conditions for both fish and birds: gulls and terns in particular breed on the cliffs of the islands. Black-tailed gull (Larus crassirostris) The black-tailed gull is about 45 cm long and is the most common in Dongyin. Nationalist soldiers stationed on the island following the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949 used the image of the bird on their badges and the Dongyin Distillery () takes it as a symbol. In the summer, black-tailed gulls number in their thousands. Most build nests on the steep cliffs at Rat Sands () and outside the former artillery tunnel, Andong Tunnel (). The June-to-August breeding season is a much-visited tourist attraction. Black-naped tern (Sterna sumatrana) The black-naped tern is the most commonly spotted summer migrant bird to the Matsu Islands. They usually rest on three uninhabited islands, Twins Reef (), Sole Cap () and Lotus Reef (). Bridled tern (Onychoprion anaethetus) Bridled terns mostly roost on three uninhabited islands, Twins Reef (), Sole Cap (), and Lotus Reef () in Xiyin (Siyin). Plant species In Dongyin, there are copious native plant species, in total 83 suborders 170 families and 198 species, including numerous precious ornamental and medical ones. Originally from Japan, Heteropappus ciliosus () hasn't been found in Taiwan and China. Dianthus superbus var. longicalycinus () is widespread in medium to high altitude areas, but is found in Donyin at an altitude less than 200 meters. Both Lycoris radiata Herb (), rarely seen in Taiwan, and Lycoris sprengeri (), only endemic to Dongyin among the Matsu Islands, have become important assets for tourism. Clear cutting once caused the hard-but-light slow-growing Eurya emarginata (Thunb.) Makino () to near-extinction. Now it is classified as a conservation species. Lycoris radiata Lycoris radiata herb (), within the family Amaryllidaceae (), is about 30–70 cm tall, bearing a terminal of four to seven flowers. The petals are extremely wrinkled and rolled backwards. The thrums and styles are long and slender. The pollination period spans about 2 months from August to September annually. Lycoris radiata is broadly distributed on the hillsides of Mt. Shiwei (), Mt. Enai () in Dongyin, Dongao (), Qingshuiao (Cingshueiao) (), and Dragon Boat Sands () in Xiyin (Siyin). Flamboyant flowers are hard to miss. In 2006, Lycoris radiata was elected by the inhabitants 'County Flower', as a replacement for bougainvillea () in the martial law enforcement period. Lycoris sprengeri The flowers of