XIV 



EGRETS, HERONS, ETC. 



"An herneshawe, that lies aloft on wing." 



The Faerie Queene. 



11 For as a bittur in the eagles clawe, 

 That may not hope by flight to scape alive, 

 Still waytes for death with dread and trembling awe." 



The Faerie Queene. 



"The hoars night-raven, trump of dolefull drere." 



The Faerie Queene. 



THE ponds in the open spaces and gardens of 

 Calcutta, and the innumerable weed-grown swamps 

 and hollows of the suburbs are frequented by 

 many other water-loving birds besides kingfishers ; 

 common " paddy -birds," and sometimes cattle-egrets, 

 venture far into the thickest parts of the town, 

 and in the outskirts, other herons, coots, jacanas, 

 and white-breasted water-hens are associated with 

 them. 



Paddy-birds, Ardeola grayi? are at all times 

 to be met with in abundance, hardly ever being 

 absent from any pond of considerable size, and 

 often being stationed all round the margins of the 



1 They are about the size of whimbrels. 



1C5 



