^49 
PORPHYRIO. PORPHYRIO. 
Generic Character. 
Rostrum capite brevior, co- 
nico-convexumj compres- 
sum, acutum, ad apicem 
paulo tumidum; mandi- 
bula superiore margines 
inferioris tegente. 
Naves laterales. 
Frons nuda. 
Pedes tetradactyli, fissi, sim- 
plices ; digitis longissimis. 
Beak shorter than the head, 
conic-convex, compressed^ 
pointed, towards the tip 
shghtly swollen ; the 
upper mandible covering 
the edges of the lower 
one. 
Nostrils lateral. 
Forehead naked. 
Legs four-toed, cleft, sim- 
ple ; the toes very long. 
PORPHYRIO. Ray, Briss., Cuv., Temm. 
FULICA. Linn., Gmel. 
GALLINULA. Lath. 
PARRA. Lath. 
JACANA. Briss., Ray. 
CREX. Ray. 
These birds have the beak higher in proportion 
to its length than the Gallinules or Coots, but like 
them the forehead is divested of feathers : this frontal 
plate is sometimes rounded and sometimes carinated 
at the top. This genus is also distinguished by its 
manners from either of the above, as well as by the 
