Purple Gallinules are found in the South Atlantic and Gulf States, and
casually northward as far as Maine, New York, Wisconsin, and south
throughout the West Indies, Mexico, Central America, and northern South
America to Brazil. The bird pictured was caught in the streets of
Galveston, Texas, and presented to Mr. F. M. Woodruff, of the Chicago
Academy of Sciences. Gallinules live in marshy districts, and some of
them might even be called water-fowls. They usually prefer sedgy lakes,
large swampy morasses and brooks, or ponds and rivers well stocked with
vegetation. They are not social in disposition, but show attachment to
any locality of which they have taken possession, driving away other
birds much larger and stronger than themselves. They are tenderly
attached to their little ones and show great affection for each other.
The nest is always built among, or near the water plants of which they
are fond. It is about eight inches thick and fifteen to eighteen inches
in diameter, and is placed from a foot to two feet out of water among
the heavy rushes. The Purple Gallinule is known to build as many as five
or six sham nests, a trait which is not confined to the Wren family.
From four to twelve smooth shelled and spotted eggs are laid, and the
nestlings when first hatched are clad in dark colored down. On leaving
the nest they, accompanied by their parents, seek a more favorable
situation until after the moulting season. Half fluttering and half
running, they are able to make their way over a floating surface of
water-plants. They also swim with facility, as they are aquatic, having
swimming membranes on their feet, and while vegetable feeders to some
extent, they dive for food. It is noted that some Gallinules, when
young, crawl on bushes by wing claws. The voice somewhat resembles the
cackling or clucking of a hen. It eats the tender shoots of young corn,
grass, and various kinds of grain. When the breeding season approaches,
the mated pairs generally resort to rice fields, concealing themselves
among the reeds and rushes. Mr. Woodruff noted that when the railway
trains pass through the over-flowed districts about Galveston, the birds
fly up along the track in large multitudes.
The Purple Gallinules are stoutly built birds, with a high and strong
bill, and their remarkably long toes, which enable them to walk readily
over the water plants, are frequently employed to hold the food, very
much in the manner of a parrot, while eating.
O, purple-breasted Gallinule
Why should thy beauty cause thee fear?
Why should the huntsman seek to fool
Thy innocence, and bring thee near
His deadly tool of fire and lead?
Thou holdest high thy stately head!
Would that the hunter might consent
To leave thee in thy sweet content.--C. C. M.
[Illustration: From col. F. M. Woodruff.
PURPLE GALLINULE.]
[Illustration: From col. F. M. Woodruff.
SMITH'S LONGSPUR.]