290 Mr. R. Swinhoe on Formosan Ornithology. 



and small wild figs. In habits they connect the Fringillts 

 and the Muscicapa, assembling, like the former, in large flocks 

 and flying from tree to tree in noisy concert in search of berries, 

 and, like the latter, pursuing insects in the air. They have no 

 habits in common with the skulking Garrulax, preferring rather 

 to show themselves tame and conspicuous; no creeping from 

 bush to bush, and chattering in low and coaxing whisper, in 

 their case ; but, perching on the tops or exposed parts of bushes 

 and trees, they assemble and utter loud notes, — often, when so 

 engaged, ruffling their crests, rounding the back and tail, and 

 making the tips of their wings meet over their heads. Their 

 notes are very varied, but strikingly peculiar, and I would try 

 to syllable them if there was any chance of conveying to the 

 reader an idea of their natural sounds. In April they commence 

 nesting, but still keeping together in parties, which meet after 

 the business of the day is over and amuse themselves till night- 

 fall. They mostly build three nests in the course of the season, 

 occasionally four, laying in the first nest usually five eggs, in the 

 others that succeed three. In the interior the nest is large and 

 deep for the size of the bird ; it is usually made of grasses, lined 

 with finer samples ; but in the materials these birds are by no 

 means particular, almost anything they can gather, such as 

 scraps of paper, cotton, cloth, leaves, and feathers, being added. 

 In the site too they are not regular ; any bush or tree, of almost 

 any height from the ground, will serve their purpose ; and in the 

 usual choice of their position they show as little discernment as the 

 Hedge Sparrow [Accentor modularis) at home, frequently placing 

 their nests in most exposed situations. They generally nestle 

 in gardens close to the habitations of Chinese, and, being familiar 

 birds, are protected. When their nest is approached, they make 

 a great chattering ; but they have far less to fear from man than 

 from Magpies and Garrulaces. 



Their eggs are of a purplish-white ground-colour, spotted 

 closely and often confusedly with dark shades of brownish 

 purple-grey. They measure '9 by '65 in. 



48. Spizixos semitorques, Swinhoe, Ibis, 1861, p. 266. 

 In shape of bill this singular bird a good deal resembles a 



