318 SPOLIA ZEYLANIOA. 
HERODIAS INTERMEDIA (Blanford, Vol. IV., p. 386; 
Legge, p. 1141). 
The Smaller Egret. 
Description.—Plumage white. In the breeding season, in 
addition to the long dorsal train, egret plumes are also developed 
on the breast ; all the plumes are dropped when the breeding 
season is passed. 
Bill in breeding season black ; naked skin of face green ; 
iris yellow ; legs and feet black. At other times the bill is 
yellow with a dusky tip, and the facial skin greenish-yellow. 
Length about 26; wing 12; tail 5; tarsus 4°5; bill from 
gape 3°75. 
Distribution —Common all through the low-country, but 
in the north not so numerous as the next species. Occurs 
throughout India and North Burma, the range extending to 
Java, the Philippines, China, and Japan. 
Habits.—Similar to those of the last species, but usually 
the birds are met with in larger troops. They breed in Heron- 
ries from November to March, making the usual stick nest. 
The eggs are pale blue-green, three or four in number, and 
measure about 1°86 by 1°37. 
HERODIAS GARZETTA (Blanford, Vol. IV., p. 388 ; 
Legge, p. 1144). 
The Inttle Egret. 
Description—Plumage white. In the breeding season, like 
the other members of the genus, it carries a dorsal train of 
“decomposed”? plumes; it also assumes breast plumes of 
long but not filamentous feathers, and a head crest of two 
feathers about 5 inches long. 
Bill always black; naked skin on face greenish-yellow ; 
iris yellow ; legs and feet black with some yellow on the toes. 
Length about 25 ; wing 11; tail4 ; tarsus 4 ; billfrom gape 4. 
Distribution —Not so widely spread in Ceylon as the other 
Egrets, but fairly common in the north and in the Hambantota 
District, and occasionally found up-country. It is common 
all over India and Burma, and ranges throughout Africa, 
Southern Europe, and Southern Asia. 
