The Malaysian members of the genus Fregata. F.N. Chasen and C.B. Kloss. Records of the Raffles Museum, No. 3
This note by F.N. Chasen and C.B. Kloss identifies and keys the frigate-bird species (genus Fregata) occurring in Malaysian waters, based on examination of specimens in the Sarawak Museum and the Buitenzorg collection (p. 63).
Summary
The authors accept Rothschild’s (1915) correction to the provenance of F. minor and establish five forms in the Malaysian avifauna: F. aquila, F. andrewsi, F. minor minor, F. minor aldabrensis, and F. ariel ariel. Identification keys for adult males and females are provided, adapted from Rothschild (p. 63).
F. a. ariel is noted as the most common frigate-bird on the coasts of the Malay Peninsula, with specimens from Pulau Tioman, Johore, Horsburgh Lighthouse, Java, and Sarawak (p. 64). The most significant finding is the attribution of three female skins from Buntal, Sarawak, and the Buitenzorg collection to F. minor aldabrensis, a form previously thought to inhabit only the Western Indian Ocean, thus extending its known range considerably (pp. 64–65).