1901.] A. H. McMahon — Notes on Fauna of Bit and Swat. 11 



GongylopJiis conicus. — I obtained several specimens of this curious 

 snake. 



Contia angnstice^is. — This snake deserves some remark. I obtained 

 eleven specimens of it at Malakand and was nnable to identify it. Major 

 Alcock, Superintendent, Indian Museum, Calcutta, to whom I sent speci- 

 mens, was also unable to identify it with any known species, and it was 

 sent to the British Natural History Museum, where Mr. Boulenger has 

 identified it as tlie above, i.e., Gontia angnsticeps, of which only ono 

 specimen appears to have been previously found. 



Ophidia. — Continued. 



Oligodon stihgriseiis. — One specimen. 



Typhlops hramimis. — Two specimens, which I sent alive to the 

 Indian Museum, Calcutta. 



Glaiiconid blanfordii.—l obtained one specimen, which I sent alive 

 to the Indian Museum, Calcutta. It unfortunately escaped before being 

 definitely identified. Major Alcock says he thinks it was the above 

 species. 



Lacertilia. — Notwithstanding the number of Lizards in the coun- 

 try, I regret having been unable to devote attention to them. The 

 only specimens examined by me, have been as follows ; — 



Varanus flavescens. — This is very common and attains a length of 

 about 3 feet. 



Varanus hengalensis. — Common. 



Gymnodactylus scaler. One specimen identified as above by Major 

 Alcock. 



Calotes versicolor, 



Euhlepharis macularius. — One specimen identified by Major Alcock. 

 The colouring of this specimen in life deserves notice. The transverse 

 bands were jet black and bright yellow with a faint subshade of pink. 



Birds. — The Dir and Swat countries are rich in varied and 

 numerous kinds of birds, both visitors and permanent residents. A 

 careful study of them would doubtless prove of great interest. Among 

 the few specimens examined by me are the following. 



Ballus aqnaticus Q . — Water Rail. Diifers from the type given in 

 Fauna of India (Birds, Vol. IV), in having the ashy-grey of the breast 

 slightly (though very slightly) washed with brown. Its length is 12 

 inches, instead of 11 inches as in the type. 



Otis tetrax. — Little Bustard. Two specimens obtained in winter 

 between Malakand and Mardan. 



Gygnus olor. — Mute Swan. One live but wounded specimen brought 

 in March, 1900, by a man who said he had shot it with three others at 

 the mouth of the Swat river at Abazai. 



