3S2 



RAILS. 



quently a rat-hole, or amidst the entangled roots of a stunted willow or alder 

 bush. When disturbed, it will occasionally run along the surface of the water, 

 supported by the tloating herbage, for which purpose its feet are well adapted, 

 covering, when expanded, a large area. It can also dive with readiness. 

 Worms, slugs, and insects arc its food, to which may be added the leaves and 



Fic. 



-The 



illus aguaiicus). 



sced^ of particular water-plants. The nest of the water-rail consists of a mass 

 of sedges and coarse grass, collected amidst the thickest herbage of its haunts. 

 The eggs are seven or eight in number,— their colour is buffy white spotted 

 with brown ; the young are odd little creatures, — round, and covered with a 

 soft thick down. Almost immediately after their emancipation from the egg- 

 shell, these little puffy balls of down tumble into the water, and swim about 

 as merrily as if they had been accustomed to the exercise for years. 



Sub-Family II. 

 niE GALLIXULES OR MOORHENS. GALLINULIN^. 



General Characteristics.— Bill short, with ilie culmen more or less elevated and 

 advancing on the forehead, and the sides compressed ; tlie wings short and roundeil : 

 the tail short and rounded ; the tarsi long and slender ; the toes very long, slender, 

 and more or less margined on their sides, and the liiiul toe long ; the claws gene- 

 rally long and slightly curved. 



These birds are much more aqtiatic in their habits than the 

 rails ; they swim with case in a sinL;ular floating manner, con- 



