the Lower Yangtse Basin. 505 



April — a few may come earlier — and for about a month they 

 swarm on the marshes, and among the bean- and barley-crops. 

 I shot one at Shanghai on February 2nd_, but, though in good 

 condition, it must have been unable to travel for some reason. 

 In the autumn they begin to return about the middle of 

 August, and I have shot them as late as 30th September; 

 their numbers are very uncertain, and usually less than in the 

 spring. 



318. Gallinago megala, Swinhoe. 



(683.) These large Snipes, which, when in fine condition, 

 sometimes weigh 8 oz., begin to arrive during the first week 

 in April, but are seldom plentiful till the end of the month. 

 In 1888 I shot several on the 29th and 30th March, and one 

 was killed at Kiukiang on 21st March, but these were ex- 

 ceptional dates. In the autumn a few birds either of this 

 or the preceding species are in the market during the last 

 few days of July. When plentiful they are found almost 

 anywhere, but on the whole rather prefer dry grassy slopes 

 and fields to wet ground. 



319. Gallinago C(elestis, Frenzel. 



(685.) G. scolopacina,Bip. ; Swinhoe, P. Z.S. 1871, p. 407. 

 ' Scattered through the district all winter, its numbers being 

 largely increased in spring and autumn. 



320. Rhynch^a capensis, L. 



(687.) Not common, but found occasionally in spring 

 and autumn. In Shanghai I have noted it in February and 

 April. At Kiukiang a male was shot off the nest on 20th 

 May, and brought to me along with the eggs, of which there 

 were four. Also met with at Kiukiang in September and 

 October. 



321. Tringa canutus, L. 



(672.) Shanghai market in spring : specimens obtained 

 in May in full breeding-plumage. 



322. Tringa crassirostris, Temni. & Schleg. 



(671.) Shanghai market in spring : May specimens have 

 only partially assumed breeding-plumage. 



