362 Mr. R. Swinhoe on the Ornithology of Hainan. 



139. Grus cinereAj Bechstein. 



I have before noted that the Common Crane occurs in small 

 parties every winter on the sand-flats of Swatow. In Naochow 

 and Hainan they were very abundant^ and we often had oppor- 

 tunities of watching them. They are prized as food by the 

 natives^ and the soldiers shoot at them, which renders them 

 wild and difficult of approach. They feed largely here on sweet 

 potatoes. It was only on the plains and open parts of the country 

 that we saw them. They did not occur south of the raouiitains. 

 The last flight we noticed was on the 23rd of March, at Hoitow 

 (W. Hainan). 



The magistrate at Lingmun informed me that " Cranes are 

 born in pairs and mate for life. If one is born singly he remains 

 a bachelor all his days, and becomes sentinel to the flock. 

 This is a hard duty to perform ; for if the sentinel gives a false 

 alarm he is beaten, and if he does not give the alarm soon 

 enough he is also beaten." 



The Chinese 'Gazetteer^ remarks on the abundance of Cranes 

 in Hainan, and their scarcity in other parts of the Canton 

 province. 



140. Gallinago stenura (Temm.). 



We met this Snipe everywhere in Hainan during the whole 

 of our stay. The females are larger than the males, more 

 mottled beneath, and have the pin-shaped lateral rectrices longer 

 and broader. 



141. Gallinago scolopacina, Bp. 



The Common Snipe was found in small parties in the marsh 

 near the capital in February. 



142. RHYNCHiEA BENGALENSIS (Linn.). 



Often flushed. 



143. LiMOSA uROPYGiALis, Gould. 



A pair were shot out of a party of Godwits feeding in the 

 shallows of the creek at Huugpe (N. W. Hainan) on the 30th 

 of March ; these are nearly in full summer plumage. Later, 

 on the 2nd of April, a solitary bird was picked oiF the sandy 

 shore of Hoehow harbour ; this is in the winter dress. 



