the Birds of Peking. 31 



79. CUCULUS CANORUS. 



Cuckoos arrived about the middle of May and were very 

 numerous for about a fortnight in the grounds surrounding 

 the Temple of Heaven. They avoided the higher trees, and 

 perched on very low branches, feeding frequently on the 

 ground. At the beginning of June they dispersed about 

 the district. 



80. Asio otus. 



This was the only Owl that I saw. It was rather 

 common, especially in the groves of trees round the Chinese 

 cemeteries. 



81. Aquila sp. inc. 



I saw a large Eagle, which I could not identify, hanging 

 up at a stall in the market during the winter. I think that 

 it was probably A. hifasciata, in immature plumage. 



82. Circus melanoleucus. 



83. Circus cyaneus. 

 These two Harriers are very common residents, and are 



constantly to be seen hunting over the grass plains to the 

 south of the city. 



84. Accipiter NISUS. 

 Rather common and resident. 



85. Falco peregrinus. 



Not uncommon. I shot one inside the Temple of Heaven 

 Park and saw another in the south-east corner of the Chinese 

 city. The latter bird made a fine swoop at a Mallard, which 

 it just missed. • ' 



-L-86. ./ESALON REGULUS. 



Very common, especially in winter. 



-[-87. TlNNUNCULUS ALAUDARIUS. 



Also very common. Although I saw and shot a good 

 many Kestrels I did not recognise or obtain an example of 

 T. cenchris. 



88. COLUMBA LIVIA. 



Common, in a semi-domesticated state, in and about 

 Peking. 



