Nesting of Birds in Fohkien. 45 



situation to which it can convey unlimited quantities of straw, 

 grass, feathers, and rubbish of all sorts. 



We once found two Sparrows' nests built into the base 

 of that of a Kite (Milvus melanotis). One contained three 

 young and the other five eggs. There was a young Kite in 

 the nest above. The eggs need no description and are, as is 

 usually the case, very variable in colour. Two extremely 

 abnormal specimens in La Touche's collection are rough 

 rhomboids in shape ! They are white, one having some 

 indistinct pale marks at the end. 



Passer rutilans Temm. : Ibis, 1900, p. 35. 



This species breeds about Foochow. It nests in holes 

 in trees away from human dwellings, and is shy and 

 wary. 



An egg in Rickett's collection taken near Foochow 

 measured '74 x *52 in. 



Emberiza cioides Brandt : Ibis, 1900, p. 35. 



This common resident breeds on the low hills about 

 Foochow. 



The nest, composed of fine twigs, dead leaves, dry grass, 

 and fern-fronds, lined with fine dry grass, roots, fibres, and 

 hair, is usually placed in a small pine-tree, not far from 

 the ground. Rickett saw a pair carrying materials on 

 June 15th, and shot a young bird able to fly well on 

 May 24th, so no doubt there are two broods in a season. 



Some nests are firm compact cups, others very loosely 

 and untidily constructed. La Touche has already described 

 the eggs. 



Rickett notes that the song resembles that of the Yellow- 

 Hammer without the long final note. 



Melophus melanicterus (Gm.) : Ibis, 1900, p. 38. 

 This bird also builds on the low hills about Foochow, but 

 we have no eggs from the district. 



A male was seen carrying nest-materials on May 16th. 



COTILE RIPARIA (Linil.). 



A winter visitor, appearing about October or November 

 and leaving in April or early in May. 



