1160 ARDEIEALLA FLAVICOLLLS. 



male measures — wing 8-2 inches, tail 3-2, tarsus 2-7, middle toe 2-2, bill to gape 3-9. A young bird identical in 

 coloration with my skins measures — wing 7 - 9, bill to gape 3 - 5. Gould considers that Australian examples average 

 smaller than Indian and Javan specimens. 



Distribution. — So far as I have been able to ascertain, this species is a partial migrant to Ceylon, appearing 

 on the west coast in November, between which month and March it may be always found in suitable localities 

 near the sea. In the Galle district it is likewise only seen during the N.E. monsoon, and on the south-east 

 coast I have met with it only at that period of the year. On the eastern side north of Kirinde I have never 

 seen it; but it affects such close concealment that in wild and jungly country it is almost sure to be passed 

 over. In July I met with it near Minery Lake, and it was no doubt breeding there ; but it is apparently the 

 exception to find it in Ceylon at that season, and unless, during the breeding-time, all the birds which are 

 found in the Western Province effectually conceal themselves, they must, as a matter of course, leave the 

 island. In the Colombo district it affects the secluded parts of the lake behind Colpetty, swamps near Borella, 

 morasses and thickets bordering the Negombo canal, nooks in the Bolgodde and Panadure lakes, as well as 

 rushy marshes and thickets near paddy-fields not far into the interior. 



In India it appears to be a bird of most uncertain distribution. Mr. Fairbank records the finding of an 

 example at Vilpati in the Palanis, and Jerdon met with it on the Malabar coast and near Madras; but else- 

 where, in the south, I find no mention of its occurrence ; it has not been very often met with in the Deccan, 

 or in the tract of country between the Godaveri and the Ganges ; at Calcutta it is occasionally seen in the 

 market ; but from Furreedpore it appears to be absent; while further north, in Tipperah, it has been procured. 

 I find no record of its occurrence in the north-western part of the empire, except in Upper Sindh, and parti- 

 cularly on the Eastern Narra, a channel of the Indus, where Mr. Doig, C.E., found it breeding in large numbers 

 in the month of May. Eastward of the Bay of Bengal this Bittern enjoys a wide range, extending from 

 Burmah and Tenasscrim to China, and thence southwards through the Malay archipelago to Australia. In 

 Pegu it is found in the plains and in the nullahs of evergreen forests ; but in Tcnasserim it is very rare, only 

 having been seen at Amherst, Bankasoon, and Attaran. In China it is common in summer in the central 

 and southern portions of the country, inhabiting the mountains as well as the plains. It is found in Java, 

 Sumatra, and Borneo, as also in Timor, Ceram, Batchiau, the Aru, and other islands ; it likewise occurs in the 

 south of New Guinea, and in the northern parts of Australia round the Gulf of Carpentaria, while, on the 

 east coast, Mr. Eamsay records it from Port Denison, Wide Bay, Richmond River, New South Wales, and 

 Victoria. Elsewhere it is found in South Australia and on the west coast, so that it may be said to inhabit 

 the vast length of the entire Australian sea-board. Gould first recorded it from New South Wales, Port 

 Essington, and Swan Riven. 



Habits. — This handsome Bittern partakes of the skulking nature peculiar to most of its relatives, and 

 frequents, during the day, dense thickets, bushes, umbrageous creeper-covered trees, screw-pines, and such- 

 like vegetation on the banks of water or in the middle of swamps ; but more than all these does it haunt 

 canals and dykes, which are lined with low bushy trees meeting one another and forming a dense overhanging 

 canopy, beneath which, on moderately-sized limbs, the Black Bittern passes the clay secure from scrutiny. 

 It is also found in damp evergreen spots in timber-forests. In India it is said to affect rice-fields and reeds; 

 but it is the exception to find it in such in Ceylon. It is not a particularly shy bird; and when it sallies out 

 about 5 o'clock in the evening it may often be seen sitting upright, witli its neck drawn in, on the top of a low 

 bush, and on being approached will merely straighten its neck and place itself in an attitude of attention 

 until the observer gets within easy gun-shot, when it will fly off with considerable speed, and often circle round 

 the spot again and alight not far from its original position. It generally feeds near its roosting-place ; but 

 occasionally mounts in the air, and wends its way to distant fields, now and then uttering a loud hoarse croak. 

 It climbs actively about the branches of trees, and always makes its way thus to the edge of the foliage before 

 taking flight. Its food consists, to a great extent, of fish ; but it likewise consumes frogs and lizards. Jerdon 

 speaks of its low deep booming call, like the sound of a small drum; but this note I have never heard in 

 Ceylon. During the day, when disturbed by the sound of a gun near their haunts, these birds leave their 



