on the Birch of South-eastern China. 357 



Rallus indicus. 



This Rail is a common winter visitor, arriving probably 

 in September and leaving early in April. The time of its 

 arrival is very difficult to ascertain because it frequents 

 the young paddy^ through which one cannot walk. When 

 flushed^ it flies away, with its legs hanging down, to 

 the nearest cover, and tlien runs with astonishing rapidity. 



Hypot.enidia striata. 



This Rail is a local resident, confined apparently to the 

 coast, for it is not met with on the West River ; it is fairly 

 common about Castle Peak Bay^ and abounds in some of the 

 country around Mirs Bay. 



PORZANA INTERMEDIA. 



Baillon's Crake is a bird of passage, and was first seen 

 on March 19 ; after that date it can be found all through 

 April and as late as May 2. On the autumn passage these 

 birds were first seen on September 18, but Mr. J. C. Kershaw 

 reported having seen one at Wuchau on August 5. 



They are fairly numerous but occur singly, so that, 

 although a dozen may be flushed in working through a large 

 marsh, no two will be seen at the same time. 



OrTYGOPS EXQUISITA. 



This Rail is a rare or accidental winter visitor. Only two 

 specimens were met with, one of which was obtained. 



LiMNOB.ENUS ruscus. 



This Rail is a summer visitor, but no dates of arrival and 

 departure were obtained on account of its extremely secretive 

 habits. It is found equally on the coast and up the 

 rivers. 



Nests and eggs were found on various dates from June 13 

 to September 21, so that it is certainly double-brooded. 

 A nest found on September 21 at Macao was placed in a big- 

 tuft of river paddy, and situated two feet above the ground. 

 It was made entirely of dry paddy-straw, fashioned into 

 a rough cup over which the tops of the rice had grown 



