2U 
POPULAE HISTORY OF BIllDS. 
species of the family Aedeid^e^ from the stately slaty-grey- 
coloured Crane {Grus AustralasianuSy Gould) ^ called Native 
Companion by the colonists^ to its White Spoonbills^ one 
[Platalea flavipes, Gould) with yellow beak and legs,, the 
other {Platalea regia, Gould) singular from its coal-black 
face^ beak^ and legs ; both birds formed as it were partly to 
ornament the margin of a stream or marshy inlet^ where their 
large flat bills find ample occupation in securing frogs^ small 
fish^ insects^ and mollusca. The rivers and lagoons are 
decorated by the presence of the Spotless Egrets [Herodias 
immaculata) ; while the Blue Eeef Heron [Herodias jugii- 
laris, G. R. Gray)^ first discovered by Forster on Cook^s voy- 
age^ prefers to dwell on rocky shores. This species finds 
on the New Holland reefs abundance of crabs and shell-fish. 
Even an island on the coast is named Heron Island" from 
their abundance. Associated with it^ but vastly different in 
colour^ is the White Reef Heron {Herodias Greyi, G ray) . 
Willughby has graphically detailed some of the leading 
peculiarities of the Herons^ which are more or less applicable 
to most of the members of the family Ardeida: — ^^They 
have very long necks; their bills also are long^ strongs 
ending in a sharp pointy to strike fish and fetch them from 
under stones or brinks; long legs^ to wade in rivers and 
