7508 Birds. 



some seven miles up, tlien forms into a large shallow basin, whence il strikes inland in 

 a norlh-weslerly direction. For years before the harbour was opened to legitimate trade 

 il used to be one of the haunts of opium-receiving hulks and opium schooners, and in 

 later times became the resort of coolie kidnappers and of much unlawful traflSc. The 

 surrounding country resembles iu general aspect that of Amoy, and is perhaps even 

 more destitute of verdure than our barren island, but, from its possessing such extensive 

 sandy beaches and muddy creeks about the basin and at the river's mouth, it has been 

 long reputed as one of the most favoured spots for waterfowl known on the Chinese 

 coast ; the spoonbill, the oystercatcher, the avocet and the phalarope have all been 

 procured there frequently; and I was further informed by an intelligent merchant 

 captain that the Turkey bustard, as he termed the bird, had also been met, and was 

 eagerly pursued for its dainty flesh. You can easily imagine how anxious I 

 became to get possession of what I supposed was a novel species of bustard (Eupodotis). 

 I sent dowo a Chinese birdstuffer to the spot, and wrote urgently to my friends there 

 that they might keep a sharp look out after these birds, but all without success. 

 Lately, however, the British Government, having opened the port under the auspices 

 of Mr. Consul Caine, that gentleman, being a keen sportsman, as well as a lover of 

 birds, made great exertions to procure a specimen of the so-called bustard. His 

 endeavours have been crowned with success, and he now sends me one of the much- 

 coveted species. But, alas ! it turns out to be the crane (Grus cinerea), which I am 

 informed arrives during winter in the neighbourhood of Swatow in flocks flying high 

 and screaming. These flocks seldom frequent the sea-shore, but prefer the sandy 

 fields planted with sweet potatoes {Batatas edulis), on the tubers of which ihey feed. 

 They run with celerity before taking wing, and are somewhat shy of approach. Every 

 winter season a few may be seen, but they are by no means regular in their migrations. 

 The specimen received answers in every respect to a two-year's bird of Grus cinerea, 

 and exhibits the same peculiarity of structure in the tracheal convolutions as that 

 assigned lo this species in the descriptions of authors. Bill along culmen 4 inches; 

 along upper edge of lower mandible 4 inches. Wing 19 inches. Tarsus 9-^. Middle 

 toe 3^; its claw •^. Outer toe 3 ; its claw •^. Inner toe 2y'g ; its claw ■^. Hind 

 toe j'g ; its claw ■^. Bill flesh-brown, yellowish horn-colour for more thjjn an inch at 

 the tip. luside of mouth flesh-C(jlour. Iris pink. Legs and claws black. All those 

 who have tasted the flesh of this bird speak very highly of its flavour. Grus cinerea 

 is said to be found in India and throughout Asia generally. Schlegel notices one 

 individual from Japan, which difi"ered in the striking length of its beak, and to which 

 he thereupon assigned the name of Cinerea longiroslris. The Swatow specimen is in 

 no way separable from the common species, and the new winter resort of this bird is 

 therefore a fact worth imparting to naturalists. I have heard tell of a bustard found 

 at Shanghai and Ningjio, and strongly suspect that the same may be referred to the 

 species imder consideration. — Robert Swinhoe ; British Consulate, Amoy, February 9, 

 1861. [Should not Schlegel's name be Grus longirostris? — E. N^ 



Storks in Zealand. — The storks arrived this morning, so we may really expect 

 summer ; for storks, unlike mortals, are never wrong in their calculations — odd birds 

 they are. It roust be a curious sight to witness one of their gatherings previous to 

 departure at the approach of winter. A friend of mine came across an assembly of 

 four hundred perched on the eaves of a farm-house in Zealand, and watched their 

 proceedings. Before starting they passed in review the whole flock, and singled out 

 and separated the aged and weakly from the rest, and then, with one accord, pounced 



