340 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XII. 
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every likely and unlikely spot in the river Banas, although the latter is in 
most places only a few yards wide and a few inches deep. Demoiselle Crane, 
too, appeared in large flocks in October, flying up and down the river seek- 
ing food, but after about a month they disappeared, and I have not seen 
them since. 
The non-migratory birds must have had a very poor time, and it appears 
marvellous that thousands of them have not perished of hunger, The 
struggle for existence during such a year as the present one must be terrible, 
and I often wonder how some species find any food at all. Except in Canton- 
ments, and along the bed of the river, where there isa little cultivation, 
thereis scarcely a green leaf ora blade of grass or corn for miles, and 
yet every morning shortly after sunrise, and every evening about sunset, 
enormous flocks of the common Rose-ringed Paroquet may be seen, lesving 
or returning to the trees where they pass the night. Where do they all 
obtain food? There are no wild fruits, and the little grain that is 
being cultivated with the help of irrigation is carefully watched and 
guarded. 
Among the Reptiles, I need hardly say that the common “ Mugger” 
(Crocodilus palustris) is fairly abundant. Ofthe Chelonia I have only come 
across J'estudo elegans, which is very numerous during the rains in the grass 
bhirs. The commonest house Gecko appears to be Hemidactylus leschenaulti, 
On one occasion I saw one make a dash at a feather, which was blowing 
along the floor, mistaking it foran insect, Another time I was setting 
insects, and I accidentally dropped one on to the floor ; before I could pick 
it up it was swallowed by a gecko, I then purposely dropped a small bee, 
with a short entomological pin through its thorax, This was also swallowed 
and the gecko seemed much astonished at the pin, and made several 
unsuccessful attempts to get rid of the insect. He probably had severe 
indigestion for some time afterwards. 
Among the Lizards, a species of Varanus is common, The lowest caste 
natives eat its flesh, and make drumheads of its skin. The so-called 
‘¢ Blood-sucker,” (Calotes versicolor), is extremely common, but I have 
scarcely ever seen one in the cold weather. I presume they hybernate in 
holes in the ground. The commonest Lizards are Sitana pondiceriane and 
Charasia ornata; the latter may generally be seen sitting cutside its holes. 
in the evenings during the hot weather. 
Snakes are fairly numerous ; the Cobra swarms in the grass bhirs in the 
rains. The Russell’s Viper is common, and also Echis carinata, One of the 
most abundant snakes here is Dipsas trigonata, which, as Boulenger says, 
bears an extraordinary superficial resemblance to Echis carinata, I have 
frequently seen Dipsas trigonata curled up on the top of cactus hedges.. 
The elegant Psammophis leith is also common, as are two, if not three, 
species of Zamenis. The plebeiar-looking Eryx johnii occurs, and I obtained 
