Plate LXXXIII. 



RALLUS SEMIPLUMBEUS. 



(SLATY-BEEASTED EAIL). 



Sallus semiplumbeus . . . Sclater, P.Z.S. 1856, p, 31. 



... Scblegel, Mus. d. P.B. Jia/Z«, p. 11. 

 ... Scl. et Sal?. P.Z.S. 1S68, p. 445. 



Supra brunnescenti-olivaceus, nigro flammulatus : alis caudaque nigrieanti-brunneis : alarum tectricibu3 extus 

 laete rufis : capitis lateribus et corpore tote subtus plumbeis : teetricibus subcaudalibus albis' nigro maculatia: bypo- 

 cbondriis albo transfasciatis ; rostro flavo, culmipe et apice obs curia ; pedibi^a clare corjlinis : long, tota 8'5, alffi 4'4, 

 caudte 1"8, roatri a rictu 1'7. ■■ ■■'*■ . ■ " - ■ . ■ 



Sab. in Nova Granada iuteriore. 



The Ornitliology of the disti'ict surrounding the capital of the Kepublic of New Granada, 

 or, as it is now called, the United States of GoltTmhia^ has been more thoroughly explored than 

 perhaps any other portion of the South American' continent. About thirty years ago bird- 

 skins were first received in Paris from a French collector then resident in Bogota ; and since 

 that tlme^ the native Indians having been tauglit the method of preparing skins, large collections 

 have been constantly imported into England, France, and America, from the same district. 

 We have thus become well acquainted with its rich and varied Avifauna. The city itself being 

 9000 feet above the sea level, it is evident that the greater number of so-called " Bogota" skins, 

 which consist of tropical forms, must be obtained froni the low-lying valleys, which intersect 

 this part of the Cordillei'a in every direction. Aloiig with these, however, are intermingled 

 species of genera only to be met with in an Alpine climate, such as Plirygilus^ Diglossa and 

 Otocorys. Amongst these highland fo^-^uns we believe, the present Rail must be included, as it 

 is a close ally of the preceding species, which is confined to the extreme southern portion of 

 the South American continent, and is, doubtless, its nortliern representative. 



Eallus semiplurnheus was originally described by Sclater in one of a series of articles on 

 the birds of New Granada, published in the Zoological Society's " Proceedings," from a specimen 

 forwarded to him for examination by M. M. Verreaux. It is, as we have already said, closely 

 allied to E. antarticiis^ figured in our last plate, but may be distinguislied by its larger and more 

 brightly-coloured bill, the paler rufous of the wing- coverts, and the absence of transverse white 

 markings on the upper part of the flanks. ■ 



Our figure of this species is taken from a "Bogota" skin, in the collection of Salvin 

 and Godman. There are likewise specimens of this Rail in the British and Leyden Museum^. 



\.m\. 



