‘ye THE NATURAL HISTORY 
_ their temples and palaces, and eey. allowed it to 
enjoy its liberty. : | 
_ The purple Gallinule is very gentle and inno- 
cent, at the fame time timid and affectionate. It — 
likes to be alone, and endeavours to conceal it- 
‘felf whilft it eats; at the approach of any per-. 
fon it cries through fear; its voice-at firft is 
weak, then fhrill, and finifhes with three dull 
notes which feem ftifled. When pleafed his cries 
are Jefs loud and fofter; he prefers fruit and roots, 
and particularly endive; but he eats fifh with ftill 
_ . 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 ee one 
alter another. | 
His blue and downy plumage is ‘fill 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 be of its 
elegant blue. 
ae The purple Gal Hinule is found chiefly in Africa, 
ai near the Cafpian Sea, and is ufed to warm 
fituations ; yet it might poe sally be tamed 
and bred in England, a 
A gentleman i in France had a pair in an aviary ; ; 
they made a uae both the male and female af 
fitted 5 

