THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 



141 



and perch freely, readily climbing among vegetation. 

 They can all apparently swim, and generally dive, 

 and the Coots (Fulica), which have the toes fringed 

 with skin, are as aquatic as ducks. 

 FLIGHT. Steady and direct, performed by rapid 

 flaps, with the neck and legs outstretched, the 

 latter drooping down at first in a very characteristic 

 way. They rise awkwardly, and never fly if they 

 can help it, although often able to travel long 



Head and foot of Rail (White-breasted Water-hen). 



distances. There are several flightless species 



with short soft wings ; more, in fact, in this family 



than in any other. 

 NOTE. Various, usually harsh, a croak, cackle, shriek 



or booming sound. 

 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They are intelligent, wary, 



and courageous ; usually they keep much to 



swampy cover, and are most commonly alone or 



in pairs. 

 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. Many are good for food, a 



few occasionally destructive to crops and other 



