968 



NESTS AND EGGS OF Al'STRALIAN BIRDS. 



was reclaimed by an over-energetic Shire Council, which might have 

 converted it into an ornamental sheet of water, I searched the beds of 

 tall rushes for Bitterns' nests, but without success, although I frequentlv 

 flushed the birds. I fancy I was always too early in the season, for 

 I heard that another field naturalist succeeded in finding a nest one 

 November. However, my most interesting experience amongst 

 Bitterns' nests was at the swamps bordeiing the MiuTay River. 

 With Mr, J. Gabriel and two local farmers I waded into a 

 beautiful clear lagoon full of lovely aquatic plants, with here 

 and there patches of tall, flat flags, " cum-bungie," in aboriginal 

 language, but in botanical lore named Typha. An occasional spread- 

 ing red gum tree lent picturesqueness to the swamp. Our first 

 find was a nest, concealed in the flags, containing five eggs. At 

 another spot we discovered a second nest with three eggs, the bird 

 evidently not having completed her set, because the eggs were quite 

 fresh. Tliis swampy adventure took place on the 14th November, 

 1892. "We secured not only Bitterns' eggs, but those of other rare 

 waterfowl ; also we had to contend with myriads of persevering leeches. 

 A tiger snake incident or two at times imparted activity to wading. 

 The following day, in a swamp, four or five miles further up the river, 

 this time in bulrushes near a White Ibis rookeiy, we flushed a Bittern, 

 which winged its way across the swamp in half bewildered fashion. 

 We were not long in finding the nest, which contained a full set of 

 five pale-olive eggs. 



The illustration of the Bittern's nest was taken during this trip. 

 It was no easj' undertaldng to get an effective picture when yovi con.sider 

 the troiible of cari-ying a camera through a swamp, then fixing it in a 

 thick bed of reeds. Remember, too, you are standing in water and feel 

 a twinge every time a great leech fastens on your leg. Above water 

 you fare no better, for flies get into your eyes, while mosquitoes feast 

 on your sunbximt neck. 



Usual breeding season November to January. 



