RALLUS. 551 
Genus RALLUS. 
The genus Rallus was included by Linnzus in 1766 in the 12th edition 
of his ‘Systema Nature’ (i. p. 261). The Water-Rail has been generally 
accepted as the type, as being the Rail par excellence. 
The species in this genus are distinguished from the Waterhens and 
Coots by having the forehead covered with feathers to the base of the bill, 
and by having no lateral membranes to the toes, and from the Crakes, to 
which they are very nearly allied, by having the bill longer than the head. 
There are about fifteen species of Rails, which are found in most parts 
of the world, except in Australia and the Arctic Region. Only one species 
is European, which is a partial resident in the British Islands. 
The birds in this genus chiefly frequent the dense vegetation on the 
banks of slow-flowing rivers and lakes. They are shy, and conceal them- 
selves amongst the luxuriant vegetation at the least alarm. Most of them 
swim and dive with ease, and walk about the dry land equally well. Their 
flight is heavy but quick, and is seldom prolonged. Their call-notes are 
clear and harsh. Their food consists of aquatic insects, seeds, shoots of 
plants, &e. ‘They build large slovenly nests made of reeds, rushes, flags, 
dry grass, &c.; and their eggs are numerous, reddish buff in ground-colour, 
spotted and speckled with reddish brown and grey. 
