1852.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 437 



Symphisis of the lower mandible much shorter than in P. cristata. The 

 corneous sheath of the upper mandible wanting in the specimen. Upper 

 parts fine deep hair-brown, with a rich maronne gloss. Occipital crest 

 ample, broad, 2|- in. long, the feathers composing it white-tipped, as are 

 also those adjacent. Wings obscurely banded, as seen from above ; 



treading in some yellow substance : but such specimens would not constitute the H. 

 melanopus, (Wagler, vel A. nigripes, Tern.,) which has other distinctions and 

 would seem only to differ from H. immacuuta in being larger and longer-legged 

 than H. garzetta instead of the reverse. According to Temminck, throughout 

 all Asia to Japan the species is true garzetta, but that of India and the Sunda 

 Isles is different, being his A. nigripes, which also extends as far as N. Guinea. 

 (By the term " India" is here doubtless meant Netherlands India, for in India 

 proper the garzetta abounds to the exclusion of the other). So far as we are 

 aware, H. garzetta can only be distinguished from H. candidissima when 

 both are in breeding plumage, however little of this may be developed ; the Ame- 

 rican bird acquiring a full crest of loose feathers, and pendent breast-plumes of 

 similar texture to the train (as in H. intermedia only less developed). 



4. H. immaculata, Gould: Ardea melanopus (?) Wagler; A. nigripes (?) 

 Temminck. Hab. Australia ; Mergui ; the Malayan peninsula and great Asiatic 

 archipelago to N. Guinea and perhaps N. Ireland? Rather smaller than H. gar- 

 zetta, with much shorter toes, which are not yellow as in that species, but black 

 very slightly tinged with yellow. Dorsal train short and straight, or shewing but 

 the slightest possible tendency to recurve, and not passing beyond the tail-tip. 

 Occipital crest consisting of a longitudinal series of numerous lengthened slender 

 plumes, similar to the two or three composing the crest of H. garzetta but not 

 so large, the longest measuring about 3 \ in. Pendent breast -plumes as in H. gar- 

 zetta. Beak from forehead 3g in. ; tarse 3-£ in.; middle toe and claw 2-£ ; 

 hind toe and claw \\ in. ; closed wing 10 in. If correctly referred to melanopus 

 v. nigripes, this species would appear to replace garzetta in the Austral-asian 

 archipelago and continent of Australia. With its particular habits we are un- 

 acquainted, but they are probably those of H. garzetta. The latter species is 

 much more familiar with man and also much less highly gregarious than H. alba 

 and H. intermedia. We have seen enormous flights of the two last named 

 Egrets in company (but alba much predominating), extending as far as the eye 

 could reach all around, the whole proceeding in one direction over low marshy 

 ground to or from some favourite feeding place, passing just above the reach of 

 gun-shot, and certainly constituting a single loose yet not very straggling flock- 

 Also, the numbers of these birds which may occasionally be put up from a small 

 reedy tank or jheel, where perhaps but two or three had been observed on approach, 

 notwithstanding their size and very conspicuous brilliant whiteness, are astonishing 

 and would hardly be credited if not witnessed. 



3 K 



