The latter species extends over the whole o f North and Central America, and, according
to Schomburgk, is found in the marshes o f British Guiana, in company with the former.
I t has not, however, as far as we are aware, been y e t recorded as occurring in any more southern
locality, and in southern Brazil appears to g iv e way entirely to the bird wliich we now figure.
On the other hand, the present species seems to advance as far northwards as Nicaragua, for,
though Mr. Lawrence expresses some douht as to his identification o f kir. Holland’s bird, we
do not think there is any other species to which it can b e referred.
Upon comparing B. pznnatiis with B . lentiginosus, it is not difficult to point out many
obvious differences. The mider-plumage o f the two birds is much alike, except tbat in the
former the throat is pure white, and wants the two conspicuous black stripes which in
B . lentiginosus border each side o f the neck. Above the two allies are very different, the whole
upper plumage in B . pinnatus being conspicuously crossed by numerous transverse bars, which
are entirely wanting in Botaunis lentiginosus and are replaced on the scapularies, outer margins
o f secondaries and w ing-coverts with dense freckling. It is this difference in the wing-markings,
w e suppose, which led Lichtenstein to call the present bird pinnatus. Another conspicuous
character o f this Bittern is the length o f the Imid-toe and great size o f the claw. In the
specimen now before us, tbe hind-toe is rivo inches, and its claw nearly one inch and a half
in length. In a skin o f B . lentiginosus the coi-responding dimensions are 1-5 in. and I ’l in.
The tarsi o f the two species liai'dly differ in length.
The Bar-winged Bittern is rare in collections. There is no specimen o f it in the Britisli
kluseum. Our figure is taken from a fine skin belonging to il r . Alexander Fry, to wliom
we owe our best thanks for the loan o f it. It was obtained hy him during his residence at
Rio de Janeiro, in the vicinity o f that city. The bird is represented at h alf its natural size.
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