332 Mr, F. W. Styan on the Birds of 



Order PASSERES. 

 Fam. TuRDiD^. 



1. Merula mandarina (Bp.). 



(229.) Merula sinensis, Swinhoe, P. Z. S. 1871, p. 367. 



Plentiful and resident, quite taking the place of our com- 

 mon Blackbird. Nests in May, generally at a considerable 

 height from the ground, in the forks of willows or in other 

 suitable trees. 



2. Merula chrysolaus (Temm.). 



(237.) The birds of this species which winter in South 

 China cross from the mountainous provinces of Fokien and 

 Chekiang to breed in Japan, some, according to David, 

 travelling as far as the Amoor. Swinhoe gives its range 

 in China " from Hainan to Pekin,^' in which case some indi- 

 viduals must surely pass through the Yangtse valley on 

 migration. I have, however, never met - >i^ith them, and 

 insert the species in the doubtful list. 



3. Merula hortulorum (Sclater). 



(234.) Passes through the district in small numbers in 

 October and November; the spring migration I have not 

 noted. 



4. Merula obscura (Gm.). 



(238.) Scarce ; noted in Shanghai in March and May. 



5. Merula pallida (Gm.). 



(236.) A common winter visitant, arriving in November 

 and leaving about the middle of April. A solitary bird, 

 frequenting gardens, orchards, and bamboo clu,mps round 

 the villages, much resembling the Blackbird in its habits, 

 and also in its single alarm-note when disturbed. 



6. Merula naumanni (Temm.). 



(239.) Common in winter ; arrives first week in November 

 and remains till the middle of April. To a great extent 

 gregarious, frequenting the larger copses and outskirts of 

 woods; a conspicuous feature among the mulberry plan- 



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