ORB, GRALLATOEES. 



FAM. ARDEABJE. 



GEN. ARDEA. 

 PLATE XVI. 

 ARDEA FLAVICOLLIS. Lath. 

 YELLOW NECKED BLACK HERON. 



Synon. — A. nigra Vieill — A. picta^s.^.'i 



When I procured the only specimen of this handsome Heron that I have as yet 

 obtained, I referred it to A. nigra of Vieillot, (without any hesitation) and had a drawing of 

 it lithographed under that name. 1 did not then, imagine that it could have been Latham's 

 JlamcoUis, either from his description, in which it is said to be of a purple brown colour, or 

 from the figure in Gray and Hardwicke, where it is represented as being of a blue colour. 

 Mr. Blyth however assures me that such is the case, and Wagler I see also gives these name 

 as synonyms. 



The specimen from which the accompanying figure was taken was procured at 

 Madras. I have never since got another, but Shikarees have told me that they know the bird, 

 and that it is very rare. Mr. Blyth informs me that it has been obtained at Calcutta, and 

 that he has received it from Arracan, China, and other places to the eastward, where it ap- 

 pears to be much more common than here. Horsfield gives it as Javanese, and Mr. Blyth 

 tells me that he considers A. picta of Raffles to be the same. Wagler also gives New Holland 

 as its habitat. 



I know nothing if its habits. It is said to frequent the more grassy and weedy tanks, 

 and to shun observation. It is too little known here to have a distinct local appellation. 



Mr. Blyth considers it as forming a subdivision of Butor, or the Bitterns, which 

 conclusion lie came to after seeing a fresh specimen. 



M 



