8754 



Birds, 



times thrice, during the summer, building in the same sort of places 

 and of similar materials, but making larger nests of a rounded form. 

 Their eggs are of a somewhat glossy white, and are generally three in 

 number; they measured '9 by "62. Their food consists of Co- 

 leopterous and other insects ; but they have a great partiality for the 

 large Cicadae and their larva?, thus rendering a great service by thin- 

 ning the number of these noisy pests. I have never found remains of 

 birds in their stomach ; and indeed, judging from their bills, I do not 

 well see how they could destroy birds. Like others of the Garrulax 

 group, if their food is too large they hold it down under their claws 

 while they peck it to pieces with their bill. Some species of Garru- 

 lax, I am told, attach they prey to thorns, like the Laniidse, but this I 

 have never observed. This bird occasionally throws its tail from side 

 to side, but never at right angles like some of the smaller Australian 

 Pomatorhini and the little P. stridulus of Foochow. There is not 

 much music in its ordinary call-note ; but when two or three are met 

 together,** and vie with one another in their strains, the effect is 

 pleasing, though their melody is not to be compared to that of the 

 Hwa-mei. When at rest in the middle of the day, hidden in some 

 sombre hill-side wood, they keep on uttering at intervals a series of 

 very liquid notes in regular cadence. These have an indescribably 

 hollow and unnatural sound, and at first puzzle the listener to know 

 whether they are produced by beast, bird or insect. 



45. Pomatorhinus erythroenemis, Gould, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1862, 

 p. 281. 



46. Hypsipetes nigerrimus, Gould, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1862, p. 282. 



47. Ixos sinensis. These birds subsist partly on insects, and 

 partly on berries and small wild figs. In habits they connect the 

 Fringillae and the Muscicapse, assembling, like the former, in large 

 flocks, and flying from tree to tree in noisy concert in search of ber- 

 ries, and, like the latter, pursuing insects in the air. They have no 

 habits in common with the skulking Garrulax, preferring rather to 

 show themselves tame and conspicuous ; no creeping from bush to 

 bush, and chattering in low and coaxing whisper, in their case ; but, 

 perching on the tops or exposed parts of bushes and trees, they 

 assemble and utter loud notes ; often, when so engaged, ruffling their 

 crests, rounding the back and tail, and making the tips of their wings 

 meet over their heads. Their notes are very varied, but strikingly 

 peculiar, and I would try to syllable them if there was any chance of 

 conveying to the reader an idea of their natural sounds. In April 

 they commence nesting, but still keeping together in parties, which 



