62 



an altitude of from 50 to 60 feet in irregular flocks, not unfrequently accompanied by Greater 

 Spotted Woodpeckers. Mr. L. Taczanowski says (J. f. 0. 1872, p. 437) that it appears in Dauria 

 in the spring and autumn with Turdus dubius, and that, from what the travellers on the Lena to 

 Jakutsk say, it must breed in the valleys of the Lena. Colonel Prjevalsky writes (Orn. Misc. 

 vi. p. 195), " Strange to say, in Mongolia (at least as far as Urgey) there is not a single species 

 of Thrush breeding, although some localities seem to be very suitable for that purpose, as for 

 instance the wooded mountain-chains of Muni-ul and Alashan. But even during migration only 

 very limited numbers visit Mongolia; and then they fly, avoiding the deserts, only along its 

 eastern more fertile boundary. Turdus naumanni, which is so very common in China, was met 

 with by us once, in a flock of several specimens, at the city of Dolan-nor in the Hoang-ho valley, 

 and on another occasion at Koko-nor. In the Ussuri country it is very abundant during migra- 

 tion, but does not breed there, as we have never seen it in summer. At Lake Hanka this Thrush 

 arrives about the middle of March, and proceeds on its migration northwards in the month of 

 April ; and in May none are to be seen. In autumn they migrate in October ; and on the coasts 

 of the Japanese sea I noticed single birds throughout November. During migration it always 

 kept in small flocks of ten to thirty individuals." In China, according to Mr. Svvinhoe, it is found 

 from Shanghai to Pekin, and westwards to Szechuen ; and, judging from the number of specimens 

 obtained by him, it is common there. It is also stated to occur abundantly in Japan ; but in 

 the collection from Yedo were none of this species, though Turdus dubius was abundantly 

 represented. 



I find nothing on record respecting the habits of this species, beyond the few details given 

 above. It appears to be less demonstrative and noisy than the Dusky Thrush ; but Mr. Swinhoe 

 informs me that its affinities are certainly with the Fieldfare. Its nest and eggs are as yet 

 unknown ; at least I can find no description of them anywhere on record, and have never seen 

 them in any collection. 



The specimens figured are the adult and young examples above described, both of which are 

 in my own possession. 



In the preparation of the above article I have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. H. E. Dresser. 



", />, c, <J a 2- Shanghai, March 1873. (1,6 2. Ningpo, China, March 1872. e, 2 . Shanghai, November 

 18G8. /. Formosa, February 1862 (R. Swinhoe). y,2- Ussuri river, 48° N. lat., May 12th, 1873 

 {L. Taczanowski). h, £ juv. Moupin, Thibet, November 6th, 1869 (Pere David). 



E Mus. Howard Saunders, 

 n, J . Ningpo, January 25th. b, 2 ■ Ningpo, March 1872 (R. Swinhoe). 



