ARDEA CINEEEA. 1131 



water, and built with those of the White Egret (Herodias alba) . They are large platforms constructed of good- 

 sized sticks, and measure from 18 inches to as much as 2 feet 6 inches across ; but their size depends upon 

 the particular description of fork -branch on which they are constructed. The eggs vary from two to three 

 in number, and are broad almost perfect ovals in shape, the ends in some being slightly pointed. In texture 

 they are rougher than those of the next species ; two specimens taken at the Heronry at Kodiyam Kulam 

 measure 2 - 48 by l - 68 and 2 - 45 by V72 inches, and are uniform pale sea-green in colour. 



In England, where the Heron breeds alone and not in company with other birds, large numbers congregate 

 together, as many as 100 pairs or more being found in some places. They select by choice Scotch firs, where 

 they are to be had, and build as many as five or six nests in one tree. At a regular date every year, about 

 the latter end of February, the occupants of the Heronry return and set about the work of repairing their 

 nests, commencing to lay in about ten days after their arrival. When sitting on their eggs the head is drawn 

 on to the shoulders, and no sign of the bird can be seen from beneath the nest. When disturbed the old birds 

 manifest considerable anxiety for their eggs, flying round above their nests, and after several attempts at 

 alighting, summoning up courage to settle on them again. The eggs take nearly five weeks to hatch, and the 

 young are about two months before they can fly. They remain about the nests long after they are able to fly, 

 as the Herons are often far from water, and the young are a long time before they can muster courage to go 

 off and fish for themselves. The consequence is a second brood is commenced before the first have left the 

 Heronry, fresh eggs and fully grown young having been found in the same tree. While these birds are about 

 the nests they are fed by the parents now and then during the day ; and quantities of fish are found lying 

 beneath the trees in large Heronries, which have been dropped while being taken from the old birds by their 

 inexpert progeny. In the tropics, where the nests are usually constructed in trees standing in water, the 

 young leave them as soon as they are able to fly at all, and commence foraging for themselves in the 

 surrounding jheel or tank. The voice of the young is sharper than that of the adult ; but it varies, consisting 

 of several differentlv -toned notes. 



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