Anting. A behavior in which the fluids from ants, notably formic acid, are applied to the plumage and possibly the skin. There are two basic types of the behavior: active anting, in which the bird anoints its plumage with the bill, and passive anting, in which the bird allows ants to invade and anoint the plumage. […] Some individuals of these species, in unnatural situations such as in captivity, perform active anting with burning matches and cigarette smoke, moth balls, hair tonic, mustard, citrus fruits, numerous insects other than ants, and other substitutes. What causes anting and what purpose or purposes it serves, if any, need investigation.

Miscellaneous nontaxes include special assessments, court fines, forfeits and escheats […]

[T]he most compelling argument for avoiding Chungking Mansion is one of safety — it could be a towering inferno waiting to happen.

At Wanhsien, midway through the gorges, a grizzle-haired man, thin as an opium smoker, climbed on board, and was hailed by one of the Brothers with me as Uncle Chu. He was an employee of the Telegraph Company set up in 1907. Cables could now be sent from Szechuan to the outside world. Chu, being a Brother, held no secret from us, and he told us of the projected nationalization of the railways.