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