427 
Mr. R. Swinhoe on Formosan Ornithology. 
vJw. Gallinula phcenicura. 
Rallies phoenicurus , Pennant. 
G. javanica, Horsf. 
These birds were not uncommon about Taiwanfoo in summer, 
and at Tamsuy I procured several examples in March; but I cannot 
be sure as to their spending the winter in Formosa. In South 
China they are, I believe, birds of passage. Their eggs vary in 
shade of cream ground-colour, and are spotted and blotched, in 
some cases only freckled, with cinnamon-red and light purplish 
grey. Length 1*65 in.; breadth 1T5. 
J45&. Gallinula chloropus, L. 
G. parvifrons, Blyth. 
The European Water-hen is found on most inland waters in 
Formosa; but I did not obtain the Coot. I procured a male 
and female off a large pool near Apes* Hill. Legs yellowish 
green; irides brown. 
/ 169. Rallus striatus, L. 
R. gularis , Horsf. 
A live female of this Rail was brought to me on the 27th July, 
at Taiwanfoo, with seven eggs; she had been caught on the 
nest. The eggs are of a pinkish cream-colour, varying in shade, 
sprinkled with purplish grey, and blotched with Indian or cin¬ 
namon-red, especially at the larger end. They are, for the most 
part, rounder than the eggs of Gallinules. Length 1*3 in.; 
breadth 1. 
2 . “ Bill bright madder-pink on basal two-thirds, light violet- 
grey on apical third; culmen dark. Iris yellowish chestnut. Inside 
of mouth pale pink. Ear small, roundish, and exposed. Legs 
dusky leaden grey, tinged with greenish and brown.” 
The male is a very little, if at all, smaller than the female, but 
has brighter bill and legs; in other respects they are similar. 
The hind necks of our Formosan birds, as well as of specimens 
from Siam, are bright chestnut. This colour scarcely shows at 
all in birds that I have seen from India; but specimens may 
vary in this respect, and I have seen no large series. Mr. Blyth 
considers the Malayan and Indian birds to be the same. 
2 g 2 
