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PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



VOL. 42. 



California. In migration east to Victoria, central Tamaulipas; in 

 winter from southern Lower California and central Mexico south to 

 El Limon, western Guerrero ; Tehuan tepee, southeastern Oaxaca; and 

 San Jose, central Costa Rica. 



This is one of the best characterized forms of the species. From 

 Butorides virescens frazari it differs as from Butorides virescens virescens, 

 only much more strongly. Freshly molted or winter birds are some- 

 times rather dark, but the cinnamomeous or rufous tint of the neck, 

 coupled with large size, easilj^ distinguishes such specimens. The 

 female is decidedly smaller than the male. The young in juvenal 

 plumage may be distinguished from that of Butorides v. virescens 

 by reason of its paler, more grayish or brownish upper body sur- 

 face; lighter, more cinnamon rufous hind neck and foreneck; and 

 paler lower parts with narrower and less numerous streaks. 



Birds from central California seem to be identical in color with 

 those from Arizona; also in size, as the following comparison of 

 average measurements indicates : 



There are published records from northern Oregon and from 

 Washington, but I have seen no specimens, and these records seem 

 somewhat doubtful. This subspecies is only a summer sojourner 

 in the United States, and retires to central and southern Mexico to 

 pass the winter, where it remains, at least sometimes, until the 

 beginning of April. A single adult female (No. 16376, collection of 

 A. E. and O. Bangs), taken by Mr. C. F. Underwood, on November 

 27, 1896, in the vicinity of San Jose, Costa Rica, must be regarded 

 as a straggler, for this subspecies is otherwise not known south of 

 Mexico. 



Specimens to the number of 70 have been seen, from the subjoined 

 localities, breeding records being indicated by an asterisk: 



Arizona. — Big Sandy Creek;* Johnston's Ranch, 7 miles south of 

 Bisbee; San Bernardino Ranch (Mexican boundary line); Phoenix;* 

 Fort Verde;* Beaver Creek (Fort Verde);* Gila River at mouth of 

 San Carlos River; Verde River.* 



California. — Sacramento;* Unlucky Lake (San Diego County);* 

 Red Bluff;* Stockton; Yreka;* Yuma; Escondido; Biggs (Butte 

 County);* Marysville;* Tulare Lake;* Berryessa; San Gabriel. 



