[3] Namely, P. imperialis, King, and P. albiventris (Lesson). See Zool. Chall., Birds, p. 121. It was probably one of these two species that Durnford found nesting on Tombo Point, south of Chupat (cf. Ibis, 1878, p. 399).
[Order IX. HERODIONES.]
[ Fam. XXXV. ARDEIDÆ, or HERONS.]
About thirty different species of the fish-eating family Ardeidæ occur within the limits of the Neotropical Region. Of these, eight or nine are found in greater or less abundance in the provinces of the Argentine Republic. Five of these species are widely distributed in North and South America; the others are restricted to the southern portions of the New World.
[315.] ARDEA COCOI, Linn.
(COCOI HERON.)
Ardea cocoi, Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 508 (Paraná, Tucuman, Cordova); Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 125; Hudson, P. Z. S. 1875, p. 625 (Buenos Ayres); Durnford, Ibis, 1877, p. 189 (Buenos Ayres), et 1878, p. 399 (Patagonia); Gibson, Ibis, 1880, p. 158 (Buenos Ayres); White, P. Z. S. 1883, p. 41 (Cordova); Barrows, Auk, 1884, p. 271 (Entrerios).
Description.—Above grey; head above, wings, and tail plumbeous black; beneath white, neck and sides of belly striped with black: whole length 36·0 inches, wing 18·0, tail 7·0. Female similar.
Hab. North and South America.
In size, form, and colour the Cocoi closely resembles the Common Heron of Europe; in flight, language, and feeding-habits the two species are identical, albeit inhabiting regions so widely separated. In the southern part of South America it is not seen associating with its fellows, nor does it breed in heronries; but this may be owing to the circumstance that in the temperature countries it is very thinly distributed, and it is highly probable, I think, that in the hotter regions, where it is more abundant, its habits may not appear so unsocial. Though they are always seen fishing singly, they pair for life, and male and female are never found far apart, but haunt the same stream or marsh all the year round. Azara says that in Paraguay, where it is very scarce, it goes in pairs and breeds on trees. On the pampas it makes its solitary nest amongst the rushes, and lays three blue eggs.