the Birds of Mauritius, 99 



40. ^ Phasianus colciiicus. 



P/iasianus colcMcus Ogil vie- Grant; Cat. Birds, xxii. p, 320. 



Pheasant. 



The Pheasant was introduced into the island from Saint 

 Helena about 1880, but has riever thriven and died out very 

 soon, probably owing to there being no suitable food. 



The Golden Pheasant has been tiicd, but could not be 

 acclimatized, even as au aviary bird. 



41. * TURNIX NIGRICOLLIS. 



Tarnix nigrico'lis Ogilvie-Grant, Cat. Birds, xxii. p. 549. 

 (faille de Madagascar. 



Introduced from Madagascar at a fairly recent date. 

 It is only found in the sugar-cane and grass land on the 

 central plateau, and is by no means plentiful. 



42. Gallinula chloropus. 



Gallinula chloropus Sharpe, Cat. Birds, xxiii. p. 169. 



Poule d'Eau. 



jVIoorhen. 



This familiar bird is common throughout the island in 

 suitable localities. Its nesting-habits and eggs are identical 

 with those of the English Moorhen, but its note is distinctly 

 different, being harsher and more drawn out. 



The Mauritius bird has been separated under the name 

 oC G. pyrrhorhoa, as having the under tail-coverts slightly 

 fulvescent, but amoiigst seven birds that I examined, some 

 stuffed and some in the flesh, five bad very slightly fulvous 

 under tail-coverts, whilst two were identical with European 

 s[)ecimens. I believe that in Madagascar birds a similar 

 want of uniformity in the under tail-coverts is noticeable. 



43. *PoRPnYRIOL\ alleni. 



Furpliyriola alleni Sharpe, Cat. Birds, xxiii. p. 187. 



Poule Sultane. 



Purple GaJlinule. 



There appears to be very little evidence to shew that this 

 species existed when the island was discovered. Considering 

 wdiat a remarkable bird it is, the fact of it not I)eing recorded 

 by early writers is strong evidence of its non-existence. 



H 2 



