, A, a, 1. 1-8. 



DIRECTORY TO BIRDS OF EASTERN NOKTII AMERICA. 1 L3 



Cries, very loud i nd discordant; when alarmed gives a 



chuckling note, and Fig. 120. 



the head is jerked 



back and the tail held- 



erect; runs among 



bushes with g r en, t 



swiftness. Food. 



chiefly the animals oC 



fi os h-water moll risks. 



Kests, composed o t! 



F ticks p laced i:i 



"bushes near water ; 



eggs, 5 to 7, dull buff 



spotted with brown 



and grayish. Flight, 



heavy with slow w r ing-beats, the head is out-stretched and 



the feet held dangling, fig. 120. 



M. KAILS, OALLUNITLKS ATVI> 

 COOT:S. Ralli. 



Medium sized or small birds with strong legs and long 

 toes, and couipressed bodies which enable them to pass 

 tli rough the herbage of marshes which they chiefly inhabit. 

 The wings are short and rounded and all of the species are 

 poor flyers, usually moving in a straight line with rapid 

 win^- beats and dangling legs; in alighting will drop to the 

 ground or water. Food, insects, aquatic animals arid vegeta- 

 ble substances. Young, covered with down when hatched 

 and active. 



A. TRUE RAILS. Rallidae. 



Marsh birds with closely blended, rather stiffened plu- 

 mage, quite cull in color; toes, without lobes. Nests, placed 

 on the ground in marshy places; eggs, 5 or more. Cries, 

 harsh and craking. Although not strictly social, some species 

 live in scattering communities. Downy young, black. Partly 

 nocturnal. Skulk in the herbage and are difficult to start* 

 Swim with ease, and even rise from the water. Also dive well 

 and cling to submerged vegetation 



