306 



at Cairo, I omitted to take note of. Like other species of this genus they are easily domesticated, 

 preserve their health well, and by their graceful nodding gait and brilliant tints are thought to 

 form a pleasing addition to a menagerie. It is probable that, as the Romans of old kept an 

 allied species in a domesticated state, the Egyptians may have done the same and made a sacred 

 pet of Porphyrio smaragnotus ; but I never discovered among the hieroglyphics at Edfou or the 

 cartoons at Beni-Hassen one that I could pronounce to be a portrait of it. That much remains 

 to be done in this department I am sure ; and a thorough scrutiny of the monuments would in all 

 likelihood reveal this and a good many other species. These Gallinules have been credited with 

 a carnivorous propensity ; but the examples of P. smaragnotus which I have some years kept 

 alive have never shown a symptom of it, though this may be only because they are supplied with 

 food more to their taste. Some Purple Gallinules (P. veterum) belonging to my father used to 

 amuse us by lifting to their mouths single grains of barley between their attenuated toes ; but 

 they have been dead some years, and the habit is not inherited by their successors." 



But little is known respecting the nidification of the present species ; and I have never been 

 fortunate enough to procure its eggs, which doubtless resemble those of Porphyrio veterum ; for 

 Mr. E. L. Layard says (B. of S. Afr. p. 341) that in the Cape colony " it breeds amongst reeds, 

 forming a large nest of sedge, and depositing from six to ten eggs of a ruddy brown, spotted with 

 dark purple-brown ; axis 2" 2'", diam. 1" 6'"." 



In the article on Porphyrio veterum I stated that that bird and the present species would be 

 figured on the same Plate ; but on finding that the size would have to be too much reduced, I 

 decided on figuring them separately. 



The specimen of the present species figured is the one above described, and is in the 

 collection of Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun. 



In the preparation of the above article I have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. H. E. Dresser. 



a, ad. South Africa [Burton) . 



E Mus. H. B. Tristram. 



a. Natal (Ayres). b. Madagascar (Gerrard). 



E Mus. J. H. Gurney, jun. 

 a, i ad. Fayoom, Egypt, June 7th (J. H. G.,jun.). 



