230 



RAIL. 



Manners. 



lower order of coverts, and tail, barred chefnut and black : legs 

 flout, brown. 

 Place and Thefe inhabit New Zealand, particularly in Dujky Bay, where 



they are numerous, and are called Water Hens ; and indeed, at a 

 diftance, appear not unlike Fowls. They run fwiftty, and fcratch 

 on the ground like our poultry : from the fliortnefs of their wings 

 are unable to fly, nor do they ever take to the water : chiefly 

 met with on a fea-beach, and the fkirts of woods, where they 

 pick up worms, &c. their chief food. Are often found under the 

 roots of trees ; and will frequently run into holes, and hide un- 

 der the bufhes : faid to cry againft rain. Are very tame, info- 

 much as to fuffer themfelves to be knocked down with a flick. 

 Were efteemed as good food by our people, but thought to be 

 beft when fkinned : the fat is high-coloured, inclining to 



orange*. 



They are found alfo in Charlotte Sound, and on the neighbour- 

 ing iflands, but in very fmall numbers. 



4. Rallus Philippenfis, Lin. Sjft. i. p. 263. 7. 



PHILIPPINE R. Le Rale des Philippines, Brif. Orn. v. p. 163. 4. pi. 14. fig. I. — PI. 



Enl. 774. 

 Le Tiklin, ou Rale des Philippines, Bvf. Oif, viii. p. 160. 



Description. Q I Z E of the firft fpecies : length eleven inches. Bill thirteen 



lines and a half long; colour grey : the upper parts of the 



head, neck, and body, are dufky, the feathers edged with rufous 



grey ; fome of the fcapulars fpotted with white : over each eye a 



white ftreak, tending to the hind head; beneath this a broader 



* Dr. Fer/ltr. 



one, 



