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THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
Notes. — Usually singly or in pairs, frequenting chiefly mangrove 
swamps. It is a shy bird' and haunts the quiet reaches and channels which 
intersect the large areas of mangroves. When disturbed, it flies with a 
lazy and rather ungainly flight to a more secluded part of the swamp. 
Its note is a hoarse croak. Food : marine animals of various kinds. 
Nest. — A rather flat, bulky structure, composed of coarse sticks; 
placed in a mangrove tree, generally in one overhanging a narrow channel. 
Eggs. — Usually two, light bluish-green, the surface being slightly 
glossy and minutely pitted. Breeding-season: April (Queensland); 
February (Northern Territory). 
16- Little Egret Egretta garzetta Linnaeus 
E-gret'-ta — N.L., egretta , egret: gar-zet'-ta — N.L., garzetta , little heron. 
Distribution. — Northern and eastern Australia ; also occurs in southern 
Europe, Africa, central and southern Asia, and Malaysia to New Guinea. 
Notes. — Also called Lesser Egret and Spotless Egret. Observed 
singly, in pairs, or in small flocks, frequenting swamps or the margins of 
lakes and streams. Except when breeding, it is exceptionally shy and 
wary, generally keeping away from the shore, so that it may have an 
uninterrupted view of its surroundings. It is nomadic, and by no means 
plentiful. Food : aquatic animals. An adult in non-breeding plumage does 
not possess the plumes on the back or the ornamental feathers on the 
fore-neck. 
Nest. — A platform composed of sticks, placed in the branches of a 
tree growing in or at the edge of water. Breeds in colonies, often in 
association with other wading birds. 
Eggs. — Three to five, light or pale bluish-green, the surface being 
slightly glossy and minutely pitted. Breeding-season: October to December 
or January (New South Wales) ; March and April (northern Queens- 
land ) . 
17- Plumed Egret Egretta intermedia Wagler 
in-ter-med’-i-a — L., inter me dius, intermediate. 
Distribution. — Northern, eastern, and southern Australia; also occurs 
in southern and eastern Africa, southern Asia, and Malaysia to New 
Guinea. 
Notes. — Also called White Crane. Observed singly, in pairs, or in 
flocks, frequenting swamps or the margins of lakes and streams. It is 
nomadic and is similar in habits and economy to the Little Egret. An 
adult in non-breeding plumage does not possess the plumes on the back 
or the ornamental feathers on the fore-neck. 
Nest. — An almost flat structure, composed of thin sticks and twigs, in 
some instances with leaves attached ; placed in the branches of a tree 
growing in or near water. Breeds in colonies, often in association with 
other wading birds. 
