On the Habits and Range of Bulwer's Pheasant. 413 



trees about 30 feet high. On these trees were placed the 

 nests in numbers ; on one I counted eighteen^ and in all I 

 think there must have been some fifty nests. At this time 

 of the year^ the beginning of May, only a few birds remained, 

 and I only found two eggs, upon which the female was still 

 sitting, but dead and dry as an Egyptian mummy. 



The Darters were not the only inhabitants of this secluded 

 spot, for hundreds of Fruit-Bats were dangling at the ends of 

 the hippa palms, passing away their day in chattering and 

 screaming, no doubt discussing their last night's raid on 

 some poor native's garden. These Bats seem to court the 

 full glare of the sun, keeping up a gentle fluttering motion 

 with one wing, as though fanning themselves. Every now 

 and then some dozens would fly off as we approached (making 

 a loud rattling noise with their wings), seeking out a new 

 resting-place, when the screaming and chattering would be 

 increased, as their companions did not wish to be disturbed. 

 I noticed as they flew between us and the midday sun that 

 they kept their mouths open, as if panting for breath. 



To retvirn to the Darters, about the middle of November I 

 sent a native to see if they were nesting. He returned with 

 some twenty eggs and two nests. The eggs are like those of 

 a Cormorant, only much smaller; becoming stained during 

 incubation, after the manner of the Grebe's. The colour of 

 the fresh egg is almost white, but becomes gradually brown 

 during incubation, four and five being found in a nest. Young 

 birds were also about ; so this species is not very strict in its 

 nesting-season. The nests were composed of small sticks, 

 making a firm structure, lined with leaves. 



XLII. — On the Habits and Range of Bulwer^s Pheasant. 

 By W. H. Treacher. 



In compliance with the request of one of the Editors for 

 some notes on Bulwer's Pheasant [Lobiophasis bulweri), I 

 can now give the readers of ' The Ibis ' the following infor- 

 mation. I was in Labuan when the first specimen was 



