180 AEDEIDiE. 



(Gaumer); Beitish Honduras, Belize {Blancaneaux^^); Guatemala, Chiapam, 

 Pacific coast {0. S.^^^), Juntecholol, Peten {0. S.^); Honduras, Aloor Eiver, 

 Omoa (Leyland^), Bird Island 2, Tigre Island, Pacific coast, Lamani near Coma- 

 yagua {Taylor ^^); Nicaragua, Chontales {Belt^^), Blewfields (^^■cMa»^l2), San 

 Juan del Sur, Pacific coast {Nutting ^^) ; Costa Rica, Miravalles {Underwood ^^), 

 San Carlos {Carmiol^\ v. Frantzius^''), Rio Macho {v. Frantzius^'^), La. Palma 

 {Nutting ^^); Panama {M'Leannan^^), Bay of Panama {Eellett & Wood^^^^), 

 Laguna del Castillo, Veragua {E. Arce ^ ^^). 



This species is nearly allied to T. lineatum, but may be distinguished at all ages 

 by its bare throat. The head also is black instead of rufous, the abdomen dark 

 cinnamon-colour instead of rufous-grey, and the black-and-white markings on the 

 flanks are wanting. 



T. cabanisi occurs throughout Central America, from Mexico to Panama, and is 

 seldom rare throughout its range. At Mazatlan Grayson records it as common and 

 resident, and Sumichrast^^ states that the species occurs on both coasts of Mexico. 

 In Guatemala it came under our notice on several occasions. In April 1862 one was 

 shot 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 resembled in its deliberate 

 movements the Common Bittern of Europe {Botaunis stellaris). On the Pacific coast 

 the brackish and salt lagoons in the neighbourhood of Chiapam and Huamachal were 

 found to be favourite resorts, and hardly a day passed without our seeing one or more 

 of them. In Honduras, Leyland^ says that it is known as the "Barking Garlin," and 

 is common on the rivers and swamps at Aloor River * and Omoa, remaining at the 

 latter place throughout the year. 



Mr. Nutting, who found the species exceedingly abundant at La Palma in the Gulf 

 of Nicoya, Costa Rica, writes : — " The curious note of this Bittern is well calculated 

 to startle the inexperienced collector in these regions. It is something between a 

 bark and a growl, and sounds like the angry warning of some fierce animal." Nothing 

 appears to have been published regarding the nest and eggs of the species, but in 

 habits it resembles other Bitterns. 



Subfam. BOTAURINM. 



The Botaurinse differ from the true Herons in having only ten tail-feathers and the 

 mandibles always serrated. 



Mr. Ridgway gives the following characters for the subfamily : — " Outer toe decidedly 

 shorter than the inner. Claws long, slender, slightly curved. Two pairs only of 

 powder-down patches. Rectrices very short, soft, only ten in number." 



Out of the seven genera recognized by Dr. Sharpe, two occur in America, viz. Ardetta 

 and Botaurus. 



* Dr. Brewer gives the name of this place as " Ulua Eiver." 



