January 1—My recent visit to Hangchow has convinced me that some, at least, of the birds of China have their local dialects just like human beings. A Bulbul, singing outside my bedroom window had acquired the accent and manner of '2 Hwamel to such an extent that T feould not have recognized its song if were not for an Intimate knowledge of every phrase and note delivered by our local bird. This is a curious fact which I have never heard of before. Who, for example, has heard fof anyone referring toa Thrush singing with a Scotch accent? The Trush of England sings just the same fas does the Mavis of Scotland; the Redpoll has the same song as the French Linnet; and the ery of the Heron is the same as that of the Hernshaw, being in each case the same bird differently named....and please note that when Shakespeare wrote "I know a hawk from a hand saw" he was referring to the Heron under the latter name, The British Robin ranges from the North of Scot and to France and across to Holland—yet I have never heard anyone say that this song differs in any particular locality.
But the Bulbuls of Chekiang have undoubtedly taken on the accent and enunciation of the leading local Songster: they roll their R's and lift their voices just as the Hwamel docs in districts where that is a song-bird jas common as our Blackbird. This is a fascinating subject worthy of any observer's attention—yet if 1 write about a Bulbul singing sweetly In the Chekiang dialect, I know that T shall [be laughed att Jan 3—Thls morning 1 found the country hard and cold: surface mud frozen stiff anda quarier of an inch of fee on every pool. "Nothing to. be Seen to-day" I suid. to myself as T {ured homeward, Then asa. Aight of. tapparentiy) "black and" white birds went skirling over my head 1 realized that the bronze-green bodies and white. underwings, @lpping. and sing In unison, were those of Plovers.-_.othervge known a¢ Peewlts or Lapwings, Without a moments hes Stion myfonind registered them Gopping of Plover" and 1 began to think How that queer phrase. could have arisen, It"Is clear that the werd "op means 9 dip or low cure sey. and. once you have seen the erratic Right of the Plover you must Fealize why' the fight {s known dopping"; but that simple. explanation does not finish "the lino. rough. A bird may' be said to lap ite Wing in Might... vand that 4s quite simple: but a Jupidary cuts or poll-shes a jewel with a "lap" and, strangely enough the little cup-shaped depression In which the jewel Is held is know as a "dop." So when my dopping of Plover went hurtling overhead they were something more to me than just a flight of birds: they were a link with the ancient Jer's craft and a study In time-worn words. But the French call them Vanneau because of the fanlilke move ment of the broad wings; and, 1a of all, it struck me that the name Plover came from the Latin pluvla, meaning rain. So as I turned home wards I tried to piece it all together, The rain-bird which comes tous In winter; which dips or curtsies In ait; which Is intimately connected with the jewel culter's lap and dop. Just then the leading bird gave a sudden ery which sounded to me like "Nitavit."" And T think that perhaps he was right, festivities are a hollow and comfortless relence, 'The' Japanese are. uneasy about their Minister, Me." Bon, Who fas expected at Tlenisin about the Sth Instant, coming tua Japanese man-of-War front Nagasaki to Taku direct, The Japanese charge Wattaire, Mr Tur aited at Tientsin unth the lath instant, ud at length returned to Peking: giving alt hope of seeing the expected Minister "arriv Frost nit From Tlentsin—A very pleasant enter tainment was given on board the French gunboat. Surprise, onthe afternoon of December 19,. 1875. The performance was graced With the presence of three French ladies kindly Invited "by the officers of the Surprise. "The acting was Temarkably good, and the oMleers and men deserve praise for the great taste displayed in the decorations, which were plain, but effective. "After" the gate of December 17, the weather was delight: ful, no wind and @ bright sun shining. Several sailors from. HAMS. Growler and seemed io" enjoy' the Pit is pleasant to. witness Margary, me with the entire disapproval of Sir Wade, and\of every one in Peking a Tientsin. "A severe gale passed over the Settlement on the 7th, and the river next morning. was entirely closed with Woes singe then the weather has heel fine, but cold.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.