1896
Certain facts in the history of this well-named Bittern have caused several writers, myself among the number, to speak of it as probably an aberrant form or color-phase of our widely distributed Ardetta exilis. In figuring this peculiar bird in 'The Auk' an attempt has therefore been made to bring together for direct comparison as many of the known specimens as were available, for the purpose of deciding if possible the bird's standing.
Described by Mr. Cory in 1886 from a specimen taken in the Okeechobee region of Florida, there have since been captured thirteen additional specimens. Of this number five are from the type locality in Florida, one is from Michigan, and seven are from Toronto.[1] Through the generosity of the owners of these rare birds I now have before me ten of the fourteen recorded specimens. This series presents much variation, to be spoken of more particularly after comparing the apparently normal plumage of the adult male and female and immature male with the corresponding plumages of Ardetta exilis.
| Ardetta neoxena, ♂ ad. | Ardetta elixis, ♂ ad. |
| Crown glossy black. | Crown glossy black. |
| Back of the neck glossy black. | Back of the neck chestnut rufous. |
| Interscapulars entirely glossy black without buffy margins. | Interscapulars glossy black, outer edge of outer ones margined with buffy white. |
| Tail glossy black. | Tail glossy black. |
| Front of the neck chestnut. | Front of the neck white more or less washed with buffy |
| Abdomen, sides, and tibiæ mixed chestnut, black, and smoky brown. | Abdomen, sides, and tibiæ white more or less washed with buffy. |
| Under tail-coverts glossy black. | Under tail-coverts white slightly tinged with buffy. |
| Primaries slate gray without cinnamon rufous tips. | Primaries slate gray, the outer ones sometimes, the inner ones always tipped with dull cinnamon rufous. |
- ↑ A fifteenth specimen, from Wisconsin, is recorded beyond in this number of 'The Auk'
