118 



GALLINULES. 



low ; feet, black. Temperate and tropical America from Bra- 

 zil and Chili north to Canada. Common, but rare in Middle 

 States and N. E. Kesident in Florida, migratory further north. 

 Not shy, frequently appearing on the borders of streams and 

 other bodies of fresh water; swims well and dives with ease;; 

 clings to aquatic vegetation ; in swimming the feet are moved' 

 as in walking and the head is moved backward and forward! 

 with them. Notes, a harsh, rail-like " Km " repeated sever- 

 al times and given more often at night-fall and and a metal- 

 lic " Chuck " when annoyed. Flight, direct w^ith rapid wing- 

 beats and dangling legs. Breeds in May; downy young fol- 

 low the parents as soon as hatched. Eggs, similar to B. 

 b. Sultana Gallinules. lonornis. 



Bill, thick; colors, bright, purple and blue predominat- 

 ing: frontal shield large. 



1. PURPLE GALLINULE, I. martinica. 12.50; bill, 

 1.15; bright brownish-green above; head and under parts,, 



Fig. 134. 



bluish-purple ; sides 

 greenish; bill, red 

 tipped with yellow ; 

 frontal plate, blue; 

 under tail coverts, 

 white; feet, greenish, 

 fig. 134. Young, dul- 

 ler above and reddish 

 mixed with whitish 

 below. South Atlan- 

 tic and Gulf States 

 southward t h rough -^^^^^^p 

 the West Indies, Mex- 

 ico, Central America M, B, b 1. 1-4. 

 and northern S. A. Common; rare or casual north to Me.,, 

 N. Y., and Wis. Migratory in the U. S., going south in Sep. 

 and coming north in May. Preeds in Fla. in late May or early 

 June. Habits, similar to a, !• 



