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The Jmall Water -Hen. Poliopus Gallinula minor. 



Numb. LXXIII. 



ITS Length, from the Point of the Bill to the End of the Tail, twelve 

 -*• Inches and a half; Breadth, when the Wings are expanded, four- 

 teen Inches; Weight three Ounces and three quarters; it is in Shap^ 

 like tho. JVater-Railj but lefs. 



The Bill fhorter than either the Rail's or More-hens., compreffed, or 

 narrow, fharp-pointed ; the under Mandible and towards the Bafe in the 

 upper is redifh or orange Colour, the reft of the Bill dusky ; the Noftrils 

 fmall, and of an oblong Figure ; the Irides of the Eyes white, above 

 the Eyes on each Side is drawn a line of white. 



The Head is of a dark brown with a Tindlure of red ; the upper 

 Side of the neck, Back, and Wings, were of the fame Colour, with 

 tranfverfe indented Lines of white at intervals ; the Breaft and Belly of 

 a pale yellowifli hair Colour ; on each Side below the Wings, was a Row 

 of tranfverfe Lines of black; the lower Part of the Belly, near the Vent, 

 was of a fordid redifli Colour. 



The Tail is fliort conftfting of twelve Feathers, of the fame Colour of 

 the Quill-Feathers, and what is efpecially remarkable in the Tail is, that 

 when fpread, it is not plain as in moft Birds, but notably concave ; the 

 middle Feathers longer than the reft, their lateral Edges have fome- 

 thing of white. 



The Legs, and Feet are of the fame Colour and Figure, with the 

 common Water-He?iSj viz. a fordid green ; the Toes very long, and di- 

 vided to the Bottom ; the hind Toe very ftiort. 



This Bird was brought me by William Ljdal^ from Newgate-marlet^ 

 which he bought there amongft other wild Fov/l. 





lit 



