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Show 1870.] MR. R. SWINHOE ON CHINESE ZOOLOGY. 435 of a deep yellowish brown or fawn-colour, spotted all over with large spots of white. As they grew older the spots began to disappear, and the hair to grow longer and browner. W h e n I left Peking in October scarcely a trace of spots was left, and the animals were steadier on their legs, but still gawky and awkward. I congratulate the Society on having got buck and doe both safe and alive in the Gardens. Fairs are held twice a week at different temples in the city, and are attended by large numbers of well-dressed people. The booths are neatly got up ; and there is always a good display of toys, nick-nacks, and flowers ; but I did not see much to attract in the bird line. A few of the Chinese pet-birds were offered for sale, and these either young or in bad plumage. Some are shown in cages, others attached by a slipstring to a stick with a metal point at its end for planting in the ground or in a flower-pot. One of their curiosities was an albino Lanius bucephalus. On the 25th of July I observed that all the Swifts that were breeding in the roofs of the various buildings in the legation had cleared out their young and deserted their nest-holes. In passing the western gates of the Chinese city, of the thousands that swarmed like bees round their turrets a few weeks ago not one, was to be seen on the 28th of July. In the morning and evening many still sported about at this date in the air over the legation grounds. The young leave their nests without any loitering or trying of wings; but for some time their parents feed them on the wing. The old birds are fond of screeching as they fly, especially in cloudy weather. Heavy rain closed July ; and on the return of fine weather (8th of August) not a Swift was to be seen ; the myriads that swarmed in the air of Peking during the fearful dry heat of July had all disappeared. This accounts for m y not having met with them on m y former visit to Peking in the autumn of I860; they had left before we arrived. No House-martin (Chelidon) frequents the city; and I only once saw a couple passing over when out on a trip in the country. Hirundo gutturalis, Scop., and //. daurica, Pall., are the only Swallows that court the protection of the Pekinese householders, while Cotyle riparia (L.) enlivens their river-banks. The Swift is closely allied to our home friend Cypselus apus, L., but differs sufficiently to be distinguished as an Eastern race :- CYPSELUS PEKINENSIS, sp. nov. Back, nape, and underparts as in G. apus, the white on the throat more extended. Crown, rump, tail, and wings light brown with a slight coppery-pink gloss. Primary coverts, shafts of quills, and outer webs of wing-primaries blackish. Forehead very pale, with a whitish upper edge to the black patch in front of the eye. d . Length 7 inches ; wing 7 ; tail 3, depth of fork 1; wing reach-in »- beyond tail 1*2. Legs deep purplish brown, with black claws. Inside of mouth flesh-colour, with a purplish tinge, especially in lower jaw. Skin round eye and bill blackish brown tinged with purple. Iris bright brownish black. Judging by the bareness of the breast and belly, both male and female sit on the nest. |