Ralph Camroux Morris

Colonel Ralph Camroux Morris (1894-1977) was a British Army officer and hunter-naturalist who was born in India. His father was a Scottish planter, Randolph Camroux Morris^[1] who was the first to introduce coffee in the Biligirirangans.

After retiring from the army he returned to his coffee estate Attikan in the highest peak of the Biligirirangan hills, Honnametti, near Mysore in southern India. He and his father documented the wildlife of the region in the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society. His estate was visited by numerous people including the ornithologist Salim Ali as well as the Maharaja of Mysore. His father-in-law, Angus Kinloch, of Kotagiri in the Nilgiris was also a keen naturalist and an expert on snakes. His father Randolph Morris was gored by a Gaur (Indian Bison) and died of complications due to the injury. A stone shrine marks the spot where the Gaur attacked him on the slopes of Attikan and is locally known as Kati Basava.^[2]

The secretary of the Bombay Natural History Society note in volume 51 of the journal:

At the request of the Kashmir Government, who desired expert advice for rehabilitation of their badly depleted wild life Messrs. Salim Ali and R. C. Morris visited Kashmir as the Society's representative in October 1952. They surveyed the various game sanctuaries and submitted a report recommending suitable measures which it is hoped are being duly implemented by the authorities. He was a member of the first sittings of the Indian Board of Wildlife.

Writings

Note that some of the papers may be by Randolph C. Morris

• Morris, R.C. (1922): Panthers and artificial light. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 28(3): 789.
• Morris, R. C. (1924): Indian wild dogs attacking a bear. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 30(1): 218-219.
• Morris, R. C. (1925): Wild dogs and jungle tragedies. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 30(3): 691-693.
• Morris, Ralph C. (1925): “Wild animals of Central India”. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 30(3): 694-696.
• Morris, Ralph C. (1926): Record of a death from the bite of a hamadryad or king cobra (Naia hanna). J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 31(1): 226.
• Morris, R.C. (1926): A wonderful sight. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 31(2): 513-514.
• Morris, Randolph C. (1926): An elephant shoot on the Baragur Hills (Coimbatore District). J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 31(3): 720-725.
• Morris, Ralph C. (1927): The sense of smell in Indian Felidae. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 33(3): 695.
• Morris, Ralph C. (1929): Are there more than one species of panther in India? J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 33(3): 697-698.
• Morris, R.C. (1929): Proportion of the sexes in tigers. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 33(4): 972.
• Morris, R.C. (1929): Wounded panther returning to `kill’. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 33(4): 977-978.
• Morris, R.C. (1930): Encounters with elephants on the Biligirirangana Hills. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 34(1): 237-242.
• Morris, R.C. (1930): Elephant tusk wedged in a tree. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 34(1): 242.
• Morris, R.C. (1930): Partial disappearance of the wild pig (Sus cristatus). J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 34(1): 245-246.
• Morris, R.C. (1930): An experience with a tigress. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 34(2): 556-557.
• Morris, R.C. (1930): Tigers eating their young. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 34(2): 557.
• Morris, R.C. (1930): Hyaenas killing cattle tied up as bait. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 34(2): 561.
• Morris, R.C. (1930): Panther climbing up to a machan. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 34(3): 797.
• Morris, R.C. (1930): Sounds made by porcupines. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 34(3): 799-800.
• Morris, R.C. (1930): Observations on the Indian Elephant. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 34(3): 800-801.
• Morris, R.C. (1930): On distinguishing between males and females and other controversial matters pertaining to the gaur (Bibos gaurus). J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 34(3): 801-802.
• Editors. (1930): Comments. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 34(3): 802.
• Morris, R.C. (1930): Heart shot in game. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 34(3): 804-805.
• Editors. (1930): Comments. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 34(3): 805-806.
• Morris, R.C. (1931): The Indian wild dog (Cuon dukhunensis). J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 34(4): 1054-1055.
• Editors. (1930): Comments. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 34(4): 1055.
• Morris, R.C. (1932):Use of artificial light in panther shooting. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 35(4): 887-888.
• Morris, R.C. (1932): Vitality of bison mauled by a tiger. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 35(4): 888-889.
• Morris, R.C. (1932): Unerupted tusks of elephants . J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 35(4): 889-891.
• Morris, R.C. (1932): Game preserves and flashlight photography. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 35(4): 891.
• Morris, R.C. (1932): Panther feeding on tiger `kills’. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 36(3): 742.
• Morris, R.C. (1933): Wild dogs killing a panther. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 36(3): 744.
• Morris, R.C. (1933): Wild dogs driving a panther from its `kill’. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 36(3): 744-745.
• Editors. (1930): Comments. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 36(3): 745-746.
• Morris, R.C. (19 33): A newly born bison calf. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 36(3): 746.
• Morris, R.C. (1933): Game preserves and flashlight. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 36(3): 746-748.
• Morris, R.C. (1933): Spirited old bull bison (Bibos gaurus). J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 36(4): 984-985.
• Morris, R.C. (1933): The colour of `White Bison’ (Bibos gaurus): (Comment). J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 36(4): 985-986.
• Editors. (1930): Comments. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 36(4): 985-986.
• Morris, R.C. (1934): Bison sanatorium. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 37(2): 483.
• Morris, R.C. (1934): White bison. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 37(2): 483-484.
• Morris, R.C. (1934): Growth and shedding of antlers in sambar (Rusa unicolor) and Cheetal (Axis axis) in South India. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 37: (2): 484.
• Morris, R.C. (1934): A tailless tiger. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 37(3): 721.
• Morris, R.C. (1934): Death of an elephant (Elephas maximus Linn.) while calfing. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 37(3): 722.
• Morris, R.C. (1934): Death of 14 elephants (Elephas maximus Linn.) by food poisoning. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 37(3): 722-723.
• Editors. (1930): Comments. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 37: (3): 723.
• Morris, R.C. (1935): Tigers killing solitary bull bison (Bibos gaurus). J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 38(1): 179.
• Morris, R.C. (1935): Vultures feeding at night. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 38(1): 190.
• Morris, R.C. (1936): Tigers versus bison. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 38(3): 607.
• Morris, R.C. (1936): Further records of the distribution of the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus Erxl.) in South India. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 38(3): 610.
• Morris, R.C. (1936): The birth of an elephant calf. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 38: 613-614.
• Editors (1936): Comments. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc .38: 615.
• Morris, R.C. (1936): The formation and absence of tusks in elephants. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc .38(3): 615-617.
• Morris, R.C. (1936): Early development of antlers by sambhur in the Biligirirangana Hills, South India. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 38(3): 619.
• Morris, R.C. (1936??): Melanism in wild dogs. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.38(4): 813.
• Morris, R.C. (1936??): Bison and panther. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.38(4): 818.
• Morris, R.C. (1936??): Season of horn development in sambhur. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.38(4): 819-820.
• Morris, R.C. (1937): Peculiar behaviour of an elephant. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 39(1): 164-165.
• Morris, R.C. (1937): White bison. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 39(1): 165.
• Morris, R.C. (1937): Ravages by tiger and incidence of man-eaters in North Coimbatore between 1860-1880. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 39(2): 382-385.
• Morris, R.C. (1937): The result of excess poison for wild dogs. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 39(2): 388.
• Morris, R.C. (1937): A very large sambar stag. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 39: (2): 390.
• Morris, R.C. (1937): Gaur bulls attacking a wounded bull. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 39(2): 391.
• Morris, R.C. (1937): Two wary tigers and two others. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 39(3): 610-614.
• Morris, R.C. (1937): Mange on wild dogs. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 39(3): 615-616.
• Morris, R.C. (1937): Solitary bull bison (Bibos gaurus H. Sm.). J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 39(3): 617.
• Morris, R.C. (1937): Colouration of the bison’s snout and tongue. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 39(3): 618.
• Morris, R.C. (1937): Close seasons for big game-are they beneficial. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 39(4): 722.
• Morris, R.C. (1938): Measurements of tigers. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 40: 114-115.
• Morris, R.C. (1938): Disappearance of jackals. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 40: 117.
• Morris, R.C. (1938): On whistling of bison. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 40: 117.
• Morris, R.C. (1938): Behaviour of gaur or Indian bison. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 40: 325.
• Morris, R.C. (1938): Measurements of tiger, panther, bison and sambhur. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 40(3): 555.
• Morris, R.C. (1938): `Stamping grounds’ and `sore neck’ in sambhur. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 40(3): 566-560-561.
• Morris, R.C. (1938): A natural history tale. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 40(3): 581.
• Morris, R.C. (1939): On the occurrence of the Banded Crake (Rallus e. amuroptera) and the Malabar Woodpecker (Macropicus j. hodgsoni) in the Billigirirangan Hills, S. India. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 40(4): 763.
• Morris, R.C. (191): An appeal: Society for the preservation of the fauna of the empair. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 42(3): 653.
• Morris, R.C. (1941): Unusual behaviour of panthers and tigers. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 42(3): 655-656.
• Morris, R.C. (1941): Elephants lying down. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 42(3): 658.
• Morris, R.C. (1941): Bed bugs and swifts. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 42(3): 664-665.
• Morris, R.C. (1942): Widespread rabies among wild dogs on the Biligirirangana Hills (S. India). J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 43(1): 100.
• Morris, R.C. (1943): Jackals attacking deer in Ceylon. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 44(3): 585.
• Morris, R.C. (1946): Rarity of man-eating tigers in South India. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 46(1): 177-178.
• Morris, R.C. (1946): Death of a panther on a tiger’s kill. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 46(1): 179-180.
• Morris, R.C. (1947): “Record elephant”. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 46(3): 541.
• Morris, R.C. (1947): Death of six elephants. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 46(3): 541-542
• Morris, R.C. (1947): Destruction of cattle by tiger en masse. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 46(4): 714.
• Morris, R.C. (1947 ): Weight of bull bison. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 47(1): 153.
• Morris, R.C. (1952): Abnormal clavicle bones in Tigers. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 47(4): 715.
• Editors (1936): Comments. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc .47(4): 716.
• Morris, R.C. (1950): Tiger eating panther. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 48(4): 802.
• Morris, R.C. (1950): Charge by unwounded bison. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 48(4): 803-804.
• Morris, R.C. (1951): Protecting food crops from wild animals. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 49(4): 783.
• Morris, R.C. (1951): Jeep versus elephant. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 49(4): 783-784.
• Morris, R.C. (1952): Riotous behaviour of mating bears (Melursus ursinus). J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 51(1): 265-266.
• Morris, R.C. (1952): Case of unwounded gaur or Indian bison (Bibos gaurus) charging. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 51(1): 266.
• Morris, R.C. (1952): Our vanishing wildlife. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 51(1): 268-269.
• Morris, R.C. (1953): Domestic poultry diseases now endemic in jungle. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 51(3): 747-748.
• Morris, R.C. and Ali, S. (1956): Game preservation in Kashmir: Report and recommendation of the Bombay Natural History Society, s delegation October 1952. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 53(2): 229-233.
• Morris, R.C. (1956): Tusks of Indian Elephants. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 54(2): 460.
• Morris, R.C. (1958): Porcupines and trees of Vernonia sp. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 55(1): 155-156.
• Morris, R.C. (1958): Rabbits and Myxomatosis in the UK. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 55(1): 156.
• Morris, R.C. (1958): Flowering of Strobilanthes. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 55(1): 185.
• Editors (1958): Comments. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 55(1): 185-186.
• Morris, R.C. (1958): Note on the use of bamboo gun rocket for scaring wild animals out of cultivation. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 55(2): 344-345.
• Morris, R.C. (1958): Rat snake `mating’. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 55(2): 345-346.

Notes

References

• Sukumar, R. 1994 Elephant Days and Nights: Ten Years with the Indian Elephant. Oxford India.