Order  VII.  GRALL/E. 
t 
The  fifth  Family, 
RALLIDiE,  or  Rails, 
have  the  Bill  more  or  less  long,  with  the  culmen  sometimes  advancing  on  the  forehead,  but  always 
curved  at  the  apex,  and  the  sides  compressed,  the  gonys  usually  ascending ;  the  Nostrils  lateral  and 
placed  in  a  membranous  groove  ;  the  Wings  moderate  and  generally  rounded  ;  the  Tail  more  or  less 
long  and  rounded ;  the  Tarsi  long  and  rather  slender ;  the  Toes  mostly  lengthened  and  slender ;  the 
Claws  short,  compressed,  and  acute. 
The  first  Subfamily, 
RALLINiE,  or  Rails, 
have  the  Bill  more  or  less  long  and  slender,  with  the  culmen  keeled  and  curved  at  the  apex,  and  the 
sides  compressed ;  the  Nostrils  ^lateral  with  the  opening  placed  in  a  membranous  groove  ;  the  Wings 
moderate,  with  the  first  quills  usually  graduated  ;  the  Tail  mostly  short  and  rounded  ;  the  Tarsi  long 
and  slender ;  the  Toes  more  or  less  long  and  slender,  and  free  at  their  base. 
R  all  us  Linn.*  .  « 
Bill  longer  than  the  head,  slender  and  straight,  with  the  culmen  slightly  curved  from  the  front  of  the 
nostrils,  and  the  sides  compressed  to  the  tip,  which  is  obtuse  and  slightly  emarginated  ;  the  gonys 
long  and  slightly  curved  upwards ;  the  nostrils  placed  in  a  membranous  groove,  which  extends 
for  two-thirds  the  length  of  the  bill,  with  the  opening  exposed  and  linear.  Wings  short,  with  the 
second  and  third  quills  equal  and  longest.  Tail  short  and  rounded.  Tarsi  moderate,  shorter  than  the 
middle  toe,  and  covered  with  transverse  scales.  Toes  long  and  rather  slender,  the  inner  toe  shorter 
than  the  outer,  both  free  at  their  bases  ;  the  hind  toe  short  and  slender  ;  the  claws  short,  compressed, 
and  very  acute. 
The  species  are  found  in  the  temperate  parts  of  the  world,  and  inhabit  the  marshes  and  borders  of  rivers,  more 
especially  those  that  are  margined  with  reeds  and  aquatic  plants ;  these  afford  them  shelter  and  refuge  when  alarmed, 
and  the  compressed  form  of  their  bodies  enables  them  to  pass  through  with  rapidity.  Their  flight  is  awkward  and 
slow  :  but  they  are  capable  of  swimming  and  diving,  and  from  the  length  of  their  toes  can  with  facility  run  over  the 
*  Established  by  Linnjeus  in  1756.    Biensis  (1845)  of  M.  Pucheran  is  synonymous. 
