In one case a single bird was feeding with a Spoonbill, swinging its bill in much the same way, though not with such a regular motion. Once in December a singie bird was seen among a large flock of Openbills, and the following day 8 to 10 birds with a flock of about 100 Grey Herons and a large number of Openbills. Status.—Not seen May to September. Earliest date of return 14 October, from when until April it was seen in every month except March, but never more than fairly common. BIRDS OF THE IRRIGATED AREA OF MINBU DISTRICT 283 ? Plegadis falcinellus. The Glossy Ibis. Status.—Only one doubtful observation, on 29 January 1936, when a solitary bird was seen in a flooded borrow-pit along the S. Mon canal. It may possibly have been Davison’s Black Ibis. ? Ciconia ciconia!, The White Stork. Status.—On 22 June 1936, in a field near the R. Mon, I saw a stork which, it seems fairly certain, was a young bird of this species. In shape, it was similar to an Adjutant, but the bill was smailer and less massive. The head and neck were brown, the back and rump white, lesser and greater coverts pale grey, median coverts brown, flight feathers black. The bill and legs were flesh colour. Ciconia nigra. The Black Stork. Status.—Seen three times; on 7 February 1935 a young bird was in a pool in the river-bed at Minbu, on 8 December 1935 an adult was at the Paunglin lake, and on 18 January 1936 a solitary young bird was feeding with 30 adult White-necked Storks in a soft paddyfield alongside the N. Mon canal. The last-named bird .was clearly dis- tinguished from the White-necks by its dark brown neck, and white lower plumage. Dissoura episcopa, The White-necked Stork. Habits.—Seen in lakes, canals, and paddyfields, in flocks of up to 30. Status.—Never seen between 24 April and 14 June, and uncommon during the rest of the year. Xenorhynchus asiaticus. The Black-necked Stork. Habits.—Seen mostly in lakes, also in river-beds and canals. In January, at the Paunglin lake, I once saw a party of 8 adults. Status.—Always uncommon, especially in the rains, but seen in every month from December to April. Leptoptilos dubius. The Adjutant. Habits.—Usually seen in paddyfields, but sometimes in villages. On 24 April 1936, I saw a party of at least 9 in a swampy field with 6 or more White-necked Storks and a number of Pariah Kites. Status.—Uncommon from December to May, but common or very common from June to November, except in October when it was never seen. Ibis leucocephalus. The Painted Stork. -Habits.—Seen mostly in lakes, also in paddyfields and wet borrow- pits. Status.—Seen occasionally in all months from June to November, but never in other months. It was said to frequent the Paunglin lake only in July and August. Anastomus oscitans, The Openbill. Habits.—Seen mainly in lakes, also in paddyfields. * Or Anastomus oscitans. The Open-billed Stork? —Eps. 284 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 Status.—Very variable, but commonest in the cold weather and sometimes very common. Observed in all months except May, July and September. F Ardea purpurea, The Purple Heron. Status. —Only seen four times, all between 7 Deccember and 8 April. In January I found them fairly common in the rushes of Paunglin lake. On 17 December 1936 a bird got up from a patch of floating water-hyacinth in the Wethigan lake, and on 8 April 1935 one got up from the bed of the N. Mon canal. Ardea cinerea. The Grey Heron. Habits.—Seen mostly in lakes, also in river-beds and paddyfields. Status.—Common or very common in every month, except in May when I never saw it. ? Ardea sumatrana or Ardea imperialis. The Dusky Grey Heron or The Great White-bellied Heron. Status. —On 16 June 1936, and again on the following day, I saw a solitary Heron at Mezali weir (Mon canals head) which was clearly one of these species. It was the shape of the Eastern Grey Heron, but considerably bigger. The crown was dark, there was some pale grey on the upper plumage, and the flight feathers, under wing- coverts, and most of the wings were black or very dark. On 16 June, at dusk, I saw it flying down river, and 24 hours later I saw it settle in the shallow water above the weir. . Egretta alba. The Large Egret. Habits.—Only seen in lakes. Status.—Its numbers varied irregularly through the year, but it was seen in all months except May and December and was sometimes very common. Egretta intermedia. The Indian Smaller Egret. . Habits.—Usually seen in lakes and pools, but also in river-beds and, when nesting, in compounds. Identification.—In the breeding season, distinguished from Large Egret by breast plumes; in non-breeding season, by comparison of size with Littl Egrets and Cattle Egrets, with which it was fre- quently seen, and which it often exceeded only slightly in size. Breast plumes were seen fully developed on 20 March, and back plumes on 14 April. On 12 August 1935 several birds in a nesting colony had quite lost their black bills, but still had well-developed back and breast plumes. Nesting.—On 12 August 1935 Burmese kokkobins in the compound of Kalaba I.B. contained a large nesting colony of this species, Large Egrets, and Little Egrets, with the last-named predominating greatly. On 26 June 1936 birds were on nests, with one or two Cattle Egrets, in a tree in the Civil Lines at Minbu. On 4 July 1936 I saw them on eggs, with Little Egrets, in the compound of Shauktaw I.B., and another colony, still occupied, was seén in a kokkobin near Konzaung BIRDS OF THE IRRIGATED AREA OF MINBU DISTRICT 285 on 19 August 1936. The eggs seen on 4 July were .a paler green than those of the Little Egret. Status.—Common or very common every month, except September, when it was not seen. Egretta garzetta, The Little Egret. Identification.—I saw crest plumes as early as 21 February and breast plumes on 14 April. One bird seen on 5 June had crest and back plumes, but no breast plumes. Habits.—Seen mostly in lakes, pools, and river-beds, but also in villages and, when nesting, in compounds. I once saw a bird in the bed of the Irrawaddy which was apparently feeling for food in the mud with its foot. On another occasion I saw a single bird in flight in close company with a single Large or Smaller Egret. Nesting.—See under Smaller Egret. Status.—Common or very common in every month. Bubuicus ibis. The Cattle Egret. Habits.—Seen mostly at lakes and in river-beds, but also in canal- beds and villages. Status.—Common or very common in every month. Ardeola grayii. The Indian Pond Heron. Habits.—Found at lakes, in canal and river-beds, and in paddy- fields. Status.—Common from February to September, except in May when it was seldom seen. Very common October to January. Butorides striatus. The Indian Little Green Heron. Identification.—The bill appeared to me greenish-black in the field, as stated in F.B.I., not orange as in B. of B. The legs appeared to me green, and I never noticed the orange feet. Status.—Only seen twice in this area, on 18 December 1934 when a bird was feeding along the water’s edge of the Salin canal near its head, and on 25 January 1936 when a bird was fishing at the edge of the R. Mon at Mezali. Nycticorax nycticorax. the Night Heron. Habits.—Found in villages and at lakes. Status.—Uncommon from October to April, not seen from May to September, except in June when it was fairly common. Ixobrychus sinensis, The Yellow Bittern. Identification.—I found the yellow legs a conspicuous feature, and in the field it appeared smaller than the Chestnut Bittern. Status.—Seen only three times in the area, at the Paunglin and Wethigan lakes. One bird seen at the latter was perched on reeds. Ixobrychus cinnamomeus, The Chestnut Bittern. Habits.—On lakes only. _ Status.—Only observed in June, when it was common, and in August when it was occasionally seen. 286 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 Dupetor lavicollis. ‘The Black Bittern. Habits.—On Jakes only. Status.—Common from June to September, not observed from October to May. Sarkidiornis melanotos. The Comb Duck. Identification.—Two birds seen on 12 October 1935 had greyish- white necks and small combs, presumably young males. A flock of tr seen on 18 November 1935 were all without combs. Habits.—Seen on lakes and rivers. Status.—Never seen from May to September, and uncommon during the rest of the year. Nettapus coromandelianus. Tie Cotton Teal. Habits.—Seen mostly on lakes, also on rivers and occasionally on canals. Status.—Uncommon, especially between February and September. Amser anser, The Grey Lag Goose. Status.—Never seen even on the Paunglin iake. Anser indicus. The Bar-headed Goose. Status.—Seen once, on 6 March 1936 when a flock of 11 was observed in the bed of the Irrawaddy near Semon. Some were standing or swimming in the water, others standing or sitting on shore. Dendrocygna javanica. Lesser Whistling Teal. Dendrocygna fulva. Large Whistling Teal. Status.—Neither species ever seen in the area. Casarca ferruginea, The Brahminy Duck. Habits.—Seen mostly on the Paunglin lake, but also on the Irrawaddy. I have seen them in the Paunglin lake in December and January, not only on passage. I saw them still in a flock of about to birds as late as 29 November, and in one of 5 birds on 7 February. Status.—Seen in every month from November to March, but never common. Earliest 15 November, latest 6 March. Anas poecilorhyncha [haringtoni]. The Burmese Grey Duck. Habits.—Found on lakes and in paddyfields and river-beds. Status.—Uncommon in this area, and a seen in April, June, and October to December. Anas crecca. The Common Teal. Habits.—Seen only on lakes. Status.—Fairly common to common from November to Februarv. Earliest date 13 October. Not observed after February. Anas acuta. The Pintail. Local Names. As in Shwebo, it was known in this area simply aS: Vibe BIRDS OF THE IRRIGATED AREA OF MINBU DISTRICT 287 Habits.—Seen mainly on lakes, but once in January I saw a ‘pair feeding in the Salin canal, and in the same month saw a single adult male on the Wethigan lake with a flock of Pochards. Status.—Fairly common November to January; not seen in other ‘months. Anas querquedula, The Garganey Teal. Habits.—Seen mostly on lakes, but also on small ponds. On 20 March 1936 I saw about 100 on a small in near the head of the ‘Salin canal, some miles from any other water. Some of them were -walking about on the shore. Status.—Fairly common November to April, not seen in other «months. Aythya nyroca, The White-eyed Pochard. Status.—Only seen three times. On 17 March 1935 a solitary female ‘was shot by my companion on a small pool near the head of the Salin canal, and on 8 December 1935 two females were shot on the Paunglin lake. The latter had some black on the head and neck, and ‘were presumably the Eastern race. On 21 January 1936 I saw a flock on the open water of the Wethigan lake, with a number of Common Teal. The white under the tail was conspicuous. Aythya fuligula. The Tufted Duck. Status.—Only seen once, on 18 November 1935, when a flock ‘of ro to 12, all females or young males, were observed on the ‘Dalauk In. ‘Podiceps ruficollis. The Little Grebe. Identification.—A bird seen on 21 January 1936 still had the chest- nut head and neck of breeding plumage. Habits.—Seen mostly on lakes, but also in paddyfields, and occasionally in borrow-pits and river pools. Status.—Fairly common, but very local. CERTAIN OBSERVATIONS ON BROUSSONETIA PAPYRIFERA VENT. AND BOSWELLIA SERRATA ROXB. IN RELATION TO TRAUMATISM. BY Miss R. SH4uH, B. Ag. (Bom.), M.S. (Mich.) (Horticultural Research Institute, Nag pur-Ajni, C.P.) (With a plate) The paper industry is becoming increasingly important in India. especially in the Central Provinces and Berar, where through the active: support and co-operation of the local government, enterprise has been launched to manufacture newsprint paper from salaz (Boswellia serrata Roxb.) mixed in certain proportions with a chemical pulp of bamboo. As paper-mulberry (Bvoussonetia papyritera Vent.) is a much quicker growing species and at the same time yields a much better quality of. newsprint paper! than sa/az, it has been opined by paper experts that salaz as a raw product shall, in the long run, have to be replaced. by paper-mulberry. A survey has, therefore, been started to study the ecological adap- tations of paper-mulberry with a view to introduce and to help establishing it as an important dominant or sub-dominant constituent in the facies. of our forest vegetation. a It is generally accepted? that the two most potent ecological factors determining and ensuring a successful cultivation of paper- mulberry are sufficiency of soil-moisture and a tolerably good fertile soil. No data, however, seem to be available in regard to the cultivation. of paper-mulberrg in relation to drought. It has been chiefly to investigate the possibilities of introduction of paper-mulberry in the light of the aforesaid edaphic factors that the survey of the C. P. forests has been undertaken and the life-history of paper-mulberry is being accordingly studied critically. After a wide rapid survey of the ecological conditions of the: existing forests and in view of the well established adaptations of paper-mulberry, 1 have reached the conclusion that its plantation could. be concentrated safely in areas situated in close proximity of perennial. rivers and nallas. Such sites will farvz passu prove suitable from the: view point of ensuring optimal facilities for irrigation during emergent. and unfavourable periods of drought from December to May. 1 Bhargava, M. P. and Kartar Singh (1945) : Manufacture of newsprint, cheap papers and boards. Judian Forest Bulletin No. 108. 2 Troup, R. S. (1921): The Silvicuiture of Indian Trees, Vol. III, Pp.. / 891-892. (Clarendon Press, Oxford). Gamble, J. S. (1922): A Manual of Indian Timbers, p. 683. (Sampson. Low, Marston & Co. Ltd., London), Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 1. A four-month old sapling of Broussonetia papyrifera Vent., five of the eight lateral roots of which had been detached from the soil and damaged on 29-12-1947 during the course of root-exposure. ‘This photograph was taken on the 2nd January 1948, 96 hours after the said operation. Note the un-wilted and the turgid condition of the leaves. 2. Another ‘four-month old’ sapling of Broussonetia papyrifera Vent. of which all the roots including the tap-root were damaged and detached from the soil, during the course of the root-exposure on 29-12-1947. This photograph was taken within 2 hours of the opera- tions on the same day. Note the wilted and almost dry condition of all the leaves. ae wg te Sarg As Petes othe = ese ee % 6 : 3 * « x S ree ’ ny pitt ren pee eee w hue < 7 “ aly, OBSERVATIONS ON BROUSSONETIA PAPYRIFERA VEN. 289 A close study of the roots of paper-mulberry and salaz saplings (about four months old) was made zw sééu in the nursery to gain an insight into the comparative gearing capacity of their respective root-sy stems to a particular condition of soil under which the population of saplings had been raised. The observations have brought to light certain interesting ecological adaptations of their roots, which appear to be sharply contrasted from each other. In Broussonetia papyritera Vent., the tap-root although fairly strong, has not been found to penetrate deep into the murum layers of the soil ; the lateral roots, however, formed in abundance are very strongly deve: loped within a few inches of the ground-level and travel superficially all round in a radius of 5-8 feet (Photo No. 1). In Boswellia serrata Roxb., the lateral roots in divergent contrast to that of the paper-mulberry, are very few and weak whereas the tap- root is strongly developed penetrating deeper, even into the murum zones of the sub-soil. A feature of remarkable ecological importance, however, observed in Broussonetia papyritera Vent. during the course of its root exposure: in situ calls for some description and critical remarks. The root-system of the plant under reference and study, was exposed’ on the 29th December 1947 at about mid-day when it was both sunny and fairly windy and the atmosphere was therefore dry. Inspite of the fact that five lateral roots out of a total of eight had got damaged and hence got detached from the soil during the course of root exposure and that, therefore, as a result it was obviously expected that the transpiration /absorption balance would be most adversely affected causing general wilting of the leaves; yet contrary to expectation it was found to my great amazement that even till 5.30 p.m. in the even- ing of the same day not a single leaf had drooped and at the same time they were all turgid as if nothing had happened to the plant (Photo No. 1). Whereas in another paper-mulberry plant of the same age (Photo No. 2) where all the lateral roots excluding the tap-root had been damaged and detached from the soil during the course of root exposure, a general wilting of leaves was observable within hardly one hour of the operation. And after an expiry of three hours the leaves in general were rendered so dry and crisp that they could be crushed to powder by rubbing them between the thumb and _ fore- fingers. The phenomenon observed appeared to be exciting and therefore, the exposed roots together with the plant was left in the very same position and condition till the 2nd January 1948, during which time observations were continued daily. It is remarkable that even after an expiry of well over 96 hours, there was absolutely no observable wilting in any of the leaves of the experimental plant even of an incipient order. For the sake of comparison saplings of Boswellia serrata Roxb. ' were similarly treated, and it was found that inspite of their leathery xerophytic leaf even a slight damage to their lateral roots was, curi- ously enough, sufficient to bring about wilting of their leaves within less than three hours. The result has been confirmed by repeated observations. It indi- cates that= paper-mulberry possesses enormous potential power to 290 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 withstand traumatic shocks and of exercising water economy similar to Jambheri (Citrus sp.) studied by me?. SUMMARY 1. In view of the well established ecological adaptations of paper- mulberry, it is recommended that the plantation of this species may safely be concentrated in forest areas in close proximity of perennial rivers and nallas, 2. Saplings (about four months old) of paper-mulberry havea rather shallow tap-root but the laterals are many, widely creeping and strongly developed; whereas these of salaz (about four months old) have deep seated tap-roots witha very few weak lateral roots. 3. A very remarkable feature of ecological import of paper- mulberry roots is to withstand traumatic shocks and to maintain the optimal transpiration/absorption balance without any wilting of the leaves whatsoever, even when about 60% of its roots are damaged and detached from the soil, ACKNOWLEDGMENT Iam grateful to Mr. P. N. Nair, Managing Director, National Newsprint and Paper Mill, Ltd., Bombay for offering me facilities during the course of this investigation and to Dr. T.C. N. Singh, p.sc., for the photographs and for his kindly reading through the MS critically. 1 Shah, R. (1948) : Comparative studies in traumatism of roots in various species of Citvus. (Unpublished work). OBITUARY W. P. F. WICKHAM Percy Wickham, who died at his home near Chagford in Devon, in September 1949 was one of the Wickhams of Winchester. He was educated at Winchester and Cooper’s Hil] after which he joined the Public Works Department in Burma where he spent all his service, with the exception of 2 years in the Andaman Islands. He was devoted to the study of birds and was a first class observer. His knowledge of the birds of Burma and of the Andaman Islands was exceeded by few. Hewas also very keen on small game shooting, especially over a dog and was a good shot. He was good natured, humorous and amusing and [ don’t believe he had any enemies—I met ‘Beetle’ Wickham first in the Andaman Isles in 1906 and we spent many happy days together exploring the North Andamans, North Reef Island, Rutland, the Little Andaman, and South Sentinel as well as many other good bird localities. Subsequently we spent a year together in Maymyo where we had many exciting experiences with rare birds. At the request of the Burma Government Wickham wrote the article on the Birds of Burma for the Government Gazetteer. He also contributed a most excellent article on the Birds of the Upper Burma Hills illustrated by photographs which was published in three parts in the Jourzal of the Bombay Natural History Society in I5 October 1929, 1 March 193U and 15 July 1930. On retirement he settled in a village close to Dartmoor in a com- fortable cottage, ‘Little Mead’, in delightful surroundings and with a lovely garden. He will be missed by all who knew him. He leaves a wife to whom we offer our sympathies. BB: 0: REVIEWS 1. A NATURALIST IN SARAWAK. By E. Banks. Pp. 125. Kuching, The Kuching Press. (1949). Mr. Banks was for 20 years the Curator of the Sarawak Museum which in his introduction he alls ‘one of the best jobs in the Far East’. This area is well known to all biologists, and to ornithologists in particular, because Wallace has made it famous in history. The nature of the jungle is such that no man in a few years can carry out an- exhaustive survey of all its varied fauna, and a lot of work still remains to be done. There is no doubt that Mr. Banks has seen much, but it is unfortunate that he should have brought it forward.in this semi-popular manner. The first chapter deals with several species of edible-nest swifts and contains interesting information about them but as no scientific names are used one is always left guessing which bird is being referred to as. Robinson’s and which as the brown-rumped, grey-rumped or white-bellied swift. Throughout the book the reader comes across the same difficulty. Large numbers of species are referred to by their popular names only and whole paragraphs consist of running lists of the popular names of birds. It is the same with mammals, and it is unfortunate that this crude method of listing should be used when species from different islands in the Indo-Malayan region could have been listed in tabular form and the text rendered much more intelli- gible. There is an interesting chapter on the life of turtles, and others containing comparative lists referring to sub-specific difference in the many species which frequent the different areas; But as: indicated before, all this is rendered somewhat abstruse and loses value because of the manner of presentation. There are many interesting field notes, e.g., a record of the mass movements of wild pigs from one fruiting ground to another which assume migratory proportions and which he has witnessed twice in 20 years—‘ I have seen them travelling purposively through the jungle in convoys up to thirty and forty at a time, silent unswerving, intent on something ; they took little notice of us, and every day for as long asa month party after party would swim the rivers, until at last even the native wearied of pork ’. An interesting zoo-geographic area in Borneo, Java, Sumatra and Malaya is demarcated by what he terms ‘ Whitehead’s’ line drawn in a horizontal plane at analtitude of 3000 feet above sea level. This elevated area holds its own fauna, often with Indian affinities but which is found only on mountain tops 3000 feet or higher. The evident explanation that the present dry land was ficoded to a depth of 3000 feet does not conform with the geological data and this is discussed at some length. Attention is drawn to the ‘ drowned ’ river-beds of the South China Sea, which explain the distribution of many fresh-water fish. On the Sumatran rivers 80% of the fish are similar to those in western rivers in Borneo while the similarity between the species in the rivers in east and west Borneo is only 28%. In spite of the unfortunate manner of its presentation the book contains much interesting information. H.A. REVIEWS 293 2. A BIRD PHOTOGRAPHER IN INDIA. By E. H. N. Low- ther. Pp. xii+146, plates 78. London, Oxford University Press. (1949). Price Rs. 14. ; The names of Bates and Lowther are as well-known to Indian ornithologists as Hosking and Newberry to their counterparts in Bri- tain. In this book, written by the second member of this famous Indian pair, there has been set down the experiences and photographic achievements of a man who has spent forty years in the pursuit of his hobby. Mr. Lowther was persuaded by Richard Kearton to give up egg- collecting for bird-photography in 1906. The heat of forty Indian summers and the perils of sitting on upturned tables sixty feet up on a tree have done nothing to dim that first enthusiasm lit so many years ago. The author has many wise things to say about the practice of bird photography in India and beginners. and advanced workers alike will find much to interest them. ‘A Bird Photographer in India’ is essentially an autobiography of a bird photographer so that the reader who looks for a _ discus- sion of the technical aspects of photography in India will not find it in this book. The serious bird photographer will find this omission a matter for regret because the two British authorities to whom Mr. Lowther refers for information on the techniques of bird photo- graphy, despite their fame in Britain, have no experience of the pecu- liar problems which beset photographers in the tropics and therefore do not discuss them. Reproduced in this book are some of Mr. Lowther’s most famous bird pictures. The picture of the Black-necked Stork alighting on its nest has earned fame by being hung at the International Exhibition of Bird Photography in London in 1935. It has also been reproduced in a number of photographic and other publications. The frontispiece consists of an attractive portrait of a Tree Swift sitting proudly on its single egg. Anyone who has tried to photograph the birds of marshland and reed-bed will fully appreciate what endurance and persistence have been required to secure some of the pictures of marsh birds which decorate this book, nor need it be pointed out that skill and great courage have gone to the making of the pictures of the birds of prey. Among this wealth of excellent illustrations there have been includ- ed some photographs which this reviewer feels might well have been left out and he would suggest that in any subsequent editions the pictures of the Green Bee-eater, the Spur Fowl and the Mahratta Spotted Woodpecker could with advantage be excluded. Wo: 3. OXFORD JUNIOR ENCYCLOPAIDIA. Volume lI, (Natural fHfistory). Pp. 486. 8 coloured plates, numerous photographic plates and sketches. London, Oxford University Press. (1949). Price 30 sh. net. The Delegates of the Oxford University Press must be congratulated for bringing into fruition their scheme of a Junior Encyclopaedia. The full encyclopaedia is to consist of twelve volumes, each volume dealing 294 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL GIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 with a particular branch of knowledge. The second volume deals with — natural history. The editor of the volume is Dr. M. Burton, Deputy Keeper of the British Museum (Natural History). Several people very eminent in their particular sphere, have contributed to this volume: but their approach is not a specialist approach. They have tackled their subject ina manner that is likely to capture the interest of lay people, ‘unfamiliar with the subject. The main purpose of the Encyclopaedia, is, we are told, to provide a basic book of reference for school libraries, but at no time does. — an adult reader feel that the book has been ‘written down to child- ren’. Ina clear, facile manner various topics of natural history are introduced and explained. Heavy, scientific terminology is either avoided or sparingly used. Though the topics are alphabetically arranged very free use 1s made of the system of cross-indexing which is very useful to those in search of more comprehensive information. Another attractive feature of the book is the large number of illus- trations and coloured plates. There are pictures on practically every page of the book—a feature which is bound to draw readers both young and old to the book. The range of the Encyclopaedia is fairly comprehensive. I found a great deal of interesting and useful information on practically every topic I looked up, from exotic fish to exotic orchids, from caterpillars to boa constrictors. The book is priced at 30s, but it will prove a very worthwhile investment for the family, for if children grow up with a book like this constantly at hand, they will learn a great deal about the mys- tery of life, and will learn to love and respect plant and animal life wherever they find it. I might add that it will not be the children alone that will constantly use this book; it is likely to become a treasured family possession. : Rs REC 4. FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS IN INDIA. By D. V. Cowen. Pp. xvi+ 137. 59 coloured plates and 39 black and white sketches. Bombay, Thacker & Co. Ltd. (1950). Price Rs. 22-8. In the hot weather when most of the flowering trees put on a profusion of blossoms, and the tired and dusty cities suddenly look flamboyantly colourful because of the masses of gold and red and purple flowers on the trees, many enthusiasts renew their annual efforts to identify the beautiful flowering trees and shrubs of India. Usually these attempts had to be given up in despair because one’s friends never made any suggestions worth recording, when one enthused, ‘What a beautiful tree! I wonder what it is... Books on the subject were about as helpful to the average layman, They were either too slight and scrappy or else were musty ponderous tomes that presented such a moth-eaten appearance that one’s enthusiasm abated at the very sight of them. If, however, one’s amateur enthusiasm were made of sterner stuff, and if one persisted in wading through the tomes, the struggle with jaw-breaking botanical terminology usually left one none the wiser. | People who belong to the category just described, that is, not professional botanists but ordinary lay folk who would like to know REVIEWS 295 the names and something else besides of the beautiful trees that they see around them, will welcome Mrs. Cowen’s book as the parched earth welcomes the first showers of rain. Here at last is a book which makes no pretence at being a high-brow botanical study. It is written by a person who says that she sees trees ‘ with the eyes of a layman’. ~The book is packed with just the sort of information that the lay- man wants to obtain. Mrs. Cowen tells us that a certain tree is dedi- cated to the God Krishna, or that another is sacred to Shiva. She has tried to give us bits from the rich and fanciful web of folk-lore and tradition that generations have woven around Indian trees. Wherever possible, we are given the uses, medicinal and otherwise, to which the tree is put. But the feature that makes this book of special value to the layman is the number of beautiful coloured illustrations it contains. Mrs. Cowen’s consummate skill as an artist is too well known to comment on. Her skill with paints has captured for readers of this book the wealth of colour that adorns the trees of India. The pencil sketches are also very effectively done to give a clear idea of the lines and form and growth or the tree. The book is also provided with a rough and ready colour key, by means ot which trees can be identified with very little trouble. The section on the flowering shrubs will be of particular interest to gardeners who will rapidly learn to identify all the common garden shrubs that had so far defied identification. The book is so attractively got up, that in spite of its price of Rs. 22-8, I have still to meet somebody who has been able to resist buying it for himself after having seen it. RM: The following books have beoh added to the pect, s Library since _ April 1950:— 1, FLOWERING TREES & SHRUBS IN INDIA. By D. V. Cowen (Thacker & Co. Ltd., 1950) (A review copy). 2. RACE REALITIES IN CULTURAL GUJARAT. By D. N. Majumdar (Gujarat Research Society, 1950). : 3. A CATALOGUE OF THE AESPERIIDAE FROM EUROPE, ASIA AND AUSTRALIA IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY). By Brig. W. H. Evans [The British Museum (Natural History), 1949]. 4. A NATURALIST IN SARAWAK. By E. Banks (The Kuching Press, 1949) (A review copy). 5. INSTRUCTIONS FOR COLLECTORS No. 4 A—INSECTS. By John Smart [The British Museum (Natural History), 1949]. 6. OXFORD JUNIOR ENCYCLOP/4DIA, Volume II—Natural History. General Editors—Laura E. Salt & Geoffrey Boumphrey (Oxford University Press, 1949) (A review copy). MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 1. WILD ELEPHANTS DYING IN ASSAM Further to my letter of 7th December 1949 on the above subject, more information has now keen received. An investigation tour was undertaken by the D.F.O. of the district, accompanied by:an Hon. Forest Officer. I give herewith the substance of the latter’s report. During a twelve-day tour a great many wild elephant skeletons were found, and taking these into account as well as the number of tusks and tushes actually produced, it now appears that the number of proved deaths is 74. Taking into consideration the area searched, and the areas left unsearched, as well as the numbers of skeletons found in the different localities, it would seem safe to infer that a similar num- ‘ber of deaths has gone undetected. ‘Therefore the total number of wild elephants which died may be in the neighbourhood of 150. In addition, the skeletons of 3 bison were found, and it was re- ported by the Beat Officer that 3 bears (species not mentioned) had also died at the same time. ‘There were reports from villagers, too, that some bison, bear and also sambar had died. There were reports from villagers in three cases that they actually saw elephants dying, lying prostrate with profuse purging and unable to move. One took a week to die, another less. Flatulence is mentioned, and dung mixed with blood. I have discussed the foregoing report of the tour of investigation with an experienced veterinary officer, and his opinion is that the disease was probably the intestinal ferm of anthrax. He was not able to inform me definitely whether elephants are susceptible to rinderpest or not, but from the foregoing symptoms it appears to te anthrax. As far asI know, no examination of the remains of the dead animals has been done by any veterinary officer. , The Conservator of Forests has informed me that catching operations have been stopped in this area, and that steps are being taken to try and prevent further occurrences. DoyvancGc T.E., OATING P.O., ASSAM, E. P. GEE 16th April, 1950 2. ABNORMAL CLAVICLE BONES IN TIGER (With a photo) I enclose a photograph of a gold-mounted brooch showing the very extraordinary freak of a normal clavicle bone from one shoulder and a MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 297 truly diminutive bone from the other shoulder of the same tiger. The large bone measures 44 in. and the smaller bone 12 in. The animal = was shot by me in Northern Bengal on the 28th December 1928 and weighed 520 Ibs. - BANGALORE, W. H. GIBBS 21st February, 1950. 3. ON THE YOUNG OF THE CEYLON RUSTY-SPOTTED CAT (PRIONAILURUS RUBIGINOSUS PHILLIPSI POCOCK) On the morning of the 18th February this year, two small kittens of the Ceylon Rusty-spotted Cat were brought to me. ‘They had been found that morning in a small shallow cave or deep alcove beneath a small rock amongst tea bushes, in a field of tea growing close below a rocky patch of virgin jungle, hanging to a steep hill-side (altitude about 3,000 ft.) near Goussa Village in the Badulla District of the Uva Hills. There were only two young, both p'o' and still with their eyes closed ; they were probably about a week old when found. The mother is stated to have fled and abandoned them, at the time they were discovered. As the young of this cat does not appear to have been described hitherto, I give below a short description of these two , kittens; they are so alike that it is difficult to differentiate between them. Measurements (taken in the flesh) : No. 1 No. 2 Head and body ee 138 mm. 138 mm. Tail aS O5t G; 62°.« 3 Hind foot wee Paes Boe 55 Ear aes 2.4%, jy ae Colour. General colour above, dark earthy brown with a slight rufescent tinge paling to greyish brown on the sides, the whole 11 298 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 Spotted with dusky black spots arranged more or less in longitudinal lines. Four interrupted blackish stripes run from the forehead back over the shoulders, two on each side of the central line of the back. Tail dusky brown with very indistinct markings, scarcely amounting to incipient rings; limbs and feet dusky brown, the forearms barred with black; underparts greyish white, with large dusky tlack spots, arranged in interrupted transverse lines; neck whitish, crossed by two heavy transverse black bars. Head chocolate fawn, rather lighter and more rufescent than the body ; nose dusky brown with a narrow white stripe on each side, leading back between two black stripes; a narrow fainter white stripe above each eye and a small, pure white patch beneath each eye; sides of the head light fawn; cheeks white with two narrow dusky stripes; lips white ; chin and throat pure white; inner aspect of the ears white, outer black; muzzle brick red. It is interésting to note that there is no sign, on either of them, of any rusty spotting. In spite of the greatest care and attention both died after a few days. GALAPITAKANDE ESTATE, NAMUNUKULA, CEYLON, W. W. A. PHILLIPS 22nd February, 1950. 4. THE FISHING CAT (PRIONAILURUS VIVERRINUS BENNETT) I see in ‘ The Book of Indian Animals’ by Prater, that little is known of the breeding habits of this fine cat. Yesterday while finishing off the harvesting of a thirty acre plot of sugarcane near my bungalow, I was attracted by the barking of my two Labradors, and on investigation found they had brought to bay on a small tree a fine male specimen, which I shot. The weight and size were considerably more than those given by Prater, of 25 pounds and 24 feet. My specimen weighed 32 pounds, and measured between pegs, 3 feet 3 inches, of which the tail was 11 inches. Later the dogs hunted out a female which escaped, and a kitten of about two months which they killed. I record the incident because the Fishing Cat is not common in these parts, and to date the birth of this kitten as January or early February. KOOREA, BETTIAH P.O.,, CHAMPARAN, A. ST. J. MACDONALD 1s# April, 1950. 5. FERAL ALBINO AND PIEBALD RATS In a recent number of the Journal [48(3): 579, 1949] the Rodent Controi Officer for Hongkong describes a picbald specimen of Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout, taken under feral conditions in a tenement in a. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 299 the Colony of Hongkong. The author says that this is the first one that he had seen out of many thousands of rats that had passed through his hands. It would seem to be of some interest to know if anyone can give any indication of the frequency of occurrence of albinos and piebald Specimens among the commensal rats in southern Asia. The albino and pied rats at present kept in captivity are in all cases domesticated strains of the Norway Rat, and the two forms interbreed freely. It is not known whether the albino variety had a single or multiple origin, but it may safely be assumed that it is derived from one or more feral albino mutants which were captured and kept as pets. At the present time no feral colony of albinos is known. The present domestic stock of albinos is not strictly homozygous, but the character is certainly recessive in crosses between the albino and wild grey forms. The albino reappears in the proportion of one in four in the F, genera- tion, and in this and later generations piebald animals may occur. Since the Hongkong specimen seems to have been unique, it is more likely to have been due to a mutation than to the partial emergence of a reces- sive strain. References to albino rats in western Europe before the time when ‘ the Norway Rat is known to have reached that area show that albino mutants must aiso have occurred there in Aattus rattus; but according to Donaldson (Memoirs Wistar Inst. Anat. Biol., 6: 6, 1924), a careful search by several investigators in the ten years prior to the appearance of his work failed to reveal a living albino specimen. Nor seemingly are there any examples in the leading American museums. On the other hand, Dr. Hossack (emotrs Ind. Mus.,1: 17-18, 1907) refers to several semi-albino specimens of Rattus rattus collected in Calcutta while he was working in the Plague Department of the city- Rats trapped by the municipal authorities in Singapore are not normally sent to the Raffles museum, and specimens only reach us casually. Nevertheless I have been shown one full albino of Rattus norve- gicus inthe last two years. In addition the Museum reterence collection contains a skin, without precise data, in which the pelage is appreciably paler than Ridgway’s light buff (17’f), and a second, taken by a municipal collector on 24th October 1930, which is a uniform light ochraceous buff (Ridgway, 15’d). ‘There seems to be no reason to doubt that the first and third of these examples, and probably the second also, were feral, though I do not see that one can ever be sure that one is not dealing with an escaped specimen in the slums of a large city. In 1941 I was surveying the fauna of the Cocos-Keeling Islands, in the eastern Indian Ocean. There are about 25 islands round the atoll, the majority of which contain feral forms of Rattus rattus, originating presumably from specimens that came ashore from various visiting or wrecked ships in the last century. About 200 examples were taken, of which 65 were sent to Dr. G. H. H. Tate of the American Museum of Natural History, New York, who has teported on them (Bull. Raft. Mus., 22,1950). The rats on one of the islands are markedly different from the remainder and seem to constitute a hitherto unrecorded race of Rattus vattus. The others apparently represent a mixture of the white- bellied /rugzvorous Rafinesque and the dark-bellied alexandrinus G. St. Hilaire. One of the 180 examples taken of this latter complex, a small male, was a full albino, with pink eyes. It was caught on an uninhabit- 300 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 ed island, Pulo Panjang, which apart from it seemed to possess only dark-bellied forms. There can be no question of this specimen having come from a tame or captive stock. Darwin, who visited the atoll in 1836, does not report the presence of rats on this island, which is nearly 5 miles long, but the animals may be descended from the ship rats of the London brig Szv Francis Nicholas Burton which was wrecked there ten years earlier. Popularly the rats on this part of the atoll are thought to have come from the American vessel Robert Portner which went ashore on one of the other islets in 1878. RAFFLES MUSEUM, SINGAPORE, C. A. GIBSON-HILL 20th February, 1950. 6. THE BURMESE WILD DOG At page 651 of Vol. 48, No. 4, in his interesting ‘ Jungle Memories ’, Lt.-Col. Phythian-Adams asks, ‘Is there a separate grey species of wild dog in Burma ?’ and mentions my statement in the article ‘ The Indian Wild Dog’ (Vol. 41, p. 695) that ‘no material is as yet available to establish the identity of the wild dogs of Burma.’ That remark as to identity was in connexion with the scientific classification by Pocock of the several races of wild dog throughout India and Burma. In the Fauna of British India—Mammalia, Vol. II, published on 15th September 1941 (after my article was written and published) Pocock, having seen some new material from Burma, gave the name Cuon alpinus adustus, subsp. nov., to the wild dog of Upper Burma, and the name Cuon alpinus infuscus Pocock to the race found in Ten- naserim and Malaya. It would seem that yet more material is required from the whole of Burma and south to Malaya. The wild dog of Penin- sular India is now named Cuon alpinus dukhunensis Sykes. In ‘A Game Book for Burma and Adjoining Territories’ (1933) E. H. Peacock has a chapter on the Wild Dog (Cuoz sp.) and says, ‘There are said to be two species of wild dog in Burma: C. dukhu- nensts (the Indian wild dog) and C. rvutzlans (the Malay wild dog). I have never seen the former in Burma, but have seen and shot the latter ona number of occasions. The Malay wild dog resembles a large jackal more nearly than it does either dog or wolf. The general coloration is bright red with a black or dark brown tail and smoky-brown or black muzzle. It is smaller and more lightly built than the Indian wild dog and ofa brighter red coloration. He makes no mention of a grey dog, and remarks as to the jackal in Burma ‘ the colour of the coat varies from yellow or reddish-yellow to blue-grey.’ BANGALORE, R. W. BURTON, 21st February, 1950. Lieut-Col, 1.A. (Retd.) Se MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 301 7. THE BURMESE WILD DOG AND OTHER MATTERS CANINE In the Journal of December 1949, under Col. Phythian-Adams’s ‘Jungle Memories’ and his interesting accounts of wild dogs, etc., he has left open a query as to the existence of a grey wild dog in Burma. I spent 10 years in that country previous to the Jap invasion in 1942 and never heard of a grey species of wild dog there (the Burmese name ‘tawkhway’ merely alluding to wild dogs generally). But, in June 1936, while after bison and saing in the Lower Chindwin District, I saw an animal which, I can only suggest, could have been none other than a grey wild dog. I was moving camp at the time and, as it was raining—also to protect it from the joltings of the cart—had, unfortunately, rolled up my rifle in my valise and was myself sitting at the back of the cart because of the deep mire on the track. The light was dull and visibility was further obscured by the swirling drizzle. What I saw on this occasion I, at first, idly regarded as the charred stump of a tree, having a curious resemblance to a large dark-grey dog sitting erect on its haunches and facing the direction from which we had come. At the moment I noticed it, it was about 10 yards away on an open bit of ground beside the track, but must have been half that distance off when the cart came abreast of it. A few moments later, a slight twitch of the head and of a laid-back ear towards the cart moving out of its field of vision revealed it clearly as an animal with a black muzzle and half-shut eyes, having a dark-grey coat—the hair plastered streakily and blackly wet down its flank. Neither of the Burmese in the cart had noticed it, and the wind must have been ‘right’ for it with respect to the bullocks. Larger than a jackal (excepting an oversized rabid one I had killed in Mespot) and larger than the average village pariah of Burma, I mentally exclaimed ‘ Wolf !’—immediately realizing the inaccessibleness of my rifle; while my revolver, in a haversack, was just beyond easy reach and I feared that any movement to get at it would alarm the animal, whatever it was—and I[ was convinced that it was a wolf. So when, about 30 yards further cn, the cart rounded a bend, I secured the revol- ver and carefully began to stalk back. Unfortunately, however, my Burmese servant elected to get down too and, in spite of my urgent gestures, the driver stopped his bullocks; so that when I[ came into view of the spot the animal was not there. Recollecting then that I had seen a few thamin deer not far from the track and about 100 yards further along, and supposing that, perhaps, this ‘ wolf’ had been aware of them and was operating with a mate to stalk them, I proceeded in that direction, but the thamin too had disappeared. I should add that there was nota village within miles and, I am sure, no domestic dog would have found reason to be there in that weather and to maintain such immobility during the passing of the cart. On returning from that trip I looked up all available literature but found no reference to the wolf in Burma. Nor, in his‘ A Game-Book for Burma’ had E. H. Peacock (former Game Warden) mentioned it—both the Indian and. Malayan wild dog were stated to exist in Burma, but he admitted that he had never seen the former (a larger and heavier animal than the 302 JOURNAL, BOMBAY, NATURAL AIST. SOCIETY, Wolaeao latter). I eventually came to the conclusion that the ‘wolf’ I had seen must have been an uncommon species of wild dog peculiar to Burma; as far as I could gather, the Burmese have no name for wolf. The writer of ‘ Jungle Memories’ concludes his discussion of wild dogs by cautiously citing an instance of ‘a variety of wild dog in the Karen Hills , .. black and white, as hairy as a Skye terrier and as large as a medium spaniel’; and, though he seems to invite corroboration, if not zoological discussion of the existence of such a species in the wild state (and, impliedly, restricted to Karenni—the western border of which runs with a part of Burma proper and the northern bulges into the Southern Shan States), or at least leaves the question open, it is with much diffidence that I approach it to say that I have seen a pack of, what I mentally noted at the time as ‘ piebald’ wild dogs. Wild they certainly were, in the sense of feral; but, whether anatomi- cally identifiable with Cuon, I haven’t the slightest knowledge where- with to suggest. But, many years ago, I was once invited to a shoot in the Lakhimpur-Kheri District, along both banks of the Sarda River, with two elephants and usually a large gang of beaters—beating through dense and extremely high ‘narkal’ grass for swamp deer, while hoping to put up tiger or panther. One morning, as my elephant was approaching a large clear space in the grass, pig began to break back—one boar carrying away a Strip of cloth off a beater alongside— making my mount nervous and fidgety. So then, seeing another large boar crossing my front towards beaters on the left, I was trying to get a bead on him when I heard my host call out ‘ Don’t shoot—only wild dogs!’ and, the next moment, my mahout pointed and said ‘ Kutha’. Then, on the far side of the clearing, to the left and just outside the shadow of the grass beyond, I saw about a dozen piebald (‘ black ’ and ‘white’—some with more ‘ white’ than ‘ black’) dogs leisurely getting up and retiring into the grass. Before my elephant reached the open ground, not many strides ahead, the pack had disappeared. But in that brief period I must have noted nearly every one of them—at a distance of under 100 yards—and, though the morning sun was some- what in my eyes, the whole pack was in bright sunlight to one side when sighted (obviously basking—a cold January morning) and, excepting the indeterminable colour of their dark markings, the dogs were clearly seen; and I retain an impression of a certain similarity in the build of all, probably due to inbreeding—which must, naturally, result in such uniformity, as well as in established habits and thus creating, what may be itermed, a ‘variety’ of the species. A few, smaller than the rest, probably were young dogs. I hesitate to venture a more detailed description, but I seem to remember noting that the last few dogs to disappear bore a general chow-like appearance, or similar to the ‘ bhootia’ dog of the Himalayas (—the Nepal hills lay visible to the north—) and I think these carried bushy tails, high and curled up. During the noon halt, my host seemed disinclined to discuss these dogs or to explain why he had told me not to shoot at them, merely re- marking that they were well known in that neighbourhood—as also were some ‘wild cattle ’—and that he had seen them on some previous ecasions but that, personally, he ‘had no time for them’. Conscious MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 303 of being only a guest and rather out of my element in that terrain and in that method of hunting, I did not pursue the topic further. It would have been sufficiently interesting to have been able to discover whether these were merely domestic dogs ‘ gone wild ’—or descendants of such —for I have never heard of that occurring in India; and it may be noted that the pigs sHelreie must have been basking too, in the same: open patch! As to whether jackals sometimes mate with domestic dogs, I once shot a jackal while in the act. It happened in S. W. Kurdistan and the bitch slowly came about half a mile from the camp to meet the jack which, till then, had been skulking amongst some bushes. I| was carry- ing a °303 Service rifle and had been waiting for the jackal to show himself, so immediately took the opportunity when he emerged to meet the dog. The incident was preceded by the usual courtship behaviour of dogs. Incidentally,-once near the Tigris I was fortunate to be able to shoot a jackal while actually uttering the ‘pheal’ cry. He was sitting erect at the time ina patch of scrub and did not seem to have noticed my approach on my pony, though the rest of the pack had and was beginning to move away. Though it was dusk the range was only about 30 yards and I was able to shoot him without dismounting. I think that was the only time I ever heard the ‘ pheal’ cry out there; and the cause of it seems obscure, for mounted men—especially Arabs —must have been a common sight to those jackals. ‘WALMER ’, LOVEDALE, K. BOSWELL, (NILGrRIS), Capt., 1.A.M.C. (Retd.) Sth March, 1950. 8. OCCURRENCE OF THE CHESTNUT-BELLIED NUTHATCH (SITTA CASTANEIVENTRIS CASTANEIVENTRTS) IN SIND—A CORRECTION Among papers in the Society’s office we found a folder containing 131 typewritten sheets of bird notes which can be traced to the late Mr. T. R. Bell as they are in a peculiar type and correspond with notes on interleaved pages in books bought from Mr. Bells’ library. The text also supports this in many ways. In one part he refers to Sz¢ta castaneiventris—the Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch as under :— ‘I saw a single specimen of this little nuthatch in a babul-grove in Raoti forest in Upper Sind on the 24th of January 1905. [ have never seen many of them anywhere in the Presidency even. This one was alone and feeding and was very shy, dodging behind the trunk and branches. But Iam sure it was this very species.’ In another place he says: ‘it might have been Sztta tehbhronota which is said to be common in Baluchistan.’ 304 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 Dr. C. B. Ticehurst in ‘The Birds of Sind’, Jéés 1922, p. 546, says: ‘Mr. AAR. Bell records that on 24th January 1905 he obtained a single specimen of Sztta castaneiventris castanetventris in a babul-grove in the Raoti forest in Upper Sind.’ It is apparent that Ticehurst’s record refers to the above notes and that no specimen was obtained. The record of Sitta castaneiven- tris castanetventris from Sind should therefore be deleted or treated as doubtful until further evidence is forthcoming. c/o Faiz & Co., 75, ABDUL REHMAN STREET, BomBay 3, HUMAYUN ABDULALI 15th May, 1950. 9. BLACK DRONGOS FOSTERING A KOEL It may be of interest to record the case of a parasitic cuckoo — Koel (Eudynamis scolopaceus)—having as foster parents a pair of Black Drongos or King Crows (Dicrurus macrocercus). When first noticed, the young bird was fairly well grown and able to fly, larger in fact than the foster parents. It was frequently observed perched on a tree branch in the bungalow compound, or on shade trees in the nearby tea. In this position it would sit and complain rather querulously whilst the two drongos chased around frantically to find food. This food, when it did arrive, was not in the least gratefully received, but, after it had been consumed, the young cuckoo would peck and scold at its foster parents sitting alongside until the poor drongos had to fly off again in the apparently never ending quest to satisfy the cuckoo child’s voracious appetite. The trio were observed near the bungalow for about 4 week early in August, and then disappeared not to be seen again. What struck me as curious and possibly unusual, was firstly, the choice of foster parents by the hen Koel; secondly that the hen Koel had ever been allowed to approach the nest of the usually brave and pugnacious Black Drongos, who were quite capable of ‘ seeing off the premises’ any Koel; and thirdly, when the young bird had hatched out and had grown actually larger than themselves, the drongos did not recognize it as an alien, but developed into a pair of sorely tried and hard-working slaves. Perhaps in the end they did recognize an enemy and either killed it off or drove it away. TEOK TEA ESTATE, TEOK P.O., T. E. H. SMITH ASSAM, 5th March, 1950. [In India the Koel gives highest priority as its fosterers to the House and Jungle Crows. Stuart Baker (Cuckoo Problems, p. 197) records eggs from the nest of the Common Myna (Acridotheres tristzs). MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 305 Eggs of the Burmese race of the Koel have been taken from nests of the Chinese Magpie (Pica p. sericea) and the Red-billed Blue Magpie (Crocissa ¢. magnirosiris) and those of the Chinese race from the nest of the Black-necked Myna (Gracupica nigricollis). Both the Black and Ashy Drongos have been recorded as occasional hosts of the Indian Cuckoo (C. micropterus), the latter together with the Bronzed Drongo (Chaptia aenea) also of the Khasia Hills Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus bakert). —Ebs.] 10. ON THE STATUS OF ZURYSTOMUS ORIENTALIS LAETIOR SHARPE Widely isolated from the main group of the Broad-billed Roller, Eurystomus orientalis (ranging from the lower parts of the Himalaya as far as Korea, the Solomon Islands and the Kimberley District of north-western Australia) there exists in the forests of South India and Ceylon a small population which has been named Lurystomus laetior by Sharpe, in 1890 (Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p 551, 1890; terra typica: forests of Malabar, Nilgiris, and Ceyion, type from Eridage, Travancore, in the British Museum, see Whistler and Ali, Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist, Soc. 39, p. 14, 1936). Its distribution suggests it to be a relic of considerable age, and the characters given by Sharpé for this race seem to confirm this view. The colouring of the head is very black, and that of the lower parts intensely blue. Besides two specimens from Ceylon, Sharpe saw one Broad-billed Roller from Eridge (Travancore) and another from the Asamboo (Ashambu) Hills (Travancore), see Catalogue Birds British Museum, Vol. 17, p. 36, 1892). ' However, Sharpe’s name has been sunk into the synonymy of _ ELurystomus o. orientalis (described from Java) by all later authors: Stresemann (Vov. Zool. 20, p. 299, 1913); Ripley (Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington 55, p. 169-179, 1942), Whistler (Spoliz Zeylanica 23, Nos. 3 and 4, p. 223, 1944), and Peters (Check-List >of the Birds of the World, Vol. 5, p. 246, 1945) for the apparent reason, that none of them had an opportunity for comparing a series from Ceylon or Travancore, where Eurystomus orientalis is a decidedly rare bird. ‘This is especially true for Ceylon; only a very few (9) specimens having been collected on that island, the last one in 1894. It is as if the bird has to be ranked among the extinct birds of Ceylon. My attention was drawn to this isolated population by a Ceylonese specimen kept in the Zoological Museum, Berlin, since 1853. It had been collected during the voyage of Prince Waldemar of Prussia (1817- 1849) between 13th November and 17th December 1844, together with 15 other species of Ceylonese birds and I was at once struck by the very dark, blackish colour of the cheeks, completely agreeing with Sharpe’s diagnostic description. At my request Professor Stresemann, during a stay in London in October 1949, kindly studied the British Museum material. It consists of 5 specimens (including the type), two of them from Travancore (see above) collected 2lst December 1871 and 16th August 1877 and three from Ceylon—the two specimens already seen by Sharpe (registered 1853 and 1888 respectively) and one from Maha Oya, E. Greig, December 1894, registered in the British 306 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 Museum in 1926. This record remained hidden even to Whistler, Owing to war circumstances, but he mentions (1944, 1].c.) under No. 3 Legge’s sight record of a specimen at Maha Oya, Professor Stresemann stated that the crown and the face of all these birds (except one from Ceylon) are much blacker than in birds from Java and the Philippines. Our single Berlin specimen may at once be distinguished from &. o. ort- entalis by its blackish blue instead ot pure blue ear coverts. This corresponds to the usual intensification of pigments in South India and Ceylonese forest bird sub-species and species. The Berlin bird from Ceylon measures :— Wing 178 mm., tail 88 mm. wing to tail index 49, ie., tail measures 49% of wing. In &. 0. orien- talis, Ripley (1.c.) found this index 50-56. The 4 birds of Travancore measured by Whistler (see Ali, l.c.) seem to show nearly the same index. However, if further measurements prove the wing-length of Travancore Rollers to be longer—wings of 4 males 195:5-198 mm., the birds from Ceylon would require a separate, i.e. new name. For the time being I propose to unite both populations to one sub-species, 4. 0. daetior. This bird is restricted to the evergreen forest biotopes of Travancore and Cochin (see Ali, l.c.). No exact locality or life zone can be given for the specimen of the Berlin Museum. Prince Waldemar travelled from Galle via Colombo, Kandy, Badulla, Rathnapura, Adams Peak to Colombo. A week was spent in the north-east of Badulla (near Galbocka) in hunting elephants. (Die Reise... des Prinzen Waldemar von Preussen nach Indien. . , 1844— 1846, Auszug von I. A. Kutzner, Berlin 1857, pp. 32-115), The other birds collected live in the Lower Dry and/or the Lower Wet and/or Hill Zone. Atall events, the new record of the rare bird comes from the southern half of the island—as all records with a definite locality. To sum up, &. orzentalis laetior Sharpe (Travancore) is a well defined sub-species, restricted like a number of other birds to south- west India and Ceylon, and separated from the main area of the species by.a wide gap. The last record from Ceylon, where it is now possibly extinct, is in 1894, The records ofa specimen collected by W. Hoff- meister the naturalist to Prince Waldemar’s travels, in the southern half of Ceylon between 13th November and 17th December 1844, and now in Berlin Museum, and another obtained by Greig ‘lat Maha Oya, Ceylon, in 1894 are published for the first time. r ZOOLOGISCHES MUSEUM, BERLIN, W. MEISE 29th March, 1950. [In the Loris tor January 1950, p. 141, it is recorded that a pair was found breeding at Maha Oya in February 1950. ‘They were subse- quently shot by the taxidermist of the National Museum, Colombo. Mr. Salim Ali who has receatly examined the British Museum material measures the wings of 3 unsexed examples from Ceylon as 184- 188 mm., whereas a male trom Travancore in the same collection has a wing of 200 mm. Two males collected by him in Travancore since the publication of his Travancore Survey Report measured (fresh) Wing 203, 207 ; Tail 99, 106 mm. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 307 Unfortunately the available material does not permit a sex-for-sex comparison between the populations of Ceylon and Travancore, though on the face of it Ceylon birds would appear to be somewhat smaller winged. However, the two populations are quite indistinguishable in colour, and in this regard agree with the type of /aetior.— Eps. } 11. ON THE BLUE-TAILED BEE-EATER (VEROPS SUPERCILIOSUS JAVANICUS HORSF.) IN BOMBAY In our paper on the ‘Birds of Bombay and Salsette’, AB.N.A.S. 40, page 169, we recorded this species as a passage migrant around Bombay, but a Subsequent re-examination of the two specimens collected in our area disclosed that both of them were in fact immature Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters (J/. s. Bersicus). ‘The record was accordingly corrected in the Jouvnal—Vol. 45, page 237. In August 1949 Shamoon Abdulali obtained a male and female at Godhbunder, Salsette Island, which are undoubtedly javanicus having blue tails and wings of 128 mm. Subsequent to this I shot another in Thana creek on 9th October 1949 which also had a 128 mm. wing and agreed with them. It appears, therefore, that both forms occur here on passage. It will be recalled that Littledale obtained javanicus nesting along the Mahi River in Gujarat (.8.N.H.S. Vol. 1, page 30). c/o Faiz & Co., 75, ABDUL REHMAN STREET, HUMAYUN ABDULALI BOMBAY, 15¢h February, 1950. 12. OCCURRENCE OF THE CINEREOUS VULTURE (AEGYPIUS MONACHUS LINNAEUS) AT AHMEDABAD, NORTH GUJARAT On Sunday, 25th December 1949, I and Syt. R. G. Kharadi, Hon. Secretary of the Gujarat Natural History Society went on a long outing for bird observation, Near Narol village, 5 miles from Ahmedabad (Milestone: 392 miles 5 furlongs) my attention was attracted by a huge black bird apparently resting at the foot of a cactus hedge in a road. side ditch. We immediately got off our bicycles and cautiously approached the bird. As it did not appear to be disturbed by our presence, we got closer, and to our dis1ppointment found that it was already dead. We examined it closely for blood or injury, but found none. ‘The carcass had not stiffened and there was no stench, showing that the bird was not long dead. From its position at the foot of the hedge, which was on a bank at least 4 feet high, it appeared as though the bird in attempting to pass through a gap in the hedge after scram- bling up the sloping bank had collapsed through exhaustion. We examined the carcass perfunctorily and concluded that it was a vul- ture of some sort. As we were in a hurry, however, we did not collect the bird but left it lying where it was. That very night I 308 JOURNAL, BOMBAY | NADURAL (HIST. VSOCIETV,” Volo had to leave for Bombay and hence there was no time to look up refer- ences for proper identification. In Bombay, next day, I visited the museum to see if I could get a clue toits identity from amongst the fine reference collection of birds belonging to the Bombay Natural History Society, but was disappointed to find their skins of large birds stored away in boxes and not accessible within the short time at my disposal. I, however, could not get the bird out of my mind and after my return to Ahmedabad, took the earliest opportunity (2nd January 1950) to visit the place again in company with Syt. Kharadi. To our surprise and satisfaction we found the bird still there, though now in a piecemeal condition. We collected the wings and legs which were in perfect condition; also the tail detached from the body minus one feather (which was retrieved on a later visit), The breast bone, though picked clean of all flesh, was still intact and we collected that too. The head and neck were found lying at a distance of about 10 yards in a field on the other side of the hedge, still articulated and in perfect condition except for the eyes. The huge expanse of the wings, the round nostrils, extremely wide gape and tail of 12 feathers left no doubt that the bird was a Cinereous Vulture. The grooved underside of the talons was also noted. Though not given'in the Fauna or by Donald (/.B.N.H.S., XXV, XXVI), this character is specifically mentioned by Swann in his excellent ‘Monograph of the Birds of Prey. Our identification was further confirmed by the peculiar head, which was not naked or covered with down as in other vultures but had dense black fur-like feathers on top and around the neck which even at a short distance gave the appearance of a feathered head. The remains were taken to Bombay where my identification of the bird as a Cinereous Vulture was ccrrokorated by the Society. The Ahmedabad bird measured (in mm.) as follows : Wing 770; tail (of 12 feathers) 390 ; culmen 94; middle toe without claw 116; middle toe with claw 125; hind toe without claw 37 ; hind toe with claw 74. As regards its distribution, the Fauna (2nd Edition) says that ‘it occurs in winter in the Punjab, Sind, N.W. Province, United Province and as far south as Ahmedabad, Mhow and Saugar.’ Ahmedabad is doubtless mentioned on the strength of the single specimen observed by Capt. A. E. Butler in the winter of 1870. (Stray Feathers, IIL: 441). This was the only authentic record of its previous occurrence in Gujarat, Kathiawar or Kutch. Barnes had never met with the bird in any part of North Gujarat. Littledale does not appear to have seen it in South Gujarat. Neither have Palin, Lester or Salim Ali recorded it from Kutch. Salim Ali did not come across the bird in his Gujarat surveys. It thus appears that degypius monachus has only been recorded twice from North Gujarat where it is no doubt a very rare straggler. There is one point in connection with this specimen which I would like to mention. When we first examined the bird, we did not find any sign of external injury on its body. Whatever the cause of its death, it was apparently not any physical disability. When we saw it the following week, the chest and back bones had been picked clean of flesh. As all the bones were intact and the ribs still attached to the sternum and vertebra, it may be presumed that the cleaning was done by insects and not by village dogs. The head and neck, of course, were removed to a distance by village dogs but they MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 309 were not at all mutilated. Is it a fact, as generally believed, that a vulture is not considered fit for consumption by carnivores—even by its own kind which normally stop at nothing? GUJARAT NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, HARI NARAYAN G. ACHARYA AHMEDABAD, 16th April, 1950. 13. A BRIEF SUMMARY ON THE CHUKAR PARTRIDGE IN NEVADA, U. S. AMERICA. The earliest known introduction of the Chukar Partridge (Alectoris gracca sp.) into the United States was in 1893 from Karachi, India ; however, it was approximately 1935 before the bird was introduced into Nevada, in hopes that it could establish itself as a favourable upland game species. From the period of 1935 through 1941 the Nevada State Fish and - Game Commission had purchased and distributed approximately 775 chukars throughout the State. These plantings have been supplement- ed to an unknown extent through releases made by private individuals, and by County Sportsmen projects. Unfortunately, no reliable data concerning these latter releases can be obtained. According to the State Fish and Game the number of failures from the initial introduc- ticns appeared to be greater than those which resuited in established populations. By 1947, however, the remaining birds from the initial plant had increased in population sufficiently to warrant a short hunting season, and the resistance of the chukar to hunting pressure has enabled us to have seasons in 1948 and 1949 also. The state of Nevada contains a preponderance of semi-arid land, broken up by innumerable brush-covered mountains, which seem to offer an excellent environment for the chukar. The part of the state in which the species seems to thrive best is at the higher elevations, where the valley floor is usually above 4,000 feet, and the chukar is especially adaptable to rough, mountainous areas where there are rocky hillsides, or steep tallus slopes, in combination with an available water supply. In addition the chukar seems to thrive well on a diet of our native vegetation, and is doing well in a variety of vegetational types. Since 1947, the State has purchased an additional 100 birds for distribution, and has also been transplanting wild trapped birds to new areas. In addition, the State also purchased 70 pairs of chukar brood stock in February 1950, in an effort to raise birds which may be planted in areas where there has been no establishment. The pen-reared birds are to be released with wild-trapped birds in hopes that this method will reduce mortality, and provide for a higher rate of establishment. The chukar is fast becoming one of the sportsmen’s favourite game birds in Nevada. It is considerably smaller than our native Sage Grouse (Centrocircus urophasianus) however, due to the elusive and wary characteristics of the chukar when subject to hunting pressure, and to its excellent table qualities, it is providing the hunter with a great deal of sport. 310 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 In conclusion, it can be said that the chukar is now well established, and extending its range in Nevada, and that due to its excellent qualities as a game bird extensive efforts are being made to increase its population. UNIVERSITY STATION, RENO, NEVADA, GLEN C. CHRISTENSEN 27th March, 1950. [In reply to our enquiry Mr. Christensen writes that there is no available data as to the number of Chukar which have been shot. According to his latest estimate he says that less than 3,000 birds have been introduced into the States but since the time of the first introduc- tion around 1935 there has been a considerable increase in the popula- tion and a great increase in its range. No census has been taken of the Chukar population but field observations show that they are definitely breeding in the wild. The Awk for July 1950 contains a Report of the American Ornitho- logists’ Union Committee on Bird Protection for 1949 which reads in part— ‘The drastic widespread decline in pheasant populations, plus success of the Chukar Partridge, Alectoris, in establishing itself in Neveda and other western states, has stimulated interest in the introduction of additional exotic game birds. Most biolo- gists, aware of the often disastrous results of successful efforts, question such activities. Efforts are being made to channel all introductions through the Fish and Wildlife Service and secure careful advance information before attempts are made.’ —Eps.] 14. OCCURRENCE OF THE WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN [CHLIDONIAS LEUCOPTERUS (TEMM.)] IN BOMBAY On 26th March 1950, I was on the Mahim Causeway, Bombay City, with Horace Alexander and Salim Ali, watching a lot of Little Cormorants, Black- and Brown-headed Gulls, and Gull-billed Terns busily feeding on the edge of the mangrove swamp, with the tide flowing in. Among them we noticed a single Lesser Crested Tern (7. benghalensts), and another yet smaller tern, with sharp contrasts of dark and white in its plumage. Though at some distance from us, our binoculars clearly showed the pure white tail (almost square and typical of a marsh tern), sooty-grey upper parts, and black or blackish under-wing coverts. Thus the bird could not have been anything but the White-winged Black Tern (Ch/z- donias leucopterus) which, in spite of the statement in the Fauna, has not been recorded before from anywhere in peninsular India. The only records between the Persian Gulf and Tipperah (Bengal) are from Ceylon, where it is considered a winter visitor (Whistler, Avifauna of Ceylon, p. 268). The Handbook of British Birds says that it winters in MISCELLANEOUS NOTES Sit Africa (occasionally south to the Cape), Madagascar, Southern Asia and Malay region, Australia (occasionally in large numbers) and New Zealand (where it is said to have nested). c/o Faiz & Co., 75 ABDUL REHMAN STREET, HUMAYUN ABDULALI BoMBAY, 28th March 1950. 15. KENTISH PLOVERS [LEUCOPOLIUS ALEXANDRINUS (LINN.)] AT BOMBAY On 25th February 1949, I spent an hour watching the wading birds that were spread out over the almost dried-up patch of mud between Colaba and the sea. The great majority of these birds, some hundreds altogether, were Lesser Sand Plovers (Charadrius mongolus). With them were birds of several other species, such as Little Ringed Plover (C. dubtus) and Turnstone (Avenaria interpres). I soon noticed some Kentish Plovers (Leucopolius alexandrinus), and altogether I am satisfied that there were a score or more of this species scattered about over the ground, mostly keeping rather separate from the sand plovers, which were mainly in one large pack. At this time of year, most of the Kentish Plovers were in full spring plumage, showing bright fulvous caps and a distinct black patch on the side of the neck. In ‘off’ plumage, it is not at all easy to distinguish from the sand plover, but itis at all times a rather rounder looking bird, the plumage is paler brown, and thelegs are black. Nearly always, too, there is some black on the lores, and the neck patch is larger and darker than in C. mongolus. These points, however, can hardly be appreciated except when the two species arein company and can be watched at close range. Apparently the Kentish Plover has not been recorded in Bombay previously. 24, RAJPUR ROAD, DELHI, H. G. ALEXANDER lst May, 1950. 16. THE SNOW GOOSE (ANSER HYPERBOREUS PALLAS) IN KASHMIR—AN ADDITION TO THE AVIFAUNA OF INDIA Mr. F. C. D. Ogden has sent us the skin of a goose shot by Mr. George Nedou at Haigham Jheel at Srinagar on 26th February 1950. Mr. Nedou saw this goose flying with nine Grey Lag geese and theie were other parties of Grey Lag in the vicinity. The bird is the Snow Goose—Anser hyperboreus \probably hyperboreus and a male)—a species which has not been recorded before in India. The colour of the eyes was noted as black. 312 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 The range of this species according to the Handbook of British Birds is ‘N. E. Palaearctic and N. Nearctic regions. Breeds in arctic E. Siberia (Wrangel Islands and Tchutchki peninsula) and in arctic N. America from Pt. Barrow, Alaska to Southampton Is., Baffin Land and islands northward. Replaced by larger race atlanticus apparently in N.E. of N. America. Winters in western states of U.S.A., especially California; casual in £&, Canada and U.S.A.; also south to Japan on E. coast of Asia; accidental in W. Indies. In Europe reported from Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Germany, ? Holland, France, Greece, ? etc., but probably in many cases merely albinos.’ Mr. George Nedou has very kindly presented this skin to the Society. 114, APOLLO STRERT, Fort, BoMBAY, EDITORS. 10th May 1950. 17.—GEESE AND DUCK ON THE CHILKA LAKE, ORISSA Further to correspondence on the above subject published in your issue of April 1949, we have compared notes and think the following brief summary may be of interest to some of your readers. Geese When E.C.B. visited the lake at Christmas 1949, the geese in the Nalban area appeared to consist of approximately 2 /3rd Grey Lag and 1 /3rd Bar-head, but at Satpara where he estimated the number of Bar- head to be about 1,500, he was unable to detect one single Grey Lag among them after a most careful scrutiny on the ground when they were very tame or in the air when they were decidedly the reverse. From observations made by L.A.C. over the past three years he finds that the Bar-heads are not to be found on Nalban till the middle of December, but by the middle of January are as numerous as the Grey Lag. When he visited the lake on the 10th December 1949 there was nota single Bar-head seen but a week later they were there in small numbers and out of a total of 30 geese bagged, 6 were Bar-head and the remainder Grey Lag. The following bags of geese made in the Nalban area may be of interest. L.A:C. E.C.B. White | Grey Bar- hs | Grey Bar- ey Front Lag head | Lag head 31- 1-45 ae ae a cee 31-1-45 he 3 1 3- 1-46 eatlina ase 5 3 31-1-46 oe 10 7 Q2102A7 14 ec 31-1-47 4 3 12-12-48 1 23 uh Goce mal Ne ne ae Ce) 10 15 | X’mas 49 ee 4 6 MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 313 The immediate conclusion is that the Grey Lag arrive first, the Bar-head come in just before mid-December and by the end of the year numbers tend to even up with a preponderance of Bar-head in January. It would be interesting if other readers confirm this. Duck As regards the various species of duck, E.C.B. has not noticed any particular variation in numbers of Pintail. With this L.A.C. does not entirely agree. This season many more Pintail were seen than during the previous two seasons. The Gadwall is the commonest species and because of their unwary behaviour when on a line of flight, form a high percentage of the bag. Shovellers are, of course, ubiquitous and Wigeon very numerous, though more wary than the Gadwall. Common Teal have always been scarce but Garganey are always numerous. A few Spotbill and Red-crested, Tufted and Common Pochard in varying numbers are usually found. During his two visits to Nalban in December 1949, L.A.C. observed large numbers of Tufted Pochard leaving the island at the first signs of dawn. Unlike the other duck, which were content to remain on the pools on the island if undisturbed, the Tufted Pochard had all left by sunrise. Lesser Whistling Teal occur but not in the large numbers subsisting in most Orissa jhils such as Balagai near Puri. The Large Whistling Teal which occurs with the Lesser in such places has not been seen by E.C.B. or L.A.C. at Chilka, E.C.B. has no record of Nukta, Cotton Teal or Mallard on the Chilka Lake, though the two former are very common some 20 miles away at the Balagaijhil, where Tufted Duck (Pochard) and White-eyed Pochard occur in varying numbers during different years. L.A.C. records having shot 3 Cotton Teal on Nalban island on 19-2-27 but does not remember having seen any in recent years. Brahminy duck are numerous. L.A.C. saw what he estimated at not less than 15,000 in the Naupara area during December 1948. In 1946 E.C.B. saw several small parties of Sheldrake of which one was shot. He has not noticed them in any other year. In January 1948 a party known to L.A.C. shot six and record having seen at least 200. Two were bagged out of a flight of 25-30 birds. In December 1949 L.A.C., saw a flock of 4 Sheldrake and a solitary bird amongst five or six Brahminy. The earliest L.A.C. records having seen migratory duck on the Chilka is the 19th September 1929 when he bagged 12 Pintail and 10 Garganey during the evening flight on the mainland near Balugaon. The birds were shot as they came into the ripening paddy from the lake. 3 CHARTERED BANK BUILDINGS, CALCUTTA-1, . E. C. BENTHALL Ist February , 1950. , L. A. CRAVEN 12 314 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 18.—GLEANINGS Mobbing of Crows There has recently been some correSpondence in ‘ Country Life’ regarding the mobbing of individual rooks by other members of the same species. The Handbook of British Birds mentions this habit and refers to G. K. Yeates’s ‘The Life of the Rook’ in which he expresses the opinion that only mating birds are mobbed. He further comments that this mobbing takes place only when the mating is promiscuous and does not extend to legitimate pairing. The data on which he makes these remarks is very limited but as some kind of mobbing certainly takes place among the crows in India, it would be interesting to observe this more closely and try and account for it here. A somewhat similar process of ‘ trial by council ’ and ‘ mobbing’ has been noticed among the mynahs also. Catching Goshawks ‘Kil’ in ‘Flushing Chukor’ (Onlooker, January 1950) records keeping awake all night, a goshawk roosting in a tree, by torch and fire, and then catching it by hand the following morning, weary with sleep! The mating of Partridges H. B. C. Pollard in ‘British and American Gamebirds’ (Eyre and Spottiswode, 1945) writes on page 11—‘ The sexual union of any species of partridge is not generally seen. Itis done inthe air and is over ina flash. Itis a very good test of the credi- bility or otherwise of anyone who chatters about birds to draw him out gently about this sexual act of partridges. If he says he has seen a cock treading a hen you can write him off as an unreliable witness!’ Stalking the Spanish lbex G. Kenneth Whitehead in Country Life of 25th February 1949 writes that in 1905 the number of Ibex at Gredos was thought to be 2 males and 5 females. Twelve years after Gredos had been turned into a Royal Reserve the numbers had risen to about 400 and today there are probably about 2000. The Ibex reserve, marked out by 94 posts covers approxi- mately 400 square miles and is supervised by a staff of 16, con- sisting of a technical inspector who is an expert hunter. 19.—REPLACEMENT OF FANGS IN SNAKES Might it be possible to arrange for some scientific workers to mark the functional fang of Indian snakes whilst collecting their venom and keep them alive long enough to show whether the ancylosed fang ig ever replaced by those found loose in the vagina dentis? eo MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 315 It is said that, whilst extracting venom from South African snakes, a fang is sometimes wrenched out of its socket but this must sure be the semi-ancylosed twin fang which not uncommonly occurs alongside the ancylosed fang and is presumed to replace it. The existence of extra fangs in serial development remains a mys- tery and the likelihood of any of them revolving to replace the ancylos- ed fang so as to serve to emit poison through the one and only duct leading to the poison gland lacks experimental proof. My own experience supports the claim that one can judge of the length of a snake and even help to determine the identity of a species by multiplying the length of one of its teeth. This would be most improbable if it were true that the teeth were constantly shed and replaced. BRITANNIA BUILDINGS, F. GORDON CAWSTON WEST STREET, MzD., F.Z.S. DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA, (25th February, 1950. 20.—A BIOMETRICAL STUDY OF AILSA /LISHA (HAM.) IN THE GODAVARI RIVER* During this spawning migration the fish abstains from feeding ° 1696 and 1943 specimens of male and female A/z/sa collected from the river below the irrigation anicuts during the spawning season (July to October) of 1947 and 1948 were examined for total length, height and weight of body and for the number of rings found on scales of the pectoral region. ‘The results are presented in tables I and II. TABLE I . Showing relation between length, height, wetght and number of rings of 1696 male Hilsa =a etme pe ace Wi ae wt Nowe ee. |, coouemmes | fied: 11-1—12:0 4 14 10 12°1—130 4 16 ae 10 13°1—14:0 — ~ -— 14°:1—15-0 4 24 rp ray) 107 15-1—16-0 4°5 30 Bay 2,4&6 978 16°1—17-0° 4:8 39 , 12,384 512 17-1—18-0 | 5 _ 45 6&7 | 79 j -* Communicated with the kind permission of the Director of Fisheries, Madras. | 316 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 TABLE II Showing relation between length, height, weight and number of rings of 1943 female Hilsa a SSP ES Length in | Height in Weight in No. of rings No. of fish inches | iuches Oz. examined ADs | 15°1— 16:0 BPS) | 32 2 32 16*1—17°0 §9 46 2 214 17‘1—18:0 6:0 58 2,3&4 1114 18°1--19°0 Gul 68 4&8 489 19:1—20°0 6°6 78 2,4&8 86 20°1— 21:0 — — — — 21:1—22°0 7°0 88 6 | 8 It will be seen trom the tables that the majority of breeders fall under the 15-16 and 17-18 inches length groups. There is a uniform increase in the height and weight of the body, but there is no cor- responding increase in the number of rings in the scales. The reason for the latter is briefly discussed below. It is the contention of various workers on fish scale that for some species growth does not proceed uniformly, but that because of lack of food or because of injuries or other causes, growth takes place more slowly in winter than in summer 2, *, Whenever there is less or no feeding, there is arrest in the growth of the fish, and this growth-check is left on the scale in the form of a circular band called‘ ring’. Inthe anadromous /filsa, this period of starvation coincides with the spawn- ing act. During this period there is a general absorption of all the tissues of the body, the scale also being affected by the formation of a ring. A ring on the scale thus denotes a period of spawning; and from the number of rings present on a scale the number of times the fish had spawned may be determined. The youngest male of 11 inches length had one ring in its scales. This fish should have already spawn- ed once, and had now entered the river for the second time. Similarly, the young female of 15 inches, having two rings on its scale, should have spawned twice and had come into the river for the third time. The maximum number of rings that is found is seven in male and eight in female ; and it can be inferred that Hz/sa spawns for the maximum of about eight times during its life. The age of the fish cannot however be definitely stated by a study of the rings unless it is ascertained by future investigations that a mature A/z/sa breeds every year until its death. FRESHWATER BIOLOGICAL STATION, KILPAUK, MADRAS, 4 ! P. I. CHACKO January, 1950. | B. KRISHNAMURTHY REFERENCES 1. Chacko, P.I. and Ganapati, S. V. (1949) : J. Madras Univ., 18 : 16-22. 2. Devanesan, D. W. (1943): Madras Fish. Bull., 28: 1-38. 3. Parrott, A. W. (1934): New Zealand J. Sci. & Tech., 16: 136-144. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 317 2 1.—BREEDING HABITS OF 7HA/S BUFO (LAMARCK) (With two text figures) On the 20th February 1950, at low tide, while collecting marine invertebrate fauna in the Gulf of Manaar off Mandapam Camp (South India) I came across an unusual assemblage of about 300 of the Gast- ropod mollusc Zhazs bufo (Lamarck). The animals were close pressed against one another at odd angles, together with large patches of yellow- ish stalked structures—apparently their eggs—lining the inner surface of a hollow rock originally submerged at high tide. The tide was flow- ing into the hollow, sometimes with rude force, sending the eggs into oscillations. The eggs, however, resisted the tide and remained unaffected. a w Bikey —S pest tO § SST eves to ———— & Hf SNO ESE ey } \ Assemblage of Zhais dufo (Lamarck) with its egg-mass, in the hollow of the rock. . I collected a few specimens of the Gastropod and also some egg- clusters. Considerable force had to be used for dislodging the latter. On 3rd March, I revisited the spot at 11 a.m. with a view to making further observations. There was now not a single Gastropod in the hollow, but the entire inner surface of the rock was lined with eggs of an admixture of yellow and violet tints. At my request Mr. K. Virabhadra Rao, Research Officer (Mollusca), Central Marine Fisheries Research Station, paid a visit to the spot at ~ about 3 p.m., and collected a few of the eggs—both yellow and violet— for examination. At 9 p.m. the same day (3-3-’50) Mr. Rao and I found the tube containing the specimens teemiiig with microscopic free moving veliger larvze which were obviously from the violet eggs since these looked a little shrunken while the yellow ones retained their former turgidity. 318 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 Important inferences from the above observations may be summar- ized as follows :— 1. ZLhazs bufo (Lamarck) in the breeding season, is found in large pure assemblages. 338 2. Eggs—each measuring ca. 9 mm.x 2 mm. and with a stalk 6 mm. in length—are laid in large numbers. and are attached by their stalks to rocks between tide marks in well protected spots. The eggs, when laid, are yellow but turn violet before hatching. 3. It takes 10 to 11 days for the egg to hatch. Thats bufo (Lamarck) one of the Purpuridae (commonly called the Purples) belonging to the sub-class Streptoneura, inhabits the rocks — between the tide marks. It is a carnivorous species feeding upon other molluscs, boring though their shells for soft ‘ meat’. 1. A single specimen. (natural size) 2. The specimen showing the orifice closed by the dark-coloured operculum. 3. Acluster of eggs:~-- } 4. Asingle egg. (natural size) The sexes in this species are separate—dioecious. Though sexual dimorphism is not well pronounced the female is slightly bigger than the male, In Ramnad and Tinnevelly Districts of South India, this species is sometimes eaten by the shore people who call it ‘ Parattai’. The dull crimson fluid secreted by this form is said to have been used as a dye in olden days. BoMBAY NATURAL History SOCIETY; 114 APOLLO STREET, FORT, : V. K. CHARI, 10th April, 1950. . Asst. Curator. 22.—-OCCURRENCE OF THE FRESH WATER MEDUSA (LIMNOCNIDA INDICA) IN SOUTH-WEST INDIA The finding of the fresh water medusa, Limnocnida indica -Annandale, in the pool at the bottom of the Jog falls on the western slope of the Western Ghats appears to be of considerable significance in view of its unusual situation. There are several records 3,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, of the occurrence of this form in the Krishna drainage on the eastern ee MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 319 slope. The Sharavathi river, unlike the others taking their origin from the Western Ghats, empties itself into the Arabian Sea and at Jog there is a sheer drop of about 930 feet. During a holiday at Jog in May 1947, we collected a large number of the medusae of all sizes from the pool at the bottom of the falls on two successive days. For the hydro-electric project the river has been dammed at Hire- bhasker, thirteen miles above the falls. It being mid-summer at the time we visited, there was no fall of water. ‘The pool at the bottom is said to be about 175 feet deep and it appeared to be fed by an under- ground spring. There was a continuous flow and swarms of the medusae were seen floating down. Our collections were all made from water flowing between the huge boulders. Tbe occurrence of tiny ones in large numbers suggested the probability that Lzmnocnida indica should be breeding in the pool. A search was made for the medusae in the scattered pools at the top of the falls and near the locks about two miles above. Not a single specimen was observed. A search in the reservoir near the Hire- bhaskar dam was equally disappointing. The occurrence of Limnocnida only in the pool at the bottom of the falls which was rather puzzling at the time of our discovery seems to be a characteristic feature of the dis- tribution of fresh water medusae °, ”. In fact, they have been known to disappear completely from their usteal habitats during some months of the year®, 7,°.?. The Indian fresh water medusa shows no asexual reproduction or a fixed hydroid stage and it has been surmised that it should have aresting stage.* Rao* observed that the eggs get anchored to the substratum by means of minute sticky threads. During the rainy season, when the huge volume of water coming down the falls would make the bottom pool a churning mass, the medusae would be washed away unless they have a resting stage with well developed anchoring devices. Whether they occur in the pool year after year is well worth investigation in view of the interesting speculations *, ® regarding the origin, distribution and mode of reproduction of Limnocnida indicae GOVERNMENT COLLEGE, TUMKDR, P. A. RAMAKRISHNA CENTRAL FISHERIES RESEARCH B. S. BHIMACHAR LABORATORIES, WEST HILL, CALICUT. CyYTOGENETICS LABORATORY, M. K. SUBRAMANIAM INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE, BANGALORE—3. 20th April, 1950. REFERENCES 1. Annandale, N. (1911) : ... Nature, 87: 144. 2. Graveley, F. H., and Aghar- kar, S. P. (1912); a0 Rec. Ind. Mus. 7: 399. 3. Agharkar, S. P. (1913):... Rec. Ind. Mus.9 : 247. 4, Annandale, N. (1919): ... Rec. Ind. Mus. 16: 109. 5. Hora, S. L. (1926) : - J. Bom. Nat. Hist. Soc. 31: 449 L 60 Rao, Hsu (1932): soe, L0td. 30:= 210). 7. Moore, J. E.S. (1897): ... Mature, 56 : 198. 8. Payne, F. (1926) : .. Biol. Bull,, 50: 439. 9, White, W. E. (1930) : we = Lbtd. SD: 222. 320 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 23.—THE FLOWERING OF STROBSILANTHES In a previous note in this Journal (44: 605, 1944) I reported a general flowering of Strobilanthes callosus Nees that had taken place in Khandala during the summer months of 1943. At present I can add some more details that may be of interest to the members of our Society. When such a general flowering was seen for the first time, I did not note the exact spots where it had taken place. The following summer there was another more or less general flowering in those parts which had not come into flower the previous year. One thing was noticed at the time, and this was that flowering did not seem to depend on altitude, or exposed situation of the place, or even size or age of the plants. The whole phenomenon may be summarized in the following points: 1. In 1942 a few ‘precursors’ or ‘forerunners’ came into flower in various parts of Khandala, a few plants at a time, as Mr. C. McCann told me at the time, ‘ announcing a general flowering in the near future.’ 2. A general flowering took place in most parts of the district in 1943. 3. An almost equal general flowering again took place the following year, 1944, in places where plants had not flowered the previous year. 4. The flowering cycle seemed to close with a few stragglers that bloomed in 1945, a few plants at a time, scattered throughout the district. To my great surprise and pleasure, in summer 1949 I found in Khandala two clumps in flower, the first below Elphinstone Point, and consisting of only 40—50 plants ; the second was on top of Bhoma Hill. Recently I examined the second clump, consisting of many thousands of plants, and found them in fruit. The top of Bhoma Hill is roughly a triangle with fairly broad or obtuse corners; the edges and slopes of this triangle are covered with almost pure stands of Sz. callosus Nees (Carvia callosa Bremek.), the centre of the hill-top is but a grassy plateau. One side of the tri- angle goes almost perfectly E—W, the second side W to SE, the third side E to SW. Approach to the top of the hill is by a path that passes through Forbay and the ‘ Saddle’ and enters the plateau by the western obtuse corner ; the path then continues W to E parallel to the north side of the triangle and descends by the eastern corner, Baro- meter Hill. In last year’s flowering it was noticed that only the plants in the shaded portion of the diagram had flowered; the dividing lines going W—E and N—S are imaginary, nevertheless they are both astonishingly clear: all the plants west of the NS and south of the WE lines showed masses of fruits, whilst all the neighbouring plants E or N of the line were bare of fruits and had obviously not flowered last season; this is remarkable because even when plants were touching each other across the imaginary line they showed such an independent behaviour. Climatic or edaphic conditions seem to be exactly alike on both sides of the line, yet the clearly different be- haviour of plants demands an explanation, which for the present I am unable to give. Another point of interest is the length of the period intervening between two flowering seasons. The plants that had bloomed in MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 321 1949 were certainly in flower in 1943 or 1944; this reduces the flowering period to six or seven years. This coming summer and the following I shall try and keep careful watch for the possible general flowering and the exact spots where it may take place. Diagram showing the shape of the top of Bhoma Hill, Khandala. In 1943 and 1944 I received reliabie reports or personally noticed signs of a general flowering at Mt. Abu, Purandhar, Khandala, Matheran, Kanheri Caves, Castle Rock, and as far south as the Nil- giris. May I request readers in various parts of India, where this species is common, to keep a watch over these plants and report any general flowering ? It is only through such concerted action that this intriguing problem may finally be solved. St. XAVIER’S COLLEGE, Fort, BomBaAy, H. SANTAPAU 31st March, 1950. S.J. 24. STROBILANTHES CALLOSUS (NEES) AT JUNAGADH IN SAURASHTRA Generally Strobzlanthes species grows in localities having high alti. tudes. In Saurashtra there are several hills of volcanic origin of trap rock formation, but of all these hills, Stvobzlanthes callosus Nees grows exclusively on the slopes of the valley formed by the sacred hills of the Girnar and Datar ranges. This plant is not seen growing on the top of these hills. ‘This interesting economic plant which occurs at Junagadh is not recorded by Cooke, 1905, but Thakar, 1926, has made ‘a passing remark about it. According to Sutaria, 1949, and Vaidh, 1945, it occurs in Gujarat, 322 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 Locally the plant is known as Pandadi. As it occurs on Girnar hill ranges it is cited as Girnari Pandadi by Vaidh, 1945, and Kirtikar e¢ al, 1933 and as Junagadhi Pandadi by Thakar, 1926. So its Gujrati name is ‘ Pandadi’ and not ‘ Karvi’ as cited by Sutaria, 1949. Once upon a time Junagadh was famous for its Pandadi oil and it had attracted experts from Kanoj, who used to come here every year for some time for the extraction of Pandadi oil. This plant has got medicinal value also. Local vaids do not make use of the plant but hakims use it as one of the ingredients in the preparation of an ointment for boils. It is used by the general public for its aromatic and insecticidal properties. Butno mention is made about this plant by Chopra ef ai, 1941. It is used to protect woollen fabrics from insects. It may be an insect-repellent rather than an insect- destroyer. For noting the flowering cycle, a shrub of Sétvobilanthes callosus Nees was brought from the hills and planted in the College garden in the monsoon of the year 1943. This plant flowered for the first time in the month of August, 1949, i.e. after six years. The flowering season lasted upto the month of November. Then the plant entered into fruiting stage and by the end of February 1950 all the leaves dis- appeared leaving only dried fruits in the axil of the persistent bracts. When young these bracts were green and glabrous; but when they grew old they became brown and were seen densely covered with glandular hairs. Tips of these hairs, were seen bedecked with trans- parent globules of a viscous substance which sent out strong smell of balsamic nature. Local belief here is that only those bracts which come in contact with dew, produce an odour. BAHAUDDIN COLLEGE, JUNAGADH G. A. KAPADIA 20th March, 1950. 95,-MECARDONIA DIANTHERA (SW.) PENNELL To the records of this American plant from Surguja State, Benares and Dehra Dun mentioned in Mr. Raizada’s article entitled ‘Some Interesting Plants from Orissa’ in your December 1949 journal, I can add a record from Bihar, having found the plant at Gua in Singhbhum District in February 1950. Sir David Prain in his ‘ Bengal Plants’ published in 1903 records the plant as recently introduced, and in his ‘The Vegetation of the districts of Hughli-Howrah and the 24-Pergun- nahs ’, published in 1905, he records it as fairly common ahout Calcutta. In the Calcutta area I have only found it in a few places near Alipore and there it is much scarcer than it was 10 yearsago, Presumably it entered India through the port of Calcutta, but while spreading widely throughout India it now seems to be decreasing in the place where it obtained its first foothold. 19/B, RAJA SANTOSH RoaD, | CALCUTTA, 27, A. P. BENTHALL 28th February, 1950. :- MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 323 26—A NOTE ON THE OCCURRENCE OF THE ALGA | DRAPARNALDIOPSIS NEAR KAKINADA, - MADRAS PRESIDENCY Draparnaldiopsis indica Bharadwaja* was discovered at Banaras in August, 1931, and since then it has been collected from almost all parts of India. It has also been reported from America and China. There does not, however, seem to be any previous record of its occurrence in the Madras Presidency. The writer collected this interesting alga from a fresh water tank situated opposite to a temple in Sarpavaram, about three miles away from Kakinada, in the month of October, 1948. It was found growing epiphytically on AHydrilla along with Chaetophora, another member of the Chaetophorales. The author expresses his sincere thanks to Dr. Y. Bharadwaja, Principal and Professor of Botany, Jaswant College, Jodhpur, for his . kind help in connection with this note. BIoLoGy DEPARTMENT, M. R. COLLEGE, B.S. M. DUTT VIZIANAGARAM, lst April, 1950. ‘* Bharadwaja, Y.. (1933 ): New Phytologist, Cambridge, XXXII, 3, — CATALOGUE OF BOOKS IN THE BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY’S LIBRARY Part IV—ENTOMOLOGY Ent—Entomology. Ent R—Entomology—Reference volume, not lent out. Ent F R—The Fauna Serial No. oat Q-II 14 T5 of British India Series (Entomology), Reference volumes, not lent out. Classification Accession No. Shelf Author Ent FR Ent FR Ent FR Ent Ent FR Ent FR Ent FR Ent FR Ent FR Ent FR Ent Ent N “SI 1o%) 274 275- 276 192 251 252 253 254- 256 269 270 88 173 Cabinet Mus Mus Mus Andrewes, H. E. do. do Ansorge, E. C. Antram, Chas. B. Arrow, G;..J. do. Aubertin, Daphne Austen, E. E. Austen, Maj. E. E. & Huges, A. W. McKenny Title of Book ——— THE Fauna OF BRITISH INDIA INCLUDING CEYLON AND Burma. Coleoptera, Cara- bidae—Carabinae, Vol. I, 1929. Vol. ~ II, do. Harpalinae, TOG 5 sag do. (a duplicate set). (See Lefroy, H. Maxwell & Ansorge, E. C.) BUTTERFLIES OF INDIA, with illustrations of practically every species for easy identification, 1924. THE FAUNA OF BRITISH INDIA INCLUDING CEYLON AND BurMa. Coleoptera Lamelli- cornia, (Cetoniinae & Dynas- tinae), 1910. do. (Rutelinae, Desmonycinae & Euchirinae), Part II, 1917. do. (Coprinae) Part III, 1931. do. (a duplicate set). THE FAUNA OF BRITISH INDIA INCLUDING CEYLON & BURMA. Coleoptera—Clavicornia— Erotylidae—Languriidae and Endomychide, 1925. d oO. (See White, R. Senior, Aubertin, Daphne & Smart, John.) BOMBYLIIDAE OF PALESTINE— British Museum (Natural History), 1937. CLoTHES Motus AND HOUSE Motus—their life history, habits and control—British Museum (Natural History) Economic Series, No. 14, 4th Edition, 1948. BOOKS IN BOMBAY NATURAL HiSTORY SOCIETY’S LIBRARY 325 Serial No. Classification Accession No. Cabinet Shelf Author Title of Book 6 Lan) 17 18 19 20 21 22 | 23 24 25 26-27 28 29 30 Ent Ent Ent Ent Ent FR Ent FR Ent Ent Ent FR Ent FR Ent FR Ent FR Ent FR Ent N fe) ON 147 200 198 236 236A 115 125 277 Ke) Mus Mus Austen, Maj. E. E. Avebury, The Rt. Hon. Lord Beeson, C. F. C. Bell, T. R. Bell, T. R&D. & Scott, Lt.-Col. F. B. do. Betten, Cornelius & Mosley, Martin E. Bezzi, Mario Bingham, Lt.-Col. C, Te do. do. do. Bolton, Herbert THE Houssr-FLy—Its life his- tory and Practical measures for its suppression—British Museum (Natural History) Economic Series, No. 1 A, 1920. ANTS, BEES AND Wasps—A Record of observations on the habits of the sccial Hymenoptera, 16th Edition, Revised, 1902. Forest INsects, the Ecology & Control of the Forest Insects of India and the neighbour- ing countries, 1941. THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA (in- cluding those met with in Hill stations of the Bombay Presidency)—A paper pub- lished in the Journal Bom- bay Natural History Society —a bound serial, 1909-1913. THE FauNA OF BRITISH INDIA INCLUDING CEYLON & BURMA —Moths, Family Sphing- idae, Vol. V, 1937, (For the first four volumes of this series see Hampson, G. F.) do. THE FRANCIS WALKER TYPES OF ‘TRICHOPTERA in the British Museum redescribed and figured, 1940. THE BOMBYLIIDAE of the Ethi- opian Region based on the material in the _ British Museum (Natural History), 1924. THe Fauna oF BritisH INDIA INCLUDING CEYLON AND B u RM A.—Hymenoptera— Wasps and Bees, Vol. I, 1897. do. Ants and Cuckoowasps— Vol. II, 1903. do. (a duplicate set). THe Fauna or British INDIA INCLUDING CEYLON AND BurMA. Butterflies, Vol. I, 1905. do.-Vol..1ly 1907; INSECTS FROM COAL MEASURES OF COMMENTRY, Fossil In- sects, No. 2 British Museum (Natural History), 1925. 326 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 8 | g.| 4 6 = ¢ 4 SZ Z| 8 Author Title of Book el Os B=] Ge & 3 ¢@ | U| & 31 | Ent 182 9. D Boyce, Sir Robert Mosquito oR Man? The con- W. quest of the tropical world, 1909. 32. |. Pent 179 9 D Boyd, Mark M. AN INTRODUCTION TO MAta- RIOLOGY, 1930. 33 | Ent 145 9| D Bruce, Charles T. Insects & HUMAN WELFARE— An account of the more im- portant relations of insects to the health of man, to Agriculture and _ Forestry, Revised Edition, 1947. — 34 | Ent F R| 280 8 | B Brunetti, E. THE Fauna oF Britis INDIA INCLUDING CEYLON AND Burma. Diptera, Brachycera, Vol. I, 1920. 35 | Ent FR} 281 8 | B do. do. Diptera—Pipunculidae, Syrphidae, Conopidae, Oes- tridae, Vol. III, 1923. 36 | Ent F R| 302 Mus do. THE Fauna oF BRiTIsH INDIA INCLUDING CEYLON AND Burma. Diptera, Brachycera, Vol. I, 1920. 37 | Ent F R| 303 Mus do. do. Diptera—Pipunculidae, Syrphidae, Conopidae, Oes- tridae, Vol. III, 1923. 38 |.Ent F R| 282 8 B do. THE FauNA OF BRITISH INDIA INCLUDING CEYLON AND Burma. Diptera, -Nemato- cera (excluding Chirono- midae and Culicidae), 1912. 39 | Ent F Rj 317 Mus do. do. 40 | Ent F R| 297 Mus do. do. 41 | Ent F R| 300 8| A Burr, Malcolm THE FAUNA OF BRITISH INDIA INCLUDING CEYLON AND BurMA. Dermaptera (Ear- wigs), 1910. 42 | Ent F R) 301 Mus do. do. 43 | Ent F R| 320 8 | B do. f do. ; 44 | Ent E7k 9| D Butler, Arthur MonocraPH of Genus Calli- Gardiner dry as (from Lepidoptera Exotica, Parts III-XVIII, 1870-1873), 1873. ILLUSTRATIONS OF ‘TYPICAL SPECIMENS OF LEPIDOPTERA HETEROCERA in the collec= tion of the British Museum, Part 15¢1877- do. Part II, 1878. do. Part III, 1879. do. Part V, 1881. (For Part IV, see Walsingham, Lord) ee do. Part VI, 1886. do. Part VII, 1889. 45 | Ent 209 | 25, E . do. 46 | Ent 210 25 47 | Ent 211 25 48 | Ent 213 25 i i Qu. ° 49 \Ent 214 25 do. BOOKS IN BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY’S LIBRARY 327 } ms. | 2 eo) = ¢ nN oO <<) 0 51 |Ent III 52 | Ent FR 241 | 8 53 | EntF R) 242 | 8 BA | Ent FR) 243) 8 55 | Ent FR) 244 | 8 56 | Ent FR) 245 | 8 57-61 | Ent FR) 246- 250 62 | Ent 103 | 9 63 | Ent 104 | 9 64 | Ent Fare9 65 | Ent 152 | 9 66 | Ent 85 | 9 67 | EntF R| 283 | 8 68 | EntFR) 283a 69 | Ent 122 | 9 70 | Ent 90 | 9 Shelf OQ Mus Author Butler, Edward A. Cameron, Malcolm Cameron, P. do. Carpenter, George H. Carpenter, G. D. H. & Ford, R. B. Chalam, B. S. Chenu, Dr. Par Le & Lucas, M. H. Choudhury, K. L. Christophers, Col. Sir S. R. do. Christy, Cuthbert Cockerell, T. D. A. Title of Book A BIOLOGY OF THE BRITISH HEMIPTERA-HETEROPTERA, 1923. THE FAUNA OF BritisH INDIA INCLUDING CEYLON AND BurRMA. Coleoptera—Staphy- linidae, Vol. I, 1930. do. Vol. II, 1931. do. Vol. III, 1932. do. Vol. IV, Part I, 1939. do...5 ‘do. Part Il," 1930: do. (a duplicate set). HYMENOPTERA ORIENTALIS or contribution to the know- ledge of the Hymenoptera of the Oriental Zoological Region—Papers published in Manchester Memoirs & Journal, Bombay Natural History Society, a bound serial, 1899-1903. do. Papers published in Man- chester Memoirs & the Annals and Magazine of Natural History, a bound serial, 1899-1903. A BIoLocy oF INsEcTs, 1928. Mimicry, Methuen’s Mono- graphs on Biological sub- jects, 1933. (See ae J.A. & Chalam, B. S.) PAPILLONS —Encyclopedic, D’Histoire Naturelle ou Traite complet de _ cette Science. (See Strickland, C., Choudhury, K. L. Ross, Sir Ronald.) THE Fauna oF BritisH INDIA INCLUDING CEYLON AND Burma. Diptera—Fam. Culi- cidae, Vol. IV, 1933. (For Vols. I & III see Brunetti, E.) do. MosQuITOES AND MarLaria— A study of our knowledge on the subject at the begin- ning of the year 1900, with an account of the Natural History of some Mosquitoes, 1900, AFRICAN BEES OF THE GENERA CERATINA, HALICTUS AND MEGACHILE. British Museum (Natural History), 1937. LS ST SE SE DAG TSP ESS SETS EE 328 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 XX fo) eae fo} 3 Cielee a eS D ch hsbeda Author Title of Book iG; 2 8 1B) ‘3 a a Q el One cle 71 | Ent 96 1597/2 Co Cotesu se (Guus A CatTaLocuE oF Morus oF: Swinhoe, Col. C. INDIA—Sphinges, Pt. I, 1887. | 72 | Ent 1237 [40 Cotes, E. SILK—HAND-BOOK OF COM-! MERCIAL PRODUCTS, Indian’ Section, No. 23, "Imperial. Institute Series, 1893. | 73 SE nt 2027)|"ON | EB Crawford, J. A. & MosQuiTO-REDUCTION and | Chalam, B. S. Malarial Prevention—A | precis, 1927. | 74.4) Font ptsfoveik Coyote aD) D’Abreu, E. A. THE BEETLES OF THE HIMA- LAYas & how to collect, pre-/ serve and study them, 1915. 75 | Ent TO7)| Ou |aeD. Distant, W. L. A MOoNoGRAPH OF ORIENTAE) CICADIDAE, 1889-1892. 76 | Ent SPAN 2 S| ats do. RHOPALOCERA MALAYANA: a) description of the Butterflies | of the Malay Peninsula, | . 1882-1886. | aa Nornt OR) 9285 818 B do. Tue Fauna oF BritisH INDIA) INCLUDING CEYLON AND! Burma. Rhynchota (Heter-| optera), Vol. I, 1902. | “8 | Ent FR) 286 | 8 B do. do. Vol. II, 1904. | “9 | Ent FR) 287 |8)] B do. do. (eter: proee ieee prea Vol. III, 1906. 80 | Ent FR 288 | 8 B do. do. (Homoptera and Appens-| dix Pt.), Vol. IV, 1908. ¥] 81 | EntF R) 289); 8]. B do. do. Heteroptera : Appendix, | Vol eye anaro: | 82 | Ent FR) 290) 8 | B do. do. Homoptera: Appendix, | Vol. VI, 1916. | 83 | Ent F.R| -291 | 8 |’ B do. do. Homoptera: Appendix, | Heteroptera : Addenda | i Vol. VII, 1918. 84-88 | Ent FR} 292> Mus do. do. (a duplicate set with the| 296 exception of Vols. III &VII.), 89 | Ent TDO NG) 1G. Donovan, E. AN EPITOME OF THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE INSECTS OF} INDIA & THE ISLANDS IN THE INDIAN SEAS, 1800. | go | Ent 120 19.) -(C do. ‘do. ! gt | Ent 150197) | D Duncan, James & BEETLES, BritTisH & FOREIGN, Jardine, Sir containing full description of ! William the more important varieties. 92 | Ent P5579 by Duncan, James BEETLES—Entomology—T h e| Naturalist’s Library, Vol. II,| 1835. | 93 | Ent 86}9/ C Edwards, F. W., | BritisH BLooD-sUCKING FLins, | Oldroyd, H. & 1939. Smart, J. | 94 | Ent 82 1 9 C Edwards, F. W. MosQuiTOES OF THE ETHIOPIAN | REGION—Culicine adults &| Pupae, Part III, 1941. (See) Hopkins, G. H. E. for Part} I, 1936 and Evan’, Alwen| M. for Part II, 1938.) ETE ET LE TE I IE SIS I IL IIE IEE IEP EF I FD II A NE ESE REE RI REED } Serial No. BOOKS IN BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY’S LIBRARY 329 q ° 4 L fay) iS) ic or n i?) ise} —_— oO Accession No. Cabinet Shelf Author Title of Book. 95 96 oF 98 99 100 IOI 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 Ilo Iit me Be. | Ent Ent Ent Ent Ent Ent Ent Ent Ent Ent Ent Ent Ent Ent Ent 97 208 196 181 67 68 69 70 71 72 472A 78 190 140 31 ‘Oo © “wooo Qo @ eles Wame Qh wc! Eltringham, H. | Evans, Alwen M. Evans, Brig. W. H. Evans, Col. W. H. do. Fieder, Karl Fletcher, brigge ow Bain= do. do. do. do ~Flammarion, Ernest | RordMi. B: Forel, A. & Gran- didier, Alfred BUTTERFLY LORE, 1923. MOSQUITOES OF THE ETHIOPIAN REGION, Anopheline—adults and early stages, Part II, 1938. (See Hopkins, G. H. E. for Part I, 1936) A CATALOGUE OF AFRICAN HESPERIIDAE indicating the Classification & Nomencla- ture adopted in the British Museum, 1937. THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES, First Edition 1027. do. and Edition, Revised, 1932: MONOGRAPH OF THE SOUTH AMERICAN WEEVILS OF THE GENUS CONOTRACHELUS, 1940. REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS of the second Entomological Meeting held at Pusa on the 5th to 12th February, 1917, IQI7. REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS of the third Entomological meeting held at Pusa on the 3rd to 15th February, 1919, Vol. ¥, 1920; do. Vol. II, 1920. do. Vol. III, 1920. REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS of the fourth Entomological meeting held at Pusa on the 7thto 12th \February, 1921, 1921. do. fifth Entomological meet- ing held at Pusa on the 5th to t1oth February, 1923, 1924. do. SOME SoutTH INDIAN INSECTS AND OTHER ANIMALS OF IM- PORTANCE considered _ es- pecially from an economic point of view, 1914. do. JEAN ROSTAND INSECTES (1936). (See Carpenter, G. D. H. & Ford, E. B.) Lrs FORMICIDES, Naturelle des Hymenop- teres—Histoire, Physique, Naturelle et Politique de Histoire Madagascar, Vol. XX, 1891. 330 Serial No. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 Classification Accession No. Cabinet Shelf Author 113 114 124 125 126 127 128 Ent Ent Ent FR Ent FR Ent FR Ent FR Ent FR Ent FR Ent FR Ent Ent FR Ent FR Ent Ent Ent = al N 137 271 272 397 308 309 310- 312 321 174 QI Noy vos Forel, Atiguste do. Fowler, W. W. do. Fraser, Lt.-Col., F.C: Fraser, Lt.-Col. Ec. Gahan, Charles J. & Laing, Frederick Gahan, C. J. do. Ghosh, C. C. Giglioli, George Giles, Lt.-Col. Geog. M. Title of Book. Les ForRMICIDES, DES INDES ET DE CEYLON——A paper published in J. B. N. H.S., a bound serial Parts I—V, 1892-1895. FORMICIDEN, aus dem Natur- historischen Museum in Hamburg—various reprints of papers on Formicidae bound together, 1900-1910. THE Fauna OF BRITISH INDIA INCLUDING CEYLON AND BurMa. Coleoptera—-General Introduction and Cicinde- lidae & Paussidae, 1912. O. THE Fauna oF BritTIsH INDIA INCLUDING CEYLON AND BurMa. Odonata, Vol. I, 1933. do. Vol. II, 1934. do. Vol. III, 1936. do. (a duplicate set.) THE FAuNA OF BRITISH INDIA INCLUDING CEYLON AND BurMA. Odonata, Vol. I, 1933. FURNITURE BEETLES, their life history and how to check or prevent the damage caused by the worms—British Museum (Natural History), Economic series No. II, 4th Edition, 1946. THE FAUNA OF BRITISH INDIA INCLUDING CEYLON AND BurMa. Coleoptera, (Ceram- bycidae), Vol. I, 1906. do INSECT PESTS OF BURMA, 1940. MALaRIAL NEPHRITIS, Epide- miological & Clinical notes on Malaria, Blackwater fever, Albuminuria and Nephritis in the interior of British Guiana based on seven years continual obser- vation, 1930. A Hanp-Book OF GNATS OR MosQuITOEs giving the ana- tomy and life-history of the Culicidae together with des- criptions of all species notic- ed up to the present date. Second Edition, rewritten and enlarged, 1902. Serial No. BOOKS IN BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY’S LIBRARY 331 Classification Accession No Shelf Author Title of Book 129 130 = 131 132 133 134 135 136 | EntFR 137 | EntFR Ent Ent Ent Ent Ent Ent Ent FR 223 83 84. 216 217 232 233 25 25 eo Government of India do. Grandidier, Alfred Green, E. Ernest do. Grote, Arthur Hampson, George Francis do. do. do. do. A COLLECTION OF PAPERS ON BEE-KEEPING in India, 1883. PROCEEDINGS OF THE IMPERIAL MALARIAL CONFERENCE held at Simla in October 1909, 1910. (See Forel, A & Grandidier, Alfred.) THE COCCIDAE OF CEYLON. Parts I-III, 1922. O. do. Parts IV-V, 1922. (See Hewitson, William C., Moore, Frederic & Grote, Arthur.) ILLUSTRATIONS OF ‘T'YPICAL SPECIMENS OF LEPIDOPTERA HETEROCERA in the collection of the British Museum— The Lepidoptera Heterocera of the Nilgiri District— Part VIII, 1891. (For Parts I-III & V-VII see Butler, Arthur Gardiner; for Part IV, see Walsingham, Lord). do. The Macrolepidoptera Heterocera of Ceylon. Part IX, 1893. THE Fauna OF BRITISH INDIA INCLUDING CEYLON AND BurMa—Moths— FAMILIES: (1) Saturniidae, (2) Brahmaeidae, (3) Bom- bycidae, (4) Eupterotidae (5) Sphingidae (6) Noto- dontidae (7) Cymatophridae (8) Sesiidae (9) Tinaege- riidae (10) Syntomidae (11) Zygaenidae (12) Psy- chidae (13) Cossidae (14) Arbelidae (15) Hevialidae (16) Callidalidae (17) Dre- panulidae (18) Thyrididae (19) Limacodidae (20) Lasio- campidae (21) Pterothy- sanidae (22) Lymantriidae (23) Hypsidae, Vol. I, 1892. do. Families—(24) Arctiidae (25) Agaristidae (26) Noc- tuidae, Vol. II, 1894. do. Families—(26) Noctuidae (Contd.) (27) Epicopidae, (28) Uraniidae (29) Epip- lemidae (30) Geometridae, Vol. III, 1895. BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 339 9 WiOURN AL | eae fe) = d ol) fear wise s s "D 2 A= = o 4 es} ua) A 3 2 |d| & 138 | Ent FR) 235 | 8 A 139-| Ent FR) 237- Mus 142 240 143 | Ent FR} 316 Mus 144 | Ent 48 | 9 B 145 | Ent 49 | 9 B 146 |. Ent 50) |: 9 147 | Ent 519 148 | Ent 5219 B 149 | Ent sg4in9. 0B 150 | Ent 54 | 9 B 151 | Ent 55 | 9 B 152 | Ent 56 | 9 B 153 | Ent 57|9 | B 154 | Ent 58 | 9 B 155 | Ent 59 | 9 B 156 | Ent 60 | 9 B 157_| Ent 61 | 9 B 158 | Ent 6211) 9 B 159 | Ent. 63 | 9 B 160 | Ent 64 | 9 B 161 | Ent 65 | 9 162 | Ent 66 | 9 163 | Ent L539 D Author Title of Book. Hampson, Sir George F. do. do. do. do. Hammond, A. R. Henry, G. M. R. Hewitt, C. G. THE Fauna oF BriTISsH INDIA > INCLUDING CEYLON AND | Burma. Moths—Families— | (31) Pyralidae, Vol. IV, | 1896. | do. (a duplicate set) do. Volk I, 1892: | CATALOGUE of the Lepidop- | tera, Phalaenae—Synto-— midae—in the collection of | the British Museum, Vol. I, 1898. : do. Amatidae and Arctiadae | (Nolinae & Lithosianae) © Supplement to Vol. I, 1914. do. Arctiadae (Nolinae & Lithosianae), Vol. II, 1900. | do. Lithosiadae (Arctianae) & Phalaenoididae, supplement — to Vol. II, 1920. do. Arctiadae (Arctianae) & Agaristidae, Vol. III, 1901. do. Noctuidae, Vol. IV, 1903. do. do. Vol. V, 1906. do. do. Vol. VI, 1906. do. do. Vol. VII, 1908. do. do. Vol. VIII, 1909. do. do. Vol. EX. tor10: do. do. Vol. X. rg10. do do.-7Vol. iro: do do. Vol. XII, 1913. do do. Vol. XIII, 1914. do. Plates Vols. I-III & Supplements Vols. I & II, 1898-1901. do. Plates—Vols. IV-X, 1903- IQII. do. Plates—Vols. 1912. DESCRIPTION OF NEW GENERA & SPECIES OF LEPIDOPTERA PHALAENAE of the Sub- family Noctuinae (Noctui- dae) in the British Museum (Natural History), 1926. (See Miall, L. C. & Hammond, A. R.) (See Woodhouse, L. G. O. & Henry, G. M. R.) HovusE-FLIES and How they XI-XITI, spread Disease—The Cams bridge Manuals of Science and Literature, 1912. | Serial No. BOOKS IN BOMBAY. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY’S LIBRARY 333 Classification Accession No. Shelf Author Title of Book 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 Ent Ent Ent Ent Ent Ent Ent Ent Ent Ent Ent Ent Ent FR al nN 0° Ke) 184 187 322 131 35 130 80 34 94 Ke) oO 0 xe) Keke) oe) w) eas, whee whic] Hewitson, William C., Moore, Fred- eric & Grote, Arthur Hehir, Maj.-Gen. Sir Patrick Hemming, Francis Hinton, Hi: E: Hoffmann, Dr. E. & Kirby, W. Egmont d O. Hope, Rev. F. W. Hopkins, G. H. E. Howlett, F. M. Horsfield, Thomas & Moore, Fred- eric Hughes, A. W. McKenny Huxley, Julian Imms, A. D. do. do. Jacoby, Martin DESCRIPTION OF NEW INDIAN LEPIDOPTEROUS INSEcTs from the collection of the late Mr. W. S. Atkinson, M. A., F. L.S., Rhopalocera & Hete- rocera (Sphingidae-Hepia- lidae), 1879. MALARIA IN INDIA—Oxford Medical Publications, 1927. THE GENERIC NAMES OF THE HOo.LarRcTIc BUTTERFLIES, Vol. I, 1758-1863, 1934. A MONOGRAPH OF THE BEETLES associated with stored pro- ducts, British Museum (Na- tural History), Vol. I, 1945. THE YouNG BEETLE-COLLEC- TOR’S HANDBOOK. 1902. do. THE COLEOPTERIST’S MANUAL containing the Lamellicorn Insects of Linnaeus & Fab- ricius, 183'7. MosaQuiToEs of the Ethicpian Region. Larval Bionemics of mosquitoes & Taxonomy of Culicine larvae, Part I, 1936. (See Lefroy, H. Maxwell & Howlett, F. M.) A CATALOGUE af the Lepidop- terous Insects in the Museum of the Hon. Ezst-India Com- pany—Papiliones, Sphinges & Bombyces, Vol. I & II, 1857-1859. (See Austen, Maj. E. E. & Hughes, A W. McKenny.) (See Portmann, Prof. Adolf & Huxley, Julian) A GENERAL 'TEXT-BOOK OF ENTOMOLOGY including the - Anatomy, Physiology, Deve- lopment & Classification of Insects, 2nd Edition, 1930. do. 5th Edition, 1942. INsECT NaTURAL HIsTory- The New Naturalist—A survey of British Natural History, 1947. THE FAUNA OF BRITISH INDIA INCLUDING CEYLON AND Burma. Coleoptera, Chryso- melidae, Vol. I, 1908. do. aes 334 JOURNAL, BOMBAY. NATURAL HIST... SOCIETY, Vol. 49 | 3 ee le 6 = ¢ Zz, 5 ° » : a= DB © Author Title of Book = "D ae oe Sie | 8 eae N oO Burma. Orthoptera (Acri- diidae), 1914. 185 | Ent FR] 299 Mus do. do. 186 | Ent FR] 318 | 8 B do. do. 187 | Ent FR} 319 | 8 B do. do. 188 Ent 183 9 D Knowles, Maj. MaAtarIiA, its investigation and Roberts & Senior- control with special reference White, Ronald to Indian conditions, 1927. 189 | Ent 207 | 9 E do. Oo. | Laing, Frederick (See Gahan, Charles J. & | Laing, Frederic) | 190 | Ent 1 7Ou1nO | yD) do. THE COCKROACH, its life his- | tory and how to deal with it, | British Museum (Natural | History) Economic Series, No. 12, 4th Edition, 1948. 191 | Ent 250 | 25) 9 5 Lefroy, H. Maxwell REPORT on an Inquiry into | & Ansorge, E. C. Silk Industry of India, Lefroy—the silk industry— | Vol. I, 1907. BOOKS IN BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY’S LIBRARY 335 = me | 2 Bee he |g el o Gales es ic 3 |e Author / Wroughton, Robert Charles Wytsman, P. (General Editor) do. do. Title of Book Our Ants. A Paper _ read before the Bombay Natural History Society, Parts I & II, 1891 & 1892. GENERA INSECTORUM, FAasci- cuLes [-XI:— 1. Fam. Gyrinidae (Coleop- tera), Regimbart, 2. ,, Evaniidae (Hymeno- ptera), Kieffer, J.J. 3. ,, Lathridiidae (Cole- optera), Belon, Le Re PB: 4. ,, Leptocircinae Le- pidoptera), Wyts- man, bat 5- 5, Libytheidae (Lepi- doptera), Pagens- techer, A. 6. ,, Ornithopteridae (Le pidoptera, Rippon, R 7. 4, Geotrupidae (Cole- optera), | Bouco- mont, A. 8. ,, Hylophylidae (Cole- optera), Pic, M. 9. ,, Cynipidae i (Hy- menoptera), ‘Tor- re, W. Dalla & Kieffer, J. J. 10. ,, Cynipidae ii (Hy- menoptera), Tor- re, W. Dalla & Kieffer, J. J. tr. ,, Mutillidae (Hyme- noptera), Andre, E. Volume I, 1902- 1903. do, FascicuLes XII-XIV. 12. Coleoptera, Fam. Bu- prestidae, Kerremans,Ch. 13. Coleoptera, Fam. Bur- dae, Schenkling, S.. 14. Coleoptera, Fam. Sagri- dae, Jacoby, M. Volume Il 1903. do. FascIcuLes, XV-XIX. 15. Orthoptera Fam. Eumas- tacidae, Burr, M. 16. Lepidoptera Fam. Edi- copiidae, Janet, A. & Wytsman, p. 17. Lepidoptera Fam. Hes- peridae, Mabille, P. 344 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 SG ° = » fa) oO Se 2) i/p) os) — oO Serial No. 299 | Ent R zo1 | EntR Accession No. 4 6 Cabinet Shelf j pidae, Torre, K. W. von Dalla, Volume, III, 1904. Wytsman, P. do. FAscICULES XX-XXIV. Author Title of Book 18. Hymenoptera Fam. Ich- neumonidae, Subfam. Ichneumoniae, Berthou- mieu, V. 19. Hymenoptera, Fam. Ves- 20. Lepidoptera. Fam. Nym-=— phalidae, Subfam. Bras- solinae, Stichel, H. 21. Coleoptera, Fam. Dona- cidae, Jacoby, M. & Clavareau, H. 22. Hymenoptera, Fam. Bra- conidae, Szepligeti, Gy. V 23. Coleoptera, Fam. Crio- ceridae, Jacoby, M. & Clavareau, H. 24. Heteroptera, Fam. Penta- tomidae, Subfam. Scu- tellerinae, Schouteden, H. Volume IV, 1904. FascICULES XXV-XXXI. 25. Isoptera Fam. Termiti- dae, Desneux, J. 26. Diptera Fam. Culicidae, Theobald, F. V. 27. Hymenoptera, Fam. Ly- didae, Konow, F. W. 28. Hymenoptera, Fam. Siri- cidae, Konow, F. W. 29. Hymenoptera, Fam. Ten- parece: Konow, F. do. 30. Heteroptera, Fam. Penta- tomidae, Subfam. Grap- hosomatinae, Schoute- den, H. 31. Lepidoptera, Fam. Nym- phalidae, Subfam. Dis- cophorinae, Stichel, H. Volume, V. 1904-1905. do. FascicuLes XXXII- XXXIX. 32. Coleoptera, Fam. Megas- celidae, Jacoby, M. & Clavareau, H. 33. Coleoptera, Fam. Megalo- pidae, Jacoby, M. & Clavareau, H. 34. Hymenoptera, Fam. Ich- neumonidae, Subfam. Pharsaliinae, Porizonti- nae, Szepligeti, G. V. do. Serial No.. 302 303 BOOKS IN BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY’S LIBRARY 345 Classification Ent R Ent R 14 5 Z q S ” i??) o 13) 1o) < 7 8 Cabinet Shelf Author Wytsman, P. do. Title of Book ———— 35. Coleoptera, Fam. Paussi- dae, Desneux, J. 36. Lepidoptera, Fam. Nym- phalidae, Subfam. Ama- thusiinae, Stichel, H. 37. Lepidoptera, Fam. Nym- phalidae, Subfam. Heli- coniinae, Stichel, H. 38. Coleoptera, Fam. Cara- bidae, Subfam. Anthii- nae, Rousseau, E. 39. Lepidoptera, Fam. Nym- phalidae, Subfam. Hyan- thinae, Stichel, H. Volume VI, 1905-1906. do. FascicuLes XL-XLVII. 40. Coleoptera, Fam. Cara- bidae, Subfam. Mor- molycinae, Rousseau, E. 41. Coleoptera, Fam. Platyp- sillidae, Desneux, J. 42. Diptera, Fam. Chirono- midae, Kieffer, J. J. 43. Diptera, Fam. Muscari- dae, Subfam. Oestrinae, Bau, A. 44. Diptera, Fam. Phoridae, Brues, Ch. T. 45. Collembola, Fam. Neeli- dae, Borner, C. 46. Coleoptera, Fam. Elateri- dae, Schwarz, O. Volume VII, 1906. do. FASCICULES, XLVII- TEL. 47. Heteroptera, Fam. Penta- tomidae, Subfam. Aphy- linae, Schouteden, 48. Orthoptera, Fam. Acri- diidae, Subfam. ‘Tetri- ginae, Hancock, J. L. 49. Coleoptera, Fam. Chry- somelidae, Subfam. Cly- trinae, Jacoby, M. & Clavareau, H. 50. Coleoptera, Fam. Plasto- ceridae, Schwarz, O. 51. Coleoptera, Fam. Dicro- nychidae, Schwarz, O. 52. Heteroptera, Fam. Penta- tomidae, Subfam. Aso« pinae (Amyoteinae), Schouteden, H. 53. Coleoptera, Fam. lLam- pyridae, Oliver, E. 346 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 | Author Title of Book Serial No Classificatio Accession No Shelf. — 54. Hymenoptera, Fam. Dry- inidae, Kieffer, J. J. Volume VIII, 1906-1907. do. FascicuLses, LV-LX. 55. Orthoptera, Fam. Blatti- dae, Subfam. _ Ecto- binae, Shelford, R. 56. Diptera, Fam. Blepharo- ceridae, Kellogg, V. 57. Lepidoptera, Fam. Sphin-— gidae, Rothschild, W. de. & Jordan, K.: 58. Lepidoptera, Fam. Papili- onidae, Subfam. Par- nassiinae, Stichel, H. 59. Lepidoptera, Fam. Papi- lionidae, Subfam. Zeryn- thiinae, Stichel, H. 60. Trichoptera, Ulmer, G. Volume IX, 1907. do. Fascicutes, LXI-LXIV. 61. Hymenoptera, Fam. ‘Tri- gonalidae, Schulz, W. A. 62. Hymenoptera, Fam. Ich- neumonidae Subfam. Pimplinae, Schmiedek- necht, O. 63. Lepidoptera, Fam. Nym- phalidae, Subfam. Dio- ninae, Stichel, H. 64. Coleoptera, Fam. | Psela- phidae, Raffray, A. Volume X, 1908. do. FascicuLes, LXV-LXXV. 65. Coleoptera, Fam. Bren- thidae, Sch6nfeldt, H. 304 | EntR 9 |9o| A Wytsman, P. 305 | EntR 10 9 A do. 306 | EntR Ir | 9 A do. von 66. Mallophaga, Kellogg, V. L. 67. Neuroptera, Fam. Coni- opterygidae, Enderlein, G 68. Diptera, Fam. Muscari- dae, Subfam, Lauxani- nae, Hendel, F. 69. Coleoptera, Fam. Curcu- lionidae, Subfam. Enti- minae, Bovie, A. ' 70. Coleoptera, Fam. Curcu- lionidae, Subfam. Crypto- derminae, Bovie, A. 71. Coleoptera, Fam. Curcu- lionidae, Subfam. Alci- dinae, Bovie, A. 72. Orthoptera, Bovie, Locus- tidae, Subfam. Decti- cinae, Caudell, A. N. BOOKS IN BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY’S LIBRARY 347 P|) "2 7) op 3 n se) =207-| Ent R 308 | Ent R ~ 309 | Ent R Accession No o & = a) o 5] a | 9 A 9 A 9 A Author Wytsman, P. do. do. Title of Book 73. Orthoptera, Bovie, Blat- tidae, Subfam. Phyllo- dromiinae, Shelford, R. 74. Orthoptera, Bovie, Nycti- borinae, Shelford, R. 75. Hymenoptera, Fam. Ich- neumonidae, Subfam. Cryptinae, Schmiedek- necht, O. Volume XI, 1908. do., _Fascicutes, LXXVI- LXXXI. 76. Hymenoptera, Fam. Bethy- lidae, Kieffer, J.J: a, Hymenoptera, Fam. Stephanidae, Kieffer, J.J. 78. Coleoptera, Fam. Eroty- lidae, Subfam. Langu- riidae, Fowler, W. W. 79. Diptera, Fam. Muscari- dae, Subfam. Pyrgo- tinae, Hendel, F. 80. Hymenoptera, Fam. Sceli- onidae, Brues, C. T. 81. Anoplura, Torre, K.W. von, Dalla Volume XXII, 1908. do. FascicuLtes, UXXXII- “LXXXV VI. 82. Coleoptera, Fam. Cara- bidae, Subfam. Cicin- delinae, Horn, W. 83. Coleoptera, Fam. Cara- bidae, Subfam. Omo- . _phroninae, Rousseau, E. 84. Coleoptera, Fam. Cara- bidae, Subfam. Prome- cognathinae, Rousseau, E. 85. Coleoptera, Fam. Cara- bidae, Subfam. Pambori- nae, Rousseau, E. 86. Coleoptera, Fam. Cara- bidae, Subfam. Loroceri- nae, Rousseau, E. Volume XIII, 1908- -IQIO. do. FASCICULES, SOOKE XCIII 87. Hance Fam. Aley- rodidae, Quaintance, okt *88, Coleoptera, Fam. Eroty- lidae, Subfam. Eroty- linae, Kuhnt, P. 89. Coleoptera, Fam. Curcu- lionidae, Subfam. Lae- mosaccinae, Bovie, A. 348 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL UIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 Serial No. Classification 310 | EntR Accession No. | Cabinet Shelf FSi OM, A Author Wytsman, P. Title of Book go. Orthoptera, Fam. Acri- diidae, Subfam. Pyrgo- morphinae, Bolivar, I. 91. Coleoptera, Fam. Curcu- lionidae, Subfam. Beli- nae, Lea, A. M. & Bovie, A. 92. Coleoptera, Fam. Curcu- lionidae, Subfam. Gym- netrinae, Bovie, A. 93. Diptera, Fam. Myceto- philidae, Johannsen, O. A Volume XIV, 1909. do. FASCICULES, XCIV- _XCVII. 94. Hymenoptera, Fam. Cera- phronidae, Kieffer, J. J. 95. Hymenoptera, Fam. Ser- phidae, Kieffer, J. J. 96. Diptera, Fam. Muscari- dae, Subfam. Pterocal- linae, Hendel, F. 97. Hymenoptera, Fam. Chal- eae: Schmiedeknecht, Volume XV, 1909. do. Fascicutes, XCVIII- CVII. 98. Coleoptera, Fam. Curcu- lionidae, Subfam. Nano- phyinae, Bovie, A. 99. Coleoptera, Fam. Curculio- niadae Subfam. Brachy- cerinae, Bovie, A. 100. Lepidoptera Heterocera, Fam. Pterophoridae, Meyrick, E. 101. Orthoptera, Fam. Blat- tidae, Subfam. Epilam- prinae, Shelford, R. 102. Hymenoptera, Fam. For- micidae, Subfam. Dory- linae, Emery, C. 103. Lepidoptera Heterocera, Fam. Geometridae, In- troduction et Subfam. Brephinae, Prout,. L. B 104. Lepidoptera Heterocera, Fam. Geometridae, Sub-= fam. | Oenochrominae, Prout, L. B. 105. Hymenoptera, Fam. Thynnidae, Turner, R. E. BOOKS IN BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY’S LIBRARY 349 Author Title of Book. Serial No. Classification Accession No. Cabinet Shelf 106. Diptera, Fam. Muscari- dae, Subfam. Ulidii- nae, Hendel, F. 107. Hymenoptera, Fam. Bely- tidae, Kieffer, J. J. Volume XVI, _ 1910. are) dnt R Ln) 9 A Wytsman, P. do. Fascicuutes, CVIII-CXI. 108. Lepidoptera MHeterocera, Fam. Orneodidae, Mey- rick, E. 109. Orthoptera, Fam. Blat- tidae, Subfam. Blai- tinae, Shelford, R. 110. Coleoptera, Fam. Apho- diidae, Schmidt, A. 111. Coleoptera, Fam. Ipidae, Hagedorn, M. Volume XVII, 1910. 313 | EntR 18. | 9). A do. do. Fascicu.es, CXII. 112. Lepidoptera Rhopalo- cera, Fam. Riodinidae. Introduction et Subfam. Riodininae, Stichel, H. Volume XVIII, rorr. 314 | EntR 19,| 9: A do. do. _FascIcutes, CXITI- CXXI. 113. Diptera, Fam. Muscari- dae, Subfam. Richard- iinae, Hendel, F. 114. Hymenoptera, Fam. Ich- neumonidae, Gruppe Mesochoroidae, SZep- ligeti, G. V. 115. Odonata, Fam. Aesch- nidae, Subfam. Aesch- ninae, Martin, R. 116. Coleoptera, Fam. Cara- bidae, Subfam. Met- riinae et Mystropo- minae, Dupuis, P. 117. Coleoptera, Fam. Cara- bidae, Subfam. Apoto- minae, Dupuis, P. 118. Hymenoptera, Fam. For- micidae, Subfam. Poneri- nae, Emery, C. 119. Orthoptera, Fam. Man- tidae, Subfam. Vatinae, Rehn, J. A. G. 120. Orthoptera, Fam. Locus- tidae, Subfam. Propha- eon sinae, Caudell, A. 121. Strepsiptera, Pierce, W. Dwight Volume XIX, 1913. 350 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 Author Title of Book Serial No. Classification Necession No. Cabinet Shelf > Wytsman, P. do. FAscIcuLes, CXXII- CXXVIITI. 122. Dermaptera, Burr, M. 123. Coleoptera, Fam. Carabi- dae, Subfam. Psydrinae, Dupuis, P. 124. Hymenoptera, Fam. Dia- priidae, Kieffer, J. J. 125. Coleoptera, Fam. Chry- somelidae, Subfam. His- pinae, Weise, J. 126 Coleoptera, Fam. Cara- bidae, Subfam. Opis- thiinae, Dupuis, P. 127. Coleoptera, Fam. Ceb- rionidae, Torre, K. W. von. Dalla 128.. Lepidoptera Heterocera, Fam. ~% Gracilariadae Meyrick, E. Volume XX, 1913. Wa 316 | EntR 204-9 “A do. do. FASCICULES,* CXXIX¢ CXXXIV. -129. Lepidoptera MHeterocera, Fam. Geometridae, Subfam. Hemitheinae, Prout, L. B. 130. Coleoptera, Fam. Cur- culionidae, Subfam. — Apioninae, Wagner, H. | 131. Orthoptera, Fam. Locus- tidae, Subfam. Listros- celinae, Karny, H. 132. Lepidoptera MHeterocera, Fam. Micropterygidae, Meyrick, E. 133. Lepidoptera Heterocera, Fam. Adelidae, Mey- rick, E. 134. Coleoptera, Fam. Cara- bidae, Subfam. Notio- philinae, Dupuis, Volume XXI, 1913. 317 | EntR 22 AO al aes do. do. FascicuLes, CXXXV- CXLIITI. 135. Orthoptera, Fam. Locus- tidae, Subfam. Cono- cephalinae, Karny, H. 136. Neuroptera, Fam. Ne- mopteridae, Navas, iL; F 315 | EntR 20 | 9 137. Hymenoptera, Fam. For- micidae, Subfam. Doli- choderinae, Emery, C. BOOKS IN BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY’S LIBRARY 351 Serial No. Author Title of Book . Classification Accession No. Cabinet Shelf 138. Orthoptera, Fam. Locus- tidae, Subfam. Meco- neminae, Phyllopho- rinae, ‘Tympanopho- rinae, | Phasconurinae, Phasmedinae, __ Brady- porinae, Caudell, A. N. 139. Orthoptera, Fam. Locus- tidae, Subfam. Copi- phorinae, Karny, H. 140. Orthoptera, Fam. Locus- tidae, Subfam. Ephip- pigerinae, Caudell, H. N 141. Orthoptera, Fam. Locus- - tidae, Subfam. Agrae- ciinae, Karny, H. 142. Homoptera, Fam. Cica- didae, Subfam. Cica- dinae, Distant, W. L. 143. Homoptera, Fam. Cer- copidae, Lallemand, V. Volume XXII, 1913. Ent R 23/9] A Wytsman, P. do. ag errs CXLIV- 144. Orthoptera, Fam. Man- tidae, Perlamantinae, Giglio-Tos, E. 145. Coleoptera, Fam. Cara- bidae, Subfam. Penta- gonicinae, Dupuis, P. 146. Coleoptera, Fam. Cara- bidae, Subfam. Pele- ciinae, Dupuis. P. 147. Coleoptera, Fam. Cara- bidae, Subfam. Hexa- goniinae, Dupuis, P. 148. Diptera, Fam. Therevi- dae, Kréber, O. . Lepidoptera Heterocera, Fam. Tortricidae, Mey- rick, E. . Goleoptera, Fam. Scara- baeidae, Subfam. Aegia- liinae, Chironinae, Dyn- amopinae, Hybosori- nae, Idiostominae, Ochodaeinae, Orphni- nae, Schmidt, A. 151. Hymenoptera, Fam. Chrysididae, Bischoff, H. Volume XXIII, 1913. do. Fascicutses, CLII-CLVI. 152. Diptera, Fam. Cecido- myidae, Kieffer, J. J. I 4 on - fe) Ke) Eni R 249 | A do. 352 Serial No. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 Classification Accession No. 320 321 Ent FR Ent R 25 26 Author Cabinet Shelf Wytsman, P. 9| A do. H5ae 154. 155. 156. do. 15 Je 158. 159. 160. 161. 162. 163. do. 164. 165. 166. 167. 168. Title of Book Heteroptera, Fam. Pen- tatomidae, Subfam. Dinidorinae, Schoute- den, H. Megaloptera, Fam. Raphididae, Petersen, E. Odonata, Fam. Libellu- lidae, Subfam. Cor- dulinae, Martin, R. Neuroptera, Fam. Dila- _ ridae, Navas, iG; Volume XXIV, 1913- 1914. FASCICULES, CLVII- CLXIII. Diptera, Fam. Muscari- dae, Subfam. Platy- stominae, Hendel, F. Homoptera, Fam. Cica- didae, Subfam. Gaea- ninae, Distant, W. L. Coleoptera, Fam. Chrys- omelidae, Subfam. Lamprosominae, Ach- ard, J. Coleoptera, Fam. Chrys- omelidae, Subfam. Chlamydae & Sphaero- charinae, Achard, J. Diptera, Fam. Omphra- lidae, Kroéber, O Coleoptera, Fam. Chapui- slidae, Strohmeyer, Coleoptera Fam. Platy- podidae, Strohmeyer, Volume XXV, 1914. FAScICULES, CLXIV- CLXIX. Lepidoptera Heterocera Fam. Glyphipterygi- dae, Meyrick, E Lepidoptera Fam. Heliodinidae, Meyrick, E. Coleoptera, Fam. His- teridae, Bickhardt, H. Orthoptera, Fam. Locus- tidae, Subfam. Saginae, Caudell, A. N. Orthoptera, Fam. Locus- tidae, Subfam. Hetro- dinae, Caudell, A. N. Heterocera BOOKS IN BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY’S LIBRARY 353 C) Reece A fe) = qd Z & ‘3 o Author a D 2 & = 5 & Shira Vom <9) So) < |0 n ; z 322 | EntR Zant woul y A Wytsman, P. B23 | Ent R 20m |e | A do. 324 | Ent R Zu Ou aes do. Ent R 30.9 A -do. 525 || Title of Book 169. Lepidoptera Rhopalo- cera, Fam. Nymphali- dae, Subfam. Acraeinae, Jordan, K. & Eltring- ham, H. Volume XXVI, 1914- 1916. do. FASCICULES, CLXX- CLXXIII. 170. Oxihoptera, Fam. Acri- diidae, Subfam. Pam- phaginae, Bolivar, I. 171. Orthoptera, Fam. Locus- tidae, Subfam. Meco- podinae, Caudell, A. N. 172. Coleoptera, Fam. Cer- ambycidae, Subfam. Prioninae, Lameere, A. 173. Coleoptera, Fam. Sta- phylinidae, Subfam. Aleocharinae, Fenyes, A. Volume XXVII, r1919- 1921. do. FascicuLes, CLXXIV- CLXXV. 174. Hymenoptera, Fam. For- | micidae, Subfam. Myr- | micinae, Emery, C. w75. Diptera, Fam. 'Tabani- dae, Surcouf, J. Volume XXVIII, 1921- 1922. do. FascicuLes, CLXXVI- | CLXXX. 176. Coleoptera, Fam. T'ene- brionidae, Subfam. Zo- | phosinae, Chatanay, J. 177. Orthoptera, Fam. Man- | tidae, Subfam. Eremia- | philinae, Giglio-Tos, E. . 178. Coleoptera, Fam. Cer- ambycidae, Subfam. Disteniine, Lepturinae, Boppe, P. 179. Lepidoptera Heterocera, Fam. Carposinidae, Meyrick, E. 180. Lepidoptera Heterocera, | Fam. Oecophoridae, Meyrick, E. Volume XXIX, 1921- 1922. do. FascicuLes, CLXXXI- | CLXXXIV. 94 Serial No. Classification | Author ' Accession No.i Cabinet Shelf JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49° Title of Book 326 327 _ Ent 76 | 9 | C Zeuner, Frederick | Eberhard Wal 9 | C | do. = oe el 181. Hymenoptera, Fam. Api- Geoffrey. 182. Homoptera, Acanalonii- — dae, Flatidae & Rica- niidae, Melichar, L. ‘ 183. Hymenoptera, Fam. For- | micidae, Subfam. For- micinae, Emery, C. 184. Lepidoptera Heterocera, Fam. Gelechiadae, — Meyrick, E. Volume © XXX, 1923-1925. ENSIFERA, Text, British Museum (Natural His- tory), 1939. do. Plates, 1939. ne PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY V. M. PHILIP AT THE DIOCESAN PRESS, 18 CHURCH ROAD, VEPERY, MADRAS,—1950. C1581 EDITORS: SALIM ALI, S. B. SETNA AND H. SANTAPAU 114 APOLLO STREET, FORT, BOMBAY dae, Subfam. Proso- 7 | pidinae, Meade-Waldo, 4 ~Fossit ORTHOPTERA _ NOTICE TO CONTRIBUTORS : Contributors of scientific articles are requested to assist the 4q editors by observing the following instructions : q 1, Papers which have at the same time been offered for publica- tion to other journals or periodicals, or have already been published _ elsewhere, should not be submitted. 2. The MS should preferably be typed (double spacing) on - one side of a sheet only, and the sheets properly numbered. 4 All scientific names, to be printed in italics, should be under- - lined. Both in zoological and in botanical references only the initial letter of the genus is capitalized. 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THE JOURNAL OF THE EDITED BY SALIM ALI, S. B. SETNA, ph.p., and H. SANTAPAU, sy, VOL. 49 Nos. 3 & 4 Containing 1 coloured plate, 25 black and white plates, 5 photographs, 12 maps, 18 text figures and 1 graph Dates of Publication Part 3. (Pages 355 to 596) ... December, 1950 sf (5, «©5897 to 832) ... April, 1951 ‘LONDON AGENTS MESSRS. WHELDON & WESLEY LTD., _83/84 Berwick Street, LONDON, W. 1. PRINTED AT THE DIOCESAN PRESS, MADRAS 1952 AUG 6 30MBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY 1955 es ® ~~, CONTENTS OF VOLUME 49 No. 3 BIRDS FROM NEPAL, 1947-1949. By S. Dillon Ripley. (Wzth a map, 1 coloured and 2 black and white plates)..........0... 399 Y JUNGLE Memorigs. Part VII—WILpD GoaTs AND SHEEP. By Lt.-Col. E. G. Phythian-Adams, 0.B.B., F.Z.S., I.A. PAGR GNCtG a (Vt 1 a PIALES en iasede carl csjes usec dia sssiccdeee yansee 4 LO A PLRA FOR THE PRESERVATION OF WILD PLANTS. By H. AMA AUG SI.) (120 @ PIQLE )ancceaieedwsigesiaice-tegaeeOewensmes, , GOL A PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE MAL- LOPHAGA (‘FEATHER LICE’) ON THE CLass AVES (BirDs). By Theresa ma (With 2 plates and 3 text , - figures)... Bie eiete seta cet vu's sulskawene eens feeiees Pearce ON THE cae Lanius pe (uieots), WITH RE- MARKS ON THE erythronotus AND tricolor GROUPS OF Lanius schach LINNE, AND THEIR Hysrips. By Biswa- moyaBiswase: .CW/tlh @. MAP)... .pensestosiswes vosdess sgcewesenss 444 THE GIR ForREST AND ITs Lions. PART II. By M.A. Wynter-Blyth, m.a. (Cantab.), F.R.E.S., and Kumar Shree Dharmakumarsinhji. (With a Plate).ccccccocccccscconsescereee 456 NOTES ON SOME ASIATIC STURNIDAE (BIRDS). By Daniel Manion. tuCH2E7. BLERL IAD)... ean ected a eseceavewcrsanverces 47 1 On A COLLECTION. OF BUTTERFLIES FROM THE BALIPARA FRONTIER TRACT AND THE SUBANSIRI AREA (NORTHERN Assam. By F.N. Betts. (With a sketch map)............ 488 WILSON’S STORM-PETRELS, SHEARWATERS AND OTHER SEA- BIRDS IN THE GULF OF ADEN AND INDIAN OCEAN. By VEO Ace TID Se aetonseercaieds ce caetrdor icsccsseereeesieeets cnend 003 TURTLE FISHING IN THE SEA AROUND KRUSADAI Tous By G. K. Kuriyan. (With a text figure)ieccccccccccsonsescsssorees 509 MORE NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF THE NEPAL VALLEY. By tebe OM VLIICSs oh ccs cas we ech ceutie nal (Oneeu tic. s essed sesetucd ee 2 513 OBSERVATIONS ON THE BIONOMICS AND FISHERY OF THE BRowN Mussgt (Mytilus sp.) OF THE CAPE REGION OF PENINSULAR INDIA, ByS. Jones. (Witha text map and UOOUDIALES meme atijasasteneclscccesscntes jest ss. cu)-cnecuees 519 EDIBLE CHELONIANS AND THEIR PRODUCTS. By M. N. NCHA MiSCiven sen tain iieies cre sdetiaenteeMicciisciectaesssactatas 529 430 CONTENTS OF VOLUME 49 Elephant Bill. By Lt.-Col. J. H. Williams, O.B.E., with a foreword by Field-Marshal Sir William Slim,‘G-B.£., ‘K.C5B.;,D.S1O@.;, M-C..qE.E:G:) =n eee A short guide tothe Natural History Section in the Provincial Museum, Lucknow. By M. M. Nagar, M.A., U.P.E.S. (S.A.)... iv REVIEWS :— V/ db 2. 3: Birds of Ceylon I. By W. W. A. ‘Phillips, F.L.S., M.B.0.U.; °F.Z.S.(S.A.)..: eee fence Additions to the. anne Natural Histote Society’s Library since July, 1950......... 0.0.00 00 MISCELLANEOUS NOTES :— ae 2. A Tiger Fight. By Lt.-Col. W. D. Ritchie, 1.m.s. (Retd.)... Death cry of leer “By Lt.-Col. R. Me Burton, - ee 5388 TA. CR Ctds re. Ab ore Rabies in Tiers Sea duties! ge Lt.- Col. R. W. Burton, 1.4. (Retd.)... a The ‘ Dew-claws’ of the muta Leooara’ or ~Cheetah [Acinonyx -jubatus Gaereee By Lt.-Col. R. W. Burton, 1.4. (Retd.)... BA Notes on the Clouded Leopard [Neotelis Mebane (Griffith)]|. By C. A. Gibson-Hill. (Wzth a Plate yer. : A Sep wilaeraner ieee ean The eetee death are a icone: “By i. Rynjahoee A doe Cheetal with horns. By Chandra Chur..... The occurrence of albino and melanic rats. By J. lL. Harrison, M.SCies ee . *Soori Phanda’. By B. E. Simpihicn Large Grey Babbler attacking metal Ries ‘of wheel.of car. “By H.G. Alexanderen=..5csee , Common Mynah (4eridotheres tristis) nesting in - the nest of Pied Mynah (Sturnopastor contra. ) By Ke... Rirkpatrick 5 ee eee Peculiar roosting site of the House Swift (J/icro- pus affinis). By Kenneth M. Kirkpatrick......... Tameness of Wild Grey Lag Geese taken as adults. « By JamalvA rateses 2s eee eee Stray bird notes from Malabar. By K. K. Neela- kantan, B.A. (Hons.)... aS! Stray bird notes from Tibet. (Be Bae Scent of Game-birds. By A. St. J. Mecdoratae PAGE 538 541 543. 546 547 548 549 550 550 551 552 553 72993 336 a1. (leag 2G: 24. 29% 20, Bite ZO; Zo 30. 31, 32. 33, CONTENTS OF VOLUME 49 Field identification of birds: Notes on the Hood- wink (Disstmulatrix ole By M. F. A. Meiklejohn... nee Aer onhee wtidooaee ves The record FRRREGIATE s Vipers fiz ipera russellt (Shaw)]. By Lt.-Col. R. W. Burton, 1.4. (Retd.) . A Dhaman or Rat-Snake [Ptyas mucosus (Linn.)] AULIOINGS | POV IN. pO HALL. .: Seweclstsecis eeederso tes The record Hamadryad or King Cobra [aja hannah (Cantoer)] and lengths and weights of large specimens. By Lt.-Col. R. W. Burton, 1.4. (Retd. i: ouaiiis Breeding oe the Conran NGiiTonen a goramy (Lacepede)] in Indian rivers. By P. I. Chacko and A. R. K. Zobairi.. Meciors caacematcen ee Fish and barometric pressure. ah Humayun Abdulali.. : Note on an ae specimen ent the. Niceren Ophicephalus striatus Bloch. By K. H. Alikunhi. (With a text figure)... : ; Set wicise Occurrence of the fish “Danio yore - (McClelland) in Nela Bilam—an underground cavern in Kurnool District, South India. By We Ke Charts. hex Where do Bultcees o go? rs = ., a tae On roe The early stages of Lycaenopsis huegelit. By T. Norman... ae aires Brownish- sallow fotins of Papilio ieioleus ies ct D. G. Sevastopulo, F.R.E.S.. as Seasonal forms of Cafopsilia spp. {opy D. G Gauae tOPUIO; PURVES sco, facies Lado smeens BG saeco eee Food-plant of Delias eucharés ahs ope DPG Sevastopulo, F.R.E.S... Occurrence of the Fairy ies ye ina Stowe tank: in Tirunelveli District, Madras. By P.I. - Chacko... thie caneetecs A four- eee eiiara in fe ‘eter ie ile lelea integrifolia Planch. By S. N. Chandra- sekharan and J. Sakharam Rao. (With a photo). Two interesting abnormalities in the Common Indian Corn, Zea mays Linn. By S. A. Paran- dekar, m.sc. (With three text figures)... Some phenological notes on Dzllenia indica Linn. By K, Subramanyam... Meals ui receel (eed casyeas neck 560 561 561 564 565 566 569 569 570 fil vi CONTENTS OF VOLUME 49 PAGE 34. Further remarks on the flowering of Stvobzlanthes. By H. Santapau, s.J.. oe 575 35. The flowering of Sib otelandeeh Mey (Miss) Even Bowden... ee decane ee 576 36. :A note on the Pe echore iafptesecnecd in co | pogon monostachyos K. Schum. By SN. . | Chandrasekharan and J. Sakharam Rao. (With | a text ee Sly (Sede a Fe atte dll. CEL ee ete ean mmemOOT/ ET 3. GleaningSrc.cc eee sale eaetae f OS Annual Report of ms ee ec) nee Seep for the year ending 31st December, 1949.................. 581 ANNOUNCEMENTS. en fe ee ee ee eee oS No. 4 } JuncLE Memortgcs, Part VIII—SomeE more Ticers. By Lt.-Col. E. G. Phythian-Adams, 0.8.8., F.z.S., 1.4. (Retd.) 597 SomE Norges oN Birps IN LAuwuL. By H.G. Alexander. (With @ sketch ma py. ciseiiiivenesevsendedtes tee steaes tel oeees ee OOS HILsA FISHERIES IN THE NARBADA RIVER. By C. V. Kul- katani, M:sc., Php. “(Wa74£h three text frgtves\iescd:. ess) OL THE GENus Dioscorea IN BOMBAY STATE. By H. Santapau, s.J. (With three plates)... Soins «screen 624 A YEAR ON A TIGRIS ISLAND. “By Dig less Wiltshire, F.R.E.S. (With a map, 3 plates, one text figure anda graph).......... 637 A New RACE OF THE GROUND-THRUSH Zurdus cilrinus (Aves: TuRDIDAE). By Biswamoy Biswas...........000... 66] Cowrigs (MOLLUSCA, GASTROPODA: FAMILY CYPRAEIDAE). By. H. C. Ray, M.Sc., D. PHIL. (With two plates)............ 663 On A COLLECTION OF FISH FROM THE ANAMALAI AND NELLIAMPATHI HILL RANGES (WESTERN GHATS) WITH NOTES ON ITS ZOOGEOGRAPHICAL SIGNIFICANCES. By E. G. Silas, B.Sc. oe es a plate and two text MOPS \nurvaswedrserevieed ivniud acarrebhant ies taesioas mab aetar yews t een mLOTO pM A NEW GENUS OF GRAMINEAE (Onassis). By M. B. Raizada and S. K. Jain. (With one plate)... eoebe OSS THE GIR Forrst anp Ts Lions. Part ITI, By. K. S. Dharmakumarsinhiji and M. A. ih hears Pe M.A. (Cantab.), F.R.E.S.. shi Seeecivc cathene, tee tok 685 SoME BrrD ASSOCIATIONS OF Bone ‘By M. i ee (With a 'skeicle Map) 0 see esvegn rey nattee ysis ana eset CONTENTS OF VOLUME 49 GAME SANCTUARIES IN BurMA (Pre-1942) wITH PRESENT STATUS OF RHINOCEROS AND THAMIN. By Lt.-Col. R. W. Burton, 1.A. (Retd.). (With two plates).............. ON THE HyDRO-BIOLOGICAL DATA COLLECTED ON THE WADGE BANK EARLY IN 1949. By K. Chidambaram and A. D. Isaac Rajendran... oe Cie Moco er aN US omer Scheme WILD LIFE RESERVES IN ne ne eee By Lt.- Cola Wea Bintons TAs aN CLs)..0. asceerccs Gee oo slnct «ce sce)eas OBSERVATIONS ON THE EGG-CASES OF SOME OVO-VIVIPAROUS AND VIVIPAROUS ELASMOBRANCHS, WITH A NOTE ON THE FORMATION OF THE ELASMOBRANCH EGG-CASE. By R. Raghu Prasad. (With a plate).........+ OBITUARY :— Brigadier-General Reginald George Burton. (R.W.B.) REVIEWS :— 1. Birds Wild and Free. By A. W. P. Robertson. 2. Island of Skomer. Edited by John Buxton and Re Mie ockley..>. (ElnG, A.)... as 3. Supplement to the Botany of live fee ‘Once: By Herbert Mooney. (H. Santapau, S.J.)......00 4. The Flamingos of the Camargue. By Etienne Gallet. (S: A.)... ee ul 5. Flamingo City. By G. K. Wedtee: F.R.P.S. (8. AD 6, Trapping Methods for Bird Ringers: By P.A.D. Hollom=s 2 (S.A. )..< Additions to the eee Notaral ore Beier Eibrary simcedanuary 1052. ss .casc..c- ss vec. s cos oes vee MISCELLANEOUS NOTES :— / 1. Rabies in the Panther; two proved instances. By Lt.-Col. R. W. Burton, 1.4. (Retd.)... J 2. An extraordinary find in a Panther’s atoitctt By A. Tulloch. (With a text. figure)... ......000 3. On the ‘Thorn’ or ‘Claw’ in Panthers’ Tails. By K. Boswell. (With 3 X’ray photos)...... +00... 4. An abnormal specimen of Mus platythrix grahami Ryley (Rodentia: Muridae) from Khandala, Bombay Province. By H. Khajuria. (With a LCN UU SLIME a neeeice ives; ueqeieise | ariwoase «Oe lnestesecnese. vii PAGE 129 738 749 735 763 779 viii 13. 14. 1. ikey ez: 18. 19. 20. eae, CONTENTS OF VOLUME 49 Albinism in Rattus cremoriventey (Miller). By J. L. Harrison and Lim Boo-Liat. (With 4 text LiQUTES OUD Ay TGP). en yee ee cr Protecting Food Crops yee Wila ees = Rio Gs MOrrises: «ones ce eee ee eee Jeep versus Elephant. By RC. Mortis. .5, The use of patent bullets in shot guns. By Lt.- Col-Ry W. Burton, tA. )Getd ye. --cesenase eee More Bird notes from Nepal Valley. By oe) Desiree Proud.. cee Extension of range et te Whitebellied as Fly- catcher ea des pallipes pallipes as By Salim Ali.. ; W hitebellied Sete scatchioeee a bird. ao Sélim. The MHeartspotted Wood pecker—AHemicircus canente.- By SalumUAli.. 21. ee Discovery of the so-named ‘Malabar’ Black Woodpecker [Dryocopus javensis hodgsoni (Jer- don)] in Bastar (East Madhya peace By Salim ) Alias poses! Lect An Albino Snipe. Be HL M. Nolen Beet a egos Extension of breeding range of the Stilt. (Himantopus h. himantopus,) and some notes ‘on its habits and plumages. By Humayun Abdulali Mass movement of Pelican. By D. Neog............ A Sunderban Heronry. By Satya Churn Law, m.A., PHD, oHNeles TE aa ee Seas. Ace Effect a the sneer pressure on Fish. ey F. R. Goldschmidt, D.sc.. Effect of atmospheric pressure site achite: By E. P. Gee.. Stings by the Goer Siaace Hoe Veen orientalis and Vespa cincta. Severe effects. By Lt.-Col.-R. W.-Burton, 1.4. (Retd)).2..-32. Bache A Butterfly (Catopsilia crocale) with a defect in right hind wing. By Capt. A. G. L. Fraser, EMD; (Retd.) = 2 On the occurrence ony ny Breshater eae Limnocnida indica Annandale, in the western drainage of the Sahyadris. By S. Jones. (With GB LCL MAP) ss. ten semreae tas cans esa eee bere eee eres PAGE 796 797 799 23. 24. (as 26. CONTENTS OF VOLUME 49 New record for Frevea indica Dalz. in Bombay Provinces. Byeel. Santapau, -SiJeccoccaces cows seesen A note on the occurrence of Turions in Aydrzlla verticillata Pres]. By C. Lakshmanan, B.Sc. es a plate)... won Re Tene ne Tian a arouey resist exotic plant. By L. ae ee M.SC., B.SC. (Ag.). (With a photo)... Gleanings ..0r-- Be aenicen aeons Meeivtes 6% ‘The International Union for ie pisiection of Nene By Lt.-Col.“R. W, Burton, I-A. (Retd.).......0.002.35 Bombay Wild Animals and Wild Birds Protection Act 1951. By the Editors... 809 815 "ALPHABETICAL: LIST®OF, CONTRIBUDORS VOLUME 49 Nos. 3 and 4 PAGE ABDULALI, HumaAvun, Fishand Biswas, BiswamMoy, On_ the barometric pressure 5. =° 003 ‘Shrike Lanius tephronotus —-, Exten- (Vigors) with remarks on the sion of breeding range of the erythronotus and _ tricolor Stilt (Aimantopus h, himanto- Groups of Lanzus schach Linn. pus) and some notes on its and their Hybrids (With a habits and plumages .. of Thee) map) ink ae eae AcHARJI, M. N., M.Sc. Edible —_—-— , Anew race Chelonians aan their Products 529 | of the Ground-Thrush Zurdus ALEXANDER, H.G., Large Grey citrinus (Aves: Turdidae) ... Babbler attacking metal hub- Boo-LiaT, Lim, see HARRISON, cap of wheel of car 550 a ae - , some notes BOSWELL, K., On the ‘ Thorn’ on Birds in Tawa (With a or ‘ Claw’ in Panthers’ Tails sketch map) «- 608 (With 3 xray photos) ALI, SALIM, Extension of range BOWDEN, (Miss) EvELYN, The of the Whitebellied Blue flowering of Strobilanthes Flycatcher (Muscicapula pal- BURTON, Lt.-Col. R. W., 1.4. lipes pallipes Jerdon)... 785 (Retd.), Death cry of Tiger... -——, Whitebellied Dron- —___——_-—__-- —__,, Rabies io) ancnine bird 786 in Tiger—two proved inst- ai =, Lhe Hesctepaten ances So ses ove Woodpecker- Hemicircus can- ——_——_———-—-, The ente a Se ape. fsa) ‘ Dew-claws’ of the Hunting a --, Discovery of the Leopard or Cheetah [Acinonyx so-named ‘Malabar’ Black 7ubatus (Schreber) J ane Woodpecker [Dryocopus jave- ihe nsis hodgsont (Jerdon)] in record Russell’s Viper Bastar (East Madhya [(Vipera russelli Shaw) ] Pradesh) = 787 = ——, The ALIKUNHI, K. H., Noe on an record Hamadryad or King abnormal specimen of the Cobra[Naja hannah (Cantor) ] Murrel, Ophicephalus striatus and lengths and weights of Bloch. (With a text figure) 564 large specimens eae on ARA, JAMAL, Tameness of Wild —————— , Game Grey Lag Geese taken as Sanctuaries in Burma adults 552 (Pre-1942) with present status Betts, F. N., On a reollection of of Rhinoceros and Thamin. Butterflies from the Balipara (With two plates) Bie Frontier tract and the Sub- _——— ——, Wild ansiri area( Northern Assam). Life Reserves in India: Uttar (With a sketch map) «.. we 488 Pradesh ... ee we oc: PAGE 444 661 538 541 560 561 LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS Burton, Lt.-Col. R. W.,I.A., (Retd.) Rabies in the Panther ; two proved instances aes —_——_—_—__—_—_———,_ The use of patent bullets in shot guns ae “Se ae —-— --——-, Stings by the Common Indian Hornets Vespa orientalis and Vespa cincta. Severe effects ... — Cuacko, P. I., and ZOBAIRI, A. R. K., Breeding of the Gour- ami [Osphronemus goramy (Lacepede)] in Indian rivers Occurrence of the Fairy Shrimp pus in a temple tank in ‘Tirunelveli District, Madras CHANDRASEKHARAN S, N., nad Rao J. SAKHARAM, A four- winged Samara in the Indian Elm AHoloptelea integrifolia a Se a tT Planch. (With a photo) note on the polystachous inflorescence in Huteropogon monostachyos K.Schum. ( With a text figure) .. a Cuarr, V. K., A Haman or Rat-Snake [ Ptyas MUCOSUS (iinn.)} ————_—_——— ———? Oceurrence of ae fish Danio aeguipinnatur (McClelland) in Nela Bilam— an underground cavern in Kur- nool District South India CHIDAMBARAM, K, and RAJEND- RAN, A. D. Isaac, On the Hydro-biological data collect- ed on the Wadge Bank early in 1949 bs CuHuUR, CHANDRA, doe ehectal -with horns nee ab Cray, THERESA, A Syeatratie ary survey of the Distribution of the Mallophaga (‘ Feather Lice’) on the Class Aves (Birds). (With 2 plates and 3 text figures) e DHARMAKUMARSINHJI, onan SHREE, see WYNTER-BLYTH, -M.A., M.A. (Cantab.), F.R.E.S. PAGE 775 796 562 571 972 577 561 565 738 547 430 DHARMAKUMARSINHJI, K. S., and WvyNnTER-BLvytTH, M.A., M.A. (Cantab.), F.R.E.S., The Gir Froest and its Lions Port ITI EDITORS, Stray bird notes from Tibet Be FRASER, Capt. A. Ge I.M.D. (Retd.) A Butterfly (Catodsilia crocale) with a defect in right hind wing GEE, E. P., Effect of thon pheric pressure while fishing GIBSON-HILL, C. A., Notes on the Clouded Leopard [/Veofelis nebulosa (Griffith).] (Witha plate) “2 ee ‘es GOLDSCHMIDT. F. R., D.Sc., Effect of the atmospheric pressure on Fish HARRISON, J. L., M.Sc., The occurrence of albino and melanic Rats ... Liat, Lim, Albinism in Rattus cvemoriventer (Miller). (With 4 text figures and a map) Jain, S. K., see Raizapa, M.B. Jonzs, S., Observations on the Bionomics and Fishery of the Brown Mussel (J/yztilus sp.) of the Cape Region of Penin- sular India. (With a map and two plates) , On the occurrence of the Freshwater Medusa, Lis- nocnida indica Annandale, in the western drainage of the Sahyadris. (Wztha teat map) KHAJURIA, H., An abnormal specimen of Mus platythrix ae ee ee grahami Ryley (Rodentia: Murzidae) from Khandala, Bombay Province. (With @ text figure) KIRKPATRICK, K. M., Goamon Mynah Cranes: tristts) nesting in the nest of Pied Mynah (Sturnopastor contra) —-— , Peculiar roosting site of the House Swift (Wicropus affinis) ... xi PAGE 685 955 543 793 548 780 519 799 550 591 xii LIST OF. CONTRIBUTORS KULKARNI, ‘C..V..,. M:Sc., Ph.D), Hilsa Fisheriesin the Narbada River (With three text figures) KURIYAN, G. K., Turtle fishing in the sea around Krusadai Island. (With a text figure)... LAKSHMANAN, C., B.Sc., A note on the occurrence of ‘Turions in FZydrilla verticillata Pres. (With a plate) ... z LAw,SATYACHURN,M.A.,PH.D., F.N.I, A Sunderban Heronry ListER, M. D., Some Bird asso- ciations of Bengal. (With a sketch map) ie MACDONALD, A. ST. J., Spent of Game-birds ... ome MARIEN, DANIEL, Notes on some Asiatic Sturnidae (Birds) (With a text map) MEIKLEJOHN, M. F. A,, Field Identification of birds: Notes on the Hoodwink (Dissiimula- trix Spuria) MOLEsSworTH, H. Albino Snipe MorRRIS, R.C. proteeane Raed Crops from Wild Animals .. ,» Jeep versus M., An —— Elephant a: a NEELAKANTAN, K. K.,_ B.A. _ (Hons. ) Stray bird notes from _Malabar.. NEoG, D., Mass OMe ment of Pelican NorMaAN, T., Winere Ae) Butiok: flies ga? aie ee Se , The early stages of Lycaenopsis huegeliz PARANDEKAR, S. A., M.SC., ‘Two interesting abnormalities in the Common Jndian Corn, Zea mays Linn. (With three text figures) PHILLIPS, W. W.A., Wilson’s Ss Storm-Petrels, Shearman. and other Seabirds in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean ... PHYTHIAN-ADAMS, Lt.-Col. E, G., O.B.E., F.Z:S., 1.4. (Retd.), _. Jungle Memories. _ Part . VII — PAGE 614 802 792 695 556 471 791 566 569 573 503 | TUAOF Sari: - Wild Goats and Sheep. ( W7th two plates) 5c PHYTHIAN-ADAMS, Lt. Col. E. G., 0.B.E., F.Z.S.,1.A. (Retd.), Jungle Memories Part VIII— Some amore: Licers 2.0) ee PRASAD, R. RAGHU, Observa- tions on the egg-cases of some Ovo-viviparous and Viviparous Elasmobranchs, with a note on the formation of the Elas- mobranch egg-case. (Witha plate) ath PROuD, (Mrs.) Desnee More Bird notes from Nepal Valley Raizapa, M. B. and Jatn, S. K. Filifedium, a new genus of Gramineae (Grasses). Si: one plate) RAJENDRAN, A. D. ae see CHIDAMBARAM, K. SAKHARAM, _ see CHANDRASEKHARAN, S. N. Ray, HH. °C.) mesc., “p-ehils, Cowries (Mollusca, Gastra- poda: Family Cypraeidae). (With two plates) Rrpiey, S. Ditton, Birds foe Nepal, 1947-1949. (With a PAGE — 418 997 755 784 682 663 map, 1 coloured and 2 black & | white plates) ... Ss RITCHIE, Lt.-Col. W. D.. (Retd.), A Tiger Recee RvynJaH, L., The strange death of a Bison SANTAPAU, H., S.J., A eal for the Preservation of Wild Plants. (Wautha plate) ———_——————, Further. remarks on the flowering of Strobilanthes ... ———., The pore Dioscorea in Bombay State, (With three plates) —, New re- cord for Frerea indica Dalz. in Bombay Province ... 5 SEVASTOPULO, D. G., F.R.E.S., Brownish-yellow - forms of Papilio demoleus. L. - 801 -569 LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS SEVASTOPULO, D.G.,F.R.E.S. Sea- sonal forms of Catopsilia spp. ——_——_—_——_—_—--, Food- plant of Delias eucharis Drury Sinas, E. G., B.Sc. (Hon.), On acollection of Fish from the Anamalai and Nelliampathi Hill Ranges (Western Ghats) with notes on its zoogeogra- phical significances. (With a plate andtwo text maps) ... SMYTHIES, B. E., More notes on the Birds of the Nepal Valley a =; Phanda’ wis ee SUBRAMANYAN, K,, Some pheno- logical notes on Dillenia ind- aca Linn. Le PAGE 570 670 o1S 549 574 TULLOCH, A., an extraordinary find in a Panther’s stomach. (With a text figure) VENKATARATNAM, L., M.Sc., B.SC, “(Ag.). Muntingia calaburva Linn. a drought re- sistant exotic plant. (Witha photo) ... ED oe WILTSHIRE, E. P., F.R.E.S., A year on a Tigris Island. (With a map, 3 plates, one text figure and a grath) . WYNTER-BLYTH, M. A,, M.A. (Cantab.), F.R.E.S.,and DHAR: MAKUMARSINHSI, KUMAR SHREE, The Gir Forest and its Lions. Part IL (With a plate) ZOBAIRI, A. R. K., see CHAckKo, Pol: 804 637 456 LIST OF PLATES VOLUME 49 Nos. 3 and 4 Birds from Nepal, 1947-1949. Plate I. View of Mt. Kanchenjunga from the southwest. Typical forest remnants and scrub vegetation at Rekcha (5,000’) in western Nepal Plate II. Crossing the Bheri River in west Nepal at iat Ghat. Near Chisapani in the west Nepal Terai wae Coloured Plate: Yellow-billed Blue Magpies ; Spiny Babbler ; Gros- venor’s Laughing-thrush ; Nepal Rosefinch Jungle Memories. Plate I. Typical gudd or oorial country Camp in gudd country 505 Plate II. Nilgiri Tahr in typical terrain A Plea for the Preservation of Wild Plants. Plate: Crinum latifolium Linn. & Platanthera susannae Lindl. A Preliminary Survey of the Distribution of the Mallophaga (‘ Feather Lice ’) on the Class Aves (Birds). Plate: Habitat forms of Mallophaga Plate II. Pelecaniformes and Cree edritonme: Diseabation The Gir Forest and its Lions. Plate: Young Gir lions on buffalo 500 506 Observations on the Bionomics and Fishery of the Brown reget (Mytilus sp.) of the Cape Region of Peninsular India. PAGE | 358 mt 359 394 , \ 420 424 428 429 434 466 Plate I. 1. Boiled Brown Mussel with one valve removed showing | the flesh inside. 2. Inner and outer views of a shell series collected at the beginning of the brown mussel season during last | week August, 1946. 3. A diver swimming off the rocks for mussel collection. 4. Mussel diver clambering up the slippery rocks sup- porting a ‘maal’ of mussel ... ee Plate II, 1. A pulaya mussel-diver ready to enter sea, 2. With his attention on any sudden wave which would dash him against the rocks, the mussel collector is seen dislodging mussel from a rock pool. 3. Mussel collection near a catamaran which serves asa base of operation. 4, Atypical family group sorting out the mussel after fishing is over. Notes on the Clouded Leopard [Neofelis nebulosa (Griffith) ]. Plate: Skin of a female Clouded Leopard, Neofelis nebulosa diarai (G. Cuvier), shot in a coastal swamp area near Sandakan, North Borneo, on J9 March, 1950. + 522 J } ; L523 J | si LIST OL PEATES XV PAGE The Genus Dioscorea in Bombay State. Plate I: 1. Diétoscorea oppositifolia Linn. 2. Dioscorea wallichit Hook. f. \ 632 Plate II: 1. WDvzoscorea belophylla Voigt. \ 633 2. Dioscorea hispida Dennst. Plate IIL: 1. Dvzoscorea alata Linn. 2. Duoscorea pentaphylla Linn. \ ou A Year on a Tigris Island. Plate I. Comparative views of Karradah Island to illustrate floods, 640 Plate II. do. 641 Plate III. do. 644 Cowries (Mollusca, Gastropoda : Family Cypraeidae), Plate I. Transformation of shell in A/auritia mauritiana Ce 666 Plate II. 667 On a collection of fish from ihe REESE and Nelliampathi Hill Ranve: (Western Ghats) with notes on its zoogeographical significances. Plate: Glyptothorax prox. madraspatanus (Day) 676 Filipedium, a new Genus of Gramineae (Grasses). . Plate: Filipedium planipedicellatum (Bor) Raizada and Jain wit 682 Game Sanctuaries in Burma (Pre-1942). ee Plate I, Bull Tsaing or Banteng (Bibos banteng) . =i A herd of Gaur (Bibos gaurus). ie ie Plate II. Brow-antlered Deer or Thamin (Panolia eldt) si - 735 Observations on the egg-cases of some ovo-viviparous and viviparous Elasmobranchs with a note on the formation of the Elasmobranch egg-case. : Plate; Fig. 1. Section of wall of the egg-case of Lehinobatus ) granulatus. | Photol. Egg-case of . granulatus (in uterus) opened to! _ show the eggs. iS Photo 2. Egg-case of Scoliodon palasorrah. | Photo 3. Egg-case of S. sorrakowah. J A note on the occurrence of Turions in Hydvrilla verticiilata Presl. 802 Plate: Figs. 1-14. Mydrilla verticillata Pres). TO ILLUSTRATIONS VOLUME 49 Nos. 3 & 4 PAGE INDEX Acanthoptila nipalensis Coloured plate 394 Nelliampathi Hill Ranges Bibos banteng (Western Ghats). Plate I. 734 Map Me aa ——- gaurus ; ay ne 734 eee migration Bird Associations of Bengal : Map : Location of ey ol ERECT area 696 Plate “Or Birds from Nepal, 1947-1949 Garrulax r. grosvenori Map of Nepal 595 Coloured plate Plate I. 358 | Gir Forest and its Lions. Plate II. — 359 Plate Week sal Birds in Lahul. Glyptothorax prox. meager’: Map 607 patanus Butterflies from ne palpate Plate Figs. 1, 2 and 3 Frontier Tract and Suban- Gracula religiosa siri area (Northern Assam). Map: Showing distri- Map a 488 bution ; Carpodacus n. Pn eises Hilsa Coloured plate aot Text fig. 2. Part of net. Celama centonalts Text fig. 3. ‘Jamda’ net Text fig. poe in operation =e eae Hilsa ilisha Text fig. “as eheme ESE Text fig. No. 1(a) Crinum latifolium toli ; De ao Text fig. 1(6) DiOssored OA Holoptelea integritolia Plate III. Fig. 1 634 hoe eee ———— belophylla ae Bis wio eS Chass Be an ; oe Hydritla verticillata Plate II. Fig. 2 633 EE ———— opposititolia Jungle Memories. Plate 1, Fig. 1 632 Plate ————. pentaphylla Plate oo Plate III. Fig. 2 634 | Acita f. flavirostris ————- wallichit Coloured plate Piate I. Fig. 2 632 Lanius tephronotus & Lanius Enteropogon monostachyos schach in India. Text fig. eee O77 Map 2 filipedium plimipencelatoes | Limnocnida indica Plate ae 682 Map ie of _ Fish from the Anamalai and PAGE ~ 676 485 619 620 615 615 972 802 420 424 394 450 800 INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS Mallophaga (‘Feather Lice ’) on class Aves (Birds). Plate II. Fig.1 Text fig. 2 aed 9? 9) 3 ceo eee 9) se) 4 Mauritia mauritiana Plate 1. Figs. 1-10 dis Monetaria moneta Plate II. Figs. 1-2 Muntingia calabura Photo ae Mus platythrix grahami Text fig. Mytilus sp. Map. Plate I. Plate II. ; Neotelis nebulosa diardi Plate oes Ophicephalus striatus Text fig. Ornamentaria annulus Plate II. Figs, 3-4 Panolia eldi Plate II Pas Panther, An _ extraordinary find in stomach of Text fig. bes aoe Philopterus sp. Plate ae Platanthera Susannae Plate elas ore PAGE 434 435 438 436 666 667 430 428 fattus cremoriventer Text figs. A, B, Cand D showing albinism cee Map vies aie Rhinobatus granulatus Plate: Fig. 1. Section of wall of egg-case tae Plate : Photo 1. Egg- case (in uterus) opened to show eggs Scoliodon palasorrah lates: | Phoror 2. ease as ———— sorrakowah Plate : Photo 3. case Tigris Island. Map Gtaphs Plate I. a Egeg- Eggs Plate II. Figs. 1, 3,4 & 5. Plate IIL. Figs. 6 & 7 ‘Thorn’ or ‘Ciaw’ in Pan- thers’ Tails 3 X-ray photos Trivia (Trivirostra) oryza Plate Il. Figs. 5, 6, 7 Turtle Fishing in the sea around Krusadai Island. Text fig. se ry Zea mays ; Text figs. 1,2 and 3. i. XVli PAGE 781 782 510 RES f 7 ve! H i a - 1 i . ¢ 7 ‘ 2 . r NG + . ~ - , . ‘ | = * 7 oF hy . ' - : e iio ras ’ ‘ ‘ 5 4 ’ ° 4 \ . 5 co) / 1 ¥ . ‘ ; } } INDEX OF SPECIES PAGE | Abies Ba a 359, 393 | Aemona amathusa poise fylla ask. 0 7 502 Aerides crispum —-- neophron neophron 502 | - maculostim Abroscopus schisticeps 516 Aeschremon disparalis ... = -— —— schisticeps 400 = Aethiopsar Acacia catechu 357, 377, 753 Aithiopsar fuscus - planifrons ie » oe 909° ANthopyga ignicauda ee Acanthias .. 755° .———-——- nipalensis BE enthoptila , SOS Gee ee eel Acanthoptila mipaieneic) 361, 393, 514 | ———. -—__—-—-— nipalensis Accentor strophiatus ... wae eo. 611) ———-—— saturata saturata Accipiter badius dussuimieri 365 | —— siparaja seheriae ——-— nisus ... ne »» 999 Agdistis bagdadiensis -_——- meledoschistcs 365 + Agrotis lasserrei ———-— trivirgatus 417 | ~ spinifera at ——indicus... .. 365 | - ypsilon Acinonyx jubatus sed 541, 832 | Alauda gulgula Acridotheres “ 471, 483 | -- =- guttata Acridotheres ginginianus 709 | Albizzia lebbek grandis fuscus 413 | Alcedo atthis see ate = _______ tristis 550, 552, 702; 705 | =—--- —_ — bengalensis — tristis 413,450 , Alc Os castaneiceps - Acrocephalus dumetorum 404, 709 | - —_————- -— castaneiceps Acronycta 650 | Alcippe exul Acronycta aceris “onaane 645, 646, 649, 655 642 - nipalensis aaiee f -— - vinipectus . Actinodura nipalensis 514 | —- —-- —— epainietens ——- -— nipalensis 396 = —-—— vinipectus ; -_—— ——-— vinctura 396 | Alcurus striatus striatus _ Actitis hypoleucos 368 | Alectoris graeca _ Actornithophilus 438 | Alhagi a 3 _ Adelura coeruleocephala 610, 785 | Amaurornis rtirenes ves Adhatoda vasica 753 | Amblypodia camdeo Adina cordifolia 753 -—— centaurus ... _ Adolias cyanipardus 49) | Ammannia | — khasiana 499 | Ammannia tenuis /Bgiceras majus ns 792 | Anadebis himachala | Aigithaliscus concinnus Rapaesonles 407 | Anagallis pumila ————— ioschistos 408 | Anas acuta _ Aigithina tiphia de 705 | ——- crecca aed ---— tiphia ... 383 | ———- penelope Aegle marmelos see 753 | ——- poecilorhyncha ... figypius monachus —... as - 612 | ——- querquedula PAGE 496 427 427 659 483 702, 709 see 410 516 410 410 410 410 659 659 659 659 612 380 753 555, 706 374 397 397 398 398 395 398 398 385 613 638 713 568 798 769 769 495 768 364 364 364 830 _ 364 KX Anastomus oscitans Anaticola Anatoecus ~ ee Anhinga melanogaster —— —— rufa Anodendron nam Anodendron manubriatum paniculatum Anogeissus latifolia Anser anser ——- indicus Anthreptes singalensi§$ assamensis Anthrophilopsis baphialis Anthus hodgsoni -—--——- ——_--——- hodgsoni ——— - ———_——. yinnanensis ——- richarqi rufulus - roseatus ———.- rufuius Antilope cervicapra Apatura ; se Apatura ambica amie ——-—— chevana p. parisatis Aphis Aplochilus hearers Apodiphus amygdali Appias indra indra. - lalage lalage - lyneida hippoides - nero - typus ntercola Apus ie Apus affinis nipalensis ——-- sudanicus Aquila chrysaetos Aramus Aramus peciooarene Arborophila rufogularis ‘foreland We ~—— torqueola ... Ardea cinerea Ardea purpurea ,.. Ardeola grayii Areca catechu Argya caudata malcolmi ... Argynnis c. childreni... ———---— h. hyperbius ... ———-—— hyperbius Aprion (pacuco mole tvote INDEX OF SPECIES PAGE 364, 725, 792 436 436 728, 792 363 769 769 769 753 552 264 410 659 718 381 | 381 | Dol | 612 710 | 831 497 497 497 497 567 677 647 Gio; 641, 492 © 492 492 568 SansTaal 742, 747 432 571 373 571 | 517 435 435 | 366 | e518 363, 363, 36 725 518 | 3, 707 | 698 | 708 550 501 601 | SO PaGé Armandia 1, lidderdalei 49] Aspergilus sp. 799 Astur badius 707 gentilis 555 Atella phalanta 501 Athene brama 707 indica 373 Atramus fuscus ... 383, 705 Aulocera brahminus : 495 —_—— ——-—--—. dohwana 495 ——--—-- padma loha ove OS -—— swaha swaha... 495 Austromenopon ... 435 Austrophilopterus 441 Avicennia officinalis 792 Axis axis 832 Aythya ferina 364 - fuligula 364 Bactra lanceolana wae 659 ——— venosana 659 Balitora 679 Balitora brucei te 680 ——-- ——— barmanions 680 ——--— —-—— mysorensis 680 ——-— melansoma 680 Balitoropsis an, 680 Bandicota bengalensis ... 548 Barbus (Puntius) amphibius ... 674, 677 ——— (—-—-—-. ) carmuca 674, 678 ——— (—-—--—) carnaticus 673, 674, 675 ——-— (—-—-—) denisonii 678 ———- (—-—--—) dobsoni 674 ——— (——-~—) dorsalis 674, 677 ——— (—-—_—) filamentosus . 675, 677 ——— (—-——) meianampyx 673, 674, 677 ——-— (——-—) ticto AO 674, 677 ——— (Tor) khudree malabaricus 673, 674, 675, 678 Barilius pakeri 675, 678 -- barana 674, 677 -- bola 418 -- gatensis ... 673, 678 Barleria gibsoni 770 | — montana 779 -~ prattensis a 770 Bastio travancoria ... 674, 675, 678 Batagur baska o.oo Bauhinia malabarica woe. ee purpurea 753 Berberis 609 Bhavania 680 | \ 4 Bhringa remifer ... Bibos gaurus Biders ; Bidens biternata ... pilosa Bizarrifrous Blythipicus Byerhots Blythipicus pyrthotis ace Bombax Bombax eiaparicum Borassus flabelliformis ... Boselaphus tragocamelus Bosephalus Bostra marginalis Boswellia serrata 4 Brachypternus benghalensis Breynia Breynia patens Bruelia ... ane Bruguiera SC norhiva ae Bubo zeylonensis leschenault ... Bubulcus ibis . — == SGEsmandne Buchanania latifolia Bucia athertoni Burhinus oedicnemus eee INdicus ... Burmannia coelestis -—— pusilla Butastur teesa Buteo hemilasius Butorides striatus Cacomantis merulinus ... Calinaga buddha buddha Campanulotes sue Campephilus Canis aureus —- lupus Capella gallinago — gallinago — nemoricola - stenura se Capillipedium ... vee "538, INDEX OF SPECIES PAGE 701, Solr 793, 363, 556, 365, 516, 700, 368, 682, Capillipedium pieerrediceltataen Capparis ... Capraiella Caprimulgus indicus ee —-— ——~-— hazarae — — macrourus Carcharinus dussumieri 517, — albonotus Ol 10% 785 832 769 769 | 769 , 442 516 380 358 793 698 688 831 659 754 706 769 769 44] 792 372 707 792 753 785 713 369 770 770 glee 365 363 fal 498 437 378 829 831 713 368 368 123 683 683 §59 441 517 373 706 373 761 XXi PAGE Carduelis caniceps ine 611 —— Spinoides spinoides ... 411 Caretta caretta gigas vos, BUD ~ olivacea 509 Carissa carandas 692 ~ opaca fish Carpodacus erythrinus : 611 —_—— oo erythrinus 412 —_—_—_-—- —— —— kpbanensis 412 a ee —— roseatus 411, 412 ~——— —-~——— intensicolor 412 ——_—-—— kangrae ... awe 412 ——-—----—— nipalensis nipalensis 412 ——-—--—— rhodochlamys 611 ——-—— thura thura 412 Cascaria tomentosa 493 Cassia fistula 753 Catocala deducta ee 050 Catocala elocata ... 642, 655 ———--—— lesbia 642, 655 ———— locata ... 655 —_—-— optima 645, 655 —— ———. pulerpera 642, 655 Catopsilia crocale "492, 570, 797 —_-——--- florella 570 ——-—-- pomona 570 —_——- —-- pyranthe 570 —-- sp. 570 Cedrela toona 753 Celama ee 644 Celama centonalis .. 653, 654, 660 ~ harouni .. 637, 658, 660 - henrioti 654 - parvula 654 ~ squalida . 654 ——- turanica ne 653, 654 Celerio lineata jivornica 658 Centropus sinensis 706 Centunculus pentandrus 769 Cepora nadina nadina 492 ————- nerissa 492 Certhia discolor 515 ———-- —-—-—-- discolor 409 — - familiaris 609 ——— mandelli 360, 409 ——-—-h, himalayana 408 ——--——- himalayana fs 609 ————- infima ...361, 362, 408 ——-~—- nipalensis 360, 409 pe 515 ——-— > Sstoliczkae 409 Xxli PAGE ! Ceruria turbida clarior ..644, 645, 647 | Ceryle lugubris apa 374 -——— rudis tae nee 374, 706 | Cethosia biblis ticamena A OE —- cyane 501 Cetorhinus ef oo Cetorhinus maximus 755, 762 Cettia brunneifrons ae 400 ——- brunneifrons 404 — ——- pallidipes pallidipes 404 — Chaetura caudata Be S17 Chaimarrhornis leucocephala. 555, 610 Chalecphaps indica indica 370 Charaxes ; 497, 568 Charaxes marmax 497 polyxena hierax 497 — —- ——~—-— psaphon ... 497 Chela argentea : 674, 678 | ——- clupeoides vas 674, 678 Chelidorhynx hypoxanthum een) Chelonia mydas oe 509, 530 Chelonobia testudinaria ot} Chersonesia risa age -- 500 Chilasa agestor 490 ona clytea 440 -————-- epycides epneides 490 Chilocorus bipustulatus 646 Chiloscyllium griseum . 750% 797; 7095 761, 762 ————— I indicum 756 Chlamydoselachus 762 Chlidonias hybrida Te) Chloris , oe 577 Chloropsis aurifrons matrons 384 —- hardwickii hardwickii 384 Chloropsis jerdoni 715 Choriotis nigriceps Ase 830 Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus 706 —lucidus eguttacristatus. 28) — -sultaneus ... 380 Chrysomma Sinense sinense ... 393 Chrysopogon montanus smu Zoo Cicadatra glycrrhizae 611, 647 Ciconiphilus 434, 435 Cinclus cinclus 61t ———- pallasii ... ase se 611 -— tenuirostris 385 Cinconia episcopus ie oa eee 304 Cinnyris asiatica 706, 710 — zeylonica 706, 710 Circus aeruginosus 725 INDEX OF SPECIES PAGE Circus macrurus 366, 712 melanoleucus 725 Cirrochroa a. aoris 501 —-—-——- tyche mytila 501 Citrus 567 Citrus grandis : oo | OVE Clamator jacobinus ... aoe see > AOR Clethrionomys skomerensis 767 Clupea toli (=H. toli) 500 ---, 7) OG Clytie 646, 647, 650, 656, 659 Clytie distincta 656 ——- iranica 656 ——— sancta 650 ——- sublunaris 656 ——- syriaca 656 ——- terrulenta ee 656 Cochoa purpurea e 386, 515 Cocos nucifera ... tae we, 6GH Colaptes Aes a. Oa Colias electo field an ey, 492 Collurio erythronotus ... .. 444, 445, 447 ——-—- nigriceps e eae 444, 455 ———- tephronotus ... . 444, 445, 446 —-——- tricolor 444, 451 Colocerus ; oo. . 43% Colpocephalum 431, 434, 440, 442 Columba hodgsonii 369 —-——- leuconota ‘; 613 ———-- livia .. 613, 517, 707 —— ——- —— intermedia 369 ————-- pulchricollis 369 - rupestris se ae «. 61aF Colymbiformes 433 | Copia verborum -Ssgp| Copsychus malabaricus indicus vo «= Se = ——-malabaricus... 388 — saularis 702, 705 | —= -- saularis 388 Coracias benghalensis 706 ——— affinis ... 374 — benghalensis ... 374. Coracina fimbriata melaschista 382 | ———— novaehollandiae nipalensis... 383 Cordia dichotoma > 7G8)| myxa eee | Corvus corax (tibetanas) 608 - corrix capellanus 644, 651 - macrorhynchos 608, 705 | —-- — intermedius... 414. ———- splendens de ry 705 | ee ee splendens ae age Als) INDEX OF SPECIES PAGE Coturnix Sue 831 Crinum asiaticum 427 - latifolium 427 Crocopus phoenicopterus 721 Crozophora verbascifolia 659 oe formosae himalayensis ae —~ pallida 415 — vagabunda Pacapande 415 Cryptoplectron 831 Cuclotogaster me ies a 440 Cuculicola ww 440 Cuculiphilus 436, 440 Cuculus micropterus Aa 706 — - ————— micropterus 37] ———- poliocephalus ser AL ee ee poliocephalus. 371 ———- varius crs Culicicapa ceylonensis 416, 5:5 — ——— Siddiitysén . 406 Cuon dukhunensis 829 Cygnus ae 435 Cyllogenes suradeva 496 Cymodocea oes 511 Cynodon Ae ee O77 Cynodon dactylon 753 Cynthia e. erota Pe Sian cor OO Cypraea : ee < oe OOS Cypraea annulus 665 —aurantium ... eee oe «©. Gd — guttata ae ase fer 058 ———— tigris 668 —— — umbilicata 668 Cyprinus nukta 681 Cypsiurus batassiensis Ey SUS —- parvus gee a5 591,552 Cyrestis thyodamas thyodamas 590 Dahlemhornia 432 Dalbergia 538 Dalbergia sissoo fos} Danais aglea ecianoides ee a4 - chrysippus sae 643, 659 ——- melaneus plateniston ... Pat ee - melissa septentrionis ... 493 -———- plexippus 493 - tytia tytia 493 Dania aequipinnatus 565, “566, 673, 674, 679, 677 Delias aglaia 491 ——— belladonna 491 —— eucraris oes 971 Dendrocitta vagabunda ey ws = 705 XXlil PAGE Dendrocopes auriceps ar OLY, ————-—— _ canicapillus mitcnell an Oto ——-——-——- cathparius cathparius... 378 ————-——- darjellensis darjellensis. 378 —— ———— hyperythrushyperythrus. 379 ee macei macei ... see toe —---— mahrattensis aurocri- status 379 —— oo = ~mahrat- tensis a 379 _——— oldccentis manus 379 Dendrocygna fulva 830 —— javanica ... 364, 830 Dermochelys coriacea ... 929 Dia gora persimilis zella eg excels Dicaeum agile 719 — —- agile 410 — concolor olivaceum ... 403 ——— erythrorhynchos 706 — erythrorhynchum erythror- hynchus oat 409 — ignipectus ener 409 Dicerorhinus sumatrensis owe 729, 730, 731, 737 Dichorrhagia nesimachus 498 Dicranura intermedia 644, 645, 646, 652 —-—-—-— vinula 652 Dicrurus aeneus aeneus 414 —- caerulescens 709 —_———— ——-—-——— caerulescens... 414 ———— hottentotus chrishna 414 —— leucophaeus beavani 414 ——-—— macrocercus 705 ———— —————- albirictus 413 ————- paradiseus grandis 414 ———— —-——— -- rangoonensis 414 Dillenia aes 574 Dillenia indica... Ss ie eS Dinopium benghalense benghalense... 378 Dioscorea 624, 625 Dioscorea aculeata 380275 O5,,054 ———-- alata 624, 625, 626, 627, 634, 636 ——-—~-—-- amoena 629 ————-- anthropohagorum ... : 629 ——— —-belophylla ... 625, 627, 634, 636 - bulbifera .- 626, 627, 628 ——-——- christiei 634 ————- cliffortiana 627 ———-—_ communis 632 xxlv | PAGE Dioscorea daemona hee aa Eee O29 | ——-—-—- esculenta ae 626, 627 —--——-——.- fasciculata 627 ————-- glabra Bin ae 634 | —-—-—-—- hispida 626, 627, 629, 636 ————-- jacquemontii 631, 632 ————- linnaei aaa 631 | ———---—-- oppositifolia yar. dukhu- | nensis i dea 625, 627 —-—-—--—-- pentaphylla ... .. 626, 627, 630 —— > var, com- | munis oa vot 636 | ee Precde: 632 on sativa 628 —_—_——_—- spinosa ne : Bee LmOAT, ———-——- tomentosa 626, 627, 630, 632 | ————- triphylla 629, 631 — - vera 634 | ———-—- wallichii Diospyros tomentosa ... 793 Discophora c. continentalis 497 ss = bullia Zale "se ese 497 | Dissimulatrix spuria 209/; 096, 000 ——-—-———— ——-—. annielaurieae Doe —-—-— gretae-garbo 560 Dissimulatrix Spuria mrs-jonesae 560 -_ spurissima 560 ~ sarah-janae 560 | Dissoura episcopa 714 | Dodona egeon 502 | ~ ouida ouida 502 | Doleschallia bisaltide indica ... 500 Dryobates macei 711 | —-—-——_ mahrattensis 706 | Dryocopus javensis hodgsoni ... 787 Dumetia hyperythra hyperythra 392 Earias insulana : §59 intermedia : (498 645, 654 498, 499 499 498 498 498 499 - 499 a 498 INDEX OF SPECIES { i { | ! } ' | 4 PAGE . Euthalia telchinia 498 Excalfactoria 831 Falco cherrug «. te. i559 | — —- jugger 555, 724 | 555 | ——--~ peregrinus .. ——-subbuteo ... 555 | ——- tinnunculus a8 724 ——_- ———----—-—- interstinctus 366 Faunis eumeus i 496 a —-_— assaina ... 496 | Felis bengalensis ae 045 —— diardi 543, 545 —— macrocelis... 545 ———— pardus 701 —-— viverrina 701 Ficus ise 692 —-—.- bengalensis 783 —-— glomerata... ies 753 —-— religiosa 753 Filipedium Ae ie i able Francolinus francolinus seo 300, 518, 789 —-—— pictus oe OO ee pondicerianus lo, OSL ——-—--—-—- -—_——-——-- jnterpositus 366 Frerea nes on “! 802 - indica 801 Fringillauda brandti 612 —_—_—_—_——— nemoricola 612 Fulica atra G27 Fulvetta vinipecta 514 Galeocerdo tigrinis 757, 758, 760, 761, 762 Gallicolumba beccarii 473 stairi 473 Gallinula chloropus 127 Galloperdix spadicea 831 Gallus gallus... lg - mur¢hi 387 ——__—-- sonneratii 831 Gangara thyrsis ane nee ee 04, Garra mullya... see 070, 074, 675, 677 Garrulax ..361, 393, 394 Garrulax affinis affinis 395 ———— albogularis ieee 394 ———— caerulatus caerulatus ee oS —-—-—-— erythrocephalum erythroce- phalum on ou ———— hardwickii ae Oa =~ leucolophus ... see 913, 784 —— leucolophus 394 as lineatus te aos 393 ————- lineatus lineatus 395 ® \ XXV PAGE Garrulax nigrimentum ... sa ee havo —-—-——- occidentalis : Hey) 390 —-—-—-—— rufogularis grosvenori 361, 395 ———— ——-- rufogularis 395 Garrulax striatus sikkimensis ... 394 ———-- —-—-—-- striatus a. «=. O94 —————— —--—- vibex 361, 394 Garrulus glandarius bispecularis 416 —-—- lanceolatus 416 Garuga pinnata 153 Gazella bennetti re 831 Gelechia plutelliformis ... 660 Gelochelidon nilotica 127, Gennaeus leucomelanus 517 Geoemyda trijuga 531 ———--—-—-- —-—~— theralis §31 ————-— ——— thermalis Son Geokichla citrina ipl) ———-——-—- lactea 369 Glaucidium brodiei 517 ——-—--——-— —-—— brodiei 372 a cuculoides .. “417, 517 ee ee eee OCU OUCES 3/2, 373 —_———— radiatum : 707 —— hadintucn 372, 3/3 Glinus . 647, 650, 652, 658 lotoides ...638, 648, 650, 658, 660, 769 Glycestha aurota (=mesentina) 659 Glyptothorax 7 676 —__ —__ ——_-- pecandale: fe OG —-————-- conirostre poonaensis... 679 ——-—— --—. housei 670, 678, 679, 680 ——-——-—— madraspatanus 674, 676, 678, 679, 681 trewasae 679 Goniocotes 437 Goniodes ... sak tes ier 437 Gracillaria S11 Gracula ptilogenys 485, 486 ———-— - religiosa 485 ——-—. —-—— - indica 486 ————— intermedia 413, 486 ——-— ———-= peninsularis ., 486 —_—— ~- ——-—- religiosa . 486 Grammodes rogenhoferi 646, 649, 656, 659 Graphium a. agamemnon 49} poe agetes ‘ 490 aa bathycles chiron ... 49] ———--— antiphates pompilius 491 —-—-——- cloanthus... van ws 49] ——-— — - doson axion . nee aoe 49} xxVi INDEX OF SPECIES PAGE | PAGE Graphium sarpedon 491 | Holoptelea integrifolia .. 572, 753 Grewia elastica i 753 | Homaloptera ae -P 679, 680 Grus antigone .. 68 | Homaloptera montana ... .. 670, 678, 679 —— grus Ayr ee eas 368, 646 | Hopkisiella . 441 Gy paétus barbatus 366, 612 | Houttuygnia ereicennel 432 Gyps himalayensis AA 612 | Hoya pendula 7€9 —-—— indicus : .. 366, 517, 707 | Hyaena hyaena ... Ses oo OOM Halcyon smyrnesis fusca . 374 - striata 708 Haliaétus leucoryphus 365, 721 | Hydrilla ... ane 802, £03 Haliastur indus 707 | Hydrilla verticillata 802, 804 Halorhila S11 | Hydrolagus volliei 462 Hardellathurgi 531 | Hydrophasianus chirurgus 713 Hebomoia glaucippe .«. 492 | Hymenia fascialis ( -=recurvalis) 659 Helianthus annuus 573 | —-—— — fascialis-recurvalis ... 640 Helicteres isora os 753 | Hypacanthis spinoides 611 Hemicircus c. canente ... 786 | Hypopicus hyperythus ae 785 ——-—— — cordatus 786, 787 | Hypoglaucitis benenotata 656 ——- canente 786, 788 | Hypothymis azurea 708 Hemigaleus balfouri 758, 761 | Ibidoecus 435 Hemipus picatus 516 | Ibidorhyncha ; 613 _— = capitalis ae 382 | Ibidorhyncha struthersii oe star» «OOS Herona marathus marathus ... 498 | Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus certs ase Herpestes mungo pallidus 700 | Ictinaetus malayensis wwe 863 - Spp. 829 | Insania amabilis ... set One Hestina nama . 498 | Ipomoea hederacea ... +s. 770 Heterodontus japonicus 762 | jIsoetes coromandelina 428 Heterographis concavella 659 | Issoria s. sinha 501 Heterophasia baileyi aes 399 | Ixias pyrene latifasciatus 492 capistrata capistrata 399 | ——- ——-— pirenassa .. 492 clei so —nigriceps 361,399 | Ixulus flavicollis ... 514 ee nigriceps 399 | lynx torquiila ae 719 pallida 399 | Jamides alecto 567 Heteropogon contortus ... 753 bochus 567 Hieraaetus pennatus 365 ~ kankena ... 567 Hierococcyx fugax 516 | Kachuga ea 531 z —— spar veroides 516 | Kachuga anencoks 529, 531 ——_———— varius 706 | ———— smithi as 5318 Hilsa ilisha 615, 6! 6,622/623 || === scyihctensis a £4 PAGE 642, 646, 650, 653, 654, 655, 656 Populus euphratica Porphyrio poliocephalus 727 Precis almana almana 500 atlites 500 - hierta hierta 500 —— iphita 500 ———_— ——-- iphita 500 orithya ocyale < 500 Presbytes (Semnopithecus) entellus.... 701 Prinia hodgsonii rufula... 402 inornata terricolor 403 polychroa crinigera 403 -———~ socialis 717 — - inglisi 403 ——_— stewarti 403 sylvatica gangetica 403 Prinsepia utilis 569 Prioneris thestylis oe sae? 4.492 Pristis cuspidatus 796, 757, 760, 761, 762 Procellariphaga 433 Prodenia litura ee re 659 Propyrrhula subhimachala subhima- chala 412 Prosopis | 654 Prosopis Eepnaninne 638 Prunella immaculata 387 strophiata strophiata 387 Pseudergolis wedah 500 Pseudibis papillosa 364 Pseudogyps africanus 435 —- - bengalensis 365, 707 Pseudomenopon 439 Pseudominla castaneiceps see $14 Psittacula cyanocephala 720 — ——- cyanocephala 371 —- — eupatria ea aa: sent? 22/06 —-— ~~ nipalensis ... wee OE ——-—— himalayana himalayana 37/1 —— - krameri borealis 37} Pterolichus bicaudatus ... 432 Pteropus edwardsii medius 701 Pteruthius erythropterus 5907514 Ptyas mucosus 561 Puffinus assimilis . 904 ——-— carneipes 503, 505 ——— pacificus 503, 507 Purpura et ; suey GOc4 Pycnonotus cafer.. ANG! 702, 705 -_— —- See it 384 a primrose 384 XERil PAGE Pyenonotus cafer pygaeus 384 | -——: = flaviventris flaviventris ... 384 —_ -——_ -—— dispar 384 ———_—-——_ --—— — gularis 384 — —— —— = - melanicterus 384 | —__—-——_ jocosus 702, 7035 | —__--—-—. leucogenys leucogenys 384 | Pygaera pigra ferruginea 553) | Pyrrhocorax graculus .:. 608 ———-——— pyrrhocorax 608 Pyrrhula erythrocephala 412 —- hipalensis 516, 785 | Quadraceps ... 434, 438, 483 Quercus semicarpifolia ? as eco Ragadia crisilda crito aes ie aoo Raja batis 759 ——- rhina ais ar ai 762 | Rallicola ... eae 432 | Ramphalcyon capensis... ae 706 | Rasbora daniconius 073,074, G47 | Rattus exulans concolor 548 | (Maxomys) cremoriventer 781 ———— mulleri 549 © norvegicus 548 | ———-— rajah 549 ——-—- rattus diardi 548 - ——— —-— jalorensis . 548 | ——-— (Rattus) norvegicus 781 ——-—— sabanus 949 Ratufa spp. a a 829 | Recurvirostra avocetta ... 555. | Rhinobatus granulatus ... 100) 2008704 Rhinoceros sondaictis ... —— sumatrensis... 737 —— unicornis 1305-737.) Rhinopalpa polynice burmana . 000 Rhipidura albicollis 515, 610 > albicollis ... 407 | soe atireola RD 705 -——_-—____- —--——- aureola 406 — ——-—-— hypoxantha see w. «=. 4068 | Rhodometra sacraria 570, 640, 646, 647, 649, 652526573) Rhodonessa caryophyllacea 830 | Rhodophila ferrea a 515 | Rhynchobatus djiddensis 756, 757, 760, 701, 762 Rhynchodontodes revolutalis 659 | Rhopodytes tristis saliens 372 | ——-—-———. —. —- tristis Rhynonirmus 7297308737 372 | 440 | INDEX OF SPECIES Pace Ricinus rf 441, 659 Riparia concolor... 516 ——-— paludicola brevicaudata 381 Rivula seicealis ... . 640, 646, 656 Rosa ae 609 Rostratula bengale E0SiS .c- 713 Rotala tenuis 769 Rubus ‘ 659 Ruellia sp. wet ie Bhi Sees =A ——-— tuberosa ... ste cab ees Sere Rusa unicolor 832 Saccharum munja vse, Oe Saemutidssonia ; 431, 433, 434, 438 Salebria dionysa ... 659 Scaphiodon oa ae So a , 68K Sciurus palmarum = @0i Scoliodon palasorrah 758, 761 ———-—- sorrakowah ... 758, 761 | Scolopax rusticola rusticola ... 368) Seyllium ‘ 756 | Scyllium canicula ». 158s 759, /62a ——-—- catulus 762 | Seicercus burkii ... a S16 | ———— —-—- burkii ... 399 | ——-——— castaniceps 516 | ——— — castaniceps 400 ————— whistleri 399 ———-—-—. xanthoschistos zanthos- | chistoss ——s. sce . doay Semasia bagdadiana 660 ——-— euphraticana 660 | Sephisa chandra 498 Shorea 358 | Shorea robusta 550, 753 | Siphia strophiata Sie 652, 653, 654, 655 > Salix o Salix tetrasperma 770 Sargassum : 511 Sarkidiornis melanctos ... she xs OS Saroglossa ine aes aoe «el « ACB Saroglossa spiloptera ... .. 471, 472, 473. —_: ‘+ —-——--—. assainensis 472 © Saturnia pyti 642 | Saxicola caprata ols | ———- caprata bicolor 387 ——-~—~ ferrea ferrea 387 ——-—-— torquata 723 —-—-—. ———-—— indica 387 ——---— —-——-— przewalskii... 387 Saxicoloides fulicata cambaiensis 387 —————- ——-— stuart-bakeri 387 Sitta castanea castanea ... _—— — cinnamoventris ... frontalis Se —— —-—-— coralina... himalayensis Siva cyanouroptera ve == —— .— cyanouroptera strigula strigula Sonneratia apetala Spalgis epius... ... ace Sphenurus sphenurus sphenurus Spilornis cheela — cheela ... Stachyridopsis ruficeps... Stachyris nigriceps : — nigriceps ... ——-—— pyrrhops Stegostoma Stegostoma tigrinum Stenochlaeima palustris ‘Stenosiphonium parviflorum ... russelianum ,.., Stercorarius pomarinus Sterculia Sterculia acuminata — villosa Sterna albifrons anaetheta aurantia .. bengalensis bergii velox fuscata melanogaster Sterrha ochrole ucaria ... Stibochiana n. nicea : Sticophthalma camadeva oe oo sparta tytleri Stomopneustes sp. Streptopelia chinensis .., ui suratensis —_———- decaocto ... ——_—_ ——— —— —- decaocto ——_——-——- orientalis ——_——_. ———— agricola —_——- ~-— ———-— meena... - Strigiphilus Strix aluco — ocellata ale Strobilanthes Strobilanthes eucees —-nourmahal nurinissa ... INDEX OF SPECIES PAGE| 408 363, 408 513, 484 ets 408 514 396 396 792 567 369 707 3°6 514 514 392 392 | 796 762 044 576 576 507 457 667 753 369 505 722 506 503 505 727 659 498 495 | 496 496 613, 707 730 713 370 707 370 370 440 Ee Ae. 373, 720 403,575 576 613, 524 | xxxili PAGE Strobilanthes anceps var. microsta- chyus 576 ——_——-—— consanguineus- 576 — helicoides 576 —————— luridus 576 —— — neilghertensis 576 ——-—-—_— tristis 576 Struthiolipeurus 431, 432 Sturnia om 471 Sturnia malabarica 705 Sturvidoecus 442 Sturnopastor “e 471 Sturnopastor contra 11000, 702, 705 Sturnornis a a AT Sturnus sas ve vee 471 Sturnus contra contra ... ... 413, 480, 481 ——-- — dehrae ... 420 ——-— ——— sordidus 481 —-—— ——— superciliaris ... .. 480 ——-— cristatellus 482, 483 ee ete brevipennis 482, 483 ee cristatellus 482 ee formosanus 482 —-—— fuscus as 482 ——-— ——— fumidus 4&4 ———-- ——-— fuscus ... : 484 wee — mahrattensis ... 484 ——-— ginginianus 482 —-—— griseus 482 noe ye fuscus 482. 483 —_—_—- ——— grandis... 482, 483 -——— malabaricus 473, 474, 475, 476, 477 pee -———— blythii ~... 474, 475, 477 ———- ——-—-—— malabaricus 413, 474, | 475 a ——-— nemoricola 475, 477 —-—— pagodarum .., 0) « 477 ee pagodarum 478 —-— afghanorum 478, 479 es —— sylvestris 478 ——-— roseus 479 —e sinex 474 ——-— subroseus 478 ———-- tristis melanosternus ... 481 ———-- ——- tristis 481 ———- vulgaris 703 Sula dactylatra 505 —— leucogastra ... 506, 507 Surniculus lugubris : 517 ——_—-— — dicruroides = yial Sus barbatus 945 Xxxiv Sus cristatus Suthora nipalensis Suya criniger Symbrenthia hippoclus ehasiana -— hypselis —_——---—-— ——-— cotanda ... —_—-—--—— nyphanda nyphanda Syrrhaptoecus Taccocua leschenaulti ie reeate ... 654, 659, 660 ‘Tamarix Tamarix arcuica Tarsiger chrysaeus Tarucus theophrastus ... Tchitrea paradisi Temenuchus Tephris stenopterella Tephrodornis gujaris pelvica ... ——— pondiceriana - ‘ oo, Terminalia belerica tomentosa ... Terpsiphone paradisea leucogaster Tesia Tesia castaneo-coronata —-— cyaniventer —-— olivea Testudo emys _ platynota Tetraceros quadricornis Thalassia . ae eee Thadmantis diores Thereta alecto cretica ... Tichodroma muraria Timalia pileata : bengalensis eer Tinamotaeccla Tockus birostris... Torgos calvus Tragopan satyra Trapa bispinosa ... Travancoria Travancoria jonesi Treron curvirostra ao0 ——-— phoenicoptera phoenicoptera Tringa erythropus - glareola - nebularia ———-- ochrophus see Trinoton Wing d 120-127. BIRDS. FROM NEPAL, 1947-1949 333 Coracina novaehollandiae nipalensis (Hodgson) Large Himalayan Cuckoo-shrike. The large Himalayan Cuckoo-shrike was a familiar feature of the Terai forests and on in open country up to 6,000 ft. where it was breeding on Naggerjung in April. A female with large oviduct eggs was taken April 20. The loud broken tremolo whistle of this bird was often heard in the foothills from east to west. The species will apparently adapt itself to the devastated conditions of the 2-5,000 ft. level in certain areas where the soil has been destroyed and only poor scrub can exist. Wing ¢ 177.5-187.5, 9 177.5, 182. The breeding female is in very worn plumage but shows no sign of moult. LANIIDAE Lanius schach tricolor (Hodgson): Himalayan Black-headed Shrike. The Black-headed shrike was the common breeding: shrike of the Valley where we found birds with enlarged gonads at Naggerjung and Gokarna in April. The species frequented light scrubby woods in contrast to the more open country habits of its migrant neighbour from Tibet and the higher hills. i> Lanius schach tricolor xerythronotus A male and a female taken at Tikapur and Rekcha furnish the first records from west Nepal of this hybrid population found farther west in the Himalayan foothills of Kumaon and Garwhal. Both birds have irregular areas of grayish on the crown and irregular gray shading on the shoulders and nape. This ‘hybrid swarm’ apparently does not get as far east as central Nepal. Lanius tephronotus tephronotus (Vigo:s) : Gray-backed Shrike. Collected in open scrub at Gokarna in April and at Chatra in February. Lanius cristatus cristatus Linnaeus: Brown Shrike. A common winter visitor to the Terai where it was taken by us in open areas, especially on telephone wires in November, January, February and March. ARTAMIDAE Artamus fuscus, the Ashy Swallow-shrike, was seen commonly in the Terai in open areas, and up to Bhimpedi, but no specimens were collected. eo t Hi N TD AVE Aegithina tiphia tiphia (Linnaeus) : lora. The Iora was common in the Terai, almost aiways in bushes near streams. There is a typical facies near the banks of the big streams where flooding has created a zone of scrub which grows over the gravel and rocks washed down each season. Here we found the birds during the winter months, not singing. Nepal birds seem slightly paler above and below than topotypes from Bengal in fresh 384 JOURNAL, BOMBAY: NATURAL -HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 plumage. No specimens were in breeding condition, although Bengal birds with enlarged gonads were taken in January, and Assam. speci- mens in March. Chloropsis hardwickii hardwickii Jardine & Selby : Orange-bellied Chloropsis. Common in second growth in the Central Valley from 5-6, ooo ft. A bird also of the ridges in the light forest that now remains. A male coming into brecding condition was taken in April. Breeding birds in Assam were taken in mid-March, a month earlier. A Nepal series measure: wing ¢ 93-95. This mid-montane zone species was not seen in-east Nepal. Chloropsis aurifrons aurifrons Temminck : -Gold-fronted Chloropsis. | The Gold-fronted Chloropsis was found by us in the upper Terai forest adjacent to the foothills and into the ‘duns’. The species was found in thick forest. only, invariably near flowering trees. Birds. were in breeding condition at Chatra in late February. PY GN’ O N Off DASE Pycnonotus flaviventris flaviventris (Tickell) :- Black-crested Yellow Bulbul. In my paper on Ceylon birds (1946) I have already stated my reluct- ance to place the distinctive S. Indian and Ceylon bulbuls, gularis and melanicterus in with dispar and flaviventris contra Delacour (1943). 1 feel that the crested black-throated bird of the sub-Himalayas can well stand alone, separate from the crestless ruby-throated species from which it is widely separated geographically as well. These crested bulbuls were found by us in the wooded parts of the Terai close to the foothills. A breeding male was taken at Chatra February 18. A single male from the Khasia Hills seems more bronzy- olive and darker on the breast than Nepal males. Pycnonotus leucogenys leucogenys (Gray): White-cheeked Bulbul. A common species from the Terai to 6,000 ft., feeding in the open scrub on berries and seeds and hunting in large flocks in the winter season. Breeding birds were taken in April and May in the Valley and down to Bhimpedi. ‘These spring birds were in very worn plumage but the moult had not yet commenced. Pycnonotus cafer pygaeus (Hodgson): Eastern Indian Red-vented 3ulbul. There is a slight cline in color in this species from west to east in Nepal, western birds approaching intermedius in color. However, they do not agree with that form in size. A series measure: wing 3 3 .96-106, culmen 17-19.5. A specimen was breeding April 8 at Thankote. Another male from this village had a single white feather in the crown. It is worth noting that, following Deignan’s recent revision of this species (1949), ees from ‘the Mishmi Hills agree with primrose: rather than pygaeus in the color of the ear coverts. BIRDS FROM NEPAL, 1947-1949 385: Alcurus striatus striatus (Blyth): Striated Green Bulbul. Uncommon in Nepal. Collected only round Chandragiri Pass and at Chitré in the zone of oaks and rhododendrons at 7,500 ft. Microscelis mcclellandi mcclellandi (Horsfield): Rufous-bellied Bulbul. A rather shy bulbul, not easy to approach either in scrub or in tall trees, both of which it seems to favour at different seasons. Breed-. ing males were taken in thick secondary. scrub in mid-April at Thankote and Naggerjung. -9' 855: 94.5); culment “oi .12.5,; (9: a2i(2).. Soft parts: iris yellowish, ocular skin yellow; bill black; legs yellow. The Yellow-eyed Babbler was not as common as the Red-capped and other lowland babbler species of the western Terai. Paradoxornis unicolor unicolor (Hodgson): Plain-colored Parrotbill. A single male was secured out of a small flock in mixed bamboos and firs (Abies) at 9,400 ft. on Tinjuré ridge February 1. This species has not been recorded from Nepal since Hodgson’s time. Wing g2, tail (worn) 99, culmen 15. Paradoxornis poliotis humei (Sharpe) : Black-fronted Suthora. A single female was taken from a flock streaming through a group of thin long bamboos and rhododendrons at Mangalbaré. It agrees perfectly with Sikkim examples. Wing 46, tail 51, culmen 7. The species has not previously been recorded from as far west as this locality in Nepal. Turdoides earlii (Blyth) : Striated Babbler. Found in high grass and thick acacia scrub in the western Terai at Tikapur. Soft parts: iris yellow; bill brownish-horn; legs pale grayish-brown. Turdoides somervillei terricolor (Blyth): Seven Sisters or Jungle Babbler. Specimens were taken in open cultivated country in the Terai in the western and central areas. A November male is noted as in breed- ing condition. Birds in very worn plumage were taken in late May. Acanthoptila nipalensis (Hodgson): Spiny Babbler. The rediscovery of this species was one of the most interesting results of the Expedition. I collected a single male out of a small flock of seven or eight birds at Rekcha on Christmas Day. The birds were in an open field which was spotted with low patches of shrubbery, and were hunting, partly on the ground, partly in the lower branches. They were calling in a series of short-syllabled churrs, rather deep and musical, more like laughing thrushes than the typical ‘Seven Sisters’, and I thought at the time and afterwards when I had first examined the bird, that I had something close to Garrulax lineatus. The bill of the Spiny Babbler is particularly reminiscent of Garrulax in addition to what I heard of its voice. The feathers of head and mantle, throat and upper breast of course have strong spinous shafts. Contra Delacour (1947, p. 20) who says merely that the genus Acanthoptila ‘cannot be maintained’, I feel that it serves as a valid link between Lurdoides and Garrulax. Its generic characters may be listed as the distinctive spiny shafts above alluded to, and reduced rictal bristles, more prominent, however, than in Turdoides. In bill shape, nostrils, under-wing coverts and legs it is like a typical Garrulax. In plumage pattern, tail and wing shape and size it is like Turdoides. Its voice 394 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL GIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 seems to be more like Garrulax than Turdoides, its habits similar to species of both. Soft parts: iris white; bill, upper mandible brownish-black, lower light gray on the basal half, distally black; legs light brownish-gray. Wing 84, tail 104, bill (from skull) 24.5, tarsus 30.5. This specimen is a fully adult male and is normally colored with a white superciliary, ear coverts, throat and upper breast. I believe the occasional variable amount of white referred to by Baker (1924, p. 203) is an individual variation. Of the seven specimens listed by Sharpe (1883, p. 380), the Bird Room staff at the British Museum could find only three in April 1949. In addition there is one skin in New York received in exchange, making a total of four. This new skin is the first collected since IHiodgson’s or Pinwill’s time and represents the first seen alive by an ornithologist. It is illustrated on the accompanying plate reproduced by courtesy of the National Geographic Magazine. Evidently this is a hill species of the 5,000 ft. zone in open scrub or secondary growth in west Nepal. Its habitat preference should allow it to survive and tolerate to a considerable extent the rapid deforestation which is occur- ring at that level. Garrulax albogularis albogularis (Gould): White-throated Laughing- thrush. The commonest of the laughing-thrushes encountered by us in western and central Nepal from 4,000-6,o00 ft. It was a bird of the scrub and light thick jungle. At Rekcha large winter flocks of this species were often out on the open paddyfields in the early morning apparently feeding on insects, doing a considerable amount of scratch- ing and digging with their powerful feet about the young shoots of rice and barley. Breeding specimens were taken in March and April round Godaveri and Naggerjung. Soft parts: iris white; legs bluish or whitish-gray. Garrulax striatus vibex Ripley: Nepal Striated Laughing-thrush. This species appeared common at Godaveri in thick second growth. Birds were breeding in late April and were separated at that time from the hunting flocks of other laughing-thrushes, being only with their own kind. A young bird in adult plumage with pointed tail feathers was collected there in late November. This is an intermediate population, darker than striatus, and noticeably paler than stkkimensis. Birds from western Nepal also belong to this race. Garrulax striatus sikkimensis (Ticehurst): Sikkim Striated Laughing- thrush. This darker race was found at Mangalbaré in thick forest just below 9,000 ft. in February, a higher range than is ordinarily attributed to this species, but one perhaps made necessary by the absence of any evergreen forest in this area at lower altitudes. Garrulax leucolophus leucolophus (Hardwicke): White-crested Laughing-thrush. The White-crested Laughing-thrush was local and only collected | -by us at the following localities: the Valley, December and April; National Geographic Society Yellow-billed Blue Magpies ( Kitta f- flavirostris ) Spiny Babbler ( Acanthoptila nipalensis ) osefinch ( Carpodacus n. nipalensis) Grosvenor’s Laughing-thrush ( Garrulax r. grosvenort ) BIRDS FROM NEPAL, 1947-1949 395 Bhimpedi May; west Nepal at Chisapani, 1,000 ft. and Rekcha, 5,000 ft. (uncommon there) in December ; east Nepal, Muhlghat, January and February. At Chisapani we collected only males; in the Valley in April we collected only females. In series the wing of these males and females ranges from 130-140. Birds from east Nepal are slightly darker above and below than birds from the rest of the country and range in measurements from 130-135, this cline in color and partial cline in size leading towards hardwickii Ticehurst of Assam, as pointed out by that author (1926). Garrulax rufogularis grosvenori Ripley : Grosvenor’s Rufous- -chinned Laughing-thrush. This laughing-thrush was a common species at Rekcha, but was decidedly inconspicuous and a great skuliker. The birds had a series of aiarm notes, rather harsh and loud, but when at ease calling to each other, a delightful range of chuckles and low conversational notes. A series measure: wing ¢ 87-94, 84-91. Soft parts: iris brown; Dill, upper mandible brownish-horn, lower grayish-brown; legs grayish- brown. This population differs from typical rufogularis of central Nepal and Sikkim by being much paler and less heavily barred on the upper surface, and from occidentalis of the western Himalayas by being more olivaceous with larger terminal spots above and below. It is also illustrated in the coloured plate herewith. Garrulax caerulatus caerulatus (Hodgson): Gray-sided Laughing- thrush. A party of these birds was found at Godaveri one day in November hunting with other laughing-thrushes in heavy mixed scrub. They had not been encountered in the spring and must have been wintering birds. They had rather loud musical calls of four notes, a_ sort of chuckling series, not really whistled. Wing ¢ 107, 111.5, Q 106. Garrulax lineatus lineatus (Vigors): Streaked Laughing-thrush. A single male presented by Dr. Walter Koelz and taken oa Chandragiri Pass where I observed a small flock creeping rodent-like over the humus and ground cover, is my only record of this species. Garrulax affinis affinis Hodgson: Black-faced Laughing-thrush. This was the commonest Laughing-thrush at Mangalbaré where it frequented heavy thickets in the rhododendrons, often hunting in parties with Alcippe vinipectus. A series measure: wing ¢ 108-111, Q 102- 107. Soft parts: iris brown; bill black; legs pinkish-brown. Garrulax erythrocephaium erythrocephalum (Vigors) Red-headed Laughing-thrush. A species noted only in the vicinity of Chandragiri Pass in April. These birds are red-headed, and as Nepal is given as the type locality of Oates’s nigrimentum, it would be better perhaps to restrict the type locality of that form to Ilam district, eastern Nepal. Leiothrix argentauris argentauris (Hodgson): Silver-eared Mesia. Seen at Bhimpedi, and at Chisapani in west Nepal. A breeding male was shot on May 3 at the former place. Wing 77. 396 JOURNAL, BOMBAY. NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 Leiothrix lutea callipyga (Hodgson): Indian Red-billed Leiothrix. A bird of heavy scrub and forest remnants, found at Godaveri and Chandragiri Pass. Soft parts: iris brown; bill red, black at base; legs pale brown. Myzornis pyrrhoura Hodgson: Fire-tailed Myzornis. A single female was collected on a high tree in original forest at Mangalbaré from a flock of mixed species. Soft parts: iris dark brown; bill black; legs yellowish-brown. Not recorded from Nepal since Hodgson’s time, although Stevens (1923) secured a series on the Singile La Ridge on the Nepal-Sikkim frontier at 10,160 ft. in March. Pteruthius erythropterus (Vigors): Red-winged Shrike-babbler. Met with only at Chandragiri Pass. Wing ¢ 82, 9 83. Actinodura nipalensis nipalensis (Hodgson): Hoary Bar-wing. The Hoary Bar-wing was taken at Chandragiri Pass in late April. Soft parts: iris brown; bill black; legs light grayish-brown. Birds in worn plumage were collected in May. A pair measure: wing 3 93, Q 88. In Hodgson’s time (1836) this Bar-wing could apparently be found in the garden of the British Residency in Katmandu, a far cry from conditions as they exist today. Bearing that in mind, however, I have restricted the type locality of nipalensis (l.c., 1950) to the slopes of the Katmandu Valley. Actinodura nipalensis vinctura Ripley: Eastern Hoary Bar-wing. The Bar-wings found at Mangalbaré agree with Sikkim and Bhutan specimens in having a much wider black terminal bar on the upper surface of the tail than in the nominate form, and also having heavier black barring on the wings and tail. We found these birds in dense thickets on the edge of evergreen jungle. They were shy and skulking and raced through the thick growth from branch to branch with the ease of a squirrel. Siva strigula strigula Hodgson: Stripe-throated Siva. In contrast to Scully’s observation (1879), we did not find the Stripe-throated Siva common around the Nepal Valley, although birds were seen above Godaveri in late November. In east Nepal the species was very common above Chitré and at Mangalbaré. . 21.5, than spcimens from farther west. As I remarked in my descrip-, tion of this race (1948a) in the case of Sikkim birds, they are somewhat intermediate in size, but should be put in with Assam specimens. In_ addition, these Manga'baré males are richly streaked with scarlet on the breast, a condition which my Mishmi birds showed, but which I hesitated to use as a character for the subspecies. In series however, this character shows up well, serving to distinguish east Nepal birds — at a glance from those from central and western Nepal. AEthopyga saturata saturata (Hodgson): Black-breasted Sunbird. A single female was collected at Gokarna. It measures: wing 49, culmen 19. AEthopyga siparaja seheriae ‘(Tickel]): = Indian Scarlet-backed ° Sunbird. The Scarlet-backed Sunbird was collected in western and central ’ Nepal from the Terai up to 6,o00 ft. on Naggerjung. Birds were ° evidently breeding in March and April and specimens with head moult, were taken in April. A series have measurements as follows: wing’ 3*°56-58, "9 50:5, 5355 ‘culmen '19.5-20.5, 9 18 (2): AEthopyga ignicauda ignicauda (Hodgson): Fire-tailed Yellow-backeds Sunbird. The Fire-tatled Sunbird was collected on a ridge at Powah: above’ Dhankuta at 5,000 ft., at Chitré and on Chandragiri Pass. All of the males ‘are in. eclipse. p'tumage, and all’ are in various stages of moult - in January and February. Males measure: wing 57-58, ‘2. 53-54: culmen ¢ ¢ and 99 18-19. * BIRDS FROM (NEPAL, 71942-89493 SCAR GOS AT be. £30 Sy. EXRUGWP! 1 Dik E Zosterops palpebrosa palpebrosa (Temminck) : Indian White-eye. Syn: Zosterops palpebrosa occidentalis TVicehurst Zosterops palpebrosa elwesi Baker | A large series of males and females from Nepal have wing measure- ments of 51-56. Ticehurst (1927) redescribed the northern Indian \White-eye in an extraordinarily offhand way. Earlier Baker (1922) had revised some of the Oriental Zosteropidae, restricting the type locality of Zosterops palpebrosa palpebrosa to Orissa. He then sepa- rated the northern and western Indian population as elwesi on the basis of brighter yellower upper parts, paler- under parts, and smaller size. His type locality was given as Sikkim. Ticehurst (op. cit.) revised this range to exclude Sikkim, and renamed the population, noting that it is larger not smaller than typical palpebrosa, but otherwise is paler and more yellow as Baker had pointed out. Fortunately all these birds appear similar above and below, there being a certain amount of individual variation in the shade of greenish- yellow or yellowish-green, particularly on the upper parts. I would, therefore, include them all with palpebrosa, thus agreeing with Stresemann (1939). It is perhaps inappropriate to comment on the above nomenclatorial whirligig, but I can hardly refrain from dubbing Ticehurst’s act irresponsible. It is quite clear from Baker’s paper what he was trying to get at, and it is also fairly apparent from the material when Nepal specimens are included, as they should have been by Ticehurst, that Sikkim birds fit in with those from farther west. As for measurements, they show little difference between the two- populations. For p. palpebrosa we have: wing ¢ d and 9,9 49-57 mm. (Baker’s, Ticehurst’s and mine), and for ‘elwesi’ (including ‘occidentalis’) g 3d and @:9 49-59 mm. (Baker’s, Ticehurst’s | and.’ mine). ERNE LL Lb DeA-E Carduelis spinoides spinoides Vigors : Himalayan Greenftinch. Two females of the Greenfinch were shot in the Valley in April and May..-They measure: wing 77, 78, and are in rather worn plumage, although the May bird is half moulted. Leucosticte nemoricola nemoricola (Hodgson): Hodgson’s Mountain Finch. Two males collected at Tinjuré and Mangalbaré measure: wing 101.5, 103.5. Two. females have wing measurements of 94 and gg. Soft parts: iris light brown; bill brown, brownish-yellow at. base ; legs brown. Carpodacus erythrinus roseatus (Hodgson) : Common Indian Rose-= . finch. A male collected at Rekcha January 1 has been identified for me: by Dr, Vaurie as belonging to this race. For comments on_ this species, see Vaurie (194g). In Rekcha, females were present in large flocks on our arrival in December. They were most'y feeding on weed Ad2. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Voi. 49 ‘seeds on open scrub hillsides. Males did not appear until January 1 when I shot two birds out of a small group of males in one tree. One of these birds was the specimen mentioned above. Wing 86.5. ‘Carpodacus erythrinus Kubanensis Laubmann : Caucasian Rose- finch. The other male shot out of the same tree at Rekcha as the preced- ing subspecies has been tentatively identified as belonging to this race by Vaurie. | ‘Carpodacus erythrinus erythrinus (Pallas): Russian Rosefinch. The females taken by me at Rekcha and in the Valley have been identified by Vaurie as being of the erythrinus type, and certainly not voseatus. The above birds actually lie somewhere near those described in his paper (op. cit., p. 44) as ‘erythrinus subspecies’. The occurrence of these three forms all together and even arriving together and perching in the same tree, highlights the complex situation with these Rosefinches, and the depth of our ignorance about the question of the actual breeding populations of the higher central Himalayas. ‘Carpodacus nipalensis nipalensis (Hodgson): Nepal Dark Rosefinch. Dr. Vaurie has kindly examined my specimens of this species and finds that a male from Godaveri taken in December seems to be true nipalensis, whereas a pair of birds taken at Mangalbaré in January are intermediate between kangrae and intensicolor, as indeed they .should be if all three races are to be recognized. Carpodacus thura thura Bonvalot & Schlegel: Nepal White-browed Rosefinch. A pair from Tinjuré measure: wing 85 (2). Soft parts: iris brown ; bill blackish-horn; legs brown. Pyrrhula erythrocephala Vigors : Red-headed Builfinch. -. One or two family groups of this Bullfinch were seen at Mangalbaré in clearings in primary rhododendron forest. They were shy, flying up into the trees with a flash of the white rump and a few subdued tinkling calls, usually well out of gunshot. Two males measure: wing 79, 81.5; tail 64, 64.5. Soft parts: iris dark brown; legs brown. Propyrrhula subhimachala subhimachala (Hodgson): Red-headed Rosefinch. A female was taken at g,ooo ft. at Tinjuré in pine forest (Abies). Wing 97.5, tail 75, ‘culmen 14..° These ‘finches were all “exceedingly: shy and elusive. Melophus lathami (Gray): Crested Bunting. _ Specimens were collected from 3,800-5,000 ft. throughout Nepal. The species appeared to be breeding at Bhimpedi in May. BIRDS FROM NEPAL, 1947-1949 413 PLOCEIDAE Passer domesticus parkini Whistler : House Sparrow. Common in the Valley. Breeding in April. Passer montanus malaccensis Dubois : Tree-sparrow. Common at Thankote and Gokarna. Lonchura striata acuticauda (Hodgson) : Hodgson’s Munia. A single male coming into breeding condition was collected at Naggerjung. Soft parts: iris reddish-brown; bill upper mandible black, lower bluish-gray; legs dark gray. Wing 54. Lonchura punctulata lineoventer (Hodgson) : Spotted Munia. A male was moulting April 30. A fairly common species in the Terai and the Valley about grain fields. Sor UR NIDAE Gracula religiosa intermedia Hay: Indian Hill Myna. Taken by us only in the original Terai forest and foothills near Chatra. Birds were coming into breeding condition in late February and March, and the very large flocks which were characteristic of winter, were beginning to break up. Sturnus malabaricus malabaricus (Gmelin) ; Gray-headed Myna. A breeding bird of the Valley, where we collected specimens with enlarged gonads at Gokarna in late April. Soft parts: iris white; bill greenish-yellow, base bluish-gray ; legs dull fleshy-brown. Sturnus contra contra Linnaeus: Indian Pied Myna. Common throughout the Terai in gardens and near cultivation. Acridotheres tristis tristis Liniaeus : Common Myna. Collected in the Valley and at Rekcha. Seen also throughout Nepal up to 6,ooo ft. near cultivation. Soft parts: iris light brown or gray, spotted with white; bill vellow, skin of cheeks orange yellow; legs yellow. A male was assuming breeding condition in mid-April. Acridotheres grandis fuscus (Wagler) : Northern Jungle Myna. Associated with the Common Myna in the Valley. Soft parts: iris yellow; bill, upper mandible yellowish-orange, lower yellowish- orange distally, black basally; legs yellow-ochre. DIcRURIDWNE Dicrurus macrocercus albirictus (Hodgson) : King Crow. ‘The King Crow was the common drongo of the open Terai near cultivation, and in the Valley in the open fields. An immature specimen was taken at 4,000 ft. on the edge of a paddyfield February 9 in east Nepal. Wing ad. ¢ 154, Q@ 145-148.5. These measurements 414 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 are slightly smaller than those given in Dr. Vaurie’s comprehensive work on this family (1949). Dicrurus leucophaeus beavani Vaurie : Himalayan Ashy Drongo. The second most common drongo of the Valley, found in the light. pine woods and scrub at Naggerjung, Thankote, Gokarna and around: Katmandu. Males in breeding condition were taken in April. Wing ¢ 139-140, Q 130-140.5 (one_ 150). Dicrurus caerulescens caerulescens (Linnaeus): White-beltied Drongo. This species was faken only in Terai forest at Tikapur and Chisapani. | It seems to be uncommon, perhaps because of the disappearance of the forests. ,-Measurements: wing ¢ ,126:5, 0) (= 93) 2): Dicrurus aeneus aeneus Vieillot : Bronze Drongo. Another forest drongo found in the Terai and up to 4,000 ft., but: rather uncommon. » Bull. UO. Ss Nat. Mas.,-188 « 461 12 Spurgeon, V. D. (1945): Curr. Sct., 14: 381. 18 — ,— — (1948): ibid., 17: 28. * Weber, M., and Beaufort, L. F. (1923): Fish Indo-Australian Archipelago, 4: 344. > Walleye JI (1911) :, SpolinZeéyl.s) iT 0395: 22. FISH AND BAROMETRIC PRESSURE Mr. E. P. Gee’s note: on the response of fish to atmospheric con- ditions reminds me of an incident that left us puzzled and surprised and to which there appeared to be no reasonable explanation. I am sorry that I have not retained any notes and this is from memory. We were in a boat at the north end of Powai Lake near Bombay, looking for birds’ nests during the monsoon (probably August). When at the entrance of a small weedy lagoon it drizzled slightly and almost immediately a number of big fish started ‘turning over’ all around us showing only the dorsal fin above the surface of the water, rather like dolphins. In a few minutes, the drizzle stopped and with it the fish. A little later, there were two short drizzles both with the same effect. The rain appeared to ‘switch on’ these fish which were almost certainly Rohu [Labeo rohita (Ham.)| Rohu fry were introduced into Powai in the middle thirties by the late Mr. H. B. Hayes and last year members of the Angling Ciub caught, along with other fish, 268 Rohu totalling 3,592 lbs. (average 13.4 lbs.), largest 35 lbs. Faiz & Co., 75, ABDUL REHMAN STREET, HUMAYUN ABDULALL BomBAyY-3. 14 564 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 23. NOTE ON AN ABNORMAL SPECIMEN OF THE MURREL, OPHICEPHALUS STRIATUS BLOCH'. (With a text figure) While netting one of the ponds in the Chetput Fish Farm, Madras, on 7th August, 1947, an abnormal specimen of Murrel, Ophicephalus striatus Bloch., with a curiously deformed upper jaw, was obtained Abnormal specimen of the murrel, Ophicephalus striatus ca. 34; natural size. Slightly diagrammatic; scales not shown. in the catch. Since existing literature on structural abnormalities in the murrels does not appear to have recorded such a feature, a brief description of it is given below: The body dimensions detailed below will convey an idea of the anatomic proportions of the abnormal specimen. Total length from tip of lower jaw to tip of tail ... peo ey sodas Length from anterior margin of head to tip of tail ... 184 mm. Length from hind margin of orbit to hind end of head =o. * OO aman, Length from hind end of head to tip of lower jaw see deanna: Diameter of the eye ae ae at 9°5 mm. Width of interorbital space... a 2hO saat, Height of head (floor of mouth to dorsal aspect of head) a. gallo mine Distance between tip of lower jaw and the angle of the jaws wt oS nis Vertical range in “which the mouth could be opened si 4—5 min. The upper jaw, immediately in front of the level of the eyes, is smoothly truncated and directed vertically downwards to the floor of the mouth to a point almost midway between the angle of the jaws and the tip of the lower jaw. Consequently the lower jaw projects prominently forwards (text fig.). Even if forcibly stretched for- wards the tip of the upper jaw would not reach that of the lower. The eyes are situated at the anterior margin of the head, with the nostrils close to the inner margin of each orbit. The lower jaw is provided with several teeth—small near the anterior margin and two long pointed ones on each side. The tongue on the floor of the lower jaw is fully exposed. The effective vertical range of movement of the jaws is limited to 4-5 mm. The general condition of the fish was observed to be poor and it was infested with lernaeid parasites. ee ee te) 1 Published with the kind permission of the Chief Research Officer, Central Inland Fisheries Research Station, Barrackpore. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 565. While the angle of the jaws extends behind the levei of the eyes as in the normal specimens, the limited gape of the mouth hampers normal feeding and is mainly responsible for the poor condition of the fish. At the time of netting, the stock of murrels in the pond was only 10 months old and the normal specimens averaged 12 inches. in length and about 7 ounzes in weight. The specimen under dis- cussion, though presumably of the same age, was only less than =% the normal length. The difference in the rate of growth in the same environment, in this particular instance, is attributable to the abnor- mal condition of the mouth which is an obvious handicap in feeding. A thorough examination of the mouth parts shows that the abnormality of the upper jaw is not the result of any injury sustained during the late larval life, but is probably due to some abnormal strain that prevailed upon the developing embryo or the early hatchling. It is interesting that despite the handicap in feeding, the specimen survived in the natural pond for about 10 months, amidst its cannibalistic brethren. In this connection it may be mentioned that the writer observed certain dwarf specimens consisting about 30% of a brood of Ophicephalus punctatus Bloch, coliected from the Chetput Fish Farm, in 1946. The length of the dwarf specimen was only about half that. of the normal fry. The head portion was of normal dimensions, while the trunk was very much abbreviated. Alizarin preparations showed the dwarf specimens also having the same number of vertebrae as the normal fry, but the vertebral centra were very thin. Except for size the dwarf specimens were quite normal and were feeding along with the rest of the brood when they were collected. The causes which might have led to the development of such considerable percentage of abnormal specimens in the particular brood are not clear. The specimen with the abnormal snout has been preserved in the museum of the Freshwater Biological Research Station, Government Fisheries, Madras. The writer is indebted to Dr. T. J. Job for his. valuable suggestions in the preparation of this note. CENTRAL INLAND FISHERIES RESEARCH STATION, BARRACKPORE, K. H. ALIKUNH! 15th June, 1950. 24. OCCURRENCE OF THE FISH DANIO AEQUIPINNATUS (McCLELLAND) IN NELA BILAM—AN UNDERGROUND CAVERN IN KURNOOL DISTRICT, SOUTH INDIA In view of the public interest aroused by an article on ‘Nature’s Work of Art Underground’ by R. K. Golikere published in the Sunday News of India dated March 27, 1949, I visited Nela Bilam (Telugu for ‘underground cave’) in the Kurnool District, South India, on behalf of the Society on 7th October 1949. 566 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST SOCTEL YS | Vol 49 The cavern is in the premises of a Siva temple, now in partial ruin, situated in semi-desert country strewn with scrubby vegetation and surrounded by small hillocks all round. The chasm is 200 feet in length and 50 feet in depth in sandstone and limestone. A flight of 203 steps leads to the pool at the bottom, 4 feet in diameter, and 3 feet deep, with a sandy bed and containing clear but slightly brackish water. A stream flows gently into the pool from a northerly direction and continues its course southwards through another hole. There is complete darkness except for a few feet from the entrance. Water is constantly trickling all over the entire cavern forming’ stalactites containing calcium carbonate—chalk-—and quartz. In the pool I found large numbers of the fish Danio aequipinnatus (McClelland) which is not mentioned in the ‘Freshwater Fishes of Madras’ published by B. Sundara Raj in the Records of the Indian Museum, 12: 249 (1916). Day’s Fauna of British India—Fishes—Vol. I, p. 356 (1889) includes the Deccan in the distribution of this fish. Local enquiries indicate that the water is perennial and though in summer its level goes down, the fish are always present. In spite of these conditions of life the fish appeared to be quite normal regarding structure and colour. ‘There was no trace of any vegetation in the pool. 114, APOLLO STREET, BomBay, Vv. K; CHART, 24th August, 1950. Asst. Curator. 25... WHERE DO BUITEREEIES GO; In sub-tropical regions such as the plains of Assam where there is rarely, if ever, a true hibernating phase in a butterfly’s life history, there yet seems to be a period in the year when a common species becomes rare in its usual haunts. The problem of what has happened to them during this period first began to interest me in connection with the various species of Lycaenopsis, common here in the cold weather, but of great rarity during the rains. My collecting territory is the thick evergreen forest and adjacent tea gardens at the foot of the Naga Hills in the Sibsagar District of Upper Assam. Here, though the cold weather (approximately December-February) is well marked, it is not sufficient to prevent the continuous brooded species from hatching out; and an equally im- portant. climatic factor is probably the excessive eramadity of the rainy months May-October. The easiest group to assess is that of the cold weather migrants, the two principal ones being Pieris brassicae and P. napi. These are both mountain species, P. napi occurring only as an occasional winter MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 567 visitor, but brassicae coming down in numbers to wreak havoc amongst the cabbages and nasturtiums. With the advent of the humid weather the pupae of the latter species rot, even if kept in an airy room and out of direct contact with the rain. Another possible migrant from the hills is Vanessa canace: an occasional specimen may be taken here at any season, but it is said to be delicate in the pupa stage and I am doubtful if it can maintain itself down here. Pieris canidia, common during the cold weather, becomes rare during the rains, but this is probably connected with the plentiful supply of Brassicae during the former season, while in the rains its only food- plant appears to be a somewhat uncommon little cruciferous plant growing in the sheltered rain water drains around the bungalow, so that it becomes dependant for its livelihood upon the poor sight of the sweeper. Another migrant is Lampides boeticus, which, after being exceedingly plentiful amongst the leguminous green crop during the cold weather, becomes an extreme rarity during the rains. Jamides kankena and J. alecto are common along jungle paths from December onwards, but kankena I had till recently considered a rarity in its W.S.F. Recent experience has shown me, however, that at this season it shuns the open paths and keeps, together with alecto, to the dense shade of bamboo jungle, this being true of both sexes. The genus Lycaenopsis presents a more difficult problem. Puspa and cardia are common, and transpecta (QQ only and lavendularis occur sparingly, from December to June, but after that month the only Lycaenopsis I have met is an.occasional puspa. I suspect this may represent a seasonal replenishment from the hills, but doubt if the same holds good for Jamides bochus which is one of the commonest Lycaenids from December to June, and then disappears almost as completely as Lycaenopsis cardia. It is more likely that this species (bochus) can maintain itself, but only with difficulty, in the plains during the rains. The reverse problem, of those species common during the summer and rare during the winter, is easier, since one can always postulate a ‘partial emergence’ such as is common in temperate climates. Of these the most striking examples are afforded by Nacaduba nora and N. dubiosa which occur together in myriads from June to September, but become real rarities during the cold months. Two common species which are erratic in their occurrence are Spalgis epius and Gangara thyrsis. S. epius, because it is at a pastoral and nomadic level, must presumably follow its herds. In June it is plentiful in a certain section of tea, from which it com- pletely disappears to come and act as Aphis destroyer in my com- pound when the pest is at its worst on the Citrus bushes. The last brood of the year occurs in neither of these localities, but is plentiful in a very limited area of secondary jungle. G. thyrsis has its food- plants in my compound, and is abundant in any stage from ovum to imago, at most times of the year. This species appears to be continu- ous brooded, yet seems to disappear from March to June, leaving no trace of any stage of its life history. Where has it gone, and why? Climate can have little bearing on this problem, and its foodplants at that season appear to the human eye no different. 568 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST SOCIETY a). 49 Of direct bearing on the title of this article are two recent experi- ences. Any sunny day in July and August 1949 I could stand in a certain section of tea and watch the rare Amblypodia camdeo flying by. They were passing in either direction at the rate of not less than one a minute, 3 or 4 frequently being in sight at a time. All specimens caught were ¢ ¢ and their line of flight was so regular that barring a few stragglers their path over the tea was a lane 10 yards wide. Not infrequently specimens alighted on tea bushes and sat with closed wings until disturbed, but the greater number disappeared into the distance in either direction. I was never able to find either their source or their destination, but the two-way trathc was particularly unusual and intriguing. My guess is that the destination may have been some particularly attractive nectar producing plant, but if so, why the definite trafic lane and how did they form up in it at the beginning? I was able to observe this occurrence frequently for several weeks. This year I have so far (mid July) only seen one specimen, but still flying along the same traffic lane. I had a some- what similar experience in May at 5,500 feet in the Naga Hills. . lo (CHACKS t1th September, 1950 572 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 31. A FOUR-WINGED SAMARA IN THE INDIAN ELM HOLOPTELEA INTEGRIFOLIA PLANCH. (With a photo) Holoptelea integrifolia Planch. is a common deciduous tree which sheds its leaves in January-February, when the _ tree presents an unique appearance with its flat green samaroid fruits which may be mistaken for leaves. The ovary is composed of one or two carpels, usually unilocular containing a single seed. The fruit is a thin, compressed, obscurely rounded membranous body, surround- ed by the wing which is really the expansion of the pericarp, the seed being contained in the central portion ‘fig. 1). A case was noticed where, in addition to the normal ovate wing there were two perpendi- cular wings, these being similar to the normal ones though smaller in size. Three wings can be seen in a view, one being hidden. (fig. 2). In the seed-containing portion of the fruit a smaller seed was found in addition to the usual one. Four stylar branches were noticed in the place of the normal two. Proper explanation for this ab- normality will be that in this particular fruit both the carpels and the locules have developed and hence the two additional wings, two seeds and four stylar branches. Jivanna Rao {Madras Agrl. Journ., June 1930) has recorded functioning stomata in the wing-like portion and the same were observed in the accessory wings also. BoTany SEcTION, AGRICULTURAL eae. | COLLEGE & RESEARCH INSTITUTE, S. N. CHANDRASEKHARAN COIMBATORE. J. SAKHARAM RAO 13th July," 1950: MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 573 320 TWO INTERESTING ABNORMALITIES IN- THE COMMON INDIAN CORN, ZEA MAYS LINN. (With three text figures) Variability is of Common occurrence among cultivated plants. In a number of cases, the variations are clearly of the ‘congenital’ type. Their causes cannot be traced in all cases definitely and one has to remain satisfied with the oft-repeated inference that such variations are due to the ‘inherent tendency of organisms to vary’. The author of this note in 1934 described an abnormal type of the ‘Insertion of the leaves and the head in Helianthus annuus Linn,’ which has long been under cultivation. Closely related phenomena have been recently observed in the commonly cultivated plant Zea mays Linn., and it is hoped that they too may prove interesting to students of plant life in general and of plant-teratology in particular. 1. In a fruiting specimen collected recently from the fields, the female inflorescence, the ear, was a branched one instead of the norma! axiliary solitary type. The abnormal type (fig. 1) consists of an axis, on which five nodes and four internodes are very distinctly seen, and each of the four nodes below shows a sessile ear borne laterally; all these ears are in the same plane and are thus distichous. The last internode bears an ear (the largest of them all) at the apex (A); this ear bears the immature flowers and has developed chlorophyll (oolysis). The lateral ears, which are smaller than the terminal one, do not show full development of all their fertile flowers. All the ears show the terminal tuft of silky styles. 574 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 An abnormality of this type in which a normal inflorescence is branched to repeat and thus increase the number of parts is clearly a mutation and more particularly an instance of meristic variation. It appears to come under the category of the abnormalities called ‘Mischomany’ (Ch. Morren). 2. In another specimen also collected locally, the axis bearing the ear (fig. 2) has grown beyond the cob of the ear and bears the male or staminate inflorescence; another similar abnormal ear (fig. 3) bears at the base the male and the female spikelets side by side, reminding one of the arrangement in the spike of the coconut-palm. This ab- normality bears close resemblance to that described under ‘recrude- SCENnce ’. | BroLoGy DEPARTMENT, 5S. A. PARANDEKAR, RAJARAM COLLEGE, KOLHAPUR. M.SC. 13th June, 1950. 33. SOME PHENOLOGICAL NOTES ON DILLENIA, INDICA LINN. While collecting flowers and fruits of Dillenia indica Linn., for the past three years at the Government Botanic Gardens, Bangalore, for embryological study, some interesting phenological observations were made. ‘These are described below. The genus Dillenia, a member of the Dilleniaceae, has a distribution in tropical Asia of which four species are reported from south India by Gamble. D. indica, a round-headed tree of some silvicultural im- portance, has a short main stem from which arise a number of spread- ing branches all round; these in turn bear large serrate leaves with conspicuous parallel secondary veins. By the middle of May the leaves begin to fall and by the end of the same month the entire plant is leafless. Immediately afterwards, within the course of a week {i.e., during the first week of June) the leaves begin to appear and along with the young leaves the subterminal solitary flower buds begin to develop. By the middle of June, the entire plant becomes leafy and the flower buds grow in size gradually. A number of old buds which were of a fairly large size on dissection showed that antithesis had taken place. The anthers dehisce by apical pores and when such anthers are shaken the pollen grains are shed through the apical pores in the form of a fine yellow dust. The drooping flowers usually open in the second week of July. During blooming the quincuncially arranged sepals and the whitish petals, which remain crumpled in the bud, open. The large number of stamens and the radially arranged whitish stigmatic lobes of the apocarpous pistil now become clearly visible. Continuous observation for the past three years has shown that the flowers usually open in the morning and are visited by a swarm of honey bees. By next morn- ing the petals drop off and the five orbicular sepals enclose the essential organs. In some flowers which opened in the morning, ail the petals dropped off the same evening. By the end of July a number MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 575 of fruits are developed. The fruit is a pseudocarp and it actually comprises of the mature indehiscent fleshy carpels enveloped by the thickened fibrous sepals. In the mature fruit, each carpel encloses a number of seeds embedded in a glutinous substance, which is probably secreted by the hairs developed along the margins of the compressed seeds. DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY, CENTRAL COLLEGE, K. SUBRAMANYAM BANGALORE I, ara. August, 1950. BA FURTHER REMARKS ON THE FLOWERING OF STROBILANTHES In continuation of my note in this journal (49: 318, Aug. 1950), I have gathered some more data on this intriguing problem and have formed some idea of the mechanism controlling the general flowering of this plant. During the first week of September of this year I once more ex- amined Bhoma Hili in Khandala for signs of a general flowering, which I was expecting after the partial flowering mentioned in my previous note. After a whole day’s search I did find exactly 22 plants showing buds or flowers. Blooming plants were all at the edges of dense clumps of Karvi, or occasionally standing by themselves on grass slopes. By compar- ing plants that were in bud or flower with those in the vegetative stage, it was noticeable that the former plants had the appearance of being sickly, half-starved, and in general in a much poorer condition than their neighbours; again, size of the plant did not seem to deter- mine its condition with regard to flowering; some of the plants in bloum had but 2 or 3 leaves, and were about 15-25 cms. high, the ‘colour of their leaves being rather yellowish by contrast with the deep green of their neighbours. Another noticeable feature was that with but two exceptions, plants in bloom were standing at the north or north-west side of their clumps. A possible explanation of the general flowering of these plants may be that such flowering is induced either by starvation of water, or alternatively by surfeit of carbohydrates that could not be got rid of from the leaves. This point will demand my attention in my next outing ; as plants advance in age, their xylem vessels may be blocked by tyloses, in which case shortage of water would naturally follow ; or their phloem tubes may be blocked, in which alternative the carbo- hydrates produced by photosynthesis in the leaves would not be removed to other parts of the plants; in either alternative the result would eventually be the death of the plant in question. A comparative study of the anatomy of these plants in various stages may solve this problem. After last year’s experience, mentioned in my previous note in this journal, I had expected a general flowering for this year;: this has be | 6 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL ‘HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 not come to be, and on the contrary the events noticed during the general flowering o! 1942-1944 seem to be taking place again, in which case a general flowering should be expected for next year. Some time in the near future, I hope to gather sufficient data that may help in the solution of this interesting problem. ST. XAVIER’S COLLEGE, Fort, BoMBAY 1. | H. SANTAPAU, 13th September, 1950. SJ. 35. TITHE FLOWERING OF STROBILAN PAGES In response to your request about the mass flowering of Strobil- anthes, I am sending the following facts which were mostly either taken from, or checked by Mr. C. G. Webb-Peploe’s notes. Some of the specimens about which we were in doubt have been identified by Fr. H. Santapau, and others by Mr. H. K. Airy-Shaw, a friend of one of the Fellowship, who is at the Kew Herbarium. The specimens were all found in the hills (Western Ghats) which are about 30 miles north of Cape Comorin. 1. S. neilgherrensis was in full flower to the north of the valley in which our houses are situated in 1944, and to the south in 1946. This is the Strobilanthes which forms the characteristic border of the sholas found on the grassy uplands of these hills. Height about 5,000 ft. 2. S. anceps growing with the above was in full flower in 1946, though there were plants in flower in 1944. Height about 5,000 ft. 3. S. anceps var. microstachyus, found in light evergreen forest, particularly where Ochlandra sp. adjoins this forest, was in full flower in 1946. Height about 5,v00 ft. 4. S. helicoides, found in light evergreen forest was in full flower in 1946. Height about 5,000 ft. 5. S. tristis, found within the sholas which are on the grassy up- lands, was in full flower in 1946. ‘Height about 5,000 ft. 6. S. luridus, also found within the sholas was in full flower in 1946. 7. S. consanguineus found in light evergreen forest, flowers every year. - Height 3,000 ft.-4,o00 ft. In addition to these we have found Stenosiphonium parviflorum and Stenosiphonium russelianum which have the same habit as Strobilanthes, of flowering periodically and then dying back. S. parviflorum was in full flower in 1947, and S. russellianum in 1945 with a secondary flowering in 1946. Mr. Shaw of Kew suggests that this genus ‘seems quite worthless’ and asks for further study in this line. I should value your help as to how to do this. The plants are well grown, and may flower in a few years’ time. DOHNAVUR FELLOWSHIP, DOHNAVUR, TINNEVELLY DISTRICT, (Miss) EVELYN BOWDEN SoutuH INDIA. 28th April, 1950. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 577 36. A NOTE ON THE POLYSTACHOUS INFLORESCENCE IN ENTEROPOGON MONOSTACHYOS K. SCHUM. (With a text figure) Enteropogon monostachyos K. Schum., (= E. melicoides Nees) is a common grass found in almost all the districts except West Coast. The spikes in this are mentioned as solitary by Hooker (1897) and as LE IEE: <—SS Wi Y / (Hg \ 4 | H\ WH A ; \ y) | if NB RY y NY ; 4 Wy AY y Nit Hl\ A Mi i : hy / NY, Vay \y ‘VA yi Ke Ne) WMD \\ aN (hy ' N ANH NY N\A NY Na Ny) NY 4 \y 7 Nid ly Ny) Vie n\; NW! my) H\\; N Ni) i. Ni rn Nn a \4 wy iN NY) Wy "4 S LW M N y I, 2, 3, & 5 spikes in Lateropogo: moncstachyos Schum. solitary or twins by Fischer (1934) and Rangachari (1921). (1935) observes the solitary nature of spikes in the genus. In a majority of the cases the spike is solitary as the name suggests (monostachous = arranged in one spike) and twins are not uncommon. It was noticed in the old collections of the Madras Herbarium that some of the specimens bore 3 and 5 spikes. In the case of two, both the spikes start from the same place but as regards the 3 and 5 spikes it was seen that two of them arise from the same point, the rest arising lower down. The character of the accessory spikes was essentially the same as the normal ones. The phenomenon is interesting inas- much as the genus is placed in Chlorideae nearer the genera Cynodon Pers., and Chloris Sw., which possess more than 3 or 4 spikes having more or less the same characters as Enteropogon. The progeny tests are conducted to observe whether the phenomenon is repeated. All the specimens were collected by Sri S. Ramaswamy Raju in the Agri- cultural College Estate on 19-7-1935 and these were found mounted in the following sheets of the Madras Herbarium, Coimbatore. 2 spikes — M.H. No. 83068. C. 3 spikes — M.H. No. 83068. B. 5 spikes — M.H. No. 83068. A. Blatter ~I 8 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HEIST: SOCIETY, Vor. 44 The authors extend their thanks to Mr. K. A. Ayyappa, B.sc., for the drawings accompanying this note. Botany SECTION, AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE & S. N. CHANDRASEKHARAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE, J. SAKHARAM RAO COIMBATORE, 22nd August, 1950. REFERENCES 1. Hooker: Flora of British India. Vol. VII. pp. 284. William Clowes. & sons, l[td:,.. London. 2. Fisher: Flora of Madras Presidency. Vol. X. pp. 1834. Adlard. London. 3. Rangachari: South Indian Grasses. pp. 246-247. Govt. Press Pub. 4. Blatter: Bombay grasses. pp. 251—I.C.A.R. Publication. 37. GLEANINGS Tap-dancing by Mouse-deer. In Country Life dated 21 April 1950, p. 1115, in an article entitled ‘The Tap-Dancer of the Forest’ John E. Kempe refers to the mouse- deer in Perak, Malaya, which is attracted to a small clearing in the forest by a Malay forming a pad with six broad leaves and patting them lightly with his fingers. A squirrel and fireback pheasant appeared in a few minutes to investigate and after about ten minutes there was a ‘tappety tap’ answer to the noise and a mouse-deer stole into view. ‘‘Forelegs stiff and straight, hind feet drummed a fascinating roll on dry leaves. Did Pandak (the Malay) change the rhythm, it was echoed, tap for tap. ‘Tappety, tap, tap’, went the fingers; ‘tappety, tap, tap’, beat the mouse-deer’s hoofs. Advancing slowly, it plucked a leaf, we could see it chewed and deliberately swallowed, but the drumming never ceased.’’ Coming within a few yards it could not apparently discern the three men hidden behind a frail screen of leaves; then it possibly caught their scent and in an instant with a flirt of the tail, it vanished into the undergrowth. This is apparently a well-known method of calling up this small deer. The Age of Goats. From ‘Lord Anson’s Voyage round the World—1740-1744’ by Richard Walter, M.A., abridged and annotated by S. W. C. Pack (A Penguin book). ‘The island of Juan Fernandes abounded with vast numbers of goats... Alexander Selkirk who stayed. here between four and five years, relates that as he often caught more goats than he wanted, he sometimes marked their ears and let them go. This was about thirty-two years before our arrival at the island. Now it happened that the first goat that was killed by our peopie at their landing had his ears slit, whence we concluded that he had doubtless been formerly under the power of Selkirk. This was indeed an animal of a most venerable aspect, dignified with an exceeding majestic beard, and with many other symptoms of antiquity. During our stay on the island we met with others marked in the same manner, all the males being vat MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 579 distinguished by an exuberance of beard and every other characteristic of extreme age’. (Alexander Selkirk is believed to be the origin of Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe). Major S. S. Fowler in his ‘Contribution to our knowledge of the duration of life in vertebrate animals—mammals’ | Proceedings of the Zoological Society, London (1931) p. 209] gives the average age of domestic goats as 8 to ro years while an individual was known to live Hoel, years. Tall” Birds. Foster D. Smith Jr., in ‘A Contribution to the Ornithology of North- eastern Venezuela’ (Proceedings of the U.S, National Museum, 1950: Pp. 443) writes of a Swallow-tailed Kite—Elanoides forficatus yetapa (Vieillot) : ‘The present specimen was taken by firing the shotgun repeatedly straight up in the air. As the spent wad reached its zenith the bird dropped lower to inspect it, finally coming within range.’ Orientation in Migratory Birds. Julian Huxley in ‘Birds and Science’ (a review of the roth Inter- national Ornithological Congress), Country Life, 4th August 1950, page 367: , ‘‘In some ways the most original and exciting new work reported at the Conference was that of Dr. Kramer of Welhelmshafen, who has been studying the direction of flight during migration—on captive birds! He discovered that during the migration period starlings kept in a suitable cage would perch or flutter towards one particular direction —that which they would have taken if they had been free. But, more than that, by an ingenious arrangement of mirrors he proved that the direction of the sun’s light determines the direction chosen. By mani- pulating mirrors at a number of openings round the cage, he could make birds which normally gathered towards the S.W., gather at the opposite or N.E. side, or half-way round towards the N.W. Here at last is a core of hard fact in the welter of speculations as to how birds find their way, a known natural phenomenon instead of a mys- terious ‘sense of direction’ or a hypothetical reliance on magnetism.”’ 15 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31st DECEMBER 1949. President H.E. Raja Manarajy SINGH Vice-Presidents Maj.-Gen. Sir Sahib Singh Sokhey, 1.M.s. Mr. W. S. Millard, F.z.s. Executive Committee Sir, Chintaman. D. Deshmukh,>xKr.,. C3i.E3) 1.C-S. Mr. M. J. Dickins Mr. M. J. Hackney Mr. R. E. Hawkins Mr. Fi. Bt Hayes irs IPS OM, lead aces; Reva@r. ch: Sanvapau, -'s-i- Bombay Dr. 5. B.. Seta, ph.p. Mayj.-Gen. Sir Sahib Singh Sokhey, I.M.S. Mr. Salim Ali u S tae Mr. Humayun Abdulali ( one ol aes) Mr. J. 1."Alfrey (Hon. Treasurer) Advisory Committee Lt.-Col. R. W. Burton, 1.4, (Retd.) . Bangalore Dr." BaiN. Chepra; D:se: New Delhi Mr. ©. FH. Donald: #-Z:s. Be .. London Rev, Fr. Dr. J. B. Freeman, M.A., L-T., Ph.v., D.D. Mysore Dr S.. L Fora, sp:se. | ... Calcutta Mr. C. M. Inglis, B.E.M.B.0.U., | F.Z.S. ... Darjeeling Col, R. CL. Merris, FR:Gss.,2F-24S5 Attikan Dee Se Wk Mukerjee, D.SC; ~ ... Calcutta Lt.-Col. E. G. Prukesouy area OsBtE a P.ZS., 1A. (Retd.) a ..« Nilgiris Dr. Baini Prashad, D.SC. «+s New Delhi Staff Mr. IN. G..4Pillai; a3-a. . Curator Mr: VK. Chari, BA. 1:7. a Asst. Curator PROCEEDINGS AND. ACCOUNTS, 1949 581 List of members of the Executive and Advisory Committees elected for the year 1950. Vice-Presidents Maj.-Gen. Sir Sahib Singh Sokhey, I.M.s. Mr: °W.'S: (Millard, ¥F.z.s. Executive Committee Mir je. br. Altrey i ee ae Sir Chintaman D. Deshwuleh. KE Cole, I.esse Mr. M. J. Hackney a Mr. R. E. Hawkins, Mr. P.M. Lad, 1.¢.s: a ee so Rev. Fr. H. Santapau, s.J.... be eee | Dr, _S. By: Setna, Php. 2 sae ee Bombay Mi Ro Pi smith... Maj.-Gen. Sir Sahib Singh Sokhey, eM. Se Mr. Humayun Abdulali Mr. Salim Ali Mr. M. J. Dickins (Hon. Treasurer) (Hon. Secretaries) Advisory Committee It.-Col:,.R.. .W.. Burton; fa: (Retd) -;°... ... Bangalore Dr. B. N. Chopra, D.sc. an me ... New Delhi Mr, Ce. Donald, b-Z:s. ' . London Rev. Fr. Dr. J. B. Freeman, MAs, U.T., ph.p., D.D. Coorg Dr S.-i. Hora; “pise. a ... Calcutta MiC. Me inglis, .€.M.BeO.U.,. Wiistri Bandra, Bombay; Mr. P. R. Sen, Under-Secretary, Labour Dept., Patna; Sub-Divisional Forest Officer, Banaskanta, Palanpur P.O.; Conservator of Forests, Utilization & Engineering Circle, Poona; Mr. N. Rama Row, Bombay ; The Principal, Sree Narayana College, Quilon ;. Mrs. Camar Tyabjee, Hyderabad (Dn); Wing-Commander Sardar PROCEEDINGS AND ACCOUNTS, 1949 587 Surjit Singh Majithia, Simla East; Mrs. J. H. Barker, Kathgodam P.O., Naini Tal; Sub-Divisional Forest Officer, Sabarkantha Division, Himmatnagar ; Sub-Divisional Forest Officer, Utilization and Industries, Poona; Divisional Forest Officer, East Khandesh, Jalgaon; Divisional Forest Officer, Working Plans, Southern Circle, Belgaum ; Prof. A. B. Misra, p.sc., p.Phil (Oxon), University Professor of Zoology, Benares ; Divisional Forest Officer, Dharwar-Bijapur Division, Dharwar ; Mr. C. Lobo, Bombay ; The Siliviculturist, Bombay Province, Poona; Dr. H. J. Taylor, Wilson College, Bombay; The Raja of Dhami State, Dhami, Simla Hills; Divisional Forest Officer, Kolaba Division, Alibag; The Principal, Government Brennen College, Tellicherry ; Mr. T. V. Subramaniam, Bombay ; Mr. Gulam Ahmed Khan, — Nawab Mansib Jung Bahadur, Hyderabad (Dn); Divisional Forest Officer, East Nasik, Nasik; The Officer-in-Charge, Naturalists’ Club, Inter-Services Wing, Armed Forces Academy, Dehra Dun; Mr. L. W. Wade, Bombay; Divisional Forest Officer, Working Plans, C.C., Poona; Mr. S. R. Daver, Dy. Conservator of Forests, Bilasapur ; Divisional Forest Officer, Belgaum; Lt.-Col. K. Guman Singh, Banera (Mewar); Sub-Divisional Forest Officer, Working Plans, North Eastern Circle, Nasik; The Divisional Forest Officer, North Thana, Nasik; Mr. C. R. Patterson, Rajkot; Divisional Forest Officer. West Khandesh, Dhulia; Mr. F. Haverschmidt, Paramaribo, Dutch Guiana ; Me. BR. Goldschmidt, Bombay; Mr: G. K. Kurtyan, M.sc., F.Z.s. Krusadai Island; Mr. E. B. Rajderkar, M.sc.. Bombay; Mr. P. M. Lad, 1.c.S., Bombay; Mr. Sri Nath, New Delhi; Mr. Ralph Lawson, Massa- chusetts, U.S.A.; Mr. C. E. Underwood, Calcutta; Mr. A. D. Mukerji, Meerut; H.H. Maharaja Pratap Keshari Deo, Kalahandi State; Mr. C. V. Patel, A.R.S.M., B.S.c. (Lond.), Bombay. Fvom ist January to 5th October 1950. _ Miss Dorothy Carolyn Harper, Lucknow ; Conservator of Forests, Research & Working Plans, Poona; Shri K. P. S. Menon, I.c.s., New Wel: Shri H. Dayal, 1.c.s., Sikkim; Rev. R. Lepour, s.j-, Darjee- ling; Mr. A. J. Brock, Guntur; Mr. Erach D. Avari, Darjeeling ; 2/Lt. M. K. Dharmendrasingji, East Kirkee; Sjt. Vijayasinh Chimanbhai Sheth, Ahmedabad; Mr. P. I. Chacko, M.A., F.Z.S., Madras; Mr. Gerald B. Eastmure, Hoogrijan, Assam; Capt. G. A. F. Rands, Rajahmundry; Faculteit van Wiskunde en Naturwetenschap, Universiteit Van Indonesie, Bandung, Java; Dr. S. R. Savur, M.B.B.S., D.M.R., X-Ray Clinic, Bombay; Mr. Stewart Conrad Kinnersley, Amritsar; Mr. S. H. Captain, Bombay; Prof. Cha Liang Chao, Delhi University, Delhi; Sir Norman B. Kinnear, M.B.O.U., Director, British Museum (Natural History), London S.W. 7; The Principal, Jeypore College, Jeypore; Mr. Julius Nazareth, Khar, Bombay; Mr. H. Marshall, Jalpaiguri; The Conservator of Forests, Sambalpur Circle, Orissa; Mr. B. R. Halder, Calcutta; Mr. J. A. Singh, Bombay; The Forest Botanist, Dharwar; Mr. Calvin D. Wilson, Salt Lake City, U.S.A.; The Secretary, Western India Automobile Association, Bombay; Major G. W. W. Halnan, Banarhat P.O. Dooars, Bengal; Dr. C. von Wedel, Oklahoma, U.S.A.; The Conservator of Forests, Berhampur Circle, Orissa; Dr. W. K. Winter- halder, Bombay; Mr. T. A. Tobit, Bombay; Mrs. Daenne B. Natolie, -588 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 New Jersey, U.S.A.; Mr. L. C: Kent-Morgan, Mudigere P.O., Chikmagalur Dist.; Mr. Gobinda Chandra Thakuria, Forest Ranger, Kaziranga; Assistant Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Food, New Delhi; The Principal, College of Agriculture, Dharwar ; Mr. A. Zaman, 1.c.s., Calcutta; Mr. E. R. Wapshare, New Hope P.O., Nilgiris; Mr. Sao Saimong, Chief Education Officer, Taunggyi, Burma; The Principal, P.E. Society’s College, Aurangabad; The Principal, Thiagarajar College, Mathurai; Sri Sri Sri Jubaraj Saheb of Parlakimedi, Ootacamund; Mr. Abde A. Tyebjee, Bombay; The Librarian, Royal Forest Department, Bangkok, Siam; Mr. F. R. P. Cannan, Handi Estate, Mudigere P.O. Chikmagalur Dist.; Mr. E. S. Rose, Rozella, Ceylon; Mr. Frank M. Thomas, Bangalore; Mr. Fred Webb, Bangalore; The Silviculturist, Uttar Pradesh, Naini Tal; Dr. G. V. Desai, Poona; The Divisional Forest Officer, Rayjpipla ; Mr. D. S. Barron, Bombay; The Principal, Darjeeling Government College, Darjeeling; Mr. N. G. F. Graham, Sangameswarpet ‘P.O; Chikmagalur Dist.; The Sub-Divisional Forest Officer, Gir, Amreli P.O.; The Principal, Government Arts College, Madras 2; Dr. Sohrab A. Hakim, Bombay. é oe i | i | ee eee TOL ors gutsr | | [BIOL 0) ed T. 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L. melanophus, which according to Whistler, also occurs in those woods, I did not identify. Whistler comments on the remarkable fact that Trochaloplerum variegatum, the Variegated Laughing-Thrush, is a common inhabi- tant of the willow-groves in the two valleys, and is often quite easily watched in the open. Does its presence there indicate that Lahul at one time had vegetation similar to Kulu, with oak, rhododendron, etc.? The willows are said to have been planted within the past hundred years. How did these laughing-thrushes arrive and adapt themselves to this type of habitat? The Streaked Laughing-Thrush (J. linealum) is also a plentiful species, but it chiefly haunts the lower scrub of Berberis, Rosa, ete. which are native species, so that its presence is not so difficult to account for. We were lucky with Wall-Creepers of which Whistler seems to have seen very few. One was seen flitting over the Chandra river just above its junction with the Bhaga at under 9,500 feet and Captain Ranald saw a second bird the same day. ‘This seems to be an unusually low altitude for June. A pair were visiting a cliff above the river at Patsio (12,000 ft.) perhaps collecting food for young in a nest not far away. Himalayan Tree Creeper (Ceriiia himulayana). This species 1s not mentioned by Whistler. I saw one on a _ willow-tree above Kyelang on June 21st and another, below Kyelang, on the 27th. This latter settled on a willow-tree within a few ieet of me, and I had an excellent view of its barred tail. It several times uttered a loud song, vigorous and very rapid: ‘tiss, yip, yip, yip, yip, yip’. It was clearly not C. familiaris. ; I saw all the five willow-warblers noted by Whistler. P. affinis I noted only along the Bhaga valley, on three cr four occasions. Both this species and P. griseolus seem to be very silent birds. Three times [ heard P. affinis in song, and the song is rather like a short edition of the song of the common Wren, Tvoglodytes. P. griseolus I only saw satisfactorily once, on a desolate scree two miles from Khoksar, on the 29th. I sat within range of it for twenty minutes, but it did not ‘cheep a chirp’. P. collybita was abundant all along the Bhaga valley from the junction of the rivers to Jispa, but I only once heard the familiar song in the Chandra valley. Whistler called his birds P. c. tristis, but Vicehurst (“Genus Phylloscopus’, 1938) gives P. c. sindianus as the breeding supspecies in Lahul. The song is more ‘tinny’ than, and not nearly as loud as, the song of the HKuropean Chiffchaff, but it is unmistakable and just as persistent. ‘Licehurst says: ‘Brooks noted that the call note is different from that of tristis and is a loud ‘‘tiss-yip’’.’ I frequently heard a call-note that seemed identical with the usual note of collybita, quite distinct from the querulous single note of tristis. Once I saw what appeared to be a Chiffchaft constantly uttering a peculiar double note which might be Brooks’s ‘tiss-yip’. P. occipitalis is fairly common in the tree-planted parts of both valleys. 610 JOURNAL; BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 Whistler records a single P. magimrostris which he shot by Sissu rest-house. Curiously enough, on the 18th I heard its characteristic song and saw one in the trees at that very spot. On June a2ist, between Kyelang and Jispa, I heard two in song in ravines below the path, where there were a few juniper trees for them to hide in. On the 24th one of these two was again heard singing most persis- tently. The five-note silver-bell-like song, descending the scale, once heard, is unforgettable. But the bird is astonishingly clever at remaining hidden in the foliage, and must, therefore, I think, be often missed by those who have not learnt its song. The Grey-backed Shrike (Lanius schach tephronotus) is very common, and one can usually feel no doubt that it is of this subspecies. But I think the colour of the back and scapulars is variable and if a. number were collected, possibly some would be found to come very near to L. s. erythronotus. More than once I saw one shoot down a hill-side as if it were a hawk, its long tail! cocked up so as to be hardly visible. On one such occasion some small finches in the bushes below fled in terror. A single White-throated Fantail Flycatcher (dthipidura albicollis) was seen at Kyelang, 10,000 ft. This seems to be an unusually high elevation for the species. Whistler does not refer to it. He records a pair of Gtnanthe pleschanka (=leucomela) between the bridge and Kyelang, apparently nesting, tobserved on 1st June, 1921. ‘This pair’, he says, ‘were doubtless only stragglers from the main breeding ground in Ladakh and Turkestan’. However, on the other side of the bridge, towards Gondla, I noted two males of this species in song on the 19th; both of these were barely two miles from Gondla. A good deal nearer the bridge, on the 27th, I observed two more, about a mile apart, both of them males, in song. I saw no female on either occasion and I could nct find the two birds of the roth on the 27th. But the country near the last bend of the Chandra, before it joins the Bhaga, looks very suitable for wheatears, and I think it quite likely that a small colony of the species is fully established there. Stuart Baker gives this bird the English name of Pied Wheatear (or at least Pied Chat). He calls Gi. picata by the same name. Perhaps Brown-winged Wheatear, or if necessary Brown-winged Pied Wheatear would be a suitable English name. For the brown in wings and tail are good diagnostic features in the male bird, separating it from several very similar wheatears whose plumage is pure black and white. White-capped (Water Redstarts (Chaimarrhornis leucocephala) were fairly plentiful and Indian Black Kedstarts (Phoenicurus ochruros) extremely abundant. I did not see Gildenstadt’s Redstart (P. grandis),which Whistler found at higher altitudes. The Blue- fronted Restart (P. frontalis) I saw only twice: one, a male in song, in the juniper wood between Kyelang and Jispa (11,000 ft.); the other an adult bird feeding a young one, in the open stony country at ¢. 12,000 ft., below the top of the Rohtang pass on the 30th. } The Blue-headed Robin (Adelura coeruleocephala) is one of the characteristic birds of Lahul. But we only saw it.from near Kyelang to Jispa. I did not hear the song; but the ‘tik, tik’ of the male, SOME NOTES ON BIRDS IN LAHUL 6i1 just like an English Robin’s note, was constantly heard. The pale cap of the male only looks blue when the bird is seen well below the observer (which is unusual). Otherwise it looks dull white. The underparts are not pure white, but are streaked with grey. The female could easily be mistaken for a Rufous-tailed Flycatcher. Whistling-Thrushes (Myophonus) were plentiful; and I saw Blue Rock Thrushes (Monticola solitaria) three times. | Brown Dippers (Cinclus pallasii) were fairly plentiful. On the evening of the 22nd, at Patsio, just above the bridge, we watched an adult Brown Dipper feeding a young one, sometimes chasing a White-breasted Dipper (C. cinclus) which was resting on a stone near by, but ignoring a Hodgson’s Wagtail (Motacilla alboides), which was also feeding at the same spot. This White-breasted Dipper was the only one of that species seen. The only Accentor I saw was a single bird below Patsio on the 22nd; it flew out of sight and I could not iind it again. Probably it was a Rufous-breasted Accentor (A. stropiiatus), a species which Whistler found breeding in the juniper wood below Jispa. The status of the Crossbill (Loxia) in Lahul is puzzling. Whistler, who did not find it, quotes Stoliczka, who visited Lahul in 1860, as stating that it is “common in Lahul in summer’. Whistler says he made special efforts to find it but in vain. He nowhere specifically mentions, however, any visit paid to the two areas of true pine-wood, where it would be much more likely to occur than in the juniper wood. Both these areas are on north-facing slopes, and difficult of acgess. Stuart Baker says (Fauna, Vol. III, p. 116): ‘I have in my collec- tion a clutch of five eggs taken in Lahul, Kashmir (sic) at an elevation of about 12,000 feet. They were taken by natives and the details given may not be very correct, but the nest was described as a shallow cup of pine-twigs and roots lined with wool and placed on a stunted pine-tree on the outskirts of pime forest. The eggs are exactly like those of the English Cressbili’. I did not see or hear any Crossbills ( I know the flying call-note weli) though I was on the look-out for them. But I did not visit the pine-woods. I had a very good view of a Spotted-winged Grosbeak (Mycerobas carneipes) at Jispa and heard others between Jispa and Kyelang in the juniper woods. We saw several parties of Common Rose-finches (Carpodacus ervythvinus), and both at Kyelang and Jispa there was a second species, slightly larger, the male a deeper red, the female a much dingier bird than the female erythrinus. I watched one of these females at very close quarters at Jispa. These appear to have been the Red- mantled Rose-finch (Carpodacus rhrodochlamys). These birds were fond of raising the feathers of the crown, so that they looked to be crested. Possibly all rose-finches have this habit. Gold-fronted Finches (Metaponia pusilla) and Himalayan Gold- finches (Carduelis caniceps) were plentiful especially in the Kyelang- Jispa area. With one party, I also saw a pair of Himalayan Green- finches (Hypacanthis spinoides) not far from Kyelang. Whistler's only definite record of this species was of a single bird at Kyelang. 612 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 Sparrows (P. domesticus) were iairly common at Kyelang, but I saw none in the Chandra valley. Fringillauda nemoricola, Stoliczka’s Mountain-Finch—if that is the correct English name for it—(cannot the whole species be called the Plain Mountain Finch?) was plentiful. Large flocks, parties and pairs were observed in the more barren, stony areas. At Patsio they were specially plentiful; and here I had good views of two Brandt’s Snow-Finches (Ff. brandti), on the morning of the 23rd. This is lower than their usual altitude. Meadow Buntings (Emberiza cia) were plentiful. One day I noticed one sitting on a wall that seemed to have a broad black patch on its breast. Atter watching it in perplexity for some time I realised that the breeze had ruffled its feathers, so that I was seeing the base of all the breast-feathers. This is, perhaps, a rather good illustration of the kind of circumstance that leads observers to report birds seen with a colour scheme that does not fit any known species. There were colonies of House Martins, Crag Martins and Swifts in both valleys. But I should not describe any of these species as ‘very common’ to-day, the description applied by Whistler to the Swift. All are fairly common. The three wagtails noted by Whistler~-Hodgson’s Pied, Grey (M. cinerea) and Yellow-headed ({M. ciiveola)--were all seen Hodgson’s was noted up to 12,000 feet. Yellow-headed was only seen in two or three places. The only pipits I saw were Hodgson’s Pipits (Anthus roseatus) which were plentiful near the top of the Rohtang pass (12-13,000 feet). On June jzoth I watched some in beautiful plumage with delicate pink on the throat. They were very tame. This also was the only place where I saw Horned Larks {Otocorys alpesiris). The song uttered on the ground was a good deal richer than Whistler’s ‘short and insignificant’ would suggest. Skylarks (presumably Alauda gulgula) I only heard and saw in the lower parts of the Chandra valley, between Sissu and the junction of the rivers. There was a hoopoe at Sissu (10,000 ft.) both on the 18th and the: 2oth. Lammergeiers (Gypaétus barbatur) were plentiful, and I think Griffon Vultures (Gyps himalayensis) raust have increased in the past twenty-five years, as I believe they have done in other parts of the Himalayas. A little before sunset, at Patsio on the 22nd, we were watching Griffons and Lammergeiers circling round a cliff-face, in the strong slanting sunlight, when I noticed an almost black bird amongst them. I watched it for some time and whichever way it turned in the sunlight, its plumage, both above and below, remained dark. I again saw one, in almost exactly similar conditions of light, soaring above Khoksar in the evening sunshine on the 2goth. This, if any- thing, looked even blacker above and below. Both were undoubtedly vultures, not ¢agies. I can only conclude thet they were both Aigypius monachus. I saw no eagle in Lahul. One or two kites were seen between Khoksar and Sissu. I took them to be Muilvus m. migrans, but I suppose M. m. lineatus is a possibility. I saw Sparrow-Hawks twice, one soaring over Kyelang before sunset on the aa SOME NOTES ON BIRDS IN LAHUL 613 24th and. one that dashed close past me while I was watching a Brown-winged Wheatear on the 27th. I had a moment’s fear for the wheatear, but it disappeared among the rocks in time. Kestrels were not uncommon. Blue Rock-Pigeons (Columba livia) were plentiful and tame, Snow Pigeons (C. leuconota) occasional, usually seen in deep gorges. Captain Ranald probably saw one or more ‘Turkestan Rock-Pigeons (C. rupestris) at Patsio, but if I saw them I passed them over as Snow Pigeons. her -tail-pattern +1s;° Eufancy, -rather similar. —!- confirm Whistler’s statement that ‘the prevalent type (of Blue Rock Pigeon) has the lower back bluish grey concolorous with the upper back, but a few white-banded birds are to be seen’. Rufous Turtle-Doves (Streptopelia orientalis) were common in cultivation. Both Captain Ranald and I sew single individuals of the Spotted Dove (S. chinensis) at Gondla on the 27th. This species is not in Whistler’s list. . Chukors (Alectoris graeca) are still as pientiful as they were in Whistler’s time, all the way to Patsio. Captain Ranald saw one Snow Partridge (Lerwa lerwa). I thought I heard a Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) on the shingle banks at Darcha, which seems probable from Whistler’s report of its distribution. We frequently scanned shingle-banks for Ibis-bills (Ibidorhyncha) but all in vain. HILSA FISHERIES IN THE NARBADA RIVER! BY C.-V. KULKARNI, 41.Sc;,)Ph-b., Department of Fisheries, Bombay. (With three text figures) (Communicated by Dr. S. B. SETNA, F.NiI:) | CONZENAS 1. Introduction 4 ae 56 8 “+ 614 2. Local Nomenclature of Hilsa_ bai ads 1 615 3. Distribution of Hilsa on the West Coast 616 4. Migration of Hilsa in the Narbada 2 Sod = 617 5. Methods of Hilsa Fishing in the Narbada ats -- 619 6. Disposal and Potentiality of the Yield j -- 621 7. Depletion of the Sent! -++ 622 8. Summary -. 622 INTRODUCTION Hilsa is noted for its valuable fisheries in the lower reaches of rivers in Bengal, eastern coast of Madras and Sind. Day (1878), who paid close attention to the spawning migrations of this fish in different Indian rivers, did not record its occurrence in any of the fluvial waters of the west coast of peninsular India. Sundara Raj (1917) con- cluded, therefore, that Hilsa did not occur on the west coast of India except the Indus. Later, Prashad, Hora and Nair (1940, p. 530) quot- ing Cuvier and Valenciennes stated that M. Dussumier had obtained the fish in Bombay. Moreover, Campbell! (1877, p. 362) had also recorded a plentiful supply of Hilsa in the estuaries of the Narbada ; and for the past 30 years it is imported in large quantities into Bombay where, it forms the mainstay of quality fish during the monsoon. In recent years, Prater (1940), Moses (1940 and 1942) and Pillay (1948) also referred to Hilsa fisheries in and around the Gulf of Cambay. These observers, dealing as they did, with fisheries in general, did not pay special attention to Hilsa. Recently, the author had an oppor- tunity to study the breeding habits and early life history of the fish in the Narbada (Kulkarni 1950). Observations made on this occasion show that this potential source of food and wealth deserves more careful attention, both from a commercial and a scientific point of view. Details of this fishery as a preliminary note to further study are given below. Acknowledgment.—I am grateful to Dr. S. B. Setna, Director of Fisheries, Bombay, for his constant encouragement and for the facili- ties afforded to me for the compilation of this paper. —_— 1 Published with the kind permission of the Director of Fisheries, Bombay. HILSA FISHERIES IN THE NARBADA RIVER 615 Bocar NOWENCEATURE OF “Hel rsa The Hilsa is known around Bombay as ‘Pala’, a similar term, viz., ‘Palla’ being used to designate the same fish in Sind... The fish is, however, known differently around Broach where it is called ‘Chaksi’ or ‘Chaski’. Considerable confusion arises in the common mind on account of Hilsa (H. ilisha) being mistaken for a similar fish, Hilsa tolt, both of which occur in the same areas. Even scientifically, the differences, according to Day (1889) are not very pronounced as will be apparent from the following :— Hilsa toli (C. and V.) flilsa tlisha (Ham.) D-16-17. D-18-19. A-19-20. A-19-22. ~ L1.-39-40. LI.-46-49. L. tr-13-14. ee ales tee dO; Head 5 to 54 times in total Head 44 to 44 times in total length. length. 12-13 scutes behind the ~ 14-15 scutes behind the pelvics. pelvics. The illustrations in text fig. 1 (a) and (b) show that in superficial appearance both the fishes are similar and one can easily be mistaken for the other. It seems that the confusion is common even in Bengal where nye We ine PE OTE SE oe (5) Text fiz. No.1: (a) Ailsa ilisha (Ham.)2 x ; (6) Ailsatolt (C. & V.) 2 x Hilsa toli is known as Chandana Hilsa (Hora and Nair 1940b). H. toli is known as ‘bhing’ around Bombay and ‘modar’ at Broach. The 616 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST. SOCIETY, Voi. 49 local names of these two fish are thus quite distinct; yet, the similarity of form and appearance leads to considerable confusion, in less critical minds, so much so that in Broach, the names ‘chaksi’ and ‘medar’ are sometimes used—indiscriminately. Consistency in the use of the names is lax. Another anomaly noted in the same area (Broach) is that instead of using the name ‘chaksi’ for both sexes of Hilsa, only gravid Hilsa is called chaksi and the male is termed ‘palva’ for trade purposes. Even a male ‘bhing’ or a small size non-gravid female ‘bhing’ is classed as Palva. If a specimen is less than 6 ins., whether of Palla or Bhing it is known as’ Palvi or Palavdi. Pillay (1948, p. 58) records ‘palwa’ as the local name of H. ilisha and ‘choksi’ (= chaksi) as that of H. tol: in the Kodinar-Madhwad area. Moses (1940), on the other hand, mentions ‘palwa’ as the local name of Clupea toli (= H. toli) and ‘modar’ as that of H. ilisha at Baroda. My own examination of specimens obtained from Madhwad establishes beyond doubt that the fish known as ‘palwa’ in Kodinar- Madhwad area is H. tolt and the .‘chaksi’ as H. ilisha. Inquiries raade with the importers of fish to Bombay from Kodinar area also confirm these findings. This brings to mind the fact that observations made by Pillay (1948) regarding ‘palwa’ taking it as H. ilisha, includ- ing the statistical figures recorded by him (loc. cit. pp. 58-61), relate in fact to H. toli and those for his ‘choksi’ are for H. ilisha. The local names of this fish are thus confusing and much reliance cannot be placed on the terms used by local fishermen without actual examination of the specimens. These discrepancies are detailed here, as otherwise scientific workers are apt to be misled by accepting reports from less scrutinizing persons particularly because of the close similarity of form and habitat of the two fishes concerned. In order to facilitate field identification of specimens a rough field key is furnished hereunder :— Ff. toli Hi. ilisha Scales «» Large (LI. 39-40). Small (L1, 46-49). Head «. About 1/5 total length. About 1/4 total length. Dorsal fin .». Upper margin distinctly Slightly concave. concave. Tail ... Long caudal lobes (almost Short caudal lobes (shorter equal to the length of the than the length of the head). : head). Generally, the term Hilsa denotes H. ilisha in the entire north-eastern India as well as in scientific literature, unless stated otherwise. This usage of terms is also followed in this paper. DISTRIBUTION’ -OF Hits A’ ON THe OW ESC ons rc The references quoted earlier show that the occurrence of Hilsa in the Narbada as well as around Bombay is known for over a century, though in the intervening period some of the authors were not aware of it. Recent observations have shown that the distribution of the fish is not limited to this region only but extends over a much wider area along the coast. Its occurrence on the Kathiawar coast (Pillay, 1948), in the Purna river near Navsari, (Moses, 1942) and the Ulhas near Bassein (Kulkarni, 1950) has already been recorded. Further in- HILSA FISHERIES IN THE NARBADA RIVER 617 vestigations have located this fish in the estuary of the Savitri river near Bankot about 70 miles south of Bombay, as well as in the estuary of the Kali river near Karwar. Chacko and Ganapathi (1949) record its occurrence on the Malabar coast also. This indicates that al- though there is no record from rivers in the intervening areas it may be assumed that the distribution extends definitely up to Malabar coast and may extend even further south. Pillay’s record of Hilsa fishery off the coast of Kodinar (op. cit.) as well as the occasional occurrence of this fish in the catches of the gill nets of the fishermen of Bombay, fishing about ro to 15 miles away from the coast, in December and January, lend additional support to the assumption that Hilsa inhabit the offshore areas. However, whether on the west coast, Hilsa sojourns in the estuaries for two years in the same manner as it does, as stated by Sundara Raj (1937) in case of the estuaries on the east coast of Madras, is yet to be determined. Another observation recorded was that though the river Tapti is so close to the Narbada and has a fairly large and perennial flow, the number of Hilsa ascending the river is very small, so much so that there is hardly any Hilsa fishery during the monsoon. Although both rivers are sufficiently wide at the mouth and have a voluminous flow of water, yet very few Hilsa are found in the [apti. These rivers thus afford an excellent venue to determine the possibility of homing instinct in Hilsa as also to study the requirements of a successful run of Hilsa by a comparison of the conditions obtaining in these two sheets of water. Vi GGR AT ON -O FTES A EN: THE NARBADA Recent observations indicate that though Hilsa has been found to occur generally in the Gulf of Cambay as well as the coastal areas, it is abundant only in the River Narbada. The river being the largest on the west coast after the Indus, is by far the best haven for Hilsa on this coast. It is, therefore, worthwhile to recount a few particulars of this river. . The Narbada has a total length of about 800 miles and has its origin in the Amarkantak Hills in the Bilaspur District of C.P. (Madhya Pradesh). It drains an area of about 36,400 sq. miles and flowing between the ranges of the Vindhya and the Satpura Hills finally debouches into the Gulf of Cambay. The only important town near its mouth is Broach which is 200 miles north of Bombay. According to Campbell (op. cit.), the discharge of the river in times of maximum floods is of about two and a half million c.ft. per second. To give some idea of the volume of water flowing down the Narbada, it has been estimated that in a season with average rainfall of 36 inches, a lake 324 sq. miles in area and 100 feet deep would be required to receive its waters. The total quantity of water is also estimated to be about 4 the capacity of the Gulf of Cambay. In fair weather the velocity of the river water near Broach is 1.25 ft. per second or a little less than a mile per hour. The width of the river is about a mile near Broach, the course thereafter widening into an estuary whose shores where they fall away into the gulf area are more than 13 miles apart. Nevertheless, the estuarine area is rather limited when compared with the extensive estuarine area of the Ganges, Indus etc. It can, however, be said that the Gulf of 618 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SQCIETY, Vol. 49 Cambay itself is a vast estuary owing to such rivers as the Sabarmati, Mahi, Tapti, etc., emptying into the Gulf, in addition to the Narbada. The migration of -Hilsa in this river as stated by the author (1950) commences generally in July when the first floods occur in this area and continues up to middle of September. The ascent of the fish in the river does not, however, extend over a long distance, probably on account of the course of the river being rather steep, passing as it does through hilll ranges of both the Vindhya and the Satpuras. The upstream limit of the ascent known so far is a series of rapids from Garudeshwar to Gora and Makhadi villages about 100 miles from the sea, which marks the lower or westward limit of steep hill tracts over which the river flows with considerable rapidity during the monsoon. ‘The range of migration of the fish is thus limited to the lower reaches of the river and is certainly short as compared with the extensive tracts travelled by the fish in the Indus, Ganges etc. The extreme seaward point where shoals of Hilsa are sighted during their migrations and are sought for by the fishermen, is the village of Bhadbhoot about 18 miles downstream of Broach. The major portion of fishing is done, however, near the town of Broach which commands a large fishermen population hailing from the neighbour- ing hamlets of Hansot, Vyajalpur, Maktanpore etc. There are twenty other villages along the up-stream course of the river which under- take Hilsa fishing in the season, Jhanore being the last important fishing village. The lunar periodicity in the ascent of Hilsa in the Narbada, has already been elucidated by the author (1950) Fish is caught on a commercial scale only during spring tide especially from the 12th day of each lunar fortnight up to the first or second day after full moon and new moon. Furthermore, it has been observed that even during the spring tide days, the catches are at their maximum during the high water period. This indicates that the duration represents the peak period of movement of Hilsa and the netting operations be- come more fruitful during this time only. Prospects of fishing after the spring tide are so meagre that fishermen suspend fishing during neap tide and utilize the time in mending nets and repairing boats. Another interesting aspect of the migration of Hilsa in the Narbada is the appearance of a small run after the normal monsoon run, which begins in March and continues up to the middle of April. This run being small, fish caught around Broach are consumed locally. Whether the run really ceases after April or continues unnoticed and develops into a major run in July and August has yet to be determined. It may be mentioned,. however, that this run is similar to the small run of Hilsa which occurs in the Indus and the Irravadi in March and. April (Day..1873, p. 23).: The cause of this sum in, these lapse rivers is attributed by Day (loc. cit.) to the melting of snow in summer in their upper reaches causing a minor flood. Hora and Nair (1940) (a) also observed a minor peak period in the breeding of Hilsa in the Hooghly which they attributed to the flooding of the river due to the Nor’Westers. In the Narbada, however, there is no such possibility, as at no stage, the river passes through any snow clad mountains and there is not the slightest increase in the level of water in March and April. HILSA FISHERIES IN THE NARBADA RIVER 619 METHODS OF HILSA FISHING IN THE NARBADA The usual gear employed for large scale capture of Hilsa in the Narbada river is sunken drift-nets. They are ordinary drift nets, but, instead of floating near the surface they are set almost near the bottom and drift at that level. Each piece is about 72 feet long and 7 feet deep. Ten or twelve such pieces are joined together end to end as a single unit and are allowed to drift as a vertical wall. The nets are generally made of twisted hemp with a mesh of 5” (stretched mesh). Triangular pieces of burnt clay with a hole in the centre or some other similar articles are tied to the lead line and used as sinkers. About 16 floats, generally made of dry gourds are tied to the cork line (head rope) to keep the entire net erect in the water. The net is similar to the ‘Palwa Jal’ or ‘Hilsa net’ described by Pillay (1948), which fishes at the surface. The position of floats on the surface gives the impression that the net is on the surface, but actually there is a long string between the floats and the net (text fig. No. 2). This length is adjusted according to the depth of water ‘ () ty YY y 4 ~ ey NY We en ws ‘ “ ~ ‘ Ys \! CX) mR AY Wars OL RRO RRR LORE RER. SOS ox j i j * we a R Q) ws ih be =~“2 Text fig. No.2: A part of Hilsa net (diagrammatic). fished so that the net remains in reality near the bottom of the river. In some places the earthen sinkers dangle half a foot below the head line (foot rope), so that the chances of the net getting entangled into the bottom debris are reduced. The boats used for the fishing are all flat bottom boats of about a ton in capacity varying from 20 to 30 feet in overall length. Each boat has a crew of three or four, one of whom is a skipper (‘tindel’) who manages the boat while the others operate the nets. After the net is 620 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 cast, one end of it is tied to the boat which also drifts- along -with the net. It is paid out across the stream almost at right angles to the current so that it drifts downwards slowly and the fish swimming upstream are enmeshed in it. After about half an hour, the net is hauled up to remove the catch and is paid out again for further operations. During spring tide period, these operations are continued day and night, and are suspended only when the catches dwindle towards the end of spring tide period. ‘Jamda nets’.—In addition to professional fishermen who fish with drift nets, there is another class of people, viz., ‘Bhil’ fishermen who catch the ascending Hilsa with small hand nets known as ‘Jamda’ nets. They follow the hazardous method of negotiating the flooded river on.a float made of gourds or dry pumpkins and catch the fish in their purse-like hand nets. The float is known as ‘ghodi’ which is made by securing together three dry gourds with coir string. Two of them are tied close together on one side and the third is attached with a broad strap in between. The-gourds are encased in a mesh- work of coir string so that they do not slip and are less exposed to the danger of damage. A Bhil fisherman rides this float (ghody) which supports him and keeps him above the surface of the water. He can thus remain erect in the water with his hands and legs free. In his hands he holds his small ‘Jamda’ net which appears like an open bag (text fig. No. 3), while his legs are free to steer his course through the water. The net has an 8 ft. long slightly curved rod which twat! Vane Ny \ q \Y, ; Witines ans = eae x eee eee, a; ax BR RRR CON % See QP ng: % ies ene » NS ob, Uf Gea yy Text fig. No. 3: The ‘ Jamda’ net in operation (diagrammatic). forms half of the upper margin or the mouth of the net, the other half portion of the mouth being formed of only a string line. To both these portions a purse-like netting is attached which together forms a complete net. When the net is to be operated, another straight rod, 4 feet long, is attached by its proximal end to the middle of the curved rod and to its distal end the marginal string of the net is HILSA FISHERIES IN THE NARBADA RIVER 621 stretched and attached in bow-and-arrow fashion. When ready for use, the curved rod appears like a bow, the marginal string of the netting as the string of the bow and the straight rod takes the place of an arrow mounted on a bow as shown in the illustration (iext fig. No. 3). The fisherman carries the gear on his back, but when he jumps into the flooded river, he mounts the float and travels downstream with the net in his hands. In this manner, he drifts with the flood with the net immersed in water, the open mouth of the net facing the ascending fish. He heads forward in this way through the middle of the river, where the water is sometimes 20 to 25 feet deep. As soon as an ascending Hilsa strikes the net, he immediately lifts. the net andsecures the fish. In order fo..store the catch, a string ‘is passed through the gill opening of the fish and kept floating in the water with the help of another small dry pumpkin tied to the other end of the string. The fisherman thus dispenses with the encumbrance of carrying his catch and keeps his hands and legs free for his job. On the Narbada, the ‘Bhil’ fishermen wait on the banks for the right time of the tide—,the high tide period representing the maximum movement of the fish—and then enter the river in groups with their nets. The nets appear like bows and arrows stretched taut and give the impression of a small army invading the river which also appears tumultuous and sullen red owing to the muddy flood water flowing swiftly downwards. In the stream, they drift in a row of 8 or 10 in a line and thus cross about five miles at a time. At , Jhanore, a fishing village about 12 miles east of Broach, about 100 such ‘Jamdawallas’ jump into the river and drift up to Nicora, another village about five miles downstream. The catches made by these nets are not large, being about 5 to ro fish per head. The method is certainly interesting but at the same time hazardous. It is identical with that adopted by the fishermen in Sind (Day 1873, p. 66) where they float down on a gourd or a hollow earthen pot and catch fish by purse net. Further details of this method are lack- ing to facilitate comparison, but in one of the methods, where an earthen pot is used as a float, a spear is used to pierce the ascending fish, according to Sebastien Manrique (as quoted by Prashad et al 1940). Most of the fish caught by the professional fishermen with gill nets are gravid females heavy with roe and weighing on an average 4 lb. a-piece. Their lengths vary from 17" to 20”. The males are fewer in number and are comparatively smaller than the gravid females. The paucity of males in the catch may be explained by the possibility that the males being comparatively slender bodied are not ordinarily gilled in the nets intended for gravid females which are heavily built. This assumption is supported by the observation that the ‘Jamda’ net which has small meshes (2}” stretched mesh) catches a larger number of males along with a few ripe females. Dr SeoOsnAr wp LP ORENTLIALETY OF THE. VIEL D Fish caught by many fishermen is collected together at the land- ing site by merchants, who, advance money to them for nets, boats and other accessories and receive fish at a predetermined rate. Hardly 10% of fish is sold in the local market in the fresh condition. The bulk 622 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 of the fish with roe is packed in wooden boxes in ice and despatched to Bombay by rail, where there is a consistent demand for it. Part of the ice required by the trade is available locally at Broach, while additional supplies are obtained from Bombay. Fish landed at centres with a limited local demand and absence of export facilities to Bombay are cured with salt. The roe is cured and marketed separately. Collection of eccurate statistics of quantities of Hilsa landed annually, has been difficult as catches of H. ilisha and H., toli are generally mixed up both at the collecting as weil as consuming centres. From information gleaned from fishermen as well as from the records of fish merchants, it is possible to arrive at a rough estimate. Each boat, in a normal season of five spring tides, (from July to middle of September), it is estimated, collects about a thousand fish. The number of fishing boats in the Narbada which are annually engaged in Hilsa fisheries is about goo. Thus, the total catch of Hilsa alone in the river totals about 16,00,000 lb. per year which at the present retail rate 1s worth Rs. 10,00,000. DEPLETION (© F bo bo ses Hobe Fishermen complain of a general diminution in the catch of fish in the past few years. A possible explanation may be the intensified fish- ing from the increased number of boats in recent years. This naturally results in smaller catches per unit of effort. Although there are no accurate statistics to verify this presumption, observations at broach, as well as the records of fish imported into Bombay by rail from there, do point to a definite diminution in the former catches of fish. Several factors may account for the diminished yield. It may be the result of (1) natural fluctuation in the population of the fish in the estuary or (2) a definite reduction in the rate of replenishment of the fish population due to the depletion of stock. The reduced catches might also have represented the lowest level in a period of abundance, similar to the five year cycle recorded by Hera and Nair (1940b) in respect of the Hilsa fisheries of Bengal. Statistics are necessary to show whether there is a real decline in the fisheries, requiring man’s intervention for their restoration, or if it is simply a temporary natural fluctuation which will remedy itself. All explanations are bound to be merely speculative in the absence of systematic observations conducted on a scientific basis on the spot. Only then can remedial measures be suggested. SUMMARY Occurrence of Hilsa in the Narbada was recorded as early as 1877. Considerable confusion prevails regarding the correct identity of Hilsa ilisha and H. toli both of which are somewhat similar in appearance and habitat. Local names are also confusing at some fishing centres. Distribution of Hilsa ilisha on the western coast of peninsular India extends from the Kathiawar coast in the north to the Malabar coast in the south. In the Narbada, the migration of the fish extends only up to about 80 to 100 miles upstream, few if any ascending the adjoining river Tapti. HILSA FISHERIES IN THE NARBADA RIVER 623 Hilsa fishing is generally conducted in the river Narbada with sunken drift nets, but another interesting method of fishing with ‘jamda’ nets is practised by Bhii fishermen (aboriginal tribe) who float on dry gourds in the flooded river for hours and catch the ascending fish. Hilsa fish- ing constitutes a valuable source of food, most of the fish being ex- ported to Bombay in ice during the monsoon. Depletion of the fishery due to intensive fishing is, however, feared. Without established data no satisfactory solution can be devised to counteract the prodlem of diminished yield. The Narbada offers a suitable venue for detailed investigation. List OF REFERENCES 1. Campbell, J. M. (1877): Bombay Gazetteer for Broach and Surat, Pp. 340-364, 2. Chacko, P. I., and Ganapathi, S. V. (1949): On the Bionomics of Hilsa ilisha (Ham.) in the Godavari river. Journ. Madras Uni xviii. 3. Day, F. (1873): Report on the freshwater fish and fisheries of India and Burmah, Pp. 23, 24 and 66. 4. Day, F. (1878): The Fishes of India, p. 640. 5. Day, F. (1889): The Fauna of British India—Fishes I. 6. Hora, S. L. (1938): down, leading down from the poplar wood to the channel bed which was here quite thirty yards wide. This slope was overgrown with Indian chickweed (Glinus lotoides) and is referred to as the ‘ glinus-shelf’ Examination of a cliff-fall at the lower inner end of Karradah Island (a fall exposing the roots of a poplar tree) shewed that at a depth of nine feet below the surface of the ground long horizontal roots, three or four inches thick, run out from the main stem. A horizontal root was exposed for a length of quite ten feet, and was probably much longer than this in all. Such were the reinforcements to the isiand’s foundations provided by a mature growth of Populus euphratica. Beating tamarisks produced Macaria aestimaria larvae and several species of Noctuid-Quadrifid larvae in profusion. Caterpillars of Laphygma exigua were found by day under Glinus tufts some taking refuge from the heat under a thick slab of cracked mud. At least five species of butterfly were noted, some in abundance, and most of the species of moth mentioned for September were still active. November: The water remained at about 95 feet above sea-level till the 28th. About the 22nd light rains fell in Baghdad and heavier rainfall occurred in Northern Iraq. On the 28th the water rose to 102 feet, on the morning of the 29th it stood at 106 feet, and on November 30th it was 112 feet. Similar rainfall in spring, when the Tigris is already swollen by the melting snows, would be disastrous; but in an almost empty stream-bed, the flood-peak was able to pass swiftly down to the sea without any danger of broken banks. The first half of the month resembled October climatically, but nights gradually grew colder, the burr plants began to wither, and insects fell off. The pretty tussock-caterpillar of the Acvonycta decorated the foli- age of many a poplar, being especially conspicuous on young, low bushes; and two species of Clytze were common at night on low tama- risk shoots. No tamarisk on the island is old or large enough for these larvae to pupate under the bark or in the forks of the branches (as Clytie sancta does at Beirut) and they must therefore be obliged to spin up at the roots of the tree. Many of the poplar-feeding larvae, on the other hand, spin cocoons on the trunks of their host-tree, which gives them an advantage over tamarisk-feeders when the floods come. The larvae of the latter are most abundant in autumn, when the river is at its lowest ; the poplar-feeders in early summer, when it is at its highest. Nevertheless, a pupa at the root of a tree, if not actually killed by submersion, will have a better chance of producing an imago than a pupa in the ground under G/zzus or some other low plant, as will be explained under December, below. December : By the middle of the month the water had fallen again to 105 feet, and dropped to 97 at the end of the year. At 100 feet North Island was united to Karradah Island by a neck of mud, for the dividing channel was silting up rapidly, ; AY YEAR ON A TIGRIS ISLAND 651 The flood at the beginning of the month no doubt drowned many full-grown larvae on the point of pupation, especially since ovipositing females do not discriminate between high trees and lower growth. Larvae feeding on the former have only to climb upwards to escape the. water, but those on the latter must be drowned. This was illustrated by what was seen on a canoe-visit that I made on December Ist, when I paddled down the centre of the island between the trees. Ona young poplar-bush some three feet high growing in the main drive, clinging limply to a topmost twig, was a dead full-grown lappet-larva (Vadiasa stva) ; it hung there some 18 inches above the subsiding water-level ; but straws on branches indicated that the water had been some two feet higher a day or two before. No live larvae were seen, though various beetles were found on the tips of tamarisk scrub. It was noted, on this occasion, that the mud deposit was higher in the tamarisk-scrub than in the clearings and paths and than under the big poplars, where no undergrowth was, for the scrub checked the speed of the water and increased precipitation. In the main drive, I found the water about nine inches deep, with a very soft bottom; bubbles were rising from the mud. I also paddled up a diagonal path or clearing between tamarisk-scrub from the inner side of the island for some way, but was unable to penetrate into the main drive because the water in this clearing was shallower; in fact, in places on either side of the canoe the mud under the tamarisk shoots was already above the water-level ; air escaping from under this exposed mud made a loud sizzling sound as it burst the water-film or passed through the shallow puddles in the ridges of the fresh silt. About the middle of the month, it became too cold for insect activity, the minimum daily temperature being at freezing point for several days. A few hoody crows (Corvus cornix capellanus) came to forage on the island, two Species of kingfisher were seen, and smaller birds were observed on the shelving upper end of North Island. Flocks of migrat- ing birds passed over Baghdad, flying southwards. Smaller companies of waterfowl occasionally settled in the shelter of the dividing channel. About two weeks after the re-emergence of the high ground of Karradah Island from the flood-waters, observations of the mud-deposit were made. It was still soft enough to give about an inch when trodden on, was thickly littered with dead poplar leaves, and already cracking. As yet, these cracks were only 4” wide at the most. They radiated from, or were tangent to, tree-trunks, and a space of at least 4” was left round every trunk or thick stem, where the mud, solidify- ing, had drawn away. This was even so where quite young tamarisk shoots, growing from old roots, pierced the silt, but not where grasses or low plants protruded. If not entirely covered with mud, the protrud- ing blade of grass or twig of the low plant, was tightly gripped in the deposit, and no interval or crack was there to permit the upward passage of any insect resting at the roots that might have survived the submersion. The fresh, sloping mud deposit, on the ‘ glinus-shelf’ was cracking, indeed, at its drier higher levels, but tte vegetation played no part here in determining the course of these cracks. If a crack touched a glinus stem, it was quite by chance, nor was the stem, even in this case, free from the mud on either side; in the majority of cases the 652 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 glinus was completely smothered by the mud. I concluded therefore that these conditions would prevent any exigzva pupae surviving the winter here, or elsewhere on the island, for this plant only grew at one level on the island’s slopes. The ‘shelf’ would, of course, be under water longer than the higher parts of the island; in fact the water-graph shews that the levels of the island at which this plant grows are sub- merged for five whole months. . This consideration enabled me to distinguish between two classes of low herbage, and of moths feeding thereon: firstly, those, like A. sacrarza and N. noctuella dependent on the Polygonum, etc., of the clearings on the higher part of the island; and, secondly, those insects dependent on the G/zmus and crops of cucumber and beans, etc., at a lower level. The relatively short submersion of the first class, and the relatively light silt-deposit, would perhaps permit a certain proportion to survive the floods; but the longer submersion and consequently heavier silt-deposit affecting such species as Lampides baeticus and Laphygma exigua would certainly never permit them to be more than summer colonists of the island. ANNOTATED LIST OF LEPIDOPTERA OF KARRADAH ISLAND The species taken during the year on the island are here grouped into three classes :— 1. Permanent residents (22). 2. Temporary colonists (8). 3. Casual visitors (17). The numbers in brackets above represent the number of so-called Macro-Lepidoptera in each class, totalling 47 species. Owing to my comparative ignorance of the biology of many of the Micro-Lepidoptera and Pyralididae, these families are listed at the end all together (20 species); their status on the island is given where possible. I am indebted to Dr. H. G. Amsel for the identification of these latter fami- lies. For the identification of the larger moths I must acknowledge the assistance given by Mr. W. H. T. Tams, Monsieur Charles Boursin, and Herren Daniel and Warnecke. The division into Macro- and Micro-Lepidoptera is not in accord with latest taxonomic thought, and is only followed here for con- venience. I PERMANENT RESIDENTS NOTODONTIDAE 1. Dicranura intermedia Teich. Bi-voltine, both broods being vernal, the first flying in mid-March, the second in early May. Foodplant :—/ofulus. (On the mainiand also on willow, Salzx.) Early stages were described by me in A/ztt. Wuench. Ent. Ges. 1939, Heft 1 with a photograph. An Anatolian-Iranian species, ranging from East Turkey to North-West India, inhabiting oases; it reaches the mouth of the Tigris. It is a close relative of the European species vzzula L. which reaches West Turkey. For the genitalia of both, see my article: Middle East Lepidoptera—V. (Proc, Ry Etc Soc. Lond, (B) ism Parts 9-10-1946). : | A YEAR ON A TIGRIS ISLAND 653 2. Cerura turbida Brandt clarior Wilts. Bi-voltine, both broods being vernal, the first flying in March and April, the second in May and June. Foodplant:—/opulus euphratica. The early stages were described by me with photographs and the paler Baghdad race was named and described in ‘ Early stages of Oriental- Palaearetic Lepidoptera, V’ [Journ. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., xiiii, (4) p. 624, April 1943]. An Anatolian-Iranian species of limited range, only known from Iraq and South-west Persia; in South-east Turkey, in Syria, in North-west and North-central Persia, closely related but distinct species occur in oases, but not on the same species of poplar. 3. Pygaera pigra ferruginea Staudinger. Multivoltine or bi-voltine ; its exact phenology at Baghdad has not been worked out. I took a female by beating poplar on May Sth, and a male on the mainland on 20th April. Foodplant :—/Pofulus (and on mainland Salix) A well-known Euro-Siberian species. It is not known on the Tigris south of Baghdad, but occurs at 7,0CO ft. in South-west Persia much further south. An oasis species. ARCTIIDAE, NOLINAE 4, Celama harouni sp. n. This new species is closer to cezfonal/is Hubn. than the following, turanica Stgr. It differs from the latter principally in having antennae as in cen/onalis, and not with fascicles of cilia as in fuvranica. From both the straight course of the ante-median fascia on the forewing sepa- rate it. Its browner coloration also distinguishes it. Male antenna, ciliate. Fore-wing, light brown marked with dark brown as follows : a basal patch, not reaching the hind-margin; near the costa it is composed of raised scales c and its distal edge is parallel with the ante- median line and hind=-margin; the ante- median line, starting at the sub-costal from 57 a patch of raised scales; its distal edge is almost black, and sharply defined; and thirdly, the post-median fascia, with an . equally dark and sharply-defined distal edge, but dentate as in cezfonalzs ; on the costa, just proximal to this line, is a patch of dark brown raised scales. Except for these markings, the forewing is pale, especially in the median and sub-marginal areas. Subsmarginal shade, obsolete, irre- gular. Termen, brown. Fringes, con- colorous, darker distally. Hind-wing, whitish, semi-transparent, with a weakly defined fuscous termen. The male genitalia (see text-figure) are eae fo) Imm. CENTONALIS (For explanation of text- very like those of centonalis, but differ in figure see end of article) te membranous part of the upper lobe of the valve; this part is narrower in the centre of the lobe, The 654 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 saccus is more pointed; and the aedeagus cornutus is also acuter than in centonalis, in Cyprian examples of which the cornutus is bluntly rounded. Holotype : 3; (Prep. 434), 1. xi. 43, Basra, S. Iraq (in coll. m.) Bi-voltine, the broods being vernal and autumnal. Foodplant :—prtrobably tamarisk, perhaps also poplar. This new species, hitherto undiagnosed, and perhaps existing in many collections under the name sgualzda Stgr., probably also occurs in Syria and else- where in the Middle East. Its geographical classification is at present doubtful. I took it on Karradah Island on April 3rd and again on November 16th. An oasis species. 5. Celama turanica Ster. Quite common to light among poplars in June, but from its captures elsewhere it evidently has more than one brood. I have taken it at Basra on 19. iv and 9. ix. 43. I consider henvtotz Warnecke and parvula Chret. conspecific with ¢zvanica and therefore class this species as Pan-Eremic. Foodplant :—probably tamarisk, possibly also poplar. An oasis species. LASIOCAMPIDAE 6. Nadiasa(= Taragama) siva Lef. Has about two broods annually, not very well defined, for some larvae hibernate, others do so in the pupal stage. Foodplants :— Popuius and Tamarix ; (also, onthe mainland, Zizyphus, Prosopis, apple, pomegranate, etc.) An Indian species, firmly established in Southern Iraq, where it inhabits oases. LYMANTRIIDAE (7. Ocneria signatoria poenitens Stgr. I did not take this on the island, and perhaps it cannot survive floods, but on the whole I think it is a permanent resident ; in any case it belongs to the riverain ecofauna. Bi-voltine, flying vernally and autumnally, April and October; larvae of the second brood pupate in December. I described and illustrated the early stages in JM//t. Muench. Ent. Ges. xx1x. Heft 1. 1939. An Anatolian-Iranian species, inhabiting Palestine. A close relative inhabits Northewest Africa. Foodplant :—tamarisk). AEGERIIDAE 8. Eusphecia pimplaeformis Ob. Univoltine, vernal, flying in April. Foodplant, Populus euphratica, boring inside the trunk. (On the mainland at Baghdad it was also found only on this tree, but in Persia I have also noted it on Salzx.) For the early stages see my ‘The Butterflies and Moths of Iraq’ (Directorate- General of Agriculture, Baghdad, October 1944), and for the morphology see Le Cerf ‘Aegeriidae nouvelles ou peu connues d’Asie anterieure’ (Zeit. des Oest. Ent.-Ver. 22, 1937.) An Anatolian—Iranian species which does not seem to occur on the Tigris much further South of Baghdad, but occurs in oases at 5,000 ft. in Fars (Sout-west Persia). It has not been taken further west than Bithynia. Get. ee ce AD VEAR. ON AL SPIGRTS TIS LAND 655 AGROTIDAE (=PHALAENIDAE) 9. Acronycta aceris L. subsp. johanna Schaw. Bi-voltine, the broods flying vernally and autumnally, in April- vie and September-October. Foodplant ; in the Middle East Populus is the only foodplant observed so far, and;it is an oasis-moth; the typical] race in Europe however feeds on various other quite unrelated trees, An Euroriental species, known from Palestine and Persia and west- wards to Britain. 10. Eariasirakana Wilts. Probably bi-voltine, both broods being vernal, the first flying in April, the second in May-June-July. ‘The species was described by mein Zhe Entom. Lx1x (October 1936) and the two forms vernalis and iztermedia in‘ The Butterflies and Moths of Iraq’. The spring form, hatching before the leaves are out, is procryptically coloured golden- brown to agree with the poplar bud-sheaths, whereas the summer brood is green and thus harmonises with the leaves. Foodplant: Populus euphratica; elsewhere perhaps also on Salix. This endemic species has not yet been taken outside Iraq, where it is an oasis moth. / 11. Catocala optima Stgr. Univoltine, fying inJune. Foodplant (presumed) :—opulus euphra- tica. Identification was assured by comparing with the type. A species inhabiting oases, to be classified as Anatolian-Iranian or Eastern Eremic. Before my capture of this moth on Karradah Island on the Tigris, it had previously only been known from Tedjen Oasis, Transcaspia, and Ili, Turkestan. I have seen no record of its later recapture. (12. Catocala elocata Esp. ?Univoltine. Flies in Baghdad in June, but was not actually taken on the island. Ihave taken it at Ahwaz in October, which is perhaps the normal month of flight in the Middle East. Foodplant :—/opulus and Salix. Rothschild refers the Mesopotamian form to J/ocata Stgr., Brandt the Persian to deducta Ev. It is an oasis moth in the Middle East. Buroriental.) (13. Catocala puerpera Giorn. Phenology and foodplant, same as No. 12 eleocata; like it, was not actually taken on the island. A Euroriental moth, found in oases in the Middle East.) (14. Catocala lesbia Christ. Phenology at least bivoltine, perhaps multivoltine. Was not taken on the island. The early stages were described and illustrated by me in Journ. Bombay Nat. Hzst. Soc., xvii, (4), p. 628. Unfortunately the foodplant was omitted there. Foodplants:—/opulus and Salix. I have found it on ?. euphratica on the banks of the Shapur River, Fars, South-west Persia. Ranges from Sinai and Palestine to South-east Persia, and is an oasis moth throughout this region.) 656 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol, 49 15. Grammodes rogenhoferi Bohatsch Multivoltine. Foodplant : tamarisk. The first brood emerges in April, and must suffer heavy casualties from the floods. Larvae found feeding together with numerous Clytze syriaca and other Clytie species in autumn at night. An Anatolian-Iranian species, ranging from Armenia, Syria and Palestine to Sind. It probably has other food- plants, 16. Clytie syriaca Bugn. Multivoltine. Foodplant:—Tamarisk only. The early stages were described and illustrated by me in Mitt. Muench. Ent. Ges. Xx1x, Heft 1. 1939. The first brood hatches in April and must suffer from floods. An Anatolian-Iranian or Eastern Eremic species ranging from Syria to Persia, 17. Clytie terrulenta Chr, Multivoltine. Foodplant :—Tamarisk only. The early stages were described by me in the same article referred to under No. 16, syriaca. The first brood hatches in April, and must suffer heavily from floods. An Anatolian-Iranian or Eastern Eremic species, known from Palestine, South-east ‘Turkey, and Transcaucasia, as well as the Euphrates basin. (N.B. Two other C/ytze species, with a similar foodplant, are known from the rivers of South-west Persia but not actually from the Tigris, on which however they may one day be found; they are sublunaris Ster. and dzstincta Bang-Haas subsp. zranica Brandt; both are Central- Asian-Iranian rather than Anatolian-Iranian. Another closely-related tamarisk-feeder almost certainly occurs on the Tigris further south, but apparently does not penetrate northwards as far as Baghdad; this species is the Saharan-Sindian Eremic moth Aypoglaucitis benenotata Warren, of which | described the early stages, with photographs, in Azz. Rec. 56, 1944. The larva is usually found on Zamarix ariculata which is not a river-tree, but planted in oases in Southern Iraq.) 18. Pandesma anysa Guen. Multivoltine. Foodplant :—Populus cuphratica. Elsewhere it has been reported on other quite unrelated trees. It has been sug- gested by some authors, who found it in masses under loose bark, that it eats the wood and bark. My own experience however shows that it hides under the bark by day.and eats the leaves by night. I have reared it from the egg on leaves of P. euphratica. The young larvae of the first brood hatch in late February. It is extremely numerous on the island in June, in which month mass emigration relieves the excess of population. It isa Tropical species of the Old World, reaching North Persia and Syria, perhaps only as immigrants. At Baghdad it certainly survives the winter and flies all through the summer in successive broods. It has been taken in the desert in num- bers, but perhaps is only a migrant there. 19. Rivula sericealis Scop. | Multivoltine. Foodplant :—grasses. Euro-Siberian, A YEAR ON A TIGRIS ISLAND 657 GHOMETRIDAE 20, Rhodometra sacraria L. Foodplant :— Polygonum. Multivoltine. Its prompt appearance after the subsidence of the floods on its foodplant which survived inundation suggests it is also able to survive. Its migratory tendencies are however well known. Tropical. 21. Eupithecia ultimaria. Boisd. Multivoitine. Taken on the wing in April, May and June; larvae seen in September and October. Foodplant :—Only tamarisk. Pan- Eremic. An oasis moth. 22, Macaria aestimaria Hubn. Multivoltine, flying from February to November, Foodplant :— Only tamarisk. The early stages were described and illustrated by me in Mitt. Muench. Ent. Ges. 1939, Heft 1. Pan-Eremic. An oasis moth, also found on Mediterranean shores. For geographical remarks on this and other tamarisk feeders, see the final chapter, Part II of my ‘ Lepidoptera of the Kingdom of Egypt’ (Bull. Soc. Fouad 1. ad’ Ent. 33, 1949). II. TEMPORARY COLONISTS The following colonise parts of the island after the floods subside and produce at least one generation on it before being again extermi- nated when the water rises again. They are permanent residents or migrants of the mainland, where they occur on ambiguous ground for the biotope is an oasis harbouring both oasis and desert species. PIERIDAE ~~ 1. Pieris rapae L. Multivoltine. Foodplant :—Cruciferae and Resedaceae. Was not actually observed in the larval stage on the island. But a rossible food- plant exists (see above, under February). A migratory Holarctic pest, originally Palaearctic. It reaches the extreme south of Iraq. LYCAENIDAE 2. Lycaena phloeas L. Multivoltine. Probably not a permanent resident like . sacraria (I, 20 above); it appeared soon after the subsidence of the foods, and its foodplant survived them. Foodplant:—ARumex. The foodplant dries up later in the summer, whereas on the mainland, along irrigation channels it persists green. HEuro-Siberian; an oasis insect in the Baghdad vicinity, but it does not occur much further scuth in the Tigris basin. 3. Lampides baeticus [, Multivoltine. Foodplant :—/ada (cultivated bean). As soon as this is planted on North Island and elsewhere in the river bed close to Karradah Island, it breeds; but these crops are covered every winter 658 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 with water and replanted about midsummer. Tropical, migratory; common in Iray oases, except in midwinter, which however it survives. It occurs throughout the plain of Iraq. 4. Zizeeria knysna karsandra Moore. Multivoltine. Foodplant :—probably G/znus /otoides; anyhow, it is common in the G/zzus and grass belt, i.e., at a very low level, on the island in August and September. Tropical, common in Iraqian oases, throughout the plain. . SPHINGIDAE 5. Celerio lineata livornica Esp. A half-grown larva was found on dock (Rumex) on 3rd April. Together with any brothers there, it must have been drowned in the flood which came soon after. A migratory species, witha variety of possible foodplants, only one of which was seen on the island. Holo- Tropical and Sub-Tropical. Commoner in deserts than oases, especially in spring. 6. Utetheisa pulchella L. | (I am indebted to Dr. K. Jordan for examining the genitalia, a pre- caution necessary in this group of similar species). Is common on the Glinus and grass belt in July-August ; I think its foodplant must occur there (heliotrope), though I did not note this down. A _ Tropical migrant, inhabiting deserts and the drier parts of oases throughout Iraq, and varying seasonally there in numbers to a great extent. Multi- voltine. 7. Laphygma exigua Hubn. A\C Multivoltine. A Tropical migrant. Foodplant :—Glizus Jlototdes, and perhaps other low herbs. The pupal period is ten days only, and the Glinus shelf was coveted for at least four months. In Iraq ‘this species seems to migrate into the milder desert regions of the south of the country for its winter generations, returning to the oases (and also migrating into distant mountains) in the spring. 8. Phytometra chalcites Esp. Apparently bi-voltine in Iraq, though a midsummer brood has been observed in Mediterranean districts. The two broods fly in Baghdad in February—March and November. On the mainland it is common feed- ing on garden herbs. On the island it was found feeding on burr (Xanthium) on Ist November. The moth was not actually taken there, but the larva was reared successfully. A Mediterranean and (assuming that ¢vzosomais asynonym), ‘Tropical Indian species, Ill, “CAasvuar VISITORS - These are listed here without comment; they belong to the culti- vated oasis or desert fauna of Iraq, and readers may refer to my articles on that country for their phenology, range, etc. These details- A- YEAR ON A TIGRIS fSLAND 659 would not be relevant to the present study; it is only by chance that they, and not others, were taken on the island. Nevertheless, it is not impossible that one or two of them may be temporary colonists or even residents, unbeknown to me. For instance, the root-feeders Agrotis ypsilon and spinifera may quite well survive floods underground; I have, however, never observed their early stages in the Middle East; Leucania loreyi also might well be a temporary colonist, being a migratory species with rapid successive broods and feeding on grass: Ophiusa algira and albtvitta have only been observed on Rubus, pome- granate and Ricinus, none of which grew on the island, but the capture of one of these moths flying together with Gvammodes rogenhoterz in the belt of burr may indicate that it has a foodplant on the island like vogenhotferi; I suggest that it may feed on the burr (Xazthium) or tamarisk ; on the latter its larva would easily have escaped notice among the many C/ytze larvae, which I saw. Casual visitors :—Fapzlia machaon centralis Stgr., Euchloe belemia Esp., Glycestha-aurota F. (= mesentina), Danats chrysthpus L., Tarucus sp. in ¢theophrastus group, Theretra alecto cretica Boisd., Agrotis ypsilon Rott., Agvotis spinifera Hubn., Agyrotts lasserret Ob., Leucania loreyi Dup., Prodenia litura F., Eublemma parva Hubn., Larias insulana Boisd., Ophiusa algiva L. or aldtvitta Moore in this connection see my ‘ Lepi- doptera of the Kingdom of Egypt’, loc. cit. super., Part I, (1948) and Part II (p. 391) (1949), Pericyma albidentaria Freyer, Rhynchodontodes vevolutalis Z. and Sterrha ochrole ucaria H.S. : IV. PYRALIDIDAE AND MICRO-LEPIDOPTERA PYRALIDIDAE (1) Eromene islamella Amsel 1949. Multivoltine. (2) Heterographis concavella Amsel 1949. (? bivoltine). (3) Trissonca oblitella Z. in vi. (4) Phycita diaphana Stgr. bred from larvae on poplar leaves, but on mainland also feeds on castor (Azcinus) and Crozobhora verbascttolia ; bi-voltine, larvae full-grown in v. hatching in xi. (5) Tephris stenopte- rella Amsel 1949. Bi-voltine; feeds on Zamarzx ; also inhabits Jordan valley, Palestine. (6) Salebria dionysa Z. flies in v, vi, and viii. (7) Nymphula affinialis Guen, multivoltine. (8) Nomophila noctuella Schiff. A multivoltine migrant. (9) Bostra marginalis Roths. Flies in iv. (10) Lepidogma wiltshirei Amse] 1949, Bi-voltine, flying in v. and ix; probable foodplant :—7Zamarix. (11) Loxostege nudalis Hamps. Taken on 28, ix, but on mainland also iniv, v. (12) Anthophilopsis baphialis Led. Taken on 14. vii, but on mainland also in iv. (13) Aesch« remon disparalis, H-S. Taken on 3 iv. but on mainland also in iii. and x; associated on the bunds with Capparis, but it is not verified whether this is the foodplant. (14) Hymenia fascialis Cr. (=recurvalis), Flies, often by day, on the island in x and xi. PTEROPAORIDAE (15) Agdistis bagdadiensis Amsel 1949. Flies in v; presumed food- plant, Tamarix. TORTRICIDAE (16) Bactra lanceolana Hubn. Taken on 19. v, but on mainland also in x. (17) Bactra venosana Z. Taken on 3. vi, but also flies in 660 . JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 the desert of Iraq in x. (18) Semasia bagdadiana Amsel 1949. Flies in iv, Vi, vil; presumed foodplant Populus; it is remarkable that the poplar-feeding Semasia euphraticana Amsel was taken by me at Basra, South Iraq, but not seen on this island at Baghdad. There can be no confusion between these two species. S. euphraticana was described from the Jordan valley, Palestine. GELECHIIDAE (19) Gelechia plutelliformis Stgr. Multivoltine, feeding on Tamarix, HYPONOMEUTIDAE (20) Plutella maculipennis Curtis. Though best known as a Cructtera-feeder, and migrant (it inhabits the deserts also), this little moth is closely associated with Populus on the island; it pupates in the bark of this tree, and sits on the trunk when hatched. However, the larvae were not actually observed eating its foliage. Common in iii and iv. EXPLANATION OF TEXT-FIGURE Characters distinguishing Celama harouni spec. nov. (434) from Celama centonalis Hubn. (367). The male genitalia of both are shown, ventral open view, omitting tegumen, uncus and right valve. (C=cornutus of aedeagus ; UL=upper lobe of valve ; S=saccus.) [Editors’ Note: The plant so often. mentioned. in these pages un- der the name of Glinus lotoides should be called Mollugo lotoides O. Ktze. In some of our Indian fioras the same plant goes under the name of Mollugo hirta Thunb. } , | A NEW RACE OF THE GROUND-THRUSH TURDUS CITRINUS (AVES: TURDIDAE) B BY Biswamovy Biswas! The Indian populations of the Orange-headed Ground-thrush, Turdus (Geokichla) citrinus, have so far been divided into two sub- species: (1) the orange-throated and larger citrinus (breeding in the sub-Himalayas), and (2) the white-throated and smaller cyanotus (breeding in southwestern India), with some six or more races in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Malayasia. An examination of the breeding birds from different parts of India, however, shows that the populations from the Central Provinces {Madhya Pradesh) and Orissa do not fit in either race and, therefore, I propose to distinguish them. as. hese Lan = Turdus citrinus amadoni new subspecies. Compared with cyanctus, this new race has very little or no olive wash on the crown, has the anterior ear coverts and the blue-gray of the upper parts paler, and is larger in size. From citrinus it differs in having the throat white. In some respects amadoni looks inter- mediate between citrinus and cyanotus. T y p E.—Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. No. 576384; adult erate Chanda, Chanda district, Central Provinces; April 10, 1867; H. J. Elwes. MEASUREMENTS OF THE ge WE Liss tail, So} bill from skull, 23 mm. R ANG E.—Central Provinces (Madhya Pradesh), Orissa, and north- eastern Madras Province. REMARK S.—Tickell’s Turdus lividus from Borabhum (J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, 2: 577, 1833) does not seem to refer to this new race. In the description of T. lividus, the most prominent character—white throat—is not mentioned at all. Tickell’s list of his Borabhum collection is Conspicuous with the mention of many winter visitors, and it seems that lividus refers to citrinus which is certainly a winter visitor in the Borabhum area. It is with great pleasure that I name this new subspecies for Dr. Dean Amadon, Ornithologist in the American Museum of Naturai History. ened * Now at the Zoological Survey of India, Indian Museum, Calcutta. 5 662 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 The more important distinguishing characters of the three Indian races of Turdus citrinus may be summarized as follows :— Colour of the crown. Colour of the throat. Colour of the ante- rior ear coverts. Colour of the back Measurements citrinus Deep orange-chest- nut. Orange-chestnut ... Orange-chestnut .. Dark blue-gray TO: 121 (118°9)* 75-83 (79°8) ; 23-25 (23'9) 5. 9? Wins, 123 (4196) 5 23-25 (24), Wing, 116- : tail: bill,? amadoni Deep orange-chest- nut, sometimes with a faint olive tinge. White wan Dark snuff brown to blackish brown. Dark blue-gray 6 ¢&: Wing, 110- 116° (1713'S); “tail, 75-83 (788) ; bill, 23-24 (23°4). 117- tail, 76-81 (78°6); bill, 32; Wing, 113-114 (113:3) ; tail, 76- 77 (76°3); Bill, 23-24 (23'S). cyanatus Orange-chestnut, strongly suffus- ed with olive. White see Dark blackish- brown. Still darker blue- gray. 6 $: Wing, 106- 112 (109°1); tail, 72-73, 79 (73°7); bill, 23-25 (23°7), 9 2: Wing, 102- 111 (106°4) ; tail, 68-77 (72:5); bill, 23-24°5 (23°6), ee :. , average measurments are given in parentheses 2 The bill is measured from the skuil. - My thanks are due to the authorities of the American Museum of Natural History for allowing me to describe specimens from their collection, and to Dr. Walter Koelz for giving me permission to study his Tarenial: ————————eeEeEEeEeEeEeEeeE COWRIES (MoLitusca, GASTROPODA: FAMILY CyYPRAEIDAE) BY H.-C. Ray, M:Sc.; pD-Phil., Assistant Zoologist, Zoological Survey of India (With two plates) INTRODUCTION While a Research Scholar in the Zoological Survey of India I read a paper entitled ‘A talk about Cowries’ at a meeting of the Indian Association of Systematic Zoologists held at Kaiser Castle, Banaras Cantt., on 21-s-48. This article is adapted from the above and gives an account oi the systematics, habits and habitats, trans- formation, use, dissolving of the shell, etc. of Cowries which are so well known to mankind. ; The Cowries are marine molluscs which constitute the well-known family Cypraeidae. There is no group in Mollusca which appears to have excited more curiosity and admiration than the Cowries. These forms present remarkable variety of colouration and mark- ings as well as sculpture on their shells in close harmony with the corals, which are really objects of great beauty and delight. The changes which the shells exhibit regarding form and colour at differ- ent phases of their growth are so striking and dissimilar that it is difficult to find out the true link between them unless carefully studied from the very beginning. This is how the naturalists and scientists in early days got puzzled and wrongly treated the young and adult of the same species as. belonging to different forms. The animal is also gifted with the curious faculty of dissolving or decomposing (with its acetose juices) any portion of the shell that is liable to resist the advancement of its growth, and of renewing it. It may take time for a cowry to attain its full development, but the re-calcification of a shell at a maturer age is said to be the work of a few days only. These may be the facts which possibly created an unusual interest in men to study the cowries, to utilize the animal as food or other- wise and also to use their shells (mainly composed of carbonate of lime secreted by the mantle itself) for the purpose of decoration, orna- mentation, games, defence, etc. SYSTEMATICS The admirable contributions of Lister (1685—Hist. Conchyl.) Rumphius (1705—Amb. Rarit. Kam.), Petiver (1711—Gazophyllacium Vol. I), Gualtieri (1735—Index Test. Conchyl.), Adanson (1757— Hist. Nat. Senegal Coq.) and others on the iconography of cowries and other shells appear to have evoked considerable interest in the 664 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 study of moiluscs in the 17th and 18th century and thus helped con- chology in gaining more popularity and confidence as an important subject among the natural sciences. But the real work on the systematics of cowries was started with the introduction of binomial nomenclature by Linnaeus in his Syst. Nat. ed. X, 1758, which placed them under the new generic name of Cypraea (p. 718). It is per- haps so named, says Perry (1811—Conchology), ‘from the circumstance of a beautiful shell of this genus, having, as it is said, been presented to the: temple of Venus at Cyprus—a luxuriant and smiling island in the Mediterranean teeming with industrial wealth; and, indeed, the beauty and splendour of these shells render them worthy of being offered at the shrine of the Goddess of Beauty’. Dr. J. C. Melvill in his comprehensive work on cowries published in Mem. and Proc. Manchest. Lit. and Phil. Soc. Ser. 4, Vol. I, pp. 184-185 (1888) gives plausible explanations of this important usage. It was Fleming (1828) who took keen interest in the study of cowries and erected the new family Cypraecidae for their reception. But unfortunately he failed to separate them from the smaller Nun cowries which also live in close association with the former in the sea. However, this difference of great taxonomic value was detected before long by Gray, in 1832, on the basis of which he separated the Nuns entirely from Cypraea and instituted the new genus Trivia for their accommodation in his Descriptive Catalogue of Shells. Now, the ‘Trivias’, like the cowries, have also been given a separate family rank (Triviidae) owing to the remarkable features noticeable in their shell-characters, i.e. there are fine transverse ribs (Pl. I, Fig. 5, tr. r.) on the surface of their shells (the anterior and posterior ones being vertical) which are interrupted in the middle by a longitudinal groove (m. gr.); these ribs are nothing but mere prolongations of the denticulations (Fig. 6, d.) found on the lips below (0.1., o.1.). Linnaeus described only 42 species of cowries in his Syst. Nat., pp. 718-725, under the single genus Cypraea. But as a result of extensive studies in the field in the course of about 200 years the number of species of living Cypraeidae has now risen nearly to 170 with more than 250 subspecies under them relegated to 56 or more genera and 13 sub-families. The works published by Kiener (1843— icon. Cog. Viv.), Reeve (1845-184€—Conch. Icon, Vol. III), Sowerby (1870—Thes. Conchyl. Vol. IV.), Weinkauff (1881—Martini and Chemnitz’s Conch.-Cab. Vol. V, Abth. 3) and Roberts (1885—in Tryon’s Man. Conch. Vol. VU) are illustrated with beautiful diagrams bear- ing natural colouration and markings which help in the identification of the cowries, while those by Hidalgce (1904-1905—Test. Moll. Filipinas ; 1906-1907—Mém. de la Real Acad. Cienc. Madrid, XXV) refer to zoo- geography and other details. But the most up-to-date and compre- hensive work on the subject is that of Schilder and Schilder (Proc. Malac. Soc. London, Vol. XXIII, pp. 119-231, 1939) which shows marked improvements in the nomenclature and classification of cowries. It is astonishing to learn that while completing that monumental work the distinguished couple spared no pains to examine about 60,000 shells or more of living Cypraeidae obtained from more than 2,200 localities, and consulted about. 2,500 papers... This not only shows COWRIES ) 664 their tenacity and devotion to work, but at the same time displays the extent of the subject, its richness of literature and the great interest it has created in the public as well as in the scientific mind since very early times. EAB I2s- AND. El ABT AT Ss The cowries are very shy, hardy and sluggish creatures which occur in great abundance on the submerged rocks and coral reefs of our shallow seas to feed chiefly on coral animals and other micro-organisms. Like the shell, the mantle (which Rutherford Platt’ considers as ‘a bait of animated skin’) is also variegated with colours. Its two thin, un- equal lobes with frilled margins’ come outside through the long and narrow aperture of the shell (s.), extend over its dorsal surface on both the sides and cover it either partially or wholly. This peculiar contrivance serves two very useful purposes; firstly, to save the shell and the animal from the attack of enemies, and, secondly, to attract other organisms forming its food. Woodward in his Manual of the Mollusca (1856) mentions that Adams observed the pteropodous fry of Cypraea annulus adhering in masses to the mantle of the parent, or swimming in rapid gyrations or with abrupt jerking movements by means of their cephalic masses. It is true that the cowries have now mostly disappeared from the cold waters of the European seas, but as Stoliczka points out (Cret. Faun. S. Ind. Il, p. 51, 1868): “there is ample evidence, that they were formerly very numerous in the Vienna, Paris, and other districts or basins’. Their presence in large numbers in the warm seas of the tropics at the present time shows that they have found sufficiently en- couraging and congenial climatic conditions to carry on their normal life and activities. There might be some reasons responsible for this wonderful upheaval or upset in the faunal development which ad- versely affected the ecological conditions so favourably influencing the life, growth and proliferation of this shellfish in the European seas. At present the range ot distribution of the cowries appears to be confined mostly to the warm waters of the tropics extending from the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, Arabian Sea (including the east coast of Africa) on the west and thence va Indian Ocean, Gulf of Manaar, Bay of Bengal as far as Hawaii or even beyond in the Pacific on the east. Geologically speaking, the cowries commenced in the Cretaceous, but have largely augmented in the number of species at the present time. One species is also recorded from the Upper Jurassic of Sicily. It is interesting to note here that in pre-historic graves in the Baltic countries and elsewhere one finds cowries along with other shells and animal remains discovered by archaeological explorations, which undoubtedly proves the anti- quity of their close connection with human culture and civilization. Specimens of C. annulus, as stated by Woodward (p._ 121), were found by Dr. Layard in the ruins of Nimroud. Furthermore, records from pyramids and tumuli show that both the dark queens of the east and fair princesses of the north clasped some favourite pearls or cowries as they were laid to their eternal rest. a 1 Platt, R. Nat. Geogr. Mag. NCMVI, No.1, July, p. 39 (1949), 666 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 4y TRANSFORMATION riley The cowry shells undergo such wonderful changes both of form and colour at different phases of their growth that they at once remind us of the remarkable phenomenon of metamorphosis in insects and Leptocephalus (the larva of eel). The different stages are diagrammatically shown in Plate II as observed in a series of shells of Mauritia mauritiana (Linn.) available in our named collections. The first stage of development begins with a simple convolution of the shell around the columellar axis in the form of a long drawn-out bulla and hence the name ‘Bulla-state’ (Figs. 1-4). It is chiefly characterized by a depressed or acuminated spire (a. sp.), long and wide aperture (ap.), smooth and rounded columella {col.) or inner lip appearing somewhat twisted and curved anteriorly, thin and curved outer lip (o. 1.) and attractive colouration and markings usually diffused in bands (c. b.) or wavy lines. But sometimes very fine and delicate striations are also found on the inner lip which extend for some distance over the dorsum. In the second epoch of growth the shell (Figs. 5, 6) gradually solidifies, the spire begins to sink below (Fig. 5, s. sp.), the outer lip and columella begin to thicken and consequently the aperture becomes narrowed, the rudimentary teeth (r. t.) make their appearance on the lips from below upwards and the dorsal surface becomes overlaid with a strong coat of gorgeous colouring matter, also diffused in obscure bands or waves. Later the shell (Fig. 7) becomes ventricose with the sides more thickened, the teeth more strengthened, the aperture more narrowed and the acuminated spire completely absorbed or remaining only rudimentary in some cases. Finally the growth of the shell is completed by a light fabric of colour- ing matter deposited in lines, blotches, -waves or reticulations of various hues and pattern (Figs. 8, 9). The ornamental character with which the dorsal surface is usually painted appears to be the last effort, says Reeve, in the formation of the shell, but that does not appear until the latter is on the eve of maturity, the most richly variegated layers of enamel are reserved for the final decoration. Cypraea mappa happens to be an exception to this general rule, because a layer of pale hieroglyphical painting greatly resembling that of C. arabica is deposited here by the animal on the left side chiefly when yet in a very immature state of growth. On arriving at maturity another richer layer of the same pattern is superimposed on the former. Thus the shell in the ‘Bulla-state’ looks so unlike the adult as to give little clue to its affinities with the latter. Reeve has given a few interest- ing examples showing the different stages of growth of the shell from the bulla-state to the adult form and I am also adding a few more in my work on the revision of cowries. USES The importance of cowries has been realized by men in various fields, of which the most remarkable is their use as a medium of ex- change (replacing the old barter system). This practice which was so exceedingly common amongst the civilized and uncivilized people in all parts of the globe and developed into flourishing trade and commerce has not yet completely died out. One of the commonest species thus Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. PLATE I i i | \ \ 5 A. K.®Mondal, del. Transformation of shell in Mauritia mauritiana (Linn.) | Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. PrATE. 11 A. K. Mondal, del. COWRIES. 66 ~$§ employed was ‘money-cowry’ or ‘prop-shell’, Monetaria moneta (Linn.), which stands almost alone in being used entire (PI. I, Figs. 1, 2), while all the other forms of shell money are made out of portions of the shells and thus entail more time, labour and care. This species can easily be distinguished by its thick, strong, triangularly-ovate shell of whitish to pale yellowish colour (sometimes with a bluish tint) bearing callous dorsal tubercles (c. tr.) of varying size and a faint ring (f. r.). The teeth are mostly exiended and tuberculated, especially posteriorly. These peculiarities whica are so simple and easy to detect, but not so readily subject to erosion and decay (excepting colouration), per- haps led the early people to select this particular type as currency. Ornamentaria annulus (Linn.) or ‘ring-cowry’, as it is commonly called, is another species (Pl. I, Fig. 3) which is none the less im- portant than its ally, M. moneta, and is always found in close associa- tion with the latter in the sea. It is more extensively used as ornaments than as currency, as the generic name Ornamentaria indicates, but lacks entirely the dorsal tubercles, though it possesses a well-defined orange- ring (o. r.) instead. This possibly earns for it the popular name ‘ring- cowry’. Some very fine hatr-like transverse white lines (h. tr. 1.) are also found within the ring. Shells of this type are known to have been used as ornaments in Oceania, but have also been disseminated for centuries through Southern Asia, Southern Europe and finally to America. Marco Polo, the well-known Italian adventurer and explorer who wrote an excellent account of the Chinese culture and civilization after his memorable voyage to China, relates finding cowries circulat- ing as currency in Yunnan in the thirteenth century. In a Hindu treatise of 7oo A.D. mention is also made of the use of cowries as money. Owing to similar use almost exclusively in some parts of Africa, the cowry trade flourished greatly. This encouraged the despatch of several cargoes of cowries annually to Wydah and Lagos, fished from the Maldive and Laccadive Archipelagoes in the Arabian Sea. In Africa they were exchanged with the slave traders for the Spanish doubloons they received from the sale of slaves. This mean but profitable trade continued till the Brazilians stopped the introduction of African slaves into their country. Till not long ago cowries were imported from India and other places into England to be paid to the natives of W. Africa in exchange for their products. In countries near the Niger, excepting N. Ashantee, prevailed a peculiar system of exchange of gold dust and the gera or cola-nut (Sterculia acuminata) with the cowries. A load of sixty pounds of the nuts was considered equivalent in value to fifteen thousand cowries. Another golden opportunity came for the cowry trade when the Sultan of Borneo reformed his currency and introduced the Spanish doubloon (in place of the cotton-cloth, which had hitherto been the medium of exchange) with cowries at the rate of four thousand to the doubloon for small change. Besides use as currency, there is plenty of evidence in the Ayurvedic literature relating to the medicinal value of cowries. The Hindu women in some parts of our country look upon cowries, especially Monetaria moneta and Ornamentaria annulus, with venera- tion as a symbol of wealth and prosperity and, as such, never allow 668 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 any important social functions, like marriage, ‘puja’, giving of rice to the mouth of the child (‘annaprasana’), sradha, etc. to be per- formed without these shells. It is also customary with the Hindus of our country to offer some cowries with the corpse. Gambling with cowries, though an ancient and popular pastime, is still in vogue. The rarer species of cowries, such as Cypraea umbilicata and C. guttata, are known to fetch high prices sometimes, like the sacred Chanks or ‘Sankha’, Xancus pyrum (Linn.). Similarly, the golden cowry (C. aurantium Gmelin) of the South Pacific, which is considered as most precious and a shell of ancient lineage, is highly prized by shell collectors for its beautiful golden colour and also because of the great prohibition imposed upon its export by Government. This is said to be used only by a chief of the islanders as a symbol of his sovereignty, akin to a crown. Chaplets and belts made of cowries are used by some people, especially the islanders and tribals in their traditional gala dance during festivals or while wooing their lovers as described by Platt in his fascinating article ‘Shells take vou over world Horizon’ {p. 38). Somewhat similar adornments are also made on cattle in many parts of India. Various kinds of weapons can be made out cf the shells of cowries for the purpose of defence. That a good quality of lime can be produced from these shells is also quite well known. The Asiatic Islanders are said to use the shells of O. annulus to weight their fishing nets. The animal of C. tigris is said to be used as a bait for cuttle-fishes. The cowry shells are also known to be used as a charm against evil eye and for other magical purposes. It is for all the above and other reasons that cowries probably proved more and more useful to human society and became most intimately connected with its culture and civilization. Das SO LV TNC 2O Fs 1 He Sen es L It is known that Cypraea possesses, upon emergency, the extra- ordinary power of dissclving and renewing its shell. An interesting note about this fact based on personal observations was communicated by Lieut. J. B. Hankey of the British Navy (H.M.S. ‘Collingwood’, August 6th, 1844) to Reeve who published it in his Elements of Conchology (p. 38, 1863): ‘Will you allow me to offer you a few remarks on the habits of the Cypraea as regards the fact of its mak- ing a new sheli, at an advanced stage, of which process I have been myself in more than one instance an eye-witness? I have seen the Cowry crawl into some hollow or sheltered place, evidently for some predetermined purpose. The growth of the animal appears to increase too large for its cell; it gradually swells and cracks the shell, and I think that some powerful solvent or decomposing fluid is distri- buted over the outer surface by the mantle of the fish, for it gets thinner in substance, and the colours duller in appearance. ‘The shell then entirely disappears, the Cowry becomes to all appearances, a naked mollusk, with no other covering than its membranous mantle, and in a short time secretes a thin layer of glutinous matter which in a few days obtains the fragile consistency of shellac. From this step its growth is more rapid, and it becomes more and more consoli- dated into the adult shell. When in the first stage of renewal it COWRIES 669 has the appearance of shellac; it is always the Cymba form, but I have never succeeded in preserving any specimens in this state on account of their extreme fragility’. The contributions of several workers have added much to our knowledge of the systematics, use and distribution of the Cowries. But I think more attention should be given now to a detailed study of their bionomics and life-history, fishing and fishery, which may un- ravel many interesting points helping towards a better understanding and utilization of the animals of this group. I am grateful to Rai Bahadur Dr. S. L. Hora, Director, Zoo- logical Survey of India, for going through the manuscript very critically and making valuable suggestions. My thanks are also due to Sree A. K. Mondal, an artist of the Zoological Survey of India, who has drawn the diagrams with care. EX Ps AN-A/ TL O;Ni--0-8 Pi ATES Pilate? LP: Fig. 1. Dorsal view of the shell of Monetaria moneta (Linn.) or ‘money- cowry’ showing the callous dorsal tubercles (c. tr.) and the faint dorsal ring (f.r3): x 3t Fig. 2. Ventral view of the same showing the long, narrow aperture (ap.) and the teeth (t.), the posterior ones of which are extended and tuberculated. x3. Fig. 38. Dorsal view of the shell of Ornamentaria annulus (Linn.) or ‘ring- cowry’ showing the well-defined orange ring (o.r.) and the fine hair-like transverse white lines (h. tr. 1.). x3. Fig. 4. Ventral view of the same showing the aperture and the simple teeth. x3. Fig. 5. Dorsal view of a Nun Cowry, Trivia (Trivirostra) oryza (Lamk.), showing the fine transverse dorsal ribs (tr.r.) and the median longitudinal groove (m.gr.). x6. Fig. 6. Ventral view of the same showing the aperture and the transverse dorsal ribs continuous with denticulations (d.) on both the inner and outer lips (Ee losl: a x6: Fig. 7. Right and left mantle lobes (r.m.l., J.m.1.) partially covering the shell (s.) dorsally. (After Steadman and Cotton). Plate II: Figs. 1-4. ‘Bulla-state’ of Mauritia mauritiana (Linn.) showing the acuminated _ spire (fig. 2, a. sp.), smooth and rounded columella (fig. 4, col.) or inner lip some- what twisted and curved anteriorly, thin and curved outer lip (o.1.), long and wide aperture (ap.) and the dorsal colour bands (fig. 3, c.b.). Nat. size. Figs. 5 & 6. A _ shell of the same (dorsal and ventral view) in the second epoch of growth with sinking spire (fig. 5, s, sp.), narrowed aperture caused by thickening of both the lips bearing rudimentary teeth (fig. 6, r.t.) developed from anterior to the posterior end. Nat. size. Fig. 7. A shell of the same showing the appearance of adult colouration and markings as well as the thickening of the margins and extremities. Nat. size. Fig. 8. A shell of the same attaining maturity. Nat. size. Figs. 9 & 10. A fully mature shell of the same (dorsal «nd ventral view) with characteristic shape humped dorsum ornamented with beautiful colouration and markings (fig. 9.), well-developed teeth and greatly sinuous aperture only posteriorly (fig. 10). The acuminated spire, one of the most prominent features of the bulla-state, disappears here completely. Nat. size, ON A COLLECTION OF FISH FROM THE ANAMALAI AND NELLIAMPATHI HILL RANGES (WESTERN GHATS) | WITH NOTES ON ITS ZOOGEOGRAPHICAL SIGNIFICANCES BY - E. G. Sitas, 8.sc. (Hons.) (Communicated by Dr. S. L. Hora) (With a plate and two text maps) [ND R702) Gye TD 1ON | Our knowledge of the fish fauna of the Anamalai and Nelliampathi hill ranges lying immediately south of the Palghat Gap is very scanty. Considerable importance has been attached in recent years to the Palghat Gap as a probable barrier in the distribution of torrential fishes along the Western Ghats. Zoogeographical studies have re- vealed that this gap, in the otherwise continuous mountain ranges, has had profound effects on the southward distribution of certain forms of animals. Situated 10°46’ N and 72°42! E, Palghat lies within the Malabar region. Day (1865) in his ‘Fishes of Malabar’, Blanford (1901) in his classical work on the distribution of Indian vertebrates, Annandale (1911) in his account of the fresh water sponges and polyzoa in India, and Prashad (1942) in his systematic survey of the zoogeographical evidence afforded by the distribution of various groups of Indian animals have all recognized the importance of treat- ing the Malabar zone as a distinct biogeographic entity. Hora in his several contributions on the geographical distribution of freshwater fishes in India and adjacent lands has indicated the likely migratory highroads of the torrential fishes along the various mountain trends. As evidenced by the distribution of freshwater fishes along the Western Ghats, Bhimachar (1945) has divided the Ghats into three divisions, viz., a Northern Division, comprising the Deccan Trap area from the Tapti river down to 16° N latitude about the level of Goa; a Central Division, extending from 16° N latitude southwards and including the Malnad parts of the Mysore State, Coorg, Wynaad, parts of South Kanara district and the Nilgiris; and a Southern Division, comprising the Anamalai, Palani and Cardomom hills of Travancore. The Palghat Gap thus forms the dividing line between the Central and the Southern Divisions. Though considerable work has been done on the fish fauna of the Central Division in recent years, the regions immediately south of the Palghat Gap have remained practically unexplored. What little we know about the fishes of this region, we owe to the work of Day (1865) and more recently to- that of Herre (1942, 1945). After his visit to India in 1941, Herre reported the discovery of two new fishes from the Anamalai Hills, one a sisorid catfish Glyptothorax housei Herre, and the other a homalopterid, Hemaloptera montana Herre. In addition he extended the distribution of the remarkable homalopterid Tvavancoria jonesi Hora, previously known only from the hill ranges of northern and central Travancore, to the Anamalai Hills in the north. The bedrock of Zoogeography being intensive systematic studies, an extensive collection from this region was found to be want- A COLLECTION OF FISH FROM THE WESTERN GHATS 671 i hor visited ne. On the suggestion of Dr. Hora, therefore, the aut Bc made fish collections from places south of the Palghat Gap lying in the Coimbatore, Malabar and Cochin districts. The specimens forming the basis of the present paper were collected during the months of April and May 1950. TOPOGRAPHY OF THE AREA OROGRAPHY The Anamalai and the Nelliampathi hill ranges lying in an east to west direction have an average altitude of about 3,500 to 4,500 Pt. Though well within the tropics they have a temperate climate. Like most of the isolated hill tracts of the peninsula, these hills arise abruptly from the lower country around them and are bounded on all . . . 4 was Z! Otay ete! % Ee: z Abba nie ~ ry > S y, fNe aT fies oe Worse, 3 wd re Ss nh eice RUNS IY Sr cool ao U5 pre 2% Marwon vy 3! o£ yew you os y i ake . > o o % ra 2 » se CO/ANBATORE PULANTORA. Pun PONNANS C AUVERY WR WATERSHED WATER SHED @PALGHAT a) 4) Ga, xe La (3) lg +n, ies tN \~ y wo om. ‘ew oe . ek ysl ce et eee 4 = Mn, "ss 3 a eT SNA yn a ae ee nes HE “aS AB): % a HILLS ow ae , te, La aes tne y N An Fig. 1 Map showing the hill-ranges, the drainage systems and_ the localities from where collections were made immediately south of the Palghat Gap. 1. Puthutotam Estate: 2. Stream beyond Valparai town, Hills; 3. Stream at base of Anamalai Hills; 4. Stream at Streams in the Manalaroo Estate, Nelliampathy Hills. Anamalai Nemmara; 5. sides by short precipitous spurs—the remnants of a former ereat escarpment. ‘fo ,the. north ; of. these; separated — by the Palghat Gap and the extensive plains of Coimbatore District, lie the Nilgiri Hills. The intervening plains of the Palghat Gap at no place rise to anywhere near a thousand feet and hence 672 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49. the abrupt high ranges on either side help to stop both the North- east and South-west Monsoon clouds and precipitate moisture in the hills closeby. Meteorological records show that these hills receive an annual maximum rainfall of about 200 inches. DRAINAGE SYSTEM Great importance must be attached to the nature of the. watershed in a given place in discussing the distribution of freshwater organisms, especially fishes, as fortuitous dispersal of hillstream fishes through any agency whatsoever must be a very rare occurrence. The streams of the Anamalai and the Nelliampathi hill ranges and of the areas in their immediate vicinity drain ultimately into three main systems, namely, the Cauvery, the Ponnani and the Periyar. The Cauvery Drainage The Cauvery is fed by a number of streams arising in the Central Division of the Western Ghats, viz., the hills of Coorg, Mysore and the Nilgiris. On the east of the Anamalai Hills, a tributary of the Amaraviti originates and flows due east and then joins the Amaraviti, which in turn joins the river Cauvery further east. The Cauvery thus links up the eastern faces of the Ghats in the Central and the Southern divisions. No collection was made from the Cauvery watershed. The Ponnant Drainage The rivers Anamalai and Gayitri which take their origin from the eastern slopes of the Anamalai and Nelliampathi hill ranges respect- iveiy, flow in a north-west direction before turning due west and eventually joining the river Ponnani which empties itself into the Arabian Sea. The river Ponnani also receives a number of tributary streams from the Nilgiri and the Wynaad hills. The Ponnani water- shed drains the western face of the Ghats of the Central Division and the eastern face of the Ghats of the Southern Division. The Periyar Drainage The streams and rivers on the western and south-western faces of the Anamalai and Nelliampathy hills are separated from the water- sheds of the north-eastern face by the intervening high hill ranges. The river Chalakudi receives a tributary each from the Anamalai and Nelliampathi hills, flows due south-west and joins the river. Periyar close to the sea in Cochin. The Periyar river is fed by a number of streams draining the western face of the Anamalai Hills in the north and the Cardamom Hills in the south. The Periyar watershed though isolated from the north, is continuous with the system of waterways further south. The Cauvery and the Ponnani watersheds which connect the Central and the Southern divisions are likely to facilitate the dispersal of fishes from the north to the south. But unfortunately we do not know anything of the fish fauna of the tributaries of the Cauvery draining the Southern Division of the Western Ghats. The collections dealt with here from the Ponnani watershed shows the co-rmingling of the species hitherto recorded from the Central and the Southern divisions. The collection from the Periyar watershed is not representa- tive enough for drawing any conclusions from, A COLLECTION OF FISH FROM THE WESTERN GHATS 673 DESCRIPTION OF LOCALITIES AND LIST OF FISHES COLLECTED THEREFROM The Ponnani Drainage System Anamalai Hills.—As many as 21 species were collected from the streams and tanks in the Anamalai Hills and their immediate vicinity. First the author visited the coffee plantation of Puthutotam Estate, situated at an elevation of 3,600 feet in the Anamalai Hills. Collections were made from a shingly stream and a tank in this estate. The stream is springfed and perennial. Plenty of shade is afforded by the dense vegetation on either bank of the stream. Fallen and decay- ing leaves collected at various places along the stream harboured my- riads of aquatic insects. A few loaches were obtained from under- neath stones and from certain muddy patches. Most of the fish were collected from the numerous rocky pools. The tank, which is situated at a higher elevation, had a surface area of about an acre at the time of collection. Part of the tank was found to be overgrown with long grass and waterweeds (Nymphaceae). Being springted, it contains water all the year round. The water from the tank is utilised for drinking purposes and the excess out- flow is passed through a wire netting. The following is a list of the species collected from the tank and the stream :—- Name of species No. of Standard length Specimens Rasbora danitonius (Ham.) 3 55°5—76:0 mm, Barilius gatensis (Cuv. & Val.) a 102-037"; Danio aeqguipinnatus McUlelland a 41:0—62:0__—z, Barbus (Tor) khudree malabaricus (Jerdon) J 149:°0_ ,, Barbus (Puntius) melanampyx Day 5 30—54_—S,, Garra mutlya (Sykes) 6 93—93_,, Lepidocephalus thermalis (Cuv. & Val.) 3 43—60_ ,, Another collection was made from a large stream a few miles be- yond Valparai town in the Anamalai Hills. This stream flows along the southern boundary of the Mudis group of estates and at the time of collection was over 7o feet wide. The stream was fast-flowing and had a number of large pools at intervals, with plenty of boulders and stones along its course. There was dense vegetation on either bank. Fish life was found to be scarce in this stream. On enquiry it was found that the depletion in numbers was’ mainly due to the large scale poisoning of the stream by some miscreants a few days prior to the writer’s visit. Destructive elements, such as copper sulphate, Bordeaux mixture and dynamite, were said to have been used for this purpose. The writer was able to collect the following species from this stream :—— Name of species No. of Standard length Specimens Rasbora daniconius (Ham.) wee oe 57 —71 mm. Barilius gatensis (Cuv. & Val.) 1 88, Barbus (Puntius) carnaticus (Jerdon) agi9 128—302 _,, Barbus (Puntius) melanampyx Day 4 38— 62 ,, Barbus ( Tor) khudree malabaricus (J erdon) 3 126—221 ,, Garra Mite (Sykes) a Kaen 674 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol, 49 A number of specimens were obtained from the pools and the flowing waters of a large stream at the base of the Anamalai Hills. The water was fast-flowing and a number of small rapids and falls were present in the stream. Vegetation was sparse on either bank. A long distance along the banks of this stream was traversed and collec- tions were made from different niches. A great majority of the species were obtained from three large pools in the stream near Vannamadi Bridge. The following species were obtained from this stream :— Name of species Peevey Standard length Chela argentea Day 4 63—78 mm. Barilius barana Ham. 1 45°55, Danio aeguipinnatus McClelland 14 41—65'5__,, Rasbora daniconius (Ham.) 1 510i Barbus (Puntius) amphibius (Cuv. & Val.) 1 SOO > san Barbus (Puntius) carnaticus (Jerdon). aoe 2 109-176 - Barbus (Puntius) carmuca (Ham.) 5 44—87:0 __,, Barbus ( Puntius) dorsalis (Jerdon) 1 AS: (aa, Barbus (Puntius) dobsoni Day 1 6370 see Barbus ( Puntius) melanambyx Day 8 31—56'0 i, Barbus (Puntius) ticto (Ham.) 4 52—55 3 Barbus (Tor) khudree malabaricus (Jerdon) ] 14:07 153 Garra millya (Sykes) 8 82-107 a Osteochilus (Osteochilichthys) thomassi (Day) 5 57-1960, Nemachilus triangularis (Day) 2 3371572" 5 Lepidocephalus thermalis (Cuv. & Val.) 2 51—62'0 Batasio travancoyia Hora & Law. 4 90—93 Mh Glyptothorax madraspatanus Day 2 50°25—63°25,, Ophicephalus gachua (Ham.) 1 GOO eae Mastacembelus armatus (Lacep.)y 2 70—76 wee Nelliampathi Hills.—A few species were collected from a small stream and a tank in the vicinity of Nemmara, ciose to the Nelliampathi Hills. Due-to the failure of the regular monsoon the level of- water in the tank had gone down considerably. One side of the tank received more shade from the overhanging branches of the trees that fringed that part of the bank. The stream had a sandy substratum. ---The following species were collected from here :—- ) Name of species. No. of Standard length specimens, Chela clupeoides (Bloch) 5 792--91 mm. Danio aequipinnatus McClelland ‘ 4 31—67 __s,, Rasbora daniconius (Ham.). 3 48—55 Barbus (Puntius) amphibius (Cuv. & Val.) 7 89—112 __,, Ophicephalus gachua (Ham.). 2 5362s The Periyar Drainage System Nelliampathi Hills.—In May (1950), the author visited and made fish collections from the streams and pools in the Manalaroo and neigh- bouring estates in the Nelliampathi hill range. These hills being less extensive and more precipitous than the Anamalais, the streams here flow more abruptly into the plains. Due to the then prevailing drought most of the streams had dried up leaving patches of stagnant water here and there. Collections were made from a few pools and a springfed stream. Intermittent areas of sandy stretches were present A COLLECTION OF FISH FROM THE WESTERN GHATS G75 in the stream and the water was not very clear. The rate of flow was also slow. Plenty of submerged weeds and debris were present in the sandy stretches. Isolated pockets of stagnant water teeming with mosquito larvae were found in certain places along the course of the stream. Collections were made by bag-nets, and wherever the water was deep enough and free from weeds and submerged debris a cast-net was used. The following species were obtained from here :— Name of species. No. of Standard length. specimens. Barilius bakeri Day eo 7 71-91 mm. Danio aequipinnatus McClelland oes 23 21—81 ,, Barbus (Puntius) melanampyx Day dete 18 - 33-65 ,, Barbus (Puntius) filamentosus (Cuv. & Val.) iss 4 67—91 ,, Garra mullya (Sykes) in 8 39—88 _,, Nemachilus triangularis (Day) iss 14 34—56 ., Aplochilus lineatus (Cuv. & Val,) a6 3 36—48 ,, Ophicephalus gachua Ham. ais 1 oho ee NOTES ON CERTAIN SPSCIiES Barbus (Puntius) carnaticus (Jerdon) 1942 Barbus (Puntius) carnaticus, Hora, Rec. Ind. Mus., xliv, p. 195. 2 specimens—Tank in Puthutotam Estate, Anamalai Hills; length 142— 154 mm, 9 specimens, Large stream 7 miles from Valparai town; Annamalai Hills : length 128—302 mm. 2 specimens. Stream at base of Anamalai Hills ; length 109—176 mm. To Barbus (Puntius) carnaticus (Jerden) are referred 13 specimens Iog to 302 mm. in length collected from the Anamalai Hills. About the distribution of this species Day observed, ‘Found in the rivers along the base of the Nilgiris, Wynnad and South Kanara Hills’. The present collection extends the distribution of this species from the Central Division of the Western Ghats to the Anamalai Hills in Southern Division. It is of interest to note that this species while present in the Ponnani and Cauvery watersheds in the Anamalai and -Nelliampathi hill ranges has not so far been recorded from the Periyar drainage and from the rivers further south in Travancore. B. (Puntius) carnaticus grows to a fairly large size and is known to attain over 25 lb. in weight. Osteochilus (Osteochilichthys) thomassi (Day) 1877 Scaphiodon thomassi, Day, Fish. India, p. 551, pl. cxxxiv, fig. 1. 1942 Osteochilus (Osteochilichthys) thomassi, Hora, Rec. Indian Mus., xliv, p. 196. 5 specimens—Streams at base of Anamalai Hills; length 57-196 mm. This species was hitherto known to occur in the Central Division of the Western Ghats, Bhimachar (1945) speaking of the zoo- geographical divisions of the Western Ghats, referred to the genus Osteochilus, and stated: ‘It is significant that these are absent in Southern Division’. The present collection extends the distribution of Osteochilus (Osteochilichthys) thomassi from the Central to the Southern Division but as is the case of the preceding species, it is not found in the Periyar River drainage system. Attention has already been invited to the common watershed of the streams of the Central and 676 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 the Southern divisions of the Western Ghats which would explain the distribution of Osteochilus to the Southern Division of the Ghats. Batasio travancoria Hora and Law. 1941 Batasio travancoria Hora and Law, Rec. Indian, Mus., xliii, pp. 40-42. 4 specimens—Stream at the base of the Anamalai Hills. Length 90 to 93 mm. Previously known from southern and central Travancore, the present collection extends the distribution of Batasio travancoria north to the Ponnani watershed in the Anamalai Hills. The dis- continuity in the distribution of the species of this genus shows its antiquity, for it represents one of the Malayan elements in the fauna of Peninsular India. Glyptothorax prox. madraspatanus (Day). 1941 Glypiothoray madraspatanus, Hora and Law, Rec. Indian Mus. xliit, p. 250. 2 specimens. Stream at the base of Anamalai Hills. Length 50-25 and 63.25 mm. ; D 1/6/05 A. 3/6/13" S Vy Ge Cial7? Two specimens of Glyptothorax collected from the stream at the base of the Anamalai ‘Hills differ considerably in body colouration from Glyptothorax madraspatanus (Day) found in the hill streams of Travancore. These specimens are characterized here as follows :— The head and the anterior part of the body are considerably de- pressed, the dorsal profile is slightly arched and the ventral profile flattened and horizontal. The head is slightly longer than broad, but is not as long as 14 times its breadth. The length of the head is ‘contained 5 times and the depth of the body 6.5 to 8 times in the total length. The eyes are small and placed dorso-laterally, and are not visible from the ventral surface. The length of the snout corres- ponds to almost half the length of the head and consequently the eyes are placed more in the posterior half of the head. The inter-orbital width is contained 3.25 to 4 times in the length of the head. The mouth is subterminal. The teeth in the upper jaw are pointed and are placed in a transverse band. The width of the mouth is contained almost three times in the length of the head. The flattened ventral surface between the pectorals is plaited to form an adhesive organ. The skin on the ventral surface of the outer rays of the pectorals is also corrugated so as to help in adhesion. The maxillary barbels are long and broad at their base. They extend to slightly beyond the base of the pectoral fin. The inner mandibular barbels are shorter than the outer. The gill openings are situated obliquely and extend to the ventral surface for a short distance. The dorsal arises closer to the tip of the snout than to the base of the caudal. The longest ray of the dorsal is much longer than the depth of the body below it. The dorsal possesses 6 branched rays. The anals are small and possess 3 simple and 7 branched rays. The paired fins are flattened and horizontal. The pectorals are broad and possess eight branched rays. The spine of the pectoral is serrated on its inner edge. The pectorals are separated from the pelvics by MOIA [VISA “¢ ‘MOIA [esIoq °2 SMOIA [BI9NVT ‘T (keq,) suuvjodsvzpou *xoid xo20y30;¢h74 “aanop ‘ . » ats . . - . , - - . " : ’ A COLLECTION OF FISH FROM THE WESTERN GHATS B77 a considerable distance. The pelvics commence slightly posterior to the origin of the dorsal and are separated from the anal by a short distance and possess 6 rays. The caudal is long and deeply forked. The least height of the caudal peduncle is contained 24 times in its length. The vent is situated nearer the base of the caudal than to the pectorals. The skin is tuberculated. The colour in alcohol is as follows :— The body is dark greyish with the ventral surface and the fins being paler. The adipose fin and the other fins are tipped with white. Three white transverse bands are present on the body, one below the dorsal, the second beneath the adipose dorsal and the third at the base of the caudal. A broad transverse white band is present at the bifurcation of the caudal. The caudal lobes are tipped with white. Measurements in Millimeters Total length Length of caudal Length of head Greatest width of head Height of head near occiput Length of snout Inter orbital width Depth of body Height of dorsal fin Length of pectoral fin Length of pelvic fin Longest ray of anal fin Length of caudal peduncle Least height of caudal peduncle as Distance between the tip of the snout and the usin of the dorsal fin bes Distance between the tip of the snout and the or igin _ of the adipose fin -Distance between the origin of the dorsal and the adipose + oy fin 0 14,0 .-. . ., 16.0 Distance between the origin of the dorsal and the base of the caudal ‘ 24.5 tes ~ B20 Distance between the base of che doseal and the! origin £ fhe, oe of the adipose fin eel dine osf5 wins dds0 (Sal rom) we) wm (o>) oo No Cr pmed bed on i a DO on 10.0 nn on — ¢ SDOMWUMNOSr: ONDOCOCDONUNS MAnoSoNoon —" WOODrOMDWAMN iy) Oo ; isnt a — { wa YOON 0S oO nN of re 90 a) ZLOOGEROGRAPHTLCAL REMARES -Most-of the species under report have a wide distribution and hence need no special remarks. The species falling under this category are arranged here under three heads as follows :— t. Species widely distributed in India and further East. Barilius barena (Ham.) Barbus ( Puntius) ticto Ham. Danio aequipinnatus McClelland, Ophicephalus gachua Ham. Rasbora daniconius (Ham.). Mastacembelus armatus (Lacep),. 3. Species common to Peninsular India and Ceylon. Barbus (Puntius) amphibius (C. V.) BS. (Puntius) melanampya ay). Barbus (Puntius) dorsalis (Jerdor). Garra mullya (Sykes). Barbus (Puntius) tilamentosus (C.V.) Fee ee thermalis (CVA Se oo Aplochilus lineatus (C.V.) 6 678 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 3. Species found in the Western Ghats and associated hills. Cheéla clupeoides ( Bloch.) Barbus (Puntius) curmuca Ham. Barilius gatensts (C.V.) Barbus (Tor) khudree malabaricus (Ham.) Glyptothorax madraspatanus (Day). Of the remaining species, it is significant to note that some, hitherto known only from the Central Division of the Western Ghats and others from Travancore in the Southern Division, are at present found in the drainage system immediately south of the Palghat Gap. The Anamalai — Hills are also characterized by the presence of two endemic species. | Here, those species which are of zoogeographical importance are ar- ranged under three groups and their significance is discussed. 1. Species hitherto known from the Central Division, and now found to occur in the Anamalai and Nelliampathi Hills :— Chela argentea Day. Barbus (Puntius) carnaticus Jerdon. | Osteochilus (Osteochilichthys) thomassi (Day). 2. Species previously known from Travancore and now ebiaieg from the Cochin section of the Anamalai and Nelliampathi Hills :— Barilius bakeri Day. Barbus (Puntius) denisonii Day. Lravancoria jonest Hora. Nemachilus triangularis Day. Batasio travancoria Hora & Law. 3. Endemic species :— Homaloptera montana Herre. Glyptothorax house: Herre. Species such as Chela argentea, Barbus (Puntius) carnaticus and Osteo- chilus (Osteochilichthys) thomassi, being not highly adapted to a torrential life, are also found in the streams of the plains and, as such, it may be presumed that these species have found access from the Central to the Southern Division along some of the streams of the plains of Palghat. The Periyar drainage system being continuous with the streams of the Nelliampathi Hills, it is but natural that species like Barilius bakeri and Nemachillus triangularis occurring in Travancore should also be found here. The presence of Barbus (Puntius) denisonit, Travancoria jonesi, and Batasio travancoria in the Anamalai Hills needs further explanation. It is presumed that these species which were originally found here migrated further south to the hills of Travancore prior to the severance of the connection between the watersheds. The subsequent separation of the watersheds resulted in the isolation of these species both in the north and in the south. Two specimens of Glyptothorax {prox madraspatanus) collected by the writer from one of the streams in the Anamalai Hills differ. considerably from G. madraspatanus found in the hill streams of Travancore. A tendency towards speciation of this sisorid catfish shows that the isolation of the species here has been of recent occur- rence. It is possible that these differences indicate an incipient «stage in the formation of a new-species. It is also interesting to find another 4 COLLECTION OF FISH FROM THE WESTERN GHATS 679 sisorid, viz., Glyptothorax housei Herre, endemic in the Anamalai Hills G. housei differs from the other South Indian species, such as G. madras- patanus (Day), G. lonah (Skyes), G. annandalei Hora and G, trewasae Hora, in possessing a smooth skin. In this feature it resembles G. cont- rostre poonaensis Hora, from which it is distinguished by the longer barbels, the size, the lesser height of the dorsal and its greater dis- tance from the adipose fin, the size and position of the anal, the shorter head and the greater development of the adhesive organs. Of considerable zoogeographical importance is the occurrence of a species of the genus Homaloptera in the Anamalai Hills... (ihe genus Homaloptera is known from Eastern Burma, Siam, Malay Peninsula and the East. The presence of Homaloptera montana Herre in Peninsular India throws much light on the phylogeny of South Indian homalopterids and also helps in tracing the migratory eS RE ae es oP ee a eo Se ee ee Ts pout Boz Pepe int a = T* RIP Pe: Bary "6041 | ARABIAN & HOMALOPTERA @ BALITORA @ BALITOROPSIS @ BHAVANIA @ TRAVANCORIA 5 @ HOMALOPTERA ‘EXTINCT’ BALITORA EXTINCT HOMALOPTERA WAVE BALITORA WAVE + Ha a BHAVANIA WAVE ; SUMATRA Fig. 2 Map showing the probable routes of the waves of migration of Homa- lopterid Fishes to peninsular India, ‘highroads of these torrential fishes. A certain amount of speciation of Homaloptera took place in the Eastern Himalayas resulting in the genus Balitora. It is clear that Homaloptera, like the other torrential fishes, reached the Western Ghats along with the first influx along the Satpura trend of mountains which was evidently continuous with the Eastern Himalayas at that time. Having reached the West- ern Ghats these fishes migrated to the south, in the Peninsula, . 680 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 On reaching the Central Division of the Ghats, from Homaloptera was developed a better adapted and more evolved form as is seen. in the present day genus Bhavania. Homaloptera and Bhavana continued the southward movement and reached the Southern Division prior to the formation of the Palghat Gap. It is now known for certain that the disruption of Ceylon from Peninsular India took place during the Pliocene and it is supposed that the formation oi the Palghat Gap was later than this change. The homalopterids are absent in the mountain ranges of Ceylon. Having reached the Southern Division Bhavania migrated further south. The genus Tvavancoria is believed to have been a further attempt at speciation of the genus Homaloptera which was isolated in the Southern Division. Homaloptera and Travancoria are found in the Anamalai Hills and Travancoria ‘is also found further south in Northern Travancore. Bhavania at present occurs both in the Central Division of the Ghats in Mysore and the Southern Division in Travancore. No species of Homaloptera has so far been recorded from the Central and Northern divisions of the Western Ghats. In the east, Homaloptera migrated along the mountain ranges of Burma to Siam and Malay Peninsula. As it had given rise to Bhavania in Peninsular India, Homaloptera also gave rise to Balitoropsis in Siam. Balitora from its original home in the mountain ranges of the Eastern Himalayas and Assam migrated along two similar lines in subsequent waves. Balitora brucei mysorensis found in Mysore and Balitora brucei burmanicus found in Burma are geographical races of Balitora brucei of Eastern Himalayas. Balitora melansoma of southern Burma is also closely related to B. brucei. Balitora is not found in the Southern Division of the Western Ghats and it is likely that the Palghat Gap acted as a barrier to the southward movement of Balitora and of other torrential fishes which reached the Central Division in the subsequent waves. ACKNOWLEDGMENT I am deeply indebted to Dr. S. L. Hora, Director, Zoological Survey of India, for all the facilities he gave me to work out the collection and for the helpful suggestions and guidance he has given me in the preparation of this paper. REFERENCES Annandale, N, (1911): Freshwater Sponges. Hydroid and Polyzoa. Fauna of Brit. India. Bhimachar, B. S. (1945): Zoogeographical divisions of the Western Ghats as evidenced by the distribution of hill-stream fishes. Curr. Sci. (1) xiv: 18-16. _ Bhimachar, B. S. and Rau, A. S. (1941): Fishes of the Mysore State. I. Fishes of the Kadur District. Journ. Mysore Univ. 1 (2): 141-154. Blanford, W. T. (1901): Distribution of vertebrate animals in India, Ceylon and Burma. Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. London (B) 194%: 335-436. Day, F. (1865): Fishes of Malabar. — — — (1876-1888): Fishes of India. London. — — — (1889): Fauna of British India [ & II. Gregory, J. W. (1925): The evolution of the River systems of South Eastern Asia. Scottish Geog. Mag. 44: 129-141. Herre, A. W. C. T. (1942): Glyptothorax housei, a new sisorid catfish from South! India. Stanford Ichth. Bull. ii (4): 117. A COLLECTION OF FISH FROM THE WESTERN GHATS 681 Herre, A. W. C. T. (1945): Notes on the Fishes of the Zoological Museum of Stanford University. Ichthyology, xx: 399-400. Hora, S. L. (1923): Fishes of the Indian Museum. V. On the composite genus Glyptosternon. McClell. Rec. Ind. Mus. xxv (1) 1-44. — — — (1937): Geographical distribution of Indian Freshwater fishes and its bearing on probable land connections between India and adjacent countries. Curr. Sci. T: 351-356. — — — (1941): Homalopterid fishes of Peninsular India. Rec. Ind. Mus. xliii : 221-232. — — — (1942): Fishes of the Mysore State and the neighbouring hill ranges of Nilgiris, Wynaad and Coorg. Rec. Ind. Mus. xliv: 193-200. — — — (1942): On the systematic position of the Indian species of Scaphiodon Heckel, and the systematic position of Cyprinus nukta Sykes. Rec. Ind. Mus. xliv: 1-14. — — — (1944): On the Malayan affinities of the freshwater fish fauna of ‘eninsular India, and its bearing on the probable age of the Garo-Rajmahal Gap. Proc. Nat. Inst. Sci. India. x (4): 423-439. — — -— (1947): Torrential fishes and the significance of their distribution in zoogeographical studies. Bull. Nat. Geog. Soc. India. (Benares) (7): 1-10. — — — (1949): Dating the period of the Migration of the so-called Malayan element in the fauna of Peninsular India. Proc. Nat. Inst. Sci. India. xv: 1-7. Hora, S. L. and Law, N. C. (1941): Siluroid fishes of India, Burma and Ceylon. Rec. Ind. Mus., xlili: 9-42. — — — (1941): Freshwater fishes of Travancore. Ibid., 233-256. John, C. C. (1936): Fishes of Travancore. Journ. Bombay, Nat. Hist. Soc., XXxVili : 702-733. Pillay, R. S. N. (1929): Fishes of Travancore. Ibid. xxxviii. 347-379. Prashad, B. (1942): Zoogeography of India. Proc. Nat. Inst. Sci. India, Vili: 33-43. II. Glyptothoray prox madraspatanus Day 1. Lateral view; 2, Dorsal view ; 3. Ventral view, FILIPEDIUM, A NEW GENUS OF GRAMINEAE (GRASSES) BY M. B. Raizapa & S. K. JAIN (Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun) (With one plate) Filipedium Raizada et Jain genus novum; pertinet ad Gramineas, sect. Andropogonearum. Accedit ad Capillipedium Stapf, a quo tamen differt pedicellis spathulatis, ut plurimum spiculis pedicellatis atque spiculis sessilibus haud aristatis. Spiculae binae, quarum una _ sessilis, altera vero pedicellata, distinctae inter se forma, magnitudine atque sexu, dispositae in racemos in apice ramorum capillarium in aperto paniculo; rami verti- cillati, nudi ad basim; racemorum nodi atque pedicelli fere similes, complanati, hyalini in medio; pedicelli conspicue spathulati. Spicula sessilis decidit cum nodo adjacenti atque pedicello sptculae pedicellatae spicula pedicellata decidit ex pedicello. Spicula_ sessilis dorso compressa, haud aristata. Glumae I atque II similes, plus minusve chartaceae, leves; gluma-I subbicarinata, marginibus anguste incurvis; gluma II fortiter carinata; gluma III ut plurimum abest. Fiosculus superior bisexualis; gluma IV ad squamam hyalinam reducta vel nulla. Stamina tria. Stigmata duo. Spicula pedicellata ut plurimum rudi- mentaria, ad 2 glumas vestigiales reducta; gluma II ut plurimum brevior quam gluma I; flosculi nuili. Gramina perennia. Culmi graciles, ut plurimum erecti, simplices vel ramosi, nodis generatim glabris. Foliorum laminae _lineares, apicibus elongatis. Filipedium Raizada and Jain (Gramineae-Andropogoneae). This genus is Closely related to Capillipedium Stapf from which it can be easily distinguished by the spathulate pedicels, usually rudimentary pedicelled spikelets and unawned sessile spikelets. Spikelets 2-nate, one sessile the other pedicelled, differing in shape, size and sex, in few-jointed fragile racemes at the ends of the capillary branches of a loose panicle; branches whorled, naked at base; joints of the raceme and pedicels almost similar, flat, hyaline in middle, pedicels conspicuously spathulate. Sessile spikelet falling with the adjacent joint and the pedicel of the pedicelled spikeleg; pedicelled spikelet falling from its pedicel. Sessile spikelet dorsally compressed, unawned. Glumes I and II equal, more or less chartaceous, smooth; glume I sub-2-keeled, margins narrowly incurved; glume ITI strongly keeled; glume III usually absent. Upper floret hermaphrodite ; glume IV reduced to a hyaline scale or absent. Stamens 3. Stigmas 2. Pedicelled spikelet usually rudimentary, reduced to 2 vestigial glumes; glume II usually shorter than I; florets O. Perennial grasses. Culms slender, usually erect, simple or branched, nodes usually glabrous. Leaf-blades linear, long-tapering. Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. Filipedium planipedicellatum (Bor) Raizada and Jain , a A, Tati Al DF. vis ‘ ay Dh ~ q iy 7 i] U Vt i . ee - by A pe Hoe _ aN Phd ; Vi . ui . em : . ‘ ' * . s . ‘ i - . . ° - FILIPEDIUM, A. NEW GENUS OF GRAMINEAE 683 Type species: Filipedium planipedicellatum (Bor) Raizada and Jain comb. nov. (based on Capillipedium planipedicellatum Bor). One species from India. Filipedium planipedicellatum (Bor) Raizada and Jain comb. nov. Capillipedium planipedicellatum Bor in Kew Bull. (1949) 222. Perennial. Culms more than a meter high, erect, simple, siender, smooth, purplish in colour, nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheath tight, terete or slightly compressed, smaller than the internodes, striate, smooth; ligule short, membranous, ciliate above. Leaf-blades linear, almost 8 cm. long, 3 mm. wide, acuminate, long-tapering to a fine point, margins scabrous, involute or flat, base rounded, bearded in throat. Panicle up to 20 cm. long, 7-8 cm. wide; branches whorled, loose; racemes naked at base, bearing short spikes in upper part, 6-7 cm. long; branches capillary flexuose, 2-jointed, smooth, glabrous. Racemes fragile, usually with 3 sessile spikelets, the lower two with one pedicelled spikelet, the terminal one with two pedicelled spikelets. Joints of the raceme and pedicels similar, smooth, glabrous, 1.5-2.5 mm. long, flat, hyaline in the middle, pedicels conspicuously oblan- ceolate, slightly thickened at the apex, purple, fragile. Sessile spikelet falling with the adjacent joint and the pedicel of the pedicelled spikelet. Pedicelled spikelet falling from its pedicel. Sessile spikelet 3 mm. long, elliptic-oblong, acute, dorsally compressed. Glume I 3 mm. long, g-nerved, elliptic-oblong, acute, chartaceous, smooth, glabrous, purplish-brown, sub-2-keeled, margins narrowly incurved; glume II equal in length, strongly keeled at back, lanceolate, acute, 3-nerved, purple, smooth, margins narrowly inflexed. Lower floret O. Upper floret hermaphrodite, glume IV O or a narrow hyaline scale, palea broadly triangular, hyaline, 1.5 mm. long, 1 mm. wide. Lodicules 2, cuneate. Stamens 3. Styles 2; stigmas 2, plumose. Pedicelled spikelet: pedicel similar to the joint of the raceme but thickened at apex; spikelet much reduced to 2 vestigial glumes; glume I 1.5 mm. long, narrowly or broadly lanceolate, acute; glume II much shorter; florets O. Manipur State, Palel, elevation 2,500 ft.; (Bor-17,059; roth Nov. 1942). ‘A grass 3-4 ft. tall—in swamps—-spikelets purple’. This grass was regarded by Dr. N. L. Bor to be a member of the genus Capillipedium Stapf. He found it to be different from all known species of the genus and described it as a new species, Capilli- pedium planipedicellatum Bor (Kew Bulletin 1949, 222). Bor, however, had pointed out that it was a remarkable grass differing from other species of the genus Capillipedium in several important features. While engaged upon an exhaustive study of the Indian species of the genus Capillipedium Stapf the authors critically examined the type specimen of this grass (C. planipedicellatum Bor), which revealed that it markedly differed from all other members of the genus in the absence of awn, spathulate pedicels and rudimentary pedicelled spikelets. With such marked differences the inclusion of this grass in the genus Capillipedium is not only anomalous but contaminates the purity of this genus. The creation of a new genus Filiipedium ~ was, therefore, found necessary to accommodate this remarkable grass. 684 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 ACKNOWLEDGMENT We are grateful to Rev. Father H. Santapau for very kindly putting the description of the genus into Latin. EXPLANATION OF PLATE (a) Upper part of the culm and inflorescence. | (b) A branch of panicle. | (c) and (d) Two opposite views of a raceme: (c) Rudimentary pedicelled spikelets in the background. | (d) Conspicuous spathulate pedicels almost masking the sessile spilcelet. | (e) A joint of raceme. | (f) Pedicel of the pedicelled spikelet. | (g), (h) and (i) Glume I, II and palea of the sessile spikelet. (j) and (k) Glume I and II of the pedicelled spikelet. (1) Leaf-base showing ligule. THE GIR FOREST AND. ITS LIONS BY K. S. DHARMAKUMARSINHJT & M. A. WyYNTER-BLYTH, M.A, (Cantab.), F.R.E.S. Part III Continued from p. 470 of this volume 1. THE LIon tn BHAvVNaGaAR (by K. S. D.) Lions existed all over Kathiawar in ancient times and were still to be found in many parts of the peninsula until the middle of the 19th century. In Bhavnagar territory their main habitat was the Sihor Hills, and the adjacent Ramdhari Hills which run in a north- westerly direction to join the Chotila range, another old haunt of lions. The Ramdhari Hills were studded with low scrub forest, while at Sihor there is a thick well-wooded jungle of mixed thorny trees. These two ranges are of distinct character, and the lions were known as being of the Ramdhari or Sihori type, although there could have been no difference between the two. Since then the lion has, of course, completely disappeared from these hills; I believe the last was killed at Sihor in the time of Thakore Jaswantsinhji, my great-grandfather. After this it was over 60 years before lions were again seen in the State and that was many miles away from the Sihor Hills, in a small portion of the Kundla district known as the Mytiala Hills, the name being derived from the old village of Mytiala ensconced amidst them. These hills are the eastern terminus of the Gir highland system and are divided from it by the river Dhantarwardi, which is also almost the demarcation line between Bhavnagar and Baroda States. The highest of these hills is between 500 and 1000 feet. It was here in October 1917 that a lioness and two cubs were re- corded as wandering into the territory from the Gir where lions were considered very rare then. These animals stayed but a short time. Following this occurrence no more lions were recorded until 1920, when Mytiala had another visit, again in October, from a lion, two lionesses and two half-grown cubs. In 1922 two more lions were seen in these hills; after that date we began to have regular yearly visits but so keen were sportsmen to bag them that many of them were shot. At that time, I regret to state, preservation was not strict, nor was it so until the rule of my brother, H.H. the Maharajah Raol Shri Krishnakumarsinhji. This is seen from the records of attempts made to shoot these lions, mostly females, during the minority administration of the present ruler. Nevertheless it is to the credit of R. S. Krishnachandra Kalubha, the then Superintendent of Police who accompanied my father so often on shikar, that a fairly good record was kept. As years went by, lions mostly females, continued to enter Mytiala but they never stayed in the territory for any length of time. These 686 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCTEEY, YiWol 49 animals may well be termed migratory, for, since the forest was so poor in trees and lacking in water, there was no temptation for the animals to remain unless they had made a kill. It was fortunate that the distance of Mytiala from any large city was so great that by the time any rail or road bandobast could be made for a shikar camp the animals had had ample time to slip back into Baroda Gir territory. This used to happen quite often and still does to the present day, as the Mytiala area comprises only six square miles of territory, some of which is bare open hills. As soon as the first male lions were recorded entering the territory in 1929, His Highness, with great foresight, made a rule preserving the females. Since then no lionesses have been shot. Having bagged such a rare animal, His Highness afforded ample opportunity to his close friends to shoot ‘shootable’ lions, as they were termed, meaning lions whose front pad measured 32 inches or over. It is of interest to note that some of the lions were shot on foot. As time advanced, more and more lions entered the Preserve and it was at His Highness’s suggestion that an afforestation scheme was begun. The arduous task of dispersal of seeds and watering young plants was entrusted to the Shikar Department. As there seemed to be some possibility of conserving water, three small Jakes were also constructed. These proved to be successful in attaining their object except during the very hot months when they dried up. Nevertheless, this water encouraged the growth of vegetation and soon trees and undergrowth flourished. Now, owing to strict preservation and con- servation of the forest, the Mytiala Hills form an ideal resort for lions. Moreover, the abundance of natural prey entices lions to stay for long periods, with the result that for the last four or five years it has been possible to find lions there throughout the year, something that would have been considered impossible when we began the scheme. | In the early ‘30’s I could count the trees in each valley: today these valleys are a mass of forest vegetation, a delightful spectacle during, the monsoon when foliage is green and thick. His Highness possesses an old shooting hut placed on the side ot a hill from which there is a magnificent view of the Mytiala Valley, called the ‘Door’, which is the main abode of the lions: a cart track winds through the jungle to pass Mytiala village. From this hut, which is placed, as it were above the corridor of the valley through which most of the lions enter our territory, one looks over the village of Khambha towards the summit of Nandi Velo, the highest peak to be seen in the area. Mamai Peak of the Mytiala range is close by, and from this the sea is visible beyond Rajula on a clear day. The preservation of forest and game has given a distinctive charac- ter to this part of Bhavnagar territory. Whenever guests asked where our territory ended and that of others began, the invariable reply was that Bhavnagar territory was where trees and game could be seen—a fact that could not be denied. %* * * The lion as I know him is a magnificent animal. The appearance of a full-maned lion is formidable and one that instils respect. He is by no means aggressive, but from my experience prefers seclusion and resents disturbance. For him the most important question is food, for not everywhere is there sufficient. Owing to heavy population sur- THE GIR-FOREST AND ITS LIONS 687 rounding his home in the Gir, he is disturbed as soon as he leaves the forest. But in spite of this, because he has learnt to know that man seldom has evil intentions towards him, he has become used to the presence of human habitations. The lion of Kathiawar, unlike some African lions, does not look on man as his enemy, except when he is hunted with the gun, and therefore one does not (nowadays) meet with man-eating lions. Moreover, decrepit lions and lionesses seem to die a natural “death in solitude when their powers of hunting fail rather than attack man towards whom they have a natural fear. Lions, then, are frequently found around human habitations and it is rarely that a family of lions does not call at a nesda' during the night. This, of course, is to seek for any cattle that have either lagged behind on their way home or have been poorly secured within the nes. Lions, consequently, feed frequently on domestic cattle and are therefore a constant menace. The lion when he preys upon cattle always has, it seems to me, a guilty feeling of theft, for he does not normally show fight if the owners try to drive him away. However, when very hungry, he gets irritated by human interference and displays defiance by roaring and demonstrating. But these attacks cannot be compared with the deliberate cold-blooded charge of a wounded lion. -Nevertheless, I have known some cases of over-bold maldharis who have tried to drive a pair of lions from a kill at night, being badly mauled by one of them which was reluctant to part with his meal. Such cases of attack are rare, but when a maldhari has lost one of his most valued Moe aso lens he tends to become something of a lion himself ! As a rule a number of men coughing or talking is enough to drive a pride of lions off their kill. From my experience, if a lion has been deprived of his food immediately after killing, he will utter an angry roar and leave the area disgusted. I recollect the case of a heifer that had been killed by a pair of lions, whose carcass was removed in a lorry. When the lions found their meal had been stolen they roared furiously a number of times during the night, but left the jungle before day-break. The lion of the Gir may be seen singly, in pairs, or in prides. The largest pride I have seen consisted of nine animals of which two were males; but five or six of varying size with one male lion is not an unusual sight. Solitary males may be seen, but it seems a special characteristic of the Gir lion to move in pairs, generally both males, one usually: slightly larger than the other. This unit is locally termed a bélad. I personally believe the two animals find hunting made much easier by their association, a fact I can corroborate from my personal experience. At Mytiala there was a full grown buffalo bull which was always left out in the open at night but was never attacked in the course of many years, and seemed well capable of defying any single lion, or lioness with cubs, until, one fateful night, a bold pair of lions hunting: in concert brought him down. The Gir lion appears to be less courageous than his African brother and is reluctant to attack a full-grown buffalo unaided. However, both single lions and lionesses have been known to bring down full-grown nilgai bulls, and I myself have the record of a lioness that killed a large bull at Mytiala one season. ‘ Herdsmen’s hamlet in the Gir, E 688 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) of course, form an important proportion of the game killed by lions for food. There was once a pair of lions living in the Mytiala Hills which regularly used to prey on nilgai with the result that these animals became very wary even during the daytime, keeping to the steep sides and higher ridges of the hills, and taking alarm at the slightest appearance or scent of us. Lions have even been known to bring down nilgai at mid-day during the cooler season, a time when these antelopes suspect little danger. At this time™ of, ;day..,[,, once..; watched,+.a .,herd,; of .. about. iity, of them that was stopped dead by a pair of male _ lions, and then immediately turned and fled in the opposite direction. Fortunately for them the lions were not hungry. Another remarkable spectacle I had the good fortune to see was a nilgai bull following some lions that had been feeding on a kill. The lions made no attempt to attack the nilgai, although he was not fifty yards away, and he seemed aware that they meant him no harm. Lions have also been known to kill panthers and we had such a case recently at Mytiala. Well-fed lions are lazy and will allow close approach. It is during the heat of the day that one comes suddenly upon them. whilst they are lying up, and it is then that they, being frightened themselves, show defiance. On such occasions it is best to’shout and beat a dis- creet retreat! A lioness with cubs is still more to be feared, for even though she may be sleeping, the cubs, intrigued by the appearance of this strange new animal, come to investigate. The mother awakening, perhaps finds one of her family missing and comes in search of it, and then finds you whom she suspects of being the thief! On seeing young cubs it is advisable to make off as rapidly as is practicable without waking mother. 7 A lioness with cubs gives out a nerve-wracking continuous growl. I have watched cubs, with their mother growling thus and twitching her tail as she looked up at me. More than once I expected her to spring at me in my machan (which was not a high one) but fortunately she decided otherwise. During a beat I have seen a lioness, deserted by the male which had. moved silently away, growling fiercely in defence of her cubs and deliberately biting and pushing them to urge them out of danger. Fin- ally she scattered them and moved on reluctantly. Yet on the other hand I have seen very clearly, in our own jungle, a pride of lionesses and cubs beaten past the machan at mid-day. Shikaris know very well the danger of pressing lions too quickly and with too much noise, but if properly managed they give no trouble. Nevertheless, lions vary in temperament individually, and I have known some lions which have only been made to move after much roaring and growling. One lioness was particularly dangerous ‘and created a great fuss whenever our shikaris came across her. She earned herself a name for this, and the shikaris were able to recognise her immediate-- ly by her unmitigating behaviour. Lions, when driven, often give a roar when they get up, and then follow a trail silently, carefully watching the ground ahead of them, often pausing to listen. Males are inclined to amble or run if they are suddenly pressed, while females move more slowly. Lions which have had their companions shot in the Gir are very wary when they THE GIR FOREST: AND ITS LIONS 689 are driven. Their attitude then is to leave the covert as quickly as possible and to seek the protection of another. Owing to persecution by maidharis when they have killed cattle, lions seldom return to such kills, and are wont to consume as much of them as they can that night. However, when they have killed away from nesdas in the jungle and are left undisturbed they invariably return to their kills, and I have seen them feeding on one for three consecutive nights. After a kill has been made under such conditions the lion keeps guard over it during the daytime to prevent vultures from feeding on it, often getting up with a growl or roar to rush towards the birds and drive them away. I have even seen a dead vulture near a lion’s kill which may well have been killed by a blow from the lion, After a lion has killed he usually begins to feed from the rear. When the kill has been made by a pride there is much growling and the male generally feeds first, though this is not always the case. * * * Ms Unless they are very hungry lions hunt by night, and, being intelligent animals, they normally hunt up-wind. Although I have never had the good fortune to see lions bring down wild game, evidence supports the theory that a pride on sighting game often breaks up and silently surrounds the quarry. Two lions will separate in opposite directions as they catch sight of their prey moving towards them, or they may stalk it by a pincer movement. The last I saw clearly when two lions stalked a_ heifer which was tied up. The smaller of the two lions, approaching from the front, had come within twenty yards of the heifer when the latter espied him, but the heifer was not sure of what she. had seen. The sight was magnificent. The lion was lying low in two feet of grass, peering at the heifer, with only the top.of the head, eyes and. tip of his. nose visible. On becoming aware he had been seen, he froze and kept as still as a rock with his ears pressed down. Every time the heifer gazed in his direction he closed his eyes to a slit lest he betray him- self; such is the intelligence of-lions. When the heifer looked away, he opened them again and showed intense interest, as if to decide whether to attack or not, but: he seemed diffident to do so until the bigger lion appeared from the side somewhat to the rear of the heifer. The heifer wheeling to face the larger lion, was the signal for the younger one to charge, which he did, an action the larger one immedi- ately followed, one seizing the rear of the beast, the other fastening himself onto the throat. The fang’s in the throat, one paw on the muzzle and the other on the back of the neck with the weight of the body behind it soon ended its life. 7 I have known a single well-maned lion thus kill a three-quarters grown heifer in no time: in an instant the animal was lying dead. The lion kills a goat mercilessly and as he seems to bite at any part of its body, I have seen these poor animals die lingering deaths. One extraordinary sight I once witnessed was the extraction of the entire skin of a goat in one movement by a lion, like a glove being removed from the hand. How this was performed I keep wondering to this day. The lion is silent when hunting but he often emits a roar when close to a nes. This he does to cause panic among -the beasts en- 690 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 closed inside, and if an animal is so stricken as to break out through the wado or zareba he immediately pounces upon it. Lions wander a great deal during their night vigils and it is not unusual for them to cover fifteen or twenty miles. They have a definite predilection for moving along paths or cart tracks, and often return along the Same route. Lions roar after they have killed and a pride may join in the chorus. A lioness with cubs gives a low moaning roar to call her young, but otherwise she is more silent than the male. A lioness with young cubs emits a continuous low growling if apprehending danger, but if the cubs are half-grown she usually moves silently away with them following her. A lioness meaning business looks at one in a menacing way, though without snarling, and may depress her ears, a sure sign of her deter- mination to charge if further encroached upon. I well recollect an incident. during a pig beat when two half-grown lion cubs passed us at a distance of only five yards, and a very large lioness, the mother, showed every inclination to charge, but finally changed her mind, when she saw her offspring bounding away safely in the distance. While an unwounded lion is nothing to be feared, a wounded one is extremely dangerous and should never be approached without ad- equate precautions. Once a lion has been hit by a bullet he throws himself about, with low pitched roars, and it is at this critical time that fire should be accurate and in succession. Unless he has seen the marksman, he usually attempts to flee or keeps turning in all directions. A lion which is ready to charge gives a roar and raises his tail above his back, the mane also being raised. * * * _The lion is a less cunning beast than the tiger, and hence is more easily disposed of by the various hunting methods. . Lion shooting from a machan is tame enough as the animal readi.y comes out into the open, often following a nullah or ravine if there is one close by, whereas on foot he affords good sport. Though I have seen many lions being killed, only once have I heard a lion giving his death cry. This was a full grown male which, having been shot through the heart and shoulder, ran into a valley, gave two piercing, moaning roars, and immediately expired. The usual procedure employed by us in hunting lions is as follows. First of all it is necessary to find the track of a ‘shootable’ lion which has entered the Reserve: a shootable lion being one with the pad of the forefoot 32” in diameter, measured in dust or river sand wh-re the ground is not so soft as to leave an exaggerated impression. The puggies or trackers soon locate the lion by following his spoor, and it is indeed remarkable how adept they are at following a track across hard dry soil or sometimes even over rock. As the trackers are well acquainted with the habits of lions and know the terrain, they can usually guess accurately where he is going to lie up, and having located the animal even go right up to him whilst he is lying down unaware or asleep. Once the trackers are hot on the trail they will not give up. - As the power of the sun increases they keep close on the heels of the lien knowing. that. he will soon lie up. Sometimes when following a THE GIR FOREST ‘AND ITS ‘LIONS 691 trail. in a valley it is necessary to send scouts, or chadikurs as they are called, ahead onto the sides of the valley to spot the animal in front. During the hot weather lions lie up in favourite shady spots and in ravines or caves, and it is then that they are most easily located and approached. But during the monsoon and after it they are inclined to settle themselves on the sides and near or on the summits of hills. The grass then is tall and plentiful and there is much foliage on the trees, so that it is rather difficult to spot them at this time of the year. During the winter, as also during the monsoon, lions are likely to be continually on the move resting only for short inter- vals, and it is then that one has to depend on experienced trackers. But once the animal has been seen or marked down, a beat may either be arranged with the hunter in a machan, or a bait may be tied up in the evening, the latter being the safer method if the exact whereabouts ‘of the lion is not known. If possible, it is a sound plan to allow a kill to be made before undertaking a beat, for a well-fed lion does not travel far and is easily tracked the next day so that a beat may be arranged with certainty. Even for the safety of a sportsman shooting off the ground, as has often been the case with us, it is better to fire at a well-fed lon rather than at one that is hungry. However, if it is decided to sit up, this is of course best done when the lion has not fed, when there is more chance of his making the kill. & % % Usually ions eat as much as they can at one sitting and do not always return to their kill the second night. But if they do they usually come late, whereas if they have not returned, then on the third night they are likely to come early to a fresh live bait, since Hay will be hungry. Whether lions will return to a kill depends on several fiidiors2“tite number of lions, the size of the kill, where and when the kill was made, and lastly on their previous ‘experience. A return visit, as mentioned before is never made to kills near nesses, whereas a kill made in undisturbed forest in the early hours of the morning mav even see a lion feeding during the day and keeping guard over it. On the other hand a kill made by a pride in the early evening will in all probability be entirely devoured that night. When a lion is repeatedly fed in one locality he does not move far and is inclined to become fat and lazy, coming irregularly to. the known kill and acting strangely. For the hunter, then, the best method of bagging a lion (that is, if he has good trackers) is to arrange a beat after a kill has been ‘made. . For complete safety most sportsmen prefer to have a machan built, but if the lion is lying up in a valley it is a good plan to post oneself in an advantageous position well above where the quarry is expected to appear. If the site is well camouflaged, such places are safe enough, provided the shot is not taken head on. The lion seldom looks up and I have often been placed in open machans without being seen. Nevertheless it is better to be well camouflaged as any ‘slight movement may be spotted. The advantages of shooting at lions during the daytime are, of course, manifold—the target is clear and there is every chance of placing the first and subsequent shots, and, finally Bete is time, if necessary, for following:-up- a wounded: animal. 692 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 Sitting up in the evening is all very well if the lion comes to the kill or tie-up before dark, but personally I regard shooting from machans at night a mug’s game, and one that gives every chance of a wounded lion. Still, if skilful trackers are not available and the sportsman is prepared to take a chance, this is a way open to him without much cost or trouble. A goat is usually tied-up together with the heifer to attract the king’ cf beasts by his bleating. ~ The disadvantage of this is that the lon invariably pulls away the goat in his first rush, and may only return to kill the heifer when he has disposed of the goat. The delay then is very trying. Moreover, in the case of one or more lions the hazard of the ‘shootable’ lion running away with the goat, or a lioness seizing the prey before the male, is considerable, and this hazard is increased during the winter months when the light fades quickly after sunset. Still it is a practice much adopted. It is my experience that if lions do not come before about 10 p.m. mear a nes, they are unlikely to come at all except in the early hours of the morning. Nevertheless, if lions are heard roaring in the neighbourhood it may be well worth the sportsman’s while to sit up until midnight, for there is always a possibility of their appearing. From what I have seen I agree with most observers that, when a lion and lioness are hunting in concert, it is the latter that attacks first. When a male lion approaches a kill in the open I have noticed that he creeps up stealthily ; then, standing up and straighten- ing himself, he stretches forward his shapely head and neck with the hair of the mane bristling, and charges. A male lion, if he is not hungry may play with the bait like a cat with a mouse, until the lioness comes up and kills it. , i Lions wander a good deal during the monsoon, and it was at this season and just after it that they first returned to Mytiala. Because cover and water are then plentiful the animals move far from their natura! abode, the Gir. Moreover, lions at this season prefer to keep to the hilltops and the valleys close to their summits during the daytime. This is, I believe, to escape from the flies and mosquitoes that infest the steamy valleys and low ground, and perhaps also the disturbance by grasscutters. Lions during the winter months also frequently settle in similar places for their day’s rest, often without much shade. This is never the case during the hot weather when they lie up in shady ravines not far from water, and in caves and under trees, especially banyan (Ficus) trees and keramda (Carissa carandas) bushes. At that time of the year, too, lions do not wander far from their accustomed daytime abode, invariably returning to the same patch of jungle, unless hunger drives them further afield and forces them to rest in some unusual cover such as a large clump of euphorbias. When in such cover a lion will not usually leave it without causing trouble. * * * It has often been observed that a lion will keep with his mate for quite a long time after the birth of her cubs, only leaving her when the cubs are more than two or three months old. The cubs, which, in my experience, number two, three, or four, (occasionally five) remain with their mother for a year or more, and often until she is THE GIR FOREST AND ITS LIONS 693 ready for her next litter. Two mothers with their cubs may join ‘orces, and a third female has been known to join them. Such a group may be accompanied by an adult male or young males. During the mating period, which may take,place at any time of the vear, lions roar frequently and the male and his spouse then go with- out food for a long time. Curiously enough kills which are made at such times are often left uneaten, and the lion seems to be easily irri- tated during his honeymoon. The manes of lions vary considerably. They may be tawny, rufous- tawny, tawny and grey, black and tawny mixed with grey, black and gray or rarely even black. An interesting point is that the size of the lion seems to have little relation with the size of the mane. The colour of the coat also varies, some being tawny, others greyish-tawny with a blackish tinge. One skin sent to me by a friend is almost entirely blackish. Dark coated lionesses have also been seen. Finally size: Rowland Ward gives to ft. 1 in. as the record Sength of an Indian lion shot by Lord Lamington in the Junagadh Fir. As much reliance cannot be placed on the above, probably Colonel Fenton’s record of a g ft. 7 in. lion should be allowed to stand until some more reliable figures are produced to take its place. APPENDIX Records and Measurements: of Lions shotin the Mytiala Lion Reserve® Forest, Bhavnagar State DATES DETAILS Oct. 1920 ... 1 lioness shot by P. A. (Gohelwad) and Capt. Harris. a 1922 ... 1 lioness shot by Col. Burke. Aug. 1926... ji lioness shot by K. S. Vijayasinhji. Sept. 1927 ... 2 lionesses shot by H. H. Palitana, 2 lionesses shot by R. S. Krishnachandra. Aug. 1929 ... 2 lionesses shot by H. H. Bhavnagar. Sept. 1930... 1 lion shot by Col, Mosse. Length : 8’ 6”, - 1931 ... 2 lions snot on foot by H. H. Bhavnagar. Length: So 10% and. 52. Nov. 1932 ... 1 lion wounded by R.N.B. Sept. 1933 .. 1 lion shot by R. S. Dharmakumarsinhii. Length : 8" 67." Shot on foot. gan. 1935 .... llion shot by R. S. Nirmalkumarsinhji. Length : ; S 7.) ~Heioht «39. Jan. 1938 ... llion shot by R.S. Dharmakumarsinhji. Length: 8’ 103”. Height : 39”. Dec. 1938 ... llion shot by H. H. Maharani Saheba of Bhav- nagar. Length: 8’ 84”. Height: 37”. Girth: domme lal she, .Eront: Pad +32" . 1 All between pegs. ? Lions residing in the Mytiala Reserve after 1930 may certainly be considered as overflow from the Gir forests. 7 694 Jan. Feb. Jian: May Apr. Dec. Apr. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 DATE 1940 1940 1941 1945 1946 1935 1933 1934 alrow/{al DETAILS 1 lion shot by Yuvraj Saheb of Wankaner and’ K. S. Chandrabhanusinhji of Wankaner. Length: Sb”. Height,: @8”. Front Pad 33 Ginn = Ae ali S cc 1 lion shot by Thakore Saheb of Wadhwan.. Length 8" 67> Height: 4072.) Mromte bade 3 5/8th”. 1 lion shot by H. H. Bhavnagar. Length : 9”. Height =.40”- Gitth -4527.> Tail 337 = Buon. Pad : 32”. 1 lion shot by. H.-H: Bhavnager) Length -8'557 Height 35”). Front, Pad 33”. Shot. tor evoke Day celebrations. 2 lions shot by H. H. Bhavnagar. Ist male: Length: 8’ 3” “Vail: 2842.5: Frontebade cada 2nd male... . length s28 Oden deal seo ore Front Pad: 34% The latter was shot because: he was lame and considered dangerous; the former to celebrate VJ Day. (There were 9 lions. in the forest on this date, 7 of which were in the: beat). Some other Records 1 lion shot by R. 8. Nirmalkumarsinhji at Andha- nia @etpur/Gir). Length: 9° 4”; Height - 387. Girth « 607. 1 lioness and two partially grown cubs (one male; one female) shot by R. N. B. at Andhania. Female ;.;.... dueneth,:.6: 47." Male,cubi,. ) 2 ~ Length : 6’ 7”, Female cub.:... Length : 677572 1 lion shot by H. H. Bhavnagar at Sasan (Juna- gadh Gir). Length); 8’: ./47.. Heist 22394 Front Pad : 34”., ind Pad: 357: 1 lion shot by Capt. Trother at Shane. Length : ’ 10”. Tail: 35%. Height at shoulders : 40”. Girth 45”. Lions shot by Colonel Watson, P. A. (end of last century)... Two lionsy:,.<. Length: 9 and G7 i Onelioness:. . . Length: 8’ 6”. SOME BIRD ASSOCIATIONS OF BENGAL BY M; D- LISTER (With a sketch map) I have tried in the following pages to set forth an accurate picture of the various major associations of birds as 1 found them during a period of nearly 17 months at Jessore, and 3 months at Dhubalia, both in Bengal. Both lie behind the Sundarhans, but Dhubalia, which is. some six miles NNW of Krishnagar, lies some 60-70 miles WNW of Jessore and is relatively much drier with rather less luxuriant vege- tation. The Indian countryside, like any other, is made up of a mixture of an infinite number of different characters, and in a study of this kind it is possible to separate cnly the major types of habitat occurring in the survey area, disregarding the many minor variations which occur within each of the main types. Thus, although the country, particularly round Jessore, is sprinkled liberally with small tanks, they do not usually appear to have a suffi- ciently marked avifauna of their own to warrant their separate consideration; if indeed they have one, it is usually submerged in that of the dominant type of land in which the tank is situated. Only where there were special circumstances did I feel that a tank could justifiably be dealt with as a separate type of habitat. In most cases | have disregarded geographical sub-species, as it is. usually almost impossible to differentiate between them in the field without reference to good museum specimens, and these were not available. JESSORE DHUBALIA Period of Survey: 14th April llth Sept. to llth Dec. 1944 1943 to 9th Sept. 1944, with 3 with one break from 10th to 31st breaks of about a fortnight each Oct, and one of a monthin Sent. 1943. Co-ordinates : 23° 11’ N. 89° 23° 30’ N. 88° 28’ E. TOE. Natural Vegetation Region : Tropical Rain Forest. Altitude : 20’ A.M.S.L. 45’ A.M.S.L. Subsozt: Alluvium witha few Alluvium. pockets of brick earth. Habitat Types : PE CAVTEEISATION GROUPE: (1) Country Town. (1) —— ~ Il. CULTIVATION GROUP: (2) Mixed cultivation. (2) Mixed cultivation. (3) Paddyfields. (3) Paddyfields. 696 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 Ill. JuNGLEe GROUP: (4) Mixed jungle. (5) Scattered roadside trees (dominantly peepal). 6 (7) Small groves of palms. (4) Mixed jungle. e) = (6) Mango grove. Co ie IV. WASTE LAND GROUP: (8) Waste land under grass (including aerodrome). (9) —— {10) Marsh. (8) Waste Jand under grass (including aerodrome). (9) Semi-marsh land. (10) Ss V. INLAND WATER GROUP: (11) Small river. (12) Jheels and tanks. (11) Small river. (12) Jheels. DESCRIPTION OF HABITAT TYPES: I... CIVILISATION. GROUP JESSORE (1) Country Town : Jessore is a typical small Indian provincial town, spreading out more and more thinly the further it extends from the congested core of the Bazar. Outside the Bazar area the roads are fairly open and lined with large mature trees (many banyans). Buildings are widely speced and the rest of the ground is occupied by come pounds, tanks (see Introduction) and open patches of more or less waste land. The whole area is very well wooded, with large mature trees, predominantly banyan, tamarind, a species of cedar or deodar(?), and various palms (mostly coconuts), with a sprinkling of flowering trees in the compounds. Most of the larger buildings have plenty of open work about them (veran- dahs, balconies, porches, etc.) which attract such species as House Swift, House Sparrow and Common Myna for nesting DHUBALIA The built-up area here con- sisted principally of Service hutments, camps and aerodrome buildings, all fairly well dis- persed so that they merged into the habitat type in which they were situated, and could not be satisfactorily separated from it. sk BM/JEt rere SIIAIA ee Your J = Safius Oz] RES You f = Sofi O49 8/82 Vad ATAUNG JO NOILVOO'T Sle = WS BETTI IKE NS g Za iit \ \ih wt one a 4 4 ZL OTT Lee sS[{//H e8IsSeyy Guoyys rey Myr yyw — ay fo SYJrow 0 ay WPLINDWOSI SOME BIRD ASSOCIATIONS OF BENGAL. — 697 JESSORE parposes. In addition to the permanent buildings, a large number of ‘basha’ huts had been built to house Service per- sonnel. My living quarters and mess were in this area and for a short time I also worked there both by day and by night. DHUBALIA [kc CULTIVATION Group (2) Mixed Cultivation: The ‘fields’ are open spaces of vari- ous shapes and sizes, set in a matrix of fairly dense mixed jungle with a fair amount of undergrowth. The two are so closely interwoven that it is im- possible to treat them as separate habitat types, though on an acre- age basis the cultivated ground would, I think, predominate. Mostly low-growing root and surface crops, not identified. Visited only occasionally on foot, but each visit usually lasted several hours. (3) Paddyfields: The chief product of the district is rice and the paddyfields may be described as the matrix in which all other types of habitat are set. Where- ever there is any flat land com- paratively free from trees it is ‘covered with paddyfieids, sepa- rated by the usual low bunds, which in the rainy season are flooded to a depth of 12-18”. In addition to the paddy there was a fair amount of jute and a few small patches of other low- growing root and surface crops. The whole of this paddy land is sprinkled with small groves of palm trees, with little or no un- dergrowth, and in many cases the paddy grows right under the trees. (2) Mixed Cultivation: This area 1S more open than at Jes= sore, the fields heing well broken up by rough hedges and small patches of mixed jungle. It includes’ several fairly large blocks of rough grassland (simi- lar to park land) studded thinly with trees (chiefly mango) which are not satisfactorily separable. Visited very frequently on foot, (3) Paddyfields: Rice is not grown here to quite such an ex- tent as at Jessore. There were only 1-2 small tracts of paddy land, which, during the survey period, was still Hooded and very damp, with the paddy about 18” high. Note.—The flooding of such great areas must no doubt have some effect on the bird population and is a sub- ject which would probably repay further study. My records are not sufficiently detailed, however, to war- rant dealing separately with the paddy land during the periods when it was dry and in flood. In actual fact Isaw comparatively little change in the bird population which could definitely be attributed to the flood- ing, but I was told on fairly good authority that further out in the coun- try more water birds and waders were in evidence in the fields. 698 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. “SOCIETY, Vol. 49 II. JUNGLE GROUP JESSORE (4) Mixed Jungle: Fairly ex- tensive and patchily dense. Do- Mminant trees mango and bamboo, but various palms, red silk cotton, jack-fruit, lichi and many other kinds also present. Undergrowth varied and at edges of forest gave place to large bushes and_ scattered babool trees. Several fairly large tanks among the trees, but these were not treated as a separate habitat type. I spent much time here, both by day and by night. In this type I have also includ- ed patches of roadside jungie, which were usually observed only in passing and were not explor- ed. These varied in size and composition, the dominant trees usually being banyans, bamboos and various palms (especially coconuts). (5) Scattered roadside trees and bushes: These formed a narrow ribbon of irregular growth on either side of sections of the road embankment, usually where it ran through paddyfields. ‘The dominant trees were peepal, with asmaller proportion of babool, banyan, palmyra palms and mango. Usually observed only when passing in a vehicle. (7) Groves of Palms: Princi- paliy Coconut Palms (Cocos nucitera), Date Palm (Phoenix sylvestris) and Palmyra Palm (Borassus flabelliformis) _ and Betel-nut Palm (Aveca catechi.), but identity of some trees uncer- tain. Whole district, especially the paddyfields, sprinkled with -~DHUBALIA (4) Mixed Jungle: The whole countryside is broken up by rough untidy ‘ hedges ’ and small patches of. mixed jungle, con- sisting of Jarge straggling bushes, usually growing in a dense tangle, with trees of various kinds. Some of the hedges are swollen into considerable belts of dense bushes. Undergrowth varies. Dominant trees difficult to determine, but tamarind, mango and various palms (in- cluding some palmyras) TIEN) predominate. (6) Mango Grove: This cover- ed 14-2 acres. Trees all mature and large, spaced 25-40 ft. apart, the canopy being almost conti- nuous. No undergrowth, except at edges; inside the grove the earth was bare even of grass. This grove contained a number of large ‘busti’ huts, in one of which I lived. | SOME BIRD ASSOCIATIONS OF BENGAL 699 JESSORE smali groves of palms, sometimes mixed, sometimes almost entirely ‘Coconut or Date or Betei-nut. Usually no undergrowth and paddy often growing tinder the trees. Much toddy-tapping done, and this no doubt attracted insects, which in turn attracted birds (see General Observations). IV. WASTE (8) Waste land under grass: Fairly extensive and included much of a large aerodrome and the land surrounding it. Inter- sected by several roads and small dykes and ditches. Cover- ed with rough grass which in the rainy season was up to 3’ tall over considerable stretches. This area was sprinkled with small groves of palms and an occasional small scrubby busn. A fair number of well-dispersed ‘busti’ buildings.. Herds of several hundred oxen often graz- ed here. Aircraft constantly taking off and landing. My visits to this type were usually in a jeep or truck and were. less frequent than to some of the other habitat types. (10) Marshy waste land. Co- vered many acres. Full extent not explored and observation confined to several hundred yards of périmeter. It consisted of very damp ground covered with deep, grassy herbage up to 4’ in height in rainy season. After monsoon this was largely beaten down to form a platform over the water (at least 2’ deep), strong enough to carry most birds. Ample cover for birds in the herbage. DHUBALIA LAND GROUP (8) Waste land under grass: This covered about 4 sq. miles and included a large aerodrome. Consisted simply of rough grass, with occasional small isolated bushes. A fair number of well-dispersed ‘busti’ build- ings and at least one small Indian village, but these were not satisfactorily separable from the main type. Some cattle grazing. Large numbers’ of coolies working on the aero- drome, and aircraft constantly taking off and landing. (9) Semi-marshland : 800-1,000 acres adjoining river and jheels. In the rainy season, (which had ended just before the survey period began) it is obviously very damp and flooded in most places. A good deal of water (up to 2~3”) still about at first, but by the end of the survey period this area had taken on more of the character of rough waste land. Whole area covered with a fairly dense growth of marsh grass, in flower during period. Small bushes of briar and bramble type here and there and small babool trees. Clearly only seasonal marsh- land. Whole area under obser- vation on foot fairly frequently, usually for several hours at a time. 700 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 V. INLAND WATER GROUP JESSORE (11) Small river: 25-30 yds. wide. Very sluggish indeed and in most places much overgrown with weeds [predominantly Water Chestnut (Zrapa bispinosa) ' or water hyacinth?] During rainy season there is a good deal more water, but this guickly dis- appears and thereafter much of the vegetation rots down. The weeds provide excellent cover for birds. Under irregular obser- vation along several short stret- ches of the bank. (12) Sheels and tanks: In this group I have included an open jheel lying among rgaddy fields, the only cover at its edge being paddy; and a tank some 70 x 70 yds. also lying among paddy fields and much overgrown. The artificial banks of this were high and were studded with a few trees and bushes. Both were large enough to have a recog- nisable bird population of their own. The jheel also was largely overgrown with weeds. Both were visited only occasionally. DHURBALIA (11) Small river: 25-30 yds. wide. Moderately slow current. Margined irregularly with scat- tered clumps of marsh grass growing on and broken here and there by short stretches of mud bank. At one end of the stretch under observation was a small fishing weir. Observed irregular- ly over a length of about two miles. (12) JSheels: At one point the river broadens out into a. wide jhee! adjoining the semi-marsh land. 3-400 yds. away is another jheel connected to the first by a small, swiftly-flowing seasonal stream running through soft marsh. The 2nd jheel was more than 500 yds. long and 30-40 yds. wide bordered by dense marsh grass (some 3-5 ft. high in places) and weeds. Watering places for cattle at intervals. The Ist jheel dried out almost com- pletely before the end of the survey period, but although the water level in the 2nd jheel fell, I believe, judging from air photos, that it does not normally dry out completely. Visited fre- quently on fcot. Animals: Demestic: Bullocks, cattle, water buffalo and goats predominated and wandered about everywhere. The bullocks and water buffalo were the main draught animals in the district, with a few horses. ‘There were also large numbers of pie-dogs and a few cats. Wild: Jackals (Canis aureus): Very numerous. Indian Fox (Vulpes bengalensis): Numerous throughout the district. Hyaena (Hyaena striata): A few believed to be in the district, but this was not proved. Common Grey Mongoose (Herpestes mungo pallidus) : numerous. Often mobbed by birds, especially Common. Myna and Magpie Robin. SOME BIRD ASSOCIATIONS: OF BENGAL 70 Common Striped Squirrel or Tree Rat (Sczurus palma- rum): Numerous. Often mobbed, especially by Common. Mynas and Magpie Robins. Leopard (felis pardus): One or two occasionally reported. Fishing Cat (fe/zs viverrina) or possibly Common Jungle Cat (Felis chaus); seen at night on several occasions. Flying Foxes (Pleropus edwardsit medius): From June to: December these were numerous, especially about the large mango trees in Type (1) at Jessore. Common Langur [Presbytes (Semnopithecus) entellus] : A. small party was often to be seen at Dhubalia, but did not occur at Jessore. Reptiles: Water Monitor (Vavanus salvator): One reported twice at DhubaJia on good authority, but not seen by me. Snakes plentiful, of various kinds, including cobra. Amphibians: Frogs very numerous, especially at Jessore. Species not identified. Insects: The insects were so numerous and varied as to be a per- fect pest, particularly at night and during the rainy. season, and especially at Jessore. General: (1) Conditions: Bird-watching depended on the opportunities. afforded by intensive war work, but on the whole these were numerous and covered every part of the day and night. Apart from casual obser- vations at all times, most of my spare time was spent in bird-watching,. usually alone. For identification purposes I was confined to the usual. - books (including the Fauna of British India—Birds, 2nd Edition), as. there was no museum available for specimens. (2) Preponderance of Observation: I. Jessore: I lived and had my meals in Type (1), and for the first few months of the survey period I also worked there. Later I worked in Type (4) being conveyed there: by car or truck through Types (3), (5), (1) and sometimes (8). I often spent the day and the night in Type (4) both in the dry and. (though toa lesser extent) in the rainy season. II. Dhubalia: I lived in Type (6) and worked in Type (8) but had frequent opportunities of exploring on foot all the other habitat types covered. (3) Disturbance: The popuration of the whole district, both at. Jessore and Dhubalia was increased by several thousand Service per-- sonnel, and in addition to the native traffic on the roads there was. continual Service traffic as well. In addition, aircraft were constantly flying low overhead and landing at and taking off from the aerodromes.. I saw little evidence, however, that these caused any real disturbance among the birds, though the soaring species (Vultures, Kites, etc.) were sometimes scared away. Migration: I did not obtain enough positive evidence to be of any real use in determining migratory trends. Wherever necessary I have given dates in the lists given below. Birds and Red Silk Cotton Trees (Bombax malabaricum) : This tree grows fairly abundantly over the whole survey area, especi- ally at Jessore, both on its own and among other kinds of trees. It 402 -JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST.:SOCIETY, Vol. 49 flowers during the dry season, before its leaves appear. The large waxy flowers are very popular with many species of birds, which would perch close to one of the flowers and plunge their heads into the trumpet. Whether their object was to drink the dew, which collects in considera- ble quantities in the bottom of those flowers which happen to be growing vertically, or to find some form of food (? insects or nectar) inside the blossom, I have been unable to ascertain, but I incline to the former in view of the diversity of the species seen there. The species I have seen at these flowers are as follows: Jungle Babbler (Zuvrdozdes somervillez), Red-vented Bulbul (Pyczo- notus cater), Red-whiskered Buibul (Pyczonotus jocosus), Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis), Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis), Jungle Myna (4¢thiopsar fuscus), Pied. Myna (Sturnopastor contra),Green Barbet (Megalaima zeylonicus). Birds and Toddy Palms: It isthe practice inthese districts as in many others, to tap the palm trees for toddy. A horizontal cleft is made in the trunk just below the branches ; from this a short, narrow vertical slit is made into which isinserted a small piece of split bamboo, which acts as a gutter to carry off the liquid away from the trunk. An earthenware bowl or chatti is suspended so that the gutter leads into is mouth. It is a frequent, though not invariable, practice to tie or wedge a small bunch of grass over the gutter, no doubt to keep insects away from the liquid, A cloud of flies can usually be seen hovering over the outlet, whether the grass is there or not. The flies, no doubt, attracted some species of birds, but so did the liquid itself. The bamboo gutter formed a most convenient perch and the birds made full use of it, taking the liquid as it flowed down the chute. I have seen several species do this, and on one occasion I saw a Tickell’s Flowerpecker fluttering a few inches below a gutter to which no bowl was attached, and catching the drops of liquid as they fell. In all, I have seen the following species at the liquid: Jungle Crow Common Myna Jungle Babbler Jungle Myna Red-vented Bulbul Pied Myna Red-whiskered Bulbul Grey-headed Myna Black Drongo | Tickell’s Flowerpecker Tailor Bird * Golden-backed Woodpecker. * Mabratta Woodpecker. Birds and Cattle: For this purpose I include in the term ‘cattle’ water buffalo, oxen, cows and goats, though the majority of the instances I have witnessed concern oxen. Oxen are used extensively in these districts for ploughing, transport, etc., and may be seen anywhere along the roads and in the fields. Herds of several hundred beasts used to be grazed on the grassy waste land at Jessore [Type (8)], and to a lesser extent on the same type at Dhubalia. There were not very many water-buffalo in the district, though herds ‘were often driven through Jessore, kound, I believe, for the Calcutta —_o- eo * These species were not seen to drink the liquid, and were probably after the ‘insects attracted by the exposure of the sweet liquid. ae SOME BIRD ASSOCIATIONS OF BENGAL 703 market. Goats were very numerous wherever there were native dwel- lings. AlJmost anywhere where there are cattle, some birds may be seen foraging about them, the species varying toa certain extent with the place the cattle happen to be. At one time or another J have seen the following species so engaged. Jungle and House Crows: ‘These ére usually to be seen associated with resting catile in the streets of the villages or town. They cluster round the beasts and not only pick about on the ground among them, but also habitually perch on their backs and pick insects out of their eyes, ears and hide. It wasno uncommon sight to see half a dozen House Crows and one or two Jungle Crows foraging about oxen lying down in the road outside my bungalow. Common and Pied Mynas act in a similar way, but are to be seen about moving cattle as frequently as about resting ones. They often perch on their backs, whether the beasts happen to be working or not, though I do not remember ever having seen them do this when the cattle were pulling carts. But they are more often to be seen explor- ing the ground round the feet of the moving beasts in the fields, in an exactly similar way to Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) in Europe. Black Drongos almost invariably perch on the backs of moving or standing cattle, from which they make foraging sorties after flying insects. ‘They also, rather less frequently, I think, catch insects on the beasts themselves. The Magpie Robin’s association, I think, is usually more fortuitous than deliberate, and occurs much less frequently. I have never seen one do more than fly down to the ground at the feet of cattle from a neighbouring perch. White (and no dcubt other) Wagtails may occasionally be seen foraging about moving or resting cattle, but I think the association is less marked than is often the case with the wagtails in Europe. This impression, however, may be partly due to the fact that most wagtails appear to be present in this district only for a comparatively short time each year, and that I have not been specially on the look-out for instances of their association with cattle. The House Sparrow’s association usually seems to be confined to occasional cases of foraging among beasts resting in the streets of the village or town. Cattle Egrets “or Tick Birds, as they are popularly known) feed about browsing or ploughing, etc., cattle in much the same way as the Mynas, and they frequéntly pick insects off the beasts’ legs and flanks. I have never seen Red or Yellow-wattled Lapwings or gulls forag- ing among cattle, in the same way as Lapwings (lVanellus vanellus) or Black-headed Gulls (Larus rzdibundus) do in Europe. Commensalism is a Subject which could profitably be given much more attention in India than it has hitherto enjoyed. Weather: In winter (Oct. to mid or end of March) the weather is usually very settled, with pleasantly warm days and quite cold nights, the difference between the day and night temperatures being - particularly marked in December, January and February, though there is no frost. By the end of March, or a little earlier, the colder weather is beginning to break and there is more cloud, with storms and sudden 704 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 squalls with winds up to about 50 m.p.h., and the humidity increases. These unsettled conditions continue until the South-west Monsoon has. really arrived, and from then until the end of September the.sky is more often than not filled with towering cumulus and cumulo-nimbus. clouds, with some periods of stratus or strato-cumulus forming a cloud blanket over the whole area. There are many electric storms at this period and the humidity is very high. The real rainy season is June— September, when over 30” falls. I give below some temperature and rainfall data. Temperature (Fahrenheit.) Rainfall. Jessore : Average Absolute Max. Min. Max, Min. April 1943 ae 91:3 71°4 99°0 64°0 5°18” May * se 94°9 76°7 98:0 71:0 2:25" June vA No records available. Salyar is 84°4 76°7 93°0 73°0 16°16” Asiocniyis aioe 88'8 77°4 92:0 75°0 13°62” Seotr us, feu 90:2 ciao 98:0 74:0 4.917 Oct: ous; 91:0 7329 96°0 66°0 6°39” Nov. \ eee 86°1 60°90 91:0 54°0 sisi Dec. iy Bs 79°7 5535 82.0 49:0 ‘- Jan. 1944 ane 73°4 53:4 83°7 44°9 5:8” Feb. =,, aie 79:2 56'9 88:2 2:5 1:0” March ,; aCe 840 64:0 94°0 56°4 3°47 Aprils, 92°6 Tou 98°0 62:0 4°46” May ” ove 97°9 79°4 107°0 71:0 3°04” June ~ «5 Ee 90°5 ES) 101°0 71:0 4°55” July ie 88°5 78'6 93:0 75°0 13°49” iN Gerais een Ae 88°3 78°4 93°0 75°0 13°29” Sept. ,,1st-Sth ... 88°89 97 076 90°0 74°0 (1°64), Dhubaliaz: Sept. ,,18-30th ... 90:0 hilei 95°0 7Os0 2°57” Oct. Re ae 88°0 12°3 92°0 75°0 0.96” Nov. a one 84:2 Sholmte) 96:0 9350 ae Dec. as ann No records available. Method of Recording: Having spent the first few weeks after my arrival in exploring the district, ascertaining what major habitat types. were involved and how they could best be grouped, I then made a list, with a separate column for each of the major habitat types covered. Another column contained a list of the species I had seen in the neigh- bourhood, with a ‘X’ in the habitat column to indicate in what types of habitat they had been seen. At irregular, though fairly frequent intervals, I went through this list and brought it up to date by the addition of new species seen, fresh habitats where they occurred and the addition of further columns for any new type of habitat not included previously. In doing this I relied on memory, coupled with my general bird records, and I believe the record to be complete. Six times during the period at Jessore and twice at Dhubalia this composite list was fair-copied into my general note-books, with full introductory notes on all appropriate ‘ background’ matters such as agricultural operations, preponderance of observation and soon. A more accurate method would undoubtedly be to have kept detailed day-to-day records SOME BIRD ASSOCIATIONS OF BENGAL 705 of all birds seen in each of the habitat types under observation, but this was impracticable here, though I have done the same thing over a period of some five years on a farm in England. Oy Aun ww INCIDENCE OF SPECIES I. CIVILISATION GROUP (1) Country Town — Jessore Jungle Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos)}: Numerous, but rather less so than House Crow. Could often be seen foraging about the various Service cook-houses. House Crow (Corvus splendens): As last, but rather more nume. rous. Often to be seen foraging outside the Indian eating houses inthe Bazar proper, as well as about Service cook- houses, etc. Indian Tree Pie (Dendrocitta vagabunda) : Regularly seen and fairly plentiful. Indian Grey Tit (Parus major): Fairly plentiful. Jungle Babbler (7urdozdes somervillet): Fairly plentiful. Abbott’s Babbler (Malacocincla sepiaria): 1-2 believed seen April 1944, but identity not proved beyond all doubt. Common lora (4 githina tiphia): Plentiful. Bengal Red-vented Bulbul (Pyczonotus cafer): Plentiful. Their numbers seemed to be increased towards end of rainy season. Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus): Plentiful, though rather less so than last species. Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis): Abundant. Red-breasted Flycatcher (Muscicapa parva): Evidently only a winter visitor, as they were thinly distributed throughout this area from early December to early April. White-browed Fantail Flycatcher (AAzpidura aureola): Rather thinly distributed. Ashy Swallow-Shrike (dvlamus fuscus): A few present in rainy season. Indian Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus): Abundant. Indian Tailor. Bird (Ovthotomus sutorius): Fairly plentiful. Indian Oriole (Orzolus 0. kundoo): A few seen occasionally. Black-headed Oriole (Oviolus xanthornus): Fairly plentiful. A nest with young found in July 1943. Grey-headed Myna (Sturnia malabarica) . Rather thinly distri- © buted. Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) : Abundant. ae ee (Siurnopastor contra): Not quite so plentiful as On29, Indian House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) : Fairly plentiful. ——~——_ * The scientific names will appear only on the first mention of a species in the following lists. 706 JOURNAL, BOMBAY. NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY,.-Voi. 49 (1) Country Town—Jessore (Contd.) No. a oor ae 22. Purple Sunbird (Cznzyrts astatica): Fairiy plentiful. 23. Purple rumped Sunbird (C. zcylonica): Fairly numerous—t , think slightly moreso than No. 22. 24. Tickell’s Flowerpecker (Dicaeum ery throrhynchos) : Somewhat thinly distributed, but no doubt often overlooked. | 25. Golden-backed Woodpecker (Srachypternus benghalensis) : | Plentiful. | 26. ‘Tickell’s Golden-backed Woodpecker (Chrysocolaptes guttacris- tatus): Rather less numerous than No. 25. 27. Little Scaly-bellied Green Woodpecker (Picus xanthopygaeus) : As many as three seen together, but not plentiful. 28. Mahratta Woodpecker (Dj obates mahrattensis): A few seen. 29. Green Barbet (Wegalaima zeylonicus): Plentiful. 30. Biue-throated Barbet (Megalaima asiatica) : > Plentitdl: 31. Coppersmith (egalaima haemacephala): Fairly plentiful, tut less so than Nos. 31 and 32. On 12-8-1944 at least 50 were together in a row of large banyan trees; later a dozen or so flew to the concrete parapet of a small house, where they appeared to be taking something from the surrace. Whether this was food in the form of insects or seeds, or small grains of sand or concrete for roughage, I could not tell. 32. Indian Cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus): Appeared to be abundant, though I could not judge to what extent it is locally migra- tory. From March to August its call was wearisome, but it was completely silent during the rest of the year. 33. Common Hawk Cuckoo (Hierococcyx varius): Abundant. 34. Pied Crested Cuckoo : (Clamator jacobinus): A few present in July and August, but not seen or heard at other times. 35. Koel (Zudynaniis scolopaceus): Abundant. 36. Crow-Pheasant(Centropus sinensis): Plentiful. On one occasion I found one bird moving easily among the upper branches of a tree some 40’ above the ground. 37. Large Parrakeet (Pszttacula eupatria) : Not very plentiful. 38. Roller (Coracias benghalensis): A few, but not very numerous. 39. Green Bee-eater (Merops orientalis) : Numerous. 40. Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis) : A few seen about the tanks. 41. Common Indian Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis): Plentiful about the numerous tanks. 42. Stork-billed Kingfisher (Ramphalcyon capensis) : Fairly plentiful. 43. White-breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis).: Plentiful about the tanks. 44. House Swift (AZicropus affinis): Fairly plentiful. 45. Palm Swift (Cypscurus batasszensis): Fairly plentiful, though less So than outside the town. 46. Horsfield’s Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrourus): Always 1-2 to be heard at night. 47. Collared Scops Owlet (Otus bakkamoena): 1-2 believed always to be heard at night, but not seen and voice was the only means of identification. No. 48. 49. 50. Dil Se DO: 34. 55. 56. AYE 58. Su: 60. 61 OZ: SOME BIRD ASSOCIATIONS OF BENGAL 707 (1) Country Town—Jessore—(Contd.) Spotted Owlet (Athene brama): 1 identified in Aug. 1944. Jungle Owlet (Glaucidium radiatum): 1-2 believed heard now and again, but identity not proved. King Vulture (Zorgos calvus): plentiful. Long-billed Vulture (Gyfs zzdicus): less plentiful than the other vultures. White-backed Vulture (Pseudogyps bengalensis): Abundant. Crested Serpent Eagle (SAzlornzs cheela): usually 1-2 about. Pariah Kite (AZz/vus migrans): Ubiquitous. Brahminy Kite (Halzastur indus): Plentiful. Shikra (Astur badtus) : one seen once over the town. Rufous Turtle Dove. (.Stveptopelza orzentalts): a few about. Spotted Dove (S/veptopelia chinensis): fairly plentiful. Red Turtle Dove (Ocnopofelta tranguebarica): a few about. Blue Rock Pigeon (Columba livia): Fairly plentiful. Cattle Egret (Bubulcus zbts) : Fairly plentiful. Indian Pond Heron (Ardeola grayz) : fairly plentiful. 708 JOURNAL, “BOMBAY NATURAL. HIST: SOCIETY,. 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I9} -UIM Ul paynqisjsip Alury} ‘juepunqs "6 (ON UeqA OS SSo] JoyWeIynq “op “SULSVIO} ‘Ny1UaTd *‘(njrjzuerd "PEGI APN |-lidy uses peaasiieq z-T | ‘peytyaopt Ajaa -y1sod jou nq EF-ZI-92Z uo usas padastfeq Ajied T NOILVAILTINO GUxINn GNOYH NOTLVAILTAD TT 0 (SujvqStAP "T) 9¥lIGS UMOIg *(snjou -OAY ICAI *T) BAIIYS payovq-snojny “"*(Sngnsvu *7) BA1IYS pepeay-yov[g (s2jnqj12 SniuvT) 9YILYS payoeq-Avg "* Tayo BOAT A [LEJUV YT PImo4iq-a}ty M *(DaANZD SIU -AyjogdaFy) ssyoyeoh[ q podeu-yoviq I9YO}VOAT YT Pojsvoiq-pey nee UIqoyY sdsey “* InGINg pareysiy m-poy “se jnq[ng pejusa-pay BIOT uoululogd 9a1qqegd §,1300qqV ‘(opopnv9 DATAP ) Jalqqeg uourmtosy Jaiqqeg osunr WL Aety Uerpuy Iq 91], Ueipuy MOIZ) ISnOF] MOI‘) BEsuNns ——_ SHIOddS 709 NGAL ¥ vy ASSOCIATIONS OF BE SOME BIRD ‘ad A} sty} Ur 8¢ “ON Ueq} d10Ul 194j}eI ATpensn ‘SUISvIOJ jOepUNqe ‘juepunge "des 34 0} Mol v ATlensp “SPlEG Apped Suome 9323 /osI¥l BY UL Susou |punoy Auojod o9au0 | ‘od Aj “SIQ} UL gz ‘ON Bey | aIOUl Jay}eI ATjensn ‘SULSeIOJ juvpuUNqLe eee etee “SUISBIO} ‘QOWAapPIAS “UI YOM 900 4sBaq] je sABATe {snorlsuinu ‘ad Aj siq} ‘Ur 8g “ON uey} 910 JoyjJer Aypensn ‘SULSVIOJ mer juepunqe sayjer Ayjensn ¢ ‘SULSeIOJ JULpuN pe | ‘SULSEIOJ MOj v | ecevon eecoes SA teal Geis Uses Pliq o[SUIS B ‘juvpunge uo "90s Ajied auo. eonesee | DYIUOIOAL/) ) "ad A} SI} wey o1OUL puCEUNaE, 86 (ON ‘poynqiazjsip Apuryy qonien ist "Moy *juepunqe *sorpoyed 91800 jnoqe . | ‘ON “y JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 716 "Mdj B SABATE ‘snorotmuntt Apes, en oes | err een | ‘shodatunu Ape, | “[oynuerd setae | ‘U908 MOJ | ‘\weptnqe “jnoqe M9] B ATpensn "momlMIOoNUN jou age 4 fae usnes ‘MOUIUIOOTIN Jou MOMIULOOTIN AOU = eee | *MOJ YU ‘COMIMIODTN jou ToOUMOSUN jou | ‘porrod AoA | = -InsjopuospivmM | |-0} OS. Sse. yszg eevcce | eeocce vevese | ye snolounu AJIOA eoccoe Rdeces “Moy ¥ “Moy Orcas | Ene eeccoe | *IO]OIM Ul Adj e eeceve | cocece | ecccee ecccee "MOJ B "Mj ve | ee occe | eaerece | | *poynqi1} ‘jnoqe [ Ajfensn- sees wee ‘ynoqge Maj ei -sIp Ayury] JeyIeI ‘pajoodsns uajyo | | esousseId 9 {s90u0 © | ‘ues Ajeyuyep uses [. ase perro. see 8q 0} Moj v AT] ensn | *SOUT} \Jeyjo ye uses | /JOU ! 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BUA Ue ia eudj, WOUTMIOD vudyy popeay-Aary S[OLIQ pepvegq-xovi_ — s[OH1O UBIpU] *(S270190S DiUtA ) I9TQ1IBM-UstM AYSV ‘(Sujousour sngor ~S0]JAYq ) 12]GIEM AOTITM (paUMOID) paMmolq-MOTIIA *(01D.52]02 Sivj0gG1F7). 1IQAVM FLL $,9yAG IO Is[qIVAA ps}00g 3 pilg Iopley, ssoating ar Pilg JOTBL Uelpuy “e daiqiemM peey s.qiAIg * OSUOIG Pat]{eq-931t AA PE €& ce TE 0¢ 62 82 Ill. JUNGLE GRoOvP—(Contd.) ee _ —---__T, 15 16 17 a 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 | SPECIES Red-breasted Flycatcher Verditer Flycatcher mytas thalassina), (Eu- Paradise Flycatcher ( Zchit- rea paradist). Black-naped Flycatcher White-browed Fantail Fly- catcher, Bay-backed Shrike Black-headed Shrike Rufous-backed Shrike Brown Shrike Common Wood-Shrike Little Minivet Ashy Swallow-Shrike Black Drongo White-bellied Drongo Blyth’s Reed Warbler | Indian Tailor Bird | Burmese Tailor Bird Booted Warbler or Syke’s Tree Warbler (Hippolais caligata). Yellow-browed (Crowned) Willow Warbler (PAy//os- copus inornalus), Ashy Wren-Warbler (Prinia socialis). Indian Oriole Black-beaded Oriole Grey-headed Myna Common Myna Bank Myna Jungle Myna Pied Myna Baya Weaver Bird White-throated Munia Indian House Sparrow MIXED JESSORE ROADSIDE GROVES OF | JUNGLE | TREES | z PALMS | MANGO GROVE DHUBALIA | JESSORE | JESSORE DyvuBArta — a | numerous, evidently a winter visitor, thinly distributed. a single bird seen on 24-2-1944, tather thioly dis- tributed during cold season ; not seen at other times. usually a few to be seen. rather thinly dis- tributed. not uncommon not uncommon usually 41 about. abundant. few ja small party be- lieved 17-24. 1-2 believed seen March/April 44, but identity not proved. seen fairly plentiful. 1-2 believed seen. 1-2 believed seen in December 1943 but identity not proved. Jess plentiful than No. 36. fairly plentiful. rather thinly distri- buted. numerous. Jess numerous than the other Mynas. rather thioly distri- buted. numerous, always ‘a few about buildings. a few about. | very numerous at | first, less so to- wards end of sur- vey period. not uncommon. a few seen, plentiful. | 1-2 suspected, but| indentity not proved. | | | | fairly plentiful. 2-3 believed seen, | but identity not proved. | plentiful. not very numerous. numerous, slightly more plenti- | fulthan No. 38, | numerous in flocks. | not uncommon. HW sococes fairly numerous. often a few. Jan. 44. | ie Bae cD ) aagstace a few. a few. seteee a few in wicter, a few a few. afew. | 5 | | | ‘fairly numerous. not uncommon. sometimes a few. fairly numerous, not uncommon. not uncommon, fairly numerous ; | fairly numerous. many nesting in| the peepal trees. occasionally 1-2 foraging. | fairly numerous. |1-2 seen Oct. 43— after 1-10-44. always 1-2 about. 1, possibly 2 seen mid-Oct. 1 seen definitely once; presence often suspected. usually 1 about. not uncommon, not uncommon. ere a few. usually 1-2, believed always 1-2 about, but iden- tity not proved. usually 1-2. usually 3-4, always a few. | usually a few, | : | occasionally a few. OTL ‘LSIH IVNALVN AVAWOT “TYNUNOL ‘ALIIIOS OF 104 ANOS aut TO SNOLLVIQOSSY IVONATT TL 4 49 Vol. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISi- SOCIE? y. 718 resces ie soveoe o0* 00 serves ‘sno eulnu ATAVe} | soo piiqang ajdang | TS | “ATT euoIs * (psosgag Recete errs Soe Sa eat 28090 UsBS Maj vB -70g¢ Sgosaiso7\ eK2-27TM!| OS ‘peaoid jou | A}IJUSpT yNq uses | cocves ; | eoecee PeAdsi[oq [e19A9S coerce | coocee | see oon ydig UvIPUT 67 “YSle yy | ur wa}jo SSo[ "PP-ZI-9 19332 | pue r6l “494 pue wo jusosoid | pue ‘ue ur Apel *(2u0s spoy siequinu yews ee Me Epa (hey TE | ustees /-nsei Uses [BIOAOS suyiupy) YdIq 9e1j, UBIPUT) QF | ‘od Aj SIG} UL syUe} gees eseee pone sscgee jnoqe Uoas [BIOAeS ** [IR}SEM Papvey-MO][9A! /F | ‘sopoods yeu} = =JO— Sp.lq geaqjo ul uey} | Temo][a4 yeoluy 2x yseaiq 2 Joyiep petisss pay sq} | Sv jou AUTYY | ING | | (Sh) = Trease | | pepesy-anigq ev | weeq 9ARY WYSTIU ‘(tdaagunyy *f 772 | | STU L ‘Ep l-9e oeeeee | slaie\eraie | ececes eccece | uo woos peastjaq T | -DIOJ/) [1e}3eM pepeay-Aeir OF ‘oovds uedo ue | | | | UI SUISeIOJ QaUO | a | | +s (DUutzag DAD] { V7]12 | uses paddt[aq 90. caress | Banout | eerie | eee | plop) [vea3e MW papeeu-anig gp | } vIIVanaq awaossaf HUOSSuL VITVaOHq | HUOSsar oa aoe |e ee Sa1Odds ‘ON SN 1Vd NIGECR ND r HAOUD OONVIN AO SHAOWD ACISaVOU HIONOAL GHXIW ee ce ARR ARNE RE SEO RS RR SO AEA SS TP CESS BES — SRE ; 7 ' ' on (p707) dNOAY HIONAL ‘IT ‘ 719 SOME BIRD ASSOCIATIONS OF BENGAL ‘Maas SOWITJIMIOS T ‘7-T Ajpensn “SOULIT} [e198 Aes *7-[ sfeuye | "U99S 7~[ ‘Z-[ SOtTjeu0s uses *c-, Ajpensn esecoe “HOTUTIOOUN OU eoegtee et eee | ‘uaas A][eWoIse300 *MOj ‘woTIMO TN j0U | ‘uaas Ajj euOIsed—o | ‘UOTIMOOUN jou. ‘mOuUrmooUN jou eeeree nyiqua;d Aparey “PP, ‘ydag UL U99S Maj *plvoy pue wus9s Mo Pv *JUITIS JoyjeI ATV -nsn yng ‘jnoqt Maj ev ‘o7ip ‘[njiqaetd Aparey Peercoe "nyyusjd Apa "U99S 7-T ‘UGaS MI 8 ‘Injyuetd Ajirey|)yYUIqy YT ‘juepunqe *SOUlI} 19430 je peorjou jou ynq ‘sny/A[ne ut snonoidsuoo Moy & "99S I9A0U nq Fp dy UL woo ATIIey pivey peaelyeq qT) ‘ony “ole Ajlepnder | po[vo {yuepunqe | | | | ‘juepunqe | oe oes [205] OOFOND paj}seiy pag OOYOND SATPUMV[G WerIpuy OOYOND AMBP wloura4rosy ooyong uvipuy “* yyursreddod yoqieg pe}¥o14}-an|gq ‘(snjoau1y vuivjn sayy ) yoqieg pejveuly Wessy 'eq 0} peivadde "[nyryuard Ayre} "[Njyusjd °*" | ‘PP-E-22 (uO Uses paddTjaq Z. | ‘[nyyUeTd | ‘Ph-Z-he WO uses T "T Jiyuetd Apirey | *[ny1ZU97d | *snoJeuInu jou | | Bisbanhecycel “{OJUIM Ul U99S Z-T PP-Z-SZ Uses Ired | *poHOOT.IIAO (ue}jo Alqeqoid ‘uommooun jou “TS “ON dey} os 91001 AT}4SIIS ‘op /jou ynq ‘uses Z-| | yoqIed useIr) *‘(vyqtnbsog Xun) YOaTAIM paxoeq-aapjoy ‘Iayood poo A S.T24OLL Jayoad poo pexoeq-uaeploy -YIWAQ Oftd) eid WeIpuy | 1ayoed poo AA BI] VINLI ‘1ayIedpooM WseI45) patp[aq-ATeog 9733!] ‘(pant ‘(ajtdv W1NnaDIIG ) Joyoediamo[q — Pal[iq-AOrmL, JaydadIIMO[Y S,[[@4OL I, + priqung pedums-a[ding { 69 39 ee) ill. Jpncire Group (Contd.) 3 ROADSIDE GROVES OF MIXED JUNGLE TREES | PALMS MANGO GROVE No SPECIES —— ————— : = = — JESSORE DHUBALIA JESSORE | JESSORE DHUBALIA 1 | | 45 | Blue-headed Wagtail Gee sored | = = | co one believed seen cilla flava beema) lien once foraging in an 0} . 46 | Grey-headed Wagtail (A/o/a- 1 believed seen on) nes tegen cilla f, thunbergi). 26-11-43. This might have been a Blue-headed Wagtail (45) | but I think not as the head seemed | darker & breast | & throat yellower | than in other | birds of that | species. | 47 | Yellow-headed Wagtail several seen about) everest eee | om || “doce tanks in this type. | | 48 Indian Tree Pipit (Amthus several seen regu- | sce small numbers hodgsont). larly in Jan. and present on and Feb, 1944 and) after 6-12-44, | less often in| | March. | | 49 |Indian Pipit ... bs counn3 oy | several believed | mney en | Ss; | seen but identity | not proved. | 50 White-eye (Zosterops pal- a few seen occa- mary C*d](C tit cD | o i | pebrosa). | sionally. | 51 | Purple Sunbird .. |fairly numerous, | wu om ls eee ‘Al 52. | Purple-rumped Sunbird do, It think) slightly more so | than No. 51. | 53 | Tickell’s Flowerpecker not uncommon; | | probably _ often | i overlooked. | 54 | Thick-billed Flowerpecker 1 pair seen 25-2-44 | (Dicaeum agile), | 55 | Indian Pitta (Pitta brach- | 1-2 seen in winter. yura). | 56 | Little Scaly-bellied 1-2 seen, but not Green Woodpecker. plentiful. | 57 |Mahratta Woodpecker... , not numerous. | 58 |Golden-backed Woodpecker | plentiful. 59 | Tickell’s Golden-backed | fairly plentif 1. Woodpecker. 60 | Wryneck (/ynx torquilla). 1 seen on 24-2-44. 61 | Green Barbet ... | plentiful. 62 |Assam Lineated Barbet |2 believed seen on! (Megalaima lineatus) . 22-344, | 63 | Blue-throated Barbet plentiful. 64 | Coppersmith ... | fairly plentiful. 65 | Indian Cuckoo . | appeared to be| | abundant; called | | regularly March- | ug. 66 | Common Hawk Cuckoo... | abundant. | | 67 | Indian Plaintive Cuckoo ... |1 believed heard fairly often in| | April 44, but | never seen. 68 | Pied Crested Cuckoo 9 la few conspicuous | in July/Aug. but not noticed at other times. 69 | Koel | abundant. fairly plentiful. a few seen. 1-2 seen. fairly plentiful. tairly plentiful. ditto. afew about, but usu- ally rather silent. a few seen and | heard. a few seen in Sept. 44, | fairly plentiful. ger. i ees | usually 1-2. anaes || —-tecdad | Sometimes 1-2. oncone | 1-2 seen. no uncommon. always 1-2. not uncommon. cxcene 1 seen several times. usually 1-2. occasionally seen. |not uncommon. | ome | a few. testes occasionally seen. cco0 1 sometimes seen. ee SS See 8T2 S ic} LUN AVE. a =| ‘ALALIOS 1°A 6% a AWOS SNOTLVIDOSSV GUIL TIVINIA JO Gté JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol, 49 Oe bes "JYUSiu Ww pajjvo A][e@uoises00 “9AOIS JO SaBps jnoqe VITIVaNHQ snHoretnu “Ssnozeuinu | '$901} wyed 9} uo psyoied uajjo Alive} eree uepunde ‘rom UumOoTN jou AY OSSH HAAOUD OONVWNN LL SL SSCS APA E SACS ce = <3} | CD oe) wn w ia) my se r] <= = =) ae boa =, my x SQ = e) m9 a x 2, ie re) 2) —, *Sd01] OY] Jap -un 9]};80 jnoqe AgOHOE “MIJ Ul - ‘sneoletanu | : pe} 3:d00 [eIBA9S aaretece vitvdoud ATUOSSAL | SWIVd AAOUD OONVNA | HO SdAOYD addIsdvow ‘(pjuo7)—dNO0UXH AIONAL ‘IJ vduts4y) sedidpueg poom ps Jadidpues 19915) (-UDANY YUAIIS) Ulay, JOsty cesses ‘May & ‘snotetnu ApILvy |: *snolouinu Os poceot ye a ae addase o1nb 30U 4nG ‘ou1I1p “syue]} 2u} jynoqe oS ||, arena uoulmiooun jou ‘ofsunt ysnol Ul SHU} 3B SOT} soetee [@I9A9S W99S | shes *SUINIIAD Ul *°O2 seaysng jnoqe Sulse ‘m9eas O10 | -10J AT[ensn Maj vB segres aAUossar vIIvanHq auossar Sei NT @IONOL CAXIW . uoloyH puog ueIpuy | J9ISY 9178O *(V70040]8 "(v4 “USYIIJVM =paysvo1q-9}IU MA SdIodds Z0I 901 SOL vOL £Ol ZO ‘ON 723: SOME BIRD ASSOCIATIONS OF BENGAL ‘aspa Jnoqe [nynuUa;d ‘9Spa jnoqge [njqueTd “Sul -[]¥q SOUITJOTIOS MIJ B "jnyIQUeTd eoosee "SS¥1S YSIVUI JO SUI9]S 94} 0} SuUT[O pinom Aoy} 5! Moy esoree "MOj By ‘IO]UIM Ul Moy B ‘cdowurooun jou ‘aspa oy} node Bul -3e10} TOMMIODUN jou ‘op ‘98pe 94} Jnoqe sul -Se1oj UOTMIODUN 100 ‘jnoge sum0S SABA TE ‘2000 W8ES §—-Z ‘Inoqe sulos SABE } | “Moye Ajypensn | ‘pO —‘jdog sss Moy | | ‘poised | Adamns jo pus | /SpI@MO} JaoMay jnq | Qnoqe Moj ce SACATE ‘ynoqe Z-T ATpensn | ‘Moj © Ajyensn | "9000 U9AS 900 | “Moy B ATyensn | VIIVSOHq “MOT @ SABMIE | ‘jnOqe OTIOS SABATE *jnoqe ouIOS SABM]V "= eco "Moy @ SAPMIC. eeceee ‘Maj © Ajpensn VIIVANHG HSYVIINAS "PRET AlUL Ul OdIM} 99S Z | "[njT}UaTd | "nj Hueld ‘Toy WUetd eecrae eoe vee "Mj | ‘penqiijstp Almyq} Jeqjel ‘SUISvIOJ UOMMIOOUN jou | eoetee | | ‘SuUlSsvioj WoMIMIOOUN Jou ‘T ‘(ON UVTI} SNOIOMINU sso] ‘Taytueyd ATITBj AWOSSAL SSVYD AHGNN ANV'T ALSVM JO}UIA Ul Moy * "(Dyn gnIeayD eIUnyy pel[jeq-jnuyseya eudyq Patg eudyy yued eudjy UOTUTIORD vIUny ) ee eee eudAyq papesy-AaI4 osuolq 4oelgd coo coe JOATULTAL O13 oyWYyS UMOIg eYTYS pexyoeq-snojny PAHS popesy-jov[q_ axlIyS poyouq-Avg | eo eos UIqoy s1dsew *(vJVN AO] DJONXDS) EYD USN UvIpUy “+ [NQING poreyxsiy M-poy [nqing peyusaA-poy elOT UOTIMIOD MOI) OSNOF eylys Mopeas Aysy | MOID o[sunf SHIOddS INOUXN) GNVY YLSVM "Al 49 Vol. ’ JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY 224 é ‘op ‘op “SUIIBOS | ‘op ‘Sul -Se los ‘Oyuetd Apsiey 1NF!4 ‘Sosse1s [v1 uo suiyorod wad AyIrey, uaes { [nyjuerd Aparey. ‘juepunqe ‘motmmiooun jou eaoces eeneee HYOSSaL HSavw | | | | | | | *90010 Udas U0 | ‘op ‘op “SUIIGOS ‘PP-OL-ET sas Z ‘U99S MOI B eevcee *Moj © AT[ensn | ‘snoleunu ATIrej ‘op “Moy B SABMTE *spooyl pus IdALI 9} 1vou Moy & Skemye | ‘PP-OL-Z1 SUT}S9U puUno}; /9ul0 ‘Maj B. AlTensn VITVINHC HSaUVW-INAS ae rn er BT _ ‘Op | ‘op ‘SULIVOS Maj ve ATTensn *Mo] B SABMIP ‘juassid otros skeaye ‘Sul -Se10jJ Moy e Alrensn VITIVanHq ‘A][@UOIS¥D90 Ud_aS T ‘Juepunqe ‘JuBpUnq?e | ‘Suljseu pues ‘op ‘SUISBIOJ Injruard AyATey ‘prGL | Areniqey-Arenuer usas 2 he ‘[njnuerd Apirey | + ‘Tnyued Ayapey | eoorere ‘uUepanae | ‘paynq “lajsIp A][UIY} JeqMATIOS | "U99S MOj vB): | | | url 9000 uses Ajived suo! | AUOSSal SSVaO YHANN ANVI ALSVM zoe, os ees (‘pjwo7j)—anouy GNV] @ISVM ‘AI | | ee | | aes "" TrelBe A popvey-an[q (supnsunuut) O2VZ) [2189 WeIpuy ais (wa8dnl o2[m7) Uodeg 1e33e7] es SIN][NA peyxoeq-oz1y M ‘a “81ND, palfiq-suo07 nos dIN]NA Say | WIMS Ue oe is JIMS UBIpTy | 3 s0dooxy JIYSysuly Uvipuy vomum0s) . e JOYSYSULy pojsevatq-s}Ig A arg 19}B9-99g7 Ppa[lv}-on[q J9}]83-30q Uaz1D To [OY Ag yey] ysng [esuegq | eee see ydig ueipuy ie "* [18]38M popway-Mollax "* MOITEMS HNO ueipay ree “" BIUNYA P2}PO1Y1-3y1U SadIodds 02 “ON 725 SOME BIRD ASSOCIATIONS OF BENGAL ‘op "‘ToyTUsld Ayrreyz e@eovee ‘Injnueld slow 97331] B yaI4q, J jnq “Op ‘uommooun jou eeaces JUSS “oid Ayjensn sued T[ *aAoqe suldg pue a6pa je Uses uaijo *‘Tny1UE1d "0998 Moy & ‘peaoid jou Ayjuapl JQ =sotl] [eIoAaS Besse beseleq 4. ¢-T “e8pe 1¥ S991} Ul payored 10 ‘Sulivos Altensn z-[ “SUIAY 0399S Maj & ‘op ‘jnoqe Maj v U9}jO ‘oloy SurAg uses Z "U99S {LIDADS ‘2010 Uaas 90 ‘op *soovid 1oduiep 94} noe 7-|[ Allensn ‘Moy ve AlTensn ‘JOTIJSIP UI JOYS M9j @ AT[ensn ‘Z-T Al[euoIseso0 "moj ATensn "[ny1quetd Airey ‘9000 W998 OO juesoid & T U9a}Jo puv Y ve Ayjensn ‘moj @ ATyensn eeoces eooree eoscne eeerece ‘PP-ZI-9 uO JOYS ouO : Md} @ U9jJO "MOJ © Ud}JO “moj © A[Tensn "Moy @ SAVME "THyWU91d eeeege “tP-L-TE WO Us9S ¢ "Toyijusyd Altes ‘Injryued Apres “uUOTUMIOOUn JOU "I9A09 SBM 919} TeAatoym [njtjuetd Apres ‘op *I9AOO SUM elo} JOADTIOU MA “op ‘jnyizueyd Apres ‘u9as A][BUOISBDI0 Z-[ *FPEL euNsG-[ldy wsas | ‘eae ADAINS opisjno «ysn{f joys suo ‘sn ojyinbiqn "Tuyyued "IddS MO} *pasoid }joa Ajyuept jnq ‘sawi} [BleAeVs Uses pdAdl[aq T ‘uaas aq 0} Z-T Aljensn a ae “* TeaT, SUISIYM 1asso’T oe oe uolaH puog uvipuy soe ce 1o138q aye) as (vasaulz VapAPT) UOIayY AIN "(Suny -19S0 snumojsvuf7) Y1I0}S [I[IqG-uedo ° (vanuays vyjagvp) ediug [eyuI1g a Jedidpuvs poo Jedidpuvs usein " SUIMALT Po[}]BM-psy ceo eee MO[IND sUo]G ULIPUT eco wee edius paruleg e espiuyieg Adin 9A0q STINT, pey SAO SUIY UvIpUyT 9A0q pajjods SAO] 8}IN J, snojny Uo0IsIg YoY sniq eee eee BIAS "* (snsouzdnsav *D) Isley YSieyy; * (S#INIJOUD II SNIALF) ABIIIEFT Pag (S70972490I SNUDIZ) OVS] PISUIM-F9 VIG oy Weed oy AurUyelg see a[seq SUIyslyy pepvay-Aoix) wae a[seq Suusig §,SBiled i a[oeq jUsdiag payselg 6§ IV. Wastr Lanp Group—(Conid.) eee —$<———————____ WASTE LAND UNDER GRASS SEMI-MARSH MARSH No. SPECIES 2 aa = ae JESSORE DHUBALIA DHUBALIA JESSORE ae: ieee aes Tere ‘ = 20 | White-throated Munia ... jone party seen once in; usually a few; one}; —_...... | sumiuner. found nestin ee i < 12-10-44, 21 |Indian Cliff Swallow «2 0 |} ee usually a few forag- ese & | : ing. = 22 Blue-headed Wagtail ... 0 22 2 | saa always a few near the a = | Yellow-headed Wagtail... EE ee oot uncommon = | Indian Pipit ; 5% lways a few | : S 25 Bengal Bush Lark a few seen, ; a seene eS 5 26 | Roller ‘Vsoniewbal\yithinly (distri:) San) fo sc = buted. e z 27 Green Bee-eater abuodant, always some present. fairly numerous. abundant 5 28 Blue-tailed Bee-eater_ ... mono) usually a few. ; : 3 2 | White-breasted Kingfisher einweniing ~- |) so | eee fairly plentiful; seen perching on tall © x |c E : grasses, a ommmoen Indian Mingisher fairly plentiful. a few seen. fairly plentiful. & 31 | Hoopoe ca 2 seen January-February 2 seen 13-10-44. | és a , : 1944. | e * 32 | Indian Swift fairly plentifulforaging. {| 2 °° fairly plentiful, forag- = s forag: S 33 Falm ouitE do., and nesting. alway sya) few.) | mE ee Nea do a ing Vulture .| abundant. lly a fi g i | i ? & 35 Long-billed Vulture ... 00] cee Reseed saa See Tage aoe E 26 White-backed Vulture ... abundant. do. do. do. 37 | Laggar Falcon (Falco jugger) “| 1 seen occasionally. | : : 38 | Indian Kestrel (Fa/co finnunenlis).| — ——ssense | one seen 39 | Crested Serpent Eagle - | usually 1-2 to be seen. ar | oeed \1-2 usually soaring, | | or perched in trees | | atedge 40 | Pallas’s Fishing Eagle l believed seen several a) i} oc )1-2 believed seen | times, but AGentity, not | several times but proved. identity not proved. 41 | Grey-headed Fishing segle -|a few seen. a few seen. 42 | Brahminy Kite - | plentiful. 0 plentiful. 43 | Pariah Kite - | ubiquitcus. plentiful. often seen at edge 4, and fying: above. is} 44 | Black-winged Kite (Hlanuscoeruleus)\one shot just cutside eee enecoD seyee 5 survey area. 45 | Pied Harrier (Circus melanoleucus).|1 seen April-June 1944. aaneee Do cesrses b 46 | Marsh Harrier (C, aeruginosus) usuallya gandoften |1 pair usually pre-e 3 1Q present sent 6 47 | Shikra on J-2 occasionally seen. one seen once. = 48 | Blue Rock Pigeon fairly plentiful. ” G 49 | Rufous Turtle Dove do. wherever there S was cover. 5 50 | Spotted Dove ase do. always a few. fairly plentiful. = 51 (Indian Ring Dove - ee usually a few. usually a few. SI 52 | Red Turtle Dove fairly plentiful wherever | often a few. occasionally 1-2. 8 there was cover. = 53 | Grey Partridge seanee usually a few an 54 | Painted Snipe shot in district. ° 55 | Indian Stone Curlew oo oocen5 oftenafew:oneshot | esse on 5 on 6-12-44. te, 56 | Red-wattled Lapwing ... «| not uncommon. f TIS 112] y7eUg) CW | es I 57 | Green Sandpiper a usually 1-2 about the] not uncommon. a damper places. Be 58 | Wood Sandpiper on do. do. but Ithinka & little more plentiful. 59 |Pintail Snipe (Capella stenura) ... fk. one seen once. soo 60 |Open-bill Stork (Amastomus osci- several seen, tans). 4 61 | Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) cx 2 seen flying here. ‘ coeeG 62 | Cattle Egret 5 fairly plentiful. often a few about. fairly plentiful. 63 | Indian Pond Heron fairly plentiful. do. do ae 64 | Lesser Whistling Teal 2 seen on 31-7-4 a few seen flying. B 49 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AHIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 726 OM} \seo] 3B AT[ensn edbocbd *snoqinbiqn "Tnyyued “MIT ‘noqe Ud}JO Maj ‘jnoge Mo3j & Ajjensn *yuosoid ‘op *[nyijueld 2 "moos Moj eb eovecee ‘m9aS Z7-T ‘snorotunu A[Iej *[nytyue]d AIOA eee seo: eevcve eh) “Moj 2 Alpensn | Ceo eee seceee @ossen eovree ‘op ‘op “MO} CB UI}jJO “Ssnosoatng "Inyyuayd Ajaey ‘[njnuald errs ‘op ‘Moy VUdO ‘“SUIYUIp waes u9}jJo } VITvanHd AUOSsar -UIM Uy 90s [e19AOS ebosce eccces ‘Inoqe Maj e ATjensn eetoses everes *juosoid Z ysvor jv Atyensn ‘moj @ ATTensn ‘op “re ‘u30S Moj © "MOj @ 19}JO *snolourau ATIF ‘93 po je SuUlSv1O} Z-T ua}jJO ‘Moy B SABMTE "PP-OT-ST 4998S ¢~T 'PP-OI-ST Uses Z-T ‘Moy @ Aypensn ‘op "M9} @ W9}jO "[ngyuerd Ayirey VITVaNHG SUANVL pure STHAHL ‘snojinbiqn | "ToyHUeTd ‘jnoqe Ajjensn Maj , ‘poaoid jou Aj} Uapt jng juasaid paadcllaq Moy B *yuBq UO $991} UO Suryored AjuowMODUN JOU "Taz !jUue;d ‘ nyyueld ATsrey *ynyijuetd AIOA ‘JOJUIM UT UddS [BIOAOS eoo-ee “19JUTM UL UI9S Mo} B eeceeo ‘op | sy aUOssaf ‘jnoqe Moje Ayyensn | UdATS AIVNS dNOUD YALVM ANVINI ‘A ‘snojournt | ° ‘Injruetd - WdYI9}8 M PI}SBIIq-STIUM bZ ah dy Yeueg C7? : ay AuluIyBIg| ZZ Bee Sulysty pepvsy-AoiIny| 12 “ g[seq Salyshy 8Sel[eq| 02 “+ g[seq jued1eg pajseIg| 61 (sajgviqvy uorpuvg) SeidsQ| st Bo WIMS UVd! Lf IOYSYSULY pejsvolq-eyIqM | OT JOYSYSUry ueIpuy uoulmod| ST — jeysysury pelg| PFI “+ Jojea-90q polle}-an[g| ¢L- wat J9}83-30g Ud0IN)| ZI Ses yLeT sng jesueg Tr ““TIBISEM PIpvey-MO}IIA| OT “' 11B}5eBM popsey-anig!] 6 “** [Te]SeM SIUM UBIPUT| ¢ Ate MOUTBMS PID) 9 se euAW patd| §¢ ame eudy WOUMLOD 7 ABE osuoId YoRB(q| ¢ kay MOJO osnoy CG Me MOIQ suns) T SAIOadS ‘ON Fy iy ASSOCIATIONS OF BENGAL SOME BIRD ESOS, “SON Ub OS SSI] 04} “[nsWUstd Aya; ‘u998 Z-T on ‘Tngiyuatd Apres ‘uaas AT[BUOISBD90 Z-T @etecen ‘poaoid jou A}JUSPT ynq yNoqe c-1 Aljensn poaaerjeq *poeaoird jou A}ijUspr 4ynq noqe c-I Aljensn peasijaq *sjied 191ps9M 9} jnoqe Maj e skem[e eoiv AVAINS opts jno ysnf{ yeouf ve uo1j Ayioyjne poos Ajlis} ao prj10daiz ‘{nyiuajd alout AyiYyss $ 0}Ip “UOTUIMIOOUN jOU | *SnolomMnu jou "njiymoyd Ayre] "M2J B "vole AVAINS oprisjnoe jysnl |j2euf 19yj0ue uO jos | ‘A}iIoyyNe poos 'A[IIey Uo pajroderz eopren "LE ® OE "SON’ UB} OS SSdj 2 REN headed Fishing Hagle D la few asad asdet a0 & j y “0 Dee: | Be Been ite EEE: | usually a few about. Plentifal. usually a few about. 24 | White-breasted Waterhen y beta 3 rot otter abut, ew. 25 ,Indian Moorhen (Gadlinula chloro-| pus. 26 | Purple Moorhen (Porphyrio polio-) ———wvsave cephalus). 27 | Common Coot (Fulica atra) .|a few. 28 | Bronze-winged Jacana ... fairly plentiful. 29 | Pheasant-tailed Jacana ... -., | Dot numerous. | 30 | Pintail Snipe Onn a | concn 31 |Whiskered ‘Tern (C/lidonias hy- brida). | 32 | Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilo-\1-2 believed seen, but tica). identily not proved; | beak in each case look- | ed black and legs ver- million, 33 |Common River Tern... ap = resee 31 | Black-bellied Tern (Sterna melano- gaster). | 35 | Red-wattled Lapwing om 36 | Green Sandpiper .. | not uncom 37 | Wood Sandpiper do. 38 | Greenshank (7yinga nebularia) 39 |Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypo-| | deucos). | 40 | Large Cormorant (Phatacrocoraz| carbo). 2) ESS a | reported \reported on _ fairly good authority. shot on another jheel just outside survey area. a few. fairly plentiful. not numerous. one shot. believed usually 1-2 about, but identity not prived. believed usually 1-2} about but identity) not proved. on fairly good authcrity from just outside survey area, but not seen) jalways a few about the weedier parts. believed usually 1-2 about but identity not proved. believed usually 1-2 about but identity not proved. by me. | | fairly plentiful. Ee eases: | 1-2 occasionally seen. do. not uncommon. | fairly plentiful. do. |ditto ; slightly more do. | plentiful. nesens | 1-2 seen. fairly plentiful tho’ fairly plentiful, tho’ less so than Nos. less so than Nos. 36 & 37. 36 & 37. seston reported on fairly) 2 ses good _ authority from a jheel just | | | outside survey area ‘LSIH TWHALVN AVAWOT “TVNYNOL 9BL WA ‘ALAIOOS 6F aINOS auld 4O SNOILVIDOSSV TVONTE GL 49 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. = é ‘op ‘tnyqzuetd Apirey “May B SABM[Y ‘'U99S Z-T | ‘SuIUDAD AlaAD JOAO passed sjysip ‘ynoqe Moje ATlensn sulinp ‘Op uosvas AUIB.L Sivt. Aue ye ‘uomlmiooun jou ‘Op *‘[nyrjaetd Apirez Asains ‘CIIe ay} apisjno ysnf yasyf B wtolj A}l20u} | Ayarey ne poos uo = paytode1 eevecee ‘U30S [BIOARS | ‘juepunqe ‘op | ‘[nyyueld Ayarey ‘U39S Z-[ ‘90U0 sas Z_ | | | ‘op ‘Injtqustd Airey | ‘Tnyyue[d Aypirey -OUDIAUt va, SUlTISIUM Jesse] [Ba 10}309 UuOIO_] puog uvIpu] JOIST BTNVD JOISY aWT (vg]v v1j9487 ) JOISY VB1e'T] uolepy Adl+) *(4ajsv8 vsulyup) sJoyeq uvipuj JURIOWIIOD 91}}V] vVITVadnHG FUOSSAL SINVL pue STHAHL AwWOSSa [’ . SAHATaA TIVIWS (pruoj)—-dnoOuHy AHLVM ANVIN] za SdIodds GP IP ‘ON GAME SANCTUARIES IN BURMA (pRE-1942) WITH PRESENT STATUS OF RHINOCEROS AND THAMIN » BY LizuT.-Cot. R. W. Burton, 1.4. (Retd.) (With two plates) Prior to the Japanese invasion and the subsequent grant of inde- pendent status to Burma, early in 1948, there were several Game Sanctuaries in the 50,000 square miles of Government Forest in that country; and the total area under forest was about 240,000 square miles. There was the Shwe-u-daung Sanctuary of about 81 square miles. of mostly hilly country in the Momeik and Mogok Forest Divisions in Upper Burma; the Kahilu Game Sanctuary of 62 square miles in the LPhaton and Salween Forest Divisions of Lower Burma; the two sanctuaries of Maymyo and the Moscos Islands which were merely wild bird refuges of 49 and 19 square miles respectively ; and the Pidoung Sanctuary here described. THE VANISHING RHINOCEROS The position of the three Asiatic species of rhinoceros in the above sanctuaries and elsewhere was fully discussed and brought up to date (1947) by Ansell | Volv''47-(2) pp: 249-2760], his conclusion being that RR. sondaicus had become virtually extinct in Burma, also in Malaya, Siam, Sumatra, Java and Borneo: while as to Dicerorhinus sumatrensis the lowest reasonable estimate was 21 animals in Burma, and perhaps as many as 45. In view of the present state of law and order in Burma, and other eastern countries where the rhinoceros has hitherto existed, it can be safely conjectured that the species sondaicus is virtually extinct, and that sumatrensis may not survive beyond the present century. So we have the sad. prospect of two more species being added to the many which have vanished from the world almost within living memory. RHINOCEROS UNICORNIS The preservation of this species rests with India and Nepal. In his article, ‘Wild Life Reserves in India: Assam.’ E, P. Gee oped o.,. Vol., 40, (1)! gives an estimate’ of the number’ of rhinoceros now existing in this country, based on the Society’s report to the International Union for the Protection of Nature in 1949. If the estimate of 50 for Nepal is near the actual figure then there has been a great diminution there of the species within the past forty years. A sportsman fishing in the Rapti river wrote on the 25th May 1909 :— ‘My principal fun was going out on an elephant photographing rhino . . . They are simply in swarms; I counted twenty within a 730 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL BIST. “SOCHETL VY >= Vol 49 mile of my camp, and I did not go into the good ground. There were ten big ones in a small piece of grass not more than 5 acres in -extent.’/. (i. BoN apse pW ol? 10) (ah pps itz A rehable census of the number of rhinoceros in Nepal at the present time would be of great interest.. Im the reference quoted above it is also authentically stated :— ‘The rhinoceros is found in the Nepal Terai, in Morang, north of Purnea, on the Kosi at Patharghatta, on the banks of the Bagmati north of Muzaffarpur, and as oneal by Mr. Lydekker, it 1s even more numerous still farther to the west in the Chitwan and Naolpur valleys along the banks of the Gandak and the Rapti rivers . .. In spite of the numbers of rhino which were killed in January 1907 (there was a big shoot and twenty-eight rhinos were shot and six calves caught) the forests in Chitwan are still so full of them that no appreciable diminu- tion in the stock has been made.’ RHINOCEROS SONDAICUS At page 266 of his article Ansell remarks :— ‘Regarding the ;existence of, the species. in, other countries; a lmicel that the Sundarbans of S. Bengal may offer a little hope, though little is known about the number of rhinoceros, if any, that exist there today. Rhinoceros in this area, if any exist, would almost certainly be sondaicus as in all the available records no specimen of either R, unicornis or D. sumatrensis has been recorded from the area.’ In reference to the above the excellent article by Vicomte Edmond de Poncins, ‘A Hunting Trip 3 in the Sunderbunds in 1802.’ [J.B.N.H.S.., Vol: 37; No%4 (1935). | is of considerable interest and value. Besides much that is of interest to the sportsman-naturalist and the general reader, is the account of how he spent days and days track- ing and observing the habits of the few Rhinoceros sondaicus which were to be found at that time on islands. 165, 169, 170, 171, 172:— ‘The’ rhinos. lived.there, for, one reason.) Inythe middle) orgthis jungle there was sweet water.’ Edmond de Poncins was obviously a reliable observer. He did not kill, or fire at even one of the animals :— finally I got a glimpse of a strange profile at a very short distance.. For the first and, I am sorry to say, the last time in my life I saw that long, grey, hornless head and everything was explained: these rhinos were R. sondaicus, they had no trophy worth having, and shooting them was without excuse. What has become of the Sunderbund rhinos now (1935) in spite of the extreme difficulty involved in their pursuit? They were then very few: I am certain of three, I consider that a fourth is probable, and that six is the maximum. They are probably shot out. Even when I was there, poaching was rife in the Sunderbunds.’ It is probable that not very long after 1892 the species will have been exterminated in the Sundarbans—and everywhere in India, in- cluding the Chittagong Hill Tracts where there might at that time have been a few of them. ‘So of the three rhinoceroses of Asia it is only the Rhinoceros unicornis of India which is likely to survive into the next century: except perhaps for a few specimens in zoological GAME SANCTUARIES IN BURMA (PRE-1942) 731 gardens, as sumatrensis has been known to attain the age of 47 years in captivity. Members interested in the status of the rhinoceros in Asia may see the list of references at end of this article. THE PIDOUNG GAME SANCTUARY IN 1930 Of all the game sanctuaries in Burma, the Pidoung Sanctuary in the Myitkyina Forest Division of Upper Burma was alone suited for purposes of photography and observation of the wild life it contained, for it was readily accessible. It extended on both sides of the railway running for twenty miles through the area and was provided with a bungalow not far from the railway station about twelve miles from Myitkyina. It was in May 1930 that the writer visited the Pidoung Sanctuary with the kind assistance of the then Game Warden of Burma, Mr. H. C. Smith, who made all camp arrangements, provided two riding elephants, and guided me and a Government Officer who was just beginning wild hfe photography so that we could see the sarictuary and its denizens under the best possible conditions. Things may have greatly changed since then so it will be best to continue in the present tense from notes made at the time.! The area notified by the Government of Burma as the sanctuary comprises 260 square miles of forest country. There are hills and valleys, thick evergreen forests and more open jungle; while north of the railway station are rolling downs, bare of trees, in the hollows of which are dense thickets, also long winding green valleys filled with lush grass. In this part of the sanctuary there is excellent stalking ground, so that the photographer who is so fortunate as to be under the skilful guidance of the Game Warden can obtain opportunities for beautiful and interesting pictures with whatever kind of camera he may possess. Care has to be taken not to alarm the game which is not yet wholly without fear of man. In time the animals will be as tame as fallow deer in the beautiful Parks of England, or the animals in the National Parks of America and other countries. In- deed, one need not go so far away as that to enjoy the sight of wild animals without fear of man, for in a quite small sanctuary in a Central India State the writer has seen sambar and other game of those parts literally as tame as village cattle; and in the Yala Sanctuary in Ceylon are animals almost as tame. Here, at Pidoung, the present scribe, a humble wielder of a Kodak, managed to take several reasonably good pictures of a herd of grazing bison and one of a bull saing. But for the dull light and cloudy sky the bison photos might have been considerably better. It is during the months of April and May that the habits of bison and saing bring these splendid animals into the open to graze on the short green grass and be free as possible from the swarms of biting and stinging insects —S-_ — ee a oe * Shortly we hope to publish an up-to-date account of the Pidoung and other game sanctuaries to be supplied by the present Chief Conservator of Forests of independent Burma.—EDs. 732 JOURNAL; BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. 49 which so plague them at that season. Saing are the wild cattle of Burma, and of Malaya, where they are called Banting. They are also found on a number of islands of the Malayan Archipelago, even as far away as Borneo. The bulls are massive animals attaining a height of nearly 17 hands, and vary in colour from a khaki dun to a dark brown and almost black. For everything concerning them, and the hunting of them, Peacock (20) should be seen. Bison bulls are, as we all know, huge animals of enormous strength which attain a height of over nineteen hands and a weight of more than 2,000 lb., yet these great animals fall victims to the tiger. We saw in the sanctuary the carcase of a recently slain grand old bull bison with rugged horns. He had been done to death by a large tiger which had hamstrung the noble beast by slashing the hind legs with his claws. It was seemingly useless destruction, for only a portion of the tail had been eaten. One should make as early a start as possible ; although when the day is cloudy and a strong breeze blowing animals may be seen at almost any hour of the day. Sambar and hog-deer are in considerable numbers, but it is the bison and saing which form the chief attraction in the more open-places. The sambar are shy, and it is mostly by chance that a photograph is obtained when stalking time is somewhat limited. The hog-deer are more easy to stalk, being frequently found in the grassy hollows, where there are bushes and clumps of high reeds. But to get really good pictures of the deer it would be better to watch in a ‘hide’ over a pool of water during the hot hours of the day. It was on the hog-deer ground that the Game Warden showed the place where he was standing when a tiger, crossing at a right angle fifty yards away, suddenly obtained the scent of the hated human and instantly, without looking for the cause, turned left and went away at speed. That is a clear instance that a tiger has more scenting power than many sports- men realize. THE Manaw -SAUT-LICK There are two ‘licks’, much frequented by animals, at which there are machans in large trees. There, if one is fortunate, bison, saing sambar, hog-deer, and smaller animals and birds may be seen amid their natural surroundings, all unaware of the watching eyes and click- ing cameras. It was when we were approaching the Manaw ‘lick’ at about half-past eight that the keen eye of the Warden detected move- ment ahead. Down we all sat. The cameraman—as the soon-to-be- expert possessor of three instruments—-telescopic, movie, and stereo- scopic, may be designated—had already begun to get his bags of tricks into working order in anticipation of work at the lick: so by the time ‘the bull saing had got to within about a hundred yards, almost all move- ment had ceased. But the wary eyes had detected some movements. among our party. The grand beast stopped and stared, the while we ex- amined him through our field glasses. Wandering through the forests in which he had been so long unmolested he had not that fear of man which, in other surroundings, would have caused him to clear out on the first suspicion of danger. Slowly he came on, and several times he stopped to have another look. His great depth from the withers to the girth was very notice- ce A aaa GAME SANCTUARIES IN BURMA (PRE-1942) 733 able, and his muzzle had the appearance of being circled by a white ring. He was grizzled between the horns which curved upwards and inwards, being about twenty-six inches in length. His white stock- ings, white from above the knee downwards, as are those of the bison, were conspicuous. The outer aspect of the upper part of his forelegs was dark, tending towards black, and his general colouring rather dark khaki. A grand beast indeed is a bull samng in the prime of his life. Much photographed he was during those long minutes when he stood at gaze or slowly paced along. The humble effort of the Kodak is before you (plate). He presented the appearance of a prize Here- ford bull. Suddenly he got our wind. Quick and active as a deer he turned and galloped away his white buttocks flashing among the trees. Bit SuOoN= AGN: Di --Sx 05 5 ir plates! ands seeammays London, “Staples Press tds” Price 28s Skomer is a wind-swept, almost treeless island, some 7oo acres in extent, lying off the extreme west coast of Wales. It is almost REVIEWS “1 (i) “I surrounded by cliffs, but the main part of the island is only about 200 feet above sea level. The rainfall is fairly heavy and is distributed throughout the year. Consequently, there is a marsh, a stream and a pond on the island, and fresh water is always available. Formerly the island was inhabited by man, so there are a number of grassy- fields from which the stones have been cleared to form walls. ‘To-day, the commonest inhabitants of the island are rabbits, shearwaters, puffins and other cliff-breeding birds—-these birds, of course are only on the island during the breeding-season. From March to October, 1946, the authors of this interesting book, together with a number of short-time assistants lived on the island, and carried out a careful and thorough survey, geological, botanical, zoological—the island is one of the breeding-places of the rare Atlantic grey seal—ornithological, entomological, marine-biolo- gical. There is a modest disclaimer that the survey of the island's natural life has been in any sense completed by six months’ work. On the contrary, the authors hope that the publication of their book may stimulate other observers to continue the work, both on this and other Welsh islands—and why only Welsh? Perhaps fndian too. R. M. Lockley lived for some years on the adjacent island of Skokholm; and one of the most interesting features of this book is the comparison that can be made between the biology of these two islands. Skokholm is three miles from the coast; Skomer a_ short half mile. Thus, although the sea-birds breeding on the two islands are the same and the visiting migrants are much the same, ‘land’ birds breeding on Skomer bring its breeding-total to 34 species, whereas Skokholm’s total is only 21. Similarly, it appears that the Lepidoptera breeding on Skomer are in excess of those found on Skokholm. And the flora is astonishingly rich and varied. Fuller comparisons of the two isiands would be valuable. One of the most remarkable features of this little island is the presence of a small Vole, Clethrionomys skomerensis, which is not known from any other locality. It is a very tame animal. On the photograph facing page 88 it is described as ‘a large insular variety of the Bank-vole’. But it is clear from the text that scientific opinion now accepts the view that it is a distinct species, probably at one time more widely distributed, which has somehow failed in the competition for existence in other parts of its range. It has been kept in captivity with the-common Bank-vole, but the two animals would not interbreed. The larger part of the book deals with the bird-life of Skomer. Many illuminating observations were made. Only one or two can be referred to here. In some of the gull colonies the Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) and the British Lesser Black-backed Gull (L. fuscus graellsii) breed side by side. These two species are only separ- able by the colour of the mantle in the adult and (in some subspecies) by the colour of the tarsus. Moreover, there seems to be complete intergradation from the palest grey subspecies of L. argentatus to the blackest subspecies of L. fuscus. Consequently, some authors insist that they should all be lumped as one species. Yet on Skomer they 768 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL BIST. SOCGIBEY = Vols 49 breed side by side and do not interbreed. Careful observations were made on their feeding-habits. Both species are more or less omni- vorous, and no specific differences in feeding-habits could be detected. The young birds are usually indistinguishable from one another. Yet, when the breeding season is over, the brown young Herring Gulls spend the eutumn and winter roaming over the North Atlantic and the North Sea, while the brown, young Lesser Black-backs nearly ail migrate to south-west Europe and north-west Africa. A multitude of ringing results demonstrate this. The autumn of 1946 was so stormy off the Welsh coast that very little bird migration could be observed; and in one severe storm the yacht was battered to pieces. So the party were driven away to the shelter of a world where there is better protection from the elements. In spite of disappointments however, in the final chapter the authors write: ‘The last word of Pnowiniee can never be written about any living thing—the joy of discovery, which is the inspiration and _ re- ward of all honest search for true knowledge, ever remains.’ Perhaps the fascinating story told in this book will stimulate a group of young Indian nabnealiere to start a survey of Elephanta Island or of some other compact little universe within Indian waters. el ci aS 3. SUPPLEMENT .TO-)THE:; BOUANAANOR a7 BIEA Rin hie ORISSA. » By: Herbert. Mooney. 1950:7) ;Gatholiengh ress; ai omenr TO.5X (L255 CmMS., Heaps si h2o4e This is an excellent supplement, the result of many years of active work in the field, for which the author deserves the congratulations of Indian botanists. The printers on their part have spared no effort to make this book a model of its kind in India. In the introduction, the author mentions a large number of plants which have not been recorded for his district by any of his predeces- sors; the list is an impressive one particularly for a region that had been so thoroughly explored by Haines. The discussion on the vegeta- tion of several special tracts is of great interest. There is but one fault that this reviewer can find with the book, and this is in connection with the nomenclature of the plants listed therein. -It is-the avowed aim of the author (See.p. 111) to Drme tike nomenclature up to date; this is a diihcult enterprise especially ior a field worker who spends most of his time away from the better libraries. On p. 24, to cite but one example, the author lists. Polycarpaea corymbosa (Linn.) Lamk., and the reference to Linne as the author of the specific epithet is in accordance with the Intern. Rules of Bot. Nomencl., ‘Art. 49; generally, however, the author omits such re- ferences.. In my opinion a uniform policy of either giving’ such references or omitting them everywhere, would be more consistent. On p25 Mollugo lotoides is attributed to Clarke in Hook. f., FI. Br. Ind; 2) 662. 787 79: ° As far as I have’ been -able’ te ‘discover, tiie $j nailer th AC REVIEWS * 769 combination should be attributed to O. Iwuntze in Rev. Gen. Pl. 264, 1891. Clarke, loc. cit., gives Mollugo hirta Thunb.; and lower down on ‘the same* pace, M. hivia: var, lotoides:: On p..776 of the Index Clarke lists Mollugo lotoides Wt. & ‘Arn.*as a valid species; Wight and Arnott, however, in their Prodromus p. 362 mention Glints lotoides Linn. and not Mollugo lotoides. The combination must, then, be attributed to O. Kuntze, who was the first cleariy to publish it. On p. 34 Mooney mentions Breynia patens Benth. ‘The generic name Breynia Forst. is an invalid one, in the words of Croizat (in Sargentia 1): 48, 1942) ‘on two counts. It is a later homonyin of Breynia L. (Sp. Pl. 503, 1753) and a nomen coufusum, a mixture of Breynia sp. and Phyllanthus distichus L.’ The oldest valid name for Breyma Forst.. is Melanthesa Blume, in. Bl. & Fisch,, Fl. Jav. 1: vir im note; 1828. P. 67. Ammannia tenuis Clarke. The genus Ammannia has recently been revised by Koehne in. Engler, Bot. ‘Jahrb. vol. 1, 1880 anduin. Enoler, Pianzenreich iv. 216;-more recently still Blatter and Hallberg revised the Indian species of the genus in tiis journal, vol. 26. The plant in question is now called Rotala tenuis (Willd.) Iochne inked; Bot. Jahrb. 1: 172, 1880. P. 78. Bidens pilosa Linn. Sherff in 1937 published two ‘monu- mental volumes on the genus Bidens; the common Bombay plant is according to Sherff Bidens biternata (Lour.) Merr. & Sherff; it would be interesting to know exactly what Mooney’s plant is in the new revision of the genus, since B. pilosa seems to be actually rare in this country. P. 83. Centunculus pentandrus R. Br. This plant belongs to the Primulaceae, not the Plumbaginaceae as stated by Mooney, obviously by mistake. The correct name according to the revision of the family by hax and: Kurthisan Enolery Pireichi"'22 :- 337, 1: 1, 1905) is Anagallis pumila Swartz. P. 86. Anodendron manubriatum (Wall.) Merr. for A. paniculalim. The reason for the change as effected by Merrill is not obvious; Wallich’s Echites manubriata is in fact the oldest name for the plant, but at the same time it is a nomen nudum and therefore of no value from the point of view of taxonomy and nomenclature. Roxburgh’s Echites paniculata (1832) is invalid as being a later homonym for E. paniculata Poir. But in the genus Anodendron the combination A. paniculatum A. DC. is the oldest one for the plant in question, and I fail to see why such a name is considered invalid by Merrill. PY 37. Hoya pendula. Wight, Icon. t: 474, 1850:{not of Contrib?) If Mooney is correct in distinguishing the plant of Icon. (1850) from that of Contrib. (1834), then surely the former name is invalid, since it is a later homonym; see Art 61. P.' 89. Cordia dichotoma Forst. f.; this name! is correct, but thé explanation given by the author is not. Linne’s Cordia myxa is the oldest of the three names mentioned by Mooney, and has priority over the other two names, but Cordia myxa Linn. is now considered a different plant from the one commonly known under that name. in Indian floras. 770 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 P. 93. Ipomoea hederacea Jacq. This plant is a native of America and in Indian floras and herbaria is often mixed with a native Indian plant, IZ. mil Roth; it would be interesting to know precisely which of the two plants is meant* as occurring in Orissa. P 109. Ruellia‘sp. The genus Ruellha, as far-as Bombay‘is con- cerned, is represented only by the American introduced plant R. luberosa Linn. The other Indian species of the so-called Ruellia have been shifted to other genera by Bremekamp. P. 116. Barleria montana Nees. This plant does occur in India, but very often it is mixed with two other species, B. gibsoni Dalz. and B. prattensis Sant. It would be interesting to find out which of the three species precisely is the plant in the Supplement. P. 120. Lippia nodiflora Rich. The correct name for this plant is Phyla nodiflora (Linn.) Green in Pittonia 4: 46, 1899. P..120. Lantana camara Linn: is a very rare plant am Undiawat it does occur here at all; the common spiny plant is L. camara L., var. aculeata Moldenke, or Lantana aculeata Linn. P. 139. Salix tetrasperma Roxb. belongs to the family Salicaceae, not to the Moraceae. P. 204. Burmannia coelestis Don. Is this the typical variety or B. pusilla Thw.? The price of the book (about Rs.109) is rather stiff for a book of only 300 pages. Hy) SANTAPRAU cH: 4. THE ; FLAMINGOS) -OF , THE. CAMARGUE. |) By niente Gallet. Translated: from the French py. Summer Austin. _,- Wath 53 photographic illustrations; -by. the author) ) hes. 127 Size jo sags. Oxford, Basil’ Black, woso.—ienices 15s. mex 5. FLAMINGO CITY. By 'G.. Ko Yeates, ¥:R P's.) with) saga and 44 photographic illustrations (6 in colour). Pp. 209. Size ot" x 6! \ London, |Countsy, Lite Lid’) 1g50.. tanice 25s mer Despite the popularity which the flamingo has enjoyed through what one may call the bird-conscious centuries on account of its striking form and colouration and the vastness of its normal congrega- tions, there has clung to it (and still clings) a certain haze of mystery. We are in comparative ignorance not only of the true nature and extent of its seasonal movements but also of practically every other detail concerning its life history, including its food. The three best known and most populous breeding grounds known in the Old World are (1) the marshes (marismas) in the delta of the Guadalquivir river in Southern Spain, (2) the tract known as the Camargue in the delta of the Rhone in southern France, and (3) the Great Rann of Kutch in north-western India. We have little recent information regarding (1).° All that is known about (3) is embodied in two papers in the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, ao | — REVIEWS 7 the first by C. McCann (Vol. 41, pp. 12-38. 1939) and the second by Salim Ali (Vol. 45, pp. 586-92. 1945). Although the Camargue has been known as a breeding ground for over 70 years and references and odd notes on the flamingos there have appeared from time to time from the pen of several visiting ornithologists, Mons. Gallet is per- haps the only resident ornithologist who has used his unrivalled opportunities to investigate the nesting colonies closely and over a fairly continuous period. His attempt to lift the veil from many aspects. of the flamingo’s life history is admirable indeed, and the remarkable photographs which form such a prominent part of his book can claim. to be the finest series ever taken of this extraordinary bird in its native haunts and at its domestic avocations. Some of the points on which doubt and uncertainty prevailed— not yet entirely dispelled in spite of M. Gallet’s pointed suggestions. —may be mentioned: Seasonal Movements: According to the author flamingos arrive in the Camargue, leisurely following duck and coots, as the temperature rises in spring. Where they come from remains a subject of speculation. It will be remembered that McCann even suggested a swing between Kutch and Spain and Camargue owing to untavourable phenological conditions at either end. There have been no recoveries of the young birds ringed in Kutch in 1945 to provide any clue, but of a number marked in Camargue in the summer of 1950, I was recovered from_ Toulon 200 km. east, 2 from the mouth of Ebro River in Spain, t from Oran in Algeria and 1 from Tunisia suggesting that their wanderings may in fact be quite widespread. The marking method is obviously the onlv way in which this puzzle will finally be solved, and it is to be hoped that serious attention will be centred on this. matter wherever the flamingo nests. Food: Investigators have been intrigued by the almost micro- scopic quantity of solid matter invariably found in flamingos’ stomachs upon dissection. ‘Animal as well as vegetable matter has been recorded, but the quantity of solid food, even in healthy birds killed. in the act of feeding has been far from adequate to suggest that this comprises the staple diet of the species. The major proportion of the stomach contents is usually slimy mud intermixed with sand. M. Gallet suggests that the birds derive their sustenance chiefly from the organic matter contained in the mud scoped up from the botton:: of the shallow brine or under the surface crust of crystallised salt. That flamingo chicks are able to subsist for weeks, and even grow fat in an area where nothing is apparent besides heavily concentrated brine in which no living organism can exist, is quoted in support of the suggestion that it is this slimy organic mud which supplies the necessary nutriment. A comparative analysis of the slimy bottom mud and the sand left behind on a patch where a flamingo had been feeding showed that as much as 6 to 8% of organic matter had been extracted. M. Gallet’s suggestion is worth critical examination; it may well prove to supply the answer, as he believes. M. Gallet believes that the sense of smell plays an important part in the recognition of nests by their owners inside a congested flamingo: “42 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NAPURAT WAIST. SOCTET VY) \Volwe49 colony. A mass of birds disturbed off their nests after dark returned later, each bird finding its own nest by passing its bill over the surface of each nest, neck drooped and swaying like a trunk. The same manoeuvre is said to be employed during day time as well. ‘The author’s experiments showed that an adult bird does not recognise its egg or chick, but only its nest. If 2 or 3 chicks have scrambled on to a nest in confusion, the returning mother pushes off the extras indiscriminately till her quota of only a single chick is left. That this is done without bias for her own offspring was ascertained by marking rightful chicks with a woollen thread. A great many points of absorbing interest in the life and progress of a breeding colony are touched upon. Many of the author’s observa- tions are highly suggestive, though it is sometimes difficult to decide from the text (no doubt partly due to losses in translation) which are based on fact and which are mere surmise. Unfortunately the style of his writing is not what one is normally accustomed to, or expects, in a modern scientific bird book, even of the more ‘popular’ type. This reviewer, being a brutally prosaic person himself, would have been glad to dispense with of the poetic emotionalism and romanticism which in his opinion mars what is otherwise perhaps the most out- ‘standing first hand contribution to flamingo lore of recent times, and ‘certainly unique for the magnificent photographs that go with it. In spite of its name, our second book ‘Flamingo City’ contains much else that is strictly speaking beyond ‘urban’ limits. A large part of the book deals with what one may perhaps call Flamingo City’s suburban population, species like the Purple Heron, Black-winged Stilt, Roller, Bee-eater, Hoopoe and others which though they may ‘seem somewhat commonplace to us in this country are precisely what ‘draw large numbers of enthusiastic bird lovers to the Camargue every year and infect them with a sort of chronic ecstasy for which the ‘only antidote is a visit to more tropical climes! Not that an antidote is necessary or even desirable, as any one reading Mr. Yeates’s eloquent raptures will agree. There are certain human ‘afflictions’— and bird-watching according to some is one of them—which some of us can suffer cheerfully, and continue to suffer, indeed even be thankful for. : Mr. Yeates’s well-deserved fame as a_ bird-photographer siands fulfilled in ‘Flamingo City’. Some of his photographs, particularly of the Purple Heron, Pratincole (coloured) and the group of flamingoes titled “Morning Light’ (p. 165) are truly superb. The text is interest- ing and often quite amusing, but is in the main a narrative of his visits to the Camargue in quest of bird photographs, above all of the flamingo. The accounts of birds are on a rather anectotal level with particular appeal to bird photographers, and add but little to scientific knowledge. Even the section dealing with the flamigo, of which he was fortunate enough to visit the 1948 colony in occupation, is largely a re-hash of previous literature on the subject, a complete and very useful bibliography of which is given at the end. In the list of ‘abbreviations on p. 203, J.B.N.H.S. stands for Journal of the Bombay National (sic) History Society ! Hd OUAU GLC Mee & SARs eRe ce: Appendix ir ‘A Review of our Knowledge of the Flamingo’ is a t'résume of all that has been published about the bird arranged, under the following sections: 1. The Mystery of the Nesting Grounds, 2. The Problem of Discovery, 3. Nesting Range and Distribution, 4. Nesting Habits, 5. Food, 6. The Future of the Flamingo. The author’s frequent emphasis on the intolerable heat experienced whea working from a hide in the Provencal summer should make European readers reflect on how much more and continuously trying must be the climatic factor for the bird photographer in the tropics. ‘It is only in this perspective that a proper appraisal of the work of ‘such of our own pioneers as R. S. P. Bates and E. H. N. Lowther must be made for the excellence of their results to be truly appreciated. Both these books will form a welcome addition to any bird-lover’s library. Se 6: ERAPPING METERODS FOR BIRD RINGERS. . By P. A.D: Hollom. Field Guide No. 1 published by the British Trust for Ornithology, Oxford: 40 pages, 84" x54". 24 text figures. 1950: Price: 2522.00. One of the chief difficulties facing those who wish to ring birds either for migration or life history studies is the catching of them. Yhis has retarded marking very considerably and thereby the accumula- tion of data concerning individual birds which only this method can ‘provide. The British Trust for Ornithology and Mr. Hollom are to be ‘congratulated on producing this extremely useful and much-needed pamphlet dealing with traps and nets for catching birds for marking purposes. In its 4o pages numerous types of automatic and non- automatic traps and nets are described, with diagrams and exact dimensions. Many of them are of a design simple enough to get constructed locally almost anywhere without the need of elaborate material or special skill. Our knowledge of the life histories of even our commonest birds e.g. House Sparrow and House Crow are woefully limited and un- precise. There is no more satisfactory method of learning facts about individual birds than by marking them. Coloured rings, which can now be supplied by the Society for some of our smaller passerine ‘birds, are easy to put on and afford a certain means of recognizing individuals at a distance and of following their daily movements, chores and occasions. With the help of this pamphlet the catching difficulty can be easily overcome, and a pleasant and enjoyable way of adding to scientific knowledge lies open for everyone who takes an intelligent interest in birds. Copies can be had from the Society, or direct from the Secretary, British Trust for Ornithology, 91, Banbury Road, Oxford. It is hoped that full advantage will be taken by the numerous correspondents who write to us for advice about trapping methods from time to time. Sioa 2 774 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 The following books have been added to the Society’s ME since January 1951:— 1. Mammats oF Nort America. By Victor H. Cahalane (The Macmillan Company, 1947). 3 2. Birps or THE Wesr. By Ernest Sheidon Booth (Stanford University Press, 1949). 3- SIMPLE EXPERIMENTS IN BroLtocy. By Cyril Bibby (William Heinemann Ltd., 1944). | 4. SUPPLEMENT TO THE BOTANY OF BIHAR AND ORISSA. By Herbert Mooney (Published under the authority of the Government of Orissa, 1950). MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 1. RABIES IN THE PANTHER; TWO PROVED INSTANCES Owing to an unfortunate circumstance the Indian Medical Gazette for October, 1950, was not received by me until after the article on Rabies in the Tiger had gone to press. In reply to my enquiry with reference to the opening paragraph of Dr. Pandit’s article to the Medical Gazette, the Director of the Central Research Institute, Kasauli, Punjab (India) writes to me on the 25th January 1951: ‘Between the years 1908 and 1949 there has been a total of 9 deaths. due to hydrophobia in persons bitten by rabid panthers as recorded in the statistics of the Pasteur Institute of India, Kasauli, and of the Central Research Institute, Kasault. The most recent case of this description occurred in 1949.’ In view of the above it would seem most advisable for all persons. mauled by panthers in this country to be given anti-rabic treatment without delay. BANGALORE, R. W. BURTON, 27th January, 1951. Et.-Col. 1.4. (Retd.) 2. AN EXTRAORDINARY FIND IN A PANTHER’S STOMACH. (With a text figure) I am sending you per separate registered postal parcel, a piece of dry wood, broken at one end, and pointed at the other, which was found in the stomach of a large panther I shot on 3-10-1950 in the vicinity of Koira, Bonai, Orissa. Actual length tip to top 9°2” Maximum thickness 1.2” 7 circumference 3.4” There was no scar or any such mark on the outside of the belly portion of the beast to indicate that it had been speared from that side. The local villagers, however, told me that the barb seemed to be a broken piece from an implement used by them for digging out edible roots in the forest. Their theory was that the panther in attacking a person or his cattle in the forest had received a thrust with this implement in the mouth, causing it to break and swallow 7 776 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 the sharpened end. There was no scar noticeable in the mouth, but one of the upper small teeth was dislodged. I would very much like to have your views as to the possibility of any such occurrence as this after examining the wooden piece, and the period it could have remained in the stomach of the panther. P.O. BaraA-JAMDA, ATLL OCH i. ORISSA, we7th. October 1950: {It is indeed an enigma how such a large and jagged piece of hardwood—undoubtedly some roughly fashioned digging tool or spear- head—could have found its way to the panther’s inside without causing any noticeable damage to its mouth or throat. That it had not lodged within for any considerable time is evident from the sharpnesses of the point and at the fracture where the piece had snapped off. They had as yet lost nothing of their roughness through the action of the gastric juices. It must have caused much discomfort to the luckless animal, and it seems a wonder that the points had not perforated the .stomach during peristalsis.—Eps. |. : J} 3, ‘ON THE ‘THORN’ OR “CLAW? IN PANTHERS” @ADES (IVith 3 X-ray photos) With reference to the last line of your editorial comment on my note in Vol. 47 of the Journal (p. 718, August 1948) regarding the apparent absence of similar-malformation in tails of tigers, I now have pleasure in being able to send you the end of a tiger’s tail possessing the same feature. This tiger (male) was shot in June-in the Wynaad, north of the Nilgiris, by:an- Indian gentleman. It was of exceptional size, both in length and girth. A preliminary examination of the tail oA trans- illumination, with an ordinary 2-cell electric torch in a darkened room shows that, while there is no dislocation existing, the curved ‘claw’—nearly 14 ins. in jength—consists of four caudal vertebrae; and that, just beneath their junction with the next bone of the main part of the tail, is an opacity which might be mistaken for a totally dispiaced bone from the vertebrae. This I consider to be, however, a naturally developed lump of dense cartilage if not actually ossified cartilage or tendon (in medical parlance a ‘sesamoid bone’) developed either by the play of a tendon over a joint, or to serve the purpose of a fulcrum for using it the more easily (the human knee-cap being a constant structure as such). And, per- haps, it is because of this node in the tail of felines that they can twitch the tip independently of the remainder. In the case of the X-ray photographs of the two panthers’ tails, it seems likely that too much attention had been drawn to the disloca- | | r casual observer to note, the, slight. resemblance to the curvature of a claw im the MISCELLANEOUS -NOTES - Ta: terminal portions. In the case of the larger tail such displacement was, in my opinion, obviously of recent occurrence—precbably a sesamoid bone. (If it was a cartilaginous nodule, the X-ray would scarcely reveal it, if at all.) The smaller specimen—but also from a heavy, adult panther—does show what seems to be a completely displaced vertebra where a sesamoid bone might naturally develop; except that, in this one, it lies on top of two adjoining vertebrae—though, frankly, I do not yet know which ought to be the upper and which the lower surfaces of these tails! | However, I am sure that an X-ray illustration of the distinctively Claw-like curvature in the tip of the tail of this very large and old. tiger will afford an interesting study. My grateful acknow!edgements for so carefully procuring the speci- men for me, are due to the willing co-operation of Messrs. Neale & _ Bosun of Mavinhalla (Wynaad}. \VALMER, | LOVEDALE, NILGIRIS. K. BOSWELL Oth July, 1950. [Dr. F. C. Fraser of the British Museum (Natural History), to whom. Mr. Boswell’s letter and specimen were submitted for opinion, writes :— ‘‘The terminal portion of the tiger’s tail has been examined and X-ray photographs taken of it. The ‘claw’ proves to be connected with a dislocation of the vertebra fourth from the end of the tail. A bony blunt pointed process is present at the proximal end of the displaced vertebral body, which appears to be an integral part of the vertebra concerned and not a ‘sesamoid’ as suggested by your corres- pondent. It is marked off from the body of the vertebra by a shallow well-defined depression which can be seen in the X-ray photograph. The explanation of the existence of the process is for a pathologist to: give, but the presence of the limit between it and the body of the vertebra suggests that hypertrophy of the proximal epiphysis may have developed as a consequence of the dislocation, by the removal of the epiphysial face from juxtaposition with that of the vertebra im- mediately anterior to it. The vertebrae distal to the dislocated element are not symmetrical. On the side of the tail to which the dislocated bone is displaced, each of the four terminal vertebrae is slightly concave and it is the sum of these concavities which forms the curvature of the ‘claw’. On the other side the margins of the vertebrae are very nearly straight. With reference to the larger panther’s tail figured in your journal Vol. 47 (1948), p. 717, I disagree with your correspondent’s opinion that the displacement was obviously of recent occurrence and probably by manipulation during skinning. Inspection of the vertebral body immediately distal to the first dislocation shows that it is curved and in general modified to a degree sufficient to point to alteration during th: .animal’s life and it is fair to think that it is a result of the dis- location displayed... The vertebra distal to the second dislocation is. also curved in a similar manner.’’ : 778 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 The X-ray photographs were sent to Dr. Osman Hill, the Pro- sectorium, The Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, who has replied as follows :— | “With regard to the radiographs of the tiger’s tail, I am fully in agreement with your general diagnosis. The conical process on the proximal end of the 4th vertebral body from the tip is a mass of osssified callus that has arisen as a result of a previous dislocation. It is a very fine radiograph as regards details of the trabecular system. The process is certainly not a sesamoid as suggested in Boswell’s letter, as this term is restricted to ossifications in tendons or fibrous tissue away from the main skeleton, and remaining dis- continuous therewith. I do not think that the shallow depression delimiting the bony process is purely a surface phenomenon, as there is a distinct in- ternal plate of bone representing possibly a juxta-epiphysial plate, the cervical process being perhaps caused by overgrowth of a dis- placed epiphysis during early life, finding itself subject to abnormal: forces in its new environment. That the condition is of some chronicity is determined further by the remoulding that has been necessary to produce the marked curvature on the three vertebrae alistal to the injured one. This strikes me as an attempt at com- MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 779 pensatory straightening of the tail to make up for the bad alignment produced by the callous overgrowth, a feature commonly found in relation to malunited fractures. That the condition is of traumatic origin I am certain. It has no relation to the so-called ‘claw’ or ‘prickle’ at the end of the tail ‘of the lion and other felines (known since the days of Homer) which is a purely cutaneous phenomenon without relation to the bony skeleton, except for the support given to the horny process by the tip of the last caudal vertebra (vide Turner, /. Anat. 7, 271-273 and earlier authorities there cited)’’.—Ebs. | 4. AN ABNORMAL SPECIMEN OF MUS PLATYTHRIX GRAHAMI RYLEY (RODENTIA: MURIDAE) FROM KHANDALA, BOMBAY PROVINCE (With a text-figure) A specimen of the mouse collected at Khandala (W. Ghats) October, 1949, was sent by the Bombay Natural History Society to the Zoological Survey of India for determination. As the specimen is of considerable interest, the writer has thought it fit to report on it. It differs from the two other specimens of apparently the same form, collected later from the same locality, in the possession of a peculiar, more or less triangular area occupying nearly one third of the total head and body length, on the posterior part of the dorsal surface. The most remarkable feature of this area is that the spines, which are the chief covering material for the rest of the body, have been reduced to the point of almost total disappearance, and only a very few can be made out by careful examination. Their place has been An abnormal specimen of Mus platythriz grahami Ryley from Khandala. x 1/1 fapprox). | | he (Due to the backward bend of the spines and the hairs the actual limits of the spineless area are not well-defined in the drawing.) taken by the hairs which are much more numerous than on the rest of the body, and are almost the sole elements of body coat of this area. The tips of the hairs lend a general apricot-buff colour to this zone which, thus, becomes very prominently contrasted against the anterior part 730 JOURNAL, BOMBAY.NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 of the dorsal surface which has a general black hue due to the black tips of the spines. The few spines which are found in the area under — ccnsideration are also tipped with apricot-buff like the hairs. The spineless area gradually passes into more posterior parts where the spines again preponderate over the hairs. The body measurements in the fresh state are wanting. The tail is broken but healed up leaving a short stump behind. As compared with the skull of one of the specimens collected later (in the other it is. damaged), the skull of the abnormal specimen is slightly smaller and bas its molar crowns less worn out, thereby indicating its younger age. There appears to be every justification to consider the specimen as only an abnormal individual of the form; but, at present, no plausible ex- planation can be given as to the cause of disappearance of spines on a particular part of the body. ZOOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA, InpIAN MusSEuM, CALCUTTA, H. KHAJURIA 5th November, 1950. [The attention of the Zoological Survey of India was drawn to the fact that the original specimen was sent to the British Museum where it was identified as Mus phillipsi fernandom (of which they had only 2 skins and 2 skulls for comparison) but with rather unusual pelage. Dr. B. S. Chauhan replied that the Zoological Survey had followed Ellerman’s Key to the Rodents inhabiting India, Burma and Ceylon (J. Mammalogy, Vol. 28, Nos. 3 and 4, 1947, p. 386) which reads :— ‘Fernandom resembles platythrix in a general way, except for its apparently shortened muzzle, the diastema being normally less than one-quarter of occipito-nasal length.’ He goes on to say that the diastema in the specimen under con- sideration definitely exceeds the proportion stated above, and that after a careful consideration of all the characters of the specimens he finds. no reason to-revise the Zoological Survey’s identification. It may also be pointed out that fernandoni was originally described frem Ceylon and is believed to be restricted to the island.—Eps. ] 5- ALBINISM.IN RATTUS. CREMORIVENTER (MILLER) (With 4 text-figures and a map) Recent correspondence in these pages (48: 579 and 49: 298) has drawn attention; to the lack of exact knowledge about the natural occurrence of albinism in rats, and to the doubt which must always exist as to whether ‘itS occurrence in house rats can be regarded as natural or due to the release or escape of - domestic “white ® rats; “liens, therefore, of considerable interest to record the! occurrence? 10% partial Aina mn in a rat which is reasonably certain to be free from _ any admixture of domestic strains. In connexion with work on scrub typhus, a large number of small animals are’ regularly collected from within a_ radius of about fifteer MISCELLANEOUS" NOTES : 781i milés of the town of Kuala Lumpur, in the state of Selangor, Malaya. Among other habitats, a number of forest reserves are trapped, and. in these is to be found an arboreal rat Rattus (Maxomys) cremoriventer. This rat is strictly arboreal and therefore quite different in habits to. Rattus (Rattus) norvegicus to which the white domestic rats belong. The possibility of hybridisation with aa arboreal forest rat of a. different subgenus is therefore so remote as to be safely ignored. The rat is normally brown with a white or yellowish belly, as - shown in the drawing (text figure A). In the Selangor specimens the belly is typically white. Of the 87 rats of this species trapped — in four specimens the white has been’ much more ‘extensive, appearing as patches on the back such as is Shown in fig. C. 782 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 dn a fifth specimen the white was uniform over the whole of the hinder part of the body, leaving only the head and shoulders pigmented (fig. D). This specimen was juvenile. Serendah g 5 pear go ; 4 é S J ; J Cf ( ( og ( oS Wy i \ r R : Be \ 2 ‘\ \ | : ¢ ‘ {/ } =) ULU ae { Gee ‘ eu); |. “GOMBAK AE Re = See ) Noakes Sidr aE | f east er’ BUKIT LAGONG FR. {\ | aed N Fe \ sat ! BUKIT ~ ¢ , \ LANJAN ULU LANGAT ° \ y S: 2 io miles fe) 10 Km These aberrant specimens were not confined to one locality, but occurred ~wherever the rat was trapped in any numbers, as is shown in the table and map. Although the numbers are small, the proportion of aberrant rats observed from each locality agree very closely. TABLE Number of aberrant specimens Collecting area Total 7 (Forest Reserve) number Total Type collected ae B C D ‘Bukit Lagong ee 72 28 25 2 ih Ulu Gombak 2 2 Z 0 0 Ulu Langat 5 2 0 2 0 Bukit Lanjan I 0 _— ad — Total 87 32 27 4 hk ‘ScruB TypHUS RESEARCH UNIT, J. L. HARRISON INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH, LIM BOO-LIAT ‘Kuata Lumpur, MALAYA. 19th December, 1950. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 78a 6. PROTECTING FOOD CROPS FROM WILD ANIMALS It might interest some of your readers to learn that a Wolseley Electric Fencer can be used with success in keeping elephants and other animals out of crops. This simple unit is produced by the Wolseley Sheep Shearing Company in the U.K., and is a very compact little affair. Either an inert 6-volt battery, available from the same company, or an ordinary car battery can be used with the apparatus. I found a single line of electrified barbed wire, set about 3 {t. from the ground round the cultivated area was sufficient to keep elephants and sambar out. To keep chital and pig out I added 2 lines of unelectrified barbed wire under the electrified line at 2 ft. and « ft. The current is naturally, only switched on at nights. The shock, though not dangerous, is quite appreciable ; about equal to that felt on contact with an automobile plug wire. It is essential of course to make a periodical inspection of the wire to ensure that no jungle growth, twigs etc. are touching the line as such will tend to gradually short-circuit the battery. Elephants attempted to raid our ragi fields, protected by the “electric fencer’, on four occasions, and were repelled on contact with the wire each time; twice an elephant was ‘stung’ on its trunk first and then, swinging round, got it on its backside and pushed off ! On a moonlight night, before the unelectrified Jower lines had been added, a tiger and a wild boar had, while having a skirmish, got into the field; and the encounter was eagerly watched by the Sholagas (the local jungle tribe) on nearby watchman’s machans. They hoped that the tiger would kill the pig; and that they would then be able to drive the former off its victim by making a din, and have the pork to themselves ! However, our overseer there, and his men in the field camp, heard the row made by the combatants and sallied forth to the spot with torches and, much to the Sholagas’ chagrin, drove the animals out of the field ! HONNAMETTI ESTATE, ATTIKAN “PO. >: via Mysore, Ra Ce MORRIS 27th December, 1950. 7 PEP VERS BLE PHAN TE On December 17th 1950 while returning in my jeep at night along the Hassanur-Kollegal road after a final search for the missing’ ill- fated Air-India plane, I camé on a solitary tusker walking. up the road tail on, about 30 vards ahead. I immediately stopped, but kept the headlights on and the engine running. Perhaps the sound of the latter irritated the elephant ; for it suddenly whipped round and charged. I just had time to put the jeep into reverse, which lessened the impact somewhat. The collision however with such a hard object was not to the elephant’s liking and it swung away with a shrill trumpet. Out jumped our dog (Spaniel-Alsatian cross!) which is normally an arrant coward where al! wild animals are concerned, and for a few seconds I had glimpses of ‘Smoke’ (the dog) and the elephant whirl- ing round and round in front of the jeep—to the accompaniment of 734 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 frantic barks and trumpets—while I endeavoured to retrieve my rifle from the grasp of my driver who, petrified with fear, was quite un- intentionally hugging it to himself. By the time I had -tnduced. him to release the weapon and loaded it the elephant had: left the road; and ‘Smoke’ was back in the jeep very pleased with himself. | a am quite sure ‘Smoke’ was unaware of the fact that the elephant was. a wild one; nor, I feel certain did the elephant know there was an in- animate object behind the dazzling lights he was charging. I was dead. tired after days of long tramps through the jungle, and can only assign to this the fact that I was motoring through elephantine forests with an unloaded rifle; I cannot recollect ever having done this before. The impact forced the radiator in, and caused other damage, but I was able to get back to the estate without much trouble. HONNAMETTI ESTATE, ATTIKAN P.O. vid Mysore. R. C. MORRIS. 27th December, 1950. 8.0 THE USE’ OF PATENT “BULLETS IN SHO GUNS The following will be of interest to users of patent bullets in shot guns with reference to the Miscellaneous Note in Vol, 31, No. 4, pp- 1040/41. Writing about the Asiatic Two-Horned Rhinoceros Mr. G. C.. Shortridge related at p. 774 of Vol, 23, No. 4:— ‘It is astonishing how quietly even a Rhino can move when it chooses, as at last without any warning it suddenly crashed out of 2 bush almost on top of us. As the moon had almost set it was. impossible to see the sights of my rifle so I was depending on a shot gun loaded with lethal bullet and dropped him at 7 paces with a lucky shot in the head, which smashed through the zygomatic arch and into: the skull, the bullet being afterwards found inside the brain in about a dozen pieces, several of the circular steel discs used in the con-. struction of the bullet having entirely detached themselves from the lead covering’. BANGALORE, R. W. BURTON, 6th December, 1950. Lt.-Col, 1.4. (Retd.) og (MORE CBIRD NOTES HROM NEPAL VAri iM Birds seen in the Nepal Valley during December and January not included in my previous list: Sitta frontalis: Velvet-fronted Nuthatch. Now quite common on the lower slopes of Nagar Jong. -Garrulax leucolophus : Himalayan W hite-crested eee ruplene This bird is now very common in large flocks in the jungles up to about — 6,500 ft. particularly at Godavari. I never saw them once during’ — a or MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 0°05. ars 1948-49. As they are so noisy, with very distinctive yelping calls as well as harsh chattering, it seems hardly possible to have missed them and I feel they must have only recently spread into the valley. Adelura coeruleocephala : Blue-headed Robin. Seen several times on open hill-slopes about 6,000 ft. 3 ‘ Oreocincla dauma: Mountain Thrush. I have often noticed a heavily spotted thrush, always solitary, always on the ground, which runs verv swiftly when disturbed and does not fly if it can avoid it. I was never able to identify it for certain. We obtained a specimen on January 13 which proved to be of this species. My husband thinks he has seen it in our garden as late as May. | | Bhringa remifer : Indian Lesser Raquet-tailed Drongo. A_ pair in the jungle at the foot of Nagar Jong. I have heard them there before, but they are scarce in the valley. | Pyrrhula nipalensis: The Brown Bullfinch. P. ATLHEREEY, From the ‘Field’ dated Sth July, 1950; p- 71. THE INYERNATIONAL UNION FOR THE fF ROTECTION OF NATURE By LT.-Cot. R. W. Burron, 1.4. (Retd.) The I.U.P.N. was established at Fontainebleau on the 5th Octo- ‘ber 1948. Thirty-three countries in all were represented at the Con- aerence. A ciear definition of the meaning of ‘Nature Protection’ was given: ‘The term ‘Protection of Nature’’ may be defined as the pre- servation of the entire world biotic community, or man’s natural environment, which includes the earth’s renewable natural resources of which it is composed, and on which rests the foundation of human civilization.’ It was also declared that : ever more effective means for: exploiting these resources (ere reuuired) and moreover soils, water, wild life and wilderness areas are of vital importance for economic, social, educational and ‘cultural reasons.’ Also that: ‘Protection of Nature is a matter of vital concern to all nations, and the furthering oF it is the primary concern of no single effective ternational agency.’ . The objects of the Union were declared to be:— 1. The Union shall encourage and facilitate co-operation bet- ween governments and national and international organizations con- cerned with, and persons interested in, the epratection of Nature’. 2. The Union shall promote and recommend national and inter- national action in respect to:— (a) The preservation in all parts of the world of wild life and the natural environment, soils, water, forests, including the pro- tection and preservation of areas, objects and fauna and flora having scientific, historic, or aesthetic significance by appropriate legislation such as the establishment of national parks, nature reserves and ‘monuments and wild life refuges, with special regard to the preserva- rion of species threatened with extinction ; (b) The spread of public knowledge about ‘Protection of Nature’ (c) The promotion of an extensive programme of education in the field of the ‘Protection of Nature’ ; (d) The preparation of international draft agreements and a world-wide convention for the ‘Protection of Nature’ (ec) Scientific research relating to the ‘Protection of Nature . 3. The Union shall collect, analyze, interpret and disseminate information about the ‘Protection of Nature’. It shall distribute to -governments and national and international organizations, documents, 310 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 legislative texts, scientific studies and other information concerning the ‘Protection of Nature’. Under' the initiative and auspices. of | UNESCO an. international and iechnical ‘conference on the Protection ‘of Nature was assembled at Lake Success on August 22-27, 1949 and passed a series of 21 re- solutions of world-wide importance: All the above is set out for the information of those who may not be completely aware of the origin and purposes of this new-born Union whose activities are of vital moment to all peoples of the world; and to have clearly in mind the purposes of the Union for a considera- tion of their bearing on conditions prevailing in India. The First Resolution Within the seven paragraphs of the first resolution is clearly and concisely outlined why and how it is necessary to increase knowledge of human ecology, by whom this should be done, the methods neces- sary and; finally: ‘7. The results of these studies should be published and made available to specialists. Also popular versions of the scientific results should be made available in several languages to the general public.’ The. underlined words contain. the .real kernel of the matter. Grandiose scientific resolutions can-be of no final practical value un- less the facts and results of scientific investigations and researches are visually placed before the literates of the people (which includes the various grades of all the administrative departments concerned} through suitable popular literature and demonstrated on the land and in the forests to those sections of the people who are vitally affevied in their living conditions by the scientific conclusions in various fields of research. Practical methods for giving effect. to this will be for consideration by the Central and Provincial governments; perhaps the solution niay lie with the radio, which has been likened to the spreading branches and tendrils of a banyan tree penetrating to all parts of the country, supplemented by cinema and propaganda vans visiting all village weekly markets and also contacting rural population through- out the land. Lately, prominent people have said: ‘Ultimately it is on the application of science that all progress depends.’ and, ‘There is lack of adequate provision to put the results of re- search into actual practice.’ Soil and erosion; water and increase of productive acres; over- grazing, improvement of fodder supplies and of cattle breeds; alforestation outside forest areas to remedy past neglect and present misuse; urban and rural planting of trees including provision and maintenance of tree nurseries, proper planting methods and methodical post-planting maintenance are some of the most important directions in which effort is urgently called for. — Then there is the need for village communities to provide for them- selves by. establishment of village. Shan ees, and other Bees of ——<. INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR THE PROTECTION .OF. NATURE 81¥ selected varieties, much needed fuel and wood for numerous agricultural requirements—sheds, carts, ploughs, hedges, etc. Practical fish conservation is necessary. It is not only through pond and tank culture, but through protection of the aatural supply which is in all the waters of this country in great abundance, if guarded against wasteful and illegal destructive methods, that the people can obtain the much needed proteins in their diet. Also, for many years and right up to the present time, weirs and dams across rivers in many parts. of India have, almost without exception, been unprovided with efficient ladders for needs of migratory species of fish. Consequently some ef the great rivers and their tributaries have been largely denuded. ef certain species of great economical value. There is great necessity for protection and conservation of wild iife, fauna and flora according to the methodical order called ‘Balance in Nature’. In this the aid of scientists is called for. Uninstructed clamour on the part of the cultivating classes entailing the destruction of edible species of animals and birds, as also the almost unrestricted trapping and snaring of ground game, antelope and gazelle is doing enormous damage all over the country to the inherited wild life re- sources of the Republic of India. : All these and various other matters are within the purview of this first admirable Resolution. | ‘Where there is no vision the people perish.’—‘The first necessity, if a man is to study life, is to cease to destroy it.’—‘Constitutional and legal provisions are meaningless unless they are enforced. ’— ‘Can there be anything more humiliating to a government than that it should make laws which are violated at the discretion of the people—and the violators not punished.’ All these utterances have direct bearing if the iabours of scientists. are to have desired results. Edt ation—The next four resolutions deal with the fundamental importance of the widest possible distribution of educational material—- films, books, leaflets, attractively designed and illustrated booklets as produced in such profusion in some western countries; the necessity that the organizations concerned with the protection of nature and conservation and utilization of resources should collaborate to the greatest possible extent; the great importance of encouraging youth movements in favour of nature protection and conservation such as already exist in a number of countries. India has none of these. It is the aim of I.U.P.N. to take steps to bring into being in all countries. youth clubs devoted to the study and conservation of Nature; the promoting of international Fellowships for study and_ training in countries with a highly developed conservation science and technology is envisaged. Primary and secondary schools.— The sixth resolution resolves: ‘That the International Union for the Protection of Nature re- commend to UNESCO that it informs governments of the vital need for the introduction of the teaching of the principles of nature protection and conservation in the curricula of primary and secondary ‘schools, and of universities and technical colleges, either as special courses or as part of existing ones related to the subject matter.’ - 312 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 That is of the utmost importance, as has been urged by the present writer for ‘the youth of to-day must become the conservationists of to-morrow’. In America the adoption of a ‘Conservation Pledge’ has had great resuits. Such a pledge might well be adopted by all youth organizations and for nature study classes. CONSERVATION PLEDGE ‘I give my pledge as a citizen of the Republic of India to save and faithfully to defend from waste the natural resources of my country, its soil and minerals, its forests, waters and wild life.’ Large-scale projects. —The next resolution envisages the promotion, in connection with large-scale projects, of co-operation with one or more of the organizations executing such projects, detailed ecologica! surveys which would furnish at the same time the most vital data in regard to those developments on the overall living environment in the areas affected, and valuable information to guide the development of similar projects. This is of course, as are all the others also, a very important matter. Agriculture, malaria, fish supplies, afforestation and other aspects of human ecology are all concerned. Co-operation, exchange of ideas and experiences are most valuable in connection with all large-scale undertakings such as are in view in India at the present time. Insecticides.—Resolutions 8, 9 and ro deal with the use and m‘suse of insecticides; the effective regulation of their use, as also of fungi- cides, herbicides, rodenticides for the protection of human interests, the object being to protect the equilibrium of nature by ‘preventing the destruction of animal and plant communities. It is declared that proposals should be worked out, and transmitted to a co-ordinating body such as a4 ‘permanent Joint Commission on Insecticides’ to be formed by FAO, WHO and UNESCO. Resolution No. 11 deals with treatment of cattle in Africa against trypanosomiasis and does not concern India. So also, No. 14, 19, and 20, do not apply to this country. Exotic Spectes.—Resolution No. 12 recommends to governments submission of their plans for importation of exotic species of animals and plants for approval of one of the scientific services dealing with nature protection and conservation, and has special reference to creation of parks for exotic animals, industrial breeding projects (fur animals, etc.), and fish farming. This has interest for India, and will attract attention of govern- ment departments concerned. Scientific Committees—The I1.U.P.N. resolves in No. 13 that ‘certain countries or groups of countries promote the establisiment of scientific committees composed of a small number of naturalists or ecologists to supply the Union with information in the field of ecology, and the true situation in regard to the protection of nature. This is of moment io all countries as providing the essential contacts for ful- filment of the objects of the Union. INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR THE PROTECTION OF NATURE _ 813 In India, at the present time, while all aspects of the protection of Nature are of great importance, perhaps it is erosion, afforesta- tion and cattle fodder, conservation of fish in waters of all rivers and streams, and wild life conservation which can claim priority. Vanishing Assets Considering that the world is faced with an increasing list of threatened and vanishing species of fauna and flora, jthe Conference resolves (No. 15) that the I.U.P.N. should establish a ‘survival service’ for the assembling, evaluation and dissemination of information on, and the study of, all such cases in order to assist governments and appropriate agencies in securing their survival. The next Resolution gives a partial list of threatened birds and animals, which include the Indian pink-headed duck and the Indian rhinoceros, the Asiatic lion, and the Burmese brow-antlered deer of which one race is found in Manipur; and further provides measures for maintenance of an open list of such rare and threatened species and promotion of such ecological research, and such measures as would be necessary and effective for their preservation. Resolution 18 deals specifically with the Great Indian One-horned Rhinoceros and urges the Government of India to recommend to the Provincial Government of Assam to take such steps in collaboration with the I.U.P.N. as will protect and preserve the species, especially in the Kaziranga Sanctuary which should be set aside as an inviolable Rhinoceros Sanctuary. Kesolution 17 recommends immediate and vigorous action by Govern- ments in respect to rare and threatened plant species and maintenance ‘Of an open list in respect to them. Food. Resolution No. 21, referring to the Beirut (1948) Session of UNESCO, states that conservation of food resources is one ot the primary responsibilities of FAO, and points out that the I.U.P.N. brings together specialists of various countries who are concerned with the fundamental scientific problems of conservation. It further makes clear that the function of UNESCO in a world-wide programme olf food resources should be determined between UNESCO and FAO, and that the educational and basic scientific aspects of such a programm? should ‘be given special consideration by UNESCO. It also suggests that it would be to their interest to consult I.U.P.N., and that the latter should receive from FAO and UNESCO all aecessary documentation and information pertaining to their work in the field of conservation. SUMMARY Scientists in all the many fields of modern research having perused ‘and studied the above, will perhaps be more than ever brought to realize the importance of their labours in the cause of humanity, and the better use that can be made through their conclusions of the ‘preservation of the earth’s renewable natural resources of which it is composed and on which rests the foundation of human civilization’. CONCLUSION In respect to all the many matters dealt with, satisfactory results cannot be achieved by government efforts alone. The people also 814 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 have their responsibilities, and unless these are whole-heartedly and willingly discharged any amount of effort on the part of the abies ment cannot have adequate results. Therefore it is that the future well-being of the peoples of ae Republic of India rests with the scientists, the government, and the people themselves—the people in every class of life and in every occupation and pursuit, and in all this they have the wise counsels and invaiuable support of the International Union for the Protection of Nature. [As announced in the Appendix to the Honorary Secretary’s Report for 1949 (Journal 49 (3): 586), the Society has joined the International Union for the Protection of Nature in order the better to further its efforts in the cause of India. The above article was originally written by Col. Burton for Science & Culture and is here reproduced with acknowledgements to its editor and publishers. Since the publication of the article it has been announced in the press (Delhi, 1st November 1950) that the Indian Agricultural Research Council, under its new constitution, has established 3 new bodies, one of which is named ‘Extension Board’. The Extension Board is charged with carrying the results of research to the farmer. The Board includes the Directors of Agriculture and heads of Fishery Services, Animal Husbandry and Forest Departments from the various State Governments. It is gratifying to note that the Extension Board, as above consti- tuted, fully satisfies Col. Burton’s remarks under The _ First Resolution (p. 806)—Eps. | BOMBAY WILD ANIMALS AND WILD BIRDS PROTECTION. AGT 1051 | r By THE EDITORS All of us who have shot in India must have had occasion to regret the impunity with which poaching is carried on in various places and the impotency of the few game laws which hitherto existed. A few years ago, the Bombay Natural History Society attempted: to prevent partridge being advertised for sale on the Bombay market and on hotel menus during the close season, but she police expressed. their inability to prosecute with any hope of conviction under the existing laws. Representation was then made to the Director of Parks and Gardens who offered to move the Government of Bombay for changes in the laws if some definite proposals were made to him. A draft bill prepared by Mr. Humayun Abdulali on behalf of the Society was pre- sented at a meeting of the Parks and Gardens Advisory Committee who: referred it to a sub-committee for further examination. Mr. J. A. Singh, till recently the Conservator of Forests, Bombay, was also on this Com-- mittee and with his assistance we went over the draft many times revising and recasting it in the light of suggestions collected from many co- operators and well-wishers. Prominent among these were Lt.-Col. R. W. Burton, Lt.-Col. E. G. Phythian-Adams, Mr. R. C.. Morris, Mrs. Jamal Ara, Mr. P. D. Stracey, Mr. M. J. Hackney, the late Mr. H. B. Hayes, Mr. W. F. H. Ansell and Col. C. L. Boyle, the Hon: Secretary of the Fauna Preservation Society. Col. Boyle kindly c:rculated the draft among a number of other people with practical experience of Indian conditions, and some very valuable suggestions. were elicited. We were also sent copies of allied legislation in force in various parts of Africa which helped greatly in drafting the Act. The following were consulted and drawn upon:— INDIA 1. The Rules and Bye-laws of the Toorsa-Sankos Fishing and Shooting Association (Dooars, Bengal). 2. Bengal Act V of 1932—The Elephants Preservation (Bengal Amendment) Act 1932. | 3. Bengal Act II of 1938—The Bengal Rhinoceros Preserva- tion (Amendment) Act, 1937. 4. Bengal Act VIII of 1932-—The Bengal Rhinoceros Preserva- tion. Act, 1932. 5. The Memorandum of the Constitution of the Game Federa- tion of Bengal. 6. Correction Slip No. 36 to the Bengal Presidency Manual, Part 1. | 7. Correction Slip No. 87 to the Bengal Presidency Forest Manual, Part I. 8. Government of Bihar Revenue Department, Notification of goth March 1948. °816 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 9g. Bihar and Orissa Government Reserved Forests Shooting Rules 1932. 10. The Central Provinces and Berar Game Rules, 1942 and the Shooting Rules. 11. Government of India Act No. VIII of tor2-——Act to make better provision for the protection and preservation of certain wiid birds and animals. | 12.. The Indian ,Forest:Act.of 1927. 13. The Bihar Wild Birds and Animals Protection Act. 14. Madras Game Laws and Shooting and Fishing Rules also Licence. 15. The Punjab Wild Birds and Animals Protection Act. 16. Sind Wild Birds and Wild Animals Protection Act, 1940. 17. Shooting Rules in force in the United Provinces. 18. Wild Birds and Animals Protection Act {VIII of 1912)— ‘Close time for wild birds and animals in the U.P. CEYLON 19. The Legislative Enactments of Ceylon—Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (1938 Revision). 20. Parliament of Ceylon 3rd Session 1949—Fauna and Flora Protection (Amendment) Act, No. 38 of 1949. ‘GREAT BRITAIN 21. Game Laws at a Glance (published by the British Field Sports Society). AFRICA 22. Colony and Protectorate of Kenya—An Ordinance to consoli- ‘date and amend the law relating to the Protection of Game Animals -and Game Birds. 23. Colony and Protectorate of Kenya the Game Ordinance 1937. 24. Colony and Protectorate of Kenya—An Ordinance to consoli- date and amend the law relating to the Protection of Game Animals and Game Birds. 25. Northern Rhodesia—Notes on the Game Oran with Schedules and Fees (July 1949). 26. Northern Rhodesia—Game: Chapter 106 of the laws (1949. Edition). Though a considerable amount of time and energy was expended in this effort, the whole process was interesting and has revealed many significant and often curious facts. One of them appears to be a flaw in the Constitution Act which prevents the provinces from legi- slating in connection with any living creatures other than men, animals (which means only mammals) birds and fish! In view of this difficulty it has heen found necessary to delete reference to the protec- tion to crocodiles, lizards, frogs and all invertebrates. None of them appear to need any immediate protection in our State, but a provision in the Act might have been useful in future if occasion arose., The final draft was submitted to the Government of Bombay and we under- stand that. it. has been approved by both.the- Houses of Legislature. The crux of the whole Act is the appointment of a Special. Wild Life Preservation Officer for which the Society has long agitated, and An Ordinance to amend BOMBAY WILD ANIMALS AND WILD BIRDS PROTECTION ACT. 195L 31% that section which makes it incumbent upon the accused, if found ia possession of a game animal and suspected of committing a breach of the game laws, to prove that his trophy was legally acquired. Another important feature is the appointment of honorary game- wardens who, if properly selected and armed with police powers should, we feel, act as effective deterrents to poaching. It is self evident that the co-operation of the shooting fraternity is the first essential towards the success of this new Department. We hope that members of the Society will give government all possible support, and also attempt to get similar legislation passed in all the other States of the- Union. The Government of Bombay as a preamble to the bill give a state- ment of objects and reasons as follows: ‘ STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS ‘*Wild-life is a valuable natural resource and its conservation,. therefore, is considered as a national wealth. In its fauna, nature has. endowed India with a magnificent asset. The forests in the State of Bombay are well_known for wild birds and animals of various species. ft is the duty of the State to protect the useful and beautiful wild things. of the woodlands. The forest wild-life has many values. It provides in the way of hunting. It yields hides, pelts, skins, tusk and teeth, etc., that bring cash to the State.. Wild creatures provide a service that we often fail to appreciate because it is not obvious—they contribute to the natural balance that helps to keep forests in condition. Without regulation, this valuable resource is in danger of extinction and it is,. therefore, essential that suitable steps should be taken for its conserva- tion. The present Bill aims at conserving wild-life in the State of Bombay and also at keeping in check wild birds and animals which: are a danger to human life and agricultural crops. The Government of India recognised, as long ago as 1912, the prime necessity of conserving wild-life and they passed the Wild Birds and Animals Protection Act, 1912. The present Bill contemplates repeal of the Government of India Act in its application to the State of Bombay, as the provisions of that Act are not sufficiently wide to cover the requirements. The provisions of the present Bill cover the various questions pertaining to the preservation of wild-life and provision has been made in the Bill for the establishment of Game Sanctuaries for the purpose. | The presence of sportsmen of the right kind has been found to be the best guarantee for preservation of wild-life. The Bill, therefore, provides for the grant of shooting licences with certain reservations in the best interests of wild-life. Recently, so many States have merged in the State of Bombay. This has increased the State forest area considerably. In view of this, it is proposed to appoint an independent officer with necessary ‘staff for seeing that the provisions of the Bill are properly implemented. Forest Officers are fully engaged with their normal work and cannot find time for effectively undertaking this duty. . With a view to obtaining expert advice of persons and associations connected with wild-life preservation, provision has been made ir ‘Short _ title, “818 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 the Bill for appointment of an Advisory Board consisting of officials and non-officials. This will help Government in gauging the general trend of opinion as regards selection of areas for game sanctuaries and formulation of policy regarding grant of licences and other matters ‘connected with the preservation of wild-life.’’ TEXT OF A BILL TO MAKE ADEQUATE PROVISION FOR THE PROTECTION OF WILD ANIMALS AND BIRDS IN THE STATE OF BOMBAY WHEREAS it is expedient to make better and adequate provision for ‘he preservation and protection of wild animals and wild birds in the State of Bombay and for certain other matters hereinafter appearing ; it 1s hereby enacted as follows :— CHAPTER [| PURSE IA Molen ATR Ay 1. (z) This Act may be called the Bombay Wild Animals and Wild extent and Birds Protection Act, 1950. commence - ment. i Definitions. (2) It extends to the whole of the State of Bombay. (3) It shall come into force on such date as the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint. Z. In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,— (a) ‘Animal or Bird’ includes the young ones of the animal or bird, as the case may be; (b) ‘Big Game’ means any animal specified in Schedule III or IV; (c) ‘Game’ means any animal or bird specified in Schedule I], dt. sor IV. (d) ‘Game Officer’ means any officer, warden or servant appointed or authorized for any of the purposes of this Act; (e) ‘Hunt’ means to hunt, kill or capture any animal or bird by -any method and includes every attempt to kill or capture it or to take .or destroy any part of its body or eggs or nest or to disturb its eggs ‘or nest. (f) ‘Licence’ means a licence granted under this Act; (gz) ‘Meat’ includes fat, blood, flesh and bones; (h) ‘Permit’ means a permit granted under this Act; (¢) ‘Prescribed’ means prescribed by rules; (j) ‘Rules’ means rules made under section 438; (k) ‘Schedule’ means a Schedule appended to this Act; l) ‘Small Game’ means any animal or bird specified in ‘Schedule II; (m) ‘Trophy’ means the durable part of an animal or a bird which has been preserved by any means, whether natural or artificial, -and includes the head or horn, tooth, tusk, bone, claw, hoof, skin, hair, feather, eggs or nest of any bird, but does not include any article manufactured from any such part of the animal or bird as aforesaid; (n) ‘Vermin’ means any animal or bird specified in Schedule I and includes. any animal or bird declared to be a vermin under section 18. 3 | a BOMBAY ‘WILD ANIMALS AND WILD BIRDS PROTECTION ACT 1951 819 _: 3. Nothing in this Act shall apply to domesticated or other animals Domesticated or birds which are lawfully captured and kept in captivity. and other animals and birds in CHAPTER II captivity exempted. AUTHORITIES TO BE APPOINTED OR CONSTITUTED UNDER THE ACT 4. (1) The State Government may for the purposes of this Act Appointment -appoint of Wild Life ; ‘ . : Preserva- (a) the Wild Life Preservation Officer for the State of Bombay; tion Officer, _(b) the Game Wardens, either honorary or stipendiary ; Game War- (c) such other officers and servants as may be necesssary. dens and (2) The honorary Game Warden shall ordinarily hold office for 4 Oe) ae period of three years: Provided that the State Government may terminate his tenure of office at any time without assigning any reason. (3) The Game Wardens and other officers and servants appointed under this section shall be subordinate to the Wild Life Preservation ‘Officer. 9. The Wild Life Preservation Officer may, with the approval Delegation of the State Government, by order in writing delegate any of his of powers | ; as ; by Wild Life powers and duties under any of the provisions of this Act to any Pracetunuan officer subordinate to him, subject to such conditions, ii any, Officer. as may be specified in the order. 6. (z) As.soon as possible after the coming into force of this evi Act, the State Government shall constitute an advisory board herein- yy: ee: : ‘ . . . ; nas Wild Life after called ‘the State Wild Life Advisory Board’ consisting of the advisory following ex-officio and other members nominated by the State Board. “Government, namely : — (a) The Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay as the ‘Chairman ; (b) One representative of the Bombay Legislative Assembly ; (c) One representative of the Bombay Legislative Council ; (d) ‘Two non-officials who in the opinion of the State Government are interested in the protection of wild animals and birds; (e) One representative of the Bombay Natural History Society ; (f) Four other officials of Government. (2) The Wild Life Preservation Officer shall be the Secretary of the ‘Board. (3) The members shall ordinarily hold office on such terms as to ‘tenure and vacation of office as the State Government may determine :— Provided that the tenure of office of any member may be termi- ‘nated by the State Government at any time without assigning any ‘reasons. (4) The members shall be entitled to receive such allowances in respect of expenses properly incurred in the performance of their duties as the State Government may determine :— Provided that the receipt of such allowances by the representative -of the Bombay Legislative Assembly or the Bombay Legislative Council ‘shall not be deemed to make such representative as the holder of an office of profit under the State Government. 820 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 Duties of ~ 7. It shall be the duty of the State Wild Life Advisory. Board to State Wild advise the State Government— | Le Sey (r) in the selection of areas to be declared as Game Sanctuaries ; (2) in formulating the policy in granting licences and permits under this Act and administration of Game Sanctuaries ; (3) in the matter of framing rules under section 48 and (4) on any other matter connected with the preservation and protec- tion of animals and birds which may be referred to it by the State Government. \ Procedure of 8. (zr) The State Wild Life Advisory Board shall meet at least ee taeda once a year at Bombay or such other place as the State Government 1re TIsOry hea may direct. (2) The procedure (including the quorum) of the Board shall be such as the Board may, by bye-laws made in this behalf, determine. Cuapter III HUNTING OF ANIMALS AND BIRDS A. Licences Hunting of 9. No person shall hunt any wild animal or wild bird except wild animals ee ae under a licence granted under the provisions of this Act and in Sahout accordance with the conditions specified in such licence : licence pro- Provided that no such licence shall be necessary to hunt any vermin. hibited. Registration 19. Any person who holds a licence granted under the Indian Arms ofcertain Act, 1878, for the possession of arms for sport or protection or who is Seer exempt from the provisions of that Act and possesses any arms, shall Pe one register his name and address with the Wild Life Preservation Officer or any other Officer authorized by the State Government in this behalf. Such registration shall be made on application made in the prescribed form and on payment of such fee as may be prescribed. Procedure 411. (7) Any person desiring to obtain a game licence shall apply for licence. to the Wild Life Preservation Officer or any other Officer authorized by the State Government in this behalf in the prescribed form. Such application shall be accompanied by such fee for the licence as may be prescribed. | (2) The application may be made for any or all of the following kinds of game licences, namely: (a) Small Game Licence, “(b\ebie. Game ikicence: (c) Special Big Game Licence, (d) Pet Animals (Possession) Licence, (e) Pet and other Animals (Trapping) Licence. (3) On receipt of an application and after making such inquiry as he may deem necessary the Wild Life Preservation Officer or the authorized Officer may, subject to any general or special orders of the State Government, grant or refuse to grant the game licence without ¢ A BOMBAY WILD ANIMALS AND WILD BIRDS PROTECTION ACT 1951 821 assigning any reasons. When a game licence is refused the fee paid therefor shall be refunded to the applicant. (4) Every game licence granted under this section shall ordinarily | be valid for such period as may be prescribed. (5) Any person aggrieved by the refusal of a licence may within fifteen days appeal to the State Government, whose decision shall be final. IZ. (1) The holder of every game licence, of the kind specified in Record of clause (b), (c) or (e) of sub-section (2) of section rr, shall keep a record game hunted containing such particulars as may be prescribed of all game killed Of eens captured by him during the currency of his licence. (2) When any game is killed or captured by the holder of such licence, he shall not later than fifteen days of the killing or capture of the game or before leaving the State of Bombay, whichever is earlier, intimate in writing to the Wild Life Preservation Officer or to any other Officer authorised by the State Government in this behalt, the prescribed particulars of the animal or bird killed or captured by him. (3) Not later than fifteen days after the expiry of his licence, the holder shall surrender his licence to the Wild Life Preservation Officer or the authorized Officer and shall sign a declaration in the prescribed form certifying the accuracy of the record of the game killed or captured by him. 13. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, it shall be Issue of lawful for the Wild Life Preservation Officer, upon such conditions licences for as he may deem fit to impose, to grant a licence to any person with ae or without payment of fee, which shall entitle the holder to hunt ; animals and birds specified thereon for any of the following purposes, namely :— : (a) Scientific research ; {b) Collection of specimens for zoological gardens, museums and similar institutions; and (c) Killing of such animals and birds as are a source of serious menace to human life or property. 14. (z) The Wild Life Preservation Officer or any other Officer Suspension authorized by the State Government in this behalf may, subject to any or cancella- general or special orders of the State Government, without giving any aeeee previous notice and without assigning any reasons, suspend or cancel : any licence granted under this Chapter. ; (2) Any person aggrieved by the suspension or cancellation of a licence under sub-section (1) may within fifteen days appeal to the State Government, whose decision shall be final. B. General 15. (2) Except when authorized under a specified condition to that Hunting of effect in a licence, no person shall hunt the young of any game or any young and female game accompanied by its young or any deer with horns in Sen ES ‘velvet. : - hibited. (2) Nothing contained in sub-section (1) shall apply to the hunting of vermin. HOU: 15 822 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49 lose time. 16. The State Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, declare the whole year or any part thereof to be a close time throughout the whole or any part of the State of Bombay for any kind of wild animal or bird or for female or immature wild animal or bird of such kind. Unlawful 17. (1) No person shall hunt any game from or by means of a methods of heading: wheeled or a mechanically propelled vehicle on water or land or by air-craft. (2) No person shall use a motor car, motor launch or air-craft, for the purpose of killing, driving or stampeding game. (3) No person shall hunt any game with nets, snares, pit-falls, poison or poison-weapons, except in defence of ica life or property, and except in so far as it relates to capture of animals and birds under a licence of the kind specified in clause (e) of sub-section (2) of section I1. (4) No person shall for the purpose of hunting set fire to any vegetation. (5) No person shall use any artificial light for the purpose of hunting, except in the case of carnivora, over a natural kill. | (6) No person shall hunt any game during the hours of night, i.e., one hour after sun-set and one hour before sun-rise, except in the case of carnivora, by sitting over a natural kill. (7) No person shall hunt any game on a salt-lick or water hole or other drinking places or on paths and approaches to the same except sand-grouse and water birds. } (8) No person shall hunt any game on any land of private owner- ship, without the consent of the owner or his agent or the lawful occupier of such land. (9) No person shall, ner ate nee that he holds a game licence for the purpose, hunt any game animal during the close time. Declaration 18. The State Government may by notification in the official ofcertain Gazette declare any wild animal or wild bird other than those specified apna and in Schedule I, to be a vermin in any specified area, and it shall not irds as Sal be necessary to hold a licence to hunt any such animal or bird in such area. CHAPTER IV GAME SANCTUARIES P t ek: . : : . Be leto = 19. The State Government may by notification in the _ official areatobe Gazette declare any area to be a Game Sanctuary, in the manner Game Sanc-hereafter appearing. tuary. Notification 20. Whenever it has been decided t to declare any area to be Game regarding yaacee the ‘State Government | ae issue a notification in the Sanctuary. (z) stating that it has been decidéd to acclané eichi area to be a . Game Sanctuary ; (2) specifying ‘as nearly as’ “possible the situation and limits ot such area, and BOMBAY WILD ANIMALS AND<.WILD BIRDS PROTECTION ACT 1951 623 (3) directing the Collector to inquire into and determine the existence, nature and extent of any rights alleged to exist in favour of any person in or over the land comprised within the limits of such area and deal with the same as provided in this Act. Explanation.—For the purpose of this section, it shall be sufficient to describe the area by roads, rivers, ridges or other well-known or readily intelligible botindaries. Bar of ac- 3 * ; i f crual of an 21. After the issue of a notification under section 20, no right shall rights fatand ‘ be 2 4 ° . ° ° ° . be acquired in or over the land comprised in such notification, except comprised in by succession. Game Sanc- tuary. 22. When a notification has been issued under section 20, the Proclamation Collector shall publish in the regional language in every town andby Collector. village in the neighbourhood of the area comprised therein, a procla- mation— re (a) specifying, as nearly as possible, the situation and the limits of the proposed Game Sanctuary ; (b) fixing a period of not less than two months from the date of such proclamation, and. requiring any person claiming any right mentioned in section 20 or section 21 within such period either to present to the Collector a written notice specifying or to appear before him and state, the nature of such right and the amount and particulars of the compensation (if any) claimed in respect thereof. 23. The Collector shall take down in writing all statements made Inquiry by under section 22 and shall at ‘some convenient place inquire into all Collector. claims duly preferred under that section and the existence of any rights mentioned in section 20 or 21 and not claimed under section 22 so far as the same may be ascertainable from the records of Government and the evidence of any persons. likely to be acquainted with the same. 24. Rights in respect of which no claim has been preferred under Eee section 22 and of the existence of which no knowledge has been” “8 *” acquired by inquiry under section 23, shall be extinguished. 25. In the case of a claim to a right in or over any land, other Power a i than a right of public way or right of common pasture, the Collector um 7 shall either— | right is (a2) exclude such land from the limits of the proposed Game claimed. Sanctuary, or (b) come to an agreement with the owner thereof for the surrender of his rights, or _ Act I of 1894. (c) proceed to acquire such land in the manner provided by the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. : | ~acquiri ee Acquisition 26. For the purpose of acquiring such land, Ee cecdinew J of 1894. : 7 (z) the Collector shall be: deemed to be a Collector proceeding under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894; one 824 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 49° (2) the claimant shall be deemed to be a person interested and appearing before him in pursuance of a notice given under section 9 of/-that “Act; (3) the provisions of the preceding sections of that Act shall be deemed to have been complied with; (4) the Collector with the consent of the claimant, or the Court, with the consent of both the parties, may award compensation in land or, partly in land and partly in money; and (5) in the case of the stoppage of a public way or a common pasture, the Collector may, with the previous sanction of the State Government, provide for a substitute public way or common pasture, as far as may be practicable or convenient. Power of 27. The State Government may, by general or special order, direct veal that the powers exercisable or the functions to be performed by the fo be exeT- Collector under sections 20 to 26 (both inclusive) may be exercised cised by : % as ; other officers. 2nd performed by such officer as may be specified in the order. Restriction 28. No person, other than,— Paton (a) any public servant on duty; n ame ad . . e AAO saa ee Ree cunt (b) any person who ordinarily resides within the limits of a Sanc- tuary ; (c) any person who has rights over immoveable property within the limits of a Sanctuary; (d) any person passing through a Sanctuary along a public high- way ; (e) the dependents and servants of the above persons; shall enter or reside in a Game Sanctuary, except under a permit and in accordance with the conditions of the permit granted under section 29. Permit to 29. (1) The Wild Life Preservation Officer may issue to any person enter or re- on application a permit to enter or reside in a Game Sanctuary for any PE ats a i of the following purposes, namely:— | ies | tuary. (a) Investigation or study of wild life and purposes incidental thereto; (b) Photography ; (c) Scientific research ; (d) To transact lawful business with any person residing in the Sanctuary. (2) A permit to enter or reside in the Sanctuary shall be issued, subject to such conditions as the Wild Life Preservation Officer may deem fit to impose or as may be prescribed and such conditions shall be endorsed on the permit. Hunting in 30. (1) No person shall hunt any animal or bird in a Game Sanc- Game Sanc- tuary, provided that the Wild Life Preservation Officer may in any i ma eout special case where he is satisfied that it is necessary that animals or Eeear ~ birds should be hunted for the better preservation of other animal life, or for other good and sufficient reason, issue a permit authorising any person, to hunt such animals or birds under the direction of an officer authorised by him. - (2) A permit issued under sub-section (z) shall specify the number and kind of animal or bird that may be hunted by the holder of such permit. BOMBAY WILD ANIMALS AND WILD BIRDS PROTECTION ACT 1951 825 31. (z) The Wild Life Preservation Officer may, for good and Refusal or sufficient reason, refuse to issue any permit or may cancel any permit pe rita granted under this Chapter. ; (2) ‘Any person aggrieved by the refusal or cancellation of a permit under sub-section (1) may within fifteen days appeal to the State Government, whose decision shall be final. : 32. No person shall set fire to a Game Sanctuary or kindle or leave uae fire any fire burning in such manner as to endanger such sanctuary. prohibited. CHAPTER V TROPHIES AND PET ‘ANIMALS AND BIRDS 33. No person shall carry on the business of a trophy dealer on canes in dealer in pets, except under and in accordance with the trophy oor Ye dealer’s licence or pets dealer’s licence granted under the provisions jicence of this Chapter. prohibited. 34. "BY o/s d (iE IRSE b |eole lojiie BR ‘lolt eae: “38S bp teh) POSER BID "DLE ID | | eo yt" “{Q) 2H | IPP i JED Bile JbS}e} (lel) | Ite lu | Delete | 2>b | Nie} | IEPY Ye [22 —2)1) [PEP Wie [Eb bbe Lele» “Holts b2>) S ee . ee — : ‘(~ploeiyisd) syooyeredg ‘(epudésey) soinjyna suipnpoxa (seiyidiooy) AeIg jo spilig ‘(pIA104D) SMO) *(era}dos1y4 ) seg Caspiq — -O[OT) pue wpideyydOdlea7y) sAayZUo *(snaany s1uvz) [eyoer ‘(dds ujsts -2dJIgq )—S[oaltabs sur dy gq pue ‘(dds wjnjvy7) spear -1Inbg ywurry “(dds szga7T) —solevp] ideoxe . (eIJUapoy) sjuapoy | ate {@lris ‘(sngojsta7 SNS) BIg PILM | 1h21B Ik In@le ‘(sasuaunyynp uon7) etal PIEAN r ‘Yeyeaus) wz JoyjUL ‘WOT | {Sb}- bl? ‘IaSl], Suipnjoxa (wpa) sig PTA > o ‘dds zwunsvg | (Sb) -"hEk pu vdsIQLY ‘SNANKOPVANG) SYED YAID | 1@eP "(dds sajsaguaz] ) SSOOSUOT i {22h "YSst[suq "UWI A ‘| AINGHHOS Ss ™ JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. “bibelt “ig “AIN@L] Ikelt 42a} SPB Pil ~lolb ‘@irbielle (ka juerue *{Eabe@is "AZ b web ‘web BIkb|S ele “| Dlke “(ule * 1 2Up be ‘pep ib? lh? *{O1bHt | 2bIb—ett | IbB} Se | IPB} Ye ele "alr | {beh-ls | B2 dle bbb | Pb |AI@Ia | joley | (PAI | 12ueb |@vuit Ik de | {23) ‘guer) [[euIS TI] HINaGHHOS ‘soroads 1t@ jo (sxplpo1sj3qg) asnoizpurs *(SaIrdtU $240140Y 7) pivjsng ueipuy yeoIn SuIpnpoxs (H2pipno) spieisng ‘[(oeplapry) storoTzy pue SjoI3sq ss (eepriu -OOI)) SHI0IG SUIpN[OXe] spitqe19qze AA ‘QAOQE UPY} 194}0 SPUTy Ie (eepryeuy) suemg ‘asoan ‘syonqg "(Sorts -81U Sijoldoyy)) pPIe\sng UvIPU] ywoIN ‘(wasn hy g -OhADI wssasuopoyy) YON pepvoay-yxUIg ‘(smunr | -japunimos0o sngvyjanN) ee} woW0d ‘(wauvavl ‘Gg pue vajny vustosrpuag ) ‘{[euis pues asi1er ‘[vo] SUITISIU MA "(SOJOUDIIUL SIULOLP2YLVS) CANNY "(wy IUAY10/1900g SHUF’) [[G-jOdS "Ys[suq 831 BOMBAY WILD ANIMALS AND WILD BIRDS PROTECTION ACT 1951 ‘Ib21@ b BrP ‘Bik “lala asaya *(In22) 2h bv 14 elle | be ‘bls Jee) IBA ‘O12 & Ske ‘dbp +l bb} Ibye} MIP -{2blb bp eee | IRS} Mie Ble | dort | Wel} | In| ary: | Ble |b Bein | IYbIth de Bebe |22b Ih Ike | BIL | lubh—@lnis lee ; — “ = : — (sngny 51109) SOATOM : pue (vusvty vuavtyy) seuwky ‘(svljunu snovyunpy) i90eq sulyIeg 4 ‘(92410914 ponb sosajvaja [) adojayuy peusoy-inog *ATUO sopeul ‘(277au229 vyazv+y) Bley ULY.) CT J2AO | suioy yy AluUO soem (vad vs10.499 ago] mup) Yong Yorlg “(sujampz0s v4) Snyvygasog) e3lIN ‘soroads [je (‘dds sga7) serey *sotoads 1e (sepiquinfoy) saAoq pue suoesig ‘soloads [[e (a@epplwiny, ‘y1sojmvjjvIny ‘UoljI0/9 -019haQ ‘vynsiptag ‘xIuAnjoD) [rend (snji1g WJ pue snunsaupuog “7) peyueg pue Adin ‘saspliyied «(227 D4AdUUOS SN]IDL)) [MOJ-9] Sun (waoupogs xppsagorjo4)) [moj-inds 49 Vol. BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, JOURNAL, 832 ‘lee Mee} dt pe pb} ‘SB Bik ‘Ble Inet} “2Bte} ELD {21h "OUIBX) SIG TT] #iaagnoc pie "AJ ATNGAZHOS | IBB| | Olt Ik Bp | Bll | Int | pb} Byars | (22} | (tel? ‘sUIBL) SIG reroedg "(DISL9G 037 DAIYIUD ) DOT "u1OY 9}. jo aseq, oui 3® {ST JO ys ev (9) ‘peolds \sapim oy} ye. Coen SUIOY 94} JOSaspa Iazno at} usaMJoq ‘sayouUl EE jo uvds B® (v) S}IUNT 94} JO aUO JSvo[ Je YOVel ysnw sjyusu -aINSeaul Ul0Y (suanvd sogig) uosig "JOOS 243 apisyno ,,gT ¥sn} ouU0 jseo] Je—(Sneuzxvu svy gay) jueydelg Loan? (sngogntl xAuoULIP ) YeWaYD (SNULSAN SNSANJIPY) Lea YYOIS (914817 Agus ) 1OBLT) C smpsod vagy 1U¢ ) jayaed, “02 JaA0 sul0Y piey YUM Ajo sopeu (s7xp sexpr) peyaoury! ‘,O€ 19A0 SUIOY prey yA AjUO soaTeUl (“oj021Iun vsny) AequIeS "Yst sug tRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY V. M. PHILIP AT THE DIOCESAN PRESS, C3210 SANTAPAU 18 CHURCH ROAD, VEPERY, MADRAS.—4-6-1951 sALIM ALI, S. B. SETNA AND H. 114 APOLLO STREET, FORT, BOMBAY EDITORS ° Se a ee el eee ere NOTICE TO CONTRIBUTORS Contributors of scientific articles are requested to assist the editors by observing the following instructions : 1. Papers which have at the same time been offered for publica- tion to other journals or periodicals, or have already been published elsewhere, should not be submitted. 2. Tne MS should preferably be typed (double spacing) on one side of a sheet only, and the sheets properly numbered. 3. All scientific names, to be printed in italics, should be under- lined. Both in zoological and in botanical references only the initial letter of the genus is capitalized. The specific and sub-specific names always begin with a small letter even if they refer to a person or a place, e.g. Anthus hodgsoni hodgsoni or Streptopeiia chinensis suratensis or Dimerta biattert. | 4. Trinomials referring to subspecies should only be used where identification has been authentic7lly established by comparison of specimens actually collected. In all other cases, or where identification is based merely on sight, binomials should be used. 5. Photographs for reproduction must be clear and show good contrast. Prints must be of a size not smaller than 34 x 24 inches (No. 2 Brownie) and on glossy glazed paper. 6. Text figures, line drawings and maps should be in Indian ink, preferably on Bristol board. 7. 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It should also indicate newly observed facts, the method and conclusions of an experiment, and if possible the essential points of any new finding, theory or technique. It should be concise and normally not exceed 200 words. When the synopsis is complete it should be carefully revised by the author to clarify obscurities, and further compressed wherever possible without detracting from its usefulness. 114 Apollo Street, Fort, EDITORS, Bombay 1. Journal of the Bombay Natural | History Society. THE SOCIETY’S PUBLICATIONS. Mammals. Book of Indian Animals, by S. H. Prater, with many coloured and black and of Jaciag. Rs. 16. WHITC Pilates (Price to Members Rs. 13). : Birds. Game Birds of India, Vol. III. Pheasants, rst Edition. Rs. 32. (Price to Members Rs. 24) Book of Indian Birds, by SAlim Ali, with many colour and black and white plates, 4th edition, revised and enlarged. : Rs. 16. (Price to Members Rs. 12-8). Set of 12 Coloured Picture Postcards of Common Indian Birds. Rs. 2-4 net. 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