340 Mr. R. Swinlioe's Notes on Ornitholoyii 



and suddenly pushing down the projecting end ; the whirr thus 

 caused by the vibration will give a good idea of the sound the bird 

 produces. The species seldom alights on the ground, except at 

 the margin of a pool to drink ; but it frequently descends to the 

 long maize and millet stalks, and taps them for worms. 



83. Small Pied Woodpecker. Picus •? 



A species closely allied to P. kisuki of the ' Fauna Japonica/ 

 and to P. hardwickii of the Himalayas, but evidently differing 

 from both. I send home two pairs. It was very common, but 

 seldom observable to any but a watchful eye, as it affected the 

 tip-top branches of the highest trees. It remains for long spaces 

 of time on one bough, and does not show half the alacrity in the 

 pursuit of its food that the other species do. It generally prefers 

 the thin dead branches at the tops of forest trees, where, no doubt, 

 it finds a plentiful supply of small maggots, many of which I have 

 taken from the stomachs of those shot. Its cry is a weak attempt 

 at "pic-pic ;" and its flight, undulatory as in the former instances, 

 is remarkable also for the same noise, produced by quick succes- 

 sive beats of the wing. This peculiar sound of the wings I have 

 also observed in Parus palustris of this place, made as the little 

 fellow drops from a high branch down to a lower. 



84. Cuckoo. Cuculus striatus, Drapiez. 



Very common in August and September. I send a male and 

 a female. 



85. Grey Pericrocote. Pericrocotus cinereus, La Presn. 

 Common in September. It is strange that this tropical form 



should be found so far north *. 



86. Drongo. Dicrurus macrocercus (Lath.). 

 Common in September. 



87. LuzoNiAN Shrike. Lanius luzoniensis, Strickland. 



In a cage only. But as the migration of this bii*d commences 

 early, that may account for its non-appearance. 



88. Japan Shrike. Lanius hucephalus, Temm. & Schl. 

 Not common. I send an immature specimen shot in September. 



* It is found in summer as far north as the Lower Amoor. See 

 V. Schrenck's op. cit. p. 381. — Ed. 



