NO. 1939. 



REVISION OF ARDEA HER0DIA8—0BERII0L8ER. 



549 



Type-localitij. — Espiritu Santo Island, Lower California, Mexico, 



Geograjjiliical distribution. — Upper Tropical Zone of southern Lower 

 California, Mexico; south to San Jose del Cabo; north to San Jose 

 Island. Probably resident throughout the year. 



The present recently described form is easily separable from all the 

 North American races, and seems most closely to resemble Ardea 

 herodias cognata Bangs, from the Galapagos Islands. It may be 

 distinguislied from Ardea herodias adoxa, of the West Indies, by its 

 much greater size throughout, and paler neck and upper parts; from 

 Ardea herodias wardi by smaller size and more lightly colored neck. 

 A bird taken in Februaiy is just as pale on neck and mantle as breed- 

 ing specimens obtained in June. This race has a very limited dis- 

 tribution, tlie most limited, with possibly one exception, of any form 

 of the group. 



Seven specimens have been available, from the following localities, 

 an asterisk indicating a breeding record : 



Lower California. — Espiritu Santo Island;* San Jose del Cabo. 



Measurements of specimens of Ardea herodias sanctilucae. 



ARDEA HERODIAS COGNATA Bangs. 



Ardea herodias cognata Bangs, Proc. New Engl. Zool. Club, vol. 3, February 6, 

 1903, p. 100 (Indefatigable I.sland, Galapagos Islands). 



Chars, suhsp. — Similar to A^'dea herodias sanctilucae, but wing and 

 tarsus shorter, and bill thicker. 



Measurements. — Probable male: ^ Wing, 477 mm.; tail, 192; 

 exposed culmen, 159; height of bill at base, 32.5; tarsus, 174; mid- 

 dle toe, 114. 



Probable female: MVing, 430-450 (440); tail, 171-172 (171.5); 

 exposed culmen, 132-145 (138.5); height of bill at base, 29-30 

 (29.5); tarsus, 152-160 (156); middle toe, 97-101 (99). 



1 Used in measurement averages on p. 548. 



2 Type. 



3 One specimen, from the Galapagos Islands. 

 * Two specimens, from the same islands. 



