244 
BIRDS OF BRITISH BURMAH. 
It is found over a considerable portion of Asia^ extending north to Japan 
and south through the islands to Australia. Dr. Tiraud states that it is 
common and breeds in Cochin China. It inhabits the whole of Europe 
and Africa. 
This Heron is generally found singly on the banks of rivers and is of a 
shy disposition. It breeds in India from March to July, making a large 
stick nest on a tree, and laying three pale bluish-green eggs. 
609. AEDEA SUMATEANA. 
THE GREAT SLATY HERON. 
Ardea sumatrana, Raffi. Trans. Linn. Soc. xiii. p. 325 ; Jerd. B. Lid. ii. p. 740 
(part.) ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, p. 610 (part.j ; Salvad. Ucc. Born. p. 344 (part.) ; 
Bl. B. Burm. p. 159 ; Hume ^ Dav. S. F. vi. p. 469 ; Hume, S. F. viii. p. 114; 
Kelham, Lhis, 1882, p. 192. Ardea typhon, Temm. PI. Col. 475. Ardea 
tectirostris, Goidd, P. Z. S. 1843, p. 22 ; id. Birds Austr. vi. pi. 54, 
Description. — The entire upper surface is deep slaty^ the scapulars and 
feathers of the interscapulary region linear, lanceolate., elongated, with the 
terminal portions greyish white ; the feathers of the base of the back of 
the neck similar but much smaller, and nothing like so elongated as those 
of the sides and front of the base of the neck ; a sort of dull purplish- 
brown shade over the crown, occiput, back and sides of the neck ; an occi- 
pital crest of numerous linear greyish-white feathers, the longest of which 
are sometimes fully nine inches in length ; the whole space in front of the 
eye and a broad band above and behind the eye, and again below the eye 
to the commissure, bare ; ear-coverts and sides of the occiput light ashy 
brown, sometimes faintly rufeseent ; chin, upper part of throat, feathers 
on either side of the base of the lower mandible white ; the rest of the 
throat and fore neck mingled ashy brown and slaty^ with here and there 
a somewhat ruddy brown tinge ; feathers of the base and sides and front 
of the neck elongated, some of them fully seven inches in length, linear 
lanceolate, and the visible terminal portions pearl-grey ; rest of entire 
lower surface ash-grey ; the wing-lining, axillaries and under surface of 
the wing a very pure blue slate-colour. (Hume.) 
Length 50 inches, tail 6, wing 18*5, tarsus 7, bill at front 6*5. {Hume.) 
In a young male the front of the tarsus was dark horny brown ; the 
bare portion of tibia and back of tarsus and soles pale dirty green ; irides 
bright yellow ; facial skin pale dirty green ; upper mandible horny black ; 
lower mandible whitish horny, yellowish towards tip. (Davison.) 
The Great Slaty Heron was observed by Mr. Davison in the extreme 
