RAILS. 381 



to a bush, and try to hide themselves amongst the foliage, where 

 they remain completely motionless. During the day they conceal 

 themselves in the grass, and only come out to feed early in the 

 morning or in the evening. They are very unsociable, and never 

 assemble in any number, even when about to commence their 

 migrations, which generally take place during the night. 



The Rallidse are divisible into two sub-families, one of which 

 comprehends the Rails proper, the other the Gallinules or Moor- 

 hens. 



Sub-Family I. 



THE RAILS PROPER. RALLIN^. 



General Characteristics. — Bill more ox less long and slender, with the culmen 

 keeled and curved at the apex, and the sides compressed ; the nostrils lateral, with 

 the opening placed in a membranous groove ; the wings moderate, with the first 

 quills usually graduated ; the tail mostly short and rounded ; the tarsi long and 

 slender ; the toes more or less long and slender, and free at their base. 



The birds composing this sub-family are found in all temperate 

 climates. They inhabit marshes and the borders of rivers, more 

 especially those fringed with reeds or aquatic plants adapted to 

 afford them refuge, and between which the compressed form of 

 their body enables them to pass with facility. Their flight is 

 awkward and slow, but they are capable of swimming and diving, 

 and, from the length of their toes, can run over the surface of the 

 water, supported by the floating vegetation. Their food consists 

 of worms, slugs, and insects, as well as the leaves and seeds of 

 water-plants. The nest is composed of sedge and coarse grass. 

 The eggs are usually from ten to twelve in number. 



The typical species — 



The Water- Rail {Ral/ns agnatiacs), is permanently resident in this coun- 

 try, where it is to be found at all times of the year, although, from its shy and 

 solitary habits, and the peculiar localities that it occupies, it is not so fre- 

 quently seen as might be expected. The haunts of the rail are marshes, pools, 

 and water-courses, particularly such as are covered or bordered with dense 

 aquatic herbage and reeds, in which it finds shelter and refuge, being enabled, 

 by the narrow form of its head and body, to pass through the closest beds of 

 these plants with great facility. To the above property is owing its principal 

 security, as, when forced to take wing, its flight is awkward and slow, with 

 legs hanging down and offering an easy aim to the sportsman. Few dogs are 

 able to force it into view before it ha-s gained its retreat, which is not unfre- 



