298 MR. R. SWINHOK ON THE BIRDS OF CHINA. [JunC 23, 



vent varies in intensity, as also does the green of the upper parts ; but 

 these are chiefly distinctions of sex or age. I have one pale (almost 

 yellow) variety, procured by Captain Blakiston at Canton. All the 

 adults have the black lore and eye-line, shown also in the following 

 and in many of this group. I have specimens from Hongkong, 

 Macao, Canton, Amoy, Foochow, and Formosa, and they all agree 

 in essential characters. 



180. ZosTEROPS EYTHROPLEURA, Swiuhoe, P. Z. S. 1863, p. 204. 



This species, which extends from Shanghai to Tientsin and the 

 Amoor, I had confounded with the Z. japonica of the ' Fauna Japo- 

 nica,' until lately, when, on a visit to M. Jules Verreaux at Paris, I 

 had the pleasure of examining for the first time a Japanese speci- 

 men, and of comparing it with North China skins. The difference 

 in the two birds is striking. The under parts of Z. japonica are a 

 dull light brownish chestnut, while the flanks of this species are a 

 deep rusty chestnut. This bird is larger and longer-winged than our 

 South-China species, but is exceeded in both by the Japanese. I 

 have examined two specimens from Shanghai from M. Jules Ver- 

 reaux's collection, and one from Tientsin. The two former are much 

 brighter on the flanks than the latter ; but as they are both males, 

 and our Tientsin bird is a female, the difference may be only a 

 sexual one, and not one of locality. What could have induced 

 von Schrenck to confuse this species with the Z. chloronota, Gould, 

 of Australia, I cannot understand. The shape of the bill and head 

 of this last, as well as the dull sordid colour of the plumage, show 

 at once a marked difference from the Chinese bird. Indeed there 

 are many species from Asia and Africa far more closely allied to 

 our species than is the Z. chloronota. As I have never met with 

 the North China species alive, except as a cage-bird, I have nothing 

 special to relate regarding its habits. 



Ampelid^. 



181. LlOTHRIX LUTEA. 



Sylvia lutea, Scopoli. 

 Tanagra sinensis, Gmel. 

 Parus furcatus, Temm. 



Often seen alive in cages at Canton. Is said to be brought from 

 the interior. I never met with it in a wild state. 



182. Ampelis garrula, L. 



Occasionally met with in North China during winter. 



Fringillid^. 



183. Fringilla montifringilla, L. 



Met with in North China during winter. Summers in Amoorland. 

 Captain Blakiston killed one out of a small party at Shanghai in 

 January. 



