AEDETTA SINENSIS. 1157 



as regards plumage, in the colour of the back and scapulars, which is black. The head and crest are likewise 

 black, as in our bird ; throat and under surface buff. An adult before ine measures — wing 5-5 inches ; bill (which 

 is proportionately shorter than in A. sinensis) TSo at front. An immature male measures G-0 inches in the wing ; 

 bill at front 1*7. 



Distribution.— This species, like the Black Bittern, is chiefly found, in the damp and better watered 

 portions of the island, rarely occurring, so far as I know, in the dry districts of the Eastern Province, and 

 only affecting a few suitable localities in the north. From November until March it is common in the Western 

 Province, inhabiting parts of the Colombo Lake, resorting to the " Lotus-pond " even, affecting the swamps 

 and bushy morasses between Borella and Kotte, similar spots in the Mutturajawella swamp, scrubby islands 

 in the Negombo Lake, reed-beds on the Panadure and Bolgodde Lakes, and similar localities along the whole 

 western sea-board. It is occasionally seen among bushes on the rivers and streams of this part of the island 

 and the extreme south. Here it is to be found on the Bentota, Gindurah, and Matara rivers, and further east 

 rjerhaps on the Wellaway river. Near Tissa Maha Rama I have met with it, as also on the Batticaloa Lake ; 

 but in this part of the island it is, as I have remarked, apparently rare. During the south-west monsoon it 

 disappears from the neighbourhood round Colombo, retiring probably to secluded spots for breeding purposes. 

 Mr. Parker has seen it in the Kurunegala district, and also at Nuwara wewa and other tanks near Anaradha- 

 pura ; and I have no doubt it breeds there. I have seen it near Trincomalie and in the Jaffna peninsula on the 

 Ethelemaduvil swamp, which forms the head of the Pootoor lagoon, and is one vast bed of reeds intermingled 

 with groves of bushes and mangroves. 



In India it is found here and there throughout the peninsula, as also in the northern parts of the empire ; 

 but it does not seem to be regularly distributed. In the Deccan Messrs. Davidson and Wenden say that it is 

 not common ; and it is not included in Mr. Ball's list of Godaveri and Ganges birds. About Calcutta and in 

 Furreedpore it is rare ; likewise in Pegu, as I find that Mr. Oates met with it but once ; in Tenasserim, 

 however, it is not uncommon to the north-west of the Sittang and in the southern half of the province. 

 Turning to the north-west of India I find that it is a bird of irregular occurrence in Guzerat and Sindh, 

 although very common during some seasons on the Eastern Narra, where Mr. Doig found it breeding. In this 

 part of India the ranges of the two species of small Bittern overstep, that of A. minuta extending thence 

 westwards to Europe. Turning now towards the east, we find A. sinensis common throughout China in the 

 summer, breeding in great numbers near Pekin, according to Pere David; a straggler to Japan, whence 

 Mr. Blakiston has sent it to England ; also to the Philippines, where Schlegel records it as occurring ; rare in 

 Formosa; and finally ranging from Sumatra and Java to Borneo, Celebes, and Flores. In the first-named 

 island it was seen at Acheen by Mr. Davison ; and in Borneo it has been procured in various localities, and 

 among others at Bintulu in October by Mr. Everett. It is said to have been found in the Ladrone Islands, 

 which, I conclude, must be the limit of its range to the eastward. 



Habits.— -This pretty little Bittern, which is the smallest of its family in India and Ceylon, affects long- 

 grass in swamps, reeds, bulrushes, and also thickets growing in marshes and morasses. It is very partial to 

 long reeds, on which it perches quite as adroitly as a Warbler. I have seen it suddenly alight on a tall 

 perpendicular reed-stalk, with one leg stretched down and the other abreast of the body, in exactly the same 

 manner as an ordinary Passerine bird. It is by no means shy, and does not fly up until it is approached 

 quite close, often preferring to seek concealment by skulking in underwood and scrub rather than by taking 

 flight. It is very difficult to flush once it has taken to dense cover, running about on the ground, or creeping 

 and climbing about the branches. It is much more diurnal than the Black Bittern, and on the islands in the 

 Negombo Lake, some of which are clothed with thick, low, flat-lying brushwood, I have seen it come out to 

 the edge of the salt water and watch for shrimps and small fish, standing motionless and peering down with 

 outstretched neck. In the Lotus-pond at the Pettah, Colombo, I have noticed it walking on the broad leaves 

 with as much ease as the " Water-Pheasant ; " and when flushed flying round the pond, finally alighting on 

 the tall trees in the " Backet-court " enclosure. It has a curious guttural croak, which I have heard it utter 

 when trying to drive it out of thick scrub. The food of this species consists of frogs, fish, water-insects, 

 worms, &c. ; but it also feeds on crabs and shrimps when frequenting salt-water localities. Its flight, though 

 performed with a quick motion of its small wings, is laboured and slow. 



7l2 



