Jiang Tingxi (1669-1732)
An Imperial Manual of Birds
Golden Pheasant, Silver Pheasant, Great...

錦雞，收錄於《蔣廷錫鳥譜》第五冊，為第一幅。  

錦雞，一名文鶾，一名華蟲，一名鵕䴊，一名鷩雉，一名天雞，一名蟞蛦。  

錦雞，雄者黑目黃眶，米黃觜，黃頰細紅點。頂有長纓，黃色極鮮。項毛赤黃，黑邊，近背有翠綠毛一節，邊亦黑色，俱相次如銜玦。頷、臆、胸、腹俱赤紅色。背毛赤赭，接以杏黃。膊毛翠青、翎翮紅藕色。尾翎極長，蒼黑質，蒼白圓點滿之，勻淨如畫。背末有赤紅細毛十餘莖，蓋尾披離如綏。黃足有距。雌者黑睛黑眶，米色觜，無冠。蒼赤頰，頂、項、背、膞俱蒼黑色。蒼翅白點隱見，蒼白臆腹，蒼尾有橫白紋。尾比䧺者稍短，青足爪無距。《書·益稷》謨：「山龍華蟲。」疏云：「鷩冕七章，華蟲為首。」華蟲即鷩雉也。《爾雅》：「鷩雉又雗，天雞。」注云：「鷩似山雞而小，冠背毛黃，腹下赤，項綠色鮮明逸。」《周書》曰：「文鶾若彩雞。」《成王時蜀人獻之疏》云：「文鶾若翚雉。」孔晁注云：「鳥有文彩者是也。」鄭樵云：「鶾，蓋雉類。秦蜀有之，甚有文彩。」《本草綱目》云：「錦雞有二種。一曰鷩，《書》所謂華蟲，亦名鵕䴊，儀容俊秀也，其文在身；一曰鶾，小於鷩，其文在背，青揚五色，煥耀如錦，此《爾雅》所謂鶾、天雞也。但䧺者色五采，雌者黑。」《左傳》：「丹鳥氏司閉者也。」注云：「丹鳥鷩雉也，以立秋來，立冬去。」《爾雅翼》云：「鷩，蜀都賦謂之蟞蛦，即鵔鸃也。」《禽經》云：「腹有彩文曰錦雞。」注云：「出南詔越山中，歲採捕之，為王者冠服之飾。」《桂海虞衡志》云：「南中有錦雞，形如小雞，頭頂髮毛金色，身紅黃相間，極有文彩，目微白。」  

Golden Pheasant - included in The Bird Album by Jiang Tingxi, appears as the first illustration in the volume V.  

The golden pheasant is also known by several historical and classical names, including Wen Han (文鶾), Hua Chong (華蟲), Jun Yi (鵕䴊), Bi Zhi (鷩雉), Tian Ji (天雞), and Bie Yi (蟞蛦).  

Male golden pheasants possess black pupils with yellow eye-rings, a pale yellow beak, and yellow cheeks marked with fine red dots. The head is adorned with long crest-like feathers that are vividly yellow. The neck feathers are alternating red and yellow, edged in black; near the back of the neck is a patch of emerald green feathers, also bordered in black, arranged sequentially in a pattern resembling interlocking jade pendants. The chin, breast, and belly are all bright red. The back is covered in reddish ochre feathers transitioning into apricot-yellow. Shoulder feathers are emerald green, while the remiges exhibit hues of crimson and lotus-root pink. The tail feathers are extremely long, dark bluish-black in base colour, and densely covered in pale circular spots, symmetrically arranged to produce a painting-like visual effect. At the lower back, over ten fine red feathers overlay the tail, fanning out like decorative ribbons. The legs are yellow and bear spurs.  

Female golden pheasants have black eyes with dark rings, pale rice-yellow beaks, and no crown. The cheeks are bluish-red, and the head, neck, back, and rump are all dark bluish-black. The wings are blue, subtly marked with white spots. The breast and belly are bluish-white, and the tail is marked with horizontal white bands. Compared to the male, the tail is slightly shorter. The feet and claws are blue-green and lack spurs.  

In the Yiji (《益稷》 Book of Documents) states: “The mountain dragon, the Hua Chong (華蟲).” A commentary explains that Bi (鷩) was the foremost figure among the “seven ornamented tassels” (冕旒七章) in imperial ceremonial attire, and the so-called Hua Chong refers specifically to the golden pheasant. The Erya (《爾雅》, the earliest Chinese dictionary) identifies: “Bi Zhi, also called Han, the celestial fowl (Tian Ji).” An annotation adds: “The Bi  resembles a pheasant but is smaller, with a yellow crest and dorsal feathers, a red underside, and a green and brilliant neck.” The Book of Zhou describes: “The Wen Han looks like a multi-coloured pheasant.” In a memorial from the reign of King Cheng of Zhou, it is said: “Wen Han resembles a Hui Zhi (翚雉),” a multi-coloured pheasant. Kong Zhao’s annotation comments: “It refers to birds possessing vivid plumage.” Zheng Qiao posits that Han belongs to the pheasant family and was native to Qin and Shu regions (modern Shaanxi and Sichuan), where it was highly valued for its vibrant plumage. The Bencao Gangmu (《本草綱目》, Compendium of Materia Medica)  categorizes golden pheasants into two types: Bi and Hua Chong. It is also called Jun Yi(鵕䴊)—noted for its elegant appearance and body-wide coloration; the other is Han, which is smaller and primarily displays its colours on the back. These birds exhibit five interwoven colours—blue, yellow, red, white, and black—radiating like brocade. The male displays this five-coloured brilliance, while the female is largely dark. The Zuo Zhuan (《左傳》Commentary of Zuo) records: “The Dan Niao (丹鳥) clan presided over gates,” with a note stating that Dan Niao refers to the Bi pheasant, which appears around the onset of autumn and disappears by winter, symbolizing seasonal transitions. In Erya Yi (《爾雅翼》Expanded Erya), it is stated: “The Bi is also known as Bie Yi; in the Shudu Fu (Ode to Shu), it is likewise called Jun Yi (鵔鸃).” The Qin Jing (《禽經》, Treatise on Birds) notes: “Birds with ornamental plumage on the belly are called golden pheasants,” and adds: “They originate from the mountains of Southern Zhao (modern Yunnan), where they are annually hunted and used to adorn the robes and crowns of emperors.” The Guihai Yuheng Zhi (《桂海虞衡志》, Well-balanced Records of Guihai) records: “in the southern regions (modern Yunnan), golden pheasants resemble small chickens. The feathers atop their heads are golden, and their bodies display alternating bands of red and yellow. The plumage is exceptionally colourful, and the eyes are faintly white.”  

白鷴，收錄於《蔣廷錫鳥譜》第五冊，為第二幅。  

白鷴，一名白鶾，一名閑客，一名白雉。  

《圖經》云：鷴似山雞而色白，有黑文如漣漪。尾長三四尺，體備冠距，觜爪青黑色。亦有丹者。行止閑暇，不雜於凡鳥，故得「鷴」稱。按《爾雅》云：「鶾，白雉。」南人呼「閑」字如「寒」。「鶾」者，羽毛之美，當作「白鶾」，「鷴」即「鶾」音之轉也。《粵志》曰：「白鷴者，南越羽族之珍。素質黑章，有朱冠者，背毛皆以黑為邊襕，如水波形。其雌者，閑有朱毛，亦有黑鷴，皆雉類也。」李昉謂之「閑客」。  

Silver Pheasant - Included in Bird Album by Jiang Tingxi, appears as the second illustrated species in the volume V.  

The silver pheasant is also known by several classical names, including "Bai Han" (白鶾), "Xian Ke" (閑客), and "Bai Zhi " (白雉).  

According to Tujing (Illustrated Records), the silver pheasant closely resembles the domestic junglefowl in general form, but its plumage is entirely white, adorned with black markings resembling rippling waves. Its tail feathers are remarkably long, extending up to three to four feet in length. The bird possesses both a crown and spurs (the latter referring to the bony protrusions on the legs of males used in combat). The beak and claws are bluish-black in colour. Some individuals are noted to have a reddish tinge to their plumage. Its demeanour is composed and tranquil, rarely mixing with more common birds, which is why it was given the name Xian (鷴), a homophone of “leisure” (閑), emphasizing its elegant and solitary nature.  

The Erya states: “Han (鶾) refers to the white pheasant.” In southern regions of China, the character “鶾” is often pronounced similarly to “寒,” thus the term “Bai Han” (白鶾) denotes a pheasant with beautiful plumage—undoubtedly referring to this species. The name “Xian” (鷴) is considered a phonetic evolution of “Han” (鶾).  

The Yue Zhi further records: “The white Xian is a rare and treasured bird species in the region of Lingnan (Southern Yue). Its plumage is pure white, ornamented with black markings. Males with red crests have back feathers bordered in black, forming wave-like patterns.” Females may also exhibit red plumage, or sometimes appear with dark variegated coloration. Both male and female specimens are classified within the broader pheasant family.  

The Northern Song scholar Li Fang (925-996) referred to this bird as “Leisure Guest” (閑客), a term that underscores its calm disposition and refined temperament—likening the bird to a noble recluse or gentleman scholar in human society.  

花啄木，收錄於《蔣廷錫鳥譜》第五冊，為第十幅。  

花啄木。 

花啄木，赤黑睛，白眶白頰，黑觜，觜下近頷處微黃。頂、項、背、翅、尾皆黑質白紋白點，其紋點殊狀。頂、項細紋相聚成花。背、膊細直紋逐節相次。翅毛碎圓點皆左右相對。尾中二長毛純黑無斑，兩邊二短翎白點稍大於翅。頷下赭色，間細白毛，臆前淺赤，腹下微白，近尾𩂜殷紅，黑足爪。  

Great Spotted Woodpecker - Illustrated as the tenth illustration in Volume V of Bird Album by Jiang Tingxi.  

The Great Spotted Woodpecker is described as having dark reddish-black irises, with prominent white orbital rings and white cheeks. The beak is black, with a slight pale yellow coloration near the base of the lower mandible, close to the throat. The plumage on the crown, nape, back, wings, and tail is predominantly black, patterned with white stripes and spots of varying forms. The crown and nape are covered with densely arranged fine stripes that cluster to form flower-like patterns. On the back and shoulders, the white markings appear as slender linear stripes arranged in segmented sequence. The wings bear numerous small circular spots, symmetrically aligned in pairs on either side. The central pair of tail feathers are solid black and unmarked, while the shorter lateral rectrices are adorned with white spots, slightly larger than those on the wings. The area beneath the throat is rufous, interspersed with fine white feathers. The upper breast exhibits a pale reddish hue, while the lower abdomen is faintly whitish, transitioning to a deep crimson shade near the base of the tail. The legs and claws are uniformly black.  

雌弩克鴉克，收錄於《蔣廷錫鳥譜》第五冊，為第二十六幅。  

雌弩克鴉克。 

弩克鴉克雌者悉與雄同，唯骨冠尖聳出為異。出暹羅國，其國人云：此鳥在大樹朽窟中作巢。產卵後，雄為之伏，雌者出外覓食。雛生後，雄居巢內，雌者銜泥封巢口，僅留一小穴，銜食以飼。候雛能飛，雌者始開封口，雄乃引雛而出。人每即其巢，掩護之。  

Female Great Hornbill - Included in Bird Album by Jiang Tingxi, Volume V, the twenty-sixth illustration.  

The female of the species is nearly identical in external morphology to the male, with the only notable difference being the more prominently pointed and elevated casque located atop the upper mandible.  

This species is native to Siam (present-day Thailand). According to local accounts, the bird nests within natural cavities formed in decaying trunks of large trees. After laying eggs, the male remains inside the nest to incubate, while the female forages for food outside. Once the chicks have hatched, the male continues to reside in the nest to care for the young. During this period, the female seals the entrance of the nesting cavity with mud, leaving only a small aperture through which she delivers food to the male and the chicks. When the chicks are sufficiently developed and capable of flight, the female breaks open the sealed nest entrance, allowing the male to lead the fledglings out of the cavity.  

Local inhabitants, upon discovering such nests, often take measures to protect them.  

翻毛雞，收錄於《蔣廷錫鳥譜》第六冊，第四幅。  

翻毛雞。 

翻毛雞，黑睛赤黃暈，黃白眶，淺紅頰，黃白觜，淺紅冠，緌帶蒼赤細點。通身純白，其毛管皆逆出，彎曲外向，翅尾亦然。黃白足，黑爪，白懸。此種白色者居多。每至夏月，毛毻如禿，唯存莖管。秋末始毨，至冬而翮尾乃成。《廣志》云：「雞有反翅之種。」《桂海虞衡志》云：「翻毛雞翮翎皆翻生，彎彎外向，尤馴狎不散逸，二廣皆有。」《本草集解》云：「《乾坤商業》云反毛雞治反胃。反毛雞即翻翅雞也。治反胃者，述類之意耳。」《物類相感志》云：「雞未翼者，以苕帚趕之，則翼毛倒生，然不過翅翮耳。自有一種反生毛雞，通身毛皆倒向也。」  

Frizzle Chicken - Included in Bird Album by Jiang Tingxi, Volume VI, the fourth illustration.  

This fowl possesses black pupils, with irides displaying a reddish-yellow hue, and yellowish-white orbital rings. The cheeks are light red, and the beak is yellow-white in color. The comb is pale red, and the wattles (fleshy appendages hanging from behind the comb) are marked with fine bluish-red speckles. The entire plumage is pure white. Notably, the feather shafts exhibit reversed growth orientation, curving outward from the body, creating a frizzled appearance. Both wing and tail feathers also curl outward in a similar fashion. The legs are yellowish-white, the claws are black, and the spurs (bony projections on the legs used in fighting) are white. Among individuals of this breed, white-feathered specimens are the most common.  

During the summer months, the bird undergoes significant feather molting, often appearing nearly bald, with only hollow feather shafts remaining visible. New feather growth begins in late autumn, with full development of flight feathers and tail feathers completed by winter.  

According to the Guangzhi (《廣志》a book on natural history), "There exists a type of chicken with reversed wings." The Guihai Yuheng Zhi (《桂海虞衡志》, Well-balanced Records of Guihai) elaborates: "The Frizzle Chicken grows remiges in a reversed orientation, curling outward. This breed is exceptionally tame and docile, rarely straying from human contact, and is found in both Guangxi and Guangdong regions." The Bencao Jijie (《本草集解》a book on herbal medicine ) quotes Qiankun Shangye (《乾坤商業》), stating: "The reversed-feathered chicken can be used to treat reflux-related ailments." However, the commentary notes that the so-called “reversed-feathered chicken” refers specifically to the frizzle type, whose remiges grow outward. The therapeutic claim is classified as metaphorical or symbolic in nature, based on the principle of analogy, rather than empirical efficacy. The Wulei Xianggan Zhi (《物類相感志》) records: "When juvenile chickens that have not yet grown wing feathers are driven with a broom, their feathers may grow in reverse—though this only affects the wings. However, there is a distinct variety of chicken in which all body feathers, from head to tail, naturally grow in a reversed direction—this is the Frizzle Chicken."  

口北树雞，收錄於《蔣廷錫鳥譜》第六冊，為第二十一幅。 

口北树雞。 

樹雞，京師直北口外亦有之。其形亦畧小，毛羽則文彩可觀。黑睛，青黑暈，米白眶。上瞼紅皮一片，土黃頷、頰，細蒼點。頷下黑毛三四處。青黑頂，項土黃，頸雜黃黑斑。背近項處黑毛中黃白橫紋隱現，接以純黑毛，深翠緣。近尾處赭黑相暈，閃耀如金。膊毛黃黑暈，雜黑白斑，翅毛中黑白，根白尖蒼黑翮。臆前黑質黃紋，腹下純黑，近尾純白。黑尾分兩歧，末緣白紋如線。短脛毛，青趾爪。味不中食。  

《欽定鳥譜》中第六冊中紀錄的畫作名稱僅二十九列，根據《清檔》所載，每冊應為三十幅，由此而推測口北書雞應為「樹雞兩種」中的其中一種。根據乾隆時期余省、張為邦參照蔣廷錫所繪《鳥譜》之順序，第二十幅應為「樹雞」，第二十一幅應為「口北樹雞」。  

Spruce Grouse - Included in Bird Album by Jiang Tingxi, appears as the twenty-first illustration in Volume VI.  

This bird is native to regions north of the capital (Beijing), specifically beyond the mountain passes. It is slightly smaller than the common domestic chicken, yet displays markedly vivid and ornate plumage. Its eyes have black pupils, with irises showing a dark bluish-black halo and pale ochre-white orbital rings. The upper eyelids are overlaid with a patch of red skin. The chin and cheeks are earthy yellow, sprinkled with fine bluish-grey spots. Three to four tufts of black feathers protrude from beneath the lower jaw. The crown is dark bluish-black; the neck is a muted yellow, marked with interspersed black and yellow spots. Near the nape, black feathers exhibit faint horizontal yellow-white bands, which are succeeded by a patch of pure black feathers with emerald green fringes. The feathers near the tail are dusky red with black overtones, displaying a metallic sheen. The shoulder feathers are yellowish with black shading, interspersed with black and white spots. The wings show alternating black and white patterns; feather bases are white while tips are bluish-black. The breast is predominantly black, overlaid with fine yellow markings. The lower abdomen is solid black, transitioning to pure white near the vent area. The tail is black and bifurcated into two lobes, with delicate linear white markings along the feather edges. The legs are short and feathered; the toes and claws are bluish in colour.  

Despite its striking appearance and richly coloured plumage, the meat of this bird is coarse in texture and considered unpalatable, thus it is not favoured for consumption.  

Although only twenty-nine names are formally titled in Volume VI of the Imperially Qinding Niao Pu (《欽定鳥譜》 Commissioned Bird Albums), archival records from the Qing court indicate that each volume was originally intended to contain thirty illustrations. Based on this discrepancy, it is inferred that the Spruce Grouse (Kou Bei Shu Ji) represents an untitled but extant thirtieth illustration, likely corresponding to the second of the “two varieties of tree-fowl” (Shu Ji). According to the order adopted by imperial painters Yu Xing and Zhang Weibang, who replicated Jiang Tingxi’s original paintings during the Qianlong reign, the twentieth plate is labelled “Tree Fowl” (Shu Ji), suggesting that the twenty-first should be identified as the “Spruce Grouse.”  

石鷄收錄於《蔣廷錫鳥譜》第六冊，為第二十六幅。  

石雞，哈達衣圖。 

石雞，黑眸赤黑暈，紅眶紅觜，白頰灰頷。觜根、目上有黑毛一線，目後臆前亦有黑毛成片。短項，自頂至背、翅尾俱紅褐色。胸色青褐，腹毛青灰，質黃黑相間成文。短紅足，蒼黑爪。《居山雜記》云：「山中五六月間，有一種石雞，似雞而小，紅觜褐身，羽毛可玩，聲如雞而大。意即《本草》稱為䳾雞也。《本草》云：「䳾雞，秧雞之類。雄者色褐，雌者色斑，其聲甚大，秋月即無。」  

Chukar Partridge - Included in Bird Album by Jiang Tingxi, Volume VI, as the twenty-sixth illustration.  

This bird features black pupils with irises surrounded by a reddish-black halo. Both the orbital ring and the beak are bright red. The cheeks are white, while the lower jaw is grey. A narrow black feathered stripe runs from the base of the beak to above the eye, and a larger patch of black feathers extends from behind the eye toward the upper chest. The neck is short. From the crown of the head to the back, wings, and tail, the plumage is uniformly reddish-brown. The chest is coloured a bluish-brown, while the abdominal feathers are bluish-grey with interspersed black and yellow markings forming distinct patterns. The legs are short and red, and the claws are dark bluish-black.  

The Jushan Zaji (《居山雜記》, Miscellaneous Records from Mountain Dwelling) records: “In the months of May and June, a species known as the Shi Ji (stone chicken)  may be observed in the mountains. It resembles the domestic chicken in form but is smaller, with a red beak and brownish body. Its plumage is delicate and visually appealing, and its call resembles that of a domestic chicken, though louder. It is believed to be the same as the bird referred to as Deng Ji (䳾雞) in Bencao.” Bencao Gangmu (《本草綱目》, Compendium of Materia Medica) likewise notes: “The Deng Ji belongs to the rail (Rallidae) family. Males are brown in colour, while females exhibit mottled plumage. Their vocalizations are remarkably loud, though they disappear by the autumn months.”  

青莊收錄於《蔣廷錫鳥譜》第九冊，為第四幅。  

青莊，一名青翰，一名信天緣。  

青莊黑睛黃暈，黃觜，觜根蒼赤，毛連頰。米白頂，頂有黑纓數莖，自目上出，長者三四寸。 頸、項、臆、腹俱米白色，臆前有尖黑點，腹有垂毛。青背蓑蓑，覆翅青白，翅青黑。翮短，黃黑。尾翅翮蓋之，蒼黃。脛足脛甚長，黑黃爪。《名物備考》云：青莊似鷺而大，身作灰青色，頂有黑翎，胸垂白胡，鳥之有文者，故亦名青翰。《本草綱目》云：水鳥之屬有曰信天緣者，終日凝立，不易其𩂜，俟魚過乃取之。其性廉而形端，故名「莊」。即俗所稱青翰是也。  

Grey Heron - Listed as the fourth illustration in Volume IX of Bird Album by Jiang Tingxi.  

This species is also historically referred to by the names Qing Han (青翰) and Xin Tian Yuan (信天緣).  

The Grey Heron is described as having black pupils surrounded by a yellow-tinged iris. The bill is yellow, with a bluish-red tint at the base, and feathers extend from the beak base across the cheeks. The crown is off-white (milky white), with several elongated black filamentous plumes emerging from above the eyes, the longest of which reach three to four cun (approximately 10–12 cm). The neck, nape, breast, and belly are uniformly off-white. A distinct pointed black spot is located on the chest, and elongated hanging plumes are present on the belly. The back is bluish in coloration and covered with loosely arranged scapular feathers resembling a cloak. The upper wing coverts are bluish-white, while the primary and secondary flight feathers are blue-black. The remiges are relatively short and show alternating yellow and black colouring. The tail feathers, wings, and flight feathers together form a layered covering over the posterior of the bird, producing an overall greyish-yellow appearance. The tibiotarsus and tarsus are elongated and slender, and the claws are alternately black and yellow.  

According to Mingwu Beikao (《名物備考》),“The Qing Zhuang (Grey Heron) resembles the egret in general form but is larger in size. Its body is bluish-grey; the crown bears black plumes, and a tuft of white ornamental feathers hangs from the chest. Because of its distinct and well-patterned plumage, it is also called ‘Qing Han’.” Bencao Gangmu (《本草綱目》, Compendium of Materia Medica) further records: “among waterbirds, there is a type referred to as Xin Tian Yuan (‘Follower of Heaven’s Will’). It stands motionless for extended periods, seldom changing position, and waits for fish to pass before striking. It is temperamentally tranquil and physically dignified, hence it is named ‘Zhuang’ (莊, meaning composure or solemnity). This is the same species commonly known as ‘Qing Han.’”  

黑莊，收錄於《蔣廷錫鳥譜》第九冊，為第九幅 。 

黑莊，俗名水鷹。 

黑莊，黑睛黃暈，黃綠重眶，尖長觜，面黑下黃。頂有青黑纓毛，頸細而長。背、膞、翅皆青蒼色，背上帶淺藍斑。近尾長毛及膞翅俱黃白邊相間，翅尖有白圓點，黑翮白尖，頷至腹白質蒼紋。高足，脛面綠色，後米紅色。黑爪，勾如鷹，故俗亦名水鷹。  

Black-headed Heron - Included in Bird Album by Jiang Tingxi, Volume IX, as the ninth illustration.  

Commonly referred to as the “Shui Ying” (水鷹, Water Hawk) in vernacular usage.  

This species is described as having black pupils surrounded by a yellowish iris with a diffuse halo. The orbital ring is composed of concentric yellow and green tones. The bill is slender and sharply pointed. The upper facial region is black, while the lower portion is yellow. A crest of long, blue-black filamentous feathers extends from the crown of the head. The neck is notably elongated and slender. The dorsal plumage, including the back, lower back, and wings, is predominantly bluish-grey, with light blue mottling appearing across the upper back. Long feathers near the tail and on the flanks beneath the wings exhibit alternating yellow and white coloration, forming a distinct gradation of plumage tones. The tips of the wings bear conspicuous white circular spots; the primary flight feathers are black with contrasting white tips. The feathers extending from the throat to the abdomen are white in base colour, overlaid with pale blue-gey streaking. The legs are long and elevated; the anterior surface of the tibiotarsus is greenish, while the posterior aspect is reddish-ochre (described as "millet red"). The claws are black and strongly hooked, resembling those of raptorial birds. For this reason, the species is colloquially referred to as “Shui Ying” (水鷹).  

鴇，收錄於《蔣廷錫鳥譜》第九冊，為第十幅。  

鴇，一名獨豹，一名鴻豹。  

鴇，黑睛黑觜，頂上青灰質，蒼赤紋。頸、項至臆俱青灰色，腹下稍白。背毛黃質，蒼暈黑橫斑，粗細相次，如豹文。青灰膊，黑翅，黃尾，黑斑，青灰裡黑足爪，無後趾。《埤雅》云：郭璞曰：「鴇似雁，無後趾，毛有豹文。一名獨豹。遇鷙鳥，能激糞禦之，着其毛悉脫。」閩諺曰：「鴇無舌，兔無脾。蓋鴇無舌連蹄，性不樹止。」《說文》曰：「七十相次也，从七从十。」蓋鴇性羣居，如雁，自然而有行列，故從七十，「詩」曰：「鴇行以此故也。」《本草綱目》云：「鴇，水鳥也。似雁而斑文，無後趾。性不木止，其飛也肅肅，其食也齝。肥腯多脂，肉粗，味羙。」　　　　　  

Great Bustard - Included in Bird Album by Jiang Tingxi, Volume IX, the tenth illustration.  

It is also historically known by alternative names such as “Du Bao” and “Hong Bao”.  

The Great Bustard is described as having black eyes and a black beak. The crown is covered in bluish-grey feathers with interwoven pale red and bluish patterns. The neck, nape, and upper chest are uniformly bluish-grey, while the lower abdominal plumage is slightly lighter, tending toward white. The dorsal feathers are yellow at the base, overlaid with bluish-grey shading and transverse black markings of varying thickness, arranged irregularly to resemble the pattern of a leopard’s coat. The scapulars are bluish-grey; the wings are black; and the tail feathers are yellow, patterned with black spots. The legs are bluish-grey, and the claws are black. A notable anatomical feature is the absence of hind toes.  

According to the Piya (《埤雅》), a classical lexical commentary citing Guo Pu, “The bustard resembles a wild goose in form. It lacks a hind toe and bears pattern marked like that of a leopard, hence it is also called ‘Du Bao’ (獨豹 solitary leopard). When attacked by birds of prey, it is said to expel faeces as a defensive mechanism and may shed its feathers to facilitate escape”. A Fujianese proverb states: “The bustard has no tongue, and the rabbit has no spleen. ” This implies that the bustard either lacks a prominent tongue or has one fused to the floor of the mouth. Its toes are connected, and it lacks the ability to perch effectively. The species is largely terrestrial and avoids arboreal habitats. In Shuowen Jiezi (《說文解字》), the graph for “鴇” is explained as follows:“ ‘Seventy’ in sequence”—constructed from the characters for seven (七) and ten (十). This denotes the orderly movement of birds in coordinated groups, which aligns with the bustard’s observed behaviour of communal foraging and flight. The Shi Jing (《詩經》The Book of Songs) also references this pattern with the phrase “Bustards march in formation” (鴇行), underscoring the same behavioural motif. Bencao Gangmu (《本草綱目》, Compendium of Materia Medica) describes the bustard as: “A water bird resembling a goose, with mottled plumage and no hind toe. It is not inclined to perch in trees. Its flight is calm and deliberate, and when feeding, it makes a grinding sound. The bird is large and fat, rich in body fat, with coarse but flavourful meat, and is suitable for consumption.”  

戳罕，收錄於《蔣廷錫鳥譜》第九冊，為第十八幅。  

戳罕 

戳罕，黃睛黃眶，長觜尖喙。青黃色頭，項至背蒼褐色，肩上短毛黃黑相間。下蒼黃色黑翅，頷至腹赤黃帶灰色。青黃足，長趾。  

Zigzag Heron - Included in Bird Album by Jiang Tingxi, Volume IX, the eighteenth illustration.  

This bird is characterized by yellow pupils, with matching yellow orbital rings. The bill is long, slender, and sharply pointed. The plumage on the head is a bluish-yellow, transitioning to dusky brown along the neck and back. The shoulders are covered in short feathers patterned with alternating yellow and black. The lower body is coloured a dusky yellow, while the wings are solid black. The plumage extending from the throat to the abdomen displays a reddish-yellow tone, blended with shades of grey. The legs are bluish-yellow in colour, and the toes are elongated.  

賴圖庫，收錄於《蔣廷錫鳥譜》第九冊，為第十九幅。  

賴圖庫 

賴圖庫，水鳥也，紅睛，黃赤重眶。長喙鮮黃色，黑尖，觜根至眼角有黃骨紋連於目眶。 頭、項至臆深灰色，背膊紅褐色。黑翅尾，尾尖一道純白。高黃足，青黑爪。  

Grey-headed Lapwing - Included in Bird Album by Jiang Tingxi, Volume IX, the nineteenth illustration.  

A species of wading bird, has red pupils, with concentric orbital rings in overlapping shades of yellow and red. The bill is slender and elongated, bright yellow in colour, with a black tip. From the base of the bill to the corner of the eye runs a yellow bony ridge, which continues into and connects with the orbital ring. The plumage from the head through the neck and upper chest is dark grey. The back and shoulders are reddish-brown. Both wings and tail feathers are black, with a distinct pure white terminal band at the tip of the tail. The legs are tall and bright yellow in colour, and the claws are bluish-black.