CHAPTER XXI. 



The Wading Birds of North China. 



Few even amongst those who make the gun and rod their hobby, 

 and spend many a pleasant week-end along the river's bank or in a 

 house boat on the fens, realize what a great variety of wading birds 

 there is. This is doubtless due to the fact that the man with the gun, 

 if he be a true sportsman, seldom fires at anything he does not know 

 to be good for the pot, so that he comes to know a few species well and 

 is often ignorant of all the rest. On the other hand the man with the 

 rod is usually too absorbed in his float or flytackle to heed the numerous 

 other attractions of his holiday resort. The man who derives the 

 greatest pleasure and profit from nature's marvellous store is he, who. 

 setting out with sight and hearing alert, is prepared to sacrifice a good 

 bag in order to follow up and learn what he can about some unfamiliar 

 bird that has crossed his path. And what a world of wonder will open 

 cut before; him! He will be at a loss to name the numerous species 

 he encounters. He will see strange sights which he will be unable to 

 account for. Turning up his books he will be confused by close 

 scientific descriptions and terms, or if they be popular ones, they 

 will be sure to omit just the bird he is looking for. To such 

 an one the following notes may be useful. I cannot pretend that my 

 list will be either complete or infallible, but it may serve in assisting the 

 local sportsman, who is interested in something other than merely how 

 many couple he can bag, to identify and correctly name the many 

 interesting birds he sees. 



The largest wading bird common to North China is the black stork 

 (Ciconia nigra). This handsome species frequents the clear streams 

 and rivers in the vicinity of high and precipitous cliffs, in the crags 

 of which it builds its nest and rears its young. It may only be seen in 

 such coastal regions as Tientsin during the spring and autumn migra- 

 tions. It is considerably larger than the heron, and has the head, neck, 

 back, wings and tail of a jet black, the feathers of the head and neck 

 being shot with iridescent hues. The breast and belly are white. The 

 beak, face, eyes and legs are of a fine vermilion colour. The plumage 



