BY A. F. BASSET HULL. 645 



not so well defined.-*' Length (A) 1-9 x 1-32; (B) 1-88 x 1-36; 

 <C)l-95xl-36; (D)2 x 1-32 inches." ' 



This bird is, like its New Zealand congener, very curious, and 

 will come out of its retreat to investigate any unusual sound, 

 such as that caused by knocking two stones or dry sticks 

 togetlier. It can then be easily snared or shot. It is becoming 

 very scarce in the more settled parts of the island, the dogs and 

 pigs destroying birds and eggs. Messrs. Hedley and McCuUoch, 

 of the Australian Museum, who made the ascent of Mount Gower 

 in Septembei', 1908, informed me that tlie Wood Hen was fairly 

 plentiful in the Erskine Valley, and on the slopes of the 

 mouiitain. 



55(M). G.PoRZANA PLUMBEA (^ray. 



Spotless Crake; Little Tarler Bird(N.I.). 



Ortygometra tabuensis Gm., North, ' Nests and Eggs,' p. 415; 

 Porzana tabuensis Gm., Campbell, p.748. 



Ifab. — Norfolk Island. (Australia generally, New Zealand, 

 Philippine Islands). 



Although the Spotless Crake enjoys such a wide range through- 

 out Australia and adjacent countries, it is not found on Lord 

 Howe Island. At Norfolk Islaud it is a rare species, and the 

 islanders do not appear to have distinguished it from the Pectoral 

 Rail, as both birds bear the local appellation of Little Tarler(Taro) 

 Bird. North records the finding, by Dr. Metcalfe, of an old nest 

 with an egg in it, and I have another single egg taken from a 

 riiest in a "drain" (natural watercourse) in the 100-acre Reserve 

 ;at Norfolk Island, on the 1st of March, 1909. My collector 

 informed me that the nest was constructed of flags "like a 

 Titerack's "( J//c/'rt>ioit.5 leiccocapillus), and placed in the fork of a 



• I have recently received a pair of eggs taken by Mr. Herbert Wilson on 

 the 9th November, 1909. The nest was of Kentia palm thatch, in a hollow 

 on the ground. The shell is glossy, pinkish- white, with red-brown spots 

 and freckles, and more numerous suffused purplish spots scattered over the 

 •whole shell, but predominating at the larger end. Dimensions: (a)2 x 1*38, 

 .(b)2xl-36. 



