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Show 1900.] ON THE BIRDS OF HAINAN. 457 2. On the Birds of Hainan. By W . B. OGILVIE GRANT. [Received March 4,1900.] (Plates XXXIII. & XXXIV.) The present paper, which gives a complete list of all the species of Birds known to occur in the island of Hainan, is based on the collection made by the late M r . John Whitehead in the so-called ' Five-Finger Mountains' (Ngau-tchi-lea) in the interior. During this expedition he unfortunately fell a victim to the terrible forest-fever, for which, it appears, the island is, at certain seasons, notorious. I had arranged with Mr. Whitehead that he should again proceed to the Philippines and complete his work there by investigating the fauna of the highlands of Mindanao and other islands forming the southern part of the archipelago, which he had not been able to visit during his previous expedition. It was further agreed that he should, if possible, explore the highlands of Formosa and Hainan. O n the 10th February 1899 he arrived at Manila, but after remaining there two weeks, during which time fighting between the Americans and Philipinos (Tagalos) continued daily, he was reluctantly obliged to give up all idea of collecting in the Philippines, and, returning to Hong-Kong, made his way to Hainan. While in Manila he engaged the services of four Philipinos, including two of his most valued collectors who had accompanied him during his former expedition in the Philippines. Through the kindness of the late Mr. Whitehead's relations, I have been permitted to make use of his diary giving an account of his journey in Hainan ; and I feel sure that the following extracts, melancholy though they be, will prove to be of interest as the last record of how this brave m a n and unrivalled field-naturalist lost his life in the cause of science *. DIAKY. MARCH 5th. Leave Hong-Kong for Hainan. Voyage to Hoihow. Stranded in the ' Hatin' for four days on a sandbank; afraid of losing our baggage ; an anxious time. Get taken off the steamer by the ' Hoihow.' Experience difficulties in reaching the shore at low water. Mud-flats covered with flocks of Waders : Dunlins, Greenshanks, Stilts, Golden Plover, Bedskanks, Curlews, and Sand-plovers ; also white-necked Crows. O n arriving in the town visit the Consul, and meet with great kindness from Mr. Jiidell, w ho puts m e up. Baggage comes off in boats and arrives at daylight the next day. 1 An account of the late Mr. John Whitehead's scientific career will be fouud in ' Country Life,' vol. vii. no. 159, pp. 72, 73, 20th January, 1900. |