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| Rallus aquaticus |
Water Rail, in ornithology, the
Rallus aquaticus, generally distributed over America and Europe, and fairly common, though not often seen, from its shy, retired habits. The male is about 11 inches in length, female somewhat smaller; general plumage brown, streaked with black; lores and eye-brows, sides of face, and underparts slaty-gray. It frequents marshes and bogs and swims and dives well but is bad on the wing. It is a delicious bird for the table.
