THE PURPLE GALLINULE 241 
some ten and one-half inches; extent about thir- 
teen inches. 
There are perhaps half a dozen records of 
the capture of this species on the North Amer- 
ican continent. 
THE PURPLE GALLINULE. 
(Ionornis martinica.) 
Another distinguished southerner of rare oc- 
currence here. His habits, shape and general 
appearance are much the same as those of the 
more common Florida Gallinule, but his mark- 
ings are more brilliant. His head, neck and un- 
der parts are a deep, purplish blue, shading on 
the belly into black; sides and linings of the 
wings bluish green. Crissum white. Above, 
an olive green with a bluish cast on wing coverts 
and neck. Frontal shield blue; bill bright red 
with yellow tip. Legs yellow. Length from ten 
to twelve, extent about twenty-two inches. A 
most beautiful bird and sure to command atten- 
tion when captured. 
Nesting habits as in the more common spe- 
cies, the Florida gallinule. From ten to a 
dozen eggs form the complement for a nest. 
