224 IIERODIONES. 



but it has not been obtained in China. The two species arc so nearly 

 allied that Swinhoc regarded them as identical ; but there seems good 

 grounds for believing them to be distinct. 



The ^Malay species always has a dark crest (with a central and 

 subtcrminal white spot on each feather in the young in first i)lumagc) ; 

 there is much white on the axillaries, under wing-eovcrts, and on the 

 tips of the primaries. 



It is not known that the Japanese species ever has a dark crest 

 (though two of ray specimens are very dark and grey on the fore- 

 head and crown) ; the pale bars across the axillaries and under wing- 

 coverts are buff instead of white, and in only one example is there 

 any white on the tips of the primaries, except on the first. Young 

 in first plumage are unknown. 



It has been stated that the shape of the bill is different in the two 

 species, but this is not the case, except that in the Malayan species 

 the bill is slightly longer than in the Japanese bird. 



Both species occur on Formosa, the INIalayan species as a breeding 

 bird, and the Japanese species probably as a winter visitor, as the 

 examples without the black crest in the Swinhoc collection were 

 obtained in March, a fact which caused Swinhoe to regard them as 

 the winter plumage of the Malayan species. 



There can be no manner of doubt that this species has 12 and not 

 merely 10 tail-feathers as has been stated (Rcichenow, Journ. Orn. 

 1877, p. 21G). 



210. NYCTICORAX JAVANICUS. 



(AUSTRALIAN MANGROVE-HERON.) 

 Ardea javanica, Ilorsficld, Trans. Linn. Soc. 1821, p. 190. 



The Australian Mangrove-IIcron is a small species (wing from 

 carpal joint 7-5 to 8-2 inches) . It has grey quills, a straight bill, 

 and grey axillaries. 



Figures: Gould, Birds of Australia, vi. pi. GG (under the name of 

 Ardetta mucrorlnjiicha) , pl.G7 (under the name of Ardetta staynatUls). 



The Australian Mangrove-Heron is a summer visitor to Japan. 

 Captain Biakiston obtained it at Hakodadi (Blakiston and Pryer, 

 Trans. As. Soc. Japan, 1882, p. 120) ; and Mr. Ringer has sent 

 examples to the Norwich Museum procured at Nagasaki (Sccbohm, 



