383 
Mr. 11. Swinhoe on Formosan Ornithology. 
confine it in cages. It learns to speak, and imitates well the 
human voice. It builds in the holes of trees or walls, but more 
frequently constructs a large-domed Magpie-like nest on the tops 
of high hr trees. Its eggs are blue, and vary from three to 
seven in number. It bears the general name of Pako , or “ Eight 
Brethren” (it being usually seen in parties of that number) ; but 
the Amoy provincial name is Ka-ling. It abounds in Formosa 
all throughout the year. 
A young bird procured 18th July 1861, at Taiwanfoo, had 
the bill pale yellowish horn-colour. Roof of mouth, inside of 
bill, and tip of tongue yellow; the rest flesh-colour, with a bluish- 
black tinge. Iris light greenish yellow. Legs light brownish 
yellow on the under parts, sole, and joints of scales; the rest 
purplish brown, darker on the claws. The nose-crest scarcely 
perceptible. The feathers of the head and under parts edged 
with brown, and the rest of the plumage more or less tinged 
with the same. Outer tail-feathers and under tail-coverts tipped, 
not with white, but with dusky yellowish brown. 
96. Corvus sinensis, Gould. 
In the south-west plains of Formosa I observed no Crow; but 
in the interior hill-ranges, near Tamsuy, I noticed parties of a 
black species, which, from its peculiar voice and habits, I took to 
be the species that is found throughout China. Unfortunately 
I did not procure a specimen, owing chiefly to the great ob¬ 
jections the natives had to shoot them. The Chinese colonists 
there look upon this bird with a kind of superstitious reverence; 
“ for,” say they, u whenever the savages sally out and kill any 
of our number, this Crow always sets up a sympathetic laou-wa 
(or wailing cry).” I asked them if the Crow was not always 
setting up this cry, whether any mishap had happened to them 
or not. In reply to this, they shrugged their shoulders and 
laughed, as they always do when the follies of their super¬ 
stitions are pointed out to them, but they do not believe in them 
the less for that. 
97. Pica media, Blyth. 
P. sericea , Gould. 
Observed in great abundance in the large level tracts near 
