List of Birds, chiefly from the nfcrgui Archipelago, collected By JOLTN for thc Trustees of the Indian Nweuiii, Calcutta. ANDERSON, M.D., LLD., F.R.S., F.L.8. [Reacl 17th June, 18q6.1 THE following list of Birds chiefly records thc distributiou, in some of the more outlying islauds cf the Mcrgui Archipelago, of a few of the species emmerated by Messrs. IIume and Davison from the neighbouring mainland of Teiiasaerim. It appears from the list of localities apperidcd to the ‘ Birds of Tcnasserim,’ and from the text of the work it-elf, tliat Mr. Davi- son’s researches in the Archipelago were coiifiuerl to the islauds of Kolaii and Patoe (Pataw), and to home of the small islands in the immediate ~~eiglibourhood of Mergui ; :wd it is stated tht the island of Kolan * is 25 miles south of Mergui, whilst Patoe or Patoi is described as “ forming as it were the S.W. pier of Mergui harbour.” On the other hand, Mi.. Daviaon made 3 pre- liminary recomaissanw of the nvifmna of tliat enormous and difficult tract of country kiionn as the province of Tenasserim, which extends from the Pati-choung in the north to the Pakchaii in the south, ail area G85 miles in leiigtli and over 70 miles in breadth?. The following list is therefore published merely as a small supplementary contribution, If I may be perinitted so to call it, to Mr. Davison’s herculean labours iu the Province ; seeing it somewhat extends our knowledge of the distribution of some of the species in the northern portion of the Archipelago, a region to which his labours ere very partially directed. The islands to which my attention vFas chiefly confined werc King Island, Elphinstone Island, and Sullivan Islaid In the first 37 days, in the second 14 dajs, and i11 the third 9 days were all I could devote to bird-collecting. Iu Kiug Island and Elphin- stone Island I had to entrust tho work to a Karen, as the other nunierous duties to which I had to attend fully occupied niy time, and because the Museum collectors T had brought with me Eroin * In the chart of the iiortliern part of tho Mergui Irehipelago, published in 1875 by the IIydrographic Ofice of the Admiralty, the only idand called Xolan lies 5 miles directly to the west of tho tonii of Mergui , nliile in ihe imp of the southern portion of the Arcliipelago no island of that name is to be foiind , but there are in both charts ninny unnamed islands 1- Stray Feathers,’ vol. VI. p. 11.
Transcript
List of Birds, chiefly from the nfcrgui Archipelago, collected By JOLTN for thc Trustees of the Indian Nweuiii, Calcutta.
THE following list of Birds chiefly records thc distributiou, in some of the more outlying islauds cf the Mcrgui Archipelago, of a few of the species emmerated by Messrs. IIume and Davison from the neighbouring mainland of Teiiasaerim.
It appears from the list of localities apperidcd t o the ‘ Birds of Tcnasserim,’ and from the text of the work it-elf, tliat Mr. Davi- son’s researches in the Archipelago were coiifiuerl t o the islauds of Kolaii and Patoe (Pataw), and t o home of the small islands in the immediate ~~eiglibourhood of Mergui ; :wd it is stated t h t the island of Kolan * is 25 miles south of Mergui, whilst Patoe or Patoi is described as “ forming as it were the S.W. pier of Mergui harbour.” On the other hand, Mi.. Daviaon made 3 pre- liminary recomaissanw of the nvifmna of tliat enormous and difficult tract of country kiionn as the province of Tenasserim, which extends from the Pati-choung in the north to the Pakchaii in the south, ail area G85 miles in leiigtli and over 70 miles in breadth?.
The following list is therefore published merely as a small supplementary contribution, I f I may be perinitted so to call it, t o Mr. Davison’s herculean labours iu the Province ; seeing it somewhat extends our knowledge of the distribution of some of the species in the northern portion of the Archipelago, a region t o which his labours ere very partially directed.
The islands to which my attention vFas chiefly confined werc King Island, Elphinstone Island, and Sullivan I s l a i d In the first 37 days, in the second 14 dajs, and i11 the third 9 days were all I could devote to bird-collecting. Iu Kiug Island and Elphin- stone Island I had to entrust tho work to a Karen, as the other nunierous duties t o which I had to attend fully occupied niy time, and because the Museum collectors T h a d brought with me Eroin
* In the chart of the iiortliern part of t h o Mergui Irehipelago, published in 1875 by the IIydrographic Ofice of the Admiralty, the only idand called Xolan lies 5 miles directly to the west of tho tonii of Mergui , nliile in ihe i m p of the southern portion of the Arcliipelago no island of that name is to be foiind , but there are in both charts ninny unnamed islands
1- Stray Feathers,’ vol. VI. p. 11.
FRO\[ TBE MEIIOIII . ~ R C l i l P E r , \ O O 137
Calciitta had proved thoroughly iiicapable and so tiinid that they would not enter the forest. Such a course had this great disad- miitage, that it necessarily restricted my enumeration of the birds obtained to the limit of n mere list with localities.
The birds were identified in India bdore they were l)rouglit to thig country; but in order to ('iisure accumcg it was dewable that they should be gone ovcr by one thoroaghly familiar with the subject, who would correct any errors of identification, and be able also to direct attention to any birds preseutiog features worthy of remarh. I wteern inpself fortunate in having seciired for these eudv the services of RTajor Wardlaw Ramsay, who possebses an illtiinate ac.quaintance with the birds of Tennr- Rerim. I have indicated the few observations he has recorded by appending his name t o them.
111 the collectioii only onr hird, Bufiwon CoppZli, appearq as au addition to the fauna of 'I1eunweriin ; but a l the same time the diatribution of soine of the species recorded in Messrs. IIunie and DaTison's ' Birds of Tenasserim ' has beeii extended. While pointing out these few instances, I have not thought it necesm-y to repeat the distril~ution of species already fully recorded by these authors.
1Ia>iug been present in the islands only for t h e very sliort periods alrtwly mentioned thc li4t gives no information regarding the migratious of species be) ond recording the preseiice of well- kiiown migratory birds. Consideriug, however, the very different climatic conditions which pre\ ail in the islands during the two monsoons, it is probable tbat the birds which frequent the smaller aud more ezposed islets aiid islands during the north- east iiionsoon congregate 011 the larger and more she1 tered islands until the strength of the storms of the south-west mon- soon is past,-if they are not in niany instances driven for shelter t o the mainland. Davison records that HnZcyon chlorrs in December kept entirely to the sen-coast and bariks o f the creeks ; but that in June, after the rains had commenced, it became very numerous about the gardens and even in the town of Mergui itself'*.
Judging from my observations iu the locahties I have mentioned (and I may state that I crossed Kiiig I a l a u d and Elphinstone
* Op crf p. 78. L1NN. JO~'RS.--ZOOIIOC+~', TOT,. SSL. 12
138 DR. JOHN ANDERSON ON BIRDS
Island, and ascended the highest point, 1600 feet, of Sullivan Island), my impression is that bird-life is less richly represented than on the mainland ; but of course this can only be accurately ascertained by a thorough iwestigation of the islands. Tliist list, if i t Berves as a beginning to this end, will have fulfilled its purpose.
The islands, with the exception of a very limited portion of King Island, where there are a few scattered Burmese and Karen settlers, are uninhabited except by the sea-gipsies, the Selungs, who spend the greater part of the year on the sea in their boats, in which they eat and sleep while not fishing, or hunting with their dogs for pigs in the forest. During the south-west monsoon they betake themselves to sheltered bays, where they erect miserable temporary dwelling-places on stakes driven into the sands imniediately above high-water mark. The absence of regular villages, the existence of strong and dangerous currents between the islands, and the presence of sunken rocks n o t yet indicated in the charts, make the Mergui Archipelago a difficult region to investigate. Moreover, during the soutli-west monsoon navigation among the islands towards the sea is almost imprac- ticable to sailing vessels, so that unless steam were used, or the observer settled down in one of the groups for the season, observations would have to be confined to the north-east mon- soon, when the sea is gerierally calm and the breezes moderate.
With regard to the first locality, King Island, or Padam* as known to the Burmese, i t is situated about 10 miles due west of the town of Mergui. The island is 24 inilcs in length by 10 miles in breadth ; it is hilly throughout, and its highest point, which lies nearest its southern end, the ridge running north and south, is 2123 feet high, but t o the north and throughout the range there are other heights but little below 2000 feet. It is covered with a dense forest infested with tigers, pigs, and mouse-deer ; and on the very summits of the highest peaks a re to be found trees attain- ing nearly 200 feet in height. Apparently more streams water the eastern than the western side, and at their mouths, and, indeed, all along the sea-margin on this aspect of the island, are exten- sive Mangrove-forests, succeeded by undulating and hilly ground, on which are occasionally to be seen an orchard of Mangosteens, Dorians Areca-nuts, and Cueoil-nut Palms. On the western side,
* Lat. 12' 18' to 12c 42' N.
FROM THE \lERCtlrI SRCIIIPELAQO. 139
which is exposed to the full force of the sea-breezes, and the slope of which is more steep, there are fewer Mangrove-swamps, and in place of orchards there are teniporary fishing-stations. At Yimiki, in the centre of tho island, towards the uorth, there are a few clearings made by Karens, Burmese, and some advanced Selungs ; but the attempts at cultivation are iusignificant con- sidering the size of t h e island, which retains its character as a great primeval forest.
Elpbinstone Islaud" is the most seaward member of a group of beautiful islands lying to the south-west of King Island, and known to the Selungs as the Doang group. The three other priucipal islands of the group are Ross, Qraut, and MacLeod Islands. Elphiustone Island is distant about 30 miles in a straight line from the town of Mergui. It is of irregular form, being cut up by numerous bays, and its highest point, which has not get been measured, is visible 10 to 11 leagues a t sea. The island i u about 10 miles long and 8 in its extreme breadth; there is only one high peak, the rest of the island consisting of low hills, and the peak presents this peculiarity as compared with the other hills I have seen in the Archipelago, that a considerable area of its eastern aspect seems t o be free of trees and to be rocky ; but all the remainder of the ihland is covered with forest. No tigers are found in the Doang group, but pigs and mouse-deer are numerous.
Sullivan Island t is considerably to the south of King Island, as it lies 17 miles off the mainland and more or less parallel to it. I t is a long and narrow island, being only 5 to 6 miles broad in its widest part, its average width not being more than 3 miles. It is traversed throughout i ts length by a ridge of hills rising t o 1523 feet. It is also covered by a dense forest com- paratively clear of undergrowth on some parts of the hill-slopes, and so dense overhead as to exclude the direct rays of the sun ; the trees not unfrequently attaining to an altitude of 250 feet. In this island I first met with Crtsunriiza epuistttfolia growing wild along its western shore associated with Cycas Ruwvhii, t w o outljing members of the Austro-Malayan subregion.
* Lat. 13O 16' to 1 2 O 2G' N. I Lat. loo 41' 30 ' to loc 59' 30" N.
140 DR. JOTIN ANDERSOV O N BTRDS
GEOCICHLA CITRINA (Lath.), Oates, Birds o,f British Burmah,
a. d , Elphinstone Nand , 1 s t ; 6 . d , 4 th ; and c. Q , 5th March, 1881.
This bird is probably distribiited over all the islands of the Archipelago of any size, with the exception of the more seaward chain of islands, which extends from Cabosa southwards to the Great Western Torrps proup. I observed it i u the Elphinstone group and in Sullivan Island, almost the northern and southern extremes of the Archipelago.
vol. i. p. 3.
d. Owen Island, 3rd Jan. 1882.
P ~ ~ O N T I C O L A CYANUS ( L i n n . ) , Oatm, 013. c i t . vol. i. p. 11. a. d , Ng5 Islet, E ing Island, 1 1 t h Feb. 1882. b . 9 , Crow
Islet, 27th Feb. 1582. c. 0 , Zedinon, Mergui? 23rd Dee. 1881. d. d (rariety), Mergui, 23rd March, 1882.
“ The specimen, d, belongs t o the intermediate form which Mr. Seebohm has called JI. cyanus solitaria, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. vol. v. p. 318.” (Ward lau i Ranisay.)
A rocky islet, about 50 yards in length, 30 in width, and probably not more t h m i 25 feet high, lies four miles to the west of Xing Island, the largest ishind in the Archipelago, and three miles t o the south of Maingy Island, which rises to 2000 feet in height. This little islet consists chiefly of a mass of bare rock, but on a flattened portion of its summit were a few stunted scraggy shrubs arid a profusion of long grass. A miniature cliff overhangs a little cave, with a muddy and sandy shelving shore, on which struggle some dwarfed mangrove-trees, while in a tiny gorge, down u hich trickles some fresh water, grows an abundance of ferns. On this sequestered spot I found ~Zonticola cyanus associated uitli the followiug birds : Corvus niacrorhynchus, Hal- cyon chloris, Hypothornis azurea, and Anthi*eptutcs malaccensis, some of a~hich had built their nests and were breeding.
COPSYCHUS SAULARIS (Linn.), Oates, op. cit. vol. i. p. 20. a. Thaing, King Island, 1st Feb. 1882.
CITTOCINCLA MACRURA (Qnz.), Oates, op. cit. vol. i. p. 22. a. 6, Elphinstone Island, 7th March, 1882.
6. d , Elphinstone Island, 3rd March, 1882.
b . 8 , Yimiki, c, d. Thaing, King Island, 31ut King Island, 24th Feb. 1882.
Jan. 1882. e. d , Mergui, 23rd March, 1882. MIXORNIS RUBRICAPILLUS (Tick.), Oates, op. cit. vol. i. p. 50. a, b, c. Sullivau Ialand, 9th Jan. 1882. d. Thing , King
Mr. W. DaviBOu*, in hi3 invaluable notes ou the Birds of Teriasserim, says that thiv bird is very rtbuiidant throughout the 1’l.ovince as far south as 1 3 O N. lat. I, however, fouiid it to be common in Sullivan Ibland, which lies between lat. 10” 42’ and 10” 59’ 50” N.
TURDINUS ABBOTTI (BZ.), Oates, op. cit. vol. i. p. 63. a. Sullivan Island, 12th Jan. 1882. b, c. Thaing, King Island,
31st Jan. 1882.
~’ELLORNEUM SuBocmAcEu~i , Xwinhoe, Oates, op. cit. vol. i.
“ These speciineiis arc remarkable for tlie ruqty hue of their yluniage ; otherwibe they are identical mith Tenasserim syeci- ~ ~ 1 1 s . ” ( FVardlaw Ramsay.)
p. 66.
IhltLIlCI, 1 4 t h March, 18S2.
YU~LLUSCOUUS UORY4LIY (Blas . ) , Oates, op. c i f . vol. i. 11. 77. a. 2 , TimtLi, King Ialatid, 24th Feb. 188%.
SLJTORIA SUTOEIA (flQtibrst.), Oal&S, Op. C d . V01. i. p. 107. a . Sullivan IJand, 12th Jan. 1682. 6. Mergui, 14th Dec.
1881. Mr. Dhbison found this bird generally distributed throughout
the province as far south as Mergui, but he does not appear to h a v e found it to the south ok that town.
OI~THOTONUS A i m c i u L A n i s , IL’eitim., Outes, op. cit . vol. i. p. 109. u. Thing , King Islaud, 24th Jan. 18S2.
SIl’Li rRONTALIY, Ho~s$, Otbf~s, 011. cit. V U ~ . i. p. 134. a. 8 , Elphiustone Isl;tntl, 5th ; b, c. d, 6th March, 1882.
HEILPOR~IB x,mTnoi,huc.i ( U o d p . ) , Ontes, op. cit . vol. i.
a. Sullivan Island, 13th Jan. 18S2.
CaLonaThs MELANOPI (Pall.), Oates, op. c i t . vol. i. p. 159- a. 9 , Elphinstone Island, 13tb March, 1882.
p. 151.
142 DR. SOHN ANDERSON ON BIRDS
LIMONIDROMUB INDICUS (Gm.), Oates, op. cit. vol. i. p. 164. a. d , Elpliinstone Island, 14th ; 6. Q , 13th March, 1882. IOLE VIRIDESCENS, BI., Oates, op. cit. vol. i. p. 177. a. Eing Island.
MICROPUS MELANOCEPHALUS (am.) , Oates, op. cit. vol. i.
a. Minthantoung, Mergui, 22nd Dec. 1881. 6. $, Mergui, p. 181.
27th Dee. 1881.
CRININTGER GUTTURALIS (Bp.), Oates, op. cit . vol. i. p. 185. a. Thaing, King Island, 24th Jan. 1882. 6. d , Yimiki, King
Island.
TRACHYCOMUS OCHROCEPHALUS (Gnz.), Oates, op. cit. vol. i.
a. 8 , Zediwon, Mergui, 23rd Dec. 1881.
PYCNONOTUS ANALIS (Horsf.), Oates, op. cit. vol. i. p. 191. a. 8 , Mergui, 23rd; b. Q , 26th March, 1882.
PYCXONOTUS FINLAYSONI, Str’trickl., Oates, op. cit. vol. i. p. 193. a. 9 , Elphinstone Island, 1st: 6. Q , 2nd March, 1882. c.
Thaiiig, King Island, 12th Feb. 1882. d. d , Mergui, 23rd March, 1882.
p. 188.
e. 8, Minthantoung, Mergui, 221113 Dee. 1881.
OTOCOMPSA JACOSA (Linn.) , Oates, op. cit . vol. i. p. 198. a. 8 , b . 2 , Mergui, 19th March, 1882. c, d. d 9 , Mergui,
OTOCOMPSA FLAVIVGNTRIS (Tick.), Oates, op. cit. vol. i. p. 199. a, 6. 9 , Minthantoung, Mergui, 22nd Dec. 1881.
BGITHINA TIPHIA (Linn.) , Oates, op. cit. vol. i. p. 202. a, 6. $, Mergui, 23rd March, 1882.
27th Dec. 1881.
c. Q , Minthantoung, Mergui, 22nd Dee. 1881.
~ETHOEHYNCEUS LAPBESNAYII (Nart l . ) , Oates, op. cit. vol. i.
a. 8 , Mintbantoung, Mergui, 22nd Dec. 1881. “ In the yellow colour of the ear-coverts and margins of the
wing-coverts this specimen approaches A’. xanthotis, Sbarpe.” (Wardlaw Ramsay.)
CIILOROPSIS CHLOBOCEPHALA ( WaZd.), Oates, op. cit. vol. i. p. 208.
p. 204.
FROM TIIE XiEilOUI ARCETIPELSGO. 145
d. d , Elphin- a. Sullivan Island, 9th ; b, c . 11 th Jan. 1 8 8 2 . stone Island, 1st March, 1852.
IRENA PI-ELLA (Loth.), Oatcs, op. c i t . vol. i. 1’. 209. a. &, 6. 9 , Elphitistone Island, 4th ; c. 6, 9th ; d. 0 , 1st
e. 8, Yimiki, King I~ laud , 24th Feb. 1852. J: 0 , March, 1882. Eediaoii, Mergui, 23rd Dec. 1681.
ORIOLUS INDICUS, Jerd., Onfps, or. cit . vol. ii. p. 211. a. 8, Elphinstoiie Island, 9th , b. 9 , 13th March, 1582. c. 8 ,
e. 2 , Mergui, 23rd King Island, 1 5 t h ; d. 6, 13th Feb. 1862. Narch, 1882.
BECHANGA ATRA (€Term.), O n t q op. cit . vol. i. p. 218. a. Sullivau Island, 9th Jail 1552. b. 2 , Mergui, 20th; c. $,
BIJCHAKGA L o N G I c h c D x r a (A. Hciy), Odes, op. cit . vol. i.
a. d , Mergui, 19th March, 1882.
BECIIAKOA LCUCOGESTS, Widt?. , Oates, op. c i t . vol. i. p. 222. a. 6, Xgii or Piah Islet, K i ig Islaud B‘ty, 18th Feb. 1852.
DISSEMURUS PARADISEUS (Linn.), Oafes, op. c i t . vol. i. p. 225. n. 2, Elphinstone Island, 4 th ; b, c. d, 5 t h ; d, e. d $ 2 , 9 t h
“ The intermediate race ~ i t h a moderate crest.” (Wardlaw
I’mrcRocoTm c m E m u s , Luftaes., Oates, op. ci t . vol. i. p. 241. 0. d , Elphinstone Island, 13th March, 18b2. M r . Oates first met with this species at Kyeilipadien, near
Pegu, in the cold neather, uliere he also iu the same sc;1sou ob- tained P. cantonensis, and he iiientloils that Mr. Davison also procured this species at various places in the Malay Peninsula.
PERICROCOTUS P E R E ( ; ~ R I ~ U S (Lim.), Oates, op. cit. vol. i. p. 245. a. 8, Elpliiustone L l m d , 1st Fcb. 1862. b, G. d 2 , Elphin-
stone Island, 1 s t ; d. $2, e. $2, 5th ATarcl~, 1382. f. 8 , Thaing, King Island, 31st Jan. lbS2. 9. 8, Ihapo, King Island, 23rd
The prevalence of this JTiuibet in these islands seenis t o verify Blr, Davison’s observation that it is a frequenter of the sea-coast-
’ J L u . 1882.
144 1 ) K . JOHN hNl)l<USON ON BIRDS
MUSClTREA QRlSOLh (Bl.), O u h , op. C i f . YO]. i. p. 257. a . 8, 6. Q , Elphinstone Island, 5th March, 1882. I n the “ Birds of Tenasserim ”* it is remarked that this is B
rare visitant to the Province, and that if common anywhere it is only so in the islands of the Mergui Archipelago. Mr. Davison procured it fifty-two miles north-west of Moulinein and at Kolan Island, twenty-five miles south of Mergui.
HYP~TEYMIS AZUEBA (Bodd.), Oates, op. cit . vol. i. p. 265. u, b. Sullivan Ieland, 12 th ; c. 9th Jan. 1882. d. d , Elphin-
done Island, 4th ; e. 8, 9th March, 1882. f. 9 , Yimiki, King Island, 24th Eeb. 1882. g. Thapo, King Island, 25th Jan. 1882. h. Thniiig, King Island, 24th Jan. 1882. i. Zediwon, Mergui, 93rd Yec. 1881.
I observed this bird on the small rocky islet previously men- tioned uuder Xuiiticultc cyrcizus. It is commou in Kiug, Elphin- stone, and Sullivan Islands.
X H r P r u u ~ a JATANICA ( S y u m t ~ . ) , Ontes, up. c i t . vol. i. p. 267. a. d , Nergui, 23rd March, 1882.
~~tIE1IIICHELIDOiu SIBIRICA ( G ~ L . ) , Odes , op. tit. vol. i. p. 275 a. Thaing, Kiug Island, 21st Jan. 1882.
Island, 1st Feb. 1882. 6. Thaing, King
ALSEONAX LATIROSTRIS (nu@.), Oates, op. cit . v d . i. 1). 277. a. Thaing, Icing Island, 24th ; b. 81st J a n . 1882. c. 0 , Ng%,
t l . 2 , Miuthantuung, Mergui, Kiug Island Bay, 9th Feb. 1882. 22nd Dee. 1881.
SIPHIA RUBECULOIDES (V;.Y.), Oates, o p . c i t . vol. i. p. 287. a. Thaiiig, King Island, 31st Jau. 1882. b. Miuthantoung,
‘‘ I n this Ypecimen (b) the rut’ous extends in a narrow line almost Mergui, 22ud Dee. 1881.
to the chin.” (Wnrdlaw Rammy.)
HIUUNDO RL-STICL, L ~ u I L . , Octtes, up. cit. 1701. i. p. 302. a . Minthantoung, Mergui, Jan. 1882. b. 8, Mergui, 24th
HYPUROLEPIS JAVANICA (Sparnn.), Oates, op. ci t . vol. i. p. 308. a. 9 , Mergui, 20th Feb. 1S82. 6. Q , Elphinstone Island,
Mr. Dalison m e t with a feu examples of this species a t Mergui in Julie, but they are not numerous, nnd he believed that they \I ere then nijgratiug. H e never observed them in any other part of l'enasserini; but Mi-. Theobald states that lie found this species breeding a t Tenasserirn in April, and Mr. Oates seems disposed to regard it as a resident species.
ZTHOPPGIA CARA, Hunw, Oates, op. cit . vol. i. p. 316. a, b . d, Sullivan Llantl, 9 t h ; c. 2 , 11th Jan. 1882.
Mr. Da\ isou
d. 8 , Ziniiki, King Island, 24th Eeb. 1882.
observed this bird oiily as far south as the town of' Teiiahst-rim ; but I found it not a t all uncommon at Sullivan Id:iud, anlong shrubs close to a beach mliich was fringed by Ciisuasiza eyuisetiyolokia, Forsli.
C I ~ N Y R I S EIASSELTI ( T c m ~ ) , Oates, op. cit. vol. i. p. 318. ( 1 . 9 , Sullivan Islaud, 9th; b, c. d, 11th Jan. 1882. d. 9 ,
Thaing, King IsIm~d, 31st Jan. l b 8 2 . Tlris hpecies I fouiid associated with the previous Sun-bird in
the same localily iu Sullivan Island. Both were equally coinuion.
C I N K Y R I S PL4hl\~AYlLTA11IS (B!.), Ontes, op. cit . ~01 . i. p. 320. U , b. Sullii an Islaiid, 9th Jan. 1982. c. 8 , Elphinutone Island,
From the mile locality in Sullivan lsland as the two foregoing 5th ; d. 8, 9th Mal*cli, IbS2.
s, ecies.
ANTHI~EETES M ~ L . \ C C IS (Scop.) , Oafes, op. cit . vol. i. p. 324. (I. 8 , Snlliiaii Ibland, 1 s t J at). l b82 . b. d , c. 2 , d. 8, T h i n g ,
King lslaiid, 21th Jail. 1Sb2, 1st Feb. 1582. e. 8, Thapo, King I&~ud, 25th Jan. 1Sb2. 9 , NgZ Islet, Eing Island Bay, 9th ; g, h. d , i . 9 , 11th Feb. 1882. X . 8, 1. 9 , Crow Islet, 27th Feb. 1582.
The presence of this SLuI-bird 011 the little rocky ibland men- tioiled in the begiuniiig of this list, i d also in King Island, Elpliinatone Idwiid, and Sullivan Isl,~nd, indicates its wide distri- but ion among the islnnds of tile drchipciago. I n %i.g Idand I found I t generally ou old elenrings in the neighbourhood of the villages of Tliaing and Tliapo, at the head of King Island Bay, and on Ngii lslmd.
$
vn. 9 , Elpiiitistone Islaud, 7th March, 1982.
- ',%a) I~'entlitr6, PUI 7 1 1' 179
146 DR. JOHN ANDERSON ON BIRDS
AKTHREPTES BINGALERSIS (Temm.), Oates, op. cit. vol. i. p. 326. a. 9 , Yimiki, King Island, 24th Peb. 1882. On clearings in the forest in the centre of the island.
DICBUM CRUENTATUM (Linia.), Oates, op. cit. TO^. i. p. 332. a. Thaing, King Island, 1st Feb. 1882. b. 9 , Elphinstone
Island, 4th ; c. 0 , 5th March, 1882. d. Mergui, 27th Dee. 1881.
DICBUM TRIGONOSTIOMA (Xcop.), Oates, op. cit. 701. i. p. 336. a. $, Elphinstone Island, 4th; 6, c. d 0 , 5th March, 1882.
e. King Island, 16th d. Thapo, King Island, 25th Jan. 1882. Feb. 1882.
PASSER MONTANUS (Li7tn.), Oafes, op. cit. TO^. i. p. 348. a, b. 8, Mergui, 23rd March, 1882.
AMADINA ACUTICAUDA ( X o d p . ) , Oates, op. cit. vol. i. p. 364. a, b. 9 , Yimiki, King Island, 24th Feb. 1882. On clearings in the centre of the island.
STURNOPASTOR SUPERCILIARIS, BI., Oates, op. cit. vol. i.
ACEIDOTHERES FUSCUS (Tei~zm.), Oates, op. cit . TO^. i. p. 380. a. d , Mergui, 9th ; b, 0,20th ; c. 9 , 23rd March, 1882.
CALORNI~ CESLTBEA (HorsJ), Oates, op. cit. vol. i. p. 390. a. 8, Elphinstone Island, 6th Feb. 1882; b . Q , 2nd; c, d I
4th; d, 6 , e. d, J: 8 , y. 0 , h. Q , 9 t h ; i. Q , 13th March, 1862; L. 8, 3rd July, 1882. k. d , Thaing, King Island, 31st Jan. 1882.
This bird is very common along the margins of the forest at the head of the great bay on the soutli-eastern side of Elphin- &tone Island, and I observed a large colony on a rocky islet on the western Bide of Sullivan Island, where it was breeding iu recesses in the rocks, finding cover among some small shrubs on the summit of the islet.
p. 378.
GRACULA JAVANENSIS (Osbeck), Oatrs, op. cit. vol. i. p. 303. a, b. Sullivan Idand, 12th; c . 0 , 12th ; d. 13th Jan. 1852.
9. Thing,
This species was not uncommon at Sullioan Island, and it8
e. 9 ,$ 9 , Elpliinstone Island, 9th Dfarch, 1882. King Island, 27th Jan. 1882.
FROM TIIE MERGICI ABCIIIPELAOO. 147
favourite resort was the tops of the highcst trees in the forest. I t s noisy calls became a familiar sound just before sundown.
Convus NAcRonumcnus, Eiccgler, Oates, op. cit. vol. i.
a. 8, Yimiki, King Island, 24th Feb. 1882. This Crow appears to be generally distributed throughout the
islands, arid, as already mentioned, I found a pair even breeding on a small rocky islet. There were four young ones in the nest.
p. 397.
CQRTUS INSOLERS, Hume, Oates, op. cif. vol. i. p. 399. a. 9 , Mergui, 20th; b . 8, 19th NMarch, 1862.
CRYPSIBRINA VARIANS (Lath.) , Oates, op. cit. vol. i. p. 404. a, b. 8 Q , Mergui, 23rd March, 1882.
CTMBORRY~WHUS MBCRORHYXCHUS (Gm.), Oates, op. cit. vol. i.
a, 6. d , c, d. 8, Mergui, 23rd hlarch, 1682. e. d,f. 9 , Zedi-
Among shrubs in dense shade on the outskirts of a mangrove-
p. 428.
won, Mergui, 03rd Dee. 1881.
swan~p.
COLLOCALIA LINCEI, Horsf. 4 Moore, Oates, op. cit. vol. ii.
a. 2 , Yimiki, King Island, 21th Feb. 1882. BlythX has recorded this bird from the Mcrgui Archipelago.
n h . Davison says it does iiot occur on Mcrgui Island itself nor in any of the small islands near it.
p. 10.
LTNCORNIS CERVINICEPS, Coulrl, Oates, op. cit. vol. ii. p. 22. a. Elphinstone Island, 3rd Xarch, 18S2.
ALOPIIONERPES PULVEnULEXTUS (Temm.), Ontes, op. cit. vol. ii.
a. 9 , Elphinstone Island, 13th March, 1882.
IIEMICEIZCUS CANENTE (LESS.) , Ontes, op. cit. rol. ii. p. 30. a, b. 9, Elphinstone Island, 9th March, 1882.
PICUS CANICAPILLUS, Bl., Oates, op. cit. vol. ii. p. 36. a . 9 , Elphinstone Island, 9th ; b. 2 , 13th March, 1882.
GECINUS VIRIDANUS (Bl.), Oates, op. cit. vol. ii. p. 48. a. 8, Yimiki, King Islaud, 24th Feb. 1882. b. Mergui, 23rd
March, 1882.
CHRYSOCOLAPTES STRrCTUS (Hors f . ) , Oates, Op. cit. VO1. ii. p. 58. a. Q , Yimiki, King Island, 29th Feb. 1882. b , c . d , d . 0 ,
Elphinstone Island, 9th; e. Q , 13th March, 1882.
MELITTOPHAUUS LESCHENAULTI ( EeiZZ.), Oates, op. cit . vol. ii. p. 68.
a. Thaing, King Island, 24th Jan. 1882 ; b. Q , 24th Feb. 1881 ; c. d , 2 2 n d Dec. 1881.
EURY~TOMUS OEIICXTALIS (Linn.), Oates, op. cit. vol. ii. p. 70. a. 6, Yimiki, King Island, 24th Feb. 1882.
AWEDO BENGALENSIS, Gin., Oafes, op. cit . vol. ii. p. 72. a. 9 , King lsland Bay, 17th Feb. 1882. b. d, Elphinstone
Island, 5th; c . 9 , 9th; d. d, 13th March, 1882.
PELARGOP~IS AMAPROPTERA (Years . ) , Oates, op. cit. vol. ii. p. 78. a. 8, Elphiustone Island, 13th March, 1882. b. 8, Pimiki,
HALCYON PILEATA (Bodd.), Oofes , op. c i f . vol. ii. p. 83. a. Thaing, King Island, 31st Jan. 1882.
HALCYON CHLORIS (Bodd. ) , Oates, op. c i f . vol. ii. p. 85. a. 0 , Elpliin-tone Island, 1st ; b. 0 , 9th March, 1882.
King Island, 2&th Feb. 1882.
c. d , e. d ,$ 9 , g. 2 , Crow
This is the most prevalent Kingfisher among the northern
d. 9 , King Islniid Hay, 17th Feb. 1882. Islet, 27th Feb. 1882.
islands. In lpebruary it was found breeding on Crow Islet.
DICHOCEROS BICORNIS (Linn.), Oates, op. cit. vol. ii. p. 87. a. Thaing, King Island, 31st Jan. 1882. b. Elphinstone Ibland,
This species is doubtless distributed thoughout the Archipelago, 13th March, 1882.
but is relatively rare compared with Bhytidoceros sz6brzcjkollis.
ANTIIRACOCEROS AT~BIROSTRIS (Shaw) , Otrtes,op. cit. vol. ii. p. 90. a. Thaing, King Islaud, 30th Jan. lS8L b, c. 6 Q , King
d. d , Elphinstone Islaud, 7th ; e. 9 ,
RHYTIDOCEROS SUBRUPICOLLLS (Bl . ) , Oates, op. cLt. vol. ii. p. 91. a. 6 , 6. d, c . d , d. d , King Island, 29th J m . 1882. c. 0,
Idand, 8th Feb. 1882. 13th March, 1881.
FROM THE MEROUI AXCHTFELAOO. 149
Gth; f. 0 , 8th Feb. 1882. 9. 9, Yiiniki, K i n g Island, 24th Feb. 1852.
This Hornbill occurs in great numbers in islands of the Archi- pelago, especially i n those to\tards the north. On the mainland, howevcr, south of Tavog, Davisoii records tha t he oiily obtaiued a single straggler, while to the north of Tavop as far as Moul- meiii the species w i ~ s common.
I n the morning and evening large flocks were being constantly seen a t grcat heights flying long distances, a n d crossing the sea from island t o idand, their i~pl)i*i~ach Iseiug liernlded by t h e loud croaking noise so characteristic ol their flight genet-ally, associated with a peculiar harsh cd l , n hiclr, nhen the birds Iiustled each other, whether in sport or aii:er I Itnew not, becnnie converted iiito a noise resembling t h c barlr of a dog. It is a very nary bird, aid keeps to t h e t o p of the highest trccq.
A Karen brought t o nit! at King Island, on the 8th March, a female bird and her egg, both of which he liad removed from a hole i n a large tree which he h:d recklessly felled, 11 ith the assist- mice of Home other Kareiis, for the sole piirpose of obtnining these objccts, in the hope tha t I would purchase thmi. Along witli the bird and egg he alho 1)rought a part of the nest itself, which n a s inatle up of a rc;.iii vliich is coinmon i n these islands and of a substance which hc dcsmlted ns a gum. Thc pure nrhite egg had a somewhat leathery die11 dcficieni in lime.
IIARPACTES omsiuos (Te)am.), O n t c ~ , op. c i f . vol. ii. p. 100. a. Thaing, King Island, l b t lpeb. lb8P.
I n clearings surrounded by forest.
Cucur,us STBINUS, Drnp , OniPs, op. c i f . TO^. ii. p. 109. a. 2 , Elphinstone Island, 9 t h March, 1882.
a. 6, Elphinstone Island, 9 t h March, 1852. Mr. Davison met with this Cuckoo only as far south as Amherst.
HIEROCOCCYX N B N U ~ , Hunze, Odes, op. c i t . vol. ii. p. 110. a. 9 , Elphinstoiie Island, 5th ; 6. 6th March, 1852. Mr. Davison discovered this species at Baukasoon in the extreme
south of the province of Teiia-srrim, btit afterwards found it " in
6. d , Ziiniki, K i n g Jslaiid, 24th Feb. 1852.
p. 108.
150 DR. JOEN ANDERSON ON BIRDS
April in the forests a t the base of Nwalabo, and between that place and Tavoy ”
CACOMANTTS THUENODES, Cab. et Hein. , Oates, op. cit. vol. ii.
a. 8 , Mergui, 23rd March, 1882.
SURNICULUS LUGUBRTB (Horsf.), Odes , op. cit. vol. ii. p. 112. a. Thaiiig, King Island, 24th Jan. 1882.
RHOPODYTES TRISTIS (Less.), Onfes, op. cit. vol. ii. p. 121. a. d, b. 2 , Yimiki, King Island, 24th Feb. 1882.
Elphinstone Island, 1st ; d. 8 , 14th March, 1882. toung, Mergui, 22nd Dee. 1881.
p. 126.
Island, 9th; c. 9 , 14th March, 1882.
p. 186.
p. 111.
b. d, Elphinstone Island, 9th March, 1882.
c. 2 , e. Miiithau-
CENTROCOCCYX INTERMEDIUS, Hwnae, Oates, op. cit . vol. ii.
a. 9 , Yimiki, King Island, 24th Feb. 1882. b. 9 , E1I)hinstone
XANTHOLBMA HEMACEPHBLA (lHiilZ.), Oates, op. cit. vol. ii.
a. 8 , Yimiki, King Island, 24th Feb. 1882.
PALACORNIS FASCIATUS (Xiill.), Oates, op. cit. vol. ii. p. 143. a. Tbaing, King Islaud, 31st Jan. 1883.
LORICULUS VERNALIS (Sparrm.), Ontes, op. cit. vol. ii. p. 146. a. 8, b. d, Thing , King Island, 2nd Feb. 1882.
KETUPA JATANEKSIS, Less., Odes , op. cit. vol. ii. p. 149. a . $! , Blphiustone I&md, 13th llarch, 18S2.
SCOPS PENNATUS, Hodgs., Ontes, op. cit. vol. ii. p. 154. a. 8 , Nga Islet, King Island Bay, 18th Feb. 1882. “ This belongs t o thc race named X. stictonotus by Sharpe, Cat.
( W n ~ d l a l o Xnw~say.)
6. 8, King Island Bay, 19th Feb. 1882.
6. King Island, 19th Frb. 1882.
Birds Brit. Muu. vol. ii. p. 64.”
SCOPS LEMPIJI (€€orsf.), Oates, op. cit. vol. ii. p. 156. A young bird, probably of this species.
NINOX SCCTULATA (RajV.), Oates, op. cit. vol. ii. p. 169. a. 0 , Elpbitistone Island, 7th March, 1882.
* ’ Stray Feilthora,’ vol. vi pp 157, 509.
FROM T E E MBRGUI ARCIIIPELAQO.
ASTUR TRIVIROATUS (Temm.), O d e s , op. c i t . vol. ii. p. 177. a. Thaing, King Islaud, 1st Feb. 1882. BUTASTUR INDICUS (Gn.), Onfrs, op. c i t . vol. ii. p. 197. a. 8 , Mergui, 23rd March, 1882.
151
HALIASTUR INDUS (Bodd.), Oates, op. cit . vol. ii. p. 201. a. d , King Island, 24th Fcb. 1882. juv., King Island
PERNIS PTILORHTNCIIUS (Telnnz.), Oates, op. c i t . vol. ii. p. 307. a. 8, Elphiustone Island, 14th March, 1882. This rare bird was recorded inany years ago by Blyth * from
Mergui, and more rccently by H u m and Davison from i\lotiliiieiii and hmherst.
b. Bay, 11th Peb. 1882.
BAZA LOPITOTES (Cuv.), Oatps, op. cit. vol. ii. p. 208. a. 8, Elphinstone Island, 1st March, 1883.
ARDEA BUVATRWA, Rofl., OutPs, op. c i t . rol. ii. p. 244. a. 9 , King Island Bay, 19th Feb. 1882. 1 only observed this larqe Heron on one occasion, when the
extensive mud-flats iu Icing Island Bay mwc exposed at spring- tide, on nhich occasion they merc visited by about half a dozeu of these birds.
HERODIM GARZETTA (Linn.), Oafes, op. cit. 001. ii. p. 248. a. Ngi Iblet, King Island Bay, 18th Peb. 1882.
DEMIEGI~ETTA SACRA (Gm.), Oates, op. cit. vol. ii. p. 250. a. 8, Sullivan Island, 6th Jan. 1882. b. d , King Island, 17th
c. 8 , King 1slit11d Bay, 20th; d, e. d 0 , 26th Feb.
Common throughout the islands and much fruquentiug the
BETORIDES JATANICA (Homf.), Oates, op. ci t . vol. ii. p. 254. a. 2 , b. Imm., Elphinstone Island, 1 s t ; c. 8, 7th &larch,
ALSOCOMUS PUNICEUS, TicJc., Oates, op. cit. vol. ii. p. 280. a, b . 8, Ngti Islet, King Idand Bay, 18th Feb. lSY2. Ngir Islet is a small well-nooded island about a quarter of a
mile long and 80 feet high, situated at the head of King Island Bay, \\ith Borne other and siniilar islands close beside it. These
Feb. 1862. 1882.
mud-flats at King Island Bay.
1882.
* Trails As SOC. Beng xol. sxi. 11. 436.
152 DR. JOllN ANDERSON ON RIRDS
islands, besides supporting a small population of their own, were visited by many birds froin the main islend (King Island) during their daily wanderings in search of food, and this Pigeon was among those visitors. It ranges from Tonghou throiigb P e p to Tenasserim, and in the latter province Davison observed it near Mergui.
TURTUE TIGRINUS (Tmm.), OntPs, op. cit . rol. ii. p. 290. a. Juv., Thapo, King Island, 23rd Jan. 1882.
CHALCOPHAPS INDICA (Linn.) , OrrtPs, op. cit. rol. ii. p. 297. a. d, Elphinstone Island, 4th ; b. 8, 5th n h c h , 1852.
a. Thaing, King Island, 31st Jan. 1582. b. 0 , Elphinstone Island, 9th ; c, d. d , 23th March, 18S2.
I observed a large Imperial Pigeon in Sullivan Island, but as it was extremely wary, and frequented only the tops of the highest trees in the densest parts of the forest, I did not succeed in obtaining any examples. It may probably be C. inszclaris from the Nicobar Islands, a species which Oates has suggested may occur in the Archipelago.
b. Thaing, King Island, 31st Jan. 1852. c. 8, Yimilii, 24th Pcb. 1893.
CARPOPITAGA E N E A (Li7?12.), O f f f P S , O p . tit. TOl . ii. p. 301.
TRERON NIPALENSIS ( H o L ~ ~ s . ) , Odes, op. c i t . vol. ii. p. 306. a. 6 , Elphinstone Island, 5th March, 1882.
OSMOTRERON BICIKCTA (Jerd.), Oates, op. c i t . vol. ii. p. 308. a. 8, Elphinstone Island, 9th ; b. 8, 13th March, 1882.
OSMOTBELION TERNANS (Linn.), O d e s , op. ci t . vol. ii. p. 309. a. Yimilii, King Islilnd, 24th Feb. 1882. b. d , Elphinstone
This Pigeon has beep found on the mainland from Mergui Island, 9th March, 1882.
south to Malewoon.
BUTREBON CappELLr.-Treron Cappelli (Tenzm.), &dvad. Ann.
a. 8, Elphinstone Island, 13th March, 1882. “The occurrence of this species is interesting.
N u s , Civ. Genov. vol. v. p. 285 (1874).
So far as I know, there is no record of its having been obtained so far north before.” (Wardlaw Rnmsay.)
TTJRNIX PLUMBIPES (Hodgs.) , Ontes, op. cit . vol. ii. p. 337. u. 0 , Mergui, 23rd March, 1882.
FROM TUE MEROUI ARCIIIPELBUO. 153
GALLICRET CINEREUS (Om.), Orrtes, op. cit. vol. ii. p. 349. a. 8, Mergui, 19th March, 1882. Davison only observed this species as far south as thc inout11
PODICA PERSONATA (Grtry), Ontes, op. cit. vol. ii. p. 353. a. 8, Elphinstone Island, 13th March, 1852. This rare bird, which was originally described from a Malaccn
spccimen, has been found by Davison at Bail kasoon, Mergui, ancl Amherst.
A ~ I A L I T I S GEOFEROYI (b&7Z.>, Ontes, op. ci t . vol. ii. p. 366 a. 0 , Elphinstone Island, 5th March, 1853. Mr. Davison never met with this bird in Tenasserim, but M r
Hume’s collectors obtained i t 52 niiles N.W. of Moulmein, and Dr. Armstrong a t Arnhcrst.
BGIALITIB MONGOLICUS (Pal l . ) , Oates, op. c i f . vol. ii. p. 368. a, b. 2 , Elphinstone Island, 5th March, 1582.
Z Q I A L I T I S CANTIANA (Luth.), Oates, op. c i t . vol. ii. p. 368. a. 2 , Elphinstone Island, 8th March 1832.
LOBIVANELLUS ATRORL-CIULIS (BZ.), Ontes, op. cit. vol. i i
a. 8, b. 2 , Yimiki, King Island, 24th Feb. 18S2.
STEEPSILAS INTERPRES (Linn.), Oates, op. cit. vol. ii. p. 376. a. 8, (Xna or Fish Islet, King Island Bay, 4th ; b. 8, 9th Feb
This bird does not appear in I-Iume and Davison’s list.
C A m m a u o CCELESTIS ( P r e w e l ) , Oates, op. cit. vol. ii. p. 381. a. t. T R I x a s MINUTA (Leis l . ) , Oates, op. cit . vol. ii. p. 389. n, b. 2 , Mergui, 23rd Marcli, 1882.
TEINUOIDES IITPOLEUCUB (Linn.), Ontcs, op. ci t . vol. ii. 11. 300. a. 2 , King Island, 17th Feh. 1882.
