194 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 



Nest. — A loosely constructed platfoiin of sticks, placed in a tree 

 overhanging water or standing in a lagoon. 



Eggs. — Clutch four to five; oval-roundish in shape; texture 

 coarse; surface slightly glossy; colour light bluish-green. Dimen- 

 sions in mm. of a small clutch: — (1) 50 x 40, (2) ')() x 89.5, (3) 

 51 X 40. 



Breeding Season. — September and March. 



Geographical Distribution. — Tasmania and Australia in general. 



Observations. — The Pacific Heron cannot be considered a 

 resident species, though doubtless a few individuals occasionally 

 remain the year through. Diuung the autumn of 1892 several 

 districts in the north of Tasmania were suddenly visited l)y this 

 handsome species. Specimens were shot at Lake Kiver, Stanley, 

 St. Mary's, and on the River Tamar. During certain months it 

 is sparsely distributed on the North and East Coasts; doubtless 

 there are other localities as well. In addition to the mouths of 

 rivers, the Pacific Heron frequents swamps, in which place it 

 may be seen in company with other wading birds. Its food is 

 very similar to that of the Pacific Crane. 



The first record of this species in Tasmania was fif)ni Lake 

 Tiberias, March, 1876. 



*REEF-HEEON 



(Deniiegrctta sacra, Gmelin). 



Male. — " General plumage slaty-gre3% darker on the upper 

 parts, tinged on the lower with brown ; a broad line of white down 

 the middle of the throat, and extending in some examples down the 

 fore-neck. The back is ornamented with a number of narrow 

 lanceolate feathers of a bluish-grey colour, overlying the scapulars, 

 and there are a few similar feathers on the lower part of the neck, 

 overlapping the breast ; the feathers of the nape are long and silky 

 and of a brighter tint than the surrounding plumage. Dimensions 

 in inches: — Length, 25; bill, 3.5; wing, 11.5; tail, 4; tarsus, 3 to 

 3.5" (Buller). 



Female. — Similar to male. 



Nestling. — " Covered with slate-coloui-ed down " (BuUor). 



Young. — More sooty-brown than adults; ornamental plumes 

 on head, back, and chest wanting. 



Nest. — " Perfectly flat nest of coarse grass-stems in a cranny 

 of rock " (J. D. MacLaine). 



Eggs. — Clutch two to four (occasionally); elliptical iu shape; 

 surface finely granulated and without gloss; colour delicate 

 greenish or bluish white, depending on how they are examined. 

 Dimensions of a clutch :— (1) 45 x 33, (2) 46 x 33.5, (3) 45 x 32.5. 



Breeding Seaso7i. — September and the two succeeding mouths. 



Geographical Distribution. — " Coasts of Australia and Tas- 

 mania; also New Zealand and other islands of the Pacific up to 



