on the Birds of Soath-Eastern China. Q7 



on two other occasions^ ouce at Hong Kong in May and 

 once at Kowloon in April. It is a common cage-bird at 

 Hong Kong, and it is possible, though not likely, that the 

 birds seen had escaped from captivity. 



PaRUS CINEREUS. 



The Indian Grey Tit is a common resident species at 

 Hong Kong and on the Kwang Tang coast, but away from 

 the sea its place to the west and north is taken by what 

 has been called Parus commixtus. The borders of their 

 respective territories lie near Ilowlik, where the Delta and 

 creek country comes to an end, and the hills begin. In 

 this region the two interbreed, and were obtained on those 

 terms of tender intimacy which are supposed to indicate 

 identity of species. 



This bird nests early and two broods are probably reared 

 in the year. A party of young with their parents were 

 seen as early as the first week of JNIarch, but eggs have not 

 been taken before the 10th of that month. Second clutches 

 are found during the first half of May. 



Very large clutches are not found ; six or seven is usual 

 for first, and five for second layings. 



The nest exactly resembles that of Parus major and is 

 placed in similar situations. 



Lanius schach. 



This handsome Red-backed Shrike is very common both 

 up the West River and at Hong Kong and Macao, and is 

 resident throughout this part of China. 



The resident birds are largely augmented, however, by 

 the arrival of migrants from the north in September, and 

 these, after dawdling for a week or two, proceed further 

 south again. At this time, in the Delta country, many 

 of these Shrikes can be seen perched on the swaying reed- 

 tops. The bird is very noisy, but less so in the autumn 

 months than in the spring and summer. Perched on the 

 top of a small tree or a large bush, it gives vent to a series 



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