Length to end of tail 25 1/2 inches, to end of claws 27, extent of wings 43 1/12; bill 2 2/12; gape 3 3/8; tarsus 3, fourth toe and claw 3 3/4; wing from flexure 11 3/4, tail 3. Weight 4 lb.
Adult Female in summer. Plate CCII. Fig. 3.
The female is precisely similar to the male in form and colouring, but is considerably smaller.
Length to end of tail 25 inches, to end of claws 28 1/12; extent of wings 43. Weight 3 lb.
Male in winter immature. Plate CCII. Fig. 2.
In this state the principal differences are the following:—The fore part of the neck, instead of being of a uniform rich brownish-red, is merely mottled with that colour; all the feathers of the upper surface have each two white spots towards the end; the tail-feathers are edged and terminated with white; the colouring in general is somewhat less pure and deep, and the bill is of a much paler tint.
Young bird unfledged. Plate CCII. Fig. 4.
The young are at first covered with a dense elastic down of a greyish black colour, tinged with brown. The bill is bluish-black, its basal edges yellow; the iris reddish-brown.
THE GREAT RED-BREASTED RAIL, OR FRESHWATER MARSH-HEN.
Rallus elegans.
PLATE CCIII. Male and Young.