309 



3 



Mr. Godman does not include it in his list of the resident and migratory birds of that island. 

 On the east side of the African continent Allen's Gallinule has been recorded from the Zambesi, 

 from Mozambique by Peters, and from Madagascar, where Professor Newton shot one on the 

 9th September in some bullrushes near the mouth of the Hivondrona. 



In habits Allen's Gallinule is said to resemble closely the common Water-hen, Gallinula 

 chlorqpus — more closely, perhaps, than it does any of the true Porphyrios. Von Heuglin met 

 with it in North-east Africa, where, he says, the localities it frequents he only visited between 

 the months of February and April, and cannot, therefore, decide whether it is resident or not ; 

 but he adds (Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 1229), " In its general habits it is a true Water-hen. Its favourite 

 resorts are the dense reed and papyrus thickets near canals and watercourses where rushes are 

 abundant. During the daytime it remains hidden in the dense aquatic herbage, and amongst 

 the thick growth of the Herminieria ; but at evening and morning and during moonlight nights 

 one may see straggling pairs swimming about on the open water just like Gallinula chlorqpus, 

 picking up insects and diving about. This Gallinule feeds on aquatic plants and their seeds, 

 worms, spawn, and probably also small fish. It climbs about amongst the dense reed thickets 

 with ease, and sometimes carries its food to its bill with its long toes. In the morning and 

 evening its harsh call-note is not unfrequently heard. It is not easy to shoot, on account of the 

 difficult ground it frequents ; and wounded birds are easily lost. During the twilight I often 

 succeeded in driving one into the low rushes, where I could then tread it out. Its flight is 

 fluttering and laboured." 



Professor Barboza du Bocage says (J. f. Orn. 1876, p. 299) that "it utters its call-note when 

 submerged in the water except its head ; its voice resembles that of a human being ; and as soon 

 as one bird utters its call, all the rest join in the chorus." 



The adult specimen figured is one lent to me by Canon Tristram, and is the bird above 

 described ; the young bird, being the only one I possess, was given to me by the late Mr. S. 

 Stafford Allen, who purchased it in the flesh in the market at Alexandria. 



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



E M'us. H. E. Dresser, 

 a, 5 juv. Alexandria Market, November 27th, 1867 (S. Stafford Allen). 



E Mus. II. B. Tristram, 

 a, 6 ad. River Niger, August 1859. 



