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(Jiao Jing. From *Bencao Shiyi* [Supplement to the Materia Medica].)

**[Names]** Jiao (from *Shuowen Jiezi*); Jiao Ji [Jiao Chicken] (common name); Jian (pronounced "Jian", from *Erya*).
Li Shizhen said: According to *Qin Jing* [Classic of Birds]: White [birds] become pregnant by gazing sideways at each other; [birds with rotating eyes] become pregnant by eye rotation. It also says: Those with rotating eyes are named [character], and those with intersecting eyes are named [character]. By observing their pupils, the meaning behind their names is fully revealed. *Shuowen Jiezi* refers to it as Jiao , where also refers to the pupil of the eye. Regarding Jiao Ji, it is said that they often dwell among Jiaogu [water caltrop plants], and their legs are high like a chicken's. This explanation is also plausible.

**[Collection and Explanation]** Zang Qi said: is a waterbird, found in the ponds and marshes of the South. It resembles a duck with green plumage. When kept by households, it is tame and does not leave. It can ward off fire disasters. *Yiwu Zhi* [Record of Strange Things] states: builds nests at the tops of tall trees, gives birth in holes, carries its mother by the wings, and flies down to drink and eat.
Li Shizhen said: is as large as a wild duck or , but stands as tall as a chicken. It has a long beak and likes to peck. It has red feathers on its crown resembling a crest, emerald plumage with blue-green spots, a red bill, and cyan shanks. Keeping it can serve as an ornament for play.

**Meat**
**[Flavor and Properties]** Sweet, salty, neutral, non-toxic.
**[Indications]** Roasted and eaten, it resolves the toxicity of various fish and shrimp (Li Shizhen).

**[Appendix]** Xuan Mu [Rotating Eye]. A waterbird, growing in the Jing and Ying regions. It is as large as an egret but with a short tail, colored red and white, with deep-set eyes. The feathers around the eyes are long and spiral-shaped. *Shanglin Fu* [Rhapsody on Shanglin Park] mentions "Jiao Jing Xuan Mu," referring to this bird.

Fang Mu [Square Eye]
Also known as (pronounced "Fang"), also known as Ze Yu, commonly called Hutian Niao [Field-Protecting Bird]. Westerners call it Hamahu [Toad Guardian]. It is a waterbird, often found in fields and marshes. Its shape resembles an gull or egret, colored dark black, with a white fleshy crest on its head and red feet. Upon seeing people, it cries out and refuses to leave. Fishermen call it Wuji [Black Chicken], and people in Fujian mispronounce it as Guji.

(From *Shiwu Bencao* [Materia Medica of Foods].)

**[Names]** Lusi [Egret] (from *Qin Jing*); Siquan [Silk Bird] (named by Lu Guimeng); Xueke [Snow Guest] (named by Li ); Chongchu [Pestle and Hoe] (from *Erya*); Bai Niao [White Bird].
Li Shizhen said: *Qin Jing* records: Flies like frost, Lusi flies like dew. Their names derive from this. They walk in shallow water, preferring to lower and raise themselves, resembling the motion of pounding grain or hoeing, hence the name Chongchu. Lu Ji's commentary on the *Classic of Poetry* states: Between Qingzhou and Qizhou, it is called Chongchu; in Liaodong, Wu, and Yang, it is called Bailu [White Egret].

**[Collection and Explanation]** Li Shizhen said: Lu is a waterbird. It dwells in forests and feeds in water, flying in flocks in orderly ranks. It is white as snow, with a thin and long neck, cyan legs good at standing upright, over a chi [approx. 33 cm] high, split toes, short tail, and a three-cun [approx. 10 cm] long bill. On its crown are several dozen long hairs, fine as silk, which it flattens when intending to catch fish. Guo Jingchun said: Its feathers can be used as eyelashes. *Bianhua Lun* [Treatise on Transformation] states: Lu becomes pregnant through eye gazes.

Ying said: Those resembling Lu but without filamentous feathers on the head and with yellow legs are commonly called Baihezi [White Crane Child]. There is also Honghe [Red Crane], similar in appearance but reddish in color, which is what *Qin Jing* refers to as Zhulü [Vermilion Egret].

**Meat**
**[Flavor and Properties]** Salty, neutral, non-toxic.
**[Indications]** For deficiency and emaciation, tonifies the Spleen and benefits Qi. Roasted and eaten (Wang Ying).

**Head**
**[Indications]** For Po Feng [Broken Wind / Tetanus], limb stiffness and tightness of the mouth. Burn the head and tail together into powder, mix with lard from the twelfth lunar month, and apply to the wound (from *Jiuji Fang* [Emergency Prescriptions]).