Todd: The Birds of the Isle of Pines. 177 



The measurements of this, the second specimen of this rare bird re- 

 corded from the Isle of Pines, show that it is smaller than the type. 

 Although apparently fully grown, it is certainly immature, as indicated 

 by the shreds of downy filaments still adhering to some of the feathers of 

 the occiput, and by the dark-colored upper mandible. The type-speci- 

 men, which has been examined in this connection, also looks like an im- 

 mature, or at least a non-breeding bird, having a dark upper mandible, 

 and lacking any trace of occipital, scapular, and jugular plumes. It 

 is of course to be expected that fully adult males in breeding dress 

 would average somewhat larger, and resemble the Florida bird in their 

 ornamentation. The smaller size being apparently the only char- 

 acter separating it from the latter, I prefer to let it stand as a sub- 

 species. My views regarding the specific distinctness of Ardea occi- 

 dentalis coincide with those of Mr. Oberholser {Proceedings United 

 States National Museum, XLIII, 1912, 541), but it may be worth 

 while to point out that in the matter of size A. occidentalis occi- 

 dentalis bears exactly the same relation to A. occidentalis repens as does 

 A. herodias wardi to its West Indian representative, A. herodias adoxa 

 — a circumstance which may or may not be significant.^ Additional 

 specimens of the present form are naturally very desirable. The iris 

 in the specimen taken by Mr. Link is marked as " straw-color." 



This heron is rather rare throughout the island, and very shy and 

 difficult to approach. It is found mostly in the open marshy country, 

 where there is not enough cover to conceal the movements of the 

 hunter. The individual secured was surprised near El Bobo Lagoon, 

 northeast of McKinley, on March 7. Another was repeatedly observed 

 in October and November along the Majagua River, but eluded all 

 efforts to approach it within gunshot. Towards the western end of 

 the Cienaga as many as three were observed together on one occasion 

 (November 14). One was noted flying overhead near Nueva Gerona. 

 Although it may readily be distinguished in life from the Egret by its 

 superior size, it is possible that some of Mr. Read's records above 

 quoted may refer to the latter species. Messrs. Palmer and Riley 



' This was written before the appearance of Mr. Bangs's recent paper (Auk, 

 XXXII, 1915, 481-484), in which he contends that Ardea occidentalis is merely a 

 white phase of Ardea herodias wardi. Although he presents no new evidence 

 bearing on the case, it must be admitted that the presumption in favor of his view 

 is by no means weak, reasoning by analogy. But it would seem to be a matter 

 which can be settled only by further and detailed observations in the field. 



