9$ CASSELI.'S BOOK OF BIRDS. 



upper breast deep greyish blue. The edges of the wings, the lower wing-covers, and feathers on the 

 rump and belly are whitish. The eyes are yellow, and the bridles and bare eye-rings flesh-red ; the 

 beak is black, and the foot light red. This species is thirty-two inches, the wing measures nineteen, 

 and the tail eight inches. 



The Chaunas are peculiar to the northern parts of South and Central America, where they 

 frequent marshes, or occasionally river-banks, either in pairs or small parties. Their manners are shy, 

 and when not disturbed their gait is stately and slow. In the air their movements are easy and swift, 

 but they are unable to run without the assistance of their wings ; when about to rest, they resort to 

 the branches of high trees. According to Gray, these birds are kept by the natives with their poultry, 

 going with them to feed about the neighbourhood during the day, and proving very useful in 

 defending the fowls, by the aid of their spurs, from the attacks of the numerous feathered tyrants with 

 which the country is infested. Marshy or inundated localities are the situations they principally 

 frequent, as their food consists entirely of the leaves of aquatic plants, grapes, and seeds. The 

 spacious nest is made of small branches, and is usually placed in a bush surrounded by water, or 

 among reeds and rushes. The eggs are two in number, and have a rough white shell. According to 

 Gray, if the living bird be handled, a peculiar crackling is felt, which is caused by the quantity of air 

 lodged between the skin and the muscles. 



The RAILS (Ralli) are characterised by their high body, which is much compressed at its 

 sides, their moderately long neck and small head. The bill is variously formed, compressed at the 

 sides, and seldom longer than the head. In the high, long-toed foot, the hind toe is well developed, 

 the wing is rounded, and does not extend so far as the extremity of the rounded tail, which is formed 

 of twelve feathers. The plumage is compact and thick. The members of this family inhabit almost 

 every portion of the globe, and exhibit many modifications of form, according to the situation they 

 are created to occupy. Owing to the slender shape of their bodies, they are able to thread their way 

 through beds of the thickest stems of reeds, bulrushes, and other aquatic plants, among which they 

 seek shelter ; or, like the Land Rail, penetrate the tall grass of the meadow, and that so rapidly and 

 noiselessly that they elude pursuit with the greatest ease, and seldom can be forced to take wing. All 

 the various species are able to pass over the surface of soft ooze, or the flat leaves of plants that float 

 thickly on the water of their favourite haunts ; many of them can also swim with much facility. The 

 Rails are social in their habits, and frequently assemble in small flocks, which remain together until 

 the migratory season. Insects, larva?, worms, eggs, and even young nestlings, frequently fall a prey 

 to them ; but seeds of various kinds and portions of plants form their principal fare. The nest, which 

 is very carefully constructed, is usually placed among reeds, grass, or rushes ; the light-coloured eggs 

 are darkly spotted, and from three to twelve in number. Both parents brood, and they rear two 

 families during the summer. The flesh of these birds is excellent, but it is difficult to shoot them 

 without the aid of a dog. 



The SNIPE RAILS {Rhynchced) are recognisable by the peculiar form of their bill, which is 

 longer than the head, straight at the base, compressed at its sides, and inclines and curves downwards 

 at the tip of both mandibles, which are of equal length. The moderate-sized foot is furnished with 

 short unconnected toes, and has the hind toe placed higher than the rest ; the broad wing is slightly 

 rounded, the third quill being longer than the rest ; and the tail is composed of twelve feathers. The 

 plumage is very beautifully variegated, the dress of the male being usually of quieter tints than 

 his mate ; and for this reason superficial observers have often been mistaken as to the sex of 

 the latter. 



