Plate LIII. 



PORZANA HAUXWELLI. 



(HAUXWELL'S CEAKE). 



GoretTirura sp. . . . . Scl. et Salv. P.Z.S. 1866, p. 200. 

 Porzana fasciata . . . Scl. et Salv. P.Z.S. 1867, p. 981. 



Fuscescenti-olivacea, alls obscurioribus, capite toto cum collo et corpore subtus ad imum pectus castaueis : 

 abdomine rufo nigroque transfasciato : subalaribus rufis nigro maculatis: roatro obscure eorneo, pedibus saturate 

 corylinis : long, tota 6'5, alsB 3'5, caudae 1-2, tarsi 1'6, rostri a rictu '85. 



Sah. in Amazonia Peruviana: fl. Ucayali (Sartlett): Chamicurros et Pebas (Hauxwell). 



The vast water-basin of the Amazons, so constantly overflowed by the rising of its 

 numerous affluents, would naturally be supposed to be a very fit habitation for Eallidse of every 

 description. Yet the species of this group met with within its area are certainly not numerous. 

 Not a single Coot {Fiilicd) and only one true Waterhen [Gallinula) occurs, as far as we know, 

 anywhere within its limits, and but tlu'ee or four other members of the family have as yet been 

 registered as appertaining to the Amazonian Fauna. But the recent exertions of collectors 

 upon the Upper Amazon and its tributaries have brought to light one or two new species of the 

 group, and others perhaps remain to be discovered, as from their skulking habits these birds 

 easily elude observation. 



We first made the acquaintance of the present species of Crake in Mr. E. Bartlett's first 

 collection from the Ucayali, but were not then sufficiently acquainted with the group to venture 

 to describe it as new. Subsequent researches, into which we were led by the receipt of a second 

 specimen in Mr. Hauxwell's collection from Pebas, convinced us that it was unknown to science, 

 but we unluckily selected for it a name which had been already appropriated to a member of 

 the same group. Under these circumstances we now propose to rename it after Mr. Hauxwell, 

 who besides the specimen just mentioned had previously obtained an example of the same bird 

 in his large collection made at Chamicurros and on the Huallaga in 1854. The last mentioned 

 specimen, as also that obtained by Mr. Bartlett, are now in the British Museum. Mr. 

 Hauxwell's skin from Pebas, fr-om which our figure and description have been taken, is in the 

 collection of Messrs. Salvin and Godman. 



Hauxwell's Crake is a well-marked species, and hardly liable to be confounded with any 

 other American member of the family. In style of colour it appears to unite the two sections 

 called by the late Pruice Bonaparte Laterirallus and Biifirallus^ having the banded sides of the 

 former, whilst in general plumage it more neaidy resembles P. concolor and certain other 

 members of the latter group. 



Jtilt, 1868. 



[105] ■ 



