GRALLATORES. 



297 



non-identity of these two birds, we much regret, as we probably have 

 a larger number of specimens than has ever before been subjected to 

 the examination of any one investigator. The uniform characters of 

 each induce us to suspect that they are distinct, but we do not at pre- 

 sent feel justified in adopting a conclusion. 

 Mr. Peale mentions this species as follows : 



" This species was found to inhabit nearly all the intertropical 

 islands of the Pacific Ocean. We first saw them at the Paumotu 

 Group, then at Tahiti, the Samoan Islands, and subsequently at Ton- 

 gatabu, and the Feejees. From all these places we have specimens, 

 which, on comparison, are so much alike, that we are constrained to 

 believe them identical. The young birds are generally, but not always, 

 of a dark brownish slate-color, a few being white. The adults, on the 

 contrary, are generally snow-white in plumage, but some, having the 

 elongated back and breast plumes which indicate adult plumage, are 

 found of a dark slate-color, thus indicating that the color depends on 

 other causes, and is not, as in most cases, depending on the maturity 

 of the bird. 



" A purple or dark slate-colored specimen, when killed at Carlshoff 

 Island, in September, had the under mandible green ; the upper black ; 

 legs green ; iris yellow. A white specimen, in about the same state 

 of plumage, each having long straight dorsal plumes, but much worn, 

 had a yellow bill, and the legs yellow, tinged with green ; lores green- 

 ish ; eyes bright yellow ; both specimens were females. Dimensions : 

 twenty-four inches in length, and thirty-nine and a half inches in ex- 

 tent of wings. In all states of dark plumage there is invariably a 

 white line running perpendicularly along the throat." 



This widely diffused species is one of the most handsome birds of 

 its group. Very fine specimens are in the collection of the Expedi- 

 tion. 



2. Ardea stagnalis, GouM. 



Ardea staynalis, Gould, Birds of Australia, VI (not paged, 1848). 

 Ardca patruelis, Peale, Zool. Exp. Exp. Birds, p. 216 (1st ed. 1848).* 



* " In general appearance and size, this is like the Green Heron (^Ardca virescens) 

 of North America, and in its voice it also resembles it. Subcrested, crown, back, and 

 upper parts of the tail, green, all having cinereous or purple reflections when viewed at 

 particular angles with the light; wing-coverts edged with rufous; primaries dark 



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