Mr. R. Swinhoe on Formosan Ornithology. 301 
63. Suya striata, Swinhoe, Journal N. C. B. Asiatic Society 
at Shanghai, 1858. 
J, shot Dec. 24:—Length 5^ in.; wing lj%; tail 3^. 
Upper mandible and apical half of lower dark purplish brown. 
Basal edge of upper and half of lower dingy flesh-colour. Tongue 
long, sagittate, deeply concave, and split at the end, ochreous 
flesh-coloured. Skin round the eye light yellowish brown ; iris 
orange. Ear yellowish brown, oval; outer half crescent-shaped, 
forming an operculum. Legs orange-ochre, with flesh-coloured 
joints and toes; claws light yellowish brown, blackish at their tips. 
This appears to be the largest known form of this Nepalese 
genus of Long-tailed Grass-warblers. I have not as yet noted 
any species of it on the hills of China. Its range in Formosa 
appears to be very limited, for I have only found it on the hilly 
country extending from the south of the Tamsuy River to the 
plains beyond Hongsan on the west coast (lat. 24° 35'), in 
which it generally occurs among the copse-clad ravines about 
1000 feet above the sea. In these places it soon makes itself 
observed by its constant habit of springing up to the tops of 
long grasses, frisking about, and throwing up perpendicularly 
its long tail, uttering the while a curious jingling note very 
unlike that of any bird I know. It boasts of no short, pleasant 
song like Prinia sonitans; but the series of somewhat varied 
notes it gives forth from the eminence of a tall twig, while its 
tail hangs down perpendicularly and its body remains motionless, 
may have some claim to wild melody. I came across the species 
three or four times in my rambles up the hills, but its nest I was 
never able to find. 
The sexes of this bird are similarly coloured; but they differ 
greatly in size, the female being every way much smaller. This 
is not the case with the allied Prinice or Drymwcce; but strikingly 
so in the Megaluri, to which our species further approximates in 
having a very long tail. 
$, shot in February :—Length 5^ in.; wing 2; tail 3; tarsi 
*75. Bill pale yellowish, washed on culmen and apical portion 
of lower mandible with brown. 
S in adult plumage, shot in March 1856:—Length 8 in.; 
wing 2^$; tail 4^; tarsi *87. Bill black, with a pale tip. 
