CEYLON WATER BIRDS, 33 '7/ 
Immature birds are duller; the head and neck is paler ; 
the feathers of the upper parts are edged with rufous ; the 
under parts are brown streaked with white. 
Bill dark slate-colour ; iris yellow with reddish margins ; 
naked skin on face pale slate ; legs and feet dark slaty-black. 
Distribution —The usual habitat of this species is in Africa, 
Two or three immature specimens have been obtained in 
Ceylon, and a few more have been shot or seen in various 
parts of India. All the known Indian and Ceylonese specimens 
are immature birds, so that it is not certain that they are 
identical with the African species. 
Habits—This enormous Heron may be looked for near 
lagoons or by the mouths and lower reaches of the larger rivers 
in the very wildest parts of the Island. 
HeRopiAs ALBA (Blanford, Vol. IV., p. 385 ; Legge, p. 1138). 
The Large Egret. 
Descrvption.—Plumage entirely white. In the breeding 
season the bird assumes a train of long plumes, with very open 
drooping barbs. These feathers spring from the back and 
reach several inches beyond the tail. 
Bill in breeding season black ; naked skin of face bright 
green ; iris yellow; legs and feet black. At other seasons 
the bill is yellow, the facial skin greenish-yellow, and the legs 
and feet dull greenish. 
The dimensions are very variable. Length about 36; wing 
13 to 15:5; tail 5:5; tarsus 6 to 7:5; bill from gape 5 to 6. 
Distribution —Common throughout the  low-country, 
wherever there are tanks and large stretches of paddy field ; 
also found about brackish lagoons. Occurs all over India and 
Burma, ranging westwards to Africa and Southern Europe. 
Habits——These birds are usually met with singly or in very 
small groups. They feed in shallow water well out in the open, 
and are very wary. They are fond of perching on tall trees. 
They breed in colonies, often in the company of other allied 
species, making a large stick nest on trees growing in the water. 
The eggs generally number three or four, are nearly oval in 
shape, bluish-green in colour, and measure about 2°18 by 1°57. 
