382 Mr. R. Swinhoe on Formosan Ornithology. 



that ever I witnessed ; and yet it draws forth the admiration of 

 the females ; for while he is so engaged, numbers draw round 

 him and bend their heads forward to listen. 



93. Heterornis sinensis. 

 Oriolus sinensis, Gm. 



O. bujfonianus, Shaw. 



Pastor turdiformis, Wagler. 



Sturnia cana, Blyth (the young). 



This summer visitant to South China winters in Pegu. In 

 its summer migrations the neighbourhood of Amoy appears to 

 be its northern limit ; for it is not found in Foochow. It is not 

 a regular visitant to Formosa, a few only straggling to the south- 

 west coast, about Apes' Hill, in autumn and spring. These do 

 not stay, but leave again so soon as their strength and the 

 weather permit - 



94. Sturnus cineraceus, Temm. PI. Col. 563 ; Faun. Japon. 

 pi. 45. 



This species visits our Formosan plains in large flocks at the 

 end of October and beginning of November. These range about 

 the country, feeding largely on the figs of the Chinese banyan. 

 In spring they all return northerly. On the south coast of 

 China they are also winter visitants, retiring to Mantchuria and 

 Japan to breed. This species and the S. sericeus, Gmel., are 

 closely allied in form and habits, and appear to link the small 

 Heterornis group of Starlings with the true Sturnus. 



95. Acridotheres cristatellus, L. 

 Pastor philippensis, Temm. 



This is doubtless the bird described by Linnseus from speci- 

 mens brought home by Osbeck from Canton ; but the name has, 

 unfortunately, by later ornithologists been applied to numerous 

 cognate forms. In China our bird abounds from Canton to 

 Shanghai. It is common in the level country of Formosa, and, 

 I believe, occurs also in the Philippines. I have compared my 

 specimens from Formosa with some from China, and found them 

 identical. It is, like the Sparrow, of very domestic habits, being 

 partial to the haunts of man, and frequenting the roofs of houses 

 and temples. The Chinese entertain a great love for it, and often 



