GG8 StafF-Siirgeon K. H. Jones on Birds 



Passer montanus. 



The Tree-Sparrow, of course, takes the place in China of 

 Passer domesticiis in Europe, and is just as parasitic, bold, 

 and noisy, while it is altogether different in habits from the 

 same species in the West. 



These birds build in the native houses, and are particularly 

 fond of turning the Mosque Swallows out of their elaborate 

 nests, which they do not even trouble to re-line, as a rule. 



In 1901, the Tree-Sparrows in Leu Kung Tao were 

 afflicted with a disease, Avhich attacked fledglings, many of 

 which died after first becoming blind. Large numbers must 

 have perished from this cause during the summer. 



Several broods are got off in the season, and young birds, 

 barely able to fly, were noticed in September. Most 

 clutches are laid in May and June and contain, as a rule, 

 three or four eggs. 



Twenty-four eggs average "76 X"55 inch, and vary from 

 •80 to -08 in length and from 'CO to '53 in width. 



Emberiza chrysophrys. 



This Bunting occurs plentifully during migrafion in the 

 mouth of September. Several birds of this species came on 

 board H.M.S. ' Watervvitch ^ whilst surveying in the Gulf 

 of Pechili in the first half of September 1901. 



Emberiza fucata. 



The Grey-headed Bunting was observed at North-East 

 Promontory on migration in September. 



Emberiza pusilla. 



A flock of Little Buntings was once observed on Leu 

 Kung Tao in the first week of October. 



Emberiza cioides. 



The Siberian Meadow-Bunting is the commonest breeding 

 representative of the genus in the Wei Hai Wei district. 

 Undoubtedly the nuijority are summer visitors, but it is just 

 possible that some may remain through the winter. 



This species arrives at Wei Ilai AVei earlier in the year 

 than the writer, probably some time in May, whilst by the 

 end of September most of them have taken their departure 

 for the south. 



