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E. A. AYLMER
hawking insects all day, no nests were found but the birds must breed in the neighbourhood.
The Eastern Swift (Micropus apus pekinensis) was another common summer visitor. Thoughout the first week in May, both the Eastern House Swallow (Hirundo rustica gutturalis) and Hodgson's Striated Swallow (Hirundo daurica nepalensis) were plentiful, a number remained to nest. Early in August large numbers of both species were passing through again.
The birds of prey. The result of this year's watching has revealed little of note, beyond confirming that all three Harriers appear to frequent the lagoons. See S. R. Ascherson's notes in H.K. Nat. Vol. III Part 1. The Sparrow Hawks and Kestrel Hawks were seen fairly often, very occasionally, a buzzard was seen. The buzzard, thought to be the Eastern Harrier Buzzard (Buteo buteo Japonicus)-was not identified for certain.
The Peregrine Falcon (Falco pereginus) and the Eastern Hobby (Falco subbuteo) were observed once or twice. Undoubtedly the com- monest of the smaller acciptitres was the Eastern Red-legged Falcon (Falco amurensis). One specimen flew on board a warship on 30th April in an exhausted condition, this occurred during a fog off Wei-hai-wei. Numbers of these birds were seen together on the mainland in early September, they could be approached easily and studied at close quarters. The light rufous leg coverts and rich orange-coral of the bill and legs, make their recognition. unmistakable.
An interesting comparison from notes taken at Wei-hai-wei during the past three years has been made. It is most remarkable how regularly the dates of arrival and departure of the migrants are adhered to. It does not seem to make the smallest difference what the seasonal variations may be. For example, the spring of 1931 was reckoned to be some weeks later than usual, following a severe winter, whilst the spring of 1932 was consider- ed to be more or less normal, yet there was no appreciable difference in the dates of arrival or departure of any of the species noted. In fact, in some cases, the dates in 1932, were identical with those of 1931.
A list of the new species identified and now added to our former total is given below; this increases the number from 133 to 147 different species to date between the months of May to November :-
1. Solitary Snipe (Capella solitaria japonica) 30th April several shot
-seen for a few days early in May.
2.
Swinhoe's Yellow Nib Duck (Anas poecilorhyncha zonorhyncha)
seen 30th April to 5th May.
3. Large White-rumped Swift (Micropus pacificus pacificus) seen
throughout the summer.
4.
5.
Eastern Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominicus fulvus) in the
lagoons-seen from 3rd May to 17th May.
Chinese Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus cathoecus) one
seen 7th May on the island.
The Hong Kong Naturalist