TION. 



CtAssII. WATER RAIL. 115 



in flying hangs down it legs : actions it has in 

 common with the Water Hen. 



Its weight is four ounces and a half; the Descrip- 

 length to the end of the tail is twelve inches; the 

 breadth sixteen. The bill is slender, slightly in- 

 curvated, one inch and three quarters long ; the 

 upper mandible black, edged with red ; the 

 lower orange colored j the irides red ; the head, 

 hind part of the neck, the back, and coverts of 

 the wings and tail, are black, edged with an 

 olive brown ; the base of the wing is white ; the 

 quil feathers and secondaries dusky ; the throat, 

 breast, and upper part of the belly, are ash 

 colored ; the sides under the wings as far as the 

 rump finely varied with black and white bars. 

 The tail is very short, and consists of twelve 

 black feathers, the ends of the two middle tipt 

 with rust-color; the feathers immediately be- 

 neath the tail white. The legs are placed far 

 behind, and are of a dusky flesh-color. The 

 toes very long, and divided to their very origin ; 

 though the feet are not webbed, it takes the 

 water ; will swim on it with much ease ; but 

 oftener is observed to run along the surface. 



This bird is properly sui generis, agreeing with 

 no other, Brisson and Limicetis place it with 

 the Land Rail, and Mr. Rai/ with the Water 

 Hens, which have their peculiar characters, so 



i2 



