AVES. 383 



{Parra jacana), and the Indian jacana, P. indica [pi. 94, Jig. 9), are suitable 

 examples and common species. 



Fam. 5. Rallid.e. This family contains a large number of birds, which 

 are more aquatic in their habits than any of the preceding, and live almost 

 exclusively in marshes. The American and European species are known 

 by the names of rails, crakes, coots, mud-hens, and gallinules. 



Sub-fani. 1. Rallince, or Rails. Bill various, frequently short, straight, 

 sometimes long, curved ; wings short, rounded ; tail short ; tarsi and feet 

 long, slender. Size mostly small ; colors plain. 



The rails and crakes inhabit all parts of the world, taking refuge in 

 marshes and the thick vegetation of the margins of rivers, through which 

 the peculiarly compressed form of their bodies enables them to pass very 

 readily. They also swim and dive with much ease. There are several 

 European species, such as the dusky rail, Rallus aquaticus {pi. 95, Jig. 8), 

 and the corn crake, R. crex {pi. 9b, Jig. 9). The American species are the 

 Carolina rail {Ortygometra Carolina), the little black rail {O. jamaicensis), 

 the New York rail (O. novehoracensis), the clapper rail {Rallus crepitans), 

 and the river mud-hen {R. elegans). 



Sub-Jam. 2. GalUnulin(E, or Gallinules. Bill short, upper mandible 

 advancing on the forehead, compressed ; wings short, rounded ; tail short ; 

 tarsi and toes long and slender. Size larger ; colors generally gay. 



These are amongst the most richly colored birds in this order. They are 

 natives of the warmer and temperate regions^ and are represented as being 

 less aquatic than many of the preceding tribes. The genus Porphyria, 

 which is classed here, contains numerous species, nearly all of which have 

 their plumage of deep blue color, such as the hyacinth gallinule, Porphyria 

 hyacinthinus {pi. 94, Jig. 11). 



The coots also belong to this group. They are remarkable for their 

 curiously lobed feet, which seem to give them an intermediate character 

 between the wading and swimming birds. The black coot {Fulica atra) is 

 the European species ; the only species found in the United States is the 

 American coot {F. americana). 



Order VIII. Anseres, or Swimming Birds. 



This order contains all the birds which have the feet webbed and are 

 otherwise prepared to inhabit the water, upon the surface of which the 

 majority of species pass the greater part of their lives. They usually have 

 the tarsi placed more posteriorly than is the case with those which com- 

 pose the other orders, so much so that some species can walk only with 

 difficulty. The toes in all the birds of this division are connected by a 

 membrane, which thus forms the instrument by which swimming is 

 accomplished, in addition to which many species have their bodies and 

 plumage admirably constructed for living in their favorite element. 



Fam. 1. Anatid^. This family comprises the flamingoes, geese, swans, 

 and ducks. 



587 



