The identity of two of Azara’s “mystery” waterbirds

Abstract

The identity of two birds described from Paraguay by Félix de Azara as No. 378 “Ypacahá jaspeado encima” and No. 402 “Chorlito pies roxos” is elucidated for the first time. No. 378 refers to Ocellated Crake Micropygia schomburgkii and is the basis for the name Rallus maculosus of Vieillot, 1819. Rallus maculosus Vieillot, 1819, is a nomen oblitum, unavailable for application. No. 402 is referable to Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres morinella and is the basis of the name Totanus nigellus Vieillot, 1816. Totanus nigellus Vieillot, 1816 is thus a junior synonym of Arenaria interpres morinella (Linnaeus, 1766) and available for application.

Keywords

• Arenaria interpres morinella
• Micropygia schomburgkii
• Ocellated crake
• Rallus maculosus
• Ruddy turnstone
• Totanus nigellus