528 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XVII. 



I have found immature specimens on three occasions. 1— In April 1905, a 

 half -grown specimen in the Burgur hills in bamboo jungle devoid of grass 

 at an elevation of 3,400 feet. 2 — In April 1906, near Salamalai, elevation 

 3,000 feet, a small specimen on dry strong soil in scrub jungle devoid 

 of grass. 3— In May 1906, one specimen about 10" long at 4,100 feet 

 in high timb er forest, but Dear a grassy clearing. The hill men (Sholagas, 

 etc.,) declare it to be poisonous and were amazed at my seizing the last 

 noted specimen by the tail and holding it suspended. The peculiar flattening 

 of the body referred to by Captain Wall was very striking not only when on 

 the ground but even when held suspended in mid-air. 



This morning when packing up on moving camp, I removed some loose 

 newspaper sheets from a basket lid lying on the ground in a corner of the tent. 

 I thought I saw a leaf in the angle, but, fortunately, the tent being somewhat 

 dark, I was cautious and took it to the light when it turned out to be a coiled 

 Lachesis gramineus, evidently a young one, as it taped only 17 T V, tail 

 2 jy (elevation 2,700 ft.). 



C. E. C. FISCHER. 

 LOKANHALLI, North Coimbatoke, 3rd June 190C. 



No. XXII.— BIRD WEATHER REPORTERS. 



I heard last week a prophesy about rainfall based on the habits of birds 

 which might interest some of your readers. Last year the birds are said to 

 have built their nests high up on the topmost branches of trees. This year 

 they have built low down in the most sheltered parts, the inference drawn is 

 that while last year they did not seek much protection, this season they expect 

 the fall to be heavy. I give this for what it may be worth. Let us hope 

 the little prophets will escape the fate of some of our weather reporters. 



K. R. BOMANJI, I.C.S. 

 Bijapuk, 10$ June 1906. 



No. XXIII.— HOW TIGERS KILL THEIR PREY. 



As this old question with apparently undiminished interest on the part of 

 naturalists and sportsmen has again cropped up, perhaps the following remarks 

 based on personal observation will aid in determining the above mooted ques- 

 tion. From the several occasions on which I have witnessed the complete 

 stalk and death of a buffalo at the jaws of a tiger, it would seem that 

 there is no general rule that can be applied to the performance of these acts. 

 I have seen a tiger stalk-in, standing up like a pointer, with tail stiff: and one 

 paw up, stand a second thus, and with 2 or 3 large strides, taken very rapidly, 

 up to the buffalo , dip his head under the buffalo's chin, catch it by the throat 

 and pin it to the ground without either forefeet being raised off the ground 

 for purposes of assault. On the first occasion I saw this performance the 

 tiger pinned the animal's head tightly to the ground, the tiger being down on 

 his fore-paws which were stretched out before him, and his hind quarters 



