100 ARDEID^E. 



blue, blackish at the end ; feet black : whole length 20-0 inches, wing 9'0, tail 

 3-6. Female similar. 



Hob. North and South America. 



This well-known North- American Heron extends far to the south. 

 Natterer obtained examples at several places in the province of Sao 

 Paolo, Brazil. Dr. Burmeister tells us that he met with it on the Rio 

 Negro, and also near Mercedes in the Argentine Republic. 



319. ARDEA SIBILATRIX, Temm. 

 (WHISTLING HERON.) 



Ardea sibilatrix, Temm. PL Col. 271 ; Scl. et Salv. Nomencl p. 125 ; iid. 

 P. Z. 8. 1869, p. 634 (Buenos Ayres) ; White, P. Z. S. 1882, p. 624 (Salta) ; 

 Harrows, Auk, 1884, p. 271 (Entrerios). 



Description. Above grey; cap, occipital crest, and wing-feathers greyish 

 black ; large patch behind the eye rufous ; upper wing-coverts rufous, striped- 

 with grey : beneath white, breast tinged with yellowish ; bill reddish, tip black ; 

 feet black: whole length 22-0 inches, wing 11 '5, tail 4- 5, tarsus 3-4. Female 

 similar. 



Hob. South America. 



This is a beautiful bird, with plumage as soft as down to the touch. 

 Its colours are clear blue-grey and pale yellow, the under surface being 

 nearly white. In some specimens that I have obtained the rump and 

 tail-coverts had a pure primrose hue. There is a chestnut mark on the 

 side of the head ; the eye is white, and the legs dark green in life. 



Azara named this Heron " Flauta del Sol" (flute of the sun), a 

 translation of the Indian term Curahi-remimbi, derived from the 

 popular belief that its whistling notes, which have a melodious and 

 melancholy sound, prophesy changes in the weather. 



It comes as far south as Buenos Ayres, but is only a summer visitor 

 there, and very scarce. Having seen but little of it myself, I can only 

 repeat Azara's words concerning it. He says it is common in Paraguay, 

 going in pairs or families, and perches and roosts on trees, and when 

 flying flaps its wings more rapidly than other Herons. It makes its 

 nest on a tree, and lays two clear blue eggs. 



On the Lower Uruguay, Mr. Barrows likewise found this species 

 " not common." It was only seen a few times in November. " Though 

 most resembling the Night- Heron they were active by day, and when 

 disturbed flew rapidly away from the streams and swamps towards the 

 dry woods and hills/" 



