8C .). \\ood — J>trd Xolcs front 



and the various \ku\s and vloys about the vehl have had 

 water in them sufficiently h)ng (only a very few days seem 

 necessary) to become stocked with frogs, then the Herons 

 withdraw from the river-estuaries and resort to those collec- 

 tions of fresh water to play the part of " paddavangers." 

 Occasionally I have observed the Grey Heron standing 

 intently over some rock-pool on the beach. 



I only know of two heronries in the district, one being on 

 the Nahoon, four miles from town, where three years ago I 

 counted eight pairs, though last season I did not see more 

 than two pairs. This species being socinl at nesting-time,- 

 there are not likely to be many such spots. 



They seem to like a change of feeding-ground, and from 

 time to time — especially during the winter months — are to 

 be observed in calm weather with steady, well-drilled like 

 wincf-strokes, flying high above the town in small companies 

 — up to seven or eight — towards the westward rivers as a 

 rule. Just lately I was interested to watch one which was 

 going at a good elevation over the Buffalo Iliver suddenly 

 change its mind, pull np, and, with feet hanging down, 

 descend in fine sweeping circles upon that river. 



Black-headed Heron". (Anlea mclanocejdiala.) 

 This species is also sure to be seen in the course of a day's 

 travelling across our river-valleys ; but it is always alone, 

 and for every one of the Black-headed we appear to have 

 half a dozen, or more, of the previously mentioned bird. 



A young one shot at the Cefani River mouth — towards 

 the Kei — on 27th October, 11)07, was brought to me for 

 identification. 



PuurLE Hkron. {Ar-dea imrpurea.) 



I have only once seen this bird locally, and that was during 

 July 190G, when a female, also shot at the Cefani liiver 

 mouth, was sent to me. 



Great Whitk Egrkt. {Ilcrodkis alha.) 

 I saw a pair at Waterlord on the Kubusie River about tlio 

 middle of November 1905 ; in fact there were three. bu( ono 



