426 GALLINULE. 



this called by some Poule du Riz ; often seize the food, and bring it 

 to the mouth with one leg, like Parrots: as soon as they take the rice 

 they constantly run to the water; appearing to bite, or chew it while 

 drinking.* The figure of this bird may be observed in Chinese 

 paper hangings; and in some drawings from thence it is called 

 Chinka ; is frequent also in India, and there called Koema and 

 Kareema; likewise at Madagascar and Java, by the name of Pee- 

 lung. Our circumnavigators saw them at Tongo taboo, in vast 

 numbers, as well as at the Isle of Tanna, and other parts. It is said 

 to be common also in the southern parts of America, and has been 

 seen in Georgia, but is probably rare. 



The female makes the nest among the reeds the middle of March, 

 lays three or four eggs, and sits from three to four weeks; is very 

 docile, and when tame, will associate with other Fowls, scratching 

 the ground with the feet, like common poultry ; will feed on many 

 things, as fruit, roots of plants, and grain ; is fond of fish, which it 

 dips into the water before it swallows them ; will frequently stand on 

 one leg. A pair of these kept in an aviary in France, made a nest 

 of small sticks, mixed with straw, and laid six white eggs, perfectly 

 round, but the hen was careless of them, and they came to nothing : 

 the flesh is said to be exquisite. 



37.— BLACK-HEADED GALLINULE. 



Gallinula melanocephala, Ind. Om. ii. 768. 



Fulica melanocephala, Gm. Lin. i. G99. 



Porphyrio melanocephalos, Bris.v. 526. A. Id. 8vo. ii. 353. 



Gallinula palustris, Feuill. Obs. 1725. 288. Buf. viii. 209. 



Rallus major subcceruleus, Slate-coloured Water Rail, Bartr. Tr. 294? 



Black-headed Gallinule, Gen. Syn. v. 257. 



THIS is wholly blue, except the head and neck, which are 

 black, with a broad bare space on the top of the head. In the 



* Porphyrio solus Morsu bibit. Idem est proprio genere, omnem cibum aqua subinde 

 tingens, deinde Pede ad rostrum veluti manu afferre. — Plin. Hist. Nat. lib. x. cap. xlvi. 



