Oe eee ae 
yor dl OBERHOLSER, Notes on N. A. Birds. III. 469 
is, however, correct in saying that the West Indian birds differ from 
Fregata magnificens of the Galapagos Islands, since they average 
much smaller, particularly in length of wings and tail; but this 
difference is clearly not specific, as the extreme measurements over- 
lap in the two forms. The possibility that there are really two 
distinct species in the West Indies is suggested by Mr. Mathews’ re- 
marks and his contention that the West Indian bird is a subspecies 
of Fregata minor; but, until this be proved, the bird of the West 
Indies, Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the coasts of the 
southeastern United States must be called Fregata magnificens 
rothschildi Mathews. 
The frigate bird of the central Pacific Ocean has recently been 
separated from that of the Indian Ocean by Mr. Mathews! as 
Fregata minor palmerstoni (Gmelin).2. Birds from the coasts of 
California and Lower California belong clearly to this race, which 
we therefore should add to our North American list. 
Thus, for North America, we shall have two species, instead of 
the single Fregata aquila Linneus: an Atlantic form, Fregata 
magnificens rothschildi Mathews, and a Pacific bird, Fregata minor 
palmerstoni (Gmelin). 
Bubo virginianus wapacuthu (Gmelin). 
The name Striz wapacuthu Gmelin * was some time ago employed 
by the writer4 for the Arctic Horned Owl, Bubo arcticus Swainson. 
Subsequently Mr. William Brewster questioned this identification,” 
and referred this name as a synonym to Nyctea nyctea. Mr. 
Ridgway has recently ® again revived Bubo virginianus wapacuthu 
(Gmelin), and used it for the Arctic Horned Owl in place of Bubo 
virginianus subarcticus Hoy, or Bubo virginianus arcticus Swainson, 
1 Austral Avian Record, II, No. 6, December 19, 1914, p. 119; Birds Australia, IV, part 
3, June 23, 1915, p. 280. 
2 Pelecanus Palmerstoni Gmelin, Syst. Nat., I, ii, 1789, p. 573 (Palmerston Island, Pacific 
Ocean). e 
3 Syst. Nat., I, i, 1788, p. 291 (Hudson Bay). 
4 Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., XX VII, 1904, pp. 191-192. 
5 Mem. Nutt. Orn. Club, IV, 1906, p. 205. 
6 Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 59, part VI, April 8, 1914, p. 751. 
