428 Mr. R. Swinhoe on Formosan Ornithology. 



170. Larus crassirostris, Vieill. : Bp. Consp. p. 212. 

 L. melanurus, Schlegel, Faun. Japon. 



This is the first of the Gulls that arrive at the mouths of our 

 rivers aud on our shores. After severe N.E. winds, numbers of the 

 two following reach us ; but of all three species, young birds bear 

 a large proportion to those in adult plumage. 



171. Larus niveus, Pall. 



L. kamtschatkensis, Bp. Consp. p. 224. 

 L. canus major, Middend. 



172. Larus cachinnans, Pall. 



L. fuscus of my Amoy List, Ibis, 1860, p. 68. 



173. Chroicocephalus kittlitzii, Bruch. 



This small black-hooded Gull is at once to be distinguished 

 by its thick, heavy black bill. It frequents our rivers in flocks 

 in winter, flying up stream when the tide retires, and feeding 

 upon the exposed shoals. 



174. Chroicocephalus ridibundus (L.). 



A few of these occur occasionally in company with the last, 

 but they are comparatively rare. 



175. Hydrochelidon indica (Steph.). 

 Sterna hyhrida, Pall. 



S. leucopareia, Natterer. 



This species, distributed throughout Asia and its islands, 

 and known to British ornithologists by the name of the Whis- 

 kered Tern, was not uncommon on the marshy lands of S.W. 

 Formosa. I have not yet noted it in China, though doubtless 

 it must occur there. A fine male, brought to me 28th August, 

 had the bill deep brownish lake-red; legs and toes Indian or 

 madder-red, with black claws. Its stomach contained several 

 large larvae of a water beetle {Dytiscus, sp.) and a few small 

 fish. Intestines very thin, 16 inches long, and devoid of cseca. 



The Black Tern of S. Europe, H. nigra, L. {S. fissipes. Pall.), 

 wrongly referred in my Amoy List (Ibis, 1860, p. 68) to H. 

 javanica, Horsf. (a species common throughout China), did not 

 occur in Formosa. 



