1920.] Birds of Nurth-Eost Chihli. 059 



fresh eggs. These are of two types : white, sparsely speckled 

 with very dark brown, and warm orange-salmon or orange- 

 bnff, blotched chiefly at the large end with ln;rnt sienna 

 over iniderlying violet markings. Fourteen eggs measure 

 from 0-99 X 0-67 in. to 1-05 x 0-75 in., and l'04x0-77in. 

 They average 1*01 x 0"7'i in. 



The nests were strong shallow cups or fairly deep saucers, 

 composed chiefly of kaoliang-seed flower tops and similar 

 grass tops and rootlets, bound with cobwebs and cocoon silk. 

 Five nests measured had an inner depth of If in. (three 

 nests) and 1^ in. (two nests), with an inner diameter of 3^ in. 

 The outer depth varied from 2 to 2f in. and the outer 

 diameter from 4| X 6 in. to 6 in. The nests had apparently 

 been taken from forks of horizontal branches. 



48. Lanius sphenocerciis (Cabanis). 



Lanius sphenocercus D. & O. p. 92, pi. 7Q ; La T. p. 569. 



The Chinese Grey Shrike is found sparingly in spring, 

 but much more conmionly on the return passage, when it 

 may be seen from the beginning of September, throughout 

 October, and in November. A number winter in the district. 

 This Shrike may be seen hovering like a Kestrel. Generally 

 it takes up a position on some high bush or tree in the open 

 plain, and is always a very conspicuous object. Bii'ds obtained 

 in early September had newly moulted, and all autumn birds 

 have their plumage of a very pure white and grey. During 

 the winter the plumage becomes dingy, and specimens sliot 

 in spring have their feathers dirt}' and worn. A large Grey 

 Shrike seen near Newchwang on the 6th of September, 1889, 

 was probably of this species. Another was seen by a friend 

 during the following winter. 



49. Lanius mollis Eversmann, 



A medium-sized Grey Shrike with a rounded tail and under 

 parts waved witli brownish giey, each feather being bordered 

 with this colour, was shot at the hills north-west of the port 

 on the 12th of October, 1911. According to Dr. Hartert 

 (Nov. Zool. vol. xiii. 1906, p. 893), this bird should stand as 



