on the Birds of South-eastern China. 367 



until the middle of April, and is in some years more plenti- 

 ful than in otliers. This bird occasionally takes up its 

 winter quarters in a particular wood, or gully, and there 

 remains for the whole season. Woodcocks can be purchased 

 alive in the Canton bird-shops from the middle of October 

 onwai'ds. 



ROSTRATULA CAPENSIS. 



The Painted Snipe is partially resident and partially 

 migratory in the area under discussion. Females containing 

 eggs ready to be laid were shot at the end of April, and a 

 nest was found on an island amidst the paddy-fields near 

 Howlik, from which a road of retreat had been made by 

 the bird into the growing rice-plants. 



In October the resident birds are largely augmented by 

 the arrival of numerous winter visitors. They are inclined, 

 to be gregarious, and lie closely in the marsh, or paddy, as 

 they do elsewhere. 



Phalaropus hyperboreus. 



Eed-necked Phalaropes were only seen during the ate 

 spring, when, as often happens, there is a decided drop in 

 the temperature, with rain and strong north-easterly winds ; 

 under these conditions immense numbers of these little 

 birds have appeared on the waters of Tolo Harbour and 

 Mirs Bay. The greatest inrush was noticed at Tolo 

 Harbour for several days, commencing on April 10, and 

 the latest date on which they were observed was May 2 

 at Kowloon. 



Platalea leucorodia. 



Spoonbills have been observed in December and April at 

 Deep Bay, Shiapo, and Taiping, and though not at all 

 common are regular winter visitors. At Taiping they were 

 noticed consorting with Ardea cinerea, and at Shiapo were 

 observed swimming and putting their heads under water in 

 the shallows, after the fashion of a Duck. On April 3 one 

 was shot, asleep, on a rock, with its long bill depressed 

 against its breast. 



