HEEODIAS INTERMEDIA. 1143 



and about 18 inches in diameter, the lining consisting of small twigs. The eggs are three or four in number, 

 and are regular ovals in shape, some being slightly pointed at both ends, and others more rounded, with a 

 greater diameter. The texture is smooth, and the colour pale sea-green. Several examples in my collection 

 measure 1-93 by T35, 178 by 1-38, 1-91 by 1-34, 1-84 by 1-32, 1-88 by 1-42, 1-93 by 1-38 inch. 



In India this species breeds in July and August in the north, and in December in the south ; it nests 

 commonly in towns, according to Mr. Hume, in company with Pond- and Cattle-Herons. In writing of a 

 colony in some old tamarind-trees in a graveyard at Etawah, he says, " On one tree we counted 198 nests, the 

 greater number of which were occupied. On one nearly horizontal bough we counted, in a length of 21 feet, 

 eighteen nests, all side by side on the fiat surface of the bough, with barely room, in most cases, for one bird 

 to stand between each nest, and with no room at all in some." The measurements given of the eggs are — 

 length 1-68 to 2'08, breadth 1-32 to 1*52 inch. 



