RALLID.E. 485 



SUB-FAMILY II. 

 Gallinulin.e. The Gallinules, or Moorhens. 



Gen. Chahac. — Bill short, with the culmen more or less elevated and advancing 

 on the forehead, and the sides compressed ; the wings short and rounded ; 

 the tail short and rounded; the tarsi long and slender ; the toes very long, 

 slender, and more or less margined on their sides, and the hind toe long ; 

 the claws generally long and slightly curved. 



Fig. 191. — the common" mooehen. 

 {Gallinula chloropus.) 



These birds are mucli more aquatic in their habits 

 than the Rails ; they swim with ease in a singular 

 floating manner, continually striking the water with 

 their tails. When approached and alarmed, they 

 have recourse to diving, using their wings to assist 

 their progress under water, or they take wing, skim- 

 ming along the surface to the first cover that may 

 be available, where they remain concealed. On the 

 land these birds walk about with facility, flirting up 



