NOTES. 217 
Note. Mr. Butler’s remarks are very interesting, and 
speak for themselves, so I need only refer to the fighting quails. 
Since hearing from him, ] have met several quail- -eatchers in 
Sungei Ujong, and examining the decoy birds find that all 
were females. The Malays too told me they always used the 
females f r fighting, and the males did not fight. 
Oo? 
TiN. 
Bekin. 
Regarding the Malay word “ bikin” = to do, to make, etc.; 
—the use of which is so strongly deprecated, and the bastard 
origin of which is Hg SEE upon by all authorities on the lan- 
euage—has the prob bability of its Persian origin ever been seri- 
ously considered? The word bears a striking resemblance to 
“bikun,” the imperative of the common Persian verb “to do, 
to make,” ete. If this origin could be established it would 
raise the word from its Eee obloquious position to one of 
quite classical respectability. 
W.C. 
—— 
An insectivorous squirrel. 
The swarming of a nest ~f termites is always interesting to 
watch on account of the numerous enemies which hasten to the 
spot to prey upon these helpless insects. Birds, chietly bulbuls, 
robins, drongcs and bee-eaters, are the usual assailants. Dra- 
gon-flies also dart to and fro through the swarm, and frogs and 
toads hasten from their retreats to devour those thai fall on the 
ground. I was surprised, however, recently on one. of these 
occasions to see a little squirrel (Nanosciurus exilis) creeping 
about on the ground and eagerly catching the insects. On my 
remaining quite motionless, it crept out of the bushes upon the 
road where it remained about two feet from me intent on its 
prey, which it ate wings and all, apparently with much enjoy- 
ment, and by the rustling in the bushes I judged there was at 
least one more, which I could not see, attacking the swarm. 
ING 
