AVES ARDEID>E. 393 



Back : Interscapular region and upper scapulars deep black with a dull 

 greenish gloss. Lower back, rump and upper tail-coverts deep smoky 

 brown. 



Tail : Deep smoky brown. 



Wings : Entirely deep smoky brown, darker than elsewhere and with 

 a dull gloss of oily green on the exposed surfaces of some of the longer 

 feathers. 



Lower parts : Uniform smoky brown, becoming isabelline or whitish 

 about the posterior part of the abdomen and about the vent. Lower tail- 

 coverts smoky brown, as are the lower wing surfaces and axillaries. 



FIG. 206. FIG. 207. 



Nycticorax cyanoctphaltu, adult male. 7804 Nycticorax cyanocepkalus. 7804 P. U. O. 

 P. U. O. C Pacific slope of the Cordilleras, C. Details of unfeathered portion of leg and 

 Patagonia. foot 



Bill : Dull blackish (Hatcher). 



Iris : Cherry red (Hatcher). 



Iris : " Dull orange " (Peterson). 



Feet: Dull greenish yellow (Hatcher). 



Naked skin about eye : Dark blue (Hatcher). Dr. Coppingcr has 

 spoken of the iris of this heron as " orange " and no doubt winter speci- 

 mens generally and a few breeding examples have eyes of that color. 

 Herons' eyes in many species at least vary much in color, not only with 

 age, but at different seasons in adult birds. 



