8 NILS GYLDENSTOLPE, ZOOLOGICAL RESULTS OF THE SWEDISH ZOOLOGICAL EXPEDITIONS TO SIAM. 



In due time I arrived at Doi Par Sakeng where there was a bungalow belonging 

 to the Borneo Company and where I was most heartily welcomed by Mr. T. B. Chatteris 

 who was in charge of the station, which is a big centre in a district where teak and other 

 valnable trees are being worked. The name Doi Par Sakeng comes from a mountain 

 chain which rims quite close to the station. The real mountain chain is not very high, 

 yet some ragged peaks grow to considerable dimensions. The vegetation chiefly consists 

 of evergreen jungles but here and there large areas of land are covered with bamboos. 



A few miles north of Doi Par Sakeng the plain of Nong Bea is situated. Nong Bea 

 is an open plain, which at the time of my visit was covered with high grass. High lime- 

 stone mountains, in which numerous large caves occur, surround the plain on three sides. 

 When riding över the plain a hollow sound is heard and the whole of Nong Bea is probably 

 undermined. 



From Doi Par Sakeng I made a few days trip to Doi Vieng Par, a wild mountain 

 region, the highest peak of which is said to be still higher than the Chieng Dao. The 

 bird fauna at Doi Vieng Par seemed to be rather scarce and of about the same character 

 as that of Koon Tan. 



When I had finished my researches at Doi Par Sakeng and its immediate neigh- 

 bourhood I left for Chieng Hai, a fairly important town at the Meh Koke river and the 

 seat of the Governor in the district. To reach Chieng Hai I had a very difficult journey 

 on unbeaten mountain tracks, and I löst 5 of my horses which were affected by a dange- 

 rous disease and succumbed. After 6 days härd travelling during which the whole ca- 

 ravan suffered much as well from the heavy rains as from the numerous leaches which 

 made life almost intolerable we at last arrived at Chieng Hai on the 30th of July. 



Chieng Hai is situated on the right bank of the Meh Koke river and is surrounded 

 on all sides by large swamps, a haunt of immense masses of wading- and water-birds. 

 Big game also abounds and rhinoceroses are said to be fairly common. Their tracks 

 were seen at several occasions, though the animals themselves were almost impossible 

 to stalk because of the flooded country which prevented me to reach their places of re- 

 fuge. 



At Chieng Hai I stopped for about one week and during my stav there I löst another 

 6 of my horses. From Chieng Hai I also wanted to visit the old town of Chieng Sen. 

 I therefore engaged some boats to take me down the Meh Koke as far as to where it 

 joins the Meh Kong. To reach Chieng Sen we had to pole the boats for some miles up 

 against the river. This was both difficult and somewhat dangerous because of the strong 

 current, but nothing happened. Chieng Sen which at the present time is almost ruined, 

 was some hundred years ago a wealthy and important town judging from the numerous 

 temples which are now in ruins and covered by jungle. Thousands of beautiful Buddhas 

 may, however, still be found in these old temples. 



After a week stay at Chieng Sen I left this nice place with about 24 carriers, and I 

 now had a three days difficult march back to Chieng Hai which I reached on the 13th 

 of August. At Chieng Hai I stopped for another week, and during my abscense in Chieng 

 Sen the rest of my horses had succumbed, so I had to make new arrangements for the 

 transport of my luggage. 



