658 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



VOL. 43. 



Measurements of specimens of Ardea herodias lessonii. 



1 Used in measurement averages on p. 555. 



2 Evidently not full grown. 



KEY TO THE SUBSPECIES OF ARDEA HERODIAS. 



n. Colors very dark; general tone of mantle Blate color or deep brownish slate. 



b. Tarsus shorter (that of male less than 170 mm.) Ardea herodias fannini. 



h '. Tarsus longer (that of male more than 170 mm.) Ardea herodias lessonii. 



a\ Colors not very dark; general tone of mantle slate gray or lighter. 

 b. Wing of male averaging more than 480 mm. 



c. Upper parts darker; mantle slate gray Ardea herodias hyperonca. 



c '. Upper parts paler; mantle lighter gray. 

 d. Smaller (tarsus of male less than 200 mm.; wing of male averaging less than 



490 mm.); neck paler Ardea herodias sanctilucae. 



d\ Larger (tarsus of male usually more than 200 mm.; wing of male averaging 



more than 490 mm.); neck darker Ardea herodias wardi. 



b '. Wing of male averaging less than 480 mm. 

 c. Upper surface lighter. 

 d. Neck paler; bill heavier (height at base usually not less than 29 mm.). 



Ardea herodias cognata. 

 dK Neck darker; bill more slender (height at base usually less than 29 mm.). 



Ardea herodias treganzai. 

 c ' . Upper surface darker. 



d. Smaller (wing of male less than 440 mm.) Ardea herodias oligislu. 



d ^ Larger (wing of male more than 440 mm.). 



e. Mantle lighter; size somewhat smaller (wing of female averaging less than 



445 mm.) Ardea herodias adoxa. 



eK Mantle darker; size somewhat larger (wing of female averaging more 

 than 445 mm.) Ardea herodias herodias. 



