THE BIRDS OF SlNGAFOEE ISLAND 
in the Botanic Gardens quite recently. It was slipping about 
the undergrowth in the Dell so quietly and was so clever at 
keeping out of sight that for several minutes we thought it was 
a rat. It may be known as the Malayan banded rail. 
The Eastern moor-hen (jOaUinula orientaUs) only differs 
from the European bird in technical details. It is occasionally 
seen in Singapore. About the siie of the white-breasted 
• water-hen !t can be distinguished by the absence of the white 
breast for with the exception of a few white streaks on the 
flanks and a white patch under the tail it is entirely dark — 
almost black. 
The water-cock, GaU'fcrcx cinerca (a yam -ay am), is a much 
larj3rer bird than the moor-hen and in the male there is a. very 
curious horny shield on the front of the head and this is 
connected with the beak- Both sexes are usually brown in 
colour but the males assume a partially black dress in the 
summer. In former years the water-cock was common m 
Singapore but very few are now left with ns. 
[74] 
