Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 2 (1878).djvu/483

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The title of this book, although conveying an accurate idea of the nature of its contents, does not sufficiently indicate its scope. After the word "Travel," the author should have added "in Bengal," or, to be still more precise, "in Monghyr," a district of Bengal embracing some 4000 square miles, and divided into two nearly equal portions by the Ganges. In this district Mr. Lock- wood was for many years resident magistrate, and having a taste for Natural History he devoted much of his leisure time to the fauna and flora around him. The country explored by him is in some respects a remarkable one ; the northern part consisting of a vast plain of rich alluvial soil, the southern portion being covered with extensive rice-beds and forests. As might be sup- posed, the wild animals which haunt the one are very different to those which frequent the other ; and the same may be said of the vegetation with which the country north and south of the Ganges is clothed. In the country to the south are found Bears, Tigers, Baboons, squirrel-like Tupaias, or Tree Shrews, Peacocks, Jungle- fowl, and Grey Partridges. These do not occur in the northern part of this district, which according to Mr. Lockwood must be a very paradise for the wildfowl shooter. On one lake near Sakar- poor he computes that he saw no less than — Wild Geese, 5,000 Red-crested Pochard, 20,000 ; Pin-tailed Duck, 20,000 ; Pochard 50,000; Teal, 20,000; Garganey, 20,000; Gadwall, 10,000 Shoveller and Ferruginous Duck, 10,000; Glossy Ibis, 10,000 Red-crowned Ibis, 1,000; Black-headed Ibis, 100 ; Curlew, 100 Purple Heron, 100; Common Heron, 200; Egrets, 10,000; Purple Coot, 2,000 ; Jacana, 5,000 ; Bald-headed Coot, 50,000 ; Godwit, 50,000; Stilt Plover, 5,000; Cormorant, 10,000; Indian Snake- bird (Plotus), 5,000; Crested Grebe, 100; Dabchick, 200; Osprey, 20; White-tailed Eagle, 20 ; Kite, 100; other birds of prey, 20.

The time most interesting to the naturalist on this lake is said to be at sunset, when the birds come in from all the country round to roost on the marsh myrtles. The air is then alive with birds. The different species are noticed in turn by the author, who gives