190 



THE ANIMALS OP NEW ZEALAND 



The Swamp Rail. — -Putoto or Puweto. 

 Porzana tahuensis. 



Slate blue, brownish on the back. Under tail coverts, black banded 

 with white. Eye bright red. Length of the wing, 3 in.; of the tarsus, 

 1 in. In the young the throat and part of the breast are white. Egg — 

 Pale creamy brown, freckled with darker; length, 1.3 in. Both Islands 

 and the Chatham Islands. Also Polynesia, New Caledonia, Australia, 

 and the Philippine Islands. 



Marsh Eail. 



Swamp Eail. 



The swamp rail also frequents swampy places, especially raiipo 

 swamps. It is rarely seen, but an observer, by patiently standing 

 still, may hear its low purring note close by, but in what direction 

 it is difficult to say. According to ]\Ir. Gould, it swims with 

 grace and elegance, sporting with ease among the floating leaves. 

 of aquatic plants in search of water snails, which form its. 

 principal food. 



