CREX BAILLONII. 



more generally distributed in Italy, and the eastern parts of Europe. Its 

 nest is placed near to the water's edge, or fastened to the reeds, thus forming 

 a kind of floating habitation : it lays from seven to nine oval-shaped eggs, of 

 an olive or oil green colour. Its food consists of worms, snails, and other in- 

 sects, as well as the leaves and seeds of aquatic plants. 



The following is a description of the individual above mentioned. Length 

 about 6^ inches. Bill dark green, the head and back part of the neck wood- 

 brown, inclining to yellowish-brown. Throat and fore-part of the neck, cheeks, 

 breast and flanks, bluish-grey, with a few undulations of brown. Vent and 

 under tail-coverts greyish-black, barred with white. Upper parts yellowish- 

 brown, tinged with oil-green, and marbled with irregular spots of white, sur- 

 rounded with a border of black. Legs and toes yellowish-brown, tinged with 

 flesh -red. Irides reddish-brown, 



