SOME NOTES ON LAND-BIRDS, 



INCLUDING ALSO GENERAL REMARKS ON THE 



BIRDS OBSERVED AT SEA ON THE COAST 



OF CHINA IN 1916. 



H. E. LAYER. 



These notes refer principally to Land-birds which I have 

 seen at sea during this year — frequently both land-birds and 

 insects have been meet with when at a considerable distance 

 from land. I have also noted the sea-birds when present — 

 these represent but few species — and as many sea birds take 

 several years to reach maturity, no doubt I have been 

 occasionally wrong in naming these, especially when in 

 immature dress. 



After all it is frequently very difficult to be absolutely 

 certain in naming the gulls or petrels, the view one gets is 

 more often than not, only a fleeting one, as the birds fly 

 past, and as their whole appearance changes as the bird 

 grows to maturity, one is often in doubt as to the species. 



It will be noticed that in some voyages, few birds have 

 been observed, I usually note all I have seen, but much 

 depends on the season and whether the ship went North or 

 South at the right time. And with sea-birds the scarcity 

 or otherwise of food will govern their movements also. The 

 notes will be found to include several trips to Saigon, across 

 to the Philippine Islands and to Java. 



Few opportunities offer for special remarks on the 

 natural history of life met with at sea, because the ship 

 is seldom stationary, with the exception of such as when 

 birds follow the ship ; most other objects are lost to view 

 almost as soon as they are seen. 



March 29th. — Chefoo to Swatow. Light variable winds, 

 misty overcast weather. Calm sea. Being 6 miles east of 

 Tung Yung Islands, one small hawk was seen close to the 

 ship. 



March 30th. — Light variable winds and overcast. When 

 off Chapel Island numbers of swallows were met with, 

 hawking for flies over the sea. 



