RAIL 37.3 



insects, on which they feed ; are often found under the roots of trees, 

 and will frequently run into holes, and hide themselves under the 

 bushes; observed to cry against rain ; are so tame, as to suffer them- 

 selves to be knocked down with a stick. Were esteemed as good 

 food by our people, when skinned : the fat is high-coloured, inclining 

 to orange. They are also found in Charlotte's Sound, and on the 

 neighbouring Islands, but in very small numbers. 



A.— Troglodyte Rail, Gen. Syn. Sup. 322. 



This varies in being smaller, and wants the white streak over the 

 eye. In this the spur of the wing is large, and formidable, the bill 

 two inches long, more bent at the tip, and the nostrils in a deep 

 furrow ; the length of the bird only fourteen inches. We have seen 

 other Varieties, which chiefly consist in difference of size, but in 

 respect to plumage much the same on the upper parts; sides of the 

 head, and streak over the eyes, pale ash-colour ; beneath the same, 

 but deeper; thighs feathered to the joint. — These inhabit Lord Howe's 

 Island, also New-Holland, but are rare. 



8. -PHILIPPINE RAIL— Pl. clviii. 



Rallus Philippensis, Lid. Orn. ii. 756. Lin. i. 263. Gm. Lin. i. 714. Bris. v. 163. 



t. 14. f. 1. Id. 8vo. ii. 254. 

 Le Rale des Philippines, Buf. viii. 160. PI. enl. 774. 

 Philippine Rail, Gen. Syn. v. 230. 



LENGTH eleven inches. Bill thirteen lines and a half, grey; 

 the feathers on the upper parts of the head, neck, and body, dusky, 

 edged with rufous grey ; some of the scapulars spotted with white ; 

 over the eye a white streak, tending to the hindhead ; beneath this 

 a broader one, passing through the eyes; throat dirty white; fore 

 part of the neck rufous grey, marked with indistinct, transverse, 



* Dr. Forster. 



