— 82 — 



a black anchor-shaped mark on the throat, though this varies 

 in intensity of coloration. The female lacks this mark and 

 has the chest spotted with black. 



335. The African Quail. Coturnix coturnix capensis Lichten- 

 stein. 



A few of these quails may be met with during the spring 

 passage. 



Similar to the common quail, but the male has the entire 

 throat brick red, and the sides of the neck are more rufous. 



FULICARI^. 



336. Water Rail. liallus aquaticus Linnaeus. 



Rallus aquaticus. Shelley, p. 273. 



A resident, and in some localities very abundant. In the 

 Wadi Natrun large numbers breed in the bulrush-fiinged swamp. 



Length about 10 inches. Upper parts olive brown streaked 

 with black ; cheeks, neck and breast dark slate grey ; flanks 

 blackish barred with white ; vent pale buff ; bill red ; legs 

 dark brown. The female is similar, but dullei' in colour. 



337. Spotted Crake, Porzana maruetta (Leach). 



Porzana maruetta. Shelley, p. 274. 



Common in suitable localities during spring, autumn, and 

 winter. 



Length about 8 inches. Adult male, upper parts olive 

 brown minutely spotted with white ; face and throat dull grey ; 

 crown dark brown ; breast brown spotted with white ; abdomen 

 dull grey ; flanks barred with brown and white ; legs and feet 

 greenish ; bill green with a red base. 



338. Little Crake. Porzana parva (Scopoli). 



Not mentioned by Shelley. 



Common in suitable reed beds in winter, and its numbers 

 are increased during the spring migration. It is possible that a 

 few remain to breed, but this is not yet proved. 



Length about 7 inches. Upper parts olive brown ; broad 

 black streaks on the back and a few small white markings ; 

 forehead, sides of head, front of neck, breast, and belly slate grey; 

 under tail coverts barred with white and thighs spotted with white. 



The female has the upper parts paler ; the neck and belly 

 rufous white ; flanks greyish with narrow white bars. 



