36 
Mr. R. Swinhoe on the Ornithology 
39. Budytes flava, Linn. ? 
Several of these were feeding in some freshly-ploughed fields 
at Macao. I could only secure one, and am still in great doubt 
as to the exact species to which it belongs. 
40. Anthus thermophilus, Hodgs. 
Very abundant. 
41. Anthus agilis, Sykes. 
Numbers of this lively species are constantly to be met with 
among the grass and underwood beneath the small pine-trees at 
Hongkong. As you stroll through a plantation of these firs, the 
little fellows spring up with a note “ see ” (strongly sibilant), and 
with a curved flight alight on the branches above, on which 
they walk up and down, often uttering their note and shaking 
the tail. Each step you take puts up one at least, and as soon as 
you have passed, they drop quietly on to the ground behind you, 
and resume their pursuit of food. 
42. Anthus richardi, Vieill. 
A few spend the summer in the south. 
43. Myiophonus ciERULEUS (Scop.). 
In the solitudes of the rocky ravines at Hongkong this bird 
may often be seen. It is very shy, and loves to stand for hours 
in the cavernous retreats afforded by the large black rocks that 
lie in massive confusion along the gullies or water-courses on 
the hill-sides. If you wish to see the bird, you have only to go 
to some solitary part of the valley, and, seating yourself on a 
rock, keep quite still for a few minutes. You are sure soon to 
see a Cavern-bird make his appearance on a rock near you. He 
at once spies you, and, flying* off to a safer distance, appears to 
advantage on a neighbouring boulder. See ! he runs up it; and, 
leaning his body forward on his long black legs, he keeps raising 
and depressing his tail, at the same time opening and shutting 
it in a shuffling manner. He then darts, with a single sharp 
note approaching a scream, among the leaves of a bush, the deep 
purple and blue of his plumage glistening in the sunlight. He 
has seized a caterpillar, and returns with it in his bill to the rock, 
whence he eyes the intruder on his solitude, while he beats and 
