Reference Publications

FORTY-SIXTH SUPPLEMENT TO THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION CHECK-LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Auk, The, Jul 2005 by Banks, Richard C, Cicero, Carla, Dunn, Jon L, Kratter, Andrew W, Et al

This is the fifth Supplement since publication of the 7th edition of the Check-list of North American Birds (American Ornithologists' Union [AOU] 1998). It summarizes decisions made by the AOU's Committee on Classification and Nomenclature between 1 January and 31 December 2004. The Committee has continued to operate in the manner outlined in the 42nd Supplement (AOU 2000). Changes in this Supplement fall into the following categories: (1) two species replace others presently on the list because of splitting of extralimital forms (Leptotila plumbeiceps replaces L. rufaxilla and Hylocharis humboldtii replaces H. grayi); (2) one species is removed from the Appendix and added to the main list because of new distributional information (Circus aeruginosus); (3) one species is removed from the list because of its merger with another species on the list (Motacilla lugens); (4) one species is removed from the main list and placed in the Appendix (Acridotheres cristatellus); (4) two species are removed from the families in which they were previously treated and placed in incertae sedis categories (Donacobius atricapilla and Coereba flaveola), and one family is removed from the list (Coerebidae); (6) one genus is removed from the list (Mimodes) because of its merger with another on the list (Mimus), with the consequent change of the scientific name of one species; and (7) the distribution of one species is restricted because of the removal of an extralimital population now treated as distinct (Melanerpes chrysaucheri). Further, one species is added to the list of birds known to occur in the United States (Tachycineta albilinea). A few recent references are added to statements of distribution. Minor corrections are made in several citations or notes.

There is one more deletion from the main list than additions to it, so the number of species in the main list becomes 2,037. Literature that provides the basis for the Committee's decisions is cited at the end of the Supplement, and citations not already in the Literature Cited of the 7th edition (with Supplements) become additions to it. An updated list of the bird species known from the AOU Check-list area may be accessed at http://www.aou.org/checklist/index.php3.>The following changes to the 7th edition (page numbers refer thereto) and its Supplements result from the Committee's actions:

pp. xvii-liv. Insert the following names in the proper position as indicated by the text of this Supplement:

Circus aeruginosus Western Marsh Harrier Leptottla plumbeiceps Gray-headed Dove Hylocharis humboldtii Humboldt's Sapphire Mimus graysoni Socorro Mockingbird

Remove the following names: Leptotila rufaxilla Gray-fronted Dove Hylocharis grayi Blue-headed Sapphire Mimodes graysoni Socorro Mockingbird Acridotheres cristatellus Crested Myna Motacilla lugens Black-backed Wagtail Coerebidae

Insert the term Genus INCERTAE SEDIS above, and place an asterisk before, the following names (moving the entry for Donacobius to precede the family name Troglodytidae):

* Donacobius atricapilla Black-capped Donacobius

* Coereba flaveola Bananaquit

Remove the annotation (H): Gygis alba White Tern

p. 60. In the citation of the original description of Branta sandvicensis, change the reference for Olson (1989) to 'Elepaio 49:49-51.

p. 93. Because of new distributional information, Circus aeruginosus is added to the Checklist. After the account for Circus cyaneus, insert the following new account:

Circus aeruginosus (Linnaeus). Western Marsh Harrier.

Falco aeruginosus Linnaeus, 1758, Syst. Nat. (ed. 10) 1:91. (Europa = Sweden.)

Habitat. -Marshes and open grasslands.

Distribution. -Breeds in Europe and Asia from England to western Mongolia south to the Mediterranean, Caucasus, Iran, and northern Afghanistan, and winters in Africa south to Angola and the Transvaal, and from Iran through the Indian subcontinent south to Sri Lanka and east to Myanmar; resident in northwestern Africa.

Casual to Madeira, and the Canary, Cape Verde, and Seychelles islands.

Accidental on Guadeloupe, 28 Nov. 2002-14 Apr. 2003 (Levesque and Malglaive 2004; photographs).

Notes.-The report of this species in Virginia (Shedd et al. 1998) that led to its inclusion in the Appendix (AOU 2000) is still considered unsatisfactory. Many authorities consider C. aeruginosus conspecific with C. spilonotiis Kaup, 1847 [Eastern Marsh Harrier].

p. 108. In the account for Falco tinnunculus, add to Distribution: see Pranty et al. (2004) for additional detailed information.

p. 123. In the account for Numida meleagris, in the last line of Distribution, change Trinidad to Trindade.

p. 141. In the account for Bnrhinns bistriatus, add to first paragraph of Distribution: Recently reported breeding on Great Inagua, Bahamas (North American Birds 57:418, photo p. 432, 2003).

p. 207. The individual of Gygis alba photographed on Bermuda was originally identified as being of the Candida group (Wingate and Watson 1974), and it was so listed in the 6th edition (AOU 1983). There is no evidence supporting its change to the alba group in the 7th edition (AOU 1998). Change the paragraph beginning "Accidental" in the distribution of this species by eliminating the mention of the alba group, and Tobago, which is out of the Check-list area.