336 Synopsis of ike Birds 



Female scarcely differing from the male. Young very dif- 

 ferent from the adult. Moult annually. 



Live near fresh water, preferring rivers and springs, in 

 which they swim easily, striking the water continually with 

 their tail ; diving when frightened, hut not after food. Feed 

 on small fishes, mollusca, insects, vegetables. Build in marshes, 

 always in the same spot, attaching their nests to aquatic 

 plants ; nest formed of coarse materials in great abundance ; 

 careful parents. Run rapidly: fly badly. Do not under- 

 take other journeys than from mountainous districts to the 

 plain, thus obtaining a change of season. Hide mostly during 

 day time among grass and roots j seen sporting on the water 

 towards evening. 



Spread all over the temperate and hot climates of the world, 

 even the same species in both continents, though in restricted 

 and northern latitudes ! Formed of but three well ascertained 

 species, two of which North American. 



274. Gallisula martinica, Gmel. Lower wing-coverts blue ; 

 all the under tail-coverts pure white : no colored circle around 

 the tibia. 



Adult, purple, back and tail green, sides of the neck and 

 wings blue. 



Young varied with dull purplish and dusky, beneath with 

 black and white. 



Purple Gallinulc, Gallinula porphyrio, Wils. Am. Orn. 

 ix. p. 67. pi. 73. Jig. 2- 



Inhabits during summer only the most southern states where 

 it breeds ; wintering in tropical America. Resembling much 

 by its brilliant colors, the species of the connecting genus 

 Porphyrio ; hence placed in it by Vieillot. 



275. Gallinula chloropus, Lath. Lower wing-coverts slate 

 color j lateral under tail-coverts only white ; a red circle 

 around the tibia. 



Adult, dark slate, tinged with olivaceous on the back. 



