328 EALLID^. 



Porphyria 7rmrtmica,'Mo(yrB,V.I.S. 1859, p. 64'; Scl. & Salv. Ibis, 1859, p. 230'; P. Z. S. 



1868, p. 459'; V, Frantz. J. f. Orn. 1869, p. 375'; Lawr. Mem. Bost. Soc. N. H. ii. 



p, 312 ' ; Salv. Ibis, 1870, p. 115 ' ; 1889, p. 378 \ 

 Gallinnla martinica, Lawr. Ann. Lye. N. Y. vii. p. 302 "; Scl. P.Z. S. 1864, p. 179". 

 lonornis martinica, Herrera, La Nat. (2) i. pp. 186 '^ 327 " ; Baird, Brew., & Ridgw. Water-Birds 



N. Amer. i. p. 384"; A. O. U. Check-list N. Amer. Birds, 2nd ed. p. 80''; Bangs, Pr. N. 



Engl. Zool. Club, ii. p. 14". 

 Porphyriola martinica, Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xxiii. p. 189 " ; Salvad. & Festa, BoU. Mns. 



Torino, xiv. no. 339, p. 12 " ; Gates, Cat. Eggs Brit. Mus. i. p. 126 ". 



Supra olivaceo-viridis, pauUulmn cyaneo lavata, collo postico et tectrieibus alarum viridiori-cyanescentibns; 

 remigibus nigricantibus extus viridibus ; capite nndique et corpore subtus toto purpurascentibus, pileo et 

 facie lateral! purpurascenti-nigris ; abdomine efc tibiis cum bypoeboadriis imis fuseeseentioribus, nigricanti- 

 purpureis ; cauda olivascenti-viridi ; subcaudalibus niveis ; pectoris summi iateribus et tectrieibus 

 Bubalaribus minimis et medianis cyaneis, majoribus et remigibus intns sordMe cinerascentibus : rostro 

 laste rubro, ad apicem flavo ; cblamyde frontali eyanea ; pedibus flavicantibus ; iride rubra. Long, tota 

 circa 12-4, alse 6-6, caudae 2-8, culm. 1-2, tarsi 2-45. (Descr. maris adulti ex Costa Eica. Mus. 

 nostr.) 



2 baud a mari distinguenda. 



Juv. Brunnea, dorso postico, uropygio et cauda nigricantibus ; facie lateral! et corpore subtus cervino- 

 brunneis, gutture et abdomine medio tibiisque albis. 



Ilah. North Amekica, South Atlantic and Gulf States, casually northward to Maine, 

 New York, Wisconsin, &c. ^^. — Mexico, Matamoros (Berlandier ^*), Tampico 

 {Eichardson ^^), Valley of Mexico {Herrera i- ^^), city of Mexico ( White ^^), Rio 

 de Coahuayana (Xantus"^), Oaxaca {Fenochio ^^), Cozumel I. {Gaumer^) ; British 

 HoifDUBAS, Orange Walk (Gaumer^^); Guatemala, lagoons near Lake Peten 

 {Leyland^\ 0. S.^'),Yeia Paz (0. S. & F. B. G.^^); Hoxduras, Euatan I. 

 {Gaumer^'') ; Costa Eica [Carmiol^^), Pacaca, San Mateo, Santa Clara, north of 

 the Volcan <Je Barba [v. Frantzius % Laguna de Cartago ( Underwood) ; Paxa_ma, 



Lion Hill Station (M'Leannan i" ", Brown ^% Laguna de Pita (Festa ^). 



Colombia ^^ ; Guiana ^' ; Amazoxs ^"^ ; Ecuador i^ ; Brazil " ; ^A'est Indies ". 



This species is found throughout the year in the Southern States of North America 

 and is probably resident in all parts of its widely distributed range. Specimens have 

 however, been captured in remote places and islands, thus suggesting that P. martinica 

 is partially migratory. We did not find it nesting in Guatemala, but M'Leannan sent 

 us four eggs from Panama i*. 



In appearance and habits this Gallinule differs considerably from the Moor-hen 

 holding itself more erect and carrying the legs more forward. The species is 

 comparatively tame and may be seen, especially in the early morning, displayino- its 

 beautiful plumage. The liglit weight of the bird enables it to walk on floating kaves 

 and water-plants, balancing itself by spreading its wings. Leyland says that the young 

 accompany their parents and are very expert on this treacherous footing. 



The nest, resembling that of the Moor-hen, is loosely made of dead rushes, and is 



