44 
NORTH BORNEO. 
every colour she is possessed of. So abundant were the species of Woodpeckers that we 
collected no less than thirteen species on this river alone. We also collected two rare species 
of Pittas (P. baudi and P. usslieri). The head of the first is bright silvery blue, bordered by 
a black band, the back vermilion, throat white, the breast dark blue with copper reflections ; 
the second species has a black head and throat, purple and blue back, and crimson breast: 
such beautiful creatures Avere Avell worth coming to Borneo to see. 
On one or tAvo occasions after the tell-tale leaves- and tAvigs had been soddened by the 
heavy rains, I approached unexpectedly Avithin a feAv yards of an Argus Pheasant, Avhich 
Avas off like a flash and out of sight. My collector Nyhan shot a cock and two hens, and 
a splendid male we caught in a snare, but- before Ave visited the trap it Avas totally spoiled 
by a Avild cat. As neither the Orang Sungei nor Dusuns are trappers or hunters, like the 
Murut and Kina-Balu Dusuns, ground birds were fairly plentiful; several times Ave came 
across the parade or plumage-displaying grounds of the cock Argus, Avhich are neatly SAvept 
circles of about tAvo yards in diameter, where the cock displays his someAvhat ungainly 
though beautifully marked plumage to his admiring spouse. The cry of this Pheasant is 
very loud, and sudden noises, such as thunder, the crash of falling forest trees, and even 
the explosion of a gun, cause them to cry out with a voice that resounds far and Avide, as if 
such noises gave them pleasure : the firing of a gun disturbs forest birds but little. 
Pittas are shy and difficult to collect until you begin to understand them. Pitta usslieri , 
though rare in collections, was here fairly common. They frequent the ground and fallen 
trunks of trees, seldom using their Avings, but proceeding over the ground at a great pace 
by hopping. After Ave learnt to imitate their peculiar Avhistle—which begins almost 
imperceptibly, increasing in volume until quite loud, Avhen it suddenly ceases—it Avas not 
difficult to attract the birds AA 7 ithin easy shot. Though adorned Avith the brightest of 
colours, this Pitta is difficult to see, frequenting the gloomy parts of the forest, where, with 
its back towards you, it Avill remain motionless and unnoticed; even the scarlet breast does 
not attract attention amongst the dead leaves and husks of forest fruits Avhich cover the 
ground and equal it in brightness. The only tAvo specimens of Pitta baudi collected Avere 
shot by myself, though Nyhan bleAv another to pieces—a very common fault Avith most 
native collectors, Avho, though born sportsmen and naturalists, are apt to get excited over 
the rarest species, Avhich they often totally destroy. It Avas one early morning soon after 
daylight that I shot my first specimen of this beautiful species. Seeing a bird hopping 
about an old rotten tree-trunk, I took a most careful pot-shot, but to my sorrow I found 
no Pitta lying on its back Avhen I approached the dead log. After searching around for 
over an hour, and bewailing this misfortune, Ave were returning home, Avhen amongst the 
roots of a large tree lay this gem of bird creation on its back. I sat doAvn and stroked it, 
put every feather in its place, brushed the ants off, Avhich had already found my prize, and 
gazed upon one of the most lovely Eastern birds—satisfied Avith all the Avorld. 
As soon as Ave Avere settled on the Benkoker, Ave were visited by numbers of the 
Orang Sungei, Avho generally came to be cured of their various ailments : some Avere 
decrepit old men bent nearly double—they only Avanted to be straightened and to Avalk 
erect once more; others had deformed limbs Avhich they thought I might be able to make 
perfect; but all Avere far beyond my limited skill. It is a mistake to physic a native stranger, 
