THE BIRDS OF NORTH CACBAR. 505 



eggs sent me by Mr. Hole were taken on the 5th November and 6th 

 December 1893 and 6th November 1892. Mr. Hole informed me that a 

 large number of the eggs were destroyed by the parent birds before 

 they could be taken. As soon as the Mikir he employed began to 

 ascend the tree the birds deliberately jabbed their beaks through the 

 egg, in some cases going through both sides, but in the majority only 

 smashing a large piece out of one. A large number of these eggs also 

 were sent me and bore out the description given me by Mr. Hole. 

 (635) FsEUDOTANTALUs LEUCOCEPHALUS. — The Painted Stork. 

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

 Occurs sparingly at odd times throughout Cachar, but is never any 

 thing but very rare. 



(636) Anastomus oscitans — The Open-bill. 

 Flume, No. 640 ; Blanford, No. 1553. 

 Very common, often occurring in really huge flocks. The greater 

 number of the birds remove to Sylhet to breed, but gi-eat numbers still 

 st:;y in Cachar. It occasionally builds a solitary nest and sometimes 

 only two or three build in company. 



Sub-Order — Ardese. 



Family Ai'deidce. 



(637) Ahdba manillensis. — The Eastern Purple Heron. 



Hume, No. 921 ; Blanford, No. 1554. 



Very little seen, yet by no means rare. Breeds in the district, for 



though I have never taken nests or eggs I have had young nestlings 



brought to me. 



(638) Ardea cinerea. — The Common Heron. 

 Hume, No. 923 ; Blanford, No. 1 555. 

 Decidedly rare. This species is more often met with fishing in the 

 higher streams than is A. purpurea; but is on the whole far less often 

 seen than is that bird. 



(639) Herodias alba. — The Large Egret. 

 Hume, No. 925 ; Blanford, No. 1559. 

 Scattered here and there throughout the district but only in very 

 small numbers. 



(640) H. intermedia. — The Lesser Egret. 

 Hume, No. 926 ; Blanford, No. 1560. 

 Even less commoq than the last. 



