173 
observed in Madagascar . 
grow; the majorityof these lakes,however,being slightly brackish, 
are not suited to such plants. These birds are exceedingly tame, 
and allow you to approach in a canoe within easy gun-range as 
they walk on the water-lily leaves. If missed, they scuttle along 
the surface of the water with their long toes trailing in it, and 
alight on another patch of lilies, perhaps not fifty yards from their 
former position. 
“ In some places the natives regard them with superstitious 
feelings, and do not like them to be killed.”—S. R. 
65. Biensis madagascariensis, J. Verreaux; Hartl. p. 79. 
“ Kuru-kuru.” 
“ At Boiboahazo I saw a boy with a small Water-Rail alive, but 
I had not time to skin it. It appeared to be the same as those 
afterwards obtained by Dr. Roch.”—E. N. 
“ I did not meet with this bird so frequently as with the next 
species. Their flight is excessively short, and they trust to their 
feet rather than to their wings for safety. It was consequently 
difficult to find them without a dog. I shot a male and female 
in a marsh nearFoule Point, on the 14th of November.”—S. R. 
66. Canirallus kioloides (Pucheran), Hartl. p. 80. “ Chi- 
cosa.” 
We found this bird occasionally in the rank vegetation of the 
lakes on the coast. 
“I shot a male and female, which appeared to me to have 
paired, at Farafata, on the 8th of November. Iris reddish 
brown; bill dark pinkish olive, with black tip; legs dark 
olive. Length from the tip of the bill to the end of the tail 13 
inches; extent of wing 16 inches.”—S. R. 
\$ f . Porphyrio madagascariensis (Gmel.), Hartl. p. 81. 
“ Thalaveen.” 
Observed near Tamatave. 
“ These birds were very common at Farafata and Foule Point. 
I obtained several specimens at both places, and a nest with eggs 
at the former in November. On the 13th of that month I shot 
two well-grown young ones. The flesh of these birds is de¬ 
servedly prized for the table. Iris brown; bill and bald patch 
