Notes on the Breeding of the Ypecaha Rail. 345


breast where they grew lighter. Three out of the four chicks at

this time showed a good deal of white on the wiug feathers—the

chick that was first hatched was not showing any white. I am

afraid that three at least of the chicks will prove to be cocks.


About the middle of August the birds were put into a still

larger grass run, the insect food gradually discontinued and the

bantam hen removed.


I am well aware that my method of rearing is “ama¬

teurish,” and might be greatly improved, but when I look at the

four little Fraucolins in perfect health I am tempted to say with

the gentleman in the play “ I may be an ass, but I am not a

silly ass.”


In conclusion I may mention that all my aviaries are on

dry gravel soil which for almost all game birds is a great advantage.


C. Barnby Smith.



NOTES ON THE BREEDING OF THE YPECAHA


RAIL.


Aramides ypecaha.


By Gerard H. Gurney, F.Z.S.


In June, 1907, I received a pair of Ypecaha Rails

(Ar amides ypecaha] which had recently came from Brazil, and

which I put into a large outdoor aviary, where they have been

ever since, standing the cold of last winter remarkably well.


At the beginning of June this year, 190S, my man noticed

the commencement of a nest, which I at once thought must

have been made by the Rails. It was built in the middle of a

gooseberry bush, about two feet from the ground, and looked

very much like a Dove’s nest, being made of thin sticks, one or

two leaves, and some bits of grass being put inside by way of a

lining. It was completed by about June 16th.


The first egg was laid on June 18th, the second on the 19th,

and by June 22nd all four eggs were laid ; they are about the

size of an ordinary Coot’s egg, and in colour like a Corncrake’s,

but handsomer, with beautiful pinkish spots and markings. I

was away from home all the time the old birds were sitting, so do



