These birds are delicious eating, but I seldom fire at them, as they are generally among the lotus plants in such deep water that I dare not venture to get them on account of crocodiles.

The lotus seeds, which they devour greedily, are a very good substitute for filberts, and are slightly narcotic.
The endless variety of the crane is very interesting upon these lonely shores.

From the giant crane, who stands nearly six feet high, down to the smallest species of paddy bird, there is a numerous gradation.
Among these the gaunt adjutant stands conspicuous as he stalks with measured steps through the high rushes, now plunging his immense bill into the tangled sedges, then triumphantly throwing back his head with a large snake writhing helplessly in his horny beak; open fly the shear-like hinges of his bill--one or two sharp jerks and down goes one half of an incredibly large snake; another jerk and a convulsive struggle of the snake; one more jerk--snap, snap goes the bill and the snake has disappeared, while the adjutant again stalks quietly on, as though nothing had happened.

Down goes his bill, presently, with a sudden start, and again his head is thrown back; but this time it is the work of a moment, as it is only an iguana, which not being above eighteen inches long, is easy swallowing.
A great number of the crane species are destroyers of snakes, which in a country so infested with vermin as Ceylon renders them especially valuable.

Peacocks likewise wage perpetual war with all kinds of reptiles, and Nature has wisely arranged that where these nuisances most abound there is a corresponding provision for their destruction.
Snipes, of course, abound in their season around the margin of the lakes; but the most delicious birds for the table are the teal and ducks, of which there are four varieties.