710 MR. R. B. SHARPE ON BIRDS FROM MOMBAS. [Nov. 4, 



their stomachs, perhaps swallowed whilst seizing their prey ; but 

 agairjst such a theory is the fact that the same substances are found 

 inside the true fish-eating Crocodile (Gavialis yangeticus, Gm.), 

 which frequents the Indus, Jumna, Granges, Brahmaputra, Maha- 

 nuddi, and their affluents, and captures its prey whilst swimming. 

 Besides stones, portions of crabs and water-beetles (Dytiscus) were 

 found in every one. Many had the abdominal scales of snakes ; and 

 in one was the decomposed body of an entire otter, in another a 

 water-rat, and in a third some of the roots of the mangrove-bush. 

 Elsewhere tortoises and turtles are preyed upon by them. 



Mr. Thomas had some otters (Lutra nair) of various sizes, which 

 he had raised from babyhood in order to ascertain what their usual 

 food is. When very young each consumed about one hundred frogs 

 {Rana cyanophlyctis, Schn.) daily. But in April when I saw them, 

 and they were about two-thirds grown, these small frogs were more 

 difficult to procure, and they were having six to eight large bull-frogs 

 {Rana tigrina, Daud.) daily. This king amongst the frogs does not 

 hesitate in eating those of the smaller species. The otters, irrespec- 

 tive of the food found them, hunted about the garden for whatever 

 they could find. 



They evidently looked very suspiciously at the poultry, and when 

 older would, I suspect, help themselves to their feathered companions. 

 One day we placed a live rat in a room and brought the otters ; 

 but although they ran up to it, they did not attempt to do it any 

 injury. 



Some of these otters were brought up from their earliest days on 

 rice and vegetables, others on animal food ; but the dispositions of all 

 appeared to be the same. If they were interfered with in the 

 slightest degree they at once rushed at the person whose interference 

 they objected to. Blows had to be severe to keep them in order, 

 but by degrees they seemed to acquire a wholesome dread of a thick 

 stick. 



These otters, then, are not wholly disadvantageous to fisheries in 

 India, as one of the greatest enemies to the ova is to be found in the 

 frogs, and these they devour, to a great extent at least, when in 

 confinement. In places where fish are very scarce, as on the Neil- 

 gherries, frogs, snails, and such like food appear to form their usual 

 diet. 



7. On a Collection of Birds from Mombas in Eastern Africa. 

 By R. Bowdler Sharpe, F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c, Senior 

 Assistant, Zoological Department, British Museum. 



[Eeceived September 9, 1873.] 



(Plate LVIII.) 



For the opportunity of examining this collection I am again 

 indebted to my friend Mr. Ward, of Halifax, to whom once more I 



