Strait of Magalhaens.
This bird may be considered as one of the most interesting acquisitions made in our voyage. The singular and strongly marked genus has been hitherto considered peculiar to the Old World; and two species only having been discovered, an additional species from the New World is an important accession to science. The form of our Magellanic bird accords accurately with that of the Old World species, the bill being distinguished chiefly by its
inferior length. The general appearance of the plumage also is similar, although it possesses sufficiently distinctive characters to authorize this species being separated from the other.
42. Rallus Setosus.—Nob. in Zool. Journ. iv. 94.
Rall. supra brunneus, dorso alisque nigro notatis, subtus plumbeus; remigibus primariis rectricibusque fuscis, his saturatioribus; fronte setoso.
The length of the bird from the forehead to the extremity of the tail is 10 inches; of the bill 115⁄16; of the wing, from the carpal joint to the end of the second quill feather, 4⅞; of the tail 3; of the tarsus 1⅝.
43. Rallus antarcticus. Nob. in Zool. Jour. iv. 95.
Rall. supra brunneus, nigro strigatus; subtus plumbeus, femorum tectricibus crissoque atris, albo-fasciatis.
The length of the body is 7½ inches; of the bill 1¼; of the wing, from the carpal joint to the end of the second quill feather, 3¾; of the tail, 1¾; of the tarsus 15⁄16.