RARE BIRD OBSERVED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21342, 17 November 1932, Page 12

RARE BIRD OBSERVED

WHITE HERON AT PANMURE

GRACE OF ITS FLIGHT

A comparatively rare New Zealand bird, a white heron, was observed by several people in tho vicinity of the Panmure Bridgo over tho Tamaki River early yesterday morning. The bird remained in a tree near the Panmuro Basin, apparently asleep, for over an hour, but was then frightened away bv tho approach of some people in a dinghy. Tho heron, which was identified as such by several of those who saw it, was first noticed near the bridge, and later settled in a tall pino tree. It was observed through field-glasses by a number of people. ,ono of whom described its flight as similar to that of a silver arrow against a background of dark clouds. Mr. R. A. Falla, ornithologist at tho Auckland War Memorial Museum, said yesterday that the white heron had never been common in New Zealand, even in Maori times. It appeared so rarely that its visits had become proverbial among the Maoris, and the natives compared a visit from a man of outstanding importance as being like that of the white heron, an event of a lifetime. With the white settlement of the country tho bird had become quite rare, and although they were reported from various districts three or four times a year, it happened hardly ever that more than one was seen at a time. The only nesting-place of tho bird ever found in the Dominion was in South Westland. Two specimens wero on view at tho museum.

The white heron was also found in the West Indies, Mr. Falla added. A much more common type to New Zealand, however, was tho liluo heron, which was seen occasionally close to Auckland, and more frequently in remoter districts round the Waitemata Harbour.