Birds. Pl. 49.
Zapornia spilonota.
This bird frequents in large numbers the high and damp summits of the islands. It lives in the thick beds of carex and other plants, which, from the condensed vapour of the clouds, are constantly kept rather humid. It is tame, but lives concealed; it often utters a loud and peculiar cry. The female is said to lay from eight to twelve eggs. It is, I believe, the only bird in this archipelago which is exclusively confined to the upper parts of the islands. With respect to the specific description, I must observe, that in one of the specimens, the few and small white spots on the wings and abdomen are wanting. This is not a sexual distinction, but possibly may be owing to immaturity.
1. Rallus Phillipensis. Linn.
Common on the low coral islets, forming the Keeling or Cocos Atoll in the Indian ocean. With the exception of a snipe, this was the only bird without webfeet which inhabited this group.
2. Rallus ypecaha. Vieill.
Rallus ypecaha, Vieill. Ency. Meth. p. 1071.
Crex melampyga, Licht. Cat. Sp.
L’Ypacaha, Azara, No. 367.
Buenos Ayres.