squirrel, to which the people give the name of tree-rat (_ki-nezumi_), as well as the flying squirrel, known as the _momo-dori_ (peach-bird) in the north, where it hides from the light in hollow tree-trunks, and in the south as the _ban-tori_ (or bird of evening). There are no rabbits, but hares (_usagi_) are to be found in very varying numbers, and those of one species put on a white coat during winter. The wild boar (_shishi_ or _ii-no-shishi_) does not differ appreciably from its European congener. Its flesh is much relished, and for some unexplained reason is called by its vendors "mountain-whale" (_yama-kujira_). A very beautiful stag (_shika_), with eight-branched antlers, inhabits the remote woodlands, and there are five species of antelope (_kamo-shika_) which are found in the highest and least accessible parts of the mountains. Domestic animals have for representatives the horse (_uma_), a small beast with little beauty of form though possessing much hardihood and endurance; the ox (_ushi_) mainly a beast of burden or draught; the pig (_buta_), very occasionally; the dog (_inu_), an unsightly and useless brute; the cat (_neko_), with a stump in lieu of a tail; barndoor fowl (_niwa-tori_), ducks (_ahiro_) and pigeons (_hato_). The turkey (_shichi-mencho_) and the goose (_gacho_) have been introduced but are little appreciated as yet. Although so-called singing birds exist in tolerable numbers, those worthy of the name of songster are few. Eminently first is a species of nightingale (_uguisu_), which, though smaller than its congener of the West, is gifted with exquisitely modulated flute-like notes of considerable range. The _uguisu_ is a dainty bird in the matter of temperature. After May it retires from the low-lying regions and gradually ascends to higher altitudes as midsummer approaches. A variety of the cuckoo called _holotogisu_ (_Cuculus poliocephalus_) in imitation of the sound of its voice, is heard as an accompaniment of the _uguisu_, and there are also three other species, the _kakkodori_ (_Cuculus canorus_), the _tsutsu-dori_ (_C. himalayanus_), and the _masuhakari_, or _juichi_ (_C. hyperythrus_). To these the lark, _hibari_ (_Alauda japonica_), joins its voice, and the cooing of the pigeon (_hato_) is supplemented by the twittering of the ubiquitous sparrow (_suzume_), while over all are heard the raucous caw of the raven (_karasu_) and the harsh scream of the kite (_tombi_), between which and the raven there is perpetual feud. The falcon (_taka_), always an honoured bird in Japan, where from time immemorial hawking has been an aristocratic pastime, is common enough, and so is the sparrow-hawk (_hai-taka_), but the eagle (_washi_) affects solitude. Two English ornithologists, Blakiston and Pryer, are the recognized authorities on the birds of Japan, and in a contribution to the _Transactions of the Asiatic Society of Japan_ (vol.