observed in the Vichiitij of JVei Hal Wei. 033 



Sterna sinensis. 



Ths Oiinese Little Tera is a very common summer 

 visitor to the coast about Wei Hai Wei, where the dry 

 sandy flats, which attract Pallas's Desert-Lark and the 

 Kentish Plover, afford it also every facility for breeding 

 purposes. In its habits this species closely resembles 

 its near ally, Sterna minuta ; it fishes in precisely the 

 same manner and mobs intruding Hawks and Gulls with 

 the same reckless courage and unceasing clamour, but in 

 Shantung it was never observed to lay its two or three 

 eggs on shingle. Livariably, the nesting-site was a small 

 hollow in the sand, and this, indeed, it was thought, was 

 made by the sitting bird, for when eggs were found (pule 

 fresh the depression was not to be seen. 



Two eggs form the usual clutch and three are unusual. 

 They closely resemble those of Sterna minuta, but dark 

 brownish-coloured specimens are more common than among 

 those of that species. The earliest date on which eggs were 

 found was i\Liy 23rd and the latest June 13th. All the 

 birds seemed to have taken their departure to the south 

 early in September. 



Forty-two eggs of this species from Shantung average 

 l"25X"l)t inch, and vary in length from 1-35 to LIG and 

 in breadth from 1-02 to -88, 



Larus crassirostris. 



The Bar-tailed Gull is a very common bird in ihe vicinity 

 of Wei Hai Wei, and has, so far as is known, the distinction 

 of being the only species of the genus which breeds in that 

 part of China. It is probably subject to considerable 

 seasonal movements, for in very cold and rough winter 

 Aveather specimens not uncommonly occur as far south as 

 Hong Kong. 



This bird in its habits closely resembles Larus canvs, 

 and was found to be very tame and confiding, resting 

 on the water close to the ship. The only breeding- site 

 near Wei Hai Wei which this bird habitually uses is 

 Aicestc Island, which is mentioned by Swinhoc in his article 



SEK. IX. VOL. V. 3 A 



