356 Mr. J. D. B. La Touche on the 



This Nightjar is found in abundance in the little village 

 of Veralupe^ that adjoins the town of Ratnapura, but half 

 a mile to the east it does not occur, and a little beyond 

 it again appears in numbers. I can find no explanation for 

 this curious phenomenon, though I have watched the case 

 with curiosity for some years. 



[To be continued.] 



XXXII. — Notes on the Birds of Northern Formosa. 

 By J. D. D. La Touche*. 



1. Merula pallida (Gm.). 



A common Thrush in winter in Northern Formosa. Seen 

 as late as 15th April. I shot at Tokoham on 27th January 

 a male example of this species in full adult plumage, and one 

 showing a little white on the throat. Another shot on the 

 North Hill on 19th February is in nearly as fine plumage as 

 the first of the Tokoham birds. 



I have only pale-throated specimens from Fohkien^ and one 

 or two of these show a faint eyebrow. 



2. Merula chrysolaus (Temm.). 



None of this species were noticed during the winter, but 

 two were obtained near Hobe on 5th and 14th March. 

 Several other Thrushes seen during March and April were, 

 I believe, of the same kind. 



3. Merula obscura (Gm.). 



One was obtained on North Hill on 19th March. 



A party of Thrushes seen on 7th February at Hobe flying 



* [In a letter accompanying these notes Mr. La Touclie states that he 

 was resident at Tamsui, in Northern Formosa, from October 1894 to 

 July 1895, nearly all the time without a collector. He was able to make 

 but one trip inland, and that a flying visit to the border of the savages' 

 territory — the Japanese, by their misgovernment, having practically closed 

 the country to foreigners. 



Mr. La Touche recommends an expedition to " Botel Tobago " — a small 

 hilly and wooded islet about 40 miles east of the south cape of Formosa, 

 which has never been visited by a naturalist. It appears to be what is 

 called in Johnston's Royal Atlas "Bashee Island." — Edd.] 



