Mr. R. Swinhoe on Formosan Ornithology. 295 
presence of the diminutive first primary, which in the other 
species is said to be entirely wanting*. The Formosan bird is 
identical with that found throughout Southern China, from 
Canton to Foochow. In winter it roams about in small parties, 
like the Tits, from tree to tree, searching every twig for Aphides 
and other small insects. When engaged in the pursuit of its 
food, it hangs in all manner of attitudes, uttering the while a 
peculiar call-note. In spring it utters a short, sweet song. It is 
a bird very easily tamed in confinement, even when kept several 
together; and in most towns in South China it may be seen 
as a cage-bird. At feeding-time they are particularly lively; 
but when satiated, settle on their perch, sidling up to their 
companions, and after caressing one another for a short time, 
all ruffle their feathers and dip their heads under their wings. 
The siesta they take is not long. They all wake up suddenly 
and feed again, the males often putting forward the head and 
singing their soft melodious notes. This habit of taking mid¬ 
day siestas I have also observed in the Parus caudatus in con¬ 
finement. The Zosterops is very fond of bathing; and for food, 
besides insects, is partial to fruit, showing an especial fondness 
for plantains or bananas, on which it may be almost entirely 
sustained. For particulars on its nesting, I must refer my 
readers to my Canton List (see Ibis, ]861, p. 35). 
53. Parus castaneiyentris, Gould, P. Z. S. 1862, p. 280. 
A diminutive representative of the curiously coloured P. varius 
of Japan (Fauna Japonica, p. 71, pi. 35), but quite distinguish¬ 
able enough to be noted as a local specific form of the same type. 
It appears on the island of Formosa to be entirely restricted to 
the interior mountain-chain, where it is said to be by no means 
common. I have never found it on the cultivated hills, nor yet 
in the plantations on the plains; and, strange to say, no species 
of Parus whatever occurs to take its place there. Never having 
met the bird alive, I have no note of its habits. 
Bill black. Legs and claws leaden grey. Length 3^- in.; 
wings 2^ in.; tail lj in., of twelve feathers, slightly graduated; 
tarsi f in.; fourth quill rather the longest in the wing. Bill 
and legs strong, the former resembling that of P. ater , L. Head 
and hind-neck black; a large spot of white on the latter, ex- 
