140 BRITISH BIRDS. 



f[)c 



IN this genus the bill is shorter than the head, 

 compressed, conical; the upper mandible slightly 

 curved, the lower forming" an angle; the nasal 

 cavity very large; nostrils lateral; feet and legs 

 long, naked above the knee; fore toes long, divided, 

 and furnished with a very narrow border or edging; 

 body very much compressed throughout its whole 

 length. 



Like the Rails, these birds frequent fresh waters, 

 swimming and diving w r ith the same ease, and 

 running on land with similar velocity. They feed 

 likewise in the same manner, on insects and vege- 

 table substances. They probably moult twice, but 

 without undergoing any change of colours. The 

 young differ greatly from the mature birds. 



We have deemed it advisable to adopt Latham's 

 mode of arranging these birds, by which means 

 the Corn-crake, which was formerly placed amongst 

 the Land Birds, now stands at the head of the 

 Gallinules. This bird, though differing in some of 

 its habits and manners from the Water Hens, yet 

 so nearly resembles them in general structure and 

 appearance, as not to allow of its being separated 

 from the latter with propriety. 



