116 
GALLINTJLINiE. GALLXNULA. 
the neck of moderate length ; the head small, oblong, com- 
pressed. Bill not exceeding the head in length, rather 
stout, tapering, much compressed ; upper mandible with the 
dorsal line slightly declinate, towards the end convex, the 
ridge narrow, but at the base considerably enlarged, and 
forming a soft, tumid, oblong plate, which varies in extent, 
sometimes extending to the crown of the head, the sides 
sloping, toward the end erect and convex, the edges direct, 
the tip somewhat deflected, with very slight notches ; the 
nasal groove large ; lower mandible with the angle long and 
very narrow, the dorsal line very short and ascending, the 1 
sides nearly erect, the edges sharp, and a little inflected to- 
ward the end, the tip narrow, and rather sharp. Tongue j 
fleshy, oblong, nearly flat above, with the tip thin, rounded, j 
and slightly lacerate ; oesophagus uniform ; proventriculus 
oblong ; stomach a large, very muscular gizzard, with rugous j 
epithelium ; intestine very long ; coeca large, cylindrical. 
Nostrils linear- oblong, submedial. Eyes rather small, eye- 
lids feathered. Aperture of ear rather small, roundish. 
Feet large ; tibia bare to a small extent ; tarsus of moderate 
length, large, compressed, anteriorly with broad curved scu- 
tella ; toes very long, slender, compressed, above with nume- 
rous scutella, beneath flattened and distinctly marginate ; 
the first very small, the third longest, the fourth a little 
longer than the second ; claws long, slender, slightly arched, j 
compressed, acute. Plumage blended, soft, glossy above ; 
wings short, concave, rounded, of twenty-two quills ; the 
first primary considerably shorter than the second, which is ! 
longest ; tail very short, arched, much rounded, of twelve 
weak, narrow feathers. 
The species of this genus inhabit meadows, marshes, and 
swampy places on edges of rivers, lakes, or inlets of the sea, 
covered with reeds, sedges, and other strong herbage. They 
run with great speed, but fly heavily ; feed on worms, mol- 
lusca, insects, and seeds ; swim and dive with ease ; form a 
large nest, generally on the ground, among reeds, and lay 
from five to eight or ten light-coloured eggs, spotted with 
dusky. 
