INTRODUCTION. 17 
(Gallinula chloropus). We see them sometimes swimming 
along, with a nodding motion of their heads, or feeding on aquatic 
insects, larval dragonflies, and others; sometimes hunting for 
slugs or worms amongst the grass of our meadows, jerking up 
their tail at every step. Our Moor-hen is the only one 
found in Europe, but also in Asia, Africa, and America, 
though not in Australia. There are some fifteen other species 
of the genus, which is a very cosmopolitan one. The Water- 
rail (Ltallus aquaticus) is one of a group of about fifteen species 

The Water-rail (Radlus aquaticus), 
found in most parts of the world save Australia and the Arctic 
regions. It is still common in the fen-countries, and breeds 
in the Norfolk Broads. By its webless toes it differs from the 
Ducks and Geese, but that character increases its resemblance to 
the Land-rail (fig. 15) or Corn-crake (Crea pratensis), the harsh 
voice of which (like a pen drawn across the teeth of a comb) 
may be heard in our cornfields and dry meadows. The group 
to which the genera Crev and Gallinula alike belong (that 
is, the family of the Rails) comprises some 167 species, some 
or other of which are found all over the world, save in the 
fo) 
