133 
A. albolineata (P. Z. S. 1859, p. 166). The difference seems to be too slight and uncertain on which 
to found a species ; but if not two species, there are certainly two races in these Pacific Islands, a 
larger and a smaller, and the two do not appear to be found in the same locality anywhere. 
Native name ‘ Inpaing.’ Mr. Inglis observes that it wades in the sea rather than in streams.” 
In the breeding-season I have heard these birds mewing like kittens as they hovered overhead, 
and Avere evidently concerned about their nests. On one occasion, when exploring the Eurimu 
rocks, in the Bay of Plenty, a Heron thus employed was fiercely beset by a colony of Terns (Sterna 
frontalis), who were themselves under some excitement about their nesting-ground and appeared to 
regard with suspicion this uncanny mewing in their midst. The Heron was speedily discomfited and 
put to flight. 
Macgillivray states that it “ inhabits the islands of the north-east coast of Australia and Torres 
Strait, and is abundantly distributed from the Capricorn group in lat. 23° 30' S., as far north as 
Darnley Island in lat. 9° 35' S. It procures its food at low Avater on the coral-reef surrounding the 
low Avooded islands it loves to frequent. Although generally a wary bird, even when little disturbed 
by man, yet on one occasion on Heron Island I knocked doAvn several with a stick. The nest is 
usually placed on a tree ; but on those islands Avhere there are none, such as Raine’s Islet and else- 
Avhere, it breeds among the recesses of the rocks ; where the trees are tall, as at Oomaga or Keat’s 
Island, the nests are placed near the summit ; on Dugong Island they Avere placed on the root of a 
tree, on a low stump, or half-way up a low bushy tree. They are shallow in form, eighteen inches in 
diameter, and constructed of small sticks, and lined AAuth twigs ; the eggs are tAVo in number, and of 
a pale bluish Avhite.” Gilbert, who found this species nesting at Port Essington, says ; — “ On one 
small rock I found at least fifty of these nests, some of Avhich were so close as nearly to touch each 
other. The eggs were sometimes two, and at others three, in number.” 
Captain Mair Avrites — “ On Whale Island I saAv some thirty of these birds, and I found a 
number of their nests in a caA^e. Those that were fully fledged Avere a beautiful light blue colour, 
Avith bright yelloAV legs. It was very funny to Avatch them flying into the high trees, perching among 
the Shags, and looking very gaAvky ; then, presently, the Shags, Avith loud guttural noises, Avould 
sally forth, chasing them far and wide.” 
The “ Cranes’ cave,” as it is called, is open to the sea at the entrance, but it extends inAvards 
some 30 feet, and has an elevated or arched roof, and the nests of the Herons are placed on the 
projecting ledges of rock. 
Mr. S. H. Drew, of Wanganui, sends me the folloAving: — “On my last visit to Kapiti I noticed 
a pair of Blue Herons flying short distances near where Ave were camped, and from the general 
demeanour of the birds I concluded that Ave Avere not far from their breeding-place. We accordingly 
proceeded in our boat to a high rocky point protecting a cave into which the sea rolled even at low 
\vater. I climbed up about thirty feet, and there found the nest — a rudely constructed clumsy thing 
Avith three beautiful light blue eggs in it, one of which I send you. The nest Avas made of coarse grass 
and thin sticks, without lining of any sort, and the Avonder to me Avas hoAV the birds with their long 
legs could sit in such a nest Avithout breaking the eggs, the shell of Avhich is so fragile.” 
There is a single egg of this species in the Canterbury Museum ; it is of a regular ovoido-elliptical 
form, measuring T9 inch in length by I’3 in breadth, and of a delicate greenish Avhite. Another 
received from Hawke’s Bay is of a narrow oval form, measuring 1-9 inch by 1-35 inch, very finely 
granulate on the surface, and Avithout any gloss. The colour in the dried shell is a delicate pale green, 
but it Avas no doubt brighter Avhen fresh. The one in my son’s collection obtained on the Island of 
Kapiti, as mentioned above, is slightly smaller and of a pale blue colour. 
