Rallus aquaticus, Lin.Syft. i. p. 262. 2.— Faun. Suec. N° 19;.— Scop. Ann. i.
N° 155.— Brun. N° 193.— Muller, N° 219.— Kram. El. p. 349. 2.
Le Rale d’Eau, BriJ. Orn. v. p. 151. 1. pi. 12. fig. z.— Buf. Oif. viii.
p. 134. pi. 13.— PI. Bnl. 749.
Gallinula ferica Gefneri, Rail Syn. p. 114. 4 •
Velvet Runner, Will. Orn. p. 315 ?
Water Rail, Bilcock, or Brook-ouzel, Rail Syn. p. 113. A. 2. 190. 12.—
Will. Orn. p. 314. pi. 58.— Sloan Jam. p. 321. 16.— Albin, i. pi. 77.—
Br. Zool. ii. N° 214. pi. 7;.
Br. MuJ. Lev. Muf.
T E N G T H twelve inches: breadth fixteen: weightfour ounces
and a half. Bill an inch and three quarters; -colour dulky
black, at the bafe reddilh: irides red : all the upper parts are olive
brown's the middle of each feather black: the under parts, from the
chin to the middle of the belly, alh-colour*: the lower belly,
thighs, and vent, the fain?, with rufous edges : Tides of the body
tranfverfely barred with black and white: quills dulky: under tail
coverts white : tail lhort, and black; the' tips of the two middle
feathers ferruginous ; the others the fame oh the margins s legs
dulky red : toes long, and divided to the bottom.
This fpecies is fufficiently common in this kingdom ; but in
the northern parts, of it is only feen in winter.
The egg is more than an inch and a half in length; of a
paleyellowilh colour, marked all over with dulky brown fpots,
of nearly the fame lize, but irregular.
It is found chiefly on the edges of ponds and rivulets well fur-
nilhed with cover, under which it may run for Ihelter on the ap-
* Briffim obferves, that in fome birds the feathers on the fore part of the neck
are margined with white: fuch I have feen, but fuppofe them to be young birds.
G g a - pearance
+•'WATER RAIL.
Description*
Place and
Manners*