336 
Synopsis of the Birds 
Female scarcely differing from the male. Young very di£* 
ferent from the adult. Moult annually. 
Live near fresh water, preferring rivers and springs, in 
which they swim easily, striking the water continually with 
their tail ,* diving when frightened, but not after food. Feed 
on small fishes, mollusca^insects, vegetables. Build in marshes, 
always in the same spot, attaching their nests to aquatic 
plants ; nest formed of coarse materials in great abundance ; 
careful parents. Run rapidly: fly badly. Do not under- 
take other journeys than from mountainous districts to the 
plain, thus obtaining a change of season. Hide mostly during 
day time among grass and roots ; seen sporting on the water 
towards evening. 
Spread all over the temperate and hot climates of the world, 
even the same species in both continents, though in restricted 
and northern latitudes ! Formed of but three well ascertained 
species, two of which North American. 
274. Gallinula martinica, Gmel. Lower wing-coverts blue ; 
all the under tail-coverts pure w hite : no colored circle around 
the tibia. 
Adult, purple, back and tail green, sides of the neck and 
wings blue. 
Young varied with dull purplish and dusky, beneath with 
black and white. 
Purple Gallinulc , Gallinula porphyrio , Wils. Am. Orn. 
ix. p. 67. pi. 73. fig. 2. 
Inhabits during summer only the most southern states where 
it breeds; wintering in tropical America. Resembling much 
by its brilliant colors, the species of the connecting genus 
Porphyrio ; hence placed in it by Vieillot. 
275. Gallinula chloropus, Lath. Lower wing-coverts slate 
color; lateral under tail-coverts only white ; a red circle 
around the tibia. 
Adult, dark slate, tinged with olivaceous on the back. 
