IOO 



CASSELL S BOOK OF BIRDS. 



mass of tree-roots. When disturbed, it occasionally runs along the surface of the water, supported 

 by the floating leaves, for which purpose its broad, spreading feet are well adapted ; it can also dive 

 with much facility. Worms, slugs, aquatic insects, together with the leaves and seeds of aquatic 

 plants, are its principal food, and for these it chiefly seeks during the twilight hours. The nest of the 

 Water Rail is composed of sedges and coarse grass loosely heaped together, and is made on the 

 ground, amongst reeds and rushes, beneath bushes, and occasionally in short herbage. The eggs, 

 from six to ten in number, vary somewhat in colour, but are usually brownish white, or greenish, 

 spotted with violet, grey, and brown. The young look like little, round, puffy balls of down when first 



■ ' im 



THE GOLDEN RAIL, OR PAINTED CAPE SNIPE (Rhynchcca Capensis). ONE-THIRD NATURAL SIZE. 



hatched, and at once roll into the water, where they swim about with as much delight and enjoyment 

 as if they had been accustomed to the exercise for years. When domesticated, the Rallus aquaticus 

 often exhibits the utmost affection and docility. In an instance that came under our notice, one of 

 these birds not only ran freely about the house, following and obeying its master, but slept at night in 

 his bed, beneath the coverlet. 



The ARAMIDES (Aramides) are slenderly-formed birds, with strong bills, which are longer than 

 the head, compressed at the sides, and slightly arched at the culmen ; the legs are long, the tarsi thin, 

 the moderate-sized toes quite unconnected, and the claws long, sharp, and curved. The medium- 

 sized wing has the third and fourth quills longer than the rest ; the tail is moderate, and the plumage 

 of uniform hue. The members of this group occupy the marshy grounds of Central Brazil, where 

 they seem to be general favourites among the country people, sometimes evincing a remarkable 

 susceptibility of domestication. 



