304 A FIRST LIST OF THE BIRDS 
“Of Rodentia the only remarkable examples are the large 
black and red squirrel (Sciwrus maladaricus) ; and the brown fly- 
ing squirrel (Pteromys petaurista), both of which animals 
exist In great numbers in the heavy forest ; we have also, though 
in less numbers, the common porcupine (Hystriz leucura). 
Among the carnivora, I should not have omitted the S$. Indian 
bear (Ursus labiatus), which may be found in suitable localities, 
and labours under the same evil character amongst the natives, 
as that attributed to the Ceylon animal by the Cingalese. 
“« Among the deer tribe, the Sambhar ( Husa Aristotelis) and the 
little mouse-deer (Moschus memimna; are the most common on 
the hills proper, while in the jungles at the foot of the range, 
the spotted deer (Awis maculatus) is more abundant. On the 
higher grass ridges may sometimes be observed large herds 
of the Neilgherri ibex (Hemitragus hylocrius,) and I myself on 
one occasion during the breeding season counted over forty of 
these animals together. I believe neither the neilghai, nor 
black buck is found in any part of Travancore, though the latter 
occurs in great force on the plains along the Hastern coast. 
Great numbers of bison, as they are misnamed ( Gavaeus gaurus), 
roam about the hills at all seasons, descending to the lower 
jungles when the April rains help the young grass to spring 
up amongst the ashes caused by the annual forest fires. 
“ Hlephants also, though nowhere in the south collecting into 
large herds, may generally be found with the assistance of the 
hillmen as trackers, to whom they are a source of great terror, 
and who readily assist in their destruction. 
‘“‘Qwing to the inroads of the elephants on their patches of 
cultivation, the hill men in the wilder jungles live almost 
entirely in little huts built among the boughs of some large 
tree, which they ascend by means of a bamboo tied round the 
stem and forming a sort of ladder. 
“The wild boar (Sus indicus) occurs in great numbers, but 
owing to the nature of the ground and the density of the 
jungle he is no where hunted on horseback. 
“JT must not conclude without recording my obligations for 
assistance in the collection of my specimens to Messrs. T. 
Fulton Bourdillon and H. S. Ferguson, who have both sent 
me several species which I have not myself obtained.” 
List oF SPECIES. 
(The numbers are those of Dr. Jerdon’s Birds of India, and 
of my catalogue) 
14.—Hypotriorchis severus, Hors/. 
“Ts I believe only a winter visitor, though (without having 
taken a nest) I have reason to think that it breeds here. The 
