( 1C.5 ) 



103. Nettion gibberifrons (.Mull.). 



(See Salvadori's de.scriiition and remarks G<U. B. XXVII. pp. '255, 2.5(i.) 



November, Bulekomba. cJ- " Iris lake-red ; bill above and feet shining lead- 

 grey." The females are decidedly »urA\\er llian the iiudes, the culmen being about 

 8 mm. shorter, the wings about 10 mm., the middle toe about 4 or 5 mm. shorter. 

 The difference in size of the sexes is remarkable, and seems a further proof that 

 N. gihherifrons is really quite distiuct from N. castaiiewiii, though the femalen, 

 according to Count Salvadori, seem not distinguishable. 



It is evident from the above list that much interesting work is still left for an 

 able collector ou the higher mountains of Celelies. Such forms as Meridd celebensis, 

 Aruh-ophilii^, Cldorocharls, and perhaps Sijjhia boidluUna sliow interesting similarities 

 with the ornis of the high mountains of Borneo. The butterflies, I believe, will show 

 corresponding facts. It is most probable that all the very high mountains from 

 North India to the outmost branches of the Indo-^Ialayan region have great similarities 

 in the fauna of their highest regions— witness the Himalayas, the Guuoug Ijau in 

 Perak, the Kina Balu, the high mountains in Java and Sumatra, and Bonthain Peak. 

 Thev may be remainders of very ancient times, as the fauna of the intervening plains 

 is often totally different. Similar cases are known to exist in Europe and elsewhere. 

 It is most desirable that more of the higher regions of high mountains — tliat is to say, 

 the parts from above 3000 feet and upwards— should be explored ; and there are many 

 left untouched or but partly known, even in better known countries, such as the Malay 

 Peninsula, Sumatra, and Java. It is also of utmost interest to know whether the 

 highest peaks in New Guinea take part of the Indo-Malayan highland ornis, though 

 it is more likely, perhaps, that they are, and have always been, out of their influence. 



Species like Sinmiculus muschenbroekl and Ldage timoriensis represent Moluccan 

 and Sundanese elements, the occurrence of which will probably appear less remarkable 

 when all the gaps between the dift'erent larger groups are filled in, for instance when 

 a thorough exploration of the Sula grouj) has taken place— witness also the ornis of 

 Saleyer, Ujampea, and Kalao. 



II. 



THE BIRDS OF SALEYER, D.IAMPEA, AND KALAO. 



After the successful exploration of Bonthain Peak in South Celebes, Mr. Everett 

 .sent his men to Saleyer, and afterwards went there himself, and also to the islands of 

 Kalao and Djampea, between Flores and the southern part of Celebes and Saleyei-. 

 On some maps they are called " Schiedam Islands," but this name is not generally 

 known. Saleyer, Salayer, Seleyer, Selayer, Silajara, or Boegeroens Island, is about 

 forty miles long, but only from one to seven miles in width. "It is very poimlons. 

 and the people are industrious, raising considerable quantities of produce. The teak 

 tree has been planted, and flourishes; cattle, fowls, and vegetables are plentiful, and 

 the woods abound with deer. It is said that this island is the division of the climate 

 systems of the eastern and western parts of the archipelago, the rainy season being 

 reversed, and conforming to the west with the north-westerly and to tlie east witli 

 the south-eastcrlv muusoun" (Findlay, Iiulian Archipdago Dlrectwy, p. 803). 



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