NOTES ON MAMMALS FOUND IN THE SIMLA DISTRICT. 737 



before I could shoot it. Its colour, according to notes, taken at the time, 

 was as follows : — 



Upper parts, dark reddish-brown, lower parts, deep yellow. Total length 

 about a foot-and-a-half, or a little less. 



In mj^ own mind I have no doubt that it was Blanford's No. 85. — M. cathia. 



20. MellivopvA indica, Kerr. — The Indian Ratel. 



(Blanford No. 89.) 

 This species is found in the neighbourhood of Kalka, but is rare. It does 

 not ascend the hills. 



21. LuTRA, Sp. — Otters, 



(Kangra and Kulu^" Udar.") 



Knowing that specimens of Otters were a great desideratum, I made an 

 exhaustive search last winter for them in some of the larger hill streams of 

 the outer hills here, but without success. Not a single animal was seen 

 anywhere. It is very possible that Otters occur in the upper portions of the 

 Sutlej River here, and the necessity of further observations are indicated. 



These animals are certainly found in the neighbouring district of Kangra, 

 and the following is General Osborn's account of them : — 



" There are two Otters found in Kangra : the first is the common Indian 

 Otter (i. nair), which occurs right up to the foot of the Himalayas, and in 

 the Sutlej and Bias Rivers ; but in the mountainous part of the district, it 

 is replaced by the Clawless Otter (i. Ze;;fora2/.r). * * * The Common 

 Otter, however, has been seen at Dharmsala " {^Kangra District Gazetteer, 

 1904, p. 13). 



22. Ursus isabellinxjs, Horsf. — The Brown Bear. 

 (Blanford No. 97.) 

 (Kangra=" Brahbro, " "Bhurlen"; Kulu--" Rattagai " ; Tibetan= 

 " Wampu "). 



The Brown Bear is found in the rugged and alpine tracts of the Bashahr 

 State, but is rare. Skins are occaaionally brought to Simla for sale. 



23. Ursus tibetanus, Ouv. — The Himalayan Black Bear. 

 (Blanford No. 98.) 



(Simla="Bhaloo " ; Simla Hill States=" Reech," "Banai"; Kangra= 

 '< Reech " ; Kulu=" Chilagai "). 



The Himalayan Black Bear is fairly common in all the large forests of 

 these hills. It is seldom found below 2,500 feet. 



Mr. Johnstone remarks : 



" This animal is tolerably common in the lesser ranges, and is most de- 

 structive to Indian corn, sugar-cane, wheat, honey and fruits. It is an 

 excellent tree climber, and gets over rocky ground as fast as any Goral 

 {N. goral). It frequently kills the goats belonging to the villagers, and 1 

 have known it to feed off the carcasses of cattle. It is exceedingly savage, 

 and does not hesitate to maul any one taking him unawares. It does not 

 maul to kill like the large cats. It sometimes charges if its path is 

 obstructed. The charge is made on all fours, and when close to its victim, 

 it rises and strikes either at the face or the head. " 



" Its sense of smell is very keen, but its sight is not good during the 

 day. " 



Order— INSECTIVORA. 



24. Pachyura, Sp. — Shrews. 



(Simla Hill States (outer ranges) = " Ohuchoongar ".) 



During the last two or three years I have captured at Simla, in traps, 



