io8 



FASCICULI MALATENSES 



face silvery-white, livid blue round the eye, the bill pale ivory-yellow with a 

 black and brown patch at the base of the lower mandible, and the feet black. 



' It frequents more open country than the Jungle-Hornbills, usually along 

 the river-banks and is much less noisy. It is usually met with in parties of five 

 or six, and the flight, though less laboured, is rarely sustained for as long as that 

 of the larger species.' 



158. Dichoceros bicornis, (Linn.) 

 Dichoceros bicornis, Bonhoie, p. 70. 



$ (head only). Biserat, Jalor. July. 

 The Homrai Hornbill. 



'Three species of large Hornbills were not uncommon in the jungles 

 round Bukit Besar, but I did not consider it worth while spending much 

 time in hunting them.' 



The species seen included Rhinoplax vigil, the Helmet Hornbill, and 

 Buceros rhinoceros, the Rhinoceros Hornbill. The habits of all are very 

 similar. They fly in flocks varying from six to as many as fifteen individuals, 

 using their wings with slow measured strokes, the rush of air through the 

 primaries making a noise which may perhaps be compared to the distant sound 

 of a traction engine toiling up a hill. As soon as they alight on a tree, they 

 give vent to a series of harsh discordant screams, but Rhinoplax vigil has, in 

 addition, a sharp staccato note which has given rise to the Malay legend that 

 the bird was once a man, who, becoming enraged with his mother-in-law 

 started to chop through the posts supporting her house, and was thereupon 

 turned into the bird, whose notes represent the blows of the axe. 



' Skulls of Rhinoplax vigil command a high price in the Peninsula, as much 

 as five or ten dollars being asked and obtained for them. Rings made out of 

 t he dense frontal portion of the casque are reputed to act as talismans, turning 

 green when dipped into a poisoned liquid.' 



UPUPIDAE 



159. Upupa indica, Reichenb. 



Upupa indica, Bonhote, p. 68. 



?ad. Patani. 10th June. (No. 173) 



$ , $ ad. Nawngchik. 27th and 29th November. (Nos. 479, 491) 



The Indian Hoopoe has the iris hazel or chestnut, the bill black, horn- 

 coloured at the base, and feet brownish-black. 



' Exceedingly local in the Patani States, and always met with in open 

 sandy country near the coast.' 



