470 Mr. J. H. Guiuey on additiuiial Species 



but Temminck's name of P. smaragdonutus, having been as- 

 signed to it in 1820, has priority. I have to thank Mr. G. K,. 

 Gray for supplying me with the respective dates of tliese two 

 designations. 



Some naturalists have supposed this species to be identical 

 with P. madagascariensis (Lath.) ; but having compared four spe- 

 cimens of the Madagascar form, obtained by Mr. E. Newton, 

 with examples of the South-African from Natal, 1 have no hesi- 

 tation in considering them specifically distinct, the first having a 

 longer and more powerful bill than the last, and also a longer 

 tarsus and larger foot, as will appear from the following measure- 

 ments taken from adult males of each species : — 



Length of Heiglit of Length Length of 

 maxilla maxilla of middle toe 



along tomia. at nostril. tarsus. with claw. 

 P. madagascariensis .. l-(j25 in. •625 in. 3-625 in. 4'75 in. 

 P. smaragdonotus .... 1'375 „ '5 „ 3'125 „ 4'25 „ 

 1 should, however, add that the length of the wing from the 

 carpal joint to the tip of the primaries, and also the colour of 

 the plumage, appear to be the same in both species. — J. H. G.] 



LiMNOCORAX NIGER (Lath.) ; GalUnula flavirostris, Swains. 

 Black Gallinule. (No. 176, Ibis, 1862, p. 35.) 



These Gallinules are common along the Movi River, and are 

 exceedingly fond, on sunny days, of issuing from the reeds and 

 hunting for insects on dead reeds fallen across the stream ; they 

 then look exceedingly pretty with their bright red legs, green 

 bill, and chaste plumage. 



[An immature specimen, obtained by Mr. Ayres, closely re- 

 sembles, in the colour of its plumage, the young of G. chloropus. 

 —J. H. G.] 



FuLiCA CRisTATA, Gmcl. Crcstcd Coot. (No. 184, Ibis, 1862, 

 p. 153.) 



These birds are much more abundant in the Transvaal than 

 in Natal, and also not nearly so shy. In Natal they are very 

 shy, and maintain a flight for a length of time, examining their 

 ground well before realighting ; but in the Transvaal they 

 seem to trust more to hiding and diving for their safety, and, 

 when flushed, fly but a short distance. Frequently have I stood 

 up to my middle in water listening to some cunning old bird 



