136 WANDERINGS OF A 



cabinet, there is no prospect that any great strides "wdll be 

 made in the discovery of laws which shall regulate the varieties 

 and geographical distribution of species. 



The Asiatic pigeon {Turtv/r Ivumiilis) is somewhat common 

 in the Punjaub. The gay Indian roller sported before us, now 

 perched on the stump of a decayed tree, anon pursuing 

 its corkscrew-like flight through the hazy atmosphere. This 

 roller is replaced in Eastern India by a very close ally (C 

 affinis). The palm-squirrel (Sciunos palmarum) is common 

 in every grove. A fox, differing in some respects from the 

 Bengal fox (in the lower parts, which are white in the latter, 

 being in this species black), was not uncommon in the ravines 

 and around the villages.* 



The pied wagtail (Motacilla luzoniensis) was plentiful at 

 this season. ' Perhaps, if more was known of the general dis- 

 tribution of this species and the pied wagtail of Western India 

 (M. dukhunensis), also the well-known European bird, the 

 slight differences in plumage would scarcely permit us to 

 separate them. 



March 24. — KuUer Kahar, 8 miles. We started early, 

 and performed the greater part of the march by moonlight, 

 and at day-break reached the side of a steep ravine overlook- 

 ing a beautiful valley, composed chiefly of reddish and gray 

 sandstones, cultivated in several places, and with a large lake 

 several miles in length occupying its centre. Flocks of wild 

 fowl covered the surface of the lake, and the pink and white 

 plumage of the flamingo added greatly to the beauty of 

 the landscape. 



The wandering pie {Beiidrocitta vagahmda) was observed. 

 I do not think I have ever seen more than two of these birds 



* This fox agrees with descriptions of Vulpes jmsillus, BIyth. — Jour. As. 

 Soc. Ben. 1854. 



