1868.] 



ON THE AMERICAN RALLIDyE. 



467 



This Coot is readily distinguishable among the white-rumped spe- 

 cies by its large dimensions, and in particular by the great size of 

 the legs and toes, especially the length of the middle toe, which 

 (taken with that of the nail) usually exceeds four inches. In Fulica 

 leucopyya and F. leucoptera the corresponding length of the middle 

 toe and tail is barely 3'5. F. frontuta, Gray, MS., is, as far as we 

 can decide from examination of the single example in the British 

 Museum, merely a specimen of this species with the frontal shield 



very much developed, 

 bird. 



Fig. 8 represents the head-shield of this 



5. FuLlCA LEXJCOPYGA. 



Fulica leucopyga, Licht. in Mus. Berol. ; Hartl. J. f. O. 18.53, 

 Extra-H. .p. 84 ; Schlegel, M. des P.-B. Rnlli, p. 64. 

 Fulica rufifrons, Landbeck, Wiegm. Arch. 1862, p. 223. 

 Fulica chloropoides, King, Zool. Journ. iv. p. 9.5 (?). 



Fig. 9. 



Fulica leucopyga. 



Obscure ardesiaca, capite undique nigricante : crisso albo, plumis 

 quibusdam medialibus nigris : remigis exierni margine concolori 

 neque albo : rostri apice Jiavo, basi cum scuto frontuli ruberrimis : 

 hoc angusto, supra acute aiigulato : pedibus oUvaceis : long, tola 

 16*0, ales 6"8, caudce 2*4, rostri a rictu ]-3, tarsi '3'2, dig. med. 

 cum ungiie .3"5. 



Hah. Uruguay (Sella); Chili (Landb.) ; Patagonia {King); 

 Falkland Islands {Mus. Brit.). 



Mus. Brit., Derb. 



