433 
Mr. 11. Swinhoe on Formosan Ornithology . 
tissue; for when I dissected him, his flesh was quite hard and 
dry, with scarce any signs of fat about any part. Birds of prey, 
and most birds that wander far and seek a precarious living, 
can survive a long while without food; but I never before heard 
of such an extraordinary power of abstinence as these Albatroses 
have proved themselves to possess. 
- 183. COLYMBUS SEPTENTRIONALIS, L. 
C. glacialis of my Amoy List, Ibis, 1860, p. 67. 
In the winter several of these birds visit our coast from the 
north. Very few show any indication of the red throat, nearly 
all being in the winter plumage. This is the only species of 
Diver I have observed in Formosa. 
T 184. PoDICEPS MINOR, L. 
P. philippensis, Bonn. 
I have a goodly series of Little Grebes, both from Formosa 
and China, and find them in every way inseparable from the 
European species. In summer plumage they appear to be 
identical, many Formosan specimens, like many English speci¬ 
mens, having the under-parts white, and many again washed 
with blackish. In my opinion they are one and the same. 
The Dabchick is an abundant resident on the inland waters of 
Formosa. Other Grebes doubtless visit our coast in winter, but 
none fell under my observation. I extract a note on an adult 
male, shot at Taiwanfoo 29th August 1861:—Length 10^ in.; 
wing 4. Bill black, with a whitish tip. Loose skin at the 
base, rictus, and intercrural membrane of lower mandible pale 
greenish yellow. Inside of the mouth light bluish flesh-colour. 
Iris straw-yellow. Legs blackish grey, with a slight tinge of 
green. 
(/ 185. Phalacrocorax CARBO (L.). 
Pelecanus sinensis , Shaw. 
This species is not uncommon on our rocks and those of 
South China during winter. In early spring they assemble in 
flocks and repair southwards. They are tamed, and employed by 
the Chinese to catch fish, as every one has read. In a state of 
domestication they are subject to variations in plumage like 
most domestic animals. 
