414 APPENDIX. 



modesta on the 25th of November, 1885, is an oblong oval nearly- 

 equal in size at each end, and is of a uniform pale olivaceous- 

 brown. When moisture is applied to the shell, the colouring 

 rubs ofi easily disclosing a light sky-blue tint underneath. Length 

 0-72 X 0-52 inch. 



Hah. Norfolk Island, Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand. 



OCYDROMUS SYLVESTRIS, Sclater. 

 The Eufous-winged "Wood-lieii. 

 " Wood-lien." Inhabitants of Lord Howe Island. 

 Sclater, Proc. Zool. Soc, 1869, p. 472. 



This bird is found breeding in the most rugged and inaccessible 

 portions of the Island, such as the Erskine Valley, between 

 Mount Ledgbird and Mount Gower. Here the rough character 

 of the country, consisting of huge boulders of granite almost 

 hidden in a dense and luxuriant mass of sub-tropical vegetation, 

 affords it a secure retreat. The nest in question was found last 

 October at the head of the Erskine Valley, and consisted merely 

 of a depression in a thick debris of fallen leaves, under the 

 shelter of a low bush. The eggs four in number vary in 

 shape from ovals to lengthened ovals, being slightly pointed at 

 one end, and are of a dull white, with minute dots and large 

 irregular shaped markings of light chestnut-red more or less 

 scattered over the surface of the shell, obsolete markings of the 

 same colour predominating towards the larger end, they are 

 not unlike very large specimens of Hypotcenidia philippensis 

 (Sallus pectoralis), but the markings are paler and not so well 

 defined. Length (A) 1-9 x 1-32 inch; (B) 1-88 x 1-36 inch; 

 (C) 1-95 X 1-3 inch; (D) 2 inches x 1-32 inch. Mr. Icely 

 remarks that this is the first time that any of the present 

 inhabitants of the Island have seen the eggs of the Wood-hen, 

 or had heard of them being taken.* 



Hai). Lord Howe Island. 



* North, Kecwds Australian Museum, (1880) Vol. i., p. 37. 



