[ { "id": 297254, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-172 - Public Offices & Others - 1875", "page_number": 352, "title": "CO129-172 - Public Offices & Others - 1875", "content_text": "345\n\nclaim\n\nLoring\n\nwas disallowed by Vice Consul\n\nand Ellis then appealed to\n\nthe local Court, and succeeded in\n\nobtaining\n\na\n\nreversal\n\nof\n\nthe Vice-Consul's\n\ndecision. A correspondence thereupon ensued, between\n\nIn Loring\n\nhad no\n\nthe\n\nand\n\nThe\n\nformer\n\nCount\n\nGovernor of Hong Kong : maintaining that the Hong Kong\n\njurisdiction in the matter, and intimating his intention of appealing to his Government. Copies of this\n\ncorrespondence together with a\n\ncopy\n\nof\n\na letter, which after consultation\n\nwith the Law Officers of the Crown,\n\nI caused to be addressed to the\n\nColonial Office in this matter, are inclosed herewith for your information.\n\nIn support of\n\nIn Loring's view, you\n\nSchenck referred me to Phillmore's International Law, Edition 1871, page\n\n290, from which he argued that the\n\ndecision\n\nof\n\nthe local Court was\n\ncontrary\n\nto International Law, and that the\n\ncase was\n\none\n\nwhich could only\n\nbe\n\ndealt with by the United States Consular authority.\n\nU.S. Courts recognise International Law\n\nin cases\n\nof\n\nthis kind, but that\n\nBritish Courts do not; and he affirmed that the claim to jurisdiction of\n\nCourts, in cases like the one under\n\ndiscussion, is not justifiable.\n\nMr Schenck then cited the case of the \"Bucephalus\", which occurred\n\nat", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-172 - Public Offices & Others - 1875.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 354469, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-263 - Acting Governor Barker Governor Sir Robinson - 1894 [5-8]", "page_number": 203, "title": "CO129-263 - Acting Governor Barker Governor Sir Robinson - 1894 [5-8]", "content_text": "406\n\nMr. Leach in opening the case, said the facts briefly were as follows. The prisoner was employed by Messrs Arthur and Co., whose manager here was Mr. Ogilvie, and he owed them a sum of about $900. Mr. Ogilvie in January last pressed for payment and the prisoner told him that although he had not the cash he would give a promissory note backed by a guarantee. Chan Yau Lok was mentioned as the surety and it was expressed, his willingness to sign. A promissory note was drawn up by Mr. Ogilvie and signed by the parties, but later on it was found to be worthless by the fact that it was unstamped. Mr. Ogilvie went to the office and told the prisoner that the note had no value and that a new one would have to be drawn up on duly stamped paper. The original document was returned to the prisoner, and a new promissory note was made out. The prisoner went to Chan Yau Lok to get it signed as his guarantor and returned with the signature. From what Mr. Ogilvie learned afterwards, however, it transpired that Chan Yau Lok denied the signature and disputed his liability. The prisoner was therefore charged with forging Chan Yau Lok's signature and uttering the forged note.\n\nEvidence was then taken.\n\nThe jury returned a unanimous verdict of guilty and His Lordship sentenced the prisoner to two years' imprisonment with hard labour.\n\n22nd May.\n\nIN ORIGINAL JURISDICTION. BEFORE HIS HONOUR J. ACKROYD AND A SPECIAL JURY.\n\nTHE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND\n\nFIRE IN QUEEN'S ROAD WEST,\n\nTHE NATIONAL BANK OF CHINA, LIMITED, V. HIM KEE ALUM This was an action brought by the National Bank of China, Limited against Him Kee Alum, trader, of Foochow, to recover £2,460 4s. 5d. or its equivalent in dollars, due by the defendant on shares held by him in the plaintiff company, and for interest thereon at the rate of ten per cent.\n\nMr. J. J. Francis, Q.C., and Mr. H. E. Pollock (instructed by Mr. Wright, of Mr. V. H. Deacon's office) appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. E. Robinson (instructed by Mr. Bowley, of Mr. H. L. Deacon's office) represented the defendant.\n\nThe following special jury was empanelled: Messrs. H. M. Joseph, M. S. S. Sassoon, J. T. V. Vernon, J. B. Donghtyric, J. J. B. Heemskerk, B. C. Wilcox, and W. B. Loxley.\n\n(May 24, 1894.) DEFEAT OF THE ANTI-FOREIGN PARTY IN JAPAN,\n\nWe learn that a telegram has been received from Tokyo stating that in the House of Representatives the motion for the adoption of an address to the Emperor, of which the prominent feature was the Radical idea of the strict enforcement of the treaties, has been defeated.\n\nOn the morning of the 15th inst., about 6 o'clock, a fire broke out at No. 127, Queen's Road West, occupied by a second-hand clothes dealer. The outbreak centred on the ground floor, attributable, it is said, to the upsetting of the inevitable kerosine lamp, and the flames quickly spread to the upper stories. When the Brigade under Mr. H. Wodehouse and Deputy Superintendent Horspool arrived they found the whole place in a blaze. The fortunate circumstance that there was little or no breeze was somewhat discounted by the difficulty in getting water, as in the pre-treaty stipulations, which would preclude foreigners from residing outside the lists of the treaty ports and how difficulties in the way of travel in the interior.\n\nWith very praiseworthy briskness, however, the steam was got up on the engines and in a few minutes, some good streams of water from the half-an-hour's work sufficed to remove all danger as the coolies were playing on the flames. About the whole of No. 137 was destroyed and the adjoining houses suffered slight damage by fire and water. The contents of No. 137 were insured for $4,400 in the Hamburg and Bremen Fire Insurance Company, for which Messrs. Carlowitz & Co. are agents.\n\nTHE BOTANICAL AND AFFORESTATION REPORT.\n\nThe following report of the Superintendent of the Botanic Gardens, report on this department for the year 1893.\n\nHongkong, 7th May, 1894.\n\nSir,\n\nI have the honour to submit the annual report on this department for the year 1893.\n\nBOTANIC GARDENS.\n\nAfter the fire had been extinguished, the partition wall between No. 137 and No. 139 fell down, and six men and women, who had entered the basement to recover some of the damaged goods, were buried under the debris. The police at once set to work to rescue the unfortunate people and, strange to say, found that only one man was at all injured, and he not seriously. The others were almost unscathed. The injured man was removed to the Government Civil Hospital.\n\nAt the Magistracy on Thursday Mr. H. E. Wodehouse opened an enquiry into the circumstances of the fire at 137, Queen's Road West, which occurred on the 15th.\n\nMr. G. C. C. Master (of Messrs. Johnson, Stokes and Master) represented the fire insurance agents, Messrs. Carlowitz and Co.\n\nInspector Mackie is in charge of the case for the police.\n\nI am the wife of Wong A Pui, a dealer in fish at Chau Tai, Singapore. I reside in a house in Queen's Road West. I was at No. 137 on the morning of the 15th, sleeping in a room with my three children.\n\nA light which I saw through a hole in the floor of my room attracted my attention, and looking through it I saw a man with a piece of lighted paper in his hand standing over a heap of clothes on which he was pouring kerosine. A moment or two afterwards he applied the light to the clothes and they immediately blazed up.\n\nI shouted \"Burn everyone in the house!\" I got up about 2 o'clock. He made no reply and the other people in the house then ran out. I had been awake some time before I got up and had noticed a smell of kerosine. The hole through which I looked was about a foot long and an inch wide. I could see quite distinctly. I am not acquainted with the people on the ground floor.\n\nThe grounds, plant-houses, buildings, fences, walks and elections of plants have all been maintained in good order, and improvements have been effected in various directions.\n\nIMPROVEMENTS.\n\n1. An additional glass-roofed plant-house 50 feet long by 12 feet wide, situated in the nursery, has been completed. The woodwork has been chiefly made and fitted by our carpenter who is on the staff.\n\n2. Certain walks in the Botanical and Government House Gardens have been concreted. These additions now finish all that is needed in this kind of walk formation.\n\n3. Extensions have been made to rockeries where circumstances rendered these necessary.\n\nLAWNS.\n\nTowards the end of the summer the moths and caterpillars mentioned in paragraph No. 14 of my last report again appeared, but having learnt by past experience the habits of these pests their advent was anticipated, and on their first appearance remedies for their destruction were at once applied and maintained at regular intervals until the termination of their season of activity. By these means the lawns were preserved from injury.\n\nDr. A. Gunther, F.R.S., Keeper of the Department of Zoology, British Museum (Natural History), to whom I sent specimens of the larvæ, chrysalids, and moths for determination, has very kindly informed me that its name is Thialleta signifera (Walk.). The chief injury to the grass is caused by this species, but another one, which appears simultaneously with the Thialleta is also responsible for some damage.\n\nThis one Dr. Günther has also determined from specimens which I sent. It is Pharazia bicarnea (Wlk.).\n\n6. Children continue to run over places where grass should be, but which they have long ago worn away. As the attendants and police are unable to prevent this, it would be advisable to provide low iron fences on the margins of walks where children chiefly congregate, of sufficient height to prevent the children leaving the walks.\n\nMr. Pollok opened the case by reading the pleadings filed and the answer. From these it appeared that when Messrs. Russell and Co. failed the firm was indebted to the defendant for a sum of $10,000 and defendant was indebted to them for $50,000. Besides carrying on their ordinary business as merchants at Foochow, however, Messrs. Russell and Company were the agents for the plaintiff bank, and the plaintiff bank tried to induce the defendant to acknowledge that he was indebted to it for $50,000 instead of to Messrs. Russell and Co. The defendant, however, would not recognise this liability at all. Towards the end of 1891 the defendant was desirous of selling all his shares to Mr. Weeks, a broker at Foochow. Mr. Weeks asked for a transfer of the shares and expressed his willingness to pay any outstanding claims. The bank claimed a lien on the shares and refused to allow the transfer until the $50,000 alleged to be due was paid.\n\nMr. Francis on these pleadings asked for judgment for the full amount claimed. Even supposing all the facts alleged were admitted, he submitted that there was no equitable defence. The only defence really set up was that the bank refused to allow a transfer of the shares, but that was no ground of defence in this case, but only a possible case of action for damages.\n\nMr. Robinson then addressed the Court at great length, first stating that he had not anticipated that a legal point would have been raised until the whole of the case had been laid before the Court and the verdict of the jury obtained.\n\nWodehouse concluded the enquiry into the fire at No. 127, Queen's Road West.\n\nAt the Magistracy, on Saturday Mr. H. E. Wodehouse concluded the enquiry into the fire at No. 127, Queen's Road West. Mr. G. C. C. Master (of Messrs. Jobson, Stokes and Master) appeared for the insurance agents, Messrs. Carlowitz and Co. Mr. J. F. Reece represented the shopkeeper.\n\nP.C. McEwen said that when he forced his way into the shop on the alarm being given he found a quilt on the counter in flames, but the fire spread up the side of the wall and the whole place was eventually destroyed.\n\nThe premises were released.\n\nUltimately the case was adjourned until the next day.\n\nPittosporum tobira on the terrace below the fountain died during the year. This caused temporary incompleteness in the arrangement, but new plants have been put in the place of those which died.\n\nMay 24, 1894.\n\nHONGKONG.\n\nCHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.\n\nThe Hon. T. H. Whitehead leaves to-day by the Empress of Japan.\n\nAt the Magistracy on Tuesday before Commander W. C. H. Hastings a coolie was fined $75, with the option of three months' imprisonment, for having in his possession 29 taels of opium.\n\nThe plague has during the past week continued to claim 30 or 40 victims daily, notwithstanding the heavy rains and the measures which have been taken by the authorities to mitigate the disease. There are indications now, however, that the plague is becoming less virulent, and the returns show a diminution in the number of fatal cases.\n\nH.E. Sir William and Lady Robinson returned to the colony on the 15th inst. after a very enjoyable sojourn in Japan.\n\nMr. Cyril Platt, Private Secretary to His Excellency, has left for Shanghai in order to catch the homeward French mail and thereby avoid the difficulties of booking from Hongkong. Mr. Platt is going home on six months' leave, and during his absence the duties of Private Secretary will be discharged by Capt. Sterling, A.D.C.\n\nIn the fire which occurred near the new reservoir for the Taikoo Sugar Refinery on the 13th inst. even large matsheds were destroyed. A coolie who was endeavouring to save his property was rather seriously burnt about the hands and face and was removed to the Government Civil Hospital.\n\nOur Anjer correspondent writes:-On the night of the 2nd inst. the German ship Christine, from Philadelphia to Hyogo, took the ground at Old Anjer and remained fast for three hours, without any further assistance. The ship apparently made no water, and the captain decided on proceeding on his voyage.\n\nOn Thursday morning a large stone was seen on the tram line as the motor car was descending.\n\nThe breaksman gave the signal to stop the engine and at the same time let go the break. The stone was removed and the break having been unscrewed the car resumed its journey. There was only a momentary delay, and the next car left punctually at its proper time, 12:30.\n\nA meeting of the Odd Volumes\" was held on Friday night, at which a good number of members were present.\n\nMr. J. Stuart Harrison delivered a very interesting lecture on \"The Telephone,\" illustrated by diagrams and practical illustrations.\n\nAt the Magistracy on the 15th inst. A. H. C. Rao, a telegraph clerk employed at the Kowloon Police Station, was fined $10 for removing certain property from his house, which the Supreme Court bailiff had seized under a distress warrant for rent.\n\nThe fine was paid.\n\nOn Saturday evening a smoking concert was given in the Theatre by Mrs. Potter and Mr. Bellew, assisted by several amateurs. It was decided to commence the tournament on June 1st and the first round will be completed by July 31st. The second round will then commence and the entire tournament will conclude on September 30th.\n\nA set of rules regulating the competition were passed and a committee, consisting of Messrs. H. Humphreys, T. H. Reid, and H. E. Pollock was appointed to make the necessary arrangements.\n\nMr. Quong Tart, who arrived from Sydney by the Menmuir, had quite an enthusiastic send-off when the vessel left. The poop was gaily decorated with flags, etc., and the city band was present.\n\nSir George Dibbs, the Premier of New South Wales, was amongst those who attended to wish the traveller bon voyage, and in responding to the toast of prosperity to New South Wales, with which his name was coupled, he remarked that if Mr. Tart succeeded in establishing the wool trade between the two countries, as he was about to try and do, he should have a statue erected in his honour 10ft. high.\n\nIn replying to the toast of his health, Mr. Tart said that he would do his best to further the interests of the wool trade while he was away.\n\nThe health of Captain Craig, the popular commander of the Menmuir, was also honoured.\n\nTart is accompanied by Mrs. Quong Tart and family, and the principal object of his voyage is to pay a visit to his mother, who resides near Mono.\n\nA correspondent writes:-I see in a Trinidad paper which has just reached me a report of a meeting of the Legislative Council, at which was read a letter from Mr. Osbert Chadwick on the water supply and sanitation of Port-of-Spain.\n\nIt is notified that on Friday, the day appointed for the celebration of Her Majesty's birth, His Excellency the Governor will hold a levée at Government House from 12 to 1 p.m.\n\nThe steamer Dvochis, which arrived on Monday from Saigon, reports that the steamers Bengice, Bucephalus, Bantam, Holstein, Decima, and Jacobs were lying in quarantine at Cape Vin.\n\nMr. H. P. Tooker has been appointed Acting Director of Public Works during the absence on leave of Mr. W. Chatham.\n\nWe understand that the Hon. J. B. Stewart Imokhart, who was elected Chairman of the Victoria Recreation Club for the ensuing year, has declined the honour.\n\nA meeting of chess-players was held on the 15th inst. at Bank Buildings in connection with the recently formed Club, for the purpose of arranging a tournament.\n\nMr. H. E. Pollock presided.\n\nThere were 729 visitors to the City Hall Museum last week, of whom 93 were Europeans.\n\nEarly on Monday morning a junk was capsized at Murray Pier in a squall. No lives were lost.\n\nThe lung Wah Hospital and its temporary branch at the Glassworks have been connected with the telephone system.\n\nFor some time past the villagers of Yau Ma Tei and Yaumati have brought reports of devourings by two tigers and these grew so numerous that at length a party headed by some European sportsmen, armed with a few rifles and miscellaneous weapons, set off in search of the other tigers still supposed to infest the district.\n\nWell, the tigers were tracked to their lair in a rare and they were wide enough not to get choked at two miles from the boundary and shot.\n\nSome trouble has been given by a demonstration of native prejudice and ignorance, this on Saturday and day last giving rise to disturbances in the Pakwanshan district.\n\nThe Government mitigated the trouble by granting permission to place the patients in a hospital on shore under Chinese direction.\n\nOur Tientsin contemporary gives the following particulars:-\n\nMr. James Cantlie, F.R.C.S. Eng., of Hongkong, with Mrs. Cantlie, and Mr. Ernest L. C. Berger, arrived in Tientsin on Wednesday, 9th inst., and left the following morning for Peking and the Great Wall.\n\nThe Glenugle arrived at Woosung on the 13th inst., 39 days from London, including all stoppages. She will be the first steamer this season to lead tea for New York, via the Suez Canal.\n\nMISCELLANEOUS.\n\nAn order has been sent to Europe for two iron towers for the Manila cathedral to replace the stone ones destroyed in the last great earthquake.\n\nThe animals at the Pokfulam Dairy Farm are now quite free from the pleuro which recently broke out there, and only one animal, which is segregated at a distance, is now under treatment.\n\nThe cattle are being inspected by Mr. C. Vivian Ladds, Colonial Veterinary Surgeon, and already 120 have been treated, generally with complete success.\n\nThe annual general meeting of A. S. Watson and Co., Limited, was held on the 19th, the report and accounts being passed without discussion.\n\nOn the 22nd the general meeting of the Humphras Estate and Finance Company, Limited, was held.\n\nMrs. Potter and Mr. Bellew are still performing at the City Hall Theatre and will leave for San Francisco next week.\n\nI am quite satisfied that the separate system of drainage and nothing else is the cause of the plague. Formerly, when all house sewage ran into the storm water channels, it was deponent sayeth not.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-263 - Acting Governor Barker Governor Sir Robinson - 1894 [5-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 443218, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-401 - Governor Sir May - 1913 [5-6]", "page_number": 256, "title": "CO129-401 - Governor Sir May - 1913 [5-6]", "content_text": "## List of Vessels lost on The Paracel Reefs and The Pratas Reef\n\n| Date | Description | Name | O.N. |\n|------------|----------------|------------------|---------|\n| ? | Warship | H.M.S.\"Reynard\" | 6.3.77 |\n| 3.11.72 | British Bque. | \"Letty Gales\" | 70131 |\n| 14.4.75 | | \"Berica\" | 45261 |\n| | British Ship | S.S. | |\n| | | \"Viking\" | 71662 |\n| 23.10.77 | | \"Merse\" | 13777 |\n| 5.9.76 | Brig | \"Rob Roy\" | 54781 |\n| | | \"Hazel Holme\" | 28782 |\n| 17.4.77 | Bque. | \"Naworth Castle\" | 58116 |\n| 4.5.80 | | | |\n| | German Bque. | \"Hamburg\" | |\n| 17.11.82 | S.S. | \"Paladin\" | 68001 |\n| 19.10.80 | British | \"Flechera\" | 54966 |\n| 27.12.86 | S.S. | \"Stratheden\" | 84664 |\n| 17.10.81 | | \"Bolton Abbey\" | 49896 |\n| 3.5.90 | S.S. | \"Felbridge\" | 95455 |\n| 24.10.81 | Ship | \"Geraldine Paget\"| 63572 |\n| 3.5.90 | S.S. | \"Bucephalus\" | 88919 |\n| 25.11.89 | | \"Nylghan\" | 80617 |\n| 15.8.90 | S.S. | \"Mount Hebron\" | 97585 |\n| 28.5.92 | | | |\n| 16.2.96 | | \"John McLeod*\" | 90742 |\n| 9.3.99 | S.S. | \"Chittagong\" | 85878 |\n| | Bque | \"Lynnwood\" | 80035 |\n| 31.5.04 | S.S. | \"Baron Gordon\" | 118232 |\n| 1.4.99 | | \"Clwyd\" | 106845 |\n| 18.11.04 | S.S. | \"Shrewsbury\" | 100017 |", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-401 - Governor Sir May - 1913 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 533131, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-538-2 Hong Kong University 23-6-1932 - 15-3-1933", "page_number": 105, "title": "CO129-538-2 Hong Kong University 23-6-1932 - 15-3-1933", "content_text": "166\n\nE. A. AYLMER\n\nThe Chinese Grey-spotted Flycatcher (Hemichelidon griseisticta) not common first seen on 18th May.\n\nThe Siberian Flycatcher (Hemichelidon sibirica sibirica) a few only were seen amongst the fir trees on 19th May and 21st May.\n\nLast year a pair was observed on 15th May. The Tricolour Flycatcher (Xanthopygia narcissina xanthopygia): A pair of these beautiful little birds was seen on the 18th May. The flycatchers left after only a very short halt on the island.\n\nThe 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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nBoth 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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nThe Larks-the identity of the two commonest larks has been established, namely:-\n\nThe 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. A fine songster, the local Chinese favour this bird as a cage bird.\n\nThe North China Sand Lark (Alaudula minor cheleensis) is abundant throughout the summer months nesting on the sandy dunes and flats along the coast.\n\nThe bird appears to be double-brooded; a nest of this bird was found close to that of the Eastern Kentish Plover (Aegialitis cantiana). 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 Weihai-wei and Chefoo. It was noticed that this sand lark prefers to sing whilst on the ground.\n\nThe Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus telephonus) was first heard on 14th May, several of these birds remained on the island throughout the summer.\n\nThe Hong Kong Naturalist.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-538-2 Hong Kong University 23-6-1932 - 15-3-1933.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 533132, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-538-2 Hong Kong University 23-6-1932 - 15-3-1933", "page_number": 106, "title": "CO129-538-2 Hong Kong University 23-6-1932 - 15-3-1933", "content_text": "143\n\n144\n\n166\n\nE. A. AYLMER\n\nThe Chinese Grey-spotted Flycatcher (Hemichelidon griseisticta) not common: first seen on 18th May.\n\nThe Siberian Flycatcher (Hemichelidon sibirica sibirica) a few only were seen amongst the fir trees on 19th May and 21st May.\n\nThe 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.\n\nvery\n\nThe 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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nBoth 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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nThe Larks the identity of the two commonest larks has been established, namely:\n\nThe 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.\n\nA\n\nThe North China Sand Lark (Alaudula minor cheleensis) is abundant throughout the summer months nesting on the sandy dunes and flats along the coast.\n\nThe bird appears to be double brooded, a nest of this bird was found close to that of the Eastern Kentish Plover (Aegialitis cantiana). Nests are found on the sand dunes and flats along the coast.\n\nMessrs. 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.\n\nThe Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus telephonus) was first heard on 14th May, several of these birds remained on the island throughout the summer.\n\nThe Hong Kong Naturalist.\n\nWei-hai-wei, Bird Watching\n\n167\n\nOn 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, presumably these were the same species.\n\nThe Gulls.\n\nAt times quite a number were seen in the harbour, the Japanese Gull (Larus crassirostris) being the commonest. The Eastern Herring Gull (Larus argentatus vegae) 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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nA 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.\n\nA 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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nAnother 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.\n\nThe Large White-rumped Swift (Micropus pacificus pacificus) was abundant about the islands and mainland throughout the summer, often seen\n\nDecember 1932.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-538-2 Hong Kong University 23-6-1932 - 15-3-1933.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 } ]