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[Pg 377]

[Pg 378]

[Pg 379]

Birds From North Borneo

BY

MAX C. THOMPSON

CONTENTS

•  Page


• Introduction379


• Acknowledgments379


• Methods380


• Notes on Zoogeography380


• Collecting Localities and Collectors381


• Ecology of the Collecting Localities382


• Ecological Affinities of the Avifauna at Quoin Hill385


• Seasonality of Breeding387


• Accounts of Species390


• Literature Cited432

INTRODUCTION

The major part of this report is an account of birds collected by
the expedition of the Bernice P. Bishop Museum of Honolulu,
Hawaii, to North Borneo, from June 24, 1962, through January 14,
1963. Most of the time spent in the then British Colony was devoted
to collecting in lowland habitats. The chief collecting localities
were in the vicinity of Quoin Hill on the Semporna Peninsula, and
near Kalabakan. Approximately two weeks were spent in surveying
the Tenom area. Additional work was done by the North Borneo
Department of Agriculture after my departure, mainly by Antonio
D. Garcia.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I am indebted to J. L. Gressitt of the Entomology Department of the Bishop
Museum for providing the opportunity for me to work on the expedition and
to examine and report on the material collected. Without the help of the
North Borneo Department of Agriculture, the success of our expedition would
have been restricted. The Entomologist of North Borneo, G. R. Conway, was
of great help with our logistic problems as was the Director of the Department,
Mr. E. J. H. Berwick, and the Agronomist of Cocoa Research Station,
Ed Wyrley-Birch. The Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation, Ltd., provided
facilities and transportation at Kalabakan. Mr. Dai Rees of that corporation
should be especially mentioned. Others who helped are: J. A.
Comber, Ronnie Young, Mr. and Mrs. Horace Traulsen, Maureen Wyrley-Birch,
[Pg 380]and the Resident, Tawau, Mr. Peter Edge. The Conservator of Forests
kindly provided the necessary permits for collecting.

Authorities of the United States National Museum and The American
Museum of Natural History generously permitted me to work at those institutions,
using their specimens for comparative studies. Other specimens were
borrowed from the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Rijksmuseum Van
Natuurlijke Historie, British Museum (Natural History), and the Yale Peabody
Museum. Dr. Alexander Wetmore, Herbert Deignan, and Charles Vaurie
helped with some of the more difficult taxonomic problems. Specimens cited
in this report are in the Bernice P. Bishop Museum, The University of Kansas
Museum of Natural History, The University of Michigan Museum of Zoology,
and the U. S. National Museum.

Richard F. Johnston and Robert M. Mengel kindly read the manuscript
and made many helpful suggestions. The latter re-read it and assisted with
the editing.

The most recent comprehensive work published previous to my preparation
of manuscript for the present account was Smythies (1960) "The Birds of
Borneo."

This report is a partial result of field work supported by a grant from
the United States Army Medical Research and Development Command, Department
of the Army, to the Bernice P. Bishop Museum for research on ectoparasites
of vertebrates. The contract numbers were DA-MD-49-193-62-G47 and
G65. The Chapman Fund of The American Museum of Natural History met
part of the cost of transporting, to and from the United States, specimens from
North Borneo collected after I left there.

METHODS

While collecting at Quoin Hill, we used only guns in taking birds. At an
area 12 miles north of Kalabakan, we supplemented the guns with mist nets
in the primary forest. This method was excellent for taking rarely seen
species. For example the thrush Zoothera interpres was never seen in the
field but was taken several times in mist nets.

Another method of collecting was the use of native snares. Such snares
were made of heavy nylon string tied to a sapling, held down by a nylon
string attached to a treadle. When a bird stepped on the treadle, it tripped
the snare and a loop closed about its feet, hoisting it aloft. To divert large
ground birds and mammals into the snare, natives placed brush barriers
along the top of a ridge for one or two miles. Animals were diverted by
these barriers until they came to an opening; if they went through they
usually tripped the trap. Pheasants and the large ground cuckoo were taken
in this manner.

NOTES ON ZOOGEOGRAPHY

The avifauna of Borneo is of Indo-Malayan affinities. The number
of birds endemic to Borneo is relatively small; most species
are shared with the Asian mainland. Only 29 birds are known to
be endemic to the island and 17 of these are montane. The large
proportion of montane endemics is not surprising, because Borneo[Pg 381]
has been connected with the Asian continent in recent geological
time; lowland isolation, and differentiation, has been less extensive
than the montane. The Sunda Shelf, on which Borneo is
situated, lies in a shallow sea generally less than 300 feet deep.
Beaufort has shown that the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Java
were connected until early historic times (Darlington, 1957:488).

The endemic species in Borneo are members of four, possibly
five, genera that are also endemic. Four of these five genera are
montane in distribution. The only endemic for which the geographic
history cannot be adequately explained is the monotypic
Pityriasis gymnocephala. Its affinities seem to be with the Cracticidae
of New Guinea and Australia. The species has been found
throughout Borneo. Since Pityriasis is endemic to Borneo, it probably
was detached from the parent stock at an early period. The
Australasian affinities of Pityriasis emphasize its zoogeographical
peculiarities. A more detailed discussion of this species appears
in the annotated list below.

COLLECTING LOCALITIES AND COLLECTORS

Fig. 1. Localities from which collectors
from the Department of Agriculture
or I saved specimens in North
Borneo.

1. Cocoa Research Station, Quoin Hill, elevation 750 feet, Tawau. Max
   C. Thompson (MCT) and Antonio D. Garcia (ADG).


2. Tawau. Max C. Thompson.


3. Twelve miles north of Kalabakan,
   elevation 600 feet. Max C.
   Thompson.


4. Kalabakan, elevation 50 feet.
   Max C. Thompson.


5. Tiger Estate, 20 miles northwest
   of Tawau. Max C. Thompson,
   Antonio D. Garcia.


6. Ulu Balung Cocoa Estate, Mile
   27, Quoin Hill, elevation 750 feet,
   Tawau. Antonio D. Garcia.


7. Karindingen Island. Max C.
   Thompson.


8. Siamil Island. Max C. Thompson.


9. Lahad Datu. Antonio D. Garcia.


10. Kuala Sumawang, 25 miles west of Sandakan. Antonio D. Garcia.


11. Agricultural Station, Mile 17, Sandakan (Gum-Gum). Antonio D.
    Garcia.


12. One-fourth mile east Gum-Gum, Sandakan. Antonio D. Garcia.


13. Lamag, Kinabatangan River. Antonio D. Garcia.


14. Pintasan Agriculture Station, Kinabatangan River. Antonio D. Garcia.


15. Kampong Kuamut, Kinabatangan River. Antonio D. Garcia.


16. Kampong Maluwa, Kinabatangan River. Antonio D. Garcia.


17. [Pg 382]Ka-Karis, Kinabatangan River, elevation 200 feet. Antonio D. Garcia.


18. Tongod, Kinabatangan River, elevation 300 feet. Antonio D. Garcia.


19. Tuaran. Max C. Thompson, Antonio D. Garcia, S. F. W. Chong
    (SFWC).


20. Telipok. Antonio D. Garcia, G. R. Conway.


21. Mt. Rumas, 5 miles northwest of Tuaran, elevation 75 feet, Antonio D.
    Garcia.


22. Five and one-half miles southwest of Tenom, elevation 4,000 feet. Max
    C. Thompson.


23. Tenom, elevation 600 feet. Max C. Thompson.


24. Kampong Banjar, Mile 29, Keningau. Antonio D. Garcia.


25. Oil Palm Research Station, Mile 32, elevation 40 feet, Sandakan.
    Antonio D. Garcia.

ECOLOGY OF THE COLLECTING LOCALITIES

Quoin Hill.—At this locality I recognized five habitat types as
follows:

Primary forest.—We were fortunate to be able to work at Quoin
Hill because it had been opened to cultivation (of Cocoa, Theobroma
cacao) for only a few years. Thus the primary forest here
started at the edge of the Cocoa Research Station. This was in
marked contrast to areas on the west coast, where one would need
to travel many miles inland to find virgin forest. The forest at
Quoin Hill was typical tropical rain-forest, composed mostly of
dipterocarps (Dipterocarpaceae). These comprise an essentially
Indo-Malayan family, members of which are so conspicuous that
we commonly referred to it as Evergreen Dipterocarp Forest. The
lowland forests of Borneo are composed of approximately 3,000
species of trees (Browne, 1955). At Quoin Hill, as in most of the
tropical rain-forest of Borneo, the forest canopy is stratified in three
layers, a distinct and easily recognizable top story and less easily
separable middle and lower stories. The top canopy is composed
of foliage of giant trees that may tower to heights of 200 feet and
have trunks three to seven feet in diameter. The trunk is usually
unbranched for 50 to 100 feet and the whole tree is supported by
buttresses jutting out from the main trunk. Some of the most important
plants in the tropical rain-forest are the strangler figs
(Ficus sp.). These plants, when in fruit, draw birds in large flocks
to feed upon them. Such figs were common about the edges of the
research station and some birds taken from these trees were never
taken elsewhere. The birds seemed to wait for a certain degree of
ripeness of fruits; on one day the figs were unmolested and the
next day the trees would be swarming with birds. Strangler fig
trees reach tremendous size and help form the upper forest canopy.

[Pg 383]

The middle and lower forest canopies are not easily separable
and I shall speak of them together. The trees forming these varied
from 10 to 60 feet in height. The ground surface beneath the trees
was usually bare except for leaf litter and dead branches. Sunlight
penetrates only where the big trees have been removed or
where the larger trees are otherwise widely spaced. At Quoin Hill
the large trees of species affording lumber of commercial quality
had been taken out, modifying somewhat the character of the
forest. Such forest actually contained many of the animals characteristic
of primary forest, and I refer to it as badly disturbed primary
forest.

Secondary forest.—In some of the areas adjoining the research
station, roads had been bulldozed for future expansion and trees
had been cut. These areas were starting to grow dense stands of
grass and shrubs and will be jungle in a few years unless cut back.
Most of the trees in this area are saplings with some trees as large
as a foot in diameter.

Fluviatile waters.—There are numerous small streams in the
Quoin Hill area, the largest being the Balung River and Apas
River. Little work was done along these streams and only the
thrushes of the genus Enicurus and some kingfishers seemed to be
confined to them.

Cocoa plantations.—Artificial plantings of cocoa, Theobroma
cacao, formed a major habitat type at Quoin Hill, and provided a
major source of food for birds. Cocoa planters have found it necessary
to provide shade with trees of some other species. In some
instances trees from the original primary forest were left standing
to provide this shade, but more often exotic trees were planted.
Most of the shade trees were of no use to birds save for providing
resting places. Trema orientalis was the most important in providing
food for birds. Its fruit was used more by the frugivorous
species of birds than that of any other tree in the cocoa plantings.
Tree Cassava, an exotic, was constantly attended by the nectariniids,
or honey creepers.

Although the cocoa plantings did not provide much plant material
for bird food, they did apparently nourish a horde of insects,
which the birds fed upon. A Drongo-cuckoo, Surniculus lugubris,
had 50 caterpillars in its stomach. Healthy cocoa trees were
sparsely inhabited by birds but areas that were obviously infested
with insects literally swarmed with birds. Dead shade trees in the
cocoa plantings also provided food for woodpeckers, with four
species being found utilizing these dead trees.

[Pg 384]

Abaca.—The last of the habitat types that I recognized at Quoin
Hill was a small grove of Abaca, Musa textilis, and wild bananas,
Musa sp. This habitat type was frequented by spiderhunters
(Arachnothera sp.) of the family Nectariniidae.

Kalabakan.—We worked at three localities in this area: 12 miles
north of Kalabakan, Brantian Estate, and Kalabakan.

Primary forest.—We were fortunate in being able to work on the
very edge of the primary forest 12 miles north of Kalabakan. The
composition of the primary forest was much like that at Quoin Hill
and will not be discussed further. About a month after we arrived
at our forest camp, logging crews moved in and cut the commercial
timber near our area. The only immediately noticeable difference
in the makeup of the avifauna after destruction of the forest canopy
was the appearance of the drongo Dicrurus aeneus. This drongo
was seen in areas where the trees had been cut, sitting on limbs and
darting out after insects.

Secondary forest.—The area around Kalabakan proper was in
secondary forest, which was almost impossible to penetrate. At
Kalabakan, Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchus, Cecropsia striolata, and
Macronous ptilosus were taken and I did not see them elsewhere.
Kalabakan is situated on the Kalabakan River at the upper tidal
limit. The Nipa-Mangrove association, not investigated, lies immediately
below Kalabakan.

The Brantian Estate area was mostly in secondary forest and was
situated on the Brantian River. There were some fairly large areas
of grass with water buffalo wallows in them. These grassy areas
were favorite haunts of the Painted Quail, Coturnix chinensis.

Tenom.—The first locality that we investigated was 5.5 miles
southwest of Tenom, approximately 4,000 feet elevation, in moss
forest. A few days were spent collecting in the area of Tenom
itself.

Moss forest.—The lower altitudinal limit of the moss forest was
about 3,600 feet. The trees on top of the mountain were mostly
oaks (Quercus) and were festooned with ferns, orchids, and other
epiphytes. The area had been used as a triangulation station by a
survey team and a small area on top of the mountain had been
cleared earlier. At the time of our visit this small area had grown
to secondary vegetation, mostly Pandanus. The oaks in the primary
forest surrounding this disturbed area were generally about
30 to 50 feet high and there was little undergrowth in virgin stands.
This area was usually swathed in fog from three o'clock in the[Pg 385]
afternoon until eleven o'clock the next morning. One morning of
our fourteen there was clear.

Paddy.—The area visited at Tenom itself consisted mostly of old
paddy grown to grass and scrub. Forest did occur but was of
secondary nature in the immediate vicinity of Tenom.

Siamil Island.—This island is about one mile in circumference
and the highest point is about 300 feet above sea level. The island
has high bluffs on three sides but slopes gently to the sea on the
other. There were patches of forest left on the island, one on the
north side and one on the south. The sheer bluffs on the east side
of the island were covered with Pandanus sp. The undergrowth
of the north forest had been cut, leaving extensive bare areas. The
principal undergrowth was rattan. The natives are clearing and
planting more of the island to coconuts and hope eventually to
clear it completely.

Karindingen Island.—This island, about half a mile in circumference
and between 10 and 20 feet above sea level at its highest
point, was surrounded by extensive coral reefs and sand; the principal
vegetation was mangroves.

ECOLOGICAL AFFINITIES OF THE AVIFAUNA AT QUOIN HILL

More time was spent at Quoin Hill than at any other locality.
Fifty five of the more common and hence best-known birds are
listed in Table 1 together with their primary and secondary preferences
of habitat. The habitat distribution of the birds shows the
amount of secondary utilization of habitats by birds that occurred
predominantly in one habitat. Cocoa was utilized by 6.2 per cent
of the birds of the primary forest, and 88.8 per cent of birds of the
secondary forest. This indicates that cocoa is an effective substitute
for secondary forest for some birds. Of the species of the
primary forest, 18.7 per cent occurred also in secondary forest;
thus, three times as many species of primary forest utilized secondary
forest as utilized cocoa. This too might be expected, since
"secondary" forest is of frequent natural occurrence and an ancient
feature while the comparatively simple cocoa plantings are new and
artificial.

[Pg 386]

TABLE 1.—Habitat preferences of 55 Quoin Hill birds.

The avifauna at Quoin Hill was a mixture of montane, submontane,
and lowland species. Smythies (1957:527) defines four
altitudinal areas of distribution: Higher Montane, Montane, Submontane,
and Lowland. Higher Montane birds have not been
recorded on mountains the summits of which are lower than 5,000
feet, although on higher peaks the actual lower limit of occurrence
may be considerably below 5,000 feet. Montane birds have not
been recorded on mountains the summits of which are lower than[Pg 387]
3,000 feet, although specimens may have been taken below that
altitude on higher peaks. Submontane, as defined by Smythies, is
a comprehensive term applied to birds occurring from sea level to
an elevation of 5,000 feet but ordinarily not found away from
mountainous country. The Lowland birds normally range from
sea level to 3,000 feet. Of the 125 species of birds observed at
Quoin Hill, 1.6 per cent were Montane, 14.4 per cent were Submontane
and 84 per cent were Lowland species. The distribution of
birds 12 miles north of Kalabakan closely resembled that at Quoin
Hill except for the total absence of Montane species and an increase
of Submontane species to 25 per cent. The observation of fewer
species (48) can be attributed to the nearly uniform habitat.

The avifauna in the moss forest 5.5 miles southwest of Tenom
was unusual in that 45.4 per cent consisted of Lowland species;
this locality lies 4,000 feet above sea level, yet only 27.3 per cent of
its species were Submontane and 27.3 per cent Montane. If one
looks at these figures from the standpoint of the actual importance
of the three groups at this place, however, a different picture
emerges. Some of the Lowland species were seen only once while
I was there and few were common, while all of the Submontane
and most of the Montane forms were more or less common.

SEASONALITY OF BREEDING

The breeding season in North Borneo.—Birds in the Quoin Hill
area of eastern Borneo seem to breed most commonly in June, July,
and August. Table 2 lists 34 of the more common species at Quoin
Hill for which evidence on breeding was available. The actual
evidence was provided by females with active brood patches or
active ovaries, males with enlarged testes, birds in juvenal plumage,
or birds actively in annual molt. From such data dates of presumed
breeding were extrapolated. In Table 2, the solid black lines
indicate dates for which both male and female were in breeding
condition. The dotted lines indicate enlarged testes but no evidence
of breeding in females. In the bottom line of Table 2, the figures
indicate the percentage of the population breeding in any one
month. For instance, 2.9 per cent of the birds were breeding in
March, but 73 per cent were breeding in June. Rainfall records
from the Cocoa Research Station from April, 1959, to December,
1964, were available to me. These data, along with the average
for each month, are given in Table 3. There appears to be little
correlation between rainfall and breeding season at Quoin Hill.[Pg 388]
A true dry season in the Quoin Hill area does not occur, but
monthly rainfall has varied from 0.57 inches to 21.27 inches in a
single year.

TABLE 2.—Seasonality of common breeding birds at Quoin Hill. Solid lines
indicate times of occurrence of known breeding; dotted lines represent times
of presumed breeding.

Birds in the moss forest near Tenom appeared to be breeding in
January, paralleling the trend found by Voous (1950a) for the
lowlands of Borneo.

Other Bornean observations.—Voous (1950a) summarized data
assembled by Coomans de Ruiter on the breeding of birds in the
lowland of western Borneo near Pontianak. It appears that the[Pg 389]
breeding season in that part of Borneo, and indeed in all of western
Borneo (Banks, 1950), starts in December and reaches a peak in
March.

TABLE 3.—Monthly rainfall records, Cocoa Research Station, Quoin Hill.

Gibson-Hill (1952) has questioned Banks' (1950) interpretation
of data from the egg collection of V. W. Ryves. Gibson-Hill has
shown that the data collected by Ryves covered two widely
separated localities, one at Kiau near Kota Belud and the other
near Sandakan. The former locality is on the west coast of North
Borneo and the latter on the east coast of North Borneo. Gibson-Hill
points out, and rightly so, that the timing of the rainfall in
different parts of Borneo must be taken into account because of
the large regional variation. The nesting data from the Ryves
egg collection are scant and when used alone possibly yield a
distorted view of the actual breeding season. Ryves did no collecting
in the Sandakan area between September and March, and
in the Kiau area between May and January. Although the breeding
data from North Borneo accumulated by both Ryves and myself
are limited, and records of rainfall are scant, there appears to be
a trend toward breeding after the heavy rains have fallen.

Seasonality of breeding in tropical birds.—Possibly Bornean birds
breed mostly in the "driest" part of the year. If so, this is in contrast
with the time of breeding of birds of other tropical areas.
Moreau (1950) found that in the Congo there was no distinct
breeding season for most groups of birds, but that in East Africa
there was a double breeding season; the peaks coincided with the
two rainy seasons. Lack (1950) found that the Geospizinae of the
Galapagos breed only when it rains and that rainfall causes a
flurry of nest building and singing. If the rains stop, then the
courtship activities stop until the next rains. Miller (1963) found
that in birds of a western Andean cloud forest the breeding season[Pg 390]
was spread over the year and that breeding could not be correlated
with rainfall.

Obviously more study is required on breeding of birds in Borneo
before the timing of the annual cycle can be ascertained.

ACCOUNTS OF SPECIES

The English names used in this report follow Smythies (1960)
where possible. If the bird has not been recorded from Borneo
previously, then I have resorted to Delacours and Mayr's "Birds of
the Philippines" (1946). The taxonomy is that of Smythies (1960),
except where current American or my own opinion differs and
where new evidence has warranted a change. The sequence of
families is that of Wetmore (1960).

Two species listed beyond that had not previously been recorded
from the island of Borneo are: Red-footed Booby, Sula sula; and
Whitehead's Thick-head, Pachycephala whiteheadi. Six additional
kinds listed beyond had not previously been recorded from North
Borneo. They are: Chinese Egret, Egretta eulophotes; Knot, Calidris
canutus; Ground Cuckoo, Carpococcyx radiceus; Stachyris
nigriceps hartleyi; Finch's Bulbul, Criniger finschii; and Pale Blue
Flycatcher, Muscicapa unicolor.

Sula sula (Linnaeus): Red-footed Booby.—A captive seen in the Tawau
police station was said to have been caught when it landed at night on a
police launch anchored off Siamil Island in or near May, 1962. The bird was
in first-year or second-year plumage, seemed to be tame, and was thriving on a
diet of fish. Identification was made by Alexander Wetmore from a photographic
print. This is the first seemingly substantiated record of the species
from Borneo, although it probably occurs there regularly. The species breeds
on Bankoran Island and on Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea (Smythies, 1960:113).

Fregata ariel (G. R. Gray): Lesser Frigatebird.—This conspicuous bird on
the waters around Tawau is occasionally seen in Cowie Harbor but more often
along the coast outside the Harbor. On September 20 an estimated 300-500
birds circled over the shore northeast of Tawau.

Ardea sumatrana sumatrana Raffles: Dusky-gray Heron.—Specimens, 2.
Karindingen Island: testis 12 × 23 mm., November 24, 1962, MCT 3308;
, November 24, 1962, MCT 3309.

The specimens were taken on the coral sand beach surrounding Karindingen
Island. At least 10 were seen feeding on the beach and on a reef. One (MCT
3308) had testes of a size suggesting that it was in breeding condition.

Casmerodius alba modestus (Gray): Common Egret.—Specimen, 1. Karindingen
Island: , November 24, 1962, MCT 3310.

This species was seen on three dates: August 17 at Karindingen Island,
where 30 were observed feeding along the mangroves bordering the island; on
November 24, on the same island, where a specimen was taken from a flock[Pg 391]
of 30 birds that had been feeding on the coral sand and reef; and on November
30 when a single bird landed at the small reservoir at the Cocoa Research
Station and began to feed in the shallow water. Only four specimens appear
to have been recorded earlier (Smythies, 1957:561), although Smythies (1963:270)
lists additional sight records.

Egretta garzetta (Linnaeus): Little Egret.—On November 24 at Karindingen
Island, I observed several mixing freely with individuals of E. sacra
on the coral sand beaches and reefs.

Egretta eulophotes (Swinhoe): Chinese Egret.—Specimen, 1: Ka-Karis,
Kinabatangan River, 200 feet: , October 20, 1963, ADG 326.

This is the only record known to me of this species from North Borneo.
Smythies (1960:126) lists 11 specimens from other parts of Borneo.

Egretta sacra (Gmelin): Reef Egret.—The species was observed at Karindingen
Island on August 17 and November 24, 1962, and was the most common
egret on the island. One compact flock of 50 was seen at high tide. No
white-phased birds were in the flock.

Bubulcus ibis coromandus (Boddaert): Cattle Egret.—Specimen, 1: Tongod:
, October 21, 1963, ADG 328.

Individuals were observed daily at Tuaran with cattle at the Agricultural
Research Centre. I saw them on December 9 when I arrived at Tuaran and
again on January 13, when I departed.

Ardeola bacchus (Bonaparte): Chinese Pond Heron.—Specimen, 1: 12
mi. N Kalabakan: , October 26, 1962, MCT 3151.

The specimen was brought to our camp by a local boy who obtained it on a
stream that ran through his kampong (village) near our sulap (hut). The
stream was a small one that ran out of the primary forest, through the village,
and back into secondary forest.

Butorides striatus (Linnaeus): Little Green Heron.—Specimens, 2: Telipok:
, March 10, 1963, TM 67; Sex?, December 13, 1962, TM 6.

This heron was seen at Karindingen Island on August 17, 1962, in a small
swamp near the Tawau airport on September 16, and on the reef at Siamil
Island on September 18. The specimens collected at Telipok were not identified
to subspecies.

Ixobrychus cinnamomeus cinnamomeus (Gmelin): Chestnut Bittern.—Specimen,
1: Tuaran: Sex?, December 24, 1963, SCFC 32.

This specimen was probably taken in the paddy around the Agricultural
Research Centre, where I saw Chestnut Bitterns in January 1963.

Leptoptilos javanicus (Horsfield): Lesser Adjutant Stork.—Specimen, 1:
Karindingen Island: testis small, November 24, 1962, MCT 3311.

My first observation of this species was at Karindingen Island on August 17,
when approximately 100 birds were seen feeding on the coral sand and reefs.
I saw them also within a mile of Semporna along the ship channel, usually
in the vicinity of fish traps. On August 31 two birds flew high overhead at
Quoin Hill, proceeding in the direction of Cowie Harbor. On November 24,
large numbers at Karindingen Island were sitting in mangroves and feeding
on the reefs around the island. Two birds were caught by the rising tide
while feeding on the reef and were unable to take off. One of these was shot
in approximately six to seven feet of water; its feathers were completely water[Pg 392]logged.
Interestingly the flaky skin of the crown had blue-green algae growing
on it. These birds were heard calling many times on the reef and in the
mangroves; the call is much like the deep growl of a dog.

Sims, Banks, and Harrison have found the storks common in this area
(Smythies, 1957:569). Although I could find no evidence of it, possibly
Karindingen Island is a nesting locality.

Anas querquedula Linnaeus: Garganey.—Specimen, 1: Kg. Banjar: sex?
November 13, 1963, ADG 329.

This teal obtained by Garcia is our only record of any duck from North
Borneo.

Haliastur indus (Boddaert): Brahminy Kite.—This common resident of
the Cocoa Research Station was observed almost daily while I was in the
field. It seemed to prefer the cleared areas replanted to cocoa and oil palm
and was common also at Tawau, Semporna, and Karindingen Island.

Accipiter trivirgatus microstictus Mayr: Crested Goshawk.—Specimens, 2:
Pintasan Agriculture Station: , October 17, 1963, ADG 314. Cocoa Research
Station: , April 30, 1963, ADG 89.

Spizaetus cirrhatus limnaetus (Horsfield): Changeable Hawk-eagle.—Specimen,
1: Tiger Estate: , April 28, 1963, ADG 74 (Specimen in black
phase).

Hieraetus kienerii formosus (E. Geoffroy): Rufous-bellied Hawk-eagle.—Specimens,
2: Cocoa Research Station: imm., July 10, 1962, MCT 2615.
Tiger Estate: , July 13, 1962, MCT 2621.

The presence of an immature bird of this species in North Borneo lends
support to the suggestion of Smythies (1957:580) that this species breeds in
Borneo.

Haliaeetus leucogaster (Gmelin): White-bellied Sea Eagle.—This eagle
appears to be fairly common along the coast in the Tawau-Darvel Bay area.
I saw it around Cowie Harbor, Tawau, Semporna, and Siamil Island.

Spilornis cheela Latham: Crested Serpent Eagle.—I saw this eagle but
once, circling overhead at the Cocoa Research Station on September 26, 1962.

Microhierax latifrons Sharpe: White-fronted Falconet.—Specimens, 2:
Cocoa Research Station: testis 2 × 1 mm., 41.2 gm., July 6, 1962, MCT
2600. Tiger Estate: oviduct regressing, old brood patch, December 1,
1962, MCT 3418.

This species was first seen at the Cocoa Research Station. The specimen
taken there bobbed its head in the manner of various other falcons. On two
occasions individuals were observed sitting in a low tree in the front yard of
a home in Kalabakan.

These records extend the known range of this species south from Darvel
Bay (Smythies, 1960:161) to Cowie Harbor.

Falco peregrinus japonensis Gmelin: Peregrine Falcon.—Specimen, 1:
Kampong Kuamut: , October 20, 1963, ADG 327.

Coturnix chinensis (Linnaeus): Painted Quail.—Specimen, 1: Cocoa Research
Station: testis 8 × 5 mm., September 6, 1962, MCT 2881.

This specimen is intermediate between C. c. lineata and C. c. caerulescens,
tending slightly toward the latter in having more rufous coloring on the tertials.[Pg 393]
R. E. Kuntz took a male at Ranau (USNM 472504) that was also intermediate
in its characters but was referable to C. c. lineata. These two specimens, when
compared with series of specimens from the Philippines and Sumatra, fitted
into a clinal progression of increasingly rufous tertials toward Sumatra. Peters
(1934:96) united C. c. caerulescens with C. c. palmeri, but Amadon (in litt.)
retains C. c. caerulescens (Smythies, 1957:588). No clear-cut distributional
pattern is yet discernible in North Borneo and the arrangement of Amadon
(MS) should probably be reviewed again when more specimens become
available.

These birds were observed several times at the Cocoa Research Station but
were difficult to collect. They were abundant in the grasslands on the
Brantian Estate.

Rollulus roulroul (Scopoli): Crested Green Wood Partridge.—It was observed
once along the Apas River at the Cocoa Research Station, in primary
forest.

Haematortyx sanguiniceps Sharpe: Crimson-headed Wood Partridge.—Frederick
Dunn saw one fly across the padang at the Cocoa Research Station
rest house on September 9.

Lophura ignita (Shaw and Nodder): Crested Fireback Pheasant.—Specimens,
3: Cocoa Research Station: , molting, July 20, 1962, MCT 2624.
12 mi. N Kalabakan: , November 4, 1962, MCT 3206; , November 7,
1962, MCT 3216.

This pheasant was taken in native snares from primary forest.

Lophura bulweri (Sharpe): Bulwer's Pheasant.—Specimens, 3: 5.5 mi.
SW Tenom: , December 25, 1962, MCT 3534; , December 27, 1962,
MCT 3539; , December 27, 1962, MCT 3540.

This bird was first taken in a snare 12 miles north of Kalabakan. Unfortunately,
the specimen was stolen and only its tail feathers were brought
in by the trappers. Mr. Comber of Sapong Estates in Tenom said this species
comes in numbers with the wild-pig migration and that he had observed this
at least three times. He has also seen three-quarters grown young at Tenom,
so they seemingly nest there. They were found only in primary forest.

These specimens constitute the first records of the species for the west coast
of North Borneo (cf. Smythies, 1957:593).

Argusianus argus grayi (Elliott): Great Argus Pheasant.—Specimens, 6:
12 mi. N Kalabakan: , October 14, 1962, MCT 3034; , October 22, 1962,
MCT 3121; , October 23, 1962, MCT 3130; , October 27, 1962, MCT
3166; ?, October 29, 1962, MCT 3307. 5.5 mi. SW Tenom: , December
19, 1962, MCT 3464.

This species is a common resident of the primary forest at Kalabakan and
in the lower areas around Tenom (J. A. Comber, pers. comm.). It is found
only in primary forest.

Rallina fasciata (Raffles): Malaysian Banded Crake.—Specimen, 1: Tiger
Estate: , July 11, 1963, ADG 193.

Amaurornis phoenicurus javanicus (Horsfield): White-breasted Waterhen.—Specimens,
3: Tuaran: sex?, March 1, 1963, ADG 5. Telipok: ,
February 2, 1963, TM 23; , February 2, 1963, TM 24.

This species was commonly observed in marshes near Tawau and on the
Brantian Estate.

[Pg 394]

Gallicrex cinerea (Gmelin): Watercock.—Specimen, 1: Tiger Estate:
sex?, December 17, 1962 (taken on dry grassland).

Squatarola squatarola (Linnaeus): Black-bellied Plover.—On September 2
I saw a flock of 12 plovers on the Tawau golf course. They were in a mottled
plumage indicating extensive molt and feather growth. Later in the day a
bird in almost complete breeding plumage flew overhead.

Charadrius peroni Schlegel: Malay Sand Plover.—On September 15, one
was sitting on the Tawau Airport runway. Another was observed on November
20, feeding near a water buffalo wallow on the Brantian Estate. Smythies
(1960:191) lists sandy beaches as the only habitat.

Charadrius leschenaulti Lesson: Large Sand Plover.—On September 16 one
was sitting on the Tawau Airport runway.

Numenius phaeopus variegatus (Scopoli): Whimbrel.—Specimen, 1: Karindingen
Island: , November 24, 1962, MCT 3315.

This was the most common curlew around Karindingen Island on November
24. Flocks of 10 to 20 individuals were feeding on the coral sand around the
island, and a few individuals were sitting in the tops of dead mangroves at
low tide.

Numenius arquata (Linnaeus): Common Curlew.—On November 24, a
Common Curlew flew from Karindingen Island toward the mainland.

Numenius madagascariensis (Linnaeus): Eastern Curlew.—I first observed
this curlew on August 17 at Karindingen Island, where 50 were feeding on
the coral sand. At that time it was the most abundant shorebird. When I
returned to the island on November 24, several were seen around the island,
but the species was not so abundant as N. phaeopus.

Limosa lapponica (Linnaeus): Bar-tailed Godwit.—A flock of five was observed
at Karindingen Island on November 24.

Tringa totanus eurhinus (Oberholser): Redshank.—Specimens, 2: Karindingen
Island: , November 24, 1962, MCT 3312; , November 24, 1962,
MCT 3313.

On August 17, this bird was common and feeding on the coral sand at
Karindingen Island. When I revisited the island on November 24 the Redshank
seemed to prefer the mangrove areas for feeding and was the most common
wader.

Tringa ochropus Linnaeus: Green Sandpiper.—Specimen, 1: Brantian Estate:
, November 19, 1962, MCT 3305.

The specimen, one of three or four birds seen, was taken near a grassland
pond.

Heteroscelus incanum (Gmelin): Wandering Tattler.—One was feeding
along a sandy beach and later on rocks on Siamil Island on September 18, 1962.

Capella megala (Swinhoe): Swinhoe's Snipe.—Specimens, 3: Tiger Estate:
sex?, December 9, 1962; sex?, December 9, 1962. Pintasan Agriculture
Station: , October 17, 1963, ADG 317.

These three specimens lend support to the theory of Smythies (1960:206)
that this species is the common snipe of North Borneo.

Calidris canutus (Linnaeus): Knot.—On August 17, I saw 20 Knots feeding
on the coral sand at Karindingen Island. They were still partly in breeding
feather, showing rusty color here and there on the breast. I saw no Knots on[Pg 395]
November 24 at Karindingen Island. There is but one prior record for
Borneo, from the North Natuna Islands (Chasen, 1935:39).

Erolia ruficollis (Pallas): Red-necked Stint.—Specimen, 1: Karindingen
Island: , November 24, 1962, MCT 3314.

The species was common on November 24 around Karindingen Island,
usually in flocks of 5 to 10 birds.

Glareola pratincola (Linnaeus): Collared Pratincole.—Specimen, 1: Tiger
Estate: , April 28, 1963, ADG 75.

Chlidonias hybrida (Pallas): Whiskered Tern.—Specimen, 1: Kuala Sumawang:
sex?, September 18, 1962, ADG 280.

Smythies (1960:217) lists no record for North Borneo.

Sterna bergii Lichtenstein: Greater Crested Tern.—Specimens, 2: Kuala
Sumawang: , September 18, 1963, ADG 278; , September 18, 1963,
ADG 279.

This tern was observed several times off the coast of North Borneo near
Tawau.

Treron curvirostra curvirostra (Gmelin): Thick-billed Pigeon.—Specimens,
9: Cocoa Research Station: testis 9 × 5 mm., 166.7 gm., August 1, 1962,
MCT 2693; testis 5 × 4 mm., 167.2 gm., August 1, 1962, MCT 2694;
testis 13 × 6 mm., 167.8 gm., August 1, 1962, MCT 2695; testis
9 × 5 mm., 155.5 gm., August 1, 1962, MCT 2700; , 112.9 gm., August 2,
1962, MCT 2712; , 185.8 gm., August 2, 1962, MCT 2713; , 135.4 gm.,
growing new 5th primary, August 25, 1962, MCT 2806; , 132.2 gm., August
31, 1962, MCT 2842; , 112.5 gm., August 31, 1962, MCT 2843.

This pigeon was the most common bird eating wild figs (Ficus) in the communal
feeding trees, where there were as many as 30 gathered in one tree
to feed. While resting, individual birds commonly dipped their tails.

Treron olax olax (Temminck): Little Green Pigeon.—Specimens, 2: Cocoa
Research Station: testis 11 × 5 mm., September 1, 1962, MCT 2844.
Pintasan Agriculture Station: , October 14, 1963, ADG 306.

The species was seen only once. At the Cocoa Research Station, one bird
sat on a dead tree and fed on a red berry from a vine. The call resembled the
crying of a child. Others called in the cocoa. The bird taken had testes of a
size indicating possible breeding condition.

Treron vernans purpurea (Gmelin): Pink-necked Green Pigeon.—Specimens,
10: Tiger Estate: , November 25, 1962, MCT 3323; , November
25, 1962, MCT 3325. Telipok: , January 31, 1963, TM 22; , January
31, 1963, TM 20; , January 31, 1963, TM 19; , January 31, 1963, TM
21; , February 10, 1963, TM 35; , February 2, 1963, TM 25. Mt. Rumas:
, March 6, 1963, ADG 11. Tuaran: , November 29, 1963, SCFC 34.

The species was confined to the lowlands around Tawau, as at the Tawau
Airport in the scrub growth. Flocks of 50 to 100 were observed at Tuaran.
None of the specimens taken in November was in breeding condition.

Ducula bicolor (Scopoli): Pied Imperial Pigeon.—I observed this pigeon
on September 18 and 19 at Siamil Island. On the first day two were seen in
the few remaining trees on the island and on September 19 a flock of 12 flew
southwest over the island at about 8:30 A. M.

Streptopelia bitorquata (Temminck): Javanese Turtle Dove.—On Siamil
Island on September 18 and 19, two were seen at close range feeding with[Pg 396]
10 S. chinensis. There is only one other record from Borneo; Pryer took one
at Sandakan in the 1880's (Everett, 1889:193) and it has not been recorded
since. Chasen (1935:22) speculated that the Javanese Turtle Dove was introduced
to Borneo as a cage bird. But, Borneo is seemingly well within the
normal range of the species and probably it is a resident of North Borneo.
The Javanese Turtle Dove and the Spotted-necked Dove, S. chinensis, closely
resemble each other; this resemblance may help to account for the lack of
records of S. bitorquata.

Streptopelia chinensis (Scopoli): Spotted-necked Dove.—Specimens, 2:
Tiger Estate: , June 19, 1963, ADG 149. Telipok: , February 10, 1963,
TM 34.

This is a common bird of the coconut groves around Tawau and on Siamil
Island.

Chalcophaps indica (Linnaeus): Emerald Dove.—Specimen, 1: Cocoa Research
Station: , June 17, 1963, ADG 146.

Birds, always solitary, of this species often were seen in the cocoa groves at
the Cocoa Research Station.

Tanygnathus lucionensis lucionensis (Linnaeus): Blue-naped Parrot.—Specimens,
3: Siamil Island: , September 19, 1962, MCT 2928; , September
19, 1962, MCT 2929; , September 19, 1962, MCT 2930.

These birds were seen on September 18 and 19. I saw flocks of 10 to 20
in the remnant of forest on the north side of the island. The birds were almost
entirely inhabitants of the forest and were rarely seen in the coconut groves.
I estimated the entire island population to be between 30 and 100 birds. The
Japanese residents knew nothing of the birds, although they were aware of a
cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) that had lived at large on the island for several
years. The Blue-naped Parrot has been found only on the Maratuas and on
Mantanani Island. Smythies (1960:242) surmised that the Mantanani population
was introduced by sailing craft from the Sulu Sea. In the light of the
present discovery, I think the species is a naturally-established resident of the
North Bornean islands.

Psittinus cyanurus cyanurus (Forester): Little Malay Parrot.—Specimens,
2: Tiger Estate: , October 11, 1962, MCT 2998; , October 11, 1962,
MCT 2997.

Smythies (1963:277) was the first to record this species from North Borneo.
However, the Harvard Primate Expedition in 1938 took three specimens as
follows: , Sandakan, June 6, 1937, MCZ 197123; , Morutai Besar, June
27, 1937, MCZ 197124; , Kalabakan River, July 16, 1937, MCZ 197125.
The Harvard collection of birds from North Borneo appears to have been overlooked,
although it was mentioned in passing by Smythies (1960:526). The
specimens in my collection were taken in the same general area where H. G.
Deignan took the Harvard specimens.

Loriculus galgulus (Linnaeus): Malay Lorikeet.—Specimen, 1: Cocoa Research
Station: , May 1, 1963, ADG 103.

This lorikeet was rare at all of our collecting localities.

Cuculus fugax fugax Horsfield: Malayan Hawk-Cuckoo.—Specimens, 3:
Cocoa Research Station: , 86.0 gm., August 28, 1963, MCT 2825; ,
79.0 gm., September 11, 1962, MCT 2899; , September 28, 1962, MCT 2977.

[Pg 397]

This species was first observed on August 28 in primary forest and was
seen regularly from then until September 28 in secondary forest, primary forest,
and in cocoa shade trees.

Cacomantis sonnerati (Latham): Banded Bay Cuckoo.—Birds that may
have been of this species were observed on several occasions. E. J. H. Berwick
(pers. comm.) claimed he had heard C. sonnerati at the Cocoa Research Station.
I have heard many times a call sometimes ascribed to this species but I
have not actually seen the bird making the sound. If the call note I heard is
actually of this species it is not rare in the Quoin Hill area.

Cacomantis merulinus threnodes Cabanis and Heine: Plaintive Cuckoo.—Specimens,
5: Cocoa Research Station: , 25.0 gm., September 8, 1962,
MCT 2891; imm., 27.0 gm., September 8, 1962, MCT 2892; testis
4 × 3 mm., November 29, 1962, MCT 3382. Tenom: , January 1, 1963,
MCT 3563. Ulu Balung: , July 15, 1963, ADG 199.

This cuckoo was common in all habitats examined at all of our collecting
stations, except the moss forest near Tenom.

Cacomantis variolosus sepulchralis (S. Muller): Fantailed Cuckoo.—Specimens,
2: Cocoa Research Station: , 30.8 gm., August 28, 1962, MCT 2824.
Ulu Balung: , July 10, 1963, ADG 183.

The specimens were collected in primary forest. There are only five earlier
records for all of Borneo (Smythies, 1960:253-254). Probably this species
nests in Borneo; it is unlikely that specimens taken in August and July are
migrants.

Chalcites xanthorhynchus xanthorhynchus (Horsfield): Violet Cuckoo.—Specimens,
1: Cocoa Research Station: largest ovum 1 mm., September
26, 1962, MCT 2964.

This species was seen twice, both times in the research station cocoa plantings.
The specimen taken was from a shade tree, Trema orientalis.

Chalcites malayanus aheneus Junge: Malaysian Green Cuckoo.—Specimens,
9: Cocoa Research Station: definite brood patch, 17.5 gm., body molt,
July 4, 1962, MCT 2587; testis 4 × 4 mm., 19.1 gm., August 8, 1962, MCT
2736; , 17.5 gm., August 8, 1962, MCT 2737; , 17.5 gm., August 8, 1962,
MCT 2738; testis 4 × 3 mm., 18.2 gm., August 8, 1962, MCT 2739; ,
August 25, 1962, MCT 2809; , 21.1 gm., September 11, 1962, MCT 2900;
, October 2, 1962, MCT 2984. Tiger Estate: oviduct enlarged, brood
patch, November 25, 1962, MCT 3318.

This cuckoo was common in the cocoa planting at the Cocoa Research
Station and not found in any other type of habitat. Smythies (1960:255)
thought that possibly two species of Chalcites were represented in the series of
Chalcites malayanus from Borneo. I have assembled all 20 known specimens,
however, including seven in the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard
unreported by Smythies (1957:638) and find that the variation in the coloration
of the head and upperparts is due to the difference in sexes, the males
being darker than the females. There is much variation in the length of the
wing, but the meaning of this variation is not yet clear.

Surniculus lugubris barussarum (Oberholser): Drongo-cuckoo.—Specimens,
2: Cocoa Research Station: imm., July 28, 1962, MCT 2672, discarded;
imm., 28.6 gm., August 25, 1962, MCT 2810.

[Pg 398]

The first specimen was taken in secondary forest; it had been sitting in a
dead tree, occasionally darting out after insects. The second specimen was
taken in cocoa; its stomach contained 50 caterpillars.

Eudynamys scolopacea (Linnaeus): Koel.—This species was observed at
Tawau and on Siamil Island, on August 30 and September 18, respectively.

Clamator coromandus (Linnaeus): Red-winged Crested Cuckoo.—Specimen,
1: Telipok: , February 10, 1963, TM 33.

Phaenicophaeus chlorophaeus fuscigularis (Baker): Raffles Malcoha.—Specimen,
1: Cocoa Research Station: , August 26, 1962, MCT 2813.

Flocks of three and four were seen in the cocoa. At Kalabakan the species
was feeding about 40 feet up in the second canopy layer of the primary forest.

Phaenicophaeus diardi borneensis (Salvadori): Lesser Green-billed Malcoha.—Specimens,
3: Cocoa Research Station: , 58.2 gm., July 22, 1962,
MCT 2636; , 55.8 gm., September 8, 1962, MCT 2890; , September 13,
1962, MCT 2918.

This malcoha was seen only three times; it was the second most common
malcoha.

Phaenicophaeus javanicus pallidus (Robinson and Kloss): Red-billed Malcoha.—Specimens,
2: Cocoa Research Station: , 97.0 gm., August 31, 1962,
MCT 2841; , 98.0 gm., September 8, 1962, MCT 2889.

The two specimens were taken in cocoa. On October 2, 1962, I saw one
about 100 feet up in the top canopy layer of the primary forest at the Cocoa
Research Station and, on October 3, two more hopping from branch to branch
about 150 feet up in a tree.

Phaenicophaeus curvirostris borneensis (Blasius and Nehrkorn): Chestnut-breasted
Malcoha.—Specimens, 7: Cocoa Research Station: old brood
patch, 121.8 gm., July 6, 1962, MCT 2602; , September 4, 1962, MCT 2864;
testis 3 × 2 mm., 143.6 gm., wing molt, July 7, 1962, MCT 2611; testis
6 × 2 mm., 111.0 gm., August 11, 1962, MCT 2763; , May 25, 1963, ADG
110. Ulu Balung: sex?, July 24, 1963, ADG 216. Tiger Estate: , June 22,
1963, ADG 156.

This was the most numerous of the malcohas at the Cocoa Research Station.
It was observed in primary forest, secondary forest, citrus trees, and cocoa trees.
In the primary forest it ranged in the upper canopy from 100 to 150 feet up.

As Peters has indicated (1940:56), the name P. c. borneensis (Blasius and
Nehrkorn) 1881 has priority over P. c. microrhinus Berlepsch 1895 (used by
Smythies).

Centropus sinensis (Stephens): Common Coucal.—Specimen, 1: Cocoa
Research Station: , May 15, 1963, ADG 108.

The finding of a coucal at the Cocoa Research Station on May 15, 1963,
came as something of a surprise, since none had been seen there earlier by our
group. Coucals were seen at Tawau but were not collected or identified to
species.

Centropus bengalensis (Gmelin): Lesser Coucal.—Specimens, 2: Tuaran:
, April 1, 1963, ADG 46; sex?, December 3, 1963, SCFC 17.

Carpococcyx radiceus radiceus (Temminck): Ground Cuckoo.—Specimen,
1: 12 mi. N Kalabakan: imm., November 7, 1962, MCT 3217.

This male was taken in a native snare in primary forest and provides our
only record. The specimen is in the postjuvenal (first prebasic) molt.

[Pg 399]

This record is the first for this species from North Borneo (Smythies, 1957:643);
others are known from Sarawak and Indonesian Borneo.

Otus bakkamoena lemurum Deignan. Collared Scops Owl.—Specimens, 3:
Tiger Estate: , November 25, 1962, MCT 3319. Tenom: testis 6 × 5
mm., body molt, January 1, 1963, MCT 3552. Agricultural Oil Palm Station:
, October 6, 1963, ADG 299.

The specimen from Tenom was taken in a bird net set in a grass-scrubland
situation; the testes were regressing. Harrison (Smythies, 1957:645) found
this species breeding in the Kelabit uplands in January.

Glaucidium brodiei borneense Sharpe: Pygmy Owlet.—Specimen, 1: Ulu
Balung: , July 19, 1963, ADG 210.

The specimen taken by Garcia is the sixth known (Smythies, 1957:646)
from Borneo and the first from the east coast. Specimens were collected in
1956 in North Borneo by the Cambridge Expedition.

Ninox scutulata borneensis (Bonaparte): Hawk-owl.—Specimen, 1: Tenom:
largest ovum 2 mm., oviduct evident, January 6, 1963, MCT 3583.

This female, taken in a bird net in a grass-scrubland association, was coming
into breeding condition.

Strix leptogrammica Temminck: Malaysian Wood Owl.—Specimens, 2:
Cocoa Research Station: sex?, July 9, 1963, ADG 182; , May 25, 1963, ADG
111.

On September 7, 1962, I flushed two of these owls from a tree beside the
Apas River in primary forest. One was subsequently shot but lost. Garcia's
two specimens were not identified to subspecies.

Caprimulgus macrurus salvadori Sharpe: Long-tailed Nightjar.—Specimens,
3: Tuaran: , January 12, 1963, MCT 3592; , March 2, 1963, ADG 6.
Mt. Rumas: , March 6, 1963, ADG 13.

This was an abundant bird on the Jesselton-Tuaran road but was not seen at
any of the other collecting stations in North Borneo.

Collocalia fuciphaga natunae Stresemann: Thunberg Swiftlet.—Specimens,
3: Cocoa Research Station: largest ovum 7 mm., oviduct enlarged, 13.1
gm., June 30, 1962, MCT 2570; ovary small, September 8, 1962, MCT
2887. 5.5 mi. SW Tenom: , December 20, 1962, MCT 3485.

This swiftlet was seen every day while we were at the Cocoa Research
Station and was common also in the mountains around Tenom, where it flew in
and out of the fog over our camp.

Collocalia esculenta ssp.: White-bellied Swiftlet.—Specimens, 7: Cocoa
Research Station: , 5.5 gm., July 4, 1962, MCT 2591; , 6.2 gm., July 5,
1962, MCT 2594; , 6.2 gm., July 1, 1962, MCT 2574; , 6.0 gm., July 4,
1962, MCT 2589; , 5.7 gm., July 4, 1962, MCT 2590. 12 mi. N Kalabakan:
testis 4 × 2 mm., November 10, 1962, MCT 3236; , November 10, 1962,
MCT 3237.

This was the most abundant of all the swifts at the Cocoa Research Station
and in the Kalabakan area and was seen also at Semporna on August 16, 1962,
in a small coral cave near the District Officer's house. This cave was 10 feet
high at most, but averaged five to six feet. It harbored about 1,000 birds,
most of them nesting back in the dimly lit zone but one small group of 50
nested in the entrance in bright light. The adults were still feeding young,
although the latter could fly strongly.

[Pg 400]

Chaetura leucopygialis (Blyth): White-rumped Spine-tailed Swift.—Specimens,
12: Cocoa Research Station: well-developed brood patch, June 28,
1962, MCT 2565; , 12.9 gm., June 30, 1962, MCT 2567; , June 30, 1962,
heavy molt on body, head, wing, tail, MCT 2568; , 14.5 gm., June 30, 1962,
MCT 2569; , 13.0 gm., June 30, 1962, MCT 2571; , 13.0 gm., July 1,
1962, MCT 2572; testis 4 × 2 mm., 12.3 gm., July 1, 1962, MCT 2575;
testis 2 × 1 mm., 14.9 gm., July 2, 1962, MCT 2576; , 15.4 gm., July 5,
1962, MCT 2595; testis 2 × 1 mm., 15.4 gm., wing molt, July 5, 1962,
MCT 2596; testis 2 × 1 mm., 11.9 gm., July 6, 1962, MCT 2598; , 13.0
gm., July 6, 1962, MCT 2599.

This species was common around the Cocoa Research Station but was not
seen elsewhere. There is some variation in color within the populations.

Hemiprocne comata comata (Temminck): White-whiskered Tree Swift.—Specimens,
3: Cocoa Research Station: testis 2 × 1 mm., 17.0 gm., July
28, 1962, MCT 2675; sex?, young in juvenal plumage, MCT 2812; , April
28, 1963, ADG 76.

At the Cocoa Research Station this common bird usually was seen sitting
on a dead branch of a shade tree in the cocoa whence it would dart out after
insects. It rarely perched higher than 12 feet. Occasionally it was seen in a
clearing in the primary forest.

Hemiprocne longipennis longipennis (Rafinesque): Crested Tree Swift.—Specimens,
2: Cocoa Research Station: testis 4 × 3 mm., September 4,
1962, MCT 2866; sex?, 42.8 gm., September 8, 1962, MCT 2888.

These swifts also were common at the Cocoa Research Station. Unlike
H. comata, these birds flew high and sat far up in trees while resting. I never
observed them in the primary forest.

The two specimens were more greenish-blue dorsally than typical H. l.
longipennis. Specimens from Java were paler gray ventrally and their tertials
were more nearly white. Too few specimens were available to permit determination
of the constancy of the mentioned variation and the two from the
station are referred to the nominate subspecies until more material becomes
available.

Harpactes diardi diardi (Temminck): Diard's Trogon.—Specimens, 8:
Cocoa Research Station: , 95.9 gm., July 2, 1962, MCT 2579; 3 alcoholic
naked young, July 3, 1962, presumed young of 2579, MCT 2581-83; ,
95.0 gm., August 20, 1962, MCT 2782; testis 6 × 3 mm., September 5,
1962, MCT 2870; , September 5, 1962, MCT 2871; , December 1, 1962,
MCT 3409.

This was the most numerous of the trogons at the Cocoa Research Station.
One female was taken in a live trap set for rats in the cocoa. The next day a
laborer found a young, presumably of that female, in a nest in the same area.
On August 20, a flock of 5 to 10 birds was seen moving together in a loose
group through the jungle. This species appeared to be a bird of the primary
forest, but occasionally was found in the cocoa.

Harpactes kasumba impavidus (Chasen and Kloss): Red-naped Trogon.—Specimens,
2: Cocoa Research Station: , 72.1 gm., August 5, 1962, MCT
3730 (discarded); , September 7, 1962, MCT 2883.

This species of the deep forest was not seen in any other habitat.

Harpactes duvauceli (Temminck): Scarlet-rumped Trogon.—Specimens, 7:
Cocoa Research Station: , 30.9 gm., July 24, 1962, MCT 2648; ?, December
1, 1962, MCT 3407; , December 1, 1962, MCT 3408. Ulu Balung:[Pg 401]
, July 18, 1963, ADG 209; , July 18, 1963, ADG 208. Kinabatangan
Agricultural Station: , October 13, 1963, ADG 305. 12 mi. N Kalabakan:
, October 10, 1962, MCT 2996.

This trogon of the primary forest was second in abundance only to H. diardi.

Halcyon concreta (Temminck): Chestnut-collared Kingfisher.—Specimens,
2: 12 mi. N Kalabakan: , November 8, 1962, MCT 3222; , November 8,
1962, MCT 3223.

This kingfisher was netted near a small stream in the deep primary forest.
Another individual was obtained in moss forest at an elevation of 4,000 feet at
Tenom, but was discarded.

Halcyon chloris chloroptera (Oberholser): White-collared Kingfisher.—Specimens,
4: 9.5 mi. E Tawau: largest ovum 3 mm., 61.7 gm., July 29,
1962, MCT 2683; testis 5 × 4 mm., 60.3 gm., July 29, 1962, paired with
2683. Telipok: , February 9, 1963, G. R. Conway; , February 10, 1963,
G. R. Conway.

This is a bird of the sea coast. It was seen at Tawau, Siamil Island, and
Karindingen Island.

Halcyon sancta sancta (Vigors and Horsfield): Sacred Kingfisher.—Specimen,
1: Cocoa Research Station: , June 17, 1963, ADG 147.

The specimen was taken along the Apas River in scrubland near the river.
One previously was recorded from North Borneo, this from Labuan (Smythies,
1957:660). He (1963:278) saw another at Bauto on the Labuk River.

Halcyon pileata (Boddaert): Black-capped Kingfisher.—Specimens, 3:
Tenom: , January 1, 1963, MCT 3564. Pintasan Agriculture Station: ,
October 18, 1963, ADG 322; , October 11, 1963, ADG 301.

The specimen from Tenom was caught in a net in the scrub-grassland association.
The others were taken along the Kinabatangan River.

Pelargopsis capensis fraseri Sharpe: Stork-billed Kingfisher.—Specimens,
2: Telipok: , February 9, 1963, TM 30. Mt. Rumas: , April 16, 1963,
ADG 53.

This species was common along the lower reaches of the Kalabakan and
Brantian rivers and in the mangroves near Tawau.

Alcedo atthis bengalensis Gmelin: Common Kingfisher.—Specimen, 1:
Pintasan Agriculture Station: , October 12, 1963, ADG 304.

I saw this kingfisher once along the Apas River at Quoin Hill and again
along the beach at Siamil Island.

Alcedo euryzona euryzona Temminck: Blue-banded Kingfisher.—Specimens,
4: Cocoa Research Station: , September 7, 1962, MCT 2884. 12 mi. N
Kalabakan: , October 19, 1962, MCT 3091; , October 20, 1962, MCT
3099; , October 20, 1962, MCT 3101.

This species was fairly common along streams deep in the primary forest at
Quoin Hill.

Ceyx erithacus ssp. (Linnaeus): Forest Kingfisher.—Specimens, 4: Cocoa
Research Station: , 13.2 gm., September 14, 1962, MCT 2924; 12 mi. N
Kalabakan: , October 18, 1962, MCT 3075; , October 26, 1962, MCT
3163. Oil Palm Research Station: , September 5, 1963, ADG 273.

All specimens taken showed characters intermediate between those of the
subspecies C. e. motleyi and C. e. rufidorsus. Voous (1951) states that, in all
the Malaysian region, the greatest number of hybrids between these two subspecies
[Pg 402]occurred in Borneo and, further, that he could find hybrid specimens
showing practically all imaginable character combinations. My specimens also
showed these intermediate tendencies and I am unable at present to allocate
the specimens to subspecies.

Merops viridis viridis Linnaeus: Blue-throated Bee-eater.—Specimens, 9:
Mt. Rumas: , March 5, 1963, ADG 9; , March 5, 1963, ADG 10; ,
March 6, 1963, ADG 20; , March 7, 1963, ADG 21; , March 7, 1963, ADG
22; , March 7, 1963, ADG 23. Telipok: , March 24, 1963; ADG 39.
Pintasan: , October 22, 1963, ADG 302; , October 12, 1963, ADG 303.

These specimens were all taken in March and October and seem to support
Smythies' (1957:664) idea that they arrive with the northeast monsoon (October
to March) and are absent the rest of the year.

Nyctiornis amicta (Temminck): Red-bearded Bee-eater.—Specimen, 1:
Cocoa Research Station: , September 27, 1962, molting, MCT 2970.

The specimen was taken along a stream in the deep primary forest, where
it was sitting on a dead twig overlooking the stream. The call note was much
like that of a scolding squirrel. This was the only time this species was observed
in the Quoin Hill area.

Eurystomus orientalis cyanicollis Vieillot: Broad-billed Roller.—Specimens,
4: Cocoa Research Station: testis 2 × 1 mm., 157.4 gm., heavy molt,
July 3, 1962, MCT 2585; testis 2 × 1 mm., 152.0 gm., heavy molt, July 21,
1962, MCT 2633; , 146.4 gm., heavy molt, July 21, 1962, MCT 2634; ,
April 29, 1963, ADG 83.

At the Cocoa Research Station this common bird perched in dead trees in
the cocoa. On several evenings in September, an individual was seen catching
insects in flight at dusk, repeatedly returning to a stump between forays. This
continued until it was so dark that I could barely discern the bird.

Berenicornis comatus (Raffles): White-crested Hornbill.—A pair was seen
feeding about 150 feet up in a tree at the Cocoa Research Station. No other
was seen in northern Borneo.

Annorrhinus galeritus (Temminck): Bushy-crested Hornbill.—This hornbill
was seen only on October 3, 1962, at the Cocoa Research Station, when a
flock of five flew overhead.

Aceros leucocephalus (Vieillot): Wrinkled Hornbill.—On October 3, 1962,
a pair was seen in the primary forest at the Cocoa Research Station.

Aceros undulatus undulatus (Shaw): Wreathed Hornbill.—Specimens, 2:
Cocoa Research Station: largest ovum 5 mm., October 2, 1962, MCT 2981;
testis 10 × 11 mm., October 2, 1962, MCT 2982.

This, the most common hornbill at Quoin Hill and at Kalabakan, occurred
in primary forest.

Anthracoceros malayanus (Raffles): Black Hornbill.—A flock of five was
seen at the Cocoa Research Station rest house on September 6 and 13, 1962.

Buceros rhinoceros Linnaeus: Rhinoceros Hornbill.—It was fairly common
at the Cocoa Research Station, where several were observed in July and
August.

Rhinoplax vigil (Forster): Helmeted Hornbill.—The Helmeted Hornbill
was rarely observed, but almost every day we heard its call when we were
on the east coast. It was also heard in the forest on the west coast around[Pg 403]
Tenom, but is not common there owing to hunting by the natives. Skulls of
this and the preceding species were on sale in a shop at Tenom, despite laws
prohibiting the killing of these species.

Calorhamphus fuliginosus tertius Chasen and Kloss: Brown Barbet.—Specimens,
7: Cocoa Research Station: largest ovum 2 mm., 38.8 gm.,
brood patch, July 7, 1962, MCT 2610; , 40.0 gm., August 1, 1962, MCT
2702; , 44.8 gm., August 1, 1962, MCT 2703; testis 5 × 3 mm., September
25, 1962 (paired with MCT 2956), MCT 2955; , September 1, 1962,
MCT 2846, , September 25, 1962, MCT 2956; ?, November 30, 1962,
MCT 3436.

These barbets were common at the Cocoa Research Station both in secondary
forest and cocoa, usually in groups of three or four. They were seen also at
Kalabakan where the birds fed in the top of a 100-foot tree in the primary
forest.

In describing this bird, Smythies (1960:322) said the male's bill is black.
The one male that I took had an orange bill and at no time did I observe
any black-billed birds at the Cocoa Research Station; this black bill perhaps
is a character of the subspecies C. f. fuliginosus.

Megalaima henrici brachyrhyncha Neumann: Yellow-crowned Barbet.—Specimens,
3: Cocoa Research Station: , 72.8 gm., August 1, 1962, MCT
2696; testis 5 × 4 mm., 83.2 gm., August 2, 1962, MCT 2705; testis
6 × 5 mm., 73.7 gm., August 2, 1962, MCT 2706.