OTHER FAMILIAR WATER BIRDS 



Head and foot of Rail 



RAILS, GALLINULES, and COOTS 



belong to the Family Rallidae. The family is 

 divided into subfamilies as follows: 



RAILS belong to the subfamily Ral- 



linae. There are 15 native North American 



forms of Rails. The characteristics of the 



subfamily are: wading birds; seldom resort 



to swimming; bill sharp and pointed; legs 



long and strong and adapted for running; 



wings short and comparatively weak; body 



compressed and adapted for passing through 



close-growing reeds; head completely feathered 



and lacking frontal shield on forehead 



(present in Gallinules and Coots). Escape 

 danger by running and hiding rather than by 

 flying. Of considerable importance as game 

 birds. 



GALLINULES (Mud-hens) belong to the 

 subfamily Gallinulinae . There are two forms of 

 Gallinules native to North America. The char- 

 acteristics of the subfamily are: Rail-like birds; 

 legs long as in Rails; bill somewhat like that of 

 Coots, but frontal shield usually highly col- 

 oured in adult; toes long, rail-like, and not lobed 

 as in Coots. Of considerable importance as 

 game birds as the size 

 is large and the flesh 

 palatable. 



COOTS belong to 

 the subfamily Fulici- 

 nae. (Not to be con- 

 fused with the Scoters, 



Head and foot of Gallinule which are often called 



COOtS, but which are Head and foot of Coot 

 true ducks.) The American Coot is the only native North American form 

 of this subfamily. The characteristics of the Coot are: rather large, duck- 

 like birds; toes furnished with membranous lobes; bill and frontal shield 

 as in Gallinules, but dead white instead of highly coloured. Dive quickly 

 but rise from the water with difficulty; fly with feet trailing behind. 

 Though large numbers are killed annually, they are not particularly 

 valued as game birds. 



