333 
of the United States . 
pressed, entire, acute, fibrous at tip. Forehead feathered. 
Body very compressed. Naked space on the tibia small ; 
tarsus subequal to the middle toe, somewhat compressed ; 
toes entirely divided ; decurrent membrane very narrow ; hind 
toe equal to a phalanx of the middle one, inserted a little 
higher than the others : nails short, compressed, curved, 
acute. First primary shorter than the fifth; second, third and 
fourth longest. Tail very short, feathers flaccid, not appear- 
ing beyond the coverts. 
Female generally similar to the male. Young differing 
much from the adult. Moult twice in the year. 
Timid : shy: solitary. Most of the species live and breed in 
marshes, among weeds, thickets, preferring the neighbourhood 
of stagnant w ; aters, where the grass is very high ; not entering 
much in the water: swim but rarely, and never from choice. 
Avoid above all, sands and exposed shores. Notwithstand- 
ing their apparently limited flight, undertake great periodical 
journeys. Walk with agility and grace, raising their head, 
elevating their feet, and jerking their tail. Alight sometimes 
on low branches, never on trees, unless to escape a close 
chase. Lives nocturnal : hide closely during day time in the 
thickest grasses, and seek their food in the morning and even- 
ing, or by moonlight. 
Inhabit throughout the world. Closely related to Fulica, 
Gallinula, but especially Porphyrio ; distinguished from all 
by their feathered front. 
SUBGENUS I. RALLUS. 
Rallus , Briss. Lath . 111. Temm. Ranz. 
Bill longer than the head, slender, straight, subequal 
throughout, compressed at base, cylindrical and obtuse at 
the point; upper mandible furrowed beyond the middle; 
nostrils more basal, linear. 
270. Rallus crepitans, Gm. Black, skirted with browm, be- 
neath rufous ; throat white : wing coverts chesnut : first 
Vol. II. 42 
