452 THE PURPLE GALLINULE. 



is no good reason why they should not here, especially on the borders 

 of the reservoirs, and of those streams which empty into Lake Erie. 



Mr. Ray Densmore informs me that he has seen the Black Rail near 

 Perry, in Lake County, and that a neighbor of his captured one alive in a 

 potatO' patch. This specimen was finally sent to the Experiment Station 

 for identification. 



No. 202. 



PURPLE GALLINULE. 



A. O. U. No. 218. lonornis martinica (Linn.). 



Description. — Adult: Broad frontal shield dusky blue; head, neck, and 

 lower parts dark purplish blue, blackening on belly and thighs, lighter and bluer 

 on under wing-coverts; above bright olive-green centrally, shading cS through 

 bluish green on wings and upper back into contiguous blue or purple: under tail- 

 coverts pure white; bill bright red with pale green tip (the latter yellow in skins) ; 

 feet yellow. Immature : Above heavily washed with light brown ; beneath buffy 

 or mottled white; bill dull yellowish. Downy young: Black, with short, white 

 filaments interspersed through down of head; bill yellow at base, black-tipped. 

 Length 13.25 (336.6) ; wing 7.15 (181.6) ; tail 2.75 (69.9) ; culmen, exclusive of 

 frontal shield 1.20 (30.5) ; tarsus 2.35 (59-7) ; middle toe and claw 2.85 (72.4). 



Recognition Marks. — Little Hawk size; brilliant coloring distinctive. 



Nesting. — Not certainly known to have bred in Ohio, but probably has done 

 so. Nest, a platform of reeds and grasses elevated above surrounding muck or 

 water of swamp. Bggs, 6-10, or sometimes more, pale cream-white or buffy, 

 heavily speckled or, rarely, spotted, chiefly about larger end, with purplish gray 

 and umber. Av. size, 1.58 x 1.14 (40.1 x 29.). 



General Range. — South Atlantic and Gulf States, casually northward to 

 Maine, New York, Wisconsin, etc. ; south throughout the West Indies, Mexico, 

 Central America, and northern South America to Brazil. 



Range in Ohio. — Rare or casual in spring. One fall record by Dr. Carl 

 Tuttle, Sept. 2, 1894, near Lake Erie. 



THERE are seven well authenticated records of the capture of this 

 bird within our limits, and it has been taken once in Ontario. Since two 

 of these records come within the last decade, it is altogether possible that 

 this handsome swamp prowler may be found breeding in some of our larger 

 marshes. 



"It has little of the aspect of a Gallinule, but stands higher, and has its 

 legs more forward. As it walks, the neck is alternately bridled up or thrown 

 forward, and its short black-and-white tail is changed from a semi-erect to a 

 perpendicular position, with a flirting motion. As this bird walks over the 

 tangled leaves and stems of aquatic plants resting on the surface of the water, 

 it moves with great deliberation, frequently standing still and looking leis- 

 urely on either side. 



