51 Messrs. La Touche and Rickett on the 



Rickett had a close view of an individual at Ching Fung 

 Ling on one occasion. It swooped down at a small white 

 terrier that was following him, as he was walking in a thick 

 patch of forest. The bird presented a splendid spectacle as it 

 checked its swoop and remained for a moment almost motion- 

 less in the air, its barred wings and tail outspread to their 

 utmost, its bushy crest erect, and its yellow- eyes glaring down 

 on the cowering dog. It then swerved to one side, and 

 dashed away through the trees at great speed. 



MlLVUS MELANOTIS T. & S. 



An extremely common resident on the plains, less so in 

 Central Fohkien, and not met with in the mountains. 

 There seems to be a partial migration in summer, as but 

 few are seen about Foochow alter the breeding-season until 

 September, when their numbers are again greatly increased. 

 Styan has noted a similar movement as occurring in the lower 

 Yangtze basin ( f Ibis/ 1891, p. 490). 



This Kite is an early breeder, most eggs being laid by the 

 middle of February; but fresh clutches may be taken in 

 March, or perhaps a little later. 



Tiie nest is placed high up in a tall tree, usually a pine, 

 and is a large and conspicuous structure. It is composed 

 of sticks, lined with dry grass and all sorts of rubbish, 

 such as paper, human hair, rags, and bits of matting. 



The eggs are usually two in number, but clutches of 

 three are not at all uncommon, and sometimes only a single 

 e^g is laid. 



Fifty-four eggs average 2:2.") x 1 -78 in. : the largest of 

 these was 2*48 X 1*82, the smallest 2'11 X 176. An abnorm- 

 ally small egg (not included in the above) was 1"99 x T58 in. 

 In shape they are somewhat variable, but a broad short 

 ovate or nearly oval form is the most usual. 



In colouring they are most variable, and it is rare to find 

 specimens in the same clutch alike. The ground-colour is 

 dirty or greenish white, blotched, spotted, speckled, smeared, 

 or scrawled with bright brick-red, vaudyke, or other shades 

 of brown, and sometimes violet. Rickett had a single 



