48 
[No. 1, 
Literary Intelligence. 
I can get no account of them from the natives. They were probably 
brought here from some distance, as Stag’s horns are valued in 
China for medicinal purposes. 
“ This is a great country for Picidce, Corvidees and Fringiilidce, but 
deficient in other families. I have procured and noted Gecinus 
camis [?], Ficus bisulci of Schlegel, (both found in Japan,) and a lesser 
spotted Woodpecker which 1 take to be new. r l he Corvidce are Corvus 
sinensis, C. torquatus, Fregilegus pastinator , Monedula daurica, (Pallas,) 
31. neglecta, (a black species) of Schlegel, Pica media, and P. cyana ; 
ALL in abundance. The Fringiilidce are the following : F. montifrin- 
gillas, F. spinus, F. sinensis, F. Finota, F. borealis, I. coccorthraustes, 
and Loxia currirostra. It is curious that the ordinary Butcher-bird of 
this district is Lanius bucephalus, whereas at Paliinwan, farther north, 
L. lucionensis was the only species. I have met with Zosterps japo- 
nicus, and am happy to announce that my little southerly species is 
perfectly distinct. The only Parus found here is Petrus palustris of 
Europe, strange to say. But in birds I am disappointed. Of Qua- 
drupeds or Mammals, I have a few ; a Hedgehog, new, I believe, a 
Mole, and a small Mouse. Mons. Zill, an amateur naturalist accompany- 
ing the present expedition, who, by the way, is acquainted with you, 
has besides procured an arctomys [P] or Squirrel-rat. I have also a 
few Bats, all of one species, and several reptiles. 
“ The other day I picked up the feathers of an Oreocincla, the body 
having been probably eaten by a Hawk. I have not yet met with 
the bird alive so far north ; indeed I have never met with but two in 
all my Chinese experience : you sent me among the skins sent an Ore- 
ocincla dawna. Have you any other species in India and do you 
know anything about their habits P I am very anxious to get some 
particulars about them. How many species do you know of, where 
are they to be found, and do you know anything of their habits, 
their nesting, &e. ? Are their eggs and nests procurable ? Oreo- 
cincla varia of Horsfield is confined, I believe, to Java, where it is 
said to be very scarce. It is a most singular and anomalous species, at 
times shewing itself in most distant parts of the world, in the most 
erratic manner, and apparently nowhere found resident.” 
