on the Birds of South-Eastern China. 21 



situated halfway up a hill some 2000 feet high and sur- 

 rouuded by about four square miles of virgiu forest, which 

 is rigorously protected by the mouks aud forms a veritable 

 haveu of refuge for many species of birds. 



Through the forest ruus a little river, which attracts 

 certaiu birds to its banks, aud constant observation led to 

 the conclusion that some tive-aud-twenty species are 

 to be found here aud nowhere else in the districts under 

 consideration. 



Originally, no doubt, the whole of this part of southern 

 China was clothed with dense forest, but no plant Ciipable 

 of serving for fuel has any chance of survival with the 

 Chinese, and it is only by a well-organized system of armed 

 forest-guards that the monks at Howlik preserve their trees 

 intact. Above Howlik the type of country does not change 

 until Kwei Hsien in Kwang Si is reached, or for well over 

 250 miles. 



Wuchau, about 110 miles above Samshui, is the most 

 westerly point mIucIi has been under observation in the 

 winter months, for during that time of year, owing to the 

 fail in the river, gunboats are unable to proceed further 

 inland. 



At Kwei Hsien there is, for this part of China, a consider- 

 able plain, covered largely with grass and showing curious 

 outcrops of carboniferous rock. Several species of birds 

 adapted to such a habitat occur here and not elsewhere. 



There is one other district which it is necessary to mention, 

 and that is the North Hiver, a tributary of the West Kiver 

 which draws its waters from the southern parts of the 

 Provinces of Kiaugsi and Hunan. Here the scenery ditfers 

 from that of the Si Kiang or West lliver chiefly in the 

 presence along its banks of numerous cliffs, on which, in 

 places, Milvus melanotis and Corvus torquatus breed in 

 suitable small outstanding bushes or on ledges of the rocks. 

 This river was explored as far as Shau Kwau, about 150 

 miles from its junction with the W^est liiver. 



The climate of this part of eastern Asia is, on the whole, 

 hot and damp for seven months in the year, and dry aud 

 moderately cool for the other live. 



