52 WANDERINGS OF A 



ranges the desert with his telescope until an individual is 

 discovered. 



This is by no means easily accomplished, in consequence 

 of the plumage assimilating with the colour of the sand. He 

 then commences to describe circles round the bird, gradually 

 diminishing their circumference ulitil he gets within shot, 

 when he dismounts, using the saddle as a rest for his gun or 

 rifle. The Houbara leaves Scinde at the beginning of the hot 

 months, possibly for Persia, where it is said to be found at all 

 seasons. 



The bastard floriken (CEdicnemus crepitans) is very common 

 on the banks of the river. It is tame and easily shot, conse- 

 quently little sought after by sportsmen. 



The gavial or Indian alligator {Gavialis gangeticus) abounds 

 in all the great rivers of Northern India. It is found in the 

 Indus, from its delta northwards to near Attock, and up the 

 Punjaub rivers for a considerable distance, where it is most 

 abundant. This may be owing to the constant traffic from 

 Mooltan downwards driving them to seek the parts seldom 

 frequented by steamers. 



This species is easily distinguished from any of its con- 

 geners by its spoonbill-like snout. Its eyes are prominent, 

 throat white, body long and tapering. The gavial delights 

 to bask on the sandbanks and slimy inlets, lying on its belly, 

 the snout at an obtuse angle with the neck. Ten or twenty 

 may be frequently seen together, and as the steamer approaches 

 they glide quietly one by one into their muddy bed. The 

 larger are generally from 12 to 15 feet in length, but occa- 

 sional individuals may be seen of far greater size. On shore 

 the old are very tardy in their movements, but the young run 

 nimbly along the sands. I have seen a gavial raise its head 



