IN SOUTHERlSr INDIA. 99 



two young in the nests ; tliey are fledged from January to April, 

 according to the time of depositing their eggs, which some do 

 earlier than others. The eggs are of a light-green colour ; they 

 are not so large in circumference as a large-sized hen's egg, but 

 are longer, with the small end sharp. 



4. The Purple Heron, Ardea purpurea ; Tamil, Cumhly narai, or 

 Blanket Crane. Nest the same ; deposits two to three eggs, of 

 same size and colour as last ; seems to rear only two young. The 

 young are fully fledged in April. 



5. Ardea Nycticorax ; Tamil, WukJca. Nests are built after the 

 same fashion, but smaller in size, and contain five eggs ; hatches 

 four or five young ; eggs the size of a bantam's, and of the same 

 shape. The young are fledged in April. 



6. The Cormorant, Graculus pygmceus ; Tamil, Neer caTcai, or 

 "Water-crow. Nest the same as the others, built of sticks ; de- 

 posits three or four eggs, and rears three or four young, which 

 are fledged and on the wing in January ; eggs like those of a 

 small-sized bantam's, rather sharp-pointed at small end, with a 

 slight greenish tinge. 



7. The Large Cormorant, Graculus Siennensis ; Tamil, Peroon 

 neer cakai, or Large "Water-crow. Builds a very rude nest, chiefly 

 formed of sticks ; lays four eggs, and rears two, three, or four 

 young. The eggs are the size of a medium-sized domestic hen's, 

 and have a slight greenish tinge ; the young are fledged some- 

 times in January, sometimes in March, according to the time of 

 their nesting. These birds, as well as G. fygmceus, are to be seen 

 fishing in the tank itself; and the rapidity with which they find 

 their prey, by diving, is wonderful. 



8. The Darter, Flotus melanogaster ; Tamil, Pamloo Thalai neer 

 caTcai, or Snake-headed Water-crow. Nest same as last ; three, 

 sometimes four eggs of same size and colour ; young fledged and 

 on the wing, some in January, others not till April. 



I succeeded in capturing young of all the birds described 

 here, and sent them to the People's Park at Madras. I was in 

 great hopes of sending a few of each to the Zoological Society's 

 Gardens, Eegent's Park, London, by Mr. Thompson, the head 

 keeper, of whose intended visit to India in the "Hydaspes" the 

 Secretary, Dr. Sclater, obligingly apprised me, but unfortunately 

 I lost the opportunity, which I greatly regret. 



Eeturning to the subject of Vaden Thaugul, the villagers tell 

 me that the Pelican sometimes comes and breeds here, as also the 



