20 Mr. J. D. D. La Touche—Field- Notes on 
brought to me by a native on June 23, and said to have been 
taken from a nest placed among reeds. I also obtained four 
fresh eggs on June 2, and two, equally fresh, on July 10. 
172. GaLuinuLa cHLoropus (L.). 
Styan, Ibis, 1891, p. 501. 
The Common Water-hen breeds in numbers in the flooded 
fields and reed-beds on both sides of the river. A few indi- 
viduals probably pass the winter here, as I have a young bird 
shot on December 21. 
173. GALLICREX CINEREA (Gm.). 
Styan, Ibis, 1891, p. 501; La Touche & Rickett, Ibis, 
1905, p. 60. 
The Water-Cock is extremely abundant during summer. 
It breeds among the reeds. I was unable to take any nests 
myself, but obtained three clutches of four, six, and five eggs 
on July 1] and 18. Two of the eggs of the first clutch were 
stale, the others fairly fresh ; these are of the glossy variety 
with red and pale purple spots. The other two clutches 
were respectively slightly incubated and nearly fresh ; they 
belong to the less glossy reddish variety and are covered 
with numerous large splashes of yellowish red, with very 
few purple underlying spots. These fifteen eggs average 
1°68 x 1:23”; the largest is 1°76 1:29” and the smallest 
1:62 x 1:26” ; the narrowest diameter is 1:16”. 
174. Furica atra L. 
Styan, Ibis, 1891, p. 501. 
This Coot is common in winter and sometimes remains to 
breed. On June 19 nine eggs were given to me, and I 
obtained another on July 13. All of them were quite fresh. 
They range in size from 2°17 x 1°54” to 1:93 x 1:40". 
175. HypropHAsiIs CHIRURGUS (Scop.). 
Styan, Ibis, 1891, p. 502. 
The Water-Pheasant appears about the end of May and is 
very abundant during summer on the south bank of the 
river about flooded fields and reed-beds. I do not remember 
having seen it on the north bank of the river. The end of 
June and July seem to be at Chinkiang the time during 
