i 



SORA RAIL. 257 



the sides convex towards the end, the edges sharp, inflected, with a sHght 

 sinus close to the tip. Nasal groove broad and extending to two-thirds 

 of the length of the bill ; nostrils linear, lateral, submedial, pervious. 

 Lower mandible with the angle long and narrow, the sides erect, the dor- 

 sal line sloping upwards, the edges inflected, the tip narrowed, the gape- 

 line straight. 



Head rather small, oblong, compressed. Neck of moderate length. 

 Body rather slender, much compressed. Feet of moderate length, ra- 

 ther stout ; tibia bare a short way above the joint ; tarsus of ordinary 

 length, compressed, anteriorly covered with broad scutella, posteriorly 

 with smaller, and on the sides reticulated. Hind toe very short and 

 slender, middle toe longest and longer than the tarsus, fourth considerably 

 shorter than third, and a little longer than second ; toes free, scutellate 

 above, much compressed, with an inferior sharp margin. Claws rather 

 long, exceedingly compressed, slightly arched, tapering to a fine point, 

 flat and marginate beneath. 



Plumage rather stifle, but blended, slightly glossed above. Feathers 

 of the forehead with the shaft enlarged and slightly extended beyond the 

 tip. Wings short and broad ; alula large ; primaries curved, broad ta- 

 pering, but rounded, second longest, third scarcely shorter, first equal to 

 sixth ; secondaries broad and rounded. Tail extremely short, much 

 rounded, of twelve feeble rounded feathers ; the upper and lower tail- 

 coverts nearly as long as the tail-feathers. 



Bill yellow at the base, dusky towards the end. Iris bright chestnut. 

 Feet yellowish-green ; claws light brown. A broad band surrounding the 

 base of the bill, the central part of the crown, the chin, and the fore neck 

 in its whole length, brownish-black. Ear-coverts olive-brown ; a band 

 over the eye, the cheeks, and the sides of the neck, ash-grey. Sides of 

 the crown, the hind neck, and the rest of the upper parts, olive -brown, 

 the feathers brownish-black in the centre, those on the back with two mar- 

 ginal lines of white. Smaller wing-coverts of a lighter brown ; secondary 

 coverts margined with black and white markings ; quills dusky olive- 

 brown, as is the tail. Middle of breast and abdomen greyish-white ; 

 sides barred with brownish-black and greyish-white, as are the lateral 

 feathers of the rump, those of the abdomen reddish-yellow. 



Length to end of tail 9 x'j inches; to end of wings 8|, to end of claws 12; 

 extent of wings 14 ; wing from flexure 4<j% ; tail 2 ; bill along the ridge 



VOL. III. K 



