GALLINULINiE. 
Fulica  Linn.* 
BUI  shorter  than  the  head,  strong,  straight,  more  elevated  than  broad,  with  the  culmen  straight, 
advancing  on  the  forehead,  forming  a  broad  shield,  and  curved  near  the  tip  ;  the  nostrils  placed  in  a 
nasal  groove,  linear,  and  near  the  middle  of  the  bill.  Wings  short,  with  the  second  and  third  quills  the 
longest.  Tail  very  short,  and  rounded.  Tarsi  moderate,  shorter  than  the  middle  toe,  and  covered  with 
transverse  scales.  Toes  long,  and  united  at  their  base,  lobated  on  their  sides,  especially  on  the  inner  ; 
the  inner  toe  with  two,  the  middle  with  three,  and  the  outer  with  four  decided  rounded  membranes  ;  the 
hind  toe  long,  and  lobated  in  its  entire  length. 
These  birds  are  scattered  generally  throughout  the  world  ;  those  of  the  northern  parts  migrating  to  the  more  genial 
climates  on  the  approach  of  winter,  and  returning  in  spring.  They  are  usually  observed  on  ponds,  rivers,  and  salt- 
water inlets,  that  are  margined  with  reeds  and  thick  sedges,  amongst  which  they  hide  on  the  approach  of  the  least 
danger,  and  remain  concealed  as  long  as  the  disturber  continues  in  sight.  It  is  generally  during  the  evening  and 
twilight  that  these  birds  are  observed  swimming  with  buoyancy  and  ease ;  and  they  are  capable  of  diving  with  facility, 
both  as  a  means  of  escape  from  the  shots  of  the  sportsman,  and  to  collect  some  portion  of  their  food.  When  on  the 
ground,  they  walk  with  comparative  ease,  and  even  run  quickly.  Their  food  consists  of  small  fish,  insects,  mollusca, 
and  aquatic  plants  ;  but  they  sometimes  seek  on  the  land  for  worms,  slugs,  seeds,  &c,  which  they  pick  up  among  the 
herbage  during  the  morning  and  evening.  They  take  wing  either  from  the  land  or  the  surface  of  the  water  with 
difficulty,  spreading  their  wings,  and  then  fluttering  and  striking  rapidly  with  their  feet  along  the  surface  to  aid  them 
in  their  escape :  when  once  raised  they  are  able  to  fly  at  a  considerable  elevation  with  ease  and  rapidity,  but  with  a 
great  deal  of  motion  in  their  wings.  They  form  their  nests  among  the  reeds  and  rank  grass  on  the  water's  edge  ;  it  is 
composed  of  a  large  mass  of  decomposed  vegetable  matter,  sometimes  to  the  thickness  of  six  to  twelve  inches  above  the 
water,  and  sometimes  extending  in  depth  to  one  and  a  half  or  two  feet.  This  mass  is  sometimes  displaced  by  floods, 
when  it  floats  on  the  surface  of  the  water,  without  injury  to  the  eggs,  or  preventing  the  female  from  hatching  them. 
The  eggs  are  generally  from  seven  to  ten  in  number ;  and  the  young  take  to  the  water  as  soon  as  hatched,  where  they 
are  attended  and  protected  by  the  parents  till  able  to  provide  for  themselves. 
1.  F.  atra  Linn.  PI.  enl.  197.,  Gould's  B.  of  Eur.  pi.  338.— 
Fulica  aterrima  Linn.;  F.  a?thiops  Sparr.  Mus.  Carls,  t.  13.;  F. 
pullata  Pall. ;  F.  atrata  Pall.  Briss.  Orn.  t.  2.  f.  2.  ;  F.  leucoryx 
Sparr.  Mus.  Carls.  1. 1 2. 
2.  F.  cristata  Gmel.  PI.  enl.  797-,  Vieill.  Gal.  ties  Ois.  t.  26'9. 
3.  F.  chloropo'ides  King,  Zool.  Journ.  iv.  95. 
4.  F.  galUnuloides  King,  Zool.  Journ.  iv.  Q5. 
5.  F.  leucoptera  Vieill.  N.  Diet.  d'Hist.  Nat.  xii.  48.,  Azara  447. 
6.  F.  armillata  Vieill.  N.  Diet.  d'Hist.  Nat.  xii.  47.,  Azara  448. 
7.  F.  amcricana  Gmel.  Audub.  B.  of  Amer.  pi.  239.,  Am.  Orn. 
pi.  73.  f.  1.  —  Fulica  Wilsoni  Steph. 
8.  F.  leucopyga  Wagl.  Isis,  1831.516. 
9.  F.  ardeslaca  Tschudi,  Wiegm.  Arch.  1831.  p.  389- 
10.  F.  gigantea  Eyd.  et  Souley.  Voy.  de  la  Bonite,  p.  102.  t.  8. 
*  Established  by  Linnneus  {Syttema  Nuturee)  in  1735. 
February,  1815. 
