THE BIRDS OF TRAVANCORE. 17 



year it is to be met with near Kotte and similar places on the west 

 coast ; but, as a rule, it is not often seen after April in that part of the 

 island." 



(323) Nycticorax griseus. — The Night Heron. 

 Blanford, No. 1568 ; Jerdon, No. 937. 

 I have not come across this bird myself, but the Museum possesses 

 two skins, and the collectors found it fairly common at Perambiilum, in 

 North Travancore, and at other places round the Vembenad lake. 

 The inhabitants, however, refused to allow them to shoot any 

 specimens. 



(324) Gorsachius melanolophds. — The Malay Bittern. 

 Blanford, No. 1569. 

 Mr. F. W. Bourdillon obtained a specimen of this fine bittern on the 

 hills at about 2,500 feet elevation in 1878. Since then I have received 

 two specimens taken alive. One of these is now living in the Public 

 Gardens. No doubt, they were captured on the shore shortly after 

 their arrival on the coast, for these birds are jungle haunters. 

 (325) Ardetta sinensis. — The Yellow Bittern. 

 Blanford, No. 1571 ; Jerdon, No. 934. 

 1 have not shot this bird myself, but the Museum collectors 

 brought back several specimens from North Travancore, where it was 

 found solitary on the banks of the back waters about Cottayam and 

 Vycome. 



(326) Ardetta cinnamomea. — The Chestnut Bittern. 



Blanford, No. 1572 ; Jerdon, No. 933. 



This little bittern is common throughout Travancore on all the lakes 



and backwaters. It is fond of taking up its stand in the canals cut 



through the ground laid out for the cultivation of young cocoanut 



palms. 



(327) Dupetor plavicollis. — The Black Bittern. 

 Blanford, No. 1573 ; Jerdon, No. 932. 

 The black bittern is not uncommon along the backwaters. It parti- 

 cularly frequents the canals whose banks are densely clothed with trees 

 and bushes, especially where there is a thick growth of screw pines. I 

 have never seen it away from such localities. It remains under cover 

 during the day, but may be flushed by the too near approach of a passing 

 boat. At dusk it comes out to search for food. 

 3 



