CEYLON WATER BIRDS. 309 
The birds generally nest apart, not in colonies, making a 
large structure of twigs in a tall tree. The nest is lined with 
down or with straw, leaves, and feathers. There are generally 
four bluish-white eggs, averaging about 2°5 by 1°83. 
XENORHYNCHUS ASIATICUS (Blanford, Vol. IV., p. 372 ; 
Legge, p. 1116). 
The Black-necked Stork. 
Description.—Head and neck black, the crown glossed with 
copper and purple, the remainder with bluish-green ; scapu- 
lars, tertiaries, some of the wing coverts, and tail dark glossy 
green ; rest of plumage white. 
In young birds the upper plumage is brown with a green 
gloss on the scapulars and wing quills ; the lower back and 
rump are whitish. 
Bill black ; naked patch under the bill dusky purple ; iris 
dark brown in males and young birds, bright yellow in 
females ; legs coral-red. 
Length about 52; wing 24; tail 9; tarsus about 12°75; 
bill from gape about 12. 
Distribution.—Occurs in the wildest parts of the low-country, 
but very rare, though probably resident. It is found in 
suitable localities throughout India and Burma, and extends 
south-eastwards to the Malay Archipelago and Australia. 
Habits.—Found round wild forest tanks or secluded lagoons. 
Probably breeds about Christmas time. The nest is a big 
platform of sticks lined with rushes, grass, or water weed, and 
placed in a large tree. The four white eggs measure about 
2°91 by 2°12. 
LEPTOPTILUS JAVANICUS (Blanford, Vol. IV., p. 374; 
Legge, p. 1113). 
The Smaller Adjutant, or Hair-crested Stork. 
Description.—Skin of head and neck sallow and almost 
naked, being sprinkled with grayish down and long hairs of 
dark brown; upper plumage, wings, and tail glossy green- 
black ; the longer scapulars and tertiaries edged with white ; 
lower parts white ; wing lining black. 
