GRALLATORES. 



SEVENTH FAMILY. RAILS. 

 Rallidce, (Genus, rallus, a rail.) 



The RAILS are separated from the other families of this order 

 by the shape of the body, (Plate X. fig. 8b,) which is compressed 

 and flattened at the sides, in consequence of the narrowness.of 

 the sternum. The compressed and keel-like form assists their 

 motion in the water, and as M. Vigors remarks, " is intended to 

 counterbalance the deficiency in the formation of the foot, which 

 separates them from the truer and more perfectly formed water- 

 birds." It is certain that the greater portion of these birds are 

 excellent swimmers ; and in such habits, as well as in the short- 

 ness of their tarsi, they are found to deviate from all the remain- 

 ing groups of the present order. 



The Rails have been designated by that name on account of 

 their peculiarly harsh notes. They differ from the Sand-pipers 

 and Plovers in the great size of the leg, and the length of the 

 toes. Swainson speaks of the structure of their bodies as spe- 

 cially adapted to the tangled recesses in which they live, consist- 

 ing of reeds and aquatic vegetables, which clothe the sides of 

 rivers and morasses. Their flesh is delicate, and from living 

 chiefly upon aquatic seeds and vegetable aliment, they may be 

 regarded as aquatic Gallinacece. Many of them build nests of 

 accumulated materials, and lay a great number of eggs. The 

 length of the toes enables these birds to walk, without sinking, 

 on aquatic herbage, or in the soft mud of morasses. Although 

 their feet are not webbed, they swirn and dive with a facility un- 

 surpassed by that of any of the ducks. The sternum is narrow ; 

 wings short and sustained by feeble muscles ; hence, the flight is 

 but for short distances, and is slow and heavy ; while on the 

 ground, whether among the reeds or tall grass of the meadow, 

 they thread their way with surprising ease and celerity. 



Among the well known species is the COMMON GALLINULE, or 

 WATER-HEN, Gallinula chloropus, (Gr. chloros, green ; pous, a 

 foot.) This bird swims in the open water of rivers and ponds, 

 and with much grace and swiftness, constantly nodding its head ; 

 it also dives with great skill and rapidity. It is shy and easily 

 alarmed, in which case it dives under floating herbage, and re- 

 mains with its beak above water until the danger is over. On 

 account of this habit, it is impossible to take it unless accompa- 

 nied by a dog. The nest of the Water-hen is built among 

 sedges and reeds near the water, and contains from five to nine 

 eggs, of a cream color spotted with brown. These birds show 



