332 Synopsis of the Birds 



small : neck well proportioned : body slender, much compres- 

 sed. Feet moderate, rather robust, 4-toed ; naked space of 

 the tibia rather small ; tarsus not longer than the middle toe, 

 reticulated ; toes three before, one behind, very long, slender, 

 divided, edged by a decurrent membrane ; hind toe rather 

 long, articulated almost on a level with the others, bearing on 

 the ground good part of its length : nails slender, compressed, 

 acute. Wings rather short, wide, somewhat rounded, con- 

 cave, tuberculated ; third or fourth primary longest. Tail 

 short, of twelve feathers. 



Female smaller, differing but little from the male. Young 

 differing often from the parents. Moult once or twice in the 

 year, without changing their colors. 



Solitary. Keep mostly near or in water ; moving nimbly 

 on marshy weeds. Fond of concealment. Feed on small 

 animals, and on seeds and other vegetable substances. Mono- 

 gamous : lay once or twice in the year: both sexes sit in 

 turn : eggs rounded, from five to sixteen. Young run about 

 under the parental care, and provide for themselves as soon 

 as hatched. Run swiftly. Fly slowly, at short distances, 

 the feet hanging down. Prefer running to flying. When 

 hard pushed, stop short and squat down, resorting to wing 

 only at extremity. Flight only rapid when elevated. Voice 

 hoarse. Flesh sapid. 



56. RALLUS. 



Rallus, L. Cuv. Vieill. Rallus, Porphyrio, Briss. Rallus, 

 Parra, Falicci, Gm. Rallus, Gallinula, Lath. Temm. Ranz. 

 Rallus, Crex. 111. Rallus, Ortygometra, Zapornia, Leach. 



Bill varying in length, thick at base, generally straight, 

 compressed ; upper mandible furrowed each side, somewhat 

 vaulted and curved at tip, base extending upwards between 

 the feathers of the front ; nostrils in the furrows, medial, 

 oblong or longitudinal, open and pervious beneath, covered 

 at base by a membrane : tongue moderate, narrow, com" 



