.--In our recent studies of Colombian birds, working
independently, we have found that the Double-striped Thick-knee (Burhinus striatus)
of northern Colombia differs so definitely from the race B. s. vocifer of Venezuela
and the llanos east of the eastern Andes as to require separation by name. It is
described as follows:
Burhinus striatus pediaeus, new subspecies
Characters.--Similar to Burhinus striatus voci/er (L'Herminier) but paler in gen-
eral coloration; pale border stripes on feathers of dorsal surface definitely light-colored,
ranging from pale cinnamon-buff to pale buff; dark areas of center of crown more
brownish black; light borders of feathers on foreneck and upper breast decidedly paler;
under tail coverts lighter, pale cinnamon-buff.
Type.---U. S. National Museum no. 368601, male, taken near Maicao, Guajira, 15
April 1941, by A. Wetmore and M. A. Carriker, Jr. (original number 11429).
Description o! type.--General color of central area of feathers on crown, back, and
rump fuscous to fuscous-black, edged rather widely with dull white on the forehead
and loral area, dull buffy white on the crown, and dull pinkish buff elsewhere; a
broad black stripe on either side of the crown from the level of the front of the eye
back to the nape; hindneck and side of neck dull buff, lined narrowly with fuscous;
edge of wing prominently white; anterior lesser wing coverts fuscous-black, rest of
lesser coverts and middie coverts fuscous; greater coverts and outer tertials mouse
gray, edged with pinkish buff to dull buffy white; primaries and secondaries fuscous-
brown to fuscous-black, with the inner webs white except at tips; the outer web of
the outermost primary pale buffy brown for a space of 20 mm toward tip; fourth
Aedicnemus voci/er L'Herminier, Mag. Zool., vol. 7, cl. 2, 1837, pl. 84 and text.
(Maturin, Monagas, Venezuela.)
and fifth primaries with outer web extensively white near center; central pair of
rectrices hair brown, with an indistinct subterminal band of buffy brown; the others
hair brown, tipped with fuscous-black, and barred broadly with white; a broad
superciliary stripe, lower eyelid, and side of head in a line from back of the eye to
the side of the nape white; lower side of head from the malar area back over the
auricular region dull buffy white lined with fus1/2ous; lower foreneck and breast drab
gray, changing to hair brown at the sides and across the posterior margin; lower
flank feathers, 1/2rissum, and under tail coverts pinkish buff to pale pinkish buff;
throat, posterior malar area, a narrow line down center of foreneck, extreme lower
breast, abdomen, and sides pure white; under wing coverts white with the outer
feathers margined with drab gray, and the longer, posterior row edged and tipped
with that color. Lower section of maxilla, below and behind nostril, and mandibular
rami dull pale glaucous-green; rest of bill dull black; tarsus and 1/2rus light olive-gray;
toes olive-gray; claws fus1/2ous-black (from dried skin).
Measurements.--Males (6 specimens), wing (measured flat) 240-253 mm (average
245), tail 115.5-124.3 (117.8), 1/2ulmen from base 47.3-49.4 (48.6), tarsus 101.5-115.0
(108.5).
Females (3 specimens), wing (measured flat) 242-249 mm (average, 244), tail
115.6-122.5 (119.6), culmen from base 46.9-53.1 (49.8), tarsus 101.0-111.8 (107.5).
Range.--Savannas of northeastern Colombia from extreme northeastern Magdalena
(Casacart, Affmques) through the Guajira Peninsula (Distracci6n, Maicao, Cojoro,
Puerto L6pez, Nazaret, Puerto Estrella). There is also an isolated population on the
savannas of the upper Magdalena region in Huila (near Villavieja). This race has
been recorded also near the lower Rio Magdalena in Atlntico (Palmar de Varela, E1
Paraiso, Arroyo de Piedras, Tocahagua).
Remarks.--The pale coloration that marks this race is apparent at a glance in the
excellent series that we have had available from the Guajira. Carriker in 1942 found
this bird at the northeastern boundary of the Department of Magdalena at Casacar&,
and three years later took one specimen a little farther north at Attnques.
The isolated colony, above-mentioned, of this thick-knee in the savanna region of
the upper Rio Magdalena in northern Huila, is known mainly from the observations
of Alden H. Miller. Dr. Miller kindly has placed at our disposal three specimens that
he collected near Villavieja, two in January and February, 1945, and one in February,
1949. These are faintly darker than the Guajira birds, but sufficiently like them so
that this remote population may be included under the same name.
Another population is reported on the basis of a few records from the lower
Magdalena in eastern Atltntico. We have not studied specimens from that population,
but this area is included in the range above on the basis of probability.
The name pediacus is from the Greek word pediakos meaning "of the plains."
In conclusion, it is pertinent to indicate that the thick-knee, known as Alcarabtn,
is kept regularly in the patios and corrals of country houses, and that in this semi-
domestic state they often are transported for considerable distances. It is this that
has led to misunderstanding in some pub!ished records of occurrence, as for example
in Panamir, and on Isla Margarita, Venezuela, where these birds are not found in the
wild state.
In April and May, 1941, the senior author found these birds common across the dry
savannas from Maicao east to Puerto L6pez and Puerto Estrella. Near Nazaret in
the Serrania de Macuire they range to the foot of the slope below the settlement.
They were seen in pairs, sometimes in small bands, and often must have been over-
looked as they moved quietly aside, when approached, to the cover of low bushes
and there remained motionless. When startled they ran a few steps with wings spread,
and then, after gaining slight momentum, flew easily and swiftly, often uttering
chattering calls. While they were widespread it is probable that they will be reduced
in number as increasing human settlement encroaches on their range.--ALExAm)R
WETOR, Research Associate, Smithsonian Institution, Washington 25, D.C., and
J. I. BORRRO H., Instituto Forestal, Medellin, Colombia.