BIRDS 



171 



Order 9. RAILS (Grallae) 



These cosmopolitan birds are closely allied to those of the 

 following order, but are of more slender build, with feebler wings, 

 shorter tail, and less compact plumage. Many of the species have 

 lost the power of flight. 



Common British examples are the Land- Rail or Corn-Crake 

 (Crex pratensis], the peculiar creaking call of the male being a 



Fig. 118. Common Crane (Grits cinerea], (From an instantaneous photograph) 



familiar sound on summer evenings, the Water- Rail (Rallus 

 aquaticus), the Moor- Hen (Gallinula chloropus], and the Coot 

 (Fulica atra). The toes of the last-named species are lobed. 

 The Spotted Crake (Porgana marnetta) also occurs in this, 

 country. 



