the Birds of Chinkiang. 625 



following. On October 16, a couple of years after, while 

 looking for Pheasants in some bean-fields at the foot of the 

 grass-covered hills near Chinkiang, I came across a number 

 of these birds. They were among the beans, and when 

 flushed generally flew into the thick cover at the base of the 

 hills. I secured on that occasion a male and a female. 



63. Larvivora cyanus (Pall.). 



Erithacus cyanus (Pall.) ; Styan, Ibis, 1891, p. 338. 



This bird seems rare about Chinkiang. The only specimen 

 which I have seen (a male in partly immature dress) was 

 shot by the collectors on the hills on May 19. They saw 

 another on May 15. 



64. Tarsiger cyanurus (Pall.). 

 Styan, Ibis, 1891, p. 349. 



Very few, if any, of these birds winter about Chinkiang. 

 They pass in March and April. Once, on April 13, I saw 

 on the hills a great number which had evidently just 

 arrived. 



65. Merula mandarina (Bp.). 



Styan, Ibis, 1891, p. 332; La Touche & Uickett, Ibis, 

 1905, p. 42. 

 The Chinese Blackbird is very common on the plain, but 

 appears to be absent from the low hills and loess country at 

 the back of Chinkiang. The natives rear it in cages as in 

 South China. It breeds commonly on the plain from April 

 to July. Fresh eggs were brought to me on April 20 and 

 some nearly fresh on July 11, so that there are two or three 

 broods during the year. A nest taken on June 18 contained 

 six nearly fresh eggs. The nests, as in Fohkien, are built 

 on the boughs of trees, generally at a good height from the 

 ground. 



66. Merula pallida (Gm.). 

 Styan, Ibis, 1891, p. 332. 



A common winter bird, remaining as late as the end of 

 April. As a rule it is found in thick cover and in gardens, 

 orchards, &c, but on one occasion I shot an individual 

 perched on a bare tree in the middle of a field. 



