1112 PLEGADIS FALCINELLUS. 



This species has been recently discovered breeding in Sindh by Mr. Doig, C.E., who found their nests 

 in trees along the banks of large lakes bordering the Narra river. He describes the nests as about the size of 

 those of the Darter, and made of sticks on the tops of Kundy-trees. The eggs were three in number, ovals, 

 pointed at both ends, and of a beautiful green colour, roughly pitted over with slight indentations, giving the 

 shell a rough appearance. They varied in length from 1*8 to 2'i5, and in breadth from 13 to l - 55 inch. 



HERODIONES. 



Fam. CICONIIDiE. 



Bill stout, long, and straight, the gape not angulated, and the gonys very long. Wings 

 long and pointed. Tail short. Legs very long ; tibia naked for more than the length of the 

 middle toe ; tarsus reticulate. Toes moderately long, webbed at the base, most deeply between 

 the outer and middle toe ; claws straight and short. 



Of very large size. Sternum with a single notch, pointed at the apex. 



Genus LEPTOPTILUS. 



Bill enormous, high at the base, gradually compressed thence to the tip ; culmen quite 

 straight ; gonys almost imperceptible ; tip of the lower mandible gently curved upwards ; nostrils 

 linear, placed near the culmen, with a shallow groove running parallel to it towards the tip, 

 which is notched. Wing lengthened, with the 3rd and 4th quills the longest, and the 1st consi- 

 derably shorter than the 2nd ; tertials lengthened. Tail even at the tip. Tibia and tarsi 

 covered with reticulate scales. 



Skull completely bare ; neck devoid of feathers. 



