373 
Mr. R. Swinhoe on Formosan Ornithology. 
able to the Siberian species described by Pallas, with the greyish 
olive throat and breast, and black ring round the bill, in mature 
plumage. 
84. Emberiza sulphurata, Schleg. 
This is also a winter visitant, but by no means so common as 
the last. 
85. Emberiza aureola, Pall. 
86. Emberiza fucata, Pall. 
87. Emberiza cioides, Temm. 
Winter visitants; not 
common. 
88. Eringilla sinica, L. 
A resident species; somewhat rare. Its nest and eggs are not 
unlike those of the Goldfinch (Carduelis elegans ). 
89. Passer montanus, L. 
The prevailing House-Sparrow, as in China. Its eggs are 
very variable, even in the same nest, as to colour, size, and 
shape. 
90. Passer russatus, Temm. & Schleg. Faun. Japon. p. 90, 
pi. 50. 
Specimens received from the hills. Bill black; legs yellowish 
brown, with brown claws. These birds from Formosa are iden¬ 
tical with skins from Japan in Capt. Blakiston’s collection, and 
with others from Canton in mine. I was some time under the 
impression that the Russet Sparrow of Japan was identical with 
P. cinnamomeus , Gould, from the Himalayas; but, on referring 
to the British Museum, I find that the Cinnamon Sparrow, as 
well as a closely allied species, P. flaveolus, Blyth, have the 
under parts yellow, whereas those parts in our bird are whitish. 
I have no longer any doubts as to the distinctness of the species. 
This bird has rather a wide distribution in Eastern Asia, ex¬ 
tending throughout the hilly parts of China, from Canton to 
Shanghai, and perhaps further north. It occurs, as we can 
testify, in the hilly parts of Formosa, and most probably 
throughout the Japanese islands, as we have seen it from two 
extreme parts, Nagasaki and Hakodadi. In places where it 
occurs, it is a shy bird, frequenting retired spots on the woody 
hills, and nesting in holes of trees. In fact, as regards its 
