Letters, Extracts from Corresjmndence, Notices, ^c. 427 



The only two other birds procured, of special interest, are a 

 Waxvving [Ampelis phoemcoptcra) and a Ninox japonicus. The 

 former new to the Formosan fauna, and, I presume, only an 

 accidental visitor ; the latter only observed before, and not pro- 

 cured. Yours &c., Robert Swinhoe. 



Tarasuy, Formosa, June 2nd, 1804. 

 Sir, — I have before observed that the Black Crow {Corvus 

 sinensis, Gould) in the south of China is locally distributed. 

 At Swatow it is common ; at Amoy it gives place to the white- 

 ringed C. pectoralis, Gould ; and at Foochow it is scarce, but 

 still holds its ground with the White-neck. At Peking it is 

 the Crow, C. pecior-alis being there a somewhat rare bird. In 

 Formosa the Black Crow is extremely wild, and restricted to the 

 hills. About the plains of Taiwanfoo I never saw it, nor does it 

 occur in the immediate neighbourhood of this place. Among 

 the wooded hills further up this river it is frequently seen ; and 

 I found a pair breeding on the south shore of the river, in a well- 

 wooded valley about seven miles distant from here. I only suc- 

 ceeded in securing a nearly fledged young bird. But on a recent 

 visit to Sawo Harbour, on the east side, I was pleased to fall in 

 with two pairs, and succeeded in securing a male, and, from its 

 appearance, I think there is good reason to consider it a peculiar 

 species. The noisy and singular cries of this bird are very 

 similar to those of the Chinese species. I have before com- 

 mented on the superstitious reverence for this bird shown by 

 the Chinese colonists, and the fruitless attempts I have made to 

 urge them to bring me specimens. I therefore propop.c to 

 specify it as the 



Corvus colonorum, n. sp. 6 . Length 34-5 in. Wing 14*3 

 in. ; first quill 3*7 in. shorter than second, which is 1-3 in. shorter 

 than third, which is nearly equal to fifth, and about '25 in. 

 shorter than fourth — the longest in the wing; the primaries all 

 narrow towards their tips. Tail 9"3 in., nearly equally graduated, 

 the outer feather being 1*2 in. shorter than the longest; all the 

 rectrices obtusely ended, their shafts being curved inwardly. 

 Bill along culmen 2*6 in. ; greatest depth 1 in. Tarse 1-3 in. 



2 f2 



