ral11dæ

pl. [Lat. rall(us); fem. pl. adj. suff. -idœ.] 1. Ornith.: Rails; a family of Gralle, with very wide distribution. Bill long, curved at tip, sides compre ed, nostrils in membranous grooves; wings moderate, tail rounded; tarsi and toes long and slender. The cla ification is in an unsettled state; but the family may be divided into five sections or sub-families: Parrine, Ralline, Gallinulinse, Fuli cine, and Heliornithine. The last is sometimes made a family. 3348 2. Palæont.: Remains of some species have been found in the Mascarene Islands, and historical evidence shows that they have been extinct for little more than a century. They belong to Fulica and to two extinct Aphanapteryx and Erythroma ramadan with_loose plumage, perhaps allied to Ocy dromus. Erythromachus was much smaller, of gray and white color, and is said to have lived chiefly on the eggs of the land-tortoises. ( Wal lace .) răl-lied, pa.par.ora. [RALLY (1), v.]