Dr. Shortt visited the trees on the 8th March 1864, on a raft pushed along by two fishermen swimming one on either side, their heads only visible above. As he got near the birds rose en masse overhead, and, uttering piercing cries, some, with threatening gestures, rested a moment on the adjoining trees, and then took to their wings again. Although so crowded, they performed their evolutions with the greatest nicety and dexterity, never interfering with each other's movements. Some ascended to a great height, and were hardly perceptible in the air, while others gyrated imme-: diately above their heads ; many crowded on adjoining trees, and witnessed the intrusion with dismay.
The small grey and black stork, Leptoptilos Javanica,llorsj: name,Nutha cootee narai ; literally, shellfish (Ampullaria) picking crane,— were the most numerous. Their nests were 2 feet in diameter, and contained three eggs or young. The eggs were of a dirty white colour, of the same shape, but not quite so large, as those of the turkey. The flesh is eaten by Mahomedans and Pariahs. The bird keeps entirely to marshy fields, edges of tanks, etc. Some half-dozen or more may often be seen in the morning sunning them selves with outstretched wings in the dry fields. They nest early, and the young are firm on the wing in the month of February.
The ibis or curlew, Ibis faleinellus,—Tamil, Arroova mooken ; literally, sickle-nosed, which name they take from their long curved beaks. The nests of this bird contain from three to five eggs, resembling in size and shape a. meditun sized hen's egg, but are of a dirty white colour. The birds are white, with black head, feet, and neck, and have a long curved black bill. The young are fully fledged in March, and take to the wing in April.
The grey heron, Ardea cinerea, Narai, sometimes Pamboo narai, or snake crane,— has a similar nest, built of twigs, containing some times two, sometimes three eggs. They are fledged from January to April, according to the time of depositing their eggs, which some do earlier than others. The eggs are of a light green colour ; they are not so largo in circumference as a large, sized lien's egg, but are longer, with the small end sharp.
The purple heron, Ardea purpurea,—Tamil, Curably narai, or blanket crane. IN est the same ; deposits two to three eggs, of same size and colour as last ; seems to rear only two young. The young are fully fledged in April.
Nycticorax griseus, Wuk ka. Nests are built after the same fashion, hut smaller in size, and contain five eggs the size of a bantam's, and of the same shape. The young are fledged in April.
The cormorant, Graculus Javanicus, Tamil, Neer cakai, or water-crow. Nest built of sticks ; rears three or four young, which are fledged and on the wing in January ; eggs like those of a small-sized lxmtam's, rather sharp pointed at small end, with a slight greenish tinge.
The large cormorant, Gmculus Sinensis,—Tamil, Peroon neer cakai, or large water-crow,—builds a very rude nest. chiefly formed of sticks; lays four eggs the size of a medium-sized hen's egg, and have a slight greenish tinge; the young are fledged sometimes in January, sometimes in March. These birds, as well as G. pygmmus, are to be seen fishing in the tank itself ; and the rapidity with which they find their prey, by diving, is wonderful.
The darter, Plotus melanogaster,—Tamil, Pam boo thalai neer cakai, or snake-headed water crow. Nest same as last ; three, sometimes four, eggs of same size and colour ; young fledged and on the wing, some in January, others not till April.
The villagers of Vaden Thangul told Dr. Shortt that the pelican sometimes breeds here, as also the black curlew. Occasionally different kinds of teal, widgeons, etc., are said to nest in the rushes that bound the inner surface of The tank bund. The egrets, or Herodias garzetta, btibulcus, and intermedia, were congregated in very large num bers, and roosted on the trees at night ; but they do not nest, which seems singular, for of all the birds that assemble here, these occur in the greatest number. Ardea alba, or Herodias alba, and II. intermedia are also found here ; and the natives say that they breed.—Dr. Shortt, in Linn. Soc. Jo.