422 Mr. R. Swinhoe on Formosan Ornithology. 



back vinaceous pink, and not blue. A. leucoptera has the blue 

 backj but the head and neck are pure white. 



161. Ardetta flavicollis (Lath.). 



Also a solitary species, and rather rare in Formosa. It fre- 

 quents rice-fields, and places its nest on low bamboos. It is in 

 habits a good deal similar to Butorides javanica, but I have not 

 had many opportunities of watching it. 



162. Ardetta cinnamomea (Gmel.). 



This species is abundant enough in summer, a few only re- 

 maining the winter through. The adult plumage is dark cinna- 

 mon above, light yellowish cinnamon on the lower parts, the 

 breast and belly having dark feathers, forming a median line. The 

 young are dark brown on the upper parts, mottled and barred, on 

 all but the head, with brownish bufi". The under parts are buff, 

 striped longitudinally with blackish brown. Quills and tail, in 

 whatever plumage, cinnamon-red. The adult birds carry bars 

 on their plumage often for years, so much so that a pure un- 

 spotted-plumaged specimen is almost a rarity. On a young bird, 

 procured in August, I have the following note : — " Bill pale 

 flesh-colour, light purplish brown on the culmen and sides of 

 lower mandible ; base of both mandibles, lore, and round the eye 

 greenish yellow. Iris clear yellow. Inside of mouth flesh-colour. 

 Legs greenish yellow, yellower on the under tarsus and soles, 

 dingy on the toes, and brownish on claws. Middle claw, in 

 this fledged youngling, has no pecten. Plumage Bittern-like, 

 with brownish red wings, tufts of greyish down still adhering 

 to many of the feathers. In yawning, this young bird expanded 

 the crura of its under mandible." 



The Cinnamon Heron rarely, if ever, flies up into large trees, 

 generally preferring bushes, small bamboos, or the ground to 

 roost on. It builds on low stations, and generally alone. It is 

 a solitary bird, and never seen in company with any, except its 

 mate. It is, like the other Ardetta, not particular as to its diet, 

 eating whatever of small life the rice-field yields. 



163. Ardetta sinensis (Gmel.). 



I only procured one of this species, and that was in April in 

 Tamsuy. It would appear to be rare in Formosa. As a summer 



