46 Mr. It. Swinhoe on the Ornithology of Amoy (China). 
land of China may be ascertained from any ordinary map; a 
few words will therefore suffice to explain the nature of the 
country in which I have followed my loved pursuit. This island, 
the neighbouring shores of the mainland, and the banks of both 
the rivers (the larger one leading to Changchow Foo and the 
smaller to Tunggan Hien),are all densely populated, and have re- 
markably little wood, except occasional Banyan-trees interspersed 
amidst the villages. Tbe plains are well cultivated with rice, 
maize, sugar-cane, Cucui'bitacece, and hemp, during summer, and 
during winter with bearded wheat, spinach (Basella rubra), taro, 
cabbage, &c. The hills are either composed chiefly of granite 
debris, studded with huge black blocks of granite, and extremely 
barren; or of clay, and covered with small stoues and scanty 
herbage. This character of the country will probably account 
for the paucity of our resident species among Land-birds as 
compared with the occasional visitants or stragglers in the same 
group. The Water-birds, however, show a finer list, no doubt, 
owing to the suitable feeding-ground afforded them by the large 
mud-flat of the Amoy Creek, those of several other inlets and 
creeks into the mainland, and the marshes at the mouths of the 
rivers. 
In identifying the following birds, Mr. Blyth of Calcutta has 
rendered me infinite service; indeed, without his valued aid, 
I could have done little among the non-European forms. I have 
also to thank Mr. Stevenson of Norwich for the help he has 
kindly afforded me. 
1. Buteo japonicus, Bp. 
A regular winter visitant, and often seen in pairs. 
2. Pandion haliaetus (L.) ? 
Lives on the rocks at the mouth of the harbour, and conies 
occasionally to Amoy; very shy and unapproachable. I have 
never been able to procure a specimen. 
3. Falco peregrinus, Linn. 
Breeds in the neighbourhood, on the high hill of Lamtaiboo, 
and is not unfrequently seen. 
4. Hypotriorchis subbuteo (L.). 
Occasionally seen during winter; rare. 
