THE BLACK-TAILED NATIVE HEN 39 



Nest built of coarse grass on the ground in damp situations. 

 The clutch of eggs is from three to five ; they are very similar 

 to those of the Pectoral Rail. Three eggs obtained at Port 

 Darwin are cream with irregular markings of dark-brown, 

 especially towards the larger end, and measure 1.38 x 1.6 inch. 



The Native Hen. 



Tribonyx niortieri. 



Tasmania. 



General colour above riicldy brown, lower back with a few brownish 

 spots at the ends of the feathers; wing-coverts greyish olive, with 

 longitudinal white spots near the end of the feathers in the median 

 series; tail brown, black at the ends, under surface greenish grey; on 

 sides of body a patch of white; the outer under tail-coverts varied with 

 white. Total length 14 inches, culmen 1.55, wing 7.8, tail 3.4, tarsus 3.25, 

 middle toe and claw 3.1. 



Nest of coarse herbage in thick vegetation by water, generally 

 on the ground. The eggs number from six to eight, and are of 

 a light stone colour, with a few blotches of brown, those 

 beneath the surface being purplish-grey: the eggs are also 

 minutely freckled all over with light-brown. They measure 

 about 2.13 X 1.50 inch. 



The Black-tailed Native Hen. 



Microtrihonyx veniralis. 



Australia. 



General colour above olive-brown, wings browner than the back; 

 the first primary edged with white; sides of face and throat dusky slate 

 colour, remainder of under surface dark slaty blue; abdomen blackish, 

 sides of body brown; long feathers of lower breast with large ovate 

 spots at the ends. Total length 10.5 inches, culmen 1.25, wing 8.7, tail 3.4, 

 tarsus 2.4, middle toe and claw 2.5. These birds sometimes appear in 

 immense flocks. 



Nest made of grass, generally situated on the ground, but 

 sometimes in a low thick bush near water. Clutch of eggs from 

 five to eight, dark-green in colour, with reddish-brown markings 

 and minutely freckled all over with the same colour; they 

 measure about 1.80 x 1.26 inch. 



