2f6 ALLEN'S NATURALIST'S LIBRARY. 



THE RAILS AND WATER-HENS. FAMILY 



The characters of this family are the same as those of the 

 order, and the Rallidce are divisible into two sub-families, the 

 Rallince and the Coots or Fulicina. 



The latter birds are recognised by their lobed toes, which 

 somewhat resemble those of Grebes, and it is for that reason, 

 and for other characters also, that I place the RaUiformes in 

 close proximity to the Podicipedidiformes. 



THE RAILS. SUB-FAMILY RALLIN^E. 



In arranging the Rails in the twenty-third volume of the 

 " Catalogue of Birds," I found it impossible to separate them 

 into more than the two sub-families above-mentioned, for the 

 close connection between Rails, Crakes, and Water-hens does 

 not allow of any line being drawn between them, and the latter 

 approach the Coots in appearance and habits, but have not the 

 lobed toes, which seem to constitute a character of importance. 



THE TRUE RAILS. GENUS RALLUS. 

 RalhiS) Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 261 (1766). 



Type, R. aquations. Linn. 



In this genus the bill is very long and narrow, with a deep 

 and well-marked nasal groove, the culmen generally exceeding 

 the length of the middle toe and claw, or at least equal to it in 

 fully grown birds. The tarsus is shorter than the middle toe 

 and claw. The nasal aperture is situated nearer to the feathers 

 at the base of the bill than to the anterior end of the nasal 

 groove. 



I. THE WATER-RAIL. RALLUS AQUATICUS. 



Rallus aquaticuS) Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 262 (1766); Macgill. 

 Brit B. iv. p. 521 (1852); Dresser, B. Eur. vii. p. 257, 

 pi. 495 (1878); B. O. U. List Brit. B. p. 146 (1883); 

 Saunders, ed. YarrelPs Brit. B. iii. p. 159 (1883); 

 Seebohm. Hist Brit. B. ii. p. 552 (1884); Saunders, 



