071 the Birds of South-eastern China. 167 



Chloris sinica. 



The Chinese Greenfinch is a resident species on the 

 West River, but in Hong Kong and Kowloon it was only 

 observed as a winter visitor, and an irregular one at 

 that. 



Up the West River these birds go about in small parties 

 during the summer, but in the autumn and winter they form 

 themselves into considerable flocks, and these are augmented 

 by very large numbers of birds which come down from the 

 north on migration. In Feb. 1902, in very cold weather, 

 large flocks appeared at Kowloon, whence they departed as 

 it grew warmer. 



Their cry is a cheerful twitter with some resemblance to 

 that of the English Greenfinch, but lacking the mournful 

 long-drawn note of the latter. 



This Greenfinch is partly insectivorous and partly frugi- 

 vorous, and is especially fond of the seeds of fir-cones. 

 Nesting sometimes commences very early, for a well-fledged 

 young bird was seen in a cage on April 6. Nests have been 

 taken from March 29 until June 17 in bamboos, ever- 

 greens, and various fruit-trees ; they are slight structures, 

 but well built, and small for the size of the bird. At the 

 nest the birds are very bold. The usual clutcn is four, but 

 five eggs have been observed. 



Eggs vary in length from "79 to "64 and in breadth from 

 •55 to '49; they average '72 x '52 (see Plate V. fig. 7). 



EoPHONA MELANURA. 



The Chinese Grosbeak occurs regularly but never abund- 

 antly at Hong Kong in the months of January, February, 

 and March. On the North River a considerable party 

 was seen on April 24, and small flocks were noticed 

 also on the West River in that month on passage north- 

 wards. 



Swinhoe noticed this species in plenty at Canton in early 

 spring, and surmised that it bred there, but in this there 

 can be little doubt he was mistaken. 



