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Show 320 MR. R. B. SHARPE ON THE BIRDS OF LABUAN. [Apr. 1, about thirty miles above the mouth of the Brunei river. One or two may come from intermediate localities, such as the ' Lawas' and ' Kalias' rivers ; they will all be carefully distinguished as to locality. M y time is not sufficiently at m y own disposal to permit me to record many of those valuable observations so useful to science; and I a m conscious of many painful deficiencies, which can scarcely be excused even in a mere outdoor collector. "I believe, however, that although many of the birds have been sent home from time to time by former collectors, the Labuan birds were not always distinguished from those from the mainland of Borneo-also that Hawks and Owls were not often obtained before by native collectors, who are generally dependent for their specimens on the sumpitan or blow-pipe, which is insufficient for large game. " The Snipe, Plover, and Waders seem to arrive about August and to leave about the beginning of March, though I suspect that a few of them remain all the year, as I have seen them in April. The Asiatic Golden Plover on their first arrival have remains of their black summer dress; but thev soon lose it; I observed none in that plumage after September. Curlew or Whimbrel appear to hang about all the year round. " The Pigeons are numerous and of varied kinds; and on some of these I append a few notes; but I was unable through illness to carry the latter on beyond September." Lastly, on the recommendation of my kind friend Dr. Sclater, a large and important collection has been placed in m y hands for description by Professor Rolleston. This collection was formed by Mr. W . H. Treacher, Acting-Governor of Labuan, and by him presented to the Oxford Museum. In the splendid series of birds sent by Mr. Treacher are many interesting additions to the avifauna of Borneo, some of the most striking of which, however, came from the mainland- that is to say, the province of Lumbidan. The collector has succeeded, however, in adding more than one species to the list of Labuan birds. Accompanying the catalogue of native names, which form a prominent feature in M r . Treacher's collection, was a glossary, which I herewith transcribe. Too much reliance, perhaps, must not be placed on the names given by natives of any country, though it is only fair to add that those given by M r . Treacher accord in nearly every instance with those furnished by Mr. Motley and M r . Low ; nor should I have made the above remark but for the fact that different names are sometimes given to the same bird when procured on the mainland and on Labuan itself. The following is M r . Treacher's glossary :- Ayan Fowl. Anie. White Ant. Api Find. Biru Blue. Burpalang .. ..... Particoloured. |