244 BIRDS OF BRITISH BURMAH. 



It is found over a considerable portion of Asia, extending north to Japan 

 and south through the islands to Australia. Dr. Tiraud states that it is 

 common and breeds in Cochin China. It inhabits the whole of Europe 

 and Africa. 



This Heron is generally found singly on the banks of rivers and is of a 

 shy disposition. It breeds in India from March to July, making a large 

 stick nest on a tree, and laying three pale bluish-green eggs. 



609. ARDEA SUMATEANA. 



THE GREAT SLATY HERON. 



Ardea sumatrana, Raffl. Trans. Linn. Soc. xiii. p. 325 ; Jerd. B. 2nd. ii. p. 740 

 (part.) ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, p. 610 (part.; ; Salvad. Ucc. Born. p. 344 (part.) ; 

 Bl. B. Burm. p. 159 j Hume $ Dav. S. F. vi. p. 469 ; Hume, S. F. viii. p. 114; 

 Kelham, Ibis, 1882, p. 192. Ardea typhon, Temm. PI. Col. 475. Ardea 

 tectirostris, Gould, P. Z. S. 1843, p. 22 ; id. Birds Austr. vi. pi. 54. 



Description. The entire upper surface is deep slaty, the scapulars and 

 feathers of the interscapulary region linear, lanceolate, elongated, with the 

 terminal portions greyish white ; the feathers of the base of the back of 

 the neck similar but much smaller, and nothing like so elongated as those 

 of the sides and front of the base of the neck ; a sort of dull purplish- 

 brown shade over the crown, occiput, back and sides of the neck ; an occi- 

 pital crest of numerous linear greyish-white feathers, the longest of which 

 are sometimes fully nine inches in length ; the whole space in front of the 

 eye and a broad band above and behind the eye, and again below the eye 

 to the commissure, bare ; ear-coverts and sides of the occiput light ashy 

 brown, sometimes faintly rufescent ; chin, upper part of throat, feathers 

 on either side of the base of the lower mandible white ; the rest of the 

 throat and fore neck mingled ashy brown and slaty, with here and there 

 a somewhat ruddy brown tinge ; feathers of the base and sides and front 

 of the neck elongated, some of them fully seven inches in length, linear 

 lanceolate, and the visible terminal portions pearl-grey ; rest of entire 

 lower surface ash-grey ; the wing-lining, axillaries and under surface of 

 the wing a very pure blue slate-colour. (Hume.} 



Length 50 inches, tail 6, wing 18*5, tarsus 7, bill at front 6*5. (Hume.) 



In a young male the front of the tarsus was dark horny brown ; the 

 bare portion of tibia and back of tarsus and soles pale dirty green ; irides 

 bright yellow ; facial skin pale dirty green ; upper mandible horny black ; 

 lower mandible whitish horny, yellowish towards tip. (Davison.) 



The Great Slaty Heron was observed by Mr. Davison in the extreme 



