vn the Birds of South-Eastern China. 55 



Both at Howlik and at Houg Koug the nest has been 

 found in a tree. This bird shews great partiality for certain 

 nesting-sites, returoiug to them year after year. 



The food of the allied species in India is said chiefly to 

 consist of snails, but in Kvvaug Tung it is mainly of insects. 

 It smashes the large Cicada {Cnjptotyinpana recta) on a 

 stone, after the manner of the English Song-Thrush with 

 a suail. 



The eggs are usually four, but not infrequently only 

 three, and sometimes only two. In some clutches the bluish- 

 green ground-colour is much more obvious than in others, 

 and in some it is almost entirely overlaid by the reddish- 

 brown markings. This species is double-brooded, the first 

 clutch being laid about the middle of April and the second 

 in June or July. 



Eggs vary in leugth from 1'46 to 1'22 and in breadth 

 from 1"03 to '95 ; whilst they average 1-36 x 1*00. An 

 example will be figured on Plate V. fig. 22 of the April 

 number. 



COPSYCHUS SAULARIS. 



The Chinese name is " Chu shi cha,'' i. e. *' Pig's Dung 

 Bird." 



The Magpie-Robin is one of the commonest birds through- 

 out all the area under discussion. It is a resident, and is 

 notorious for its partiality for human habitations and the 

 vicinity of mankind. 



Very popular with the Chinese as a cage-bird, for it is a 

 fine singer, the nests are anxiously looked for on the West 

 Hiver, with a view to appropriation of the young. 



This, a scanty afl'air of twigs, grasses, and aerial 

 rootlets, is generally placed in a hole in a tree or building ; 

 but has been found on the top of a stump or in an old 

 Magpie's or Grackle^s domicile. 



The Magpie-Robin is double-brooded, the first eggs being 

 laid in April and the second clutches late in June or early 

 in July. 



Tliis bird sings before daybreak in the spring, and at that 



