555 



NOTES ON 

 RHINOCEROSES IN BURMA, 

 R. SONDAICUS AND SUMATRENSIS. 



BY 



Vety. Major Gr. H. Evans, f.l.s. 



Information relating to some of the species of Asiatic Rhinoceroses 

 in the' various works I have consulted appears very incomplete. In 

 order to add to it } it is desirable on ihe part of those who have any 

 acquaintance, however small, with these animals or their, habits to place 

 such on record. Though I consider, I have not had the luck in shoot- 

 ing them that I deserve, hunting them has afforded me an opportunity 

 of learning; a little of their habits. 



There are in Burma two species for certain, viz.; the larger and 

 single-horned variety of the Burmans, R. sondakus, Kyan-hsin or 

 Pyan-hsin (elephant-rhinoceros) and the lesser double-horned, R. suma- 

 trensis, Kyan. On the authority of the late Dr. Mason, Kyan is the 

 generic term in Burma for a rhinoceros, signifying " to be firm in 

 structure and mind." They are known to the Karens as Ta-do or 

 Ta-do-khaw, and to the Shans as Sawon. 



Both species may occasionally be met with inhabiting the same stretch 

 of country and visiting the same pools or wallows. Burmans and 

 Xarens, as a rule, with the exception perhaps of the hunters, are much 

 afraid of these animals, and this is perhaps not to be wondered at if we 

 bear in mind the very ferocious character attributed to them. They 

 are said to attack human beings without provocation, and to be most 

 vindictive and persevering in their pursuit of the object of their anger ; 

 they do not fear elephants or tigers. Furthermore they are credited 

 with not only stamping out but even devouring fire, and rushing in the 

 direction of any noise they may hear. A record such as above should 

 inspire awe in anyone believing the stories. I cannot learn anything 

 as to how the idea of their distaste for fire arose ; it is certain, however, 

 that it is a story very generally accepted by the Burmans. That 

 they are unsuccessful in keeping down forest fires about their 

 haunts would by these people be attributed to the fact of their 

 numerical weakness. Burmese and Karen hunters, who in days 

 gone by had some experience in hunting rhino, appear to be unanimous 

 in considering them dangerous animals, and especially so when wounded. 

 This has also been the experience of two or three Europeans over here. 



