372 INTRODUCTION TO ZOOLOGY, 



buted to the shelter afforded by the increased extent of 

 plantations.* 



Rallidce. Of the Land and Water Rails, the best known 

 individual is the male bird, whose peculiar yet not unpleasing 

 " crake" is heard from our meadows in spring and the early 

 part of summer, and has gained for the species the name of 

 "Corn-crake. ' ' To the same family belong the active Water- 

 hen (Gallinula chloropus) and the common Coot (Fulica 

 atrci). Respecting the habits of both of these, the Bishop of 

 Norwich relates many pleasing particulars to which we refer 

 our readers,f as the space to which we are restricted forbids 

 their introduction here. There is a marked difference in the 

 foot of the two species. In the Water-hen the toes are 

 long, and are fringed on each side by a narrow membrane. 

 In the Coot the membrane is increased in size, assumes the 

 form of rounded lobes, and unites the toes towards the base, 

 thus indicating an approach to the complete webbed foot, 

 which is characteristic of the swimming birds, which consti- 

 tute the next order. 



ORDER V.NATATORES. SWIMMING BIRDS. 



' Some sought their food among the finny shoals, 

 Swift darting from the clouds, emerging soon 

 With slender captives glittering in their beaks." 



MONTGOMERY'S ' : PELICAN ISLAND." 



IN the birds of this order the bill is variously shaped. The 

 legs short; often placed far behind, adapted for swimming, j 

 The feet using that word in the ordinary sense differ in 

 form, and in the extent to which the toes are webbed; the 

 part above the foot is much narrower in front than at the 

 sides, and hence offers less resistance to the movement of the 

 foot when the bird is swimming. 



Here, as in other instances, 'a doubt may exist as to whether 



* Full information on many points of interest in the habits of this 

 bird, may be found in a paper by Mr. W. Thompson, Annals and Mag. 

 Nat. Hist. January, 1839. 



t Familiar History of British Birds, vol. ii. 



J Jenyns' Manual. 



