A third species, the beautiful rock thrush {Monffcola erythrogastra) inhabits 

 the deep loess gullies during the summer. The head, back and wings of this 

 bird are of a light slaty blue colour, while the tail and breast are of a deep 

 brick-red. 



The dipper, an entirely brown species named Cinclus pallasi, is very common 

 along the clear streams that flow at the bottom of every ravine in the loess 

 countrj- of Northern Shensi, which localities it shares with the pretty little 

 brown wren (Amrthura fumigata) and a large wagtail named Henicurus sinensis. 

 This handsome bird is pied somewhat after the fashion of the pied wagtail but 

 is larger and has a long widely-forked black tail, and also long flesh-coloured 

 legs. 



The high cliffs of loess, shale, or granite in all three provinces form the 

 home of the beautiful wall-creeper [Tichodroma muralis), a small grey bird with 

 crimson spotted wings, long slender cur\'ed beak, and long sharp claws, which 

 enable it to climb about the flat surfaces of the rocks with the utmost ease. 

 The wall-creeper has a long, sweet, vibrant song, which it utters as it flits 

 butterfly-like across the valleys. 



The accentor [Accentor nipalensis), a pretty little soft-billed bird, somewhat 

 smaller than the starling, inhabits the stony cairns and rocky summits of the 

 highest mountains ; while its near relation, a smaller, though as prettily 

 marked, hedge sparrow {Tharrhaleus montanellus) frequents the valleys. 



The graceful waxwing (Ampelis garrulus) may be seen during the migrations 

 in large flocks, when it subsists chiefly upon the glutinous mistletoe berries, 

 yellow and red, that abound in the poplar and elm trees. 



Three species of shrikes, or butcher-birds, namely, Lxinius sphenocercus, 

 L. bucephalus, and L. superciliosus, are found throughout the three provinces. Of 

 these, only the first, commonly known as the great grey shrike, is at all 

 plentiful. This somewhat striking bird may be seen in winter on any large 

 plain, where it loves to perch upon the top of some spare and solitary shrub, 

 sorghum stem, or giant reed. From this coign of vantage it pounces upon 

 any unsuspecting insect that may have been tempted above ground by the 

 warmth of the brilliant winter sun. 



The beautiful golden oriole [Oriolus indicus) inhabits during the summer 

 the groves of the plains and foothills, not fearing to take up its abode 

 in temple-grounds close to the habitations of man. Its hanging nest, built 

 high up in the tree and at the end of some yielding branch, is free from the 

 attacks of small boys and cats. 



On the plains also, the jet black drongo [Dicrurus cathoBcus) is very 



100 



