This shows that neither at high or low tide would such areas suit the species. Demigretta much prefers pool left by the tide as in such places small fish etc. on which it feeds are more or less confined and much easier to capture. On the extensive mud and sand (slurry) flats in the tidal lagoon arms in the north and south of the island inequalities in the banks hold and retain water for long periods. Such inequalities are often made by stingarees (sting ray) and by colonies of mud dwelling bi-valves ("Tohoeroa" of New Zealand) which make mounds above themselves and by natural inequalities. Even at high tide there are extensive shallow areas over the more or less level floor of these silted up lagoons. Also in and about the mangrove roots there are great numbers of the small jumping and climbing fish (which have gills in the tail) on which Demigretta feed a great deal, suddenly dashing into a crowd of such fish basking in the sun and driving its beak with a wide sweeping snap into the small cloud of leaping fish in the air as they hop for safety into cavities or under roots or into water. Even so it is noticeable that even in these tidal lagoon arm areas Demigretta does very little feeding at high tide. From half tide falling to 1/4 tide rising being their principal feeding time, though they generally commence fishing shortly after the tide turns and commences to fall, but only in a rather half hearted manner. Between these times they travel to other areas or stand about on rocks etc. above high tide mark or fish along the water's edge on small sand beaches between rocks but only if they are hungry I think.