blunt. These birds are found in most parts of India. They are 
migratory in their habits, and mix freely among scavengers, in the 
form of vultures, kites and crows, in and about Calcutta, where 
they dispute for the possession of garbage cast out chiefly at the 
Salt Lakes. I would not recommend a close investigation into the 
general menu or bill-of-fare of these birds. 
(920) CICONIA LEUCOCEPHALA, /Vhite-necked Stork, is a different 
kind of bird to the latter species, in habits and general characteristics. 
It is found throughout the plains, in places, where most of the 
Waders congregate, on marshes and Jhils. These birds feed princi- 
pally on water insects, crabs and batrachia (frogs ete.). It is called 
“heef-steak bird” by sportsmen, in India, on account of the big suecu- 
lent slice of flesh, which can be got off breast of the bird, in its roasted 
state. White-necked Stork is about 36 inches in length, wing 
expanse 68 inches; plumage in black, with a purplish gloss, 
excepting the head, neck and tail, which are white ; it has a greenish 
gloss on upper tail coverts and quills; bill has a reddish tinge ; 
irides red ; face unfeathered ; a bluish patch behind the ears. This 
Stork is sometimes found in the district. In the cold weather they 
have been seen passing north-ward over Sivoke. 
(921) ARDEA GOLIATH, Gianf Heron. The Herons when com- 
pared with Storks have, typically, more slender and sharp bills, tips 
of which are pointed. They have long legs and necks ; outer toes 
are webbed ; the head has a long crest, which hangs down the back. 
In size Goliath is not quite 5 feet in length ; bill dusky, tip greenish ; 
irides yellow ; orbita skin greenish ; legs blackish. It stands about 
4 feet off the ground ; colour, above, is bluish grey ; crest is short, 
dark brown in colour; neck chesnut; lower parts dark chesnut 
brown. Giant Heron, though a rarish bird in India, is met occasion- 
ally, on banks of big rivers in the district, at times, as far up as 
Great and Small Runjeets. 
(924) ARDEA PURPUREA, Purple Heron. This is another species 
likely to be met with at a low elevation, in places where water-birds 
are usually found. In the plains it is fairly common, and seems to 
prefer, as a rule, well sheltered places amongst reeds and rice fields, 
where they also generally select their breeding places in spring. 
Purpurea is about 40 inches in length ; plumage, above, is reddish 
ash on the back, wings and tail ; scapulary feathers are long, purple 
in colour ; breast and flanks brownish red; foreneck purple, also 
the long upper breast feathers ; crest black, tinged with green; sides 
of the head reddish brown, with black stripes on the breast, which 
gives this bird a snake-like appearance, when it lifts its head among 
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