238 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
margins 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. 
Nest .—A rather bulky platform, composed of sticks; placed in the 
branches of a tree growing in or near water. Breeds in colonies, often 
in association with Spoonbills and Cormorants. Generally dead trees, 
chiefly those standing in swamps or flooded lands, are used as nesting-sites. 
Eggs .—Usually four, rarely five, pale greenish-blue, the surface being 
smooth and lustreless. Breeding-season: September to January. 
21. Pied Heron Notophoyx aruensis Gray 
aruensis —of the Aru Islands, south of New Guinea. 
Distribution .—Northern Australia, from Wyndham (north-western 
Australia), to Cape York Peninsula; also occurs in the Celebes, Molucca 
Islands, New Guinea, and the Aru Islands. 
Notes .—Observed singly, in pairs, or in flocks, frequenting chiefly 
mangroves and swampy areas. Very little has been recorded of its habits 
and economy. It is believed to be a migrant, visiting Australia during the 
spring and summer months. 
Nest —A slightly concave structure, composed of small mangrove 
sticks and twigs; placed in a mangrove tree, at heights up to 15 feet‘'from 
the ground. 
Mardf^ Ma} 1 ) 1 * 60 ° r *° Ur ’ ^ ee P blue-green. Breeding-season: April (or 
22. Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax carlo Linne 
Phal -a-cro-cor -ax -Gk, phalacros , bald; Gk, corax, crow or raven: 
car-bo —L., carbo, charcoal (black). 
P ^P iS Z ibU P°f~ A " Str ?l ia S enera 4y, and Tasmania; also occurs in 
Zealand 1 ^ 1 Amenca » Europe, Africa, Asia to New Guinea, and New 
fr^^UY SO called BIack Shag - Usua,1 y singly or in small flocks, 
? tmg Ia , kes ’ streams ; rock >’ islets, or inlets. It is generally seen 
and .n'/n’r 'n’r ^ na f r 11 streams, on rocks, or resting on sand-banks 
« nd mud-flats. Ibis bird often dives from its perch after fish and yabbies 
P rey g undeVwatbr met ° f SCCUring food is to submerge and pursue its 
anuat^ herhape°nn^ a w a - lm0S f fla j st . ructure - composed of sticks, twigs, 
S i lowb' h 1 : P ,ace ? either on a horizontal branch of 
tree, m a low bush, or on a ledge of rock. Breeds in colonies. 
coated wiT r iim e e e t rh fiVC ’ ^ blui f h "White, thickly and often roughly 
Breedi n r se ’ll ^ b , CC ° me scratched and nest-stained 
Decemfer (SmaS. (CaStern A ^ tra,ia ) .* September to 
