Birds of Celebes; Ardeidae. 
821 
Young. In young birds just able to fly “the general colour is somewhat duller and less 
dark. The whole under surface is paler and duller, the throat-streak [probably not 
always] is much broader, the elongated breast and back feathers are entirely wanting, 
and the crest is only indicated” (Hume 4). 
Observation. According to Oates (9), in non-breeding plumage the pectoral tuft and 
the dorsal train are wanting. This is the case in many other Herons (Herodias). 
Sexes. The sexes do not seem to differ in size or coloration (Hume 4). 
Varieties. Pure white; the occipital, jugular and dorsal feathers lengthened as in the dark 
form; “iris primrose yeUow; bill yellowish straw-colour, with a dusky tinge on 
the culmen and towards the point; . . . legs and feet yellowish green, soles orange”: 
Gould k 1 (Minahassa: Nat. Ooll. — 0 13261). Both sexes are known in this 
plumage. 
Pure white young ones are known from the nest (Hume 4, Buller d IX). 
Piebald specimens are not uncommon. One before us has the lower hind neck, 
back, middle and greater wing-coverts, spots at tips of remiges and rectrices, and some 
streaks on head and jugulum slaty or brown, the other parts wliite (Tahiti). 
Measurements (Celebesian examples). 
"Wing 
Tail 
Tarsus 
Mid. 
toe 
with 
claw 
Exp. 
cul- 
men 
a. (C 12668) ad., Gt. Sangi, 31. YH. 93 (Nat. Coll.). 
295 
103 
76 
65 
85 
b. (C 12670) ad., Gt. Sangi, 12. YH. 93 (Nat. Coll). 
267 
— 
69 
62 
74 
c. (C 12669) imm., Gt. Sangi, 22. YH. 93 (Nat. Coll.) 
263 
80 
69 
— 
71 
d. (C 13014) ad., Kabruang, 12. XI. 93 (Nat. Coll.) . 
278 
90 
72 
66 
81 
e. (C 10950) ad., nr. Mauado, Aug.— Sept. (Nat. Coll.) 
280 
97 
74 
63 
81 
f. (C 13260) imm., Minahassa, 22. I. 94 (Nat. Coll.) . 
277 
95 
85 
70 
83 
g. (C 12096) imm., Banka, 13. Y. 93 (Nat. Coll.) . . 
270 
90 
75 
60 
76 
h. (Sarasin Coll.) imm., cf, Buol., Aug. 94 . . . 
285 
103 
83 
66 
85 
i. (C 13261) ad., (albino), Minahassa, 20. H. 94 (N. C.) 
280 
97 
77 
63 
80 
Moult. A specimen (g) killed in May is acquiring fresh primaries and wing-coverts, and 
one (X) killed in January is getting fresh wing-coverts and inner remiges. 
Eggs. 2 or 3, moderately elongated ovals; shell rather coarse, much pitted with minute pores; 
entirely glossless; in colour uniform very pale sea-green; size 40.4—47 X 31.7 — 
33.8 mm (from Hume 75; see, also. North 16, fig.). 
Nest. Described as occupying various sites: in crevices of a rock, and on branches of a tree 
( Anfla.mans — Davison 75); in a tree, sometimes (when tall) near the summit, or 
on the root, or on a low stump, or half way up a low bushy tree, or in recesses of 
the rocks (islands off N. E. coast of Australia and Torres Str. — Macgillivray y 7, 
16)] in caves (New Zealand — Buller d IX). The nest is composed of sticks and 
twigs, herbage being sometimes added. 
Breeding season. At. damans — April to middle of June; Australia — September, November. 
Distribution. Austraha; New Zealand; Polynesia; Sandwich Islands; East India Arclupelago; 
S. E. Asia up to Tki’rakan, Andaman and Nicobar Is.; Loochoo Is. and Japan 
{D. ringet'i Stejn.). In the Oelebesian area: — Talaut Islands — Kabruang (Nat. 
Coll.); Sangi Islands — Great Sangi (Meyer 10, Platen 75, Nat. Coll.), Siao 
(Meyer 70); Tahssi Id. (Hickson 77); Banka Id. (Nat. Coll.); Minahassa (Meyer 7, 
Guillemard 77, etc.); Gorontalo Distr. (v. Eosenb. d 5, f 5)-, Buol (P. & F. Sarasin); 
Biiton Id. (S. Muller e 2). 
