~ 
1870.] MR. R, SWINHOE ON CHINESE ZOOLOGY. 437 
Prussian temple), but beyond Crossbills and Goldenwings we saw 
nothing of interest. The Crossbills were usually on the tops of the 
pine-trees feeding on the cone-seeds, and twittering in notes much 
like those of a Sparrow. 
LoxIA ALBIVENTRIS, Sp. nov. 
Small ; like in colour to L. eurvirostra, L., but differing from all 
the known species in having the abdomen and under tail-coverts 
white, the latter with large central arrow-head brown spots. Under 
quills whitish. 
Length 6 inches; wing 3%; tail 2; tip of wing to end of tail -6. 
Iris brown; bill brown, light horn-colour along the tomia. Legs, 
toes, and claws blackish brown, washed with pink on the soles. 
Called here Keao-tsuy (twisted bill). 
On the 14th of August, with two donkeys to carry our baggage, 
we walked northwards across the millet-plain twenty miles to Chang- 
pingchow, and put up at an inn near the west gate. This town 
contains a Taotai, who has charge of the tombs of the Ming Empe- 
rors, situated in a neighbouring valley, and called the Shizh-sdn-ling 
(or thirteen eminences). In the early morning we got donkeys, and 
rode to the celebrated tombs. Two miles of road brings you to the 
commencement of the sacred precincts, marked by a high open gate- 
way of three arches, whence leads a paved way for a mile to a brick 
gateway, also of three arches; a mile further and you reach a single 
bronzed arch with a large tablet inside, raised by the Emperor Keen- 
lung of the present dynasty, who repaired the tombs; then a series 
of animals in stone flank the way on either side, one kneeling and 
one standing, of the following in order—the fabulous Kelin, Lion, 
Camel, Elephant, Tsowshow (Lion with scales and hoofs), and Horse, 
succeeded by two warriors and two statesmen. Three triple arches 
are next passed, and you have a cultivated plain before you bounded 
by hills, at the feet of which you can count, as you gaze round, 
thirteen enclosures of various extent, with what looks like a painted 
temple with yellow tiling in each, surrounded by trees. A stream 
crosses the plain; and the ruins of a marble bridge show the course 
of the road from the arches. The tomb of the Emperor Yunglo was 
the largest and best wooded ; so we bent our steps along the broken 
stone causeway to that. The porter in charge was called and let us 
in. We were led into the hall where the shrine was placed,—an 
enormous room 70 paces long by 33 broad, and about 60 feet high - 
in the centre, the sides a little lower; the ceiling was chequered 
and painted, a good deal like that of the Elgin Gallery in the British 
Museum, and supported by huge pillars of single timber, each 12 feet 
in circumference, throughout its great length. There were eight of 
these pillars. In rear of this large hall is the great mound in which 
Majesty’s bones are entombed. After all this the Society will expect 
to hear something of the ornithology of the place; but birds were 
scarce. ‘Tits (Parus minor, Temm. et Schleg.) and P. hamtschaticus 
were commonest ; but I looked in vain for the Crested Cole-tit (P. 
