GRALL^. 59 



feeding m small flocks ; there is a breeding-place of tliese 

 birds on a small island to tbe north-west of Labuan ; it is an 

 almost bare rock, at some distance from the shore; the eggs 

 are here deposited in a slight depression of the surface, and are 

 three in number to each nest ; they are of a light green colour, 

 and the nests are very numerous. While any one remains upon 

 the rock, the old birds fly continuously round and round, 

 screaming loudly all the time. The eggs are frequently taken 

 by the natives, who are very fond of them ; notwithstanding 

 this, however, the birds do not forsake the place. 



Ardea Javanica (Horsf.) (?). 

 Burong Tukoyan (Malay name). 



Above, crown of the head grayish black, with dark bronze green 

 reflections ; a moustache of the same colour springs on either side 

 from the gape ; the long feathers of the back are light gray below, 

 the upper or exposed surfaces having bronze green reflections ; 

 neck light greenish gray, tail gray, with the outer exposed edges of 

 the feathers with greenish reflections; wings gray, the exposed 

 parts of the feathers, as in the tail and back, having bronze green 

 reflections; the wing-covers, secondaries, and tertials are edged 

 more or less with whitish buff. 



Below, whitish gray, aline of white, diversified with dusky spots, 

 extends from the chin down the throat. 



Beak black above, yellowish below ; legs blackish brown. 

 Length, 19 to 20 inches. 



,, of bill, from gape, 3 inches 4 lines. 



„ „ front, barely 2g inches. 



,, of wings, 6f inches. 



,, of tail, 2 inches 5 lines, 



,, of thigh, 3 inches. 



„ of tarsus, If inch. 



,, of middle toe, nearly 2 inches. 



,, of lateral toes, 1 inch 7 lines ; equal. 



„ of hallux, 1 inch 4 lines. 



In colour and general appearance this Heron very much 

 resembles the Ardea Javanica of Horsfield ; it is, however, very 

 considerably larger. It is not uncommon about tidal rivers, 

 where it seeks its food in the mud ; it perches on bushes, and, 

 when disturbed, usually flies but a vciy short distance. 



