1872.] IN THE ISLAND OF NEGEOS. 115 



Zamboanga), we may well believe that many new forms remained to be discovered, and many 

 move known species to be recognized, by the first enterprising traveller who determines to explore 

 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 knowledge of the Philippine avifauna, 

 however limited, is of exceptional value ; and wc therefore propose to give an account of a 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 relating to the 

 natural history of this island ; and we propose to publish, as they were written, all those observa- 

 tions which bear on its ornithology, feeling sure that they will be found to contain 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 may be roughly stated to be about 130 miles, its average 

 bi'eadth 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, Avith 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 forests and the 

 mountains." A range of mountains with lofty peaks runs north and south through the island, 

 the centre of which is little known even now. It appears to be inhabited by a small race of Ibis, 1S72, 

 Negroes, called Negritos, from whom the island derives its name. P" 



Mr. L. Layard writes — " Judging from my remembrance of Table Mountain, I should say 

 that the range behind the Hacienda and the Koun Loun volcano must be nearly 5000 feet high. 

 Their tops are very rugged and covered with trees ; and they look very grand after a shower, 

 when long streaks of cloud are caught halfway up them, and detached patches are scattered 

 along their slopes, clinging to the trees." 



These forests abound with cabinet-woods of great beauty and of the finest quality. The 

 trees attain a vast height ; " most of them have huge buttresses on each side, and then an 

 immense trunk, rising, some of them, for upwards of 100 feet without a branch, and as round 

 and as straight as an arrow. It is useless to fire at anything in the heads of these giants, unless 

 with buck-shot. I was a long while under a flock of the large Hornbill [Buceros hydrocoraxi) ; 

 but it was of no use to fire at them. Most of the trees were covered with parasitic orchids, 

 creepers, and climbing ferns of all descriptions ; and the whole forest was alive with gay Parrots, 

 Hornbills, gaudy red Woodpeckers, and butterflies of every hue. Several sorts of Pigeon were 

 flying about ; and we heard noises that the guide said were caused by a peculiar monkey, but 

 we did not see any of them. There were lots of small dark-blue Swallows flitting about under 

 the trees in the partially cleared places, which I had not seen elsewhere. On the outside the 

 underwood had been cut down, and in its stead were the bright green leaves of the banana 

 (hemp) plant standing in rows." 



* The only real danger whieh appears to attend travelling in some parts of the Philippines is caused by the piratical 

 Malays. But, from a passage in one of llr. L. Layards letters, it would seem that Englishmen with proper introductions 

 to the chiefs would run but little risk if unaccompanied by Sjianiards. 



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