46, Gallinula chlorepug cachinnang Bangs- 
Florida Gallinule 
Other Names.-- 
Guatemalan: gallina de agua 
English: marsh hen, water hen 
Status.—-This species is a fairly common migrant and winter resident at freshwater marshes 
and lagoons. 
¢ white edging to feathers of 
Description.-~A grayish coot-like marsh bird with a red bill; w. 
flanks; back and wings brownish: frontal shield on forehead red: red bill tipped with 
yellow; eye dark; greenish legs. 4 
Yoice.——-A variety of notes, commonly similar to the clucks and squawks of a domestic hen. 
Measurements.-- 
Male (16) Female (10) 
Wing, 167-181 (174.5) Wing, 151.5-174 (164.2) 
Tail, 64-86 (72.2) Tail, 62-71 (66) 
Tarsus, 49-57 (52.7) Tareus, 45-51 (48.5) 
Culmen from frontal shield, Culmen from frontal shield, 
38.5-47.5 (43.2) 3642.5 (39.9) 
Genera] Distributign.--Breeds from central California, Arizona, Nebraska, Minnesota, 
southern Ontario, New York, and Vermont, south to southern Lower California, México (and 
locally to Panamf), the Gulf coast and Plorida; Bermuda, Galapagos Islands. Migratory in 
the northern part of its range. 
Distribution in Guatemala.--Winter visitant to freshwater marshes of the Pacific coastal 
plain; also recorded at Lake AmatitlAn and Dueftas. 
Records.--Lake Amatitld4n, March 1942; Lake Atescatempa, January 29, 1947; marshes 
adjacent to the Chiquimulilla Canal, January 29, 1947. j 
In literature it has been recorded from: Duefias (Salvin and Godman); Amatitldn 
(Dearborn). 
Habits and Hunting.--This species is found in much the same environment as is the coot, and 
is similar in many habits. 
As the coot is so much more numerous by comparison, it is usually much easier for 
the hunter to shoot a fair bag of them before he sees his first gallinule. All reports 
indicate the latter is of very little value as a game bird in the Republic. 
47, Porphyrula martinicea (Linnaeue) 
Purple Gallinule 
Other Names.--~ 
None known. 
Status.--This species is apparently an uncommon and very local migrant to and resident of 
freshwater marshes and lagoons. 
Descrintion.--A coot-like bird with a duaky red bill, purple head and underparts: baci 
glossy olive~green; frontal shield on forehead blue; legs yellow. Colors of soft parte 
brighter in breeding season, red bill then tipped with yellow. 
Meagurenen t 8. =< 
Male (19) Female (27) 
Wing, 168-184 (176.2) Wing, 161-184 (170.8) 
Tail, 60-78 (69.7) Tail, 60-78 (68.2) 
Tarsus, 56-64 (60.8) Tarsus, 52-65 (59.3) 
Culmen from nostril, 16-19 (17.5) Culmen from nostril, 15-19 (16.8) 
56 
