NO. 1939. REVISION OF ARDEA HERODIAS—OBERHOLSER. 537 



The original description of Ardea Jierodias^ applies without doubt 

 to the form of great blue heron inhabiting the northeastern part of 

 North America. Linnaeus' description was based on the "Ardea 

 fusca canadensis,'' or "The Ash colour'd Heron from North America " 

 of Edwards;^ and with a query on the "Ardea cristata maxiTna 

 americana" of Catesby;^ both of which may be unquestionably 

 referred to the great blue heron. Since Linnaeus gives only "Amer- 

 ica" as the locality of his species, and since he apparently considered 

 the identity of Catesby's bird doubtful, the type locality should, 

 therefore, be Hudson Bay, from Edwards. The Ardea hudsonias of 

 Linnaeus * is a strict synonym of Ardea herodias, since it has in part 

 the same basis — ' ' Ardea americae septentrionalis " = " The Ash colour' d 

 Heron from North America" of Edwards,^ — and also the " Ardea freti 

 hudsonis" of Brisson,^ both of which refer to the bird from Hudson 

 Bay. 



In all, 76 specimens of this form have been examined, from the 

 following localities, breeding records being indicated by an asterisk: 



British Colunibia. — Prospect Lake. 



Nova Scotia. — Newport.* 



Quehec. — Tadousac. 



Alahama.—CsisilebeTrj. 



Connecticut. — Liberty Hill; Rockville. 



District of ColumMa. — Washington.* 



Florida. — Gainesville; Oak Lodge (eastern peninsula opposite 

 Micco) (Feb. 1); Lake Harney (Dec. 3). 



Illinois. — Mount Carmel. 



Iowa. — Winnebago County.* 



Maine. — Island Falls; Brewer. 



Maryland. — Sandy Spring;* Glen Echo.* 



Massachusetts. — Dedliam. 



New Ham'pshire. — Hollis. 



New Jersey. — Haddonfield; Timber Creek;* Salem County;* Five 

 ^lile Beach (Cape May County);* Cape May County; South Atlan- 

 tic City; Atlantic City; Masonville; Mouth of Delaware Kiver (Jan. 

 26); Atlantic Ocean off coast of New Jersey Gat. 38° 29' N.; long. 

 71° 58' W.). 



New York. — Brewerton;* Springs (Dec. 20); Long Island (Dec. 

 28); Shelter Island; Ardsley (Westchester County) ; Lawrence Coun- 

 ty; Oakdale (Suffolk County); Consook Marsh, Highland Falls 

 (Dec. 12); Rockaway (Dec. 14). 



1 Linnseus, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, vol. 1, 1758, p. 143. 



2 Nat. Hist. Birds, vol. 3, 1750, p. 135, pi. 135; vol. 4, 1751, p. 245. 



« Nat. Hist. Carolina, Fla., and Bahama Is., vol. 2, Appendix, 1753, p. 10, pi. 10. 



* Syst. Nat., ed. 12, vol. 1, 1766, p. 238. 



6 Nat. Hist. Birds, vol. 3, 1750, p. 135, pi. 135. 



.« Ornith., vol. 5, 1760, p. 407. 



