304 



ORNITHOLOGY. 



but presenting no specific distinctions. Some are without the charac- 

 teristic pectoral band, but the greater number from all the localities 

 have it either fully or partially developed. We find slight differences 

 only in size and relative dimensions, of no appreciable value in specific 

 determination. 



Mr. Peale observes in relation to this species : 



" Specimens v^^ere procured at the Samoan or Navigator Islands, at 

 the Feejees, Tonga, and New Holland. They vary but little either 

 in size or plumage ; all have a ferruginous band across the breast at 

 certain times, and are without it at others. They frequent grassy and 

 shrubby grounds, and it is very difficult to make them take to their 

 wings, but they run with considerable speed ; without a dog it is not 

 easy to obtain them, unless by watching a road or path, when a per- 

 son may now and then see them cross, when it is easy to shoot them. 



" The iris is reddish-brown ; bill dusky flesh-color ; legs yellowish- 

 brown. 



" Male, killed at Upolu ; total length, thirteen inches ; extent of 

 wings, nineteen inches ; bill, to the corner of the mouth, one and six- 

 tenths inches. 



" Male, killed at Mathuata, Feejees; total length, thirteen and one- 

 eighth inches; extent of wings, nineteen and three-fourths inches ; 

 bill, to the corner of the mouth, one and a half inches." 



The diffusion of this bird throughout such an extensive range of 

 localities, is a fact of much interest, ascertained by the naturalists of 

 the Expedition. Specimens in the collection are in good order and 

 mature plumage. 



2. RaLLUS SANGUINOLENTUS, Swainson. 



Rallus sanrjuinolentus, SwAlNS. Cab. Cy. Ill, p. 335 (1838). 



Rallus luridus, Peale, Zool. Exp. Exp. Birds, p. 223 (first edition, 1848).* 



* "Crown, hind part of neck, back, wings, and tail, rich olive-brown; cheeks, front 

 of the neck, breast, and belly, dark ashy blue, lightest on the throat; thighs and vent 

 tinged with olive-brown ; wings dark brown; shafts black ; first quill much shorter than 

 the others, fourth longest, second and third slightly shorter; bill curved; both mandi- 

 bles rounded at the edges ; upper mandible blue at the base, green in the middle, and 

 brown at the tip ; lower mandible brown at the tip, green in the middle, and reddish at 

 the base ; legs pale red ; irides orange. 



" Total length, fourteen inches; wing, from the carpal joint, six and two-tenths inches ; 



