Order ALECTORIDES 
CRANES, RAILS, ETC. 
The Alectorides are a tolerably well-defined group of birds, related somewhat 
closely to the IAmicolcc , but very distinct from the Herocliones, to which some 
of the forms (more especially the Gruidce ) bear a teleological resemblance. Typical 
Families of this Order are the Gruidce (Cranes), Aramidce (Courlans), and Ealliclce 
(Rails), all represented in North America. In addition to these Families, South 
America possesses several others which have been placed here, but whether 
rightly or not, we cannot say. These extralimital families are the Eurypygidce (Sun 
Bitterns), Hdiornithidm, Cariamidce (Cariamas), and Psophiidce (Trumpeters). 
The typical members of the group are praecocial and ptilopsedic. 
The Families of this Order which come within the scope of the present work 
are the following : — 
A. Size small or medium ; head normally feathered or with a frontal shield ; middle toe nearly 
as long as the tarsus ; hallux well developed (nearly as long as the first joint of the 
middle toe), nearly incumbent. ( Ralli .) 
Rallidae. Size medium to very small ; outer primary longer than the sixth, very broad ; 
second nearly or quite equal to the longest. Rectrices almost rudimentary, soft, nearly 
hidden by the coverts. Bill not curved to one side at tip (usually shorter than, the 
tarsus) . 
Aramidce. Size medium or rather large ; outer primary shorter than seventh, the inner 
web very narrow, except at end ; second quill much shorter than the longest (fifth). 
Rectrices well developed, firm, twelve in number. Bill curved to one side at tip, equal 
to or longer than the tarsus ; inner secondaries broad, reaching to end of primaries, their 
webs partially decomposed. 
B. Size large ; head partly naked (except in young), or with ornamental plumes ; middle toe 
less than half the tarsus ; hallux small, much elevated. ( Grues .) 
Gruidce. [Characters as above.] 
Family RALLIDAE. — The Rails, Gallinules, and Coots. 
Char. Small or medium sized wading or swimming birds, with compressed 
body, very long toes, which are sometimes (in the Coots) lobed along the edges, 
short, rounded, concave wings, and very muscular thighs. 
The brief diagnosis given above is sufficient to distinguish the Rails, of whatever 
sub-family, from the Courlans and Cranes, their only near allies. The typical Rails 
( Rallince ) are of very small to medium size, the typical genus, Rallus, being char- 
acterized particularly by a lengthened slender bill, while other genera, as Porzana 
