394 CLASS xvi. 



Gallinula BRISS., LATH., TEMM., Stagnicola BREHM. Bill 

 moderate, compressed, curved at the tip, extending into an un- 

 plumed shield on the forehead. Nostrils placed in a groove of the 

 bill, longitudinal, pervious. Feet elongate, with anterior toes sur- 

 rounded by a narrow membrane. Wings moderate, with second, 

 third, and fourth quills subequal, longest of all. 



Sp. Oattinula chloropus LATH., Fulica chloropu* L., BUFF. PL enl. 877, 

 LESS. Ornith. PI. 105, fig. i, NAUMANN Taf. 240 ; the water-hen, common 

 gallinule; the legs yellow green with a red ring above the tarsi; the base 

 of the bill, which is yellow at the tip, red; back dark olive-coloured; 

 breast and belly grey. This bird feeds on worms, insects, small slugs and 

 water-plants, lives amongst the reeds, swims well, and lays from six to 

 eleven eggs, coloured dirty white or yellowish, with larger and smaller 

 brown spots. Gallinula, phcenicura PENN., BUFF. PI. enl. 896, from Java, 

 Celebes, &c. 



Tribonyx DUBUS. Bill shorter than head, subproduced on fore- 

 head, compressed. Nostrils placed in a groove near the middle of 

 bill. Wings short, tuberculate, with fourth, fifth, and sixth quills 

 subequal, longest of all. Toes moderate, strong. 



Sp. Tribonyx Mortieri DUB., Bullet, de VAcad. de Brux. vn. 215; New 

 Holland. 



Here is to be noted the genus Notornis OWEN, supposed to be 

 extinct until lately proved to be still living in New Zealand. See 

 MANTELL Ann. and Magas. of Nat. Hist. 1852, Vol. ix. p. 231 ; also 

 GOULD ibid. p. 234, and Trans, of the Zool. Soc. n. 2, 1852, PI. 25 

 (described as Notornis Mantelli, from, the skin supplied by MAN- 

 TELL). It is of the size of Porphyrio, resembles it in the bill and 

 colour, but has feet like Tribonyx. It is however unable to fly, and 

 resembles the Ostrich in the wings and tail. 



Ocydromus WAGL., Gfallirallus DE LAFREN. 



Rallus L. (in part). Bill moderate, or longer than head, com- 

 pressed, without frontal shield. Nostrils placed in a groove, per- 

 vious, narrow. Feet elongate. Wings moderate, with second and 

 third quills subequal, mostly longest of all. 



Crex BECHST., Ortygometra L. (Faun. Suec. 1744), GRAY, Porzana 

 VIEILL., Zapornia LEACH. Bill shorter than head, high at the base; 

 lower mandible angulate. 



Sp. Rallus Crex L., Crex pratensis BECHST., Gallinula crex LATH., TEMM., 

 BUFF. PL enl. 750, NAUM. Taf. 236; this bird is more a land-bird than the 

 water-hen; it runs very rapidly, flies little and, when pursued, not far; 



