—“~—a are”. | ae 


12 THE NATURAL HISTORY 
their temples and palaces, and they allowed it to 
enjoy its liberty. 
“The purple Gallinule is very gentle and inno. 
cent, at the fame time timid and affeGtionate, It | 
likes to be alone, and endeavours to conceal jt. | 
felf whilft it eats; at the approach of any per. 
fon it. cries through fear; its voice at firf is 
weak, then fhrill, and finifhes with three dull 
notes which feem ftifled. When pleafed his cries | 
are lefs loud and fofter; he prefers fruit and roots, 
and particularly endive ; but he eats fith with fill ; 
more pleafure: he often dips his food in water, | 
he takes it in his foot, moves it about between his 
toes, and eats it by breaking off little pieces one. 
after another. 
His blue and downy plumage is ftill more 
beautiful from its gloffinefs ; his long legs, the 
fpot on the crown of his head, and the root of 
his bill, are of a beautiful red; the tuft of white 
feathers under his tail foften the fplendor of its 
elegant blue. 
The purple Gallinule is found chiefly in Africa, 
and near the Cafpian Sea, and is ufed to warm 
fituations ; yet it might probably eafily be tamed 
and bred in England. 
A gentleman in France had a pair in an aviary; 
they made a neft, both the male and female af- 
fifted ; 
