on the Birds of South-Eastern China. 47 



This species, like many otliers of the smaller birds, lias the 

 greatest liking for the densest undergrowth, which it leaves 

 with reluctance and to which it darts back again on the 

 slightest provocation, or on no provocation at all. It hops 

 restlessly from twig to twig whilst searching for food, 

 and it possesses a sweet bubbling little song that may be 

 heard in February and March, but it also has a harsh 

 " huxYJ" not unlike that of Dryonastes perspiciUatus. 



Geocichla varia. 



White's Thrush is only found in Howlik Forest, where a 

 few spend the winter ; froiu their great shyness they are 

 rarely seen, though occasionally heard. Mr. J, C. Kershaw, 

 however, heard them on the Lo Fu Shan Mountains, near 

 Canton. 



Merula mandarina. 



The Chinese Blackbird is a resident species, but is subject 

 to a curious seasonal movement, for it is only during the 

 winter months that it is found at INIacao, where it is 

 common, and at Hong Kong, where it is scarce. It breeds 

 abundantly at Kong Mun, which is only fifty miles away 

 from the former, and thence ujj the West River and 

 inland. 



On January 1st, 1906, at Fu Wan, fifteen miles below 

 Samshui, where there is a great deal of wood, a flock of over 

 twenty Blackbirds was seen : a most unusual thing. There 

 was a fresh north wind blowing and it was very cold- 

 Several smaller flocks were seen, so perhaps they were small 

 parties migrating. 



It usually places its nest on a horizontal bough against an 

 upright fork of a banyan-tree, and at a considerable height 

 from the ground. 



About the end of April fresh eggs may be looked for, 

 and as many as six clutches were taken on April 16th 

 from the Magistrate's Yamen at Samshui. 



The usual clutch is five, but four is not uncommon, and 

 one of six was found on three occasions. 



Eggs are met with until the middle of June, for this 



