Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1893-05-17
In the Jungles of Malaysia,


the great mammalian varieties are
to be found-the tiger, the ele-
phant, rhinoceros, tapir, orang-ou-
tang, siamang, etc.; in Java, the ell
ephant tapir, and orang-outang are
missing, but the rhinoceros and
tiger are represented. In BorneC
all these large animals are unknown
now, though, doubtless, they exist
ed there in former days. Sumatra
offers less inducement to the gener-
al order of visitors than the other
two mentioned above for several
reasons. The climate is worse
venomous snakes are more numer-
Gus, and the greater part of the is
land, which is still unopened up, is
occupied by Batak tribes, who dc
not encourage strangers.
This part of the world has been
extensively colonized by the Dutch
says the London Field, who seem
to have made themselves universal.
ly hated, owing to the high-handed
manner with which they treated
the natives. If the stranger can
succeed in persuading the Malay
that though white he is not q
Dutchman, he will probably be
well received. People who have
had an opportunity of judging Of
their character pronounce these
natives to be peaceable, docile
sober, and Industrious, and the
most truthful of the Asiatic races,
and, in addition, skillful workers.
The shikari will find the going
bad in. such regions as have nc
roads. For hours sometimes he
will have to wade waist deep in
Shiny slush, not frequently finding
himself, like the lrishman in the
story, "up to the ankles in mud,
but as he forgot to mention, "head
downward" Added to this he
must be prepared to view everything
through perfect maze of mosque
toes. Such is the home of the
white rhinoceros, and thither the
hunter must venture who wishes to
get a shot at him. This, it may be
remarked, is by no means synony.
nous with bagging his pachyder-
matous majesty. Indeed, he often
er than not turns the tables on his
pursuer, and this considerably takes
the gilt off the "shikarial'' ginger.
bread. This monster is said to be
the only animal that will attack
man unprovoked, and considering
that, unwieldy though he looks, he
can 60 as fast as horse, the en-
counter is no joke. The retreatine
hunters best course is to seek safe.
ty up a tree; though, unless it is a
pretty stout one, this will not bet.
ter his position much. Even if il
is he may be "treed" there for {
considerable time. Unless a Euro
pean is quite fever proof and pro
vided with special firearms this
branch OF sport is better left untried
However, should he be sufficiently
venturesome to attempt the Sumat
ra jungles in spite of the above ell
umerated drawbacks, he will prob
ably find an undisturbed and well
stocked hunting ground, the islanC
being, as have been assured, fair
ly creeping with tigers" The czar
owitz has survived his trip in thes,
parts, so that there is no reason VIII,
others should be deferred so Ions
as they use ordinary care.
Monkeys abound in endless vari
ETY. in all these islands, but especial,
in Borneo. The most remarkabl,
birds were the bornbills, peacocks
pigeons of various kinds, and yer,
handsome pheasant, also severa
water birds, waders, and lovel,
kingfshers. There are said to b.
no less than 240 species of lanc
birds known to inhabit this isle o
Java, while at least forty are pc
culiar to it. On the other hand
no less than sixteen genera foun'
in the adjacent islands are absen
from this one. RhinOceros, leop
ards, wild dogs, and other smalle
game are to be met with, and dee
are abundant, but there are no an
telope or goats.
To the botanist Java would b.
full of interest, the beauty and va
riety of its fora being amazing
The island is very rich in fresl
water fishes, reptiles, and insects o
all kinds-too rich in the two las