MARTINICO GALLINULE. 
231 
The Martinico Gallinule is a vigorous and active bird. It 
bites hard, and is quite expert in the use of its feet. When it seizes 
upon any substance with its toes, it requires a considerable effort 
to disengage it. Its toes are long, and spread greatly. It runs 
with swiftness ; and when walking it jerks its tail in the manner 
of the Common Rail. Its manners and food are somewhat similar 
to those of the far-famed Purple Gallinule, whose history is so beau- 
tifully detailed in the works of Buffon. 
In its native haunts it is vigilant and shy ; and it is not easy 
to spring it, without the assistance of a dog. 
The specimen from which our drawing was taken came from 
the state of Georgia, and is deposited in the Philadelphia Museum. 
It is reduced, as well as the rest of the figures in the same plate, 
to one half of the size of life. 
Length from the tip of the bill to the end of the tail fourteen 
inches ; bill an inch and a quarter long, vermilion, greenish yel- 
low at the tip; irides pale cornelian; naked crown dull azure; 
head, part of the neck, throat and breast, of a rich violet purple ; 
back and scapulars olive green ; rump, tail and its coverts, brown- 
ish green ; sides of the neck, and wings, ultramarine, the latter 
tinged with green; shoulders of wings rich azure; inner webs of 
the quills and tail feathers dusky brown ; belly and thighs dull pur- 
plish black ; vent pure white ; tail rounded; legs and feet green- 
ish yellow ; claws long, sharp, and of a pale flesh colour ; span of 
the foot five inches. 
