250 GRUIFORMES CHAP. 
fleshy horn springs from the forehead, said to become very small 
in winter, and to be wanting in the female, which is varied below 
with white and buff It has a loud booming ery, and fights like 
a domestic Cock, but otherwise resembles the Gallinules in habits. 
Porphyrio comprises some dozen fine species with blue plumage, 
found in Africa and Madagascar, and from the Mediterranean to 
South China and Polynesia; several individuals, probably escaped 
from captivity, being recorded from Britain. P. cweruleus (veterum) 
is purplish-blue above with blacker remiges and rectrices, and 
purplish-black below with bright blue cheeks, throat, and chest, and 
white under tail-coverts ; the bill, shield, and feet are red. It is 
chiefly a Mediterranean bird, but reaches Mesopotamia. Others 
of its congeners are greener or blacker. The habits, nest, and 
eges are like those of the Coot, whereas the next genus—in 
the writer’s opinion inseparable—appears more akin in manners 
to the Moor-Hen. Porphyriola allenit occurs in Africa, with 
Madagascar and Rodriguez, and strays to the Canary Islands 
and South Europe; 2. martinica ranges from Florida, Texas, or 
even New England, to the West Indies and Brazil; P. parva, 
from the last-named to Amazonia and Guiana. Porphyriops 
crassirostris and P. melanops occupy South America. 
Notornis mantelli of New Zealand,! now probably extinct, was 
olive-green above with only a tinge of blue; the head, neck, and 
under surface being dark purplsh-blue, the bill, shield, and feet 
red. It was practically a gigantic Porphyrio with very stout legs, 
short wings, and soft tail, which was unable to fly, but ran with 
great swiftness, being solitary and retiring. Its native name 
“Moho” is that also given to other Rails in New Zealand, and 
Pennula ecaudata in Hawaii; it therefore may only mean “ Rail.” 
The white WV. alba of Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands certainly 
exists no longer. 
Fulica icludes twelve species, of which the majority are 
South American, though the genus extends over most of the globe; 
Polynesia. possesses only # alai of the Sandwich Islands, but 
three of the members reach Patagonia. F. atra, our grey-black 
Coot, with flesh-coloured bill, white shield and greenish legs relieved 
by an orange garter, ranges throvgh Europe and Asia, and to 
North Africa and the Philippines southwards ; its habits are well- 
! Dr. A. B. Meyer considers the remains found in the North Island (N. mante//?) 
to be distinct from the South Island species, which he names , hochstetteri. 
