134 Hanscombe, Observations on Nankeen Night-Heron. [,^f'"o"t 



Nankeen Night-Herons to the swamps of Seaham. They offered 

 greater facilities for observations. During any hour of the day, 

 from 10 a.m. till dusk, numbers could be observed catching fish, 

 crickets, yabbies, and so forth, in the swamps. Upon one 

 occasion, in January, when the thermometer in the shade regis- 

 tered 102 degrees at noon, some of the birds were at work. Even 

 most diurnal birds at that hour are resting. The majority of the 

 flock, however, was at that time half a mile distant, on a hill-top 

 among the shady tops of tall eucalypts. After the opening of 

 the new year gunners were plentiful, and the flock retired to the 

 thick forests and scrubs further back. Here a discreet observer 

 could see the birds feeding among the vine-tops and along the 

 blackberry bushes at all hours of the day. Apparently they were 

 eating the insects that the vines supported. By this time the 

 birds had become very timid, and all observations had to be 

 made by stealth. The least noise, and away the Herons would 

 fly, always well above the tree-tops. Fortunately for them- 

 selves, after a few disturbances they usually fly too high for 

 gunners. On the other hand, on protected areas they are ex- 

 ceptionally tame and trustful. 



I cannot at present say with certainty the number of broods 

 that a pair of Herons rears each year. One pair certainly had 

 two broods — one in the spring and the other in early summer. 

 In the great Heronry at Cabbage-tree Island the birds form big 

 colonies in early summer. I saw large numbers of Herons in the 

 mangroves along the banks of the Hunter River, but, as they 

 appeared around Seaham in numbers during December, nesting 

 had evidently ceased for the year. Not the least interesting 

 features about these birds are the crest, and the varied stages 

 preceding adult plumage. The colour of the legs seems to vary 

 a great deal, ranging from yellow to pale green. It is douubtful 

 whether the adult plumage is assumed before the third year. 

 Nankeen Night-Herons, being heavy birds, often signalize their 

 flight by the cracking of the dead limbs on which they perch. 

 This is particularly the case with the young birds. When in their 

 second year the birds assume some of the cinnamon tinge, but 

 can still be readily distinguished, except when in flight overhead. 



The nests of"^ the Nankeen Night-Herons are not artistic 

 structures. They are found in great rookeries, as at Port Stephens, 

 or isolated. I have seen a nest built about i8 feet from the 

 ground, but the usual height is between 50 feet and 80 feet. The 

 eggs vary in tint, but are usually a light bluish-green. 



For Sale.— Broinowski's work on '-The Birds of Australia," 

 complete in 6 vols., bound in morocco. H. A. Purnell, Buckland- 

 avenue, Geelong. 



Mr. Purnell wishes to hear from any member who has spare 

 copies of The Emu. vol. iii., parts i and 4. 



