R. R. H. THE PRINCE OF WALES’ SHOOTING IN INDIA. 1101 
a considerable expert on such matters and who has given much practical study 
to the natural history of the country round Bhopal, told me snakes are not 
particularly abundant and scorpions are always very local in their habitat. 
Speaking generally as regards the natural history of these regions there is pro- 
bably httle to be done, in bird identification, but much in other respects such as 
nidification, migration, local prevalence, etc. On the other hand, entomology 
certainly, and probably the study of snakes and other reptiles, would repay 
observers. Something, but not very much, has been done here by the Society’s 
Mammal Survey of India. 
Flora. — The jungles round Bhopal consist mainly of deciduous trees contain- 
ing a large number of flowering trees and shrubs. Unluckily February was too 
early for the “ flame of the forest,” the “ kakra ” {Butea frondosa) whose fiery 
glare fights up the country side in March. At this season only the brown green 
buds were to be seen. The “ ganiar ” also ( Cochlospernum gossypium) was not 
yet bearing its brilliant yellow flowers. The “ teak” (Tectona grandis), here but a 
stunted variety, stood out conspicuously with its huge leaves. These latter some- 
times obstruct the sportsman’s view, when shooting, and often rouse his ire by their 
incessant crackling. The white-stemmed and delicately leaved “dhaora’’ {Anogeis^ 
.SM5 latifolia), often used to bear machans on its strong boughs ; the “ mahua ” 
(Bassia latifolia),- whence the country liquor now taboo under prohibition in 
Bhopal comes, was just commencing to bear flowers ; along the banks of 
streams the “ kabua ” (Terminalia arjuna) which produces a good tannin, was 
conspicuous for its winged fruit. Other trees were the Nim (Azadirachta indica) ; 
Indian Ebony (Diospyros tomentosa) with its dark black stem ; clinging to cliffs 
in the most precipitous places stood out the “ ghost tree” {Stfivculia urens) 
lifting its weird pinky white arms to the sky ; the aerial rooted banian tree 
{Ficus indica) (so called from a well known specimen at Gombroon under 
which “ Bamas ” sat awaiting orders from the factory) ; the Pipal (Ficus 
religiosa) whose leaves the gods delight to inhabit thus making it sacred 
to Hindus ; the tall spiky-stemmed Silk-cotton tree, the “ Semel ” (Bombax 
malaharicum) just commencing to glow with scarlet blossoms ; the leafless “salai” 
(Boswellia serrata) with its peeling bark and gum-oozing trunk ; the “ Amaltas 
or “ Indian Ijaburnum ” ( Cassia fistula) at this season without its lovely 
cascades of yellow flowers ; the shady Tamarind ( T. indica) ; the Mango, then 
covered with its scented flowers ; Acacias of many kinds amongst which the 
brilliant green of the Babul (Acacia arabica) outshines all ; the Caronda (Carissa 
carandas) with its small sweet-smelling blossom. Among smaller trees and 
shrubs, the Parhmsonia, with its yellow sho'wy flowers, the curious “ Madar,” 
the Calotropis with its artificial looking white and purple blossom and poisonous 
milky juice used at times to remove undesired female offspring, and the palm 
tree familiar wherever there is water. All these and many others less con- 
spicuous were met nith a hundred times in traversing the forests from shoot to 
shoot. Colonel Luard. whose knowledge on botany is considerable, was most 
assiduous in pointing the different trees and shrubs out to us. 
BABODA. 
The only sport which the limited time of H. II. H.’s visit to Baroda 
permitted was a cheetah hunt. This was arranged at His Highness’ preserve at 
Sunderpura on the morning of the second day. Their Highnesses and staff, and 
the Resident moved out with the carts and quickly came up to a large herd of 
buck. One cart was sent on with a cheetah on it and was about to be loosed 
at a buck, Avhen a crowd of men in white suits with note books, sketch books, 
cameras and hand cinemas, lept up from under every bush and charged the 
herd. It stampeded and frightened every buck for miles. For over two hours 
attempts to find more buck were made and at last a few were found. His 
