]58 Mr. C. Ingram — OrnilhohgicaJ 



On April 17th^ when steaming in an easterly direction 

 between Shanghai and Nagasaki, all through the day an 

 intermittent stream of Swallows could be seen overtaking 

 and passing the vessel. The weather was calm and overcast, 

 and the birds, in small parties of half a dozen or less, were 

 all flying close to the surface of the water and taking 

 almost exactly the same course as the ship. In company 

 with these were a few Wagtails {Motacilla boarula melanope). 

 This observation is, I think, of some interest, as it serves to 

 shew the migratory route taken by these birds oa their 

 vernal passage. They apparently keep to the coast of the 

 continent until it falls sharply back to form the Yellow Sea, 

 when they probably quit the mainland and strike across to 

 Japan, via the Chusan Archipelago — which, of course, would 

 be the shortest and most direct route from China. These 

 migrants were doubtless somewhat belated, for when we 

 reached Nagasaki I found that many Swallows had already 

 taken up their summer-quarters. 



Owing to the protection given to this species by the 

 Japanese, it displays great confidence and seems to be very 

 intimately associated with mankind, for it is hardly ever 

 encountered far from a village or town. Here it may be 

 seen nesting under the low roofs of the houses, scarcely more 

 than a foot or two above the heads of the occupants. 



The only egg I took was remarkably small, measuring 

 0'7x0'5 in. In coloration, however, it resembles the 

 typical egg of H. rustica. 



48. Picus MAJOR JAPONicus (Sccbohm). Japanese Great 

 Spotted Woodpecker. 



Picas major japonicus Seebohm, B. Jap. Emp. p. 153. 



Jap. : Akagara. 



I met with this W^oodpecker commonly in the Nikko 

 mountains and on Fujiyama, while in both districts it 

 seemed, to keep entirely to the higher elevations. On 

 June 2nd. my attention was attracted to a nesting-hole of 

 this species by the tell-tale clamour of the young birds. 

 These were very advanced and I should think in a few days 

 would have left the nest. 



