the Lower Yangtse Basin. 499 



elevation, but only in sheltered corners close to human 

 habitations. 



276. TuRTUR HUMiLis, Temm. 



(361.) A summer visitant, breeding plentifully in the 

 Yangtse Valley, and remaining till the middle of October. 



Order GALLING. 



Fam. PHASIANIDiE. 



277. PucRASiA DARWiNi, Swinhoc. 



(589.) Found in the Chekiang hills, and I have seen a 

 specimen from the hills behind Ngankin, in Anhwei. 



278. Phasianus torquatus (Gm.). 



(590.) Our Pheasants vary a good deal in size and 

 brilliancy of plumage. The finest, as a rule, come from the 

 hilly district bordering the river; they frequently have the 

 white ring complete, or nearly so, as in birds from the north : 

 the delta birds are rarely so fine, and nearly always have the 

 white ring interrupted in front. The food on the hills is 

 perhaps more varied and nourishing, though it cannot be so 

 abundant as on the plains, where beans, rice, and other grains 

 are unlimited. 

 ■ 279. Phasianus rbevesi (Gray). 



(595.) Though common from Ichang westwards, this 

 bird is only found at one or two places on the Lower 

 Yangtse. The birds offered for sale at Hankow all come 

 from the west ; but at Kiukiang 1 have bought some alive, 

 which I have every reason to believe came from the hill- 

 ranges about twenty miles north of the river. On the 

 Wan Shan range behind Ngankin they are found, and all 

 the natives knew them well; but during four days' hard 

 work I met with nothing but a cast tail-feather. 



Fam. TetraonidjE. 



280. Bambusicola thoracica (Temm.). 



(569.) Fairly plentiful in the Kahing district, especially 



towards the south, where the Chekiang hills extend into the 



plains. Found on many parts of the Yangtse, but seldom 



abundantly. The coveys sometimes number as many as 



2m 2 



