780 
EALLUS INDICES. 
is difficult to flush, except when driven by hard frost into open places near unfrozen springs, &c., when it will 
lie close and get up under one’s feet, flying with a moderately quick, but rather laboured flight. I have no 
doubt the present race is exactly similar in all its actions. The stomach of the Water-Rail is very muscular, 
and in it large pieces of gravel are sometimes found, swallowed, perhaps, to aid its digestion. 
Nothing has been recorded of the nesting of this species. 
Genus GALLINULA. 
Bill shorter than in Balhis, deep at the base, much compressed ; the culmen prolonged back 
upon the forehead into a small shield. Nostrils advanced. Wings rounded ; the 2nd and 3rd 
quills the longest, and the 1st shorter than the 6th. Tail moderately short and rounded. Legs 
and feet stout. The tarsus compressed and shorter than the middle toe ; tibia bare just above the 
knee. Tarsus shielded with transverse scutes in front, reticulate behind ; anterior toes edged 
with a narrow membrane ; hind toe much compressed. 
