BIRDS OF THE LAKES, STREAMS, AND SWAMPS 
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18. Egret Egretta alba Linn£ 
aV-ba— L., albus, white. 
distribution. Australia generally, and Tasmania; also occurs in 
southern Europe, Africa, central and southern Asia, Malaysia to the 
Philippine Islands, New Guinea, and New Zealand. 
notes. Also called Great Egret and White Crane. Observed singly, 
in pairs, or in flocks, frequenting swamps or the margins of lakes and 
streams. It is nomadic, and when not breeding is generally seen 
scattered over the shallow waters of lakes and swamps, silently wading 
in quest of prey. Food: fish, frogs, and aquatic insects. 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 near water. Breeds in colonies, often in association 
with other wading birds. 
eggs. Three to five, bluish-green, the surface being minutely pitted. 
Breeding-season: November to January. 
19. White-faced Heron Notophoyx novce-hollandice Latham 
Not-o-phd'-yx— Gk, notos, south; Gk, phoyx , heron: novce-hollandice— of 
New Holland. 
distribution. Australia generally, and Tasmania; also occurs in 
the Celebes, Molucca Islands, New Guinea, New Caledonia, Lord 
Howe Island, and New Zealand. 
notes. Also called White-fronted Heron and Blue Crane. Observed 
singly, in pairs, or in small flocks, frequenting swamps, the margins of 
lakes and streams, mud-fiats, and mangroves. It is generally seen either 
wading in shallow water or perched on a dead limb of a tree near 
water. When disturbed, it utters a loud croaking note, rises slowly with 
a laboured flight, then wends it way to safety. Food: yabbies, fresh¬ 
water snails, frogs, and insects of various kinds. 
nest. A rather scanty platform, composed of sticks, placed in the 
branches of a tree growing in or near water. Breeds singly or in colonies. 
eggs. Three to six, pale bluish-green, the surface being smooth and 
lustreless. Breeding-season: September to January. 
20. White-necked Heron Notophoyx pacifica Latham 
pac-if'-ic-a—pacificus, of the Pacific Ocean. 
distribution. Australia generally, and Tasmania. 
notes. Also called Pacific Heron and White-necked Crane. Observed 
singly, in pairs, or in small flocks, frequenting swamps or the mar¬ 
gins of lakes and streams, it is generally very shy and wary, keeping 
to more or less open situations, where it has an uninterrupted view of 
its surroundings. Food: fish, small reptiles, freshwater molluscs, frogs, 
aquatic insects, and small mammals. 
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