J 76 Capt. R. C. Tytler on the Fauna of Dacca. 



allied to Lepus nigricollis, but distinctly different, a specimen of 

 which I have already forwarded to E. Blyth, Esq., under the name 

 of Lepus tytleri, as I have every reason to believe it is a new 

 species ; they are not uncommon at Dacca. The circumstance 

 of my having been so unsettled since leaving Dacca has for the 

 present prevented my giving a minute description of this animal, 

 several specimens of which are in my collection, but I shall en- 

 deavour to do so as soon as possible. 



Among other novelties obtained by me at this station I have 

 to enumerate two decidedly new species of birds. The first 

 is of the genus Megalurus ?, for which I suggest the name of 

 Megalurus ? verreauxii, after the Messrs. Verreaux of Paris, a 

 drawing of which I will endeavour to leave in the Museum of 

 the India House prior to my departure for India, as well as of 

 the other new birds described. 



The next new species is of the genus Sturnopastor, closely 

 allied to Sturnopastor contra^ but apparently different, being in 

 size slightly larger, and the black more spread over the entire 

 plumage, giving the bird a darker appearance than the other 

 species. At first I was induced to treat this bird as a mere cage 

 variety ; but after seeing three specimens, and each agreeing in 

 every respect with the others, I cannot help supposing and 

 believing it to be a new species ; if so, I suggest for it the name 

 of Sturnopastor moorei, after F. Moore, Esq., Assistant, Museum, 

 East India House. The birds I saw came from the jungles 

 about Midnapoore and elsewhere of Lower Bengal. The natives 

 are not altogether unfamiliar with this bird : that it is not a 

 mere local variety is proved from the size being larger, and tlie 

 specimens coming from different localities. 



Amongst the cage birds seen in the market, I remarked a 

 curious specimen of the genus Carpodacus, evidently a mere cage 

 variety of C. erythrinus, or the common Tootie of all India : the 

 colour of this bird showed symptoms of being a partially albi- 

 noid variety. I will however, if necessary, on a future occasion 

 remark more fully on this bird after making minute comparisons, 

 for the owner asserted that it was a distinct bird from the Tootie, 

 and a species well known about the foot of the Cherrapoonjie 

 range of mountains. 



Before proceeding further, I will give an account of a remark- 

 able circumstance, and which appears difficult to account for : — 

 A sepoy of my regiment keeps several large scorpions; these 

 animals he has always been in the habit of collecting ; whatever 

 his secret is, I know not, but it is interesting, for he allows the 

 scorpions to crawl over his hands, breast, and in fact all over 

 him; they never attempt to sting; besides which he puts them 

 on other people. I examined the stings minutely ; the tip of 



