THE PURPLE GALLINULE 241 



some ten and one-half inches ; extent about thir- 

 teen inches. 



There are perhaps half a dozen records of 

 the capture of this species on the North Amer- 

 ican continent. 



THE PURPLE GALLINULE. 



(lonornis martinica.) 



Another distinguished southerner of rare oc- 

 currence here. His habits, shape and general 

 appearance are much the same as those of the 

 more common Florida Gallinule, but his mark- 

 ings are more brilliant. His head, neck and un- 

 der parts are a deep, purplish blue, shading on 

 the belly into black; sides and linings of the 

 wings bluish green. Crissum white. Above, 

 an olive green with a bluish cast on wing coverts 

 and neck. Frontal shield blue; bill bright red 

 with yellow tip. Legs yellow. Length from ten 

 to twelve, extent about twenty-two inches. A 

 most beautiful bird and sure to command atten- 

 tion when captured. 



Nesting habits as in the more common spe- 

 cies, the Florida gallinule. From ten to a 

 dozen eggs form the complement for a nest. 



