LITTLE CRAKE. 



163 



feathers of the flanks dark brown ; those of the thighs, vent, 

 and the under tail-coverts slate-grey, spotted with white ; 

 legs and toes green. The whole length is about eight inches. 

 From the carpal joint to the end of the wing four inches 

 and one-eighth ; the second and third quill-feathers nearly 

 equal in length, and much longer than the first. 



The female is smaller than the male, and differs in having 

 the space round the eye pearl-grey ; top of the head, sides 

 and back of the neck, pale brown ; the chin white ; the 

 neck in front, breast and belly, fulvous buff colour ; flanks 

 and under tail-coverts greyish-brown, with white spots form- 

 ing bands. The young are still paler on the under parts, 

 and more streaked on the flanks. 



The chicks are at first covered with black down. The 

 young bird figured below was presented by Captain Bond. 



'^ .^iff-'^^ 



VOL. III. 



