248 BIRDS OF BRITISH BURMAH. 



than I suppose it to be, for, until shot, it is very difficult to discriminate 

 it from the other allied White Herons. 



It occurs in India, Ceylon, the Indo-Burmese countries and the greater 

 part of Eastern Asia from Japan down to Australia. It is also found over 

 a considerable portion of Africa. 



The habits of this Heron do not differ in any respect from those of its 

 allies. 



613. HERODIAS GARZETTA. 

 THE LITTLE BLACK-BILLED WHITE HERON. 



Ardea garzetta, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 237 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, p. 616 ; Dresser, 

 Birds Eur. vi. p. 239, pi. Herodias garzetta, Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 746 ; Hume, 

 S. F. iii. p. 190 ; Bl B. Burm. p. 159 ; Hume # Dav. S. F. vi. pp. 476, 480 ; 

 David et Oust. Ois. Chine, p. 440; Legge, Birds Ceylon, p. 1144; Anders. Yunnan 

 Exped. p. 688 ; Hume, S. F. viii. p. 114 ; Oates, S. F. x. p. 243 ; Kelham, Ibis, 

 1882, p. 193. 



Description. Male and female in breeding -plumage. The whole plumage 

 white ; a crest composed of two or three narrow feathers about five inches 

 in length ; a train of soft decomposed feathers springing from the back 

 and barely extending beyond the tail, curled upwards at the tips; the 

 feathers of the breast long and pointed. 



In nonbree ding -plumage the crest, dorsal and pectoral trains are wanting. 



Bill always black, the base of the lower mandible yellowish ; iris yellow ; 

 facial skin greenish yellow ; tarsus black ; toes mixed yellow and black. 



Length about 25 inches, tail 4, wing 9'6 to 11, tarsus about 4'2, bill 

 from gape about 4. The female is of the same size. 



The Little Black-billed White Heron is abundant in all parts of Burmah 

 except on the hills. 



It has a great range, being met with over the whole of Southern and 

 Eastern Asia through the islands to Australia; it also occurs in Southern 

 Europe and over a great part of Africa. 



This Little Heron is found in small flocks in every spot where there is 

 water, especially in paddy-fields and the edges of swamps. It breeds in 

 trees near villages, making a nest of sticks, in June and July, and laying 

 five bluish-green eggs. 



