MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 387 



Platypledurua madurensis.—A single specimen taken on the Cardamom Hills 

 at about three thousand feet elevation, 



AhlaheR calamaria, — Also a single specimen taken on the Ivanan Devan 

 Hills at five thousand feet elevation. 



Tropidonotus monticola. — Found at Vembayam in the low country ten miles 

 from Trevandrum, also at Pirmerd at three thousand feet elevation, 



Chersydrus granulatus. — Taken at sea by the fishermen at Trevandrum, 



DryopTiis pulvenolentus.- A single specimen taken by Mr, 0. H, Bensley at 

 Pathanapuram in the low country. 



Callophis bibronnii. — A single specimen taken two miles from Shencottah 

 at the foot of the eastern side of the hills. 



HydropMs spiralis. — Taken by the fishermen at Trevandrum. 



Distira jV^owj,— Taken by the fishermen at Trevandrum. 



H. S. FERGUSON, F.L.S. 

 Trevandrum, 2'ith January, 1902, 



No, X.— SAND GROUSE IN NORTHERN GUJA.RAT. 



Some time ago I wrote you a short note regarding the abundance of 

 sandgrouse, both the common {Fterochirus exustus) and painted (Pterocles 

 fasciatus). Several sportsmen and others, who have known this locality for 

 soma ciaae, fully agree with me as to the fact that the numbers of these birds, 

 but specially of P. exusfns, have increased largely during the past two or 

 three years. 



On thinking over the matter I have come to the following c.mclusion 

 regarding their increase. Both the abovenamed species breed more or less 

 all the year round, except, perhaps, for a month or so during the rains. That 

 their numbers are kept down in ordinary years is no doubt due to their 

 enemies, vis., jackals, foxes, and birds of prey, which must account for vast 

 numbers of eggs and young. During the famine of 1899-1900, the foxes and 

 jackals almost disappeared from tbis portion of the country, a considerable 

 number being doubtless killed or eaten by Wagaris and other aboriginal 

 tribes. The usual seasonal visitants among the birds were almost entirely 

 absent, many of the permanent residents partly disappeared, and consequently 

 the birds of prey went elsewhere. 



The removal of their natural enemies has thus, I think, directly led to the 

 increase of sandgrouse. I notice that the kangaroo rats (Gerhilhis hurrianap), 

 and to some extent hares, which have the same natural enemies, have 

 increased considerably. As regards the sandgrouse, as I am about to leave 

 Deesa, I shall not be able to observe whether their numbers are reduced 

 during the next few years, but I notice that in the last six months foxes and 

 jackals have increased considerably, although birds of prey are not as 

 numerous as usual, owing to the partial famine from which the country 

 is at present suffering, and I shall not be at all surprised to hear that a few 

 naore years have reduced the samlgrouse to the normal number. 



