Birds of Northtrn Formosa. 361 



Twenty eggs from Tamsui (all shapes) average 0"Q\ by 

 0"'45. Several green eggs from Foochow average 0'''59 by 

 0'''43. Four blue ones are of same size as Tamsui eggs. 



The nests obtained at Tamsui are like a deep pear-shaped 

 bag or purse, and are attached by a thin upper back wall to 

 leaves of the sword-grass in which they were found. They 

 are made of fine strips of grass, closely and strongly woven 

 and knitted together, and are very strong and elastic. The 

 Foochow nests are of several shapes, some fairly open, some 

 with only a small hole at the side. 



15. CisTicoLA cuRSiTANS Fraukl. 



Abundant in the Tamsui district. It breeds on the downs 

 near the foreign houses at Hobe, and also on the North 

 Hill (alt. 2600 feet), where, on 28th April, I shot specimens 

 in full summer-plumage. 



16. CisTicoLA ExiLis (Vig. & Horsf .) . 

 Calamanthella volitans Swinh. Journal N. C. B. Royal 



Asiatic Society, 1859. 



Common on the hills in the Tamsui district. 1 obtained 

 three examples in winter dress on 25th November, 16th 

 December, and 28th January, and two in summer dress 

 (plumage described by Swinhoe) on 1st and 17th May, 



17. SuTHORA BULOMACHus Swinh. 



Probably abundant on the hills, but I have met with them 

 on only four occasions. They frequent, as a rule, grass- 

 jungle on the hills. Twice I met them close to houses, 

 travelling in company with Pomatorhinus musicus, St achy - 

 ridopsis ruficeps, and other small birds. 



I have no hesitation in referring to this bird a nest and 

 two eggs obtained on 25th June. The eggs are short, very 

 blunt ovals ; they are of a turquoise-blue colour, and measure 

 0"-65 by 0"-55. 



The nest was apparently placed on reeds, two twigs of 

 which are still adhering to it. It is a neat little cup, made 

 of bits of leaves and coarse grass, bamboo-leaves, strips of 

 bamboo-skin and finer grasses, and bound together with 

 grass-fibre, spiders' webs, and some bits of yellowish silk. 



