THE COOT. 299 
Rails are not gregarious, differing in this respect from the majority 
of migratory birds, which generally assemble in flocks previous to 
undertaking their journeys. 
The nest is roughly constructed either in a hedgerow or in a 
meadow. ‘The females lay from six to eight eggs. The young ones 
run as soon as they are hatched, and grow very rapidly. Worms, 
insects, and shrimps, are their favourite food, but they do not reject 
wild corn and other seeds. Their flesh is considered delicate, and 
is superior to that of the Water Hen; in the autumn it acquires an 
exquisite flavour in the estimation of French gourmands. 
Rails, which are common in France, are vulgarly called the 
Fig. 113.—Land Rail. 
“king of the quails,” probably from frequenting the same localities. 
They do not acquire their highest condition till the end of summer ; 
this, therefore, is the proper time to kill them. Twenty species of 
Rails are enumerated, which are spread over the various countries 
of the globe. However, the characteristic features of all are nearly 
alike. 
These remarks almost equally apply to the Land Rail (Crex 
pratensis, Fig. 113), and the Water Rail (Rad/us aguaticus). 
The Coot (/iiia) has a bill of moderate size, stout, tapering, 
much depressed, with a well-developed frontal plate ; the toes are 
slender, and edged with a broad, scalloped membrane. Their plumage 
is glossy, soft, full, and blended, and impervious to water. They are 
essentially aquatic, frequenting principally lakes and marshes, some- 
