EALLIDiE. 
263 
great length of their toes and claws enabled them to run 
with great facility. They were very shy, and did not fly 
well ; when flying their long legs are thrown out horizon- 
tally to their full length. He found that the bird fed on 
aquatic insects and vegetable matter. 
The last family of the Grallatorial birds contains our 
often-heard Corncrake, and that shy bird called the Water- 
hen [Gallinula cJdoropus) ; it derives however its name, Eal- 
LiD^, from a genus of birds with a longer beak than either 
of these, the genus Ballus, All the birds of the family are 
distinguished by the body being compressed and flattened 
on the sides, a shape derived from the narrowness of the 
sternum ; they are able, in consequence, to make their way 
with ease through the reeds and high grasses which they 
frequent ; and most of them can also dive and swim with great 
ease, although their toes are not webbed. The beak is 
generally short and compressed, and frequently extends up 
on the forehead in the form of a bony shield; the tail is 
short, and almost concealed by the tail-coverts. 
The most showy species of the family belong to the genus 
Porphpio, which derives its name from the brilliant plu- 
mage of the birds composing it ; their colours are generally 
fine shades of violet, blue, and azure ; the beak is high in 
