THE BIRDS OF THE MADHOBANI SUB-DIVISION. 75 



the ground. The nooses; which are all close together, are put down on three 

 sides near where the bird is feeding and the meu gradually make it edge up 

 to them. If it steps into them well and good, if not they take them up and 

 put them down further on. It is generally a very lengthy proceeding but that 

 is immaterial to the native. Mahomedans eat its flesh. A fine male measured 

 60|- inches in length, had a pouch of 14" and a wing expanse of 8'- 11". 

 Native name Garur. 



(281) L. javanicus. — The Smaller Adjutant. 



Blanford, No. 1551 ; Hume, No. 916. 



On the 24th November I saw a pair feeding in some shallow water at 



Narhar. I got another one in the Darbhanga District on the 8th June 1902. 



I have also heard this species make the same guttural noise as D. episcopus. 



Native name Chandiari. 



(382) Pseodotantalus leucocephalus. — The Painted Stork. 

 Blanford, No. 1552 ; Hume, No. 938. 

 I only obtained a single specimen in the sub-division but got numbers, both 

 young and adults, brought me at Baghownie by mir-shikars from May to 

 September. Native name Kanharrl. 



(283) Anastomus oscitans. — The Open-bill. 

 Blanford, No. 1553; Hume, No. 940. 

 I once missed one in a tank near Jainagar in December 1890. I saw none 

 in 1897, 1898 and 1899. One of my men came across a flock of about 125 at 

 Minti in February 1900. I have got them from October to June but have 

 never seen any during the other months. I do not think they breed with us. 

 A few are in the white plumage by April but the majority seem to assume 

 it in the following month. Native name Dohar. 



Sub-order Ardej:. 

 Family Arde/dce. 

 (284) Ardea manillensis. — The Eastern Purple Heron. 

 Blanford, No. 1554 ; Hump, No. 924. 

 I have not found this species common here and have only got one adult. 

 Some, most of them young birds, are to be seen on most of the chaurs. Native 

 name Khyra. 



(285) A. cinerea. — The Common Heron, 

 Blanford, No. 1555 ; Hume, No. 923, 



This is a common species. I have noticed them up to May but doubt 

 whether they breed with us. I have a falcon which flies at this species and 

 brings them down in nice style. On the ground he fastens on to the neck 

 just below the head and the heron appears to be quite helpless. Native name 

 Kabud. 



(286) Herodias alba.— The Large Egret. 

 Blanford, No. 1559 ; Hume „T$o*. 924 Us & 925. 



This is the only egret I have personally seen in this district. I have always 

 found them most wary. A very fine specimen in breeding plumage was 



