THE IjITTLE ceake 37 



Nest a loose structure on the ground, composed of grass, 

 generally in thick herbage. Clutch from four to six, in colour 

 creamy-white, rather lightly, evenly distributed dark-brown 

 spots, those beneath the surface being purplish-grey. They 

 measure about 1.90 x 1.38 inch. 



The Red-necked Rail. 



Ballina tricolor. 



Aru Islands, Waigiou, Mysol, New Guinea, Duke of York Island, and 

 North-east Australia. 



General colour above dark slaty brown, the quills with whitish bars 

 on inner web; tail feathers blackish brown; head and breast vinous 

 chestnut, throat lighter, under surface dark slaty grey, with few bars 

 of sandy buff; under wing-coverts and axillaries black, with white bands. 

 Total length 11.5 inches, culmen 1.35, wing 5.7, tail 2.5, tarsus 1.85, 

 middle toe 1.9. 



Nest made of grass and leaves at the base of a tree in thick 

 scrub. The eggs number from four to seven, of a creamy- white 

 colour, spotted with irregular reddish-brown markings, but 

 occasionally pure white. They measure about 1.50 x 1.10 inch. 



The Spotted Crake. 



Porzana fluminea. 



Australia. 



General colour above olive brown, dotted all over with white spots 

 and small streaks, the feathers centred with black; white margins to 

 bastard- wing feathers and first primary; throat and breast dark slaty 

 grey, abdomen white; sides black, barred with white. Total length 7 

 inches, culmen 0.8, wing 4.1, tail 2.2, tarsus 1.2, middle toe and claw 1.5. 



Nest made of green weeds and lined with grass, situated in a 

 tussock or thick herbage in a swamp, with a track leading to 

 the nest. The eggs are usvially five, olive in colour, marked with 

 purplish-brown blotches, and measure about 1.25 x .80 inch. 



The Little Crake. 



Porzana palustris. 



Australia and Tasmania. 



General colour above brown, with black centres to nearly all the 

 feathers, which are marked with white spots freckled with black; upper 

 tail coverts brown with black centres; throat and breast pale ashy grey, 

 centre of abdomen white. Total length 6 inches, culmen 0.65, wing 3.2, 

 tail 1.6, tarsus 0.95, middle toe and claw 1.4. 



