256 Contnlniions to tlie Omiilwlocjy of India, Sfc. 



929.— Bubulcus coromandus, Bodd. 

 930.— Ardeola Grayii, 8yhes. 



Both species veiy common, tlirougliout the province^ wherever 

 tliere was water. 



931. — Butorides javanicus, Horsf, 



The little green bittern was not uncommon on the banks of 

 canals and watercourses, skulking- under or within heaps of 

 brushwood or the branches of some half immersed tree during 

 the major portion of the daj, emerg-ing and stalking" slowly along" 

 the bank and close to the water as day declined. I believe that, 

 this species is very common in Sindh, but onl}'' in the hicalities 



I liave indicated. I never met with it in any of the swamps or 

 lakes. 



935.— Ardetta minuta, L. 



I obtained a single specimen of this species, which I have 

 never before known to occur in India out of the Himalayas (it 

 is very abundant in Cashmere and I have obtained it at Syree 

 below Simla) in a large broad at Dost Alii near Larkhana. I 

 was beating a clump of reed rush and tamarisk, a little island in 

 fact of these for Cetti^s warbler ; coots, and water-hens innumer- 

 able had been driven out, when I observed this queer little heron 

 creeping" about from bough to bough near the bases of the 

 tamarisk bushes, and shot it. I never saw a second specimen ; 

 but if it always keeps as close in the day time as this bird did, 

 this is not to be wondered at, since after I had secured a certain 

 number of specimens of Cetti's warbler, I never again attempted 

 to beat these thickets. 



936— Botaurus stellaris, L. 



The bittern which, in Upper India at any rate, is a decidedly 

 rare Ijird, was very abundant in Upper Sindli, and in one fort- 

 night a])out the Shikarpore Collectorate, I certainly saw more 

 specimens than I had ever seen in my whole life before. 



937.— Nyctiardea nycticorax, L. 



The night heron was often seen ; rarely in the day time unless 

 disturbed, generally towards evening, flying overhead to its 

 feeding grounds, uttering its characteristic harsh croak. A male 

 measured, length, 24 ; expanse, 43 "5 ; tail from vent, 4" 6 ; wing, 



II "5 ; wings, when closed, reached to within 0"4 of end of tail ; 

 bill at front, 3 ; tarsus, 3. 



939.— Platelea leucorodia, L. 



Alike along the banks and sandbanks of all the greater rivers 



