Notes from Japan. 161 



skinned it. To be of any use it seems that the bird has to 

 be roasted and eaten, feathers and all ! ! Other Cuckoos are 

 also shot for medicinal uses, but are not so highly prized as 

 this species. 



The eggs of the Little Cuckoo are said to be found in the 

 nests of Cettia cantans, and to be of a uniform chocolate- 

 brown colour. 



54. HiERococcYx FUGAX (Horsfield). Amoor Cuckoo. 

 Hierococcyx hijperythrus Seebohra, B. Jap, Emp. p. 171. 

 Jap. : Ju-ichi. 



As far as 1 could ascertain, this bird reached the slopes of 

 Fujiyama about May 24th, from which date it became 

 tolerably common. The Japanese name Ju-ichi is supposed 

 to resemble the bird's call. 



55. Alcedo ispida bengalensis (Gm.). Indian Common 

 Kingfisher. 



Alcedo ispida bengalensis Seebohm, B. Jap. Emp. p. 175. 

 Jap. : Kawa-semi. 



On May 23rd two of these birds were observed on Shoji 

 Lake, where they were probably breeding. 



56. Cypselus pacificus (Lath.). Siberian Swift. 

 Cypselus pacificus, Seebohm, B. Jap. Emp. p. 177. 

 Jap. : Nairi-tsubame. 



The first time I observed this Swift was near Kioto on 

 May 4th, when a single example passed overhead ; the only 

 other specimens seen in Japan were two or three flying 

 across Lake Kawaguchi on the 23rd. In Vladivostock, 

 where the species was remarkably common, it struck me as 

 having very similar habits to C. apus, but it is a much more 

 silent bird and is more sparing of its scream-like cry. 



The Japanese collector told me that the larger Needle- 

 tailed Swift (Chatura caudacutd) breeds every year in the 

 precipitous parts of Fuji, late in the month of July. 

 Mr. Owston also informed me that a colony nests by the 

 waterfall near Chuzenji, where the birds may be seen 

 entering the crevices formed by the strata. When I visited 

 the place, during the second week in May, none of these 



sek. IX. — VOL. ir, M 



