§M 



Hypotaenidia obscuriora, Hume. 



Vernacular Names.— [ 



HAVE already pointed out (note p. 245) the differences 

 that exist between this species and the Banded Rail 

 of Continental India, Burma, and the Malay Penin- 

 sula (the constantly larger size, the nearly black 

 upper surface, almost entirely wanting the brown 

 margins to the feathers, the deep leaden grey neck 

 and breast, and the dusky maroon cap and nape), and I 

 have explained the doubt that may still exist as to which of the 

 two forms should properly bear the name striata. I have now 

 only to add that the present form is, we believe, absolutely 

 confined to the Andaman Group (where it is a permanent 

 resident), it not having as yet been procured even at the 

 Nicobars. 



From the little I can learn (for no one seems as yet to have 

 observed it closely), the habits of this species are precisely 

 those of its Continental congener. 



Davison remarks : — " I have only observed this bird at Aber- 

 deen, South Andaman, where I have flushed it from the 

 sugarcane fields and secondary scrub on the outskirts of fields 

 and gardens. Generally they are found singly, occasionally in 

 pairs. I have never heard them utter any note ; I have always 

 found them silent and very shy of observation. The flight is 

 slow and somewhat heavy, and seldom extends for more than 

 twenty or thirty yards. I did not observe it at the Nicobars." 



Two NESTS of this species, taken in May and July, were mere 

 pads of grass, placed in tufts of grass and rush, near the edges 

 of clearings in the neighbourhood of Aberdeen. They contained 

 four and six eggs respectively. 



All these eggs, as well as two previously sent me by Captain 

 Wimberley, are precisely similar. They are very regular ovals, 

 usually slightly more pointed at one end, and with a faint 

 gloss. The ground varies from nearly white to a pale brown 



