180 ARDEID. 
(Gaumer); British Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneaux?*); GUATEMALA, Chiapam, 
Pacific coast (0. 8.52%), Juntecholol, Peten (0. 8.°°); Honpuras, Aloor River, 
Omoa (Leyland °), Bird Island?, Tigré Island, Pacific coast, Lamani near Coma- 
yagua (Zaylor!4); Nicaracua, Chontales (Belt 2°), Blewfields (Wickham '*), San 
Juan del Sur, Pacific coast (Nutting 2°); Costa Rica, Miravalles (Underwood **), 
San Carlos (Carmiol 4, v. Frantzius!"), Rio Macho (v. Frantzius'"), La Palma 
(Nutting 9); Panama (M‘Leannan**), Bay of Panama (Kellett & Wood 1° 26), 
Laguna del Castillo, Veragua (E. Arcé ® 7°). 
This species is nearly allied to JT. dineatum, but may be distinguished at all ages 
by its bare throat. The head also is black instead of rufous, the abdomen dark 
cinnamon-colour instead of rufous-grey, and the black-and-white markings on the 
flanks are wanting. 
T. cabanisi occurs throughout Central America, from Mexico to Panama, and is 
seldom rare throughout its range. At Mazatlan Grayson records it as common and 
resident, and Sumichrast !§ states that the species occurs on both coasts of Mexico. 
In Guatemala it came under our notice on several occasions. In April 1862 one was 
shot on the bank of a small stagnant pool near the village of Juntecholol, on the track 
from Vera Paz to Peten. It was by no means shy, and resembled in its deliberate 
movements the Common Bittern of Europe (Botaurus stellaris). On the Pacific coast 
the brackish and salt lagoons in the neighbourhood of Chiapam and Huamachal were 
found to be favourite resorts, and hardly a day passed without our seeing one or more 
of them. In Honduras, Leyland® says that it is known as the “ Barking Garlin,” and 
is common on the rivers and swamps at Aloor River * and Omoa, remaining at the 
latter place throughout the year. 
Mr. Nutting, who found the species exceedingly abundant at La Palma in the Gulf 
of Nicoya, Costa Rica, writes:—‘'The curious note of this Bittern is well calculated 
to startle the inexperienced collector in these regions. It is something between a 
bark and a growl, and sounds like the angry warning of some fierce animal,” Nothing 
appears to have been published regarding the nest and eggs of the species, but in 
habits it resembles other Bitterns. 
Subfam. BOTAURINA. 
The Botaurine differ from the true Herons in having only ten tail-feathers and the 
mandibles always serrated. 
Mr. Ridgway gives the following characters for the subfamily :—“ Outer toe decidedly 
shorter than the inner. Claws long, slender, slightly curved. Two pairs only of 
powder-down patches. Rectrices very short, soft, only ten in number.” 
Out of the seven genera recognized by Dr. Sharpe, two occur in America, viz. Ardetta 
and Botaurus. 
* Dr. Brewer gives the name of this place as ‘“‘ Ulua River.” 
