IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 289 



dusky white, and do not assume the adult plumage till after the first 

 moult ; a specimen is known to be living in captivity for the last few 

 years without assuming the adult plumage ; flamingos vary in size. 



Hab. — Europe, North Africa, and greater part of Asia ; in India 

 it is found throughout the country — rarer in some parts, abundant in 

 others : in the south, common about Madras, and in the Pulicat and 

 Chilka lakes, in Northern India, the Sambhur lake appears to be their 

 head-quarters ; rarely found in Bengal. 



Length of life in captivity. 



Although one or two of them have lived for over five years, as 

 a rule they have not flourished in this garden. The younger specimens 

 appear to bear captivity better than the adult birds, which generally 

 pine and die. 



(252) THE PUBPLE HERON. 

 (AEDEA PUEPUEEA— Linn.) 

 Hindi — Nari. Bengali — Ldl Anjan, Lai Kank. 

 Hab.~ Europe, Asia, and Africa; in India, Burmah, and Ceylon it 

 is commonly met with in wet and marshy tracts. 



Length of life in captivity. 

 Upwards of seven years. 



(253) THE COMMON HERON. 

 (AEDEA CINEEEA— Linn.) 

 Hindi — Kabud, Khyra. Bengali — Anjan. 

 Hab. — Found throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa. 



Length of life in captivity. 



Specimens have occasionally been exhibited, but it does not appear 

 to bear captivity well. 



(254) THE LARGE WHITE EGRET. 

 (HERODIAS ALBA— {Linn.) ) 

 Hindi — Mahng Bag la. Bengali — Dhan bak or Bagla. 

 The most characteristic feature of this species is its beautiful, 

 decomposed, and soft train feathers which it assumes during the breed- 

 ing season ; the colour of the bill and the facial skin changes according 

 to the season of the year, being respectively black and bright green 

 during the breeding season, and yellow at other times. 



