GRALLATORES. 449 



ease. In the Coots the toes are semi-palmate, being bordered 

 by membranous lobes, like the toes of the Grebes. Amongst 

 the Coots should probably be placed the Aotornis (Owen), 

 long supposed to be extinct, but recently proved to be still 

 living in the Middle Island of New Zealand. The Notornis is 

 much larger than the ordinary Coots, and is remarkable in the 

 fact that, like many extinct and some living New Zealand 

 birds, the wings are so rudimentary as to be useless for flight. 

 The true Rails, comprising the common Land -rail (Rallus 

 aquaticus), and the Corn-crake (Crex pratensis) of our own 

 country, live almost exclusively on land, though the former 

 usually frequents damp or marshy places. In the Jacanas, 

 lastly, the feet are furnished with excessively long and slender 

 toes, which enable the bird to run about upon the leaves of 

 aquatic plants. 



Fam. 2. Cultirostres. In this family of the Grallatores are 

 some of the most typical and familiar forms contained in the 

 entire order. The bill in this family is long usually longer 

 than the head and is compressed from side to side ; the legs 

 are long and slender, having a considerable portion of the 

 tibiae unfeathered; and the feet have four toes, which are 

 usually connected to a greater or less extent at their bases by 

 membrane. In this family are the Cranes, Herons, Stork, Ibis, 

 Spoonbill, and others of less importance. 



The Cranes (Gruidce) are large and elegant birds, and are 

 chiefly remarkable for their long migrations, which were noticed 

 by many classical authors. In these journeys the Cranes 

 usually fly in large flocks, led by a single leader, so that the 

 whole assemblage assumes a wedge-like form; or they fly in 

 long lines. The common Crane (Grus cinerea) breeds in the 

 north of Europe and Siberia, and migrates southwards at the 

 approach of winter. The Herons (Ardeida) are familiarly 

 known to every one in the person of the common Gray or 

 Crested Heron (Ardea cinerea). It was one of the birds most 

 generally pursued in the now almost extinct sport of falconry. 

 Various species of Heron are found over the whole world, both 

 in temperate and hot climates. 



The Ibises (Tantalina) form a group of beautiful birds, 

 species of which occur in all the warm countries of the world. 

 One, the Ibis religiosa, was regarded by the ancient Egyptians 

 as a deity, and was treated with divine honours, being often 

 embalmed along with their mummies, or figured on their 

 monuments. 



The Storks (Cicomttit) are large birds, of which one, the 

 common Stork (Ciconia alba), is rarely found in Britain, but 



VOL. II. 2 F 



