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E. A. AYLMER
The Chinese Grey-spotted Flycatcher (Hemichelidon griseisticta not common: first seen on 18th May.
The Siberian Flycatcher (Hemichelidon sibirica sibirica) a few only were seen amongst the fir trees on 19th May and 21st May.
The Tricolour Flycatcher (Xanthopygia narcissina xanthopygia): A pair of these beautiful little birds was seen on the 18th May.
Last year a pair was observed on 15th May. The flycatchers left after only a short halt on the island.
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The Shrikes-The Philippine Red-tailed Shrikes (Lanius cristatus lucionensis) appeared on the 15th May, four days earlier than last year; they increased in numbers daily and soon both their song and loud rasping call was heard everywhere amongst the tall acacia trees where they nest freely.
The Bull-headed Shrike (Lanius bucephalus) and the Thick billed shrike (Lanius tigrinus) were seen on 23rd May and 28th May respectively but they stayed for no length of time, this bears out the observations we made of these species in May last year.
Both Temmick's Cormorant (Phalacrocorax capillatus) and the Sea Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pelagicus pelagicus) were seen in larger numbers than usual early in May, a few remained all the summer; by the middle of August, many had returned.
The Chinese Greenfinch (Chloris sinica sinica) was again found to be our commonest bird. They were in small flocks to begin with but soon paired off and began nesting by the second week in May. We hold to the opinion that both Chloris sinica sinica and C. s. ussuriensis are to be found nesting on the island. Though it is known that the adult birds of the same species differ to some extent in plumage and size, yet there is no doubt that some birds are larger than others with heavier bills and a lighter grey on the crown, nape and hind neck.
The Larks the identity of the two commonest larks has been estab- lished, namely:
The North China Crested Lark (Galerida cristata leautungensis) nests of this bird were found in cultivation, close to the shore; on one occasion a nest containing eggs was found on earth that had been lately turned. fine songster, the local Chinese favour this bird as a cage bird.
A
The North China Sand Lark (Alaudula minor cheleensis) is abundant throughout the summer months nesting on the sandy dunes and flats along the coast.
The bird appears to be double brooded, a nest of this bird was found close to that of the Eastern Kentish Plover (Aegialitis canțiana). Nests are found on the sand dunes and flats along the coast.
Messrs. Vaughan and Jones mention both species as nesting along the coast at Wei- hai-wei and Chefoo. It was noticed that this sand lark prefers to sing whilst on the ground.
The Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus telephonus) was first heard on 14th May, several of these birds remained on the island throughout the
summer.
The Hong Kong Naturalist.
Wei-hai-wei, Bird Watching
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On 6th May, a nightjar was watched asleep on a flat stone in a fir wood; the bird was approached to within a few feet and was without doubt the Eastern Nightjar (Caprimulgus indicus jotaka). Many nightjars arrived on the island at the beginning of September; they could be seen hawking insects at sunset every evening around the gardens of the Island Hotel, pre- sumably these were the same species.
The Gulls.
At times quite a number were seen in the harbour, the Japanese Gull (Larus crassirostris) being the commonest. The Eastern Herring Gull (Larus argentatus vege) was also seen often, a number of these immature birds arrived in August showing their mottled grey and brown plumage. There was one other gull seen occasionally, it appeared to be the Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus) referred to in S. R. Ascherson's notes, see H.K. Nat. Vol. III No. 1 pages 8 and 10. As no kites were seen at Wei- hai-wei, this would account for the increase in the number of gulls in the harbour. It is curious that at Chefoo, which is only some forty miles along the coast, the Black-eared Kite is seen in quantities. It looks as if the kites and gulls have come to some understanding to their mutual benefit.
The Forest Wagtail (Dendronanthus indicus) again nested in the island; two pairs were watched, these remained throughout the nesting season -unfortunately no nest was found this year. The birds were also seen in the mainland.
The Buntings. I have little to add to last year's notes, the birds arrived and departed exactly as they did last year. One noticed that the Chinese Meadow Buntings (Emberiza cioides castaneiceps) did not appear to be nesting in such quantities as last year. A flock of Grey-headed Black- faced Buntings (Emberiza spodocephala spodocephala) was seen about for a few days, they were first seen on 20th August. This is a new species for our records.
A flock of Grey Minivets (Pericrocotus cinereus) was observed on 6th May; they were feeding in the acacia trees; they were not seen again until on their return on 11th September. In both cases, they only remained for a day or two.
A specimen of the Eastern Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominicus fulvus) was obtained on 3rd May. Several small flocks of these birds were seen in the lagoons up to 17th May. We have no previous record of this species at Wei-hai-wei.
The South China White-eye (Zosterops simplex simplex) and the North China Tit (Parus major minor) were seen in flocks on August 24th and 11th September respectively. The White eyes were in a flock of about twenty in the hills about four hundred feet above sea level.
Another new species noted on the island this year was the Chinese Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus cathoecus) only one bird was seen and that was on the 7th of May on the island.
The Large White-rumped Swift (Micropus pacificus pacificus) was abundant about the islands and mainland throughout the summer, often seen
December 1932.
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