ZOOLOGY. 491 
dashed to pieces, and then suddenly swerve aside, avoiding the object by a few inches. 
Probably no bird is more unerring in its flight or shows more confidence in its ability. 
This black swift may be distinguished by its large size and the white patches which are 
conspicuous on the throat and rump. 
Tachornis infumata (SCLATER). Eastern Palm-swijt. 
Cypselus infumata SCLATER: Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1865, 602 (Banjermassing, Borneo). 
A little brown swift, believed to be of this species, was common among the northern 
foothills of the Ts’in-ling mountains, in April. In small companies they skim over the 
rugged hillsides or haunt the canyons of this district. 
PICIDZE. 
Dryobates cabanisi (MALHERBE). Mandarin Woodpecker. 
Picus cabanist MALHERBE: Journ. fiir Orn., 1854, 172 (China). 
This handsome woodpecker is common throughout most of north China. We found 
itin Shan-tung in the late autumn, in the mountains of western Chi-li in January, and in 
the Wei valley in April. Its favorite haunts are the orchards and poplar groves which 
usually accompany the small villages. 
Gecinus canus zimmermanni (REICHENOW). Chinese Green Woodpecker. 
Picus c. zimmermannit REICHENOW: Ornith. Monatsb. XI, 1903, 86 (Kiautschou). 
This is a familiar bird throughout the year in almost every village in the provinces of 
Shan-tung, Chi-li and Shan-si, being more common than the last species. In its actions 
it reminded me strongly of the flicker (Colaptes auratus) of the United States. 
This variety differs but little from Gecinus c. perpallidus Stejneger, of the Ussuri prov- 
ince, Siberia. Our only specimen comes from Shan-si, but as the type-locality is eastern 
Shan-tung the range of this race doubtless includes all of the three northeastern provinces 
of the empire of China. Dr. Richmond’s remarks regarding this bird are here quoted in full: 
“The single female collected (6034, T’ai-yiian-fu, Shan-si, March 6) by Mr Blackwelder, agrees more 
closely with the description of Reichenow’s zimmermanni than with the type of perpallidus Stejneger 
(U.S. National Museum, from Sidimi, Ussuri, November 25). It differs from the latter in having the back 
darker, with a deeper shade of olive greenish on the wings; the sides of the body and of the neck are also 
perceptibly darker, while the black malar stripe is barely indicated. Wing, 150.5; tail, 100; tarsus, 26.5; 
culmen, 44.5 mm.” 
Gecinus guerini (MALHERBE). Guerin’s Green Woodpecker. 
Chloropicus guerint MALHERBE: Revue et Mag. de Zool. 1, 1849, 539 (‘‘China’’). 
This species replaces G. canus, in the Ts’in-ling mountains and to the southward. 
Whether the green woodpeckers of the Wei-ho valley belong to this, or to the preceding 
species, we are unable to say. 
Specimen No. 6065. Collected May 5 in the little mountain village near Ts’ai-kia- 
kuan, Shen-si. 
ALAUDID&. 
Alaudula minor cheleensis (SWINHOE). Chi-li Sand-lark, 
Alaudula cheleensis SWINHOE: Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1871, 390 (Talien Bay, Liau-tung 
province, China). 
A common species on the plains of Shan-si in the winter. During the earliest weeks of 
spring it soars and sings after the manner of larksin general. Its dull color corresponds so 
closely to that of the plowed fields at this season, that it is almost impossible to distinguish 
the bird when it is upon the ground. 
Specimen No. 6029. Collected Feb. 26, 1904, on the plain south of Hin-chéu, Shan-si. 
