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CONTENTS.
Page Prefatory Note... ioe es 5 ne ca ae ve eee List of Plates ia at = - wa ae £* ae oon v Errata —_ aie 7 a a. ae Bis See ai ee vi Bibliography Ho ae an Pe =<" te aie “sn wha APRS Narrative (Plates A-D), by\L. Wray, 1.s.o., and H. C. Robinson... aa se I. Report on the Mammals (Plate I), by J. Lewis Bonhote, M.4., F.L.s.... 1 If. Report on the Birds (Plates II., LIT.), by W. R. Ogilvie-Grant Aly. | ILI. Report on the Fishes, Batrachians and Pees RES IV., ¥): a G. A. Boulenger, F.R.s.... 61 IV. The Geology of the Tahan Snaee by Ir B. ection ailogink: V.A SE: Reconnaisance of Gunong Tahan, by Walter Skeat, M.s.... 77
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. ap? his
REPORT
ON THE
GUNONG TAHAN EXPEDITION,
MAY-SEPTEMBER, 1905.
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Bao Waa BM
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Plate A.
ITI.
Journ. F.M.S. Mus.—Vol. TF.
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104d “HU 'D'H
Ribs te} yoni RANA, haa uy LM y! hore TANGENT &
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PREFATORY NOTE.
Since the days of the veteran Russian explorer and ethnologist, Baron Mikluho-Maclay, who, in his adventurous journey across the Peninsula, vid the Tembeling and Kelantan Rivers, was the first European to hear of Gunong Tahan, much interest has been excited by tales of an enormous mountain in the wildest part of the Peninsula between the northern districts of Pahang and the neighbouring State of Kelantan, ranging in height, according to different reports, from 10,000 to 14,000 ft.
Numerous efforts have been made in the past to reach this once mysterious mountain; but all failed, owing to a variety of reasons, the chief of which were either the inexperience of the European leaders in dealing with native transport, or else failure of supplies, owing to the vreat distance of the hill from any inhabited districts and the bulki- ness of the rice required for Malay carriers.
The first serious attempt on the mountain was that made in 1890 by Mr. H. N. Ridley, Director of the Botanic Gardens, Singapore, with the assistance of the Straits Government. The time chosen, however just before the second Pahang war, was very unfavourable, and such information as was possessed by the local natives seems to have been deliberately withheld ; while the coolies, largely natives of Kelantan, were not familiar with the local conditions and seemed to have been most inefficient in every way. The expedition was foredoomed to failure from the start and only succeeded in navigating the Tahan River for about half the total distance possible under favourable conditions.
Some years later, in August and September, 1899, Mr. Skeat—at that time a member of the Federated Malay States Civil Service and leader of an expedition which, under the auspices of the University of Cambridge, was exploring the Eastern States of the Malay Penin- sula—made a flying visit to the mountain. His account is reprinted in full, with foot-notes of my own, as an addition to this report, and I need say no more than that the attempt was within an ace of suc- cess, but that—considering the time of year at which the expedition took place, the character of the equipment and the method of travel udopted—the party were remarkably lucky in escaping serious disaster,
Shortly before Mr. Skeat’s ascent a Mr. Becher, who was prospect- ing the district, was drowned in a flood, a few miles up the Tahan River, owing to his disregarding the advice of the local Malays with regard to the selection of his camp site.
The last recorded attempt is that of Mr. Waterstradt, a Danish naturalist, in the employ of the Hon. W. Rothschild, m.p., who ascended the range from the Kelantan side and whose account is given at length in the “Journal of the Straits Asiatic Society” for 1902.
lV.
This account is not accompanied by any map, no altitudes are viven, nor are there any other particulars which render it possible to trace Mr. Waterstradt’s route. On the other hand, his description of the natural features of the mountain he ascended differs materially from the actual facts, so that, without in any way impugning his veracity, I cannot but think that he was never on the true Tahan range, but merely on some of the loftier outhers to the north and east.
I had long wished to ascend the mountain, but realising that any expedition on a small scale would only be a waste of money, as unless a very large number of coolies were obtainable, even if ' the mountain were reached, no prolonged stay would be possible, and zoological and botanical collecting, except on the most limited scale, impracticable, had deferred the attempt. In 1905, however, the Trustees of the British Museum having undertaken to bear half the estimated cost of the expedition on condition that they received half the collections, the Government of the Federated Malay States sanctioned the expedition and provided the requisite funds.
As was anticipated, the difficulties of the journey were merely those of organisation and transport, which, thanks to the trouble taken by the District Officer, Lipis, the Assistant District Officer and other Pahang officials, were readily overcome with the results shown in the succeed- ing pages.
Since 1905 the mountain has been ascended on several occasions and a trigonometrical beacon erected on the summit, which commands an unrivalled view of the central region of the Malay Peninsula.
The considerable delay in the publication of this report, for which my apologies are owing to the various gentlemen who have so kindly contributed to it, has been caused by the non-delivery of the plates which were overcarried by the steamship company and lost sight of for nearly a year.
HERBERT C. ROBINSON. SELANGOR STrate Museum, Kuala Lumpur, February, 1908.
LIST OF PLATES.
Plate A.—Gunong Tahan from Sth Camp —... ae ae ... Frontispiece », B.—Rapids in Tahan River he te ive ... to face page xi
» €—Gunong Tahan frem 6th Camp (the final peak
is behind this mountain and cannot be seen) ... - xv » D.—Gunong Teku from 6th Camp ; : Xvi - 1.—Funambulus rufigenis belfieldi, subsp. nov. ‘ re 9 » 1I.—Gecinus robinsoni, Grant (p. 42) i 42 » Ill., Fig. 1.—Heteroscops vulpes, Grant (p. 51) ide = 51 » 2.—Cissa robinsoni, Grant » IV. ,, 1.—Ixalus brevipes, Blegr., sp. nor. (p. 63)... 2 638 » 2, 2a.—Draco cyanolemus, Bler., sp. nov. (p. 64) » 3, 8a.—Lygosoma cophias, Bler., sp. nov. (p. 67) » V.—Gonyocephalus robinsonii, Blgr., sp. nor. (p. 65) S- 65
ERRATA.
Page 21, line 3 from bottom, for 500-15,000 ft. ead 500-1,000 ft.
27 ,, 12, for the Nepal-Short-wing read the Malay-Short-wing.
30
32
30
48
39
33
5 from bottom, for Kupetes macrocerus ead Eupetes macrocercus, 9, for Rev. Zool. read Nov. Zool.
2, jor Artamdes vead Artamides.
1, for malabancus read malabaricus.
8 from bottom, for Plate II., Fig. 2, read Plate III., Fig. 2. 29, for Microhierax fringillarius (Drags.) read M. f. (Drap.).
27, for Those females read These females.
56 passim, for Rheinardius read Rheinardtius.
67, line 2, for Kuala Lipis, 2,200 ft., read Kuala Lipis, 220 ft.
Legend to Plate A, for Tahau read Tahan.
B, jor Tahau River read Tahan River.
2)
C, for Gunong Tahau read Gunong Tahan.
bp)
D, for Gunon Teku read Gunong Teku.
93
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BIBLIOGRAPHY.
SKINNER: Journ. Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc., 1, p. 61 (1878). ; An extract from the note book of Baron Mikluho-Maclay, 1875. | “ Near the sixth rapid, at the kampong of Penghulu Gendong, I noticed at some distance a remarkable mountain which was pointed out to me as Gunong Tahan. I believe that from here the mountain could be reached in two or three days.” Mrxivuno-Macray, Baron von: Ethnological Excursions in the Malay Peninsula, November, 1874, to October, 1875. (Preliminary Communication. Journ. Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc., No. 2, pp. 205-221.) | Brief note on Gunong Tahan on pp. 206, 207. |
. SwetrenHam, F. A.: New Mountain seen in Perak. Jowrn.
Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc., No. 12, p. 286 (1884). | Note on a mountain thought to be 11,000 or 12,000 ft. high, lying in “the direction of the mountam marked in the Asiatic Society’s map as Gunong Tahan.” |
. Ketsauzt, Lizvur. H. J., xn.a.: Account of a trip up the Pahang,
Tembelng and Tahan Rivers, and an attempt to reach Gunong Tahan. Journ. Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc., No. 25, pp. 33-57 (1894).
| Narrative of the first serious attempt to reach Gunong Tahan. |
. Ripuey, H. N., m.a., F.u.s.: List of Mammals (and Birds)
recorded from Pahang, tom. cit., supra pp. 57-67. |A nominal list of the mammals and birds obtained in the above expedition. |
Warerstrapt, Jonun: Kelantan and my trip to Gunong Tahan.
Journ. Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc., No. 37, pp. 1-27 (1902).
(A detailed account of Mr. Waterstradt’s travels amongst the
mountains in the vicinity of Gunong Tahan, which, how-
ever, in the abseuce of any map, it is almost impossible to follow. |
Hartert, E.: On Birds from Pahang, Eastern Malay Peninsula. Novitates Zoologice, ix., pp. 537-580 (1902). | An account of the birds, belongmeg to 196 species, obtained on the above expedition. |
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REPORT ON THE GUNONG TAHAN EXPEDITION, MAY-SEPTEMBER. 1905. M R. L. WRAY, Director of Museums, F.M.S., and Mr. H. C.
Robinson, Curator of the Selangor State Museum, left Taiping and Kuala Lumpur, respectively, on the morning of the 11th May, 1905, and met at Kuala Kubu in the evening of the same day. The party consisted of the above named, four Dyak collectors and three Malay servants.
At 9 a.m., the following morning, Messrs. Wray and Robinson, together with all the baggage and provisions, left in a large motor lorry, the seven men having to travel in another lorry. A short stop was made at the Semangko Pass, elevation 2,700 ft., for lunch, and Raub was reached at about 5.45 p.m. While descending into Pahang, a view was obtained of a range of hills towards the north, which was thought to be Gunong Tahan, but only a passing glimpse was secured and the summit was covered with cloud. The men and baggage were sent on at 8 p.m. the same evening in six bullock carts, as the bridges do not permit heavily laden motor cars going on to Kuala Lipis.
At 7.30 a.m. of the 13th, a start was made from Raub by motor car and Kuala Lipis was reached at 10.45 a.m., the total distance from Kuala Kubu being 83 miles. The carts arrived on the morning of the 14th at about 8 o’clock, and all the baggage was stored at the British Residency.
The next day, Monday, some necessary shopping was done and the District and Assistant District Officers were seen and arrangements made with regard to paying the transport expenses, as it was not deemed advisable to take much money into the jungle. In the afternoon, a portion of the stores, in charge of two of the Dyaks, was sent down the river in a P.W.D. boat. In this boat also went a Forest Department official and a Forest Guard, who had been detailed to accompany the expedition. A letter was also sent to Panglima Kakap of Kuala Tembeling to inform him that boats and coolies would be required in two days’ time.
The remainder of the party and baggage left Kuala Lipis shortly after nine on the morning of the 17th in the Resident’s and District Officer’s house boats, which had been kindly lent for the purpose. Kuala Tembeling was reached at 5.30 p.m. and Panglima Kakap’s house, a short way up that river, at 6.45 p.m. The Dato’ came on board on our arrival and talked over the arrangements.
Tt had been decided that the best chance of reaching the mountain was to send on an advance party of Malays with instructions to clear a track as far up as they could reach and build a camp, to serve as a
K,
depot, at Kuala Teku—the highest navigable point on the Tahan River—-and two or three camps on the way to the summit.
Through the kind assistance of the District and Assistant District Officers of Kuala Lipis, this had been previously arranged with the Penghulu, and a party of ten Malays, under Dato’ To Muntri Idin, were despatched on this errand in the latter part of April.
The Penghulu reported that they had returned, after building three camps: one at Kuala Teku and two on the hills. They had also found a flag, which had been left by Mr. Skeat, on the highest point he had succeeded in attaining on his expedition in 1899, and two of the men had advanced until there remained only two hills between them and a spur of the Tahan itself. A plan was produced, drawn by one of the men, showing the route traversed ; it was a most interesting carto- graphic production.
Rather an alarming account was given of the nature of the hills, and the difficulties encountered in getting along the ridges beyond Skeat’s flag. Several said that they were not brave enough to walk along them, and the Dato’ declared that it made him so giddy that he was unable to proceed. Some of the men of the advance party accom- panied the expedition.
On the morning of the 18th May the luggage from the P.W.D. boat was shifted into some small dug-outs and the two big boats, und it was sent back to Kuala Lipis. The two large and several smaller house boats and fourteen dug-outs started up the Tembeling River at 9.30 am. ‘The only serious rapid, Jeram Ampai, was reached at about 11 a.m., and took about an hour to ascend. The big boats had to be pulled up with ropes, but there was plenty of water in the river so that they could be got up without grounding. It was near here that Mr. E. A. Wise was killed during the Pahang disturbances of 1894. Kuala Tekai was reached about 6.30 p.m., and the night was spent there.
Early next morning at 5.50 a.m. the journey was resumed. During the day a place was passed whence the Gunong Tahan range is said to be visible from the river ; but, unfortunately, the hills were obscured by clouds. In the afternoon some small rapids were passed, without any great trouble, and Kuala Tahan was reached at 6 p.m. A camp was made on a sand-bank for the boatmen and to store the provisions, which were being carried in the dug-outs. There was a good deal of rain in the night and the Tembeling River rose about 18 inches.
On the 20th all the baggage was shifted into fourteen small dug- outs and, after a great deal of trouble with the men who were very unwilling to go, a start was made up the Tahan River at 10.40 p.m. The Penghulu and both the large boats returned down stream to Kuala Tembeling, together with the Forest Ranger, as it was found impossible to take him and his baggage in any of the boats. Subse- quent events proved that it was a very good thing that he did take this course.
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The water in the Tahan had also risen in the night, and it was coming down quite thick and dirty. On arriving at Kuala Tenok, which was reached at 2 p.m., it was found that the freshet was coming down that river, which runs for the latter part of its course through high clay banks which are constantly falling in. About half a mile above the Kuala a halt was called and a camp built for the night, Fortunately, a small tent and some water-proof sheets had been kindly lent by the Chief Surveyor, for in the valley of the Tahan there is hardly anything with which to thatch a house until the upper part of it is reached.
Up to this point the river is fairly easy to ascend, as there are no rapids (‘“jeram”), but only what are locally known as “ chigar”’—that is, gravelly rapids without rocks. Up to Kuala Teku our men asserted that they counted eighty-six rapids besides many chigars, while beyond that place, neither the Tahan nor its tributary, the Teku, is navigable.
At half-past seven on the morning of the 21st the camp was broken up. Two very bad rapids and a number of smaller ones were passed, and one of the larger boats had to be left behind, as the men said it might not stand the rough work, One of the other boats unfortu- nately sank, and a quantity of stores, etc., got soaked with water. The worst of it was that the supply of tea was in that boat, also the tobaceo, salt fish and matches, At the bad rapids the boats had to be unloaded and the contents carried over the rocks to the smooth water above where the boats could be reladen. The boats themselves had to be pulled up with ropes and in places lifted bodily over the rocks, and it was only owing to the fact that a very large number of men could be concentrated on each boat that some of the larger ones were eot up at all. A number of these portages were passed during the day, so that not much progress was made—in fact, the whole party probably did a greater distance on foot through the river than in the boats. At 3 p.m.a camp was built near Kuala Petai; the boxes in the boat that went down were opened and the contents dried over the fires, so far as it was possible to do so. Heavy rain fell during the night.
At 7 a.m. of the 22nd the 2nd Camp was left. The river was about the same as the preceding day, and there were a number ot portages. One camp, contaiming six Malays, who said they were collecting “‘ getah grip,” was passed, but, with the exception of two or three Malay houses within half a mile of the Tembeling River, no other traces of inhabitants, either Malay or Sakai, were seen; and, except quite near the mouth of the river, there are no patches of blukar, all the jungle being primeval forest. The Malays said that there were no inhabitants, and that, with the exception of an occasional party of Malay or Dyak getah and rotan collectors, no one ever goes up the river. The numerous evidences of Sakai camps seen by Mr. Ridley’s expedition were obviously only the traces of these collecting parties.
xii.
During the afternoon of this day an island in the river was pointed out * as beg the scene of Mr. H. M. Becher’s death in September, 1893. It appears that he and another white man were ascending the river on i. prospecting expedition and coming to this island in the evening Mr. Becher decided to camp on it for the night. The local Malays who were with him entreated him not to stop there, but to go a little higher up and camp on the bank, as an island was not a safe place ina river like the Tahan. He, however, disregarded their advice and insisted on spending the night there. One boat was left, with Mr. Becher, his friend and a few Malays. The other Malays took the second boat higher up the stream and made a camp on the bank. Shortly after dinner it was noticed that the river was rising rapidly and Mr. Becher began putting his belongings into the boat into which he and the Malays jumped and cast off in the hurry, leaving the other white man on the island, clinging to the bushes; for, by this time, it was all under water. Just as the latter was giving up all hope, the second boat came down river and picked him up, and the whole party safely landed on the bank further down stream. The next morning they set out to look for the other boat and found the Malays, who said that on clearing the island Mr. Becher stood up and tried to guide the boat with a pole, although they begged - him to sit down and let them do it. As a result, the boat upset and he was never seen again. A search was maintained for three days, but his body was never found. A Malay, who went part of the way with the present expedition, was the one who accompanied the party as headman. The island was quite 6 ft. above water-level and looked sate enough, except that all the bushes growing on it were bent down stream, show- ing that they were frequently submerged.
During the day some long stretches of deep water were passed through, and particularly in these places the banks were densely clothed with that beautiful fern Polypodium palmatum. At 3.50 p.m. a halt was called and a camp, the third, made for the night.
On the 23rd, at 7.15 a.m., the ascent of the river was continued until 4.30 p.m. This was a long day’s work, and two of the boats, containing rice and pressing paper, did not arrive. It began raining at 5 p.m., and went on steadily nearly all night. The next morning a long porterage commenced the day’s journey, as the 4th Camp was just below a rapid. A boat was sent down stream to find out what had become of the two missing boats; and a report was received that, the rain coming on, the men in them had camped for the night, a short distance lower down the river.
Kuala Teku was reached at 2 p.m., and all the boats had arrived by 4 p.m. Quite a good house had been erected, just large enough to
* According to Mr. Quin, Mr. Becher’s companion, who cleared a small hill above this camp, Gunong Tahan appeared to be only five or six miles away, As a matter of fact, it could not haye been Gunong Tahan that was seen, but probably the range in the vicinity of the peak I have marked as Gunong Ulu Tenok,
Xlil.
hold all the stores, baggage, ete. This was the 5th Camp since leaving the house boats, and was reached in eight days from Kuala Lipis. By aneroid, it was shown to be 500 ft. above sea-level and 280 ft. above Kuala Tahan. The two rivers (the Teku and Tahan) are of about the same volume, and the camp was built on the high bank between them. The rain began about 6 p.m., and continued nearly all night. The Teku rose some 5 or 6 ft., and some of the boats were in danger of being washed away, had not the Malays gone out in the middle of the night and shifted them more towards the Tahan River, which was not in flood.
It is curious that none of the Malays remember anything of the Singapore expedition, consisting of Messrs. H. N. Ridley, H. J. Kelsall, W. Davison and Townson, which endeavoured to reach Gunong Tahan in June of 1891. At several places there still remain traces of the track cleared by it and of the sites of the camps. Of these, there were nine in the Tahan valley, but the highest one was apparently quite a long way below Kuala Teku. It was estimated to be ten miles from the base of the mountain, so was probably somewhere between the 35rd and 4th Camps; of the present expedition. Transport dit- ficulties and the running out of the food were the causes of the non- success of the Singapore expedition.
The question of food supply, which is a vital one in a country where none is to be obtained, was very carefully gone into before starting, and thirteen bags of rice were taken (done up in fifty small bags of 50 katis each), besides salt fish, salt and tobacco for the coolies. Tinned provisions and fowls were taken for the Europeans. Unfortu- nately all of the latter, which came from Selangor, died of some conta-
gious disease, and only fifteen, obtained in Pahang, were available for food.
There were fifty-six Pahang Malays, besides the three Malay servants, four Dyaks, and the two Europeans to be fed. The rations were served out regularly every evening, so as to avoid the waste which always occurs when the men are allowed to help themselves. The allowance was a chupa (quart) of rice per man per day.
It appears that the Sultan of Pahang, at a date which could not be fixed, but before he went down river to live at Pekan, sent two expeditions to endeavour to reach the summit of Gunong Tahan, on which, according to native tradition, are to be found two pots, contain- ing the “ibu mas” and the “ibu perak,”’ with a gigantic brok as big as a rhinoceros standing on guard between them. The “ibu mas” is the Malay equivalent of the philosopher’s stone and has the power of changing all it touches into gold. Both these parties endeavoured to reach the mountain vidi the Teku valley and both failed, owing to the steep and rugged nature of the country, which once any considerable altitude is reached consisted of a series of terraces separated from each
other by precipices, some of very considerable height and intersected _ by narrow ravines with almost perpendicular sides. It was this route,
. XIV.
also, which was selected for the projected expedition of Mr. H. Clifford and Sir F. A. Swettenham, a track having been cut for some miles in that direction, prior to the scheme being abandoned. Mr. Skeat, according to our native informants, also followed the Teku route; but, ‘finding it impracticable, cut across the valley to the Tahan watershed, reaching a point subsequently utilised as our 7th Camp, beyond which he was unable to advance, owing to failure of provisions and the exhaustion of his men.
From Kuala Teku onwards the route taken was up a spur forming the watershed of the Tahan on the right and the Teku on the left, this watershed bemeg followed until the main massif of Gunone Tahan was reached, after which the Teku valley was followed.
After Kuala Tenok is passed, the Tahan valley is narrow and rugged, the river in many places running through a deep gorge with steep rocky sides. To attempt to go up the valley by land would be a very difficult matter, as at these places it might be necessary to cut a track four or five hundred feet above the valley level to escape the pre- cipitous sides of the ravine. The only practical way is to follow the river in small dug-out canoes with rather high sides. ‘The river is clear of timber, owing to the trees, which periodically fall into it, being swept away by the heavy freshets which are characteristic of this valley. ,
The rocks met with were all sedimentary. There are a large series of green, blue-purple and red slates, as well as sandstones and con- elomerates. Neither organic remains nor economic minerals were noticed,
Beyond rotans and rubber obtained from some of the climbers belonging to the genus Willughbeia and other nearly allied plants, there does not appear to be anything of commercial importance in the 'ahan valley. No eutta-percha-yielding trees were noticed, and the Malays stated that there were none in the valley. Timber trees, doubtless, are plentiful; but it would probably be hardly feasible to get the logs down a river of so rocky a nature.
On the 25th all the rice, which had got rather wet during the journey up the river, was put out in the sun to dry, on stages erected for the purpose. The men, not employed on this work, were set to making baskets to carry things up the hill in, as these Pahang men can only carry on the back. As the baskets were made, they were lined with the leaves of the daun sang palm (Teysmannia altifrons), and the boxes of stores were opened and the contents packed into them ready for the next morning. Up to this point the coolies had worked very well, but now they began to give trouble, and a number of them said they were going to return, having gone as far as the river was navigable. After much talking, they set to work on the baskets.
On the 26th thirty-nine coolies and two Dyaks went off before 7 a.m., with loads of stores, ete,, to the next or 6th Camp. Mr. Robinson
=
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‘dNVYD HLXIS WOYA NVHVL ONONNYD
‘W0ud "MM 'T
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went part of the way with them. The first man to return came back at 11.20 a.m., and all had returned by 4 p.m. In the meantime the process of repacking the boxes and sunning the bags of rice was carried on. |
The next day more stores, principally rice, were sent up. Twelve men said they were sick and refused to go. There was no doubt that nearly all of them were malingering, so a draft composed of half an ounce of Epsom salts and five grains of quinine was served out to them with most salutary results.
On the 28th the coolies began going up with the rest of the baggage at 7.30 a.m., and Messrs. Wray and Robinson left the camp at 9.30 am. There was very great trouble with the coolies, as none of them wanted to go on to the 6th Camp. It rained heavily on the Way up and camp was not reached until 2.30 p.m. It rained again in the evening and night; and there was also a very high wind, which brought out the defects of the hut, and had there not been some water-proof sheets, the want of walls would have been much more felt than it was. It was reported that both the Tahan and the Teku rose very high in consequence of the rain and swept down stream a large tree that had been felled two days previously.
The camp was situated on a narrow spur, only about 12 ft. wide at an elevation of 3,500 ft. above sea-level.
The next day all hands were put on to collecting wood and palm leaves, enlarging the hut and walling it in. and generally making it more or less watertight. It was reported that thirteen of the coolies had run away the previous evening and gone off down the river in the morning, taking several boats and some of the rice, which had been left at Kuala Teku for the use of the returning coolies.
On the 30th Mr. Robinson went up to the 7th Camp, with twenty-four men, taking a quantity of rice, stores, ete. This camp, which was on a ridge just overlooking the lower camp, is 4,580 ft. above sea-level, and was built near the remains of two huts said to have been made by Mr. Skeat in his attempt to ascend Gunong Tahan in 1899. Near the huts was a flag, hung on a pole, tied to a tree, marking the highest point attained by the above-named gentleman.
The remainder of the men were set to work erecting drying stages for sunning the botanical specimens, building a lanti pathway outside the house, as it took up all the width of the ridge, and felling a num- ber of trees to let the sun in and also to allow of a good view of the hills being obtained from the camp.
On returning from the camp, all the coolies said they wanted to go, and refused to proceed another stage towards the main range as requested. The next day, the 51st, as there was no method of com- pelling them to remain, they all left, taking some letters to be forwarded to Kuala Lipis. Only four Pahang men remained; they had been engaged to stay on the hill and continue the track up towards the summit.
XVI.
On the Ist June these men worked on the house, making doors and windows, and the next day they were sent up to ‘ Skeat’s Camp,” with instructions toimprove thetrack along the ridge leading to the main range,
On the 2nd June Messrs. Wray and Robinson left camp at 8.30 a.m. and reached Skeat’s Camp at 10.30 a.m. They then went on to a peak upon the same ridge, which was named “ Observation Hill,” and along its continuation to the last point reached by the advance party. In places this ridge was very narrow with precipices on either hand, and there were a good many points where ladders had had to be put in to get up the rocks by.
Beyond the point reached, there appeared to be two hills to cross before getting on to the main range. Rain coming on, it was deter- mined to return, and the 6th Camp was reached at 4 p.m.
On the 4th three of the Malays came down for more rice and water, and on the 6th Mr. Robinson went on to Skeat’s Camp, taking two Dyaks and one Malay boy with the intention of proceeding along the track and selecting a good site for the 8th Camp.
Two of the Pahang Malays came down on the 7th and reported that they had cleared the track to the main range and had put in a flag at the highest point reached by them. With a glass, this could be made out just above a tall white cliff, on the spur of the main range nearest to Observation Hill. They further reported that there was a good supply of water before. reaching the hill and also higher up. This was good news, as so far water had been the great difficulty. At the 6th Camp it was bad and a long way down the hill, and at Skeat’s Camp there was only a small soak of brown, muddy water.
Mr. Robinson came down at 12.40 p.m. on the 8th, having left the site of the 8th Camp at 8.30 a.m.; and on the 9th the four Pahang Malays went up with provisions to last them five or six days and instructions to build a hut on the site selected by Mr. Robinson.
Two of them returned on the 14th and reported that they had made a camp but not a good one, as there was practically nothing to make a roof or walls of but brushwood, and all the wood was small, twisted and wind blown. They also said they had reached the “vedong” and put a flag on it, having taken only one hour walking to it from the flag on the ridge above the 8th Camp.
Mr. Robinson, three Dyaks and two Malay “boys” went up to Skeat’s Camp on the 16th, and thence on to the 8th Camp for a stay of some days’ duration. Mr. Wray was unable to go, as he was suffer- ing from an attack of dysentery, which began on the 13th June. One Dyak and a Malay “ boy” stayed at the 6th Camp with him.
On the 20th June, eleven Malay coolies arrived at the 6th Camp, bringing the first letters and news that had been received since leaving Kuala Lipis. The next day these men were sent up to the 8th Camp with rice and palm leaves for making huts. They were then employed taking up the remainder of the stores, etc.
III. Journ. F.M.S. Mus.—Vol. TT.
Plate D.
Wee HOr.
GUNON TEKU FROM SIXTH CAMP.
XVll.
It was decided that, as Mr. Wray was still ill, it would be best for him to go back with the returning men, as in his then state of health he could not hope to proceed to the higher camps, even if all went well, for several weeks. Consequently he was carried down the hill on the 25th, leaving at 8.20 a.m. and reaching Kuala Teku at 4 p.m.
One of the coolies was taken ill in the night, with what appeared to be pleurisy, doubtless due to a chill caught while at the upper camp. The next morning Mr. Wray, one Malay servant and seven other Malays, mcluding two sick men, left in a dug-out canoe. This had been badly damaged and gave a great deal of trouble, one man having to be kept at work all the time baling it out. Fortunately there was a good-sized kuali available, otherwise it would have been a difficult matter to keep the canoe afloat. On the evening of the fourth day Kuala Tenok was reached and Kuala Tembeling on the evening of the 29th. Here a new boat was procured, with a kajang cover to the after part of it and a fresh crew. A start was made up the Jelai at 8 a.m. the next day (the 50th), Kuala Lipis being reached at 3 p.m. on the Ist July, so that the return journey from the 6th Camp was accomplished in seven days.
After the departure of Mr. Wray, the party consisted of six Pahang Malays, all more or less picked men, the four Dyaks and two Malacca Malays, who were all well aware that it would be impossible for them to desert with any safety to themselves, as only one small dug-out remained, which could not accommodate more than three men; while the difficulties of the land route were such. that sufficient food could not be carried to last until inhabited districts were reached. There- after everyone of the natives made the best of what was doubtless to them a very bad job, and, after a day’s holiday, which was devoted to a very successful fishing party, we all started up the hill again on the morning of the 27th June. Turning a sharp corner in the track close to the 6th Camp, I found myself within a few feet of a fine black leopard, which, after leisurely surveying me, made off down the hill and was seen no more. With the exception of a bear met with by one of the Dyaks, this was the only beast in the nature of big game that was actually seen by any of our party while on the hill. By the afternoon of the 29th the whole of the expedition was concentrated at the 8th Camp with stores sufficient to last with care for about six weeks.
From the 29th June to the 14th July I was occupied in collecting work, in making a rough survey of the Tahan valley and in ascertain- ing what was the easiest route to the summit which was distant only a little over two miles in a direct line. The Pahang Malays were employed in making another camp further up the Teku River, where it was joined by another stream. This was rather a lengthy job, as I did. not wish to dismantle the existing camp and the only available building materials—the large fan-shaped leaves of a species of palm— were distant about three hours’ walk from the proposed site.. On the 15th July, leaving two men to look after the 8th Camp, we moved on
XVlll.
to the new one, the last mile or so of the route being along the bed of the river and very rough going for laden men.
On the 16th July I started off with four Malays to cut a track to the summit. There was a good rocky ridge nearly all the way with only one insignificant descent. We reached the top about 10.15 a.m., but, as there was a strong wind with thick mist and it was bitterly cold, we returned to camp as no view could be obtained. Singularly little life was noticed on the ascent, only two species of birds (Suya waterstradti and Mesia argentauris) being seen, a lizard (Calotes microlepis) new to the fauna of the Malay Peninsula and some large humble bees and Asilid flies.
On the 17th July a brief but very heavy rainstorm in the middle of the night caused the river to rise over 20 ft. and nearly wash away one of the huts, which was thought to have been built far above flood level.
On the 18th July we again ascended the mountain and built a small cairn at the top. There was a strong wind blowing when we arrived at the summit, which we made out to be approximately 7,200 ft. above the sea, and the temperature was 52° F.; but later on the mist cleared and the sun came out and at 12.30 p.m. the thermometer rose to 63° F.
A magnificent view was obtained of the whole of the main range of the Peninsula from the high mountains, north of Temongoh and the Ulu Plus, to where it sinks to low hills at the watershed of the Triang. Gunong Kerbau, a little north of west, was very conspicuous, but I was unable to pick up any of the trigonometrical beacons, either with the theodolite or a fairly powerful telescope. Close to us on the Kelantan side was a big conical mountain, which I estimated as 5,000 ft. high, which was probably Gunong Sinting, and in the middle distance to the north and south-east were ranges of low lime- stone hills, amongst which could be recognised Gunong Sinyum on the Pahang River.
On the 19th July we walked up one branch of the Teku to its source having to negotiate one or two rather nasty cliffs on the way. We found that the watershed, which is presumably on the Kelantan frontier, was about 5,400 ft. above sea-level. The valley on the oppo- site side was said to be that of the Relau, though certain hill sketches imade by Mr. Scrivenor render this somewhat doubtful and suggest that the whole of the Tahan drainage ultimately reaches the Pahang River, and that the small stream that I was informed was the Relau, a tributary of the Kelantan River, is really the head-waters of the Tanum, which flows into the Pahang north of Kuala Lipis.
The objects of the expedition had now been achieved, and no species new to our collection having been obtained for some days past, I decided to return to Kuala Teku, which was reached on the evening of the 25th July without incident. We stopped at Kuala Teku until the 7th August, when, as provisions for myself were almost exhausted and the remaining rice was mouldy and unwholesome, I decided to go
XIX.
down stream and send up additional provisions and boats to bring down the men and collections. Accordingly I started about 5.45 with two Pahang Malays and my boy in our one remaining boat, which was now very leaky and almost past service. We got badly swamped at the first rapid and had to swim for it and dive for our belongings, but after that we got on fairly well and reached Kuala Tenok at about 6.45 p.m. and camped there for the night. On the way we passed two of the camps made by Mr. Wray’s party on their descent, and saw several pairs of the smaller Malay Fishing Eagle (Polioaetus humilis) and two large Otters.
As soon as we got into camp it began to rain hard and continued until dawn, so that we passed a very cheerless night, which was not rendered more comfortable by the presence of a tiger in the immediate vicinity, which, as the tracks showed next morning, had been regaling itself on the fallen fruit of a wild mango (bachang).
Next morning we had a rather exciting journey to Kuala Tahan, as the river was in heavy flood. We reached the Tembeling about 8 a.m., and there met Panglima Kakap organising the * relief expedition.” After arranging with him to send up twelve men in six boats and wu sufficiency of food, I changed into a, rather larger boat and went on down the Tembeling, stopping the night at Kampong Pasir Atas near Kuala Atoh.
On the 9th August we got off early and, after stopping a few minutes at Kuala Tembeling, went on up the Jelai, stopping for the night at Pulau Duk Duk and reaching Kuala Lipis about noon on the 10th August.
After a few days’ stay in Kuala Lipis, I returned to Kuala Tem- beling, where the remainder of the party’ was met. A fortnight was spent in making lowland collections and’ in obtaining anthropometrical measurements of the local Malays, after which the whole party returned to Kuala Lumpur, arriving there on the 6th September, after an absence of nearly four months. Oa
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
The southern side of the Tahan range, which was the only one we examined, consists of two long ridges running approximately N.N.-E. and N.N.-W., connected to the north by a central boss on which the highest summit is situated.
This face of the mountain is drained by two fairly large streams— the Teku and the Tahan—-which rise within a few yards of each other on opposite sides of the main ridge and describing a wide sweep to the _west and east ultimately unite at Kuala Teku to form what is after- wards known as the Tahan River. The route by which we ascended the mountain was for the greater portion of its length on the water- shed of these two streams, until we reach the base of the central mountain, shown in plate C, when we ascended the shoulder on the “extreme left and then descended into fhe Teku valley. Until the 6th
XX.
Camp the ascent is a fairly uniform grade, not particularly steep and the mountain is apparently composed of shales and schists. From the 6th Camp, however, a very steep ascent of about 1,400 ft. brings one to the crest of a razor-backed ridge of sandstone and quartzite leading to the base of the central mountain. On either side of this ridge, which in places is not more than five or six feet wide, there is a precipitous fall on the west to the Teku and on the east to the Tahan valley, a magnificent view of almost the whole course of the former river and the mountains on its opposite bank being visible under -favourable conditions. After several undulations, this ridge, trending in a northerly direction, leads to the base of the cliffs of the central mountain, after which a climb of about 600 ft. from ledge to ledge brings one to the main arréte, from which there is a descent of about 800 ft. into the Teku valley. Below this point the valley is suddenly broken off, so that in a horizontal distance, which cannot much exceed a quarter of a mile, the river descends about 2,000 ft. in a series of magnificent waterfalls.
The upper valley of the Teku, which is thus cut off from the lower valley, merits a more detailed description. To the west it is bounded by the range of mountains which separate the Tahan River system from the Kechau, and which appear to attain a maximum elevation of about 6,000 ft. The eastern side is formed by the northern face of the mountain depicted in plate C, and which is universally considered to be Gunong Tahan by Pahang natives. The northern end is closed in by the ultimate summit of the range separated by deep valleys from the eastern and western ranges. ‘This mountain is that known in Kelantan as Gunong Siam. The whole length of the valley is about five miles, while from crest to crest it is about two miles wide with an average elevation of about 5,200 ft. It is abundantly watered by streams which have cut deep clefts through the hard sandstone. Vegetation, except in the vicinity of these streams, is very scanty and principally consists of coarse grass and sedges intermixed with small shrubs. The most curious feature of the valleys is the occurrence along both sides and at various levels of flat plateaux, varying in area from a few square roods to thirty or forty acres. In immediate vicinity to one of these our 8th Camp was situated, and plate A, which is reproduced from a photograph taken on the edge of the plateau, gives a very good idea of the general appearance. From what could be seen of the hills above the lower Teku valley, similar but even larger plains exist there, and if ever the Teku uplands are reasonably accessible by road, they would afford for six months in the year an almost ideal health station, though at present there seems no prospect of their ever being accessible, except by the somewhat arduous route up the Tahan River.
At the foot of the conical peak to the right of plate A, the Teku River again bifurcates, and it was here that we pitched our final camp. One branch runs about north-east and’ was followed to its source on the ridge between the Teku-Kechau range and the central massif of
XX1.
Gunong Tahan, which is probably the watershed between Kelantan and Pahang, the stream rising on the other side of the divide being stated to be the Relau, a tributary of the Kelantan. The other branch winds along under the base of Gunong Tahan and takes its rise in the pass between that mountain and the one called Gunong Tahan by the Pahang Malays, and which is the one visible from the 6th Camp and depicted in plate C.
The climb from the Kuala is very steep until the top of the ridge is reached, after which the top is almost flat for about a mile, so much so that it was difficult to find the actual summit. The ridge was broad and sloped away fairly gently on the north, but was very precipitous on the side facing the Teku. Vegetation was similar to that in the valley, with the exception of the large-leaved rhododendrons which were not noticed elsewhere.
ZOOLOGY.
Mammats.--It will be seen from Mr. Bonhote’s report that 27 species were obtained in the course of the expedition, but of these nine were secured either at Kuala Tembeling or at Kuala Lipis, leaving only eighteen from Gunong Tahan itself. Of the two species described as new, one Sciurus tahan has since been found to be widely distributed on the loftier mountains of the Peninsula; while the other Coelops robinsoni as a small and inconspicuous bat that might readily be overlooked anywhere.
Siamangs, gibbons and leaf monkeys were very common on the lower slopes of Gunong Tahan, but ceased abruptly at about 3,000 ft., and none were either seen or heard above that height. At the foot of the mountain, near Kuala Teku, fairly fresh tracks of elephant, rhinoceros and tapir were noted, and during our stay at the higher camps, a large herd of the former had evidently spent some time in the vicinity, though luckily they had not interfered with our house. Elephant tracks and dung were noted at over 5,000 ft. on the pass leading from the head-waters of the Tahan into Kelantan.
One of the most curious points in connection with the fauna was the utter absence of pig and deer—either sambhur, barking deer or mouse deer. The absence of sambhur (rwsa) was not perhaps very extraordinary, as this species frequents, as a rule, forest in the vicinity of clearings and kampong land, but I certainly expected to meet with barking deer (kijang) ; and the absence of mouse deer (pélandok and napu), which are usually abundant everywhere, is quite inexplicable. ‘The non-occurrence of pigs, which are very abundant on the Selangor main range up to about 5,000 ft., was perhaps due to the relative scarcity of tuberous plants on which these animals mainly feed. The kambing gurun (Nemorhaedus swettenhami) was heard, and its dung seen high up on Gunong Tahan at about 6,500 ft., and also in the valley at slightly over 5,000 ft., but it appeared to be rare.
XX.
Of the larger carnivora, members of the party met with bears and black leopards, but no tigers were seen or heard, possibly, because there was nothing for them to live on; at the mouth of the Tahan and also at Kuala Tembeling they were very numerous.
Birps.—Up to about 3,000 ft. birds were very scarce in indivi- duals, though numerous in species ; while above that limit the contrary was the case and probably over 90 per cent. of the individuals seen belonged to four or five species.
Of the 175 species of which specimens were collected Mr. Ogilvie- Grant has described seven species as new, but I do not think that any of them will ultimately prove to be peculiar to Gunong Tahan.
Only two species, Gecinus robinsoni and Zosterops tahanensis, have not been procured within the last year or so on the mountains of the Selangor main range, distant as the crow flies about seventy or eighty miles from Gunong Tahan. Of the novelties collected by Mr. Water- stradt, only one Suya waterstradti has not been procured elsewhere, and, in my opinion, this is the only species at all likely to be confined to Gunong Tahan. Very few birds were seen but not procured on mount Tahan. A swiftlet (Collocalia) was very abundant on one or two occasions, and I once noted what I thought was a crag martin. A few large eagles were seen, but, as 1s almost invariably the case in large jungle, it was impossible to obtain them, though one pair of a species of Spizaetus come within range. The other species noted was Neopus malayensis and possibly Lophotriorchus kieneri. Argus pheasants and wood quail (Rollulus roulroul) were very abundant on the lower slopes and formed a welcome change of menu, as they were very easily trapped. The larger hornbills were scarce, and the imperial pigeon, usually so abundant on the high mountains throughout the Peninsula, was not met with once.
Reprii1a.—Reptiles of all orders were very scarce on the mountain, all the lizards being quite rare; while the only snake that could be called common was Psammodynastes pulverulentus, which, as noted elsewhere (post p. 69), was much dreaded by the natives. No species of tortoise was seen, though we were all on the look-out for them, as I was specially anxious to obtain additional specimens of the hill tortoise (Testudo pscudemys), described from specimens obtained some years ago in the Batang Padang mountains, South Perak.
The occurrence of Calotes microlepis, so far down the Peninsula, is interesting as showing an affinity between the fauna of Gunong Tahan and the Tenasserim hill ranges, which is borne out by the Gecinus, a species allied to G. occipitalis, which also occurs in Tenasserim. ‘The waters of the Tahan and Upper Tembeling are too rapid for crocodiles and no species, not even the gavial, occurs in them. Even in the Pahang River, though there are many deep and still pools suitable for them, they are decidedly rare. Upstream, from Kuala Semantan, human beings are practically never attacked by them, and, though I made careful enquiry at Kuala Tembeling, I never heard of a case.
XXill.
BarracuiA AND Fisues.—-There is nothing special to note with regard to these groups. The latter were hardly collected, as we had no dynamite with us, and the few specimens we captured by other means were in too great request as food to be consigned to the spivit jar.
InverreBRAtes.—Time did not permit of our devoting our atten- tion to collecting the invertebrata, for which, at any rate during the time of our visit, Gunong;'Tahan proved a singularly poor ground. Butterflies were fairly numerous at Kuala Teku, but were only the common varieties, chiefly Pieride, to be met with everywhere in the Malay Peninsula. At our 6th Camp (alt. 3,300 ft.) Longicorns were fairly numerous, both in species and individuals. A considerable number were collected, which will doubtless be reported on in due course. Higher up insect life was very scarce, and in the central valley practically the only butterflies noted were species of Delias and Danais, which were rare, and a Mycalesis which was very common. Wasps (Vespa ducalis) and humble bees (Bombus sp.) were fairly common at high altitudes, and so was a large bluish-black click beetle (Elaterid). Mosquitoes were very scarce and so luckily were the large blowflies, which, on many mountains in the Peninsula, render life a bur- den by depositing their eggs in clothes and food. Very few centipedes, muillipedes or scorpions were noted, though one or two very large specimens of the former group were found under stones at the summit.
BOTANY.
Contrary to expectation the general Flora of the Tahan region was by no means rich, and in particular the comparative scarcity of epiphytic plants, which on the main range of the Peninsula are exceedingly abundant, was very marked. This is probably due to the fact that Gunong Tahan is situated at a very considerable distance from the sea, and that, durmeg a portion of the year at least, possesses a much drier climate than most other mountains approaching it in height. The soil, too, being entirely derived from the denudation of sandstones and quartzites, is largely deficient in the mineral elements necessary for vigorous plant growth ; while the steepness of the slopes, and the heavy rainfall during the wet monsoon, prevents very great accumulation of vegetable humus. Only in one place, beneath the escarpment of Gunong Tahan itself, did I notice anything to equal the luxuriant vegetation prevalent at similar heights in Selangor and Perak. Begonias, in particular, were especially scarce, and the growth of moss on trees and ground, even in the shadiest and dampest situations, was nowhere especially marked.
From Kuala Teku onwards to about 2,500 ft. the jungle was of ordinary submontane character of a somewhat open type, the most characteristic feature bemg the existence in large numbers of the rare and local palm Teysmannia altifrons, which was a perfect godsend to us for hut-building purposes, as the bertam palm Eugeis- sona tristis, in general use for such purposes, was hardly to be found.
XXIV.
Above 2,000 ft. a small-stemmed palm known to the Malays as pallas, and which makes valuable walking-sticks, began to be abun- dant, but died out again as the altitude increased. At Kuala Teku itself two species of bamboo were fairly common—one of the ordinary variety about three or four inches in diameter; while the other, which I have not seen elsewhere than in the Tahan valley, was about an inch and a quarter in cross section and almost solid. Above 1,500 ft. bamboos rapidly thinned out, and at the 6th Camp they were rare and quite sporadic as were also the ordinary rotans, though one or two dwarf creeping kinds were not uncommon. About 2,000 ft., as we were nearing the summit of the ridge, the true mountain vegetation began to appear. Among the larger forest trees the large-coned Dammara attained its maximum size, while one or possibly two species of Dacridiwim were not uncommon. The crimson Rhododendron malayanum became abundant whilst on slopes, where fallen trees or landslips had opened up the ground thickets of bracken-like ferns intermixed with pitcher plants grew luxuriantly.
After 3,000 ft. large trees quite died out; while shrubs allied to Vaccinium, a large species of Pandanus and bushy forms of Dacridium and Podocarpus took their place. Pitcher plants became very much more abundant and continued right to the summit of the mountain, while rotans and bamboos almost died out. On some of the steep and rocky slopes a tall palm with fan-shaped leaves, which is seen in the foreground of plate D, was very numerous and, in default of better mate- rial, was used for building shelters. As has been noted previously, no exceptionally luxuriant vegetation cccurs anywhere on Gunong Tahan, except in the gullies on the actual escarpment of the mountain, where the moss was very thick. Here were noted a handsome Rhododendron, with scarlet flowers, allied to R. jackianum and a fine Dendrobium, with deep magenta flowers. Two or three species of Burmanniaciae were also not uncommon. After crossing the escarpment and the shoulder of the mountain and descending again into the broad valley of the Teku, which has been described in the section on Physical Features, the vegetation again changed somewhat in damper situations, coarse sedges and grasses and a species of sundew were the dominant forms. On the rocks pitcher plants with small white pitchers and an orchid with small ovate pseudo-bulbs of a bright yellow colour were very numerous; while in the lateral valleys wherever the soil was a little thicker two handsome ground orchids were much in evidence, one with flowers of a bright buttercup yellow (Spathoglottis wrayi), and the other of varied shades of mauve and magenta (Arundina bambusaeifolia var.). This flora continued practically unchanged to the actual summit, but on the final ridge the hillocks were covered with a somewhat denser vegetation, chiefly composed of Pandanus and large-leaved species of Rhododendron, which were not in flower at the time of our visit, but are identical with a species found on the Selangor main range at altitudes above 4,500 ft.
XXV.
Unfortunately, after Mr. Wray’s departure, much time could not be devoted to Botany, but in all about 200 species of plants were collected, of which it is hoped to publish a list in a subsequent number of this Journal.*
* Since this report was in type, I have heard that Mr. Ridley has worked out our botanical collection. His report will shortly appear in the “ Journal of the Linnzan Society.”
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MAMMALS.
BY
J. LEWIS BONHOTE, MA, FLS.
7.
REPORT ON THE MAMMALS. By J. LEWIS BONHOTE, ».a., F.1.s,
FIELD NOTES, By H. C. ROBINSON,
(WITH ONE PLATE.)
HE following is an Account of the small Collection of Mammals, made on Gunong Tahan by Messrs. L. Wray and H. C. Robinson. Considering the many collections that have been made in the Malay Peninsula of recent years, it is not to be expected that a large propor- tion of novelties should occur; but, of the 28 species in the present collection, three are new, while one, Mus inas, was only described a few months ago. A bat of the genus Celops is described, a squirrel allied to Sc. tenwis and a local race of F. rufigenis. Besides these actually undescribed species, there are several species of, perhaps, still greater interest as adding further to our knowledge of the fauna; and among these should be noted especially the fine series of Se. c. griseo- pectus, a further example of Mus ciliatus and a single specimen of Gymnura, an animal that seldom finds its way into collections.
I have given as little synonymy as possible; Capt. Flower’s paper in the Proc. Zool. Soc. for 1900 is quoted, after the first reference, as “ Flower, op. cit.”; and in the same way my paper in the ‘ Fasciculi Malayenses (1903)” is quoted as “Bonh., op. cit.” In these two papers will be found all former references relating to the various species in the Peninsula and reference is made to all papers subsequent to 1903. Blanford’s Fauna of British India Mammals, quoted as ‘“ Bianf. Mamm.,”” has been referred to, although it does not deal with the Malay Peninsula, because it is likely to be within reach of collectors on the spot and gives valuable information as regards habits as well as detailed descriptions.
1. HYLOBATES SYNDACTYLUS (Des™.). Pithecus syndactylus, Desm., Mamm., p. 531 (1820). Hylobates syndactylus (Desm.) ; Flower, P.Z.S., 1900, p. 313.. a. m.ad. Gunong Tahan, Pahang. 3,000 ft. 16th June, 1905,
This specimen is a very fine adult male. The dimensions noted are: Stretch of arms, 5 ft. 7 in.; heel to body, 1 ft. 5 in.; hind-foot, 73 in.; hand, 63 in.; body girth, 1 ft. 10} m.; ear, 1; in.; eyes, reddish-brown; skins of hands, feet, face and pouch, black.
2 TAHAN RXPRDITION.
2, HYLOBATES LAR (LinNy.), Homo lar, Linn. Mantissa, App. p. 521 (1771). Hylobates lar (Linn.) ; Blanf. Mamm., p.¢; Flower, op. cit., p. 312. a. f.ad. Kuala Teku, Tahan River, Pahang. 500 ft. 7th August, 1905.
b. m.juv. (son of above).
The adult specimen is of a uniform pale brownish-yellow, having the white ring round the face extremely clear and well marked. The young is of a uniform dark brown, with pale rump, breast, vent, hands and feet, the lighter colour extending for some way up the inside of the arms. ‘The ring round the face is white, this colour extending back on the neck and cheeks to a little behind the ear.
| Both this species, the wa-wa or ungka puteh, and the preceding, the siamang, were common on the lower slopes of Gunong Tahan, extending up to a height of about 3,000 ft. They were, however, extremely wary and, owing to the steep slopes and broken nature of the country, very difficult to approach. Their cries were constantly heard in the early morning and were readily distinguishable, that of the siamang being much more sonorous and staccato.—H. C. R.} _
3. PRESBYTES OBSCURUS (REID). .
Semnopithecus obscurus, Reid, P.Z.S., 1837, p. 14; Blanf. Mamm., p. 41; Flower, op. cit., p. 317.
Presbytes obscurus (Reid); Bonh., Fascic. Malay Zool.,i., p. 5 (1903). a. fad. Kuala Teku, Tahan River, Pahang. 500 ft. 7th August, 1905. b. juv. (young of above). C. » Kuala Teku, Tahan River, Pahang. S500 ft. 31st July, 1905. d. m.ad. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200ft. 25th August, 1905.
<The young are of an uniform pale orange colour throughout, the tip of the tail being slightly darker. In the older of the two the hands are dark brown as in the adult and the fulvous hairs are thickly interspersed with dark brown ones as far up as the elbows; there are also a few dark hairs over the face.
[On Gunong Tahan the lotong was found in troops of seven or eight to an altitude of about 2,000 ft. and was decidedly shy. At Kuala Tembeling, on the other hand, in the vicinity of Malay villages, it was remarkably tame and could be approached without difficulty.—H.C. R. |
4, PRESBYTES FEMORALIS (MarrTin).
Semnopithecus femoralis, Martin, Charlesworth’s Mag. Nat. Hist., il., p. 436 (1838) ; Flower, op. cit., p. 318.
Presbytes femoralis (Martin); Bonh., op. cit., p. 7.
a. m.ad. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 25th August, 1905.
F145 3 a - 20th August, 1905.
These two individuals are very similar, but the female is rather darker in colour, while the male is much greyer and approaches the so-called “ albocinereus” type.
MAMMATS. 3
| The kaka is very similar in habits to the preceding species. The more typical P. femoralis, with the white on the inside of the thighs very sharply defined, seems to be mainly a low-country form, while the paler variety is more common in the hills up to about 3,000 ft,—
H. C. R.] 5. MUSTELA FLAVIGULA PENINSULARIS, Bonn.
Mustela flavigula peninsularis, Bonh., Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vii., vol. 7, p. 346 (1901).
Mustela flavigula (Bodd.) ; Blanf. Mamm., p. 158; Flower, op. cit., p. 335.
a. mad. Kuala Teku, Tahan River, Pahang. 500 ft. 7th Anenust, 1905.
A typical example of the peninsular race,
| A specimen of what was almost certainly this Marten was seen, but not secured, among rocks at over 6,000 ft.-—H. C. R. |
6. TUPAIA FERRUGINEA, RAFFLEs,
Tupaia ferruginea, Rafies, Trans. Linn. Soc., xiii., p. 256 (1822) ; Blanf. Mamm., p. 210; Flower, op. cit., p. 336; Bonh., P.Z.S., 1900, p. 874; id., op. cit., 1906, 1., p. 4.
a.-d. 2 m.,2 f. Gunong Tahan. 3,300 ft. June, 1905.,
ie re Pe 6th Angust, 1905.
f. m. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200ft. 29th August, 1905.
The underparts are very pale in one of the males from Gunong Tahan, and the specimen from Kuala Tembeling differs in being much more rufous on the back, while the hairs on the underparts are creamy buff to their bases.
[Common everywhere.—H. C. R. |
7. GYMNURA GYMNURA (RaArFLEs).
Viverra gymnura, Raffles, Trans. Linn. Soc., xiu., p. 272 (1822).
Gymuura rafflesi (Horsf. & Vig.) ; Blanf. Mamm., p. 220; Flower, op. cit., p. 337.
a. f.ad. Kuala Teku, Tahan River, Pahang. 500 ft. 4th August, 1905.
This animal is extremely scarce in collections, so that a good series for examination is not available; the Malayan form appears to be smaller than the Sumatran race, but the material at hand is so scanty that the apparent differences may be merely due to individual variation.
[Snared in a fence trap set for Argus Pheasants. The species possesses an intolerably offensive alliaceous odour.—H. C. R.|
8. CROCIDURA FULIGINOSA (BLyTs).
Sorex fuliginosa, Blyth, J.A.S.B., xxiv., p. 362 (1856). . Crocidura fuliginosa (Blyth) ; Blanf. Mamm., p. 242; Bonh., op. cit., p. 14.
Aaa. f. Gunong Tahan. 5,800 ft, June and July, 1905,
A, TAHAN BPXPEDITION.
[One of these specimens was dislodged from beneath a stone in broad daylight and seemed practically blind, and the other was trapped with rice as bait in the bed of a stream. The species scems to have a very wide range in altitude, being also recorded from the Larut Hills at 4,000 ft. (A. L. Butler) and from Biserat which does not exceed 300 ft.—H. C. R. ]
9, PTEROPUS VAMPYRUS (Liny.).
Vespertilio vampyrus, Linn., Syst. Nat.,1., p. 81 (1758).
Pteropus edulis, Geofr., Blanf. Mamm., p. 259; Flower, op. cit., p-. 939.
Pteropus vampyrus (Linn.); Bonh., op. cit., p. 14.
a., b. m. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 26th Angust.
Local and sporadic, but common wherever and whenever found.
The collection contains a single specimen of a Bat, which appears to have been hitherto undescribed. It belongs to the scarce genus Celops, and I propose for it the name.
10. CQ@LOPS ROBINSONI, sp. nov.
Very similar to C. frithii, from which it differs chiefly in its smaller size,
In colour it is dark brown, each hair being rather paler at the tip. The metacarpal bone of the thumb is very long and entirely encased in the wing membrane, but the phalanx, though extremely short and bearing a strong claw, is quite free. Blanford’s statement (Faun. Brit. Ind. Mamm., p. 291) that in C. frithii “the thumb is included in the membrane to the base of the claw” must have been an oversight as in C. frithii, the terminal phalanx is free, and in this respect does not differ from the species under consideration.
The nose leaf is in the main similar to that of C. frithii. The sella is fairly broad and slightly narrower at its upper end, whereas in C. frithvi it is narrowest at its base, while the lower supplementary leaf let in the present species is also broader and rounder and less acutely pointed. The margin of the posterior leaf is smooth and uniform in outline, except for a bold shield-shaped protuberance in the middle line. The pore behind the leaf, with its pencil of hairs, is well developed. Le
Dimensions of the type (in alc.).—Head and body, 33 mm. ; ear, 14 mm. ; forearm, 37 mm. (the forearm of C. frithii is 41 mm. and of C. bernsteini, 42 mm.).
Hasitat.—Gunong Tahan at 500 ft., Pahang.
Typr.—Ad., collected on Gunong Tahan by Mr. Robinson. This species is the smallest of the genus, so far known, and its size alone will enable it to be easily recognised from its congener.
[Captured in the young rolled up leaf of a wild banana.—H. C. BR. |
MAMMALS. 5
ll. RHINOLOPHUS TRIFOLIATUS, TeEm™.
Rhinolophus trifoliatus, Temm., Mon. Mamm., i, p. 27, pl. 31 (1835); Blanf. Mamm., p. 272; Flower, op. cit., p. 341; Ands. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (7), xvi., p. 249 (1905).
a.inale. Gunong Tahan, Pahang. 500 ft.
This specimen, so Mr. Knud Anderson informs me, is, although fully grown, young; the fully adult individuals being much lighter in colour. Great care must be taken to distinguish this species from R. sedulus (Ands., loc. cit., p. 347), which externally bears a striking resemblance to Lt. trifoliatus, and can only be distinguished with certainty by its skull characters.
12, RATUFA BICOLOR MELANOPEPLA, MILL. Ratufa melanopepla, Miller, Proc. Wash. Acad. Sci., u1., p. 71 (1900). Ratufa bicolor (Sparrm.); Blanf. Mamm., p. 373; Flower, op. cit., p- 354; Bonh., op. cit., p. 18. a. mad. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 22nd August, 1905. b. f. ,, Kuala Teku, Tahan River, Pahang. 500 ft. 3rd August, 1905.
Further material has, as [ anticipated (Fascic. Malay. Zool.,i., p. 19), proved the Malayan form to be subspecifically distinct from the true R. bicolor which occurs in Java, one of the chief points of difference being the large and conspicuous light tips to the hairs of the tail. The two specimens in this collection are especially interesting, as showing two stages of the bleaching across the rump. In the female, the whole of the back (except the rump) is of a uniform deep purplish- brown, almost black, on the rump the hairs are of a much lighter brown as well as being coarser and rougher to the touch. In the male, the back and rump are practically uniform in colour, the hair being of a dark glossy purplish-brown, most of them minutely an- nulated or tipped with red, and these red tips are most conspicuous on the outside of the thighs across the lower back.
[Speaking generally, in the southern half of the Malay Peninsula, this species is not nearly so common as the following. The present form is, however, frequently found in villages and orchards, which, so far as my experience goes, is never the case with Ratufa afinis aurei- venter.
Near our 8th Camp on Gunong Tahan at an altitude of about 5,300 ft. I watched for some time a Squirrel of this type, differig only in its apparently larger size and in having the ears very markedly tufted. Not having a gun with me at the moment, I was unable to secure it, and it was never seen again. Not improbably it was Ratufa gigantea (McClell.), which is reputed to occur in the north of the Peninsula.—H. C. RB. |
13. RATUFA AFFINIS AURELVENTER (GeorER.). Sciurus aureiventer, Js. Geoffr. Guerin, Mag. Zool., 1832; id., Voy. Ind. Orient. Belanger, p. 150 (1832).
6 TAHAN EXPEDITION.
Ratuta affinis aureiventer (Geoffr.) ; Bonh., Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (7), v.. p. 495 (1900). Ratufa bicolor (partim) of most authors. a-e. 2 m., 3 f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River, Pahang. 500 ft. July and August, 1905. A very typical ser ‘ies.
[Common in submontane tracts and deep jungle throughout the southern part of the Peninsula.—H. C. R. |
14 SCIURUS HIPPURUS, GEoFFR. Sciurus hippurus, Is. Geof'r. Htudes Zool., No. 6, pl. 6 (1832) Flower, op. cit., p. 856; Bonh., op. cit., p. 19. a. m. Gunong Tahan (6th Camp). 3,300 ft. 4th June, 1905. b. m. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500 ft. 31st July, 1905. Evidently a somewhat scarce species in the Peninsula. 15. SCIURUS CONCOLOR, BLyrTu. Sciurus eadolibe, Blyth, J.A.S.B., xxiv., p. 874 (1855) ; Bonh., op. cit., p. 20. Sciurus caniceps, Gray, Blanf. Mamm., p. 380; Flower, op. cit., p. 306. a.,b. f. Kuala Teihbelths! Pahang River. 200 ft. August, 1905. (Though very common in Selangor and Pahang, this squirrel seems to reach its southern limit in the territory of Malacca. It is not re- corded from Johore.—H. C. BR. |
16, SCIURUS TENUIS, - Horse. Sciurus tenuis, Horsf, Zool. Res. (1824) ; Flower, op. cit., p. 357 5 Bonh., P.Z.S., 1906 (4), p. 5. af. 4.,2 f. Gunong Tahan, Pahang. 3,300 ft. June, 1906.
These belong to the dark-coloured form of this squirrel and re- present, therefore; the true Se. tenuis.
On Gunong Tahan three specimens of a squirrel, nearly allied to Sc. tenuis, were procured, which I propose to call.
17, SCIURUS TAHAN, sp. nov.
Very similar in general appearance to Sc. tenuis, from which it differs in being larger and darker. ‘The general colour of the back is very dark with numerous yellow annulations to each hair. The general ereyish appearance of the true Sc. tenuis is quite absent. The yellowish-patch on the outside of the thighs, a noticeable feature in the true Sc. tenuis, is hardly to be made out. Tips of the hairs of the
tail are yellow not white, and the tail shows distinct black and yellow annulations, a good distinctive character.
MAMMALS. 7
The skull in its general shape is not unlike that of Sc. tenuis, but differs in its very much larger size.
Dimensions of type in the flesh.— Head and rine f 155 mm. ; tail, 104 mm.; hind-foot, 36 mm.; ear; 14 mm.
Bier sapeidins dimensions of typical tenuis from lower down on the same mountain: Head and body, 133 mm.; tail, 115 mm.; hind- foot, 29 mm.; ear, 13 mm.
Greatest Basilar Tite “of palate to. of molas breadth. nasals. henselion. — series, S. tenuis, See a, SO os EE ay 1S cee S. tahan, bY Pet ug SLO BGO S26... 12 4 pi Tien id
Hasrrat.—Gunong Tahan, 5,300 ft.
Typr.—No. 44, m.ad., collected by Mr. Robinson on the 9th July, 1905:
The collection contains two other specimens,-one of which, a female, was got at the same place on the Ist of July, while the other, a male, was shot about 2,000 ft. lower down the same mountain on the Ist of June.
SKULL.—
Although extremely like Sc. tenuis in external appearance, its larger size, darker colour and annulated tail will enable it to be easily recognised. | 18. SCIURUS CASTANEOVENTRIS GRISEOPECTUS, Briyrn.
Sciurus griseopectus, Blyth (nec Gray); J.A.S.B., xvi. p. 873 (1847).
Sciurus ¢. griseopectus, Blyth, Bonh., Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. (7), vu., p. 311 (1901).
a.-0.8m.,7f. Gunong Tahan. 3,3800-6,000 ft. June, 1905.
It is extremely interesting to receive a fine series of this hitherto little-known form. Although originally described from Assam, there can be little doubt that it is far more abundant in the mountains of the Peninsula.
Mr. Robinson, on my writing for further information on this species, replies: ‘A squirrel of this type is very common above 4,000 ft. on all the mountains of the Peninsula, but, on the central range and on the western side, it seems to lack the grizzled median ventral stripe and to be referable to the typical Sc. erythraeus.”
So far only two examples of Se. erythraeus (which is a mountain species ranging from Bhutan through Assam and Manipur to Upper Burmah) have been recorded from the Peninsula: one brought home by the “Skeat”” Expedition from Gunong Inas, Perak ; and the other by Messrs. Robinson and Annandale from the Semangko Pass on the borders of Selangor and Pahang.
In my paper quoted above I enter fully into my reasons for considering the present form as being a geographical race of tho
8 TAHAN EXPEDITION.
Chinese species Sc. castaneoventris, and the fact that it occurs chiefly on the eastern side of the Peninsula and is not unlike the Formosan race Sc. thaiwanensis centralis, certainly supports this view.
With the advent of more material the occurrence of Sc. erythraeus and Sc. ¢. griseopectus on the Peninsula will need further careful consideration.
The present series is very uniform and shows no variation, either in the shade of the chestnut colour, which is dark as in Sc. erythraeus, or in the extent of the chestnut area. }
19, SCIURUS VITTATUS, Rarrues. Sciurus vittatus, Rages, Trans. Linn. Soc., xii., p. 259 (1822); Bonh., op. cit., p. 22; td., P.Z.S., 1906 (1), p. 5. Sciurus notatus, Bodd., Flower, op. cit., p. 358.
a.-d. mm. Gunong Tahan. 3,300 ft. June, 1905. oe.) am. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 26th August, 1905.
In my paper, this year, on Mr. Kloss’ collection, I have gone into the supposed forms of this species so thoroughly that there is nothing more to add. These specimens all show the red tip to the tail and some are slightly greyer than others, especially on the tail.
(I have elsewhere commented on the curious fact that on the eastern side of the Peninsula this species is confined mainly to the jungle, while Sc. concolor is the common village Squirrel, though on the western side exactly the reverse obtains.—H. C. R.]
20. FUNAMBULUS [NSIGNIS PENINSULA, MILLER.
Funambulus peninsule, Miller, Smithsonian. Mise., Coll., xlv., p. 25 (1903).
Funambulus insignis peninsule, Mill., Bonh., P.Z.S., 1906 (1), pds
Funambulus insignis (F. Cuvier); Flower, op. cit., p. 360.
a. f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 21st August, 1905.
In default of further material I place this example under Mr. Miller’s name. It agrees exactly with those recently sent home by Mr. Kloss.
Of five specimens in the Selangor Museum collected at various places from Southern Perak to Negri Sembilan and in height from about 200 ft. to nearly 4,000 ft., I find that one from Bukit Kutu, Selangor, 3,000 ft., collected in August, differs from the rest in being much more rufescent above and in having the under surface, which in the other specimens is nearly white, strongly rufescent, especially in the region of the thighs, which approach golden orange in colour. The grever, white specimens are indistinguishable from the form deseribed by Mr. Bonhote as F’. insiynis julorensis from Bukit Besar in the Patani States.
a3 i
Sie oote cee
eee eet Jie aeet ae en
Sastauet
Vol. fig, Fs. Journ. F.M.S.Mus. Vorrertir
H. Goodchild, del.et bth. Huth, imp.
FUNAMBULUS RUFIGENIS BELFIELDI.
MAMMALS. 9
It is possible that all the Peninsular Funambuli are really one race, and that the differences are really seasonal and not subspecitic.—
H. C. R.] 21. FUNAMBULUS LATICAUDATUS (M.S.).
Rhinosciurus laticaudatus, Miill., Schleg. Verh., 1839, p. 100, pl. 5, fig. 1-3; Robinson, Journ., Fed. Mal. States Mus., p. 60 (1905).
Funambulus laticaudatus (M. 8.) ; Flower, op. eit., p. 359.
a. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 20th August, 1905.
A very bright-coloured specimen with pure white underparts.
Rare and local in the Malay Peninsula and very easily overlooked.
A single specimen of a squirrel, allied to F. rufigenis, appears to be sufficiently distinct to be worthy of subspecific rank, and I propose to cali it after Mr. H. GC. Belfield, British Resident of Selangor, who has taken a keen interest in the Zoology of the Malay Peninsula.
22. FUNAMBULUS RUFIGENIS B¥LYIELDI, subsp. nov. (Plate L.)
Sciurus rufigenis, Blanf., Robinson, Journ., Fed. Mal. States Mus., p. 65 (1905).
Differs from the typical rufigenis in having the back paler and slightly grizzled. The hairs are dark as their bases with reddish tips, whereas in the typical F. rufigenis they are of a much brighter red, which is continued to their base. The small patch behind the ear, which in the typical form is buffish, is in this form pure snow-white. The tips of the hairs on the hind-feet and thighs are also redder. Except for these difference, it closely resemble the typical F. rufigenis.
The skull shows no distinctive characters.
Dimensions of the type (measured in the flesh).—Head and body, 203 mim.; tail, 148 mm.; hind-foot, 42 mm.; ear, 19 mm.
SkuLuL.—Greatest length, 54.5 min.; basal length, 45 mm. ; length of palate to henselion, 24 mm.; interorbital breadth, 17 mm.; length of nasals, 18 mm.; length of molar series, 10.5 mm.
Hasirat.—Gunong Ulu Kali, Selangor, alt. 4,800-5,800 ft.
Type.—aAd., collected by Mr. H. C. Robinson on the 9th February, 1906.
The much redder cheeks and snow-white patch behind the ear form very characteristic marks of this race by which it may be easily distinguished. The type locality of the true I’. rufigenis is the forest region, east of Moulmein, at an altitude of 5,000 ft.
(This Squirrel, of which several specimens have been obtained recently, is very abundant on the above-mentioned mountain, which, it should be noted, has no connection with Gunong Tahan, being nearly a hundred miles distant. It lives mainly among the crowns of the giant pandanus which form a characteristic feature of the higher elevations of certain portions of the Peninsular main range, of which Gunong Ulu Kali is the highest peak in Selangor.—H. ©. R. |
10 TAHAN EXPEDITION.
23. MUS CILIATUS, BoNnnuore. Mus ciliatus, Bonh., P.Z.S., 1900, p. 879. a. m. Gunong Tahan. 3,300 ft. 24th June, 1905.
This individual agrees very closely with the type specimens in all particulars. As there was some slight confusion over the exact mea- surements in the former specimens, I append the measurements of the present example taken in the flesh :
Head and body, 245 mm.; tail, 535 mm.; hind-foot, 47 mm. ; ear, 27 mim.
(Though nowhere common, this magnificent Rat seems widely spread over the mountains of the Peninsula. The types are from Gunong Inas in the north of Perak, while the Selangor Museum
possesses a fine specimen trapped on Bukit Kutu, Ulu Selangor, at a height of about 3,000 ft.—H. C. R.!
24. MUS CREMORIVENTER, Mut.
Mus cremoriventer, Miller, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., xiui., p. 144 (1900) ; Bonh., op. cit., p. 36. 7
a. f. Gunong Tahan. 4,700 ft. 4th July, 1905.
This specimen appears to be rather larger than the typical series from which this species was described and from the specimens in the British Museum, but it agrees in all its other characters with the description, so that I have no hesitation in referring it to M. cremori- | venter, and more especially so as the hind-foot measurements agree. The dimensions of this specimen are:
Head and body, 1384 mm.; tail, 185 mm.; hind-foot, 28 mm. ; ear, 13 mm.
25, MUS INAS, Bonu.
Mus inas, Bonh., P.Z.S., 1906 (1), p. 9, pl. 1.
a. f. Gunong Tahan, Pahang. 3,800 ft. Ist June, 1905.
Agrees very well with the type, but is slightly paler.
26. MUS CONCOLOR. BLYTH.
Mus concolor, Blyth, J.A.S.B., xxviii., p. 295 (1859) ; Blanf. Mamm., p. 408 ; Flower, op. cit., p. 361; Bonh., op. cit., p. 38; id., P.Z.S., 1906 (1) 5g 14.
a.-c. 1 m.,2f. Kuala Lipis, Pahang. 300ft. 15th May, 1908.
27. HYSTRIX GROTEI (GRay).
Acanthochaerus grotei, Gray, P.Z.S., 1866, p. 310.
Hystrix longicauda, Marsden ; Flower, op. cit., p. 364.
Hystrix grotei (Gray) ; Bonh., op. cit., p. 39.
a. Kuala 'Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. August, 1905.
Au inmature specunen, closely resembling the type.
MAMMALS. ja’
28. TRAGULUS KANCHIL RAVUS, MILL,
Tragulus ravus, Mill., Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., xv., p. 173 (1902).
Tragulus javanicus (Gmel.) ; Blanf. Mamm., p. 556; Flower, op. cit., p. 374.
Tragulus kanchil affinis, Gray; Bonh., Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (7), xi. (1903) ; id., op. cit., p. 42.
a. b. m., f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. August, 1905.
It appears that 7’. afinis, as originally described, was a Nomen nudum applied to the so-called type specimen which is undoubtedly of Malay origin. It was, however, not until Mouhot’s Cambodian collection came in that T. affinis was properly described (P.Z.S., 1861, — p. 138). Under these circumstances, Mr. Miller’s name of ravus has to stand for the Peninsular form and Gray’s affinis for the Cochin- China form, my T. pierrei becoming a synonym of the last.
_—- eC
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE I. FUNAMBULUS RUFIGENIS BELFIELDI, subsp. nov. (P. 9 supra.)
Locatity.—Gunong Ulu Kali, Selangor, 4,800-5,800 ft.
: 7 = Me & a : x “e. 7} a. MM 7 ;
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Hus I~
UT.
BIRDS.
BY
W. R. OGILVIE-GRANT,
British MusgtuM (NaturRat History), CRomwetrt Roap, LoNpDon,
‘
“s 14 Ae oe “y MUNRO wari
, ss
ITAY
a a an
HH, REPORT ON THE BIRDS.
By W. R. OGILVIE-GRANT.
British Museum (Natural History), Cromwett Roan, Lonpon,
FIELD NOTES, . By H. C. ROBINSON.
(WITH TWO PLATES.)
rIXHE bulk of the large Collection of Birds, forming the subject of
the present memoir, was procured by Messrs. L. Wray and H. C. Robinson on Gunong Tahan, the high mountain on the northern border of Pahang, during the summer and autumn of 1905; a few Birds subsequently obtained during a brief expedition to Gunong Ulu Kali im the early part of 1906 are also included. The last-named mountain, rising to an elevation of about 6,000 ft., and one of the highest points in Selangor, terminates the range known as Mengkuang Lebah, from whence Mr. Robinson has already forwarded specimens of Polyplectron inopinatus (Rothsch.), Myiophoneus robinsoni, Grant, and other species of great interest and rarity.
The close affinity between the high-land Fauna of Sumatra and Borneo and that of the Malay Peninsula is clearly demonstrated in the present collection. Seven of the birds appear to represent unde- scribed forms—viz., aremarkable Jay (Cissa robinsoni), which may be regarded as representing C. jefferyi, Sharpe, from Kina Balu ; a White- eye (Zosterops tahanensis), being a dark form of Z. awreiventer, Hume ; a Shortwing (Brachypteryzx wrayt), allied to B. nipalensis (Moore), but with a darker reddish-brown female ; a small Fly-catcher (Muscicapula malayana) near M. hyperythra (Blyth), but darker, the female especially so; a very dark-coloured and quite distinct Green Woodpecker (Gecinus robinsoni); a very rare small Owl (Heteroscops vulpes), a rufous- coloured representative of H. luciz (Sharpe), from Kina Balu; and, lastly, a very distinct green Fruit-Pigeon (Sphenocercus robinsoni), most nearly allied to S. permagnus (Stejn.), from the Loo-Choo Islands, and more remotely to S. korthalsi from Sumatra and Java.
The following species are new to the British Museum—viz., Pyrrhula waterstradti, which was obtained both on Gunong Tahan and Gunong Ulu Kali, Pterythius tahanensis, Suya waterstradti and Siva malayana, of each of which large series were procured.
16 TAHAN EXPEDITION,
Among the most interesting birds I may specially mention the large series of Pericrocotus, which seems to show that P. crocexs, Sharpe, is founded on a mere colour variety of P. montanus, Syrnium maingayi, Hume, a very rare species of Wood-owl; Rheinardtius nigrescens(Rothsch.), the rare Malayan crested Argus; and Polyplectron imopinatus (Rothsch.), the beautiful Peacock-Pheasant, recently de- scribed by Mr. Rothschild, who considered it to belong to the genus Chaleurus.
Throughout the following paper, for the sake of brevity, my Report on the Birds in the Fasciculi Malayenses is quoted throughout as “Grant :”
CORVIDA.
1. CISSA ROBINSONI, Grant. (Pl. IIL., Fig. 1.)
Cissa robinsoni, Grant, Bull. B.O.C., x1x., No. exxvii., p. 9 (1906).
Adult male, most nearly allied to C. minor, Cab., but the inner- most secondaries have wider white tips indistinctly margined in- ternally with blackish, and lack the strongly marked subterminal black bars characterestic of C. minor and other alles. From C. jefferyi, Sharpe, it differs in having a much longer tail and very much wider tips and subterminal black bars to the outer tail-feathers; the white tips to the secondaries are likewise very different. Iris, whitish wattle round eye, carmine; bill and feet, orange-vermilion.
Total length: ca., 13.0 in.; culmen, 1.57 in.; wing, 5.55 in.; tail, 6.15 in.; tarsus, 1.7 in.
a. m. Gunong Tahan. 6,500 ft. 15th July, 1905. (No. 378).
[I never saw this bird myself, and it must be very rare as only one other specimen, or rather the remains of one that had been killed by some carnivore, was noted, though we all hunted for it assiduously for a week.
T am inclined to think that it was possibly a stray specimen from a more thickly wooded slope on the Kelantan side of the range, which, from want of transport and supplies, we were unable to reach.
The addition of the genus Cissa to the fauna of the Malay Peninsula is perhaps the most noteworthy feature of our bird collection.— H. C. RB. ]
2, PLATYSMURUS LEUCOPTERUS (TEMM.). Platysmurus leucopterus, Grant, p. 66.
a., b. f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 2nd September, 1905. (Nos. 635, 636). Tris, red; bill and feet, black. (A noisy and quarrelsome bird, very local in its distribution ; usually found in secondary jungle near villages, but not in orchard or
garden-land.—H. C. R. |
BIRDS. i7
EULABETIDA. 3. EULABES JAVANENSIS (OsBEck).
Eulabes javanensis, Grant, p. 66.
a.-d. m., f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 21st-28th August, 1905. (Nos. 551, 558, 600, 609).
Tris, dark brown; lappets, rich cadmium-yellow, lemon at the base ; bill, orange, yellow at the tip; feet, pale-chrome.
~[Common round villages and in open forest country, not as a rule found in thick jungle.-—H. C. RB. ]
DICRURIDA. 4, CHAPTIA ANEA (VIEILL.). Chaptia enea, Grant, p. 67. a., b. f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500ft. August, 1905. (Nos. 518, 57 1).
5. DISSEMURUS PARADISEUS (LInvy.,). Dissemurus paradiseus, Grant, p. 68. a.m. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 22nd August, 1905, (No. 564). b.-d. m., f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500-1,000 ft. July and August, 1905. (Nos. 438, 453, 481).
ORIOLIDZ. 6. ORIOLUS XANTHONOTUS, Horse.
- Oriolus xanthonotus, Sharpe, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus., iii., p. 213 (1877). a.-c. m.vix. ad., m.imm. et f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 600-1,000 ft. August, 1905. (Nos. 487, 476, 488). d. f.imm. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 30th August, 1905. (No. 618).
Iris, red ; bill, reddish-brown ; feet, bluish lead-colour.
_ [Usually found singly or in pairs in fairly open forest, and by no means a common bird in the Malay Peninsula.
It is curious that Oriolus consanguineus (Wardlaw-Ramsay), which is common on most of the Peninsular mountains, is almost certainly absent from Gunong Tahan, as it was not obtained either by Waterstradt or ourselves.—H. C. R.]
PLOCEID Z. 7. MUNIA LEUCOGASTER (BiyTH). Munia leucogastra, Hartert, Nov. Zool., ix., p- 578.
a. m,adult. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 5th Sept., 1905. (No. 659).
18 TAHAN EXPEDITION.
8 MUNIA MAJA (LINN.). Munia maja, Grant, p. 69. a.,b. m. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 206 ft. August, 1905. (Nos. 550, 562). Iris, dark brown; bill, pale lead-colour ; feet, bluish lead-colour.
9. MUNIA ACUTICAUDA, Hopes. Muuia acuticauda, Grant, p. 69. a. m. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 21st August, 1906. (No. 557). 1. PLOCEUS ATRIGULA, Hones.
Ploceus atrigula, Grant, p. 69.
a.-f. m., f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. August and Septem. ber, 1905. (Nos. 578, 579, 647, 649, 656, 657).
FRINGILLIDA.
ll. PYRRHULA WATERSTRADTI, HarRrerr.
Pyrrhula waterstradti, Hartert, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 577 (1902).
a.-m. m., f. Gunong Tahan (8thand 9th Camps). 5,100-7,000 ft. June and July, 1905. (Nos. 144, 193, 194, 237, 245, 246, 282, 298, 364, 365, 429, 430).
n. f. Gunong Ulu Kali. 4,700-5,800 ft. 10th February, 1906.
Iris, yellowish ; bill, black, shading into lead-colour at the base of the culmen ; feet, pinkish flesh-colour.
This Bullfinch is new to the British Museum.
[This fine Bullfinch, perhaps the most interesting bird on Gunong Tahan, is by no means uncommon on what may perhaps be called the moorland zone of the mountain; but is distinctly wild and difficult to approach. It flies in pairs and frequents the boughs of two kinds of stunted conifer and a shrubby plant of Vacciniwm type on the berries of which it largely feeds, though minute insects were also found in the crops of two specimens examined. The note is a faint pipe, like that of the British species, but very much feebler. Its flight is powerful and long sustained and the birds are very restless, never remaining long in one place.—H. C. R. |
MOTACILLIDA. 12, ANTHUS RUFULUS, Viert.
Anthus rufulus, Grant, p. 71.
a.-d. m.,f.etf.imm. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. August and September, 1905. (Nos. 541, 611, 663).
Iris, hazel ; upper mandible, black, lower horn-colour ; feet, brown- ish-flesh.
BIRDS. 19
13, MOTACILLA MELANOPE, Patt. Motacilla melanope, Grant, p. 71.
a.,b. m.etf.imm. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. September 1905. (No. 662).
NECTARINIIDA. 14. ARACHNOTHERA LONGIROSTRIS (Laru.). Arachnothera longirostris, Grant, p. 72.
a.,b. m. Gunong Teku, Tahan River. 500 ft. July and August. (Nos. 451, 461).
Iris, brown; upper mandible, black, lower yellowish with the base orange; feet, pinkish-yellow. 15. ARACHNOTHERA CHRYSOGENYS (TEMM.). Arachnothera chrysogenys, Grant, p. 72. a. f. Kuala Tembeling. 200 ft. 25th August, 1905. (No. 591). ' 16, ARACHNOTHERA MAGNA, Hopes. Arachnothera magna, Grant, p. 73.
a. f. Gunong Ulu Kali. 7th February, 1906.
17, ARACHNOTHERA FLAVIVENTRIS, GApow. Arachnothera flavigaster, Hyton., Hartert., Nov. Zool., 1x., p. 574 (1902).
a.,b. m., f. Kuala Tembeling. 200 ft. August and September, 1905. (Nos. 607, 637). Iris, hazel; bill, dark horn, reddish at the base; feet, gamboge, 18, ANTHOTHREPTES HYPOGRAMMICA (S, Mut). Anthothreptes hypogrammica, Grant, p. 73. a.,b. m Gunong Tahan. 3,800ft. June. (Nos. 41, 68), Iris, dark brown ; bill and feet, black.
19. ANTHOTHREPTES MALACCENSIS (Scop.), Anthothreptes malaccensis, Grant, p. 73. a.-c, m. Kuala Tembeling River. 200ft. August and September. (Nos. 612, 625, 660). 20. ZTHOPYGA WRAYI, Suarpe, AXthopyga wrayi, Grant, p. 74. a.-r. m., f. etimm. Gunong Tahan, 3,300-7,000 ft. May and July, 1905,
(Nos. 10, 40, 45, 65, 91, 102, 109, 139, 145, 190, 191, 247, 279, 392, 393, 398, 400).
DIC AIDA. 21. PRIONOCHILUS THORACICUS (TEmm.), Prionochilus thoracica, Sharpe, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus.,x., p. 67 (1885). a.-c. m., f. Gunong Tahan. 3,30Qft. June, 1906. (Nos. 54, 75, 76). Inis, brown; bill, black ; feet, dark slate-colour or black.
30 TAHAN EXPEDITION.
This species does not appear to have been met with in the Malay Peninsula by recent collectors, such as Mr. L. Wray, Mr. Laidlaw (Skeat Expedition), Messrs. Robinson and Annandale, Mr. A. I. Butler and Mr. Waterstradt.
22. PRIONOCHILUS MACULATUS (TEmMmM.). Prionochilus maculatus, Hurtert, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 575 (1902). a..b. m Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500ft. August, 1905. (Nos. 472, 485).
Tris, brown; bill, black; basal half of lower mandible and feet plumbeous. 23. DICHUM CRUENTATUM (Liny.). Diczum cruentatum, Grant, p. 74.
a.m, Kuala Tembeling, Pahang. 200 ft. 25th August, 1905. (No. 589).
24, DICAHUM TRIGONOSTIGMA (Scop.).
‘Diceeum trigonostigma, Grant, p. 75. a.m. Gunong Tahan. 3,800 ft. Ist June, 1905. (No. 17). Iris, brown; bill, black; feet, dark green. 25. DICHUM IGNIPECTUS (Hopes.). - Diceum ignipectus, Grant, p. 75. a. [m.] Gunong Tahan. 5,300 ft. 28rd June. (No. 192).
The bill in this bird is not larger than usual. As mentioned in a previous paper cited above, the bird from Telom had an abnormally large bill. | ,
ZOS'TEROPID A.
26. ZOSTEROPS TAHANENSIS, GRanrt..
Zosterops aureiventer, Hartert (nec Hume), Nov. Zool., 1x., p. 575 (1902).
Zosterops aureiventer, Grant (nec Hume), p. 75.
Zosterops tahanensis, Grant, Bull., B.O.C., x1x., No. cxxvii., p. 9 (1906).
Adult males differ from typical Z. awreiventer, Hume,i n having the upper parts of a rather darker green, the under parts darker grey. The yellow medium stripe varies in width in different individuals and cannot be regarded as an important character. —
In addition to the male in the present collection I have examined five specimens from Gunong Tahan, collected by Mr. Waterstradt, and now in the Tring Museum.
Tris, lead-colour ; bill, plumbeous, dark at the tip. |
a. m. Gunong Tahan (8th Camp). 5,800-6,000 ft. 7th July, 1905. (No.
306).
[Evidently scarce as this was the only specimen seen or shot,
though Waterstradt apparently found it common on the mountain.
BIRDS. 21
What is presumably the typical Z. aureiventer is very abundant on _ the coast of Selangor throughout the year.—H. C. R. |
SITTIDA. 27. DENDROPHILA AZUREA (LEss.), Dendrophila azurea, Grant, p. 76. a.m. Gunong Tahan (9th Camp). 5,100-7,000 ft. 17th July, 1905. (No. 396).
Iris, greenish-yellow; bill, livid bluish-green, black at tip; feet, similar, but more bluish ; claws, black ; orbital skin, livid greenish-white.
[This was the only specimen seen on Gunong Tahan. It is extra- ordinarily local in the mountains of the Malay Peninsula, being very common on some and entirely absent from others. It is avery trouble- some bird to collect, as it frequents the trunks of quite small trees, round which it dodges with remarkable agility.—H. C. R.]
28, DENDROPHILA SATURATIOR, HARTERT, Dendrophila saturatior, Grant, p. 76. a. m. Gunong Tahan (6th Camp). 3,800ft. 2nd June, 1905. , (No, 23).
The ear-coverts are bluer than in D. lilacea.
Iris, yellow; orbital skin, greenish; bill, vermilion, black at tip ; tarsi, dark brown.
[As far as my experience goes, this species is purely a submontane form, and the elevation indicated above probably represents the highest altitude it attains. The intensity of the lilac colour of the lower surface varies much, the present specimen, for instance, being of a far duller tint than others obtained in December on Gunong Angsi, a mountain in Negri Sembilan, at a height of from 2,500-3,000 ft.-—
H. ©. B.] PARIDA.
29. MELANOCHLORA SULTANEA (Hopes.). Melanochlora sultanea, Grant, p. 76.
a.-c. m.et mimm. Gunong Tahan (6th Camp). 3,300 ft. 11th-13th June, 1905. (Nos. 84, 85, 534).
Iris, red ; bill, black ; feet, bluish-grey. [By no means common on Gunong Tahan, but elsewhere it ranges up the hills to about 4,000 ft.—H. C. R.]
PRIONOPID. 30. TEPHRODORNIS GULARIS (Rarrt.). Tephrodornis gularis, Hartert, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 576 (1902).
a.m. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500-15,000 ft. 2nd August, 1905, ee ee
Tris and bill, black ; feet, greyish,
99 TAHAN EXPEDITION.
31. HEMIPUS PICATUS (SyYKEs). Hemipus picata, Hartert, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 576 (1902). a., b. m., f. Gunong Tahan. 3,300 ft. 5th June, 1905. (Nos. 46, 47). Tris, brown; bill and feet, black.
LANIIDA. 32. PTERYTHIUS MRALATUS, TICKELL. Pterythius eralatus, Hartert, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 576 (1902). a.,b. m., f. Gunong Tahan (8th Camp). 5,300-6,000 ft. 8th-9th July, 1905. (Nos. 308, 335). c.-d. m., f. Gunong Ulu Kali. 4,800-5,800 ft. 7th February, 1906.
Tris, hazel or chestnut; bill, lead-colour, black on the culmen and tip ; feet, dull flesh-colour.
The above-mentioned pair (c.-d.) from Gunong Ulu Kali were believed by Mr. Robinson to belong to a form distinct from P. xralatus— viz., P. cameronoi (Salvad). Ihave, however, looked carefully into the matter and can ouly endorse Dr. Sharpe’s opinion on the subject (ef. -P.Z.8., 1888; p.-276);
[Tickell’s Shrike-Tit frequents the better wooded parts of Gunong Tahan, mostly among trees growing on the precipitous face of the mountain. It keeps to the tops of the trees, and is consequently very difficult to obtain, though by no means uncommon. It flies in parties of six or seven, and is generally associated with Alcippe peracensis.—
H.C. RB] 33. PTERYTHIUS TAHANENSIS, HARtTERT.
Pterythius tahanensis, Hartert, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 576.
a.-r. m., f.etm.,f.imm. Gunong Tahan, above 5,000 ft. June and July, 1905. (Nos. 121, 150, 161, 178, 174, 215, 222, 233, 236, 268, 269, 274, 281, 326, 373, 404, 418).
Young birds differ from the adult female in having the chin and throat whitish, and only the middle of the breast and belly faintly washed with yellow. This Shrike is new to the British Museum.
Iris, dark brown; bill, bluish lead-colour, paler at the tip; feet, pinkish-flesh ; soles, orange.
[* Similar in habits to Pterythius wralatus, but frequents the more open country.—H. C. R.]
SYLVIIDA. 34, ORTHOTOMUS ATRIGULARIS, TEmm., Orthotomus atrigularis, Grant, p. 77. a.-c. m., f. Gunong Tahan. 3,300 ft. May and June, 1905. (Nos. 9, 19, 127). d. f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500 ft. 31st July, 1905. (No. 456). e. f. Kuala Tembeling. 200 ft. 28th August, 1905. (No. 610).
Tris, hazel; bill, black, paler at the base; feet, brownish-yellow or flesh-colour.
* Since this paper was in type we have obtained the species on Gunong Ulu Kali, Selangor, at 5,000 ft.
BIRDS. 23
35, CISTICOLA BEAVANI, Watpey. Cisticola beavani, Sharpe, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus., vii., p. 255 (1883), a. m. Gunong Tahan. 5,100 ft. 17th August, 1905. (No. 397). Iris, orange; bill, black; feet, pinkish flesh-colour.
36. PHYLLERGATES CINEREICOLLIS, SHarpr.
Phyllergates cucullatus cinereicollis, Hartert, Nov. Zool., iv., p. 518 (1897).
Phyllergates cucullatus, Hartert (nce Temm.), Nov. Zool., ix., p. 569 (1902).
a.-h. m., f. Gunong Tahan. 4,000-6,000 ft. June and July, 1905. (Nos.
104, 251, 265, 270, 278, 286, 296, 315).
Tris, yellowish ; culmen, black; lower mandible, horn-colour; feet, dull horn-colour ; soles, yellow.
This form is easily distinguished from P. cucullatus by the grey colour of the occiput and nape and the brighter olive-colour of the
back. 37. SUYA WATERSTRADTI, Harrerr.
Suya waterstradti, Hartert, Nov. Zool., 1x., p. 568 (1902).
a.-n’. m., f. et m.imm. Gunong Tahan from 5,000 ft. to the summit. June and July, 1905.
(Nos. 59, 141, 147-149, 154, 170, 201, 210, 234, 239, 260-262, 273, 299, 317, 344, 345, 350, 366-368, 385-388, 401-403, 416, 419-421).
All the specimens in the large series of this Warbler procured by Mr. Robinson agree with the description of the type. It is quite evident that the species never has a black throat.
An immature male (No. 201) lacks most of the black markings on the breast, which is greyish instead of white. This Hill-Warbler is new to the British Museum.
Iris, dark brown; bill, black, brownish at the tip; feet, brownish flesh-colour.
(This Warbler, of which Waterstradt got only one specimen, is one of the commonest birds on Gunong Tahan, and this fact makes me believe that he was never on the mountain himself, but that possibly some of his men spent perhaps a day on it. The bird goes about in pairs, keeping low down amongst thin bushes, and is very active and restless, repeatedly flicking its tail in the air. Its note is a shrill twee-twee, twee-twee.
In all probability Suya waterstradti is peculiar to Gunong Tahan. No other mountain in the Peninsula presents similar physical features.— H. C. R.]
TURDIDA. 38. CITTOCINCLA TRICOLOR (VIEILI.).
Cittocincla tricolor, Grant, p. 79.
a. m. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 5th September, 1905. (No, 655).
24, TAHAN EXPEDITION.
39. TRICHIXUS PYRRHOPYGUS (Lgss.).
Trichixus pyrrhopygus, Sharpe, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus., vii., p. 32 (1883).
a. adult. Gunong Tahan. 3,000 ft. 20th June, 1905. (No. 529). b. m. Kuala Teku, Tahan’ River. 500 ft. 8th August, 1905. (No. 506).
TROGLODYTIDA, 40. PNOEPYGA LEPIDA, Satvap. (?)
Pnoepyga lepida, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 570 (1902). Pnoepyga pusilla, Sharpe (nec Hodgs.), P.Z.S., 1888, p. 273.
a. m, Gunong Tahan (8th Camp). 5,300-6,000 ft. 3rd July, 1905. (No. 264).
b. m. es a ze 12th a (No. 348).
C.-8., 2 Ml, J. Ite, (9th Camp). 5,100-7,000 ft. 15th-17th July, 1905. (Nos. 372, 394, 395).
This species, which is probably identical with P. lepida (Salvad.), is evidently most closely allied to P. everetti (Rothsch.) from the island of Flores. The female differs from the female of P. pusilla in having the throat and middle of the belly white as in P. everetti.
The male of P. lepida appears to differ from the male of P. everetti in having the feathers of the forehead superciliary-stripes and cheeks rufous, the upper parts of a richer and more rufescent brown and the flanks but shghtly washed with fulvour.
There is a female of this species in the British Museum, collection procured by Mr. L. Wray on Gunong Batu Puteh, 4,300 ft.
Iris, dark brown; bill, dark horn-colour or black in adults, yellowish at the gape and beneath in young; feet, umber-brown.
[The determination of the sex on the specimen marked “f.” is doubtful, as it was determined by a native. The specimen agrees in coloration with the other males, which is not usually the case in the species of this genus.
This Wren, which in its habits precisely resembles other members of the family, was rare and exceedingly difficult to get, as it frequented dense brushwood and crept about beneath the interlaced twigs, so that it had to be secured by a snap shot at distance of a few feet, with the chance of blowing the bird to pieces.
Of this species, about the specific identity of which Hie: seems to. have hitherto been some doubt, only two specimens have as yet been recorded from the Malay Peninsula—viz., the one mentioned by Dr. Hartert in his paper on the birds collected by Waterstradt on Gunong Tahan ; and another from Gunong Batu Puteh in South Perak, collected by Mr. Wray (cf. Sharpe, P.Z.S., 1888, p. 273). The species is not represented either in the Taiping, Kuala ess! or Singapore Museums,—H. C. R.]
BIRDS. 25
TIMELITD A.
41. MINLA SOROR, SHARPE, Minla soror, Sharpe, P.Z.S., 1887, p. 439, pl. xxxviii., fig. 1. a., b. m. et mimm. Gunong Tahan. 4,000 ft. 14th June,1905. (Nos. 122, 123). ce. m. Gunong Tahan (8th Camp). 5,300-6,000 ft. 24th June, 1905. (No. 202).
The immature male differs chiefly from the adult in having the feathers of the crown shorter, darker brown and with the light shaft- streaks much less clearly defined.
Iris, dark brown; bill, horn-colour; feet, brownish.
{Rare on Gunong Tahan, but quite common on some of the Selangor mountains from 3,000-5,000 ft. The habits resemble those of a Tit, and the food consists principally of insects, which are sought for on the branches of small trees. The species assoviates with such birds as Pterythius xralatus, Cutia cervinicrissa and Siva sordidior,
but it is rare to meet more than three or four of the Minla in company with one another.—-H. C. R. |
42. MESIA ARGENTAURIS, Hopes. Mesia argentauris, Grant, p. 80.
a.-l’, m., f. et m.,f.imm. Gunong Tahan from 5,000 ft. tothe summit. June and July, 1905. (Nos. 133, 152, 153, 155, 164, 167, 178, 180, 183, 186-188, 195-197, 226-229, 242, 257-259, 277, 290, 291, 300, 340, 343, 356, 359, 376, 408, 417). Iris, brown ; bill, orange; feet, wax-yellow. | Quite as common as Siva malayana, and frequents similar situa- tions. It is, however, usually found in pairs and not in small flocks, and frequents the branches of shrubs quite close to the ground, while Siva malayana is always found on the tops.—H. C. R.]
43, HERPORNIS XANTHOLEUCA, Hones. Herpornis xantholeuca, Grant, p. 80. a.-c. m.etimm, Gunong Tahan. 3,300 ft. May and June, 1905. (Nos. 6, 8, 67). 44, SIVA MALAYANA, HARTERT,
Siva strigula malayana, Hartert, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 567 (1902).
a.-z’, m., f. Gunong Tahan (8th and 9th Camps.) 5,10U-7,000 ft. June and July, 1905. (Nos. 56-58, 116-119, 126, 134, 135, 142, 143, 156-160, 166, 171, 172, 179, 185, 203-205, 243, 244, 254-256, 301-304, 314, 321-325, 357, 377, 389, 390, 409, 413, 415, 427).
a”. m. Gunong Ulu Kali. 4,800-5,800 ft. 30th January, 1906.
Tris, reddish ; bill, horn-colour ; feet, pale slate-colour.
Though very near to S. castaneicauda, this form appears to have the upper parts somewhat greyer, All the specimens before us having
26 TAHAN EXPEDITION.
been killed in June and July are in very worn plumage, but I do not think this greyer colour can be entirely accounted for by wear. There is no difference in the colour of the underparts between the present form and 8S. castaneicauda. 'This is clearly proved by the large series collected by Mr. Robinson. The ear-coverts appear to be of a more blackish-tint in the Malayan bird, while in S. castaneicauda they are erey.
This species is new to the British Museum.
[Very common on Gunong Tahan proper, above 5,000 ft., and ranging up to the extreme summit at over 7,000 ft. Indeed, this species, with Mesia argentauris and Suya waterstradti, probably make up 99 per cent. of the bird-population, above the heavy jungle-zone on the mountain. It flies in parties of six or eight and frequents the open stony slopes of the mountain-side, which are only sparsely clad with heath-like shrubs, which rarely reach 10 ft. in height. It is not common in the gullies, where the vegetation is thicker and talier. Its food appears to consist principally of small insects for which it searches the upper branches of the shrubs, not coming so near the ground as does Mesia argentauris.
The large series of nearly fifty specimens differ very little inter se, but some specimens have the under surface very much paler in tint than others; nearly all, however, are in very worn plumage and the difference in colour is probably due to the age of the feather and not of the bird, the colours in this family bemg remarkably sensitive to light.—H. C. R.]
45. SIBIA SIMILLIMA, Sanvap.
Sibia simillima, Grant, p. 81.
a.m. Gunong Ulu Kali. 4,800-5,800 ft. 7th February, 1906. 46, BRACHYPTERYX WRAYI, Granr.
Brachypteryx nipalensis, Sharpe (nec Moore), P.Z.S., 1888, p. 273.
Brachypteryx wrayi, Grant, Bull., B.O.C., xix., No. cxxvi., p. 10 (1906).
Adult male similar to the male of B. nipalensis, Raila. but darker slate-colour above.
Total length : ca., 4.3 in.; wing, 2.4 in.; tail, 1.8 he tarsus, 1.1 in.
Adult female differs from the female of B. nipalensis in having the general colour above very dark reddish-brown, instead of olive- brown ; the feathers on the sides of the chest and flanks are also dark brown, instead of clay-brown.
Total length: ca., 4.2 in. ; wing, 2.4 in.; tail, 1.4 in.; tarsus, 1.1 in. a., b. im., f.imm. Gunong Tahan (8th Camp). 5,300-6,000 ft. 22nd June, 1905. (Nos. 181, 182).
c. m. Gunong Tahan (8th Camp). 5,300-6,000ft. 27th June, 1905. (No. 223).
d. m. Fe ” 4 4th July, 1905. (No. 271).
e. m. FS Be %5 9th ‘a (No. 329).
f. m. » (9th Camp). 5,100-7,000 ft. 16th F (No. 382)
BIRDS. 27
In addition to the birds collected by Mr. Robinson there is an adult male in the British Museum, procured by Mr, Wray at Gunong Batu Puteh. I have made this specimen the type of the present species.
[The bird shot on the 4th July, though most certainly a male by dissection, is in the plumage of the adult female. It has the iris brown, bill black, feet brownish, claws pale.
Another specimen, which is changing from the brown plumage of the female to the slate-blue of the adult male, has the iris hazel, bill black, base of lower mandible pinkish, feet lead-colour. Found in parties of two or three in damp gullies among low but thick brushwood
The Nepal-short-wing is confined to the higher mountains of the Malay Peninsula and is decidedly rare. Specimens have been obtained in the Larut Hills near Taiping and at Telém in the Batang Padang mountains in South Perak, but [ have never seen or obtained speci- mens in Selangor.-—H. C. R. |
47, MYIOPHONEUS DICRORHYNCHUS, Satvap. Myiophoneus dicrorhynchus, Sharpe, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus., vii., p. 10 (1883). Myiophoneus, sp. inc., Sharpe, P.Z.S., 1887, p. 486.
a.m. Batu Caves near Kuala Lumpur. 9th March, 1905. b. imm. Gunong Tahan. 5,300-6,000 ft. 26th June, 1905. (No, 214).
The immature bird was met with in a narrow mountain stream.
48, MACRONUS PIILOSUS, Jarp. AND SELB. Macronus ptilosus, Sharpe, P.Z.S., 1888, p. 275.
a.m. Gunong Tahan, 3,300ft. 15th June, 1905. (No. 132).
b. m. Kuala Teku, Tahan River, 500-1,500 ft. 2nd Aug.,1905. (No. 470).
c., d.m., f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. August and Septem- ber. (Nos. 540, 652).
Iris, brown ; orbital ring, silvery ; gular, purplish-cobalt; bill, black ;
feet, grey. 49, CYANODERMA ERYTHROPTERA (Btyrtm).
Mixornis erythroptera, Sharpe, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus., vii., p. 580 (1883).
a. m. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500 ft. 1st August, 1905. (No. 464). b. f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 5th Sept., 1905. (No.658).
Iris, chestnut; bill, black, plumbeous at the base; bare skin round eye, cobalt ; skin on sides of neck, greenish-cobalt ; feet, yellowish horn- colour.
50. STACHYRHIDOPSIS CHRYS#A (HopGs.).
Stachyrhidopsis chrysea, Grant, p. 81.
a.-g. m., f. Gunong Tahan, from 4,000 ft. to nearly the summit. June and July, 1905. (Nos. 43, 52, 97, 287, 316, 374, 375).
28 TAHAN EXPEDITION.
Iris, brown ; bill, bluish, reddish at the base of the lower mandible ; feet, greenish-horn.
| Frequenting low ihe in open situations and very tame and fearless. These birds seem to me rather dull in colour, duller than others I have seen from the mountains of North Perak, which is perhaps to be accounted for by the fact that they are mostly in worn plumage.—H, C. R.]
Stachyrhidopsis chrysops, Richmond, from Trang, a Native State on the west coast of the Peninsula, about 150 miles north of Penang, requires examination.
51. STACHYRHIS DAVISONI, SHARPE.
Stachyrhis davisoni, Grant, p. 82.
a.-c. m., f. Gunong Tahan. 3,300-6,000 ft. June and July, 1905. (Nos. 15, 212, 313).
Iris, brown; upper mandible, black; lower, bluish-horn; feet, greenish-horn; claws, lead-colour. 52. STACHYRHIS POLIOCEPHALA (TrMm.). Stachyrhis poliocephala, Hartert, Nouv. Zool., ix., p. 566 (1902). a.,b. m. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500-1,509 ft. 30th July. (Nos. 441, 442), Tris, light hazel; bill, plumbeous, paler at the base; feet, greenish.
538. STACHYRHIS NIGRICOLLIS (TrEmm.). Stachyrhis nigricollis, Sharpe, P.Z.S., 1888, p. 275. a. m. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 5th April. (No. 648).
54. ALCIPPE PERACENSIS, Siarpr. Alcippe peracensis, Grant, p. 82. a.-p. m., f.et f.iimm. Gunong Tahan. 3,300-7,000 ft. May-July, 1905. (Nos. 21, 22, 50, 73, 103, 129, 198, 199, 219, 225, 292, 318, 355, 383, 412). Tris, dark brown ; bill, plumbeous, paler at tip ; feet, yellowish flesh-
colour. 55. ALCIPPE CINEREA, BLyTu.
Alcippe cinerea, Grant, p. 82.
a-c. f. et imm. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500-1,500 ft. August, 1905. (Nos. 466, 480, 508).
Iris, dark brown; bill, horn-colour; feet, greyish.
56. CORYTHOCICHLA LEUCOSTICTA, SHARPE. Corythocichla leucosticta, Sharpe, P.Z.S., 1887, p. 438.
a.-t.m., f. Gunong Tahan, from 4,000 ft. upwards. June and July, 1905. (Nos. 94, 165, 206, 235, 250, 266, 267, 284, 285, 309, 338, 351, 358, 380, 381, 384, 410, 411, 428). Iris, red; bill, corneous or bluish-horn ; feet, brownish flesh-colour, much darker in some specimens. |
BIRDS. 99
-{A ground bird of very skulking habits, keeping to the thickest undergrowth in the gullies, and generally to be met with in pairs.
This species is widely distributed throughout the higher mountains of the Federated Malay States, from the north of Perak to the south of Selangor, but apparently does not extend further.
The female seems, as a rule, to have the middle of the abdomen and the under tail-coverts rather more rufous than the male, but the difference is not very well marked.—H. C. R. |
57. ANUROPSIS MALACCENSIS (HARTL.). Anuropsis malaccensis, Sharpe, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus., vii., p. 588 (1883). a. f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500ft. Ist August, 1905. (No. 465). Tris, hazel; bill, pale plumbeous ; feet, pinkish flesh-colour.
58. MALACOPTERUM ALBIGULARE (Byrn). Malacopteron albogularies (!), Hartert, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 564 (1902). a.m. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500 ft. 3rd August, 1905. (No. 486). Tris, hazel; bill, black; feet, dull lead-colour.
59. MALACOPTERUM MAGNIROSTRE (Moore).
Turdinus magnirostris, Sharpe, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus., vii., p. 547 (1883). Malacopterum maguirostre, Grant, p. 83. a., b. f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500 ft. 11th August, 1905. (Nos. 528, 524). 60. DRYMOCATAPHUS NIGRICAPITATUS (Eyton).
Drymocataphus nigricapitatus, Sharpe, P.Z.S., 1838, p. 275. a.m. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500 ft. August, 1905. (No. 510). b.f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. (No. 644).
61. TURDINUS ABBOTTI (Brytm).
Turdinus abbotti olivaceum (Strickl.); Hurtert,. Nov. Zool., ix., p- 562 (1902).
a.-d. m., f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. September, 1905. (Nos.
622, 627, 628, 646).
I cannot agree with Dr. Hartert in regarding the Malayan form of this species (7. olivacewm) as separable from typical T. abbotti. Among the Malayan birds both richly coloured and pale forms are found, quite irrespective of locality ; the former having the underparts quite as rufous as the brightest specimens from Assam, etc. The British
Museum possesses a very large series of this bird from all parts of its range. 62. RHINOCICHLA MITRATA (S. Mizz). Rhinocichla mitrata, Grant, p. 84.
a.m, Gunong Ulu Kali. 4,800-5,800 ft. 30th January, 1906.
30 TAHAN EXPHDITION.
63. POMATORHINUS WRAYI, Sarre. Pomatorhinus wrayi, Sharpe, P.Z.S., 1887, p. 437.
a.m. Gunong Tahan (8th Camp). 5,300-6,000 ft. 9th July, 1905. (No. 334). bs & " (9thCamp). 5,100-7,000ft. 16th July, 1905. (No. 379).
The female (spec. b.) has the grey feathers on the sides of the breast of a darker tint than the male (spec. a.), which latter agrees well in this and in other respects with the type-specimens in the British Museum.
Tris, brown ; bill, black, corneous at tip; feet, dull lead-colour, with a tinge of green.
[Seen on low shrubs, amongst thick and tangled undergrowth, at the edges of streams. Widely distributed throughout the higher mountains of the Peninsula, but rare everywhere.—H. C. R. |
64, TROCHALOPTERON PENINSULA, Swarpe. Trochalopteron peninsule, Hartert, Nov. Zool., 1x., p, 562 (1902).
a.-o. m.. f. Gunong Tahan (6th Camp). 5,300-6,000 ft. June and July, 1905. (Nos. 161, 162, 168, 169, 217, 218, 230, 231, 240, 310, 336, 339, 342). p., q.f- Gunong Ulu Kali. 4,800-5,800 ft. January and February, 1906.
Iris, yellowish ; bill, black ; feet, brownish-black, much paler brown in the female. ©
[In the great central valley of the Gunong Tahan range this bird 1s very abundant, though it does not descend below about 5,000 ft. It was found usually in pairs, but occasionally in parties of four and five and frequented the low brushwood along the sides of streams and gullies. It was often seen on or near the ground and never at any height in the trees. ‘The note, like that of other members of the genus, is a clear, melodious whistle; but, when alarmed, the bird gives utterance to a very discordant cackle. As regards the distribution of the species in the Peninsula, it is common everywhere in the mountains of the main range as far south as the southern border of Selangor ; and it also occurs in the Larut Hills in North Perak, where, however, I am informed that it is very much scarcer.
The series of fourteen birds from Gunong Tahan is astonishingly uniform, and there appears to be no sexual difference. One specimen, which from the character of the plumage appears to be slightly im- mature, differs from the rest in the absence of the grey occipital patch and in having the feathers of the mantle slightly browner.-—H. C. BR. ]
65. EUPETES MACROCERCUS, TEMM.
Eupetes macrocerus, Hartert, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 561 (1902).
a.m. Gunong Tahan. 3,300 ft. 5th June, 1905. (No. 48). b.f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500 ft. August, 1905. (No. 511).
Iris, brown; bare skin on sides of neck, silvery blue; bill, black ; feet, lead-grey.
BIRDS. 31
PYCNONOTID. 66. PYCNONOTUS SIMPLEX, Lg&ss. Pycnonotus simplex, Grant, p. 86. a. adult. Gunong Tahan. 3,300 ft. 4th June, 1905. (No. 38).
Tris, white ; bill, dark horn ; feet, brownish flesh-colour.
67. RUBIGULA CYANIVENTRIS (BiytTu). Rubigula cyaniventris, Hartert, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 561 (1902).
a.-c. m.,f. Gunong Tahan. 3,300 ft. June, 1905. (Nos. 16, 31, 87).
d.-f. m., f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500ft. July and August, 1905. (Nos. 440, 489, 490).
Iris, dark brown; bill, black ; tarsi, bluish lead-colour.
|A submontane bird, ranging up to 3,000 ft., but commoner at lower elevations; usually found in pairs in the tops of small trees in
thick jungle.—H. C. R.] 68. RUBIGULA WEBBERI (Heme).
Rubigula webberi, Hartert, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 561 (1902).
a.f. Gunong Tahan. 3,300 ft. 5th June, 1905.
Tris, hazel ; bill and feet, black.
The type-specimen, which was procured at Tonka in the Malay Peninsula, has the outer pair of tail-feathers largely white, only the basal five-sixths of the outer web and the basal third of the inner web being black ; the penultimate pair have the terminal half of the mner web white. Other examples from the Malay Peninsula have less white on the outer tail-feathers than the type-specimen, but the amount of white appears to vary in different individuals; the bird collected on Gunong Tahan having very little white and approaching R. sguamata (Temm.) from Java in this respect.
69. TRICHOLESTES CRINIGER (Biyri).
Tricholestes criniger, Grant, p. 86..
a.m. Gunong Tahan. 3,300 ft. 10th June, 1905. (No. 79).
b.m. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500 ft. 10th August, 1905. (No. 517).
70. CRINIGER OCHRACEUS, Moore,
Criniger ochraceus, Hartert, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 559 (1902); Grant, p- 87.
a.,b.m. Gunong Tahan. 3,300 ft. June, 1905. (Nos. 27, 68). Iris, red; bill, bluish; feet, flesh-coloured.
71. CRINIGER TEPHROGENYS (JARD. AND SELB.). Criniger tephrogenys, Grant, p. 86. a.f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500 ft. August, 1905. (No. 568).
OD. ND)
TAHAN EXPEDITION.
The browner, longer-tailed species, C. ochraceus, is an upland form and very rarely occurs below 3,000 ft., while the shorter-tailed yellower form, C. tephrogenys, does not ascend above that limit. The species, so far as my experience goes, are never found together, and their habits are quite different; the lowland form being found in much thicker jungle and being a much more retiring species than the mountain bird. It is also very much rarer.
72. CRINIGER PHHOCEPHALUS (HaRTL.). Alophoixus pheocephalus, Hartert, Rev. Zool., ix., p. 560 (1902).
a. b. f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang. 200 ft. August and September, 1905. (No. 638).
73. MICROPUS MELANOLEUCUS (EymTon).
Micropus melanoleucus, Sharpe, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus., vi., p. 69 (1881).
a., b. m.,f. Gunong Tahan. 3,300-6,000 ft. June, 1905. (Nos. 13, 216). Tris, dark hazel; bill and feet, black.
74, PINAROCICHLA EUPTILOSA, Jarp. anp SELB.
Pinarocichla euptilosa, Sharpe, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus., vi., p. 62 (1881).
a.m. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 27th August, 1905. (No. 602).
Tris, red; bill and feet, black. 75. IOLE OLIVACEA, BLyTH.
Tole olivacea, Grant, p. 87.
a,b.ad. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500 ft. July and August,1905. (Nos. 478, 522).
Tris, white; bill, horn-colour; feet, brownish flesh-colour.
76. IOLE PERACENSIS, HARTERT AND BUTLER.
Tole peracensis, Grant, p. 37.
a.-q. m.,f. Gunong Tahan. 3,300-7,000 ft. June and July, 1905. (Nos. 24, 32, 163, 220, 241, 248, 249, 297, 337, 346, 349, 399, 407, 425, 433).
Iris, red; bill, horn-colour; upper mandible, darker; feet, dull brown, with a tinge of Hesh-colour; soles, yellow. .
77. HEMIXUS CINEREUS (BLYTH),
Hemixus cinereus, Grant, p. 88.
a.-d. m.,f. Gunong Tahan (6th Camp). 8,000-3,300 ft. June-Angust, 1905. (Nos. 72, 80, 111, 525).
Iris, chestnut; bill and feet, black.
BIRDS. 33 78. HEMIXUS MALACCENSIS, Brytu.
Hemixus malaccensis, Grant, p. 88.
a.-e, m., f. et f.imm. Gunong Tahan. 3,309ft. June, 1905. (Nos. 28, 42, 44,71, 128).
Adult.—Iris, chestnut; bill and feet, horn-colour. Immature.—lIris, hazel; bill and feet, black.
79. IRENA CYANEA, BEGBIE. Irena cyanea, Grant, p. 88.
a.-d. f. et m.imm. Gunong Tahan. 3,300 ft. June, 1905. (Nos. 66, 70, 112, 113).
e., f. f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. August, 1995. (Nos. 556, 621).
Iris, red; bill and feet, black.
80. CHLOROPSIS ZOSTEROPS, Vic. Chloropsis zosterops, Grant, p. 89.
a.-c. m., f. Gunong Tahan. 3,390 ft. June, 1905. (Nos. 77, 86, 93).
d. m. Kuala Teku,Tahan River. 1,000 ft. 2nd August,1905. (No. 482).
e., f. m., f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 31st August, 1905. (New. 623, 624).
Iris, brown ; bill, black; feet, greenish lead-colour.
81. CHLOROPSIS ICTEROCEPHALA (LEss.). Chloropsis icterocephala, Grant, p. 89.
a. bh. m., f. Gunong Tahan. 3,300 ft. June, 1905. (Nos. 26, 88). c.-e. mf. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500-1,500 ft. August, 1905. (Nos. 462, 473, 519).
Iris, dark brown; bill, lead-colour ; feet, greenish.
82, CHLOROPSIS CYANOPOGON (TEMm.). Chloropsis cyanopogon, Grant, p. 88.
a. f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 2nd September, 1905. (No. 639).
83. GITHINA VIRIDISSIMA (Bpe.). a. f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500-1,000ft. 2ndAugust,1905. (No. 471). Iris, reddish-hazel; bill, pale-horn; culmen, darker; feet, bluish lead-colour.
[Usually found in the immediate vicinity of villages and not in deep jungle far from human habitations, as was the case with this specimen.—H. C. R.]
34 TAHAN BXPEDITION.
CAMPOPHAGID.
84. PERICROCOTUS MONTANUS, Satvap.
Pericrocotus montanus, Grant, p. 91.
Pericrocotus croceus, Sharpe, P.Z.S., 1888, p. 269 : ‘Grant. p. ol,
a.-k, m., f.et fimm. Gunong Tahan. 3,300-7,000 ft. June and July, 1905. (Nos. 180, 263, 274, 295, 311, 319, 332, 369-371).
1,-t. m., f. Semangko Pass, Selangor-Pahang Border. February, May and November, 1902-1904.
u.-w. m., f. Gunong Ulu Kali. 4,800-5,800 ft. February, 1906.
x.,y. m., f. Telém, Perak-Pahang Border. September, 1904,
Iris, chestnut or dark brown; bill and feet, black.
After a careful examination of the large series of Pericrocoti for- warded by Mr. Robinson, I am convinced that the type of P. croceus is « mere colour variety of P. montanus, and that the females with the top of the head and back dull glossy black and the rump and upper tail-coverts bright yellow, which I had regarded as belonging to P. croceus, are in reality merely fully adult females of P. montanus.
Among the birds collected on Gunong Tahan, a male and female (Nos. 369 and 370) are marked as a pair by Mr. Robinson. The male is in fully adult plumage, but the female is obviously not a very old bird as is shown by some of the feathers of the crown, which are narrowly edged with whitish-buff. This bird has the plumage of the head and back grey, and the rump and upper tail-coverts dull olive- yellow. It, therefore, follows that, unless some mistake has been made, the female sometime breeds in this grey plumage and that possibly the glossy black crown and mantle are not assumed until the second year.
No. 295, a female by dissection, is in partial male plumage, the rump, breast and belly beg orange-red. Mr. Robinson, as will be seen from the following note, evidently shares my opinion as regards P. croceus :
[Common on Gunong Tahan from a limit of about 3,500 ft. up to 6,000 ft., and generally found in pairs.
I cannot understand the Pericrocoti of the P. montanus section and their relation to P. croceus (Sharpe), if that species has any real existence, which I am very much inclined to doubt. Some females of the series seem to agree with the bird assigned to P. crocews in having the yellow colour of the rump much stronger and the head more glossy black, but I am inclined to think that these are really the very adult females of P. montanus. I send you my whole available series to help to clear up the point. It is noteworthy that of the very many specimens of the species that have passed through my hands I have never seen a specimen agreeing with the male type of P. croceus. There is no possible doubt about the sex of No. 295.—H. C. R.]
. ~
© or
BIRDS.
85. GRAUCALUS LARUTENSIS (SHARPE). Artamdes larutensis, Sharpe, P.Z.S., 1887, p. 435. Graucalus larutensis, Hartert, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 554 (1902) ; Robinson, Fasc. Malayenses, Zool., pt. iii., Birds, p. 90 (1905). a.-c. m., f. Gunong Tahan (6th Camp). 3,800 ft. May and June, 1905. (Nos. 5, 30, 37). d. m. Gunong Mengkuang Lebah, Selangor. 5,200 ft. 5th April, 1905. e. f. Semangko Pass, Selangor-Pahang Border. 2,700 ft. 25th Feb., 1904. Iris, red, reddish-brown or brownish-grey ; bill and feet, black. [Fairly common, singly or in pairs, about an altitude of 3,000 ft., but not higher, and keeps to the tops of the taller trees. Widely distributed over all the higher mountains of the central section’ of the Malay Peninsula.—H. C. R. | 86. GRAUCALUS SUMATRENSIS (8. MULL.). Graucalus sumatrensis, Grant, p. 90. a., b. m., f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 9th August, 1905. (Nos. 542, 543). Iris, white; bill and feet, black. [From a flock of five or six met with in a coconut grove.—H. C. R. |
MUSCICAPID Ai. 87. RHINOMYIAS PECTORALIS (SALVAD.). Rhinomyias pectoralis, Hartert, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 553 (1902). a. m. Gunong Tahan. 3,300 ft. 13th June, 1905. (No. 106).
b.,c. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500-1,500 ft. July and August, 1905. (Nos. 457, 484).
Tris, brown ; bill, black ; feet, pinkish. 88, CULICICAPA CEYLONENSIS (Swatns.). Culicicapa ceylonensis, Grant, p. 91. a. m. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500 ft. 4th August, 1905. (No. 492). Iris, dark brown; bill, black ; feet, yellowish-orange. 89. CRYPTOLOPHA DAVISONI, Sarre. Cryptolopha davisoni, Sharpe, P.Z.S., 1888, p. 271.
a-c. met mimm. Gunong Tahan (8th Camp). 5,300-6,000 ft. 21st June and 7th July. (Nos. 176, 177, 305).
Iris, dark or hazel; bill, dark above, orange at the base and at the tip; feet, dull greenish-yellow.
This species was described from a single example procured by Mr. L. Wray in the mountains of South Perak at an elevation of 4,200 ft. No specimens are available for comparison in local Museums. All three birds are in moult.
[In habits precisely similar to C. trivirgate, but very much rarer,—
H. C. B.]
36 TAHAN EXPEDITION. $0. CRYPTOLOPHA TRIVIRGATA (StTRICKL.).
a.-r. m., f. et m., f.imm. Gunong Tahan. . 4,000-4,500 ft. June and July, 1905. (Nos. 95, 96, 120, 136, 137, 211, 221, 238, 288, 353, 362, 363, 405, 406, 422-424),
Adult.—Iris, hazel; bill, horn-colour, yellowish at the tip; feet, French-grey.
Immature.—Iris, umber; bill, lead-colour, yellowish at the tip; feet, French-grey. )
Younger specimens differ from the adults in having the under surface dull greyish-green and the stripes on the crown far less clearly defined and whiter.
| This friendly little bird was very common on Gunong Tahan, fre- quenting the patches of low bush near the streams and also the faces of the cliffs. It was very tame and fearless and would often come within a couple of feet while one was sitting waiting for other birds. The note is a single chirp and is often repeated.
Elsewhere in the Peninsula this species is decidedly rare, and I have only met with it on one other occasion on the summit of Gunong Mengkuang Lebah, Selangor, 5,400 ft., whereI secured two specimens.— H.C. R.]
91, PHILENTOMA VELATUM (TEMM.). Philentoma velatum, Grant, p. 92.
u,b. m,f. Gunong Tahan. 3,300 ft. June, 1905. (Nos. 34, 39). ce. m. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500-1,500 ft. 1st August, 1905. (No. 468).
d. f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 24th August, 1905. (No. 584).
Tris, red ; bill and feet, black.
92, PHILENTOMA PYRRHOPTERUM (TEMM.). Philentoma pyrrhopterum, Grant, p. 92.
a.-c. m., f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500-1,000ft. July and August, 1905. (Nos. 450, 474, 507).
d. f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200ft. 380th August, 1905. (No. 614). .
Iris, chestnut; bill, black ; feet, greenish-grey.
03. RHIPIDURA PERLATA, S. MULL. Rhipidura perlata, Hartert, Nov. Zool., 1x., p. 552 (1902). a.,b. m. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500 ft. 31st July and 2nd August, 1905. (Nos. 455, 479). Iris, dark brown; bill and feet, black.
[Inhabits dense, low country jungle, keeping to the smaller trees and bushes.—H. C. BR. ] ;
BIRDS. 37
94, RHIPIDURA ALBICOLLIS (Vrerir,). Rhipidura albicollis, Grant, p. 92.
a.-l, m., f. et f.imm. Gunong Tahan, above 5,000-7,000 ft. June and July, 1905. (Nos. 176, 207, 208, 252, 275, 276, 330, 331, 347, 361, 426),
Iris, brown; bill, black, pinkish beneath; feet, dark grey. [Keeping to the thick scrub in the gullies.—H. C. R.]
95. TERPSIPHONE AFFINIS, Biyta, Terpsiphone affinis, Grant, p. 93. a. adult, Gunong Tahan. 3,000 ft. 15th June, 1905. (No. 535).
96. HYPOTHYMIS AZUREA (Bovp.). Hypothymis azurea, Grant, p. 94.
a. b. m.. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500-1,000ft. July and August, 1905. (Nos. 447, 513).
ce. f. Gunong Tahan. 3,300 ft. Ist June, 1905. (No. 18).
Female. —-Ivris, hazel; bill, black with bluish-sheen; inside of the mouth, yellowish-green ; feet, bright bluish lead-colour.
97. CYORNIS CONCRETA (S. MULL.). Cyornis concretus, Hartert, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 549 (1902).
a, mimm. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500-1,500 ft. Ist August, 1905. (No. 460).
Iris, brown ; bill, black; feet, dull flesh-colour.
98. DIGENEA MALAYANA, SHARPE.
Digenea malayana, Sharpe, P.Z.S., 1888, p. 247.
Anthipes malayana, Sharpe, P.Z.S., 1888, pp. 247 and 272.
a. b. m., f. Gunong Tahan. 5,000 ft. 11th June, 1905. (Nos. 124, 125).
ce. f. Telém, Perak-Pahang Frontier. 3,500 ft. 22nd September, 1904.
d. m. Gunong Mengkuang Lebah, Selangor. 5,200 ft. 6th April, 1905.
Iris, rich-brown; bill, horn; feet, pale purplish-flesh.
This species is quite distinct from D. moniliger. An additional character to those already given by Dr. Sharpe will be found in the extremely narrow black edging about 0.05 in. wide and confined to the white throat; in D. moniliger the black band round the throat is much wider about 0.1 in. and continued up the sides of the throat.
[This Fly-catcher is only found in the darkest and gloomest jungle, generally in narrow gullies where it keeps to low bushes.—-H. C. R. ]
99, NILTAVA DECIPIENS, SAnvap. ' Niltava decipiens, Grant, p. 94.
a.,b, m., f.imm. Gunong Tahan. 5,000-7,000 ft. June and July, 1905 (Nos, 224, 360).
838 TAHAN EXPEDITION.
100, MUSCICAPULA WESTERMANNI, SHarpr. Muscicapula melanoleuca westermanni, Hartert, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 551 (1902), af, m, f.et m.imm, Gunong Tahan. 4,000-7,000 ft. June. (Nos. 20, 110, 139, 146, 302, 391).
Tris, dark brown; bill, black ; feet, blackish-brown.
101. MUSCICAPULA MALAYANA, Grant.
Muscicapula hyperythra, Sharpe (nec Blyth), P.Z.S., 1888, p. 270; Hartert, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 552 (1902).
Muscicapula malayana, Grant, Bull., B.O.C., xix., No. exxvii., p. 10 (1908),
Adult male.—Resembles the male of M. hyperythra (Blyth), but the upper parts are dark grey instead of slate grey.
Total leneth: ca., 4.2 in.; wing, 2.25 in.; tail, 1.6 in.; tarsus, 0.7 in.
Adult female—Upper part much darker and greyer than in M. hyperythra and closely resembling those of M. pallidipectus (Hartert) from Batchian. It may, however, be at once distinguished from the latter by the much deeper colour of the underparts, the throat being rufescent and the sides of the belly and flanks mostly dark olive-brown.
Total length: ca., 4.0 in. ; wing, 2.25 in.; tail, 1.6 in.; tarsus, 0.7 in.
a. b. m., f. Gunong Tahan. 4,000-4,500 ft. 12th June,1905. (Nos. 98, 101). (Types of subspecies).
c.-q. m, f. et m, f.imm. Gunong Tahan. 4,000-6,000 ft. June and July, 1905. (Nos. 184, 189, 200, 232, 253, 259, 283, 307, 312, 327, 329, 354).
EURYLAMIDA. 102. CALYPTOMENA VIRIDIS, RAFFL. Calyptomena viridis, Grant, p. 96.
a.-c.m.,f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500-1,000 ft. August, 1905, (Nos. 469, 491, 499, 500, 504). | f.,g. f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200ft. Angust,1905. (Nos. 565, 576). | Tris, hazel; bill, greenish-horn, yellowish on the tomia and at the gape; feet, greenish. [Common everywhere in secondary jungle and among low trees and shrubs in old forest. —H. C. R. ]
108. PSARISOMUS DALHOUSI® (JAMESON).
Psarisomus dalhousie, Sclater, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus., xiv., p. 458 (1888).
a. f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500-1,000 ft. August, 1905. (No. 566).
[The Long-tailed Broad-bill is a rare bird in the Malay Peninsula and has only been obtained from two localities besides the present: one
BIRDS, 39
being the Larut Hills in Perak at an elevation of from 3,000- 5,000 ft.; and the second the Semangko Pass in Selangor from 2,700-4,000 ft. In the latter locality it is fairly common.
I have never seen the bird alive myself and know nothing of its habits.—-H. C. R.]
104% EURYLEMUS OCHROMELAS, RarFrt.
Eurylemus ochromelas, Grant, p. 96.
a. f. (with nest). Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500 ft. 25th May, 1905.
b., c. mad. et mimm. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 50)-1,000 ft. 8th
August, 1905.
(Iris, greenish ; bill, pale blue; tomia, yellow ; feet, pinkish flesh- colour. The nest of this species is very similar to that of H. javanicus, but smaller. In the present instance, it was suspended immediately beneath a leafy branch about 25 ft. above the river. It contained two nearly hatched eggs. The habits of this species are similar to those of Z7. javanicus, but it is often found in more open country. H.C. R.]
The nest of this species is very sinilar to that of Corydon suina- tranus (cf. Grant, p. 97).
1085. EURYLAMUS JAVANICUS, Horsr. Eurylemus javanicus, Hartert, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 548 (1902). a. f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500-1,000 ft. 20th July, 1905. (No. 444).
Tris, emerald-green ; bill, pale blue, tomia green ; feet, pinkish flesh-
colour. 103. CYMBORHYNCHUS MACRORHYNCHUS, (G™M.).
Cymborhynchus macrorhynchus, Grant, p. 96. a-e. m,f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. August, 1905. (Nos. 560, 561, 573, 574, 588).
Tris, emerald; bill, pale blue; tomia and tip, chrome; feet, purplish- blue.
[The Black and Red Broad-bill is found all along the rivers in secondary growths and around towns, but does not penetrate far into virgin jungle. Its large, untidy, globular nests are built at the ends of branches, never more than 10 or 15 ft. from the ground, and like those of the rest of the family are usually overhanging water. The note is best expressed by the syllables che-ri-ri-r, but the rolling
sound at the end is often much prolonged and is sometimes varied by a clear whistle.—-H. C. R.]
107. CORYDON SUMATRANUS (Rarfft.).
Corydon sumatranus, Grant, p. 97.
a. f. Gunong Tahan (6th Camp). 38,300 ft. 2nd June, 1905. (No. 29).
b. m. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500 ft. 29th July, 1905. (No. 445).
Male.—Iris, brown ; orbital skin, pinkish-red ; bill, pink; feet, dark maroon,
40 TAHAN: EXPEDITION.
Female.—Iris, whitish ; bill and skin round eye, reddish-pink ; feet, blackish.
[This species inhabits the same type of country as FE. javanicus, but ranges further up the hills. The specimen from Kuala Teku was one of a flock of six or seven which visited the vicinity of our camp late one evening at twilight. I cannot say, like Davison (Stray Feathers, vi., p. 97), that I found them sluggish; indeed, they were actively searching the branches of a tall tree for insects. The note was a somewhat harsh whistle, which degenerated into a grating squawk when the bird was alarmed.
The nest, which I obtained in Pahang at an elevation of about 1,500 ft., has already been described (cf. Grant, p. 97).—H. C. R. |
PICIDA. 108. SASIA ABNORMIS (TEMM.). Sasia abnormis, Grant, p. 27. a. 1 f. Gunong Tahan (6th Camp). 3,300 ft. 31st May, 1905. (No. 11).
Iris, carmine; orbital skin, crushed strawberry-colour; upper
mandible, black; lower, pale-yellow; feet, gamboge-yellow ; claws, dusky-yellow. |
109, PYRRHOPICUS PORPHYROMELAS (Bot!t.).
Lepocestes porphyromelas, Hargitt, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus., xviii, p. 382 (1890).
a. f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 5th September, 1905. (No. 661).
110. MIGLYPTES TUKKI (Less.). Miglyptes tukki, Grant, p. 98.
“a.-c. m., f.et m.imm. Gunong Tahan (6th Camp). 3,300 ft. June, 1905. (Nos. 90, 113, 114).
d.-f. m., f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500-1,000 ft. July and August, 1905. (Nos. 454, 495, 496).
Male.—Iris, hazel ; bill, dark lead-colour, paler beneath ; feet, dull brown.
Immature male.—Iris, brown ; bill, dark horn-colour with a pinkish tinge; feet, pinkish-brown.
Female.—Iris, greyish-brown ; upper mandible, black ; lower, bluish horn-colour, yellow at tip; feet, dark brownish. 111. MIGLYPTES GRAMMITHORAX (Matu.). Miglyptes grammithorax, Grant, p. 98.
a., b. m.,f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500-1,000 ft. August, 1905. (Nos. 477, 521).
Tris, chestnut; bill, black; feet, brownish-green.
BIRDS. Al
112,° CHRYSOCOLAPTES VALIDUS (TEMM.).
Chrysocolaptes validus, Grant, p. 99. a. f. Gunong Trahan (6th Camp). 3,300 ft. 11th June, 1905. Iris, red ; bill, horn-colour, yellowish beneath ; feet, brown.
[Fairly common in old jungle, ascending the hills to about the limit indicated above, though much scarcer at the higher elevations.—-
H. C. B.] 118. MICROPTERNUS BRACHYURUS (VIEILI.).
Micropternus brachyurus, Grant, p. 99.
a. f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500-1,000ft. 6th August, 1905. (No. 501).
b. f.imm. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 4th September, 1905. (No. 653).
[Common everywhere in low country, but more abundant in the neighbourhood of villages and secondary growth. Feeds mainly on tree termites and makes it nesting-burrows in their large globular
nests.—-H. C. R.] 114, GAUROPICOIDES RAFFLES! (Via.).
Gauropicoides rafflesi, Grant, p. 100.
a. mimm. Gunong Tahan (6th Camp). 3,300ft. 8th June, 1905. (No. 62).
Tris, brown ; bill, black, blue at the base; feet, brownish.
[A very rare and local species in the central portions of the Penin- sula, becoming commoner in the more southern districts. Only found in the big jungles far from cultivation.—H. C. R. |
115. CHRYSOPHLEGMA MALACCENSE (Larn.).
Chrysophlegma malaccense, Grant, p. 100.
a. f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500-1,000ft. 7th August, 1905. (No. 567).
[This Woodpecker has a wider range in altitude than most of the Malayan species. It is found in all types of country as high as 4,000 ft., though rarer at the higher elevations.—H. C. R. |
116. CHRYSOPHLEGMA HUMEI, HaraitTtT., Chrysophlegma humei, Grant, p. 100. a.,b. m.,f. Gunong Tahan (6th Camp). 3,000 ft. 15th June, 1905. (Nos.
531, 532) c., d. m., f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500-1,500ft. July, 1905. (Nos. 439, 446).
Iris, chestnut ; bill, lead-colour ; feet, greenish.
[This species does not extend sata above 3,000 ft; beyond this altitude, in Perak and Selangor at any rate, it is stueed by C. wrayi, which does not occur on Gunong Tahan.—H. C. R. |
“117, GECINUS PUNICEUS (Horsr.). Gecinus puniceus, Grant, p. 101. a. m, Gunong Tahan (6th Camp). 3,300 ft. 15th June, 1905. (No. 588),
42, TAHAN EXPEDITION.
18. GECINUS ROBINSONI, Grant. (Plate II.)
Gecinus robinsoni, Grant, Bull., B.O.C., xix., No. exxvii., p. 10 (1906).
Adult male.—Like the male of G. occipitalis (Vig.), but, with the general colour, very much darker; the crown nearly uniform, black like the nape, scarcely showing any trace of grey on the sides of the feathers; the back and underparts dark olive-green, instead of olive ; and the tail-feathers black with very faintly indicated greenish-grey bands on the edges of the middle pair of rectrices.
Tris, reddish-chestnut ; bill, black; feet, greenish lead-colour.
Total length: ca., 11.5 in.; culmen, 1.85 in.; wing, 5.5 in.; tail, 9.8 in. ; tarsus, 1.15 in:
Adult female.—Differs from the male in having the entire forehead black like the crown.
Tris, brown; bill, black; feet, greenish lead-colour.
Total length: ca., 11.5 in.; culmen, 1.75 in.; wing, 5.35 in.; tail, 4.0 in.; tarsus, 1.15 in.
a,b. m.,f. Gunong Tahan (8th Camp). 5,300-6,000 ft. 9th July. (Nos.
293, 294). (Types of the species).
[The discovery of a Woodpecker on the plateau of Gunong Tahan was most unexpected, seeing that there are no large trees or thick jungle. The pair obtained, which were shot by one of my Dyaks on a tall Pandanus, were probably stragglers from some of the lower and more thickly wooded slopes on the Kelantan side, which I was unable
to reach. No other specimens were seen, though we all searched for the bird diligently.—H. C. R. |
118A. GECINUS RODGERI, HARTERT AND BUTLER.
Gecinus chlorolophus, Hargitt, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus., xviii., pp. 60 and 62 [ part. specimen, v'”’ Mountains of Perak] (1890).
Gecinus rodgeri, Hartert and Butler, Nov. Zool., v., p. 508 (1898) ; Butler, Journ. Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc., No. 32., p. 23 (1899).
[Though not collected during the present expedition, I may mention that the Selangor Museum possesses four examples of this rare Wood- pecker from the hills on the Pahang boundary between 2,700 ft. and 4,000 ft. |
As far as I can ascertain, the species is only known from two other skins, the type in the Tring Museum and the specimen in the British Museum, listed as Gecinus chlorolophus (specimen, v’”) by the late Mr, Haregitt (cf.), who did not regard it as specifically distinct.—H. C. R. |
CAPITONIDA. 119. MESOBUCCO DUVAUCELI (Lzss.). Mesobucco duvauceli, Grant, p. 102.
a. f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. dist August, 1905. (No. 618).
Plate Il.
If,
Journ F.M.S.Mus. Vol 4F.
J.Green Chronte a ae
GECINUS ROBINSONI. & & F.
BIRDS. 43
120. CYANOPS RAMSAYI (WALDEN). Cyanops franklini ramsayi, Hartert, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 549 (1902). a. m.imm. Gunong Tahan (6th Camp). 3,300 ft. 12th June, 1905. (No.
105). b., c. 2 f. Gunong Tahan (8th Camp). 5,300-6,000 ft. July, 1905. (Nos. 303, 333).
d.,e. Gunong Ulu Kali. 4,800-5,800 ft. 29th and 30th January. Iris, olive-brown ; bill, bluish-horn ; feet, greenish. [The Barbets of this genus are most exasperating birds to hunt for,
In habits they are very sluggish and will sit for hours motionless on a branch, usually near the main trunk. On the lower slopes of Gunong ‘Tahan their note tuk-tukk, tuk, tuk was perpetually heard, one bird answering the other, but, as shown above, we got very few specimens.—
H. C. R.]
121, CYANOPS OORTI (S. MiiLL). Cyanops oorti, Hartert, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 546 (1902). a. m. Gunong Tahan (6th Camp). 3,300 ft. 29th May, 1905. (No. 4).
Iris, brown ; bill, lead-colour; feet, greenish lead-colour.
122, CHOTORHEA CHRYSOPOGON (TEMM.). Chotorhea chrysopogon, Grant, p. 103.
a.m. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 31st August, 1905. (No. 619). 123. CALORHAMPHUS HAYI (J. E. GRay).
Calorhamphus hayi, Harlert, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 546 (1902). a,adult. Gunong Tahan (6th Camp). 3,060 ft. 15th June, 1905. (No.
530).
b. m. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500-1,000 ft. 10th August, 1905. (No. 516).
c. f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200ft. 4th September, 1905. (No, 643).
124. PSILOPOGON PYROLOPHUS (S. Mir), Psilopogon pyrolophus, Grant, p. 101. a. m. Gunong Ulu Kali. 4,800-5,800 ft. February, 1906.
CUCULID. 125. RHOPODYTES SUMATRANUS (Rarrt.). Rhopodytes sumatranus, Hartert, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 545 (1902).
a. m. Gunong Tahan (6th Camp). 3,300ft. 30th May, 1905. (No. 7).
b., ec. m.,f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500-1,000 ft. July and August, 1905, (Nos. 448, 502).
Iris, blue, inner ring, white; orbital skin, dark orange; posterior
portion, crimson ; bill, sea-green ; feet, lead-colour; soles, yellow.
[Unlike other species of the genus, this bird is only found in old
jungle, usually in hilly country.—H, C. R.]
44. TAHAN EXPEDITION.
126, RHOPODYTES DIARDI (Lrss.). Rhopodytes diardi, Grant, p. 103. a, m. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200ft. 23rd August, 1905. (No. 580). 127. UROCOCCYX ERYTHROGNATHUS (Hanrrtt.). Urococeyx erythrognathus, Grant, p. 104.
a.,b. m. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500-1,000 ft. July, 1906. (Nos. 437, 452).
e., d. f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200ft. August, 1905. (Nos. 546, 586).
Iris, white; orbital skin, crimson-orange; bill, pale sea-green, crimson at the base of the lower mandible; feet, ereenish-lead.
The iris of this bird varies much in colour, being either white, yellow, orange or dull brown.
128. RHINORTHA CHLOROPH#A (RAFF). Rhinortha chlorophea, Grant, p. 104.
a.,b. m. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500-1,000ft. August, 1905. (Nes. 503, 520).
c.-e. m.etf. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. August, 1905. (Nos. 547, 554, 597).
Male.—Iris, brown ; bill, sea-green ; orbital space, silvery greenish ; feet, slate-colour.
[I have nothing to add to Davison’s notes on the habits of this species, except that in the Malay Peninsula it is far commoner in scrubby jungle near villages than in virgin forest.—H. C. R.]
129, ZANCLOSTOMUS JAVANICUS (Horsr.).
Zanclostomus javanicus, Grant, p. 104.
a.,b. m, f. Gunong Tahan (6th Camp). 3,300 ft. June, 1905. (Nos. 61, 64).
ce. f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500-1,500 ft. 28th July, 1905. (No. 432).
Iris, white; bill, red; feet, greenish lead-colour.
130. CENTROPUS RECTUNGUIS, Strickt.
Centropus rectunguis, Shelley, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus., xix., p. 343 (1891).
a. m. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200ft. 19th August, 1905. (No. 530).
Tris, red; bill and feet, black.
This specimen has not completed its moult and the wings and tail are not full grown.
[The habits of all the species of Crow-Pheasant are practi- cally identical. They frequent the outskirts of villages, low scrub
and stretches of lalang grass, being specially abundant along the railways.—H. C. R.]
BIRDS. 4.5
131, SURNICULUS LUGUBRIS (Horsr.), Surniculus lugubris, Grant, p. 106.
a.-d. m.et m., f.imm. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. August 1905. (Nos. 552, 586, 587, 596).
Iris, dark brown; skin beneath the eye, dull greenish; gape, orange; bill and feet, black. |
Three of the four specimens are quite immature, the feathers of the crown, mantle, wing-coverts and undersurface having large subterminal spots of white and with the white nuchal spot more marked than in the adult.
[The species frequents low secondary jungle.—H. C. R.]
132. HIEROCOCCYX FUGAX (Horsr.). Hierococcyx fugax, Shelley, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus., xix., p. 236 (1891). a. f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 19th August, 1905. (No. 537),
Iris, orange; gape, lower mandible, tip of upper mandible and orbital skin, chrome ; middle part of upper mandible, black ; tarsi, rich chrome.
[The note of this bird, which may be rendered by the syllables ka-ka-kakaka, puzzled me for a long time; they were only heard just before and for a short time after dusk and the natives insisted that they were uttered by a hawk evidently confusing the bird with the Lang sewa (Accipiter virgatus) to which it bears an extraordinary resemblance.—H. C. R. |
TROGONIDA. 133. PYROTROGON ERYTHROCEPHALUS (GovLp). Pyrotrogon erythrocephalus, Grant, p. 106. a, m. Gunong Ulu Kali. 4,800-5,800 ft. 5th February, 1906. 134. PYROTROGON KASUMBA (RAFFL.). Pyrotrogon kasumba, Hartert, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 544 (1902).
a.-d. m.,f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500 ft. August, 1905. (Nos. 498, 505, 509, 512).
Iris, reddish-chestnut ; culmen and genys, black ; remainder of bill, purplish-cobalt ; orbital space, purplish-cobalt ; feet, bluish lead-colour. 135. PYROTROGON ORESKIOS (TeExmm.).
Harpactes oreskios, Grant, p. 106.
a. b. m.etm.imm. Gunong Tahan (6th Camp). 3,000 ft. June, 1905. (No. 49). Iris, brown; bill and orbital skin, purplish-cobalt ; feet, dark dull lake. [The habits of all the species of Trogons are very similar. They are never found out of virgin forest and are singularly sluggish and
46 TAHAN EXPEDITION.
inactive birds. They are rarely found on lofty trees, but frequent creepers and shrubs of medium size. Nearly all the specimens that I have ever seen were perched motionless on branches and seemed to trust to absolute quiesence to escape notice. Under such conditions, it is extraordinary how difficult it is to make out what one would naturally suppose to be an exceptionally conspicuous bird. Personally I have never heard the note of any Trogon, though I have watched P. duvauceli for lengthened periods.
P. oreskios is a bird of very restricted range, as regards altitude. Though widely spread in the Malay Peninsula, it is not found below 2,500 ft. or above about 4,000 ft. It is worthy of note that P. erythrocephalus does not occur on Gunong Tahan, though it is very common indeed, on the Perak and Selangor mountains. It could hardly have escaped notice as our Dyak hunters, who know the bird well, had special instructions to search for it.—H. C. R.]
CYPSELID. 136. CHETURA GIGANTEA,
Chetura gigantea (Temi.); Hartert, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus., xvi., p. 475 (1892); Ridley, Journ. Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc., xxv., p. 62 (1894), (Coast of Pahang).
a. im. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200ft, 22nd August, 1905. (No.
559).
On cloudy evenings, after rain, this species was seen in consider- able numbers at Kuala Tembeling, usually appearing about half an hour before sunset. A single male only was shot and dissection showed that it had been feeding largely on cockchafers of considerable size, which were swallowed whole.
This specimen which is in freshly moulted plumage is_ typical C. gigantea, having the loral spot deep black, but it may be remarked that specimens shot in February and May on the Semangko Pass between Selangor and Pahang at an altitude of about 2,700 ft. have this spot pale smoky brown, in one case almost white, and in this respect approach C. indica. From the same locality the Selangor Museum also possesses a specimen of the rare C. cochinchinensis, Oust., shot by Mr. A. L. Butler in November, 1900. The species is readily distinguished from the allied forms by having the throat and dorsal region pale smoky brown, and also by its considerably smaller size.— H.C. B.]
137. CHETURA LEUCOPYGIALIS (Bryrn).
Chetura leucopygialis, Hartert, Cat. Birds., Brit. Mus., xvi., p. 490
(1892).
a.,b.2 f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500 ft. July, 1905. (Nos. 436, 458).
(fi: commonest species of the genus in the Malay Peninsula and widely distributed throughout the country, but commoner in the more nland districts —H. C. BR .]
BIRDS. 47
138. MACROPTERYX LONGIPENNIS (Rariy.).
Macropteryx longipennis, Sharpe, P.Z.S., 1888, p. 278; Hartert, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus., p. 514 (1892).
a., b. f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 25th August, 1905, (Nos.
592, 593).
[We only met with this Tree-swift on one occasion when it suddenly appeared in very large numbers, hawking after a flight of swarming termites. It is a somewhat local bird, though wherever it occurs it is common, and frequents open forest-country and jungle-- streams. It ascends the mountains to a height of about 3,000 feet.—
H. C. B.] 139. MACROPTERYX COMATA (TEMM.).
Macropteryx comatus, Sharpe, P.Z.S., 1888, p. 278; Hartert, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus., xvi., p. 517 (1892) ; id., Nov. Zool., ix., p. 544 (1902). a.-c. m.,f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500 ft. July, 1905. (Nos, 433-435).
(In the early mornings and late afternoons this pretty little species was very common at Kuala Teku. It frequented one particular tall dead tree overhanging the river. Each bird seemed to have its own perch on the topmost branches of this tree, from which it made short flights after insects, always returning to the same place.
A very large species of Collocalia, with a white rump patch, was common on Gunong Tahan in the neighbourhood of our 6th Camp and on the cliffs between that place and the plateau. We did not succeed in obtaining specimens, as the only one that was shot fell hundreds of feet below us and was never retrieved. The species was possibly C. innominata, Hume, which is not uncommon on the mountains of the Peninsula.—H. C. RB. |
CAPRIMULGIDA. 140. BATRACHOSTOMUS STELLATUS (GouxD.).
Batrachostomus stellatus, Hartlert, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus., xvi., p. 639 (1892) ; id., Nov. Zool., ix., p. 542 (1902).
a. f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 28th August, 1905. (No.
606).
Iris, dark brown; bill, pmkish horn-colour; feet, brownish flesh- colour.
[A Night-jar (Lyncornis temmincki) with a curious trisyllabic note tert-ta-bu was often heard and seen at Kuala Tembeling, but no other species was met with. Indeed, the only member of the family that is found in old jungle is Caprimulgus indicus, and that only on migration. Caprimulgus macrurus is never found far from cleared land or secondary jungle.—H. C. R.]
BUCEROTIDA.
lil, ANTHRACOCEROS CONVEXUS (Temm.).
Anthracoceros convexus, Grant, Cut. Birds, Brit. Mus., xvii., p. 364 (1892).
48 TAHAN EXPEDITION.
Anthracoceros malabancus, Grant (nee Gmel.), p. 107.
a.-c. m.,f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. August and feptem- ber, 1905. (Nos. 544, 555,'651).
Bare skin behind the eye and on the sides of the throat of a silvery white, in front of eye purplish-blue.
(This Hornbill, which is a bird of cultivation and never found in old jungle, is the most conspicuous species on the Pahang River and its tributaries as far as human habitations extend and may constantly ‘be seen flying across the river in the early morning and late evening. Its cry is a harsh cackle and its flight laboured, consisting of three beats of the wings following in quick succession and then a pause. It is gregarious, the flock consisting of from three to four to as many as forty individuals. The food is principally the fruit of various large species of banyan and the trees are systematically worked until every fruit is eaten.—H. C. R. |
12. ANTHRACOCEROS MALAYANUS (RAFFL.).
Anthracoceros malayanus, Grant, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus., xvu.., p. 968 (1892).
a. m.imm. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 27th August, 1905. (No.
601).
Iris, dark brown ; orbital skin, fiesh-colour; bill and feet, black.
‘In contradistinction to A. mualabaricus this is an old jungle species. In the central portions of the Malay Peninsula it is decidedly rare as this is the only specimen I have myself met with, while it is but poorly represented in the Perak and Selangor Museums.—H. C. BR. ]
143. ANORRHINUS GALERITUS (TEMM.).
Anorrhinus galeritus, Grant, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus., xviu., p. 391 (1892).
a.-c. m.,f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500 ft. August, 1905. (Nos. 468,515).
Male.—-Iris, red; patch of skin at the base of the mandible and a large patch above and behind the eye livid, silvery-white with a strong ~ bluish-tinge ; bill, black; feet, greyish-black.
Female.—As in the male, but the greater part of the bill is ivory- white, the casque more yellow.
(In the Malay Peninsula this bird is an inhabitant of the deep jungles on the lower slopes of the bigger mountains, not, however, ascending much above 3,000 ft. Its flight is not nearly so powerful or sustained as that of the larger species, but it is excessively wary, so much so that it is hopeless to approach it except when feeding, and then the birds are usually so high above the ground that it takes a very heavy charge to brmg them down. They are usually met with in parties of five or six.—H, C. R.]
- BIRDS. 49
MEROPID.
144, NYCTIORNIS AMICTUS (TrwM.). Nyctiornis amictus, Hartert, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 544 (1902). a. l m.imm. Gunong Tahan (8th Camp). 5,300-6,000 ft. 18th July, 1905, (No. 352). b.,¢c. m. Kuala Teku, Tahan River, 500-1,000 ft. August, 1905. (Nos, 493, 494), d. adult. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. August, 1905. (No. 620).
Adult.—Iris, orange ; bill, black, bluish at base; feet, pale greenish- lead,
Immature male.—Iris, bright yellow; bill, as in the adult; feet, pale sea-green.
(This large Bee-eater is common in many localities in Selangor and Perak up to about 3,500 ft. It frequents old forest and is not, as a rule, found in the neighbourhood of cultivation. The young speci- men listed above is entirely green, with only one mauve feather just above the eye. When first secured, I thought that it belonged to the northern species, N. athertoni, seeing that it was obtained at an altitude far above the usual range of the species. One other specimen was seen, also entirely green, so that possibly they belonged to one nest. Mr. Wray (P.Z.8., 1887, p. 482) has recorded the existence of a Green-headed Bee-eater in the Larut Hills (3,000-5,000 ft.), but specimens were not obtained.—H. C. R.|
ALCEDINID.
145, HALCYON SMYRNENSIS (Liyy.). Halcyon smyrnensis, Grant, p. 110.
a.-c. f.et f.imm. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200ft. 2nd September, 1905. (Nos. 632-634).
' This is perhaps the commonest Kingfisher in the cultivated districts of the Malay Peninsula. It is less dependent on the proximity of water than Alcedo ispida, which seems to be almost purely piscivorous, while the present bird eats small crabs, centipedes and the like.— H.C. R.]
146. HALCYON CONCRETUS (TEm™.). Halcyon concretus, Sharpe, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus., xvii., p. 285 (1892). a. m.imm. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500-1,500 ft. 29th July, 1905, (No. 441). b.,c. m.,f.ad. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200ft. 24th August, 1905, (No. 605). Iris, hazel; bill, blackish, chrome-yellow at the base and tip; feet, pale chrome. aii i
A rather scarce species, entirely confined to deep jimgle.—H. C. R. ]
50 TAHAN EXPEDITION,
147, CARCINEUTES PULCHELLUS (Horsr.). Carcineutes pulchellus, Grant, p. 111.
a. f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500-1,500 ft. 30th July, 1905.
b. f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 28th August, 1905.
Iris, dull yellow ; bill, deep vermilion ; naked skin round the eye and gape, orange; tarsus, greenish; toes, yellowish-brown.
|Frequents similar localities to Haleyon concretus and like that species is often found far from water.
At Kuala Teku and also on the Tembeling River a medium-sized Short-tailed Kingfisher, with rufous undersurface and a blue pectoral belt, was often seen, but it flew so fast and always appeared so unex- pectedly, that we never secured it. I imagine that it was the rare Alcedo euryzona (Temm.), of which I have only seen one specimen from the Peninsula, though it is probably not very uncommon on mountain streams.—H. C. R. |
148. CEYX EUERYTHRA, SHARPE. Ceyx euerythra, Sharpe, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus., xvui., p. 179 (1892). Ceyx dillwynni, Hartert (nec Sharpe), Nov. Zool., ix., p. 543 (1902). a., b. m.et m.imm. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. August and September, 1905. (Nos. 581, 629). Tris, dark brown; bill and feet, orange-vermilion. A young bird has the chin and throat pure white, a broad rufous
pectoral band, the flanks rufous and the middle of the abdomen whitish, tinged with buff.
|The Ceyces are never found far from water over the surface of which they fly with great rapidity. They are not common in open country, but prefer the small streams running through deep jungle. They do not ascend the hills to any height, being rarely found much above 1,000 ft.—H. C. R.]
149, ALCEDO ISPIDA, Linn.
Alcedo ispida, Grant, p. 111.
a. f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 29th August, 1905. (No. 615). Tris, dark brown; bill, blackish above, reddish beneath; tarsus, vermilion.
| A low ground species, frequenting the open country in the vicinity of water and never found in deep jungle or on the hills.—H. C. R. | 150. PELARGOPSIS MALACCENSIS, Swarpe.
Pelargopsis javana malaccensis, Hartert, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 542 (1902).
a. m. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft, 3rd September, 1905, (No, 640).
BIRDS. 51
|The Stork-billed Kingfisher is rarely seen away from the big rivers uud increases in numbers towards the mouths. It is most abundant on the mangrove-lined tidal creeks.—H. C. R. |
PSITTACID. 15. LORICULUS GALGULUS (Lryy.). Loriculus galgulus, Grant, p. 112. a.-f. m.,f.et m.imm. Kuala 'Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. September, 1905. (Nos. 630, 631, 641, 642, 645, 654). 152. PSITTINUS MALACCENSIS (LatH.). Psittinus malaccensis, Grant, p. 112. a. m.imm. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 21st August, 1905. (No. 553). Iris, yellowish-white ; upper mandible, vermilion, dark at tip ; lower mandible, wax-yellow. BUBONIDA. 153. PHOTODILUS BADIUS (Horsr.), Photodilus badius, Grant, p. 112. a. 1. f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500-1,000 ft. 30th July, 1905. Iris, black; bill, pinkish horn-colour; tarsi, pale yellow; toes, pinkish horn-colour. ‘Curiously enough this bird was trapped in a snare set for Argus Pheasants.—H. C. R.] 154, SYRNIUM MAINGAYI, Hume, Syrnium maingayi, Sharpe, P.Z.S., 1887, p. 470. a.m. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 30th August, 1905. (No. 616). Iris, dark brown; bill, bluish-horn, yellowish at tip; feet, dull bluish- lead. ‘Brought to us by a native who had caught it under his house.
This species evidently rare, as it is not represented either in the Singapore, the Perak, or the Selangor Museums. Syrniwm seloputo, on the other hand, is common enough.—H. C. R. |
_ 155. HETEROSCOPS VULPES, Grant. (Plate IT., Fig. 2.)
Pisorhina lucie, Hartert (nec Sharpe), Nov, Zool., 1x., p. 541 (1902).
Heteroscops vulpes, Grant, Bull., B.O.C., xix., No, exxvi., p. 11 (1906).
a. m. Gunong Tahan. 5,300 ft. 25th June, 1905. (No. 213).
Adult male.—Nearly allied to H. luciw, Sharpe, from the mountains of North Borneo, but, with the general colour both above and below foxy-red and more uniform in tint, the black markings
52 TAHAN EXPEDITION.
being much reduced especially on the top of the head. Total length : ca., 7.0 in.; wing, 5.4 in.; tail, 2.7 in.; tarsus, 1.1 in.
The male bird in the Tring Museum, also from Gunong Tahan and doubtfully referred to H. luciz by Dr. Hartert, is in partially immature plumage. ‘This is indicated by the transverse black markings on the top of the head; in-other respects it agrees well with the adult male procured by Mr. Robinson.
| I was absent from camp for some days at the time this was secured and the colours of the soft parts, etc., are, therefore, not recorded. It was shot, sitting in a bush at the bottom of a rocky gorge. No owls were heard during our six weeks’ stay above 5,000 ft., nor were any specimens * other than those secured seen.—H. C. R. |
156. GLAUCIDIUM BRODIEI (Burton). Glaucidium brodiei, Sharpe, P.Z.S., 1887, p. 434. a. f. Gunong Tahan (8th Camp). 5,300-6,000 ft. 9th July, 1905. (No. 320).
Tris, bright lemon-yellow; bill and feet, pale greenish-yellow ; soles, brighter yellow.
(In the Malay Peninsula this species is strictly confined to the mountains. I have obtained specimens from Semangko (3,500 ft.) and Telém (4,000 ft.) and one is recorded from the Larut Hills in North Perak.—H. C. R. |
157. KETUPA KETUPA (Kave.). Ketupa ketupa, Grant, p. 118. a.m. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200ift. 19th August, 1905. (No. 536). Iris, bright chrome; bill, bluish horn-colour ; tarsus and feet, dirty white. FALCONIDA. 158. MICROHIERAX FRINGILLARIUS (Drags). Microhierax fringillarius, Grant, p. 113. a. f.(nat.coll.) Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200ft. 29th August, 1905. (No. 608).
Tris, yellowish ; bill and feet, black.
[The Black-legged Falconet is not nearly so common in Pahang as it is in Perak and Patani, and this was the only specimen observed. It frequents the edges of the rice-fields and recent clearings and perches on lofty dead boughs, flying out after large grasshoppers and occasionally striking down small birds.—H. C. R. |
159, SPILORNIS BACHA (Dauvp). Spilornis bacha, Grant, p. 114. a. f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 23rd August, 1905.
Tris, chrome; cere wnd feet, dull yellow ; bill, bluish-horn.
* Two specimens have recently been obtained on Gunong Mengkuang Lebah,
Selangor, 4,800 ft.—H. C. R.
BIRDS. 53
' Fairly common on the rice-fields, perching on isolated trees, but very wary and difficult to approach, except in the early morning and late afternoon when it is quite sluggish.—H. C. R. |
CHARADRITD*. 160. TRINGOIDES HYPOLEUCUS (LINy,). Tringoides hypoleucos, Hartert, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 540 (1902). a., b. f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200ft. August, 1905. (No. 548)
Feet, greyish lead-colour.
COLUMBID. 161, CHALCOPHAPS INDICA (LINN,),
Chalcophaps indica, Grant, p. 120.
a. m. Gunong Tahan. 4,000-4,500 ft. 14th June, 1905. (No, 115).
Iris, dark brown; bill, coral, lake at the base; feet, dark purplish- red; claws, yellowish horn-colour.
(Common everywhere in low country jungle, but rare above 3,000 ft.—H. C. R. |
162. MACROPYGIA LEPTOGRAMMICA (TEMM.).
Macropygia tusalia, Sharpe (nec Hodgs.), P.Z.S., 1887, p. 443.
Macropygia leptogrammica, Salvad, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus., xxi., p. 941 (1893).
a.-c. m., f. et f.imm. Gunong Ulu Kali, Selangor. 4,800-5,800 ft. January and February, 1906.
163. MACROPYGIA RUFICEPS (TEMM.),
Macropygia ruficeps (? an. sp. nov.), Hartert, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 540 (1902).
a.-c. f. Gunong Ulu Kali, Selangor. 4,800-5,800 ft. I*ebruary, 1906.
Those females cannot be distinguished from typical females of M. ruficeps from Java.
6s, TURTUR TIGRINUS (TemM, anv Kyrp.), Turtur tigrinus, Grant, p. 121. a.-c. f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. August, 1905. (Nos. 545, 549, 563).
Iris, dark brown; bill, black ; feet, lake.
Common in the open country, on the banks of the Pahang and Tembeling Rivers.—H. C. R. |
165. SPHENOCERCUS ROBINSONI, Grant. Sphenocercus robinsoni, Grant, Bull., B.O.C., xix., No. exxvii., p. 12 (1906). . Adult male.—Most like S. permagnus, Stejn., from the Loo- Choo Islands, but differs from that species in its much’ smatler size
o4, TAHAN EXPEDITION.
somewhat greyer mantle, greyish-olive rump and tail and in having the middle of the abdomen decidedly yellow and the long under tail- coverts washed with cinnamon. In the two last-named characters it resembles S, korthalsi (Temm.) from Sumatra and Java, but it entirely lacks the rufous tinge across the breast, which is so characteristic of the male of that species.
Iris, pale blue ; outer ring, pink; bill, purplish-mauve, greenish horn- colour at the base ; feet, lake ; soles, yellowish.
Total length : ca., 12.0 in. ; wing, 6.5 in.; tail, 4.9 in. ; tarsus, 0.9 in.
Adult female.—Very similar to the female of S. permagnus, but much smaller and with the middle of the belly decidedly yellow. fy Total lenyth: ca., 11.0 in. ; wing, 6.4 in. ; tail, 4.4 in.; tarsus, 0.9 in.
Three less adult male specimens have the olive-green of the head, neck and breast less bright than the adult, the maroon shoulder patch much ‘smaller and the long under tail-coverts yellowish-white with only the faintest tinge of cinnamon.
a.-d. m. Gunong'l'ahan (6th Camp). 3,300 ft. 1st-8th June, 1905. (Nos.
12, 35, 36, 63).
e. f. Gunong Ulu Kali. 4,800-5,800 ft. 9th February, 1906.
[This fine Pigeon was apparently not very uncommon on the lower slopes of Gunong Tahan, though I only saw it once myself and never shot a specimen. My Dyaks told me that it was found singly feeding on the tops of tall trees and was very wary. The single specimen that I saw myself was flying at dusk across the ridge on which our camp was situated.
No other Fruit-Pigeon occurs on the mountain, uor did we meet
with Carpophaga badia.—-H. C. R.] 166. TRERON NIPALENSIS (Hopes.). Treron nipalensis, Grant, p. 122. a.-d. m., f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. August, 1905. (Nos. 590, 594, 598, 599).
Iris, orange-red ; orbital skin, apple-green ; bill, greenish horn-colour, base of the lower mandible, crimson ; feet, lake.
| Large flocks of this species, numbering sixty or seventy individuals, were met with at Kuala Tembeling, feeding on the fruit of a very large fig tree in company with Anthracoceros converus and numerous smaller
birds.—-H. C. R.| TURNICIDA. 167, TURNIX TAIGOOR (SyxKEs). Turnix taigoor, Sykes, Grant, p. 122. a.m. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 9th September, 1905, (No. 650). |In the open grazing lands along the banks of the Pahang and the lower reaches of the Tembeling Rivers both Bustard- and Button-
BIRDS. 5D
Quails were very common, bui, in the absence of a dog, it was very hard to secure specimens. On the road between Kuala: Lipis and the Raub Gold Mines where large areas of land have been over run with “Jalang”’ grass the motor car, on which we travelled, flushed large numbers of them. The female of the Bustard-Quail is captured by the Malays by means of a decoy and an ingenious cage, the front of which is weighted and falls as soon as the bird enters. The feinale is extremely puguacious, and is used as a fighting bird.—H. C. R. |
PHASIA NIDA. 168. GALLUS GALLUS, LINN. Gallus gallus, Grant, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus., xxii., p. 344 (1893).
a, m. Kuala Tembcling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 19th August,1905. (No. 538).
Tris, hazel; bill, horn; feet, bluish lead-colour.
[At the above locality the Jungle-Cock was very common in the
secondary jungle round the villages. In the Malay Peninsula it does not occur in high forest.—H. C. R. |
169. POLYPLECTRON INOPINATUS (Rornscn.).
Chalcurus inopinatus, Rothsch., Bull., B.O.C., xiii., No. xev., p. 41 (1908).
a. f. Gunong Tahan (6th Camp). 3,300 ft. 3rd June, 1905. (No. 35). b. f. Gunong Mengkuang Lebah, Selangor. 5,200 ft. 2nd April, 1905.
Female.—Iris, hazel ; bill, bluish horn-colour, paler at the tip ; feet, French-grey with a bluish-tinge ; soles, yellowish-green.
[We only managed to get one specimen of this fine Peacock- Pheasant on Gunong Tahan, where it appears to be rare. On the mountains of Selangor it is, however, comparatively common, and is found singly in steep gullies near the tops of the mountains amidst a thick undergrowth of creeping rotans and other thorny palms. The species is evidently the highland representative of Polyplectron malaccensis, which is not found above about 3,000 ft.—H. C. R. |
The male of this species possesses twenty tail feathers, and it seems very doubtful to me whether it has been rightly placed in the genus Chalcurus, for, though it has the sides of the face feathered and has no pronounced crest in its general marking and in all other respects, it is a Polyplectron. I, therefore, prefer to include it in that
genus, the characters of which, in consequence, have to be slightly modified.
170, PAVO MUTICUS, Linn. Pavo muticus, Grant, p. 1238.
a. f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200 ft. 25th August, 1905. (No. 595).
56 TAHAN BXPEDITION.
Female.—Ivis, dark hazel; orbital skin, pale chrome, tinged with purplish above, but the two colours are not sharply defined as in the male; bill, whitish horn-colour ; feet, greyish-black.
| Pea-fowl are very common on the banks of the Pahang River and its larger tributaries, and may often be seen on the sand-banks in the early morning in parties of four or five, taking very little notice of passing boats. In the heat of the day they lie up in the thick herbage that clothes the banks and roost in high trees at night. The species is common nearly everywhere on the east coast of the Peninsula, but is now hardly known on the west coast, except on the upper reaches of the Perak River.—H. C. R. |
171. ARGUSIANUS ARGUS (LINN.). Argusianus argus, Grant, p. 123. a., b. m., f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500-1,000 ft. July, 1905. (Nos. 431, 459).
Iris, greyish-brown; bill, horn-colour; naked skin, dull cobalt ;
feet, red, with a strong tinge of pink. : (‘The Argus Pheasant was very common on the lower slopes of Gunong Tahan up to about 2,500 ft., where its place seems to be taken by Rheinardius, as at this altitude feathers of both species were found on the same playing-ground.
Our specimens were captured in a “jerat,” which consists of a low roughly woven fence about 18 in. high and provided with narrow openings every fifty yards in which a snare is set. This fence should be run along a ridge just below its comb, and is generally successful in catching any birds that are about. Our one secured a variety of game, including a rare Insectivore (Gymnura rafflesi) and an Owl (Photodilus badius).—H. C. RB. |
172. RHEINARDIUS NIGRESCENS, RortTuscH.
Rheinardius ocellatus nigrescens, Hartert, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 538 (1902).
a.m. Gunong Tahan. 2,500 ft. 7th June, 1905.
b. m. (fragments) ,, 3 23rd June, 1905.
Iris, brown; skin round eyes, bluish-grey; bill, tinged with pink near the gape; feet and legs, dark brownish-grey.
| This specimen was shot by one of our Dyaks who had a remark- able gift for stalking ground-birds, and another was captured in a “jerat’”’? near the same place. Unfortunately, « Musang had been before and entirely destroyed it as a specimen. I have, however, preserved the head, wings and tail, as it is unlikely other specimens will be available for some time to come.—H. C. R. |
173. LOPHURA RUFA (RafrE.). Lophura rufa, Grant, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus., xxii., p. 286 (1893).
a. m. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River, 200 ft, 23rd Angust, 1905, (No,
575). ;
\é
-
BIRDS, 57
Tris, brown; orbital skin, purplish-blue; bill, ereenish hiorn- colour ; tarsal scutes, crimson lake in front, whitish behind.
The “burong pegar,”’ as this species is called, is very common in Pahavg in low country jungle near the rivers. It is very rare in Selangor and Perak and probably reaches its northern limit about the latitude of Penang.—-H. C. R. |
174. ROLLULUS ROULROUL (Scor.). Rollulus roulroul, Hartert, Nov. Zool., ix., p. 589 (1902). a.-i. m., f. Ganong Tahan (6th Camp). 3,300 ft. June, 1905. (Nos. 60, 78, 81-83, 107, 526-528), k, f. Kuala Tembeling, Pahang River. 200ft. Ist September, 1905. (No. 626).
Male.—Iris, brown; bill, black, basal portion of lower mandible crimson ; legs, crimson.
Female.—Similar to the male, except that it lacks the crimson patch at the base of the bill.
Very common everywhere in old jungle up to about 3,500 ft., but not higher. Several were caught in the snares set for Argus Pheasants, but unlike most of the jungle game birds, they are quite easily shot, as their note, a clear whistle, from which the vernacular name of the bird (burong siul) is derived, is easily imitated. 'They are found in parties of six or eight, and the males appear to be more numerous
than the females. On one occasion four were obtained at one shot.—
H. C. B.} 175. MELANOPERDIX NIGRA (ViGors).
Melanoperdix nigra, Grant, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus., xxii., p. 228 (1895).
a. f. Kuala Teku, Tahan River. 500 ft. 8rd August, 1905, (No. 483).
|The Black-wood-Partridge is usually found in pairs in deep jungle. It is not a hill-species and is most abundant where the undergrowth is
mainly composed of the Bertam palm (Hugeissona tristis), whence its Malay name “* burong bertam.”—H. C. R. |
EXPLANATION OF PLATES.
Plate IL, Fig. 1. Gecinus robinson, Grant, male (p. 42) wey oe 3 = » female
» ILL. ,, 1. Cissa robinsoni, Grant (p. 16)
2. Heteroscops vulpes, Grant (p. 51)
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1. HETEROSCOPS VULPES. 2. CISSA ROBINSONI.
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Il.
FISHES. BATRACHIANS AND REPTILES.
BY
GC. A. BOULENGER, F.R.S.
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IIT. FISHES, BATRACHIANS AND REPTILES. By G. A. BOULENGER, F.R,s. TXHE following is a List of the Fishes, Batrachians and Reptiles
obtained by Messrs. L. Wray and H. C. Robinson on an expedition to Gunong Tahan, Pahang.
FISHES. 1, BARBUS OATESIL, Bucr. Kuala Teku, 500 ft. This species was only known from the Shan States at 2,000 ft.
elevation.
|Maxay Name.—Ikan daun.—H. C. R. |
2 DANGILA CUVIERI, C. & V.
Kuala Teku, 500 ft., and Kuala Tahan. |Maxuay Name.—lIkan kilat.—H. C. R.]
3. BOTIA HYMENOPHYSA, BLKR. Kuala Teku, 500 ft. Known from Java, Sumatra, Borneo and Siam.
/Evidently common in the Pahang River and its tributaries ; specimens from Ulu Jelai are in the Singapore Museum.—H. C. R. |
BATRACHIANS.
1, LEPTOBRACHIUM GRACILE, Gru.
Grunong Tahan, 5,200 ft.
Young specimens, with remains of the tail, measure 27 mm. from snout to vent,
This species was only known from Bornev.
|This Frog, together with Rana larutensis, was found at night umong the stones of a rapid mountain torrent near my 8th Camp on Gunong Tahan. It was extremely active and difficult to capture, and on the least alarm leaped into the water—H. C. R.|
2. BUFO PENANGENSIS, Srot,
~*
Gunope Tahan, 8,600 ft,
SE. ho
TAHAN EXPEDITION,
3. BUFO ASPER, GRavu, Tahan River and Kuala Teku, 500 ft. | Very young specimens of this Toad were extremely common along the sandy banks in certain parts of the Tahan River; they harmonised with their surroundings in a most wonderful manner, so that it was almost impossible to detect them, except when in motion. Matay Name.---Katak rimkok.—H. C. R. |
4, BUFO PARVUS, Bier.
Kuala Teku, 500 ft.
5. CALOPHRYNUS PLEUROSTIGMA, Tscu.
Ciunong 'Tahan, 3,000 ft.
'Though only a single specimen of this Frog was obtained, it was probably anything but rare, as its peculiar note, more like that of an insect than a batrachian, was constantly heard in the evening after rain. The species lives in small holes in tree trunks, often at a considerable height from the ground, and is to be secured by dropping sult into the water with which the hole is generally filled, when the Frog will rise to the surface.—H. C. R.]
6. BANA KUBLED, DP. & 5, Gunong ‘Tahan, 3,000 ft.
A mountain form, widely spread throughout the Peninsula, but very local and nowhere common,—H. C. R. |
7. RANA HASCHEANA, Srot. Kuala Teku, 500 ft.; Guaong Talan, 5,200 ft. | Local and rare in the Malay Peninsula.—H. C. R. |
8. RANA NICOBARIENSIS, SToL.
Knala 'Tahan (confluence of Tahan and Tembeling Rivers).
|The only other known locality in the Malay Peninsula 1s the Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur (cf. Journ. Federated Malay States Mus., 1, p. 20).—H. C. B.] 9% RANA ERYTHRMA, ScuLEG.
Koala Lipa, sod
(The common katuk pisung of the Malays, found everywhere 1 cultivated land throughout the Peninsula.—H. C. R. |
10. BANA HOSII, Brier.
Tahan River and Kuala Teku, 500 ft.
The longer hind limbs distinguish this species, previously known only from Borneo, from R. chalconota, Schleg. Males are much smaller than females and have the tympanum larger in proportion to
the size of the digital disks,
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FISHES, BATRACHIANS AND REPTILES. 0+)
Very common at night on the upper reaches of the Tahan River, sitting on the granite boulders and plunging into the water at the slightest alarm.—H. C. R. |
11, RANA GLANDULOSA, Bier.
Kuala Lipis, 200 ft.
‘Beneath houses.—H. C. R. |
12. RANA LARUTENSIS, Bter.
Tahan River, Kuala Teku, 500 ft.; Gunong Tahan, 5,200 ft.; Ginting Simpah, Selangor-Pahang Boundary, 1,800 ft.
Males, which are provided with vocal sacs forming folds on the sides of the throat, do not exceed a length of 45 mm. from snout to vent. The largest female measures 70 mm. from snout to vent.
(Common only in clear water streams at some elevation. At the breeding season males are brilliantly coloured with red and bright sage-green on the fore-limbs, head and upper surface.—H. C. R. |
13, RHACOPHORUS LEUCOMYSTAX, Gravu. Kuala Lipis, 200 ft. _Common everywhere in the cultivated zone.—H. C. R.|
14. RHACOPHORUS ROBINSONII, Brier. Rhacophorus robinsonu, Blgr., Fascic. Malay. Zool., pt. 1. p. 136, pl. v., fig. 2 (1903). Kuala Teku, 500 ft.
(This specimen, the second known, differs considerably in colour from the type collected on Bukit Besar, in the Native State of Jalor, considerably to the north of Pahang. The following notes were taken from it when alive:
“ General colour above pinkish-brown, obscurely vermiculated and mottled with blackish. A regular black line between the eyes, a very obscure arched one between the tympana and another between the fore-angles of the eyes. Limbs with obscure cross bars of blackish, formed by small dots. Colour beluw whitish-brown, tinged with pink ; interdigital membrane blackish with a brownish median line ; skin of belly shagreened. A large cream spot beneath the eye. Pupil horizontal, iris mottled golden. Apparently little power of colour change.” —H. C. R. |
15. IXALUS BREVIPES, sp. nov.
Head large, broader than long; snout rounded, shorter than the diameter of the orbit ; canthus rostralis obtuse ; loreal region concave ; nostril nearer the tip of the snout than the eye: interorbital space broader than the upper eyelid; tympanum moderately distinct, one- third the diameter of the eye. Fingers short, free, with large disks ; toes short, barely half webbed. 'Tibio-tarsal articulation reaching the posterior border of the eye; tibia half the length of head and body. Skin smooth above, glandular on the sides, granular on the throat and belly. Greyish-olive above with symmetrical dark markings—viz., a
OL TAHAN EXPEDITION,
large transverse spot between the eyes and a large marking on the auterior part of the back, trifid in front, the median branch bifurcate and extending to the upper eyelids, bifid behind ; a dark canthal streak ; sides reddish-brown with white dots ; linbs with dark cross bars ; lower parts dirty white.
From snout to vent, 31 mm.
A single female specimen from Gunong Tahan, 3,600 ft.
16. IXALUS LARUTENSIS, Brier.
Gunong 'Tahan, 3,000 ft.
General colow deep brown ; a broad area fron. between nostrils to vent, broadest between the eyes, which it touches, golden yellowish- brown; beneath whitish, mottled with brown.—H. C. R. |
REPTILES. lL. PLYCHOZOON HOMALOCEPHALUM, Crev, Gunong Tahan, 3,000 ft. Caught by a native in the act of Hight from one tree trunk to another.-—H. C. R. |
2, DRACO FIMBRIATUS, Kut,
Gunong Tahan, 3,00) ft.
This Flying Lizard is a decidedly scarce species in the Malay Peninsula and is usually found in lowland jungle, the present altitude probably representing its superior limit im elevation. In life, the present specimen was noted as “ greyish above with a tinge of green, a decided brown tint on nape; beneath buffy white; gular appendage
pale salmon.” —H. C. R. | 3. DRACO CYANOLZMUS, sp. nov.
Head small; snout as long as the diameter of the orbit; nostril lateral, directed outwards; tympanum naked. Upper head-scales very unequal, keeled; eight or nine strongly keeled upper labials. Gular appendage short (female). No nuchal crest. Dorsal scales subequal, smooth, a little smaller than ventrals; a lateral series of distant en- larged scales. The fore limb stretched forwards reaches the tip of the snout, the bind limb reaches the axil. No caudal crest. Grevish above: wing-membranes above broadly edged with brick-red, with four regular broad black transverse bands spetted with white, white beneath with a few black spots towards the body; throat blue, gular appendage yellow,
Total length ... ks ” .. 9305 mm, Head... om saa ot 5 vein feet, Width of head ... my rae ree 14 Body. acti 4 Pes ~ Say fDi Fore-lanb sue xt ad See's: PD) cade Hind-limb oe a ses ei. Tail aes — ass see a volsx Seah ihe
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GONYOCEPHALUS ROBINSONII.
PISHES, BATRACIIIANS AND REPTLLES. is)
A single female specimen from Telém, Perak-Pahang Boundary, altitude
about 4,000 ft.
This new species is unique in combining lateral nostrils with regular cross bands on the wings.
‘Two specimens of this new Draco were collected at Telém in October, 1904, but on cursory examination were referred to D. quin- quefusciatus, to which the present species bears some slight superficial resemblance,—H. C. R. |
t. DRACO FORMOSUS, Brier. Kuala Tembcling, 200 ft.
A slight nuchal fold may be present and the gular appendage ts sometunes a little longer than the head.
Originally discovered by Mr. Butler on the Larut Hills, Perak. and subsequently found by Mr. Annandale and myself on Bukit Besar in the Patani States, this species has since been found to occur practi- cally everywhere in old jungle from sea-level to about 3,000 ft., being replaced above that height by the nearly allied D. blanfordii, which is never found below about 2,500 ft.—H. C. BR.
5. APHANIOTIS FUSCA, PErrers, Kuala Teku, 590 ft.; Gunong Tahan, 3,000 ft.
Found sparingly almost everywhere in old jungle up to about 3,000 ft.—H. C. R. |
6, GONYOCEPHALUS BORNEENSIS, ScuLEG, Kuala Teku, 500 ft.
Not uncommon, but difficult to detect in the deep jungle in which it lives. Large adult specimens are very rare——H. C. R. |
7. GONYOCEPHALUS ROBLNSONIL, sp. nee.
Snout rather pomted, a little longer than the diameter of the vrbit ; canthus rostralis, strong, raised ; tympanum partly covered with scales, smaller than the eye-opening ; upper head-scales small, keeled, unequal in size; an enlarged subconical tubercle behind the supra- ciliary edge and others on the occiput and temple; ten upper and eight lower labials; gular sac large, without serrated edge ; gular scales very small, smooth; gular fold distinct only on the sides. Nuchal crest formed of large triangular lobes, in contact with each other at the base; the crest continuous with the dorsal, the lobes of which are much smaller and gradually decrease in size. Dorsal scales small, equal, obtusely keeled, the points directed upwards and backwards, very small on the flanks; ventral scales larger, sharply keeled. Limbs above with large, equal, keeled scales; fourth finger slightly longer than third ; the adpressed hind limb reaches the anterior border of the eye. Tail compressed, with serrated upper edge at the base; upper caudal scales feebly keeled, lower larger and very strongly keeled.
O6 TAHAN EXPEDITION,
Greyish-olive above, with four oblique, blackish bars on each side ; eyelids black ; a black bar from the eye to the ear; an oblique black bar in front of the shoulder; whitish beneath.
Total length ... & HW .. 472° min. Head... 5 fee 4s 4 ee Width of head... cH As fi 7 Body. is... ile Me ere cule DRAM Fore-limb wai es sed a Wa: Hind-limb i: ee a 4,0 des os Tail ap os 4s Hoisee =
A single male specimen from Gunong Tahan, 5,200 ft.
A very remarkable form, unhke anything previously described.