_Aramides_ includes eight species found in Central and South America, of which _A. ypecaha_ may be taken as a representative. It is olive-green above, with chestnut nape, black rump and tail, and greyish below with white throat and vinous belly; the bill is yellow, the feet are scarlet. Cautious when danger threatens, it is sufficiently audacious to attack poultry; among its native swamps it usually walks in stately style or struts on the branches of trees, though it can run quickly; while it lies closely when surprised on open ground, dashing up with the whirring flight of a Partridge. The alarm-note is powerful, unearthly shrieks being uttered {248}during both day and night. Companies are described by Mr. Hudson as meeting to dance about with expanded wings and open beaks.[172] Somewhat similar in colour to certain members of the last genus is _Megacrex inepta_ of South New Guinea, one of the largest Rails known, which is usually seen running swiftly along water-courses; while the black _Habroptila wallacii_ of Halmahera loves forests. The curious _Himantornis haematopus_ of West Africa is brown, with black and rufous mottlings above, whitish throat, stout green and black bill, and red feet. _Dryolimnas cuvieri_ of Madagascar, Mauritius, and Aldabra Island, and _Canirallus kioloïdes_ of the first-named and West Africa must be briefly mentioned, as must _Rallina_ reaching from India to North-East Australia, which has half a dozen small brown species, with chestnut on the head and chest, and black and white barring below. [Illustration: FIG. 50.–Land-Rail. _Crex pratensis._ × ¼.]