KALLIDAE 247 



these markings are restricted to the sides and abdominal region, 

 and in H. Irachypus, where the belly is plain. 



Cabal i(S modestus and Nesolimnas dieffenhai'hi of the Cliatham 

 Islands are curious little brown forms with no visible tail, closely 

 allied to the next genus, which they resemble in being flightless, 

 and apparently in general habits. OcT/dromus contains the Wood- 

 Hens, or Weka Rails, of New Zealand, of which 0. (ji'qjl of the North 

 Island is tawny above with dark shaft-stripes or bars, and grey 

 below with fulvous fore-neck and sides. 0. carli of the Soutli 

 Island is more cinnamon in hue ; 0. austmlis, also of the South 

 Island, is less grey below, and usually has barred flanks ; 0. 

 fuscus of the south-west of the South Island is blacker than the 

 first-named ; 0. liectori is a paler race of 0. australis. These 

 Rails are semi-nocturnal, and sometimes excavate burrows, in which, 

 or in the scrub, they pass nnich of the day ; the localities preferred 

 are dry woods, ravines, and sandy shores, 0. fvscvs obtaining the 

 name of Kelp-Hen from the stretches of sea-weed that it frequents. 

 This species feeds on sea-molluscs, but its congeners will eat young 

 birds, lizards, caterpillars, worms, insects, and berries. The cry 

 is a sharp whistle, often preceded by a growl, the birds being 

 very tame when unmolested. They are pugnacious, inquisitive, 

 and thievish, stealing articles from tents or houses, attacking fowls, 

 or sucking their eggs. Their own eo-tiS are from five to seven, 

 both these and the nest, which is generally in a, l)urr()W, nnich 

 resembling those of other Rails. Ocydromns sijirrstrls, of Lord 

 Howe Island, is nearly uniform rufous above and brownish below, 

 with barred wings and tail ; it lays similar eggs upon the ground. 



The dusky Trichollmnas lafresnayi of New Caledonia is remark- 

 able for its soft hair-like plumage, and the purplish-brown and 

 black Gymnocrcx rosenhrr<il of Celebes for its bare yellowish orbits. 



Aramides includes eight species found in Central and South 

 America, of which A. ypccalia may be taken as a representative. 

 It is olive-green above, with chestnut nape, black rump and tail, 

 and greyish below with white throat and vinous belly ; the bill is 

 yellow, the feet are scarlet. Cautious when danger threatens, it is 

 sufficiently audacious to attack poultry ; among its native swamps 

 it usually walks in stately style or struts on tlie branches of trees, 

 though it can run quickly ; while it lies closely when surprised on 

 open ground, dashing up with the whirring flight of a Partridge. 

 The alarm -note is powerful, unearthly shrieks ])eing uttered 



