PURPLE GALLINULE 
218. lonornis martinicus. 13 in. 
Bill shorter and stouter than that of the rails, and 
with a hard shield at the base, that extends on the fore- 
head to the top of the head. This species is beautifully 
‘colored with purplish-red and blue on the underparts, 
and greenish on the back and wings; legs yellow; bill 
carmine, tipped with yellow. The habits of the galli- 
‘nules are practically the same as those of the rails. 
They inhabit marshes, where they creep cautiously but 
rapidly through the upright stalks, or run over the 
slimy surface, where none but birds with extremely long 
» toes could get a foothold. Their powers of flight are 
weak, and they do not take wing unless they are cor- 
nered or wish to cross some stream. 
Nest.—Woven of grasses and rushes, and placed either 
on the ground or attached to living rushes, usually over 
the water; their 5 to 10 eggs are rich cream color, 
spotted with reddish brown (1.60 x 1.15). 
Range.—Breeds in eastern United States, north to 
North Carolina and southern Illinois; winters south of 
the U. S. 
