AEDEIRALLA CINNAMOMEA. 
1163 
In this very handsome stage the ground-colour of the upper surface is likewise subject to variation, some examples 
being more cinnamon-coloured than others. 
At the next moult the upper surface becomes more uniform, the edgings disappear, and also the stripes on the neck 
and under surface, leaving in the nearly adult bird a brownish line down the centre of the fore neck, which seems 
in but few eases to disappear altogether. 
Obs. In a series of adults from China and Formosa most examples have traces of the dark stripe down the fore neck , 
the hue of the back and wings is the same as in Ceylonese birds. An Amoy specimen is a good deal tinged with 
ashy on the head and back ; but this is a point in which Cejdon birds vary. Immature biids in fiist p umage 
exhibit variations as above noticed. 
Distribution . — This remarkably-plumaged Bittern is very abundant in Ceylon, being spread over all low - 
country marshes, paddy-fields, and swamps, and ranges into tbe hills to an altitude of more than 4000 feet, at 
which it has been procured near Banderawella by Mr. S. Bligli. Although widely distributed, it is more 
abundant in the west and in the damp parts of the south of the island than in the north. It is essentially 
a grass-frequenting bird in Ceylon, and is consequently for the most part restricted to the districts under rice- 
cultivation, and to moist places and swamps which afford it cover. In the north it is found mostly about 
rushy tanks. It is the commonest of its group about Colombo, frequenting the " water-grass " fields and 
swampy fern-brakes in the cinnamon-gardens. In the Kuruncgala district and in the Seven Korales, as also 
about tanks in the Anaradhapura district, it is common. 
The Chestnut Bittern appears to be distributed sparingly throughout the south of India. As regards the 
north-west of the empire, it has only been found in Ajmere by Major St. John and in Sindh by Messrs. 
Butler and Doig. Mr. Hume writes that it occurs sparingly in the Punjab, Cis-Sutledge, and in the upper 
portions of the North-west Provinces west of the Ganges, but only as a visitor during the wet season ; he also 
obtained it in the Delhi, Meerut, Alleghur, Mynpooree, and Etawah districts, but has never seen it from the 
Central Provinces, the Punjab, Rajpootana, Guzerat, Kutch, or Kattiawar. In the district between the Ganges 
and the Godaveri Mr. Ball met w T ith it but once in the State of Udipur ; but about Calcutta it breeds freely, 
writes Mr. Hume ; in Eurreedpore it is common, and to Cachar it is a visitant in June. In Upper Pegu it 
has not been noticed, but it inhabits the lower part of the province and breeds there ; and m Tenassenm it 
was obtained by Captain Wardlaw Ramsay on the west of the Sittang, and is common in the southern districts. 
Further south it has been met with at Malacca. Mr. Hume obtained it at Tellangchong, in the Nicobars, 
and in the island of Preparis. It extends westward to China, where it was first discovered, visiting that 
empire in summer, and ranging northwards to Mantchuria and Amoor Land, where Schrenck found it 
breeding near the village of Dawunda, on the left bank of the Amoor. It has also been found in Japan, 
although it is not recorded by Messrs. Blakiston and Pryer. Turning southwards we find it occurring in 
Formosa in summer, and recorded from the Philippines by Sclilegel and Von Martens; and Mr. Everett 
has lately procured it in Luzon in February. In the Malay archipelago it has been met with in Sumatra, 
Java, and Borneo, in the latter island in the Banjermassing district. Governor Ussher records it from Labuan. 
Habits. The Chestnut Bittern prefers long grass, standing paddy, or rushes near water to swampy 
brushwood or even tall reeds. It is consequently invariably found in the paddy-fields in Ceylon as soon as 
the grain is a good height ; to the fields of water-grass, cultivated near towns in the M estern Province for 
horse-fodder, it is also very partial. It is not a shy bird, generally getting up from its retreat when you are 
within a few’ paces of it; it then flics off with a guttural but not loud croak , sometimes rising pretty high 
in the air and making the circuit of the field before alighting, at other times flying a few yards just above the 
nrass and realighting. It drops the legs and erects the head slightly to check its progress on alighting. It feeds 
m the afternoon after three o’clock, for it may be seen flying about of its own accord long before evening sets 
in j have rare i y S een it at the edge of streams ; but in India it is said to affect reed-beds and brushwood on 
rivers coming out to feed in the morning and evening, and keeping quiet during the day ; and, accordmg to 
Mr Davison, whose remarks I here quote, it is very shy, betaking itself on the least alarm to dense cover, 
from which it is very difficult to dislodge it. When wounded it fights vigorously, darting out its open bill 
