A REVISION OF THE SUBSPECIES OF THE GREEN HERON(BUTORIDES VIRESCENS [LINN^US]).
By Harry C. Oberholser,Assistant Ornithologist, Biological Survey, Department of Agriculture.
I The following revision of the forms of Butorides virescens (Lia-naeiis) was undertaken at the instance of Mr. H. W. Henshaw, Chiefof the Biological Survey. Its purpose is to clear away, as far as thepresent material will permit, the confusion now existing with regardto the relationships and distribution of the various races, and thusto assist in preparing the way for a bulletin on the migration anddistribution of North American herons, now in course of preparationby Prof. W. W. Cooke, and soon to appear as a publication of theBiological Survey.For this task the A\Titer has been able to examine 568 specimens,including the types of all the forms of this species, excepting Buto-rides virescens virescens, Butorides virescens frazari, and Butoridesvirescens maculatus; and comprising the entire series of green heronsin the collections of the United States National Museum, includingthat of the Biological Survey; the American Museum of NaturalHistory; the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, includ-mg that of Mr. H. W. Fowler; the Museum of Comparative Zoologyin Cambridge, Massachusetts, including the Bangs collection; andthe collection of Dr. Jonathan Dwight, jr. ; together with a few im-portant birds from the Carnegie Museum of Pittsburgh, Pennsylva-nia, and the Field Museum of Chicago. To the authorities of theseinstitutions, particularly the United States National Museum, andto the individuals mentioned, as well as to the custodians of thevarious bird collections, especially Dr. Charles W. Richmond, of theUnited States National Museum, the writer takes this occasion tooffer expression of his sincere appreciation of facilities afforded.The various races of Butorides virescens with their intricate rela-tionships and rather peculiar geographical distribution, have alwayspresented a difficult problem. Previous authors who have wrestledwith these difficulties have lacked sufficient material, particularly
Proceedings U. S. National Museum, Vol. 42?No. 1916.20441??Proc.N.M.vol.42?12 34 529
530 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol.42.from south of the United States; and the literature on the subjectconsists of only notes and short papers, including no extendedmonograph of the species. The series of specimens now at hand isundoubtedly much greater than any that other investigators havebeen able to bring together. With this advantage, the present writerhopes to make at least some contribution to our knowledge of thisperplexing group, although, of course, he fully realizes that there ismuch yet to learn.One of the by-products, so to speak, of this investigation has beenthe necessary determination of the status of Butorides hrunescens(Lembeye)* of Cuba, which occurs together with the form of Butoridesvirescens inhabiting that island. This bird has often passed asmerely a color phase of Butorides virescens; at other times as a differ-ent species : The writer's study indicates that without much doubt itis a perfectly distinct species, further discussion of which has alreadyappeared in a separate paper.^From a careful study of the present material, two conclusionsappear to be inevitable: First, that, without undue and uselessrefinement, no subspecific subdivision is possible among the birdsinhabiting all of the eastern United States, eastern and centralMexico, south to Guatemala and Honduras; and second, that, in theWest Indies, either we must recognize a large number of additionalforms, or merge all, includmg even Butorides virescens hahamensis,with Butorides virescens virescens. To adopt the latter alternative,however, would be to obscure all the evident and highly interesting,though to some extent puzzling, geographical variations which theseWest Indian birds exliibit. The writer has, therefore, adopted theformer course, as better representing the facts ; and this has resulted inallotting a separate subspecies to each of the larger Lesser Antillessouth of Guadeloupe, with the single exception of St. Vincent. Inone or two cases where forms are separated by a vnde geographicarea and by intervening races, it has been thought better to recognizeby name slight average differences, rather than to refer such a birdto a distant and isolated race, to which, although superficially verysimilar, it could have no close phylogenetic relationship. This, ofcourse, is the same problem that one meets often in wide-ranging andplastic groups, and which, it seems to the writer, would be in muchthe best way solved by assigning a name to the isolated colony, ifthere can be found any characters at all, however slight, to serve asa basis.The geograpliical range of Butorides virescens, including its varioussubspecies, extends from southeastern Canada tlirough the United
1 Ardea brunescens Lembeye, Aves de la Isla de Cuba, 1850, p. 84, pi. 12.? Oberholser, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., vol. 25, 1912, pp. 63-56.
NO. 1916. REVISION OF BUT0RIDE8VIRESCEN8?0BERH0L8ER. 531States, Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies to northern SouthAmerica. In the northern part of the Neotropical Region it inhabitsthe Lower Tropical and Upper Tropical zones; in the southern portionof theNearctic Region, the Lower Austral, Upper Austral, and Transi-tion zones. The total number of its recognizable races becomes now18, of which 12 are insular, most of them West Indian. The favoritehaunts of the species are the swamps, marshes, large and small streams,both along the seacoast and in the interior; but not infrequently thebird chooses dry upland for its nesting sites, though usually not farfrom water, from which it obtains the greater part of its food. It is afrequenter of the reedy or bushy marshes, sparsely wooded swamps,the margins of bayou, lake, and stream, of damp thickets, and themore or less open countiy, rather than of the deep forest. With theexception of the northernmost three, Butorides virescens virescens,Butorides virescens anthonyi, and Butorides virescens eremonomus ^,all the forms appear to be permanently resident; but these threeperform extensive migrations.Some curiously close resemblances between widely separated racesmay be mentioned, as of interest from an evolutionary point of view.The bird from Swan Island, in the Caribbean Sea
?
Butorides virescenssaturatus?is colored much more nearly like Butorides virescensfrazari, from Lower California, than like Butorides virescens virescensof the adjacent mainland. Also, Butorides virescens mesatus,^ fromNicaragua, is, m size and color, more like the race from northernMexico, Butorides virescens eremonomus,^ than like the intervenmgButorides virescens virescens or the Costa Rican Butorides virescensJiypernotius.^ The bird inhabiting the Pearl Islands, in the Bay ofPanama, is, likewise, in appearance nearer Butorides virescens satu-ratus, from Swan Island, than to Butorides virescens hypernotius ^ onthe neighboring mainland. The Bahaman Butorides virescens haha-mensis is very different from both Butorides virescens virescens, fromFlorida, and Butorides virescens cuhanus,'^ from Cuba, and, in color,much more like Butorides virescens anthonyi of Arizona. The subspe-cies living on the island of St. Christopher, Butorides virescens christo-pTiorensis,^ is much more like Butorides virescens haliamensis than itis like Butorides virescens cuhanus,^ which almost surrounds it ; andButorides virescens harhadensis,^ from Barbados, is much closer in colorto the geographically far distant Butorides virescens haliamensis thanto any of the several intervening races. Agam, the birds from theislands of Martinique {Butorides virescens maculatus), St. Lucia{Butorides virescens lucianus),'' and Grenada {Butorides virescensgrenadensisY are nearer in appearance to Butorides virescens cuhanus *
? See p. 546.
532 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. tol. 42.than to Butorides virescens dorninicanus ^ of the intervening island ofDominica. The wide geographical range of three of the continentalforms
?
Butorides virescens virescens, Butorides virescens antJionyi, andButorides virescens hypernotius'^, in striking contrast to the limiteddistribution of most of the island races, is also worthy of note.The female of Butorides virescens appears to be, in color, absolutelyidentical with the male; but is, in most cases, somewhat smaller,though in some races, and even in certain regions within the range ofthe same subspecies, is, if our series represents the truth, equally aslarge as the male or even larger. Owing to this relative variation themale is used as the basis for our comparisons.Birds in juvenal plumage differ considerably in color from adults,being duller and more brownish on the upper surface of the body,lacking the glaucous appearance, as well as the dorsal plumaceousfeathers, besides having more rusty edgings to the feathers, andoften ochraceous or buffy terminal spots on the scapulars; wing-quills and greater coverts tipped, often broadly, with wliite or buffy;other wing-coverts much more broadly margiried with whitish, buffy,or ochraceous than m the adult ; median and 'some of the distal les-ser coverts with subtriangular terminal shaft spots of buff; hind neck,sides of neck, and sides of head much paler and duller, somewhatstreaked with dark brown or blackish (the sides of head particularly)
;
lower parts much paler?white, heavily streaked with dark earthybrown, this color very little rufescent on foreneck, the streaks some-times nearly or quite absent on the median line, especially of throat,chin, and anal region; bill of a lighter color than in the adult, mostlydull greenish, with only the culmen dusky, the mandible largelyUght yellowish ; legs and feet dull greenish yellow or ohvaceous. Fromthis plumage the bhd passes gradually into the adult condition,obtaining its full livery, under normal conditions, apparently byihe first breeding season. Birds not quite fully adult are palerbelow than when in complete plumage; the neck is more reddishor fulvescent, and paler; the upper surface of body has morerusty edgings and a less glaucous bluish cast ; the wings have darkerand more rusty edgings. Immatures are apparently often smallerthan adults, though many in the above described juvenal plumage areof full adult dimensions.Seasonal differences in color are usually slight, and consist mostlyin the slightly paler neck, and lighter, duller, more bluish upper partsof worn summer specimens. Individual color variation, on the otherhand, is, in apparently all the forms of the species, considerable. Itconsists chiefly in the depth of shade of the gray on the posteriorlower parts; the dark streaking on throat and breast, which in somespecimens is broad and distinct, in others almost absent, in some lightbrown, in others black; the color of the posterior upper parts, whichSee p. 562. a See p. 549.
NO. 1010 UFA'IXIOy OF BVT0RIDE8 VIRESCE\S?OBERfIOLSER. 533in some examples is dull oily green, in others decidedly bluish vdiha glaucous bloom; also in the depth and shade of the chestnut, ma-roon, or fulvous of the neck and sides of the head.The characters which separate tlio various subspecies are largelydifferences of size, and of the colors of the hind neck, sides of thehead, and of the entire lower surface. The color differences ofpileum, back, wings, and tail are of very little value in diagnoses,since these are duo chiefly to ago, season, or individual variation.The names of colors used in my descriptions are based on Mr. RobertRidgway's Nomenclature of Colors.*All the measurements in this pai)er are in millimeters. The spec-imens used in the average measurements under each subspecie.-, andwhich form the basis of comparison, are, just as far as possible, fromtypical specimens; that is, from examples representing the best dif-ferentiation. In the tables of detailed measurements all the speci-mens used in the diagnostic averages are indicated by a minuscule;and all other than adult birds are noted. The various dimensions ofwhich use is made in the following pages have been taken as follows:Length of wing.?Measured in a straight line from the bend of theclosed wing to the end of the longest primary with these feathers intheir natural position; that is, not straightened.Length of tail.?Taken with dividers from the point of insertion ofthe middle rectrices to the tip of the longest.Exposed culmen.?Measured in a straight line from the beginningof the feathers on the culmen to the tip of the maxilla; that is, thechord of the exposed culmen.Height of hill.?The distance in a straight line from the base of theexposed culmen to the nearest point on the ramus of the mandible.Length of tarsus.?A straight hne from the center of the heel jointon the posterior side to the middle of the joint between the metatar-sus and the middle toe on the anterior side.Middle toe.?Measured along the upper side from the middle of thejoint between the metatarsus and the middle toe to the base of theuncovered claw.BUTORTOES VIRESCENS VIRESCENS (Linnaeus).[Ardea] virescens Linn^us, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, vol. 1, 1758, p. 144 (America)(based on "Ardea etellaris niinima," Catesby, Nat. Hist. Carolina, Florida,and Bahama Islands, vol. 1, 1731, p. 80, pi. 80 [Virginia and Carolinji]).Ardea chloroptura Boddaert, Tabl. Planch. Enlum., 1783, p. 54 (based on
"Crabier de la Louisiane," Daubenton, Planch. Enlum., No. 909; and
"Crabier roux a t?te et queue vertes," Buffon, Hist. Nat. des Oiseaux[ed. Deux Ponta], vol. 14, p. 146; orig. ed., vol. 7, 1780, p. 407 [Louisiana]).[Ardea] ludoviciana Gmelin, Syst. Nat., vol. 1, pt. 2, 1789, p. 630 (based on"Crabier roux ^ t?te et queue vertes," Buffon, Hist. Nat. dos Oiseaux,vol. 7, 1780, p. 407; "Crabier de la Louisiane," Daubenton, Planch.Enlum., No. 909; "Louisiane Heron," Pennant, Arctic Zool., vol. 2, 1785,p. 448, No. 350; and "Louisiane Heron," L.\tha.\i, Gen. Synopsis Birds,vol. 3, pt. 1, 1785, p. 81, No. 47) (Louisiana).
> Rldgway, Nomenclature of Colors for Natiirallsts, Boston, 1886.
534 PROCEEniNGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol.42.Chars, suhsp.?Size rather large; colors of neck dark and purplish;lower parts dark.Description.?Adult male, No. 222010, U.S.N.M.; I'On Swamp,Christchurch Parish, South Carolina, April 26, 1911 ; Dr. E. A. Mearns;original number, 19115. Pileum, occipital crest, postocular region, anda short subauricular streak, deep, glossy bottle green; malar stripecream buff; submalar stripe purplish maroon mixed with blackish;cheeks, auriculars, sides and back of neck, purplish maroon, somewhatmore rufescent anteriorly, paler and somewhat glaucous posteriorly;upper surface of body deep bottle green, somewhat glossy, the long,pointed, plume-like feathers of back and scapulars glaucous and some-what bluish; wings fuscous, the primaries and outer secondaries dulldark greenish-blue slate color, the innermost primaries and outei'mostsecondaries narrowly tipped with white; tertials, outer webs of innersecondaries, with greater, median, and lesser wing-coverts, dark,glossy bottle green, the tertials pointed but not plume-like; the outerscapulars on exterior webs and the first rows of lesser wing-covertsmargined all around rather narrowly with tawny ochraceous, theother rows and median coverts with buff, the greater coverts andouter webs of tertials and innermost secondaries with white; tail dull,dark, grayish blue-green; chin and middle of upper throat creamywhite, streaked medially with dark blackish brown, sparingly on theformer, heavily on the latter; jugulum purplish maroon, conspicu-ously streaked medially with creamy white and dark brown; breast,abdomen, sides, crissum, and axillars, slate gray, with a slight brownishtinge, the longest feathers of under tail-coverts with darker centei-sand paler margins; thighs rufescent; lining of wing slate gray, thefeathers margined with buff, the edge of wing broadly buffy white.
" Bill deep black, the lower mandible sometimes partly yellowishor greenish; lores and orbits varying from olive-green to brightyellow; iris gamboge yellow; legs and feet olive green or olive yellow,the scutellse more greenish; claws horn-color" (Ridgway).Measurements.?Total length (in flesh), 394-490 mm.; extent ofwing, 521-711; weight, 6.25-7.50 ounces.Male:^ Wing, 176-188 (average, 181.1) mm.; tail, 61.5-71 (66.5);exposed culmen, 58-69 (60.9); height of bill at base, 11-13 (12.1);tarsus, 51-57 (53) ; middle toe, 44.3-48.5 (45.0).Female:^ Wing, 170-183.5 (175.1) mm.; tail, 58.5-74.5 (65.5);exposed culmen, 56-62.5 (59.8) ; height of bill at base, 9.0-12.8 (11.7)
;
tarsus, 48-55 (51.2); middle toe, 44-49 (45.7).Type-locality.?Coast of South Carolina.^
1 Fourteen specimens, from Peimsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia,and Kansas.2 Tliirteen specimens, from New York.New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Indiana, Missouri,and Kansas.3 Here for the first time definitely fixed.
NO. 1910. REVISION OF BUT0RIDE8 VIRE8CEN8?0BERH0L8ER. 535Geographical distribution.?Southeastern North America, most ofMexico, and northern Central America: north to Prospect, centralNova Scotia; St. John, southern New Brunswick; Calais and Pitts-field, southern Maine; Montreal, southern Quebec; Ottawa, Guelph,and Neebish Island, southern Ontario; Grand Rapids, southern Mich-igan; Sturgeon Bay and Kelley Brook, northern Wisconsin; Minne-apolis, central Minnesota; and Fort Sisseton, northeastern SouthDakota; west to Fort Sisseton, eastern South Dakota; Nehgh andGibbon, eastern Nebraska; western Kansas; Fort Reno and Chat-tanooga, central Oklahoma; Pecos City and Fort Stockton, westernTexas; casually to Loveland, central Colorado, and Rinconada,northern New Mexico;^ Tampico, eastern Tamaulipas; Isla de losFrijoles, and Rivera, eastern Vera Cruz; San Mateo, near City ofMexico, Mexico; and western Mexico (from Patzcuaro, westernMichoacan, and Ocotlah, eastern Jahsco) to the Pacific coast northas far as Mazatlan, southern Sinaloa; south to the Dry Tortugas,Florida; the Gulf coast of the United States, from Florida to Browns-ville, Texas; the Pacific coast of southern Mexico, at Manzanillo(CoUma), Papayo, (Guerrero), and Tonala, (Cliiapas) ; Chiapam(=Champerico) and Duenas, southern Guatemala; Omoa and Ceiba,northern Honduras; east to Ceiba, Honduras, and the eastern coastsof British Honduras, Yucatan, Mexico, the United States, and NovaScotia. Winters chiefly in Honduras, Guatemala, central andsouthern Mexico, Florida, and the Bermuda Islands. Accidental atFajardo, Porto Rico,Throughout the wide range of this form there is surprisingly lit-tle geographical variation, and no further subspecific subdivisionseems advisable, at least with present material. Birds from thenortheastern United States represent the extreme differentiation ofButorides virescens mrescens, with which those from South Carolina,the tj^e-locality, seem to be in all respects practically identical.Breeding birds from the mainland of Florida, from southern Ala-bama, southern ^Mississippi, and southern Texas are absolutely indis-tinguishable in color from examples taken in New York and Penn-sylvania; but in size they average very shghtly smaller. Specimensof a considerable series from the islands of the Dry Tortugas, Florida,off the southern end of the Florida peninsula, are scarcely smaller thanthose from the Florida mainland, but are mostly less bluish or glaucousgreen above; which difference, however, seems not to be of geographi-cal significance, since it occurs more or less as an individual variationthroughout the entire range of the species.From southern Tamaulipas to Tabasco, along the eastern coast ofMexico, occur some birds which are darker than those of usual colorsfrom the eastern United States; and which are, in the males, about
> M. Surber, spring (April to June), 1904, one seen.
536 PROCEEDINGS OF THE XATTOXAL MUSEUM. VOL. 42.the size of Florida birds, in the females averaging smaller thanFlorida females. These differences, however, seem too slight andunsatisfactory for siibspecific recognition, because there are alto-gether too many individuals in each of these two series that areinseparable from individuals in the other. Furthermore, the resi-dent birds of western Mexico, north along the coast as far, at least,as San Bias, Tepic, are, although averaging almost unappreciablypaler below, practically the same, so far as we can discover, as thoseof New England; and the same is true of specimens available fromsouthern Mexico, including Yucatan, from Guatemala, British Hon-duras, and Honduras. In size of both male and female, the birdsfrom these Mexican and Central American localities are identicalwith those from Florida. The birds of all these locahties, fromFlorida to Texas, Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras, are seen tobe really intermediate in size between Butorides virescens virescensand the Panama race hereinafter separated as Butorides virescenshypernotius;''^ and upon size (which is the only diagnostic charac-ter separating these two races) might with propriety be calledeither B. v. virescens or B. v. Jiypernotius; yet owing to the interrup-tion of range, at least in western Nicaragua, caused by Butoridesvirescens mesatus,^ they are seemingly better referred to the northernButorides virescens virescens, at least until the status of the birdfrom eastern Nicaragua be determined. The identity of the formoccurring on Ruatan Island, Honduras,^ and Cozumel Island, Yuca-tan,^ is somewhat doubtful, as we have seen no specimens fromeither locahty, but the bird probably is that of the adjacent coast,that is, Butorides virescens virescens. The differences of size in vari-ous parts of the range of this subspecies may be readily appreciatedfrom the following table of average measurements
:
Localities. Wing.
Nu. 1916. REVISION OP BUTORIDESriRESCENS?OBERHOLSER. 537An examination of these measurements discloses a curious rela-tive difference between the sexes in different geographic areas: Inthe northeastern United States the females average smaller than themales; on the Florida mainland they are equal in size; in easternMexico they are decidedl}'' smaller; and in western Mexico they are,if the sex determinations be reliable, as is probable, somewhat larger.In the northern part of its range, Butorides virescens virescens isonly a summer resident, but in Florida, central and southern Mexico,Guatemala, Honduras, and British Honduras, it remains throughoutthe year. In central Florida it has been found breeding as early asApril 4.In the Bermuda Islands it appears only in winter and the seasonsof migration, and, therefore, so far as known, does not breed. Itdoes not regularly visit the West India Islands, the only record therebeing a single, apparently accidental, individual (No. 169016, U.S.N.M.) obtained by :Mr. A. B. Baker, February 16, 1899, at Fajardo,Porto Rico.The green heron of the eastern United States was first describedby Linnaeus as Ardea virescens,^ from "America," with the followingdiagnosis: "A[rdeal occipite subcristato, dorso viridi, pectore rufes-cente." His account was based on the "Ardea steUaris minor" ofSloane;^ the "Ardea steUaris minor" of Ray;^ and the "Ardea stel-laris minima" of Catesb}^.* The descriptions of Sloane and Ray,however, apply, without much doubt, exclusively to Ixobrychiis exilis,but Catesby's bird is the green heron, from "Virginia and Carohna."Since Linnaeus' diagnosis fits only the green heron, the nameArdea virescens should properly belong to that bird alone, notwith-standing the compositeness of the whole account. This makes Cates-by's description ^ the sole basis of the name, and since most of hisbirds came from the coast of South Carolina, it seems best to restrictthe type-locaht}^ to that region, as I have done above. ^ Two othernames, Ardea cJdoroptura Boddaert ' and Ardea ludovidana Gme-lin,* were founded on the bird from Louisiana, and, therefore, mustbe considered synonj^ms of Butorides virescens virescens.Of this form 299 specimens have been examined, from the follow-ing localities, breeding records being indicated by an asterisk:Alabama.?^^lobile Bay;* Stevenson;* Montgomer}';* Dothan.*Connecticut.?Stamford.District of Columbia.?Woodley Lane ;* Washington,-* Little River.*
1 Syst. Nat., ed. 10, vol. 1, 1758, p. 144.2 Voyage to Islands of Madera, Barbadoes, Nieves, St. Christophers, and Jamaica, with natOTBl historyof those islands (=Natiira! History of Jamaica), vol. 2, 1725, p. 315.? Syn. Meth. Avium et Pisciimi, 1713, p. 1S9, No. 2 [lege No. 4].
* Nat. H:st. Carolina, Florida, and Bahama Islands, vol. 1 , 1731, p. 80, pi. SO.
? Loc. clt.?Seep. 534.? Tabl. Planch. F.nliim., 178:5, p. 54.
?* gyst. Nat., vol. 1, pt. 2, 1789, p. 630.
538 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol.42.Florida.?Clearwater;* Tampa;* Thonotosassa (February 15);Alligator Bluff, Kissimmee River;* Lone Cabbage Palm, KissimmeeRiver;* Lake Kissimmee; Kissimmee; Fort Gardner (KissimmeeRiver); Lake Harney; Big Lake George; Hernando County (Janu-ary); Tarpon Springs;* Dry Tortugas;* Micco (January 17); easternpeninsula, opposite Micco;* Florida Creek (February 22); SuwaneeRiver; Suwanee River, Lafayette County; New Smyrna;* AmeliaIsland;* Eau Gallic (January 20, February 24); Fenholloway River;northern Brevard County.Georgia.?^Young Harris;* Nashville.Illinois.?^Mount Carmel; Rockland.Indiana.?Vincennes;* English Lake*Iowa.?Winnebago County;* Lake Mills; Van Buren County, 5miles northwest of Hillsboro.*Kansas.?Western Kansas; Salt Creek;* Topeka.*Maryland.?Laurel;* Cornfield Harbor;* Pmey Point;* Washing-ton Grove;* Frederick;* Hagerstown;* Kensington; Jefferson.Massachusetts.?Hadley;* Melrose; Barnstable County;* Cam-bridge;* Concord.Minnesota.?Fort Snelling.*Mississippi.?Bay St. Louis.Missouri.?Charleston;* Monteer (Shannon County).*New HampsThire.?Hollis.*New Jersey.?Princeton; Cape May; Beach Haven; Seven MileBeach;* Haddonfield;* Squam Beach;* Plainfield;* Basking Ridge;Bound Brook; Orange;* Mount Ephraim,*New Yorlc.?Oyster Bay;* Peterboro;* Hastings-on-Hudson;*Millers Place (Long Island) ;* Yonkers; Mount Hope;* Long IslandCity;* Shelter Island;* New York City;* Speonk; Bay Shore (LongIsland);* Katonah;* Amityville;* Bath Beach (Long Island);*Alder Creek;* Princes Bay (Staten Island);* Pleasant Valley(Dutchess County); Good Ground (Long Island);* Mount Sinai(Long Island).*North Carolina.?Bogue Bank; Fort Macon;* Hatteras.*Ohio.?New Holland;* Berlin Heights.*OTdahoma.?Sans Bois (Choctaw Country)
,
Pennsylvania.?Landisville;* Bristol;* McKees Gap;* Holmes-burg (Philadelphia);* Chestnut HiU (Philadelphia);* ChesterCounty;* Moscow (Lackawanna County);* Carlisle; Erie; Marple(Delaware County).*Rhode Island.?Chepachet; Middletown; Pawtucket.*South Carolina.?Porcher's Bluff (Christchurch Parish);* I'OnSwamp (Cliristchurch Parish);* Wayne's Place (ChristchurchParish) .*Tennessee.?Strawberry Plains.*
so. 1910. RETI8T0N OF BVT0RIDE8 VIRESCENS?OBERHOLSER. 539Texas.?Eagle Pass; Lee County;* Hidalgo;* Fort Stockton;*Ingram;* Pecos City;* Mouth of Pecos River; Brownsville;*Lomita*Virginia.?Smiths Island;* Four Mile Run; Arlington;* Mat-thews County.*Chiapas.?Comitan; Tonala.*Colima.?Manzanillo.Querrero.?Papayo.Jalisco.?Ocotlan.Mexico (State).?San Mateo.MicJioacan.?Patzcuaro.*Tabasco.?Montecristo.Tamaulipas.?Alta Mira;* Tampico.Tepic.?San Bias*Vera Oruz.?Boca del Rio;* Orizaba; Plan del Rio; Mirador;Rivera; 15 miles south of Rivera; 75 miles south of Rivera; Isla delos Frijoles.Yucatan.?Puerto Morelos.British Honduras.?Belize *Ouatemala.?Choctun (Vera Paz).Honduras.?Ceiba.Porto Rico.?Fajardo.Measurements of specimens of Butorides virescens virescens.
Museum and No.
A.N. S. Phlla.,4fK592?H. W. Fowler, 1031 '
.
H. W. Fowler, 1290 1 .
,
A.N. S. Phila., 57339 ?,A.N. S. Phila.,573401,A.N. S. Phila., 35958'.U.S.N. M., 176377 >..U.S.N.M., 133315'..U.S.N.M., 158049'..U.S.N.M., 121371'..U.S.N. M., 121372'..U.S.N. M., 212871'..U.S.N. M., 212872'..U.S.N. M., 7008'....U.S.N.M., 141466...U.S.N.M., 207803...U.S.N.M., 176843...
Sex.
Male...
..do....
...do....
...do....
...do...
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....Male,JuvenalMale...
Locality.
Chester Co.,Bristol,Bucks Co.,Pa.doLandisvllle,Pa.doMount Eph-raim, N.J.Laurel, Md .
.
CornfieldHarbor, Md.W o o d 1 e yLane, D. C.Washington,D. C.doSmiths Is-land, Va.doSalt Creek,Kans.Bay St. Lou-is. Miss.Mobile Bay,Ala.AlligatorBluff, Kls-s I ra m e eItlver, Fla.
Date.
May 12,1891Nov. 26, 1895
Apr. 15,1897Apr. 16,1897Aug. 20, 1895May 9, 1883May 13,1889July 20,1894Aug. 22, 1897May 4, 1888May 6,1887May 13,1910doMay 28,18,57Aug. 29, 1890May 12,1911Apr. 26.1901
Collector.
H.Garrett..W. Hall....
F.F.CartledgeF. G. Meyers.J. M. Trout .
.
S. N. Rhoads.R. Ridgway..doG.G.HubbardC.W.Rich.mond.doE. A. Meams.doW.S.Wood..C. S. Brimley.A. H. HoweU.E. \. Meams.
1! P'?S
mm mm\mm mm mm mm8h ^183.0 68.0 59.012.5180.0 65.0 58.011.0
182. Go.183.0i7I.179.0'66.179.0,66.182.0 70.183.0|66.188.0 69.176. 67.
61.5 12.0!61.513.61.0 12.0.60.5,12.62.012.0.69.012.
55.0 48.052.5 48.5
54.0(45.053.0:47.052.0 45.051.5 46.5
60.012.5 58.0,12.178. 0'65. 0161.0 12.178.0,61.182.0'63.182. 0,68.
176.0173.0
58.0111.61.0,13.
55.0'47.052.0.46.051.0 47.051.5,45.0
o'51. 8144.30,.53.0|47.55'52.5'45.00,57. 048.60.0'll.5i51.502.011.6L011 . 5 49.
5
.5 49.5
44.544.541.0
> Used In measurement averages on p. 534.
540 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. TOL. 42.Measurements of specimens of Butorides virescens virescens?Continued.
Museum and No. Sex. Locality. Date. Collector.
U.S.N.M., 176751.
U.S.N.M., 176842.U.S.N.M., 175626.U.S.N.M., 77293U.S.N.M., 152906....U.S.N.M., 162576....A.N. S. Phila., 27027Am. Mus.N.H., 49832Am. MusAm. Mus.Am. Mus.Am. MusAm. MusAm. MusAm. MusAm. MusAm. MusAm. Mus.Am. Mus.Am. Mus.U.S.N.M,
N.H., 49834N.H., 49836N.H., 49842N.H., 49847N.H., 49843N.H., 49846N.H., 49844N.H., 49840N.H., 49837N.H., 49839N.H., 49845N.H., 79750
, 141463U.S.N.M., 141464.U.S.N.M., 193616.
J. Dwight, 24629U.S.N.M., 157360U.S.N.M., 141547U.S.N.M., 185416U.S.N.M., 141545E.A.andO.Bangs,10538U.S.N.M., 109016...U.S.N.M., 1724361..Am. Mus. N. H., 36225 ?Am. Mus. N. H., 64827
1
Am. Mus.N.H., 1048831Am. Mus.N.H., 607361U.S.N.M., 1312011A.N. S. Phila., 337311.
A. N. S. Phila., 46393 1.U.S.N.M., 1763761U.S.N.M., 2127181
Male
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do-
.do.
.do.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
...do
...do
...do
...do
...do
...do
...doFemale..
...do
...do
...do
...do[Female]Female..
...do
...do
...do
Lone Cab-bage Palm,KassimmeeRiver, Fla.doLake Kis-s imme e,Fla.HernandoCounty, Fla,Lake Har-ney, Fla.B i g L a k eGeorge, Fla.TarponSprings,Fla,Dry Tortu-gas, Fla.do
...do
...do
...do
...do
...do
...do
...do
...do
...dodoHidalgo,Tex.Brownsville,Tex.
....doTampi co
,
Tamauli-pas, Mex.Boca delRio, VeraCruz, Mex.San BiasTepic, Mex.ManzaniUo,C 1 ima,Mex.P ap a y ,Guerrero,Mex.Tonila, Chia-pas, Mex.Ceiba, Hon-duras.F a j ardo,Porto Rico.Peterboro,N. Y.Bath Beach,Long Is-land, N. Y.Long IslandCity, N. Y.Bay Shore,n;y.Orange,N.J.
.
Prince ton,N.J.Marple, Dela-ware Co.,Pa.Chester Co.,Pa,Laurel, Md..Smiths Is-land, Va.
Apr. 5, 1901
doMar. 27,1901
Mar. 29,1877Mar. 21,1896Mar. 26,1886Apr. 18,1891Apr. 13,1890doApr. 14,1890Apr. 16,1890Apr. 20, 1890Apr. 22, 1890doApr. 24, 1890Apr. 29, 1890Apr. 30,1890May 1,1890Apr. 22, 1890May 24,1889Aug. 1,1891July 19,1891
.A.pr. 10,1904
June 15, 1897June 8,1897
Feb. 8,1892
Apr. 6,1903Aug. 3,1895Jan. 14,1902Feb. 10,1899July 7, 1900Aug. 6,1889May 5, 1888June 15, 1909May 2, 1894Spring, 1SS2May 4, 1880May 14,1890May 7, 1889May 20,1910
E..\.Meams.
....do..
....do..
mm180.0
191.0175.0
mm68.0
72.063.0J.A.Mason... 179.0 70.0J. C.IngersoU 183.0 69.0177.0 68.5E. M. Has-brouck.S. N. Rhoads.F. S. Good-man.dododododododododododoW." Lloyd.".'.'!doS. E. Piper,C. Sheldon,and L. C.Sanford.P. M. Shu-feldt.E. W. Nelsonand E. A.Goldman.do
....do.doW.W.Brown,jr.A. B. Baker..G. S. MUler,jr.
W. Dutcher..H. C. Raven .
I. N.Travis, jr.G. S. NicholasS. N. Rhoads.H. Garrett ...R. Ridgway.
.
J. H. Riley...
18L5 69.0182.5 71.5171.5 65181.5|71179.0172.0179.0176.0178.0175.0175.0174.0183.0180.0179.0177.0180.0
178.0
175.0
172.0
179.0
181.0174.0179.0
67.069.5
63.5
65.5
61.0
65.0
66.567.066.5172.0 67.0176.0 68.0
173.5 68.0183.0 70.0183.5:64.5171. 59.172. 62.
5
172.0 62.0174. 68.175.0 64.0
mm6L0
66.062.0
61.061.559.063.055.059.558.055.059.859.062.065.063.260.558.562.065.063.06L558.0
56.0
64.0
61.3
62.5
65.059.560.060.059.0
60.062.561.557.560.5
62.061.056.0
mm10.0
ILOn.o
n.o12.0n.o13.011.0
11.5n.5
12.0
11.8
12.0
12.0
12.011.5
mm52.5
54.053.0
53.05L049.050.547.251.050.348.049.549.852.050.050.552.053.552.551.050.055.553.0
mm42.5
47.045.5
45.048.544.547.04L044.545.545.344.046.547.049.545.547.545.047.543.042.544.544.5
48.5
53.0
53.0
53.0
53.051.011.5 49.0II.5I5I.512.0 51.0
12.0 51.011.5 49.512.s!51.59. 0l48.12.0 52.0
11.0 50.012. 53.12.0 50.0
45.0
46.5
45.0
46.5
45.041.042.545.544.0
45.045.046.545.545.0
44.044.049.0
1 Used In measurement averages on p. 634.
NO. 1916. REVISION OF BUTORIDEf? TIIfESCENS?OBERHOLSER. 541Measurements of specimens of Bulorides virescens virescens?Continued
.
Museum and No.
U.8.N.M., 118433 <.M. C. Z., 42583'...M.C.Z., 15227'...U.S.N.M., 207855..U.8.N.M., 176841..
U.S.N.M., 176845.U.8.N.M., 176752.
U.S.N. M., 17684^Am. Mus.N.H., 99480.Am. Mus.X.H., 20830.
J. Dwighl, 13375
J. Dwight, 16290Am. Mus.N.H., 49838.Am. Mus.N.H., 49833.Am. MUS.N.H., 79748.Am. Mus.N.H., 79752.
U.S.N.M., 193612
U.S.N. M., 193615U.S.N. M., 193013U.S.N.M., 193614U.S.N.M., 193617
U.S.N.M., 166354U.S.N.M., 185420U.S.N.M., 193841
J. Dwight, 24009A. N. S. Phila., 26034 .U.S.N.M., 4154U.S.N.M., 130317.U.S.N.M., 130315.U.S.N.M., 13aU9.U.S.N.M., 130318.U.S.N. M., 28068..
Se.\.
Female
..do....
..do....
..do....
..do....
..do...
..do...
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....mFemale.
...do....
...do....
..do.
..do.
..do.
..do.
...do
...do
...do
...do
M.C.Z., 31778.
Locality.
VIneennes,Ind.Charleston,Mo.T p e k a ,Kaus.Dothan. Ala.AlligatorBluff, Kis-s i m m e eRiver, Fla.doLone Cab-bage Palm,KisslmmeeRiver, fla.doFenhoUowayRiver, Fla.Kjissimmee,Fla.Northern,Brevard Co.Fla.Amelia Is-land, Fla.Dry Tortu-gas, Fla.
...doLomita.Tex.A 1 1 a Mira,Tamauli-pas, Mex.75 miles southof Rivera,Vera Cruz,Mex.Rivera, VeraCruz, Mex.dodoIsla de losF rijoles,Vera Cruz,Mex.Montecristo,Tabasco,Mex.Papayo, Gu-errero, Mex.C omi tan,C hiapas.Mex.San Bias,Tepic,Mex.WinnebagoCounty,Iowa.Brownsville,Tex.Yucatandododo
Date.
May 5, 1890May 12,1879May 22,1871June 6,1911Apr. 26,1901
Apr. 8, 1901Apr. 6, 1901
Apr. 4, 1901Mar. 20, 1907Nov. 18, 1883Mar. 23,1905
Mar. 24,190(5Apr. 11,1890Apr. 19,1890July 9. 1880May 17,1888
Apr. 17,1904
Apr. 13,1904doApr. 27,1904Apr. 20,1904
May 7, 1900
Apr. 20, 1903Mar. 29,1904
Apr. 8,1909Aug. 15, 1881
M ir ad or
,
Vera Cruz,Mex.Orizaba,Vera Cruz,Mex.
Collector.
R. Rldgway.W. S. Bryant
A. H. HoweUE. A. Meams
....do
....do
doF. M. Chap-man.C. J. MaynardW.W. Worth-ington.doF. S. Good-man.do
S. E. Piper,C. Sheldon,and L. C.Sanford.dodododo
E. W. Nelsonand E. A.Goldman.
....dodo
P. I. Osbum.W. L. Abbott.
S. Van \11et. . 172. 68. 5 60.
vntn176.0170.0178.0184.5178.0
5!^ Smm mm mm66.0 62.0,12.058.5 56.012.3
r4. 5 59. 5 12.
8
ro. 0:62.0' 11.0
mm mm52.0 45.550.5'47.055.0 48.052.0' 44.
5
65.0 64.011.0,52.0 46.6
176.0 65.0 64.0175.0 65.0 59.0
65.065.068.567.5
59.061.063.062.0
175.0174.0185.0170.5
184.0161.0100.0 61. 0'58.0103.0,02.0,60.0160.0 63. OJ60.0174.0 66.0 63.0
71. 58.
5
61.0 58.5
168.0 58.0,04.0103. 59. 58.109.0 07.0 01.0100.5 00.0 50.0
177.0 62.0180.0 66.0
180.0183.0 67.067.5
58.5
64.000.5
G.F.Gaumer.' 177.0102.do 171. 5 (.3.do 109.5,02.do 171.062.C. Sartorius.. 171.0,63.
5 02.00,00.05 02.50'60.55;58.5
P. M? Toro... 175.063.061.0
11.011.5
10.511.812.211.5
50.051.5
51.055. 0145.51.549.5
11.0 50.511.0 49.511.3148.011.348.812.0149.0
11.9 51.5
12.3 51.011.5^7.012. 52.11.5 47.5
48.0
52.512. 53.
12.0 52.512.0 50.5
11.051.011.5 40.512.2 53.012.010.5 47.051.0
53.0
44.044.5
45.0
44.543.5
44.545.043.043.546.0
45.0
44.043.044.042.5
39.0
44.546.0
44.544.5
46.045.048.544.043.0
47.0
' Used In measurement averages on p. 534.? "Male" on the label of the specimen, but this is probably wrong.
542 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol.42.BUTORIDES VIRESCENS FRAZARI (Brewster).Ardea virescens frazari Brewster, Auk, vol. 5, January, 1888, p. 83 (La Paz,Lower California).Chars, suhsp.?Resembling Butorides virescens virescens, but hindneck, sides of neck, and foreneck, darker, more purplish, less maroon;breast and posterior lower parts darker; edgings of superior wing-coverts darker; upper surface of body averaging duller and moredeeply colored; average size yery slightly greater.Measurements.?Male:^ Wing, 176-189 (average, 183.2) mm.; tail,63-72.5 (69.2); exposed culmen, 60.5-66.5 (63.7); height of bill atbase, 11-13.5 (12.3); tarsus, 51-58 (53.8); middle toe, 44-48.5 (47.3).Female:^ Wing, 176.5-182.5 (180.0); taU, 66.5-73.5 (70.0);exposed culmen, 62.5-66.5 (64.9) ; height of bill at base, 12-13 (12.5);tarsus, 51-56 (52.9); middle toe, 46-47.5 (46.8).Type-locality.?La Paz, Lower California, Mexico. ^GeograpTiical distribution.?Southern and central Ijower California:south to La Paz, southern Lower California; and north to SanIgnacio, central Lower California.The Juvenal plumage is very deeply colored, particularly on thelower parts, and differs from the corresponding stage of Butoridesvirescens virescens in its darker hind neck, foreneck, sides of neck, andstreaks of lower parts.In the series of adults examined the colors are very uniform. Thefemale averages somewhat smaller than the male. This race occupiesa restricted area in southern and central Lower California, where it isapparently resident throughout the year. Its center of distributionappears to be the vicinity of La Paz Bay, but it has occurred as farnorth as San Ignacio, in the central portion of the penmsula (northand south); and a smgle adult male from the latter locality (No.196339, U.S.N.M.), taken October 11, 1905, by Messrs. E. W. Nelsonand E. A. Goldman, is practically typical.Fourteen specimens examined, from the localities below, breedingrecords being indicated by an asterisk:Lower California.?La Paz;* San Ignacio; San Jose Island;*Puerto Balandra.
-"""""?" ~~~?
~
" ~1 Ten specimens, from southern Lower California.2 Four specimens from southern Lower California.
NO. 1016. REVISION OF BUTORIDES VIRE8CENS?0BERH0LSER. 543
Measurements of specimens of Butorides virescens frazari.
Museum and number.
U.S.N.M., 197889 '
Sex.
Male,juvenal.U.S.N.M., 1978901 Male...,U.S.N.M., 197892 ? 1 . . .doU.S.N.M.,]97S93> !...do
...do....
...do
...do
...do...
...do....
U.S.N.M., H)7Sf|4i.U.S.N.M., l<)7S%iU.S.N.M., iyti.?9iU.S.N.M., 1126OTIE. A. and O. Bangs,20283. >E. A. and O. Bangs,20281.1U.S.N.M., 1978911 ...do....Female
,
U.S.N.M., 19789,5 > doU.S.N. M., 197888' .. ..[... doE. A. and O. Bangs, ...do20282.?
Locality.
La Paz >.dododododoSan Ignacio'La Paz JdoSan Jose Is-land."La Paz?dodoPuerto Ba-landra.'
Feb. 5, 1906doFeb. 15,1906Feb. 16,1906doFeb. 18,1906Oct. 11,1905Feb. 14,1887Mar. 2,1908June 19,1908Feb. 15,1906
Feb. 17,1906Feb. 5,19n<)May 18,1908
Collector.
E. W. Nelson and EA. Goldman.dodododododoM. A. FrazarW.W.Brown.
..^do
mm176.0
189.0189.0IKLO1S2.0189.0178.0is.i.n
mm mm63. (a. 5 mm mm'mm12.0 54.0 48.0
71.571.072.570.5
64.564. 5i60.563.32. 66.
5
65.0 61.066.0l63.5lS0.0 71.0f>6.2182.5 69.0 63.5179.0,66.5 5.5
176.5 70.5 62.5
12. 5 54.12. 5 54.12. 5152.11.0,55.12.8-52.11.5 53.12.o!.5H.12.3 54.13. 5 5L 47.012.8E. W. Nel-son and E.
.\. Goldman.dodo 182. 5 73. 5:65. 12.W. W. Brown, 182. 69. 5l65. 5 12.jr. ... 13.0
48.50148.054.5.048.47.55 44.048.
5
48.0
56.0 46.fi53.046.0
.51.5 47.051.0,47.5
BUTORIDES VIRESCENS ANTHONYI (Meams).Ardea virescens anthonyi Mearns, Auk, vol. 12, July, 1895, p. 257 (Seven Welle,Lower California).Chars, suhsp.?Similar to Butorides virescens virescens, but muchlarger; posterior lower parts much paler; foreneck more cinna-momeous or fulvescent; upper surface of body and hind neck lighter,the green of body duller, the chestnut of neck more fulvescent.Measurements.?Male: ^ Wing, 186-202 (average, 196) mm.; tail,67-79 (72.8); exposed culmen, 57.8-64 (61.0); height of bill at base,11-13.5 (12.3); tarsus, 51-56.5 (53.9); middle toe, 43.5-49 (47.7).Female:* Wing, 180-196 (189.7) mm.; tail, 63-74.5 (69.6); ex-posed culmen, 57-62 (60.2); height of bill at base, 10.5-13 (11.8);tarsus, 48-54.5 (52.5); middle toe, 43-48 (45.5).Type-locality.?Seven Wells, Salton River, northern Lower Cali-fornia, Mexico.Geographical distribution.?Southwestern United States and throughMexico to Costa Rica: in summer, north to Fort Klamath, Oregon;and Big Sandy, Arizona; east to Murphy and Little Owens Lake,east central California; Camp Verde, central Arizona; and Bisbee,southeastern Arizona; south to the San Bernardino River and theSan Pedro River, northern Sonora; and Seven Wells, Salton River,northern lower California; west to Los Coronados Islands, northwest-ern Lower California; Santa Barbara, Ukiah, and Yreka, western
' Used in measurement averages on p. .542.* Lower California, Mexico.
' Fifteen specimens, from California, Arizona, northern Sonora, and northern Lower California.
* Eleven specimens, from California, Arizona, norther ower California, and Costa Rica.
544 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. VOL. 42.California. In migration east to Victoria, central Tamaulipas; inwinter from southern Lower California and central Mexico south toEl Limon, western Guerrero ; Tehuantepee, southeastern Oaxaca; andSan Jose, central Costa Rica.This is one of the best characterized forms of the species. FromButorides virescensfrazari it differs as from Butorides virescens virescens,only much more strongly. Freshly molted or winter birds are some-times rather dark, but the cinnamomeous or rufous tint of the neck,coupled with large size, easilj^ distinguishes such specimens. Thefemale is decidedly smaller than the male. The young in juvenalplumage may be distinguished from that of Butorides v. virescensby reason of its paler, more grayish or brownish upper body sur-face; lighter, more cinnamon rufous hind neck and foreneck; andpaler lower parts with narrower and less numerous streaks.Birds from central California seem to be identical in color withthose from Arizona; also in size, as the following comparison ofaverage measurements indicates
:
Localities.
NO. 1916. REVISION OF BUT0RIDE8 VIRESCENS?OBERUOLSER. 545Guerrero.?ElZopilotc; ElLimoii.Jalisco.?Ocotlan (December 28).Lower California.?Seven Wells, Salton River;* Gardner's Laguna;*San Quintin; San Fernando; San Ignacio; San Joso del Cabo(January 8).Mexico (State).?Valley of Mexico.MicJioacan.?Los Reyes (February 18) ; Tupdtaro.Oaxaca.?Tehuantepec.Sonora.?San Pedro River (near the United States boundaryline);* San Bernardino River (near the United States boundaryline).Tamaulipas.?Victoria.Vera Cruz.?Orizaba.Costa Rica.?Vicinity of San Jos6.Measurements of specimens of Butorides virescens anthonyi.
546 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. VOL. 42.Measurements of specimens of Butorides virescens anihonyi?Continued.
Museum and number.
U.S.N.M., 1355751.
U.S.N.M., 1337311E. A. and O. Bangs,16736.1D.S.N.M., 1337321
U.S.N.M., 1347701.U.S.N.M., 2042731.
U.S.N.M., 495341..U.S.N.M., 125329..U.S.N.M., 98487...
Sex.
Female
.do.
.do.
..do.
.do.
.do.
Locality.
Gardner'sL aguna,S a 1 t o nRiver, L.Cal.doVicinity ofSan Jose,Costa Rica.UnluckyLake, SanDiegoCounty,Cal.doTulare Lake,9 miles eastof Lemoore,Cal.Sacramento,Cal.Berryessa,Cal.Red Bluff,Cal.
Date.
Apr. 25,1894
doNov. 27, 1896May 2, 1894
Apr. 30,1894June 21,1907
June 10,1867
May 9, 1884
Collector.
E. M. Meams.
doC. F. Under-wood.E. A. Meams.
F. X. Holzner.E. A. Gold-man.R. Ridgway .
.
R. H. Beck...C. H. Town-send.
771771185.0
192.0195.0
196.0
190.0187.0
191.0195.0193.0
?a a(CO
.2f rt
771777G9.0
70.071.04.5
67.00.0
63.074.068.0
mm62.0
57.06L0
60.0
61.0
mm12.5
12.013.0
11.5
12.312.0
59.012.058.512.5
mm53.0
54.054.5
52.5
52.052.0
52.052.0
mm43.0
44.547.0
45.0
45.543.5
46.549.551.0 47.0
1 Used in measurement averages on p. 543.BUTORIDES VIRESCENS EREMONOMUS.i new subspecies.Chars, suhsp.?Much like Butorides virescens anthonyi, but smallerin all measurements; neck and sides of head darker, less fulvescent(somewhat more purpUsh).Description.?Type, adult male. No. 124540, U.S.N.M., San Diego,Chihuahua, Mexico, June 11, 1891; Frank Robinette. Pileum,occipital crest, postocular region, and a short subauricular streak,deep, glossy bottle green; malar stripe cream buff; submalar stripechestnut, mixed with blackish brown; cheeks, auriculars, sides andback of neck, chestnut, decidedly purplish posteriorly, and some-what paler anteriorly; upper surface of body deep, glossy bottle green,the long, pointed, plume-like feathers of back and scapulars somewhatbluish distally, the outer scapulars narrowly margined exteriorlywith tawny; wings fuscous, the primaries and outer secondariestinged with bluish green on exposed portions, the greater coverts anda few of the inner primaries with white tips; tertials, outer webs ofinner secondaries, with greater, median, and lesser wing-coverts,grayish or brownish bottle green; lesser and median wing-covertsmargined rather narrowly all around with ochraceous or buff, thegreater coverts, outer webs of tertials and innermost secondaries, withwhite ; tail dull, dark, grayish blue-green ; cliin and middle of upperthroat buffy white, medially streaked with dark blackish brown;jugulum purplish chestnut, conspicuously streaked with creamy
? The gender of Butorides is masculine, not feminine, as appears to be the general impression.
NO. 1916. REVISION OF BVTORIDES VIRESCENS?OBERUOLSER. 547white and dark brown; breast, sides, and axillars rather h^dit gray,about No. 7,* with a sh<;ht brownish tinge; abdomen and crissummucli paler gray, somewhat mixed with whitish, particularly onlatter, whicli have slate-colored terminal or subterminal spots orblotches; thighs pale gray, with an ochraceous tinge exteriorly; lin-ing of ^ving mottled pale gray and white, with a slight buffy wash, theedge of ^ving broadly white.Measurements.?Male:^ Wing, 181-183 (average, 182) mm.; tail,65-67.5 (66.3); exposed culmen, 57.5-63 (60.3); height of billat base, 11-12.5 (11.8); tarsus, 51.5-52.5 (52); middle toe, 46.5-48(47.3).Female: Wing,' 182 mm.; tail, 65; exposed culmen, 54; heightof bill at base, 12; tarsus, 50; middle toe, 46.Type-locality.?San Diego, Chihuahua, Mexico.Geographical distribution.?Northern central Mexico: north to SanDiego, central Cliihuahua; south to Rio Scstin, northwestern Durango;and in winter to Los Reyes, w^estern Michoacan.The present form is distinguishable from Butorides virescens vires-cens by its much jialer posterior lower })arts, and more maroon tinged,less purplish, and somewhat lighter neck and sides of head. Althoughwe have examined only a small number of specimens, the charactersexliibited by them seem to separate them subspecifically from bothButorides virescens virescens and Butorides virescens anthonyi, theforms wliich are geograpliically nearest. A single immature female(No. 185244, U.S.N.M.) from Los Reyes, Michoacan, taken February12, 1903, is apparently of tliis race, indicating its probable winterrange.Three specimens have been available, from the following places,breetUng birds with an asterisk:Chihuahua.?San Diego.*Durango.?Rio Sestin.*Michoacan.?Los Reyes (February 12).Measurements of specimens of Butorides
548 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol.42.BUTORIDES VIRESCENS MESATUS, new subspecies.CJmrs. suhsp.?Similar to Butorides virescens eremonomus , but wingand tail shorter; neck, sides of head, and posterior lower parts paler.Description.?^Type, adult female. No. 151366, U.S.N.M; Managua,Nicaragua; Charles E. Kern. Pileum, occipital crest, postocularregion, and a short subauricular streak, deep, glossy bottle green;malar stripe buffy white; submalar stripe chestnut mixed withblackish brown; cheeks, auriculars, sides and back of neck, chestnut,more rufescent and paler anteriorly, more purplish posteriorly; uppersurface of body deep bottle green, somewhat glossy, the long, pointed,plume-like feathers of-back and scapulars somewhat glaucous bluish;wings fuscous, the primaries and outer secondaries dull, dark, greenish-blue slate color, the inner primaries and outer secondaries tippedwith white; tertials, outer webs of inner secondaries, with greater,median, and lesser wing-coverts, dark, glossy bottle green; the firstrows of lesser wing-coverts margined rather narrowly with tawny,the other rows and the median coverts with ochraceous buff, thegreater coverts and outer webs of tertials and innermost secondarieswith buff or cream white; tail fuscous, all the exposed portions,except the middle feather, glossy bottle green; chin and middle ofupper throat white, medially rather sparingly streaked with darkbrown; jugulum purplish chestnut, a httle lighter than the hindneck, conspicuously and broadly streaked with white, and slightlywith dull, dark brown; breast, sides, crissum, and axillars, smokegray; abdomen and crissum paler gray, even whitish; longest undertail-coverts with dark brownish gray distal markings; thighs palebrownish gray; lining of wing pale gray, mottled with white,ochraceous, and buff, the edge of wing broadly cream white.Measurements.?Male:^ Wing, 169 mm.; tail, 63; exposed cul-men, 61.5; height of bill at base, 12.5; tarsus, 49; middle toe, 44.Female: 2 Wing, 164; tail, 61; exposed culmen, 62; height of billat base, 12.5; tarsus, 50.5; middle toe, 44.5.Type-locality.?Managua, Nicaragua.Geographical distribution.?^Western Nicaragua, probably north toMomotombo, and probably south to Ometepe and San Juan del Sur.From Butorides virescens antJionyi it may be separated by muchshorter wing and tail, somewhat paler posterior lower parts, and morepurplish (less fulvescent) neck; and from Butorides virescens vires-cens by shorter wing, much lighter posterior under parts, and paler,more maroon tinged (less purplish) neck. A specimen in juvenalplumage is apparently indistinguishable from juvenal examples ofButorides virescens antlionyi.
1 One specimen, from western Nicaragua.2 One specimen (the type), from western Nicaragua.
NO. 1916. REVIf^ION OF BVT0RIDE8 VIRE8CEN8?0BERII0LSER. 549The only adults examined are from Managua, in western Nicara-gua, but it is fair to assume that this is tlie form of all westernNicaragua, where it is apparently resident, at least as far northas Momotombo,* and as far south as Ometepe Island- and SanJuan del Sur,^ possibly even to the Bay of SaUnas,* in extremenortliwostern Costa Rica. To what form, however, belong the birdsfrom eastern Nicaragua, whence records exist of some green heron,at tlie Escondido River ''? and the Bluefields River," it is unsafe tohazard a guess, and the examination of specimens must decide. Itmay be the present form, or Butorides virescens virescens, or evenButorides virescens hypernotius.'^Only three specimens have been seen, both from Managua,Nicaragua. Measurements of specimens of Butorides virescens mesalus.
Museum and nuiTiber.
550 PROCEEDINGS OF TUE NATIONAL MUSEUM. tol. 42.outer webs of inner secondaries, with greater, median, and lesserwing-coverts, dark, slightly glossy bottle green; the first rows oflesser wing-coverts margined all around with tawny, the other rows,the median coverts, and outer webs of tertials, with ochraceousbuff, the greater coverts and outer webs of innermost secondarieswith cream buff or whitish; tail dark, glossy bottle green; chin andmiddle of upper throat cream white, the latter heavily streaked withbrownish black; jugulum purpUsh maroon, conspicuously streakedmedially with creamy white and dark brown; breast, abdomen,sides, crissum, and axillars rather deep slate gray, with a decidedbrownish tinge, the middle of abdomen and the crissum a littlepaler, the latter whitish, the longest feathers of under tail-covertswith large black subterminal patches; thighs brownish gray, morerufescent exteriorly; lining of wing deep gray, the feathers mar-gined with ochraceous, buff, or whitish; the edge of wing broadlybuffy white.Measurements.?Male: ^ Wing, 168-177 (average, 173.1) mm.; tail,58.5-69.5 (63.4); exposed culmen, 56-64 (60.7); height of bill at base,11-13 (11.9); tarsus, 46.5-53 (50.4); middle toe, 43-48 (45.1).Female: 2 Wing, 158-180.5 (172.2) mm.; tail, 60-71.5 (66.2);exposed culmen, 55-63.5 (59.1); height of bill at base, 11-12 (11.7);tarsus, 46-52 (49.9); middle toe, 40-46.3 (43.7).Type-locality.?Rio Indio, near Gatun, Canal Zone, Panama.Geograpliical distribution.?Southern Central America and northernSouth America: north to San Jose, central Costa Rica; Gatun,northern Panama; Bonda (Santa Marta), northern Colombia; Zuliaand Lake Valencia, northern Venezuela; east to Trinidad Island;Cayenne, French Guiana; Rio Counani and Para, northeastern Bra-zil; south to the Capim River, northeastern Brazil; Merida, centralVenezuela; Medellin (Antioquia), and Honda (Tolima), northwestcentral Colombia; west to Medellin, Colombia, and San Jose, CostaRica.The difference in size between this form and Butorides virescensvirescens is sufficient to separate them; but it is doubtful that anycolor characters of importance exist, since the darkest birds in theseries of Butorides virescens Jiypernotius are in this respect absolutelyindistinguishable from specimens of B. v. virescens.The female of Butorides virescens Jiypernotius averages about aslarge as the male. There are, however, two adult females fromPanama, No. 206341, U.S.N.M., taken February 19, 1911, nearGatun, and No. 206347, U.S.N.M., taken April 9, 1911, near Taber-nilla, that are very large (wing 180.5 and 180 mm., respectively) ; yet,since the date of the latter falls within the breeding season, they are
' Fourteen specimens, from Panama, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Venezuela.2 Six specimens, from Panama and Costa Rica.
NO. 191C. REVISION OF DUTORIDES TIRESCENS?OBERnOLSER. 551both probably unusually large examples of Butorides virescens hyper-notius; at least, it seems best to consider them such, rather than asmigrant individunls of Butorides virescens virescens.The specimens from Costa Kica, Colombia, and Venezuela exam-ined are, in both size and color, aj)parently just like those fromPanama. Average measurements of birds from these regions are asfollows
:
Localities.
Five malos, from PanamaThree males, from Colombia and VenezuelaSix males, from Costa RicaFive females, from Panama .-. .
.
One female, from Costa Rica
Wing.
552 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. VOL. 42.Measurements of specimens of Butorides virescens hypernotius.
Museum and number,
U.S.N.M.,20G346i....U.S.N.M., 2003421....
U.S.N.M., 2003451....E. A. and O. Bangs,8902.1Am.Mus.N.H.,1071081U.S.N.M., 079211.E. A. and O.19233.1E. A. and O.16378.1E. A. and O. Bangs,20845.1E. A. and O17975.1E. A. and O. Bangs,17970.1Am.Mus.N.H.,947991Am. Mus.N.H., 978871
J. Dwight, 240091.U.S.N.M., 2003441.
U.S.N.M., 2003401.U.S.N.M., 2003411.U.S.N.M., 2063431.U.S.N.M., 2003471.
E. A. and O. Bangs,20846.1Am. Mus.N.H. ,45732.
Sex.
Male ...
...do....Male,JuvenalMale[Male]...Male
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do.3...
..do....Female .
..do....
..do....
..do.3..
..do....
.do....
Locality.
Gatun, CanalZone, Pan-ama.Rio Indio ,near Gatiui,Canal Zone,2Panama.doSona, Pana-ma.Near Gatun,Canal Zone,Panama.Talamanca,Costa Rica.San Jose,Costa Rica.Vicinity ofSan Jose,Costa Rica.Bolson, CostaRica.Pozodel RioGrande,B oru ca,Costa Rica.doHonda, Toli-ma, Colom-bia.Mamatoca,Santa Mar-ia, Colom-bia.Chama, nearMer i d a,Venezuela.Rio Indio ,near Gatun,Canal Zone,Panama.dododoRio C aiioQuebrado,near Taber-nilla. CanalZone, Pan-ama.Costa Rica .
.
Panama.
Date.
Feb. 20,1911
Feb. 10,1911
Feb. 8,1911July 12,1901Oct. 12,1908
Dec. 10,1906Feb. 19,1890
Dec. 23,1907Apr. 4, 1900
Apr. 11,1900Jan. 27,1907
Oct. 20,1899
Apr. 20,1903
Feb. 13,1911
doFeb. 19,1911Feb. 23.1911Apr. 9,1911
Collector.
E. A. Gold-man.do
doW.W.Brown,jr-T. HallinanW. M.Gabb..C. F. Under-wood.do..
.do
.do
....doMrs. E. L.Kerr.Mrs H. H.Smith.
S. B. Gabal-d6n.E. A. Gold-man.
-do...
-do...
.do...
.do...
C. F. Under-wood.J. McLeannanand J. R.Galbraitli.
mm172.0
176.0
170.0176.5174.0
mm03.0
61.0
00,03.065.0
175.0 07.5174.0,64.0108.0 61.0
171.5177.0
171.0175.0
109.0
175.0
107.0
173.0180.5158.0180.0
175.0100.0
02.067.0
59.069.5
58.5
66.5
00.0
mm58.
56.0
61.000.501.0
mm11.8
11.011.21163.013.057.5:12.058.511.5
0262.5
64.061.5
61,5
62.0
56.0
68.064.065.5
71.563.0
61.5
.55.03.
57.301.0
12.312.8
12.212.0
12.0
11.7
12.0
12.012.012.011.0
11.011.5
mm51.5
52.5
49.540.550.5
mm43.5
45.5
47.043.545.0
52.0 47.051.0 48.051.0 45.5
48.0,43.053.0 43.5
50. 45.48.048.5
50.0
52.0
44.0
43.5
51.0 40.0
51.8 40.050.0 44.048.5 40.352.0 43.0
46.051.5 43.045.0
1 Used in measurement averages on page 550. 2 Type. ^ jjot quite adult.BUTORIDES VIRESCENS SATURATUS Ridgway.Butorides saturatus Eidgwat, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. 10, August 6, 1888,p. 577 (Swan Island, Caribbean Sea).Chars, subsp.?Resembling Butorides virescens frazari, but differsin the more reddish (less purplish) shade of foreneck, hind neck,sides of head, and particularly of jugulum and breast; also in therestriction of the whitish median stripe on the foreneck posterior tothe upper throat.
NO. IfilG. REVTf^ION OF BUTOIiTDESt VTREl^CENS?OBERnOLStER. 553Measurements.?Probuljlc male:* Wing, 179 mm.; tail, 67; exposedculmen, 60.5; height of bill at base, 11.2; tarsus, 48.5; middle toe, 44.5.Type-locality.?Swan Island, Caribbean Sea, Honduras.Geographical distribution.?Swan Islands, Cari])bcan Sea, Honduras.In both size and color this subspecies is nearest Butorides virescensfrazari. It differs materially from Butorides virescens virescens in itsdarker i)]umago throughout, including upper surface and edgings ofsuperior wing-coverts; and in restriction of median light strij)e onjugulum and upper breast. It has longer wings and tail than Buto-ridis virescens liypemotius, and in color is sej>aral)]e from the hitteras from Butorides virescens virescens.The type is the only specimen known, l)ut this form is doubtlessresident and endemic on the Swan Islands.BUTORIDES VIRESCENS MARGARITOPHILUS, new subspecies.CJiars. s uhsp.?Sim'Aiir to Butondes virescens liypemotius, butsmaller throughout, particularly the wirig, tail, and exposed culmen;posterior lower parts darker; neck and sides of head more rufescent(less purplish); median white stripe on throat, jugulum, and breastmuch reduced, often almost obliterated on breast and jugulum, giv-ing tluis a much less streaked appearance to the anterior lower parts;center of tlu*oat often tinged with ochraceous, instead of beingpurewhite as in Butorides virescens liypernotius.Description.?Tji^c, adult male. No. 200442, U.S.N.M.; SanIMiguel Island, Pearl Islands, Bay of Panama, Panama, March 13,1904; Wilmot W. Brown, jr. Pileum, occipital crest, postocularregion, and a short subauricular streak, deep, glossy bottle green;narrow malar stripe tawny ocliraceous; submalar stripe purplishmaroon mixed with blacldsh ; cheeks, aiu-iculars, and neck all aroundpur])lish maroon, somewhat more rufescent anteriorly, somewhatglaucous posteriorly, the foreneck very narrowly and sparinglystreaked medially with white, and also broadly though inconspicu-ously with dull, dark brown; upper sm-face of body deep bottle green,somewhat glossy, the long, pointed, plimae-like feathers of back andscapidars glaucous and somewhat bluish; wings fuscous, the prmiariesand outer secondaries dull, dark, greenish-blue slate color; tertials,outer webs of inner secondaries, \vitli the su})erior wing-coverts, dark,glossy bottle green; the first rows of lesser wing-coverts marginedrather narrowly all around with tawny ochraceous, the remainingrows and the median coverts with buff, the greater coverts and outerwebs of tertials and innermost secondaries with white; tail dark,glossy bottle green; chin and middle of upper tliroat narrowly lighttawny ochraceous, the former very sj)aringly, the latter heavily,streaked with blackish; breast and entire posterior lower parts,
' One specimen (the type, No. 1U281, U. S. N. M.), from Swan Island, Caribbean Ste, collected March6, 1887, by Mr. Charles H. Towusend (original number, 1818).
554 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol.42.
axillars, and under wing-coverts, brownisli slate color, the longestlower tail-coverts with paler edgings, the thighs exteriorly dark,rufescent brown; edge of wing broadly creamy white.Measurements.?Male:^ Wing, 160-174.5 (average, 166) mm.; tail,56-66 (60.7) ; exposed culmen, 54-60 (57.0) ; height of bill at base,10.5-12 (11.0); tarsus, 44-49 (47.3); middle toe, 40-45 (42.8).Female:^ Wing, 157-169 (161.9) mm.; tail, 53-64 (59.3); exposedculmen, 54-59 (56.2); height of bill at base, 10.7-12 (11.1); tarsus,42.5-47 (45.3); middle toe, 40-43 (41.2).Type-locality.?SsLii Miguel Island, Pearl Islands, Bay of Panama,Panama.Geographical distribution.?San Miguel Island, and probably alsoother of the Pearl Islands, Bay of Panama, Panama.This Pearl Islands race differs in color from Butorides virescensvirescens as from Butorides virescens Tiypernotius, and in size evenmore markedly. From Butorides virescens saiuratus it may be dis-tinguished by its smaller size, lighter colors throughout, includingupper parts, tail, and edgings of superior wing-coverts; lighter, morerufescent (less purplish) neck and sides of head. It resemblesButorides virescens frazari, but is much smaller, with less deeply col-ored posterior lower parts; lighter, more rufescent Gess purplish)neck and sides of head, and differs otherwise as from Butoridesvirescens Tiypernotius.The two Juvenal birds examined differ from the correspondingplumage of Butorides virescens Tiypernotius in their paler, duller, moregrayish upper parts, and lighter streaks on lower surface.Messrs. Thayer and Bangs have already commented at length ^ onthe considerable individual variation in the series of birds from thePearl Islands. Notwithstanding this variation, these birds representa very distinct subspecies, as comparison of the series availablereadily shows. The female averages somewhat smaller than themale, chiefly in length of wing.In the above described * extreme adult plumage, Butorides virescensmargaritopTiilus curiously and closely resembles the adult of Butorideshrunescens, from Cuba, but is somewhat less brownish on the posteriorlower surface ; has the edgings of superior wing-coverts much paler,on greater coverts even whitish, and thus much more conspicuous;and, most important of all, has always a broad and conspicuous whiteedge to the wing, and at least an indication of the light median gularand jugular stripe, which is entirely absent in Butorides hrunescens;and the median part of throat as well as of chin trenchantly and con-
1 Twelve specimens, from San Miguel Island, Pearl Islands, Panama.2 Nine specimens, from the same island.
? Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. 46, No. 8, September, 1905, pp. 142-144.
* See p. 553.
NO. 1910. REVISION OF BUT0RIDE8 VIRESCENS?OBERnOLSER. 555spicuously paler than the siirroundins; parts, sometimes even whitish;in B. hrunescens only the chin is paler (tawny bufT), the rest of thetliroat and neck being practically nnicolor. Furthermore, the youngof Butorides virescens margaritophilus is ])ale and streaked below likethat of Butorides virescens virescens, instead of dark brown almostuniform, as in Butorides hrunescens.I have seen specimens of this new subsj^ccies from only San MiguelIsland, where it is doubtless resident throughout the year, as thedates on the labels range from February 21 to May 4. It probablyoccurs on the other Pearl Islands also. \'\Tiat form of Butoridesvirescens occurs on Cocos Island, southwest of Panama, whencecame a single specimen taken January 2G, 1902,' we have not been ableto determine. That it will prove to be the same as either Butoridesvirescens margaritopliilus or Butorides virescens liypemotius seems lesslikely than that it is an undescribed race.Of this subspecies 22 specimens have been examined, all fromSan Miguel Island, Panama.Measurevients of specimens of Butorides virescens margaritophilua.'^
556 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol.42.Measurements.?Male: ^ Wing, 156-165 (average, 161.7) mm.;tail, 58-62.5 (60.3); exposed culmen, 51-64 (57.2); height of bill atbase, 10.2-12.8 (11.3); tarsus, 42.5-51 (45.3); middle toe, 38-41 (39.5).Female: 2 Wing, 156-164 (160.1); tail, 58-63 (59.9); exposedculmen, 53.5-61 (56.7); height of bill at base, 11-12.2 (11.6); tarsus,46-48 (47.1); middle toe, 39-41 (40.0).Type-locality.?Watling Island, Bahama Islands.Oeographical distribution.?Bahama Islands: Abaco, Acklin, Berry,Bimini, Cay Lobos, Eleuthera, Great Inagua, Green Cay, LittleAbaco, Long, Mangrove Cay (near Andros Island), Mariguana,New Providence, Northern Andros, Samana, Southern Andros,Strangers Cay, Rum Cay, Watling, and doubtless other islands.This pale race is very different from Butorides virescens virescens,being very much smaller, especially in length of wing, and muchlighter in color throughout. It is more nearly like Butorides virescenseremonomus, of northern Mexico, but is much smaller throughout,and averages paler, particularly on neck and sides of head, with theneck more fulvescent. It is similar also to Butorides virescensmesatus, but is smaller in all measurements, with paler neck andsides of head. The juvenal plumage of Butorides virescens hahamensisis like that of Butorides virescens antlionyi.The adult female is of about the same size as the male. The neckin some fresh plimaaged birds is much darker and less fulvescent, andthe posterior lower parts darker, thus approaching some light examplesof Butorides virescens cubanus.^ There is great variation in the shadeof the neck, probably due in part to age and to wear of the feathers,younger birds being usually somewhat paler.So far as I can discover, all the birds from the various islands of theBahama Archipelago are identical in both size and color, and this raceprobably occm-s on most if not all of the islands in the group. It is con-fined to the Bahama Islands, being resident there throughout the year.Nineteen specimens have been handled, from the subjoined locaU-ties, breeding records being marked with an asterisk:Bahama Islands.?Watling Island;* Rum Cay;* Northern AndrosIsland;* Southern Andros Island;* Alfred Sound (Great InaguaIsland); southern side of New Providence Island;* Abaco Island;Mangrove Cay (near Andros Island);* Strangers Cay.*
1 Ten specimens, from the Bahama Islands.2 Four specimens, from the same group of islands,s See p, 557.
NO. 1916. REVISION OF BUT0RIDE8 VIRE8CENS?0BERH0LSER. 557
Measurements of specimens of Butorides virescens bahamensis.
Mus?um and numhor.
U.S.N.M.,10SS19iU.S.N.M.,inS001iU.S.N.M.,]OS002>U.S.N.M., 189(158 1U.S.N.M., 108S13>U.S.N.M., 189659 '
A.E.andO.Bangs,3423i
A. E. and O. Bangs,1'1994.>
Am.Mus.N.II., 99128 1M.C.Z., 56803 1Am.Mus.N.H., 99429 <U.S.N.M., 108820 >....U.S.N.M., 1088141....U.S.N.M., 1890601....Am.Mus.N.H., 994301U.S.N.M., 108645.
Male 5..
..do....
..do....
..do....
..do.-..
..do....
...do....
...do....,
...do....,
...do
...do...Female .
...do.....
...do
...do
Locality.
Watling Is-land.'dododoRum Cay 3..New Provi-dence Is-land.
3
South side ofNew Prov-idence Is-liind.3MangroveCay, nearAndros Is-land.'Southern.\n-dros Island.
.Vlfred Sound,Groat Ina-gua Island.
3
Sou (hern.\n-dioslsland.3^\atling Is-land.'Rum Cay'..do.'Northern An-dros Island.^Abaco Island.'
Mar. S,1880doPob.27, 1886July 12,1903Mar. 1,1886June24,1903May 7,1897
Summer,1904
June 2,1904Feb. 5,1909June 14, 1904Mar. 1,1886Mar. 2,1886July 10, 1903May 16, 1904Apr. 3,1886
Collector.
^V. NyedoJ. H.Rilev...C. II. Town-send.J.H.Riley...C.J.Maynard
F. M. Chap-man.W.W.Worth-ington.F. M. Chap-man.
L. F. Wash-Vnirne.J. II. Rilev...F. M. Chap-man.C. H. Town-send.
3^
.
?OS ?S
77! 771 ' 77J 771159. 58.165.161.0158.0163.163.
61.061.061.062.560.0
162.
5
164.0
149.0160.0160.5156.0164.0159.0
62.0
61.058.5
mm mm56.011.860.011.556.5|ll.058.511.564.0.10.257.011.5
57.0 12.8
54.010.5
.51.057.5 10.512.0
54.5 51.511.0 38.063.o'61.011.3 48.0
TnTtiimm47. 5i38.
5
44.5 41.042. 5,39.43.0,38.551.0 41.044.0 39.0
43. 5 39.
43.5 40.0
46. 38.47.0 40.5
136.540.560.0 53.5 11.0,46.0 .39.558. 0'55. 0112. 47.0139.058. 5,57. 3112. 2 47. 5141.059.0 54.010.0 45.0 40.0
' Used in measurement averages on p. 556.?Type. ' Bahama Islands.* .\lmost adult, but apparently not full gioirn.BUTORIDES VIRESCENS CUBANUS, new subspecies.Chars, subsi).?Similar to Butorides virescens virescens, but smallerin all measurements; neck and sides of head usually lighter, morerufescent, less purplish; posterior lower surface averaging somewhatpaler.Description.?T3^pe, adult male, No. 177847, U.S.N.M.; Palmarito,Cuba, February 16, 1902; William Palmer. Piloiim, orcipitjil crest,postocular region, and a short subauricular streak, deep, glossybottle green; malar stripe light ta^vny ochraceous; submalar stripepurplish chestnut mixed with blackish; cheeks, auriculars, sides andback of neck, purplish chestnut, a little more rufescent anteriorly,somewhat glaucous posteriorly; upper surface of body deep bottlegreen, more or less glossy, the long, pointed, plume-like feathers ofback and scapulars glaucous and inclining to bluish; wings fuscous,the primaries and outer secondaries dull, dark, greenish-blue slatecolor, a few of the inner primaries and outermost secondaries verynarrowly tipped with white; tertials, outer webs of inner secondaries,and all the supenor wing-coverts, dark, glossy bottle green; the outer
558 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol.42.webs of outer scapulars, and the first rows of lesser wiiig-covertsmargined all around with tawny ochraceous, the remaining rows andthe median coverts with buff, the greater coverts and outer websof tertials and innermost secondaries with white; tail dark, glossybottle green; chin and middle of upper throat buffy white, mediallystreaked, the former sparingly, the latter heavily, with blackishbrown; jugulum purplish chestnut, conspicuously streaked mediallywith white and dark brown; breast, abdomen, sides, crissum, andaxillars slate gray with a slight brownish tinge, the longest feathersof under tail-coverts with darker centers and paler margins; thighsrufescent, and paler on the inner side; linmg of wing deep gray, thefeathers edged with ochraceous, the edge of wing broadly buffy white.Measurements.?Male:^ Wing, 160-171.5 (average, 164.9) mm.;tail, 58.5-64.5 (61.2); exposed culmen, 55-62 (58.9); height of billat base, 10.5-12.5 (11.5); tarsus, 44-51 (48.2); middle toe, 39-45.5(43.3).Female:^ Wing, 157-174 (167.8) mm.; tail, 55.5-67 (62.2); exposedculmen, 52.8-62 (58.8); height of bill at base, 10.8-12.5 (11.3);tarsus, 44-52 (47.3); middle toe, 38-44.5 (42.2).Type-locality.?Palmarito, Province of Oriente (Santiago de Cuba)eastern Cuba.GcograpTiical distribution.?Greater Antilles and most of northernLesser Antilles, West India Islands: Cuba, Isle of Pines, and Jamaica;east to Barbuda, Antigua, and Guadeloupe islands (with the excep-tion of St. Christopher Island).From Butorides virescens Jiypernotius this form is distinguished byits smaller size, lighter, more rufescent neck and sides of head, andrather paler posterior lower parts. It is larger than Butorides vires-cens hahamensis, with darker, less fulvescent (more purplish) neckand sides of head, and darker posterior under parts; the juvenalplumage is also darker, less grayish both above and below than thecorresponding age of Butorides v. hahamensis. The juvenal plumage,to judge by the material examined, is similar to that of Butoridesvirescens virescens, but is lighter, less heavily streaked below, aver-aging also less rufescent; and is somewhat paler, more grayish above.This is a very good race, readily distinguishable from Butoridesvirescens virescens by size and usually by color, although some speci-mens seem to be practically the same in this regard. Individualvariation is considerable, involving chiefly the degree of rufescenceand paleness of the neck and the lightness of the posterior underparts. The female is, at least in Cuba, somewhat larger than themale, but in Porto Pico the reverse seems to be the case.
' Eight specimens, from Cuba and the Isle of Pines.2 Ten specimens, from the same islands.
NO. 1916. REVISION OF BUT0RIDE8 VIRESCENS?0BERH0L8ER. 559Specimens available from the Isle of Pines, and from tlio islands ofPorto Rico, Vieques, Jamaica, Saba, St. John, Antigua, Barbuda, andGuadeloupe appear to be the same as those from Cuba, although birdsfrom Porto Rico and Saba average shglitly smaller than those fromCuba; but this may be accidental or due to the smallncss of the series.What this difference is will appear by inspection of the followingaverage measurements of birds from the various islands:
Localities.
Eight males, from Cuba and the Isle of PinesFive males, from rorto RicoOne male, from JamaicaOne male, from St. John IslandTwo males, from Antigua Island ,One male, from Saba IslandTen females, from Cuba and the Isle of PinesFive females, from Porto Rico ,One female, from JamaicaOne female, from St. John IslandTwo females, from Barbuda Island
Wing.
mm.164.9165.6107.0173.0167.3158.0167.8161.3167.0172.0169.0
Tail.
mm61.50.59.66.CO.58.62.59.58.63.56.
Ex-posedculmen.
mm.58.56.60.
.SS.57.60.58.55.58.
58.8
Heightof billat base.
mm,11.511.512.512.012.411.511.311.511.012.011.9
Tarsus.
mm.48.247.149.851.047.552.047.348.046.549.547.9
Middletoe.
mm.43.342.342.548.042.843.542.241.542.043.042.0
In addition to tlic above, the green heron has records from theWest Indian islands of Tortola, Anegada, St. Thomas, Desirade, St.Croix, Virgin Gorda, St. Bartholomew, Montserrat, and Santo Do-mingo, on all of which, presumably, the present race occurs, thoughactual examination of specimens must finally determine. Through-out its range this subspecies appears to be resident during all theyear.Of the present form we have seen 59 examples, from the followinglocalities in the West Indies, those with asterisks representing breed-ing records
:
Antigua Island.? ?Barbuda Island.?Cuha.?Holguin,* El Guama; United States Naval Station, Guan-tanamo Bay; Remedios; Guama; Pinar del Rio; Palmarito; Cabanas:*Trinidad.Guadeloupe Island.?Isle of Pines.?Santa Fe; Bibeyhagua;* Nueva Gerona.*Jamaica.?Spanishtown; Westmoreland; Priestman's River.Porto Rico.?Ilucares; San Juan; Mayaguez; Arecibo; Caguas;Rio Piedras; Mameyes.Saha Island.?St. John Island.?Vieques Island.?
560 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. VOL. 42.
Measurements of specimens of Butorides virescens cubanus.
Museum and number.
U.S.N.M., 1724921.U.S.N.M., 1778471U.S.N.M., 171303 1U.S.N.M., 1778131E. A. and O. Bangs,14891 1.E. A. and O. Bangs,13486 1.E. A. and O. Bangs,13487.U.S.N.M.,1727171U.S.N.M., 1727181....U.S.N.M., 169017U.S.N.M., 169018U.S.N.M., 232086U.S.N.M., 171582U.S.N.M., 232093U.S.N.M., 30344U.S.N.M., 81022U.S.N.M., 74515U.S.N.M., 191054U.S.N.M., 80996Am.Mus.N.H., 57395'Am.Mus.N.H.,962171Am.Mus.N.H.,962181M.C.Z., 466611......E. A. and O. Bangs,148921.U.S.N.M. 34245'U.S.N.M. 39127'...U.S.N.M. 172493'..U.S.N.M., 172716 '.U.S.N.M., 1727151.U.S.N.M., 168940..U.S.N.M., 171583..U.S.N.M., 232099..U.S.N.M., 232090..U.S.N.M., 232092..M.C.Z., 37759U.S.N.M., 81023...U.S.N.M., 191052.
.
U.S.N.M., 191053..
Sex.
Male.
...do
...do...
...do.3.
...do...
...do...
...do.<...
...do..
...do..
...do
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....Female.
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do
...do..
...do..
...do
...do..
.do.,
.do..
..do..
..do
.do.
...do.3..
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do
Locality.
Cabanas,Cuba.Palmarito,Cuba.2Pinar delRio, Cuba.Guama,CubaHolguin,Cuba.Santa Fe,Isleof Pines.Bibeyhagua,Isle of Pines.Nueva Gero-na. Isle ofPines.doCaguas,P. R.Hucares,P.R.Caguas, RioCaguito.P.R,ViequesIsland, W.I,Maineyes,P.R.Spanishtown,Jamaica.St. John Is-land, W.I.AntiguaIsland,W.I.doSaba Island,W.I.Trinidad,Cuba.Holguin,Cuba.doReraedios,Cuba.Holguin,Cuba.Remedies,Cuba.doCabanas,Cuba.Nueva Gero-na, Isle ofPines.doMayaguez,P.R.Arecibo,P.R.Rio Piedras,P.R.Mameyes,P.R.doPriestman'sRiver, Ja-maica.St. John Is-land, W. I.Barbuda Is-land, W. I.do
Date.
May 30,1900
Feb. 16,1902Feb. 24, 1900
Jan. 15,1902July 19,1904Apr. 20,1904May 15,1904July 8,1900
July 7,1900Jan. 9,1899Feb. 15,1899Jan. 10,1912Mar. 22, 1900Feb. 9,1912Aug. ? 1863
Sept. 6,1877July 22,1903
Mar. 4,1892Mar. 26,1904Mar. 10,1904Mar. 13,1864June 28, 1904Dec. 1,1863Dec. 12,1863May 30,1900
July 8, 1900June 29, 1900Jan. 23,1899Apr. 2,1900Dec. 22,1911Feb. 16,1912doJan. 21, 1891
Aug. 17, 1903Sept. 9,1903
Collector.
W. Palmerand J. H.Ri-ley.W. Palmer...W. Palmerand J. H.Ri-ley.B.S. BowdishO. TollinW. R. Zappey
...doW. PalmerandJ. H.Ri-ley.
...doA. B.Baker..
...doA. Wetmore..C. W. Rich-mond.A. Wetmore.W.T.March.F. A. Ober...
...doH.G.S.BranchF. A. Ober...F. M. Chap-man.O. Tollin
...doH.BryantO. Tollin..N. H. Bishop.
...doW. PalmerandJ.H.Ri-
.!l6
...doJ.D.Milligan,L. Stejneger.
.
A, Wetmore.
...do
...doW. E.D.Scott
F. A. Ober
.
H. G. ?Branch.do
mm161.0 mm58.5
165.0171.5
161.0163.0171.0150.0160.0
166.5165.0165.160.0168.0170.0167.0173.0169.0165.
5
158.0174.0172.0166.171.0164.0157.0166.0170.0
170.0
168.160.5149.0168.5159.5169.0167.0
172.0
169.0
63.863.5
59.059.061.047.560.0
64.558.061.855.060.063.059.066.063.058.058.067.061.0fil.563.061.055.563.564.0
60.0
65.054.060.0]63.51
mm60.5 mm12.2 mm51.0 mm44.5
58.055.0
60.058.362.055.056.0
61.058.054.857.058.055.560.558.555.560.060.560.061.057.559.057.852.862.056.5
60.0
61.056.557.055.556.0 53.062.0!58.5
63.555.058.5
57.058.0
57.560.0
11.311.8
11.210.510.511.012.2
12.511.510.511.512.012.012.512.011.813.011.512.011.011.011.11.010.811.511.0
12.5
11.012.211.512.310.511.011.0
12.011.212.5
50.049.5
49.545.051.043.044.0
45.546.48.044.351.545.549.851.048.047.052.047.549.048.047.547.044.046.
5
45.0
52.0'
45.545.0
43.542.544.041.039.0
42.042.540.242.043.044.042.548.044.041.543.543.544.044.042.041.541.038.040.0
47.550.547.045.046.551.046.5
49.547.848.0
44.542.039.540.542.043.542.0
43.041.043.0
1 Used In measurement averages on p. 558.? Type.s Not quite adult.* Evidently not full grown, though In nearly adult plumage.
NO. lOlfi. REVISION OF BUT0RIDE8 VIRE8CENB?0BERH0LSER. 561Measurements of specimens of Butorides virescens cubanus?Continued.
Museum and number. Sox. Localjty. Date. Collector.
U.S.N.M., 73068..U.8.N.M., 169019.U.S.N.M., 168941.A. N. S. Phila., 26550.A. N. S. Phila., 26549.U.S.N.M., 60:i29U.S.N.M.,60:?1U.S.N.M., 76380
Porto Rico .
.
Fajardo.P.RSan Juan,P. R.Porto Rico .dododo
Feb. 17,1899Jan. 6, 1899 11. Bryant . .
.
A. B. Baker.,J. D.Milligan.
G. Latimer.dodoGuadeloupeIsland.W. I. F. A. Ober
.
WOT170.0165.0167.0160.0172.155.0167.169.
mm61.061.059.563.562.062.59.064.
mm56.052.056.054.05053.53.
8
59.0
mm10.511.011.511.510.511.012.012.0
mm47.048.550.046.549.044.547.047.5
mm41.044.045.40.541.5
.39.543.041.2
BUTORIDES VraESCENS CHRISTOPHORENSIS, new subspecies.Clmrs. subsp.?In general appearance like Butorides virescenshdhamensis, but bigger; and the neck and sides of head more brightlyfulvescent.Description.?Type, adult male, No. 80921, U.S.N.M.; St. Chris-topher Island, West Indies; F. A. Ober; original number, 221,Pileum, occipital crest, postocular region, and a short subauricularstreak, deep, glossy, more or less bluish, bottle green; malar stripebuffy white; submalar stripe, cheeks, auriculars, sides and back ofneck, cinnamon rufous, slightly purplish on hind neck; upper surfaceof body deep, somewhat bluish, bottle green, the long plume-likefeathers of back and scapulars glaucous and more bluish; wings fus-cous, the primaries and outer secondaries dull, dark, greenish-blueslate color, the innermost primaries and outermost secondaries nar-rowl}'' tipped A\'ith white; tertials, outer webs of inner secondaries,with all the superior wing-coverts, dark, glossy bottle green; theouter scapulars on exterior webs, and the first rows of lesser wing-coverts margined all around rather narrowly with tawny or ta%vnyochraceous, the other rows and the median coverts with buff, thegreater coverts and outer webs of tertials and innermost secondarieswith white ; tail mostly dark, glossy bottle green ; cliin and middle ofupper throat white, the latter streaked medially with dull chestnut;jugulum cinnamon rufous, streaked medially with paler and withcream white; breast, abdomen, sides, flanks, crissum, and axillars,rather light smoke gray, the longest feathers of lower tail-covertswith bro^vnish slate centers; thighs smoke gray, washed with oclira-ceous ; Uning of wing smoke gray, shghtly washed with ochraceous,the edge of wing broadly cream white.Measurements.?Male:' ^Ving, 171-175 (average, 173) mm.; tail,60-66.5 (63.3) ; exposed culmen, 62.5-63 (62.8) ; height of bill at base,11.5-12 (11.8); tarsus, 51-54 (52.5) ; middle toe, 42.5-47 (44.8).
? Two specimens, from St. Christopher Island, West Indies.20441??Proc.N.M.vol.42?12 36
562 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. VOL. 42.Female: ^ Wing, 164-167 (165.5) mm.; tail, 58.5-60 (59.3); exposedculmen, 57-61 (59.0); height of bill at base, 11-11.5 (11.3); tarsus,46-52 (49.0) ; middle toe, 39.5-40.5 (40.0).Type-locality.?St. Christopher Island, West Indies.Geograpliical distribution.?St. Christopher Island, West Indies.This St. Christopher Island race may be readily distinguished from'Butorides virescens cubanus by the greater size of the male; palerposterior lower parts; lighter, much more fulvescent (less purplish)neck and sides of head. It is very different from Butorides virescenscubanus, notwithstanding that its range is nearly surrounded by thatof the latter. It is, in fact, much more nearly like the bird from theBahama Islands
?
Butorides virescens bahamensis . So far as known,it is confined to the island of St. Christopher, where it is found appar-ently throughout the year.Judging from the birds examined, the female is decidedly smallerthan the male.Four specimens of this race have been available^ all from St.Christopher Island.Measurements of specimens of Butorides virescens christophorensis.
Museum and number. Date.
NO. 1916. REVISION OF BUT0RIDE8 VIRE8CEN8?0BERH0LSER. 563primaries and outermost secondaries narrowly tipped with white;tertials, outer webs of inner secondaries, with greater, median, andlesser wing-coverts, dark, glossy bottle green; the outer scapulars onexterior webs and the first rows of lesser wing-coverts margined allaround rather narrowly with tawny or tawny ochraceous, the otherrows and the median coverts with buff, tlie greater coverts and outerwebs of tertials and innermost secondaries with wliite; tail dull, dark,grayish blue-green; chin and middle of upper throat creamy white,the latter streaked medially witli dull, dark brown; jugulum lightpurplish chestnut, medially vinaceous cinnamon, conspicuouslystreaked with white and obscurely with dull brown; breast, axillarsand posterior lower parts light drab gray, somewhat darker on thebreast, the longest lower tail-coverts with dark gi'ay centers andwhitish edges; thighs dull tawny; lining of wing light gray, withedgings of buff, the edge of wing broadly bufly white.Measurements.?Male:^ Wing, 168.5-175.5 (average, 171.3) mm.;tail,-62-69 (65.7); exposed culmen, 57-58.5 (57.8); height of bill atbase, 11-12.5 (11.6); tarsus, 47.5-52 (49.5); middle toe, 42.5-46 (43.8).Female:^ Wing, 169 mm.; tail, 65; exposed culmen, 56.5; heightof bill at base, 12.5; tarsus, 48.5; middle toe, 43.Type-locality.?Roseau, Dommica Island, West Indies.Geographical distribution.?Island of Dominica, West Indies.Tliis new subspecies is very much like Butorides virescens mesatus,from Nicaragua, but the wing and tail arc somewhat longer; the billshorter; the posterior lower parts average darker, less whitish; theneck and sides of the head a httle darker, more purpUsh. FromButorides virescens christophorensis it is separable by its much lessrufescent, rather darker neck and sides of head, and shorter bill ; it islarger than Butorides virescens hahamensis , and has the neck andsides of head less fulvescent, more inclining to purplish. The juvenalplumage of Butorides virescens dominicanus averages darker, moreheavily streaked below than that of Butorides virescens cuhanus, atleast as shown by the specimens now at hand.The single adult female (No. 77856, U.S.N.M.) is the darkest ofthe adults, particularly on the posterior lower parts, and probablyrepresents about the maximum of variation in this direction. It isnot as dark as average specimens of Butorides virescens luc'mnus,from St. Lucia.' One of the adult males (No. 14621, collection ofJ. Dwight, jr.), is very light below, almost whitish.This race is apparently i)eculiar to the island of Dominica, whereit is resident throughout the year.Seven specimens have been at hand, those with other indicationthan merely "Dominica" being from the subjoineil localities:Dominica Island.?Roseau; Soufriere.
> Three si)ecimens, from the island of Dominica, \Vest Indies.* Ono specimen, from the same island.
? See p. 565.
564 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM.Measurements of specimens of Butorides virescens dominicanus. VOL. 42. ,^'1
Museum and number. Date.
NO. Iflie. REVrFfTON OF BUTORTDEfi TTREf?CENS?OBERnOLSER. 565
of Buiion/ and as such pertains exclusively to the ^een heron fromMartinique, the name for which thus becomes Butorides virescensmaculatus (Boddacrt). The subspecies seems to be confined to thisisland.Three s})ecimens examined.Measurements of specimens of Butorides virescens maculatus.
Museum and number.
M. C. Z.,2S693'M. V. Z.,'.\sti;)4>Field Mus. N. H., 33710. .
.
Sex.
[Male] i
, ..do.?.
...do.*.
Date.
Nov. 12,1886
566 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. VOL. 42.feathers margined with buff or ochraceous, the edge of wing broadlybuffy white.Measurements.?Probable male: ^ Wing, 165-176 (average, 171.2)mm.; tail, 63-66 (64.6); exposed culmen, 54.5-60 (57.1); height ofbill at base, 11.8-12.8 (12.1); tarsus, 47-51 (48.4); middle toe, 39-44(41.8).Type-locality.?Port Castries, St. Lucia Island, West Indies.Geographical distribution.?Island of St. Lucia, West Indies.This race is distinguishable from Butorides virescens dominicanuschiefly by its decidedly darker posterior under parts. It differsfrom Butorides virescens cuhanus in longer wing and tail, stouter bill,and lighter, more purplish neck and sides of head. From Butoridesvirescens cliristopliorensis it may readily be separated by its muchmore purplish, less fulvescent neck and sides of head; darker pos-terior lower parts; shorter, relatively stouter bill; somewhat shortertarsus; and smaller feet. It is still more different from Butoridesvirescens baJiamensis, with longer wing and tail, darker posteriorunder surface, and more deeply colored, more purplish, much lessfulvescent neck and sides of head. Birds of this form m juvenalplumage are apparently about the same as those of Butorides virescensdominicanus; but are, on the average, darker, more rufescent, moreheavily streaked below than the young of Butorides virescens cuhanus.The color characters of adults are very uniform in the series examined.All but one of the specimens is without indication of sex on the label,but they are probably all, well-nigh certainly all but one or two,males, and we have, therefore, considered them such in makingcomparisons.This subspecies is a well marked one, and apparently confuied tothe island of St. Lucia.We have seen 11 specimens, one of these from Port Castries, therest labeled simply "St. Lucia."Measurements of specimens of Butorides virescens lucianus.
Museum and number.
U.S.NM.C.Z.M.CZM.C.Z.M.C.Z.M.C.ZM.C.Z.M.C.Z.
M., 115883 2.,274062,267462,274022,274042
.,27403 2,27405 s,274072
Sex.
Male 3[Male]
'
...do.4.
...do.4.
...do.4.
...do.4.
...do.4.
...do.4.
Date.
Dec. 1,1888
Wing.
mm.174.0176.0172.0170.0167.0165.174.0171.5
Tail.
mm.66.064.066.064.064.063.064.066.0
Ex-posedculmen.
mm.58.057.060.060.064.557.056.054.5
Heightof billat base,
mm.12.012.012.812.311.812.012.012.2
Tarsus.
mm.49.547.051.047.048.547.050.047.0
Middletoe.
mm.44.042.542.039.042.040.542.341.8
1 Eight specimens, from the island of St. Lucia, West Indies.2 Used in measurement averages on p. 566.3 Type, collected by 11. E. Parmenter, at Port Castries, St. Lucia Island.4 Collected by J. Semper, on St. Lucia Island.
NO. 1910. REVISION OF BUTORIDES VIRESCENS?OBERHOLSER. 567BUTORIDES VIRESCENS BARBADENSIS, new subspecies.Chars, suhs'p.?Resembling;; Butorides vlresccvs lucianvs, l)ut wingand tail shorter; neck and sides of head more fulvescent and averag-ing paler; posterior lower parts much lighter.Description.?Type, adult male, No. 12G29, collection of E. A.and O. Bangs; Joe's River, Barbados Island, West Indies, September11, 1903; Austin II. Clark. Pileum, occipital crest, postocularregion, and a short subauricular streak, deep, glossy bottle green;malar stripe buffy white; submalar stripe tawny chestnut, mixedwith some blackish; checks, auriculars, sides and back of neck,tawny chestnut, slightly purplish posteriorly; upper surface of bodydeep bottle green, somewhat glossy, the long, pointed, plume-likefeathers of back and scapulars somewhat oily green or glaucousbluish; wings fuscous, the primaries and outer secondaries dull, dark,greenish-blue slate color; the mner primaries and outer secondariesbroadly tipped wdth wdiite; tertials, outer webs of inner secondaries,with all the superior w^ing-coverts, dark, glossj?- bottle green; theouter scapulars on exterior webs and the first rows of lesser wmg-coverts margined all around with tawny, the remainmg wmg-covertsand outer webs of tertials and innermost secondaries w4th ochra-ceous, ochraceous buff, or buff (some of the greater coverts withwhite); the primary coverts and some of the greater covertswith triangular terminal spots of white, apparently a relic of imma-turity; most of tail glossy, dark bottle green, the middle feathergreenish fuscous; chin and middle of upper tliroat white, the latterstreaked with clove brown; jugulum rather purplish tawny chestnut,medially with conspicuous streaks of white and less marked ones ofduU brown; breast, sides, abdomen, crissum, and axiUars, smokegray, rather darker on breast, lighter on middle of abdomen, thelongest lower tail-coverts with fuscous termmal or subterminalpatches; thighs ochraceous, mixed with dull slaty brownish; liningof wing pale gra}^, mixed with white and buff, the edge of wing verybroadly cream white.Measurements.?Male:* Wing, 163-166 (average, 164.9) mm.;tail, 58-63.5 (59.8); exposed culmen, 55-59.5 (57.1); height of bill atbase, 11-12.8 (11.7); tarsus, 46-48.5 (47.1); middle toe, 40.5-42.5(41.6).Female: 2 Wing, 162-172 (166.7) mm.; tail, 60-61.5 (60.8); ex-posed culmen, 55.5-57 (56.3); height of bill at base, 12-13 (12.5);tarsus, 46.5-50.5 (48.3); middle toe, 41-45 (42.7).Type-locality.?Joe's River, island of Barbados, West Indies.Geographical distribution.?Barbados Island, West Indies.This new subspecies resembles most closely in color Butoridesvirescens haJiamensis, notwithstanding the wide geographic separa-
> Four specimens, from Barbados Island, West Indies. 'Three specimens, from the same island.
568 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. VOL. 42.tion ; but it is distinguishable from that bird by its darker, less fulves-cent neck; usually slightly darker posterior lower parts; somewhatlarger average size (excepting length of culmen) ; and relativelystouter bill. It differs from Butorides virescens cJiristophorensis, towhich also it bears close resemblance, in smaller size of the male(excepting depth of bill), and the less brightly fulvesccnt (more pur-plish) neck and sides of the head. From Butorides virescens domini-canus its smaller size (except of culmen) , and its more fulvescent (lesspurplish) neck and sides of head are sufficiently diagnostic marks.Compared with Butorides virescens maculatus, it is much smallerthroughout; the neck and sides of head are more fulvescent, lesspurplish, and the posterior lower parts lighter. From Butoridesvirescens cubanus the much paler posterior under surface, and themuch lighter, more fulvetcent neck and sides of head distinguish itat a glance. The juvenal plumage of Butorides virescens harhadensisapparently averages darker, more rufescent below anteriorly than theyoung of Butorides virescens hahamensis.The female of this race appears to be somewhat larger than themale, at least on the average. Individual variation in depth of colorsis considerable, as in Butorides virescens hahamensis. The subspeciesseems to be confined to the island of Barbados, where it is foundthroughout the year.Of Butorides virescens harhadensis there havo been 10 examplesseen, from the following localities, breeding records marked with anasterisk
:
Barhados Island.?Joe's River; Beachmont; Bathsheba;* St. An-drews. Measurements of specimens of Butorides virescens harhadensis.
NO. 191(5. REVISION OF BUT0RIDE8 TIRESCENS?OBERTIOLSER. 569Description.?Type, adult male, No. 74147, U.S.X.M.; GronaclaIsland, West Indies, March? , 1878; F. A.Obcr; original number 505.Pileum, occipital crest, postocular region, and a short subauricularstreak, deej), glossy bottle green; malar stripe cream bu IT; submalurstripe mixed blackish and chestnut; checks, auriculars, sides andback of neck, purplish chestnut, a little more rufescent anteriorly,slightly glaucous posteriorly; upper surface of body deep bottle green,more or less glossy, the long, pointed, plume-like feathers of backand scapulars in part somewhat glaucous; wdngs fuscous, the prima-ries and outer secondaries dull, dark, greenish-blue slate color, theinner primaries and outer secondaries tipped with white; tertials,outer webs of inner secondaries, and all the superior coverts deepbottle green, but in most places worn until grayish or bluish; theouter webs of outer scapulars and the first rows of lesser wing-coverts margined all around with tawny ochraceous, the remainingrows and the median coverts ^\dth buff, the greater series and outerwebs of tertials and innermost secondaries with cream white; tailmostly dark bottle green, somewhat glossy; chin and middle of upperthroat creamy white, medially streaked wdth clove brown; jugulumpurplish chestnut, streaked medially much \vith white and a littlewith dark, earthy brown; breast, abdomen, sides, crissum, andaxillars, slate gray with a brownish tinge, the longest feathers ofunder tail-coverts wliitish, with large, dark brownish gray distalpatches; thighs dull ochraceous mixed with dark brownish gray;Hning of wing slate gray, rather brownish, mottled with cream buffand ochraceous, the edge of wing broadl}^ cream buff.MeasureTYients.?]\Iale:* Wing, 169-170.5 (average, 169.8) mm.; tail,59-66 (61.6); exposed culmen, 56-63 (59.9); height of bill at base,12-12.5 (12.3); tarsus, 48.5-51.5 (50.3); middle toe, 43.8-46 (44.7).Female:^ Wing, 159 mm.; tail, 58.5; exposed culmen, 58.5; heightof bill at base, 11.5; tarsus, 49; middle toe, 40.Type-locality.?Grenada Island, West Indies.Geographical distribution.?Southern Lesser Antilles, West Indies:south to Grenada Island; north to Carriacou, Bequia, and St. VincentIslands.The present form is apparently almost identical in color wdthButorides virescens cuhanus, although the posterior lower parts averageslightly darker; but in size the male, at least, averages larger. It iathus very close to the Cuban form, but in view of the wide separationof range and the direct interposition of three other races, it seemsbest to consider the Grenada bird as a different form, since it is doubt-less an offshoot of one of the neighboring races, rather than of the far-distant Butorides virescens cuhanus, its resemblance to that subspeciesbeing fortuitous or due to climatic or environmental con<litions.
> Four specimens, from the islands of Grenada and Bequia, West Indies.> One specimen, from St. Vincent Island, West Indies.
570 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. VOL. 42.From Butorides virescens maculatus it may be distinguished bydecidedly shorter wing and tail, darker, somewhat more rufescentneck and sides of head. Compared with Butorides virescens domini-canus, it hag decidedly darker posterior lower parts, usually darkerand rather more rufescent (less purplish) neck and sides of head, andin the male, at least, somewhat shorter tail. It is slightly smaller, inthe male, than Butorides virescens cliristopliorensis, but has a stouterbill; the neck and sides of head are much darker, very much lessfulvescent (much more purplish); and the hind parts below aredarker. It may easily be separated from Butorides virescens harha-densis by larger size throughout, at least in the male; darker, lessfulvescent neck and sides of head, and darker gray posterior lowerparts. It may be distinguished readily from Butorides virescenshahamensis by its larger size throughout (at least in the male), muchdarker, less fulvescent (more purplish) neck and sides of head, anddarker posterior under surface. The juvenal plumage is apparentlyindistinguishable from that of Butorides virescens cubanus.Specimens from the islands of Bequia and Carriacou are seeminglyidentical with the Grenada bird, in both size and color. A singlefemale from St. Vincent, while of the same coloration, is very muchsmaller than the males from Grenada and Bequia, but apparentlybelongs with them. This subspecies thus ranges over the islandsfrom Grenada north to St. Vincent, and is resident here throughoutthe year. In addition to the above localities of specimens, there isrecord of its occurrence on Mustique Island, and it probably lives inall suitable places throughout the Grenadines.Seven specimens have been examined, from the following WestIndian localities, the breeding records being noted by an asterisk:Bequia Island.?Spring Estate.Carriacou Island.?Harvey Vale.Grenada Island.?St, George.*St. Vincent Island.?Rutland Vale,Measurements of specimens of Butorides virescens grenadensis.
Museum and number.
E. A.and O. Bangs, 132121..U.S.N.M., 74147 1E. A. and O. Bangs, 12896'..E. A. and O. Bangs, 12897'..U.S.N.M., 74034'
Sex.
Males...
..do. s..
...do. < ..[Male]*..Female^
NO. 1910. REVISIOy OF BUTORIDES VIRESCENS?OBERHOLSER. 571BUTORIDES VIRESCENS TOBAGENSIS. new subspecies.Chars, suhsp.?Resembling Butondes virescens grenadensis, butwing and tail slightly longer; bill more slender; neck, and sides ofhead, particularly cheeks and juguluin, lighter, more fidvescent, thehind neck somewhat duller.Description.?Type, adult [jM'obably male], No. 18033, Museum ofComparative Zoology; Tobago Island; R. W. Rawson. Pileum,occipital crest, postocular region, and a short subauricular streak,deep, glossy bottle green; malar stripe bufTy white; submalar stripetawny chestnut mixed with blackish; cheeks, auriculars, sides and backof neck, tawny chestnut, somewhat purplish and duller posteriorly;upper surface of body deep, more or less glossy, bottle green, the long,pointed, plume-like feathers of back and scapulars somewhat glaucousand inclining to bluish ; wings fuscous, the primaries and outer secon-daries dull, dark, greenish-blue slate color, the innermost primaries andoutermost secondaries narrowly tipped with white; tertials, outer websof imier secondaries, with all the superior wing-coverts, dark, glossybottle green; outer scapulars on exterior w^ebs and the first rows oflesser wing-coverts margined all around rather narrowly with tawnyochi-aceous, the other rows and the median coverts with buff, thegreatt^r coverts and outer webs of tertials and innermost secondarieswith wliite; tail dark, glossy bottle green; chui and middle of upperthroat creamy white, the latter streaked medially with clove brown
;
jugulum rather purplish tawny chestnut, much streaked mediallywith white, slightly with pale clove brown; breast, abdomen, sides,crissum, and axiUars slate gray with a sUght brownish tinge, the longestfeathers of lower tail-coverts with slate-colored terminal ]H)rtions;thighs dull tawny mixed with grayish brown; lining of wijig slategray, the feathers margined with buff or ochraceous, the edge of wingbroadly bufTy white.Measurements.?Male:^ Wing, 1G7.5-178 (average, 172.5) mm.;tail, 63-66.8 (64.7); exposed culmen, 55-63 (58.3); height of bOl atbase, 11-12 (11.4); tarsus, 46.5-51 (48.4); middle toe, 43.5-45(44.4).Type-locality.?Tobago Island, West Indies.Geographical distribution.?Tobago Island, West Indies.This new subspecies is mudi like Butorides virescens maculatus,but is smaller, except the length of the bill; and the neck and sides ofhead, particularly the cheeks and jugulum, are more fulvescent.From Butorides virescens lucianus it iliflVrs in having the neck antlsides of the head duller, darker, less glaucous purplish, and, espe-ciall}^ on cheeks and jugulum, more fulvescent. It is distinguishablefrom Butorides virescens hypemotius by its lighter, duller, more rufes-Four specimens, from the island of Tobago, West Indies.
572 PROCEEDTNaS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. VOL. 42.cent (less purplish) neck and sides of head; much lighter, more fulves-cent jugulum, conspicuously contrasted with the surrounding parts;and usually somewhat lighter posterior lower surface. Comparedwith Butorides virescens dominicanus it has the neck and sides of headdarker, duller, and more rufescent; the jugulum much more fulves-cent and conspicuously contrasted with surrounding parts; also thelower posterior parts darker. It may be separated from Butoridesvirescens cuhanus by its longer wing and tail; lighter, duller, morerufescent (less purphsh) neck and sides of head; conspicuouslylighter, more fulvescent, and more contrasted jugulum. It is veryeasily distinguished from Butorides virescens christophorensis, byreason of its darker, duUer, much less fulvescent (more purplish)neck and sides of head; much more contrasted jugulum; and muchdarker posterior lower parts. It ismuch unhke Butorides virescens har-hadensis inasmuch as it is larger, though with a relatively more slen-der biU; and has the neck and sides of head duller, less fulvescent andsomewhat more purplish, particularly posteriorly; the jugulum muchmore fulvescent and thus strongly contrasted with the surroundingparts; and the posterior under parts darker. It is even more differ-ent from Butorides virescens hahamensis in its much greater sizethroughout, darker, duller, less fulvescent (more purplish) neck andsides of head, and darker posterior lower surface.A single bird in juvenal plumage does not differ from the samestage of Butorides virescens cuhanus.This island race is rather peculiar in its combination of color char-acters; for the fulvescent cheeks and jugulum are in more decidedcontrast to the adjacent parts than is the case in most of the otherforms of the species; and the hind neck is unusually duU colored.The jugulum is still more fulvescent in two Field Museum specimens(Nos. 33659 and 33662) than in the type.So far as known it is peculiar to the island of Tobago and perma-nently resident there.Five specimens have been examined, all from the island of Tobago.Measurements of specimens of Butorides virescens tohagensis.
Museum and number.
NO. lOlfi. RKVI^ION OF BUTORIDES VIRE8GEN8?0BERH0LSER. 573BUTORIDES VIRESCENS CURACENSIS, new subspecies.Gliars. suhsp.?Similar to Butorides virescens tohagensis, but decid-edly smaller (except l)ill and tai-sus); neck and sides of liead darker,less rufcsccnt (more pur])lisli) and not cjuite so dull; jugulum muchdarker, less fulvescent (more purplish), and not different in colorfrom the adjoininf]j portion of neck; fjlaucous, lon<x, pointed, pluma-ceous feathers of upper surface with numerous very evident, thoughobsolescent, narrow, darker bars; breast and upper abdomen nar-rowly and somewhat obscurely, though evidently, barred with darkerbrownish gray.Description.?Type, adult male, No. 37409, Carnegie Museum;St. Patrick, Curasao Island, West Indies, May 2, 1011; Af. A. Car-riker, jr. Pileum, occi])ital crest, and postocular region, deep,glossy bottle green; a short subauricular streak black; malar strij)ebufT; submalar stripe somewhat ])ur]>lish chestnut mixed with black-ish; cheeks, auriculars, sides and back of neck, j)uri)lish chestnut,decidedly more fulvescent anteriorly, slightly glaucous posteriorly;upper surface of body deep bottle green, somewhat glossy, the long,pointed, plume-like feathers of back and scai)ulars in part ratheroily or bronzy green, in part glaucous and somewhat bluish, and withvery narrow, darker, somewhat obscure though very evident, cross-bars, these giving to all these feathers a peculiar ''watered" appear-ance; wings fuscous, the primaries and outer secondaries dull, dark,greenish-blue slate color, most of the ])rimaries and the outermostsecondaries tipped with white; tertials, median and lesser wing-coverts, dark, glossy bottle green; outer scapulars margined on outerwebs with dark, dull chestnut; most of the lesser wing-coverts mar-gined all around with tawny, some of them with s])ots of bulT}^ orwhitish ; median coverts broadly margined with tawny ochraceous
;
greater coverts narrowly edged with whitish or bufTy, some of themhaving also small ternunal whitish shaft spots; primaiy covertswith large sub-triangular terminal shaft spots of white or creambufT; tail dull, brownish bottle green, with a few obsolescent, narrow,grayish })ars, and a narrow light brownish tij); chin and middle ofupper throat bufTy white, streaked medially with dark blackishbrown, sparingly on the former, more heavily on the latter; jugulumpurplish chestnut, streaked medially with white and a little withdark brown; breast, abdomen, sides, crissum, and axillars, slate graywith a brownish tinge, the middle of abdomen rather jialer, the long-est lower tail-coverts with whitish centers, the breast and upjierabdomen with numerous narrow, obsolescent, darker bars; thighsrufescent; lining of wing rather light gi'ay, mixed with cream white,cream buff, and a little ochraceous, the edge of wing broadly- creamwliite.
574 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol. 42.Measurements.?Male:^ Wing, 157.5 mm.; tail, 56.5; exposed cul-men, 60.5; height of bill at base, 11; tarsus, 47; middle toe, 41.Tyjje-locality.?St. Patrick, Curasao Island, West Indies.Geographical distribution.?Island of Curasao; possibly also theneighboring islands of Aruba and Bonaire.Although the type is the only available specimen, it appears to rep-resent an easily distinguishable subspecies. It differs from all of theother subspecies in the narrow barring of the breast, a character notpresent, even slightly, in any specimen of any form of Butoridesvirescens examined; and also in the distinctly barred effect of thelong, pointed, glaucous, plume-like feathers of the back and scapu-lars. The latter character is discernible on close examination insome specimens of all the other races, but is m them scarcely obviousenough to be worth mentioning in either diagnoses or descriptions,and in no specimen of any of these other forms is it nearly so con-spicuous as in the type of Butorides virescens curacensis. In additionto the two characters just mentioned, the present new race differsfrom Butorides virescens cuhanus, with wliich in general appearanceit bears closest resemblance, in smaller size (except bill), and alsoduller, less purplish (more fulvescent) neck and sides of head. FromButorides virescens grenadensis it may be distinguished in the sameway, and in size still more decidedly. Additional characters separat-ing it from Butorides virescens maculatus are much smaller size(except length of culmen), and darker, duller, more fulvescent (lesspurplish) neck and sides of head; from Butorides virescens lucianus,smaller size (except length of culmen), and darker, less purplish neck;from Butorides virescens dominicanus, smaller general size, longer bill,darker, duller neck and jugulum, and more deeply colored posteriorlower parts; and from Butorides virescens Tiypernotius, of the main-land of South America and Costa Rica, much smaller size (exceptbill), and lighter, duller, less purplish (more fulvescent), neck andsides of head.The type of Butorides virescens curacensis bears still some slightindications of immature plumage in the whitish and buffy spotson the lesser, greater, and primary coverts, broad edgings of mediancoverts, and in the dull fuscous greater coverts and a few of the innersecondaries; but in other respects it seems to be fully adult.This may well be the form of Butorides virescens occurring onthe near-by islands of Aruba and Bonaire,^ but we have seen nospecimens from those localities.KEY TO THE SUBSPECIES OF BUTORIDES VIRESCENS.
a. Colors deeper; posterior lower parts slate color or darker.b. Size smaller (wing averaging less than 170 mm.); white on median portion offoreneck usually much reduced Butorides virescens margaritophilus.b^. Size larger (wing averaging more than 170 mm.); white on median portion offoreneck much more extensive.
' One specimen, the type, from Curasao Island.? Hartert, Ibis, 1893, p. 307.
NO. 1916. REVISION OF BVT0RIDE8 VIRESCENS?OBERIWLSER. 575
c. Neck and sides of head lighter, more rufescent (less purpli.'^h).Bulorides vircscciis saturatus.c'. Neck and sidea of head darker, less rufescent (raore purplish).Bulorides vircscensfrazan.a'. Colors lighter; posterior lower parta slate gray or paler.6. Posterior lower parts liglit gray,c. Larger (wing averaging more flian 178 mm.).d. Neck darker; size smaller (wing averaging less than 185 mm.).Bulorides virescens eremonomus.dK Neck lighter; size larger (wing averaging more than 189 mm.).Bulorides virescens anlhonyi.c*. Smaller (wing averaging less than 175 mm.).d. Neck and sides of head less ful\-oscent (more purplish) chestnut.e. Smaller (wing of male averaging less than 1G8 mm.); 'neck and sides ofhead more fulvescent (less jjurplish) Bulorides virescens barbadcnsis.e^. Larger (wing of male averaging more than 1G8 mm.); neck and sides ofhead less fulvescent (more purplish)./. Posterior lower parta usually paler, raore whitish; neck and sidea ofhead averaging lighter, less jjurplish, chestnut; wing and tail some-what shorter; bill more slender Bulorides virescens mesalus.p. Posterior lower parts usually darker, less whitish; neck and sides ofhead darker, more purplish, chestnut; wing and tail somewhatlonger; bill stouter Bulorides virescens dominicanus.d^. Neck and sides of head more fulvescent (less purplish) chestnut.e. Smaller (wing less than 166 mm.); neck and sides of head less brightlyfulvescent Bulorides virescens bnhamensis.?'. Larger (wing usually more than 166 mm.); neck and sides of head morebrightly fulvescent Bulorides virescens chrislophorensis.b^. Posterior lower parts slate gray.c. Larger (wing averaging more than 175 mm.).d. Neck and sides of head paler; posterior lower parts averaging somewhatlighter Bulorides virescens vwculalus.d\ Neck and sides of head darker; posterior lower parts averaging somewhatdarker Bulorides virescens virescens.c'. Smaller (wing averaging less than 175 mm.).d. Neck and sides of head darker.e. Breast obscurely baned; long, pointed, plume-like feathers of back andscapulars distinctly barred; wing of male averaging less than 162 mm.Bulorides viresceiis curacensis.e^. Breast not barred; long, pointed, plume-like feathers of back and scapu-lars not distinctly barred; wing of male averaging more than 162 mm./. Neck and sides of head averaging darker, more purplish (less rufescent);size larger (wing averaging over 171 mm.).Bulorides vircscens hi/pemotius.f^. Neck and sides of head averaging lighter, Ioas purplish (more rufescent);size smaller (wing averaging under 171 mm.).g. Smaller (wing of male averaging about 165 mm.); posterior lowerparts averaging slightly lighter Bulorides virescens cubanus.g^. Larger (wing of malo averaging about 170 mm.); pixsterior lowerparta averaging slightly darker Bulorides virescens grenadensis.d'. Neck and sides of head lighter.e. Neck and sides of head brighter, paler, and more purplish, and particu-larly on jugulum and cheeks, less fulvescent.Bulorides virescens lucianus.c*. Neck and sides of head duller, darker, and loss purplish, and, particu-larly on jugulum and cheeks, more fulvescent.Bulorides viresans tobagensis.
576 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. VOL. 42.
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REVISION OFBUTORIDES VIRESCENS?0BERII0L8ER. 577