on the Birds of South-E astern China. 63 



behind the Howlik Forest, but it is not at all common ; it 

 is obviously indigenous and not an escaped species. 



Eggs vary in length from 1'09 to •9/ and in breadth from 

 •86 to "78, and they average '99 x •83. 



POMATORHINUS STRIDULUS. 



Pomator/iinus ruficollis Hodgs. ; Sharpe, Cat. B. ]\I. vii. 

 p. 426 pt. 



This Babbler, though uncommon, is widely distributed; 

 a pair was obtained up the North River on May 9th, 

 1905, and another pair near Wuchau on March 23rd, 1906 ; 

 whilst others were seen, or obtained, at Howlik, Tarn Chau, 

 and elsewhere. 



This bird is shy, keeping to the scrub and low bushes ; 

 probably it is resident, as it has been found from January 

 until August, and there is not much doubt that it breeds 

 in Kwaug Tung. 



Dryonastes chinensis. 



The Chinese Babbling-Thrush is a regular but rather 

 scarce winter visitor to Hong Kong, where it is seldom 

 seen, owing to its extreme shyness and its partiality for 

 the thickest parts of the woods. It was not observed 

 elsewhere. 



The song of this species is quite unmistakable from that 

 of any other bird occnrring at Hong Kong, and heard at 

 a distance is very melodious, if a trifle monotonous, con- 

 sisting as it does of a few flute-like notes repeated at short 

 intervals. It was not heard before April 23rd, nor was the 

 bird seen sooner than May 5th, when an opportunity of 

 observing a pair evidently about to breed occurred. This 

 pair of birds, engaged in amorous dalliance, permitted 

 themselves to be watched at a distance of a few yards 

 for about ten minutes, and probably had only recently 

 arrived. 



There is no doubt that this species breeds at Hong Kong, 

 although its nests and eggs have not been satisfactorily 



