140 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 



Distribution and Important SPECiES.^-There are 

 less than four dozen species, confined to the warm 

 parts of America. The above-mentioned " Joao 

 doido " seems to be the most famiUar. 



Rails [Rallidce), 



Diagnosis. — Ground birds with no webs between toes, and 

 stout flat-sided bills. 



Size. — From that of a large fowl to that of a sparrow. 



Form. — Bill fiat-sided, varying in length and thick- 

 ness, with nostrils well in front of base and corner 

 of mouth below forehead or half-way to eye ; feet 

 with no web between toes ; front toes usually 

 long, hind-toe short, but long enough to reach the 

 ground ; wings, short, especially upper-arm and 

 forearm ; tail short. Head small, body flat- 

 sided. 



Plumage and Colouration. — Feathering soft and lax, 

 generally plain-coloured, with seldom a sex- 

 difference or seasonal change. Young differing 

 somewhat from adults. Often a bare patch on 

 forehead ; eyes nearly always red. 



Young. — Active and downy, but for the first few days 

 fed by parents ; down uniform, black or dark 

 brown. They cannot fly till nearly full-grown. 



Nest. — A mass of reeds, grass, etc., placed on the 

 ground, among reeds, or in a bush. 



Eggs. — Several ; spotted. 



Incubation. — About three weeks. 



Courtship. — The white under tail-coverts are puffed 

 out in many species. 



Food. — Mixed, some being more feeders on insects 

 and other small animals, and others on herbage and 

 seeds. 



Gait. — A walk or run ; they are very good runners, 



