Mr. R. Swinhoe on Formosan Ornithology . 291 
Paradoxornis, but in habits and general form it is a true Ixos. 
In China I have never found it anywhere but on the plateaux, 
2000 feet high, near Foochow. They were usually to be seen 
perched on the tops of the twigs that were raised above the low 
bushy copse, and when disturbed, would drop at once under 
cover. Remains of Cicada and field-bugs were found in their 
stomachs, together with berry-seeds. 
From the high ranges of Formosa my hunters brought me a 
solitary specimen, which appears to tally exactly in colour with 
the Chinese bird, but is smaller and has shorter wings and tail. 
I have unfortunately only this one, and that rather injured, and 
cannot therefore institute a satisfactory comparison between the 
two races. 
49. Oriolus chinensis, L. 
The Formosan black-naped Oriole is identical with the bird 
that visits China in summer, varying, like it, in size, in length, 
and proportions of bill, thus proving that its southerly migra¬ 
tions are to Cochin China rather than to the Philippines, where 
the larger 0. acrorhynchus , Vigors, with no yellow wing-spot, 
appears to be the only species. This wing-spot is, however, 
scarcely a constant character; for though I have not detected the 
absence of it in any of my Formosan specimens, yet I have one 
from Canton in which it is entirely missing. This Oriole arrives 
in Formosa about the end of March in large numbers, and dis¬ 
tributes itself over the flat country of the island, being rare in 
the hilly regions near Tamsuy, but specially abundant in the 
bamboo-groves of the south-west. It is by no means so common 
in any part of China as in Formosa. It feeds on insects, but 
more largely on berries and small wild figs. Its note is rather 
harsh; and the song of the male is short, loud, and far from 
melodious. 
Measurements from a fresh specimen:—Length lOj^ in.; 
wing 5^-; tail 3^-; fourth quill rather longer than the third, 
and longest in the wing. Tail-feathers somewhat graduated, 
and angularly ended. Bill in the young bird pale dingy flesh- 
colour washed with brown, and blackish chiefly on the upper 
mandible. Inside of mouth light flesh-colour; tongue cleft at 
x 2 
