THE RAIL FAMILY 157 



THE SPOTTED CRAKE. 

 (^Porzana maruetta. ) 



Male. — The bill brownish-yellow, at the base 

 brighter. Upper part of the head, hind-neck, back, 

 and scapulars olive brown, each feather having an 

 oblong patch of the latter colour. The hind-part of 

 back has -small white markings ; the wings of a 

 lighter olive brown, the margin and outer edges of 

 the first quill white. Secondary and smaller coverts 

 are marked with small spots, white in the middle, 

 black at each end ; inner secondary and coverts 

 barred with white ; tail feathers black, margined with 

 olive. Over the eye a broad grey band dotted with 

 white. The forehead, throat, and cheeks bluish- 

 grey, the latter speckled with black. Fore-part, 

 sides of neck, and front part of breast greyish-olive, 

 spotted with white ; sides of body light olive, 

 barred with black and white ; lower tail coverts 

 buff; iris reddish-brown ; legs and feet yellowish- 

 green. Length, from bill to tail, nine inches. 



Female. — Similar to male. 



BAILLOX'S CRAKE. 

 {Porzana baillotii.) 



Male. — The bill dark green ; upper parts of 

 plumage light reddish-olive, marked on the top of 

 the head with black streaks. On the back and on 

 all tlie wing coverts are numerous white spots, 

 surrounded with deep black. The throat, a streak 



