54 NEW ZEALAND BIRDS. 



water fish^ of various kinds ; from the gullet of one that I had shot I 

 extracted two headless eels, eaeh measuring 16 inehes in length, from 

 which some idea may be formed of the capacity of a Bittern's 

 stomach ! 



" It is interesting to steal up, under cover, and watch this Bittern 

 alternately feeding and reposing in its sedgy haunts. When in a 

 quiescent posture the body is nearly erect, the head thrown back and 

 resting on the shoulders, with the beak pointed upwards, and tlie con- 

 tracted neck forming a broad curve with the closed ruff depending, 

 the attitude altogether being rather grotesque. The instant, however, 

 any sound causes it alarm, the whole character of the bird is changed : 

 the neck is stretched to its full length, and every movement betokens 

 caution and vigilance; unless immediately reassured, it spreads its 

 broad wings and raises itself into the air in a rather awkward manner, 

 with the legs dangling doAvn, but gradually raised to a level with the 

 tail; the flight then assumes a steady course, often in a broad semi- 

 circle, and is maintained by slow and regular flappings. If un- 

 molested, it may be observed stalking knee-deep in the water in 

 search of food, with its neck inclined forward, raising its foot high at 

 every step as if deliberately measuring the ground. "^ — Buller. 



Ntcticorax. Stepliens. 



Bill, rather longer than the head, slightly arched ; tarsi, as long as the middle toe. 

 All parts of the world. 



72. Nycticorax caledonieus. Lath. 



Nankeen Nioht-Hekon. 



Above, palc-rufous ; below, white ; top of the head, black, with two long white plumes. 



L., 21-5 ; W., 11-5 ; B., 3-75 ; T., 2-37. 



Egg. — Pale green ; length, 2Q ; breadth, 1'5. (Gould.) 



Eab. — Only an occasional visitant to New Zealand ; Australia, New Caledonia. 



Platalea. Linn. 



Bill, lengthened, much depressed, and broadly dilated at the tip, which is spatula- 

 formed ; wings, long, the second quill longest ; toes, long, with the anterior toes much 

 united at their base by a membrane. 



73. Platalea regia. GouU. 



EoTAL Spoonbill. 



Pure white ; bill, face, legs, and feet, black ; on the crown of tlie head and over each 

 eye a triangular mark of orange ; irides, red. 



L., 29 ; W., 15 ; B., 8 5 ; T., 55. 



Hah. — ^Eastern and Northern Coast of Australia. A single occurrence in New Zea- 

 land.* 



* Transactions N.Z. Institute, Yo\. IX., p. 337. 



