Gallmida pulchra, SWAINS. 



Head, neck, breast, ani tail, bright rufous ; the rest of the 

 plumage, above and beneath, black spotted with white. 



Crex pulchra, Gmy, Griff. Cuv. viii. 410. 



THIS very elegant species possesses all the typical 

 characters of the Water Hens, except in the tail, 

 which is particularly soft, and, in the specimen he- 

 fore us, seems to be hoat-shaped ; whether this ap- 

 pearance is artificial, caused by a bad preparation of 

 the skin, or whether it is really natural, cannot be at 

 present determined. We are disposed, however, to 

 adopt the latter opinion ; in which case the specific 

 name may be advantageously changed to Alectura, 

 as indicating at once its affinity, if not its absolute 

 union, to the sub-genus Alectkelia. 



The colouring is very peculiar, and is sufficiently 

 described in the specific character given above ; the 

 white spots are clear, round, and well defined, both 

 on the upper and the under plumage ; but on the 

 rump and tail-covers they are smaller and more ob- 

 scure ; the wing -feathers are very broad, and those 

 of the tail rather longer than usual ; these latter, as 

 just observed, are very soft and the webs loose, but 



