1877.] V. Ball — Ilammals occurring in the Mdhanadi Basin. 1G9 



no external sign of injury. On several occasions during the past season 

 (1876-7) I have met with these small animals. They seemed to be most 

 abundant in a large Sal forest on the northern boundary of Jaipur (Vizaga- 

 patam District). In Karial (Raipur District) as in Sambalpur, I found one 

 dead early one morning last April. It had several wounds on its body which 

 were, I think, most probably, the result of an encounter with an owl or 

 other raptor. The testes were largely developed — possibly it may have been 

 killed by another male. The measurements of this specimen were 

 $ Length of body Q>"6 ; tail 1'"6 = U\ 



Felis JrBATA, Schre. 



The sole evidence that I have of the occurrence of the hunting leopard 

 is the fact that I saw a skin of one which was brought to the Sambalpur 

 treasury for the Government reward. Unfortunately at the time I saw it 

 it was not possible to trace the history of this skin, but it was in so good a 

 condition that it did not seem probable to me that it had been brought by 

 a native traveller from a long distance. 



I may add that on one occasion in Eairakhol I got a brief glance at a 

 leopard in the jungle which, from its light colour and erect carriage, I 

 thought might possibly belong to this species. 



Quite recently I have received information from Mr. F. C. Berry, 

 C. S., of a melanoid specimen of F. pardus {F. Melas, Perron), having been 

 shot in Sambalpur. 



Pteeomts Oeal, Tickell, P. JPetaurista, Pallas apud Jerdon. 



Although the brown Flying Squirrel is known to occur in the forests 

 of Chota Nagpur and the Central Provinces I have, on account of its noc- 

 turnal habits, only once actually seen it. The occasion was one evening 

 last April when after sunset I saw what I took to be the ordinary large red 

 squirrel laboriously clambering up to the topmost branches of a large tree. 

 Calling for my gun it was put into my hands just as the true nature of the 

 animal was declared by its soaring off towards some bushes. On my shoot- 

 ing it the people expressed much astonishment and the Raja of Karial, near 

 whose house I shot it, declared he had never heard of such a ' bird' before. 



Karial adjoins Bastar where this species was observed by Dr. Jerdon. 

 Mr. Blanford, I believe, obtained it near the Godavari and recently I have 

 heard of its having been shot on Parisnath Hill. 



The colours of the Karial specimen when quite fresh were as follow^s : — 

 I give them as there appears to be some difference of opinion as to the true 

 coloration. 



$ Ahovc. Tlie hairs black, tipped with grey giving a general hoary 

 appearance. Feet and prolonged toe which supports the parachute— black. 



