NESTS AA'D EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BINDS. 557 



flavipes), on trees in swamps in the Laehlan district (New South 

 Wales), 1879. Tlic nests of the Herons were composed of sticks laid 

 crossways over some horizontal fork or flat portion of a thick bough, 

 and were of a scanty nature, through which the eggs could be seen 

 from underneath. 



Mr. S. W. Jackson informs me he found the White-necked Hei-on 

 for the fii-st time (1898) breeding in his district (South Grafton). Even 

 the aborigines state that they (the Herons) never built there before. 



Two nests found on September 7th were in separate trees (Eucalypt), 

 at an altitude of 100 feet, and hard to get at, but with the aid of 

 liis brother Frank, Mr. Jackson obtained a set of fresh eggs from each. 

 Several other nests were found in another locality. 



Breeding months, September to March. 



709. — NoTOPHOYX FLAViROSTRis, Sharpc. — (5.54) 

 Herodint: pirnta, Gould. 



PIED EGEET. 



Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi., pi. 62. 

 Reference. — Cat. Bird? Brit. Mus., vol. xxvi., p. 112. 



Geographical Dktrihufion.- — -North-west Australia, Northern Tei-ri- 

 torj' and North Queensland. 



Nest and Eggs. — Undescribed. 



Ohservntions. — Gould's original examples of this beautiful Egret were 

 prociu-ed by Gilbert and Commander Incc, in the Port Darwin district. 

 The former states that the bird mhabits inland swamps, and is visually 

 encountered in small famiHes, often in company with other species, but 

 is not so abundant in the vicinity of the harboiu- (Port Essington) as 

 on the islands at the head of Van Diemen's Gulf, where it appeared 

 numerous. Nothing is known of its nidification. 



As Gould's original name, Arden ( Hemdias) picafa, appears to have 

 been preoccupied by Raffles, the species required a new name. Dr. 

 Sharpe has proposed Notophoyx flavirosfris. 



710. — NoTopHoYx AEUEN8IS, Gray. 

 ARU EGRET. 



Figure. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xxvi., pi. ib. 

 Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xxvi., p. 113. 



Geographical Distribution — Northeni Tenntoiy, also Aiii Islands. 



Xest and Eggx. — Undescribed. 



