93 Mr. R. Swinhoe on the Ornithulogy of Hainan. 



Chinese as the allied U. epops is an object of dislike to 

 their Amoy brethren. When disturbed while feeding on the 

 ground, it Hies up to the nearest tree, and expands its crest, 

 bowing each time. Its note is similar to that of the northern 

 species, but, I think, distinguishable, being hoarser and not 

 so sharp. 



I made the following note on some specimens shot at Kiung- 

 chow : — " 6. Length 11*25; wing 5'3; tail 4*125; wing- 

 tip to end of tail 2-25. Bill from forehead 2-4. Tertials '25 

 shorter than wing-tip. Iris very deep brown. Bill deep brown 

 for more than two-thirds of its length, pale brownish white 

 tinged with ochre at its base. Legs greyish-brown. The 

 female has a shorter bill than the male, and is smaller. Two 

 females measure : — Bill 1*9 and 2*1 ; wing 5 and 5*25 ; tail 3'5 

 and 3*875." The proportions vary in both sexes, and the bills 

 vary also in curvature. Four of my specimens have no white 

 spots on the first primary ; but one male has it as distinct as in 

 U. epops. Hence the lack of the white wing-spot cannot be 

 regarded as a constant distinguishing character. The absence 

 of white at the base of the black crest-tips is a far better mark 

 for instant discrimination. The white tail-band is very variable 

 in breadth ; and so, indeed, are all the markings. The tibial 

 feathers are of the colour of the breast, and not whitish as in 

 U. epops. 



Mr. G. R. Gray was so kind as to allow me to examine the 

 specimens of Indian Hoopoes m the Bi-itish Museum. One of 

 the skins there was a red bird like ours, with similar crest, 

 but with the white wing-spot like my single specimen men- 

 tioned above. Another was like U. epops in the crest and other 

 respects, but had no white wing-spot. This satisfactorily proves 

 that the absence or presence of the wing-spot is no constant 

 character in either U. ceylonensis or U. epops. 



I observed no Hoopoe in the island of Naochow. 



23. Alcedo bengalensis, Gmel. 



Common in all the open country wherever water occurred. 



24. Ceryle rudis (Linn.). 



Seen about all the rivers and lagoons throughout Hainan. 



