GRALLATORES. 351 



Rallus,* the Rail. 



This, with the allied genera, is marked by a 

 stronger developement of the legs and feet ; the toes, 

 and especially the hinder one, are lengthened, to 

 enable the bird to walk on the grass of marshes, 

 water-plants, &c. The body is singularly thin, as 

 if flattened sideways, adapting it to run between 

 the stems of reeds and other plants which grow 

 close together. Some of them by means of their di- 

 lated toes can swim and dive with ease and grace. 

 They feed chiefly on seeds. 



The Corn Crake, or Landrail, (R. Crex,} named 

 from its harsh, rattling note, can rarely be induced 

 to take wing, but it runs with great rapidity. A 

 young one in the possession of Mr. Jewis " seemed 

 highly delighted when water was placed for it. 

 It would swim, dive to the bottom, and play about, 

 with the greatest satisfaction, and with as much 

 activity as if it had never been used to any other 

 element. Its manners were peculiarly pleasing and 

 interesting, and its motions elegant. It ran with 

 great swiftness, with its head nearly to the ground. 

 The form of the Corn Crake seems admirably calcu- 

 lated for the life it is intended to lead; its sharp, 

 compressed bill and narrow head are well adapted 

 for separating the grass, and opening a way for its 

 slender and gently swelling body. By this means, 

 the movement of the blades of grass is so small, 



* The English name Latinized. 



