Birds. 



8743 



both specimens I procured were females. Unfortunately the only 

 male 1 procured at Amoy was so shattered that I threw it away, and 

 I have reserved no note of it ; but I have adult females and immature 

 birds from that locality, which in most respects agree with those pro- 

 cured in Formosa. The Formosan bird is, however, smaller, much 

 paler, and less distinctly spotted, and may perhaps be ranked as a 

 variety. 



In the spring, at Tamsuy, N.W. Formosa, I witnessed the arrival of 

 large numbers of Caprimulgidse, which I took for this species. Like 

 most of the goatsucker group, they skulked about the roots of the 

 bushes on the hill-sides during the day, and then required almost to 

 be trodden upon before they would spring. When they rose they 

 dashed away with uncertain flight for a short distance and then fell, 

 sometimes among bushes, but often on the bare ground, flapping and 

 running awkwardly under the nearest cover of a stone or tuft of grass. 

 On their first arrival, while the weather was still fresh, they frequented 

 the banks of a hot sulphur-spring, where the steaming exhalations 

 heightened the temperature, and imparted to the atmosphere a dis- 

 agreeable sulphurous odour. The birds, though in good condition, 

 seemed to shrink from the cold, and sought the friendly warmth of 

 the ravine, regardless of the deleterious smell, thus proving that they 

 had sought these latitudes from a warmer climate. 



14. Cypselus vittatus, Jard. # Selb. III. Orn. 9 Swinhoe, t. 39. This 

 species, which I have noted all along the coast of China, from Amoy to 

 Talien Bay, was also seen in S.W. Formosa in summer, where, I sus- 

 pect, a few nidificate, as is the case on many islands off the Chinese 

 coast. It is everywhere in China only a summer visitant, arriving in 

 early spring. Possessed of very long wings, and consequently of ex- 

 tensive powers of flight, it may be seen at all hours of the day soaring 

 at a great height, apparently never resting till the shades of evening 

 compel it to take refuge from the darkness. In damp foggy weather, 

 however, it descends to nearer the earth, darting, with quick flight and 

 screams, round hills and other prominences. Like all the species of 

 swifts I have observed, it copulates in the air, the female arresting 

 herself and hovering while the male performs his offices. It builds in 

 the holes of houses, often under eaves, and in many places in the 

 crevices of rocks. The Cypselus australis of Gould, the Hirundo 

 pacifica of Latham, is a closely related species from Australia ; but I 

 cannot think it the same, as ours migrates in summer in a south- 

 westerly direction, and probably finds winter quarters, as is the case 

 with many other species of birds, in the plains of Hindostan. It is 



