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Show 187L] MR. R. SWINHOE ON THE BIRDS OF CHINA. 405 535. HiEMATOPUS OSCULANS, n. sp. Hcematopus ostralegus, Swinh. Ibis, 1860, p. 63, 1861, pp. 261, 342. Hcematopus longirostris, Swinh. Ibis, 1863, p. 406 ; P. Z. S. 1863, p. 310. On drawing up m y last list and on finding our bird to be different from the European species, I set it down as II. longirostris, Gray, without, however, comparing specimens. Prof. Schlegel (Mus. des Pays-Bas) draws attention to m y mistake, but identifies the bird with H. ostralegus. On careful comparison I find it intermediate. It has white on its primary quills, but not to such an extent as in II. ostralegus; and it has the long bill and black tips to its white upper tail-coverts as in H. longirostris, but the tip-spots are smaller. Thus holding an intermediate position between the two, it is impossible to class it with either species, and I would propose to separate it as above. Characters.-First three rectrices with black shafts, the fourth showing a little white, which increases aud expands on the quills that follow (in H. ostralegus the white commences on the first quill, and in H. longirostris the shafts are all black). The upper tail-coverts that overlap the tail tipped with black (pure white in H. ostralegus). Bill, from the forehead, 3*6 inches. These characters are taken from an adult male shot in Talien Bay in July. An immature bird shot in November at Swatow shows the same long bill, small extent of white on the wing, and dark tips to the extreme uropygials, but its dark parts are brown instead of black. Neither specimen has the white collar. This Oyster-catcher breeds in North China (Talien Bay), and wanders down the coast in winter as far, at least, as Swatow. 536. RECURVIROSTRA AVOCETTA, L. ; Ibis, 1860, p. 66, 1861, p. 343,1863, p. 406 ; Zoologist, 1860, p. 7103; P.Z.S. 1863, p. 311. Recurvirostra sinensis, Ibis, 1867, p. 401. China coast in winter. " Is found in M a y at Ordo near the Yellow River " (David). 537. HIMANTOPUS CANDIDUS, Bonnaterre; L. Himantopus melanopterus, Temm. One seen at Pekin by Pere David (Catalogue). 538. TOTANUS GLOTTIS, L.; Ibis, 1863, p. 406, 1870, 364 ; P.Z.S. 1863, p. 311. Totanus glottoides, Vig.; Ibis, 1860, p. 66, 1861, p. 343. Totanus glottis, Ibis, 1862, p. 254. General in winter. 539. TOTANUS STAGNATILIS, Bechst.; Ibis, 1862, p. 254, 1863, p. 406, 1870, p. 364 ; P. Z. S. 1863, p. 311. Formosa ; Amoy ; Hainan. |