16 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XVI. 



round the lake, and can be secured by waiting for them after sunset. 

 They appear to be the last to seek repose, as they come in long after the 

 ibises and snake birds have gone to rest. 



(317) Herodias intermedia.— The Smaller Egret. 

 Blanford, No. 1560 ; Jerdon, No. 926. 

 This bird is fairly common about the edges of the backwaters mid 

 lakes from Quilon northwards. It is not nearly so abundant in the 

 South. Unlike the large egret, it is usually to be seen in companies 

 of at least three or four and often more. It is not easy to get at, as it 

 is decidedly shy. 



(318) Herodias garzetta. — The Little Egret. 

 Blanford; No. 1561 ; Jerdon, JS r o. 927. 

 The little egret is not uncommon about the back waters along tho 

 coast, going about solitary or in pairs. 



(319) Bubulcus coromandus. — The Cattle Egret. 

 Blanford, No. 1562 ; Jerdon, No. 929. 



This is by far the commonest of the white egrets, and may be found in 

 numbers in all paddy fields throughout Travancore along the backwaters 

 and in cultivated land. It assumes the breeding plumage about April. 



(320) Lepterodius asha. — The Indian Keef-Heron. 



Blanford, No. 1563 ; Jerdon, No. 928. 

 A single specimen was obtained by the Museum collectors at Ayren- 

 tenga, on the coast near Kayankolum. It was perched on a cocoanut 

 palm. 



(321) Ardeola grayi. — The Pond Heron. 

 Blanford, No. 1565 ; Jerdon, No. 930. 

 One of the commonest and most familiar of birds throughout the 

 whole country. 



(322) Butorides javanica. — The Little Green Heron. 

 Blanford, No. 1567 ; Jerdon, No. 931. 

 Mr. F. W. Bourdillon says that this " is a winter visitor. It, is very 

 silent and solitary. During the months of November to March it is 

 to be found among the rocks of the larger streams up to about 2,000 feet 

 elavation, and always in dense jungle." It is common in the low 

 country from November to April, but I have not met with it at any other 

 time of the year. This seems to agree with the habit of the bird as 

 recorded by Colonel Legge in Ceylon, who says of it : " Throughout the 



