Indian Birds 
identified by their large size, the steady flap- 
ping of their wings, and the fact that they fly 
with the neck drawn in and the legs projecting 
behind beyond the tail. A great many species 
of heron occur in India, but only four are 
commonly seen by the average observer. 
222. Ardea cinerea: The Common Heron. 
This is the familiar heron of England. (F. 
1555), (J. 923), (+V; alittle over a yard long.) 
An ashy-grey bird with some white on the 
head. From the back of the head some black 
plumes hang. Lower parts white. Bill dark 
yellow. Legs dirty green. 
Usually a solitary bird. 
223. Bubulcus coromandus: ‘The Cattle 
Egret. (F. 1562), (J. 929), (+IV.) 
A pure white bird with a yellow bill and 
black legs. In the breeding season some 
yellow plumes grow from the back of the head. 
This is a sociable species. ‘These birds fre- 
quently accompany cattle, which serve as 
efficient beaters. The quadrupeds put up 
grasshoppers, etc., which the egrets seize. The 
birds sometimes perch on the backs of cattle. 
There are three larger species of egret which 
are also white; these belong to the genus 
Herodias, but these are scarcely common birds. 
222 
