WATER RAIL. 163 



flanks very dark slate, barred with white ; vent buff colour ; 

 under tail-coverts dull white ; legs and toes brownish flesh 

 colour. The whole length is eleven inches and a half. 

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

 and three-quarters. 



The sexes do not differ much in plumage, but the female 

 generally exhibits some white bars on the wing-coverts, the 

 tail-feathers are somewhat browner, the bill is often a trifle 

 shorter, and the colour less bright. 



Young birds have the under parts of a dull buff-white, 

 with brownish- grey bars, narrow above, and broader on the 

 flanks, forming transverse bars ; the flanks and thighs not 

 so dark in colour, and without the white bands. The nest- 

 lings are covered with black down. 



Isabelline varieties of the Water Rail are occasionally 

 taken, and pure white examples are not unknown. 



