376 Mr. R. Swinhoe on Formosan Ornithology. 



35. TuRDUS CHRYSOLAUS, Temm. PI. Col. 537, and Faun. 

 Japon. 



This is the only Thrush we procured in mature plumage. In 

 spring, from February to April, I observed large numbers of this 

 and the following several species about the neighbourhood ; but, 

 from their being in parties and soon again disappearing, I think 

 they only touched our coast on their northward migration. This 

 species was, however, occasionally seen in pairs, and frequently 

 procured in full plumage ; and, from this, I fancy it may stay 

 with us to breed, though I have no actual proof of the fact. 



36. TuRDUS PALLIDUS, Gm. 



T. daulias, Temm. PI. Col. 515, and Faun. Japon. 



Numbers observed and procured at Tamsuy, but not one ma- 

 ture bird. 



One of this species paid frequent visits, in January 1862, to 

 our garden at Tamsuy, and I had then opportunities of closely 

 watching its habits. He used to hop about over the weeds with 

 a stately movement. He stands upright, and turning his head 

 on one side with a knowing look, as if something caught his eye, 

 makes a bob forward and grapples the head of a worm, which he 

 extricates from its hole by repeated hops backwards. The worm 

 is in his bill. He stops for a second as if to take breath, then 

 hammers it against the ground, shaking it at times like a terrier 

 shakes a rat — then gulp, and the worm disappears. But its 

 size was large, and its moribund wriggling down the oesophagus 

 seems to produce a little inconvenience to its destroyer, for he 

 ruffles his feathers and appears discomposed. It is only for a 

 second ; he stoops his head and runs forward, with hurried step, 

 under an archway of tangled grass, and emerging further on, 

 continues his inspection of the rain -moistened mould, chuckling 

 to himself in a half-subdued tone, as if rejoicing at his luck in 

 having selected such a well-stocked beat. He stops and raises 

 his head, he hears a noise. The inta-uder alarms him, and with 

 a louder chuckle, preceded by a long sibilant " see," he wings 

 into an adjoining tree, opening his tail in flight sufficient to 

 display the white spots that ornament its lateral feathers. In 

 his retreat he keeps on muttering a chuckle at intervals. At 



