Journal of the Federated Malay States museums - Sabrizain.org

nji;-J H. C. Robinson: Birds-from Pulau Langkawi. ijl
:
elsewhere
flower.
we were unfortunate in finding most species out of
Dayang Bunting. A small island forming part of the
Langkawi group, mainly, though possibly not entirely, of
limestone, which in several places attains the quality of marble,
white and even in grain, almost saccharine, resembling that
found at Lenggong in Upper Perak and decidedly superior
to that of the tpoh Quarries. The island is (]uite uninhabited
and covered with jungle and is nearly everywhere steep-to,
though several deep indentations and the heads of bays are
filled with mangrove.
The chief point of interest in the island is the fresh
water lake which at two places approaches to within a few
yards of the shore and is separated from it by a narrow
rocky rim of no very great height so that the surface of
the lake is probably only a few feet above the level of the
sea. In shape it is a long oval 5-600 yards across by 1,100
or
to
1,200 yards long and
the shore, deepening
is about
to 8 in
4J-5 fathoms deep close
the centre and nowhere
exceeding Si, the depths being fairly regular. The bottom
is in places rock but mostly mud. There seems to be only one
species of fish in the lake and no fresh water sponges were
found round the edges or on twigs and logs afloat in the lake.
There is good anchorage near the island at the head of a
fiord leading to 1I1 besl approach to the lake, which however
is much encumbered with coral knobs at its head. Fresh
water escapes freely through the sand and rocks of the shore
and large quantities of excellent
all seasons by the use of a hose.
quality can be obtained at
With the exception of mousedeer most of the mammals
occurring on the main island of Langkawi occur on this one
also; no fruit bats were seen ami other species were scarce.
Land birds were exceedingly scarce, the only common
species being Cyomis sumatrensis. There were not many
insects about and the few butterflies obtained were of no
special interest. \ Cicada was heard and sand-flies were
only too common.
We did not actually see any biawak (Varanus sp.) though
they must occur. Four species of Draco were very common
and we secured one young Calotes versicolor and three species
of skinks. We also collected three species of frogs of which
one was very common at the edge of the lake.
At a considerably higher level than the large lake, the
Dyaks came across another pool, much smaller and largely
choked witli dead and fallen timber. The natives are aware
of its existence and state that in the dry season it contains
no water at all.
of plant- |
In addition to the zoological collections about 60 species
seem
to be <
*l no vi 1
interest. Few of the rock plants were in flower. Orchids