44 EAMBLES OF A NATURALIST. [Oh. IH. 



The most common bird was imdoubtedly the Padi bird, a 

 species of heron (Ardea prasinosceles), -which was constantly 

 flying over the padi, or rice-fields ; and it was also accom- 

 panied by a pretty white egret (Herodias garzetta) ; but on 

 the banks of a small lake a cluster of trees was full of these 

 birds, whose colours were relieved by two other species, one 

 (Buphus coromandus), which possessed a number of rich 

 buff feathers ; while the other was of the ash grey of our 

 ordinary heron (Ardea cinerea), which is here common. 

 Vast numbers of these birds, all mingled together in the trees, 

 were set off by the thick green foliage, and had a very pretty 

 effect. They kept up a loud and constant chatter, and 

 seemed all disputing with one another for the possession of 

 nesting-places. As we returned to Ta-kau we captured a 

 splendid night heron (Nycticorax griseus), a truly nocturnal 

 bird, but the exigencies of whose young family required it to 

 be abroad in the day at this season ; and among the smaller 

 birds, the most notable were two species of flycatcher — one, 

 Myiagra azurea ; and the other, Ixos Sinensis. Several 

 pretty doves nestled up in the trees, among which I noticed 

 Turtur humilis by its peculiar coo ; and on the lagoon a 

 summer-snipe (Totanus) afforded practice for our guns. 



At the village of Pi-hi-kun we halted to refresh, and were 

 soon surrounded by an admiring group of villagers, who 

 turned out to gaze at us, and crowded round with the great- 

 est curiosity to see the foreigners eat, and to examine all 

 their accoutrements. The gim, powder-flask, and shot-case 

 came in for their share of admiration, which was at its height 

 when we brought down a Padi bird as it flew over the village. 

 Our clothes, their texture and cut, were curiously inspected, 

 and all the contents of our pockets were turned out, the old 

 men being as inquisitive as the youngest, but all civil and 



