255 
observed about Talien Bay (N. China). 
air, occasionally tumbling several feet downwards before they 
could recover themselves. The note they mostly uttered was a 
kind of hissing sound. 
7. Lanius lucionensis, Strickland. 
Male shot. Length 8 in., wing 8|, tail 3^. Bill black; legs 
and claws leaden blue. 
This bird apparently passes the summer in the north, as on 
our first arrival it was much more common than it subsequently 
became. Still later, in the plains of the Peiho we did not meet 
with them at all; they had probably migrated southwards. 
8. Motacilla lugubris. 
A pied Wagtail, I should fancy of this species. 
9. Passer montanus, Linn. 
This is here the domestic Sparrow as in the south, and is found 
as numerous and as noisy as ever. 
10. Emberiza(rustica^ Pall.) e* 
I frequently met with this Bunting, which appeared to be the 
only species. Its choice habitats were on the grass-covered 
sides of hills, where several together might be seen searching 
about on the ground for small seeds and insects. Occasionally 
flitting on the top of a rock, a male would continue to pour out 
a flow of rich notes, wild in their strain, but sweet and melodi¬ 
ous. Its twittering call-note is not unlike that of the Robin. 
Male. Upper mandible bluish black, lower pale bluish; 
legs light clay colour, with blackish claws. 
1 send four individuals of this species. They are all adult, 
and answer in most respects to the description in the ‘ Pauna 
Japonica/ but mine have the top of the head deep reddish 
brown, instead of “ noir tirant au brun-roux.” 
11. Alauda brachydactyla, Temminck. 
I have compared the northern skins with some from India, 
and can discover no tangible difference. It is a very common 
species among the fields of corn in the open part of the country. 
On the soft mouldy soil, when the corn was just springing, I 
have watched numbers of them. They chirp just like other 
Larks in their uncertain, hovering flight, and occasionally start 
