164 Letters, Extracts, Notices, 6fc. 



To attract the female, the IJaer's Duck {Fuligulu bueri) 

 half raises himself in the water by a sudden movement, while 

 at the same time the chest is thrust forward and the head 

 and neck are depressed to the scapulars. Whilst this quick 

 movement is being performed, the wind-pipe is blown out 

 to the fullest extent, and then the air is released, forming 

 at once a singular distension of the neck. This some- 

 what curious display is manifested amongst the Anaiida 

 by the Pochard and the Scaup only, but even these birds 

 have somewhat dissimilar methods of courtship. Throat- 

 and crop-distensions are, however, common amongst the 

 Gallinaceous birds at the period of love-making. When 

 much excited, Baer^s Duck also contracts the black pupil of 

 the eye till it is almost lost to the view of the spectator. 



Yours &c., 



June 9tb, 1901. J. G. MiLLAIs. 



Sirs, — I have lately received, through my native collector, 

 two specimens of the handsome Night- Heron discovered by 

 the late Mr. Whitehead in Hainan, Nycticorax magnifica 

 (Grant, Ibis, 1899, p. 585 ; P. Z. S. 1900, p. 493, pi. xxxiii.). 

 They were shot near Chinteh, in Anhwei Province, on the 

 south bank of the Yangtse, a distance of about 900 miles 

 N. by E. of the locality where the type was procured. 

 It is probable, therefore, that this species is distributed, 

 in summer at least, throughout the hill-districts of Fokien, 

 Chekiang, and Anhwei, which provinces are very similar in 

 general character and natural productions. Fokien has been 

 thoroughly worked by Messrs. Kickett and La Touche,and my 

 collector has made frequent trips in Chekiang and Anhwei, 

 the neighbourhood of Chinteh being favourite ground with 

 him. It is therefore extraordinary that so conspicuous a 

 bird should have remained so long undiscovered. The two 

 specimens obtained were shot on different evenings when 

 coming to roost in high trees ; by day they covild not be seen. 

 Two others were seen, but not secured. 



Yours &c., 



Shanghai, P. W. Styan. 



26th August, 1901. 



