PURPLE GALLINULE. 



71 



In Mr. Peale^s collection there is a Gallinule which resem- 

 bles the above in every respect, except its being considerably 

 smaller. 



The bird from which our drawing was taken, came from the 

 state of Georgia, and is deposited in Peale^s Museum. It is re- 

 duced, as well as the rest of the figures in the same plate, to one 

 half the size of life. 



Since writing the above, I have been informed by Mr. Alex- 

 ander Rider, the painter, who accompanied the late Mr. Enslen 

 in his botanical researches through the United States, that they 

 observed the Purple Gallinule in a thick swamp, a short distance 

 from Savannah, Georgia. It was very vigilant and shy, and was 

 shot with much difficulty. It is very probable that it breeds there, 

 as the nature of the swamp favors concealment, of which this bird 

 appears to be fond. 



Mr. Abbot, of Georgia, likewise informs me that this species 

 frequents the rice fields and marshes in the lower parts of the 

 state; it is rare, he having met with only three specimens; he has 

 no doubt that it breeds there. He says that when tlie bird is living, 

 the naked crown is of a bright blue^ and the legs yelloiv ochre. We 

 were necessitated to take our description, and to color our figure, 

 from the stuffed specimen in Peale's Museum, and it is possible 

 that we may have been in error with respect to those parts. In 

 Mr. Wilson's drawing they were colored as we have described 

 them. 



