PORPHYRIO BELLUS. 



Azwre-hreasted Porphyrio. 



Uppee surface, wings, and tail, blackish brown ; cheeks, throat, and under surface, violet blue, which is brightest on the chest, and becomes 

 of a greyer hue on the flanks and abdomen ; shoulder and edge of the wing down to the spurious wing, azure blue ; primaries, tinged with 

 green on the outer webs ; under tail coverts, white ; irides, bright red ; bill, red ; legs and feet, grass green, except the knees, lower portion 

 of tarsus, and inside of the feet, which are dark greenish grey. The male is larger than the female, and somewhat brighter in color. 



Length, L8 inches ; wing, lOi ; tail, 4^ ; bill. If ; tarsus, 3^. 



This species is confined to Western Australia, and inhabits swampy situations, lagoons, and reed beds, feeding upon insects, 

 molluscs, and also some kmd of vegetable substance. It is by far the finest of the two species inhabiting Australia, being not only larger 

 but more brilliantly colored than the P. Melanotus of the southern and eastern districts. 



