770 
POBZANA EITSCA. 
Porzanci ( Rcdlina ) erytkroihorax , Texnm. & Sehlegel, from Japan and China, is considered to be doubtfully distinct 
from the present. It is said by Swinhoe to have longer toes, aud the pectoral red not extending down so far 
upon the belly; on the other hand, Sehlegel (Mus. Pays-Bas, Haiti, p. 21), writing of Japanese specimens, 
says : — “ Absolument semblable a la Rnllina fusea, mais d’une taille plus forte, aile 4 pouces 1 ligne a 4 pouces 
2 lignes .... doigt du milieu 14 lignes et dernie a 10 lignes.” These dimensions (4 inches 2 lines and 10 lines) for 
wing and middle toe do not, however, exceed Mr. Hume’s of a female from Calcutta, viz. 4 - 2 and 1’75 inch 
(middle toe with claw). On the evidence of one Japanese example from the Swinhoe collection (TTakadodi, 
June) now before me, I am unable to look upon it in any other light but that of a somewhat larger or more 
robust local race of our bird— perhaps worthy of being called a subspecies of it. The distribution of colour, even 
to the slightly dusky wash on the lores, is absolutely the same ; but the tint of the hind neck and upper back is 
slightly greener, and the red of the face and fore neck not quite so deep as in a Ceylon specimen. Its dimensions 
are ; — w ing 4-4 inches ; tarsus 1-45 ; middle toe and claw 1-07 ; bill to gape 1-03. Its longer wing and stout bill 
are chiefly noticeable on a comparison with our bird. 
Two other members of this genus found in India, and which might occur in Ceylon in the cool season, are : — 
The Brown Bail, P. cchool, Sykes. Brown above, with a white chin, and the breast and belly ashy brown ; rump ashy 
brown : wing about 7 inches. 
The Spotted Bail of Europe, P. maruetta, Leach, wdtich is a cold-weather visitant to the empire. It has the upper 
surface olive-brown, marked with white, not unlike Baillou’s Crake ; but it has a pale eye-streak ; the neck and 
breast are olivaceous, spotted with white, and the belly is white : wing 4| inches. 
Porzana bicolor, Malden, is another species from the Himalayan districts. The wing measures 4-5 inches ; and its 
prevailing colours are ashy grey on the throat, neck, breast, abdomen, flanks, and thigh-coverts, the tail and 
coverts being darker grey, and the hind neck, back, rump, shoulders, and scapulars ferruginous olive. It has been 
lately discovered near Darjiling, and was described by the late Marquis of Tweeddale in the ‘ Annals and 
Magazine of Natural History,’ 1872, ix. p. 47. 
Distribution . — This Small Rail is migratory to Ceylon, appearing in September and probably departing 
again about April. It visits the island in very limited numbers, or it would be more often met with; and 
1 am under the impression that, like the next species, it betakes itself chiefly to the hills. Layard mentions 
having only seen three specimens, all from Kotte : the time of the year is not stated ; but it may be concluded 
that they were taken about November, at which season the natives of that district generally bring in birds 
to Colombo for sale. Several specimens were met with by me in ITva in September 1875 ; and on one occasion 
I surprised a pair together near Lunugalla in Madulsima. Mr. Bligh has met with it in the low country at 
Wei I away ; and I have heard of it being seen about the marshes and paddy-fields of the Fort-Macdoiiald 
district. 
Jerdon remarks, concerning the distribution of this species, that it is found throughout India, not very 
common in the south, but more abundant in the north, especially in the well-watered province of Lower 
Bengal. Mr. Hume likewise observes that it is pretty plentiful in Lower Bengal ; and thence to the north- 
west it probably extends sparingly through the country; at any rate Dr. Stoliczka found it breeding in Cashmir 
at the Woolar lake. In this direction it is very rare, as it is not recorded by Messrs. Hume, Butler, or 
Adam from Rajpootana, Sindh, or Guzerat. In the opposite direction towards the East its range is more 
extensive, though even there it is not common. Mr. Oates procured a pair at Boulay in Upper Pegu; but 
in Tenasserim Mr. Hume has not heard of it occurring, though Blyth says it is common in Burmah. It 
no doubt occurs in the Malay peninsula, for it is found in the Straits in the island of Singapore, having been 
procured there by Herr Muller. In Java it would appear to be not uncommon, for Professor Sehlegel 
tabulates five specimens from that island as being in the museum at Leiden. It was procured in Borneo by 
Schwaner, and in the Philippines by Messrs. Verreaux and Cuming. I am unable to say, from want of 
data, whether it is found in Cochin China; but further north the Ruddy Rail, which inhabits the Chinese 
empire, is set down by Swinhoe in his catalogue to be the same (P. crythrothorax ) as the J apanese race. 
Habits . — This Crake does not always confine itself to the vicinity of water, although it is found on the 
borders of streams and damp sedgy spots. I have met with it in a wood at some distance from water, and 
when it was flushed it flew a short distance and perched in a low tree. Its flight is not sw r ift, although the 
movement of its wings is rapid. 
