236 
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 garzctta Linnaeus 
E-grct’-ta —N.L., egretta, egret: gar-zet'-ta —N.L., garzetla, little heron. 
Distribution .—Northern and eastern Australia; also occurs in southern 
Europe, Africa, central and southern Asia, and Malaysia to New Guinea. 
Notes —Also pilled Lesser Egret and Spotless Egret. Observed 
sm gly, 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 featliers on the 
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. 
r ihre , e five » bght or pale bluish-green, the surface beine 
s lghtly glossy and minutely pitted. Breeding-season: October to December 
1 S ° Ut " Wa ' eS) ; Mard ' April (northern Queens- 
17. Plumed Egret Egretta intermedia Wagler 
m-ter-med'-i-a —L., intermedins, intermediate 
n,sS^ 
it l 
o a " ; n »r ssiss&ars « 
some instances wmi S leaverattached^°H P0S H d-0f sticks and twigs - in 
growing in or near water S ■’ P ' aced ,n ‘ he branches of a tree 
other wading birds. ' eC S 111 co * onies > often in association with 
