RALLUS SLMIPLUMBLUS,
(SLATT-BEE:iSIED E-AIL).
R a llu s seniiplumbeus Sclater, P.Z.S . 1856, p . 31.
Scblegel, Mus. d. P .B . B a lli, p . 11.
Scl. efc Salv. P.Z.S. 1868. p. 445.
Su p ra brunnoscenti-olivaceus, n ig ro flammulatus : alis caudftque nig ric an ti-b ru n u eis : a larum fcoetrleibus e s tu s
læ tè ru fis : capitis la te rib u s e t corpore to to su b tu s p lumbeis : tectric ib u s su bcaudalibus albis u ig ro ma eu la tis : liyqjo-
chondriis imis albo tran s fa sciatis ; ro s tro flavo, culmine e t ápice ob scu ris ; pedibus c laré coryliüis : lo n g , fcolâ 8 ’5, a l»
4'4, caudæ l'S , ro s tri a r ic tu 1 7 .
S a l . iu No v á G ran ad a interiore.
The Ornithology o f the district siu-rounding the capital o f the Republic o f New Granada,
or, as it is now called, the United States o f Columbia, has been more thoroughly explored than
perhaps any other portion o f the South American continent. About thirty years ago bird-
slvins were first received in Paris from a French collector then resident in Bogotá ; and since
that time, the native Indians having been taught the method o f preparing slcins, large collections
have been constantly imported into England, France, and America, from the same district.
AUe have thus become well acquainted with its rich and varied Avifauna. The city itse lf being
0000 feet above the sea level, it is evident that the greater number o f so-callcd “ Bogotá” skins,
which consist o f tropical forms, must be obtained from the low-lying valleys, which intersect
this part o f the Cordillera in every direction. Along with these, however, are intermingled
species o f genera only to be met with in an Alpine climate, such as Phrygilus, Diglossa and
Otocorys. Amongst these highland forms we believe the present Rail must be included, as it
is a close ally o f the preceding species, which is confined to the exfreme southern portion of
the South American continent, and is, doubtless, its southern representative.
Rallu s semiplumheus was originally described by Sclater in one o f a series o f articles on
the bh-ds o f New G ranada, published in the Zoological Society’s “ Proceedings,” from a specimen
forwarded to him for examination by M. M. Verreaux. It is, as we have already said, closely
allied to R. antarcticus, figured iu our last plate, but may be distinguished by its larger and more
briglitly-coloured bill, the paler rufous o f the wing-coverts, and the absence o f transverse white
markings on tlie upper part o f the flanks.
Our figure o f this species is taken from a “ Bogotá” skin, in the collection o f Salvin
and Godman. There are likewise specimens o f this Rail in the British and Leyden Museums.
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