780 KALLUS INDICTS. 



is difficult to flush, except when driven by hard frost into open places near unfrozen springs, &c, when it will 

 lie close and get up under one's feet, flying with a moderately quick, but rather laboured flight. I have no 

 doubt the present race is exactly similar in all its actions. The stomach of the Water-Rail is very muscular, 

 and in it large pieces of gravel are sometimes found, swallowed, perhaps, to aid its digestion. 



Nothing has been recorded of the nesting of this species. 



Genus GALLINULA. 

 Bill shorter than in Rallies, deep at the base, much compressed ; the culmen prolonged back 

 upon the forehead into a small shield. Nostrils advanced. Wings rounded ; the 2nd and 3rd 

 quills the longest, and the 1st shorter than the 6th. Tail moderately short and rounded. Legs 

 and feet stout. The tarsus compressed and shorter than the middle toe ; tibia bare just above the 

 knee. Tarsus shielded with transverse scutes in front, reticulate behind ; anterior toes edged 

 with a narrow membrane ; hind toe much compressed. 



