BIRDS OF BERMUDA. 249 



Length, about 12| ; wing, G^; tail, 3. 



Hab. — Southern countries of North America; Louisiana, Florida ^ 

 Texas; South America. Accidental in Middle and Northern States. 

 (Baird.) 



Resident, tolerably abundant, breeding in the flags and sedges in fche 

 deepest and most inaccessible parts of the marshes. Also migratory, 

 visitors appearing in October. Like the " Sora," this is a sad pest to 

 the snipe shooter when working the thick places, unless his dog be as 

 steady as old Time. 



With regard to the specific distinction between this bird and G. chlo- 

 ropus of Europe, it would appear that there is so little difference that 

 <' doctors disagree" on the question. I never compared specimens my- 

 self, but Mr. Hurdis says, in his MS. notes: "On a careful comparison of 

 British specimens with those shot in the Bermudas the resemblance of 

 the two was so strongly marked that, in my humble opinion, they are 



identical." 



Genus Pokphyrula, ]Blyth. 



136. Porphyrula martinica, (Linn.) Blyth. Purple Gallinule. 



FuUca martinica, Linn. 



Gallinula 7nar(inica, Lath., Bp., Nutt., Aud. 



Crex viartinica, Licht. 



rorphtjrio martinica, Gosse, Cab. 



Fiilica mnr1i)iicensis, Jacq., Gm. 



lonornis martinicetms, Reich. 



Fulica flaviroHtris, Gm. 



Porphyrio tavona, Vieil. 



Porphyrio cj/anicoUis, Vieil. 



Gallinula porphyria, Wils. 



Porphyrio amcricanus, Sw. 



Martinica gallinule, Lath. 



Length, 12J ; wing, 7 ; tail, 3. 



Hah. — Southern States of North America, Louisiana, Florida. Acci- 

 dental in Middle and Northern United States. (Baird). 



Severalwere obtained in 1849 and 1850, in the month of April, and one 

 on the 30th May, 1851. Mr. Hurdis's notes contain the following: "On 

 the 22d October, 1851, I shot one of these Gallinules in the olive-green 

 plumage of the young, and as these birds never remain to breed in the 

 Bermudas, this specimen must have found its way over sea. I know of 

 no other instance of the young being met with. In April, 1852, this 

 Gallinule was again observed, and in June, 1853, I examined a speci- 

 men preserved by W. Clutterbuck, esq.. Fifty-sixth Kegiment ; date of 

 its occurrence unknown. Its appearance, with one exception, has been 

 vernal." 



