THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
flanks. Another example, rather more advanced in age, shows that the dorsal 
tracts of feathers have merged, the feathers having dark brown centres with 
rufous-brown margins j the tracts on the side of the body are divided by a wide 
ventral space of black down ; the feather-tracts on the flanks are more rufous. 
Another example, shghtly older and still more fledged, shows the last remains of the 
black down on the head, throat, wings, tail, thighs, and a narrow ventral line ; the 
growth of the feathers having closed in the spaces mentioned above ; the secondary 
quills are just making their appearance, but the primary quills are scarcely 
perceptible. (These three examples were sent me by Mr. John Lewis Bonhote.) 
An almost adult approaching breeding-plumage has the flank feathers very definitely 
barred with rufous-brown and white ; the white on the throat, the grey on the face, 
and the buff streak through the eye, very clearly defined. 
Nsst. A scantily lined depression in the ground, placed in the field, near swampy places. 
Eggs. Clutch, six to ten. Ground-colour drab-grey, blotched and spotted with chestnut, 
and underl 3 dng spots of lavender-grey, chiefly at the larger end. Surface smooth 
and glossy. Axis 35 to 38.5 mm. ; diameter 26 to 27. 
The first record of this bird having been found in New Zealand was made by 
Duller, in 1865. He, considering it a new bird, called it Rallus feather stonii. It 
was at once pointed out by Hutton* that the specimen was referable to O. creXy 
and that “ Its title to rank as a New Zealand bird is, therefore, very doubtful ; but 
as Mr. Buller has taken the specimen to England with him for comparison, this 
point will, I hope, be settled.” Apparently, in deference to the views of the 
English Ornithologists, Buller dropped his species, but, very strangely, never 
acknowledged his error nor justified the record, but simply altogether ignored the 
matter. Nor is this synonym given in the Catalogue of Birds, Vol. XXIII. 
The species was afterwards recorded from New South Wales by 
Mr. A. J. North (l.c.). This specimen was shot by Mr. Walter Higgs, on June 
14th, 1893, at Randwick, near Sydney. 
In England, where I had opportunities of observing this bird, I found it 
extremely difficult to flush, especiaUy in the breeding season ; it lives among the 
grass by the sides of the stream, or in marshy places. When its habitat is invaded, 
it seeks safety by running with great speed through the grass, rather than 
trusting to its wings to carry it out of danger. When it is flushed it flies, with its 
feet hanging down, for a short distance only. At times, when picked up after 
being wounded, it will feign death. 
“ The ‘ creaking ’ call-note uttered by the male — especially towards evening — 
can easily be imitated by passing the edge of the thumb-nail across the teeth 
of a comb, and by this means the bird may be lured to within a short distance ; 
the ventriloquial powers attributed to this species are, in my opinion, due to 
the rivalry of two birds, as well as the marvellous rapidity with which the Land- 
Rail sneaks, unperceived, from one spot to another.”! 
* Gat. B. New Zeal., pp. 33, 87 (1871). 
t Saunders, Man. Brit. B., 507 (1899). 
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