Birds of Celebes: Ardeidae. 



821 



Young. In young birds just able to fly "the general coloui- is somewhat duller and less 

 dark. The whole under surface is paler and duller, the throat-streak [probably not 

 always] is much broader, the elongated breast and back feathers are entirely wanting, 

 and the crest is only indicated" (Hume 4). 



Observation. According to Gates (9), in non-breeding plumage the pectoral tuft and 

 the dorsal train are wanting. This is the case in many other Herons (Herodias). 



Sexes. The sexes do not seem to differ in size or coloration (Hume 4). 



Varieties. Pure white; the occipital, jugular and dorsal feathers lengthened as in the dark 

 form; "u-is primrose yellow; bill yellowish straw -coloui-, with a dusky tinge on 

 the culmen and towards the point; . . . legs and feet yellowish green, soles orange": 

 Gould k 1 (Minahassa: Nat. Coll. — 13261). Both sexes are known in this 

 plumage. 



Pure white young ones are known from the nest (Hume 4, Buller d IX). 

 Piebald specimens are not uncommon. One before us has the lower hind neck, 

 back, middle and greater wing-coverts, spots at tips of remiges and rcctrices, and some 

 streaks on head and jugulum slaty or brown, the other parts white (Tahiti). 



Eggs. 



Nest. 



Konlt. A specimen (gl killed in May is acqiimng fresh primaries and wing-coverts, and 

 one ffj killed in .January is getting fresh wing-coverts and inner remiges. 

 2 or 3, moderately elongated ovals; shell rather coarse, much pitted with minute pores; 

 entirely glossless; in colour uniform very pale sea-green; size 40.4 — 47 X 31.7 — 

 33.8 mm (from Hume 19; see, also. North 16, fig.). 

 Described as occupying various sites: in crevices of a rock, and on bi'anches of a tree 

 (Andamans — Davison 19); in a tree, sometimes (when tall) near the summit, or 

 on the root, or on a low stump, or half way up a low bushy tree, or in recesses of 

 the rocks (islands off N. E. coast of Australia and Torres Str. — Macgillivray j 1, 

 16); in caves (New Zealand — Buller d JX). The nest is composed of sticks and 

 twigs, herbage being sometimes added. 



Breeding season. Andamans — April to middle of June; Australia — September, November. 



Distribution. Australia; New Zealand; Polynesia; Sandwich Islands; East India Archipelago; 

 S. E. Asia up to Arrakan, Andaman and Nicobar Is.; Loochoo Is. and Japan 

 [D. ringeri Stejn.). In the Celebesian area: — Talaut Islands — Kabruang (Nat. 

 Coll.); Sangi Islands — Great Sangi (Meyer 10, Platen 13, Nat. Coll.), Siao 

 (Meyer 10); Tahssi Id. (Hickson 17); Banka Id. (Nat. Coll.); Minahassa (Meyer 7, 

 Guillemard 11, etc.); Gorontalo Distr. (v. Rosenb. d 5, f 5); Buol (F.&F. Sarasin); 

 Buton Id. fS. Miiller e 2). 



