MAMMAL SURVEY OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON. 77o 



with in collecting at the commencement of the rainy season, 

 amongst which the following species call for notice. Tiger are 

 very seldom reported though plentiful in the Terai, and in the win- 

 ter actually ascend to Saudakphu 11,923 feet (March 1912) from the 

 wooded Sikkim side on a continuation north of the present frontier, 

 fieopard are occasionally obtained including the melanistic variety 

 which appears to be more a product of the hill regions than the plains. 

 The other smaller Felidce seldom come under observation unless it be 

 the Jungle and Leopard cats, Felis affinis and F. h&mjalensis 

 which are possibly more plentiful than usually supposed. The 

 Himalayan Monkey, generally shy and difficult of approach, takes the 

 opportunity along with small droves of wild pig whenever a chance 

 offers of varying its ordinary jungle diet by pilfering the edible 

 products of cultivation. Jackal are rarely obtrusive either by their 

 presence or in their habits. Single individuals are met with more 

 frequently than packs ; they also ascend to high altitudes in the cold 

 weather months Phalut, 11,811 feet (February 1912), Nepal-Sikkim 

 frontier. Serow, locally known as Thar, at this period descend from 

 higher ground though few are actually obtained. Barking Deer are 

 plentiful and several cases have come to my notice of the toll taken 

 of their young by Martens, Maries flavigula, which latter do a 

 considerable amount of damage amongst ground dwelling birds. 

 Black Bear, Ursus torquatus, occasionally wander from their lairs and 

 leave their accustomed haunts in the forest. Porcupine are frequent- 

 ly disturbed from their abode in dense undergrowth on the steep 

 and rocky ground. The habits of the Palm Civet more often than 

 not denotes its presence than its actual appearance. The Tree Shrew 

 (Twpaia) which occurs in the lower foot hills with a decided super- 

 ficial resemblance to the squirrel Tomeutes lolroides is absent 

 but the Mole is a common resident, though lower elevations seem 

 not suited to its requirements. The Himalayan . Weasel, Mustela 

 subhemachalana is to be found, and a Stoat* of higher altitudes 

 may possibly prove a new species to science. Hares manage to 

 retain their status in some numbers and at all events reach the 

 outer precincts of the cleared ground above 6,000 feet. Different 

 species of Squirrel are few. Small Bats commonly occur but so far 

 there is no reliable information of the appearance of Flying foxes. 

 1^'irst hand evidence of the presence of otters in the rapid water and 

 stony beds of the rivers is also lacking. 



The average rainfall taken over a period of seven years at the 

 bungalow elevation of 4,720 feet gives a measurement of 107-8 

 inches, most of which falls during the four months June to Septem- 

 ber. In comparison the ridge on which Kurseong stands the head 



* Kalapokri Camp, 10,000', Nepal Sikkim Frontier (March 1912). One was 

 1 nought in alive which unfortunately bit the youth and made its escape. 

 Blanford makes no mention of a Stoat in Bast Nepal- 



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