ALECTOKIDES OR RAILS, ETC. 199 



inches to eight inches in length. The Clapper Rail or 

 Marsh Hen, however, is sixteen inches long. 



In the family of the Rallidoe are also included the 

 Coots, which have the bill extending into the feathers of 

 the forehead, where it forms a wide plate, and which have 

 the toes margined with semicircular lobes. Here also 

 belong the Gallinules (Fig. 235), which have enormous 

 feet, but no lobes on the toes. 



FIG. 235. 



Purple Gallinule, Gallinula martinica, Latham. 



SUB-SECTIOJST XII. 



THE ORDER OF LAMELLIROSTRES OR GEESE, DUCKS, ETC. 



THIS group, and the four following namely, the Ste- 

 ganopodes, Longipennes, Pygopodes, and Sphenici- con- 

 stitute the great group of Swimming Birds or Natatores. 



The Natatores are birds which, by their whole struc- 

 ture, are specially fitted for living in the water. They are 

 broad, depressed, and flattened below ; their plumage is 

 compact, and kept well oiled ; the legs are widely sepa- 

 rated, and the femur is short, bringing the knee within 

 the general skin of the body ; and the feet are w T ebbed. 



The natatores which compose the group of Lamelliros- 

 tres have both mandibles furnished along their edges with 

 lamellce or plates, which appear like teeth-like projections. 



