316 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 
ARDEA CINEREA (Blanford, Vol. IV., p. 382 ; Legge, p. 112). 
The Common Heron ; Gray Heron. 
Description.—The crown, the crest, and a band from the 
eye to the crown black ; rest of head white ; the neck white 
with a few black streaks on the lower fore-neck. The upper 
parts from the neck to the tail ashy-gray ; the primary coverts 
and wing quills black. The under parts are white with a broad 
black band running from the sides of the breast under the thigh 
to the vent; the sides of the body and wing lining ashy-gray. 
Females have a shorter crest and less prominent black 
feathers on the side of the breast. 
Young birds are of a darker and dirtier gray, with gray 
heads, and no black on the sides of the breast. 
Bill dusky yellow, brownish along the ridge ; iris golden 
yellow ; naked skin on face greenish ; legs and feet greenish- 
brown and yellow. 
Length 39; wing 17°5; tail 7; tarsus 6; bill from gape 6. 
Distribution.—Not so common as the last species, but may 
be met with in the north, east, and south-east of the Island. 
Abundant in most parts of India ; rarer in Burma. Occurs 
nearly all over the Old World. 
Habits—Frequents the more secluded tanks and brackish 
lagoons. It breeds during the rains of the north-east monsoon, 
generally in the company of Egrets, Night Herons, &. Such 
Heronries are usually on clumps of trees growing in the water. 
The nest is a large platform of twigs. The three eggs are 
fairly deep sea-green, and usually slightly pointed at each end. 
Average measurement 2:28 by 1°70. 
ARDEA GOLIATH (Blanford, Vol. IV., p. 384; Legge, p. 1124). 
The Giant Heron. 
Description.—Afriean adults : crown and crest deep venous 
chestnut ; the hind neck and sides of the neck rather paler. 
Upper parts with wings and tail slate-gray. The chin, cheeks, 
and throat white; the lower fore-neck purple-black streaked 
with white ; breast plumes streaked with slate-black and 
white ; remainder of lower parts, including wing lining and 
lower tail coverts, dark chestnut. 
