Page 198

198              M \TRTINICO GALLINULE.
The Martinico Gallinule is a vigorous and active bird  It
bites hard, and is quite expert in the use of its feet. When it
seizes upon any substance with its toes, it requires a considera-
ble effort to disengage it. Its toes are long, and spread greatly.
It runs with swiftness; and, when walking, it jerks its tail in the
manner of the Common Rail. Its manners and food are some-
what similar to those of the far-famed Purple Gallinule, whose
history is so beautifully detailed in the works of Buffon.
In- its native haunts it is vigilant and shy; and it is not easy
to spring it, without the assistance of a dog.
The specimen, from which our drawing was taken, came from
the state of Georgia, and is deposited in the Philadelphia Mu-
seum. It is reduced, as well as the rest of the figures in the
same plate, to one half of the size of life.
Length from the tip of the bill to the end of the tail fourteen
inches; bill an inch and a quarter long, vermilion, greenish yel-
low at the tip; irides pale cornelian; naked crown dull azure;
head, part of the neck, throat and breast, of a rich violet purple;
back and scapulars olive green; rump, tail and its coverts,
brownish green; sides of the neck, and wings, ultramarine, the
latter tinged with green; shoulders of wings rich azure; inner
webs of the quills and tail feathers dusky brown; belly and
thighs dull purplish black; vent pure white; tail rounded; legs
and feet greenish yellow, claws long, sharp, and of a pale flesh
colour; span of the foot five inches.*
* From Mr. Oid's supplementary volunme