164
B
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HENRY W. FOWLER
Evenchelys macrurus (Bleeker, Figure 16.
Muraena macrurus Bleeker, Naturk. Tijdschr. Nederl, Indie, vol. 7, 1854, p. 324. Anjer, Sunda Straits.
Thyrsoidea macrurus Chen, Bull. Dep. Sun Yat-sen Univ., vol. 1, No. 1, 1929, p. 40, fig. 23 (anterior body and dentition) (Hoihow).
Depth 30 to 47; head 8 2/5 to 14, 3 to 5 in trunk; head and trunk 11⁄2 to 2 in tail. Eye 15% to 27 in head, 2 to 2 1/5 in snout. Mouth cleft 2 4/5 to 3 2/5 in head. Gray brown, paler below. Length over 3,000 mm.
Hoihow (Natal, India, Ceylon, Andamans, East Indies*, Formosa, Queensland, Micronesia). I have seen the large mounted specimen upwards of 4,000 mm. long, mounted in the Queensland Museum (see Marshall, Mem. Queensland Mus., vol. 9, pt. 1, April 28, 1927, p. 107).
The Hong Kong Naturalist.
ORNITHOLOGY.
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NOTES AND COMMENTS.
CHINESE BLACKBIRD (Turdus merula mandarinus).
This bird, hitherto not recorded in our notes, has been seen during the months of February and March of this year, on no less than three occasions in different localities each time. Firstly a pair of these birds took up residence in the University compound in February since when they have been constantly seen; secondly on March 19th a single bird was watched at close quarters near the village of San Uk Ling, Sham Chun valley; lastly on March 30th at Hang Ha Po Village, Lam Tsuen valley a single bird was seen flying in and out of a hedge row. The colouring of the male bird is upper parts universally black, under parts brownish-black, the female has more brownish-black, upper parts with throat buffish-chestnut. The bill is a conspicuous yellow in the case of the male, it may be tipped brown in the female, legs black.
GREAT CHINESE BARBET (Megalaima virens virens).
The first Barbet was seen on March 9th in the Lam Tsun valley, by the following week, they they had increased in numbers in this district and their monotonous call was heard constantly. In one grove near the village of Fang Ma Po no less than five birds were seen to fly out together. These birds appear to be increasing in numbers, it is hoped that this season observers will be able to make notes on the nesting habits of this species.
CHINESE BLACK DRONGO (Dicrurus macrocercus cathœcus).
First seen on March 19th in the Shum Chun valley, two birds were observed hawking insects each time returning to perch on the same tree; a little further on a party of three more were seen. It was noticed that the birds were making a noisy chattering and were seen several times to indulge in a tumbling flight whilst in the air. On March 30th a drongo was seen in the Lam Tsuen valley, this was a favourite haunt of these birds last year.
The Chinese Hair-crested Drongo (Chibbia hottentotta brevirostris). A pair of these birds was seen on April 13th in the Lam Tsuen valley, this bears out our previous observations that this bird arrives in the Colony about a month later than the Chinese Black Drongo.
THE DUSKY SHRIKE (Lanius fuscatus).
On March 30th a Dusky Shrike was seen in company with a Chinese Rufous-backed Shrike (L. s. schach) perched on a hedge row in the Lam Tsuen valley. Last year the nest of Lanius s. schach was found in almost this identical spot. There is no doubt that Lanius fuscatus is a larger bird. As this species are constantly seen in this locality we ask observers to help us to solve the separate species theory, the nesting season being the only time when this can be accomplished. See the H. K. N. Vol. I, No. 4, page 149 and Vol. II pages 141 and 221.
May 1932.
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