Sates ait tlje ilrbs af tlje SamMjur f iike ^ its bldiiitir. 



By R. M. Adam. 



As the study of local avifaunas is of considerable importance 

 to ornitholog-ists, I purpose to record the birds which I have 

 obtained^ or observed^ during- my residence at Sambhur_, extend- 

 ing- over a period of three years. 



My very limited knowledge of ornithology prevents me from 

 attempting to add any information of importance to that science : 

 all that I attempt is to note the birds which I have seen or 

 obtained here, and in a few cases to record something as to their 

 habits and nidification. 



Altogether I have noted the occurrence of 244 species; the 

 number belonging to each order being as follows : 



Eaptores ,.. ... ... ... 2G 



Insessores ... 



Eissirostres ... ... .. 15 



Scansores ... ... ... 13 



Tenuirostres ... ... ... 4 



Dentirostres ... ... ... 69 



Couirostres ... -... ... 28 



— 129 

 Gemitores ... ... ... ... 8 



Rasores ... ... ... ... 8 



Grallatores ... ... ... ... 51 



Natatores ... ... ... .... 22 



Until quite recently, little was known, and much less recorded, 

 concerning this famous salt source. To illustrate this statement, 

 I may mention that a member of Dr. Fawcett's committee, 

 who lately made a hurried visit to the lake, remarked at dinner : 

 " Well, it is strange how things will happen. About six weeks 

 ago I was examining* an old Indian, of some forty years^ service, 

 and amongst other questions I asked if a large salt lake did 

 not exist somewhere in Central India, and he replied, ' very 

 possibly there may be such a lake, but I have never heard 

 of it,^ " and now/' said the M. P., " here I am drinking simkin 

 on its edge.'' 



The Sambhur Lake is situated in N. lat. 26° 58 ' and E. long. 

 75" 5'. Ali around, but principally to the west, are low-lying hills, 

 which form a part of the Aravalli range, which runs in a north- 

 westerly direction through Rajputana. To the north-west is a 

 sandy tract called the Great Desert, with Sinde on its western, 

 and the Punjab on its northern and western boundary. 

 Taking the village of Dodo, 42 ndles from Jeypur, in the 



