FIRST LIST OF THE BIRDS OF THE SOUTH KONKAN. 89 



and tanks. Comes and goes with torra. Eoosts also in company 

 with all the other Herons in mangrove swamps, side by side 

 with Cormorants, Snake Birds, Ibis and Crows. Garzetta appears 

 to retain its dorsal train and pectoral plumes much longer than 

 any other species. Specimens have been shot late in March 

 with the last year's train in more or less perfect condition. 

 Torra, on the other hand, by November or December at the 

 latest loses all vestige of its breeding plumage. 



928.— Demiegretta gularis. 



Eaukot. 



One or two ashy Egrets usually accompany each mixed 

 flock of Herodias torra and garzetta, but like them are frequently 

 solitary by day. 



929.— Bubulcus coromandus, Bodd. 



I Mahapral. 



Abundant in certain places, but not found everywhere. 

 There are of course numbers to be seen in the neighbourhood 

 of all the large creeks. Here and there, also in some inland 

 villages far removed from any large stream, and where one 

 least expects them, a colony of cattle Egrets is found. 

 Whether these or any other Egrets stay to breed anywhere 

 in the district I cannot say. At Eatnagiri itself there are 

 plenty of suitable places. Thousands of Herons might build 

 in the tree-clad swamps about the tidal backwaters without 

 fear of molestation. But as far as I have been able to see 

 the first burst of the monsoon makes a clean sweep of Ardea 

 cinerea and purpurea, Herodias torra and garzetta, and Bubulcus 

 coromandus. Up to the end of May there is no apparent 

 diminution in their numbers, and most of the birds are then 

 in fully-developed breeding plumage. But look where you 

 will in the lull which succeeds the first grand storm and 

 you see no Herons. Last year I had specially good oppor- 

 tunities of observing this sudden exodus. Starting on the 

 night of the 22nd May I marched straight into Eatnagiri 

 by the Coast road from Anjanvel, a distance of about fifty 

 miles. On the morning of the 23rd the day broke clear and 

 fine, the sky was blue, and there were no indications of a 

 coming storm. At every little creek I crossed the White 

 Egrets were stalkiug about in their usual unconcerned way. 

 Suddenly, at about 8 a.m., a violent hurricane sprung . up from 

 the north-east, and black rain clouds came racing up from all 

 quarters of the heavens. Eain fell in torrents, at short 

 intervals from then till noon of the following day. The 



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