334 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 



Genus HYPOT^NIDIA, Reichenhach. 



It would have been rather surprising if the Ballus pectoralis 

 of Cuvier had not received a generic appellation, since it is 

 very different in structure and habits from the true Rails, 

 and is indeed very nearly allied to Crex. Other species of 

 the form exist in New Zealand, the Celebes, and the Fiji 

 Islands. 



Sp. 570. HYPOTtENIDIA philippensis. 

 Pectoral Rail. 



Rallus philippensis, Linn. Syst. Nat., torn. i. p. 263. 



Hypotcenidia philippensis, Bonap. Compt. Rend, de FAcad. Sci., torn. 



xliii. seances des 15 et 22 Sept. 1856. 

 Kill-lee, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western Australia. 

 Land-Rail of the Colonists. 



Rallus pectoralis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vi. pi. 76. 



The Pectoral Rail is a summer visitant to New South 

 Wales ; but if we regard the Rails from Southern and Western 

 Australia, which are rather smaller and have somewhat more 

 attenuated bills, as mere local varieties, the above remark 

 will extend to the southern portion of the continent generally ; 

 in fact, it may then be said to be dispersed over the whole of 

 this part of the country, in all situations suitable to its habits. 

 It usually makes its appearance in New South Wales in the 

 month of August, and retires again in February ; the extent 

 of its range northwards, however, I have not satisfactorily 

 ascertained ; for, although I have specimens from the north 

 coast and Raine's Islet, they present sufficient differences in 

 their form and markings to warrant the supposition of their 

 being a distinct species. 



In habits, actions, and general economy the Hypotcenidia 

 philippensis closely assimilates to the Land- Rail {Crex pra- 

 tensis) of Europe, grassy flats between the hills and huniid 



