the Lower Yangtse Basin. 355 



one of the few birds wliich frequent the absolutely bare (ex- 

 cept for grass) hills so common in China. 



132. Emberiza elegans, Temm. 



(465.) Not uncommon in winter on hill-sides, frequenting 

 bamboo-clumps and the rough brambly scrub around farm- 

 clearings. A sweet songster. 



Breeds at Ichang on the Upper Yangtse. 



133. Emberiza chrysophrys. Pall. 



(470.) Not uncommon during migration in April and 

 May. I found it abundant in the Lushan Hills at the end 

 of October. Perhaps a few remain all winter, for I have one 

 shot in December. 



134. Emberiza aureola, Pall. 



(478.) Appears in vast numbers in the middle of April 

 and leaves again in May. They frequent the grassy plains and 

 the reed-beds on the marshy banks of the river. A clump 

 of reeds with a hundred or so of these birds perched on them, 

 their brilliant yellow breasts exposed to the sunshine, presents 

 a very curious appearance. I don^t think any remain to 

 breed ; but early in September flocks of young birds appear 

 and frequent the paddy-fields till the end of October. Adults 

 are much scarcer in the autumn. This bird is the " Rice- 

 bird " of Canton residents, and, when caught in good condi- 

 tion, is deservedly considered a luxury. 



135. Emberiza rutila. Pall. 



(477.) Eather scarce ; but a few pass through in April 

 and May. 



136. Emberiza passerina. Pall. 



(464.) Schcenicola pallasi, Swinhoe, P. Z. S. 1871, p. 389. 



Abundant in the reed-beds of the Yangtse in winter. Some 

 of the males retain a great deal of black on the throat, but 

 not on the head. 



137. Emberiza yessoensis, Swinhoe. 

 Emberiza yessoensis, Sty an, Ibis, 1889, p. 445. 



Not uncommon in winter about Shanghai, but far less so 

 than the last-named species. 



