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find that the Striped Eail enjoys a very extensive territorial range. It is found all over the 

 southern portion of the Australian continent ; and, unless Mr. Gould's specimens from the north 



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coast and from Eaine's Islet should hereafter prove to be a distinct species, it has an unlimited 

 range northwards, migrating from one part of the country to another with the changes of season. 

 It occurs also in Polynesia proper, Celebes, the Navigators', the Caroline Islands, New Caledonia, 

 and the Philippine Islands, It is spread throughout New Zealand in all suitable localities ; but, 

 owing to its extremely shy disposition, it is far oftener heard than seen. It rarely takes wing 

 and when it does, flies low and straight, with the legs trailing behind, and soon drops under cover 

 again. But it is a nimble runner, and glides through the dense herbage with amazing facility. 

 It feeds on insects, seeds, and the succulent parts of various native grasses ; and its habits gene- 

 rally are very similar to those of the Land -Eail {Crex fratensis) of Europe, Its only note is a 

 sharp cry uttered singly and at short intervals; and this is generally heard after sunset or in the 

 early morning. 



I had a live one in my possession for several months ; but it was so incessantly active in its 

 movements that I had the utmost difficulty in making a life-sketch of it. This bird was brought 

 to me in the early part of March, and the plumage was then old and faded ; but the seasonal 

 moult had already commenced, and about the end of May it was in beautiful order. On being 

 turned loose in a room it ran swiftly from one corner to another seeking concealment, and occa- 

 sionally stretched its body upwards in a very grotesque attitude, as if surveying its new quarters. 

 It partook readily of cooked potato, and drank freely from a saucer of water, after which it 

 stalked about the room in an inquisitive manner, and several times flew upwards to the window. 

 It w^as afterwards placed in a wooden cage ; but it seemed very impatient of this restraint, and 

 manifested remarkable perseverance in its efforts to escape. It could be heard night and day 

 tapping the bars with its slender bill as it wandered up and down its little prison, and it seemed 

 never to relinquish for a single moment the hope of delivery from its unnatural bondage. 

 Although always timid, it became sufficiently tame to take food from the hand ; and when in the 

 act of feeding, especially if supplied with fresh meat or insects, it often expressed its satisfaction 



in a low chuckling note. It frequently thrust its head into the water-vessel, but never bathed 

 itself. 



The eggs of the Striped Eail, which are placed in a rude nest on the ground, are from four 

 to six in number, and sometimes even more ; they are of a very rounded form, measuring 1*5 inch 

 in length by 1 -2 in breadth, with a polished surface, and of a creamy- white colour, marked all over, 

 but more conspicuously at the larger end, with rounded spots of chestnut-red. 



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