56 MEMOIRS OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB 



he had heard the call, but he never actually collected a specimen, and I 

 never have got a clue which leads me to suppose that the Black Rail 

 frequents Cuba at all. However, considering what is known of the bird's 

 habits elsewhere, this is not convincing. 



77. Gallinula chloropus cachinnans Bangs. 

 Florida Gallinule; Gallereta de Pico Colorado. 



The common Gallinule is still an abundant bird in many places. About 

 ponds and lakes, along rivers which run through open country, and even 

 in tiny pasture sinks with standing water, it may always be found. These 

 are canny birds and take refuge in the vegetation quickly, for they have 

 learned that nowadays many people own guns and favor Gallinules to eat. 

 They walk gracefully, picking up their feet like thoroughbreds, and swim 

 and dive well. Occasionally they visit cultivated fields and play havoc 

 with the maize. When they take to flight they run for some distance, 

 and even when well under way they touch the surface of the water with 

 their long toes after the manner of Coots. 



The nesting season is long, and young birds may be seen running about 

 over the floating vegetation with their parents at almost any time of year. 

 The nest, to which access is gained by a sort of bridge or runway, is well 

 known and has been often described. 



The flesh is tender and of fine flavor, and many find their way to the 

 markets of the larger cities. If the bird were not prolific, often raising 

 eight or nine young, it would certainly be rarer and far more restricted in 

 range than it is at present. 



78. lonornis martinicus (Linne). 

 Purple Gallinule; Gallereta Azul. 



Today the Purple Gallinule is much more uncommon than the other 

 species. It probably is much less common than in Gundlach's time. He 

 speaks of its abundance and the damage done to rice fields and of 

 its even eating ripe bananas. Today rice is not grown in Cuba, and the 

 bird is not sufficiently abundant to find its way often into the banana 



