RALLUS. 551 



Genus RALLUS. 



The genus Rallus was included by Linnaeus in 1766 in the 12th edition 

 of his ' Systema Naturae' (i. p. 261). The Water- Rail has been generally 

 accepted as the type, as being the Rail par excellence. 



The species in this genus are distinguished from the Waterhens and 

 Coots by having the forehead covered with feathers to the base of the bill, 

 and by having no lateral membranes to the toes, and from the Crakes, to 

 which they are very nearly allied, by having the bill longer than the head. 



There are about fifteen species of Rails, which are found in most parts 

 of the world, except in Australia and the Arctic Region. Only one species 

 is European, which is a partial resident in the British Islands. 



The birds in this genus chiefly frequent the dense vegetation on the 

 banks of slow-flowing rivers and lakes. They are shy, and conceal them- 

 selves amongst the luxuriant vegetation at the least alarm. Most of them 

 swim and dive with ease, and walk about the dry land equally well. Their 

 flight is heavy but quick, and is seldom prolonged. Their call-notes are 

 clear and harsh. Their food consists of aquatic insects, seeds, shoots of 

 plants, &c. They build large slovenly nests made of reeds, rushes, flags, 

 dry grass, &c.; and their eggs are numerous, reddish buff in ground-colour, 

 spotted and speckled with reddish brown and grey. 



