BREWSTER: BIRDS OF THE CAPE REGION, LOWER CALIFORNIA. 49 | 
Tantalus loculator Liny. 
Woop Isis. 
Tantalus loculator BELp1NG, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., V. 1883, 545 (Cape Region), 548 
(San José). Bryant, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., 2d ser., II. 1889, 268 (San José 
del Cabo; La Paz). 
The Wood Ibis was found near La Paz by both Mr. Belding and Mr. Frazar. 
The latter met with it frequently in September and October at San José del 
Cabo, where Mr. Belding also notes “a pair seen in April and May.” 
As Mr. Bryant gives no original records, it is to be inferred that he failed to 
detect the Wood Ibis in the central and upper portions of the Peninsula, but 
Mr. Anthony states that in autumn a few “are to be found in all of the 
marshes and streams from Ensenada to Santa Maria.”! Itranges even further 
to the northward, for it is not uncommon in Ventura county, California.” 
Whether any nest in Lower California is a matter of grave doubt, — not that 
the climatic conditions are unfavorable, but because of the apparent lack of 
suitable breeding grounds. To the southward the Wood Ibis is found in 
Mexico, Central America, and many parts of South America. 
e 
Botaurus lentiginosus (Montae.). 
AMERICAN BITTERN. 
BPotaurus lentiginosus Ripeway, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., V. 1883, 533, footnote (Cape 
St. Lucas; San José del Cabo). Bernpine, Jbid., VI. 1883, 351 (s. of lat. 24° 
30’). Bryant, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., 2d ser., II. 1889, 268 (Cape St. Lucas ; 
San José del Cabo; s. of lat. 24° 30’). 
The Xantus collection contains specimens of the Bittern taken at Cape St. 
Lucas on November 4, and at San José del Cabo on November 29 and 30. At 
the latter place Mr. Frazar found it common during September and the first week 
of October, after which it was seen only occasionally, the last individual being 
observed on November 11. Mr. Belding mentions it as “ moderately com- 
mon” south of latitude 24° 30’ in the winter and early spring of 1882-83. 
The Bittern was not observed by Mr. Bryant in the central or northern 
parts of the Peninsula, but Mr. Anthony says that it is “common in the 
marshes at Colnett and San Ramon, where it doubtless nests.” There is 
no apparent reason why a few pairs may not breed at such places as Santiago 
and San José del Cabo, but the present indications are that the bird is merely 
a winter visitor to the Cape Region. It has occurred as far south as Guatemala. 
1 Zoe, IV. 1893, 251. 2 Cooper, Auk, IV. 1887, 90. 
3 Zoe, IV. 1895, 251. 
