1154 BUTOPJDES JAVANICA. 



Obs. Chinese specimens have the dorsal plumes paler or more ashy than in mine from Ceylon ; and the margins of 

 all that I have examined are pure white. Adolescent examples from Java exhibit the same characters, as regards 

 stripe down the throat and black streak on each side of the chin, as I have above noticed are present in Ceylonese. 

 The Chinese race seems to be larger than the Indian ; but published data and the measurements of specimens I 

 have seen from Java, Andamans, India, and Ceylon correspond pretty well with one another. 



B. macrorhyncha, Gould, from China and Australia, appears to resemble our bird, but is longer in wing and bill. A 

 specimen which I have examined in the Swinhoe collection, measuring in the wing S - 2 inches, is apparently of 

 this species. 



Distribution. — This handsome little Bittern is abundant in the north and east of the island, and is likewise 

 numerous on the west coast, in the cool season particularly. At that time I have frequently met with it on the 

 Colombo Lake and lurking about the banks of various streams between Negombo and Galle. Throughout the 

 year it is to be met with near Kotte and similar places on the west coast ; but, as a rule, it is not often seen 

 after April in that part of the island. It is to be found in the south-eastern region iu suitable places, and on 

 the margins of the Batticaloa Lake it is common, and, I imagine, resident throughout the year. In the 

 Trincomalie district I noticed it more frequently during the north-east monsoon than between April and 

 October. On the coast to the north of that place it is common about salt lakes or lagoons which are lined 

 with low trees and bushes growing between high- and low- water marks. At Jaffna Layard speaks of it as 

 being abundant. It is found throughout the year at Aripu, according to Mr. Holdsvvorth ; and at tanks in 

 the North-central and North-western Provinces Mr. Parker has met with it. 



In India it appears, from published data, to be more generally distributed than the Cinnamon or Black 

 Bitterns. I find Mr. Bourdillon recording it from the Travancore hills as a winter visitor, affecting mountain- 

 streams up to 2000 feet, Messrs. Davidson and Wenden writing that it is common at Satara, and Mr. Pairbank 

 that it is found at Mahabaleshwar and in the hills west of the Deccan. It is commonly distributed throughout 

 Sindli, Guzerat, Kutch, Kattiawar, and portions of Rajpootana, wherever there are tanks, marshes, and 

 canals. On the Eastern Nana it has been found breeding; and near Kurrachee harbour Capt. Butler has 

 met with it. Prom the districts thus mentioned across to Calcutta it is pretty generally distributed, and in 

 Chota Nagpur and some parts of the central provinces it is common, according to Mr. Ball. In Purreedpore 

 and North-east Cachar the same is the case ; but in the immediate vicinity of Calcutta it is rare. In Upper 

 Pegu Mr. Oates found it on the Engmah swamps ; and further south in Tenasserim it is to be met with, says 

 Mr. Hume, on every stream. It has been procured at Malacca ; and in the Andamans and Nicobars it is 

 very common, breeding there, according to Mr. Davison, in May. It likewise occurs at the Laccadives, where 

 Mr. Hume met with it on the island of Cardamum. Turning eastward now we find it extending to Cochin 

 China and the south of China in the summer for breeding purposes; and, according to Messrs. David and 

 Oustalct, it ranges north to Mantchura, Amoor Land, and Japan ; but it seems doubtful whether it is this 

 species or the larger-billed form, B. macrorhyncha, which is found in these northern regions. Schrenk gives 

 the wing of an Amoor-river example as 75 inches, which would appear to refer to our bird. In the Philippines 

 the present species has recently been found in Luzon ; and it is distributed throughout many of the Malay 

 islands from Borneo to Sumatra, in which latter island it occurs at Acheen in the extreme west and in 

 Lampong at the eastern extremity. Prom Java it was first described by Horsfield ; and in Borneo it lias 

 been procured at Banjormassing, in Sarawak, at Sibu, and in the adjacent island of Labuan; from Amboyna, 

 Celebes, Ceram, Halmchera, Morotai, Timor, Plores, Aru Islands, and New Guinea it has been recorded ; and 

 I observe from Herr Meyer's notes that it is not uncommon in Celebes, breeding there. Along the northern 

 sea-board of Australia from Port Darwin it is found as far south as New South Wales ; and eastward it 

 extends to New Caledonia, the Society Islands, and Piji. 



Habits. — This Bittern is not by any means wholly nocturnal, as on dull days it may be seen out feeding 

 in exposed situations ; and wherever there are overhanging bushes on the banks of rivers or the borders of 

 lakes it may constantly be seen lurking about, watching, in a lethargic sort of manner, for fish and frogs. It 

 will stand for a long time in an attitude of repose, with its neck drawn in, now and then twisting its head 

 awry when any thing attracts its attention ; then perhaps stalking along with measured steps, thrusting its 

 head out, gazing into the water with apparent stupidity until its sharp eye catches sight of a fish or fro°- 



