396 
THE LIVING WORLD. 
The Shade Bird (Scopus umbretto ) is a native of West Africa. It is 
usually found alone, except at the nest, in wooded districts, with its head well 
drawn back watching for fishes or walking with measured stride in search of 
frogs, worms and snails. It roosts in trees or on its nest, which is a peculiar 
structure completely vaulted over and shaped like an oven, with entrance from 
the side. The diameter of this nest is about six feet, 
which may be accounted for by the fact that it is 
divided into two or more compartments to provide a 
resting-place for the parents as well as for the young; 
as the bird never migrates a single nest serves it for 
many seasons. The natives regard this bird with 
great awe, believing it has the power of a witch. The 
size of the bird is equal to that of a night heron, and 
its plumage is very sombre. There is a crest of 
feathers on the head which may be raised or depressed 
at will. 
The Rail (Crex carolinas ) belongs to a class of 
which there are thirty-two well-known species dis¬ 
tributed over all portions of the globe, a dozen of 
which are residents of the United States. But the 
general character of these is everywhere the same. 
They run swiftly, but their flight is slow, and with 
shade bird. the legs hanging down; they become extremely fat, 
are fond of concealment, and usually prefer running 
to flying. . Most of them are migratory and abound during the summer in tem¬ 
perate regions. The rail generally builds its nest in a tussock of grass, and 
forms it of well-interlaced dry vegetable fibres. 
The female lays from four to six eggs of a 
dirty-white, specked with brown or black. The 
young are covered with a soft velvety black 
down, and leave the nest almost as soon as 
they are hatched, taking to the grass where 
they run about and look like mice. 
Rails are seldom met with far from a 
marshy region. They make their home among 
the reeds and subsist off snails, bugs and 
other insects, and also off certain seeds of 
marsh grasses. Though not specially fitted 
for the water they can swim well and 
are excellent divers. If wounded they 
drop into the water and diving seize hold of 
the bottom of a reed where they cannot 
easily be dislodged, and will drown them¬ 
selves rather than come to the surface if they think it is unsafe to do so. 
SWIMMING BIRDS. 
Prom the description of the wading birds, all the most interesting species 
of which, having been given, we shall proceed to a consideration of the next 
order, which, in the natural sequence of progression, must include the numerous 
