[Plate XIX.]
Rallus maculatus, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 139; iid. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 444; Durnford, Ibis, 1878, p. 65 (Buenos Ayres); Barrows, Auk, 1884, p. 276 (Entrerios); Withington, Ibis, 1888, p. 471 (Lomas de Zamora).
Description.—Above blackish; back and wings dark olive-brown, spotted all over with white: beneath barred across with white and black; chin and crissum white; bill yellow, with a bright red spot at the base; feet pale brown: whole length 11·0 inches, wing 5·2, tail 2·0. Female similar.
Hab. South America.
The Spotted Rail, which has a wide distribution in South America, occurs as far south as Buenos Ayres. Our figure is taken from an example of this species obtained by Mr. F. Withington in September 1885 in the Lomas de Zamora. Concerning its nesting-habits he sends the following note:—“It breeds amongst the reeds, and its nest is placed about 18 inches from the water. To reach it the birds collect a heap of reeds, grass, and other materials, and alongside form an inclined platform that answers the purpose of a staircase, by which the birds ascend or descend with ease. The usual clutch of eggs is seven, but I have taken fifteen from one nest, all good. These, of course, could not have been laid by one bird.”
[370.] RALLUS ANTARCTICUS, King.
(ANTARCTIC RAIL.)
Rallus antarcticus, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 139; iid. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 445; iid. Ex. Orn. t. lxxxii. p. 163; Barrows, Auk, 1884, p. 276 (Carhué); Withington, Ibis, 1888, p. 471 (Lomas de Zamora).
Description.—Above brown, striped with black; wing-coverts rufous; remiges blackish: beneath plumbeous; flanks and under wing-coverts black, barred across with white: whole length 8·0 inches, wing 3·7, tail 1·5. Female similar.