155 
Mr. R. Swinhoe on Birds from Hakodadi . 
/r/s 
zstr 
11. Scaly-head ed Grass-Wren. Tribura squameiceps , 
Swinh. P. Z. S. 1863, p. 292. 
A female from Hakodadi shot in May, answering to my 
type specimen in colour and form. It has a nearly complete 
tail, which is only an inch long, the rectrices narrow and 
somewhat pointed, of a reddish olive-brown, the same colour 
as the wings; outer rectrix *15 shorter than centrals; under 
tail-coverts *3 shorter than central rectrices. The short tail 
shows this species to be an abnormal Reed-Wren; but as I 
have placed it in the genus Tribura , I shall leave it there until 
I find one better adapted. I am by no means confident as 
to its position. I described it originally from a tailless spe¬ 
cimen procured by Captain Blakiston at Canton; I got it 
again later in Formosa (Ibis, 1866, p. 397), but also imperfect 
about the tail. The Hakodadi bird is the third specimen that I 
have seen; and would prove, I should think, that it is a migra¬ 
tory species, resorting to the north in summer. I took the 
following note on the Japanese bird :—“ Bill *4, to gape *53; 
tarse '7. Bill blackish brown, greenish yellow at gape and 
on the tomia at base. Legs, claws, and nails very pale.” 
/ 
12. Indian Stonechat. Pratincola indica , Blyth. 
A pair, both shot in April, agreeing with Chinese speci- ^ 0 
mens. The male is very black above, and has the rich breast- 
band confined to the breast. 
13. Cole-Tit. Parus ater , L. 
One shot in March and another in October. These appear 
to be the true European bird, though one has some of the 
occipital feathers a little lengthened, perhaps not more than 
in specimens I have seen from Sweden. The form found near 
Peking is recognizable by its lengthened occipital feathers 
forming a decided crest over the white nape-spot. Pere 
David has named it Parus pekinensis (Ibis, 1870, p. 155). 
14. Japanese Mouse-bird. Parus varius, T. & S. 
A male, shot in April. The Japanese delight in keeping 
this as a cage-bird, two or three together; each cage supplied 
with a small box with a hole in front for entrance. The birds 
sleep in the box during the night, and frequently run in and 
//;r. 
J?7Sr 
zsr 
