ee THE PURPLE GALLINULE. 
is no good reason why they should not here, especially on the borders 
of the reservoirs, and of those streams which empty into Lake Erie. 
Mr. Ray Densmore informs me that he has seen the Black Rail near 
Perry, in Lake County, and that a neighbor of his captured one alive in a 
potato patch. ‘This specimen was finally sent to the Experiment Station 
for identification. 
No. 202. 
PURPLE GALLINULE. 
oo O. U. No. 218. lonornis martinica (Linn.). 
Description.—Adult: Broad frontal shield dusky blue; head, neck, and 
lower parts dark purplish blue, blackening on belly and thighs, lighter and bluer 
on under wing-coverts; above bright olive-green centrally, shading cff through 
bluish green on wings and upper back into contiguous blue or purple: under tail- 
coverts pure white; bill bright red with pale green tip (the latter yellow in skins) ; 
feet yellow. Immature: Above heavily washed with light brown; beneath buffy 
or mottled white; bill dull yellowish. Downy young: Black, with short, white 
filaments interspersed through down of head; bill yellow at base, black-tipped. 
Length 13.25 (336.6) ; wing 7.15 (181.6) ; tail 2.75 (69.9) ; culmen, exclusive of 
frontal shield 1.20 (30.5) ; tarsus 2.35 (59.7); middle toe and claw 2.85 (72.4). 
Recognition Marks.-—Little Hawk size; brilliant coloring distinctive. 
Nesting.—Not certainly known to have bred in Ohio, but probably has done 
so. Nest, a platform of reeds and grasses elevated above surrounding muck or 
water of swamp. Eggs, 6-10, or sometimes more, pale cream-white or buffy, 
heavily speckled or, rarely, spotted, chiefly about larger end, with purplish gray 
and umber. Av. size, 1.58 x 1.14 (40.1 x 29.). 
General Range.—South Atlantic and Gulf States, casually northward to 
Maine, New York, Wisconsin, etc.; south throughout the West Indies, Mexico, 
Central America, and northern South America to Brazil. 
Range in Ohio.—Rare or casual in spring. One fall record by Dr. Carl 
Tuttle, Sept. 2, 1894, near Lake Erie. 
THERE are seven well authenticated records of the capture of this 
bird within our limits, and it has been taken once in Ontario. Since two 
of these records come within the last decade, it is altogether possible that 
this handsome swamp prowler may be found breeding in some of our larger 
marshes. 
“Tt has little of the aspect of a Gallinule, but stands higher, and has its 
legs more forward. As it walks, the neck is alternately bridled up or thrown 
forward, and its short black-and-white tail is changed from a semi-erect to a 
perpendicular position, with a flirting motion. As this bird walks over the 
tangled leaves and stems of aquatic plants resting on the surface of the water, 
it moves with great deliberation, frequently standing still and looking leis- 
urely on either side. 
