THE COOT. 



299 



Rails are not gregarious, differing in this respect from the majority 

 of migratory birds, which generally assemble in flocks previous to 

 undertaking their journeys. 



The nest is roughly constructed either in a hedgerow or in a 

 meadow. The females lay from six to eight eggs. The young ones 

 run as soon as they are hatched, and grow very rapidly. Worms, 

 insects, and shrimps, are their favourite food, but they do not reject 

 wild corn and other seeds. Their flesh is considered delicate, and 

 is superior to that of the Water Hen ; in the autumn it acquires an 

 exquisite flavour in the estimation of French gourmands. 



Rails, which are common in France, are vulgarly called the 





Fig. 113. Land Rail. 



" king of the quails," probably from frequenting the same localities. 

 They do not acquire their highest condition till the end of summer ; 

 this, therefore, is the proper time to kill them. Twenty species of 

 Rails are enumerated, which are spread over the various countries 

 of the globe. However, the characteristic features of all are nearly 

 alike. 



These remarks almost equally apply to the Land Rail (Crex 

 pratensis, Fig. 113), and the Water Rail (Rallus aquaticiis). 



The Coot (Fulid) has a bill of moderate size, stout, tapering, 

 much depressed, with a well-developed frontal plate ; the toes are 

 slender, and edged with a broad, scalloped membrane. Their plumage 

 is glossy, soft, full, and blended, and impervious to water. They are 

 essentially aquatic, frequenting principally lakes and marshes, some* 



