750 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



on the toes, which are greenish beneath. Length 21 inches ; extent 

 37 ; wing 10£ ; tail 4 ; bill at front 2| ; tarsus 3^ ; middle toe 

 claw 2£. 



In non-breeding dress the plumage is entirely white ; the bill 

 yellow in place of orange, and the orbitar skin duller. 



The Cattle-heron is found throughout India, Burmah, and Ceylon, 

 in great abundance, more especially towards the North of India ; 

 also extending through other parts of Asia, and even to the North 

 of Africa. It very closely resembles the A. bubulcus of Northern 

 Africa and the South of Europe, but is said to differ in some points, 

 viz., in the longer tarsi, the more vivid hue of the golden-yellow, 

 which is also of greater extent, and in the less denuded orbits. 



It always attends cattle whilst grazing, and picks up grasshop- 

 pers and their larva? disturbed by them. Now and then it 

 varies its food with small fish, tadpoles, and aquatic insects. It 

 does not appear to breed in the South of India, though it does 

 in Ceylon according to Layard ; but in Bengal and Burmah it 

 forms vast colonies, making the usual nest of sticks on trees, and 

 usually laying four or five, sometimes six pale greenish-blue 

 eggs. 



A. bubulcus, Savigny, the species of Africa and the South of 

 Europe is A. ibis of Hapelcpaist ; and, according to Taylor, does 

 duty in Egypt as the Ibis, being pointed out by Dragomans as 

 that more rare bird. 



Gen. Ardeola, Boie. 



Syn. Buphus apud Bonaparte. 



Char. — Bill moderately long, straight, pointed ; tarsus short, 

 stout; feet moderately large ; tibia feathered nearly to the knee; 

 neck short, densely feathered ; the feathers long and lax ; toes long ; 

 dorsal plumes in the breeding season hair-like, dark ; win <rs 

 white. 



The Squacco-herons or Crab-herons form a small group of very 

 closely allied species, found in the hot and temperate climates of 

 both Continents, very abundant in many places, and familiar in 

 their habits. In their winter garb those of the Old Continent are 

 barely distinguishable from each other. 



