1900.] ON THE BIRDS OE HAINAN. 457 



2. On the Birds of Hainan. By W. R. Ogilvie Grant. 



[Eeceivecl March 4, 1900.] 

 (Plates XXXIII. & XXXIV.) 



The present paper, which gfVes a complete list of all the species 

 of Birds known to occur in the island of Hainan, is based on the 

 collection made by the late Mr. John Whitehead in the so-called 

 ' Five-Finger Mountains ' (Ngau-tchi-lea) in the interior. During 

 this expedition he unfortunately fell a victim to the terrible forest- 

 fever, for which, it appears,- the island is, at certain seasons, 

 notorious. 



I had arranged with Mr. Whitehead that he should again proceed 

 to the Philippines and complete his work there by investigating the 

 fauna of the highlands of Mindanao and other islands forming the 

 southern part of the archipelago, which he had not been able to 

 visit during his previous expedition. It was further agreed that 

 he should, if possible, explore the highlands of Formosa and 

 Hainan. 



On the 10th February 1899 he arrived at Manila, but after 

 remaining there two weeks, during which time fighting between 

 the Americans and Philipinos (Tagalos) continued daily, he was 

 reluctanfty obliged to give up all idea of collecting in the Philip- 

 pines, and, returning to Hong-Kong, made his way to Hainan. 



While in Manila he engaged the services of four Philipinos, 

 including two of his most valued collectors who had accompanied 

 him during his former expedition in the Philippines. Through 

 the kindness of the late Mr. Whitehead's relations, I have been 

 permitted to make use of his diary giving an account of his 

 journey in Hainan ; and I feel sure that the following extracts, 

 melancholy though they be, will prove to be of interest as the last 

 record of how this brave man and unrivalled field-naturalist lost 

 his life in the cause of science l . 



DIABY. 



March 5th. Leave Hong-Kong for Hainan. Voyage to Hoihow. 

 Stranded in the ' Hatin ' for four days on a sandbank ; afraid of 

 losing our baggage ; an anxious time. Get taken off the steamer 

 by the 'Hoihow.' Experience difficulties in reaching the shore at 

 low water. Mud-flats covered with flocks of Waders : Dunlins, 

 Greenshanks, Stilts, Golden Plover, Eedskanks, Curlews, and Sand- 

 plovers ; also white-necked Crows. 



On arriving in the town visit the Consul, and meet with great 

 kindness from Mr. Jiidell, who puts me up. Bairgage comes off 

 in boats and arrives at daylight the next day. 



1 An account of the late Mr. John Whitehead's scientific career will be fouud 

 in ' Country Life,' vol. vii. no. 15'J, pp. 72, 1'6, 20th January, l'JOO. 



