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VS 2 AAAARAA ANA oa AA ~\ SANA A A AA A A A AR AWA ea RARA AAA) AA s am \| fam TN a los la A |Z a lan AINA No aa AAA nln fal va | A) AATY \.\ AAA ala AP NAP aa CARRS AARA AAR A ARAN ASA Annn AA nn a ANA / AA) ap ey NA ARAAARAY a AVA AA olen A; oe tena aes Aaaan AAAAA agg a AAR rrr AAA AAA IV AAA AAA Asa \A f ; : ly om (AA (f | | ile y aan ly “\/ 1Y WANAAA AAAAA: asAAAAAW [-V=\ iA iy > AA AAAAAAAY ~ AAAAAAAAA THE . JOURNAL OF THE BOMBAY NATURAL ddr SOCIETY INDEX AND TITLE PAGE VOL. XXXIX NOS. 3&4 Price a Rs. 2-4-0 MADRAS PRINTED AT THE DIOCESAN PRESS 1938 INSTRUCTIONS TO BINDER The contents of these two parts should be arranged in the following order when they are being bound :— Title page Contents of Nos. 3 and 4 of List of Contributors List of Plates ... Index to Illustrations Errata eee Index to Species Vol xX To follow. frontis- * piece in this order. To go at the end of two numbers. ghee JOURNAL OF THE BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY EDITED BY P, M. D. SANDERSON, F.Z.S., S. H. PRATER, C.M.Z.S., M.L.C.. J.P. & C. MCCANN, F.L.S. VOL. XXXIX Nos. 3 & 4 Containing 2 Coloured Plates, 27 Black and White Plates, 28 Text-figures, and 2 maps. Dates of Publication Part 3. (Pages 43] to 658) ... 25th September 1937. »o 4 Coy 659 to 831) ... 15th December 1937. LONDON AGENTS DAVID NUTT, Esq., (A. G. BERRY) 212, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W.C. 2. PRINTED AT THE DIOCESAN PRESS, MADRAS 1938 CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXX1IX, Ne. 3 Tur GAME FISHES oF INDIA. PAarTII. By Dr. S. L. Hora, INSCMUHERG He, Hob Sin Ey7.Gcy HoRvA-saB., E.Nele (772 o77e coloured plate of the Bachhwa or Butchwa Eutropiichthys vacha (Hamilton) and eight text-figures.)......0....c.ccc00s THe VERNAY SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF THE EASTERN GHATS. Part XVI. By H. Whistler, m.B.0.U., assisted by N. B. PGiimeate wMEIBY Ort a tee enntes oc oe raves cciins oes Iesctreualeaseanor ae: Tur SNAKES OF DEoLaAti. Part III. By A.G. L. Fraser, IM.D. (With four plates)... : Fisu oF DEOLALI. Part I. By Dr. 3 L. one D.SC., F.R.S.E., Hales e755, ERAS By EeNad... and. KK." 5: Niece: M.Sc. (With two plates)... s Be Ri tire Cer eeaeee’. THE BIRDS OF BOA AND Ronen TEE, Go II.’ By Salim Ali and Humayun Abdulali. (W<2th three plates).........+6 NOTES ON THE COMMON LAND CRAB. [Paratelphusa (Bary- telphusa) guerint| OF SALSETTEISLAND. By C. McCann, eI 71/0 LOO PUCLES aaa s tant tulesunencins Soke nissinesdsaevaece ees NoTES ON SOME INDIAN Birvs. By E. H. N. Lowther, M.B.O.U., F.Z.8. (With tive plates)... a eye NOTES ON SOME BIRDS RECORDED FROM eee By Pee Garthwaite, B.F.S., assisted by Dr. C. B. Ticehurst, M.a,, M.R.C.S., M.B.O.U.. ; THE MEDICINAL AND Pom onone Caipionsc OF piece ‘By i BoC ais, 7S.3.. Lneceeaees THE Oeenonoeuc OF Sei aa hea Ores AND 7 COOHTN. at Vile By Salim Ali, with notes by H. Whistler, m.B.0.U......... BIRD LIFE ON A SOUTHERN INDIAN TANK. By F. N. Betts CULL HO DIAICS) once ane REVIEWS :— Manual of the Mammals of Ceylon. By W.W.A. Phillips. A Guide to collecting Butterflies of India. By Lit. Col. HD: Peile.: , ee A Beast Book ‘ee fe Doves ee aad eee pers NOTE ON THE BURMA WILD LIFE PROTECTION ACT.......0. cee AN APPEAL. WANTED STAG BEETLES. By J. G. Arrow... 1938 e 2 HO PAGE 431 447 464 502 929 CONTENTS OF VOLUME XG MISCELLANEOUS NOTES :— lie re XVI. 2 OVADL XV 1, XIX. xx. Association between a Leopard and a Tigress. By Brigadier-General R. G. Burton............ Two wary Tigers and two others. By R. C Morris, F.R:G:S. B.ZiS oe ee Strange behaviour of a Tigress. By E. P. Gee.... Measurements of Tigers in the Naga Hills, Assam; iBy GH, Li aMarshalle ec ee Mange on Wild, Dogs. By. Res@eMloquis=. 2-2. Notes on Hardwicke’s Hedgehog (emzechinus coliavis (Gray and Hardw.). By C. McCann. Solitary Bull Bison (Bibos gaurus, Pe By R. C. Biddulph .. Whistling sound tage by seat CH. gaurus Sim). By C. eeebiddulpiw.. OR Nene. Colouration of the Bison’s Snout and Tongue. By RC. Morris.. ; sn Tue aE cee ae Replacement of aoe toh ean cae Nie ake: Chandrabhanvsinhgt... ca... BATE ee Pe er tes An Elephant 170 years old. By Guy Dollman. Whale-bone Whale stranded on the Travancore Coast’ By RY; Roduvale: Unclean Animals. By A. A. Dabber Close seasons for Big Game —Are they benencrale By 3h: C.-Morris:. 5 hak. c SANE ee Berra cee Occurrence of ihe. eae “Gieraee Bari (Calandrella brachydactyla dukhunensts Sykes) in Northern Burma. By J. K. Stanford, I.c.s... The Egg-laying of the Khasia Hills Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus bakeri ie By. 0: R. Livesey... ; ars ee Cuckoo ae “By [. R. Lives CA RRA A Note on the distribution and nidification of the Northern Yellow-fronted Pied Woodpecker [| Lezopicus mahrattensis a ae (Blyth)] in Sind. By K.R. Eates, F.z.S., M.B.O.U.. The distribution and nidigescen of ie eee Horned Owl [uo bubo bengalensis (Frankl.)] in.oind.. By K. Ri -Hatesyrzs., MeBoyus. Occurrence of the Chinese o Vesser “Kestrel (Cerchnets naumannt pekinensts Swinh.) Northern Burma. By JoK@istaniord.7.csee PAGE 610 610 614 615 615 616 617 - 617 618 618° 619 620 620 621 623 623 626 628 631 633- DuSC.eh- Roo E., E..S., E.Z65.5 Ps ReAGS: Bi, coloured plate CONTENT SSOP VOLOME XXXIX XXI. Notes on Birds of Prey in the Madras Presidency. By ©. HH. Biddulph... XXII. Unusual site for the nest oe ie White Scare enger Vulture [Meophron percnopterus gingintanus Gath By Cel. Biddulph... XXIII. Behaviour of Jerdon’s Little Reed PIGteE (Charadrius dubius jerdont Legge) with young. by, Re ates), 8.7.5.4. 6. B.O.Ue. XXIV. Intergradation of the races of ie Ger bil! ed Duck (Anas poecilorhyncha Forster). By R. EE. Parsons.: : RXV. Occurrence ot Mallard (Anas Bi Dire cope at Hoshangabad. By J. Miles Stapylton....... XXVI. The Nukhta or Comb Duck (Sarkidzornis melanotos Pennant) in Assam. By W. M. LeMarchand .. eee OV die sOccurtence of OG Greate Crea Suave (Potinks cristaius Linn.) at Maymyo, Upper Burma. By P. F. Garthwaite, F.Z.S:. cnn XXVIII. Birds and Ants. By T. Baaacalen F fetchér. ca aee XXIX. A Bloodsucker (Calofes versicolor) attacking an adult bird, ~ by C,H. Biddulph... ee XXX. The Butterfly (Ahznopalpa polynice Hep DaN TE in the N.-E. Frontier, Assam. By R. E. Parsons.. een een me rae XXXII. Curious Beierioun cae a Wasp.. By Ce JH, Biddulph... Dae aC eee ee PROCEEDINGS OF THE ee Nenu OF THE BOMBAY NATUR AD HISTORY, OOCIBUY sie) 252c0hs saccsestetnadesss oes No. 4 THE GAME FISHES OF INDIA. Part. III. By Dr. S.L. Hora, F.N.I. (With one of the Garua Bachcha or Gaurchcha Clupisoma garua (Hamilton) and nine text-tigs.)... THE BirRDS OF BOMBAY AND SALSETTE. Ali and Humayun Abdulali. Rare li. hy cain CVG One PIALE ew ises FisH oF DEoxLati. Part II. By A. G. L. Fraser, 1.m.s. re one plate)... ; : ie THE Meee AND Peace (ee OF kook ae Oe Cans Sey Hel Seeders ceveosgnes ney hoaeed wan Vv PAGE 634 635 Gog 640 640 640 641 641 644 659 679 689 mle vi CONTENT S(OR VOLUME ZOEXL XS THE NAMES OF TWO INDIAN VIPERS. By Malcolm Smith, M.R.C.S.. ‘ : GAME eee IN THE Oana ice AND THE Soune CoIMBATORE District. By J. Williams (W7th one plate). A PRELIMINARY ACCOUNT OF THE Aphididae OF POONA. By V.-G. Deshpande, mm: Age Gsom.) Ph. b.4 (din: SOME ADDITIONS TO THE FAUNA oF [RAQ. By Waiter P. IKENNEDY.. es Gis ie MARRIAGE eee AND Sotone Book ore. OF THE COHN Brack ANT [Camponotus (Tanemyrmex) compressus Latr. By P: N.istishna AyyariCW 77h-3 fer t-12007eS) ke DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF AGAMID, LIZARD FROM Upprpr BurwA.. by, Malcolm Simiths eR cise es BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS FROM CHINESE TURKESTAN. By Lt.-Col. J. W. Thomson-Glover.. MoSssES COLLECTED IN ASSAM. By H. N. irae MeAS Hales: (With one plate)... SOME DATA ON THE renee Blain Mee. Progen and Orthoptera of North Afghanistan. By Leo. Mist- shenko. (With six text-figures)... sssaih Weyer ates THE KODAIKANAL BIRDS AND How TO NAME THEM. ae Edward G. Nichols.. ooh etd: eRe water, SOME BIRDS OF ie enee AND Wits Tobey. ne M. Afzal Husain, M.A. (Cantab.), 1.A.s. and Hem Raj Bhalla, B.sc. (Nota) : cee eee eee NOTES ON Cpe ey Data) Ens Cs Charles McCannwr hese GH20/tat7ce172) ies) ss ark eee ihe een eee REVIEW :— some Beautiful Indian Trees. (By the-late Rev. E. Blatter, S.J., Ph.D.,4F-1.S. and W.5. Millard...2 MISCELLANEOUS NOTES :— I. Smoking a Panther to death. By the Chief of Ichalkaranji .. : y Ale The Size%or the Tune Cat as Pak attinis By, *P2Geer Nae Ill. The Alleged Wild ibyee Be Mt. ee ‘Burma use R: ‘1: Pocock; mars IV. Curious behaviour of icon n (Biles LAUrUs : +H. ay By C..Gs7 Pocgoods 726 812 83] 843 849 os le PGI DONE XIV. XV. XVI. XVII. x: CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXXIX Abnormal Elephant Tusks (Alephas maximus). by GD Millar. ((W771h one plate)... .....- Abnormal Horn-growth in the Muntjac (Wuntiacus waciialisy: by §. HW. Peppe.. (W2k a photo)... cn oninte eet sSuitew baile Metaa daha Sete The use of hice or Reet Rene in oe protection of Crops. By R.C. Morris......... Some notes onthe Fauna of Malaya. By H. E. Burgess.. eee aa ditecetinnn tT asharehne as Some inter oe neeeeae of Birds in the os By H. W. Waite, M.B.O.U.. Migratory movements of three ilk eu ena in the Tanjore and South Arcot Districts. By C. H. Biddulph: sees Curious behaviour of ie age ca (ce uS MaC- rorhynchus) and the White-backed Vulture (Gyps bengalensis). By C. McCann . The Distribution of the White- red. “Bulbul [ Molpastes leucogenys leucotis (Gould)] in the Swamps near the Vaitarna River. By C. McCann. seen The Southern ipa Rouen or Razin: ay (Gees benghalensts tndica (Linn.)| killing a small Snake. By C.H. Biddulph... Breeding of the Little Indian None (OipaE UL gus astaticus astatitcus) in the Chingleput District. (W7th a plate). By Alice D. Barnes. On the Breeding of the Oystercatcher (Haemato- pus ostralegus subsp.) and other birds in the Bengal Sunderbunds. By J. K. Stanford...... Early and Late Snipe. By Brigadier G. de La P. Beresford, M.Cc.. te The Breeding of the Little Con Biter! Ue ee striatus eee in Salsette Island. By C. McCann. , Occurrence of ‘iis. Bite Coe On eee is) i in South Mysore. By Major E. G. Phythian- Adams, I.A.. Sexual Divoronien in hiss ape: shelled inereice (Hestmdarciegais), “ey CaM eCaninn cs... 5.244) Occurrence of Psammophis condanarus ? in Berar ye dOl SHED DEANS ye ake sh sess ss ox-naeey loans vii PAGE 854 862 864 864 865 865 867 868 869 viii CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXXIX XXI. Sexual Dimorphism in the Seasnake (Lisézra cyano- cineca “Wad: eB yin, ay ie C amin a ee eee XXII. Breeding Season of the Jew’s Nosed Seasnake [Anhydrina valakadyen nae in Bombay Waters. . by .@ McCann BR ee a ater XXIII. Freak Seedling of the Crepe at i Mrs. Margaret Rath (W217 iphoto) scenes tee XXIV. Some observations on Botanical Nomenclature. By CEG. Pischers. da REE Oa ae eet XXV. The Plowerine of ua aie. By nl Pd i ape Le, Willa niS eater concent. ; [PROCEEDINGS OF A MEETING OF MEMBERS OF THE BomMBpay NATURAL HIsTORY SOCIETY HELD ON THE 25TH Avucust 1937 bee teeret gon eee ere troe reer ee eee eee eee eee seer eeeF ease ter teeseseeaeeeertee 877 880 Pub pe PTC AL LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS VOLUME XXXIX ABDULALI, HUMAYUN;3 See ALI, SALIM. Atl, SALImM and ABDULALI, Humayun; The Birds of Bombay and Selsette. Part II (With three plates) Part III (With one plate) a re Atl, SALIM and WHISTLER, Hucu; The Ornithology of Travancore and Cochin Part VIII . we ARROW, GILBERT, J.; An Appeal: Wanted Stag Beetles. AYVAR;, PP.’ N. KRISHNA; Marriage Flight and Colony Founding of the Common Black Ant | Camponotus (Tanemyrmex) compressus | (With two tert-figures) BARNES, ALICE D.; Breeding of the Little Indian Nightjar (Caprimulgus astaticus astaticus) in the Chingleput District (With a plate) BERESFORD, BRIGADIER, G. de La P., M:c.; Early and late Snipe Berrs,, LH, N, ;* Bird ‘Life on a Southern agrees Tank (With two plates) BHALLA, HEM R&J, B.Sc. ; Sse Husain, M. AFZAL. BIDDULPH, C. H.; Whistling sound made by Bison (&iéos gaurus) 5g oe ; Notes on Birds of Prey in the Madras Presidency Noy - — 0. Nos. 3 and 4 PAGE 920 679 569 609 865 868 594 617 634 BIDDULPH C. H.: Unusual site for the nest of the White Scavenger Vulture (eophron bercnopterus ginginianus) A Blood- sucker (Calotes versicolor) attacking an adult bird ; Curious be- haviour of a Wasp = ; Migratory movements of three well- known Birds in the ‘T'anjore and South Arcot Districts ; The Southern Indian Roller or Blue Jay (Coracias beng halensis indica) killing a small snake ; BuRGEsSS, H. E.; Some Notes on the Fauna of Malaya Burman Wild Life Pretection Act, Note on BURTON, BRIGADIER- enna R.G.; Association between a Leopard and a Tigress a ey ee eee —— ——_—__ CAIUSA J. Eo; Sale, BLS. 2 Phe Medicinal and Poisonous Campions of India oes —— -——__ —___—__—_-——- ; The Medicinal and Poisonous Crowfoots of India oe CHANDRABHANUSINHIJI } Re- placement of Horns in Nilgai DESHPANDE, V. G.; A Brel: minary account of the ApHIpDID A of Poona Dixon, H..=N:, “McA., F.0;S.; Mosses collected in Assam (With a plate) PAGE 635 640 641 610 961 618 740 769 DoLUMAN, Guy; An Elephant 170 years old DUNBAR-BRANDER, Unclean Animals Ne WATE “Ko Rr ZS 4 MBO... A note on the Distribution and Nidification of the Northern Yellow-Fronted Pied Woodpecker (Leiopicus mahrattensis blanfordi) in Sind A. A: —— ; The Distribution and Nidification of the Rock- Horred Owl (4x60 bubo bengalensis) in Sind ; Behaviour of Jerdon’s Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius jerdont) with young ame sie Epitors; Measurements of Tigers in the Naga Hills, Assam of ; Replacement Horns in Nilgai ia oo ; Intergradation of the Races of the Spot-billed Duck (Anas poecilorhyn- cha) a ae eee FiscHEeR, C. E C.; Some Observations on Botanical Nomenclature ae a FLETCHER, T. BAINBRIDGE; Birds and Ants FRASER, A. G. L Snakes of Deolali. (With four plates) .. —_—.- eo AAT ies) Oe Bl aes Part lit ; Fish of eolali (With one pla/e) GARTHWAITE, P. F., B.F.S., and TICEHURSD, DRC. Be MA., M.R.C.S., M.BO.U.; Notes on some Birds recorded from Burma (With a VLE PN aes bas aa GARTHWAITE, P. F.;: Occur- rence of the Great Crested Grebe (FPodiceps cristatus cristatus) at Maymyo, Upper “Burme ae re GEE, E. P. ; Strange behavicur of a Tigress PAGE 619 620 628 631 636 615 | 618 638 874 640 464 689 902 640 614 LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS GEE, 1../P2; The “size: ‘or the Jungle" “Cat. “(Helis “chaus afftinis) Be HORA, “SUNDER LAE eb sSes. RRS. ., EL iSe, BZ S35 F.R.A.SjB., F-Na. 3 CheiGame Fishes of India, Part II (With one plate and eight text- figures) Part HI (With one plate and nine text-figures)... and Misra, K. S., M.Sse.; Fish of Deolali. Part I (With two plates) sie Husain, M. AFZAL, M.A.,1.A.S. and BHALLA, HEM RAJ, B.Sc. Some Birds of Lyallpur and their Food eee ICHALKARANJI, CHIEF OF; Smoking a Panther to death. KENNEDY, WALTER P.; Some additions to the Fauna of Iraq oo en KINNEAR, N. 5.) ~M-B-0.U.; See WHISTLER, HUGH. LE MARCHAND, W. M.; The Nukhta or (Comb -Duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos) in Assam a ae LIVESEY, lenge he oo laying of the Khasia Hills eee Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus baker?) ate aa —- ee ACK .O,0 Incidents LOWTHER),E) Ho IN: M.B:0:0..; F.z.S. ; Notes on some Indian Birds,. Part sll sNiehtyans (With five plates) McCann, CHARLES, F.L.S.; Notes on the Common Land Crab (Paratelphusa barytel- phusa guerint (M.-Eds.) of Salsette (With two plates) : Notes on Hardwicke’s Hedgehog (Hemiechinus collaris) : Notes on Calotes versicolor (With three plates) PAGE 850 431 659 502 831 859 745 639 543 531 616 843 Lise On GON Iiel BO LOTES PAGE MCCANN, CHARLES, °H.L.S.(5 Curious behaviour of the Jungle Crow (Corzus macro- rhynchus)and the White-backed Vulture (Gyps bengalensts)... —_—-—-— ; The Distribution of the White- eared Bulbul (Molpastes leucogenys leucotis) in the Swamps near the Vaitarna river ——_— —— —__--—. ——_; The breeding of the Little Green Bittern (futorides — striatus javanicus) in Salsette Island. ——; Sexual Dimorphism in the Star- shelled Tortoise (7Zestudo elegans) ——— ee ; Sexual Dimorphism in the Seasnake (Distira cyanocincta) ————-— ; Breeding season of the Jew’s nosed Seasnake (Auhydrina vala- kadyen) in Bombay waters ... MARSHALL, G. H. L. ; Measure- ments of Tigers in the Naga Hills, Assam : ee \irvar, G. 1D. L.; Abnormal Elephant Tusks (lephas maximus) (With a plate) Misra, K. S8., M.Sc.; See Hora, SUNDER LAL. MISTSHENKO, LEO; Some Data on the Fauna. Blattodea, Mantodea, Phas- modea and Orthoptera of North Afghanistan (With six teat-figures) fs Morris, R. C.; Two wary Tigers and two others ---——— --—---; Mange on Wild Dogs ve as — : Solitary Bull Bison (4760s gaurus) ... — ; Colouration of the Bison’s Snout and tongue ; Close season for Big-Game—are they beneficial ? . 864 864 869 870 872. 872 854 — 796 610 615 617 618 MORRIS) OR, C..3 [ne ase of Firework or Rocket cartridges in the protection of crops NICHOLS, EDWARD G.; The Kodaikanal Birds and how to name them rr fen PARSONS, R. E.; Intergrada- tion of the Races of the Spot-billed = Duck (Anas pxctlorhyncha) ane ae ——-—-— ; The Butterfl (Rhinopalpa polynice burmana) in the N.-E. Frontier, Assam PEPPE, F. H. ; Abnormal Horn- Growth in the Muntjac (Muntiacus vaginalis) (With a photo) so oe PHYTHIAN-ADAMS, Major EK. G.: Occurrence of the Bittern (Lotaurus s. stellaris) in South Mysore we Pococe,, KR. 1.5 &.8.S.>¢ “Phe Alleged Wild Dog of Mt. Popa, Burma ; ves PopDuUVAL, R. V.; Whale-bone Whale stranded on _ the Travancore Coast .. “ RatH, MRS. MARGARET ; Freak Seedling of the Grape Fruit (With a photo) REVIEWS :— Manual of the Mammals of Ceylon ae me A Guide to Collecting Butter- flies of India See A Beast Book for the Pocket. Some Beautiful Indian Trees. SHEBBEARE, E. O.; Occur rence of Psammophis conda- narus ? in Berar nee SMITH, MALCOLM, M.R.CS.; The names of two Indian Vipers oe re ——_— -———-—— ; Description of a new species of Agamid Lizard from Upper Burma ., STANFORD, | J. Ky. 1s Cc. S.; Occurrence of the Rufous Short-toed Lark (Calandrella brachydactyla dukhunensis) in Northern Burma X1 PAGE 855 638 641 854 870 851 620 UEsys) 623 xii LIST (OF GCONTRIBOCTORS PAGE STANFORD, Jia a ST CS es Occurrence of the Chinese Lesser Kestrel (Cerchneis naumannt pekinensis) in Northern Burma ... cP 008 : . Ons -the breeding of the Oystercatcher (Hematopus ostralegus) and other birds in the Bengal Sunderbunds oe es oY STAPYLTON, J. MILES; Occur- rence of Mallard (Anas blatyrhyncha) at Hoshangabad be. ee ie, O60 THOMSON-GLOVER, LT.-COL. J. W.; Butterflies and moths from Chinese Turkestan ... 796 Toocoon, C. G. ; Curious beha- viour of Bison (4760s gaurus). 852 PAGE WAITE, (Es) Wu MBO. ue Some interesting records of Birds in the Punjab eo Ul WHISTLER, HuGH; See ALI, SALIM. WHISTLER, HUGH, ~M:B.0.U. and KINNEAR, IN? 7B; MB. AO. The + Vermay scientific “Survey of * “the Eastern Gi at's barn + XVI iss 22 447 WiILLiAmMs, J... Game Birdsaor the Anamalai Hills and the South Coimbatore District (With one plate)... stan OE WiIEETAMS,: "Jee. ae ithe Flowering of Strodbilan- thes a a. Ore, LIST OPP AT TS VOLUME XXxXIix Nos. 3 and 4 The Game Fishes of India Plate Eutropiichthys vacha The Snakes of Deolali Plate VI. Eryx conicus Plate VII. Nerodia piscator Plate VII. Vipera russelli Plate IX. Fchis carinata The Fish of Deolali Plate I. (1) View of secticn of North Nallah in which Bavi- lus bendelesis is found, Bhil name J/hor. (2) View of pool in course of North Nallah. (3) Pool between railway bridge in a section of the North Nallah stream. (4) Junction of the North Nallah with Darna River aes Plate II, (1) View of section of the Narsullah wadi running through Barnes High School. (2) Rocky section of lower stretch of Narsullah wadi near Village of Bagoor. (3) Darna River near Goti Railway station (G.I.P.). (4) Stretch of Darna River between villages of Swensuri and Beladgacn .. The Birds of Bombay and Salsette. Plate V. (1) Nest and chicks of the Indian Robin (Saxico- loides fulicata) in a derelict tin. (2) Nest of the Tailor-Bird (Orthotomus sutorius) in leat of monsoon plant : ae Plate VI. (1) The White-spotted Fantail Pieatehes (Leuco- circa pectoralis). (2) Nest of White-spotted Fantail Flycatcher with chicks about 10 days old ae a a is Plate VII. (1) The Ashy Wren Warbler (Prinia socialis) cn Coral flowers. (2) The Black Drongo (Dicrurus Le ee) attending on grazing cattle Plate IY (1) Asfemale of the common Tana Geb (ee phusa (B.) guerini. (2) Castles of the com- mon Land Crab alongside rocks Plate Il. (1) A castle cf the common Land Crab in an unused field at the end of the rains. (2) Several castles of the common Land Crab in a held at the close of the monsoon es PAGE 431 466 468 492 495 504 507 522 526 529 O31 536 xiv LIST OF PLATES Plate I. Common Indian Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrourus) Plate Il. Jungle Nightjar (Caprimulgus indicus) Plate Ill. (1) Camouflage: Common Indian Nightjar précd- ing. (2) Young Common Indian Nightjar... Plate IV. (1) Franklin’s Nightjar (Caprimulgus Cates (2) Eggs of Franklin’s Nightjar Plate V. Indian Long-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus asia- 11CUS) es ben 4a Se Bird-Life on a Southern Indian Tank. Plate I. (1) White-breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensts) . (2) Little Cormorant (Phalacrocorax niger) Plate II. (1) Nest of striated Weaver-Bird (Ploceus manyar). ‘helmet * stage (2) Nest and eggs of Dabchick (Podiceps ruficollis capensis) see a Game Fishes of India :— Plate Clupisoma garua Birds of Bombay and Salsette :— Plate VU. (A) Nest and eggs of the Streaked Fantail-Warbler (Cisticola 7. cursitans) at Church Gate Recla- mation (A) Nest of Cisticola 7. cursitans at Church Gate Reclamation ‘ine ARC Fish of Deolali— Plate III. Photos showing the transparency of the Fish Ambassis ranga khown to Bhil fishermen by the name of Bing. The Swim bladder and vertebral column being clearly defined te Game Birds in the Anaimalai Hills and the South Coimbatore District. Plate (A) The Grass Hills—Kornelar Valley. (B) A field of Tea running down to a Snipe Swamp Mosses collected in Assam. Plate Assam Mosses Notes on Calotes versicolor. Pilate I. A large male De ve Plate II. Dissections showing condition of the Aeon tive organs in June Plate Ill. Showing eggs: hatching ea eats natehed Elephas maximus. Plate Abnormnl Elephant Tusks Caprimulgus asiaticus. Plate Chicks of the Common Indian Nightjar PAGE 543 546 547 680 694 NDOT OTELUOST RATIONS VOLUME XXXIx Nos. 3 and 4 PAGE Acanthocladium baculiferum, Pl Pl. 3. Eggs—hatching and fir, 20 Part of stem and leaf. 769 newly hatched At thiopsar cristatellus, Distr:- Camponots Ccompressus bution Map. ... 557 Text-fig. 1. Winged male ... — fuscus. Texeno. 2, Queen in vireta Distribution Map. ... 557 state and on _ shedding _—— grandis, her wings after copu- Distribution Map. .. ooe lation Ambassis vanga, Photos, show- Caprimuleus eer i2l ing transparency of the al — chicks ., fish known to Bhil fisher- —— indicus, Pl. men as Bing sie 694.) ——— macrourus P|, Anaimalai Hills and the Soren = — Pl. Coimbatore District :— Cisticola 7, cursitans Pl. (@) The Grass Hills, Pl. (a) Nest and eggs (6) Kornelar Valley Nest oe ee (6) A field of Tea run- Clupisoma garua, Pl. ning down to a Text-fig 1. Upper denween Snipe swamp... 733 and air-bladder Abtychella borit, Pl. fig. 17 Text-fig. 2. Lateral view of Leaf ap 769 | head and anterior part of Bombay and Salsette, pice of body cf the three species of Ply (a) Saaecolordes fil7- Clupisona ann ee cata (Nest and Text-fig 3. Ventral surface chicks) of head and anterior part of (6) Orthotomus sutort- the body of the three species as (Nest of) B22 of Clupisoma Pl. vi. (a) Leucocirca pectora- Text-fig. 4. Dissection of fe Lise visceral organs (6) Leucocirca pectora- —-—— —— montana dis (Nest of) 526 Text-fig. 7. Lateral view ... Pl. vii. Prinia soctalts. 929 Text-fig 8. Upper dentition The Black Drongo (Dicrurus of two Specimens macrocercus) (attending on Text-fig. 9. Air-bladder ee grazing cattle) 229 associated skeletal elements Brothera capillifolia, Pl. fig. il — prateri deciduous leaf 769 Text-fig.6. Upper dentition Calotes versicolor and air-bladder Pist. a larcve male . 843 | Conophyma bey-bienkot Pl. 2. Dissections showmeg Text-fig, 4 ase condition cf the reproduc- —- kittaryt tive organs in June 846 Text-fig. 5 ee aa a Nove B jo nv. PAGE 689 659 665 666 670 674 675 676 672 805 808 Xvi INDEX TOALLOUSP RATIONS Conophyma predtetshenskyt Text-fig. 3 Daltonia gemmipara, Pl. fig. 14 Leaf and gemmae. ... Daltonia perlaxiretis, Pl. fig. 13. Leaf and upper margi- nal cells Deolali, Fish of :— Plias (1) View of section” of North “Nalah. in which Barilius was found (2) View of pcol in course of North Nallah (3) Pool between rail- way bridge in a section of the North Nallah stream (4) Junction of the North Nallah with Darna River Pl. ii. (1) View of section of the Nawsud lah wadi, running through Barnes High School. (2) Rocky section of lower stretch of Narsullah wadi, neat vilacecof Bagoor. (3) Darna River, near Goti Railway Station (G. 1, PB.) (4) Stretch of Darna River halfway between villages Swensuri and Beladgaon Echis carvinata, Pl. ix ... Elephas maximus Pl. Abnormal ‘Tusks Eryx conicus, Pl. vi Text fig. 1 Eutropiichthys goong waree, fig. A. Head Text fig. 4. fig. A. neaiont Text-fig, ob fig, C. Head PAGE 805 769 769 507 494 Text-fig. 4, fig. dentition Eutropiichthys vacha Pl, Next-hior Be head a. sae Text-icw2 eA. Badentition =. Text-fic. 3; Air bladder and associated skeletel parts ... Vext-fic. “aoe s 3b. sUpper dentition Pext dic 29 nessa, 2. Talent views . aes Text-fic. 6. HOS eee B. ential surface of head and anterior part of body .. Text-fig, 7. racer view one a young specimen Text-fic, 8. figs. mentary canal Text-fig. 5. Lateral view 6 head and anterior part of the body Felis chaus affinis Text-fig. : Gomphomastax morosus Text-fig. 6 Grape Fruit Freak Seedling in flower ... Hageniella assamica Pio. AG mieat tsopterygtoides Pl. fig. 18. Leaf and Alar Cells 2. Halcyon sinyrnensts Ven avers 3 : Handeliobryum assamicum Plots. 122 eat Jegerinopsis integrifolia Pl tie G28 lane Leivodontium complanatum Pl. fig. “16,.Plant,; Leaves, Alar cells and Capsule ... Lindigia astatica Plofic. 11 eeiane Macromtitrium rigbhbyanum Pl. fe.5. Capsule Muntiacus vaginalis Text-fig. Abnormal! Horn ... Nerodia pjscator, Pl. vii. C;) Uppes EY eB lt Ortholimnobtum borit Plo fg.15. Plane Weat and Capsule : nee PAGE 436 431 433 434 440 440 — 444 671 . > o/- INDE XE TOMLLUSTRATLIONS Paratelphusa (Barytelphusa) LUerinNt PI. I. (a) A Female of (6) Castles of Pl. II. (a) Castle of (6) Several castles of. Phalacrocorax niger Pyne. 2 Ploceus manyar Nest of. Pl. fig. 1 Podiceps ruficollis capensis Nest of. Phisfigz. 2 ine Pseudosymblepharis patlidens Pl. fig 3. leaf and peristome Pterobryopsis auriculata Piyhg. 10. Leat PAGE 531 Xvii PAGE Ptychomitrium rhacomttrioides Pl. fig. 4. basal areolation. 769 Symphysodontella borit Ph fig. 7 Lieat 769 ——-——. pilifolia Pine, 6. Weat 769 ——— -—— tortitolia Pl. fig. 9. Stem Leaf 769 Svrrhopodon pilultfer Pl. fig. 2. Leaf 769 Tropidauchen mirame Text-figs 801, 803 uUvarouvt Text-figs 801, 803 Vipera russelli, Pl. viii 492 Page Line 459 15 from top 553 ) 7 553 26 from bottom 553 23 oF 556 15 Be Dos 28 ~ 623 5 from top 633 2 from bottom 638 last line 648 ERRATA Vol. XXXIX, No#3 For Rainey ‘Tennasserjim Hsaipaw Shah hides remvoed Dates Sumpralum harringtont 13 and 14 from top Yunan Vol. XXXIX, No. 4 Read Stoney Tenasserim Hsipaw Shan skins removed Oates Sumprabum zonorhyncha Yunnan MOSSES COLLECTED IN ASSAM BY H. N.: DIXON; MA... F-L.S: (Published in Journal, Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc., Vol. XXXIX, No. 4 Line 29 8 from bottom 7 18 14 2) 12 from bottom np 27 23 13 from bottom 10 13 14 from bottom oh 13 es 20 from bottom 8 19 18 from bottom 10 ») 9) pp. 769-795.) CORRIGENDA For reinwardtii leana Exodictyoa blumii bowringii hampei rigbyanum Maromitrium turgidum wallichii walkeri thomsoni halleriana gammieana borii urvilleanum montagueanum Montagueanum Giammella ambylostega Brotherela (Griff.) Mitt. Read Reinwardtii Leana Exodictyon Blumii Bowringii Hampei Rigbyanum Macromitrium turgidum Wallichii Walkeri Thomsoni Halleriana Gammieana Borii Urvilleanum Montagneanum Do. Gammiella amblyostega Brotherella Card. & Dix. NOV =5 1938 INDEX OF PAGE Abies alba 875 — pi cea sete 875 Acanthocladium paeuneeei on 791 —-- penicillatum ... 791 —————_-——- tanytrichum ... 791 Acanthoedactylus fraseri 748 Acanthopneuste nitidus nitidus 835 Accipiter virgatus affinis 840 Acheta africana ... 798 Acidalia cumulata 765 Aconitum balfourii 7L6 - —_-——— chasmantum... FAS ae Aemorniz0m 716 ——-_—— elwesi... 718 —--— falconeri TAG. ———_-_— ferox 77 — -—— fe re puyliany 716 —-— laciniatum Fld —— -—— lethale 718 —-——— luridum 7s ——-—— palmatum 716 ——--—— spicatum Py) —-—-— violaceum tbe. Talo Acrida deserti 795, 798 grandis 798 Acridella nasuta ... wee 79S Acridotheres ginginianus 557, 687 tristis tristis 686, 836 Acrobryopsis denticulata 783 Acrocephalus agricolus ... 680 - dumetorum 679, 818 - stentoreus brunnescens. 679 Acronicta karghalika 762 Acrotylus insubricus 800 Acteea spicata — 718 Actinothuidium Hookene 787 Adonis zstivalis 719 4Erobryum speciosum 784 4Egypius monachus ae, 839 4ithiopsar cristatellus Srevigsanis wg. Sos -— ———_ cristatellus SRY) ———-——_ fuscus Park S yap) —-—_— mahrattensis 687 _—_—-— torquatus ... 595, 556 SPECIES PAGE AEthiopsar grandis ve ss es O59 -—— Serascatns as 000 ee — javanicus... ee 07, —- - griseus fuscus _... a Cos ———---—— — griseus... ee Oo —__ - ——— -—mahrattensis ... 821 —- javanicus ... ae me Os Agama agilis ... he ar ww. 748 — caucasica ie ots we = 748 ———-: persica ... ae ant .. = 748 Ailanthus ... foe a css Os 0 Aiolopus oxianus see veg so A00 thalassinus... 6s “me Loy Alauda arvensis japonica des ss) DUG - gulgula australis a sw o23 = — weigoldi ea ooo Alburnoides bipunctatus eee . 746 Alburnus mossulensis ... wes we = 746 Alcedo atthis taprobana sas w. 826 bengalensis oe e =. 096 Alcemerops athertoni ... die ee OOk Alectoris greeca pallescens _... eon) OAL Aleucantes aksuensis ... i63 .. 764 —catocalis... ae .. 764 ————-— caticasica ... ae soe 2 704 —_————~— hybleeoides ... ‘as .. 764 —— saisani sek ies .. 764 Alseonax latirostris ses ee ey Amandava amandava ... ee oe O22 Amaurornis chinensis ... es 2507 090 ——— fuscus bakeri 2s oa a7 4 Subsp. ... wa Ove phoenicurus phoenicurus. 575 Ambassis baculis oe a 505, 517 -- —nama ... ne 504, 505, 517 ——-——- ranga .... 504, 505, 508, 510, 512, 913, 514, 515, 517, 693, 703 Amphipyra tragopoginis nigrescens... 768 turcomana. 763 Anacridium egyptium ... ane .. 809 Anas acuta — ae ans .. 461 —-caryophyllacea ... ace .. 458 —-clypeata ... se ate ae 401 ——-coromandeliana ... sips we = 458 xx INDEX OF SPECIES PACE PAGE Anas crecca ie ek ie .. 461] Arachnothera longirostris ae Yee EOS ——- ferina eae i eee .. 462 | Arctia rueckbelii ... — en Bo WASY= —-—- ferruginea... es ee .. 460 | Ardea asha We oe Ae we 495 ——- indica wae a Sis ae 459 ciconia “.. nee a v2 ea ——- javanica ... aa ae sa, Oo cinerea cinerea ... ie Gann isleis) —- marila ae ee ne .. 462 | ———— —-——-- rectirostris ie ie 453 —- penelope... ae ey ... 460 cinnamomea _... ae we 456 ——- platyrhyncha aes se 639, 738 episcopus ... ze ne . 452 —- pcecilorhyncha ... Pe 460, 638 | - flavicollis ... ae s chen Om —_—- ——_-———_——_ peecilorhyncha... 738] - Canzettc mee i ie = 454 ——~- querquedula ae ws: wie 461 erayi ap Ss = sae 4095 —-- rufa... see on S33 nes OZ intermedia ae ne we = 454 ——- rufina ses ae ae sigh a2 javanica... ee a, isms “200 -—— Sttepera as. re sing ase, 200") melanolopha _... s Rp we 66 Anastomus oscitans ae sc 452, 587 || == smodesta =...

i . ste 3 te . A - . = anak cay Det so oe 4 » Syne Ree et P eerie a “EDITED BY xs D. SANDERSON, F.Z.S.. S. H. PRATER, M.L.A., CMZS., _ AND C. MCCANN, F.LS. Se Juv BS: 10-00 £ O-15-2 For terms of membership, see inside front cover. Honorary Secretary’ s Adda BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, 6, Apollo Street, Pony: LONDON AGENTS: DAVID NUTT, (A. G. BERRY) 212, Shaftesbury Avenue, LONDON, W.C. 2. Ni » MADRAS ‘ beac, to ae Re 38). _- Game Birds of India, Vol. ite (Woodeoek, Supe Bustards and Sanaarouseh, Ist Edition. ee Rs. = | (Price to Members Rs. 30). Game Birds of India, Vol. Ill. Pheasants, Ist Edition, — Rs. 28. (Price to Members Rs. 17 ie Set “A Game Bird Plates (30), Vol. I. . Ai Rs. 20. . : (Price is Members Rs. 15). : Set of Game Bird Plates (19), Vol. 11. Rs. 13- 8. (Price to Members fs. 10). a Bird-Life in India, by Capt. R. S. P, Baie: M.B.O.U. Illustrated. Rs. 6. = (Price to Members Rs. 3). 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Such members should pay their subscriptions by means of orders on their Bankers to pay the amount of the subscription, plus postage—in all Rs. 26-8-0—to the Society in Bombay on the 1st January in each year. If this cannot be done, then the sum — of £2-0-6 should be paid annually to the Society’s London Packer National Bank of India, Bishopsgate Street, London, E. Cc. 2 eh GONTENDS OF. VOLOME XX XIX, No. 3. PAGE THE GAME FisHeEs oF [NpIa. By Dr. S. L. Hora, D.Sc., F.R.S.E., F.L.S., F.Z.S., F.R.A.S.B., F.N.I. (With one coloured plate and 8 tear-figures).. “Phe: Bachhwa OF Butch War ....cssecssvcsceussesses cossceevasces 431 THE VERNAY SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF THE EASTERN GuHaTs. Part XVI. By H. Whistler, M.B.0.U., assisted by N. B. Kinnear, M.B.O.U......... 447 THe SNAKES OF DEoraLrl. Part III. By A. G. L. Fraser, 1.M.p. EEE TOUT, DUCTS) oe cajctetinniaon sais vals vmetieensio FORGO UO Nee sues easine’ oeaen nsec eine: 464 Fiso oF DEOLALI. Part I. By Dr. S. L. Hora, D.Sc., F.R.S.E., F.N.I., and K.S. Misra, M.sc. (W2th two plates)...... Beta ienicntn ieee eas oueteav ea tak 502 THeE BrrRDS oF BOMBAY AND SALSErte. Part II. By Salim Ali and Ricameaycne A baulalt. = (W222 1276 PLALES..) .acsv02s: .oesesenccaseoncneseses South. @ O20 NoTES ON THE COMMON LAND CRAB Paratelphusa (Barytelphusa) guerinit OF SALSETTE ISLAND. By C. McCann, F.L.sS. (With two DUALS ie acacia kveeaicecegeies BEo ele Sr nec sRes sees Va sciaiccidainlte odiciaaielefouesiawume nial s taswe das 531 NOTES ON SOME INDIAN Birps. By E. H. N. Lowther, M.B.O.U., F.Z.S. (CEI AZENL ID CX DLALOSN asaiacs doseiioas SeeivedeSs acs seseanesiiduisse vesieceh avs cdcsaiioesadasacabesas 543 NOTES ON SOME BIRDS RECORDED FROM BURMA. By P. F. Garthwaite, B.F.S., assisted by Dr. C. B. Ticehurst, M.A., M.R.C.S., M.B.O.U....... 552 THE MEDICINAL AND POISONOUS CAMPIONS OF INDIA. By J. F. AIS Siliccee oration wetrenishesceeas —Katla. This must be carefully distinguished from the Katal of the Bengalis, at Calcutta, usually called Katla, which is a species of Cyprin, very common in Ganges and Mahdnandéa, but scarcely ever found in the Kusi.’ Bhagalpur District, p. 76—‘The Bachoya is another Pimelode, called Vacha in Bengal, and Katlaé at Nathpur.’ Patna District, p. 88—‘The Pimelodes called Bachoya at Monghir, at Patna is called Stigwdb&choya.’ In his description of the species Hamilton (13) notes: ‘The Vacha is common in all the larger fresh water rivers of the Gangetic provinces, grows to about a foot in length, and is an excellent fish for the table.’ The mouth is described as ‘very large, and descends, with a little obliquity, from the extremities of the head below the eyes.’ The above observations leave no doubt about the identity of Butchwa, and from the nature of its mouth it can be readily distinguished from Garua. Day also notes that it is good eating. According to Beavan (1), ‘It rises readily to a fly, and affords good sport.’ Dhu (10) in his account of fishing at Narora (pp. 482-491) makes several references to Butchwa. Writing of pools below the falls he says (p. 484): ‘There, too, morning and evening when the Butchwa are on the feed, which will soon be apparent by the water seeming to boil as they chase 444 f{OURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX and scatter the fry, very good bags may be made by using a fly-spoon or a fly (lake trout or small salmon size). If the near or far gates are shut down, and you can get along the top of the fall, and mount on to one of the aforementioned piers, this is an excellent place to fish from, and very pretty sport may be had with the Butchwa and trout, especially the latter, using a light rod and fly-spoon . . . And catching Butchwa and Barilius bola thus side by side, one is able to make a very fair comparison of the two fish, and there is no doubt that weight for weight the trout puts up the finer fight. But from an edible point of view he is a very bad second. Using a lake trout size fly is really the best sport, as the fish take it greedily, and thus lightly hooked made a great fight of it.’ In the form of its body and the large ascending mouth Bdachcha corresponds with the ‘Indian Trout’, and from the above it seems that it can be fished with the type of tackle ordinarily Hse for fishing Barilius bola (Ham.). Text-fig. 8. Alimentary canal of Eutropiichthys vacha (Ham.) X13. a. The whole of the alimentary canal; b.- The stomach cut open to show the nature of its internal wall. It is a very voracious fish and mainly feeds on other smaller fish or insects. Its alimentary canal is short and the stomach is very capacious. The walls of the stomach are raised into longitudinal folds. In the river Hooghly boat-loads of Bachchi and Garua were found about 40 miles: above Calcutta. -The two species occurred in almost equal numbers, and both were found by ‘experience to be good eating. It seems that in nature the two species do not compete for food; the former feeds near the surface while’ the THE GAME FISHES OF INDIA 445 latter feeds near the bottom. From the abundance of both types of fish in the Kachha settling tanks of the Calcutta Corporation Water Works at Pulta it seems certain that the fish can. be accli- matised to lakes, large tanks and bheels. The food is so plentiful in the Corporation tanks that the largest specimen I have seen, about 16 inches in total length, was captured from there. These tanks get a continuous supply of fry of all kinds from the water of the river that is pumped into them, but in ordinary tanks Eutropichthys may prove very destructive to other smaller fish, and, therefore, its culture cannot be recommended. Ordinarily Bachcha grows to about a foot in length and attains a weight of about a couple of pounds. Prashad and Mukerji (18) state that ‘It is said to inhabit the deeper parts and to grow to a- weight of about jo Ibs.’ It seems unlikely, however, that the fish attains this weight in Burma. The largest specimen they had was about 13 inches in total length. ~ ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. The Bombay Natural History Society very kindly made a grant towards the cost of illustrations and for this I have to offer my sincere thanks to the authorities of the Society. Mr. K. S. Misra, M.sc., my assistant in the Zoological Survey of India, has helped me in the preparation of the tables of measurements and for this I am very grateful to him. The illustrations were prepared by Babu B. Bagchi, with his usual skill and care. List OF REFERENCES. 1. Beavan, R. Handbook of the Freshwater Fishes of India, p. 131 (London, 1877). 2. Bleeker, P. ‘Nalezingen op de ichthyologische fauna van Bengalen en Hindostan’. Verh. Bat. Gen., vol. xxv, pp. 56, 112 (1853). 3. Bleeker, P. ‘Notice sur les genres Parasilurus, Eutropichthys,’ Pseudeu- tropius et Pseudopangasius.’ Versl. Akad. Amsterdam, vol. xiv, p. 398 (1862). 4. Cuvier, M. and Valenciennes, M.A. Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, vol. Xiv, p. 392 (1839). Day, F. ‘On the Fishes of Orissa’. Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 306 6. Day, F. ‘On the Freshwater Siluroids of India and Burma’. Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 713 (1871). . Day, F. ‘The Fish and Fisheries of Bengal’. In Hunter’s A Statistical Account of Bengal, vol. xx (London, 1877). 8. Day, F. Fishes of India. (London, 1878). 9. Day, F. ‘Fishes’ in Fauna of British India, vol. i (London, 18809). 10. Dhu, S. The Angler in India or the Mighty Mahseer, pp. 13, 63 (Allahabad, 1923). 11. Gitnther, A. C. L. Catalogue of Fishes in the British Museum, vol. v, p. 38 (London, 1864). re Gunther, A. C. lL. “Pisces’ in Zool. Rec., p. 134 (1860). 13. Hamilton, F. An Account of the Fishes Found in the River Ganges and its Branches, pp. 196, 378 (Edinburgh, 1822). 14. Hora, S. L. ‘On a Further Collection of Fish from the Naga Hills’. Rec. Ind. Mus., vol. xxxviii, pp. 320-324 (1936). 15. Hora, S. L. ‘The Game Fishes of India’. I. ‘The Indian Trout’. Barilius (Opsarius) bola Hamilton. Journ. Bom. Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. xxxix, Bec tac, CH. The Andi 16. acy, G. : e Anglers’ Handbook for India, 4th ed., 122 (Calcutta, Beh 2 j Eye oes ecard 446 fOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX 17. Mukerji, D. D. ‘Report on Burmese Fishes Collected by Lt.-Col. R. W. Burton from the Tributary Streams of the Mali Hka River of the Myit- kyina District? (Upper Burma). Journ. Bom. Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. xxxvii, pp- 48-59, (1934). 18. Prashad, B. and Mukerji, D. D. ‘The Fish of the Indawgyi Lake and the Streams of the Myitkyina District’? (Upper Burma). Rec. Ind. Mus., vol. XXXi, PP. 175-177 (1929). 19. Regan, C. T. ‘The Classification of the Teleostean Fishes of the Order Ostariophysi’. II. Siluroidea. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. viii, p. 553 (1911). 20. Suvatti, C. Index to Fishes of Siam, p. 81 (1936). 21. Swainson, W. On the Natural History and Classification of Fishes, Amphibians and Reptiles, vol. ii, pp. 189, 306 (1839). 22. Sykes, W. H. ‘On the Fishes of the Dukhun’. Trans. Zool. Soc. London, vol. ii, p. 369 (1841). 23. Thomas, H. A. Rod in India, 3rd ed. (London, 1897). 24. Vinciguerra, D. ‘Viaggio di Leonardo Fea in Birmania e Regioni Vicine’. Pesci. Ann. Mus. Civ. Stor. Nat. Genova (2), vol. ix, pp. 71-3 (1890). EXPLANATION OF PLATE. Lateral view of a Chittagong specimen of Eutropiichthys vacha (Hamilton). Xca. #. The specimen and a rough colour sketch were supplied by the late Babu A. C. Chowdhary, a retired artist of the Zoological Survey of India. THE VERNAY SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF THE EASTERN GHATS. (ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION). BY HucH WHISTLER, M.B.O.U., assisted by N. B. KINNEAR, M.B.O.U. Part XVI. (Concluded from page 263 of vol. xxxix). Pelecanus onocrotalus Linnaeus. Pelecanus onocrotalus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 132— Caspian Sea. There is very little evidence as to the occurrence of the Roseate Pelican within our limits and it usually rests on a specimen from ‘Madras’ (Jerdon) in the British Museum. This however may now be supplemented by the sight record’ of two birds in the backwater of Vizagapatam in October 1923, and a specimen seen and later obtained at Konda-Kerla, a lake 18 miles south of Vizagapatam (Law, J.B.N.H.S., xxx, 483). The student is reminded that Captain C. H. T. Grant has pointed out that this species cannot properly be divided into two races either on_ size or number of tail-feathers, the alleged differences being doubtless due to age and individual variation. He has also shown that the name Pelecanus roseus of Gmelin belongs rightly not to the Roseate Pelican but to the Spot-billed Pelican (Bull. B.O.C., vol. lv, 1935, p. 63). The Pelicans and the remaining birds on our list are practically unre- presented by any fresh material in the Survey. I have therefore not made any original investigations into the races of the species that follow and merely accept the races and names as given in the New Fauna. Pelecanus roseus Gmelin. Pelecanus roseus Gmelin, Syst. Nat. vol. i, pt. 2 (1789), p. 57o—Manilla, Luzon, Philippine Islands. Jerdon informs us (B. of I., ili, p. 860) that he visited one colony of the Grey or Spot-billed Pelican in the Carnatic where the birds had for ages, according to his informants, built on low trees in the middle of a_ village, caring little for the close and constant proximity of human _ beings. The comment in the Old Fauna (iv, 336) that there was no late authentic account of Pelicans breeding in India led to the appearance in the Journal of two fresh records. In vol. xiv, p. 401 Howard Campbell described how in March 1890 in a secluded valley in the extreme east of the Cuddapah district he had found several hundreds of nests on neem and tamarind trees in a small village called Buchupalle. The nests all apparently contained young. A second colony was described by C. E. Rhenius (J.B.N.H.S., xvii, 806) at Kundakolam in the Nunguneri Taluq of the extreme south of the Tinnevelly district. On 8 June the nests all contained young, including many birds able to fly. is —_— ———. 1 It will be remembered that the identity of the Pelicans occurring in the Presidency is based almost entirely on sight records which can hardly be con- sidered satisfactory. 2 448 fOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX In both these colonies the birds were breeding in association with the Painted Stork (Ibis leucocephalus) and were strictly protected by the villagers. The only other information I can trace about the Spot-billed Pelican in the Presidency is a specimen from Tada, Nellore District, said to be in the Madras Museum and Ferguson’s statement that it occurs in S. Travancore where he once saw three flying over the parade ground in Trivandrum.’ Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis (Shaw). Pelecanus sinensis Shaw, Nat. Misc., xiii (1801), pl. 529 text—China. The Cormorant is said by Annandale’ (Rec. Ind. Mus., xxii, 328) to visit Barkuda Island on the Chilka Lake occasionally. Terry (apud Hume N. & E., iii, p. 271) describes the nesting of the cormorant on a large tank some thirty or forty miles from Bellary near the Madras railway. Some six or seven pairs were nesting on some small rocks in the centre of the tank and had both eggs and young on 17th January. Major Bates informs me that he could only find two pairs breeding in the famous heronry of Veden Thangul described in Hume’s N. & E., iti, p. 238 (rectius Vedan Thangal near Pudupattu). An account of their nests will be found in Bates’ Bird Life in India, p. 37. In 1928 a female was brooding chicks on December 20th and these were nearly ready to fly on January 13th. In 1929 the nests contained eggs on December 29th and the young were still in down on February 16th. Jerdon’s statement that he had seen it on the ‘wooded Bhowany’ at the foot of the Nilgiris complete the records for the Presidency. No Presidency specimens are available for examination.” Phalacrocorax fuscicollis Stephens. Phalacrocorax fuscicollis Stephens in Shaw’s General Zool., vol. xiii, pt. I (1826), p. 91—Bengal. Very large numbers of the Indian Shag are to be found on the Chilka Lake according to Annandale (Records Ind. Mus., vol. xxii, pt. iv, No. 23 (1921), p. 328. It breeds in enormous numbers on Kalidai, the sacred island, and the young birds are nearly fledged by the end of October. There is a specimen from Tada, Nellore District in the Madras Museum and according to Finn some are to be seen on the Red Hills tank near Madras. Captain Packard found them breeding in numbers at the Vedan Thangal tank on December 1st, on which date there were eggs (J.B.N.H.S., XV, 135): Jerdon’s statement that he procured the Indian Shag in the Carnatic com- pletes my information from the Presidency and I have seen no specimens from there. Phalacrocorax niger (Vieillot). Hydrocorax niger Vieillot, Nouv. Dist. Hist. Nat., nouv. éd., vol. viii (1817), p. 88—East Indies = Bengal. The Pygmy Cormorant is found on the Chilka Lake (Annandale, Records Ind. Mus., xxii, 328). There is a specimen from Tada, Nellore District, in the Madras Museum and Dewar says that it is abundant on most of the large sheets of water round about Madras. In the Vedan Thangal Heronry the Pygmy Cormorant breeds in great numbers and a good account of it there will be found in Bates’ Bird Life in India, * It will be remembered that in the Madras Presidency, although a certain amount of rain falls at odd times throughout the year, it is only after the breaking of the North-east monsoon that water collects in the numerous tanks constructed for irrigation of the rice fields and gives the signal for the breeding of the various Pelicans, Storks, Herons, Ibises etc. The monsoon may break towards the end of September or not until late October or even early November. The nidification of these birds may consequently be in very different stages on any particular date in two consecutive years. * In the water birds that follow I have included these records of the Chilka Lake as it borders on the Presidency and must throw light on conditions in the northern Circars. THE VERNAY SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF THE EASTERN GHATS 449 pp. 20-47. In a private note that he gave me Major Bates estimated that in 1928 and 1929 the Pygmy Cormorants composed about two-thirds of the total population of the colony which was not under 5,000 birds. In 1928 most of the nests on December 20 -contained young ones in all stages of growth, though the largest were still in down. In 1929 on December 29th very few eggs were even hatched. On the western side of the Presidency William Davison thought he saw a party flying high overhead in the evening at Manantoddy and Ferguson states that he had seen it on the tanks and lakes in and about Nagercoil. There are three specimens labelled ‘Madras’ without proper date in the British Museum. Anhinga melanogaster Pennant. Anhinga melanogaster Pennant, Indian Zool. (1769), p. 13, pl. 12—Ceylon and Java. According to Annandale (Records Ind. Mus., xxii, 328) the Indian Darter is not uncommon on the Chilka Lake and Jerdon calls it not very uncommon in the Northern Circars. Dewar includes it in his Madras list without comment and there is a female from Madras in the British Museum collected on June oth by Wardlaw Ramsay as well as a specimen from Chingleput in the Madras Museum. In. the Vedan Thangal Herony Bates (Bird Life in India, p. 39) found it scarce, only about half a dozen pairs being found there in both years. Newly hatched young were noted on 7 February 1929. Hume says (N. & E., iii, 274) that in the country south of Madras this species lays in January or February. On the western side we have William Davison’s statement that he obtained the Darter on the Pykara river about 9 miles from Ootacamund and that he had also noticed it in the Wynaad. Mr. Betts informs me that he also saw a single bird on the Pykara river on several occasions, spread over three years. It was always on the same stretch of water. In Travancore, according to Ferguson, it is common on ali the larger fresh water lakes. It is abundant on the lake formed by the Peryar dam at 3,o00 ft. in the hills and equally common on the Sastancotta lake in the low country. Bourdillon describes a colony found nesting about the Athirapuzha fall of the Kodasheri river in September. Sula leucogaster plotus (Forster). Pelecanus plotus Forster, Descr. Anim. (ed. Licht.), 1844, p. 278—Near New Caledonia. Under the name of Sula fiber Jerdon states that he received a specimen of the Booby from the Malabar coast, but this specimen is no longer in existence. The record may, however, be accepted as this bird has been obtained on several occasions on the coast of Ceylon. Sula dactylatra melanops Heuglin. Sula melanops Heuglin Isis, 1859, p. 351, pl. x, figs. 1 and 2—Burda Rebshi, Somali coast. The occurrence of the Masked Booby on_ the Presidency coast rests on a young female which was obtained by Colonel H. R. Baker at Cannanore on 19 ‘July ‘to1i ({.B.N.H.S., xxi, 272). It was found sitting on the cliff and was killed by a servant with a stick, its occurrence being doubtless due to ‘the heavy gales we have experienced lately.’ This specimen is now in my own collection and I have compared it at the British Museum. It is in immature plumage and there is no specimen in quite the same stage in the British Museum but I think it may be correctly attributed to the above race. This record was overlooked by the New Fauna. Fregata andrewsi Mathews. Fregata andrewsi Mathews, Austr. Av. Rec. vol. ij vhri a : ‘ j ; - 11 (1914), p. 120—Christmas Island, Indian Ocean. tee Jerdon long ago stated (B. of. I., iii, 853) that he had received a specimen of the Frigate-bird, ‘in young plumage’ which was shot on the Malabar coast 450 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX off Mangalore. He recorded it as Attigen aquilus but as he then only recognised two species, the actual identity of his specimen remains in doubt. In J.B.N.H.S., xxxiii, 445, Mr. Prater, however, records a specimen of this species presented to the Society by Mr. L. A. Lampard. It was caught in a fishing net in a rough sea at the onset of the monsoon off the coast of Quilon, Travancore. Fregata ariel (G. R. Gray). Atagen ariel G. R. Gray, Genera Birds, vol. ili (1845), col. pl. 183—Raine Island fixed as type locality by Mathews [Birds of Australia, vol. iii (1914), p. 285]. Ferguson states that an immature specimen of the Smaller Frigate-bird was taken at Perumathoray about 1o miles from Trivandrum and brought to him: “alive: i(].BN.H-S., xvi, 13). [Puffinus There can be little doubt that various species of Petrels and Shearwaters occur off the coasts of the Madras Presidency but there are as yet only three records and the exact species to which they refer are as yet unknown. The best known record is that of Jerdon Birds of India, vol. iii, p. 826— ‘Two species of Petrel have been observed by myself, of only one of which I obtained a specimen, from the neighbourhood of Madras, where I had, on several occasions, observed it not far from the shore, during rather rough weather; I lost this, however, before an accurate description was taken, and I can only say that I suspect it belongs to the Division -Kstrelatee, of Bonaparte and = probably to the Genus Petrodroma, Bonap.: indeed, it appeared to be very similar to P. macroptera of Dr. A. Smith, figd. in Zool. South Africa, Birds, pl. 50. It was entirely of a dull sooty-brown colour, palest beneath; length nearly 18 in.; wing 123; tail 5; bill at gape nearly 1% in. In the Old Fauna this was doubtfully identified as Puffinus chlororhynchus. Blanford in the Old Fauna (iv. 358) remembered when on his way from Calcutta to Madras by steamer in 1867, seeing several small petrels (apparently without white rumps) only a few yards away from the vessel. They were probably of the genus Oceanodroma. Finally Ferguson (J.B.N.H.S., xvi, 14) says that a single specimen of a Shearwater, which he calls Puffinus persicus, was taken at Valey, 4 miles trom Trivandrum, and brought to him alive. Observers at the ports of the Presidency are urged to make an endeavour to secure such specimens of these birds as may be caught by fishermen out at sea. It must however be realised that the correct identification of these birds is a matter of great difficulty and care should be taken to have any specimens procured examined by a competent authority on the group. ] Daption capense (Linnaeus). Procellaria capensis Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 132— Cape Seas. The Cape Pigeon may be by courtesy included in the Presidency list as a straggler. Hume received through Mr. H. R. P. Carter from Mr. Theobald a specimen killed between Ceylon and the main land in the Gulf of Manaar. It is now in the British Museum (Ibis, 1870, p. 438 and S.F., vii, 463). Platalea leucorodia Linnaeus. Platalea leucorodia Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 139—Europe. The Spoonbill appears to have been recorded only from the Eastern side of the Presidency and even from there I have seen no specimens. Mr. D. Hatchell found a nest with young amongst rushes in the Kolair Lake (Birds of S. India, p. 438) and this is of special interest in view of the statement in Nidification, iv, 435 that the nesting in reeds of this species has not yet been recorded in India. THE VERNAY SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF THE EASTERN GHATS 451 According to Dewar the Spoonbill is not common in the neighbourhood of Madras but there is a specimen from Pulicat in the Madras Museum. The Spoonbill was not included in the list of species breeding at Vedan Thangal as furnished to Hume (N. & E., iii, 238). Bates, however, in Bird Life in India, p. 41, estimates the number of Spoonbills at the colony as not less than 300 or 400 pairs and says that they were on the whole the latest birds nesting, which perhaps explains their absence from the earlier account. In 1929 the majority of their eggs were only just hatching on February 7 and in the following season (1929-1930) only two nests were found to contain eggs by December 29th and no eggs had hatched by February 16th. Threskiornis melanocephala (Latham). Tantalus melanocephalus Latham, Ind. Orn., ii (1790), p. 7o9g—India. The White Ibis is not uncommon on the Chilka Lake according to Annandale (Records Ind. Mus., xxii, 329), but I can trace no other record of it on the eastern side of the Presidency except at Vedan Thangal, where Hume’s correspondent (N. & E., iii, 238) implied that it was one of the common species in that Heronry. It was not one of the five species present when Captain Packard visited Vedan Thangal in 1902 (J.B.N.H.S., xv, 138). How- ever Major Bates found it in both seasons 1928-1929 and 1929-1930. The first season he estimated that about ten pairs were present and there were eggs in some nests on December 2oth, the young being able to clamber about the branches of the trees by February 7th. In the season 1929-1930 the number were estimated at about 60 or 7o pairs. Most of the nests had eggs on December 29th, though two were found with newly hatched young. In other words, Bates points out, nidification was at the same stage in both years with this species, which was not the case with any other species at the colony (Bird Life in India, p. 39). In Travancore Ferguson says he has only seen the White Ibis in the cold weather at Sastancotta and doubts whether it is a resident in the State. They feed by day in the paddy fields and are difficult to approach, but generally roost in trees on the banks of the lake. No specimens are available for examination. Pseudibis papillosa (Temm. and Lang.). Ibis papillosa Temm. and Lang. Planch. color. d’ois. livr. 51 (23 October 1824), pl. 304—no locality (India). Mr. Hatchell of the Madras Survey Deptartment reports having shot a couple of Black Ibis out of a flock of eight at Peddangopavaram in the Nellore District in November 1902 (Birds of S. India, p. 440). Otherwise the bird is recorded in the Presidency only from the Wynaad where William Davison says he found flocks frequenting the trees bordering the banks of the river at Manantoddy in April 1881. They were exceedingly noisy and Davison thought they were preparing to breed. Plegadis falcinellus (Linnaeus). Tantalus falcinellus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. xil (1766), p. 241—Austria and Italy. The only records that I know of the Glossy Ibis in the Presidency are furnished by three specimens in the British Museum, namely a male and female from ‘Madras’ and a female from Coimbatore, October 31. All of these are in the Hume collection. Ciconia ciconia (Linnaeus). Ardea ciconia Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. ed. x, vol. i (January 1758), p. 142— Sweden. There is very little information about the White Stork in the Presidency. Law (J.B.N.H.S., xxx, p. 483) mentions seeing a group of about half a dozen resting by a channel of the Vizagapatam backwater in October 1923. On the western side two were obtained from a shikari by Mr. G. A. R. Dawson of Coonoor (S.F., x, 415) in October 1870. They were said to have 452° JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL ISDE.” SO Clin. Vials wexex ie. been shot from a flock of 18 which were feeding on open grassland near the sandy vale between Ootacamund and Pykara. Dissoura episcopus episcopus (Boddaert). Ardea episcopus Boddaert, Table Fl. Enlum. (1783), p. 54 for Pl. Enl. 9qo6— Coromandel coast. The White-necked Stork occurs on the Chilka Lake according to Annandale (Records Ind. Mus., xxii, 329). Dewar includes it in his Madras list without comment and Colonel H. R. Baker ‘(Birds of S. India, p. 445) says he has seen it in flocks on the shallow tanks outside Trichinopoly and in the paddy fields near the river which runs parallel to the railway between Shoranur and Calicut. William Davison saw a pair on a dead tree on the river bank at Manantoddy, Wynaad. Colonel Baker shot a female on 21 December 1921 in a swamp on the top of the Sigur Ghat near Ootacamund but this appears to be the only record for the Nilgiris. This specimen is now in my collection. In Travancore Ferguson had information of only two specimens. One was obtained on the banks of the river at Palode. The other was brought in alive, taken on the bank of a tank near Nagercoil. There is nothing to show the status of the White-necked Stork in the Presidency. Xenorhynchus asiaticus asiaticus (Latham). Mycteria asiatica Latham, Ind. Orn. vol. ii (1790), p. 670o—India. According to Annandale (Rec. Ind. Mus. xxii, 329) the Black-necked Stork occurs on the Chilka Lake. Otherwise there is no record of its occurrence in the Presidency beyond Dewar’s inclusion of it, without comment, in_ his Madras list. Leptoptilos javanicus (Horsfield). Ciconia javanica Horsfield p. 188—Java. The Lesser Adjutant is confined in the Presidency to the south-west where Ferguson says it is by no means common, but may be found about the tanks in South Travancore. Live specimens were brought in to him for the Zoological gardens from time to time. No doubt it was this area that Jerdon had in mind when he said he had only seen it in Southern India on the Malabar coast. An immature bird from ‘Madras’ (Jerdon) is in the British Museum. » lrans. ‘inn. Society, vol. x1, -pt.1, ,.May.-1321); Ibis leucocephalus (Pennant). Tantalus leucocephalus Pennant, Ind. Zool. (1769), p. 11, pl. 10—Ceylon. The Painted Stork is recorded only from the Eastern side of the Presidency. Ball (S. F., v, 420) says that he not infrequently. saw flocks on the Jaipur (Jeypore) plateau. Howard Campbell found large numbers breeding with Pelicans in a secluded valley in the extreme east of the Cuddapah district in a small village called Buchupalle. This was in 1890 and at the end of March all the nests contained young though he found one clutch of hard set eggs (J.BaN-.H.S., xiv, 401). There is some mistake about the statement (Nidification, iv, 450) that Bates found this species breeding near Madras. He did not do so and it has not been recorded in the Vedan Thangal Heronry. Finally Mr. C. E. Rhenius (J.B.N.H.S., xvii, 806) found another large colony, again breeding with Pelicans, in the extreme south of the Tinnevelly district. This was at Kundakolam in the Nunguneri Taluq. On 8 June there were young in various stages of development. Anastomus oscitans (Boddaert.). Ardea oscitans Boddaert, Table Pl. Enlum, p. 55 (1783) for Pl. Enl. 932— Pondicherry, India. Mr. D. Hatchell states that the Open-bill is common in the Nellore District (Birds of S. India, p. 448). THE VERNAY SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF THE EASTERN GHATS 453 Our main information about this curious bird in the Madras district, however, comes from the Vedan Thangal Heronry where the first account of its nesting was published in Hume’s Rough Draft in 1873. It will be remembered that Major Bates was able to trace by documentary evidences the existence of this Heronry as far back as the years 1796-1798 (Bird Life in India, p. 29). In 1903 the Heronry was again described by Captain H. N. Packard (J.B.N.H.S., xv, p. 138) who visited it on December 1st 1902. On that date the eggs of the Open-bill were in all stages of incubation and the adults without exception were all in the grey plumage (a statement that suggests that the New Fauna, vi, p. 333 is wrong in calling this the non-breeding plumage). Bates visited the Heronry again in the seasons 1928-1929 and_ 1929-1930. The first winter all the Open-bills had young on December 20th, some being sufficiently old to look capable of flight by December 29th. Numbers were actually on the wing by January 13. In 1929-1930 the very largest young were not as large as chickens by December 29th. These were capable of flight by February 16th but on that date newer arrivals in the colony were still only laying eggs. The total number of adults at the colony this season were estimated by Baker as about 200 birds in all. Where these birds spend the non-breeding season is not clear unless it is in Travancore. Bates, however, on three separate occasions—viz. 5 March 1924, 29 March 1929 and the very end of April 1930—saw birds flying over St. Thomas’ Mount and these he presumed were birds leaving the Heronry. In Travancore, according to Ferguson, the Open-bill is very common and large flocks may be met with on the marshy borders of all the larger tanks and fresh water lakes. He did not, however, find any evidence of breeding. Ardea purpurea manilensis Meyen. Ardea purpurea var. manilensis Meyen, Nova Acta Acad. Leop. Carol., vol. xvi, Suppl. (1834), p. 102—Philippines. The Purple Heron is no doubt very generally distributed in the Presidency. Mr. Hatchell reports specimens shot at Bhimadole in the Godaveri District, at the Nagathur canal, Kurnool District, and at Dharmapuri, Salem District (Birds of S. India, p. 450). It occurs without comment in Dewar’s Madras list and Captain Packard (J.B.N.H.S., xv, 139) found it breeding at Vedan Thangal on December 1st 1902. He then estimated that perhaps 8 or 10 pairs were present in the Heronry—this species usually nests in reed beds— though they were so shy that he had great difficulty in identifying their nests and only managed to satisfy himself in one case. None appear to have been found by Bates on his visits to this colony. On the western side the country is less suitable for the Purple Heron but Hume received a specimen for identification shot somewhere about the base of the Nilgiris (S.F., x, 416). In Bourdillon’s time it was abundant at the Vellarney Lake 7 miles from Trivandrum whence there is a female (June 21, Bourdillon) in the British Museum. When Ferguson wrote however the reeds had gone and with them of course this species, which however he shot at Sastancotta. In Travancore according to Bourdillon and Ferguson, the breeding season was in July and August (Stuart-Baker, Nidification, iv, 456). Ardea cinerea rectirostris Gould. Ardea rectirostris Gould, P.Z.S., 1843, p. 22—New South Wales. The Heron is common on the Chilka Lake according to Annandale (Rec. Ind. Mus., xxii, 329) and it breeds there on some of the islands in September. Dewar includes it in his Madras list without comment. This species breeds at the Vedan Thangal Heronry and is mentioned there before 1873 by Hume’s anonymous correspondent, though without any particular details being vouchsafed. Packard evidently found it common at the Heronry and eggs were hatching on December 1st (J.B.N.H.S., xv, 139). Bates also found the Herons numerous and considered them the earliest of the breeders in the colony. All—but a few stragglers—had finished and left by the end of February in the season 1928-1929. Next season he noted that many eggs had hatched and a few young were already feathering by December 29. 454 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST... SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX On the western side our only information is from Ferguson who says that in Travancore the Heron frequents the backwaters along the coast but is not found in the interior. A captive bird in the Public Gardens had lived for over 17 years! There is a Travancore skin (Bourdillon: no data) in the British Museum. Egretta alba modesta(Gray). Ardea modesta Gray, Zool. Misc. (19 February 1831), p. 19—India. The Great White Heron is found on the Chilka Lake according to Annandale (Records, Ind. Mus., xxii, 329) and Dewar includes it without comment in his Madras list, but I do not find any other record of this species from the Eastern side of the Presidency. The original account of the Vedan Thangal Heronry appears under this species in Hume’s Rough Draft (p. 614) and is copied again under it in Stuart Baker’s Nidification (iv, 459). It will be noted, however, that the name of this species—as distinct from other Egrets—does not actually occur in the account and Bates appears to have found only the Little Egret at the colony. On the western side the Great White Heron is only recorded from Travancore whence there is a skin from Kolachul (January, Bourdillon) in the British Museum. Ferguson says that this Heron is by no means common and very wary. At Sastancotta it roosts in company on the trees round the lake. Egretta intermedia intermedia (Wagler). Ardea intermedia Wagler, Isis (1829), col. 659—Java. Annandale implies that the Smaller Egret is not uncommon on the Chilla Lake (Rec. Ind. Mus., xxii, 329) and Dewar includes it in his Madras list without comment. Otherwise it is recorded in the Presidency only from Travancore where Ferguson says it is fairly common about the edges of the backwaters and lakes from Quilon northwards. It is usually seen in companies of 3 or 4 or even more, but is not nearly so abundant in the South. I do not know the evidence on which Stuart Baker (New Fauna, vi, 347) says that ‘in Madras and the south they breed during December and January’. Egretta garzetta garzetta (Linnaeus). Ardea garzetta Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. xii (1766), vol. i, p. 237—‘In Oriente’ =Malalbergo, N.E. Italy.’ The Little Egret, also, is recorded from the Chilka Lake by Annandale who implies that it is common, while it is included in Dewar’s Madras list without comment. It is the common Egret of the Vedan Thangal Heronry and Bates informs me that there were not less than 500 birds standing round the margins of the tank at each of his visits. How many of these birds actually breed in the Heronry is a problem. Packard did not include it in his list of the breeding species. Bates considers that if the Egrets breed at the Heronry at all they do so late in the season, as certainly only a dozen or less were breeding there by early March 1929 while on 16 February 1930 there were only two pairs nesting, one still building, the other still laying. They were certainly not nesting earlier in the season and he has some doubt as to whether they had then even assumed breeding plumage. In Travancore according to Ferguson the Little Egret is not uncommon about the backwaters of the coast, going about solitary or in pairs. Bubulcus ibis coromandus (Boddaert). Cancroma coromanda Boddaert, Table Pl. Enl. (1783), p. 54 for Pl. Enl. g10—Coromandel, India. The only information that I can trace regarding the Cattle Egret on the eastern side of the Presidency is its inclusion in Dewar’s Madras list (doubtless on the strength of the specimen in the Madras Museum) and the statement in the Old Fauna (iv, 389)—whose provenance I cannot trace—that the breeding season in the Carnatic is in November and December. 7 See Grant, Bull., B.O.C., liii (1933), p. 194. THE VERNAY SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF THE EASTERN GHATS 4655 On the west Fairbank includes it in his Palni list as observed following cattle near the base of the hills. In Travancore Ferguson says that it is far the commonest of the White Egrets, being found in numbers in all paddy fields throughout Travancore along the backwaters and in cultivated lands. He says the breeding plumage is assumed about April. There are an Anjango specimen and another (QQ 13 November, Bourdillon) from Trivandrum in the British Museum. Demiegretta asha (Sykes). Ardea asha Sykes, P.Z.S., 1832 (22 November), p. 157—Dukhun. Very little is known about the Indian Reef-Heron in the Presidency. Colonel H. R. Baker (B. of S. India, p. 455) says that he met with it at Cannanore and that Mr. Hatchell records obtaining a possible specimen near Ellore. Ferguson’s collectors obtained a single specimen at Ayrentenga, on the coast near Kayankulum in Travancore. There is an old specimen in the British Museum, said to have been obtained by Sykes in the Tinnevelly district and formerly in the India Museum. The status in the Presidency is therefore quite unknown. . Ardeola grayii (Sykes). Ardea grayii Sykes P.Z.S., 1832 (November 22), p. 158—Dukhun. Specimen collected :—1739 28-4-30 Anantagiri 3,000 ft. Measurements :— Bill. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Io 70.5 Zig 78 60 mm. The Pond-Heron is common on the Chilka [Lake according to Annandale (Records Ind. Mus., xxii, 329) and LaPersonne reports, in reference to the above specimen, that at Anantagiri they were found to frequent the hill streams. On this side there is no other information beyond Dewar’s inclusion of , it without comment in his Madras list. On the west there is more to set forth. In Coorg Betts says it is widely distributed wherever there are paddy fields, ponds or swamps. In the Wynaad William Davison considered it common and his note on it in the Nilgiris is of interest—‘Some years ago this species was rare on the Nilghiris, a few occurring during the cold weather about the lake at Ootacamund, but within the last three or four years it has become quite numerous about the marshy banks of the lake. I counted thirty in the course of a walk one morning. It is, however, only a cold weather visitor to the Nilghiris, disappearing as the breeding season approaches’. According to Colonel H. R. Baker (B. of S. India, p. 456) it still occasionally occurs in winter at Ootacamund though I believe one of the lakes has been drained. In the Palnis both Fairbank and Terry record it, by streams and ponds at the base of the hills according to the former and very abundant in all parts of the district according to the latter. As to Travancore Ferguson states succinctly that it is one of the commonest and most familiar birds throughout the whole country. The breeding season in the Presidency does not appear to have been recorded. No proper material is available from the Presidency to verify that South Indian birds are the same as those from Northern India. Butorides striatus javanicus (Horsfield). Ardea javanica Horsfield, Trans. Linn. Society, vol. xiii, pt. i (1821 May), p. 190—Java. | The occurrence of the Little Green Heron has not been substantiated on the eastern side of the Presidency beyond the fact that a local specimen in the Madras Museum is apparently the basis for its inclusion in Dewar’s Madras list. , On the west William Davison says that he met it on several occasions in the Wynaad but it apparently does not ascend the Nilgiris. Kinloch identified it in the Nelliampathies (J.B.N.H.S., xxvii, 943). 456 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL. HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX In Travancore it is believed to be a winter visitor only. Bourdillon said that it was to be found from November to March among the rocks of the larger streams up to about 2,000 ft., always in dense jungle. Ferguson said that it was common in the low country from November to April. There are two specimens from Bourdillon in the British Museum. One has no _ precise data. The other was collected at Merchiston on March 27th. Nycticorax nycticorax nycticorax (Linnaeus). Ardea nycticorax Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 142—South Europe. According to Annandale (Records Ind. Mus., xxii, 329) the Night Heron is common and breeds on the Chilka Lake. Dewar records a_ considerable colony on the Red Hills tank near Madras and these birds breed on the islands in the middle of the tank. They were visited on 3 September and most of the young birds were then fledged, though one or two nests still held eggs. When Packard visited the Vedan Thangal Heronry on December rst he found the Night Heron in thousands. Some were in very bedraggled plumage —which he attributed to their being engaged with second broods while the young of the first broods were still about the nests. In the same Heronry Bates found the Night Heron one of the most abundant species, vying only with the cormorants in numbers. Their nidification appears to extend over a longer period than in the case of the other birds, for at his first visit on 20 December 1928 not only did the nests contain both eggs and young but a number of young birds were actually seen in flight. Yet on March 7th when many Night Herons had apparently departed there were still numbers of fresh eggs to be found. Ferguson’s collectors found the Night Heron fairly common at Perambulam in North Travancore and at other places round the Vembanad Lake. Otherwise I find no records from the west beyond Willam Davison’s statement that he heard its call on several occasions in the Wynaad. Gorsakius melanolophus melanolophus (Raffles). Ardea melanolopha Raffles, Trans. Linn. Soc., vol. xiii, pt. 2 (November 1822), p. 326—Sumatra. In the Presidency the Malay Bittern is confined to the western side and even here we do not know very much about it. There is a specimen from Coorg (Day) in the British Museum. Col. H. R. Baker shot a fine female on 31 October 1921 in a shola on the top of the Sigur Ghat 7,200 ft. near Ootacamund where it appeared to be a straggler (J.B.N.H.S., xxviii, 547). This specimen is now in my own collection. In Travancore it appears to be a resident. Bourdillon obtained a male at Invercauld 2,500 ft. on January 3rd 1878 which is now in the British Museum. Ferguson received two examples alive and Stewart is said to have obtained many nests (Nidification, iv, 479). He found the breeding season to be from the end of May to early July. Ixobrychus sinensis sinensis (Gmelin). Ardea sinensis Gmelin, Syst. Nat., vol. i, pt. ii (1789), p. 642—China. According to Stuart Baker the Yellow Bittern is common and _ resident in Travancore and Malabar but the only original record that I can trace for this area is that by Ferguson whose collectors brought ‘several specimens from North Travancore where it was found solitary on the banks of the backwaters about Kottayam and Vycome’. Two males and a female from Trivandrum (February) are in the British Museum as well as another specimen marked Madras, February, A. G. Theobald. Ixobrychus cinnamomeus (Gmelin). Ardea cinnamomea Gmelin, Syst. Nat., vol. i, pt. ii (1789), p. 643—China. There are two specimens of the Chestnut Bittern from Coorg in the Tweeddale collection in the British Museum. Hume _ received two _ other specimens from the Wynaad (S.F,, x, 417). Jerdon. (Madras Journ. Lit. Sct., THE VERNAY SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF THE EASTERN GHATS 457 No.29, October 1840, p. 198) tells us that he saw it on the banks of the Pykara river in the Nilgiris. In ‘Travancore, according to Ferguson, it is common on all the lakes and_ backwaters. For the eastern side of the Presidency I have no information beyond the fact that Dr. Gravely kindly informs me that there is a local specimen in the Madras Museum. There is nothing to shew the status of the Chestnut Bittern in the Presidency. Dupetor flavicollis flavicollis (Latham). Ardea flavicollis Latham, Ind. Orn., vol. ii (1790), p. 7o1—Oude, India. The Black Bittern must be very generally distributed, I presume as a resident, throughout the western side of the Presidency, as in addition to Jerdon’s somewhat vague statement that he had seen it on the Malabar coast in rice fields, there are several records. A specimen from Calicut is in the Hume collection. Mr. Betts informs me that he came upon one in Coorg, almost treading on it as he climbed a log in a stream bed in a dark wooded ravine. William Davison says that he had seen it in the Wynaad and that he had also seen a specimen killed by a native shikari close to Ootacamund. Fairbank stumbled on a sepcimen below Vilparti in the Palnis in 1867 under much the same circumstances as Betts. There is an Anjango_ skin in the British Museum and Ferguson considered it not uncommon along the backwaters in Travancore, frequenting the more thickly covered canals. On the eastern side it is only reported from the neighbourhood of Madras near which place Jerdon saw it. There is a local specimen in the Madras Museum. Botaurus stellaris (Linnaeus). Ardea stellaris Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 144—Sweden. The Bittern is an occasional straggler to the Presidency. There may perhaps be some doubt about Jerdon’s statement (Madras Journ. Lit. Sct., No. 29 (1840), p. 198) that he had seen a specimen shot in the Nilgiris in the hot season and it is to be noted that he does not repeat it in the Birds of India. There is, however, no doubt about the specimens recorded by Rhenius (J.B.N.H.S., xvii, 247) near Cuddalore, about 120 miles south of Madras and by Captain C. B. Harrison, I.m.s., from near Madura (J.B.N.H.S., xvii, 1037). Both were obtained about 1907 but exact dates are not given. Phoenicopterus ruber roseus Pallas. Pheenicopterus roseus Pallas, Zoogr. Rosso-asiat., vol. ii (1827), p. 207— Mouth of the R. Volga, Caspian Sea, South Russia.? Jerdon tells us that he saw the Flamingo in the greatest abundance at the Chilka Lake where many hundreds were gathered together. It is_ still said to be found there, though less frequently and in smaller numbers than formerly as the lake is now more accessible to sportsmen than in former days (Stuart Baker, Game Birds, i, p. 4). Jerdon also says that the bird is very abundant in the Pulicat Lake near Madras (where Dewar says they are to be found every cold weather, he himself having seen over a_ thousand there), between Madras and Pondicherry and_ still ftirther south towards Tuticorin. Throughout this last district W. N. Fleming writing in 1892 (J.B.N.H.S., xii, p. 216) says the Flamingo is fairly common. One _ large flock, he continues, of quite 300 frequented a shallow piece of water, about three miles from Tuticorin, all the cold weather and remained until the end of April when the water dried up. It was however still in the neighbour- hood in July. * For the use of this name see Grant and Mackworth-Praed, Bull, B.OC., vol. liv (1933), pp. 16-17. 458 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX Major Phythian Adams (B. of S. India, p. 465) says that he met with a flock of many hundreds near Dhanushkodi at the end of March or beginning of April 1922. They were on the lagoon beside the railway line. There is no reason to believe that the Flamingo breeds in the Presidency and there is no information on record regarding their arrivals or departure beyond a very. interesting note by S. ©. Law (j.B.N.H.S.; (xxx, 226)> in 1924 Mr. Law was at Vizagapatam and on 19 August he saw about 150 Flamingoes flying past out at sea, about a mile from the coast, at 12-30 midday. They were travelling very low over the sea and flying from due north to south. Next day a similar flock was following the same line at the same time and on 24 August a still larger flock was noted about 3 miles out at sea at 7-30 a.m., also flying south and quite high in the air. Sarkidiornis melanotos Pennant. Anser melanotos Pennant, Ind. Zoology (1769), p. 12, pl. xi—Ceylon. The Nukta or Comb-Duck appears to be rare in the Presidency and there is very little on record about it. Hume says (S.F., x, 417) that he believes it occurs in the Wynaad. Theobald is quoted (apud Hume and Marshall, ii, 91) to the effect that south of Mysore he had only seen it in the Collegal Taluq of Coimbatore and not to the best of his belief further south. He adds that it comes about December and leaves again in February and March but is very rare, only 4 or 5 pairs coming each year. Mr. Hatchell records it from the Sripuram Tank near Podanur (Birds of S. India, p. 467). On the eastern side the only information is furnished by two specimens in the Madras Museum supposed to have been collected at Madras and Chingleput and the fact that Mr. R. F. Stoney kindly informs me that he shot 4 Comb-Duck in the Godavery district in the season of 1928-29. There are two specimens labelled ‘Madras’ in the British Museum. Rhodonessa caryophyllacea (Latham). Anas caryophyllacea Latham, Index Orn., vol. ii (1790), p. 866—India. All that is known about the former status of the Pink-headed Duck in the Presidency will be found in Game Birds, vol. iii, p.175. Here Hume says :—It certainly occurs in the Pulicat Lake as I have a specimen shot there [this is presumably the immature specimen marked ‘Madras’ in the Hume collection], and Jerdon years previously had obtained a specimen in the Madras market caught there, and another from Nellore. Again north of Nellore it appears to occur in suitable situations in Vizagapatam and Ganjam. ‘The locality Vizagapatam is expanded in the following footnote from Lt.-Col. W. J. Wilson.—‘‘The Pink-headed Duck used to frequent a piece of water near Condakirla about 27 miles south of Vizagapatam and in all probability is still to be found there, as well as at similar places in the Northern Circars, although I do not now remember having actually seen it except at Condakirla . . . to the best of my recollection the Pink-headed Duck I shot were killed in November and December. I think I saw about 15 or 20 on each occasion of my visit.” ’ The Pink-headed Duck is now so dwindling in numbers that the chance of its occurring again in the Presidency is of the very slightest. Nettapus coromandelianus coromandelianus (Gmelin). Anas coromandeliana Gmelin, Syst. Nat., vol. i, pt. ii (1789), p. 522— Coromandel coast. The Cotton-Teal seems to be fairly generally distributed in the Presidency but it is not found in large numbers and I find no notes that allow one to arrive at its status accurately. On the western side it is evidently rare. Major Phythian Adams who has shot at Cannanore for the seasons 1925-1926 to 1935-1936 only met with it there on two occasions, viz. 2 birds on 10 December 1930 and a party of 6 on 27 November 1933. Hume says it occurs in the Wynaad (S. F., x, 417). ‘Kinloch recorded (].5.N3fS 7e xxvinno74) a4 shot in the Nelliampathies. In Travancore Ferguson thought it was a winter visitor and never abundant at any time, t THE VERNAY SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF THE EASTERN GHATS 4659 In the rest of the Presidency I have records from Ganjam, Vizagapatam, Kistna, Madras, Chingleput, Salem, Tanjore, Coimbatore, Madura, Tinnevelly and Tuticorin. These are mostly supplied to me by Mr. R. F. Stoney whose Game Book shows a total of 72 Cotton-Teal shot in the years 1903-1931. At Tuticorin Mr. W. N. Fleming (J.B.N.H.S., xii, 216) calls this little duck ‘fairly common during the cold weather until the end of April’ but more numerous at Tinnevelly. An albinoid specimen from Madras is described by W. F. Dique (S.F., ix, 508). Anser indicus (Latham). Anas indica Latham, Index Orn., vol. ii (i790), p. 839—India. A winter visitor. In Hume’s day the Bar-headed Goose was extremely abundant at the Chilka Lake (Game Birds, iii, 82) and according to Annandale (Records Ind. Mus., xxii, 329) it is still found there and remains as late as the beginning of April. Mr. R. F. Rainey informs me that he shot 4 in the Kistna district in the season 1905-1906. Mr. Hatchell records it from near Nellore and Cuddapah, and geese, which are probably of this species, are reported to frequent the sea coast as far south as Pamban_ Island (Birds of S. India, p. 471). Mr. Albert Theobald (apud Game Birds, iii, 82) says ‘I have not seen this Goose south of Coimbatore. I have shot them in the Collegal Taluq only ; they come at the end of November or early in December and leave about February or March—a few stragglers being found in April in the Agaroram tank about 3 miles from Collegal. They are far from common, only a few, ten to twenty, being found in a_ flock.’ W. N. Fleming, however, says it is a regular cold weather visitor to Tuticorin (J.B.N.H.S., xii, 216) and he remarks on the considerable but un- usual numbers that arrived in the cold weather of 1897-98 and were there from November until the end of February. He saw one flock containing about 50 birds and 5 birds were brought to him in one day by a ‘pot hunter’. Finally it is necessary to recall—but not to attach too much importance to—Jerdon’s oft quoted statement that he once saw a pair in August in a small sequestered tank within a few miles of Cape Comorin. Dendrocygna javanica (Horsfield). Anas javanica Horsfield, Trans. Linn. Soc., vol. iii, pt. 1 (May 1821). p. 199—Java. My information about the Whistling Teal is far from complete and _ its status is not clear. Large flocks occur on the Chilka Lake but according to Annandale (Records Ind. Mus., xxii, 330) they appear to leave as soon as the rains set in and are not seen between the end of June and November. Mr. Rainey has shot it in the Ganjam and Kistna districts and also down in Madura, and Dewar includes it without comment in his Madras list. In Tuticorin W. N. Fleming (Journ. B., xii, 216) calls it rarer than the Cotton-Teal but apparently pretty plentiful in December, January and February. On the western side Hume (S.F., x, 417) says he has seen it from the Wynaad. Phythian Adams informs me that he has met it in Cannanore in December. Ferguson says that it is common on all weedy tanks throughout Travancore but perhaps commoner in the north than in the south. On one piece of fresh water near Sastancottah he saw hundreds in April 1902 though there was not a single bird in the same place in December 1903. It is probably to this species which Mr. Sherman refers (apud Hume and Marshall, iii, 119) where he says that it is generally seen in N. Travancore only from October to April but that some must stay and breed as he has seen young in August. [Dendrocygna fulva (Gmelin). Anas fulva Gmelin, Syst. Nat., vol. i (1839), p. §30—Nova Hispania. Jerdon is said to have obtained the Large Whistling Teal occasionally near Nellore but details are lacking and there appears to be no authentic information 460 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol.. XXXIX about the occurrence of this species in the Presidency. Annandale does how- ever, record a pair on the Chilka Lake as frequenting Barkuda Island during the. rainy. season of 1919 (Records Ind. Mus., xxii, 330).] Casarca ferruginea (Vroeg). Anas ferruginea Pallas in Vroeg, Cat. d’Ois. Adumb. (1764), p. 5—Tartary.’ Sherborn remarks re the type loc. of ferruginea as follows :—No locality cited ‘Tartarysche Gans. Anser Tataricus ferrugineus Mas’ in catalogue. The Ruddy Sheldrake or Brahminy Duck is a winter visitor to the Presidency in small numbers. It is fairly common on the Chilka Lake (Stuart Baker, Game Birds, i, 140, Annandale, Records Ind. Mus., xxii, 330) while Mr. R. F. Stoney kindly informs me that in the Kistna district he shot one in the season 1905-1906 and three more in the season 1923-1924. On the western side Major Phythian Adams informs me that he killed a bird from the only pair he has ever seen at Cannanore on 15 November 1935. Theobald (apud Hume and Marshall, iii, 123) says that he had shot them in the Salem, Tinnevelly and Coimbatore districts. They come in about November and leave about March. They are not common, seldom more than 3 or 4 in a batch. In 1869 he shot one in the Collegal Taluq as late as June, but this must surely have been a_ pricked bird. Anas poecilorhyncha poecilorhyncha Forster. Anas poecilorhincha Forster, Indische Zoologie (1781), p. 42, pl. xii, fig. 1— Ceylon. The status of the Spot-bill in the Presidency is not very clear. A few pairs were noted on the Chilka Lake in April and June 1920 by Annandale (Records Ind. Mus., xxii, 330). Mr. RK. .F- Stoney informs, me that hewhas shot it in the Vizagapatam, Kistna, Kurnool and Tanjore districts, the total for the seasons 1904-1905 tO 1930-1931 coming to 25 head. Dewar includes it without comment in his Madras list. j At Tuticorin: W.-N. Fleming (/.8.N.4.S., “xii, 216) “says that. it. —eccuts in small numbers but apparently arrives after the cold weather as he saw none until March while 2 were brought to him by a shikari on 12 July. Chaulelasmus streperus (Linnaeus). Anas strepera Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 125—Sweden. The Gadwall is a winter visitor in small numbers to the north-east of the Presidency and Mr. R. F. Stoney has kindly sent me details of nine individuals he has shot in the Vizagapatam and Kistna districts in the seasons 1903-1904 to 1930-1931. Dewar includes it in his Madras list without comment but it must be remembered that his list of ducks was made from the specimens in the local Museum and it is not quite certain where all of these came from. On the western side Hume (S.F., x, 418) was almost sure that it had been reported to him from the Wynaad. Mareca penelope (Linnaeus). Anas penelope Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. 1 (1758), p. 126—Sweden. The Wigeon is a winter visitor to the Presidency but it is evidently neither general nor common as Mr. R. F. Stoney in the details of his bags for the seasons 1903-1904 to 1930-1931 can only tell me of two that he has shot, one in Kistna district, season 1923-1924, and the other in Vizagapatam district 1928-1929. In Tuticorin Fleming considered them fairly common though their stay was short. It will be remembered, however, that this is one of the ducks whose numbers in India vary a great deal from year to year. es * There is no copy of Vroeg Cat. d’Ois. in the British Museum but Sherborn made a facsimile copy some years ago which was published in Smithsonian Misc. Bull, 47, pp. 332-347. THE VERNAY SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF THE EASTERN GHATS 461 Nettion crecca crecca (Linnaeus). Anas crecca Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 126—Sweden. The Common Teal is a winter visitor to the Presidency and it is no doubt common and widely spread though I cannot trace much information about it. On the eastern side Mr. R. F. Stoney informs me that he has shot it in the districts of Ganjam, Kistna, Chingleput, Tanjore and Madura though his Game Book only records a total of 27 for the seasons 1903-1904 to 1930-1931. Theobald (apud Hume and Marshall, iii, 207) records Teal at Tinnevelly as being found in great abundance in the large tanks south of Palamcottah and Fleming (J.B.N.H.S., xii, 216) calls them plentiful throughout Tuticorin district. On the Malabar coast the Teal seems to be virtually unknown but Ferguson says he obtained a single specimen in South Travancore. On the Nilgiris William Davison says that small parties occasionally drop into the lake at Ootacamund but are not permitted to stay there long. According to Theobald this duck usually arrives in South India at the beginning of the north-east monsoon about November and leaves again in March and April while he shot some in the Tinnevelly district as late as 15 May. Dique (S.F., ix, 508) remarks that he has heard of an albino Teal, obtained presumably at Madras. Dafila acuta (Linnaeus). Anas acuta Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed x, vol. i (1758), p. 126—Sweden. The Pintail is a winter visitor to the Presidency but I have very little information about it. In the seasons 1903-1904 to 1930-1931 covered by his Game Book Mr. R. F. Stoney informs me that he has killed a total of 7 birds in the Kistna and Tanjore districts and Dewar includes the species in his Madras list without comment. At .Tuticorin .Fleming (J.B.N.H.S., xii, 216) says the Pintail is by far the commonest duck, remaining from November to March in large flocks of 200 to 300 birds. On the Malabar coast it is rare or wanting, but Hume says it occurs in the Wynaad though reported rare there. Querquedula querquedula (Linnaeus). Anas querquedula Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 126—Sweden. The Garganey is evidently the most numerous species of Duck which is found in the Presidency and the fact that Mr. R. F. Stoney’s Game Book gives a total of 144 shot in the seasons 1903-1904 to 1929-1930 furnishes an idea of its numbers compared with other species. It occurs apparently on every suitable piece of water from the Chilka Lake to Cape Comorin but its principal headquarters in the winter seem to be the backwaters of Travancore where very large flocks are to be found. Theobald (apud Hume and Marshall, ii, p. 216) says that the Garganey arrives in Southern India (i.e. south of Mysore) about the early part of December and leaves by March or April, a few stragglers remaining till May or June and this agrees roughly with what Fleming says at Tuticorin (J.B.N.H.S., xii, 216). Major Phythian Adams however says (Birds of S$. India, p. 479) that he has found a party at Cannanore as early as 24 September 1927. Spatula clypeata (Linnaeus). Anas clypeata Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 124—South Sweden. The Shoveller is not a very common winter visitor to the Presidency. Mr. Stoney’s Game Book for the seasons 1903-1904 to 1930-1931 shows a total of 13 birds shot in the Ganjam and Kistna districts and specimens in the Madras Museum are said to have been procured at Madras and Chingleput. 462 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX On the western side Hume says (S.F., x, 417) that he has received a specimen from the Wynaad. Netta rufina (Pallas). Anas yufina Pallas, Reise Russ. Reichs., vol. ii (1773), p. 715—-Caspian Sea. Mr. Stoney informs me that he killed 12 Red-crested Pochards in the Vizagapatam district in the season of 1928-1929. There are two specimens in the Madras Museum labelled Madras and Arkonam but I can find no other record for the Presidency. Nyroca ferina ferina (Linnaeus). Anas ferina Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 126—Sweden. The Pochard is a scarce winter visitor to the Presidency. Mr. Stoney informs me that he shot two in the Vizagapatam district in the season 1928-1929 and one was killed at Bellary on 6 December by Colonel McMaster (Hume and Marshall, iii, 247). [Nyroca rufa rufa (Linnaeus). Anas rufa Linnaeus, Fauna Suec. ed. ii (1761), p. 47—Sweden. There is no definite record of the White-eyed Pochard in the Presidency beyond Hume’s general statement (Game Birds, iii, 263) that it occurs in the Northern Circars and that he has no record from south of Madras. | [Nyroca marila (Linnaeus). Ans marila Linnaeus, Faunna Suecica, ed. ii (1761), p. 39—Lapland. I find difficulty in accepting the correctness of Colonel McMaster’s idea that ‘one year, in January, he saw several birds of this species, on marshes and salt lakes between Chicacole and Berhampore in the Northern Circars (say 19° N. Lat.)’ (Hume and Marshall, iii, 271).] Nyroca fuligula fuligula (Linnaeus). Anas fuligula Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 128—Sweden. Theobald (Hume and Marshall, iii, 278) says that he met this duck in the northern part of Coimbatore. Otherwise the only information that I have of it in the Presidency is furnished by the 11 birds in Mr. R. F. Stoney’s records, shot in the seasons from 1903-1904 to 1930-1931 in the Vizagapatam, Godavery, Kistna, Chingleput and Chittoor districts. Hume says that it has been shot near Bellary. Podiceps ruficollis capensis Salvadori. Podiceps capensis Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. (2), vol. 1 (1884), p. 262— Shoa, East Africa. William Davison tells us that he had found the Little Grebe in several places in the Wynaad and that it is a permanent resident on the lake at Octacamund where it breeds in large numbers in May and early June (VN. & E., iii, 404)—Cardew adds early August. As Jerdon points out this lake is artificial in origin and migrating birds must travel at a considerable height to have found and colonised it. Fairbank says that it is also resident on the lake at Kodaikanal in the Palnis, where Terry later found it. In Travancore it is also resident, according to Ferguson, and breeds in August. On the eastern side the only information that I can find about it, beyond Davison’s inclusion of the bird in his Madras list is the fact that A. G. R. Theobald found a nest on 19 August on a lake near Ahtoor in fhe Shevaroys (NV. .& #., i, 404). HE VERNAY SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF THE EASTERN GHATS 463 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF Books and Papers referring more particularly to the birds of the Madras Presidency. 1839-40 Jerdon, T. C. ‘Catalogue of the birds of the Feninsula of India’, 1844 1847 1876 1876 1877 1878 1880 1883 1887 1898 1903 1903-4 1904 1905 arranged according to the modern system of classification; with brief notes on their Habits and Geographical Distribution, and description of new, doubtful and imperfectly described specimens. Madras Journal of Literature and Science, x (1839), p. 60-91, pp. 234-69; xi (1840), pp. 1-38, pp. 209-39; xii (1840), pp. I-15, pp.193-227. Jerdon, T. C. ‘Supplement to the Catalogue of Birds of the Peninsula of India’. Madras Journal of Literature and Science, xiii, pp. 156-74. Second Supplement, xili (1844), pp. 116-44. Jerdon, T. C. ‘Illustrations of Indian Ornithology’, containing figures of new, unfiguréd or interesting species of Birds, chiefly from the south of India (Madras). Hume, A. O. ‘A First List of the Birds of Travancore Hills’. Stray Feathers, iv, pp. 351-405. Hume, A. O. ‘The Laccadives and the West coast’. Stray Feathers, iV, Pp. 413-83. Fairbank, S. B., Rev. ‘A list of Birds collected and observed on the Palani Hills’. Stray Feathers, v, pp. 387-410. Hume, A. O. ‘A Second List of the Birds of South Travancore’. Stray Feathers, vii, pp. 33-39- Bourdillon, T. F. ‘Birds Nesting in South Travancore’. Stray Feathers, ix, pp. 299-300. Davison, William. ‘Notes on some Birds collected on the Nilghiris and in parts of Wynaad and Southern Mysore’. Stray Feathers, %5 PP 329-419- [Terry, H. A.] ‘A Few Additional Notes on Birds on the Pulney Hills’. Stray Feathers, x, pp. 467-480. Ferguson, H. S. ‘Birds not Recorded from Travancore, in the ‘‘Fauna of British India” ’. Journ., Bom. Nat. His. Soc., xii, pp. 202-203. Packard, Capt. H. N. ‘Note on the Breeding of Certain Herons etc. in South India’. Journ., Bom. Nat. Hist. Soc., xv, pp. 138-39: Ferguson, H. S. ‘The Birds of Travancore’, with notes on_ their nidification by Borduillon, T. F. Journ., Bom. Nat. Hist. Soc., XV, Pp. 249-64; PP- 455-743 PP- 654-73; Xvi, pp. 1-18. Dewar, Douglas. ‘Some Notes on Birds Taken at Coonoor, Nilgiris, in May 1904’. lou Bom: Nat. Hist. Soc., xvi, pp: 153-54. Dewar, Douglas. ‘A List of the Birds Found in and about Madras’. Journ., Bom. Nat. Hist. Soc., xvi, pp. 484-98. Annandale, N. ‘The Eaenaer on Island on the Chilka es Birds, Records Indian Museum, vol. xxii, part iv, No. 23, pp. 323-30. Kinloch, A. P. ‘Rough Notes on the Avifauna of the Nelliampathy Hills’. Journ. Bom. Nat. Hist. Soc., xxvii, pp. 939-44- Kinloch, A. P. ‘On the birds of the Nelliampathy Hills’. Journ., Bom. Nat. Hist.. Soc., xxix, pp. 564-65. Betts, F. N. ‘Notes on the Birds of Coorg’. Journ., Bom. Nat. Hist. S0C., &XXill, PP. 542-51- Baker, Lt.-Col. H. R. and Inglis, Chas. M. The Birds of Southern India, including Madras, Malabar, Travancore, Cochin, Coorg and Mysore. Government Press, Madras. Bates, Capt. R. S. P. Bird Life in India (Madras Diocesan Press). [Chapter ii, pp. 20-47, a South Indian Heronry and Chapter v, pp. 66-82, +The Nilgiri Hills. | (THE END). THE SNAKES OF DEOLALI. WITH NOTES ON THEIR COMPARATIVE OSTEOLOGY AND PECULIARITIES OF DENTITION. BY A. G.c Ly FRASER, 1.MD: PART ST (With q plates). (Continued from page 290 of this volume). SUB-ORDER: OPHIDIA FAMILY : JYPHLOPIDAE Species: Typhlops braminus (Daud.). The Worm Snake. There appears to be no local name for it. Exoskeleton.—The body is uniformly rounded throughout, without showing any distinction between the head, body and tail. There is a covering of cycloid scales, which give it the semblance of a worm. The distinction of the ventral shields is_ purely arbitrary, as they are not enlarged. The anal shield is not differentiated. The costal scales average 20 in the count. The snout is rounded. The tail is abbreviated and terminally spined. Colour.—This snake dorsally shows varying shades of brown. The brown colour tone is lghter anteriorly and ventrally; in the anal region the colour is white. Length.—The smallest measured 3 in. and the largest 7 in. Eye.—This is comparatively distinct and the pupil is spherical. Endoskeleton.—Skull. There is a heavy bone formation ante- riorly. There are no squamosals and no ectopterygoid bones. The pterygoid is cartilaginous and does not touch the mandible. The maxilla is transversely placed and equipped with one tooth. The praefrontal shows a suture with the nasals. The mandible 1s toothless and the coronoid bone is present. The vomer and _ tur- binals are heavily formed and convexed on the ventral aspect. Immediately behind the eye is a depression or sulcus for the reception of the poison gland. Vertebrae.—There are no neural spines and the hypapophysis is absent throughout the vertebral column. The caudal section is very short and terminates abruptly. The cloacal vertebrae show a rudimentary pelvis. Glandular structures.—In the sulcus immediately behind the eye and above the temporalis anterior muscle is a small gland. Locomotion.—The zigzag spiral motion is not exaggerated and is the same as the movement noted for Lycodon aulicus. THE SNAKES OF DEOLALI 465 Habitat.—Peninsular India, Burma, Ceylon, Mexico, South: of the equator in Africa, Arabia to S. China and coastal islands (Wall).* Note:—Appears chiefly during the rains in Deolali. A young specimen 3 in. long was secured in a garden during October. An adult was found swimming in a receptacle of water. Another was retrieved from the mouth of a dog. In this case the snake’s back was found broken. This is a typically burrowing snake. FaMILy: BoIDé. SuUB-FAMILY: PYTHONINAE Species: Python molurus(Linn.). The Python or Rock Snake. Local name.— Azgar’, Exoskeleton.—This snake presents a massive formation. The snout is long. The head is_ flattened dorso-ventrally and is posteriorly broad. The jaws are heavy and the’ musculature well developed. The neck is distinct. Anteriorly the body is compara- tively slender; the rest of the body is massively built and heavy. The tail is short, thick, strongly formed, and terminates abruptly. The scales are smooth, juxtaposed and as broad as long. In the two specimens secured the costal scales numbered 63 and 72 respectively. The ventrals numbered 244 and 250 and stretched across the belly. The anal shield was entire. Near to the cloacal aperture, one on either side were excrescences of a horny nature resembling claws. These are said to be vestigial hind limbs. Colour.—The head showed black markings. A linear brown streak crossed the eye and another ran below it. Dorsally there were reddish brown spots edged with black. A smaller series of similar spots ran laterally on either side laid on a background of yellowish brown. The belly was white. Eye.—Small. The pupils vertical. Endoskeleton.—The osteology and dentition of this species was not studied. As regards the dentition, the only peculiar feature obtaining with the python is that the praemaxilla is dentigerous. The gland structures were not investigated. Locomotion.—This is by movement in the straight axis of the body. Habitat.—Ceylon; Peninsular India, to the extreme limit. of Sind; Himalayas—Dehra Dun to Sikkim; Assam, Burma, Siam, S. China and the coastal islands, Malay Peninsula and Archipelago, Java (Wall). Note:—Secured during daylight in outlying quarries beyond the rifle range in the cold weather months. Length.—5 ft. 6in. and Oft. 2in. Sex not ascertained. 1 The distribution shown is that quoted in the paper ‘The Snakes of Bombay Island and Salsette’ by S. H. Prater, C.M.Z.S. (April 1926): taken from Col. Wall’s ‘Hand list of Snakes’. This information will be repeated for all the species. . 466 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX SUB-FAMILY: BOINAE. Species: Eryx conicus (Schn.). The Earth Boa (red). Local name.—The local inhabitants regard this snake as the young of the Python and because of the colour resemblance call it ‘Azgar’. Exoskeleton.—The snout is pointed. The head is anteriorly narrow and posteriorly broad. It is comparatively small for the size of the body. The neck division is distinct. The anterior third of the body is narrower than the middle and posterior third, which is stoutly and broadly built. The tail is thick, short and blunted. It 1s roughly 1/1oth of the body length. The epidermis consists of juxtaposed nodular scales, which are as broad as long and dorsally keeled. The keeling is more marked over the caudal area. On the head the rostral and internasal shields are well defined. The supralabials number 13. The costal scales number 37 to 42 in the anterior third, 45 to 49 in the middle third and 29 to 35 in the posterior third of the body. The ventral plates number from 174 to 180. These are slightly enlarged and do not extend across the belly, being actually half the width. The anal shield is divided into three sections. The subcaudals are entire throughout and number from 18 to at. Length.—The smallest in the series measured g in. . and the largest 2 ft. 3 in. Colour,—A_ series of irregular dark brown or reddish brown patches edged with black, placed on a background of buff or wheat. The belly in the adult is white. In the young the colour tones are lighter and the belly is pink. Eye.—TYhis is small and the pupil is vertical. Endoskeleton.—Skull. In the young the anterior part of the skull for two-thirds of its length is slightly oval. In the adult it presents a triangular shape. The posterior half is constricted in the mastoid region. The intermaxillary is well defined and over- laps the maxillary bone. The maxillaries are broad and long. A suture divides the frontals and nasals. The praefrontals are small. The parietals are ridged centrally in the long axis. Behind the postfrontal zygoma is a depression for the lodgement of the poison gland. The quadrate is a_ rod-like bone. The pterygoid is posteriorly broad, ventrally grooved and touches the mandible. The ectopterygoid is small. The articular end of the mandible is broadly formed. The palatine bones are small. Dentition.—There are no grooved fangs. All the teeth are solid and recurved. The maxillary teeth number in the young 12, and in the adult 16; the anterior are the largest and the posterior diminish in size. The palatine teeth number 5 on either side; the anterior ones are large. The pterygoid teeth number in the young 7, and in the adult 12; they are all small and of equal size. The dentary part of the mandible is provided with 16 teeth; the anterior are very large. 'Vertebrae.—The neural spines are rudimentary and show tuber- cles on the posterior neural arches. In the caudal vertebrae the neural sptnes present the normal squared plate-like extensions seen JourN. BoMBAY Nat. (For explanation of lettering on plates, see end of article.) Hist. Soc. Eryx comicus(Schn Eryx €ON2CUS(Schneider Scale "IX4H=7-6¢0m Pilatine Surface ip Scale -9XG=7- 60m Dorsal Surface, 4 Eryx comtcus (Schneider) lateral view Scale 17x42 7ECM. ast The Red Earth Boa (Eryx conicus). PLATE VFI _ ah rE = 7 aN - , Le = ran - nt! 18 = 1 ) THE SNAKES OF DEOLALI 467 in the species in which the spines are small. The hypapophysis is well developed in the cervical vertebrae and in the thoracic series gradually diminishes in size. It is. absent in the dorsal vertebrae. Ribs.—The ends are bulbous. They are small in length in the cervical and part of the thoracic sections and increase in length from thence until the maximum size is attained about the middle third of the body. There is a corresponding decrease up to the cloacal vertebrae, where are featured two rib processes fused with the vertebrae. In the caudal vertebrae there is a single rib process similarly ankylosed to the body of the vertebra. Locomotion.—A slow-moving snake—the spirals in the zigzag motion are much exaggerated, even more so than in the Russell’s Viper. Glandular structures.—In the depression behind the post-frontal zygoma and above the temporal muscle, immediately behind the eye is a small gland. The closely related Eryx jaculus (Linn.), has a similar gland. Col. Gharpurey' (Nov. 1932), Case 7, reported the case of a woman, who was bitten by an Eryx conicus without ill ettects. Habitat.—Peninsular India: South of the Himalayas, Ceylon. Note :—This snake is aggressive. It will snap with a startling suddenness on the least provocation. If touched it displays resentment by leaping in the air about half an inch off the ground with the body in a rigid contracted state. It then slithers along the ground in a series of short, sharp, jerky side to side leaps, maintaining the rigidity in its body. If left alone it will move normally. It is burrowing in its habits. The tail is prehensile and functions as a constricting finger securing a firm hold on any object, be it a stone or stick. Our specimens were encountered during daylight in the mornings. FAMILY: COLUBRID. SuB-FamMILy: COLUBRINAE (A glypha) Species: Nerodia piscator (Schn.). The Checquered Water Snake. ) Local name.—Pani-ki-samp. Exoskeleton.—The snout is pointed. The head is oblong and narrow. The neck is slightly demarcated. The anterior or cervical portion of the body is thinner. The body is dorsally ridged and laterally compressed and the maximum thickness is attained in the middle third. The tail is round and tapering. The scale formation shows head shields and large imbricated scales on the body. The costal scales are dorsally distinctly keeled, especially in the middle third. Laterally the keeling is less marked. The supralabials are 9 in number—the first and second touch the nasal shield, the fourth and fifth touch the eye, the seventh and eighth touch the temporal shields. There is only one loreal. The praeoculars number 2 and ~* “Snakes in Ahmednagar’ by Lt.-Col. K. G. Gharpurey, I.M.S., Journ, Bom, Nat. Hist, Soc., vol. xxxvi, No.1, p. 272, 15-11-1932. a 468 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX the postoculars 3. The costal scales average 19, 17 or 19, 17, in the anterior, middle and posterior third of the body, respectively. The ventrals number from 141 to 148. The anal shield is divided into two sections. The subcaudals are divided throughout and number from 77 to 8g. The naris is placed superiorly. Length.—The smallest measured 8 in. and the largest 3 ft. 8 in. _Colour.—Sepia tones’ on the head. The costal margin is yellowish green. Dorsally there are irregular black and orange mottlings on a background of dark green. Each scale in fact is edged with black or orange. The belly is pale yellow anteriorly, buff coloured in the middle third and faintly’ pink under the tail. The iris is yellow and the pupil is spherical. Endoskeleton.—Skull. The anterior part of the skull is broader than the posterior half. The intermaxillary overrides the maxilla. The nasal is. specifically small and the division between it and the maxilla and praefrontal is bridged over by cartilaginous strips. The maxillary bones are thin and long. The praefrontals are suturally united with the frontals but do not touch the nasals. The ectopterygoid is thin and medium-sized; its maxillary articular end is a squared plate with the inner anterior angle projected forward in the shape of a finger extension. The squamosals are broad, flat and long. The quadrate is superiorly broadly spatulate and-grooved. The articular end of the mandible is broadly formed. The pterygoid is posteriorly broad and ventrally grooved and touches the mandible. Dentition.—The maxillary teeth number 17; the posterior ones are the larger. .The palatine teeth number 8; the anterior are larger. The pterygoid teeth number 22; they are all small and of equal size. The dentary is provided with 24 teeth; the anterior and middle series are the largest. On the outer or maxillary side of the palatine and pterygoid bones, below the operative teeth in use, is a double row of reserve teeth imbedded in the wall of the bones. Similarly the maxillary bones on their inner aspect are provided with a double row of reserve teeth. 3 Vertebrae.—The neural spines are well developed in the form of squared plate-like extensions. The hypapophysis is present in a uniform and pronounced character throughout the cervical, thoracic and dorsal vertebrae. Ribs.—The free ends are blunted and slightly bulbous. They are longest in the middle third of the body, and the anterior and posterior third parts of the body show the ribs gradually diminishing in length. The cloacal and caudal vertebrae show the double and single processes fused with the body of the vertebra. This is a feature with all snakes and need not be repeated in the descriptions of the other species to follow. Locomotion.—The movement, both in the act of swimming in water and the motion on land, in as far as the spiral action is involved, appears identical. It is the same as that seen in Lycodon aulicus, Gland .structure.—This snake is provided with a large parotid gland. The toxicity of its secretion was observed by Alcock and | Journ. Bompay Nat, Hist. Soc. Nerodia Piscalor (Schneider) Sec / 9%4-7-6 om € mri fl Pt Nerodia iscalor (Sch netder) Neroclia sealer Gchneie) Scale l- GET bh CI™m Scale! 9x4 =7b6 C7 The Checquered Water Snake (Nevodia piscator). PrATE Vil ~ a0 = 7 _ 7 = - a ' _ 7 Ul ive — | . ee - : ~ ed => a i — 7 - - a THE SNAKES OF DEOLALI 469 Rogers in 1901. Mme Phisalix and Caius (1916) have confirmed this. Its venom kills birds, lizards, frogs and small mammals. Its bite would not seriously harm man or the larger animals. Habitat.—Peninsular India, Ceylon, Burma, Andamans, Malay Peninsula and Archipelago, Siam, Indo-China, China, Formosa (Wall). Note:—The majority were secured by day on the banks of the river ‘Darna’ and in its tributary streams. There were two gravid females in which eggs were found—in one 26 and in the other 16 in a State of early development. Rhabdophis stolatus ,,. e Hye oNodis sralaeue (Linn.). The Buff-striped Keel- back. There appears to be no local name for this snake. Exoskeleton.—The form is proportionately slender. The snout is obtusely rounded. The head is ovate and dorsally convexed. The body for two-thirds of its length is of a uniform thickness. The neck is well defined and the tail is long and tapering. The naris is laterally placed. Scale formation.—There are large head shields present. The costal scales are longer than broad, imbricated and heavily keeled throughout. The supralabials number 8; the first of these touches the nasals; the third, fourth and fifth touch the eye, and the sixth and seventh the temporals. As in the case of all Colubridae the sublinguals are in two pairs. There are 1 praeocular and 3 postoculars. There is one loreal. The ventrals number from 150 to 153 and stretch completely across the belly. The anal shield is divided into two sections. The subcaudals number from 75 to 87 and are divided throughout. The costal scales number 19, 109, 19-17, in the anterior, middle and posterior third of the body respectively. Colour.—The head is a very dark brown and the parietal shields are stippled with yellow. The supralabials are orange tinted. The infralabials and the under surface of the neck are tinged yellow. On either side from the neck backwards in the long axis are two buff-coloured stripes laid on a background of sepia. There are black striations stippled with creamy yellow spots transversely placed at intervals. These striations do not involve the buff stripes flanking the body and they are more conspicuous anteriorly and fade towards the tail. Dorsally over the tail the colour is brownish yellow. The ventrals in the anterior half are spotted black. The belly is pale yellow. The young specimens show fresher colour tones. Spirit specimens kept for long periods change to a slate colour. The length was:—The largest 214 in. and the smallest 11 in. Eye.—This is large. The iris is golden and the pupil spherical. The nares are laterally placed. Endoskeleton.—Skull. This is ovate in formation. The inter- maxillary is wedged in between the maxillary bones. The nasal bones are small. The praefrontals are suturally united with the frontals and the division between them and the nasals is covered ever with a cartilaginous septum. The temporal bones laterally Species : 470° JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL VAIST. SOGEET Ve Vol. Xxx bulge. The parietals posteriorly terminate in three bony spicules piaced over the supraoccipital. The squamosals are flat, narrow and of medium length. The quadrate is superiorly spatulate and short. ‘The articular end of the mandible is broadly formed but the dentary portion is slender and long. The maxillary bones are long and thin. The pterygoids are narrow and are not ventrally grooved. They touch the mandibies. The ectopterygoid is thin and small. The palatines are of medium size. Dentition.—All the teeth are solid, recurved, and comparatively small. None are grooved or perforated. The maxillary teeth number 19; the posterior two are large and set apart. The palatine teeth number g and are of uniform size. The pterygoids are set with 12 teeth of small size and of equal length. The dentary is provided with 22 teeth, of which the anterior ones are the larger. Only the maxillary bones appear to be provided with a row of Teserve. teeth. Vertebrae.—The neural spines are small and plate-like squares. The hypapophysis is of nearly uniform size throughout the cervical, thoracic, and dorsal vertebrae. Ribs.—The free ends are pointed. They are short in the cervical section and of uniform length for the greater portion of the body, diminishing in size towards the cloacal region. Gland structure.—This snake is provided with a parotid gland. The experiments of Mme Phisalix and Caius have established the toxic character of the secretion to small animals, birds, rodents, lizards (10917). Locomotion.—This has not been personally observed. Habitat.—Peninsular India including the Himalayas up to 5,000 ft., Burma, Ceylon, Andamans and Nicobars, Malay Penin- sula, Siam, China, Formosa, Philippines (Wall). Note:-——-Appears during the rains. It is an uncommon species in Deolali. It sestrvates during the hot weather. Species: Polyodontophis subpunctatus (Dum. and Bibr.) Jer- don’s Polyodont. Local name.—None. 5 It is a rare snake in Deolali. Only one specimen was secured. Exoskeleton.—Shows a_ slender formation throughout and a uniform ‘roundness. The head is small and there is no distinction between it and the neck. The tail is round and of medium tapering length. Scale formation.—There are head shields present. The body scales are imbricated and as long as broad. There is no keeling in evidence. The supralabials number 9, of which the first and second touch the nasals; the fourth, fifth and sixth touch the eye and the seventh and eighth the temporal shields. The costal scales number 17, 17, 17, in the anterior, middle and _ posterior third of the body respectively. The ventral shields number 108 and stretch completely across the belly. The anal shield is divided into 2 sections. The subcaudals number 68 and are divided throughout. Length.—16 in, THE SNAKES OF DEOLALI AT) Eye.—Small and the pupil spherical. Colour.—The head was black anteriorly. The praefrontal shield and the supralabials were edged with pale yellow. A yellow streak carried backwards from behind the eye ended below the parietal shields in a broad yellow band. The nape of the neck was black with posteriorly a yellow frill, The anterior half of the body showed up a pinkish brown, while the posterior was a light brown. Every alternate scale and sometimes a_ third one dorsally in the middle line was spotted black. There were two parallel series of black spots on each scale laterally and also on the ventral margin. The endoskeleton of this specimen was not studied as the skull and: vertebral column were badly damaged. Gland structure..—This snake has a very small parotid gland. The researches of Mme Phisalix and Caius have shown that the secretion from it proved mildly toxic for small vertebrates. Locomotion.—This was not observed. Habitat.—Peninsular India (South of Rajputana and the Ganges basin), Ceylon (Wall). Note:—It was found on the verandah of a bungalow on the 2zoth February 1934. Species: Macropisthodon plumbicolor (Cantor.). The green Keel-back. Local name.—‘Hara Samp’ because of its green colour, any green snake would be so called. Exoskeleton.—This snake is massively formed for its compar- atively small length. The head is large and triangular in shape. The jaws are muscularly prominent. The neck is distinct. The anterior cervical portion is thinner than the rest of the body, which is stoutly built especially about the middle third. The tail is of average tapering length. . Scale formation.—There are large head shields present. The supralabials number 7; the first and second touch the. nasals; the third and fourth touch the eye; and the fifth and sixth touch the temporal shields. There is one loreal. The praeoculars number 2 and the postoculars 3. The sublingual shields are in two pairs. The costal scales are retiform, imbricated, and show marked keeling. The last costal rows touching the ventrals are large. There is much variability in the count of the costal scales and this is therefore of little practical value for purposes of identification. On an average they number 23, 25, 19, in the anterior, middle and posterior third of the body. The ventral plates number from 140 to 162, and stretch completely across the belly. The anal shield is divided into 2 sections. .The subcaudals are divided throughout and number from 37 to 47. Colour.—In the adult the colour is a uniform dull green; in the sub-adults there are faint black striations in some; and _ in older specimens white striations transversely placed at one inch intervals along the back. The very young and older immature specimens show a broad black chevron on the head. Posterior to this is a chrome yellow cheyron. Along the back at regular 4Ai2 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol xxx intervals sharp transverse black markings which are continued over the tail. The belly in the adult is white; in the sub-adult slaty, and in the young a bluey black. In the latter along the costal margin there are black’ markings resembling the capital letter ‘I’. Specimens stored in spirit over long periods change to a leaden hue. It is probably because of this that the museum type specimen originally examined led to it being designated plumbicolor. Eye.—This is large. The iris is greenish black and the pupil is spherical. Length.—The smallest in the series measured 6in. and the largest 2 ft. gin. The naris is laterally placed. Endoskeleton.-—Skull. Dorsally viewed it is broad at the orbits and rectangular in shape. The anterior part is shorter and broader than the posterior. The bones are stout and strong and give to it a heavy appearance. The nasals are medium-sized: and are laterally broadly winged. The intermaxillary overrides the maxil- lary bones. The frontals are broad and suturally united with the praefrontals, which are narrow; both are widely separated from the nasals, and linked with cartilaginous strips. The orbital apertures are large. The squamosals are long, flat and_ thick. The quadrate is superiorly spatulate, broadly triangular and laterally notched; the inferior articular end is long and terminates in a rounded head. The ectopterygoid is long and thick. The maxillary bones are short, anteriorly slightly thick and articulate with the ectopterygoids at almost a right angle. The maxillaries are peculiarly formed, in that there is a fold in the bone length forming a double convexity on its outer border. Superiorly a process of bone articulates with the inferior border of the praefrontal. The pterygoid is thick, posteriorly broad, ventrally grooved and touches the mandibles. The mandibles are posteriorly broadly built and along with the dentary show a marked convexity on the inferior or ventral surface. The palatines are short. Dentition.—There are no grooved or perforated fangs—all the teeth are solid. The maxillary teeth number 13. The anterior ones are small and of uniform size. The posterior two are very large and recurved and present the formidable appearance seen in the fangs of the proteroglypha. They are posteriorly ridged and anteriorly rounded and convexed. The palatines have 4—sometimes 5—teeth of one size. The pterygoids are set with 12 teeth of small and uniform size like that of the palatines. The dentary is provided with 18 teeth, those in the middle are slightly larger. V ertebrae.—The neural spines are large, squared, plate-like extensions. The hypapophysis is well developed and of nearly uniform size throughout the cervical, thoracic and dorsal vertebrae. Ribs.—Comparatively thicker and longer than in other members of the same family. The free ends are bulbous. The ribs in the anterior third are shorter and longest in the middle third decreasing gradually in the posterior dorsal vertebrae. Locomotion. —Slow-moving ; the spirals are like those seen in Lycodon aulicus. Gland structure.—A large parotid gland. The secretion is toxic for frogs upon which the snake solely feeds, THE SNAKES OF DEOLALI 473 Habitat.—Peninsular India—except the Ganges valley up to an elevation of 7,000 ft., Ceylon (Wall). Note:—Appears in large numbers during the rains and is met with in grass lands. It is meek in character and does not bite even when extremely provoked. The neck 1s partially dilatable. A marked feature is the power of flattening the body and this is more emphasised when the body is touched. The body is splayed out by muscular action, which extends the ribs laterally to such an extent that the dorso-ventral diameter is markedly reduced. The body then appears flush with the ground and the costal scales become isolated islands on the underlying epidermis. This capacity for spreading out the body aided by the green colour makes for excellent concealment in grass lands. In two gravid females 11 and 19 eggs were found. There were differences in the size of the eggs, some being longer than others. The eggs were in an early state of development and contained only a creamy fluid. Species: Lycodon aulicus (Linn.). The Wolf Snake. Local name.—None. Exoskeleton.—The head is flat, large and elongated. The snout is squared. The neck is distinct. The body is uniformly rounded and of proportionate thickness throughout. The tail is of average tapering length. Scale formation.—There are head shields present. The supra- labials number 9; the first and second of these touch the nasals; the third, fourth and fifth touch the eye; and the sixth and seventh the temporal shields. The praeoculars number 2 and the postoculars 3. There is one loreal. The costal scales are retiform, longer than broad, and show apical pits. They number 17, 17, 15, in the anterior, middle and posterior third of the body respectively. The ventral plates number from 200 to 225 and they stretch completely across the belly. The anal shield is divided into 2 sections. The subcaudals number from 4o to 76, and are divided throughout. Length.—The smallest measured 6 in. and the longest 28} in. Colour.—The head is brown. The supralabials are a creamy yellow carried backwards laterally on the nape. The body is pinkish brown and at alternate intervals there are yellowish white bands edged and spotted with black. The scales on the costal margin are marked in the form of the letters K and H in yellow edged with black. These markings both on the back and _ sides of the body disappear near the tail. The belly is white. The naris is placed laterally in a somewhat forward position on the snout. Endoskeleton.—Skull. The formation is rectangular in_ its length, the greatest width being about the orbits. The nasals are long and large. The intermaxillary lies between the maxillary bones and conjointly with them broadens the muzzle. The prae- frontals are rectangular in shape, and suturally united with the frontals, the division between the praefrontals and the nasals is occupied by cartilaginous connections. The frontals are small. The parietals are long and centrally ridged in the long axis. The 474 JOURNAL, BOMBAY .NATURAL AIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX supraoccipital is ridged. The squamosals are thin, small plates of bone. The quadrate is superiorly thinly spatulate and of average length. The ectopterygoid is thin and small. The pterygoid is of average width, ventrally grooved, and touches the mandible. The mandible is posteriorly broadly formed and notched. The dentary portion is thinly formed and long. The maxillary bone, dorsally viewed, shows on the external border a concavity anteriorly and a convexity posteriorly; laterally viewed it is anteriorly broad, with a concavity ventrally and a convexity dorsally, it sweeps down- wards, posteriorly thinning out at the articular end in relation with the ectopterygoid. The orbital apertures are large. The palatines are long. Dentition.—All the teeth are solid and recurved. There are no grooved or perforated fangs. The maxillary bones are set with 15 teeth; their arrangement is peculiar in that the teeth are divided into two series which are separated by an intervening gap devoid of teeth; the anterior set consists of 4 teeth, fixed in a line with the intermaxillary, the two nearest smaller, the outer two large and fang-like; the second series begins at a point just below the praefrontal and the number is 11; the anterior teeth of this series are small, the posterior ones large. The palatines are set with 12 teeth of small and uniform size. The pterygoids are also provided with small uniform-sized teeth numbering 24. The dentary like the maxillary shows the teeth in two series separated by a gap. The first lot consists of 4 teeth of which the first two are smaller than the succeeding two, which are large and fang-like, the second lot number 18, all of them of nearly uniform size. There are some reserve teeth imbedded in the bones on the outer and maxillary border of the palatines and pterygoids, also on the inner aspect of the maxillaries. Vertebrae.—The neural spines are small squared plate-like extensions. The hypapophysis is large in the cervical vertebrae and gradually diminishes in size up to the end of the last vertebra in the thoracic series. In the dorsal vertebrae the hypapophyses are absent. Gland structures.—This species has a parotid gland. In addi- tion there is another small pyriform gland situated immediately behind the postfrontal zygoma in the temporal region and com- municating with the maxillary teeth by a duct passing under the eye. The secretion from the parotid has been verified by Mme Phisalix and Caius (1917) as producing a toxic condition in small animals. Col. Gharpurey (1932)! reported a case No. 4 of a man who was bitten on the face by a young specimen of this species. Except for some local redness and swelling the man suffered no ill effects. Ribs.—The free ends are pointed. Those in the cervical region are. slightly smaller than the ribs in the rest of the body.4,They are of uniform size and comparatively shorter than in other species of the same. length. * “Cases of Snake Bite’ by Lt.-Col. G. G. Gharpurey, I.M.S., Journ, Bonm,Nat. Hist, Sec. vol, exxxvi, wNoot. p- 274. THE SNAKES OF DEOLALI A75 Habitat.—Peninsular India, Andamans, Nicobars, Malay Penin- sula, Indo-China, China, Malay Archipelago, Philippines (Wall). Note:—A fairly common snake in Deolali and met with all the year round. More prevalent during the monsoon. It is_ easily provoked and bites on the least provocation. Species: Ptyas mucosus (Linn.). The Rat Snake. Local name.— Dhaman’. Exoskeleton.—The formation in this species is featured by great length, proportionate thickness and a well developed musculature, which suggests a specialisation intended for speed. The head is elongated and the size is in consonance with the body length. The neck is well defined. The body is uniformly rounded and the largest dimension attained is about the middle third. The tail is long and tapering. Scale formation.—The snout is slightly pointed. There are large head shields present. The supralabials number 8; the first and second touch the nasals, the fourth and fifth touch the eye, and the sixth and seventh touch the temporal shields. There are I praeocular, 2 postoculars and 3 to 4 loreals. The costal scales are retiform, imbricated, and longer than broad. On the dorsal aspect the scales for about three rows are slightly keeled and show apical facets. These facets are not seen in freshly killed specimens and appear to be post mortem effects produced by drying. These scales number 17 in the anterior third of the body, 17 in the middle third, and 12 to 15 in the posterior third. The ventral plates number from 196 to 207 and stretch completely across the belly. The anal shield is divided into two sections. The subcaudals are divided throughout and number from 113 to 138. Colour.—This is variable. The average colour presentation would be that found in specimens 5 feet in length, in which the head shows the appearance of burnt sienna. The supralabials are a creamy yellow and edged with black. The anterior third of the body is uniformly the colour of the head. The middle third is lighter in tone and shows faint creamy yellow striations at intervals edged with black. The posterior third has the striations in black chevron forms. The belly is a creamy yellow and each ventral plate is edged in black. The older specimens exhibit darker colour tones in which the black striations are more subdued and less noticeable. Length.—The longest specimen secured measured 8 ft. 1 in. and the smallest 3 ft. 4 in. Eye.—This is large. The iris is yellow and the pupil spherical. Endoskeleton.—Skull. The bone formation is heavy and a dorsal view shows it to be rectangular. The intermaxillary is large and lies between the maxillary bones. The nasal bone is large and the division between it and the praefrontals is not pronounced. The praefrontals are large and rectangular and from the inferior border anteriorly projected is a process of bone. The frontals are comparatively small for the size and length of this snake. The parietals are large plates which terminate posteriorly in a point. The squamosals are short, flat and thick. The supraoccipital is 476 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXiX in the form of a bony crest. The quadrate is long, superiorly broad in the form of a triangle and laterally notched. The ectopterygoid is thin, broad and long and articulates with the maxillary bones at a right angle. The pterygoids are comparatively short, particularly broad in the posterior section, ventrally grooved, and they touch the mandibles. The maxillary bones are propor- tionately thin, long, and inclined downwards towards the ecto- pterygoids. The palatines are longer than usual. The mandibles are broadly formed posteriorly and notched. The dentary portion is unusually short, being one-third the length of the mandible. Dentition.—All the teeth are solid and there are no grooved or perforated fangs in evidence. The maxillary bones are set with 16 solid teeth; the anterior are slightly shorter than the posterior ones. The palatines have 12 teeth and the pterygoids 20; all of these are nearly equal in length to those of the maxillary series. The dentary has in the older snakes, six feet and over in length, 12 and in the younger specimens up to 18 solid teeth. The palatines in the younger snakes have 14 teeth and the pterygoids 22 to 24. There are two rows of reserve teeth on the inner aspect of the maxillary bone imbedded in it above the operative set. On the outer and maxillary side of the palatines and pterygoids above the operative teeth are two rows of reserve teeth. Vertebrae.—Owing to the length and size of this species the vertebrae are proportionately large. The neural spines are also large and in the form of squared plate-like extensions, except in the cervical series where they are finger-shaped. The hypapophyses are particularly large in the cervical vertebrae and they gradually diminish in size up to the last thoracic vertebrae in which they are rudimentary. The dorsal vertebrae show no evidence of a hypapophysis. Ribs.—The free ends are pointed. They are long and thick— the greatest length being attained in the middle third of the column. Locomotion.—This has been shown to be an almost straight course with a slight wavy side to side swing. It is the swiftest moving snake of all the species in Deolali. Gland structures.—It is equipped with a large parotid gland. The venomous nature of the secretion was demonstrated by Alcock and Rogers (1902) who found it produced convulsions in small animals. Mme Phisalix? and Caius (1916) have confirmed this. Note :—Appears in Deolali at all times of the year but in the greatest numbers during the rains. A half-grown specimen was found on the sloping branch of a monkey fig tree. Cape J. A..- Batterbury, « 1.a.S.c., ~S pp. 272-74: Goodrich, E. S. (1918). ‘The Evolution of Living Organisms’, pp. 27-60. Hora, S. L. (1933). ‘Respiration in Fishes’, Journ. Bom. Nat. Hist. Socis vol. xxxaly NO. @) 2p. cer. Lindberg, K. (1932). ‘Snakes on the Barsi Light Railway (Deccan)’, Journ, Bom. Nat. Hust. Soc., vol. xxxv,.No.23, p. 600. Manson-Bahr, P. H. (1921). ‘Manson’s Tropical Diseases’, p. 874 MacBride, E. W. (1918). ‘Zoology’, pp. 73-81. McCann, C. (1934). ‘A Whip Snake feeding on the Lizard’, Journ, Bom, Not Hist. Sock; Volek kxvii, op, 226; . THE SNAKES OF DEOLALI 501 Nicholson, H. A. (1887). ‘Manual of Zoology’, 7th Edition, p. 43. Phisalix, M. (1922). Animaux venimeux et Venins, Tome II. Prater, S. H. (1926). ‘The Snakes of Bombay Island and Salsette’, p. 3. Eaten; 9. 11. (1933).- “ihe-.Social Life-of::Snakes’- fourn. Bom. Nati lgsts Soc., vol. xxxvi, No. 2, pp. 469-73. Prater, ©. H- (1933). Non Poisonous Snakes’, Journ. Bom. Nat. Hist. Soc. vol. xxxvi, No. 2, p. 393- Rowland, J, W. (1933). ‘Occurrence of the Russell’s Viper in Lower Sind’, fom Bom. Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. xxxvi, No. 3, p. 758. Smith, Malcolm, A. (1934). ‘The Classification of Snakes in accordance with their Dentition and the Evolution of the Poison Fang’. From the report in the Tropical Diseases Bulletin; vide Fairley, N. Hamilton. Strover, C. H. (1933). ‘The Saw Scaled Viper (Echis carinata) about in Water, fourn, Bom. Nat. Hist. Soc, vol: xxxvi, No. 3. Wall, F. (1923). ‘How to Identify the Snakes of India’. Wall, F. (1928). ‘The Poisonous Terrestrial Snakes of our British India Dominions (including Ceylon), etc.” pp. 5, 26, 59-61, 75. Whistler, H, (1932). ‘The Study of Indian Birds’, Part IX, Journ. Bom. Witte East. Soc., vol. xxxv, No. 3. FISH OF DEOLALI. BY SUNDER Lat Hora, D.Sc., F.R.S.E., F.N.I., Assistant Superintendent, and K. S. Misra, m.sc., Assistant, Zoological Survey of India, Calcutta. ParT I. (With two plates), INTRODUCTION AND List OF MATERIAL. (Published with permission of the Director, Zoological Survey of India). In 1935, the Zoological Survey of India received a small col- lection of fish from Deolali made by Dr. -A. -G. L:* Fraser atthe request of Mr. S. H. Prater. This material comprised seven species, of which two proved to be new to science.! As the headwaters of the Godaveri were so far a terra incognita for ichthyologists, a request was made to Dr. Fraser through Mr. Prater to make a comprehensive collection of fish at Deolali and its environs. The result has been most satisfactory. Dr. Fraser collected fishes for one year—June 1935 to May 1936—and obtained 4,463 specimens from several localities. The material is in an excellent state of preservation while the ecological factors governing fish life in various types of habitats are vividly described by Dr. Fraser in the descriptions of the localities where the collections were made. To ‘suit’ the’ convenience of the editors of the “Journal @nitaic proposed to publish the account of the fish of Deolali in four parts. The first part, as is indicated in the title above, deals with the descriptions of the localities and the material obtained from each locality is listed separately. The second part will contain descrip- tions of two new species belonging to the genera Parapsilorhynchus and Barbus and notes on other species. In the third part Dr. A. G. L. Fraser will, in a series of notes, record his observations, both under natural and artificial conditions, on the biology and ecology of the fishes collected by him. In the final part one of us will discuss the geographical relationships of the fish fauna of Deolali, with special reference to its affinities with that of the Deccan. A complete set of the material, containing type-specimens, is deposited in the collection of the Zoological Survey of India, while a representative series of examples is also preserved in the col- lections of the Bombay Natural History Society and of the British Museum of Natural History in London. SE EEE EE SE Eee * Hora, S. L. and Mukerji, D. D.—Notes on Fishes tn the Indian Museum, xxv. On two new species of Cyprinid Fishes from Deolali, Nasik District, Bombay Presidency. Rec, Ind, Mus., xxxvii, pp. 375-80 (1935). FISH OF DEOLAET 503 We take this opportunity to offer our sincerest thanks to Dr. Fraser for the great trouble he must have taken in the collection and preservation of this enormous material, and for his lucid notes regarding the habitats of the various species. We have also to record our indebtedness to Mr. S. H. Prater for his kind interest in the matter and for affording us an opportunity to investigate this interesting material. The Bombay Natural History Society very kindly agreed to our retaining a complete set of the material for the collection of the Zoological Survey of India and further made a grant towards illustrations and other incidental expenses ; for all this we are very thankful to the authorities of the Society. GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION AND PHYSICAL FEATURES OF DEOLALI. Dr. Fraser' in his account of the snakes of Deolali gives a description of the geographical location, meteorology and physical features of the station but to facilitate reference some of the salient features are reiterated here. Devlali or Deolali is a small military cantonment in the Nasik District of the Bombay Presidency. Deolali is about 4 miles south-east of Nasik and the military cantonment ‘is situated about three and a half miles to the south- west, on land formerly included in the villages of Bhagur and Sewnsuri and unconnected with Devlali.’? List MATERIAL WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF LOCALITIES: I. North Nallah pool, 3 miles west of its junction with the Darna river (Dairy Pool). Deolali, 27-6-1935. The pool is an artificially created one, being formed by a masonry dam and built up stone embankments. It is 4o feet wide and 50 feet long with a depth of from 2 to 5 feet. Its bed is well sanded and its sides in the shallow parts are. flagged with stone. It is used for washing cattle belonging to the Military Dairy farm and buffaloes are left to wallow in it for long hours, especially during the hot months of April and May. The pool itself is free from vegetation and its banks are sparsely grown with grass. At this time of the year, owing to the rains, the water in it is muddy and 1 Fraser, A. G. L. ‘The Snakes of Deolali’. Journ. Bom. Nat. Hist. Sec:, XXXIX, pp. 59, 6o (1936). * Cambell, J. M.—Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency, xvi, Nasik, p. 431 (Bombay: 1883). The height above the mean sea level is from 1,800 to 2,300 ft. The average rainfall is 30 in. The monsoon months are June, July, August and part of September. The hottest months of the year are March, April and May, with the maximum shade temperature between too and 110° F. Dry and Wet bulb registrations show a marked humidity during October. The topography of the country in the environs is undulating in character. On the south side lie the Thal Ghat extensions running east and west. The land is for most part under cultivation, and is intersected by deep tributary ‘Nallahs’ draining into the river ‘Darna’, which meanders through east of the Cantonment in a north-easterly direction to a point some 10 miles east of Nasik City, where at ‘Darna Sangava’ it joins the sacred river Godaveri. (Braser,: loc, cit.). 504. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NAGBUW RAL HIST SOCIE LY. Vole ww the volume and flow of water over the dam is greater than during the dry weather when it dwindles to a trickle. i. Barilius bendelists Ham. aA a ae .. 3 Specimens: ii. Rasbora labiosa Mukerji. : ae es ... 25 specimens. iil. Parapsilorhynchus (New species) I specimen. iv. Nemachilus dentsoni Day. 2 specimens. v. Ophicephalus gachua Ham. I specimen. Z. Section of North Nallah, 1,800 yards from its junction with the Darna river. Deolali, 30-6-1935. The bed of the Nallah is shelving; and centrally there is a channel about 25 feet wide and from 2 to 3 feet in depth. The sloping banks are covered with varied flora, growing both in the water and on the banks. There is a fair volume of water flowing through this section of the nallah at all times of the year because of the proximity -of the Deolali Bazaar, which lies a little to the west on its north bank and the waste water from the Bazaar runs into the nallah. i. Rasbora labiosa Mukerji a a ay fies ... 14 Specimens. 3. North Nallah, at a point 800 yards west of its junction with the Darna river. Deolali, 4-7-1935. This part of the nallah is. a narrow rocky defile. The banks are high and the sides precipitous, and the channel itself is difficult of access. There is no vegetation in it, but its high banks are grass grown. The depth of the water in this channel was barely 2 feet at the time the fish were taken, but this was just after abatement of the storm water, when the depth must have been at the least 3 feet. The current of the water flowing through it is strong. The sides of the defile, particuiarly the bases of the banks, are undermined. The rocky bed of the channel itself is eroded and shelved. It is 15 to 20 feet in ‘width. There is also “some silt in-jthe *bed: i. Chela clupeoides (Bloch) I specimen. ii. Danio aequipinnatus (McClell.) dais ... 3 Speeiinens: iii. Barbus ticto (Ham.) ie ae ws --. 3 Specimens, iv. Garra mullya (Sykes) 5 specimens. v. Labeo boggut (Sykes) 2 specimens. 4, North Nallah, 50 yards west of its junction with the Darna river. Deolali, 14-7-1935. Here the nallah broadens out and the banks are shelving and slope down to the river. The width of the stream is from 40 to 50 feet. Its depth is about 2 feet at the sides to over 6 feet in the centre. The bed is silted and the flow of water is fairly strong at all times of the year. There is an exuberant growth of vegetation both on the banks and in mid-stream which is full of weeds. Bhil fishermen tell me there are no big fish in this section as it is too open. The few fishes secured by me here are all significantly enough small fry. i. Chela clupeotdes (Bloch) oat ee a -.. 0 Specimens: ii. Rasbora labiosa Mukerji ee I specimen. iii. Barbus ticto (Ham.) : I specimen. iv. Parapsilorhynchus (New species) a) oF BL specimen. v. Ambassis nama (Ham.) ae 5h e: --- 3 specimens. vi. Ambassis ranga (Ham.) I specimen. 5. The Waldi river, at a point 2 miles east of its junction with the Darna river up to the village of Chedi; 7-11-1935. The Waldi river is a tributary of the Darna. The fishes were caught at a point near to the bridge on the Deolali-Nasik road. The village of Deolali is on the north bank, and a few hamlets on the south bank constitute "WUIe9ITS YeI[TeEN af : 3 A 99M}9q [OO ‘IOALY PUIeC YIM Ye][ePN YION 94} FO uo1oUun{ = “F UWION 9Y} JO UOTIOVS B UT VSplIq AvMTIeL U9IM}0q [OO & A ‘yoy f oureu Tiy_ *Ppunof seam sisa snyvg YIM UT YeTTEN YON FO WOTIIAS FO MOTA ‘YeTTEN YON Jo vsinoo ut food Jo MIA "FG -japuaq 4 ‘il tas Se ee SOTO EINES HOLO! fh = FISH OF DEOLALI 505 a village called Edhgaon. At the time the spot was visited the river was swollen with muddy flood water, turbulently rushing through. It was im- practicable to effectively use a net. A spot was selected where it was possible to cast a net from the bank and the fish were really taken from the surface currents. The river here is 50 yards wide and was easily 20 feet deep as a result of the storm waters. The bed in this section is rocky. Owing to the villages in the close proximity the vegetation is scanty and the higher earthy banks are grass-grown. In the dry weather there is less water, but the flow is strong at all times. The river has its origin in the hills at Anjem and Dhammia at an altitude of 4,295 feet above sea level. It is fed from springs at various points along its course and there is a fair volume of water running through at all times of the year. It is roughly 22 miles in extent not taking into account the meanderings. It joins the river Darna one mile west of the village Cheri and about 2 miles east of the village of Deolali. i. Barilius bendelisis Ham. “ise seh ay ... 46 specimens. ii. Danio frasert Hora oe asi te ... II specimens. iii. Barbus khudree Sykes ae wt ae ... 2 Specimens. iv. Barbus ticto (Ham.) ar a ... QI Specimens. v. Nemachilus botius (Ham.) as or a ... 3 Specimens. vi. Nemachilus dentsonii Day ae a ae ... I specimen. vii. Ophicephalus gachua Ham. on 7 a ... I specimen. 6. The Darna river, at the ferry point near Bagoor village. Deolali; 25-7-1935. The fish were caught at a time when the river was swollen with flood water. The banks are grass grown and there are a fair number of gum acacia (babul) trees in the near precincts. The width of the river here is 80 to 100 yards (approximate). The depth near the banks is from 2 to 3 feet. Midstream it must be 30 feet. The Darna river is a tributary of the Godaveri and joins it some 10 miles east of Nasik City at a village called Darna Sangava. It has its source in the hills around Igatpuri (Thall Ghats). It is fed from springs and the waters from Lake Beale, which is 3 miles from Aswali Railway Station (G.I.P.R.). This river flows in a_ north-easterly direction and is one and a half miles east of Deolali Cantonment. i. Notopterus notopterus (Pallas) 7 specimens. ii. Chela clupeoides (Bloch) 74 specimens. iii. Chela phulo (Ham.) 13 specimens. iv. Barilius bendelisis (Ham.) 21 specimens. v. Danio aequipinnatus (McClelland) I specimen. vi. Rasbora labiosa Mukerji me ae me 2 Specimens. vii. Aspidoparia morar (Ham.)_... nes ae «, 14 Specimens. viii. Barbus khudree Sykes 3 specimens. ix. Barbus kolus Sykes 14 specimens. x. Barbus ticto (Ham.) 28 specimens. xi. Barbus (new species) I specimen. xii. Labeo boggut (Sykes) 2 specimens. xiii. Rohtee cotto (Ham.) nes 6 specimens. xiv. Leptdocephalichthys guntea (Ham.) I Specimen. xv. Nemachilus botius (Ham.) 2 specimens. xvi. Nemachilus denisoni Day a's a te Lespecimen, xvii. Proeutroptichthys taakree (Sykes) a — ... 18 specimens. xviii. Ambassis baculis (Ham.) 2 specimens. xix. Ambassis nama (Ham.) I specimen. xx. Ambassis ranga (Ham.) 36 specimens. 7. Swimming pool of Barnes High School, Deolali in «the course of Narsullah Wadi, a tributary of the Darna river. Deolali, 28-7-1935. This channel has the features of the ‘North Nallah’. It is fed by springs and during the rains rushes with storm water. In the dry weather the 0106 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX volume and flow are poor. The flora on its banks and in the stream itself is identical with that found in the North Nallah. The channel runs on the southern boundary of Deolali Cantonment and is roughly 2 miles south of it.’ i. Barilius bendelisis Ham. ws ee aor .+. 41 specimens. ii. Danio fraseri Hora “38 ee at .-» II specimens. iii. Rasbora daniconius (Ham.) ee ee aoe -. 27, Specimens: iv. Barbus ticto (Ham.) see oe ba ... IQ specimens. 8. The Darna river, at a point midway between the villages of Sewnsuri and Beladgaon; 8-8-1935. The river flows nearly due north from Sewnsuri onward past Beladgaon. At the halfway point there is a stretch of about two furlongs extent where the bed widens out and here the river is approximately 80 yards broad. About 35 yards of this width at the side of the west bank is a pebbled beach. The river itself in this section flows in three separate streams of some 1o 15 and 20 yards width respectively. In between are some islands which are grown with sedge and tall rushes. These islands appear to be shingle in the form of dried silt and are alluvial in character. The main volume and force of the water are exerted directly on the east bank, where the depth at this season is easily 12 feet or more and in the dry season would be from 8 to 1o feet. The two lesser streams are ankle deep at the sides and knee deep in the middle. The beds of the stream are pebbled and sanded, and in parts rocky. The force and volume of water are good at all times of the year; but the river is more swollen and muddy now due to the rains. The relative height of the banks to the bed is 25 feet. Cultivated fields adjoin the banks. The height above sea level is 1,800 feet. i. Chela clupeoides (Bloch) . 41 specimens ii. Barilius bendelists Ham. 40 specimens. iii. Rasbora daniconius (Ham.) I specimen. iv. Aspidoparia morar (Ham.) 3 specimens. v. Barbus chola (Ham.) 3 specimens. vi. Barbus khudree Sykes 2 specimens. vii. Barbus kolus Sykes 3 specimens. vill. Barbus ticto (Ham.) 9g specimens. ix. Barbus (new. species) 2 specimens. x. Rohtee cotio (Ham.) I specimen. xi. Lepidocephalichthys guntea (Ham.) I specimen. xii. Nemachilus botius (Ham.) 2 specimens. xiii. Callichrous bimaculatus (Bloch) I specimen. xiv. Proeutropiichthys taakree (Sykes) 2 specimens. xv. Ophicephalus marulius Ham. I specimen. §. The Waldi river, near the village of Pimpalgaon Khamb; 17-8-1935.- The Waldi river flows from west to east. The heights of the banks in relation to the bed of the river are approximately fifty feet. The depth in the section explored is roughly from one foot on the south bank to 8 feet midstream and 12 feet at the river’s edge directly against the north bank, where the main volume and force of the water are exerted. The width here is 50 to 60 feet. The volume and flow of water are full and strong at all times of the year, but at the time of the visit the river was moderately swollen with muddy storm waters. The bed is also rocky and sanded and silted in parts. In this particular section it is free from vegetation. The opposite bank is precipitous and for a little more than half its height consists ot basalt rock. The rounded and irregular earthy strata on the top fifty feet above are covered with grass and heavily wooded with ‘babul’ and ‘mango’ trees. The height above sea level is 1,900 feet. i. Barilius bendelisis Ham. a 2 specimens. ii. Danio aequtpinnatus (McClell. ) I specimen. iii. Rasbora daniconius (Ham.) set: 1. Hispecimen: iv, Barbus khudree Sykes ie a ee ... 45 Specimens. TSS tSPpreca pee om1sascs— — FO sosel[IA usem{0q AemZTeEY AOAIQ SCusreq~r jo WYUPIOTAS “1OOSe JO IsP][IA Ieou IpeM YeR[[NsIeN JO YO II}S TOMO] JO UOT}JOIS AYOOY li lend c ysnoryy suruuni ‘[OOYOS YStFT soureq IpPeM YR][NSIEN IY} JO UOTIOIS JO MITA. 4a "Ca “I DD) v38HAe3Sg Aem Trey WOD TeESOU AOATRT CuUIAeSCq “sf gi A yale ‘0S “ISIH] “LYN AVaWog “Nuno { PHISH) OF “DE OLALE 507 v. Barbus kolus Sykes Bie ary seis: +. I Specimen. vi.. Barbus ticto (Ham.) in me ss ... 67 specimens. vii. Garra mullya (Sykes) fee ses nee ... I specimen. viii. Nemachilus botius (Ham.) és “iat ar “.- 3 Specimens. ix. Ophicephalus gachua Ham. ... eo Sis ae 2 SSPeClmens. 10. Lower section of Narsullah Wadi, near the village of Bagoor; 25-8-1935. Here the stream broadens out and flows over a rocky bed before reaching a broad cutting between earthy banks. The width of the channel in this section is some 30 yards. The north bank maintains a relative height of 30 feet above the water line of the stream, even at its junction with the Darna and continues in an easterly direction as the north bank of the Darna, which in this locality flows due east. The south bank of the Narsullah Wadi slopes down from a height of 20 feet and ends flush with the north- west bank of the Darna as the latter at the point of junction has a_ bend in the course, deflecting it to the east. The depth of the section explored is from 2 feet at the sides to 8 feet midstream. The bed of the stream here is silted up. The upper and higher reach is rocky. The banks are grass- grown and the edges of the stream are fringed with rushes and some weeds. The volume of water is full and strong at all times of the year. At this season the stream is moderately swollen with muddy flood water. i. Barilius bendelisis Ham. ae re en sss 27 Specimens. ii. Danio aequipinnatus (McClell.) ia fs ... II specimens. iii. Rasbora daniconius (Ham.) ... re ee ... I specimen. iv. Rasbora labiosa Mukerji = = oe ... 31 specimens. v. Barbus ticto (Ham.) oes or ue .«_ 222 Specimens. vi. Garra mullya (Sykes) dud es wo 1 2especimnens. vii. Parapsilorhynchus (New species) 7 specimens. viii. Lepidocephalichthys guntea (Ham.) a I specimen. ix. Nemachilus denisonit Day _... — RG wel specimen. x. Ophicephalus gachua Ham. 5 specimens. Il. Pool of a tributary ‘Nallah’ of the Darna river, near the troth mile of the railway track on the Deolali to Igatpuri line; 20-8-1935. The actual site of the pool in this ‘Nallah’ is some 200 yards from the railway bridge. This pool has been naturally formed by the stream running into a natural depression in the ground. Practically the whole of this is rock and the outfall has been bunded up by a natural dam of rock over which the water falls and continues its course in an easterly direction to join the Darna. The relative height of the banks which are rock overlaid by an earthy stratum is about 25 feet. The bed of the pool is silted up over its rocky base. The width of the pool is 20 feet and its length is roughly 70 feet. The depth of water is from 2 to 33 feet. The earthy stratum is grown with grasses and the highland in the vicinity is given over to cultivation. The height above the sea level near this point is 1,852 feet. The total extent of this tributary nallah is roughly 23 miles. It takes its origin from springs which are located about half a mile or more due west of the railway bridge and flows all the year though the volume is very poor during the dry months. At this season it is flowing strongly with muddy storm water drainage. i. Barilius bendelisis Ham. eae ies ee -+. 3 Specimens. ii. Rasbora dantconius (Ham.) ii “es < es) /L. Specimen. 12. The Darna river, near to the village of Sewnsuri; 8-9-1935. The part explored was from the west bank against the village of ‘Sewnsuri’. The greater part of this bank is rocky and shelving. The village is super- imposed and built upon the part rocky base and part earthy layer which uprises from the sheiving riverside, and is roughly 40 feet above the river. 508 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HiST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX A road from the village leads down to the river and opens directly on to the very wide and shelving rocky plinth. The village population is about 1,000. Lhe inhabitants use the river for all purposes. Their cattle are also bathed in the river. A local industry of preparing raw hides is carried on in this village. The fresh skins are scraped and cleaned at the river side and then dried. The scrapings from the hides pollute the river and_ the portion of the bank where the work is done is therefore very insanitary. The shelving plinth is free from vegetation and is roughly 80 yards long and 30 yards or more broad. In the south corner of the plinth is a small temple with a shrine, the base of which is just over the water line. The villagers throw food stuff into the river and- feed the fish. They do “nee object to fishes being caught; they invite you even on the temple site and in a friendly spirit show you the likely spots where big fish are to be had. The width of the river is about 4o feet and the depth is from 3 to 4 feet on the west bank, from 4 to 5 feet midstream and one foot on the east bank where there is a sanded beach. The opposite bank is from tio to 15 feet high and is grown with grasses and bordered with fields under cultivation. The bed of the river on the side of the west bank is practically all rock. Midstream it is sanded and silted. The volume of water is good at all times of the year. Now the river is moderately swollen and muddy with storm water. The height above the sea level is approximatey 1,820 feet. i. Chela clupeoides (Bloch) ba = _ -.» | - 1, Speemmenr ii. Barilius bendelists Ham. - ee oe ..« 6 Specimens: iii. Rasbora daniconius (Ham.) ee tes Sag I specimen. iv. Barbus chola (Ham.) “ies Sars ae v3 Specimens v. Barbus kolus Skyes ae ie nas -. ” I Specimen vi. Barbus ticto (Ham.) ae vee we ... 123 Specimens: vii. Barbus (new species) Ris sfc sas 4 specimens. viii. Lepidocephalichthys guntea (Ham.) _ ... me + 1O Specimens: ix. Nemachilus botius (Ham.) — ... oe — -. Ii Specimens: x. Nemachilus denisoni Day sig rs 1 12 Specimens: xi. Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) nssk sa) =. 2 Specimens: xii. Mystus cavasius (Ham.) was 2 | I SPECIINEn: xiii. Ophicephalus gachua Ham. ‘ee sa so — O“SPeCiMenis: xiv. Ophicephalus marulius Ham. - sis .. 2 Specimens: xv. Ambassis ranga (Ham.) oh: oe Bas .. . Specimens: xvi. Glossogobius giuris (Ham.) I specimen. 13. Middle section of the Narsullah Wadi meandering through the Barnes High School Estate; 12-9-1935. For the description of the locality see No. to. i. Barilius bendelisis Ham. a ve 2.5. 9) Speciinens: ii. Danio aequipinnatus (McClell.) a3 sim ... 23 Specimens. ili. Rasbora labiosa Mukerji ay aid see ... 112 specimens; iv. Garra mullya (Sykes) By se eae J+ 13 Specimens: v. Parapsilorhynchus (new species) ee de ... 18 specimens. vi. Lepidocephalichthys guntea (Ham.) ... fe == 32 Specimens: vil. Nemachilus denisonti Day ... eo ee «-« 60 Specimens: viii. Nemachilus evezardi Day ons one s.- | 4 Specimens: 14. Pool at the source of the Narsullah Wadi; 12-9-1935. The upper section of the ‘Narsullah Wadi’ courses down through narrow shallow channels from 4 to 5 feet wide and is barely ankle deep except in the two or three pools in its whole extent where the water is knee deep. It is fed from a series of three springs which issue and originate at the bases of two tors, the chief one of which is named ‘Siva Donghai’; 23527; feet above the sea level. This region is a stony waste except in certain parts which are sparsely grown with grass. For roughly a mile~in’ this section the bed of the stream is rocky and sanded. Thereafter the terrain becomes earthy black soil and the banks are bordered with fields under cultivation. At this season ‘bajri’ and: ‘groundnut’ are in evidence. The fishes in. this batch were taken from a rocky pool fed from the three springs ze FISH OF DEOLALI 509 in its close vicinity at the foot of the tors. The banks are in part earthy and are grown with grasses and the flora usually found on the banks of rivers and streams in this area. The pool is 12 by 1o feet wide and knee deep. The bed is rocky. The altitude of the pool would be roughly 2,100 feet above sea_ level. i. Rasbora daniconius (Ham.) ve Las vo .. 42Specimens. li. Parapsilorhynchus (new species) a et ».» 37 Specimens. iii. Lepidocephalichthys guntea (Ham.) See ae: +. I Specimen: iv. Nemachilus evezardi Day = es oh pee 2 Specimens. 15. Quarry Tank, at the end of Dhondy Road, Deolali Can- tonment; I9-9-1935. These fishes were taken from a quarry accumulation of water brought about by blasting operations carried out sometime in the past. As a _ result of these operations either a spring or some sub-soil source of water supply. has been tapped and the ooze from below has made the area into a permanently filled tank. Obviously because of its potentialities for breeding mosquitoes this tank has been stocked with fish. No information is available as to when the tank became thus artificially formed; nor is the year known when the fishes were put into it. At present the water in it is not used for any purpose and is left neglected except for the regular visits paid to it by the Anti-Malarial Squad who examine it for the presence of mosquito larvae. These however appear not to be able to thrive in it owing to the presence of the fishes. The water accumulation as it now exists presents the form of nearly a square about 40 by 50 feet. Its depth would be about 25 feet from the surface of the banks. The depth of the water is well over 12 feet. It consists of practically solid basalt rock save for the earthy strata upon the banks. At the south end a section of the bank slopes down to the water edge and has a base of rock overlaid by a surface layer of earth. The rest of the bank is steeply upright from the surface of the water and is grass-grown. The water in it is dirty looking with a scum and algae floating on its surface. It is now teeming with a new species of Rasbora which do not appear to have suffered by the change in environment from that of a running stream to a still water tank. The nearest stream is the ‘North Nallah’ which is three furlongs distant from this tank. I mention this fact in order to support the statement that the tank must have been stocked with this species, as there is no connection between it and the North Nalla unless it be a subterranean one. I have failed to discover any other species in it. i. Rasbora labiosa Mukerji ae a6 on ... 74 Specimens. i6. The Aounda river, west of the road bridge between Aswali Ratlway Station and Lake Beale; 29-9-1935. The road bridge mentioned is one mile and a furlong from Lake Beale and the ‘Aounda’ river courses under it and meanders on due east until it joins the river ‘Darna’ below the dam. The ‘Aounda’ river has its origin in the heights south of ‘Anjem’. These heights are the southerly ranges extending in an easterly direction towards ‘Ambli’ at an average height of 4,000 feet above the sea level. The springs and the drainage from the northern face of these heights help to swell the ‘Waldi’ river, while those on the southern aspects feed the river ‘Aounda’, flowing from it in a_ southerly direction until it meets the ‘Kharki’ nallah some ten miles south of its origin. About four miles north above the point of junction with the ‘Kharki’ nallah, near to a village called ‘Raju’ the ‘Aounda’ is joined by two other tributary nallahs, namely, the ‘Choni’ and ‘Kohki’ nallahs, all of which flow south and are perennial streams adding to its volume. The river ‘Aounda’, in its extent, is roughly 25 miles in all up to its junction with the river ‘Darna’. From the junction with the ‘Kharki’ nallah the course is irregular. It flows scuth-east for a mile or so and then turns north for 3 to 4. miles, afte? which it meanders in a south-easterly direction and finally due east up to the junction with the ‘Darna’. In the stretch explored, west of the road bridge referred to, the river .flows from west to east. Here are the remains of a former road bridge which at some remote period must have been washed away 510 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX by a flood, as there are breaches in its length and the masonry bases of the piles supporting the former structure are now submerged. The existing masonry remains uprise from the river banks on either side to a height of ten feet. These show evidence of considerable erosion. West of this ruined bridge is a large expanse of water about one hundred yards long and 60 feet broad with a varying depth of 2 feet at the sides to 4 feet midstream. The fishes in this batch were taken from this section. The north bank is earthy and grown with vegetation and heavily wooded with ‘babul’ (gum acacia). The relative height of this bank to the bed of the river is about 25 feet. The south bank in its total extent is shelved with basalt rock sloping to the river’s edge. Above this rocky plinth there is an earthy stratum rising to a height varying from 15 to 20 feet. This bank is bordered by fields under cultivation. The bed of the river is rocky and sanded for the greater portion of its width except for the shallows of the north bank which is silted up. The river was moderately swollen with muddy storm water at the time of the visit. The volume and flow were full and strong in midstream. The altitude is roughly 1,800 teet above sea level. i. Chela clupeoides (Bloch) 2 specimens. ii. Barilius bendelisis Ham. I specimen. iii. Rasbora daniconius (Ham.) 2 specimens. iv. Barbus amphibius (C. & V.) I specimen. v. Barbus chrysopoma C. & V. I specimen. vi. Barbus kolus Sykes I specimen. vii. Barbus ticto (Ham.) I specimen. vill. Garra mullya (Sykes) 6 specimens. ix. Labeo calbasu (Ham.) Ge I specimen. x. Labeo porcellus (Heckel) sit he ape .. § Specimens. xi. Mystus cavasius (Ham.) I specimen. I xii. Ambassia ranga (Ham.) “6 - ans specimen. xiil. Glossogobius giuris (Ham.) uae ae ae ... 3 Specimens: 17. The Aounda river, + mile west of Lake Beale Dam; 6-10-1935. The stretch of water is some 120 yards long and of a uniform width of nearly 60 feet. The river in this section flows in a_ slightly north-easterly direction. The depth is from 2 feet at the sides to roughly 6 feet midstream. There is a good volume of water flowing through with a_ strong centrally running current. The water was slightly turbid with mud. The south-east bank is in part an earth embankment 12 to 18 feet high and is grown with long grass and a few ‘babul’ trees. It is bordered with cultivated fields. The continuity of this bank then gives place to rocky plinths which slope to the water edge and in parts are precipitous up to a height of 5 to 10 feet. The opposite bank is for the whole length of this section a sanded beach 40 feet wide; and more inland to this it is earthy and grown with grasses and heavily wooded with acacia (babul). The bed: of the river on the side of the north-west bank is sanded and the south-east bank is silted up in parts and where the rocky plinth begins it is composed of rock and_ sand. Midstream it is silted. There are no villages in this locality. The altitude above the sea level is 1,800 feet. i. Labeo porcellus (Heckel) ee ae ies ... J specimen. ii. Mystus cavasius (Ham.) ee _ ae + | 4 Specimens: 18. Pool at the head of a nallah draining into the Aounda river; 6-10-1935. The length of this ‘Nallah’ stream is not more than two furlongs and the spring and the pool formed by it are just below the road running from Lake Beale Dam to ‘Aswali’ railway station (G.I.P.R.). The stream begins here and in its course is of a varying width but never more than 8 feet in its broadest section. It is ankle deep in some parts and in other sections barely a few inches. The bed of the ‘Nallah’ has a steep gradient and is practically rock throughout its whole length except near a FISH OF DEOLALI 511 to its junction with the ‘Aounda’ river. It runs through cultivated fields of ‘bajri’?. The height of the pool above the river Aounda is at least 50 feet. The volume and flow are poor. The bed of the pool is rock and its depth is 2 feet. The width and breadth is to by 12 feet. i. Danio aequipinnatus (McClell.) tre es oe Lo SPeclineit: ii. Rasbora daniconius (Ham.) ed die ... 27 Specimens. iii. Barbus amphibius (C. & V.) si sre ... 18 specimens. 19. Section of the Aounda river, 5 miles west of Lake Beale Dam; 15-10-1935. The river here bends from under the railway track, which is bridged over, and curving northward reaches after a 5 furlongs run the site from which the fish were collected. The direction of the river at this point is due north. The volume of the water was great and at the time of the visit the river was swollen with muddy storm waters, with the force of the current directed against the west bank. The east bank is a pebbled stretch of a length of go and a breadth of 20 feet. From this beach to a height of to feet is an earth embankment overgrown with grass and bordered by fields under cultivation (bajri crop). The opposite bank is all shelving rock. In the high sections of this rocky base are some sparsely grown patches of grass. The bed of the river is pebbled throughout. The depth of the water is from 2 feet at the sides to 4 feet midstream. The largest fish in this batch weighing when caught 1 lb. and 2 oz. was taken near the edge of the west bank. Here the bed is rocky and sanded, but at the water’s edge there was a growth of rushes, which was localised to a small patch where there is a gathering of silt. i. Barilius bendelisis Ham. 2 specimens. ii. Rasbora daniconius (Ham.) 2 specimens. iii. Barbus khudree Sykes I specimen. iv. Barbus kolus Sykes I specimen. v. Barbus melanostigma Day 3 Specimens. vi. Barbus pinnauratus Day 4 specimens. vii. Barbus ticto (Ham.) I specimen. viii. Garra mullya (Sykes) 3 Specimens. ix. Labeo boggut (Sykes) 2 specimens. x. Nangra viridescens (Ham.) 2 specimens. xi. Glossogobius giuris (Ham.) I specimen. 20. & 21. West side sloping rocky channel which conducts the released waters from Lake Beale via the Dam directly into the river Darna at the point of its junction with the Aounda river; 15-10-1935. Lake Beale, (named after the Engineer who built the dam) is 17 miles long and 2 miles broad in its widest section. The dam was built across the course of the river ‘Darna’ in 1912 and converted a large area of the depression through which the ‘Darna’ river originally coursed into a lake. The dam is about one mile in extent and on an average 4o feet in height. The depth of water in the lake against the dam is from 8 to 10 feet. Krom the dam the waters rush over a wide and steep rocky bed interspersed with large boulders of basalt rock and become divided into two streams; one on _ the west side and the other on the east side of the wide rocky bed. The fishes were caught in the west channel which is 30 feet wide and about 2 furlongs in extent. Owing to the steep gradient of the rocky bed the waters swirl down in a roaring torrent. When there is an increased volume of water flowing through this channel from the lake it is dangerous for a man_ to negotiate a passage through it. Bhil fishermen however manage to do so only at a certain point, where a section of this channel, about midway in its length, levels out for 10 feet or more and here in this patch the fishermen cast their nets regularly every evening with the certainty of securing fishes of large size weighing up to 3 lb. The gates of the dam are opened regularly during the monsoon months and occasionally during the dry months and at 6 512 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX the time of the visit the water flowing through the channel was in great volume owing to some of the gates on the west side of the dam _ having been opened. In the level patch referred to above, the depth of the water depends upon the volume rushing through it. It may be knee deep or at its greatest height about 3 feet or more. At the end of the 2 furlongs run the channels below the dam, which constitute the river ‘Darna’, are joined by the river ‘Aounda’ and this junction creates a wide expanse of water seething and foaming with swirling currents rushing over beds of pure rock without evidence of any vegetation on its banks. The altitude of the dam is 1,875. feet and the levels of the junction of the two rivers would be 1,800 feet. i. Chela clupeoides (Bloch) ses sd ie .. 10 specimens. ii. Barbus khudree Sykes I specimen. iii. Barbus kolus Sykes 3 specimens. iv. Barbus sarana (Ham.) 2 specimens. v. Wallago attu (Bloch) I specimen. vi. Ambassis ranga (Ham.) 5 specimens. vii. Glossogobius giuris (Ham.) 3 specimens. 22. The Darna river at. its junction with the Aounda river at the point where the rocky channel conducting waters from Lake Beale levels out with the Darna river; 20-10-1935. The wide expanse of waters at the junction of the two rivers mentioned is roughly 120 yards broad and about 2 furlongs in extent. It is an area composed mostly of rock. The north bank is in part a sanded beach giving place to sloping rocks and interspersed with large boulders. The river ‘Aounda’ section is less agitated by the currents and becomes turbulent when joined by the furious waters from the ‘Darna’ river channels which conduct the released waters from Lake Beale. The average depth is 3 feet but midstream in the wide expanse it is from 6 to 8 feet in certain parts. There is no vegetation on the banks. i. Chela clupeoides (Bloch) 6 specimens. ii. Chela phulo (Ham.) 3 specimens. iil. Rasbora daniconius (Ham.) I specimen. iv. Barbus amphibius (C. & V.) 7 specimens. v. Barbus pinnauratus Day I specimen. vi. Barbus sarana (Ham.) 2 specimens. vii. Crossochilus latius (Ham.) I specimen. viii. Garra mullya (Sykes) 2 specimens. ix.: Labeo porcellus (Heckel) 2 specimens. x. Rohtee duvaucelii (C. & V.) I specimen. xi. Mystus cavasius (Ham.) 2 specimens. xii. Ambassis nama (Ham.) 4 specimens. xiii. Ambassis ranga (Ham.) 104 Specimens. xiv. Glossogobius giuris (Ham.) 5 specimens. 23. The Godaveri river, 1 mile east of the Indore road bridge east of Nasik city; 29-10-1935. The river in this section flows due east, and it is moderately swollen with storm waters and the force of the current is directed against the north bank owing to a slight bend in the run. The north bank rises 25 feet above the water level and it is composed of a rocky base of about 10 feet with an earthy layer of 15 feet above. The south bank is on an average 20 feet above a sanded beach which is 30 yards broad. The width of the river is roughly 110 feet. I am told that when the river is in flood the expanse of the river is then 200 feet and nearly reaches the top of both the north and south banks. At the time of the visit the waters had receded and the sanded beach referred to above had become exposed. The land in the precints of both the banks is grown with fruit orchards—grape vineyards, guava, plantains, and -citrons.. On the banks there are many tamarind and babul trees.. The FISH OF DEOLALI bed of the river is pebbled and silted up. The depth is on an 513 average 2 feet on the south bank edges, midstream it must be 3 to 4 feet and 6 feet towards the north bank edge. The height above sea level is 1,300 feet. i. Chela clupeoides (Bloch) 13 specimens. ii. Chela phulo (Ham.) 8 specimens. iii. Barilius bendelisis Ham. : 7 specimens. iv. Danio aequipinnatus (McClell.) 4 specimens. v. Rasbora daniconius (Ham.) 3 Specimens. vi. Barbus khudree Sykes 7 specimens. vii. Barbus kolus Sykes 2 specimens. vill. Barbus ticto (Ham.) 5 specimens. ix. Crossochilus latius (Ham.) 2 specimens. x. Garra mullya (Sykes) 16 specimens. xi. Labeo boggut (Sykes) I specimen. xii. Rohtee cotio (Ham.) I specimen. xiii. Nemachilus botius (Ham.) I specimen. xiv. Nemachilus evezardi Day. ; I5 specimens. xv. Glyptothorax lunah (Sykes) ... I specimen. xvi. Ophicephalus gachua Ham. I specimen. xvii. Ambassis ranga (Ham.) Ma I specimen. xviii. Glossogobius giuris (Ham.) g specimens. 24. North Nallah stream, from pools below the Deolali Can- tonment Bazaar; 31-10-1935. For description, see the account of locality No. 1. i. Barilius bendelisis Ham. 105 specimens. ii. Rasbora labiosa Mukerji 27 specimens. iii. Barbus ticto (Ham.) 2 specimens. iv. Garra mullya (Sykes) 2 specimens. v. Lepidocephalichthys guntea (Ham.) Ig specimens. vi. Nemachilus denisonii Day ... I specimen. vii. Nemachilus evezardi Day 2 specimens. 25. Middle section of the Narsullah Wadi running through Barnes High School estate; 1-11-1935. For description, see the account of locality No. 1o. i. Rasbora labiosa Mukerji 118 specimens. li. Barbus ticto (Ham.) 3 Specimens. iii. Garra mullya (Sykes) cas I specimen. iv. Lepidocephalichthys guntea (Ham.) 17 specimens. 26. Section of the Darna river at its junction with the Waldi river up to the village of Chedi; 7-11-1935. The river has subsided but still flows are particularly forceful near the bridge. average, midstream, force of the current is against the south bank. Both the banks and shelving down to sandy beaches about 30 feet wide on either north bank leading down pebbled beach (approximately 30 yards), but is now dry. The bed of the river silted up. the depth of the run which during the rains is i. Chela clupeoides (Bloch) I “ii. Barilius bendelisis Ham. 6 iii. Rasbora labiosa Mukerji I iv. Barbus khudree Sykes I v. Barbus sarana (Ham.) I vi. Barbus ticto (Ham.) 16 Garra mullya (Sykes) with very strong currents about 3 feet with shallows of one foot at the sides. which on an The are earthy side. The is from the village of Chedi has a more extensive submerged is pebbled throughout and in parts is specimen. specimens. specimen. specimen. specimen. specimens. specimens. 514 JOURNAL; BOMBAY. NATURAL ‘HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX vill. Nemachilus botius (Ham.) ne Ass one ..» 4 Specimens. ix. Ambassis rvanga (Ham.) ack aie aes ».. . 6 Specimens: x. Glossogobius giuris (Ham.) se cee .-» 3 Specimens. 27. The Waldi river near the villages of Deolali and Edhgaon; I 4-11-1935. The Waldi river here flows from west to east and the villages of Edhgaon and Deolali lie on the south and north bank respectively. The banks and the bed of the river are composed of basalt rock throughout. The flow and volume of water in the river are strong and good. The depth is from 2 feet at the sides to 3 feet midstream. The width is from 4o to 50 feet. The height above sea level is about 1,850 feet. The height of the banks from the bed of the river is about 30 feet. i. Barilius bendelisis Ham. wine bis ---. 25 Specimens: ii. Danio aequipinnatus (MeCtell.) att ae u. )) 2, (Specimens: ili. Barbus khudree Sykes 3 specimens. iv. Barbus ticto (Ham.) a als ‘ ... II specimens. v. Garra mullya (Sykes) das See a ... 41 Specimens. vi. Nemachilus botius (Ham.) a ae Bs 6 2 Specimens: 28. The Godaveri river, one mile east of the Indore Road Bridge east of Nasik city; 8-12-1935. Since the last visit (vide locality No. 22) the river has considerably sub- sided and the pebbled beach is exposed and is covered with a layer of silt. This beach inclines down from the south bank to the water’s edge and in extent would be 150 feet broad and roo yards or more in length. The force of the very sluggish flow is against the north bank and there is a large amount of green algae in evidence, fragments are seen floating in the surface scum and the water generally is very filthy looking and ashen in colour. The depth of the water in its deepest part against the north bank is 33 feet and in the shallows of the edge against the south beach it is barely a foot in depth. The beach referred to above is being ploughed up and in parts of it cucumber and water melons seeds are being sown. All the specimens of the species Barbus ticto—Bhil name ‘Tiptoo’—taken on this day in this section of the river showed a scarlet pigmentation of the body scales and the caudal and dorsal fins were similarly stained. They have lost this colouration in spirits. i. Barilius bendelisis Ham. 3 specimens. ii. Garra mullya (Sykes): I specimen. iil. Barbus khudree Sykes 7 specimens. iv. Barbus kolus Sykes 7e 5 specimens. v. Barbus ticto (Ham.) ne sds ee +. 27 Specimens: 29. Pool in the course of the North Nallah; 14-12-1935. This pool is a small one about 30 by 4o feet and from 2 to 3 feet in depth. The bed is all rocky and so are the banks on either side. There is no vegetation in the locality. It is roughly one mile and a half from the junction of the ‘North Nallah’ with the Darna river. It is 1,830 feet above sea level. i. Barilius bendelisis Ham. oa ae -. 9 Specimens. ii. Danio aequipinnatus (McClell.) se ee ... 26 specimens. iii. Rasbora dantconius (Ham.) aos car .-» § Specimens. iv. Barbus ticto (Ham.) oe sae Ba ... 141 Specimens. v. Garra mullya (Sykes) ee P .» I specimen. vi. Lepidocephalichthys guntea (Ham. ) as a ... 2 specimens. 30. The Darna river, 1 mile from Ghote Railway Station, 26-12-1935. Here the river Darna is about 50 yards wide. The current is strong midstream and the relative heights of the banks above the water’s level are 10 to 15 feet. The banks are grown with the usual and varied flora. The FISH OF. DEOLALT 515 bed of the river is silted up and appears to be earthy. The depth midstream is about 6 feet and 2 feet at the sides. The height above sea level is roughly 1,950 feet. i. Chela clupeoides (Bloch) ah wi aa 2a Specimen: ii. Barbus amphibius (C. & V.) eee 2s ... 13 Specimens. iii. Barbus sarana (Ham.) se ae sion ... 2 Specimens. iv. Barbus ticto (Ham.) 3 Specimens. v. Lepidocephalichthys guntea (Ham.) 3 Specimens. vi. Ambassis ranga (Ham.) see 7 specimens. 31. The Darna river, one furlong from Ghote Railway Station ; 28-12-1935. Here the river is about 60 yards wide and curves northwards parallel with the railway track. It is about a furlong from the Railway Station. The banks are rocky in the greater part of this section and the bed at the river edge is composed of rocky plinths, parts of which are silted. The current is strong midstream and the depth must be at least eight feet. At the edge of the river on the west bank the depth is from 2 to 3 feet and it suddenly deepens towards the middle. The height above sea level would be about 1,900 feet. i. Chela clupeoides (Bloch) rn wie a: ...° 3 Specimens. ii Danio aequipinnatus (McClell.) fan ihe ... 6 specimens. iii. Rasbora daniconius (Ham.)_... see es ... 8 specimens. iv. Barbus amphibius (C. & V.) ... Lise Bs ... 8 specimens. v. Barbus pinnauratus Day ss is 28% vo 2 Specimen, vi. Barbus ticto (Ham.) ee se is ... 18 specimens. vii. Garra mullya (Sykes) sas ey wr 122. Specimens. viii. Rohtee duvaucelii (C. & Vv.) “ae me ... IT specimen. ix. Nemachilus botius (Ham.) ... _ ae --- 3 Specimens. x. Mystus cavasius (Ham.) ze ay rr ... 22 specimens. xi. Ophicephalus gachua Ham. ee ie ... 2 Specimens. xii. Ambassis ranga (Ham.) oe ae se «» — 9 Specimens. 32. Section of the North Nallah which runs by _ Deolali Cantonment Bazaar; 2-1-1936. All these fishes were caught in a section of the ‘North Nallah’ which runs by the Deolali Cantonment Bazaar. Here the ‘water is strongly alkaline to litmus paper. The depth of water in the stream is from 4 to 2 feet and the bed is silted over a rocky base. There is much washing of clothes done at this point and the water is soapy and foul smelling as it tends to stagnate owing to a sluggish surface flow. In the silt, particularly at the edges of the stream, worms can be found at all times of the year. It was observed that Barilius bendelisis partly buried themselves in the silt in order to hide and escape our efforts to catch them and it was found easier to simply lift the silt and then pick out the fishes buried in it. It was then also discovered that worms were present in the silt. i. Barilius bendelisis Ham. she aie oe ... 64 Specimens. 33. Lower section of Narsullah Wadi, near to Bagoor village; 8-1-1936. For description, see account of locality No. to. i. Barilius bendelisis Ham. 6 specimens. li. Danio aequipinnatus (McClell.). 5 specimens. iil. Rasbora daniconius (Ham.) 7 specimens. iv. Aspidoparia morar (Ham.) I specimen. v. Barbus khudree Sykes . 2 specimens. vi. Barbus ticto (Ham.) . 33 specimens. vii. Garra mullya (Sykes) 4 specimens. vill. Nemachilus botius (Ham.) I specimen. OV ix. Ophicephalus gachua Ham, .., a 7 me specimens. 516 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX 34. Pool in the course of the North Nallah; 10-1-1936. For description, see account of locality No. 28. i. Barilius bendelisis Ham. 3 specimens. ii. Danio aequipinnatus (McClell.) _ oS Be ..., 2 Specimens: iii. Rasbora labiosa Mukerji Ae ae ee 1. 13 Specimens iv. Barbus ticto (Ham.) xed me ..« 12 Specimens. v. Lepidocephalichthys guntea (Ham.) ie Eee .-» | 1, specimens vi. Nemachilus denisonii Day be iG oes -i9 re SpPeCciment vii. Nemachilus evezardi Day 8 specimens. 35. One furlong run above the 10 feet Dam in the middle section of the Narsullah Wadi; 19-1-1936. For description, see account of locality No. 10 i. Barilius bendelisis Ham. 2 specimens. ii. Danio aequipinnatus (McClell.) one a: . i Specimens ili. Rasbora daniconius (Ham.) _... oe a ... 21 specimens. iv. Rasbora labiosa Mukerji is bie a =e QO; Specumenics v. Barbus ticto (Ham.) se a ay ... 75 Specimens: vi. Garra mullya (Sykes) : ae cial ... II specimens. vii. Parapsilorhynchus (New species) Eee ve ... 19 specimens. viii. Lepidocephalichthys guntea (Ham.) see ..+ 3 Specimens: ix. Nemachilus evezardi Day es aise Ss ... -4 Specimens: x. Ophicephalus gachua Ham. I specimen. Ss 36. The Darna river, near the village of Sewnsuri; 30-1-1936. For description, see account of locality No. 12 i. Barilius bendelisis Ham. 6 specimens. ii. Rasbora daniconius (Ham.) I specimen. iii. Barbus khudree Sykes 8 specimens. iv. Barbus kolus Sykes I specimen. v.. Barbus ticto (Ham.) site oe = ... 28 specimens, vi. Garra mullya (Sykes) ce aie ee “. T1=specimens: vii. Labeo porcellus (Heckel) oe 3.7 De speoimen: viii. Nemachilus botius (Ham.) 2 specimens. ix. Glossogobius giuris (Ham.) I specimen. 3/7. The Darna river, near the village Sewnsuri; 30-1-1936. The fish were caught at the sides of the river in a portion of it which was but a few inches deep and where there was no current. The bed was a silt-covered sanded section and water was strongly alkaline to litmus paper while the temperature of the water in this particular spot at 3 p.m. was 86 degrees F. All of these specimens appear to be very young examples of Barilius bendelisis. Bhil name—‘Jhor’. i. Barilius bendelisis Ham. ee ms ... 2% Specimens: 38. The Darna river, in the run south of Lahavit Railway Station; 4-2-1936. The width of the river here is some 60 feet. The river flows from south- west to north-east. The banks are earthy and the height above the water level is 3 feet. The south bank is bordered with fields under cultivation. while the north bank is wooded with Babul trees. The bed of the river is silted up over an earthy base and it is rankly overgrown with water weeds which at the edges of the river are 4 feet in length. The depth midstream must be 12. feet and at the edges 5 feet. The stretch itself is a straight run of about 23 furlongs length and the current is particularly strong midstream. The height above sea level is 1,820 feet. i. Notopterus notopterus (Pallas) ie - .. | 2 Specimens: ii. Mastacembelus armatus (Lacép.) sins ‘ae --- I Specimen, FISH OF DEOLALI oo 517 iii. Anguilla anguilla (Ham.) I specimen. iv. Danio aequipinnatus (McClell.) I specimen. v. Rasbora daniconius (Ham.) 4 specimens. vi. Barbus kolus Sykes I specimen. vii. Barbus sarana (Ham.) 2 specimens. viii. Cirrhina reba (Ham.) I specimen. ix. Labeo boggut (Sykes) 3 Specimens. x. Labeo porcellus (Heckel) : I specimen. xi. Ophicephalus leucopunctatus Sykes I specimen. 39. Pool in the course of North Nallah, below the Deolali Cantonment bazaar; 10-2-1936. For description, see the account of locality No. 1 i. Barilius bendelisis Ham. ..89 specimens. ii. Danio aequipinnatus (McClell.) ies ae Bee la Specimen iii. Rasbora labiosa Mukerji en me a8 -. 7O Specimens. iv. Barbus ticto (Ham.) . I specimen. v. Garra mullya (Sykes) = - es 2 specimens. vi. Lepidocephalichthys guntea (Ham.) sae Aa ... 4 Specimens. vii. Nemachilus denisonit Day 2 specimens. 40. East channel, below Lake Beale Dam; 24-2-1936. The east channel courses down at a steep gradient but midway there is a section of the run which levels out for about 50 yards and here there is a good growth of the usual flora on the banks and the area is wooded with Babul trees. This stretch was explored at a time when the sluice gates were open and the channel was rushing and roaring with the torrents. The bed here is composed of rock throughout and the depth varies from 2 to 4 feet. The volume and force of the current was full and very strong. The width of the channel is from 6 feet to 40 feet in the level area. The total length of the channel from the sluice gates to where the waters once again level out at a point some 200 yards below the junction of the. west channel with the Aounda river is roughly 3 furlongs. The gradient is less steep than that of the west channel and the whole of it is practically rock throughout. The distance between the west and east channels corresponds to the length of Lake Beale Dam itself. In between are some small rills and collections of water which are of no importance and the whole of the area consists of basalt rock plinths and boulders of large size. For other particulars see the notes connected with locality No. 20. i. Chela phulo (Ham.) 7 specimens. ii. Rasbora daniconius (Ham.) 8 specimens. iii. Barbus amphibius (C. & V.) I specimen. iv. Barbus khudree Sykes : 2 specimens. v. Barbus kolus Sykes I specimen. vi. Barbus ticto (Ham.) 7 specimens. vii. Cirrhina reba (Ham.) 16 specimens. viii. Garra mullya (Sykes) 7 specimens. ix. Labeo boggut (Sykes) Aan 5 Specimens. x. Lepidocephalichthys guntea (Ham.) I specimen. xi. Nemachilus botius (Ham.) I Specimen. xii. Callichrous bimaculatus (Bloch) 3 Specimens. xiii. Mystus cavasius (Ham.) I specimen. xiv. Ophicephalus gachua Ham. I specimen. xv. Ophicephalus marulius Ham. I specimen. xvi. Ambassis baculis (Ham.) 2 specimens. xvii. Ambassis nama (Ham.) . 6 specimens. Xvill. Ambassis ranga (Ham.) : . 24 specimens. xix. Glossogobius giuris (Ham.) is} ae . 37 Specimens. ol8 JOURNAL, BOMBAY \NATURALWHIST. SOCIETY, Wool: XXX 41. The Darna river, between the village of Sewnsuri and Deladgaon ; 7-3-1936. On the day of the visit there was only one main stream and this flowed directly by the east bank. The current was strong and full but with a less volume of water. The width was also slightly less. i. Chela clupeotdes (Bloch) oe nie mls ... II Specimens. ii. Barilius bendelisis Ham. Has i -.- O7 Specimens: ili. Rasbora daniconius (Ham.) ne a .. . 2° Specimens: iv. Aspidoparia morar (Ham.) ae a ... 24 Specimens. v. Barbus khudree Sykes eye a a8 -.. 45 Specimens. vi. Barbus kolus Sykes alk as a ... 5 Specimens. vii. Barbus sarana (Ham.) : ae me ..' 2 Specimens. viii. Barbus ticto (Ham.) ne nie Set ws.» 3 Specimens: ix. Crossochilus latius (Ham.) se tee ag -... 3 Specimens: x. Garra mullya_ (Sykes) ae ee ae .-- 93 Specimens. xi. Labeo boggut (Sykes) a fe nee ... 28 specimens. 42. The Darna river between the villages of Sewnsuri. and Beladgaon; 18-3-1936. For description, see account of locality No. 8. i. Chela phulo (Ham.) ii. Barilius bendelisis Ham. ‘ 8 iii. Danio aequipinnatus (McClell.) 8 iv. Rasbora daniconius (Ham.) I specimen. v. Aspidoparia morar (Ham.) He whe ... 2 Specimens: vi. Barbus khudree Sykes it be see ... 6 Specimens. 2 9 8 nH specimens. specimens. specimens. vil. Barbus sarana (Ham.) specimens. viii. Garra mullya (Sykes) specimens. ix. Labeo boggut (Sykes) specimens. 43, Pool in the course of the North Nallah; 29-3-1936. For description, see account of locality No. 29. i. Barilius bendelisis Ham. a < ... 23° Specimens, ii. Danio aequipinnatus (McClell. te or .. 2) Specimens: iii. Barbus ticto (Ham.) sn ue ... 12) Specimens: 44, Pool in the course of the North Nallah; 15-4-1936. For description, see account of locality No. 29. i. Barilius bendelisis Ham. eh nen ais a... “5 Specimens: it. Rasbora danicomus (Fatm.)° .... ae sia ss, 1 < Specimen. iii. Barbus ticto (Ham.) Bae a“ set ... 126 specimens. iv. Garra mullya (Sykes) oon 2 eas .-. 4 Specimens. 45. Pool in the course of the North Nallah; 20-5-1936. For description, see account of locality No. 29. i. Barilius bendelisis Ham. ae ae rF ... 19 Specimens. ii. Rasbora labiosa Mukerji ae 4 a, ... 31 specimens. ili. Garra mullya (Sykes) ue oee ae ... JO Specimens. iv. Lepidocephalichthys guntea (Ham.) I specimen. 46. The Darna river, near Lahavit; 28-4-1936. Tor description, see account of locality No. 38. i. Barilius bendelisis Ham. I specimen. ii. Barbus khudree Sykes I specimen. iii. Barbus kolus Sykes 6 specimens. iv. Barbus parrah (Day) I specimen. v. Labeo porcellus (Heckel) 5 specimens. vi. Rohtee vigorsii Sykes 3 specimens. vii. Wallago attu (Bloch) I specimen. viii. Mystus cavasius (Ham.) 5 specimens. FISH OF DEOLALI 519 47, The Darna river, between the village of Sewnsuri and Beladgaon; 29-4-1936. For description, see account of locality No. 8. i. Barilius bendelisis Ham. aes ‘o, 3. specimens. ii. Barbus khudree Sykes re te Sek «3 Specimens. iii. Barbus kolus Sykes sia a aa <9 LO Specimens. iv. Barbus melanostigma Day I v. Barbus sarana (Ham.) 3 Specimens. vi. Garra mullya (Sykes) oe se i. Lespecimen. vii. Labeo porcellus (Heckel). sae be 363 ... 4 specimens. vill. Glossogobius giuris (Ham.) I specimen. specimen. 48. The Darna river, near Lahavit Railway Station; 3-5-1936. For description, see account of locality No. 38. i. Barbus khudree Sykes 3 Specimens. ii. Barbus kolus Sykes 4 specimens. iii. Barbus sarana (Ham. I specimen. iv. Labeo porcellus (Heckel). 3 specimens. v. Glossogobius giuris (Ham.) I specimen. 49. The Darna river, near Lahavit Railway Station; 10-5-1936. For description, see account of locality No. 38. i. Chela clupeoides (Bloch) 2 specimens. li. Barbus kolus Sykes 8 specimens. iii. Barbus sarana (Ham.) I specimen. iv. Labeo porcellus (Heckel) 3 Specimens. v. Rohtee vigorsii Sykes I specimen. vi. Mystus cavasius (Ham.) 22 specimens. 90. Section of the North Nallah, below the Deolali Cantonment bazaar; 20-5-1936. On this date this section of the ‘North Nallah’ contained a small amount of water confined to a channel which was 5 feet in width and was eight inches deep. There was no flow and the continuity of the channel had dried up below it for about go yards. The water was stagnant and foul smelling and strongly alkaline to litmus paper and the temperature of the water at 2p.m. was 96° .F. i. Barilius bendelisis Ham. oo es ak ... 74 Specimens. ii. Rasbora labiosa Mukerji ne a on ... 2 specimens. iii. Parapsilorhynchus (new species) sie ane --- I specimen. THE BIRDS OF BOMBAY AND SALSETTE. BY SAtim Att and Humayun ABDULALI. ParT IT. (With three plates). (Continued from page 103 of this volume). The Pied Bush-Chat ; Saxicola caprata atrata Blyth. Field identification: Size about that of a Sparrow. The male is jet black with white patches on the shoulders, particularly conspicuous in flight. The abdomen and base of tail both above and below are also white. The female is a soberly coloured brown bird with a patch of rusty reddish at the base of tail above, especially noticeable when on the wing. Frequents bare stony and sparse scrub country in the neighbourhood of cultivation and habitations. Specimens: Khandala birds examined by Whistler vide J.B.N.H.S., xxxviii, p. 284. EHA, both in The Common Birds of Bombay and in Nests & Eggs (ii, 42) says that the Pied Bush-chat is to be found ‘across the Harbour’ and that it ‘retires to the hills to breed’. Though not actually observed in Salsette, S. A. has a record of a pair seen on the out-skirts of a babool jungle near Kihim, on 317th September. The atrata form is a common resident in the Ghats but as a bird seen at Nandur-Madhmeshwar, Niphad (Nasik) during Christmas 1933 was almost certainly of the bicolor form, it is probable that the low country records for the cold weather refer largely to this northern migratory race. Breeding: It breeds commonly in the Ghats from April to early June at Khandala, Panchgani and in the neighbouring country. We have also observed pairs at Arthur Hill Lake (Bhandardara) near Ghoti in May. The nest is the usual pad of grass, hair, etc. placed under a stone or in a hoof-hole, in open or sparsely wooded country. Both parents assist in feeding the young. During the breeding season the male has a pretty song of several notes. The Indian Stone-Chat : Saxicola torquata indica (Blyth). Field identification: Size same as last—about that of a Sparrow. Males have a black head and a conspicuous white collar. The breast is reddish-brown and there is a white shoulder patch as in the foregoing. The female is plain brown and not unlike the female of the Pied Bush-chat except that it lacks the red patch at base of tail. Frequents cultivation and out-skirts, and open sparsely scrubbed country. Specimens: B.N.H.S. Q ? 30-1-21 Santa Cruz (B.C.E.); @ 5-2-24 Andhéri (S.H.P.); G 25-1-13 Santa ‘Croz (N.B.K.): St XxX. Civ 157 Andhénie yoriesce 234 Andhéri 22-3-35 (H.A.). This is a fairly common winter visitor—the two specimens 157 (7 November) and 234 (22 March) being our extreme dates—frequenting open incultivated areas in the low country. Its habits are not unlike those of the Pied Bush-chat except that it appears to prefer a stone to a bush as a look-out post. Across the harbour it is also commonly met with while snipe-shooting as it does not appear to mind the wet, provided there is a_ sufficiency of sea-holly, or bunds to keep its feet dry. Sp. 157 collected in open waste land had fed on small beetles, and the general habitat of the bird leads one to believe that these must comprise a considerable proportion of its diet. Breeding: Br. Navarro of St. Xavier’s College, to whom we are indebted for many specimens and valuable information from Khandala and_ elsewhere, (THR BIRDS OF, BOMBAY AND (SALSELTE ' d21 reports this bird as nesting at Khandala. He has procured the eggs, but. in the absence of breeding specimens this will have to be confirmed. The Wheatear : (Enanthe deserti atrogularis Blyth. Field identification : Size slightly larger than that of a Sparrow. A pale sandy coloured bird with black wings and tail. Chin, throat and foreneck also black: A white shoulder patch and the pale whitish rump very conspicuous in flight. Iemale duller and brownish where male black. Inhabits open barren waste land with stones and sparse stunted thorn bushes. | Specimens; B.N.1.S. :- 27-2-24 ° Pali ill}? Bandta (S.sA.); 12-11-12; ~¢ moog. santa Cruz (N.B.K.).° St. Xavier's... Col.: 21. Andheri - 3-1-3333 163, Andhéri 10-11-33 (H.A.). In spite of the statement in the New Fauna to the effect that this bird is a winter visitor to the plains of North-West India only, it appears to be a sparse but regular visitor to our area. 12 November and 27 February are our earliest and latest dates. It frequents the same type of country as the last species, but does not venture into marshy land. It is also more _ terrestrial than the stone-chat, running on the ground for longer distances, and_ not returning as regularly to a favoured perch. Wheatears are active little birds ; they wag their tails in the manner of wagtails. As a rule they are silent, but we have heard a male utter a loud ‘cht-tt-tt’. The Redstart : Phanicurus ochruros subsp. Field identification: Size about that of a Sparrow. Male black with orange-chestnut underparts from breast downwards. Tail and rump also this colour, particularly conspicuous in flight. Female plain brown with underparts and’ tail similar to but paler than in male. The tail is constantly shivered, Frequents’ open stony country and mango orchards. Specimens: -B.N.H.S.: .21-1-24 Andhéri. (S.H.P.). This is another regular winter visitor to our area though not occurring in any large numbers. Our earliest record is on 10 October and dast on 1§ March. At Panchgani, in the Ghats, the birds were extremely common as late (as 26 March ‘10234. It frequents rocky, scrub-covered hillsides and broken country. It is also occasionally found in mango groves and_ such shady places where there is no under-growth. Redstarts are seldom quiet. The body is continually dipped jerkily, and the tail flirted for no apparent reason, showing the flash of chestnut-red that gives them their name. Though redstarts find their food on the ground, they habitually fly into trees in the manner of tree-pipits when disturbed. The Bluethroat: Cyanosylvia suecica pallidogularis Sarudny. Field identification : Size somewhat smaller than that of a Sparrow. A pale brown bird with the appearance and bearing of the Indian Robin. Just before it leaves us in the hot weather the male acquires a blue throat. The tail and rump are orange chestnut and particularly conspicuous in flight. Inhabits the neighbourhood of swamps and well irrigated fields. Specimens: B.N.H.S.: Q 26-12-1900 (EHA). St. Xavier’s Col. : 222 January Andhéri. Noted: Santa Cruz, Gddhbunder, Powai Lake, Rewas, etc. This bird, a fairly common winter visitor to our area, is unlikely to be seen except by those who are optimistic enough to pursue snipe in the neighbourhood of Bombay. A terrific skulker,.it revels in the security of dense growths of. sea-holly (Acanthus), in salt and brackish marshes by _ tidal creeks, and jin the coarse Polygonon and Cyperaceae that border fresh water pools and streams. _. The earliest bird was noted by us on 15 November; the last on 5 March. [The Rubythroat : Calliope calliope Pallas. _ This is an East-Asiatic form that winters in eastern India, and also occasionally in Central India (J.B.N.H.S., xxxvi, p.72).. The only record from our area is that of Jerdon who mentions a specimen that ‘took refuge on board ship a little south of Bombay’. | 522 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX The Indian Robin : Saxicoloides fulicata ptymatura (Vieillot). Local name: Kala dumnat. Field identification: Size about that of a Sparrow. Male shiny black with white patches on the shoulders, often visible only in flight. A bright chestnut patch under the tail conspicuous on account of the bird’s habit of holding its tail erect or cocked-up. Female dark brown with no white wing patches but with a paler chestnut patch under the tail. Usually pairs in open country near villages and cultivation. Specimens: B.N.H.S. Several; St. X: C€. 29. :Andhéri 3-8-33 (HiA:)! Resident. This is one of the most familiar. birds of the low country, frequenting cultivated fields, fallow land in the vicinity of villages, scrub jungle and scrub-covered hills, quarries, ruins, and similar places. It is a tame and confiding bird, usually found in pairs, busily occupied in picking up insects from the ground. They occasionally perch on bushes but are essentially of terrestrial habits. Breeding: The breeding season is from the end of March to the middle of June, the birds possibly being double-brooded. 2 or 3 eggs are laid in nests which are placed in holes, in cuttings, earth-banks, under stones, and in the roots of up-turned palmyra palms. In our area we have never come across a nest in a_ hollow tree-trunk or anywhere above ground-level, as so commonly seen elsewhere. A larger or smaller piece of snake-slough, is invariably included in the make-up of a nest. One nest examined was composed entirely of human hair. The birds build in the same locality year after year, but resent observation and will desert a nest if the least interest is shown in it. The Magpie Robin: Copsychus saularis saulfaris Linn. Local name: Dominga; Dhyal. Field identification: Size about that of a Bulbul. Back, head and _ breast black, wings and tail parti-coloured black and white, lower plumage white. In the female the black of the male is replaced by brown or ashy-brown. A familiar black-and-white songster usually seen with the tail cocked-up as in the Robin. Frequents gardens and the neighbourhood of habitations. Specimens: B.N.H.S. Several from suburbs. St. X. C.: 5 Gorégaon 19-8-33 H.A.). saan This is another common bird of the low country, found in gardens and orchards, and in general replaces the last species where there are more trees than scrub. It is often found in heavy forest, and though a tree-dweller picks a considerable portion of its food off the ground. We have seen it eating snails and earth-worms. This last item is of interest as we have read somewhere that earth-worms are immune from the attacks of birds. This is one of our finest songsters and it is also an excellent mimic. We have for instance heard it tmitate a ‘did-he-do-it’ to perfection. Breeding: The males start singing from exposed perches about the middle of February, and the breeding season extends from March (Barnes) to June. The nest, a mere pad of fine twigs or leaf-stalks is placed in rafters, wells, hollow pipes, tree-stumps, wood-pecker holes, and holes in rotten palms. The usual clutch is of 5 eggs though occasionally only three are laid. The laying season coincides to some extent with the onset of the monsoon, and many nests are flooded out. The same site is used year after year. On 7-5-30 H. A. found a nest in a date palm, containing the remains of a newly-hatched chick, which had apparently been killed and eaten by large black ants (Camponotus sp.). The birds laid again in the same nest and on the 2oth there were § eggs. The Indian Shama : Kittacincla malabarica malabarica (Scopoli). Field identification: Size about that of a Bulbul. A black bird with a longish black-and-white tail and a white patch at the base of it above. Lower plumage from breast downwards bright chestnut. In the female the black is replaced by slaty-brown and the lower parts are considerably paler. A beautiful songster frequenting thick jungle, and more often heard than seen. Specimens: B.N.H.S. juv. 9-9-28 (S. A. ). Noted: Karnala; Kankéshwar; Godhbunder. This handsome bird, presumably a resident, is by no means common in our area. It keeps to the heavily forested portions of Salsette and the neighbour- ing Ghat country, frequenting dense under-growth, where it is not easily seen, ‘punois Sulyonoy UI} JOI[aIOp ysouuye *yueTd UoOsuOtH Fo Fea Ul e ul (ygpIUN{ SsapiojoIIXVS) (smisojns snumojoyjAQ) pllg IO[Te T, 9y4 JO ISAN uIqOY UPIpUy 9} JO SyoTYyO pue 4sSoN MY MuvS n 0U ‘ y #3 SS. = —— Sanam THE BIRDS OF BOMBAY AND SALSETTE 523 Breeding: Our only record is a juvenile bird collected by S.A. on the Thana-Godhbunder Road on g September 1928. The Black-capped Blackbird: Turdus simillimus mahrattensis Whistler. Field identification: Size of a Myna. A plain greyish-brown thrush with a black cap. The female is duller and has the cap less pronounced. The bill is pale orange and conspicuous. Singly in wooded country; on the ground or in trees. Specimens: B.N.H.S.: 10-3-24 Pali Hill; 21-3-24 Chembur (S.A.) Noted: Andhéri, Powai, Bandra, Kihim, Uran, Roha. The Black-capped Blackbird wanders into our area from the Ghats during the non-breeding season i.e. from October to March. It is one of the regular habitués at the parties that gather on the blossoms of Erythrina and Bombax, and as such is commonest in the deciduous forest that covers the hillsides round Tulsi Lake and farther north. Stray birds, are however not uncommonly met with in the low country, at Andheri and Bandra. The song is not unlike a dhyal’s but louder and richer. It is also an excellent mimic, with an exceptionally fine rendering of the plaintive cuckoo. It takes its food both on the ground and among the trees. On the ground it may be seen hopping about busily turning over dead leaves in the usual thrush-manner, in search of grubs and caterpillars. The stomach of a specimen contained the young petals and pollen grains of Erythrina stricta. Small parties may also be seen picking up the figs of the banyan, and during the cold weather they have been observed feeding largely on the berries of Lantana camara (Kihim). The fruit of the Jamun (Eugenia jambolana) is largely eaten. Breeding: It does not breed in our area except possibly on Tungar Hill, just across Bassein Creek, where the bird was common in evergreen patches in early April. In the Ghats, at Khandala, Panchgani, etc., it breeds in great numbers during the rains (June to August). The White-throated Ground Thrush: Geokichla citrina cyanotus (Jardine and Selby). Field identification: Size of a Myna. Orange-chestnut bird with bluish grey wings and tail which in the female are more brownish-olive. A white patch on the quills conspicuous in flight. Usually singly and shy in and about overgrown nullahs etc. in forest. Specimens: B.N.H.S.: Q 6-6-06 Kalyan (J. Brand) ¢ 25-3-29 Tulsi Lake rn): o St. X..C.: 12 Gorégaon 7-8-33 (H.A.). Noted: Powai, Borivli, Chembur, etc. This is another of the shy forest birds of our area which though not really rare are seldom seen except by those who leave the road and venture into the more remote regions. It is, as its name suggests, mainly a ground- haunting species, being found where there are plenty of leaves to turn over, and the degree of moistness necessary for a sufficiency of worms and insects. It also feeds on_ berries. Breeding: Br. Navarro took a nest with c/4 at Powai on 28 July, in a fork in a Bridelia tree about 10 feet from the ground. The nest is a rather shallow cup-shaped structure—reminiscent of a babbler’s nest—of twigs, roots, etc. and for a thrush, with a very small quantity of mud used in its construction. On 20 June a bird was flushed off an empty nest on the Thana-Godhbunder Road. It breeds commonly at Khandalla during the rains. The Blue-headed Rock Thrush; Monticola cinclorhyncha (Vigors). Field identification: Size of a Myna. ‘Male easily recognized by the blue head and throat, chestnut rump and lower plumage and white patch in the wings ; female brown with a scaled appearance and a rather conspicuous dark eye’ (Whistler). Specimens: B.N.H.S.: dG 25-3-29 Tulsi Lake. (S.A). Noted: Powai; Khandala; Matheran (Sparrow Coll.); Panchgani (Fr. Blatter); Poona, Mahableshwar (Butler). This Rock-thrush appears to be a rare passage migrant in Salsette, our only records being the specimen and another noted on 23 February. On the adjoining Ghats, however, it appears to be commoner both as a passage migrant and as a regular winter visitant. 524 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HiS?. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXLK The Blue Rock Thrush : Monticola solitaria pandoo (Sykes). Field identification: Size between Myna and Bulbul. A uniform leaden blue bird with brown wings. Female duller and brownish. Seen solitary on boulders and about quarries, etc. Specimen: St. X. Col.: 220 Andhéri January 1935 (Caria ae Noted: Bombay: Warden Road, St. Xavier’s College Compound, B.B. & C.I. Loco shed at Parel; Adjacent Mainland: Karnala ; Alibag. A fairly common winter visitor to our area, usually found singly on rocky hillsides, and occasionally in the low country, from about the middle of October to April. S.A. records one as a frequent visitor to a bird-bath in the Collector’s garden at Alibag in March 1930. Aitken noticed it on rocks on the sea-shore. It has a habit of sitting bolt upright on the bridge of a roof, or cornice or some similar situation, and occasionally bowing and flirting its tail. At Karnala it was observed eating the figs of a species of Ficus. - It has also been observed making aerial sallies after insects in the manner of-a flycatcher. The Malabar Whistliag Thrush: \Jyophonus horsfieldii Vigors. Local Name: Gogi (Marathi). Field identification: Size between Myna and House Crow. Deep blue-black plumage glistening in certain lights. Forehead and shoulders bright cobalt blue. Sexes alike. Singly or pairs on rocky hill streams. No specimen collected. Noted: Kaneri Caves, Shendur, Trombay Hill; Apsoli (Alibag); Parsik. Apparently much persecuted, both for its beautiful plumage, and for its young which have a ready demand as cage birds. A few pairs still manage to survive in the hills and jungle in the immediate vicinity of the Kaneri Caves, and in the northernmost parts of Salsette. We have also noted and heard it among the water-courses in the Trombay Hills during the rains. It is common among the hills across the creek, north of Salsette, and in the Ghats at Khandala and Panchgani. Its loud, rich, wandering whistle, startlingly human, has earned it the name of the Whistling School-boy. Others call it the ‘Byculla loafer’. In the remoter hilis, north of our area, round Wada and Suriamal, there is hardly a hill-stream that has not its pair of Whistling School-boys, and there is no doubt that if the general practice of taking the young of this bird were put a stop to, they would soon become more numerous in Salsette. It is usually observed either singly or in pairs. Like other members of this and allied. families it constantly jerks its tail and spreads it fanwise. It has been suggested that this habit has developed among birds inhabiting wet and slippery rocks, to help them in maintaining their balance on precarious footholds. Having observed this apparently superfluous movement of the tail (or wing) in -widely differing forms, we are inclined to suggest that its. true purpose is to dislodge lurking insects. The School-boy has also been noticed swallowing entire drupes of Jasminum malabaricum from a shrub over-hanging a rocky nullah. A stone was seen to be disgorged later. Breeding: The Whistling Thrush breeds at the Kaneri Caves, where H. A. has found several old nests and seen them building on 30 June 1935. Across the harbour, he has found a disused nest at Apsoli. At Khandala_ and Panchgani they breed commonly from early June to late September. The nest is a large cup-shaped structure of mud, held together with rootlets and moss. There is also usually a slight lining of moss. It is most often placed in a niche in a rock either by the side of or overhanging a running hill- stream, the rock to which the nest is attached being often wet with spray. A favourite site at Khandala is inside the numerous tunnels through which the , pipe-lines run. The nest is then in entire darkness. The same _ nest is built upon year after year, growing in size until considerable dimensions are achieved. At Panchgani, S.A. discovered several nests down wells. The period of incubation is 16 days. The usual clutch is of 4 eggs. The Red-breasted Flycatcher: Siphia parva subsp. Field identification: Smaller than a Sparrow. A plain brown fly-catcher with a black and white tail. The tail is often jerked up or held robin-wise with wings drooping on either side. The sexes are alike but in summer the throat and breast of the male become orange-chestnut.. Seen singly in mango orchards, etc. ; THE BIRDS OF BOMBAY AND SALSETTE 595 Specimens: B.N.H.S.: 3. 15-1-24 Andhéri (S.H.P.); @ 16-2-24: Pali Hill (S.A.)- Noted: Bandra, Chembur, Thana. This pretty bird appears to be a scarce but regular winter visitor to the mango orchards and such other shady places in our district. It makes short sallies after insects, and sometimes also hovers before a flower or sprig in search of them. Occasionally one may hop on to the ground from = an over-hanging perch, and with a couple of jerks of its cocked tail, snap up an insect near the ground and flit back to its perch. It is in regular attendance at the flowers of Bombax malabaricum, for the insects that crowd to the nectar. Tickeli’s Blue Flycatcher: Muscicapula tickellie tickellie (Blyth). Field identification : Somewhat smaller than the Sparrow. ‘A dark blue bird with the throat and breast reddish and the rest of the lower parts white. No white line over the eye’ (Whistler). The female is duller all round. Usually singly, in scrub and secondly jungle. Specimens: B.N.H.S.: ¢ 7-6-25 Trombay Hill (S.A.); ¢ 16-1-24 Andhéri (Sel-P.) St. X. Col.: 19° Powai- 17-11-32 (H.A.). Noted: Malabar Hill, Chembur, Goddhbunder, Andhéri, Kihim, Karnala, etc. This cheery little bird is common in the better wooded and forested parts of the island from October to May. While it is certain that some at least remain in our area during the monsoon, it is obvious that the majority go away to breed. We have no record of a nest in our area; the nearest is from Poona where Betham took nests in August (J.B.N.H.S., xii, 78). The Verditer Flycatcher : Kumyias thalassina thalassina (Swainson). Field identification: Size of a Sparrow. Male bluish-green, female duller. Specimens: The British Museum has the following specimens: 2 66 1-11-75 Matheran (Hume Coll.); Q 4-2-72 Matheran (Capt. Lloyd): ¢ 15-2-18 Khandala (Gosse). There is one in the St. X. Col. Collection obtained at Khandala in November. Noted: Karnala; Shendur (Salsette); Iihim. This is probably a regular winter visitor or passage migrant to the more remote and secluded valleys in our island. At Shendur, on 3-1-35, several birds- were seen, and at Karnala on 16-2-36 it was quite common in a forest association comprised of Hypothymis, Tchitrea, .&githina, various Phylloscopi, and Chaptia. Like all the smaller flycatchers, it has the habit of sitting bolt upright and remaining in that position for some time. The Indian Brown Flycatcher ; Alseonax latirostris (Raffles). Field identification: Somewhat smaller than Sparrow. Similar in appear- ance to female of NRed-breasted Flycatcher, but distinguishable from it by absence of white in tail feathers. Solitary, in wooded country. Specimens: St. Xavier’s College: 140, 142 Kihim 23-10-33; 188 Bombay “ORR Noted: Andhéri, Marol, Borivli, Trombay Hills, ete. Common on passage during October and again in March. A_ few are winter visitors. It frequents gardens and mango groves and open deciduous forest. In habits it is very like the last species. The Paradise Flycatcher : Tchitrea paradisi paradisi (L.) Field identification: Size about that of a Bulbul. The adult male snow white with 2 long ribbons in ta#l and metallic black head. [Female and young male chestnut brown above, without tail ribbons, with black head and_ greyish- white underparts. Singly or pairs in gardens and light deciduous forest. Specimens: B.N.H.S. dG 1-2-26 Malad (E. Henricks); ¢Q 27-1-29 Chembur ; S$ 3-3-29 Tulsi Lake (S.A.); St. X. Col. 181 Powai 9-3-33- Noted: Andhéri, Khandala, Kihim, Kankéshwar, Panchgani, Gddhbunder. A common winter visitor from about the middle of October to early May. Some also on passage. This delightful bird is a frequenter of shady groves and gardens and over-grown nullahs, and is also met with in all the well-wooded parts of Salsette, though nowhere in great numbers. Its graceful and agile movements—especially those of an adult male, with its ribbons trailing in the air as it makes the usual flycatcher sallies after. insects—are particularly 526 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HiST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXiX fascinating to watch. In spite of the striking colours of the adult male it is remarkable how inconspicuous the bird can become when sitting motionless with the sunlight falling in patches through the foliage. | Breeding: We have no record of its breeding in our area though it may possibly do so in the Ghats about Khandala. The Black=-naped Blue Flycatcher: Hypothymis azurea styani (Hartlaub). lield identification : Size about that of a Sparrow. Male, a brilliant blue with whitish underparts. A black patch on hind crown and a black crescent on throat. Female browner with a dull bluish wash confined to head and _ neck. Ilits about among foliage of trees in forest, and often erects and opens tail fanwise. Specimens: B.N.H.S. Q 28-11-27 Mulund {S.A.); ¢ Malabar Hill (P. M. D. Sanderson); St. X. Coll. 141 Kihim 21-10-33 (H.A.). Noted: Chembur, Andhéri, Borivli, Godhbunder, Pawai Lake, Tungar Hill, ISarnala, Roha. Common in the cold weather; and a few remain behind to breed. This bird inhabits the same type of country as the Paradise Flycatcher and where one is found the other may be confidently looked for. Its voice and_ notes when flitting about or launching sallies after insects bear a close resemblance to some of those uttered by Leptocoma asiatica and .Ethopyga vigorsi, a sort of harsh interrogative ‘chi-whi?’ Breeding: On 8-5-35 a pair was discovered building in the tiny fork of a mango 30 feet frown the ground in a garden at Kihim. The nest was, however, deserted owing no doubt to the unwelcome attention of crows. Br. Navarro took a c/3 at Khandala in June. The White-spotted Fantail Flycatcher : Leucocirca pectoralis pectoralis Jerdon. Local name: Nachan. Field identification: Size about that of a Sparrow. Active sprightly blackish brown bird, spotted white about the breast and with a white eyebrow. The tail is spread fanwise and held erect. Specimens: St.. Xavier’s College: 182 Andhéri 30-3-34 (H.A.). A pair or two of these Flycatchers will be found in every garden both in the city and the suburbs. Even in the lesser inhabited parts of the island it occurs wherever there are shady open glades such as mango. topes. They feed largely on the little Jassid hoppers that are so abundant on the bark of mango trees. Within the forest itself it is less common than Muscicapula tickellie or Hypothymis. It is occasionally met with in mangroves by creeks etc. Breeding: The nesting season lasts from March to August. Nests may be found wherever the birds occur: in gardens in the suburbs as well as those in the heart of the city. Lime and chikoo trees are especially favoured as nesting sites. The nest is a neat cup of fibres about 2 inches across, plastered over with cobwebs. It is very similar to an Iora’s in appearance, but whereas the Iora’s is rounded off at the bottom the Flycatcher’s invariably has a bunch of strips hanging untidily underneath. It is usually placed 5 to 10 feet above the ground. The eggs almost invariably number three. The owners are bold in defence of their nests and furiously attack crows and other birds, even cats and human beings, intruding into their proximity. In spite of this, however, the mortality in eggs and young is enormous, Crows, Crow-pheasants and Bloodsucker lizards being mainly responsible. The Bay=backed Shrike: Lanius vittatus Valenciennes. Field identification: Size about that of a Bulbul. ‘Common in cultivation; a smail bird with a longish tail, broad grey and white head with heavy black marking, maroon back and black and white tail, the markings sharply defined and conspicuous; perches in exposed situations.’ (Whistler). Specimens: St. X. College: 113 Juhu 10-10-33; 153 Jahi 27-10-33 (H.A.). Though common in the Deccan the Bay-backed Shrike only straggles into the Konkan from October to March. We have only observed it amongst the Babool trees on the islands in the mud-flats and in the open fallow country at Kihim. Breeding: It is known to breed at Khandala (N. & E., i, 314). ‘pjo sAep OF ynoqe syoryo YIM "\Supsojaag v941909NA T) IayoeoALT [rezue yz poqzzods-9z1y A JO ISON JayoyeoAT yy [rezue yy pojjods-az1y AA OUT, UP W1vS $0j0Y THE BIRDS OF BOMBAY AND SALSETTE 527 The Rufous-backed Shrike: Lanius schach erythronotus Vigors. Local name: Potia. Field identification: Larger than the Bulbul with a longer graduated tail. Head grey with thick black stripe through the eye. General colour grey with pale rufous-washed underparts, rufous rump and dark wings and tail. Singly, in open country. Specimen: B.N.H.S.: Several from Pali Hill, Santa Cruz, Andhéri, Kurla, etc. St. X. College 95 Borivli 28-9-33 (H.A.). This bird arrives in considerable numbers regularly during the first week of September (one record 13 August, Kihim!) and stays till April (latest date 1gth). When well ‘in’ this shrike is a prominent feature on the suburban countryside. It is particularly fond of country where scrub jungle, date palms and paddy cultivation abound. The neighbourhood of the Pawai Lake, where a large portion of Bombay’s toddy supply comes from, is specially favoured. It takes up its position on a date leaf or some other exposed situation and utters harsh ‘screams’ as if in distress, somewhat after the style of the Myna’s alarm calls. At times it also produces a rambling song not unlike a Dhyal’s, but the notes are on the whole harsher, the volume less, and it is altogether more prolonged. It is a clever and convincing mimic and imitates the calls of a large number of species to perfection. While with us these Shrikes are mostiy seen as solitary birds each appearing to establish its own feeding territory or sphere of influence. Irom its coign of vantage it pounces upon any grass- hopper, lizard and the like that happens to show itself on the ground. We have seen one catch an earthworm and impale it on a karonda thorn. Breeding: Br. Navarro took c/2 at Khandala in April (of this race or caniceps?). The Pale Brown Shrike: Lanius isabellinus Hempr. & Ehrenb. Specimens: B.N.H.S.: Q 14-12-99 Esplanade, Bombay (J. M. Mason); St. mM College 225 CG 13-2-35 Andhéri (H.A.). The occurrence of this bird in our area is exceptional. It was shot in Euphorbia and Babool scrub bordering the mud-flats at Andhéri. Only one previous record exists from the famine year of 1899 when a large number of unusual species were driven south by the drought. The Common Wood-Shrike : Tephrodornis pondicerianus pondicerianus (Gmelin). Field identification: Size of a Bulbul. ‘A grey bird with a pale eye-brow and a dark band through the eye, and white outer feathers in the tail’ (Whistler). In trees in lightiy wooded country. Specimens: B.N.H.S.: From Vihar Lake, Trombay Hills, Pali Hill, Andhéri, Kandivli etc., St. X. College 217 Vihar 29-12-24 (H.A.). Noted: Pali Hill, Santa Cruz, Kandivli, Trombay Hill, Kihim. Resident. It affects lightly wooded country specially teak and other deciduous forest, and parties of 4 or 5 birds often follow one another from tree to tree. The birds creep about the branches like Ioras and snap up insects like flycatchers. They occasionally venture into gardens in the suburbs. They have several pleasant whistling notes ‘wheet-wheet’ followed by a quick interrogative ‘whi-whi-whi-whi’? Breeding: H.A. took a nest with 3 fresh eggs on 21 April. The nest was a small cup of fibres plastered over with cobwebs placed in a horizontal fork of a Bombax branch near the tip. The nest matches its surroundings beauti- fully and would be difficult to locate but for the movements of the owners. Br. Navarro took a c/3 at Khandala in May. The Orange Minivet: Pericrocotus flammeus (Forster). ; Field identification: A_ brightly coloured bird like the next, but slightly arger. Specimen: St. X. College 215 Hills north of Borivli 30-12-34 (H.A.). The specimen is the only record we have from Salsette. Another was seen at Tungar near Bassein on 2-4-34, and it appears to be commoner in the hills northward on the mainland. ~ Breeding: On 7-6-37 Br. Navarro took c/2 at -Khandala. On 27-6-37 a female was observed collecting lichens off a tall tree in forest about 20 miles north of Bhiwandi along the Wada road. 7 528 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX The Little Minivet ; Pericrocotus peregrinus peregrinus Linn. Field identification: Slightly smaller and slenderer than a Sparrow, with a longish tail. Male with blackish-grey head and breast, grey back, orange crimson underparts and the same colour in wings and at base of tail above. In the female the red portions of the male are yellowish and she is duller coloured on the whole. Flocks flitting about in trees in gardens and light forest. Specimens: B.N.H.S.: From Bombay City, Andhéri, Trombay, Malad ete. St, X. College 27 3, 28 Q 6-8-33 Marol (H.A.). Noted: Andhéri, Malad, Pali Hill, Chembtr, Bombay, Kihim. Resident and fairly common throughout our area. Parties of from 4 to 8 birds may be seen tollowing one another from tree-top to tree-top, keeping up a low musical cheep. In the cold weather flocks composed entirely of males may be seen. It is partial to mango orchards and well-wooded gardens. Parties may usually be seen on the Silk cotton tree in flower in company with birds of many species. Breeding: The pair shot on 6 August were evidently nesting. The testes of the male measured 6X4 mm. and the oviduct of the female was greatly distended indicating that she had laid. On 4-6-34 a female was _ observed feeding a full-fledged young out of nest. The Black-headed Cuckoo-Shrike : Lalage sykesi Strickland. Field identification: Size Bulbul. Male ashy-grey with blackish wings and tail and black head. Female has the head grey and the underparts barred black and white. Singly or pairs in mango orchards and wooded country. specimens: B.N.H.S.: From Chembur, Andhéri, Tulsi Lake. St. X. College 218 24-1-35. Noted: Andhéri, Talsi Lake, Kihim, Chembur, Gorégaon (in mangroves) Borivli, Khandala, Panchgani. Resident, and not uncommon. Though never seen within city limits this Cuckoo-Shrike may be met with in the suburbs almost everywhere. It frequents deciduous forest and mango orchards. The ‘Lake District’ is specially favoured and here it is partial to young date scrub. It goes about singly or in pairs. The male has a pretty, clear whistle consisting of several notes and ending in a quick-repeated ‘pit-pit-pit’?’ which we have only heard in the hot weather and the rains. The stomach of a specimen contained remains of insects and their eggs and a large green caterpillar. Breeding: EHA took a nest with 3 eggs ‘not far from Bombay’ in June. Barnes (J.B.N.H.S., iv, 90) found it breeding at Vasind on the mainland in July. The Large Cuckoo Shrike: Graucalus javensis macei (Lesson). Field identification: Size somewhat smaller and slenderer than a_ Pigeon. A grey bird with a broad dark eyestreak. Whitish underneath. Quills and tail black. Eyestreak in female less conspicuous and lower plumage barred grey and white. Singly or pairs in trees in wooded country. Specimen: B.N.H.S. 14-3-26 Goddhbunder (S.A.). Noted: Chembur, Marol, Juhu, Borivli, Panvel, Kihim, Karnala, Tungar. EHA states in his Common Birds of Bombay that it is common, but we have found it decidedly uncommon and nowhere plentiful except at Tungar near Bassein. It frequents well-wooded country such as that about Godhbunder and the lakes, usually moving about in pairs which continually call to each other in a peculiar musical scream. Breeding: No records from our neighbourhood are available and we are not certain about the status of this bird in Salsette though apparently it is a_ resident. The Ashy Swallow-Shrike : Avtamus fuscus Vieillot. Field identification: Size about Bulbul. Squatter and with shorter tail. Very swallow-like on the wing, but heavier. General colour dull-grey with a pale patch on rump. Bill heavy and somewhat sparrow-like. In open country with palmyra palms. Specimens: B.N.H.S.: SQ 17-11-27 Chembur -(S.A.); St. X.- Colleges 7m Gorégaon 8-9-33 (H.A). The Ashy Swallow-Shrike is common in the palmyra country in Salsette. (SMIAPIOAIDUL SNANAIIC) uv muYS TIA FLVid ‘913789 Sulzeis UO SsuTpus}jze OsuoIC, YOeI_ ey “STOMOP] [VIOD UO _ (s77p1908 DIUIAT) I9{qie A-UdIA\ AYSY 9 IJ, S0JOY q "00S ‘LSIH ‘“IVN AvaWwog ‘Nunof THE BIRDS OF BOMBAY AND SALSETTE 529 As many as 30 birds may be seen huddled together on a single palm leaf or on a telegraph wire. ‘They roost at night in the same manner on palmyra palms. They may often be seen hawking together in loosely scattered parties with their heads to the wind like many birds that find their food in the same way, e.g. terns, swallows and swifts. They also make sallies from a_ perch to which they return after circling round like bee-eaters. Another method is to swoop down like a Kestrel on some insect on the ground and bear it away in their bill. The food consists of insects. Butterflies are largely taken. One bird had swallowed a large Pentatomid bug. Breeding: The nesting of this species seems inseparable from the palmyra palm (Borassus). The season is from the middle of March to June. The nest is a rough platform of palmyra fibres placed at the base of the leaf. The usual clutch appears to be of 3 eggs. Like King-crows they are pugnacious when nesting and will attack birds much larger than themselves. Barnes found them breeding in palmyra palms on Elephanta Island in May. Swallow-shrikes seem to undertake sudden migrations of a few miles, dis- appearing from favourite localities and reappearing after some time. The King-Crow: or Black Drongo : Dicrurus macrocercus peninsularis Ticehurst. Local name: Ghosia. Field identification: Size about Bulbul. Glossy jet black with long forked tail. Familiar species present everywhere by cultivation and grazing cattle. Specimens: St. X. College: 33 Marol 6-8-33; 104 Andhéri 4-10-33; Andheri 6-12-34; 213 Vehar 29-11-34 (H.A.). Noted: Bandra, Mahim, Chembur, etc. etc. This is one of the commonest birds of the low country, and in fact is met with wherever the trees are not too close together to hinder its style of attaclk. Telegraph wires along a railway are favourite resorts, and if a census of birds were taken from a railway carriage the king-crow would easily top the list. King-Crows have no connection with crows, except that they are their inveterate enemies during the breeding season. The crow has only to approach the neighbourhood of a drongo’s nest to be mobbed. He is set upon and buffeted by the owners, whose superior agility enables them to dig bealsfuls of feathers out of the intruder’s back. This is we believe the only bird that scores over the crow in open warfare. And the crow knows it and holds the drongo in respect. Drongos ride on the backs of cattle and buffaloes as they graze, and pick off the insects disturbed by the animals’ feet. The cattle egrets stalk along- side to the same purpose. Fires, again, drive out insects from their hiding places, and you have but to fire a patch of grass or scrub to bring the drongos of the neighbourhood scurrying to it. At Karnala an individual was seen busily hawking the large _ rock-bee (Apis dorsata) which were present in large numbers. Drongos carry their food as well as their nesting material in their beaks, but a luckless grass-hopper that escaped from the bill was seen to be promptly re-captured in the claws. Breeding: The duets which are a sure indication of the approach of the breeding season, begin in February, and the courtship is a prolonged affair. We have not seen eggs laid before May and June. The nest is usually placed at some distance from the ground, 15 to 30 feet as a rule. The tree chosen is often thorny like Erythrina, Bombax or Bridelia retusa. Mango and Neem trees are also patronised. The nest, a loose cup of fibres and fine twigs, is half-slung, half-wedged into a horizontal fork, often near the extreme tip of a branch. The eggs, often visible through the flimsy bottom, are usually three in number, though we have seen nests with 4 and 2 eggs. The same site or tree is used in successive years. The birds are bold and aggressive in defence of their nest, and make determined onslaughts on would-be egg-collectors. Large birds and mammals in the vicinity are constantly chivvied. The alarm note is long-drawn ‘phiu-phiu’. The Indian Grey Drongo: Dicrurus longicaudatus (Jerdon). Field identification: Size and appearance as above, but slimmer and with the underparts duller and distinctive. Keeps to wooded country and hills in Salsette and not seen near open cultivation, 530 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL Hist. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX ‘ Specimens: B.N.H.S. 4-12-34 Marol (C. McC.) and others. St. Xavier’s College: 200, 209 Bassein, December °34; 212 Vehar 29-11-34 (H.A.). We had not suspected the occurrence of this bird. in our area until one was accidentally obtained in mistake for the black drongo. Since then, how- ever, we have seen numerous examples and the records go to show that it must be a fairly regular winter visitor to Salsette, especially in December and January. The earliest record is a specimen in the Society’s collection obtained by E. Henricks at Bandra on 22-10-28. The habits are similar to those of the previous species except that it does not appear to venture out usually into open country and cultivation and is more confined to the well-wooded portions of the island. The White-bellied Drongo : Dicrurus caerulescens (Linn.).° Field identification: Size and appearance as of the black Drongo, but glossy indigo in colour instead of black, with the belly and under tail white. Specimens: B.N.H.S. OG 11-12-99 Kalyan (J. Brand); 171-27 Bhandup (McCann). Noted: Tulsi Lake Environs, Kihim and Parol Para (Alibag Taluka). Resident, but rare, in the hills of North Salsette. It is confined to well- wooded country. It is a noisy bird and our impression is that its notes are more musical than those of the Black Drongo. It is an accomplished mimic besides. We have, among other species, heard it imitate the Iora and _ the Tailor Bird to perfection. In the case of the former, not only were the whistles reproduced, but also the occasional ‘chr-r-r’ with which these are punctuated. We have not found it breeding within our area or its immediate neighbour- hood, though it doubtless does so. The Bronzed Drongo: Chaptia aenea malayensis Blyth. The Fauna gives the distribution of this Drongo as ‘The whole of Western India, from South Travancore to Bombay’. Butler records it as far north as Khandala. One of us (H.A.) has observed it at Tungar near Bassein (on the mainland); on 16-2-36 a specimen was shot under Funnel Hill, Panvel (IXolaba District) in heavy forest where it appeared to be fairly common. The Racket-tailed Drongo: Dissemurus paradiseus malabaricus (Latham). Field identification: Size about that of a Myna, glossy black with a long tail. The bare shafts of the two outermost tail feathers are prolonged for about 12 inches beyond the tail proper and end in ‘rackets’. A well-developed crest from forehead lying backwards over the crown. Sexes alike. Singly or scattered pairs and parties in forest. Specimens: B.N.H.S.: @ 22-1-24 Andhéri (S. H. Prater); d 20-10-28 Thana Hills (McCann). St. Xavier’s College: 40 23-7-33 Kaneri; 60 3-9-33 Jogéshwari (H.A.). Noted: Powai, Vehar, Tulsi, G6dhbunder, Borivli Hills; several places in the Kolaba District. Resident and common in the better wooded portions of Salsette. It has a large repertoire of loud metallic notes and it is an excellent mimic besides. We have heard it reproduce to perfection the calls of the Shikra and of Spilornis cheela. Breeding: We have observed a bird building in Salsette on 3 May and have records of nests and eggs on 17 and 30 June, 2 July and 18 August. On the last date full-fledged young were noted being fed out of nest. The best time for eggs seems to be June and July. The nest is a fairly deep cup of rootlets and palm fibres with little cobwebbing on the outside and without extra lining, placed in the fork of a branch or at the base of the leaf stalks of a palmyra palm, between 30 and s0 feet up. Two or three is the number of eggs we have usually found. (To be continued). JourN. BomsBay Nat. HIstT. Soc. PLATE A female of the common Land Crab. [Paratelphusa (B.) guerini (M.—Eds.)] Castles of the common Land Crab. [P. (B.) guerini (M.—Eds.)| alongside rocks. Photos by Author. NOTES ON THE COMMON LAND CRAB PARATELPHUSA (BARYTELPHUSA) GUERINI (M.-Eps.) OF SALSETTE ISLAND. BY CHARLES McCann, F.L.S. (With two plates). At the Second Entomological Meeting held at Pusa in 1917 Mr. Bainbrigge Fletcher, Director of the Entomological Research Institute, Pusa, referring to the destruction of paddy crops by land crabs, remarked: ‘Crabs have come into notoriety lately, especially in Madras, as paddy pests. In Bihar we have only had one report of crabs attacking paddy, but about five or six years ago we had a report from Karachi of damage by crabs in fields of young paddy. Recently they have come into prominence in Madras and Burma and there seems to be no doubt that crabs do some damage to rice plants.’ The Island of Salsette is infested with land crabs; but no utilitarian motive prompted me to investigate their habits. What really roused my curiosity was the appalling number of dead crabs lying about the fields and byways, in season and out of season. I wished to determine the probable cause of their death. But, as is usually the case in such enquiries, one point led to another and the net result was a collection of interesting notes which had little to do with the death-causing factor among crabs. In this paper I deal with one single species, Paratelphusa guerini, and unless otherwise mentioned all my remarks are confined to it. COLOUR. Adult: At the time of their appearance, at the onset of the rains, these crabs display a wide range of colour. Some are a dirty white, others are purplish brown, and many are mottled with a mixture of both tints. Why this difference of colour? At first, I was under the impression it might be a sexual character, but an examination of several dozen soon dispelled this idea. The colour variation was common to both sexes. A second explanation suggested itself; that this colouring might possibly afford some particular advantage to the species, but a solution to this problem would have to be sought in its mode of life or its environment. The variation may or may not have some adaptive significance. Only observations in the field would suggest a solution to this interesting problem. The crabs appear with the rains. Before the burst of the monsoon the ground is littered with dead leaves of almost every hue. Upon this variegated surface the crabs live. When disturbed S32 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST. SOCIETY, (Vol. Xx xix they either run a short distance and stop, or remain perfectly still, alert and on the defensive, with the pincers outspread ready to nip. When on the move, the crabs where possible avoid open ground and scurry under the leaves. Anyone who has seen them in such environment cannot but conclude that the colouring, varied though it be, is protective. It is in perfect harmony with the variegated environment. The hues of the crabs blend remark- ably with the colours of the fallen leaves among which they live and take shelter. This, I suggest, may be the explanation of the variation. [{However, in open fields (agricultural land) the yellowish white ‘type’ appears to be predominant and at a distance may resemble a piece of quartz.) But with the weeks of rain the carpet of leaves loses its variegated colours; the leaves decompose and become black, and with the change of scene the purplish brown and mottled crabs ‘disappear’, leaving only the yellowish white ones. What became of the darker coloured crabs which were so common at the onset of the rains? Do they lose their richer tones and become yellowish? Are the darker ranges of colour but a temporary phase? This, I believe, is what happens. Purplish brown crabs which I kept in captivity lost their richer hues after a while and became pale yellow. There is presumably a definite bleaching process at work and this seems to me to be the only plausible explanation of the ‘disappearance’ of the crabs exhibiting the deeper ranges of colour. The yellow crabs are now fairly conspicuous objects against the dark humus of the ground or rocks. The protective colouring has been discarded. A factor which was till then apparently significant to the species in the struggle for existence is now no longer of importance. For, by the time the crabs have assumed this phase of colouring their existence is no longer essential to the continuance of the species. On emer- gence, the females, laden with young, are in need of protection but by the time their colouration has faded and all the crabs are uniformly yellow the young have been shed—they have accomplished their chief duty in life. There is perhaps one serious objection to the theory of protective adaptation, namely, the colouration of the males, which as we shall observe later, have no need for such _ protection. However, the colouring may be due to some deep-seated physiological character which is common to both sexes and is beyond the scope of this paper. Nevertheless the colour protective adaptation is again supported by the colouring of the young. Young: Young crabs, while still in the care of the mother are earthy brown in general tone with a slight tinge of flesh pink on the pincers. The carapace is really translucent and the brown colour is mainly due to the colouration of the internal organs showing through. As the young crabs are generally deposited in or find their way to flowing water, where they live and- develop, the brown colouring makes it almost impossible to see them against earth. As growth proceeds, and this is fairly rapid, the crablings become lighter and lighter in colour eventually becoming yellowish white (some are pale reddish brown). This change from brown to vellow appears to be mainly due to the deposition of calcareous NOTES ON COMMON LAND CRABS OF SALSETTE ISLAND 533 matter within the shell (exoskeleton). Accordingly the shell becomes more opaque and in old crabs is heavily calcified throughout—a sure sign of old age! The carapace of crabs of the season are usually semi-translucent and the contents of the crab frequently show through making that region darker than its surroundings. By the end of the rains, after several months, the adult stage is reached, BREEDING. There appears to be little definite knowledge regarding the breeding habits of these crabs. In volume iv, p. 190 of the Cambridge Natural History Series dealing with the Crustacea and Arachnids, the author writes:—‘The fresh-water crab Thelphusa fluviatilis, common in the South of Europe and on the North coast of Africa, belongs to the Cyclometopa, and is interesting from its direct mode of development without metamorphosis.’ There is no doubt that we have the same direct development in guerini which belongs to a closely allied genus. The actual period at which mating takes place is still unknown. On emergence the primary concern of the crab is the continu- ance of the species. However, as the females are laden with fully developed young, breeding evidently took place much earlier. When the crabs appear after the break of the rains, the females appear to be predominant in certain localities while in others there seem to be mostly males. The majority, if not all, the females are laden with young scarcely half a centimeter across the carapace. The number of young carried by each female seems to depend largely on her size. The young are held in a compact mass by the abdominal segments and the pleopods—metamorphosed swim- mierets. Disturb one of these females; she will either scuttle away to safety, dropping several of her young as she goes, or she will stand on the defensive. This ‘premature’ shedding of her young probably results from excitement on the part of the parent as she tightens her hold on the mass of young, thereby pressing some out. Generally the young remain with the mother for several days before she ‘sheds’ them or they leave on their own accord, when ready to fend for themselves. Nevertheless, crablings are quite capable of supporting themselves at a very early age. As we have already observed, the adult females emerge from their burrows with their young fully developed. In all my wander- ings I have never observed crabs in copula. The questions naturally arise, When do they copulate? and, When are the eggs deposited and hatched? The answers to these qustions are yet awaited. One thing is certain, and that is, that the eggs are laid and hatched when the crabs are underground. According to Mr. Wagle (Dept. Agric. Bom., Bull. No. 118 of 1924, Land Crabs as Agricultural Pests in Western India, p. 20), the burrows are interconnected, ‘If the openings of a burrow are further traced it is seen that most of them are connected super- ficially within a foot or two of the soil surface, though ramifications at a depth of four or five feet are not uncommon, A few only 034. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL. HIST. SOCIETY. Volk) XXX RoR go deep down and each one of these burrows harbours a crab, probably the off-spring of the same mother liberated in the same burrow in connection with the mother burrow.’ However, in none of his diagrams does Mr. Wagle indicate that there are any such interconnecting passages. If the burrows are thus interconnected, the crabs are able to visit each other during the period of sesti- vation, so that it is really immaterial whether several crabs sestivate together in one chamber or alone in separate chambers—the sexes would have access to one another. Considering the data we have before us, it is possible and even probable that copulation generally takes place within the burrows. Whether crabs are active within their burrows throughout the dry weather is yet another point which needs investigation. GROWTH. Crablings : As already indicated, the females emerge laden with young. The young are but miniatures of the adults. After a brief period of maternal care the young are ‘shed’ and have to fend for themselves. The country is teaming with them. The number of young produced by a single female appears to be dependent on her size, small females having fewer young than larger ones. The greatest number I have recorded from a single individual was 252—what a family! Each youngster at this stage measures a little over 5 mm. across the carapace. Should the young at this age fall away from the parent they frequently climb back into the mass and remain with her, if unable to do so, they are quite able to fend for themselves. During the early period of their lives crablings spend far more time in water than do the adults, feeding on the bottom of small Streams. Moult: At the time of moult crabs usually secrete themselves under stones, in holes or remain submerged in water. I have repeatedly found crabs soon after they had moulted and once had the pleasure of seeing one ‘walk out of its old self’. The carapace splits horizontally across the ‘face’ of the crab and opens like the lid of a box. The creature then gradually and laboriously draws itself’ out of its ‘old skin’ and then sinks down to rest till its coat of mail hardens once more. On emergence from the old shell the animal is generally perfectly white (sometimes tinged with pink), soft and defenceless. It is limp and unable to walk; it lies almost motionless till it has hardened again. If the crab be bruised at this period a milky exudation takes place. The harden- ing process is slow. SENSES. Sight: Sight is well developed. Smell: The sense of smell is apparently very keen. Experi- . ments by way of drawing a piece of meat tied to a string through water which was then removed, clearly indicated that the crabs were able subsequently to follow the trail quite easily. Again meat juice dropped in the water immediately attracted the crabs. They NOTES ON COMMON LAND CRABS OF SALSETTE ISLAND 535 would grope about with their pincers in the line taken by the flow of the juice. Sounds: At first it might appear strange that a crab is able to produce any kind of sound at all. Nevertheless, it is capable of making quite an audible hissing noise on occasions. This is effected by rapidly ‘blinking’ the eyes in and out of their sockets. At first, when I heard this sound, I thought that my ears deceived me, but when I listened more closely and watched the animal I soon discovered how it was made. The lower margins of the eye sockets are provided with a fringe of stiff hairs. This undoubtedly forms a natural brush for cleaning the eye itself—an automatic cleaning apparatus! When this fringe is dry and the eye is rapidly moved across it, it produces a soft hissing sound. The sound I have noticed only when ‘dry’ crabs are freshly caught. Having once discovered this 1 paid a little more attention to it. It seems to be a habit of the crab to produce this sound when closely approached and when caught. This noise is apart from the usual bubbling noise made in the process of respiration. HABITS. Burrows : The burrows are at first made large enough to admit the crab sideways and to allow of the free play of the pincers. As the crab grows it enlarges the burrow accordingly. The burrows are made either in the fields themselves or more often in the bunds, but the site of the burrow is dependent on the amount of water present. When the fields are flooded the crabs seek higher ground, such as the bunds, for if the burrows were continually under water the animals would be drowned. Towards the end of the rains, when the water level in the soil falls, the crabs return to the fields to make their holes and build their final castles. Away from paddy fields, they burrow into the banks of streams just above the usual water level. Final burrows are generally excavated in the bed of the streams. Unfortunately, lack of time and opportunity have prevented me from making a systematic study of the course of the burrows. According to Mr. Wagle (l.c.) the crabs dig down deeper and deeper as the level of the water falls. The course is irregular and the burrows are interconnected by side tunnels. Life under ground : Towards the close of the rains the crabs are to be seen actively excavating burrows, collecting leaves, grasses and other food which is conveyed into the burrow. This they continue till the land surface is almost quite dry. When sufficient storage has been accomplished they retire till the break of the next monsoon. Once the dry period has set in all crabs retire irrespectively whether they are near perennial water or not, though crabs so favourably situated do go down a little later. Within the burrow now lies the secret of the crab’s early life-history which still awaits solution. ‘Castles’: Crabs build small or large castles throughout the rains but the final castles, which are generally larger, are built when they are about to go below the surface. The time when building commences would vary with weather conditions and locality. The building of the castle is an effort to get rid of some 5386 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. -XXXiX of the earth within the burrow which is piled up at the entrance, but this is perhaps not the only reason. It possibly affords a certain amount of protection to the burrow by keeping off would-be intruders. Fallow fields and low lying land are favourite sites for the final burrow. The walls of the castles are composed of pellets of mud brought up when still wet. The pellets are heaped up on each other and eventually form a compact mass. ‘These pellets appear like excreted earth or a fine mixture of mud with some secretion. The castles are frequently conical in shape and may. occasionally rise a foot or more above the surrounding ground, but they usually vary between 2 and 8 inches in height. When the castle is complete, the entrance of the burrow is plugged up from within and the crab enters on its long period of life under ground. Why these castles are constructed is problematic. As already suggested it may be to keep off intruders. At the time when the crab is about to estivate there are numerous other animals which are also looking for a suitable retreat. Some are unable to excavate their own burrow; others prefer to find a convenient ready made burrow rather than dig one, and find a crab hole convenient. If the entrance of the crab’s burrow were flush with the ground the entrance with its fresh plug of mud would be easily accessible. But as the entrance is raised and the walls of the castle solid they act as a bluff which is mistaken for a clod of earth! When the crabs first appear the females are a lot more cautious than the males and are less frequently seen in the open. When sufficient rain has fallen to make puddles and cause the streams to flow, the females laden with young congregate on the banks and in the water. During this period the females spend much time submerged on account of their young and it is also at this period that the young leave the parent. In such localities there is always a sufficiency of hiding. On the slightest alarm they hurry away. During showers and under the cover of darkness the adults wander about much, but when the sky is cloudy or sunny they make for the water. As the monsoon advances the adult crabs tend to decrease in numbers very rapidly and considerably. The younger generation now take their place. Where do the old crabs go: or wha happens to them? Do they die out or retire into their burrows once more? These are questions that started me off on these investigations. Some may volunteer the opinion that the crabs disappear in the vegetation. This I am not prepared to accept as young crabs are all about. That they do not retire to their burrow is certain for they would be drowned, as they are not able to stand submergence indefinitely. From personal experience, I am of the opinion that these crabs live but one year and that they die in the open during the monsoon or soon after. When within the burrows, the chelae are generally carried adpressed to the body, but in case of attack the chela nearest to the intruder is placed at the entrance ready for action. Once a crab seizes an intruder it will not let go easily. This frequently PEATE It JOURN. BoMBAY NAT. Hist. Soc. In ze). (M.—Eds.)] guerini (Match box for comparative si [Paratelphusa (B.) an unused field at the end of the rains. A castle of the common Land Crab. | in a field S.) E [P. (B.) guerini (M. at the close of the monsoon. Several castles of the common Land Crab. Photos by Author - s NOTES ON COMMON LAND CRABS OF SALSETTE ISLAND 537 leads to the loss of the chela or the capture of the crab. This habit is common to most crabs and is frequently made use as a ruse to capture them. People who catch crabs by this method tie a piece of meat to the end of a stick. The stick is thrust down the burrow. The crab in time seizes the bait and is gradually drawn out of its hole. The hole is then blocked with the free hand or foot and the crab is caught. Nevertheless this habit of the crab though it may frequently lead to its death at the hands of men is also a means of securing much of its animal food. Whether these crabs are nocturnal or diurnal or both, is a difficult matter to decide. This would depend much on weather conditions. The crabs are about both day and night during the short period of their activity on the surface. When the weather is cloudy and rain is continuous they may be seen about at any time of the day or night. However, I am inclined to believe that they are more nocturnal as they appear to be much more numerous and active under the cover of darkness. At night they wander farther from their burrows. Apart from the fact that the crabs do not like direct sunlight which desiccates their gills, they probably find a certain amount of protection from their enemies at night. Another point that needs consideration is that their period of activity is during the monsoon when the sky is overcast with dense clouds, so it is not surprising to find them about during the day. When the sun appears between showers and it gets really hot, the crabs retire to a goodly extent, if not into their burrows, into water or shade. Though these crabs cannot remain submerged for many hours at a stretch, they are as well at home in water as on land; but they are not able to swim. They merely crawl along the bottom. During the monsoon, when the air is damp, they are able to remain on land for weeks without showing any ill effects. This indicates that they are well adapted to terrestrial life. When the crab respires on land bubbles appear continuously at the mouth, but when in shallowy water, the mouth parts are lifted above the surface from time to time and then submerged; at the time a series of bubbles arise from near the base of the last pair of legs. This action is continuous. These crabs do not appear to be pugnacious. They frequently live together in the same hole (during the rains) and inhabit the same pools feeding within close range of another. However, I have frequently observed a crab resent the entrance of a particular individual into its burrow whereas another went in unmolested. Whether this behaviour indicates a certain social grouping or whether it is just a submission of a weaker to a stronger one is hard to say. Occasionally there are fights but these contests take on more the form of sham-fights—there is much display of arms but actual damage is seldom done, as one of the combatants usually runs away. Young crabs, as is a common rule in Nature, have a certain amount of respect and fear for their elders. Whether these crabs are really cannibalistic, in so much as they kill and eat one another, is difficult to say; but, it is certain that they 5388 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol... XXXIX frequently eat their dead, picking the soft parts out of the shells. On the whole they appear quite peaceable among themselves. This is borne out by the fact that several may be kept in the same container, if not too crowded, without difficulty. Generally the sexes may be distinguished by the fact that the males usually carry larger chelae of which one, either right or left, (though generally the left) is larger than the other. Another point which is worthy of note is that on dissection I found that the fat bodies in the females are bright yellowish orange whereas in the males they are dull and not yellow. Food: Like most crabs, this land crab is omnivorous and it is an excellent scavenger and controller of injurious pests, as we shall notice when we review its menu. Little escapes its attentions. Fresh and decomposing vegetable and animal matter are all included in its diet. Leaves, algae, fruit, insects, amphibia, reptiles dead or alive, are all welcome. Much of the meat is caught at the entrance of the burrows and shelters. Unwary fish are caught as they swim by the submerged crabs. These food observations are not mere generalizations but are based on either experiment or experience in the field. Once 1 saw a two-feet-long Checkered Water Snake (Tropido- notus piscator) wriggling violently with its head held fast under a stone as though it had been pinned. The behaviour was curious. I pulled at the tail of the snake to find it firmly held. On removal of the stone I discovered that a large crab had the head of the snake in its pincers! Probably the snake went under the stone for shelter or in quest of food, but the crab had forestalled it. When the stone was removed the snake struggled frantically with the crab still holding on. Eventually the crab lost its chela but it still remained affixed to the head of the snake. On another occasion I witnessed a crab dragging a much larger corpse of the same species of snake across an expanse of rock. The back had been partially eaten. I watched the proceed- ings till the snake disappeared into the crab’s burrow. I have frequently witnessed crabs taking things home. Earth-worms form a good portion of their diet. These they usually catch when abroad at night or when the worms come out during the day. I have frequently seen crabs catch living frogs, lizards, beetles, moths, grasshoppers and other insects. Carcases of any sort when near or in water are frequently covered with crabs. If one watches a crab feed on wet rocks or at the bottom of a stream, it will be noticed that it is continually ferreting about for some invisible object which is conveyed to the mouth. The pincers are going to and fro from the rock to the mouth and vice versa. They appear to be groping for algae. Crabs are seldom guilty of a breach of etiquette—they never overfill the mouth! Particles of food are usually minute. The food is dissected by the pincers into minute bits before it is conveyed to the mouth; but one may occasionally see a crab hold up a large piece at its mouth and get its strong jaws into action. If a crab had to rely entirely on its pincers for its food, those that have lost them would die of starvation. This thought puzzled NOTES ON COMMON LAND CRABS OF SALSETTE ISLAND — 539 me for a time, but a pincerless crab solved the problem for me by a practical demonstration. It lowered its mouth to a piece of meat and worked at it with its jaws. This of course was a rare occasion as crabs are usually very careful of their pincers. While on the subject of missing pincers, it might be mentioned that missing limbs are not replaced. Enemies : Apart from man, these creatures have a wide circle of natural enemies: mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians all take a fair toll. In addition to these animals which prey on crabs for food, there are parasites. Mammals: among the mammals jackals, civets, mungooses and rats exercise a fair check. Otters live largely on crabs. (Though I strongly suspect the presence of otter in Salsette, I have never been able to confirm this. My suspicions are based on droppings.) Birds: Birds take a heavy toll of young and old crabs. The Malabar Whistling Thrush (Myophonus horsfieldii) is perhaps the foremost. This bird catches the crabs, batters them against the rocks till the carapace is broken and feeds on the soft part, but young crabs are often swallowed whole. The White-breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) is another in the vanguard. Crows, herons, egrets, kites and probably a host of other birds also feed on this crab. Reptiles‘: Among the reptiles, the Bloodsucker (Calotes versicolor) and Skinks (Mabuia carinata) are not averse to taking small crabs that they can overpower and conveniently swallow. So far I have no evidence of any snake eating a crab. Amphibians: In the ranks of the amphibians are found the greatest enemies of the crabs. The bull-frog (Rana tigrina) and the common toad (Bufo melanostictus) account for a very large number of young of all sizes and the bull-frog will swallow almost full-grown specimens. The skipper (R. cyanophlictis) undoubtedly feeds on small crabs, but for this species I have no actual evidence. The calcareous shells are not digested but are passed in fragments in the excreta. Parasites: Crabs also suffer from several parasites, both internal and external. In Salsette I have found the leech (Paraclipus vulnifera Harding) a serious pest on this crab. It attacks the soft parts at the joints of the limbs and the gills and the lining of the gill chamber. The largest number removed from a single crab was 27, some were attached to the joints but the majority were in the gill chamber. In spite of the accumulation of leeches the crab did not appear to be greatly inconvenienced. Leeches infest the crabs mostly towards the end of the rains. The gill chambers seem to be the breeding ground and when the crab moves about in water the leeches, both young and old, come out of the chambers and wander about the carapace. I am of the opinion that the leeches also use the gill chambers during the dry season as a convenient harbour to tide over this period. * Since writing the article I caught a young Varanus bengalensis and found that its stomach contained almost exclusively young crabs. 540. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX XIX This particular species of leech has only once been reported from South India affecting another species of the same genus of crab, P. hydrodromus. Raoit:Sahib:aY. Ramachandra Rao, in ‘A note on Pavratef phusa hydrodromus Herbert, The Fresh-water Crab of South India’:.(Proc.- 5th..Ent. Meet., Pusa, “1923,°-p. 138) Swrites ee bronchial chambers of these crabs are found to be infested by a species of leech. Leeches are generally suckers of blood and 4m this case they are very probably true parasites on the crab, attacking the membrane of the bronchial chamber and the gills and sucking the body juices. Generally three or four may be found in each crab, but in one case fourteen large leeches, besides two or three young ones were noted in a single crab. It is however doubtful if the leech, even if present in large numbers, will form any efficient check -on thescrab. Legend or Observation? In India there is a current belief that the jackal catches crabs by thrusting its tail down the burrow of the crab. The crab seizes the tail and is then pulled out of its hole and devoured. Curiously enough there is a very similar story told by Olaus Maginus, a Scandinavian Bishop, who lived in the sixteenth century, about the fox. This good church dignitary has been responsible for the most fantastic ‘unnatural’ history stories. He says: ‘Sometimes fearing the multitude of wasps, he counter-~ feits and hides himself, his tail hanging out and when he sees that they are all busy, and entangled in his tail, he comes forth, and rubs them against a stone or tree and kills them and eats them. The same trick, almost, he useth, when he lyes in wait for crabs and small fish, running about the bank, and he lets down his tail into the water, they admire it, and run to it, and are taken in his fur and pulled out.’ Land Crabs and Agriculture: From an agricultural aspect land crabs in general (and the genus Paratelphusa in particular) are considered serious pests to paddy crops in certain districts. I have already quoted Mr. Fletcher’s remarks in this connection. Mr. Ramakrishna Ayyar referring to the same subject in the Madras Presidency said: ; It has been observed that damage may be very serious in areas where single seedling transplantation of paddy is done. It appears that the crabs have been attacking paddy for several years but the damage was noticed before the practice of transplantation was to put in bunches of several seedlings.’ ‘ » It is strange that single transplantation was still continued and the old method not adhered to when damage to single seedlings proved devastating! In Salsette, bunches of seedlings are trans- planted, never single seedlings. Careful watching of the paddy fields has shown me conclusively that the damage to paddy crops is negligible in the island. The only period at which I have noticed P. guerini nipping leaf blades is before the transplanting of the seedlings. This is generally done by the crabs inhabiting the field of seedlings, but there is no invasion of the field. However the damage is not severe. After transplanting the damage is negligible. A little leaf-collecting is done when the animals are about a NOTES ON COMMON LAND CRABS OF SALSETTE ISLAND 541 to retire under ground. At the time when the crabs attack the paddy seedlings they also attack vegetable seedling along with other vegetation. During the rains the crabs move about freely among the fields without doing any ‘serious’ damage, they are more in quest of animal food. Mr... Ghosh. (Proc. 3rd Ent. Meet., Pusa, 1919;. -p. 680-87) published a note entitled ‘A Note on Crabs as Pests of Rice’. There is an account of the crabs of Bengal which are said to attack paddy. As our species does not occur in Bengal this paper does not concern us directly, but is nevertheless interesting. The arguments brought forward convicting crabs of damage to paddy are not convincing and the damage, taken as a whole, appears negligible. Experiments conducted in metal cylinders likewise do not prove any definite point against the crabs. In fact, referring to the north of the river Gandaki, Barail, Mr. Ghosh (l.c., p. 685) observes : ‘On the south side there are large rice growing tracts in which no damage by crabs is reported, though crabs are common at a distance of only about two miles from the fields on the opposite side of the river. These fields do not allow water to accumulate in the way the Barail fields do.’ This appears to indicate that the rivers may form a_ natural barrier to land crabs. Finally Mr. Ghosh observes : ‘In the writer’s experience crabs have not been observed to cause damage on any scale although plants have been observed to be cut and the crop thinned in patches. It could not be made out why plants were cut in this manner. They certainly did not afford food to the crabs. If the crabs had eaten the plants or had been obliged to cut them in order to get their food, it was clear from the enormously large number present in the Barail fields that severe damage would have resulted and probably the rice growing would have been impossible there.’ Further (I.c., p. 687) the same author writes: ‘In North Bihar crabs cannot be considered a pest of rice in the strict sense of the term.’ Reviewing the literature at my disposal, the only real damage crabs are responsible for is: the riddling of the bunds between adjacent fields with their burrows, thereby weakening the bunds, and in time causing them to collapse, letting the water out of mie uiclds. Mr. Shroff (Proc. 2nd: Ent. Meet., Pusa, 10917, p. 156) writes, ‘These crabs burrow into the Kazins (bunds) and allow water to percolate through, thus causing paddy fields to dry up in some places.’ After much watching, I have arrived at this conclusion also, in Salsette Island. The actual destruction of plants is very negligible. If crabs were in the habit of destroying paddy crops, Mr. Ghosh rightly remarks that paddy growing would be impossible. This would be the case in Salsette, as the island is infested with crabs. Preventive measures: The suggestion of preventive measures against crabs seems, therefore, rather premature. Economics: Paratelphusa guerin, as far as I am aware, is of no economic value. In Salsette it is not used as food or for any other purpose by the local people. 542 JOURNAL, BOMBAY~NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXiX Medicinal value: ‘According to the Ayurvedic system of treat- ment, crabs are wholesome diet for patients having pulmonary complaints including consumption.’ Ghosh (Proc. 3rd Ent. Meet., Pusa, V0l.<1i,)"ps 635), Advantages of crabs: Land crabs have rightly or wrongly come in for a good deal of abuse; but I am firmly convinced that the abuse is on the whole unjustifiable, particularly in the case of Paratelphusa guerini. In accordance with the time honoured saying, ‘There is bad in the best of us and good in the worst of us’ there is also some good to be found in crabs. Let us now strike a balance sheet. As already observed, they are excellent scavengers, removing much decomposing material from the surface. Like earth-worms, they are responsible for much turning over and aerating of the soil. Perhaps their most important use is to be found in the value of their exoskeletons. Their shells supply the land with a large amount of calcareous material, very necessary in lands used for the cultivation of paddy. The last but by no means the least point in favour of crabs, is that they catch a lot of insects many of which are injurious to paddy. Considering these good qualities of the crab and that the case of serious damage to paddy has not been conclusively proved against them, are we justified in exterminating them? The balance is in favour of the crab, therefore let us look on them in a more kindly light. Their destruction without actual and sound reasons may result in more serious injury to the paddy crops. Species of land crabs in Salsette : (1) ‘Paratelphusa (Barytelphusa) guerini M.-Eps. This is the commonest crab in the fields and hills of Salsette. (2) Paratelphusa (Barytelphusa) jacquemonti (Rathbun). This is the largest of the land crabs in the area. In general colour it is reddish brown or purplish. It generally inhabits the beds of streams, living among the boulders and rocks. It is far more aquatic than guerini. It is occasionally found in fields. In habit it appears to be somewhat more nocturnal than gwuerini. This species is much sought after by the local people as an article of diet and is sold in the bazaar. 3. Paratelphusa (Barytelphusa) mccanni Chopra and Das. Four were discovered among the specimens I sent to the Indian Museum for identification. It is much like P. guerini. 4. Gecarcinucus (Gecarcinucus) jacquemontit M.-Eps. This species is distinguished from P. guerini by its more convex shell and closer set, small eyes. The shape of the pincers is also distinctive. It may occasionally be found in fields but is to be considered rare. In several seasons I have only found four or five and these appear to be very local. ————— * I am much indebted to Dr. B. N. Chopra for kindly going through and identifying the material and also for naming the new species after me. Peay td. “*(SHANOAIDU SN a[nurzqvy ) relzq BIN UeIpuy UoUTMIOD “OOG “LSIFT ‘LV} Avawog ‘Nunof NOTES ON SOME INDIAN BIRDs. BY E. H. N. LOWTHER, M.B.O.U., F.Z.S. I1.—NIGHTJARS. (With five plates). Those who have never seen a Nightjar at rest but only know it as a long-winged bird with an erratic mght shown up sometimes by the headlights of a car have no conception of the sombre beauty ot its plumage. Their livery is a symphony of quiet browns and greys, each feather exquisitely pencilled with black, white or buff markings. Nightjars unfortunately only come to lite, so to speak, at dusk. This alone makes it sulficiently difficult to study the bird in the field. Accurate observation in India is however, made harder still owing to the occurrence of several species of nightyars, all of them much alike in colouring so that even the expert has difficulty in identifying them correctly. No wonder then that until recently, comparatively little was known of the habits, status or even calls of the genus as a whole. My own knowledge is restricted to four species and my observations practically confined to three seasons work, when 1 was stationed in the Manbhum district where, however, I was able to devote considerable time to their study. The four species referred to are :— The Indian Long-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrourus) The Indian Jungle Nightjar (C. indicus) , Franklin’s Nightjar (C. monticolus) The Common Indian Nightjar (C. asiaticus),. All are resident throughout Chota Nagpur: resident in the sense that they breed in every district and are to be met with during the twelve months, though the Long-tailed species and the Jungle Nightjar are seldom seen between October and February. At one time I was of opinion that these two species occurred here only during the breeding season and it was not until the winter of 1935-6, when I paid several visits to the nesting haunts of these birds that I satisfied myself that both the Long-tailed Nightjar and the Jungle Nightjar are to be found regularly, though uncommonly in Chota Nagpur, during the non-nesting months also. It is clear, therefore, that these two species are subject to a general migratory move- ment, and though Franklin’s Nightjar and the Common Indian Nightjar both occur regularly and even fairly frequently during the cold weather months, there can be no doubt that they too migrate; but not in such numbers: as do the two first-named species. The fact remains that from February to October the Common Nightjar and Franklin’s Nightjar occur in considerable numbers and_ the other two less frequently, though sufficiently often to be classed as common. The Common Indian Nightjar is the smallest and the 8 544 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX Long-taiied species the largest of the nightjars of which I write. Franklin’s Nightjar and the Jungle Nightjar are intermediate in size and of approximately equal measurements. They are about 10; in. in length, the Common Nightjar 9} in. and the Long-tailed Nightjar—known of yore as Horsfield’s Nightjar—is some three inches longer than this. These different species of nightjars have their particular haunts. The Common Indian Nightjar occurs in gardens, in the open, on the edge of cultivation, and even in thin scrub. Its favourite nesting site is under a palas (Butea frondosa) sapling, in a field strewn with small stones and bordered by light jungle. Franklin’s nightjar, on the other hand, | have always found nesting on the hitocks and lower slopes of the higher hills, amongst the medium- sized stones which are a feature ot its breeding haunts. The site chosen may be quite open or in the vicinity of scrub, which is another characteristic of these hillocks. The bird is really a denizen of the very fringes of forest. the Jungle Nightjar, as its name implies, takes up its quarters more inside the torest, often well within. The jungle, however, must be light in character and of a deciduous nature. In my experience the Jungle Nightjar is not met with in deep forest. ine Long-tailed Nigntjar, on the other hand usually frequents both thick bush and fairly heavy deciduous and bamboo jungle. It — especially favours the banks or the shady, creeper-festooned beds of nalas carpeted with dead leaves. The calls used in the breeding season by these four species of nightjars are distinctive and though it is not possible to identity the birds correctly in the field, it is really quite easy to recognise the species by its call: and let me say at once that the music of the nightjars is well-worth listening to, worth going a long way to hear. It is heard chiefly when dusk deepens into darkness, ‘And all the air a Solemn Stillness holds.’ In the hope that I may be able to convey to the reader some of the joy and thrill I have experienced in listening to Nightjar music, { will quote from my notes written while I was under its spell :— ‘It has been a wickedly hot day but now it is pleasantly cool with a gentle breeze blowing. I am seated on a high railway embankment in wild and jungly country. In front of me is a broken open space about three hundred yards long by one hundred yards wide with an outcrop of biack rock and just a few bushes and mhowa and sal trees; beyond there is rather heavier scrub and deciduous jungle with a nala running through it. The water from the nala—when there is any !—passes through a culvert under the embankment where I am seated. Beyond this again, high hills, thickly forested—Jumra to be exact. To right and left of the open space hillocks covered with scrub. Altogether an ideal spot from which to listen to the different nightjars’ calls. It is 5.50. A Peacock has just called from the jungle in front, and a Red Jungle-fowl crowed lustily. Close by a male Robin is singing his jolly jingle. 5.55 and I am startled by a nightjar on my right calling NOTES ON SOME INDIAN BIRDS 545 chwees on three occasions—startled because I did not expect to hear any nightjar quite so soon. A loud and very penetrating note. Ihe bird was clearly on the wing though I could not spot it. franklin’s Nightjar. Now it is sient and gangmen pass behind me on their way home, their day’s work done. Follow several large parrakeets to roost in a small tope of trees a mile away, screaming stridently. 6.5. Che sun has. gone down behind the small hill on the left. More jungle-fowl crowing, tollowed by the screams of a large flight of green parrakeets and the cachinnating crescendo cries of a brain-tever bird. A green barbet also calis trom the jungle in front. Dusk is falling fast and the green of the living trees contrasts beautifully with the purple—so it appears in this light—ot their sere and leafless neignbours. The silence becomes more intense; but a robin breaks it with its rasping note, and pea- fowl mee-ows in the distance. F-L:S The CARYOPHYLLACEAE are herbs, rarely undershrubs. They mostly inhabit the extra-tropical regions of the northern hemisphere, extending to the Arctic regions and to the tops of the highest Alps. They are rarer in the southern hemisphere, and still more so in the tropics, where they are almost confined to the mountains. They form 80 genera with about 1,300 cosmopolitan species. The medicinal and poisonous campions and pinks of the world belong to 23 genera:—AGROSTEMMA (Mediterranean region); ALSINE (northern hemisphere); ARENARIA (northern temperate regions) ; Buronia (Mediterranean region); CERASTIUM (northern temperate regions); CucuBaLus (northern temperate regions); DIANTHUS (Europe, Asia, Africa; mostly Mediterranean); DryMmartia (tropical and southern temperate regions); GyYPSOPHILA (Europe, Asia; es- pecially eastern Mediterranean); HERNIARIA (Mediterranean; Europe, South Africa); HoLosTEum (northern temperate regions); LyCHNIs (northern temperate regions); MELANDRIUM (northern hemisphere ; South Africa, South America); POLLIcHIA (tropical and South Africa); PoLycaRPAEA (cosmopolitan); POLYCARPON (cosmopolitan) ; SaciIna (northern temperate regions); SAPONARIA (northern temper- ate regions, chiefly Mediterranean); SILENE (northern temperate regions, chiefly Mediterranean); SPERGULA (temperate regions) ; SPERGULARIA (cosmopolitan); STELLARIA (cosmopolitan); Trssa (cosmopolitan). The medicinal and poisonous campions of India belong to 13 genera :—ARENARIA, CERASTIUM, CUCUBALUS, DIANTHUS, DRYMARIA, HOLOSTEUM, LYCHNIS, POLYCARPAEA, POLYCARPON, SAPONARIA, SILENE, SPERGULA, STELLARIA. A. Calyx gamosepalous, 4-5 lobed. Petals clawed and stamens inserted on an elongate gynophore (rarely sessible). Styles free. Stipules absent. I. Capsule dehiscent; styles 2. Seeds pelate; hilum facial; embryo straight. . Calyx bracteate, striate ... sia .. DIANTHUS. II. Capsule bursting by short or long valves. Hilum lateral; embryo annular. 1. Calyx veined. Capsule shortly 4-valved ; styles 2 vee ae ... SAPONARIA, 2. Calyx 10-co-nerved. Capsule — partially celled, shortly 3-6-valved; styles 3 ol SS ILENE. 3. Calyx 1o-nerved. Fruit fleshy; styles 3... CucuBALus. 4. Calyx 1o-nerved. Capsule shortly 4-5- or 8-10-valved; styles 5. oe s+. ULycunis. 562 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX B. Sepals free, or connate at the base only. Petals sub- sessile and stamens inserted on an annular disk, rarely perigynous. Styles free. I. Stipules absent. Sepals free. Stamens hypogynous. 1. Petals jagged. Capsule cylindric or conic, 6-valved. Styles 3. Seeds many, compressed x a ... HOLOSTEUM. 2. Petals notched or entire. Capsule cylindric or conic, 8-10-valved. Styles 3- 2) St the sepals. Seeds many CERASTIUM. 3. Petals bifid, Capsule globose ei or oblong. Styles 3-5. Seeds few or many. STELLARIA. 4. Petals entire or lacerate. Capsule globose ovoid or oblong. Styles usually 2-3. Seeds many me at ... ARENARIA. II. Stipules scarious. Sepals free. Petals entire, Styles 3 or 5. Capsules 3- or ; 5-valved ae Ses see .ss SPERGULA. C. Sepals free. Petals subsessile and stamens inserted on an annular disk. Styles 2-3, combined. Stipules scarious, rarely obsolete. I. Sepals not keeled. Petals 2-6-fid. a ie DryMarIA. II. Sepals keeled. Petals entire, Style 3-fid’.... .... ... POLYCARPON. III. Sepals scarious, not keeled. Stigma 3-toothed ....POLYCARPAEA. ARENARIA. The genus consists of about - roo species, all natives of cold and temperate regions. Arenaria Serpyllifolia Linn. is found in the subtropical and temperate Himalaya from Nepal to Kashmir, in Rohilkhand and the Punjab at 10,000-11,000 ft., in Western Tibet at 11,000-13,000 ft. It extends to iGghanle ean temperate Europe and Asia. The herb has long been used in China for bladder diseases. It is considered very valuable for calculus troubles and acute and chronic cystitis. Chinese: Li Ke Ts’ao—English: Liloyd’s Sandwort, Sandwort; Thyme- leaved Sandwort—. CERASTIUM. The genus numbers about roo species, all natives of temperate and cold regions. C. arvense Linn. is used medicinally in Europe. Cerastium vulgatum Linn. occurs throughout the temperate and subalpine regions of India and Ceylon, ascending to 15,000 ft. in Sikkim and Western Tibet. It extends to temperate Northern Europe and Asia. The plant is used in Spain as a mild refrigerant. English: Chickenweed, Mouse-ear, Mouse-ear Chickweed, Murion=«. THE MEDICINAL AND POISONOUS CAMPIONS OF INDIA _ 563 CUCUBALUS. The one species of this genus, C. bacciferus Linn., occurs in the temperate Himalaya from Kashmir at 5,000-8,000 ft. to Sikkim at 8,000-12,000 ft.; in the Khasia Hills, at the Boya Pani at 5,000 ft. It is distributed westwards to South Europe, to Central Asia and to West Siberia. A decoction of the herb is used in Spain to check haemorrhage. English: Berry-bearing Campion, Bladder Campion—; French: Behen baccifére, Coulichon—; Spanish: Oreja de vecino, Pamphlina de bayas, Purga cabras—. DIANTHUS. The genus includes about 250 species, natives of the northern temperate zone exclusive of Western North America; one of Siberia extending into Arctic America. D. armeria Linn., D. barbatus Linn., D. carthusianorum Linn., D. caryophyllus Linn., D. plumarius, D. sylvestris Wulf. are used medicinally in Europe; D. superbus Linn. in China; D. crenatus Thunb., D. scaber Thunb. in South Africa. 1. Leaves very narrow, rigid, slender, mid-rib very thick, margin much thickened, finely toothed .... D. anatolicus. 2. Leaves channelled above, eyes with smooth margins, linear es ve ae ... D. caryophyllus. 3. Leaves broad and nearly flat or slightly trough- shaped, 3-5-nerved fe ee me Po. chinensts. 1. Dianthus anatolicus Boiss. is found in the Western Himalaya, Western Tibet, Kashmir, and extends to Armenia. It is used as an antiperiodic in intermittent fevers. Persian: Kantariyun—-. 2. Dianthus caryophyllus Linn. is generally supposed to be a native of the Mediterranean. It occurs in Baltistan, the Punjab and Kashmir at 7,000-8,000 ft., extending westwards to Europe. The flowers are used medicinally in Spain and North America; they are considered cardiotonic, diaphoretic and alexiteric. They are nervine and antispasmodic. The whole plant is used as a vermifuge in China. Annam: Cu mach—; Catalan: Clavellina—; English: Carnation Pink, Clove Pink, Wild Carnation—; French: CEillet commun, CEillet des fleuristes, CHilllet giroflée CEillet des jardins, CEkillet A ratafia—; Roumanian: Garoafa— ; Russian: Gvasdika—; Spanish: Clavelina comun—. 3. Dianthus chinensis Linn. is a native of China and Japan cultivated in Indian gardens. A broth of the fresh new leaves is given in infantile diarrhoea. The old dried leaves are pounded and used in diseases of the eve to clear the eyesight. The dried flowering plants are used in China as a diuretic, anthelmintic, and abortifacient, 564 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX In Indo-China the dried flowers and buds are given as a diuretic for indigestion and in difficult labour; they are also prescribed in kidney troubles. In Malaya the herb is used as a remedy for gonorrhoea. English: China Pink—; French: (é£illet de Chine, Ckhillet de la régence, (Eillet rouge—; Indo-China: Thach truc, Truc tu hoa—; Portuguese : Cravina—. DRYMARiZA. The genus includes about 4o species; one in tropical Asia and Africa, one in Australia, the rest in America. D. cordata Willd. and D. glandulosa Bartl. are used as cooling medicines in French Guiana. Drymaria cordata Willd. is found in tropical and sub-tropical India and Ceylon, extending westwards to the Punjab and ascending the Himalaya to 7,000 ft. in Sikkim. It occurs in the Malay Peninsula, Java, Sumatra, Papua, tropical Africa and America. In French Guiana it is eaten as a salad for its cooling properties. French Guiana: Mignonnette—. HoOLOSTEUM. The genus consists of 6 species inhabiting the northern temperate regions. Holosteum umbellatum Linn. is found in Kashmir, and in cultivated fields in the Quetta valley; it extends to western Asia, North Africa and Europe. It is reputed to have refreshing and slightly demulcent properties. English: Umbellate Chickweed—. LYcHNIS. The genus is made up of to species, natives of Arctic and Temperate northern regions, and of the Andes of South America. The following are used medicinally in Europe—L. chalcedonica Linn:, LL. coronaria Desr.; i. dioica: Linn.,° L. flos-cucul inne L. githago Lam.—; in China—L. grandiflora Jacq.—; in Indo- China—L. fulgens Fisch., L. Senno Sieb. and Zucc.—; in South Africa—L. githago Lam.—; in North America—L. alba Mill.—. Lychnis coronaria Desr. is abundant in Kashmir: Gadsar, roadsides and dry places; near Shirazia Bagh, on top of hill in rocky and grassy soil; Dachigan Rukh; below Gulmarg, wooded hill-side at 8,oo00 ft. It extends to West Asia and South Europe. An extract or. a.decoction of the root. is. used. in- Spain for infraction of the lymph glands of the mesentery, and for diseases of the lungs and the liver. Catalan: Pessiganassos—; French: Coquelourde—; Spanish: Candelaria, Claveles Janudos, Coronaria purpurea, Guantes de reina, Rosa de Grecia—, THE MEDICINAL AND POISONOUS CAMPIONS OF INDIA _ 565 POLYCARPAEA. This genus consists of 30 cosmopolitan species. P, arenaria Gagnep. is used medicinally in Indo-China, P. corymbosa Lam. in Malaya and Transvaal, P. linearifolia DC. in Nigeria. Polycarpaea corymbosa Lam. is a cosmopolitan herb. It is found in the Western Peninsula and Ceylon, Central and North- Western India, Sind, ascending the Western Himalaya to 7,000 ft. ; it also occurs in Burma and the Malay Peninsula. The herb is useful in strangury, urinary calculi, boils, inflam- matory swellings, and ulcers. Its ash mixed with pepper is applied externally to boils and ulcers (Ayurveda). The pounded leaves are used as poultice, warm or cold, over boils and inflammatory swellings. In Pudukotah the herb is administered both externally and internally as a remedy for the bites of venomous reptiles. In Porebunder the pounded leaves are used for bites from animals, and given with molasses in the form of a pill in jaundice. In Malaya the drug is found in the shops as flowering heads, arising from silvery cymes, with portions of the stem and tomentose leaves, and is used as a demulcent and astringent. Whether administered internally or applied externally the herb is useless in the treatment of snake-bite (Mhaskar and Catus). Chinese: Pai T’ou Weng—; Hausa: Bakin suda—; Malaya: Pak thow yoong—; Porebunder: Okharad—; Rajputana: Zutaniakhand—; Sanskrit : Bhisatta, Okharadi, Tadagamritikodbhava—; Santal: Janhenanjur—; Tamil: Nilaisedachi— ; Telugu: Bommasari, Rajuma—. POLYCARPON. A small genus of 7 species, distributed throughout all the warm and temperate climates of the world. Polycarpon indicum Merrill is found in the hotter parts of India in fields and waste places; in Indo-China and tropical Africa. In Indo-China an infusion of the roasted leaves is given for cough following upon a fever, more particularly measles. Indo-China: La coc man—. SAPONARIA. The genus includes 20 species, chiefly Mediterranean and Western Asiatic. The following are used medicinally in Europe—S. ocymoides Linn., S. officinalis Linn., S. Vaccaria Linn.—; in China and Indo-China—S. Vaccaria Linn.—; on the Pacific Coast: S. offi- cinalis Linn. The root of S. officinalis Linn. is official in France. A_ toxic glucoside, saporubin, has been extracted from it. Saponaria Vaccaria Linn. is a cosmopolitan weed of cultivation found throughout India. p66 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HEST.WSOCIERY,. Vol. 1X xa The Yunani practitioners use the plant for enlargement of the spleen, dysmenorrhoea, and ulcers; the leaves are commonly given for scabies and itch. The mucilaginous sap of the plant is considered to have febrifuge and tonic properties in long continued fevers of a low type. In Indo-China the plant is used as a mild depurative. In China it is used in furunculosis and scabies. The leaves and roots contain from 8 to 15 per cent of saponin. The seeds contain a sapotoxin, and are somewhat toxie to stock. Arabic: Gafis, Gleylé—; Bengal: Sabuni—; Brahui: Karari—; Chinese: Wang Pu Liu Hsing—; Egypt: Ful-el-’arab—; English: Cockle, Cow Basil—; French: Blé de vache, Copatte, Saponaire a vaches, Saponaire des vaches—; German: Wilder Weid, Kuhkraut—; Hindi: Musna—; Hova: Savonimbary— ; Indo-China: Vuong bat luu hanh—; Ivaq: Kharaz bint-al-fallah, Ziwan—; Italian: Cetino, Mezzettino—; Malta: Cow Basil, Cow-herb, Cetino, Mazzet- tino—; Mosul: Ziwan—; Persian: Gafis, Guligafis—; Santali: Musna—; Sind: Musna—; South Africa: China Cockle, Cockle, Cow basil, Cow foot, Glond, Soapwort, Spring cockle—; Spanish: Teta de vaca—; Uriya: Tilothi—. ’ : y y SILENE. A genus of 320 species, natives of temperate Europe and Asia, chiefly Mediterranean. The following are used medicinally in Europe—S. apetala Willd., S. cerastoides Linn., S. conoidea Linn., S. Cucubalus Wibel, S. gallica Linn., S. hirsuta Lag., S. maperta Linn:, S. sialica Perse S. nicaeensis. All., S..nocturna Linn., S.. nutans Linn., S. otttes, Sue S. rupestris Linn., S. saxifraga Linn., S. viscosa Pers.—; in Indo- China—S. macrosolen Steud.—; S. Burchellii Otth.; S. capensis Otth.—; in North America—sS. laciniata Cav, S.' noctifiorva Linn., 3S. stellata Ait., Ssvireimica, Linn. A. Perennial. Petals imbricate in bud. Calyx inflated, 20-nerved, reticulately veined sn oe =. . Cucubalus: B. Annuals. Petals contorted in aestivation. Calyx not recticu- lately veined. I. Calyx 20-, 30-, or 6o-nerved, in -fruit conical from a broad base. Petals pink ... Vet oe CONOLdea. II. Calyx 1o-nerved. Flowers in unilateral racemes. 1. Face of the seeds smooth, rather concave, back deeply grooved with two wavy wings. Petals absent or minute, ee red : S. apetala, . Face of the seeds flat we an ear- orate depression, back not Pore Petals red or white a ee He - 5. gallica: 1. Silene Cucubalus Wibel is found | in the temperate Himalaya at 5,000-11,500 ft., from Nepal to the Indus. It is distributed over temperate Asia, Europe and North Africa. In Spain the plant is considered emollient, and it is used in baths or as a fumigant; the juice is prescribed in ophthalmia. Baleares: Trons—; Catalan: Botets, Colitxos, Culissos, Cuniells, Curibells, Esclafidors—; English: Bladder Campion, Inflated Catchfly, White Ben, White THE MEDICINAL AND POISONOUS CAMPIONS OF INDIA _ 567 Bottle—; French: Behen blanc, Behen commun—; German: Klatschnelke, ‘Leimkraut, Schaummohn—; Italian: Behen bianco, Bubbolini, Crepa terra— ; Maltese: Kaskeiza—; Spanish: Alcanducea, Cascabelillo de Canarias, Collejas, Conejera, Polemonio pratense—. 2. Silene conoidea Linn. occurs in Kashmir and Baluchistan; from Kumaon to the Indus and from Oudh to the Punjab; in West Tibet at Ladakh. It extends westwards to the Atlantic Ocean. The plant is used therapeutically in Spain as a substitute for S. Cucubalus. Harboi Hills: Dardiri—; Kalat: Gardi—; Kharan: Guto—; Spanish: Claveletas de barranco—. 3. Silene apetala Willd. is found in Peshawar; it extends through Afghanistan and Persia to South Europe and North Africa. In Spain the juice is used in eye troubles; the plant is used in baths or as a fomentation for its emollient properties. 4. Silena gallica Linn. is found in Garhwal and in_ the Carnatic; it 1s common everywhere in the Mediterranean region. The plant is used in Spain as a substitute for S. Cucubalus. Spanish : Carmentilla—. SPERGULA. A very small genus of 3 European and Asiatic species. Spergula arvensis Linn. is found in cultivated fields in various cool parts of India and throughout the northern hemisphere. It is used as a diuretic in Colombia. Bogotéd: PYGOPODES. Podiceps ruficollis capensis Salvadori. The Indian Little Grebe. Specimen collected: 550 Q 9-4-33 Cape Comorin ca. S.L. Elsewhere noted at Nagercoil. Colours of bare parts: ‘Iris yellow; bill black above, green at gape, dull yellow on lower mandible, tip white; legs and feet black with greenish webs; claws whitish.’ (Humayun Abdulali). [Measurements: Bill 23, Wing 96, Tail 23, Tarsus 32 mm.—H.W.] Pairs or small parties of the Little Grebe were observed on village tanks in South Travancore. They were not common. Breeding: According to Ferguson ~(j/.B.N.H.S., (xvi; 18)e.it)- breedsamna Travancore in August. LITERATURE. 1. Bourdillon, F.—Second list of Birds from Travancore.’ S.F., vii, 33-39. 2. ‘Bourdillon, F.—‘On~ the breeding of Birds in Travancore’. S;.j im 299-300. 3. Bourdillon, F.—On Gorsachius melanolophus in Travancore’. S.F., vii y 524. : 4. Bourdillon, F.—‘Nest of Harpactes fasciatus’. S.F., vii, 172. 5. Bourdillon, T. F.—‘Nesting of the Rufous-bellied Hawk-Eagle’ [Travan- Core |e PBN eS xvii Og. 6. Davison, W.—‘Letter on Birds of Anamullai Hills and Travancore’. Ibis, 1888, p. 146. 7, Davison, W.—‘Letter on Travancore Birds’. Ibis., 1886, pp. 203-5. 8. Elwes, H. J.—‘Letter on the birds of the Cardamum Hills’. Ibis. 1870, pp. 526-28. g. Fairbank, S. B.—‘A list of Birds collected and observed in the Palni Hills.” S8.,: Vv, 0387-410. THE ORNITHOLOGY OF TRAVANCORE AND COCHIN 593 1o. Ferguson, H. S. and Bourdillon, T. F.— The Birds of Travancore with notes on their Nidification’. J.B.N.H.S., xv, 249-64, 455-74, 654-73; xvi, 1-18. 11. Foulkes, R.—‘The Indian Edible-nest Swiftlet (Collocalia fuciphaga) in fies ulney Hills’... J.B:N.H.S., xv, 727. 12. Giles, G. W.—‘Common Snipe (Gallinago coelestis) in Travancore in en pOulon] . f.B.N.A.S., xix, ‘ 13. Hume, A. O.—‘A First list of the Birds of the Travancore Hills’. Sadie, Vy; 351-405. 14. Kinloch, A. M.— Nesting of the Rufous-bellied Hawk-Eagle’ [Nelliam- pathies]); /-B.N.H.S., Xvil, 1027. 15. Kinloch, A. M.—The Cotton Teal in Malabar [Nelliampathies]’. We DaNicdd 0," XXV1, 674. 16. Kinloch, A. P.—*Rough Notes on the Avifauna of the Nelliampathy alts’: J.B.N.H.S., xxvii. 939-44. 17. Kinloch, A. P.—‘Occurrence of the Pied Ground Thrush (Geocichla wardt) in the Nelliampathy Haliss. Ci. BON dd. S., Xxvit, | 944). 18. Kinloch, A. P.—'The Avifauna of the Nelliampathy Malis’, | JVB ANS. XXV1ll, 279. 1g. Kinloch, A. P.—‘Habits of the Southern Scimitar Babbler (Pomatorhinus horsfieldi travancoriensis [Nelliampathies]’. J.B.N.H.S., xxviii, 20. Kinloch, A. P.—'Nidification of the Southern Red- whiekered Bulbul (Otocompsa emeria fuscicaudata)’ [Nelliampathies]. J.B.N.H.S., xxviii, 545. 21. Kinloch, A. P.—‘Woodpeckers roosting’. J.B.N.H.S., xxviii, 546. 22. Kinloch, A. P.—‘The White-throated Ground Thrush (Geocichla cyano- notus) as a mimic [Nelliampathies]. J.B.N.H.S., xxviii, 805. 23. Kinloch, A. P.—‘Further notes on the Avifauna of the Nelliampaihy Hills’. [Thriponax hodgsoni: Dendrocitta leucogastra: Dissemurus paradiseus |’. WeB AN i.Ss, XX1X, 204. 24. Kinloch, A. P.—‘'On the Birds of the Nelliampathy Hills’. J.B.N.H.S., xxix, 564. 25. Kinloch, A. P.—‘The Nidification of the Malabar Great Black Wood- pecker | Nelliampathies|’. j.B.N.1.S., xxix, 561 26. Prater, S. H.—Occurrence of the Xmas Island Frigate Bird (Fregata andrewsi) on the West Coast of India [Quilon]’. J.B.N.H.S., xxxili, 445. 27. Stewart, J.—'Notes on the nesting of the Brown-necked Spine-tailed Swift (Chetura indica) and the White-rumped Spine-tailed Swift, Chaetura sylvatica’ [Travancore]. ].B.N.H.S., xxii, 393. 28. Terry, H. A.—A Few Additional Notes on Birds on the Pulney Hills’. Stray Feathers, x, 467-80. [THE Enp]. BIRD LIFE ON A SOUTHERN INDIAN TANK. BY Boe N 3 BEDS: (With two plates). Waterfowl make a small showing in the list of Coorg birds owing to lack of conditions to suit them in the hilly country which comprises most of the area of this little province. Natural lakes there are none and the artificial tanks which are such a feature of the landscape in the plains are few and small and confined to the narrow strip of dry, low-lying country between the hills and the river Cauvery which here forms the Mysore boundary. There is one however of considerable size which has long been a favourite haunt of mine. It lies between two low ranges of hills running north and south at a distance of a couple of miles, the furthest outposts of the Ghats. The more westerly of these, which is the higher, is buried from foot to summit in unbroken jungle except where the dominating peak of Jainkalbetta thrusts a bald head above the trees, while its counterpart 1s a mere ridge of rocky outcrop hardly a hundred feet high, sparsely grown with thorny scrub and a few stunted trees which have managed to gain a foothold in pockets of soil among the black stones. A_ shallow vale separates the two, mostly open maidan interspersed with patches of scrub, merging at its upper end into the jungle and at the lower cut off from the tank by a belt of trees, bamboos, date palms and tall banyans and tamarinds, the lantana growing thick about their bases making an almost impenetrable barrier except where the cattle tracks pierce their way. My first visit was on an afternoon in July. There was a lull in the monsoon and though the main ranges on the western horizon were veiled in mist, here on the edge of the dry zone the clouds had thinned to allow a watery sun to gleam through, and a few miles further east the sky was clear. The maidan was vivid with the green of young grass, cropped to a short sward by the hungry grazing of herds of scrubby cattle, which even in this season of plenty looked gaunt and half-starved. The lantana growing in great clumps lent, pestilential weed though it is, much to the beauty of the scene as it was in full flower, and the masses of bloom smothering the bushes made broad splashes of orange and pink. The tank was at its fullest. It is a rough crescent half a mile in length with a high bund all along the concave face. Two-thirds of the way along the opposite shore the regularity is broken by an arm of swampy ground where once a feeder ran in but this has long since silted up though it is still moist enough to provide luxurious wallows for pig and buffaloes. Indeed the whole tank is much smaller than it must have been at one time for even in the wettest seasons a broad strip of rough herbage lies between. the belt of trees and the water. The tip of one nr we, ae 5 —sNS (1ad1U XDAOIOAIDIDYG) (SrSuausAd us UOAIID FY) ‘JURIOWLIO) 9[94VT “IDYSYSULY po9}seoiq-9z1y MA 5 > t : - 7 a = t : esr : ’ a f we / ! , x ’ * oe BIRD LIFE ON A SOUTHERN INDIAN TANK 595 horn runs right up to the jungle of the western range and here the elephants come down to drink in the hot weather when water is scarce, leaving the shore pock-marked with their enormous footprints. This end where the water is shallowest is all over- grown with beds of bulrushes but as it gets deeper these thin out and grow in smaller patches and the sheets of lotuses and other weeds which spread beyond them disappear within. a few yards leaving several acres of open water. Bird life is abundant and undisturbed except by an occasional fisherman for though the cattle water here, the paddy fields below the bund have been abandoned for many years and the nearest village is several miles away. By far the most numerous of the waterfowl proper are the dabchicks. At least a dozen pairs have a permanent home on the lake and in July breeding is in full swing. I have found as many as six nests with eggs in one day and must have missed numbers more in the heart of the reed thickets. Most are built just inside the outer edge of the bulrush beds but occasionally they are out in full view in the middle of the open water anchored to a patch of floating weeds. They are all much the same; floating plat- forms of rotten waterweed about a foot in diameter. The eggs are covered as soon as the first one is laid with a heap of weed which is replaced whenever the bird leaves the nest. She is extraordinarily quick at doing this and only once have I managed to flush one before she had time to hide her eggs. A few deft movements of her bill and she dives over the edge leaving only a ring of ripples to betray her connection with what looks like a casual accumulation of rubbish. She comes up ata safe distance and tries to create a distraction by frantic splashings and flappings. During much of the day the eggs are left to themselves, the heat generated by the decaying materials of the nest being quite sufficient to keep them from getting chilled. When incubation has started, the dabchicks are quiet birds, but earlier in the month, while courtship is going on, the lake resounds with their long trilling calls as the pairs dive and come up face to face and rub bills or chase each other half flying, half swimming across the water. Once on the wing, they fly strongly, but except at this season or when changing quarters, seldom do so. In their breeding plumage they are almost handsome, the dark chestnut of the throat and sides of the neck contrasting with the sombre brown of the rest of the upper plumage. At the best of times however their broad, rounded, almost tailless sterns give them a barge-like appearance as if built more for utility than for show or speed. Most of the first broods are hatched off by the beginning of August. Although the normal clutch is three or four, even oc- casionally five, it is rare to see more than two of the little stripey chicks with the mother. The male seems to take but little interest in them. Though perfectly capable of diving when alarmed, the young at first do not feed themselves but swim round anxiously while their mother disappears under water and brings them up scraps of weed and little fishes. Within a few weeks they are 596 JOURNAL, BOMBAY “NATURAL. AIST. SOCIETY .2Viola XOX full grown and independent, only their dull colouring distinguishing them from their parents who are by now busy with a second family. Moorhens are not numerous in the rainy season though one or two pairs breed every year, building substantial nests of dead reeds among the bulrushes. They are the aristocrats of a plebeian family; quiet, well-conducted birds soberly but smartly clad in dark grey with touches of white set off by a scarlet frontlet. They are excellent swimmers, though no great divers and spend most of their time on the water paddling jerkily among the lily pads, sitting high and gracefully, stern cocked and constantly flirted to display the gleaming white of the undertail coverts. An occasional loud ‘karuck’ announces their presence but except during the squabbles of the courting season they are far from noisy. The Purple Coots on the other hand are thorough vulgarians. For all their gaudy plumage of purplish blue they have a coarse, ugly appearance and a temper to match. Each bird has his private domain, invasion being strongly resented, and the peace of the lake is constantly disturbed by their noisy brawls. They favour the reed beds or where the lilies grow thick enough to support their weight for they do not swim more than they can help and usually take wing to cross an open stretch of water, flying low and heavily with legs trailing. They love to scramble to the top of a clump of reeds, which bow and bend ominously beneath them, to bask complacently in the sunshine, quite careless of the insecurity of their perch. Their numbers vary greatly; in some years there may be twenty or thirty and in others none at all. They may be seen at all seasons but I have never found them breeding on the lake. Common coots are only occasional winter visitors and the only other conspicuous members of the Rail family are the White- breasted Moorhens. They are inveterate skulkers and it is their voices that give them away. They only leave the sanctuary of the thickest reed beds to feed along the shore when they are quite certain that the coast is clear and at the first alarm scuttle back into cover or fly up into a thick tree, for they are more arboreal than most of their relatives and often nest at considerable heights above the ground. From their lurking places they send forth weird and uncanny bellowings and caterwaulings quite unlike any other bird notes. A pair of these were the actors in one of the most delightful vignettes of wild life that it has been my luck to witness. I was sitting by a small waterhole in the heart of the jungle when the silence was rent by a hair-raising clamour as of some large beast in dire extremity. Presently out from under the bamboos marched a little procession, a white-breasted moorhen followed by three newly hatched chicks like balls of black swansdown, while bringing up the rear came the other parent. The old birds stalked cautiously along keenly on the alert for danger, tails stiffly cocked to show the bright chestnut underneath, a flag to guide the little ones as they scrambled valiantly through the rough grass. They were shepherded into the security of another bamboo clump, whence after loud celebration of their safe arrival, one of the parents ventured i | | JOURN. BomBay Nat. Hist. Soc. PLATE Il Nest and eggs of Dabchick (Podiceps ruficollis capensis). Photos by Author. Bile De Elie ON “AS SOULE ITN YIN DIAN “TANK 597 forth to forage on the margin of the pond to return triumphantly with a large worm in its beak. The Bronze-winged Jacanas are very conspicuous members of the population, with their bright plumage and voices second only in power to the white-breasetd moorhens’. They must mate for life as they are always to be seen in pairs. They are admirable examples of specialised development, their toes and claws being enormously lengthened, enabling them to run swiftly and easily over the floating lily leaves, where other birds of their size would sink or flounder awkwardly. Seen thus or swimming buoyantly across the lanes of deep water they are strikingly handsome remind- ing one of those strange, brilliant birds to be seen on a Chinese screen. On the wing they do not show to advantage though they fly freely and well; their stumpy tails and long legs with the enormous feet trailing behind them give them a singularly unbalanced appearance. Like most of the waterfowl they are monsoon breeders and in early July are in the full ardour of courtship. The males bow and strut before their mates calling excitedly, drooping their wings and elevating and exhibiting the bright maroon feathers of the rump. The ducks are confined to the two resident species, the Cotton Teal and the Lesser Whistling Teal. A small flock of the former are usually to be seen feeding among the floating weedbeds on the edge of the open water, keeping up a continual conversation in low, gabbling tones. Though they can dive like dabchicks when wounded they seem to be entirely surface feeders and I have never even seen them up-ending in shallow water after the fashion of domestic ducks and most of the wild, non-diving species. They must surely breed in the big trees round the tank but I have not been able to find a nest nor have I seen any young on the water and even in the rains when the drakes are in full plumage they are usually accompanied by their mates. At this time of year the drakes look very white and on a dull day show up as brilliantly as gulls at a distance where the ducks are quite invisible. They are great home-lovers and at a duckshoot are the last to leave, flying round and round low over the water long after the Grey and Whistling Teal have departed. One or two pairs of the latter frequent the tank throughout the year but their numbers vary and I have yet to discover them breed- ing in the vicinity. They are much warier than the Cotton Teal and have a perennially anxious air. At the first hint of danger up go their long necks and they paddle hastily out to the middle of the open water. A couple of shots is enough to set them circling to gain height and be off to the next water. On the wing they are like no other duck with their slow unhurried wingbeats and peculiar mewing cries which they seem never to utter at other times. , In the monsoon, the Heron tribe are conspicuous by their ab- sence but ever since I have known the tank there has been one solitary Small Cormorant whose favourite perch is a dead log sticking up in the middle of the water. There he spends hours together basking and hanging out his wings to dry in the 598 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX intervals of his fishing. His right to his favourite seat is seldom disputed but on one occasion when a Snakebird paid the tank a visit he had to give way to his larger relative albeit with a very bad grace and the moment the latter departed he was back again. Kingfishers are always in evidence and one or two pairs of the White-breasted and Common Indian Kingfishers are resident. The former obtain as much of their food on land as on the water and are fond of taking up a stance on a tall bamboo on the edge of the jungle where they can keep watch for lizards and large grasshoppers in the short grass of the dried-up margin. Pied Kingfishers often come in from the Cauvery which flows only three miles away but do not linger long. Their hunting methods are those of the trout fisherman rather than the bottom angler, for unlike most of the family they go to seek their prey instead of waiting for it to come to them. The Pied Kingfisher rivals the kestrel in mastery of the art of hovering. The little Indian kingfisher does this sometimes but with the former bird it is the normal habit. It quarters the water systematically, coming up into the wind at every few yards and hanging on rapidly moving wings, head sunk between the shoulders and bill pointing down- wards as-it scans the surface below. If there is anything worth a closer examination it drops a few feet vertically with a jerk as though let down on an invisible string, hovers again for a second to make sure and then turns over and plunges headlong with half-closed wings. A small object like a tadpole may be swallowed in the air but anything larger is carried off to a perch and hammered into subjection in the usual way before being devoured. While one or two colonies of bayas breed annually in the date palms in the tree belt separating the tank from the maidan, it was only this year, 1936, that I found their near relatives, the Streaked Weavers, in residence. They are common enough on the Mysore tanks and it is probable that the poor monsoons of the last three years which have left many of these practically dry, have driven them beyond their usual beat. The bayas like to build over water if they can but their nests are always in trees and may be found well away on dry land provided there are paddy or ragi crops at hand to provide building material. The Streaked Weavers are more particular, and in this part of India at any rate, nest exclusively in reeds in standing water. Breeding starts early | in July as soon as the reeds have reached their full height. The cocks are the first on the scene and at once begin building. They appear to assume breeding plumage very irregularly, many of those hard at work showing but little of the golden cap of full dress though whether this is assumed afterwards I am unable to say. The hens arrive later and only begin to take interest in the nest when it is nearing completion. Streaked Weavers’ nests are much smaller than those of the baya and are not suspended on a long neck while the entrance tunnel is seldom prolonged for more than six inches. A start is made by binding twenty or thirty reeds together about a foot from their tips, and on this foundation is woven a very strongly twisted loop of grass or rather BIRD LIFE ON A SOUTHERN INDIAN TANK 599 strips of reed about 1/16th of an inch in width. These are ripped off the bulrush leaves and apart from mud are the sole materials ~ used. Work proceeds in very definite stages, there being often a pause of several days between each, for it 1s common to see part of the nest withered brown while the new section is. still fresh and green. The second stage is to weave a dome on one side of the loop leaving the bottom open. At this point the nest resembles a helmet with chin strap, very neatly finished off with no loose ends hanging about. Weaving is temporarily. suspended while a band of mud half. an inch wide is plastered all along the nape of the helmet. Until the mud is dry no more is done and many nests for some reason or other get no further than this being either simply abandoned or else cut down and dropped into the water below by their dissatisfied builders. All being well however the bottom of the dome is next filled in forming an egg-shaped purse, the loop making the entrance. It is only after the eggs are laid that the tunnel is built onto the latter and is lengthened sporadically until the young hatch. -- When I first saw the colony it was confined to six or seven nests in one small patch of reeds but by the end of August it had extended to almost every reedbed in the tank and there must have been thirty or forty occupied nests, never however more than half a dozen close together, and many more in an_ incomplete State. An interesting feature was the association of black-headed munias with the weavers. The shores of the tank are a favourite resort of this family of small, brightly coloured finches. At one time or another I have seen all the six species which occur in this area feeding in mixed flocks in the herbage round the water’s edge. The black-headed munias, in their rich chesnut, black and white are much more water-loving than the rest. A few have always nested in the bulrushes. As soon as the weavers arrived and started breeding one or two pairs of the munias took to haunting each group of nests, hopping about among their larger relatives, and even settling on the nests themselves I never saw them go inside nor had they laid eggs in any that I examined so that there seems to be no question of parasitism, but it was certain that as the weavers increased in numbers so did the munias until there were far more than I have ever seen there before. The Weavers took no notice of them whatever and apart from this consort at the nesting site the two species had little in common, the Munias feeding separately or joining flocks of other munia species. About three weeks after the first weaver’s nest was completed, the munias started breeding Operations on their own, making their roughly-built, untidy balls of rushes and grass low down in the reeds only a foot or so above the water, sometimes in the middle of a weaver colony but usually in a separate clump a few yards away. As with most munias the nests are lined with green grass stems, the flowering heads projecting in a frill round the entrance. It seems likely that the true weavers must have evolved their elaborate nests from something very like these primitive structures, gradually learning to split the coarse reed leayes into narrow strips more easily 600 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX workable and developing the fringe round the doorway into a completely enlosed tunnel. A visit to the tank in February or March finds a very different scene and its bird population has quite altered in character. It is at the end of the dry season before the first showers and the sun is daily increasing in strength. The maidan is sere and brown where it has not been blackened by forest fires. The jungle is a bright yellow from the dead leaves which still hang on the bamboos but most of the trees stand gaunt and bare. The only relief from the prevailing black and yellow are the _ brilliant splashes of scarlet where the Flame of the Forest is in flower. The belt of trees near the water however is still green and all the bird life of the neighbourhood seems concentrated in their shade. The tank has shrunk to half its size and the reeds stand up withered and dead where the water has receded beyond them. Here and there small islets and mudbanks appear, the favourite basking places of turtles and an occasional small crocodile. The waterfowl have now no family cares and lead an idle life. Times are hard for the larger beasts of the jungle but for them food is plentiful and easily obtained. The dabchicks are in their dull winter plumage but as noisy as ever. The moorhens’ numbers have been increased by migrants and sometimes a small flock of Coots pay a fleeting visit. The migrant duck and teal seldom come here; they prefer the larger tanks. The heron family @ame in force. Pond herons by the dozen parade the water’s edge, frog- hunting, almost invisible in their drab plumage until they take flight when their white wings flash out from beneath the long concealing coverts in startling fashion. The egrets on the other hand make no attempt at disguise, the dazzling purity of their dress shining from afar. Cattle egrets in small flocks wander about among the erazing buffaloes picking at the ticks and flies that infest them while the other species keep to the water, standing knee-deep, motionless except for an occasional dart of the bill as they spear a fish. In what is left of the reedbeds skulk chestnut bitterns and little green herons. They are difficult to flush and when they do take wing it is only to flop back into cover a few yards on. The reeds, too, often hold a Purple Heron, whose snakey neck is craned above the tops at the sound of approaching footsteps to be followed by a threshing of great wings as he hoists his bulk awkwardly from the ground until, free of entanglement, he tucks up his long shanks, coils his neck back on his shoulders, and wends his stately way to the far end of the lake with a croak of protest at being thus startled out of his accustomed dignity. Rarely an Open-Bill Stork comes in from the Cauvery -and stalks proudly among the lesser fry or stands contemplative on one leg on the topmost branch of a dead tree. There are other less harmless visitors. The waterfowl care little for the Brahminy Kite, the most brightly coloured of all the birds of prey, as he soars and swoops on effortless pinion overhead, for he is a coward and a scavenger though ready enough to make off with a wounded bird. The Marsh Harrier who comes down from the north for the winter meets with more respect. When BIRD EILEE ON A, SOUTHERN INDIAN TANK 601 his slim, long winged shape comes winging low over the reedbeds, quartering the ground with the persistency of a setter, the dab- chicks dive hastily and the moorhens and cotton teal scutter into covert or freeze immobile where they sit. Worse still is the Shahin Falcon who has a hungry brood clamouring for food in their eyrie on the crags of Jainkalbetta. On her approach a death- like silence falls on the scene and woe betide the foolish teal or coot who happens to be in the air when she appears. The tank lies within the beat of a pair of grey-headed fishing eagles but their eyrie is on another stretch of water seven or eight miles away. Serpent eagles are common in the neighbouring jungles in so far as the larger birds of prey can ever be said to be common and find the shores where numerous ratsnakes and monitor lizards come out to bask a profitable hunting ground. I have never seen these birds tackle a really large snake though doubtless they are quite capable of doing so and they are by no means too proud to make a meal off the vulgar Bullfrog when nothing better offers. The great Wader order is well represented in the dry weather by a number of winter visitors, the only resident species being the red-wattled lapwing. One or two pairs of these handsome, long- legged plover breed round the shores of the tank and lay their first eggs about the beginning of April. While they have eggs they are very inconspicuous and leave the vicinity unobtrusively at the approach of a human being, but during most of the year they are the self-appointed watchmen of the community, being the first to spot any possible danger and warning all the other birds with their clamorous, ‘Did he do it, Dick did he do it.’ When they have young their anxiety and noisiness are intensified. Screaming dementedly they swoop round the head of an intruder or flutter helplessly along the ground, playing the old broken wing game and continue their demonstrations until he is well off the premises. Pintail snipe in small numbers lie up for the day in the reed- beds, and seldom show themselves till dusk but the green Sandpipers are much bolder and more numerous. They trip daintily along the waters’s edge, pausing now and then to bob on a stone, or skim lightly across an arm of the tank, flying low over the water, each sharp wing stroke followed by a long glide, displaying the white rump which is their distinguishing feature. Unlike snipe they demand actual standing water for a feeding ground, mere damp marshland is not enough for them. They wade boldly and will often swim across a channel of deep water too narrow to be worth the trouble of taking to the air. They are unsociable birds usually solitary and rarely to be seen more than two together. The smaller wood sandpipers on the other hand while they do not gather in regular well-drilled flocks as do so many of the smaller waders in winter like the company of their kind and form loose associations of twenty or thirty whose members while feeding and moving independently keep in fairly close contact. At this time of the year bee-eaters are much in evidence and this is the only spot in Coorg where I have come across the 602 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL. HIST. SOCTETY, Volz Xie Blue-tailed Bee-eater. This species is common on the West Coast where it is almost a seabird, hawking far out over the estuaries and backwaters often at a considerable distance from land, but in the interior it is very local. Much more numerous is the little Common Bee-eater. Even in the rains a few may be seen round the tank but these are all immature birds. The old ones migrate during the summer months probably eastwards beyond the range of the monsoon. Both these species and sometimes the Chesnut Headed Bee-eater, distinguishable by its lack of the prolonged, needle-like central pair of tail feathers, breed on the tank shores, for, unlike the Kingfishers they do not require a vertical bank in which to burrow but are content to sink their shafts in almost level ground provided the soil is sandy and easily workable. Eggs are laid in April and a month later it is a pretty sight to see the young families perched in rows on the bamboo fronds twittering excitedly as their parents bring them the bees and dragon flies that they hunt so adroitly. While the birds that I have mentioned are the most conspicuous frequenters of Halagote and its surroundings, they are of course not a tithe of the numbers that may be seen there especially in the dry weather when other water is scarce. At various times, practically every species that occurs in the neighbourhood may be seen there, and the probability of meeting something new and unexpected lends excitement to each visit. REVIEWS. MANUAL OF THE MAMMALS OF CEYLON by W. W. A. Puirtips, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., Ceylon, The Director of the Colombo Museum; Dulau & Co., imamdon. _ Price Rs. 10, in England 15s. All sportsmen, naturalists and zoologists interested in the Fauna of British India will welcome this admirable and much-needed volume on the Mammals of Ceylon. The collecting of the species necessary for it and the observations of their habits in the field have occupied for many years most of the leisure hours Mr. Phillips could spare from other duties. During that period dating back to the conclusion of the Great War he published from time to time many papers on interesting specimens he secured and he kept in continual touch with Messrs. Thomas, Hinton and Wroughton in the British Museum, sending them specimens for identification and description and enriching the national collection with many freshly collected skins of which it was greatly in need. The Fauna of Ceylon has an interest all its own wrapt up in its past geological history and its former connection with Peninsular India and subsequent severance from it. Very appropriately Mr. Phillips leads off with its story in his introduction. Here too its physical features are described and these are illustrated by a coloured map showing the dry and wet zones, the central hill ranges, river systems, etc. and also the recently established Game-reserves. The main portion of the volume dealing with the characters and habits of. the different kinds of the mammals is handled in the most approved style. It opens with the Monkeys and closes with the Pangolins and _ nearly one-third of it is taken up by the Rodents. Analytical keys presenting the most striking and obvious differences between the various groups are supplied for their ready identification and all the principal species are illustrated by excellent photographs of the living animal, sometimes depicted in its natural haunts. In addition there are well-drawn figures of heads introduced into the text to show features that escape the camera and, although cranial characters are not especially dealt with in the volume, very good drawings of the skull of the most important types have been wisely inserted. At the end of the volume there is a useful bibiliography, followed by indices of the English, Sinhalese, Tamil and scientific names of the animals. We cordially congratulate Mr. Phillips on the general excellence of this Manual and are grateful to him for it. It will for many years be regarded as the standard work on Ceylonese Mammals. Rais Pe A GUIDE TO COLLECTING BUTTERFLIES OF INDIA. By Lt.-Cot. H. D. Petre. Published by John Bale Sons & Danielsson, London. Price 41-5. Size 88x52x13. Pages xiii-312: 25 plates (1 in colour). The book commences with a coloured plate preceding the preface by Mr. N. D. Riley, Keeper of Entomology in the British Museum and _ lately Assistant Keeper of their butterflies. Then follows a brief introduction by the author: a comprehensive list of contents arranged alphabetically: a list of references and abbreviations: two pages of corrigenda: a ‘Guide to Collecting Butterflies of India’ (19 pages): brief descriptions of over 600 forms of butterflies (203 pages): lists of species from various localities (60 pages): a full index of specific and generic names: and the uncoloured plates (255 figures in all). In the preface, Mr. Riley explains that the object of the -author is to provide a handy volume, not aiming at completeness, but rather at an introduc- tion to the study of such of the butterflies of India as are ordinarily met with. The book certainly fulfils its object: the guide is simple and complete and the plates are excellent. The remarks made below are not written in a spirit of adverse criticism, but with the object of suggesting improvements 604 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST. SOCIETY, Vol. Xx for embodiment in a subsequent edition, which will, it is hoped, be required soon, since a handbook more or less of this type is a real necessity for collectors in India. The price of the volume seems unduly high, when compared with that of other similar works, but this we understand is not the author’s fault. The long list of corrigenda is unfortunate and, it is feared, not complete: for instance ‘Oclodes’ on page 222 should be ‘Ochlodes’ and it is to be noted that this name is not included in the index. The excellent ‘Guide’ calls for very few remarks. On page 1, the distinguish- ing features of the various Families would have been better arranged in the form of a key. The statement on page 4 that common ancestry is an important factor in the case of Mullerian mimicry is contradictory: probably the author had in mind a Mullerian association of closely allied species. On page 6, something might have been said regarding the symbiosis between ants and Lycaenid larvae. Instances should have been given in support of the assertions on page g that androconial scales vary with the season and that some Lycaenids are tailed at one season and not in another: none are known to the reviewer. The statement on page 9 regarding tibial spurs is incorrect, though correct on page 20. In speaking of tails on page 12, mention might have been made of the apparent protection they afford to Lycaenids, where they emanate from eye-like ocelli, inducing an enemy to regard the posterior end of a_ butterfly as the insect’s head. Migration finds no place in the ‘Guide’. The selection of butterflies for inclusion in the main portion of the book was doubtless a difficult matter, but the results are decidedly ‘patchy’. Of the 381 species dealt with the majority are such as were personally known to the author, who collected principally at Mussoorie, Peshawar, Bannu, Miranshah and Fatehgarh. Consequently for the plains of N. India. the West Himalayan hill stations and the N.-W. Frontier Province most of the species that occur have found a place and the author’s observations regarding them are of interest. Odd species from Ceylon, S. India and the higher Himalayas are included, but Darjiling and Assam have been left out in the cold, and the book will be of very little use to collectors in these places. Rare species such as Everes mooret, Euchloé belemia, Vanessa atalanta and Argynnis clara have been included, while such common species as Papilio crino, Cepora nadina, Nacaduba dubiosa, Arhopala centaurus, Udaspes folus, the Notocryptas and Pelopidas guttatus and bevani have been omitted. Mycalesis neavisala (page 84) is not a species. On page 47 a new name, tochica, has been coined for the Tochi form of Pieris rapae, but the description is very scanty. The genus Papilio has been divided into subgenera, a system, which, if required at all, should have been adopted elsewhere. The author has made an effort to bring the nomenclature up to date, but does not emphasise the changes sufficiently : for instance collectors in India will have a shock when _ they realise that such an old friend as Belenots mesentina is now aclled Glycestha aurota. Opinions on specific identity, such as are expressed on pages 65-69 and 171 regarding the species of Colias and Lycaenopsis kollari are out of place in a work of this nature. The descriptions for the most part have been given under the title of ‘Key’: most of them have been taken from keys arranged as keys, but when substi- tuted for descriptions they are apt to be confusing. For instance the beginner will find it difficult to distinguish the species of Lampides (page 184): bochus and celeno are keyed as having the fourth transverse band from the base ending on vein 3, but the corresponding position is not given for cleodus and alecto, while in the case of the latter species the key only deals with the difference between the subspecies. For Lampides the plates will help towards the solution, but for the next genus, Nacaduba, there are no figures and it is feared that the beginner will be quite helpless. For the next edition it is suggested that subspecies should be omitted altogether and more species included. At least one species of each genus should be figured and the descriptions of the species confined to divergences from the figures. In this connection it may be noted that three species, looking almost exactly alike, of the genus Aulocera, are figured, while there are no figures at all of Prionerts. The local lists will prove useful. Rhe. Philippe’s lists for Lahore and Simla might have found a place, while the lists for Cachar, Manipur, the Naga Hills, Chin Hills and Ceylon, might well have been omitted as the majority of species therefrom are not dealt with in the book. REVIEWS 605 There is no index for trivial names and the inclusion in the index of names from local lists seems unnecessary. The plates have been drawn by the author and are excellent for the purpose. Figure 85 represents loha and not padma. Figure 107 looks more like seroca than selenophora. Figure 171 of lohita more nearly resembles syama. Figure 226 of maha lacks the diagnostic spot in the forewing cell. Figure 200 huegelit is repeated as figure 213. Figure 247 probably represents subochracea, and not mathias, which has a dark brand. To sum up, the ‘Guide’ is excellent and the plates are very good: the descriptive portion of the work would have been better had the included species been more carefully selected. VWs (bi GE. March 4, 1937. A BEAST BOOK FOR THE FOCKET. By Edmund Sandars. Pp. 378. London: Oxford University Press; 1937. Price 7s. 6d. This excellent book deals with the Mammals, Reptiles, and Amphibians of the British Isles. ‘After preliminary articles on each Class, Order, or other group the plan of the book is to treat each species separately, giving: (1) the English name ; (2) the scientific name; (3) the habitat; (4) a general description of the visible form, indicating the characters which distinguish it from other species; (5) a general idea of the teeth; (6) of the limbs, and (7) of any notable peculiarity of internal structure; (8) its life history, the young, their number and develop- ment; (9) its yearly life as affected by the seasons; (10) its daily life, including manners and behaviour; (11) food; (12) gait, on land, in air or water, and (13) its voice. A heading ‘‘Varieties’’ is added for the record of albinism or similar oddities and for such local races as have been distinguished as sub-species.’ ‘In the case of a domestic animal the heading ‘‘Habit’’ is replaced by a reference to its “‘origin’’, so far as anything is known, and to its ‘‘uses”’ to Man,: while the heading ‘‘varieties’’ covers the ‘“‘breeds’’.’ The book contains some 215 illustrations distributed on 96 coloured plates, and nearly 200 line drawings interspersed in the text. The latter are surprisingly good; and the small maps showing the distribution and the numerical density of each species are particularly welcome. The notes on the teeth and the gait are excellent; and many will delight in the sketches exhibiting the ‘paces’ of animals, their tracks and their footprints. For the scientific names the author follows the so-called Trinomial System of nomenclature; but by an ingenious device of squaring and cubing he avoids repeating the same word twice or thrice. Thus Meles*® stands for Meles meles meles, Mustela putorius* for Mustela putorius putorius, and Vulpes* crucigera for Vulpes vulpes crucigera. The only jarring sound is that of the Preface, written in a tone so apologetic as to become irritating. Quoth the author: ‘My work has been to collect, compress and as the French say, to ‘‘vulgarize’’,’ . .. Why drag the French in when the Oxford Dictionary has: Vulgarize 2. trans. To make common or popular; to reduce to the level of something usual or ordinary, 1709, and Popularize c. To present (a technical subject, etc.) in a popular form, 1836. jek. GC; NOTE ON THE BURMA WILD LIFE PROTECTION ACT. During the August Session of the Burma Legislative Council the Burma Wild Life Protection Act of 1936 was, after considera- tion, referred to a Select Committee, and after some _ revision, passed without opposition. The Act extends to the whole of Burma. Under Section 28 the Government has power to draw up-rules under the Act. Its prescriptions allow of the declaration as a sanctuary of any eee land which is at the disposal of Government, and, subject to the consent of the owner and to such conditions as may be determined by mutual agreement, any land which is private property. Within a sanctuary no person is permitted— (a) to hunt without the special permission of the Local Govern- ment which is only granted for scientific purposes, or to preserve the balance of animals, or (b) to drive, stampede or wilfully disturb any animal. (Sections 3 and 4.) Section 5 lays down that no person shall hunt, drive, stampede or wilfully disturb any animal or remove any animal Reserved or part or product thereof from a _ reserved forest poterts except under a license. Outside sanctuaries and reserved forests certain animals are Other land declared : — (a) Completely protected—rhinoceros, tapir, argus pheasant and masked finfoot, (b) Protected—elephants, bison, saing, thamin, serow and goral, or (c) Protected during certain close seasons. (a) Completely protected animals can only be hunted under conditions of a special license issued by the Local Government for scientific purposes and no person may possess, sell or buy them alive or dead, or any part or product of, them with the following ex- ception. Any physician or druggist may possess or sell, or any person may possess for private medical purposes rhinoceros blood Or any preparation thereof. This exception is a blot on an other- wise excellent Act, but it was essential for the reason that so many people in Burma have an implicit faith in the efficacy of rhinoceros blood for medical purposes. Had this exception been omitted, the Bill would probably not have been passed. In the past, although possession and sale of rhinoceros blood has been illegal, it has rarely been possible to prosecute the small country physician or the private person who may have possessed small quantities for medical purposes. It is doubtful whether much, if any, of the product known as rhinoceros blood is genuine. The prohibition against hunting and killing, or possessing or selling of ON THE BURMA WILD LIFE PROTECTION ACT 607 parts and products of rhinoceros is, with this exception, absolute and it is hoped that the new Act will render poaching more difficult than it has been up to date, especially as it will probably be applied, at any rate so far as rhinoceros are concerned, to Back- ward Tracts which were outside the area to which the provisions of the old Game Laws applied. (b) Protected animals may only be hunted under license. Without a license it is illegal knowingly to possess or sell or buy such animals alive or dead, or their parts or products. An important addition to the list of protected animals as compared with the previous Game Rules is thamin, the brow-antlered deer, the numbers of which have been very seriously depleted in recent years. (c) Animals protected by close seasons. Hog-deer, sambhur and barking deer are protected from the 15th June to the 3oth September and all game birds from the 15th March to the 3oth September. The possession or sale of such during respective close seasons is prohibited. An entirely new section prohibits the capture, possession, purchase or sale of live snipe, wild duck, teal and wild geese during the whole year. This is an important section designed to prevent the cruelty entailed by keeping these birds alive. No attempt has been made to protect in a similar manner partridges, quail and jungle fowl as cruelty can less well be substantiated. Power to add any other animal by notification to the list of animals protected in any of the above categories has been vested in Government. Section 10 prohibits hunting, by use of poison, pitfalls, machans, hides, pits, or artificial light for animals other than carnivora. It prohibits the shooting of animals other than carnivora from the back of an elephant or any kind of wheeled vehicle or aircraft, and the use of elephant or wheeled vehicle or aircraft to drive, stampede or disturb any animals other than carnivora. Hunting within 200 yards of an inhabited Buddhist monastery or religious edifice for which trustees have been appointed, the use of explosives for fishing in reserved forests and hunting with dogs except in the case of carnivora, hares and birds, are likewise forbidden. Section 11 regulates the export and import of animals. The term ‘animal’ includes all birds, mammals and _ reptiles other than snakes found in a wild state in Burma, and in reserved forests, fish. Outside reserved forests fish come under the pro- visions of the Burma Fisheries Act for which reason it was not possible to regulate fishing outside reserved forests under the Wild levte Protection Act. The Act provides for penalties and gives powers to Forest Officers and Game Wardens to compound offences. Various other powers are given to Police Officers, Forest Officers and Game Wardens under the Act. Exemption is granted to the trustees of the Victoria Memorial Park, Rangoon (Zoological Gardens) for the acquisition, possession, sale, exchange, import and export of any animals. The keeping in captivity of animals and birds other than completely protected or protected animals for purposes of 12 608 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX display, educational purposes or in public parks and gardens is permitted. The above précis of the Burma& Wild Life Protection Act of 1936 may be of interest outside Burma. It has been generally approved in Burma and met very little opposition. The one drawback, to the Act, is that it permits possession and _ sale of rhinoceros blood in certain circumstances, but the fact that such a comprehensive Act has been passed through a modern Legislative Council is a considerable achievement and a noteworthy example of the attitude of the general public in Burma and more especially of the politicians, to wild hfe protection. ee AN APPEAL Wanted Stag Eeetles. I am engaged in preparing a volume upon the Stag-beetles (Lucanidae) for the Fauna of British India series and should be very glad to get into communication with any collectors who might be able to assist. The large males of several Indian species are well known, but there are numerous other kinds which are very inadequately known and females are difficult to identify. I shall be happy to name and return, if desired, any specimens sent to me. Very careful packing is necessary when sending specimens by post. GILBERT iB ARROW, Author of several volumes in the Fauna of British India Series. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. I.—ASSOCIATION BETWEEN A LEOPARD AND A TIGRESS. While tigers and leopards may sometimes be turned out of a somewhat small patch of cover, no such association as that instanced in Iftikhar Ali Khan’s interesting note has been previously recorded. There seems to be no sufficient reason why there should not be hybrids between tiger and leopard. Mr. F. C. Hicks, in his book Forty Years Among the Wild Animals of India, states that he shot ‘an undoubted hybrid between a tiger and a panther,’ described as follows:—‘Its head and neck were purely those of a panther, but with a body, shoulders, and neck-ruff unmistakably of a tiger, the black stripes being broad and long, though somewhat blurred and breaking off here and there into blurred rosettes, the stripes of the tiger being most predominant on the body.’ The animal was an old male, measuring a little over eight feet in length. Unfortunately this unique specimen disappeared in the confusion and illness caused by Mr. Hicks being mauled by a wild beast. In The Field of. 18th January, 1908, the skin of an abnormally- marked leopard, which may have been such a hybrid, is thus described :—‘Although the markings present some approximation to the jaguar type, the head and back are ornamented by an altogether peculiar kind of meshed network of broad buff lines, the first mesh which occupies the head being much larger than all the others.’ The markings are stated to bear no approximation to the tiger type, and it is remarked that tigers are seldom found in the district of the Deccan from which this animal came. But tigers have lines, and meshed markings on the head. In hybrids 1 believe the more primitive type is biologically predominant, so a hybrid tiger-leopard would perhaps be more approximate to the leopard. The fact that tigers are seldom found in the district favours the hybrid theory, for the two species would be more likely to mate where one is seldom found, and where it could find no mate of its own species. CHARLTON KINGs,: Ro Ge BURTON. GLOs. ENGLAND. Brigadier-General. Junuary 29, 1936. Il.—TWO WARY TIGERS AND TWO OTHERS. Receiving news of a kill late one afternoon I hastily had a machan put up over the victim, a well-conditioned cow. The tiger had made a good meal and the cow’s head had been chewed off. Although the ground was too hard for tracks to be seen there was every indication that the kill was that of a tiger. When at MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 611 2 about 7 p.m. a panther rolled up I thought that the kill was possibly the work of two panthers and laid the feline out. Four cases have occurred in this district of two panthers at a time being bagged on a kill, and I now waited for its mate to turn up. Sure enough I soon heard an animal approaching but on its arrival near my tree I was convinced by the heavy tread that it was a tiger. The tiger, as it turned out to be, made the usual detour around and then approached the kill on the side the panther was lying dead. It was now almost dark, but I could tell exactly what was happening: the tiger stopped, evidently spotting the intruder, hesitated but for a moment, then landed on the panther with a mighty leap, and as the latter showed no signs of life started to drag; and here I made my mistake. I should have allowed the tiger to make a meal of the panther, if that was its intention, and then to return to its original kill. The tiger dragged the panther through long grass and for a moment I distinctly saw a whitish patch appear, which I took to be the tiger’s chest, and fired. The tiger bounded away with a roar and did not return again to the kill. On the following morning I found traces of blood and spent three days tracking the tiger with no result. A fortnight later another kill occurred and on arriving at the spot the first thing I noticed was the head of the kill lying to one side, and all around tracks of a big tiger. My Shikari, strictly against orders, had moved the kill slightly to present a better target to the machan. The tiger turned up at about 7 p.m. and, evidently realising the kill had been moved, for one hour stood suspiciously to one side and then slowly walked away and never returned. A week later another kill occurred, here again the head had been severed and the tracks of obviously the same tiger were close by. The kill was in very thick cover and it was necessary to cut away a few branches to enable the kill to be seen from the machan. This too made the tiger, which arrived on the scene just after dark, suspicious, and it abandoned the kill as before. These three kills were on the hills. Subsequently frequent kills occurred on the plateau off the hills and in every case the head of the kill was bitten off, earning for the tiger by now the sobriquet ‘head biter’. Never would the tiger return to its kill the second night, and the killing went on freely for nearly two years. I once thought I had him: I was sitting up over a kill with its head half chewed off. The weather was wretched and at midnight deciding the tiger would, as usual, not return I lay down on the machan. At 5 o’clock in the morning I was awakened by a slight noise on the kill and rose to a sitting position very slowly. I could hear something eating very quietly, and very unlike the noise made by a tiger on its kill. It was a tiger however, an enormous brute, and made the welkin ring with his roars on receiving my shot. To my surprise I found he was tailless. He was duly carried to the road three miles away, tied to the luggage rack of my car, and the huge tailless creature caused great excitement amongst my employees. If he had possessed a tail he would have measured quite ro ft. 612; JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Voli XX xix Soon after this other kills occurred down below with their heads severed and I realised that the head-biter had not been brought to book after all. Three months later two cows were killed near my cattle kraals and there was every indication that the victims were those of the head-biter. The manager of the next Estate and I sat up with the same fruitless result. On the following afternoon I received news that a buffalo had been killed out in the open on a hill above the cattle sheds and reached the spot .in quick: time; a was pleased to see that the tiger had neither eaten nor dragged the kill; here was a chance anyhow. I lay down on a rock not far from the kill with a roll of bedding in front of me as I was determined to spend the night there if necessary. At 6 p.m. just as the light was getting poor the tiger walked out of a large shola and strode rapidly across the open maidan; [ fired as it reached its prey. The tiger leapt into the air with a roar and crashed out of sight into long grass and then into a small shola where I heard it struggling, followed by silence. As it was dark very soon after this, nothing further could be done. We found it dead next morning, and no heads have been bitten off tiger kills since! It measured 9g ft. A month later a large tiger started killing on the hills, and by not returning to his kills on the second night he showed himself to be not less wary than the head-biter. Fruitless nights were spent on machans and I felt there was not much chance of bagging the animal, over a kill at any rate. News came in early one morning that a cow that had strayed from its pen had been killed. As the kill had evidently occurred just before daylight, and the tiger had eaten very little, this seem- ed more promising. I was in the machan at 4 p.m. and at 6 o’clock I heard the tiger nearby. He was the embodiment of caution and having taken one hour to make up his mind to ap- proach the kill and then did so very slowly and cautiously. Instead of feeding, the tiger lay down a yard or two to one side in thick Strobilanthes, and for nearly another hour complete silence reigned while he listened intently for the slightest unusual sound. Partial- ly satisfied he then got up, walked round the kill through the Strobilanthes two or three times growling softly, and _ finally commenced to feed. Immediately my torch shone on the kill the tiger was away in a bound, and this was repeated half an hour later when he made another attempt to feed. The tiger then went away giving tongue angrily and I did not expect to see him again. However at 5:30 in the morning the tiger returned probably very hungry. The tactics he now adopted were to rush the kill, seize a mouthful, and jump to one side into the Strobilanthes where he could eat in safety. This exasperating state of affairs conti- nued till 6 a.m. when it was still dark inside the dense evergreen shola. It was a problem whether to await the coming of daylight or to take the risk of using the torch as the tiger approached the kill for one of his snatch and grabs, and I decided on the latter course as it was uncertain that he would carry on the game until there was light enough to shoot, Awaiting my chance I switched MISCELEANEOUS NOTES 613 the torch on the tiger as he was just about to tear a large hunk of meat from the kill and fired, badly wounding him; but before I could fire my second barrel he got away crashing up against mye tree in his rush. A. few moments: later I; heard, the tiger gasping in the jungle to my right and then silence. When it was quite light I called up my men and very quietly followed the tracks (there was very little blood) through the Strobilanthes which showed clearly the tiger’s line of retreat. The Strobilanthes got thicker as we went slowly forward until we eventually came to a rock where, sensing that we were close to the tiger, I put my men up trees. I was sure I had heard some- thing though what it was I could not tell. After ten minutes of intense silence we _ distinctly heard him breathing heavily in a hollow to our front. The tiger located, I could now form a plan of action: returning on our tracks with my men I sent for a herd of cattle from a nearby pen. The Sholagas were instructed to drive the cattle to the edge of the hollow where the tiger lay, below where we had stopped, to suddenly give vent to almighty yells and shouts to stampede the cattle into the hollow and _ to shin up trees immediately. I was to cut off the tiger’s retreat (outside the shola) in the open grassland, beyond where he was lying up. The plan worked well: I heard the cattle being driven into the shola, then a frightful uproar, and the cattle crashed down into the hollow snorting and bellowing as they scented the tiger or rather where he had been. From where I was sitting on a rock the ground sloped gently down towards the shola, and then steeply to the shola’s edge. Suddenly I heard langurs, sitting on trees in the jungle behind me, giving vent to the particular call they reserve for felines, and looking round the thought struck me that I was too late, that the tiger had crossed over the grass maidan into the jungle beyond before my arrival. I did not realise that the langurs perched on tree tops, could see the tiger walk out of the shola I was covering, before coming into my view, until a growl brought me round again in quick time to find that he had advanced to within a few yards of me: I slew him in the nick of time, a large brute, 9 ft. 6 in. My first shot had wounded the tiger in the stomach, and he would have been a nasty customer to deal with had I not killed him when I did. In September last year my brother-in-law wounded a tiger over a kill he and I were sitting over. The machan was _ placed at an awkward angle, and it was a long shot. Early on the following morning we were on the tracks and soon realised that we were to deal with a tiger with a smashed foreleg. The tracks led out of a deep ravine, in which the kill had occurred, up on to a stony flat sparsely dotted with patches of thick scrub, and here it was most difficult to pick up the tracks with any certainty as the ground was dry and hard. Eventually an excellent tracker we had with us, discovered that the tiger had passed through a small patch of scrub in which he had lain down, and from here on the tiger appeared to have rested in nearly every bit of cover in his path. In the meantime a herd of cattle that had been sent for arrived on the scene and the tracking continued with the 614 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. “SOCIETY, Vol. XXxXix herd spread out ahead. The cattle had just reached a largish area of dense cover lying in a hollow when they were stampeded in all directions by a terrific roar. Here the trailing of a wounded feline with the aid of cattle was put to good purpose: the tiger was located, and it was no longer a case of odds on the tiger if he charged. Advancing cautiously we found he had moved out of the cover and over a rise into another hollow where he was un- doubtedly lying up. Having placed ourselves in suitable positions our trackers threw a stone into the cover, this was greeted with a long-drawn snarl; and at the next stone the tiger charged giving vent to a series of coughing roars. Although handicapped with a broken foreleg and the rising ground he came at a great pace and was within a yard or two of us as he broke cover. Receiv- ing our simultaneous shots he rolled over but was up at once and made a gallant attempt to get at us again; but our second barrels did their work and the tiger crashed headlong down the slope and lay dead, a fine massive brute, 9 ft. in length. HONNAMETTI, ATTIKAN P.O., via Mysore. R. €. MORRIS: November 28, 1936. IIIL—_STRANGE BEHAVIOUR OF A TIGRESS. The following account of a ‘leopard’ on a neighbouring tea garden may interest your readers. The animal first appeared about Christmas time, and for two months stayed in the vicinity, killing at least five calves and one pig, all in houses. On one occasion after killing a calf in a house and taking it out, the marauder was chased away, but returned at 2 a.m. and was fired at and missed. Vet it returned again to take away the kill before daylight. During a space of ten days this animal appeared four nights in the manager’s bungalow compound, and endeavoured to break into the hen-house. Once it appeared at the steps of the back verandah. One night while in the compound two shots were fired at it, both missed. Reports of those who had seen the animal agreed that it was a leopard with a tiger’s face. Thereupon my friend devised a portable all-iron goat trap to catch this extraordinary creature Almost immediately the animal was caught on March oth and turned out to be a tigress, 8 ft. 31in., nearly dry of milk. Cubs were supposed to have been heard of in the district. She was in an emaciated condition, and covered with ticks, some the size of a 3-penny piece. Is it not unusual for a tigress, even though starving and with cubs, to take to the habits of a house- invading leopard? Presuming she had not the strength to kill a buffalo or large bullock, there were thousands of cows and calves throughout the whole district on the fringes of the jungle—an easy prey to the cattle-lifting tiger. BaDLipaR P.O., ASSAM. April 11, 1937. Eb: GEE MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 615 IV.— MEASUREMENTS OF TIGERS IN THE NAGA HILLS, ASSAM. Since 1927, I have kept a careful record of the lengths between pegs of tigers shot on this and on eleven other neighbouring Estates. Total 59—Tigers 27, Tigresses 32. The average length of 18 full grown males is 8 ft., 7 in., and of 25 females 7 ft. g in., only one tiger exceeded g ft., this taped 9 ft. 6 in., and was quite exceptional. I have only three accurately recorded weights. Two large males weighed 330 and 344 Ibs. respectively, and a small tigress 218 Ibs. It would appear that the tigers of this particular district, are definitely smaller animals than those recorded from other parts of India. I would add that the majority are game killers inhabiting the dense evergreen jungles at the foot of the Naga Hills, which tends to support the views of the old Shikaris, that the game killer is a smaller more active beast. TowKok TEA ESTATE, SonaRI P.O., G. He UC- MARSHALL, SIBSAGOR, ASSAM. March 18, 1937. [Mr. Marshall’s measurements of Tigers shot in the vicinity of Naga Hills are of much interest and suggest the need of similar data from different parts of India. We have Sir John Hewett’s record of Tigers shot by him (Rowland Wards’ Records, 1928 edn.) in Garhwal and Naini Tal. Eight males ranged between to ft. 4 in. to 10 ft. 54 in. While 7 females were between g ft. to 9 ft. 3 in. Compared with the measurements given by Mr. Marshall it would appear that tigers in Garhwal are much larger than those from the Naga Hills. Unfortunately Sir John’s records from Naini Tal and Garhwal all relate to large animals and we do not know whether any smaller animals were shot by him in this area and have therefore no means of arriving at conclusion regarding the average size of tigers in Garhwal. It is generally assumed that tigers from South India are on the average smaller than those from Central and Northern India. Average measurements arrived at from records such as Mr. Marshall has kept, if obtained from different provinces, will alone help us to arrive at definite conclusions regarding the size attained by tigers in different parts of the country.—Eps. |. V.—MANGE ON WILD DOGS. I recently shot two wild dogs, a male and a bitch, which were as badly affected with mange as I have seen on any pie dog. The dogs were feeding ravenously on a three-days-old tiger kill, and seemed to be quite active. With the exception of the head, which was blotchy, and the ridge of the back the dogs were almost devoid of hair including 616 JOURNAL, BOMBAY: NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX the tail. The short pig-like tail, free of the brush or hair, and the pink and mangy fleshy appearance of the flanks and stomach gave the dogs quite a revolting appearance. HONNAMETTI ESTATE, ATTIKAN P.O., Via Mysorg, R. C. MORRIS. February 6, 1937. VI.—NOTES ON HARDWICKE’S HEDGEHOG (HEMIECHINUS COLLARIS GRAY & HARDW.,). During a visit to the Great Rann of Kutch, in October 1935, I collected about ten living specimens of Hemiechinus collaris at Kawra, Pachum Island. This hedgehog is quite plentiful around the village. Most of the specimens, I discovered later, were pregnant females. From Kawra to Bhuj, a distance of some fifty miles over roughish tracks, the hedgehogs travelled in a sac on the floor of the car. On arrival at Bhuj they were transferred to a packing case pending my departure for Bombay. To my surprise, the next morning after our arrival at Bhuj, I discovered that the females had discharged their respective foetuses. No two of the _ fcetuses appeared to be of the same term. The only reason I could discover for these wholesale abortions was probably the car drive! An interesting point emerges from this incident. According to Dobson (vide F.B.I., Mammalia, p. 214) the number of young at a birth never exceeds four. But what is the ‘normal’ number? From the premature births referred to above and the disparity of age observed in the foetuses, it would appear that only one at a birth is the ‘normal’! If there were more than one, surely there would have been some foetuses of the same age, and again the number of foetuses would have exceeded the number of hedge- hogs in the box! This was not the case. Hedgehogs appear to be most numerous in the neighbourhood of villages. The reason for this probably being the nature of their diet. They live on almost any refuse. Small mammals, birds, batrachians and reptiles also form part of the menu. In captivity they drink milk readily. These animals soon become quite tame even when caught old. They fight much when several are kept in the same cage. The usual point of attack is the legs and some- times the face. A hedgehog will catch the leg of an opponent and immediately curl up and the leg is usually bitten off—the antagonist is killed eventually piecemeal. Under stress of excitement or pain the call is very kittef-like. BomBay NatTurRaAL History SoOci£Ty, BomBay. C. McCANN. October 24, 1936, ——————————————— MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 617 VII.—SOLITARY BULL BISON (BIBOS GAURUS H. Sm.). I have more than once expressed the opinion that old solitary bull bisons have not necessarily been turned out of the head by younger bulls, a widely-held belief. This has also received support in connection with the African buffalo. My theory is that in the majority of cases the bull arrives at an age when he leaves the herd of his own accord; and in his solitary life he develops in strength. When he wishes to rejoin a herd temporarily during the breeding season he does so, and has no difficulty whatsoever in becoming me master of the herd for 12-14 hours, before retiring from the proximity of the herd daily. In other words he joins the herd at about 5 or 6 p.m., remains till 7 or 8 a.m. in the morning, and then walks away to a secluded place. A case in point: a herd of 4o bisons near here; a fine old solitary, with horns worn down to about half their original length, an immense bull, takes possession of the herd daily in the manner indicated during main breeding season. The other herd bulls fight with each other, but leave the old fellow severely alone; he is obviously more powerful than they are. The breeding season over, the solitary leaves the herd for another nine or ten months. HONNAMETTI ESTATE, ATTIKAN P.O., Via Mysore. R. C. MORRIS. wlanuary 6, 1937. VUI.—WHISTLING SOUND MADE BY BISON (BIBOS GAURUS H. 5m). On page 151 of his book, Wild Animals in Central India, Dunbar Brander refers to the whistling of bisons as one of the most peculiar sounds made by them and associates it with breeding. While shooting in the Cochin State Forests in the early part of December 1935 this whistling was heard by me on two different occasions. On hearing it the first time I thought it was made by some big bird and the tracker on being asked said it was made by a bull bison. Immediately following on the whistling sound, bellowing and crashing in the undergrowth were heard and on going in the direction of the sound, we realised that two bisons were fighting. The wind being unfavourable the fight was interrupted, one bull being seen as he turned round to look at us, while the rest could be heard crashing away into the jungle. The second occasion on which whistling was heard was at about seven in the morning, the sound being repeated two or three times. Iwas unable to come up with this herd. I feel sure that this whistling sound has to do with the breeding season as most of the bull bison have joined the herds by November 618) JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HAIST..SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX in these forests. I saw a bison bull jump a cow early in Novembe 1934 in the same locality. TANJORE, C. HoH. BIDDUEPREF February 9, 1937. IX.—COLOURATION OF THE BISON’S SNOUT AND TONGUE With reference to Mr. C. H. Biddulph’s note, in Journal, vol XXXIX, Pp. 165, On variation in colouration of the exposed part of two bull bisons’ snout and tongue: it is not at all uncommon to see the snout of mature bulls pinkish in colour: though rarely so in the case of cows. One bull, a solitary, I recollect seeing some years ago, had a snout that was almost red! The colour of the tongue varies from white, greyish-white, to grey. HONNAMETTI ESTATE, ATTIKAN P.O., Via Mysore. R. C. MORRIS. S.- india February 4, 1937. X.—REPLACEMENT OF HORNS IN NILGAI. I was very interested indeed in Mr. Hall’s notes on ‘The Growth of Horns in Nilghai’. So far I have shot well over a hundred of these ungainly antelopes. As far as my observations go they are as follows. I don’t think the Nilghai sheds its horns in such a way as deer do, nor do I think the horn is shed revealing new ones of small size at the base. At least they do not do it on our side of the world. In all I have seen six or seven Nilghai shed their horns. All these had average size horns. But it was the outer covering that was peeling off the horn and the inside horn was of the same length as the one that was chipping off in pieces. Sometimes the outer covering takes quite a time to come off. First the outer horn cracks along the length of the horn and then due to friction made by the Nilghai rubbing its head against a tree the horn starts falling in small bits revealing a beautiful shining black horn inside. So far I have not seen such shedding of horns in small males. It is always the big full-grown bull that sheds. In my opinion they must be shedding at very long intervals. Any way I should very much like to know more about it. Ranjit ViLAs PALACE, W ANKANER, CHANDRABHANUSINHIJI April 5, 1937. [As indicated in the Editor’s comment to Mr. Hall’s note (J].B.N.H.S., vol. xxxix, No. 1, p. 172), horn replacement, when it takes place among Bovines is not effected by the shedding of the horns, but by a process of exfoliation, the older horn pealing MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 619 off gradually till the fully developed new horn underneath is bared. The above note confirms the view that such horn replacement takes place in the Nilgai. An interesting point is that the replace- ment in nilgai is effected not during adolescence but in maturity.—Ebs. |. XI.—AN ELEPHANT 170 YEARS OLD. (From The Times, London). In connexion with the longevity of animals, concerning which some correspondence appeared in The Times a few weeks ago, my attention has been drawn by Dr. P. E. Pieris, Trade Commissioner for Ceylon, to a record of a remarkably long-lived Asiatic elephant. In a translation of Joao Ribeiro’s ‘Ceilao’ by Dr. Pieris (third edition, 1925) mention is made of a famous elephant, Ortela by name, which was probably a fully adult animal prior to the siege of Colombo in 1656, since we are told that the animal at this time had ‘offspring and descendants.’ The same specimen is referred to by Emerson Tennent in his ‘Natural History of Ceylon’ (1861) as still being alive when the British flag was hoisted in Colombo in 1796. This elephant is reported by Tennent to have been found in the stables by the Dutch on the expulsion of the Portuguese in 1656 and served under them during the entire period of their occupation, more than 140 years. During the siege of Colombo, Ortela was the only elephant out of 15 animals which was not eaten by the defenders, and it is said that it did much useful work in bringing up trees to repair the breaches in the city walls. From the evidence available it would appear that an elephant’s age is determined by its teeth, and that as soon as the last molar tooth is in position on each side of the jaws a period is set to the animal’s existence. Elephants’ grinders succeed each other by horizontal, not vertical succession, moving forward in the arc of a circle and pushing the old teeth out in front. There are six cheek teeth developed on each side of both jaws, three being the so-called ‘milk molars’ and three the permanent molars. Not more than one, or parts of two or sometimes three teeth, are in wear at one and the same time, the elephant being very economical regarding the use of its teeth. Each successive tooth with the exception of the fourth, or first permanent molar, is more complex than _ its predecessor, the number of ridges increasing according to the following formula: 4, 8, 12, 12, 16, 25; this formula applies only to the Asiatic elephant, the African beast having its teeth arranged on a more simple plan, the ridges not being so numerous (3, 6, 7, 7, 8, 10-12). Doubtless when the animal’s diet is free of grit or sand the teeth will last longer than when these impurities are present, but under the most advantageous circumstances an elephant living for 170 years or so is a fact which is very astonishing. British Museum (Naturat History), CROMWELL Roap. GUY DOLLMAN. April 21, 1937. 620. JOURNAL, BOMBAY. NATURAL. HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. xx XII.—WHALE-BONE WHALE STRANDED ON THE TRAVANCORE COAST: A whale was stranded on the sea-side at Pulluvila about 12 miles south of Trivandrum on the morning of 4th February 1937. The animal had been dead a few days; for when I inspected it on the following day the flesh was in an advanced state of dis- integration, and some of the bones, blubber and the guts were exposed. It measured 45 ft. in length and the girth at the fore limbs (fins) has been estimated at ro ft. Other measurements evidently could not be obtained. The baleen plates had decayed and the jaw bones were exposed. From what could be seen of the specimen, I am of opinion that it belongs to the Balznoptera sp. probably Balenoptera indica. While preparing the skeleton for acquisition to the local Museum a few bones of the left fin have been found to be shattered. Instances of whales set ashore by the sea have been rare on the Travancore coast. In February 1902 a False Killer (Pseudorca crassidens) was stranded at Trivandrum and a big Baleen. Whale was reported to be found at Rajakkamangalam also on the South Travancore Coast in about January 1904. None else have recently been recorded. It is noteworthy that in all these instances the time has been between January and March. GOVERNMENT MUSEUM, TRIVANDRUM, TRAVANCORE STATE. Ro V“PODUVAES ‘February 15, 1937. Officer-in-Charge. XITI.—UNCLEAN ANIMALS. Hares once given the opportunity, without doubt are filthy feeders. The ordinary jungle animal living remote from villages is quite fit for human consumption. The same applies to the wild pig: there is little that is offensive in his diet and flesh and I have often eaten him. But when human excreta is readily available it is their ‘habit’ to eat it; just as rabbits make a ‘habit’ of dealing with corpses when similarly placed. During the famines in the Central Provinces, a temporary population of some 5 to 10,000 persons would be collected on a construction camp—say the bund of a tank. This population lived in the adjoining fields. Hares in numbers used to collect round these camps and apart from often having seen them eating excreta, their breath testified in an ‘overwhelming’ manner to their habits. It may be of interest to mention that the ancient Jews recognised the uncleanly habits of hares in laying down the law as to what shall be ‘clean’ and ‘unclean’ flesh. They tried to base this on certain general laws of nature, which would have general applica- tion. In attempting to do this they got wrong in their Natural History, although they were sound in their hygiene, which was the MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 621 purport of the prohibitions. ‘And the Hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof—he is unclean to you’ (Lev. x, 6). It is beleved that Mohammadans generally follow the same law, also Armenians and Laplanders: and it was forbidden food to ancient Britons on religious grounds: a very common device of enforcing a law which might otherwise be ineffective. { have never known the Painted Partridge behave in any way which would make him suspect: I can hardly say the same of the Black Partridge, but my experience of him is not sufficient to have any weight. The Grey Partridge on the other hand used to collect round famine camps, and can often be seen round villages busy with excreta, and his breath is often unspeakable. Both varieties of Jungle fowl are also suspect, sometimes quite definitely ‘guilty’: but not nearly so to the same extent as the grey partridge. While on this subject I would warn your readers to vet any peacock they propose to eat. I have often turned out a lump of pure human excreta as big as a tennis ball, out of a peacock’s crop: it is advisable, if near a village, invariably to smell the breath. IVYBANK, BISHOPMILL, ELGIn N.B., SCOTLAND. A. A. DUNBAR-BRANDER. January 12, 1937; XIV.—CLOSE SEASONS FOR BIG GAME—ARE THEY BENEFICIAL? It may be taken that a close season in respect of game animals and birds is imposed in order to ensure their being undisturbed during either the breeding season or when the young are being born. There is no doubt that in the case of birds a close season is very necessary; but under present conditions it is becoming increasingly apparent that in India, except for a few areas very strictly protected, wholesale poaching of, game of both sexes is such a serious menace that a close season now defeats its own object by allowing the poacher unhindered scope for his pernicious activities. Further, in an examination of the close season (15th June to 15th October) as applying to South India it is found that the imposition of a close season to cover big game in general is of little value. Sambhur : Breeding season mainly November-December—Open season. Young born, August-September (also June-July)—Close season. 622 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HiST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXiXx Chital: Breeding season chiefly, April-May—Open season (though breeding occurs, and young born, throughout the year, ac- cording to age). Young born chiefly, November-December—Open season. Muntjac (Jungle Sheep) : Breeding season: October-November—Open SSeS, Young born, April-May—Open season. Chausinga (Four-horned Antelope) : Breeding season July-August—Close season. Young born, January-February—Open season. Bison: Breeding season mainly, November-March—Open season (July- August to a lesser extent). | Young born mainly, August-December—Partly Open season (April-May also to a lesser extent). dipser: Breeding season chiefly, April-May (also October-November)— Open season. Young born chiefly, February-March (also August-September) : Open season. Panther: Breeding season mainly, December-January (also May-June): Open season. Young born mainly March-April (also September): Open season. Bear: Breeding season chiefly, April-May—Open season. Young born chiefly, December-January—Open season (also August to a lesser extent). Blackbuck : Breeding season chiefly, April-May—Open season. Young born, September-October—Close season. Where lies, in the majority of cases, the protection a close season is supposed to afford? Under the circumstances, and in view of the fact that during the close season a very large number of animals are slaughtered by poachers who cannot then be disturbed by sportsmen in the jungles, I consider that a general close season in respect of big game should be abolished in South India. HONNAMETTI ESTATE, ATTIKAN P.O., Via Mysore. R. C. MORRIS; October 31, 1936. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 623 XV.—OCCURRENCE OF THE RUFOUS SHORT-TOED LARK (CALANDRELLA BRACHYDACTYLA DUKHUNENSIS SYKES) IN NORTHERN BURMA. The Fauna (2nd Edition) states that this Lark ‘occurs in Burma’, but apart from one specimen obtained by Dates near Pegu on April 25, 1880, no one seems to have observed or obtained it, and it has not yet been recorded from Yunnan. On April 6, 1936, I shot a single bird out of a flock of 20 or 30, which was feeding on a bare patch of stubble close to Myitkyina. The flock remained circling over the plain for the next half hour but when they eventually alighted, I was unable to find them again owing to the presence of a Peregrine Falcon. The weather at the time was unusual, very cold with occasional heavy rain-storms and possibly these birds were driven down from the higher hills. La Touche however noticed this species on passage in Eastern China between April rith and roth; I am quite certain that these are the first Short-toed Larks I have ever come across in Burma. I am indebted to Mr. N. B. Kinnear for identifying this specimen which is now in the British Museum, with the other Burma specimen. Lonpon. ]. K. STANFORD, 1.c.s. January 16, 1937. XVI.—THE EGG-LAYING OF THE KHASIA HILLS CUCKOO (CUCULUS CANORUS BAKERI HARTERT). We record an extract from an article by Mr. T. R. Livesey contributed to the Times of India Annual, 1937 in which the author gives his personal observation of a cuckoo depositing her egg in an inaccessible nest at Taunggyi, S. Shan States, Burma, on the 24th April 1936. The cuckoo concerned is the Eastern Cuckoo (C. canorus bakeri) and the selected fosterer was the Burmese Stone Chat (Saxicola caprata burmanica). The article in an amended form is reproduced by courtesy of Mr. Francis Lowe, Editor of the Times of India, Mr. Livesey describes the incident as follows :— ‘On April 22, at about 4 p.m., a cuckoo came flying slowly to the corner of the stubble field, some 60 yards from my cottage. It settled on the ground within 20 yards of me and began looking about. JOURNAL, BOMBAY > NATURAL “HIST? SOCIETY, Vol. Xx xan On the 18th March 1924 I found a nest containing two well incubated eggs, in a hole in the side of a deep, dry watercourse, in the hills west of Jungshahi in the Karachi district. The eggs were placed on the bare sand. The female sat close and was flushed off her nest by. my approach and that of a Jokhio tracker, while we were following the spoor of a ‘chink’ along the bed of the dry nulla. The male was found perched on a Khor tree growing out of a clump of Thuar in a small ravine hardby.. On the ground below were many pellets consisting chiefly of the bones of small rodents. Again, on the 26th March 1931 in the Rohri Kohistan, near the ruins of the ancient city of Aror, in Sukkur district, I found a nest in the side of small ravine, overgrown with Thuar (cactus) and Ixhor, a species of Acacia which grows on stony hills in Sind. The nest contained two well grown young, one very much bigger than the other. Both parents were found in the same nulla, the female being flushed off her nest. The usual castings littered the ground below the nest and the Khor tree on which the male was seated. The pellets which were the usual, long, cylindrical ovals, about the size and shape of the egg of a Common Grouse, consisted, as those found on former occasions, chiefly of the bones of small rodents. Skull and maxillary bones with teeth intact being as before, very much in evidence. The nest, a hole about 2 feet deep and 18 inches in diameter was quite bare of any kind of lining and the entrance, which was below a large boulder, was partly concealed by a clump of dried, coarse grass. As I approached the nest the young owls backed into their home, hissing alarm and making loud, snapping noises with their beaks. I took them to Sukkur, where they had the run of a back verandah and became very tame. About two months later however they suddenly sickened and died after a fortnight or so. I was unfortunately unable to provide them with sufficient in the way of natural diet. Sparrows and mice they swallowed whole and made no bones about it. Though they greedily ate chopped, raw meat I am afraid that it eventually killed them, as when on this foreign diet, in the absence of birds, beetles, squirrels and mice, they made no castings for days and this disarrangement of Nature’s working was, I am sure, the root cause of all their trouble. I was indeed sorry to lose Babbar and Takar, as I had named them. They made most interesting pets. More of them anon, as I hope some day to perpetuate their memory in an article devoted wholly to them. On the 27th February 1936 I again found a nest, this time containing 3 young and an addled egg, in some sand bhits, about 6 miles north-east of Umarkot, in the Thar Parkar district. The nest, a hole about 2 feet deep and 18 inches in diameter, in the sloping side of a nulla, was partly concealed by a dried clump of Khip growing immediately above the entrance, and devoid of any kind of lining. The three young birds were all of different sizes. The biggest was quite three times the size of the smallest. The two older birds, one of whom was able to stand and walk and had its quill feathers sprouting, objected strongly to being handled MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 633 and expressed their alarm and resentment, in the manner peculiar to owls, by making hissing noises and sharply snapping’ their powerful beaks. The youngest in fine down was just able to squat and balance itself precariously with the aid of its beak. The female sat very close and permitted me to approach within about 15 feet before she flew off. The nest inspite of containing 3 young was scrupulously clean. I found the male seated stolidly in a stocky Khumbat tree growing out of a dense clump of Thuar in a small ravine nearby, a bifurcation of the same nulla. The feathers and feet of a Ring Dove were found at the entrance of the nest. Below, were the usual castings which consisted mainly of the head and jaw bones of small rodents. : Old castings littered the ground below a Khumbat tree, a species of Acacia which grows on sand bhits in the Thar desert, about 20 yards higher up the nulla, the presence of which told a tale and resulted in the discovery of the nest. I was informed by Tharis that this owl is not uncommon in the sand bhits of Thar Parkar and a Kolhi tracker, who was with me at the time, told me that he knew of a ravine in some bhits about 8 miles south-east of Umarkot where a pair of these owls had had their home for years. The ravine where the nest was found was about 12 miles, as the crow flies, from the nearest fresh water. Since this owl has been found resident and breeding in Northern, Central and Southern Sind, both east and west of the Indus, it must also occur in the hills bordering the west of the Province, such as the hills around Pir Mangho, Khar, Surjana, Lakhi and the Khirthar range, besides isolated chains and groups scattered about.the Province, such as the Makli ridge and the hills around Khadeji, Jhirruck, Pir Patho and Bram Hyderi, where there is suitable habitat for this owl. Most places where the Rock Horned Owl is likely to be found are unfortunately off the beaten track of the touring official and the lack of water, food supplies, transport, fodder anid communica- tions, not to mention the intense heat, at times, even during the winter months are, in main, reasons why. so little is known about this owl in Sind, as its domains are seldom encroached upon, except by ardent Shikaris after game, who have neither the time nor the inclination to bother about owls, even if they are ‘horned’. Kan EAE Ss He Z.Ss, MaB.O.U. KARACHI. November 26, 1936 XX:-—OCCURRENCE.OF THE CHINESE LESSER KESTREL (CERCHNEIS NAUMANNI PEKINENSIS SWINH.) IN NORTHERN BURMA. In 1935 Mr. A. K- Thompson, Burma Frontier Service, sent me the unsexed skin of a Kestrel obtained in the Sumpralum Subdivision of the Myitkyina district. This proved, as I expected, to be 634 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX Cerchneis naumanni pekinensis, and the skin which has been identified by Mr. N. B. Kinnear, is now in the British Museum. The only previous known occurrence of this Kestrel in Burma was recorded by me in the Journal (November 15, 1932) when I obtained two males in April out of a large gathering in South Pegu. LONDON JO K. STANFORD, t.cis: February 6, 1937. XXIL—-NOTES ON BIRDS OF PREY IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. Haliactus leucogaster (Gmel.) The White-bellied Sea-Eagle. In volume xxxviil, No. 3, mention is made of this bird in the account of the Vernay Scientific Survey of the Eastern Ghats and the uncertainty regarding its distribution along the coast line of the Madras Presidency. I have recorded the presence of this bird on Rameswaram Island and the Pamban Pass during all the months of 1930 excepting April, the greatest number being seen from September to November. I was unable to find any evidence of the bird nesting on the Island. Further records have been kept by me from 1933 to 1935 of a pair which have nested at Cuddalore, the information collected is reproduced in the form of notes for easy reference. 28-11-33. Nest on a pipal tree about a mile inland and at a height of about 4o feet from the ground.. One egg, fresh, white in colour stained with dirty yellowish and brown streaks which do not wash off. Size 2.73) X2.00 @ The birds were watched until 15-12-33 but did not lay again. The whole nest including a large part of the tree being blown down by a severe cyclone on that date. 22-11-34. The same pair it is presumed built a new nest, again on a pipal tree, about 200 yards away from the former one. This nest was about 30 feet from the ground and was not quite as large as the previous one. One egg, fresh, similar to the previous one, size 2.84" x 2.05". 15-2-35. Nest examined again as both parent birds were seen in the vicinity continually from 22-11-34. The nest contained one fledgling about the size of a country fowl. Remains of fish were seen on the ground below the nest, also a fresh sea snake about 18 inches in length. The parent birds merely flew round and did not attempt to attack the man who climbed the tree. | MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 635 15-11-35. Both birds seen at the nest which was being re- conditioned by them. 8-12-35. One bird seen sitting low on the nest. It was presumed the egg had been laid. One young one hatched and seen sitting in or on the edge of the nest during January 1936. This young one was seen during February sitting on or near the nest and was by that time practically the size of the parent birds. The colouring was not nearly so clear or defined as in the parent birds. Both eggs taken are with me and are available for the museum collection if of interest. Circaétus ferox (Gmelin). The Short-toed Eagle. In the account of the Vernay Scientific Survey of the Eastern Ghats, Part xiii, in Volume xxxvili, No. 3, of the Journal mention is made of only one record being available of this bird’s nest being taken by Stewart in Travancore. Nothing further appears to be known of its habits in the Madras Presidency and in order to remedy the omission this note is submitted of my observations of the bird, its nest and the single egg obtained by me on 11-1-34 near Vallam Ridge at Tanjore. The nest, which was unusually small for the bird, was situated at about 12 feet from the ground on a thick and very thorny babool tree in scrub jungle. The materials used in the construction consisted of small dried twigs, the inside lining being of thinner twigs and some green mango leaves which had dried after being placed in the nest. The bird under observation, one only having been seen, was a close sitter and although some stones were thrown at the nest that day it was found the bird merely raised itself in the nest and then settled down. The following day when the egg was taken the bird only left the nest when the men commenced chopping away the thorny twigs to enable them to climb the tree. The single egg, which measures 3.00” x 2.28”, was pure white and devoid of any gloss. TANJORE. CrH. BIDDULPH, February 9, 1937. | XXII.—UNUSUAL SITE FOR THE NEST OF THE WHITE SCAVENGER VULTURE |[NEOPHRON PERCNOPTERUS GINGINIANUS (LATH.)]. A Scavenger Vulture was observed carrying nesting material early in February 1934 and.on being watched the partly built nest was found on a termite hill situated in the waterspread of an irrigation tank. The termite hill was about five feet in height and was divided into two or three points at the top, the nest being situated between these points. 636 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL ISI SOCIEDYj 27 ol. exon The site was quite exposed from every direction and the ground ti the vicinity was not so wet as to prevent an easy approach to the nest. The first egg, which was laid on 22-3-34, was taken immediately as it was feared that cowboys would destroy the nest and eggs. The egg which measured 2.80” x 2.00” was a very fine example of the reddish-white type profusely blotched with red brown. Although the nest was watched for weeks no further eggs were laid, nor did the birds lay in the same nest in 1935. A pair of these birds did nest on a banyan tree on the tank bund nearby and I took two fresh eggs on 22-2-35- The date is interesting as it is exactly a_year later and @ wonder if it may not be the same birds as nested in the tank bed in 1934? These two eggs were faintly marked with fine red brown spots and measured: 2.50)" 2700 and 2462, x 2.¢0!: TANJORE. C. -H. BIDDULPH: February 6; 19037. XXIITI.—BEHAVIOUR OF JERDON’S LITTLE RINGED PLOVER. (CHARADRIUS DUBIUS. JERDONI LEGGE) WOE YOUNG. On the 21st March 1925 while working the banks of the Gogra river near Magarsee, Fyzabad district, I came across a pair of these birds on an unfrequented sand bank about 50 yards from the main stream. The female on sighting me became very restless and tried her utmost to lead me away by running off in a direction directly opposite to that in which her nest was later located. As J approached the spot where both birds had originally been seen she became more and more agitated. Suddenly with a ‘cheep’ ‘cheep ‘che—ep’, She took to wing playing the part of the proverbial damsel in distress exceedingly well. She fluttered along the ground, her tail spread, fanwise, downwards, shamming a broken wing, fluttering low, hesitating, shambling, pausing every few seconds to see if I was following her. I did follow her for a while, to see how far she would take me from her nest. She took me on gaily, keeping about 20 yards ahead the whole time, increasing or slackening her speed according to mine in order to keep her lead. After proceeding thus for about 100 yards I stopped. She continued her antics for a while, but finding that I was not following her, she stopped and after a moment or two, suddenly flew up with a sharp cry, took a swift half circle to my left, settled about roo yards away and ran in a bee-line to a spot where lumps of dried blue-bull droppings were lying about and sat down quietly, settling herself in the sand. Her mate, who had run off in a different direction, uttering short, sharp cries, now stood and MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 637 viewed the proceedings from a small sand ridge about 80 yards away, uttering an occasional, woeful ‘cheep’. I rooted my eyes to the spot where the female had settled herself, she was now quite invisible to the naked eye, and made straight for the place. As I approached I noticed her slipping off in a crouching position, just a momentary glimpse through the corner of my eye, as I dared not take my eyes off the exact spot where she had settled, and there I found on the edge of a small sandy depression, in the midst of scattered lumps of dried Nilgai droppings, a slight scraping, in which lay crouched two nestlings in down and an addled egg. The nest was devoid of any kind of lining. The tiny chips of drift wood or bits of dried grass or roots at times found in the nest of this Plover were quite absent. The mottled nestlings lying with necks outstretched against a sandy-clay background were an ideal example of protective colour- ing and blended so well with their surroundings that a_ close inspection alone could distinguish them. The young chicks, which could not have been more than a few hours old, as the egg shells were still in the nest, remained perfectly passive, permitting me to remove the addled egg and broken egg shells without making the slightest movement. They appeared to freeze instinctively and remained without any visible movement even when touched lightly with the tips of my fingers. The parents remained some distance away, about 60 yards, making short agitated runs and uttering plaintive cheeps. I then moved away in an opposite direction to the parent birds, sat down in the sand about 4o yards away from the nest and waited developments. The female was the first to approach her chicks, she settled about 10 yards from them and after a little hesitation made straight for them, uttering short, plaintive cheeps. The male meanwhile once again became very excited and did his utmost to lead me away from the nest by running off in an opposite direction and playing the broken wing game to perfection. I however paid not the slightest heed to his frantic efforts to entice me away and continued closely to watch his mate through prismatics. She went right up to her chicks but in place of settling over them as expected, she uttered low, twittering cries and to my surprise and interest, both chicks found their legs and tottered unsteadily after her, answering her calls with feeble ‘peeps’ and doing their little utmost to keep up with her. She led them a few yards from the nest and sat down with them in some sprouting tamarisk about four to ten inches in height, and there settled herself. Though now out of sight, I could still hear the faint ‘peep-peep’ of her chicks, which gradually died down to an occasional ‘peep’ and finally to complete silence. The male meanwhile recovered his normal balance and _ after preening himself for a while began to feed on the sand_ bank, moving away from the spot where his mate had taken and con- cealed their chicks. I moved closer to the concealed female and when about twenty yards off noticed her slink away crouchingly through the sprouting tamarisk and take to wing about ten yards G38 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST. SOCIETY, Vol, XO from her concealed young. She repeated her broken wing tactics, which were taken up by the male, who became more excited on this occasion than his mate, almost throwing himself into con- vulsions in his frantic efforts to attract my active - attention, fluttering and rolling in a direction opposite to that taken by his mate. I went up to the patch of cover and found both chicks again frozen into immobility, lying side by side in the shelter of the sprouting tamarisk, necks stretched out, flush with the ground, eyes open, without the slightest movement, a part of the sand on which they lay as immobile as stone, and, so I left them. I once again moved away, but this time a good hundred yards and watched the scene through binoculars. The male soon joined his mate, alighting a few feet from her. She then moved off and after a moment or two flew directly to her chicks, and appeared to settle down. Shortly after she came out into the open and began feeding quietly a few yards from her mate, apparently satisfied that the strange human had come and gone in peace, and so I left them and their charming wee chicks. K..R. EATES,-:Z.S.; M-BeOnge ICSARACHI, November 26, 1936. XXIV.—INTERGRADATION OF THE RACES OF THE SPOT-BILLED DUCK (ANAS POECILORHYNCHA FORSTER). By separate parcel post I send the skin of a duck which I recently shot. Could you very kindly tell me what species the duck is. It was shot on 25th November 1936 on a backwater of the Somkong river at the western end of the Pasighat subdivision of the Sadiya Frontier. The duck was in company with some Mallard and Gadwall and appeared to be the only one of its species in the flock from which I shot it. PASIGHAT, R. E. PARSONS, N. E.. FRonTIER, Astt. Political Officer. ASSAM. December 10 1936. [The duck obtained by Mr. Parsons is a spot-billed duck (Anas poecilorhyncha) but as it could not be exactly identified with the typical form, or with the Burmese race (Ad. p. haringtont) or with Eastern form (A. p. gonorhyncha), we submitted it to Stuart Baker who writes: ‘The skin of Anas poecilorhyncha which you have forwarded to me is a most interesting one. It is exactly inter- mediate between A. p. zonorhyncha and A. p. haringtoni. Like the former, it has no posterior wing-bar but, like the latter it has a green speculum (as also in poecilorhyncha) and not purple-blue as in haringtont. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 639 As specimens of A. p. haringtoni have been obtained in Assam which were quite true to type 1 should prefer to cali this particular specimen an aberrant haringtoni rather than an aberrant zono- rhyncha, though either term would apply equally truly. I obtained specimens of this duck in the Dibrugarh District (J.B.N.H.S., vol. xxii, p. 850) as did others, while Stevens shot a fair number in North Lakhimpur (:bid vol. xxi, p. 743). The great point of interest in this individual is the way it shows how geographical races tend to vary in the direction of those nearest to them in geographical distribution.’—Ebs. | XXV.—OCCURRENCE OF MALLARD (ANAS PLATYRHYNCHA LINN.) AT HOSHANGABAD. On January 8th 1937 I saw seven mallard (Anas platyrhyncha) on a jheel in the Hoshangabad district of the Central Provinces and watched the birds through binoculars and eventually shot one, a drake. There were 2 drakes and 5 ducks. I understand that the mallard is a rare visitor to the Central Provinces. The abnormally cold weather of January 1937 perhaps accounted for this unusual migration. HOSHANGABAD, J. MILES STAPYLTON. February 6, 1937. AXVI.—THE NUKHTA OR COMB DUCK (SARKIDIORNIS MELANOITOS PENNANT) IN ASSAM. On the 11th instant I came across three of these birds, they were separated from each other, only one being within range, which I promptly bagged, a young drake. The other two went off after my shot. On looking up Stuart Baker’s book on ‘Indian Ducks’ I find he mentions these birds having been found in Cachar, Sylhet and the North Lushai Hillis, but makes no mention of Assam itself. On referring this particular instance to Mr. John Higgins, our Commissioner and a well-known authority in Assam on_ such feathered game, he writes to say ‘I have never heard of a Nukhta in the Assam Valley. I saw two that had been shot on the Loktah lake in Manipur in cold weather 1g11-12-, ete.’ I shall be glad to hear through readers of your Journal, in Assam whether they have seen or heard of this duck being shot. NacacnooLig TEA Estate, W. M. LE MARCHAND. OakLANDs, P.O., DrsprucaRu, T.O. igebruary 19, 1937: 14 640 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXiX AXVII.—OCCURRENCE OF THE GREAT-CRESTED GREBE (PODICEPS CRISTATUS CRISTATUS L.) AT MAYMYO, UPPER BURMA. A single bird was seen on the lake at Maymyo, 3,500 ft., in Upper Burma, on the 8th March 1937. It stayed for four days, sitting most of the time in a patch of reeds growing up out of the water in the middle of the lake. It was first spotted by Major Sullivan of the Burma Rifles, who pointed out the bird to me. Records of this bird are few enough to make it worthy of mention. Previous records in Burma are listed by Stanford (i bisy April19e5, p27). Maymyo, P. F, GARTHWAITE, srs Marcel 14,31637. XXVIII.—BIRDS AND ANTS. I can give another example of the action referred to in Note xxv on pages 624-631 of vol. xxviii. When in Shillong on 15th June 1924 I was in the bungalow and in the evening watched a Drongo, which flew down onto the ground on the path outside the window, and was picking up ants. It picked up an ant in its beak and then applied its beak to the root of its tail (and occasionally also beneath its wings, so far as I could see) and then swallowed the ant. It repeated this performance for quite five minutes. RODBOROUGH Fort, T. BAINBRIGGE FLETCHER. SPROUL, Glos. January 17, 1937. XXIX.—A BLOODSUCKER (CALOTES VERSICOLOR) ATTACKING AN ADULT- BIRD. Such an attack was recently observed by me and as the circumstance was considered unusual it was decided that it may be worth recording. While walking along an irrigation channel bund one evening the noise made by two larks and their behaviour caused me _ to stop and watch what was a serious battle between them. One bird slightly depressing its wings and moving its head up and down advanced towards the other, which on its part backed away although in the same attitude and just as prepared to fight. Unobserved by me the bloodsucker, which was a largish male, suddenly darted out from some small bushes when the larks met and were rolling about together, having as it seemed their beaks locked. He grabbed one of the birds by the primaries, but almost immediately lost his grip as the bird fluttered away. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 641 The bloodsucker moved away about a yard and settled down within sight of both the larks which within a minute or two resumed the fight, apparently quite indifferent to the fact that their attacker was so near. The fight between the birds was very shortly after interrupted by some urchins coming up to see what I was watching. Instances are known of bloodsuckers visiting nests of small birds and eating the eggs and nestlings and it may even be possible for them to catch and kill fledglings of the smaller species of birds, but in this instance it would appear that the bloodsucker actually attempted to secure a fully grown bird and it is wondered what he would have done with it even had he succeeded in killing it. ‘TANJORE. C. H. BIDDULPH. February 9, 1937. [Swallowed it.—Ebs. | XXX.—-THE BUTTERFLY (RHINOPALPA POLYNICE BURMANA) IN THE N.-E. FRONTIER, ASSAM. It may be of interest to readers of the Journal to know that— although it is reputed to be rare and is stated to be so in in Brigadier W. H. Evans’ book The Identification of Indian Butterflies—the butterfly Rhinopalpa polynice burmana is, I have happened to discover, most exceedingly common in a narrow strip of country about ten miles long by about two miles wide near here. I have not succeeded in finding the larvae; but from June to September during breaks in the monsoon, when it is fine ana warm, this strip of country literally swarms with this butterfly and a dozen perfect specimens can very often be netted almost without moving one’s feet. I do not know if the fact that it is so common is in any way extraordinary; but I write in case it is. I recently sent a specimen of this species to the Society and you very kindly confirmed my identification. ki Es PARSONS, PasIGHAT, N.-E. FRONTIER, ASSAM. Assistant Political Officer. March 7, 1937. XXXI.—CURIOUS BEHAVIOUR OF A WASP. While at work recently in a railway carriage provided for my use I noticed a small wasp enter one of the half-open windows carrying a ball of clay with which it proceeded to work on an ege cell on one of the venetian shutters. By the side of this cell and about an inch away from it was a crescent-shaped mass of clay, presumably the beginning of a second cell. Later when locking at the venetian shutter to see how the wasp kad progressed I noticed that it had made similar attempts at ® 642 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX cell construction on three other shutters on the same side of the carriage. ‘Ihe cells in each case were similarly situated (i.e.) on the left side of the shutter and on the fourth cross piece from the top in three shutters and on the second from the top in the fourth. It was also observed that it was at work on two cells at the same time on three shutters, while in the fourth it had just commenced on one cell. The carriage had been on a siding for some days with all the venetian shutters up and in consequence being practically dark it would appear that the wasp had entered through some opening each time and had worked, but practically every time on a different shutter. On occupying the carriage all the shutters were kept half open and in the bright light the wasp had concentrated on the same shutter and had completed one cell by the afternoon but had not commenced filling it with caterpillars or spiders when the carriage had to be moved and in consequence a very interesting observation was interrupted. The points that strike one in the above are:— (1) The fact that the wasp had not noticed that it was working on four shutters simultaneously. (2) That it had at times come to shutters on which there were no signs of its previous work and this fact had not been noticed. (3) The way in which it had located the two cells is practically the same spot on each shutter (i.e.) on the left side and on the fourth cross piece in three cases. (4) The fact that having got three pairs of cells exactly similar in location it had made a mistake with the fourth. (5) That it had never gone to any of the windows on the opposite side of the carriage. (6) That it was working on two cells on each of three windows at the same time, the cells being not more than an inch to am inch and a half apart. (7) The fact that once it had the carriage reasonably lighted it did not work on any of the cells on the three remaining windows. I regret not having secured the wasp for identification, but at the same time this is considered of little importance as my note is not an attempt to impute such behaviour as peculiar to a parti- cular species of wasp, but rather to point to the idiosyncrasy of the wasp under reference. | Further observations :— On 21-10-36 my carriage was again at Kumbakonam, having been there for three days on the same siding. On inspection of the windows it was found that there were then seventeen partly built cells on the first shutter, eighteen on the second. shutter eleven on the third shutter; all situated on the last four cross pieces of the venetian shutters. The fourth shutter had three partly. built cells, two being on the last two cross pieces and one on the fifth cross piece from the bottom. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 643 All the above cells were on the same shutters as were used previously and had been built by the wasp in three days. The time interval between the two observations being approximately six weeks. It would appear that the fact that the same carriage was used and exactly the same four shutters, that it was the same wasp, but what does not seem clear is how the wasp after a lapse of six weeks was still alive and in the condition to construct so many egg cells. TANJORE. (OOM le hae sJUBYDIONE mick February 9, 1937. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. The Annual General Meeting of the Society was held at the Prince of Wales’ Museum (New Wing) on Thursday the 18th March 1937 at 6-15 p.m. The Hon’ble Sir Robert Bell, x.c.s:1), Giri I.C.S., was in the chair. AGENDA. 1. Reading of the Annual Report of the Committee. 2. Presentation of the Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts for the past year. 3. Election of the Committee. Mr. P. M. D. Sanderson, Honorary Secretary, announced the election of the following 68 new members since the last Annual Meeting. Mr. F. C. Badhwar, Calcutta; Mr. Noel Exshaw, France; Mr. E. J. Langleson, Bombay; Mr. H. I. Burgess, Coonoor; Mr. Mg. Tun Yin, Rangoon; Mr. M. R. Gokarn, Kalyan; Miss Winifred H. Baker, Lahore; Mr. M. G. Champion, Roorkee; Capt. G. McElligot, Bombay; Mr. U. B. H. Dunbar, Burma; Mr. Jal. N. D. Tata, Bombay; Mr. P. M. Hubbard, Dera Gazi Khan; Mr. Ralph Sasson, Calcutta; Capt. G. K. Graham, Miranshah; H. H. The Maharaja of Mayurbhanj, Baripada; Mr. L. N. Bhagvat, Bombay; H. H. The Heir-Apparent of Malerkotla, Punjab; Mr. Tun Kyan, Burma; Mr. G. A. Hodson, Burma; The Librarian, Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard . College, U.S.A.; Mr. W. McF. Russell, Bombay; Mr. R. G. Griffith, Calcutta; The Belgaum Club, Belgaum; The Chief Saheb of Miraj, Jr., Miraj; Miss Meherbai P. M. Dalal, Bombay; Mr. H. A. Maxwell, Rangoon; H. H. The Raja Saheb of Akalkot, Akalkot; Mr. J. N. Corbett, Ceylon; Mr. C. S. Iron, Coorg; Mr. D. F. F. Chisholm, Calcutta; Miss Perin P. M. Dalal, Bombay; Mr. R. A. Bailey, Jubbulpore; The Principal, Shri Shivaji Preparatory Military School, Poona; The Mahableshwar Club, Mahableshwar; H. E. Sir John Hubback, k.c.s.I., I.c.s., Governor of Orissa; Rev. E. G. Nichols, Madura; Dr. F. E. R. Laborda, Calcutta; Mr. C. H. Biddulph, Tanjore; Mr. V. Negi Powell, Bandiqui; Mr. A. A. Marr, Calcutta; Mr. H. E. Richardson, Tibet; Kumar Amar Singh, Gaya; Mr. A. E. G. Davy, Ferozepore; Mr. A. C. Cotton; Sholayar; H. E. The Most Hon’ble Marquess of Linlithgow, Viceroy of India; Mr. Rolf Benkert, Bombay; Mr. G. Ahmed Khan, Aurangabad; Mr. P. W. Craker, Asansol; Mr. A. I. R. Stevenson, Shillong; Capt. S. W. A. Love, Shillong ; Capt. A. V. Morton, Bombay; Major H. G. Rossel, Meerut; H. H. The Maharana of Lunawada; Mr. S. D. Bamjee, Asansol; Major C. L. B. Duke, Dehra Dun; Mr. G. Warren, Assam; Mrs. Victor Noel-Paton, Bombay ; Mr. R. D. Sethna, Poona; Mr. C. G. Demetriadi, Calcutta; Mr. G: -Digre Millar, Assam; Mr. J. A. M. Symns, Burma; Dr. B. M. Joly, Agra; Capt. C. I. Boyle, Agra; Mr. D. G. Meston, Assam; Mr. W. B. Cooke, Valparai ; Dr. B. A. Lamprell, Assam; Mr. J. Thackeray, Assam; Capt. H. F. Walker, Bombay. The following proposal was accepted :— Vice-President.—Rt. Rev. R. D. Acland, Lord Bishop of Bombay, in place of the Hon’ble Sir Robert Bell, k.c.S.1., C.1.E., I.C.S. Executive Committee.—Mr. A. Forrington, Mr. C. G. Freke, c.1.£., I.c.s., Mr. D. G. Hill, Lt.-Col.. C. G. Toogood, p.s.o., Dr:.S. A. Whlkinsony M.R.C.S., E.R,C-P; BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. OFFICE BEARERS—1I9Q37. Patron.—His Excellency the Viceroy of India. Vice-Patrons.—H. H. The Maharao of Kutch, G.c.S.1., G.c.L£.; H. H. The Maharaja of Jodhpur, k.c.s.1., K.c.v.o.; H. H. The Maharaja of Rewa, K.c.s.1.; H. H. The Maharaja of Bhavnagar; H, H, The Maharaja _ of PROCEEDINGS AND ACCOUNTS 645 Mrayancore,- G,c.1.k,* H. H: The Nawab of Junagadh, k.c.s.1.; Mr. F. V. Evans, Liverpool; Sir David Ezra, KtT., F.z.s., Calcutta; Mr. A. S. Vernay, New York and London; Lt.-Col. K. G. Gharpurey, 1.mM.s. (Retd.). President.—H. E. The Right Hon’ble Lord Brabourne, G.C.1.E., M.c. Vice-Presidents.—H. H. The Maharao of Kutch, G.c.s.I., G.c.1.E.; Rev. Fr. J. F. Caius, s.j.; Rt. Rev. R. D. Acland, Lord Bishop of Bombay. Executive Committee.—Mr. H. D. Ash, Mr. Farrokh E. Bharucha, Sir Alwyn 7a, Kr., F-R.G.S., F.Z.s., Mr. A. Forrington, Mr. C. G. Freke, c.1-£., 1.c.s., Niraj. is. Greaves, +J; P.; Mr. D. G. Hill, Lt-Cok S.S. Sokhey, -1.m.s., feteCol. ©, G. Poogood, p:s:o:, Dr S. A.” Wilkinson,‘ M.Réc:S:,- L:R.c.P., Mr. P. M. D. Sanderson, F.z.s. (Honorary Secretary), Mr. H. M. McGusty (Honorary Treasurer). Advisory Comnuttee.—Dr. C. F. C. Beeson, D.Sc., M.A., 1.F.S., Dehra Dun; e-Col; KR. W. Burton, 1.a. (Retd.), Nilgiris; Mr. C. H. Donald, F-.z.s., Punjab; Dr. F. H. Gravely, p.sc., Madras; Mr. C. M. Inglis, B.E., M.B.O.U., F.z.s., Darjeeling; Mr. R. C. Morris, F.R.G.Ss., F.Z.S., Mysore; Major E. G. Phythian Adams, F.z.s., 1A. (Retd.), Nilgiris; Dr. Baini Prashad, D.sc., @alcutta, Mr. H. C. Smith, tr.s., Burma; Mr. F. Wadia, Poona; and Mr. J. H. Williams, Coimbatore. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31st DECEMBER 1936. ADMINISTRATION President.—H. E. The Right Hon’ble Lord Brabourne, G.c.1.E., M.c. Vice-Presidents—H. H. The Maharao of Kutch, G.c.s.1., G.c.1.z., The ton bie Sit Robert Bell, K.cis.i.,. 6.1.5, 1.¢:8;, Rev...Fr: J. -F. Caius, _s.3. Executive Committee.—Right Revd. R. D. Acland, Bishop of Bombay, Mr. meni. = Ash Mr: Parrokh EE. Bharucha, Rev, Fr. J. EF. Catus,, s.j., Sif mwa tizta, KT) FR.G:S.,.'.Z.s., Mr. ©. G. Freke,-ci.e., 1.c.s., Mr. j. B: (Greaves, M.L.c., Mr. H. McGusty, Lt.-Col. S..S. Sokhey, 1m.s., Mr. A. Forrington (Honorary Treasurer), Mr. P. M. D. Sanderson, F.z.s., Honorary Secretary, Bombay. Advisory Committee.—Dr. C. F. C. Beeson, p.sc., M.A., 1.F.S.. Dehra Dun; Mites. Isc bell, C.Iek... IES. (Retd.), Karwar; Lt.-Col. R. W. Burton; 1A, (Retd.), Coonoor; Mr. C. H. Donald, F.z.s.,. Dharamsala; Dr. F. H. Gravely, p.sc., Madras; Mr. S. F. Hopwood, 1I.F.s., Rangoon; Mr. C. M. Inglis, B.z., M.B.O.U., F.Z.S., Darjeeling; Mr. R. C. Morris, F.R.G.s., F.z.S., Coimbatore; Major E. G. Phythian Adams, F.z.s., 1.4. (Retd.), Nilgiris; Dr. Baini Prashad, D-sc., Calcutta; Mr. H. C. Smith, 1.F.s., Burma; and Mr. J. -H. Williams, Coimbatore. STatfi.—-o. El. ~Pratet, M.t.Acy J:P., ©.M.Z.s. (Curator); C. McCann, 8&.L.s: (Assistant Curator). THE HONORARY SECRETARY’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR. 1926. The Society’s Journal.—The Thirty-eighth Volume of the Journal was completed and Part I of Volume XXXIX was issued during the year. MAMMALS. Foxes of British India.—Papers on Mammals include Pocock’s revision of the genus Vulpes. Blanford in his Mammalia recognised 5 species of Foxes as occurring in India. Pocock reduces the number to 4. The author considers that the Fox of the Himalayas and the Desert Fox are not distinct species but merely local races of the Common Fox of Europe (Vulpes vulpes). To the Himalayan Fox (Vulpes alopex of Blanford), he assigns the name Vulbes vulpes montana Pearson and to the Desert Fox (V. leucopus), the 646 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCKET Y, Vol x Xie name Vulpes vulpes pusilla. A third race of the European Fox found in our limits is Blanford’s Fox (V. v. griffithii) which ranges from Afghanistan as far east as Murree. The remaining three species of foxes found in Indian limits are the Indian Fox (Vulpes bengalensis), the small Afghan Fox (Vulpes cana) and the Tibetan Desert Fox (Vulpes ferrilatus). Of these three species the Indian Fox is the only fox indigenous to this country. Like the forms of the European Fox inhabiting the Himalayas and North Western India, the others are immigrants from the North and West which have not penetrated far into India proper. The Blue Bear.—Among the contributions to the Society’s Museum received during the year is the skin of the rare Blue Bear (Ursus arctos pruinosus), which was presented by Capt. R. K. M. Battye. The animal was said to have been killed near Hor in Eastern Tibet. A description of the specimen was published by Mr. Prater in Volume XXXVIII, No. 3. It is the skin of @am immature animal and in general coloration resembles the skin of an immature male from the Minshan Mountains, U. Kansu, presented to the British Museum by Capt. Fenwick Owen and described by Pocock (Journ. Bom. Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. xxxyji@ 800). Leopard and Tigress.—A number of interesting notes on Mammals were contributed by members during the year. Among them is a note by Iftkihar Ali Khan, Heir Apparent of Malerkotla State recording a curious association between a leopard and a tigress, which as suggested by the editors, may have _ been brought about by the mating of these two animals. The larger Felidae have frequently interbred in captivity. Opportunities for such interbreeding under natural conditions must be rare. but the facts of the case as recorded suggest the possibility. Horn replacement in Nilgai and Black Buck.-~Mr. Hall’s note on horn replacement in Nilgai and Black Buck appears to confirm the observations of Buffon and Ogilby on the subject of horn replacement in certain bovines and antelopes. The theory is that a new horn grows within the sheath of the older horn which is displaced, cracks and peals off. Mr. Hall’s note elicited confirm- atory evidence from a number of correspondents. The whole question raises an interesting point for further observation. The degeneration of tusks in the Asiatic Elephant.—Correspond- ence which passed between Sir Frank Colyer and Mr. R. C. Morris brings into prominence the fact that the tusk in Indian Elephants is a degenerate organ and suggests that the trend of evolution in these animals 1s towards the development of a tuskless form. This is a condition almost established in the Elephant in Ceylon, while a similar tendency in the Indian Elephant is revealed in the number of males which fail to develop tusks and the number of elephants born with a single tusk or which develop one tusk only after shedding the milk ‘tushes’. It is apparent that the two existing species of elephants—the African and Indian are merging into a number of forms. There is the long-trunked Sumatran. elephant, the hairy Malaysian mountain form, and the tuskless Ceylon Elephant. Jn the African Elephant, divergence from type seems PROCEEDINGS AND ACCOUNTS 647 to centre in the form and size of the ears. It is probable however that under existing conditions, both the Indian and African species will become extinct before enough time has elapsed for any striking new forms to be established, BIRDS. Birds of the Madras Presidency.—Messrs. Whistler and Kinnear continue their papers on the Avifauna of the Madras Presidency, based on the collections made during the Vernay Scientific Survey of the Eastern Ghats. Parts xiii and xiv were published during the year. They cover the Birds of Prey, Pigeons and Doves, Game Birds and Waders. Two new races are described -among the Birds of Prey—The Ceylon Crested Goshawk (Astur trivirgatus layardi), distinguished from the South Indian form by its smaller size and markings, and a West Himalayan form of the Besra Sparrow Hawk (Accipiter virgatus kashmiriensis) distinguished from the east Himalayan race by its paler colouration. Two new races of the Jungle Bush Quail (Perdicula asiatica asiatica) are recognised and described. P. a. ceylonensis, is a richly coloured Island race from Ceylon and P. a vidali, found along the Malabar coast, differs from the typical form in the deep reddish tinge of its whole upper plumage. The authors disagree with the view put forward in the New Fauna that the Rock Bush Quail (P. argoondah) is a race of the Jungle Bush Quail (P. asiatica). They revert to the view held by Blanford and Oates that the birds represent two distinct species. Since the publication of his review of the various races @f Scimitar Babbler (J.B.N.H.S., vol. xxxv, p. 72) Mr. Whistler has been able to examine a series of skins of this species from the Billigirirangan Hills which confirms his view that the birds of the Lower Eastern Ghats are distinct both from the typical race and from the race found in Travancore. The new Eastern Ghats race he describes under the name P. horsfieldi maderaspatensis. Birds of Travancore.—Parts iv, v and vi of Mr. Salim Ali’s Ornithology of Travancore were published. The author’s interest- ing ecological notes on the species listed by him enhance con- siderably the value of his contribution. New forms described in his reports, which are written with the collaboration of Mr. Whistler are:—The Travancore Weaver Bird (Ploceus p. travancoreensis), Waite’s Pipit (Anthus rufulus waiter), a pale sandy coloured race from the desert and drier areas of North Western India, and the Punjab Sky-Lark (Alauda gulgula punjaubi), which differs from the typical form in its markedly paler coloration. The recognition of these northern races is based on the study of material made available as a result of various surveys organised by the Society since the publication of the New Fauna. Birds of Bombay and Salsette.—Since the publication of EHA’s classic book on the Common Birds of Bombay, a_ considerable advance has been made in our knowledge of the classification and distribution of Indian Birds. Messrs. Salim A. Ali and Humayun Abdulali have undertaken the production of an up-to-date list of the Birds of Bombay and Salsette. The list which contains notes on field identification and habits of species is being issued as part 648 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL. AIST. SOCIETY, Volo XX wie of the series of pamphlets on the Fauna of Bombay and Salsette, published by the Prince of Wales’ Museum. The work will provide a useful guide to students interested in the bird life of Bombay and its suburbs. | Other articles on birds include Major Bates’ account of his collecting trip in the Kishenganga Valley, a little known area ornithologically and two contributions on the Indian Crested Swift, one by E. H. N. Lowther and the other by J. K. Stanford and H. C. Smith. Mr. Lowther’s paper is illustrated by a series of unique photos taken by the author. Additions to the Indian Avifauna.—In his notes on Rare Birds from Burma, Mr. Stanford records obtaining a specimen of the Brown Suthora on the Myitkyina-Yunan Border. According to Dr. Ticehurst, the specimen conforms to the Yunan race—Suthora unicolor canastes and, as such, is a new form to the Indian avifauna. Mr. C. E. Milner shot a Shrenk’s Bittern (Ixobrychus eurythmus) on the Moulmein-Kyaikmaran Road in the Ambherst District, Tenasserim. The species has never been previously recorded from Indian limits. To the two previous records of the occurrence of the Long-tailed Duck (C. hyemalis) in India we have now to add a third: a female obtained by Mr. Lambrick at Drig im oind in December 1935. Wanted information about Cuckoos.—We should like to draw attention to Mr. Stuart Baker’s appeal for information about Cuckoos. There are many problems connected with the parasitic habits of these birds which await solution. Apart from the question of the cuckoo’s method of depositing her eggs in inaccessible nests, there is the question of the method of ejection of the fosterer’s egg. To what extent is this habit prevalent among Indian Cuckoos? Again, how do the fosterers solve the problem of rearing, when more than one cuckoo is raised in the nest? All these are interest- ing questions which can only be answered by careful recording of the life story of individual birds from egg to fledgling. Another interesting point connected with cuckoos is raised by Mr. Livesey in his article on Cuckoo Problems. How has the approximation in colour and markings between the eggs of the cuckoo and her selected fosterer been brought about? Mr. Livesey looks elsewhere for a solution than the one offered by the theory of Natural Selection. He holds that design has played a considerable part in effecting this similarity, which he believes is the cumulative effect of a desire to produce a particular colour of egg held by a particular line of cuckoos for countless generation. REPTILES. Snakes of DeolaliimPapers on reptiles include a paper on the Snakes of Deolali by Mr. A. G. Fraser, 1.mM.p. Mr. Fraser is to be congratulated on the very intensive study he has made of the snakes of his district. His paper is a model to students engaged in field research. The author’s objective is not only to provide a list of the snakes in his area but to study the various factors affecting the lives of snakes within the environment. His whole approach to the study is original and his notes on the osteological PROCEEDINGS AND ACCOUNTS 649 characters of snakes collected by him are particularly interesting and open up a fresh field for investigation. The nesting of the King Cobra.—Messrs. H. C. Smith and F. J. Mustill’s notes on the nest and eggs of the King Cobra is perhaps the first detailed description of the nest of this snake. It was generally known that the eggs of a hamadryad are laid in a heap of leaves, but the observations of the two writers indicate that the nest is more than a mere accumulation of leaves. It is a compact cup-like mass whose structure suggests a deliberate effort at nest building. Another interesting point revealed is that the snake does not sit directly upon the eggs but on a layer of leaves with which it covers the eggs. What we have still to discover is how the King Cobra builds this structure. FISHES. The Fishes of Travancore form the subject of a paper by Dr C. ©. John. The author provides. a systematic list of the fishes of Travancore based on collections made in 1932-1933. He discusses method of capture, the factors injurious to the develop- ment of Fisheries in the State and recommends the introduction of Legislative measures to control existing methods of trapping and netting which have tended considerably to decrease the available supply. Messrs. G. E. Shaw and E. O. Shebbeare describe a new species of fish of the genus Glyptothorax obtained in the Darjeeling District which they have named G. horae in honour of Dr. Hora of the Indian Museum. INSECTS AND INVERTEBRATES. The wasps of the genus Ischnogaster, remarkable for their unique nests are believed to form a link between the Solitary and Social Wasps because of their structural characters and _ their nesting habits. The larger species are as a rule solitary, their nests are built by a single pair. The smaller species live in a many-celled ‘social’ nest constructed by the community. Mr. T. R. Bell proposes a revision of the genus, wherein species of social habit are retained in the genus Ischnogaster and a new genus Paravespa is created for the solitary species, based on the distinctive structure of the mandibles in these wasps and in their peculiar nesting habits. Under the new genus Paravespa, Bell includes the species eximia from Ceylon and a new species P. eva, which is described by him. It is the only representative of the genus found in India proper. Ischnogaster is thereby now limited in its range to the Eastern Himalayas, Assam and the Indo-Chinese and Malayan countries. Dragonflies.—Lt.-Col. F. C. Fraser describes two new species of Oriental Dragonflies: Prothorthemis intermedia and Idionyx laidlawt. Caddis-Flies.—Part iv of Martin Mosely’s monograph on Indian Trichoptera was published during the year. Further publication of this important work was suspended owing to reconsideration of 650 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, excdec the question of meeting the heavy cost of illustrations for these articles. The Society has made an application for a grant to meet this cost. Failing such financial assistance, the only alternative would be to extend the number of parts so as to spread the cost of illustrating the serial over a number of years. Mr. Mosely’s work will probably remain for many years the standard work on Indian Trichoptera and it would be a pity to detract from the value to students of this most excellent work by curtailment of the plates and diagrams now being issued. Butterflies.—Mr. D. F. Sanders’ paper on the Butterflies of Secunderabad supplements the list of species recorded from this area by Col. Logan Home in volume xxxvii, No. 4 of the Society’s Journal. Lace Bugs.—A new species of Tingitid Monanthia cheriani is described by C. J. Drake from material collected by Mr. M. C. Cherian in Coimbatore. South Indian Coccidae.—Dr. T. V. Ramakrishna Ayyar sup- plements his previous papers on South Indian Coccids, as a result of subsequent collections made by him. His new list contains 6 new species described by Green elsewhere and 7 species recorded for the first time from South India. BOTANY. Revd. Father Caius continues his papers on Medicinal and Poisonous Plants of India. Papers published by him during the year dealt with Medicinal and Poisonous Grasses, Orchids and Aroids of this country. Flowering of Strobilanthes.—Very little is known about the periodical. flowering of numerous species of Strobilanthes. Mr. P. V. Mayuranathan supplements Mrs. Robinson’s useful contri- bution on the subject published in volume xxxvii of the Journal with a few further records. The planting community and others can do much to help in establishing the periodicity of the flowering in these plants by recording the time when the different species come into flower. Specimens in flower can be sent either to the Society or to Mr. P. V. Mayuranathan of the Government Museum, Madras for identification. Beautiful Indian Trees.—With the publication of the article on the Padauk in the December issue of the Journal, the serial on Beautiful Indian Trees was completed. Thirty flowering trees of India have been described and illustrated in colour as well as in black and white. The thanks of the Society are due to the authors, the late Rev. Father Blatter and Mr. W. S. Millard, whose articles have given attraction to the Journal. They have now provided a popular and well-illustrated work on the trees which add so much to the beauty of our roads and gardens. This serial will be issued in book form about the middle of this year. By printing an extra number of plates when the articles were issued in the Journal, the Society has been able to keep the cost of the book at a remarkably low figure. The published price is Rs. 15 and Members may obtain copies from the Society at Rs. 10. Orders are now being registered. be PROCEEDINGS AND ACCOUNTS 651 Shooting and Fishing.—Vhe Journals issued during the year contained a number of articles on shooting and fishing. Among them is the interesting account by Mr. R. C. Morris of his quest for a specimen of the Lesser One-horned Rhinoceros in the jungles of Perak for the American Museum of Natural History. The failure of the expedition helps to emphasise the fact that, as in Burma, the species is practically extinct in the jungles of Malaya, where it was once reported to be common. Mr J. E. Hall gives an account of hunting Wild Buffalo in the jungles of the Kosi River. Sportsmen of small means (which in these days implies the average shikari)—but blest with abundant energy—will be interested in Mr. Hall’s account of a shooting trip in the C. P. which was written to show how much can be ac- complished with hard work and the minimum of expenditure. Mr. W. S. Thom gives an account of the Malay Tapir from his store of reminiscences covering many years of hunting in the jungles of Burma. Contributors to the fournal.—The Committee take _ this opportunity of thanking all those who have contributed articles or notes to the Journal. The Journal is a vital link between the Society and its members and this can only be strengthened by adding to the interest and attraction of the publication. In writing for the Journal members help not only in furthering the work of the Society but in sustaining and increasing its membership. Donations.—Donations amounting to Rs. 9,945-15 were received during the year from: H. H. The Maharaja of Travancore H. H. The Maharaja of Bhavanagar H. H. The Nawab of Junagadh H. H. The Maharawal of Dungarpur The Chief Saheb of Miraj, Jr. Mr. F. V. Evans. The donations have been credited to the Journal Fund to cover extra expenditure on the Journal. The Committee take the Opportunity of expressing the sincere thanks of the Society to all those who have so generously contributed to this Fund. THE MUSEUM. The rearrangement of the Natural History Section in the New Wing was taken up during the year. The new galleries have been designed especially to provide for the requirements of a modern Natural History Museum. Each gallery has its complement of large diorama groups built in a_ series of alcoves—-while the systematic collections are arranged in cases along the walls of the gallery. The whole arrangement is pleasing and attractive and avoids the heaviness and artificiality which comes from over- crowding the floors with show cases and the cases with exhibits. Suitable colour schemes have been adopted in each gallery to secure harmony between the cases, their backgrounds and the walls. A feature of the New Museum is the 13 large diorama groups, ba2 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HiST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX 8 of which were completed during the year. In the Bird Gallery three groups illustrate:—-A nesting colony of Flamingos in the Rann of Cutch, the Griffon Vulture nesting on the cliffs near Bombay, and a Lammergeyer’s eyrie in the Simla Hills. Each group is a faithful reproduction of the nesting site based on photos, paintings and material coliected on the spot. In the groups in the Mammati Gallery our objective has been not only to show some of the larger wild animals of the country in their natural habitat but also to give the visitor an idea of the varying nature of the country. Bison are shown in the shola-covered hills of South India, Blackbuck in the plains of Deccan, Tiger in the ever- green forests of Assam, Spotted Deer in the deciduous jungles of the C.P. and the Kashmir Stag in a Himalayan Forest. In the Reptile and Fish Gallery there is a submarine group of sharks and groups illustrating Loggerhead Turtles coming ashore to lay and a Malay Python in the setting of a Malay Jungle. A 20! cast of this snake was made during the year and a perfect model produced. The Evans’ collection of Marine and Fresh Water Fishes consisting of casts prepared from material collected in Bombay and other parts of India is shown in the gallery: and we take this opportunity of expressing our thanks to Mr. F. V. Evans who bore the entire cost of preparing these exhibits. A feature of the Fish Section is the fine murals which adorn the walls of the gallery. They are the work of Mr. A. Valleé whose services we were fortunate to secure. Our acknowldgment and thanks are also due to Col. Gharpurey who contributed Rs. 5,000 towards the cost of preparing and exhibiting the collection of reptiles. Among the snakes shown is a beautiful cast of the King Cobra, prepared from a live specimen presented by the Mysore Government. | Another phase of the work done during the year was the collecting of animals for mounting in these groups and also of various. accessories for reproduction in them. Permission was obtained from the Madras Government for securing a female bison and calf to be set up with the fine male now: exhibited); Phe specimens were obtained for the Museum by Mr. R. C. Morris to whom our thanks are due. In March 1936, with the assistance of Mr. S. A. Vahid, I.F-s., Divisional Forest Officer, Khandwa, C.P., skins and the entire skeletons of a male and female Sambar were obtained. In the same month, the Maharaja of Bhavnagar kindly presented a set of male, female and young of the Blackbuck. While the Heir Apparent of Bikaner provided similar material for a group of Chinkara. Our thanks are also due to the Kashmir Durbar for presenting the entire skin and skeletons of a pair of Kashmir Stag which were obtained for us by the Game Warden. The labelling of the exhibits in the entire Museum is_ being carried out in cellophane and glass. The method has proved quite successful. The labels are attractive and overcome the need for constant replacement which was an obvious disadvantage with paper labels which soon fade and are subject to mottling and discolouration, PROCEEDINGS AND ACCOUNTS 653 It will be seen from the above report that the year was one of great activity calling for an exceptional effort on the part of the staff to which they responded with their usual enthusiasm. REVENUE ACCOUNT. This account shows a small deficit of Rs. 835-10-5 which can be regarded as distinctly satisfactory as compared with figures for the previous three years :— Year. Deficit. 1933 oa ae xs maeiNSia2.45 1 9 Su. 1934 -e oo ea oe ee cA O47 oi 59 1935 hs a a Sak Sy 55055 482: 20 1936 ae — ac ‘iat 55 835 IO 5 Actual receipts during 1936 amounted to Rs. 30,230-15-3 as compared with Rs. 26,847-7-11 in 1935. Subscriptions showed an increase of Rs. 1,597-0-10. The balance being made up by sales of Society’s publications, a small profit of Rs. 239-0-8 on the Taxidermy Department and Rs. 706-14-6 due by members _ for outside work undertaken by the Society. Expenditure shows a decrease of Rs. 1,486-10-3. This was effected by a drastic reduction in the cost of producing the Journals. ) SALARIES. It will be noticed that the salary bill in 1936 amounted to Rs. 18,225-12-o as compared with Rs. 16,188-8-3 in 1935. In 1935 the services of Mr. McCann and two others were loaned to the Chindwin Expedition for about three months, during which time their salaries were paid by the expedition. MEMBERSHIP. During the year 1936, 58 new members and 2 Life Members joined the Society and 67 members resigned. One has to expect these resignations as senior officers, Civil Servants and others retire and every effort is made to retain their interests after they leave India. The Society offers to send the Journal to retired members, postage paid, for an annual subscription of one guinea. The total number of members on the roll of the Society (excluding 192 Life Members) was as follows :— Bice DeCem pen OR 5 fa. scr <4 .as- 973 Best) CCeMmpet lO 3Or 2 ae on.. an. 964 GENERAL. A satisfactory feature of 1936 was the response to the appeal for donations to the funds of the Society. The total sum collected was Rs. 13,769-3-0 which amount has been placed to the credit of the Special Journal Fund which now stands at Rs. 11,089-8-6 as compared with Rs. 3,823-4-0 at the end of the previous year. 654 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIx STAFF, The Committee wish to record their appreciation of the good work done by the Curator and his staff during the past year. P. M. D. SANDERSON, Honorary Secretary. SNAKE VENOM. A cinema film showing methods of extracting Snake venom at the Haftkine Institute, was shown by Lt.-Col. S. S. Sokhey, 1.™.s. Lt.-Col. Sokhey, speaking on the subject of snake venoms, described how perfectly they were adapted to their biological function of immobilising living and active prey and ‘ite subsequent digestion when swallowed whole. This end was achieved by the extraordinarily potent and very varied toxic properties of the venoms. These may be described as (a) action on the peripheral nervous system, producing muscular paralysis leading to death from failure of muscles of breathing, (b) direct action on the circulatory system, producing death from failure of heart, (c) action of the blood itself leading to clotting of blood in the vessels or to an entirely opposite action. There is also destruction of red blood cells, (d) action on the walls of the blood vessels leading to extensive bleeding in the tissues and (e) digestive action on the tissue due to ferments in the venom. All these properties are not equally well developed in the venom of all snakes. Some of these toxic properties are more highly developed in the venom of some snakes, while others in the venom of other snakes. Of the Indian poisonous snakes the toxic action on the nervous system is most highly developed in the case of the Cobra, while the action on- the circulatory system is most marked in the venom of the Russell’s Viper. He then described the train of symptoms which result in human beings after a snake bites, Next he took up the question of medicinal uses of venoms. Cobra venom has proved to be of some value in relieving pain in inoperable cancer. The hope that this venom would inhibit the growth of cancer has not been fulfilled. The venom of Russell’s Viper is a very powerful agent in stopping intractable bleeding. It has proved of great value in stopping bleeding in cases of haemophilia and in case of operations on tonsils and teeth extrac- tion. Scientific investigation has not supported the claim that snake venom is of any value in the treatment of epilepsy. THE CHILDREN OF THE JUNGLE. Mr. S. Jepson showed his film depicting the life and customs of Bhils, Gonds and other jungle tribes. In a few introductory remarks Mr. Jepson explained that the film was a self-imposed holiday task shot in-a fortnight in the jungle, though it took much longer to prepare and to edit after- wards. There were many amusing moments with these original PROCEEDINGS AND ACCOUNTS 655 actors and actresses—including the selection of a bride for the wedding ceremony. The film was a documentary one, half dealing with the lives of Bhils and other forest tribes showing how they could be independent of cultivation, etc. The other half dealt with very amusing Bhil wedding customs. On returning to Bombay and after editing, the film had a running commentary superimposed on the sound track, in a local studio. ‘As you will presently observe for yourself,’ said Mr. Jepson humorously, “I know nothing whatever about film making, and the whole thing was in the nature of an experiment.’ PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY V. M. PHILIP AT THE DIOCESAN PRESS, 18, CHURCH ROAD, VEPERY, MADRAS, FOR THE BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, BOMBAY 656 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. 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Tee's I OL £#r'0z Ly cost ! Se ti0sac ag JadYS 9oUK]| vg O} Palsiv9 soUB[eg ‘* ‘ee eve eee "O10 ‘[eudnor ‘sayelqd SUIJUIIg UO oInN}Ipdedxq| “* pun, jeuinor [erseds aG Joey souR[eg 0} palsies sour[eg ‘* oe om eee eee SuIp[Ing MON UI SosegQ MOYS UO dsinjipuedxy” ‘* Z ‘ON puny sasez moys aa jooyS vouR[eg 0} pollivo souxleg * ase ‘O19 AJa[[VH YSIy UO sInupuedxq oJ, t ON pany APAA AHL AOH SHSOdaANd WAIDAHdS AOA SNOILVNOd AO LNQOIOV AHALIGNAdMIXYT UNV AWOIDNI ie) “Iq 2 By Dr. A ‘SEITZ, fee : 2 in 1 collaboration with well- known specialists. 5 (English, French and German Editions.) _ LA oat ae aly Sxition work containing all known Butterflies and Moths Git eS ustrated life-like to nature by means of multi- coloured chromo-litho- s Bae ac d exact. descri ptions. ie ee ER \f WITH AN EXCEPTIONAL BISCOUNT OF 25% ge. \ustralian Butterflies (complete) 00 pages of text and more than 5500 illustrations on 177 plates, bound in half-calf instead of £ 29 10 0 only £22 2 6 Indo-Australian Bombycides and Sphingides (complete) . 13 pages of text and 4600 illustrations on 104 plates bound in -half-calf — jnsteadof £2018 0 £only £15 14 6 \do-Australian Noctuides eae Pia ess Go 28 pages of text and 30 plates instead of £5 3 6 only £3 1710 -.— (complete in about 520 pages and 50 plates) , de-Austialian Geometrides : ee 41 0 pages of text and12 plates instead of £ 212 6 only £ 1193 6 __ (complete in about 360 pages and 25 plates) 2 Payment in instalments allowed. ae eo can also take place by numbers monthly. é al Observer : My urgent Ngee ‘to every collector to eee ae damental and absolutely necessary work ought not to be left unheeded ; the most et dee best, most beautiful | and nevertheless cheapest e bia with all particulars through :-— LFRED ‘KERNEN, Publisher, Stuttgart—W.,_ Germany, Schloss-Strasse 80 BY E. C. STUART BAKER, C.LE., 0.B.E., PALS. FeZ-S. MBO. U., H. F Imperial 8vo. Half bound. 3 VOL. ek PHEASANTS AND BUSTARD- -QU. About 320 pp. With 12 Coloured Plates and numerous Black and White Plates. ; eee to Members who have not pucthieised ies Vols?) 41h oe - & 1-15- 0=Rs. 2 Members who have purchased one : % of the above Volumes ae 1-10-0—Rs, 20 ( Members who have ene 2 “i both the above Volumes ... £ 1- 5-0=Rs. 17 Price to Non- members. ~ Two Guineas=Rs. 28 Packing and postage extra, 4 & j ‘COMMON INDIAN BIRDS ILLUSTRATIONS IN COLOUR. Two hundred and ten Common Birds of thee Indian Plains, arranged in a set of 5 Charts measuring 40x 36 in., fitted with wooden rollers and design for hanging on a wall. Price to Members a Rs. ee Postage a Non-members ... Rs. 45 Packing extra. Apo to:— — The Bombay Natural Histore Societ , 6, Apollo Street, BOMBAY. : AY Navuran History Socirry. — EDITED BY i SANDERSON, Fe Z. S., S. H. PRATER, M.L.A.,. C.M.Z. S04 ‘AND C. MCCANN, F.L.S. VOL. XXXIX, No. 4. Ga, ce D ORs 0-0-0 Be iit EL O1S-2 f - Honorary Secretary’ 5 iirc < BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, ee 6, Apollo Street, Bombay. ee LONDON AGENTS: . ss DAVID NUTT, (A. G. BERRY) eee a Ss = | - 212, Shaftesbury Avenue, i LONDON, W.GC. 2. ‘Set of Game Bird Plates (30), Vol. I. Common Indian Birds, Illustrations in engue of 210 Common Birds of India Snakes of Bombay Island and Salsette, by S. H. Pra wn © WGe Re. . identification of Indian Butterflies, by BRIGADIER W. Te EVANS, G38, 1 - Back numbers of the Society’s Journal. Rates on application. is camount of the subscription, plus postage—in all Rs. 26-8-0—to the Societ Game Birds of India, Vol. IL. (Woodeock, Snipe, Bustards wd ‘Sends ou: “Ist Edition. : Pee, to Members Rs. , 30). Game Birds of take Vol. Ill. Pheasants, Ist Edition. (Price to Members Rs. 17). sie (Price to Members Rs. 15}. Ss Set of Game Bird Plates (19), Vol. I. ; Rs. | (Price to Members Rs. 10). Bird-Life in India, by Capt. R. Ss. P: Bares, M.B.O.U. Illustrated. (Price to Members Rs. 3). Plains, arranged in a set of 5 Charts. oo RS (Price to Members Rs. 36). Gammen Indinn Birds, Illustrations in colour of 196 Common Birds of Indi Plains, an album. or Rs. 40 : (Price to Members Rs. 32). Indian Pigeons and Doves with coloured illustrations, by E. C. SruaRTr BAKE : O:B:., M:B.O2U.,_ FZ. Sete, Z Re. 37 (Price to. Members Rs. anys | Snakes. Identification of Poisonous Snakes— Hanging Wall Chart, 30” x 40”. ‘ cares : Rs. Folding Pocket Chart. ; ~ Rs, 1-1 Miscellaneous- Some Beautiful Indian Trees Rs (Price to Members fee. 30). = Game Fishes of Bombay, the Deccan and the Neighbouring Districts. — Sir REGINALD SPENCE, Kr., F.Z.S., and S. H. PRaTER, C.M.Z.S. W. colour and black and ‘white illustrations. _ Rs. 2. = (Price to Members Rs. 1- -8). C.LE.,-D:S.0.; 2nd edition, illustrated. (Price to Members Rs. 10). etc. A List of Indian Butterflies, by Gor. W. H. gine eee Wood-Destroying White Ants of the Bombay Presidency, 2PH - _ AssMuTs, S.J. ee Re. Back Numbers of the Journal TERMS OF MEMBERSHIP. ee Life Members pay an entrance fee of Rs. 10 and a “a Membership fee of Rs. 350. ; Ordinary Mambers - pay an entrance i of Rs. 10 ‘and an anni re subscription of Rs. 25. The subscription of members elected in October, Noveaiber Ae Deseme covers the period from the date of their election BP. till the end of = following ake . ve : he : MEMBERS RESIDING OUTSIDE INDIA. The terms are the same for members living outside India. Such membe should pay their subscriptions by means of orders on their Bankers to pay z Bombay on the Ist January in each year. If this cannot be done, then the sum — of £2-0-6 should be paid annually to the Society’s London ates National Bank of India, Bishopsgate Street, London, le Ce SONI ENTS OF VOLUME XXXIX, No. 7. PAGE mee GAME FISHES OF INDIA. Part III. By Dr. S. L. Hora, D. Sc., _F.R.S.E., F.L.S., F.Z.S., F.R.A.S.B., F.N.I. (With one coloured plate and 9 text-figures). Garua Bachcha or Gaurchcha............. ins otc 659 THE BIRDS OF BOMBAY AND SALSETTE. Part III. By Salim Ali ard Peni NOG MalU. "CHIU ONE DIGIC). lik lees deeciven:scseseplacadee ailees 679 BeIsH OF DEOLALI. Part II. By A. G. L. Fraser, 1.m.s. (With one a Pe fone Oana ics hss 8S ese a oie ni soa e oho iaes Guses beeeatacsse ee? > OSD THE MEDICINAL AND POISONOUS CROWFOOTS OF INDIA. By J. F. SA NBIS). GAR Sa TS Be eae REI ame OR eer anor ne 2 THe NAMES OF TWO INDIAN VIPERS. By Malcolm Smith, M.R.C.S........ 730 GAME BIRDS IN THE ANAIMALAI HILLS AND THE SOUTH COIMBATORE Mime win) Ue Wiilidatis. (1/20 ONE PIALE) vveieciciccauerss divas satare Toe 'A PRELIMINARY ACCOUNT OF THE APHIDIDAE OF Poona. By V. G. Deshpande, mM. Ag. (Bom.), ph. D. (Edin.)...... er re ere 740 SomE ADDITIONS TO THE FAUNA OF IRAQ. By Walter P. Kennredy...... 745 MARRIAGE FLIGHT AND COLONY FOUNDING OF THE COMMON BLACK ANT Camponotus (Tanaemyrmer) compressus LATR. By P. N. Messiaen) | WELLS LONE-TULUFES in vac sun das esanvce (usa iasvgucdeoyestins 750 DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF AGAMID LIZARD FROM UPPER Emreara,, Joy Malcolm Smith,;MiR.C.Si...0.5 casiesscseslsihenieshcevpase. crows 755 BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS FROM CHINESE TURKESTAN. By Lt. Col. PP NO mMSOM—GlOVET. C805 oy Glin wad. stents taneee sc ccieudelel desteld varossbeeagar 756 MossESs COLLECTED IN ASSAM. By | yy, NE eee M.A., F.L.S. (With Ge LUGE) se BB SOA ORE BAO Oey Sy A ee APT SR ee eee 769 SomE DATA ON THE FAUNA: BLATTODEA, MANTODEA, PHASMODEA ‘ AND ORTHOPTERA OF NORTH AFGHANISTAN. By Leo Mistshenko, MEE ZiEH. 6 2 E-L72 UTES). cccsus~: sdesinsds socnstessvondacarceoeeuchevsstonnevses Uee 796 * THE KopAIKANAL BrRDS AND How To NamME THEM. By Edward G. Meet GREE ae MONG Vol. xXx xa Specimens: St. Xavier’s College: 156 o Juhtt 31-10-33; 190 0, 191 4-4-34 Juhn (H.A.) B.N.H.S. Coll.: 10-2-13 Santa Cruz (N. B. Kinneat),: 3°43q9 Talsi Lake (rama or scita?) (S.A.). Noted: Pah Hill, Chembur and throughout Salsette and commonly on the mainland. This tree-warbler is a very common winter visitor to our area. Our © earliest record is on 16 October; latest 4 April. In habits and appearance it is so similar to Blyth’s Reed Warbler that the two are not infrequently confused in the field. It is very probable, moreover, that the typical race of this bird, H. r. rama—Sykes’ Tree Warbler—also occurs within our area in winter. In the field these two races are almost impossible to tell one from the other which confounds the confusion further ! It goes about the bushes singly, searching systematically for insects and uttering chuck, chuck incessantly at intervals of a second or two. The Eastern Orphean Warbler : Sylvia hortensis jerdoni (Blyth). Field identification: Size slightly larger than Sparrow. Brownish - slaty- grey above, whitish below with a conspicuous black cap. Tail black with some white in it. Frequents Babul and open scrub country. Specimen: St. Xavier’s College: 183 Juhu 13-3-34 (H.A.). Apparently only a rare and irregular passage migrant in spring. The stomach of our specimen contained 1 small snail, 4 seeds (sp ?) and some insect remains. The Indian Lesser Whitethroat: Sylvia curruca affinis (Blyth). Field identification: Size smaller than Sparrow—about the same as Blyth’s Reed Warbler. Upper plumage earthy brown with the forehead and crown grey. Tail brown and white, chin and throat pure white, rest of underparts buffy or pale greyish white. Singly in scrub and _ thickets. Specimens: St. Xavier’s College: 162 2-11-33, 212 5-12-34 Andhéri (H.A.). Noted: Mainland, Kihim; Bassein. A passage migrant and winter visitor. Probably commoner than it appears to be but overlooked or confused with the numerous other warblers of the same size, appearance and habits that visit us at this season. The earliest date we have recorded is 7 October. It frequents scrub-and-bush country and hunts for insects in the same way as the Booted Tree-Warbler uttering the same sort of chuck, chuck at intervals. The Willow-Warblers are all tiny birds, mostly much smaller than the Sparrow, olive green or olive brown above, and varying shades of yellow underneath. They are some of our most numerous winter visitors. They flit about restlessly among the foliage of trees hunting tiny insects from the sprigs and flowers. They may often be seen clinging upside down on the sprigs or launching graceful little sallies after winged insects. While with us—in their winter quarters—they are seldom in song, but the call notes of the different species are as a rule sufficiently distinctive to furnish a clue to their identifica- tion in the field. Indeed when once authenticated, we have found the call notes to be in many cases the only means of identifying the different species more or less reliably. Wherever there are trees, these little birds will be found. We have found the following species in Bombay and Salsette, though probably several others occur besides: Tickell’s Willow-Warbler: Phylloscopus affinis (Tickell). Specimen: B.N.H.S.; 7-3-26 Trombay ‘Hill, ‘Chembur (S-A.): Olivaceous Willow-Warbler: Phylloscopus griseolus Blyth. Field identification: Easier than most members of this group that visit us. Earthy brown or greyish-brown above, yellow or buffy-yellow below with a distinctive yellow eyebrow. A brown streak through the eye. Very partial to rock-scarps, fort ruins, etc., which it clambers about, constantly flicking its . wings and uttering a monosyllabic pink. Specimen: St. Xavier’s College: 185 ¢ GGrégaon 19-3-34 (H-A.). This species seems to be uncommon in our area, the specimen being our only record for Salsette, ; DIL BARDS OF BOMBAY AND SALSETTE 683 The Green Willow-Warbler ; Phylloscopus nitidus nitidus Blyth. Specimens: B.N.H.S.: 16-10-26 Kihim (S.A.); St. Xavier’s College: 138 3 Kihim 20-10-33 (H.A.). Tha Greenish Willow-Warbler: Phylloscopus nitidus ciridanus Blyth. Specimens: B.N.H.S.: 2 19-12-08 Santa Cruz, @ 4-12-09 Andhéri (N.B.K.) ; Si. Xavier's College:.130 G Kihim 18-10-33 (H.A.). These two races, which are quite impossible to tell with certainty in the field, are our commonest willow-warblers in winter. We are unable to dis- tinguish between their call notes which are a sharp perky chi-wee repeated at intervals of a few seconds as the birds hop about the foliage of trees in quest of insects. The Ashy Wren-Warbler : Prinia socialis socialis Sykes. Field identification: Smaller than Sparrow. Ashy grey above, fulvous white below with a loose longish graduated tail of rufous colour tipped whitish and with a dark subterminal band. The tail is usually held partly erect and shaken up and down. Frequents gardens and shrubbery—also scrub country. ‘Specimens: B.N.H.S.: 22-3-24 Godhbunder, 14-6-25 Trombay Hills, (S.A.), @ 7-3-10 Gorégaon (N.B.K.), St. Xavier’s College: 171 Q Borivli 19-11-33, 24 o Powai Lake 16-7-33 (H.A.). Noted: City: Malabar Hill, near Chowpati Band Stand, Government House grounds—Walkeshwar, Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens, Victoria Gardens, Warden and Pedder Roads, etc.; Salsette: Khar, Bandra, Trombay Hills, Kandivlee and elsewhere. Resident. The Ashy Wren-Warbler is a common and familiar bird in Bombay and Salsette. Like the Tailor-bird—but perhaps somewhat less urbanly —a pair or so is found in most gardens of any size where shrubs or bushy borders occur. We have occasionally also observed it amongst mangroves. During the monsoon months, when the birds are breeding, the males thrust themselves ‘into prominence. ‘They constantly climb up to, some exposed situa- tion as the top of a bush whence they pour forth their warbling feverishly. The bird flits about, jerks its tail up and down and often flutters its wings. Its laboured and undulating flight conveys the impression that the tail is much too heavy for the owner to carry. While it feeds jn the main on insects and caterpillars it is also very partial to the nectar of Tree Cotton and Coral flowers, upon which it may usually be seen. We have repeatedly marked this bird producing the crackling noise of an electric spark described for P. inornata by Whistler and for P. flaviventris in the Fauna. We are doubtful as to the origin of this, but H.A. thinks that it is not vocal (see Ticehurst and Stanford J.B.N.H.S., xxxiv, p. go). Breeding: The breeding season is in the monsoon when weeds and_ rank vegetation spring up affording suitable nest sites. The principal months are July, August and September. We have records of many nests in Salsette during this period. Two types of nests are found (1) of the Tailor-bird type in sewn-up leaves (2) an oblong purse of woven fibres with supporting leaves or grass stems partially incorporated into the structure. In our area the former is by far the commoner. It is usually situated less than 2 feet from the ground. The eggs, usually 3 in number, are a more or less uniform light Indian red in ae with often a darker ring round the broad end. The texture is beautifully glazed. The Indian Wren-Warbler : Prinia inornata inornata Sykes. Field identification: Similar in size and habits to the Ashy Wren-Warbler but differing from it in being a dull earthy brown with a tinge of rufous especially pronounced on the rump. The principal difference lies however in the habitats of the two species. The present is more addicted to the neighbour- hood of paddy fields and to rank grass land. Specimens: B.N.H.S.: 21-3-24 Chembtr, 22-3-24, 21-12-28 Gddhbunder (S.A.) St, Xavier’s College: 54 Q 20-8-33 Saki Village; 144 ¢ 23-10-33 Kihim, 180 ¢ juv. 25-2-34 Panvél (H.A.). Resident. Common. The difference in the facies mainly occupied by this and the foregoing species has been indicated above, but sometimes the two are 684. JOURNAL, “BOMBAY NATURAL HIST SOCIETY. Vol. Xoxoaee found in the same locality. We have never observed this Wren-Warbler within city limits proper. Its call notes and warbling are markedly different and distinctive from those of the Ashy Wren-Warbler, but it is impossible to convey an adequate rendering on paper. Breeding: The breeding season perhaps commences slightly later than in the foregoing—in August—and we have found eggs upto the end of October. The nest is usually a woven oblong or pear-shaped purse of fibres with the entrance on one side near the top. It is slung hammockwise between upright grass stems and some of the adjacent blades are often cleverly bent and incorporated into the structure. It is seldom more than 18 in. or 2 ft. from the ground. A favourite site is the grass and weeds growing on bunds separat- ing paddy fields. The eggs, usually 4 sometimes 5, are a pale blue in ground colour with reddish blotches forming a ring round the broad end and_inter- connected by fine pencillings of the same colour. The texture is smooth and glossy. EHA in N. & E. (i, 303) records eggs on 22 and 28 August. The Indian Oriole; Oviolus oriolus kundoo Sykes. Field identification: Size about that of a Myna. A bright yellow bird with black in the wings and tail and a conspicuous black streak through the eye. The female is usually duller and greener. Inhabits groves of trees and wooded country, singly or in pairs. Specimens: St. Xavier’s College: 70 3 18-9-33 Gorégaon (H:A.). Noted: City: Khétwadi, Grant Road, Chowpati, Byculla, Warden Road; Salsette: Pali Hill, Chembur, Vihar, Powai and Tilsi Lake environs, Borivli, Godhbunder and elsewhere; Elephanta Island. General on mainland. The Indian Oriole is a common winter visitor to our area from about September to April. We have seen an isolated example each as late as 9g May and 7 June. EHA (B. of B., p. 95) says these birds leave us about the beginning of the hot season and go to drier climes inland to bring up their young, returning in September. This no doubt is correct. Single birds or pairs may commonly be seen in gardens in the city as well as in the suburbs. It frequents well-wooded country, and large shady trees such as Banyan, Peepal, Mango and. Tamarind are much _patronised. Their usual call notes are a harsh cheeah and a rich mellow whistle something like Pe-lo-lo. The food consists of Ficus figs, and berries of various kinds to which are added on occasion insects and the nectar of flowers such as Bombax and Erythrina. Breeding: We cannot trace any record of its breeding on the mainland in our neighbourhood or in the Ghats. The Black-headed Oriole: Oviolus xanthornus maderaspatanus Franklin. Field identification: Size same as last. A brilliant golden yellow bird with jet black head, throat and upper breast. Black in wings and tail. Frequents groves and well-wooded country singly or in pairs. Specimens: St. Xavier’s College: o 23-7-33 Borivli, Salsette (H.A.). Noted: City: Only Malabar Hill, Cumballa Hill, and Walkeshwar. Common generally in the suburbs and Salsette. Resident, but partly also local migrant. There is a marked increase and decrease in its numbers at the commencement and end of the cold weather. In habits it does not differ appreciably from the Indian Oriole, though it seldom ventures into the low country. The harsh monosyllabic note commonly uttered is very like the first note of the Tree-Pie and may frequently be mistaken for it. The adult male and female are alike in appearance and what is described as the female plumage in the Fauna (iii, 12) is merely that of the immature bird. Breeding: We have found nests in Salsette, on Mount Poinsur and in the Tulsi Lake environs, on 11 and 14 July. The latter contained 1 newly hatched young. The nest is a neat cradle of fibres, slung hammockwise in the horizontal fork of twigs near the extremity of an outhanging branch of Mango, Bassta or some other large tree. It is usually placed at a height of 20-30 feet from the ground. On 2 July (1933) an adult was observed chasing off a crow from the vicinity of a young bird lately out of nest, with unsteady flight and a stub tail. The normal clutch consists of 3 eggs. THE BIRDS OF BOMBAY AND SALSETTE 685 It has been repeatedly observed that Orioles, along with such other mild mannered birds as doves and babblers build in the same tree as holds a drongo’s nest. Whether this be by accident or design, there is no dobut that the birds thereby enjoy a certain amount of protection against marauders like crows. The king-crow will placidly tolerate their neighbourhood but a crow has only to show himself near the nest tree to be set upon and beaten off by the valiant owners! The Southern Grackle : Gracula religiosa indica (Cuvier). Talking cr Hill Myna. Field identification: A glossy jet black bird, slightly larger than Myna, with yellow bill and legs and bright orange yellow patches of naked = skin and wattles on the head. A. favourite cage bird. Usually seen as such in the Crawford Market and with fanciers. Straggler 2? The only occasions on which we have come across this bird in our area are: (1) A solitary bird at Pali Hill 1-q4-24 and (2) A pair in a tall and leafless tree in the forest by the Tulsi Lake on 29-3-31. The former may possibly have been an escaped cage bird. About 1924 Mr. M. Suter of Bombay in a letter to the Society wrote: ‘I have shot recently a specimen of the Southern Hill Myna (Grackle) which therefore seems to occur on Salsette Island’. Ordinarily this grackle is an inhabitant of the evergreen forest tracts of S.W. India and Ceylon. The Rosy Pastor or Rose-coloured Starling : Pastor roseus (Linn.). Local names: Raan Shalé (Mahratti), Hyya, Wyha, Jowari Bird. Field identification: Size about that of Myna. Head and crest, throat and upper breast glossy metallic black. Wings and tail black. Rest a beauti- ful pale rose-pink. Noisy flocks seen principally on the leafless flowering Silk Cotton Tree. Common in winter from about October to April but the arrival of the main body in our midst coincides more or less with the flowering of the Silk Cotton Tree (Bombax malabaricum) about mid-January, and their departure with the end of the flowering season, i.e. end of March or early April. When the Bombax is in flower Rosy Pastors are perhaps the most regular and numerous habitués to them and during the greater part of their sojourn here they seem to subsist almost entirely on the nectar. They are present wherever a Bombax tree is flowering, be it actually within town limits (such as Marine Lines, Elphinstone Circle Gardens, Cruikshank Road and_ elsewhere) or in the suburbs and less inhabited parts of Salsette. They seem to function as important cross-pollinating agents for this tree, collecting the pollen on their head feathers in their attempts to reach the nectar, and transferring it on to the mature stigma of the next flower. The flowers of the Coral Tree (Erythrina indica) are also patronised but to a lesser extent. Ficus figs and berries of various species are largely caten. We have found Lantana camara, Streblus asper and Salvadora persica to be almost invariably present in the stomachs of birds examined in our locality. During the time they are with us, thousands of birds collect every evening in the cocoanut palms at Juha to roost in company with Mynas. The Rosy Pastor is a natural enemy of locusts and a useful check on their numbers. Its breeding grounds in Russian Turkestan coincide with those of the locusts, and it wreaks enormous destruction among the insects in every stage of their life history. In India the birds do a certain amount of damage to ripening Jowari crops, but on the other hand are a great help to the ryot during times of locust invasions when they destroy enormous numbers of locusts, many more than they actually eat. The Grey-headed Myna: Sturnia malabarica malabarica (Gmelin). Field identification: A small trim Myna. Common. Grey above with blackish wings. Throat and breast pale lilac-grey, rest of underparts rusty brown, darkest under tail. Small flocks. in open secondary jungle and_ thinly wooded country. Specimens: B.N.H.S.: 39 5-2-24 Pali Hill; 19-9-26 Kandivlee (S.A.); ¢ 9 5-12-28 Bandra (E. Henricixs); St. Xavier’s College: 4 @ 9-2-33 Kihim (HEAD Noted : City: Warden Road, Nepean Sea Road, Sualsette : Chembur, Trombay Hills, Borivli, and elsewhere, 686. JOURNAL, BOWBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY; Vol. XXOgiae The Grey-headed Myna is a resident in small numbers in Salsette but it is largely a local migrant. There is a marked influx in its numbers in about September which lasts till the beginning of the hot weather. The birds are usually met with in pairs or small flocks of 6-8, often in association with Common and Brahminy Mynas and Rosy Pastors. They are regular attendants on Silk Cotton and Coral flowers for the nectar. There is a great deal of squabbling and chasing about from branch to branch and from one flower cluster to another when a flock is on the scene. Lantana - berries and figs of the Banyan and Peepal are also largely eaten. Breeding: We have no record of its breeding in our area. Blyth’s Myna; Sturnia malabarica blythti (Jerdon). Field identification: Differs from the last chiefly in having the whole head, neck and breast white instead of silvery grey. Specimens: St. Xavier’s College: 5 CG 23-7-33 Tulsi Lake environs. The discovery in our area of this race of the Grey-headed Myna is of great interest. It is the South Indian form of the bird and not recorded previously north of South Konkan. The specimen was solitary and apparently a straggler. We have, however, from time to time observed individuals amongst flocks of Grey-headed Mynas which have looked suspiciously like this bird. It is possible that on further investigation it may prove to wander into our area less rarely than has been supposed. The Black-headed or Brahminy Myna: Teimenuchus pagodartim (Gmelin). Field identification: Somewhat smaller than the Common Myna. Grey above, rich buff or reddish-fawn below, with black wings and_ blackish tail. Head and a long crest glossy black. The broad grey edging of the somewhat wedge-shaped tail is conspicuous when it is spread before the bird alights. SmaM flocks in secondary jungle and fairly wooded country, frequently in association with Grey-headed Mynas. Specimens: B.N.H.S.: Q imm. 9-11-12 Santa Cruz (N. B. Kinnear); St. Xavier’s College: 149 juv. Nov. 33 Kihim (H.A.). Noted: City: Warden Road, Salsette: Pali Hill, Khar, Andhéri, Jahn. A winter visitor to our area, arriving about September/October and leaving March/April. Flocks usually contain 6-12 birds either by themselves or in association with Common and Grey-headed Mynas. When they first arrive, the flocks are really family parties or multiples of family parties, and contain a great many young birds in juvenile plumage. Besides their typical frowsy appearance, the young differ from adults in having the crown and head chestnut instead of black, and in the absence of the crest. The birds feed on grasshoppers and other insects, frequently striding along or hopping amongst grazing cattle. They are also very partial to Banyan and Peepal figs and Lantana berries. We have observed them eating the figs of Ficus vetusa and berries of Bridelia and Mimusops hexandra. Along with others of their ilk they may commonly be seen on Bombax, Erythrina and Butea frondosa flowers, the nectar of which seems irresistible. It has quite a sweet song, heard on the approach of the breeding season, and is often kept as a cage bird. Breeding: We have no evidence that it actually breeds within our limits. The nearest localities where we have found nests are Panchgani (4,000 ft., June/July) and Khandala (2,000 ft.) in the Western Ghats. The Common Myna: Acridotheres tristis tristis Winn. Local Name: Shalé or Salonki. Field identification: After the crow, kite and sparrow certainly the com- monest and most familiar bird not only of Bombay and Salsette but of practic- ally the whole of India. A jaunty, perky, well-groomed dark brown bird with glossy black head and neck and bright yellow bill, legs and bare skin around the eyes. In flight a white bar is conspicuous in the open wing, and the tail is also bordered white. We cannot imagine that any local resident old or young is unfamiliar with this bird, but in any case the above clues, down and across, hak BIRDS OF BOMBAY AND SALSETTE 687 should leave no possible doubt in his mind. Usually seen in pairs or family parties in town in suburb and the countryside. Specimens: St. Xavier’s College: 32 ¢ Andhéri 28-7-33; 2230 ? Powai Nov. me (H1.A.). Noted: City: Grant Road, Bhuleshwar, Warden Road, Esplanade and other maidans, Chowpati, Back Bay Reclamation, Willingdon Club grounds, ete. Suburbs and adjacent mainland: ubiquitous. Common. Resident. Very partial to water-logged ground where it digs up worms. An unfailing attendant on grazing cattle, prancing with a sideways gait amongst their legs, riding on or hopping about their backs and appropriating any grasshoppers and other unfortunates disturbed by the progress. When the grass is tall it is amusing to watch the birds springing up from time to time to spy out their surroundings in the manner of a terrier. The Common Myna is more or less omnivorous in its diet, and like the House Crow will eat anything it can come by. H. A. once saw an individual carry off a dead field-mouse. Banyan and Feepal figs, wild dates or Lantana berries are uniformly relished and the nectar of Bombax and Erythrina is regularly eaten. When the winged termites emerge from the ground during the monsoon months, Mynas are amongst the vanguard of the avian epicures that fore- gather to the feast. They vie with the crows in the ungainliness of their aerial antics after the insects and often dally in the chase till well after dusk. It has a large repertoire of call notes and being such a familiar and by no means reticent bird, one soon learns to recognise the various emotions expressed by the calls. Alarm, agitation, pleasure, soon become so eloquent that one can usually guess what is afoot long before the birds themselves are visible. The harsh swearing cry of irritation combined with fear, for instance, which is accompanied by a drooping and shivering of the closed wings when a snake is sighted is quite unmistakable. Indeed a great many different species of birds also readily recognise this signal and rally to the moral support of the resentful mynas. At Kihim we have observed that parties of Common Mynas, often augmented by Jungle Mynas, fly out regularly to the rocks on the sea-shore exposed at low tide. We have been unable to ascertain the true purpose of these flights, but from the short time the birds remain there, we can only conjecture that they do so to drink the salt water in the same way as many mammals do. Breeding: Nest building commences in May and most eggs may be found in June and July. By September family parties are usually out, the clamouring young being led about and tended by the parents. Two successive broods are not uncommon. The nests in Salsette are placed in holes in stems of date and palmyra palms where they are more or less inaccessible, but holes and hollows in any large tree are utilised. The nest—an untidy collection of rubbish —is frequently built under the eaves or in the ceilings of inhabited houses in the suburbs. Four or five eggs are usually laid of a pretty uniform blue colour with a slight gloss. The Bank Myna: Acridotheres ginginianus (Latham). Field identification: Like the Common Myna but somewhat smaller and with the general colour pale bluish grey. A rare straggler (?). Apparently not heard of in our area since 1900. In that year a number of unusual birds were driven far south of their accustomed haunts in search of livelihood owing to the severe drought in Gujerat where the Bank Myna is common (J.B.N.H.S., xiii, 398). Ten years before this, in 1890, Barnes (J.B.N.H.S., v, 106) wrote: ‘I have seen it in the city of Bombay busily employed in excavating holes in the embankment of the Wodehouse Bridge near the Railway Station at Colaba; they did not, however, breed there as the boys persecuted them too much’, EHA did not meet with it in Bombay (B. of B., p. 127). The Jungle Myna: -Ethiopsar fuscus mahrattensis (Sykes). Field identification: In general appearance not unlike the Common Myna but with a tuft of long black feathers on the forehead, at base of bill, and no bare yellow skin round the eye. Specimens: St, Xavier’s College: 145 0? 25-10-33 Kihim (H.A.). 688 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL. HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX Noted: Salsette: Mulund (once), Kandivlee (once); Mainland: common at Kihim (Alibag) and in South Konkan. The status and local distribution of this myna in our area and the neigh- bouring country seems curious and inexplicable. On the adjacent mainland—at IWihim, across the harbour, and even at Parsik near Thana—both this species and the Common Myna are equally common. The habits of the two do not seem to differ appreciably except that the former is not so much of a house bird. They breed at the same season, often using the self same nest holes in alternate seasons. Yet in Salsette, except for the one record in all these years by H. A. at Mulund and for another small flock of 5 birds observed by S. A. at Kandivlee in a. different year, it appears to be absent! A _ similar peculiarity in the local and patchy distribution of the Jungle Myna in Travancore has been pointed out by Salim Ali (J.B.N.H.S., xxxviii, 504). East of Bombay the farthest we have come across it is 8 miles from Panvel towards Chauk village. It is common about the Tansa Lake. Many years ago Davidson (J. v, 107) noted it as occurring in Thana and Bombay. Breeding: We have found the Jungle Myna nesting commonly at Kihim in May. The nest is a mass of feathers and rubbish finished off with a piece of snake-slough, onion peel or tissue paper! It is placed in natural hollows principally in Casuarina, bhend (Thespesia) or Oondi (Calophyllum inophyllum) trees 10-30 ft. from the ground. Three or four eggs similar to those of the Common Mynas are laid. The incubation period is 16 days. (To be continued), FISH OF DEOLALI. Part II. ECOLOGICAL AND BIOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. (With one plate). BY A. G. L. FRASER, I.M.D. CONTENTS. PAGE. Prefatory Note ate Sy ctely, A note on the high mortality ‘incidence observed ‘amongst ‘surface and ground fishes (excepting the Ophicephalidae) on_ their transference from the natural environment to an aquarium ... ade ere 690 Notes on distribution and habits of certain fishes... 692 A note on the fixed practice as observed amongst certain species of fish of regularly exercising themselves every evening by swimming about at the surface in the rivers and also when kept in an aquarium ... 702 Temperature variations and alkalinity of the water Temperature a we so a eee (Aula Alkalinity a ee oe see 708 Miscellaneous Notes i Sleeping habit of the ee aa Se ee ae oe Malformations ses ie ets et UO) Vernacular Names sa 709 Notes on a predaceous W ater- Beetle which kills ‘stream fishes shee *o 7G Acknowledgments on Bite Re oF He 7 1} PREFATORY NOTE, The following series of aotes contains ecological and biological observations made by Mr. A. G. L. Fraser on certain fishes of the Deolali area both under field and laboratory conditions. The author used vernacular names in his descriptions but I have given the corresponding scientific names of the species throughout; in places the text has been revised so as to bring it in conformity with the literature on the subject. Explanatory notes have been added wherever it was found possible to give some adequate reasons for the valuable facts observed by Mr. Fraser. Dr. Albert W. C. T. Herre happened to be in Calcutta when I was revising these notes, and I availed myself of this opportunity to have the matter looked over by him. He very kindly read the revised manuscript and was able to add a note on the surface-swimming habit of the Cyprinidae of the Far East. The observations recorded here by Mr. A. G. L. Fraser are extremely valuable, especially as they are based on abundant material and were carried out during all the seasons of the year. Special attention may be directed to the function that has been assigned to the hypertrophied lower lip of Rasbora labiosa Mukerji and Danio fraseri Hora. From an analogy of similar structures found in certain Amphibian tadpoles, it was presumed by Mukerji and the writer that the structure was probably used for hanging from _ the surface film; but Mr. Fraser has conclusively shown that the enlarged lower lip is meant to seize and hold insects for which the fish jump several inches out of the water. This shows how similar structures may sometimes be used for totally different functions. The arrangement of matter proposed in the first part had to be modified as the descriptions of new species and notes on rare forms could not be completed in time for inclusion in this part of the Journal. In some respects the present arrangement seems to be more suitable.—S, L. Hora, 690 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX zt. A Nove ON THE HiGH MortTAaLity INCIDENCE OBSERVED AMONGST SURFACE AND GROUND FISHES (IEXCEPTING THE OPHICEPHALID) ON THEIR TRANSFERENCE FROM THE NArURAL ENVIRONMENT TO AN AQUARIUM. In. the experiences connected with the keeping of fishes am an aquarium, the problem encountered and beset with difficulty was how best to reduce the high mortality which invariably occurs amongst any given number of fishes on their introduction into the aquarium, A rough assessment of this mortality rate shows that 30 per cent die almost at once or within a few hours of ge transference. A further. 30 per cent. die within 24 hours ame Io per cent. up to 48 hours. In studying these losses with a view to reduction of mortality, the various factors prevailing in the water of the aquarium i.e. (1) temperature (2) alkalinity (3) absence or presence of currents (4) mechanical aération (6) food supply and (7) the physical character of the bed and the surroundings, were considered in turn and, despite all practical efforts to bring conditions in the aquarium to approach as near as possible those of the river or streams, the mortality figures continued fairly constant. Excluding the Ophicephalidae, which were tenacious of life, with a death rate of only 10 per cent., the surface fishes generally showed a higher proportion of deaths as compared with other ground species. No matter what kind of water was used, whether from the river, stream, well or tap, the relatively small percentage of species which ultimately survived were those able to live in any kind of water, provided always, that it was slightly alkaline to litmus paper. Such fishes lived for the five months of observation, even when, as was the case with one batch, the water had not been changed for eleven weeks. Of the surface fishes, roughly 30 ‘per cent. of the following species survived the transference and showed clear indications of a very high physical capacity for adapting themselves to the conditions in a small improvised aquarium. (1) Barbus ticto (Ham.).—Bhil name :—Tiptoo (2) Rasbora labiosa Mukerji.—Bhil name :—Gayroonjee (3) Danio frasert Hora.—Bhil name:—Gayroonjee All these species are found in both rivers and streams in this area. Excepting the first, the two others are normally more numerous in the streams. In the case of Barilius bendelisis Ham. (Bhil name:—Jhor or plural Jhoria) the mortality in the early trials was cent per cent. Later, it was ascertained that if salt was added to the water in a quantity sufficient to render it strongly alkaline to litmus paper, the death rate was reduced to go per cent. Any further additions of salt did not improve the situation and 10 per cent. of any given number survived and could live on if the water was brackish. Amongst all other surface species which were recovered from the rivers there. was a high degree of susceptibility—from 15 minutes to two hours at most—with a cent per cent. mortality which could not be influenced under any circumstances. This I FISH OF DEOLALI 691 think can be attributed to the absence of strong currents which it was impossible to reproduce in a small aquarium. In this respect the Chilwa |Chela clupeoides (Bloch)|, Bhil name—Phal or plural Phalay and Ambassis ranga (Ham.) with the Bhil name of Bing are notable as they were found associated together in sections of the rivers where there were very strong swirling currents in evidence. The ground species, excepting the Ophicephalidae, showed generally a 50 to 60 per cent. mortality and the fishes which best adapted themselves in the “improvised aquarium were the follow- ing :— (1) Cobitidae: There were four species, viz., Lepidocephali- chthys guntea (Ham,), Nemachilus botius (Ham.), N. denisonii Day and N. evezardi Day. All of these lived well in the aquarium, but one of them, L. guntea (Ham.), with the Bhil name of Mohroo chopra, proved to be the better adapted as it lived through the six months of observations. (2) A ground species (Bhil—Kharandya) |Garra mullya (Sykes) |. (3) A Siluroid:—Bhil name, Khirkirya |Mystus cavasius (Ham. ) |. In the case of Garra mullya (Sykes)—Bhil name, Mallia— there was a fifty per cent. death rate but the surviving numbers did not live for more than 4 days in the aquarium and during this period showed much respiratory embarrassment. They periodi- cally and frequently rose to the surface and by muscular action alone, maintained themselves perpendicularly suspended, but not by their lips, for 30 to 35 seconds. While thus engaged, they create a froth of bubbles. This species is really not a good aquarium type. Other ground species showed a cent per cent. mortality. Most of the ground species were recovered from the rivers. The Cobitidae appear to be generally distributed in both the rivers and streams. a The results of the observations made it clear that in a small improvised aquarium only those species. survive’ which are habituated to living in -still water pools of rivers and streams or in pools where the currents are only of slight intensity. It would appear, therefore, that if other species are to survive in an aquarium for purposes of observation the water in it must be so arranged that strong currents’ pass through it at all times and, while allowing of a wide surface expanse its volume and depth must be adequate. These conditions, plus a slight alkalinity and a bed of a varied nature consisting of rock, sand, silt, and under water vegetation to suit the different kinds are equally necessary. It has not been possible for me to do this. _—$$$$ a ee a SC fe ee * Owing to strong currents, the water becomes well oxygenated and it. is usually difficult to keep rapid-water forms in aquaria. By aérating aquarium water artificially, it is, however, possible to acclimatise a certain number ‘of these fishes to aquarium conditions.—S. L. Hora, 3 692 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX The question as to why there should be a high mortality rate amongst the species, of which a small percentage were able to survive the ill-adjusted conditions in a small improvised aquarium, is of interest. Theoretically, if conditions were so adverse as to kill the majority none should have survived. Whether death. of the majority was due to shock as the result of a highly nervous complex reacting badly to the new environment is a_ possible causative factor but not easily ascertainable; but there is no doubt that the few surviving individuals showed a capacity and resistance of a high and peculiar quality, apparently inherent in themselves, for, though placed in an ill-suited environment, they were quite at home in it. Were it not due to this high adaptive power of the few it would not have been possible to carry out the experiments and observations of which the records are appended. It is possible also that the range of variability is much less among the survivors than in those eliminated. This was found to be the case by the American zoologist, Bumpas who measured 136 injured specimens of the common sparrow collected after a severe storm. Out of this number 72 revived while 64. diéd: 7@a measuring the dead birds and comparing them with the survivors he ascertained that the former on the average were longer and heavier than the latter and significantly also showed that the range of variability was distinctly smaller among the living birds. In this respect the transference of fishes from their natural environ- ment to the aquarium can be likened to a storm. Unfortunately I am not competent to undertake these measurements of the fishes involved. Such measurements if they are to be reliable must be undertaken on freshly dead specimens as_ preserved fishes are unsuitable for obvious reasons of shrinkage. I have, however, put up separately in two lots such batches as were observed.—(1) Those that died almost at once or within 48 hours and (2) the numbers which ultimately survived and would have continued to live indefinitely had not the observations terminated for lack of facilities. Should these fishes be measured and the comparative study reveal physical ditferences it should furnish valuable evidence that those individuals which depart least from the ‘ideal type’ have on the whole the best chance of surviving.! 2. NoTgEs ON DISTRIBUTION AND HABITS OF CERTAIN FISHES. In the course of making the collection and from the expert- ences and impressions gathered after eleven months exploration of the tributary streams and rivers in the Deolali area the following ——$—$_—<—— 1 Dr. S. L. Hora of the Zoological Survey of India, who, in collaboration with Mr. K. S. Misra, has investigated the fish fauna _of.Deolali informs me- that the speciniens kept in the aquariumy for a long time are very lean and attenuated. In fact he found them so different from the normal individual that in the preliminary sorting he regarded them as belonging to different species. This was particularly so in the case of Lepidocephalichthys guntea (Ham.) and Danio fraseri Hora. Such a condition was probably due to insufficient nourishment under aquarium conditions. "7 features were noted as regards the distribution and some of the FISH OF DEOLALI habits which have been observed. Serial number and number in order of dominance ee (29) DS 8) ou (7) a. (2) Be ail) 6. (32) Je. {3) 8. (30) Se (17) Hz <(O) lee (6) 2. (15) 13. (1) 14. (16) 15. (24) HG: . (4) We. (10) tse; (23) HOE; (27) 20. (28) Zu (12) 22. (13) 23. (14) 24. (18) Zo. (22) 20. (9) Wie (31) 20.1, (21) Z9,, (25) 30. (20) oil * (26) 32. (8) Bs. (19) In the above Table the species are shown as found the rivers Scientific Name Notopterus notoptlerus (Pallas.). | | Anguilla anguilla (Ham.) | Chela clupeotdes (Bloch) Barilius bendelisis (Ham.) Danio trasert Hora | Rasbora daniconius (Ham.) Rasbora labiosa Mukerji _Aspidoparia morar (Ham.) Barbus chola (Ham.) Barbus khudree (Sykes) | Barbus kolus (Sykes.) | Barbus sarana (Ham.) Barbus ticto (Ham.) _Cirrhina reba (Ham.) | Crossichilus latius (Ham.) Garra mullya (Sykes) Labeo boggut (Sykes) Labeo porcellus (Hackel) Rohtee cotio (Ham.) Rohtee vigorsit (Sykes) Lepidocephalichthys gu ntea (Ham.) sie Nemachilus botius (Ham.) Nemachilus dentsoni: (Day.) ... Callichrous bimaculatus (Biceh)r 2: ae va Wallago attu (Bloch aid Schn.) Mystus cavasius (Ham.) Glytothorax lonah (Sykes) Nangra viridescens (Ham.) Proeutropichihys taakree a(S) Mls scr te oe Ophicephalus gachua (Ham.)... | Ophicebhalus marulius (Ham.) | Ambassis ranga (Ham.) | Glossogobius giuris (Ham.) | and in ()) the tributary Bhil Name Chambiee ... Abhir Phathree, Phal Jhor | Gayroonjee. Gayroonjee. Gayroonjee. Ambli Bhokria Waris Kholis Bhodeer Tiptoo, Tiplee Arrol Warootee ... | Mallia, Kha- | randya Sandekol Khanoos, Ghoghir .,. Goorda Kuplee Mhorroo, Mohroo thail, Mohroo chopra... Mhorroo, Mohroo chickna, Mhorroo, Mohroo yaree ... Monee Baloo Khirkirya ia Khordoo Bibua Sovar Dhakay, Dakiia i, Murral Bing Kharbya streams’; — ss as 693 Present in rivers RAK MMMM MX nmr i rs wn rr their in Present streams Xx x (2) order in of 694 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXX1X dominance is also noted. The order of the dominance shown is judged by the numbers taken of each species- and is possibly not quite a true index, but it is near enough for all practical purposes. It will be observed from the Table that, of the total of 33 species tabulated, quite a large number found in the rivers, were’ not found in the. streams. Nine species only of the total were found in both the rivers and streams. Of this number only three can be said to be truly stream species. These are Rasbora labiosa Mukerji, Danio (Danio) fraseri Hora and a ground species with the Bhil name ot AKharandya |Garra mullya (Sykes)|. Their presence in the rivers can be accounted for by the fact that the monsoon storm waters force them in. During the dry seasons of the year their numbers in the rivers are comparatively scanty, while in the streams they are very numerous. The remaining Six species appear to be equally distributed in both the rivers and streams. Chela clupeoides (Bloch).—Bhil name, Phal or Phalay. A long, laterally compressed, silvery white fish, stained greenish yellow dorsally. ‘he ventral surface is arched in the long axis; dorsally it is concave, with a sharply upturned mouth. They are recoverable only from the rivers, most often in midstream where the currents are swirling and strongest and in sections where the bed is rocky and sanded or part silted. They move about in shoals and prefer stretches of the river which have a wide expanse, and are absent from sections where there are villages upon the banks. They have been found associated with what appear to me to be Ambassis vanga (Ham.), (Bhil name, Bing)—a fish so pale and transparent that when alive, the vertebral column, and anteriorly below it and wedged above the stomach, the swim bladder and the bones in its body are clearly defined. After death it becomes opaquely white. With the Chilwa, it shares a preference for localities where there are strong currents. Chilwa are particularly susceptible and do not live for more than a few minutes in the aquarium. Ten per cent of the Bing are capable of living: in the aquarium. They never rise to the ‘surface at any time and do not behave as other surface species do. They remain stationary the whole time and rarely if ever move about keeping a position about 2 inches from the floor. They readily devour larvae and also green algae. The mouth is always kept open and only the lower “We is slightly raised in the act of breathing. The Chilwa is insectivorous. I have seen them rise to take small blue dragon flies. Barilius bendelisis (Ham.).—Bhil name, Jhor or Jhoria. Hora and Mukerji in the Records of the Indian Museum, vol. XXXvil, part ii, have mentioned two species of Barils in their report on the small collection which was first sent from Deolali. The name Jhor is used by Bhils for both species. B. bendelisis is dark-coloured dorsally with yellowish fins and a series of transverse jet black or purplish black streaks running from a dorsal ridge to the mid- poe near the lateral line. In spirits, the dark dorsal colouration 1 The material sent to us for examination does not bear out, in a few cases, the order of dominance of the species as noted by Dr. Fraser. It is quite possible, however, that we did not have the whole material for examination.—S. L. Hora. ¢ JourRN. BomBay Nat. Hist. Soc; PEALE ALE Photos showing the transparency of the fish Ambassis vanga (Ham.) known to Bhil fishermen by the name of Bing. The swim bladder and vertebral column are clearly defined. a FISH OF DEOLALI 695 of large specimens fades to yellow. The young show lighter colour tones and the transverse streaks are much more pronounced. This fish is found both in streams and rivers and favours parts which are silted up and where there is only a mild surface current. During dry periods of the year they .are more numerous in the streams, especially in the sections of the ‘North Nallah’ which run by the Deolali Cantonment Bazaar. Here there is much wash- ing of clothes done and the water is soapy and_ foul-smelling. Batch No. 32' in the present series is a good example of a catch of this species only, containing both large and small specimens taken from the locality mentioned. The water here is always strongly alkaline to litmus paper. This is an important point as this species is a bad aquarium type and I have mentioned previously that a cent per cent. mortality was reduced to go per cent. simply by adding salt in sufficient quantity to make the water in the aquarium strongly alkaline. Curiously enough, Batch No. 37 aken on 30th January 1936 from the Darna river were all very young specimens which were caught at the sides of the river in a portion which was but a few inches deep and where there was no current. The bed was a silt-covered sanded section, and here also the water was strongly alkaline, while the temperature at 3 p.m. was 86°F. In contrast with this, the water at a 2 ft. depth in the current of the river was slightly alkaline and the temperature 76°F. No big specimens of this species were caught in this locality on that day. Confirmatory proof of the fact that only this species is recoverable in the section of the ‘North Nallah’, referred to above in connection with Batch No. 32, is again furnished by the catch obtained on roth February 1936. Batch No. 39 (see also Batch No. 50 of this series) contains this species. On this day the tem- perature at 4 p.m. was 86°F. and the water was strongly alkaline. These fish feed well on mosquito larvae and leap for midges when they fly above the surface level. Batch No. 11 containing three specimens were taken on rod and line with a worm bait on 29th August 1935. I have since ascertained that they swallow worms readily. Worms can be got at any time of the year from the section of the North Nallah where this fish is found. The bed is silted over a rocky base and the worms are to be had in the silt and from the edges of the stream. The fish have been observed to partly bury themselves head up in the silt and some have been caught in this way by simply removing the silt and picking them out from it. I have tried silt in the aquarium but this does not help to reduce the mortality. Egg-bearing females were found in March. Danio (Di1i fraseri) Hora.—Bhil name, Gayroonjee. Much of what is given below as regards the habitats of Rasbora labiosa Mukerji equally applies to this species which is insectivorous probably throughout its life. The colour in the living state is silvery with a pinkish blush which is also in evidence on the fins. The lateral striations on the long axis of the body are of a blue ae — * These numbers correspond with the locality numbers as given in Part I of the present series, 696 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX colour which fades to just perceptible lines when the fish are kept in the aquarium for any length of time, when they also lose the pink blush, becoming silvery white. In spirits, the striations become quite dark and much of their original freshness is lost. Rasbora labiosa Mukerji.—Bhil name Gayroonjee. This fish is easily the dominant type in the streams, where they are very numerous. At the origin of the ‘Narsullah Wadi’ (see bach No. 14—-12th September 1935) they were found associated with Nemachilus denisont Day (Bhil name, Mohroo yaree, a banded fish). During the dry months of the year comparatively few are recoverable from the rivers, where only adult specimens measuring from 4 to 6 inches in length are usually present. In the streams they have been observed moving about in small shoals—of about 40 or more, consisting chiefly of the smaller fry. They are nearly all of uniform size and appear to have been hatched out at the same time. Very young ones 1.0 cm. in length have been found in the shallows of sanded beds at the edges of the streams where they can be caught by cupping one’s hand into a hollow. This is a hardy fish and makes a good aquarium type. They are capable of living in very foul water and were recovered from stagnant pools and the marshy pockets of the streams which become clogged with algae and show a heavy surface scum. Significantly enough 8o to oo per cent., taken from the stagnant sections survived in the aquarium, provided they were kept under identical conditions in the same kind of foul water with algae in it. A batch was kept for eleven weeks continuously without the water being changed without ill effects. When placed in clear well water the majority of them died within six hours. In contrast with this only 30 per cent taken from clear water in the cleaner parts of the streams, where there was a fair surface current survived in the aquarium. During the rains they are taken in fair numbers from the rivers into which they are washed by the monsoon flood waters. Those in the streams are larvivorous and insectivorous. They feed greedily on the larvae of mosquitoes and midge flies and leap out of the water as much as ten inches high to take flying insects above the surface film. They also feed readily on algae and the flour of a millet grain called in the vernacular ‘Bajri’ but much prefer adult mosquito and midge flies... The midge flies are seen in the characteristic clouds of their nuptial flight after the rains give over and during the cold months up to February. They appear in numbers at eventide and also at times during the day in flight above the streams. They are particularly in evidence above the stagnant sections and Rasbora labiosa and Danio fraseri then become very active leaping out for them. Several large specimens of Rasbora labiosa were taken on rod and line with a worm bait. One specimen, four inches in length, kept in the aquarium preferred a diet of worms, which it readily devoured and eschewed the larvae and imagos of the insect men- tioned. One particularly large example of this species was netted a — ‘ Mr. Prater in a letter states ‘The midges which you sent from Deolali were identified in the British Museum as Chironomus tripartitum Rieff.’ HIS Oe DBO LAEL 697 in the act of swallowing a Nemachilus. This evidence would go to show that the smaller fry are insectivorous and when grown to adult proportions become carnivorous. In the publication ‘Notes on Fishes in the Indian Museum, xxv. On two New Species of Cyprinid Fishes from Deolali’ etc., —Records of the Indian Museum, vol. xxxvii, Part II, pp. 375-80, Hora and Mukerji emphasise the characteristic hypertrophy of the lower lip in Rasbora labiosa Mukerji and Danio fraseri Hora. In the absence of biological observation they found it difficult to assign any definite function to this structure, but directed attention to homologous structures found in certain tadpoles which are sup- _ posed to use the hypertrophied lip as a device for hanging from the surface film. They therefore think it is possible that the two new surface species also use the expanded lower lip for the mechanical process of suspending themselves from the surface film when the waters in their habitats become too foul for the ordinary process of respiration. With a view to ascertain whether they behaved in this way, observations were maintained over them and incidentally also over other surface and ground species for a period of five months from rst November 1935. In the previous notes under mortality incidence, no details were mentioned as to the be- haviour of the fishes on the initial transference from their natural environment to the aquarium. The description of this behaviour was postponed for consideration here. The majority of the surface fishes, inclusive of the two new species observed, as also those of the Siluroid family and the ground fish Garra mullya (Sykes) (Bhil names: Mallia and Kharandya) when introduced into the aquarium and dependent upon their powers of adaptability manifest a marked respiratory embarrassment. This they show in _ the following way. As regards the surface species, the ill adapted rise to the surface and by musculer action alone in the act of swimming maintain themseves as if suspended from the surface film. At the same time the mouth movements in the act of breathing become considerably accelerated; the mouth itself is opened wider and the gill covers are seen to heave to aid respiration. All of these symptoms clearly show the dyspnoea to which they become subjected. In this respect all the fishes behaved alike and in no single instance was there any evidence to show that in this distressed condition they made use of the lower lip in a mechanical way to hang from the surface. Occasionally in the act of swimming the dorsal aspect of the head and sometimes the upper lip was pushed above the surface level, but never the lower lip. “When at the ‘surface, the position of the body in relation to the surface film forms angles of a varying degree according to the species. In the case of Rasbora the angle formed is roughly 30, of Danio 40, of Barilius 30, of Barbus ticto 60 and of the Siluroids 40 to 60 degrees. They continue to behave in the way described until a moribund phase ensues when they turn over on their backs and finally in a short space of time die. With regard to the ground species referred to above, the behaviour is different. They do not swim about at the surface; instead they remain clinging to the surface by muscular effort in a perpendicular position for half a 698. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX minute or so and then sink back again, repeating the process until moribund and unable to do so any longer. While at the top this ground species produces a froth of bubbles. a THE MEDICINAL AND POISONOUS CROWFOOTS OF INDIA 718 The medicinal and poisonous crowfoots of India belong to the following 14 genera:—AconiITUM, ACTAEA, ADONIS, ANEMONE, AQUILEGIA, CALTHA, CIMICIFUGA, CLEMATIS, CopTis, DELPHINIUM, NIGELLA, PAEONIA, RANUNCULUS, THALICTRUM. A. Erect or climbing shrubs. Leaves opposite. Sepals petaloid, valvate. Carpels 1-ovuled; ovule pendulous. Fruit of many achenes Petals o tic ae a ... CLEMATIS. B. Herbs. Leaves radical or alternate. Sepals petaloid, imbricate. Carpels 1-ovuled; ovule pendulous. Fruit of many achenes T. Petals o, flowers involucrate oe ... ANEMONE. II. Petals 0, flowers not involucrate eae .s. THALICTRUM. III. Petals 5-16, with no nectariferous pit ... 2. ADONIS: C. Herbs. Leaves radica! or alternate. Sepals herbaceous, imbricate. Carpels 1-ovuled; ovules erect. Fruit of many achenes Sepals 3-5, deciduous, petals usually 5 D. Herbs or undershrubs. Leaves alternate. Sepals petaloid or herbaceous, imbricate. Carpels several, many-ovuled. Fruit of 1 or more follicles (berried in AcTAEa) I. Flowers regular solitary or panicled RANUNCULUS. a. Petals 0. Leaves undivided oi .». CALTHA. b. Petals small, carpels long-stalked ... 2 OLR c: c. Petals small, unguiculate. Carpels _ sessile. Flowers pale blue we .». NIGELLA. | d. Petals as large as the sepals, all spurred —... AQUILEGIA. II. Flowers regular, racemed a. Carpels solitary, berried when ripe ... ACTAEA. b. Carpels 4-8, follicular when ripe ... CIMICIFUGA. IiI. Flowers irregular a. Posterior sepal spurred bps ... DELPHINIUM. b. Posterior sepal vaulted es ... AACONITUM. E. Herbs or undershrubs. Sepals herbaceous imbricate. Carpels several, several-ovuled, girt by a fleshy disk. Fruit of coriaceous few-seeded follicles ... PAEONIA. ACONITUM, The genus numbers rro species distributed over the northern temperate regions of the globe. Aconites are at once highly poisonous and most valuable medicinal plants. The following species are used medicinally in Europe—A. Anthora Linn., -A. Cammarum Linn., A. Lycoctonum Linn., A. Napellus Linn., A. variegatum Linn.—; in Japan and China—A. Fischeri Reichb., A. ‘Lycoctonum Linn., A. Napellus Linn., A. uncinatum Linn.—; in North America—A. Fischeri Reichb., A. Napellus Linn., A uncinatum Linn.—; in Indo-China— A. Fischeri Reichb., A. Kusnezoffii Reichb., 4. Lycoctonum Linn., A. Napellus Linn. Those aconite alkaloids which have been fully examined belong to two well-defined groups:—(1) aconitines, which are highly poisonous——aconitine and bikhaconitine from A. Napellus, indaconi- tine from A. chasmanthum, japaconitine from Japanese hondo aconite roots, pseudaconitine from A. deinorrhizum and A. Balfourii, jesaconitine from Japanese bushi aconite roots, lappaconitine and 714 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol} XX XT lveaconitine from A. Lycoctonum— ; (2) atisines, which are not toxic | —atisine from A. heterophyllum, palmatisine from A. palmatum. : Nothing is known of the properties and uses of 11 species recognized as Indian. The other 13 Indian Aconites are arranged | according to the structure of their roots, on the authority of gay Stapf :— | | A. Root perennial, long, fusiform usually breaking up at i length into cord-like anastomosing or free strands; old H plants often with several stems from the collar joo a, An leordiume B. Roots biennial, paired, tuberous; each tuber producing normally one simple or rarely branched stem I. Stem erect, rarely ascending, never twining 1. Seed-angles winged, faces smooth or almost so (not transversely lamellate) a. All the leaves distinctly to very long-petioled, cordate-orbicular or reniform in outline, deeply dissected | i. Tubers 2-3.5° cm: lene, fracture in. the dry state horny or cartilaginous, brown | (at least the part outside the cambium) ; taste slightly bitter, followed by a tingling Sensation ; carpels 5, glabrous or nearly so, never tomentose N aS ie . chasmanthum ii. Tubers o.5-2.5 cm. long, fracture inthe dry state almost farinaceous, pure white ; taste indifferent or slightly sweetish, not ‘followed by any tingling sensation; car- ‘ pels densely tomentose; honey-gland subterminal 3. A. violaceum. b. All the leaves with the exception of the lowest shortly petioled to sub-sessile, cordate-ovate, coarsely crenate iet es ... 4. A. heterophyllum 2. Seeds with hyaline wavy transverse -lamellae a. Cambium of tubers discontinuous, forming in cross-section circular or tangentially flattened | to horseshoe-shaped_ strands | i. Nectary-hood very slender with a minute lip; carpels quite glabrous; taste of tubers intensely and pure bitter, not i followed by any tingling sensation ... 5. A. palmatum. } ii. Nectary-hood wide with a rather large lip; carpels hairy; taste of tubers rather indifferent, followed by a_ strong and persistent tingling sensation + Inflorescence and carpels greyish pubescent; leaves divided almost to the base, ultimate divisions narrow ; carpels usually 3 a ... 6. A. deinorrhigum. t+ Inflorescence and carpels spreadingly yellowish tomentose; leaves rather less divided tham in the preceding | species, ultimate divisions broad ; carpels 5 . A. Balfourii. b. Cambium of tubers continuous, forming in } cross-section a more or less sinuous ring ~NI i. Secondary sieve-strands of mother-tubers | not encased in sclerenchymatic sheaths ; lip of nectary widened from the base upwards; leaf-segments not or slightly divaricate THE MEDICINAL AND POISONOUS CROWFOOTS OF. INDIA 715 t Leaves divided to in the inner, to 8 or less in the outer incisions, ultimate divisions rather broad; carpels 5; follicles 10-18 mm. long 4] Intermediate leaf-division rhom- boid-cuneate, sparingly and coarsely inciso-crenate ; nectary- hood much leaning forward, slightly widened at the top, scarcely gibbous; carpels glabr- ous or nearly so; follicles 14- 18 mm. long =f ue Of. Maleonent. 74 Intermediate leaf-division mostly ovate in outline, copiously incisc- crenate or dentate ; nectary-hood slightly leaning forward, dis- tinctly, eibbous | at .the. top; carpels villous; follicles about 10 mm. long ne ... 9. A. spicatum. ++ Leaves divided almost to the very base, ultimate divisions narrow; carpels mostly 3; follicles 18-25mm. long ie or -.. 10. A. laciniatuin. il. Secondary sieve-strands of mother-tubers encased in sclerenchymatic — sheaths, forming persistent fibres; lip of nectary narrow; leaf-segments — conspicuously divaricate a ae sean else (EPOX. II. Stem very slender, twining 1. Flowers on recurved pedicels (up to 5 cm. long), nodding ; helmet conic-ovate in profile _ A. Elwesit. = No 2. Flowers on straight or almost straight pedicels (up to 7.5 cm. long); helmet depressed, semi- orbicular in profile e bah on ew. Lennie, 1. Aconitum Turidum Hook. fil. & Th. is found in the Him- alaya from Eastern Nepal to Chumbi, between 12,000 and 14,000 ft. The root is reputed poisonous. Bengal: Bish, Butsnabbish—; Bhoti: Tchendook—; Bombay: Butchnab—; Darjeeling : Soorja banshi—,; Hindi: Mahoor—; Nepal: Atisingeeabish, Bilsh, Bish, Bishnak—; Sikkim: Suya-banshi—; Telugu: Ativassa—. 2. Aconitum chasmantum Stapf inhabits the subalpine and Alpine zone of the Western Himalaya, from Chitral and Hazara to Kashmir, between 7,coo and 12,000 ft. The root contains, according to Dunstan, very small proportions of aconitine (1897). Later the roots were examined by Dunstan and Andrews, and found to contain the crystalline alkaloid indaconitine (1905). But an alkaloid, obtained by Bauer and Radjhan, did not appear identical with indaconitine (1931). Hazara: Mohri—; Jhelum: Mohri, Piun—; Kashmir: Ban-bal-nag—. 3. Aconitum violaceum Jacquem. occurs in the Alpine zone of the Himalaya from Gilgit to Kumaon, between 10,000 and me Goo ft, The roots are eaten by the hillmen of Kanawar as a pleasant tonic. Kachung: Tilia kachang—; Kashmir: Joleser, Jokser me-hin-pat-val—; Sutlej: Tilia kachang—, (16 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL OISda SOCTE EY. Volto news 4. Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. is common in the subalpine and alpine zone of the Himalaya, from the Indus to Kumaon, from’ /0,600 tons ,Go0omrt, Ayurvedists describe the root as a bitter tonic, hot, stomachic, and digestive. They recommend it as a remedy in _ fevers, diarrhoea, dyspepsia and cough, and also as an aphrodisiac and an astringent. They consider it useful in the treatment of bites and stings from poisonous animals. Yunanists use the drug much in he same way as the Ayurvedists. Thus the root is a common Indian medicine employed as a mild and bitter tonic, aphrodisiac, antiperiodic and _ tonic. The Central Indigenous Drugs Committee (1901) while admitting that the drug is a good bitter and tonic, declared it to be worthless as an antiperiodic. Jkoman (1919) reported having cured a case of acute dysentery and one of ‘chronic’ enteritis, Caius amd Mhaskar proved experimentally that it is not an antidote to snake venom (1931) and that it is useless in the treatment of scorpion sting (1932). The alkaloid atisine has been obtained from the root. Bashahr: Patis, Patris—; Bhoti: Ais—; Bombay: Atis, Atvika——; Canarese: Atibaje—; Cutch: Ativista—; Gujerat: Atavakhanikali, Atavishnikali, Ativakh, Ativish—; Hindi: Atis, Atvika—; Jhelum: Chitijari, Sukhi-hari—; Kashmir: Hongisafed, Mohandigujsafed, Mohundguji, Narmada, Nerr-mada—; Lahul: Bonga—; Leh: Ais—; Marathi: Atavish—; Persian: Batis, Vajjeturki—; Punjab: Bonga, Chitijari, Patis, Patris, Sukhihari—; Sanskrit: Amrita, Aruna, Ataicha, Atisaraghni, Ativisha, Bhangura, Bhringi, Ghunavallabha, Kashmira, Madri, Mahaushadham, Mahoshadha, Mridvi, Prativisha, Pravisha, Shishu- bhaishyajja, Shokapaha, Shringi, Shringika, Shuklanda, Shveta, Shvetakanda, Shvetavacha, Shyamkanda, Upvisha, Vira, Virupa, Visha, Visharupa, Vishva— =; Tamil: Atividyam—; Telugu: Ativasa—. 5. Aconitum pailmatum D. Don is found in the alpine Himaiaya of Nepal, Sikkim, and the adjoining part of South Tibet, from 10,000 to 16,000 ft. The non-poisonous root is tonic and antiperiodic; it is given for rheumatism and diarrhoea. Mixed with pepper it is used internally as a remedy for pains in the abdomen, diarrhoea and vomiting, and intestinal worms; externally it is used as an application for rheumatism. The root contains the alkaloid palmatisine. Bombay: Bikhma, Vakhma, Wakhma—; Gujerati: Vakhamo—,; Hindi: Bikhma, Bishawa, Bishma, Bisma—; Sikkim: Gniong-rip-gmok, Seto- bikhoma—. 6. Aconitum deinorrhizum Stapf occurs in the alpine Himalaya of Bashahar. ; The root contains the poisonous alkaloid pseudaconitine. Bashahar: Doodhiya moura, Maura, Mohra—; Gujerat: Dudhio vachha- nag—; Hindi: Mahoor, Mahore, Maur, Maura bikh, Mora, Moura _ bikh, Muhura—; Kashmir: Dudhia bish—; Punjab: Dudhia bish—; Ravi: Dudhia moura—; Sutlej: Kala mohra, Mahoor, Mahore, Maur, Maura bikh, Mohra, Mora, Moura bikh, Muhura—. 7. Aconitum Balfourii Stapf occurs in the subalpine and alpine Himalaya from British Garhwal to Nepal. THE MEDICINAL AND POISONOUS CROWFOOTS OF INDIA Zaue The tubers contain the poisonous alkaloid pseudaconitine. Darma:, Gobriya—; Garhwal: Banwa—; Hindi: Teliya, Teliya bachnag, Teliya bis—; Lahore: Bachnab—; Nepal: Gobari—; Ralam: Bhanva, Dhaulia, Dhumuriya, Fatkia, Gobaria, Gobriya, Jhirina, Kawriya, Phatkia, Phutkia, Ratwa, Tiliya—. 8. Aconitum Falconeri Stapf inhabits the alpine and subalpine zone of the Himalaya of Garhwal. The root is evidently poisonous. Hindi: Bikh, Bis, Mahoor, Mahore, Maur, Maura bikh, Meethatellia, Mora, Moura bikh, Muhura—; Tihri Garhwal: Mohra—. Aconitum spicatum Stapf is found in the alpine zone of the Himalaya of Sikkim and Chumbi, between 10,009 and 12,000 ft. This species is the principal source of the ‘Bikh’ or ‘Bish’ of the Calcutta market. The toxic principle is the alkaloid bikhaconitine. Bengal: Dagra, Dakra, Katbish, Kathbish—; Bombay: Bachnab—; Cana- vese: Vasanabhi Cutch: Bachnaga—; Deccani: Lal bachnag—; Gujerati : Shingadiovachnag, Vachnag, Vachlanag—; Hindi: Bachhnag, Bachnag, Bachnak, Bechnak, Bikh, Bish, Bis, Kalabachhnag, Singya—; Lepcha: Ning—; Malayalam: Valsanabhi—; Sanskrit: Sringibish, Vatsanabha—; Sikkim: Bikh, Gniong, Gniongmot, Gniongning, Kalabikoma, Shoddukmot—; Sinhalese : Vachanabhi—; Tamil: Navi, Sennabi, Vachanavi—; Telugu: Nabhi, Vasanabhi—. to. Aconitum laciniatum Stapf occurs in the subalpine and alpine Himalaya of Sikkim and adjoining Tibet, between 10,000 and 14,000 ft. It forms, together with A. spicatum, the article known as ‘Nepal Aconite’. Stkkim: Kalobikhmo—. 11. Aconitum ferox Wall. is found in the alpine Himalaya of Nepal. The drug is chiefly employed in India in the treatment of leprosy, fever, cholera, and rheumatism. It is a very effective medicine in various diseases, acting as a narcotic sedative, regarded as heating and stimulant, useful in fever, cephalalgia, affections of the throat, dyspepsia, and rheu- matism. It is much used as an external application, the root being formed into a paste and spread upon the skin in neuralgia, boils, etc. Internally it is chiefly used in the treatment of chronic intermittent fevers. Ayurveda prescribes that the root be specially prepared before use. To this end the tough horny material is soaked in either urine or milk from the cow and exposed to the sun until it becomes so soft as to be easily pierced by a pin. The process requires three or more days and the urine or milk has ‘to be renewed every day. Bose (K. C.) has shown that this treatment is attended with very important modifications of the physiological properties :—tincture of Aconite at first slows the heart-rate, lowers the blood pressure, and increases the peripheral circulation, later the heart-rate is accelerated and the, blood pressure raised; after 718 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY). Vol) XXxXIx treatment of the root with cow’s urine the tincture increases the rate and systole of the heart, the blood pressure, and the peri- pheral circulation, and the etfects ‘persist for a very long time. Mhaskar and Caius have confirmed those findings and demonstrated, moreover, that if the root is treated with cow’s milk, instead of urine, the above changes are much more pronounced. The root, either alone or in combination with other drugs, has been much recommended for the treatment of snake-bite and scorpion-sting ; but Caius and Mhaskar have proved experimentally that the drug is not an antidote to snake venom and is useless in the treatment of scorpion-sting. A preparation of the root is much used in all the hilly districts in India to poison arrows. The toxic principle is the alkaloid pseudaconitine. Arabic: Bish—; Assam: Bish—; Bengal: Bish, Butsnabbish, Katbish—; Bombay: Butchnab—; Canarese: Vasanabhi, Vatsanabhi—; Cutch: Buch- naga—; Gujerat: Shingadiovachnag, Vachhanag, Vachnag—; Hindi: Bachh- nag, Bachnak, Bis, Bish, Mahoor, Mithazahar, Singya, Singyabis, Teliyabis—; Lepcha: Lung-ji nying, Nyine, Nying—; Malayalam: Vatsanabhi—; Marathi: Bachnag, Vachnag—; Nepal: Atisingeeabish, Bikh, Bish, Bishnak—; Persian: Bishnag, Zher—; Sanskrit: Aheya, Amrita, Bhugara, Brahmaputra, Darada, Gara, Garada, Garala, Ghora, Halahala, Haridra, Jangala, Jangula, Jivana- ghata, Kakola, Kalakuta, Kasakula, Kishala, Kshveda, Nila, Pradipana, Pranahara, Raktashringika, Rasa, Rasayana, Shanklakeya, Shringi, Sowrasht- rika, Tikshna, Vatsanabha, Visha—; Sinhalese: Vachanabhi—; Tamil: Vashanavi— }_ Telugu: Ativasa, Naghi, Vasanabhi—. 12. Aconitum Elwesii Stapf is found in the alpine Himalaya of north-eastern Sikkim. The root is reputed poisonous. Lepcha: Tulxschak gniong—. 13. Acconitum lethale Griff. occurs in the higher parts of the Mishmi mountains. The root contains the non-poisonous alkaloid palmatisine. It is, however, believed to be the source of the celebrated ‘Bhi’ or ‘Bis’ poison of the Mishmis. Mishmi: Bee, Bih, Bhi, Bis—. ACTAEA. This genus consists of ro species distributed over the northern temperate regions. A. alba: Mill., A. -eburnea Rydb., and A, spicata Linn; gate used medicinally in North America by the Meskwaki, Pillager Ojibwe, and Forest Potawatomi Indians of the State of Wisconsin. Actaea spicata Linn. occurs in the temperate Himalaya from Hazara to Bhutan. It is distributed to Northern Asia, Europe, and North America. The root is an active emeto-purgative, acrid, parasiticide; it is held in repute as an expectorant and antispasmodic. It must be administered with caution. Canadian doctors administer the root in snake-bite; and it is said to be attended with much success in the treatment.of nervous THE MEDICINAL AND POISONOUS CROWFOOTS OF INDIA 719 diseases, rheumatic fever, chorea and lumbago. The berries were formerly used internally for asthma and _ scrofula, and externally for skin complaints. The Pillager Ojibwe and the Forest Potawatomi Indians of Wisconsin make a tea from the root, to be drunk by women after ehildbirth; it istameantgto:. clear up the. system. - White» men: use it for stomach troubles, and as a substitute for Cimicifuga racemosa Nuttall. It has been used in cases of ovarian neuralgia, uterine tenderness, sub-involution, and as a substitute for digitalis in the treatment of fatty or irritable heart. It affords some relief for a headache which is due to eye strain. In some parts of Europe the powdered leaves, stems, and flowers are used as an insecticide. The toxic principle is referred fo as “oil of baneberry’. Mhaskar and Caius have shown that the root is useless as an antidote to snake-bite. Catalan: Herba de San Cristofol—; English: Baneberry, Bugbane, Grape- wort, Herb Christopher, Toadroot—; French: Actée, Actée en épi, Christophori- ane, Faux hellébore noir, Herbe aux poux, Herbe de Saint Christophe—; German: Christophskraut, Christophswurz—; Italian: Barba di capra—; North America: Coral-and-pearl, European Baneberry, Grapewort, Herb Christopher, Foison-berry, Red Baneberry, Red-berry Sinakeroot, Red Cohosh, Snake-berry, Toad-root—; Ojibwe: Wickobidjibik—; Potawatomi: © Wasgobidjibikeok— ; Spanish: Cristobalina, Yerba de San Cristobal—. ADONIS. The genus numbers to species inhabiting the northern palaeo- temperate regions, chiefly southern Europe and western Asia. A. aestivalis Linn., A. autumnalis Linn., A. microcarpa DC., A. vernalis Linn. are used medicinally in Europe; A. vernalis Linn. is similarly used in North America. The herb of A. vernalis Linn. is official in Austria, Holland, Italy, Russia, Spain, and Switzerland. : Adonis aestivalis Linn. extends from temperate Europe to Asia; it is found in the Western Himalaya from Peshawar to Hazara and Jkumaon. The whole plant is used as a cardiotonic and diuretic in Euope. The flowers are considered laxative, diuretic, and lithothriptic. Baluchi: Buchki—; Catalan: Ull de perdiu—; French: Adonide d’été, Rougeotte— ; German: Feuerroeschen—; Languedoc: Rubissa—; Reggio: Pe desen—; Romagna: Chiga sanev, Erba corta, Fior d’Adone, Gattapozzia— ; Russian: Goritzvyet Krasnee—; Sardinia: Ogu de boi—; Spanish: Ojo de perdiz—; Treviso: Gioze de sanguse, Stiantamalanni—; Wagziri: Chadangul, Lavang—. ANEMONE. This cosmopolitan genus numbers 100 species. The following are used medicinally in Europe—A. alpina Linn., A. coronaria Linn., A. hepatica Linn., A. narcissifora Linn., As nemorosa Linn., A. pratensis Linn., A. pulsatilla Linn., A. ranunculoides Linn., A. stellata Lam., A. sylvestris Linn., A. trifolia Linn., A. vernalis Linn.—; in North America—A. acutiloba Laws., 720 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX XIX A. cylindrica A. Gray, A. dichotoma Linn., A. parviflora Michoe., A.: patens Linn., A. pratensis Linn., A. “thaliciroides Linn, virginiana Linn.—; in Japan and China—A. cernua Thunb.—; in Indo-China—A. cernua Thunb., A. dichotoma Linn., A. hepatica Linn., A. japonica Sieb. and Zucc., A. nikoensis Max.—; in South Africa—A. caffra Harv., A. transvaalensis Prantl.—. The leaves and flowers of A. nemorosa Linn. are official in Portugal, those of A. pulsatilla Linn. in France and Portugal. A. multifida Poir. and A. nemorosa Linn. are reputed poisonous in America. In Siberia the juice of A. altaica Fisch., A. narcissiflora Linn., A. parviflora Mich., A.. ranunculoides Linn., A. reflexa Steph. is used to poison arrows. Anemonin, or anemone camphor, has been obtained from A, nemorosa, A. pratensis, A. pulsatilla, and A. transvaalensis. 1. Achenes_ strigose, rarely glabrous. Radical leaves 3-partite aa Hs me ... A. obtusiloba. 2. Achenes nearly orbicular with an incurved beak. Leaves palmately 5-partite ars .. A. narcissiflora. 1. Anemone obtusiloba D. Don occurs in temperate and alpine Himalaya from Kashmir to Sikkim, between 8,o00 and 15,000 ft. In Hazara the pounded root, which is acrid, is mixed with milk and given internally for contusions. In Bessahir it is said to be used as a blister, but to be apt to produce sores and scars. Theseeds, “it; siven internally, produce vomiting and PULB Ings The oil extracted from them is used in rheumatism. Jaunsar: Ageli—; Kumaow: WKakriya, Ratanjota, Rattanjog—; Punjab: Padar, Ratanjota, Rattanjog—. 2. Anemone narcissiflora Linn. is found in Kashmir. ‘It is distributed to the Alps of Southern and Central Europe, Western Asia, Siberia, and North-Western America. The plant is toxic and is used as a poison in most places where it is found growing. AQUILEGIA. The genus consists of 75 species occurring in the northern temperate regions. A. alpina Linn., A. Kitaibeli Schott, A. parviflora Ledeb., A. pyrenaica DC., A. vulgaris Linn. are used medicinally in Europe; A. canadensis Linn., A. formosa Fusch., A, vulgaris Linn. are similarly used in North America. Aquilegia vulgaris Linn. is found in the Western temperate and subalpine Himalaya; it is distributed over temperate Europe and Asia. In Europe the plant and the seeds are credited with aperient, resolvent, diuretic, and diaphoretic properties. The leaves are generally used in lotions with good success for sore mouths and throats. = Vol, x XoGing I have seen another and larger species of green pigeon in the deciduous bamboo forest of the foot hills near the Chinnar river at the foot of the Munnar-Udamalpet ghat. This bird was much larger, greyer in colour, and had a louder whistling call. Bronze Wing Dove. | Chalcophaps indica (Linn.)]. These. birds are. common all over our hills.. Unlike all Som other* pigeons, except the common dove, they are largely ground feeders. They are usually seen singly or in pairs strutting about the roadsides or in light undergrowth. They are very fast on the wing and very good eating when shot. Their favourite food in the planted area is the small seed of a quick growing secondary jungle tree whose Tamil name is Wattagunny. They sometimes perch in the tree itself but prefer to pick up the fallen seed off the ground. They are migratory and leave us during the heavy rains but often reappear before the monsoon has quite finished. Their reappearance is a welcome indication that the monsoon is nearly over. Although outside the subject of Game Birds it is of interest to record that there are no crows or jackals either in the Anamallai Tea District or in the Grass Hills this side of the Travancore boundary. An occasional crow is blown up here in a storm and several have been released by mischievous coolies at various times. They have hung about for a few days getting hoarser and hoarser and have then disappeared. There are plenty within a few miles at the foot of our ghat, and also throughout the jungle to the West around the timber depot of Mount Stewart. I have been told that there are jackals on the grass land in the High Range which is all part of the same stretch as our Grass Hills without any geographical bar to emigration. There are any number in the foot hills and low country to the North and West. No one has ever satisfactorily explained these two mysteries. It is probable that there was nothing for either crows or jackals to feed on in the days when the whole area was dense and un- inhabited evergreen forest but the Tea District has now been opened and well populated for a number of years. (2) THE Low CountTRy AREA AROUND COIMBATORE, POLLACHI, UDAMALPET, AND KOLLENGODE, AND THE FOOT HILLS OF THE ANAIMALAI HILLS The shooting in the low country is either tank shooting or walking up snipe. Ground game are found in the foot hills. Snipe are nowhere very plentiful, but with the help of a good shikari quite good shooting can be had. There is a large acreage of paddy round Anaimalai village to which quite a number of birds come, but they only frequent small patches at a time and are always moving their feeding grounds. Without the help of a shikari to do the advance spotting it is possible to walk all day and pick up very few birds. Similar shooting is to be had in the paddy round Coimbatore and Podanur. The paddy which is GAME BIRDS IN THE ANAIMALAI HILLS 737 irrigated from the tanks round Udamalpet holds very few snipe and they are only to be found here in one or two small patches. The soil here is black cotton soil and it would seem that they do not care for it as a feeding ground. Snipe are usually to be found round the margins of the tanks feeding in the morning and the evening but they leave these grounds between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. probably on account of the cattle which @raze there in the daytime: One or two of: the river: beds hold quite a number of snipe during the heat of the day. They lie up here in patches of screw pine and rushes, on islands in the stream, and under scrub on the banks. This shooting is hard work but good fun. The birds arrive in late October or the beginning of November and stop until the end of March or the beginning of April. Fantail Snipe. [Capella gallinago (Linn.)]. This is the commonest snipe throughout the area. Other snipe are comparatively rare. Fifteen couple between two or three guns shooting morning and evening is a good day’s bag. Pintail Snipe. [Capella stenura (Bonaparte) |. This snipe is uncommon and I have seen very few shot. When shot at they often leave the wet land and settle on the dry cultivation nearby. Painted Snipe. | Rostratula benghalensis (Linn.) ]. The Painted Snipe although not common is not the rarity that it seems to be in some places. It is not unusual to have several of these birds in the day’s bag. They are generally found round the edges of the tanks late in the season in February and March. When put up they do not go very far before settling again and are slow on the wing, for which reason they are often missed. Contrary to the general belief they are quite good eating. DUCKS AND OTHER TANK BIRDS. The duck shooting on the tanks at the foot of these hills used to be very good. In late April 1925, four guns had a bag of some 80 head in two hours’ shooting. Since that time the shooting has got steadily worse, and at present a lot of local knowledge and cunning is necessary for even a poor bag. I don’t think that the actual numbers of duck, except in the case of Cotton Teal, have fallen off very much but they get no rest and are much more difficult to get near. The increase of local guns is of course responsible. On most tanks guns can be heard every morning and evening. I had an object lesson from one of these gentlemen on how to shoot birds on the water. He stalked a bunch of five teal feeding at the edge of the tank. When he got within range he flattened himself out and fired his gun parallel to and just above the surface of the water getting four birds, all hit in the head, a much more effective method than trying to fire down on them. Ducks on these tanks feed most of the night and are still feeding at dawn. If shot at between dawn and 8.30 they do not 738 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol, xa immediately clear off the tank. By 8.30 they have finished feeding and are resting on the open water. If shot at then they wall probably clear straight off to a safer spot. On a dull and stormy day they will start to move again to their feeding grounds about 4 o’clock in the afternoon, but as a rule they do not move until just before dusk. At Udamalpet there is a very big tank which is nearly all open water, with six or seven small tanks close to it. The big tank is a safe refuge when they are disturbed and for resting on during the day.. They flight off to feed on the smaller, tamks im ‘the evening. The flight lines on and off the small tanks are always the same but the birds are by no means regular in their choice of tank for feeding. Duck start to arrive about the beginning of November, the first to come in being the Garganey Teal and the Spot Bill, They do not come in in any numbers until late November or December and they stay in spite of guns and drying tanks until late April. When they are getting ready to go they congregate in large numbers for-a day or two in selected spots. Garganey Teal, [Querquedula querquedula (Linn.) |. This is by far the commonest of our ducks and makes up about “= per cent. of a day’s bag. At one time Cotton Teal were about as numerous but their numbers have dwindled tremendously of TECENE. VEars, Common Teal. [Nettion crecca crecca (Linn.)]. This teal is very uncommon. The only one I have shot was a female in January 1936. I have seen one or two more. Cotton Teal or Pigmy Goose (Nettapus coromandelianus Gemlin). The Cotton Teal used to be as common as the Garganey a few years ago but its habit of hanging round the edges of tanks has caused its decimation by local guns of recent years. When shot at it will often take to stream beds and irrigation channels. It is the only one of our ducks that seems to do so. Whistling Teal. [Dendrocygna javanica (Horsf.)]. Whistling Teal used to be fairly common but I have not seen one for some years. Spot Bill Duck. (Anas poecilorhyncha poecilorhyncha Forster). This duck used to be fairly common but seems to have decreased in numbers. of- recent years: It 1s the first of our big ducks. arrive in November. Mallard, (Anas platyrhyncha Linn.). Mallard are very rare. I have only seen one, ‘and have heard of one other being seen. Brahminy Duck. [Casarca ferruginea (Vroeg.) |. I have never seen one of these ducks but one was shot a year or two ago. GAME BIRDS IN THE ANAIMALAI HILLS 739 Pintail. |Dafila acuta (Linn.)|. The Pintail is fairly common and seems to have increased in numbers in recent years. Shoveller. [Spatula clypeata (Linn.) |. This duck is also fairly common particularly on the Udamalpet tanks. The prejudice against it as a table bird is unjustified. One or two other ducks have been shot on shoots that I have at, but as I have been unable to identify them definitely I have not included them in this list. Geese. Until this season no goose had been recorded from the tanks in this area. Last Christmas (1936) at a shoot on the Summatur tank near Pollachi we were surprised to see a solitary goose flying up and down the tank. We spent some time trying to get a shot at it but it never gave any of us a chance and eventually flew off following the river into the foot hills. Some doubt was cast upon our tale, as is only natural, but having seen plenty of geese elsewhere I have no doubt on the subject. As far as it is possible to guess at its identity in the air it was probably a Bar Headed Goose. The appearance of the bird caused a sensation and much excitement amongst the local inhabitants some of whom were fishing for Murrel in the rushes just behind me. They had evidently never seen anything like it before. Flamingoe. (Phoenicopterus ruber Linn.). In March 1931 I shot a Flamingo on the small tank at Dhali near Udamalpet. Two of us were waiting on a flight line for teal and it got out of some tall rushes close to me when my companion fired his first shot. It was a young bird and is the only one I have seen or heard of here. The forest guard who ate it was very, very bilious afterwards. White Ibis. | Threskiornis melanocephalus (Lath.) ]. This season I shot a White Ibis, one of a pair on the Anamallai tank near Anamallai village in November. Unfortunately it was too far gone to sample on the table when I got home. Black Ibis. [Pseudibis papillosus (Temm.) |. These birds are often seen hanging round any of the tanks in the area, generally in pairs. I am told that they are very good eating. Pheasant-tailed Jackana, [Hydrophasianus chirurgus (Scop.) |. This season a pair of these curious birds were seen on the Vallyavutty tank near Udamalpet. The tank was almost dry and the birds were walking about in the shallow water. A PRELIMINARY ACCOUNT OF THE APHIDIDAE OF POONA BY V. G. DESHPANDE, M.Ag. (Bom.), Ph.p. (Edin.) Ag. Professor of Entomology, Agricultural College, Poona The aphididae of Poona are insects that have been very little collected and about which very little is known. The group, even in India as a whole, is very little studied. The lack of information is not, however due to any lack of importance. The aphids are widely known as one of the worst of agricuitural pests and, particularly so, on account of their excessive and rapid power of multiplication. The life of these insects is also very peculiar. There are dimorphic forms—alate and apterous—of which the apterous ones are the most important from the eceonomic point of view. The apterous females reproduce parthenogenetically and viviparously and thus their multiplication goes on by leaps and bounds. Some of these apterous females develop wings and _ reproduce their kind parthenogenetically and viviparously. The alate forms are principally concerned in the spread of infection from plant to plant while the intensity of damage depends upon the apterous colonies. The usual period of activity of aphids is from July to February; however, some species are found in the summer months also. The cold of winter appears to have no effect on their breeding and growth. There is no sexual generation observed in this part of India. Males are absent and no eggs have been noticed. The damage done by the aphids is principally by the withdrawal of the sap from the shoots and leaves which consequently shrivel and wither. The aphids are very potential pests and if not checked in time a great deal of damage is done. They have been found to attack various crops—annuals and perennials. The citrus trees, as soon as the new shoots are thrown out in February and March are very seriously attacked, which results in checking the bearing. Mango shoots are observed sometimes to be full of aphids in February and March and a serious. attack is bound to affect the bearing of fruits. Various vegetables and pulses are invariably attacked during the monsoon and afterwards. Betelvine, tobacco, cotton and chillies do not also escape the attack of aphids. In this way examples can be multiplied to show that aphids are a universal pest. Some species are specific pest of certain crops, while others are polyphagous and there are other species like Myzus sp. which is said to have about 35 different hosts. In short, considering the longer period of activity, their feeding habits, and the nature of damage caused by them, aphids occupy an important place among the major pests of agri- cultural crops and orchard trees and a complete knowledge of their life and behaviour is absolutely necessary both from the academic and economic points of view. The writer has been investigating the problem of control of the cabbage aphids and in the course of his. studies he has collected aphids on different plants and vegetables in order to find out the alternate hosts. This collection was sent to Dr. P. W. Mason, Bureau of Entomology, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. for identification and the writer acknowledges with thanks the help rendered by him in this connection. * Though the aphids are an important pest, knowledge about their classification is very meagre. The only literature dealing with Indian species is The Memoir of the Indian Museum on ‘The Aphididae of Lahore’ by Das (1918). The identification received from Dr. Mason was generally useful in placing the speeies in their proper places, but it must be said that many of the identifica- tions done by the writer agree with those given by Das. Thanks are due to Dr. K. R. Karandikar, pPh.p. for going through the manuscript and making some useful suggestions. The following is the preliminary account of the species collected by the writer during the last four years :— A PRELIMINARY ACCOUNT OF THE APHIDIDAE OF POONA ‘41 A. Trise: Callipterini (1) Therioaphis ononidis Kalt. Young ... Yellow and gray Adult’ ae CTL AY, Pygidium .. Gray Cornicles wwe Wark Host plant—Lucerne (Medicago sativa). This species has been named by Das as Callipterus trifolii Monell. Lucerne appears to be the only host plant in the Deccan as the species has not been collected on any other leguminous plant. Both alate and apterous forms can be recognised by the pale yellow or gray colour and by the two rows of dusky spots on the back. The body with the dusky spots looks ‘mouse like’. The attack is generally bad in summer months, but the insects have been observed in earlier months also. The anal plate is deeply bifid forming two long narrow lobes. B. Tripe: Aphidini TI. SUB-TRIBE: MacROSsIPHINA (2) Myzus persicae Stulz. Adult ... Greenish yellow Young -. Pale green Pygidium ... Greenish yellow Cornicles ... Dark (especiially in alate forms). Host plants—Cabbage, radish, brinjals, potato, chillies, lettuce, shepu, etc. This species is greenish yellow in colour, large in size and is easily re- cognised by the prominent pointed tubercles which are strongly converging, and the small cauda. The alate females have dark patches on the back.. This is usually known as radish aphis as it appears at its earliest on this crop in the month of August from where it spreads to other plants. (3) Macrosiphum pisi Kalt. Adult 2 Gteen Young ... Green Pygidium te) Grheen Cornicles ... Yellowish green with the tips dark Host plant—Sweet peas (Pisum sativum). The genus Macrosiphum can be distinguished from the genus Myzus by the strongly diverging frontal tubercles and the elongate cauda. This species is invariably found on peas from October till February at Mahableshwar and in the plains. The aphis is large in size, green in colour and spindle-shaped in form, smooth in texture. The legs are green, the cauda and cornicles long. These aphids, especially the adults, fall down on the soil at the slightest touch, and are found on older leaves oftener than on young shoots. (4) Macrostphum sp. Adult ... Reddish brown Young ee a ed Pygidium Pome Cornicles a3 Reddish brown. Host plant—Shevanti (Chrysanthemum sp.). This species has been identified by Dr. Mason as Macrosiphonella sanborni. It has been observed on the Chrysanthemum plants in October and is always confined to the young shoots which consequently get stunted. * The term Adult in this description refers to the apterous form. 742 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX II. SuB-TRIBE: APHIDINA (5) Stphoceryne indobrassicae Das Young ... Yellow and green Adult Le UISh= Sreen Pygidium 2 Datel Cornicles eran Host plants--Cabbage, knollkhol, cauliflower, mogri (a kind of radish), turnips. This species is invariably found on cabbage. The first appearance is in Cctober, on seedlings, as soon as the cold weather sets in. It continues to breed till March when it disappears. It becomes a serious pest if not checked in “time: , This species has been identified by Dr. Mason as Rhopalosiphum pseudo- brassicae (Davis) Das (1) has discussed on page 173 of his Memoir the history of the names Rhopalosiphum and Siphocoryne and the characters of Siphocoryne given by Van der Goot and Das are as_ follows :— (1) Frontal tubercles indistinct. (2) Sensoria in the apterous females always absent. (3) Cornicles clubbed in both—apterous and alate forms. Those agree in the case of the species found in Poona and hence it has been put under Siphocoryne. (6) Siphocoryne avenae Fabr. Adult ... (Winged) dark Young .. Not found Cornicles ... Dark brown Host plant—Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). This appears in Poona in the month of November. Only alate forms are found on leaves. Apterous forms and the young ones are not observed on plants. (7) Aphis sacchari Zehut Adult wet ee nik Young ... Almond yellow and pink Pygidium «2 Black Cornicles arnolack Host plants—Jowar, maize, bajri, rala, etc. This species has been observed in Poona in the month of August on the underside of the leaves of maize and jowar. In the colonies are found insects of two different colours, whitish yellow and pink. These are attended on by large black ants. The iblack sooty mould grows profusely in the honey dew secreted by the insects and the leaves become dark in colour. (8) Aphis maidis Fitch. Young = Green or pale green Pygidium ... Greyish dark Cornicles 22) Wanl< Host plant—Jowar. Along with the previous species this aphis is also observed on jowar shoots in August. This can be recognised by the colour, which is blue-green. (9) Aphis gossypii Glover Young ... Yellow Adult .. Dark (Pupa—dark) Pygidium bf Dark Cornicles Dark Host plants—Cotton, bhendi and_ hollyhock. This aphis persists on cotton right from August to March. The yellow colour sometimes changes to greenish dark, hence there is ground for confu- sion about the proper identification, as this then resembles the next species. A PRELIMINARY ACCOUNT OF THE APHIDIDAE OF POONA 743 If the attack is very bad in the very early stage of the crop, the leaves curl and the crop shows signs of withering. (10) Aphis malvae Koch Young ... Yellow, pale white Adult ... Alate dark, apterous—greenish dark Pygidium wo.) Dusky , Cornicles ae Dark Host plants—Cucumber, pumpkin, kohla, dodka, snake gourd, bottle gourd, parwar, tondali, karli, etc. This species has been observed on these plants mainly in the monsoon and also on melons in the summer months. It is sometimes a serious pest and the crop suffers a great deal. The yellow colour of the young changes to dark green; and the alate forms are dark coloured. (11) Aphis medicaginis, Koch Young .... Dark reddish brown Adult ... Reddish brown—full grown apterous adults with shining black spots on the back. Pygidium ... As the body colour—black Cornicles ce, Black Host plants—Wal, chavali, ghevda. All the species collected on different leguminous crops were sent to Dr. Mason who identified them all as Aphis rumicis. The characters of Aphis rumicis given by Das and Theobald are :— (1) Body dull black to dark greenish (2) Post cornicular segments striped (3) Forms pseudo galls While those of A. medicaginis (1) Body in the adult apterous female with a large shining black spot on back. - The colour, other characters, and particularly the habit of forming pseudo galls on leaves so characteristic of A. rumicis, are not noticed here and therefore A. medicaginis appears to be the correct identification. The chief characteristic of the apterous females consists in having a shining black spot on the back. Besides, the whitish patch on the femora and the tibia is also a special feature. Wan der Goot proposes the name A. papilionacearum which has been accepted by Das. This species is sometimes a serious pest of bean which suffers a serious set back in growth and_ bearing. (1) Aphis nerii (Boyer de Fonscolombe). Young ... Deep yellow Adult .. Yellow Pygidium to: » Yellow Cornicles ce Wark Host plant—Rui (Calotropis gigantea). This species is most abundantly found on the veins and leaf stalks of Rui from August to February. All the lower leaves are covered with honey dew and the capnodium fungus growing on the secretion. (13) Aphis sp. Young ... Reddish pink Adult ew eb inkk Pygidium ... Dark, conspicuously long Cornicles ... Dark brown Host plant—Mango (Mangifera indica). This species is found on young shoots and leaves of mango. This has been observed in November as well as in March. The alate form is pink in 744. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIx colour; antennae dark, legs pale white except at the femora and _ tarsi, cornicles and cauda dark. The apterous form pink in colour, thorax waxy white, antennae white except at the tips, cauda hirsute, cornicles dark, abdomen punctured laterally on both the sides. (14) Aphis sp. Young cae Wate Adult os re Dari Pygidium ws Dank Cornicles iva arc Host plant—Safflower. This species has been observed on safflower from November to January. This aphis is dark in colour and infests all shoots and leaves. The multiplication is very rapid and the honey dew secretion so profuse that the whole plant gets covered with the sticky substance and the numerous moults of the aphids. (15) Toxoptera aurantii Koch. Young ... Deep yellow turning brown Adult ... Shining dark Pygidium i. . Dank Cornicles fi), Oatk Host plants—Mosambi, utaran, sour lime, grape fruit, jamburi, orange, etc. All the species collected on different citrus plants have been identified by Dr. Mason as Aphis citricidus. This does not appear to be correct. The genus Aphis is distinguished from the genus Toxoptera by the branching of the vein media in the fore wing. In Toxoptera it is once-branched, while in Aphis it is twice-branched. The wing venation of the species found on citrus plants in the Deccan agrees with that of Toxoptera and not with Aphis. As to the specific name it appears to be a new one. Das states that Toxoptera aurantti is sparsely found on citrus plants in Lahore, but in the Bombay Presidency it is abundantly found. This has been noticed from September till March and attacks especially the young shoots. This species is synonymous with Ceylonia ttheacola Buckton and has been mentioned in the Indian Museum Notes, vol. ii, No. 1 as occurring on tea bushes. REFERENCES. 1. Das, B.—‘The Aphididae of Lahore’, Memoirs of the Indian Museum, vol. vi, No. 4 (1918). 2. Baker, A. C.—‘Generic Classification of the Hemipterous Family Aphi- didae’, U.S.D.A. Bulletin, No. 826 (1921). 3. Theobald, F. V.—The Plant Lice or Aphididae of Great Britain, vol. i, to iii (1926). ae SOME ADDITIONS TO THE FAUNA OF IRAQ. By WALTER P. KENNEDY. (From the Royal College of Medicine, Baghdad, Iraq). Between 1920 and 1922 a series of papers were published in this Journal on the fauna of Iraq and Persia. Excellent as this work was, it was not exhaustive, and some lacunae remained. .So when in the course of certain other investigations a rather heterogeneous collection of specimens was gathered, it was thought that the interesting nature of the region justified publishing some notes, even though the information was only scanty. Some _ further indications might at least be given for other workers in the future. MOLLUSCA DIOTOCARDIA. R Neritina macrit Recluz. var. minor. From: Kani Tili in Kurdistan, 37° 11”N. 43° 38”E. MONOTOCARDIA. Melanopsis nodosa, Fer. Several localities in immediate neighbourhood of Baghdad. BASOMMATOPHORA, Limnaea tenera euphratica, Mousson. Near Baghdad. Bulinus truncatus, Aud. Khan beni Saad, a village about 20 miles from Baghdad, _ incidentally heavily infected with Schistosomiasis. STYLOMMATOPHORA. Xerophila vestalis, Parreyss. flaruna,, 26° 577N. 44° 25”7E. Pomatia salomonica, Naegele. Renji Brakha, 37° 06”N. 43° 54”E. CARDIACEA. Cardium edule. Lake near Kerbala. Further notes on molluscs in Iraq will be found in a paper by Mills, MacHattie and Chadwick. . ARTHROPODA Myriapopa, Scolopendra morsitans. Baquaba and Nasiriyah. Cases of poisoning are reported from this type. SCORPIONIDEA, Buthus (Prionurus) crassicauda, Olivier. Buthus australis, Hempr. & Ehr. \ Buthus eupeus, C. L. Koch. 746 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL BIST. SOCIETY, Volx xX Xin ITemiscorpion lepturus, Peters. B. crassicauda and B, eupeus are probably the commonest species of scorpions in Western Asia. They have been recorded from Afghanistan, Iran, Armenia, Syria and Arabia. B. australis was taken at Mandali where they are much feared as they are very toxic. Hemiscorpion (or Hemiscorpius) lepturus has been recorded much less frequently, and only from Baghdad and the southern parts of Iraq. I have obtained specimens from Mandali, and from Rowanduz and Sulimania in Kurdistan. Closely allied forms from Aden and Sokotra (Pocock, i899), Muscat (Kraeplin, 1900) and E. Iran (Birula, .1903) have been described as separate species, but it seems likely that some or all of. these are co-specific with H. lepturus of Peters. It is not a_ specially dangerous type. Death from scorpion stings are not unknown in Iraq, the victims being children or debilitated adults. Dohuk and Murgash, N. of Mosul; Sulimania in Kurdistan; and Mandali in Diala Liwa have evil reputations in respect of scorpions. SOLPUGIDZ. Galeodellus (? species). Galeodes ? bacilifer. Both from Asher near Basrah. Galeodes arabs. Specimens from Basrah, Nasiriyah, Baghdad, Baquaba in Iraq, and Isfahan in Iran. They are said to be venomous, and in Basrah and Isfahan at least, are feared. My bearer has frequently handled them freely and_ they have made no attempt to bite. PISCES SELACHII. Carcharias lamia, Risso. This shark was taken in a fisherman’s net just above Baghdad. Sharks are not frequent visitors so high up the Tigris as Baghdad, but isolated ones are heard of every year. In the river at Basrah they are more common. Myliobatis aquila, L. From the mouth of the Shatt-el-Arab. These eagle rays attain a very large size in the Persian Gulf. ‘TELEOSTII. Barbus luteus, Heckel. From Tigris about Baghdad, and also in small unnamed streains in Kurdistan. Barbus kersin, Heckel. Tigris, above Baghdad. Barbus subquincunciatus, Giunth. Small stream at Rayy, near Teheran. Discognathus rufus, Heckel. Tigris at Baghdad. Leuciscus (? species). Tigris at Baghdad. 7 Girardinus faeciloides. ; Exact provenance of this specimen unknown, but probably taken in the vicinity of Baghdad. Aspius vorax, Heckel. Tigris at Baghdad. Alburnus mossulensis, Heckel. Unnamed stream in E. Kurdistan. Alburnus (? species). Tigris at Baghdad. Alburnoides (? bipunctatus, B1.). Small stream at Rayy, near Teheran, whi SOME ADDITIONS TO THE FAUNA OF IRAQ 747 Mugil abu, Heckel. Tigris at Amara and Baghdad. Mugil dussumiert, Cuv. & Val. Tigris at Amara-and Baghdad. Belone (? species). Mouth of the Shatt-el-Arab near Fao. Sparus berda, Forsk. Tigris at Baghdad. Mastacembelus (? species). Tigris at Baghdad. This list of fishes covers a small part of the total number, and_ further work is planned in this direction. It appears probable that there are two or three new species in the mullets, genus Mugil, and also a very great extention of range in one of the species which has hardly been recognised since the time of Forskal. There has been so little work done on the fish of this region that considerable difficulty is found in identifying the specimens. In addition to the above, representatives of Hilsa, and Mystus from Baghdad, and two species of Varicorhinus from Teheran and Kurdistan respectively have been tentatively identified. AMPHIBIA SALAMANDRIDZ. Triturus vittatus. Newts are rare in Iraq. This is the only example which has been found so far as I can trace, and it only occurs in one spot, a spring, Kuni Sheikh Omar near Berisa village in Kurdistan, 36° 56”N. 44° 17”7E. I: am indebted to Dr. Macfadyen for this observation. BUFONIDA. Bufo viridis. Widely spread through Iraq. HvLip&. Hyla arborea savignyi. Baghdad and Amara. RANINA, Rana _ ridibunda. Widely spread through Iraq. Rana vidibunda susana. N.W. Kurdistan. Rana esculenta. Baghdad. Bufo viridis is distributed from the Pyrenees to the Thibetan Himalayas, and Rana ridibunda from Spain to Iran, and south to Egypt. Both species are probably divisible into a number of local races, especially in the eastern part of their range, but so little is known of them in these regions that it is difficult to assign them subspecific names. REPTILIA GECKONIDZ. Phyllodactylus elisae, Werner. Three specimens of this rare gecko were reported by Procter in 1921 from the Persian frontier. The present example was found near Table Mountain near Baquba. It was thickly speckled with dark brown, 748 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXXIX AGAMIDZ, Agama persica, Blanf. From Nasiriyah, being the most southernly record of this form. The speci- men shows some differences from the typical Persian ones, but whether this ‘ indicates a subspecies difference it is not possible to determine from one specimen. Agama agilis, Oliv. From the Shia Khuh in the Salt Desert to the S.S.E. of Teheran, Iran. Agama caucasica, Eichw. Taken about 40 miles W. of Teheran. Phrynocephalus scutellatus, Aud. (oliveri, Gray). From the Shia Khuh, and also near Isfahan, Iran. At the latter a road running over a barren area had rocks and gravel on one side, and _ softer sandy soil on the other. Phrynocephalus was plentiful on the rocky side, but none were seen on the sandy side, where however, there were large numbers of Mabuia septemtaeniata (Fellow’s skink). Neither type trespassed on the domain of the other, though separated only by a narrow road. Uromastix loricatus, Blanf. Porter, 1921, gives one specimen from Ruz as a new record for the country. The present specimen was brought to me by an Arab from a point he judged about 50 miles W. of Baghdad. LACERTID2. Acanthodactylus fraseri, Boulenger. This is, so far as I can discover, only the third known example of this species, described by Boulenger in this Journal, 1¢38. It was found at Nasiriyah. Eremias brevirostris, Blanf. Also from Nasiriyah, this specimen tends to show a link with E. adramitana. Apathya (Latastia) cappadocica urmicana, Lantz & Suchow. Two specimens one from the Jebel Hamrin, the other froni the Rowanduz road in Kurdistan. AMPHISBAENIDZ. Pachycalamus zarudyni, Nik. This lizard was recorded by Boulenger in 1920, and it is noted again here on account of its distribution, and because it is uncommon. The specimen came from. Abatia in “the Southern Desert, 29° 337N." 44° 537E. -\Somfanmeas is known, no examples have been encountered near Baghdad or further north. OPHIDIA COLUBRID. Lytorhynchus diadema, Dum & Bibr. The Diademed Sand Snake is not a common snake in Iraq according to Corkill, who records three specimens from Shaiba, Falliyah, and Rutba. The present specimen was taken at Baba Gurgur, Kirkuk, by Mr. F. R. S. Henson, and thus extends the distribution of the species in this country. Hydrophis lapemidoides, Gray. From Bahrein Island in the Persian Gulf, and according to Malcolm Smith a rare species. Lapemis curtus, Shaw. Also from Bahrein Island. Smith records a specimen from Muscat, but I can find no reference to the occurrence of the type at the western end of the Gulf. Microcephalophis gracilis, Shaw. Brought up in a dredger bucket at Fao, mouth of the Shatt-el-arah. | SOME ADDITIONS TO THE FAUNA OF [RAQ 749 CHELONIA “TESTUDINZA. Clemmys caspica. The common tortoise of Iraq: several specimens taken from all over the country. TRIONYCHODEA. Trionyx euphraticus. Nasiriyah and the Tigris above Baghdad, the latter specimen measures 47 cms. in length, and I have seen some considerably larger. This mud tortoise has very powerful jaws, and is reputed to inflict destructive bites on men wading or swimming. Some of these specimens were collected while I accompanied Mr. Henry Field during part of an expedition to the Near East organised by the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago. Several types were found by Dr. Macfadyen. Many of the identifications were made by the authorities at the British Museum. To all of these thanks are due. The paper is published by permission of the Director General of Health, Baghdad. REFERENCES. Boulenger, G. A.—‘Description of a new lizard of the genus Acanthodactylus from Mesopotamia’. J[.B.N.H.S., xxv, 373 (1918). Boulenger, G. A.—‘A list of lizards from Mesopotamia’. J.B.N.H.S., xxvii 1920). Corkill, N. L.—‘Snakes and snake-bite in Iraq’. London (1932). Mills, E. A., MacHattie, C. and Chadwick, C. R.—Schistosoma haemato- bium and its life cycle in Iraq’. Trans. Roy. Soc. Trop. Med., xxx, 317 (1936). Porter, Joan B.— Further lizards and snakes from Fersia and Mesopotamia’. aa t1.S.,°XxXvili (1927). Smith, Malcolm.—' Monograph of the sea-snakes’, Brit. Museum. (1926). MARRIAGE FLIGHT AND COLONY FOUNDING OF THE COMMON BLACK ANT |[CAMPONOTUS (LANAMYRMEX) COMPRESSUS LATR.| By P. N. KRISHNA AYYAR. (Parasitologist, Agricultural College, Coimbatore), (With 2 text-figures). INTRODUCTION, One of the commonest and most abundant of South Indian ants, the Common Black Ant, Camponotus compressus Latr., has been the object of observation and study by the writer for some time now; and an account of the same has been presented in a paper published in the Bulletin of Entomological Research, London, 1935 (vol. 25). In that paper the writer recorded the locations structure and contents of their abodes, their population and life economy, seasonal occurrence, associations and their agricultural importance together with a few facts in their life history and habits. There are still some very interesting problems such as. their marriage flights, colony founding, etc., which have not hitherto received sufficient attention. Wheeler, one of the foremost among Myrmecologists, says that ‘the date and form of marriage flight in ants are really specific characters and are clearly adaptations to the ecological conditions’. The writer intends in this brief note, to call attention to some peculiarities in the marriage flights, colony founding, etc., of this common species based on some _ recent observations. PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE. Information of a most varied and interesting nature concerning the species has been published by various naturalists, but no satisfactory description of mating habits and other related pheno- mena has yet been furnished. Hence the evidence available on the nature of the association of the sexes and the manner of colony founding is practically non-existent. Rothney (1889) was probably the first to call attention to this habit of C. compressus. He merely states, however, that the sexes swarm in May or early June and take flight as soon as the sun goes down. According to Wroughton (1892) the marriage flight takes place in June after the first monsoon showers, usually in the evenings or in the night. Hingston (1923) records that he observed a number of sexual forms flying about the lamps indicating a nuptial flight. The present writer (1935) has written that the marriage flights fhave been observed in the evenings between 6.30 and g p.m. as the winged sexual forms are crepuscular. Further observations have led the tug MARRIAGE FLIGHT AND COLONY FOUNDING OF ANTS 7 or _) writer to reconsider this question and revise his former statement in as much as he observed marriage flights occurring much earlier in the year, though the same might continue till June or even July. MAIN FEATURES OF THE MARRIAGE FLIGHT OF C. compressus. The data on mating habits and colony founding are greatly needed to throw light on the nature of association of sexes. As seen from the brief review presented above, previous investigators have not recorded any satisfactory description of the nuptial flight or copulation of this species. It is generally known that the marriage flights usually occur within definite and limited periods in the year, and the main factors that awaken the several forms to seek union on emergence from the nest are probably meteoro- logical conditions. For over three or four years the writer has been watching colonies located permanently in certain places in order to see the initial stages of emergence of winged forms. Hundreds of times has he vainly sought to find them in the act of copulation. Times without number the writer has taken sexual forms attracted to light between May and June and rarely in July. He has also collected winged sexual forms in small numbers at other times particularly in October after the rains. It was only in April this year that the writer was fortunate enough in witnessing the actual processes of emergence and mating. During the cool, humid afternoon of the rst April 1936 at about half past one, the writer, in the course of a stroll in the back-yard garden of his house came upon a swarm of these ants. Many of the ants of the colony were not, at that time, out of doors. The day was particularly cloudy and there was slight drizzling with no sunshine at all from daybreak. A summary of the weather conditions as recorded in the institute for the day is furnished below. Pressure. Dry Bulb. Wetbulb. Maxm. Mirm. Humidity. Rainfall. 29°808 73°8 7138 57°0F 70°6F 90 0°65 The ground was very wet as there had been heavy rains the previous evening and night. A small contingent of C. compressus was observed issuing from a formicary through an aperture near a masonry structure on the ground. N:—/J.BN- HGS... vole xxxix,” p. 207 (11937). Rothney, G. A, G.—-Trans, ‘Ent. Soc. Lond., p2355 (18890). Rothney, G. A. G.—Trans Ent. Soc. London., :p. 211 (1895). Wheeler, W. M.—‘Ants, their structure, etc.’ (1910). Wroughton,, R. C.—J.B.N.H.S., vol.- vii, p. 39°. (1892). * DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF AGAMID LIZARD FROM UPPER BURMA. By MALCOLM SMITH, M.R.C.S. [From the Dept. of Zoology, British Museum (Natural History). Japalura kaulbacki, sp. nov. Type immature male, taken in the Nam Tamai Valley, Burma- Tibet border, at 3,500 feet altitude, by Mr. Ronald Kaulback, after whom I have pleasure in naming it. Length of head one and a half times its breadth; snout longer than the orbit; forehead concave; canthus rostralis and supraciliary edge sharp; cheeks swollen; upper head shields unequal, keeled, the larger ones forming a A- shaped pattern on the forehead; occiput with spinose tubercles, namely an incomplete row parallel with the nuchal crest, and two or three more just above the tympanum, the diameter of which is one-third that of the orbit. Body compressed; dorsal scales unequal, moderately sized ones intermixed with much larger ones, the latter numerous and more strongly keeled, but not arranged in any regular pattern; the upper’ scales pointing upwards and backwards, the lower downwards and backwards; ventrals strongly keeled, smaller than the dorsals. . Family: LYMANTRIIDA. 5. GeEnus: OraeyIA. O. trigotephras prisca: 7-8-34 Bostan Terek 6,500 ft.; 27-6-36 Kashgar. 25. GENUS: HEUPROCTIS. E. karghalica: 8-6-34 Kashgar, very common. 7-7-3835 Kashgar (25-9-74 Karghalik). E. lactea?: (29-5-74.) 13. Family: SavTuRNIIDA. 10. Genus: NEoRIs. (N. stoliczkana) (shadulla): (1870 Shadulla R. B. Shaw.) 16. Family: . SPHINGID2. 2. GeEnus: HERSE. H. convolvuli: 7-4-384 Kashgar. Common April-September. 36. GENUS: MaAcROGLOSSUM. M. stellatarum: 3-11-33 Kashgar; 5-8-34 Bostan Terek. Common Kashgar garden, 38. GENUS: CELERIO. C. centralasie: 7-5-34 Kashgar; 5-5-3834 Kashgar. Common. C. gallii: 1-6-35 hatched Kashgar from caterpillar, August 19384 ex-Bostan Terek. C. zygophylli, 23-5-36 Kashgar. 17. Family: NovTopontTIp@. 5. GENUS: DICRANURA. D. przewalskii: 18-5-34 Kashgar; 2-6-85 Kashgar. 33. GENUS: PTILOPHORA. (P. kashgara: 3-3-74 Yangi Hissar.) NOCTUIFORMES 1. Family: AGARISTIDA. 14. Genus: ACRONICTA. (A. karghalika ; 29-5-74 Karghalik.) 20. Grnus: Evuxoa. E. fatidica: 28-7-35 Bostan Terek 7,500 ft. E. segetum : (29-5-74 Karghalik.) E. oberthuri ; 12-6-34 Kashgar. E. exclamationis serena: 18-5-34 Kashgar; 3-5-3835 Kashgar. E. issykula multicuspis : 11-6-34 Kashgar. | BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS FROM CHINESE TURKESTAN 763 21. Genus: RaHyacta. | squalorum : 10-8-34 Bostan Terek. (Agrotis) dichagyris despecta: 15-6-84 Kashgar; 7-8-34 Bostan Terek ft. Specimen from Kashgar is larger and darker, . Spelotis undulans : 2-6-74 Akmasjid; 5-6-74 Chiklik, . defuncta : 6-8-34 Bostan Terek 6,500 ft. . degniata defuncta: 2-8-36 Kashgar. Ge es AANA SCD B® Subfamily: Hadenine. 1. Genus: BARATHRA. B. brassice canescens: 18-5-34 Kashgar. (80-5-74 Karghalik.) 6. GeEnus: Portia. .furcula; 6-8-384 Bostan Terek 6,500 ft. .furca: 16-7-83 Bostan Terek 7,500 ft. . mista: 8-6-34 Kashgar. TTS spiniacee: keechiini : 7-58-34 Bostan Terek 6,500 ft. 91. Grnus: CARDEPIA. C. irrisor : 18-5-34 Kashgar. Subfamily: Cuculliane. 4. GENUS: STENOSTIGMA. S. curva: 15-7-35 Bostan Terek 7,500 ft. Pinkish tinge on grey of forewing. 50. GENUS: BLEPHARIDIA. B. grumi: 15-8-34 Bostan Terek 6,500 ft. Subfamily: Pamily; 2 /Ancriupay, 38. Sup-FamMity: Hypsina. 33. GENUS: UTETHEISA. U, pulchella: 21-9-33 Safed Parri. SuB-FAMILY: CALLIMORPHINA. 71. Genus: CALLIMORPHA. | C. principalis : 16-9-33 Gudai. 13. Family: Satrurnipa. 10. Genus: NEorRIS. N. stoiickzana ; 14-9-33 Burzil Chowki. Marking of stolickzana. Colour like huttont. Family: NoctrulrorMEs. Sus-FaMiLy: AMPHIPYRINZ. 3. GENUS: AMPHIPYRA. A. tragopoginis nigrescens 12-9-33 Poshwari. | Family: GEOMETR2. 5. Susp-Famity: LaAReENvTUNz. 47. GENUS: PHOTOSCOTOSIA. Ph. miniosata : 14-9-33 Gurais. Ph. amplicata: 14-9-33 Gurais. Journ. Bomsay Nar. Hist. Soc. « A | ahi q HA WWM al, Ney % \3a. me Sa. H.N.Dixon del. John Bale. Sons & Curnow, Lt? London. ASSAM MOSSES. i MOSSES COLLECTED IN ASSAM. BY in NES DIXON,. Mea) Fo1,'S; (With a plate). The following contribution to the bryology of Assam is based on collections made by Dr. N. L. Bor between 1933 and 1936. Our main knowledge of the mosses of Assam is derived from the collections made by Griffith, published by himself and more completely worked out by Mitten in the Musci Indiae orientalis. In 1914 I published a ‘Report on the Mosses of the Abor Expedi- tion, 1911-12’, in Records of the Bot. Survey of India, vi, pp. 57-73. With the exception of one or two scattered references to individual plants in literature this appears to exhaust our sources of informa- tion as to the bryology of this region. The present addition ts therefore exceptionally welcome, the more so because the Assam flora is a specially interesting one, phytogeographically, and because the collections indicate a rich bryological flora—over 40 species new to science are included, and one new genus in addition to Dendrocyathophorum already described. Such genera as Orthom- niopsis, Jaegerinopsis, Lindigia, Handeliobryum, Hageniella, Leio- dontium, need only to be mentioned to indicate the exceptional interest of the collections. The types of the new species are in my herbarium. The topographical notes that follow have been kindly contributed by Dr. Bor. The area in which a large part of these mosses were collected is known as the Balipara Frontier Tract: bounded on the south by the district of Darrang in Assam, -to the north by Tibet, to the west by Bhutan, and to the east by the Sadiya Frontier Tract. The geographical limits are 94° 15” and 92° 15” East longitude, and 26° 45” and 28° North latitude. The area in the plains at the foot of the hills is directly administered by a Political Officer stationed at Charduar. The hills, however, are under the loose political control of the same officer who tours among the numerous tribes during the cold weather cnly, as the presence of numerous streams and rivers prevents access during the rains. The area is divided into two sections by the Bhorelli river which issues from the hills and flows into the Brahmaputra. , The area is of exceptional interest in that it has not, up to the present time, been explored botanically and it was not unexpected that many new plants would be found. During the writer’s tenure of the post of Political Officer large collections of phanerogams have been made with the object of compiling a flora of the Aka Hills. That work will be produced by the Botanical Survey of India by the writer in collaboration with 770. JOURNAL,. BOMBAY NATURAL AIST. SOCIETY, Vol Xoo Mr. K. C. Biswas, M.A., at present curator of the herbarium in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Calcutta. The hills are a jumbled mass of mountains, the general trend of the ridges being east and west, but there are numerous spurs, roughly north and south, from the main ridges. The Aka Hills lie just to the west of the Bhorelli and are distinguished by a mountain, Piri, which reaches an altitude of 10,727 ft. To the: east ‘of the -Bhorelli he: the) Dafla” Hills aaa greatest elevation being 7,000 ft. The slopes are very steep and unstable and are prone to fall away in large slips. Naturally littl is known of the rainfall in the hills as -the nearest rain gauge is 20 miles away in the plains. This gauge is at Charduar and records an average rainfall of 100 ins. To arrive at some idea of the rainfall in the hills four stations were selected on the Piri mountain. At each of these places kerosene tins each containing a film of oil were placed in May in trees out of the reach of elephants, and the contents were measured at the end of the rains. The four stations selected were Doimara, 1,000 ft., Pestiferous Camp, 4,200 ft., Piri La, 9,5co ft. and Rupgya,. 5,c0o0 tt aaiine rainfall recorded from May to October was Doimara_ 198 in. Pestiferous Camp 210 in. Pirt bae246 in. Rupgya 43 in. Nothing was done in the Dafla Hills. It will thus be seen that the southern face of the Piri mountain gets a much larger rainfall than that recorded elsewhere in the plains of Darrang and what is more, that the mountain practically gets all the rain there is. Rupgya is situated to the north of the Piri and gets a very small rainfall. The above figures, it will be observed, are only for a portion of the year:and do not include the precipitation, known as the chota bursat which is often considerable, which falls in December and January. This precipitation takes the form of snow on Piri and in the valley beyond. Frost is unknown in the plains but during the winter months the ground is frozen hard on Piri and snow lies on the northern slopes. | In April the weather is usually very dry and desiccating winds dry up the vegetation to the north of Piri and jungle fires are common. In the Dafla Hills which are clothed with evergreen forest and on the south side of Piri the undergrowth never dries up and jungle fires do not take place. The monsoon approaching from the S.W. strikes Piri and deposits most of the rain on the southern face; only a small amount passes over into the Tenga valley. Further to. the east the monsoon sweeps up the Bhorelli gorge and over the Dafla Hills. The rainfall is everywhere high in this area and evergreen forest 1s predominant. The geology of the ranges is interesting. The outer ranges are formed of the Lipam sandstones which explains at once their MOSSES COLLECTED IN ASSAM rial steepness and their tendency to slip. On the higher ranges Himalayan schist and granite are found and in the Tenga Valley limestone is common. . The vegetation in the Dafla Hills and on the southern face of the Piri is similar so far as equal altitudes are compared. Piri, of course, is much loftier and exhibits a distinctive vegetation of its own between 7,000 ft. and tI0,o00 ft. With such a high rainfall and the continual mist on the hills it is to be expected that epiphytes such as lichens, mosses, orchids and the like flourish. The trees on the higher ranges are practically clothed with mosses and lichen, exceptions being those trees which shed their bark, such as the rhododendrons and conifers. The shady valleys of the lower hills with their sandstone clifts are favourite habitats of mosses. On the Piri at 10,727 ft. the soil is waterlogged for a considerable portion of the year and is covered with mosses, conspicuous among them being Sphagnum. To give a detailed description of the flora of these hills would be out of place here: suffice it to say that the southern side of Piri is clothed with evergreen forest, the number of species decreasing as higher altitudes are reached. Oaks and maples make their appearance at 6,000 ft. and pass on upwards into rhodo- dendron, hemlock and silver fir. The Tenga Valley with its low rainfall has a distinctive vegetation of its own. Oak and pine (P. excelsa) are predominant with poplar in the valleys. Cypress is confined to limestone. | THE NacA HILtzs. The Naga Hills district of Assam lies between the parallels een and 26.47 mort latitude and 93° 17' and 04° 52) east longitude. To the north it is bounded by the district of Selsagar ; on the south by the native state of Manipur; on the west by the north Cachar Hills, Nowgong and Selsagar, and to the east by a tract of mountainous country between Assam and Burma which is, for the most part, unexplored. The district consists of a strip of country, the long axis of which runs N.E. and S.W. about 140 miles long and varying in width from 10-32 miles. Apart from a narrow border of plains on the N.W. the whole district consists of a series of ridges, roughly parallel to the long axis, of an average height of 5,000 ft. The main mountainous mass, however, is much higher and consists of two lofty ridges, averaging 8,000 ft., which join just south of Kohima (4,700 ft.), the headquarters of the district. The highest point is Japwo which is 9,898 ft. high. From Japwo the terrain falls steeply, almost vertical in places, but it is connected to the north with Pulebudza (7,000 ft.) by a ridge of the same average height as the latter. From Pulebudza the ridge falls steeply by Kohima. In the Naga Hills all the slopes of the hills below 5,000 ft. are cultivated. The main ridge, therefore, has not been touched and is wooded to the summit, wherever the slopes are not too steep to carry forest. As is usual in hill forest the vegetation is zoned. From 5,000 ft. to 8,000 ft. the main species are oaks, 8 772 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX birch, sycamores and species of Magnoliaceae forming a high forest ef about 80 ft. Above 8,ooo ft. rhododendrons and birch are the commonest trees. The canopy is rather open and the trees hardly reach 30 ft. Large stretches of Arundinaria are also common about 9,500 ft. The rainfall at Kohima (4,700 ft.) reaches 7oin., the great bulk of which falls between the months of May and September. No data are available, or the amount of precipitation on the high ridges, but there is no doubt that it is far higher than that of Kohima. The high peaks of the main ridges are smothered in mist during the rains and very frequently during the cold weather. Frost is usual on Japwo during the cold weather, but snow is of comparatively rare occurrence. During the months of March and April, the climate is dry and fires have been known to occur on Japwo. These fires run through the mossy covering of the sandstone of which the ridges are composed. When the moss is burnt off the bare rock is exposed and the trees die, suggesting it is the mossy covering that conserves the water and enables them fOUexist, At the higher elevations mosses and lichens are very conspicuous and long streamers of them hang from the branches and clothe the stems. of the -trees: SPHAGNACES. Sphagnum acutifolioides Warnst.—In forest, above 3,000 m. alt., Piri, Aka Hills; October 1933 (9). In abundant fruit. Pseudopodia rather unusually long, generally a little above 1 cm. FISSIDENTACEZ. Fissidens semperfalcatus Dix. (Journ. Siam Soc., Nat. Hist. Suppl., x, 2). Moist soil, 150 m., Dharibati, Aka Hills; November 1934 (208). Elsewhere only known from Siam. Fissidens rubricaulis Dix. sp. nov. (Semilimbidium). Humicola. Sat robustus, dense caespitosus, laete viridis, caulibus vetustioribus rubris, 4-5 mm. longis, foliis plurijugis, eis caulium sterilium plumosis. Folia laxiuscula, sicca leniter flexuosa, e basi multo latiore oblongo-lanceolata, late acuta, haud acuminata; lamina vaginans _perlata, valde aperta, supra medium folium attingens, limbidio sat bene evoluto, saepe supra laminam versus apicem folii producta. Costa apud basin validiuscula, superne angustata, concolor, infra apicem soluta. Lamina dorsalis ad _ basin ‘costae vel paullo supra desinens. Margines integerrimi. Cellulae superiores per- distinctae, pellucidae, laevissimae, minutate, circa 6-7” latae sat regulariter hexagonae, parietibus tenuibus. Folia caulis sterilis breviora, limbidio multo debiliore. Dioicus. Seta 5-6 mm. Theca erecta, e collo distincto elliptica, sicca suburceolata ; operculum rubrum, curvirostellatum ; peristomium pallide rubrum, dentium crura spiraliter incrassata et papillosa. Spori saepe ovales, magna, 35-55 #é, laevissimi. Hab. Balipara Frontier Tract, 100-300 m., November-December 1933 (55), type. Ibidem (58). A very marked species, distinct among the Semilimbidia in the habit, the pellucid, smooth, minute cells, entire margin and large spores. The stems in. the young state are pale, but when old become red, and are then from the lax arrangement of the leaves very conspicuous, recalling the African F. purpureo-caulis C.M, Fissidens bryoides Hedw.—Piri, Aka Hills, 2,700 m.; November 1934 (253). Seta terminal, 1 cm., hence not F. longisetus Griff. \ MOSSES COLLECTED IN ASSAM 773 Fissidens leptopelma Dix. sp. nov. (Crispidium). Conferte gregarius, humicola, viridis. Caulis flabellatus, circa 5 mm. longus aeque ac latus. Folia 5-6 juga, madida complanata, sicea rigide falcato-decurva, circa 3 mm. longa, linearilanceolata, e medio folio angustata, peranguste acuminata, acuta. Lamina vaginans minusquam dimidiam partem folii aequans, ad marginem folii oblique desinens; lamina dorsalis ad basin folii sensim decrescens; omnes elimbatae, marginibus minutissime regu- lariter crenulatis. Costa sat angusta, pallida, concolor, summo apice soluta. Cellulae superiores minutae, hexagonae, dense alte unipapillosae; inferiores laxiores, pellucidae. , Dioicus. Flos ¢ terminalis, conspicuus. Seta terminalis, circa 1 cm., pallida, pertenuis (Superne 50-60 / lata), apice curvato, unde theca cernua vel hori- zontalis, perminuta, deoperculata circa .75 mm. longa; peristomii dentes longi, crura flexuosa, dense trabeculata, trabeculis intus alte lamellatis. Operculum haud visum, Hab. Balipara Frontier Tract, 100-300 m.; November-December 1933 (42). Quite distinct from any of its allies in the long and narrow, very longly and narrowly pointed leaves, as well as in the very attenuated seta. Fissidens nebilis Griff—On rock in deep shade, Balipara Frontier Tract 300 m., November 1934 (215). A form with the leaf point. more acute than usual, less toothed, sometimes subentire. Fissidens anomalus Mont.—Piri, Aka Hills, 2,500 m.; November 1934 (258b, 262b)..- Cc. if, Fissidens areolatus Griff.—Piri, Aka Hills; November 1934 (239, 240) c. fr. I have it also from Shillong, coll. Mrs. Stokoe, November 1912. GRIMMIACE.®. Rhacomitrium jayanicum Doz. & Molk.—Japwo, Naga Hills, 3,000 m., October, December 1935 (299, 341). c, ft. DICRANACE. Trematodon assamicus Broth.—Charduar ; 1934 (76). A fine plant with setae 3-4 cm. long, which agrees well with the description of Brotherus’ species. Garckea phascoides (Hook.) C.M.—Balipara Frontier Tract, circa 200 m. ; November-December 1934 (64). Ditrichum homomallum (Hedw.) Hampe.—Piri, Aka Hills, 2,300 m.; November 1934 (257). As far as I am aware, this species has not been recorded from Asia_ hitherto. Ceratodon purpureus Hedw. var. stenocarpus (Bry. eur.)—Japwo, Naga Hills, 2,400 m.; October 1935 (316). Microdus brasiliensis (Duby) Thér.—Shillong, 1,500 m.; September 1934 (168, 192), Microdus assamicus Dix. sp. nov. Humilis, caespitosus, soc. cum Dicranella heteromalla crescens; caules pauca mm. alti, foliis ad apicem agglomeratis, falcatis, e basi brevissima dilatata setaceis, 2.5-3 mm. longis, integerrimis nisi ad summum apicem saepe 2-3- denticulatis; costa tenuis, lata, male definita, subulam implens. Cellulae basilares laxisimae, hyalinae, late rectangulares, parietibus tenuissimis; supra basin raptim angustatae, angustissime lineares, a _ cellulis costae aegre dis- tinguendae. Seta tenuissima, pallidissima, valde flexuosa, saepe fere cygenea; theca minuta, pallida, deoperculata vix 1 mm. longa, ovalis, leptodermica, laevis ; exothecii cellulae irregulares, fortiter incrassatae, parietibus valve curvatis ; ad orificium rubrae. Peristomii dentes pallide rubri, e basi latiore saepe perforata aut integri aut plerumque in crura duo saepius inaequalfa filiformia fissi, sat breves, haud striolati, apud basin tantum leniter trabeculati, supra integri, haud nodosi, laeves. Operculum haud visum, Hab.. Pankim La, Abor Hills, 300-2,900 m., 1934 (145). 774 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Voi. XXX1X The position of this little moss is somewhat indeterminate; the peristome teeth are usually divided, as in Dicranella, but are small, irregular, and smooth, not striolate, as in Microdus, while the very flexuose, sometimes almost cygneous seta suggests an approach to Microcampylopus. Dicranelia heteromalla (Hedw.) Schimp.—In forest, 2,900-3-300 m., Piri, Aka Hills; October 1933 (24, 33). A rather marked form, which may be worthy of a varietal name. The leaves are very strongly serrulate, with short cells almost to the base; the base itself is short, and the basal cells short and wide. The fruit seems normal. Dicranella divaricata (Mitt.) Jaeg.—Shillong, 1,500 m.; September 1934 (192) pip. ). Dicranella leptoneura Dix. sp. ‘nov. Humilis; laxe caespitosa, lutescens. Caulis pauca mm. altus, sublaxifolius, saepe rufescens; folia divaricata, apicalia subsquarrosa, flexuosa, longiora;. caulina circa 3 mm. apicalia circa 5 mm. longa, e basi latiore concava sensim in subulam longam flexuosam integerrimam angustata. Costa ad basin circa quartam latitudinem occupans, pertenuis, saepe vix distinguenda, superne sub- ulam fere omnino implens, sectione 2-3-stratosa, e cellulis subaequalibus instru- cta. Cellulae omnes lineares, angustae, elongatae, basilares parum _latiores. Planta ¢ similis, flore intense fusco, turgido, subgloboso, Planta ¢ et fructus valde juvenilis tantum visa. Hab. Balipara [Trontier Tract, 100-300 m., November-December 1933 (48). In spite of the absence of mature fruit this may safely be pronounced distinct in view of the narrow, elongate cells throughout the leaf, and the extremely tenuous nerve, sometimes so thin in the basal part as scarcely to be distinguishable. The leaf subula is more attenuated than in D. divaricata. Oreoweisia laxifolia (Hook.) Par.—Forest, 2,900-3,300 m., Piri, Aka Hills; October 1933 (40). Ibidem, 3,050 m., November 1934 (261e), Symblepharis reinwardtii (Doz. & Molk.) Mitt.—In forest, Piri, Aka Hills; October 1933 (3, 20). Him Parbat, 2,000 m.; March 1934 (84). Pankim La, Abor Hills; 1934 (140). Japwe, Naga Hills, 2,700-3,00 m.; December 1935 (330). ; ? Symblepharis helictophytla Mont,—Naga Hills; 1935 (270). Dicranum lorifolium Mitt.—Japwo, Naga Hills, 2,750-3,000 m., December 1935 (331). I have several other gatherings from Assam in my herbarium. Dicranum kashmirense Broth.—Pankim La, Abor Hills, 1934 (144). Dicranum assamicum Dix. sp. nov. (Pseudochorisodontium) Robustum. Caespites densi, nitentes; caules ad. 8 cm. alti, regulariter foliosi; folia falcata, homomalla, supra argute dentata, eis D. scoparii subsimilia, sed tenuiora, vix chlorophyllosa; costa multo tenuiore, cellulis minoribus, pellucidis, parietibus ubique valde porosis, Perichaetia cylindrica, bracteis internis convolutis, apice rotundato, abrupte cuspidato vel breviter aristato. Seta circa 2 cm. alta. Theca majuscula, erecta, symmetrica, aequalis, fusca, cylindrico-fusiformis, laevis. Opereum; _ paullo brevius, rectum. Peristomium magnum, bene evolutum, purpureum ; dentes pallo irregulares, laeves, subpellucidi, fortiter lamellati. Spori variabiles, usque ad JESS oa Be Hab. Japwo, Naga Hills, 2,750-3,000 m.; 7 December 1935 (333). ‘D: himalayanum Mitt. has the leaves entire, the peristome papillose; the teeth here are almost entirely. smooth (I have seen faint traces of vertical striolation in the upper part of one or two). Brothera leana (Sull.) C.M.—Shillong, 1,830 m.; September 1934 (184 p-p.). With dense apical tufts of small brownish brood-bodies. Brothera capillifolia Dix. sp nov. (Plate I, fig. 1). 5 Multo laxiore et elatiore quam B. Leana; caules 2 cm. alti, laxiuscule, saepe interrupte foliosi; inferne. radiculis albidis intertexti. Folia sericea, patentia, falcata, valde decidua, e basi perbrevi, perpetlucida, convoluto-concava, dimorpha; aut subsensim in. subulam setaceam plusminusve argute conferte denticulatam, aut abrupte in -subulam. longissimam . (duplo fere longam) tenuis- MOSSES COLLECTED IN? ASSAM 775 simam, capillaceam, integram vel subintegram angustata. Cellulae basilares laxissimae, magnae, parietibus tenuibus, ad margines multo angustiores, supra perangustae, parvae, pellucidae, elongatae. Costa ad basin perlata, spongiosa, e stratis 3-4 cellularum inanium, pellucidarum, magnarum, parietibus pertenuibus instructa, superne angustata, male definita, e cellulis angustissimis composita, Hab. In forest, 2,900-3,000 m., Piri, Aka Hills; October 1933. (5). Fossibly the type of a new genus, but sufficiently near B. Leana in the nerve structure, particularly in the lower part of the leaf, to be placed there, at least temporarily. The foliation is peculiar, the normal cauline leaves ‘appear to be comparatively short, setaceous, but not very longly so (3-4 mm.), chloro- phyllose, and frequently closely denticulate to near the base; at certain points on the stem the leaves, densely crowded, are entirely different, less or not chlorophyllose, deciduous, entire, very rapidly narrowed from the base to a much longer, much finer, entire, capillary subula; these may attain to even 1 cm. in length. The leaf base is minute, spongy, so concave as to appear when detached almost solid and bulbiform, pale, slightly reddened at the line of insertion. Campylopus letus (Mitt.) Jaeg.—Shillong, 1,800 m., September 1934 (191). Dicranodontium dimorphum Mitt,—Piri, Aka Hills, 3,000 m.; November 1934 (261d). Naga Hills; 1935 (274). Japwo, Naga Hills; 2,750-3,;000 m., December 1935 (342) c. fr. Several of the Indian species described by Mitten are difficult to separate from one another, the fruit even when present does not always give much assistance. No. 261 has the subula more toothed than usual, but in other respects seems to agree. No. 274 is a rather marked plant, having conspicuous purple auricles, and a strong nerve; it is a much more robust plant than D, didymodon (Mitt.) and D. caespitosum (Mitt.). An unpublished Himalayan species cf Brotherus has equally conspicuous auricles, but has a flat subula and very much narrower nerve. No. 342 is in fruit in nice condition; I believe the fruit has not been recorded. The seta is about 1 cm. high, very thin, pale, when dry erect and flexuose, the capsule small, dark, erect, elliptic from a tapering base, symmetric, smooth, the lid straight, rather shorter than the capsule. _ Dicranodontium asperulum (Mitt.) Broth.—Naga Hills; 1935 (269). A form with remarkably white leaf bases, as well as white tomentum. Dicranodontium decipiens (Mitt.)—Cheswezuma, Naga Hills, 2,100 m.; December 1935 (324). A difficult plant. It appears to belong to Dicranodontium. Reimers issued it in Max Fleischer, M. Fr, Archip. Ind. et Polyn., No. 561, as ‘Dicranodontium decipiens (Mitt.) Mitt.’, but I have been unable to trace the publication where Mitten placed it under the present genus. LEUCOBRYACE. Leucobryum javense (Brid.) Mitt.—Kanjara, Naga Hills, 2,000 m.:; November 1935 (363). Leucobryum bowringii Mitt. var. sericeum (Broth.) Dix.—Péstiferous Camp, 1,200 m., Piri, Aka Hills ; November 1934 (227). The nerve is almost homostrosic, only a single cell here and there, both dorsal and ventral, being transversely divided, very near the base of the leaf. Leucophanes octoblepharoides Brid.—Balipara Frontier ‘Tract; November- December 1933 (63). Octoblepharum albiduw = Hedw.—Near Charduar : 1934 (184). Exodictyoa blumii (C.M.) Fleisch.—Forest, 3,000-3,300 m., Piri, Aka Hills; October 1933 (21b). New to Northern India. Distr. Java; Philippines; Borneo ; Malay Penins. : CALYMPERACE. Syrrhopodon pilulifer Dix. sp. nov. (Pl. I, fig. 2). Thyridium. Corticola. Subrobustus, saturate olivaceo-viridis, ramis circa 3 mm. longis; folia sicca leniter rigide incurvo-hamata, 2.5-3 mm, longa, e 776 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX basi. brevi erecta vix latiore late oblongo-lanceolata, breviter acutata, latiuscule cuspidata, marginibus vix undulatis, integris vel subintegris; costa validiuscula, stricta, dorso laevis. Limbus cartilagineus inferne latus, usque ad 20-seriatus, sat longe infra apicem solutus. Cellulae perminutae, parietibus tenuibus, laevissimae. Cancellina brevis. lata, e cellulis parvis composita. Corpuscula parva, numerosa (circa 30-40 #4 lata), sphaerica, pluricellularia, fusca, in pagina et costae ventri inveniuntur. Seta circa 5 mm., theca minuta, erecta, vix nitida. Hab. Balipara Frontier Tract, 100-300 m.; November-December 1933 (46), The much broader, entire border, smooth cells, and absence of secund-leaved stoloniferous branches separate this from S. flavus and S. Vrieset, and (except for the last character) from S. cuspidatus. The minute spherical bodies on the upper surface of the leaf appear to be of the nature of gemmae; if algoid there would be no reason for their being confined to this region of the leaf. . Apical tufts of small, fusiform gemmae are also present at the tip of most leaves. Calymperes burmense Hampe.—In forest, 3,000-3,300 m., Piri, Aka Hills; October 1933 (2). This agrees well with Hampe’s type. It appears to be a rare species, only found hitherto in Burma, Calymperes hampei Doz. & Molk.—Charduar; August 1934 (173). POTTIACEZ. Trichostomum cylindricum Bruch—Pulebudze, 2,350 m., Naga Hills; August 1935 (294a). Japwo, circa 2,750 m., Naga Hills; December 1935 (330 p.p. ). Both +e. dr: Pseudosymblepharis pallidens Dix. sp. nov. (Pl. I, fig. 3). Gracilescens, elata, habitu Symblepharidis helictophyllae Mont. Folia laxiu- scula, patentia, superne comosa; sicca crispata, 3-4 mm. longa, e basi erecta, subvaginante, sensim angustata, lineari-lanceolata, sensim anguste acuminata, acuta, marginibus planis, intergris seu crenulato-papillosis. Costa ad-basin sat valida, superne attenuata, pellucida, infra apicem soluta. Cellulae superiores subquadratae, vel subrotundatae, distinctae, parietibus firmis, subincrassatis, papillosae, basilares longiores, breviter rectangulares, infimae paucae laxiores, pellucidae, parietibus tenuioribus. Dioica. Folia perichaetialia caulins subsimilia.—Seta 1 cm., tenuis, ’erecta, pallida. Theca parva, cum operculo 3.5 mm. longa, anguste elliptica, paullo asymmetrica, operculum pallide tenuirostre, thecae longitudinem fere aequans, cellulis laxiusculis, seriebus rectis, haud obliquis. Annulus latus, persistens, sed facile dilabilis. Exothecii cellulae elongate rectangulari-hexagonae, parietibus tenuissimis. Spori parvi. Peristomium perpallidum, dentes ad basin cohae- rentes, inde in crura divisa valde irregularia et inaequalia, saepe anastomosantia, vel ramificantia, vix nodosa, dense humiliter papillosa. Hab. Japwo, Naga Hills, 2,450 m.; October 1935 (322). The leaves are shorter and wider than in most of the species. They are very similar to those of P. pervaginata (Broth.) Broth., but much less dilated below. Hyophila’ involuta (Hook.) Jaeg.—Several gatherings. Barbula gregaria (Mitt.) Jaeg.—In forest, Piri, Aka Hills, 3,000-3,300 m. ; October 1933 (11). Barbula indica Brid.—One or two gatherings, on the lower ground. ORTHOTRICHACE. Ptychomitrium rhacomitrioides Dix. sp. nov. (PI. I, fig. 4). Robustum, caespitosum; caules ad 8 cm. alti, erecti vel adscendentes, parce ramosi, interrupte foliosi, olivacei. Folia patenti-squarrosa, sicca _ fortiter crispata, magna, 5-6 mm. longa, e basi longa, lata, vaginante, plicata, sub- sensim in laminam recurvam, latam, canaliculatam, fortiter regulariter runci- natam subabrupte terminatam angustata. Costa inferne valida, supra angustior, cum apice evanida. Margines supra basin~ angustissime recurvi. Cellulae supremae subisodiametricae, seriatae, incrassatae, perdistinctae, parietibus leniter MOSSES COLLECTED IN ASSAM 777 sinuosis; versus basin sensim elongatae, breviter rectangulares, parietibus valde sinuosis; inde multo longiores, 4-61, fortiter sinuosae, omnino Rhacomitri- oideae; infimae abrupte mutatae, per totam latitudinem pulchre aurantiacae, laxae, magnae, 2-stratosae, inanes, parietibus rectis, tenuibus. Autoicum. Fructus terminales, sed saepe ad annum sequentem persistentes, 2-5 aggregati; folia perichaetialia vix distincti; seta circa 8 mm. longa, erecta, pallida, ad ‘basin et vaginluam rubra. Theca leptodermica, in collum defluens, operculata circa 4 mm. longa, cylindrica; operculum rectum, aciculare; calyptra straminea, nitida, basi laciniata leniter plicata. Peristomium generis, dentes aurantiaci, praelongi, crura stricte tenuissime capillaria, praealte, tenuissime papillosa. Spori minuti. : Hab. Japwo, Naga Hills, 2,750-3,000 m,, 7 December 1935 (343), type. Ibidem (330). Above Dharmsala, Punjab, India, circa 2,750 m.; 17 June 1929; coll. R. R. Stewart (10309A). A very striking plant, especially in the remarkable areolation; the cells at insertion are a deep orange, at least 2-stratose; lax, thin-walled and pellucid, forming deep pseudo-auricles resembling those of Dicranum but reaching quite across the leaf; above these all the cells are absolutely Rhacomitrioid, and only in the part of the lamina above the base take on a more normal Ptychomitrioid form, but even then retaining, sometimes to the apex, traces of the sinuosity of the walls. The Himalayan plant was first seen, and I referred it without hesitation to Holomitrium, no calyptra being present, and the peristome being all more or less destroyed (It was this plant to which I referred in Annales Bryology., vi, 21, as having a similar areolation to a new species of Symblepharis from Mt. Cameroon). The Ptychomitrioid calyptra of the Assam plant revealed its true position. Zygodon brevisetus Wils.—Chingku, Naga Hills, 2,500 m.; November 1935 (354). Very near Z. intermedius Bry. eur., but apparently distinct. Macromitrium nepalense (Hook. & Grev.) Schwaegrichen—Ngorruara, on dead log, goo m., Naga Hills; November 1935 (349). Macromitrium calymperoideum Mitt.—Balipara Frontier Tract, below 300 m. ; November-December 1933 (49). Common on trees in plains, near Charduar ; August 1934 (74, 178). Macromitrium hamatum Dix. sp. nov. Belongs to the group of Leiostoma having leaves with broad, strongly inflexed or hamate leaf apices, and smooth basal cells, to which M. nepalense and M. assamicum belong, It differs from these however in having the leaves not spirally twisted when dry, but strongly incurved and crispate. In this it is nearer to M. calymperoideum, which differs slightly but distinctly in the shorter, broader, more obtusely pointed leaves, with the cells short and very little altered to base. M. inflexifolium Dix. from Siam has quite different upper cells. The leaves here are longer and more tapering than in any of the allied species, widely but quite acutely pointed. M.z calymperoideo Mitt. affine. Differt foliis longioribus, angustioribus, ad apicem anguistatis, acutis vel apiculatis, cellulis basilaribus pellucidis, infimis, praecipue marginalibus elongatis, linearibus, juxtacostalibus paucis laxis, in- anibus. Cellulae superiores minutae, 5-7 / laeves vel humillime mamillosae. Calyptra pilosa. Fructus immaturus solum_ visus. Hab. On tree trunk, 1,680 m., Pedi, Naga Hills; 1 August 1935 (284 bis). Macromitrium rigbyanum Dix. sp. nov. (PI. I, fig. 5). Sat robustum. Rami _ variabiles, plerumque longiusculi, densifolii. _ Folia sicca valde crispata, angusta, lingulata, sensim anguste acuminata, acuta; costa cum apice soluta vel brevissime excurrens. Cellulae circa 8 /“ distinctae, humiliter papillosae, marginales regulariter minute crenulatae, infra sensim elongatae, basilares lineares, angustae, laeves, paucae juxtacostales ‘calym- peroideae’. Bracteae prichaetii angust acuminatae, stricte breviter aristatae. Seta circa 6 mm, longa. Calyptra pilosa. Operculum aciculare. Theca e collo brevi breviter cylindrica, laevis, fusca, apud orem vix angustata, ibidem purpurea, subnitida, microstoma. Peristomium bene evolutum, e dentibus flavidis dense papillosis in membranam vel per paria plusminusve cohaerentibus instructum, Spori variabiles, magni, usque ad 27 /& 778 JOURNAL; BOMBAY NATURAL AIST. SOCIEPRY,= Vol. Soon Hab. Kurseong, Himalayas, 1926; coll. Fr. Rigby, comm. Rev. G. Foreau (592), type. Assam, Him. Parbat, 2,000 m., 21 March, 1934; coll. N. L. Bor (89). Ibidem, Peak, Charduar, 1,850 m.; 1934 (167). Pankim La, Abor Hills, 300-2,900 m. ; 1934 (148). On rock, Dzulake, Naga Hills, 1,850 m.; 31 August 1934 (280 bis). A very distinct plant, not in habit or leaf structure, but in the capsule. This is cylindrical or barrel shaped, scarcely tapering to the mouth but with a purplish cushion of much smaller, incrassate exothecial cells surrounding the mouth and extending for an appreciable distance down. It is similar to that of M, bathydontum, described by Cardot from Corea. Maromitrium turgidum Dix.—Japwo, Naga Hills, 2,400 m.; October 1935 (303). Ibidem, 3,000 m.; November 1935 (310). Nov. var. laeve Dix. Cellulae basilares laeves. Dafla Hills, 1,200 m., March 1934 (90) Tako Senyak, 1,200 m.; March 1934 (113). Paora, Naga Hills, on tree trunk, 2,150 m,, September 1935 (283 bis). In the original plant from Siam the basal cells were more or less markedly tuberculate, As this is usually considered a crucial character, I have thought it best to describe the smooth-celled plant as a variety. The character is however not a constant one, as in one or two of the Assam gatherings I have found the basal cells indiscriminately smooth or tuberculate on the same specimen. Macromitrium sulcatum Brid.—Japwo, Naga Hills, 2,750-3,000 m. ; December 1935 (338). Macromitrium ramentosum Mitt.—Tako Senyak, Dafla Hills, 1,200 m.; March 1934 (103). Hitherto only known from Ceylon. FUNARIACE. Funaria wallichii (Mitt.) Broth,—Shillong; September 1934 (200). Funaria hygrometrica Hedw. (F. leptopoda Griff.)—Several gatherings. SPLACHNACE. Splachnobryum assamicum Dix. sp. nov. S. Oorschotii forsan affine; multo gracilius, laxifolium, foliis siccis valde flexuosis, convolutis. Folia madida patula, 1.5 mm. longa, perconcava, saepe subconvoluta, e basi oblonga latiore sensim lingulata, plerumque_ rotundato- obtusa, marginibus planis vel recurvis, integerrimis. Costa tenuis, summo apice soluta. Rete perpellucidum, e cellulis parvis, rectangularibus, parietibus tenuissimis instructum. Cellulae superne sensim abbreviatae, irregulares, rhomboideo-hexagonae, ad apicem subisodiametricae. Dioicum; planta ¢ femineae subsimilis, floribus axillaribus numerosis magnis, turgidis, antheridiis magnis, congestis. Seta circa 6 mm. _ longa, tenuissima, intense rubra. Theca minuta, 1 mm. longa, subcylindrica; peri- stcmium haud visum. Hab. On brickwork, Charduar, 2 August 1934 (176), type. On sandy soil, 700 m., Charduar; 13 July 1934 (162). A strongly marked species in the narrow, lingulate leaves, deeply channelled, with nerve reaching close to the apex, Tavloria indica Mitt.—Piri Camp, 2,300 m., Aka Hills; November 1934 (265). Naga Hills; 1935 (268, 284). Tayloria subglabra (Griff.) Mitt.—Pulebudze, Naga Hills, 1,700 m.; 8 August 1935 (291). nov. var. Spinosa. Folia fortiter, irregulariter Jentata, fere laciniata. A form with the leaves much larger and more spreading, and the toothing much coarse than usual in this species, but I think must be considered a variety only. The calyptra agrees. Takuja, Naga Hills, 1,700 m.; November 1935 (346). BRYACEZ. Mielichhoferia assamica Dix. sp, nov. E robustissimis generis. Caespitosa, viridis. Caulis 5 cm. altus, densifolius. Folia sicca madidaque patentia, sicca leniter contracta, parum mutata, 2-2.25 cm. a 4 MOSSES COLLECTED:- IN ASSAM (hs) longa, versus basin 4 mm. lata, fere e basi ad apicem sensim angustata, acuminata, peracuta; marginibus planis, ubique minutissime denticulatis. Costa tenuiuscula, cum apice evanida. Cellulae peilucidae, angustissimae, minutae, lineares, obtusae, parietibus tenuibus, strictis; basilares parum latiores. Cetera ignota. Hab. On sand, Bhorelli river bed, 300 m., Bhalukpung, Aka Hills; 2 November 1934 (211), The largest species I know. An unpublished Himalayan species, now in the press, M. Badhwariti Dix., resembles it in size, but has much wider cells and sharper toothing. Webera elongata Hedw.—In forest, 2,900-3,300 m.; Piri, Aka Hills, October 1933 (14, 41). Japwo, Naga Hills, 3,000 m.; October 1933 (300). Webera cruda (Hedw.) Bruch—In forest, 2,900-3,300 m., Piri, Aka Hills; October 1933 (28). Webera flexuosa (Hook.) Mitt.—In forest, 2,900-3,300 m., Piri, Aka Hills; October 1933): (17): Webera humicola Dix. & Varde—Lozaphohemi, Naga _ Hills, 1,220 m.; November 1934 (304). Described in 1927 from the Palni Hills, South India, and not known elsewhere. Brachymenium exile (Doz. & Molk.) Bry. jav.—Zehwera, Naga Hills, 1,800 m.; August 1935 (281b). Brachymenium walkeri Broth.—Shillong, 2,000 m.; September 1934 (193). I cannot separate this from the Coorg plant, Brachymenium nepalense Hook.—Zehwera, Naga Hills, 2,100 m., September 1935 (288). Anomobryum cymbifoliam (Lindb.) Broth.—Shillong, 1,500 m.; September 1934 (188). On rock, 1,700 m. Zehwera, Naga Hills; August 1935 (279 bis). Tree trunk, 1,700 m., Pedi, Naga Hills; September 1935 (285). All c. fr. Bryum cellulare Hook,—Bhalukpung, Bhorelli river bed, 300 m.; November To34, (214). Sterile. Bryum argenteum Hedw.—Several gatherings. Bryum porphyroneuron C.M.—Shillong, 1,400 m.; July 1934 (164). Fruit immature, but probably belongs here. Bryum nitens Hook.—Shillong, 1,400 m.; September 1934 (182), c. fr, Rhodobryum giganteum (Hook.) Par.—Piri, Aka Hills, 2,750 m.; November 1934 (245). MNIACE2. Mnium heterophyllum (Hook.) Schwaegr.—Pankim La, Abor Hills, 1934 (118). Mnium lycopodioides (Hook.) Schwaegr.—In forest, 2,900-3,300 m., Piri, Aka Hills; October 1933 (16). Minium thomsoni Schimp.—Piri, Aka Hills, 3,000 m.; November 1934 (262, 267f). In fine fruiting condition. The capsule has a distinct collum, and is large; the lid is longly rostellate, almost rostrate. Mnium levinerve Card.—In forest, 2,700-3,300 m., Piri, Aka Hills; October 19334 (1;435),.ceic. and ¢ plant. Mniym rostratum Schrad. var. coriaceum (Griff.) Dix.—Pankim La, Abor Hills; 1934 (129, 136, 142). Shillong, 1,200 m.; September 1934 (201). And other gatherings. Mostly c. fr. This keeps its characters very constantly, and is, I am persuaded, deserving of varietal rank, Mnium succulentum Mitt.—Piri, Aka Hills, 3,300 m.; November 1934 (267c). Mnium punctatum Hedw. var. reflexifolium Kabiersch—In forest, -2,’700- 3,300 m., Piri, Aka Hills; October 1933 (27), c. fr. This seems a well marked variety. 780 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX Orthomnion trichomitrium =Wils.—Him Parbat, 2,000 m.; March 1934 (87). Tako Senyak,.-1,200 m.; March 1934 (106). Both ec. fr. Orthomniopsis japonica Broth.—Pestiferous Camp, 1,375 m.; Piri, Aka Hills; November 1934 (229), ¢. fr.—An exceedingly interesting discovery, At the time of collecting it was known only from two localities in Japan. Since then, however, it has been found in New Guinea, and also in the Philippines. RHIZOGONIACE. Rhizogonium spiniforme (Hedw.) Bruch—In several gatherings. BARTRAMIACE. Bartramia halleriana Hedw.—In several localities; Aka Hills, Abor Hills, and Naga Hills. Bartramia leptodonta Mitt.—Piri, 3,000 m., Aka Hills; November 1934 (267g). Philonotis gammieana) Broth.—Tree trunk, 1,700 m,, Piri, Naga Hills; September 1935 (286). Philonotis angusta Mitt.—Charduar, 1934 (77). Aka Hills, 300 m.; November- December 1933 (44). Piri, Aka Hills; October 1933 (22). All c. fr. Philonotis longicollis (Hampe) Mitt.—Naga Hills; 1935 (276) c. fr. ERPODIACEZ. Erpodium mangiferae C.M.—On mango tree, Charduar; July 1934 (163). HEDWIGIACE. Cleistostoma ambiguum (Hook.) Brid.—Piri, Aka Hills; November 1934 (230). CRYPHAEACE. Pilotrichopsis dentata (Mitt.) Besch.—In forest, 2,700-3,300 m. Piri, Aka Hills; October 1933 (23b). c. fr. A rather lax, slender form; but the species shows considerable variation, and I think it may be safely placed here. New to Assam. Distrib. China, Japan, Philippines. LEUCODONTACE2. Leucoden secundus (Harv.) Mitt.—Pankim La, Abor Hills; 1934 (151). TRACHYPODACE. Diaphanodon blandus (Harv.) Ren. & Card.—Piri, Aka Hills, 3,000 m. ; November 1934 (255, 261f). c. fr, Diaphanodon thuidioides Ren. & Card.—Pankim La, Abor Hills; 1934 (138b). c. fr. Only known from the Central Himalayas and Yunnan, hitherto. Trachypus bicolor Hornsch. & Reinw,—In several localities, mostly fruiting. One from Piri has the leaves strongly and prettily falcate. Trachypus pendulus Dix. sp. nov. Gracilis, atroviridis, habitu Diaphanodontis thuidioidis sed paullo robustior. Caulis pendulus, flexuosus, pinnatim ramosus, ramis circa 1 cm. longis, in- aequalibus, caudiformibus. Folia patula, sicca suberecta, plicata, e basi late fortiter auriculata oblongo-lanceolata, leniter asymmetrica, acumine torto, late loriformi, distanter denticulato. Costa tenuis, versus medium folium_ soluta, Cellulae lineares, pellucidae, tenerrime pluripapillosae, saepe fere laeves, basilares paullo latiores, pellucidiores. Fructus ignotus. Hab. Pankim La, Abor Hills, 300-2,745 m.; 1934 (1384). Mixed with a rather robust form of Diaphanodon thuidioides, and not easy at once to separate, but the leaves with twisted apex, and long, pluripapillose cells clearly distinguish it under the microscope. The papillae are very slightly MOSSES COLLECTED IN ASSAM 781 developed, however, for the genus. It also resembles to some extent Duthiella Wallichii, but the auriculate base, pellucid cells, and finely denticulate margins are very different. Trachypodopsis auriculata (Mitt.) Fleisch.—Piri, Aka Hills, 2,700-3,300 m. ; October 1933: (26), c.. fr, Trachypodopsis himantophylla (C.M.) Fleisch.—In several distinct localities, mostly at moderately high altitudes, sometimes fruiting. It is quite a marked plant, but I doubt whether it is more than a var. of T, crispatula, PTEROBRYACE. Jegerinopsis integrifolia Dix. sp. nov. (PI. I, fig. 6). Pendula videtur, Caulis flexuosus, 10 cm. vel ultra longus, valde com- planatus, parce, distanter ramosus, ramis divaricatis, inaequalibus (perbrevibus vel 1 cm. longis), complanatis, interrupte foliosis. Folia complanata, nunc laxa, nunc conferta, horride squarosa, usque ad 4 mm. longa vel _ paullo ultra, juniora viridia, seniora fusco-aurantiaca, e basi amplexicauli valde auriculata late ovata, subraptim in subulam strictam loriformem acutissimam integerrimam contracta. Costa brevis, debilis, nonnunquam bina, vel obsoleta. Cellulae angustissimae, lineares, incrassatae, basilares valde incrassatae, parie- tibus. porosis, apud auriculas magnas pulchre aurantiacae. Fructus unicus visus. Perichaetium longum, bracteis longe convolutis, superne subula abrupte reflexa, stricta, integra, robusta. Seta circa 4 mm., laevis, erecta. Calyptra, operculum, ignota. Peristomium flavidum, dentes lanceolati, hic illic conjuncti, laeves, saepe perforati, marginibus irregularibus ; dorsaliter dissepimentis latis, intus sat alte, dense lamellati; fragmenta praeperistomii ad basin visa. Endostomium ut videtur rudimentarium. Hab. Pankim La, Abor Hills, 300-2,750 m.; 1934 (138c). The generic position of this plant is not quite certain. In the long, straggling, loosely branched stems, with complanate, very squarrose leaves, it is much like species of Jaegerinopsis, with’ which the leaf structure and genéral fruiting characters agree; the peristome is rather different from that character- istic of the genus, the teeth being longer and narrower, not short, broad and obtuse as is the case with the species where fruit is known. The _ presence of a praeperistome is in favour of Jaegerinopsis, but otherwise the teeth are more like those of Hildebrandtiella as figured by Brotherus. A rather marked feature of the growth is the interrupted nature of the branches. The leaves may be normally large for some distance, then suddenly much smaller for a space; and sometimes a length of the stem or branch has only very minute, distant, spreading or squarrose leaves. Endotrichella elegans (Doz. & Molk.) Fleisch. Dafla Hills, 1,375 m.; March 1634 (91), ¢, fr. Symphysodontella subulata Broth.—Tako Senyak, 1,400-m.; March 1934 (93b), c. fr. I believe the fruit has not been seen before. Perichaetial. bracts erect, convolute, few, acuminate; capsule exserted, seta 3-4 mm., roughish; capsule small, deoperculate scarcely more than 1 mm. long, erect, brown, turgidly elliptic; peristome almost lost, teeth pale, yellow, apparently like. those of S. cylindracea. Only two old capsules seen. Only known from the Philippines. Symphysodontella borii Dix. sp. nov. (Pl. I, fig. 7). Sat robusta. Caulis secundarius indistincte dendroideus, vage pinnatim ramosus, ramis leniter curvatis, cuspidatis, nitidis, interdum _ subflagellaceis. Folia irregulariter disposita, nunc patentia, nunc erecta, sicca vix mutata, ecostata, 2-2.5 mm. longa e basi angustata ovato-lanceolata, concava, in acumen strictum, subulatum, cutissimum integerrimum angustata. Cellulae angustis- simae, conflatae, parietibus tenuissimis, basilares vix mutatae, ad insertionem aurantiacae, alares magnae, numerosae, rotundatae, scalariformes, auriculas magnas, pulchre aurantiacas, decurrentes instruentes. Bracteae perichaetii lanceolato-subulatae, sat longae, erecto-patentes, robuste acuminatae, integrae. Seta 1-2 cm. vel paullo ultra, tenuis, stricta, laevis; theca parva, circa 2 mm. alta, ovalis, erecta, microstoma; exothecii cellulae laxae, hexagonae, parietibus tenuibus, firmis, versus orifictum seriebus multis sensim minores. Calyptra cucullata, laevis, Operculum haud yisum, Peristomium pallide aurantiacum ; 782 JOURNAL, “BOMBAY NATURAL *H1S2{ SOCEE i Va. Vola ow. dentes anguste lanceolati, stricti, hic illic cohaerentes, interrupte tenerrime albide marginati, laeves, parum lamellati aut nodosi. Endostomium nullum. Hab. Tako Senyak, Dafla Hills, 1,400 m.; 19 March 1934 (93), type. Dafla Hills, 1,200 m.; 20 March 1934 (gob). The habit and the very strikingly auricled leaves are somewhat inconsistent with Symphysodontella, but the fruiting characters and general leaf structure agree well, and there is certainly no other genus in which it can be placed. The distinct alar cells of S. tortifolia: described below confirm this. Symphysodontella pilifolia Dix. sp. nov. (Pl. I, fig. 8). Caulis secundarius subdendroideus, circa 6 cm. altus, supra irregulariter distanter pinnatim ramosus, ramis_ flexuosis, attenuatis, parce breviter ramulosis; sordide viridis, paullo nitida. Folia stipitis inferiora parva, squamiformia, superiora ut caulina 2-2.5 mm. longa, e basi auriculata late ovalia, cochleariformia, apice subito in pilum longum capillare flexuosum_ in- tegrum contracta, integra seu ad basin pili minute denticulata; costa bina, irregularis. Cellulae angustissimae, inferne vix mutatae, ad insertionem seribus circa duabus latiores pulchre aurantiacae; alares nullae. Folia ramea similia sed angustiora, sensim ‘piliformia. Fructus ignotus. Hab. Pankim La, Abor Hills; 1934 (116b). Perhaps nearest to S. involuta, but quite distinct from all the species in the broad, cochleariform leaves abruptly piliferous, The nerve is sometimes single, with or without a short basal branch, sometimes with two subequal almost parallel branches, reaching to near mid-leaf. Only a single stem was found. Symphysodonte!la tortifolia Dix. sp. nov. (Pl. I, fig. 9). Robusta. Olivaceo-viridis. Caules secundarii dendroidei, rigidi, circa 8 cm. alti, caule lignoso, infar nudo vel foliis squamiformibus adpressis memberanaceis obtecto; supra densissime (nonnunquam laxius) ramosi, ramis_ iterumque conferte ramulosis strictis, nitidiusculis, breviter cuspidatis, frondem — sub- complanatam oblongam vel flabellaceam formantibus. Folia ramea_ patentia, stricta, e basi lata, cordata, auriculata, ovato-lanceolata, concava, raptim in subulam loriformem robustam valde tortam, fortiter argute distanter denticulatam angustata, Costa unica validiuscula, longe supra medium folium prolongata. Cellulae eis S. pilifoliae similes, sed alares numerosae, laxiusculae, aurantiacae, auriculas parvas sed notatas instruentes. Fructus ignotus. Propagula viridia, articulata, brevia, fusiformia, inter folia (? axillaria) inveniuntur. Hab. Japwo, Naga Hills, 2,900 m.; 7 December 1935 (339). A remarkable species in the robust, regularly spirally twisted, sharply toothed acumen; the twisting may attain 1} complete turns. The alar cells are conspicuous by their orange colour, but are much smaller and form smaller auricles than in S. Borit; they tend however to confirm the position of that species in the present genus. It is remarkable that four species, three of them new, of this small genus of not more than fifteen or sixteen species, should occur in the limited area from which the present collections were made, and suggests that Assam must be considered the head-quarters of the genus. The Philippine Islands are the only region elsewhere known to contain as many as three species. Pterobryopsis auriculata Dix. sp. nov. (PI. I, fig. 10). E robustioribus generis, P. scabriusculae (Mitt.) affinis et similis. Caulis secundarius 10-15 cm. longus, nunc sparse nunc conferte pinnatim ramosus, ramis parce brevissime ramulosis; omnes turgidi, densifolii, obtusi, vix nitidi. Folia patula, circa 2 mm. longa, latissime ovata, cochleariformia, supra cucullata. abrupte late breviter cuspidata, acuta, integra, ad basin auriculis pulchris haud magnis bene notatis praedita; costa unica tenuissima, circa dimidiam partem folii attingens. Cellulae lineari-rhomboideae, tenerrimae, laeves, basilares minime latiores, intra auriculas paucae lavae, hyalinae. Fructus ignotus. . Hab. Bark of ‘tree, 100 m., Charduar; 16 October 1934 (205), type. Manalur, Lower Palnis, Madura, 18 June 1926, coll. G, Foreau (370). A SS RS NA MOSSES COLLECTED IN. ASSAM’ 783 Nearest perhaps to P. scabriuscula (Mitt.), but quite distinct in the auri- culate base. P. conchophylla (Ren, & Card.) is a much smaller plant with numerous alar cells. P. madurensis (Card. & Varde) with a considerable re- semblance in habit has much less developed auricles and very numerous alar cells. METEORIACE, Papillaria fuscescens (Hook.) Jaeg.—Several gatherings, Meteorium Buchanani (Brid.) Fleisch.—Chingku, Naga _ Hills, 2,500 m.; November 1935 (355). A form with the long hair points of M. Miquelianum, but with non-plicate leaves. Aerobryopsis denticulata Dix. sp. nov. Pendula, extensa, mollis, viridis, habitu specierum Barbellae, e.g. B, spiculata (Mitt.); ramis percomplanatis, nunc sparsim, nunc confertius, aequaliter pin- natis. Folia caulina et ramealia subsimilia, late divaricata, e basi contracta cordata, breviter decurrente, amplexicauli, cordato-ovata, acuminata, acumine longo, tenui, saepe torto, argute denticulato. Margines plani, nullo modo undulati, ubique argute, fortiter denticulati. Costa tenuissima, circa medium folium attingens, interdum obsoleta. Cellulae praelongae, angustae, saepius, uni—, interdum pluri-papillosae, papillis parvis; basilares subsimiles, alares perpaucae laxiores. Fructus ignotus. Hab. Satoi, Naga Hills, 2,150 m.; 4 December 1935 (367). Distinct in its slender, complanate, Barbelloid habit, the nonundulate, sharply toothed margins, and long, narrow cells. In foliation it is. perhaps nearest to A. striatula, but the marginal toothing and areolation are quite distinct. Floribundaria floribunda (Doz. & Molk.) Fleisch.—Piri, Aka Hills; November 1934 (241), c. fr. Pestiferous Camp, 1,200 m., Piri, Aka Hills; November 1934 (221). This last is a peculiar form, very slender and delicate in habit, with irregular, not regularly seriate papillae, but with obscure cells, and very weak nerve. It may be F. pseudo-floribunda Fleisch, which however seems to me a poorly marked species. Chrysocladium horridum Dix, sp. nov. Habitus, color et magnitudo C: phaei (Mitt.); ab tla et affinibus differt toto coelo foliorum structura, cellulis nullo modo obscuris, nec opacis, sublaevibus vel 3-4-papillosis, papillis nunc altis, spiculosis, nunc minutissimis vel -nullis. Folia superne marginibus undulatis, densissime acutissime denticulatis; cellulae alares distinctae, laxae, aurantiacae, alas parvas sed bene notatas instruentes. Sterilis tantum nota. Hab. Naga Hills, 1935 (272), type. Japwo, Naga Hills; 7 December 1935 (332). Quite distinct from C. phaeum and the allied species in the pellucid, neither obscure nor opaque cells, sometimes highly 3-4-papillose, sometimes quite, smooth. An unpublished species from Yunnan is in some respects very like it, but has different foliation, and the cells, though sparsely papillose as here are very opaque and obscure with the primordial -utricle, which is not at all the case in the present plant. Barbella enervis (Thw. & Mitt.) Fieisch.—Pestiferous Camp, 1,500 m., Piri, Aka Hills; November 1934 (226). Lindigia asiatica Dix. sp. nov. (Pl. I, fig. 11). E robustioribus generis. Sordide viridis. Caulis circa 8 cm. longus, flexuosus, compalanate pinnatim irregulariter: ramosus, ramis usque ad 2 cm. longis, complanatis, 4-5 mm. latis. Folia divaricata, subsquarrosa, complanata, 3 mm. longa, e basi subcordata sensim attenuata, acumine stricto, tenui- acuminato, aciculari; margines plani, ubique argute denticulati. Costa ad basin sat valida, supra tenuis, circa 2/3 folii attingens. Cellulae latiuscule lineari- rhomboideae, laeves, parietibus tenuibus; ubique subsimiles, ad _ insertionem tantum laxiores. Ditissime fructificans. Fructus ad ramos situs, perichaetia parva, bracteis breviter acuminatis; seta vix ultra 1 mm. longa, crassiuscula, laevis.. Theca 784 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX erecta, fusca, ovalis, 1 mm. longa, sicca macrostoma; operculum acute conico- curvirostellatum. Exothecii cellulae seriebus verticalibus, rectangulares, parieti- bus rectis, sat crassis. Peristomium pro thecae magnitudinem magnum; dentes usque ad .5 mm. longi, pallidi, madidi pulchre leniter recurvati, lanceolati, e basi angustati, angustissime acuminati, tenues, vix lamellati, ubique tenere regulariter papillosi, linea media leniter angulata, scutulis irregularibus, saepe subquadratis. Processus e membrana brevissima vel nulla filiformes, tenerrimi, breviores, sublaeves, hic illic rimosi. Spori 26-20 laeves. Hab. Him Parbat, 2,000 m.; 21 March 1934 (81). No doubt corticolous. A prettily fruiting, graceful plant. In habit not unlike the above described Jaegerinopsis integrifolia (see Plate), though with less rigidly divaricate leaves; but the resemblance ends there. It is the first species of the genus to be found in Asia, and a very distinct one. Of the other nine species one is from Tropical Africa, one from Madagascar, the remainder from tropical or sub-tropical America. C. Miller has divided the genus into two sections; Eulindigia with com- paratively short stems and short, simple branches, linear-rhomboid cells, a very short seta, striolate peristome teeth and long-beaked lid, while Genucaulis has a very long stem, with long ramulose branches, elliptico-rhomboid cells, seta 4-7 mm., papillose teeth, and a short-beaked lid, The present plant has the. vegetative characters and short seta of Eulindigia, the lid and _ papillose teeth of Genucaulis. It seems impossible, therefore to maintain this arange- ment, and it would be better to drop it, or to make the division depend on the character of the peristome teeth alone. Meteoriopsis squarrosa (Hook.) Fleisch.—Shillong, 1,800 m. ; September 1934 (202). With very young fruit. Meteoriopsis reclinata (C.M.) Fleisch.—In several gatherings. Aerobryum speciosum Doz. & Molk.—Pestiferous Camp, 1,200 m., Piri, Aka Hills; November 1934 (219). Hanging from branches, Bompur La, Aka Hills, 1,800 m.; November 1934 (234). The latter a fine plant, with stems a foot long, and nicely in fruit. NECKERACE. Culyptothecium urvilleanum (C.M.) Broth.—Him Parbat, 2,000 m.; March 1934 (107). Hanging from branches, Bompur La, Aka Hills, 1,800 m.; November 1934 (238). Both represent a rather slender form. I have elsewhere (Journ. of Bot., 1937, p- 121) given reasons for considering the Indo-Malayan C. philippinense Broth. to be identical with the Pacific species. Calyptothecium sp.— Rubber tree, Charduar ; November 1934 (207). A distinct species which is very near to C. mysorense Broth. ined. (Bryoth. E. Levier, 5,905), but differs in some slight respects, and I hesitate therefore to record it with certainty as that species. Neckera himalayana Mitt.—(Syn. N. longe-exserta Hampe). Japwo, Naga Hills, 2,900 m.; October 1935 (320), c. fr. I have compared Hampe’s type with Mitten’s, they are exactly the same thing. The seta is remarkably long for the genus. Neckcropsis gracilenta (Bry. jav.) Fleisch.—Gomarai, near Shillong, on bark of tree; August 1934 (174). New to Assam. Himantociadium plumula (Nees) Fleisch.—Him Parbat, 1,800 m.; March 1934 (101). Himantocladium scabrisetum Dix. sp. nov. Strips rigida, habitu H. flaccidi aut H. cyclophylli. Saturate viridis. Rami haud flagellacei. Folia stricta, sicca vix mutata, rigide divaricata, caulina (nec ramea) transverse undulata, e basi latiore concava, breviter late oblonga, apice triangulari-rotundato, parce argute denticulato. Costa tenuissima, circa dimidiam folii partem attingens, saepe brevior, nonnunquam obsoleta. Cellulae medianae lineari-rhomboideae, superiores rhomboideae. Folia ramea angustiora, minora. Dioicum videtur. Perichaetium longum, bracteis strictis, erectis, superne longe ligulatis, subacutis, integris. Seta circa 1 cm., scabra, ad basin laevis ; ¢rassiuscula. Theca e collo brevi turgide elliptica, deoperculata 2.5 mm. longa. MOSSES COLLECTED IN ASSAM 785 Peristomium pallidum, dentes teneri, vix lamellati, grossiuscule aequaliter papillosi; processus e membrana basilari perbrevi subaequilongi, perangusti, aciculares, dense alte papillosi. Operculum haud visum, Hab. Naga Hills; 1935 (278). So far as is known, this is the only species of the genus with scabrous seta. It also differs from its allies in the very thin, faint short nerve; the upper cells also are more elongate than in most species. H. strictum Dix. from Siam is the most closely allied, and may indeed be conspecific, but the fruit has not been found. It is still more rigid than the present plant, with the leaves rarely transversely undulate, sometimes longitudinally plicate, and with a rather longer and stronger nerve; but the differences are not very great. Homaliodendron montagueanum (C.M.) Fleisch.—Him Parbat, 1,800 m.; March 1934 (107), c, fr. I name this on account of the almost simple or very slightly branched stems; but it scarcely differs from H. javanicum or H. flabellatum (with which it was growing) in any other respects. Homaliodendr on flabellatum (Dicks.) Fleisch.—Tako Senyak, Dafla Hills, 1,200 m.; March 1934 (105b), c. fr. Homaliodendron scalpellifolium (Mitt.) Fleisch—Pankim La, Abor Hills, 1934 (127), c. fr. Shillong, 1,200 m.; September 1934 (187), ¢G plant, Piri, Aka Hills, 2,750 m.; November 1934 (249, 251), c.fr. Japwo, Naga Hills, 2,500 m. ; October 1935 (315), c. fr. Homaliodendron longisetum Dix. sp. nov. Robustum, Caulis primarius repens, dense tomentosus. Caulis secundarius inferne simplex, elongatus, foliis stipitis infernis squamiformibus, — parvis, recurvis, acuminatis, supernis foliaceis, membranaceis, laxis, patentibus, acutis, integris. Caulis superne complanate dendroideus, flabellatus, ramis ad 2 cm. altis, nunc parce distanter pinnatis, nunc plus minusve dense bipinnatis. Folia percomplanata, eis H. javanici similia, sed costa multo validiore, longiore, saepe paullo infra apicem soluta. Cellulae rhomboideo-ellipticae, parietibus tenuibus. Perichaetii bracteae breves, breviter late acuminatae, denticulatae. Fructus saepe numerosi. Seta 1.25-1.5 cm. longa, tenuis, inferne laevis, parte superiore sat alte papillosa. Theca pallide fusca, elliptica, leniter gibbosa, deoperculata circa 3 mm, longa; operculum longe curvirostre. Peristomium generis, albida. Calyptra nuda. Hab. In forest, 2,g00-3,200 m., Piri, Aka Hills; October 1933 (7, I) type. Ibidem, 2,300 m., 17 November (246). One of the most distinct eae in the long, rather stout nerve, the seta elongate as in no other species, and papillose in the upper part. The fronds are sometimes laxly and slightly branched, as in H. Montagueanum, sometimes (in the same gathering and even on the same stem) ‘densely bipinnate, as in H. flabellatum, showing the slight value that can be attributed to this as a character. Handeliobryum assamicum Dix. sp. nov. (PI. I, fig. 12). Ab H. setschwanico et H. himalayano Broth. differt foliis versus apicem grosse et inaequaliter obtuse sinuato-denticulatis. Hab. Rocks in stream, Piri, Aka Hills, 2,700 m.; 17 November 1934 (247). An interesting link in the distribution of this recently known, striking and peculiar genus, between the Himalayan and Chinese localities. The two described species only differ from one another in habit; they are described as having the leaf apex entire or with a few minute denticulations; here they are constantly obtusely, rather coarsely, though not strongly sinuate-denticulate. It is obviously a more or less aquatic plant, HOOKERIACE. Daltonia marginata Griff.—Piri, Aka Hills, 2,600 m.; November 1934 (243a). Mitten describes the calyptra as reaching to the middle of the capsule, but I find it, in Griffith’s plant, as here, scarcely reaching below the lid. Griffith is the author of the specific name, not Mitten as Brotherus has it. 786 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX Daltonia perlaxiretis Dix. sp. nov. (Pl. I, fig. 13). Robusta, elata, usque ad 2 cm. alta, caespitosa. D.. reticulatae C.M. ceylonensi affinis, differt limbo folii angustiore, cellulis multo laxioribus, valde pellucidis, seta longiore, theca angustiore. Folia 3 mm. longa et paullo ultra, fusiformia, leniter (infra fortiter) carinata, longe, tenuissime cuspidata, limbus superne 2-3-seriatus; cellulae superiores hexagonae, 14-20 . latae, inferne multo laxi- ores, omnes perpellucidae, parietibus tenuissimis. Costa sat longe sub apice desinens. Seta laevis, circa 8 mm. sub collo leniter geniculata, unde theca inclinata.. Theca e collo distincto breviter cylindrica, atro-viridis. Operculum longiuscule acuate rostratum. Peristomium pulchre albidum; dentes densissime, altissime tenuissime papillosi, imperforati; processus simillimi sed angustiores. Hab: Piri, “Aka Hills, 500° m.< a7 (November 1934 =(264)): A very pretty little plant, in neat tufts, richly fruiting, with bluish green capsules in strong contrast to the large, white, persistent calyptra. The capsules are unusually narrow, and are inclined or even horizontal owing to the geniculation of the seta below the distinct collum. In D. reticulata the cells are about 8-14 # wide, the capsule wider, the seta shorter. Daltonia gemmipara Dix. sp. nov. (Pl. I, fig. 14). \ Species valde abnormalis, corticola vel in aliis muscis epiphtytica, saturate viridis, caespitosa, gracilis, mollis, siccis foliis valde crispatis. Caules dense intricati, circa 1 cm. alti, crassi, rufi; folia conferta, flexuosa, saepe subfalcata, circa 2 mm. longa, flexuosa vel subsigmoidea, e basi latiore ligulata, obtusa, profunde sed late carinato-canaliculata; costa lata, carinam implens, superne parum angustata, sub summo apice soluta. Margines folii superne _ late fortiter revoluti, unde folium revolute subtubulosum fit. Limbus superne sat angustus. Cellulae superiores hexagono-rectangulares, irregulares, perchlorosae, parietibus tenuibus ; inferne sensim laxiores. Folia suprema falcata, saepe apice in penicillium chlorophyllosum vel hyalinum expanso, e filis articulatis tener~ rimis densissime confertis instructum. Fructus ignotus. 'Hab. Pulebudze, Naga Hills, 1,850 m.; on rotten wood mixed with other mosses and often’ growing on them ; August 1935 (293C¢). ' A very remarkable plant. “The highly chlorophyllose, more or less rectangular cells are unusual; but not unknown in the genus. The leaves are ligulate from. a slightly wider base, and in the upper part more or less tubular, but from the widely revolute, not involute margins; the nerve is rather wide throughout, occupying a deep channel in mid-leaf. The upper leaves are often gemmiparous, in this case being falcate at the tip, and the rather obtuse apex emits a small, dense felt of extremely delicate, but wide, articulate threads, forming a penicillate or flabellate head, between .25 and ,5 mm. in length. I have found very small, fusiform, prelate gemmae on these, but am doubtful if these were in situ; it is more probable that the threads themselves are immature, and would later develope into articulate, detachable gemmae. Hookeria acutifolia £Hook.—In forest, Piri, Aka Hills, 2,700-3,300 m. ; 1934 (39), ¢. fr. Chaetomitriopsis glaucocarpa (Reinw.) Fleisch.—Pankim La, Abor Hills, 1934 (127, 431,791 40)) ce oir- HYPOPTERYGIACE. Gyattiophacuti facetnelitues Mitt.—-Balipara Frontier Tract, foot of Aka le: under 300 m.; November-December 1933 (50b). Only a scrap. Dendrocyathophorum paradoxum (Broth.) Dix.—Him Parbat, 2,000 m.; March 1934 (95). I have already pointed out in some Notes in Journ. of Bot., 1937, p- 125, that this plant, described as a new genus and species by me in Journ. of Bot., 1936, p. 7, was found to be identical with the Japanese moss, Hypopterygium paradoxum Broth. Its generic distinction, between Hypoptery- gium and Cyathophorum, is unquestioned, and its name must be as above. It is a similar instance of geographical distribution to that . of Orthomniopsis japonica, given above. a MOSSES COLLECTED IN- ASSAM 787 F ABRONIACE. Fabronia assamica Dix, sp. nov. E minutissimis generis. Folia paullo latiora quam in F. secunda, brevius pilifera, minute denticulata, cellulis multo brevioribus, plerumque 3-4 x 1. Costa pertenuis, saepe obsoleta. Theca perminuta, operculata vix .75 mm. longa. Operculum conicum. Hab. Shillong, 1,700 m.; 1 September 1934 (186). Nearest to F. secunda in the narrow leaves, but more delicate, with laxer, smaller leaves, much shorter cells, and very minute capsule. The lid is bluntly conical when moist, but becomes apiculate when dry, F. minuta Mitt. has much denser foliation and much wider leaves. LESKEACEZ. Pseudoleskeopsis decurvata (Mitt.) Broth.—Somma, 100 m.; March 1934 .(79).— This has the basal sinus of the leaf nearer to that of P. decurvata than P. orbiculata, as figured by Thériot, but I must confess I find this character rather ill defined and elusive; and I am inclined to doubt the value of several of the species described in this genus. The nerve of the perichaetial leaf here is long, but not nearly percurrent. The margin is mostly plane, but sometimes recurved on one side. THUIDIACEZ. Haplocladium subulaceum (Mitt.) Broth.—Naga Hills; 1935 (280). Claopodium mervosum (Havr.) Fleisch.—Balipara Frontier Tract, foot of Aka Hills, below 300 m.; November-December 1933 (50, 61). Claopodium assurgens (Sull. & Lesq.) Card.—Tree trunk, Dulungmukh, 200 m.; February 1934 (71). Thuidium bifarium Bry. jav. var. pertenue Lac.—Bark of tree, Aka Hills, 300 m.; November 1934 (216), A well marked variety, which may be,. as Fleischer describes it, a distinct species. It is characterized, for one thing, by a roughish seta. It has only been recorded from Celebes. Thuidium Brotheri Salm.—Pankim La, Abor Hills; 1934 (120, 130, 134). I am very doubtful whether this be distinct from T. asperulisetum. Thuidium asperulisetum Ren. & Card.—Balipara Frontier Tract, foot of Aka Hills, under 300 m.; November-December 1933 (43 p-p.). Pulebudze, Naga Hills, 600 m.; Aug. 1935 (293). Thuidium Meyenianum -(Hampe) Jaeg.—Charduar, 1934 (75). Thuidium subpellucens Dix. sp. nov. | | Thuidiella | 7. squarrosulo Ren. & Card. affine; differt praecipue cellulis haud opacis, valde pellucidis, et costa dorso laevi. Bipinnatum. Saturate viride. Seta laevis, theca inclinata, curvata. Hab. Piri, Aka Hills, 2,750 m.; 17 November 1934 (244). Very similar to T. squarrosulum in the habit, squarrose stem leaves, folia- tion and fruit, but differing entirely in the cells, which though bearing the same high central papilla are very pellucid, instead of being opaque and obscure; the nerve also, while prominent at the back, is less so, and smooth, while there it is markedly roughened or denticulate. Thuidium orientale Mitt.—Bhalukpung, 300 m., Aka Hills; November 1934 (213). : : . Thuidium cymbifolium (Doz. & Molk.) Bry. jav.—Several gatherings. Actinothuidium Hookeri (Mitt.). Broth.—Japwo, Naga Hills, 2,750-3,000- Mm. ; December 1935 (335). AMBLYSTEGIACE®. Ortholimnobium Dix. gen. nov. Amblystegiarum. . Humilis. Caulis. vage ramosus. Folia subcomplanata, latissime cordata, ecostata, alis decurrentibus .parvis, laxis, .pellucidis. Seta breviuscula. . Theca 9 7388 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX erecta, symmetrica, elliptica, leptodermica; exothecii cellulae laxae, hexagonae. Peristomium albidum, dentes_ pellucidi, inferne transverse, medio oblique vel verticaliter striolati, superne leniter papillosi; intus sat alte lamellati. Processus subaequilongi, perpellucidi, laeves vel sublaeves, rimosi, ad dentes plus minusve adhaerentes ; membrana basilaris humillima. Cilia O. Spori parvi. Operculum acute conicum. Ortholimnobium Borii Dix. sp. unicum. (Pl. I, fig. 15). Laxe caespitosum, gracilescens pallide viride, subnitidum, Caulis vage ramosus, vix radiculosus; rami valde irregulares, teneri, molles, usque ad 2 cm. longi, complanati, saepe attenuati. Folia laxiuscula, 1 mm. longa, I mm. lata, latissime cordata, breviter acute cuspidata, integerrima; costa nulla vel raro brevissima, bina; cellulae perangustae, lineares, pellucidae, parietibus tenuibus, subconflatis; basilares medianae paullo laxiores, ad angulos decur- rentes abrupte dilatatae, hyalinae, tenerae, late rectangulares, auriculas decur- rentes optime notatas instruentes. Dioicum videtur. Flores cauligeni, interdum ramigeni. Perichaetia minu- scula, bracteae erectae, appressae, brevissime late cuspidatae. Seta circa 1.25 cm. longa, . laevis,. rubra; theca’ ‘circa, 2 mm. longa, erecta, taro, “indistimete inaequalis. Spori circa 15 ae Hab. Piri, Aka Hulls* 2)300 “m1: ; Gige November= 1934 (252): The affinities of this plant are not quite certain, but vegetatively it appears not unlike some Hygrohypna, and I think should be placed near that genus. The structure of the teeth is rather peculiar. The dorsal plates are very finely but distinctly transversely striolate, to about the middle of the teeth; a few plates then are irregularly striolate, obliquely or vertically; and the upper part of the teeth is faintly papillose or almost smooth. The widely cordate leaves, almost or quite as broad ‘as long, will enable the plant to be recognized at once from anything likely to be confused with it. BRACHYTHECIACEZ. Brachythecium Buchanani (Hook.) Jaeg.—Kanyang, 1,700 m.; Naga Hills; November 1935 (365). Oxyrrhynchium riparioides (Hedw.) Jenn.—Shillong, 1,800 m.; September 1934 (202 p.p.). : Oxyrrhynchium Mulleri (I.ac.) Broto.—In forest, 3,000-3,300 m., Piri, Aka Hills; October 1933 (6). Nov. var. minus Dix. Omnibus partibus, praecipue foliis, minus. Folia Vix 1.25 mm. longa. Piri, Aka Hills, 2,900 m.;. November 1934 (250), type of var. Rocks in stream,. 2.750 m., Piri; November 71934, (259): So slender and different from the ordinary plant that I had at one time decided to describe it as a new species; there is really, however, so far as I have been able to ascertain, nothing but the size to distinguish it from O. Miilleri, and the presence of that species in the near vicinity tends to confirm this. Both plants were in fruit, which seems to show no difference from the type, except that the seta is a little shorter. Eurhynchium dumosum (Mitt.) Jaeg.—In forest, 2,900-3,300 m., Piri, Aka Hills; October 1933 (1). Shillong, 1,800 m.; September 1934 (20 p.p.). Rhynchostegiella scabriseta (Schwaegr.) Broth.—Pankim La, Abor Hills; 1934 (141). Rhynchostegiella assamica Card. & Dix.—Charduar, 200 m.; February 1934 (67). Rhynchostegiella percomplanata Dix. sp. nov. R. aciculae Broth. & Par. affinis, sed multo major, valde complanata, ramis ad 1 cm. longis, pulchre plumosis. Folia 2.5 mm. longa, lanceolata, acuminata, vel integra, vel plus minusve distincte denticulata. Cellulae lineari-rhodmboideae, elongatae, perangustae, basilares 2-3-seriatim multo laxiores, hyalinae. Perichaetium parvum, _ bracteis brevibus, patulis, stricte acuminatis, denti- culatis. Seta circa 1.25 cm. alta, laevis. Hab. Bark of tree, 200 m., Piri, Aka Hills; 13 November 1934 (210). MOSSES COLLECTED IN ASSAM 789 Very near to R.acicula, but much more robust, and with leaves nearly always—and often sharply—denticulate. It belongs to the group of which Hypnum menadense Bry. jav. may be considered the type, which seem equally at home in this genus or in Rhynchostegium. Rhynchostegium herbaceum (Mitt.) Jaeg.—Balipara Frontier Tract, foot of. Aka Hills; Novemsber-December 1933 (53). Pestiferous Camp, Piri, Aka Hills, 1,200 m.; (228, 222). Wokka Hill, Naga Hills,:1,850 m.; October. 1935 (289). Khiivubhu, Naga Hills, 1,500 m.; November 1935 (344). All in fruit. Rhynchosiegium Hookeri Jaeg.—Pestiferous Camp, Piri, Aka Hills, 1,200 m. ; November 1934 (220). Rhynchostegium Duthiei C.M. MS. sp. nov. Sat robustum, haud nitidum. Rami densi, suberecti, haud complanati, sicci curvati, subobtusi, Folia imbricata, saepe leniter secunda, 2 mm. longa, cordato- ovata, breviter acute acuminata, apice semitorto, denticulato. Costa sat angusta, sub acumine soluta. Cellulae angustissimae, basilares omnes laxiores. Autoicum. Ferichaetia majuscula, bracteis superne stricte late acuminatis, denticulatis, patulis. Seta circa 1.5 cm. alta, laevis, rubra; theca turgidiuscule elliptica, curvata, gibbosa, fusco-aurantiaca. Operculum longirostre. Hab. Arnigadh, 1,675 m., Mussoorie, N.W. Himalaya, leg. W. Gollan, 13;.December 1895; det. Brotherus (E. Levier-Bryoth. exot.,. No. 72), type. Simla;, March 1902, jeg. Mrs: Roper, Herb. H. N. Dixon (66, 76). Ibidem, 1g2z4y vies: Dr. (Ghose; 1924,. Herb. Ht. N. Dixon (99). Moist places, 33350 m., Bias Valley, Kulu, N.W. Himalaya, 9 September 1928; leg. Badhwar (i091). Piri, 2,900-3,300 m., Aka Hills, Assam, October 1933, leg. N.-L. Bor- (31). This species, distributed by Levier in the Bryotheca Exotica, has not been published. It is distinguished by its non-complanate, often secund leaves, rather wide and short, and half-twisted at apex, by the branches curved when dry, and the very narrow upper cells; it is in fact of more Eurhynchioid habit than most species. The Assam plant is more robust, with larger leaves, longer seta, and shorter lid, but I think belongs here. . Rhynochostegium pellucidum Dix. sp. nov. Gracile; saturate viride; inter alios muscos repens. Caulis prostratus, ad 6 cm. longus, pinnatus, ramis brevibus. Folia laxiuscula, vix complanata, sicca parum contracta, flexuosa, vix nitida, parva, circa 1.5 mm. longa, lanceolata, tenui-acuminata, minute denticulata, costa tenuissima, brevis, vix medium folium attingens. Cellulae lineari-rhomboideae, pellucidae, infra sensim laxiores, basi- lares laxae, alares majusculae, rectangulares, hyalinae. Fructus ignotus.. Hab. On dead branch, 1,850 m., Pulebudze, Naga Hills, 8 August 1935 (2936). A delicate plant with narrow leaves, and of a distinct habit; its position is a little doubtful. In leaf form it is not unlike Rhynchostegiella percomplanata described above, but the habit, and the position of the leaves when dry, are quite different, and it has not the characters of a Rhynchostegiella. SYMPHYODONTACE&. Symphyodon Scabrisetus = Dix.—In forest, —2,700-3,300 m., Piri Aka Hills; October 1933 (13). Tako Senyak, Dafla Hills, 1,400 m.; March 1934 (102). ENTODONTACE:, Entodon flavescens (Schwaegr.) Jaeg.—Chingku, Naga _ Hills, 2,600 th. November 1935 (352). Entodon luridus Griff.—Pankim La, Abor Hills; i934 (126). This is E. luvidus according to Brotherus’ arrangements; I have not seen Griffith's plant, which, indeed, appears not to exist. Entodon ovicarpus Dix. sp. nov. ? Erythropus. Late expansus, sordide viridis, vix nitidus. Rami haud complanati, turgidi, subjulacei, obtusi. Folia conferta, e basi paullo contracta ovata, breviter, raptim, acute vel subobtuse cuspidata, perconcava, fere cochley °790 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST. SOCIETY, Vol. Pec ariformia, subintegra; cellulae angustiusculae, alares magnae, subhyalinae, haud partem majorem latitudinis folii occupantes. Bracteae perichaetii longe, flexuose acuminati. Seta vix 1 cm. longa, (matura) pallide rubra, crassiuscula. Theca turgide ovata, deoperculata 2.5 mm. longa; exothecii cellulae iaxae, hexagonae, fere isodiametricae, parietibus tenuibus. Peristomium fusco-rubrum, dentes breves, marginati, infra horizont- aliter, supra verticaliter striolati. Processus rudimentarii. Operculum haud visum. Hab. Pankim La, Abor Hills, inter 300 et 2,900 m.; 1934 (132). Quite distinct in the subjulaceous, obtuse branches, short seta, ovoid capsule, lax exothecium cells, and rudimentary processes. It is not certain to which of the two divisions of the genus it belongs as the fruit is in all cases overripe, and the seta when younger may have been either yellow or red. Entodon plicatus C.M.—Newly, 300 m., January 1934 (72). Dafla Hills, March 1934 (108). Erythrodontium julaceum (Hook.) Par.—Several gatherings. Pylaisia aurea (Hook.) Broth.—Shillong, 1,800 m.; September 1934 (184). Pylaisiopsis speciosa (Wils.) Broth.—Naga Hills: 1935 (283). I believe this has not been collected since its first discovery by Hooker. It quite sustains the peculiar characters as given by Brotherus. The outer teeth of the peristome are as shown by him in his figure, but the abrupt transition from the lower half to the subula is even more strongly marked, forming indeed a distinct square shoulder. The processes when mature are split from top to bottom, and each half curves away from the other and outwards in a graceful and striking manner. The spores are very large, but I have not found them nearly equalling the measurements given by Brotherus. It is a remarkable plant. Campylodontium flavescens (Hook.) Bry. jav.—Him Parbat, 2,000; March 1934 (92). 3 Stereophyllum anceps (Bry. jav.) Broth.—On Ficus elastica, Charduar; June 1934 (161). SEMATOPHYLLACEA. Clastobrytim subplafiulum Broth.—Piri, Aka Hills, 2,500-3,300 m.; November 1934 (243b, 254, 261), c. fr. These specimens differ somewhat from one another and from the type, but they must clearly all be referred to the same species. The propagula when present are very densely crowded, and may be very finely papillose. The plant is bi-tripinnate in its branching. Aptychella Borii Dix. sp. nov. (PI. I, fig. 17). Pro genere sat robusta, viridis. Caulis prostratus, radiculosus, laxe ramosus ; rami prope apicem saepe fila articulata axillaria hyalina densissime fasciculata laevia emittentes. Folia complanatula, 2-2.5 mm. longa, concava, ovata, breviter acute cuspidata, plerumque integra, subecostata. Cellulate laeves, angustissimae, basilares saepe aurantiacae, ad angulos numerosae,_ laxae, hyalinae, alas bene notatas, teneras, decurrentes formantes. ; Fructus ignotus. Hab. Pulebudze, Naga Hills, 1,850 m.; 8 August 1935 (293d). Nearest to A. heteroclada Fleisch., but deep green, more rigid, the leaves with shorter points, and the brood-filaments colourless. j _ Aptychella planula (Mitt.) Fleisch.—Chingku, Naga Hills, 2,500 m.; November 1935 (358), ¢. fr. _ Hageniella assamica Dix. sp. nov. (Pl. I, fig. 19). Densissime caespitosa viridis, vix nitida, ramis brevibus, leniter curvatis, densifoliis, brevissime cuspidatis. Folia conferta, saepe secunda, subfalcata, minuta, caulina circa 1 mm. longa, e basi contracta late ovata cochleariformia, raptim ‘tenuissime acuminata, subpilifera, enervia; ramea minora, magis sensim brevius acuminata. Cellulae parvae, perangustae, subrhomboideae, _ pellucidae; dorso nunc laeves, nunc sat fortiter sed tenere papillosae; alares sat numerosae, i - . MOSSES COLLECTED IN.ASSAM ero perdistinctae, hyalinae, majusculae, vix vesiculosae, alte ad margines adscend- entes; basilares flavidae. Dioicum videtur. Perichaetii bracteae erecto-patentes ; e basi lata, convoluta, raptim in acumen longum, acutissimum, arcte, fortiter denticulatum contractae. Seta 1-1.25 cm. longa, tenuis, laevis. Theca horizontalis, elliptica, parva, deoperculata9 2 mm. longa, fusco-purpurea, sicca sub ore constricta; exothecii cellulae laxae, subisodiametricae, parietibus valde flexuosis. Operculum rostellatum. Peristomium flavidum, dentes ad basin conjuncti, inferne dense striolati, superne sublaeves; intus fortiter lamellati; endostomium plus minusve papillosum, processus latiusculi, rimosi, variabiles. Cilia ? Spori circa 22 4, laete virides. Hab. Japwo, Naga Hills, 2,750 m.; October 1935 (305). A rather larger plant than H. sikkimensis, of quite different colour, with longer, subpiliferous points to the stem leaves, longer capsule, very different perichaetium, and more regularly developed peristome. Hageniella isopterygioides Dxi. sp. nov. (PI. I, fig. 18). Dense caespitosa, humilis, nitida. Caulis ramosus et ramulosus, rami percomplanati, haud curvati. Folia parva, complanata, divaricata, eis 4H. sikkimensis forma subsimilia, sed longius acuminata; cellulae omnino laeves, alares utrinque 3-4, magnae, subvesiculosae, hyalinae vel flavae, supra-alares paucae, hyalinae, majusculae. Perichaetii bracteae eis H. assamicae_ similes sed breviores, argute, distanter denticulatae. Seta circa 1 cm. longa, inferne intense rubra, theca erecta, plerumque omnino symmetrica, structura ei H. assamicae similis. Peristomium simile, sed processus magis regulares, angu- stiores, dentibus aequilongi, rimosi. Cilia O. Hab. Chingku, Naga Hills, 2,650 m.; 5 November 1935 (356). That this is a Hageniella is not quite certain, the capsule being erect and symmetrical, the leaves complanate, glossy, and quite smooth. On _ the other hand the structure of the capsule and the peristome are exactly the same as in the last species, which is certainly a Hageniella, and the cell structure, apart from the papillae, quite similar. It seems hardly desirable to create a new genus for it, on account of the above differences, while in other respects so closely allied. There is a curious resemblance between this plant and Leiodontium com- planatum described below, in habit, leaf form, size, and capsule; so much so that they: might easily be confused. The principal difference, and of course an important one, in the leaf, is the Sematophylloid alar cells in the present plant; but the Leiodontium also has differentiated alar cells of something the same form, though on a much smaller scale, and less vesiculose. The peristome is remarkably similar in both, until examined with a high power, when. the teeth of the Leiodontium (which moreover are rather irregular) aré seen to be smooth, not striolate. The capsule there also is wider and more ovoid, with rather smaller exothecium cells. Hageniella it will be remembered was created by Brotherus for a Sikkim species, and the same author added a second species later from Hawaii. It is interesting that two further species should have been collected from Assam. Acanthocladium penicillatum (Mitt.) Broth.—In forest, 2,700-3,300 m., Piri, Aka Hills; October 1933 (36). Pankim La, Abor Hills, 1934 (147). Bompur La, Piri, Aka Hills, 1,800 m., on tree trunk, November 1934 (237).. Piri, 2,500 m.; April 1934 (242, 267). Japwo, Naga Hills, 2,700 m.; October- November 1935 (298, 308). Nearly all in fruit. Forming flat, dense patches. closely interwoven. Acanthocladium tanytrichum (Mont.) Broth.—Bompur La, Piri, Aka Hills, 1,800 m.; November 1934 (237). Piri, 3,000 m.; November 1934 (267d). Both are somewhat off-type. Acanthocladium baculiferum Dix. sp. nov. (PI. I, fig. 20). Caulis prostratus, densissime pinnatus atque fasciculato-ramosus, ramis erectis, iterumque ramulosus, ramulis parvifoliis, strictis, gracilibus, baculi- formibus. Folia caulina parva, e basi vix contracta, oblongo-ovata, concava, breviter acutata, integra, ecostata. Cellulae parvae, angustissimae, lineares, parietibus incrassatis; basilares flavidae, perincrassatae, alares utrinque circa 3, magnae, vesiculosae, aurantiacae, supra-alares sat numerosae, parvae, sub- 792 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX quadratae, hyalinae. Folia ramea breviora, latiora, saepe subdenticulata; ramulina erecta, conferta, angustiora, minora, integra. Cetera ignota. Hab. Japwo, Naga Hills, 2,750 m.; 27 November 1935 (309). A peculiar plant, possibly belonging to Acroporium, but recognizable at once by the densely pinnate and fastigiate branching, with very numerous slender rod-like branchlets; by the short, broad leaves, only rarely with a few obtuse apical teeth. Giammella pterogonioides (Griff.) Broth.—Shillong, 1,600 m.; September 1934 (199), c. fr. The peristome is a little longer than as figured by Brotherus, and this is also the case with specimens at Kew. The lowest alar cells are sometimes short, but sometimes distinctly elongate. Chionostomum rostratum (Griff.) C.M.—Shillong, 1,600 m.; September 1934 (189, 195). Foreauella orthothecia (Schwaegr.) Dix. & Varde (Foreauella indica Dix. & varde; Hypnum orthothecium Schwaegr. On Litora Bhassiana, Satai, 200 m. ; August ‘1934 (179), c. fr. For the synonymy of this plant see Journ. of Bot., 1937, p. 129. Brotherella erythrocaulis (Mitt.) Fleisch.—Pankim La, Abor Hiils, 1934 (135). Brotheretla ambylostega (Mitt.) Broth.—In forest, 2,700-3,300 m., Piri, Aka Hills; October 1933 (32). Japwo, Naga Hills, 2,750-3,300 m.; December 1935 (335). Brotherella filiformis Dix. sp. nov. Gracilis, habitu fere Hypni cupressiformis var. filiformis; arcte, late caes- pitosa, pallide viridis. Caulis dense pinnatus, ramis parallelibus, filiformibus, strictiusculis. Folia parva, vix I mm. longa, regulariter falcato-decurva, e basi ovali concava, raptim angustissime acuminata, acumine basi subaequilongo, falcato, subpilifero, denticulato. Costa subnulla. Margines plani, vel apud basin leniter _ explicati. Cellulae perpellucidae, angustae, basilares flavae, alares paucae, vesiculosae, hyalinae, flavidae, majusculae. Bracteae perichaetii suberectae, acymine elongato, subulato, leniter flexuoso, argute denticulato. Seta circa 1 cm. longa, infra thecam arcuata, unde theca inclinata, deoperculata circa 2 mm. longa, e collo brevi curvato subcylindrica, leniter curvata, fusca, infra orificium leniter contracta. Operculum acute rostellatum. Hab. Japwo, Naga Hills, 2,750 m.; October 1935 (304), type. Ibidem (302). Ibidem, 2,600 m.; 27 October .(321). Purobami, Naga Hills, 2,300 m.; 28 October 1935 (360), forma robustior. Very near to B. lepida (Mitt.), but differing in the more slender habit, straight, narrow branches, more falcate, smaller leaves very abruptly narrowed to a longer, subpiliferous subula. B. Harveyana (Mitt.) has less falcate leaves and quite symmetrical, not curved capsule. Brotherela falcata (Doz. & Molk.) Fleisch.—Piri, Aka Hills, 3,000 m.; November 1934 (261c). Meiothecium microcarpum (Harv.) Mitt.—On bark, Charduar; August 1934 (a7). Sematophyllum caespitosum (Sw.) Mitt.—Shillong, 1,400 m.; 1934 (166). Trichosteleum hamatum (Doz. & Molk.) Jaeg—On a rock, Bompur La, Aka Hills, 1,850 m.; November 1934 (231). A pale green form, with leaves less strongly falcate than usual, and coarse papillae; the seta very rough in the upper half. Trichosteleum Boschii (Doz. & Molk.) Jaeg.—Fallen tree, Dharibati, 100 m. ; November 1934 (209). A rather striking form, the leaves with quite short points. The papillae are high, not conical but cylindric, often especially so on the perichaetial bracts. The capsule is slightly mamillose. Taxithelium kerianum (Broth.) Broth.—Balipara Frontier Tract, foot of Aka Hills; November-December 1933 (65). Taxithelium laeviusculam Dix. sp. nov. Dense, late, humillime caespitosum, laete virens, nitidum, gracile. Caulis brevis, pinnatus, ramis brevibus, complanatis. Folia complanata, patentia, MOSSES COLLECTED IN ASSAM 793 leniter decurvo-falcata, .e basi parum_ contracta, asymmetrica, lanceolata, breviter acuminata. Margines plani vel hic illic angustissime recurvi, superne denticulati. Cellulae angustae, lineari-rhomboideae, plerumque laeves, raro perindistincte humillime seriato-papillosae; basilares seriebus circa 2 laxae, hyalinae, alares vix distinctae. Costa bina, plerumque bene evoluta, circa tertiam partem folii attingens. Autoicum. Perichaetium majusculum, bracteis patulis, tenui-acuminatis, denti- culatis. Seta circa 1 cm. longa, infra intense purpurea, stiperne arcuata. Theca parva, curvata (immatura), operculum conicum, apiculatum. Hab: Wim Parbat, 2,000 m.; 21 March 1934 (97). Except for the very faint seriate papillae which occur at times, this might be an Isopterygium. The habit, however, is like that of some Taxithelia, and I place it here, though with some hesitation. I. lignicola (Mitt.) is like it, but has nerveless, entire leaves. HyYPNACEZ. Plagiothecium mneckeroideum Bry. eur.—Japwo, Naga Hills, 2,750 m.; November 1935 (306), c. fr. Isopterygium Textori (Lac.) Jaeg.—In forest, 1,700-3,300 m., Piri, Aka Hills, October 1933 (38). Isopterygium albescens (Schwaegr.) Jaeg. In forest, 1,700-3,300 m., Piri, Aka. Hinliss “October 1933..(25). Isopterygium pallidum (Mitt.) Jaeg—On Ficus elastica, Charduar; July, 1934 (177). Hypaum binervosum Dix. sp. nov. Sat robustum, dense, late caespitosum, pulchre aureum. Caulis sat regulariter pinnatus, ramis 3-4 mm. longis. Folia regulariter aequaliter disposita, fortiter circinata, circa 1.5 mm. longa, ad insertionem haud contracta, oblongo-lance- olata, longe tenui-acuminata, integra, marginibus planis. Costa plerumque duplex, cruribus duobus parallelis, validiusculis, alte in lamina _ prolongatis. Cellulae angustissimae, ad basin parum laxiores, tantum infra insertionem serie transversali majores, hyalinae; alares O. Dioicum. Perichaetium conspicuum, vagina longa, magna; bracteae membra- naceae, albidae, tenerae, e basi erecta breviter loriformiter reflexae, leniter denticulatae. Seta intense purpurea, 1 cm. alta (immatura), calyptra alba nitidiuscula. Theca haud visa. Hab. Japwo, Naga Hills, 2,750-3,300 m.; 7 December 1935 (329). A very pretty species in the golden colouring and the very regular, circi- nate foliation, as well as in the nerves, usually composed of two parallel branches, not united at the base, and often reaching quite high in the leaf base. , Ectropothecium buitenzorgii (Bél.) Jaeg.—Tako Senyak, Dafla Hills, 1,400 Tile; larch: rosa, (iro), .« C.. if. | Ectropothecium cyperoides (Hook.) Jaeg.—Naga Hills; 1935 (279). Ectropothecium dealbatum (Hornsch. & Reinw.) Jaeg.—Balipara Frontier Tract, foot of Aka Hills; November-December 1933 (47, 62), c. fr. Ectropothecium ramuligerum Dix. sp. nov. E. Zollingeri (Bry. jav.) affine. Atro-viridis, late humillime expansum, haud nitidum. Caulis vage ramosus, ramis percomplanatis, tenuibus, inaequalibus, attenuatis, saepe ramulos microphyllos plus minusve elongatos sparsos emit- tentibus. Cellulae angustae, subconflatae, basilares paullo laxiores, breviores, sensim in alares parvas, breviter rectangulares vix notatas transeuntes. Folia sat laxa, complanata, asymmetrica, lanceolata, leniter cultriformia, breviter acute acuminata, denticulata, subecostata. Autoicum. Bracteae perichaetii paucae, sat parvae, breviter late acuminatae, subdenticulatae. Seta circa 1 cm. vel paullo ultra, atropurpurea, laevis, apice arcuato. Theca subpendula, e collo subaequilongo oblonga, atrofusca, sub ore contracta. : Hab. Balipara Frontier Tract, foot of Aka Hills, 100-300 m.; November- December 1933 (43), 794 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX Allied to E. Zollingeri, but autoicous, with more narrowly acuminate, denti- culate leaves, and small perichaetium. The microphyllous ramuli seem characteristic. In the autoicous inflorescence it is near Glossadelphus amboinensis Fleischer, but from the description that is a smaller plant, with oval, acute, not acuminate leaves, and a longer seta. Vesicularia reticulata (Doz. & Molk.) Broth.—In forest, 1,700-3,300 m., Piri, Aka Hills ; October 1933 (15). Satai, on a bank; August 1934 (175): Khtivubhu, Naga Hills, 1,500 m.; November 1935 (345). HyLOCOMIACE&. Ctenidium lychnites (Mitt.) Broth. 1935 (301). Leptohymenium tenue (Hook.) Schwaegr.—Japwo, Naga Hills, 2,700-3,300 m. ; December 1935 (325, 327). Ibidem, 2,700 m.; October 1935 (319). A form with narrow capsules, branches very little curved when dry, deep orange brown leaves, rather widely spreading when dry. Japwo, Naga Hills, 2,750 m.; October Macrothamnium submacrocarpum (Hampe) Fleisch.—Several gatherings. Macrothamnium macrocarpum (Reinw. & Hornsch.) Fleisch.—Several gather- ings. Leiodontium complanatum Dix. sp. nov. (Pl. I, fig. 16). Pusillum. Corticola, dense caespitosum, humile, pallide viride, haud _ nitens, Caulis conferte, complanate, stricte pinnatim brevissime ramosts; rami paucos mm. longi, saepe iterum ramulosi; interdum inter folia superiora fila articulata sat numerosa axillaria, inaequalia, laevia emittentes; gemmae fuscae sphaericae circa 50 # latae, laeves, indivisae, brevissime stipitatae, singulae in foliorum axillis paucae inveniuntur. Folia ovata vel ovato-lanceolata, minuta, .3-.4 mm. longa, breviter, subacute vel obtuse acutata, ecostata, minute crenulata, vel denticulata; cellulae breviter rhomboideae, variabiles, 3 1-61, marginales breviores, alares “sat numerosae, subquadratae, alas parvas sed: bene notatas saepe coloratas instruentes. Bracteae perichaetii breves, late acutatae, nunc subintegrae nunc argute denticulatae. Seta 1 cm. longa, tenuissima; theca erecta, elliptica, minuta, 1 mm. longa; operculum oblique rostellatum ; exothecii cellulae laxae, hexagonae, longitudinaliter seriatae, parietibus tenuibus. Annulus O. Spori 13-2c #, saturate virides. Peristomium pallidum; dentes ad basin arcte conjuncti, laeves, pellucidi, sed solidi, lamellis intus valde prominentibus. Endostomium imperfectum, processus ad dentes adhaerentes. Hab. Japwo, Naga Hills, 2,400 m.; October 1935 (314), type. Chingku, Naga Hills, 2,450 m.; 5 November 1935 (359). No. 359 has a slightly different habit, with rather more narrowly pointed leaves, but is otherwise identical. It is unusual to find a moss bearing two distinct forms of gemmae and at the same time fruiting. The genus was founded by Brotherus in 1929 for two species of moss collected by Handel-Mazzetti in N. W. Yiinnan. The present plant is smaller and very different in the complanate habit, and the leaf form and_ structure, but the fruiting characters are identical, except that the outer teeth are not perforate here, and the inner are very poorly developed. Brotherus describes the alar cells not differentiated in L. gracile, but I find them frequently in the Yunnan plant showing a small but distinct group of laxer, hyaline alar cells, sometimes reaching an appreciable distance up the margin. I have referred to the curious resemblance between this plant and Hageniella isopterygioides under that species. The Genus Leiodontium is allied to Microctenidium Fleisch. POLYTRICHACE. Atrichum obtusulum C.M.—Paona, Naga Hills, 2,150 m.; September 1935 (282). Japwo, Naga Hills, 2,450 m.; October 1935 (317). MOSSES COLLECTED IN ASSAM 795 Atrichum pallidum Ren. & Card.—In forest, 2,700-3,300 m., Piri, Aka Hills ; October 1933 (34). Pogonatum contortum (Menz.) Lesq. nov. var. robustum Dix. Omnibus partibus majus. Folia 1.25-1.5 cm. longa, dense, argute dentata; folii basis longior, cellulis magis elongatiss Seta longior, theca major, longior, 8 mm. longa. Hab. In forest, 2,700-3,300 m., Piri, Aka Hills; October 1933 (8). This extends the distribution of the species westwards considerably. Pogonatnm proliferum (Mitt.) Jaeg (350). Pogonatum papillosulum(Griff.) Mitt.—Chingku, Naga Hills, 2,600 m. ; November to December 1933 (60). Shillong, 1,400 m.;- September 1934 (170, 181, 197). EOL, 197) Pogonotum microstomum (R. Br.) Brid.—Dozeppe, Naga Hills; August 1935 (295). On Ficus elastica, Chardura; July, 1935 | EXPLANATION OF PLATE. 1. Brothera capillifolia. a, deciduous leaf, x5. 2. Syrrhopodon pilulifer. a, leaf, X20. 3. Pseudosymblepharis pallidens. a, leaf, X20, b, peristome, X20. 4. Ptychomitrium rhacomitriotdes. a, basal areolation, X 4o. 5. Macromitrium Rigbyanum. a, capsule, X3. 6. Jaegerinopsis intergrifolia. a plant, x1. b, leaf, X10. 7. Symphysodontella Borii. a, leaf, X10. 8. Symphysodontella pilifolia. a, leaf, X10. 9g. Symphysodontella tortifolia. a, stem leaf, X10. b, leaf apex, X20. 10. Pterobryopsis auriculata. a, leaf, xX 1o. ii. landicia sasiatica.- a, “plant, ><1.\.b,. leaf, »? Patria. North Afghanistan: settl Norbeck, 16-22 vi, 3 QQ (including the holotype), 2 dod; valley Ailjak, 26-6-1930, 1 @, 2 goo (Umnov); Abdan, 26-8-1930, 2 oo (Maximov). This new species is near to Tropidauchen cultricolle Saussure (1881), described by that author from Ashkhabad (Turkmenistan), but differs from it by the following characters : Tropidauchen uvarovi sp_n. Tropidauchen cultricolle Saussure. Q, od. Vertex very broad, octagonal. OG 2. Vertex broad. woval. Antennae 14-15-jointed. Antennae 17-jointed. Pronotum slightly covering the head, Pronotum strongly covering the not reaching the vertex. | head, reaching to the vertex. Hind tibiae red inside. oe Hind tibiae blue inside. This species the author dedicates with profound respect to Dr. B. P. Uvarov. one of the best specialists in Orthoptera. *57. Tropidauchen mirame sp. n. (Figs. 1 M and 2 M). Q (Holotype). Body somewhat rough. » Head in the posterior part slightly rugulose, sparsely punctured, nearly smooth. yes shortly-oval, slightly prominent sidewards; vertical diameter of the eye a little larger than the horizontal diameter and equals to two-thirds of the interocular space. Face vertical. Frontal ridge narrow, strongly depressed, nearly parallel-sided, triangularly-divergent at the clypeus and some- what obliterated; seen in profile wavy, strongly prominent at the antennal bases; its margins thick. Vertex narrow, long, oval, strongly depressed, granular; median keel in the posterior part of the vertex distinct. Antennae thick, 18-jointed, not reaching. the posterior margin of the pronotum. Pronotum slightly rugulose, but sharply granular at the middle; on each side of the median keel with two oblique sharply-granular folds; seen in profile feebly arched, somewhat wavy; posterior angle obtuse, at the middle SOME DATA ON BLATTODEA, ETC. OF AFGHANISTAN 803 excised. Lateral lobes of the pronotum slightly rugulose, but sharply granular, with three indistinct transverse sulci,-at the middle with a longitudinal’ smooth fold; anterior margin wavy, vertical, anterior lower angle obtusé, feebly rounded ; posterior margin wavy, oblique, posterior lower angle obtuse, rounded ; lower. margin obliquely ascending, wavy. Mesonotum and metanotum slightly rugulose and sharply granular, with a median keel. Fig. 2.—U. Tropidauchen uvarovi, sp. n., .allotype, <, vertex.—M.° T. miramae, sp. n., allotype, ¢. Sternum sparsely and finely punctured; its length nearly 1.5 times as long as maximum width; interspace between lobes of the mesosternum scarcely wider than long. Frocessus of the prosternum. narrow, awedge-shaped ;- its apex feebly excised. Hind femur smooth, its length 3.3 times as long as maximum width; upper margin with 9 small teeth; lower margin smooth, wavy. Hind tibia a little shorter than hind femur, with g spines on both sides. Abdomen with a sharp median keel, seen in profile forming small triangularly- blunted teeth at the postreior margin of each segment. Valvae of the ovipositor with blunted. points. Lower valvae of the ovipositor with a sharp projection on the outer margin. Posterior margin of the subgenital plate feebly triangularly- prominent. General coloration brownish-olive. Head ~ whitish. Apical part of the antennae brown. Margins of the pronotum and of its lateral lobes and longitudinal fold of the lobes, whitish. Abdomen below yellowish-white. Hind femur inside yellow; its lower margin and upper margin inside black-blue ; middle of apex outside and inside, black. Hind tibiae yellow (in some paratypes violet-rosy); spines yellow with black apex. 3 (allotype). Like the female, but considerably smaller. Antennae reaching the posterior margin of the pronotum. Coloration like the female. holotype 9 allotype 4 pa Eee apes 8 paratypeséd Length of the body ee | 00° Simm 4 S5:0mm- |5 je Ok the pronotum: -..) 15°8 j, | 105 .,, 1 ofthe hind-temora .-) 217,52, | 1675.4, 122° 2 923! Po2ot the. bind: tibiae as. 1. 20%7, ,, TS5e Patrias North = lm this note the animal was described as an adult 9, with only 10 mammae and weighing 19 lbs., which was run down and killed by a village dog, a fate which Shortridge surmised would never befall its larger ally, the typical Wild Dog of India. I was particularly anxious to see this specimen, not only on account of the small number of mammae which in the Wild Dog vary from 6 to 8 pairs, but also to secure the flesh measurements of what was evidently from its weight an unusually small Wild Dog, which might prove to be a distinguishable form restricted to Mt. Popa, a volcano rising from a dry area unsuitable as a habitat for the ordinary Wild Dog. But the specimen could nowhere be found either in the British or Bombay Museums. But the mystery of its disappearance is now solved. The skull, with the locality and number attached, turned up in the British Museum. It is the skull of an old, small domestic dog, with a short muzzle and high crown, measuring .only just over 6 inches in length, about as long as a Jackal’s, much shorter than the skull of the Wild Dog and quite unlike it in all the characters which dis- tinguish the skulls of Cuon and Canis. It had been put aside, unregistered, as of no zoological interest. Possibly Oldfield Thomas detected the error in its identification after the issue of Wroughton’s report, but neither he nor Wroughton published the correction of it that was called for. In doing this I should like to add that Shortridge and Wroughton are by no means the first zoologists who have failed to distinguish ‘dingo-like’, feral dog's (Canis) from the oriental Wild Dog (Cuon). ZOOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT, British Museum. Re I POCOCKk IV.—CURIOUS BEHAVIOUR OF BISON (BIBOS GAUIU S VERS: It was the month of May in the Kanara Forests of the Bombay Presidency. I had started at dawn to try and procure a good bull bison. Soon after arrival in the forest my ‘shikari’ and myself came on a shootable head which I shot at 5.40 a.m. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 853 I continued my walk in order to get to know the country and look for other spoor such as tiger, panther, bison, or elephant. Several bison tracks had been seen and the fresh pug marks of a tiger. I decided to return home at about 7.30 a.m., and was walking down the track, on which the tiger pug marks were, towards the main motor road about half a mile away, when I heard a barking-deer bark in a frightened way. Shortly after- wards I heard a tiger roar exactly in the same way he does when turned by a stop in a beat—it sounded deeper although it was some distance away from me. Thinking that he may have been disturbed off a kill I pushed through some thick Bamboo forest to have a look and see. On arriving at a teak and bamboo planta- tion from where the noise seemed to have come I turned up a little incline along a ride at the edge of the plantation. I had not gone 30 yards when coming down the incline at right angles to me I saw a tiger moving at a fast walk. When twenty yards away he stopped and I bowled him over. Within a few seconds a tigress appeared over the brow of the hill and came down at an amble stopping exactly where the tiger had stopped and looked at her mate making a noise like a cat mewing. She dropped to my second shot. I had to go up and give the tiger another shot as he was still kicking but could not move. The sounds of the third shot had scarcely died away when I heard a noise in the plantation and shortly afterwards a young bull bison walked out on to the ride quite near the tigress and started sniffing the carcase. Being alraid that he might damage the skin with his horns and hooves I shook a young teak sapling to frighten him away. He looked up, took not the slightest notice and went on sniffing. A little later another bison came and joined the first and only moved off. when the ‘shikari’ and myself clapped and shouted at them—even then they only walked very slowly into the thick forest. JI was unable to find any signs of a fight between the tiger and bison or of the tigers having killed. The two bisons snorted at me again when I was having a search for evidence of this strange occurrence. I would lke to know if anybody can explain the reason of the bisons’ attitude. Usually they are very shy animals—the breaking of a twig or a whill of human scent send them charging away—-but on this occasion after three shots from a 450 H.V. rifle a bison walks out and smells the carcase of a dead tiger. It sounds incredible. Mr. Hiley the Chief Conservator of Forests, Bombay Presi- dency, informs me that he has never heard of or seen the like before in all his service in India. The bison were so close that I could see they had not been mauled or attacked by the tigers and no kill was found. GOVERNMENT HOUSE, =~ BomBay, C. G2 lOOGOOD: Miyagi, 1937; 854 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX V.—ABNORMAL ELEPHANT *TUSKS (ELEPHAS MAXIMUS). (With a plate). I send you two photographs of a solitary elephant carrying tusks of a most unusual shape and symmetry. The awkward position in which he wore his tusks is really responsible for his death. This elephant had been doing extensive damage to crops in the Borelli River .area, in the” Uezpur < district..of “Assam. “1 was able to follow up that night’s tracks and after about 6 miles came upon him, wallowing in a small bheel 200 yards ahead of where I stood. As I was deliberating the best method of approaching him, he winded us and made off full tilt. I had a very good Miri tracker with me, and after pushing on his trail for an hour or so I thought it was going to be an all-day job, when the tusker foolishly changed his direction and plunged into ‘Geruka’ jungle. We listened carefully and could then hear him breaking through about a quarter of a mile ahead. We left his tracks and ran as fast as was possible in soft mud along the edge of the Geruka patch to head him off, and we arrived at the other end just as the tusker was emerging into the tree jungle at the spot we were standing. He came out directly facing us, and one barrel from my .470 fetched his brain. Had this elephant kept to tree jungle he would probably have put many miles between us before pulling up. I shall be interested to hear if any other of your readers has seen an Indian elephant with tusks similarly pointing to the heavens. | THE KAcHARI GAon TEA Co.,- LtTD., TEZPUR, ASSAM. G. Do is MILLAR: August 14, 10937. VI.—ABNORMAL HORN GROWTH IN THE MUNTJAC (MUNTIACUS VAGINALIS). (With a photo), I enclose a photograph of a Kakur head with two coronets on one pedicle. The lower part of the horn is smooth and nearly black Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. Photo by G. D. L. Millar. Abnormal Elephant Tusks. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 855 Abnormal horn of the Muntjac (Muntiacus vaginalis). with no covering of skin and as such distinct from the pedicle. The animal had a very dark hide. DuHaALrpuR P. O., HERBERTPUR, DisTRIcT DEHRA-DUN, U.P., Vii PERE. May 21, 1937. - VII.—THE USE OF FIREWORK OR ROCKET CARTRIDGES IN- THE PROTECTION OF CROPS. I have recently experimented with excellent results on the use of 12-bore firework or rocket cartridges, in bolting elephants out of ryots’ crops; the most suitable cartridge being the type bursting with a brilliant flash and loud report at the end of flight. The elephants stampede out in panic, and are chary of returning to the same field that night. The cartridges are at present expensive, about Rs. 17 per too, German made; with an increased demand the makers should be able to produce them at half the price and of the kind required, instead of an assortment of types in packets as now sold. I venture to think that this may go a long way to solving the vexed problem of the issue of gun licenses for crop-protection, the majority of which now cover weapons used chiefly for poaching. If the license prohibited the holder from purchasing cartridges other than firework or rocket dealers would not be able to supply anything else. The effect on crop-raiding animals other than elephants would [ am sure be the same, The 856.- JOURNAL, BOMBAY, NATURAD (VaIS Ts SOCIETY ioln exe gun is aimed directly at, or a little above, the crop-raider, accord- ing to distance. HONNAMETTI ESTATE, ATTIKAN* P.Q;, Re Ce MORRIS: December 3, 1936. VIII.—SOME NOTES ON THE FAUNA OF MALAYA. In my article ‘Marly Days in-Malaya’ (J.B.N.H.S., xxxvi, 241) I mentioned that certain beasts and birds of India did not exist in that country, and among these are the hyena, the jackal, the vulture, the common kite, and the grey-necked crow. For the ereater part the fauna of the two countries is the same, but it is noticed that in some there is a slight difference in colouring, and that in others the habits are not alike. Environment is respon- sible for this, and while a darker or a lighter shade in colour is due to habitat, the greater shyness noticeable may be accounted for by the fact that it is only in recent years that certain denizens of the forest have become acquainted with Man. A few notes bearing on this might be of interest, and at the same time I take the opportunity to record a few incidents omitted previously, and to make observation as to the seeming paucity of wild hfe in those jungles, which impression is only corrected by a visit to one of the museums. The several museums in Malaya contain stuffed specimens of a great variety of birds which I have never seen in their wild state. JI lived in the jungles for many years, and it was not that I was ignorant about the birds being there, or that I did not look for them. It just happened that they would not be seen. We know that pea- fowl and the Argus pheasant are there, and in some districts I was in they were all around me. I heard them, and looked for them, but never saw one. It is not difficult to understand, that, in forests carrying heavy undergrowth, walking up ground birds is next to impossible, and as any attempt to do so is noticed by them the chances of their coming back to oblige is very remote. It is possible that certain of the wild life which I have stated does not exist there, is known and reported on by naturalists, and if this is the case it gives proof to my contention that these birds and beasts are more shy of man than they are here. Common birds lke shrikes, the weaver birds, the orioles, wagtails, the woodpeckers, the kingfishers, the green _ barbets, hocpoes, nightjars, and various pigeons and doves are in some instances Malayan forms of those occurring in India, but the jungle cock is not the jungle cock of the Nilgiris, the robin is not the same, and the buzzard appears to live differently. Mynas in Malaya are essentially jungle birds and are never seen near human habitations. Among the wild beasts, the tiger has a MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 857 hking for dogs, and this I believe is not the case in India, and I give instances of the carnivorous tendencies of the common wild pig of the country. I include a few birds which perhaps do not call for comparison, but notes on which may be of interest. PEA-FOWL AND ARGUS PHEASANT. The wild pea-fowl of South India is a shy bird, but it comes out to feed on crops, and can be seen in the jungle. I doubt if any sportsman in Malaya has ever shot one, and I have not met any one who has even seen one. One does not hear of them doing damage to crops, or that they ever come near villages, and old Malays will tell you that they ean only be obtained by traps. Like the pea-fowl the Argus pheasant is very seldom seen, and I know of none having been shot. I lived for two years at a place called Kendong on the borders of Malacca, where, judging by the calls I heard in all directions every morning, they must have been fairly numerous, and yet I never set eyes on one. I endeavoured on many occasions with much patient stalking to try and bag one, but without success. [| sometimes got so near that the piercing call ‘pee-ow’ was most deafening, but the moment I bobbed up the bird disappeared. It was on one of these occa- sions that I saw a black panther tracking the same bird, and it speaks well for my stalking that I saw the beast before he saw me, but for a second only, and in that second both he and the pheasant were gone. I have heard tell of the cock bird’s court- ship dance and the circle on the ground he prepares for this, but it has not been my good fortune ever to see one of these erounds. I imagine the only means of getting a pheasant would be to sit up all night in a tree and wait for the performance next morning, but it would have to be a seat in a forked branch, as I am sure the erecting of a machan would drive the bird away into the next county. SAMBHAR, The Malayan sambhar is very destructive to young rubber trees, and before proper methods of fencing were adopted many thousands of pounds worth of damage was done by this ae Strange to say he seemed to have no lking for seedlings, Jor plants up to two and three years old, and since for aa Aiea no fencing was found to be necessary, planters were lulled into a sense a security from loss by damage from animals, and it was quite suddenly that many estates w voke up to the fact that the sambhar had discovered that the bark of four- and five-year old trees was just what he wanted. Rubber planting was undertaken on a large scale from about the year 1906, and at the end of 1910, when rubber was selling at twelve shillings the pound, any- thing from five to ten millions of trees had reached the age as food for deer. Damage was done on practically all the estates I: knew in Negri Sembilan and Johore, and also in Malacca, and at a low estimate I would put the number of trees destroyed, in the first few years following on 1910, at 50,000; and the value of a tree at that time was £2. 808 jOURNAL, BOMBAY WNATURAL usd SOGIE RY, VolmewOoes Planters and Directors of Rubber Companies who might chance on these notes would possibly think this a much exaggerated statement, but thirty years is a long stretch and memories are short lived, and I would ask them to refer back to old reports, where they might read that in a certain field twenty or thirty trees were wiped out in a night, or that during the month a hundred trees were’ lost. These figures when spread over a period of years, and occurring on not one but several estates, might easily mount up to considerably more than the figure of fifty thousand which I give, and which is only one per cent of five million trees. Many thousands of pounds were spent on fences, and once again a lesson was taught. Barbed wire fences erected to a height of five feet appeared to be satisfactory for a few weeks or perhaps a few months. The deer were suspicious of the fence but they soon found out that they could jump it. Fences bordered the jungle and there was no space for a running jump and this meant they could leap over from a standing position. Higher fences were required and the remedy was to interlace the wire with saplings to a height of eight to ten feet, and this meant more expense. It was noticed that when the tapping of trees was commenced no new damage was done. It was not that the bark had become harder and grown unsuited to the deer’s taste, since un-tapped trees in the same field were still subject to attack. The reason for this seems unexplainable. I have never attempted to shoot a stag on the Nilgiris, but for the fun of the game I have stalked and got within range on a number of occasions. If driving is done, shooting is still more easy, as on these hills the stag breaks cover to cross open country, and as the woods are small a close shot can be had. Conditions are very different in Malaya, and a sportsman who bags a sambhar is a man who accomplishes something really difficult. Stalking is impossible, and driving has to be done, but before a drive is organized a tracker is sent in advance to locate the stag and then to return and report. He knows to within fifty yards or so where the stag is lying up, and by no means can you expect it to break in country affording a clear view. The shooting has to be done in the jungle, and a shot at a running stag under these conditions is not easy. A clever shikari will drive him to the most open “space available, but this might only mean that it is not so dense as the area from which he breaks, and you may be sure when he does reach this spot he bounds off faster than ever and makes the proposition an exceedingly difficult one for the man behind the gun. It is not always that the stag is seen, and my ex- perience is that he is very seldom seen. One animal bagged over a series of a dozen shoots is a fair average. I should like to put in a word here about the Malay as a tracker. I am told there are no better trackers than the jungle people of India, and while not wishing to make any comparison, I must say this for the Malay that he is clever at the game, is reliable and keen, and possesses the useful trait of truthfulness, and in this last respect can give points to the average professional shikari of the Nilgiris, ane ee MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 859 On the Nilgiris I have more than once been asked to believe that the marks made in the sand by a man who had run ahead were the pug marks of a panther which had only just moved off, and once I was shewn a cow which had died a natural death, and which after death had been scratched about with a knife, and was told that a panther had done this. A Malay would never make himself out to be so great a fool, and he would be ashamed to tell such. hes, Witp Cats AND CIVETS. There is a large variety of cats in the Malayan jungles, two of which I have seen on the Nilgiris, viz. a large jungle cat and a smaller spotted cat. On these hills I have also seen a small species of civet. In Malaya we have this small civet, and a very large one which measures four feet and over from nose to tail.t I did not take accurate measurements of one that I shot, but I estimated its length at fully fifty inches, and its weight at twenty-five pounds. It was in tall grass, and when I fired I thought I had brought down a panther. There are two cats which are uncommon there, and which perhaps. might not be generally known in this country. Description must necessarily be difficult to one who has not taken up the study of Natural His- tory, and I hope my endeavour at doing so will enable naturalists to identify them. The first to mention is an animal as big as the jungle cat, but of different colour and markings, with a long tail and not the stumpy tail of the other. Its colour can be best described as dark mahogany, and it has a black tip to its tail. It is one of the most handsome cats I have seen, and having seen and secured only one, I regret the skin is not with me now. It was in my bungalow for many years, and as it may possibly be still there I have written about it. The other cat is yellow, or of a bright gold colour.? It is long in the body and has a long tail, but is considerably smaller than the big civet mentioned. I saw a pair walk across a stream over a fallen tree, and with the sun shining on them they looked extremely pretty. It will be interesting to know if these two cats are found in India. I must recount here an incident which, although it might sound like a Fairy Tale, is given exactly as it happened. My dog ‘Bob’ had killed quite a number of small civets which came after the fruit we had growing round about the house. I used to let him out early in the mornings, and very often he caught and killed one of these animals which was late in getting back to the jungle. One morning he did not rush out as he usually did, and in fact would not move out of the house. He did not appear to be sick, but no enticement on my part would induce him to come 1 The civets referred to are probably the Malay form of the Small Indian Civet (V. indica klossi) while the larger civet is probably the Burmese Civet (M. megaspila).—EDs. * This may have been a small specimen of the Golden Cat (P. temminchi). —Eps, 860 JOURNAL, BOMBAY UNATURAIS “HIST. 2SOCIETY.® VolsuGmaee beyond the doorway, where he stood and sniffed the air in a nervous way. I thought he must have sensed a tiger so I took him inside to wait till the day grew brighter. An hour or so after this my ear-driver, who knew about Bob’s skill as a killer, casually mentioned that it was unfortunate the dog had not been let out at his usual early hour as he might have killed several civets that day. He went on to say that he had seen about forty of them moving about in a body till sunrise. The man was very definite about this, and although, after much question- ine he reduced the number from forty to twenty, I felt there was no doubt but that the civets were there in force and that Bob knew this and was afraid of their numbers, or even had the idea that they were there to do him in. There is the possibility that there was a tiger about as well and that the civets were. hanging about till it had gone. I am reminded of something amusing that happened far up | a river called the Palong. A naval officer friend was in camp with me, and in one of the villages on the river we saw two cats of a bright pink colour. Stewart, my camp mate, wanted to buy them and in his best Malay offered a fairly big price, but the honest old people whom he spoke to, laughed and told him that the cats were white ones, and that they had been dyed. Macacs. There is a monkey in Malaya which Malays call ‘Broh’, and which looks like a small edition of the South African baboon. In its jungle haunts it is a fearsome beast and sometimes attacks men, but when caught young is easily tamed and is made use of to gather coconuts. There is usually one ‘Broh’ in each. village which has been taught to climb the coconut palm and drop the nuts which his keeper makes him to distinguish by jerking his leading rope in a peculiar way. About twenty-five years ago one of these animals, a large male, took up his quarters in a small area of reserved forest which was practically in the heart of the town of Kuala Lumpur. He was a danger to people, and bit several before he was rounded up and killed. WILD Pia. Like the rest of hig kind, the wild pig of Malaya is a glutton. It is known that he eats carrion, and in the pioneer days in Perak, before the Authorities had had time to lay down Burial Laws, or perhaps before they had the means to enforce such laws, certain nationalities, careless in this respect, dug shallow graves from which pigs had no trouble to exhume the dead bodies. Cases were being constantly reported by construction engineers. As a carnivorous animal he is not so well known, but when I mentioned the following incident to a District Officer, a Mr. Fieming, he told me he had on two or three occasions seen a MISCELLANEOUS. .NOTES 861 wild boar attack and eat sheep and goats. The incident I record is rather different, and is astonishing from the point of view that the happening was so sudden and so unexpected on the part of the victims. I met a Mr. Rae out for a walk with his two terriers, and presently ahead of us we spied a herd of pig. The dogs saw them at the same time and immediately gave chase. Warn- ing Mr. Rae that his dogs would be hurt unless they were called off, I followed him as he ran ahead to do this. We were in a railway cutting, and by the time we had got round a curve the pig had made their get away into the jungle and there was no sign of the dogs. There were also no sounds to be heard, and we were at a loss to know where to search, but while discussing our next move I happened to pick up a dog’s collar, and in another minute or two we discovered one other, both of which were recog- nized.as belonging to the two dogs. The collars were found in the open but there were no bones about, and the presumption is that the dogs were surrounded and completely devoured. I hope, if Mr. Rae should happen to come across this note, he will kindly write to confirm the incident. Coonoor, 8. INpIA, October 2, 1985. H. FE. BURGESS. IX.—SOME INTERESTING RECORDS OF BIRDS UNG UE PUN | ab: During the past three years my Shtkari and I between us have secured specimens of the following birds in the South-East of the Punjab. These have been examined by Mr. Hugh Whistler, who has kindly furnished me with the particulars of previous records given below:— 1. Metopidius indicus (Lath.). Bronze-winged Jacana. A juvenile ¢ obtained at Karnal on 5th September, 1934. There appears to be no previous Punjab record. 2, Emberiza aureola (Pall.). Yellow-breasted Bunting. Q shot at Jagadri in the Ambala District on 5th March, 1935. An adult ¢ was obtained in the same locailty by A. E. Jones On 22nd February, 1920 (/.BUN..S., xxx, 1003). 3. Eurystomus orientalis (L.). Broad-billed Roller. 3g shot in the sal forest at Kalesar in the Ambala District on tgoth May, 1935. No previous Punjab record has been traced. 4. Alcemerops athertoni (Jard. & Selby). Blue-bearded Bee- Cater Q obtained from a small flock in the Kalesar forest on 23rd February, 1936. Stewart (Zoologist, 1886) records one shot at Koteghar on October 2oth, 862 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL, HIST.) SOCIETY, Vole XXX 5. Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus sultanmeus (Hodgs.). Hodg- son’s Golden-backed Woodpecker. © @ obtained on 24th and ¢ on 26th February, 1936 in the Kalesar forest. This appears to be the first record for the Punjab. 6. Pericrocotus speciosus speciosus (Lath.). Indian Scarlet Minivet. A pair obtained from a mixed flock of this and P. brevirostris in thé Kalesar forest on 3rd December,”1936. "| have only ence procured a pair north of Bilaspur; it does not seem to be found in the interior of the hills’ (Stoliczka, J.A.S.B., 1868). A @ was obtained at Garampani and ¢ Q at Pulga in the Kulu Sub-division of the Kangra District in May (Mission Babault, p. 158). . Hydrocissa malabarica malabarica Gmelin. Large Indian Pied Hornbill. @ shot in the Kalesar forest on 2nd December, 1936. “In my father’s game-book there is a note about “‘black and white Hornbills’’?’ found at Morni on 28th November, 1886. This can only refer to this species, which occurs in Dr. Scott’s list under the locality Siwaliks’ (Whistler, J.B.N.H.S., xxvi, 176). RAWALPINDI, PUNJAB, H. W. WAITE, M.B.o.v. NAY ee LOR. Indian Police. X.—MIGRATORY MOVEMENTS OF THREE WELL KNOWN BIRDS IN THE TANJORE AND SOUTH ARCOT {DISPRICTS: The three birds under reference are ‘The Indian Paradise Flycatcher’, ‘The Rosy Pastor’ and ‘The Indian Oriole’. Two of these birds are local migrants, while the Rosy Pastor is a true migrant in the Tanjore and South Arcot Districts. Observations have been recorded in the case of the Paradise Flycatcher during four years and in the case of the other two birds for three years, the results showing that the Paradise Flycatcher is found during the period October to April, being absent for approximately five months in the year. The Rosy Pastor is found during the same period, but as the two departure dates are 13-4-35 and 19-2-36 it may be assumed that they stayed longer than usual in 1935 or left earlier than usual in 10936. The Indian Oriole is also found during the period October to April, the date 22-5-36 is unusually late and is the last date on which a female was seen in the South Arcot District. All other orioles had left before this date in the Tanjore District, 5) € 86 4a HS NOTE MISCELLANEOUS PEG Gd | Es “/IS6L ‘6 440n19a7 ‘AUMOLNV OOpUuny SnjO1L0 | SNZ0IAQ) ‘AOIIQ, UBIPUT sLZ Pee 5A Se S804 AOJSVDY ‘“1oyseq Asoy ouyy 9¢-O1-9 OO SeeGG CEPELSV. on || SGriace FE-OLs6e. ly 2 ae 9€-c2I-¢ OC=Gr Ol CEo-Ti-sl SC -Teck TEROTSSe aly 1° es 9-6 —-8T OC ob CG Coabieas CE-E-SZ FE -OL-F1 Tory ari [BAILY oinyiedaq [CALIIV oinyisdeq [BATLIW ainjiedeq | 961 CEL PLOT COnOLSS Sac = jacecee “** ISIPDADG ISIPDAVG YILIIY IT. | *IOYOBIATY OSIPCIVY UVIPUT OUT, [BATLIV oinjiedeq *sotoedg ££6r SALVA IVAINAV GNV FAYNLYVdAd AO ATAVL “at Aq Usas SBM Soloads YOO JO PII ISB pu }SIY 94} USYM JUaSoIdoI Soyep OU, 9 “poystuinj st spliq sAoqe oY} 1OJ Soyep [VAIIIv pue oInjIedap [enjoe Jo o[qe} eB ooUdIEJeI ASva IO 864 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX XJ.—CURIOUS BEHAVIOUR OF THE JUNGLE CROW (CORVUS MACRORHYNCHUS) AND THE WHITE- BACKED VULTURE (GYPS BENGALENSIS). On the 30th May (1937) I came upon the remnants of a White- backed Vulture’s (G. bengalensis) nest with a fully fledged young one in it. During the absence of the parent the young bird perched on neighbouring branches, made short flights and then returned to its perch near the nest. As soon as the parent bird arrived the young would flop into its nest, or rather what was left of it, and behave like a true nestling, flapping its wings and making all possible noises and movements in pleading to be fed. The adult bird always alighted near the nest. Its arrival was the signal for a pair of enterprising Jungle Crows immediately to be in attendance, to snatch the crumbs that fell, as I then thought. But the crows behaved quite differently—theirs was not the role of Lazarus. As soon as the adult vulture regurgitated some food for her young the crows would either sit on the young vulture’s back or fly to its mouth and try to snatch a morsel. The old bird attempted from time to time to drive the crows away but they moved out of reach to return again the next instant. When the adult vulture departed the crows left the nest and the young bird again took up its perch on its favourite branch; but on the return of the parent the same manceuvres were repeated. BomBay NATURAL History SOcIETy, May 31, 1937: BomBay. C. McCANN. XII.—THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE WHITE-EARED BULBUL |MOLPASTES. LEUCOGENYS "LEUCOTTsS (GOULD)| IN THE SWAMPS NEAR TEE VAITARNA RIVER. Messrs. Salim Ali and Humayun Abdulali in their paper on ‘The Birds of -Bombay and -Salsette (/.6. N75. xxix, ap aon) with reference to the status of the White-eared Bulbul (Molpastes leucogenys leucotis) suggest that the occurrence of this bird, within the area dealt with in their paper, is perhaps due to escaped birds breeding within the area, or to an immigration from further north. If anything, the second suggestion appears to be more likely. On the 2oth March this year (1937) while walking along the swamps between Virar and the Vaitarna River, I observed the bird to be fairly plentiful. It ‘associated’ with M. cafer cafer and Otocompsa f. fusciaudata and roosted in the swamps. The bird appeared to be definitely established in the locality. Later, I have observed the bird in the swamps at Ghorbunder, Salsette Island. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 865 There seems to be little doubt, as the authors suggest, that this bird appears to be associated with the distribution of Salvadora persica. BOMBAY NATURAL HIsToRY SOCIETY, BOMBAY. : C, McCANN. WWE 27) TOS7,. Polit brit SOUTER N- INDIAN “KOLLER? OR BLUE, JAY [CORACIAS BENGHALENSIS INDICA (LINN.)| KILLING: A SMALL SNAKE. Baker and Inglis in The Birds of Southern India refer to the Roller killing and eating mice and small reptiles and in the Journal of the Society, No. xxxix, p.179 there is an interesting note regarding this bird killing ond eating a large scorpion. While out on the 3rd December this year I noticed a Roller suddenly fly up from an aloe hedge with a small live snake 8 or g inches in length in its beak. The snake was held just behind the head and was twisting about trying to get a grip on some portion of the bird. The Roller was uttering its harsh cry all the while and although the snake’s struggles almost caused it to release its hold it eventually made for a palmyrah palm where it is presumed it killed the snake. I have seen a Crow-Pheasant sitting on a rail along the railway track engaged in killing a large black scorpion and it is presumed it was going to eat it as I did not see the whole operation due to the bird becoming alarmed and flying away with the scorpion in its beak. TANJORE, February 9, 1937. CF H -BIDDULPH, SIV. (BREEDING OF THE LITTLE INDIAN NIGHTJAR (CAPRIMULGUS ASIATICUS ASIATICUS) IN Tire cCHinGceePpy il DISTRICE, (With a plate), I see in the report of the ‘Vernay Ornithological Survey of the Basten) Ghats” (vol. xxxvit, No. 1, August 1935, p. 39) that ‘nothing has been recorded about the breeding season’ of the Little Indian Nightjar, Caprimulgus asiaticus asiaticus in the Presidency of Madras. It may therefore be of interest to record that on July Tith,;.1937, my husband and I disturbed a nightjar in an exposed spot in-the scrub jungle near the foot of the Tambaram Hiils (100-200 ft.), and, after some search, discovered a single egg, on 866 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXIX the ground among the stones and rocks. It was brownish-pink much mottled with darker red, and somewhat lighter than the sur- rounding stones. We were not able to return to this place until August Ist; we then found that the egg had disappeared from the spot where we had seen*it on July 11th, but after careful search we found the nightjar some yards lower down the hillside, crouched low with its chin on the rump of the chick. Not even when we bent over ‘them to examine them did either move; in “oie up the hill to the place where we had previously seen the egg, we must almost have trodden on them, but not the slightest movement had attracted our attention. On August 5th we went again, hoping to photograph the two, but they had again moved, and while we were searching among the stones, from somewhere close behind us the nightjar flew up and past us, followed immediately by the young one; they took shelter among the rocks and thorny bushes of the hillside, where we could not find them. We believe this nightjar to be Caprimulgus asiaticus asiaticus ; the bird with the ‘tuk tuk tuk tukeroo’ call.is abundant in the scrub jungle of this district (16 miles S.W. of Madras City) as in our garden, and has been seen and heard by us in every month of the year, during the five years in which we have been resident here; and as we not infrequently flush nightjars under the bushes in the day time, we have been able to compare them with the descriptions in Birds of Southern India by Baker and Inglis, and in Whistler, and there seems little doubt that these birds are C.22G. aAsiaticus. The moving of the nesting position has also been observed by us in what, we believe to be C. indicus indicus. On April 28th 1935, we discovered a nightjar and two eggs among the rocks and stones on a hillside on the Ootacamund Downs (about 8,000 ft.); when revisiting the place a few days later, we found that the eggs had been moved several feet, and on May r11th, we found the young birds in still another spot. An interesting feature was the difference in the behaviour of the parent bird before and after the hatching of the young. Each time when disturbed by us when sitting on the eggs, the bird flew straight up and swiftly away to a considerable distance; but after the chicks were hatched it flew slowly along the ground, flapping and dragging a wing as though wounded, and settled at only a short distance from its young. We found a nightjar and two young on the Bikkepatti Ridge (about 6,500 ft.) on the N.W. edge of the Nilgiris on May 5th 1932; this we also believe to be C. i. indicus. In this case also, the parent bird tried to distract our attention by much flapping along the ground. The two chicks kept their eyes tightly shut, and were so motionless and matched the stony ground so completely, that in our search for them we were actually looking at them for some time without realising their presence. I enclose a photograph we took of the Ootacamund nightjar chicks. It will be seen in the photograph that the feathers where the chick is in contact with the ground when squatting are fluffy. 40Y9I AQ 0704d (snsypisy snspnutrzdv7) relZystN UeIpuy UOWWOD oy Jo syory) ‘00S ‘ISIH “LVN AvVaWwog ‘Nunof MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 867 This makes the outline of the bird obscure, and is no doubt an important factor in the camouflage. MapRAS: CHRISTIAN COLLEGE, TAMBARAM, ALICE D. BARNES. CHINGLEPUT DISTRICT, Seplemover A,’ 1937. AV.—ON THE BREEDING OF THE OYSTERCATCHER (HAEMATOPUS OSTRALEGUS SUBSP.) AND OTHER BIRDS IN THE BENGAL SUNDERBUNDS. It seems high time that the rather terse statement in the second edition of the Fauna (vol. vi, 167) in regard to the Oystercatcher was amplified. Writing of the Chinese race (Haematopus ostralegus vsculans) Mr. Baker says: ‘An Oystercatcher, probably of this race, has been obtained with its eggs, breeding on an island in the Sunderbunds, but the skin has not been available for com- parison.’ This is repeated, almost word for word, by the same author in the Waders and Semi-Sporting Birds of India. The actual facts may perhaps now be placed on record. In the Easter Holidays of April 1922, I had the good fortune to be the guest of Mr. L. R. Fawcus, t.c.s., then Collector of Khulna in Bengal. We spent then about too miles south of Khulna on the sea-shore, an area in which owing: to the almost complete absence of fresh water, Man is, or was then, conspicuous by his absence, and which was a paradise for birds of all kinds, spotted deer, pig, etc. On April 21st we saw a pair of Oyster- catchers on a long narrow strip with scattered stones along it. The next day (April 22nd) they were in the same place and we had little difficulty in watching the hen bird on to her nest which’ contained fresh eggs. These eggs we took and they were later given by Mr. Fawcus to Mr. Stuart Baker. The birds nested again near the same place and on a subsequent visit Mr. Fawcus saw the young ones. In the cold weather of 1933-34, he again saw a pair there but, as he only had a rifle, was unable to secure a specimen. On the Easter Sunday, we rather foolishly tried to plod out across the mud of the bay to an island some three or four miles out at sea, over which we could see a great cloud of Terns hover- ing. This trip might well have ended disastrously, as, for the greater part of the journey, the mud was over our knees, and it was impossible to take more than six laborious steps at a time. Eventually after some hours we managed to struggle back to land and later just managed to reach the island at high-tide in a row-boat. We found it covered with a very large breeding colony of Gull-billed Terns (Gelochelidon nilotica) whose eggs—many quite fresh—were all over the island. They were remarkably tame and shewed little fear of our party. There were also two colonies, each of 30-40 pairs of the Large Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergit 14 868 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL WHIST™ SOCIETY, Vol xox subsp.). Unlike those of the Gull-billed Tern, these nests were almost touching each other, bare hollows in the sand each: con- taining one egg. The close-packed snowy mass of sitting birds was a most beautiful sight, and well worth the difficulty we had had in reaching them. [Equally remarkable was the varied colour- ing of the eggs. I took one series of 18 eggs from adjoining nests, each diiterent from the next and. rangins in’ colour from heather-purple to almost pure white, but an accident unfortunately destroyed a number of these before they reached the South Kensington Museum in 1923. On the same island, we found a nest of Esacus recurvirostris, the Great Stone Plover, with one of the eggs just chipping. This bird went back on to her eggs while I sat within fitteen yards of her, being doubtless anxious to shield the egys from the. fierce midday sun. She sat there on them panting with her mandibles open. When on leave in 1923) 1 mem Mr. FF. CroRS jourdainyand Mr. Stuart Baker at the South Kensington Museum and told them the above facts. The eggs of the Oystercatcher and some other eggs were eventually given by Mr. Fawcus to Mr. Baker, with full data as to their origin. It was not however possible to obtain skins to decide the geographical races of the birds mentioned. Since this trip, which I owe to Mr. Fawcus’ kindness, I have kept a close lookout for the Oystercatcher in Burma _ without success. It is not likely to occur in ‘North Burma’ (Fauna) where there is no sea-coast but may well occur from Arakan South and East to the Tenasserim coast. Mr. S. F. Hopwood tells me he saw Oystercatchers near China Bakir (Hanthawaddy) about 1927 ((.B.ON.HS., xxxvi, 4. April)1935) sand. Mrs, Crs Whiner shon one on the Bassein coast in 1914. It is improbable that they breed, except very locally, on the Burma coast. I have searched several areas for them in vain. WINCHESTER, 1. Ky STANT ORD: May 3, 1937. Indian Civil Service. XVI—EARLY AND LATE SNIPE. I find from my game book from entries of 30 years that the earliest I have shot snipe in India is rst September at Loralai and also on the same day of the month at Peshawar. I have seen snipe in Baluchistan, but not shot any, on 20th August. In Southern India, Hyderabad, I have generally got my first snipe early in October and once, this year, the zoth September. Other guns got snipe early in September this year at Hyderabad. In Northern India and Baluchistan I have shot snipe up till the end of March with an occasional bird in April and a good bag at Parachinar in the Kurram Valley in April. In Hyderabad I have shot snipe every year as late as the first week of April and this year got 34 couple of full snipe at Bijapur MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 869 im Bastar otatevon 18th April. Last year in South Chanda, C.P., not far from Bijapur I saw several snipes on 17th April. All the April snipes I have shot and seen in’ Hyderabad and Chanda have been in wooded cover near permanent springs or in the soakage behind the embankments of big tanks. These snipes are very dark in colour, sluggish in flight and inclined to lie very close especially in undergrowth. When flushed they utter a cry quite different from the ordinary ‘scrape’ of a snipe. The number seem very late and this year also the early snipe gives the impression that they are family units and that the birds remain in India all the summer, possibly breeding here. It would be very easy to get someone to observe the tank at Bijapur, because the snipe there are well known to the local people and are found along and below the embankment between the two halves of the village. H.Q. 4TH (SEC’BAD) CAVALRY Gade ta P, BERESFORD mec. BRIGADE, Brigadier. BoOLARUM. EDL! 2G GUO 37. XVII.—THE BREEDING OF THE LITTLE GREEN BITTERN (BUTORIDES STRIATUS JAVANICUS) IN “SALSETTE ISLAND. On the 30th May (1937) I found a nest containing three young of the Little Green Heron Bittern (Butorides striatus javanicus) at Ghorbunder. The nest, a rude construction of loosely-put-together twigs, was situated in the thin branches of a mango tree some thirty feet from the ground. The tree was some distance from the water’s edge of the creek. The three young showed a remarkable range in size, but this was particularly true of the smallest, which was almost half the size of the other two—probably a weakling. On approaching the nest the ‘youngest’ bird remained sitting in the nest while the other two walked out of it on to the thinnest branch for safety and were captured with some difficulty. Besides being able to walk with ease along the thin branches, I noticed that they used with good effect their necks as ‘hook’ to aid them. in climbing. The neck would be hooked over a branch and the legs then brought up and with a little flapping they would lift themselves on the new perch. The young were partially in down but the quills of the feathers were in evidence all over. The down is a dark smoky grey all over except round the belly where it is almost white. The parent bird (male) returned shortly after being disturbed and was secured. On examining the gullet, which seemed swollen, at was found to contain 2 specimens of Belone strongylura V. Hass, 84 and 64 inches long respectively and the head of a Syagnaid. 870 JOURNAL, BOMBAY: NATWRAE AHIST! SOCIETY, Vol x xoux This ‘bird is a. local» resident, but as far°as I am: aware ithe mest has not been recorded from the area. % BomBay NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, BomBay, C. McCANN. VEG OTs ORT. XVIII.—OCCURRENCE OF THE BITTERN (BOTAURUS S. STELEARIS) IN - SOUTH MYSORE: While shooting round the edge of a tank near Nanjangud, about 12 miles south of Mysore City, on 12 December 1936, I flushed a Bittern from the reeds and shot it. As this bird is stated in F.B.J., 2nd edition to range only so far as Bangalore, its’ occurrence neatly. 100, miles, stills iugther south may be worth recording. Identification was kindly confirmed by Mr. Hugh Whistier to whom a wing was sent. KALHATTI ES! Go PEAY EVAN ADAMS: NILGIRIS, Major I.A. (Retired). April 2A 1937. XIX.—SEXUAL DIMORPHISM IN THE STAR-SHELLED TORTOISE (TESTUDO ELEGANS). Apart from the characteristic concavity observed in the males of most Chelonians, and the frequent disparity in size often observed between the sexes, little seems to have been recorded regarding the sexual characters. Recently the Society received two pairs of the Star-shelled Tortoise (Testudo elegans) from H .H. The Maharaja of Bhavnagar. A careful examination of the specimens showed clearly marked sexual differences. Carapace: In the females the colouring of the shell is much brighter and more pronounced, the humping of the dorsal shields (in particular) is much more pronounced, and the posterior and anterior marginal shields are far more serrated and the points more acute. Legs: The forelegs in the females carry large and more conical scales (almost free in the upper #) and the hind feet are armed with much longer claws, probably a provision for excavating the egg chamber at the time of deposition. Tail: In. females. the tail 1s\ reduced: to a) niere’ short. conteal stump whereas in the males it 1s much more elongated and if straightened will protrude almost a couple of inches beyond the MISCELLANEOUS NOTES Ok shell. Normally, however, the tail is carried adpressed to the shell, curled up behind: either of the hind legs. The above details apply to adult specimens, BoMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, BomBay, C, McCANN. Ameust-A, 1037. XX.—OCCURRENCE OF PSAMMOPHIS CONDANARUS ? IN BERAR. A snake found at Chikalda (Berar) at about 3,500 ft. in the Melghat hills by E. Berchten in June 1937 seems to come nearest to the above. It agrees with the descriptions of this species by Wall (How to Identify the Snakes of India, 1923) and Boulenger (F.B.I., Reptilia & Batrachia, 1890) except on the following points:—It disagrees with Wall in having 15 instead of 17 rows at 2 head-lengths behind head and only ist (not rst and second) supralabials touching the nasal. The localities given by Wall are ‘Cutch, Punjab, Sind, Ganges basin and Burma’. It disagrees with Boulenger mainly in colour (rather markedly) and in the distribution which he gives as ‘This species has hitherto only been recorded from the Punjab, Cutch, the North-West Provinces, Simla, Bengal, the Kurnool district, and Pegu’. The following is a general description of the specimen sent. iencthmio, ime. @ostals T5317; 12; Ventrals 173 >sub-caudals 74; Anal divided; one rather long loreal. Scaling of the tree-snake type without apical pits or ventral keel. Colour: The head is* pale olive brown above with a darker line from the snout, passing through the eye and fading on the nape; the upper and lower lips, chin and throat are pure shining white, each infralabial and some of the adjacent scales of the throat having a rusty speck (marking a pit?) in the centre of each. The upper parts of the body are pale olive brown above fading a little on the flanks. There is a dark brown median stripe edged sharply with black formed as follows:—The vertebral row and one row on either side of it dark brown, the next row on either side has each scale dark brown on its inner edge, black in the middle and pale olive, like the rest of the upper surface, on its outer edge. The belly is yellow each ventral having a rusty line: mear each end. These lines are shorter in front but become almost continuous from about mid-body onwards. The iris 1s pale yellow and the pupil round. FOREST OFFICE, NAGPUR, G. Ps. i Oy SHEBBEARE: JUNCAIOs (1627. [The specimen referred to above was submitted to Dr. Malcolm Smith for verification and we give below his reply. 872 JOURNAL, BOMBAY. NATURAL HISTo SOCIETY.” Vol, Xxx ‘Many thanks for the interesting snake. I identify it provi- sionally as Psammophis condanarus, which is more variable in colour than is usually supposed.’—Eps. ]. XXIL—SEXUAL DIMORPHISM IN THE SEASNAKE [DISTIRA CYANOCINCTA (DAUD.)]. On the 3rd May this year, Mr. J. B. Greaves, sent the Society a pair of live Distira cyanocincta which he had found in copulation at Mervi-malad, near Bombay. While examining the specimens I noticed that they exhibited certain differences which may be recorded as possible sexual characters. (a) The colour banding of the body in the male was markedly stronger, and the rings were more complete than in the female. (b) The low jaw in the male was very distinctly coloured burnt sienna fading out a little beyond the base of the head. The colouration was not present in the female. (c) In the female the head was much more elongate than in the amaie; (d) The tail in the male was markedly thicker than in the female. (e) In the male the scales of the body and particularly those on the head, were strongly keeled, much more so than in the female. The scales of the female were much smoother and more shiny, particularly the head scales. Later, on consulting Col. Wall’s A Popular Treatise on the Common Indian Snakes (J].B.N.H.S., xxvi, p. 436) I have found the following remark :—‘The very distinctive keels and their serra- tions are much more conspicuous in males where they are sometimes most pronounced and even spinous on the belly. In females and young though somewhat obscure they are usually discernible if looked for.’ With regard to the time of the year when this species breeds in India, Col. Wall has no information owing to the specimens he examined. having .no date. However, for Siam he records a gravid female, from the Chantabum river, as having been captured in March (1916). This specimen contained embryos to--10} inches long. In the present instance the female measured 3 ft. 9 in. long and contained approximately 30 eggs of various sizes, the largest of which measured 1 x# in. BomBay NATURAL History SOCcIETY, BOMBAY. . C. McCANN. May 20,- 1937. XXII.—BREEDING SEASON OF THE JEW’S NOSED SEASNAKE [ENHYDRINA VALAKADYEN (BOIE)| IN BOMBAY WATERS. On the 15th March this year (1937) a large female of the Jew’s Nosed Seasnake (Enhydrina valakadyen) was caught in the fisher- men’s net at Mora, Uran Island. On dissection the specimen was MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 873 found to contain eleven eggs, with embryos measuring approxi- mately 42.5 mm. Col. Wall in his paper A Popular Treatise on the Common Indian Snakes (j.B.N.H.S., xxvi, 805) states that the breeding period varies from 12th November till February in Cannanore, and that young measuring 124-17 inches were obtained from Madras in June. The Bombay specimens would thus breed a little later than those in South India. Bompay Natura, History SOCIETY, BomBay. C. McCANN. May 27, 1937. XXITI.—FREAK SEEDLING OF THE GRAPE FRUIT. (With a photo). Seedling of Grape Fruit in Flower. A Grape Fruit seedling two months old, in flower. This 1s considered very uncommon with this particular variety of Citrus plants as they are not known to flower before the seventh year. Noe srr Colvin: ROAD; ALLAHABAD, Mrs. MARGARET RATH. 874 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST. SOCIETY, Vol. KXXXIX XXIV.—SOME OBSERVATIONS ON BOTANICAL NOMENCLATURE. Alteration in the botanical names by which plants are known is so frequent a cause of complaint, especially by applied botanists, that is to say horticulturists, agriculturists, foresters, etc., that some explanation for the reasons underlying such changes seems desirable. In the early days of plant classification the names used were vague and often consisted of several words giving a brief descrip- tion of the plant. For instance: the common Elder was termed Sambucus caule arboreo ramoso floribus umbellatis by Royen in 1740. At that period too, and for many years after, there was comparatively little communication between botanists and but little literature and small opportunity for comparing plants handled by the several workers. Everyone had to depend almost entirely on the published descriptions. As few species were then known it was considered that brief indication of the general relationship and one or two individual characters sufficed, with the result that the descriptions were usually meagre and have proved often very in- adequate for the determination of the plant without seeing the very specimen from which the description was made. Given these premises it will readily be apprehended that quite frequently the same species was separately named and described by different workers under different names, and, on the other hand, different workers identified entirely different plants with some other named and described by another scientist. An example of these sources of error will be found in the genus Terminalia. Linnaeus described one species under the name of Terminalia Catappa; at a somewhat later date Lamark described the same species as T. moluccana ; later still Roxburgh, believing that he had the same species as Lamark’s, identified with it one of the varieties of JT. belerica; -finally Wallich inscribed the same name on a sheet of his Herbarium Catalogue. Thus we have three separate species to which the name T. moluccana has been applied. The first great step towards an orderly nomenclature was taken by the Swede “Carl von Limne,; who, in 1753, propounded) the binomial system under which every species of plant bears two names only: the first is that of the genus to which it belongs and therefore indicates its general affinity, and the second is its indi- vidual or specific epithet. This was an obvious advantage in every direction, especially in brevity for now the common Elder becomes Sambucus nigra of Linnaeus. Nevertheless, this system in itself does not dispel the confusion occasioned by the factors explained above, a confusion that assumed such alarming proportions that it was found necessary to discuss the situation at the International Botanical Congress held in Paris in 1867. A set of rules drawn up by Alphonse de Candolle was adopted under the title: ‘Lois de la nomenclature de botanique.’ Experience showed, however, that these rules were not ‘fool-proof’ MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 875 but lent themselves to diverse interpretations in part. Consequent- ly, at the second International Congress at Vienna in 1905 they were further discussed and certain modifications were accepted and incorporated in the International Rules of Nomenclature. Addi- tions and modifications have been effected at subsequent meetings of the Congress, including the last that took place at Amsterdam in 1935. The resolutions carried on this last occasion are still being investigated and formulated by the appropriate committees and their publication may be expected by the end of 1936 or soon after. The following are some of the more important points in the rules as they now stand: 1. The name of any species must consist of a combination of a generic name followed by a specific epithet. They may be followed by the name of a further subdivision, e.g. a varietal name. . . 2. The same name cannot be applied to distinct genera, nor the same epithet to two distinct species in the same genus. 3. No name is accepted unless it is effectively published: that is to say, that it has been made known generally to botanists by publication in some accessible work and is accompanied by a description of the group or by detailed figures. Therefore, mere names unaccompanied by a description or only in manuscript or not generally accessible to botanists, are not valid. 4. When choice has to be made between two _ validly published names applied to the same plant, the rule of priority comes into play and the earlier published name must be accepted, subject to the exceptions noted later. 5. Priority is based on the year of publication of Linnaeus’s fundamental work Species Plantarum in 1753. Names published earlier than that need not be taken into account. 6. S )))) = LP DE. e rs B, »y | : AAAAAAAAAAA An MARMARA WANA Aa annnan lA at | , : PA (N AAAA AAANAARA AA AA AWN Vas aa Aunananee AAAAARARAN i faN\\ Pr\\/ Y -y t Ve A I 1 ‘a! A ! | ano IAAAAAY BAAAAR ANA aaaana AK WO AAAAA JAAWAAAARAAARAA a AA AYA \ AAA AAAA) AAA AAAAAAARAARRAARARAA Valalalalalal. 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