GALLINULINiE. 713 



Sub-fam. GALLINULINiE. 



These birds are generally of larger size and stouter make than 

 the Rails, and the base of the bill, (in many), is expanded into a 

 plate occupying more or less of the forehead ; the toes are bor- 

 dered by a narrow Aveb, which in one genus expands into large 

 scolloped lobes; they are more aquatic than the Rails, mostly 

 living in the immediate vicinity of water, and many swimming 

 and diving with ease. They feed chiefly on vegetable matter, 

 seeds, &c. 



The first genus is peculiar to the warmer regions of the world. 



Gen. PoKPHYRio, Brisson. 



Char. — Bill very strong, thick, conic, compressed, base prolong- 

 ed into a thick horny casque covering the forehead and the top of 

 the head ; upper mandible very thick, curving from the base, 

 pointed ; lower mandible less thick ; gonys ascending ; gape gently 

 curving ; nares apert, oval, in the middle of the bill ; wings 

 moderate, ample, the 3rd and 4th quills the longest; tail short, 

 tarsus lengthened, strong ; toes very long, free, bordered by a 

 narrow web ; claws long, very slightly curved. 



The stomach is a strong, tendinous gizzard ; the intestines and 

 caeca are long. The tongue is thick and somwhat fleshy, horny at 

 the tip and brushed. 



This genus has of late been sub-divided ; the Indian species is 

 the type of Coesariornis of Reichenbach. 



902. Porphyrio poliocephalus, Latham. 



Jerdon, Cat. 328— Blyth, Cat. 1657— Stkes, Cat. 204— 

 Keim, Kaima, Kalim, and Kharim, H. — Ketn, Beng. — A7/a bola- 

 kodi, Tel. 



The Purple Coot. 



Descr. — Lores, round the eyes, cheeks, hind liead and nape, 

 purple tinged with grey on the sides, and gradually passing 

 into the purer purple of the hind neck, back, and upper tail- 

 coverts; wing-coverts pale blue; the quills dull antwerp-blue, dusky 

 on their itmer webs ; tail black, the feathers slightly edged dull 



PART II. 4 X 



