(WHISTLING HERON.)
+Ardea sibilatrix+, _Temm. Pl. Col._ 271; _Scl. et Salv. Nomencl._ p.
125; _iid. P. Z. S._ 1869, p. 634 (Buenos Ayres); _White, P. Z.
S._ 1882, p. 624 (Salta); _Barrows, Auk_, 1884, p. 271 (Entrerios).
_Description._--Above grey; cap, occipital crest, and wing-feathers
greyish black; large patch behind the eye rufous; upper wing-coverts
rufous, striped with grey: beneath white, breast tinged with
yellowish; bill reddish, tip black; feet black: whole length 22·0
inches, wing 11·5, tail 4·5, tarsus 3·4. _Female_ similar.
_Hab._ South America.
This is a beautiful bird, with plumage as soft as down to the touch. Its
colours are clear blue-grey and pale yellow, the under surface being
nearly white. In some specimens that I have obtained the rump and
tail-coverts had a pure primrose hue. There is a chestnut mark on the
side of the head; the eye is white, and the legs dark green in life.
Azara named this Heron "_Flauta del Sol_" (flute of the sun), a
translation of the Indian term _Curahí-remimbí_, derived from the
popular belief that its whistling notes, which have a melodious and
melancholy sound, prophesy changes in the weather.
It comes as far south as Buenos Ayres, but is only a summer visitor
there, and very scarce. Having seen but little of it myself, I can only
repeat Azara's words concerning it. He says it is common in Paraguay,
going in pairs or families, and perches and roosts on trees, and when
flying flaps its wings more rapidly than other Herons. It makes its nest
on a tree, and lays two clear blue eggs.
On the Lower Uruguay, Mr. Barrows likewise found this species "not
common." It was only seen a few times in November. "Though most
resembling the Night-Heron they were active by day, and when disturbed
flew rapidly away from the streams and swamps towards the dry woods and
hills."