760 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



not pectinated. Parker states that it is decidedly an Ardeine 

 bird with Pelecanine tendencies. These birds are placed as the 

 types of two sub-families Cancromin<B, and Baloenicipincs, of one 

 family, Cancromid^, Bonaparte. 



Scopus umbretta, the Umbre, is usually considered as belonging 

 also to this family, but it appears to be rather closely related to the 

 Tantalidce ; its flight is said to be quite difi^erent from that of the 

 Herons ; the middle toe, however, is pectinated. Rldnochetus 

 jubatus, Desmurs, is a highly crested form of bird referred 

 to the Herons, but from its running like the Kails, (whose 

 habits it otherwise possesses) it has been considered a sort of 

 link between the Ballida and Ardeida. Evrypijga or Helias 

 is generally classed in this family, as well as Aramus ; the former 

 appears to have some relations of analogy with the Scolopacidce, 

 and especially with Rliynch(Ba ; and Aramus with the Rails, vide 

 antea^p. Eurypyga, however, is stated to possess one pair of powder 

 down patches, and in that case might be placed as an aberrant form 

 of the Herons. Its sternum is figured in the Rev, de Zool., much 

 narrowed, without a notch, and not at all unlike that of Aramus 

 figured on the same plate ; both have eggs more like those of 

 the Rails than tlie Herons. A. pileata, Latham, from Scfuth America, 

 is considered to be a Night-heron, and is separated as Pilherodius, 

 Reich.; and A. cucuUata, Licht., from Africa, is made the type of 

 Calherodius, Bonap. The only other type of the Herons not alluded 

 to previously, is the A. agami, Gmelin, of South America, placed 

 by some as a Nycticorax, but separated by Bonaparte as the type 

 of Agamia, Reich., and placed between Ardeola and Butorides. 



Fam. Tantalid^. 



Bill long, more or less thick, arched in many ; the culraen 

 rounded and bent ; nostrils usually basal ; wings long ; tail rather 

 short : tarsus lono- or moderate ; feet moderate ; anterior toes 

 joined at the base by web ; hind toe moderate, or rather short, 

 resting on the ground. 



This family, by some not separated from the Herons, differs 

 conspicuously from them by possessing a less sharp and pointed bill, 



