158 THB GALLIKULitf. 



differs not from tlie male, wMcli exceeds the partridge, bnt 

 is inferior to a domestic hen. The Marquis de Nesle 

 brought a pair from Sicily, wheire they are known under 

 the name of Gallofkgiani ; they are found on the lake Len- 

 tini, above Catana, and are sold for a moderate price in that 

 city, as well as in Syracuse and the adjacent towns. They 

 appear alive in the public places, and plant themselves 

 beside the sellers of vegetables and fruits to pick up the 

 refuse j and this beautiful bird, which the Eomans lodged 

 in their temples, now experiences the decline of Italy." 



The length of the Purple Gallinule is fourteen inches; 

 its bill is an inch and a quarter long, red, yellow at the 

 tips; nostril, small, oblong, and near the centre of the bill; 

 irides, tawny; the naked front and crown are red; the 

 head, part of the neck, throat, and breast are of a rich 

 violet purple; the back and scapulars, brownish-green; 

 rump, tail, and its coverts, of a duller brownish-green ; the 

 sides of the neck, ultramarine ; wings, the same, tinged with 

 green ; the inner webs of the quill-feathers and tail, dusky 

 brown ; upper lining and side lining of the wings, under 

 fche spurious wing, rich light blue ; the belly, thighs, and 

 for an inch behind, dull purplish black; the vent pure 

 white ; tail, rounded ; thighs, legs, and feet, red ; span of 

 khe foot^ five inches; hind toe and claws, long. 



