iSSS.T Sknnett oh a Nc-v Form of Clapfcr Rail. 305 



;uul cuntial tail-feathers moderately lengthened, liair-hrown, darkest on 

 the riunp ; rest (jf tail white. 



Habitat. Java, Borneo and Philip[)iiifs (Oatcs). Formo.sa 

 (Swinhoc). J:iva (Diard). Borneo (Salvador!). Ceylon 

 (Legge). — India, as far as Scinde and Ca.shmere, Ceylon, 

 China, Cochin-China, Malay Peninsula (Oates). 



This state of plumage is frequently regarded as that of the im- 

 mature bird ; but these ditTer, according to Legge, by having a 

 fernigiiious stripe over the eye, front neck fulvous, the golden 

 neck stiipc paler, and a less developed chest band. The breed- 

 ing pliunage appears to be assumed by the feathers changing 

 color, and not by a moult. In Chinese examples sometimes the 

 hind neck golden patch is very large and the black border very 

 Inroad. According to Ilinue. this is a shy species, rumiingwith 

 wonderfid facility over the floating weeds, lotus leaves, etc., and 

 wlien ahiimetl, concealing itself by U'iug close to the ])]ants, 

 with its head and neck stretched out on a level with the liody ; 

 sometimes, when possible, it will sink half of its body in the 

 water. It is also an expert diver. It breeds from June to about 

 the middle of September, according to locality. The nest, nearlv 

 two feet in diaiueter, is made of weeds and roughlv put together, 

 sometimes placed on the surface of the water, or on an island 

 close to the water. The eggs, four in nuiuber, vary in color 

 froiu pale brown t<> a deeji rufous, and are co\'ered with tangled 

 lines of blackish, or reddish brown. Tiie shell has a very lus- 

 trous appearance. 



A NEW FORM OF CLAPPER RAIL. 



BY geor(;e b. sennett. 

 Rallus longirostris scottii, snbsp. nov. Scott's Rail. 



The darkest of all the large l^ails. Prevailing color on back ver}- dark 

 irown or hlack. 'i'his color prevails to such an extent that in most adults 

 ittle nf)tice would be taken of the olive gray edgings. ITnderparts also 

 larker and with much less ciimamon than others of the genus. P'lanks 



