GRALL/E. 219 



The Kails {RaUas, Lin.), — 



Which bear, in other respects, a very strong mutual resemblance, liave bills of very different pro- 

 portions. 



Among the species in which it is longest, 



Thc Kails {Rallus, Eechstein), — 

 May l>e lirst mcntionerl. 



The Eur open.n Ruil (R. a quad cuA-, Lin.).— Olive-lirown, marked with blai^k above, bluisb-asli-colour beneatli, 

 with some narrow black and white rays crossing the tianks. This bird is common in our ponds and ditciies, wliere 

 it swims well, and runs li_L,^bt]y upon the leaves of aquatic herbag:e, feeding on small Crustaceans. [Its frontal 

 feathers arc rigid, in place of the shield of the Coots and Gullinules. There ai'e various othejs, all extra-Earopean.] 



Other species, 



The Crakes {Crea^, Beehsteiii), — 

 Have a shorter lull, as observed in 



Tlie Coru-Crake (R. n-ex, Lin.).— Of a reddislidu'cwn colour, marked with blacki.^h above, and greyisli below, 

 with dull black rays crossing- the lianks ; the wings rufous. It lives and nestles in our fields and meadows, and runs 

 with great swiftness among the long grass. The Latin name, Crex, is expressive of its cry. It feeds on corn, in 

 addition to worms and insects. 



[The foUo\ving species, or 



The Soras {Zapomia, Stephens), — 

 Have an intermediate beak, and resemble the Kails in their aquatic habits.] 



The Speckled Sora [R. porzana, Lin.). — A deep brown, speckled with white, and whitish rays on tlie flanks. It 

 is a good swimmer and diver, and does not leave France till the middle of winter. [There are two smaller kinds 

 in western Europe, including the British Isles ; the Baillon's Sora (Z. Baillonli), with somewhat speckled 

 plumage; and the Little Sora, as it is termed, though surpassing the last in size, (Z'. ;j'Mi';7/fl), the plumage of 

 which approximates that of the Common Rail. Of various exotic species, some are con^iderab!y larger than the 

 Crake and Rail of Europe]. 



The Coots {FuUca, Lin.) — 

 May be subdivided in the following manner, accordhig to the fonn of the beak, and the membranes 

 margining thc toes. 



The Gallinules {GaUbnda, Briss. & Lath.) — 

 Have the beak nearly as in the Crakes, but distinguished by the frontal shield, and by longer toes, 

 bordered with a narrow membrane. 



The Common Gallinule {G. chloropux,\Ax\.). — Deep olive-brown above, slaty-grey below, with some white on 

 the sides, [the feet green, with a red and yellow cincture above the tarsal joint, and the frontal shield bright red : 

 these lively colours being much more conspicuous in the female, which is larger also than her mate. Avery 

 cinumon species throughout Europe, and considered to be of universal diliasion, as specimens from the most 

 distant regions are undistinguishable]. 



The Sultanas {PorphyriOy Brisson) — ■ 

 Have the l)cak liigher in proportion to its length; and very long toes, with scarcely any perceptible 

 border; the frontal shield considerable, and rounded in some, square above in others. These birds 

 stand on one foot, while they employ the other to convey food to the beak. Their colours are gene- 

 rally fine shades of violet, blue, and azure. Such is 



The Common Sultana {Fidira porp/ij/rio, Lin.), a beautiful African species, now naturalized in several islands 

 and countries bordering the Mediterranean. Its beauty would render it an ornament in our parks. 



Lastly, 



The Restricted Coots {Fulica, Brisson) — 



Conjoin to a short beak and large frontal shield, toes that are much widened by a festooned border, 

 which renders them excellent swimmers ; hence their lives are passed in pools and marshes. Their 

 smooth plumage is not less adapted than the rest of their conformation to this mode of life, and they 

 consequently exiiibit a marked transition from the Wading to the True Swimming Birds, [though only 

 in supevticial or adaptive cbaracters, which are principally externa]]. 



'Tliere is one in Europe {F. aira, aferrimay and dctkiops, Gm.)— [Slaty-black, darker on the neck, with a flesh- 

 coloured shield, which becomes white in the season of propagation. It is very easily tamed, and subsists on grain, 

 pond-weed, and even small fish, diving with facility.] 



