414 
APPENDIX. 
modestci on the 25th of November, 1885, is an oblong oval nearly 
equal in size at each end, and is of a uniform pale olivaceous- 
brown. When moisture is applied to the shell, the colouring 
rubs oil easily disclosing alight sky-blue tint underneath. Length 
0'72 x 0-52 inch. 
IIab. Norfolk Island, Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand. 
OCYDROMUS SYLVESTRIS, Sclater. 
Tlie Rufous-winged Wood-hen. 
“ IVoud-hen.” Inhabitants of Lord Howe Island. 
Sclater , I’roc. Zool. Soc., 1869, p. 472. 
This bird is found breeding in the most rugged and inaccessible 
portions of the Island, such as the Erskine Valley, between 
Mount Ledgbird and Mount Gower. Here the rough character 
of the country, consisting of huge boulders of granite almost 
hidden in a dense and luxuriant mass of sub-tropical vegetation, 
affords it a secure retreat. The nest in question was found last 
October at the head of the Erskine Valley, and consisted merely 
of a depression in a thick debris of fallen leaves, under the 
shelter of a low bush. The eggs four in number vary in 
shape from ovals to lengthened ovals, being slightly pointed at 
one end, and are of a dull white, with minute dots and large 
irregular shaped markings of light chestnut-red more or less 
scattered over the surface of the shell, obsolete markings of the 
same colour predominating towards the larger end, they are 
not unlike very large specimens of Hypolatnidia philippensis 
(Jlallus pectoralis), but the markings are paler and not so well 
defined. Length (A) l - 9 x 1-32 inch; (B) 1-88 x 1-36 inch; 
(C) 1-95 x 1-3 inch; (D) 2 inches x 1-32 inch. Mr. Icely 
remarks that this is the first time that any of the present 
inhabitants of the Island have seen the eggs of the Wood-hen, 
or had heard of them being taken.* 
Hab. Lord Howe Island. 
* North, Records Australian Museum, (1890) Vol. i., p. 37. 
