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Show 710 MR. R. B. SHARPE ON BIRDS FROM MOMBAS. [Nov. 4, their stomachs, perhaps swallowed whilst seizing their prey ; but against such a theory is the fact that the same substances are found inside the true fish-eating Crocodile (Gavialis gangeticus, G m . ), which frequents the Indus, Jumna, Ganges, Brahmaputra, Maha-nuddi, and their affluents, and captures its prey whilst swimming. Besides stones, portions of crabs and water-beetles (Dytiscus) were found in every one. Many had the abdominal scales of snakes ; and in one was the decomposed body of an entire otter, in another a water-rat, and in a third some of the roots of the mangrove-bush. Elsewhere tortoises and turtles are preyed upon by them. Mr. Thomas had some otters (Lutra nair) of various sizes, which he had raised from babyhood in order to ascertain what their usual food is. When very young each consumed about one hundred frogs (Rana cyanophlyctis, Schn.) daily. But in April when I saw them, and they were about two-thirds grown, these small frogs were more difficult to procure, and they were having six to eight large bull-frogs (Rana tigrina, Daud.) daily. This king amongst the frogs does not hesitate in eating those of the smaller species. The otters, irrespective of the food found them, hunted about the garden for whatever they could find. They evidently looked very suspiciously at the poultry, and when older would, I suspect, help themselves to their feathered companions. One day we placed a live rat in a room and brought the otters; but although they ran up to it, they did not attempt to do it any injury. Some of these otters were brought up from their earliest days on rice and vegetables, others on animal food ; but the dispositions of all appeared to be the same. If they were interfered with in the slightest degree they at once rushed at the person whose interference they objected to. Blows had to be severe to keep them in order, but by degrees they seemed to acquire a wholesome dread of a thick stick. These otters, then, are not wholly disadvantageous to fisheries in India, as one of the greatest enemies to the ova is to be found in the frogs, and these they devour, to a great extent at least, when in confinement. In places where fish are very scarce, as on the Neilgherries, frogs, snails, and such like food appear to form their usual diet. 7. O n a Collection of Birds from M o m b a s in Eastern Africa. By R. B O W D L E R SHARPE, F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c, Senior Assistant, Zoological Department, British Museum. [Received September 9, 1873.] (Plate LVIII.) For the opportunity of examining this collection I am again indebted to my friend Mr. Ward, of Halifax, to whom once more I |
