Bredon and Mitrophanow in their book "The Moon Year" describe a special kite-flying festival in Foochow, which, they state, takes place on the Sth day of the 9th moon, enormous crowds of people going out from the city to the neighbouring hills to watch the rivalry and competition between the kite-dyers. They make no mention of the regular kite-flying in other parts of China, which, in view of the great extent to: which it is indulged in in such cities as Peiping. and strictly seasonal character, is rather strange.
The first kite noted this year in the Shanghai area was one seen flying over the western district on February 27. Next day several more were seen in the same area, and now the kite-flying season in full swing.
While most kites flown by European and American boys conform to two or three stereotyped patterns, the Chinese have an infinite variety They show great ingenuity in the making of these attractive playthings and considerable skill in handling them. A pair of goldfish, with eyes that spin rapidly in the wind and make a buzzing sound, is a favourite design, as also are the butterfly and ihe hawk. The latter is very realise tic and looks exactly like a real bird hovering in the air.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.