55 
PLATE XXIV. 
The marshes near Hattagalle, їп the neighbourhood ої Hambangtotte, are often as attractive 
to the naturalist as to the sportsman. | 
The stagnant water is particularly covered with a kind of Sagittaria together with N elum- 
bium and the little islets of the curious Pistia Texensis, which are drifting to an fro according 
to the direction of the breeze. Herons, of the purest white, are standing in the water, the pretty 
water pheasants*) rest on the large leaves of the Nelumbium; the splendid purple Porphyrio 
poliocephalus Lath. erects its red-marked head from beneath the wet grass, and at times the 
Marabu appears with his long bill, pensively surveying the surrounding scene. Scores of the 
timid flamingoes and large clouds of ducks are seen rising over the extensive plain and flying 
towards some solitary tank. 
з) Hydrophasianus sinensis, 
