132 NILS GYLDENSTOWE, ZOOLOGICAL RESULTS OF THE SWEDISH ZOOLOGICAL EXPEDITIONS TO SIAM. 



The Indian White-backed Vulture is fairly common över the whole eountry except 

 in the more densely wooded parts, and everywhere it is far more abundant than the 

 Black Yulture (Otogyps calvus Scop.). 



Several nests were observed in some large trees outside a small village a few miles 

 south of Chieng Mai. 



"o 



274. Otogyps calvus. Scop. — The Black Vulture. 



Otogyps calvus: Gyldenstolpe I p. 62; Williamson J p. 47; Gairdner p. 31: Grant p. 115; Gairduer p. 151. 

 Vultur calvus: Schomburgk p. 267. 



J 1 Koh Lak 19 /i2 1914. L = 805 mm.: W == 600 mm.; T = 271 mm.; Culmen from cere = 51 mm. 

 — Irides: yellowish white. Bill: black. Legs: pink. 



Of this fine Vulture a few specimens were generally associated among the flocks of 

 the other Vultures found in »Siarn, viz. Pseudogyps bengalensis Gm. and Oyps tenuirostris 



HODGS. 



Most abundant they seemed to be in the low-lying eountry along the coast of the 

 Gulf of Siarn. They also occurred both in Central and Northern Siarn though rather 

 rare in the latter part. They were never found among the hills or in well-wooded träets 

 but for some specimens seen circling high up in the air. At the environs of Bangkok 

 Vultures abound, the most common species being, however, Pseudogyps bengalensis Gm. 



The Black Vulture is rather a beautiful species when seen majestically circling high 

 up in the air on motionless wings, and with the bright sun shining on the red neck and 

 thighs which then look fiery red. 



Some years ago the Siamese had the horrible custom to place their dead, and espe- 

 cially those from the lower classes, on open courts in certain temples to let the corpses 

 to be eaten by the Vultures, Crows and the semi-domesticated Pariah dögs. 



This custom is now strictly forbidden at least in the greatest towns but is probably 

 still going on in some of the out-of-the-way places. 



Fam. Peleccanidfe. 



275. Pelecanus philippensis. Gm. The Spotted-billed Pelican. 



Pelecanus philippensis : Gyldenstolpe I p. 71; Gairdner p. 152. 

 Pelicanus philippensis: Schomburgk p. 265; Gairdner p. 31. 



<$ Chieng Hai lG / 8 1914. L = 1420 mm.; W = 600 mm.; T = 197 mm.; C = 32!) mm. — $ Chieng 

 llai 1G / 8 1914. L = 1300 mm.; W = 580 mm.; T = 210 mm.; C = 310 mm. — Irides: hazel. Bill: whitish 

 pink with black blotches. Legs: grey. 



This species, which inhabits Southern Asia south to the Malay Peninsula and east 

 to Java and the Philippines, is very common along the coasts of the inner Gulf of Siarn 

 during the winter months. 



During the rainy season the Pelicans asscmble in great numbers on the large swamps 

 of Central Siarn, but if they also breed here is open to question. During my former journey 



