68 PURPLE GALLINULE. 



some individuals ; but that laudable thirst for knowledge, which 

 leads one over mountains and precipices, through forests, valleys 

 and thickets, intent on exploring the inexhaustible treasures of 

 Nature. 



We have been insensibly led into this train of reflections, in 

 consequence of our chagrin in not finding any account of the sub- 

 ject of this article in the pages of the American traveller, historian 

 or naturalist. To the Europeans then we are compelled to resort, 

 happy that, with their assistance, we shall be enabled to throw 

 some light on the history of a stranger, whose native haunts we 

 have never yet had the good fortune to explore. 



" This bird," says Latham, " is more or less common in all 

 the w armer parts of the globe. On the coasts of Barbary they 

 abound, as well as in some of the islands of the Mediterranean. 

 In Sicily they are bred in plenty, and kept for their beauty ; but 

 whether indigenous there we are not certain. It is frequently met 

 with in various parts of the south of Russia, and western parts of 

 Siberia, among reedy places ; and in the neighbourhood of the 

 Caspian sea not uncommon: but in the cultivated rice grounds of 

 Ghilan in Persia, in great plenty, and in high plumage. The fe- 

 male makes her nest among the reeds, in the middle of March; 

 lays three or four eggs,^ and sits from three to four weeks. That 

 it is common in China the paper-hangings thence will every where 

 testify. It is also met with in the East Indies, the islands of Java, 

 Madagascar, and many others. Our late navigators saw them at 

 Tongataboot in vast numbers, as well as in the island of Tanna, 

 and other parts. It is also common in the southern parts of 

 America. 



" In respect to its manners, it is a very docile bird, bemg 

 easily tamed, and feeding with the poultry, scratching the ground 



* Buifon says that the pair which the Marquis de IVesle introduced into France laid six round, 

 white eggs, about the size of a demi-billiard. 



f Forst. voj. i, 448. ji, 358. Cook's last voy. i, 2S9. Am. ed. 



