FLORIDA GALLINULE. 513 
The genus gallinule, restrained within its just limits,* is a 
small group composed of but five or six species, spread over 
all the warm and temperate climates of the globe, and exceed- 
ingly similar in form and colours: only one, that figured by 
Wilson, assumes the brilliant vesture of its near relations 
the Porphyriones, for which reason some authors have consi- 
dered it as one of them. Together with the rails, the coots, 
and some others, it forms the natural family JJacrodactyli 
(Rallide), and is more aquatic in its habits than many web- 
footed birds. Unlike the coots, however, the gallinules dislike 
salt or brackish water, and confine themselves to fresh, and to 
rivers and streams especially ; and they are solitary, or at most 
the hen is seen with her family, like the gallinaceous birds of 
that sex. Being chiefly nocturnal, the gallinules hide care- 
fully by day among reeds and other aquatic plants; and 
even in a state of captivity they are so remarkable for this 
habit, that some which I kept in a yard would take advantage 
of every hiding-place to escape the eye of man. It was only 
at the approach of night that they would willingly display 
on the water their graceful evolutions, swimming in circles, 
and often striking the water with their tails. From time to 
time they would rest awhile, placing their necks on the reeds 
or large leaves of aquatic plants. 
Not gifted by nature with the long wings of other waders, 
the water-hens, being anything but wanderers, obey both their 
conformation and natural disposition by not undertaking long 
periodical migrations, but are permanently resident in their 
native countries, merely removing from one station to another 
within certain provinces, and without roaming over the adja- 
cent districts. They run with rapidity, fly badly, always in 
motion, and frequently carry their tail high, as represented 
in the plate, showing the white plumage of the vent, especi- 
ally when running onthe ground. They dive when frightened, 
but never after food. They feed on small fishes, insects, and 
* The greater part of authors, and among them Latham and Tem- 
minck, improperly unite the short-billed rails with them. 
VOL. III. Da 
