304 



alive in the Royal Park at Mandria, near Turin. Professor Doderlein, however, in spite of every 

 effort, has not yet had the good fortune to obtain this Gallinule on that island. 



On the south side of the Mediterranean, however, throughout Africa, as far south as the 

 Cape of Good Hope, the present species is very generally distributed, entirely taking the place of 

 the European Purple Gallinule. It is said by Von Heuglin to inhabit the lagoons of Lower 

 Egypt in large numbers, and is especially numerous on Lake Menzaleh, where it arrives early in 

 April and leaves in September or early in October. Dr. Hartmann, however, believes that he 

 saw it as late as November on the Mareotis lake. It appears probable that Captain Shelley has 

 confused the present species with Porphyrio veterum in his account of this latter species in Egypt, 

 as pointed out by Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., who says (Ramb. Nat. p. 186) that he first made its 

 acquaintance at the Fayoom, where it was frequently to be seen stalking about among the reeds 

 at the mouth of the Bar-el- Wady canal. M. Filliponi states that it was once Gommon at Damietta, 

 where it is now rare. It does not appear to occur in Algeria ; but is found in Senegal. Plessing 

 obtained it at Keta, on the Slave Coast; Anchieta at Benguela; and Andersson says (B. of 

 Damara Land, p. 325), it " is rather scarce in Damara and Great Namaqua Land, but is pretty 

 abundant in the lake-regions and on the rivers Teonghe and Okavango ; it is also not uncommon 

 during the rainy season in Ondonga, where the inhabitants call it ' King of the Waterhens,' and 

 declare that the moment it utters its deep guttural notes every Waterhen within hearing 

 immediately responds by its own peculiar cry. The only spot in Damara Land proper where I 

 found this species at all common, was the great reedy marsh of Omanbonde ; but there it was very 

 timid, and consequently most difficult to approach. It seldom ventured into the open, but would 

 warily skirt the dense reedy recesses which formed its favourite haunts, and into which it would 

 precipitately retreat on the slightest sign of danger. At Lake Ngami and on the river Botletle I 

 found it less difficult to obtain, probably on account of its greater abundance." Mr. E. L. Layard 

 says it is " generally distributed throughout the Cape colony, frequenting vleys and large ponds." 

 Mr. Ayres says (Ibis, 1868, p. 469) that it " is found, though not abundantly, in the more extensive 

 swamps and lagoons in the colony of Natal, and seems to be pretty generally distributed." 

 Fornasini and Peters record it from Mossambique; Newton from Mauritius; and although 

 Mr. J. H. Gurney says that the Madagascar bird differs from the species found on the continent 

 of Africa, yet, judging from a specimen I have examined from there, I cannot see that it should 

 be held to be specifically different ; and Professor Schlegel and Messrs. Finsch and Hartlaub do 

 not grant specific rank to the Madagascar bird. Mr. J. H. Gurney states (Ibis, 1868, p. 470) 

 that the Madagascar bird has a longer and more powerful bill, and also a longer tarsus and 

 larger foot; and he gives the difference in measurements of adult males as follows: — 





Length, of maxilla 



Height of maxilla 



Length of 



Length of middle 





along tomia. 



at nostril. 



tarsus. 



toe with claw. 



P. madagascariensis . 



. . . 1625 



0-625 



3-625 



4-75 





. . . 1375 



0-5 



3-125 



4-25 



inches ; but, as will be seen from my description, the bird I have figured, which was obtained in 

 Egypt, has both the tarsus and middle toe longer even than in the Madagascar examples referred 

 to by Mr. Gurney. 



