RALLIDJS. 209 



than other species of the Order which have preceded, and 

 therefore more suited immediately to conduct us to the final 

 Order of Swimming Birds, to which we are advancing. The 

 birds comprised under the present family are very retired in 

 their habits, seeking concealment in the rank herbage which 

 meadows, marshes, and the borders of lakes, ponds, and 

 rivers afford. Many of them run swiftly, or dive and swim 

 with facility, while the feet of those which are not natatorial 

 are so constructed as to enable them to walk upon the soft 

 mud, or even over the large leaves of water-plants. The 

 form of the body in some species is thin and narrow, and 

 admirably adapted for rapid progress in the tangled recesses 

 of rank and aquatic vegetation which they delight to haunt. 

 As a family, their powers of flight are not remarkable. The 

 females are mostly larger than the males, and exceed them 

 also in brightness of colouring. 



THE WATER BAIL. Eallus aquations. The Water Rail 

 is found in the fenny counties of England, and in other 

 parts of Great Britain where marshes or fens occur. It 

 conceals both itself and its nest with caution and success. 

 The nest corresponds closely in its position and structure to 

 that of the Water-hen, being composed of coarse flags, and 

 placed either above or near the water. The eggs, which are 



p 



