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NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS ON MAMMALS COLLECTED 



AND OBSERVED IN THE DARJEELING 



DISTRICT, INDIA. 



By 



Gordon Dalguesh. 



During a yeav's residence in the above district, where I was employed 

 -as assistant on a tea garden, I spent my spare time studying the 

 mammals of that region. In those days I did not know the advantages 

 of trapping, and all my specimens were either shot by myself or brought 

 In by natives. The natives (Nepalese) I always found trustworthy 

 and reliable, and were always willing to give their services when there 

 was any shooting to be had, and many a pleasant day I have spent in 

 iheir company in pursuit of game. My collecting and observations 

 were confined from the base of the mountains to 8,000 feet elevation. 



Macaws rhesus, And, The Bengal Monkey. 

 I found this species common at low elevations, and had several young 

 ones brought to me ; but they always came to an untimely end. They 

 -are a source of great annoyance to the natives, robbing their crops, and 

 nothing seems safe from their mischievous fingers. 

 Felis tigris, Linn. The Tiger. 

 The tiger was common in parts of the Terai at the base, and an old 

 lioress with two cubs once ascended the forest to 5,000 feet, and took 

 up her quarters close to the Forest Ranger's house in Kurseong. 

 Though much sought after, she was not shot. 



Felis panlus, Linn. The Leopard or Panther. 

 The Leopard was common from the base right up toDarjeeling 8,000 

 feet. I have often heard them at night, and the sound they make is 

 not unlike somebody sawing a piece of wood. They are especially fond 

 of dogs, and have been known to snatch them cff the verandahs in the 

 •evening before the eyes of their owners. I once saw the skin of a large 

 python, and was told a half grown leopard had been taken out of its 

 stomach. 



Felis nebulosa, Griff. The clouded Leopard. 

 A pair of these beautiful animals' skins adorned the walls of a 

 planter's house, and he informed me he had shot them on a garden 

 -about 4,000 feet. 



