150 Proceedings of the Boyal Physical Society. 



on the least movement or unusual noise. It is a curious fact, 

 which I have myself often noted, that just before earthquake 

 shocks, which are very frequent in Japan, the pheasants call 

 as if frightened. In this way they may almost always be 

 counted on, if within earshot, to give warning of a coming 

 shock a few seconds before it is felt. 



Japanese Quail (Coturnix Jcqoonica), Temm. and SchL, 

 Faun. Jap., p. 103. — Is not rare, though far from being so 

 common as it is in some other countries — Turkey in Europe, 

 for example. 



Kentish Dotterel {^gialites Cantianus), Lath. — Is met 

 with in small flocks. 



Mantchurian Crane {Gtus montignesia), Bp. — This elegant 

 bird — called by the Japanese tsitru — is frequently seen on the 

 marshes between the mouths of the Samida and Nakagawa. It 

 is held sacred in Japan, and is considered emblematic of long 

 life and good fortune. It is never molested except by the 

 nobles, who sometimes take it while hawking. A hawk that 

 has killed a tsmm, is specially prized, and receives a sort of title 

 by which it is ever afterwards called. The Japanese often 

 make coloured drawings of this bird, and it is to be seen 

 beautifully carved in wood over the entrance gate of nearly 

 every Buddhist temple. They are often to be found tame in 

 the gardens of the nobles. 



White-naped Crane (Grus leucachen). — Is also abundant, 

 considerable numbers being at times seen together. This bird 

 is more shy, however, than the tsuru, and is not so large and 

 striking looking. 



Common Heron {Ai-dect cinerea), Linn. — This species is also 

 met with, but is somewhat rare, being shy and retired inits habits. 

 Great White Heron {Herodias alba), Linn. — Not so rare as 

 the preceding. I have also seen a bird resembling at a distance 

 the great white heron, but of a beautiful roseate hue all over. 

 Little Egret {Herodias garzetta). — Very common. It is 

 easily tamed, and becomes bold and familiar after a few days' 

 confinement. 



Night Heron (Ardea goisaga). — Equally common. I have 

 seen a perfect cloud of them rise from a favourite clump of 

 trees when disturbed. 



