158 
THE GALLINULE. 
differs not from tlie male, which exceeds the partridge, hut 
is inferior to a domestic hen. The Marquis de Nesle 
brought a pair from Sicily, where they are known under 
the name of G-allofagiani ; they are found on the lake Len- 
tini, above Catana, and are sold for a moderate price in that 
city, as well as in Syracuse and the adjacent towns. They 
appear alive in the public places, and plant themselves 
beside the sellers of vegetables and fruits to pick up the 
refuse ; and this beautiful bird, which the Romans lodged 
in their temples, now experiences the decline of Italy.” 
The length of the Purple Gallinule is fourteen inches; 
its bill is an inch and a quarter long, red, yellow at the 
tips; nostril, small, oblong, and near the' centre of the bill; 
irides, tawny; the naked front and crown are red; the 
head, part of the neck, throat, and breast are of a rich 
violet purple ; the back and scapulars, brownish-green ; 
rump, tail, and its coverts, of a duller brownish-green ; the 
sides of the neck, ultramarine ; wings, the same, tinged with 
green ; the inner webs of the quill-feathers and tail, dusky 
brown ; upper lining and side lining of the wings, under 
the spurious wing, rich light blue ; the belly, thighs, and 
for an inch behind, dull purplish black; the vent pure 
white; tail, rounded; thighs, legs, and feet, red; span of 
the foot, five inches ; hind toe and claws, long. 
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