534: BRITISH BIRDS. 
The Crakes are distinguished from the Waterhens and the Coots by 
having the forehead covered with feathers to the base of the bill, and by 
having no lateral membranes to the toes. From the Rails, to which they 
are very nearly allied, they may be distinguished by the bill being shorter 
instead of longer than the head. 
There are about twenty-five species of Crakes, which are distributed 
throughout the Old World with the exception of the Arctic Region. Four 
species are European, all of which are summer visitors to the British 
Islands, occasionally remaining during winter. 
The Crakes do not differ in their habits, nidification, or in the colour of 
their eggs from the Rails. 
WILLOW-GROUSE. 
