I860.] Ornithology of Amoxj. 243 



Frequent in spring, flying high in fine weather, but darting about 

 low during rain. Does not build here. 



16. Cypselus subfurcatus, Blyth. [Ante, p. 95.] 



A permanent resident, associating in parties and twittering 

 together at a great height in the sky, then, suddenly separat- 

 ing, the birds dart to all quarters, each displaying its command 

 of wing in the chase after insects ; then, again, they meet as 

 before, and so on for the greater part of the day, seldom resting. 

 The nest is often placed under the rafters of verandahs, and 

 resembles that of the House-Martin (Chelidon urbica) at a dis- 

 tance ; but is composed of straw and other soft materials 

 glued together in regular layers. The old birds roost every 

 night in their nests all the year through. 



17. Hiriuidapus nudipes, Hodgson.* 



A straggler in spring during rain-storms. 



18. Hirundo rustica, L., var. gutturalis, Scopoli. 



This appears to be merely a degenerate variety of the European 

 species. It is a summer resident here and pretty numerous, 

 building mud-nests shaped like a half-dish, and lined with 

 straw and a few feathers, over the doors of Chinese huts, where 

 they are reverenced as the harbingers of good luck. 



19. Sirundo daurica, L. ; alpestris, Pallas. 



A few passing flocks spend a day or two in Amoy during winter. 

 In Formosa it takes the place of the common species, and 

 builds domed nests of clay and mud under the roof-tops. 

 Those nests are lined properly with feathers, and contain from 

 3 to 5 fine white or pinkish eggs. 



20. Eurystomus orientalis, L. 

 Very rare. 



21. Halcyon smyrnensis, L. 



A common resident ; called " Fei4suy" by the Chinese, who 

 glue the feathers, chiefly those of the wing, over ornaments 

 worn by their women. Thus treated the lustrous blue feathers 

 give the appearance of turquoise stone. The bird is shy and 

 is remarkable for its loud screeching cry. 



* A specimen since sent accords exactly with Gould's figure of the Australian, 

 species ; but I consider the latter not to differ from the Himalayan.— ~Czw.As, Soc 



2 K 2 



