410 On Birds observed in Western China. 



I have noticed them in N.W. Yunnan between Pong-tse-lei 

 and A-ten-tse, and also further north on the road from Yer- 

 ka-lo towards Batang. 



Perdix sipanica (Cat. B. xxii. p. 195). 



The Sifan Partridges I shot near Dzongun (W. Szechuen), 

 lat. 29° ]5', long. 99° 15', at an elevation of 11,600 feet. 

 They were in a covey of five, in a dry valley covered with 

 scrubby bushes, were easily flushed, and flew well. 



Francolinus chinensis (Cat. B. xxii. p. 136). 



I found the Chinese Prancolin chiefly in the lower-lying 

 parts of Yunnan, towards the borders of Burma and Tongkiug. 

 It is specially numerous in the valley of the Salween. I 

 heard a few calling at Tung-hai, between Yunnan-fu and 

 Tongkiug (6200 feet), but I do not think it is common at 

 such an elevation. 



Bambusicola eytchii (Cat. B. xxii. p. 257). 



Fytche's Bamboo-Partridge I have only seen once in 

 Yunnan ; this was in the Mekong Valley below 4000 feet. 

 I have met with the birds several times in the Northern Shan 

 States, usually in coveys of five or six among thick jungle, 

 where they are difficult to flush without a dog. They rise 

 with a sort of whistling scream, and occasionally fly up into 

 the trees. 



Merganser squamatus Gould (Cat. B. xxvii. p. 478) *. 



This bird was observed in Yunnan near Lung-ling, lat. 24° 

 30', long. 98° 30', at 4000 feet, and near Yunnan-fu at 6000 

 feet. It is common in the high-lyiug plains of Yunnan, and 

 I have seen it at 14,000 feet in the Tibetan part of Western 

 Szechuen. 



* [One of the examples obtained in Yunnan is now in the British 

 Museum, and has been compared with the type and witli those collected 

 by Capt. Wingate {cf. Ibis, 1900, p. 602). It is not sexed, but is in the 

 plumage of a female, and is perhaps immature, and in this state is 

 hardly to be distinguished from the Common Goosander ; the species 

 can, however, be recognised by the double crest. As no specimens were 

 brought back from Szechuen, it is impossible to say to which form they 

 belonged.— F. W. S.] 



