— 83 — 



339. Baillons Crake. Porzana hailloni (Vieillot). 



Porzana 'pygmcea. Shelley, p. 275. 



Not uncommon during the spring and winter in parts of Lower 

 Egypt. Either this or the former species breeds in the country. 



Length about 7 inches. Upper parts brown spotted with 

 black and white; chin, throat, and breast pale slate grey; 

 flanks and under tail coverts barred with black and white. 

 The outer web of the fifst primary is ivJiite, thereby distinguish- 

 ing it from the little crake. The female is paler in coloration. 



340. LandraiL Crex crex (Linnseus). 



Ortygometra crex. Shelley, p. 274. 



Common during the spring and autumn migrations. 



Length about 10 inches. Upper parts brown with darker 

 centres to the feathers ; a grey patch above each eye and on 

 sides of head ; wing coverts and quills chestnut ; throat and 

 belly white ; breast greyish buff ; the flanks barred with reddish 

 brown and buff ; bill, legs, and feet pale brown. In winter the 

 grey on the head is wanting. Female paler and lacking the 

 grey on the head. 



341. Green-backed Purple Coot. Porfhyrio madagascariensis 



(Latham). 

 Porphyrio hyacinthinus. Shelley, p.. 277. 



This large coot is not imcommon in suitable localities in 

 Lower Egypt, but is of such skulking habits that it is rarely seen. 

 Shelley's statement that it is plentiful in the Faiyum does not 

 apparently hold at the present time. I have never met with it 

 there, nor do I know of any one who has during the past twelve 

 years. 



Length about 18 inches. Crown, nape, wings, and upper 

 breast purple blue ; chin and throat turquoise blue ; abdomen 

 deep blackish blue ; back metallic green ; tail black washed with 

 green ; under tail coverts white ; bill and legs red. 



342. Allen's Gallinule. Porphyrio alleni Thompson. 



Porphyria alleni. Shelley, p. 276. 



A single example of this rail was obtained near Alexandria 

 by Mr. S. Stafford Allen prior to 1872. This bird, an immature, 

 was in the collection of Messrs. Sharpe & Dresser. 



Length about 8 inches. Back, wings, and tail green ; under 

 tail coverts white, remainder of plumage indigo blue, inclining 



