Orders. GRALL^. 237 



The Rails {Rallus, Lin.), — 

 Which bear, in other respects, a very strong mutual resemblance, have bills of very different pro- 

 portions. 



Among the species in which it is longest, . 



The Rails {Rallus, Bechstein), — 

 May be first mentioned. 



The European Rail (il. aijuaticus, Lin.).— Olive-brown, marked with black above, bluish-ash-eolour beneath, 

 with some narrow black and white rays crossing the flanks. This bird is common in our ponds and ditches, where 

 it swims well, and runs lightly upon the leaves of aquatic herbage, feeding on small Crustaceans. [Its frontal 

 feathers are rigid, in place of the shield of the Coots and Gallinules. There are various others, all extra-European.] 



Other species, 



The Crakes (Crex, Bechstein), — 



Have a shorter bill, as observed in 



The Com-Crake (R. crex, Lin.).— Of a reddish-brown colour, marked with blackish above, and greyish below, 

 with dull black rays crossing the flanks ; the wings rufous. It lives and nestles in our fields and meadows, and runs 

 with great swiftness among the long grass. The Latin name, Crex, is expressive of its cry. It feeds on corn, in 

 addition to worms and insects. 



[The following species, or 



The Soras {Zapomia, Stephens), — 

 Have an intermediate beak, and resemble the Rails in their aquatic habits.] 



The Speckled Sora (R. porzana, Lin.).— A deep brown, speckled with white, and whitish rays on the flanks. It 

 is a good swimmer and diver, and does not leave France till the middle of winter. [There are two smaller kinds 

 in western Europe, including the British Isles ; the Baillon's Sora (Z. Baillonii), with somewhat speckled 

 plumage ; and the Little Sora, as it is termed, though surpassing the last in size, (Z. pusilla), the plumage of 

 which approximates that of the Common Rail. Of various exotic species, some are considerably larger than the 

 Crake and Rail of Europe]. 



The Coots (Fulica, Lin.) — 

 May be subdivided in the following manner, according to the form of the beak, and the membranes 

 margining the toes. 



The Gallinules {Gallinula, Briss. & Lath.) — 

 Have the beak nearly as in the Crakes, but distinguished by the frontal shield, and by longer toes, 

 bordered with a narrow membrane. 



The Common Gallinule {G. chloropus, Lm.). — Deep olive-brown above, slaty-grey below, with some white on 

 the sides, [the feet green, with a red and yellow cincture above the tarsal joint, and the frontal shield bright red : 

 these lively colours being much more conspicuous in the female, which is larger also than her mate. A very 

 common species throughout Europe, and considered to be of universal diffusion, as specimens from the most 

 distant regions are undistingiushable]. 



The Sultanas (Porphyria, Brisson) — 

 Have the beak higher in proportion to its length ; and very long toes, with scarcely any perceptible 

 border ; the frontal shield considerable, and rounded in some, square above in others. These birds 

 stand on one foot, while they employ the other to convey food to the beak. Their colours are gene- 

 rally fine shades of violet, blue, and azure. Such is 



The Common Sultana (Fulica porphyria, Lin.), a beautiful African species, now naturalized in several islands 

 and countries bordering the Mediterranean. Its beauty would render it an ornament in our parks. 



Lastly, 



The Restricted Coots {Fulica, Brisson) — 

 Conjoin to a short beak and large frontal shield, toes that are much widened by a festooned border, 

 which renders them excellent swimmers ; hence their lives are passed in pools and marshes. Their 

 smooth plumage is not less adapted than the rest of their conformation to this mode of life, and they 

 consequently exhibit a marked transition from the Wading to the True Swimming Birds, [though only 

 in superficial or adaptive characters, which are principally external]. 



There is one in Europe (F. atra, aterrima, and lethiops, Gm.)— [Slaty-black, darker on the neck, with a flesh* 

 coloured shield, which becomes white in the season of propagation. It is ver^' easily tamed, and subsists on grain,- 

 pond-weed, and even small fish, diving with facility.] 



