A third species, the beautiful rock thrush (Monticola erythrogastra) inhabits 
the deep loess gullies during the summer. The head, back and wings of this 
bird are of a light slaty blue colour, while the tail and breast are of a deep 
brick-red. 
The dipper, an entirely brown species named Cinclus pallasi, is very common 
along the clear streams that flow at the bottom of every ravine in the loess 
country of Northern Shensi, which localities it shares with the pretty little 
brown wren (Anorthura fumigata) and a large wagtail named Henicurus sinensis. 
This handsome bird is pied somewhat after the fashion of the pied wagtail but 
is larger and has a long widely-forked black tail, and also long flesh-coloured 
legs. 
The high cliffs of loess, shale, or granite in all three provinces form the 
home of the beautiful wall-creeper (T7ichodroma muralis), a small grey bird with 
crimson spotted wings, long slender curved beak, and long sharp claws, which 
enable it to climb about the flat surfaces of the rocks with the utmost ease. 
The wall-creeper has a long, sweet, vibrant song, which it utters as it flits 
butterfly-like across the valleys. 
The accentor (Accentor nipalensis), a pretty little soft-billed bird, somewhat 
smaller than the starling, inhabits the stony cairns and rocky summits of the 
highest mountains; while its near relation, a smaller, though as prettily 
marked, hedge sparrow (Tharrhaleus montanellus) frequents the valleys. 
The graceful waxwing (Ampelis garrulus) may be seen during the migrations 
in large flocks, when it subsists chiefly upon the glutinous mistletoe berries, 
yellow and red, that abound in the poplar and elm trees. 
Three species of shrikes, or butcher-birds, namely, Lanius sphenocercus, 
L. bucephalus, and L. superciliosus, are found throughout the three provinces. Of 
these, only the first, commonly known as the great grey shrike, is at all 
plentiful. This somewhat striking bird may be seen in winter on any large 
plain, where it loves to perch upon the top of some spare and solitary shrub, 
sorghum stem, or giant reed. From this coign of vantage it pounces upon 
any unsuspecting insect that may have been tempted above ground by the 
warmth of the brilliant winter sun. 
The beautiful golden oriole (Oriolus indicus) inhabits during the summer 
the groves of the plains and foothills, not fearing to take up its abode 
in temple-grounds close to the habitations of man. Its hanging nest, built 
high up in the tree and at the end of some yielding branch, is free from the 
attacks of small boys and cats. 
On the plains also, the jet black drongo (Dicrurus cathecus) is very 
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