IULLID2E — GALLINULIN^ : GALLINULES. 



675 



683. 



C. praten'sis, (Lut. pcaieusis, of fields.) European Land Kail. Corn Crake. Adult 

 (J 9 : Upper parts blackish-brown, variegated with brownish-yellow, the vving-ooverts bcjth 

 above and below rusty-reddish, the quills rufous-brown. Below, bluish-gray of varyiug 

 intensity, more ashy-whitish on throat and belly, the flanks and crissum barred with reddish- 

 brown. Line over eye like under parts; a dark brown stripe through eye. Bill and eyes 

 brown; logs pale. Length about 10. .50; wing 5.50-6.00; tail 2.00; bill O.SO-1.00; tarsus 

 1.60. Europe; casually in Greenland ; accidental in New Jersey and Bermudas. (Wedderb., 

 ZooL, 1849, p. 2591; Cass., Pr. Phda. Acad., vii, 1855, p. 265; Reiuh., Ibis, 1861, p. 11; 

 Bd., Am. Journ. Sci., xh, 1866, p. 339 ; Freke, Zool., v, 1881, p. 374.) 



274. 



684. 



Fig. 467.— Enir,;H-nn Galliiuile 

 oropics. (From r)ixi)n.; 



GALLl'NULA 



275. 



63. Subfamily CALLINULIN><E : Callinules. 



Forehead shielded by a broad, bare, horny 

 plate, a prolongation and expansion of theeulmen. 

 Bill otherwise much as in the shorter-billed mils, 

 like Porsana ; general form much the same, 

 though the body is not so compressed; toes long, 

 simple, or slightly margined. The Gallinuh.'S 

 are somewhat Eail-like birds, of similar lialiits, 

 inhabiting marshes; they agree with the C'nots 

 in possessing a frontal shield, but the feet are 

 not lobate, nor is the body depressed, and the 

 species swim no better than Rails. Some are oi 

 the richest and most elegant coloration. There 

 are about 30 species of various parts of tlie 

 G'Ji'miila cUo- world, constituting several genera, two of whicli, 

 very distinct from eacli other, occur in N. Am. 

 (Lat. yr.Mmiila,f\:\m\\-i. oi gallina,&\\exi. Fig. 407.) Gallinules. Wati%r 

 Hens. Mud Hens. Bill not longer than head, stout at base, tapering, compressed, the culnien 

 running directly up on the forehead and expanding into a frontal plate of difierent shape in 

 different species. Nostrils near middle of bill, linear. Feet lai'ge and st(uit ; tibise naked 

 below; tarsus moderately compressed, scutellate ; toes very long, the outer longer than the 

 inner, ?cif/» an evident though slight marginal membrane; claws long, slender, little curved, 

 acute. Wings short and rounded, but ample. Tail very short, of 12 weak feathers, \\\\\\ 

 long ample under coverts, as in Rails. Plumage not rich blue, etc. Several species (jf 

 various countries. 



G. galea'ta. (Lat. galeata, helmeted.) Common Gallinule. Florida Gallinule. 

 Eeii-billed Mud-hen. Adnlt ^ 9 : Head, neck, and nnder parts, grayish -black, darkest 

 on the former, paler or whitening on the belly. Back brownish-olive. Wings and tail dusky ; 

 crissum, edge of wing, outer web of first primary, and stripes on the flanks, white. Bill, 

 frontal plate, and ring round tibife, red, the former tipped with yellow ; tarsi and toes 

 greenish, the joints bluish; eyes red or brown. Young; Similar, but lacking the liright 

 colors of the bill and legs, the former simply greenish ; under parts extensively whitish. 

 Length 12.00-14.00; extent 20.00-22.00; wing 6.50-7.50; tail 3.00; gape of Idll about 

 1.50; tarsus about 2.00. S. Atlantic and Gulf States, N. sometimes t(j New England, to 

 Canada West, Minnesota, Kansas, etc., and on the Pacific side to San Francisco ; W. I., 

 C. Am., and much of S. Am. Resident in the Southern States, and abundant coastwise. 

 Nidification exactly that of the coot (beyond). Eggs 10-12-11, 1.75 X 1.25. 

 lONOR'NIS. (Gr. top, ion, a violet; apvts, ornis, a liird ; alluding to the rich blue color.) 

 Sultan Gallinules. Hyacinths. General character of GaUinula ; bill very stout and 



