ZOOLOGY. 485 
IBIDID&A. 
Nipponia nippon (TEMMINCK). Japanese Ibts, 
Ibis nippon TEMMINCK: PI. Col. V. (livr. 93), plate 551, 1835 (Japan). 
The red-faced ibis is one of the commonest birds of the Wei-ho valley, in Shen-si. In 
the spring they may be seen, singly or in pairs, stalking over the newly plowed and irrigated 
fields. They make their nests in the large poplar trees in and around the numerous villages. 
At Lin-tung-hién two of these nests were seen in a tree inside of the walled city. The species 
was also observed in the more open parts of the valley of the Han river, during the month 
of May. 
PLATALEID&. 
(?) Platalea leucorodia Linnaus. Spoonbill. 
Platalea leucorodia LANN“US: Syst. Nat., ed. 10, 1, 139, 1758 (Sweden). 
The spoonbill was seen in company with the ibises, in the valley of the Wei-ho, early 
in April. It is rather less common, however, and is seldom seen away from marshes or 
rivers. (It is possible that the birds we observed belonged to the smaller species, P. minor.) 
ANATIDZ. 
Merganser merganser (LINN&US). Goosander. 
Mergus merganser LINNA&US: Syst. Nat., ed. 10, I, 129, 1758 (Sweden). 
A common species, during the winter, on the swift mountain rivers of western Chi-li 
and central Shan-si. Also observed in the valley of the Wei-ho, during March. 
Anas boschas Linnatus. Mallard. 
Anas boschas LINN&%US: Syst. Nat., ed. 10, 1, 127, 1758 (Sweden). 
This duck is rather common during the winter, on the open rivers of western Chi-li. 
Querquedula querquedula (LINN&uS). Gargany Teal. 
Anas querquedula LinN&uS: Syst. Nat., ed. 10, 1, 126, 1758 (Sweden). 
Although this teal is doubtless common in the Chinese empire we observed it at only 
one locality, 7. e., along the grand canal, during the month of October. 
Nettion crecca (LINN&US). Common Teal. 
Anas crecca LiNN@uS: Syst. Nat., ed. 10, I, 126, 1758 (Sweden). 
We found this a common species along the rivers of southern Shan-si, the Wei valley 
and in the Ts’in-ling mountains. In the last locality it undoubtedly nests, for single pairs 
were frequently observed along the mountain streams on both sides of the divide. 
Spatula clypeata (LINNa&US). Shoveler. 
Anas clypeata LINN%US: Syst. Nat., ed. 10, 1, 124, 1758 (Sweden). 
A small company of these ducks were seen during the latter part of March, on the 
Huang-ho near Tung-kuan. 
Casarca ferruginea (PALLAS). Ruddy Sheldrake. 
Anas ferruginea PALLAS: Vroeg’s Catal., 1764, Adumbr., p. 5 (‘‘Tartary’’). 
The commonest of the water-fowl, in northern China, during the winter. Flocks of 
considerable size were observed along the small sandy rivers, in central Shan-tung, in 
November and on the Sha-ho, west of Pau-ting-fu, in January. Large numbers were also 
seen in the valley of the Wei-ho during April. In eastern China this bird is not easily 
approached and doubtless its wariness is due to the zeal with which all water-fowl are 
hunted by both foreigners and natives along the coast. In the western part of the country, 
however, the birds may be seen walking over freshly plowed fields, following the farmer’s 
plow and apparently undisturbed by passers-by. The inhabitants of this region evidently 
make no attempt to kill the birds. 
