no 



200L0&Y. 



14. Rallus, Rail. 'Bill long, slender, slightly compressed 

 and incurvated ; nostrils small, pervious ; tongue rough 

 at the tip; body compressed; tail short; toes four^ 

 divided to their base ; feet formed for runniiag. 



These are all shy birds, and mostly frequents the sides of 

 small pools, they secret themselves amongst high grass or 

 herbage during the day ; and feed generally at dusk of 

 evening, or before sun-rise ; they feed on worms, insects, 

 seeds, and vegetables. The flesh of all the kinds is account- 

 ed excellent food. Only one species is found in Great Bri- 

 tain. British Ornithology^ vol. 1. 



15. Parra. Jacana. B//^ cylindrical, point obtuse ; moj- 

 trils oval, situated in the middle of the bill ; front of 

 the bill covered with lobate caruncles ; wings armed 

 with strong spurs or spines ; in several of the species 

 the hind claws are exceedingly long. 



The Jacanas inhabit the sides of rivers, lakes, and exten- 

 sive swamps, in Africa, South America, and the adjacent 

 islands, they feed on worms, insects, and small aquatic 

 animals ; they mostly breed on the ground ; and their flesh 

 is considered as fit for food ; one species is domesticated. 



16. Gallinula. Gallinule or Water-hen, jBz7/ compress- 

 ed, thick at the base, from whence a bare skin or caU 

 louSy extends up the forehead ; nostrils oblong ; wings 

 and tail short ; legs compressed sideways ; toes four,, 

 long, divided to their origin, and furnished with a. 

 narrow serrated edgeing. 



