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THE BIRDS OF THE ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS, 153 
1565, ARDEOLA GRAYI, Sykes, Blanf,, IV, p. 393; “ Str, Feath,,” II, p. 309. 
Common at Port Blair in the winter months, I saw a few in June, but they 
showed no signs of breeding. 
1566, ARDEOLA BACCHUS, Bonap. Blanf., IV, p. 394. 
Has been obtained in the Andamans, 
1567. Butorives gavanica, Horsf, Blanf., IV, p. 395 ; “Str. Feath.,” II, 
p. 310, 
The Green Bittern is extremely common in both groups. In the Anda- 
mans its chief stronghold is the dense growth of mangroves which fringes 
the numerous salt water creeks, In the Nicobars I found it extraordinarily 
abundant, frequenting the rocks exposed at low tide in such numbers that 
twenty or thirty could often be counted at the same time, 
1568, Nycricorax Griseus, Linn, Blanf., 1V,p. 397; “Str. Feath,,” IT, 
p. 315, 
Davison appears to have met with the Night Heron only on Trinkut in the 
Nicobars. I did not notice it anywhere in the island, 
1569, GORSAHICUS MELANOLOPHUS, Raffles, Blanf., IV, p. 398; “Str, 
Feath.,” IT, p. 312. 
Mr, Hume obtained three specimens of the Malay Bittern in the Nicobars, 
I failed to get or see a single specimen, but it is probably not really uncommon 
in suitable spots, being one of the most skulking and retiring birds of its family, 
1571. ARDErTA sINEnsIs, Gm, Blanf., IV, p. 401; “Str. Feath.,” II, p. 
311, 
The Little Bittern seems to be more numerous in the Andamans now than 
in Mr, Hume’s time, I saw it quite a score of times altogether, and procured 
half a dozen specimens—three in one morning, It also occurs in the Nicobars, 
1572, ARDETIA CINNAMOMEA, Gm, Blanf,, IV, p. 402; “Str, Feath.,’ II 
p. 311. 
The Little Chesnut Bittern is very common in the Andamans, It has pro- 
bably increased in numbers with the increase of paddy cultivation since Mr. 
Hume visited the islands, as he seems only to have met with it twice, In the 
Andamans it breeds chiefly, I think, in May, June and July. I took a clutch 
of three eggs, very hard set, on July 3rd, the nest was a mere platform of 
rushes in the centre of a tussock of coarse grass, The bird either sits with its 
neck stretched upwards and its bill pointing straight into the air, or else 
assumes this position on hearing one approach its nest, 
The appetite of the Little Bitternis nearly insatiable. One that I shot— 
still fishing !—had just swallowed one fish 5 in, long, nearly 2 in, in cireum- 
ference, and with the skull ? in, across; one eel 53 in. long,and 2 eels each 
3% in, in length, When fired at and winged its behaviour is typically Bittern- 
like ; falling to the shot it runs into the nearest grass and squats with its bill 
pointed as usual straight into the air. When one proceeds to catch it, it de- 
fends itself most pluckily, uttering harsh croaking cries and stabbing upwards 
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