248 Mr. F. W. Frohawk on a nnw Specits of Hail. 



colouring as the back: bill li<^lit green, darkest an 1 inclining 

 to purplish at the tip and culnien ; iris ruby; eyelid pale 

 grey-green ; tarsus and feet licrlit olive grey-green. Total 

 length about 6 inches, but capable of extending its neck to a 

 considerable length, adding as much as 2 inches or more to 

 the entire length. Wing from car{)al joint 2\ inches; bill 

 (culmen) ^V inch; tarsus -j% inch; middle toe, including 

 claw, I5 inch. 



Sexes very similar, but the female generally paler in colour 

 throughout. 



Young birds have the underparts pale buff, replacing the 

 grey of the adult. 



The nestling is entirely covered with black down, the bill 

 yellowish. 



Nest: outside measurement 6 inches across, from 2^ to 3 

 inches high ; inside it measures 3 inches across and 2 inches 

 deep ; it is rather loosely constructed of strips of sedge and 

 coarse grass, and woven together with very fine shreds of 

 grass, fibres, and a little down ; inside the materials are rather 

 finer. 



The eggs are oval, the ends of equal size, average measure- 

 ments \^ by T6 inch, and are of a very pale creamy buff flecked 

 with light red-brown and purplish grey, both colours being 

 ])ale and somewhat indistinct ; in some the colouring is much 

 suffused and variable in depth ; they also vary in size. 



The nest described was found on June 24th, 1891, and 

 contained three eggs. 



Locality. Laysan Island, lat. 25° 46' N., long. 171° 49' W. 



The following notes 1 have fortunately had the opportunity 

 of making from the living birds now in the collection of the 

 lion. Walter liothschild (which are in the charge of Mr. 

 Doggett) ; they have lately been received from his collec- 

 tor, Ileiny Palmer, from Laysan Island. 



This little rail is of very considerable interest, being new 

 to science, of small size, incapable of flight, very active and 

 swift on foot, ajiparently very tame and fearless, and easily 

 caught. 



1 had the opportunity of observing them while they were 

 running about a room, when I noticed they never once 

 attem]ited to make use of their wings ; the only time I 

 noticed them doing so was in springing up to perch. 



During the day they keep up an incessant chirping, con- 

 sisting of from one to three soft, short, and clear notes ; but 

 soon after dusk they all, as if by one given signal, strike up 

 a most peculiar chorus, which lasts but a few seconds, and 

 then all remain silent. I can only compare the sound to 

 a handlul or two of marbles beinu" throw 11 on a ulass roof 



