1901.] A. H. McMahon— ifo^es on Fauna of Chitral 5 



The general characteristics seem to be those of Macacus rhesus, but 

 all the specimens I have seen have, instead of a tapering tail, a tail of 

 about 8 inches in length coming to an abrupt end as if it had been cat 

 off like a fox terrier's. I am endeavouring to obtain a specimen to 

 send down to the Indian Museum, Calcutta, for identification. 



The existence of monkeys in Chitral, and also as will be noted else- 

 where in Dir and Swat, is remarkable, as I do not know of their ever 

 having been reported so far west. 



Wolves, jackals, hyaenas, lynxes, pig and foxes are to be found in 

 Chitral as in Gilgifc. As regards smaller mammals, I have been unable 

 to make personal observations. 



Reptilia and Batrachia. — As regards these I regret having been 

 unable to make observations. As in Gilgit, these families are but 

 sparsely represented. Snakes are few, and the only specimen I have 

 been myself able to obtain was one of Zamenis ventrimaculatus. 



Birds. — Owing to its larger extent of wooded tracts, birds, especially 

 of the smaller kind.«, appear even more plentiful in the winter months 

 in Chitral than in Gilgit. I have been unable to study tliem, and will 

 content myself with a brief note of such kinds as have come to my 

 notice. 



Tetraogallus himalayensis. — The Himalayan snow-cock known as the 

 Ram Chickor is very plentiful on the higher slopes of all the Chitral 

 valleys, as is the case also in Gilgit. 



Chickor. — Gaccabis chucar is also very common in the lower valleys. 

 Hawking these birds with various kinds of hawks is the principal form 

 of sport indulged in by Chitralis. 



Note. — I have nev^er heard of either the grey or black partridge, 

 Francolinus pondicerianus or vulgaris^ being found anywhere in Chitral. 



Pheasants. — The Rohtas pheasant exists in the nullahs below Drosh, 

 but I am unable to say whether it is the ordinary Pucrasia macrolopha 

 or the species u^med. Pucrasia cnstanea which "is only known" {vide 

 Blanford's Fauna of India Birds, vol. iv.) "by two skins said to have 

 " come from Kafiristan. In these the neck all round, upper back, breast, 

 " and flanks are chestnut, and the middle of the abdomen black." I am 

 endeavouring to obtain specimens, in order to elucidate this point. The 

 Monal pheasant, Lophophoriis refiilgens, is plentiful in the wooded valleys 

 of low^er Chitral. 



No Kalij pheasants have as yet been met with in Chitral. 



Jungle Fowl. — Capt. Gurdon informs me that he has often heard 

 what he thinks must be jungle-fowl in the lower Chitral valleys. He 

 says they crow just like a domestic cock. Unfortunately he has never 

 obtained any specimens. 



