54 Mr. R. Swinhoe on the Ornithology 



gave a quaint^ though not ungainly, look to the birds. From 

 some of the nests we heard a subdued chattering like the cry of 

 young, and it was to feed these hungry mouths that the parents 

 were constantly leaving the trees to seek for food at all times of 

 the day, while others were returning with supplies. As the sun 

 set, however, they became more active. While I sat watching 

 them from a neighbouring roof-top in the evening, numbers of 

 them emerged from the leafy darkness, and one by one settled 

 on the stark bare outstanding arms of the cotton-tree. After 

 resting for a little time like gaunt spectres on the tree top, off 

 they went, one after the other, with a " kwa" — seldom more than 

 two in the same direction. As darkness set in, many returned, 

 and the noise and hubbub from the trees rose to a fearful pitch. 

 Until night hid them from my view, 1 could see the old birds 

 going and coming, and hear the clamour of the young. What kind 

 of nocturnal slumbers the priests enjoyed in the temple below, I 

 never took the trouble to inquire, though I have little doubt that 

 from constant use the noise of these croakers has become quite 

 essential to their good night's rest. 



Though these birds moved about very much during the day, 

 yet it strikes me that twilight is the most active time with them, 

 and that in most instances the departures during the day were to 

 seek food for the newly-hatched young, which would require 

 feeding oftener at first, and perhaps with more choice food. 



I sent my man up one of the trees, whence he brought down 

 three nests, two of which contained eggs, and the third, two young 

 birds and one egg. Judging from their size, one of these little 

 birds must have been born at least three days before the other; 

 and on opening the egg I found a live chick inside, which would 

 have required at least two days before it could have ventured out. 

 The varying stages of the embryos in the other six eggs con- 

 firmed this idea. I should say the differences between them 

 could not have been more than six days, and certainly not less 

 than three; so that the Night- Heron must commence sitting on 

 the first egg laid, and while engaged in its incubation, keep on 

 laying, at fixed intervals, the other two, which form the comple- 

 ment. 



In the smaller chick procured the eye was just opened, and of 



