56



Mr. J. L. Bonhote.



its horizontal roots lacing and intertwining in all directions,

while at other times it rises up in large clumps some twenty or

thirty feet high, forming islands in the centre of the lagoons.

Such, then, is the general aspect of the country, and, I trust that

I have not tried the reader’s patience ; but, in my opinion, an

idea of the country in which a bird lives is as essential for a

proper appreciation of its actions as a description of the habits

themselves.


I well remember my first landing in this country of

lagoons ; it was towards evening, and, after crossing the beach

and the ridge, I came upon a large lagoon. There were not

many birds to be seen ; a few Grey Plover were piping round

about, and on the beach, which I had left, a small flock

of Turnstones were following the receding tide. Except for

these, there was little life, but across the lagoon, in the

distance, I saw a large white bird, and, by the aid of my glasses,

made it out to be a White Heron. Unless one has seen them it is

impossible to convey in words the beauty and grace of the White

Egrets in their native wilds, where, standing out white against

the dark green background, they can be seen and watched at a

distance of many hundred yards as they slowly walk along the

edge of the water, now darting out their long necks with

unerring aim at some passing insect or fish, now standing stiff

and erect while looking with curiosity at the unusual sight of a

human form. Sometimes, without apparent reason, one of them

would jump in the air, race along for a short distance, and

stopping suddenly, flap his wings at the same time so that he

appeared to be dancing and full of exuberant spirits at being

alive. When in pairs this dance was frequently carried on, so that

it is evidently a courting measure, and, during its progress, the

gorgeous Egret plumes would be erected and shown off. I

venture to think that if those ladies (and I sincerely hope there

are none in our Society) who wear the batches of Egret plumes

in their hats, were to see the true display of these birds, they

would appreciate the impotence of man to show off the beauties

of nature, and, let us hope, give up the attempt. Many charming

ornithological pictures recur to my mind while writing these

articles, but none (not even excepting the gorgeous Flamingoes)



