THE BIRDS OF SOUTH-WEST AND PENINSULAR SIAM. 7 



De Lisle Island. 



Really one of the Mergui Archipelago ; a large island five or 

 six miles square of undulating surface higher to the S. and W. We 

 anchored about the centre of the northern ccast and spent a day- 

 collecting, the most interesting bird obtained being the Stone-plover 

 (Esdcus magnlrostris), previously obtained by Kloss in another of 

 the Mergui group and by myself in Bintang, Rhio Archipelago ; but 

 not hitherto obtained within the limits of the Malay Peninsula. We 

 also trapped a form of Rattus vociferans which we had not obtained 

 on any of the smaller islands to the southward. 



Rexoxg River. 



After a tortuous course of a few miles through narrow channels, 

 with strong tides, which cause 1 us some anxiety (as the pilot, whom 

 we had broug-ht from Penang, but had not had occ.xasion to use hitherto, 

 inspired us with no confidence ; the few accidents that had happened 

 to us in the last few years cruising in these little-charted waters 

 having invariably taken place Avhile the boat was in charge of one of 

 these native gentry), we arrived at Renong anchorage, a small and 

 inconvenient one, in very shallow water between a small islet and the 

 mouth of the river which, at low tide, is reduced to a dirty ditch 

 A broad mud-bank was between us and the shore. 



We spent three or four days at Renong river, during which 

 time our men collected on a small patch of hilly jungle at the north of 

 the river, but obtained nothing of great interest. In the meantime 

 we were transacting necessary business with the Siamese Governor of 

 the province, residing at Renong, some miles up the river. This town 

 is of considerable importance as a supply centre for several large and 

 prosperous tin dredging concerns — mostly Australian — which are 

 working in the A-icinity. 



We had here to arrange for firewood, which was dear and 

 difficult to obtain : for water, which was exorbitant in price and 

 abominable in quality : and for a pilot for the Pakchan, which in its 

 upper course is encumbered with sand banks and rocks. 



On the present occasion, more by good luck tlian knowledge, 

 the man Avhom we obtained through the Harbour Master, Renong, 



VOL. V, NO, 1, 1921. 



