Notes on the Ornithology of Yedo. 149 



bird is found wherever there is a clump of trees of sufficient 

 height and size to tempt a visit. 



Common Cuckoo {Cuculus canorus), Linn. — Although this 

 species is mentioned by Temminck and Schlegel in the 

 " Fauna Japonica," I am by no means certain of having met 

 with it. The cuckoo which I have seen in the temple 

 grounds of Shiba in Yedo seemed to be a shy bird, never 

 feeding in the town, and flying very high on its visits to the 

 country, uttering a peculiar sharp cry three or four times in 

 quick succession at intervals as it flew. One passed over my 

 house daily in summer, but always at too great a height to 

 admit of correct identification. 



KixCtFISHEK {Alceclo Bengalensis), Gmelin. — This pretty 

 little bird is often seen flitting about the miniature lakes in 

 the gardens of Yedo, flashing in the sunlight as it darts from 

 one side of a pond to the other, or perching upon twigs over- 

 hanging the w^ater. 



Swallow {Hinindo Javanica), Sparrman. — Not distin- 

 guished from the common chimney swallow by Temminck 

 and Schlegel in the "Fauna Japonica." A very common 

 bird, building in the rooms within the houses, where boards 

 are specially put up for them to rest on. They are shut into 

 the house at night with the family. 



Spinetailed Savift {Cypselus caudacittus), Latham. — I have 

 frequently seen swifts and spinetailed swallows flying above the 

 city, but at too great a distance to make sure of the species. 



TuETLE-DovE {Turtur riqncola), Pall. ; Bp. Consp., ii., 

 p. 60. — Very common everywhere, and not at all shy, being 

 easily approached within shot. In the days when shooting 

 was allowed, this dove could always be counted on to sup- 

 plement a badly-filled bag. It is, however, rather dry eating. 



Scemmeking's Pheasant (Phasianus Soemmeringii), Temm. 

 — Very common all over Japan. 



Diard's Pheasant (Fhasianus versicolor), Vieillot. — This 

 species makes its home in Yedo, where, in every garden of 

 any size, at least one pair may be found. They even breed 

 within the town. I have often, while sitting under the 

 verandah, watched them walking about my garden. They 

 are wonderfully tame, but always ready to run under cover 

 VOL. IV. s 



