Dr. P. L. Sclater on a new Gallinula. 499 



The name " Island-hen " given to this bird by the inhabitants of 

 Tristan d'Acunha has suggested to me the specific term nesiotis 

 (vriaiuiTis, insulci7-is), under which I propose to characterize this spe- 

 cies as 



Gallinula nesiotis. 



Capite et collo undique cumcorpore subtus saturate nigris : dorso 

 toto, alis extus, tectricibus caudce superioribus et hypochondriis 

 brunnescenti-olivaceis : crisso nigro, tectricibus subcaudalibus 

 pure albis circumdato : striis lateralibus, sicut in G. chloropode, 

 albis ; campterio alari et remigis primi margine externa albidis : 

 rostro et clypeo frontali coccineis, illius apice flavo : pedibus 

 flavicantibxis . 



Long. tota9'0, alte 5'5, caudse 3'3 ; rostri a rictu 1*25, tarsi 1*9, 

 digiti med. cum ungue 2*7. 



Hab. In Ins. Tristan d'Acunha. 



Obs. Sp., quoad colores, G. chloropodi haud dissimilis, sed capite 

 et ventre valde obscurioribus, et forma crassiore, alis minoribus et 

 pedibus robustioribus facile nota. 



The coloration of this bird is much the same as that of the Com- 

 mon Moor-hen, but generally darker, and the head and body beneath 

 are of a dull black, not ash-coloured. The form of the present 

 species is, however, much shorter and thicker, and the legs generally 

 more stout, though the toes are not longer than in G. chloropus. The 

 characteristic red garter, which surrounds the base of the thigh in 

 the Moor-hen, is also partially seen in the new species. On com- 

 paring the wings together, we find that of G. nesiotis nearly an inch 

 shorter, and the feathers remarkably soft and inferior in size to those 

 of G. chloropus. The primaries appear to be all present, but their 

 barbs much less developed, and the stems are likewise much less 

 in size. As far as can be judged from the specimen in our Gardens, 

 the bird can flutter a little, but obviously uses its legs and not its 

 wings as a mode of escape from its enemies. 



On dissection of one of the examples in spirits, the general ap- 

 pearances of the soft parts coincided with those of the G. chloropus. 

 The length of the whole intestine was about 29 inches : two large 

 cseca, of about 3 inches in length, were situated 2£ inches from the 

 anus ; the intestine was of nearly uniform size throughout ; the 

 gizzard was large and muscular ; the thighs were remarkably large 

 and fleshy. 



On comparing the skeleton of G. nesiotis with that of G. chlo- 

 ropus we find a development of the femora and pelvis corresponding 

 with the outward appearances and change of habits. The total 

 length of the femur in G. nesiotis is nearly four lines greater, and 

 its whole size is larger than that of G. chloropus. The diiference in 

 the size of the pelvis is shown by the accompanying outlines (see 

 next page), fig. a representing the pelvis of G. nesiotis, and fig. b that 

 of G. chloropus. There are also conspicuous differences noticeable 

 on comparing the sterna of the two species, as will be visible on 



32* 



