86 



Mr. R. Swinhoe on the Ornithology of Hainan. 



The present new species may be distinguished at once from 

 S. cheela by its smaller size and much less robust tarsi. In 

 colour, its vai'iable plumage seems to follow that of the Indian 

 species. I have not succeeded in fixing on any constant 

 characters in this respect by which to distinguish them. With S, 

 bido (Horsf.) it agrees better in size, but is easily separable by 

 its lighter under parts being more or less distinctly barred with 

 fine zigzag lines of brown. 



I have named this species in honour of His Excellency Sir 

 Rutherford Alcock, K.C.B., Her Majesty^s Minister at Peking, 

 through whose kind influence I was selected for the exploring 

 expedition to Hainan. 



6. Pandion hali^etus (Linn.). 



The Osprey was seen in many of the Hainan harbours. On 

 the 15th of February, while being poled up the main river be- 

 tween Kiungchow and Ting-gan, the boatmen roused me from a 

 doze and pointed to an Osprey hovering a long way over head. 

 I tried a cartridge at him and brought him down. He was a 

 male, in search for his afternoon meal. 



7. ? Blagrus leucogaster (Gmel.). 



In the Lingshuy lagoon (S.E. Hainan), while shooting 

 Swifts, a large Sea-Eagle flew over. I was on the point of 



