693 
observed in the Vicinity of Wei Hai Wei. 
Sterna sinensis. 
Ths Chinese Little Tern is a very common summer 
visitor to the coast about Wei Hai Wei, where the dry 
sandy flats, which attract Pallas's Desert-Lark and the 
Kentish Plover, afford it also every facility for breeding 
purposes. In its habits this species closely resembles 
its near ally, Sterna minuta ; it fishes in precisely the 
same manner and mobs intruding Hawks and Gulls with 
the same reckless courage and unceasing clamour, but in 
Shantung it was never observed to lay its two or three 
eggs on shingle. Invariably, the nesting-site was a small 
hollow in the sand, and this, indeed, it was thought, was 
made by the sitting bird, for when eggs were found quite 
fresh the depression was not to be seen. 
Two eggs form the usual clutch and three are unusual. 
They closely resemble those of Sterna minuta , but dark 
brownish-coloured specimens are more common than among 
those of that species. The earliest date on which eggs were 
found was May 23rd and the latest June 13th. All the 
birds seemed to have taken their departure to the south 
early in September. 
Forty-two eggs of this species from Shantung average 
1*25 X’94 inch, and vary in length from P35 to 1*16 and 
in breadth from 1‘02 to *88. 
Larus crassirostris. 
The Bar-tailed Gull is a very common bird in the vicinity 
of Wei Hai Wei, and has, so far as is known, the distinction 
of being the only species of the genus which breeds in that 
part of China. It is probably subject to considerable 
seasonal movements, for in very cold and rough winter 
weather specimens not uncommonly occur as far south as 
Hong Kong. 
This bird in its habits closely resembles Larus canus , 
and was found to be very tame and confiding, resting 
on the water close to the ship. The only breeding-site 
near Wei Hai Wei which this bird habitually uses is 
Alceste Island, which is mentioned by Swinhoe in his article 
ser. ix.— vol. v. 3 a 
