A RARE BIRD

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11953, 25 May 1933, Page 3

A RARE BIRD

AY RITE HERONS APPEAR IN WELLINGTON DISTRICT.

■'•Tlie white heron lias always been a rare visitor to the North Island,’’ stales the annual report of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society., “and such a visit is looked upon as quite an event in the Wellington district. This last year has been most exceptional, for this beautiful bird has been reported from several places.^ “The first (.0 put; in an. appearance arrived at Awapuni badly shot about, having broken a. leg and other injuries. The bird was caught, and after'■being attended to it was again liberated and mado a perfect recovery. Another vk/ito heron arrived at Marlon and took up its position on the roof of a business premises -in.that town. Photographs were taken and its arrival caused general keen interest.

“Two white herons [were noted on the Horowhenua Lake, one at Eastbloiiffne, Wellington, one at Napier, and one booms to have taken up its permanent residence on a lagoon at Tiakatahuna. This bird is an exceptionally fine one, and must find conditions to its liking, for it, is ,in beautiful feather.

“The white heron has been described as being as largo as a domestic fowl, but actually it has a very small frame. The length of neck is extraordinary •in a bird of its size. Its method of procuring food is very similar io that adopted by the bittern. The white heron is still to be found in limited numbers on one or two lakes ori the West Coast of the South Island.”