on the Birds of South-eastern China. 165 



MOTACILLA MELANOPE. 



The Grey Wagtail is a common winter visitor to the 

 Kwang Tung coast, and some individuals arrive from the 

 north as early as September 6, but the greater number 

 appear about the first half of October. 



During this autumn migration these birds at times abso- 

 lutely swarm in the paddy-fields, where they descend to 

 feed. The Chinese sometimes catch them after dark at 

 this time by taking a net and drawing it over a small 

 paddy-field. When the feeding birds hear this they spring 

 up and catch their necks in the meshes. At the end of the 

 draw the two Chinamen drop the net and walk along it 

 extracting the birds, which are then sold as " Rice-birds." 



Many of these Wagtails appear to have the breast of a 

 deeper yellow and perhaps a shorter tail than is usually seen 

 in western specimens. 



MOTACILLA TAIVANA. 



The Eastern Yellow Wagtail is a very local winter visitor, 

 but is abundant in the marshes at Shiapo and Samchau near 

 Samshui, the only two places where it is* found. 



Unlike most Wagtails, these birds are exceedingly shy and 

 retiring, conliiiing themselves to the wettest portions of the 

 marshes ; they hide in rank decaying vegetation or skuik in 

 the long grass. This species has been observed as early as 

 August 31. 



MOTACILLA FLAVA. 



This Wagtail was only seen during the spring migration 

 in the mouths of March, April, and May. It was observed 

 at Samshui and near Tolo Harbour, Kowloon Peninsula. 

 It is a rather unusual spring bird of passage. 



LiMONIDROMUS INDICUS. 



This species was noticed both in Kwang Si and Kwang 

 Tung, on the coast as well as inland, but always singly. 

 Individuals were seen in May, August, November, and 

 December. 



N 2 



