THE ISLANDS OF THE BAY OF BENGAL. 309 



elongated ovals in shape, the shell rather coarse, much pitted 

 with minute pores and entirely glossless. The color is an 

 uniform very pale sea green. They have, of course, no mark- 

 ings or spots of any kind, though as incubation proceeds, 

 they get more or less stained and tinged with brownish soils. 

 They vary from 1*7 to 1*85 in length; and from 1*25 to 1'33 in 

 breadth. 



As regards the white variety, Davison remarks : — " This 

 species, if it really is a species, and not merely an albinoid 

 variety of H. sacra, is not uncommon about the Andamans 

 and Nicobars, it usually associates with H. sacra ; but is so 

 shy and wary that it is almost impossible to get a shot. In 

 size, gait, habits, &c, it is identical with H. sacra, differing 

 only in color.'" 



As to the allied gularis, Bosc, there is now no possible doubt 

 that it extends along the whole western coast of India, and 

 also occurs in Ceylon. My friend Mr. Carter has just procured 

 a specimen for me in Tinevelly. Jerdon remarks that he has 

 found it 200 miles from the sea coast in the Deccan, but this 

 may be safely said to have been a somewhat exceptional occur- 

 rence. The bird is essentially a salt water heron, and ninety-nine 

 out of every hundred will always be found within an easy flight 

 of salt water. 



929.— Bubulcus coromandus, Bodd. (10.) 



We did not observe this species anywhere in the Nicobars, 

 but it very likely may occur there as it was plentiful at Acheen 

 and in the Andamans, and again on Table Island. Specimens 

 from these localities differ in no perceptible degree from conti- 

 nental examples. 



Davison says : — " The cattle egret is not very common at the 

 Andamans. I usually found it singly in the paddy fields and 

 occasionally in gardens ; but I do not think I observed it either 

 in the sea shore or in the mangrove swamps. I did not see it 

 at the Nicobars ; but ( shot it at Acheen. The specimens I obtained 

 were only beginning to assume the breeding plumage." 



This is doubtless a permanent resident, but birds shot in July 

 show scarcely a trace of summer plumage. 



930— .Ardeola Grayii, Sykes. (2.) 



I never observed this species except at Barren Island. 

 Davison, however, preserved a couple of specimens, and remarks 

 that :— " It is very common in the neighbourhood of Port Blair, 

 where it is found on the sea coast, in mangrove swamps, along 



m 1 



