Mr. R. Swinhoe on Formosan Ornithology. 433 



tissue ; for when I dissected him, his flesh was quite hard and 

 di-y, with scarce any signs of fat about any part. Birds of prey, 

 and most birds that wander far and seek a precarious living, 

 can survive a long while without food ; but I never before heard 

 of such an extraordinary power of abstinence as these Albatroses 

 have proved themselves to possess. 



183. COLYMBUS SEPTENTRIONALIS, L. 



C. glacialis of my Amoy List, Ibis, 1860, p. 67. 



In the winter several of these birds visit our coast from the 

 north. Very few show any indication of the red throat, nearly 

 all being in the winter plumage. This is the only species of 

 Diver I have observed in Formosa. 



184. PODICEPS MINOR, L. 



P. philippensis, Bonn, 



I have a goodly series of Little Grebes, both from Formosa 

 and China, and find them in every way inseparable from the 

 European species. In summer plumage they appear to be 

 identical, many Formosan specimens, like many English speci- 

 mens, having the under-parts white, and many again washed 

 with blackish. In my opinion they are one and the same. 

 The Dabchick is an abundant resident on the inland waters of 

 Formosa. Other Grebes doubtless visit our coast in winter, but 

 none fell under my observation. I extract a note on an adult 

 male, shot at Taiwanfoo 29th August 1861 : — Length 10^ in.; 

 wing 4. Bill black, with a whitish tip. Loose skin at the 

 base, rictus, and intercrural membrane of lower mandible pale 

 greenish yellow. Inside of the mouth light bluish flesh-colour. 

 Iris straw-yellow. Legs blackish grey, with a slight tinge of 

 green. 



185. Phalacrocorax carbo (L.). 

 Pelecanus sinensis, Shaw. 



This species is not uncommon on our rocks and those of 

 South China during winter. In early spring they assemble in 

 flocks and repair southwards. They are tamed, and employed by 

 the Chinese to catch fish, as every one has read. In a state of 

 domestication they are subject to variations in plumage like 

 most domestic animals. 



