56 Mr. R. Swinhoe on the Ornithology of Hongkong, &c. 



Besides the colony of Night-Herons at Honam^ there is 

 another at the Old Man's Home, where a large pond is enclosed 

 by a hedge of tall bushes and shrubs^ and beyond this is a high 

 wall all round. Among these bushes the Night-Herons muster in 

 countless nuraberSj placing their nests on every suitable branch, 

 though often only a few feet from the ground. They are held 

 sacred by the priests in the adjoining temple^ and no one is 

 allowed to kill or disturb them. 



116. ScoLOPAX RUSTicoLA, Linn. 

 Abundant during winter. 



117. Gallinago uniclava, Hodgs. 



Perhaps commoner than the succeeding species in winter, but 

 in summer nearly all retire. Among a number of Snipes shot in 

 May, only one of this species occurred. 



118. Gallinago stenura (Temm.). Cantonese, " -S^a-c/my." 

 Great numbers stay and breed in the neighbourhood of 



Canton. 



119. Gallinula chloropus (Linn.). 

 Abounds in some places. 



120. Gallicrex cristata (Lath.). Cantonese, " Can-turn" 

 A male specimen procured at Canton, which I forward for 



Mr. Sclater's examination *. Some years ago I procured one at 

 Foochow. 



Length 14^ in., wing 8f, tail 3|. Bill 2^m., to angle 1|; 

 bare tibia 1-^, tarsus 3 ; mid-toe 3g, its claw f . Bill greenish yel- 

 low, gradually yielding to vermilion as it approaches the basal 

 crest, which mounts high on the forehead, and is bounded by a 

 flesh-coloured line. Legs lead-colour, with a yellowish tinge, 

 especially on the tarsus; claws brown. Tail consisting of ten 

 feathers. 



Gizzard oval, shaped like two shallow cups placed mouth to 

 mouth, very muscular. If in. long, lined inside with a thick, 

 broadly furrowed, moveable cuticle, and containing small shells, 

 mussels. Helices, &c., many of which were in a pulverized state. 

 Intestines 27 in. long : caeca situate 2| in. from anus ; right one 



* It is certainly Gallicrex cristata. — P. L. S. 



