HAINAN SILVER KALEEGE 73 



are quite distinct from the Chinese, wearing very short skirts of blue, or with a red-and- 

 white pattern. 



" 28th. Still on the march. Arrived at Lu village in the evening, but the men 

 seemed so disagreeable that we went about half a mile away and camped. They then 

 followed to see all they could, and were amazed at our guns. Bought half a pig for 

 $1.50. 



" 29th. Left early, as I wanted to camp near the mountain. Sent Andres and 

 Juan off at 4 a.m. to look for a spot. Nearly had a row with our Chinese porters, but 

 formed up in their rear, so that they had to go on, after using a good deal of badlanguage 

 at us. Have struck a nice place for a camp, close to a fine rocky stream not far from the 

 mountains. Hear lots of birds. Am very seedy with dysentery, Juan with fever. Busy 

 building a house all day. 



"30th. Busy house-building. Caught some beautiful butterflies in the river. Saw 

 a fine kingfisher, I think Alcedo euryzona, also some monkeys. 



''31st. This being Good Friday we have resolved not to begin collecting to-day — 

 unlucky — but to finish off the house. It rained this morning and was very cold before 

 daylight. A cloudy day, saw no butterflies. Begin collecting to-morrow. 



'' April I St. At last we were able to go shooting. Andres brought in four birds. 

 Hills very steep, sand and rocks ; this is the reason why they are left alone by the 

 natives. Sand-flies awful. Butterflies numerous in the river-bed. Saw a large king- 

 fisher and some squirrels. 



" Natives visit us daily : fowls 10 cts., ducks 25 cts., eggs \ ct. 



" 2nd. Very seedy with dysentery. Juan shot a silver pheasant which may be new, 

 and a fine paradise flycatcher. Heat and sand-flies awful. 



*' 3rd-i9th. All ill with fever and dysentery. 



" i9th-3oth. The bird collection is going along slowly — my men being all ill one 

 day or another ; one or two have been ill every day with fever. I am perhaps in better 

 health than I have been for some time. Lu women catching caterpillars for food. It 

 rains heavily and thunders every afternoon, and our life here, owing to fever, is most 

 miserable. 



** May ist-6th. All my men ill with bad fever. The two Chinese and myself do 

 not suffer much. 



" 7th. I saw a Lu with some rat-traps identical with those made by the Kina Balu 

 Dusans. Changed into my new house. Very fine for the last few days, no rain. Men 

 (Philipinos) hopelessly ill, and have done nothing for a fortnight. Sent the Chinese 

 soldier out to shoot for me ; want to see if he is worth anything. 



'' 9th. Three of my Manila men left me to-day of their own accord. I trust they 

 will reach Hoihow safely. It makes me very sad all this illness. I gave them the 

 option of going, as I should be very sorry to be the cause of the death of any one of 

 them. 



" loth. To-day is very wet; the Manila men will have a sad time of it, I expect. 

 My boy Juan is still with me, not because he cares about staying with me, but because 

 he was too ill to start with the others. The Chinese soldier is doing my shooting and 

 gets on very well. 



"iith-i6th. Am trying to work on with one boy, who is not much use at 



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