Allen’s naturalist’s library. 
2(6 
THE RAILS AND WATER-HENS. FAMILY 
rallidh:. 
The characters of this family are the same as those of the 
order, and the Rallidce are divisible into two sub-families, the 
Rallhice and the Coots or Fidicince. 
The latter birds are recognised by their lobed toes, which 
somewhat resemble those of Grebes, and it is for that reason, 
and for other characters also, that I place the RalUforines in 
close proximity to the Podicipedidiformes. 
THE RAILS. SUB-FAMILY RALLINHi, 
In arranging the Rails in the twenty-third vmlume of the 
“ Catalogue ol Birds,” I found it impossible to separate them 
into more than the two sub families above-mentioned, for the 
close connection between Rails, Crakes, and Water-hens does 
not allow of any line being drawn between them, and the latter 
approach the Coots in appearance and habits, but have not the 
lobed toes, which seem to constitute a character of importance. 
THE TRUE RAILS. GENUS RALLUS. 
Rallus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 261 (1766). 
d’ype, R. aquaticus, I.inn. 
In this genus the bill is very long and narrow, with a deep 
and well-marked nasal groove, the culmen generally exceeding 
the length of the middle toe and claw, or at least equal to it in 
fully grown birds. The tarsus is shorter than the middle toe 
and claw-. The nasal aperture is situated nearer to the feathers 
at the base of the bill than to the anterior end of the nasal 
groove. 
1. THE water-rail. RALLUS AQUATICUS. 
Rallus aquaticus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 262 (1766); Macgill. 
Brit. B. iv. p. 521 (1852); Dresser, B. Eur. vii. p. 257, 
pi. 495 (1878); B. O. U. List Brit. B. p. 146(1883); 
Saunders, ed. Yarrell’s Brit. B. iii. p. 159 (1883); 
Seebohm. Hist Brit. B. ii. p. 552 (1884); Saunders, 
