1872.] F. Stoliczka — Mammals and Birds inhabiting Kaclih. 219 
cens and Buteoferox are to be seen almost everywhere ; many others are 
more local. 
Perhaps a better general idea of the character of the vertebrate fauna 
might be formed, when we inquire what the country is capable of support- 
ing all the year round, and at the same time exclude those animals, the 
existence of which mainly, or entirely, depends upon the presence of man 
and his habitations. 
Among the mammals we find the Rodents most prevalent , — Gerhillus 
erythrourus, Sciurus palmarum, Lepus rujlcaudus , — the first being by far the 
most common, and next come the Indian antelope and gazelle ; thus all 
vegetable feeders. 
If we exclude from the 160 species of birds, which I obtained, the so- 
called camp-followers, we find that about half the remainder are migratory, 
therefore merely winter visitors. And although some of the migratory birds 
may in a favourable hot season remain in the country, others which are gen- 
erally considered as permanent settlers often partially migrate to more suit- 
able localities in India. Among these I may mention for instance Ceryle, 
Pratincola, dorados, Ptionoprogne, Caprimulgus, Oitrinella. Therefore, in 
an ordinary summer season I certainly do not expect that more than about 
one hundred species of birds are to be met with in Kachh, really a very small 
number, when compared with what one is used to observe on a similarly 
large area in many other parts of India. 
Of Reptilia and Amphibia I have observed thirty species ; and, 
although this number is decidedly larger during the rains, not more than 
half a dozen of them are really of common occurrence. (Comp. Proc. A. S. 
B., May, 1872, p. 71). 
The fresh-water fishes, which I collected, belong, according to Dr. Day, 
to eighteen species ; there is only one Siluroid among them, most of the 
others belong to the Cyprinidce, and one is a Cfyprinodon, the fust species 
of the genus known in Indian fresh-waters. However small the number may 
appear to be, I almost doubt if it could be much increased ; for where 
rivers are almost unknown, and where half of the tanks are liable to disap- 
pear for several months during each year, and where besides such a number of 
skilful fishers* are eagerly employed during a time when the water is lowest, 
fish have not much chance to prosper. 
* About forty species of Qrallatores and Natatores. 
29 
