THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
Adult, in non-hreeding plumage. Differs from the summer- or breeding-plumage by the 
absence of the dorsal train. 
Nest. A platform of sticks, about eighteen inches across, with no lining. 
Eggs. Clutch, three or four ; uniform bluish-green with minute shallow pittings ; axis 
54-56 mm. ; diameter 38-40. 
Breeding-season. November to January. 
Mr. J. P. Rogers found these birds in the North-west of Australia and on 
Melville Island. On the latter place they could only be seen when they 
rose from the reeds, which in most places, though not very thick, were taU 
enough to complete^ hide the birds while they were on the ground. They 
were always wary. 
Captain S. A. White, writing from South Australia, says : “ These birds 
are scattered thinly over the country and are very conspicuous objects as 
they wade about in the lakes and lagoons, their white plumage being a 
great contrast to the dark-green foliage around them.” 
“ These bhds form a prominent feature in the avifauna of the vicinity 
of the Fitzroy River [North-west Australia]. Scarcely a lagoon or stretch 
of water in the river was found without seeing one or more of these birds 
solemnly wading in the shallows in quest of prey, or sleeping on one leg. 
Although slow in its movements the Egret is very shy, and considerable 
care is required to approach it within shot.* 
The birds collected by Mr. Mattingley in December were in fuU breeding- 
plmnage and had the bill black, others from Victoria also with plumes on 
the back, shot in February, had the bill yellow with only the tip black, 
others from the North-west and Northern Territory had the plumes, but the 
bill quite yellow. 
It seems possible that when the plumes are first in their full glory the 
bill is black, but that it soon changes to yellow, the black on the tip being 
the last to disappear. 
I wish to thank Mr. Mattingley for all the trouble he has taken to get 
me these birds in full breeding-plumage. They have been most useful 
to me. 
The following notes by Mr. C. F. Cole are most interesting : — 
“ In December, 1909, I visited Mathoura, New South Wales, the 
breeding-place and home of this beautiful bird. Scores of these birds were 
to be seen feeding and sporting around the many swamps in this locality, 
principally the one known as the red-bank swamp. My object in this visit 
was to secure specimens and become more conversant with the habits of this 
bird. Five specimens secured by me for scientific purposes are as follows : 
* Keartland, Trans. Roy. Soc. South Austr., Vol. XXII., p. 189, 1898. 
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