On the occurrence of Mus surifer, G.S. Miller, in Perak
This short note by A. L. Butler records the first confirmed occurrence of Mus surifer, G. S. Miller, in Perak, based on specimens collected in the Larut Hills and Maxwell’s Hill.
Summary
Butler draws attention to Miller’s 1900 description of seven new rat species from the mountains of Trong, Siam, and records M. surifer from the Larut Hills, Perak, noting that at least some of the other new species probably follow the main range down the Peninsula (p. 137). He recounts his own experience of first trapping a specimen near the Hut, Maxwell’s Hill, in February 1898—only to lose it to a small carnivore—and then successfully trapping a live individual the following year, which he kept briefly before it escaped in Kuala Lumpur. A damaged specimen obtained from coolies was sent in spirit to Oldfield Thomas, who confirmed its identity as M. surifer (p. 137).