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Show 312 MR. R. B. SHARPE ON THE [Apr. 1, permission from tbe authorities of the Oxford Museum to describe the large Bornean collections forwarded to that institution by Mr. W . H . Treacher, Acting Governor of Labuan. Amongst them are a few birds from Sooloo, but apparently not the result of a separate expedition, but presented to M r . Treacher by Mr. Burbidge. To the latter gentleman I am indebted for the following notes. " A m o n g the birds which I saw in Sooloo, but could not secure, I would particularly mention:-some Hornbills, seemingly the common black-and-white small kind from Labuan ; a fine white Harrier, with black tips to the wings (this is a distinct and handsome bird, not unfrequently seen circling over rice-fields or grassy plains) ; the 'fire-backed' Pheasant; and an Owl, apparently a larger and brighter-coloured edition of our C o m m o n Barn-Owl or Screeching species. The blue, white-ringed Kingfisher (Halcyon chloris) of Labuan is very common here, as is also the rufous, white-headed Scavenger H a w k or Eagle1; and at least two other species, both larger, are to be found looking out for food near the wharf at Meimbong. Curlews are as plentiful here as in Sarawak and other parts of Borneo. I missed the nocturnal ' chuck-chuck ' of the Goatsucker, so common in Labuan. Water-Rails and a pretty blue Kingfisher are not uncommon by the margin of the Meimbong river, which is close to the harbour, and is an excellent shooting-ground. Gun-boats often come here ; and as the country is now readily accessible, much might doubtless be done in ornithology. Capital angling may be had in this little river; and there is a good bathing place near the town and close to the market, where one may be entirely free from the fear of an Alligator lurking about in wait for a meal. N o w and then the Sultan and his court, male and female, together with all the principal people in the island, meet to enjoy the fun of Pig-hunting, the Wild Boar being very plentiful here, together with two or three species of Deer. These Pigs do a good deal of damage to cultivated crops; so that now and then a regular field-day is organized, and nearly every man, pony, dog, and spear in the island are out, versus ' Piggy,' as many as fifty of the latter being slain in a single day. There are so many kinds of sport easily attainable here, provisions of the best are so cheap, a pony may be hired for about 1*. 6d. a day, and there is so much that is novel to be seen about the towns and the court, that the wonder is that some traveller, fond of sport and especially ornithology, does not take up his quarters here for a month or t w o- •ind particularly as the place is easily reached from Singapore vid Labuan, or from Hong-Kong, vid Manila." Mr. Burbidge left England on a botanical expedition organized by Messrs. H . Veitch and Son; and his success in this department of natural history is well known. His chief attention having been devoted to plants, it only remains to thank him for the intelligent way in which he devoted his scanty leisure time to forming the present collection of birds. The following I believe to be a correct list of Sooloo birds as at present known; and I have included the few species mentioned by 1 Doubtless Haliastur intermedins. |