Volume Iii Part 20 (1/2)

Pl. 173

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GALLINULA ruficollis, _var._

_Black-bellied Gallinule_ _var._

GENERIC CHARACTER.

_Gallinula._ Briss. Cuv. Tem. Lath. _Fulica_, _Rallus_. Linn. _Crex._ Illiger.

_Rostrum capite brevius, valde compressum, conic.u.m, r.e.c.t.u.m, apice compresso, mandibula inferiore angulata. Nares sulcatae, membrana obtectae; apertura magna, oblonga, pervia, vix media. Pedes elongati, grallarii, genibus nudis, digitis gracilibus tribus, halluce mediocri._

Bill shorter than the head, much compressed, conic, straight, the tips compressed, inferior mandible angulated. Nostrils sulcated, covered by a membrane; aperture large, oblong, pervious, nearly medial. Feet long, wading, knees naked, fore toes three, long, slender, hind toe (or thumb) short.

Generic type. _Rallus porzana._ Linn.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Gall. ruficollis var. A? _Olivaceo-fusca; cervice cinerea; pectore, abdomine, alisque rufis; crisso, uropygio, caudaque nigris; tectricibus interioribus rufis, nigro-fasciatis; pedibus rubris._

Olive brown; neck cinereous; breast, body, and wings rufous; belly, rump, and tail black; interior wing covers rufous, banded with black; legs red.

Fulica ruficollis. _Gmelin_, 1. _p._ 700. _Turton_, 1. _p._ 423.

Gallinula ruficollis. _Lath. Ind. Orn._ 2. 767.

Black-bellied Gallinule. _Lath. Syn._ 1. _p._ 253.

This is one of the largest water hens found in Brazil, where it is very rare. I am indebted to Dr. Langsdorff for the only specimen which I brought from that country. It differs considerably from the Black-bellied Gallinule of Latham, yet, perhaps, not sufficiently to record it as a distinct species.

Total length fifteen inches and a half; bill one and a half; the base (in the dead bird) orange, the other half green; frontlet none; the crown and nape are grey brown, the sides cinereous, and the throat whitish; the neck both above and beneath for about two thirds its length is lead-coloured; it then changes to rufous, which spreads over the breast, body, wing covers, and greater quills; the lower part of the neck above, with the back, scapulars, and lesser quills, brownish olive; the belly, thighs, tail, and rump black; the inner wing covers are remotely barred with black; legs (in the live bird) red.

Latham describes the Black-bellied G. as seventeen inches long; the bill two inches; the quills greenish brown, with rufous margins; the fore part of the neck and breast bright rufous; and the flanks with black bands.

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