148 RALLID^E. 



369. RALLUS MACULATUS, Bodd. 



(SPOTTED RAIL.) 



[PLATE XIX.] 



Rallus xnaculatus, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 139 ; iid. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 444 ; 

 Durnford, Ibis, 1878, p. 65 (Buenos Ayres) ; Narrows, Auk, 1834, p. 276 

 (Entrerios) j Withington, Ibis, 1888, p. 471 (Lomas de Zamora). 



Description. Above blackish ; back and wings dark olive-brown, spotted all 

 over with white : beneath barred across with white and black ; chin and crissum 

 white ; bill yellow, with a bright red spot at the base ; feet pale brown : whole 

 length 11-0 inches, wing 5-2, tail 2-0. Female similar. 



ITab. South America. 



The Spotted Rail, which has a wide distribution in South America, 

 occurs as far south as Buenos Ayres. Our figure is taken from an 

 example of this species obtained by Mr. F. Withington in September 

 1885 in the Lomas de Zamora. Concerning its nesting-habits he sends 

 the following note : " It breeds amongst the reeds, and its nest is 

 placed about 18 inches from the water. To reach it the birds collect a 

 heap of reeds, grass, and other materials, and alongside form an inclined 

 platform that answers the purpose of a staircase, by which the birds 

 ascend or descend with ease. The usual clutch of eggs is seven, but I 

 have taken fifteen from one nest, all good. These, of course, could not 

 have been laid by one bird/' 



370. EALLUS ANTAECTICUS, King. 

 (ANTARCTIC RAIL.) 



Rallus antarcticus, Scl. et Salv. Xomencl. p. 139 ; iid. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 445 ; 

 iid. Ex. Orn. t. Ixxxii. p. 163; Barrows, Auk, 1884, p. 276 (Carhue') ; 

 Withington, Ibis, 1888, p. 471 (Lomas de Zamora). 



Description. Above brown, striped with black ; wing-coverts rufous ; remiges 

 blackish : beneath plumbeous : flanks and under wing-coverts black, barred 

 across with white : whole length 8'0 inches, wing 37, tail 1*5. Female similar. 



Hab. Chili, Argentine Republic, and Patagonia. 



This Rail is a small southern representative of the well-known 

 Virginian Rail of the U.S. It is stated to be " rather common at 

 Carhu^ by Mr. Barrows, and Mr. Withington has recently sent us 

 specimens from the Lomas de Zamora. 



