milk is too trifling in quantity to be useful, and
the slaughter of them, publicly at least, is forbidden
even to strangers. When, during our
stay, we wanted beef for our table, our servants
were obliged to go three or four miles out of
town, and to slaughter the animals at night.
The wild cattle, for the protection of religion
does not extend to them, are shot by professed
huntsmen on account of their hides, horns, bones,
and flesh, which last, after being converted into
jerk beef, forms an article of commerce to China.
Within the tract of the Menam, the Buffalo (Bos
Bubalus) called by the Siamese both by the native
term of Kwai, and the Malayan one Karbu,
is more frequent than the ox, being by its superior
strength and habits more suitable for agricultural
labour in the deep and marshy soil which
prevails in this situation. The Siamese Buffalo
in all respects resembles the same animal as it
exists among the Eastern Islands, and unless the
Rhinoceros and Hippopotamus be excepted, is,
after the Elephant, the largest of all quadrupeds.
Respecting the birds of Siam, neither the state
of my information respecting them, nor my general
acquaintance with the subject, will enable
me to furnish any thing better than mere gleanings.
The birds of prey which we had an opportunity
of seeing, were a White Eagle, of which
various specimens were obtained and drawings
made, and the Vulture (Vultur) the same species
found in Bengal, and here exhibiting on the
tops of the Siamese temples, and close to the
places where funerals are performed, its sluggish
and disgusting form waiting for its prey. The
Kite, ( AJilvus) is also very common. The two
last, with the carrion Crow (Corvus corone), are
found in vast numbers near the Siamese capital,
and never being disturbed by the inhabitants,
their impudence and familiarity is excessive. Not
less frequent is the domestic Sparrow ( Fringilla
domestica), with more' than its European familiarity.
In proceeding towards the Equator, it
appears here for the last time, not to my knowledge
being found in any Asiatic country to the
south of Siam, except in a few spots where it
has been introduced by Europeans.
The Swallow which produces the esculent nest
(Hirundo esculenta), is found within the Siamese
territory, both on the east coast of the Bay of
Bengal, and the west coast of that of Siam. It
does not, however, exist, according to the information
which we received, on the east coast of the
latter, which appears a little singular.
The gallinaceous birds which we ascertained to
exist in Siam, are the common peacock, (Pavo
cristatus), the cock, (Phasianus gattus), a new
species ot fire-backed pheasant, (Phasiamus ig-
nitus), the quail, (Tetrao coturnix), with many
species of pigeons. The peacock is numerous
in the Siamese forests, where it is shot for its
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