50 BULLETIN: MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY. 
Ardetta exilis (GMEL.). 
Least BITTERN. 
It is somewhat singular that the Least Bittern has not been previously re- 
ported from Lower California, for Mr. Frazar fonnd it in considerable numbers 
at San José del Cabo in September and October. The first individual was 
seen on August 29, and the last about October 21. The period of greatest 
abundance was between September 18 and October 11, but the birds varied 
greatly in numbers from day to day, indicating that they came and departed in 
successive migratory flights or “‘ waves.” None were noted elsewhere. 
The range of the Least Bittern is very extensive, including the whole of tem- 
perate North America as well as Mexico, Central America, and the northern 
portions of South America to Brazil. There is some evidence, — not perfectly 
conclusive, however, —that it breeds as far south as the Lake of Dueiias, 
Guatemala. It is very common in summer in the interior of California. The 
Cape Region, therefore, is probably included within its general breeding range, 
and it would not be surprising to find it nesting about the lagoon at Santiago, 
which seems to be admirably adapted to its requirements. 
+ 
Ardea herodias Linn. 
GREAT BLUE HERON. 
Ardea herodias Barrp, BREWER, and Rrpcway, Water Birds N. Amer., I. 1884, 15, 
16 (discusses the “very light colors” of a Cape St. Lucas specimen, No. 
83,134, Nat. Mus). Bexpine, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., V. 1883, 548 (San 
José). Bryant, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., 2d ser., II. 1889, 268 (San José del 
Cabo). 
The only Great Blue Heron which I have seen from Lower California is an 
adult male (No. 33,134) in the National Museum, which was taken by Mr. 
Xantus at San José del Cabo in February, 1860. This specimen has the bill 
and wing as long as in small specimens of wardi, but the tarsus is not longer 
than in typical herodias, The coloring is peculiar in several respects, the up- 
per wing coverts being creamy drab, instead of bluish slate as in herodias and 
wardi, the dorsal plumes unusually light colored, and the fore neck, as well 
as the nape for an inch or more below the occiput, pure creamy white. There 
is also much less black than usual on the underparts, especially on the breast, 
which is chiefly creamy white. Mr. Ridgway has already called attention ? to 
some of these differences. Should they prove characteristic of the birds of Lower 
California they would entitle the form to recognition as a distinct subspecies. 
Mr. Belding notes this Heron as rare, but Mr. Frazar saw “ numbers” about 
1 Ridgway, Loc. cit. 
