91 Viscount Walden and Mr. Layard on 



covered with vast unexplored forests, their broad tracts of open 

 country devoid of all cultivation, the few oi'nithologists who have 

 visited the archipelago (not exceeding eight in number) since 

 the time of Sonnerat (1771), and that only three or four points 

 were touched by them (Manilla, Antigua, Zamboanga), we may well 

 believe that many new forms remained to be discovered, and that 

 many more known species to be recognized, by the first enterpris- 

 ing traveller who detei-mines to exploi'e thoroughly these almost 

 unknown and attractive islands. We know of no part of the world 

 that would more amply repay the zoological traveller. The climate 

 is good, the country easy of access, and teems with animal life*. 

 In the mean time any additional contribution to our know- 

 ledge of the Philippine avifauna, however limited, is of excep- 

 tional value ; and we therefore propose to give an an account of 

 small collection of birds and of birds' eggs recently obtained in 

 the island of Negros, by Mr. L. C. Layard. Many of his 

 letters to his father, Mr. Edgar L. Layard, contain notes re- 

 lating to the natural history of this island ; and we propose to 

 publish, as they were written, all those observations which bear 

 on its ornithology, feeling sure that they will be found to con- 

 tain matters of interest to the readers of ' The Ibis.' 



The island of Negros is situated between latitude 9° 3' and 

 10° 58' N., and longitude 122° 28' and 123° 29' E. Its length 

 maybe roughly stated to be about 130 miles, its average breadth 

 25 miles, and its area 3780 square miles. It is separated from 

 the Philippine islands of Panay on the N.W,, and of Cebu or 

 Zebu on the S.E., by narrow channels. Mr. L. Layard says in 

 one of his letters, " I have a fine view from my window, the sea 

 on one side, with Guimaras (a small island) and Panay in the 

 distance on the other ; fields of cane, enclosed by two rivers, 

 and bordered by banana and cocoanut trees, stretch up until 

 they reach the forest and the mountains." A range of moun- 

 tains with lofty peaks runs north and south through the island, 



* The only real danger which appears to attend travelling in some 

 parts of the Philippines si caused by the piratical Malays. But. from a 

 passage in one of Mr. L. Layai'd's letters, it would seem that Englishmen 

 with proper introductions to the chiefs would run but little risk if im- 

 (wcompanied by SjMniards. 



