RAILS. 325 



the forehead is more extended, the toes are longer, but its habits 

 are very nearly the same. It is, however, less exclusively aquatic, 

 and its favourite food is the seeds of the cereals and aquatic 

 plants, and fruits : it occasionally, however, feeds on mollusks and 

 small fishes. When eating, it stands on one foot, and uses the 

 other as a hand in order to convey the food to its beak. 



The body of this magnificent bird is of an indigo-blue colour, 

 the beak and feet being rose-colour. The ancients, who were 

 acquainted with it, and were accustomed to rear it in a domes- 

 ticated state, gave it the name of Porphyrio (purple coloured) on 

 account of its colour. If it could be acclimatised, it would be a 

 valuable addition to our ornamental grounds. 



There are several species of the Sultana Fowl, differing more 

 or less from one another. They inhabit the warmer regions of 

 the Old World. The Purple Water Hen is found in Greece, Asia 

 Minor, Africa, and the South of Europe ; generally, it is about 

 the size of the ordinary Domestic Fowl. 



RAILS (Rallus) are characterised by a slender, tapering, slightly- 



lig. 119. Land Hail (Rallus crex, Linn.). 



arched beak, longer than the head ; elongated tarsi, terminating 

 in slender toes, much compressed and completely separate, and not 

 marginate ; wings middle-sized ; tail short. 



Their habits bear a strong resemblance to those of the Water 

 Hen. Like the latter, they are timid, and hide themselves all day 

 in the rushes, underwood, or grass of the marshes and meadows 

 they inhabit. They make use of the holes hollowed out by water- 

 rats, in which they take refuge when hard pressed. Little thickets 



