418 GALLINULE. 



Inhabits Cayenne, and other warmer parts of America ; also the 

 West India Islands, particularly Martinico, in the swamps, where 

 it is valued for its food : it has frequently been brought alive to 

 England, as it bears confinement well, and is pretty tame, though 

 never so as to be at large. Those we have seen alive here were fed 

 with rice, bread, lettuce, and other such food. In its wild state it 

 sometimes utters a soft and fine note, especially in the breeding 

 season. The above description answers for the most part; but we have 

 observed one, which had the upper parts blue green, with a tinge 

 of brown ; crown of the head brown ; under parts white ; a little 

 mottled with black in the middle of the belly, but more so across the 

 lower part of the neck, just above the breast; chin quite white; legs 

 brown. From comparison of size, shape of the bill, and legs, I am 

 inclined to suppose it of a different sex only, if not a young bird. 



That described by Brisson differs, in having the bare part of the 

 forehead and legs red, and is said to inhabit the East Indies, as well 

 as America. 



28 —FAVOURITE GALLINULE. 



Gallinula flavirostris, Ind. Orn. ii. 769. 



Fulica flavirostris, Gm. Lin. i. G99. 



La Favorite de Cayenne, Buf. viii. 207. PL enl. 897. 



Favorite Gallinule, Gen. Syn. v. 256. 



LENGTH twelve inches. Bill yellow ; upper parts of the 

 plumage deep blue; sides of the head and neck paler; neck before 

 bluish white; belly, thighs, and rump, white ; quills and tail brown, 

 the last darkest; legs long, yellow, hind toe very long. 

 Inhabits Cayenne. 



