GALLINULE. 429 



The Purple Gallinule of New South Wales is probably different 

 from the Indian one, and is said to undergo extraordinary changes 

 during its progress to maturity ; that of Howe's Island, when young, 

 is entirely black; from that becomes bluish grey; and afterwards 

 pure white. 



41— NEW-HOLLAND GALLINULE. 



SIZE of the Purple Gallinule. The bill in shape the same, but 

 smaller in proportion ; the colour deep green, with a yellow tip ; the 

 general colour of the plumage olive brown ; beneath deep ash ; some 

 of the feathers on the sides, under the wings, white at the ends, and 

 some of the under wing coverts mixed, or barred with white ; middle 

 of the belly nearly black ; sides and thighs ash-colour ; quills brown 

 within ; crown of the head and middle of the neck behind brown ; 

 legs stout, olive green. 



Inhabits New-Holland ; some of these birds have a strong gloss 

 of blue and green, when exposed to different lights. This is probably 

 an immature bird of one of the three last described, which appear to 

 be much related to each other; for so little is known concerning them, 

 that till some discerning naturalist may set us to rights from his own 

 observation, we have thought it best to treat them as distinct. 



