ae) ie) 
the vegetation it is feeding amongst. The inquisitive look and 
peculiar colour of these birds produce quite a startling affect, when 
one meets them in out-of-the-way places, and your thoughts are none 
too cheery of falling in, with a Cobra or two unawares. 
(927) HeropiaAs GARZETTA, Little Egret, is to be found near foot 
of the hills in the district. These birds are plentiful in most places 
in the plains, and build their nests on trees. Long narrow feathers 
which go to form the crest of this bird, are found in the breeding 
season, after this period they drop off, together with lengthened 
dorsal and pectoral, auxiliary, feathers. In winter the Egret presents 
a different appearance. Garzetta, is 24 inches. In colour generally, 
of the feathers, it differs much according to season of the year. The 
breeding plumage is white. Bill black; greenish yellow on the 
orbits ; legs black ; toes yellow. 
(930) ARDEOLA LEUCOPTERA, Pond Heron, is well known, under 
the popular name of “the Paddy Bird,” or “ Blind heron” among 
Indians, owing to its tame unsuspecting habits. In length 183 
inches ; bill partly blue, tip black ; orbits greenish yellow ; irides 
yellow ; legs and feet greenish ; breeding plumage is white on the 
wings, lower back (rump), and upper tail coverts, tail and underparts 
of the bird ; above, crest of white plumes; head and neck greyish 
yellow ; back dark maroon. The name “ Paddy Bird” signifies its 
partiality for paddy (rice) fields, where it is generally found. It feeds 
chiefly on crabs, fish, frogs and aquatic insects. 
(932) ARDETTA FLAVICOLLIS, Black Bittern. Here we have a 
different class of bird. Bill like Egrets, slender and straight ; tarsus 
stout ; neck feathers long, like true Bitterns. This species has black 
plumage ; bill bright reddish brown ; cere bright purple. Flavicollis 
is about 24 inches in size. It is a handsome looking bird, not 
common in the plains and not frequently met with in the hills. 
Though its booming, somewhat, drum like sound, call can often be 
heard as dusk of evening approaches, for this bittern has marked, 
nocturnal habits. It is generally found or heard near the Great 
Runjeet river. Where perchance, may find you, spending the night 
in a lonely out-of-the-way, bungalow, not far from the junction of 
Runjeet and Teesta rivers. About where, I, on one occasion pitched 
my tent. An oppressive stillness closed around, with the fast ap- 
proach of night. The calls of wild animals in dense, dark forests, 
above the gorge, and slopes of the hill (Goke spur) are heard, now 
and again, followed by the drum-like sound of the Black Bittern. 
It makes one think, at first, of the likeness, to the sound proceeding 
from a Thibetan monastry on the distant hill, or a “ Jhankri” aiding 
