PENCINTA ALAM - Malaysian Nature Society (MNS)

BookshelfMember: RM 60.50Non-member: RM 67.20Plants and Flowers ofMalaysiaAuthor: Ivan PoluninPublisher: Times EditionsType of Cover: Hard coverYear Published: 2004From mountain peaks to coastlines,Malaysia boasts rich and varied flora. About tenthousand species of flowering plant are found inthe states of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah andSarawak. This figure represents 4 percent of theworld’s total of flowering plants and does not includethe species introduced to the region fromthe great rainforests of tropical America andAfrica.A lavishly illustrated handbook, Plantsand Flowers of Malaysia captures some of thewonderful, weird, beautiful, rare and commonplants that are part of Malaysia’s natural heritage.The book features 170 native and naturalizedMalaysian plant species, including a parade ofcarnivorous pitcher plants – the world’s most successfulvegetable trappers of insects – and extraordinaryant plants; the fantastic,giant-flowered, parasitic Rafflesia; little knownmountain rhododendrons; and beautiful orchids.In the first section of Plants and Flowersof Malaysia, Dr.Polunin describes Malaysia’s mainvegetation types and offers a guide to the best placesto see Malaysia’s plant life. The second section focuseson the detailed description of the featuredspecies, which have been grouped according to theirhabitat. Full-colour photographs illustrate eachspecies and the accompanying caption contains awealth of information about the plant, its origin andits uses. A special section on climbers and epiphytesis also featured. All these make this book an invaluableintroduction to the plants and flowers ofMalaysia.Member: RM 36.00Non-member: RM 40.00A Photographic Guide To Birds OfBorneo, Sabah, Sarawak, BruneiAnd Kalimantan (Third Edition)Author: G.W.H Davison and ChewYen FookPublisher: New HollandYear Published: 2008 (first publishedin 1996)Type of Cover: Soft coverNo. of pages: 144- Distinctive thumbnail colour tabs outlining eachfamily group to enable quick identification.- Compact, easy-to use format; the ideal pocket-sizetraveling companion.- Authoritative text describing key identification features.- Full-colour photographs illustrating each of the252 species described.Books are available at ‘The MNS Shop’T/F: 03-22873471.E: natureowlet@yahoo.comPlease call/e-mail before dropping in.ABC’s of Birdwatching, continuesOn hearing loud rustling in the trees, one of ourLangkawi naturalists said that there was a Hornbillnearby. I must admit I was doubtful, but I had to eatmy bins when a huge bird flew up into the branchesof the tree above us. It was beautiful: with a largeyellow ‘horn’; majestic yellow beak; black mantleand face mask; and white tail with a black band. Asit flew, our guide Bing pointed out the yellow stripeand white edging of the feathers under its wings. Itwas a Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis).All in all, it was a fantastic weekend. Notonly had I managed to find some like-minded people,interested in nature and conservation, but I feltI had learned enough to set me confidently on thepath with my notebook and bins in hand. As Istopped the car in my drive at home, an OrientalMagpie Robin hopped onto the gate. I smiled at thewelcome home, and then a small voice in my headsaid “is it a male or a female?”.Many thanks go to the wonderful people ofthe Bird Group, who not only volunteered their timeto teach us but did so with humour, charm and integrity.- Cheryl Lamb10