24 SOME NOTES ON LAND-BIRDS 



having very dark plumage. Of land birds— a kingfisher 

 (A bengalensis) and a shrike. I also saw another land-bird 

 of the size of a pigeon, but resembling a kingfisher, too far 

 off to see properly what it was. An occasional moth was 

 also seen. 



August 30th. — N.E. (4-5); overcast and heavy rain most- 

 ly all day. Caught a moth. A small flock of Swinhoe's petrel 

 near by, some hawking for food others at rest on the water. 

 Several land-birds were seen but none stayed long enough 

 for me to identify. A few insects came on board and flies 

 once more became a pest. 



August 31st. — Calm and fine. At daylight the cat 

 caught a large bat and was greatly surprised to see its mouse 

 fly away when attempting to play with it. Many hundreds 

 of moths flew on board last night, the ship was covered 

 with them, and they were no doubt the cause of the bat's 

 appearance. Up to now I have only seen one butterfly, 

 which I caught. Altogether we had four different species of 

 .moths. And several small land-birds were seen. At sunset 

 a pair of terns seen. 



September 1st. — Calm and fine. No fresh moths came 

 off last night, but several kinds of dragon flies and a couple 

 of bees were seen to-day. Also, saw a large flocks of birds, 

 probably the common tern, and one small land-bird. 



September 2nd. — Calm and fine. Several species of 

 land-birds were noted as they flew past, none coming to rest 

 on board. Also, a pair of swifts. Several gulls (L canus) 

 come and go, and a few petrels occasionally seen — these last 

 too distant to identify. A land-bird was caught by the cat, 

 but a handful of feathers was all I saw of it. I saw a very 

 large bat this evening, quite the largest I have seen in China. 



September 3rd. — Overcast — plenty of rain all night. 

 Clearing this morning after 10 a.m. Last night the ship 

 was infested with small aphides or flies. At daylight a 

 few swifts seen hawking round the ship and some dragon 

 flies. An occasional small land-bird flies off, none appear 

 to rest on board. After dark a few more land -birds, calling 

 as they circle round the electric light. One from its note, 

 must have been a large bird, many insects on board to-night. 



September 4th. — Wind N.E. (4-5); freshening, sky over- 

 cast. To-day an occasional petrel — possibly Swinhoe's, and 

 during the day I noted several bees, moths and dragon flies. 

 To-night I heard several land-birds calling, but though quite 

 close, I did not seen any. 



September 5th. — Moderate N.E. winds, overcast with 

 rain. Many moths came on board last night : as I found 

 plenty around at daybreak. Also, I saw several land-birds,. 



