378 RAIL. 



A. — Length about seven inches. Bill three quarters of an inch 

 long, dusky; irides hazel ; plumage on the upper parts olive brown, 

 with a few dusky streaks, not unlike the Common Species; chin, 

 fore part of the neck, and breast, pale dusky blue; belly and vent 

 dusky white; sides over the thighs irregularly marked with black; 

 thighs and quills dusky ; near the pinion of the wing a narrow spur, 

 or hook, about half an inch long, and a little bent. This lies con- 

 cealed under the feathers, until the bird has occasion to raise it for 

 defence ; legs pale blue, toes long. 



In the collection of Mr. Francillon ; supposed from New-Holland. 



14.— DARK RAIL. 



LENGTH between seven and eight inches. Bill dusky, both 

 mandibles inclining to each other, and pointed at the ends ; irides 

 red ; general colour of the plumage of the head, neck, and body, 

 dusky black, with a deep blue tinge ; back and wings deep brown ; 

 under wing coverts cinereous, with darker spots ; legs pale red ; 

 toes very long ; claws hooked at the end ; tail short, and the wings 

 reach to about the middle of it. — Met with in Norfolk Island, in the 

 South Seas, in December. — Mr. Francillon. 



15— RUFOUS RAIL. 



LENGTH six inches and a half. Bill rather stout, dusky black; 

 head, neck, all beneath the body, and tail, rufous ; thighs dusky 

 brown; back and wing coverts black, marked with spots; quills 

 brown, spotted with white on the outer webs, generally five or six 

 spots on each feather ; tail cuneiform ; the two middle feathers 

 pointed at the ends; the quills reach to the middle; legs dusky 

 black ; toes long, claws moderate. 



Inhabits New-Holland. — In the collection of Mr. H. Brogden. 



