GALLINULA TENEBROSA, Gould. 
Sombre Gallinule. 
Gallinula tenebrosa, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Feb. 24, 1846. 
This species of Gallinule inhabits the sedgy banks of rivers, creeks and water-holes. I frequently en- 
countered it in New South Wales, particularly in the neighbourhood of the Upper Hunter ; and I also possess 
specimens collected on the banks of the Murray in South Australia. The total absence of any white marks 
on the flanks forms a good specific character, and at once distinguishes this Gallinule from most of the other 
members of the genus. In size it considerably exceeds the Gallinula cliloropus of Europe ; and that gartered 
above the knee is still more brilliant, coloured with red and yellow. Both on the open muddy banks and 
among the tangled herbage of the water’s edge, it readily eludes pursuit by running with great swiftness 
into a place of safety. It swims with considerable ease and buoyancy, and while gliding over the quiet sur- 
face of the water, seeks its food, which consists of various aquatic insects and small-shelled mollusks, among 
the floating herbage. 
On comparing the sexes, I find, that, like the European species, they differ in size, and that although the 
female is smaller than her mate, the colours of her bill are often brighter than in the male. 
So completely do the habits and economy of this species resemble those of the other members of the 
genus, that a repetition of what has been so frequently described is quite unnecessary. 
The whole of the plumage greyish black, with the exception of the back and scapularies, which are deep 
brown, and the primaries and tail, which are nearly a pure black ; under tail-coverts black in the centre 
and white on the sides ; frontal plate orange ; base of the bill blood-red, tip greenish yellow ; above the 
knee a garter of yellow and scarlet ; joints of the legs and feet green ; under surface of the legs and feet 
olive ; sides of the tarsi and frontal plates of the toes yellow ; frontal plates of the tarsi yellow, those 
nearest the knee stained with scarlet ; irides olive. 
The figure in the accompanying Plate is a trifle smaller than the natural size, and was taken from a 
female. 
