250 



TEA DISTRICTS OF CHINA. Chap. XIV. 



latter did not appear to be cultivated here as it is in 

 many other parts of the country which I had passed 

 through. Eugenias, guavas, and other myrtaceous 

 genera were most numerous — the guava was culti- 

 vated extensively for the sake of its fruit. Some 

 evergreen oaks,* with large glossy leaves, were also 

 met with, and were highly ornamental. A deciduous 

 species, not very unlike the English oak, also grew 

 near the tops of these mountains. Azaleas were 

 common, and I found one rhododendron. 



The most beautiful bird seen during our journey 

 was the red-billed pie. This bird is scarcely so large 

 as the English species, is of a beautiful light-blue 

 colour, and has several long feathers in the tail tipped 

 with white. It is generally met with in flocks of ten 

 or a dozen, and as they fly across the ravines with 

 their tails spread out they look very beautiful. 

 Several species of jay were also observed, apparently 

 new. Pheasants, partridges, and woodcocks were 

 plentiful and very tame. They did not seem to be 

 molested by the Chinese sportsman. Many other 

 small birds, which I had never seen in other parts of 

 the country, were continually showing themselves, 

 and making me regret that I had no means at hand 

 of adding them to my collections. A small species 

 of deer — the one formerly noticed — was most abun- 

 dant, and I was told by the Chinese that wild boars 

 and tigers are not unfrequently seen here. 



On the third evening after leaving Woo-e-shan we 

 arrived at a bustling little town named She-pa-ky ? . 



* I Jiiercus sclerophylla, Q. in versa, &'e. 



