_Gelinote_ Leguat, t. II p. 71 (1708).
_Erythromachus leguati_ Milne-Edwards, Ann. Sci. Nat. (5) XIX, pp. 6,
7, pls. XI, XII (1874).
_Aphanopteryx leguati_ Günther & E. Newton, Phil. Trans. Vol. 168, pp.
431-432, pl. XLIII (1879).
Of the older writers only Leguat appears to have described the Rodriguez
flightless rail. There are several references to "_Hens_," "_Veld
Hoenders_," &c., but all appear to refer to the Mauritius bird
_Aphanapteryx bonasia_. Leguat's description is as follows:--
"Our 'gelinotes' are fat all the year round and of a most delicate taste.
Their colour is always of a bright grey, and there is very little
difference in plumage between the two sexes. They hide their nests so well
that we could not find them out, and consequently did not taste their eggs.
They have a red naked area round their eyes, their beaks are straight and
pointed, near two and two-fifths inches long, and red also. They cannot
fly, their fat makes them too heavy for it. If you offer them anything red,
they are so angry they will fly at you to catch it out of your hand, and in
the heat of the combat we had an opportunity to take them with ease."
Quite extinct. Only known from descriptions and osseous remains. One tibia
in the Tring Museum.
Habitat: Rodriguez Island.
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