NOTES ON ANDAMAN BIRDS. 491 



1512. Sterna melanauchen.^The Black-naped Tern. 

 Very common around the Andamans, frequenting the more sheltered 

 east coast during the S. W. Monsoon (May to October) and the -west coast for 

 the remaining 6 months to avoid the north-easterly breezes. They breed 

 on small rocky islands off the east coast from May to July, laying one 

 or two eggs, which vary a great deal in colour. The majority are 

 greyish in ground with numerous spots of dark or light brown. Some eggs 

 are much warmer in colouration, with reddish brown blotches, and some have 

 the ground colour of the egg yellowish-brown or pale-green instead of grey. 

 1554. Ardea manillensis. — The Eastern Purple Heron. 

 Not uncommon in open swampy places, as at Nadakachang. 

 1561. Herodias garzetta. — The Little Egret. 

 Flocks of these birds are often to be seen around Viper, Flat Bay and to- 

 wards Namunagarh. I could not ascertain their breeding haunts. 

 1564. Lepterodius sacer. — The Eastern Reef Heron. 

 Common on every rocky shore and island. They breed from April to June, 

 chiefly on rocky islands. The nest consists of a few sticks roughly put to- 

 gether and is placed in some low bush or between rocks on the ground. The 

 eggs, 2 or 3 in number, are pale blue and glossless. 



1572. Ardetta einnamomea. — The Chestnut Bittern. 

 Common in fresh-water swamps, being found usually in pairs. I found nu- 

 merous nests between June 25 and August 15 containing 3 or 4 eggs almost 

 pure white or with the faintest conceivable green tinge. The nest is merely a 

 pad of rushes bent down to support the eggs a few inches above the water. 

 1589. Dendrocycna javanica. — The Whistling Teal. 

 Fairly common around Port Blair, but not so numerous as the Oceanin teal. 

 They breed throughout August and September. Three nests I have seen 

 have been placed on the ground in swamps, well concealed from view by rank 

 vegetation and creeping ferns. 



About 10 eygs are laid, which are broad ovals and pure white. 

 The average of 8 eggs givos 1-82" x 1*44". 



1598. Netlium albigulare. — The Andaman Teal. 

 The Oceanic teal arrives in Port Blair in large numbers towards the end of 

 May, where they remain until October or November. 



In the winter months they frequent outlying fresh-water jheels such as 

 are found near Craggy Island, North Reef Island, Niell, the Brothers, Tem- 

 pleganj and other places. They breed, as far as my experience goes, invariably 

 in holes in lofty and often dead trees, and the eggs are therefore very difficult 

 to procure. 



A man brought me down 10 eggs from near the top of a huge Padouk tree 

 on August 4. They were nearly fresh. 

 They are rather long, elliptical ovals, cream coloured, and much discoloured 

 They varied in length from 1/86" to 2'02" and in breadth from l'40 v to 

 1-47", the average of 9 eggs being T93'' X 1*43", 

 30 



