Definition of "water-rail" [water-rail]

• The common rail of Europe, Rallus aquaticus, as distinguished from land-rail, Crex pratensis; any species of Rallus. (noun)
• The European gallinule, Gallinula chloropus, the water-hen or moor-hen. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "So damp was the ground, that there were large beds of a coarse cyperus, in which great numbers of a very small water-rail lived and bred."
• "Had the door opened at the knocking of the water-rail!"
• "I called on the assistant Resident, in whose office a beautiful blue water-rail, with a red head, walked unconcernedly about."