BIRDS OF THE OCEAN AND SEASHORE 
2 77 
32. Reef Heron Demigretta sacra Gmelin 
Dem-i-gret'-ta = demi — egretta — Fr., demi, half, (L., dimidius) ; N.L., 
egretta, egret: sa-cra — L., sacer, sacred. 
Distribution. — Australia generally, Tasmania, and New Zealand; 
occurs also in India to Japan and Malaysia to Oceania. 
Notes. — Also called Sacred Heron, Blue Heron, and White Heron. 
There are two plumage phases of this species, one being dark slaty-grey, 
the other white ; the two forms interbreed. The dark phase appears to be 
the only form frequenting the coasts and islands of southern Australia and 
Tasmania; the white-plumaged bird being found in the tropical regions. 
It is generally met with singly or in pairs, frequenting rocky coasts, islands, 
and reefs. When not stalking among the rocks at low tide for food, it 
squats in a most dejected-looking attitude on a rock. Food: small fishes, 
molluscs, crustaceans, and other marine animals. 
Nest. — A platform of sticks, placed either on a rock or in the branches 
of a low bushy tree. 
Eggs. — Two or three, occasionally four, pale bluish-white. Breeding- 
season : September and October to January, but practically throughout 
the year. 
