GALLINULTNiE. 715 



There are several other species of this genus from all parts of 

 the world. Perhaps, near Porphijrio, should be placed the 

 remarkable Notornis Mantelli, Owen, of New Zealand, long 

 supposed to be extinct. 



The next genus has the feet with a free web in lobes along 

 the anterior toes and, from this structure, it was erroneously classed 

 by Temminck and others with the Grebes, under the title of 

 PiiiHcUipedes. 



Gen. FuLiCA, Linn. 



Bill moderate or short, thick ; the upper mandible gradually 

 deflected, compressed, extending backwards into a horny shield 

 on the forehead ; nostrils small, placed in the middle of the bill ; 

 wings short, concave, with a tubercle at the flexure ; the 2nd and 

 3rd quills longest ; tail very short ; tarsus moderate, compressed ; 

 toes very long, bordered by a wide lobed membrane, claws short, 

 curved, and sharp. 



The Coots constitute a well known group of birds, the most aquatic 

 of this tribe, swimming freely and diving with ease. The common 

 Coot has very long intestines and one long and narrow caicum. 

 The plumage is dense and soft, but open in texture. 



903. Fulica atra, Linn^us. 



Blyth, Cat. 1677— Sykes, Cat. 205— Jerdon, Cat. 329— 

 Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 338 — Dasari, Dasarni, H. — Barra 

 Godan or Godhan, H. at Purneah — Boli-kodi, Tel. 



The Bald Coot. 



Descr. — Head and neck deep black ; upper plumage greyish 

 black ; below, the same, with an ashy tinge ; bill dead white in 

 the cold season, slightly tinged with rosy at the breeding season ; 

 frontal disk white ; irides blood red; feet didl green, with a garter 

 of yellow, green, and red above the joint, in summer. 



In the young bird the frontal disk is small, and the under parts 

 pale greyish. 



Length 15 to 16 inches ; wing 7| ; tail 2 ; bill to base of disk 

 If, at gapo I^V. 



