2i6 ALLLN'S INATURALIST's LIBRARY. 



THE RAILS AND WATER-HENS. FAMILY 

 RALLID.4^:. 



The characters of this family are the same as those of the 

 order, and the Rallidai are divisible into two sub-families, the 

 Rallince and tlie Coots or Fuliciiim. 



The latter birds are recognised by their lobed toes, which 

 somewhat resemble those of Grebes, and it is for that reason, 

 and for other characters also, that I place the Ralliforines in 

 close proximity to the Podicipedidiformes. 



THE RAILS. SUB-FAMILY RALLIN^. 



In arranging the Rails in the twenty-third volume of the 

 " Catalogue ot Birds," I found it impossible to separate them 

 into more than the two sub-families above-mentioned, for the 

 close connection between Rails, Crakes, and Water-hens does 

 not allow of any line being draw^n between them, and the latter 

 approach the Coots in appearance and habits, but have not the 

 lobed toes, which seem to constitute a character of importance. 



THE TRUE RAILS. GENUS RALLUS. 



Rallus^ Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 261 (1766). 



Type, R. aquaticus, Linn. 



In this genus the bill is very long and narrow, with a deep 



and well-marked nasal groove, the culmen generally exceeding 



the length of the middle toe and claw, or at least equal to it in 



fully grown birds. The tarsus is shorter than the middle toe 



and claw. The nasal aperture is situated nearer to the feathers 



at the base of the bill than to the anterior end of the nasal 



.groove. 



I. THE WATER-RAIL. RALLUS AQUATICUS. 



Ralhis aquaticus^ Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 262 ([766); Macgill. 

 Brit. B. iv. p. 521 (1852); Dresser, B. Eur. vii. p. 257, 

 pi. 495 (1878); B. O. U. List Brit. B. p. 146 (1883); 

 Saunders, ed. Yarrell's Brit. B. iii. p. 159 (1883); 

 Seebohm. Hist Brit. B. ii. p. 552 (1884); Saunders, 



