'Rallus aquaticus' definitions:

Definition of 'Rallus aquaticus'

From: GCIDE
  • Rail \Rail\, n. [F. r[^a]le, fr. r[^a]ler to have a rattling in the throat; of German origin, and akin to E. rattle. See Rattle, v.] (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of limicoline birds of the family Rallidae, especially those of the genus Rallus, and of closely allied genera. They are prized as game birds. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: The common European water rail (Rallus aquaticus) is called also bilcock, skitty coot, and {brook runner}. The best known American species are the clapper rail, or salt-marsh hen (Rallus longirostris, var. crepitans); the king, or red-breasted, rail (Rallus elegans) (called also {fresh-water marshhen}); the lesser clapper, or Virginia, rail (Rallus Virginianus); and the Carolina, or sora, rail (Porzana Carolina). See Sora. [1913 Webster]
  • Land rail (Zool.), the corncrake. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Rallus aquaticus'

From: GCIDE
  • Water rail \Wa"ter rail`\ (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of rails of the genus Rallus, as the common European species (Rallus aquaticus). See Illust. of Rail. [1913 Webster]