PORPHYRIO C-EEULEUS 265 



According to Doderlein (Avif. Mod. et Sic. p. 202), the present 

 species is both resident and migratory in Sicily, its numbers during 

 the spring and summer months being greater than in winter, and 

 examples of the bird being met with during the periods of passage in 

 districts where the species is not usually found at other seasons. Its 

 Italian name is Polio sultano and its Sicilian name Gaddo fagiano or 

 Gaddii fascianu. 



In its habits the Purple Gallinule is extremely secretive and 

 retiring. It frequents the borders of lakes fringed with dense aquatic 

 vegetation, and swampy marshes abounding in high reed-beds, which 

 are all but impenetrable, and where it is almost impossible to catch 

 even a glimpse of one of the birds. In certain marshes, however, like 

 those near Catania, where openings are cut through the reeds, for 

 the purpose of allowing the passage of a boat, one may, by waiting 

 patiently near some piece of open water, be fortunate enough to obtain 

 a view of P. cceruhus, and by keeping very still, to observe some of 

 its habits. The bird does not, however, often venture into the open, 

 and as a rule, prefers to keep to the thick cover, where apparently 

 it moves about without difficulty, notwithstanding its seemingly dis- 

 proportionate and clumsy feet. Though usually found on land and 

 not in the water, the species can, and does swim with the greatest 

 ease and facility, and I have seen even chicks only a few days old 

 swimming. The species, however, is rarely to be seen on the wing, 

 and is one of the most difficult birds to flush. When compelled to 

 use its wings, it apparently does so with effort, and its flight is 

 labom-ed and heavy. So averse is it from taking to flight that, if 

 suddenly surprised, the bird will dive under water and remain there 

 for a considerable length of time, until it thinks all danger has passed. 

 The boatmen and others who are acquainted with this habit of the 

 bird, frequently capture examples alive by carefully watching the spot 

 where it dived, and then catching it with their hands. Should the 

 water be very shallow, the bird will often merely submerge its head, 

 leaving the remainder of its body exposed. In Sicily a good many of 

 the species are captured alive by other means, such as by netting and 

 snaring. 



In its wild state the Purple Gallinule appears to feed exclusively 

 on vegetable matter, such as the tender leaves and roots of various 

 water-plants, as well as seeds and grain, mixed with a certain amount 

 of gravel, but it is also said to eat the eggs of other species and to 



