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.
   
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   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}.
         
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   {Land rail} (Zool.), the corncrake.
      
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