INTRODUCTION
Early ornithologists in Malaya, both amateur and professional,
made extensive studies of the birds of the uplands and mountain
peaks. In order that the heat of the lowlands could be escaped rest
houses were built on peaks such as Penang Hill, Kedah Peak,
Cameron Highlands, Maxwell's Hill, and Fraser's Hill and birds on
these peaks became available for easy observation. Resident and
migrant mountain birds were listed and nesting recorded, Bromley
(1949), Newman (1955), Allin and Edgar (1948), Allen (1952, 1953,
1957). Robinson (1909) lists records of collections on Malayan
mountain peaks from 1886 to 1908 and he summarized the bulk of
information knovn about the montane species in his monograph
published in 1928. Since that time nests of most resident species and
the nesting habits of some species have been described.
. -,:. ::: ..........
'.
:.o.i:{.4:1
.. .. ;..: ß
.:L
. . ......-:... . .:
,..:
.-:? ., -.
-. .:.:. .. ,.
,..
.,.
:: -- .... %...
ß ? .-. ' -,;' ß
f ' .. % . .-..4 . .. ,..-.[ . .,,-.
.:;::? . ;..'"'; :'-"; '.' ;.",* .... '.',..--..,,...o"' -1/2: .......
ß .-..:.,-;.:...,.:..... ,..." .. .. .. "...."1/2 .1/2j. --
Fig. 1. The ericceous cloud orest t 6500 1/2eet, Cmeron
ighlnds, Mly.
In 1953 a radio relay station was built at the top of 6600 foot
Mount Brhchang in Pahang and the road to it makes this the high-
est peak in Malaya to which there is easy access. The present study
of birds above 5000 feet on this peak was begun in September 1958
and intermittent observations covered 12 weeks between that date
and March 1963.
HABITAT
Mr. Brinchang is in the main range at 4ø30 ' N. latitude by
101ø30 ' East longitude, with an altitude of 6660 feet. It is not an
isolated peak since the general altitude in this area is over 4000 feet
and several similar peaks are visible from it to the north and south.
It is on the western edge of the range and its western slope drops
steeply with but few foothills to the coastal plain. To the east is the
rolling highland plateau.
The western slope has not been deforested and montane and sub-
montane forests extend along the range, but the eastern slopes up to
5000 feet have been deforested for tea plantations and truck crop
farms.
Above 5000 feet the forest is a mixture of montane species h the
wetter vales, and banana thickets where the habitat has been dis-
turbed, giving way to the dominant ericaceous species of the cloud
forest at the ridge. In the protected valleys trees reach heights of
80 feet but on the ridges they are gnarled and stunted with boles and
limbs encased by mosses and lichens.
The dominant tree species include Rhododendron malayanurn
(deep red bell-like flowers), R. wrayi (white flowers thged with
Fig. 2. Within the low ericaceous cloud forest at 6500 feet
showing the dense mass of vegetation.
pink), R. jasmitifiorum (pink flowers), Eugenia stapfiana (purplish
new leaves), Baeckia frutescens (short needle-like leaves), Leuco-
pogon malayanurn (sessile strap-like pointed leaves clustered around
the twigs), Vaccinium spp, and at the peak Leptospermum fiavescens
(fiat lanceolate leaves with inch white flowers). Mosses, Sphag-
num spp., cover the ground and tree trunks, pitcher plants Nepenthes
spp. hang from the limbs and boles, and there are dense patches of
d;varf bamboo Bambusa elcgats and giant mountain sedge, Gahnia
tristis. Ferns abound, Gleichenia spp., Matonia pectinata and Dip-
teris conjugata. All of the vegetation is a mass of spongy growth
dripping from the almost continuous fog and rain. In the deeper
valleys the stream sides are choked with a mass of banana and tree
ferns tangled with vines and low shrubs. For further descriptions of
this type of Malayan forest see Symington 1936, Strugnell and
Mead 1937, Fitzgerald 1940.
The temperature ranges from the fifties into the eighties with the
daily range about the same as the yearly range. The usual weather
is for a clearing dawn sky with a beautiful sunrise followed by a
morning of partly cloudy skies gradually densening at mid-day. By
noon or soon after the mountain is encompassed in clouds which
usually bring rain during the afternoon or evening. From October
until March the winds are from the east and from April into October
they blow from the west.
The top of the mountain was leveled to permit construction of the
buildings but the vegetation extends up to the edge of the fenced
compound. The slopes on three sides of the station drop away at an
angle greater than 45 ø and the road approaches along a ridge from
Fig. 3. Forest at 5500 feet showing taller trees and invasion
of wild bananas in open gully.
144] H. Elliott McClure Bird-Banding
July '
o
z
Vol. XXXV Arian Bionomics in Malaya [145
1964
oo
the north. The buildings have been attractive to a few House
Swifts that nest there, the wires are used as roosts by Barn Swallows,
and the towers have been of some hazard to migrating or passing
species. Up until 1960 ten brilliant flood lights burned each night
attracting thousands of moths, beetles and other insects. When the
lights were reduced to three, the numbers of insects attracted to
them were greatly reduced. This had an effect upon the birds visit-
ing the peak for very few came to glean insects in 1962 where many
had come before. The numbers of birds netted dropped proportion-
ately.
PROCEDURE
Upon arrival at the peak the netting lanes were cleared and nets
erected. This usually took the afternoon of the first day and the
better part of the second. As quickly as nets were up they were
serviced as often as possible. This was usually at one or two hour
intervals depending upon the number of birds being captured. The
number of nets in operation varied from 17 to 27, but was usually
around 25. They were placed in identical positions used previously,
Table 1, except where old lanes vere abandoned because of poor
collections. The net locations were selected so as to sample most of
the habitats. Because the sides of the mountain were precipitous not
many level areas were available limiting the number of nets that
could be effectively serviced. The nets were left up from Monday
until Saturday morning and servicing continued from an hour after
dawn until after sundown.
Fig. 4. A nct-sctting among wild bananas in a location such
as shown in Fig. 3.
Two sizes of Japanese mist nets were used; 12 meters long by
2.4 m. xvide, four panels, with 36 mm mesh for the smaller species,
and similar sized nets of 61 mm mesh for the larger forms. They
were not placed in'the net lanes in any pattern, but were used as they
were available. Many bats xvere caught and they seriously damaged
the nets, sometimes ruining nexv nets in the period of a week. Other
accidents to the nets occurred when large oxvls or nocturnal mammal
predators became entangled in and broke through them.
Coincident with the netting activities, daily lists of all species and
their numbers were recorded.
During the entire study each bird that was caught was banded,
weighed, and a blood smear taken from a toe clipping. Later in the
study the tarsal diameter, tarsal length, bill length, and lengths of
wing, tail and overall were.recorded. Ectoparasites were collected
by dusting the feathers with the commercial silicon insecticide
"Dri-die 67" and brushing out the stupefied insects and mites.
FAUNISTIC LIST
One hundred and four species were either seen or netted during
the study. These are listed in Table 2 and the months of observation
indicated. Observing the birds in this ericaceous forest presented
the same problem that it did in the dense lowland dipterocarp forest,
the birds could not be seen readily. Therefore, no numerical tally of
any accuracy was possible.
Although several species of birds breeding in the north overwinter
in Malaya or Sumatra, they do not arrive in great numbers, nor are
there extensively used flight routes. By the time the birds reach this
":'--::1/2: % ' ...... '""' ..... "'-%'--'i' " '"".' "'"
, ß .., ...... "
.... ... :..-1/2-. ::;:,. 4-----'-''::: ß ,. ...... ......-.'.::;.....
.......... ::. ,. q... ...... -:-:.,,:..- ...:;:.; ß.. ß . ... 1/2...- --.... :.
..... ...... , ....
...... ,; ..... -1/2-; ;1/2':-?=.,';-?.::....'.. ...... -., ........... ,;4...::?.. ,:.-,;.....,.,?:.:1/2 ....
, 1/2 .... ;.;;1/2( . .: ..-..:.. . . .:; ::::: . :.--%;:.1/21/2:::;'.....-.' ,:,.--...,: .. ,;?. ': . .
'.:" ',::, :.?.-..7:.:....... ":' "....: ..... /'X .'.:,.?:::::;'.= .;-.,. ;'. .... '...":.::?'-,,!-"
'., '.___ J
Fig. 5. Banding a migratory Grey-headed Thrush, shoMng
equipment used.
148] H. Elliott McClure Bird-Banding
July
V'ol: XXXV Arian Bionomics in Malaya [149
1964
I I I
150] H. Elliott McClure Bird-Banding
July
Vbl. xxxv Arian Bionomics in Malaya [151
1964
I I
152] H. Elliott McClure Bird-Banding
July
Vol. XXXV Arian Bionomics in Malaya [153
1964
I I I I
I I
I I
I I I I
154] H. Elliott McClure Bird-Banding
July
Vol. XXXV Arian Bionomics in Malaya [155
1964:
156] H. Elliott McClure Bird-Banding
July
Vol. XXXV Arian Bionomics in Malaya [157
1964
158] H. Elliott McClure Bird-Bandi
July
I I
Vol. XXXV Arian Bionomics in Malaya [159
1964
] I[ '
160]
H. Elliott McClure
Bird-Banding
July
Vol. XXXV Arian Bionomics in Malaya [ 161
1964
162] H. Elliott McClure Bird-Banding
July
0 0 0 C? . c
latitude their numbers have been thinned until they infiltrate the
habitats rather than sweep through them. There appears to be con-
siderable movement along and across the main range, but the radio
towers of Mr. Brinehang, buried in fog most of the time, were not
hazardous to the migrants. Table 3 lists the few birds that were
picked up beneath the towers over the three years. Of the 15 species
recorded l0 were probably migrants.
SPECIES NETTED
The netting results for the twelve trips are given in Table 4. The
netter is beset by many problems in this type of habitat. The popu-
lation is not a dense one and the birds do not establish flight patterns
as seen in the temperate zone. Netting is strictly a blind operation
for there is no way of knowing if the local birds will pass near a
given net or not. Some nets may take a fexv birds regularly, but
others will be sporadic in the take. Further, since there is generally
no flow of birds through the habitat, except when a bird wave passes,
the first and second days of netting will be the best days of yield.
Once the local birds have been caught they avoid the location and
the take immediately drops. Had there been alternate netting lanes
to be used the nets would have been shifted regularly, but the pre-
cipitous slopes and dense vegetation made this difficult. It is be-
cause of these problems that only 1413 birds of 65 species were taken.
One hundred and seventy-eight or 12.5 percent of these were re-
captured bringing the number of birds taken per net per day to .9.
The kinds and number of birds netted at each of five altitudes
are shown in Tables 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. At the 5000 foot level where
nets were in dense thickets amid tree ferns and fruit bearing trees
the average take per l0 nets per week was 55 birds. Highest take
was in November 1960 when the trees were heavily laden with
berries. Twenty-seven species were represented here.
Five hundred feet higher in a banana blanketed valley with dense
thickets of low trees 44 species were captured and the population
fluctuated from a low of 28 birds per ten nets in February 1960 to a
high of 82 per ten nets in March 1963 with an average catch of
51 birds.
At 5700 feet nets were placed on a crest amid dense ericaceous
shrubs and along a streamside beneath bananas and shrubs. Here
28 species were collected and the population density varied from as
low as 20 per ten nets in December 1961 to 95 per ten nets in March
1962. The average was 50 birds.
At 6200 feet the nets were put on a crest of ericaceous shrubs
above which they extended several feet and along animal paths
under a canopy of gnarled trees. More birds were taken at the crest
where they swooped low over the vegetation than in the forest
corridors and 28 species were collected. In March 1962, 28 Gray-
headed Thrush were netted at the crest making this the highest take
for one net for the five-year study. Without the March 1962 and
1963 totals the take here averaged 28 birds per l0 nets per week.
With the March totals it was 50.
164] H. Elliott McClure Bird-Banding
July
Vol. XXXV Arian Bionomics in Malaya [165
1964
TABLE 10. AVERAGE NUMBER OF BIRDS TAKEN AT EACH
ALTITUDE ON MT. BRINCHANG, INDICATED AS TAKE PER 100
NETS. "W" INDICATES WINTER RESIDENTS ONLY.
Altitude
5000 5500 5700 6200 6600
1. Asiatic Sparrow Hawk (W) 12 i -- 6 --
2. Mr. Scops Owl 15 5 6 16 --
3. Golden-throated Barber 19 19 -- 23 45
4. Fire-tufted Barber 4 12 -- 6 3
5. Barn Swallow (W) -- -- -- 3 20
6. Lesser Racquet-tailed Drongo 4 7 3 19 8
7. Mr. Streaked Bulbul 76 59 28 106 35
8. Streaked Wren Babbler -- 2 9 6 --
9. Grey-throated Tree Babbler 35 22 22 -- 7
10. Golden Tree Babbler 4 8 3 -- 8
11. Chestnut-capped Laughing Thrush 8 7 -- -- 10
12. Red-headed Laughing Thrush 42 28 34 6 32
13. Silver-eared Mesia 19 21 46 -- --
14. Black-eared Shrike Babbler -- i 19 -- --
15. Chestnut-headed Nun Babbler -- 13 6 -- 33
16. Mr. Nun Babbler 31 36 65 19 49
17. Chestnut-tailed Siva -- 19 31 34 140
18. Long-tailed Sibia -- 9 3 19 32
19. White-throated Fantail Flycatcher 23 7 31 3 2
20. Niltava 53 39 43 18
21. Blue and Orange Flycatcher -- 8 -- 16 18
22. Rufous-breasted Blue Flycatcher 4 9 13 -- 10
23. Mugimaki Flycatcher (W) 4 4 -- 5
24. Little Pied Flycatcher -- 3 7 -- --
25. White-tailed Blue Robin 46 2 -- --
26. Lesser Shortwing 4 7 12 -- --
27. Slaty-backed Forktail -- -- 50 --
28. Grey-headed Thrush (W) 84 40 -- 132 50
29. Siberian Ground Thrush (W) 35 57 3 19 7
30. Yellow-breasted Flycatcher-warbler -- 2 7 3
31. Green Leaf Warbler 4 4 -- -- 2
32. Black-breasted Sunbird 4 4 9 -- 25
33. Streaked Spiderhunter 23 23 19 9 --
Nets were placed just below the peak around the radio station
and the largest series of birds was taken here. This did not reflect
the resident population for the birds came up the mountain each
morning to glean the insects about the floodlights. Thirty-nine
species were taken, with an average of 61 birds per 10 nets per week.
The number of birds visiting the area dropped from an average of
68 per 10 nets during the three observations in 1959 when 10 lights
were in operation to 32 per 10 nets in 1960 when only 3 lights were
operating. In 1961 the number returned to 61 per 10 nets and in
March 1962 intercepted flocks of thrushes and Chestnut-tailed
Sivas increased the take to 117 per 10 nets, highest numbers for the
study.
The altitude preference for 33 species captured regularly is SLllll-
marized in Table 10. The positions of the nets may have introduced
an error in this method of summary, for nets favorably placed may
take more individuals in one location even though the actual popu-
lation may be lower. The Golden-throated Barber was more
abundant below the peak than at it, but nearly twice as many in-
dividuals were taken there than lower down because they canhe to
the peak for berries. The Chestnut-tailed Siva came to the peak for
insects. In other cases the numbers netted is indicative of the
population, i.e. the White-tailed Blue Robin reaches its altitudinal
limit at 5500 feet and very few were found higher. Txvcnty-two
species were distributed over the entire peak.
SPECIES MEASUREMENTS
Robinson and Chasen (1927, 1928, 1936, 1939) summarized the
measurements of all the Malayan species. Because ring sizes ade-
quate for Malayan birds have not been established, measurements
were made of the tarsal diameter or width along its longest axis and
tarsal lengths from hallux to the ankle joint (knee). Measurements
of 54 species are given in Table 11. Body, wing, and tail lengths are
given in inches since wear of the feathers precludes accurate measure-
mont. The more permanent tissues, tarsal diameter, tarsal length,
and bill length from gape to tip are given in millimeters.
WEIGHTS
No summary of the weights of Malayan birds has come to the
author's attention. Most of the birds trapped during the study were
weighed on a metric balance in the field. Because of the variables
such as length of time in the net, time since last feeding, passage or
retention of fcccs, etc., the weights were recorded to the nearest
gram.
The weights for 64 species are given in Table 12. Some species
were captured during several periods of observation and \vhcrc more
than three per month were taken the average weight for that period
was determined. These are given in Table 13. Only two of the 17
species listed here were migrants, the Gray-headed and Siberian
Ground Thrushes. Both species were lighter in November and
showed weight gains in March before returning north. Soon after
leaving the nest juvenile passerinc birds attain weights similar to
those of adults. Therefore, months of reduced weight averages need
not indicate periods when the population was saturated with
juveniles.
It is probably not justifiable to draw any conclusions from these
weight data since the observations are scattered over a four-year
period. However, periods of maximum weight appear to fall in the
quarter December, January, February for the Golden-throated
Barber; March, April, May for the Mr. Streaked Bulbul, Red-
headed Laughing Thrush, Chestnut-tailed Siva; June, July, August
for Mr. Nun Babbler, Niltara, Streaked Spiderhunter; and during
September, October, November these species appeared to be of
average or below average weight. Table 13.
168] H. Elliott McClure Bird-Banding
July
Vol. XXXV Arian Bionomics in Malaya [169
1964
TABLE 12.
H. Elliott McClure Bird-Banding
July
SOME WEIGHTS OF LIVING BIRDS AT MT. BRINCHANG
Ave.
Number Weight Weight
Weighed Ranges Grams
1. Asiatic Sparrow Hawk F 2 103/133 118.0
M 4 94/100 98.0
2. Bare-throated Tree Partridge 1 320 --
3. Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon 1 205 --
4. Barred Cuckoo Dove 2 153/172 162.5
5. Lesser Cuckoo Dove 3 74/88 80.0
6. Drongo-cuckoo I 29 --
7. Mr. Scops Owl 16 60/77 67.5
8. Pygmy Owlet 3 50/52 50.6
9. House Swift I 25 --
10. Red-headed Trogon 4 75/84 80.0
11. Golden-throated Barber 54 50/73 63.5
12. Fire-tufted Barber 18 115/149 129.1
13. Large Yellow-naped Woodpecker 3 120/130 124.0
14. Bay Woodpecker 4 114/122 116.7
15. Barn Swallow 13 12/17 15.0
16. Brown Shrike I 33 --
17. Lesser Racquet-tailed Drongo 19 40/50 43.1
18. White-vented Graybird 8 87/102 93.3
19. Black and White Bulbul 1 31 --
20. Crested Bulbul I 43 --
21. Mr. Streaked Bulbul 126 25/40 32.5
22. Black-crested Yellow Bulbul 3 25/33 28.3
23. Ashy Bulbul 5 31/34 32.6
24. Hardwick's Leafbird 2 27/35 31.0
25. Fairy Bluebird 3 51/60 56.3
26. Large Scimitar Babbler 3 79/82 80.0
27. Streaked Wren Babbler 10 14/22 19.5
28. Pygmy Wren Babbler 1 13 --
29. Gray-throated Tree Babbler 42 13/20 15.8
30. Golden Tree Babbler 13 7/10 9.0
31. Chestnut-capped Laughing Thrush 17 51/70 62.0
32. Red-headed Laughing Thrush 68 62/95 71.7
33. Silver-eared Mesia 41 24/36 28.4
34. Cutia 2 46/52 49.0
35. Red-winged Shrike Babbler 1 33 --
36. Black-eared Shrike Babbler 7 12/15 13.3
37. Chestnut-headed Nun Babbler 41 11/20 12.5
38. Mt. Nun Babbler 90 13/20 15.8
39. Chestnut-tailed Siva 111 16/22 19.2
40. Blue-winged Siva 9 16/19 17.4
41. Long-tailed Sibia 29 35/49 42.4
42. White-throated Fantail Flycatcher 24 11/15 12.9
43. Niltara 4 24/40 32.0
44. Blue and Orange Flycatcher 24 17/24 20.0
45. Little Pied Flycatcher 5 7.5/12 9.1
46. Rufous-breasted Blue Flycatcher 19 6/12 8.2
47. Mugimaki Flycatcher 9 10/14 11.7
48. Green Leaf Warbler 5 7/9 7.8
49. Yellow-breasted Flycatcher-warbler 9 5/7 6.4
50. Siberian Blue Robin 1 13 --
51. Rufous-headed Robin 1 18 --
52. $Vhite-tailed Blue Robin 13 26/30 27.8
53. Lesser Shortwing 15 13/18 15.8
54. Slaty-backed Forktail 13 25/38 31.0
55. Gray-headed Thrush 136 45/80 62.6
56. Siberian Ground Thrush 76 62/90 75.5
TABLE 12. SOME WEIGHTS OF LIVING BIRDS AT MT. BRINCHANG
Ave.
Number Weight Weight
Weighed Ranges Grams
57. Orange-headed Thrush 1 60 --
58. Malayan Whistling Thrush 5 87/105 99.2
59. Tree Pipit 2 21/23 22.0
60. Oriental White-eye I 9 --
61. Black-breasted Sunbird 22 3/7 5.3
62. Little Spiderhunter 2 14/15 14.5
63. Lesser Yellow-eared Spiderhunter 1 23 --
64. Streaked Spiderhunter 34 23/35 30.7
65. Brown Bullfinch 2 20/23 21.5
Total 1278 49.6
BREEDING
No systematic search for nests was made, but several fledglings or
juveniles were netted or observed. The observations of nesting
activities are summarized in Table 14. The greatest number of
juveniles, fledglings, or parents carrying food to nestlings was noted
during the May 1961 trip. This suggested that April was peak month
of nesting for the mountain. There was evidence of nesting for 21_
species and 15 of these observations were made during the May trip,
4 in March 1962, and only 6 in earlier or later months.
TERRITO RIALITY
Records from individual birds showed a strong tendency in many
species to remain in very restricted areas. "Territory" here refers
to the area where the individual was repeatedly captured. Table 15
lists the information by individuals. In every instance except where
a change of altitude is indicated the bird was caught in identical or
adjacent nets at each recapture. Records are given for 28 species
and 143 individuals. A mountain scops owl moved over an altitude
of 500 feet and a distance of nearly a mile. Two Silver-cared Mesias
moved a distance of 1/4 mile and 200 feet altitude. The Mountain-
streaked Bulbuls moved about the mountain in small flocks and
were not restricted to such small ranges during the year. Seven of
21 birds recaptured were taken in nets at different altitudes and
distances from one another, varying from a few yards apart to the
entire distance from the peak to 5500 foot level. Two White-tailed
Blue Robins had shifted about 1/2 mile from 5000 to 5500 feet. One
White-throated Fantail Flycatcher made a similar shift. Only one
of 12 Niltavas moved from its point of original capture. The Spider-
hunters shifted from 5000 to 5500 feet between clumps of wild
banana. A female Blue-and-Orange Flycatcher ringed at the peak
was collected there in May 1963 and the band was reported.
A few individuals of the larger more conspicuous species were
color banded in 1959. Observations of these birds provided further
evidence of their restriction to limited territories. Color marked
birds are indicated in Table 15.
172] H. Elliott McClure Bird-Banding
July
Vol. XXXV Avian Bionomics in Malaya [ 173
1964
174] H. Elliott McClure Bird-Banding
July
Vol. XXXV
1964 Arian Bionomics in Malaya [175
176] H. Elliott McClure Bird-Banding
July
Vol. XXXV Arian Bionomics in Malaya [177
1964
Bird-Banding
178] H. Elliott McClure July
Vol. XXXV
196 Avian Bionomics in Malaya [ 179
¸
¸
¸
¸
180] H. Elliott McClure Bird-Banding
July
SURVIVAL
The survival rate of the species in this habitat appeared to be
high. Low population densities per species and reduced reproductive
potential (most species laying only two eggs per clutch) would tend
to support the suggestion that environmental pressures are low.
Individuals of 28 species were rotrapped at intervals up to 40 months
and these data are summarized in Table 16. The data presented in
this Table can be misleading because the length of time since first
capture is not considered. Two types of correction for this are pre-
sented in Table 17 which compares the survival based upon the num-
ber of birds marked for the period given with the survival based on
the number of birds known to be in the area for at least a month
following first capture. The average for the eleven species suggests
that about one-sixth (15.8 percent) of the birds remained in the area
in which the nets were set. When only these "resident" birds are
considered the survival rate appears to be high (B of Table 17) for
65 percent of them were still in their areas six months after initial
trapping and for 3 species 7 percen remained after 3 years.
Golden-throated Barber: This is a common resident of the hill
country. Like other barbers it is wide-ranging following the ripcning
of fruits. Those individuals which were recaptured xvcrc probably
retracing routes that they had previously followed.
Mountain-streaked Bulbul: These bulbuls traveled in noisy flocks
of up to 20 individuals and ranged over the whole peak. Banded
individuals were captured at various altitudes. The flocks tended to
use regular routes of travel so that individuals were recaptured up to
3 years after banding.
Red-headed Laughing Thrush: This is a ground babbler which
rarely flies and which has restricted territories. Color marked in-
dividuals at the radio station divided the area around hc lights
among themselves and did not encroach upon other territories with-
out a scuffle. They were among the first birds to begin feeding each
morning and during the breeding season brought fledglings with
thcm. One marked with red was regularly seen at the peak over a
three-year period. It was a male which did not change his territory
for two years. During the third year his original territory was taken
over by another male and he was restricted to an adjoining one.
Because of these strong territorial affinities nearly a third of the
birds were recaptured.
Silver-cared Mcsia: These beautiful birds traveled over the
mountain in small flocks. The flocks appeared to have daily routes
of ravcl but these were changed as fruit and insects became avail-
able. That they were not recaptured at intervals pa'st a year sug-
gests that they did not utilize the same areas regularly.
Chestnut-headed Nun-babbler: Like the previous species this one
travels in flocks, usually intermingled with Mountain Nun-babblers
and Chestnut-tailed Sivas. These Nun-babblers are a tiny delicate
species which may not have a long period of life. Only one was re-
captured over a period as great as 18 months.
Mountain Nun-babbler: Another small species which travels in
mixed flocks. Individuals remained long periods in the same ter-
ritories. The species was widely distributed over the mountain but
among our observation areas was concentrated at the peak and at
5500 feet. They appeared to be long lived with a good rate of
survival.
Chestnut-tailed Siva: The third regular constituent of feeding
flocks was this siva which was in approximately the same abundance
as the Mountain Nun-babbler and had similar feeding habits. Both
species feed through low shrubbery seeking out small insects. They
were regular morning attendants at the lights of the station and
were recaptured often.
Long-tailed Sibia: This large babbler traveled in family groups
or flocks including several families and a flock ranged over the entire
peak above 5000. Individuals were color marked and were noted at
a distance from the station. The flock came up the mountain each
morning to glean insects about the lights and returned to lower levels
after feeding. They are probably long lived but so wide ranging that
they were not caught repeatedly.
Niltara: Although this luminescent blue flycatcher was always
present it was not abundant during summer months. They nested
on the peak and juvenile birds were netted in June and July. In-
dividuals repeated in the nets up to two years after banding.
Slaty-backed Forktail: These beautiful black and white birds
were limited to the stream beds and did not reach the peak. The
population was about a pair to each watershed tributary, but they
were very nervous birds and deserted the streams where we were
netting.
Streaked Spiderhunter: This species was most restricted in its
habitat requirements and was limited to the areas of wild banana.
Wild banana is a secondary invader in disturbed forest and occurred
up to 6000 feet wherever the road construction had denuded the
soil. Streaked Spiderhunters were most difficult to remove from the
nets and struggled until they died of exhaustion unless quickly re-
moved. They are probably long lived for one of those recaptured
regularly was still alive at 2 1/2 years.
SUMMARY
The birds of the upper 1600 feet of the 6600 foot peak, Mt. Brinchang, in western Pahang, Malaya, were under observation for 12 one-week intervals between September 1958 and March 1963. Of the 104 species noted 65 species were netted and 1413 individuals banded. Data are presented concerning the weights, measurements, ranges, and survival of these marked birds.
LITERATURE CITED
ALLIN, E. K. and EDa, A.J. 1948. Notes on the nesting of some birds of the
Malayan mountains. Malayan Nature Jr., 3: 51-57.
ALLEN, F. G. 1952. Some notes on birds nesting at Fraser's Hill, Malayan Nature
Jr., 7: 84-90.
1953. Further notes on birds nesting at Fraser's Hill. Malayan Nature Jr.,
8: 16-22.
1957. Some notes on the birds of Cameron Highlands, Malayan Nature Jr.,
11: 39-41.
BROtLEZ, E. H. 1949. Notes on the birds of some parts of Kedah, Bull. of Ra2es
Mus., 19: 120-132.
1952. A note on birds seen at Maxwcll's Hill, Pcrak, April 1950 and February
1951. Bull. Raes Mus., 24: 199-218.
FTZGERAnD, D.V. 1940. The ascent of Gunong Korber from Kclantan. Malay
Forester, 9: 119-122.
MADoc, G. C. 1960. A visit to Gunong Tahan. Malayan Nature Jr., 14: 95-107.
NEWtAaK, G.H. 1955. Birds seen at Maxwell's Hill, April 1955. Malayan
Nature Jour., 10: 9-12.
ROBtNSON, H. C. 1909. The birds at present known from the mountains of the
Malay Peninsula, Jour. Fed. Malay States Mus., 2: 164-222.
ROBtNSON, H. C. 1928. The birds of the Malay Peninsula, Vol. II, the birds of the
hill stations. H. F. & G. Witherby, London.
STRUGNEnn, E. J. and MEAD, J.P. 1937. An ascent of Gunong Tahan. Malay.
Forester, 6: 131-140.
SYMtNaTON, D.F. 1936. The flora of Gunong Tapis, Pahang; with notes on the
altitudinal zonation of the forests of the Malay Peninsula. Jour. Malay. Br.
Asiat. Soc., 14: 335-364.
U.S. Army Medical Research Unit, Institute for Medical Research,
Kuala Lumpur, Malasia (current address: Migratory Animal Patho-
logical Survey, Box 6119, APO 323, San Francisco, Calif.)
Received January, 1964.