r>n?ECTORY TO BIRDS OF KASTKHN NOHTII AMKRICA. 1 13 



Cries, very loiul vau\ discordant; v>lien alarmed gives a 



chuckling note, and 

 the head is jerked 

 tack and the tai I lield 

 erect ; runs anions," = 

 bushes with g v o ^ I 

 s w i f t n e s s. Food., 

 chiefly theanimais oL' 

 f] osh-watermollusks. 

 Kests, composed o - 

 f 1 i c k s p 1 a c c d in 

 "bushes near water; 

 eggs, 5 to 7, dull buff 

 spotted with brown 

 and grayish. Flight, 



Fitr. 12(). 



X^. A, a, 1. 



heavy with slow wing-beats, the head is out-stretched and 

 the feet held dangling, fig. 129. 



COOT?-;. Kalli. 



INLedi-Lun f ized or small birds with strong legs and loi>g 

 toes, and co.npressed bodies which enable them to pass 

 through the herbage of marshes which they chiefly inhabit. 

 The wings are short and rounded and ail of the species are 

 poor tlyers, usually moving in a straight line with rapid 

 win;';-beals and dangling legs; in alighting will drop to the 

 ground or water. Food, insects, aquatic animals and vegeta- 

 ble substances. Young, covered with down when hatched 

 and active. 



,A. TRUE KAILS. Rallidae. 



Marfh birds with closely blended, rather stiffened plu- 

 mage, quite dull in color; toes, without lobes. Nests, placed 

 on the ground in marshy places; eggs, 5 or more. Cries, 

 harsh an<i craking. Although not strictly social, some species 

 live in scattering communities. Downy young, black. Partly 

 nocturnal. Skulk in the herbage and are difficult to start* 

 Swim with ease, and even rise from the water. Also dive well 

 and cling to submerged vegetation 



