742 BIRDS OP INDIA. 



black ; scapulars silvery-grey, long and pointed, forming grace- 

 ful plumes ; tail bluish-asliy ; forepart of the neck with longi- 

 tudinal black spots, the feathers drooping down on the top 

 of the breast, loose, and elongated, and forming a fine pectoral 

 plume ; lower breast and the rest of the under parts pure white. 



Bill dark yellow, brown on the upper mandible ; irides gamboge 

 yellow ; lores and naked orbitar skin greenish ; legs and feet 

 brown. Length 39 inches ; extent 5| feet ; wing 18 inches ; tail 8 ; 

 bill at front 5 ; tarsus 5| ; middle toe and claw 4 to 4|; hind toe 2^. 



The young bird has the head and neck ashy, with dull dusky-grey 

 streaks in front ; the upper plumage tinged with brown ; and 

 the lengthened occipital feathers as well as the breast plumes 

 absent. 



The Heron of Europe is of general occurrence throughout 

 India, frequenting rivers and the larger tanks. It breeds on high 

 trees, several together, but not apparently in such numerous 

 societies as it sometimes does in Europe ; it feeds chiefly on 

 fish. It is in India, as in Europe, a favorite quarry for the 

 Bhyri, (Falco peregrinus) vide Vol. 1, p. 24. 



This Heron is found throughout all Europe, Asia and Africa. 

 A. brag, Is. Geoff., from Cashmere, figured in Jacquemont's 

 Voyage, appears to be this same Heron ; but Bonaparte makes 

 it distinct, and states that Jacquemont's specimen had lately been 

 found stowed away in the Paris Museum with Geoffroy's label 

 attached, and the words " to be mounted immediately." The 

 Prince states that it differs from A. cineria in being smaller, with 

 the whole top of the head black, a long black crest, with two of 

 the feathers much elongated, and the dorsal plumes dull and 

 somewhat decomposed. Adams however mentions the common 

 Heron as abundant in Cashmere, and states that the bird is preserved 

 by its present Ruler on account of its feathers, which furnish 

 the plumes for the turbans of the Royal Princes of Cashmere. 



Other species of this group are A. cocoi, L., from America; A. 

 atricollis, Wagler, from Africa ; A. leucophcea, Gould, (very close 

 indeed to cinerea) ; and A. pacifica, Latham, from Australia and 

 Oceanica ; the last differs from the other species in its coloration, 

 being dark glossy green above, the head and neck white. 



