116 GALLINULINJE. GALLINULA. 



the neck of moderate length ; the head small, oblong, coin- 

 pressed. Bill not exceeding the head in length, rather 

 stout, tapering, much compressed ; upper mandible with the 

 dorsal line slightly declinate, towards the end convex, the 

 ridge narrow, but at the base considerably enlarged, and 

 forming a soft, tumid, oblong plate, which varies in extent, 

 sometimes extending to the crown of the head, the sides 

 sloping, toward the end erect and convex, the edges direct, 

 the tip somewhat deflected, with very slight notches ; the 

 nasal groove large ; lower mandible with the angle long and 

 very narrow, the dorsal line very short and ascending, the 

 sides nearly erect, the edges sharp, and a little inflected to- 

 ward the end, the tip narrow, and rather sharp. Tongue 

 fleshy, oblong, nearly flat above, with the tip thin, rounded, 

 and slightly lacerate ; oesophagus uniform ; proventriculus 

 oblong ; stomach a large, very muscular gizzard, with rugous 

 epithelium ; intestine very long ; cceca large, cylindrical. 

 Nostrils linear -oblong, submedial. Eyes rather small, eye- 

 lids feathered. Aperture of ear rather small, roundish. 

 Feet large ; tibia bare to a small extent ; tarsus of moderate 

 length, large, compressed, anteriorly with broad curved scu- 

 tella ; toes very long, slender, compressed, above with nume- 

 rous scutella, beneath flattened and distinctly marginate ; 

 the first very small, the third longest, the fourth a little 

 longer than the second ; claws long, slender, slightly arched, 

 compressed, acute. Plumage blended, soft, glossy above ; 

 wings short, concave, rounded, of twenty-two quills ; the 

 first primary considerably shorter than the second, which is 

 longest ; tail very short, arched, much rounded, of twelve 

 weak, narrow feathers. 



The species of this genus inhabit meadows, marshes, and 

 swampy places on edges of rivers, lakes, or inlets of the sea, 

 covered with reeds, sedges, and other strong herbage. They 

 run with great speed, but fly heavily ; feed on worms, mol- 

 lusca, insects, and seeds ; swim and dive with ease ; form a 

 large nest, generally on the ground, among reeds, and lay 

 from five to eight or ten light-coloured eggs, spotted with 

 dusky. 



