007203   Gupta H S (NO, Research and Evaluation Div, P.O. Doranda, Ranchi-834 002) : Attitudes towards wildlife conservation in Ranchi district. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(1), 105-6.

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007202   Gopi K C;Palot M J (Western Ghats Field Res Station, Zoological Survey of India, Kozhikode 673 002) : Record of Abudefduf sordidus (Forskal) (pomacentridae: pisces) from Kopttapuzha estuary, Kerla, with a note on the ecological attributes of the estuary. Zoos Print J 2003, 18(10), 1233-4.

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007201   Giri V B (NO, Bombay Natural History Society, Hornbill House, S.B. Singh Road, Opp. Lion Gate, Dr. Salim Ali Chowk, Mumbai-400 023) : Occurrence of the Ceylon frogmouth Batrachostomus moniliger (family podargidae) in Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary, Maharashtra. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(1), 116-17.

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007200   Gargi (NO, Bombay Natural History Society, 331, Rajendra Nagar, Bharatpur-321 001) : Interaction between siberian crane Grus leucogeranus and checkered keelback snake Xenochrophis piscator in Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(1), 114-15.

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007199   Deuti K;Dutta S (NO, Zoological Survey of India, M-Block, New Alipore, Kolkata-700 053) : First record of boulenger's tree frog Chirixalux vittatus (Anura:Rhacophoridae) from Mizoram, Northeast India. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(1), 126-7.

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007198   Choudhury A (NO, Rhino Foundation for Nature in NE India, C/o Assam Co. Ltd, Bamunimaidam, Guwahati-781 021) : Petaurista nobilis singhei - first record in India and a note on its taxonomy. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(1), 30-4.

The giant flying squirrel Petaurista nobilis singhei is known only from Bhutan. Recently, some skins were examined and live animals observed in the wild in Arunachal Pradesh in northeastern India. This is the first record for the subspecies singhei in India, and the first record for the species P. nobilis, in northeastern India. Habitat loss and hunting are the main problems faced by the animal. Protected areas having this species are the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary and Sessa Orchid Sanctuary, both in Arunachal Pradesh.

1 illus, 1 table, 8 ref

007197   Chandrasekhara S;Nameer P O (Central Bank of India, , Sakthikulangara, Kollam distt 691 581) : Short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) in Kerala, India. Zoos Print J 2003, 18(10), 1235.

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007196   Anil Kumar;Bhatt D (Zoology and Environmental Sciences Dep, Gurukul Kangri University, Haridwar-249 404) : Characteristics and significance of song in female oriental magpie-robin, Copsychus saularis. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(1), 54-8.

Singing behaviour of the female Oriental magpie-robin, Copsychus saularis was studied. The female sings occasionally for a short period in the presence of the male. The song consists of phrases made up of different elements. The minimum, maximum and range of frequencies were found to be 2.42±0.03, 5.03±0.08 and 2.61±0.02 kHz, respectively while the duration of the phrases were 1.38±0.02 sec, followed by an interval of 1.49±0.03 sec. It appears that the female magpie-robin's song helps to stimulate the male to sing.

1 illus, 1 table, 15 ref

007195   Aluri J S R;Rao S P (Environmental Sciences Dep, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam-530 003) : Psychophily and evolutionary considerations of Cadaba Fruticosa L. (Capparaceae). J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(1), 59-63.

Cadaba fruticosa is a perennial shrub, which flowers almost round the year. Floral characters, such as the opening of the flower during early hours of the day, green colour of the flower, a nectarial tube with good amount of nectar, and this tube along with the androgynophore and petals serving as landing place for the probing flower visitors, conform to psychophily. C. fruticosa breeds through geitonogamy and xenogamy only, and the pollination is effected exclusively by pierid butterflies, namely Colotis eucharis, C. danae and Anaphaeis aurota. This study concludes that Cadaba and Colotis have co-evolved and any disturbance in the habitat is bound to affect both.

5 tables, 23 ref

006254   Zafar-ul-Islam M;Rahmani A R;Satish Kumar (NO, Bombay Natural History Society, Hornbill House, Mumbai-400 023) : Tree pie (Dendrocitta vagabunda) in the arid Thar desert. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2001, 98(2), 281.

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006253   Yahya H S A;Zarri A A (Wildlife Sciences Dep, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202 002) : Status, ecology and behaviour of Narcondam hornbill (Aceros narcondami) in Narcondam island, Andaman and Nicobar islands, India. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(3), 434-45.

The Narcondam hornbill Aceros narcondami, endemic to Narcondam Island, is an interesting species from the ecological and evolutionary point of view, and is also a Red Data Book (RDB) species (King 1981). It has been declared endangered due to its restricted range (Stattersfield et al. 1998). The Island was recently declared an Important Bird Area (IBA) under the IBA programme launched by Birdlife International and the BNHS in India. Considering the isolation of this important species and scanty information on its ecology and biology, a short-term study was conducted in March 2000. Line transect method was adopted for population estimation. Observations were carried out to collect data on behavioural aspects like feeding, pre- and post-roosting behaviour, nesting, vocalization and interaction with other species. Circular Plot and PCQ method were used to estimate the tree density. Around 432 birds were estimated to be on the Island. Population density estimate using line transect was 72 birds/sq. km. Twenty active nests were recorded. Though the present population seems to be stable, the confinement of the hornbills on such a small island makes them vulnerable to intrinsic and extrinsic threats.

3 illus, 2 tables, 29 ref

006252   Yahya H S A (Wildlife Sciences Dep, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202 002) : Occurrence of Indian pangolin Manis crassicaudata in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2001, 98(2), 272.

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006251   Vyas R (NO, , 2-P-22, Vigyan Nagar, Kota-324 005) : Pale hedgehog Paraechinus micropus in southeast Rajasthan. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(3), 501.

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006250   Unnithan S;Unnithan G V K (NO, Bombay Natural History Society, Hornbill House, S.B. Singh Road, Mumbai-400 023) : Breeding colony of river Tern, Sterna aurantia, small pratincole Glareola lactea and red-wattled lapwing Vanellus indicus at Lonavla. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(3), 522-5.

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006249   Taher H;Ramakrishnan K C (NO, , 2-B Atlas Apartments, Road No. 10, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad-500 034) : Possible range extension of the peninsular Brooks's flycatcher (Muscicapa poliogenys Vernayi) in Andhra Pradesh. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2001, 98(2), 282.

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006248   Sumithramma N;Kumar A R V;Chandrashekara K; Rajagopal D (Entomology Dep, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore-560 065) : Plant selection for nesting by Oecophylla smaragdina, Hymenoptera:Formicidae: do physical features affect the choice of the plant. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(3), 408-12.

The weaver ant, Oecophylla smaragdina Fabricius is the only species of ant in the Old World to build nests on plants by tying leaves together with silk secreted by the larvae. Although the ant is widespread in its distribution in southern India, it was not found to nest uniformly across its range of distribution. One possible reason for such a variation could be the lack of suitable plants for nesting. Investigations, therefore, were made on the suitability of plants, on the basis of selected physical parameters, to check their influence on the choice of plants for nesting by O. smaragdina. A total of 498 plants belonging to 51 species were examined for the occurrence of nests of O. samragdina in and around the GKVK campus of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore. A total of 124 nests were located on 19.61% of the species of plants examined, indicating that the ants do not nest on all species of plants. Fourteen physical characters (of leaf or twig) measured either as qualitative or quantitative data, were not found to influence the nesting pattern of the weaver ant. Therefore, the observed variation in nesting pattern may be attributed to other non-physical factors of the plants. The chemistry of the plants or the microhabitat, i.e. the location of the plant, may influence the nesting pattern of O. smaragdina.

4 tables, 7 ref

006247   Subramanya S (NO, , PHT Scheme, `J' Block, University of Agricultural Sciences, G.K.V.K. Campus, Bangalore-560 065) : Cinereous vulture Aegypius monachus (Linn.), family accipitridae, in Karnataka. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2001, 98(2), 278.

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006246   Srinivasulu C;Vasudeva Rao V;Ravinder G; Nagulu V (Wildlife Biology Section, Zoology Dep, Osmania University, Hyderabad-500 007) : New site record of the Indian great black woodpecker Dryocopus javensis (Horsfield) from Andhra Pradesh. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2001, 98(2), 280-81.

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006245   Srinivasulu C (Wildlife Biology Section, Zoology Dep, Osmania University, Hyderabad-500 007) : Sight record of the little pied flycatcher Ficedula westermanni Sharpe in Andhra Pradesh. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(3), 534.

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006244   Soniya V P (NO, Zoological Survey of India, Fresh Water Biological Station, 1-1-300/B Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad-500 020) : Unusual nesting material in the nest of blue rock Pigeon Columba livia Gmelin. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(3), 527.

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006243   Sivaperuman C;Jayson E A (Wildlife Biology Div, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Thrissur-680 653) : Black-shouldered kite Elanus caeruleus vociferus (Latham) preying on wood sandpiper Tringa glareola Linnaeus. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(3), 518.

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006242   Sivaperuman C;Jayson E A (Wildlife Biology Div, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Thrissur-680 653) : Occurrence on northern shoveller Anas clypeata Linn. in Kole wetlands of Thrissur, Kerala. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(3), 517-18.

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006241   Shukla A (NO, L.I.C. of India, Jharsuguda Branch Office, PO/Dt. Jharsuguda-768 202) : Attempt by a cattle egret Bubulcus ibis coromandus to feed on an adult house shrew Suncus murinus (Linn.). J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(3), 517.

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006240   Shivaprakash A (NO, , 48, Hemavathi, RMP Colony, Kuvempunagar, Mysore-570 023) : Unusual behaviour of purple sunbird Nectarinia asiatica. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(3), 535.

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006239   Sharma S K;Sharma Y (NO, Phulwari Wildlife Sanctuary, Kotra-307 025, District Udaipur, Rajasthan) : Hemidactylus flaviviridis Ruppell feeding on a gecko egg. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2001, 98(2), 287-8.

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006238   Sharma S K (NO, Phulwari Wildlife Sanctuary, Kotra-307 025 District Udaipur, Rajasthan) : Range extension of southern blackheaded munia Lonchura malacca malacca. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2001, 98(2), 283.

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006237   Selim K;Vishwanath W (Life Sciences Dep, Manipur University, Canchipur-795 003) : New record of Cyprinid fish Labeo bata (Hamilton) from Chinwin drainage. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2001, 98(2), 292-3.

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006236   Selim K (NO, , Langol Housing Complex, Type III/E-I, Imphal-795 004) : Notes on Tylototriton verrucosus Anderson: a critically endangered newt from Manipur. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2001, 98(2), 291-2.

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006235   Santharam V (NO, Institute of Bird Studies & Natural History, Rishi Valley Education Ce, Rishi Valley, P.O. 517 352, Chitoor) : Fruit and nectar resources in a moist deciduous forest and their use by birds. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(3), 537-42.

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006234   Santharam V (NO, Institute of Bird Studies & Natural History, Rishi Valley Education Ce, Rishi Valley, P.O. 517 352, Chittoor) : Sight records of the sand martin Riparia riparia in southern India. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(3), 529-30.

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006233   Sangha H S;Naoroji R (NO, , Godrej Bhavan, 4-A, Home Street, Fort, Mumbai-400 001) : Blue-throated flycatcher Cyornis rubeculoides vigors in the Thar desert. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(3), 534-5.

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006232   Sangha H S;Naoroji R (NO, , B-27, Gautam Marg, Hanuman Nagar, Jaipur-302 021) : Oriental turtle-dove Streptopelia orientalis: a new species for the Thar desert. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(3), 528.

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006231   Sangha H S;Harsh Vardhan (NO, , B-27, Gautam Marg, Hanuman Nagar, Jaipur-302 021) : Ruddy turnstone Arenaria interpres Linn. at Phulera lake, Rajasthan. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(3), 525.

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006230   Robin V V;Davidar P (Salim Ali School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry-605 014) : Vertical stratification of birds in mixed species flocks at Parambikulam, South India: a comparison between two habitats. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(3), 389-99.

The vertical stratification of mixed species flocks of birds was compared between moist deciduous forest and teak plantation at Parambikulam, South India. The foraging height, number of species, number of individuals, foraging substrate, and foraging manoeuvre were noted using five minute scan samples. The mean foraging heights of all species of birds were significantly different between the two habitats. The forgaing height of drongos and minivets was higher in moist diciduous forest compared to teak plantations. There was also a shift by a few birds in the use of branches as a substrate in moist deciduous forest, to twigs in teak plantations, but no such trend was seen in the use of foraging manoeuvre. A long-term study is suggested for a deeper understanding of the behaviour of these flocks.

7 tables, 26 ref

006229   Ravindran P K (NO, , Vallissery, P.O. Avinissery, Thrissur-680 313) : Sighting of the whitetailed lapwing Vanellus leucurus (Lichtenstein) in Thrissur district, Kerala. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2001, 98(2), 280.

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006228   Ramachandran K K;Joseph G K (Wildlife Biology Div, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Kerala-680 653) : Distribution and demography of diurnal primates in Silent Valley National Park and adjacent areas, Kerala, India. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2001, 98(2), 191-6.

Distribution and demography of all diurnal primates were studied in Silent Valley National Park and adjacent areas for a period of three years from 1993 to 1996. Fourteen troops of lion-tailed macaque, eighty-five troops of Nilgiri langur, fifteen troops of bonnet macaque and seven troops of Hanuman langur were observed. Of these, the Nilgiri langur was randomly distributed, whereas the lion-tailed macaque troops were confined to the southern sector of the Park. Bonnet macaques and Hanuman langurs were occasional visitors, especially during summer and northeast monsoon in the southwestern fringes of the National Park. Demographical studies revealed that the Silent Valley forest remains one of the most undisturbed viable habitats left for the endemic and endangered primates of the Western Ghats like the lion-tailed macaque and Nilgiri langur.

2 tables, 23 ref

006227   Raha B;Gudsoorkar S R (NO, , 13, Hemant Vihar, Vir Sarvarkar Nagar, Off. Gangapur Road, Nasik-422 005) : Sightings of ortolan bunting Emberiza hortulana at the grassland around Gangapur, Nasik. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(3), 536.

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006226   Raha B (NO, , 13, Hemant Vihar, Vir Sarvarkar Nagar, Off Gangapur Road, Nashik-422 005) : Grey heron Ardea cinerea scavenging on cattle carcass. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(3), 516.

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006225   Raha B (NO, , Hemant Vihar, Plot No. 13, Vr. Savarkar Bagar, Off Gangapur Road, Nashik-422 005) : Occurrence of lesser florican Sypheotides indica at Hosor, in Nasik district, Maharashtra. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2001, 98(2), 279.

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006224   Radhakrishna S;Mewa Singh (Psychology Dep, University of Mysore, Mysore) : Activity schedule and habitat use of the slender loris Loris tardigradus lydekkerianus. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(3), 400-7.

The behavioural ecology of the nocturnal prosimian Loris tardigradus lydekkerianus in its natural habitat was studied for a period of 21 months. Twenty-eight identified study individuals belonging to different age-sex categories were observed for 2364 hours. Data collected on the general activity schedule of the species showed changes in response to the phases of the moon, and seasonal variations. Insects made up the greater portion of the diet of the slender loris, with fruits and gun being included to a small extent. Intersexual differences were seen in the height of trees used by the animals and heights at which the animals preferred to stay in the trees.

2 tables, 35 ref

006223   Pradhan S;Saha G K;Khan J A (Zoology Dep, Darjeeling Government College, Darjeeling-734 101) : Food habits of the red panda, Ailurus fulgens in the Singhalila National Park, Darjeeling, India. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2001, 98(2), 224-30.

Food habits of the red panda in the Singhalila National Park (SNP) were investigated at three sites from 1994 to 1996, by examining 1,250 droppings or faeces. Red panda was found to consume two species of bamboo, Arundinaria maling and A. aristata, which dominated the understorey of SNP, along with seasonal supplements of some fruits and shoots of the above mentioned bamboo species. However, the composition of the diet differed between the sites. The difference in their dietary composition in relation to the overall ecology of the red panda in the SNP needs further investigation.

1 illus, 3 tables, 13 ref

006222   Pati B P (Wildlife Div, , Sasan, Gir-362 135, Gujarat) : Homosexuality in asiatic lion: a case study from Gir National Park and sanctuary. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2001, 98(2), 266.

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006221   Patel P (NO, , Avi Arcade, Opp. Doctor House, Halar Road, Valsad-396 001) : Possible new record of Sturnus malabaricus blythii in Valsad district, Gujarat. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(3), 531.

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006220   Parasharya B M;Varu S N;Borad C K (NO, AINP on Agric Ornithology, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand-388 110) : Sturnus malabaricus blythii Gujarat state. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(3), 531-2.

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006219   Palot M J;Soniya V P (NO, Freshwater Biological Station, Zoological Survey of India, 1-1-300/B Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad-500 020) : House crow Corvus splendens Vieillot feeding on midges. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(3), 533.

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006218   Padmanabhan P;Kunhikrishnan E;Augustine J (Evolution and Organismal Biology Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, PO, Bangalore-560 064) : Report on the food plants of Salim Ali's fruit bat Latidens salimalii. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2001, 98(2), 268-70.

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006217   Neginhal S G (NO, , 643, 9th Main, 2nd Cross, III Stage, III Block, Basaveshwaranagar-560 079) : Albino gaur at the Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(3), 512.

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006216   Negi H R (Biodiversity Div, Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (Council of Scientific &, Post Box No. 6, Palampur-176 061) : Abundance and diversity of moss communities of Chopta-Tunganath in the Garhwal Himalaya. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(3), 418-33.

A total of 8,155 colonies of moss from 12 plots of 50 m x 10 m, from four vegetation (macrohabitat) types along gradients of disturbance and elevation (1,400-3,700 m) in the Chopta-Tunganath landscape of the Garhwal Himalaya, yielded 34 families with 87 genera and 177 species. Thuidium cymbifolium, Entodon rubicundus, and Racomitrium subsecundum were wide-niche species, occupying all the three major substrates (microhabitats), namely rock, soil and wood, whereas Tetraplodon mnioides and Timmia megapolitana were rare, encountered only once during the survey. Macrohabitats and microhabitats were compared with respect to alpha- and beta-diversity of the moss flora. Amongst the macrohabitats, the high altitude (2,900-3,200 m) Rhododendron forest had the richest moss communities followed by the middle altitude (2,500-2,800 m) Quercus forest. Amongst the microhabitats, soil was richer than wood and rock substrates. Species, genus and family level, alpha- as well as beta-diversities were significantly correlated with each other, implying that the higher taxonomic ranks such as genera may be used as surrogates of species for effective periodic monitoring and assessment of moss biodiversity. While unregulated human activities such as excessive fuel wood collection, tourism and fire may adversely affect the diversity of moss, seasonally regulated livestock grazing seems to have no marked impact.

7 illus, 2 tables, 22 ref

006215   Naik S N (NO, Naik Hospital, 781/782, Shukrawar Peth, Laxmi Chhaya, Opp. Jain Mandir, Pune-411 002) : Blue rock pigeons foraging on tamarind leaves. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2002, 99(3), 527.

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006214   Mukherjee S;Mishra C (NO, Wildlife Institute of India, P.O. Box 18, Dehra Dun-248 001) : Predation by leopard Panthera pardus in Majhatal Harsang Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Himalaya. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2001, 98(2), 267-8.

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