306 Mr. R. Swinhoe on Formosan Ornithology. 



68. Calamoherpe canturians. 



Arundinax canturians, Swinhoe, Ibis, 1860, p. 52. 



This bush-loving species, common in China (from Canton to 

 Shanghai), is also found in Formosa. Indeed, it was in Formosa 

 that I first discovered the species in 1856. I for a long time 

 thought that this was merely the S. cantans of the ' Fauna 

 Japonica,' but my late visit to the Leyden Museum has decided 

 this question in the negative. 



(S , shot at Tamsuy, 6th March, 1 862. Length 6*6 in. ; wing 3 ; 

 tail 3. Its gizzard contained Diptera and larvae. 



It appears to be with us a resident species, as I have procured 

 specimens in winter as well as in summer. It creeps about the 

 hedges much in the manner of Sylvia cinerea of Europe, and 

 utters a warning note, when approached, a good deal resembling 

 that of that bird. Its song is a short trilling note, sweet, but 

 never varied. 



69. Calamoherpe minuta. 



Arundinax minutus, Swinhoe, Ibis, 1860, p. 52. 



This miniature of the above is also a bush-frequenting bird, 

 but of livelier habits. It is quite distinct from Salicaria can- 

 tillans of the ' Fauna Japonica.^ I have repeatedly procured it at 

 Amoy in spring ; but I have reason to think that in South China, 

 as in Formosa, some stay all the year through. It suspends 

 its pretty nest between the stalks of grasses and reeds. It is 

 formed of grasses and fibres, lined with finer materials and cat- 

 kins. The inside cup is very deep, and usually contains five 

 clear greenish-blue eggs, averaging -64 by '5 in. When disturbed 

 on its nest, the bird flies to an adjoining tree, hiding itself among 

 the foliage, but continuing to repeat an impatient " chwr " note 

 until the intruder moves away. 



70. Phyllopneuste iuscata. 

 Phylloscopus fuscatus, Blyth. 



Sylvia [Phtjllopneuste] sibirica, Middendorff, Sibirische Reise, 

 p. 180. 



This brown Siberian species of the Willow- Wren group appears 

 in winter to spread itself all throughout India and China, and a 

 few find their way during that season even to Formosa. 



