The range of Cabanis' Tiger Bittern seems to be confined to the northern portion of the 

 great Central American Isthmus. M. Salle obtained specimens in the neighbourhood of 

 Orizaba in Southern Mexico. ]\Ir. Joseph Leyland also found it in Honduras, and tells us that 

 it is known to the I\Iahogany -cutters of that district as the " BarMng Garling" and is common 

 at Aloor River and Omoa, remaining at the latter place throughout the year. It also occurs at 

 Tigi-e Island in the Gulf of Fonseca, as recorded by Mr. G. C. Taylor. In Guatemala on 

 several occasions it came under Salvin's notice. In April, 1862, one was f^hot on the bank of 

 a small stagnant pool near the village' of Juntecholol, on the track from Vera Paz to Peten. 

 It was by no means shy, and in all its actions shewed the deliberate movements so well known 

 in the common Bittern of Europe (Botaiwus sleUaris). On the Pacific coast the brackish and 

 salt-lagoons in the neighbourhood of Chiapam and Huamuchal were found to be a very 

 favourite resort for the bird, and hardly a day passed without one or more of them being seen. 



Southwards of Guatemala we have not traced the occurrence of this bird with certainty. 

 As yet we have seen no specimens from Costa Rica, and on the Isthmus of Panama the southern 

 bird T. hrasiliense seems to entirely supplant it. It follows, therefore, that the range of T. 

 cahanisi extends over Southern Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras/but it may also occur in 

 Costa Rica. 



Our illustrations of this species are taken from specimens in Messrs. Salvin and Godman's 

 collection. The larger figure which represents a bird in almost adult plumage is from the 

 specimen obtained at Juntecholol, as above mentioned. The figure in the back -ground which 

 shews the immature dress, is from an example shot at Chiapam, in Sepff^raber, 1862. In the 

 latter a few of the feathers of the adult plumage shew themselves. 



Apeil, 1868. 



[96] 



