Birds. 



8747 



right, extending in depth to about two feet, their diameter being from 

 two to three inches, which is enlarged to a cavity about six or eight 

 inches broad at the bottom. In its cup-shaped base was placed the 

 nest, composed of light straw and dried grasses, and lined with 

 feathers. One nest, however, had no feathers ; but as it had no eggs 

 1 concluded it was unfinished. The eggs in every case were only 

 three in number, of a pinkish white, without spot or stain. On our 

 disturbing the birds they rushed in consternation from their nesting- 

 site, and, after flying about low in the air at some distance in great 

 agitation, they would meet together for some seconds as if in consult- 

 ation. They would then again hurry off in different directions, and 

 again meet. Finding we were in no hurry to leave their ground, they 

 began to scatter and soar away to a considerable height. As soon, 

 however, as we withdrew for a space, they returned, many diving at 

 once into their burrows, others rushing backwards and forwards close 

 past the holes, .as if bewildered and afraid to enter. They were so 

 numerous, and looked so small in the^ bright quivering light of a hot 

 Formosan day, that they seemed to me at times more like dragon-flies 

 than birds. 



19. Halcyon coromandelianus, Scop. 



20. Alcedo bengalensis, Gmel. ; Chinese, To-he-ang (Little Fisher). 



21. Tchitrea principalis, Temm. 



22. Myiagra azurea, Bodd, About Taiwanfoo and Apes' Hill this 

 species is specially abundant, frequenting the numerous plantations of 

 tall graceful bamboos. Among the thickest and shadiest boughs of 

 these trees it loves to sit, uttering its harsh grating note, and quar- 

 relling with every other bird that comes within its reach. Its flights 

 after insects are short, and usually merely a skip from one bough to 

 another. It nidificates much in the manner of the common flycatcher 

 (Muscicapa grisola) at home, building a deep purse -like nest of 

 spider's web and catkins in the forks of tree-branches, usually pre- 

 ferring a branch that leans against a tree or wall. The eggs, num- 

 bering from four to five, and rarely to seven, are, when fresh, pinky 

 white, spotted, especially at the larger end, with deep madder-pink 

 spots and light pinkish gray. They vary somewhat in size, the largest 

 egg measuring by '48. 



23. Hemichelidon latirostris, Raffles. 



24. H. griseisticta, Swinhoe, Ibis, 1861, p. 330. 



25. Pericrocotus cinereus, Lafresn. 



26. P. griseigularis, Gould, Proc. ZooL Soc. 1862, p. 282 ; native 

 name, Hee-ah (Little Gem). In the hilly country of N.W. Formosa 



