BIRDS. 



133 



This bird frequents in large numbers the high and damp summits of the 

 islands. It lives in the thick beds of carex and other plants, which, from the 

 condensed vapour of the clouds, are constantly kept rather humid. It is tame, 

 but lives concealed ; it often utters a loud and peculiar cry. The female is said to 

 lay from eight to twelve eggs. It is, I believe, the only bird in this archipelago 

 which is exclusively confined to the upper parts of the islands. With respect to 

 the specific description, I must observe, that in one of the specimens, the few and 

 small white spots on the wings and abdomen are wanting. This is not a sexual 

 distinction, but possibly may be owing to immaturity. 



1. Rallus Phillipensis. Linn. 

 Common on the low coral islets, forming the Keeling or Cocos Atoll in the 

 Indian ocean. With the exception of a snipe, this was the only bird without web- 

 feet which inhabited this group. 



2. Rallus ypecaha. Vieill. 



Rallus ypecaha, Vieill. Ency. Meth. p. 1071. 

 Crex melampyga, Licht. Cat. Sp. 

 L'Ypacaha, Azara, No. 367. 



Buenos Ayres. 



Valparaiso. 



3. Rallus sanguinolentus. Swains. 



Rallus sanguinolentus, Swains, 2 cent, and a quart. 



Gallinula crassirostris. J. E. Gray. 



Gallinula crassirostris, J.E. Gray, in Griff. An. Kingd. 



I obtained specimens on the banks of the Plata and at Valparaiso. 

 Fulica galeata. G. R. Gray. 



Crex galeata, Licht, Cat. 80. sp. 826. 

 Yaliana proprement dit, Azara, No. 379. 

 Gallinula galeata, Bonap. 



Concepcion, Chile. 



PORPHYRJO SIMPLEX. Gould. 



P. vertice, remigibus primariis obscure olivaceo-viridibus, harum apicibus Jlavescenti 

 albo anguste marginatis ; corpore supra obscure olivaceo-viridi, pluma singula 



