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[Names] Qie Zhi (from *Erya*), Qing Que (commentary by Guo Pu), La Zi (referring to the Oriole).
Li Shizhen states: The meaning of the name is the same as "Hu," which means to stop. In the *Zuo Zhuan*, it is recorded that Shao Hao appointed officials using bird names, and the Nine Hu served as nine agricultural supervisors, intended to restrain people from licentious behavior. The Sang Hu is a bird dwelling among mulberry trees; its beak is either pale white like fat or congealed yellow like wax, hence the ancient name Qie Zhi and the common name La Zi. Pale-colored ones are called Qie. Lu Ji claimed they liked to steal and eat fat and meat, which is likely incorrect.

[Collected Explanations] Li Shizhen states: This bird is found in mountains and forests everywhere. It is about the size of a Starling (*Sturnus vulgaris*), with grayish-brown feathers and yellow spots, and likes to eat millet and rice. The *Classic of Poetry* says, "Chirping Sang Hu, with oriole-like wings," referring to this bird. Its beak is slightly curved, thick, strong, and lustrous, with colors ranging from pale yellow or white to pale green, black, dark brown, or red. There are nine types of Sang Hu birds, distinguished by the color of their beaks and their calls, not by their plumage. The *Erya* states: The Spring Hu is called Fenchun, the Summer Hu is called Qie Xuan, the Autumn Hu is called Qie Lan, the Winter Hu is called Qie Huang, the Mulberry Hu is called Qie Zhi, the Thorn Hu is called Qie Dan, the Walking Hu is called Zhe Zhe, the Night Hu is called Ze Ze, and the Old Hu is called Die Die; this is correct. Nowadays, people often keep their chicks and teach them to perform tricks.

[Properties and Flavors] Sweet in taste, warm in nature, non-toxic.

[Therapeutic Actions] Treats emaciation and weakness of muscles; benefits the skin (Wang Ying).

(Song Dynasty *Jiayou Bencao*)

[Names] Bo Lao (from *Xiaoxiao Zhengzhu*), Bo Lao (from *Shi Shu*), Bo Zhao (from *Zuo Zhuan*), Jue (from *Bin Shi*, pronunciation *xia zha*), Jue (from *Mengzi*, pronunciation *jue*).
Li Shizhen states: According to Cao Zhi's *Essay on Evil Birds*: The sound of the Jue is "KT KT," hence its name. It moves upon sensing Yin Qi and is considered a harmful bird. Those who regard it as having an evil voice are believed by fools but ignored by enlightened scholars. Legend has it that Yin Jifu, believing slander from his second wife, killed his son Boqi, who later transformed into this bird. Therefore, households hearing its call consider it an omen of bad luck; this is merely apocryphal talk by enthusiasts. "Bo Lao" imitates its sound. "Bo Zhao" refers to its black color; "Zhao" is a corruption of "Zao" (black).

[Collected Explanations] Li Shizhen states: Bo Lao is the Jue. It sings in summer and stops in winter, serving as a seasonal indicator in the *Monthly Ordinances*. Materia Medica texts do not describe its shape, leading to confusion among later generations. Guo Pu, commenting on the *Erya*, said: The Jue resembles a Starling but is larger. Fu Qian stated: The Jue (pronunciation *xia zha*) is a crow with a white nape. Zhang Hua, commenting on the *Qin Jing* (Classic of Birds), said: Bo Lao resembles a Starling. The Starling has a yellow beak, while the Bo Lao has a black beak. Xu Shen's *Shuowen Jiezi* states: The Starling resembles the Jue and has a crest-like feather arrangement. Yan Shigu, commenting on the *Han Shu*, identified the Jue as the Cuckoo. Wang Yi, commenting on the *Chu Ci*, identified the Jue as the Weaver Bird. Yang Xiong's *Fangyan* identified the Jue as the Jue. Chen Zhengmin's *Dunzhai Xianlan* identified the Jue as the Owl. Li Zhao's *Guoshi Bu* identified the Jue as the Cuckoo. Yang Shen's *Danqian Lu* identified the Jue as the Ploughing Bird. These nine explanations differ significantly. I believe that since the Jue can indicate seasons, it must not be a rare bird. After comprehensively examining these accounts, Wang's theory is already erroneous and need not be debated. Based on Guo's description, it resembles the current "Ku Niao" (Bitter Bird). Based on Zhang and Xu's descriptions, it resembles the current Mockingbird (*Mimus polyglottos*), resembling a Starling with a crest. However, the Jue prefers solitary perching, and when it calls, snakes coil up; whereas the Mockingbird cannot subdue snakes, so they are different. According to Yan's theory, the Cuckoo is named Jue (pronunciation *di gui*), and the Bo Lao is named Jue (pronunciation *jue*). Moreover, the *Monthly Ordinances* originated in the North, and the Cuckoo is not a northern bird. According to Yang's theory, the Jue is the Cold Number Bug, found only in Jin territory. According to Chen's theory, it is identified as an Owl, but without detailed morphological similarity, contradicting Chen Cangqi's statement that the Jue is the Owl. Furthermore, the *Erya* lists the Owl under a different name than the Jue. According to Li's theory, the Cuckoo is named Jue, with similar pronunciation, conflicting with the *Monthly Ordinances'* mention of "the Dove shaking its feathers." According to Yang's theory, the Ploughing Bird is a Dove, small like a Starling, singing in March, which contradicts the *Book of Rites'* "The Jue begins to sing in May" and the *Odes of Bin*'s "The Jue sings in July." Given these eight differing theories, one should ultimately rely on Guo's account. Examining the *Erya*, it mentions that when Magpies and Juers fly, they tuck their feet and raise their wings. Since Magpies and Juers are mentioned together, and the current Bitter Bird is large like a dove, black, sings in April with a "Ku Ku" sound, and is also called "Gu E" (Guilt Evil), which people dislike. Folklore suggests it transforms from a daughter-in-law abused to death by her mother-in-law, somewhat similar to the story of Boqi, though it is unknown if it can subdue snakes. The *Huainanzi Wanbi Shu* states: Blood of the Bo Lao applied to a golden statue prevents anyone from taking it.

[Properties and Flavors] Neutral in nature, toxic.

[Therapeutic Actions] Treats pediatric Zhu disease (transmitted illness) by wearing the feathers. Zhu disease occurs when a pregnant woman nurses an infant; the infant suffers from symptoms resembling malaria or dysentery, and subsequently develops abdominal distension, alternating between remission and exacerbation. If another pregnant woman is nearby, the condition may transmit to her child. People in the North are unfamiliar with this disease (*Jiayou Bencao*).

[Innovative Insights] Li Shizhen states: According to the *Huainanzi*: When a man plants orchids, they bloom beautifully but lack fragrance; when a stepson eats the food, he becomes fat but lacks luster, because their emotions do not interact. This is likely due to the emotional bond within the womb. Zhu disease is also written as Zhu Bing (注病); Zhu refers to a little demon, implying the child is emaciated like a ghost. Generally, it is also known as Dingxi Gan disease (malnutrition).

[Therapeutic Actions] Treats delayed speech in children; striking branches where the bird has perched and using them to lightly whip the child accelerates speech development (*Jiayou Bencao*).

[Innovative Insights] Li Shizhen states: According to Luo Yuan's *Erya Yi*: The Materia Medica states that using branches trodden by the Bo Lao to whip children to induce speech is based on the principle of sympathetic magic, as the bird sings when all other creatures are silent.

[Appendix] Pi Ji Li Shizhen states: Pi Ji, named in the *Erya* as Pi Ji (pronunciation *pi ji*). Also stated as Pi Ji (pronunciation *pi ji*), which is the Hoopoe. Another view is that it is the Fei, corrupted into Pi Ji Niao.
Luo Yuan states: It is the Zhu Jiu. In Jiangdong, it is called Wu Jiu (pronunciation *jiu*), also known as Ya Yu. It is smaller than a crow and can drive away crows. It begins singing in March and is now commonly called the Ploughing Bird, used by farmers as a seasonal marker. It starts singing at the fifth watch, making sounds "Jia Jia Ge Ge," stopping at dawn. Thus, people in Yunnan call it the Oil Presser, or Iron Parrot. It can peck eagles, hawks, crows, and magpies, belonging to the Falcon family. Southerners call it the Phoenix's Servant, and people in Bian call it the Summer Chicken. An ancient bird that heralds dawn, called "Qi," is likely this species. This bird is swallow-sized, black, with a long forked tail and a crest on its head. Where it nests, conspecifics cannot nest again and will fight incessantly. Yang Shen identified this as the Bo Lao, claiming the cheek-slapping sound corresponds to the "Pi Ji," both of which are errors. The *Monthly Ordinances* state: In the third month, the Hoopoe descends upon the mulberry tree.