Genus Ardea, Linn.
The Herons range over every part of the globe. The sixteen species inhabiting Australia include examples of the genera Ardea, Herodias, Nycticorax, Botaurus and Ardetta, and I think they should be still further divided, the Reef Herons, Herodias jugularis, H. Greyii, &c. differing considerably both in structure and habits from the other members of the genus; the Ardea pacifica and A. Novæ-Hollandiæ also, are not typical Ardeæ, but fill a station intermediate between the true Herons and the Egrets.
| 508. Ardea pacifica, Lath. | Vol. VI. Pl. 52. |
Numerous in the southern but rare within the tropical parts of Australia.
| 509. Ardea Novæ-Hollandiæ, Lath. | Vol. VI. Pl. 53. |
Frequents the whole of the southern coasts of Australia and Van Diemen’s Land.
| 510. Ardea rectirostris, Gould | Vol. VI. Pl. 54. |
Found on the north coast of Australia, and I believe also in the Indian Islands.
| 511. Ardea leucophæa, Gould | Vol. VI. Pl. 55. |
The range of this species, which is very rare in Australia, appears to extend to the southern parts of India.