G A L L I N U L E. 265 



This bird haunts the fame places as the common Gallinule, but Place and 



is not very frequent in this kingdom: we have not been able to 

 trace it farther north than Cumberland, where it is known to 

 breed*; and one of them, in company with its mate, was fhot 

 near Dartford in Kent, the fartheft fouth we have heard of it. 

 It is fuppofed to be migratory here as well as in France and 

 Italy, where it is found early in fpring, and is not uncommon. 

 We likewife find it in the fouthern reedy grounds of RuJJia, and 

 the weft of Sibiria\% but we believe no where fo plentiful as the 

 common fpecies. It is a folitary bird, except in breeding-time; 

 fkulks among the rufhes and reeds, and builds among the latter : 

 the neft is compofed of rufhes matted together in form of a boat, 

 like which it is as it were moored, by fattening one end to a 

 reed, to prevent its being carried away by the water. The fe- 

 male lays feven or eight eggs ; the young run as foon as hatched, 

 and are wholly black. Buffon mentions one of this fpecies that 

 was kept tame, and was obferved to ftand in water for a long 

 time together, if not difturbed: it was fed with bread and hemp- 

 feed J. 



A fpecies analogous to this, if not the fame, is alfo found at 

 Hudfon's Bay ; it is much fmaller, meafuring in length only eight 

 inches, breadth fourteen, and weighs fcarce three ounces ; it 

 comes there in May, and is feen in plenty along the coafts of the 

 bay, and about rivers, brooks, and lakes. Lays ten or twelve 

 white eggs, in a bufh or grafs : departs in Oclober. Known 

 there by the name of Paupakapatejew%. 



* Dr. Heyjham. f Mr. Pennant. % Bjl, des Oif. § Mr. Hutcbins. 



■ Vol. III. Mm La 



Manners. 



