INTEODUCTIOIf. 



17 



(OalUnula ehloropus). "We see thein sometimes swimming 

 along, with a nodding motion of their heads, or feeding on aquatic 

 insects, larval dragonflies, and others ; sometimes hunting for 

 slugs or worms amongst the grass of our meadows, jerking up 

 their tail at every step. Our Moor-hen is the' only one 

 found in Europe, but also in Asia, Africa, and America, 

 though not in Australia. There are some fifteen other species 

 of the genus, which is a very, cosmopolitan one. The Water- 

 rail (Ballus aquaticus) is one oJE a group of about fifteen species 



Fig. 14. 



The Water-rail {Ballus aguatiaus), 



found in most parts of the world save Australia and the Arctic 

 regions. It is still common in the fen-countries, and breeds 

 in the Norfolk Broads. By its webless toes it difEers from the 

 Ducks and Geese, but that character increases its resemblance to 

 the Land-rail (fig. 15) or Corn-crake {Or ex pratensis), the harsh 

 voice of which (like a pen drawn across the teeth of a comb) 

 may be heard in our cornfields and dry meadows. The group 

 to which the genera Orex and Gallinula alike belong (that 

 is, the family of the Eails) comprises some 167 species, some 

 or other of which are found aU over the world, save in the 







