AVES RALLID/E. 



57 



These characteristics and the size and shape of the frontal shield, as 

 well as the difference in size, will readily distinguish the species from its 

 congeners in Patagonia. 



Dr. Hahn gives the following data as to the color of the external soft 

 parts : "Frontal shield chrome yellow; bill chrome yellow with the tips of 

 the mandibles greenish ; feet very pale sea green, with the webs, joints, 

 and claws black; iris fiery red." 



Geographical Range. Patagonia, and Chile northward to southern 

 Brazil, Peru and Bolivia. 



In general appearance this species is much like Fulica americana, 

 Gmel, but the shape of the frontal shield, its color as well as that of the 

 bill, both mandibles being entirely yellow, together with the general darker 

 coloration of the entire plumage, readily distinguish F. leticoptera, Vieill., 

 from Fulica americana, Gmel. 



The Princeton Expeditions secured a small series (4) of this species. 

 Two birds obtained in January, both females, are in worn breeding plum- 

 age, and beginning to moult, many of the new feathers of the upper 

 parts contrasting sharply with the worn and faded condition of the 

 feathers of that region and of the wings. Another bird, also a female 

 taken in May, presents a similar condition of moult, while a bird taken 

 March 16, a male, is in fine unworn plumage and has the feathers of the 

 breast and lower parts generally, strongly tipped or fringed with white ; 

 there is a strong admixture of similar feathers on the throat, sides of the 

 neck and chin. These fringes extend well up on the sides of the' face 

 and a few are apparent on the occiput. This bird appears to be a young 

 bird of the year which after having moulted \hz first plumage is assuming 

 the adult dress. The white tips to the outer secondaries are very narrow 

 in this bird No. 7,962. 



