680 MR. H. J. ELWES ON THE GEOGRAPHICAL [June 17, 



The Phasianidse are represented by two fine species of Evplocamus 

 and two of Polyplectron, one of which, P. chalcurum, Temm., is 

 peculiar. 



Out of four Pigeons, only one, Treron nasica, Temm., is peculiar, 

 so that, though much larger, and probably quite as rich, Sumatra 

 is not so interesting an island to the naturalist as Java. 



Borneo. 



The birds of Borneo are still less known than those of Sumatra ; 

 for, though Messrs. Motley and Dillwyn commenced a work on the 

 natural history of Labuan, it mentions comparatively few species, 

 and the only other localities in which much has been done are on the 

 N.W. and S. coasts near Sarawak and Banjermassing. Mr. Wallace, 

 though for some time in Borneo, devoted his attention principally to 

 insects ; and the Dutch naturalists have told us very little about the 

 birds. 



I believe a large number of Bornean birds are to be found in the 

 Italian museums, but have not seen any account of them. 



Lord Walden and Mr. Sclater have written papers which include a 

 good number of species. These, along with those described by Midler 

 and others, make up nearly 230 species of laud-birds, of which about 

 35 are peculiar to the island — a very small number when we consider 

 its vast extent and favourable situation. 



A large collection of birds from Coti, or some place on the coast 

 opposite Celebes, would be of very great interest, as it is quite possible 

 that some of the peculiar Celebean forms are found there, or, at any 

 rate, some which do not extend to the west coast of Borneo. 



Two of the most remarkable birds peculiar to the island are: — 

 Indicator archipelagicus, Temm., having its nearest congeners in the 

 Himalayas and Africa; and Pityriasis gymnocephalus, Temm., a 

 form so strange and unlike any thing else in Asia, that it is difficult 

 to say where it should be classed ; I learn from Mr. Wallace that it 

 is rare, and not found near the coast. 



Other fine birds not found elsewhere are Pitta boschi and Pitta 

 baudi, Mull., two of the most lovely Ground-Thrushes we know. 



Malay Peninsula. 



The birds of the Malay peninsula, though probably better known 

 than those of Java, Sumatra, or Borneo, have never been made the sub- 

 ject of any collective memoir ; and as a great number of species are 

 described'from the skins prepared by natives, which form an article of 

 trade at Malacca and Singapore, their true habitats are often doubtful. 

 To form a complete list of them would be a most difficult task, and 

 would involve the comparison of many specimens in the Calcutta and 

 Leyden Museums, as well as a digest of innumerable scattered notices 

 by old as well as modern authors. 



One of the most valuable of recent contributions to the subject is 

 the paper on the birds of Wellesley province, by Dr. Stoliczka 

 (J. A. S. B. 1870, No. 4), which, though it has drawn forth some 



