AKDKID.K — TIIK IIEROXS - NYCTICORAX. 



55 



In "Hand-list of Birds," Vol. III. p. 33, Dr. G. R. Gray emimerales three Old World species 

 besides N. " nycticomx" (griseus). These are, "cakdmdca, Gil.," Xew Caledonia ; " .? manillensis, 

 Via.," Philippines and Solomon Islands, and " crasdroDtris, ViG.," Island of Bonin. These per- 

 haps represent races of one species, although we have seen only the first named. iV. caledoniciis 



If. ffriseus ncr.vivs. 



is strictly congeneric with N. yriseus, with which it agrees very clo.^ely in the details of form, in 

 size, in general system of coloration, and in the character of tlie occipital plumes. As to colora- 

 tion, the pattern is the same, except that the greenish black of the back and scapulars is wanting, 

 while that of the pileum extends quite to the bill, there being, therefore, no white frontlet. The 

 cinereous of A', (jrucus, however, is entirely replaced l>y a fine cinnamon-rufous, which gives the two 

 birds quite a different aspect. In the young jjlumage they are more similar, though still readily 

 distinguishable. 



Nycticorax griseus nsevius. 



THE AMERICAN BLACK CROWNED NIGHT HERON. 



Botaurus ncmus, Briss. Orii. V. 1760, 462. 



Ardea luevia, BoDD. Tabl. P. E. 17S3, 51 bis (ex PI. Enl. 939.) 



Nycliardca grisca, var. lUKvia, Allex, Bull. Mus. C'omii. Zool. III. 1S72, 1S2. — CouES, Key, 1872, 



269; Check List, 187-3, no. 458: B. X. AV. 1S74. .523. 

 JVydiardm grisca lucvia, Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, no. 495. — CouES, Check List, 2(1 cil. 



1882, no. 664. 

 Ardca IwacUi, Gmel. S. N. I. 1788, 630. 

 Ardea cana, Gmel. t. c. 643. 



Ardai Gardeni, Gmel. t. c. 645, no. 81 (based ou the Gardcnian Heron of Pcnn. and Lath.). 

 Nydiardea Gardtni, Baiud, Birds X. Am. 1858, 678 ; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, no. 495. 

 Ardea discolor, NuTT. Mass. Oni. II. 1834, 54. 

 Nycticorax amcricanus, Box.^p. Conip. List, 1838, 48. 

 Nycticorax vulgaris, D'Okb. Ois. Cuba, 1839, 208. 

 Nycticorax griseus (part), REirnENOW, .1. f. O. 1877, 237. 



