RALLlNiE. ARAMUS, 
217 
length, the sides nearly erect, more convex toward the ex- 
tremity, the tip blunted, the edges broad and obtuse for 
half their length, sharp but thick in the rest of their ex- 
tent ; lower mandible slightly ascending at the base, then 
direct, much compressed toward the tip, which^s acute, the 
angle long and very narrow, the dorsal line slightly convex, 
the edges obtuse, becoming sharp towards the end ; nasal 
groove nearly half the length of the bill. Nostrils direct, 
linear, long. Head rather small, oblong, compressed ; neck 
long and slender; body ovato-oblong, much compressed. 
Feet very long, rathet stout ; tibia bare in its lower half ; 
tarsus long, compressed, anteriorly broadly scutellate ; toes 
long, rather slender ; hind toe small ; fourth considerably 
longer than second ; anterior toes divided to the base, scu- 
tellate. Claws of moderate length, very slightly arched, 
compressed, tapering to a point. Plumage rather compact 
above, blended beneath. Wings of moderate length, very 
broad, concave, rounded ; first short, falciform, with the 
inner web broader toward the end ; fourth quill longest ; 
inner secondaries much elongated. Tail short, broad, con- 
vex, rounded, of twelve broad rounded feathers. Digestive 
organs as in the Rails and Gallinules. 
314. 1. Aramus scolopaceus, Vieill. Scolopaceous Courlan. 
Plate CCCLXXVII. Male. 
Bill greenish- yellow ; feet leaden-grey ; plumage chocolate-brown, 
the upper parts glossed, with purple and brown reflections ; fore part 
of the head paler, inclining to grey, each feather with a greyish- white 
central line ; sides of the head and throat still lighter, and a small por- 
tion of the throat whitish, these parts being streaked with greyish- 
brown and greyish-white ; lower eyelid white ; hind part and sides of 
neck marked with elliptical spots of white in regular series, there being 
one on each feather, some of them extending forwards to the posterior 
angle of the eye ; some of the feathers on the middle of the breast and 
the lower wing-coverts similarly marked with lanceolate white spots ; 
quills and tail glossy blackish-purple. Female somewhat less, but 
similar. Young, when fledged, of a much lighter tint; head and fore 
neck brownish-grey ; excepting the quills, primary coverts, tail-fea- 
