RAILS 
wont, over the leaves of water lilies and other aquatic 
vegetation actually floating on the surface of the water. It 
must hs noted that although the rails have short and apparently 
not very eflicient wings Ihey are often migratory and fly great 
distances in their seasonal movements. 
Owing to the peculiar nature of the country frequented 
by rails and the ease with which they can effect their escape 
without resorting to the exertion of flight it is not unexpected 
to find that some species have lost the power of flight from long 
disuse of their wings and this is no doubt the reason why 
others have become extinct comparatively recently. 
Most rails swim well and the eggs which are spotted and 
usually from seven to eleven in number are placed in a rough 
nest of grass, rushes, etc., which is placed on the ground : 
the young are covered with black down and are able to run 
and swim within a few hours of being hatched. 
In range the rails are ahnost cosmopolitan. The plumage 
is usually dull and bright colours are exceptional. 
[67] 
