observed about Talien Baij {N. China). 255 



air^ occasionally tumbling several feet downwards before they 

 could recover themselves. The note they mostly uttered was a 

 kind of hissing sound. 



7. Lanius lucionensis, Strickland. 



Male shot. Length 8 in., wing 3i, tail 3^. Bill black; legs 

 and claws leaden blue. 



This bird apparently passes the summer in the north, as on 

 our first arrival it was much more common than it subsequently 

 became. Still later, in the plains of the Peiho we did not meet 

 with them at all ; they had probably migrated southwards. 



8. MOTACILLA LUGUBRIS. 



A pied Wagtail, I should fancy of this species. 



9. Passer montanus, Linn. 



This is here the domestic Sparrow as in the south, and is found 

 as numerous and as noisy as ever. 



10. Emberiza rustica, Pall. 



1 frequently met with this Bunting, which appeared to be the 

 only species. Its choice habitats wei'e on the grass-covered 

 sides of hills, where several together might be seen searching 

 about on the ground for small seeds and insects. Occasionally 

 flitting on the top 'of a rock, a male would continue to pour out 

 a flow of rich notes, wild in their strain, but sweet and melodi- 

 ous. Its twittering call-note is not unlike that of the Robin. 



Male. Upper mandible bluish black, lower pale bluish ; 

 legs light clay colour, with blackish claws. 



1 send four individuals of this species. They are all adult, 

 and answer in most respects to the description in the * Fauna 

 Japonica;^ but mine have the top of the head deep reddish 

 brown, instead of " noir tirant au brun-roux.^^ 



11. Alauda brachydactyla, Temminck. 



I have compared the northern skins with some from India, 

 and can discover no tangible difiierence. It is a very common 

 species among the fields of corn in the open part of the country. 

 On the soft mouldy soil, when the corn was just springing, I 

 have watched numbers of them. They chirp just like other 

 Larks in their uncertain, hovering flight, and occasionally start 



