Oedee V.— EALLIFOEMES. 
Family — BALL I 
Genus — RALLUS . 
Eallus Linne, Syst. Nat., Xth Ed., p. 153 (1758).. . R. aquaticus. 
Biensis Pucheran, Rev. Zool., p. 278 (1845) . . . . . . R. madagascariensis. 
Lewinia “ Reich ” Bonap., Ann. Sci. Nat., 4th Ser., Zool. I., 
p. 150 (n.n.) (1854). 
Lewinia “ Ep.” Gray, Cat. Gen. 8ubgen. Birds, p. 120 (1855) R. pectoralis. 
Donacias Heine und Reichenow, Nomencl. Mus. Hein., 
p. 321 (1888). 
Small wading or swimming birds, with compressed body, long slender bills, 
short tarsi, long toes, short rounded wings and short tail. The bill is longer than 
the head, compressed at the base, and not developing into a homy extension 
covering the forehead ; usually longer than the tarsus, which is shorter than 
the middle toe and claw. A very deep, long groove occupies more than half the 
length of the upper mandible, which is slightly curved ; nostrils a narrow slit 
situated in this groove, parallel to the lower edge of the mandible. In the wing 
the first primary is shorter than the second, third and fourth, the second usually 
the longest. Tail of twelve rectrices is very short. Over twenty-eight species 
and subspecies have been separated. 
Distribution. Cosmopolitan. 
183* 
* Page 183 issued in Part III. is cancelled. 
