724 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



The female is said to be a little brighter in plumage, and the 

 young to have the upper parts less spotted, and the lower parts 

 whitish with cross bands. 



The Pigmy Rail is still more common than the last species, fre- 

 quents similar places, and has a like geographical distribution. I 

 have killed it in every part of the country, chiefly in the cold 

 season ; some pairs however, may breed in this country, as I have 

 killed it in Eastern Bengal in May. 



The next two species are classed under Rallina, {Euryzona of 

 ReichenbaclO from which the first of them differs in having- longer 

 toes and also in its mode of coloration, not being banded beneath ; 

 it ought perhaps to be placed apart. 



911. Porzana fusca, Linn^us. 



Rallus, apud Linnaeus — Blyth, Cat. 1666 — Gall, rubiginosa, 

 Temm., PL Col. 387. 



The Ruddy Rail. 



Forehead, cheeks, and sides of the head, neck, throat, breast, 

 and abdomen, deep ferruginous, albescent on the chin and 

 throat ; upper plumage dull olive brown, darker on the wings and 

 tail ; lower abdomen, vent, and under tail-coverts dark olivaceous, 

 with white bars. 



Bill green, reddish at the base ; irides red ; legs and feet pale 

 green. Length 7^ inches ; wing 3| ; tail H ; bill at front f ; tarsus 

 1^ ; mid-toe and claw 1^. 



This is a miniature of the next species, but with less banded 

 plumage, and longer toes. 



The Ruddy Rail is found throughout India, is not very common 

 in the South, but more abundant in the North, especially in the well 

 watered province of Bengal. It frequents thick swamps, marshes, 

 and the like, but cannot be said to be common anywhere. It 

 extends through Burmah to the islands of Malayana. 



Gallinula erythrothorax, Tern, and Schleg., F. Japon., is some- 

 what allied to this species ; it was found by Swinhoe at Canton. 



The next species is clearly a Rallina, distinguished by the 

 banded abdomen. 



