THE GALLINULE. 167 



the Greeks^ which generally allude to the distinctive char 

 racters, and are therefore superior to the terms hastilj 

 adopted in our languages, from superficial or inaccurate 

 views. The present is an instance ; as this bird seemed to 

 bear some resemblance to the gallinaceous tribe, it got th€ 

 name of Hen ; but as, at the same time, it differed widely, 

 and excelled by its beauty and port, it received the epithet 

 of Sultana. But the term Porphyrion, indicating the red 

 or purple tint of its bill and feet, was more just and cha- 

 racteristic; and should we not rebuild the fine ruins of 

 learned antiquity, and restore to nature those brilliant 

 images, and those faithful portraits from the delicate pen- 

 cil of the Grreeks, ever awake to her beauties and hei 

 animation? 



"Both the Greeks and Komans, notwithstanding their 

 voracious luxury, abstained from eating the Porphyrion. 

 They brought it from Lybia, from Comagene, and from the 

 Balearic Islands, to be fed and to be placed in their palaces 

 and temples, where it was left at liberty as a guest, whose 

 noble aspect, whose gentle disposition, and whose elegant 

 plumage, merited such honours, 



" Scarcely any bird has more beautiftd colours ; the blue 

 of its plumage is soft and glossy, embellished with brilliant 

 reflections ; its long feet, and the plate from the top of its 

 bead to the root of its bill, are of a fine red ; and a tuft of 

 «irhite feathers under the tail heightens the lustre of ita 

 tharminggarb. Except that it is rather smaller^ the femal* 



