The Purple Gallinule in New England. — The record shows 
about half a dozen occurrences of Porphyrio martinica in New England 
and the Provinces. I can add another instance. Mr. Joshua G. Nicker- 
son informs me that at Boothbay, Me., towards the last of September, 
1877, a male of this species in elegant plumage was seen on the edo-e of a 
pond by a boy, who knocked it over with a stone, and captured the bird 
alive. It was kept in a slatted box for some days, and at once became very 
tame. Being allowed the freedom of the room, it would parade about the 
floor, and perch on and take flies from the hand. Given too much liberty, 
it shortly escaped. — II. A. Purdie, Newton , Mass. 
Bull, N, O.O. 5, Oct., 1880 , p. VJ? . 
87 
