622 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV L. 



(12). Hirundo rustica (The Swallow). 



Common along the shore and near the summit. Migratory. 



(13). Motacilla melanope (The Grey Wagtail). 



(14). Limonidromus indicus (The Forest-Wagtail). 



(15). Strepsilas interpret (The Turnstone). ^ Winter migrants. 



(16). Totanus hypoleucus (The Common Sandpiper). 



(17). Merops philippinus (The Blue-tailed Bee-eater). 



Among mammals I found two species of Fruit Bats. The Nicobar Flying- Fox 

 {Pteropus nicobaricus) and another smaller species, as well as a rat which appeared 

 to be semi-arboreal in its habits. Of reptiles Varanus salvator (The Ceylon 

 Monitor) was very common, especially near the shore. They use their powerful 

 tails in self-defence, inflicting a nasty blow upon any one approaching them 

 incautiously from behind. 



Skinks of various sizes were also very common as well as Calotes sp. and a 

 beautiful little green lizard provided with suctorial feet. 



We also obtained a snake but no frogs or toads. 



The ground was, as is usual on such islands, alive with hermit crabs of all 

 sizes, and large whitish land crabs were to be found in holes at the root of some 

 of the larger trees. Mosquitoes were fortunately very rare owing no doubt 

 chiefly to the absence of fresh water. 



I saw a couple of scorpions under fallen wood. 



The forest belongs to the tropical evergreen type and some of the trees 

 attain very large dimensions both in girth and height. Figs are very numerous, 

 and it is no doubt largely due to this fact that so large a number of fruit- 

 eating birds can support themselves all the year round on so small an area. 



Towards the summit of the mountain the tree growth becomes stunted and 

 the vegetation alters markedly in character, such genera as Strobilanthes , 

 sEschynanthus and Begonia being represented, which recall the flora of the 

 eastern temperate Himalayas. 



The temperature at the top of the mountain at midday was 74° in the shade, 

 that at the bottom under similar conditions being 82°. 



The view from the top w r as most impressive, commanding as it does the whole 

 of the island, which is spread out at one's feet, surrounded by the limitless 

 ocean. 



