DUCK TRIBE — CORMORANTS — REPTILES 159 



lactea), the so-called Indian pratincole (G. orientalis) ranging beyond the area 

 into eastern Siberia and northern Australia. 



As regards the ducks, the most interesting species are perhaps 

 Duck Tribe. . 



the Indian tree-duck (Dendrocycna javanica) and the Indian comb- 

 duck (Sarcidiornis Tnelanonotus), closely allied species to both of which are found 

 in Africa and South America. A whole host of ducks, and a few geese, visit India 

 during the cold season, but the majority of these must be regarded as purely 

 migratory. 



The common cormorant is a breeding-bird in India and Ceylon, 

 and in several localities is found the somewhat rare Indian cormorant 

 (Phalacrocorax fwscicollis), though the commonest species is the small P.javanicus 

 which, in addition to India, inhabits Ceylon, Sumatra, Java, and Borneo. 



As many of the reptiles of India are more or less closely related 



ReDtiles 



to those of south-western and south-eastern Asia, a brief notice must 

 suffice. One of the most characteristic is the gharial (Garialis gangeticus) of all 

 the great rivers, and there are two crocodiles (Crocodilus porosus and C. palustris). 

 Chelonians are represented by land-tortoises of the widely-spread genus Testudo, 

 as well as by sub-aquatic species of the Oriental genera (Damonia, Nicoria, and 

 Morenia). The rivers abound in the large batagurs (Batagur, Hardella, Cachuga, 

 etc.), as well as in soft-tortoises (Trionychidce). Among snakes, there are the Indian 

 python (Python molurus), the cobra (Naia tripudians), Russell's viper (Vipera 

 russelli), and the krait (Bungarus cceruleus), of which the three last are all deadly. 

 India is the home of sixteen species of viper, of which twelve have a conspicuous 

 depression, or pit, between the nostril and the eye, and are hence called pit-vipers, 

 while the remaining four are devoid of these. As examples of the latter the saw- 

 scaled viper (Echis carinata) and the aforesaid Russell's viper may be mentioned. 

 The first-named is a snake of the plains ; the other, though more abundant in the 

 plains, is occasionally found even at an altitude of 7000 feet. Among those of the 

 Himalaya, the mountain-viper (Lachesis monticola) is noteworthy on account of 

 being oviparous, instead of ovoviviparous. It is found on the lower ridges of the 

 eastern Himalaya from Nepal to Assam, from the foot of the hills to an altitude of 

 8000 feet or more. To the lizards, amphibians, fishes, and invertebrates of India it 

 is impossible to refer, although remarks relating to some of them will be found in 

 the next two chapters. 



