THE STILT-WALKERS. 99 



THE GOLDEN RAIL, OR PAINTED CAPE SNIPE. 



The Golden Rail, or Painted Cape Snipe (Rhynchcza Capensis), is of a blackish grey on the 

 upper part of the body ; the eyebrows, a stripe on the head, and another on the shoulder, are 

 yellowish ; the upper wing is brown, marked with black ; the lower throat and upper breast are deep 

 blackish grey and white ; the rest of the under side is white ; the quills and tail-feathers are adorned 

 with golden eyes and black spots. In the female the upper parts of the body are dark brown, 

 irregularly striped with greenish black. The brown head has a green gloss, the eyebrows are 

 yellowish white, a line over the head is yellowish, the neck reddish brown, and the upper breast 

 blackish brown ; the under side and a line on the shoulder are white, the quills and tail-feathers green 

 and black, enlivened by golden eyes, and the feathers of the wing-covers green, striped with black ■ 

 the eye is brown, the beak dark green at the base, and tipped with brownish red ; the foot is light 

 green. The male is nine inches long and sixteen and a quarter broad ; the wing measures five inches 

 and one-sixth, and the tail two inches ; while the female is ten inches long and eighteen broad. 



The Painted Snipes are dispersed over a large portion of Africa. They keep together in small 

 parties, and lead a quiet and retired life, beneath the sheltering leaves of aquatic plants that overspread 

 the morasses and river-banks, which are their favourite haunts. We are almost entirely without 

 particulars respecting these birds, except that they run well and swiftly, and flutter rather than fly, 

 when compelled to rise into the air. Near the Cape they are known by the name of " Keuvitts," as 

 that word is supposed to resemble their cry, which is constantly heard during evening. We obtained 

 two eggs from the ovary of one of these Snipes, shot in the month of May ; in form and colour 

 these resembled the eggs of the Gallinago. 



THE WATER RAIL. 



The Water Rail (Ra^us aquaticus) represents a group having the bill rather longer than the head, 

 straight or slightly curved, and compressed at its sides ; the feet are moderately large, the wings short, 

 blunt, arched, and formed of soft quills, of which the third and fourth are the longest ; and a very 

 short, narrow tail, composed of twelve weak, curved, and pointed feathers. The thick compact 

 plumage is of a golden yellow, spotted with black on the back ; the lower part of the body and sides 

 of the head are blueish grey, striped with black and white on the thighs. The belly and rump are 

 brownish yellow, the quills pale brownish black, edged with greenish brown, and tail-feathers black 

 bordered with olive-brown. The eye is dull red, the beak brownish grey at the culmen, and bright red 

 at its margins and lower mandible, the foot is brownish green. The female is smaller than her mate, 

 but resembles him in colour. The young are reddish grey on the under side, spotted with various 

 shades of black. This species is eleven inches long and fifteen broad ; the wing measures four inches 

 and a half, and the tail two inches and one-sixth. 



The Water Rail is a native of Northern and Central Europe, and Central Asia, as far east as the 

 river Amoor ; and is also met with in Southern Europe and Northern Africa during the course of its 

 wanderings. In England it is permanently resident, and is to be found if sought for at all seasons of 

 the year, but owing to its shy and sedentary habits, and the peculiar situations it frequents, is not very 

 frequently seen. Marshes, pools, or water-courses are the favourite haunts of this bird ; such as are 

 covered and edged with reeds, dense grass, or aquatic plants being preferred, as in these it finds 

 a constant shelter and refuge, the narrow form of its head and body enabling it to pass through the 

 closest masses with great facility. To this fact it is indebted for its principal means of security, as 

 when driven into the air it flies awkwardly and slowly, with the legs hanging down. Few dogs even 

 succeed in forcing it into view before it has gained its retreat, which is often a rat-hole, or a tangled 



