350 Mr. R, Swiuhoe on the Ornithology of Hainan. 



Corvus sinensis. 



Hainan. S. Bill from gape 3, depth 1-1 ; wing 14-25; tail 9-2") 



The Hainan Crow is nearly as common and familiar in Kiung- 

 cliow and other towns of the island as C. splendens is in Cal- 

 cutta. They collect about the housetops, fighting and cawing, 

 and drop into the courtyards, often even entering houses, picking 

 up offal or any thing that takes their fancy. They roam about 

 the neighbouring fields in large parties, and crowd together on 

 the trees. The natives do not molest them ; and this may ac- 

 count for their boldness, as in China the Black Crow prefers 

 retired places in woods and hills, and rather shrinks from the 

 presence of man. They appear to breed late in Hainan. 

 About the middle of February we noticed them carrying about 

 sticks for building-materials. From their peculiar habits I took 

 the Hainan bird to be distinct from the China Crow; but 1 find 

 nothing in their skins to justify separation. Its cry may be syl- 

 labled " Ah-ah ! Kao-kao !" the latter uttered in a hoarse voice, 



106. Corvus torquatus. Less. 



In the plains of the north and nortli-west of Hainan this bird 

 frequently occurs. I shot three specimens, which do not differ 

 from Amoy examples. Their plumage is much abraded and 

 discoloured from their nesting-duties, and it is evident they are 

 as early breeders in Hainan as in South China. 



Du Halde, in his ' Description de la Chine,' [loc. cit.) gives this 

 species. He says, " several curious birds are also found there, 

 such as Crows with a white cravat," &c. 



107. Pica media, Blyth. 



The Magpie was everywhere abundant in Hainan, following 



