138 ERODY. 



patch of white; at the bend of the wing- a small, short, black spur; 

 the hind part of the head has a slight mottling of dusky, and a small 

 spot on the fore part of the eye, close to it; legs deep bluish lead- 

 colour, very long, from the first joint, next the body, ten inches; 

 thighs four inches and a half, shins four inches, middle toe one inch 

 and three quarters, outer toe one inch and a quarter, and the hind toe 

 five-eighths of an inch, but placed high up; the toes united by a 

 membrane for half the length between the outer and middle, and for 

 about one-third between the latter and inner one; the claws small, 

 blunt, scarcely exceeding the end of the toe to which they belong; 

 the wings, when closed, reach almost to the end of the tail. 



Another specimen, probably not an adult bird, or differing in sex, 

 was only fourteen inches long. The crown and nape streaked with 

 dusky black; back dusky brown, instead of black, and the colour 

 of less extent ; the white of the wings not pure, having a tinge of 

 brown ; but the mark before the eye, though less conspicuous, is 

 visible. 



The above are in the collection of Lord Stanley, brought to 

 England by Mr. Salt; they were found at the bottom of the Bay of 

 Amphila, in Abyssinia, where they watch the falling of the tides, and 

 feed on the marine productions, and are, when alive, very handsome, 

 and active birds. 



2.—PONDICHERRY ERODY, 



Ardea Ponticeiiana, hid. Qrn. ii. 702. Gm. Lin. i. 646. 

 Le Bec-ouvert, Buf. vii. 409. PL enl. 932. 

 Pondicheny Heron, Gen. Syii. v. 101. 



LENGTH fourteen inches and a half. Bill stout, base dusky, the 

 rest of the length yellowish, or white; for about one-third from the 

 base the edges are in contact, but from thence to the point the 



