194 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 



Nest. — A loosely constructed platform 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 shghtly glossy; colour light bluish-green. Dimen- 

 sions in mm. of a small clutch:— (1) 50 x 40, (2) 50 x 39.5, (3) 

 51 X 40. 



Breeding Season. — September and March. 



Geographical Distribution. — Tasmania and Austraha in general. 



Observations. — The Pacific Heron cannot be considered a 

 resident species, though doubtless a few individuals occasionally 

 remain the year through. During the autumn of 1892 several 

 districts in the north of Tasmania were suddenly visited by this 

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

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

 is sparsely distributed on the North and Bast 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 from Lake 

 Tiberias, March, 1876. 



*EEBF-HERON 

 (Demiegretta sacra, Gmelin). 



Male. — "General plumage slaty-grey, 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, overlj-ing 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). 



Feinale. — Similar to male. 



Nestling. — " Covered with slate-coloured down" (Buller). 



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); elhptical in shape; 

 surface finely granulated and without gloss; colour delicate 

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

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



Breeding Season. — September and the two succeeding months. 



Geographical Distribution.—" Coasts of Australia and Tas- 

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



