420 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



Batllon's Crafce. 



BAILLON'S Crake (Porzana Baiiloni, Vieill) is an exceedingly 

 rare visitor to the British Isles, and is stated to have nested 

 twice with us. This bird is also found in the Southern 

 Palearctic Region and throughout Africa. The adult male 

 has the crown, neck, and upper parts chiefly rufous-brown, 

 marked with white and black streaks and spots; sides of 

 head, throat, and breast, bluish-slate; outer web of first 

 primary, white; flanks and under tail-coverts, with boldly 

 defined black and white bars; irides, red; bill, yellowish- 

 green ; legs and feet, flesh colour, tinged with brown. 

 Length, about seven inches. The adult female is lighter 

 above than the male ; under parts, browner. 



