011 the Birch of South-eastern China. 383 



even threw tliemselves on to the sandy edges of the pool in 

 their efforts to escape. 



At times the bird flapped along the surface of the Avater 

 Avith its wings and head alone submerged^ and in this way 

 also apparently obtained food. After a successful bout of 

 fishing the Merganser rested on the surface of the pool, and 

 defecated, and this function was performed three times in 

 half an hour. At length a Chinaman passed by, and the 

 Merganser being frightened, made otf to sea. 



Appendix. 

 A further Note on certain Species o/Pericroeotns which occur 

 in South-eastern China, with the Description of a neiv 

 Species of the Cienus. 



Since the above article was written there have come to 

 light certain facts which appear to call for further comment 

 ou this genus, and a species has been differentiated from 

 Pericrocotus roseus which it is desirable to name. 



To deal with this species first. Pericrocotus stanfordi, 

 sp. nov. appears to be most nearly allied to Pericrocotus "t* 

 roseus and P. cantonensis. From P. roseus it differs in the 

 presence, at all ages, and in both sexes, of a frontal patch 

 and an incomplete collar. Pericrocotus cantonensis differs 

 from P. stanfordi in the total absence of any pink or reddish 

 feathers in the plumage of the male. 



The general colour of P. stanfordi is that of P. roseus, 

 but the frontal patch mentioned above varies from a light 

 pink to orange-buft' in colour. The collar is of a very light 

 orange-buff or pink according to age and sex, and in- 

 clining to whitish at the sides of the neck. There is a 

 well marked alar speculum which varies much in width in 

 different specimens, and in colour from orange to vermilion 

 in the male. The upper tail-coverts are of a reddish orange 

 colour; the colour appears to vary according to the age of 

 the specimen. 



In the female the red or orange of the male is replaced by 

 lemon- yellow. 



