INTRODUCTION. 
cxix 
last named, but generally singly or in pairs. It has been found breeding in Orkney, the Hebrides, 
Perthshire, Inverness, and Sutherland ; but in Ireland it appears to be unknowji. 
Genus Fulic.a. 
Coots are so generally dispersed over the globe as to render it difficult to say where one or other of the 
fifteen species are not to be met with. 
306. Fulica atra Vol. IV. PI. LXXXIV. 
Coot. 
This well-known species, although generally regarded as a resident, is nevertheless migratory to a certain 
extent in autumn, and assembles often in large flocks in the winter, in our estuaries and tidal harbours. 
Genus Gallinula, 
Like the Coot, the members of the genus Gallinula are very generally dispersed over both the Old and 
the New World. 
307. Gallinula chloropus Vol. IV. PI. LXXXV. 
Moorhen. 
Of this familiar bird it will suffice to say that it is resident and generally distributed. 
Genus Rallus. 
Rails are, like the Coots and the Moorhens, inhabitants of marshes of the entire globe. 
308. Rallus aquaticus Vol. IV. PI. LXXXVI. 
Water-Rail. 
There can be no doubt that, although many birds of this species remain with us throughout the year, 
considerable additions to their numbers are made in the spring. 
Genus Crex. 
Allied in form and very similar in distribution to the three foregoing and the next following genera. 
309. Crex pratensis Vol. IV. PI. LXXXVII. 
Land-Rail or Corn-Crake. 
A regular summer migrant ; but occasionally individuals have been found loitering behind and spending 
the winter with us in sheltered situations. 
