338 
Mi*. R. Swinhoe's Notes on Ornithology 
as in flight and choice of roosting-ground. I much regret I was 
unable to procure a specimen of this little-known species, hut the 
temple they most frequented was occupied by the troops, and of 
course all shooting prohibited within the precincts. 
76. White-cheeked Starling. Sturnus cineraceus, Temm. 
Often seen in flocks in September, but not after. 
77. Silky Starling. Sturnus sericeus , Gm. 
A few observed in September. 
78. Red-cheeked Starling. Sturnus;pyrrhogenys, Temm. 
& Schl. /&$£/? ;f - fit# IM’W'W’W 
I once saw a few small Starling-like birds that I attributed to 
this species : it was, I think, in August. 
79. Wryneck. Yunx torquilla , L. 
I observed this species in August, and have no doubt it 
travels southward to hibernate. It arrives at Amoy in September. 
80. Green Woodpecker. Gecinus canus, Gmelin ? 
M. Zill assured me this was no other than the European species, 
but I have my doubts on the matter. I send three males 
and one female. I first met with this bird about twenty miles 
beyond Tientsin, where the country abounded in woody planta¬ 
tions. It was often to be found on the ground grubbing about 
the millet roots, and its earth-stained bill gave tokens of frequent 
insertion into the soil. If suddenly disturbed, it would utter a 
screeching laugh, and fly off with a series of long undulations to 
some distant tree, on which it would fix close to the roots and 
immediately dodge round to the other side, clambering up all the 
while with a short jerking motion of the body. It rarely ascended 
into the upper branches, and seemed content with beating the 
trunk of the tree only, unless the tree separated above into good 
thick boughs. If the tree to which it next flew w r as only a few 
yards off, the bird^s flight consisted of a flutter in a direct line. 
When arrived it w r ould half turn on its back, as it were, and 
throw up its claws to grasp firmly the bark. Its usual note was 
sharp and monosyllabic, and differed much from that of its pied 
brethren. It proved to be very common, and known to the 
Chinese of the place as the “ Tsaou-ta muh-tsze ” or “ Tree- 
injurer.” It was very tenacious of life, and hard to kill. 
