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RAMBLING NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY IN CHITRAL. 



Major F. Wall, i.m.s., o.m.z.s. 



During my year's residence in Chitral I had considerable leisure to 

 devote to natural history objects. In the main my attention was devoted 

 to butterflies, but in their pursuit I had opportunities of observing many 

 other objects, and the following excerpts from my note books may be of 

 interest to others who may be garrisoned there in years to come. 



MAMMALIA. 



Jackal {Canis aureus), Linne. — I was asked by Mr. Kinnear to try 

 and get specimens of this among other Mammals, but when I came to 

 question the oflicers who went out after big game, I found no single one had 

 ever heard it. Mr. Keppel made enquiries for me among the Chitralis, and 

 was told that jackals are known in the Valley in which Arandu is situated, 

 but do not come up as far north as Mirkani. It would seem then that they 

 only just enter the south of Chitral Territory, and it is probable the 

 Lowarai Pass is their proximate Northern barrier. 



Whitehead's Stoat (Mustela whiteheadi*), Wroughton. — Under the 

 misnomer JPatorius erminea I referred in a previous Journal (Vol. XX, 

 p. 514) to a specimen of this little known animal killed in Chitral. 



Common Otter {Lutra vulgaris), Erxleben. — Our British Otter is not 

 uncommon. 1 saw the skins of 3 or 4 specimens, one quite freshly stuffed 

 in the usual Chitrali method with grass. Its grizzled coat, and the angular 

 posterior edge of the rhinorium I presume leave no doubt in diagnosis. 



The smaller Kashmir Flying-Squirrel {Sciuropterus fimbriatus), 

 Gray. — Three or four skins of this flying squirrel were brought to 

 me. The Chitralis said they were not uncommon and lived chiefly in 

 walnut and apricot trees. They also said that they nest in holes in 

 trees. They call it " jungli khalao," or "wild rat." 



Black Rat [Muii rattus), Linne. — The common rat in Chitral in and 

 about buildings is this species. 



Persian House-Mouse {Mus bactrianus), Blyth. — The Persian mouse 

 is the species inhabiting the Fort at Drosh. I caught several, but no 

 other species. 



* Described in this Journal, Vol. XVIII, p. 882- 



