GALIJNULES 



(217) CORN CRAKE (Crex crex). 

 An Old World species; casual from 

 N. S. to N. J. 



(218) lonornis martinicus 



{Linn.). (Gr., violet bird). 



PURPLE GALLINULE. Ads. 

 — Plumage as shown. Bill carmine, 

 tipped with yellow. Frontal plate 

 bluish. Legs yellowish. Im. — Up- 

 per parts more or less brownish; 

 under parts mixed brown and 

 white. L., 13.00; Ex., 22.00; W., 

 7.00; T., 2.75; Tar., 2.25; B., 

 along gape 1.25. Nest — Woven of 

 grasses or rushes, on the ground 

 or attached to upright stalks in 

 marshes; five to ten rich, cream- 

 colored eggs, spotted with reddish- 

 brown, 1.60 X LIS- 



Range — Breeds from S. Car. and 

 the Gulf coast southward. North 

 casually in summer to Nova Scotia. 



through sedges hke so many mice would tend to make them 

 seem rare even if they were not. It seems to be almost 

 impossible to kick them out of their retreats. Both 

 species have songs, uttered at dusk, sounding somewhat 

 like the voices of tree frogs, but that of the smaller species 

 is rather inore energetic, having a peculiar clicking quality. 



PURPLE GALLINULES are handsoinely plumaged 

 marsh birds residing in our Southern States and casually 

 wandering to the Northern ones. Gallinules are rail-like 

 in form, but have a horny plate on the forehead — a con- 

 tinuation of the upper mandible. Some of the tropical 

 species are very brilliantly hued. The present one is, as 

 our picture shows, handsomely shaded with purples, blues, 

 and greens. Aside from their plumage. Purple Gallinules 

 are but little different in nesting or any of their habits from 

 the more common and more widely distributed. 



FLORIDA GALLINULES. Gallinules, although not 

 having webbed feet, are excellent swimmers and skilful 

 divers. They frequently escape observation by diving and 



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