690 Staff-Surgeon K. II. Jones on Birds 



September^ when practieally all have passed, A Snipe shot 

 in the second week of October at Shi Tao was in very poor 

 condition. The nurabei's of Snipe appear to vary greatly 

 in different years^ but it was noticed that when the wind 

 and weather are not propitious for a further journey to the 

 south, they often remain in the vicinity for some days. On 

 the other hand^ at North-East Promontory it was noticed 

 tliat they remained for two days when all the conditions 

 were in favour of their continuing their journey. 



At North-East Promontory, September 1902, in very 

 stormy weather several parties of Snipe were observed 

 coming in from the sea, obviously having crossed from the 

 neighboTirhood of Port Arthur ; they were in liochs of from 

 five to ten birds, flying fairly high up, and uttering their 

 characteristic cry. 



TllINGA ALPINA. 



Dunlins occurred in all suitable places near Wei Ilai 

 Wei as early as the middle of August, while in Septemljcr 

 and early October they became exceedingly numerous. 



There seemed to be two forms of this species which Avere 

 obtained at Shi Tao, one of which was much larger than 

 the other. The larger form kept sej^arate from the smaller, 

 but flocks of both were to be seen on the same mud-flat. 

 It is curious to note, hoAvever, that on the 9th of June, to 

 the west of Wei Hai Wei, a Dunlin was obtained in full 

 breeding-plumage, its foot being in a snare attached to a 

 small withy, Avhich it had pulled up when it escaped. As the 

 Chinese set these snares near the nests of birds, there is 

 every likelihood that this Dunlin was breeding in the 

 neighbourhood. Wei Hai Wei is not further south than 

 Southern Spain, where the Dunlin is known to breed. It 

 is possible that the larger form of Dunlin mentioned above 

 may be Tringa americana. 



Tringa mincjta. 



The Little Stint occurs plentifully on the coast of 

 Shantung from early in August ouAvards, generally in 

 small flocks of from twentv to thirtv birds. 



